Our Cavaliers had by good Fortune provided themselves of two curious
Suits of light Armour, finely enammelled and gilt. Hippolito had sent
to Poggio Imperiale for a couple of fine led Horses which he had left
there with the rest of his Train at his entrance into Florence. Mounted
on these and every way well Equipt, they took their way, attended only
by two Lacqueys, toward the Church di Santa Croce, before which they
were to perform their Exercises of Chivalry. Hippolito wore upon his
Helm a large Plume of Crimson Feathers, in the midst of which was
artificially placed Leonora’s Handkerchief. His Armour was gilt, and
enammell’d with Green and Crimson. Aurelian was not so happy as to wear
any token to recommend him to the notice of his Mistress, so had only a
Plume of Sky-colour and White Feathers, suitable to his Armour, which
was Silver enammelled with Azure. I shall not describe the Habits of
any other Cavaliers, or of the Ladies; let it suffice to tell the
Reader they were all very Fine and very Glorious, and let him dress
them in what is most agreeable to his own Fancy.
Our Gallants entred the Lists, and having made their Obeysance to his
Highness, turned round to salute and view the Company. The Scaffold was
circular, so that there was no end of the Delightful Prospect. It
seem’d a Glory of Beauty which shone around the admiring Beholders. Our
Lovers soon perceived the Stars which were to Rule their Destiny, which
sparkled a lustre beyond all the inferiour Constellations, and seem’d
like two Suns to distribute Light to all the Planets in that Heavenly
Sphere. Leonora knew her Slave by his Badge and blushed till the Lilies
and Roses in her cheeks had resemblance to the Plume of Crimson and
White Handkerchief in Hippolito’s Crest. He made her a low bow, and
reined his Horse back with an extraordinary Grace, into a respectful
retreat. Aurelian saw his Angel, his beautiful Incognita, and had no
other way to make himself known to her, but by saluting and bowing to
her after the Spanish mode; she guess’d him by it to be her new Servant
Hippolito, and signified her apprehension, by making him a more
particular and obliging return, than to any of the Cavaliers who had
saluted her before.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account