United States or Northern Mariana Islands ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
But here comes our friend the fool, and, in his wake, the friar." Fra Domenico so was he very fitly named, this follower of St. Dominic approached with a solemnity that proceeded rather from his great girth than from any inflated sense of the dignity of his calling. He bowed before Fanfulla until his great crimson face was hidden, and he displayed instead a yellow, shaven crown.
Zaccaria's presence had told him that Fanfulla must at last have written, and he could but assume that the letter, falling into Monna Valentina's hands, should have contained something that she construed into treason on his part.
"Mount behind me, Excellency," he urged him. "There is not time," answered Francesco, who discerned a half-dozen figures hurrying towards them. "I will cling to your stirrup-leather, thus. Now spur!" And without waiting for Fanfulla to obey him, he caught the horse a blow with the flat of his sword across the hams, which sent it bounding forward.
"I had thought," hazarded seriously the gay Fanfulla, "that with such a man as your Excellency, patriotism and the love of Babbiano would have weighed even more than the ties of blood." "And you had thought well, Fanfulla. Did I not say that the reason I gave you was but one of many? Tell me, sirs, what cause have you to believe that I should rule you wisely and well?
At his command the horses were saddled and the sumpters laden once more. Lanciotto held his stirrup, and Zaccaria did like service for Fanfulla, and presently they were cantering out of that fragrant grove on to the elastic sward of broad, green pasture-lands.
It was as if the sun had set, and the moon had risen in its place. "Are you skilled in medicine?" quoth Fanfulla shortly. "I have some knowledge, Illustrious." "Then see to this gentleman's wounds." "Eh? Dio mio!
Nay, I am in no pain, Madonna, but in a joy more sweet than I have ever known." "Gesu! What a nimble tongue!" gibed the fool from the background. "Are you there, too, Master Buffoon?" quoth Francesco. "And Fanfulla? Is he not here? Why, now I bethink me; he went to Acquasparta with the friar." He thrust his elbow under him for more support.
He threw out his arms, and displayed his splendid teeth in a hearty laugh. Fanfulla eyed him, infected by the boisterous gladness of his mood. "Why, true indeed, my lord," he acknowledged, "you are too fine a bird to sing in a cage. But to go knight-erranting " He paused, and spread his hands in protest. "There are no longer dragons holding princesses captive." "Alas no.
This Valdicampo did, and leaving Fanfulla in the company of the ladies of his house, he escorted the Count to the room where the poor, ill-used hunchback was abed tended by one of the women of Valdicampo's household. "Here is a visitor to see you, Ser Peppe," the old gentleman announced, setting down his candle on a table by the bed.
Amerini, Fanfulla had seen slain, whilst the remaining two, being both unhorsed, would doubtless be the prisoners of Masuccio. Some three miles beyond Sant' Angelo, Fanfulla's weary horse splashed across a ford of the Metauro, and thus, towards the second hour of night, they gained the territory of Urbino, where for the time they might hold themselves safe from all pursuit.
Word Of The Day