BOOK III. THE FREEDOM WITHOUT LAW.

"Ben furo avventurosi i cavalieri
Ch' erano a quella eta, che nei vallone,
Nelle scure spelonche e boschi fieri,
Tane di serpi, d'orsi e di leoni,
Trovavan quel che nei palazzi altieri
Appena or trovar pon giudici buoni;
Donne che nella lor piu fresca etade
Sien degne di aver titol di beltade."

Ariosto, Orlando Furioso, can. xiii. 1.



Chapter 3.I. The Return of Walter de Montreal to his Fortress.

When Walter de Montreal and his mercenaries quitted Corneto, they made
the best of their way to Rome; arriving there, long before the Barons,
they met with a similar reception at the gates, but Montreal prudently
forbore all attack and menace, and contented himself with sending his
trusty Rodolf into the city to seek Rienzi, and to crave permission
to enter with his troop. Rodolf returned in a shorter time than was
anticipated. "Well," said Montreal impatiently, "you have the order I
suppose. Shall we bid them open the gates?"

"Bid them open our graves," replied the Saxon, bluntly. "I trust my next
heraldry will be to a more friendly court."