When the king made his entry into Lucca, he was met by the clergy, and principal townsmen in procession, a league distant,--and what was most singular, the greater part of them were dressed in fine cloths of gold, or in velvets. After they had all paid their respects to the king, they conducted him into the town, which was richly decorated with tapestries, and divers pageants. He was lodged in the bishop's palace, where he and his company were grandly entertained. CHAP. XLIX. THE KING ENTERS THE TOWN OF PISA.--OTHERS OF HIS CAPTAINS ADVANCE AS FAR AS FLORENCE. The king left Lucca on the following morning, after hearing mass, to dine at Primat, and in the evening entered Pisa, having been met by the clergy, governor and chief inhabitants. It was doubtless here that he received the truest marks of affection,--for the very children in the streets as well as others of higher ranks, shouted out, 'Liberty for ever!' They submitted themselves unreservedly to his will, for they were greatly molested by the Florentines; and it was melancholy to hear their complaints of them. The king assured them of his support in maintaining their liberty, which gave greater joy than I can describe,--and it need not be wondered at if, in consequence, the king and his company were so magnificently feasted. The next morning, he marched from Pisa, to dine at Pont Codere, and lodged at Empoli[134]. On the 11th of November, the king went to lie at Pont-de-Signe, which is a very pleasant place, and tarried there five or six days, because the Florentines had rebelled against Pietro de Medici, who had delivered up to the king some strong places and castles. But so firm a countenance was shown to the said Florentines, and the royal artillery were so well prepared to march against Florence and such as were the most active in rebellion, that they sent ambassadors to offer their obedience to the king, to sue for pardon for their transgressions, and to entreat that he would come to their town. FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 134: Empoli, a town 15 miles west of Florence.] CHAP. L. THE KING OF FRANCE, WITH HIS LORDS, ENTERS FLORENCE, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS WHOLE ARMY. On Monday, the 17th of November, the king, having assembled his whole army and train of artillery, advanced to a large palace near to Florence, where he dined. The florentine nobles, with numbers of the lower ranks, came thither to pay him their respects; which they having done, and presented him with the keys of their gates, the french army marched into the town of Florence by companies, each under its own captain, and with displayed banners, in handsome order. This lasted a long time, for there were a greater body of men under arms than the Florentines had ever before seen.