of
the same costly stuffs, and ornamented with greater profusion of
precious stones; their wide sleeves which fell almost to the ground
were edged with pearls, while underneath, a small sleeve of the
finest silk fitted tight to the arm; the borders of their dresses
were richly embroidered with pearls or golden beads; they wore
their veils adorned with the same richness, and small capuchins of
oriental fur bordered with fringes of gold and pearls; and their
girdles were studded with the most splendid stones.
Castruccio paused, half dazzled by the scene. In the ruder
courts of London or Paris he had never seen so much splendour and
luxury: he cast an involuntary glance on his own habiliments, which
although rich were soiled by travelling, and in their best days
could not have vied with the meanest dress worn by these nobles. He
quickly however recovered his self--possession; and his name, whose
sound had passed the Alps, and been repeated with enthusiasm by
many of the followers of the emperor who had served with him in the
Low Countries, caused this brilliant assembly to receive him with
flattering distinction. They crowded round him, and courteously
invited him to partake of their amusements; while his handsome
person won the smiles of the ladies who were present. Galeazzo
Visconti received him with that kindness and cordiality which was
then in fashion among the Italians; and he, as the most courteous
cavalier of the country, was well versed in all the politeness of
the age. Castruccio was provided with a beautiful horse, and a
mantle of rich fur befitting the cold season, and made one of the
gay and splendid band as they rode towards the palace of the
emperor; here they were joined by the sovereign himself, the
empress, and the noble Germans of his retinue. Riding through the
streets of Milan, they quitted the city at the eastern gate, and
dividing into various parties, spread themselves abroad in search
of game. The Germans followed the dogs through the open country,
chasing down foxes and hares; while the Italians, who were dressed
for gala, and would not risk their fine silks among the brambles
and impediments of the fields, were content with unmuffling their
falcons when they saw game aloft, and making bets on the superior
speed of their several birds.
During the first part of the ride Galeazzo observed Castruccio,
who appeared to be too much wrapped up in his own thoughts to
attend to the discourse of the gay throng around him. He loitered
behind, that he might indulge in his reveries; and Galeazzo, who
had separated himself from the rest, now rode up to him; and they
entered into a conversation together, which at length turned into a
discussion of the plans and wishes of Castruccio. They were both
men of caution and prudence; yet, being young, they were
susceptible of impressions to which men lose their sensibility as
they advance in years. They were mutually pleased with each other;
and a single glance, a single word, sufficed to make each
understand the other, and to unite them in the bonds of
friendship.
Castruccio asked what it was believed that the designs of the
emperor were; and Galeazzo replied: "You would hardly guess
what anxious hearts, throbbing with distrust and fear, are
concealed under the apparent gaiety of these hunters. We Milanese
are full of dissentions and ambition; and I, as a chief among them,
have my head well loaded with care and doubt, while I follow this
joyous train with my falcon on my fist. In a few days the game will
be up; and we shall see what power the Visconti or the Della Torre
will have over Lombardy. At present wait. The emperor is expecting
supplies of money, and we are voting them for him with apparent
zeal: you, as a politician, must well know that money is the great
mover of all change in a state. I prophesy change; but you as a
stranger, must stand aloof, and be guided by circumstances. In the
mean time make friends; attach yourself to the emperor and to the
lords of
the same costly stuffs, and ornamented with greater profusion of
precious stones; their wide sleeves which fell almost to the ground
were edged with pearls, while underneath, a small sleeve of the
finest silk fitted tight to the arm; the borders of their dresses
were richly embroidered with pearls or golden beads; they wore
their veils adorned with the same richness, and small capuchins of
oriental fur bordered with fringes of gold and pearls; and their
girdles were studded with the most splendid stones.
Castruccio paused, half dazzled by the scene. In the ruder
courts of London or Paris he had never seen so much splendour and
luxury: he cast an involuntary glance on his own habiliments, which
although rich were soiled by travelling, and in their best days
could not have vied with the meanest dress worn by these nobles. He
quickly however recovered his self--possession; and his name, whose
sound had passed the Alps, and been repeated with enthusiasm by
many of the followers of the emperor who had served with him in the
Low Countries, caused this brilliant assembly to receive him with
flattering distinction. They crowded round him, and courteously
invited him to partake of their amusements; while his handsome
person won the smiles of the ladies who were present. Galeazzo
Visconti received him with that kindness and cordiality which was
then in fashion among the Italians; and he, as the most courteous
cavalier of the country, was well versed in all the politeness of
the age. Castruccio was provided with a beautiful horse, and a
mantle of rich fur befitting the cold season, and made one of the
gay and splendid band as they rode towards the palace of the
emperor; here they were joined by the sovereign himself, the
empress, and the noble Germans of his retinue. Riding through the
streets of Milan, they quitted the city at the eastern gate, and
dividing into various parties, spread themselves abroad in search
of game. The Germans followed the dogs through the open country,
chasing down foxes and hares; while the Italians, who were dressed
for gala, and would not risk their fine silks among the brambles
and impediments of the fields, were content with unmuffling their
falcons when they saw game aloft, and making bets on the superior
speed of their several birds.
During the first part of the ride Galeazzo observed Castruccio,
who appeared to be too much wrapped up in his own thoughts to
attend to the discourse of the gay throng around him. He loitered
behind, that he might indulge in his reveries; and Galeazzo, who
had separated himself from the rest, now rode up to him; and they
entered into a conversation together, which at length turned into a
discussion of the plans and wishes of Castruccio. They were both
men of caution and prudence; yet, being young, they were
susceptible of impressions to which men lose their sensibility as
they advance in years. They were mutually pleased with each other;
and a single glance, a single word, sufficed to make each
understand the other, and to unite them in the bonds of
friendship.
Castruccio asked what it was believed that the designs of the
emperor were; and Galeazzo replied: "You would hardly guess
what anxious hearts, throbbing with distrust and fear, are
concealed under the apparent gaiety of these hunters. We Milanese
are full of dissentions and ambition; and I, as a chief among them,
have my head well loaded with care and doubt, while I follow this
joyous train with my falcon on my fist. In a few days the game will
be up; and we shall see what power the Visconti or the Della Torre
will have over Lombardy. At present wait. The emperor is expecting
supplies of money, and we are voting them for him with apparent
zeal: you, as a politician, must well know that money is the great
mover of all change in a state. I prophesy change; but you as a
stranger, must stand aloof, and be guided by circumstances. In the
mean time make friends; attach yourself to the emperor and to the
lords of
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