The Lion of Saint Mark | Page 5

English habits of
shutting up early, and has not learned to turn night into day as you do
here in Venice."
"The bell has just tolled the hour, Francis," his father said as he entered.
"I didn't think it was quite so late, father; the Piazza is crowded. I really
do not think there is one person in Venice who goes to bed so early as
we do. It is so pleasant in the moonlight after the heat of the day."
"That is true enough, Francis, but men are meant to sleep at night and
to work in the day. I think our fathers carried this too far when they
rang the curfew at eight; but ten is quite late enough for any honest man
to be about in the streets, and the hours of the early morning are just as
pleasant and far more healthy than those of the evening, especially in a
place like this where the mists rise from the water, to say nothing of the
chance of meeting a band of wild gallants on their way homewards
heated with wine, or of getting a stab in the back from some midnight
assassin. However, I do not blame Venice for enjoying herself while
she can. She will have more serious matters to attend to soon."
"But she is at peace with every one at present, father. I thought when
she signed the treaty with Austria after a year's fighting, she was going
to have rest for a time."
"That was only the beginning of the trouble, Francis, and the council
knew it well; that was why they made such terms with Austria as they
did. They knew that Austria was only acting in accord with Hungary,
and Padua, and Genoa. The others were not ready to begin, so Austria
came on her own account to get what booty and plunder she could. But
the storm is gathering, and will burst before long. But do not let us
stand talking here any longer. It is high time for you to be in bed."
But though Francis retired to his room, it was more than an hour before
he got into bed. His window looked down upon one of the canals

running into the Grand Canal. Gondolas lighted by lanterns, or by
torches held by servitors, passed constantly backwards and forwards
beneath his window, and by leaning out he could see the passing lights
of those on the Grand Canal. Snatches of song and laughter came up to
him, and sometimes the note of a musical instrument. The air was soft
and balmy, and he felt no inclination for sleep.
Francis thought over what his father had said of the probability of war,
as he sat at his window, and wished that he were a couple of years older
and could take part in the struggle. The Venetian fleet had performed
such marvels of valour, that, in the days when military service was
almost the sole avenue to distinction and fortune, the desire to take part
in a naval expedition, which promised unusual opportunities of gaining
credit and renown, was the most natural thing possible for a boy of
spirit.
Francis was a well built lad of nearly sixteen. He had, until he left
London when about twelve years old, taken his full share in the rough
sports which formed so good a training for the youths of England, and
in which the citizens of London were in no way behind the rest of the
kingdom. He had practised shooting with a light bow and arrows, in
company with boys of his own age, in the fields outside the city walls;
had engaged in many a rough tussle with light clubs and quarterstaffs;
and his whole time--except for an hour or two daily which he had, as
the son of a well to do citizen, spent in learning to read and write--had
been occupied in games and exercises of one kind or other.
Since his arrival in Venice he had not altogether discontinued his
former habits. At his earnest solicitation, his father had permitted him
to attend the School of Arms, where the sons of patricians and
well-to-do merchants learned the use of sword and dagger, to hurl the
javelin, and wield the mace and battleaxe; and was, besides, a
frequenter of some of the schools where old soldiers gave private
lessons in arms to such as could afford it; and the skill and strength of
the English lad excited no slight envy among the young Venetian
nobles. Often, too, he would go out to one of the sandy islets, and there
setting up a mark, practise with the bow. His muscles too, had gained

strength and hardness by rowing. It was his constant habit of an
evening, when well away