n, was driven from his lordship; and this was the
cause: he and his sons desired to govern Milan entirely, and to give
no share of honour to M. Piero Visconti, and to others his kinsmen,
and to other cattani and feudatories. For the which cause scandal
arose in Milan, and the lords della Torre, with the forces of the
patriarch of Aquilea, came with a great host against Milan, and with
them M. Alberto Scotti da Piacenza, and Count Filippone da Pavia, and
M. Antonio da Foseraco of Lodi. M. Maffeo sallied forth against them,
but because of the strife which he had with his kinsmen, he was
ill-supported, and had not sufficient power against his enemies;
wherefore M. Alberto Scotti undertook the office of mediator to make
peace, and deceived and betrayed M. Maffeo, who trusted himself to
him; for he deposed him from the office of captain, wherefore M.
Maffeo for shame would not return to Milan; but the lords della Torre
were restored to Milan without a battle, and M. Mosca and M. Guidetto
di M. Nappo della Torre remained lords of Milan. And M. Mosca dying a
little while after, the said M. Guidetto caused himself to be
proclaimed captain of Milan, and ruled harshly, and was much dreaded
and feared, and so persecuted the said M. Maffeo and his sons that he
brought them well nigh to nought, and they were fain to go begging
through many places and countries; and in the end for their security
they took refuge in a little castle in the territory of Ferrara, which
pertained to the marquises of Este, their kinsfolk, inasmuch as
Galeasso, son to Maffeo, had for wife the sister of the marquis. And
when M. Guidetto della Torre, which was captain of Milan, and his
enemy heard this, he desired news of him and of his state, and said to
a wise and clever jongleur: "If thou desirest to gain a palfrey and a
mantle of vair, go to the place where M. Maffeo Visconti abides, and
spy out his state." And in mockery of him he said: "When thou takest
leave of him, ask him two questions: first, ask him how he fares and
what manner of life is his; secondly, when he thinks to return to
Milan." The minstrel departed and came to M. Maffeo, and found him
very meanly furnished, compared with his former state; and on
departing from him, he asked his aid in getting a palfrey and a mantle
of vair; and he answered, he would aid him gladly, but he might not
have them from him, for he had none such. Then he said: "It is not
from you that I would have them, but ans