But as he had not arrived on the 7th, Petrarch despatched a messenger in search of him, who returned without any information.

The poet was desirous to wait for his arrival; but Orso, Count of Anguillara, would not suffer the ceremony to be deferred.

Orso was joint senator of Rome with Giordano degli Orsini; and, his office expiring on the 8th of April, he was unwilling to resign to his successor the pleasure of crowning so great a man.
[Illustration: NAPLES.] Petrarch was afterwards informed that Barrilli, hastening towards Rome, had been beset near Anaguia by robbers, from whom he escaped with difficulty, and that he was obliged for safety to return to Naples.

In leaving that city, Petrarch passed the tomb traditionally said to be that of Virgil.

His coronation took place without delay after his arrival at Rome.
The morning of the 8th of April, 1341, was ushered in by the sound of trumpets; and the people, ever fond of a show, came from all quarters to see the ceremony.