for those of the Pear.[21] Every one who bears the beautiful ensign of the great baron[22] whose name and whose praise the feast of Thomas revives, from him had knighthood and privilege; although to-day he who binds it with a border unites himself with the populace.[23] Already there were Gualterotti and Importuni; and Borgo[24] would now be more quiet, if they had gone hung for new neighbors. The house of which was born your weeping,[25] through its just indignation which has slain you, and put an end to your glad living, was honored, both itself and its consorts. O Buondelmonte, how ill didst thou flee its nuptials through the persuasions of another! [26] Many would be glad who now are sorrowful, if God had conceded thee to the Ema[27] the first time that thou camest to the city. But it behoved that Florence in her last peace should offer a victim to that broken stone which guards the bridge.[28] [1] If the clergy had not quarrelled with the Emperor, bringing about factions and disturbances in the world. [2] “I have not discovered who this is,” says Buti. [3] The Conti Guidi had been compelled to sell to the Florentines their stronghold of Montemurlo, because they could not defend it from the Pistoians. The Cerchi and the Buondelmonti had been forced by the Florentine Commune to give up their fortresses and to take up their abode in the city, where they became powerful, and where the bitterness of intestine discord and party strife had been greatly enhanced by their quarrels. [4] Food added to that already in process of digestion. [5] Cities once great, now fallen. [6] Cities longer-lived than families. [7] All once great families, but now extinct, or fallen. [8] Above the gate of St. Peter rose the walls of the abode of the Cerchi, the head of the White faction. [9] The casting overboard was the driving out of the leaders of the Whites in 1302. [10] The Count Guido married Gualdrada, the daughter of Bellincione Berti. [11] Symbols of knighthood; the use of gold in their accoutrements being reserved for knights. [12] The family of the Pigli, whose scatcheon was, in heraldic terms, gules, a pale, vair; in other words, a red shield divided longitudinally by a stripe of the heraldic representation of the fur called vair. [13] The Chiaramontesi, one of whom in the old days, being the officer in charge of the sale of salt for the Commune, had cheated both the Commune and the people by using a false measure. See Purgatory, Canto XII. [14] To high civic office. [15] The Uberti, the great family of which Farinata was the most renowned member. [16] The Lamberti, who bore golden balls on their shields. [17] The Visdomini, patrons of the Bishopric of Florence, who, after the death of a bishop, by deferring the appointment of his successor grew fat on the episcopal revenues.