"No! but I learned from Picentinian peasants that Witichis marched to Ravenna by the coast-road, past Auximum and Ariminum."
"And he left Florentia in his rear unconquered? He shall repent of that!"
"Florentia has fallen! He sent Hildebad against it, who took it by storm. He broke in the Gate of Mars with his own hand, the furious bull!"
Duke Guntharis listened to these evil tidings with a gloomy face; but he quickly came to a decision.
He at once set forth with all his troops, intending to take the city of Ravenna by surprise.
His attack failed.
But the rebels had the consolation of seeing that the fortress, whose possession would determine the result of the civil war, had at least refused to open its gates to the enemy.
The King had encamped to the south-east, before the harbour town of Classis.
Duke Guntharis's experienced eye soon perceived that the marshes on the north-west would also afford a secure position, and there he shortly afterwards pitched his well-protected camp.
So the rival parties, like two impetuous lovers of a coy maiden, pressed from opposite sides upon the royal residence, which seemed disinclined to lend an ear to either.