"Will the Lord Cosimo come within to deliver his message?" I demanded.
The Lord Cosimo would not, fearing a trap.
"Will he meet us here upon the bridge, divesting himself first of his
weapons? Myself I am unarmed."
The herald conveyed the words to Cosimo, who hesitated still. Indeed, he
had wheeled his horse when the bridge fell, ready to gallop off at the
first sign of a sortie.
I laughed. "You are a paltry coward, Cosimo, when all is said," I shouted.
"Do you not see that had I planned to take you, I need resort to no
subterfuge? I have," I added--though untruthfully--" twice your number of
lances under arms, and by now I could have flung them across the bridge and
taken you under the very eyes of your own men. You were rash to venture so
far. But if you will not venture farther, at least send me your herald."
At that he got down from his horse, delivered up sword and dagger to his
single attendant, received from the man a parchment, and came towards us,
opening his vizor as he advanced. Midway upon the bridge we met. His lips
curled in a smile of scorn.
"Greetings, my strolling saint," he said. "Through all your vagaries you
are at least consistent in that you ever engage your neighbour's wife to
bear you company in your wanderings."
I went hot and cold, red and white by turns.
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