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The rest, who were unable to get near the house, encouraged by

their shouts those who were at the work of destruction; though,

fortunately, through the eagerness with which they pressed

forward, they impeded its progress.

The magistrates, who were the first to have notice of the fray,

despatched a messenger to ask military aid of the commander of

the castle, which was then called, from the gate, Giovia; and he

forthwith detached a troop, which arrived when the house was

encompassed with the throng, and undergoing its tremendous

assault; and was therefore obliged to halt at a distance from it,

and at the extremity of the crowd. The officer who commanded it

did not know what course to pursue; at the order to disperse and

make way, the people replied by a deep and continued murmur, but

no one moved. To fire on the crowd appeared not only savage, but

perilous, inasmuch as the most harmless might be injured, and the

most ferocious only irritated, and prepared for further mischief;

and moreover his instructions did not authorise it.