Page:The Voyage of Italy (1686).djvu/146

010 [sic] find how Bologna suffered much antiently by the two opposite Factions of the Lambartazzi and the Ceremei. But now they enjoy quiet and repose under the Pope.

Remember this Bolettina, Traveller.

The Apennine Hills.

Having thus seen Bologna, and being armed with a Bolettina di Sanita, taken here, to make us be let pass into the State of Florence, we steered on Horseback towards Florence, and reacht it in two days, the first days journey by Pianora, Loiano, Scargo, L'Azino, Pietra Mala, and over the Apennines, was long and tedious enough, till the night came, at which time we were much recreated with the sight of a Fire which appeared some two miles off in the side of a Mountain on our left hand. This Fire appears here frequently; especially in cloudy weather; and it appeared to me for an hour together as I rode along, to be still of the same bigness, and of the same glowy colour (Fornace like) and of a perfect round form, and not pyramidal, as other flames are. The Country People here call this Fire, La Bocca d'Inferno, Hell's Mouth; and I know not why they may not as well call this Fire so, Tertullian calls Vesuvius and Ætna ("two Burning Mountains) Fumariola Inferni, Hells Chimneys. Taken in fine, with this fixed Meteor, we forgot the tediousness of the way and came to Fiorenzuola. The next Morning passing by Scarperia and Il Ponte we arrived betimes at Florence.

''Tertul. l. de Pænitent. c.'' 12.

Fiorenzuola.

My arrival at Florence.

I confess, I stirred not out of my Inn that Night, because Fair Florence (as the Proverb calls her) is not to be seen in foul Linen and Riding Boots: but getting up betimes the next