THE CALL TO ARMS.
Then like the Spartans lived the ModeneseUnfortified, without a parapet;So shallow were the fosses that with easeMen might run in and out early or late;The Great Bell’s toll now echoed on the breeze,And up from bed jumped all the people straight;Summoned to arm, some bolted quick downstairs,Some to the windows rushed—and some to prayers.Some snatched a shoe and slipper, some in hasteHad only one leg stockinged, others againIn petticoats turned inside out were dressed,Lovers exchanged their shirts; some with disdainTook frying-pans for shields, and forward pressedWith buckets on for helms, others were fainTo brandish hedge-bills, and in breast-plates brightRan swaggering to the Square, prepared for fight.There had the Potta, ready at his post,The City Standard valorously spread;Himself on horseback armed, and he could boastBright scarlet breeches, shoes too, lively red:The Modenese, abridging, to their cost,Potestà, wrote but Potta in its stead;And hence the Bolognese in joke had got aCognomen, and they called his Mayorship Potta!Messer Lorenzo Scotti, sage and strong,Was Potta then, and suits at law decided;Now foot and horsemen, a promiscuous throng,All hurry to the Square, and these dividedAre posted at the gateways; from amongThe rest a chosen squadron is confidedTo Rangon’s son Gherardo,—to his handThe Standard too is given and chief command.Alessandro Tassoni.
Then like the Spartans lived the ModeneseUnfortified, without a parapet;So shallow were the fosses that with easeMen might run in and out early or late;The Great Bell’s toll now echoed on the breeze,And up from bed jumped all the people straight;Summoned to arm, some bolted quick downstairs,Some to the windows rushed—and some to prayers.Some snatched a shoe and slipper, some in hasteHad only one leg stockinged, others againIn petticoats turned inside out were dressed,Lovers exchanged their shirts; some with disdainTook frying-pans for shields, and forward pressedWith buckets on for helms, others were fainTo brandish hedge-bills, and in breast-plates brightRan swaggering to the Square, prepared for fight.There had the Potta, ready at his post,The City Standard valorously spread;Himself on horseback armed, and he could boastBright scarlet breeches, shoes too, lively red:The Modenese, abridging, to their cost,Potestà, wrote but Potta in its stead;And hence the Bolognese in joke had got aCognomen, and they called his Mayorship Potta!Messer Lorenzo Scotti, sage and strong,Was Potta then, and suits at law decided;Now foot and horsemen, a promiscuous throng,All hurry to the Square, and these dividedAre posted at the gateways; from amongThe rest a chosen squadron is confidedTo Rangon’s son Gherardo,—to his handThe Standard too is given and chief command.Alessandro Tassoni.
Then like the Spartans lived the ModeneseUnfortified, without a parapet;So shallow were the fosses that with easeMen might run in and out early or late;The Great Bell’s toll now echoed on the breeze,And up from bed jumped all the people straight;Summoned to arm, some bolted quick downstairs,Some to the windows rushed—and some to prayers.
Then like the Spartans lived the Modenese
Unfortified, without a parapet;
So shallow were the fosses that with ease
Men might run in and out early or late;
The Great Bell’s toll now echoed on the breeze,
And up from bed jumped all the people straight;
Summoned to arm, some bolted quick downstairs,
Some to the windows rushed—and some to prayers.
Some snatched a shoe and slipper, some in hasteHad only one leg stockinged, others againIn petticoats turned inside out were dressed,Lovers exchanged their shirts; some with disdainTook frying-pans for shields, and forward pressedWith buckets on for helms, others were fainTo brandish hedge-bills, and in breast-plates brightRan swaggering to the Square, prepared for fight.
Some snatched a shoe and slipper, some in haste
Had only one leg stockinged, others again
In petticoats turned inside out were dressed,
Lovers exchanged their shirts; some with disdain
Took frying-pans for shields, and forward pressed
With buckets on for helms, others were fain
To brandish hedge-bills, and in breast-plates bright
Ran swaggering to the Square, prepared for fight.
There had the Potta, ready at his post,The City Standard valorously spread;Himself on horseback armed, and he could boastBright scarlet breeches, shoes too, lively red:The Modenese, abridging, to their cost,Potestà, wrote but Potta in its stead;And hence the Bolognese in joke had got aCognomen, and they called his Mayorship Potta!
There had the Potta, ready at his post,
The City Standard valorously spread;
Himself on horseback armed, and he could boast
Bright scarlet breeches, shoes too, lively red:
The Modenese, abridging, to their cost,
Potestà, wrote but Potta in its stead;
And hence the Bolognese in joke had got a
Cognomen, and they called his Mayorship Potta!
Messer Lorenzo Scotti, sage and strong,Was Potta then, and suits at law decided;Now foot and horsemen, a promiscuous throng,All hurry to the Square, and these dividedAre posted at the gateways; from amongThe rest a chosen squadron is confidedTo Rangon’s son Gherardo,—to his handThe Standard too is given and chief command.Alessandro Tassoni.
Messer Lorenzo Scotti, sage and strong,
Was Potta then, and suits at law decided;
Now foot and horsemen, a promiscuous throng,
All hurry to the Square, and these divided
Are posted at the gateways; from among
The rest a chosen squadron is confided
To Rangon’s son Gherardo,—to his hand
The Standard too is given and chief command.
Alessandro Tassoni.