_Soon after his departure from Sienna, Guzman meets with Sayavedra, whom
he takes into his service, and carries with him to Florence._
I was so anxious to escape from Sienna, that clapping spurs to my horse,
I disappeared like lightning from the eyes of the ungrateful Pompey.
After proceeding some miles, I perceived at a distance a man on foot,
who appeared exactly to resemble my thief Sayavedra. In fact it was he,
who, in pursuance of his sentence of banishment, was hastening to quit
the territory of Sienna, to exercise his talents in some other place.
I could not help feeling an emotion of pity, at the sight of this
miserable wretch; and thinking less of his treachery than of the
infinite assistance he had rendered me in the hog adventure, I could not
refrain from speaking to him. He also had recognised me, and when I came
near him, ran up to me bathed in tears, and, clasping my knees, he
entreated me a thousand times to pardon his ingratitude and his perfidy.
He added, that he wished with all his soul, to expiate his crime, to be
my slave for life; and that if I would receive him, I might rely on his
oath, that he would be the most faithful servant in the world. After I
had reflected on this proposal, I thought I had better accept it.
Do you not blame me, friendly reader, for encumbering myself with an
attendant whose character I was aware of, and who had already robbed me,
and would not fail to give me another specimen of his skill the first
opportunity? I know by my own experience, that evil propensities are
not so soon got rid of; but now that from my own poverty I had nothing
to lose, honesty did not appear to me to be an indispensable requisite
in a servant. In the _profession_ that I foresaw I should soon be
obliged to follow, I should I knew have occasion for a _virtuoso_, and
Sayavedra was one exactly for my purpose.
I took him, therefore, into my service; and I had as good reason
afterwards to congratulate myself on having renewed my acquaintance with
him, as I had before to regret that I had ever known him. He soon
convinced me, when we arrived at the inn where we intended to sleep,
that I had acted most wisely in attaching him to me. He was always on
the alert to contribute in every way to my convenience, and I could not
sufficiently admire the attention with which he endeavoured to
anticipate my every desire. In short, his extreme zeal, good
understanding, and spirits, conspired to console me considerably for the
loss of my goods. Very early the next morning we set out again, one on
horseback and the other on foot, and proceeded to Florence, which I had
heard so highly spoken of. Praised, however, as it had been to me, the
magnificence of its buildings amazed me exceedingly. Sayavedra, who
observed my astonishment, said to me with a smile, “it appears to me,
that you are somewhat agreeably surprised at the sight of this city.”
“In truth, you have guessed rightly,” replied I, “I am completely
charmed with it; I did not think there was another Rome in the world.”
“And yet,” replied he, “you see nothing of its beauties to what may be
seen. Some of the houses here, which might pass for as many palaces, are
ornamented within with some of the most beautiful works of architecture.
Florence may with great truth be called the eighth wonder of the world;
since it is the flower of flowers, and the flower of all Italy.”
Sayavedra then related to me the History of Florence, from the time of
the civil wars of Catiline.
My squire Sayavedra, who was well acquainted with the town, from having
lived there some time, conducted me to one of the best inns, where he
was pleased to make me pass for a Spanish gentleman, named Don Guzman,
and nephew to the Ambassador from Spain to Rome. With the greatest
effrontery he communicated my quality to the landlord _in confidence_.
Being without baggage, and having only one horse between us, seemed to
belie his assertions; but to throw something like the appearance of
probability on his story, he said that we had been obliged to set out in
great haste, and that we expected a servant to follow us instantly with
our trunks. Although the inn was full of gentlemen of the first
importance, I was shewn into one of the best rooms, the landlord having
been given to understand that I had come to Florence on an affair of
consequence, and that I should probably make a long stay; this caused
him to behave in the most respectful manner to me.
The next day, the prudent Sayavedra was of opinion that we ought to buy
a large chest, and give out that it contained our most valuable
property, though intending to fill it at our leisure with whatever
fortune might be pleased to send us. I approved of his idea, and charged
him to make the purchase immediately.