Epic poetry, Italian -- Translations into English; Italian poetry -- To 1400 -- Translations into English
v. 113. Him.] Andrea de’ Mozzi, who, that his scandalous life might be
less exposed to observation, was translated either by Nicholas III, or
Boniface VIII from the see of Florence to that of Vicenza, through
which passes the river Baccchiglione. At the latter of these places he
died.
v. 114. The servants’ servant.] Servo de’ servi. So Ariosto,
Sat. 3.
Degli servi
Io sia il gran servo.
v. 124. I commend my Treasure to thee.] Brunetto’s great work,
the Tresor.
Sieti raccomandato ’l mio Tesoro.
So Giusto de’ Conti, in his Bella Mano, Son. “Occhi:”
Siavi raccommandato il mio Tesoro.
CANTO XVI
v. 38. Gualdrada.] Gualdrada was the daughter of Bellincione Berti, of
whom mention is made in the Paradise, Canto XV, and XVI. He was of the
family of Ravignani, a branch of the Adimari.
The Emperor Otho IV. being at a festival in Florence, where Gualdrada
was present, was struck with her beauty; and inquiring who she was, was
answered by Bellincione, that she was the daughter of one who, if it
was his Majesty’s pleasure, would make her admit the honour of his
salute. On overhearing this, she arose from her seat, and blushing, in
an animated tone of voice, desired her father that he would not be so
liberal in his offers, for that no man should ever be allowed that
freedom, except him who should be her lawful husband. The Emperor was
not less delighted by her resolute modesty than he had before been by
the loveliness of her person, and calling to him Guido, one of his
barons, gave her to him in marriage, at the same time raising him
to the rank of a count, and bestowing on her the whole of Casentino,
and a part of the territory of Romagna, as her portion. Two sons were
the offspring of this union, Guglielmo and Ruggieri, the latter of whom
was father of Guidoguerra, a man of great military skill and prowess
who, at the head of four hundred Florentines of the Guelph party, was
signally instrumental to the victory obtained at Benevento by Charles
of Anjou, over Manfredi, King of Naples, in 1265. One of the
consequences of this victory was the expulsion of the Ghibellini, and
the re-establishment of the Guelfi at Florence.
v. 39. Many a noble act.] Compare Tasso, G. L. c. i. st. 1.
v. 42. Aldobrandiu] Tegghiaio Aldobrandi was of the noble family of
Adimari, and much esteemed for his military talents. He endeavored to
dissuade the Florentines from the attack, which they meditated against
the Siennese, and the rejection of his counsel occasioned the memorable
defeat, which the former sustained at Montaperto, and the consequent
banishment of the Guelfi from Florence.
v. 45. Rusticucci.] Giacopo Rusticucci, a Florentine, remarkable for
his opulence and the generosity of his spirit.
v. 70. Borsiere.] Guglielmo Borsiere, another Florentine, whom
Boccaccio, in a story which he relates of him, terms “a man of
courteous and elegant manners, and of great readiness in conversation.”
Dec. Giorn. i. Nov. 8.
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