Blackwoods Edinburgh Magazine | Page 3

and mercantile importance were at this period
greatly on the decline, saw nevertheless, on occasions like the present,
strangers from the most opposite nations of Europe, and even Asia,
mingling peaceably on her canals. Here were Turks in their bright red
caftans and turbans; there Armenians in long black robes; and Jews,
whose habitually greedy and crafty countenances had for the nonce
assumed an expression of eager curiosity and expectation. The
mercantile spirit of the Venetians prevented them from extending to
individuals the quarrels of states; and although the republic was then at
war with Spain, more than one superb hidalgo might be seen, wrapped
in his national gravity as in a mantle, and affecting a total disregard of
the blunt or hostile observations made within his hearing by sailors of
the Venetian navy, or by individuals smarting under the loss of ships
and cargoes captured by Spanish galleys.
Scattered here and there amongst the crowd, Antonio's searching eye
soon remarked a number of men, to whom, accustomed as he was to
analyse the heterogeneous composition of a Venetian mob, he was yet
at a loss to assign any distinct class or country. Their sunburnt and
strongly marked features were partially hidden by the folds of ample
cloaks, in which they kept themselves closely muffled; and it appeared
to Antonio, that in their selection of places they were more anxious to
escape observation than to obtain a good view of the approaching fight.
In the dark patches of shadow thrown by the overhanging balconies, in

the recesses of deep and gloomy portals, or peering out from the
entrance of some narrow and tortuous alley, these men were grouped,
silent, scowling, and alone, and apparently known to none of the
surrounding crowd. But suspicious as were the appearance and
deportment of the persons in question, Antonio's thoughts were too
much engrossed by another and far more interesting subject, to accord
them much attention. He nourished the hope of discovering amongst
the multitude assembled around him, the mysterious being who had
taken so strong a hold on his imagination. Vainly, however, did he scan
every balcony and window and strain his eyes to distinguish the faces
of the more distant of the assembled dames. More than once the flutter
of a white robe, or a momentarily fancied resemblance of figure, made
his heart beat high with expectation, until a second glance destroyed his
hopes; and the turning of a head or drawing aside of a veil disclosed the
blooming features of some youthful beauty, to which, in his then state
of mind, the wrinkled and unearthly visage of the incognita would have
been infinitely preferable.
While the young painter was thus fluctuating between hope and
disappointment, several lads with naked arms, or but slightly
encumbered with clothing, were giving the spectators a foretaste of the
approaching conflict; and, encouraged by the applause which was
liberally vouchsafed them, making violent efforts to drive one another
off the bridge. At times the spirit of partizanship would induce some of
the bystanders to come to the aid of those who seemed likely to be
defeated--an interference that was repressed by the ædiles stationed at
either end of the bridge, who did their utmost to enforce the laws of this
popular tournament. Notwithstanding their efforts, however, the mostra
or duello between two persons, by which the combat should begin, was
often converted into the frotta or mêlée, in which all pressed forward
without order. The first advantage was held to be--for one of the
combatants to draw blood, if it were only a single drop, from the nose
or mouth of his opponent. Loud applause rewarded the skill and vigour
of him who succeeded in throwing his adversary into the canal; but the
clamour became deafening when a champion was found who
maintained his station in the centre of the bridge, without any of the
opposite party venturing to attack him. This feat won the highest
honour that could be obtained; and he who achieved it retired from his

post amid the waving of scarfs and handkerchiefs, and the enthusiastic
cheers of the gratified spectators.
At length the bell of the Campanile announced that mass was over, and
presently, out of two opposite streets that had been purposely kept clear,
the combatants emerged, pressing forward in eager haste towards the
bridge; their arms naked to the shoulders, their breasts protected by
leathern doublets, and their heads by closely fitting caps--their dress
altogether as light as possible, and well adapted to the struggle in which
they were about to engage. The loud hum of the multitude was hushed
on their appearance, and the deepest silence reigned while the ædiles
marshaled them to their respective places, on which they planted
themselves in threatening attitudes, their broad and muscular chests
expanded,