Page:The Voyage Of Italy Or A Compleat Journey through Italy, The Second Part.pdf/281

 marry if they will, and live in their own particular houses, but many of them choose celibate, as more convenient for brave Soldiers: wives and children being the true impedimenta exercitus.

Heretofore, during the great disorders of the Guelfs and the Ghibelins, Anno 1282. this town was governed by Ugolin a proud man, who ruled here despotically. This man inviting one day all his friends to a great feast, began in the midst of it to brag, that nothing was wanting to him: Yes (said one of his best friends, because one who flattered him not) there's one thing yet wanting to thee, Ugolin, to wit, the Anger of God, which is not farr from thee. And it proved true, for presently after, the Ghibelins rushing into the Pallace of Ugolin (chief of the Guelfs) killed in his sight, one of his Sons and his nephew, and taking him with two other of his Sons and three Nephews they shut him up in a strong Tower, and threw the Keys into Arno: where the poor man that bragged