xpedition he was going to carry out.

[Illustration: Charles VIII----293]

Ferdinand II., the new King of Naples, who had no lack of energy or
courage, was looking everywhere, at home and abroad, for forces and
allies to oppose the imminent invasion. To the Duke of Milan he wrote,
"Remember that we two are of the same blood. It is much to be desired
that a league should at once be formed between the pope, the kings of the
Romans and Spain, you, and Venice. If these powers are united, Italy
would have nought to fear from any. Give me your support; I have the
greatest need of it. If you back me, I shall owe to you the preservation
of my throne, and I will honor you as my father." He ordered the
Neapolitan envoy at Constantinople to remind Sultan Bajazet of the
re-enforcements he had promised his father, King Alphonso: "Time presses;
the King of France is advancing in person on Naples; be instant in
solicitation; be importunate if necessary, so that the Turkish army cross
the sea without delay. Be present yourself at the embarkation of the
troops. Be active; run; fly." He himself ran through all his kingdom,
striving to resuscitate some little spark of affection and hope. He had
no success anywhere; the memory of the king his father was hateful; he
was himself young and without influence; his ardor caused fear instead of
sympathy. Charles kept advancing along the kingdom through the midst of
people that remained impassive when they did not give him a warm
reception. The garrison of Monte San Giovanni, the strongest place on
the frontier, determined to resist. The place was carried by assault in
a few hours, and "the assailants," says a French chronicler, "without
pity or compassion, made short work of all those plunderers and
malefactors, whose bodies they hurled down from the walls. The carnage
lasted eight whole hours." A few days afterwards Charles with his guard
arrived in front of San Germano: "The clergy awaited him at the gate with
cross and banner; men of note carried a dais under the which he took his
place; behind him followed men, women, and children, chanting this
versicle from the Psalms: 'Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini!
Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord!'" The town of Capua
was supposed to be very much attached to the house of Arragon; John James
Trivulzio, a valiant Milanese captain, who had found asylum and fortune
in Naples, had the command there; and thither King Fer