[The Life of Cesare Borgia by Raphael Sabatini]@TWC D-Link bookThe Life of Cesare Borgia CHAPTER VI 16/21
If his hopes were as stated, he was disappointed in them, for Fano made no offer to him, and matters remained for the present as they were. On the 27th, with the banners of the bull unfurled, he rode into Pesaro at the head of two thousand men, making his entrance with his wonted pomp, of whose dramatic values he was so fully aware.
He was met at the gates by the Council, which came to offer him the keys of the town, and, despite the pouring rain under which he entered the city, the people of Pesaro thronged the streets to acclaim him as he rode. He took up his lodgings at the Sforza Palace, so lately vacated by Giovanni--the palace where Lucrezia Borgia had held her Court when, as Giovanni's wife, she had been Countess of Pesaro and Cotignola.
Early on the morrow he visited the citadel, which was one of the finest in Italy, rivalling that of Rimini for strength.
On his arrival there, a flourish of trumpets imposed silence, while the heralds greeted him formally as Lord of Pesaro.
He ordered one of the painters in his train to draw up plans of the fortress to be sent to the Pope, and issued instructions for certain repairs and improvements which he considered desirable. Here in Pesaro came to him the famous Pandolfo Collenuccio, as envoy from the Duke of Ferrara, to congratulate Cesare upon the victory. In sending Collenuccio at such a time Ercole d'Este paid the Duke of Valentinois a subtle, graceful compliment.
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