nd to fight one another; and the former
capitulated, surrendered the strong place of Novara, and promised to
evacuate the country on condition of a safe-conduct for themselves and
their booty. Ludovic, in extreme anxiety for his own safety, was on the
point of giving himself up to the French; but, whether by his own free
will or by the advice of the Swiss who were but lately in his pay, and
who were now withdrawing; he concealed himself amongst them, putting on a
disguise, "with his hair turned up under a coif, a collaret round his
neck, a doublet of crimson satin, scarlet hose, and a halberd in his
fist;" but, whether it were that he was betrayed or that he was
recognized, he, on the 10th of April, 1500, fell into the hands of the
French, and was conducted to the quarters of La Tremoille, who said no
more than, "Welcome, lord." Next day, April 11, Louis XII. received near
Lyons the news of this capture, "whereat he was right joyous, and had
bonfires lighted, together with devotional processions, giving thanks to
the Prince of princes for the happy victory he had, by the divine aid,
obtained over his enemies." Ludovic was taken to Lyons. "At the
entrance into the city a great number of gentlemen from the king's
household were present to meet him; and the provost of the household
conducted him all along the high street to the castle of Pierre-Encise,
where he was lodged and placed in security." There he passed a
fortnight. Louis refused to see him, but had him "questioned as to
several matters by the lords of his grand council; and, granted that he
had committed nought but follies, still he spoke right wisely." He was
conducted from Pierre-Encise to the castle of Loches in Touraine, where
he was at first kept in very strict captivity, "without books, paper, or
ink," but it was afterwards less severe. "He plays at tennis and at
cards," says a despatch of the Venetian ambassador, Dominic of Treviso,
"and he is fatter than ever." [_La Diplomatic Venitienne,_ by M. Armand
Baschet (1862), p. 363.] He died in his prison at the end of eight years,
having to the very last great confidence in the future of his name, for
he wrote, they say, on the wall of his prison these words: "Services
rendered me will count for an heritage." And "thus was the duchy of
Milan, within seven months and a half, twice conquered by the French,"
says John d'Auton in his Claronique, "and for the nonce was ended the war
in Lombardy, and the auth