Florence to Trieste | Page 4

Bologna--General Albergati
Without speaking at any length I asked the young grand duke to give
me an asylum in his dominions for as long as I might care to stay. I
anticipated any questions he might have asked by telling him the
reasons which had made me an exile from my native land.
"As to my necessities," I added, "I shall ask for help of no one; I have
sufficient funds to ensure my independence. I think of devoting the
whole of my time to study."
"So long as your conduct is good," he replied, "the laws guarantee your
freedom; but I am glad you have applied to me. Whom do you know in
Florence?"
"Ten years ago, my lord, I had some distinuished acquaintances here;
but now I propose to live in retirement, and do not intend renewing any
old friendships."
Such was my conversation with the young sovereign, and after his
assurances I concluded that no one would molest me.
My adventures in Tuscany the years before were in all probability
forgotten, or almost forgotten, as the new Government had nothing in
common with the old.
After my interview with the grand duke I went to a bookseller's shop
and ordered some books. A gentleman in the shop, hearing me making
enquiries about Greek works, accosted me, and we got on well together.
I told him I was working at a translation of the "Iliad," and in return he
informed me that he was making a collection of Greek epigrams, which
he wished to publish in Greek and Italian. I told him I should like to see
this work, whereupon he asked me where I lived. I told him, learnt his
name and address, and called on him the next day. He returned the visit,
and we became fast friends, though we never either walked or ate
together.
This worthy Florentine was named (or is named, if he be still alive)
Everard de Medici.
I was very comfortable with Allegranti; I had the quiet so necessary to
literary labours, but nevertheless I made up my mind to change my
lodging. Magdalena, my landlord's niece, was so clever and charming,
though but a child, that she continually disturbed my studies. She came
into my room, wished me good day, asked me what kind of a night I
had spent, if I wanted anything, and the sight of her grace and beauty

and the sound of her voice so ravished me, that I determined to seek
safety in flight.
A few years later Magdalena became a famous musician.
After leaving Allegranti I took rooms in a tradesman's house; his wife
was ugly, and he had no pretty daughters or seductive nieces. There I
lived for three weeks like Lafontaine's rat, very discreetly.
About the same time, Count Stratico arrived at Florence with his pupil,
the Chevalier Morosini, who was then eighteen. I could not avoid
calling on Stratico. He had broken his leg some time before and was
still unable to go out with his pupil, who had all the vices and none of
the virtues of youth. Consequently, Stratico was always afraid of
something happening to him, and he begged me to make myself his
companion, and even to share his pleasures, so that he might not go
into bad company and dangerous houses alone and undefended.
Thus my days of calm study vanished away. I had to partake in the
debauchery of a young rake, and all out of pure sensibility.
The Chevalier Morosini was a thorough-paced profligate. He hated
literature, good society, and the company of sensible people. His daily
pleasures were furious riding, hard drinking, and hard dissipation with
prostitutes, whom he sometimes almost killed.
This young nobleman paid a man for the sole service of getting him a
woman or a girl every day.
During the two months which he passed in Florence I saved his life a
score of times. I got very tired of my duty, but I felt bound to persevere.
He was liberal to the verge of recklessness, and would never allow me
to pay for anything. Even here, however, disputes often arose between
us; as he paid, he wanted me to eat, drink, and dissipate in the same
measures as himself. However, I had my own way on most occasions,
only giving in when it suited me to do so.
We went to see the opera at Lucca, and drought two of the dancers
home to supper. As the chevalier was drunk as usual, he treated the
woman he had chosen--a superb creature--very indifferently. The other
was pretty enough, but I had done nothing serious with her, so I
proceeded to avenge the beauty. She took me for the chevalier's father,
and advised me to give him a better education.
After