That which the fighting Pontiff, Pius V., said when he heard of the victory
is in character with everything which history has told us of this
remarkable occupant of the chair of Saint Peter. It was short but very much
to the point, consisting of the one sentence, "Fuit homo misus a Deo cui
nomen erat Joannes."
In a collection of epitaphs printed in Colonia in 1623 (and edited by one
Franciscus Swertius) is one in Spanish by an anonymous author on Don John
of Austria. In this, which takes the form of question and answer, it is
asked of him "who with so much real glory lies so humbly 'neath this
stone," what it is that Spain can do for him, what temple or what statue
can she raise to his honour. To this the hero is made to reply that "My
temple is found in my works, my statue has been my fame." This is not only
a pretty conceit, but it is very substantially true when we think of the
place in history which this man attained.
It remains to speak of the future career of Ali Basha after his experiences
at Lepanto. He now returned to Constantinople, where he found that the
bitter complaints of the Janissaries concerning their lack of pay had
preceded him; this must have been annoying, as by this time so
insignificant a circumstance had probably escaped his memory. His old
friend and patron Piali Basha was still in power; the Basha used his
influence, and the corsair laid at the feet of the Sultan the great
Standard of Saint John captured by him from the Knights--which was the only
trophy which came to Constantinople from that disastrous battle; and in
consequence we are told that "instead of reprimands he was loaded with
caresses and applauses.
Pages:
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388