Pagina 568 de 1118

When, however, they found themselves in any difficulty, they did

not fail to solicit the aid of so powerful an auxiliary; and a

refusal from him would have been the destruction of his

reputation, and of the high station which he had assumed. So

that, for himself and others, he had performed such deeds that

not all his own power and that of his family could prevent his

banishment and outlawry; and he was obliged to leave the state. I

believe that it is to this circumstance Ripamonti alludes:-

"He was obliged to leave the country: but his audacity was

unsubdued; he went through the city on horseback, followed by a

pack of hounds, and with the sound of the trumpet; passing by the

court of the palace, he sent an abusive message to the governor

by one of the guards."

In his absence he did not desist from his evil practices; he

maintained a correspondence with his friends, "who were united to

him," says Ripamonti, "in a secret league of atrocious deeds."