Vieri de' Cerchi being among the
captains, and being lame in his leg, would not therefore desist from
being among the forefighters; and since it fell to him to make the
selection for his sesto, he would not lay this service upon any who
did not desire to be chosen, but chose himself, and his son and
nephews; the which thing was counted to him as of great merit; and for
his good example and for shame many other noble citizens offered
themselves as forefighters. And this done, they flanked them on either
side by troops of light-armed infantry, and crossbowmen, and unmounted
lancers. Then, behind the forefighters, came the main body, flanked in
its turn by footmen, and, behind all, the baggage, so collected as to
close up the rear of the main body, outside of which were stationed
two hundred horse and foot of the Lucchese and Pistoians and other
foreigners, whereof was captain M. Corso Donati, which then was
Podesta of Pistoia; and their orders were to take the enemy in flank,
should occasion rise. The Aretines on their part ordered their troops
wisely, inasmuch as there were, as we have said, good captains of war
amongst them; and they appointed many forefighters, to the number of
300, among the which were chosen twelve of the chief leaders, who were
called the Twelve Paladins. And each side having given a war-cry to
their host, the Florentines, "Ho, knights, Nerbona," and the Aretines,
"Ho, knights, San Donato," the forefighters of the Aretines advanced
with great courage, and struck spur to smite into the Florentine host;
and the rest of their troop followed after, save that Count Guido
Novello, which was with a troop of 150 horse to charge in flank, did
not adventure himself into the battle, but drew back, and then fled to
his castle. And the movement and assault made upon the Florentines by
the Aretines, who esteemed themselves to be valiant men-at-arms, was
to the end that by their bold attack they might break up the
Florentines at the first onset, and put them to flight; and the shock
was so great that most of the Florentine forefighters were unhorsed,
and the main body was driven back a good space, but they were not
therefore confounded nor broken up, but received the enemy with
constancy and fortitude; and the wings of infantry on either side,
keeping their ranks well, enclosed the enemy, and there was hard
fighting for a good space. And M. Corso Donati, who was apart with the
men of Lucca and Pistoia, and had bee