DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.32874#0136
102 LIFE OF BENVENUTO CELLINI [BK. 11
that son who had the halberd wounded first the Roman
Pagolo above the left nipple; the other rushed upon a
Milanese who was of our company, who had the appear-
ance of a crazy creature; and it did not avail him that
he commended himself by saying that he had nothing
to do with me, and defended himself from the point of a
partisan with a little cane that he had in his hand. With
this he could not ward him off much; so that he was
slightly wounded in the mouth. Misser Cherubino was
clad like a priest, for although he was a most excellent
master clockmaker, as I have said, he held benefices
from the Pope with handsome emoluments. Ascanio,
since he was very well armed, made no sign of taking to
flight, as had that Milanese. Wherefore these two were
not injured. I, for I had set spurs to my horse, and,
whilst he was galloping, had hastily got in readiness
and loaded my arquebuse, was turning furiously back
again; for since it seemed to me that whereas I had
acted as in jest I now wished to act in real earnest,
and I thought that those young men of mine had been
slain, I was resolved to die myself also. The horse
had not raced many paces back, when I met them
coming towards me, and I asked them if they had suf-
fered any hurt. Ascanio answered that Pagolo was
wounded to death by a halberd. Thereupon I said:
" Oh, Pagolo, my son, then the halberd has pierced
your coat of mail?" "No," said he; "for I had put my
coat of mail into my saddle-bag this morning." " Then "
(said I) " they wear coats of mail about Rome in order
to appear handsome before the ladies? and in danger-
ous situations, where it is one's business to have
them, they keep them in the saddle-bag? You well
that son who had the halberd wounded first the Roman
Pagolo above the left nipple; the other rushed upon a
Milanese who was of our company, who had the appear-
ance of a crazy creature; and it did not avail him that
he commended himself by saying that he had nothing
to do with me, and defended himself from the point of a
partisan with a little cane that he had in his hand. With
this he could not ward him off much; so that he was
slightly wounded in the mouth. Misser Cherubino was
clad like a priest, for although he was a most excellent
master clockmaker, as I have said, he held benefices
from the Pope with handsome emoluments. Ascanio,
since he was very well armed, made no sign of taking to
flight, as had that Milanese. Wherefore these two were
not injured. I, for I had set spurs to my horse, and,
whilst he was galloping, had hastily got in readiness
and loaded my arquebuse, was turning furiously back
again; for since it seemed to me that whereas I had
acted as in jest I now wished to act in real earnest,
and I thought that those young men of mine had been
slain, I was resolved to die myself also. The horse
had not raced many paces back, when I met them
coming towards me, and I asked them if they had suf-
fered any hurt. Ascanio answered that Pagolo was
wounded to death by a halberd. Thereupon I said:
" Oh, Pagolo, my son, then the halberd has pierced
your coat of mail?" "No," said he; "for I had put my
coat of mail into my saddle-bag this morning." " Then "
(said I) " they wear coats of mail about Rome in order
to appear handsome before the ladies? and in danger-
ous situations, where it is one's business to have
them, they keep them in the saddle-bag? You well