ali pacha-第8节
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rejoiced； thanks were rendered to Heaven by one of those sacrifices of animals still occasionally made in the East to celebrate an escape from great danger； and Ali released some prisoners in order to show his gratitude to Providence for having protected him from so horrible a crime。 He received congratulatory visits； and composed an apology attested by a judicial declaration by the cadi； in which the memory of Murad and his brother was declared accursed。 Finally； commissioners； escorted by a strong body of soldiers； were sent to seize the property of the two brothers； because； said the decree； it was just that the injured should inherit the possessions of his would…be assassins。
Thus was exterminated the only family capable of opposing the Pacha of Janina； or which could counterbalance his influence over the weak Ibrahim of Berat。 The latter； abandoned by his brave defenders； and finding himself at the mercy of his enemy； was compelled to submit to what he could not prevent； and protested only by tears against these crimes； which seemed to herald a terrible future for himself。
As for Emineh； it is said that from the date of this catastrophe she separated herself almost entirely from her blood…stained husband； and spent her life in the recesses of the harem； praying as a Christian both for the murderer and his victims。 It is a relief； in the midst of this atrocious saturnalia to encounter this noble and gentle character； which like a desert oasis； affords a rest to eyes wearied with the contemplation of so much wickedness and treachery。
Ali lost in her the guardian angel who alone could in any way restrain his violent passions。 Grieved at first by the withdrawal of the wife whom hitherto he had loved exclusively； he endeavoured in vain to regain her affection； and then sought in new vices compensation for the happiness he had lost； and gave himself up to sensuality。 Ardent in everything； he carried debauchery to a monstrous extent； and as if his palaces were not large enough for his desires； he assumed various disguises； sometimes in order to traverse the streets by night in search of the lowest pleasures； sometimes penetrating by day into churches and private houses seeking for young men and maidens remarkable for their beauty； who were then carried off to his harem。
His sons； following in his footsteps； kept also scandalous households； and seemed to dispute preeminence in evil with their father； each in his own manner。 Drunkenness was the speciality of the eldest； Mouktar； who was without rival among the hard drinkers of Albania； and who was reputed to have emptied a whole wine…skin in one evening after a plentiful meal。 Gifted with the hereditary violence of his family； he had； in his drunken fury； slain several persons； among others his sword…bearer； the companion of his childhood and confidential friend of his whole life。 Veli chose a different course。 Realising the Marquis de Sade as his father had realised Macchiavelli； he delighted in mingling together debauchery and cruelty； and his amusement consisted in biting the lips he had kissed； and tearing with his nails the forms he had caressed。 The people of Janina saw with horror more than one woman in their midst whose nose and ears he had caused to be cut off； and had then turned into the streets。
It was indeed a reign of terror； neither fortune； life； honour； nor family were safe。 Mothers cursed their fruitfulness； and women their beauty。 Fear soon engenders corruption； and subjects are speedily tainted by the depravity of their masters。 Ali； considering a demoralised race as easier to govern； looked on with satisfaction。
While he strengthened by every means his authority from within； he missed no opportunity of extending his rule without。 In 1803 he declared war against the Suliots； whose independence he had frequently endeavoured either to purchase or to overthrow。 The army sent against them； although ten thousand strong； was at first beaten everywhere。 Ali then； as usual； brought treason to his aid； and regained the advantage。 It became evident that； sooner or later； the unhappy Suliots must succumb。
Foreseeing the horrors which their defeat would entail； Emineh； touched with compassion； issued from her seclusion and cast herself at Ali's feet。 He raised her； seated her beside him； and inquired as to her wishes。 She spoke of； generosity； of mercy； he listened as if touched and wavering； until she named the Suliots。 Then； filled with fury； he seized a pistol and fired at her。 She was not hurt； but fell to the ground overcome with terror； and her women hastily intervened and carried her away。 For the first time in his life； perhaps； Ali shuddered before the dread of a murder。
It was his wife； the mother of his children； whom he saw lying at his feet； and the recollection afflicted and tormented him。 He rose in the night and went to Emineh's apartment； he knocked and called； but being refused admittance； in his anger he broke open the door。 Terrified by the noise； and at the sight of her infuriated husband； Emineh fell into violent convulsions； and shortly expired。 Thus perished the daughter of Capelan Pacha； wife of Ali Tepeleni； and mother of Mouktar and Veli； who； doomed to live surrounded by evil； yet remained virtuous and good。
Her death caused universal mourning throughout Albania； and produced a not less deep impression on the mind of her murderer。 Emineh's spectre pursued him in his pleasures； in the council chamber； in the hours of night。 He saw her； he heard her； and would awake； exclaiming； 〃my wife！ my wife！It is my wife！Her eyes are angry； she threatens me！Save me！ Mercy！〃 For more than ten years Ali never dared to sleep alone。
CHAPTER IV
In December； the Suliots； decimated by battle； worn by famine； discouraged by treachery； were obliged to capitulate。 The treaty gave them leave to go where they would； their own mountains excepted。 The unfortunate tribe divided into two parts； the one going towards Parga； the other towards Prevesa。 Ali gave orders for the destruction of both； notwithstanding the treaty。
The Parga division was attacked in its march； and charged by a numerous body of Skipetars。 Its destruction seemed imminent； but instinct suddenly revealed to the ignorant mountaineers the one manoeuvre which might save them。 They formed a square； placing old men； women； children； and cattle in the midst； and； protected by this military formation； entered Parga in full view of the cut…throats sent to pursue them。
Less fortunate was the Prevesa division； which； terrified by a sudden and unexpected attack； fled in disorder to a Greek convent called Zalongos。 But the gate was soon broken down； and the unhappy Suliots massacred to the last man。
The women； whose tents had been pitched on the summit of a lofty rock； beheld the terrible carnage which destroyed their defenders。 Henceforth their only prospect was that of becoming the slaves of those who had just slaughtered their husbands and brothers。 An heroic resolution spared them this infamy； they joined hands； and chanting their national songs； moved in a solemn dance round the rocky platform。 As the song ended； they uttered a prolonged and piercing cry； and cast themselves and their children down into the profound abyss beneath。
There were still some Suliots left in their country when Ali Pacha took possession of it。 These were all taken and brought to Janina； and their sufferings were the first adornments of the festival made for the army。 Every soldier's imagination was racked for the discovery of new tortures； and the most original among them had the privilege of themselves carrying out their inventions。
There were some who； having had their noses and ears cut off； were compelled to eat them raw； dressed as a salad。 One young man was scalped until the skin fell back upon his shoulders； then beaten round the court of the seraglio for the pacha's entertainment； until at length a lance was run through his body and he was cast on the funeral pile。 Many were boiled alive and their flesh then thrown to the dogs。
》From this time the Cross has disappeared from the Selleid mountains； and the gentle prayer of Christ no longer wakes the echoes of Suli。
During the course of this war； and shortly after the death of Emineh； another dismal drama was enacted in the pacha's family； whose active wickedness nothing seemed to weary。 The scandalous libertinism of both father and sons had corrupted all around as well as themselves。 This demoralisation brought bitter fruits for all alike： the subjects endured a terrible tyranny； the masters sowed among themselves distrust； discord； and hatred。 The father wounded his two sons by turns in their tenderest affections； and the sons avenged themselves by abandoning their father in the hour of danger。
There was in Janina a woman named Euphrosyne； a niece of the archbishop； married to one of the richest Greek merchants； and noted for wit and beauty。 She was already the mother of two children； when Mouktar became enamoured of her； and ordered her to come to his palace。 The unhappy Euphrosyne； at once guessing his object； summoned a family council to decide what should be done。 All agreed that
