The state coaches, which had been built at Rome for the pageant, were so superb that they were thought worthy to be transmitted to posterity in fine engravings and to be celebrated by poets in several languages.

[276] The front of the Ambassador's palace was decorated on this great day with absurd allegorical paintings of gigantic size.

There was Saint George with his foot on the neck of Titus Cares, and Hercules with his club crushing College, the Protestant joiner, who in vain attempted to defend himself with his flail.

After this public appearance Castelmaine invited all the persons of note then assembled at Rome to a banquet in that gay and splendid gallery which is adorned with paintings of subjects from the Aeneid by Peter of Cortona.

The whole city crowded to the show; and it was with difficulty that a company of Swiss guards could keep order among the spectators.