Vittoria Colonna By Ca Eaton PDF Download

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1827 edition. Excerpt: ... his country and his self-love, but, that during the three months of repose enjoyed by the army at Naples, he had been led to hope, that some of his bold emissaries would discover Vittoria Colonna in her Sicilian prison or retreat; and either forcibly rescue her, or, by stratagem, afford her the means of escape. The order to evacuate Naples, with the noise of Suwarrow1s victories, came like a thunderclap to startle him from his quiet hopes; and the clouds of disaster that rolled in after, and enveloped the French, cast a shade too dark for love to bask in. Other, and more immediate hopes and fears, than those of losing or possessing his mistress, occupied his breast. Prospect and retrospect were sad. France, the hitherto invincible France, now worsted, and menaced with invasion--her boasted liberty tottering-- her past victories erased: --all through the fool-hardy enterprise of one man, who fascinated his country to trust in him; and who, in bearing away her legions, had shorn France of her strong locks, and left her at the mercy of her enemies. The brave saw that their blood had been spilled in vain--a mortifying thought, however, that the sanguine and mercurial temperament of French soldiers did not allow them long to dwell on. They retired as they had advanced, recklessly and gaily. But Duvivier, who had exchanged some of the lightness of his national character, for Italian earnestness and passion, felt that he now differed from his comrades. Combat made him no longer gay, but savage; hardship made him morose; and the idea always present, however little time was allowed to indulge in it, of hopes for ever blasted, caused him to value life less. The perils which he was wont to court and brave, from mere youthful ardour, he now dared..