1831.] Pope Gregory and the Pear-tree. 387 



would, as a last hope, strive to find some part of his boyish playmate 

 Hugo, in the wrinkled, politic churchman. All things were soon ordered 

 for his journey, and he quitted the cottage, bearing with him a small 

 basket, filled with the finest pears plucked from Hugo's tree. Luigi 

 arrived in Rome — and now, with a sinking heart, now with a confidence 

 based on honest pride, he sought the presence of the Holy Father. 

 Appearing before the sei-vants of his Holiness, Luigi asked for an 

 audience of JMesser Hugo Bon Compagno } When reminded of this 

 unbecoming familiarity, Luigi replied, that he knew not Pope Gre- 

 gory XIII., but was a dear friend of Hugo's, and therefore demanded to 

 see his companion, not caring, he said, to trouble the pope. 



To this Luigi obstinately adhered, continually urging, with great 

 earnestness, that he should be admitted to the presence of his early 

 comrade. There was a simplicity in the old man's manner that for once 

 won upon the minions of the great ; and the strange demand of Luigi 

 being reported to his Holiness, he was with great ceremony ushered 

 before the sovereign Pontiff — before the man who was covu'ted by em- 

 perors, flattered by kings. All retired, and the rustic and God's vicar 

 upon earth were confronted. 



How changed, since the friends had last met ! — Then they were, at 

 least in fortunes, almost equal. Now, one was bent beneath the load of 

 empire — worshipped as one only " a little lower than the angels" — the 

 triple crown upon his head — St. Peter's keys within his hand. What 

 has the poor gardener to shew against all these.'' — a basket of pears ! 



" Now, my son," said Pope Gregory — " you sought Hugo Bon Com- 

 pagno — you find him in Gregory the Thirteenth. What ask you at his 

 hands r 



" Justice, most holy father — justice and no favour." 



" Speak." 



" I made with another, in my time of youth, a mutual compact of 

 kindness and protection — we vowed that whichever should prosper in 

 liis fortune, should serve and assist the other." 



" It was a Christian promise. Well } Stand you in need of suc- 

 cour f" 



" IMost grievously — oppression has come upon me in my old age." 



" And your friend forsakes )'ou m your need ? Have you witnesses 

 to the compact of which you speak ?" 



" Yes — this basket of pears \" 



" Pears !" cried the pontiff, and light darted from his eyes as he fixed 

 them earnestly on Luigi-^ 



" We planted the tree on which they grew — ' Let this tree be a cove- 

 nant between us' — were the words of my companion. He and the tree 

 have flourished : for forty years that tree has never failed ; for every 

 year it hath brought forth a crop of luscious fruit — and I have sat beneath 

 that tree and Avondered how it could be so bountiful to me, when he 

 who helped to plant it, he who was bending beneath his honours and his 

 wealth, had forgotten to send me even a single pear." 



" Luigi — Luigi," exclaimed the pontiff, and with a face crimsoned 

 with blushes, he threw his arms about the rustic ! — Their grey heads lay 

 on each other's shoulder. Thus they continued for some moments, and 

 then Luigi, stooping to the basket, presented a pear to Gregory: lie took 

 it, and looking at it, burst into tears. 



Luigi kept his cottage. J. 



