. l.
x. c. 10,) Aelian (de Natur. Animal. l. ii. c. 42,) and perhaps Homer,
(Odyss. xxii. 302-306,) describe with astonishment a tacit league and
common chase between the hawks and the Thracian fowlers.]

[Footnote 47: Particularly the gerfaut, or gyrfalcon, of the size of
a small eagle. See the animated description of M. de Buffon, Hist.
Naturelle, tom. xvi. p. 239, &c.]

[Footnote 48: Script. Rerum Italicarum, tom. i. part ii. p. 129. This is
the xvith law of the emperor Lewis the Pious. His father Charlemagne had
falconers in his household as well as huntsmen, (Memoires sur l'ancienne
Chevalerie, par M. de St. Palaye, tom. iii. p. 175.) I observe in the
laws of Rotharis a more early mention of the art of hawking, (No.
322;) and in Gaul, in the fifth century, it is celebrated by Sidonius
Apollinaris among the talents of Avitus, (202--207.) * Note: See
Beckman, Hist. of Inventions, vol. i. p. 319--M.]

Chapter XLV: State Of Italy Under The Lombards.--Part III.

So rapid was the influence of climate and example, that the Lombards of
the fourth generation surveyed with curiosity and affright the portraits
of their savage forefathers. [49] Their heads were shaven behind,
but the shaggy locks hung over their eyes and mouth, and a long beard
represented the name and character of the nation. Their dress consisted
of loose linen garments, after the fashion of the Anglo-Saxons, which
were decorated, in their opinion, with broad stripes or variegated
colors. The legs and feet were clothed in long hose, and open sandals;
and even in the security of peace a trusty sword was constantly girt to
their side. Yet this strange apparel, and horrid aspect, often concealed
a gentle and generous disposition; and as soon as the rage of battle
had subsided, the captives and subjects were sometimes surprised by the
humanity of the victor. The vices of the Lombards were the effect of
passion, of ignorance, of intoxication; their virtues are the more
laudable, as they were not affected by the hypocrisy of social manners,
nor imposed by the rigid constraint of laws and education. I should not
be apprehensive of deviating from my subject, if it were in my power
to delineate the private life of the conquerors of Italy; and I shall
relate with pleasure the adventurous gallantry of Autharis, which
breathes the true spirit of chivalry and romance. [50] After the loss
of his promised bride, a Merovingian princess, he sought in marriage th