156 THE, ADRIATIC BRIDE. 



cuting Pope Alexander the Third, who. finding himself elsewhere 

 insecure from the implacable hatred of his rival, and trusting on the 

 friendship and patriotism of the republic, at length took refuge in a 

 monastery at Vienna, where his wish appeared to be to live retired. 

 But the republic was proud of having the head of the church under 

 its protection ; and the Doge, accompanied by the nobles, brought 

 the Pope with great pomp out of his solitude, into a magnificent 

 palace prepared for his reception. They offered to mediate between 

 him and the Emperor, and sent a splendid embassy for that purpose 

 to Frederick, who dismissed it however with contempt, and insisted 

 on Alexander's being given up to him. But Ziani, who knew the 

 strength of his country, answered firmly in the negative to this in- 

 sulting proposition, and preparations were accordingly made for re- 

 commencing the war. 



Pope Alexander felt that his fate was now entirely in the hands of 

 Ziani, and thought it politic to use every means in his power to 

 unite the Doge's interest to his own. He had a niece, the Duchess 

 Valdrada, whose excessive beauty, being in as great renown as her 

 immense possessions, the richest and most distinguished nobles of the 

 country became her suitors. 



Alexander had reserved to himself the disposal of her hand, and as 

 he had already rejected several powerful aspirants, he now ardently 

 hoped through her means to attach the Doge for ever to his cause. 

 He therefore invited her to Venice, where her beauty and charms, far 

 exceeding the renown which had preceded her, and being also a 

 pattern of every feminine virtue, each was eager to render her 

 homage. Even Ziani acknowledged that he had never seen a more 

 perfect woman, and paid her the most distinguished marks of respect. 

 As the Pope discovered that Ziani's noble figure had made a deep 

 impression on his niece, he considered his plan of the union to have 

 succeeded, and thought it was now incumbent on him to speak with 

 the Doge on the subject. News arriving at this time that the Em- 

 peror Frederick was preparing a powerful fleet to send against 

 Venice, under the command of his own son Otto, the republic, in- 

 flamed by the exhortations of the Pope, and the glory of protecting 

 his sacred rights, did not hesitate going out to meet him with only 

 thirty galleys. When Ziani went to take leave of the Pope, and 

 ask his blessing, the latter said " Go courageously to battle, my son ! 

 my blessing is stronger than a thousand swords. I have destined an 

 incomparable jewel for the victor, the hand of the Duchess Valdrada." 



Ziani went out with his squadron to meet the enemy, and found 

 Frederick's fleet on the coast of Istria, where a dreadful battle ensued. 

 Ziani fought like a lion, with Malapiero and Daponte by his side. 

 The latter fell. The superiority of the enemy was great, but they 

 could make no stand against the bravery and warlike skill of the 

 Venetians. Many of the ships were overpowered, several were 

 set on fire, and when at last Ziani and Malapiero boarded the 

 Admiral's vessel and made Prince Otto prisoner with their own 

 hands, the contest was decided, and the remainder of the fleet escaped. 



The conquerors returned triumphantly to their harbou, laden with 

 booty. Never had the republic gained a more splendid or important 



