' Debe contarse entre los héroes de esta provincia Constanza Cezelli, esposa de Barri, gobernador de Leucate, pequena ciudad del hajo Languedoc Durante la guerra de la liga, Barri fué hecho prisionero por los de este partido: estaba entouces su esposa en Montpeller, é instruida de la des gracia de su marido se embarcó en Magalona, y se transfirió á Leucate, donde reauima la guarnicion, y preparo la defensa mas vigorosa. Los de la liga y los Espanoles la atacan; pero ella los rechaza, y los sitidores irritados de tan inopinada resistencia, lavantan delante de la muralla un cadalso, y presentando en él á Barri, intiman á Constanza la muerte de su marido si no entrega la plaza. Ella, en tam cruel alternativa, ofrece todos susbienes, y aun su misma persona, por la libertad de su marido, diciendo á los enemigos: "Mi fortuna y my vida son mias, y las sacrificare muy gustosa por mi esposa; pero la ciudad la debo al rey, y mi honor á Dios, y debo conservalos hasta mi ultimo suspiro." Fué Barri sacrificado á la firmeza de su esposa, la cual se vengo obligando à los enemigos à lavantar el sitio. Henrique IV. reconocido, hizo á Constanza gobernadora de Leucate hasta mayoridad de su hijo Hercules. Esta sublime accion se verifico el ano de 1590.' — Note from Florian's Estella , translated by D. Vincent Rodriguez.
Translation of the preceding Note.I ought to mention among the heroes of this province, Constanza Cezelli, the wife of Barri, Governor of Leucate, a small city of Lower Languedoc. During the war of the League, Barri was made prisoner by those of this party; his wife was then in Montpelier, but being informed of the misfortune of her husband, she embarked at Magalona, and came to Leucate, where she re-animated the garrison and prepared the most vigorous defence. Those of the League and the Spaniards attack her, but she repels them; and the besiegers irritated by so unexpected a resistance, raise before the wall a scaffold, and presenting Barri on it, intimate to Constanza the death of her husband, if she deliver not up the place. She, in so cruel an alternative, offers all her wealth and even her own person for the liberty of her husband, saying to the enemy: 'My fortune and my life are mine, and I will sacrifice them joyfully for my husband; but the city I owe to the King, and my honor to God, and I ought to preserve them to my last breath.' Barri was sacrificed to the firmness of his wife, who revenged herself by obliging the enemies to raise the siege. Henry IV. being informed of this, made Constanza governess of Leucate, during the minority of her son Hercules. This noble action took place in the year 1590.
Break on my solitude, with their deep import
Of happiness, or woe. — But I must wait
Ere I may know the victors from the vanquished.
Patiently wait! I am a prisoner!
A pris'ner! Yes, I am a prisoner!
I have a city yet at my command,
But here my steps are fetter'd. I am wont
To say to others — Go! Now others say
To me — Remain! And I may not depart.
— I was a lord! This is my heritage!
Man! man! how crooked is thy destiny!
Thy web is wov'n with every changing tint
That ever shaded joy, or brighten'd grief.
— But this is not a time for quiet thought,
And calm reflection on the busy turns
Of man — that silk-worm! my mind shall contend
With passions, though my body may not strive
With outward foes!
There is one thing worthy my soul's best love!
She heard the captive's cry, and hasten'd back
To loose the prison'd one! she saw my flag
Bend to the impious grasp of bloody hands,
And hasten'd back to rear it, free again.
O I must rest in feebleness, and know
My dearest ones unstrengthened, by the might
Of love, to mail this arm! beset by foes,
A wall alone between them, and the spears
Of eager ruffians, and their rosaries!
And my sweet, gentle boy! how bears he still
This siege, unsheltered by a father's presence?
Pales not the rose upon his faded cheek?
Has not fear breath'd too roughly on that form,
Sporting, till now, in luxury's choicest bowers?
Bursts the young dimple out so merrily,
To speak the laughing spirit of his soul?
Does he sometimes forget, and utter — Father!
Then weep to find no father answer him?
Alas! he may not know that father's fate,
Too pure to think of ill! nor would I have
His gay, young humor damp'd so hastily.
My timid sister too! O she will know
Too well, and feel too sensibly this loss!
She loves and fears and grieves to such excess,
There is no middle place for her touch'd soul.
And my Constanza! hushed will be her grief,
But not the less acute! I would it might be!
Yes! for her sake, I would excuse awhile
That she should hush a love which must be sorrow!
But these are tender thoughts; — My soul must not
Yield to a softer mood than fits this place,
This living sepulchre of warrior's fame!
Yes, I am buried here! my name effac'd
From Glory's brilliant record. Who will turn
From all the illustrious names which grace her page,
To read the captive's humble signature,
Whose prison-barrier bounded his exploits?
Eyes will pass lightly o'er; tho' hearts will stop,
And sicken. But my spirit should be harden'd,
Not melted by its ills. My soul is free,
Though here my form be penn'd! That shall exult
In its proud consciousness of rectitude,
And look upon its miseries as sports!
My gaolers shall not boast that that is bent!
The tiger may be cag'd, but never tam'd!
That is the shout to rally! Ah! they fail!
The Leaguers fail! But for one instant now,
When I might rush forth, fiercer from this curb
Which has been put on me! Ah! would the fiends
Accomplish what they call'd a threat, and give me
Indeed the choice with which they mocked my weakness, —
Leucate should not then have cause to blush
That Barri was of her!
And must that holy sanctu'ry be stain'd
With its own life-stream? Sooner let the scaffold,
That basest death, and most inglorious,
Be stain'd with his who was its governor,
And not a tear be shed to wash the stain!
The sounds approach! I can distinguish now
Voices amid the din — and nearer yet!
And louder — ev'n at my pavilion door!