Byways in southern Tuscany . tly to Montalcino, they encamped amongthe barren hills along the River Arbia, and sent envoysto Siena bearing insolent messages. *Throw down yourwalls that we may enter where it pleases us, they scorn-fully demanded and they proceeded no farther toward Mon-talcino, but waited there beside the river that was sosoon to run red with their blood. On the fourth ofSeptember, in this year of 1260, the Sienese came forth tomeet them and utterly routed them in the memorablebattle of Montaperti. The account of this battle belongs to the history ofSiena and it has been too el
Byways in southern Tuscany . tly to Montalcino, they encamped amongthe barren hills along the River Arbia, and sent envoysto Siena bearing insolent messages. *Throw down yourwalls that we may enter where it pleases us, they scorn-fully demanded and they proceeded no farther toward Mon-talcino, but waited there beside the river that was sosoon to run red with their blood. On the fourth ofSeptember, in this year of 1260, the Sienese came forth tomeet them and utterly routed them in the memorablebattle of Montaperti. The account of this battle belongs to the history ofSiena and it has been too eloquently described to be retoldhere, but after the great and hardly hoped-for victory overthe Florentines had taken place on that famous field,there was fear and trembling in Montalcino, for its citizensknew they had been the immediate cause of the conflict,and this Siena would not forgive, even in the hour of debated what course to pursue and it was decidedto send messages owning their fault and begging for 100. BYWAYS IN SOUTHERN TUSCANY forgiveness. So a deputation, numbering four hundred,set forth and, with hearts heavy with apprehension,traveled to Siena. Led by their priests they entered thecity in penitential robes, barefooted, with halters abouttheir necks, and as they passed through the streets theychanted lugubriously: Have mercy upon us for the love of God and of theVirgin Mary. We implore ye to pardon us and receiveus as dead men! When they reached the Campo the men of Siena at firstgave them furious looks; many would have fallen uponthem to beat and kick them, but these were restrained,and presently it was said to them: Go down to the field of Montaperti where the valorousand intrepid men of Siena died and where stood thecarroccio with our victorious standard, so that you maybehold what desolation you have caused, and there do youremain till you are forgiven for the great wickedness youare guilty of. Then the men of Montalcino hung their heads and they
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjecttuscany, bookyear1919
