DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.67375#0156
114
NAPLES AND ITS ENVIRONS.
which meant, “We will have no taxes, and the people
shall share equally with the nobles in the government.”
The Duke of Maddaloni could get no satisfaction beyond
this, and rode away, promising to bring them the veritable
document of Charles V.
Masaniello did not leave the market-place, and in con-
sultation with his advisers made a list of the palaces and
houses to be destroyed. At evening the conflagrations
began, to the infinite satisfaction of the mob, who shouted,
“We now burn our own blood; so may those who have
sucked it from us burn in hell! ” Again, as on the pre-
vious evening, the processions of monks appeared only to
be insulted and driven back, while the churches were
filled by suppliants for a divine interposition which
should save their city and their lives.
On July 9 the condition was more frightful still, and
the destruction of property such as makes one sigh in
reading of it even now. Splendid works of art, all kinds
of rich furniture, tapestries and stuffs, and even casks of
coins, boxes of pearls, and other priceless treasures were
cast into the flames, along with lap dogs and other pets,
while fine horses were stabbed in their stalls; and this
vandalism was raging in all the surrounding regions as
well as in Naples. From many castles tongues of forked
flames ascended, leaving blackened ruins and smouldering
ashes to mark the spots where they had so proudly raised
their massive towers, as if defying the world to conquer
them.
In spite of all these horrors the viceroy still hoped for
a reconciliation with the people, and this hope was the
only refuge from despair. Cowardly as it seems in one
view, in another it required great courage to send his
friends to face the hideous multitude and make promises
in his name. Some of his ambassadors were surrounded
by the mob, and only escaped by making the most abject
NAPLES AND ITS ENVIRONS.
which meant, “We will have no taxes, and the people
shall share equally with the nobles in the government.”
The Duke of Maddaloni could get no satisfaction beyond
this, and rode away, promising to bring them the veritable
document of Charles V.
Masaniello did not leave the market-place, and in con-
sultation with his advisers made a list of the palaces and
houses to be destroyed. At evening the conflagrations
began, to the infinite satisfaction of the mob, who shouted,
“We now burn our own blood; so may those who have
sucked it from us burn in hell! ” Again, as on the pre-
vious evening, the processions of monks appeared only to
be insulted and driven back, while the churches were
filled by suppliants for a divine interposition which
should save their city and their lives.
On July 9 the condition was more frightful still, and
the destruction of property such as makes one sigh in
reading of it even now. Splendid works of art, all kinds
of rich furniture, tapestries and stuffs, and even casks of
coins, boxes of pearls, and other priceless treasures were
cast into the flames, along with lap dogs and other pets,
while fine horses were stabbed in their stalls; and this
vandalism was raging in all the surrounding regions as
well as in Naples. From many castles tongues of forked
flames ascended, leaving blackened ruins and smouldering
ashes to mark the spots where they had so proudly raised
their massive towers, as if defying the world to conquer
them.
In spite of all these horrors the viceroy still hoped for
a reconciliation with the people, and this hope was the
only refuge from despair. Cowardly as it seems in one
view, in another it required great courage to send his
friends to face the hideous multitude and make promises
in his name. Some of his ambassadors were surrounded
by the mob, and only escaped by making the most abject