Having thus described the general form of the whole edifice, let us come
down to the details, beginning with the front part, which presented
itself first to the eyes of passers-by and was after the manner of a
triumphal arch, as has been told, in the Corinthian Order. That arch was
seen bordered on one side and on the other by two most warlike statues
in armour, each of which, resting upon a graceful little door, was seen
likewise coming forth from the middle of a niche placed between two
well-proportioned columns. Of these statues, that which was to be seen
on the right hand represented Duke Alessandro, the son-in-law of the
most illustrious Charles V, a Prince spirited and bold, and of most
gracious manners, holding in one hand his sword, and in the other the
Ducal baton, with a motto placed at his feet, which said, on account of
his untimely death: SI FATA ASPERA RUMPAS, ALEXANDER ERIS. On the left
hand was seen, portrayed like all the others from life, the most
valorous Signor Giovanni, with the butt of a broken lance in the hand,
and likewise with his motto at his feet: ITALUM FORTISS. DUCTOR. And
since over the architraves of those four columns already described there
were placed very spacious friezes in due proportion, in the width
covered by the niches there was seen above each of the statues a
compartment between two pilasters; in that above Duke Alessandro was
seen in painting the device of a rhinoceros, used by him, with the
motto: NON BUELVO SIN VENCER; and above the statue of Signor Giovanni,
in the same fashion, his flaming thunderbolt. Above the arch in the
centre, which, being more than seven braccia in width and more than two
squares in height, gave ample room for the procession to pass, and above
the cornice and the frontispieces, there was seen seated in majestic
beauty that of the wise and valorous Duke Cosimo, the excellent father
of the fortunate bridegroom, likewise with his motto at his feet, which
said: PIETATE INSIGNIS ET ARMIS; and with a She-Wolf and a Lion on
either side of him, representing Siena and Florence, which, supported
and regarded lovingly by him, seemed to be reposing affectionately
together. That statue was seen set in the frieze, exactly in a line with
the arch, and between the pictures with the devices described; and in
that same width, above the crowning cornice, there rose on high another
painted compartment, with pilasters in due proportion, cornice, and
other embellishments, wherein with great fitness, alluding to the
election of the above-named Duke Cosimo, was seen represented the story
of the young David when he was anointed King by Samuel, with his motto:
A DOMINO FACTUM EST ISTUD. And then, above that last cornice, which was
raised a very great distance from the ground, was seen the escutcheon of
that most adventuresome family, which, large and magnificent as was
fitting, was likewise supported, with the Ducal Crown, by two Victories
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