Canto III

Smooth was the ocean, and the heavens unclouded.
The waters .silent, and the winds asleep,
And gemmed with flowers, with pearly dew-drops crowded,
The dawn was rising from the liquid deep,
Bursting the veil in which the night was shrouded,
When Venus, her own vows resolved to keep,
With amorous visions, mystically spread,
Appeared before the slumbering monarch's bed ;

And gazing on him cried : " O generous son
"Of Frederic, honoured for thy deeds in war ;
"The Italian cities have again begun
"Their feuds, and dire confusion rends the air ;
"Modena, above all, may be undone,
"Though loyal to the empire, every where ;
"And thou art sleeping, hidden midst the sea !
"Rise, arm, thou sluggard — and be ruled by me.

"Go, aid your friends — since heaven is now preparing
"New fortunes for you, a new course of glory ;
"The Bucket you shall save by gallant bearing ;
"That Bucket won in battle keen and gory.
"Never was contest so severe, unsparing,
"Pictured in ancient or in modern story.
"Modena must prevail, though great the venture,
"And you the city of the foe shall enter.

"There, of a damsel gentle and polite,
"Your heart will be enamoured — you- will burn
"With .secret, quenchless ardour, day and night,
"And for her beauties languishingly yearn ;
' At length you will be blest augur right)
"And your famed offspring ('tis of high concern)
"Shall govern that proud city; yes, and be
"The glory and the boast of Lombardy."

On this sleep fled, and from the monarch's eyes
The goddess vanished like an aerial .sprite :
When, looking towards the east, he saw the .skies
All grey, and dappled with the morning light;
Then calling for his clothes, at once to rise,
Leapt from his bed, and .seized his sword to smite,
The sword kept by his bolster near the wall,—
He struck, and chanced to hit the urinal,

Which made three bounds, and, into atoms broken,
Fell with its crimson cover to the ground ;
And left a scattery and unseemly token,
In the king's chamber, haply seldom found.
Meanwhile a page, obsequious and fair spoken,
Announced a courier on some mission bound,
With the imperial seal and patent flaming,
Therefore admitted, special favour claiming.

Frederic, by royal letter, intimated
That he would send an army in defence
Of Modena, and further to him stated
How great the peril and the consequence.
The king the matter with his lords debated,
Resolving, though the venture was immense,
To go himself; and thence a vassal-force
Of Pisans was embodied, foot and horse.

Through Modena, meantime, the news had spread,
That rapidly the Conte di Nebrona
With twice three hundred cavalry had sped
Across the Alps, and joined tho.se of Cremona;
He was commissioned by Imperial Fred,
Who could not march then in his own persona,
Grand Baron of the empire, old and blinking,
And a dead enemy to water drinking-.

From other quarters information came,
That all Bologna was prepared for fighting ;
The Modenese then, worthy of their name,
Resolved to take the field, all danger slighting;
And to perform an action, dear to fame,
Both Italy and Germany uniting,
They left their feasts, and the confederate legions
Fearless advanced at once "from various regions.

With orders on the sixth revolving day,
When at Grassoni's verdant fields they met,
To concentrate, and, formed in good array,
There for the standard of the Potta wait.
Muse ! thou hast ventured in thy martial lay,
Their noble names and deeds to celebrate ;
Give me the scroll that, in my tuneful story,
Their long posterity may know their glory.

Grassoni's meadows are upon the right,
And from the bridge, whose solid arches bend
O'er the Panaro, but an arrow's flight ;
There the confederate forces were to end
Their march, and halt; from plain and mountain height
Banners soon waved, the Potta to defend.
First in the field, and foremost for the fight,
Was the Count di Culagna, gallant knight !"

He was a brave and noble cavalier,
Poet, philosopher, and hypocrite ;
A sacripant, no danger being near,
But when in danger a poltroon; to wit,
He talked of giant-killing free irom fear,
And killed but capons with his iron spit.
Thence children, following up this Count Culagna,
Cried out with waggish glee, " Viva Martano !"

He had two hundred sharpers bold to rally on,
Famished with hunger, not unstocked with vermin ;
But reckoning: them two thousand, — a battalion
Of valorous men, the contest to determine.
A strutting peacock was his flag-medallion,
Figured with silk and gold ; and, lined with ermine,
A suit of silver mail his form adorned,
His helmet too was richly plumed, and homed.

Irneo di Montecuccoli was next,
Son of Signor di Montalbano, proud,
Disdainful, often without reason vexed,
Quick heart and hand, in tongue both sharp and loud.
At cards and dice he 'd gamble unperplexed
For any chance ; an atheist ; still, allowed
To be a boon companion ; — none was poorer,
And of dry chesnuts an expert devourer.

He led seven hundred soldiers, men collected
Within his father's lands, and his relations ;
His banner a volcano hot reflected,
Vomiting to the heavens red corruscations.
Attolino, illustriously connected,
Followed with all his troops from various stations.
Him whom, with many others much delighted,
The-gracious Emperor of Greece be-knighted.

From Rodea, Castel, Magreda, he led
Three hundred infantry all blithe as May ;
So beautifully splendid, and well fed,
They looked knights-errant, travelling on their way.
Upon his helm a mirror was displayed,
With wavy plumes surrounded, rare and gay.
And after him a Hag was seen to gleam,
Advancing on the margin of the stream.

The towns of Camposanto and la Motta,
Solara, del Cavezzo, Malcantone,
Had given up their worst dregs, to serve the Potta,
Every vile thief and homicidal crony.
Their climate was to all appearance not a
Nursery for honest men, their patrimony
Hanging, or death in jail ; five hundred came,
Inured to want and change, to frost and flame.

Cammil del Forno this battalion led,
A brave bold man, all kinds of death despising ;
His banner-flag was painted simple red,
And his strong mail the same, that colour prizing ;
No helm, nor ornament, adorned his head,
Nor apt device ; himself particularizing
With red alone ; he o'er his people rose,
Towering, with black and bushy beard, and brows.

The people who were used to plough the sea,
And now the bed of the great river track ;
Those, too, where the Panaro murmuringly
Divides, and deepening rolls its billows back ;
All leave their barks and oars on shore, and flee
With martial instinct to the great attack.
And here with lance and spear arrange their force,
Of foot nine hundred, and one hundred horse.

Their captains were two monks, with shaven crowns,
Arch priest Guidoni, and the Frate Bravi,
Who just before as rebels lost their gowns,
Having a band of villains dared to levy,
And taken Stellata and Bonden, towns,
And shut up the Final against the navy ;
Now pardoned, with these troops they come to back
The Potta, warlike, and in armour black.

Alderan Cimicelli, Grazio Monte
Soon followed ; one had under his command
The Staggians and Verdetans ; Panzan county
And far Roncaglia formed the other band ;
Grazio, the horse which bore Bellerofonte,
Unfolded, and a windlass, Alderand,
Upon their banners floating to the wind,
Six hundred soldiers following close behind.

San Felice, Midolla, Camurana,
Six hundred foot, and eighty horsemen sent ;
Naraz Bianchi, Tommasin Fontana,
Conducted them and all their vigour lent ;
Tommasin on his banner had a Rana,
A frog, with sword and shield quite fierce in paint;
Narazio, who a different whim revealed,
Had a half moon upon a yellow shield.

Then came the river people, those who ply
From Bastia to Bomporto, poor and proud ;
Who both on land water ceaseless try
To gain by any means a livelihood ;
Of these four hundred; on their standard high,
Which blazed as much as gold and scarlet could,
The son of Raraboné, Bagarotto,
Painted a pair of bellows, but no motto.

Claretto sage was with him, he who doated
On Donna Anna di Granata fair,
Full of affliction ; for, his dear devoted
A Genoese had carried off, — hut where?
To him at Parma it was kindly noted
That he would find her at Bomporto ; there
He quickly flew, but they had gone away,
And then he swore like sixty friars grey.

For some refreshment he approached an inn,
And there by chance he Bagarotto found ;
Forming his scattered soldiers, 'midst the din
Of arms, and furbished armour piled around j;
They both sprung forward to embrace, like kin,
For they had met at court, and friendship owned ;
And both had left, (they could not keep it longer,)
Their wretched hope to those who die of hunger.

Claretto told him of his recent flame,
Long scenes of love, embarrassing commotions,
And how with mockeries Cupid, full of game,
His rivals disappointed, and their notions;
And how, to his great agony and shame,
He lost his own sweet damsel ; his emotions
In bliss and misery ; Bagarotto smiled,
And said, " You're always in some scrape, my child ;

"Come to the war with me and quit this whining,
"These amorous whims and idle occupations;
"Fame is not gained by oglings, love-sick pining,
"By a monkey-face in mask, or soft flirtations."
Claretto not a syllable rejoining,
Longed to become a soldier, all impatience
He seized a pike; and drinking-bouts forswore. —
But let us recollect the other corps.

Fredo, Cognento, Cittanova, showed
Two lovers dead beneath a mulberry-tree,
Thisbe and hapless Pyramus ; and bestowed
Four hundred men, led on, all brave and free,
By young Furiero Manzol, well endowed
With noble talents; whose agility
Transcended all in dancing la Canar,
Kicking his heels, and capering in the air.

At once came from another side the men
Of Villavar, Alberto, Navicelli,
Three hundred ; marshalled to the battle plain
By the fierce limping Agolin Novelli.
His symbol a dark sky which seemed to rain
Over afield of bean plants, or baccelli ;
And after them came running to the war, a
Squadron from Corleto, and Bazzovara.

Corleto, rival gay of Grevalcore,
Named by o'erjoyed Augustus on that day
He conquered Antony with lasting glory ;
With whom he after shared imperial sway ;
And Bazzovara, now a Sudatory,"
Once famed for deeds of love and arms, they say,
What time Labadin, shrewdly all allow,
Made a medicinal drench for his dead cow.

They were commanded by Dottor Masello,
Wlio books forsook, in battle to prevail ;
He armed himself and looked like a Marcello,
With ancient tunic and a coat of mail ;
His symbol was a radish, pleasant fellow,
With large ripe golden seeds, depicted well :
Then the Rubierans came with expedition,
Joined with Marzaglian troops, in one division.

Commanded by Bertoldo Grilenzon,
A famous fencer and a wrestler too ;
A tattered mattrass on his banner shone,
From which in flakes the woolly stuffing flew ;
His troops seemed equal to the other one,
Perhaps it was more numerous a few ;
Of twice five hundred soldiers it consisted,
From four contiguous villages enlisted.

Galvan Castald, and Franceschin Murano,
The standards of Porcile, and Montalle,
And those of Cudiana, and Mugnano,
United at the Ladder inn to rally ;
Three hundred scythes were mustered by Calvano,
Franceschin had three hundred pikes to tally ;
Galvano's symbol was a steelyard bright,
Franceschin's was a magpie, black and white.

Behold Boschetti, armed upon his steed,
The Count of San Cesario and Bazzan,
Who'd just before expelled from thence with speed
The enemy's garrison, and the Capitan ;
That state he had achieved by valorous deed,
With hands to execute, and head to plan ;
And now of these and other serfs, by force,
He had obtained and armed a hundred horse.

Pomposo next ; upon his shield he bore
A gridiron in St. Lorenzo's name ;
And at his side a scimitar he wore ;
His troops, genteel and handsome, promptly came.
A fox, accomplished in dissembling lore,
Collegara and Corticella claim ;
Bernard Galon leads them from their bogs,
Three hundred, or a few more, tattered rogues:

Rangon had two brave sons his age to bless ;
Gherardo strong', and Giacopin the sly ;
Gherardo was the senior, and the place
He in his father's household held was high ;
He was the Major-Domo, nothing less,
But now this proud distinction willingly
He to his brother yielded, and then prest
To battle, with a sea-shell on his crest.

Spilimbert, Vignola, and Savignano,
Campilio Castelnovo, him obeyed ;
Pejano, Guia, Montorsol, and Marano,
With those of Malatigna he arrayed
A hundred cavalry, with spears in mano,
A thousand archers followed where he led,
Whose arrows had been poisoned with the juice
Of garlic, leeks, and onions, — fit for use.

Whilst these came from the right, the armed son
Of Prendiparte from the left appeared,
Mirandola's choice troops inviting on ;
His name was Galeotto, known and feared
Through all the states of Italy, as one
Gallant and brave; a hundred horsemen reared
Their lances high, encased in mail; no lances,
Under the impress of a pair of pincers.

Campogaiano then, and San Martino,
Dispatched five hundred foot, and the device
Which graced their banner was un Saracino ;
They armed with bells and cross-bows in a trice ;
Mauro Ruberti sported il domino,
Chief manager of soups, not over nice ;
I mean he had a victualling contract, and
He furnished ration mouthfuls on demand.

Zaccaria Tosabecchi then was lord
Of Carpi ; he was old and gouty too ;
Age had reduced his vigour, but in word
And spirit, still he was a warrior true;
A daughter his inheritress, ador'd
By her good spouse, who all her virtues knew.
Beau of the province, and a waggish fellow,
Cousin of Manfred, and called Leonello.

Anxious to join the warlike camp that day,
The old man armed both foot and horse with speed ;
A litter was prepar'd without delay,
Carried by four .stout men o'er rock and mead ;
It was clamped round with iron, painted grey;
For two good steeds to bear in case of need ;
Such a machine, so strong with wood and steel,
Was afterwards constructed at Castile,

And used ia Burgundy, with prime effect,
Against the muskets of the king of France.
Zaccaria brought two hundred, his elect,
On nags and asses, eager to advance ;
But soon the foot stopped short, from sheer neglect ;
The Count who was to lead them this new dance,
Had let his bustling sire in law depart,
Whilst with his wife he staid to make a tart.

Seeing himself by this uxorious beau
Abandoned, Zac pursued another plan ;
And gave four hundred men to Brusato,
As many more to Guido Coccapan ;
The first, an elephant was proud to show,
Guido, two giants gambling ;— the old man
Had on his banner an insidious cat,
Cowering and watching eagerly a rat.

Then those of Formigin and Fiorano,
Where sweetest figs in great abundance grow,
Three hundred soldiers ; — Ubert Petrezano
Commands them, and a goblin-flag they show ;
And with him Baiamont, from Livizzano,
Comes with his squadrons, which with ardour glow ;
He had two hundred, halberts stoutly hearing,
And blue and yellow on his standard flaring.

Uguccion Castelvetro came in mail,
His banner a white thistle, — and along
With him three hundred archers, tutored well,
With darts and slings across their shoulders slung:
From Gorzon Ceretro, and Maranell,
The good Lanfranco, from Grisolfi sprung,
Five hundred men collected in a line,
And carried a meal-bolter for his sign ;

On which account the Crusca moved a suit,
Which was remitted to the Court Romano.
Their flag a vine and pear-tree, full in fruit;
Stefano, and the Count di Fogliano,
Had with the Foglianese, in arms acute,
Joined those of Montezibio and Varano ;
Consisting of two hundred eighty-nine,
Filthy and greasy as a herd of swine.

But where are now the people of Sassol,
Who brew the nectar of the gods? for there
The brightest days above its villas roll,
There heaven yields all its grace, and balmy air ;
That land of love and ardent glory, sole
Mother of that which charms us every where ;
Two hundred horse, a thousand foot were drawn
From pleasant town, and flower-empurpled lawn.

Roldano della Rosa at their head,
Who fighting once in holy Palestine
Against the Moors and the Egyptians, shed
Rivers of pagan blood; the martial line
Roses and glittering spots of gold displayed
Upon their flag, the blushing hue of vine;
Then came, at no great distance from the rest,
The Lord of Pompeiano, richly drest.

Sweet Pompeiano, where the amorous air
Dissolves the ice upon the mountain's brow ;
Gommol and Palaviggio, gathered there,
To Folco's splendid dame respectful bow.
Under their flag, a hedgehog, sharp and bare,
Folco had gained three hundred — these, I vow,
The most audacious, and adroit in name,
On iron sandals and with javelins came.

And, what was much more wonderful to see,
Fifty fair damsels with cross-bows, inured
Amidst the forests with dexterity
To shoot wild beasts, by woodland joys allured ;
In gowns attired, with quivers jocundly
Their march from mountain high to plains endured ;
Their ringlets in disorder from behind
Floated fantastically on the wind.

Bruno di Cervarola held the sway
O'er that domain, and also o'er Moran,
And Pigni and Saltino ; for affray
And litigated suit he was the man ;
Soon as he heard the signal-trumpet's bray,
With his two hundred bullies forth he ran ;
And as he had caprices in his head,
For his device he took a small straw-bed.

By sweet Bianca Pagliarola won, ",
On her account he divers perils shared,
And always gave his laurels as her own,
To her who warmed his heart so cold and hard ;
And now his secret thoughts in daylight shone,
A painted straw-bed proved his fond regard ;
And in the middle of the shield was seen,
A net, betraying the white straw within.

Then after him there came Mombarranzone,
With Signor Raniér, who of Pregnano
Ruled the new people, and the Gonfalone
Which was sent to him by Castellarano.
Fifty upon their saddles, arcione ;
Four hundred tramping on the plain, piano;
With ript up shoes, and without soles they go,
Their streaming flag a flying buffalo.

Brandol, Ligurcian, Moncereto, were
By Scardin Cap'dibue led o'er the plains ;
He on his banner had, with talents rare,
Painted a devil in a field of canes.
There Signor di Pazzan, with joyous air,
Comes with a plume of laurel leaves, and feigns
Or fancies that he is the Muse's mirror,
Thoughtless, poor fellow! of his dreadful error.

Alessio was his name, in Sesta rhime
He had composed the loves of Drusiana ;
In all things else an honour to his time ;
He brought with him Famed, and Montagnana ;
These people with the others did not chime,
And were not skilful players at quintana;
They came five hundred, plundering, base curmudgeons,
Armed with bill-hooks and staves, and sharpened bludgeons.

The standard of Bison and Veriga,
With a black-pudding on an azure ground,
Pancin Grassetti gloried to display ;
He led four hundred to a bell's sharp sound ;
But more than these, one hundred in array
From Montombrar and Festato were found ;
Their flag a donkey in a pear-tree standing,
Artimedor Masett the corps commanding.

Taddeo Sertorio of Castel d'Aiano,
A Count, and brother of Monaca, led
The troops of Montetortor, and Missano,
Where happened the great flight ;) Rosella sped
With rattling bows and filthy spits in mano,
Their flag, on white, a frying-pan displayed ;
Three hundred traversed the rough roads with feet
All hard, and callous both to stones and heat.

The banners of Monforte and Montese,
Of Montespecchio and of Trentin, now ;
Gualtier, the son of Paganel Cortese,
Had painted on its field a pregnant sow ;
Four hundred, and with hatchets arm'd, more easy
To cut, for fuel, forest branch or bough ;
Some carried dung-forks, some had clubs for spears,
And, clothed with skins of bears, were cuirassiers,

Count di Miceno was a gallant knight,
The Potta's brother ; he one day had gone
To Modena, where ravished with delight
The people kept him, charmed with his renown ;
The army had not one of greater might ;
One better, nor more feared in war, not one ;
He was a Corsair once, of dubious fame,
A captain then in France, Voluce was his name.

Him to retain, the city gave Miceno,
Salto, Trignano, and Renocchia too,
Lavacchio, Montemerl, and Monfestino,
And several others to his merit due ;
St. George in every action might be seen ; a
Javelin he bore on foot, a soldier true ;
With snowy armour and a feathered crest
He brought eight hundred with him of his best.

Panfilo Sassi, Nicoll Adelardi,
Followed soon after with their Frignanese ;
And the Fananans and Sestolans hardy,
Together raised their standards to the breeze ;
One had three mountains in the air, marked tardy,
The other had a cypress in the seas ;
With one Olina, Sassoross, Acquaro ;
The other Roccascaglia, Castellaro.

In all one thousand, after them at hand
Came an uncouth unconquerable race
From Pellegrino, Pianoro, and
From all the windings of that barren place
Where the fierce dragon scattered golden sand,
And where Panaro's spring the eye may trace ;
Redonelato, Pieve, and Pelago,
And Sant' Andrea, father of the snow.

Lands of the wind, Fiumalbo, Bucasol,
Magrignan, Montecret and Castellino,
Sent fourteen hundred, of undaunted soul,
Rough, raw, in-dwellers of the Apennino ;
Huge Apennine, who fearless of controul!
Looks round and views the heavens in his vicino ;
His woods of snowy hair so thick and deep,
Serve as a broom the starry vault to sweep.

All come on foot, in boots, and with cross-bows,
And martinellos, which with ease propel
The death-inflicting darts, whose whizzing blows
Transpierce both sevenfold shield and steely mail ;
Each o'er his back a pompous vestment throws,
The skin of wolf, or bear, without a tail ;
Rapiers and daggers dangle at their side,
And hats and hoods upon their heads are tied.

But who commands the Alpine squadron? Who
But fierce Ramberto Balugola? See
A child upon his banner near a Jew,
Making him kiss the cross religiously.
And now his black and rusty armour view,
A chesnut feather on his head; — how free
And proud his bearing ; how supremely grand,
A hatchet on his back, three arrows in his hand.

Morovico da Ronchi followed soon,
The lord of the domain and master truly ;
Palagan, Castrignano, and Moccogn,
He led to war, and also Santo Giuli ;
About four hundred, each with a spontoon,
Trod the resounding earth, accoutred duly ;
Their standard was a gallant ship at sea,
And they came singing fal-de-ral-de-ree,

A youth of generous heart and lofty mind,
Upon whose polished cheek could not be seen a
Promise of down even of the softest kind,
So young, so fair, his name was Valentino ;
He painted on his flag Love sleeping, blind,
And governed Medola, Montefiorino,
Mursiano, Rubbian, Massa, and Rovella,
Vedriola, and the Geese of grand Castello.

With pikes and javelins they were well supplied,
With belly mail, and shields they frowning shook ;
With pantaloons, and mantles long and wide,
Which dragged the stones at every step they took ;
Their shoe-heels were so high, and hard beside,
Like Agramante's army was their look;
Marching in wooden shoes, when day was o'er ;
Their numbers only five and twenty score.

After the mountain infantry were seen,
Passing in squadrons to the plains: below;
The Potta ordered, with majestic mien,
His own battalions out, to meet the foe,
Well armed ; — the Germans, Cremonese, I ween,
And Parmans too, already near the Po,
Had halted, much fatigued, at eventide ;
Fearful of Reggio — on the enemy's side,

He had meantime given proper intimation
To the five captains, who their banners spread
In Garfagnana, not to quit their station,
Until the king arrived with those he led ;
For he had sent from Lucca information
To the city of his coming, at the head
Of his battalions, and required doubt)
Guides to conduct them safely on their route.

The following morning having urged his way
Through the direct straight road of Gallicano,
He passed between the Apennines that day,
Descending down to Padul from Frignano ;
Vetidio Carandino closed the array,
With the gay Hag of Camporeggiano ;
On which an owl was painted in a bush,
And carrying in his crooked beak a brush.

The flag of Castelnovo plainly showed
A chequered chess-board, and the troops were seen
Behind in scattered columns on the road ;
Simon Bertacchi led them, bold of mien ;
Here came the royal baggage, many a load ;
Here wearied servants varying the scene ;
And those whom Lucca's wine-cups had detained,
Sleeping wpon the jaded beasts remained.

But those of far Soraggio, and Sillano,
One, by Otton Campora was commanded ;
The other, by Jacon di Ponz Urbano,
Who carried a crowned fasces, dexter-handed ;
The star of morning was by Camporano
Figured with a red coif, and tightly banded ;
These four, in all six thousand foot, were caught
In sixty villages, and hither brought.

But the fifth standard had three hundred horse,
Conducted by Pandolfo Bellincino ;
Where on a field of gold was traced, with force,
The gentle figure of a Babbuino ;
The knights had girded on their swords, of course,
And on the saddle fixed a Balestrino.
With shields and spears prepared, away they went,
And took the right side of the armament.

For in that quarter were the Florentines,
Equipped in favour of the Bolognese ;
Coasting along so closely with their lines,
That without care they might be checked with ease ;
The king had there six thousand Ghibellines,
Pisans, Ligurians, Pisans, and Lucchese ;
And cavalry two thousand, with supplies;
All Germans and Suabians, his allies.

The Potta soon with judgment militaire,
In three divisions formed his numerous host ;
Two thousand horse were given to Manfred's care ;
The infantry in number were the most,
Twelve thousand strong ; and these became the share
Of brave Gherardo, who, the army's boast,
In act and look a cunning fox exprest
Leading his pups to storm a rabbit's nest.

The third division was not large, but strong,
And well supplied with battering rams, machines,
And those tremendous instruments which long
The ancients used, producing terrible scenes.
The architect of iron-crow, and prong,
Pasquin Ferrari, who prepared the means,
Led on a thousand bow-men armed with darts,
Twenty-two engineers, one hundred carts.

Arriving at the bridge, the Potta still
Pushed on, and gained the river's further side ;
And after him, the squadrons were with skill
Conducted cross the stream, — where they descried
Six hundred foot upon the neighbouring hill,
Who had from fruitful Nonantola hied,
From Stuffione's rich adjacent state,
And Ravarino — at a pressing rate,

By two new knights commanded, gaily drest
In mail, with branching plumes of lily white ;
Twin sons of charming Molza, loveliest, best,
Beltrand Gherardino ; full in sight
Two lumps of roasted liver were exprest
On a shield white and red, with laurel dight ;
This their device, ingeniously embossed,
And the last squadron of the Potta's host.