[Footnote *72: Sforza's origin is now proved. The Attendoli were not peasants, but among the leading families of Cotignola. As early as 1226 an Attendolo was ambassador for the neighbouring town of Bertinoro in its submission to Bologna. They were a well-known race of soldiers, it seems. Cf. SOLIERI, _Le origini e la Dominazione degli Sforza a Cotignola_ (Bologna, 1897), and _ibid._, _L'Antica Casa degli Attendoli Sforza in Cotignola_ (Ravenna, 1899). Also C.M. ADY, _op. cit._, p. 3.] Nicolò Piccinino being again hired to serve against his old enemy, Count Federigo preferred, after his father's obsequies, joining him before Monteleone to remaining idle at home, Sanzi assuring us,-- "That martial practice was his sole desire, Ready his guard to mount by night or day, And deeming cowardly the love of quiet." He immediately attended his general to an interview with the King of Naples at Terracina, embarking at Civita Vecchia; and the impression made by him on that monarch is thus finely given by the same chronicler, in language splendid as his reception:-- "As its bright rays the comet's track precede, So the Count's virtues harbingered his way. And as Apollo scattering o'er the dawn His plumes of gold, along the orient sky, E'er he emerges calmly from his couch, Bears in his brilliant orb the blazing signs Of bounteous disposition: thus the youth Round the king's inmost heart himself entwined With hope's sweet fillet, and a lodgment made Firm as the solid nail in growing tree."[73] [Footnote 73: The original lines, notwithstanding their antiquated orthography, so much excel our version, that many readers will gladly refer to them:-- "Como a cometa enanze corre el ragio, Cusi nel giovin le vertude ancora Scorse il senthier del suo illustre viagio: E como quando Apollo insu l'Aurora Sparge le chiome d'or per l'oriente, Mentre tranquillo vien del onde fora, Mirava nel suo volto resplendente D'un almo invicto segni senza frodi. Onde a tal Re quel giovine excellente, Cum futura speranza, in dolci nodi El cor gli avinse, et poi dentro se fisse, Si como in verde pianta saldi chiodi."] After three days spent in concerting plans for an attack upon La Marca, Nicolò returned to Tuscany, but Federigo was invited by Alfonso to remain with him until the campaign should open. Ere long, however, he rejoined his troops at Viterbo, and, after a foraging march through the enemy's country, reached Fano just before Sforza, who had for some time remained there awaiting his Venetian and Florentine contingents, put Piccinino once more to the rout at Monteluro. Giovanni Sanzi, then a youth residing at Colbordolo, went forth to see the battle, which he describes with much spirit:--