NOTES TO CANTO XIV.
And if unconquered Duke Alphonso, &c.
Stanza ii. line 3.
Alphonso of Este, duke of Ferrara; to whom the poet attributes the victory and subsequent capture of Ravenna, held for the pope by Fabrizio Colonna, the struggle being between French and Italians under this leader, and Spaniards and Italians under the command of Gaston de Foix; for, the French troops having given way, Alphonso coming up with a band of gentlemen, again turned the fortune of the field.
Who on that day deserved you should accord,
For honoured gifts, the gilded spurs and sword.
Stanza iii. lines 7 and 8.
The insignia of knighthood conferred by Alphonso upon many of his young followers on the field of battle. ‘To win his spurs’ was almost a proverbial expression; how applied to the Black Prince by our Edward III. every one will remember.
