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"The authority of Tasso is against you, respected Signor

Podestà," resumed aloud the Count Attilio: "this great man was

well acquainted with the laws of knighthood, and he makes the

messenger of Argantes, before carrying the defiance of the

Christian knights, ask permission from the pious Bouillon."

"But that," replied vociferously the podestà, "that is poetical

licence merely: an ambassador is in his nature inviolable, by the

law of nations, jure gentium; and moreover, the ambassador, not

having spoken in his own name, but merely presented the challenge

in writing--"

"But when will you comprehend that this ambassador was a daring

fool, who did not know the first--"

"With the good leave of our guests," interrupted Don Roderick,

who did not wish the argument to proceed farther, "we will refer

it to the Father Christopher, and submit to his decision."