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138 claiming War. During these serious Treaties, which last for many nights, the Secretaries of State (two prime wits) read before their several Princes Bills for regulating and reforming the abuses of their Subjects; and read openly Petitions and Secret Advices: in all which they jeer a world of people in the Town, and show prodigious Wit. In fine, having spun out thus the time till near Carnavale or Shrove-tide, the two Princes resolve on a Battle at Calcio, to be fought in the Piazza of Santa Croce, before the Great Duke and Court. Upon the day appointed, the two Princes of the Calcio come to the place in a most stately Cavalcata, with all the young Noblemen and Gentlemen of the Town, upon the best Horses they can find, with Scarffs red, or green, about their Arms. Having made their several Cavalcataes before the Great Dukes Throne or Scaffold, they light from their Horses and enter into the Lists with Trumpets sounding before them, and accompanied with a Stately Train, and with their Combatants in their several Liveries. Having ranked themselves a pretty distance one from the other, their Standard Bearers at sound of Trumpet, carry both at once, their Standards to the Foot of the Great Dukes Scaffold. This done, the Ball, or Ballon is thrown up in the midst between them, and to it they go with great nimbleness, sleight and discretion; and sometimes they fall to it indeed, and cuss handsomely: but upon pain of Death, no Man must resent, afterwards out of the Lists, what ever happened here; but all animosities arising