Thrust on a spear for mockery,

And raised the head of Abramo.

Swift round the tower in mirthless rout

They raced and tossed the words about,

"Bianca of the yellow hair,

With witch-face white as ivory,

Yield to our might that we may bear

Thy body back to Rimini,"

'Twas thus the foemen cried all day

And strove to daunt with fierce display