While Romulo was shifting from foot to foot indecisively before the Gate of San Sebastiano, his oldest brother, Girolamo found a new lampoon posted on a wall. He tore it down first and read it afterward. It was in bad Latin and read "Spado Romulus spadonem suum perduit. Non refert. Non requirit nunc ulle." [The eunuch, Romulo, has lost his spadone. It doesn't matter, he doesn't need it now, anyway."]

A spadone was a clumsy saber, not a weapon any urbane young man would be likely to carry . It was chosen solely for the wordplay between spado, eunuch and spadone, a sword. It's not a Latin word, though the author of the lampoon. treats it as such. The labored pedantic attempt at humor strongly suggested to Girolamo that Gioacchino Capinera was the author.

Girolamo went looking for the man who was posting these lampoons . He soon found what he sought, a stylishly dressed young dandy, his hair teased and frizzed in the latest style, standing with his arms akimbo and his legs wide apart admiring his handiwork, still holding the hammer in his right hand and with a pile of handbills on the ground beside him. Even from behind, he was easily recognized as

Gioacchino Capinera.

Girolamo stole silently up behind him, swung his right foot back and then up and back between Gioacchino's thighs with sufficient force to lift him off the cobblestone pavement and nearly a cubit into the air. On the upper surface of his foot, Girolamo could feel the contents of Gioacchino's codpiece being smashed against his pelvis.

Gioacchino screeched and fell forward striking his head against the wall and knocking himself unconscious. Girolamo snatched up the pile of handbills, tore down the one on the wall, and dashed off. Girolamo was quite certain that the Monteallegri were no longer the only ones to have a eunuch in the family.

Though he had no way of knowing it, Girolamo Monteallegre had avenged his young brother Romulo not only for the lampoon, but also for his castration, for it was Gioacchino Capinera who had wielded the knife.

At this moment, Romulo ended his hesitation and resolutely opened the gate of the monastery of Saint Sebastian. He pulled a chain hanging before the door and a bell rang within. In a moment an elderly doorward opened the door and asked his business.

"I wish to speak with the Abbot." replied Romulo.

"Come in." answered the doorward. "I shall tell him that you are here." Soon afterward, the doorward returned and said "Come with me."

The Abbot was younger than Romulo had expected, a man of about 45 years of age, with a black beard and mustache sprinkled with grey. He was seated behind a table and did not rise. The Abbot asked Romulo his name and the reason for his visit.

"I am Romulo Monteallegre."

"Oh, the eunuch." responded the Abbot. Romulo winced and nodded.

"You need not be so surprised" said the Abbot. "Though we have set ourselves apart from the world, word of events outside our walls is brought in by those who deliver oil, eggs, and the like to us. Have you , then, decided to renounce the world ?"

"Yes." replied Romulo. "I can no longer endure the whispers, the ridicule, and the contempt ."

"You will find life here very different from that to which you have been accustomed. Obedience and submission are required of you. You must immediately and without question obey whatever you are told to do by a superior. Inasmuch as you are a novice, everyone here is your superior.

You must doff the finery in which you are now attired and don the simple grey habit of a monk. Life here is communal. There is no such thing as privacy. The doorway of the cell which I shall assign you has neither door nor curtain. Any superior may enter your cell at any time for any reason whatsoever.

Do you understand what is required of you ?"

"I do."

"Do you swear to obey all commands of any superior at all times ?

"I do."

"Then you are accepted as a member of the Order. You are assigned cell number 69. Brother Podicophilus will conduct you thither. You will find a habit in your cell. Until you understand the routine here, you will be called to prayers, labor, and meals."

Romulo was growing increasingly uneasy. The salacious leer with which Brother Podicophilus regarded him did nothing to allay his uneasiness. In his cell, as he had been told, Romulo found a habit. Brother Podicophilus ordered him to doff his clothing and don it. He continue to stand there watching while Romulo did so.

"The small clothes also. We wear only the habit. You are to give all of your clothing into my keeping."

The lustful expression on Brother Podicophilus' face when he saw Romulo naked convinced Romulo that he had made a serious mistake. Still, Brother Podicophilus made no untoward demands of him at the moment and Romulo resolved to give San Sebastiano a fair trial before seeking release from the Order.

In the mean time, Fra Leonardo sought information and opinions concerning San Sebastiano from members of other monastic orders and from some of the local clergy in Verona. What he learned made him increasingly alarmed.

He was told in no uncertain terms that San Sebastiano was a sinkhole of iniquity and the brothers were,with few if any exceptions, depraved sodomites. One of his informants added "May God help any decent young man who sets foot within the doors of San Sebastiano."

Fra Leonardo rushed to the palazzo Monteallegri to stop Romulo from entering that monastery. When he arrived, only Francesco of the Monteallegri brothers was at home. He told Fra Leonardo that Romulo had left about two hours ago having announced his intention of entering San Sebastiano. He had no idea where the others were or when they would return.

Fra Leonardo explained to Francesco what he had learned about San Sebastiano and decided to wait for the other brothers to arrive. He suspected that they had better recruit the aid of some friends because it seemed likely that armed force would be needed to rescue Romulo from the beasts of San Sebastiano.

During his first day at the monastery, Romulo was summoned from his cell to prayer, labor ( mostly sweeping floors) , and meals. He found the way that the brothers ogled him increasingly disquieting. So far, though, no one had made any advances toward him nor any demands upon him. This reticence had nothing to do with decency and everything to do with the fact that novices were considered the "property" of the abbot.

He wondered apprehensively what the night would bring. It was a hot day for May and he knew that it would be impossible to sleep in his heavy woolen robe.

However, he had not been allowed to keep any underwear and, if he removed the robe, he must perforce sleep naked. This might make him dangerously vulnerable to the lust of the brothers.

Romulo's cell was lighted by a small taper which he had been told to leave lit. Of course, the breeze from the open window might blow it out....As soon as he was sure that there were no onlookers, Romulo provided his own breeze to that end.

The waning crescent Moon provided scant light indeed to a cell with a north-facing window.

So, Romulo lay atop his pallet nude in nearly total darkness. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he found that he could make out his surroundings. Looking toward the doorway, Romulo sighted a dim white form, evidently a monk as naked as himself. He slipped off his bed and stood up facing the door. As the brother drew near to him, Romulo could see that the man's cazzo was protruding stiffly before him.

Finally catching sight of Romulo the monk seized him, embraced him and tried to kiss him. Romulo kept his jaws clenched. When the monk tried to bend Romulo over and get around behind him, Romulo brought his knee up hard between the man's thighs and felt it catch the monk's coglioni and drive them against the bone.

His attacker gagged, suppressed a scream, bent over, and staggered out of the room.

Directly across the hall from Romulo's cell was the stairway, of stone, like the entire building. The monk who had attempted to attack Romulo stumbled on the top step, fell down the stairs and struck his head on the stone landing with a sickening THWOCK ! after which he neither stirred nor made any sound. Romulo doubted that anyone would associate the brother's "unfortunate accident" with him for any reason.

Romulo made no further attempt to sleep but sat, awake and alert, on a 3-legged stool awaiting any further uninvited visitors . He was beginning to doze off when he heard a faint noise from the doorway and looked up to see another naked monk, his member rigid and ready for business.

Romulo stood silently in the shadows as the man patted his bed seeking the occupant. He looked about the room, now darker because the crescent Moon had set, and finally saw Romulo. He rushed up to him and tried to embrace him. Romulo drove his fist with all his strength into the monk's body. He had intended to strike the man in the groin, but, in the darkness, missed his mark, striking too high by about a hand's breadth.

The blow caught the man about midway between the penis and the navel. It went in deeply and Romulo heard a soft "POW". The monk cried out "AHIIIIIIIIIIIIII........mie'.......budella........sono........scoppiate...........io.........moro." [" AIEEEEEEEEEE........my.......bowels.........they're...........bursted........I'm............dying."] Doubled over, holding his belly with both hands, the mortally injured monk staggered out of Romulo's cell to return to his own to die.

At length, Romulo had to lie down and go to sleep no matter what happened. Of course, all of this ruckus had been heard by the other monks. They dared not bother Romulo, however, both because he was obviously dangerous himself, but also because he "belonged" to the Abbot. His rest, for the remainder of the night was undisturbed.

The Monteallegre brothers did not return until the morning. When they did, they found a sleepy Fra Leonardo who quickly appraised them of Romulo's danger at San Sebastiano. Girolamo went out immediately to enlist the aid of some rough-and-ready comrades of his . So, by the ringing of the matins bell, a well-armed party of nine had assembled and marched on the monastery of San Sebastiano to extract Romulo from its clutches.

Immediately after matins, Romulo sought out Fr. Florencio to announce his intention of leaving the monastery and his reasons therefor. "Twice last night, a monk, or perhaps two different ones, entered my cell and attempted to force me to submit to sodomy. I repulsed him, or them. I have noted the lascivious looks which the other brothers have given me and fear that I am in danger from them. Therefore, I intend to leave San Sebastiano immediately."

Fr. Florencio glared at him and said "Obviously, you have not learned humility and submissiveness. I told you that you are to do immediately and without question, whatever is demanded of you by a superior."

"What ?" exclaimed Romulo, "Even if it be sin ?"

"That is not for you to judge." responded the Abbot.

"THE HELL YOU SAY !" shouted Romulo.

"It is clear that you must be taught discipline and humility immediately. I might have you flogged naked before the other brothers, but I have a better idea. Paulo, Pietro, seize him bend him over, and pull up the back of his robe." With these words, Fr. Florencio lifted the front of his own robe exposing his obviously aroused manhood .

Romulo struggled, twisting from side to side striving to keep his arse away from the lustful Abbot. As he did so, he shouted "Aiuto ! STUPRO ! STUPRO !" [" Help, RAPE ! RAPE !"] , not that he could really have expected any help where he was.

However, unexpected help was at hand, for at that moment his brothers and their comrades arrived at the gate of San Sebastiano, rushed through it and broke down the door. Romulo was still struggling and shouting when they entered the hall and ran down it to the Abbot's study.

There, they found Romulo still struggling and twisting from side to side and the Abbot still trying to poke his stiff cazzo into Romulo's arse. "Release him !" shouted Girolamo to Paulo and Pietro brandishing his sword. They did. The rest of the brothers and friends crowded into the room , blocking Fr. Florencio's escape. Fra Leonardo, with his hood pulled forward so that his face could not easily be seen, though he took no part in the fray, witnessed all that occurred.

Four of Girolamo's friends held Fr. Florencio against a wall. Romulo confronted him and the Abbot blustered. "Who are these ruffians who dare violate the sanctity of an Abbot's study ?"

"Sanctity ?" said Romulo with a laugh. "You have the temerity to speak of sanctity you hypocritical sodomite ?" With these words, Romulo gave the Abbot a hard backhanded slap across the face. " You were going to teach me humility and submission to unnatural lust, yours and the brothers'. Now I shall teach you and them a lesson about not seeking to violate the bodies of novices."

Teobaldo was standing beside Romulo and as Romulo put out his right hand, Teobaldo, sensing what he wanted placed his dagger in it and reached out and raised the front of Fr. Florencio's robe. Romulo took ahold of the Abbot's manly parts and, with one sweep of the dagger, struck them off . He then held them up and threw them into Fr. Florencio's face. "You will find it easier now to be chaste." commented Romulo.

A number of monks had gathered in the hallway, but seeing a party of nine men with rapiers in their right hands and daggers in their left [a popular style of sword-fighting at the time], offered them no hindrance as they left bringing the novice with them.

They sheathed neither their swords nor their daggers until well away from the monastery. Fra Leonardo remarked "We need not fear their bringing this matter to the attention of the authorities. They wouldn't dare, lest their crimes be revealed."

"But, shouldn't you report them to the Pope ?" asked Romulo. Fra Leonardo laughed bitterly.

"Do you realize who the Pope is ?" he asked.

"Alexander VI" replied Romulo. Fra Leonardo nodded.

"I assume that you have heard of Cesare and Lucretia Borgia."

"Of course" replied Romulo. "They're notorious."

"They're also the bastards of one Rodrigo Borja, now known as Pope Alexander VI." answered Fra Leonardo, "the most corrupt, unscrupulous, lecherous scoundrel ever to sit on the papal throne. I need not elaborate on how little reporting Florencio and his fellow perverts to him would accomplish. I suspect that he would be vastly amused."

Having arrived at the Palazzo Monteallegre, Girolamo thanked his friends for their help, as did Romulo. Romulo lost no time in discarding his monastic habit and attiring himself appropriately for a young man of means. Then Fra Leonardo told him "I need to talk to you in private. I have a plan, a bold one, but one which has much chance of success. "

They retired to the library and Fra Leonardo began. "I have learned much of interest to you in the past few days. For example, I know exactly where Giovinetta is. She is at the home of her maternal grandparents, Gasparo and Veronica Bentivoglio in the city of Parma. The original plan, I am told, was for her to go to the home of an aunt and uncle in Abruzzo, but they were unwilling.

An old friend, Fr.Benedetto Robusto, now at the church of S. Petronio, comes from Parma. From him, I learned much about the Bentivoglii. Hard though it be to believe of him, Rodrigo Capinera must have married Elisabetta Bentivoglio for love, for her parents are folk of very modest means, indeed. Gasparo is a pious, very nearsighted tailor. Veronica is a carpenter's daughter and is illiterate.

Gasparo would never question anything which a priest told him. He uses a reading glass when necessary because spectacles give him a headache. Veronica, at need, signs documents with her mark [X]. All of these apparently trivial facts will prove extremely useful to the execution of my plan.

Where were you born, Romulo ?"

"In Modena, There was sickness here in Verona and father felt it would be safest for her to stay at her mother's home in Modena during her confinement. So, unlike my brothers, I was not born in Verona but in Modena. In fact, some of my friends in school called me 'Il Modenese.' "

Fra Leonardo nodded."I knew of this but wanted to confirm it. Then, it would be quite legitimate for you to be introduced to a stranger as 'Romulo Modenese', wouldn't it ?"

"I suppose so." said Romulo with a puzzled expression. "But why ?"

"Because that is how I intend to introduce you to Gasparo Bentivoglio when we go to Parma to marry you to Giovinetta." To say that Romulo was thunderstruck would be a gross understatement. He stared open-mouthed at Fra Leonardo as he explained the plan further, "We will, of course, need a notary whom we can trust to execute a marriage contract. Your friend Mercurio Donato is a notary, is he not ?"

"Y-yes" stammered Romulo. "He doesn't practise as a public notary because he works for his father, notarising documents for his business."

"Do you suppose that his father could spare him for a week or two ?" asked Fra Leonardo.

"I suppose so. He doesn't really do anything that any other notary couldn't do."

Fra Leonardo, obviously pleased, said "You must ask him, then, to accompany us to Parma bearing a marriage contract to be executed between you and Giovinetta. I shall explain to him certain essential details of this particular contract.

You will, of course, sign it with your right name, Romulo Monteallegre. I shall see to it that Messer' Bentivoglio is far enough away when you sign it that he can see that you sign, but not what you sign. He and his wife will witness that Giovinetta and you both signed the contract.

Though you know me as a monk, I am, in fact an ordained priest. I do not say mass because the smoke of incense so chokes me that I cannot breathe. However, I am empowered to perform all other sacraments, including marriage. After the marriage contract is executed, signed, sealed, and delivered to you. I shall marry you and Giovinetta .

After the consummation of your marriage that night (which, having heard your recent confessions of the sin of Onan, I know that you are capable of doing) you will set forth the following morning in the direction of Genova, but will later turn aside at Piacenza toward Milano.

"Why so hastily?" asked Romulo.

"Because Rodrigo has promised that, if the infant be a man-child, he will have it gelded by the midwife at birth. It is essential, then, to get Giovinetta out of Parma as quickly as possible."

"There are many details of the plan which I do not understand." said Romulo.

Fra Leonardo nodded. "There are many details which must be worked out on the scene and at the time because they depend upon what others may say or do. I have tried to forsee as many contingencies as possible. I shall not now burden you with all of the possible courses of action. Try to follow my lead if things do not go as we expect."

"Yes, but, won't Messer, Bentivoglio expect and want to see a letter of introduction ?" asked Romulo.

"I hope he will not, but, if he should, I have one here which I hope not to have to use." replied Fra Leonardo.

"Why ?" asked Romulo. "Is it a forgery ?"

"The signature is genuine, and the text was written by an amanuensis who initialled it. It just happens, however, that they have nothing to do with each other.

The signed sheet of vellum is from a letter to the Church of San Petronio concerning

the donation of a silver candlestick. Rodrigo left enough space above his signature for a short note. I cut off the end of it, bearing his signature"

The note read "This brief note serves to introduce Messer' Romulo Modenese, a young man of good character and reputation who has agreed, in return for certain considerations, to marry my daughter, Giovinetta Capinera. L.V., amanuensis

signed Rodrigo Capinera"

"Who is "L.V." ? asked Romulo

Fra Leonardo laughed. "Io stesso, Leonardo Verocchio. It's not exactly a forgery, but it is legally very dubious. I hope not to have to use it. If I must, I shall see that Mercurio sets his papers down atop it and gathers it up with them when he places them in his portfolio, so that Messer' Bentivoglio does not retain it unless he notices

that Mercurio has picked it up."

As soon as Mercurio can join us, assuming that he can, we should set out without delay. Our departure should be known to as few as possible. Somewhere between here and Parma, probably in Guastalla, you must buy a small carriage . For your mount on the journey, use a horse that can also be used to draw the carriage."

"Should we leave by night ?" asked Romulo.

"Perhaps. It will depend on the weather. Giovinetta was escorted by her brothers, Alessandro and Feruccio. I am hoping that they will have returned from Parma by the time we leave. It could be embarrassing to encounter them on our way to Parma. They should have been able to cover about 17 miglie per day, [Roman miles, somewhat shorter than modern statute miles] if they did not dawdle on the way."

Mercurio told his father that he needed to visit Parma on personal business. Mercurio's "personal business" usually involved pretty girls and, assuming this, his father, Domenico, indulgently gave his permission for Mercurio to leave as soon as he had finished some documents on which he was working.

Two days later, the marital conspirators were ready to leave. Fra Leonardo had learned that Alesssandro and Feruccio Capinera had returned from Parma. Romulo had intended to burn his monk's habit from San Sebastiano, but Fra Leonardo insisted that he bring it on the journey as a disguise if needed.

Having borrowed enough money from his brother, Girolamo, to cover the expenses of the trip, including the purchase of a small carriage for Giovinetta, Romulo was prepared to set out. Given favorable weather, it would take between four and five days to reach Parma, so it would be necessary to stop at inns for food and shelter at least three times along the way.

It was decided to leave during morning twilight before many folk were up and about, thus enabling them to travel by daylight, without much risk of being recognized when they left. Romulo , much to his distaste, wore his grey woolen habit. Fra Leonardo wore his hood pulled well forward, concealing most of his face.

Only Mercurio was recognizeable, and his departure would surprise no one.

As soon as they were well out into the countryside, out of sight of Verona, Romulo insisted on stopping to change out of his monk's habit and into decent travelling clothes. They covered about 33 miglie during the first two days, reaching Mantova under clear skies. Just before they reached Guastalla on the evening of the next day, however, A violent rainstorm broke out.

Buying a small carriage in Guastalla proved easier to plan than to do. Haggling over this transaction, the storm, and the muddy roads south of Guastalla consumed a full day in which no progress was made.

At last, though, now hauling a small carriage behind them, the trio arrived in Parma on a chilly, cloudy, windy morning. Fra Leonardo had been given good directions to the home of the Bentivoglii and found it without difficulty. Romulo shivered, not so much from the cold as from the thought of all the things which might go wrong from this point onward.

Resolutely, Fra Leonardo knocked on the door. After a moment, an elderly man opened it. Recognising a priest, the old man bowed politely and asked. "What can I do for you, Father ?"

"Are you Messer Gasparo Bentivoglio ?", asked Fra Leonardo.

"I am." replied the old man.

"I am Fr. Leonardo da Fiesole. I have come to marry, if she be willing, Giovinetta Capinera to this young man.", here he gestured toward Romulo who was seated on the driver's seat of the carriage, " one Romulo Modenese who has agreed to marry her, despite her 'unfortunate' condition, in part so as to legitimize her offspring.

Because she knows nothing of this arrangement which was arrived at after her departure for Parma, I should like to speak to her about it before she meets her future husband. Would you please lead me to her ?"

"Certainly, Father. Please to follow me." Leonardo did, keeping a full pace behind Messer Bentivoglio. Giovinetta's grandfather knocked on the door to her room and said "Giovinetta, there is a priest here to speak to you." When he opened the door, Giovinetta rose and looked Fra Leonardo in the face. He quickly, standing behind her grandfather, so that he could not see the gesture put his finger before his lips, cautioning silence.

"But , grandfather, I am not ill, why do I need a priest ? "asked Giovinetta, casting down her eyes.

"He has brought you very good tidings from Verona, Giovinetta. I shall leave him alone with you to explain."

Once her grandfather had closed the door, Giovinetta rushed up to Fra Leonardo and asked "Have you seen Romulo ? How is he ?"

"He is outside with Mercurio Donato, the notary. We have come to marry you to him." Giovinetta drew back with a troubled look.

"But, can he............be a husband to me ? "

"He is much more of a man than you imagine. He can give you no more children, but, otherwise, he is very much a man. He will be able to consummate the marriage without difficulty. Will you take him as your lawful married husband ?"

"Will I ?" cried Giovinetta, impulsively embracing Fra. Leonardo. "If you were a gambling man, you could wager gold on it."

"Giovinetta," said Fra. Leonardo, extricating himself from her embrace. "Remember that I am a priest."

"And a reprobate one, I've no doubt." added Giovinetta.

"Well, we'll not go into that." said Fra. Leonardo with a grin. "Act demure when we go out. Remember, you've never met this young man before. I had nearly forgotten , this is a letter of introduction to your suitor."

"Where did you ever get this ?" asked Giovinetta. "Father would never have written it, though this does look like his signature."

"It is. However, the text was written , ostensibly for him, by one Leonardo Verocchio. He should know better than to leave a hand's breadth of blank vellum above his signature on a routine letter to San Petronio."

"And who is Leonardo Verocchio, the amanuensis ?"

"Son' io !" replied Fra Leonardo with a laugh. "Though I'm calling myself Leonardo da Fiesole (my birthplace) here. And, don't forget that Romulo, who was born in Modena, is Romulo Modenese, which he was often called as a student at Padova, 'Il Modenese' .

If your grandfather wants to see the letter, show it to him, but retrieve it immediately. Don't let him retain it. If he doesn't bring it up, don't mention it. Now, it's time for you to meet your suitor 'for the first time' . "

With demurely downcast eyes, on the arm of the priest who was to marry her to this "stranger", Giovinetta entered the living room. Fr. Leonardo addressed the groom. "Signore Romulo Modenese, allow me to present Signorina Giovinetta Capinera."

"Giove !" exclaimed Romulo. She is beautiful . I swear that I would have ridden all this long way to Parma to marry her even without the inducement of a substantial dowry. "Giovinetta, will you be mine ?"

"Si, Signore" replied Giovinetta, curtseying demurely before him, and winking at him when her grandparents weren't looking.

"Splendid" said Father Leonardo. "Mercurio, will you provide the marriage contract ?"

"Certainly, Father. Messer Bentivoglio, would you be so kind as to bring a pen and ink for the signatures ? Can we move this end table over here by the window so that the bride and groom will have good light to read and sign the contract ? Good."

When the pen and ink had been provided, Mercurio showed the witnesses where to stand so that they could see the bride and groom sign the contract, but not so close that Giovinetta's nearsighted grandfather could possibly read the signatures. Signora Bentivoglio was illiterate, so there was no danger of her reading Romulo's signature.

Both Romulo and Giovinetta read the standard marriage contract. Romulo signed first as "Romulo Monteallegre, Modenese."Giovinetta signed, of course as "Giovinetta Capinera." Mercurio turned to the Bentivoglii and asked "Do you, Gasparo and Veronica Bentivoglio swear that you have seen these two sign this document, so help you God ?"

"We do." they both replied. Mercurio turned the contract over and had the witnesses sign a statement to that effect on the back of the contract, so that Gasparo could not see Romulo's signature.

"But, my wife cannot write." objected Gasparo.

"That poses no difficulty. You, Sir, will sign her name and write after it 'her mark.'

All that she need do is make an 'X' after the words 'her mark.' This is commonly done in such cases and is entirely legal."

Mercurio then wrote below the signatures of the witnesses "Given under my sign and seal this twelfth day of March, 1497 Anno Domini. Mercurio Donato, notary."

He then called for a lighted taper with which he melted some sealing wax and dripped it onto the vellum below his signature and impressed it with his seal.

This done, Mercurio folded the contract and gave it to Romulo. "Signed, sealed, and delivered. You are now married in the eyes of man, but not yet of God. Father

Leonardo, the matter is now in your hands."

[Note: In the Fifteenth century, except for the nobility and the extremely wealthy, nuptial masses were much less common than simple ceremonies held in the home. The Capinere, had Giovinetta been married in Verona, would doubtless have arranged for a nuptial mass for her. The Bentivoglii, being commoners of modest means could not be expected to do so, especially considering that Giovinetta was no longer a virgin.]

Father Leonardo: [in Latin] "Father, you have made the bond of marriage a holy mystery, a symbol of Christ's love for his Church. Hear our prayers for Romulo and Giovinetta. With faith in you and in each other, they pledge their love today. May their lives always bear witness to the reality of that love. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever, Amen.

My dear friends, you have come together before God so that the Lord may seal and strengthen your love in the presence of the Church's minister and those here gathered. Christ abundantly blesses this love. He has already consecrated you in baptism and now he enriches you by a special sacrament so that you may assume the duties of marriage in mutual and lasting fidelity. So, in the presence of the Church, I ask you to state your intentions.

Romulo and Giovinetta, are you met here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage ? Will you love and honor each other as man and wife for the rest of your lives Will you accept children lovingly from God and bring them up according to the law of Christ and his Church ?

Romulo and Giovinetta: "Si"

Father Leonardo: "Repeat after me:

'I, Romulo take you, Giovinetta, to be my wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love and honor you all the days of my life.'

[Romulo repeats the words.]

'I, Giovinetta, take you Romulo to be my husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love, honor, and obey you all the days of my life.'

[Giovinetta repeats the words.}

You have declared your consent before the Church. May the Lord in his goodness strengthen your consent and fill you both with his blessings. Whom God has joined together, let no man put asunder. Amen

May almighty God, the Father, and the Son + and the Holy Spirit bless you and remain with you forever. "

All present: "Amen"

Whatever else might now betide, Romulo and Giovinetta were joined in holy matrimony. Wittingly or willingly or not, the Monteallegre and Capinera families were now allied.

Being a eunuch, Romulo was able to sustain an erection indefinitely because he could not ejaculate and thus cause his erection to detumesce. He thus proved exhaustingly to Giovinetta (and himself) that he could, indeed, consummate the marriage . Perforce, they slept late the following morning. Romulo agreed not to make such great sexual demands upon Giovinetta again, and she said "Well, maybe just once in a while."

Much to the surprise of the Bentivoglii, they announced their intention to set out that very day toward Genova where Romulo had family. He did, indeed, have a widowed aunt there whom he had no intention of visiting on his honeymoon and

they would, indeed set out toward Genova, though he had no intention of going there.

Fra Leonardo had given Romulo a letter of introduction to the bishop of Milano who could introduce him to the Duke for employment and protection. Thus he and Giovinetta would be safe from pursuit. Neither the Monteallegri nor the Capinere had any influence in Milano.

The newlyweds parted from Leonardo and Mercurio early that afternoon, the priest and notary turning north to Verona and Romulo and Giovinetta, travelling by carriage west to Piacenza where, instead of turning south to Genova, they continued northwestward toward Milano.

The journey to Milano was uneventful and , upon arrival, Romulo submitted his letter of introduction to the bishop. The newlyweds stayed at an inn until the bishop arranged for Romulo to meet Ludovico Sforza, the Duke of Milano. The Duke was much taken with the bright young man and took him under his protection, hiring him as a contabile [bookkeeper].

Thus gainfully employed under the protection of a powerful man, Romulo was well established in Milano where he rented a small house with option ultimately to buy it.

In October 1497, Signora Agnese Monteallegre of Genova received by messenger a thick parcel containing three letters addressed to her, to Signore Arturo Monteallegre, her brother-in-law, and to Signore Rodrigo Capinera.

Her letter read "Dear Aunt Agnese, You will be the first to have been notified of the birth on 9 October, 1497 A.D., to my wife, Giovinetta, of twins: Ugo and Giulia Monteallegre Modenese. It would be a greatly appreciated favor if you would forward the other two letters in this packet to the children's two grandfathers in Verona. I hope that , when the children are older, and my employer gives me leave, I may bring them and my wife to visit you in Genova. Your loving Nephew, Romulo, detto Il Modenese.

The letters to the children's grandfathers were nearly identical in wording. "Dear Father [in Law] I am writing to notify you of the birth of your twin grandchildren, Ugo and Giulia Monteallegre Modenese on 9 October, 1497, A.D. to my wife, Giovinetta Monteallegre Modenese .

They are both beautiful and healthy children. It is my earnest prayer that these innocent children will serve as a bond between our families long sundered by a senseless feud and now united by marriage. I beg of you to submit the grievances and differences which have prolonged this deadly strife between our families to our wise and noble Duke to be settled by arbitration. Trust in his wisdom and justice. Let there be peace between our families and let these two beautiful children be an earnest of amity between us.

Messages to me and to Giovinetta can be forwarded through Signora Agnese Monteallegre , Via Piacenza, Genova.

Your Respectful Son[inLaw] , Romulo Monteallegre detto Il Modenese.

These letters led to the first exchange of correspondence between the heads of the feuding families in nearly a century. The Duke lectured both men sternly on the virtues of charity and forgiveness, and settled the issues between them. He also warned the young men of both families that any attempt on the part of any of them to revive the feud would lead to banishment.

Here ends the tale of Romulo e Giovinetta.