About midnight they agreed it were impossible to go to bed without eating, especially as they had supped sparingly, for Marco kept them on short commons. Astro brought all there was in the pantry, some stale ham, cheese, a few olives, and some bread. Wine there was none.
'Have you tilted the cask?'
'In all directions. There is not a drop.'
'Ah, Marco! Marco! what are we to do? How can we go without wine?'
'Can I buy wine without money?' said Marco.
'There is money, and there shall be wine!' cried Jacopo, tossing a gold piece.
'How got you it, imp of the devil? Marry, stealing again. I suppose! Come here and I'll box your ears for you,' said Leonardo, shaking his finger at him.
'I swear by God, Master, I did not steal it. Cut out my tongue and send me to the pit if I did not win it at dice.'
'Well, stolen or not, fetch us some wine.'
Jacopo ran off to the Golden Eagle hard by, much frequented by the Swiss mercenaries, and kept open all night; presently he returned with pewter cans. The wine increased the mirth; the little Ganymede holding the vessel high so that beaded bubbles winked on the red liquid; and overflown with pride in entertaining the company at his own expense, he played pranks and jested and jumped; and mimicking the hoarse voice of a confirmed toper, he sang the song of the unfrocked monk:—