of Urbino never came; on which, as it is not my business, I will make no further comment.[1]
XXXVI
While I was at work upon that diabolical task of mine, there came from time to time to watch me some of the cardinals who were invested in the castle; and most frequently the Cardinal of Ravenna and the Cardinal de' Gaddi.[2] I often told them not to show themselves, since their nasty red caps gave a fair mark to our enemies. From neighbouring buildings, such as the Torre de' Bini, we ran great peril when they were there; and at last I had them locked off, and gained thereby their deep ill-will. I frequently received visits also from the general, Orazio Baglioni, who was very well affected toward me. One day while he was talking with me, he noticed something going forward in a drinking-place outside the Porta di Castello, which bore the name of Baccanello. This tavern had for sign a sun painted between two windows, of a bright red colour. The windows being closed, Signor Orazio concluded that a band of soldiers were carousing at table just between them and
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- ↑ Francesco Maria della Rovere, Duke of Urbino, commanded a considerable army as general of the Church, and was now ailing for Venice. Why he effected no diversion while the Imperial troops were marching upon Rome, and why he delayed to relieve the city, was never properly explained. Folk attributed his impotent conduct partly to a natural sluggishness in warfare, and partly to his hatred for the house of Medici. Leo X. had deprived him of his dukedom, and given it to a Medicean prince. It is to this that Cellini probably refers in the cautious phrase which ends the chapter.
- ↑ Benedetto Accolti of Arezzo, Archbishop of Ravenna in 1524., obtained the hat in 1527, three days before the sack of Rome. He was a distinguished man of letters. Niccolb Gaddi was created Cardinal on the same day as Accolti. We shall hear more of him in Cellini's pages.
