Thus fell Sampiero di Bastelica di Ornano, a Corsican worthy of being ranked with the most distinguished heroes. He displayed great bravery and fidelity in foreign service; and with unremitting constancy endeavoured to restore the liberties of his country. Thuanus calls him 'Vir bello impiger et animo invictus[1], A man active in war, and of a spirit invincible.' The shades which were in his private conduct, are to be forgotten in the admiration of his publick virtues. His son Alphonso, and his grandson John Baptist, both arrived at the dignity of mareschal of France, after which his posterity failed.
Alphonso di Ornano, who had been brought up in the court of Henry the second, kept alive the patriotick struggle for a short while; but unable to make head against the republick, he retired from the island and settled in France.
The Genoese were thus again put in possession of Corsica. Enraged at what they had suffered from a daring rebellion, as they termed it; and still dreading a new insurrection, they thought only of avenging themselves on the Corsicans; and
- ↑ Thuani Hist. lib. xli. cap. 31.
a piece with the oppressions of Genoa; both before and since, that I give it the preference.
