xcellent
verses.

Mazzini looked to Piedmont, the State of military traditions, for aid
in the struggle that should make the Alps the boundary of a new Italian
nation. He wrote to Charles Albert, who professed liberal opinions,
beseeching him to place himself at the head of the new party. "Unite
on your flag, Union, Liberty, and Independence!" he entreated. "Free
Italy from the barbarian, build up the future, be the Napoleon of
Italian freedom. Your safety lies in the sword's point; draw it, and
throw away the scabbard. But remember if you do it not, others will do
it without you and against you."

Thousands flocked to join the new association, which began to rouse the
fears of mighty governments. A military conspiracy was discovered,
into which many non-commissioned officers had entered. Humble
sergeants were tried by court-martial, tortured to betray their
confederates, and sentenced to death, giving the glory of martyrdom to
the cause of Young Italy.

Mazzini lost the friend of his youth, Jacopo Ruffini, and the loss
bowed him with a sense of calamity too heavy to be borne. He had to
remind himself that sacrifice was needful, and advance the preparations
for a new attack under General Ramolino, who had {190} served Napoleon.
He was in exile at Geneva, and chose Savoy as the base of operations.
The whole attempt failed miserably, and hardly a shot was fired.

Even the refuge in Switzerland was lost after this rising. He fled
from house to house, hunted and despairing with the curses of former
allies in his ears now that he had brought distress upon them. He
could not even get books as a solace for his weary mind, and clothes
and money were difficult to obtain since his friends knew how
importunate was Young Italy in demands, and how easily he yielded to
the beggar. Bitterness came to him, threatening to mar his fine nature
and depriving him of courage. Italy had sunk into apathy again, and he
knew not how to rouse her. He bowed his head and asked pardon of God
because he had dared to sacrifice in that last effort the lives of many
others.

Mazzini rose again, resolved to do without friends and kindred, if duty
should forbid those consolations. He thought of the lives of Juvenal,
urging the Roman to ask for "the soul that has no fear of death and
that endures life's pain and labour calmly." He gave up dreams of love
and ambition for himself, feeling that the only way for Italy to
succeed was to pl