This Account alarm’d the Spirits of our Young Travellers, and they were
overjoy’d at the prospect of Pleasures they foresaw. Aurelian could not
contain the satisfaction he conceiv’d in the welcome Fortune had
prepar’d for his dear Hippolito. In short, they both remembred so much
of the pleasing Relation had been made them, that they forgot to sleep,
and were up as soon as it was light, pounding at poor Signior Claudio’s
Door (so was Hippolito’s Governour call’d) to rouse him, that no time
might be lost till they were arriv’d at Florence, where they would
furnish themselves with Disguises and other Accoutrements necessary for
the Prosecution of their Design of sharing in the publick Merriment;
the rather were they for going so early because Aurelian did not think
fit to publish his being in Town for a time, least his Father knowing
of it, might give some restraint to that loose they designed
themselves.
Before Sun rise they entred Florence at Porta Romana, attended only by
two Servants, the rest being left behind to avoid notice; but, alas!
they needed not to have used half that caution; for early as it was,
the Streets were crowded with all sorts of People passing to and fro,
and every Man employ’d in something relating to the Diversions to come;
so that no notice was taken of any body; a Marquess and his Train might
have pass’d by as unregarded as a single Fachin or Cobler. Not a Window
in the Streets but echoed the tuning of a Lute or thrumming of a
Gitarr: for, by the way, the Inhabitants of Florence are strangely
addicted to the love of Musick, insomuch that scarce their Children can
go, before they can scratch some Instrument or other. It was no
unpleasing Spectacle to our Cavaliers (who, seeing they were not
observ’d, resolved to make Observations) to behold the Diversity of
Figures and Postures of many of these Musicians. Here you should have
an affected Vallet, who Mimick’d the Behaviour of his Master, leaning
carelessly against the Window, with his Head on one side, in a
languishing Posture, whining, in a low, mournful Voice, some dismal
Complaint; while, from his sympathizing Theorbo, issued a Base no less
doleful to the Hearers. In Opposition to him was set up perhaps a
Cobler, with the wretched Skeleton of a Gitarr, battered and waxed
together by his own Industry, and who with three Strings out of Tune,
and his own tearing hoarse Voice, would rack attention from the
Neighbourhood, to the great affliction of many more moderate
Practitioners, who, no doubt, were full as desirous to be heard. By
this time Aurelian’s Servant had taken a Lodging and was returned, to
give his Master an Account of it. The Cavaliers grown weary of that
ridiculous Entertainment, which was diverting at first sight, retired
whither the Lacquey conducted them; who, according to their Directions,
had sought out one of the most obscure Streets in the City. All that
day, to the evening, was spent in sending from one Brokers Shop to
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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