358 
THOMAS MASS1A>JELL0. 
and upon which they had all along insisted, confirmed by lawful au- 
thority, and likewise an indulgence or pardon for all offences whatever 
committed. The bishop found means to induce Massianello to con- 
voke all the captains and chief commanders of the people together, 
and great hopes were conceived that a happy accommodation would 
ensue. 
In the mean time 500 banditti, all armed on horseback, entered 
the city, under pretence that they came for the service of the people, 
but in reality to destroy Massianello, as it appeared afterwards, for 
they discharged several shots at him, some of which very narrowly 
missed him. This put a stop to the whole business, and it was sus- 
pected that the viceroy had some hand in the conspiracy. The streets 
were immediately barricaded, and orders were given that the aque- 
duct leading to the castle, in which were the viceroy and family and 
all the principal officers of state, should !)e cut off, and that no pro- 
visions, except some few roots and herbs, should be carried thither. 
The viceroy applied again to the archbishop, to assure the people of 
his sincere good intentions towards them, his abhorrence of the 
designs of the banditti, and his resolution to use all his authority to 
bring them to due punishment. Thus the treaty was again renewed, 
and soon completed ; which being done, it was thought proper that 
Massianello should go to the palace, to visit the viceroy. He gave 
orders that all the streets leading to it should be clean swept, and that 
all masters of families should hang their balconies and windows with 
their richest silks and tapestries. He threw off his mariner’s habit, 
and dressed himself in cloth of silver, with a fine plume of feathers 
in his hat, and, mounted upon a prancing steed, with a drawn sword 
in his hand, went, attended by fifty-thousand of the people. While 
he was in conference with the viceroy in a balcony, he gave surprising 
proofs of the ready obedience of the people. Whatever cry he gave out, 
it was immediately echoed ; when he put his finger upon his mouth, 
there was such a profound universal silence, that scarce a man was 
heard to breathe. At last he ordered that they should all retire, 
which was punctually and presently obeyed, as if they had all vanished 
away. 
On the Sunday following the capitulations were signed, and solemnly 
sworn to, in the cathedral church, to be observed for ever. Massia- 
nello declared, that now having accomplished his honest designs, he 
would return again to his former occupation. If he had kept this 
resolution, he might have been ranked among the benefactors of his 
country ; but either through the instigation of his wife and kindred, 
through fear, or allured by the tasted sweets of rule and power, he 
still continued his authority, and exercised it in such a capricious and 
tyrannical manner, that his best friends began to be afraid of him. 
He seems to have fallen into a frenzy, which might naturally enough 
be occasioned by his sudden elevation, his care and vigilance, for he 
seldom either ate or slept during the whole transaction, and by his 
immoderate drinking of strong wine, which excess he gave into, on the 
happy event. — Four persons took an opportunity of assassinating 
him. As he fell, he only cried out, “ Ungrateful traitors !” His head 
was thrown into one ditch, and his body into another. The tumult. 
