N. 15. - Inscription on PONTE VECCHIO—north side, where once stood the maimed statue of Mars:
Reading edition
Conveniasi a quella pietra scema Che guarda il ponte, che Fiorenza fesse Vittima nella sua pace postrema. DANTE, Paradiso, XVI, 145–147. But it behoved the mutilated stone Which guards the bridge, that Florence should provide A victim in her latest hour of peace. Longfellow’s translation.
Buondelmonte was slain near the remains of the statue of Mars, as if he and peace, which then departed from Florence, had been a sacrifice to the god (see N. 12 and 14).
UBERTI