which said, "Jest not with the bear lest you be bit." And with this and all his other war harness he set out very honourably from Florence to travel to his new post.
Passing through Bologna he made a considerable display with his equipment, but on arriving at Ferrara, feeling that he was nearing the seat of his office, he made a much more magnificent entry, sending on before him his bascinet, his surcoat, and his crest with the bear. As these were passing through the great square of the town, which at that time was full of the Marquis's soldiers, a German knight, espying the crest with the bear, bounced up from the bench on which he was sitting and exclaimed, "Who is this who dares to use my crest?" Then calling his squire, he ordered him to bring at once his armour and his war horse, as he must fight the man who had had the temerity traitorously to bear his crest. Now this German, Messer Scindigher by name, was of gigantic size and a very valiant warrior. The onlookers, both German and Italian, attempted to appease him, but all to no effect, so two of them went to the hostelry where the Florentine lodged, to tell him that he must either give up his crest or fight a German knight, Messer Scindigher, who claimed the crest as his own. The Bardi knight, not at all used to this sort of business, replied that he had not come to Ferrara to fight but to pass on to his Podestàship of Padua, that he regarded all men as friends and brothers and that no more could he say. Returning to Messer Scindigher they found him already completely armed, fuming more than ever and calling loudly for his charger. The peacemakers, having in vain attempted to pacify him, returned to the inn and said to their friend, "it were better you should come to terms with this German, for we left him already fully armed, raging with fury, and we verily believe that by this time he has mounted his war horse and is coming to fight you." "He may arm himself and do as he will," replied the Bardi knight, "but I am not a fighting man and fight I won't." In the end, after much discussion, he suggested, "let us settle it with florins, so that honour may be satisfied on both sides and I may immediately continue my journey. This German declares that I am using his crest, but I swear on God's Gospel that I had it of the painter Lucchino at Florence and it cost me five florins. If he wants it, let him send me five florins and he is welcome to it." When this was reported to the German he summoned his servant, and giving him five florins bright from the mint, ordered him to fetch the crest, which was brought to him wrapped in a cloak, and when Messer Scindigher received it he felt as glorious as though he had conquered a city. Now the Podestà who was going to Padua, remaining without a crest, sent a friend to search all over Ferrara for one to replace the bear. By chance he found in a painter's shop a crest representing a half baboon dressed in yellow with a sword in its hand. So returning to the knight, he said to him, "You are in luck's way, I have found just what you want, we will have the sword replaced by a big red pike[1]
- ↑ The reason for this was that in Italian the term fante di picca, knave of pikes or spades, was used for a ridiculous man who gave himself much importance.
