Incognita | Page 3

of Spain, and Nephew to the Archbishop of Toledo, who had so
wrought himself into the Affections of Aurelian, through a Conformity
of Temper, an Equality in Years, and something of resemblance in
Feature and Proportion, that he look'd upon him as his second self.
Hippolito, on the other hand, was not ungrateful in return of Friendship,
but thought himself either alone or in ill Company, if Aurelian were
absent: but his Uncle having sent him to travel, under the Conduct of a
Governour, and the two Years which limited his stay at Siena being
expired, he was put in mind of his departure. His Friend grew
melancholy at the News, but considering that Hippolito had never seen
Florence, he easily prevailed with him to make his first journey thither,
whither he would accompany him, and perhaps prevail with his Father
to do the like throughout his Travels.
They accordingly set out, but not being able easily to reach Florence
the same Night, they rested a League or two short, at a Villa of the
great Duke's called Poggio Imperiale, where they were informed by
some of his Highness's Servants, That the Nuptials of Donna Catharina
(near Kinswoman to the great Duke) and Don Ferdinand de Rovori,
were to be solemnized the next day, and that extraordinary Preparations
had been making for some time past, to illustrate the Solemnity with
Balls and Masques, and other Divertisements; that a Tilting had been
proclaimed, and to that purpose Scaffolds erected around the Spacious
Court, before the Church Di Santa Croce, where were usually seen all
Cavalcades and Shews, performed by Assemblies of the Young
Nobility: That all Mechanicks and Tradesmen were forbidden to work
or expose any Goods to Sale for the space of three days; during which
time all Persons should be entertain'd at the Great Duke's Cost; and
publick Provision was to be made for the setting forth and furnishing a
multitude of Tables, with Entertainment for all Comers and Goers, and

several Houses appointed for that use in all Streets.
This Account alarm'd the Spirits of our Young Travellers, and they
were overjoy'd at the prospect of Pleasures they foresaw. Aurelian
could not contain the satisfaction he conceiv'd in the welcome Fortune
had prepar'd for his dear Hippolito. In short, they both remembred so
much of the pleasing Relation had been made them, that they forgot to
sleep, and were up as soon as it was light, pounding at poor Signior
Claudio's Door (so was Hippolito's Governour call'd) to rouse him, that
no time might be lost till they were arriv'd at Florence, where they
would furnish themselves with Disguises and other Accoutrements
necessary for the Prosecution of their Design of sharing in the publick
Merriment; the rather were they for going so early because Aurelian did
not think fit to publish his being in Town for a time, least his Father
knowing of it, might give some restraint to that loose they designed
themselves.
Before Sun rise they entred Florence at Porta Romana, attended only by
two Servants, the rest being left behind to avoid notice; but, alas! they
needed not to have used half that caution; for early as it was, the Streets
were crowded with all sorts of People passing to and fro, and every
Man employ'd in something relating to the Diversions to come; so that
no notice was taken of any body; a Marquess and his Train might have
pass'd by as unregarded as a single Fachin or Cobler. Not a Window in
the Streets but echoed the tuning of a Lute or thrumming of a Gitarr:
for, by the way, the Inhabitants of Florence are strangely addicted to
the love of Musick, insomuch that scarce their Children can go, before
they can scratch some Instrument or other. It was no unpleasing
Spectacle to our Cavaliers (who, seeing they were not observ'd,
resolved to make Observations) to behold the Diversity of Figures and
Postures of many of these Musicians. Here you should have an affected
Vallet, who Mimick'd the Behaviour of his Master, leaning carelessly
against the Window, with his Head on one side, in a languishing
Posture, whining, in a low, mournful Voice, some dismal Complaint;
while, from his sympathizing Theorbo, issued a Base no less doleful to
the Hearers. In Opposition to him was set up perhaps a Cobler, with the
wretched Skeleton of a Gitarr, battered and waxed together by his own
Industry, and who with three Strings out of Tune, and his own tearing
hoarse Voice, would rack attention from the Neighbourhood, to the

great affliction of many more moderate Practitioners, who, no doubt,
were full as desirous to be heard. By this time Aurelian's Servant had
taken a Lodging and was returned, to give his Master an Account of it.
The