Identifier: lifeofpopepiusix00shea (find matches)
Title: The life of Pope Pius IX..
Year: 1877 (1870s)
Authors: Shea, John Gilmary, 1824-1892
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Publisher: (n.p.)
Contributing Library: The Library of Congress
Digitizing Sponsor: The Library of Congress

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disarm his suspicions as to the mys-terious party at the inn. Count Spaur had meanwhile driven inall haste to Naples, where he at once 140 LIFE OF POPE PIUS IX. proceeded to the Popes Nuncio. Hecould scarcely induce that prelate to be-lieve his words and present him to theking. They drove to the palace, andreaching it at midnight, delivered toFerdinand the letter of Pius IX. Heread it with wonder, and heard in tearsthe account of his escape. Then he ran tothe apartments of the queen and his chil-dren, crying, Arise! the Pope is atGaeta; we must start to-night to throwourselves at his feet, and offer him our re-spectful homage. Two steamers, the Tancred and theRobert, were at once got ready; the kingordered a number of articles for the Popesimmediate use, clothing, furniture, plate,and at six oclock he embarked on theTancred with the queen and his wholefamily, the Bavarian minister, and a nu-merous suite. The steamers appeared off Gaeta almostsimultaneously with a French frigate bear-
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LIFE OF POPE PIUS IX. 143 ing the Duke dHarcourt. In a short timeall met at the governors palace, and themystery was solved. Ferdinand II., could not restrain histears on beholding the Head of the Churchappear, bereft of all the attributes of hisexalted dignity, almost alone, leaning on acane, but gentle, calm, as benignant underhis black hat as under the triple crown.The queen knelt on the staircase with herchildren, the whole court imitated her ex-ample, nor did they rise till they receivedthe blessing of the illustrious guest whomheaven had sent. The king at once used every argumentto induce the Pope to accept his hospital-ity and remain at Gaeta, a safe and tran-quil spot, near the Roman frontier, amida faithful people and protected by a for-midable fortress. He gave him his ownpalace, and took up his residence in ahouse at a short distance, and showedevery courtesy and care toward the cardi- 144 LIFE OF POPE PIUS IX. nals and other personages, who graduallyformed a little court a

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