what it meant, and was informed
that a brave and bold gentleman, younger than any of the others, had
entered Milan pell-mell with the combatants he was pursuing, and had been
taken prisoner by John Bernardino Casaccio, one of the leaders of the
insurrection. Ludovic ordered him to be brought up, which was done,
though not without some disquietude on the part of Bayard's captor,
"a courteous gentleman, who feared that Lord Ludovico might do him some
displeasure." He resolved himself to be his conductor, after having
dressed him in one of his own robes and made him look like a gentleman.
"Marvelling to see Bayard so young, 'Come hither, my gentleman,' said
Ludovico: 'who brought you into the city?' 'By my faith, my lord,'
answered Bayard, who was not a whit abashed, 'I never imagined I was
entering all alone, and thought surely I was being followed of my
comrades, who knew more about war than I, for if they had done as I did
they would, like me, be prisoners. Howbeit, after my mishap, I laud the
fortune which caused me to fall into the hands of so valiant and discreet
a knight as he who has me in holding.' 'By your faith,' asked Ludovico,
'of how many is the army of the King of France?' 'On my soul, my lord,'
answered Bayard, 'so far as I can hear, there are fourteen or fifteen
hundred men-at-arms and sixteen or eighteen thousand foot; but they are
all picked men, who are resolved to busy themselves so well this bout
that they will assure the state of Milan to the king our master; and
meseems, my lord, that you would surely be in as great safety in Germany
as you are here, for your folks are not the sort to fight us.' With such
assurance spoke the good knight that Lord Ludovico took pleasure
there-in, though his say was enough to astound him. 'On my faith, my
gentleman,' said he, as it were in raillery, 'I have a good mind that the
King of France's army and mine should come together, in order that by
battle it may be known to whom of right belongs this heritage, for I see
no other way to it.' 'By my sacred oath, my lord,' said the good knight,
'I would that it might be to-morrow, provided that I were out of
captivity.' 'Verily, that shall not stand in your way,' said Ludovico,
'for I will let you go forth, and that presently. Moreover, ask of me
what you will, and I will give it you.' The good knight, who, on bended
knee, thanked Lord Ludovico for the offers he made him, as there was good
reason he should, then