Joan of Naples | Page 9

of the utmost importance for
the security and common prosperity of the kingdom and counties
aforesaid.
"Moreover, he has decided and commanded that in case of the death of
the Duchess Joan--which God avert!--without lawful issue of her body,
the most illustrious lord Andre, Duke of Calabria, her husband, shall
have the principality of Salerno, with the title fruits, revenues, and all
the rights thereof, together with the revenue of 2000 ounces of gold for
maintenance.
"Moreover, he has decided and ordered that the Queen above all, and
also the venerable father Don Philip of Cabassole, Bishop of Cavaillon,
vice-chancellor of the kingdom of Sicily, and the magnificent lords
Philip of Sanguineto, seneschal of Provence, Godfrey of Marsan, Count
of Squillace, admiral of the kingdom, and Charles of Artois, Count of
Aire, shall be governors, regents, and administrators of the aforesaid
lord Andre and the aforesaid ladies Joan and Marie, until such time as
the duke, the duchess, and the very illustrious lady Marie shall have
attained their twenty-fifth year," etc. etc.
When the vice-chancellor had finished reading, the king sat up, and
glancing round upon his fair and numerous family, thus spoke:
"My children, you have heard my last wishes. I have bidden you all to
my deathbed, that you may see how the glory of the world passes away.
Those whom men name the great ones of the earth have more duties to
perform, and after death more accounts to render: it is in this that their
greatness lies. I have reigned thirty-three years, and God before whom I
am about to appear, God to whom my sighs have often arisen during
my long and painful life, God alone knows the thoughts that rend my
heart in the hour of death. Soon shall I be lying in the tomb, and all that

remains of me in this world will live in the memory of those who pray
for me. But before I leave you for ever, you, oh, you who are twice my
daughters, whom I have loved with a double love, and you my nephews
who have had from me all the care and affection of a father, promise
me to be ever united in heart and in wish, as indeed you are in my love.
I have lived longer than your fathers, I the eldest of all, and thus no
doubt God has wished to tighten the bonds of your affection, to
accustom you to live in one family and to pay honour to one head. I
have loved you all alike, as a father should, without exception or
preference. I have disposed of my throne according to the law of nature
and the inspiration of my conscience: Here are the heirs of the crown of
Naples; you, Joan, and you, Andre, will never forget the love and
respect that are due between husband and wife, and mutually sworn by
you at the foot of the altar; and you, my nephews all; my barons, my
officers, render homage to your lawful sovereigns; Andre of Hungary,
Louis of Tarentum, Charles of Durazzo, remember that you are
brothers; woe to him who shall imitate the perfidy of Cain! May his
blood fall upon his own head, and may he be accursed by Heaven as he
is by the mouth of a dying man; and may the blessing of the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Spirit descend upon that man whose heart is good,
when the Lord of mercy shall call to my soul Himself!"
The king remained motionless, his arms raised, his eyes fixed on
heaven, his cheeks extraordinarily bright, while the princes, barons, and
officers of the court proffered to Joan and her husband the oath of
fidelity and allegiance. When it was the turn of the Princes of Duras to
advance, Charles disdainfully stalked past Andre, and bending his knee
before the princess, said in a loud voice, as he kissed her hand--
"To you, my queen, I pay my homage."
All looks were turned fearfully towards the dying man, but the good
king no longer heard. Seeing him fall back rigid and motionless, Dona
Sancha burst into sobs, and cried in a voice choked with tears
"The king is dead; let us pray for his soul."
At the very same moment all the princes hurried from the room, and

every passion hitherto suppressed in the presence of the king now
found its vent like a mighty torrent breaking through its banks.
"Long live Joan! "Robert of Cabane, Louis of Tarentum, and Bertrand
of Artois were the first to exclaim, while the prince's tutor, furiously
breaking through the crowd and apostrophising the various members of
the council of regency, cried aloud in varying tones of passion,
"Gentlemen, you have forgotten the king's wish already; you must cry,