This one addresses a new (for the Cantos) period in Italian history, beginning in 1766 and moving up through 1814. The latter being important, of course, as the date of Napoleon’s first fall (when he was temporarily imprisoned on Elba, rather than his final fall and imprisonment in the island of St. Helena).

But, of course, it all comes back to finance:

‘ The foundation, Siena, has been to keep bridle on usury.’
Nicoló Piccolomini, Provveditore.