Pharao Superbus

Romans crowded the narrow streets near Monte Citorio palace, waiting for the republic to be proclaimed. In the Hall of the She-Wolf sat the highest court's 13 justices, Premier de Gasperi and his cabinet, the chiefs of the armed forces and other notables, including a wisp-bearded Garibaldi Army veteran with medals of 1870 gleaming on his shirt of fireman's red. (The Sartorio mural, Italy Unified, had been shrouded: it showed republican Garibaldi shaking hands with Umberto's great-grandfather.) Because some 200,000 votes--which could not possibly alter the people's verdict--were still uncounted, the court adjourned without deciding who was legally chief of state.

Promptly the King's henchmen gathered at the Quirinal, where Umberto had made his last farewells and was packing. The King apparently saw a chance, decided not to go--and royalist leaders whipped up riots in Rome, Naples, Palermo. Alarmed, De Gasperi hastened up the hill and told Umberto to leave at once. In a rage, the scion of Savoy scrapped a conciliatory message to the new republic, substituting a truculent protest. Then he donned a grey suit and porkpie hat, stole away to Ciampino airport and flew to join his family in Portugal. In a few days the Assembly would convene in Monte Citorio palace. As its members drafted a constitution for the new Italian republic, a tapestried legend on the wall would recall Italy's last king: PHARAO SUPERBUS ASCENDERE CUPIEBAT ET IN PROFUNDUM DESCENDIT QUASI LAPIS--Haughty Pharaoh craved the heights, but fell into the depths like a stone.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.