And because his views--if he had any--had not been
over-luminously set forth in this his maiden oration, a party of zealous
advocates had nearly caused an uproar by their irrepressible shout of
"Non c'e da parlar', ma da fare!" which was, in truth, too sure an
indication of the temper of the people to be ignored. "We do not want
talking--but doing!"
And for once he had experienced a curious sensation which cowardly men
call "fear," but for which Piero had neither name nor tolerance, when
all the people who had been worrying him led him in triumph to the altar
and forced him down on his stubborn knees to take a solemn oath of
allegiance, his great bronzed hand, all unaccustomed to restraint,
resting meanwhile in the slippery silken clasp of the ducal secretary.
Here also had the gastaldo received, from those same patrician hands,
the unfurled banner of the Nicolotti, with the sacramental words:
"We consign to you the standard of San Nicolo, in the name of the Most
Serene Prince and as proof that you are the chief gastaldo and head of
the people of San Nicolo and San Raffaele.
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