The Conclusion
Some time before, Meo had beaten up Calfurnia, a soothsayer, who had given him an answer to a dream, because he was not completely satisfied with her interpretation of the dream. Offended, Calfurnia decided to vindicate herself and get back at Meo so she plots to gossip to Nuccia about Meo. This induces another swordman Marco Pepe to challenge Meo to a duel.
Meo overcomes Marco Pepe and wins the duel and Calfurnia is beaten up by Nuccia, amazed and incredulous as to Calpurnia’s wickness. Now that he has become the head of a troupe of swordsmen, with banners and flags, he collects his fighters, and in the presence of the Roman crowd, makes peace with Nuccia. The Roman nobility furnishes him with equipment and means. As he is about to set off, news arrives that the siege of Vienna has been broken and even more, the Austrians have taken Buda in Hungary. So, although he is jealous that he has not had a share of the battle, Meo decides to open the celebrations with a grand show, fireworks and lights in Via del Corso:
| Original | Roughly translated |
|---|---|
| Più ch'in ogn'altro loco, assai gustosa | More than in any other place, very funny |
| Rescì 'sta festa in una strada ritta, | Was this party in that straight road, |
| Longa un miglio, et in Roma assai famosa; | A mile long, and in Rome very famous; |
| Pe' nominata antica, il Corzo è ditta. | Since ancient times, Corso is how it's called. |
| Nel Carnevale è piena 'sta calcosa | During Carnival is full this one |
| Di gente così nobil, come guitta, | Of people so noble, and so cheap, |
| A diluvio le maschere ce vanno, | Like rain the masks go there, |
| E la Curza, li Barbari ce fanno. | And the Race, the Barbarians run. |
Note: the above is a pun, as Race (Corsa in Italian) sound like the feminine of Corso (meaning main street).
When definitive news of a victory finally reaches Rome, there are more celebration. Meo acquits himself with valour from all the situations in which he finds himself and the poem ends with the wedding of Nuccia and Meo.
Read more about this topic: Meo Patacca
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