Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1897 Excerpt: ... filleted And robed the same, only a lute beside ay on the turf. Before him far and wide 1 he country stretched: Goito slept behind 305--the castle and its covert which confined Him with his hopes and fears; so fain of old To leave the story of his birth untold. At intervals, 'spite the fantastic glow Of his Apollo-life, a certain low 310 And wretched whisper winding through the bliss Admonished, no such fortune could be his, All was quite false and sure to fade one day: The closelier drew he round him his array Of brilliance to expel the truth. But when 315 A reason for his difference from men Surprised him at the grave, he took no rest While aught of that old life, superbly drest Down to its meanest incident, remained A mystery--alas, they soon explained 320 Away Apollo! and the tale amounts To this: when at Vicenza both her Counts Banished the Vivaresi kith and kin, Those Maltraversi hung on Ecelin, Reviling as he followed; he for spite 325 Must fire their quarter, though that self-same night Among the flames young Ecelin was born Of Adelaide, there too, and barely torn From the roused populace hard on the rear By a poor archer when his chieftain's fear 330 Was high; into the thick Elcorte leapt, Saved her, and died; no creature left except His child to thank. And when the full escape Was known--how men impaled from chine to nape Unlucky Prata, all to pieces spurned 335 Bishop Pistore's concubines, and burned Taurello's entire household, flesh and fell, Missing the sweeter prey--such courage well Might claim reward. The orphan, ever since, Sordello, had been nurtured by his prince 340 Within a blind retreat where Adelaide (For, once this notable discovery made, The past at every point was understood) Can harbour easily when times are rude, When Est..."