DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61902#0069
THE MAKERS OF FLORENCE.
47
more striking, is linked by Sacchetti to his story of the
blacksmith. Dante was on his way, when he heard the
grimy artisan singing at his work, to speak a good word to
the “ Esecutore ” of the district for a certain voting
cavalier of the Adimari, his neighbors, who had got into
trouble for unruly behavior, and who was awaiting the
sentence which his friends hoped might be lightened by
the intercession of so important a public man as the poet-
ambassador. Dante, having dined with the Adimari, set
out on his mission with goodwill enough, it would appear ;
but as he went he began to think :
“As he approached the house of the Esecutore, he reflected that
this cavalier was a haughty youug man, ungracious and proud, who
when he went about the city, especially when on horseback, so spread
himself over the street, which was not wide (andava si con le garnbe
aperte), that the toes of his boots rubbed against the passers-by ; and
such behavior was very displeasing to Dante, who observed every-
thing. Accordingly he said to the Esecutore, ‘ You have before your
court a certain cavalier, for such and such offenses. I recommend
him to you; his behavior is such that he deserves great punishment;
for 1 think that to usurp the rights of the commonwealth is one of
the greatest of offenses.’ Dante did not say this to deaf ears The
Escutore asked what rights of the commonwealth were those which
he usurped. Dante answered, ‘When he rides about the city he rides
in such a manner that those who meet him have to turn back and
cannot pass upon their way.’ ‘ Does this seem a joke to you ? ’ said
the Esecutore ; ‘ it is a greater fault than that with which he is
charged.’ ‘ Ecco ! ’ said Dante. ‘ I am his neighbor. I recommend
him to you.’ ”
This curious mode of intercession was, as may be sup-
posed, little appreciated by the Adimari, though it affords
us a very curious picture of the man, more just than piti-
ful, himself so arrogant, yet remorseless to the arrogance
of others, waking up from his abstraction after he had un-
dertaken to plead the young man’s cause, finding him
unworthy, and winding up his description of the young
braggart’s public sins by the fine irony of that recommen-
47
more striking, is linked by Sacchetti to his story of the
blacksmith. Dante was on his way, when he heard the
grimy artisan singing at his work, to speak a good word to
the “ Esecutore ” of the district for a certain voting
cavalier of the Adimari, his neighbors, who had got into
trouble for unruly behavior, and who was awaiting the
sentence which his friends hoped might be lightened by
the intercession of so important a public man as the poet-
ambassador. Dante, having dined with the Adimari, set
out on his mission with goodwill enough, it would appear ;
but as he went he began to think :
“As he approached the house of the Esecutore, he reflected that
this cavalier was a haughty youug man, ungracious and proud, who
when he went about the city, especially when on horseback, so spread
himself over the street, which was not wide (andava si con le garnbe
aperte), that the toes of his boots rubbed against the passers-by ; and
such behavior was very displeasing to Dante, who observed every-
thing. Accordingly he said to the Esecutore, ‘ You have before your
court a certain cavalier, for such and such offenses. I recommend
him to you; his behavior is such that he deserves great punishment;
for 1 think that to usurp the rights of the commonwealth is one of
the greatest of offenses.’ Dante did not say this to deaf ears The
Escutore asked what rights of the commonwealth were those which
he usurped. Dante answered, ‘When he rides about the city he rides
in such a manner that those who meet him have to turn back and
cannot pass upon their way.’ ‘ Does this seem a joke to you ? ’ said
the Esecutore ; ‘ it is a greater fault than that with which he is
charged.’ ‘ Ecco ! ’ said Dante. ‘ I am his neighbor. I recommend
him to you.’ ”
This curious mode of intercession was, as may be sup-
posed, little appreciated by the Adimari, though it affords
us a very curious picture of the man, more just than piti-
ful, himself so arrogant, yet remorseless to the arrogance
of others, waking up from his abstraction after he had un-
dertaken to plead the young man’s cause, finding him
unworthy, and winding up his description of the young
braggart’s public sins by the fine irony of that recommen-