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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Beatrice d'Este, Duchess of Milan, 1475-1497, by 
+Julia Mary Cartwright
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Beatrice d'Este, Duchess of Milan, 1475-1497
+
+Author: Julia Mary Cartwright
+
+Release Date: May 27, 2008 [EBook #25622]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BEATRICE D'ESTE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Barbara Kosker and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: Bianca Sforza by Ambrogio de Predis. (Ambrosiana)]
+
+
+
+
+BEATRICE D'ESTE
+
+DUCHESS OF MILAN
+
+1475-1497
+
+
+
+_A STUDY OF THE RENAISSANCE_
+
+BY
+
+JULIA CARTWRIGHT
+
+(MRS HENRY ADY)
+
+_Author of_ "_Madame_," "_Sacharissa_," "_J. F. Millet_"
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+1910
+LONDON: J. M. DENT & SONS, LTD.
+NEW YORK: E. P. DUTTON & CO.
+
+
+
+
+_First Edition, November, 1899_
+_Second Edition, June, 1903_
+_Third Edition, November, 1903_
+_Fourth Edition February, 1905_
+_Fifth Edition, July, 1908_
+_Sixth Edition, May, 1910_
+
+
+_All rights reserved_
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE
+
+
+During the last twenty years the patient researches of successive
+students in the archives of North Italian cities have been richly
+rewarded. The State papers of Milan and Venice, of Ferrara and Modena,
+have yielded up their treasures; the correspondence of Isabella d'Este,
+in the Gonzaga archives at Mantua, has proved a source of inexhaustible
+wealth and knowledge. A flood of light has been thrown on the history of
+Italy in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries; public events and
+personages have been placed in a new aspect; the judgments of posterity
+have been modified and, in some instances, reversed.
+
+We see now, more clearly than ever before, what manner of men and women
+these Estes and Gonzagas, these Sforzas and Viscontis, were. We gain
+fresh insight into their characters and aims, their secret motives and
+private wishes. We see them in their daily occupations and amusements,
+at their work and at their play. We follow them from the battle-field
+and council chamber, from the chase and tournament, to the privacy of
+domestic life and the intimate scenes of the family circle. And we
+realize how, in spite of the tragic stories or bloodshed and strife that
+darkened their lives, in spite, too, of the low standard of morals and
+of the crimes and vices that we are accustomed to associate with
+Renaissance princes, there was a rare measure of beauty and goodness, of
+culture and refinement, of love of justice and zeal for truth, among
+them. As the latest historian of the Papacy, Dr. Pastor, has wisely
+remarked, we must take care not to paint the state of morals during the
+Italian Renaissance blacker than it really was. Virtue goes quietly on
+her way, while vice is noisy and uproarious; the criminal forces
+himself upon the public attention, while the honest man does his duty in
+silence, and no one hears of him. This is especially the case with the
+women of the Renaissance. They had their faults and their weaknesses,
+but the great majority among them led pure and irreproachable lives, and
+trained their children in the paths of truth and duty. Even Lucrezia
+Borgia, although she may not have been altogether immaculate, was not
+the foul creature that we once believed. And the more closely we study
+these newly discovered documents, the more we become convinced that this
+age produced some of the most admirable types of womanhood that the
+world has ever seen. When Castiglione painted his ideal woman in the
+pages of the "Cortigiano," he had no need to draw on his imagination.
+Elizabeth Gonzaga, Duchess of Urbino, and Isabella d'Este, Marchioness
+of Mantua, were both of them women of great intellect and stainless
+virtue, whose genuine love of art and letters attracted the choicest
+spirits to their court, and exerted the most beneficial influence on the
+thought of the day. Isabella, whose vast correspondence with the
+foremost painters and scholars of the age has been preserved almost
+intact, was probably the most remarkable lady of the Renaissance. The
+story of her long and eventful life--a theme of absorbing interest--yet
+remains to be written. The present work is devoted to the history of her
+younger sister, Beatrice, Duchess of Milan, who, as the wife of Lodovico
+Sforza, reigned during six years over the most splendid court of Italy.
+The charm of her personality, the important part which she played in
+political life at a critical moment of Italian history, her love of
+music and poetry, and the fine taste which she inherited, in common with
+every princess of the house of Este, all help to make Beatrice
+singularly attractive, while the interest which she inspires is deepened
+by the pathos of her sudden and early death.
+
+If in Isabella we have the supreme representative of Renaissance culture
+in its highest and most intellectual phase, Beatrice is the type of that
+new-found joy in life, that intoxicating rapture in the actual sense of
+existence, that was the heritage of her generation, and found
+expression in the words of a contemporary novelist, Matteo
+Bandello--himself of Lombard birth--when with his last breath he bade
+his companions live joyously, "_Vivete lieti!_" We see this bride of
+sixteen summers flinging herself with passionate delight into every
+amusement, singing gay songs with her courtiers, dancing and hunting
+through the livelong day, outstripping all her companions in the chase,
+and laughing in the face of danger. We see her holding her court in the
+famous Castello of Porta Giovia or in the summer palaces of Vigevano and
+Cussago, in these golden days when Milan was called the new Athens, when
+Leonardo and Bramante decorated palaces or arranged masquerades at the
+duke's bidding, when Gaspare Visconti wrote sonnets in illuminated
+books, and Lorenzo da Pavia constructed organs or viols as perfect and
+beautiful to see as to hear, for the pleasure of the youthful duchess.
+Scholars and poets, painters and writers, gallant soldiers and
+accomplished cavaliers, we see them all at Beatrice's feet, striving how
+best they may gratify her fancies and win her smiles. Young and old,
+they were alike devoted to her service, from Galeazzo di Sanseverino,
+the valiant captain who became her willing slave and chosen companion,
+to Niccolo da Correggio, that all-accomplished gentleman who laid down
+his pen and sword to design elaborate devices for his mistress's new
+gowns. We read her merry letters to her husband and sister, letters
+sparkling with wit and gaiety and overflowing with simple and natural
+affection. We see her rejoicing with all a young mother's proud delight
+over her first-born son, repeating, as mothers will, marvellous tales of
+his size and growth, and framing tender phrases for his infant lips. And
+we catch glimpses of her, too, in sadder moods, mourning her mother's
+loss or wounded by neglect and unkindness. We note how keenly her proud
+spirit resents wrong and injustice, and how in her turn she is not
+always careful of the rights and feelings of her rivals. But whatever
+her faults and mistakes may have been, she is always kindly and
+generous, human and lovable. A year or two passes, and we see her,
+royally arrayed in brocade and jewels, standing up in the great council
+hall of Venice, to plead her husband's cause before the Doge and
+Senate. Later on we find her sharing her lord's counsels in court and
+camp, receiving king and emperor at Pavia or Vigevano, fascinating the
+susceptible heart of Charles VIII. by her charms, and amazing Kaiser
+Maximilian by her wisdom and judgment in affairs of state. And then
+suddenly the music and dancing, the feasting and travelling, cease, and
+the richly coloured and animated pageant is brought to an abrupt close.
+Beatrice dies, without a moment's warning, in the flower of youth and
+beauty, and the young duchess is borne to her grave in S. Maria delle
+Grazie amid the tears and lamentations of all Milan. And with her death,
+the whole Milanese state, that fabric which Lodovico Sforza had built up
+at such infinite cost and pains, crumbles into ruin. Fortune, which till
+that hour had smiled so kindly on the Moro and had raised him to giddy
+heights of prosperity, now turned her back upon him. In three short
+years he had lost everything--crown, home, and liberty--and was left to
+drag out a miserable existence in the dungeons of Berry and Touraine.
+
+"And when Duchess Beatrice died," wrote the poet, Vincenzo Calmeta,
+"everything fell into ruin, and that court, which had been a joyous
+paradise, was changed into a black Inferno."
+
+Then Milan and her people become a prey to the rude outrages of French
+soldiery. Leonardo's great horse was broken in pieces by Gascon archers,
+and the Castello, "which had once held the finest flower of the whole
+world, became," in Castiglione's words, "a place of drinking-booths and
+dung-hills." The treasures of art and beauty stored up within its walls
+were destroyed by barbarous hands, and all that brilliant company was
+dispersed and scattered abroad. Artists and poets, knights and
+scholars--Leonardo and Bramante, Galeazzo and Niccolo--were driven out,
+and went their way each in a different direction, to seek new homes and
+other patrons. But the memory of the young duchess--the _Donna beata_ of
+Pistoja and Visconti's song--lived for many a year in the hearts of her
+loyal servants, Castiglione enshrined her name in his immortal pages,
+Ariosto celebrated her virtues in the cantos of his "Orlando Furioso,"
+and far on in the new century, grey-headed scholars spoke of her as
+"_la più zentil Donna d'Italia_"--the sweetest lady in all Italy.
+
+And to-day, as we pace the dim aisles of the great Certosa, we may look
+on the marble effigy of Duchess Beatrice and see the lovely face with
+the curling locks and child-like features which the Lombard sculptor
+carved, and which still bears witness to the love of Lodovico Sforza for
+his young wife.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+In conclusion, I must acknowledge how deeply I am indebted to Signor
+Luzio, keeper of the Gonzaga archives at Mantua, and to his able
+colleague, Signor Renier, for the assistance which they have lent to my
+researches, as well as for the help afforded by their own publications,
+in which many of Isabella and Beatrice d'Este's most interesting letters
+have already been given to the world. The State archives of Milan and
+Mantua are the principal sources from which the information contained in
+the present volume is drawn, and a list of the other authorities which
+have been consulted is given below.
+
+
+ITALIAN.
+
+     Archivio di Stato di Milano, _Beatrice d'Este, Potenze
+     estere_, etc.
+
+     Archivio Gonzaga Mantova, _Copia lettera d'Isabella d'Este_,
+     etc.
+
+     A. Luzio and R. Renier, _Delle Relazioni di Isabella d'Este
+     Gonzaga con Ludovico and Beatrice Sforza_. Archivio Storico
+     lombardo, xvii.
+
+     T. Chalcus, _Residua_. Milano, 1644.
+
+     Archivio Storico Italiano, serie i. vol. iii.; Cronache
+     Milanesi di G. A. Prato, G. P. Cagnola, G. M. Burigozzo, etc.;
+     Serie iii. vol. xii., Serie v. vol. vi., Serie vii. vol. i.
+
+     L. A. Muratori, _Italicarum Rerum Scriptores_, vol. xxiv.
+
+     F. Muralti, _Annalia_.
+
+     Paolo Giovio, _Storia di suoi Tempi_.
+
+     Marino Sanuto, _Diarii, De Bello Gallico_, etc.
+
+     Bernardino Corio, _Historie Milanese_.
+
+     Rosmini, _Storia di Milano_.
+
+     Fr. Guicciardini, _Storia a'Italia_. Rendered into English by
+     G. Fenton. 1618.
+
+     F. Frizzi, _Storia di Ferrara_, vols. iv. and v.
+
+     P. Verri, _Storia di Milano_.
+
+     Baldassare Castiglione, _Lettere_. Edizione Serassi.
+
+     R. Renier, _Sonetti di Pistoia_.
+
+     Giornale Storico di Letteratura Italiano, vols. v. and vi.
+
+     Archivio Storico dell' Arte, vols. i. and ii.
+
+     Renier, _Canzoniere di Niccolo da Correggio_.
+
+     A. Campo Ghisolfo, _Storia delle Duchesse di Milano_. 1542.
+     Rivista Storica Mantovana.
+
+     Carlo Magenta, _I Visconti e Sforza nel Castello di Pavia_.
+
+     F. Calvi, _Bianca Maria Sforza Visconti, Regina dei Romani,
+     Imperatrice di Germania_.
+
+     Marchese d'Adda, _Indagini sulla Liberia Visconti Sforzesca
+     del Castello di Pavia_.
+
+     Malipiero, _Annali Veneti_.
+
+     Romanini, _Storia di Venezia_, vols. v. and vi.
+
+     Imhoff, _Historia Genealogica Italiæ_.
+
+     G. Uzielli, _Ricerche intorno a Leonardo da Vinci_.
+
+     G. Uzielli, _Leonardo da Vinci e Tre Gentil donne Milanesi_.
+
+     G. d'Adda, _Lodovico Maria Sforza_.
+
+     L. Beltrami, _Il Castello di Milano, sotto il dominio degli
+     Sforza_. 1450-1535.
+
+     L. Beltrami, _Bramante poeta_.
+
+     Padre Pino, _Storia genuina del Cenacolo_. 1796.
+
+     B. Bellincioni, _Le Rime annotate da P. Fanfani_. Bologna.
+
+     G. Tiraboschi, _Storia della Letteratura Italiana_, vols. vi.
+     and vii.
+
+     P. Molmenti, _La Vita Privata di Venezia_.
+
+     A. Rusconi, _Lodovico il Moro a Novara_.
+
+     F. Gabotto, _Girolamo Tuttavilla_.
+
+     G. L. Calvi, _Notizie dei principali Professori di Belle Arti
+     che fiorivano in Milano_.
+
+     G. Mongeri, _L'Arte in Milano_.
+
+     C. Amoretti, _Memorie Storiche sulla vita gli studi e le opere
+     di Leonardo da Vinci_.
+
+     Brigola, _Annali della Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano_.
+
+     Carlo dell'Acqua, _Lorenza Gusnasco di Pavia_.
+
+     P. Pasolini, _Caterina Sforza_.
+
+
+FRENCH.
+
+     Manuscrits Italiens, _Affaires d'état_. Bibliothèque
+     Nationale.
+
+     Pasquier le Moine, _MS. La Conquête du Duché de Milan_.
+     Bibliothèque Nationale.
+
+     Jean d'Auton, _Chroniques de Louis XII_. Edition publiée pour
+     la Société de l'Histoire de France, par R. de Maulde La
+     Claviere. 4 vols.
+
+     Philippe de Commines, _Memoires_. Nouvelle edition publiée par
+     la Société de l'Histoire de France.
+
+     Vicomte Delaborde, _L'Expédition de Charles VIII. en Italie_.
+
+     M. Eugène Müntz, _La Renaissance en Italie et en France à
+     l'époque de Charles VIII_.
+
+     M. Eugène Müntz, _Musée du Capitole_.
+
+     M. Eugène Müntz, _Leonardo da Vinci_.
+
+     C. de Cherrier, _Histoire de Charles VIII, Roi de France,
+     d'après des documents diplomatiques inédits_.
+
+     Louis Pélissier, _Louis XII. et Lodovico Sforza_. Recherches
+     dans les Archives Italiennes.
+
+     Louis Pélissier, _Notes Italiennes_.
+
+     Louis Pélissier, _Les amies de Lodovico Sforza_. (Revue
+     historique.)
+
+     Edmond Gaultier, _Étude historique sur Loches_.
+
+     Paravicini, _Architecture de la Renaissance en Italie_.
+
+     Aldo Manuzio, _Lettres et Documents_. Armand Baschet.
+
+     _Gazette des Beaux Arts_, vol. xvi.
+
+
+GERMAN.
+
+     Dr. Ludwig Pastor, _Geschichte der Päpste_, vols. v. and vi.
+
+     Jacob Burckhardt, _Die Cultur der Renaissance in Italien_.
+
+     Dr. W. Bode, Dr. Müller-Walde, _Jahrbuch der K. Preuss.
+     Kunstsammlungen_. Vols. ix., x., and xviii.
+
+     K. Kindt, _Die Katastrophe Lodovico Moro in Novara_.
+
+     Dr. Müller-Walde, _Leonardo da Vinci_.
+
+
+ENGLISH.
+
+     _History of the Papacy_, by Dr. Creighton, Bishop of London.
+     Vols. iv. and v.
+
+     _The End of the Middle Ages_, by Madame James Darmetester.
+
+     _The Renaissance in Italy_. J. A. Symonds.
+
+     _Old Touraine_. T. Cook
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+                                                                       PAGE
+CHAPTER I
+1471-1480
+
+The Castello of Ferrara--The House of Este--Accession of Duke
+Ercole I.--His marriage to Leonora of Aragon--Birth of Isabella
+and Beatrice d'Este--Plot of Niccolo d'Este--Visit of Leonora to
+Naples--The court of King Ferrante--Betrothal of Beatrice d'Este
+to Lodovico Sforza, Duke of Bari--And of Isabella d'Este to
+Francesco Gonzaga                                                         1
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+1451-1582
+
+Lodovico Sforza--Known as Il Moro--His birth and childhood--Murder
+of Duke Galeazzo Maria--Regency of Duchess Bona--Exile of the
+Sforza brothers--Lodovico at Pisa--His invasion of Lombardy and
+return to Milan--Death of Cecco Simonetta--Flight of Duchess
+Bona--Lodovico Regent of Milan                                           11
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+1482-1490
+
+Wars of Venice and Ferrara--Invasion of Ferrara--Lodovico Sforza and
+Alfonso of Calabria come to the help of Ercole d'Este--Peace of
+Bagnolo--Prosperity of Ferrara, and cultivation of art and learning
+at Ercole's court--Guarino and Aldo Manuzio--Strozzi and Boiardo--
+Architecture and painting--The frescoes of the Schifanoia--Music and
+the drama--Education of Isabella and Beatrice d'Este                     27
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+1485-1490
+
+Isabella d'Este--Lodovico Sforza delays his wedding--Plot against
+his life--Submission of Genoa--Duke Gian Galeazzo--The Sanseverini
+brothers--Messer Galeazzo made Captain-General of the Milanese
+armies--His marriage to Bianca Sforza--Marriage of Gian Galeazzo
+to Isabella of Aragon--Wedding festivities at Milan--Lodovico
+draws up his marriage contract with Beatrice d'Este                      40
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+1490-1491
+
+Marriage of Isabella d'Este--Lodovico puts off his wedding--Cecilia
+Gallerani--Her portrait by Leonardo da Vinci--Mission of Galeazzo
+Visconti to Ferrara--Preparations for Beatrice's wedding--Cristoforo
+Romano's bust--Duchess Leonora and her daughters travel to Piacenza
+and Pavia--Their reception at Pavia by Lodovico                          50
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+1491
+
+City and University of Pavia--Duomo and Castello--The library of the
+Castello--Wedding of Lodovico Sforza, Duke of Bari, and Beatrice
+d'Este, in the chapel of the Castello of Pavia--Galeazzo di San
+Severino and Orlando--Reception of the bride in Milan--Tournaments
+and festivities at the Castello--Visit of Duchess Leonora to the
+Certosa of Pavia                                                         60
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+1491
+
+Beatrice Duchess of Bari--Her popularity at the court of Milan--
+Giangaleazzo and Isabella of Aragon--Lodovico's first impressions--
+His growing affection for his wife--His letters to Isabella d'Este
+--Hunting and fishing parties--Cussago and Vigevano--Controversy on
+Orlando and Rinaldo--Bellincioni's sonnets                               75
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+1491
+
+Relations between Lodovico and Beatrice--Cecilia Gallerani--Birth of
+her son Cesare--Her marriage to Count Bergamini--Beatrice at Villa
+Nova and Vigevano--The Sforzesca and Pecorara--Lodovico's system of
+irrigation in the Lomellina--Leonardo at Vigevano--Hunting-parties
+and country life--Letters to Isabella d'Este                             88
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+1491-1492
+
+Isabella of Aragon and Beatrice d'Este--Ambrogio Borgognone and
+Giovanni Antonio Amadeo--Cristoforo Romano and his works at Pavia
+and Cremona--The Certosa of Pavia--Illness of Beatrice--Her journey
+to Genoa--Correspondence between Isabella and Lodovico Sforza--Visit
+of the Marquis of Mantua to Milan                                        99
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+1491
+
+Claims of Charles VIII. to Naples--Of the Duke of Orleans to Milan
+--Intrigues of the Venetian Senate, of Pope Innocent VIII., and of
+Ferrante and Alfonso of Naples--Visit of the French ambassadors to
+Milan--Treasures of the Castello--Jewels of Lodovico Sforza--Isabella
+of Aragon and her father--An embassy to the French court proposed--
+Secret instructions of the Count of Caiazzo--_Fête_ at Vigevano
+--Tournament of Pavia                                                   112
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+1492
+
+Intellectual and artistic revival in Lombardy--Lodovico and his
+secretaries--Building of the new University of Pavia--Reforms and
+extension of the University--The library of the Castello remodelled
+--Poliziano and Merula--Lodovico founds new schools at Milan--
+Equestrian statue of Francesco Sforza--Leonardo's paintings at
+Milan--Lodovico as a patron of art and learning                         125
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+1492
+
+Beatrice d'Este as a patron of learning and poetry--Vincenzo
+Calmeta, her secretary--Serafino d'Aquila--Rivalry of Lombard and
+Tuscan poets--Gaspare Visconti's works--Poetic jousts with Bramante
+--Niccolo da Correggio and other poets--Dramatic art and music at
+the court of Milan--Gaffuri and Testagrossa--Lorenzo Gusnasco of
+Pavia                                                                   141
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+1492
+
+Visit of Duke Ercole to Milan, and of Isabella d'Este--Election of
+Pope Alexander VI.--Bribery of the Cardinals--Influence of Ascanio
+Sforza over the new Pope, and satisfaction of Lodovico--Hunting-
+parties at Pavia and Vigevano--_Fêtes_ at Milan--Visit of Isabella
+to Genoa--Lodovico's letters--Piero de Medici--King Ferrante's
+jealousy of the alliance between Rome and Milan                         155
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+1493
+
+Birth of Beatrice's first-born son--The Duchess of Ferrara at Milan
+--_Fêtes_ and rejoicings at court and in the Castello--The court
+moves to Vigevano--Beatrice's wardrobe--Her son's portrait--Letters
+to her mother and sister--Lodovico's plans for a visit to Ferrara
+and Venice                                                              166
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+1493
+
+Lodovico's ambitious designs--Isabella of Aragon appeals to her
+father--Breach between Naples and Milan--Alliance between the Pope,
+Venice, and Milan proclaimed--Mission of Erasmo Brasca to the king
+of the Romans--Journey of Lodovico and Beatrice to Ferrara--_Fêtes_
+and tournaments--Visit to Belriguardo, and return of Lodovico to
+Milan--Arrival of Belgiojoso from France                                176
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+1493
+
+Visit of Beatrice and her mother to Venice--Letters of Lodovico to
+his wife--Reception of the duchesses by the doge at S. Clemente--
+Their triumphal entry--Procession and _fêtes_ in the Grand Canal--
+Letter of Beatrice to her husband--The palace of the Dukes of
+Ferrara in Venice                                                       185
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+1493
+
+_Fêtes_ at Venice in honour of the Duchess of Ferrara and Duchess of
+Bari--Beatrice d'Este has an audience with the doge and Signory--
+Explains Lodovico's position and his treaties with France and
+Germany--Visit to St. Mark's and the Treasury--_Fête_ in the
+ducal palace--The Duchess visits the Great Council--Takes leave of
+the doge--Return to Ferrara                                             195
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+1493
+
+Return of Beatrice to Milan--Visit of Duke Ercole and Alfonso to
+Pavia--Death of Duchess Leonora--Beatrice's _camora_ and
+Niccolo da Correggio's _fantasia dei vinci_--Marriage of Bianca
+Maria Sforza to Maximilian, King of the Romans, celebrated at Milan
+--Letter of Beatrice to Isabella d'Este--Wedding _fêtes_ and journey
+of the bride to Innsbrück--Maximilian's relations with his wife--
+Bianca's future life                                                    205
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+1493-1494
+
+State of political affairs in Italy--Vacillating policy of Lodovico
+Sforza--Death of King Ferrante of Naples--Alliance between his
+successor Alfonso and Pope Alexander VI.--Lodovico urges Charles
+VIII. to invade Naples--Sends Galeazzo di Sanseverino to Lyons--
+Cardinal della Rovere's flight from Rome--Alfonso of Naples declares
+war--Beatrice of Vigevano--The Gonzagas and the Moro--Duchess
+Isabella and her husband at Pavia                                       221
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+1494
+
+Arrival of the Duke of Orleans at Asti--The Neapolitan fleet sent
+against Genoa--The forces of Naples repulsed at Rapallo--Charles
+VIII. at Asti--Beatrice d'Este entertains him at Annona--The king's
+illness--His visit to Vigevano and Pavia--His interview with the
+Duke and Duchess of Milan--Last illness and death of Giangaleazzo
+Sforza--Lodovico proclaimed Duke at Milan--Mission of Maffeo
+Pirovano to Maximilian                                                  231
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+1494
+
+Lodovico joins Charles VIII. at Sarzana--Suspicious rumours as to the
+late duke's death--Piero de' Medici surrenders the six fortresses of
+Tuscany to Charles VIII.--Lodovico retires in disgust from the camp
+--Congratulations of all the Italian States on his accession--Grief
+of Duchess Isabella--Her return to Milan--Mission of Maffeo Pirovano
+to Antwerp--His interviews with Maximilian and Bianca--Letter to
+Lodovico to the Bishop of Brixen--Charles VIII. enters Rome--His
+treaty with Alexander VI. and departure for Naples                      246
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+1495
+
+Visit of Isabella d'Este to Milan--Birth of Beatrice's son, Francesco
+Sforza--_Fêtes_ and comedies at the Milanese Court--Works of
+Leonardo and of Lorenzo di Pavia--Mission of Caradosso to Florence
+and Rome in search of antiques--Fall of Naples--Entry of King Charles
+VIII. and flight of Ferrante II.--Consternation in Milan--Departure
+of Isabella d'Este                                                      258
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+1495
+
+Proclamation of the new league against France at Venice--Charles
+VIII. at Naples--Demoralization of the victors--Charles leaves
+Naples and returns to Rome--The Duke of Orleans refuses to give
+up Asti--Arrival of the imperial ambassadors at Milan--Lodovico
+presented with the ducal insignia--_Fêtes_ in the Castello--
+The Duke of Orleans seizes Novara--Terror of Lodovico--Battle of
+Fornovo--Victory claimed by both parties--The French reach Asti--
+Isabella's trophies restored by Beatrice                                266
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+1495
+
+Ferrante II. recovers Naples--Siege of Novara by the army of the
+League--Review of the army by the Duke and Duchess of Milan--Charles
+VIII. visits Turin and comes to Vercelli--Negotiations for peace--
+Lodovico and Beatrice at the camp--Treaty of Vercelli concluded
+between France and Milan--Jealousy of the other powers--Commines at
+Vigevano--Zenale's altar-piece in the Brera                             277
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+1496
+
+The war of Pisa--Venice defends the liberties of Pisa against
+Florence--Lodovico invites Maximilian to enter Italy and succour
+the Pisans--The Duke and Duchess of Milan go to meet the emperor
+at Bormio--Maximilian crosses the Alps and comes to Vigevano--His
+interview with the Venetian envoys--His expedition to Pisa              287
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+1496
+
+Isabella d'Este joins her husband in Naples--Works of Bramante and
+Leonardo in the Castello of Milan--The Cenacolo--Lodovico sends for
+Perugino--His passion for Lucrezia Crivelli--Grief of Beatrice--
+Death of Bianca Sforza--The Emperor Maximilian at Pisa--The Duke
+and Duchess return to Milan--Last days and sudden death of Beatrice
+d'Este                                                                  298
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+1497
+
+Grief of the Duke of Milan--His letters to Mantua and Pavia--
+Interview with Costabili--Funeral of Duchess Beatrice--Mourning of
+her husband--Letters of the Emperor Maximilian and Chiara Gonzaga--
+Tomb of Beatrice in Santa Maria delle Grazie--Leonardo's Cenacolo,
+and portraits of the duke and duchess--Lucrezia Crivelli                307
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+1497-1498
+
+The Marquis of Mantua dismissed by the Venetians--He incurs Duke
+Lodovico's displeasure by his intrigues--Isabella d'Este's
+correspondence with the Duke of Milan--Leonardo in the Castello--
+Death of Charles VIII.--Visit of Lodovico to Mantua--Francesco
+Gonzaga appointed captain of the imperial forces--Isabella of
+Aragon and Isabella d'Este--Chiara Gonzaga and Caterina Sforza--
+Lodovico's will                                                         322
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+1499
+
+Treaty of Blois--Alliance between France, Venice, and the Borgias--
+Lodovico appeals to Maximilian--His gift to Leonardo and letter to
+the Certosa--The French and the Venetians invade the Milanese--
+Desertion of Gonzaga and treachery of Milanese captains--Loss of
+Alessandria--Panic and flight of Duke Lodovico--Surrender of Pavia
+and Milan to the French--Treachery of Bernardino da Corte and
+surrender of the Castello--Triumphal entry of Louis XII                 337
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+1499-1500
+
+Louis XII. in Milan--Hatred of the French rule--Return of Duke
+Lodovico--His march to Como and triumphal entry into Milan--Trivulzio
+and the French retire to Mortara--Surrender of the Castello of Milan,
+of Pavia and Novara, to the Moro--His want of men and money--Arrival
+of La Trémouille's army--Lodovico besieged in Novara and betrayed to
+the French king by the Swiss--Rejoicings at Rome and Venice--Triumph
+of the Borgias--Sufferings of the Milanese--Leonardo's letter           352
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI
+1500-1508
+
+Lodovico Sforza enters Lyons as a captive--His imprisonment at
+Pierre-Encise and Lys Saint-Georges--Laments over Il Moro in the
+popular poetry of France and Italy--Efforts of the Emperor Maximilian
+to obtain his release--Ascanio and Ermes Sforza released--Lodovico
+removed to Loches--Paolo Giovio's account of his captivity--His
+attempt to escape--Dungeon at Loches--Death of Lodovico Sforza--His
+burial in S. Maria delle Grazie                                         367
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII
+1500-1564
+
+The Milanese exiles at Innsbrück--Galeazzo di Sanseverino becomes
+Grand Ecuyer of France--Is slain at Pavia--Maximilian Sforza made
+Duke of Milan in 1512--Forced to abdicate by Francis I. in 1515--
+Reign of Francesco Sforza--Wars of France and Germany--Siege of
+Milan by the Imperialists--Duke Francesco restored by Charles V.--
+His marriage and death in 1535--Removal of Lodovico and Beatrice's
+effigies to the Certosa                                                 375
+
+INDEX                                                                   381
+
+
+
+
+LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+
+BIANCA SFORZA, BY AMBROGIO DE PREDIS                     _Frontispiece_
+_From a photograph by_ SIGNOR D. ANDERSON, of Rome.
+
+SFORZA MS. ILLUMINATED                                   _To face p. 83_
+_From a private photograph._
+
+ALTAR-PIECE, ASCRIBED TO ZENALE, WITH PORTRAITS OF
+LODOVICO SFORZA, BEATRICE D'ESTE AND THEIR SONS         _To face p. 284_
+_From a photograph by_ SIGNOR D. ANDERSON, of Rome.
+
+GALEAZZO DI SANSEVERINO, BY AMBROGIO DE PREDIS          _To face p. 304_
+_From a photograph by_ SIGNOR D. ANDERSON, of Rome.
+
+TOMB OF LODOVICO SFORZA AND BEATRICE D'ESTE IN THE
+CERTOSA OF PAVIA                                        _To face p. 389_
+_From a photograph by_ FRATELLI ALINARI, of Florence.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+BEATRICE D'ESTE
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+The Castello of Ferrara--The House of Este--Accession of Duke Ercole
+I.--His marriage to Leonora of Aragon--Birth of Isabella and Beatrice
+d'Este--Plot of Niccolo d'Este--Visit of Leonora to Naples--The court of
+King Ferrante--Betrothal of Beatrice d'Este to Lodovico Sforza, Duke of
+Bari--And of Isabella d'Este to Francesco Gonzaga.
+
+1471-1480
+
+
+In the heart of old Ferrara stands the Castello of the Este princes. All
+the great story of the past, all the romance of medieval chivalry, seems
+to live again in that picturesque, irregular pile with the crenellated
+towers and dusky red-brick walls, overhanging the sleepy waters of the
+ancient moat. The song of Boiardo and Ariosto still lingers in the air
+about the ruddy pinnacles; the spacious courts and broad piazza recall
+the tournaments and pageants of olden time. Once more the sound of
+clanging trumpets or merry hunting-horn awakes the echoes, as the joyous
+train of lords and ladies sweep out through the castle gates in the
+summer morning; once more, under vaulted loggias and high-arched
+balconies, we see the courtly scholar bending earnestly over some
+classic page, or catch the voice of high-born maiden singing Petrarch's
+sonnets to her lute.
+
+St. George was the champion of Ferrara and the patron saint of the house
+of Este. There year by year his festival was celebrated with great
+rejoicings, and vast crowds thronged the piazza before the Castello to
+see the famous races for the _pallium_. It is St. George who rides full
+tilt at the dragon in the rude sculptures on the portal of the
+Romanesque Cathedral hard by; it is the same warrior-saint who, in his
+gleaming armour, looks down from the painted fresco above the portcullis
+of the castle drawbridge. And all the masters who worked for the Este
+dukes, whether they were men of native or foreign birth--Vittore
+Pisanello and Jacopo Bellini, Cosimo Tura and Dosso Dossi--took delight
+in the old story, and painted the legend of St. George and Princess
+Sabra in the frescoes or altar-pieces with which they adorned the
+churches and castle halls.
+
+The Estes, who took St. George for their patron, and fought and died
+under his banner, were themselves a chivalrous and splendour-loving
+race, ever ready to ride out in quest of fresh adventure in the chase or
+battle-field. Men and women alike were renowned, even among the princely
+houses of Italy in Renaissance time, for their rare culture and genuine
+love of art and letters. And they were justly proud of their ancient
+lineage and of the love and loyalty which their subjects bore them. The
+Sforzas of Milan, the Medici of Florence, the Riarios or the Della
+Roveres, were but low-born upstarts by the side of this illustrious race
+which had reigned on the banks of the Po during the last two hundred
+years. In spite of wars and bloodshed, in spite of occasional
+conspiracies and tumults, chiefly stirred up by members of the reigning
+family, the people of Ferrara loved their rulers well, and never showed
+any wish to change the house of Este for another. The citizens took a
+personal interest in their own duke and duchess and in all that belonged
+to them, and chronicled their doings with minute attention. They shared
+their sorrows and rejoiced in their joys, they lamented their departure
+and hailed their return with acclamation, they followed the fortunes of
+their children with keen interest, and welcomed the return of the
+youthful bride with acclamations, or wept bitter tears over her untimely
+end.
+
+Of all the Estes who held sway at Ferrara, the most illustrious and most
+beloved was Duke Ercole I., the father of Beatrice. During the
+thirty-four years that he reigned in Ferrara, the duchy enjoyed a degree
+of material prosperity which it had never attained before, and rose to
+the foremost rank among the states of North Italy. And in the troubled
+times of the next century, his people looked back on the days of Duke
+Ercole and his good duchess as the golden age of Ferrara. After the
+death of his father, the able and learned Niccolo III., who first
+established his throne on sure and safe foundations, Ercole's two elder
+half-brothers, Leonello and Borso, reigned in succession over Ferrara,
+and kept up the proud traditions of the house of Este, both in war and
+peace. Both were bastards, but in the Este family this was never held to
+be a bar to the succession. "In Italy," as Commines wrote, "they make
+little difference between legitimate and illegitimate children." But
+when the last of the two, Duke Borso, died on the 27th of May, 1471, of
+malarial fever caught on his journey to Rome, to receive the investiture
+of his duchy from the Pope, Niccolo's eldest legitimate son Ercole
+successfully asserted his claim to the throne, and entered peacefully
+upon his heritage. Two years later, the next duke, who was already
+thirty-eight years of age, obtained the hand of Leonora of Aragon,
+daughter of Ferrante, King of Naples, and sent his brother Sigismondo at
+the head of a splendid retinue to bring home his royal bride. After a
+visit to Rome, where Pope Sixtus IV. entertained her at a series of
+magnificent banquets and theatrical representations, the young duchess
+entered Ferrara in state. On a bright June morning she rode through the
+streets in a robe glittering with jewels, with a stately canopy over her
+head and a gold crown on her flowing hair. Latin orations, orchestral
+music, and theatrical displays, for which Ferrara was already famous,
+greeted the bridal procession at every point. The houses were hung with
+tapestries and cloth of gold, avenues of flowering shrubs were planted
+along the broad white streets, and ringing shouts greeted the coming of
+the fair princess who was to make her home in Ferrara. The happy event
+was commemorated by a noble medal, designed by the Mantuan Sperandio,
+the most illustrious of a school of medallists employed at Ferrara in
+Duke Borso's time, while Leonora's refined features and expressive face
+are preserved in a well-known bas-relief, now in Paris. Ercole and his
+bride took up their abode in the Este palace, a stately Renaissance
+structure opposite the old Lombard Duomo, a few steps from the Castello,
+with which it was connected by a covered passage.
+
+The charm and goodness of the young duchess soon won the heart of her
+subjects. From the first she entered eagerly into Ercole's schemes for
+ordering his capital and encouraging art, and brought a new and gentler
+influence to bear on the society of her husband's court. There, too, she
+found a congenial spirit in the duke's accomplished sister, Bianca, that
+Virgin of Este, who was the subject of Tito Strozzi's impassioned
+eulogy, and whose Latin and Greek prose excited the admiration of all
+her contemporaries. This cultivated princess had been originally
+betrothed to the eldest son of Federigo, Duke of Urbino, but his early
+death put an end to these hopes, and in 1468 she married Galeotto della
+Mirandola, a prince of the house of Carpi, who lived, at Ferrara some
+years, and afterwards entered the service of Lodovico Sforza and served
+as captain in his wars.
+
+On the 18th of May, 1474, the duchess gave birth to a daughter, who
+received the name of Isabella, always a favourite in the house of
+Aragon, and was destined to become the most celebrated lady of the
+Renaissance. A year later, on the 29th of June, 1475, a second daughter
+saw the light. Her appearance, however, proved no cause of rejoicing, as
+we learn from the contemporary chronicle published by Muratori--
+
+"A daughter was born this day to Duke Ercole, and received the name of
+Beatrice, being the child of Madonna Leonora his wife. And there were no
+rejoicings, because every one wished for a boy."
+
+No one in Ferrara then dreamt that the babe who received so cold a
+welcome would one day reign over the Milanese, as the wife of Lodovico
+Sforza, the most powerful of Italian princes, and would herself be
+remembered by posterity as "la più zentil donna in Italia"--the sweetest
+lady in all Italy. At least the name bestowed upon her was a good omen.
+She was called Beatrice after two favourite relatives of her parents.
+One of these was Leonora's only sister, Beatrice of Aragon, who in that
+same year passed through Ferrara on her way to join her husband,
+Matthias Corvinus, King of Hungary, and whose presence, we are told by
+the diarist, gave great pleasure to both duke and duchess. The other
+Beatrice was Ercole's half-sister, the elder daughter of Niccolo III.,
+who had long been the ornament of her father's court, when she had been
+known as the Queen of Feasts, and it had become a common proverb that to
+see Madonna Beatrice dance was to find Paradise upon earth. In 1448, at
+the age of twenty-one, this brilliant lady had wedded Borso da
+Correggio, a brother of the reigning prince of that city, and, after her
+first husband's early death, had become the wife of Tristan Sforza, an
+illegitimate son of the great Condottiere Francesco Sforza, Duke of
+Milan. Although her home was now in Lombardy, Beatrice d'Este remained
+on intimate terms with her own family, and her son Niccolo da Correggio
+was known as the handsomest and most accomplished cavalier at the court
+of Ferrara. He had accompanied his uncle Duke Borso on his journey to
+Rome, and had been one of the escort sent to conduct Duchess Leonora
+from Naples.
+
+In the summer of the year following Beatrice's birth, the hopes of the
+loyal Ferrarese were at length fulfilled, and a son was born to the duke
+and duchess on the 21st of July, 1476. This time the citizens abandoned
+themselves to demonstrations of enthusiastic delight. The bells were
+rung and the shops closed during three whole days, and the child was
+baptized with great pomp in the Chapel of the Vescovado, close to the
+Duomo. The infant received the name of Alfonso, after his grandfather,
+the great King of Naples, and a "beautiful fête," to quote one
+chronicler's words, "was held in honour of the auspicious event in the
+Sala Grande of the Schifanoia Villa." On this occasion a concert was
+given by a hundred trumpeters, pipers, and tambourine-players in the
+frescoed hall of this favourite summer palace, and a sumptuous banquet
+was prepared after the fashion of the times, with an immense number of
+_confetti_, representing lords and ladies, animals, trees, and castles,
+all made of gilt and coloured sugar, which our friend the diarist tells
+us were carried off or eaten by the people as soon as the doors were
+opened.
+
+But a few days afterwards, while Duke Ercole was away from Ferrara, his
+wife was surprised by a sudden rising, the result of a deep-laid
+conspiracy, secretly planned by his nephew, Niccolo, a bastard son of
+Leonello d'Este. Niccolo's first endeavour was to seize on the person of
+the duchess and her young children, an attempt which almost proved
+successful, but was fortunately defeated by Leonora's own courage and
+presence of mind. The palace was already surrounded by armed men, when
+the alarm reached the ears of the duchess, and, springing out of bed
+with her infant son in her arms, followed by her two little daughters
+and a few faithful servants, she fled by the covered way to the
+Castello. Hardly had she left her room, when the conspirators rushed in
+and sacked the palace, killing all who tried to offer resistance. The
+people of Ferrara, however, were loyal to their beloved duke and
+duchess. After a few days of anxious suspense, Ercole returned, and soon
+quelled the tumult and restored order in the city. That evening he
+appeared on the balcony of the Castello, and publicly embraced his wife
+and children amid the shouts and applause of the whole city. The next
+day the whole ducal family went in solemn procession to the Cathedral,
+and there gave public thanks for their marvellous deliverance. A
+terrible list of cruel reprisals followed upon this rebellion, and
+Niccolo d'Este himself, with two hundred of his partisans, were put to
+death after the bloody fashion of the times.
+
+A year later, when the danger was over and tranquillity had been
+completely restored, Leonora and her two little daughters set out for
+Naples, under the escort of Niccolo da Correggio, to be present at her
+father King Ferrante's second marriage with the young Princess Joan of
+Aragon, a sister of Ferdinand the Catholic. The duchess and her children
+travelled by land to Pisa, where galleys were waiting to conduct them to
+Naples, and reached her father's court on the 1st of June, 1477. Here
+Leonora spent the next four months, and in September, gave birth to a
+second son, who was named Ferrante, after his royal grandfather. But
+soon news reached Naples that war had broken out in Northern Italy, and
+that Duke Ercole had been chosen Captain-general of the Florentine
+armies. In his absence the presence of the duchess was absolutely
+necessary at Ferrara, and early in November Leonora left Naples and
+hastened home to take up the reins of government and administer the
+state in her lord's stead. She took her elder daughter Isabella with
+her, but left her new-born son at Naples, together with his little
+sister Beatrice, from whom the old King Ferrante refused to part. This
+bright-eyed child, who had won her grandfather's affections at this
+early age, remained at Naples for the next eight years, and grew up in
+the royal palace on the terraced steps of that enchanted shore, where
+even then Sannazzaro was dreaming of Arcadia, and where Lorenzo de'
+Medici loved to talk over books and poetry with his learned friend the
+Duchess Ippolita. Beatrice was too young to realize the rare degree of
+culture which had made Alfonso's and Ferrante's court the favourite
+abode of the Greek and Latin scholars of the age, too innocent to be
+aware of the dark deeds which threw a shadow over these sunny regions,
+where the strange medley of luxury and vice, of refinement and cruelty,
+recalled the days of Imperial Rome. But the balmy breath of these
+Southern climes, the soft luxuriant spell of blue seas and groves of
+palm and cassia, sank deep into the child's being, and something of the
+fire and passion, the mirth and gaiety, of the dwellers in this
+delicious land passed into her soul, and helped to mould her nature
+during these years that she spent far from mother and sister at King
+Ferrante's court.
+
+In these early days many personages with whom she was to be closely
+associated in after-years were living at Naples. There were scholars and
+poets whom she was to meet again in Milan at her husband's court, and
+who would be glad to remind her that they had known her as a child in
+her grandfather's palace. There was Pontano, the founder of the Academy
+of Naples, who was busy writing his Latin eclogues on the myrtle bowers
+of Baiae and the orange groves of Sorrento. There was her aunt, the
+accomplished Ippolita Sforza, Duchess of Calabria, who had learnt Greek
+of the great teacher Lascaris in her young days at Milan, and whose
+wedding had brought the magnificent Lorenzo to the court of the Sforzas.
+And for playmates the little Beatrice had Ippolita's children: the boy
+Ferrante, whose chivalrous nature endeared him to his Este cousins, even
+when their husbands joined with the French invaders to drive him from
+his father's throne; and the girl Isabella, who was already affianced to
+the young Duke Giangaleazzo, who was in future years to become her
+companion and rival at the court of Milan. Here, too, in the summer of
+1479, came a new visitor in the shape of Duchess Ippolita's brother,
+Lodovico Sforza, surnamed _Il Moro_, himself the younger son of the
+great Duke Francesco. On his elder brother Sforza's death, the King of
+Naples had invested him with the duchy of Bari, and now he promised him
+men and money with which to assert his claims against his sister-in-law,
+the widowed Duchess Bona and the minions who had driven him and his
+brothers out of their native land. In June, 1477, only a few days after
+Leonora and her children left Ferrara, the exiled prince had arrived
+there on his way to Pisa, and had been courteously entertained by Duke
+Ercole in the Schifanoia Palace. Since then he had spent two dreary
+years in exile at Pisa, fretting out his heart in his enforced idleness,
+and pining for the hour of release. That hour was now at hand. Before
+the end of the year, Lodovico Sforza had, by a succession of bold
+manoeuvres, driven out his rivals and was virtually supreme in Milan.
+The first step which the new regent took was to ally himself with the
+Duke of Ferrara. The houses of Sforza and Este had always been on
+friendly terms, and Ercole's father Niccolo had presented Francesco
+Sforza with a famous diamond in acknowledgment of the services rendered
+him by the great Condottiere. When Francesco's son and successor, Duke
+Galeazzo Maria, was murdered in 1476, his widow, Duchess Bona, had
+renewed the old alliance with Ferrara, and a marriage had been arranged
+between her infant daughter Anna Sforza and Duke Ercole's new-born son
+and heir Alfonso. In May, 1477, this betrothal was proclaimed in Milan,
+and a fortnight later the nuptial contract was signed at Ferrara. The
+union of the two houses was celebrated by solemn processions and
+thanksgivings throughout the duchy, and the infant bridegroom was
+carried in the arms of his chamberlain to meet the Milanese ambassador,
+who appeared on behalf of the little three-year-old bride. Seven years
+afterwards, Duchess Leonora sent a magnificent doll with a trousseau of
+clothes designed by the best artists in Ferrara, as a gift to the little
+daughter-in-law whom she had not yet seen.
+
+In 1480, Lodovico Sforza formally asked Ercole to give him the hand of
+his elder daughter Isabella, then a child of six. Lodovico himself was
+twenty-nine, and besides being a man of remarkable abilities and
+singularly handsome presence, had the reputation of being the richest
+prince in Italy. Duke Ercole further saw the great importance of
+strengthening the alliance with Milan at a time when Ferrara was again
+threatened by her hereditary enemies, the Pope and Venice.
+Unfortunately, his youthful daughter had already been sought in marriage
+by Federico, Marquis of Mantua, on behalf of his elder son, Giovanni
+Francesco; and Ercole, unwilling to offend so near a neighbour, and yet
+reluctant to lose the chance of a second desirable alliance, offered
+Lodovico Sforza the hand of his younger daughter, Beatrice. The Duke of
+Bari made no objection to this arrangement, and on St. George's Day,
+Ercole addressed the following letter to his old ally, Marquis
+Federico:--
+
+
+"MOST ILLUSTRIOUS LORD AND DEAREST BROTHER,
+
+"This is to inform you that the most illustrious Madonna Duchess of
+Milan and His Illustrious Highness Lodovico Sforza have sent their
+ambassador, M. Gabriele Tassino, to ask for our daughter Madonna
+Isabella on behalf of Signor Lodovico. We have replied that to our
+regret this marriage was no longer possible, since we had already
+entered into negotiations on the subject with your Highness and your
+eldest son. But since we have another daughter at Naples, who is only
+about a year younger, and who has been adopted by his Majesty the King
+of Naples as his own child, we have written to acquaint His Serene
+Majesty with the wish of these illustrious Persons, and have asked him
+if he will consent to accept the said Signor Lodovico as his kinsman,
+since without his leave we were unable to dispose of our daughter
+Beatrice's hand. The said Persons having expressed themselves as well
+content with the proceeding, out of respect for the King's Majesty he
+has now declared his approval of this marriage, to which we have
+accordingly signified our consent. We are sure that you will rejoice
+with us, seeing the close union and alliance that has long existed
+between us, and beg your Illustrious Highness to keep the matter secret
+for the present.
+
+                                         "HERCULES, DUX FERR., ETC.[1]
+
+_Ferrara, 23rd April, 1480._"
+
+It is curious to reflect on the possible changes in the course of
+events in Italian history during the next thirty years, if Lodovico
+Sforza's proposals had reached Ferrara a few months earlier, and
+Isabella d'Este, instead of her sister Beatrice, had become his wife.
+Would the rare prudence and self-control of the elder princess have led
+her to play a different part in the difficult circumstances which
+surrounded her position at the court of Milan as the Moro's wife? Would
+Isabella's calmer temperament and wise and far-seeing intellect have
+been able to restrain Lodovico's ambitious dreams and avert his ruin?
+The cordial relations that were afterwards to exist between Lodovico and
+his gifted sister-in-law, the Moro's keen appreciation of Isabella's
+character, incline us to believe that she would have acquired great
+influence over her lord; and that so remarkable a woman would have
+played a very important part on this larger stage. But the Fates had
+willed otherwise, and Beatrice d'Este became the bride of Lodovico
+Sforza. Her royal grandfather, old King Ferrante, gave his sanction to
+the proposed marriage, although he refused to part from his little
+grandchild at present, and when, five years later, Beatrice returned to
+Ferrara, she assumed the title and estate of Duchess of Bari, and was
+publicly recognized as Lodovico's promised wife. She had by this time
+reached the age of ten, and her espoused husband was exactly
+thirty-four.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[1] Luzio-Renier in Archivio Storico Lombardo, xvii. 77.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+Lodovico Sforza--Known as Il Moro--His birth and childhood--Murder of
+Duke Galeazzo Maria--Regency of Duchess Bona--Exile of the Sforza
+brothers--Lodovico at Pisa--His invasion of Lombardy and return to Milan
+--Death of Cecco Simonetta--Flight of Duchess Bona--Lodovico Regent of
+Milan.
+
+1451-1582
+
+
+Lodovico Sforza was certainly one of the most remarkable figures of the
+Italian Renaissance. He has generally been described as one of the
+blackest. "Born for the ruin of Italy," was the verdict of his
+contemporary Paolo Giovio, a verdict which every chronicler of the
+sixteenth century has endorsed. These men who saw the disasters which
+overwhelmed their country under the foreign rule, could not forget that
+Charles VIII., the first French king who invaded Italy, had crossed the
+Alps as the friend and ally of Lodovico Moro. They forgot how many
+others were at least equally guilty, and did not realize the vast
+network of intrigues in which Pope Julius II., the Venetian Signory, and
+the King of Naples all had a share. Later historians with one consent
+have accepted Paolo Giovio's view, and have made Lodovico responsible
+for all the miseries which arose from the French invasion. The bitter
+hatred with which both French and Venetian writers regarded the prince
+who had foiled their countrymen and profited by their mistakes, has
+helped to deepen this sinister impression. The greatest crimes were
+imputed to him, the vilest calumnies concerning his personal character
+found ready acceptance. But the more impartial judgment of modern
+historians, together with the light thrown upon the subject by recently
+discovered documents, has done much to modify our opinion of Lodovico's
+character. The worst charges formerly brought against him, above all,
+the alleged poisoning of his nephew, the reigning Duke of Milan, have
+been dismissed as groundless and wholly alien to his nature and
+character. On the other hand, his great merits and rare talents as ruler
+and administrator have been fully recognized, while it is admitted on
+all hands that his generous and enlightened encouragement of art and
+letters entitles him to a place among the most illustrious patrons of
+the Renaissance. To his keen intellect and discerning eye, to his fine
+taste and quick sympathy with all forms of beauty, we owe the production
+of some of the noblest works of art that human hands have ever
+fashioned. To his personal encouragement and magnificent liberality we
+owe the grandest monuments of Lombard architecture, and the finest
+development of Milanese painting, the façade of the Certosa and the
+cupola of Sta. Maria delle Grazie, the frescoes and altar-pieces of the
+Brera and the Ambrosiana. Above all, it was at the Milanese court, under
+the stimulating influence of the Moro, that Leonardo da Vinci's finest
+work was done.
+
+As a man, Lodovico Sforza is profoundly interesting. Burckhardt has
+called him the most complete among the princely figures of the Italian
+Renaissance, and there can be no doubt that alike in his virtues and in
+his faults, he was curiously typical of the age in which he lived.
+Guicciardini, who was certainly no friend to him, and regarded him as
+the inveterate foe of Florence, describes him as "a creature of very
+rare perfection, most excellent for his eloquence and industry and many
+gifts of nature and spirit, and not unworthy of the name of milde and
+mercifull;" and the Milanese doctor Arluno, the author of an unpublished
+chronicle in the Biblioteca Marciana at Venice, says, "He had a sublime
+soul and universal capacity. Whatever he did, he surpassed expectation,
+in the fine arts and learning, in justice and benevolence. And he had no
+equal among Italian princes for wisdom and sagacity in public affairs."
+Contemporary writers describe him as very pleasant in manner and
+gracious in speech, always gentle and courteous to others, ready to
+listen, and never losing his temper in argument. He shared in the
+laxity of morals common to his age; but was a man of deep affections as
+well as strong passions, fondly attached to his children and friends,
+while the profound and lasting grief with which he lamented his dead
+wife amazed his more fickle contemporaries. Singularly refined and
+sensitive by nature, he shrank instinctively from bloodshed, and had a
+horror of all violent actions. In this he differed greatly from his
+elder brother Galeazzo Maria, who was a monster of lust and cruelty,
+intent only on gratifying his savage instincts, and as callous to human
+suffering as he was reckless of human life. Lodovico, as his most
+hostile critics agree, was emphatically not a cruel man, and rarely
+consented to condemn even criminals to death. But, like many other
+politicians who have great ends in view, he was often unscrupulous as to
+the means which he employed, and, as Burckhardt very truly remarked,
+would probably have been surprised at being held responsible for the
+means by which he attained his object. Trained from early youth in the
+most tortuous paths of Italian diplomacy, he acted on the principle laid
+down by the Venetian Marino Sanuto, that the first duty of the really
+wise statesman is to persuade his enemies that he means to do one thing
+and then do another. But in these tangled paths he often over-reached
+himself, and only succeeded in inspiring all parties with distrust; and,
+as too often happens, this deceiver was deceived in his turn, and in the
+end betrayed by men in whom his whole trust had been placed. Another
+curious feature of Lodovico's character was the strain of moral
+cowardice which, in spite of great personal bravery, marked his public
+actions at the most critical moments. This sudden failure of courage, or
+loss of nerve, that to his contemporaries seemed little short of
+madness, absolutely inexplicable in a man who had faced death without a
+thought on many a battle-field, ultimately wrought his own downfall as
+well as that of his State.
+
+And yet, in spite of all his faults and failings, in spite of the
+strange tissue of complex aims and motives which swayed his course,
+Lodovico Sforza was a man of great ideas and splendid capacities, a
+prince who was in many respects distinctly in advance of his age. His
+wise and beneficial schemes for the encouragement of agriculture and the
+good of his poorer subjects, his careful regulations for the
+administration of the University and advancement of all branches of
+learning, his extraordinary industry and minute attention to detail,
+cannot fail to inspire our interest and command our admiration. In more
+peaceful times and under happier circumstances he would have been an
+excellent ruler, and his great dream of a united kingdom of North Italy
+might have been well and nobly realized. As it was, the history of
+Lodovico Moro belongs to the saddest tragedies of the Renaissance, and
+the splendour of his prosperity and the greatness of his fall became the
+common theme of poet and moralist.
+
+The story of Lodovico's childhood is one of the pleasantest parts of his
+strangely chequered career. He was the fourth son of Francesco Sforza,
+the famous soldier of fortune who had married Madonna Bianca, daughter
+of the last Visconti, and reigned in right of his wife as Duke of Milan
+during twenty years. On the 19th of August, 1451, a year and a half
+after the great captain had boldly entered Milan and been proclaimed
+Duke, Duchess Bianca gave birth at her summer palace of Vigevano to a
+fine boy. This "_bel puello_," as he is called in the despatch
+announcing the news to his proud father, received the name of Lodovico
+Mauro, which was afterwards altered to Lodovico Maria, when, after his
+recovery from a dangerous illness at five years old, his mother placed
+him under the special protection of the Blessed Virgin. On this occasion
+Bianca vowed rich offerings to the shrine of Il Santo at Padua, and in
+discharge of this vow, her faithful servant Giovanni Francesco Stanga of
+Cremona was sent to Padua in February, 1461, to present a life-size
+image of the boy richly worked in silver, together with a complete set
+of vestments and of altar plate bearing the ducal arms, to the ark of
+the blessed Anthony. In documents still preserved in the Paduan archives
+the boy is twice over mentioned as _Lodovicus Maurus filius quartus
+masculus_, but the silver image itself bore the inscription, "_Pro
+sanitate filii_. Lodovici Mariæ, 1461."[2] There can, however, be little
+doubt that Maurus was the second name first given to Lodovico, and that
+this was the true origin of the surname _Il Moro_ by which Francesco
+Sforza's son became famous in after-years. The most ingenious
+explanations of this name have been invented by Italian chroniclers.
+Prato and Lomazzo both say that Lodovico was called Il Moro because of
+the darkness of his complexion and long black hair. Guicciardini repeats
+the same, but Paolo Giovio, who had seen Lodovico at Como, asserts that
+his complexion was fair, and he owed this surname to the mulberry-tree
+which he adopted as his device, because it waits till the winter is well
+over to put forth its leaves, and is therefore called the most prudent
+of all trees. As a matter of fact, there is no doubt that the surname
+was given to Lodovico by his parents. "He was first called Moro by his
+father Francesco and his mother Bianca in his earliest years," writes
+Prato, and we find the same expression in the verse of a Milanese court
+poet: "_Et Maurum læto patris cognomine dictum_." The name naturally
+provoked puns. The dark-eyed boy with his long black hair and bushy
+eyebrows went by the nickname of Moro, and as he grew up, adopted both
+the Moor's head and the mulberry-tree as his badge. These devices in
+their turn supplied the poets and painters of his court with themes on
+which they were never tired of exercising their wit and ingenuity. Moors
+and Moorish costumes were introduced in every masquerade and ballet, a
+Moorish page was represented brushing the robes of Italy in a fresco of
+the Castello of Milan, while mulberry colour became fashionable among
+the ladies of the Moro's court, and was commonly worn by the servants
+and pages in the palace. Lodovico early gave signs of the love of
+literature and the great abilities which distinguished him in
+after-life. His quickness in learning by heart, his extraordinary
+memory, and the fluency with which he wrote and spoke Latin amazed his
+tutors. And he was fortunate in receiving an excellent education from
+the first Greek scholars of the day. Madonna Bianca, the only daughter
+of Filippo Maria, the last Visconti who had betrothed her before she was
+eight years old to Francesco Sforza, proved herself the best of wives
+and mothers. By her courage and wisdom she helped her husband to gain
+possession of her dead father's duchy, and won the hearts of all her
+subjects by her goodness. While Francesco was engaged with affairs of
+state, she directed the studies of her children, and gave her six sons
+an admirable training in learning and knightly exercises. "Let us
+remember," she said to her son's tutor, the learned scholar Filelfo,
+"that we have princes to educate, not only scholars." We find her
+setting the boys a theme on the manner in which princes should draw up
+treaties, and desiring them in her absence to write to her once a week
+in Latin. Several of these letters are still preserved in the archives
+of Milan. There is one, for instance, in which Lodovico, then sixteen
+years old, tells his mother that he is sending her seventy quails, two
+partridges, and a pheasant, the result of a day's sport in the forest,
+but takes care to assure her that the pleasures of the chase will never
+make him neglect his books.
+
+Many are the pleasant glimpses we catch of the family circle, whether in
+the Corte vecchia or old ducal palace of the Viscontis at Milan, in the
+beautiful park and gardens of the Castello at Pavia, or in their country
+homes of Vigevano and Binasco. We see Duke Francesco riding out with his
+young sons through the streets of Milan, visiting the churches and
+convents that were rising on all sides, the new hospital, which was the
+object of Madonna Bianca's tender care, the oak avenues and gardens with
+which she loved to surround her favourite shrines. We find the boys at
+home, helping their mother to entertain her guests with music and
+dancing, and accompanying her on visits to the noble Milanese families.
+One day their grandmother, Agnese di Maino, came to see the duke's sons
+with an old gentleman from Navarre, who went home declaring that he had
+never seen such wise and well-educated children; another time we hear of
+a Madonna Giovanna coming to spend the day at the palace, and dancing
+all the evening with Lodovico Maria; and when the duchess took her
+younger children to visit Don Tommaseo de' Rieti, general laughter was
+excited by the little four-year-old Ascanio, the future cardinal, who
+walked straight up to a portrait of the duke, exclaiming, "There is my
+lord father!" When the newly elected Pope Pius II., who as Eneas Sylvius
+Piccolomini had often been in Milan, came to visit the duke in 1457, he
+found Galeazzo reading Cicero, and his little brothers with their
+cherub faces sitting round their tutor, intent on his discourse; while
+on one occasion their sister Ippolita, the pupil of the great
+Constantine Lascaris, pronounced a Latin oration in honour of His
+Holiness. On Christmas day, a festival which was always celebrated with
+much pomp at Milan, each of the duke's four elder sons came forward and
+recited a Latin speech, and Lodovico delighted all who were present by
+the ease and grace of his bearing, and the eloquent periods in which he
+extolled his father's great deeds in peace and war.
+
+The duke himself always singled out Lodovico for especial notice, and
+said the boy would do great things. It was, no doubt, his sense of the
+youthful Moro's talents that made Francesco choose him, at the age of
+thirteen, to be the leader of the body of three thousand men which were
+to join in the Crusade preached by Pope Pius II. On the 2nd of June,
+1464, the ducal standard, bearing the golden lion of the house of Sforza
+and the adder of the Visconti, was solemnly committed to the charge of
+the young Crusader, before the eyes of the whole court, on the piazza in
+front of the old palace, which was gaily decorated for the occasion with
+garlands and tapestries. But the Pope died, and the idea of the Crusade
+was abandoned. Lodovico, however, was sent by his father to Cremona, the
+city which had been Duchess Bianca's dowry, and whose inhabitants were
+among the most loyal subjects of the Sforza princes. Here he lived
+during the next two years, enjoying his foretaste of power, and making
+himself very popular with the Cremonese. In 1465, his accomplished
+sister was married to Alfonso, Duke of Calabria, and Lorenzo de Medici
+came to Milan for the nuptials. Then these two men, who in days to come
+were to be so often named together as the most illustrious patrons of
+art and letters in the Renaissance, met for the first time, and
+discovered the mutual tastes which in future years often brought them
+into close relation.
+
+The sudden death of Duke Francesco in 1466 brought a change in
+Lodovico's position, and the ingratitude with which the new duke,
+Galeazzo, treated his widowed mother, naturally irritated his brothers.
+In October, 1468, Bianca retired to Cremona, where she died a week
+after her arrival--"more from sorrow of heart than sickness of body,"
+wrote her doctor. The good duchess was buried by her husband's side in
+the Duomo of Milan, and was long and deeply lamented both by her
+children and subjects, and by none more than her son Lodovico, who
+always remembered his mother with the deepest affection. But he remained
+on good terms with Galeazzo, and was deputed by the new duke to receive
+his bride, Bona of Savoy, when the princess arrived at Genoa, from the
+French court, where her youth had been spent with her sister, the wife
+of King Louis XI. During the next ten years Lodovico lived in enforced
+idleness at the Milanese court, and, freed from the restraint of his
+parents' authority, abandoned himself to idle pleasures. All we have
+from his pen at this period are two short letters. In one, written from
+Milan and dated April 19, 1476, he asks the Cardinal of Novara to stand
+godfather to the illegitimate son whom his mistress, Lucia Marliani,
+Countess of Melzi, had borne him, and who was to be baptized at Pavia.
+The other is an affectionate letter addressed from Vigevano a year later
+to Lucia herself, rejoicing to hear of her well-being, and looking
+forward to seeing her after the feast of St. George. Whether the son was
+Leone Sforza, afterwards apostolic protonotary, or whether he was the
+child whose death Lodovic lamented a few years later, does not appear,
+but all his life the Moro retained a sincere regard for the mother,
+Lucia Marliani, and left her certain lands by his will.
+
+Meanwhile, in the conduct of his elder brother Galeazzo he had the worst
+possible example. Once in possession of supreme power, the new duke gave
+himself up to the most unbridled course of vice and cruelty. The
+profligacy of his life, and the horrible tortures which he inflicted on
+the hapless victims of his jealousy and anger, caused Milanese
+chroniclers to describe him as another Nero. He was commonly believed to
+have poisoned both his mother and Dorotea Gonzaga, the betrothed bride
+of whom he wished to rid himself when a more desirable marriage
+presented itself. These charges were probably groundless, but some of
+his actions went far to justify the suspicions of madness which he
+aroused in the minds of his contemporaries. When, for instance, he
+ordered his artists to decorate a hall at the Castello at Pavia with
+portraits of the ducal family in a single night, under pain of instant
+death, the Ferrarese Diarist had good reason to describe the new Duke of
+Milan as a prince guilty of great crimes and greater follies. At the
+same time, Galeazzo showed himself a liberal patron of art and learning.
+He founded a library at Milan, invited doctors and priests to the
+University of Pavia, and brought singers from all parts of the world to
+form the choir of the ducal chapel. During his reign a whole army of
+painters and sculptors were employed to decorate the interior of the
+Castello of the Porta Giovia at Milan, which his father had rebuilt when
+he gave up the ground in front of the old palace to the builders of the
+Duomo, and which now became the chief ducal residence. Under his
+auspices printing was introduced, and the first book ever produced in
+Italy, the Grammar of Lascaris--a Greek professor who had taken refuge
+at the court of the Sforzas on the fall of Constantinople--appeared at
+Milan in 1476. The splendour of his court surpassed anything that had
+been yet seen. Great rejoicings took place in 1469, when Lorenzo de
+Medici came to Milan to stand godfather to the duke's infant son, and
+Galeazzo was so delighted at the sight of the costly diamond necklace
+which the Magnificent Medici presented to Duchess Bona on this occasion,
+that he exclaimed, "You must be godfather to all my children!" The
+wealth and luxury displayed by the duke and duchess when they visited
+Florence two years later with a suite of two thousand persons,
+scandalized the old-fashioned citizens, and, in Machiavelli's opinion,
+proved the beginning of a marked degeneracy in public morals.
+
+For a time the Milanese were amused by the _fêtes_ provided for them,
+and dazzled by the sight of all this splendour; but retribution came in
+time, and on the Feast of St. Stephen in the winter of 1476, Duke
+Galeazzo was assassinated at the doors of the church of S. Stefano by
+three courtiers whom he had wronged. The Milanese chronicler Bernardino
+Corio gives a dramatic account of the scene, which he himself witnessed,
+and relates how Bona, who was haunted by a presentiment of coming evil,
+implored her lord not to leave the Castello that morning, and how three
+ravens were seen hovering about Galeazzo's head on that very morning,
+when, in his splendid suit of crimson brocade, the tall and handsome
+duke entered the church doors, while the choir sang the words, "_Sic
+transit gloria mundi_."
+
+"The peace of Italy is dead!" exclaimed Pope Sixtus IV. when the news of
+Galeazzo's murder reached him. And the issue proved that he was not far
+wrong. In her distress, the widowed duchess, who seems to have been
+fondly attached to her husband, in spite of his crimes and follies,
+addressed a piteous letter to the Holy Father owning her dead lord's
+guilt, and asking him if he could issue a bull absolving him from his
+many and grievous sins. In her anxiety for Galeazzo's soul, she promised
+to atone as far as possible for his crimes by making reparation to those
+whom he had wronged, and offered to build churches and monasteries,
+endow hospitals, and perform other works of mercy. The Pope does not
+seem to have returned a direct answer to this touching prayer, but he
+took advantage of Bona's present mood to hurry on the marriage of
+Caterina Sforza, the duke's natural daughter, with his own nephew,
+Girolamo Riario, which had been arranged by Galeazzo, and which took
+place in the following April. Lodovico was absent at the time of
+Galeazzo's assassination, and with his brother Sforza, Duke of Bari, was
+spending Christmas at the court of Louis XI. at Tours. They had not been
+banished, as Corio asserts, but, tired of idleness and fired with a wish
+to see the world, they had gone on a journey to France, and, after
+visiting Paris and Angers, were on their way home when the news of the
+duke's murder reached them. But if any hope of obtaining a share in the
+government had been aroused in Lodovico's heart, it was doomed to speedy
+disappointment. Cecco Simonetta, the able secretary and minister who had
+administered the state under Galeazzo, kept a firm hold on the reins of
+government, ruled the Milanese in the name of Duchess Bona and her young
+son Gian Galeazzo. The Sforza brothers soon found their position
+intolerable, and the intervention of a friendly neighbour, the Marquis
+of Mantua, was necessary before they could obtain any recognition of
+their right. At his request, Bona agreed to give each of her
+brothers-in-law a suitable residence in Milan, as well as a portion of
+12,500 ducats from the revenues of their mother's inheritance, the city
+of Cremona. Filippo Sforza, the second of the brothers, who is described
+as weak in intellect and a person of no account, was content to live
+peaceably in Milan, where his very existence seems to have been
+forgotten by his family, and where the only mention of him that occurs
+again is that of his death in 1492. The other brothers were sent to
+Genoa, where an insurrection had broken out, and succeeded in subduing
+the rebels and restoring peace. But when they returned to Milan at the
+head of a victorious army, with their kinsman the valiant Condottiere
+Roberto di Sanseverino, a movement was set on foot among the old
+Ghibelline followers of Duke Francesco to obtain the regency for Sforza,
+Duke of Bari. Cries of _Moro! Moro!_ began to be heard in the streets of
+Milan. Simonetta, becoming alarmed, threw Donato del Conte, one of the
+Ghibelline leaders, into prison, upon which Sanseverino and the Sforzas
+loudly demanded his release. Simonetta gave them fair words in return,
+and induced the dissatisfied chiefs to meet in the park of the Castello,
+where they agreed to lay down their arms. But Sanseverino, suspecting
+treachery, set spurs to his horse, and, riding with drawn sword in his
+hand out of the city through the Porta Vercellina, crossed the Ticino,
+and did not pause until he was in safety. His companions soon followed
+his example. Ottaviano Sforza, the youngest of the family, a brave lad
+of eighteen, was drowned in crossing the swollen Adda, and his three
+remaining brothers were condemned to perpetual exile. Sforza was
+banished to his duchy of Bari, in the kingdom of Naples, Ascanio to
+Perugia, and Lodovico to the city of Pisa.
+
+During the next eighteen months Lodovico lived at Pisa, fretting his
+heart out in exile and wasting the best years of his life, as he
+complained to Lorenzo de Medici. His friend could only counsel patience,
+for, sympathize as he might with the banished prince, Lorenzo was
+closely allied with the rulers of Milan, and Lodovico soon saw that his
+only hope of seeing his native land again was to be found in the support
+of Ferrante, King of Naples, the sworn foe of the Medici. This monarch
+looked on Simonetta as a traitorous villain who had taken advantage of
+Bona's weakness to usurp the supreme power in Milan, and wrote to King
+Louis XI, begging him to come to his kinswoman's help and assist in
+restoring the Duke of Bari and his brother to their rights. But the
+French king had no wish to be drawn into the quarrel, and when Ferrante
+endeavoured to obtain the restoration of his exiled kinsmen by fair
+means and had failed, Sforza and Lodovico resolved to try the fortunes
+of war once more. Roberto di Sanseverino, whose mother had been a niece
+of Duke Francesco, and who had large estates of his own in Lombardy,
+placed his sword at their disposal, and they knew they could reckon on
+the secret support of their Sforza and Visconti kinsmen in Milan. Among
+these, Lodovico had a devoted partisan in Beatrice d'Este, the sister of
+Duke Ercole of Ferrara, who had lately been left a widow for the second
+time by the death of her husband, the brave soldier Tristan Sforza, and
+who kept up a secret correspondence with the exiled princes. Early in
+February, 1479, the Sforza brothers and Roberto di Sanseverino landed in
+Genoa and boldly raised the standard of revolt. Simonetta retaliated by
+confiscating their revenues and proclaiming them rebels, while he hired
+Ercole D'Este and Federigo Gonzaga to join the Florentines in resisting
+the advance of the Neapolitan forces. In the midst of these warlike
+preparations, Sforza Duke of Bari died very suddenly at Genoa. His death
+was attributed, after the fashion of the day, to poison secretly sent
+him from Milan; but, as Corio remarks, many persons thought that his
+excessive stoutness was the true cause of his decease. Lodovico, whom
+the King of Naples immediately invested with the dukedom of Bari in his
+brother's stead, now crossed the Genoese Alps and boldly invaded the
+territory of Tortona. But the enterprise was a perilous one, and the
+allied forces of Milan were preparing to crush his little army, when an
+unexpected turn of fortune altered the whole condition of affairs.
+Duchess Bona, a very beautiful woman, but, as Commines remarks, "_une
+dame de petit sens_" had become infatuated with a certain Antonio
+Tassino, a Ferrarese youth of low extraction, whom Galeazzo had
+appointed carver at the royal table, and who, after the duke's death,
+had made himself indispensable to his mistress. The _liaison_ had
+created a coolness between the duchess and her prime minister, of which
+Beatrice d'Este and some of the Sforza party cleverly availed
+themselves to widen the breach. They deplored the growing arrogance of
+Simonetta, and lamented the success of his intrigues against Lodovico,
+who was his sister-in-law's nearest relative and rightful protector.
+Acting on their suggestion, Bona took a sudden resolve. She sent a
+messenger to invite Lodovico to return to Milan in his nephew's name,
+and late in the evening of the 7th of October, 1479, the Moro, leaving
+the camp at Tortona, arrived in Milan, and was secretly admitted into
+the Castello by the garden door. The duchess and her son, Gian Galeazzo,
+a boy of ten, received him with open arms, and great was the joy among
+all the Ghibellines of Milan, when they heard to their surprise that
+Duke Francesco's son was once more among them. Simonetta looked grave,
+as he well might, when he heard the news. "Most illustrious duchess," he
+said to Bona the next day, "do you know what will happen? My head will
+be cut off, and before long you will lose this state." But he proceeded
+to congratulate Lodovico on his return, and was received by him in the
+most courteous manner. When the news of these events reached the rival
+camps outside Milan, a truce was proclaimed, and the leaders on either
+side disbanded their armies. The object of the expedition was attained,
+and Lodovico restored to his rightful place at Milan. But neither
+Roberto di Sanseverino nor the other Ghibelline leader could be content
+while their hated rival Simonetta was still at large. They sent
+messengers to Lodovico, imperiously demanding his summary punishment,
+and declaring that they would never lay down their arms until he and his
+confederates were imprisoned. After some delay, Lodovico yielded to
+their demand; Bona's faithful secretary was arrested and sent to Pavia
+with his brother, while the fickle populace sacked their houses.
+Congratulations poured in from all the kinsfolk of the Sforza family.
+Caterina Sforza, the illegitimate daughter of Duke Galeazzo, who had
+been brought up by Bona with her own children, wrote from Rome, where
+she was living with her husband, Girolamo Riario, Count of Imola and
+Forli at the papal court, to rejoice with her brother the young duke
+over the fall of the hated minister; "_quelo nefandissimo Cecho_ the
+murderer of our family and our flesh and blood." Now at length, he
+adds, she will be able to visit Milan and see her beloved mother once
+more in peace and safety. And her husband's uncle, Pope Sixtus IV.,
+himself wrote to congratulate both duke and duchess on the arrest of
+Simonetta and the restoration of peace and tranquillity. Lodovico was
+now formally associated with Duchess Bona in the regency, and his
+brother Ascanio was recalled and advanced to the dignity of Archbishop
+of Pavia. Before many months were over peace was concluded with
+Florence, and with the full approval of King Ferrante, the Duke of
+Ferrara accepted Lodovico Sforza as his future son-in-law.
+
+Meanwhile party feeling still ran high in Milan, and the Ghibellines,
+with Sanseverino and Pusterla at their head, never ceased to clamour for
+Simonetta's head. People began to complain that Lodovico, who had been
+brought back to power by the Ghibellines, was after all a Guelph at
+heart, and a traitor to his party. In vain the Moro advocated milder
+measures, and wrote a letter to Simonetta, offering to release him on
+payment of a ransom. The old secretary, who was upwards of seventy years
+of age, refused, saying that he was ill and weary of life, and had no
+fear of death. At length Lodovico, vexed by the continual recriminations
+of his Ghibelline followers, reluctantly gave way. Bona signed the death
+warrant of her old servant, and on the 30th of October, 1480, Simonetta
+was beheaded in the Castello of Pavia. His brother Giovanni, an able and
+learned scholar, was released, and lived to write the famous Sforziada,
+or history of Duke Francesco's great deeds, which he dedicated to his
+son Lodovico.
+
+Already one-half of the unfortunate minister's prophecy had come true;
+the other half was soon to be fulfilled. For a few months Bona rejoiced
+in her freedom from the cares of state, and left all to Lodovico, "who
+could do her no greater pleasure than not to speak of these things,"
+says Commines. She herself was treated with the utmost respect, and
+spent her time in feasting and dancing, and loaded her favourite with
+honours. Tassino lived in rooms next to her own, and rode out with the
+duchess on pillion behind him. But her favourite, encouraged by the
+folly of his mistress, became every day more indolent, until one day he
+kept Lodovico Sforza and the chief officers of state waiting at the door
+of his room while he finished his toilet. Yet nothing could cure Bona's
+infatuation, and she went so far as to beg Lodovico to appoint her
+minion's father to be governor of the _Rocca_ of Porta Zobia (Giovia),
+as the Castello of Milan was called. Fortunately Eustachio, who had been
+appointed to the post by Duke Galeazzo, and solemnly charged to hold it,
+in case of his own death, until his son was of age, refused to give up
+the keys; and the young duke and his brother Ermes were conducted into
+the Rocca, while at the same moment Tassino received an order from the
+Council to leave Milan. This he did without delay, taking with him a
+large sum of money and many valuable pearls and jewels which he had
+received from the duchess. When Bona heard of her favourite's flight she
+flew into a frantic rage, and, "forgetful alike of honour and maternal
+duty," as Corio writes, she renounced her share of the regency, saying
+that she placed her son in his uncle's care, and left Milan. "Like some
+demented woman," continues Corio, she fled as far as Abbiategrasso,
+where she was detained by Lodovico's orders, and not allowed to proceed
+to France as she had intended. In the end, however, she effected her
+purpose, and retired to her brother-in-law's Louis XI.'s court, where
+she remained during the next few years, vowing vengeance against
+Lodovico, and bitterly repenting her weakness in having consented to his
+return. So Lodovico Moro, "that hero of patience and cunning," as
+Michelet calls him, at length attained his object, and found himself
+sole Regent of Milan. _Merito e tempore_ was the motto which he had
+chosen for his own, and which he placed in golden letters on his shield,
+and illuminated on the vellum pages of his favourite books, in the firm
+belief that all things come to the man who can learn to bide his time.
+Henceforth his head appeared together with that of his younger nephew on
+all coins and medals, and the words _Lodovico patrue gubernante_
+inscribed below.
+
+Pandolfini, the Florentine ambassador, who had watched his course with
+profound interest, sent a minute report of the latest developments of
+public events to Lodovico's friend, the Magnificent Medici. A year
+before, when Lodovico had just returned to Milan, the envoy remarked,
+"Signor Lodovico is very popular here, both with the people and with
+Madonna." Again, a little later, he wrote, "Madonna trusts much in
+Messer Lodovico's good nature." Now he added, "The whole government of
+the kingdom is placed in Lodovico's hands." He could not refrain from an
+expression of admiration at the peaceable manner in which this
+revolution had been accomplished. "With what ability and skill he has
+effected this sudden change!" And he added, "I tell him, if he uses his
+opportunities well, he will become the arbiter of the whole of Italy."
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[2] Caffi in A. S. L., xiii.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+Wars of Venice and Ferrara--Invasion of Ferrara--Lodovico Sforza and
+Alfonso of Calabria come to the help of Ercole d'Este--Peace of Bagnolo
+--Prosperity of Ferrara, and cultivation of art and learning at Ercole's
+court--Guarino and Aldo Manuzio--Strozzi and Boiardo--Architecture and
+painting--The frescoes of the Schifanoia--Music and the drama--Education
+of Isabella and Beatrice d'Este.
+
+1482-1490
+
+
+Such was the prince to whom Duke Ercole had betrothed his younger
+daughter, and who had suddenly become one of the chief personages in
+North Italy. But more than ten years were to elapse before the
+child-bride even saw her affianced husband. During that time both Milan
+and Ferrara passed through many vicissitudes, and at one moment
+Beatrice's father and his state were reduced to the utmost extremity.
+
+The Venetians availed themselves of the troubled state of Lombardy and
+the civil strife that divided the house of Sforza, to attack their old
+enemy the Duke of Ferrara. In 1482 Roberto di Sanseverino, the valiant
+captain who had been one of the chief instruments in restoring his
+kinsman Lodovico Sforza to his country, left Milan in a rage, because he
+did not consider his salary sufficient, and offered his services to the
+Republic of Venice. With his gallant sons to help him, he invaded the
+territory of Ferrara at the head of an army of seventeen thousand men,
+and carried all before him. The Pope as usual took up the quarrel of the
+Venetians, in the hope of sharing the spoil, and while Ercole's ally,
+King Ferrante of Naples, was engaged in resisting the papal forces, the
+Genoese, who had revolted against Duchess Bona in 1478, and elected a
+doge of their own, occupied Lodovico Sforza's attention. The Ferrarese
+troops were completely defeated in a battle under the citadel of
+Argenta, many of the Ferrarese leaders were slain, and the duke's
+nephew, Niccolo da Correggio, and three hundred men were taken prisoners
+to Venice. Sanseverino made good use of his advantage, and his son
+Gaspare, better known by his nickname of Fracassa, marched to the very
+gates of Ferrara, and planted the Lion of St. Mark on the peacocks'
+house in the ducal park. Meanwhile the plague had broken out in Ferrara,
+and so great was the scarcity of wheat in the beleaguered city, that
+Battista Guarino, the tutor of the young Princess Isabella, applied to
+her betrothed husband Francesco Gonzaga for a grant of corn to save him
+from starvation. Worse than all, Duke Ercole himself lay dangerously ill
+within the Castello, and a report of his death was circulated through
+the city. At this critical moment Duchess Leonora once more showed her
+courage and presence of mind. Seeing the greatness of the danger, she
+sent her children with a safe escort to Modena, and calling the
+magistrates together, she harangued them from the garden loggia, and
+bade them be true to their old lords of the house of Este. The citizens,
+moved to tears at the sight of Leonora's majesty and courage, shouted
+with one voice, "Diamante!"--the watchword of the house of Este, and
+vowed to die for their duke. In their enthusiasm, the people broke open
+the palace doors, and rushing into the chamber where Ercole lay on his
+sick-bed, covered his hands with kisses, and would not be satisfied
+until they had heard his voice again and knew him to be alive. After
+this outburst of loyalty, they rallied bravely to the defence of the
+city. Every man who could bear arms in Ferrara helped to man the walls,
+and the country-folk, rising in thousands, harassed the invading army
+and cut off their supplies. Fortunately, help was at hand. On the one
+hand, Lodovico Sforza's troops checked the advance of the Venetians on
+the side of Modena; on the other, Ercole's brother-in-law, Alfonso, Duke
+of Calabria, himself rode at the head of fifty horsemen and a troop of
+infantry to the help of the beleaguered city.
+
+Throughout the long struggle that followed, Lodovico Sforza proved
+himself a wise and faithful friend of the house of Este, and it was
+chiefly owing to him that Ferrara preserved her independence. But the
+duke and his people had to make great sacrifices on their part, and at
+the peace of Bagnolo, which was finally concluded in 1484, seven towns
+were ceded to Venice, and the fertile district of Rovigo in the
+Polesina, "_un petit pays_," in the words of Commines, "_tout environné
+d'eau et abondant a merveille en tous biens_."
+
+A period of renewed peace and prosperity followed upon these disastrous
+wars. Ercole, although in his early youth he had proved himself a
+valiant soldier, had in reality far greater taste for the arts of peace
+than for those of war, and now devoted himself to the more congenial
+task of adorning Ferrara and cultivating letters. His father Niccolo
+III. had been the first prince in Northern Italy to take part in the
+revival of Greek learning that had been set on foot in Naples and
+Florence. He it was who, in 1402, revived the ancient University of
+Ferrara, and invited the best scholars of the day to give lectures to
+its students. At his prayer, the Sicilian Hellenist Aurispa, who had
+travelled to Greece and Constantinople in search of Greek manuscripts,
+fixed his residence at Ferrara; while Battista Guarino of Verona became
+the tutor of Niccolo's own son Leonello, and inspired the young prince
+with that ardour for learning which made him the most accomplished ruler
+of his time. It was Niccolo, again, who invited the celebrated Paduan
+doctor, Michele Savonarola, to fill the chair of medicine at the
+University of Ferrara. Michele's son became court physician to Ercole,
+and his grandson, the famous Dominican friar, Fra Girolamo Savonarola,
+who had forsaken the study of medicine to take the vows of a preaching
+brother, delivered his first course of Lent sermons in Ferrara during
+that troubled year 1482.
+
+The General Council held at Ferrara in 1438 brought some of the first
+Greek Oriental scholars together in that city, and Niccolo d'Este
+himself assisted at many of the discussions held by these learned
+professors. His son Leonello, besides encouraging students by his own
+example, devoted great pains and expense to the University library which
+he founded, while his successor, Duke Borso, pensioned poor students,
+who were clothed and fed at his cost. Ercole now followed in his
+father's and brother's steps with so much success that under his reign
+the University of Ferrara became the foremost in Italy, and boasted no
+less than forty-five professors, while the number of students reached
+four hundred and seventy-four. In those days the most renowned scholars
+of the age flocked from all parts of Italy to hear Guarino lecture; and
+Aldo Manuzio, the great printer, and his illustrious friend Pico della
+Mirandola, the phoenix of the Renaissance, came to Ferrara to sit at the
+feet of this revered teacher. Here Aldo acquired the passion for Greek
+literature which made him inscribe the word Philhellene after his name
+on his first printed books. Here, in his own turn, he lectured on Greek
+and Latin authors to the cultured youth of Ercole's court, and here he
+would have set up his printing-press, under his friend Duchess Leonora's
+patronage, if the Venetian war had not forced him to leave Ferrara. Both
+from the court of Alberto Pio at Carpi, where he found refuge with a
+kinsman of the Estes, and at Venice, where he founded his famous
+printing-press, he kept up frequent communications with the duke's
+family, and dedicated books to young Cardinal Ercole, and bound and
+printed choice editions of Petrarch and Virgil for his sister Isabella
+d'Este. But if Duke Ercole emulated the zeal of his predecessors in the
+encouragement of classical learning, he surpassed them all in his love
+of travel, of building, and of theatrical representations. During the
+next twenty years he indulged freely in all of these favourite pursuits.
+
+His opportunities of travel, indeed, were limited by the duties of his
+position; but whenever he could find leisure, he gratified his roving
+taste by paying frequent visits to Milan or Venice, where the
+magnificent palace bestowed upon his ancestor Nicolas II. in the last
+century, but confiscated during the war with Ferrara, had been restored
+to him at the peace of Bagnolo. In 1484, he took Duchess Leonora there
+with a suite of seven hundred persons. On this occasion the palace
+originally decorated by Duke Borso was sumptuously restored, and the
+Doge and Senate entertained their guests with princely hospitality. A
+more distant pilgrimage to the shrine of S. Jago of Compostella in
+Spain, which Ercole had planned in 1487, had to be abandoned, owing to
+the opposition of Pope Innocent VIII.; but eight years later the duke
+paid another visit to Florence, on the pretence of discharging a vow
+which he had made to Our Lady of the Annunziata. To the last the
+adventurous disposition of the Estes, the love of seeing and hearing new
+things, marked his character and governed his actions.
+
+Meanwhile his imagination found plenty of food for activity at home, and
+nothing interfered with his love of building or with the delight which
+he took in the stage. Under him, Ferrara became one of the finest cities
+in Italy. Her broad streets and spacious squares, her noble statues and
+imposing monuments, the stately symmetry of her well-kept ways, made a
+deep impression on Lodovico Sforza when he visited his wife's home. At
+the beginning of his reign Ercole had sent to Florence to borrow
+Alberti's Treatise on Architecture from Lorenzo de' Medici, and had
+carried out his improvements on the principles advocated by the
+Renaissance architect. On every side new churches and palaces rose into
+being, a lofty Campanile was added to the ancient Lombard Cathedral, an
+equestrian statue of Niccolo III. and a bronze effigy of Duke Borso
+adorned the piazza in front of the Castello. Soon Ercole's subjects
+caught their duke's passion for building, and vied with him in erecting
+new and sumptuous houses. His brother, Cardinal Sigismondo, raised the
+Palazzo Diamante, that magnificent Renaissance structure in the Via
+degli Angeli. The Trotti and the Costabili, the Strozzi and Boschetti,
+all followed suit and built palatial residences in the neighbourhood.
+
+These fine buildings were surrounded with spacious gardens. One of
+Ercole's first improvements had been to lay out the noble park outside
+the town, and to people it with stags and goats, with gazelles and
+antelopes and the spotted giraffes which Niccolo da Correggio describes
+in his poems; and on the gates leading from the city were marble busts
+carved by the hand of Sperandio, the famous medallist who had worked so
+long for the ducal house, and who has left us portraits of all the chief
+personages at the Ferrarese court. The courtyard of the ancient Este
+palace was adorned with wide marble staircases, the villa of Belfiore
+was enlarged and beautified, while that of Belriguardo, twelve miles
+from the city, on the banks of the Po, became celebrated as the most
+sumptuous of all the stately pleasure-houses in which Renaissance
+princes took delight. No pains or expense were spared in the decoration
+of these luxurious country houses. The terraced gardens and marble
+loggias were adorned with fountains and statues, the halls were hung
+with costly tapestries and gold and silver embroideries. Eastern carpets
+and carved ivories, cameos and intaglios, precious gems and rare
+majolica from Urbino and Casteldurante were brought together in the
+Camerini of the Castello and the halls of the Schifanoia palace, that
+favourite Sans-Souci of the Este princes close to the court-church of S.
+Maria in Vado and to the convent of Leonora's friends, the nuns of S.
+Vito. In this charming retreat, where Borso and Ercole alike loved to
+escape from the cares of state, we may still see the remnants of these
+splendid decorations which once adorned these halls: the painted
+arabesques and stucco frieze of children playing musical instruments,
+the barrel-vaulted ceilings, and marble doorways with their rows of
+cherub heads and dolphins. There the unicorn which Borso took for his
+device, figures side by side with the imperial eagle granted him by
+Frederic III when he came to visit Ferrara, and the fleur-de-lis of
+France, which the Estes were privileged to bear on their coat-of-arms.
+There we still see fragments of the frescoes on the months and seasons
+of the year which Cossa and his scholars painted at the bidding of
+successive dukes. Borso is there on his white horse as he rides out
+hunting, attended by falconers and pages leading his favourite
+greyhounds in the leash; or looking on at the races of St. George's Day,
+surrounded by scholars and courtiers, dwarfs and jesters, and fair
+ladies clad in glittering robes of cloth of silver and gold. All the
+pageant of court-life in old Ferrara, as it was in the days when Duke
+Ercole reigned and Isabella and Beatrice d'Este grew up under the good
+Duchess Leonora's care, passes again before our eyes, as we linger in
+these low halls of the little red-brick palace among the fruit trees of
+this deserted quarter.
+
+Niccolo III. and his elder sons had all been liberal patrons of art, and
+had invited the best artists they could find from other parts of Italy.
+Vittore Pisanello and Jacopo Bellini had both of them visited Ferrara
+and painted portraits of the Este princes--that of Leonello, with his
+long hooked nose and low forehead, is still preserved at Bergamo, and
+Piero de' Franceschi, the mighty Umbrian, is said to have supplied a
+design for Duke Borso's tomb. But it was in later years, under Ercole's
+reign, that this little group of native artists arose, and that Cosimo
+Tura and his followers founded the school which gradually spread to
+Bologna and Modena and boasted such masters as Lorenzo Costa and
+Francia, or helped to mould the genius of a Raphael and a Correggio.
+Tura himself remained at Ferrara all his life, painting altar-pieces for
+Duchess Leonora's favourite churches, as well as frescoes in the duke's
+villas and portraits of the different members of the ducal family in
+turn. In 1472, before the Duke's marriage, he painted the portrait of
+Ercole--strange to say--together with his illegitimate daughter Lucrezia
+d'Este, to be sent as a present to his bride, Leonora of Aragon, at her
+father's court of Naples. Again, in the summer of 1485, he was called
+upon in his capacity of court painter to paint the likeness of the
+youthful Isabella for her affianced husband, Francesco Gonzaga; and
+before the year was out he had to perform the same task for the other
+little bride, who had just returned from Naples. The following paper in
+the Ferrarese archives fixes the exact date of the portrait, which was
+evidently sent as a Christmas gift to Lodovico Sforza at Milan. "On the
+24th of December, 1485, Cosimo Tura received four gold florins from the
+duke, for painting from life the face and bust of the Illustrissima
+Madonna Beatrice, to be sent to Messer Lodovico Maria Sforza, Duca di
+Bari, consort of the said Beatrice--Carlo Continga taking it to him."
+Unfortunately, both of these portraits have perished, and the only
+representation of Beatrice as a girl that we have is the sculptor
+Cristoforo Romano's well-known bust in the Louvre.
+
+While the native schools of painting became active and prosperous under
+Ercole's auspices, a flourishing school of arts and crafts arose in
+Ferrara under the immediate patronage of the duchess. From the day of
+her marriage, Leonora not only showed that intelligent love of art and
+learning which might have been expected in a princess of the house of
+Aragon, but a warm interest in the well-being of her subjects, together
+with excellent sense and a strong practical bent. At her invitation,
+tapestry-workers from Milan and Florence came to settle at Ferrara, and
+skilled embroiderers were brought over from Spain. The duchess herself
+superintended these workers, selected the colours and patterns, and
+became an authority in the choice of hangings and decoration of rooms.
+While Ercole had an insatiable passion for gems and cameos, antique
+marbles and ivories, Leonora showed an especial taste for gold and
+silver metal-work. Silver boxes and girdles curiously chased and
+engraved were constantly sent to the duchess by Milanese goldsmiths, and
+among the workers in this line whom she frequently employed was
+Francesco Francia, the goldsmith painter of Bologna. In 1488, this
+artist sent her an exquisite chain of gold hearts linked together, which
+excited general admiration, and may perhaps have been intended as a
+bridal gift for Elizabeth Gonzaga, the sister of Isabella's betrothed
+husband, who visited Ferrara that spring, on her way to Urbino.
+Leonora's own jewels were said to be the finest and most artistic owned
+by any princess of her day, and, as in the case of other Renaissance
+ladies, formed no inconsiderable portion of her fortune; and, in
+consequence, they were frequently pawned to raise money for her
+husband's wars. The duchess's famous necklace of pearls, we learn, was
+repeatedly lent by the duke to bankers or goldsmiths in Rome and
+Florence as pledges for the repayment of loans advanced during the war
+with Venice.
+
+Music was another of Ercole's favourite pastimes, and the choir of his
+court chapel at one time rivalled that of Milan, which was held to be
+the best in Italy. Violinists and lute-players were brought from Naples
+to Ferrara, French and Spanish tenors were included among the singers
+who accompanied the duke on his journeys. A still more distinctive
+feature of his court were the theatrical representations, which became a
+prominent part of all the palace festivities, and which undoubtedly owed
+much to the duke's taste for dramatic art. Under his directions, a
+spacious theatre was fitted up in the old Gothic Palazzo della Ragione
+on the cathedral square. Here Latin comedies were performed before an
+audience which included the most learned classical scholars of the day,
+and Italian dramas were seen for the first time upon the stage. In 1486,
+an Italian version of the _Menæchimi_, translated by Ercole himself,
+was acted here, with interludes of masques and morris dances, violin
+music, and recitations. This was followed, a year later, by a
+performance of _Cefalo_, one of the oldest of Italian dramas, a pastoral
+play composed by Niccolo da Correggio, chiefly taken from Ovid's
+"Metamorphoses," and which is said to have suggested the subjects of
+Correggio's famous frescoes in the Abbess of San Paolo's parlour at
+Parma. Each Christmas and carnival these theatrical representations were
+repeated, and many were the distinguished visitors who came to Ferrara
+to witness these celebrated performances. The _Amphitryon_ and _Cassina_
+of Plautus were frequently given. On one occasion, a play adapted from a
+dialogue of Lucian's by Matteo Boiardo was acted. Another time, at the
+wedding of a Marchese Strozzi, a Latin comedy written by the
+bridegroom's brother, Ercole Strozzi, was performed before the whole
+court. Sometimes, by way of variety, sacred subjects were placed upon
+the stages. Tableaux of the Annunciation and the history of Joseph were
+introduced, accompanied with recitations and music. While the duke was
+known to have a strong preference for classical plays, the duchess and
+her daughters took pleasure in lighter forms of literature, and
+encouraged the songs and romances which courtly poets wrote for their
+benefit in the _lingua vulgare_. A new school of Italian poets sprang up
+at Ferrara in the last years of the century. Antonio Tebaldeo, the
+friend of Castiglione and Raphael--"our Tebaldeo," whom Pietro Bembo
+declared Raphael had painted in so lifelike a manner that he was not so
+exactly himself in actual life as in this portrait--had his home at
+Ferrara in these early days, and enjoyed the favour of the Marchioness
+Isabella in his later years. While the elder Strozzi, Tito, had the
+reputation of being the best Latin poet of the day, his son Ercole
+belonged to the circle of younger scholars, and, like his friends Bembo
+and Ariosto, wrote elegant Italian verses as well as Latin epistles and
+orations. Then there was the blind poet Francesco Bello, the author of
+the "Mambriano," that heroic poem on the favourite Carlovingian legend;
+Andrea Cossa of Naples, who sang his own _rime_ and _strambotti_ to the
+music of the lute; Niccolo da Correggio, called by Isabella d'Este and
+Sabba da Castiglione "the most accomplished gentleman of the age, the
+foremost man in all Italy, in the art of poetry and in courtesy," who
+devoted his muse to the service of gentle ladies, and composed _canzoni_
+and _capitoli_ or set Petrarch's sonnets to music for Isabella and
+Beatrice's pleasure. And among Ercole's courtiers at Ferrara there was
+one still greater, Matteo Boiardo, Count of Scandiano, who was intimate
+with both duke and duchess, and held many high posts at court. He was a
+member of the splendid suite sent in 1473 to escort Leonora from Naples
+to Ferrara, and afterwards held the important post of Governor of Modena
+during many years. But in the midst of official labours and court
+duties, Matteo was all the while engaged in writing his great work
+of the "Orlando Innamorato," that wonderful epic in which classic and
+romantic ideas are mingled together as strangely as in Piero di Cosimo
+or Sandro Botticelli's paintings. The first cantos of his poem, begun in
+1472, were published at Venice in 1486, with a dedication to Duke
+Ercole, and the work was continued at intervals throughout his life, and
+was only interrupted by the death of the poet. This took place in 1494,
+when the first French armies were first seen descending upon Italy, and
+the sweet singer of high romance broke off abruptly with a prophetic
+note of warning in his last accents--"While I am singing, I see all
+Italy set on fire by these Gauls, coming to ravage I know not how many
+fresh lands, alas!"
+
+In this city which was at once the home of Italian epic and Italian
+drama, at this court where the boy Ariosto was to take up the song that
+dropped from the lips of Boiardo, and to wear the laurel in his turn,
+the young princesses of Este grew up. There were three of them, for
+Lucrezia, the duke's illegitimate daughter, had found a kind mother in
+the duchess, and was brought up with her young step-sisters Isabella and
+Beatrice, until in 1487, she became the wife of Annibale Bentivoglio,
+and went to live in Bologna. Under Leonora's careful and vigilant eyes,
+these maidens were trained in all the culture of the day. Their
+classical studies were directed by Battista Guarino, the son of the
+learned Verona humanist, the same who begged the Marquis of Mantua for a
+grant of wheat that he might the better be able to teach his betrothed
+bride Madonna Isabella during the famine at Ferrara. With him they
+learnt sufficient Latin to read Cicero and Virgil, as well as Greek and
+Roman history. Music and dancing were taught them almost from infancy.
+They learnt to play the viol and lute, and sang _canzoni_ and sonnets to
+the accompaniment of these instruments. Beatrice, we know, was
+passionately fond of music. She employed the great Pavian Lorenzo
+Gusnasco to make her clavichords and viols of the finest order, and like
+her father, she never travelled without her favourite singers. Isabella
+herself had a beautiful voice, and sang with a sweetness and grace which
+charmed all hearers. The most accomplished poets of the Renaissance,
+Pietro Bembo and Niccolo da Correggio, Girolamo Casio and Antonio
+Tebaldeo, were proud to hear her sing their verses, and the Vicenza
+scholar Trissino, forestalling Waller in this, wrote a _canzone_
+addressed to "My Lady Isabella playing the lute."
+
+Messer Ambrogio da Urbino began to give Isabella dancing lessons almost
+as soon as she could walk. Later on a certain Messer Lorenzo Lavagnolo,
+who had taught Elizabeth and Maddalena Gonzaga, the young sisters of the
+Marquis of Mantua, and had afterwards been sent to the court of Milan to
+teach Duchess Bona's daughters, came to Ferrara. This master, who was
+commended to the Duchess of Milan by the Marchioness Barbara of Mantua
+as superior to all other professors of the art of dancing, gave lessons
+to Isabella and her sisters, as we learn from a letter which she wrote
+to her affianced husband, thanking him in her sister's name and her own
+for having sent so excellent a teacher to undertake the task, and
+recommending this faithful and devoted servant to His Excellency's
+notice. A bill for making dresses and scenery that were employed in a
+"_festa_" composed by Messer Lorenzo for the duke's daughters is
+preserved in the Gonzaga archives, and at Lucrezia's wedding, in 1487,
+this renowned master travelled to Bologna to direct the _fêtes_ given in
+honour of her marriage.
+
+Some knowledge of French seems to have formed part of an Italian lady's
+education at this period, but even Isabella, with all her quickness and
+talent, was never able to speak French fluently, and Beatrice had
+recourse to interpreters when she received the visit of King Charles
+VIII. at Asti, and was required to make civil speeches in reply to his
+compliments. But they read Provençal poetry and translations of Spanish
+romances from the rare volumes, sumptuously bound in crimson velvet with
+enamelled and jewelled clasps and corners, that were among the most
+precious treasures of Duchess Leonora's cabinet. Above all, they took
+delight in French romances, such as "_I reali di Francia_"--that book
+which was so popular with Italian ladies, and became familiar with the
+exploits of Roland and the paladins of Charlemagne's court. As they bent
+over their embroidery-frames at their lady mother's side, in the painted
+camerini of the Castello, or under the acacias and lemon-trees of the
+Schifanoia villa, they listened to the wonderful fairy tales which
+Matteo Boiardo recited, and heard him tell how Rinaldo of Montalbano was
+pelted with roses and lilies and made captive by Cupid's dames. Now and
+then, on summer evenings, they were allowed to join in the water-parties
+at Belriguardo, and float down the stream in the ducal bucentaur to the
+sound of the court violins, or else take part in those hunting
+expeditions for which Beatrice developed a passionate taste in
+after-years. As the frescoes of Schifanoia show, hunting was always a
+favourite pastime at the court of Ferrara. The duke kept many hundred
+horses in his stables, and the greatest care was bestowed upon his breed
+of dogs and falcons. When Borso went to Rome in 1471, he took in his
+retinue eighty pages, each leading four greyhounds in a leash; and when
+he entertained the Emperor Frederic III. at Ferrara, he presented him
+with fifty of his best horses. Ercole often received gifts of Barbary
+horses from the Sultan of Tunis or the famous Gonzaga stables that were
+reckoned the best in Italy, and bought Spanish jennets and steeds of
+Irish race to improve his own breed. And Duchess Leonora owned a special
+breed of greyhounds which were held in high esteem, and a pair of which
+she sent to Caterina Sforza, Madonna of Forli, at the humble request of
+this adventurous lady.
+
+But it was only on very rare occasions that the young princesses of Este
+were allowed to leave their studies, which occupied their whole days,
+and, as we learn from their different preceptors' letters, absorbed
+their whole attention. Nor, we may be quite sure, was their religious
+education neglected under the eye of their mother, a sincerely devout
+and pious woman, who took pleasure in the converse of learned Dominicans
+and Carmelites, and paid frequent visits to S. Vito, close to the
+Schifanoia villa, and to the Convent of Corpus Domini, in which church
+she was buried. Her many charitable works, the liberality with which she
+helped her poorer subjects, relieved their wants, and gave dowries to
+virtuous maidens, as well as her munificence in adorning altars and
+churches with rich ornaments, are recorded by every Ferrarese historian.
+Sabadino degli Arienti places her high among the illustrious women of
+the age, and says her deeds cannot fail to have opened the adamant doors
+of Paradise, while Castiglione speaks of her excellent virtues as known
+to the whole world, and pronounces her worthy to have reigned over a far
+larger state. With the pattern of this admirable mother before their
+eyes, with all that was choicest in art and fairest in nature around
+them, Leonora's daughters grew up to womanhood, and insensibly acquired
+that enthusiasm for beauty in all its varied forms, that fine taste and
+perception which distinguished them above their contemporaries, which
+made Isabella at the end of her long life still the most attractive
+woman of her day, and which caused the bravest soldiers and the wisest
+scholars to lament the untimely death of the youthful Duchess Beatrice.
+In all the difficult and tangled ways which they were separately called
+upon to tread, the breath of scandal, the slander of idle tongues, never
+sullied their fair names. Both princesses held fast to the ideal of
+their girlhood, and, leading the same pure and spotless life, left the
+same gracious memory behind them, alike in the old Mantuan city on the
+banks of the classic Mincio, where Isabella's presence lingers like some
+delicate perfume about the _Camerini_ of the ancient Castello, and in
+that grander and more splendid court where Beatrice reigned for a few
+brief years by the Moro's side at Milan.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+Isabella d'Este--Lodovico Sforza delays his wedding--Plot against his
+life--Submission of Genoa--Duke Gian Galeazzo--The Sanseverini brothers
+--Messer Galeazzo made Captain-General of the Milanese armies--His
+marriage to Bianca Sforza--Marriage of Gian Galeazzo to Isabella of
+Aragon--Wedding festivities at Milan--Lodovico draws up his marriage
+contract with Beatrice d'Este.
+
+1485-1490
+
+
+Isabella d'Este, the eldest of Ercole's and Leonora's two daughters,
+early displayed the striking beauty and great qualities that
+distinguished her in after-years. Her regular features and delicate
+colouring, her ready wit and gracious manners, charmed all the visitors
+to Ferrara. The letters of princes and ambassadors were full of her
+praises. The Mantuan envoy who was sent to Ferrara in 1480, to arrange
+the terms of the marriage contract, was amazed at the little bride's
+precocity. The six-year-old child not only danced charmingly before him,
+but conversed with a grace and intelligence which seemed to him little
+short of miraculous. All her teachers told the same story. Whatever
+Madonna Isabella did was well done. Her quickness in learning, her
+marvellous memory, and application to her studies were the theme of
+every one at court. She was the apple of her father's eye, her mother's
+most sweet and cherished companion--"_la mia carissima e dolce figliuola
+sopra altre_." When she married and left home for Mantua, her poor old
+tutor shed tears at the loss of his favourite pupil, and wandered
+through the castle recalling her every word and movement; while for
+weeks the good duchess could not bear to enter the room or open the
+windows of the room which her darling child had occupied, and which was
+now left empty and desolate.
+
+By the side of this brilliant creature, her younger sister, the little
+Beatrice, passed comparatively unnoticed. Her name is scarcely ever
+mentioned in the records of the period. Yet she was only a year younger
+than Isabella, and if all had gone well, the double wedding of the two
+sisters was to have been celebrated at the same time in February, 1490.
+But Lodovico Sforza had shown no inclination to press the matter. He
+professed the most cordial friendship for the Duke of Ferrara, who had
+every reason to be grateful for his help in the Venetian wars, and
+entertained Ercole magnificently when, in 1487, he paid a visit to
+Milan. But when the question of her marriage was mooted, he made excuses
+and suggested further delay. The extreme youth of the bride, the urgency
+of affairs of state, were all brought forward as excellent reasons for
+putting off the marriage until a more convenient season. During the ten
+years after his return to Milan, Lodovico's time and thoughts had been
+fully occupied. The internal as well as the external affairs of his
+state, the attacks of public enemies and private foes, alike demanded
+his whole energies. But so far Fortune had favoured him in a wonderful
+way. An attempt was made by Duchess Bona's confessor to assassinate him
+on the steps of Saint Ambrogio at Christmas, 1485, but fortunately
+failed, because that day Lodovico entered the church by a side door to
+avoid the crowd. The sympathy excited by this cowardly attempt on his
+life, and by his recovery from a dangerous illness which brought him to
+the point of death, helped to strengthen his position at home, while
+complete success attended his arms and diplomacy. On the one hand,
+Venice was forced to accept his terms of peace; on the other, Genoa,
+sorely pressed by her old rival Florence, appealed to the Regent of
+Milan for assistance, and once more recognized the supremacy of Gian
+Galeazzo Sforza. A cardinal's hat was obtained for Ascanio Sforza, in
+whom Lodovico found an able and loyal supporter both in Rome and Milan.
+And when, in 1488, Lodovico's niece, Caterina Sforza, turned to him for
+help against the conspirators who had murdered her husband and seized
+the Rocca of Forli, a Milanese army under young Galeazzo di Sanseverino
+was promptly sent to her assistance. The citadel was besieged and
+captured, and the rights of Caterina and her son Ottaviano were
+triumphantly vindicated. Thus on every side the house of Sforza was
+restored to its former dignity, and the great Condottiere's name was
+respected and honoured. The Milanese once more enjoyed a period of peace
+and prosperity, and Lodovico was able to devote himself to his favourite
+pursuits, the encouragement of learning and of the fine arts. Even at
+the most anxious and busiest times, in the midst of the war with Venice
+and the negotiations for the league against her, Lodovico had found time
+to carry on his brother's schemes for the decoration of the Castello of
+Milan, and to help forward the works of the Duomo and the Certosa of
+Pavia. He had begun to rebuild the palace of Vigevano on a splendid
+scale, and had set on foot a vast system of irrigation for the
+improvement of the ducal estates. Besides encouraging the rising school
+of native artists, he had invited the best foreign architects and
+painters, sculptors and poets, to his court. Already Bramante of Urbino
+was the chief architect at the ducal court, and now Lorenzo de' Medici
+sent a young Florentine master to Milan who played the lute divinely,
+and whose varied talents might prove serviceable to his friend Lodovico.
+So Leonardo da Vinci came to the court of the Moro, and found in him so
+genial and understanding a patron, so generous and kindly a friend, that
+he settled at Milan, and remained in the duke's service for the next
+sixteen years. Thus Lodovico Sforza had shown himself a wise and
+excellent regent, and had earned the gratitude of both prince and
+people, while the young duke in whose name he governed was growing up to
+man's estate. From his birth Gian Galeazzo had been a frail and sickly
+child, subject to constant feverish attacks, and in the year 1483 was so
+dangerously ill that at one moment his doctors despaired of his
+recovery. As he grew older, it became plain that his mind was as feeble
+as his body. He was utterly incapable of applying himself to serious
+business, far less of administering state affairs. His whole days were
+spent in idleness and pleasure, in hunting and drinking. Horses and dogs
+were the only objects in which he took any interest. Under these
+circumstances, it became plain that Lodovico would remain the actual
+ruler of Milan even though his nephew bore the title of duke. All
+outward respect was paid to Gian Galeazzo; he lived in great state, with
+a household and officers of his own, and was surrounded by regal pomp on
+public occasions. Clad in ducal robes, he appeared seated on a throne
+erected in front of the Duomo when the Genoese patricians arrived at
+Milan, and received their homage as duke of the principality of Genoa.
+His brother Ermes, his sisters Bianca and Anna, shared his state, and
+when Bianca's betrothed husband the young prince of Savoy died, she was
+formally affianced in the Duomo to the eldest son of Matthias Corvinus,
+King of Hungary. But the real sovereign of Milan was Lodovico Duke of
+Bari. Here and there a jealous or discontented Milanese nobleman might
+grumble, but the majority of the duke's subjects felt that in these
+troublous days a strong hand was needed at the helm, and knew that they
+had this strong man in the Moro.
+
+By degrees Lodovico removed those governors of cities and fortresses
+whose loyalty he had reason to suspect, and replaced them by
+confidential servants. Filippo Eustachio, captain of the Castello of
+Milan, a brave and honest man, Corio tells us, who had refused to yield
+up the keys of the Rocca to Bona's minion, but whose brothers had been
+implicated in the plot against Lodovico's life, was one day arrested by
+the duke's orders, and imprisoned at Abbiategrasso; he was afterwards
+released, no evidence of his guilt being produced, but his post was
+filled by one of the Moro's servants. Chief among the trusted captains
+in whom Lodovico placed his confidence were the Sanseverini brothers, "i
+gran Sanseverini," as they were called in the court poet's verses, as
+much on account of their great strength and stature as of the exalted
+position which they held at the Milanese court. Their father, that
+turbulent soldier Roberto, after making three desperate attempts to
+unseat the prince whose return to power he had effected, and being three
+times proclaimed a rebel and outlaw at Milan, had taken service under
+Pope Innocent VIII. and led the campaign against Alfonso of Calabria, as
+Captain-general of the Church. But before long he quarrelled with the
+Pope and returned to the service of the Venetian Republic, until in
+August, 1486, at the age of seventy, he fell fighting with heroic valour
+against the Imperialists in the battle of Trent. Of his twelve sons,
+four entered the service of their kinsman, Lodovico Sforza, and rose to
+high honour and dignity. All of them were mighty men of valour like
+their father before them, while a fifth, Cardinal Federigo, was to prove
+a staunch adherent of the Sforzas in days to come. He inherited the
+giant stature as well as the martial tastes of his family, and at the
+consecration of Pope Alexander VI. is said to have lifted Borgia in his
+arms and placed him on the high altar. The eldest of the brothers,
+Giovanni Francesco, Count of Caiazzo, succeeded to his father's estates
+in Calabria, but lived at Milan, and became one of Lodovico's chief
+captains. Both Gaspare--the gallant soldier known by his surname of
+Captain Fracassa--and Antonio Maria, the husband of the fair and learned
+Margherita Pia of Carpi, a beloved friend and cousin of the Este
+princesses, were prominent figures at the Milanese court. But the most
+famous and popular of all the brothers was Galeazzo. This brilliant and
+accomplished cavalier, who was to play so great a part at the Milanese
+court, early attracted the notice of Lodovico by his personal charm and
+rare skill in knightly exercises. As a rider and jouster, he was without
+a rival. Wherever he entered the lists, at Milan or Venice, at Ferrara
+or Urbino, he invariably carried off the prize, and was proclaimed
+victor in the games. And to this prowess in courtly exercises he joined
+a love of art and learning which especially commended him to the Moro.
+Unlike his brother Captain Fracassa, who refused Caterina Sforza's
+invitation to join in dance and song, saying that war was his trade and
+he sought no other, Galeazzo was a model of courtesy and grace. All fair
+ladies had a smile for him. Isabella d'Este and Elisabetta Gonzaga
+honoured him with their friendship, and Beatrice d'Este found in him the
+truest of friends and best of servants. Three kings of France, Charles
+VIII., Louis XII., and Francis I., singled him out for special
+distinction, and after enjoying the highest honour at Lodovico Sforza's
+court, he lived to become Grand Ecuyer of France in the next century.
+French Italian chroniclers alike own the fascination of his handsome
+presence and extol the _gentilezza_ of this very perfect knight.
+Leonardo da Vinci and Luca Pacioli the mathematician had in him a noble,
+generous patron, and Baldassare Castiglione, who knew him in his youth
+at Milan, has enshrined his memory in the pages of his "Cortigiano." It
+was this rare union of qualities which endeared the young Sanseverino to
+the Moro, who chose him for his intimate friend and companion. On his
+return from his successful campaign against the Forli rebels, Lodovico
+appointed him Captain-general of the Milanese armies, a step which
+naturally excited great jealousy among his rivals, and mortally wounded
+the pride of Messer Gian Giacomo Trivulzio, an older captain in the same
+service. Short of stature and rude of speech, with the big nose and
+rugged features that are familiar to us in Caradosso's medal, this able
+soldier presented a curious contrast to the brilliant and courtly Messer
+Galeazzo, whose rival he remained to the end of his life. Yet he knew
+how to appreciate genius, and after his triumphant return to Milan in
+1499, employed Leonardo to paint his portrait and design his tomb.
+Although a Guelph by birth, Trivulzio, up to this time, had been one of
+Lodovico's most active supporters. But when he saw a younger rival
+preferred to him, he left Milan in disgust and retired to Naples, where
+he entered King Ferrante's service, and became from that time a bitter
+enemy of the Sforza's. Meanwhile the Moro loaded his favourite Galeazzo
+with honours and rewards. He gave him the fine estate of Castelnuovo in
+the Tortonese, which had once belonged to his father, the great
+Condottiere Roberto, as well as a house in Pavia near the church of San
+Francesco and a palace in Milan, near the Porta Vercellina, and allowed
+him to build a villa and extensive stables in the park of the Castello.
+As a last and crowning honour, he bestowed upon this fortunate youth the
+hand of his illegitimate daughter Bianca, a beautiful and attractive
+child to whom he was fondly attached. Of her mother we have no certain
+knowledge, but she is generally supposed to have been some mistress of
+low origin, and Bianca herself is described by a contemporary writer as
+"_figlia ex pellice nata_." The wedding was solemnized with great
+splendour in the chapel of the Castello di Pavia, on the last day of the
+year 1489, but the young princess was still a child, and Galeazzo had to
+wait five years before he took home his bride. After his marriage he
+adopted the name of Sforza Visconti, and was treated by Lodovico as a
+member of his family.
+
+Another wedding which took place about this time was that of the young
+duke, Gian Galeazzo. He had already entered his twentieth year, and the
+Princess Isabella of Aragon, to whom he had been betrothed in his
+father's lifetime, was turned eighteen, so that the marriage could no
+longer be delayed. In November, 1488, his brother Ermes was sent to
+Naples with a suite of four hundred persons, who entered King Ferrante's
+capital sumptuously arrayed in silk brocade, and amazed even his
+luxurious courtiers by the splendour of their gold chains and jewelled
+plumes. At least Isabella's father, Alfonso, who had little love for his
+brother-in-law, and had already found Lodovico more than a match for his
+own cunning, could not complain that his daughter had not been
+honourably treated. After a rough passage in the depth of winter, which
+sorely tried the patience of the court poet Bellincioni, who was a
+member of the Milanese suite, the bride landed on the 7th of February,
+and travelled by land to Genoa and Tortona. There her bridegroom, the
+young Duke of Milan, was awaiting her, with his uncle Lodovico, and a
+banquet as memorable for ingenuity as for splendour was given in her
+honour. Each course was introduced by some mythological personage. Jason
+appeared with the golden fleece, Phoebus Apollo brought in a calf stolen
+from the herds of Admetus, Diana led Actæon in the form of a stag,
+Atalanta followed with the wild boar of Calydon, Iris came with a
+peacock from the car of Juno, and Orpheus carried in the birds whom he
+had charmed with his lute. Hebe poured out the wines, Vertumnus and
+Pomona handed round apples and grapes, Thetis and her sea-nymphs brought
+every variety of fish, and shepherds crowned with chaplets of ivy
+arrived from the hills of Arcady, bearing jars of milk and honey to the
+festive board. At Milan fresh wonders were awaiting the bridal pair. The
+court of the Castello was hung with blue drapery and wreaths of laurel
+and ivy, above which the ducal arms, designed in antique style, were
+seen, supported by figures of Centaurs. Under a seven-columned portico
+adorned with crimson-and-gold hangings, the duke's sister, Bianca Maria
+Sforza, received the bride, and led her to a richly decorated chamber in
+the Camera della Torre. On the following day the wedding was solemnized
+with great pomp in the Duomo. The duke and duchess, clad in white,
+walked hand-in-hand up the great aisles of the church, and finally, were
+escorted to the rooms prepared for them in the Rocca, and after the
+Milanese fashion, hung with pure white satin. But the most memorable
+part of the wedding festivities, and that to which Lodovico himself
+devoted especial attention, was the performance of an operetta composed
+by the court poet Bellincioni for the occasion. "It was called _Il
+Paradiso_" adds the chronicler to whom we owe these details, "because
+Maestro Leonardo Vinci, the Florentine, had with great art and ingenuity
+fabricated a paradise or celestial sphere, in which the seven planets
+were represented by actors in costumes similar to those described by
+those poets of old, who each in turn spoke the praise of Duchess
+Isabella."
+
+The festivities were interrupted by the illness of the young duke, who
+was so much exhausted by the fatigues of these successive
+entertainments, that he was unable to leave his bed for some weeks. But
+in the following summer two splendid tournaments were held at Pavia, at
+which Messer Galeazzo, as Sanseverino is always styled in Milanese
+annals, appeared with twenty followers in golden armour, mounted on
+chargers with gold trappings and harness, and, having unhorsed no less
+than nineteen of his opponents, bore off the first prize, a length of
+costly silver brocade. The duke and duchess were present with their
+whole court, but the Ferrarese ambassador remarked that the crowd all
+shouted, "Moro! Moro!" and that Signor Lodovico was by far the most
+popular personage with the citizens of Pavia.
+
+"He is a great man, and intends to be what he is in fact
+already--everything!" he wrote in his despatches to Ferrara. "And yet
+who knows? In a short time he may be nobody."
+
+Gian Galeazzo, however, showed no signs of interfering with his uncle in
+the management of public affairs. On the contrary, he gave full rein to
+his pleasure-loving tastes, seldom came to Milan, and spent his days at
+Pavia or Vigevano in the company of his young wife and a few favourites.
+Duchess Isabella, as time showed, was a woman of strong character and
+deep feeling, but she never seemed to have acquired any influence over
+her feeble husband, and found herself powerless to arouse him to any
+sense of his position, "_La dicte fille_" says Commines, "_etoit fort
+courageuse et eut volontier donné crédit à son mary, si elle eut pu,
+mais il n'etoit guère saige et révélait ce qu'elle lui disait_."
+Lodovico treated both his nephew and niece with the utmost respect, and
+discussed the situation freely with the Florentine ambassador
+Pandolfini, saying that King Ferrante's envoy had lately gone so far as
+to suggest that, since this young man could never rule for himself, his
+uncle might as well assume the title, as well as the cares, of the head
+of the state. But this, Lodovico declared, was a crime of which he would
+never be guilty. "If I were to attempt such a thing," he exclaimed, "I
+should be infamous in the eyes of the whole world!"
+
+For the present the sense of power, the knowledge that he was the actual
+ruler, sufficed him, and, as the King of Naples himself recognized, no
+one could have governed Milan more wisely or well than Lodovico did in
+his nephew's name. The birth of Duchess Isabella's son, in December,
+1490, may have been a blow to his hopes. But the happy event was
+celebrated with due rejoicings, the costly presents from the city of
+Milan and court officials were displayed in the Castello, and the infant
+heir of the house of Sforza received the name of his renowned
+great-grandfather, Francesco, together with the title of Count of Pavia.
+
+Meanwhile Lodovico felt that it was time to think of his own marriage,
+and to keep the troth which he had pledged to the child-princess of
+Este. His actions, as he well knew, were narrowly watched at the court
+of Ferrara. Duchess Leonora was beginning to feel anxious about her
+daughter's future, and the marriage of Anna Sforza with young Alfonso
+d'Este had also to be arranged. Accordingly in May, 1489, when the Duke
+of Milan's wedding was safely over, the Ferrarese envoy Giacomo Trotti
+was sent back to his master duly acquainted with Signor Lodovico's
+wishes and intentions respecting these important matters.
+
+On the 10th of May, the articles of the marriage contract were finally
+drawn up and signed at the Castello of Ferrara. They were on the same
+basis as the marriage treaties which had lately been drawn up between
+the Marquis Mantua and Isabella d'Este and the Duke and Duchess of
+Milan. Lodovico was to receive 40,000 gold crowns and 2000 more in
+jewels as Beatrice's portion. A sum equal to three-parts of the bride's
+dower was to be chargeable on the goods and lands of Signor Lodovico. If
+the most illustrious Madonna were to die without children, this dowry
+was to be returned, as was stipulated in the case of the Duchess of
+Milan. With regard to the choice and arrangement of the bride's
+household, and the number of her women, Lodovico was content to leave
+all particulars to the Duke and Duchess of Ferrara, trusting to their
+goodness and prudence to settle all these matters on a scale suitable to
+the birth and rank of a princess of this illustrious house. But he
+especially begged Duke Ercole to see that Madonna Beatrice was well
+supplied with clothes and other necessary articles of toilet fitting the
+position which she would occupy at Milan as wife of the Duke of Bari and
+Regent of the State. Last of all, the date of the marriage was
+positively fixed for the month of May, 1490, Lodovico promising to
+defray all the expenses of the wedding festivities. At the same time it
+was also decided that Madonna Anna's marriage should take place in July,
+1490, by which time Signor Alfonso would have completed his fourteenth
+year, and the sum due to Messer Lodovico for Beatrice's dowry was to be
+deducted from that of his niece, who, as a princess of Milan, was to
+receive a portion of 100,000 crowns.
+
+So Beatrice d'Este's wedding-day was at length fixed, and Duchess
+Leonora rejoiced in the happy prospect of seeing both her daughters
+married in the course of the following year.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+Marriage of Isabella d'Este--Lodovico puts off his wedding--Cecilia
+Gallerani--Her portrait by Leonardo da Vinci--Mission of Galeazzo
+Visconti to Ferrara--Preparations for Beatrice's wedding--Cristoforo
+Romano's bust--Duchess Leonora and her daughters travel to Piacenza and
+Pavia--Their reception at Pavia by Lodovico.
+
+1490-1491
+
+
+The young Marquis of Mantua, Gian Francesco Gonzaga, had proved himself
+a more ardent lover than Lodovico Sforza. He frequently exchanged
+letters and compliments with his youthful bride, or sent Isabella
+presents and verses written in her honour by Mantuan poets. After his
+father's death in 1484, he visited Mantua, and brought Duchess Leonora a
+Madonna painted by the hand of the great Paduan master, Andrea Mantegna,
+the court painter of the Gonzagas. In the autumn of the same year,
+Leonora took her daughter to Mantua for a short visit, where she first
+met Gian Francesco's sister, Elizabeth Duchess of Urbino, who was to
+become her dearest friend and constant companion in the early days of
+her married life. Four years afterwards, the same Elizabeth, the
+peerless Duchess of Castiglione and Bembo's adoration, stopped at
+Ferrara on her wedding journey to her new home of Urbino, and received
+an affectionate welcome from Leonora and her daughters. The duchess, she
+wrote, treated her as a mother, while in the Marchesana she had already
+found a loving sister and friend. On the 11th of February, 1490,
+Isabella's own wedding was celebrated at Ferrara, and the following
+morning the bride rode through the streets of the city, with the Duke of
+Urbino on her right and the Ambassador of Naples on her left hand. On
+the 12th, the bride set out for Mantua, travelling by water up the
+river Po in a stately bucentaur presented to Isabella by Duke Ercole,
+adorned with rich carving and gilding. Her parents and three brothers,
+Alfonso, Ferrante, and the boy Ippolito, afterwards well known as
+Ariosto's patron, Cardinal d'Este, with a large suite, accompanied her
+to the gates of Mantua, where a magnificent reception awaited her. The
+young marquis had made great preparations to welcome his bride, and,
+after the fashion of the days, had borrowed gold and silver plate,
+carpets, and hangings from all his friends and relations, including the
+famous tapestries of the Trojan war, which were the chief ornaments of
+the palace of Urbino. The _fêtes_ passed off brilliantly, the crowds
+which assembled in the streets of Mantua were enormous, and the utmost
+enthusiasm was excited by the youth and loveliness of the bride. The
+only drawback was the absence of Mantegna, whom Pope Innocent had
+detained in Rome, in spite of his master's urgent request that the
+painter might return in time to arrange the wedding festivities.
+
+The void which Isabella left in her old home was keenly felt alike by
+her mother and sister. The duchess could not console herself for her
+daughter's absence, and after spending a delightful week with her
+sister-in-law Elizabeth on the lake of Garda, among the lemon-groves and
+gardens of those sunny shores, Isabella and her husband returned to
+Ferrara in April. Here she found that Beatrice's marriage had been again
+put off by Signor Lodovico's wish until the summer, and Isabella agreed
+to return to Ferrara early in July, and accompany her mother and sister
+to Milan. But when July came and the young marchioness reached Ferrara,
+she found to her surprise that all these plans had been suddenly
+changed. Lodovico had once more found it impossible to keep his
+engagement, and pleaded urgent public affairs and unavoidable pressure
+of business to excuse his apparent apathy. This time the duke and
+duchess were seriously annoyed, and began to doubt if Lodovico ever
+intended to wed their daughter. The question was gravely discussed
+during Isabella's visit, and a messenger from Milan suddenly reached
+Ferrara late one evening. It was no other than Messer Galeazzo Visconti,
+one of Lodovico's most trusted envoys, who had ridden from Milan in
+great haste, with letters from his lord. The contents of these letters
+remained unknown. One thing only was clear: they gave the duke great
+dissatisfaction. And Messer Galeazzo departed the next day, as quickly
+as he came. "I have tried in vain," wrote Benedetto Capilupi, the
+Marquis of Mantua's agent at Ferrara, "to discover the reason of all
+these disturbances. Every one is out of temper, and the duke seems to be
+very much displeased. M. Galeazzo has left suddenly."
+
+Isabella returned to join her husband at Mantua, leaving affairs in this
+unsatisfactory state. Beatrice's wedding seemed further off than ever,
+and doubts as to her union with Signor Lodovico began to be openly
+expressed. It was well known at Ferrara, where everything that happened
+at the court of Milan was minutely reported to Duke Ercole by his
+faithful envoy, Giacomo Trotti, that Lodovico Sforza had a mistress to
+whom he was fondly attached, and whom he had for many years past treated
+with the respect and honour due to a wife. This was Cecilia Gallerani,
+afterwards the wife of Count Lodovico Bergamini, a young Milanese lady
+of noble birth, as distinguished for her learning as for her beauty. She
+spoke and wrote Latin fluently, composed sonnets in Italian, and
+delivered Latin orations to the theologians and philosophers who met at
+her house. Contemporary writings abound in allusions to the rare virtues
+and learning of "la bella Gallerani," the Sappho of modern times.
+Scaligero wrote epigrams in her honour, Ortensio Lando classes her with
+Isabella d'Este and Vittoria Colonna among the most cultured women of
+the age. The novelist Matteo Bandello, himself a friar of the Dominican
+convent of S. Maria delle Grazie at Milan, is never tired of singing
+Cecilia's praises, and of describing the pleasant company who met at the
+countess's palace in Milan or at her villa near Cremona. There, he tells
+us, all the finest wits, all the most distinguished strangers in Milan
+assemble, and you may hear valiant captains reasoning with doctors and
+philosophers, or look at paintings and designs by living artists and
+architects, and listen to the playing and singing of the best musicians.
+As a young girl, Cecilia's charms captured the heart of the Moro, who,
+as early as 1481, bestowed the estate of Saronno, which he had inherited
+from his brother Sforza, upon her by a deed of gift, in which he
+extolled her learning and excellence, and at the same time recalled the
+merits and services of her ancestors. Soon after Leonardo da Vinci's
+arrival in Milan, Lodovico employed him to paint the portrait of his
+fair young mistress, and we have more than one proof of the admiration
+which the Florentine master's work excited among his contemporaries. In
+the _Rime_ of the court-poet, Bellincioni, we find the following sonnet
+evidently inspired by this picture and bearing the inscription: "On the
+portrait of Madonna Cecilia, painted by Maestro Leonardo." The poet
+seeks to appease Dame Nature's wrath at the sight of this portrait, in
+which the painter has represented the lovely maiden "listening, not
+speaking," but so full of life and radiance, that the sun's beams grow
+dim before the brightness of her eyes. And instead of envying art, he
+bids her rejoice that this living image of so beautiful a form will be
+handed down to future ages, and give thanks to Lodovico's wisdom and
+Leonardo's genius for having preserved this fair face to be the joy and
+wonder of posterity. "Thine, O Nature," he cries, "is the honour! the
+more living and beautiful Cecilia shall appear in the eyes of
+generations to come, the greater will be thy glory! For long as the
+world endures, all who see her face will recognize in Leonardo's work
+the close union of Art and Nature."
+
+    "Che lei vedrà, così ben che sia tardo,
+    Vederla viva, dirà: basti ad noi
+    Comprender or quel che è natura et arte."
+
+On the 26th of April, 1498, a year after Beatrice d'Este's death, her
+sister the Marchioness Isabella herself wrote to the Countess Bergamini
+from Mantua, begging her for the loan of the portrait which Leonardo had
+painted of her and which she had formerly seen in Milan. "Having to-day
+seen some fine portraits by the hand of Giovanni Bellini, we began to
+discuss the works of Leonardo, and wished we could compare them with
+these paintings. And since we remember that he painted your likeness; we
+beg you to be so good as to send us your portrait by this messenger whom
+we have despatched on horseback, so that we may not only be able to
+compare the works of the two masters, but may also have the pleasure of
+seeing your face again. The picture shall be returned to you
+afterwards, with our most grateful thanks for your kindness, and
+assuring you of our own readiness to oblige you to the utmost of our
+power, etc.
+
+                                                     "ISABELLA D'ESTE.
+
+From Mantua."
+
+Cecilia sent the precious picture by the courier to Mantua, with the
+following note in reply:--
+
+
+"MOST ILLUSTRIOUS AND EXCELLENT MADONNA AND VERY DEAR LADY,
+
+"I have read your Highness's letter, and since you wish to see my
+portrait I send it without delay, and would send it with even greater
+pleasure if it were more like me. But your Highness must not think this
+proceeds from any defect in the _Maestro_ himself, for indeed I do not
+believe there is another painter equal to him in the world, but merely
+because the portrait was painted when I was still at so young and
+imperfect an age. Since then I have changed altogether, so much so that
+if you saw the picture and myself together, you would never dream it
+could be meant for me! All the same, your Highness will, I hope, accept
+this proof of my good-will, and believe that I am ready and anxious to
+gratify your wishes, not only in respect to the portrait, but in any
+other way that I can, since I am ever Your Highness's most devoted slave
+and commend myself to you a thousand times.
+
+                                   "Your Highness's servant,
+                                        CECILIA VISCONTA BERGAMINA,[3]
+
+From Milan, the 29th of April, 1498."
+
+Since that day when the great Florentine first painted her, Cecilia
+Gallerani had developed into a handsome matron, and as Lodovico Sforza's
+recognized mistress she enjoyed a position of great honour at court. For
+some years she occupied a suite of rooms in the Castello of Milan, where
+her lover constantly visited her and took the greatest delight in her
+company. His passion for this beautiful and intellectual woman only
+seemed to increase 108 with years. She had already borne him one son,
+the Leone, whom he was known to love so well that his courtiers did not
+dare tell him the sad news when the child died suddenly in 1487. The
+Duke of Bari, it was even said, intended ere long to make her his lawful
+wife, and thus to render her future issue legitimate.
+
+Under these circumstances, it can hardly be wondered if Lodovico Sforza
+showed some reluctance in keeping the troth which he had plighted to the
+young princess of Este, while Duke Ercole's vexation was the more
+pardonable. For a time it seemed as if a rupture between the two houses
+was inevitable, and all thought of a union between them must be
+abandoned. But soon a change came over Il Moro's dream. The difficulties
+in the way of a closer union with Cecilia Gallerani were great, and must
+invariably lead to jealousies and quarrels of a serious order. His own
+position in Milan would be endangered, and fresh hindrances placed in
+the way of his future designs. At the same time, the alliances with
+Ferrara and Mantua were both of great importance to the state, and could
+not be lightly thrown away. So he determined to sacrifice his
+inclinations to political exigencies, and make Beatrice d'Este his wife.
+
+Accordingly, at the end of August he sent another ambassador, Francesco
+da Casate, to Ferrara with a magnificent gift for his bride, in the
+shape of a necklace of large pearls set in gold flowers, with a very
+fine pear-shaped pendant of rubies, pearls, and emeralds. This costly
+jewel was duly presented to Beatrice in the name of her affianced
+husband, and Duchess Leonora wrote forthwith to give her daughter
+Isabella the good news, informing her that Signor Lodovico hoped she
+would accompany her mother and sister to Milan that autumn for the
+wedding. The young marchioness was delighted to accept this invitation,
+and in the course of a few days she paid another visit to Ferrara, to
+assist in the preparations for her sister's marriage. Messer Galeazzo
+Visconti was sent there again to learn the duke and duchess's pleasure
+as to their daughter's journey, and, after making the final
+arrangements, left Ferrara on the 26th of November. The bride's
+departure was fixed for the last day of the year, and the wedding, it
+was decided, should take place in the chapel of the Castello of Pavia on
+the 16th of January.
+
+Isabella hurried to Mantua to buy horses and clothes, jewels and plate
+for her journey, and announced her intention of taking upwards of one
+hundred persons in her suite, with ninety horses and trumpeters.
+Afterwards, however, she reduced the number to fifty persons and thirty
+horses at the request of Lodovico, who begged her to bring as few
+attendants as possible, owing to the large number of guests who were
+expected at Milan. Her husband, the Marquis Gianfrancesco, had naturally
+been included in the invitation, but as a close ally of the Venetians he
+did not think it politic to appear at the wedding of Lodovico Sforza.
+The Signory of Venice were known to look coldly on this alliance between
+Ferrara and Milan, and entertained the deepest distrust of Lodovico's
+policy. So Isabella decided to join her mother and sister on their
+journey up the river, and proceed with them to Pavia and ultimately to
+Milan. Meanwhile another emissary from Milan had arrived at Ferrara.
+This was the young sculptor, Cristoforo Romano, who was sent to Signor
+Lodovico to carve a bust-portrait of his bride before she left her
+father's home. The son of a Pisan sculptor who had settled in Rome,
+Cristoforo's genius had attracted attention when he was quite a boy, and
+he had been sent to Milan by Cardinal Ascanio Sforza. The young Roman
+master was one of those brilliant and versatile artists who especially
+commended themselves to Lodovico. He sang and played the lute admirably,
+while his literary tastes made him the intimate friend of Bembo and
+Castiglione, and a great favourite with the cultured princesses of
+Mantua and Urbino. He takes a leading part in the dialogues of the
+Cortigiano, and is frequently mentioned as worthy to rank with Michael
+Angelo, whose fame he might have rivalled had he not suffered from
+continual ill health. As it is, the few works which he left behind him
+are marked with singular grace and refinement. His bust of Beatrice, now
+in the Louvre, where for many years it passed as the work of Leonardo,
+is at once remarkable for its truth and charm. The somewhat irregular
+features of the maiden of fifteen years are admirably given, the
+roundness of her cheeks, the pouting lips and slightly _retroussé_ nose,
+and the curling locks are faithfully represented; yet we realize the
+force of character that lies under this soft, child-like face, and the
+frank joyousness which made her so attractive. Each stray lock of hair
+is rendered with delicate accuracy, the brocaded bodice of her gown and
+the scarf lightly thrown over her shoulders are elaborately adorned with
+the triangular diamond and other favourite devices of the house of Este.
+The quaint figure of the two hands holding a veil, from which
+fertilizing dust falls on the open flower, is supposed to be an emblem
+of marriage, and is said to signify that Beatrice was already an
+affianced bride. But since the words "Herculis filiæ" are cut in the
+marble, it is plain that Cristoforo carved the bust while the young
+duchess was still in her father's home, and probably took it home with
+him that autumn to Milan.
+
+That year the winter set in with unusual severity. The bitter frost and
+cold which man and beast endured that January were long remembered, both
+in Mantua and Ferrara. On Christmas night it began to snow, and so heavy
+and continuous was the fall, that by noon on the next day the snow lay
+three feet deep in front of the Vescovado, or Bishop's house, opposite
+the Este palace. The Po was frozen over, and the ice on the river never
+thawed until the first week in February, while the snow lasted till the
+12th of March, and some patches might still be seen in the streets of
+Ferrara on the 20th of that month.
+
+In the midst of these unwonted rigours, the wedding-party set out on
+their long journey. The royal brides of these days seem to have been
+singularly unlucky in the matter of weather. For one thing, they always
+travelled in the depths of winter. Elizabeth Gonzaga almost died of
+exhaustion after the sufferings of her journey from Mantua to Urbino in
+a violent tempest, which kept her ship tossing on the waves of the Po
+for several days and nights. The fleet which conveyed Isabella and her
+escort from Naples to Leghorn, narrowly escaped shipwreck off the coast
+of Tuscany. Bianca Sforza had to ride in December over the roughest
+roads across the Alps of the Valtellina, to join her Imperial lord at
+Innsbrück. And now Leonora and her daughters were called upon to brave
+the terrors of an Arctic winter on their way to Milan.
+
+"On the 29th of December, 1490," writes the diarist of Ferrara,
+"Madonna Beatrice, daughter of Duke Ercole, went to Milan to marry
+Signor Lodovico Sforza, accompanied by her mother, Leonora Duchess of
+Ferrara; and also by Messer Sigismondo, her uncle"--the duke's younger
+brother, Cardinal d'Este--"and her brother, Don Alfonso, who went to
+bring home his bride, Madonna Anna, sister of the Duke of Milan and
+daughter of Galeazzo, and he rode in a sledge because the Po was
+frozen."[4]
+
+The ladies of the party travelled in rude country carts--"_carrette_"--as
+far as Brescello, where the Po was navigable, and they were able to
+continue their journey by water to Pavia. Here Messer Galeazzo Visconti
+was awaiting them with a fleet of boats and three bucentaurs, by which
+pompous name the rude barges in which these high-born personages travelled
+were glorified. The many discomforts and the actual cold and hunger which
+the Este ladies endured during the five days which they spent on board
+these vessels are graphically described in a letter addressed to Isabella's
+husband by her Ferrarese lady-in-waiting, Beatrice de' Contrari, after the
+travellers had reached Pavia. The boat which bore the provisions for the
+party was delayed by stress of weather, so that the travellers were left
+with but scanty breakfast and no dinner. When at length they anchored near
+the shore of Toresella at three o'clock at night, the Marchesana and her
+ladies were in a starving condition. "If it had not been for the timely
+help of Madonna Camilla, who sent us part of her supper from her barge, I
+for one," writes the lively lady-in-waiting, "should have certainly been
+by this time a saint in Paradise." As for going to bed, all wish for
+sleep was put out of their heads by the rocking of the ship and the
+uncomfortable berths, and the poor Marchesana was so cold and wretched
+without a fire that she wished herself dead, and her lady-in-waiting
+could not keep back her tears. However, at length these miseries were
+ended, Piacenza was safely reached, on the 12th of January, and the
+royal ladies and their companions were hospitably entertained by Count
+Bartolommeo Scotti, and enjoyed the luxury of warm fires and comfortable
+beds!
+
+"And now that we have arrived," wrote Beatrice de' Contrari to her lord,
+the marquis, "and are beginning to enjoy these weddings for the sake of
+which we have suffered so many discomforts, I am thinking seriously of
+making my last will and testament."[5]
+
+After a day's rest at Piacenza, the bridal party continued their journey
+up the river, and reached Pavia at half-past four on Sunday afternoon.
+Here Signor Lodovico was awaiting them on the banks of the river Ticino,
+which joins the Po a few hundred yards below the city, with a gallant
+company of Milanese lords and gentlemen, and himself conducted first
+Beatrice and then her mother and sister to the shore. Together they rode
+on horseback over the covered bridge which spans the river, and passed
+through the long streets until they reached the goal of their journey,
+and entered the gates of the far-famed Castello of Pavia.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[3] G. Uzielli, _Leonardo da Vinci e Tre Gentil donne Milanesi_, p. 23.
+
+[4] A Muratori, R. I. S., xxiv. 282.
+
+[5] Luzio-Renier in A. S. L., xvii. 85.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+City and University of Pavia--Duomo and Castello--The library of the
+Castello--Wedding of Lodovico Sforza, Duke of Bari, and Beatrice d'Este,
+in the chapel of the Castello of Pavia--Galeazzo di San Severino and
+Orlando--Reception of the bride in Milan--Tournaments and festivities at
+the Castello--Visit of Duchess Leonora to the Certosa of Pavia.
+
+1491
+
+
+The ancient city of Pavia, the capital of the Lombard kings before the
+conquest of Charlemagne, still presents a picturesque and imposing
+appearance to the traveller, who sees the red-brick walls and gates of
+the old fortifications and the slender bell-towers of its Romanesque
+churches rising out of the green plains on the banks of the broad and
+swift Ticino. But it was a far grander and more beautiful sight in the
+days when Lodovico Sforza's bride landed near the chapel on the bridge,
+and in the fading light of the short winter afternoon rode at his side
+through the chief streets of the old Lombard capital, or, as it was
+proudly called, the city of a hundred towers. On the princely cavalcade
+wound, amid a dense crowd of people shouting, "_Moro! Moro!_" up the
+long Strada Nova, with its marble palaces, and newly painted loggias
+adorned with busts and frescoes, in front of the stately _Ateneo_ with
+its halls and porticoes for the different schools, which had the
+reputation of being the finest university in all Italy, and past the
+rising walls of the new Duomo which Lodovico was building on the site of
+the ruined basilica of Charlemagne's time. A few months before, the
+renowned Sienese architect, Francesco Martini, had arrived at Pavia on
+horseback to give his advice as to the cupola of the new cathedral,
+accompanied by His Excellency's servant, Magistro Leonardo, the
+Florentine, and a vast train of servants, and had been entertained at
+the public expense. Martini had soon left again for Milan, after giving
+the architect of the Duomo, Bramante's pupil Cristoforo Rocchi, the
+benefit of his advice, and promising to send him a model of the cupola;
+but Leonardo had remained at Pavia all the summer and autumn, turning
+over old manuscripts in the library of the Castello, and discussing
+anatomical problems with the professors and surgeons of the university,
+until a peremptory summons had reached him from the governor of the
+Castello at Milan, desiring him to return immediately and assist in
+decorating the ball-room for the wedding _fêtes_. Another visitor, a
+citizen of Beatrice's own city of Ferrara, had also been at Pavia a few
+months before--the Dominican friar, Girolamo Savonarola, who had visited
+the Certosa and Castello of Pavia on his way from Brescia to preach at
+Genoa, before he was summoned at Pico della Mirandola's request to begin
+his famous course of Lent sermons in St. Mark's of Florence. But now the
+duke's painter and the humble friar had both gone their separate ways,
+Fra Girolamo to startle the scholars of the Medici circle with his
+thunders, and Leonardo to paint cupids in the halls of the Castello at
+Milan, and to resume his labours at the great equestrian statue of
+Francesco Sforza, which Signor Lodovico was longing to see finished. All
+unconscious of their existence, the young bride of the powerful regent
+rode at her lord's side and entered the wide courtyard through the great
+gateway, under the lofty towers of the famous Castello which for over a
+hundred and fifty years had been the home of Viscontis and Sforzas.
+
+After the cold and fatigue of the long journey in this snowy winter
+season, the bridal party were thankful to reach the end of their journey
+and to enjoy a day's rest before the wedding ceremony, which, after
+consultation with Messer Ambrogio da Rosate, the chief court physician
+and astrologer, had been fixed for Tuesday, the 17th of January, this
+being the day of Mars, and therefore especially propitious for the
+marriage of a lord, who above all things desired the birth of a son.
+Throughout his life Il Moro, like many of his contemporaries, had a
+blind belief in the stars, and placed the most implicit confidence in
+Messer Ambrogio, who was said to have saved his life during his
+dangerous illness at Vigevano three years before, and who had been
+lately called upon to cast the horoscope of Pope Innocent VIII. at the
+earnest entreaty of His Holiness. "Maestro Ambrogio has been suddenly
+called to fly to Vigevano," wrote Giacomo Trotti to Ferrara one day in
+1489, "because he is a professor of astrology, by which this excellent
+Signor orders all his actions." The date of Lodovico's journeys, the
+hour of all important court ceremonies, and even the movements of his
+armies in time of war, were regulated by the course of the stars. Messer
+Ambrogio, consequently, became a most important personage at the court
+of Milan. "Without him," wrote Beatrice's maid of honour to the
+Marchioness Isabella, "nothing can be done here."
+
+The beautiful park and gardens at Pavia lay deep in snow, their lakes
+and fountains were all frozen over, but there was plenty to interest and
+amuse the visitors within the walls of this great Castello, of which
+they had heard so much, and which was said to be the grandest of royal
+houses in the whole of Europe. Three or four generations of masters had
+been employed by successive Visconti dukes to rear this glorious fabric,
+which in its palmy days must have been a noble monument of Lombard
+architecture. The long colonnades of low round arches went back to
+Romanesque days and the times of the first Visconti lords of Pavia; the
+Gothic windows of the banqueting-hall and upper stories had been
+finished in the reign of the great Giangaleazzo, and were enriched with
+slender marble shafts and exquisite terra-cotta mouldings similar to
+those that we admire to-day in the cloisters of the Certosa. The vaulted
+halls were painted with the finest ultramarine and gold, and the arms of
+Sforzas and Viscontis, the lilies of France and the red cross of Savoy,
+appeared on the groined roof between planets and stars of raised gold.
+The vast Sala della Palla, where the dukes and their courtiers indulged
+in their favourite pastime of "pall-mall," which Burckhardt calls the
+classic game of the Renaissance, was decorated with frescoes by the best
+artists of Pavia or Cremona, representing fishing and hunting scenes.
+Portraits of the dukes and duchesses were introduced, together with
+lions and tigers, wild boars and stags flying before the hounds, in the
+forest shades or on the open moor. The ball-room was adorned with
+historic subjects from the lives of the earlier Viscontis. The poet
+Petrarch, who had once filled a chair in the university, was seen
+delivering an oration before the duke; and Giangaleazzo, the founder of
+the Duomo of Milan and of the Certosa, was represented seated at a
+festive board laden with gold and silver plate, entertaining foreign
+ambassadors, with his armour-bearer standing at his side, and his
+cupbearer pouring out the wine, while huntsmen and falconers with horses
+and dogs awaited his pleasure. Of later date were the frescoes in the
+duchess's rooms, representing the marriage of Galeazzo Sforza at the
+French court and the reception of Bona of Savoy at Genoa, while the
+paintings which adorned the chapel had only lately been completed by
+Vincenzo Foppa and Bonifazio da Cremona.
+
+Signor Lodovico was very proud, as he might well be, of this his
+ancestral home, and of the famous library which he had done so much to
+improve. He led his guests from room to room, and showed them all the
+rare and curious objects--the armoury with its store of ancient coats of
+mail and hauberks, of swords and helmets of ancient design, and its
+choice specimens of the engraved and damascened work; the breastplates
+and greaves that were a _specialité_ of Milanese armourers at this
+period; the wonderful clock of copper and brass worked by wheels and
+weights, upon which Giovanni Dondi had spent sixteen years of ceaseless
+thought and toil, and which not only had a peal of bells, but a complete
+solar system, showing the movement of sun, moon, and planets as set
+forth by Ptolemy. After Dondi's death, Duke Galeazzo had to send to
+Paris for a clockmaker who could regulate the works of this elaborate
+machine, which was so much admired by Charles V. when he visited Pavia
+in 1530, that he commissioned a mechanician of Cremona to make a similar
+one for him to take back to Spain. And Messer Lodovico showed them also
+what he himself held to be his greatest treasures--the precious books
+adorned by exquisite miniatures from the hand of Fra Antonio da Monza
+and other living artists, the Sforziada and the Chant de Roland, and the
+rare Greek and Latin manuscripts which he had been at such infinite
+pains to collect; the _codici_ brought from Bobbio by Giorgio Merula,
+and the manuscripts which Erasmo Brasca had discovered when _Il Moro_
+sent him to search for missing texts in the convents of the South of
+France. For Lodovico himself spared no expense and grudged no time or
+trouble in order to enrich what he felt to be a great national
+institution. Two years before he had addressed a letter to the son of
+Matthias Corvinus, King of Hungary--the prince who was to have wedded
+Bianca Sforza--begging him to have a rare manuscript by Festus Pompeius
+copied for him, and deploring the "decay of the knowledge of the Latin
+tongue in Italy, and the loss of so many priceless classical works which
+the barbarians have carried away."
+
+The sight of these precious and varied treasures were fully appreciated
+by the cultivated Duchess Leonora, who had grown up among the scholars
+of her royal father's academy at Naples, and by her daughter, the
+accomplished Marchesana Isabella, ever eager, as she says in one of her
+letters, to see and learn some new thing, "_desiderosa di cosa nova_."
+And Signor Lodovico proved himself the most courteous and pleasant of
+hosts, conversing with graceful ease on a thousand subjects, and
+gratifying his new sister-in-law by the marked attention and courtesy
+with which he treated her.
+
+"I find myself highly honoured and caressed by Signor Lodovico," she
+wrote to her husband from Pavia; and the discerning eyes of the
+Ferrarese ambassador, Giacomo Trotti, noticed how much pleasure His
+Excellency already took in the company of Madonna Beatrice and the
+Marchesana. On that first day which they spent together at the Castello,
+Trotti wrote to Duke Ercole, "Signor Lodovico is always at his wife's
+side, speaking to her and watching her most attentively. And he tells me
+that it would be impossible for her to give him greater pleasure or
+satisfaction than she does, and never ceases to praise her."
+
+The first impression which the youthful bride made on her husband was
+evidently favourable. By all accounts, Beatrice was a singularly lovely
+and fascinating child. Without the regular features and distinguished
+air of her sister Isabella, there was a distinct charm in her sparkling
+dark eyes and jet-black hair, her bright colouring and gay smile. The
+contemporary chronicler Muralti describes her in his Annals as "of
+youthful age, beautiful in face, and dark in colouring, fond of
+inventing new costumes, and of spending day and night in song and
+dancing and all manner of delights." In these early days at Pavia and
+Milan there was, indeed, Trotti tells us, a certain shyness and reserve
+about her that was only natural and might well be ascribed to maiden
+shyness and timidity, but in the freedom and gaiety of her new life this
+soon gave way to the irrepressible mirth and joyousness of youthful
+vivacity. From the first she seems to have become sincerely attached to
+Lodovico, who, although considerably older than herself, and already
+thirty-nine years of age, was a very handsome and splendid-looking man,
+of imposing stature and striking countenance, with courteous manners and
+gentle ways. And however often he may have excited her jealousy or
+wounded her feelings, his young wife never wavered in her love for him,
+but proved, as he himself confessed, the best and most devoted of
+companions.
+
+On Tuesday, the 17th of January, the long-delayed wedding finally took
+place, in the Castello of Pavia. A small but very brilliant company was
+assembled that day in the ancient chapel of the Visconti. The official
+festivities were to be celebrated at Milan, where the duke and duchess
+and their court were awaiting the bride's arrival, and the Ferrarese
+ambassador was the only foreign envoy present at the wedding. But
+Lodovico's personal friends and retainers mustered in force, as well as
+those captains and courtiers who could claim kinship with the house of
+Este. Niccolo da Correggio was there, as one nearly related to both
+bride and bridegroom, and was universally pronounced to be the
+handsomest and best dressed of all the cavaliers who were present that
+day. There, too, was Galeotto Prince of Mirandola, the husband of the
+gifted Bianca d'Este, and Rodolfo Gonzaga, the Marquis of Mantua's
+uncle, and, conspicuous by their lofty stature and martial air, the four
+Sanseverino brothers.
+
+The bride, arrayed in a white robe sown with pearls and glittering with
+jewels, was led to the altar by the Duchess of Ferrara and Marchioness
+of Mantua, supported by the young Don Alfonso, his uncle Sigismondo,
+and a select retinue of Ferrarese courtiers and ladies. It was rumoured
+that the Marquis Gianfrancesco Gonzaga had himself been seen in the
+crowd assembled in the courtyard of the Castello, and, much to
+Isabella's surprise, Lodovico asked the marchioness, at the banquet
+which followed, if this report were true. But Isabella could only reply
+that if her husband were at Pavia, she was unaware of the fact, and it
+was not until the last day of the tournament at Milan that the marquis
+appeared in public.
+
+"The nuptial benediction was pronounced, and the act of espousals
+confirmed by the ring which Signor Lodovico placed on the bride's
+finger, and that night the marriage was consummated," were the words of
+the official proclamation that was made in Milan the next day, and duly
+notified to the magistrates of the different cities in the duchy as well
+as to the duke's ambassadors at foreign courts.
+
+On the following morning Lodovico left for Milan, to complete the
+arrangements for the bride's reception early in the following week.
+Nothing, he was determined, should be left undone to do honour to his
+nuptials or to make the occasion memorable both in the eyes of the
+people of Milan and throughout Italy. During the summer and autumn
+preparations had been actively going on, and a whole army of painters,
+goldsmiths, and embroiderers were at work, decorating the suite of rooms
+in the Rocca, or inner citadel of the Castello of the Porta Giovia,
+adjoining the Corte Ducale, where the Moro and his bride were to take up
+their abode. "Here all hands are busy," wrote the Ferrarese envoy to his
+master, "and Lodovico takes care that for the duchess nothing is done by
+halves." When the date of the wedding had been finally determined, every
+nerve was strained to complete the works within the Castello, and an
+imperative summons was issued by Messer Ambrogio Ferrari, the chief
+ducal commissioner, to the governors of Cremona, Piacenza, and Pavia,
+commanding the immediate return of the painters who were absent in these
+cities. Among the masters especially mentioned in these letters, we find
+the names of Bernardino da Rossi, Zenale and Buttinone di Treviglio,
+Treso di Monza, and Magistro Leonardo. This was none other than the
+great Florentine, then absent at Pavia, who was required to give his
+advice, if not to assist, in the actual decoration of the _Sala della
+palla_ on the first floor of the Castello. The vaulted roof of this
+spacious hall, which was to serve as ball-room on this occasion, was
+painted in azure and gold to imitate the starry sky, while the walls
+were hung with canvases representing the heroic deeds of the great
+Condottiere, Francesco Sforza, whose glorious memory his son Lodovico
+was always eager to celebrate. At the entrance of the hall, an effigy of
+the hero on horseback was placed under a triumphal arch, with an
+inscription recalling his greatness, and saying that by virtue of these
+mighty exploits his children now triumph and hold festival in his
+honour.
+
+At the same time, orders were sent in the duke's name to the seneschals
+of the castles and towns between Pavia and Milan to see that the roads
+and bridges were repaired and widened, in order that the bridal party
+might be able to travel without hindrance or inconvenience. On the 18th
+of January, invitations were issued to the chief lords in the state, as
+well as to those foreign princes who were connected by marriage with the
+Sforza and Este families, the Marquis of Montferrat, the Marquis of
+Mantua, Giovanni Bentivoglio of Bologna, and others, requesting them to
+honour with their presence a three-days' tournament to be held on the
+great _piazza_ in front of the Castello, during the last week in
+January.
+
+While Lodovico was personally superintending the final arrangements,
+seeing that the last touches were given to the frescoes in the duchess's
+_Camerino_, or discussing to the masques and comedies that were to be
+performed, with Bramante and Leonardo, his bride remained at Pavia with
+her family and friends. The princesses of Este were well content, for
+not only were all the treasures of the Castello and library at their
+disposal, but they had the best of company in the person of Messer
+Galeazzo di Sanseverino, who had been charged by his father-in-law,
+Signor Lodovico, to supply his place during the interval of his enforced
+absence. And certainly no better squire of dames could have been found
+than this courteous and brilliant cavalier. He took Isabella and
+Beatrice out riding in the park, and showed them some of the beauties
+of that wide domain, which in the French chronicler's eyes seemed more
+like the garden of Eden than any earthly spot. They could not, it is
+true, admire those flowery lawns watered by crystal streams, and groves
+of plane and cypress and myrtle, which charmed the travellers from the
+north, and made Commines exclaim there was no other region in the world
+as divinely beautiful as the Milanese land. But they could visit the
+pleasure-houses and pavilions in the gardens, and hunt the stags and red
+deer that ran wild in the park. For their amusement Messer Galeazzo let
+fly some of those good falcons of his, with their jewelled hoods and
+silver bells, and chased the herons and water-fowl along the lake, while
+the ducal huntsmen followed in their suits of green velvet embroidered
+with gold, and blew their golden bugles. Indoors they laughed and sang
+together, and turned over the leaves of the illuminated missals or the
+rare folios of the library. And as they talked of Messer Matteo
+Boiardo's famous new poem and of the old French romances, a lively
+discussion over the respective merits of the paladins, Roland and
+Rinaldo di Montalbano arose between the two princesses on the one hand,
+and Messer Galeazzo on the other. Isabella and Beatrice were all in
+favour of the knight of Montalbano as the type of Italian chivalry,
+while Sanseverino, who had kinsmen at the court of France and took
+delight in French costumes and French literature, was as much at home in
+France as he was at Milan, and defended the matchless glory of his hero,
+Orlando. The quarrel waxed warm between them in those idle days, and in
+the fulness of their youth and high spirits they amused themselves,
+crying out, "Rolando! Rolando!" on the one side, and a "Rinaldo!" on the
+other, until one afternoon Messer Galeazzo was acknowledged victor, and
+even Isabella took up his cry of Roland, but soon returned to her old
+allegiance, and declared boldly that she would allow no rival to the
+wronged knight of Montalbano. The controversy was to be prolonged for
+many a day, and was to become the theme of more than one merry letter
+and gay challenge between the Marchesana Isabella and the handsome
+Sanseverino, who soon won over Duchess Beatrice to his side. So the days
+flew by until the week was almost over, and the time came to start for
+Milan. Every hour fresh news reached Pavia of the new wonders and
+marvellous entertainments that were awaiting them at the Milanese
+capital, and Isabella's spirits rose high with eager expectation and
+delight.
+
+"You ought to be here," this lively princess wrote to her youngest
+brother-in-law, Giovanni Gonzaga, who had stayed behind at Mantua, and
+was absent from the wedding _fêtes_. And she told him of all the jousts
+and banquets and balls that were to succeed each other at Milan, this
+wonderful city which she was longing to see for herself. "And among
+other _fêtes_," she added, "there will be three of the finest theatrical
+representations that have ever been seen. But one thing which will make
+you still more envious is that from Milan we mean to go and visit that
+glorious city of Genoa, where you have never been! Only think how many
+new places and lands we shall have seen by the time of our return! We
+wish you all good things, but fear our wishes will profit you little,
+and are sure my letter will make your mouth water."
+
+On Saturday the 21st the bridal party set out from Pavia, and, leaving
+the Certosa on the right, travelled across the Lombard plain to Binasco,
+where they spent the night at the feudal castle of the Visconti, the
+ruins of which may still be seen on the heights above the little town.
+On Sunday morning the procession entered Milan, and the bride was
+received by her cousin, Isabella of Aragon, wife of the reigning duke,
+who had ridden out to meet her at the suburban church of S. Eustorgio,
+where the bones of the martyred friar, S. Pietro Martire, repose in
+their shrine of sculptured marble. At the gates Duke Gian Galeazzo and
+his uncle met them, followed by a brilliant company of Milanese nobles,
+and Lodovico, clad in a gorgeous mantle of gold brocade, rode through
+the streets at the side of his youthful bride. A hundred trumpeters
+marched before them, filling the air with strains of martial music, and
+the crowds, who had assembled from all parts of Lombardy, thronged
+around to gaze on the duchess and her daughters, and more especially on
+the Moro's bride.
+
+The street decorations that day were on the grandest scale. Lodovico had
+given orders that no expense should be spared, and the magnificence of
+the pageant amazed the foreign ambassadors and visitors from Mantua and
+Ferrara. Not only were the walls and balconies hung with red and blue
+satin or brocades, while wreaths of ivy were twined round the columns
+and doorways, but one whole street where the armourers had their shops
+was lined with effigies of armed warriors on horseback, entirely clad
+with chain-armour and plates of damascened steel. "Every one took these
+mailed figures to be alive," says Tristan Calco, the admiring chronicler
+to whom we owe these details. The procession halted on the _piazza_ in
+front of the Castello, and the heralds gave a loud blast of music as the
+bride was lifted from her horse, and received under the grand portal by
+the duchess-mother, Bona of Savoy, and her two daughters, Bianca Maria
+and Anna Sforza. Bona herself had returned to Milan at the French king's
+request soon after her son's marriage, and had consented to an outward
+reconciliation with her brother-in-law, Lodovico. Her daughter Anna's
+marriage with the heir of the house of Este had always been one of the
+objects of her fondest wishes, and now she gave Duchess Leonora and her
+daughters a cordial welcome to her son's court.
+
+On the following day the marriage of Alfonso d'Este and the princess
+Anna was privately solemnized in the ducal chapel, but the final nuptial
+benediction was deferred until their return to Ferrara, a month later.
+Meanwhile the bride's sumptuous trousseau and jewels, as well as the
+splendid presents received by her, were displayed during the next week
+in the Castello, before the courtiers who came to pay their homage to
+the newly wedded Duke and Duchess of Bari. Of Anna Sforza herself we
+hear little, but her beauty and gentleness are praised by more than one
+contemporary chronicler, and endeared her especially to her uncle
+Lodovico, who was sincerely grieved by her early death. She and her
+husband paid frequent visits to Milan after her marriage, and were very
+happy in the society of Beatrice, whom she only survived a few months,
+dying at the birth of her first babe, to the great sorrow of her
+father-in-law, Duke Ercole. "She was very beautiful and very charming,"
+writes the Ferrarese diarist, "and there is little to tell about her,
+because she lived so short a time."
+
+The most splendid _fêtes_ were yet to come. On the 24th of January, the
+day after Alfonso and Anna's wedding, three tribunals were erected on
+the piazza, the one occupied by a group of heralds and trumpeters, the
+other loaded with precious bowls and dishes of gold and silver plate,
+the gifts of the magistrates of Milan and other cities to Signor
+Lodovico and his bride. The new duchess, accompanied by the other
+princes and princesses, arrayed in their richest robes and literally
+blazing with precious jewels, writes an eye-witness, ascended the third
+tribunal erected in the centre, and received the homage of the deputies
+of the city; after which two cavaliers, a Visconti and a Suardi, bending
+on one knee before the bride, took from her hand two lengths of cloth of
+gold, which were hung in the courtyard, as prizes to be given to the
+victor in the tournament. That evening two hundred Milanese ladies of
+high rank were invited to the great ball, or _festa per le donne_, given
+in the Sala della palla. On this occasion peasant girls from all parts
+of Italy, clad in the red, white, and blue of the Sforza colours, danced
+before the court, and "the palm of Terpsichore," we are told, was
+awarded to a Tuscan maiden.
+
+On the 26th, the Giostra, which was to be the crowning event of the
+week's festivities, began. At the tournament held in Pavia in honour of
+Giangaleazzo's wedding, the knights had for the most part appeared in
+their ordinary attire; but this time, to add greater splendour to the
+occasion, they entered the lists in companies, clad in fancy costumes
+and bearing symbolical devices after the fashion of the day. First of
+all came the Mantuan troop of twenty horsemen clad in green velvet and
+gold lace, bearing golden lances and olive boughs in their hand, with
+Isabella's kinsman, Alfonso Gonzaga, at their head. Then came Annibale
+Bentivoglio, the young husband of Lucrezia d'Este, with the Bologna
+knights, riding on a triumphal car drawn by stags and unicorns, the
+badge of the House of Este. These were followed by Gaspare di
+Sanseverino, with a band of twelve riders in black and gold Moorish
+dress, bearing Lodovico's device of the Moor's head on their helmets and
+white doves on their black armour. Last of all came a troop of wild
+Scythians, mounted on Barbary steeds, who galloped across the _piazza_,
+and then, halting in front of the ducal party, suddenly threw off their
+disguise and appeared in magnificent array, with the captain of the
+Milanese armies, Galeazzo di Sanseverino, at their head. He planted his
+golden lance in the ground, and at this sign a giant Moor, advancing to
+the front, recited a poem in honour of Duchess Beatrice.[6]
+
+These pageants and masques formed an important feature of Renaissance
+_fêtes_, and were evidently regarded as such by the chroniclers of these
+wedding festivities, but to us the chief interest of this tournament
+lies in the knowledge that the Scythian disguise assumed by Galeazzo di
+Sanseverino and his companions was designed by no less a personage than
+Leonardo da Vinci. Some of the drawings of savages and masks which we
+see to-day on the stray leaves of his sketch-books may relate to these
+figures, but we know for certain that he was actually employed by Messer
+Galeazzo to arrange this masquerade. In a note in his own handwriting,
+on the margin of the "Codex Atlanticus," we read, "Item, 26 of January,
+being in the house of Messer Galeazzo di San Sev^o, ordering the festa
+of his Giostra, certain men-at-arms took off their vests to try on some
+clothes of savages, upon which Giacomo" (the apprentice whom he had
+already caught thieving at Pavia) "took up a purse which lay on the bed
+with their other clothes, and took the money that was inside it." The
+actual share which the great Florentine took in the preparation of the
+wedding festivities has often been discussed, and we are never likely to
+know how much of the duchess's cabinet he painted, or what part he took
+in the decoration of the city, but at least this characteristic note on
+the lad whose honesty he had reason to suspect, proves that he was
+present in Milan at the time, and was the authority to whom Lodovico's
+son-in-law naturally turned for advice in planning this masquerade.
+Incidents of this kind help us to realize how many and varied were the
+offices Leonardo was called upon to discharge in his master's service,
+and how frequent were the interruptions which interfered with the
+painting of his pictures or the modelling of his great horse.
+
+After this pageant, the serious business of the Giostra began, and the
+tilting-matches lasted during three whole days. Among the foremost
+knights who distinguished themselves on this occasion, the chronicler
+and court poet mention the Marquis of Mantua, who entered the lists in
+disguise; young Annibale Bentivoglio, who wounded his hand badly, but
+refused to leave the ground; the Marchesino Girolamo Stanga, one of
+Isabella d'Este's especial friends and of Beatrice's most devoted
+servants; and Niccolo da Correggio, who was universally admired in his
+suit of gold brocade. All four Sanseverini brothers fought in the lists
+with their wonted skill and valour, but once more Messer Galeazzo,
+_Gentis columen_, came off the victor and proved himself unrivalled in
+courtly exercises, both as jouster and swordsman. On the last day of the
+tournament the prizes were given away, and Messer Galeazzo was conducted
+triumphantly to the Rocca, and there received the _pallium_ of gold
+brocade from the bride's own hand.[7] As soon as Lodovico recognized the
+Marquis of Mantua, he sent him a pressing invitation to take his place
+with the ducal party; and Gianfrancesco, unable to refuse so courteous a
+request, joined his wife and sat down with the rest of his kinsfolk to
+the family banquet, which was held that night in the Castello.
+
+A curious letter, addressed by the Duke of Milan to his uncle Cardinal
+Ascanio Sforza in Rome, gives a full and minute account of this
+tournament, which Giangaleazzo describes as one of the most important
+events of his reign, and which he begs may be fully reported to His
+Holiness Pope Innocent. He dwells on the extraordinary magnificence of
+the sight, on the number and size of the lances used, which were more
+numerous and larger than ever before seen on these occasions, and ends
+with a splendid tribute to Messer Galeazzo, who both in valour and
+fortune surpassed all others. On the other hand, we recognize the
+cunning of Lodovico in the despatch addressed on this occasion by the
+ducal secretary to the Milanese envoy at Bologna. Here the incidents of
+the Giostra are briefly recounted, and great stress is laid on the
+valour displayed by Messer Annibale Bentivoglio, who, notwithstanding
+his wounded hand, broke many lances, and, in spite of his great youth,
+proved himself as skilled a jouster as any, and won no less glory than
+if he had borne off the prize, which he would certainly have done if
+fortune had served him as well as he deserved.
+
+The wedding festivities were now brought to a close, and were
+unanimously pronounced to have passed off with brilliant success.
+Nothing now remained for the bride's mother but to take leave of her
+daughter and return home. Accordingly, on the 1st of February, Duchess
+Leonora set out on her homeward journey, with her son and his newly-made
+bride and the Marchioness Isabella, accompanied by an escort of two
+hundred Milanese gentlemen, with Anna's brother, Ermes Sforza, and the
+Count of Caiazzo--Gianfrancesco, the eldest of the Sanseverino brothers
+--at their head. Both Leonora and Isabella were anxious to see the
+Certosa, of which they had heard so much, on their way back to Pavia,
+and Lodovico, glad to do the honours of this famous abbey, in which he
+took a just pride, sent a courier with the following letter to inform
+the prior and brothers of the Duchess of Ferrara's visit:--
+
+"Since, besides the other honours which we have paid to the illustrious
+Duchess of Ferrara, we are above all anxious to show her the most
+remarkable things in our domain, and since we count this our church and
+monastery to be among the chief of these, we write this to inform you
+that the said duchess will visit the Certosa on Wednesday next, on her
+return home. And we desire you to give her a fitting reception, and to
+prepare an honourable banquet for the duchess and her company, which
+will number about four hundred persons and horses. No excuse on your
+part can be allowed, since this is our will and pleasure. And above all
+you will see that an abundant supply of lampreys is prepared. But we are
+quite sure that you will do your best to pay honour to the duchess,
+since otherwise we should feel obliged to do a thing that would be
+displeasing to you, and send our chamberlain to provide for her
+honourable entertainment."[8]
+
+The prior and brothers of the Certosa knew their own interest too well
+not to comply with this somewhat imperious missive, and left nothing
+undone which could gratify their illustrious guests. Isabella's
+curiosity for the beautiful and marvellous was amply gratified, and in
+Lodovico's future letters to his sister-in-law we find more than one
+allusion to "our church and convent of the Certosa, which you saw when
+you were at Pavia." After spending the following night at the Castello
+di Pavia, the duchess and her large party embarked on the bucentaurs
+that were awaiting them at the junction of the Ticino and the Po, and
+reached Ferrara on the 11th of February, there to begin a new series of
+splendid entertainments in honour of Don Alfonso's marriage with this
+Sforza princess.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[6] Porrò in A. S. L., ix. 501, etc.
+
+[7] T. Chalcus, _Residua_, 90.
+
+[8] C. Magenta, _I Visconti e Sforza nel Castello di Pavia_, i.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+
+Beatrice Duchess of Bari--Her popularity at the court of
+Milan--Giangaleazzo and Isabella of Aragon--Lodovico's first
+impressions--His growing affection for his wife--His letters to Isabella
+d'Este--Hunting and fishing parties--Cuzzago and Vigevano--Controversy
+on Orlando and Rinaldo--Bellincioni's sonnets.
+
+
+1491
+
+
+We have seen how the childhood and early youth of Beatrice d'Este had
+been spent, first at her grandfather the King Ferrante's court at
+Naples, afterwards in her own home at Ferrara. Under the watchful eye of
+a wise and careful mother, she had been trained in all the learning and
+accomplishments of the day, but had been allowed little liberty or
+opportunity of revealing her strong individuality. Her charms and
+talents had been thrown into the shade by the superior beauty and
+intellect of the Marchioness Isabella, and until the day she landed at
+Pavia she had been regarded in the comparatively insignificant light of
+the younger and less gifted sister. Now all this suddenly changed. At
+the age of fifteen, Beatrice d'Este found herself the wife of the ablest
+and most powerful prince in Italy, released from all the restraints
+hitherto imposed upon her and placed in a position of absolute freedom
+and independence. From the quiet regularity of the sheltered life which
+she had led at Ferrara by her mother's side, she suddenly found herself
+transplanted to the gayest and most splendid court in Italy, surrounded
+by every luxury that wealth could give and every beautiful object that
+taste could devise. The bravest captains and the most accomplished
+artists of the day were at her feet, ready to obey her orders and
+gratify her smallest fancy. Leonardo and Bramante were at hand to
+arrange pageants and masquerades, to paint _amorini_ on her mantelpiece
+or mythological fables along the frieze of her rooms, to build elegant
+pavilions, or lay out labyrinths and lakes in her garden. Bellincioni
+and a dozen other poets celebrated her name and recorded her words and
+actions in verse; learned scholars and commentators read Dante to her
+when she cared to listen. Niccolo da Correggio not only wrote sonnets
+and canzoni for her to sing but invented new patterns for her gowns; and
+Cristoforo Romano laid down the sculptor's chisel to play the lyre or
+viol for her pleasure. For her the wise man of Pavia, Lorenzo Gusnasco,
+fashioned cunningly wrought instruments, lutes and viols inlaid with
+ebony and ivory, and organs inscribed with Latin mottoes; and the
+wonderful tenor, Cordier, the priest of Louvain, sang his sweetest and
+most entrancing strains in the ducal chapel. For her amusement the court
+jesters laughed and chattered and played their foolish tricks--Diodato,
+who had followed her from Ferrara, and the witty clown Barone, the
+petted favourite of Isabella d'Este and Veronica Gambara and a dozen
+other great ladies. And Messer Galeazzo was ready to risk his life and
+ruin his best clothes, all for the sake of his duchess. From the moment
+of Beatrice's arrival at the Milanese court she won all hearts, less by
+her beauty than by her vivacity and high spirits, her bright eyes and
+ringing laugh, her frank gladness and keen enjoyment of life. How
+favourable was the first impression which the young duchess made upon
+those around her, we learn from the letters which the Ferrarese envoy
+and ladies-in-waiting addressed almost daily to her anxious parents,
+during the first few weeks after her marriage. Every little incident,
+each word or act that is likely to please Duchess Leonora, is faithfully
+reported by these good servants, in their eagerness to allay the natural
+fears of the loving mother for the absent child in her brilliant but
+difficult position. The demeanour of Signor Lodovico towards his wife,
+all he said and thought of her, was narrowly watched by Giacomo Trotti,
+and duly repeated in his letters to Ferrara. For the present this was
+eminently satisfactory. "Signor Lodovico," writes the ambassador during
+the wedding festivities at Milan, "has nothing but the highest praise
+both for his wife and the Marchesana. He is never tired of saying how
+much pleasure he takes in their company.
+
+"Here jousting and tilting, feasting and dancing, are the order of the
+day. Signor Lodovico is delighted with his wife's appearance, and
+to-day, when she gave away the prizes, he kissed her repeatedly in the
+eyes of all the people."
+
+And again a few days later, when the festivities were ended and the
+ducal family were enjoying a little rest before the party broke up, he
+writes--
+
+"Whenever Lodovico Sforza is wanted, he is always to be found in the
+company of his wife, of the Marchesana, of Don Alfonso and Madonna Anna,
+with whom he is never tired of talking and laughing, exactly as if he
+were a youth of their own age."
+
+On the 6th of February, after the departure of the duchess and her
+children, Trotti wrote again, remarking, "Signor Lodovico seems to think
+of nothing but how best to please and amuse his wife, and every day he
+tells me how dear she is to him."[9]
+
+Among the Ferrarese ladies who had remained at Milan, in attendance on
+the young duchess, was her cousin, Polisenna d'Este, who, being
+considerably older and more sedate, and no longer either young or
+beautiful, had for these very reasons been placed by Leonora in her
+daughter's household, and desired to keep her informed of all that
+happened. Early in February this lady-in-waiting wrote the following
+letter to Isabella d'Este, in terms that were well calculated to
+reassure both the anxious sister and mother as to Beatrice's happiness
+and her husband's behaviour:--
+
+
+"MOST ILLUSTRIOUS MADONNA AND DEAR MARCHESANA,
+
+"Since I have remained here after your Highness's departure from Milan,
+continually in the company of your sister, the illustrious Duchess of
+Bari, and of her husband, Signor Lodovico, I will no longer delay to
+discharge my duty in sending you some comforting words as to the
+well-being and happiness of the said duchess. I cannot express how happy
+she is to see herself every day more affectionately caressed and petted
+by her husband, who seems to find his sole delight in giving her every
+possible pleasure and amusement. It is indeed a rare joy to see them
+together and to realize what cordial love and good-will he bears her.
+God grant it may last long! And I felt that I must write this good news
+to your Highness, knowing that it would give you especial satisfaction.
+I will only add that the air here seems to suit her particularly well,
+and that she is certainly very much improved and stronger in appearance,
+and seems every day to grow more beautiful. I beg of your Highness to
+commend me to Madonna Beatrice and Collona.
+
+                                   "Your Highness's servant,
+                                                     POLISSENA D'ESTE.
+
+From Milan, 12th of February, 1491."
+
+And Beatrice herself wrote to Isabella in answer to her letter from her
+sister, describing the festivities at Ferrara, where her presence had
+been sadly missed by her affectionate relatives.
+
+"I leave you to imagine how much content and delight your letter of the
+17th has given me. For in it you give me so full and vivid a description
+of the successful _fêtes_ in honour of the wedding of Madonna Anna, our
+brother's wife and dearest sister, that I seem to have been present
+there myself. And since you know well how much I love and respect you, I
+am sure you will understand how glad I was to hear from you. Your
+letter, indeed, gave me greater pleasure than any which I have received
+since you left here, and I am quite sure that all of these pageants and
+spectacles were distinguished by the utmost beauty and gallantry, as you
+say, since they were all planned and arranged by our dear father, who
+orders these things with consummate wisdom and perfection. I can well
+believe that my absence has been a real grief to you, and that these
+_fêtes_ have given you but little pleasure, since I was not there. For
+my own part, I cannot deny that, now I am without your company, I feel
+not only that I am deprived of a very dear sister, but that I have lost
+half of myself. And if it were not for the new and continual amusements
+which my illustrious husband provides every day for my pleasure, I
+should have been inconsolable until I could be once more with you. But
+since our hearts and thoughts are still one, and we are able to exchange
+letters constantly, I beg you to take comfort as I do, and rest content
+in feeling that, now these ceremonies are all over, we can at least speak
+to each other by means of letters, written with our own hands, as you
+have promised me."[10]
+
+This simple, warm-hearted letter, which breathes all the frankness and
+affection of Beatrice's nature, is written, like most of her early
+letters, in her own hand. The words are often badly spelt, and her
+handwriting is larger and less formed than that of Isabella, which it
+otherwise resembles. But owing to the multiplicity of interests and
+occupations that claimed her time after the first years of her married
+life, the young duchess generally employed a secretary, and has left
+comparatively few letters. Lodovico himself addressed several letters to
+his sister-in-law, to whom he was sincerely attached, and in order to
+facilitate the intercourse between the two sisters, and as he said, to
+leave Isabella no excuse for not answering his communications, he sent a
+courier regularly every week to Mantua, with orders to await the
+Marchesana's pleasure and bring back her letters.
+
+"Loving you cordially as I do," he writes, a fortnight after her
+departure, "and, knowing that I have in you a very dear sister, nothing
+can give me greater pleasure than letters from your hand. I thank your
+Highness most sincerely for all that you tell me, and most of all for
+your warm expressions of affection and for saying how sorry you were to
+leave us, and how not even the splendid _fêtes_ in Ferrara could console
+you for being deprived of our presence. All I beg of you is to write
+often, and I will see that your letters are brought here."
+
+Besides her sister and brother-in-law and Madonna Polisenna, Isabella
+had another correspondent at the court of Milan, in the person of Messer
+Galeazzo di Sanseverino, with whom she had formed a warm friendship at
+Pavia, and who had promised to give her frequent news of her sister,
+while at the same time he still carried on the battle over Roland and
+Rinaldo which had been started in the park of the Castello at Pavia. He
+too, writing on the 11th of February, was able to assure the Marchesana
+that all was going well, and that the relations between her sister and
+Signor Lodovico left nothing to be desired.
+
+"My Duchess," as he always calls the mistress to whose service he had
+pledged his sword and life, "perseveres in showing Signor Lodovico an
+affection which is truly beyond all praise, and, to put it briefly, I am
+satisfied that there is such real attachment between them, that I do not
+believe two persons could love each other better."
+
+The presence of this young and joyous princess gave a touch of romance
+to court life, and inspired men like Galeazzo and Niccolo da Correggio
+with a chivalrous devotion to her person. Every one was ready to obey
+her wishes, and eager to win her smiles and to earn her thanks.
+
+Even Giangaleazzo, the feeble duke who seldom took pleasure in anything
+but horses and dogs, and often treated his own wife in a brutal way,
+felt the charm of this bright young creature, and was stirred out of his
+usual apathy by the coming of Beatrice. In a letter which he addressed
+to the Duke of Ferrara after the wedding festivities, he went out of his
+way to express the affection with which this charming princess, his
+wife's cousin and his uncle's wife, has inspired him.
+
+"I cannot," he writes, "sufficiently express how much joy this marriage
+has given me, and how glad I am to see the singular virtues and talents
+of _Madonna la sposa_." And after formally congratulating the duke on
+his daughter's marriage, and on the renewed alliance between the two
+houses, he goes on to say how much he rejoices in his uncle's happiness,
+which will, he feels sure, only increase his own. "For by means of this
+marriage, besides the two sisters which God had already given us, we
+have now gained a third, whom by God's grace we shall not love less than
+the two who are ours by nature."
+
+Giangaleazzo's own wife, Duchess Isabella, a virtuous and high-minded
+princess whose own merits were sadly hampered by her husband's weakness
+and folly, was much beloved by her own servants, but inherited the proud
+reserve of the Aragonese race, and led a secluded existence with her
+lord, who hated town life and seldom showed his face in Milan. But this
+young wife of Lodovico, it was easy to see, would soon throw her into
+the shade. Beatrice's presence lent a charm to the most tedious court
+functions. Her high spirits and overflowing mirth threw new zest into
+every pursuit. Grave senators and wise statesmen listened to her words
+with interest, and grey-headed prelates tolerated her merry jokes and
+smiled at her irrepressible laughter. She sang and danced, and played at
+ball and rode races, and took long hunting and fishing expeditions to
+the royal villas in the neighbourhood of Milan. "My wife," wrote
+Lodovico to his sister-in-law three months after his marriage, "has
+developed a perfect passion for horsemanship, and is always either
+riding or hunting."
+
+The regent himself was too deeply engaged in state affairs, and devoted
+too much time and attention to the details of administration, to be able
+to accompany his wife as a rule. But she had a devoted comrade in her
+husband's son-in-law, whom he deputed to escort the duchess on her more
+distant expeditions. Since his betrothal to Lodovico's daughter,
+Galeazzo had enjoyed all the privileges of a son, and was already, what
+the Moro had promised to make him, the first man in the state. He
+assisted at all state audiences, and was the only person present when
+Lodovico received foreign ambassadors. He shared the Moro's private
+life, and always dined alone with the duke and duchess when there were
+no other guests at their table. His letters to Isabella d'Este give
+lively accounts of the expeditions which he took in Beatrice's company
+during the first few months of her married life.
+
+"This morning, being Friday," he writes on the 11th of February, 1491,
+"I started at ten o'clock with the duchess and all of her ladies on
+horseback to go to Cussago, and in order to let your Highness enter
+fully into our pleasures, I must tell you that first of all I had to
+ride in a chariot with the duchess and Dioda, and as we drove we sang
+more than twenty-five songs, arranged for three voices. That is to say,
+Dioda took the tenor part, and the duchess the soprano, whilst I sang
+sometimes bass and sometimes soprano, and played so many foolish tricks
+that I really think I may claim to be more of a fool than Dioda! And now
+farewell for to-night, and I will try to improve still further, so as to
+afford your Highness the more pleasure when you come here in the
+summer."
+
+But Messer Galeazzo's story does not end here. A day or two later he
+takes up the thread of his discourse again, and describes the pleasant
+day which the duchess spent at Cussago, one of Lodovico Sforza's
+favourite villas on the sunny slopes of the Brianza, six miles from
+Milan, on the way to Como.
+
+"Having reached Cussago," he goes on, "we had a grand fishing expedition
+in the river, and caught an immense quantity of large pike, trout,
+lampreys, crabs, and several other good sorts of smaller fish, and
+proceeded to dine off them until we could eat no more. Then, to make our
+meal digest the better, directly after dinner we began to play at ball
+with great vigour and energy, and after we had played for some time we
+went over the palace, which is really very beautiful, and, among other
+things, contains a doorway of carved marble, as fine as the new works at
+the Certosa. Next we examined the result of our sport, which had been
+laid out in front of the place, and took back as many of the lampreys
+and crabs as we could eat with us, and sent some of the lampreys to his
+Highness the duke. When this was done, we went to another palace and
+caught more than a thousand large trout, and after choosing out the best
+for presents and for our own holy throats, we had the rest thrown back
+into the water. And then we mounted our horses again, and began to let
+fly some of those good falcons of mine which you saw at Pavia, along the
+river-side, and they killed several birds. By this time it was already
+four o'clock. We rode out to hunt stags and fawns, and after giving
+chase to twenty-two and killing two stags and two fawns, we returned
+home and reached Milan an hour after dark, and presented the result of
+our day's sport to my lord the Duke of Bari. My illustrious lord took
+the greatest possible pleasure in hearing all we had done, far more,
+indeed, than if he had been there in person, and I believe that my
+duchess will in the end reap the greatest benefit, and that Signor
+Lodovico will give her Cussago, which is a place of rare beauty and
+worth. But I have cut my boots to pieces and torn my clothes, and played
+the fool into the bargain, and these are the rewards one gains in the
+service of ladies. However, I will have patience, since it is all for
+the sake of my duchess, whom I never mean to fail in life or death."
+
+[Illustration: SFORZA MS. ILLUMINATED _From a private photograph._]
+
+Galeazzo was a true prophet, and in the British Museum we may still
+admire the beautifully illuminated deed of gift, adorned with friezes of
+exquisite cherubs and medallion-portraits of Lodovico and Beatrice, by
+which the fair palace and lands of Cussago became the property of the
+young duchess. This favourite villa of the Visconti had been left by
+Francesco Sforza to his son Lodovico, who had employed a host of
+architects and painters to adorn its walls. Bramante is said to have
+reared the noble bell-tower and portico that are still standing, while
+Milanese or Pavian sculptors carved the medallions bearing the Sforza
+arms, and the portrait of Lodovico that may still be seen on the arcades
+of the loggia. To-day the once beautiful country-house is a ruin; the
+marble doorway which Galeazzo and Beatrice admired, carved it may be by
+that same Cristoforo Romano to whom we owe the portal of the Stanga
+palace, and that of Isabella d'Este's studio at Mantua, has disappeared.
+Only the fragments of frescoes and the rich terra-cotta mouldings and
+slender columns of the elegant _cortile_ recall the joyous day which
+Beatrice d'Este and her ladies spent at the villa. But their memory
+sheds a glamour on the scene, and in the story of those Renaissance
+days, among so much that is dark and sinister, it is pleasant to recall
+this picture of the young duchess and her gallant cavalier singing songs
+for pure gladness of heart as they rode out together in the fair spring
+morning.
+
+"One thing only," wrote Messer Galeazzo, "was wanting to our pleasure,
+and that was the sweet company of yourself, fair Madonna Marchesana."
+And with a sigh he tells her how much she is missed in the Castello of
+Milan, and how often he wishes he could find her in Madonna the Duchess
+of Ferrara's rooms, having her long hair combed and curled by her
+favourite maidens Teodora and Beatrice and Violante, to all of whom he
+sends courteous greeting. Then he returns to the old controversy over
+Orlando, and replies to a gay challenge which Isabella has sent him in a
+letter to Signor Lodovico, only wishing she were here to defend Rinaldo
+in person, or rather to be made to own the error of her ways, and to
+confess that the knight of Montalbano is not to be compared to Roland!
+But he warns her that if she perseveres in this heresy, he will draw up
+such an indictment of Rinaldo's faults as will fill her with confusion,
+and make her recognize with shame his inferiority to Roland, that baron
+of immortal fame, of whom nothing but good can be said. Isabella,
+however, stuck to her colours, and, a whole month later, Messer Galeazzo
+sent her a long letter from Vigevano, in which he drew up an elaborate
+parallel between the conduct of the two paladins, as recorded in
+Boiardo's poem, and ended with a splendid eulogy of Roland.
+
+"Roland the most Christian! Roland the pure and strong, prudent, just,
+and merciful servant of Christ, the true defender of widows and orphans!
+Of his valour I will say nothing, this being known to all the world; but
+this I say, that when I think of my worship for Roland, however sad and
+ill disposed I may be feeling, my heart rejoices, and I become glad of
+heart and joyous again."
+
+So he begs her, for the love that he bears her Highness, to try and
+amend her ways and recant her errors, and do penitence in this Lenten
+season for her fault, after the example of the great apostle St. Paul,
+who was converted to the Christian faith, and became an elect son and
+mighty preacher of the gospel, bringing many to righteousness and
+enjoying the high favour of our Lord God. For Roland, the Marchesa may
+know for certain, has his place in Paradise with the saints, "and in
+serving him you will be serving God; but if, on the other hand, you
+persevere in your false opinions, you will find that you are serving the
+devil, who accompanied Rinaldo both in his life here and afterwards in
+his death. And remember," he adds in conclusion, "when the blind lead
+the blind, both fall into the ditch!"
+
+Nothing daunted by this long harangue, Isabella retorted in an equally
+lengthy epistle, flatly denying the charges brought against Rinaldo as
+false and unsupported by a tittle of evidence. Galeazzo replied in
+another bantering letter, assuming the part of a priest, and exhorting
+the fair sinner to confess her faults in these holy days of Passiontide,
+lest she should incur greater damnation, and drive her soul into the
+devil's jaws.
+
+"And since this is the hour of penitence and contrition," he concludes,
+"I would once more beg and pray your Highness to return to the true
+faith and devotion of Roland, having before your eyes the good example
+of our most illustrious duchess, your sister, who has acknowledged her
+errors, and become a sincere follower of Roland, as a good Christian,
+and is now gone to Milan to obtain pardon.
+
+                                "Your most humble and devoted servant,
+                                             GALEAZ SFORTIA VICECOMES,
+                                             _Armorum Capitaneus_.[11]
+
+Vigevano, 30th of March, 1491."
+
+Isabella, however, still remained obdurate, declaring that on no account
+would she follow Beatrice's changeable conduct, and was ready to defend
+her hero against a hundred thousand opponents. Upon which Galeazzo
+reminded her that, for all her boastings, she had been constrained to
+yield to his single-handed efforts in the park at Pavia, and had ended
+by taking up his cry of "Roland." The more pity that she should turn her
+back upon the good cause now, and prove the inconstancy of woman's
+nature! But he consoled himself by reflecting that the Marchesana would
+soon be back at Milan, when he would easily be able to make her give up
+Rinaldo, and once more cry "Roland" as she had done before.
+
+This letter was written by Galeazzo on the 13th of April, after which
+the subject dropped for a while, until it was revived by a visit which
+his brother, Gaspare Fracassa, paid to Mantua in the summer with his
+wife, Margherita Pia, a great friend of the Marchesana and Duchess of
+Urbino. Isabella could not resist the opportunity of returning the
+charge, and sent Messer Galeazzo, by his brother's hands, a challenge to
+battle, couched in approved terms, and indicating her choice of arms and
+of the scene of action. Galeazzo replied in the most courteous language,
+declaring himself absolutely at the service of his fair challenger, and
+assuring her that her coming is awaited with the utmost impatience by
+Signor Lodovico, the Duchess of Bari, and her humble servant.
+
+Meanwhile Isabella prepared herself for the fray by collecting all the
+information on the subject that she could possibly obtain. In that same
+month of August, when Galeazzo sent her the last-named letter from his
+villa at Castelnuovo, near Tortona, the Marchesana wrote to the Mantuan
+ambassador at Venice, desiring him to send her all the poems and
+romances concerning French paladins at the court of Charlemagne which he
+could discover. At the same time she addressed a letter to her old
+friend, Messer Matteo Boiardo, at Ferrara, requesting him to send her
+the concluding cantos of his poem, the "Orlando Innamorato," which had
+not as yet been given to the world. The poet replied that, to his great
+regret, he was unable to comply with her wish, since the cantos in
+question were not yet written; and Isabella could only beg him to let
+her have a copy of the two earlier books, in order that she might
+refresh her memory by reading them once more.
+
+But the Marchesana's intended visit to Milan was, after all, put off,
+and Messer Galeazzo was called away to more arduous duties in camp and
+field. The debate, which had been prolonged with so much wit and
+ingenuity on both sides, came to an abrupt ending. It was left to the
+Florentine poet, Bellincioni, in whose verses the smallest incidents
+that took place at court were faithfully reflected, to celebrate this
+"praiseworthy and memorable duel of intellect between these two august
+personages." At Beatrice's command Bellincioni wrote three sonnets
+illustrating the arguments brought forward on either side. In the first,
+he adopts Isabella's standpoint, and is all in favour of Rinaldo. In the
+second, he sees a vision of Roland with the saints in Paradise, and
+declares almost in the same language as Galeazzo, that whereas Rinaldo
+was only a brave soldier, Roland was able and virtuous as well as
+valiant. Finally, in the third, he exhorts the illustrious marchioness
+to recant her errors, since the Scriptures tell us that it is human to
+err, and not to follow the bad example of Pharaoh who hardened his
+heart, but to see how immeasurably inferior Rinaldo was to his rival,
+and to become, with Messer Galeazzo and others of his merit, a true
+Christian and follower of Roland.
+
+The whole controversy is a curious instance of the deep interest which
+these great ladies of the Italian Renaissance and their courtiers took
+in literary subjects, and especially in the romances of the Carlovingian
+cycle. This interest was not confined to the upper circles of society,
+but spread through all classes, and was no doubt largely increased by
+the songs and the improvisations of strolling minstrels and Provençal
+story-tellers. First of all the Florentine Pulci, and after him Boiardo
+and Bello of Ferrara, sought inspiration in the same source, and later
+on their example was followed by Ariosto and Tasso. And Poggio, writing
+in the fifteenth century, tells us how in his day a worthy citizen of
+Milan, after hearing one of these wandering _cantatores_ chanting the
+story of Roland's death with dramatic action and effect, went home
+weeping so bitterly that his wife and friends could hardly console him
+or induce him to dry his tears. "And yet," remarks the grave historian,
+"this Roland they tell of has been dead well-nigh seven hundred years."
+
+Unfortunately, Isabella's share in this singular and interesting
+correspondence has perished, and only Messer Galeazzo's letters survive.
+These may still be seen in the Gonzaga Archives, where they were first
+discovered by Signor Alessandro Luzio and Signor Rodolfo Renier. These
+learned writers are in some perplexity as to the identity of the writer,
+since the letters are signed Galeaz _Sfortia Vicecomes_, and internal
+evidence will not allow them to have been written by any Galeazzo Sforza
+or Visconti then living. But there can hardly be a doubt as to who the
+writer actually was. Galeazzo di Sanseverino had been adopted by
+Lodovico Sforza when he married his daughter Bianca, and from that time
+used the surname of the ducal house, _Sfortia Vicecomes_, and very
+frequently added his title of _Armorum Capitaneus_, captain of the
+armies of Milan. His well-known patronage of artists and love of
+letters, as well as his intimate connection with the duke and duchess,
+all point in the same direction; and if any further proof were needed,
+the mention of his brother Gaspare, and the allusion to Galeazzo by name
+in one of Bellincioni's sonnets on the subject, and the fact that one of
+the letters is dated from his own villa of Castelnuovo, near Tortona,
+would be sufficient to settle the question. The champion of Orlando and
+the faithful servant of Beatrice d'Este was, it is evident, none other
+than the friend of Leonardo and Castiglione--that ideal knight, Galeazzo
+di Sanseverino.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[9] G. Uzielli, _Leonardo da Vinci_, etc., p. 26.
+
+[10] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 98.
+
+[11] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 104.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+Relations between Lodovico and Beatrice--Cecilia Gallerani--Birth of her
+son Cesare--Her marriage to Count Bergamini--Beatrice at Villa Nova and
+Vigevano--The Sforzesca and Pecorara--Lodovico's system of irrigation in
+the Lomellina--Leonardo at Vigevano--Hunting-parties and country
+life--Letters to Isabella d'Este.
+
+1491
+
+All these caresses and adulation, all the expeditions and hunting-parties
+and _fêtes_ in her honour, were naturally very delightful to this young
+princess of fifteen summers, who had till now hardly left home, and who
+flung herself with such boundless enjoyment into every new form of
+amusement. Life for her was full of mirth and rapture; a long prospect of
+endless pleasures seemed to open before her as the first breath of spring
+passed over the green Lombard plains, and the delicious gardens of the
+Castello of Milan and the long avenues on the sunny terraces of Vigevano
+burst into leaf. The world seemed waking into new bliss, and Duchess
+Beatrice was the gayest and gladdest of its creatures. So at least she
+appeared to those who saw her in the full enjoyment of chase or dance.
+But there was a darker side to the picture. Lodovico looked on his young
+wife as a joyous and fascinating child, as he told Giacomo Trotti,
+"_lieta di natura et molto piacevolina_," and thought that as long as he
+treated her with consideration and respect, and at the same time allowed
+her every possible indulgence, he might continue to go on his own way and
+take his pleasure in whatever form he chose. But he soon found out his
+mistake. This young wife of his, full of mirth and high spirits as she
+was, had a deeper nature and a stronger will than he suspected. If a
+constant round of amusements could have satisfied her, she might have
+accepted the playful caresses of her indulgent husband, and been content
+with the share of affection which he bestowed upon her. But Beatrice
+asked for more than this. She was bent on having sole possession of her
+lord's heart--of reigning there at least without a rival. And when she
+discovered that Lodovico had a mistress actually living in the Castello,
+whom he visited constantly and loved passionately, her whole being rose
+up in arms. Her proud spirit would not brook a rival, and she vowed the
+duke must choose between his mistress and his wife. When the Ferrarese
+envoy saw the newly wedded duke on his way to Cecilia Gallerani's rooms
+within a month after his marriage, he was full of gloomy forebodings.
+But Lodovico was perfectly frank with him, and did not attempt to conceal
+his actions or the motives of his conduct. For a while Beatrice spent her
+time riding or hunting about the country with Messer Galeazzo and her
+ladies, and remained in happy ignorance of the true state of affairs. But
+this could not last long. Soon a rumour of Cecilia's presence in the
+Rocca reached her ears; she heard how often the duke was seen in her
+company, and was told that before many weeks were over his mistress was
+likely to bear him a child. The first intimation which we have of this
+rude awakening which had come to the young duchess is in a letter
+addressed by Trotti to Duke Ercole, which he sends in the strictest
+confidence, begging his master to allow no one but our illustrious Madonna
+to read it, and then to burn it without delay.[12] In this letter he says
+that Beatrice has absolutely refused to wear a certain vest of woven gold
+which her husband had given her, if Madonna Cecilia ever appeared in a
+similar one, which it seems was also Lodovico's present. The duke himself,
+he adds, had been to see him that day, and had promised faithfully that he
+would put an end to his _liaison_ with Cecilia, and would either marry
+her to one of his courtiers or desire her to become a nun. Lodovico, it
+is plain, had realized that the situation had become impossible, and
+that he could not keep up his relations with his old mistress without
+causing open scandal. He was true to his promise, and that carnival he
+broke off the connection which gave Beatrice so much pain, and wrote to
+Giacomo Trotti from Vigevano on the 27th of March, informing him that he
+had decided not to see Madonna Cecilia again, and that after her child's
+birth she had agreed to become the wife of Count Lodovico Bergamini. This
+strange compact was duly carried out.
+
+On the 3rd of May, the duke's discarded mistress gave birth to a son,
+who received the name of Cesare; and in the following July, Cecilia
+Gallerani was married to Count Lodovico Bergamini of Cremona, one of the
+Moro's most loyal servants and subjects. Her trousseau on this occasion
+was of the most sumptuous description, and it was noticed that the
+corbeille which held her gowns bore the ducal arms. At the same time the
+Duke of Bari presented her with the stately Palazzo del Verme,
+originally built by his ancestor, Filippo Maria Visconti, for the great
+Captain Carmagnola, on the _piazza_ of the Duomo, as a token of his
+regard and a heritage for her infant son. Court painters and sculptors
+were employed to decorate the halls and porticoes with frescoes and
+medallions of the finest marble, and at the time of the French invasion,
+eight years later, Countess Bergamini's palace was described as the
+finest private house in Milan. Cecilia devoted herself to the classical
+studies in which she had taken delight from her earliest youth, and
+entertained her learned friends in her town house or at her villa near
+Cremona until she died in advanced old age, some years after the last of
+Lodovico's sons had ceased to reign over Milan. Lodovico seems to have
+kept his promise loyally, but always treated Cecilia and her husband
+with marked favour, and acknowledged the boy Cesare as his own son.
+
+A curious letter addressed to him by the poet Bellincioni, in February,
+1492, when the duke was absent from Milan for a few days, begins by
+informing Lodovico that he has given Duchess Beatrice a pastoral which
+she wishes to send her husband, and goes on to say that he was dining
+yesterday with Madonna Cecilia. He tells Lodovico how he had seen her
+son Cesare, who had grown into a very fine child--"_quale è grasso, dico
+grasso!_"--and how he had made the little fellow laugh. In the same
+letter he complains of all that he has to suffer at the hands of envious
+detractors, and by way of ingratiating himself with the duke, reminds
+his Highness that he had always prophesied Madonna Cecilia's child would
+prove to be a boy. Bellincioni himself composed several sonnets in
+honour of Cesare's birth and of his accomplished mother. And among the
+exquisite miniatures of the little Maximilian Sforza's Libro del Gesù in
+the Trivulzian library, we find a picture of Lodovico and Beatrice's
+child sitting at dinner with his mother and a lady bearing the name of
+Cecilia, in whom tradition sees the duke's old mistress, Countess
+Bergamini.
+
+But although Cecilia remained at court, and even maintained friendly
+relations with her famous lover, she never seems to have given Beatrice
+cause for jealousy again, and her name is never again mentioned in
+Giacomo Trotti's confidential despatches to his master. Only the
+singular fact that Beatrice d'Este's portrait was never, so far as we
+know, painted by Leonardo, the supreme master at her husband's court,
+may well be owing to the remembrance that he had formerly painted
+Cecilia Gallerani. The proud young duchess who would not wear a robe
+similar to that bestowed upon his mistress by her husband, may naturally
+enough have declined to have her portrait painted by the same artist,
+however excellent a master he might be. But whether or no this was the
+true reason of this strange omission, there was certainly no portrait of
+Beatrice d'Este by Leonardo's hand in Milan a year after her death, or
+her own sister Isabella would not have applied to Cecilia Gallerani for
+the loan of her picture as an example of Leonardo's art. From this time,
+however, the young duchess succeeded in winning her husband's heart, and
+for many years to come retained undivided possession of his roving
+affections. On the 20th of April, Trotti wrote to Ferrara that Signor
+Lodovico had been to see him on the second or third day in Easter week,
+and had spoken with the greatest warmth and affection of his wife, with
+whom he spent his whole time, and whose charming ways and manners gave
+him the greatest pleasure. Madonna Beatrice is, as he says, not only of
+a joyous nature, but of noble and elevated mind, and at the same time
+very pleasing and no less modest. And in May, when Cecilia's son was
+born, the duke himself told his wife the news, repeating his
+determination never again to renew the old connection. His letters to
+Isabella d'Este abound in the same expressions of genuine love and
+admiration for his young wife. He is never tired of dwelling on her
+perfections, on her courage and fine horsemanship, and looks on with an
+indulgent smile at her wildest freaks and escapades.
+
+Early in March he and Beatrice went to Vigevano, accompanied as usual by
+Messer Galeazzo and a few courtiers and ladies. All his life Lodovico
+retained especial affection for this old Lombard town, where he had been
+born, and which he had greatly improved and beautified during the last
+few years. By his care the streets were paved, and new houses erected;
+the buildings of the ancient Forum, which dated back to Roman times,
+were restored; and the church repaired and adorned with pictures, and
+decorated by the hand of the sculptor Cristoforo Romano.
+
+"At Vigevano," writes the contemporary Milanese chronicler Cagnola, "a
+place very dear to the house of Sforza, Lodovico made a fair and large
+_piazza_, and adorned it with many noble buildings and a fine park,
+which he filled with beasts of prey for the pleasure of the ducal
+family. He also laid out some most beautiful gardens, and since all this
+country was very dry and arid, he constructed aqueducts with great
+artifice and ingenuity, and brought water into the place in such
+abundance that these lands, which had hitherto been sterile and barren,
+bore fruit in great quantities. And so entirely did he improve and alter
+the whole place that, instead of Vigevano, it might well be called
+_Citta nova_."
+
+At the same time Lodovico rebuilt on a magnificent scale the old castle
+which crowns the heights above the valley of the Ticino, and employed
+Bramante to design the lofty tower and the arcaded courts with delicate
+traceries and terra-cotta mouldings in the finest Lombard style. This
+favourite palace of the Moro's has been turned into a barrack, and
+little remains of its former splendour; but Bramante's tower is still
+standing, and on the north gate of the keep we may read a significant
+inscription placed there by the citizens of Vigevano, recording the many
+benefactions of this most illustrious duke, who loved his native city so
+well, and was never tired of heaping benefactions on her people. "By his
+care not only was this splendid house raised from the ground, and the
+square of the old Forum restored to its pristine shape, but the course
+of rivers was turned, and flowing streams of water were brought into
+this dry and barren land. The desert waste became a green and fertile
+meadow, "the wilderness rejoiced and blossomed as the rose."
+
+The same sentiments inspired the verses in which Galeotto del Carretto,
+one of the most accomplished poets of Beatrice's court, celebrated
+Lodovico's improvements in this his favourite country house:
+
+    "Vigevano, che gia fu gleba vile,
+    Ha fatto adorno, e gli agri a quel contigui
+    Ha coltivati con saper utile,
+    E i steril campi, e al far fructo ambigui
+    Fertili ha facto et abondanti prati,
+    E d'acqua ticinèse tutti irigui."
+
+Both Cagnola and Galeotto refer, no doubt, to the vast system of
+irrigation which Lodovico constructed at immense pains and expense to
+fertilize this district of Lomellina, and which may well have earned the
+gratitude of its inhabitants. The great Naviglio Sforzesca, which has
+resisted the ravages of time, formed part of this admirable system, and
+was probably constructed under the supervision of Leonardo, who was
+often at Vigevano with Lodovico, and who in later years became his chief
+engineer. It was here, in the immediate neighbourhood of Vigevano, that
+Lodovico established his model farm for the encouragement of agriculture.
+Like all the Moro's other undertakings, this was planned on a splendid
+scale. The villa itself was an imposing quadrangular building, with four
+lofty towers, and a noble gateway adorned with a Latin inscription cut in
+gold letters on a tablet of massive marble, and bearing the date 1486.
+These lines, composed at the duke's request by Ermolao Barbaro, the
+learned Venetian scholar, who was a personal friend of his, and
+represented the republic at his court, record how Lodovico, the son of
+one Sforza Duke of Milan, and uncle and guardian of another, brought
+water to fertilize this barren province, and was the builder of this
+fair house, "_villaque amenissima a fundamentis erecta_." In order to
+carry out his schemes, the duke acquired a large extent of land in the
+neighbourhood, partly by purchase, and partly by the confiscation of
+territory, which, as Corio remarks, naturally provoked much discontent
+among individuals, and did not help to increase Lodovico's popularity,
+although in the end it largely benefited both the state and posterity.
+He proceeded to dig canals, and bring water on the one side by the
+Naviglio Sforzesca from the Ticino, and on the other by the Mora Canal
+from the Val Seria. Then, with the help of exports from Vicenza and
+Verona, he introduced the culture of the mulberry with excellent
+results, and planted large vineyards. Here he tried various experiments
+in the culture of the vine, such, for instance, as that of burying vines
+in winter, which Leonardo noted down when he visited Vigevano in March,
+1492. At the same time Lodovico brought vast flocks of sheep from
+Languedoc, and built the large farm known as La Pecorara, close to the
+new villa. La Grange, as they called this farm, aroused the admiration
+of the French chroniclers who followed Louis XII. in his invasion of
+Lombardy, more than any other of the beautiful and marvellous houses and
+enchanted gardens which they saw in this wonderful land of Milan. Robert
+Gaguin cannot find words in which to express his amazement at the
+marvellous number of beasts that he saw there--horses, mares, oxen,
+cows, bulls, rams, ewes, goats, and other beasts with their young, such
+as fawns, calves, foals, lambs, and kids--or the massive pillars and
+lofty vaulting of the stables, which are described as being larger than
+the whole of the Carthusian convent in Paris.
+
+"The farm itself," he writes, "is finely situated in a wide meadow about
+four leagues in circumference, with no less than thirty-three streams of
+fair running water flowing through the pastures, and well adapted for
+the practical uses of agriculture, since they serve for the bathing and
+cleansing of the animals as well as for the watering of the grass. The
+plan of the farm-buildings is a large square, like some noble cloister,
+and in the park outside are barns and ricks of hay and other produce. In
+the central courtyard are the houses of the governors and captains who
+direct all the work on the farm. In the outhouses, which are built in
+the shape of a great cross, the labourers have their homes, together
+with their wives and families. Some of these clean and tend the cattle
+or groom the horses. Others milk the herds of cows at the proper time.
+Others, again, receive the milk and bear it into the dairies, where it
+is made into the great cheeses which they call here Milan cheeses, under
+the superintendence of the master cheese-maker. The exact weight of
+everything, that is to say, of the hay, milk, butter, and cheese, is
+carefully recorded, and there is an extraordinary wealth and abundance
+of all these things."
+
+These Milan cheeses were so highly esteemed by the French invaders in
+1499, that Louis XII. took back a large quantity with him to Blois, and
+kept them for several years in a room especially devoted to that
+purpose. They were preserved in oil, and are mentioned in one of his
+wife Anne of Brittany's inventories of the year 1504.
+
+Such were the manifold industries which this far-seeing prince
+established on his royal domain, less, as he said, for actual profit
+than for the encouragement of better methods in agriculture and the
+promotion of his poorer subjects' prosperity. And over all he kept the
+same keen and vigilant eye, paying attention to every detail and
+providing for every contingency. The management of this model farm and
+the progress of the extensive works that were being executed in the new
+palace of Vigevano filled every moment that he could spare from affairs
+of state at Milan. But on this occasion his especial object in visiting
+his native city was, as he tells Isabella d'Este, to stock the park with
+game of all kinds--deer, chamois, hare, and pheasants--as well as the
+wild boars and wolves for the more serious sport known as _la grande
+caccia_.
+
+"I am hoping to go to Vigevano on Monday," he writes from Milan on the
+26th of February, "with my wife, and intend to make extensive preparations
+for fresh hunting-parties, so that when you are here we may be able to
+give you the more pleasure. As for my wife, I really believe that since
+your departure she has not let a single day pass without mounting her
+horse!" And later in the summer he says, "My wife has become so clever at
+hawking that she quite outdoes me at this her favourite sport."
+
+Beatrice herself gives a lively account of her country life during the
+spring of 1491, in a charming letter which she addressed to her sister
+from Villa Nova, another of Lodovico's delightful pleasure-houses in the
+valley of the Ticino between Milan and Pavia.
+
+"I am now here at Villa Nova, where the loveliness of the country and
+the balmy sweetness of the air make me think we are already in the month
+of May, so warm and splendid is the weather we are enjoying! Every day
+we go out riding with the dogs and falcons, and my husband and I never
+come home without having enjoyed ourselves exceedingly in hunting herons
+and other water-fowl. I cannot say much of the perils of the chase,
+since game is so plentiful here that hares are to be seen jumping out at
+every corner--so much so, that often we hardly know which way to turn to
+find the best sport. Indeed, the eye cannot take in all one desires to
+see, and it is scarcely possible to count up the number of animals that
+are to be found in this neighbourhood. Nor must I forget to tell you how
+every day Messer Galeazzo and I, with one or two other courtiers, amuse
+ourselves playing at ball after dinner, and we often talk of your
+Highness, and wish that you were here. I say all this, not to diminish
+the pleasure that I hope you will have when you do come by telling you
+what you may expect to find here, but in order that you may know how
+well and happy I am, and how kind and affectionate my husband is, since
+I cannot thoroughly enjoy any pleasure or happiness unless I share it
+with you. And I must tell you that I have had a whole field of garlic
+planted for your benefit, so that when you come, we may be able to have
+plenty of your favourite dishes![13]
+
+"Ex Villa Nova, 18 Martiji, 1491."
+
+It is plain from this letter that harmony had been restored between the
+wedded pair, and that the rock on which Beatrice's happiness had seemed
+likely to founder had been fortunately avoided.
+
+The passing cloud that cast a shadow on her bright young life had rolled
+away, and this letter breathes the serene happiness of the spring airs
+about her. But her affection for her sister was warmer and stronger than
+ever, and hardly a day passed without some fresh expression of her
+impatience for Isabella's return--an impatience which both Lodovico and
+Galeazzo seem to have shared.
+
+On the 21st of April, after describing a successful wolf-hunt from
+Vigevano, in which the Duke and Duchess of Milan and their courtiers had
+all taken part, Lodovico writes--
+
+"The whole distance must have been at least thirty miles, yet on the way
+home both the duchesses stayed behind the rest of us, to make their
+horses race one against the other; and if your Highness had been here, I
+think you would have entered the lists and tried your luck against them.
+And since you must come soon, and are expected by us impatiently, I will
+remind your Highness to bring some of those fine Barbary steeds which
+your illustrious lord the marquis keeps in his stables, and then you
+will easily be able to beat all the others."
+
+Again, on the 16th of May, Lodovico writes in the same strain--
+
+"I am as sorry as you are that you could not be here for these
+wolf-hunts, because, as you said in the letter written with your own
+hand on the 5th instant, I am quite sure you would have given us proofs
+of your spirit and courage. I must, however, tell you that your sister's
+boldness is such that I think even you would hardly come off victor in
+this contest, especially as, since you were here, she has made great
+progress both in the arts of horsemanship and of hunting. All the same,
+I am so impatient to see you together and to match your courage one
+against the other, that it seems to me a thousand years until your
+arrival!"
+
+Beatrice, it appears, was absolutely fearless in the presence of danger,
+and faced an angry boar or wounded stag with the same lightness of
+heart. The greater the risks she ran, the higher her spirits rose. This
+feature of his young wife's character aroused the Moro's highest
+admiration. In a letter of the 8th of July, after recounting the various
+incidents of a long day's hunting, he tells the Marchesa what a narrow
+escape Beatrice has had from an infuriated stag which gored her horse.
+
+"All at once we heard that the wounded stag had been seen, and had
+attacked the horse which my wife was riding, and the next moment we saw
+her lifted up in the air a good lance's height from the ground; but she
+kept her seat, and sat erect all the while. The duke and duchess and I
+all rushed to her help, and asked if she were hurt; but she only
+laughed, and was not in the least frightened."[14]
+
+Isabella herself was burning with eager desire to join Lodovico and
+Beatrice in these hunting-parties, and have a share in the thrilling
+adventures which they narrated in their letters, But her husband the
+marquis was away all the spring and early summer; first at Bologna,
+where he attended his brother Giovanni Gonzaga's wedding, and afterwards
+with his sister the Duchess Elizabeth at Urbino. After his return to
+Mantua he fell ill, and when he recovered it was already late in August,
+and Isabella was compelled very reluctantly to decline Lodovico Sforza's
+pressing invitations. Money was scarce at the court of Mantua, and the
+expenses of a journey to Milan were heavy. So she contented herself with
+going to see her mother that autumn at Ferrara, and put off her visit to
+Milan until the following spring, much to the disappointment of Beatrice
+and her husband. Lodovico wrote her word that he had been arranging a
+tournament at Pavia in honour of the christening of Gian Galeazzo's son,
+the little Count of Pavia, but that since she would not come, he had
+made up his mind to put it off and have no jousting.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[12] G. Uzielli, _op. cit._, p. 27.
+
+[13] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 112.
+
+[14] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 113.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+Isabella of Aragon and Beatrice d'Este--Ambrogio Borgognone and
+Giovanni Antonio Amadeo--Cristoforo Romano and his works at Pavia and
+Cremona--The Certosa of Pavia--Illness of Beatrice--Her journey to
+Genoa--Correspondence between Isabella and Lodovico Sforza--Visit of
+the Marquis of Mantua to Milan.
+
+1491-1492
+
+
+In the frequent letters which Lodovico and Beatrice both of them
+addressed to the Marchioness of Mantua, as well as in those of Giacomo
+Trotti to the Duke of Ferrara, we find many allusions to the Duke of
+Milan's wife, Isabella of Aragon. This princess, who was Beatrice's
+first cousin and only five years older than Lodovico's wife, is
+mentioned not only as present with her husband at all court festivities
+and hunting-parties, but as her constant companion in all her
+occupations and amusements, both at Vigevano and Pavia. In after-days,
+when Lodovico had a son of his own and was suspected of designs on the
+ducal crown, Duchess Isabella bitterly resented his conduct and that of
+his wife. But there is absolutely no foundation for Corio's statement
+that this rivalry between the two duchesses began at the time of
+Beatrice's wedding, and that from the moment of her arrival at Milan,
+Lodovico's wife objected to yield precedence to the Duchess of Milan.
+The Milanese chronicler wrote after Lodovico's fall, and always assumed
+the truth of the worst charges brought against the Moro and his wife.
+Unfortunately, his hasty and inaccurate statements have been repeated by
+Guicciardini and other contemporaries, and accepted as literally true by
+later writers. In this case Corio probably looked back on the past
+through the medium of the present, and judged the actors in the drama by
+the light of their later conduct. In any case, there is absolutely no
+trace of any jealousy or rivalry between the two young duchesses in the
+private letters and court records of the period. On the contrary,
+Isabella seems to have welcomed her cousin's presence joyfully, and to
+have found that the dull life which she led by the side of her feeble
+husband was sensibly brightened by Beatrice's company.
+
+Bellincioni, whose verses certainly mirror the court life of the day, if
+they also breathe the incense of flattery, wrote several sonnets in
+which he descants on the close friendship and companionship of the two
+duchesses, and the love that bound them together in the tender bonds of
+sisterly affection. He is never tired of praising the concord that
+reigned in the ducal family, and the pleasure that Beatrice took in
+Isabella's little son, who was constantly seen in her arms.
+
+"And when the ladies ask if she does not wish for a son of her own, she
+replies in sweet accents, 'This one child is enough for me;' and
+straightway all her courtiers repeat and extol her answer."
+
+But more trustworthy than the rhymes of court poets is the evidence to
+be found in the letters describing the daily round of life at Milan or
+Pavia and Vigevano. Here Isabella and Beatrice are mentioned as joining
+in the same games and sports, whether playing at ball, sometimes even
+trying their strength in wrestling matches.
+
+"The two duchesses," writes the Ferrarese ambassador, on the 28th of
+April, "have been having a sparring match, and the Duke of Bari's wife
+has knocked down her of Milan."
+
+Sometimes their escapades were of a decidedly undignified order. But
+practical jokes were much in vogue among these exalted lords and ladies
+of the Renaissance. For instance, we find Beatrice's brother Alfonso and
+Messer Galeazzo, disguised as robbers, breaking into the house of
+Girolamo Tuttavilla, one of Lodovico's favourite ministers, at midnight,
+and leading him blindfold on a donkey through the streets of Milan and
+into the Castello, where he was released amid peals of laughter. And the
+two young duchesses seem to have celebrated this Eastertide, which they
+spent at Milan, by the wildest freaks.
+
+"There is literally no end to the pleasures and amusements which we
+have here," writes Lodovico, on the 12th of April, to his sister-in-law
+at Mantua. "I could not tell you one-thousandth part of the tricks and
+games in which the Duchess of Milan and my wife indulge. In the country
+they spent their time in riding races and galloping up behind their
+ladies at full speed, so as to make them fall off their horses. And now
+that we are back here in Milan, they are always inventing some new forms
+of amusement. They started yesterday in the rain on foot, with five or
+six of their ladies, wearing cloths or towels over their heads, and
+walked through the streets of the city to buy provisions. But since it
+is not the custom for women to wear cloths on their heads here, some of
+the women in the street began to laugh at them and make rude remarks,
+upon which my wife fired up and replied in the same manner, so much so
+that they almost came to blows. In the end they came home all muddy and
+bedraggled, and were a fine sight! I believe, when your Highness is
+here, they will go out with all the more courage, since they will have
+in you so bold and spirited a comrade, and if any one dares to be rude
+to you, they will get back as good as they give! From your affectionate
+brother,
+
+                                                       "Lodovico."[15]
+
+Isabella, for all her wisdom and prudence, does not seem to have been in
+the least scandalized by her sister's behaviour, and replied that she
+would have done worse if any one had ventured to insult her; upon which
+Lodovico remarked--
+
+"Your letter in answer to my description of my wife and the duchess
+walking about Milan with cloths on their heads, delighted me. I am sure
+you have far too much spirit to allow rude things to be said to you, and
+when I read your letter, I could see the angry flash in your eye, and
+hear the indignant answer that you would have had in readiness for any
+one who dared insult you."
+
+The next letter we give was written on the 12th of June, from the
+Castello di Pavia, where the ducal family spent that summer, and is of
+special interest on account of the allusions which it contains to the
+famous sanctuary of the Certosa.
+
+"I have spent several days lately at the Certosa, which your Highness,
+I know, visited when you were last here. And since I did not think the
+choir-stalls in the church were in any way suitable or equal in beauty
+to the rest of the building, I went back there the day before yesterday
+and had them taken down, and have ordered new stalls to be designed in
+their place. And as I was returning, the duke and duchess and my wife
+came to meet me, and attacked me suddenly, and in order to defend
+myself, I divided my retainers, who were most of them riding mules, into
+three squadrons, and charged the enemy in due order, so there was a fine
+scuffle! Then we came home to see some youths run races, with lances in
+their hands, and after that we went to supper. And since those
+illustrious duchesses took it into their heads to return again to the
+Certosa, they went back there yesterday morning, and when it was time
+for them to return, I went out to meet them, and found that both
+duchesses and all their ladies were dressed in Turkish costumes. These
+disguises were invented by my wife, who had all the dresses made in one
+night! It seems that when they began to set to work about noon
+yesterday, the Duchess of Milan could not contain her amazement at
+seeing my wife sewing with as much vigour and energy as any old woman.
+And my wife told her that, whatever she did, whether it were jest or
+earnest, she liked to throw her whole heart into it and try and do it as
+well as possible. Certainly in this case she succeeded perfectly, and
+the skill and grace with which she carried out her idea gave me
+indescribable pleasure and satisfaction."[16]
+
+The passage is eminently characteristic both of the Moro and his wife.
+We see on the one hand the spirit and resolution which made Beatrice, in
+the words of the Emperor Maximilian, not merely a sweet and loving wife
+to her lord, but a partner who shared actively in all his schemes and
+lightened every burden; and on the other, we understand the admiration
+which this force of character and tenacity of purpose excited in
+Lodovico's weaker and more easily swayed nature. Beatrice's masquerade
+recalls another curious feature of the day--that taste for Turkish
+costumes and interest in Oriental habits which had sprung up in Italy
+during the forty years which had elapsed since the fall of
+Constantinople. In Venice, Gentile Bellini and Carpaccio were already
+showing signs of this familiarity with Eastern habits by the Turkish
+costumes and personages who figure in their pictures; and a troop of
+Turks were introduced into a masque written by the Milanese poet,
+Gaspare Visconti, and acted before the Court. These strangers from the
+far East, attracted by the fame of the great city of Milan, were
+supposed to arrive in a boat on the Lombard shores, singing the
+following chorus:--
+
+    "Bel paese è Lombardia
+    Degno assai, ricca e galante.
+      Ma di gioie la Soria
+    E di fructi è più abbondante
+      Tanta fama è per il mondo
+    Del gran vostro alto Milano,
+      Che solcando il mar profondo;
+    Siam venuti da lontano,
+      Gran paese soriano,
+    Per veder se cosi sia,
+      Bel paese di Lombardia."
+
+Still greater interest attaches to Lodovico's description of his own
+visit to the Certosa and of the alterations which he effected in the
+choir. This famous church and monastery had been the pride of successive
+Dukes of Milan, since the day when Galeazzo Visconti laid the first
+stone in his park of Pavia a hundred years before. Viscontis and Sforzas
+had alike helped to enrich their ancestor's mighty foundation, and to
+carry on the work. But the Certosa owes more to Lodovico Sforza than to
+any other member of the dynasty. From the day when he returned to Milan
+and took up the reins of government in his nephew's name, to the last
+sad moments when his state was crumbling to pieces, this great shrine
+was the special object of his solicitude. In his eyes, as he said in the
+letter informing the Prior and brothers of Duchess Leonora's visit, the
+Certosa was the jewel of the crown, the noblest monument in the whole
+realm. The completion of the façade and the internal decoration of the
+great church and chapels was one of the objects that lay nearest to his
+heart. A whole army of architects and sculptors, painters and builders
+were employed under his orders; and so great was the store of precious
+marbles, brought there from Carrara and other parts of Italy, that the
+place was said to resemble a vast stone quarry. During the twenty years
+that the Moro reigned as Regent and Duke in Milan, the new apse built in
+Bramante's classical style, the central cupola, and the beautiful
+cloisters with their slender marble shafts and dark red terra-cotta
+friezes of angel-heads, all rose into being. Then Ambrogio Borgognone
+decorated the roof of nave and apse, and designed the elaborate
+_intarsiatura_ of these very choir-stalls to which Lodovico alludes in
+his letter to Isabella d'Este. And then the same Lombard master painted
+these frescoes and altar-pieces of grave saints and gentle Madonnas,
+which still adorn the side chapels with their solemn forms and rich
+golden harmonies. Many of these are ruined, others we know are gone. The
+fragments of the noble banners with portraits of kneeling figures, which
+the artist painted for processional use on solemn occasions are now in
+our National Gallery. There, too, is that loveliest of all Perugino's
+Madonnas, with the warrior Archangels at her side, and the perfect
+landscape beyond, which the Umbrian master painted in the last years of
+the century, by the Moro's express command, for his favourite sanctuary.
+
+But the crowning work of Lodovico's days was the façade of the great
+church which, after many different attempts, was finally begun in 1491,
+and mostly executed during the next seven years. This magnificent
+creation, the triumph of Lombard genius, was designed by a native
+architect, Giovanni Antonio Amadeo, or Di Madeo, as he signs himself, a
+peasant lad who had grown up in his father's farm close by, and whose
+earliest independent work is said to have been a group of angels on the
+marble doorway leading from the church into the cloisters. He had
+afterwards been employed at Bergamo, where the Colleoni Chapel and the
+effigy of the great Condottiere's young daughter, the sleeping virgin
+Medea, still bear witness to his poetic invention and rare decorative
+skill. One of Lodovico's first acts after his return to Milan had been
+to recall Amadeo to Pavia, and in 1490, this gifted artist was appointed
+_Capo maestro_ of the Certosa works. To his delicate fancy and exquisite
+refinement we owe much of the lovely detail in the church and cloisters,
+the singing angels of the portals, the reliefs on Gian Galeazzo's
+monument, and in the monks' lavatory, and the medallions of the Sforzas
+over the doorways of the choir. There we may see the strongly marked
+features and refined expression of the great Moro, between his brother
+and his nephew, while above the opposite portal are the four Duchesses
+of Milan, Bianca Maria Visconti, Bona of Savoy, Isabella of Aragon, and
+Beatrice d'Este with the same soft, beautiful face, the same long coil
+of hair and jewelled net that we see in her portrait in the Brera or in
+Cristoforo Romano's bust in the Louvre.
+
+But the wonderful marble façade, with its great central portal and
+round-headed windows, its historical reliefs and marvellous wealth of
+decorative sculpture, is Amadeo's grandest creation. We know not how far
+it was completed before 1499, when his labours as chief architect of the
+cathedrals of Milan and Pavia compelled him to give up his post at the
+Certosa; but in much of the ornamental detail--in the angels that adorn
+its branches of the candelabra between the windows, in the profusion of
+carved trophies, armorial bearings, burning censers, cherub-heads,
+leaf-mouldings, flowers and fruit that has been lavished on every
+portion of the west front we recognize his handiwork. And this façade of
+the Certosa, more than any other architectural work of the age, bears
+the stamp of Lodovico Sforza's peculiar genius. Alike in the abundance
+of classical motives and in the amazing wealth of invention and infinite
+grace that inspired the whole conception, we recognize Lodovico's
+passionate love of the antique and minute attention to detail. We know
+that he was constantly on the spot, as the letter to his sister-in-law
+proves, and that when absent from Pavia the works of the Certosa were
+constantly in his mind. He was always writing orders to Amadeo to buy
+marbles and hurry on the work, always urging the prior to hasten the
+completion of the church, or inquiring in Florence and Rome for new
+masters to paint altar-pieces for the Certosa. And to-day, when so many
+of his noblest creations have perished, when the glorious pile of the
+Castello of Milan, with its stately towers and frescoed halls, rich
+decorations and vast gardens, has been defaced and battered by the hands
+of barbarian invaders, when Leonardo's fresco is a wreck and the tomb
+of Beatrice broken to pieces, when Vigevano and Cussago are in ruins,
+and the matchless library of Pavia has been scattered to the winds, we
+rejoice to think that the Certosa remains to show us how splendid were
+the dreams and how rare the skill of artists in the days when Lodovico
+Sforza reigned over Milan.
+
+One of the finest artists who was working at the Certosa under
+Lodovico's eye in the summer of 1491, was the accomplished Roman
+sculptor, Giovanni Cristoforo Romano. We remember how he had been sent
+to Ferrara in the autumn of the previous year to execute a bust of
+Beatrice for his master. Since then he had gone back to his work at the
+Certosa, where he was employed upon the monument which Lodovico was
+raising to his ancestor Gian Galeazzo Visconti, the founder of the great
+Carthusian Abbey. His exact share in this noble work, which was begun in
+1490, remains uncertain, but both the effigy of this duke and the figure
+of the Madonna and Child in the upper part of the monument are generally
+ascribed to his hand. At the same time Cristoforo had promised to design
+the chief portal of the ancient Stanga palace in Cremona, which was
+being restored by Lodovico's Superintendent of Finances, the Marchese
+Stanga, known in court circles as the Marchesino, to distinguish him
+from his father, Duchess Bianca Maria's faithful servant. That June the
+Marchesino was married at Milan to a daughter of Count Giovanni
+Borromeo, and on this occasion, doubtless, he employed the gifted Roman
+sculptor to design the magnificent doorway which now adorns the Louvre
+and is a masterpiece of classic elegance. But now a fresh invitation
+reached Cristoforo from another quarter.
+
+The Marchioness of Mantua had seen the Roman master's bust of her sister
+Beatrice when she came to Milan in the winter for the wedding
+festivities, and was seized with an ardent wish to have her features
+carved in marble by the same unrivalled artist. On the 22nd of June she
+wrote to Beatrice from her favourite villa at Porto, near Mantua,
+begging her to ask Lodovico if he would kindly allow "that excellent
+master, Johan Cristoforo, who carved your Highness's portrait in
+marble," to come to Mantua for a few days, that he might render her the
+same service. Beatrice, who was always ready and anxious to gratify
+Isabella's wishes, replied that she had shown the letter at once to her
+husband, and that Lodovico would gladly comply with her sister's
+request, and had written to beg the Marchesino--for whom Johan
+Cristoforo was working at that moment--to send this master to Mantua.
+"No doubt by this time," he adds, writing from Pavia on the 15th of
+July, "Messer Cristoforo is already on his way to Mantua."
+
+But the sculptor, like most great artists, took his time about his work,
+and would not be interrupted or hurried, even to please so charming and
+illustrious a lady as Isabella d'Este. He wrote a courteous note to the
+Marchesa from Pavia, saying how gladly he would have obeyed her summons
+on the spot, and how deeply he regretted that this was impossible, since
+he could not leave the work upon which he was engaged for the Marchesino
+unfinished. But he hoped to have the pleasure of seeing her some day.
+Meanwhile he suggested that she should order two pieces of fine marble
+from Venice, and see that they were very white and without stain or vein
+of colour. Isabella, however, was not easily discouraged, especially
+where excellent masters and works of art were in question, and, as she
+wrote on another occasion to Niccolo da Correggio, liked to have her
+wishes gratified on the spot. This time she wrote to the Marchesino
+himself, begging him to send Messer Johan Cristoforo to Mantua as soon
+as possible. Now Giovanni Stanga, besides being a finished courtier, was
+on intimate terms with the fair Marchesana herself and with all her
+family. Only a few weeks before, Isabella had written him a charming
+letter of congratulation on his marriage, and he often sent presents of
+silver boxes and ornaments both to her and Duchess Leonora. So, when his
+own doorway was finished, he did his best to induce the sculptor to
+oblige the marchioness. But Cristoforo had evidently no intention of
+leaving Pavia at present. The summer months slipped away, and still
+Isabella waited in vain. At length, in October, she heard from the
+Marchesino that Messer Cristoforo feared it was impossible for him to
+come to Mantua at all this year, since his whole time was spent in
+working at the Certosa, besides which he was one of the Duchess of
+Bari's singers, and must obey her wishes and travel with her, now in
+one direction, now in another. "At present," adds the writer, "he is
+with her in Genoa."
+
+It was not, in fact, until after Beatrice's death that Isabella obtained
+Lodovico's leave for his favourite sculptor to visit Mantua. By that
+time the duke's affairs were in dire confusion, and seeing there was
+little hope of further employment and none of certain pay, Messer
+Cristoforo left the Milanese court sorrowfully and went to Mantua, where
+he carved the lovely doorway still to be seen in Isabella's studio of
+_Il Paradiso_ at the top of the grim old Castello, and designed the
+beautiful medal of the marchioness herself, which was praised as a
+divine thing at the Court of Naples, and which the old scholar Jacopo
+d'Atri kissed a thousand times over, for the sake of its beauty and of
+the likeness which it bore to the beloved mistress whom he had not seen
+for so many years. Afterwards we know Cristoforo moved on to Urbino,
+where Bembo and Emilia Pia and the good duchess all gave him a glad
+welcome, and Castiglione enshrined his memory in the pages of the
+_Cortigiano_. Then, again, we find him in his native city, Rome,
+searching for antiques in the ruins of the Eternal City, and examining
+the newly discovered Laocoon with Michelo Angelo, until at last the
+incurable malady which had long undermined his strength put an end to
+his life, and he died in the prime of manhood at the Santa Casa of
+Loreto. But his best work was done, and his happiest years were spent,
+in the service of Duchess Beatrice, at the court of Milan.
+
+If Lodovico did not always care to part from his best artists at
+Isabella's request, he rarely failed to oblige his charming
+sister-in-law in other matters. Presents of game and venison, choice
+vegetables and fruit, artichokes and truffles, apples and pears or
+peaches, were constantly borne to Mantua by his couriers; and in return
+Isabella would send him the famous salmon-trout of the Lake of Garda,
+that were accounted such rare delicacies, and which Lodovico was fond of
+seeing at table, especially, as he often remarked, in Lent. The
+correspondence between the two courts was briskly kept up that year,
+although Isabella was unable to visit Milan. Lodovico himself rarely
+missed a post, and complained repeatedly that Isabella was not so
+regular a correspondent as himself.
+
+"Certainly, my affection for your Highness is greater than yours for
+me," he says, writing in September, 1491. "It is plain that I think of
+you much oftener than you think of me, and I know for certain that I
+write far more letters to you than you ever write to me."
+
+But Isabella was unwearied in the applications which she made constantly
+to her brother-in-law on behalf of persons who, rightly or wrongly, had
+been accused of offences against the laws of Milan. Often, it must be
+owned, these suppliants whom she recommended to mercy proved to be
+criminals of the worst type; and quite as often the _protégés_ whom she
+sent to Milan turned out to be utterly worthless characters. This made
+her a little ashamed of the perpetual recommendations with which she
+troubled Lodovico, and explains the apologetic tone of a note which she
+addressed to him in June, 1491, on behalf of some suppliant for money.
+
+"The letters of recommendation which I have received in this case are so
+urgent that I feel it would be brutal to refuse the petition I send you,
+especially since they are addressed to me by private friends. But if
+your Highness complains, as you may justly do, of the frequency of my
+appeals, I must ask you to impute their persistency less to me than to
+my innate compassion, which induces me to intercede for all who ask in
+good faith. But the truth is, your Highness has given me so many tokens
+of affection that many persons who seek your favour apply to me,
+trusting to my powers of intercession. And since I should be well
+content to let the whole world know the love and kindness which your
+Highness shows me, I grant these requests the more easily, because I
+remember what good fruit my recommendations have hitherto borne."
+
+Sometimes, when the Marquis Gianfrancesco was away from Mantua, we find
+his wife consulting Lodovico on affairs of state, asking him to prevent
+her neighbour Galeotto della Mirandola from constructing a canal which
+may injure her subjects, or appealing to the Sanseverino brothers in the
+case of a faithless servant of hers who had sought shelter under the
+Count of Caiazzo's banners. Beatrice, in her turn, occasionally sent her
+servants and subjects with recommendations to Mantua. For instance,
+that July a Milanese soldier named Messer Giacomello arrived at the
+court of the Gonzagas, with letters from the Duchess of Bari and Messer
+Galeazzo di Sanseverino, asking for leave to fight a duel with a man of
+Ascoli who had insulted him; and the marchioness, ignorant of the
+customary method of treating these challenges, referred the case to her
+husband in a long and elaborate statement.
+
+Towards the end of September Beatrice fell ill, and for some days her
+husband was seriously uneasy about her. The anxiety which he showed, and
+the attentions with which he surrounded her, were duly reported by
+Giacomo Trotti in a letter to Ferrara.
+
+"Signor Lodovico," he wrote on the 18th of September, "does not leave
+his wife's bedside by day or night. He is always with her, and thinks of
+nothing but how he can best please and amuse her. The only cause of
+regret he has is that as yet there are not any signs of the birth of a
+son and heir."
+
+Lodovico's concern for his young wife was genuine. He wrote daily
+reports of her health to Isabella and her mother, and on the 4th of
+October rejoiced to be able to tell the Marchesana that her sister had
+once more been able to assist at a boar-hunt, which had taken place six
+miles from Pavia.
+
+"Yesterday your sister came to look on at a boar-hunt, six or seven
+miles from here. She drove to the spot in a chariot with a raised seat
+at the back, very much like the pulpits from which friars preach! Here
+she stood up, to be out of danger, and enjoyed herself immensely, as
+being placed at such a height, she could see the whole hunt better than
+any one else."
+
+A few days later he wrote again to say he had decided to send his wife
+to Genoa, since the air of Pavia was not healthy, he felt convinced, at
+this season of the year, and in the hope that change would help to
+complete her cure.
+
+"To-morrow my wife starts for Genoa _incognita_. I am sending her, first
+of all, to give her pleasure and do her health good, and, secondly, to
+prepare the way for your Highness when you come here next."
+
+Unfortunately, we have no further particulars of this visit to Genova la
+Superba, that city which both the sisters were so anxious to see, and
+the letters in which Beatrice described this journey to her husband have
+either perished or still lie buried in some private archives. All we
+know is that Cristoforo Romano was among the singers who accompanied the
+duchess on this occasion, although she travelled _incognita_ and took
+only a few persons in her suite.
+
+By December Lodovico and his wife were again settled in Milan, where
+they received an unexpected visit from the Marquis of Mantua in the
+first week of that month. Gianfrancesco's own wife was absent with her
+mother at Ferrara, and without even informing Isabella of his intention,
+he suddenly arrived at Milan, and spent a week at the Castello with the
+Duke and Duchess of Bari. As a rule, the company of the marquis, a brave
+soldier, but not apparently a very attractive person, with his short
+ungainly figure and rugged features, his dark complexion and rough
+manners, was not particularly agreeable to his polished brother-in-law;
+but he received a kindly welcome from both his hosts on this occasion,
+and was highly gratified with the honours and attention that were paid
+him. Isabella, on her part, was overjoyed to hear of the kindness with
+which her husband had been treated at the court of Milan, and declared
+that his letters gave her as much pleasure as if she had been with him
+herself. Lodovico did his guest the honours of his palace and city,
+showed him the treasures and jewels of the Castello, and sent him home
+loaded with gifts. Among other presents which Gianfrancesco received
+from his brother-in-law were a pair of lions which the Moro, who was
+constantly sending to Africa for wild beasts, showed him in his
+menagerie, and promised to send him as soon as they were sufficiently
+tame. Some weeks, however, passed before they were pronounced fit to
+travel safely, and it was not till February of the following year that
+they were sent to Mantua, with a note from Lodovico, explaining that the
+keeper who accompanied them was accustomed to wild beasts, and would
+teach Gianfrancesco's servants how to treat them.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[15] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 111.
+
+[16] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 114.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+Claims of Charles VIII. to Naples--Of the Duke of Orleans to Milan--
+Intrigues of the Venetian Senate, of Pope Innocent VIII., and of
+Ferrante and Alfonso of Naples--Visit of the French ambassadors to Milan
+--Treasures of the Castello--Jewels of Lodovico Sforza--Isabella of
+Aragon and her father--An embassy to the French court proposed--Secret
+instructions of the Count of Caiazzo--_Fête_ at Vigevano--Tournament of
+Pavia.
+
+1491
+
+
+The most important event at the court of Milan that winter was the visit
+of the French ambassadors. The young King of France, Charles VIII., now
+that he had emancipated himself from his sister's tutelage and felt
+himself his own master, was beginning to cherish secret dreams of
+conquest, and already turned envious eyes towards the kingdom of Naples,
+that ancient heritage of the House of Anjou. His own ardour for military
+glory was fanned by the presence at the French court of several exiled
+noblemen, who had fled from Naples to escape the harsh rule of King
+Ferrante and his hated son Alfonso, and were burning to avenge their
+wrongs. Chief among these were Antonio, Prince of Salerno, the head of
+the great Sanseverino family, and his cousin, the Prince of Bisignano,
+both of whom were in constant communication with their kinsmen at the
+Milanese court. At the same time, Charles VIII.'s brother-in-law and
+cousin, Louis, Duke of Orleans, a valiant and ambitious prince just
+thirty years of age, who had inherited the Lombard town of Asti from his
+grandmother, Valentina Visconti, and claimed the Duchy of Milan in right
+of his descent from the Visconti dukes, rejoiced at the prospect of
+advancing his pretensions against the rival House of Sforza.
+
+Already more than one invitation to cross the Alps had reached the
+young French king from Italy. In January, 1484, when Venice was waging a
+desperate war against Milan and Naples, Antonio Loredano was sent to the
+French court with secret instructions to remind Charles VIII., who had
+just succeeded his father, Louis XI., that the kingdom of Naples had
+formerly belonged to his family, and that, besides occupying a throne to
+which he had no right, Ferrante of Aragon had instigated Lodovico Sforza
+to usurp the crown of Milan. The Venetian envoy was further desired to
+inform the Duke of Orleans that Lodovico evidently intended to make
+himself Duke of Milan in his nephew's stead, and to point out that Louis
+could not find a better moment than this, to assert his own claim to the
+duchy of his Visconti ancestors.
+
+"Say all you can to instigate the Duke of Orleans to undertake this
+enterprise," were the secret instructions of the Ten, "and tell the
+French that if they wish to dethrone the tyrant Ferrante and seize
+Naples, they will never have a better opportunity."[17]
+
+A month later the Venetian Government sent another message to Louis of
+Orleans, urging him to invade Milan, and offering him the help of their
+forces. The duke was by no means averse to the suggestion, but Anne de
+Beaujeu, who governed France during her brother's minority, wisely
+declined to meddle in the quarrels of Italian States, and by August
+peace had been concluded between Venice and Milan.
+
+Five years afterwards Pope Innocent VIII., having quarrelled with King
+Ferrante, invited Charles VIII. to invade Naples, and offered him the
+investiture of this important fief of the Church. But at that time the
+French monarch had no leisure to think of a foreign expedition. He was
+already engaged in war with Maximilian, King of the Romans, and in a
+fierce quarrel with the States of Brittany over the regency of that
+province during the minority of young Duchess Anne, the betrothed bride
+of the future Emperor, whose first wife, Mary of Burgundy, had died in
+1482. Finding that there was no prospect of help from this quarter, the
+Pope had been forced to come to terms with Ferrante, whose armies
+threatened Rome, and made peace with Naples in January, 1492.
+
+Meanwhile Charles VIII. had mortally offended the King of the Romans by
+sending back his daughter Margaret, to whom while yet Dauphin he had
+been formally betrothed by his father, Louis XI., and who had been
+educated in Touraine for the last six years, and taking Maximilian's
+affianced bride, Anne of Brittany, for his wife. The marriage was
+solemnized in the Castle of Langeais in December, 1491, and two months
+afterwards the new queen was crowned at Saint Denis. Maximilian now
+sought to form a coalition against Charles, to avenge his injured
+honour; and his ally, Henry VII. of England, sent a letter to Lodovico
+Sforza, asking him to join the league and invade France from the south.
+
+Under these circumstances Charles VIII. was naturally anxious to
+strengthen the old alliance which had existed between his father and the
+House of Sforza. Even before his own marriage, in the summer of 1490,
+Lodovico had sent Erasmo Brasca on a private mission to the French king,
+to ask for a renewal of the investiture of the Duchy of Genoa,
+originally granted to Francesco Sforza by Louis XI. Since those days,
+Genoa had been lost during the regency of Duchess Bona, and only
+recovered in 1888, by Lodovico's successful negotiations. Now Charles
+VIII. gladly granted the regent's request, and proposed to send an
+embassy to Milan in the course of the next year. Lodovico, on his part,
+prepared to give the French ambassadors a splendid reception, and in
+March, 1491, wrote to his chief secretary, Bartolommeo Calco, from
+Vigevano, giving minute instructions for the preparation of a suite of
+rooms in the Castello, where the Most Christian King's envoys were to be
+lodged. Since, at that time, extensive improvements were being made in
+other parts of the palace, Lodovico gave up his own rooms on the ground
+floor for the use of these distinguished strangers. The chief
+ambassador, the Scottish noble, Bernard Stuart d'Aubigny, Chamberlain to
+King Charles, he wrote word, would occupy the Duchess of Bari's
+apartment, known as the Sala della Asse, from the raised platform at one
+end of the room, and would use the duchess's boudoir, with the painted
+Amorini over the mantelpiece, and the adjoining chambers for his dining
+and robing room. The second ambassador, Jean Roux de Visque, was to
+occupy Lodovico's apartments; and the third, King Charles's doctor, the
+Italian Teodoro Guainiero of Pavia, would be lodged in the rooms of
+Madonna Beatrice, Niccolo da Correggio's mother, and of the duke's
+secretary, Jacopo Antiquario. All of these rooms had been decorated and
+hung with rich tapestries and curtains of velvet and brocade for
+Lodovico's wedding a year before, but on this occasion he desired that
+canopies adorned with the _fleur-de-lys_ should be placed over the beds,
+and that other changes should be made in the hangings and furniture. And
+since there was not room in the Castello, where the court officials and
+servants who were daily lodged and fed within its precincts already
+numbered some two hundred, for the whole of the suite, the remainder
+were to be entertained at the duke's expense at the different inns of
+the city, at the sign of the Stella, the Fontana and Campana.
+
+A few weeks later the ambassadors arrived at Milan, and were
+magnificently received by Lodovico and his nephew, both of whom wore
+sumptuous vests of white Lyons brocade, presented to them in the French
+king's name, at the ceremony of investiture which followed. Giangaleazzo
+was formally invested with the Duchy of Genoa, and did homage to the
+representative of his suzerain, the French king, in the presence of the
+whole court. Among the members of the ducal family present on this
+occasion was the duke's elder sister, Bianca Maria, who still remained
+unmarried since her affianced husband, the son of Matthias Corvinus, had
+been driven from the throne of Hungary, after his father's death in
+1490. The splendour of the ceremony, and the dazzling white velvet suits
+worn by her brother and uncle, were long remembered by this princess of
+seventeen, who spent most of her time with her mother, Bona, at
+Abbiategrasso. More than seven years afterwards, when poor Giangaleazzo
+was dead, and the Sforzas' throne was already tottering to its fall,
+Bianca Maria, then the wife of the Emperor Maximilian, wrote from
+Fribourg, begging her uncle to try and procure her a robe of the white
+velvet woven at Lyons, "like the vests worn by yourself and my brother,
+of blessed memory, on the day when he was invested with the Duchy of
+Genoa."[18] The young empress, whose mind, as her husband complained,
+never rose above childish things, and who, in the lonely splendour of
+her grim castles in the Tyrol, pined for the brightness of her fair
+Milanese home, had set her heart on a gown of this material, and begged
+her kind uncle to excuse her if she asked too much, assuring him that
+nothing else could give her so much pleasure.
+
+The beauty of Milan, with its stately Castello and white marble Duomo,
+its spacious streets and long rows of armourers' and goldsmiths' shops,
+its beautiful gardens and frescoed palaces, made a deep impression upon
+these strangers from the North. Never had they seen so fair a city or so
+rich a land. Marvellous were the tales they had to tell their countrymen
+of the splendid court where they had lived like princes, and of this
+wealthy and magnificent Signor Lodovico, who had entertained them in so
+royal a manner.
+
+But although the investiture of Genoa had been provisionally granted,
+and a treaty of alliance agreed upon, several articles of the league
+still remained to be discussed. Negotiations dragged on all through the
+year, chiefly with regard to certain castles belonging to Charles's
+ally, the Marquis of Montferrat, which had been seized by the Milanese.
+Niccolo da Correggio was sent to France in the summer to endeavour to
+bring matters to a satisfactory conclusion, but nothing was finally
+settled until the winter, when Charles decided to send a second embassy
+to Milan. This time one of the former envoys, Jean Roux de Visque, was
+selected for the office, and, together with Le Sieur Pierre de
+Courthardi, left Paris early in December, and arrived at Milan in
+January, 1492.
+
+Lodovico himself received the ambassadors in the Castello, and
+entertained them with his wonted magnificence. A treaty was drawn up, by
+which Charles agreed to recognize all the claims advanced by the Duke of
+Milan, and admitted the Duke of Bari by name as governor of his nephew
+into the defensive and offensive league concluded on the 13th of
+January, and on the 19th the French ambassadors left Milan. Before their
+departure, however, Lodovico, anxious to do his guests honour and at the
+same time impress them with his wealth and the vast resources at his
+command, himself conducted them over the Treasury of the Castello,
+which was deservedly regarded as one of the principal sights of Milan.
+
+There, in the heart of the Rocchetta, close to his own apartments, was
+the vaulted room, decorated with frescoes by Leonardo and Bramante, and
+known as the Sala del Tesoro. Here, piled up in enormous chests, were
+the vast store of gold ducats which he kept as a reserve fund for the
+State, and the priceless jewels that were his own private property.
+Here, too, in oak presses, secured by ingenious contrivances devised
+expressly for the purpose by Leonardo, were the treasures of gold and
+silver plate, the salvers and goblets, the dishes and vases of antique
+shape, in which the Moro took especial pride, and which were only
+exhibited on festive occasions. Milan was at this time one of the
+richest states in Italy. The revenue of the duchy, under Lodovico's wise
+and careful rule, exceeded the sum of 600,000 ducats--that is to say,
+double the revenue of Naples, and more than six times as much as that of
+Mantua, and was only surpassed by that of Venice, which amounted to
+800,000 ducats; while, according to the same table, the revenue of
+England in the fifteenth century was calculated at 700,000 ducats, and
+that of France at 1,000,000 ducats. And here, too, in the Sala del
+Tesoro, were the jewels belonging to Lodovico, a collection which at
+this time included some of the most famous gems in the world. A few of
+these which he pawned to a Venetian merchant in 1495, were valued at
+150,000 ducats, and a list, which is still preserved in the Trivulzio
+library, gives a description of the different jewels which in the
+troubled times at the close of his reign were pledged to bankers in Rome
+and Milan.[19] There was the balass ruby, called _El Spigo_ or "the ear
+of corn," which was valued at the enormous sum of 250,000 ducats; and
+the jewel of _Il Lupo_, "the wolf," consisting of one large diamond and
+three choice pearls, which the goldsmiths priced at 120,000 ducats.
+There was the famous _Puncta_, or diamond arrow, given by Duchess
+Beatrice's grandfather, Niccolo d'Este, to Francesco Sforza; and the
+_Caduceus_, a favourite device of the Moro's, wrought in large pearls,
+each of which was said to be worth 25,000 ducats; while the balass ruby,
+known as the Marone, often worn as a brooch by Beatrice, was valued at
+10,000 ducats. Another balass bore the effigy of Lodovico, and the
+insignia of the Moraglia, or Mulberry, was composed of emeralds,
+diamonds, and pearls. This jewel was frequently worn by the Moro
+himself, at state banquets, as well as the famous Sancy diamond, which
+had been found on the body of Charles the Bold after the battle of
+Nancy, and afterwards acquired by Lodovico, whose agents were always in
+search of precious stones of fine water and rare workmanship.
+
+Such were a few of the treasures which the regent displayed before the
+dazzled eyes of the French ambassadors. Unfortunately the presents which
+he gave them on their departure seemed to them poor and insignificant,
+after the marvels which they had seen in the Castello, and their
+cupidity was but ill-satisfied.
+
+"The French envoys," wrote the Florentine ambassador, Pandolfini, to his
+master, Lorenzo de Medici, "are gone away disappointed with Signor
+Lodovico's gifts, expecting to receive a handsomer present after seeing
+all the splendours of the Treasury."[20]
+
+Lodovico now determined to send an embassy to the French court to return
+the king's civilities and congratulate him on his marriage. He was the
+more anxious to strengthen his alliance with France on account of the
+growing estrangement between himself and the royal family of Naples.
+Hitherto, indeed, King Ferrante had maintained cordial relations with
+the Regent of Milan, whose claims to this position he had been the first
+to support, and whose marriage with his granddaughter Beatrice formed a
+new link between the Houses of Aragon and Sforza. But his son Alfonso,
+Duke of Calabria, who had frequently visited Milan during the long war
+with Venice, had never forgiven Lodovico for treating with the Venetians
+independently, and made no secret of his hatred for his brother-in-law.
+The quarrel between the two princes was naturally embittered by the
+complaints which Alfonso received from his daughter Isabella, Duchess of
+Milan. Her miserable husband, Giangaleazzo, showed less inclination than
+ever to take his proper place at the head of affairs, and abandoned
+himself to low debauchery. In his drunken fits it was even said that he
+forgot himself so far as to strike his wife.
+
+"There is no news here," wrote the widowed Marchioness of Montferrat
+from Milan to her envoy at Mantua, on the 2nd of May, 1492, "saving that
+the Duke of Milan has beaten his wife."[21]
+
+But the proud and high-spirited duchess began to resent the subordinate
+position in which she and her husband were placed at their own court,
+and she tried to instil her keen sense of this injustice into
+Giangaleazzo's feeble mind. When Lodovico came to Pavia that spring, his
+nephew began by refusing to see him, but before long he forgot his
+wrongs, and after behaving for a few days like a sulky child, was on the
+most affectionate terms with his uncle when they met again. Isabella
+soon found that no dependence could be placed upon this foolish youth,
+who cared for nothing but his dogs and horses, and repeated everything
+that she said to Lodovico. So she devoured her griefs in silence, and
+only gave utterance to her sorrows in her letters to Naples.
+
+Meanwhile, Alfonso did his utmost to stir up enemies against Lodovico,
+while, with habitual duplicity, he sent flattering messages to his
+brother-in-law, and begged for the continuance of his friendship. That
+February envoys were sent from Naples to France, under pretence of
+buying horses and dogs for hunting, but with secret instructions to
+persuade Charles VIII., if possible, to break with Lodovico Sforza, and
+refuse to acknowledge him as Regent of Milan. Charles, however, was too
+much intent on his own plans for the conquest of Naples to pay any heed
+to these proposals, and the only result of Alfonso's intrigues was to
+strengthen the alliance between France and Milan.
+
+Gianfrancesco, Count of Caiazzo, the eldest of the Sanseverino brothers,
+was chosen by Lodovico as chief ambassador to the French king, and
+received secret instructions to show Charles VIII. the proposals which
+had been made to the Regent of Milan by the King of England and
+Maximilian, King of the Romans.
+
+"Let him know by this means," runs the letter, still preserved in the
+Milanese archives, "how unwilling we are to act in any way against his
+interests, and let him see that we have preferred his alliance to that
+of the mightiest monarchs in Europe. Take care also to insist on the
+importance of the Duchy of Milan and on the exalted position that we
+occupy in the eyes of other Italian States. And assure him that we are
+his firm and loyal friends, whose constancy neither threats nor promises
+can ever shake."[22]
+
+Count Carlo Belgiojoso, Galeazzo Visconti and Girolamo Tuttavilla, Count
+of Sarno, who was himself one of King Ferrante's exiled subjects, were
+selected to accompany Caiazzo on his mission. On the 23rd of February
+they left Milan, and reached Paris towards the end of March.
+
+Not only had Lodovico given his envoys minute instructions as to the
+language they were to hold in treating with the French king, but the
+clothes they were to wear, the presents which they bore to Charles VIII.
+and his queen, the very day and hour of their entry into Paris, were all
+regulated by his orders. His astrologer, Ambrogio di Rosate, had fixed
+upon the 28th of March as the most propitious moment for Caiazzo to
+enter Paris, and on that day, accordingly, the Milanese ambassadors,
+splendidly arrayed in rich brocades and cloth of gold, rode through the
+streets of the capital, and under the walls of the old Louvre, where the
+king and queen had their abode. On the following day, Charles himself
+received the envoys, and Galeazzo Visconti delivered a long Latin
+discourse prepared by Lodovico. On the 30th they were presented to the
+queen, and a few days afterwards they accompanied the royal party on a
+hunting expedition in the forest of Saint-Germain, but found the sport
+of a rude and fatiguing description, and complained that both men and
+animals were very savage in their habits. Every detail of the
+proceedings was faithfully reported to Lodovico by Antonio Calco, the
+secretary of the mission. For his benefit and that of Beatrice, he not
+only describes the costumes of the royal pair--the king's gorgeous
+mantle of Lyons velvet, lined with yellow satin, and the queen's gold
+brocade robe and cape of lion skin lined with crimson--but gives a
+minute account of Anne of Brittany's coiffure, a black velvet cap with
+a gold fringe hanging about a finger's length over her forehead, and a
+hood studded with big diamonds drawn over her head and ears. So curious
+were Beatrice and her ladies on these matters, that Lodovico wrote on
+the 8th of April from Vigevano, desiring Calco to send him a drawing of
+the French queen's costume, "in order that the same fashion may be
+adopted here in Milan." At the same time Lodovico desired Caiazzo to
+show especial civility to the Duke of Orleans, assuring him that the
+Dukes of Bari and Milan both regarded him as their own kinsman, and
+hoped that the love and friendship between them would be that of
+brothers. The ambassador was further empowered to offer the hand of
+Bianca Sforza, the duke's unmarried sister, to James IV., the young King
+of Scotland, through Stuart d'Aubigny, the Scottish nobleman whom
+Charles VIII. had sent as his envoy to Milan. Meanwhile, King Ferrante's
+emissaries were doing their best to stir up the Duke of Orleans against
+his Sforza rivals, and had secretly offered his granddaughter Charlotte
+in marriage to the youthful Scottish monarch.
+
+But for the moment Lodovico's star was in the ascendant, and his
+influence reigned supreme at the French court. Charles VIII. formally
+ratified all the conditions of the treaty which had been signed at Milan
+in January, and wrote to inform Pope Innocent that he had entered into
+close alliance with the house of Sforza, and would regard any injury
+done to the Dukes of Milan and Bari as a personal wrong.
+
+The object of the embassy being accomplished, Count Caiazzo, Galeazzo
+Visconti and Tuttavilla took leave of the French king and returned to
+Milan on the 5th of May, leaving Count Belgiojoso as permanent envoy at
+Paris. The triumph of Lodovico's diplomacy was complete, and without
+shedding a drop of blood, or making any warlike demonstration, he had
+outwitted all his foes and secured the alliance of his most powerful
+neighbour.
+
+The good news gave fresh zest to the pleasures of Beatrice's court that
+summer, and to all the memorable enterprises upon which Lodovico was
+engaged at home.
+
+Early in March the Duke and Duchess of Bari left Milan to take up their
+abode at Vigevano, and held a series of brilliant _fêtes_ and hunting
+parties in this newly-finished palace. The works upon which Bramante and
+his companions had been employed for years past were finished, the great
+hall with its richly-wrought marble capitals, the noble tower and
+imposing porticoes, were all complete. The last stone was in its place,
+and on the great archway that formed the entrance to the stately pile,
+Lodovico placed this proud Latin inscription, bearing the date, 1492.
+
+     "LUDOVICUS MARIA SFORTIA VICECOMES PRINCIPATU JOANNI GALEACIO
+     NEPOTI AB EXTERIS ET INTESTINIS MOTIBUS STABILITO POSTEAQUAM
+     SQUALLENTES AGROS VIGEVANENSES IMMISSIS FLUMINIBUS FERTILES
+     FECIT AD VOLUPTARIOS SECESSUS IN HAC ARCE VETERES PRINCIPUM
+     EDES REFORMAVIT ET NOVIS CIRCUMEDIFICATIS SPECIOSA, ETIAM
+     TURRI MUNIVIT POPULI QUOQUE HABITATIONIS SITU ET SQUALORE
+     OCCUPATAS STRATIS UT EXPEDITIS PER URBEM VIIS AD CIVILEM
+     LAUTICIAM REDEGIT DIRRUTIS ETIAM CIRCA FORUM VETERIBUS
+     EDIFICIIS ARCAM AMPLIANT AC PORTICIBUS CIRCUMDUCTIS IN HANC
+     SPECIEM EXORNAVIT. ANNO A SALUTE CHRISTIANA NONAGESIMOSECUNDO
+     SUPRA MILLESIMUM ET QUADRIGENTESIMUM."
+
+He had given back peace to his nephew's realm and had vanquished external
+foes and quelled internal dissensions, he had brought rivers of water to
+make the barren fields of Vigevano fertile, and had rebuilt the ancient
+Forum and raised fair porticoes and fine houses round the wide square.
+And now, as a crowning gift to this his native city, he had restored and
+beautified the ancestral castle of the illustrious house of Sforza and
+had reared stately halls and a fair tower to make Vigevano a home of
+perpetual delight.
+
+During the continual round of amusements in which these festive weeks
+were spent, Beatrice had little time for writing, and the only letter we
+have from her hand during this visit to Vigevano is one addressed to her
+sister Isabella, in which she begs for information respecting Father
+Bernardino da Feltre, a famous revivalist preacher of the Franciscan
+order, who had travelled through the cities of Central Italy, preaching
+repentance and founding the charitable institutions known as Monte di
+Pietà for the relief of the poor.
+
+"A report has reached us here," wrote the young duchess, "that the
+venerable Father Bernardino da Feltre, who has been preaching in Verona
+this Lent, was heard to declare from the pulpit that he had received a
+message from heaven, warning him that he would die in Holy Week, after
+miraculously opening the eyes of a blind man. Now I am very anxious to
+know if this report is true, and since at Mantua you are sufficiently
+near Verona to learn the truth of these tales, I beg you to make
+inquiries and let me know the result."
+
+A fortnight later, Isabella, who had been absent from Mantua, was able
+to satisfy her sister's curiosity and at the same time answer a previous
+note in which Beatrice had given her a bad character of one of the
+Marchesana's _protégés_, an archer in Fracassa's service. She writes:--
+
+
+"MOST ILLUSTRIOUS AND HONOURED SISTER,
+
+"Only yesterday I received two letters which you wrote to me on the 16th
+and 17th of April: the one in answer to my recommendation of Malacarno,
+Signor Fracassa's archer, the other regarding a report which had reached
+you as to certain words which Fra Bernardino da Feltre is said to have
+spoken at Verona. In reply to your first letter, I assure your Highness
+that if I had ever dreamt Malacarno could be guilty of such detestable
+crimes, I would never have pleaded his cause, since naturally I hate
+such conduct. But as I had been told his faults were trifling, I
+consented to intercede with you on his behalf; and now I hear the bad
+character he bears, am well satisfied to hear the punishment which he
+has received, and praise your illustrious consort's prudence, while at
+the same time I thank you for the very kind expressions in your letter.
+As to Fra Bernardino's supposed prophecy that he would die this Holy
+Week after miraculously opening the eyes of a blind man, I find that
+there is absolutely no truth in the report you mention. Neither at
+Verona, nor yet at Padua, where he has also been preaching, did he ever
+use such language, which indeed his humility would forbid, and as I have
+learnt from a monk who attended his sermons. All the same, in order to
+satisfy you and make sure of the truth, I have made further inquiries,
+the result of which I now lay before you, begging you to commend me
+warmly to your illustrious lord.[23]
+
+"Mantua, May 2nd, 1492."
+
+From Vigevano, Lodovico and his wife moved to Pavia, where the summer
+months were spent in entertaining a succession of guests, and, as
+before, Beatrice and Isabella joined together in hunting parties and
+amusements of every description. Giangaleazzo had totally forgotten his
+passing vexation, the clouds which darkened Isabella's sad life seemed
+to lift for the moment, and once more harmony reigned in the ducal
+family. The _fêtes_ in honour of her son's christening, which had been
+postponed in the previous summer, were now celebrated with increased
+splendour. Bramante was summoned to arrange a succession of dramatic
+performances, and a grand tournament was held in the park of the
+Castello, in which Messer Galeazzo and his brother and all the most
+skilled jousters at court took part. And the Moro's accomplished friend,
+Ermolao Barbaro, the young Venetian patriarch, who had been once more
+sent as envoy to Milan, composed a wonderful Latin epigram in honour of
+the occasion, praying Pallas not to avert her face in sorrow at the
+sound and tumult of war, which is after all but a mimic display, and
+calling upon her, the goddess whose wisdom Lodovico honours above all
+the thunders of Jove, to bless the great house of Sforza, illustrious
+alike in the arts of war and peace.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[17] Secret Archives of the Venetian Senate, Reg. 31, fol. 123, 131,
+etc., and Reg. 32, fol. 87.
+
+[18] F. Calvi, _Bianca Maria Sforza_.
+
+[19] C. Trivulzio in A. S. L., iii. 530.
+
+[20] V. Delaborde, _L'Expédition de Charles VIII. en Italie_, p. 228.
+
+[21] G. Uzielli, _op. cit._, p. 6.
+
+[22] Archivio di Milano, _Potenze esterne Francia_.
+
+[23] Luzio Renier, _op. cit._, p. 348.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+Intellectual and artistic revival in Lombardy--Lodovico and his
+secretaries--Building of the new University of Pavia--Reforms and
+extension of the University--The library of the Castello
+remodelled--Poliziano and Merula--Lodovico founds new schools at
+Milan--Equestrian statue of Francesco Sforza--Leonardo's paintings at
+Milan--Lodovico as a patron of art and learning.
+
+1492
+
+
+The year 1492 was one of great enterprises. The intellectual and
+artistic movement which Lodovico Sforza had inaugurated was now in full
+vigour, and the fruits of his wise and enlightened rule began to appear
+in every direction.
+
+"Now that the wars were ended," writes Corio, "an era of peace and
+prosperity began, and everything seemed on a firmer and more stable
+foundation than it had ever been in times past. The court of our princes
+was most splendid, full of new fashions, rich clothes, and endless
+delights. Here Minerva and Venus vied with each other, while beautiful
+youths and maidens came to learn in the school of Cupid, Minerva held
+her gentle academy in Milan, and that illustrious prince, Lodovico
+Sforza, brought men of rare excellence from the furthest ends of Europe
+at his expense. Here the learning of Greece shone, together with the
+prose and verse of the Latin race. Here the muses of poetry, and the
+masters of sculpture reigned supreme; here came the most distinguished
+painters from distant regions; here night and day were heard sounds of
+such sweet singing, and such delicious harmonies of music, that they
+seemed to descend from heaven itself."
+
+Foremost among the "men of singular merit" whom Lodovico attracted to
+his court and retained in his service, were his two secretaries,
+Bartolommeo Calco and Jacopo Antiquario of Perugia. Both were men of
+great learning and discernment, fired with the same passion for arts and
+letters as their master, and as liberal as he was in assisting poorer
+scholars. Calco was Lodovico's right hand and chief adviser in his great
+schemes for beautifying cities and palaces. He delivered his orders to
+the countless artists in his employment, arranged court festivities and
+generally conducted the duke's correspondence. Jacopo Antiquario was
+more purely a scholar, who protected other men of letters, and helped
+them generously in time of need. His honest nature and kindly actions
+made him singularly beloved, and a contemporary describes him as the
+most learned of good men, and the best of learned men; while his
+intimate friend, the great printer, Aldo Manuzio, has immortalized his
+memory in the beautiful epistle in which he dedicates the Moralia of
+Plutarch to this man, whose name, he prays, may go down to future ages
+linked with his own. Both of these secretaries proved able assistants in
+the great revival of art and learning which is Lodovico's lasting title
+to fame. Chief among these was the reform and extension of the
+University of Pavia. During the troubled times that followed Galeazzo
+Sforza's death, this ancient University had sunk to a very low ebb. The
+professors remained unpaid, and in many cases ceased to lecture, the
+buildings were small and inconvenient and the students lawless and
+riotous. Lodovico set himself with a stern hand to repress abuses on the
+one side, while on the other he grudged neither time nor money in
+promoting the cause of learning. A letter which he addressed to the
+students from Vigevano in August, 1488, only a few weeks before the
+dangerous illness which almost ended his life, deserves to be quoted, if
+only as an example of the attention which he gave to every detail of
+administration.
+
+"Not a day passes," he writes, "but I hear of some fresh misconduct on
+your part, some crime committed or some uproar excited in the city, by
+you who are scholars of the University. Even last Holy Week your
+behaviour towards certain gentlemen and citizens of Pavia was justly the
+cause of scandal and complaint. Such things are not to be borne, nor do
+I intend to bear them any longer. Schools are intended for learning, and
+the object of all study and learning is that we may know how to live
+well, and, by our good conduct and fair lives, gain honour and praise
+both in the eyes of God and man. We do not see that the human and divine
+laws, in which you are daily instructed, produce any good effect if you
+can behave as you have done in this case towards peaceable citizens,
+especially in these holy days when the fear of God should, above all,
+control your ways and actions. If you thus neglect the laws of good
+living, nothing but confusion can be the result. And know that, unless
+you speedily return to better ways, and show more respect for our holy
+religion, and more honourable treatment of our honest citizens, no love
+of learning will induce me to countenance such misconduct. For to
+repress crime, keep Italy in peace, and maintain the honour of our
+illustrious lord duke, is the first and chief object of our endeavours."
+
+Meanwhile, Lodovico neglected no means of improving the condition of
+both professors and scholars of the University. In 1489, the magnificent
+new Ateneo which he had planned was completed, and the different schools
+of medicine, jurisprudence, fine arts and letters, were brought together
+under the same roof. The most distinguished foreign scholars were
+invited to occupy the different professional chairs, their salaries were
+raised and their numbers increased. Giasone del Maino, who was professor
+of law at Pavia for fifty-two years, and whose reputation as jurist
+attracted students from all parts of the world, received the large
+salary of 2250 florins at this time, while Giorgio Merula of Alessandria,
+the historian, who for many years was professor of rhetoric at the
+University, and received only 375 florins in 1486, had his salary
+raised in 1492 to 1000 florins. Next to the law schools, that of
+medicine was the most noted for its excellence at Pavia, and among its
+distinguished professors were Alvise Marliani, who was said to rival
+Aristotle in philosophy, Hippocrates in medicine, and Ptolemy in
+astronomy, and who was court-physician in turn to Lodovico Sforza, to
+his son Maximilian, and to the Emperor Charles V.; and Ambrogio of
+Varese, who occupied the chair of astrology, and taught the science of
+Almansor, as it was termed. This favourite servant of the Moro received
+the title of Count and the castle and lands of Rosate from Gian Galeazzo
+in 1493, "for his services," so ran the patent, "in saving my illustrious
+uncle the Duke of Bari's life." Oriental study was another branch of
+learning that Lodovico especially encouraged. Count Teseo de'Albonesi of
+Pavia became noted as the first Chaldaic scholar of his age, and in 1490,
+the Moro established a chair of Hebrew, and appointed the Jew Benedetto
+Ispano to be the first professor, with express injunctions to study the
+text of the Bible. This experiment, however, proved a failure, and so few
+scholars attended his lectures that at the end of a year the chair was
+abolished. At the same time, new colleges were opened, and scholarships
+founded for poor students; and in 1496, Lodovico being then reigning Duke
+of Milan, granted the professors of law, medicine, philosophy and fine
+arts, an exemption from all taxation. Under his fostering care the
+University flourished as it had never flourished before. Scholars from
+all parts of Europe came to attend Giasone di Maino's lectures, the
+number of professors reached ninety: that of students was said to be
+three thousand. As the Milanese poet Lancinus Curtius sang in his Latin
+rhymes, "The fair-skinned Germans with their long hair flowing on their
+necks, the English and the knights from Gaul, the Iberian from the golden
+sands of Tagus, all hasten thither from the far North. The rude Pannonian
+lays aside his military cloak to join the eager throng who crowd into the
+virgin temple and seek the Helicon of Phoebus under the carved dome of
+wisdom, which bears Lodovico's name above the stars."
+
+But the Moro patronage of learning was by no means limited to Pavia. He
+did his utmost to revive the ancient University of Milan, which had long
+fallen into decay, and founded new and flourishing schools in this city.
+The best Pavian professors Merula and the Greek Demetrius Calcondila
+amongst others, were invited to lecture to the Milanese students. Fra
+Luca Pacioli of Borgo San Sepolcro, the famous mathematician, came to
+teach them geometry and arithmetic, and Ferrari occupied the first chair
+of history ever founded in Italy, while the priest Gaffuri became the
+first public instructor in the new school of music. In short, as a
+contemporary writes, there was not a science of any description that
+could not be learnt at Milan in the days of Lodovico Sforza.
+
+The endowment of research was another point in which Lodovico showed
+himself to be in advance of his age. He granted liberal pensions to
+Bernardino Corio and Tristano Calco, "the Milanese Livy," who continued
+the history of the Visconti begun by the Alessandria professor and
+addressed letters in his own hand to the private owners of valuable
+manuscripts, requesting the loan of works that would assist these
+writers of Lombard history, "in order that a perpetual memory of the
+great deeds done by our ancestors may be preserved for future
+generations." From his earliest years history had been one of Lodovico's
+favourite studies, and an illuminated volume of extracts from Greek and
+Roman history which he compiled under his tutor Filelfo's direction at
+the age of fifteen may still be seen in the library of Turin. And in
+riper years, amid all the pressure of State affairs and political
+anxieties, he never let a day pass without having some passages from
+ancient and modern history read aloud to him by his secretaries. So wise
+and enlightened a prince well deserved the high praise bestowed upon him
+by the Bolognese scholar, Filippo Beroaldo, and the great Florentine,
+Angelo Poliziano, with whom Lodovico frequently exchanged letters, and
+who in one of his effusions thus addresses his princely friend: "All the
+world knows you to be a prince of brilliant genius and singular wisdom,
+while above all others you cherish the noble arts and show your love for
+these intellectual studies which we profess." The jealousy of his own
+subjects was often roused by the favour with which Lodovico regarded
+scholars of other nationalities, and on one occasion a fierce quarrel
+arose between Merula and Poliziano, in which the Lombard historian
+stooped to the vilest personalities. Another Pavian professor with whom
+he had a controversy over certain commentaries of Martial, had, it
+appears, ventured to hint that Merula did not really know Greek, an
+insinuation which provoked the most violent display of anger on his
+part, and when Poliziano endeavoured to appease both parties, the
+affronted Lombard flew at him like a small terrier attacking some big
+mastiff. All Lodovico's tact and courtesy were needed to allay the
+storm, and when at length Merula died in 1494, the duke ordered the
+immediate destruction of all the papers relating to this deplorable
+controversy, of which all parties, he felt, had good reason to be
+ashamed. The remodelling of the library of the Castello di Pavia was
+another important work which was carried out in the year 1492, by
+Tristano Calco the historian and kinsman of the chief secretary, under
+the eye of Lodovico himself, while he and Beatrice spent the summer at
+Pavia. All the rare and precious manuscripts which he had been at such
+pains to collect in France and Italy and Germany, and the ancient books
+contained in the library were catalogued and arranged for the use of
+students. For Lodovico was not only bent on enriching the ducal library,
+but was determined to make its treasures accessible to scholars of all
+nationalities. He allowed contemporary historians, Corio, Merula, and
+Tristan Calco himself, to borrow manuscripts freely, and, what was even
+more admirable in those days of persecution, gave permission under his
+own hand and seal to a Jewish scholar, named Salomone Ebreo, to live in
+the Castello with his family, in order that he might translate Hebrew
+manuscripts into Latin for the promotion of theological studies, and
+also be enabled to study the text of the Hebrew Bible belonging to the
+library.
+
+It is melancholy to reflect on the sad fate of this priceless
+collection, upon which Lodovico and his ancestors had expended so much
+care and thought. In 1499, the bulk of the library of the Castello was
+carried off to Blois by Louis XII. and its precious contents were
+dispersed. Some were taken to Fontainebleau by Francis I. and afterwards
+by Henry Quatre to Paris, where they are still the glory of the
+Bibliothèque Nationale. Others again found their way into different
+public and private collections, and may be seen at Madrid and St.
+Petersburg, in London and Vienna, still bearing the inscription "De
+Pavye au roi Louis XII.," which tells us that they once formed part of
+the Sforza Library. An illuminated manuscript of Aulus Gellius, and
+another of the "Triumphs" of Petrarch, encircled with miniatures and
+bearing Lodovico's name, which originally belonged to the same
+collection, are among the treasures of the Bibliothèque Nationale. Many
+more no doubt have disappeared, lost in the general anarchy and
+confusion which prevailed in the Milanese during the century after the
+Moro's fall.
+
+The newly discovered art of printing was also liberally encouraged by
+Lodovico, one of whose _protégés_, Alessandro Minuziano, set up a
+printing press in Milan before Aldo Manuzio had settled in Venice, and
+in the course of the year 1494, published twenty-two books, including a
+Latin dictionary by Dionigi Este and complete editions of Cicero and
+Tacitus, Pliny and Suetonius, as well as the works of Filelfo and the
+Sonnets and Triumphs of Petrarch. In 1496, a treatise on music by
+Franchino Gaffuri was published, with a dedication to the duke, and was
+followed by the appearance of several works on harmony.
+
+The munificence of Lodovico stirred up others to follow his example. His
+secretary Bartolommeo Calco founded free schools, where Greek and Latin
+professors lectured free of charge to poor Milanese students; and two
+other noblemen, Tommaso Grassi and Tommaso Piatti, endowed similar
+institutions. The new passion for learning spread from Milan and Pavia
+to other cities, and even Lombard villages had their public schools and
+lecturers. Everywhere the same thirst for knowledge was felt and the
+same respect for scholars was shown. For as Signor Lodovico wrote to his
+friend Poliziano, at Florence, "Both natural inclination and the example
+of our ancestors have inspired us with ardent love for learned men and
+an eager desire to honour and reward them to the best of our power."
+
+If the intellectual movement which took place during the twenty years of
+Lodovico Moro's rule in Milan commanded general admiration; if learning
+flourished there as it had never done before, the widespread revival of
+art in Lombardy was a still more remarkable feature of the period. This
+indeed was the province in which Lodovico's true genius was most
+apparent, and in which his own fine taste, vast power of organization
+and minute attention to detail, all made themselves felt and bore rich
+fruit. "This," wrote Isabella d'Este--herself no mean judge of these
+matters--from Lodovico's court, "is the school of the Master and of
+those who know, the home of art and understanding."
+
+Throughout the Milanese, architects and engineers, painters and
+sculptors, with a host of minor craftsmen, were carrying out the vast
+projects that emanated from this one man. The decoration of the capital
+was naturally among the chief objects of his ambition.
+
+"In the year 1492," writes the chronicler Cagnola, "this glorious and
+magnanimous prince adorned the Castello di Porta Zobia with many fair
+and marvellous buildings, enlarged the Piazza in front of the Castello,
+and removed obstructions in the streets of the city, and caused them to
+be painted and beautified with frescoes. And he did the same in the city
+of Pavia, so that both these towns, that were formerly ugly and dirty,
+are now most beautiful, which things are very laudable and excellent,
+especially in the eyes of those who remember these cities as they were
+of old, and who see them as they are to-day."
+
+Chief among Lodovico's most honoured and trusted servants was Bramante
+of Urbino, whose genius excited so marked an influence on the
+development of Lombard architecture, and who was to the builders what
+Leonardo became to the painters of Milan. "Signor Lodovico loved
+Bramante greatly, and rewarded him richly," writes Fra Gaspare Bugati, a
+Dominican friar of S. Maria delle Grazie, the Moro's favourite church,
+which this great architect did so much to beautify. During this year,
+Bramante, having finished the palace of Vigevano and completed the new
+buildings at the royal villas of Abbiategrasso, Cuzzago and other
+places, upon which he had been long engaged, began several important
+works in Milan itself. The new cloister or Canonica attached to the
+ancient basilica of S. Ambrogio, with its graceful columns and
+dark-green marble capitals, and the apse of S. Maria delle Grazie, soon
+to be crowned with that matchless cupola that remains among Bramante's
+most perfect works, were both begun in 1492. A few years before, between
+1485 and 1490, he had built the Baptistery of San Satiro, which another
+of Lodovico's chosen artists, the great Como sculptor, Caradosso, was
+now engaged in modelling the lovely terra-cotta frieze of children and
+the medallions bearing, it is said, his own portrait and that of
+Bramante. The noble church of S. Maria presso San Celso, which in
+Burckhardt's opinion combines magnificence and simplicity better than
+any building of the Renaissance, was the work of Bramante's assistant,
+Dolcebuono, and owed its erection to the munificence of Lodovico, who
+laid the first stone in 1491. Nor were churches and palaces the only
+buildings upon which Lodovico lavished his gold and employed his most
+distinguished masters. In those days, the hospitals of Rome, Florence,
+Venice and Siena were the finest in Europe, and when Luther visited
+Rome, he is said to have been more impressed by the size and splendour
+of the hospitals, than by anything else in Italy. The great Moro,
+determined not to allow Milan to remain behind his age in this respect,
+employed Bramante to adorn the Gothic buildings of the Ospedale Maggiore
+with the arched windows and stately porticoes that we still admire,
+while he encircled the cloisters with marble shafts and terra-cotta
+mouldings after his own heart. And in 1488, after his own recovery from
+illness, and that terrible visitation of the plague which had carried
+off fifty thousand inhabitants of Milan in six months, Lodovico founded
+the vast Lazzaretto, which still deserves its proud title, and may well
+be called a "glorious refuge for Christ's poor."
+
+Meanwhile the works of the Duomo of Milan, that other great foundation
+of the Visconti dukes, were being vigorously carried on. In 1481,
+Lodovico had nominated his favourite Pavian master, Amadeo, the
+architect of the Certosa, as Capomaestro in succession to Guiniforte
+Solari; but the Councillors of the Fabric declined to accept his
+suggestion, and sent to Strasburg for a German architect, John
+Nexemperger of Graz, who held the office for some years, but effected
+little, and was finally dismissed in 1486. After his departure, the
+ruinous state of the central cupola requiring immediate attention,
+Lodovico invited Luca Fancelli, the chief architect of the Gonzagas at
+Mantua, to visit Milan, and by his advice Leonardo, Bramante, and other
+leading masters were invited in 1487 to design models for a new cupola.
+On this occasion Leonardo executed a model, which, however, does not
+seem to have satisfied the Fabbricieri, and after applying in vain to
+his ambassador in Rome and Florence for a master able and willing to
+undertake the task, Lodovico returned to his first choice, and appointed
+Amadeo and Dolcebuono, architects of the Duomo, with powers to alter and
+perfect the models of the cupola submitted to them for inspection. In
+order to strengthen their hands and satisfy himself, Lodovico invited
+Luca Fancelli of Mantua and Francesco Martini of Siena to decide on the
+respective merits of the models already prepared. Caradosso was sent to
+conduct Martini from Siena, while Gaffuri, Professor of Music, escorted
+Fancelli from Mantua by the duke's orders, and both masters were richly
+rewarded for the pains and presented with silken vests and clothes for
+their servants over and above the pay to which they were entitled.
+
+On the 27th of June, 1490, a meeting was held in the Castello, at which
+Lodovico presided, and after much deliberation the final execution of
+the cupola was entrusted to Amadeo and Dolcebuono. Bramante himself was
+not present on this occasion, but he approved highly of the model
+selected, and praised its lightness and elegance.
+
+As for Leonardo, he was absorbed in other studies, and had apparently
+ceased to take any interest in the subject. After allowing his first
+model to be spoilt, and receiving payment for a second which he never
+began, he had, as already mentioned, accompanied the Sienese architect,
+Martini, to Pavia, to give his opinion on the new Duomo in course of
+erection. There he lingered, studying anatomy or discussing scientific
+and philosophical questions with the University professors, until he was
+recalled to Milan, to assist in the preparations for Beatrice's wedding
+_fêtes_. Many and varied were the tasks on which Leonardo had been
+employed since the day, some eight years before, when the Magnificent
+Medici first sent him to his friend at Milan. In the letter which the
+young master, proudly conscious of his powers, himself addressed to
+Lodovico Sforza, offering him his services, he had, first of all,
+retailed at length his different inventions "for the construction of
+bridges, cannons, engines, and catapults of fair and useful shape
+hitherto unknown, but of admirable efficiency in time of war," after
+which he proceeded to give the following account of his artistic
+capacities:--
+
+"In time of peace I believe I can equal any man in constructing public
+buildings and conducting water from one place to another. I can execute
+sculpture, whether in marble, bronze, or terra-cotta, and in painting I
+am the equal of any master, be he who he may. Again, I will undertake to
+execute the bronze horse to the immortal glory and eternal honour of the
+duke, your father, of blessed memory, and of the illustrious House of
+Sforza. And if any of the things I have mentioned above should seem to
+you impossible and impracticable, I will gladly make trial of them in
+your park, or any other place that may please your Excellency, to whom I
+commend myself in all humility."
+
+The master had kept his word, and justified the confidence which from
+the first Lodovico Sforza placed in him. According to Vasari and the
+biographer of the Magliabecchiana, who wrote about 1540, Leonardo
+originally attracted the Moro's notice by the surpassing charm with
+which he played on a silver lyre of his own invention, and afterwards
+fascinated him by his conversation. But from the moment of his arrival
+at Milan the Florentine artist was employed by his new master to paint
+portraits and frescoes, to construct canals, arrange masques and
+pageants, or invent mechanical contrivances for use on the stage or in
+the house. A thousand different studies in his sketch-books and
+manuscripts bear witness to the strange variety of subjects upon which
+his versatile genius was brought to bear. But the most important work
+upon which Leonardo was engaged, and that which lay nearest to Lodovico
+Sforza's heart, was the equestrian statue of Duke Francesco Sforza.
+This, we learn from the master's own words, was the true reason that
+brought him to Milan. In a letter to the Fabbricieri of the Duomo of
+Piacenza, he describes himself as Leonardo the Florentine whom Signor
+Lodovico brought to Milan to make the bronze horse, and says that he can
+undertake no other task, for this will fill his whole life, if indeed it
+is ever finished! Countless were the designs, endless the different
+forms which the great master made for this model, which was, after all,
+never to be cast in bronze, and was destined to perish by the hands of
+French archers. At one time it seemed as if he could neither satisfy
+himself nor yet his master. In July, 1489, Pietro Alamanni, one of
+Lorenzo de' Medici's agents, wrote to ask his master if he could send
+another artist capable of executing the work to the Milanese court.
+
+"Signor Lodovico," he says, "wishes to raise a noble memorial to his
+father, and has already charged Leonardo da Vinci to prepare a model for
+a great bronze horse, with a figure of Duke Francesco in armour. But
+since His Excellency is anxious to have something superlatively fine,
+he desires me to write and beg you to send him another master, for
+although he has given the work to Leonardo, he does not feel satisfied
+that he is equal to the task."
+
+Probably Lodovico's confidence had been shaken by Leonardo's endless
+delays and hesitation, but a few months later the master was at work
+again, this time it appears on a completely new model of the great
+statue. On April, 1490, we find the following memorandum in Leonardo's
+writing:--
+
+"To-day I commenced this book, and began the horse again."
+
+But soon another interruption came to interfere with the progress of the
+great work. There was the visit to Pavia, and the decoration of the
+ball-room in the Castello, and the wedding _fêtes_, and the tournaments
+in which Messer Galeazzo sought his help. And in this year--1492--we
+find Leonardo at Vigevano with the Moro in March, making designs for a
+new staircase for the Sforzesca, and studying vine-culture, and later in
+the summer drawing plans of a bath-room for Duchess Beatrice, and of a
+pavilion with a round cupola for the duke's labyrinth in the gardens of
+the Castello. It was in this same year, according to Amoretti, that he
+finished the beautiful painting of the Holy Family, upon which he had
+long been engaged. This may have been the picture ordered by Lodovico as
+a gift for the art-loving King of Hungary, Matthias Corvinus, when his
+niece Bianca Maria was betrothed to that monarch's son.
+
+"Since we hear that His Majesty delights in pictures," wrote Lodovico to
+Maffeo di Treviglio, the ambassador whom he was sending to Hungary in
+1485, "and we have here a most excellent painter, with whose genius we
+are well acquainted, and who, we are sure, has no equal, we have ordered
+this master to paint a figure of Our Lady, as beautiful and perfect and
+holy as he can imagine, without sparing pains or expense. He has already
+set to work, and will undertake nothing else until this picture is
+finished, and we are able to send it as a gift to his said Majesty."
+
+The painter who had no equal could be none other than Leonardo; but it
+would be interesting to know if this picture, originally destined for
+Matthias Corvinus, was the Nativity eventually given by Lodovico in 1493
+to Bianca Maria's future husband, the Emperor Maximilian. All traces of
+this altar-piece, however, as well as of the Bacchus and other subjects
+which Leonardo painted for the Moro, have vanished; and the only works
+that remain to us of his Milanese period are the cartoon of the Virgin
+and St. Anne now in the Royal Academy, and the "Vierge aux Rochers" in
+the Louvre, which was originally painted between 1490 and 1494 for a
+chapel in San Francesco of Milan, the church where the great Condottiere
+Roberto di Sanseverino was piously buried by his sons, after his death
+in the battle of Trent. The fame which Leonardo had attained, and the
+high esteem in which he was held by the Moro, is proved by the verses of
+contemporary poets, and especially by those of his fellow-countryman,
+Bellincioni, the court-poet who died in 1492.
+
+"To-day," he sings, "Milan is the new Athens! Here Lodovico holds his
+Parnassus; here rare and excellent artists flock as bees to seek honey
+from the flowers; here, chief among them all, is the new Apelles whom he
+has brought from Florence." In the volume of Bellincioni's Sonnets,
+published soon after his death by the priest Francesco Tanzio, the name
+Magistro Leonardo da Vinci appears in a marginal note, and in another
+sonnet inscribed to "Four illustrious men who have grown up under the
+shadow of the Moro," the editor gives the respective names of these
+famous individuals as "the painter Maestro Leonardo Florentino, the
+goldsmith Caradosso, the learned Greek scholar Giorgio Merula, called
+the sun of Alessandria, and Maestro Giannino, the Ferrarese
+gun-founder."
+
+"Rejoice, O Milano," sings the poet in these verses--"rejoice above all,
+that within your walls you hold one who is foremost among excellent
+artists, Da Vinci, whose drawing and colouring are alike unrivalled by
+ancient or modern masters."
+
+The fact that Lodovico was able to keep this great master at his court
+during so long a period is the best proof we have of his knowledge of
+men and love of art. These sixteen years were the most brilliant and
+productive of Leonardo's life. Never again was he to enjoy a freedom
+and independence so complete, never again was he to find a master as
+generous, as stimulating to his powers of brain and hand as the great
+Moro. It was not only that Signor Lodovico gave him the large salary of
+2000 ducats--about £4000 of our money--"besides many other gifts and
+rewards," as Leonardo himself told Cardinal de Gurk, but that he was
+himself so fine a connoisseur and understanding a patron. More than
+this, he knew how to deal with men of genius, and could make allowance
+for their wayward fancies, and humour their caprices with infinite tact
+and kindliness. And from the little that we glean of his intercourse
+with Leonardo, he seems to have treated him rather as an equal than as a
+subject, and more like a friend than a servant.
+
+The glimpses that we catch of Leonardo's private life from the writings
+of contemporaries, whether in Bandello's _novelle_, or in Bellincioni's
+_rime_, all give the same pleasant impression, and show the ease and
+liberty which he enjoyed at the court of Milan. And in his own
+"Trattato" (Cap. 36) the painter describes himself as living in a fine
+house, full of beautiful paintings and choice objects, surrounded by
+musicians and poets. Here he sits at his work, handling a brush full of
+lovely colour, never so happy as when he can paint listening to the
+sound of sweet melodies. The spacious atelier is full of scholars and
+apprentices employed in carrying out their master's ideas or making
+chemical experiments, but careless of the noise of tools and hammers,
+the fair-haired boy Angelo sings his golden song, and Serafino the
+wondrous _improvisatore_ chants his own verses to the sound of the lyre.
+Visitors come and go freely--Messer Jacopo of Ferrara, the architect who
+was "dear to Leonardo as a brother," the courtly poet Gaspare Visconti,
+and Vincenzo Calmeta, Duchess Beatrice's secretary, or, it may be, the
+great Messer Galeaz himself, whose big jennet and Sicilian horse the
+master has been drawing as models for the great equestrian statue
+standing outside in the Corte Vecchia. There, among them all, the
+painter bends over his canvas seeking to perfect the glazes and scumbles
+of his pearly tints, or trying to realize some dream of a face that
+haunts his fancy with its exquisite smile. He has, it is true, many
+labours--"_a tanta faccenda!_" as he wrote to the councillors of
+Piacenza--and at times he hardly knows which way to turn, but he is his
+own master, free to work as he will, now at one, now at another. He has
+no cares or anxiety. He can dress as he pleases, wear rich apparel if he
+is so minded, or don the plain clothes and sober hues that he prefers.
+He has gold enough and to spare; he can help a poorer friend and educate
+a needy apprentice, or save his money for a rainy day; and, above all,
+he has plenty of books and leisure to meditate on philosophical
+treatises, or ponder over the scientific problems in which his soul
+delights. He can find time to jot down his thoughts on many things, to
+write his great treatise on painting, and to draw the wonderful
+interlaced patterns inscribed with the strange words which have puzzled
+so many generations of commentators. And he has friends, too, dear to
+his heart--Messer Jacopo, and the wise Lorenzo da Pavia, that master of
+organs whose hands were as deft in fashioning lyres and viols as in
+drawing out sweet sounds, with whom he loved to commune of musical
+instruments and eternal harmonies, and the boy Andrea Salai, with the
+beautiful curling hair, whom he loved to dress up in green velvet
+mantles, and shoes with rose-coloured ribbons and silver buckles.
+
+"Such," he tells us, "was I, Leonardo the Florentine, at the court of
+the most Illustrious Prince Signor Lodovic." And what the Moro was to
+Leonardo that he showed himself to other artists and men of letters. In
+the poet's words, he was the magnet who drew men of genius (_virtuosi_)
+from all parts of the world to Milan. He might be an exacting and
+critical master, he was certainly never satisfied with any work short of
+the best--even Leonardo, we have seen, did not always find him easy to
+please--but once he discovered a man who was excellent in any branch of
+knowledge, he thought no cost too great to retain him at his court. And
+so the foremost scholars and the finest artists, Giorgio Merula and
+Lancinus Curtius, Caradosso and Cristoforo Romano, Bramante and
+Leonardo, were all drawn to Milan in turn, and, having once entered the
+Moro's service, remained there until the end.
+
+"We know, O most illustrious Prince!" wrote Tanzio in his preface to
+Bellincioni's Sonnets--"we know that you, the Chief of the Insubrians,
+are no less a lover of your country than of your glorious father, in
+whose honour you have reared that mighty and immortal work, the great
+Colossus, which, like himself, remains without a rival. We see you
+equally anxious to glorify both his memory and your own great city. We
+see Milan, by your care, not only adorned with peace and wealth, with
+noble churches and edifices, but with rare and admirable intellects, who
+all turn to you in their hour of need, as the rivers flow into the vast
+ocean."
+
+Nor was it only in Milan and Pavia that this revival made itself felt.
+The new impulse spread from city to city. The lovely Renaissance façade
+of S. Maria dei Miracoli at Brescia was completed in 1487, and the great
+Church of the Incoronata at Lodi, begun in 1488, was continued during
+the next twenty years under the superintendence of Dolcebuono and
+Amadeo. Bramante supplied designs for the new façade and portals that
+were added to the cathedral of Como in 1491, and for the majestic church
+of Abbiategrasso, close to this favourite country house of the Sforzas.
+A number of other churches, both in Milan and the neighbourhood, were
+designed by him or his scholars, and bear witness to the revolution
+which he had effected in Lombard architecture. At Piacenza and Cremona,
+at Saronno and Lugano, new churches and palaces arose, and the famous
+Sanctuary of Varallo in the Val Sesia was founded in 1491 by that devout
+personage, Messer Bernardino Caimo, on his return from a pilgrimage to
+the Holy Land. The same passion for building and decoration prevailed
+everywhere. On all sides poets and scholars celebrated Lodovico's name
+as the Pericles of this new Athens, and joined in the chorus of praise
+which inspired Pistoia's famous line--
+
+"E un Dio in cielo e il Moro in terra."
+
+"There is one God in heaven and the Moro upon earth."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+Beatrice d'Este as a patron of learning and poetry--Vincenzo Calmeta,
+her secretary--Serafino d'Aquila--Rivalry of Lombard and Tuscan poets
+--Gaspare Visconti's works--Poetic jousts with Bramante--Niccolo di
+Correggio and other poets--Dramatic art and music at the court of
+Milan--Gaffuri and Testagrossa--Lorenzo Gusnasco of Pavia.
+
+1492
+
+
+Lodovico Moro, as we have seen, was justly extolled by his
+contemporaries as the most illustrious Mecænas of his age. As Abbé
+Tiraboschi, the learned historian of Italian literature, wrote ninety
+years ago, "If we consider the immense number of learned men who flocked
+to his court from all parts of Italy in the certainty of receiving great
+honours and rich rewards; if, again, we remember how many famous
+architects and painters he invited to Milan, and how many noble
+buildings he raised, how he built and endowed the magnificent University
+of Pavia, and opened schools of every kind of science in Milan; if
+besides all this we read the splendid eulogies and dedicatory epistles
+addressed to him by scholars of every nationality, we feel inclined to
+pronounce him the best prince that ever lived." And in Beatrice d'Este,
+Lodovico possessed a wife admirably adapted to share his aims and
+preside over his court. Both her birth and education fitted her for the
+position which she now occupied. Her youth and beauty lent a new lustre
+to the court, her quick intelligence and cultured tastes led her to
+appreciate the society of poets and scholars. The natural love of
+splendour, which she shared with the Moro, went hand-in-hand with
+artistic invention. Her rich clothes and jewels were distinguished by
+their refinement and rare workmanship. The fashions which she
+introduced were marked by their elegance and beauty. She took especial
+delight in music and poetry, and gave signs of a fine and discriminating
+literary judgment. And like Lodovico, she knew not only how to attract
+men of genius, but how to retain them in her service. Where, again, asks
+Castiglione, who had known her in her brightest days at Milan, shall we
+find a woman of intellect as remarkable as Duchess Beatrice? And her own
+secretary, the writer known as "_l'elegantissimo_ Calmeta" in the
+cultured circles of Mantua and Urbino, has told us how much men of
+letters owed to her sympathy and help. In the life of his friend,
+Serafino Aquilano, written seven years after Beatrice's death, when the
+Milanese was a French province and the Moro a captive at Loches, Calmeta
+recalls the brilliant days of his old life at Lodovico's court, and
+speaks thus of his lost mistress:--
+
+"This duke had for his most dear wife Beatrice d'Este, daughter of
+Ercole, Duke of Ferrara, who, coming to Milan in the flower of her
+opening youth, was endowed with so rare an intellect, so much grace and
+affability, and was so remarkable for her generosity and goodness that
+she may justly be compared with the noblest women of antiquity. This
+duchess devoted her time to the highest objects. Her court was composed
+of men of talent and distinction, most of whom were poets and musicians,
+who were expected to compose new eclogues, comedies, or tragedies, and
+arrange new spectacles and representations every month. In her leisure
+hours she generally employed a certain Antonio Grifo"--a well-known
+student and commentator of Dante--"or some equally gifted man, to read
+the Divina Commedia, or the works of other Italian poets, aloud to her.
+And it was no small relaxation of mind for Lodovico Sforza, when he was
+able to escape from the cares and business of state, to come and listen
+to these readings in his wife's rooms. And among the illustrious men
+whose presence adorned the court of the duchess there were three
+high-born cavaliers, renowned for many talents, but above all for their
+poetic gifts--Niccolo da Correggio, Gaspare Visconti, and Antonio di
+Campo Fregoso, together with many others, one of whom was myself,
+Vincenzo Calmeta, who for some years held the post of secretary to that
+glorious and excellent lady. And besides those I have named there was
+Benedetto da Cingoli, called Piceno, and many other youths of no small
+promise, who daily offered her the first fruits of their genius. Nor was
+Duchess Beatrice content with rewarding and honouring the poets of her
+own court. On the contrary, she sent to all parts of Italy to inquire
+for the compositions of elegant poets, and placed their books as sacred
+and divine things on the shelves of her cabinet of study, and praised
+and rewarded each writer according to his merit. In this manner, poetry
+and literature in the vulgar tongue, which had degenerated and sunk into
+forgetfulness after the days of Petrarch and Boccaccio, has been
+restored to its former dignity, first by the protection of Lorenzo de'
+Medici, and then by the influence of this rare lady, and others like
+her, who are still living at the present time. But when Duchess Beatrice
+died everything fell into ruin. That court, which had been a joyous
+Paradise, became a dark and gloomy Inferno, and poets and artists were
+forced to seek another road."
+
+Calmeta himself was a prolific writer both of verse and prose, whose
+translation of Ovid's _Ars amandi_, dedicated to Lodovico Moro, was
+highly esteemed by his contemporaries, and whom Castiglione introduces
+among the speakers of his _Cortigiano_. Like his friends Niccolo da
+Correggio and Gaspare Visconti, Beatrice's secretary was a fervent
+admirer of Petrarch, and wrote an elaborate commentary on the _Canzone_,
+"_Mai non vo' più cantar como io solea_," which he dedicated to Isabella
+d'Este and sent her with a letter expressing his conviction that no one
+before him had ever fully understood this profound and subtle poem.
+Another of Beatrice's _protégés_ was Serafino, the famous improvisatore
+of Aquila in the Abruzzi, a short and ugly little man, whom Cardinal
+Bibbiena once laughingly compared to a carpet-bag (_valigia_)! But in
+spite of his dwarfed stature and elfish appearance, Serafino sang his
+own _strambotti_ and eclogues so well, and had so fascinating a way of
+accompanying himself on the lute, that the Este and Gonzaga ladies all
+entreated him for new verses, and literally wrangled over the man
+himself! Like Calmeta and many others, however, after spending some time
+at the courts of Mantua and Urbino, he came to Milan, and devoted his
+talents to the service of Duchess Beatrice until her death, after which
+he went his way sadly, and sought shelter in his old haunts. Most of his
+time after this was spent with the good Duchess Elizabeth at Urbino,
+where the Milanese refugees found a warm welcome, and where Serafino was
+caressed and _fêted_ by all the great ladies in turn, until a premature
+death closed his career, and he died in Rome in 1500, lamented in prose
+and verse by the most cultured spirits of the age.
+
+While Beatrice encouraged these foreign poets to settle at Milan,
+Lodovico invited the Tuscans Bellincioni and Antonio Cammelli, surnamed
+Pistoia, to his court, in the hope of refining and polishing the rude
+Lombard diction. The priest Tanzio, writing after Bellincioni's death in
+1492, remarks that this influence had already borne fruit, and that the
+sonnet, which was practically unknown in Milan before Bellincioni's
+coming, was now diligently cultivated there. But, not unnaturally, a
+bitter rivalry sprung up between the Lombard and the Tuscan poets, and a
+fierce poetic warfare was exchanged between them. Bellincioni's
+suspicious and quarrelsome nature is revealed in his letters to his
+patron, in which he is always complaining of the envious detractors
+whose wicked tongues are employed in backbiting him day and night. His
+own character was by no means free from the same imputations; and the
+Ferrarese poet, Tebaldeo, the friend of Raphael and Castiglione,
+composed a witty epitaph, in which he warns passers-by to avoid the last
+resting-place of this singer, who had made so many enemies in life, lest
+he turn in his grave and bite them. Bellincioni's bitterest foe was a
+certain Bergamasque poet, Guidotto Prestinari, who wrote many odes and
+songs in honour of Beatrice, and represented the old Lombard school. On
+one occasion this misguided person even dared to attack Leonardo, and
+wrote a sonnet in which he jeers at the great painter for spending his
+time in hunting for curious worms and insects on the hills of Bergamo,
+when he visited his friends of the Melzi family. Leonardo scorned to
+take any notice of these petty insults, but in his letter to the
+councillors of Piacenza we see the contempt which he had for Lombard
+artists--"those rude and ignorant workmen," as he calls them, "who boast
+they will get letters of recommendation from Signora Lodovico or his
+Commissioner of Works, Messer Ambrogio Ferrari, when not one of them is
+fit to undertake the task." And certain epigrams in the Windsor
+Sketchbook are plainly directed against the false and venal science of
+the astrologer Ambrogio da Rosate, whose name is given in the margin,
+and show how cordial was Leonardo's hatred of the duke's all-powerful
+favourite.
+
+Fortunately, both Leonardo himself, as well as Calmeta and Pistoia, were
+on friendly terms with Gaspare Visconti, who, originally a scholar of
+Prestinari, became the chief representative of the Lombard school of
+poetry at Milan, and whom Beatrice's secretary places next to Niccolo da
+Correggio among the best poets of her court. This popular poet and
+polished cavalier was a great favourite, not only with Beatrice and her
+husband, but with Galeazzo di Sanseverino, the Marchesino Stanga, and
+all the chief personages at court. Born in 1461 of noble Milanese
+parents, he married Cecilia, daughter of Cecco Simonetta, Duchess Bona's
+ill-fated minister, and was advanced to the dignity of _Eques Auratus_
+and ducal councillor. After the death of Bellincioni he succeeded to the
+post of court poet, and was often employed by Lodovico to address
+complimentary verses to other princes or to write sonnets on passing
+events, whether his theme were a royal wedding or the death of a
+favourite falcon. His most important work was a romance entitled "Paolo
+e Daria," founded on Bramante's discovery of a tomb containing the ashes
+of these lovers, when the foundations of his new cloisters at S.
+Ambrogio were being laid in the year 1492. The incident excited great
+interest at court, and Gasparo dedicated his poem to Lodovico--"_mio
+Duca_"--and introduced an eloquent eulogy in honour of his friend
+Bramante in the first canto. In the following year he published a volume
+of rhymes, dedicated to Niccolo da Correggio, who sent the book to the
+insatiable Isabella d'Este, saying this would please her better than any
+verses that he could write. Finally, in 1496, he formally presented the
+duchess with a copy of his poems, written in silver letters and gold on
+ivory vellum, and enriched with miniatures of rare beauty. This
+sumptuous volume, bound in silver-gilt boards enamelled with flowers,
+and containing 143 sonnets as well as epistles on love and other
+philosophical and theological subjects, was dedicated to Beatrice in the
+following words:--
+
+"To the Most Illustrious Duchess of Milan, Gaspare Visconti, Having
+been told by many honourable persons, chief among whom is Messer
+Galeazzo Sanseverino, that the said duchess graciously pleads my cause
+with His Excellency the Duke, I beg of her to accept this book,
+dedicated to her by her humble servant." The same grateful sentiments
+inspired the lyric which followed, in which the poet implored the
+duchess to use her well-known influence with her lord, and incline his
+will to look favourably upon her servant's prayer--
+
+"Donna beata! e Spirito pudico!
+Deh! fa benigna a questa mia richiesta
+La voglia del tuo Sposo Lodovico.
+    Io so ben quel che dico!
+Tanta è la tua virtu che ció che vuoi
+Dello invitto cuor disponer puoi."[24]
+
+An ardent lover of Petrarch, to whose poems these of the Milanese poet
+were often compared by his admirers, Gaspare Visconti took the lead in a
+lively poetic contest with Bramante on the respective merits of Dante
+and Petrarch, The discussion was carried on during many weeks, in the
+presence of the duchess and her courtiers in the beautiful gardens of
+Vigevano, or in those fair pleasure-houses by the running streams in the
+park at Pavia, where Beatrice and her ladies spent the long summer days.
+Gaspare found animated supporters in his friends Calmeta and Niccolo da
+Correggio, who was himself an enthusiastic admirer of Petrarch, and on
+one occasion journeyed twenty-five miles from Correggio over the worst
+roads in the world to see the remote village of Rosena, where the Tuscan
+poet had composed some of his finest _canzoni_. On the other hand,
+Bramante had the duke and duchess on his side. We know how, at the end
+of a long day's work, Lodovico loved to listen to the reading of the
+"Divina Commedia" in his wife's boudoir, and ponder the meaning of that
+great vision of heaven and hell. And when the catastrophe of Novara had
+crushed his last hopes, and he was borne a captive into the strange
+land, the only favour he asked of his victors was the loan of a volume
+of Dante, "_per studiare_"--in order that he might study the divine
+poet's words. One of Gaspare's sonnets on the subject, which was
+afterwards printed, bears this inscription: "These verses were not
+written with any pretence of deciding between the merits of these two
+great men, but solely to answer Bramante, who is a violent partisan of
+Dante."
+
+Another poetic tourney, in which both the great architect and his friend
+Visconti were the chief combatants, turned on Bramante's supposed
+poverty and the complaints with which he filled the air, calling on all
+the gods in heaven to help him in his misery. This was in the summer of
+1492, and not only Gaspare, but Bellincioni, who was then living, and
+Mascagni of Turin took up the parable, and charged Bramante with begging
+for a pair of shoes, when all the while he was receiving five ducats a
+week from the duke, and was secretly hoarding up a store of gold. To
+this Bramante replied in a sonnet full of allusions to Calliope, Erato,
+and all the Muses, begging his friends for pity's sake to give him a
+crown, if they would not see him left barefoot and naked to battle with
+rude Boreas. A whole series of curious sonnets from Bramante's pen has
+been lately discovered by M. Müntz among the Italian manuscripts in the
+Bibliothèque Nationale, and reveal the burlesque side of the great
+architect's character, and the biting wit which made his opponents give
+him the name of Cerberus.[25]
+
+These poetic jousts or encounters of wits were a favourite amusement of
+the cultured princesses of the Renaissance and their courtiers. Thus it
+was that Poliziano and Ficino discussed philosophical questions before
+Lorenzo in the gardens of Careggi or on the terraces of Fiesole; so
+Castiglione and Bibbiena reasoned of art and love with Duchess Elizabeth
+and Emilia Pia, in the palace of Urbino, till the short summer night was
+well-nigh over and the dawn broke over the peaks of Monte Catria. And at
+Milan, where in Beatrice's days there was less pedantry and more freedom
+and gaiety than in any court of the day, these lively debates found
+especial favour. The most brilliant courtiers and bravest knights, the
+gravest scholars and officers of state alike took part in them. Messer
+Galeazzo, as we have seen, was an adept at the game, and could wield his
+pen and challenge fair ladies in defence of Roland as gallantly as he
+couched his lance to ride in the lists or wielded his sword in the thick
+of the battle. So, too were the Marchesino Stanga and his friend
+Girolamo Tuttavilla. Both these noblemen were great sonnet-writers, and
+are classed by Pistoia among those illustrious lords, who, like Messer
+Galeazzo and Signor Lodovico himself, were poets and writers as well as
+statesmen and generals.
+
+Bramante addressed several of his sonnets to Count Tuttavilla, who in
+his turn had a lively controversy in rhyme with the Marchesino. And
+when, in the spring of 1492, Tuttavilla accompanied the Count of Caiazzo
+on his embassy to France, Gaspare Visconti sent him a sonnet asking for
+the latest news from Paris, which Duchess Beatrice and all her ladies
+were dying to hear.
+
+"Tell me if the Queen of France is fair, and how the king appears in
+your eyes--whether he is cruel or clement, inclined to walk in the paths
+of virtue or of vice. And tell us, too, if the people of Paris seem to
+fear the English and the Spaniard, and if they are true followers of
+Mars? Tell us how the crowds who walk the streets are clad, and what
+customs and manners they have, and how they speak, and what they think.
+Tell me how many students their University numbers, and in what branches
+of learning they excel. Tell me the names of their lawgivers and
+historians, and if any classical antiquities are to be found in Paris.
+Tell me how the Abbey of S. Denis is built, and what style of
+architecture prevails in the far North? And tell me, too, if I dare ask,
+have you perchance in Paris found some fair lady to bend a gracious
+smile upon you, and console you for all that you have left behind?"
+
+Girolamo Tuttavilla replied in verses of the same light and airy strain,
+alluding to the fierce contest over Dante that waged between Dottore
+Bramante and his foes, and laughing at friend Bellincioni's furious
+rages, but saying that he at least is wiser, and will take the _viâ
+media_ and steer warily between the two contending parties.
+
+But the best poet at Lodovico's court, a sweeter singer and a finer
+scholar than the much-praised Bellincioni or the gay Visconti, was
+Niccolo, the "gran Correggio" of Gaspare's song. The son of that
+accomplished princess of Este, Beatrice the Queen of Festivals, reared
+by her in all the culture of Ferrara, this singularly polished and
+handsome personage was in the eyes of his contemporaries the model of a
+perfect courtier. To have known him was in itself a liberal education.
+Sabba da Castiglione, that fastidious scholar and refined writer of the
+sixteenth century, counted himself fortunate because as a boy he had
+seen and known "this most famous, most courteous and gifted cavalier in
+all Italy." Ariosto saw him in his vision upholding the Fountain of
+Song, and chanting in his own lofty and noble style--
+
+          "Un Signor di Correggio
+Con alto stil par che cantando scriva."
+
+Niccolo had come to Milan in Beatrice's bridal train, and remained there
+ever since, highly valued and beloved by Lodovico and all the ducal
+family, riding in jousts and tournaments, going on foreign missions, and
+composing songs and eclogues for that young duchess whose death was one
+day to inspire some of his most touching verses. But the Marchesa
+Isabella was the true goddess of his adoration, the mistress to whom his
+heart and lyre alike were pledged, who was for him, not only "_la mia
+patrona e signora_," but "_la prima donna del mondo_," "the first lady
+in all the world." For her he translated Breton legends and Provençal
+romances; for her he set Virgil and Petrarch to music; for her fair
+sake, old and stiff as advancing years have made him, he is ready to
+break a lance or join once more in the dance. At Christmas-time, in the
+last days of 1491, the impatient Marchesana had written to remind him
+that she had never yet received the eclogue which he had promised to
+send her at her brother Alfonso's wedding, and refused to be put off
+with any other verses, saying that his poems pleased her more than those
+of any living bard. When in later years she found that Niccolo was
+inclined to transfer his allegiance to her sister-in-law, Lucrezia
+Borgia, she was sorely affronted, and after his death entered into a
+long contention for the possession of the book of poems which he had
+left behind.
+
+There were many other poets of Beatrice's court whose names were famous
+in their day, but have long ago been forgotten, and whose works have
+passed into oblivion with all that vanished world. There was Lancino di
+Corte, or, as he preferred to style himself, Lancinus Curtius, the
+writer of Latin epigrams; and Antonio di Fregoso, the noble Genoese
+youth who, like Niccolo, won Calmeta and Ariosto's praises, and whose
+poetic disputes with Lancinus were a feature of Cecilia Gallerani's
+entertainments; and Baldassare Taccone of Alessandria; and Pietro
+Lazzarone of the Valtellina. There was Galeotto del Carretto, the
+Montferrat poet and historian, who left his home at Casale to compose
+plays and sonnets for Beatrice, and who, like Niccolo da Correggio, was
+one of Isabella's favourite correspondents, and sent her eclogues and
+strambotti to sing to the lute. When Beatrice died he had just finished
+a comedy dedicated to this princess, which he afterwards sent to
+Isabella, begging her to accept it both for his sake and that of the
+lamented _Madonna Duchessa sorella_, who had taken pleasure in reading
+his effusions. And there was another Tuscan poet, Antonio Cammelli of
+Pistoia, who composed a whole volume of sonnets dedicated to "that most
+invincible Prince, the light and splendour of the world, Lodovico Moro."
+These sonnets are of great interest, less on account of their poetic
+merit than because of the fidelity with which they commemorate political
+events. The invasion of the French, the conquest of Naples, the battle
+of Fornovo, the peace of Vercelli, the proclamation of Lodovico as Duke
+of Milan, his coronation _fêtes_ at Milan and Pavia, are all carefully
+recorded. Nor does the series end here; in another sonnet the poet takes
+up the note of warning, and bids Lodovico beware of the new King of
+France and, ceasing to dally with Fortune, prepare to defend his fair
+duchy. The next time Pistoia took up his pen, it was to wail over the
+duke's fall and the ruin of Italy, and to hurl curses on the head of the
+false servants who had betrayed their trust and yielded up the Castello
+to their master's foes. This, at least, may be said to Pistoia's
+credit--he did not forget his generous patron in the days of adversity;
+and when Pamfilo Sasso, the Modena bard who had basked in the sunshine
+of the Moro's favour, assailed the fallen duke in his verses, Pistoia
+rose up in defence of his old master, and fiercely rebuked the cowardly
+poet.
+
+"I send you," wrote Calmeta to the Marchioness of Mantua in 1502, in a
+letter enclosing Pistoia's verses, "an invective against Sasso for
+certain sonnets and epigrams which he printed at Bologna against our
+Duke Lodovico Sforza, and which some people say that I wrote. It was
+never my habit to attack others, but if I had wasted a little ink in
+defending so illustrious a prince, I hardly think I should deserve much
+blame."[26]
+
+Before the coming of Beatrice there had been no theatre in Milan, but
+Lodovico had done his best to encourage dramatic art. As early as 1484,
+he had written to the Duke of Ferrara, asking him to lend him a
+Bolognese actor, Albergati by name, who was also a skilled mechanic, to
+give sacred representations during Holy Week in Milan. The presence of
+Duke Ercole's daughter naturally gave a fresh impulse to the growth of
+dramatic art, and after Lodovico's visit to Ferrara in 1493, a theatre
+was erected in Milan. Courtiers and poets vied with each other in the
+production of plays and masques at each successive Christmas or
+Carnival. In 1493, Niccolo da Correggio wrote a pastoral entitled _Mopsa
+e Daphne_, which was performed at court that Carnival, and which he
+afterwards sent to Isabella, promising to explain its allegorical
+meaning at their next meeting. Another time, Gaspare Visconti composed
+the masque with the chorus of Turks, to which we have already alluded,
+for representation before the duke and duchess. On one occasion a piece
+called _La Fatica_ was acted at the house of Antonio Maria Sanseverino,
+whose wife, Margherita of Carpi, was the sister of Elizabeth Gonzaga's
+beloved companion, Emilia Pia, and herself a learned and cultivated
+princess. On another a representation described as _La Pazienza_ was
+given before the court, in honour of a visit which Cardinal Federigo
+Sanseverino paid to Milan.
+
+Music, as Calmeta tells us, was another art that flourished in an
+especial manner at the Milanese court. Both Lodovico and his wife were
+passionately fond of music, and the delicious melodies that daily
+resounded through their palace halls were the theme alike of chronicler
+and poet. When first Lorenzo de Medici had sent Leonardo to his friend's
+court to charm the Moro's ears with the surpassing sweetness of his
+playing, he had brought with him a well-known musician and maker of
+instruments, Atalante Migliorotti, who stood high in Lodovico's favour,
+and spent much of his time at Milan. We find Isabella d'Este writing to
+her friend, Niccolo da Correggio, in 1493, begging him to procure her
+the loan of a silver lyre, given him by Atalante, that she may learn to
+play this instrument; and in the following year the marchioness herself
+stood godmother to the Florentine musician's infant daughter, who was
+called Isabella after her illustrious sponsor. And in 1492 we find
+Lodovico writing to thank Francesco Gonzaga for allowing a certain
+Narcisso, who was in the Marquis of Mantua's service, to visit Milan,
+and saying what exquisite pleasure this singer's voice has afforded him.
+The following summer, Isabella, in her turn, begged her sister to allow
+her favourite violinist, Jacopo di San Secondo, to spend a few weeks at
+Mantua; and on the 7th of July Beatrice wrote to desire his return.
+"Since you are back at Mantua, I think you will not want Jacopo di San
+Secondo much longer, and beg you to send him back to Pavia as soon as
+possible, since his music will be a pleasure to my husband, who is
+suffering from a slight attack of fever." This Jacopo was a famous
+violin-player of his day, who had settled at the Moro's court, and who
+after Lodovico's fall left Milan for Rome, where he became the friend of
+Raphael and Castiglione, and is said to have served as model for the
+laurel-crowned Apollo of the Parnassus, in the Vatican Stanze. Another
+of Beatrice's favourite singers was Angelo Testagrossa, a beautiful
+youth who sang, we are told, like a seraph, and who, after the death of
+this princess, accepted Isabella's pressing invitation to Mantua, where
+he composed songs and gave her lessons on the lute. Testagrossa is said
+to have sung in the Spanish style, which was much in vogue at Milan,
+where a Spaniard named Pedro Maria was director of the palace concerts,
+and is frequently mentioned in Bellincioni's poems. The priest Franchino
+Gaffuri, as already stated, occupied the first chair of music ever
+founded in Italy. Besides this master's works on music, another treatise
+on harmony, composed by a priest named Florentio, and dedicated to
+Cardinal Ascanio Sforza, is preserved in the Trivulzian Library, with a
+fine miniature of Leonardo playing the lyre as frontispiece.
+
+Both the Flemish priest Cordier, with the wonderful tenor voice, and the
+accomplished master Cristoforo Romano were, as we know, among the
+chosen singers who accompanied Beatrice on her travels. And there was
+one more gifted artist, who, like Atalante Migliorotti, was both a
+skilled musician and a mechanic, and whose whole life was devoted to the
+construction of musical instruments of the choicest quality, Lorenzo
+Gusnasco of Pavia. It was Lodovico Moro who first discovered the rare
+talents of this "master of organs," as he was styled by his
+contemporaries, and it was for Beatrice's use that he began to make
+those wonderful clavichords and lutes and viols that made his name
+famous throughout Italy. In his hands the manufacture of musical
+instruments was carried to the highest pitch of excellence. He grudged
+no labour and spared no pains to make his work perfect. The choicest
+ebony and ivory, the most precious woods and delicate strings were
+sought out by him; the best scholars supplied him with Greek and Latin
+epigrams to be inscribed upon his organs and clavichords. In his opinion
+both material and shape were of the utmost importance, because, as he
+wrote to Isabella d'Este, "beauty of form is everything," "_perche ne la
+forma sta il tuto_." The work of this gifted maker naturally acquired a
+rare value in the eyes of his contemporaries. Sabba da Castiglione and
+Teseo Albonese praise him as the man who, above all others, has learnt
+the secret of combining lovely melodies with beauteous form, just as a
+divine soul is enshrined in a fair body. Painters and scholars alike
+took delight in Lorenzo's company. He was the intimate friend of
+Giovanni Bellini and Andrea Mantegna, of Pietro Bembo and Aldo Manuzio,
+of Leonardo and Isabella d'Este. It was in these festive days, in the
+Castello of Pavia, that Lorenzo da Pavia first met both the great
+Florentine and the accomplished princess who set so high a store on his
+friendship. For more than twenty years Isabella corresponded regularly
+with this gifted artist, and employed him not only to make organs and
+lutes for her, but to buy antiques and cameos, Murano glass and
+tapestry, choice pictures and rare books. Whether she wished for a
+_fantasia_, or Holy Family from the hand of Gian Bellini, or a choice
+edition of Dante or Petrarch from the press of Aldo Manuzio, it was to
+Messer Lorenzo that the request was addressed. In 1494, the Pavian
+master moved to Venice, where he found it easier to procure materials
+for his trade, and was able to carry on his work on a larger scale. By
+this time his fame had spread far and wide through Italy. He made an
+organ for Matthias Corvinus, the King of Hungary, and another which he
+himself took to Rome for Pope Leo X. But his relations with Duchess
+Beatrice were not interrupted by this change of abode. In that same year
+he made her that clavichord which Isabella describes as the best and
+most beautiful which she had ever seen, and which she never ceased to
+covet until, after her sister's death and Lodovico's fall, she obtained
+possession of the precious instrument.
+
+It was at Venice, in the early spring of 1500, that Leonardo da Vinci
+once more met this master, whom he had formerly known so well at Pavia
+and Milan. There the two artists who had lived together for many years
+in the Moro's service conversed sadly of the terrible catastrophe which
+had overwhelmed their old master in sudden and inevitable ruin, and
+mourned over the disastrous fate which had plunged the fair Milanese
+into confusion and misery. Then, as they looked back on the happy days
+of their former life, and talked of their old companions, the painter
+brought out a drawing which Lorenzo immediately recognized as the
+portrait of Isabella d'Este, the illustrious princess, who was proud to
+call herself their friend.
+
+"Leonardo," he wrote the next day to the Marchesana, "is here in Venice,
+and has shown me a portrait of your Highness, which is as natural and
+lifelike as possible."[27] This drawing, which the princess describes in
+a letter to the painter as being _ni carbone_ and not in colours, is now
+one of the treasures of the Louvre, and has an inestimable value, both
+as the work of Leonardo and as a genuine portrait of the most brilliant
+lady of the Renaissance.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[24] Uzielli, _Ricerche_, i.: Renier, _Gaspare Visconti_.
+
+[25] _Gazette des B. Arts_, 1879, p. 514.
+
+[26] Renier, _Sonetti di Pistoia_ p. 35.
+
+[27] A. Baschet, _Aldo Manuzio_, pp. 70-75.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+Visit of Duke Ercole to Milan, and of Isabella d'Este--Election of Pope
+Alexander VI.--Bribery of the Cardinals--Influence of Ascanio Sforza
+over the new Pope, and satisfaction of Lodovico--Hunting-parties at
+Pavia and Vigevano--_Fêtes_ at Milan--Visit of Isabella to
+Genoa--Lodovico's letters--Piero de Medici--King Ferrante's jealousy of
+the alliance between Rome and Milan.
+
+1492
+
+
+That summer Isabella d'Este at length accomplished her long-intended
+visit to her sister, whom she had not seen since the wedding _fêtes_.
+Early in July she received a pressing invitation from Lodovico himself,
+urging her to accompany her father, Duke Ercole, who was expected at
+Milan towards the end of the month. But, as she wrote to her husband,
+who was then in Venice, it was quite impossible for her to start on her
+journey at this early date. In the first place, half of her household
+was in bed, ladies and servants alike were suffering from a feverish
+epidemic which had attacked the whole court; and in the second place,
+many preparations were necessary if she were to appear at Milan in state
+worthy of the Marquis of Mantua's wife. "Of course, if you wish it," she
+adds proudly, "I will set off alone, in my chemise, but this I think you
+will hardly desire."
+
+Signor Lodovico's invitation, however, was gladly accepted, and Isabella
+made every preparation to start by the middle of August. She sent to
+Ferrara, urging her favourite goldsmith, as he loved her, to finish a
+necklace of a hundred links by next week, and begging him to lend her
+some more jewelled chains for the use of her courtiers and
+maids-of-honour. And the same day she wrote to the Venetian merchant
+Taddeo Contarini, excusing herself for her delay in paying for some
+jewels which she had lately bought, since her visit to Milan necessarily
+entailed heavy expenses. By the 10th of August she was able to start on
+her journey, and spent a night on the way at Canneto with her kinswoman,
+Antonia del Balzo, wife of Gianfrancesco Gonzaga of Bozzolo, who came to
+meet her with two beautiful daughters. "Messer Andrea Mantegna himself,"
+exclaimed the marchioness, "could not paint fairer maidens!" On the
+12th, she reached Cremona, where Lodovico's cousin, Francesco Sforza,
+was awaiting her, and a crowd of people hailed her arrival with
+enthusiasm. After spending a night in the Episcopal palace, she went on
+to Pizzighettone, where she discovered that her best hat had been
+forgotten, and sent a messenger back to Mantua with the key of her black
+chest, desiring one of her servants to look out her hat with the
+jewelled feather and send it after her by a flying courier. On the 15th,
+the Marchesana reached Pavia, where both the Duchesses of Milan and Bari
+rode out to meet her, and placing her between them, after many embraces,
+conducted her through the city. Here the two dukes and all the
+ambassadors were awaiting her, and a troop of trumpeters and outriders
+escorted the party up to the castle gates. That evening she supped alone
+with Beatrice, and the hours flew by in delightful intercourse. Both
+sisters were in the highest spirits, and Isabella anticipated the
+greatest pleasure from her visit, only regretting that her husband had
+not been able to accompany her.
+
+"The only news here," she wrote next day to the marquis, "is the
+election of this new Pope, which fills every one with great joy, and is
+said to be entirely due to Monsignore Ascanio, who will, they say, be
+the new Vice-Chancellor."
+
+On the 25th of July, Innocent VIII. had breathed his last, and on the
+6th of August, the conclave met to elect a new Pope. Among the
+twenty-three Cardinals of which the Sacred College then consisted, three
+were prominent candidates for the papal tiara. First of all there was
+Cardinal Roderigo Borgia, the oldest and wealthiest of the group, who
+held the three most important archbishoprics in Spain, as well as
+innumerable benefices in the rest of Christendom, and whose scandalous
+vices amid the general corruption of morals in Rome offered no bar to
+his advancement to the chair of St. Peter. Cardinal Ascanio Sforza, the
+rich and powerful brother of Lodovico Moro, was the second candidate
+for the tiara; while the third was Giuliano della Rovere, Cardinal of
+S. Pietro in Vincula, whose well-known French sympathies, as well as the
+influential position which he had occupied in Rome under his uncle,
+Sixtus IV., made him unpopular with most of his colleagues. When Ascanio
+Sforza saw that he could not ensure his own election, he threw his whole
+influence on the side of Borgia, who lavished his gold and promises
+freely among the other members of the Sacred College, with the result
+that he was elected on the 11th of August, and proclaimed Pope under the
+title of Alexander VI. The secret Archives of the Vatican[28] give full
+particulars of this election, which was obtained by the most flagrant
+simony, and proved a prelude to the days of confusion and misery which
+Fra Girolamo Savonarola, the Dominican of Florence, daily prophesied
+were in store for the Church. Ascanio Sforza was the first to reap the
+reward of his base compliance. The new Pope loaded him with favours, and
+openly acknowledged his indebtedness both to him and Lodovico, while at
+Milan the event was hailed with public rejoicings, and joy-bells and
+solemn processions celebrated the accession of this pontiff, who was
+destined to prove the most bitter enemy of the House of Sforza.
+
+"Signor Lodovico," wrote the Ferrarese envoy, our old friend Giacomo
+Trotti, to his master, "is in the highest spirits at the success of his
+brother's efforts. Cardinal Ascanio is likely, people say, to administer
+all the papal estates, and will be every bit as much pope as if he sat
+in Alexander's chair."
+
+Isabella's letters to her husband give the same impression. On the 19th
+of August she wrote from Pavia--
+
+"To-day I dined with Signor Lodovico and my sister in their rooms,
+according to our usual habit of taking our meals together, sometimes in
+my rooms, sometimes in theirs. After dinner he dismissed all the
+company, excepting the Duke and Duchess of Milan, myself, and my
+companions, whom Signor Lodovico invited to remain, and with his own
+lips he read aloud a letter from his ambassador in Rome, saying that His
+Highness had sent for him, and addressed him in the following terms:
+'Take note of my words. I acknowledge that I have been made pope by the
+action of Monsignore Ascanio, contrary to all expectations, and in a
+truly miraculous manner. I mean to show myself the most grateful of
+popes. It is my pleasure that he should sit in my chair, and dispose of
+my spiritual and temporal estate as if I were myself,' with many other
+affectionate words. Cardinal Ascanio has already received the first
+proofs of his gratitude, since, besides the vice-chancellorship, the
+Pope has given him his own furnished house in Rome, as well as the city
+of Nepi, and many other things. And His Highness has already dined with
+him in private.
+
+"Besides this, Signor Lodovico read us a letter which the Pope had
+written with his own hand to Monsignore Ascanio, complaining that he had
+not seen him for half a day, a period which seemed to him more like a
+thousand years, and begging him to come to him at once, since he had
+many things of the utmost importance to settle with him. After
+describing this interview, the said Monsignore went on to tell how
+warmly His Holiness spoke of Signor Lodovico, saying that he was
+determined to maintain the most cordial relations with His Highness, and
+profit in all cases by his advice, and only wished that he were seated
+in his chair. All of this, my dear lord, affords the court here reason
+for the greatest rejoicings, and I have expressed both in word and
+gesture the pleasure which your Highness and I take in these things,
+because of our close union with Signor Lodovico."
+
+The marchioness goes on to describe a hunting-party, in which the whole
+court had taken part.
+
+"Yesterday, about four o'clock, all of these lords and ladies rode out
+with me to a place called S. Pirono, some four miles from Pavia, and had
+fine sport. White tents were erected in the meadows on the edge of the
+forest, and in the midst a _pergola_ of green boughs, under which the
+duchess and I took our places, the duke and others, whether on horseback
+or on foot, occupying other tents. One stag of the eight which were
+found there, ran out of the wood, followed by eight of the Duke of
+Bari's dogs. Messer Galeazzo galloped after it with a long spear, and
+killed it before our eyes. To-morrow we dine at Belriguardo, and go on
+to supper at Vigevano, where we expect my father, who is to arrive on
+Thursday."
+
+Duke Ercole had reached Pavia on the 4th of August, and had paid a
+visit to the Certosa with his son-in-law, after which he returned to
+Ferrara, where his presence was required, owing to urgent affairs of
+State connected with the Pope's death. Now he once more joined his
+daughters, accompanied by his son Alfonso and a troop of actors and
+pages skilled in singing and reciting poetry. Among them was young
+Ariosto, the bard of the Orlando Furioso, who was to celebrate the
+praises of all the princely personages present at Pavia and Vigevano, in
+his great poem, and who on this occasion probably met Leonardo for the
+first time. _Fêtes_ and hunting-parties now succeeded each other every
+day. Even the King of Naples' ambassadors went out hunting, and one of
+them succeeded in wounding a wild boar. Isabella sent her husband
+wonderful accounts of the thrilling adventures and splendid sport which
+afforded the two sisters such unfeigned delight.
+
+"To-day," she wrote on the 27th of August, "we went out hunting in a
+beautiful valley which seemed as if it were expressly created for the
+spectacle. All the stags were driven into the wooded valley of the
+Ticino, and closed in on every side by the hunters, so that they were
+forced to swim the river and ascend the mountains, where the ladies
+watched them from under the _pergola_ and green tents set up on the
+hillside. We could see every movement of the animals along the valley
+and up the mountain-side, where the dogs chased them across the river;
+but only two climbed the hillside and ran far out of sight, so that we
+did not see them killed, but Don Alfonso and Messer Galeazzo both gave
+them chase, and succeeded in wounding them. Afterwards came a doe with
+its young one, which the dogs were not allowed to follow. Many wild
+boars and goats were found, but only one boar was killed before our
+eyes, and one wild goat, which fell to my share. Last of all came a
+wolf, which made fine somersaults in the air as it ran past us, and
+amused the whole company; but none of its arts availed the poor beast,
+which soon followed its comrades to the slaughter. And so, with much
+laughter and merriment, we returned home, to end the day at supper, and
+give the body a share in the recreations of the mind."[29]
+
+Four venison pasties were despatched to Mantua the next day as a
+present to the marquis, whose absence from these expeditions his wife
+never ceased to regret, and for whom, at least in these early years of
+her married life, she had a genuine affection.
+
+"All of these days," she writes on the 22nd, "I have been trying to
+write to Your Highness, but have never been able to find time, as I am
+always in my sister's and Signor Lodovico's company. Now I have at
+length snatched a moment, and hasten to pay you a visit in mind, since I
+cannot do so in person. For greater even than all the pleasures which I
+am enjoying here, is the satisfaction I receive when I hear that you are
+well and happy." A week later she wrote again: "It really seems an age
+since I saw Your Highness, and, pleasant and delightful as it is here, I
+begin to get a little tired of these scenes, but rejoice at the prospect
+of paying a visit to Genoa before long." And in an affectionate letter
+to her mother, she says that sometimes in the middle of the finest hunt
+she remembers with a pang how long it is since she has seen her, and how
+far away she is from Ferrara, and the thought throws a shadow over the
+brightest sunshine and the gayest pastimes.
+
+After a succession of boar hunts at Novara and Mortara, Lodovico and
+Beatrice took their guests to Milan on the 15th of September, and
+Isabella entered the capital on horseback between the two young
+duchesses, while "the old Duchess Bona," she tells her husband, "and her
+daughter Madonna Bianca, with many other ladies, were awaiting me in my
+rooms in the Castello, the same suite which Signor Lodovico occupied at
+the time of his wedding."
+
+The duke's mother still remained at court, and occupied rooms in the
+Castello, although she made no secret of her aversion for her powerful
+brother-in-law, and was secretly intriguing against him with her nephew,
+Charles VIII. At her request the French king wrote a letter to Lodovico,
+desiring him to give the duchess's mother leave to come to France for
+his wife Anne of Brittany's confinement. But the Moro, fearing the
+effect of Bona's presence at the French court, courteously declined
+Charles's invitation, alleging as an excuse the fact that both Bona's
+daughter-in-law, the Duchess Isabella, and her young sister-in-law, his
+own wife Beatrice, were expecting similar events early in the next
+year, while her daughter Bianca was of marriageable age and needed her
+mother's protection. At Milan new pleasures awaited Isabella. Theatrical
+representations in honour of Duke Ercole, were given by the Delle Torre
+family and other noble houses, and Isabella spent long days with her
+sister in the park and beautiful gardens of the Castello, among the
+roses and fountains which Lodovico loved. He was never tired of
+beautifying and enlarging the grounds, which now extended three miles
+round the Castello, and sent to Mantua for a pair of swans to adorn the
+lake, saying how much he liked to watch the movements of these
+white-plumed birds upon the water. To his sister-in-law, as Isabella
+always repeated in her letters, the Moro showed himself the kindest and
+most generous of hosts, and was unwearied in providing for her
+amusements and gratification.
+
+"To-day," she writes on the evening after her arrival at Milan, "Signor
+Lodovico showed me the treasure, which Your Highness saw when you were
+last here, but which has lately received the addition of two large
+chests full of ducats, and another full of gold quartz about two and a
+half feet square. Would to God that we, who are so fond of spending
+money, possessed as much!"[30]
+
+After which characteristic expression, the Marchesana proceeds to tell
+her lord that the date of her departure for Genoa has been fixed for the
+last day of September, and to describe her brother-in-law's preparations
+for the visit. Before her departure, he made a splendid present, which
+she describes in a letter written on the 20th of September. "Yesterday
+Signor Lodovico sent me, with the Duchess of Milan and Bari, to look at
+some sumptuous brocades which he had seen in the house of one of the
+richest merchants here. When we came home, he asked me which I
+considered the finest. I replied that what I had most admired was a
+certain gold and silver tissue embroidered with the twin towers of the
+lighthouse in the port of Genoa, bearing the Spanish motto, _Tal
+trabalio mes plases par tal thesauros non perder_."
+
+The Moro praised her good taste, saying that he had already had a
+_camora_, or robe, made for his wife of this material, and begged her
+to accept fifteen yards of the same stuff, and wear it for his sake.
+
+"This brocade," wrote Isabella joyfully to her husband, "is worth at
+least forty ducats a yard!" And without delay she sent for a tailor to
+cut out the gown, in order that she might wear it once before she left
+Milan.
+
+The Marchesino Stanga and Count Girolamo Tuttavilla were chosen to
+escort Isabella to Genoa, where she was received in state by the
+governor Adorno, and splendidly entertained at the Casa Spinola by the
+chief citizens. Beatrice's delicate state of health had prevented her
+from accompanying her sister on this journey, but she still persisted in
+taking long hunting expeditions, and one day when she and the Moro were
+staying at Cuzzago, encountered a savage boar which had already wounded
+several greyhounds.
+
+"My wife," wrote the Moro to his sister-in-law, "came suddenly face to
+face with this furious beast, and herself gave it the first wound, after
+which Messer Galeazzo and I followed suit, so that the boar must have
+had great pleasure in feeling how much trouble it had given us and to
+what dangers its hunters had been exposed."
+
+The result of this long and fatiguing hunting expedition was that
+Beatrice fell seriously ill. Lodovico was much alarmed, and sent daily
+bulletins both to his sister-in-law and to her mother at Ferrara. "There
+is no fresh news to give you here," he wrote on the 6th of October. "My
+whole days are spent at the bedside of my dear wife, endeavouring to
+distract her thoughts and amuse her mind as best I can during her
+illness."
+
+Isabella, who had intended to return home from Genoa, hurried back to
+Milan at the news of her sister's illness, and did not leave her until
+she was convalescent. During these weeks Lodovico showed himself the
+most devoted and attentive of husbands, and his letters to Isabella are
+full of the practical jokes and witty dialogues and repartees with which
+he and Messer Galeazzo amused the duchess. The following letter affords
+a characteristic specimen of the kind of fooling which these great
+Renaissance lords and ladies carried on at the expense of the
+half-witted jesters and buffoons who were attached to their different
+households:--
+
+
+"DEAR SISTER AND MOST ILLUSTRIOUS AND EXCELLENT LADY,
+
+"You know what good sport we had in the wild boar-hunts at which you
+were present this last summer. Poor Mariolo, you remember, could not be
+there, first because he was ill at Milan, and afterwards because he was
+required to keep my wife company during her illness, and was much
+distressed to have been absent from these expeditions, when he heard
+that even the king's ambassadors had wounded a wild boar. And he told us
+all what great things he would have done, had he only been present. Now
+that my dearest wife is better, and begins to be able to go out-of-doors
+again, I thought we would have a little fun at his expense. Some wolves
+and wild goats having been driven into a wood near La Pecorara, which,
+as you know, is about a mile from here, on the way to La Sforzesca,
+Cardinal Sanseverino had a common farm pig shut up in the same
+enclosure, and the next day we went out hunting, and took Mariolo with
+us. While we hunted the wolves and wild goats, we left the pig to him,
+and he, taking it for a wild boar, chased it with a great hue and cry
+along the woods. If your Highness could only have seen him running after
+this pig, you would have died of laughter, the more so that he gallantly
+tried to spear it three times over, and only succeeded in touching its
+side once. And seeing how proud he was of his prowess, we said to him,
+'Don't you know, Mariolo, that you have been hunting a tame pig?' He
+stood dumb with astonishment, and stared as if he did not know what we
+could mean, and so we all came home infinitely amused, and every one
+asked Mariolo if he did not know the difference between a wild boar and
+a tame pig!
+
+                                   "Your brother,
+                                           LODOVICO MARIA SFORTIA.[31]
+
+Vigevano, December 6, 1492."
+
+The most remarkable thing about these letters is that a prince who was
+engaged in so much and varied business, who himself conducted a vast
+correspondence in which the most intricate diplomatic questions of the
+day were involved with his envoys at the different European courts, and
+personally superintended every detail of administration, while at the
+same time he gave minute instructions to the hundreds of architects,
+sculptors, and painters in his service, should have found time to write
+these bantering epistles to his sister-in-law. One of these letters, for
+instance, is devoted to a long account of the jokes that passed between
+Messer Galeazzo and the duchess at table, how Messer Galeazzo begged to
+be allowed a taste of the duchess's soup, and complained that he was
+forgotten now that the Marchesana was no longer there, and how Beatrice
+told him she would write and tell her sister, to which he replied, "Tell
+her whatever you like, as long as I get my soup!"
+
+Yet at this very moment, when he penned these joking letters to
+Isabella, Lodovico was engaged in some of the most difficult and anxious
+negotiations with other States.
+
+During Ercole d'Este's visit, the question of sending the customary
+congratulations to the new Pope had been discussed, and Lodovico had
+suggested that the ambassadors of the four allied powers--Milan, Naples,
+Florence, and Ferrara--should send a joint deputation, both as a mark of
+special honour to His Holiness, and as a public manifesto to foreign
+powers of the strength of these united States. The step, he was
+confident, would produce a good effect both on the King of the Romans
+and Charles VIII. of France, whose designs on Italy were already
+exciting alarm. Both the Duke of Ferrara and King Ferrante, who had been
+consulted through his ambassadors, when they came to hunt at Vigevano,
+agreed readily to Lodovico's proposal, and the only person to raise
+objections was Piero de' Medici, who had lately succeeded his father as
+chief magistrate of Florence, and pretended to the same power. The death
+of his friend Lorenzo had been sincerely deplored by Lodovico, who,
+before many months had passed, began to discover how weak and
+contemptible a character his son possessed, and had already consulted
+his astrologer as to the influence which this young man would have upon
+his own fortunes. Now the vain and foolish youth refused to join in the
+proposed embassy to the Vatican, because he wished to appear alone
+before Alexander VI. and impress that new Pope by the magnificence of
+his apparel and retinue. Not content with frustrating the Moro's plan,
+Piero induced King Ferrante to withdraw his consent to the joint
+deputation, a step which did not tend to improve the strained relations
+that had existed for some time past between Naples and Milan. Cardinal
+Giuliano della Rovere had retired to Ostia in disgust at the election of
+the Borgia Pope, leaving Ascanio Sforza all powerful at the Vatican, and
+the Pope availed himself of every occasion to show his friendship for
+Lodovico. Already a marriage had been proposed between Alexander's
+daughter Lucrezia Borgia and Giovanni Sforza, Prince of Pesaro, and the
+King of Naples looked with alarm on the friendly relations that existed
+between the Holy See and Milan. "Alexander VI.," said Ferrante,
+bitterly, "has no respect for the Holy Church, and cares for nothing but
+the aggrandisement of his own family. Rome will soon become a Milanese
+camp."
+
+But while Lodovico Sforza looked with suspicion on the intrigues of
+Ferrante's son Alfonso, and was anxious to strengthen his alliance with
+other powers, he had as yet no thought of inviting the French to invade
+Italy. On the contrary, the whole tenor of his private letters and
+public despatches was marked by the same anxiety to maintain cordial
+relations with the different Italian states, in order that they might
+present a united front to foreign enemies. However friendly were his
+advances to the King of France, he had never by word or hint given him
+the slightest encouragement to invade Italy or assert his claim to the
+crown of Naples. It was only when he saw peace restored between Charles
+and Maximilian, on the one hand, and on the other a treaty of alliance
+concluded between the Pope and the King of Naples, that he began to
+tremble for his own safety, and suddenly changed his policy. But for the
+moment counsels of peace prevailed, and the ambitious Moro could look
+forward with hope and confidence to the coming year, that promised to
+bring him new joys, and perchance the fulfilment of his long-cherished
+desire, in the birth of a son and heir.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[28] Pastor's "History of the Popes," vol. v. p. 383, etc.
+
+[29] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 350, etc.
+
+[30] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 356.
+
+[31] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 361.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+Birth of Beatrice's first-born son--The Duchess of Ferrara at
+Milan--_Fêtes_ and rejoicings at court and in the Castello--The court
+moves to Vigevano--Beatrice's wardrobe--Her son's portrait--Letters to
+her mother and sister--Lodovico's plans for a visit to Ferrara and
+Venice.
+
+1493
+
+
+On the 25th of January, at four o'clock on a winter's afternoon,
+Beatrice gave birth to a son in the Rocchetta of the castle of Milan.
+
+"Signor Lodovico's joy at the birth of his first-born son is beyond all
+description," wrote Giacomo Trotti to his master, Duke Ercole. Duchess
+Leonora was present on the occasion, and herself announced the happy
+event in a letter to her daughter Isabella, who promptly sent a special
+envoy with her congratulations to the Duke of Bari and her sister. A
+fortnight before, Leonora had set out for Pavia, where Trotti had been
+sent to meet her, and crowds shouting _Moro! Moro!_ had everywhere
+hailed her arrival. Three days later, she reached Milan in time to make
+the last preparations before the birth of her grandson. The child, a
+fine healthy boy, received the name of Ercole, in compliment to his
+grandfather, the Duke of Ferrara, but was afterwards called Maximilian,
+when the emperor became his godfather after his marriage to Bianca
+Sforza. The auspicious event was hailed with public rejoicings. The
+bells rang for six days, and solemn processions were held, and
+thanksgivings offered up in all the churches and abbeys of the Milanese.
+Prisoners for debt were released, and the advent of the new-born prince
+was celebrated with as great honour as if his father had been the
+reigning duke. Already some of the courtiers attached to Giangaleazzo's
+household began to whisper that the birth of Francesco, the little Count
+of Pavia, two years before, had been celebrated with far less pomp. But
+in the same week Duchess Isabella, who was residing in the _Corte
+ducale_ of the Castello, gave birth to a daughter, who received the name
+of Bona, so that, as Lodovico informed the foreign ambassadors, there
+was double cause for rejoicings.
+
+Full and elaborate details of the ceremonies observed on this occasion,
+and of the splendid _fêtes_ that attended the recovery of the two
+duchesses, were sent to Isabella d'Este at Mantua by her mother's maid
+of honour, Teodora degli Angeli. Every particular of the decorations in
+the rooms of the Castello, the colour of the hangings and the draperies
+of the cradle, the gowns worn by the different princesses at their
+successive appearances in public, was faithfully reported for Isabella's
+benefit. On the eve of the young prince's birth, the sumptuous cradle
+and layette prepared for his reception were shown to the Ambassadors,
+chief magistrates, and nobles of Milan, and displayed on tables covered
+with gold and crimson brocade, lined with Spanish cat, in the Sala del
+Tesoro, adjoining Beatrice's rooms. All through the next fortnight
+costly gifts for the young duchess and her new-born babe were received
+from the magistrates of Milan and the chief towns of the duchy, and
+principal courtiers. On Sunday, the 4th of February, the ambassadors,
+councillors, magistrates and court officials, together with many noble
+Milanese ladies, were invited to present their congratulations to
+Beatrice, and that evening the gifts presented to her were publicly
+displayed in the Sala del Tesoro. The doors of the shelves along the
+walls were thrown open, and the splendid gold and silver plate, the
+massive jars, bowls, vases, and dishes, which they contained, were
+ranged in tiers on a stand, protected by iron bars and guarded by two
+men-at-arms wearing ducal liveries. The seneschal of Lodovico's
+household, Ambrogio da Corte, received the guests at the doors of the
+Rocchetta, paying each of them the honours due to his rank, and
+conducted them to the Sala del Tesoro. There they were received by
+stewards clad in silver brocade, who led them through a suite of rooms
+adorned with gilded columns and hung with white damask curtains richly
+embroidered with equestrian figures and other Sforzesque devices, into
+the presence of the duchess. This chamber was still more richly
+decorated than the others. "Indeed, it is calculated," writes the
+admiring maid of honour, "that the tapestries and hangings here are
+worth 70,000 ducats." Two pages guarded the doors, and within, near the
+fireplace, Duchess Leonora sat at her daughter's bedside, accompanied by
+two or three ladies. Beatrice's own couch was gorgeously adorned with
+draperies of mulberry colour and gold, and a crimson canopy bearing the
+names of Lodovico and Beatrice in massive gold, with red and white
+rosettes and a fringe of golden balls which alone was valued at 8000
+ducats.
+
+"All," exclaimed Teodora--"_bello e galante_, beyond words!"[32]
+
+After paying their respects to the illustrious mother, the guests passed
+on into the room of the new-born child--_la camera del Puttino_. Here
+the walls were hung with brocades of the Sforza colours, red, white, and
+blue, and tapestries, embroidered with all manner of beasts and birds
+and fantastic designs. But the golden cradle itself, which had been made
+in Milan, was the most beautiful thing of all, with its four slender
+columns and pale blue silk canopy enriched with gold cords and fringes.
+"Truly rich and elegant beyond anything that I have ever seen!" writes
+the ecstatic maid of honour, whose eyes were fairly dazzled by the sight
+of all these splendours, and who, as she told Isabella, was lost in
+wonder and admiration at the magnificence of the Milanese court. After a
+glimpse of the royal infant, sleeping under his coverlid of cloth of
+gold, watched over by Beatrice's ladies, the visitors were conducted
+into Signor Lodovico's hall of audience, where he received the
+ambassadors and chief councillors, and through the adjoining room,
+occupied by his favourite astrologer, Messer Ambrogio da
+Rosate--"without whom nothing can be done here," remarks Teodora--back
+to the entrance hall, where the seneschal was in waiting to escort them
+to the gates.
+
+Messer Ambrogio, as Teodora opined, had to be consulted before the
+duchess was allowed to leave her bed. This was on Wednesday, the 24th of
+February, on which day both the royal ladies issued from their rooms at
+the same hour. "Now at length," wrote the lively maid of honour to
+Isabella, "I am able to inform your Highness that the illustrious
+Madonna your sister has left her room, and those poor tormented souls
+whose task it has been for so many nights to bring in shawls to spread
+over the presents, are at last freed from their labours."
+
+That same day, both the young duchesses went in state to S. Maria delle
+Grazie, to return thanks and praise to God for the birth of their
+children. The royal ladies rode in the Duchess of Ferrara's chariot, a
+sumptuous carriage hung with purple, and were accompanied by Leonora
+herself and five other Sforza princesses--Alfonso d'Este's wife, Anna;
+Duke Giangaleazzo's sister, Bianca Sforza; Signor Lodovico's daughter,
+Bianca, the youthful bride of Galeazzo Sanseverino; Madonna
+Beatrice--Niccolo da Correggio's mother--and Madonna Camilla Sforza of
+Pesaro. The toilettes worn on this occasion were exceptionally rich, as
+Teodora relates. "Our Madonna, Duchess Leonora, wore black, as usual,
+but was very gallantly adorned with her finest jewels. The Duchess of
+Bari had a lovely vest of gold brocade worked in red and blue silk, and
+a blue silk mantle trimmed with long-haired fur, and her hair coiled as
+usual in a silken net. Duchess Isabella wore gold brocade and green
+velvet enriched with crimson cords and silver thread, and a mantle of
+crimson velvet lined with grey silk. Both ladies were covered with
+jewels. Madonna Anna's _camora_ was of cloth-of-gold with crimson
+sleeves, lined with fur and edged with gold fringe. One fine invention
+which I noticed was a new trimming made of grey lamb's wool, but there
+was no end to the variety of colours and fringes or to the beauty of the
+jewels."
+
+After hearing a solemn Te Deum and other canticles very beautifully sung
+by the choir of the ducal chapel, the whole party drove to the house of
+Count Della Torre, who entertained the dukes and duchesses, ambassadors
+and councillors, and all the chief gentlemen and ladies of the court at
+a splendid banquet. On the following day the duchesses and princesses
+were entertained at a feast given by Niccolo's mother, Madonna Beatrice,
+in her rooms in the Castello, and appeared in fresh costumes and still
+more splendid jewels. On Friday no _fête_ was given, but most of the
+youthful princes and princesses went out hunting in the park, and three
+stags were killed in the course of the day. Beatrice appeared in a
+riding-habit of rose-tinted cloth, and a large jewel instead of a
+feather in her silk hat, and rode on a black horse. Madonna Anna wore
+black and gold, with a pearl-embroidered crimson hat, and her sister
+Bianca also appeared on horseback, while Duchess Leonora spent the day
+with old Duchess Bona in her rooms.
+
+On Saturday a _fête_ was given at the house of Gaspare di Pusterla.
+Beatrice looked particularly charming with a feather of rubies in her
+hair, and a crimson satin robe embroidered with a pattern of knots and
+compasses and many ribbons, "after her favourite fashion," adds Teodora.
+It is these very ribbons that we still see to-day, both in the few
+portraits that we have of the short-lived duchess, and in the marble
+effigy upon her tomb. Isabella of Aragon appeared on this occasion, in a
+gown embroidered with books and letters, a favourite device of
+Renaissance ladies; while Anna Sforza was all in white, "because it was
+Saturday," explained Teodora, and she had vowed to wear no colours on
+that day for a certain number of weeks. This was a common practice with
+many Italian princesses who had lately recovered from illness or given
+birth to a child, and one to which we find frequent allusion in the
+correspondence of Isabella d'Este. On Saturday all the court attended
+high mass at S. Maria delle Grazie, and a last entertainment was given,
+this time by Duchess Beatrice herself, in the Rocchetta.
+
+The next day, Lodovico took his wife and mother-in-law, with the Duchess
+of Milan and their other guests, to Vigevano, to enjoy a little rest and
+country air. But here fresh amusements awaited them, and the splendour
+of Beatrice's wardrobe and the treasures of her _camerini_ filled the
+Ferrarese visitors with wonder and envy. On the 6th of March, Bernardo
+Prosperi wrote to tell Isabella that our Madonna had been conducted by
+the jester Mariolo over Beatrice's "_guardaroba_," and had seen all the
+splendid gowns, pelisses, and mantles which had been made for her during
+the last two years, about eighty-four in all, "besides many more," adds
+the writer, "which your sister the duchess has in Milan." The costliness
+of the materials, and the rich and intricate embroidery which covered
+satins and brocades, made Leonora exclaim that she felt as if she were
+in a sacristy looking at priests' vestments and altar frontals. After
+examining all of these fine clothes, the duchess was taken into two
+other _camerini_, where Beatrice, after the fashion of great ladies in
+those days, had collected her favourite books and _object d'art_. One
+cabinet was full of Murano glass of delicate shape and colour, of
+porcelain dishes, and majolica from Faenza or Gubbio. Another held
+ivories, crystals, and enamels engraved in the same style as Lodovico's
+vases in the treasury at Milan. Perfumes and washes filled another case,
+while a separate cabinet was devoted to hunting implements, dog-collars,
+pouches, flasks, horns, knives, and hoods for falcons. "There was,
+indeed," added Duchess Leonora's attendant, "enough to fill many shops."
+
+The evenings at Vigevano were enlivened with music and singing, and, by
+Lodovico's orders, a band of Spanish musicians who had been sent from
+Rome to Milan by his brother, Cardinal Ascanio, came to play before
+Beatrice and her mother, who both admired the sweet strains of their
+large viols, and examined the shape and size of their instruments with
+curiosity. On Sunday theatrical representations were given, and Beatrice
+appeared in a wonderful new gown made of gold-striped cloth, with a
+crimson vest laced with fine silver thread "arranged," wrote an admiring
+lady-in-waiting, "in the most graceful fashion. This your sister wore,"
+she adds, "because it was Carnival Sunday; but even now, although Lent
+has begun for most of us, Carnival is not yet over for these highnesses,
+since Signor Lodovico and his duchess, Messer Galeazzo, the Duke and
+Duchess of Milan, and many of their courtiers, have received
+dispensations from Rome to eat meat all the same."[33]
+
+Meanwhile Beatrice's little son was growing into a strong healthy child,
+and her letters are full of the beauty and perfections of her precious
+babe. Again and again, in her notes to Isabella, she talks of "my son
+Ercole," with all a young mother's proud delight.
+
+"I cannot tell you," she writes to her sister, "how well Ercole is
+looking, and how big and plump he has grown lately. Each time I see him
+after a few days' absence, I am amazed and delighted to see how much he
+has grown and improved, and I often wish that you could be here to see
+him, as I am quite sure you would never be able to stop petting and
+kissing him."
+
+Isabella, on her part, wrote warmly to her sister in return, saying how
+much she longed to see her beautiful boy--"_il suo bello puttino_" and
+"not only to see him, but to hold him in my arms and enjoy his company
+after my own fashion."
+
+Duchess Leonora returned to Ferrara at the end of another week, and one
+of Beatrice's first anxieties was to have a portrait of her child
+painted for her mother. On the 16th of April, she wrote from her
+favourite country house Villa Nova, where she had brought the babe to
+enjoy the sweet spring air--
+
+
+MOST ILLUSTRIOUS MADAMA MINE, AND DEAREST MOTHER,
+
+"Your Highness must forgive my delay in writing to you. The reason was
+that every day I have been hoping the painter would bring me the
+portrait of Ercole, which my husband and I now send you by this post.
+And, I can assure you, he is much bigger than this picture makes him
+appear, for it is already more than a week since it was painted. But I
+do not send the measure of his height, because people here tell me if I
+measure him he will never grow! Or else I certainly would let you have
+it. And my lord and I, both of us, commend ourselves to your Highness,
+and I kiss your hand, my dearest mother.
+
+                                   "Your obedient servant and child,
+                                             BEATRICE SFORTIA DA ESTE,
+                                               with _my own_ hand.[34]
+
+To the most illustrious Lady my dearest Mother,
+Signora Duchessa di Ferrara."
+
+The baby's portrait was forwarded to Mantua for Isabella's inspection,
+together with a letter from her mother, saying--
+
+"I enclose a drawing which has been sent to us from Milan, to show how
+well our grandson thrives, and certainly, if we have been already told
+how flourishing he is, this gives us a living witness to his beauty and
+well-being. And if you ask me whether the portrait is a good one, I need
+only tell you who has sent it and who is the master who has done this
+drawing, and then I am sure you will be satisfied."
+
+Leonora's words excite our wonder as to who the artist could be whose
+name of itself would be enough to satisfy Isabella of the excellence of
+the work. As Signor Luzio has already remarked,[35] it is impossible to
+read these words without thinking that Leonardo must have been the
+artist employed by Lodovico on this occasion to take a sketch of his
+infant son. But the drawing of Ercole has vanished, and the painter's
+name remains unknown.
+
+Another name which recurs frequently in Beatrice's letters to both her
+mother and sister at this time, is that of a Spanish embroiderer, named
+Maestro Jorba, noted for his rare skill, who was in the service of the
+Duchess of Ferrara, and was left by her at Vigevano in April, to design
+hangings and gowns for Lodovico's wife. On the 14th of March, Jorba was
+sent back to Ferrara with a letter from Beatrice to her mother,
+expressing her satisfaction with his work; and in April, Leonora sent
+her a new design for a _camora_ which the clever Spaniard had invented.
+
+"I have to-night," wrote Beatrice in reply, "received the design of the
+_camora_ made by Jorba, which I admire very much, and have just shown it
+to my embroiderer, as your Highness advised. He remarks that the flowers
+of the pattern are all the same size, and since the _camora_ will
+naturally be cut narrower above than below, the flowers ought to be
+altered in the same proportion. I have not yet decided what will be the
+best thing to do, but thought I would tell you what Schavezi says, and
+wait to hear what you advise, and then do whatever you think best."
+
+Later in the same year, we find Maestro Jorba once more at Milan,
+working for Duchess Beatrice, much to the annoyance of her sister
+Isabella, who was anxious to secure the services of the skilful
+embroiderer, and offered him a salary of two hundred ducats a year if he
+would settle at Mantua. Jorba, however, seems to have preferred to
+remain at Ferrara, and only paid occasional visits to the princesses of
+Este at Milan and Mantua.
+
+Throughout April, all the tailors and embroiderers, goldsmiths and
+jewellers, in Beatrice's service were busy making preparations for a
+visit which their mistress was shortly to pay to her old home. Before
+Leonora left Vigevano the Moro had promised to bring his wife and child
+to Ferrara in May, and had decided to send Beatrice to Venice, with her
+mother Duchess Leonora, who was going to spend a few days with her son
+Alfonso and his wife, at the palace of the Estes on the Canal Grande. He
+had further intimated his intention of paying a visit to his
+sister-in-law at Mantua on the way. Isabella, who had just accepted an
+invitation from the Doge, Agostino Barbarigo, to visit Venice for the
+Feast of the Ascension, was somewhat dismayed when the news reached her,
+and looked forward with no little alarm to the prospect of entertaining
+her splendid brother-in-law. She wrote off without delay to consult her
+husband on the subject--
+
+"Madama sends me word that Signor Lodovico has decided to visit Ferrara
+in May, and gives me the list of the company who are to attend him,
+which I enclose for you to see. For my part I can hardly believe it, but
+shall be sorry if I am at Venice when such _fêtes_ are being held at
+Ferrara. Your Highness must decide what you think is best for the honour
+of our house, since when I was at Milan Signor Lodovico told me that if
+he came to Ferrara he would visit Mantua on the way. No doubt you will
+do what seems to be most prudent, and will let me know your wishes. But
+perhaps I may be mistaken.[36]
+
+"Mantua, 9th of April, 1493."
+
+Isabella was still more disturbed when she heard that Lodovico intended
+to send his wife to Venice. Her pride shrank from the bare notion of
+appearing before the Doge and Senate at the same time as her sister,
+whose sumptuous apparel and numerous suite she felt herself unable to
+rival. "Nothing in the world," she wrote to Gianfrancesco, who was then
+at Venice as captain-general of the Republic's forces, "will induce me
+to go to Venice at the same time as my sister the duchess."
+
+And she insisted on her desire to appear before the Doge, not as a guest
+and foreign visitor, but as a daughter and servant, begging that she
+might be treated without any pomp or ceremony.
+
+Fortunately, whether from political motives, or from his usual
+attention to his astrologer's advice, Lodovico deferred his visit to
+Ferrara until the middle of May, and himself wrote a courteous letter to
+Isabella, expressing his regret that he would after all be unable to
+accept her invitation to Mantua, since he found himself obliged to visit
+Parma. The marchioness, thus happily relieved from her fears, set off
+for Ferrara on the 4th of May, and proceeded to Venice a week later,
+having doubled the number of her retinue, and strained every nerve to
+present an appearance which should not offer too marked a contrast with
+Beatrice's regal splendours.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[32] L. Porrò in A. S. L., ix. 327.
+
+[33] Porrò, _op. cit._, p. 330.
+
+[34] A. Venturi in A. S. L., xii. 227.
+
+[35] Archivio Storico Lombardo, xvii. 368.
+
+[36] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 365.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+Lodovico's ambitious designs--Isabella of Aragon appeals to her
+father--Breach between Naples and Milan--Alliance between the Pope,
+Venice, and Milan proclaimed--Mission of Erasmo Brasca to the king of
+the Romans--Journey of Lodovico and Beatrice to Ferrara--_Fêtes_ and
+tournaments--Visit to Belriguardo, and return of Lodovico to
+Milan--Arrival of Belgiojoso from France.
+
+1493
+
+
+The birth of Beatrice's son marks a new development in her husband's
+policy. Up to that time the Moro seems to have been content to govern in
+his nephew's name, and had rejected with horror King Ferrante's
+suggestion that he should depose Gian Galeazzo as incapable, and reign
+in his stead. But whether it was that Beatrice in her turn had become
+ambitious to bear the title of Duchess of Milan and see her son
+recognized as heir to the crown, or whether the birth of his son stirred
+up new desires in her lord's breast, it is certain that the spring of
+1493 was a turning-point in Lodovico's career. From this time he began
+to aim at reigning in his nephew's stead, and applied himself in good
+earnest to obtain legal recognition of his title. In the first place,
+the birth of Ercole, and the extraordinary honours paid to the child and
+his mother on this occasion, had the effect of exasperating Isabella of
+Aragon, and exciting new and bitter rivalry between herself and
+Beatrice. Gian Galeazzo, sunk in idle pleasures and debauchery, had long
+ceased to take any interest in the government of Milan, or to show the
+least wish to assert himself. He was recognized on all hands as
+altogether unfit to rule--in the words of the historian Guicciardini,
+"_incapacissimo_." But with his wife it was different. In public she
+controlled her rage and appeared with her cousin at _fêtes_ and state
+ceremonies, but in private she wept bitter tears. Already her father,
+Alfonso, Duke of Calabria, had begged his sister Duchess Leonora and her
+husband to try and induce Lodovico to restore the Duke and Duchess of
+Milan to their rightful position, and the good duchess, who was on
+friendly terms with Bona of Savoy and with her own niece, Isabella of
+Aragon, did all in her power to soften the rivalry between the two young
+princesses. But after her departure from Milan, Isabella's ill-concealed
+anger broke out, and, according to Corio, she wrote the memorable Latin
+letter to her father.
+
+"It was then," writes the Milanese chronicler, "that the duchess, being
+a princess of great spirit, refused to endure the humiliations to which
+she and her husband were exposed, and wrote to Alfonso her father, after
+this manner: 'Many years have passed, my father, since you first wedded
+me to Gian Galeazzo, on the understanding that he would in due time
+succeed to the sceptre of his father and ascend the throne of Galeazzo
+and Francesco Sforza and of his Visconti ancestors. He is now of age and
+is himself a father; but he is not yet in possession of his dominions,
+and can only obtain the actual necessaries of life from the hands of
+Lodovico and his ministers. It is Lodovico who administers the state,
+treats of war and peace, confirms the laws, grants privileges, imposes
+taxes, hears petitions, and raises money. Everything is in his power,
+while we are left without friends or money, and are reduced to live as
+private persons. Not Gian Galeazzo, but Lodovico, is recognized as lord
+of the kingdom. He places prefects in the castles, raises military
+forces, appoints magistrates, and discharges all the duties of a prince.
+He is, in fact, the true duke. His wife has lately borne him a son, who
+every one prophesies will soon be called Count of Pavia, and will
+succeed to the dukedom, and royal honours were paid him at his birth,
+while we and our children are treated with contempt, and it is not
+without risk to our lives that we remain under the roof of the palace,
+from which he would remove us in his envious hatred, leaving me widowed
+and desolate, destitute of help and friends. But I have still spirit and
+courage of my own; the people regard us with compassion, and look upon
+him with hatred and curses, because he has robbed them of their gold to
+satisfy his greed. I am not able to contend with men, and am forced to
+suffer every kind of humiliation. There is no one here to whom I can
+speak, for even our servants are given us by him. But if you have any
+fatherly compassion, if a spark of royal or noble feeling still lives in
+your heart, if love of me and the sight of my tears can move your soul,
+I implore you to come to our help, and deliver your daughter and
+son-in-law from the fear of slavery, and restore them once more to their
+rightful kingdom. But if you will not help us, I would rather die by my
+own hands than bear the yoke of strangers, which would be a still
+greater evil than to allow a rival to reign in my place.'"
+
+This letter was probably composed by the historian, but there is no
+doubt that it reproduces the wronged duchess's sentiments, and that
+Corio does not exaggerate the effect which his daughter's indignant
+appeal produced upon Alfonso. "Shall we suffer our own blood to be
+despised?" he is said to have exclaimed, when he called upon his father
+to avenge his daughter's wrong, and at the same time pointed out how
+fraught with danger to the realm of Naples was the existence of so
+powerful and independent a prince as Lodovico. But the old king
+preferred to have recourse to his usual expedients of cunning and
+intrigue, and while he employed every artifice to undermine Lodovico's
+influence both at the other courts of Italy and in France, he sent
+ambassadors to congratulate the Moro on his son's birth, and only
+expostulated in a friendly manner with his kinsman. Lodovico himself,
+however, was too astute not to see the dangers which threatened him, and
+he became doubly anxious to form a close alliance with the Pope, and
+with his old enemies the Signory of Venice. Early in 1493, Alexander
+VI., now Lodovico Sforza's firm friend, proposed a new alliance between
+himself, Milan, and Venice to the Doge and Senate, and Count Caiazzo was
+sent by Lodovico to negotiate the terms of the treaty, which was to hold
+good for twenty-five years, and had for its express object the
+maintenance of the peace of Italy. Ferrara and Mantua both joined the
+new league, which was solemnly proclaimed at Venice on St. Mark's day,
+when, after high mass, the Doge conferred the honour of knighthood on
+Taddeo Vimercati, the Milanese ambassador, and the banners of Milan and
+of the Pope were borne in procession round the Piazza.
+
+In order to confirm the alliance, Lodovico not only agreed to visit
+Ferrara in May, but also decided to send his wife at the head of an
+embassy to Venice, as a proof of his friendship for his new allies. Four
+experienced councillors, Count Girolamo Tuttavilla, Galeazzo Visconti,
+Angelo Talenti, and Pietro Landriano, were chosen to accompany her, and
+an elaborate paper of secret directions was drawn up by Lodovico
+himself, dated the 10th of May. On the same day a still more important
+paper of instructions was delivered by the Moro to Erasmo Brasca, the
+envoy whom he sent that week to Germany. This agent was instructed to
+lay two proposals before Maximilian, King of the Romans. In the first
+place, he was to offer him the hand of Bianca Maria Sforza, the Duke of
+Milan's sister, with the enormous dowry of 400,000 ducats. In the
+second, he was to ask Maximilian, on Lodovico's behalf, for a renewal of
+the investiture of Milan, formerly granted to the Visconti dukes, but
+never obtained by the three princes of the house of Sforza. As, on the
+extinction of the Visconti race, the fief ought to have returned to the
+empire, it was in the emperor's power to bestow the duchy upon Lodovico,
+whose title would thus be rendered perfectly legal, while Gian Galeazzo
+would become the usurper, he himself, his father, and grandfather having
+only held the dukedom by right of a popular election, which had never
+been confirmed by the emperor. This, then, was the proposal which the
+Moro secretly made to Maximilian, whose father, the Emperor Frederic
+III., was at the time still living, but was known to be in very failing
+health. The King of the Romans was by no means insensible to the
+advantages of an alliance with the powerful Regent of Milan, or to the
+large dowry which Bianca Maria would bring with her to replenish his
+empty coffers. Some objections were raised by the German princes, who
+chose to consider this marriage with a Sforza princess beneath the
+imperial dignity, but Maximilian himself readily consented to all
+Lodovico's conditions, and promised to grant him the investiture of the
+duchy of Milan as soon as he succeeded his father, only stipulating
+that this part of the agreement should be kept secret for the present.
+The royal bridegroom was to receive three hundred thousand ducats as
+Bianca's dowry, while the remaining hundred thousand, which represented
+the tribute dues on the investiture of the duchy, as an imperial fief,
+were to be paid when this part of the transaction was accomplished.
+
+Meanwhile Maximilian had already entered into negotiations with Charles
+VIII., who, in his anxiety to undertake the expedition of Naples, was
+ready to make any sacrifices in other directions; and on the 15th of May
+the Treaty of Senlis was concluded between the two monarchs. Lodovico's
+ambassador, Belgiojoso, accompanied the French king to Senlis, and kept
+his master fully informed of all that happened at court. But while the
+Moro had repeatedly assured Charles of his friendly intentions, he had
+hitherto prudently abstained from offering any device as to the young
+king's warlike designs against Naples, and had, it was well known,
+opposed them. When in March, Charles VIII. had begged him, as a personal
+favour, to send him his son-in-law, Galeazzo di Sanseverino, of whose
+knightly prowess he had heard so much, in order that he might confer
+with this distinguished captain on military questions, Lodovico
+absolutely refused to consent, fearing the suspicions which Messer
+Galeazzo's presence at the French court might excite.
+
+Such was the state of political affairs when, on the 18th of May, 1493,
+Lodovico and Beatrice, with their infant son, arrived at Ferrara. They
+spent the night before their arrival at the palazzo Trotti, in the
+suburbs, and on the following morning entered the town by the bridge of
+Castel Tealde. After riding in state up the Via Grande and the Via degli
+Sablioni to the Castello they visited the Duomo, attended mass, and made
+an offering at the altar. The Piazza was decorated with green boughs and
+bright draperies, and crowds thronged the streets, shouting "_Moro!
+Moro!_" as the young duchess rode by in all her bravery, escorted by her
+brother Alfonso and Madonna Anna, who had ridden out to meet her, with a
+gay company of Ferrarese lords and ladies. That day Beatrice wore the
+_camora_ of wonderful crimson brocade, embroidered with the lighthouse
+towers of the port of Genoa, and a velvet cap studded with big pearls,
+"as large as are Madama's very largest gems," wrote the faithful
+Prosperi to Isabella d'Este, "as well as five splendid rubies."
+
+On this occasion Lodovico was determined to dazzle the eyes of the world
+by his splendour, and the robes and jewels of Beatrice were the wonder
+of Ferrara and Venice. Ten chariots and fifty mules laden with baggage
+followed in their train, and Prosperi describes one marvellous new
+_camora_, which Beatrice brought with her, embroidered with Lodovico's
+favourite device of the caduceus worked in large pearls, rubies, and
+diamonds, with one big diamond at the top. Not to be outdone by her
+sister-in-law, Madonna Anna appeared in a crimson and grey satin robe,
+adorned with letters of massive gold, and borrowed her mother-in-law's
+finest pearls for the occasion, so that, as Prosperi reports, her jewels
+made almost as fine a show as those of the duchess. Nor was this rivalry
+in clothes and jewels limited to the royal ladies themselves. Our lively
+friend, Duchess Leonora's maid of honour, Teodora, gives Isabella an
+amusing account of the keen emulation that existed between the Milanese
+and Ferrarese ladies who were to accompany the two duchesses to
+Venice.[37] Beatrice's ladies each wore long gold chains, valued at two
+hundred ducats apiece, and her chief maids of honour had been provided
+with some of their mistress's brocade robes for the occasion. Hearing of
+this, the Ferrarese ladies begged duchess Leonora to give them similar
+necklaces, and did not rest until they were supplied with chains valued
+at two hundred and twenty ducats apiece. And since it transpired that
+Beatrice had given some of her ladies strings of pearls for their
+paternosters, Madama presented each of her attendants with pearl
+rosaries of a still handsomer and costlier description. When Signor
+Lodovico saw this, he went up to Beatrice, saying, "Wife, I wish all of
+your ladies to wear pearl rosaries;" and straightway ordered some much
+larger and finer ones to be made for the Duchess of Bari's attendants.
+"But Madama," adds Isabella's correspondent, gleefully, "has given some
+of her smaller pendants to our ladies, a thing which I do not think the
+duchess can supply; and there is one other point in which the duchess's
+suite will come off the worst. Madama has had pelisses of green satin
+with broad stripes of black velvet made for all her ladies, which they
+are to wear at Venice, and is taking a fresh supply of jewels to lend
+them when they arrive. This I think the duchess can hardly manage."
+
+However, the next day Prosperi reports that the famous goldsmith
+Caradosso has just arrived with a quantity of rubies and diamonds, which
+Messer Lodovico has bought for two thousand ducats, and is having strung
+into necklaces for his wife's ladies.
+
+A week of brilliant festivities had been arranged by Duke Ercole in
+honour of his son-in-law. A splendid tournament was held one day on the
+Piazza in front of the Castello. "Messer Galeazzo rode in the lists,"
+writes the old chronicler of Ferrara, "with all his usual _gentilezza_,
+and carried off the prize against his brothers Caiazzo and Fracassa,
+Niccolo da Correggio, Ermes Sforza, and all other rivals. Afterwards,
+taking a massive lance in his hand, he charged a gentleman of Mirandola,
+broke his lance, and unseated him, so that both horse and man rolled
+over together. And Lodovico sent one hundred ducats to the soldier of
+Mirandola, because he fought so well. Another day a single-handed
+contest between a Milanese and a Mantuan man-at-arms was held in the
+courtyard of the castle, and won by the Mantuan, and Lodovico gave him a
+satin vest with a gold fringe and skirt of silver cloth, and the Marquis
+of Mantua and others made him fine presents."[38] Then came the
+horse-races for the _pallium_, which Don Alfonso won, and at which
+Gianfrancesco Gonzaga's famous Barbary horses made a splendid show. A
+beautiful _festa_ was also held one afternoon in the gardens, at which
+all the court assisted, and in the evenings, theatrical representations
+of the _Menæchmi_ and other Latin plays were given, which pleased
+Lodovico so well that he declared he must build a theatre at Milan on
+his return. Amongst the pieces given on this occasion was a comedy, of
+which the plot, Prosperi remarks, appeared to be aimed against Signor
+Lodovico, but it seems to have given him no offence.
+
+The Moro was apparently in the highest good-humour, courteous and
+affable, after his wont, to all, and full of proud delight in his wife
+and child. He admired the palaces and gardens of Ferrara, and surveyed
+Duke Ercole's latest improvements with keen interest. The width and
+cleanliness of the streets, struck him especially, and he determined to
+follow the duke's example and remove the forges and shops which blocked
+up the road and interfered with the traffic and the pleasantness of the
+prospect at Milan. But of all the sights which he saw in Ferrara, what
+pleased him best was Ercole's beautiful villa of Belriguardo. On
+Saturday, the 25th of May, after Beatrice and her mother had started for
+Venice, Ercole took his son-in-law and the Milanese nobles to spend the
+day at this his favourite country house, and entertained the party at a
+banquet in the famous terraced gardens on the banks of the Po. The same
+evening Lodovico found time to write to his wife, in which he tells her
+how much he is enjoying the loveliness of the summer evening at
+Belriguardo.
+
+"I would not for all the world have missed seeing this place. Really, I
+do not think that I have ever seen so large and fine a house, or one
+which is so well laid out and adorned with such excellent pictures. I do
+not believe there is another to rival it in the whole world, and did not
+think it possible to find a villa at once so spacious and so thoroughly
+comfortable and well arranged. To say the truth, if I were asked whether
+Vigevano, or the Castello of Pavia, or this place was the finest palace
+in the world--the Castello must forgive me, for I would certainly choose
+Belriguardo!"[39]
+
+From Belriguardo, Ercole and his son-in-law proceeded to visit
+Mirandola, the castle and principality of Bianca d'Este's husband, Count
+Galeotto, and the court of the scholar princes of Carpi, who were
+intimately connected with the Sanseverini and other noble Milanese
+houses. After visiting Modena, the ducal party returned to receive the
+Venetian ambassadors at Ferrara, and accompanied them to Belriguardo,
+which Lodovico was not sorry to visit a second time. Here the Moro took
+farewell of his hosts, and, leaving his infant son at Ferrara to await
+his mother's return, he set out for Parma, on his way back to Milan.
+
+Here at Torgiara, in the Parmesana, he was joined by his envoy, Count
+Belgiojoso, who, in his anxiety to bring his master the latest news, had
+ridden the whole 600 miles from Senlis in six days. This faithful
+servant had already written to give Lodovico details of the treaty
+concluded between Charles VIII. and Maximilian, and had informed him of
+the French king's resolve to invade Italy without delay. Now, at his
+master's summons, he rode to Parma as fast as relays of the fleetest
+horses could take him, and fell seriously ill on the day after his
+arrival. The news which he brought determined Lodovico in the policy
+which he was about to adopt, and decided him to withdraw all opposition
+to the French king's expedition against Naples. Charles VIII. now
+appeared as the friend and ally of Maximilian, and even consented to
+support Lodovico's suit with the King of the Romans. "It seems strange,"
+wrote the Florentine ambassador at the French court to Piero de' Medici,
+"that the king should support Signor Lodovico in a thing so harmful to
+the interests of his cousin the Duke of Orleans' claims, but so it is,
+and this will show you the influence that now predominates in the royal
+counsels."
+
+Belgiojoso reached Torgiara, in the district of Parma, on the 4th of
+June, and on the 24th, Maximilian sent the despatch from the castle of
+Gmünden, by which he accepted the hand of Bianca Sforza in marriage, and
+promised Lodovico Sforza the investiture of the duchy of Milan as soon
+as he himself should receive the imperial dignity. In the same month of
+June, the marriage of the Pope's daughter, Lucrezia Borgia, to Giovanni
+Sforza of Pesaro was celebrated with great pomp in the Vatican, and the
+Pope and cardinals joined in the orgies which followed. But old King
+Ferrante gnashed his teeth with rage, and his son Alfonso vowed
+vengeance against the hated Moro and all his crew. And in the Duomo of
+Florence, the fiery Dominican friar, Fra Girolamo of San Marco,
+preaching with passionate fervour to the crowds who hung on his lips,
+boldly denounced the shameless profligacy that reigned in high places,
+and warned the Church and the world of the avenging sword of the Lord.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[37] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 374.
+
+[38] Muratori, R. L. S., xxiv. 284.
+
+[39] E. Motta in _Giorn. st. d. lett. Ital._, vii. 387.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+Visit of Beatrice and her mother to Venice--Letters of Lodovico to his
+wife--Reception of the duchesses by the Doge at S. Clemente--Their
+triumphal entry--Procession and _fêtes_ in the Grand Canal--Letter of
+Beatrice to her husband--The palace of the Dukes of Ferrara in Venice.
+
+1493
+
+
+The spring of 1493, as we have already said, proved a turning-point in
+Lodovico Sforza's policy. And it also marked a new period in the life of
+Beatrice d'Este. Up to this time the young duchess was a bright and
+joyous child, intellectual and cultivated like the other ladies of her
+family, but eager, above all, to enjoy the splendour and gaiety of her
+new life, to taste of every pleasure, and fling herself into every
+passing amusement. But now she appears in a new light. For the first
+time, on this visit to Venice, she takes a leading part in political
+affairs, and comes before the Doge and Senate as her husband's
+ambassador and spokeswoman. Here we see this princess, who was not yet
+eighteen years of age, assuming the character of orator and diplomatist,
+and revealing these talents which excited the admiration of the Emperor
+Maximilian and made him pronounce her unlike all other women.
+
+In selecting his young wife for this important mission, Lodovico had
+acted with his usual prudence and forethought. He saw her remarkable
+powers of mind, and trusted implicitly in her womanly tact and charm.
+When the Venetian Senate first heard that Lodovico was to visit Ferrara,
+they announced their intention of sending ambassadors to request him to
+accompany the two duchesses to Venice. But the Moro felt that, at this
+critical moment of his negotiations with both Charles VIII. and
+Maximilian, his presence at Venice might lead to awkward questions and
+excite the suspicion of these princes. So he preferred to send his wife,
+whose journey with her mother and brother would appear rather in the
+light of a party of pleasure, and whose youth and charms would disarm
+suspicion, and at the same time exert a beneficial influence on the
+counsels of the Republic. In the written instructions which he gave
+Tuttavilla and the other envoys who accompanied Beatrice, they were
+desired to lay especial stress on the honour which the rulers of Milan
+were doing the Signory of Venice by the choice of so exalted a lady to
+be their messenger.
+
+"The presence of the most illustrious Duchess of Bari is the best proof
+their Excellencies can have of the singular satisfaction with which the
+Dukes of Milan and Bari regard the conclusion of this league. In
+sending, the one his aunt, the other his wife, who is the dearest thing
+that he possesses, to congratulate the Signory on this auspicious
+occasion, they show you how great and exceptional is the pleasure which
+they feel at this alliance between our two states."
+
+On Saturday, the 25th of May, the Duchess of Ferrara, with her two
+daughters, Beatrice Duchess of Bari and Madonna Anna Sforza, and her son
+Alfonso, accompanied by a large retinue numbering in all 1200 persons,
+sailed down the Po into the Adriatic, on their way to Venice. Beatrice
+was accompanied by Antonio Trivulzio, Bishop of Como, Francesco Sforza
+and his wife, and several other Milanese gentlemen of rank, besides the
+four ambassadors already named, and in her train were the famous Flemish
+tenor Cordier and the other court singers of the ducal chapel. On the
+20th the party reached Chioggia, where they were entertained in the
+houses of noble Venetian families, and on the following day sailed up
+between the islands, under the long sandy shore of the Lido, into the
+port of Venice. At Malamocco, the fort on the southern point of Lido
+guarding the entrance of the harbour, they were received by a deputation
+of patricians, while at S. Clemente the old Doge, Agostino Barbarigo,
+himself came out to meet them in the bucentaur, followed by an immense
+company of boats and gondolas in festive array.
+
+"Of all cities that I have ever known, Venice is the one where the
+greatest honour is paid to strangers," wrote Philippe de Commines, when,
+a year and a half later, he came to Venice as ambassador from his most
+Christian Majesty. And on this occasion the welcome offered to the wife
+of the powerful Moro was grander, and the _fêtes_ given in her honour
+were more splendid, than had been seen for many years.
+
+"Never," wrote Taddeo de' Vimercati, the Milanese ambassador, "was lord
+or lady received with greater joy, or more magnificently entertained
+than the duchess has been on this occasion." And in his letters to his
+wife Isabella, the Marquis of Mantua, who had arrived at Venice three
+days earlier, and was among the spectators of his mother and
+sister-in-law's triumphal entry, dilates on the extraordinary honours
+that were paid them, on the vast concourse of people assembled to greet
+their arrival, and the exultation with which they were received. He
+describes the procession of barks and gondolas, filled with ladies in
+gay toilettes, that were seen rowing across the lagoon many hours before
+the arrival of the illustrious visitors, and tells how the old Doge--the
+same whose venerable figure is familiar to us in Giovanni Bellini's
+altar-piece, at Murano--made his way to S. Clemente early in the
+afternoon, and retired to rest for an hour or two, in a chamber prepared
+for his Serene Highness, until the Ferrarese bucentaurs were seen in the
+distance. Gianfrancesco dwells on the number and beauty of the gaily
+decorated barges and triremes, and describes the magnificent loggia hung
+with tapestries and wreaths of flowers which had been erected in front
+of the _palazzo_ occupied by the Milanese ambassador, at the entrance of
+the Canal Grande. But what impressed him most of all were the thundering
+salvoes of artillery which burst from the fleet of galleys, from the
+arsenal and the Milanese embassy, at one and the same moment, as about
+five o'clock the Ferrarese bucentaurs reached Malamocco and entered the
+Venetian waters. "The whole air," he writes, "was filled with confusion,
+when these demonstrations of great rejoicing burst simultaneously upon
+our ears."
+
+Isabella d'Este, who had herself lately returned from Venice and was now
+with her beloved sister-in-law, Elizabeth Duchess of Urbino, at the
+villa of Porto, devoured her husband's letters greedily, although she
+professed indifference, and wrote to her mother, "To me all these
+ceremonies seem very much of the same nature, and are all alike very
+tedious and monotonous."
+
+There was one point, however, upon which Gianfrancesco confessed himself
+unable to gratify his wife and sister's curiosity. "I will not attempt,"
+he says, "to describe the gowns and ornaments worn by these duchesses
+and Madonna Anna, this being quite out of my line, and will only tell
+you that all three of them appeared resplendent with the most precious
+jewels."[40] Fortunately, this omission was supplied by one of
+Beatrice's secretaries, Niccolo de' Negri, who, in a letter to Lodovico,
+informed him, on the day of her arrival at Venice, that the duchess wore
+her gold brocade, embroidered with crimson doves, with a jewelled
+feather in her cap, and a rope of pearls and diamonds round her neck, to
+which the priceless ruby known as El Spigo was attached as pendant. But
+the best account we have of Beatrice's visit to Venice is contained in
+four of her own letters addressed to her husband, which have been
+preserved in the archives of Milan. They were originally published
+twenty years ago by Molmenti, who, however, omitted some portions which
+are given here, and transcribed some of the dates incorrectly.
+Unfortunately, several of the letters in which Beatrice daily recorded
+the events of this memorable week for her lord's benefit are missing.
+But although the narrative is incomplete, it is none the less of rare
+value and interest. The first two letters after her departure from
+Ferrara are missing, but in their stead we have two notes from Lodovico,
+which show how tenderly he thought of his absent wife, and how carefully
+he followed her movements. On the evening of the 25th, he wrote the
+letter that has been already quoted, from Belriguardo; on the 26th, he
+sent her a second note in reply to the letters which he had just
+received. In one of these Beatrice had apparently given a lively account
+of her triumphs at cards in the games which she had played with her
+companions on board the bucentaur. Like Isabella d'Este and most of her
+contemporaries, the duchess was very fond of _scartino_ and other
+fashionable card-games, and had the reputation of being exceptionally
+lucky. In the course of the year 1494, Lodovico informed Girolamo
+Tuttavilla, who was at one time treasurer to the duchess, that his wife
+had won no less than three thousand ducats, all of which she declared
+had been spent in alms. "When I remarked that this seemed a very large
+sum, the duchess confessed she had paid some of it to embroiderers and
+other craftsmen. Even then I fail to see how she could have disposed of
+more than a few hundred ducats. At this rate I fear she will be unable
+to buy lands or build new houses, but when you return from Naples, we
+must try and carry out some plans better worthy of your name."
+
+On this occasion Beatrice seems to have won a considerable sum of money
+at the game of _britino_ during her journey to Chioggia, and had
+apparently informed her husband of her good luck, for he writes in
+reply--
+
+"MY DEAREST WIFE,
+
+"It has given me the greatest pleasure to hear from your last letters
+that you have been winning your companions' money, and since I conclude
+you have been playing at _buttino_, I hope you will remember to keep
+account of your winnings, so that you may keep the money for yourself.
+But I only say this in case you win, as if you lose, I do not care to
+hear about it. Commend me to the illustrious Madonna Duchessa, our
+common mother, as well as to Don Alfonso and Madonna Anna, and salute
+all the councillors for me.
+
+                                   "Your most affectionate husband,
+                                          LODOVICUS MARIA SFORTIA.[41]
+
+Belriguardo, 26th of May, 1493."
+
+The first of Beatrice's letters that we have was written on the evening
+of her arrival at her father's house in Venice and is dated May 27.
+
+"MOST ILLUSTRIOUS PRINCE AND EXCELLENT LORD, MY DEAREST HUSBAND,
+
+"I wrote to you yesterday of our arrival at Chioggia. This morning I
+heard mass in a chapel of the house where I lodged. The singers
+assisted, and I felt the greatest spiritual delight in hearing them,
+Messer Cordier as usual doing his part very well, as he did also
+yesterday morning. Certainly his singing is the greatest consolation
+possible. Then we breakfasted, and at ten we entered the bucentaur,
+dividing our company between the middle-sized and small bucentaur and a
+few gondolas, which were prepared for us, as being safer, since the
+weather was still rather stormy. My most illustrious mother, Don Alfonso
+and Madonna Anna, with a very few servants, entered the small bucentaur,
+and the other ladies and gentlemen travelled on the larger bucentaur, or
+in small gondolas, while I entered another gondola with Signor Girolamo,
+Messer Visconti, and a few others, so as to lighten the small bucentaur
+and travel more comfortably, as we were assured. So we set out and
+reached the port of Chioggia, where the ships began to dance. I took the
+greatest delight in tossing up and down, and, by the grace of God, did
+not feel the least ill effects. But I can tell you that some of our
+party were very much alarmed, amongst others Signor Ursino, Niccolo de'
+Negri, and Madonna Elisabetta. Even Signor Girolamo, although he had
+been very frugal, felt rather uncomfortable; but no one in my gondola
+was really ill, excepting Madonna Elisabetta and Cavaliere Ursino, at
+the port of Chioggia. Most of the others, especially the women, were
+very ill. The weather now improved so much, that we arrived at Malamocco
+in quite good time. Here we found about twenty-four gentlemen, with
+three well-fitted and decorated barges, one of which we entered, with as
+many of our suite as it could hold, and were honourably seated in the
+prow. Several Venetian gentlemen now entered our barge, and a certain
+Messer Francesco Capello, clad in a long mantle of white brocade,
+embroidered with large gold patterns, like your own, delivered an
+oration to the effect that this illustrious Signory, having heard of
+your presence at Ferrara, had sent two ambassadors to show the love they
+bear you, and that now, having heard of my Lady Mother's and my own
+visit to Venice, they had sent the other gentlemen who received us at
+Chioggia, and now, as a further token of their affection, sent these to
+Malamocco, to express the great pleasure the Signory felt at our coming,
+and to inform us that the Doge himself, with the Signory and a number
+of noble matrons, were about to give us welcome and do us honour to the
+best of their power. My mother, with her usual modesty, begged me to
+reply, but I insisted on her saying a few words, and afterwards began to
+speak myself. But hardly had she finished speaking, and before I had
+begun, than all the gentlemen ran up to kiss our hands, as they had done
+the day before, so that I could only express my feelings by courteous
+gestures.
+
+"Then we set off towards Venice, and before we reached S. Clemente,
+where the Prince was expecting us, two rafts came towards us, and
+saluted us with the sound of trumpets and firing of guns, followed by
+two galleys ready for battle, and other barks decked out like gardens,
+which were really beautiful to see. An infinite number of boats, full of
+ladies and gentlemen, now surrounded us, and escorted us all the way to
+S. Clemente. Here we landed, and were conducted to a spacious pavilion
+hung with drapery, where the Prince, accompanied by the members of the
+Signory, met us and bade us welcome, assuring us how eagerly our
+presence had been desired, and saying that my lord father the duke and
+your Excellency could do him no greater pleasure than to send us, whom
+he looked upon as his dear daughters. All this and much more concerning
+the fatherly love which he bore us, he hoped to be able to express at a
+future occasion. Then he placed my lady mother on his right and myself
+on his left, with Madonna Anna next to me, and next to my mother the
+Marquis of Mantua and Don Alfonso--the Marchese having arrived with the
+Prince--and so he conducted us on board the bucentaur. On the way we
+shook hands with all the ladies, who stood up in two rows behind the
+Prince, and then sat down in the same order. All of our ladies shook
+hands with the Prince, and we set out again on our journey, meeting an
+infinite number of decorated galleys, boats, and barks. Among others,
+there was a raft with figures of Neptune and Minerva, armed with trident
+and spear, seated on either side of a hill crowned with the arms of the
+Pope and our own illustrious lord, together with your own and those of
+the Signory of Venice. First Neptune began to dance and gambol and throw
+balls into the air to the sound of drums and tambourines, and then
+Minerva did the same. Afterwards they both joined hands and danced
+together. Next Minerva struck the mountain with her spear, and an olive
+tree appeared. Neptune did the same with his trident, and a horse jumped
+out. Then other personages appeared on the mountain with open books in
+their hands, signifying that they had come to decide on the name that
+was to be given to the city on the mountain, and they gave judgment in
+favour of Minerva. This representation was said to signify that the
+existence of states is founded on treaties of peace, and that those who
+lay the foundations will give their name to future kingdoms, as Minerva
+did to Athens.
+
+"As we sailed on, we saw many other barks and galleys, all richly
+decorated. Among them was one galley of armed Milanese, with a Moor in
+the centre, armed with a spear, and bearing shields with the ducal arms
+and your own fastened to the stern and prow. Round this Moor were
+figures of Fortitude, Temperance, Justice, and Wisdom with a sceptre in
+his hand, all of which made a fine pageant, and the firing of guns and
+cannons at the same time sounded quite splendid.
+
+"Besides these there were many barks representing the different arts and
+crafts of Venice, very beautiful to see. And so we entered the Canal
+Grande, where the Prince, who talked to us all the way with the utmost
+familiarity and kindness, took great pleasure in showing us the chief
+palaces of this noble city, and pointing out the ladies, who appeared
+glittering with jewels at all the balconies and windows, besides the
+great company--about a hundred and thirty in number--who were already
+with us in the bucentaur. All the palaces were richly adorned, and
+certainly it was a magnificent sight. The Prince showed us all the chief
+objects along the canal, until we reached my father's palace, where we
+are lodged, and where the Prince insisted on landing and conducting us
+to our rooms, although my mother and I begged him not to take this
+trouble. We found all the palace hung with tapestries, and the beds
+covered with satin draperies adorned with the ducal arms and those of
+your Excellency. And the rooms and hall are hung with Sforzesca colours,
+so you see that in point of good entertainment, good company, and good
+living we could desire nothing better. This evening three gentlemen
+came to visit me in the name of the Signory, and made the most splendid
+offers, beyond all that could have been expected, for my pleasure and
+convenience. To-morrow, if the audience has taken place, you shall hear
+more. I commend myself to your Highness.[42]
+
+"Venice, May 27, 1493."
+
+"_Era stupendissima cesa a vedere!_ It was a magnificent sight!"
+exclaimed Beatrice. And indeed the scene was one which would have
+stirred a less impressionable nature than that of this young princess,
+who was so keenly alive to joy and beauty, and who now for the first
+time saw "this most triumphant city of the world," in all the loveliness
+of the summer evening. Both the Milanese ambassador and the Marquis of
+Mantua said they had never seen the like. The blue waters of the lagoon
+swarmed with boats and gondolas decked with flowers and streamers of the
+gayest hues, the Venetian Gothic palaces along the canal were hung with
+Indian and Persian carpets. The rich colours of Oriental stuffs relieved
+the dazzling whiteness of Istrian stone, and festoons of fresh leaves
+and flowers were twisted round their columns of porphyry and serpentine.
+From each carved balcony and painted window fair Venetian ladies looked
+down in their sumptuous robes, glittering with gold and gems, and the
+air rang with the _Vivas_ of the crowds who filled the gondolas or
+flocked along the Riva to see the gay pageant. It was a spectacle such
+as Venice alone could offer in these days of her glory, when the Canal
+Grande was, as Commines justly said, the finest street in the whole
+world.
+
+And the Palazzo to which the old Doge conducted Beatrice and her mother
+was the oldest and one of the grandest in that long avenue of palaces.
+Originally built for the Pesaro family, it had been presented to Niccolo
+II. of Este in gratitude for his services when, a hundred years before,
+he had supplied the Republic with corn during the long war against
+Genoa. Since then the house had been repeatedly sequestered during the
+wars between Venice and Ferrara, and had only been restored to Duke
+Ercole after the conclusion of the peace of Bagnolo. Now its ancient
+walls, dating as far back as the year 900, had been freshly decorated
+with frescoes, and the long arcades and loggias, with their massive
+pillars and Byzantine capitals of grey marble, were enriched with
+shields carved with the unicorns and lilies of the house of Este.
+Within, the spacious halls were lavishly adorned with gilding and
+variegated marble, with fine pictures and the painted _cassoni_ and
+chairs which we still admire on old Venetian palaces, while the
+tapestries and hangings bearing Sforza devices and the Moro's favourite
+mottoes met Beatrice's eyes at every turn. As she wrote in her joyous
+letters to her husband, there was nothing lacking that could charm the
+eyes or please the mind, and the courtesy and hospitality of the
+venerable old Doge and of the Venetian Signory left nothing to be
+desired.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[40] "Storia di Venezia nella Vita privata," p. 60.
+
+[41] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 376.
+
+[42] Molmenti, _op. cit._, p. 693.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+_Fêtes_ at Venice in honour of the Duchess of Ferrara and Duchess of
+Bari--Beatrice d'Este has an audience with the Doge and
+Signory--Explains Lodovico's position and his treaties with France and
+Germany--Visit to St. Mark's and the Treasury--_Fête_ in the ducal
+palace--The Duchess visits the Great Council--Takes leave of the
+Doge--Return to Ferrara.
+
+1493
+
+
+A series of _fêtes_ had been arranged by the Doge and Signory of Venice
+in honour of their illustrious guests, and the order in which they took
+place is given by the Marquis of Mantua in a letter to his wife. On
+Tuesday races were held in the piazza for a _pallinum_ of twenty yards
+of crimson velvet; on Wednesday afternoon a regatta took place on the
+Riva. Amongst other amusing contests, Pietro Bembo tells us there was a
+race between boats rowed by four women, a thing never before seen in
+Venice, and which, on account of its novelty, excited the greatest
+amusement. "In which marvellous contention," says Bembo, "a thing
+happened which added greatly to the pleasure of the spectacle and to the
+general mirth. A bark won the race that was rowed by a mother and her
+two daughters and one daughter-in-law, this being arranged out of
+compliment to Duchess Leonora, who has herself two daughters and one
+daughter-in-law."
+
+On the morning after her arrival, Beatrice received a visit from three
+gentlemen sent by the Doge to confer with her on the object of her
+mission. Much to their surprise and admiration, says Romanini, the
+Venetian historian, the young duchess, who was not yet twenty years of
+age, requested to be allowed the honour of an audience with the Signory.
+Before leaving the Este palace these gentlemen assisted at mass, which
+was privately celebrated in the duchess's rooms, and heard Cordier sing,
+as we learn from a short note addressed to Lodovico on the morning of
+the 28th.
+
+"This morning," she writes, "as soon as I was dressed, I heard mass sung
+in my own rooms. Messer Cordier sang, and, as usual, did his part
+admirably, which pleased me greatly, both on account of the rare delight
+which his talent gives me, and because on this occasion the gentlemen
+who had been sent to see me by the Doge were also present, and expressed
+the greatest admiration for his singing."
+
+Beatrice and the four Milanese ambassadors were then escorted to the
+ducal palace, where the young duchess was admitted to the Sala del
+Collegio, and laid her husband's memorial before the Signory. But, as M.
+Delaborde remarks, the language which Beatrice employed on this occasion
+differed considerably from the written instructions which had been given
+to the Milanese envoys by Lodovico. During the interval, Belgiojoso's
+despatches relating to the Treaty of Senlis, and announcing the French
+king's fixed intention of undertaking an expedition against Naples, had
+produced a sensible alteration in Lodovico's policy. In the letter of
+the 10th of May, the ambassadors were desired to congratulate the
+Venetian Signory in the most cordial terms on the conclusion of the
+league between Milan, the Pope, and the Republic, and to dwell
+especially on the importance of being in readiness to resist foreign
+invasions at this critical time when the French monarch and the King of
+the Romans were about to settle their differences. But when Beatrice
+herself addressed the Signory, she insisted on the excellent relations
+of Lodovico as Regent of Milan with both France and Germany, and, after
+setting forth the pains which her lord had taken to oppose the French
+expedition, laid Belgiojoso's latest despatch before the Signory. In
+this missive the Milanese envoy informed Lodovico of Charles the
+Eighth's intention to send an envoy to Milan, Venice, and Rome, and seek
+the help of these powers in carrying out his designs for the conquest of
+Naples. Beatrice, addressing the Venetian Signory in her lord's name,
+asked their advice as to the answer which he should give to the French
+king, and ended by informing them of his negotiations with Maximilian
+for the investiture of the duchy of Milan, which, she added, were
+already far advanced. After some deliberation, the Signory returned a
+courteous but evasive answer, begging the duchess to assure her husband
+of their most friendly sentiments, but saying that the French king's
+proposals required grave consideration, and that they must, first of
+all, communicate with the Pope as head of the League.
+
+At a second conference which the Doge had with the young duchess on the
+1st of June, Beatrice, acting under Lodovico's directions, laid stress
+on the fact that her husband as regent was all-powerful in Milan, and
+could dispose of the treasure and castles of Lombardy at his pleasure.
+The Doge understood by this, as we learn from the secret records of the
+Venetian Government, that the real aim of the duchess was to discover
+how far the Republic was disposed to uphold Lodovico's claim to the
+ducal title, but he merely returned a civil answer and repeated his
+professions of friendship. If Beatrice's mission, however, secured no
+very tangible result from the wise and crafty Venetian, her charms made
+a deep impression upon the old councillors, who one and all marvelled at
+her wisdom and eloquence, and grudged no pains or expense to give her
+pleasure. "No honours," writes Cardinal Bembo, "were held too great for
+these royal ladies, who in those joyous times had come to see the city,
+nor was any kind of pleasure or generous liberality lacking in the
+splendid _fêtes_ with which they were entertained on this memorable
+occasion." As for Beatrice herself, she was enchanted with the beauties
+of Venice and the courtesy of her hosts, and longed to see and hear all
+the wonders of the famous city. The greater part of these days was spent
+in visiting the chief sights of the place--the great Dominican and
+Franciscan churches, S. Zanipolo with the tombs of the doges and the
+Gothic shrine of S. Maria Gloriosa with Giovanni Bellini's newly painted
+Madonnas in all their radiant loveliness, the graceful Renaissance
+buildings of S. Maria dei Miracoli and the Scuola di S. Marco, which the
+Lombardi had lately finished. Like all royal visitors, the duchesses
+were conducted over the arsenal, which Commines justly calls the finest
+thing of the kind in the whole world, and were shown not only the fleet
+of a hundred ships in port, but the galleys in course of construction,
+the men making the oars, the women and children at work on the sails and
+ropes, the sulphur and saltpetre mills, and the splendid armoury, all
+enclosed within lofty walls, and guarded by twin towers crowned with the
+winged lion. And they saw what was indeed one of the wonders of the
+world--the glorious front of St. Mark's just as we see it in Gentile
+Bellini's great picture, with the many domes and myriads of pillars, the
+glittering mosaics and famous bronze horses, and the crimson standards
+floating from the three tall Venetian masts on the Piazza. We are not
+told whether Beatrice, like her sister Isabella d'Este, ascended the
+Campanile to enjoy the wonderful prospect over the lagoons, but we know
+that she went to hear the singing of the Augustinian nuns, a community
+of noble Venetian maidens as famous for the many scandals attached to
+their society as for the perfection of their musical services. Above all
+things in Venice, the duchesses admired the magnificent pile of the
+ducal palace and the noble mural paintings on which the Bellini and
+their fellow-artists were at work in the Great Hall, a sight of which
+the great fire of the sixteenth century has deprived future generations.
+
+But the most splendid _fête_ given in Beatrice's honour was the banquet,
+ball, and torchlight procession that were held on Thursday in the ducal
+palace. That same morning the duchesses attended mass in state at St.
+Mark's, and by the Doge's request the Milanese choir took part in the
+service. Beatrice's letters to her husband give a full account of the
+day's festivities--
+
+"MOST EXCELLENT AND ILLUSTRIOUS LORD, MY DEAREST HUSBAND,
+
+"To continue my relation of what is happening here day by day, I must
+now inform you that this morning my illustrious mother, Don Alfonso,
+Madonna Anna, and I, with all our company, set out for St. Mark's, where
+the Prince invited both us and our singers to assist at mass and see the
+Treasury. But before reaching St. Mark's, we landed at the Rialto, and
+went on foot up those streets which are called the Merceria, where we
+saw the shops of spices and silks and other merchandise, all in fair
+order and excellent both in quality and in the great quantity and
+variety of goods for sale. And of other crafts there was also a goodly
+display, so much so that we stopped constantly to look at now one thing,
+now at another, and were quite sorry when we reached St. Mark's. Here
+our trumpets sounded from a loggia in front of the church, and we found
+the prince, who advanced to meet us at the doors of St. Mark's, and
+placing himself as before, between my illustrious mother and myself, led
+us to the high altar, where we found the priest already vested. There we
+knelt down with the prince and said the confession, and then took the
+seats prepared for us and heard mass, which the priest and his
+assistants sang with great solemnity, and our singers did their part,
+and their singing greatly pleased both the Prince and all who were
+present, especially that of Cordier, who always takes great pains to do
+honour to your Highness. After mass, we accompanied the Prince to see
+the Treasury, but had the greatest difficulty in the world to get in,
+because of the crowds of people who were assembled there, as well as in
+the streets, although every one tried to make room for us, even the
+Prince crying out to try and clear the way. But at last the Prince
+himself was forced to retire on account of the great pressure of the
+crowd, and left us to enter with only a few others, and even then we had
+the greatest difficulty to get in. Once safely inside the Treasury we
+saw everything, which was a great pleasure, for there was an infinite
+quantity of most beautiful jewels and some magnificent cups and
+chalices. When we came out of the Treasury, we went on the Piazza of St.
+Mark, among the shops of the Ascensiontide fair which is still going on,
+and found such a magnificent show of beautiful Venetian glass, that we
+were fairly bewildered, and were obliged to remain there for a long
+time. And as we walked along from shop to shop, every one turned to look
+at the jewels which I wore in the velvet cap on my head, and on the vest
+embroidered with the towers of the Port of Genoa, and especially at the
+large diamond which I wore at my breast. And I heard people saying one
+to the other--'That is the wife of Signor Lodovico. Look what fine
+jewels she wears! What splendid rubies and diamonds she has!'
+
+"At last, since the hour was already late, we went home to dine, and by
+this time it was nearly two o'clock.[43]
+
+"Venice, May 30, 1493."
+
+The day's labours, however, were hardly begun, and in her next letter
+Beatrice resumes her story--
+
+"After dinner and a little rest, a large company of gentlemen came to
+conduct us to the _festa_ at the palace. We travelled in barges, and,
+when we reached the palace, were conducted into the Great Hall. There a
+grand tribunal was erected at one end of the hall, in two divisions
+running the whole length of the walls, and in the centre of the hall a
+square stage was placed for dancing and theatrical representations. We
+ascended the tribunal, where we found a number of noble Venetian ladies,
+one hundred and thirty-two in all, richly adorned with jewels. On the
+wing to our right as we entered sat the Lord of the Company of 'the
+Potenti'--'a group of the famous company of La Calza, which included the
+wealthiest and most illustrious youths of Venice'--seated on a throne
+under a canopy of gold brocade, with Don Alfonso as a member of the
+company on his right hand. We took our seat on the left wing, and sent
+Madonna Anna to take her place by the Lord of the Company. The Prince
+was not present on this occasion, being too old and infirm to take part
+in such fatiguing entertainments; but a certain Messer Constantino
+Privolo occupied his place, as the oldest member of the Signory. The
+chiefs of the _festa_ led out several ladies to dance, two or three at a
+time, and then came to ask if some of our ladies and gentlemen would not
+also take part in the dance. So, to show our friendly intentions, we
+agreed, and Conte Girolamo da Figino and a few others danced. Of the
+women, the wife of Count Francesco Sforza, the daughters Messer
+Sigismondo and of Messer Raynaldo, and a few others, also danced. During
+the dancing, by reason of the excessive heat of the room, my head began
+to ache, and as my throat also felt a little sore, I left the hall and
+retired to rest in another room for an hour. When I returned, it was
+already dark. A hundred lighted torches hung from the ceiling, and a
+representation was given on the stage, in which two big animals with
+large horns appeared, ridden by two figures, bearing golden balls and
+cups wreathed with verdure. These two were followed by a triumphal
+chariot, in which Justice sat enthroned, holding a drawn sword in her
+hand inscribed with the motto _Concordia_, and wreathed with palms and
+olive. In the same car was an ox with his feet resting on a figure of
+St. Mark and the adder. This, as your Highness will readily understand,
+was meant to signify the League, and as in all their discourses to me
+the Prince and these gentlemen speak of your Highness as the author of
+peace and tranquillity of Italy, so in this representation they placed
+your head on the triumphal arch above the others. Behind the chariot
+came two serpents, ridden by two other youths, dressed like the first
+riders. All these figures mounted the tribunal in the centre of the
+hall, and danced round Justice, and after dancing for a while, their
+balls exploded, and out of the flames, an ox, a lion, an adder, and a
+Moor's head suddenly appeared, and all of these danced together round
+the figure of Justice. Then the banquet followed, and the different
+dishes and _confetti_ were carried in to the sound of trumpets,
+accompanied by an infinite number of torches. First of all came figures
+of the Pope, the Doge, and the Duke of Milan, with their armorial
+bearings and those of your Highness; then St. Mark, the adder, and the
+diamond, and many other objects, In coloured and gilded sugar, making as
+many as three hundred in all, together with every variety of cakes and
+confectionery, and gold and silver drinking-cups, all of which were
+spread out along the hall, and made a splendid show. Among other things,
+I saw a figure of the Pope surrounded by ten cardinals, which was said
+to be a prophecy of the ten cardinals whom the Pope is going to make
+to-morrow! The banquet was spread out upon the stage, and the dishes
+were handed round with many of these triumphs, and the Pope and the Duke
+and Duchess of Milan fell to my share. When the banquet was finished, we
+had another representation, in which the two youths on serpents played
+the chief part. A messenger arrived, riding on a triumphal car in a
+boat, bearing a letter in a packet, which he presented to the Lord of
+the Company, who opened it, and, after reading the letter, handed it
+back to him; then he entered the boat again and left the hall, followed
+by the others on their serpents. This last figure was said to be a
+herald who had been sent to announce the proclamation of the League, and
+a little while afterwards the triumphal car of the League, as described
+above, appeared again, followed by four giants. The first one carried a
+horn of foliage and fruit, the two next bore two clubs with gold and
+silver balls, or catapults, while the last carried a cornucopia, similar
+to that borne by the first giant in his hand. Then came four animals in
+the shape of Chimeras ridden by four naked Moors, sounding tambourines
+and cymbals or clapping their hands. They were followed by four
+triumphal cars, bearing figures of Diana, Death, the mother of Meleager,
+and several armed men--four or five persons in each chariot, the whole
+intended to represent the story of Meleager, which was fully set forth,
+from his birth to his death, with interludes of dances. The whole fable
+would take too long to repeat, but Gian Giacomo Gillino will be able to
+recite it from beginning to end, if you care to hear it. This was the
+conclusion of the whole _festa_. After this we entered our boats, and
+the clock struck one before we got home. The bishop of Como was sitting
+by me all the evening, and his infinite weariness at the length of the
+performance, and his dislike of the great heat in that crowded hall,
+made me laugh as I never laughed before. And in order to tease him and
+have more fun, I kept on telling him that there was still more to come,
+and that the acting would go on till to-morrow morning; and it was most
+amusing to see him stretch himself first on one leg, then on the other,
+and to hear him complain, 'My legs are worn out. When will this _festa_
+ever come to an end? Never again will I come to another.' I really think
+that his sighs and groans gave me as much pleasure as the _festa_
+itself. When at length we reached home, I supped frugally and then went
+to bed, as it was already three o'clock. The gown that I wore after
+dinner was of crimson and gold watered silk, with my jewelled cap on my
+head, and the rope of pearls with the Marone as a pendant. I commend
+myself to your Highness. Your Excellency's most affectionate wife,
+
+                                      "BEATRICE SFORTIA VISCOMTIS.[44]
+
+Venetina, May 31, 1493."
+
+On the back of this letter are the words--
+
+"To the most illustrious Prince and excellent Lord, my dearest husband,
+the Lord Lodovico Maria Sfortia, etc. _Ubi. sit. cito. cito._"
+
+On Saturday, the 1st of June, Beatrice wrote another letter, in which
+she describes her visit to the Great Council and final interview with
+the Doge, but makes no mention of political affairs, which were no doubt
+reserved for a separate despatch.
+
+"To-day after dinner," she begins, "we went to the palace, honourably
+attended by many Venetian gentlemen, to visit the Great Council, and
+were conducted into the Great Hall. Here in the centre of the hall we
+found the Prince, who had descended from his rooms to meet us, and who
+accompanied us to the Tribunal, where we sat in our usual order, and the
+Council began to vote by ballot for elections to two different offices.
+When this was over, my lady mother thanked the Prince for all the
+honours which had been paid us, and took her leave. When she had
+finished speaking, I did the same; then, following the instructions
+which you had given me in your letter, I offered myself as a daughter to
+obey all the Doge's commands. The Prince replied that he needed no
+thanks, for he had only done what might be expected from a father for a
+beloved daughter, excusing himself if anything had been left undone, and
+begging I would not impute what was lacking to him, but to the failure
+of his servants to discharge their duties, and assuring me once more
+that his will could not be better disposed towards me. Then he once more
+expressed the paternal love which he cherished towards our most
+illustrious duke, towards your Highness and myself, and again placed
+himself and his Government at the disposal of your Excellency, with many
+very generous expressions, begging me to salute your Highness and beg
+you to be of good courage, and tell you that the Signory accepted all my
+offers, and would, if need be, avail themselves gratefully of your help.
+After this, I replied again in similar terms, and he again desired me to
+greet you warmly from him, and beg you to take good care of your own
+health and person. Our councillors were then presented to him, and
+Monsignore da Como returned thanks very courteously and repeated our
+expressions of gratitude, as was convenient, and then took leave. He
+also replied in suitable terms to all that the Prince had said to me,
+which speech I will not repeat here, for fear of wearying your
+Excellency.
+
+"The Prince then rose and accompanied us to the foot of the great
+staircase, and here shook hands and left us. After that we went to visit
+the Queen of Cyprus at Murano, where she received us with great honour
+and gave us a beautiful entertainment. We also visited the shrine of St.
+Lucia, and so ends my tale for to-day. To-morrow morning, by the grace
+of God, we hope to set out on our journey at eight o'clock. I commend
+myself to your Excellency.
+
+                              "Your most illustrious lordship's wife,
+                                                     BEATRICE SFORTIA.
+
+Venice, 1st of June, 1493."
+
+And so, with a pleasant trip across the sunny waters of the lagoon and a
+_festa_ in the beautiful gardens of Caterina Cornaro, that royal lady
+who never neglected an opportunity of showing her friendship for the
+house of Este, Beatrice's week at Venice came to an end. The success of
+her visit had been complete, and both the Milanese ambassador and
+Niccolo de' Negri were eloquent on the splendour of the _fêtes_ held in
+her honour and the favourable impression which she had made on these
+grave and reverend signers.
+
+The secretary especially, in his letters to Lodovico, dwells with
+complacency on the admiration which the young duchess's gowns and
+jewels, and still more her own charms, had excited among the Venetians.
+"On every occasion the duchess appeared clad in new and beautiful robes
+and glittering jewels. Her jewels, indeed, were the wonder of the whole
+town. But I shall not be wrong if I say that the finest jewel of all is
+herself--my dear and most excellent Madonna, whose gracious ways and
+charming manners filled all the people of Venice with the utmost delight
+and enthusiasm, so that your Highness may well count himself what he
+is--the happiest and most fortunate prince in the whole world."
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[43] E. Motta, _op. cit._, p. 390, etc.
+
+[44] Motta e Molmenti, _op. cit._
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+Return of Beatrice to Milan--Visit of Duke Ercole and Alfonso to Pavia
+--Death of Duchess Leonora--Beatrice's _camora_ and Niccolo da
+Correggio's _fantasia dei vinci_--Marriage of Bianca Maria Sforza to
+Maximilian, King of the Romans, celebrated at Milan--Letter of Beatrice
+to Isabella d'Este--Wedding _fêtes_ and journey of the bride to
+Innsbrück--Maximilian's relations with his wife--Bianca's future life.
+
+1493
+
+
+On the 2nd of June, Beatrice and her mother left Venice and returned to
+Ferrara, where she once more embraced her infant son and enjoyed a few
+days' rest after all her _fêtes_ and journeyings. The 7th of June was
+spent at Belriguardo, and from this favourite villa the young duchess
+wrote to her sister, expressing her regret that she would be unable to
+visit Mantua on her return to Milan.
+
+"I would most willingly come to see you at Mantua, as I had hoped to do,
+and as you know I still desire, and should very much enjoy a few days
+with you in the country, but my husband is exceedingly anxious for my
+return. So I must beg your Highness to let me enjoy a sight of you in
+the bucentaur, and not to insist upon my landing this time."
+
+Isabella complied with her sister's request, and went to meet the
+duchess at Revere, where Beatrice stopped for a few hours on her way up
+the Po, to join her husband at Pavia. Lodovico was naturally impatient,
+not only to see his wife again, but to hear from her own lips all that
+had happened at Venice. And he on his part had much to tell her of the
+news which Belgiojoso had brought from France, and of the despatches
+which he received from Erasmo Brasca in Germany.
+
+The summer months were spent in the Castello of Pavia, where Beatrice
+nursed her husband in a slight attack of fever, and afterwards received
+a visit from her father and brother. They arrived on the 25th of August,
+bringing with them a troop of actors to perform the _Menæchmi_ and some
+of the other comedies which had pleased Lodovico so much at Ferrara.
+Duke Ercole himself, as usual, took keen interest in these theatricals,
+and before he left home sent to borrow two complete Turkish costumes and
+turbans from the Marquis of Mantua, in order to supply deficiencies in
+his actors' wardrobe. Three days after his arrival, Borso da Correggio,
+a young nephew of Niccolo, who had travelled to Pavia with the duke,
+sent the following note to give his cousin Isabella the latest news of
+her family:--
+
+"MOST ILLUSTRIOUS SISTER AND HONOURED LADY,
+
+"We arrived on the 25th at Pavia, and were received by these excellent
+lords and ladies with the usual formalities. We find both of the
+duchesses well and happy, one of them, indeed--her of Milan--expects the
+birth of another child shortly, but our own duchess is as gay and joyous
+as ever. On the 27th the comedy of _The Captives_ was acted, and the
+performance went off very well. To-day _The Merchant_ is to be given,
+and will, I hope, prove equally successful. To-morrow we are to have a
+third. Our way of living is as follows. Early in the morning we go out
+riding. After dinner we play at _scartino_, or else at 'raising dead
+men' and '_l'imperiale_,' and other card games, till it is bed-time. The
+players are, as a rule, the Duke and Duchess of Bari together, Ambrogio
+da Corte, and some third man, whoever may happen to be present. To-day
+your father the duke, Don Alfonso, and Messer Galeaz Visconti are
+playing at pall-mall against Messer Galeaz Sanseverino, Signor Girolamo
+Tuttavilla, and myself. The Duchess of Milan does not join us in these
+games, and only appears at the theatricals. The Duke of Bari is more
+devoted to the duchess than ever, and is constantly caressing and
+embracing her. My lord your father is altogether intent on the comedies.
+When they are ended, hunting-parties will begin, and we shall all be
+ready for the quails."
+
+These amusements were unexpectedly interrupted by the news of Duchess
+Leonora's serious illness, a gastric affection which ended fatally on
+the 11th of October. The death of this virtuous and admirable lady was
+deeply lamented both by the members of her immediate family circle and
+by the subjects to whom she had endeared herself by her goodness of
+heart. Funeral orations in her honour were delivered both at Mantua and
+Milan, and Ariosto pronounced a panegyric in verse over her grave. The
+young Duchess Beatrice, who had been with her mother at Venice so
+lately, wept bitter tears, and for several weeks could scarcely be
+persuaded to leave her room. Some anxiety was felt respecting her sister
+Isabella, who, after being married for three years, was now expecting
+the birth of her first child, and during ten days the news was concealed
+from her. But by the end of that time the Marchesa began to be uneasy,
+and to inquire why she received no letter from Ferrara. Soon the sad
+news reached her from Milan, "whether out of mere imprudence or by some
+malicious design, we cannot discover," wrote one of her ladies to the
+absent marquis. Isabella, however, showed her usual prudence and
+self-control. After the first burst of grief, she bore her loss with
+fortitude, and found distraction in putting herself, her rooms, and her
+household into mourning. In her anxiety to appear elegant, even in her
+grief, we find her asking Beatrice to send her some of the white lawn
+veils that were made in Milan, since she could find none to her taste in
+Mantua. And at the same time, she begged one of her friends at the
+Milanese court to give her minute details as to the colour and material
+of the mourning worn by the duchess. On the 25th of October, her
+correspondent replied--
+
+"Although I have not yet been able to see the Duchess of Bari, since she
+still remains entirely in her room, yet, in order to satisfy your
+Highness, I have made inquiries as to the kind of mourning that she
+wears. Her Excellency is clad in a robe of black cloth, with sleeves of
+the same, and a very long mantle, also of black cloth, and wears on her
+head a black silk cap with muslin folds, which are neither grey nor
+yellow, but pure white. She hardly ever leaves her room, and Signor
+Lodovico spends most of his time with her, and they two and Messer
+Galeaz have their meals alone in their rooms."[45]
+
+A fortnight later, Beatrice roused herself from her grief to help her
+husband in the preparations for his niece Bianca Sforza's wedding to the
+Emperor Maximilian. The death of the old Emperor Frederic III., who
+breathed his last at Linz on the 19th of August, and the elevation of
+his son to the imperial throne, had hastened the development of
+Lodovico's plans. The King of the Romans, as he was still called, until
+he could be solemnly invested with the imperial insignia, now proposed
+to send ambassadors to Milan, before the end of the year, to solemnize
+his espousals with the Princess Bianca and bring his bride across the
+Alps to Innsbrück. The date of the wedding was fixed for the last week
+in November, and Lodovico prepared to celebrate the event with fitting
+splendour. The widowed Duchess Bona was transported with joy at the
+prospect of this exalted alliance, and forgave the Moro all his sins in
+her delight at seeing her daughter become an empress. On her part,
+Beatrice prepared to lay aside her mourning for the occasion, and appear
+in a new and wonderful robe at her niece's wedding.
+
+Accordingly she wrote to Isabella on the 12th of November, asking her
+sister's leave to make use of a design for a new _camora_, which had
+been suggested by Niccolo da Correggio.
+
+"I cannot remember if your Highness has yet carried out the idea of that
+pattern of linked tracery which Messer Niccolo da Correggio suggested to
+you when we were last together. If you have not yet ordered the
+execution of this design, I am thinking of having his invention carried
+out in massive gold, on a _camora_ of purple velvet, to wear on the day
+of Madonna Bianca's wedding, since my husband desires the whole court to
+lay aside mourning for that one day and to appear in colours. This being
+the case, I cannot refrain from wearing colours on this occasion,
+although the heavy loss we have had in our dear mother's death has left
+me with little care for new inventions. But since this is necessary, I
+have decided to make a trial of this pattern, if your Highness has not
+yet made use of it, and send the present courier, begging you not to
+detain him, but to let me know at once if you have yet tried this new
+design or not."[46]
+
+The courier to Mantua brought back word that the marchioness had not yet
+made use of Niccolo's invention, and begged that her sister would feel
+herself at liberty to adopt the idea and "satisfy her appetite."
+Beatrice ordered the _camora_ to be put in hand without delay, and
+Messer Niccolo had the satisfaction of seeing the duchess appear in this
+robe at the imperial wedding. The subject is of special interest,
+because this same pattern is repeated in the sleeves of Ambrogio de
+Predis' portrait of Lodovico's fair young daughter Bianca, which must
+have been painted about this time, and was probably adopted at the wish
+of Beatrice, who was fondly attached to her youthful step-daughter.
+Again, this same linked tracery or "_fantasia dei vinci_," as it is
+called in Beatrice and her sister's letters, is to be seen both in the
+decorations that adorn the ceiling of a hall in the Castello of Milan,
+and on the vaulting of the sacristy in St. Maria delle Grazie. And as
+Mr. Müntz[47] has lately pointed out, this same interlaced ornament, or
+_vinci_, in which the Belgian professor, M. Errera, sees a play upon the
+great painter's name, forms the motive of the famous circular engravings
+bearing the words "_Academia Leonardi Vinci_," which have given rise to
+so many conjectures as to the existence of that mysterious institution.
+All these repetitions of the pattern invented by Niccolo da Correggio,
+and adopted by Beatrice d'Este for her wedding robe, show how
+fashionable the _fantasia dei vinci_ became at the Milanese court, and
+lead us to imagine that Leonardo himself may have had some part in the
+original design.
+
+On the 5th of November, Lodovico wrote a note to Vigevano, where he and
+Beatrice had retired after Duchess Leonora's death, informing his
+father-in-law that he was on the point of returning to Milan to receive
+the imperial ambassadors, Gaspar Melchior, Bishop of Brixen, and Jean
+Bontemps. These important personages arrived on the 7th, and were met by
+Lodovico and his nephew, the Duke of Milan, at the Porta Orientale,
+opposite the newly erected Lazzaretto, and conducted in state to their
+rooms in the Castello. Here the German envoys were loaded with gifts,
+and magnificently entertained during the next three weeks. The nuptial
+ceremony was put off a week, to allow time for the arrival of the
+special envoys whom at the last moment Charles VIII. had decided to
+send, to do homage to his allies, and finally took place on St.
+Andrew's festival, the 30th of November, in the Duomo of Milan.
+
+The street decorations on this occasion surpassed anything which had
+been seen before; the doors and windows were wreathed with ivy, laurel,
+and myrtle boughs, and the walls hung with tapestries and brocades
+embroidered with the armorial bearings of the different royal houses
+connected with the Sforza family. The adder of the Visconti, the cross
+of Savoy, and the imperial eagle were seen side by side with the
+mulberry-tree and other favourite devices of the Moro and his race,
+while all manner of strange and fantastic emblems were introduced by
+private owners, and one house exhibited the effigy of a crocodile, "a
+creature never before seen," remarks the historian, Tristan Calco, "in
+our city." But the most striking feature of the whole was the triumphal
+arch erected on the piazza in front of the Castello, and, by Lodovico's
+orders, crowned with Leonardo's model for the colossal equestrian statue
+of the great captain, Francesco Sforza. This clay horse, to which the
+Florentine master had devoted so many years of arduous labour, and which
+had cost him such infinite thought and care, was now at length
+completed, and the Milanese poets with one voice celebrated the praise
+of Lodovico, who had ordered the work,--
+
+    "Per memoria del padre un gran colosso;"
+
+and the fame of Leonardo, whose rare genius had produced this unrivalled
+statue--
+
+    "Guarde pur come è bello quel cavallo
+    Leonardo Vinci a farli sol s'è mosso
+    Statura bon pictore, e bon geometra
+    Un tanto ingegno rar dal ciel s'impetra."
+
+So Baldassare Taccone sang in his poem on Bianca's wedding, while a
+greater scholar, Lancinus Curtius, recorded the completion of the
+long-expected work in the following epigram:--
+
+    "Expectant animi, molemque futuram
+    Suspiciunt; fluat æs; vox erit: Ecce deus!"
+
+The court poet Taccone waxes eloquent over the splendour of the
+procession, led by Messer Galeazzo, captain-general of the armies, and
+the beauty of the bride, whose tall and slender figure showed to
+advantage in her gorgeous apparel, with her long fair hair flowing over
+her shoulders, as she rode through the streets bowing in response to the
+enthusiastic cheers of the crowd. He paints the marvellous scene inside
+the Duomo, where the venerable Archbishop of Milan sang mass in the
+presence of the most brilliant assembly ever seen within its walls, and
+the firing of guns and ringing of bells marked the moment when the
+Bishop of Brixen placed the imperial crown on the bride's head. Taccone
+describes the glittering array of chandeliers and vases, designed after
+Signor Lodovico's favourite antique fashion, which adorned the high
+altar, the blaze of a thousand wax lights which illumined the majestic
+choir, the sweet perfumes of incense and celestial harmonies of the
+music that filled the air. And, like a true courtier, he contrives to
+make everything, decorations, music, and processions, redound to the
+praise of the great Moro, the author of all the glories of Milan.
+
+But we have an equally minute and perhaps more interesting description
+of the scene from Beatrice's own pen, in a letter which she sent to her
+sister Isabella from Vigevano on the 29th of December. The marchioness,
+whose state of health prevented her from being present on the important
+occasion, had begged her sister to send her full accounts of the
+ceremony, but, owing to the _fêtes_ which followed the wedding and the
+journey of the court as far as Como with the imperial bride, a whole
+month elapsed before Beatrice was able to fulfil her promise.
+
+"MOST ILLUSTRIOUS LADY AND DEAREST SISTER,
+
+"I told you some time ago that I would let you have a full account of
+the triumphant display held in Milan, at the marriage of her Most Serene
+Highness the Queen of the Romans, and I certainly desired the chancellor
+to send you this account. But since you write that it has never reached
+you, the fault must rest with the said chancellor, and you must excuse
+me for this apparent neglect.
+
+"On the last day of the past month the nuptials took place, and in
+preparation for this solemnity, a portico was erected in front of the
+Chiesa Maggiore of the city of Milan, with pillars on either side,
+supporting a purple canopy, embroidered with doves. Within the church,
+the aisles were hung with brocade as far as the choir, in front of which
+a triumphal arch had been erected on massive pillars. This was entirely
+painted, and bore in the centre an effigy of Duke Francesco on
+horseback, in his ducal robes, with the ducal arms and those of the King
+of the Romans above. This triumphal arch was square in shape, and
+ornamented with pictures of antique feasts, and the imperial insignia
+and the arms of my husband were placed on the side towards the high
+altar. Beyond this arch were steps that led up to a great tribunal
+erected in front of the high altar. On the left was a small tribunal
+from which the Gospel was sung, hung with gold brocade; on the right was
+another, adorned with silver brocade; and behind these tribunals were
+seats ranged in order and covered with draperies, for the councillors
+and other feudatories and gentlemen. In the extreme corners of the choir
+were two raised stages, one for the singers, the other for the
+trumpeters, and in the space between were seated the doctors of law and
+medicine, with their birettas and capes lined with fur, each according
+to his rank. The altar itself was sumptuously adorned with all the
+silver vases and images of saints which you saw in the Rocchetta when
+you were at Milan.
+
+"The street leading to the Duomo was beautifully decorated. There were
+columns wreathed with ivy all the way from the bastions of the Castello
+to the end of the piazza, and between the columns were festoons of
+boughs bearing antique devices, and round shields with the imperial arms
+and those of our house, and Sforzesca draperies were hung above the
+street all the way from the Castello to the Duomo. Many of the doors had
+their pillars wreathed with ivy and green boughs, so that the season
+seemed to be May-time rather than November. On both sides of the street,
+the walls were hung with satin, excepting those houses which have lately
+been adorned with frescoes, and which are no less beautiful than
+tapestries.
+
+"On the morning of the day, at about nine o'clock, the reverend and
+magnificent ambassadors of the King of the Romans rode to the church,
+honourably attended by the Marchese Ermes, the Count of Caiazzo, Count
+Francesco Sforza, the Count of Melzo, and Messer Lodovico da Fojano, and
+took their seats on the grand tribunal, close to the small tribunal
+covered with cloth of gold, on the left as you go in, this being counted
+the most honourable place, as it is the Gospel side. At ten o'clock, her
+serene Highness the Queen ascended the triumphal car which our dearest
+mother of blessed memory gave me when I was at Ferrara, and which was
+drawn on this occasion by four snow-white horses. The queen wore a vest
+of crimson satin, embroidered in gold thread and covered with jewels.
+Her train was immensely long, and the sleeves were made to look like two
+wings, which had a very fine appearance. On her head she wore an
+ornament of magnificent diamonds and pearls. And to add to the solemnity
+of the occasion, Messer Galeazzo Pallavicino carried the train, and
+Count Conrado de' Lando and Count Manfredo Torniello each of them
+supported one of the sleeves. Before the bride walked all the
+chamberlains, courtiers, officials, gentlemen, feudatories, and last of
+all the councillors. The queen seated herself in the centre of the car,
+the Duchess Isabella being on her right, and myself on her left. The
+said duchess wore a _camora_ of crimson satin, with gold cords looped
+over it, as in my grey cloth _camora_, which you must remember; and I
+wore my purple velvet _camora_, with the pattern of the links worked in
+massive gold and green and white enamel, about six inches deep on the
+front and back of my bodice, and on both sleeves. The _camora_ was lined
+with cloth of gold, and with it I wore a girdle of St. Francis made of
+large pearls, with a beautiful clear-cut ruby for clasp. On the other
+side of the chariot were Madonna Fiordelisa"--an illegitimate daughter
+of Duke Francesco Sforza, who occupied rooms in the Castello,--"Madonna
+Bianca, the wife of Messer Galeazzo; and the wife of Count Francesco
+Sforza. The chariot was followed by the ambassadors who have been sent
+by his Most Christian Majesty of France to honour these nuptials, and
+after them came the envoys of the different Italian powers, according to
+their rank, then the lord duke and my husband on horseback. These were
+followed by about twelve chariots containing the noblest maidens of
+Milan, who had been especially chosen and invited to attend the
+solemnity, and the ladies of the queen, all wearing the same livery,
+with tan-coloured _camoras_ and mantles of bright green satin. Both the
+Duchess Isabella's ladies and mine were riding in these chariots. And as
+we drove to the Duomo in this procession, all the shops and windows on
+the road were hung with satin draperies and filled with men and women,
+and it was impossible to count the crowds of people who thronged every
+part of the streets.
+
+"When we reached the gates of the Duomo, we alighted from the chariots
+and found Madonna Beatrice waiting to receive the bride, with a number
+of noble ladies, and we proceeded as far as the steps of the tribunal,
+where the ambassadors of the King of the Romans advanced to meet the
+queen, whom they conducted to her place on the great tribunal in front
+of the high altar. Then we all took our proper places--that is to say,
+the ambassadors mounted the tribunal covered with cloth of gold, the
+queen was led to the tribunal of silver brocade, between the French
+ambassadors, while behind them were seated the envoys of the other
+powers, the duke and my husband, Duchess Isabella and myself. The other
+honourable relatives of the bride occupied a lower range of seats, and
+the central part of the tribunal was filled with a large number of
+ladies. On the queen's side, the councillors, feudatories, and other
+courtiers, officials, and chamberlains occupied the remainder of the
+seats. As for the rest of the people, the church, which is a very large
+one, could not contain them all.
+
+"When we were all in our places, the Most Reverend Archbishop of Milan
+entered in full vestments, with the priests in ordinary, and began to
+celebrate mass with the greatest pomp and solemnity, to the sound of
+trumpets, flutes, and organ-music, together with the voices of the
+chapel choir, who adapted their singing to Monsignore's time. At the
+singing of the Gospel, two of the priests in ordinary of the cathedral
+bore the incense, the one to the ambassadors of the King Maximilian, and
+the other to the queen, the duke and duchess, and my husband and myself,
+who were opposite. The Pax was given, when the right time came, by the
+Bishop of Piacenza to the king's representatives, and to us others who
+sat on the other tribunal by the Bishop of Como. After mass had been
+celebrated with the greatest solemnity, the queen rose from her place
+between the ambassadors of his Most Christian Majesty, and, accompanied
+by the duke and my husband, Duchess Isabella and myself, and followed by
+all the princes of the blood, advanced to the altar. The ambassadors of
+King Maximilian advanced on their side, and we all stood before the
+altar, where Monsignore the Archbishop pronounced the marriage service,
+and the Bishop of Brixen first gave the ring to the queen, and then,
+assisted by the archbishop, placed on her head the crown, which act was
+accompanied with great blowing of trumpets, ringing of bells, and firing
+of guns and shells. And the said crown was of gold, enriched with
+rubies, pearls, and diamonds, set in the form of arches meeting in the
+shape of a cross, and on the top of all was a figure of the globe,
+crowned with a small imperial cross, after the pattern given by the
+ambassadors, in obedience to the king's directions.
+
+"After this, every one walked in procession to the gates of the Duomo,
+the above-named feudatories bearing the train and sleeves. Then the
+women, as well as the men, mounted horses, and a _baldacchino_ of white
+damask lined with ermine was prepared, under which the queen rode,
+preceded by the ambassadors and the whole court, with the duke and my
+husband at their head. Next to the queen rode the ambassadors of her
+husband the king, the Bishop of Brixen being on the left hand, outside
+the _baldacchino_, and so the long procession moved towards the
+Castello. All the clergy of the city of Milan, richly apparelled and
+very devout in appearance, were drawn up between the Castello and Duomo,
+both on the way thither and on the return journey. Messer Zoan Francesco
+Pallavicino and Messer Francesco Bernardo Visconti acted as the queen's
+staff-bearers, from the Duomo to the Castello. The _baldacchino_ was
+carried all the way by doctors robed in the manner described above, and
+behind the queen rode the duchess and myself, followed by the relatives,
+courtiers, and invited guests, all on horseback. Then came the ladies of
+the queen, those of the duchess, and my own, all sumptuously clad and
+making a splendid show, and finest of all was the queen, with the
+imperial crown on her head. Nothing but gold and silver brocade was to
+be seen, and the least well-dressed persons wore crimson velvet, so that
+the costumes were a marvellous sight, besides the infinite number of
+gold chains worn by knights and others. All those who were present
+agreed that they had never seen so glorious a spectacle. And the
+ambassador of Russia, who was among the spectators, declared that he had
+never seen such extraordinary pomp. The nuncio of His Holiness the Pope
+said the same, as well as the French ambassador, who declared that,
+although he had been present at the Pope's coronation and at that of his
+own king and queen, he had never seen as splendid a sight. Your Highness
+may judge from this how full of pleasure and glory these nuptials have
+been. All the people shouted for joy, and so at length we reached the
+Castello of Milan, where the procession broke up and the crowd
+dispersed. I wished for your presence many times during the whole
+ceremony, but since this desire of mine could not be satisfied, I
+thought I would give you this account with my own hand. Commending
+myself to your Highness as ever,
+
+                                   "Your sister,
+                   BEATRIX SFORTIA VICECOMES ESTENSIS DUCHISA BRI.[48]
+
+Vigevano, December 29, 1493.
+
+To my illustrious lady and most dear sister the lady Isabella di
+Gonzaga Estensis, Marchionissæ Mantuæ."
+
+The splendours which Beatrice describes with so much enthusiasm did not
+end with the bride's return to the Castello. Here Bianca's magnificent
+trousseau was exhibited before the admiring eyes of the ladies of Milan.
+It was valued at 100,000 ducats, and included not only rich clothes and
+costly jewels, but gold and silver plate for use in the royal chapel and
+on the dinner-table, altar fittings and bed-hangings, mirrors and
+perfumes, and a vast store of fine linen, carpets, saddles and
+horse-trappings of the most sumptuous description. The court poet goes
+on to tell how Duchess Bona welcomed her daughter with tears of joy, and
+how during the next two days high festival was held in the Castello.
+There was a tournament, in which the "gran Sanseverini" once more proved
+their valour, and Messer Galeaz as usual bore off the prize, followed
+by much feasting and dancing, and a grand display of fireworks. "So many
+torches and lights illumined the darkness of night, that all Milan
+blazed as if the city were on fire."
+
+On the third day after the marriage ceremony, the queen started on her
+journey across the Alps, attended by Maximilian's ambassadors and a
+numerous suite, which included her brother, Ermes Sforza; her cousin,
+Francesco Sforza; the Archbishop of Milan; the poet Gaspare Visconti;
+and the great jurist Giasone del Maino, as well as Erasmo Brasca, who
+was to resume his post of envoy to the King of the Romans. The Duke and
+Duchess of Milan, Lodovico and Beatrice, and Bona of Savoy all
+accompanied Bianca as far as Como, where the bishop and clergy came out
+to meet her, and conducted her in state to the cathedral. After a solemn
+thanksgiving service, at which all the court assisted, the queen and the
+German ambassadors spent the night in the episcopal palace, while the
+other princes and princesses were entertained in the houses of
+distinguished courtiers in the town. On the following morning the bride
+took leave of her family, and embarked on a richly decorated barge
+fitted out by the royal citizens of Torno and rowed by forty sailors,
+while her suite followed in thirty smaller boats, painted and decked out
+with laurel boughs and tapestries. Niccolo da Correggio, whose daughter
+Leonora was one of the ladies chosen to accompany Bianca on her journey,
+has described the beauty of the scene that morning, the blue waters of
+the lake covered with glittering sails, the shores crowded with people
+in holiday attire, and the joyous sounds of music that filled the air as
+the gay _cortége_ left Como. The bridal party reached Bellagio in
+safety, and after spending the night at the Marchesino Stanga's castle,
+started on their journey towards the upper end of the lake. But hardly
+had they left the shore, than the weather changed and a violent storm
+scattered the fleet in all directions. The poor young queen and her
+ladies wept and cried aloud to God for mercy, and their companions were
+scarcely less terrified. Only Giasone del Maino preserved his composure
+and smiled at the terror of the courtiers, who gave themselves up for
+lost, while he exhorted the frightened boatmen to keep their heads.
+Fortunately, towards nightfall the tempest subsided, and after tossing
+on the waves for several hours, the queen's barge with part of the fleet
+managed to put back into Bellagio. The next day a more prosperous start
+was made, and on the 8th of December the party set off on horseback to
+cross the mountain passes. But the hardships of the journey were not yet
+over. A rough mule-track was the only road that led in those days over
+the Alps that divided the Valtellina from the Tyrol, "that fearful and
+cruel mountain of Nombray," as the Venetian chronicler calls the pass
+now crossed by the Stelvio road. No wonder the sight of those
+precipitous cliffs filled the Milanese ladies with terror, and they
+shrank from exploring such barbarous regions in the depth of winter. One
+maid of honour had to be left behind at Gravedona, unable to bear the
+fatigues of the journey, and Bianca herself complained bitterly to
+Erasmo Brasca of the hardships which she had to endure. "The queen,"
+wrote the ambassador to Lodovico, "conducts herself well on the whole,
+but often complains that I deceive her, by telling her, each morning
+when she mounts her horse, that she will not find the road so rough
+to-day, and then, as ill luck will have it, it turns out to be worse
+than ever." At length, however, on the 23rd of December, the travellers
+reached Innsbrück, and Bianca was kindly received by Maximilian's uncle,
+the Archduke Sigismund of Austria, and his wife, with whom she spent
+Christmas and beguiled the winter days with dancing and games, while
+Erasmo Brasca went on to meet the King of the Romans at Vienna. Even
+then some weeks passed before this laggard bridegroom joined his newly
+wedded wife, and Erasmo Brasca's mind was sorely perturbed at his
+prolonged delays and excuses. Bianca, however, whose childish mind was
+easily distracted, found plenty of amusement in her new surroundings and
+wrote long and affectionate letters to her uncle Lodovico, telling him
+how she and the Archduchess Barbara had been dressing up their ladies _à
+la Tedesca_ and _à la Lombarda_, and how the court painter, Ambrogio de
+Predis, who had accompanied her from Milan to paint Maximilian's
+portrait, had just made a picture of the archduchess, which greatly
+pleased her. And she informs her uncle that the German princess had sent
+to ask her for a portrait of Signor Lodovico, which she had been very
+anxious to see and had studied with the greatest interest.
+
+Finally, on the 9th of March, Maximilian arrived at the castle of Hall,
+where his bride met him, and the marriage was at length consummated, "to
+the confusion of all our enemies," as Brasca wrote triumphantly to his
+master on the following morning. This union, in which Lodovico's friends
+and foes alike acknowledged a master-stroke of successful diplomacy, was
+not destined to prove a very happy one. From the first Maximilian looked
+with critical eyes on this bride of twenty-one, who was thirteen years
+younger than himself, and told Erasmo Brasca that Bianca was quite as
+fair as his first wife, Mary of Burgundy, but inferior in wisdom and
+good sense to that princess, adding that perhaps she might improve in
+time. He treated her kindly to begin with, and gratified her by the
+handsome robes which he gave her in order that she might appear attired
+in German fashion at her coronation. Before long, however, he began to
+find fault with her extravagant habits, and complained that she had
+spent 2000 florins, presented to her by the city of Cologne, in one
+single day. Brasca himself felt obliged to remonstrate with her on her
+foolish tricks, especially for eating her meals on the floor instead of
+at table, and other bad habits which annoyed the emperor, while the
+violent friendship which she made with one of her ladies, Violante by
+name, led to continual intrigues and quarrels. Maximilian soon began to
+find her presence wearisome, and to leave her mostly to herself, and
+when he found that his hopes of an heir did not seem likely to be
+realized, he allowed the poor empress to lead a very dull and solitary
+life. Left alone, as she often was for weeks, in the vast, gloomy castle
+of Innsbrück, Bianca pined for the bright and sunny villas and palaces
+of Milan, and looked back sadly on the gay years of her old life. She
+was constantly writing affectionate letters to her uncle, asking him to
+give places and pensions to her old friends and servants in Milan, and
+begging him for portraits of himself and Beatrice, as well as for the
+silks and feathers, the jewels and perfumes, with which her thoughts
+were always busy.[49]
+
+But, to do her justice, she proved a loyal friend to Lodovico in his
+darkest days, and when his children lived in exile at Innsbrück, they
+found a kind and loving protector in the empress during the few
+remaining years of her life. From the year after her marriage her health
+began to droop, and she became gradually weaker, until in 1510 she died
+of this lingering illness, and was buried in the Franciscan church of
+Innsbrück, where the bronze effigy of Maximilian's Lombard bride, robed
+in the rich brocades which she loved so well, still adorns his sumptuous
+mausoleum.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[45] Luzio-Renier. _op. cit._, pp. 380-382.
+
+[46] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 383.
+
+[47] "Leonardo da Vinci," by Eugène Müntz, vol. i. p. 226.
+
+[48] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 388.
+
+[49] F. Calvi, _Bianca Maria Sforza_
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+State of political affairs in Italy--Vacillating policy of Lodovico
+Sforza--Death of King Ferrante of Naples--Alliance between his successor
+Alfonso and Pope Alexander VI.--Lodovico urges Charles VIII. to invade
+Naples--Sends Galeazzo di Sanseverino to Lyons--Cardinal della Rovere's
+flight from Rome--Alfonso of Naples declares war--Beatrice at
+Vigevano--The Gonzagas and the Moro--Duchess Isabella and her husband at
+Pavia.
+
+1493-1494
+
+
+While Lodovico's newly-formed alliance with Maximilian strengthened his
+hands on the one hand, on the other it helped to aggravate the strained
+relations already existing between himself and the royal family of
+Naples. The promise of the investiture of Milan, which he had received
+from the emperor, soon became known; it was freely discussed that autumn
+both in Rome and Venice, and gave Alfonso of Calabria good reason to
+take up arms in defence of his son-in-law Gian Galeazzo's rights. But
+King Ferrante still hesitated to declare war against Milan, and, while
+he raised forces and made preparations for the defence of his dominions,
+was far more concerned to detach Lodovico from the French alliance than
+to interfere in the domestic affairs of Milan on behalf of his
+granddaughter and her husband. In August he succeeded in making peace
+with Pope Alexander, and even consented to a marriage contract between
+his granddaughter Sancia, and Godfrey Borgia, the Pope's young son. This
+new departure alarmed Lodovico seriously, and produced a marked
+alteration in his foreign policy. When Charles the Eighth's envoy,
+Perron de' Baschi, visited Milan in June, he met with polite but vague
+answers from the Moro, and received no distinct promise of support in
+the conquest of Naples. But early in September, Count Belgiojoso
+returned to France, and lost no time in seeking an interview with the
+king. "Is your Majesty going to undertake the expedition or not?" were
+his first words. "Signor Lodovico is anxious to learn your intention."
+
+"I have already told Signor Lodovico my intentions a thousand times
+over, by envoys and letters," replied the king, petulantly, and
+proceeded to intimate that if the Moro played him false, he would
+support the Duke of Orleans in reviving his old claims on the Milanese.
+Belgiojoso hastened to assure Charles of his master's friendly
+sentiments, upon which the king's ill temper mollified, and he said,
+"Then I will regard him as a father, and seek his advice in everything."
+
+All the same, when Charles repeated his request that Lodovico should
+send him Messer Galeazzo, and expressed his great wish to see the hero
+of so many tournaments in person, the Moro once more gave an evasive
+answer, and told Belgiojoso that he could not spare his son-in-law at
+present. The Pope showed his friendliness to the house of Este by
+including Beatrice's brother Ippolito, a lad of fifteen, among the
+twelve cardinals whom he created that September, his own son, Cesar
+Borgia, being another of the number. In November he sent Lodovico his
+cordial congratulations on his niece's marriage with the emperor, and
+presented Maximilian with a consecrated sword.
+
+"This is the state of affairs in Italy at present," wrote the chronicler
+Malipiero on the 25th of September, 1493. "The Pope is in league with
+Lodovico of Milan. Maximilian, King of the Romans, has been elected
+emperor, and has taken Bianca Sforza to wife with 400,000 ducats, and
+Lodovico is to be invested with the duchy of Milan by him as emperor. At
+Rome Cardinal Ascanio's affairs prosper, and Lodovico of Milan is on
+intimate terms with the Pope and all of his allies. And Duke Ercole has
+sent his son Alfonso to France to tell King Charles that his troops will
+have free passage to Naples through his dominions, because he is the
+father-in-law of Lodovico."
+
+Under these circumstances, old King Ferrante, becoming desperate, made a
+last effort to win over Lodovico to his side, and implored him to use
+his influence to stop the French monarch, warning him that the tide of
+events might in the end prove too strong for him. "The time will come,"
+replied Lodovico proudly, "when all Italy will turn to me and pray to be
+delivered from the coming evils." In his anxiety to recover the Moro's
+friendship, the old king even thought of coming to Genoa himself to meet
+his granddaughter's husband, and arrive at some agreement. But early in
+the new year he fell ill, and died of fever on the 25th of January, at
+the age of seventy.
+
+The death of Ferrante and accession of his son Alfonso, the father of
+Duchess Isabella, and a personal enemy of the Moro, brought matters to a
+crisis. The old king could never conquer his dislike of the Pope, and
+had only given a reluctant consent to the proposed marriage of his
+granddaughter with a Borgia. Alfonso, on the contrary, was ready to
+agree to any terms which might conciliate Alexander VI., and employed
+every artifice to obtain the Pope's support, and that of Piero de'
+Medici against France and Milan. In spite of the compliments that were
+exchanged on both sides upon his accession, Alfonso's enmity to Lodovico
+Sforza was well known at Naples, and the Milanese ambassador, Antonio
+Stanga, warned Lodovico to beware of assassins and prisoners, since, to
+his certain knowledge, the "new king has paid large sums of money to
+several Neapolitans of bad repute, who have been sent to Milan on some
+evil errand." After much vacillation on the Pope's part, and prolonged
+negotiations with both France and Naples, he was induced by the Orsini,
+who were staunch allies of the house of Aragon, to grant Alfonso the
+investiture of Naples, and to send his son, Cardinal Juan Borgia, to
+officiate at his coronation. A papal bull was addressed to Charles
+VIII., warning him not to invade Italy at the peril of his soul, and
+Cardinal Ascanio Sforza, whose influence had been hitherto all-powerful
+with the Pope, left the Vatican and retired to his own palace. The
+Pope's change of front finally determined Lodovico's policy. From this
+moment he threw himself heart and soul into the alliance with France,
+and left no stone unturned to bring Charles VIII. into Italy. In an
+important letter which, on the 10th of March, he addressed to his
+brother, Cardinal Ascanio, who shared all his secrets, he reminds him
+that he had originally been no friend to the French invasion.
+
+"It is not true," he writes, "that the whole movement proceeds from me.
+It was the Most Christian King who took the initiative, which is proved
+by the appeal for the investiture of Naples, which he addressed to the
+late Pope Innocent, and also by many letters written on the subject by
+our own hand. When the Treaty of Senlis was signed, he sent his envoy to
+tell me that he meant to invade Italy. At that moment, seeing how badly
+the King of Naples had behaved against the Holy Father, I was not sorry
+to come to the help of His Holiness. I ceased to dissuade the Most
+Christian King from the enterprise. I approved his resolution, and now
+he is at Lyons."
+
+As late as the 6th of February, Lodovico had again declined to send
+Messer Galeazzo to France, saying that every one would think he had come
+to hasten the king's movements, and that in this way Charles would lose
+the honour of the campaign. But when the news of the alliance between
+Alfonso and the Pope reached him, he made no further difficulties, and
+on the 1st of April, Galeazzo started for Lyons. On the 5th, he entered
+the town secretly, disguised as a German, and, accompanied only by four
+riders, made his way to the royal lodgings, and saw the king privately,
+this being the day which had been selected by Lodovico's astrologer,
+Ambrogio da Rosate, for his arrival at court. On the following morning
+he made his public entry, attended by a suite of a hundred horsemen clad
+in the French fashion, which Messer Galeazzo himself commonly affected.
+The king received him with the utmost cordiality, and conducted him
+immediately to see the queen, whom he presented with a magnificent
+Spanish robe in Lodovico's name, together with choice specimens of
+Milanese armour, jennets from his own famous breed, and several handsome
+silver flagons filled with fragrant perfumes, in which Charles took
+especial delight. The French king fell an easy victim to this brilliant
+cavalier's personal charm. He insisted on seeing him ride in a tilting
+match before the court, and could talk of nothing but Messer Galeazzo's
+feats of horsemanship, whether in council or at table, and even when he
+went to bed. He bestowed the order of St. Michel upon his guest, and,
+among other marks of favour, he invited Galeazzo to his private rooms,
+where he sat with a few of his favourites, and, taking one of the
+fairest maidens by the hand, presented her to his visitor. Then the king
+himself sat down by another, and so they remained for some hours in
+pleasant conversation."
+
+In his reply to Belgiojoso, who duly reported these events to his
+master, Lodovico dwells with infinite satisfaction on the great honours
+which have been paid to his dear son, and rejoices to hear that his
+Majesty has introduced him into his private apartments, and even shared
+his domestic pleasures with him. The presence of Galeazzo di Sanseverino
+at Lyons had, no doubt, the effect of counteracting the intrigues of the
+Duke of Orleans and the Aragonese party at the French court, and the
+confidence with which he inspired Charles dissipated any doubts which
+the king may have entertained of Lodovico's honesty. "The mission of
+Signor Galeazzo," wrote Belgiojoso, "has been crowned with success.
+Without his coming, the enterprise would have been utterly ruined."
+
+Another and still more powerful advocate of the expedition now appeared
+at Lyons in the person of Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere, who, in
+Guicciardini's opinion, "was the fatall instrument of all the miseries
+of Italy." This bitter enemy of the Borgias had been repeatedly
+threatened with assassination by the Pope's creatures, and, feeling that
+Ostia was no safe place for him, he embarked one night in a fisherman's
+bark and fled first to Savona and thence to Genoa. Here, with Lodovico's
+assistance, he managed to proceed on his journey to France, and on the
+1st of June reached Lyons, where his vehement invectives against the
+Pope and urgent entreaties helped to hasten the king's preparations. At
+the same time Erasmo Brasca, acting under Lodovico's orders, succeeded
+in disarming Maximilian's opposition to the French king's invasion of
+Italy, and wrote to his master on the 14th of June, informing him that
+the French ambassador had just left Worms with an assurance from the
+emperor that he would not impede that monarch's designs upon Naples.
+When, ten days later, Galeazzo di Sanseverino returned to Milan, the die
+was cast, and the French invasion of Italy was at length finally
+determined. Meanwhile the long-expected rupture between Milan and Naples
+had taken place. On the 8th of May, Alfonso was crowned by the papal
+nuncio, Juan Borgia, after the marriage of the Princess Sancia to
+Godfrey Borgia had been solemnized on the previous day. A fortnight
+later, as the king rode in state, accompanied by all the foreign
+ambassadors, to church on the Feast of Corpus Christi, he took occasion
+to ask the Milanese envoy, Antonio Stanga, if the news which reached him
+from Lyons were true, and the French king's enterprise, after being
+almost given up, had now been decided upon, owing to Messer Galeazzo's
+visit. The ambassador listened deferentially, cap in hand, but
+courteously disclaimed all knowledge of such information.
+
+"Tell Signor Lodovico," returned the king, "that he will be the first to
+rue the day when the French set foot in Italy."
+
+"Before I had time to reply," writes Stanga, "the other ambassadors had
+arrived to salute his Majesty, and I did not see him again alone."
+
+A few days later the Milanese envoy was abruptly dismissed, and war
+declared against Milan. Alfonso committed the first open act of
+hostilities by seizing Lodovico's principality of Bari. At the same time
+a fleet was equipped to attack Genoa, and the land forces prepared to
+join the papal army and march through Romagna against the Milanese.
+
+The winter of 1494, "that most unhappie year for Italy," writes
+Guicciardini, "for that in it was made open the way to infinite and
+horrible calamities," was spent by Lodovico and his wife at their
+favourite palace of Vigevano. After Bianca's wedding they had retired
+there, to spend the remaining period of Beatrice's mourning at this
+country retreat, and did not leave until the spring was well advanced.
+From here Beatrice wrote on the 3rd of January to rejoice with her
+sister Isabella on the birth of her first child, a daughter, who
+received the name of Leonora, after their beloved mother. The duchess
+congratulated her sister in affectionate terms, and signed herself,
+"_Quella che desidera vedere la Signoria Vostra_." She who desires to
+see your Highness,
+
+"BEATRICE SFORZA D'ESTE."[50]
+
+Below she added messages from her baby-boy: "Ercole begs me to commend
+him to your Highness, and to his new cousin."
+
+Perhaps Beatrice was the more cordial and warm in expressing her
+affection for her sister because of the difference that had lately
+arisen between her husband and the marquis, who had lately been invited
+to take the command of the King of Naples' troops in the war against
+Milan. This offer he eventually declined, as well as an invitation from
+the French king to enter his service; but on this and other occasions
+his attitude excited Lodovico's displeasure, while the Moro's somewhat
+imperious request annoyed both Gianfrancesco and his wife. For one
+thing, Isabella could not forgive the way in which her brother-in-law
+desired that fish from the lake of Garda should to sent to Milan at his
+pleasure, and wrote to her husband on the 1st of February in the
+following terms:--
+
+"I am quite willing to see that fish should be sent to Milan
+occasionally, but not every week, as he requests in his imperious
+fashion, as if we were his feudatories, lest it should appear as if we
+were compelled to send it, and it were a kind of tribute."
+
+But although Beatrice's exalted position and the splendour of the
+Milanese court sometimes excited Isabella's envy, and Lodovico's
+pretensions ruffled her equanimity, nothing ever disturbed the happy
+relations between the sisters. Beatrice was always frank and generous in
+her behaviour to Isabella, and the marchioness remained sincerely
+attached to her, and in her letters to her beloved sister-in-law, the
+Duchess of Urbino, constantly assures her that she holds the next place
+in her heart to that occupied by her only sister, "_la sorella mia
+unica, la Duchessa di Bari_."
+
+It was at Vigevano that winter, on the 28th of January, that Lodovico
+drew up the deed of gift by which he endowed his wife with his palace
+lands of Cussago, as well as the Sforzesca and other lands in the
+district of Novara and Pavia. The deed, signed with his own hand, and
+richly illuminated by some excellent miniature painter of the Milanese
+school, is preserved in the British Museum, and is an admirable example
+of contemporary Lombard art. Medallion portraits of Lodovico and
+Beatrice are painted on the vellum, together with a frieze of lovely
+_putti_, supporting their armorial bearings, and a variety of Sforza
+devices and mottoes, interspersed with festoons of foliage and fruit,
+torches and cornucopias. Lodovico's strongly marked features and long
+dark hair are relieved by the richness of his dark blue mantle sown with
+gold stars, while Beatrice wears a gold _ferronière_ on her brow. Her
+dark brown hair is coiled in a jewelled net, a lock strays over her
+cheek, as in Zenale's portrait in the Brera altar-piece. Her mauve
+bodice is enriched with gold arabesques, and a cross of pearls hangs
+from a long chain she wears round her throat.
+
+There were no _fêtes_ that spring at Milan or Pavia. The treasury was
+exhausted by the great expenses of the Empress Bianca's wedding, and the
+court was still in mourning, while Lodovico's time and thoughts were
+absorbed in diplomatic correspondence and preparations for war. But
+there were gay hunting-parties at Vigevano, in which Beatrice joined
+with all her wonted spirit and love of sport.
+
+"I must thank you for your pleasant account of my brother's
+hunting-expeditions," wrote Lodovico on the 18th of March to his old
+favourite, Count Tuttavilla, who was staying in Rome with Cardinal
+Ascanio; "but I really think, if my brother were here and could join in
+our hunting-parties, he would find them even more delightful." In the
+same letter he gives Girolamo a hint of the deed of investiture which he
+was hoping to receive from Maximilian.
+
+"I have nothing else to say, saving that, by reason of the warm
+friendship we entertain with his serene Majesty the King of the Romans,
+as well as with the Most Christian King, to which we may add the love
+which his Holiness bears us, I hope soon to give you some good news
+which will greatly please you."[51]
+
+Girolamo Tuttavilla, the old and tried servant to whom this letter was
+addressed, had left Milan in February, owing to a quarrel with Galeazzo
+di Sanseverino and his brothers, whose haughty manners gave frequent
+offence to other Milanese courtiers. Both Lodovico and Beatrice, to whom
+Tuttavilla was sincerely attached, did their best to allay his
+displeasure, and Cardinal Ascanio tried to induce his guest to use
+greater moderation in speaking of Messer Galeazzo and his brothers; but,
+although Girolamo kept up friendly relations with the duke and duchess,
+the wound was never healed, and he refused to return to Milan. He
+afterwards entered the service of the young King Ferrante of Naples, and
+when a league was formed to oppose the French invaders, was appointed to
+command the cavalry, but found himself once more brought into contact
+with his old rivals Galeazzo and Fracassa, who were at the head of the
+Milanese contingent, and soon parted company with them, complaining
+that Messer Galeazzo would obey no one. But he never renounced his
+allegiance to Lodovico, and sent him and Beatrice his most hearty
+congratulations when the Moro became Duke of Milan.
+
+The Sanseverini brothers seem frequently to have given offence to
+Lodovico's other ministers by their proud bearing. Even the mild and
+patient Erasmo Brasca incurred Messer Galeazzo's displeasure by
+repeating some reports about his French leanings which had reached the
+German court, and had to send an apology before he could obtain pardon
+for his mistake. But nothing could diminish the favour with which
+Lodovico regarded his son-in-law, and during his absence at Lyons we
+find him busy in preparing a new and splendid palace at Vigevano to
+receive Messer Galeazzo and his youthful bride. In a letter which the
+Moro addressed on the 11th of May to his superintendent of works, the
+Marchesino Stanga, we find a mention of this building, as well as of the
+decoration of several rooms in the Castello of Milan.
+
+"MARCHESINO,--We have given orders that the rooms which are being added
+on the garden side should be furnished according to the enclosed list,
+and desire that you should provide Messer Gualtero with the necessary
+money, 127-1/2 ducats, which you will charge on the extraordinary fund.
+You will provide in the same way for the moneys which I have assigned
+for the building of Messer Galeazzo's palace, and for the conduits for
+watering the Giardinato and the adjoining lavatories, also for the
+painting of the hall and dining-room occupied by the chamberlain of my
+illustrious consort, so that they may be fit for use, as arranged, by
+the end of the month."[52]
+
+Neither the pressure of political affairs nor the anxieties of
+approaching conflict could destroy Lodovico's interest in artistic
+matters in the decorations of the Castello or the furnishing of his new
+rooms. The object which at this time lay nearest to his heart was the
+completion of Santa Maria delle Grazie, the Dominican church which he
+had taken under his especial protection, and which he intended to be the
+burial-place of his family. Even now Bramante was engaged in
+constructing the new cupola, and before long his favourite painter
+Leonardo was to set to work on his great Cenacolo in the refectory.
+
+While Lodovico and Beatrice were pursuing these different objects of
+their ambition, the unfortunate Duchess Isabella was eating out her
+heart in the Castello of Pavia. After the imperial wedding, at which she
+had made so brave a show, she and Gian Galeazzo retired to Pavia, and
+were rarely seen in public again. The duke's health and mental condition
+became every day more enfeebled, and his wife devoted herself wholly to
+him and her children. That winter she gave birth to a second daughter,
+who was named Ippolita after her grandmother, but died at the age of
+seven. And now, as if to increase the sadness of her forlorn condition,
+came the prospect of war with Naples, and the invasion of her father's
+dominions by a foreign monarch, who entered Italy as the ally of
+Lodovico, the usurper of her husband's throne. But melancholy as her
+surroundings were, and keenly as she felt the sight of her rival
+Beatrice's prosperity, the privations which she and her husband were
+forced to endure have been greatly exaggerated. According to Corio, they
+were often destitute of food and necessaries, and reduced to the verge
+of starvation. This chronicler, however, was not only frequently
+inaccurate in his statements, but had a spite against Duchess Beatrice,
+whose character and actions he totally misrepresented, while, after
+Lodovico's fall, his ingratitude towards his former master drew down
+upon him the bitter reproaches and invective of Lancinius Curtius. In
+this instance his statements are refuted by the bills for the expenses
+of the ducal household, which are still preserved in the Milanese
+archives. From these records we learn that Isabella's ladies were as
+numerous and as richly dressed as those of any reigning sovereign, and
+that her _camoras_ and jewels were as sumptuous as Beatrice's own. Gian
+Galeazzo's stables were always well filled with horses and hounds, for
+Lodovico was too wise to grudge his nephew anything that tended to
+occupy his thoughts and distract them from public affairs. And during
+his last illness the unfortunate duke announced his intention of giving
+dowries to a hundred poor maidens on his recovery, which affords another
+proof that his poverty was not so great as Corio has declared. But none
+the less it was a bitter mortification for a king's daughter of the
+proud house of Aragon to see herself and her husband left with the mere
+semblance of power, while her cousin reigned in her place.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[50] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 389.
+
+[51] Gabotto, G. _Tuttavilla_.
+
+[52] Luca Beltrami, _Il Castello di Milano_.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+Arrival of the Duke of Orleans at Asti--The Neapolitan fleet sent
+against Genoa--The forces of Naples repulsed at Rapallo--Charles VIII.
+at Asti--Beatrice d'Este entertains him at Annona--The king's
+illness--His visit to Vigevano and Pavia--His interview with the Duke
+and Duchess of Milan--Last illness and death of Giangaleazzo
+Sforza--Lodovico proclaimed Duke at Milan--Mission of Maffeo Pirovano to
+Maximilian.
+
+1494
+
+
+On the 10th of July, the Duke of Orleans crossed the Alps with the
+advanced guard of the French army, and arrived at his own city of Asti,
+the fief which had formed part of the dowry of his grandmother,
+Valentina Visconti. Lodovico Sforza went to meet him at Alexandria on
+the 13th of July, and held a council of war there. The naval
+preparations that were being made at Genoa were the chief subject of
+discussion, and Orleans asked for a loan of sixty thousand ducats, which
+the Moro undertook to arrange. This was the first meeting between these
+two princes, who were destined to become such bitter enemies in days to
+come. Even now it was well known that the Duke of Orleans assumed the
+title of _Dux Mediolani_, and his deeply rooted aversion to the Moro was
+no secret at Milan. But both princes had the same courtly and polished
+manners, and Lodovico on his part took care that nothing should be
+wanting in the entertainment of his rival. The other ambassadors watched
+the scene with curious eyes, but the first impression which Louis of
+Orleans made upon them was distinctly unfavourable. "He has a small head
+with not much room for brains," wrote Pietro Alamanni to Piero de'
+Medici; "Lodovico will soon get the better of him."
+
+Much interest was excited among the Milanese ladies by the arrival of
+the French duke, and Benedetto Capilupi, who had been sent from Mantua
+to invite Beatrice to the christening of her infant niece, Leonora
+Gonzaga, wrote to Isabella on the 23rd of July--
+
+"The duchess says that when the Duke of Orleans comes here, she will
+have to leave off her mourning and dance, and be kissed by the duke, who
+will kiss all the maids of honour and all the court ladies after the
+French fashion. Barone, the jester, says that when he has kissed Madonna
+Polissena d'Este, he will be tired of it and will go no further. When
+the Count Dauphin and other princes of the blood royal arrive, the
+duchess sends your Highness word that you will have to come too and
+receive some of these kisses."
+
+The Duke of Orleans, however, had no time to waste in paying his
+respects to the ladies of Beatrice's court. Directly after his interview
+with Lodovico, he went on to Genoa to fit out the French fleet to oppose
+that in which Alfonso's brother, Don Federigo, had already sailed to
+attack Genova. Twice over during the next few weeks the Neapolitan
+forces landed at Porto Venere and Rapallo, but each time they were
+repulsed by the Genoese and French troops, supported by a strong
+Milanese contingent under the gallant Fracassa and Antonio di
+Sanseverino, after which Don Federigo retired to the harbour of Leghorn,
+and was soon recalled to defend Naples itself against the French. On the
+27th of July, the Count of Caiazzo received the _bâton_ of command from
+Lodovico's hands on the piazza in front of the Castello of Milan, and
+started at the head of fifteen hundred foot soldiers and light cavalry
+to join the French army that was marching into Romagna to meet the
+forces led by Ferrante Duke of Calabria. On the 23rd of August, Isabella
+d'Este came to Parma at her brother-in-law's invitation to meet him and
+the French ambassador, and see the first French troops under La
+Trémouille and Stuart d'Aubigny--the Marchese d'Obegnino, as the
+Italians called him--march through the town. The spectacle, however, was
+less imposing than she expected, only about four hundred light cavalry
+riding past, as she describes it, in some confusion and disorder.
+
+Meanwhile Charles VIII. had at length crossed the Alps and after pawning
+the jewels of his allies, the Marchioness of Montferrat and Duchess of
+Savoy, to pay his troops, arrived at Asti on the 9th of September. Here
+he was received with great honour by Lodovico and his father-in-law,
+Duke Ercole, who rode out to meet him on his entry into the town. The
+magistrates and citizens welcomed him as their liege lord, and the
+illiterate French barons were amazed to hear a child of eleven,
+Margareta Solari, declaim a Latin oration with perfect ease and fluency.
+Two days afterwards Beatrice herself arrived at the castle of Annona, in
+the neighbourhood of Asti, bringing her choir of singers and musicians,
+and accompanied by eighty ladies especially chosen for their beauty and
+rich attire, and gave the king a magnificent reception. Charles
+advanced, cap in hand, to greet the duchess, and, beginning with
+Beatrice and Bianca, the young wife of Messer Galeazzo, kissed all the
+ladies present. The beauty and vivacity of the young duchess made a deep
+impression upon the susceptible French monarch, who could not take his
+eyes off her, and after spending some time with her in lively
+conversation, begged her to allow him to see her dance. Beatrice readily
+complied with his request, as she tells Isabella in the following
+letter, written from Annona on the 12th of September:--
+
+"About noonday the king came here to pay me a friendly visit with the
+chief lords of his court, and remained for about three hours with me and
+my ladies, conversing with the greatest familiarity and affection. I
+assure you that no prince in the world could have made himself more
+agreeable. He desired to see my ladies dance, and then begged me to
+dance before him, which seemed to give him great pleasure."[53]
+
+The young king himself, short and ill proportioned as he was, with round
+shoulders and a large head, a very wide mouth and big nose, cut but a
+very sorry figure by the side of the stately Moro and the handsome
+Sanseverini brothers; but his good nature and genial manners atoned for
+his want of presence, and surprised Beatrice and her ladies, who had
+expected a far more formidable personage. "He was little in stature and
+of small sense, very timid in speech owing to the way in which he had
+been treated as a child, and as feeble in mind as he was in body, but
+the kindest and gentlest creature alive," says Commines, who accompanied
+Charles to Asti, and was sent on as ambassador to Venice. Guicciardini's
+judgment is more severe--
+
+"And for the increasing of the infelicities of Italy, he whose coming
+brought all these calamities, was void of almost all the gifts of
+nature and the mind. For it is most certaine that King Charles from his
+infancie was of complexion very delicate and of body unsound and
+diseased, of small stature, and of face, if the aspect and dignitie of
+his eyes had been taken away, foule and deformed, his other members
+bearing such equal proportion that he seemed more a monster than a man.
+He was not only without all knowledge of good sciences, but scarcely he
+knew the distinct characters of letters; his mind desirous to command,
+but more proper to any other thing, for that being environed alwayes
+with his familiars and favourites, he retained with them no majestie or
+authoritie; he rejected all affaires and businesse, and yet if he did
+debate and consider in any he showed a weak discretion and judgment. And
+if he had anything in him that carried appearance of merite of praise,
+yet being thoroughly weighed and sounded, it was found farther off from
+vertue than vice. He had an inclination to glory, but it was tempered
+more with rashness and fury than with moderation and counsell: his
+liberalities were without discretion, measure, or distinction,
+immoveable oftentimes in his purposes, but that was rather an
+ill-grounded obstinacy than constancie, and that which many call bountie
+deserved more reasonably in his the name of coldnesse and slacknesse of
+spirit."[54]
+
+The splendours of the court of Milan, and more especially the toilettes
+of the Duchess Beatrice and her ladies, amazed the French chroniclers,
+who have left us a graphic description of the scene at the castle of
+Annona. The poet André de la Vigne, in his rhyming chronicle "Le Vergier
+d'honneur," describes Beatrice's sumptuous apparel in the following
+lines:--
+
+    "Avecques luy fist venir sa partie
+      Qui de Ferrare fille du duc estait;
+    De fin drap d'or en tout ou en partie
+      De jour en jour volontiers se vestait
+    Chaines, colliers, affiquetz, pierrerie,
+    Ainsi qu'on dit en ung commun proverbe,
+      Tant en avait que c'etait diablerie.
+    Brief mieulx valait le lyen que le gerbe.
+    Autour du col bagues, joyaulx carcaus,
+      Et pour son chief de richesse estoffer,
+      Bordures d'or, devises et brocans."
+
+And in his "Histoire de Charles VIII." (1684) Godefroy quotes the
+following letter, written by an eye-witness from the French camp to the
+king's sister, Anne Duchess of Bourbon, for whose benefit Charles had
+Beatrice's portrait painted by Jean Perréal and sent to Moulins:--
+
+"People crowd to meet and welcome the king from all parts, princes and
+princesses, dukes and duchesses. Only this morning a new one has
+arrived, the description of whose dress will, I am sure, please you.
+First of all, when she arrived she was on a horse with trappings of gold
+and crimson velvet, and she herself wore a robe of gold and green
+brocade, and a fine linen _gorgerette_ turned back over it, and her head
+was richly adorned with pearls, and her hair hung down behind in one
+long coil with a silk ribbon twisted round it. She wore a crimson silk
+hat, made very much like our own, with five or six red and grey
+feathers, and with all that on her head, sat up on horseback as straight
+as if she had been a man. And with her came the wife of Seigneur Galeaz'
+and many other ladies, as many as twenty-two, all riding handsome and
+richly apparelled horses, and six chariots hung with cloth of gold and
+green velvet, all full of ladies. They had intended to visit the king in
+his lodgings, but this he would not allow, and, in order to appear
+gracious, said that he would visit them, but he did not go to their
+lodgings that day, feeling unwell. The next day, after dinner, he went
+to see this lady, whom he found magnificently arrayed, after the fashion
+of the country, in a green satin robe. The bodice of her gown was loaded
+with diamonds, pearls, and rubies, both in front and behind, and the
+sleeves were made very tight and slashed so as to show the white chemise
+underneath, and tied up with a wide grey silk ribbon, which hung almost
+down to the ground. Her throat was bare and adorned with a necklace of
+very large pearls, with a ruby as big as your 'Grand Valloy,' and her
+head was dressed just the same as yesterday, only that instead of a hat
+she wore a velvet cap with an aigrette of feathers fastened with a clasp
+made of two rubies, a diamond, and a pear-shaped pearl, like your own,
+only larger. After that the king had paid her a visit, he returned to
+his house, but first he had some conversation with her, and made her
+dance in the French fashion, with some of her ladies. And I can assure
+you, madame, that she danced wonderfully well in the French fashion,
+although she said she had never danced in this manner before. If the
+king were not going to send you her picture, to show you the fashion of
+her dress, I would have endeavoured to obtain one to send you myself."
+
+A grand _fête_ was arranged for the following day, but the king fell
+suddenly ill of small-pox, and had to call in Messer Ambrogio da Rosate
+to attend him. All his plans were altered, and more than a fortnight
+elapsed before he was able to leave his room. This delay discouraged the
+French, who suffered from the great heat, and complained, as Commines
+tells us, of the sourness of the country wine, the last vintage having
+been a bad one. All Lodovico's smooth words and tact were needed to keep
+the leaders in good humour in these trying circumstances. On the other
+hand, Alfonso of Naples, taking courage, boldly announced that the
+approach of winter and want of pay would force the French to retreat,
+and Piero de' Medici sent a troop of Florentine soldiers to join the
+Duke of Calabria in Romagna. But their triumph was of short duration. On
+the 6th of October the king had recovered sufficiently to leave Asti,
+and while most of his army marched direct to Piacenza, he himself
+travelled by Casale and through the dominions of his ally, the young
+Marquis of Montferrat, to Vigevano. Here Lodovico and Beatrice once more
+gave their royal guest a splendid reception, and held a banquet and
+boar-hunt in his honour during the next two days. The beauty of the
+palace, and the wealth and magnificence displayed on all sides, filled
+the French with wonder; but although Charles took Lodovico's advice on
+all points, and was apparently on the most cordial terms with his host,
+he asked for the keys of the castle at night, and desired his guards to
+keep strict watch at the gates. "The fashion of their friendship was
+such," says Commines, "that it could not last long. But for the present
+the king could not do without Lodovico."
+
+On the 13th, Charles slept at the Sforzesca and visited Lodovico's
+famous farm of La Pecorara, or Les Granges, as the French chroniclers
+termed this vast farm, where agricultural industries were cultivated on
+such a splendid scale. They saw the spacious buildings, the stables with
+their noble columns and separate accommodation for mares and stallions,
+and the superb breed of horses which were reared under Messer Galeazzo's
+care; the pastures with their 14,000 buffaloes, oxen, and cows, and as
+many sheep and goats; and the large dairies, where butter and cheese
+were made on the most approved system, and marvelled afresh at the
+industry of the Milanese farmers and the wealth and fertility of this
+wonderful land. The next day the king went on to Pavia, where triumphal
+arches had been prepared for his reception, and the clergy and
+professors of the university hailed his presence in long harangues and
+complimentary speeches. At first lodgings had been prepared for him in
+the city, but, according to Commines, some of the king's followers had
+inspired him with fears of foul play, and he preferred to take up his
+abode in the Castello itself. Lodovico himself showed him the library
+and other treasures of his ancestral palace, and took him out hunting in
+the park. On the 15th, he visited the Duomo and Arca di S. Agostino, and
+on the 16th, rode out to the Certosa, where the monks entertained both
+princes at a grand banquet in a house outside the cloister precincts. In
+the evenings, comedies were acted or musical entertainments given in the
+Castello for the king's amusement.
+
+At the time of Charles's visit to Pavia, the Duke and Duchess of Milan
+and their children were occupying their rooms in the Castello, but
+during the last few weeks Giangaleazzo had become seriously ill and was
+unable to leave his bed. Both his wife and his mother Bona were
+assiduous in their attentions to the sick prince, and Isabella hardly
+ever left his bedside. The chronicler Godefroy, who has left us so
+faithful and accurate an account of Charles VIII.'s expedition,
+describes the splendid _fêtes_ given to the king at Pavia, and says that
+the Duchess Isabella, with her young son Francesco, herself received him
+at the portico of the Castello, but does not mention his visit to the
+sick duke. Another trustworthy authority, Corio, tells us that Charles
+with great thoughtfulness paid a visit to his cousin, who was suffering
+from an incurable disease, and growing visibly worse, and that the
+unfortunate duke recommended his wife and children to the king's care.
+Commines, who was at Pavia three days before Charles, on his way to
+Venice, says that he saw the little four-year-old prince Francesco, but
+not the duke, since he was very ill and his wife very sorrowful,
+watching by his bedside. "However," he adds, "the king spoke with him,
+and told me their words, which only related to general subjects, for he
+feared to displease Lodovico; all the same, he told me afterwards that
+he would have willingly given him a warning. And the duchess threw
+herself on her knees before Lodovico, begging him to have pity upon her
+father and brother. To which he replied that he could do nothing, and
+told her to pray rather for her husband and for herself, who was still
+so young and fair a lady."
+
+The Venetian chronicler, Marino Sanuto, gives a more sensational account
+of the interview. According to him, Isabella absolutely refused to see
+the king, and, seizing a dagger, declared she would stab herself rather
+than meet her father's mortal enemy. Lodovico, however, in the end
+induced her to receive the king, upon which she threw herself in tears
+at the feet of Charles VIII., and implored him to spare her father and
+brother and the house of Aragon. The king's kindly heart was touched
+with compassion at the grief of the unhappy princess, but he only spoke
+a few consoling words, and promised that her son should be as dear to
+him as if he were his own son. When Isabella renewed her earnest
+entreaties on her father's behalf, he replied that it was too late for
+him to give up the expedition, which had already cost him so much
+trouble and money, and which was now so far advanced that he could not
+retire with honour. On the 17th of October, Charles, after assisting at
+mass in the chapel of the Castello, left Pavia for Piacenza, where he
+joined the French army and prepared to enter Tuscan territory. Here he
+learnt that the Duke of Calabria had been worsted in two engagements by
+the forces of the Count of Caiazzo and the French under d'Aubigny, and
+was in full retreat. And here on the 20th, a courier from Pavia arrived,
+bringing Lodovico word that his nephew was dying. He set out at once for
+Pavia, and met another messenger on the way who told him that the duke
+was already dead. Two days after Charles VIII.'s departure from Pavia,
+Giangaleazzo became suddenly worse. A fresh attack of fever was brought
+on by his own folly in drinking large quantities of wine and eating
+pears and apples contrary to his doctor's express orders, in spite of
+the continual sickness from which he suffered. The next day he was
+rather better, and in the evening of the 20th, the four doctors who were
+attending him sent Lodovico an improved account, saying that the duke
+had slept for some hours, and had afterwards been able to take some
+chicken-broth, raw eggs, and wine. Now he had fallen asleep again. He
+was certainly no worse, they added, although still very weak and by no
+means out of danger. That same evening he spoke cheerfully to his
+trusted servant, Dionigi Confanerio, and asked to see two horses which
+Lodovico had sent him, and which were brought into the hall adjoining
+his rooms for his inspection. Afterwards he spoke affectionately of his
+uncle, and said he was sure that Lodovico would have come to see him if
+he had not been obliged to wait upon the French king. And he asked
+Dionigi in a confidential tone if he thought that Lodovico loved him and
+was sorry to see him so ill, and seemed quite satisfied with his
+attendant's assurances on the subject. A former prior of Vigevano, who
+had known the dying prince from his childhood, and had been summoned to
+Pavia by the duchess, now paid the duke a visit and heard his
+confession, after which Giangaleazzo asked to see his greyhounds, which
+were brought to his bedside, and spoke cheerfully of his speedy recovery
+before he fell asleep. Early the next morning he died in the presence of
+his wife and mother and the doctors who had attended him during the last
+few weeks.
+
+A few hours later Lodovico reached Pavia, and without a moment's delay
+hastened on to Milan, giving orders that the duke's body should be
+removed as soon as possible to the Duomo of Milan. There during the next
+three days the dead prince lay before the high altar, clad in the ducal
+cap and robes, with his sword and sceptre at his side, and his white
+face exposed to view. Meanwhile Lodovico had lost no time. His first
+act, on his arrival in the Castello, was to summon the councillors,
+magistrates, and chief citizens of Milan to a meeting on the following
+day, but even before these dignitaries could be assembled, he called
+together a few of his immediate friends and courtiers in the great hall
+of the Rocchetta, and after informing them of his nephew's premature and
+lamentable end, proposed that his son Francesco should be proclaimed
+duke in his father's place. Upon this, Antonio da Landriano, prefect of
+the Treasury, responded in an eloquent speech, dwelling on the danger in
+these troublous times of placing the helm of the state in the hands of a
+four-year-old child, and calling on Lodovico, for the sake of the people
+whom he had hitherto ruled so well and wisely in his nephew's name, to
+undertake the burden of sovereignty and ascend the ducal throne. "Since
+the death of Giangaleazzo's father," he said, "we have had no duke but
+you; you alone among our princes can grasp the ducal sceptre with a firm
+hand." These last words were hailed with loud applause by the Moro's
+friends, and when Landriano had ended his speech, Galeazzo Visconti
+Baldassare Pusterla, the able lawyer Andrea Cagnola, and several other
+councillors, well known for their devotion to the Moro, all spoke in the
+same strain.
+
+"It was propounded," writes Guicciardini, "by the principals of the
+Counsell, that, in regard of the greatness of that estate and the
+dangerous times prepared now for Italy, it would be a thing prejudicial
+that the sonne of John Galeaz, having not five yeares in age, should
+succeed his father, and therefore, as well as to keepe the liberties of
+the State in protection, as to be able to meete with the inconveniences
+which the time threatened, they thought it just and necessary--derogating
+somewhat for the public benefite, and for the necessite present from the
+disposition of the laws--as the laws themselves do suffer to constraine
+Lodovic, for the better stay of the commonweale, to suffer that unto him
+might be transported the title and dignitie of Duke, a burden very
+weightie, in so dangerous a season; with the which colour, honestie giving
+place to ambition, the morning following, making some show of resistance,
+he tooke upon him the name and armes of the Duke of Milan."
+
+The Florentine historian's account of the transaction is accurate in all
+but the last particular. Lodovico was indeed proclaimed duke in his
+nephew's stead, and, clad in a mantle of cloth of gold, rode that
+afternoon through the streets of the city, and visited the church of S.
+Ambrogio, to give thanks for his accession to the throne. The ducal
+sword and sceptre were borne before him by Galeazzo Visconti, the bells
+were rung, and the trumpets sounded, while the people hailed him with
+shouts of _Duca! Duca! Moro! Moro!_ But he was careful to style himself
+Lodovicus Dux, and would not assume the title of Duke of Milan until he
+had received the imperial privileges, confirming his election and
+granting him the investiture of the duchy. These he lost no time in
+securing. Already a few weeks before this, Maximilian, mindful of his
+engagements at the time of his wedding, had sent his wife's uncle the
+diploma granting him the desired investiture for himself and his sons,
+both legitimate and illegitimate, in succession. The original deed has
+never been discovered, but, according to Corio, the diploma was granted
+on the 5th of September at Antwerp, with the express stipulation that it
+was not to be published until after the Feast of St. Martin. This
+diploma must have reached Lodovico a week or two before his nephew's
+death, and had been kept secret, in obedience to Maximilian's desires.
+That memorable day when he rode through the streets of Milan,
+accompanied by the ambassadors of Florence and Ferrara, he said in reply
+to the congratulations of the latter, our old friend Giacomo Trotti, "In
+another month you will hear greater news." "I verily believe you," said
+the Florentine, Pietro Alamanni, who recorded these words, to Piero de'
+Medici, "that he means to make himself greater still, and dreams of a
+kingdom of Insubria and Liguria." And Donato de' Preti evidently thought
+the same. "Signor Lodovico," he wrote to Isabella d'Este, "is not yet
+called Duke of Milan, but merely duke, and all documents sent out by the
+Cancelleria are worded in this manner. Some persons who knew his
+Excellency well, say that it is his intention to call himself _Rex
+Insubrium_. On the return of the ambassador who has been sent to the
+emperor, perhaps this will be announced."
+
+Now that Giangaleazzo was actually dead, the Moro felt that there was no
+time to be lost in obtaining the publication of the imperial diploma.
+Accordingly he ordered one of his most trusted agents, Maffeo Pirovano,
+to start the next day for Antwerp, with letters informing Maximilian and
+his wife of Giangaleazzo's death, and asking for the prompt despatch of
+ambassadors with the coveted privileges. And that same evening he wrote
+long and minute instructions to Maffeo himself and to Erasmo Brasca at
+Antwerp, urging them to lose no time in laying the case before the
+emperor. The letter to Maffeo, discovered in the Taverna archives at
+Milan, and first published by Signor Calvi in his life of Bianca Sforza,
+is of especial interest.
+
+"MAPHEO,--We have written this evening to Germany to inform the Most
+Serene King of the Romans of the death of the illustrious Duke, our
+nephew, and must now send you to state our case _vivâ voce_ to his
+Majesty, desiring him to give effect in our person to the ducal
+privileges, which he never consented to give our nephew, in consequence
+of the wrong which the emperor supposed to have been done him by our
+father and brother, in holding the duchy without any concession from the
+imperial authorities. And therefore the said king has conceded these
+privileges to us, as being innocent of this fault, and as having claims
+to the title by reason of our maternal descent, but has desired that
+these privileges should not be made public before the next feast of St.
+Martin, and before this date will not fix the time and place for the
+expedition of the said privileges. The approach of this time, the fact
+that this death has compelled us to take up the succession, have
+impelled us to send an envoy to the said king, and for this purpose we
+have made choice of yourself, being persuaded that your faithfulness and
+prudence will be equal to the gravity of this emergency. And so I desire
+you to start with the utmost speed, and not to rest till you have found
+his Majesty, and our councillor and ambassador Messer Erasmo Brasca, to
+whom you will explain the reason of your coming, and having through his
+means obtained an audience of his Majesty, you will pay him our dutiful
+respects, and, after delivering your credentials, by virtue of them will
+proceed to tell him how immediately after this death the chiefs of the
+State and of the people of this city approached me to offer their
+condolences in the customary manner, and signified their fears and
+anxieties as to the succession. One and all, speaking in the name of the
+State, declared that they would have no lord but ourselves, and
+entreated us with earnest words to accept this dignity, saying that if
+we refused they would not be content and would have to consider some
+other mode of action. After this has been explained to the king, you
+will tell him that, seeing on the one hand the conditions imposed by his
+Majesty respecting the privileges, which we do not intend to infringe,
+and on the other the dangers that might arise if the State were left
+without a lord until the time fixed for the promulgation of the
+privileges, and being further aware that the people of Milan set the
+example and draw after them all the rest of the State, we have chosen to
+accept the burden they offer us, and have ridden through the town in
+order to satisfy the wishes of the people. And this we have done, in
+order not to leave the State and city in doubt as to the last duke's
+successor, without taking either title or armorial bearings, lest we
+should incur the same blame as that illustrious lord our father. Thus,
+solely to prove that the State is not left without a lord, and at the
+same time not to infringe the conditions attached to the privileges, we
+have taken this name of duke, and will inscribe our name as _Ludovicus
+Dux_ in letters and other documents, without specifying of what place we
+are duke, so as to observe the commands laid upon us by his Majesty not
+to publish the privileges before the feast of St. Martin. The full form
+which we intend to adopt at the said feast will be signified to him
+after this feast, when we shall adopt the style of _Dux Mediolani_ in
+accordance with this command. But we will abstain from publishing the
+privileges until we have the approval of the said Majesty, which we hope
+to obtain as soon as the term which he fixed shall expire.
+
+"And you will also tell his Majesty that the publication of these
+privileges carries with it the investiture and enjoyment of the temporal
+possessions of the duchy, and therefore, as our procurator, you will ask
+for this investiture with all respect and submission. And you will beg
+his Majesty to send us an ambassador to declare that he places us in
+possession of the duchy, in order that he may give the world an outward
+demonstration of the act that he has already done in private. This, we
+beg to assure his Majesty, shall ensure a perpetual obligation on our
+part and that of our posterity towards his Majesty, who may count on the
+fidelity of this State in all contingencies, most of all in the affairs
+of Italy, where no State can be greater or of more importance than this
+one, which has the same influence in Italy as he has in Germany. And
+since the form of investiture has been given this summer to the
+Treasurer of Burgundy, you can obtain it from him by means of Messer
+Erasmo, and we will afterwards send you the imperial mandate that you
+may arrange this. As to the form of delivery of the temporalities, we
+desire to follow that which was employed in the cases of former dukes,
+which we will seek out and let you have. To this effect you will
+negotiate with the Most Serene King of the Romans, making use of the
+advise of Messer Erasmo, in order to obtain this concession in the
+manner that we devise.
+
+"You will also visit our niece, the Most Serene Queen, and condole in
+our name on the duke's death, which is a common cause of grief to both
+of us, and will recommend our affairs to her, begging her Majesty to
+assist you, and to employ great warmth and fervour in addressing the
+Most Serene Lord her husband.
+
+"Milan, 22nd October, 1494."
+
+These instructions were followed by a short letter from Lodovico,
+enclosing the petition to be presented to Maximilian, and urging him to
+lose no time in reaching his destination.
+
+"MAPHEO,--We enclose the petition for the investiture, and have to-day
+sent you money and horses. There is nothing more to say, excepting to
+urge you once more to use all diligence to seek out His Serene Majesty,
+and with the help of Erasmo leave nothing undone that may induce him to
+grant the investiture without delay, and at the same time send back with
+you persons empowered to put me in possession of the temporal
+possessions of the duchy. Without these two things, all that has been
+done till now will be of no avail."
+
+On the 21st, Lodovico sent an official intimation of his nephew's death,
+and of the "incredible grief" which this sad event had given him, to his
+relatives and allies. On the 22nd, he issued another circular, informing
+them in well-turned phrases of his election by the people of Milan, and
+of his consent to take up the burden imposed upon him by the will of his
+subjects. And on the same day the Mantuan envoy, Donato de' Preti,
+writing to Isabella d'Este, gave her the following version of affairs:
+"This morning a meeting was held in the Castello, at which Signor
+Lodovicus was proclaimed King of Milan in the presence of the gentlemen
+and councillors assembled in the Rocchetta, no one else being nominated.
+Few spoke, and very little was said, but Signor Lodovico was chosen by
+universal acclamation, or at least with no dissent. This afternoon he
+came out of the Rocca clad in gold brocade, and rode all round the town
+for the space of two hours, and the shops are closed, and all the bells
+of the city are to be rung for three days." At Pavia, where the Moro had
+made himself greatly beloved both by the citizens and the members of the
+university, there was great rejoicing when the people heard him publicly
+proclaimed duke to the sound of fifes and trumpets. "All the people of
+Pavia," wrote Count Borella, on the 23rd of October, "are filled with
+the utmost joy and delight, like the loyal and affectionate servants of
+your Highness that they are, and pray that you may live long to enjoy
+your exalted dignity."
+
+On the evening of the 27th, the body of the late duke, after lying in
+state during several days before the high altar in the Duomo of Milan,
+"was buried in the vault of his ancestors with the greatest pomp and
+honour," as the Mantuan envoy told Isabella d'Este. "The Marchese Ermes,
+the Ferrarese ambassador, with the whole house of Visconti, and all the
+councillors, ministers, and court officials attending, robed in black.
+An immense concourse of people were present, together with priests and
+friars innumerable, and the blaze of lighted wax candles was so great in
+the church that I could see nothing. An eloquent and highly ornate
+sermon was preached by a Mantuan friar, named Giovanni Pietro Suardo."
+
+And the next day his successor joined the French king in his camp under
+the walls of Sarzana. He had at length attained the object of his
+ambition, and was reigning on his father's throne.
+
+"To sum up the whole matter," writes Commines, "Lodovico had himself
+proclaimed Lord of Milan, and that, as many people say, was the reason
+why he brought us over the mountains."
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[53] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 394.
+
+[54] Guicciardini's "Italy," Fenton's English translation, vol. i. p.
+34.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+Lodovico joins Charles VIII. at Sarzana--Suspicious rumours as to the
+late duke's death--Piero de' Medici surrenders the six fortresses of
+Tuscany to Charles VIII.--Lodovico retires in disgust from the
+camp--Congratulations of all the Italian States on his accession--Grief
+of Duchess Isabella--Her return to Milan--Mission of Maffeo Pirovano to
+Antwerp--His interviews with Maximilian and Bianca--Letter of Lodovico
+to the Bishop of Brixen--Charles VIII. enters Rome--His treaty with
+Alexander VI. and departure for Naples.
+
+1494
+
+
+The short week which had elapsed between the king's departure from Pavia
+and the return of Lodovico to the French camp had effected a complete
+change in the situation. Suddenly the Moro found himself at the height
+of his ambition, elected duke by popular acclamation, and in actual
+possession of the throne, while he held in his hands the imperial
+diploma that was to give him a surer and safer title to the duchy than
+any of his race had possessed.
+
+"All that this man does prospers, and all that he dreams of by night
+comes true by day," wrote the Venetian chronicler. "And, in truth, he is
+esteemed and revered throughout the world and is held to be the wisest
+and most successful man in Italy. And all men fear him, because fortune
+favours him in everything that he undertakes."
+
+But already ugly rumours began to be whispered abroad. The unhappy duke,
+it was openly said at Florence and Venice, had, it was plain, died of
+poison, administered by his uncle. The moment of his death was so
+opportune, and fitted in so exactly with Lodovico's plans; the
+promptness with which the Moro had acted in seizing the crown which
+ought to have belonged to Giangaleazzo's son, helped to confirm the
+suspicions that were aroused in the minds of men whom the new duke's
+policy had inspired with distrust, and who looked with jealous eyes on
+the success of his diplomacy. The French king's doctor, Theodore
+Guainiero of Pavia, was quite sure he had detected signs of poisoning in
+the sick duke's face when he had been present at the interview between
+his royal master and poor Giangaleazzo at Pavia. Contemporary
+chroniclers, improving upon this remark, with one voice asserted that
+the doctor had found evident traces of poison on the body at a
+post-mortem examination held after the duke's death, ignoring the fact
+that at that moment Theodore Guainiero was with King Charles at
+Piacenza. So the legend grew, and found ready acceptance among both
+French and Italians, who alike hated the Moro with deadly hatred.
+
+"And if the duke were dispatched by poison, there was none," wrote the
+Florentine historian, "that held that his uncle was innocent, and either
+directly or indirectly, as he, who not content with an absolute power,
+but aspiring, according to the common desires of great men, to make
+themselves glorious with titles and honours, and especially he judged
+that both for his proper heritage and the succession of his children,
+the death of the lawful duke was necessary, wherein ambition and
+covetousness prevailed above conscience and law of nature, and the
+jealous desire of dominion enforced his disposition, otherwise abhorring
+blood, to that vile action."
+
+The careful examination of the various documents connected with
+Giangaleazzo's death has led recent historians to a different
+conclusion. "Nothing is further from the truth," writes Magenta, in his
+history of the "Castello di Pavia," "than that Giangaleazzo died of
+poison." And Delaborde, Porrò, Cantù, as well as those able and learned
+scholars, Signor Luzio and Signor Renier, all endorse these statements,
+and ascribe the duke's death to natural causes. Even Paolo Giovio, who
+hated the Moro as the man who had betrayed his country to the French,
+owns that there is much reason for doubting the truth of the accusation
+brought against him in this instance. Charles VIII., it is plain, did
+not himself believe in Lodovico's guilt. When the news of Giangaleazzo's
+death reached him, he caused a solemn requiem mass to be held in the
+Duomo of Piacenza, and distributed liberal alms to the poor of the town
+in memory of his dead cousin. And Galeazzo di Sanseverino, who had
+remained in attendance upon the king, informed Lodovico, in one of his
+letters, that the only remark which His Most Christian Majesty had made
+on the subject was to express his sorrow for the duke's orphan children,
+and to say that he hoped Signor Lodovico would treat them as his own, to
+which Galeazzo replied that he might rest assured they would want for
+nothing. But the suspicion that the duke's end had been hastened by his
+uncle's act found general acceptance in the French army, and deepened
+the distrust with which Lodovico was already regarded. At this critical
+moment, the unexpected action of Piero de' Medici helped to bring about
+a breach between the Moro and his allies.
+
+When, on the 31st of October, the new duke reached the French camp
+before the Tuscan castle of Sarzana, he found to his surprise that Piero
+de' Medici, who up to this time had been the staunchest ally of Naples,
+had arrived there the day before, to make his submission to King
+Charles. Sanuto relates how this craven son of the magnificent Lorenzo
+threw himself at the feet of the French monarch, and promised to accept
+whatever conditions he chose to impose. Not only did he agree to give
+the army of Charles free passage through Tuscany, and to dismiss the
+Florentine troops which he had levied, but he actually promised to
+surrender the six strongholds of Sarzana, Sarzanello, Pietra Santa,
+Librafratta, Leghorn, and Pisa. Thus, without a single blow, the city
+and state of Florence was placed at the mercy of the invaders. Even the
+French councillors who negotiated the terms of the treaty, were amazed
+at the readiness with which their demands were accepted, and told
+Commines afterwards that they marvelled to see Piero de' Medici settle
+so weighty a matter with so much lightness of heart, "mocking and
+jeering at his cowardice as they spoke." Lodovico, on his part, received
+the news of Piero's disgraceful concessions with ill-concealed disgust.
+Now that he had attained his own objects, and had nothing to fear from
+Alfonso, whose armies were in full retreat, he would willingly have seen
+the progress of the French delayed, and the king forced to winter in
+Tuscany, and was bitterly annoyed to find that the passes of the
+Apennines were in the hands of Charles, as well as the castles and ports
+which he had hoped to obtain for Milan as the price of his alliance.
+Guicciardini relates how he met Piero de' Medici that day in the camp,
+and how his old friend's son, anxious to ingratiate himself with the
+powerful duke, made excuses for not having given him an official welcome
+into Florentine territory, saying that he had ridden out to meet him,
+but had missed his way. "One of us certainly missed the way," replied
+the duke, with a bitter meaning under his courteous phrases; "perhaps it
+is you who have taken the wrong road."
+
+But he hid his vexation as best he could, when he entered the French
+king's presence, and boldly asked Charles to give him the castles of
+Sarzana and Pietra Santa, which had formerly belonged to Genoa. When the
+king replied that he preferred to keep these forts in his own hands
+until his return from Naples, Lodovico once more disguised his feelings,
+and contented himself with asking for a renewal of the investiture of
+Genoa, formerly granted to his nephew, which he obtained on payment of
+30,000 ducats. After this he saw no reason for remaining in the French
+camp any longer, and, pleading urgent State affairs, he left again for
+Milan on the 3rd of November.
+
+"_Et merveilleusement malcontent_," says Commines, "_se partit du Roy
+pour le reffuz_."
+
+Only the Count of Caiazzo, with a troop of fifty horse, remained in the
+French camp, while Galeazzo di Sanseverino and Duchess Beatrice's
+brother, Ferrante d'Este, were the sole Italians to be seen riding in
+the royal procession when Charles made his triumphal entry into
+Florence. "Many thought then," adds the Sieur d'Argenton, "that he
+wished the king out of Italy." A week later he recalled the Milanese
+troops from Romagna, saying that their presence was no longer needed.
+For the present, however, the new Duke of Milan took a strictly neutral
+line, and while he outwardly maintained friendly relations with France,
+at the same time received congratulatory messages on his accession from
+the Pope, the Doge and Signory of Venice, and his old enemy, Alfonso of
+Naples, who forgot all the grievances of the past in his dismay at the
+approach of the French invaders.
+
+On the 6th of November Lodovico returned to Milan, and joined his wife
+at Vigevano, where Beatrice had remained during her husband's absence
+with her infant son. We have no letters to tell us what her feelings
+were at this eventful period, and do not learn if she joined her husband
+during the few days of his hurried visit to Milan in October. But we are
+glad to find that she expressed sympathy with the unhappy widow of
+Giangaleazzo, and showed real concern for her cousin's melancholy
+condition. After her husband's death, Isabella's courage and fortitude
+broke down under the long strain, and for some days she shut herself up
+in a dark room, and refused to take food, or accept any comfort. Four
+Milanese councillors waited upon her at Pavia to offer their
+condolences, and invited her to come to Milan in the name of the new
+duke and the people, assuring her that she and her children should be
+treated with due honour, and retain possession of the ducal residence in
+the Castello. This attention gratified her, and Paolo Bilia, an old and
+faithful servant, who had been long in her service, wrote by her desire
+to Lodovico on the 28th of October--
+
+"My Lady is much pleased to hear that you have accepted the gift which
+she sent you, and is grateful for the kind messages which she has
+received from Your Illustrious Consort, as well as the offers which you
+have made her, and the addresses of the councillors. Under Niccolo da
+Cusano's treatment her health has certainly improved; and the children
+are very well, only the boy objects to the black clothes and hangings of
+the rooms."
+
+A week later the Councillor Pusterla wrote that he visited the Duchess
+every day, and found her much rested, and already considerably calmer,
+and was charged to convey her warmest thanks to the duke for his
+kindness, and express her wish to show herself in all things his
+obedient daughter. But she still refused to leave Pavia, and shrank from
+seeing any one but her children and servants.
+
+"The duchess," wrote Donato de Preti from Milan to his mistress Isabella
+d'Este, "has not yet arrived here, but is expected on Friday. All the
+rooms and furniture in the Castello are hung with black. To-day a man
+who came from Pavia is said to have brought word that Count Borella had
+been sent to ask the duchess for her son Francesco, but that she had
+refused to send him. This, however, may not be true, for the person who
+told me is not to be trusted."
+
+On the 29th of November, the same informant wrote again--
+
+"The widowed duchess has not yet come to Milan. It appears that she has
+asked leave to remain at Pavia until after her confinement, and this she
+will certainly do. I hear that she still mourns her dead lord."
+
+Her mother-in-law, Duchess Bona, remained with her at Pavia, and here,
+on the first of December, she received a visit from Chiara Gonzaga, a
+sister of the Marquis of Mantua, and wife of Gilbert, Duke of
+Montpensier, who was captain-general of the French army. This princess,
+who was now on her way to Mantua, was sincerely attached to both
+Isabella and Beatrice d'Este, and proved a loyal friend to Lodovico at
+the French court, while after her husband's death he, in his turn, gave
+her the benefit of his powerful help in her efforts to obtain the
+recovery of her fortune from the French king. There seems, however, to
+have been no truth in the report that the widowed duchess was again with
+child, and on the 6th of December she finally summoned up courage to
+return to Milan. On her arrival she was received by Beatrice, and
+Barone, the jester, who was on the same familiar terms with the
+Marchioness of Mantua as he was with her sister, sent her the following
+pathetic account of their meeting--
+
+"Last night the Duchess Isabella arrived in Milan, and our duchess went
+to meet her, two miles outside the town, and directly they met, our
+duchess got out of her chariot and entered that of Duchess Isabella,
+both of them weeping bitterly, and so they rode together towards the
+Castello, where the Duke of Milan met them on horseback at the gate of
+the garden. He took off his cap, and accompanied them to the Castello,
+where they all three alighted, and placing Duchess Isabella between
+them, our duke and duchess accompanied her to her old rooms. When they
+reached these rooms they sat down together, and the Duchess Isabella
+could do nothing but weep, until at last the duke spoke to her, and
+begged her to calm herself, and be comforted, with many other similar
+words. Dear friend, the hardest heart would have been melted with
+compassion at the sight of her, with her three children, looking so thin
+and altered by her grief, wearing a long black robe like a friar's
+habit, made of rough cloth, worth fourpence the yard, and her eyes
+hidden by a thick black veil. Certainly I, for one, could not help
+crying, and if I had not restrained myself, I should have wept still
+more."[55]
+
+Until the death of Beatrice, Isabella of Aragon and her children
+occupied the rooms in the Castello where she and her husband had
+formerly resided, and spent the spring and summer in the Castello of
+Pavia, but the widowed duchess lived in complete retirement during the
+next two years, and her name seldom appears in contemporary records. Her
+mother-in-law Bona, retained her rooms until the following January, when
+the duke desired her to move to the old palace near the Duomo, known as
+the Corte Vecchia, partly because the use of her apartments was required
+by the court officials, and partly owing to the intrigues which she
+secretly practised. Only lately Lodovico's envoys at Antwerp had
+informed him of the bitter words which Bona wrote against him to her
+daughter Bianca, words which the empress's secretary thought it wiser to
+pass over when he read her mother's letters aloud, taking care, he adds,
+to see that they were burnt before they could do further mischief. A
+year afterwards, Bona left Milan for good and returned to France, where
+she lived at Amboise until the end of 1499, when she came back to her
+native land of Savoy, and died at Fossano on the 8th of January, 1504.
+
+Meanwhile Maffeo Pirovano, after being delayed on his journey by violent
+storms and floods, and narrowly escaping with his life from the brigands
+and highwaymen who infested the streets of Cologne, had at length
+reached Antwerp and discharged his errand. In his letters to the duke,
+he gives an interesting account of his interview with the emperor, whose
+imposing presence and gracious kindness made a deep impression upon him.
+
+"The Most Serene King has the noblest bodily presence as well as the
+greatest qualities of mind and soul, and as far as you can judge from
+outward signs, I should say that his Majesty's wisdom and loyalty are
+beyond dispute, and that there is no prince in the world whom he
+esteems more highly than your Excellency. And if I asked why all the
+king's dealings appear slow and tardy, I should say that this was caused
+by two obstacles, which neither of them proceed from his Majesty's own
+fault. The first is want of money, and the second the little confidence
+that he can place in his ministers."
+
+Maffeo was able to give Lodovico satisfactory assurances as to
+Maximilian's readiness to confirm him in the investiture of Milan. He
+promised to send the letters forthwith, but desired the duke to allow no
+one but his brother Cardinal Ascanio to see a copy, and not to publish
+them before March. "He fears," wrote the Milanese envoy, "in the first
+place the electors of the Diet, and in the second the wrath of King
+Alfonso of Naples. But his Majesty promises to speak to the electors as
+soon as possible, and after that will have the privileges drawn up by
+the chancellor, and will send a solemn embassy to put the duke in
+possession of his dignities and the realm.
+
+The young empress, who, Maffeo remarked, "is not very wise," was
+overjoyed to see an old friend, and had much to hear about her beloved
+Milanese home. She wrote an affectionate little note to her uncle,
+lamenting her poor brother's death and congratulating him on his
+accession, which she called "a due reward of all the benefits which we
+have received from your Excellency."[56]
+
+And when Maffeo left Antwerp early in December to return to Milan, he
+received a whole string of commissions from her Majesty. He was, in the
+first place, to visit and condole with her mother, her widowed
+sister-in-law, and her brother Ermes, and to commend the Duchess
+Isabella and her children especially to the duke. Then he was to beg the
+duke and duchess to send her their latest portraits, as well as those of
+her mother, brother, sister-in-law, and her sister Madonna Anna, wife of
+Alfonso d'Este. There was a special message to Beatrice, begging her for
+some perfumes and powders, a ball of musk, and a bunch of heron's
+plumes. And there was another for Lodovico, asking him to try and
+procure a certain set of pearls from Bianca's half-sister, Caterina
+Sforza, the famous Madonna of Forli. Last of all, there was an earnest
+request that the duke would entreat her lord the Most Serene King to
+come to Italy, and write urgently to him on the subject, without,
+however, letting it appear that the suggestion had proceeded from Bianca
+herself.
+
+In these communications between the empress and her family there is no
+trace whatever of any ill-will to Lodovico and Beatrice, far less any
+suspicion that her uncle had hastened her brother's death, although some
+chroniclers allude to a report that Maximilian's wife held Lodovico to
+be guilty of this crime. The fact that some rumour of this kind had
+reached the imperial court seems probable from the Latin letter which
+Lodovico himself addressed in December, 1494, to the Bishop of Brixen,
+one of the delegates who were afterwards sent to Milan with the imperial
+privilege. In this letter the Moro refutes the calumny which he hears
+had been brought against him in certain quarters, and points out that
+his nephew's death had been due to natural causes, that the late duke
+had been ill for many months, and that he had been assiduously attended
+by his devoted wife and the most skilful doctors, three of whom had
+known him from his cradle. He alludes to the visit paid to Giangaleazzo
+a few days before his death by His Most Christian Majesty, and explains
+that he himself was only prevented from being present at his nephew's
+death-bed by the necessity of attending on the French king. "Nothing,"
+he adds, "could be more contrary to our nature than so great a crime."
+In conclusion, he dwells on the fatherly love which he had always shown
+his nephew, and renews his protestations of devotion to His Most Serene
+Majesty the King of the Romans. In point of fact, as both Maffeo and
+Brasca informed their master the subject which disquieted Maximilian at
+this moment far more than poor Giangaleazzo's death, was the rapid
+advance of the French king. A rumour had reached the German court that
+Charles aspired to the imperial title, and intended to make the Pope
+crown him in Rome. This report filled the emperor-elect with dismay, and
+he turned to the Milanese envoys with the words, "I know that the Duke
+of Milan has great power in Italy, and has proved his faith and good
+intentions towards myself, but I hope, since he is so wise in
+everything, that he will make some difference between me and the King of
+France."
+
+Lodovico, however, needed no warning on this subject, and was as much
+alarmed as any of his neighbours at the extraordinary success which had
+attended Charles VIII.'s expedition. Florence and Siena both received
+him within their gates, and helped him with loans of money and supplies
+of corn. On the 4th of December he left Siena; by the 10th he was at
+Viterbo, within sixty miles of Rome, and sent the Pope word that he
+would spend Christmas in the Vatican and treat with him there. For a
+moment Alexander VI., encouraged by the arrival of the Duke of
+Calabria's army under the walls of the eternal city, put on a bold face
+and defied Charles to do his worst. The same day he arrested the
+cardinals Ascanio Sforza and Sanseverino at a consistory in the Vatican,
+upon which Galeazzo di Sanseverino, who was at Viterbo with the French
+king, rode all the way to Vigevano in three days, to take Lodovico the
+news of this insult to his family. The duke was furious, and vowed
+vengeance upon the Pope. But Alexander's courage soon failed him. In a
+few days his defiant mood gave place to one of abject terror, the two
+cardinals were released and sent to plead the Pope's cause with Charles
+VIII., and on the 30th of December Ferrante retired with his troops
+towards Naples. That same day the French king entered Rome by the
+Flaminian Gate, and rode in triumphal procession along the Corso with
+Cardinals Giuliano delle Rovere and Ascanio Sforza at his side, both of
+them, remarks Commines, great enemies of the Pope, and still greater
+enemies of one another. Alexander fled for shelter to the Castello
+Sant'Angelo, and Charles took up his abode in the palace of San Marco,
+from which he dictated terms of peace to the terrified pontiff. Already
+a rumour had reached Milan that the Pope was to be deposed, and that the
+French king intended to attempt a general reformation of the scandals
+that disgraced the Church.
+
+"His Most Christian Majesty," remarked Lodovico, drily, "had better
+begin by reforming himself." And when the Venetian ambassador Sebastian
+Badoer and Benedetto Trevisano arrived at Vigevano to take counsel with
+the duke in this perilous state of affairs, he spoke very contemptuously
+of the king's person and character.
+
+"The Most Christian King," he said, "is young and foolish, with little
+presence and still less mental power. When I was with him at Asti,
+treating of important matters, his councillors spent their time eating
+and playing cards in his presence. Sometimes he would dictate a letter
+by one man's advice, and then withdraw it at the suggestion of another.
+He is haughty and ill-mannered, and when we were together, he has more
+than once left me alone in the room like a beast, to go and dine with
+his friends."
+
+And he proceeded to remind the Venetian envoys how he had sent his wife,
+Duchess Beatrice, to warn the Signoria of the critical state of affairs,
+and how his advice had been neglected, and nothing had been done.
+
+"It is true," the duke added, "that I lent the king money, but at the
+same time I gave him good advice. 'Sire,' I said to him, 'drive out the
+tyrant Piero de' Medici, and give Florence her old liberties;' and when
+I refused to accompany him further, I desired Messer Galeaz to defend
+the freedom and rights of both Florence and Siena. You see how little
+the king has followed my advice and how cruel and insolent he has shown
+himself. These French are bad people, and we must not allow them to
+become our neighbours."
+
+In reality, what disturbed the Duke of Milan far more than the success
+of Charles in the south, was the presence of Louis of Orleans with a
+body of troops at Asti. When Charles left Asti in October, his cousin
+was ill with an attack of fever, and had been compelled to remain
+behind. The close vicinity of this dangerous neighbour, and the boldness
+with which Orleans asserted his claim on Milan, led the Moro to use all
+his influence with Maximilian to induce him to join his old enemies, the
+Venetians, in a common league against the French. While these
+negotiations were being secretly carried on, the victorious French king
+had, on the 15th of January, signed a treaty with the Pope, by which the
+crown of Naples was bestowed upon him, and the chief fortresses of the
+Papal States were surrendered into his hands until his return. The next
+day Charles attended mass at St. Peter's, and met the Pope in the
+Vatican--"a very fine house," he wrote to his brother-in-law, the Duke
+of Bourbon, "as well furnished and adorned as any palace or castle I
+have ever seen."
+
+On the 19th of January, he did homage to His Holiness before the College
+of Cardinals, as Vicar of Christ and successor of the Apostles, and was
+embraced and welcomed by the Pope in return as the eldest son of the
+Church. A week later he left Rome and set out at the head of his army on
+the march to Naples. And the same day he received the news that Alfonso
+of Aragon, seized with a fatal panic, had abdicated his crown in favour
+of his son Ferrante, and was on his way to Sicily.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[55] A Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 399.
+
+[56] F. Calvi, _op. cit._
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+Visit of Isabella d'Este to Milan--Birth of Beatrice's son, Francesco
+Sforza--_Fêtes_ and comedies at the Milanese court--Works of Leonardo
+and of Lorenzo di Pavia--Mission of Caradosso to Florence and Rome in
+search of antiques--Fall of Naples--Entry of King Charles VIII. and
+flight of Ferrante II.--Consternation in Milan--Departure of Isabella
+d'Este.
+
+1495
+
+
+While Charles VIII. was leading his victorious army against Naples, and
+striking terror into all hearts throughout the length and breadth of
+Italy, Duchess Beatrice Sforza, as the wife of Lodovico now styled
+herself, was joyfully expecting the birth of a second child. Once more
+great preparations were made in the Rocchetta for the happy event. On
+the 10th of December her sister Isabella sent her the size and pattern
+of a cradle which her father had given her before the birth of her
+little daughter, Leonora, the year before, excusing herself for not
+writing a longer letter because she was engaged with her sister-in-law,
+the Duchess of Montpensier. Duke Lodovico himself, immediately on his
+return to Vigevano in November, had written begging the Marchesa to come
+to Milan in January, and on the 15th she left Mantua. On the day after
+her arrival she paid a visit of condolence to the widowed duchess, whose
+sorrowful condition filled her with compassion.
+
+"I found her in the large room," writes Isabella to her husband, on the
+20th of January, "all hung with black, with only just light and air
+enough to save one from suffocation. Her Highness wore a cloth cloak,
+and a black veil on her head, and her deep mourning filled me with so
+much compassion that I could not keep back my tears. I condoled with her
+in your name and my own, and she gratefully accepted my sympathy, and
+sent for her children, the sight of whom increased my emotion."
+
+On the 4th of February, Beatrice gave birth to a second son, a fine boy,
+who received no less than fifteen names, including those of Francesco
+Sforza, after his illustrious grandfather. As a child he was called
+Sforza, but became afterwards known as Francesco, under which name he
+reigned during the last years of his short life over the duchy of Milan.
+Isabella d'Este held the infant prince at the baptismal font, and
+remained at Milan till the end of the Carnival, at the urgent entreaty
+of her brother-in-law, who himself wrote to beg the marquis for
+permission to keep his wife a few weeks longer.
+
+Alfonso d'Este and his wife, Anna Sforza, always a favourite at the
+court of Milan, now joined the ducal party, and took part in the
+brilliant series of festivities which celebrated Beatrice's recovery and
+the christening of the infant prince.
+
+"Every third day," wrote Isabella to an absent Milanese friend of hers,
+Anton Maria de' Collis, "we have triumphal and magnificent festivities,
+one of which lasted till two in the morning, another was not over till
+four o'clock. We spend the intervening days in riding and driving in the
+park or else through the streets of Milan, which has been made so
+beautiful that if you were to come back here to-day, you would no longer
+know the place."
+
+In another letter Isabella describes a splendid _festa_ at the house of
+Messer Niccolo da Correggio, at which a representation of the fable of
+Hippolyte and Theseus, as told in the "_Innamoramento di Orlando_" was
+beautifully given. And in answer to a letter from her brother-in-law,
+Giovanni Gonzaga, telling her of an allegorical representation in which
+the famous Serafino of Aquila had taken part, she writes--
+
+"Here too we are enjoying feasts and pleasures of every description,
+which afford us the greatest possible delight, and I hope to tell you
+many things that will excite your Highness's envy. For this is the
+school of the master of those who know."[57]
+
+Such phrases as these were no small praise on the lips of so
+accomplished and critical a woman as Isabella d'Este. Another
+contemporary, the Florentine Guicciardini, who visited the capital of
+Lombardy, was filled with amazement at the sight, and describes Milan
+during Lodovico's reign as famous for the wealth of its citizens; the
+infinite number of its shops; the abundance and delicacy of all things
+pertaining to human life; the superb pomp and sumptuous ornaments of its
+inhabitants, both men and women; the skill and talent of its artists,
+mechanics, embroiderers, goldsmiths, and armourers; and the innumerable
+quantity of new and stately buildings which adorn its streets. "Not
+only," he adds, "is the city full of joy and pleasure, of feasting and
+delight, but so wonderfully is it increased in riches, magnificence, and
+glory, that it may certainly be called the most flourishing and happiest
+of all the cities in Italy."
+
+The stranger from Florence and Venice might well admire the duke's
+knowledge and taste, and wonder at the splendid results which his
+enlightened patronage of art and learning had produced. For they saw his
+great city of Milan as it has never been seen again, before the savage
+invader had spoiled its charm and defaced its loveliness; when
+Bramante's churches and porticoes rose in perfect symmetry against the
+sky, and the glowing tints of Leonardo's frescoes were yet fresh upon
+the walls. They saw the _Ruga bella_, or Beautiful Way, with its long
+line of palaces on either side, its painted walls and richly carved
+portals. They saw the lovely cupola of S. Maria delle Grazie, and the
+marble cloisters of S. Ambrogio, and the graceful Baptistery of S.
+Satiro, which Caradosso had lately adorned with his elegant frieze of
+cherubs and medallions. They saw the stately arcades of the Spedale
+Grande, and the deep-red brick and terra-cotta pile of the vast
+Lazzaretto, and the wide streets and piazzas which the duke had laid out
+"to give the people more light and air." Above all, they saw the great
+Castello which was the pride of Lodovico's court. These vaulted ceilings
+and painted halls, these beautiful gardens with their temples and
+labyrinths, their fountains and statues, these splendid stables with
+columned aisles and walls adorned with frescoes of horses, which the
+French invaders admired more than anything else in Milan, were well-nigh
+complete. But still Lodovico was always planning some new improvements
+to add to the charm and pleasantness of the ducal residence. Isabella's
+friend Leonardo, we know from one of the duke's letters, was engaged at
+this moment in painting the vaults of the newly built Camerini, while
+he was still putting the last touches to the famous equestrian statue
+which the Marchesa now saw for the first time, and which the duke
+promised should be soon cast in bronze. But the great master's thoughts
+were taking a new direction, and he was already preparing designs for
+the mural painting of the Cenacolo, with which Lodovico had ordered him
+to decorate the refectory of the Dominicans in his favourite convent of
+S. Maria della Grazie. It was a work after Leonardo's own heart, and he
+determined to frame an altogether new and original composition, a Last
+Supper which should be unlike all others in Italy. This time at least
+the duke's fastidious taste should be satisfied, and the Lombards should
+be made to own that Leonardo the Florentine was an artist who had no
+equal.
+
+Another of Isabella's favourite artists, Maestro Lorenzo, the gifted
+organ-maker, was absent from court, and had left his old home at Pavia
+to take up his abode at Venice near his friend Aldo Manuzio, the
+printer. But during this visit the Marchesa saw "the beautiful and
+perfect clavichord" which he had made for Beatrice, and vowed to leave
+no stone unturned until she had obtained a similar one. Unfortunately,
+when she wrote to inform Messer Lorenzo of her wishes, he was engaged in
+making a viol for the Duchess of Milan, and had also promised Messer
+Antonio Visconti a clavichord, so that he was unable to satisfy the
+impatient Marchesa as quickly as she would have liked. Nothing daunted,
+however, Isabella returned to the charge, and addressed a letter in her
+sweetest and most persuasive strain to Count Antonio Visconti, begging
+him, since her desires were so ardent and she had already waited so
+long, of his courtesy to allow Messer Lorenzo to begin her clavichord as
+soon as Duchess Beatrice's viol should be finished. The count naturally
+enough was unable to refuse the request of so charming a princess, and
+as usual Isabella got her own way. On Christmas Day, 1496, she wrote
+joyously to tell her Venetian agent, Brognolo, that Messer Lorenzo had
+just arrived at Mantua, bringing the precious clavichord, which was as
+beautiful and perfect as it could possibly be. But the saddest part of
+the story has yet to be told. After the death of Beatrice, and
+Lodovico's final ruin, Isabella d'Este remembered the matchless organ
+which Lorenzo de Pavia had made for her sister, and wrote immediately
+to the Pallavicini brothers who had joined in the betrayal of the
+Castello, begging them, if possible, to let her have the instrument. A
+considerable time elapsed before her wish was gratified, but in the end
+her perseverance triumphed over all difficulties, and on the last day of
+July, 1501, she wrote to tell Messer Lorenzo that the beautiful
+clavichord which he had made for the Duchess of Milan had been given her
+by Galeazzo Pallavicino, the husband of Niccolo da Correggio's
+half-sister, Elizabeth Sforza, and would be doubly precious to her as
+his work and because of its rare excellence.[58] By a strange fate, the
+fragments of this precious clavichord, which was so highly esteemed in
+its day, have of late years found their way to the ancient palace of the
+dukes of Ferrara in Venice. The instrument which the gifted Pavian made
+for Beatrice, inscribed with the Greek and Latin mottoes chosen by
+Lorenzo, may still be seen under the roof of her father's old house, in
+those halls where the young duchess once spent that joyous May-time long
+ago.
+
+Another incident which took place at Milan during Isabella's visit, and
+could not fail to inspire her with the keenest interest, was the arrival
+of a marble Leda and a number of other antiques that were sent to the
+duke from Rome, by the goldsmith Caradosso. After the flight of Piero
+de' Medici and the revolution which had taken place in Florence,
+Lodovico sent this well-known connoisseur to try and acquire some of the
+priceless marbles or gems from the Magnificent Lorenzo's collection. But
+the Florentine magistrates wisely declined to part from these objects of
+art, which were now the property of the nation, and after Christmas
+Caradosso went on to Rome. He arrived there to find the French army in
+possession of the city and everything in the greatest confusion, but in
+the end succeeded in securing several valuable antiques. The cardinals,
+to whom Caradosso obtained introductions through Ascanio Sforza, were
+glad to ingratiate themselves with the powerful Duke of Milan at this
+critical moment, and the artist was able to inform his master that
+Cardinal di Monreale had given him a marble Leda--a really good antique,
+though some limbs of it were missing--and that other prelates had made
+him liberal offers.
+
+"The Cardinal of Parma asked me yesterday what brought me to Rome. I
+told him I had come, by your Excellency's desire, to see if I could find
+any beautiful works in bronze or marble that were to be had for gold.
+Monsignore asked me if you really cared for these things. I replied,
+'Yes, undoubtedly.' Upon which the Most Reverend informed me that he had
+an antique statue, and begged me to come and see if I thought that you
+would like it, as if so, he should be glad to send it as a present to
+your Excellency. I have seen it, and it is decidedly good.... Monsignore
+di Sanseverino has promised to show me some fine things, and I hear that
+Monsignore Colonna and the Cardinal of Siena have also some good things,
+but, unluckily, they are both of them away from Rome. Since I am here I
+must do my best to play the rogue. I hope to have enough to load a bark
+shortly, and send statues to Genoa and to Milan. Meanwhile I should be
+glad if you would write and thank the Cardinal of Parma for his statue,
+because it may induce him to send you some more fine works of art, and
+your gratitude may lead others, who are anxious to gain your
+Excellency's favour, to follow his example and send you some more
+beautiful objects, so that the world may become aware how far you
+surpass all other princes both in magnanimity and in the delight which
+you take in this most laudable pursuit. On my return to Florence, I will
+make another effort to obtain some of the precious objects which I saw
+there, and perhaps this time affairs may be in better order, and I may
+be more successful in obeying the orders of your Excellency, to whom I
+commend myself.
+
+                                   "Your servant,
+                                                   CARADOSSO DE MUNDO.
+
+Roma, February, 1495."
+
+No one sympathized more truly with Lodovico's passion for collecting
+antiques, or appreciated the treasures of art which he had brought
+together in the Castello, more fully than Isabella d'Este. As before,
+this brilliant princess charmed all hearts at Milan. When she asked a
+favour, whether it was of Count Pallavicino or Madonna Cecilia, of
+Messer Lorenzo or Gian Bellini, no one could refuse her prayer. When she
+received the Venetian ambassadors, the grace and gallantry of her
+bearing were irresistible. Whatever she did was done well. Her high
+spirits never failed, her strength never seemed to tire. She could ride
+all day and dance all night. She could answer Gaspare Visconti's verses
+in impromptu rhymes, and keep up animated literary controversies with
+Niccolo da Correggio and Messer Galeaz, or discuss grave political
+questions with the duke in the wisest and most sagacious manner. "As
+usual," wrote her secretary Capilupi, "Madonna's gracious ways and
+lively conversation have charmed every one here, most of all the Signor
+Duca, who calls her his dear daughter, and always makes her dine with
+him."
+
+If Lodovico took pleasure in Isabella's company, Beatrice's warm heart
+glowed with tender affection for the sister whose presence recalled her
+dead mother and the home of her youth, while Isabella's love for
+children could not resist the advances of her little nephew Ercole, who
+followed his aunt about the rooms of the Castello and made her laugh
+till the tears ran down her cheeks. But the happy peace of these days
+was destined to be rudely disturbed. Suddenly, on the last day of the
+month, news reached Milan that the King of France had entered Naples and
+been crowned King of the Sicilies in the cathedral on the 22nd of
+February. The young king Ferrante had fled to Ischia with the rest of
+the royal family, and throughout his dominions the people flocked out
+along the roads to hail the victor's coming, and welcomed him with
+shouts of joy. Great was the consternation at the Milanese court that
+evening, and Isabella wrote to her husband--
+
+"So complete and sudden a downfall appears almost impossible both to
+this illustrious lord, the duke, and to us all. It would indeed have
+been impossible were it not a Divine judgment. This sad case must be an
+example to all the kings and powers of the world, and will, I hope,
+teach them to value the love of their subjects more than all their
+fortresses, treasures, and men-at-arms, for, as we see now, the
+discontent of the people is more dangerous to a monarch than all the
+might of his enemies on the battle-field."
+
+The bad news threw a gloom over the gay party in the Castello. All the
+pleasure and feasting of the Carnival, all the mirth of the dancing and
+feasting, died away. Isabella and Beatrice thought sadly of their cousin
+Ferrante, the chivalrous young prince who was a favourite with all his
+kinsfolk, and his sister, the widowed Duchess Isabella, shed bitter
+tears over this fresh sorrow. Even comedies and pageants lost their old
+gaiety and became dull and tedious. "To me this Carnival seems a
+thousand years long," sighed Isabella d'Este, in a letter to her
+husband, deploring her prolonged absence and complaining that the duke
+would not allow her to leave before a certain day, fixed by his
+astrologer. By the middle of March, however, she returned to Mantua,
+followed by the most sincere regrets and liveliest expressions of
+affection on the part of both her sister and brother-in-law.
+
+"In all her actions," wrote Lodovico to the Marquis of Mantua, "this
+worthy Madonna has shown so much charm and excellence, that, although we
+rejoice to think you will soon enjoy her presence, we cannot but feel
+great regret at the loss of her sweet company, and when she leaves us
+to-morrow, I must confess we shall seem to be deprived of a part of
+ourselves."
+
+And a week later Beatrice wrote to her sister, "I cannot tell you often
+enough how strange and sad the departure of your Highness has seemed to
+me this time. Wherever I turn, in the house or out-of-doors, I seem to
+see your face before my eyes, and when I find myself deceived, and
+realize that you are really gone, you will understand how sore my
+distress has been--nay, how great it still is. And you, I think, will
+have felt the same grief, because of the love between us. Even little
+Ercole misses you, and keeps on asking continually in his childish
+fashion for his aunt, and crying '_Cia, cia!_' and he seems quite lost
+when he cannot find you anywhere."[59]
+
+Beatrice's strange and sad forebodings were destined to prove all too
+true. That was Isabella's last visit to her brother-in-law's court, and
+the sisters never met again. When, thirteen years afterwards, the
+Marchesa returned once more to Milan and danced in the halls of the
+Castello, she came as the guest of Louis XII., the king who had
+conquered Lodovico's fair duchy and brought about the ruin of the house
+of Sforza. Beatrice had long been dead, her children were in exile, and
+the Moro was wearing his heart out in lonely captivity within the gloomy
+prison walls of Loches.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[57] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 622.
+
+[58] C. dell'Acqua, _Lorenzo Gusnasco_, pp. 19, 20.
+
+[59] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, pp. 622, 623.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+Proclamation of the new league against France at Venice--Charles VIII.
+at Naples--Demoralization of the victors--Charles leaves Naples and
+returns to Rome--The Duke of Orleans refuses to give up Asti--Arrival of
+the imperial ambassadors at Milan--Lodovico presented with the ducal
+insignia--_Fêtes_ in the Castello--The Duke of Orleans seizes
+Novara--Terror of Lodovico--Battle of Fornovo--Victory claimed by both
+parties--The French reach Asti--Isabella's trophies restored by
+Beatrice.
+
+1495
+
+
+On the evening of the 27th of February, while the joy bells were ringing
+in the Milanese churches in honour of the French king's triumph, the
+duke sent for the Venetian ambassadors.
+
+"I have had bad news," he said. "Naples is lost, and the French king has
+been joyfully welcomed by the people. I am ready to do whatever the
+Republic desires. But there is no time to waste; we must act at once."
+
+All eyes now turned to Lodovico as the only man who could save Italy
+from the French invaders. The emperor and the Venetians had been urging
+him to declare war against France for the last eight weeks, and now
+Ferrante of Aragon, in his despair, appealed to him by the Sforza blood
+that flowed in both their veins to deliver him and his kingdom from the
+dominion of the foreigner. The duke himself could not feel safe as long
+as Louis of Orleans remained at Asti, and declared that he was ready to
+place himself at the head of a league for the defence of Italy. He wrote
+to congratulate Commines, the French ambassador at Venice, on his
+master's success, but the same day he sent the Bishop of Como and
+Francesco Bernardino Visconti to Venice, there to negotiate a new league
+between himself, the Signoria, the Pope, the King of the Romans, and
+the King and Queen of Spain. The presence of the German and Spanish
+ambassadors, as well as the arrival of the two new Milanese envoys,
+excited Commines' suspicions, while the long faces and terror-struck air
+of the Venetian senators, when the news from Naples arrived, reminded
+him of the Romans after the defeat of Cannæ. But so well was the secret
+kept that he knew nothing of the league until after it had been signed,
+late on the night of the 31st of March, in the bedchamber of the old
+Doge. Early the next morning he was summoned to the palace, and, in the
+presence of a hundred senators, solemnly informed of the new treaty.
+
+"Magnificent ambassador," said the prince, "our friendship for your
+master makes it our duty to inform you of all that concerns the state.
+Know, then, that yesterday, in the name of the Holy Spirit, of the
+glorious Virgin Mary, and the blessed Evangelist Monsignore S. Marco,
+our patron, a league has been concluded for the protection of the Church
+and the defence of the Holy Roman Empire and your own states, between
+his Holiness the Pope, his Majesty the King of the Romans, the King and
+Queen of Spain, our Signoria, and the Duke of Milan. Tell this, we pray
+you, to your Most Christian Majesty." Before the prince had done
+speaking, Commines heard the bells of St. Mark's ringing to celebrate
+the new league, and, still dazed by the unexpected news, he stammered
+out, "What will happen to my king? Will he be able to return to France?"
+
+"Certainly," replied the prince, "if he comes as a friend to the
+league."
+
+Without another word, Commines left the palace, but as he went down the
+grand staircase, he asked the secretary who accompanied him to repeat
+the Doge's words, since he could hardly take them in. Then he told his
+gondoliers to row him back to his house, near S. Giorgio Maggiore, and
+on the way he met the ambassador of Naples, in a fine new robe, with a
+smiling face, as he well might have, "for this," adds Commines, "was
+great news for him." Marino Sanuto, who narrates the incident, was much
+struck by Commines' rage and dismay, and, like a true Venetian, remarks
+contemptuously, "He did not know how to dissimulate his feelings, as one
+should do in such a case." And, in the same spirit, he goes on to
+admire the presence of mind displayed by the Milanese ambassadors, who
+to all Commines' remonstrances replied courteously, that of course their
+duke had nothing to do with all this. "They acted," he adds, "as the
+wise act in the government of states. They persuade their enemies that
+they mean to do one thing, and then they do another."
+
+At night all Venice was illuminated, and from his covered gondola the
+French ambassador saw the fireworks and the banquetings that were held
+at the palaces of the other envoys. He understood what it all meant, and
+trembled for his king's safety. But he lost no time, and sent warnings
+both to Orleans at Asti and to Charles at Naples, of the coming storm. A
+week or two later he left Venice, and went to meet Charles at Florence.
+On Palm Sunday, the 10th of April, the League was solemnly proclaimed on
+the Piazza of St. Mark, and all the ambassadors marched in procession
+round the square, while images of united Italy, and of all the kings and
+princes of the League, were carried about in triumph, and the golden
+rose was given by the Pope to the Venetian ambassador in Rome. "To-day,"
+said the Duke of Milan, "will see the dawn of the peace and prosperity
+of Italy."
+
+King Charles, meanwhile, unconscious of the dangers that threatened to
+impede his return home, was revelling in the delights of Naples, and
+holding jousts and banquets in the sunny gardens and fair palaces of
+that enchanted bay. "My brother," he wrote to the Duke of Bourbon, "this
+is the divinest land and the fairest city that I have ever seen. You
+would never believe what beautiful gardens I have here. So delicious are
+they, and so full of rare and lovely flowers and fruits, that nothing,
+by my faith, is wanting, except Adam and Eve, to make this place another
+Eden."
+
+While the king and his nobles were eating off gold and silver plate and
+drinking out of jewelled goblets in King Alfonso's tapestried halls, the
+French soldiers were to be seen lying about in the streets, intoxicated
+with the strong and luscious wines of Southern Italy. The whole army was
+given over to luxury and vice, and the outrages which the troops
+committed soon made them hated by the fickle populace, who a few weeks
+before had welcomed them as deliverers from the tyrant's yoke. "From the
+moment of the king's arrival until his departure," writes Commines, "he
+thought of nothing but pleasure, and those about him only cared to seek
+their own profit. His youth may excuse him, but for his servants there
+could be no excuse." The news of the league between the powers came to
+startle Charles out of this fool's paradise. On the 8th of April, the
+Count of Caiazzo was suddenly recalled to Milan, and when Charles asked
+Lodovico to send him Messer Galeazzo instead, the duke replied curtly
+that he had need of him at home. By degrees the king began to realize
+the formidable combination which had arisen against him, and prepared to
+march northward with the bulk of his army, leaving the Duke of
+Montpensier with a few hundred French troops and some thousand Swiss
+mercenaries to defend his newly conquered kingdom. On the 20th of May,
+he finally left Naples, and on the 1st of June entered Rome by the Latin
+gate, two days after the Pope had fled to Orvieto. Almost at the same
+moment, King Ferrante returned to Calabria, and his subjects flocked to
+join the old banner of the house of Aragon.
+
+Lodovico's first step was to send Galeazzo di Sanseverino with a body of
+newly raised troops against Asti, on the 19th of April, and to summon
+the Duke of Orleans to surrender the town and to drop the title of Duke
+of Milan. In this he was supported by the Emperor Maximilian, who sent
+an imperious order to Louis forbidding him to assume the title, on pain
+of forfeiting his fief of Asti. Orleans replied proudly that Asti formed
+part of his heritage, and that he was ready to defend it to the last
+drop of his blood against Signor Lodovico or any other foe. At the same
+time he sent an urgent appeal to the Duke of Bourbon for reinforcements,
+and prepared to act on the offensive.
+
+On the 14th of the same month, the Duke of Milan wrote a gay letter to
+Isabella d'Este, informing her of his intention to attack Asti, and
+regretting that she was not present to join the expedition on her fleet
+charger. But Asti was too strongly fortified, and the forces under
+Galeazzo were too raw and ill paid, for him to attempt an assault; so he
+remained in his camp at Annona, and contented himself with cutting off
+the supplies of the beleaguered city.
+
+Towards the end of April, the imperial envoys were at length despatched
+with the long-promised privileges, and in the middle of May they reached
+Milan, where they were magnificently entertained by the duke and duchess
+in the Castello. On the 26th of May, the festival of S. Felicissimo, the
+great ceremony took place. An imposing tribunal, hung with crimson satin
+embroidered with gold mulberry leaves and berries, was erected for the
+occasion on the piazza at the doors of the Duomo, and here, after
+attending high mass, Lodovico Sforza was solemnly proclaimed Duke of
+Milan, Count of Pavia and Angera, by the grace of God and the will of
+his Cesarean Majesty, Maximilian, Emperor-elect and chief of the Holy
+Roman Empire. The imperial delegates, Melchior, Bishop of Brixen, and
+Conrad Stürzl, Chancellor of the King of the Romans, first read aloud
+the privileges in their master's name, and then invested Lodovico with
+the ducal cap and mantle, and placed the sceptre and sword of state in
+his hands. Giasone del Maino, the celebrated Pavian jurist, recited a
+Latin oration, after which the duke, accompanied by the imperial
+ambassadors, and followed by the duchess and a brilliant suite of
+courtiers and ladies, rode in procession to the ancient basilica of S.
+Ambrogio to return thanks for his accession. Then the whole company
+returned, "with immense rejoicing and triumph," to the Castello, where a
+series of splendid _fêtes_ were given in honour of the occasion, and
+rich presents were made to the imperial ambassadors and court officials.
+Two days afterwards another imposing ceremony was held in the Castello,
+when the heads of houses from the different quarters of the city were
+assembled, and each citizen in turn swore fealty, first to Duke Lodovico
+and afterwards to Duchess Beatrice, whom, in the event of his own death,
+he had appointed to be regent of the State and guardian of his sons. The
+Marquis of Mantua was among the guests present, and Beatrice felt the
+keenest regret that the marchioness was unable to accompany him and
+witness the wonderful scene before the Duomo, which, she exclaims in her
+youthful enthusiasm," was the grandest spectacle and noblest solemnity
+that our eyes have ever beheld."
+
+It was the proudest day of Lodovico's life, and his adored wife, who
+shared the cares of State as well as the festivities of his court, might
+well join in his exultation. But his confidence in the favours of
+Fortune and in the security of his position was destined to receive a
+rude shock. Before the week was ended, on the very day when Beatrice
+wrote her triumphant letter to her sister, Louis of Orleans,
+strengthened by the arrival of fresh troops, made a successful sally
+from Asti at nightfall and appeared before the walls of Novara. The
+citizens, who were already disaffected by reason of the oppressive
+exactions of the Duke of Milan, opened their gates, and after a short
+siege the citadel surrendered. Suddenly the Duke of Milan, who was
+resting after the fatigues of the recent festivities at Vigevano, heard
+that his rival, at the head of a strongly armed force, was within twenty
+miles of his palace gates. An irresistible panic seized him, and he
+retired, first to Abbiategrasso, beyond the Ticino, and then to Milan,
+where he took refuge in the Castello with his wife and children. The
+Venetian annalist Malipiero records how, on the 20th of June, two
+Lombard friars arrived at the convent of San Salvador in Venice,
+bringing word that the duke had fled in terror of his life to the Rocca,
+and would hardly see or speak to a single soul. "He is in bad health,
+with one hand paralyzed, they say, and is hated by all the people, and
+fears they will rise against him." In this critical moment, Beatrice
+showed a courage and presence of mind which contrasted curiously with
+her husband's weakness. She sent for the chief Milanese noblemen, spoke
+brave words to them, and took prompt measures for defending the Castello
+and city. Fortunately, the Venetian general, Bernardo Contarini, arrived
+on the 22nd of June at the head of several thousand Greek Stradiots to
+the duke's assistance, while the French were held in check by Galeazzo's
+force and compelled to remain within the walls of Novara. This momentary
+panic over, Lodovico recovered his health and nerve, but his treasury
+was exhausted by the large subsidies granted to his allies and the
+extravagant expenditure of the last two years, and the forced loans
+which he exacted from his subjects created a general feeling of
+discontent. Galeazzo's force was weakened by continual desertion, and
+the duke had great difficulty in raising sufficient money to maintain
+two separate armies. Rumours of the disaffection of the Milanese and of
+the perils which threatened his ally had reached Maximilian's ears at
+Worms, and on the 18th of June he sent Lodovico a grave warning by his
+envoy, Angelo Talenti, begging the duke to place German troops in the
+fortress of Lombardy, and to provide guards for the castles of Milan and
+Como, "in order that he may be able to sleep in peace." Two days later
+he spoke again to the envoy, and begged him to urge the duke to remove
+his womankind from the Castello to Cremona, where he heard that he had a
+fine palace, saying that the presence of women had often caused the loss
+of citadels. Perhaps, if Maximilian had known Duchess Beatrice as well
+as he did a year later, he would have thought this warning superfluous.
+Lodovico, however, thanked his Majesty for his thoughtfulness, and
+applied himself, with the help of Leonardo, to fortify the Castello of
+Milan and make it an impregnable citadel. That winter he had appointed
+Bernardino del Corte, one of his favourite and most devoted servants, to
+be governor of the Rocca, which held his treasure and jewels together
+with all his most precious possessions, and on the 12th of January, a
+fortnight before the birth of Beatrice's child, the new castellan had
+taken a solemn oath of fealty to the duke and duchess, swearing, with
+his hand on the crucifix, that he would hold the Castello for his liege
+lord and lady till his latest breath. Messer Galeazzo and his brother,
+Antonio Maria di Sanseverino, Giasone del Maino, Ambrogio di Rosate, the
+astrologer, Galeotto Prince of Mirandola, and Giovanni Adorno, a
+powerful Genoese nobleman, who had married a sister of the Sanseverini
+brothers, were all present in Beatrice's room in the Rocchetta on this
+occasion, and signed the document as witnesses of Bernardino's oath.
+
+Maximilian now sent his long-promised contingent of Swiss and German
+troops to join the Count of Caiazzo's horse, and the Venetian army,
+under the generalship of Gian Francesco Gonzaga, and the allied forces,
+amounting in all to some twenty-five thousand men, prepared to cut off
+the retreat of the French king and prevent his return to Asti. "Here I
+am," wrote the Marquis of Mantua to his wife, "at the head of the finest
+army which Italy has ever seen, not only to resist, but to exterminate
+the French." And Isabella wrote back in high spirits at the "great
+enterprise" that was before him, sending him a cross with an Agnus Dei
+to wear round his neck in battle, and telling him that her prayers and
+those of all the priests of Mantua were with him.
+
+On Sunday, the 5th of July, the French army, reduced by sickness and
+desertion to less than ten thousand in number, and fatigued by long
+forced marches across the Apennines, descended into the valley of the
+Taro, and encamped at the village of Fornovo, on the right bank of the
+mountain torrent. Further along the same bank, down in the plains, lay
+the army of the league, and, in order to reach Lombardy, the French had
+to cross the river in full view of the enemy's camp. Early on Monday
+morning, the 6th of July, Charles, mounted on his favourite charger,
+"Savoy," and wearing white and purple plumes in his cap, led the van of
+his army across the Taro, swollen as it was by the late heavy rains. At
+the same moment, the Marquis of Mantua and the Count of Caiazzo, at the
+head of their light cavalry, attacked the French rear-guard, and the
+battle began. Paolo Giovio describes the engagement that followed as the
+fiercest battle of the age, in which more blood was spilt than in any
+other during the last two hundred years, although Commines, who was
+present with his monarch, says that the actual fighting only lasted a
+quarter of an hour. On both sides the leaders fought with heroic
+courage. Charles VIII. himself repeatedly led the charge against the
+Milanese horse, and, calling on the chivalry of France to live or die
+with him, dashed into the thickest of the fray. Once mounted on his
+war-horse, and face to face with the foe, the ugly little deformed man
+became a true king, and risked his life and liberty at the head of his
+subjects. Francesco Gonzaga, on his part, performed prodigies of valour,
+and had three horses killed under him, while his uncle, Rodolfo Gonzaga,
+and many other gallant knights were left dead on the field. But personal
+exploits could not atone for his want of generalship, and while the
+marquis and his immediate followers were engaged in a desperate
+hand-to-hand fight with the foe, a large body of his reserve remained
+inactive on the banks of the Taro, and his Stradiots were engaged in
+plundering the French camp. The result was that, in spite of their
+superior numbers, the Italian ranks were broken and many of the
+Venetians fled in confusion towards Parma, while the French succeeded in
+crossing the river, and, early on Tuesday morning, continued their march
+across the Lombard plain. But, as the camp and baggage remained in the
+hands of the allies, the Italians claimed the victory. The Venetians
+celebrated their triumph with public rejoicings and illuminations on the
+Piazza of S. Marco, and lauded their brave captain to the skies. Both at
+Milan and Mantua there was great exultation when the news became known;
+poets and painters alike did honour to the victors: Sperandio designed
+his noble medal, and Mantegna painted the Madonna della Vittoria to
+immortalize Francesco Gonzaga's triumph. But the marquis himself,
+writing to his wife from the camp the day after the battle, remarks that
+if only others had fought as he and his followers did, the victory would
+have been complete, and laments the disobedience and cowardice of the
+Stradiots, who first plundered the enemy's camp and then fled, although
+no one pursued them. "These things," he adds, "have caused me the
+greatest grief that I have ever known."
+
+Lodovico's congratulations on the victory were coldly worded, and evoked
+a reply from his brother-in-law, saying that if he had foiled in
+courage, he would have been a dead man. But the duke could not forgive
+Gonzaga for allowing the French to pursue their way unmolested. Only the
+Count of Caiazzo and his brothers had attempted to follow them with
+their light cavalry, who were too few in number to do the enemy serious
+damage, and by the 8th of July, Charles and his tired army reached Asti
+in safety.
+
+"God Himself was our guide," devoutly ejaculates Commines, "and led us
+home with honour, as that good man Fra Girolamo of Florence had
+foretold. But, as he said truly, we were made to suffer for our sins,
+for we were in sore need of food, and so great was our want of water
+that men drank of the ditches along the road; but no one was heard to
+complain, although it was the hardest journey I ever took in my life,
+and I have had many bad ones."
+
+Among the booty which fell into the hands of the marquis after the
+battle was the French king's tent with all its contents. These included
+a sword and helmet, said to have belonged to Charlemagne, a silver
+casket containing the royal seals, besides a set of rich hangings and
+altar-plate, and a jewelled cross and reliquary on which Charles set
+great value, because it held a sacred thorn and piece of wood from the
+holy cross, a vest of our Lady, and a limb of St. Denis, which were
+objects of his especial devotion. Many of these relics were eventually
+restored to the king, who, not to be outdone in courtesy, sent the
+marquis a favourite white horse of his, which had been captured by the
+French, gorgeously apparelled in gold trappings. Among the spoils sent
+to Mantua were a magnificent set of embroidered hangings from the royal
+tent, and a curious book of paintings, containing portraits of the chief
+Italian beauties who had fascinated King Charles. These, together with
+the hilt of the broken sword with which the marquis himself had fought
+in the _mêlèe_, were joyfully received by Isabella, who counted these
+trophies among her proudest possessions. She was, accordingly, a good
+deal annoyed when, a week later, her husband desired her to send back
+the French king's hangings, as he wished to give them to her sister
+Beatrice. Her protest on this occasion is very characteristic.
+
+"MOST ILLUSTRIOUS LORD,
+
+"Your Excellency has desired me to send the four pieces of drapery that
+belonged to the French king, in order that you may present them to the
+Duchess of Milan. I of course obey you, but in this instance I must say
+I do it with great reluctance, as I think these royal spoils ought to
+remain in our family, in perpetual memory of your glorious deeds, of
+which we have no other record here. By giving them to others, you appear
+to surrender the honour of the enterprise with these trophies of the
+victory. I do not send them to-day, because they require a mule, and I
+also hope that you will be able to make some excuse to the duchess and
+tell her, for instance, that you have already given me these hangings.
+If I had not seen them already, I should not have cared so much; but
+since you gave them to me in the first place, and they were won at the
+peril of your own life, I shall only give them up with tears in my eyes.
+All the same, as I said before, I will obey your Excellency, but shall
+hope to receive some explanation in reply. If these draperies were a
+thousand times more valuable than they are, and had been acquired in any
+other way, I should gladly give them up to my sister the duchess, whom,
+as you know, I love and honour with all my heart. But, under the
+circumstances, I must own it is very hard for me to part with them.
+
+"Mantua, July 24, 1495."
+
+In this case Beatrice showed herself, as she habitually was, the more
+generous of the two. The marquis had his way, and sent the four hangings
+to Milan, followed by a fifth belonging to the suite, which he had in
+the mean time recovered.
+
+On the 25th of August, Beatrice, having duly received and admired her
+brother-in-law's gift, sent them all back to Mantua, with the following
+note, thanking him for his kindness, but declining to accept a present
+that she felt belonged of right to her sister:--
+
+"I have to-day received, by your Highness's courier, one of the pieces
+of drapery belonging to the King of France. Andrea Cossa had already
+brought me the other four, for which I thank you exceedingly; but I feel
+that, under the circumstances, I ought not to keep them. As it is, I
+have great pleasure in seeing them all together, and now your Highness
+can give them back to the Marchesana."[60]
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[60] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, pp. 632, 633.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+Ferrante II. recovers Naples--Siege of Novara by the army of the league
+--Review of the army by the Duke and Duchess of Milan--Charles VIII.
+visits Turin and comes to Vercelli--Negotiations for peace--Lodovic and
+Beatrice at the camp--Treaty of Vercelli concluded between France and
+Milan--Jealousy of the other Powers--Commines at Vigevano--Zenale's
+altar-piece in the Brera.
+
+1495
+
+
+If the failure of the league to cut off the French king's return to
+Fornovo had disappointed Lodovico, he found compensation in the news
+that reached Milan from Naples. Hardly had Charles VIII. started on his
+march northwards, than Ferrante once more set foot in his own realm and
+received a joyful welcome from his subjects. On the 7th of July, the day
+after the battle of the Taro, he entered Naples, where the people took
+up arms in his favour, and the nobles who had been the first to join the
+French king hastened to assure him of their loyalty. One by one the
+castles in the neighbourhood surrendered to their rightful king, and
+Montpensier with the remnant of his forces retired into the Calabrian
+fastnesses, to carry on a petty war of depredation and skirmishes during
+the winter months. Lodovico hastened to impart the good news to his
+sister-in-law Isabella, who replied in the following letter:--
+
+"MOST ILLUSTRIOUS DUKE OF MILAN AND DEAR LORD,
+
+"The news of King Ferrante's entry into Naples, which your Highness was
+so good as to send me, has given me the greatest pleasure, both for his
+Majesty's own sake and for that of your Highness, since it seems to me
+that all this must help to deliver us the more speedily from the hands
+of the French. So I congratulate myself with your Excellency, and thank
+you with all my heart for your kindness in allowing me to share the good
+news, which has indeed given me the greatest happiness. I only hope that
+you may soon receive tidings of the recovery of Novara, and begging you
+to keep me informed of your successes, and to commend me cordially to my
+sister the duchess,
+
+                              "I remain, your daughter and servant,
+                                                ISABELLA DA ESTE."[61]
+
+Written with my own hand in Mantua on the 16th of July, 1495."
+
+The siege of Novara, where the Duke of Orleans had been beleagured since
+the middle of June, was now the centre of interest in Lombardy.
+Immediately after Fornovo, the Count of Caiazzo's cavalry had joined his
+brother Galeazzo's force before Novara, and on the 19th of July the
+Marquis of Mantua encamped under the walls with the Venetian army. The
+garrison of the besieged city was six or seven thousand strong, and well
+provided with arms and ammunition, but already supplies of food were
+scarce, and men and horses were dying of sickness and hunger. Some
+dissensions having arisen between Francesco Gonzaga and the other
+leaders as to the conduct of the siege, the Duke of Milan himself
+visited the camp of the league on the 3rd of August, bringing with him,
+says Guicciardini, his beloved wife--"_la sua carissima consorte_"--who
+was his companion "no less in matters of importance than in actions
+familiar, and who on this occasion, it is said, chiefly by her advice
+and counsel brought the captains to an agreement." A council of war was
+held, and Lodovico's recommendation to blockade the town instead of
+carrying it by assault was finally adopted. On the 5th of August the
+duke and duchess were present at a grand review of the whole army,
+which, with Galeazzo's troops and the German and Swiss reinforcements,
+now amounted to upwards of forty thousand men. Never in the memory of
+man, say the chroniclers, had so great and splendid an army been seen in
+Italy as that which, with flying colours and beating drums, to the sound
+of trumpets and martial music, marched past the chariot of Duchess
+Beatrice. First came the hero of Fornovo, Francesco Gonzaga, at the head
+of his troop of horse, mounted on magnificent chargers, "a sight
+admirable to behold;" then the infantry, all in excellent order, led by
+their different Condottieri, in glittering armour; afterwards the
+artillery, firing big guns, which seemed to rend the air; then the
+Stradiots armed with lances, targets, and scimitars, and the Venetian
+cross-bowmen and light cavalry. These were followed by Galeazzo di
+Sanseverino, who looked his best that day, clad in French attire as a
+knight of the Order of St. Michel--for which, we are told, he was
+sharply reprimanded by the duke--followed by the flower of Milanese
+chivalry, bearing in their midst the ducal banner with the figure of a
+Moor, holding an eagle in one hand and strangling a dragon with the
+other. After Messer Galeaz came his brothers, Antonio Maria and
+Fracassa, "_ce très-beau et très-gracieux gendarme_," as Commines calls
+him, each leading his own squadron; and finally the German infantry,
+consisting of some five or six thousand men.
+
+"It was indeed," writes the Neapolitan scholar, Jacopo d'Atri, who was
+in attendance on his master, the Marquis of Mantua, "a stupendous sight,
+and all who were present say that since the days of the Romans, so vast
+and well-disciplined an army has never been seen." And the Marquis of
+Mantua, in his letters, never ceased to regret his wife's absence,
+telling her that she had missed the grandest sight in the world, a thing
+the like of which she would never see again.
+
+The only drawback to the day's success was an accident which befell the
+duke's horse, who stumbled and fell as Lodovico passed along the lines,
+throwing his rider to the ground, and soiling his rich clothes in the
+mud. "This," remarks the chronicler who tells the story, "was held to be
+an evil omen, and was remembered afterwards by many who were present
+that day." After this review, the duke and duchess returned to Vigevano,
+and the siege of Novara was prosecuted with fresh vigour. In vain Louis
+of Orleans and his famished soldiers looked out for the French army that
+was to bring them relief. King Charles had gone to visit his ally the
+Duchess of Savoy at Turin, and was consoling himself for the toil and
+disappointments of the campaign by making love to fair Anna Solieri in
+the neighbouring town of Chieri. Since his reduced forces were unequal
+to the task of facing the army of the league and relieving Novara, he
+sent the bailiff of Dijon to raise a body of twelve thousand Swiss in
+the Cantons friendly to France, and decided to await their arrival
+before he took active measures.
+
+Meanwhile he and most of his followers were thoroughly tired of warfare,
+and the queen never ceased imploring him to return home. The French
+supplies of men and money were exhausted, and when Charles sent home for
+reinforcements, Anne of Brittany replied that there were no Frenchmen
+left to send, only widows weeping for their husbands, whose bones were
+whitening on the Italian plains. The Venetian ambassador, Commines, who
+was strongly in favour of peace, had already opened negotiations with
+some of his friends in Venice, and Charles lent a willing ear both to
+his proposals and to those of the Duchess of Savoy, who on her part
+offered to mediate between him and the Duke of Milan. But Briconnet, the
+Cardinal of S. Malo, Lodovico's old enemy and a staunch partisan of
+Orleans, defeated these plans by his intrigues, and the French army,
+leaving Asti, advanced to Vercelli, in the duchy of Savoy, and prepared
+to take the field. Both parties, however, were growing weary of this
+prolonged warfare, and Commines declares that in the French camp no one
+wanted to fight, unless the king led them to battle, and that Charles
+himself had not the slightest wish to take the field.
+
+At length, early in September, the first detachment of Swiss levies
+reached Vercelli, and on the 12th the king himself arrived in the camp.
+His first act was to hold a council of war, which decided in favour of
+peace, and Commines was sent to treat with the Marquis of Mantua. The
+allies insisted on the unconditional surrender of Novara, while Charles
+VIII. asked for the restitution of Genoa as an ancient fief of the
+French crown. Nothing was concluded, but a truce of eight days was
+agreed upon, and prolonged conferences were held at a castle between
+Vercelli and Cameriano.
+
+On the 21st of September, Lodovico returned to the camp of the league,
+bringing Beatrice with him, and rode out to meet the French
+commissioners. Commines gives a minute account of the conferences, which
+took place in the duke's lodgings at Cameriano during the next
+fortnight.
+
+"Every day the duke and duchess came to meet us at the end of a long
+gallery and conducted us to their rooms, where we found two long rows of
+chairs prepared, and we sat down on one side, and the representatives of
+the league on the other. First came the ambassadors of the King of the
+Romans and the King of Spain; then the Marquis of Mantua and the
+Venetian Provveditori and envoy; then the Duke of Milan and his wife the
+duchess, seated between him and the ambassador of Ferrara. On their
+side, the duke was the only spokesman, and on our side one only. But our
+habit is not to speak as quietly as they do; two or three of us often
+began to speak at the same time, which made the duke say, 'Ho! ho! if
+you please, one at a time.' And two secretaries, one of ours and one of
+theirs, wrote down the articles agreed upon, and before we took leave,
+read them aloud, the one in Italian, the other in French, to see if
+there was anything that could be altered or shortened."
+
+Beatrice was present at all the deliberations, and surprised the other
+commissioners by her cleverness and quickness, and the ready tact she
+invariably showed. The duke was now sincerely anxious for peace, and
+only cared to recover Novara, and to see the French safely out of his
+dominions, where the presence of Louis of Orleans could not fail to
+prove a disturbing element. Both he and Commines directed all their
+efforts to bring matters to a favourable conclusion, but the other
+commissioners made difficulties, and the Venetian, Spanish, and German
+ambassadors would decide nothing without consulting their separate
+governments. The evacuation of Novara, however, was unanimously agreed
+upon, and on the 26th of September, Orleans and his garrison marched out
+with the honours of war, and were escorted by Messer Galeaz and the
+Marquis of Mantua to the French outposts. More than two thousand men had
+already died of sickness and starvation. Almost all their horses had
+been eaten, and the survivors were in a miserable plight. Many perished
+by the roadside, and Commines found fifty troopers in a fainting
+condition in a garden at Cameriano, and saved their lives by feeding
+them with soup. Even then one man died on the spot, and four others
+never reached the camp. Three hundred more died at Vercelli, some of
+sickness, others from over-eating themselves after the prolonged
+starvation which they had endured, and the dung-hills of the town were
+strewn with dead corpses. Yet still Orleans, who, as Commines remarks,
+had caused all this mischief, was eager for war, and entreated the king
+to make no terms with Signor Lodovico. He had a strong supporter in the
+Milanese captain, Jean Jacques Trivulzio, who had entered the French
+king's service after Alfonso's flight from Naples, and had never
+forgotten his old griefs against Lodovico and his son-in-law. And on the
+selfsame day that Novara was evacuated, the bailiff of Dijon arrived at
+Vercelli with ten or twelve thousand more Swiss mercenaries, bringing up
+the whole number to upwards of twenty thousand. So large a body had
+never been assembled before, and the presence of these rude
+mountaineers, greedy for spoil and ready to quarrel with friends or
+foes, created general alarm. The Duke of Milan was now more eager than
+ever to conclude peace, and when Louis of Orleans and Trivulzio urged
+the king to break off negotiations and march at the head of the Swiss on
+Milan, Charles replied curtly that it was too late, for the
+preliminaries of peace were already signed. He himself had no wish but
+to return home and send help to his distressed troops in Naples.
+
+Accordingly, on the 9th of October a separate convention was concluded
+between the King of France and the Duke of Milan, leaving the other
+Powers to settle their differences among themselves. Novara was restored
+to Lodovico, and his title to Genoa and Savona recognized, while Charles
+renounced the support of his cousin Louis of Orleans' claims upon Milan.
+In return the duke promised not to assist Ferrante with troops or ships,
+to give free passage to French armies, and assist the king with Milanese
+troops if he returned to Naples in person. He further renounced his
+claim on Asti, and agreed to pay the Duke of Orleans 50,000 ducats as a
+war indemnity, and lend the king two ships as transports for his
+soldiers from Genoa to Naples. A debt of 80,000 ducats, that was still
+owing to Lodovico, was cancelled, and the Castelletto of the port of
+Genoa was placed in the Duke of Ferrara's hands, as a security that
+these engagements would be kept on both sides. The king, we learn from
+Commines, still retained a friendly feeling for the Duke of Milan, and
+invited him to a meeting before he left Italy; but Lodovico had taken
+umbrage at certain offensive remarks made by the Count of Ligny and
+Cardinal Briconnet, and excused himself on plea of illness, while he
+declared in private that he would not trust himself in the French king's
+company unless a river ran between them. "It is true," says Commines,
+"that foolish words had been spoken, but the king meant well, and wished
+to remain his friend."
+
+The Marquis of Mantua was better disposed towards his Most Christian
+Majesty, and gladly accepted an invitation to visit the king at Vercelli
+before his departure. He wrote to his wife in great haste, begging her
+to send him his finest linen shirts and best gold brocade vest and
+mantle, together with different sorts of choice perfumes, and the next
+day duly made his obeisance to the king. He was highly gratified at the
+courtesy with which he was received, and at the familiar way in which
+his Majesty conversed, not only with himself, but with his servants,
+"treating them exactly as if they were his equals" and condescending to
+lift his hand to his cap each time they saluted him." What impressed
+this rough soldier most of all was the sight of three cardinals standing
+among the crowd at the door, "just as the chaplains may be seen in any
+other house," and among them the cardinal of S. Pietro in Vincula
+(afterwards Julius II.), "who dares contend with the Pope, and who yet
+stood here in the humblest and most respectful fashion." Before the
+marquis left, the king made him a present of two valuable bay horses,
+remarkable for their fine shape and speed. One of the two was an
+excellent jumper, and delighted Francesco by the way in which he could
+clear wide trenches and lofty fences at a single bound, "jumping with
+all four feet in the air at once."
+
+At the same time Gonzaga's secretary, Jacopo d'Atri, informed the
+Marchesa that the priest Bernardino d'Urbino and a troop of Mantuan
+singers had been sent that evening to amuse the king. Charles questioned
+the chaplain closely about his master's wife, asking for an exact
+description of her person, height, and features, and being especially
+anxious to learn if Isabella at all resembled the Duchess Beatrice, and
+if, like that illustrious lady, she was as charming and gracious as she
+was beautiful. Don Bernardino replied discreetly that the Marchesa was,
+to say the truth, even more beautiful than her sister, and surpassed all
+other ladies by her charm and brilliancy. This roused the king's
+curiosity to the highest pitch, and he insisted on having a full and
+particular account of Isabella's talents and accomplishments, as well as
+of the gowns she usually wore and the fashion of her clothes, and
+rejoiced to hear she was not very tall, since he himself was short of
+stature and admired small women. "In short," adds the secretary, "his
+Majesty appeared quite in love with my description of your Excellency,
+and if he meets you, will, I am sure, seek to kiss your cheek, not once,
+but many times. And this being the case, I am glad to be able to tell
+you that the King of France is less deformed than people say."[62]
+
+The desired meeting, however, was never effected. Immediately peace was
+signed, Charles VIII. left Vercelli, crossed the Alps with the remnants
+of his army, and reached Lyons on the 7th of November. Commines,
+meanwhile, was sent on a further errand to Venice, where he vainly
+endeavoured to negotiate a treaty, but found the Signoria determined to
+maintain the cause of Ferrante of Naples. The Venetians were not sorry
+to disband their army and see the French cross the Alps; but none the
+less their indignation was great at the Duke of Milan's breach of faith
+in concluding a separate peace, and sharp words passed between the
+ambassadors of Spain and Naples and the Milanese envoy at Venice.
+
+"The best thing, in my opinion," remarks the annalist Malipiero, "would
+have been for Contarini to give the Stradiots orders to cut to pieces
+both Duke Lodovico and Ercole of Ferrara, who are the Signory's worst
+enemies. And the truth is, you should never take part in another's
+quarrel, or enter the country of a foreign ally, for in these matters no
+one is to be trusted."
+
+[Illustration: Altar piece ascribed to Zenale with portraits of Lodovico
+Sforza and Beatrice d'Este (Brera)
+
+D. Anderson.]
+
+Maximilian, on his part, was satisfied with Lodovico's excuses, and
+owned that the duke was right to make peace without delay. As for
+Lodovico, it was with a deep sense of relief that he saw the departure
+of the last French troops. He invited the Duke of Ferrara, the
+Marquis of Mantua, and the Venetian Provveditori to Vigevano, and
+entertained them all magnificently. When, on his return from Venice,
+Commines in his turn visited Vigevano, the duke rode out to meet him
+with charming courtesy, and bade the French ambassador welcome to his
+beautiful country home. But when they came to business, it was another
+matter. Commines heard from Genoa that the two ships, which the Duke of
+Milan was to send to Naples with the French fleet, had received orders
+not to sail, and when he asked for an explanation, Lodovico told him
+that he could put no trust or confidence in his master the king. At the
+end of three days the ambassador took his leave, and just as he was
+starting on his journey, to his surprise the duke came up to him very
+civilly, and said that, after all, he wished to keep on friendly terms
+with his Most Christian Majesty, and had determined to send Messer
+Galeaz with the ships to Naples, and that before Commines reached Lyons
+he should receive a letter to this effect. So Commines crossed the Alps
+with a light heart, and all the way to Lyons he kept looking back, he
+tells us, in constant expectation of hearing the sound of horse's hoofs
+behind him. But the duke's messenger did not overtake him, and the ships
+never sailed from Genoa.
+
+That year the festival of Christmas was celebrated with great joy and
+splendour at the court of Milan. After the troubled times of the last
+twelve months, after the dangers which had threatened the very existence
+of the State, and brought the noise of war to the gates of Vigevano,
+peace and tranquillity were once more restored, and another era of
+unclouded prosperity seemed about to dawn. Now that poor Giangaleazzo
+was dead, and Louis of Orleans had once more crossed the Alps, there was
+no one to dispute Lodovico's title or to prevent his son from eventually
+succeeding him on the throne. Once more he and Beatrice were free to
+devote themselves to the encouragement of learning and poetry, of
+painting and architecture; to watch Bramante and Leonardo at work, or
+read Dante and Petrarch together.
+
+That winter the altar-piece of the Brera, containing the portraits of
+the duke and his family, was painted by Zenale or some other Lombard
+master, for the church of S. Ambrogio in Nemo. Here the Madonna and
+Child are enthroned in the centre of the picture; the four Fathers of
+the Church, Ambrose, Augustine, Jerome, and Gregory, stand on either
+side; and in the foreground, kneeling at the foot of the throne, are the
+Duke and Duchess of Milan, with their two children. The Christ-child
+turns towards Lodovico, and St. Ambrose, the protector and patron saint
+of Milan, lays his hand on the shoulder of the duke, as, clad in rich
+brocades and wearing a massive gold chain round his neck, he clasps his
+hands in prayer. And the gentle Madonna stretches out her hand lovingly
+towards Beatrice, who kneels at her feet, with the long coil of twisted
+hair, and the pearls on her head and neck, and her favourite knots of
+ribbons fluttering from her shoulders or falling over the velvet stripes
+of her yellow satin robe. Close at her side is the infant prince,
+Francesco Sforza, with his baby face and swaddled clothes; while
+opposite, kneeling at his father's side, is the handsome little Count of
+Pavia. Here, at least, there is no doubt that we have authentic
+portraits of both Lodovico Sforza and Beatrice d'Este, the reigning Duke
+and Duchess of Milan, towards the close of the year 1495. There is no
+mistaking the long black hair, the refined features, and long nose of
+the Moro, while in Beatrice's features we recognize the same youthful
+and child-like charm that mark her countenance in Cristoforo Romano's
+bust or Solari's effigy in the Certosa of Pavia.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[61] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit_., p. 627.
+
+[62] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 630.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+The war of Pisa--Venice defends the liberties of Pisa against Florence
+--Lodovico invites Maximilian to enter Italy and succour the Pisans--The
+Duke and Duchess of Milan go to meet the emperor at Mals--Maximilian
+crosses the Alps and comes to Vigevano--His interview with the Venetian
+envoys--His expedition to Pisa.
+
+1496
+
+
+"After Fornovo," wrote the Venetian Malipiero, "Lodovico Duke of Milan
+governed all things in Italy." The departure of the French had left him
+practically the arbiter between the other Powers, and afforded him fresh
+opportunities of satisfying his ambitious schemes. He had long cherished
+hopes of recovering the city of Pisa, upon which the Dukes of Milan had
+ancient claims, and in September, 1495, while Orleans still held Novara,
+he sent Fracassa, at the head of a band of Genoese archers, to help the
+Pisans defend their newly recovered liberties against the Florentines.
+Three months later Fracassa was recalled, in tardy compliance with the
+condition of the Treaty of Vercelli; but early in the following year,
+the Pisans, finding themselves deserted by the French, turned once more
+to Lodovico and implored his help. At the same time they sought
+assistance from the Signory of Venice, who, in March, 1496, publicly
+took the city of Pisa under the protection of St. Mark, and helped their
+new allies with liberal supplies of men and money. The Duke of Milan
+sent a small brigade to join these forces, and strongly encouraged the
+Venetians to bear the burden of a war from which in the end he hoped to
+reap solid advantage. But his secret jealousy of Venice, as well as
+rumours that Charles VIII. was meditating a second French expedition to
+relieve the distressed garrison of Naples, induced him to seek the help
+of a new ally In the person of the Emperor Maximilian.
+
+Early in the spring he sent the Marchesino Stanga across the Alps to
+invite Maximilian to come to the help of Pisa, which as an imperial city
+had already appealed to him for protection, assuring him that his
+presence in Italy would maintain the balance of power between Venice and
+Florence, and curb the French king's ambition. The prospect of
+descending upon Italy and assuming the imperial crown flattered
+Maximilian's vanity, but, as usual, his movements were hampered by lack
+of money. At length he agreed to meet the Duke of Milan on the frontier
+of Tyrol and the Valtellina, and discuss their future plan of operations
+together.
+
+On the 5th of July the emperor left Innsbrück for Nauders, and on the
+same day the duke and duchess, accompanied by Galeazzo di Sanseverino
+and the Count of Melzi, set out on their journey up the lake of Como to
+Bormio, in the Valtellina, On the 17th they reached the Abbey of Mals,
+"an ancient monastery," says Cagnola, "at the foot of those terrible
+mountains on the way to Germany;" and two days afterwards, received a
+message from Maximilian, informing the duke and duchess that he was
+about to pay them a visit, but begging them not to leave their lodgings,
+as he wished the meeting to be informal and without ceremony. Early on
+the morning of the 20th, the gay music of hunting-horns woke the
+mountain echoes, and a hunting-party suddenly appeared at the gates of
+the old Benedictine abbey. First came a hundred soldiers on foot,
+bearing long lances, then fifty German lords in hunting-garb, with
+falcons on their wrists. These were followed by his Imperial Majesty, a
+princely figure in his simple grey cloth tunic and black velvet cap,
+with a lion's skin hanging over his thighs, and the badge of the Golden
+Fleece on his breast. A troop of servants and pages, in the imperial
+liveries of red, white, and yellow, brought up the rear of the
+procession, that wound along the steep mountain-side and halted before
+the convent, where the Duke of Milan had his lodgings.
+
+The Venetian ambassador, Francesco Foscari, hearing of Maximilian's
+proposed visit, had, on Lodovico's invitation, followed him across the
+Alps, accompanied by the Cardinal of Santa Croce, the papal nuncio.
+Both these envoys waited on the emperor at Mals, and that evening
+Foscari's secretary, Conrade Vimerca, wrote the following account of the
+meeting between Maximilian and the duke and duchess in his despatches to
+Venice:--
+
+"His Majesty alighted with an eagerness which seemed to me only too
+great, and went upstairs, where he found the duke alone with the
+duchess, and spent half an hour in close and affectionate intercourse
+with them both. Afterwards they all three attended mass in the
+neighbouring church, and his Majesty appeared, leading the duchess with
+his right hand and the duke with his left, with such demonstrations of
+love and familiarity as can hardly be described. All three then rode on
+horseback to the emperor's lodgings at Colorno (Glurns), some eight
+miles distant, where his Majesty entertained the duke and duchess and
+all their suite at dinner under a pavilion, which had been erected under
+the trees. His Majesty insisted on both the duke and duchess washing
+their hands with him in the same bowl, and, sitting down between them at
+table, himself helped first one, then the other, from the endless
+variety of dishes spread out before them. All this he did with an ease
+and kindness beyond anything that I have ever seen in royal personages.
+Each time the duke spoke he took off his cap, and his Majesty did the
+same. After dinner they remained for some while in pleasant
+conversation, and then rode all three together to another place called
+Mals, one mile further off, his Majesty bearing all the expenses of the
+entertainment. To-morrow night they will remain together here, and there
+will be some time for discussion. I am quite sure," adds the Venetian
+secretary, "after this that we shall see his Majesty in Italy next
+August, and this you may hold to be absolutely certain. As for the King
+of France, they do not even mention his name or think of him any more
+than if he did not exist."
+
+Although the Signoria of Venice had joined the Duke of Milan in inviting
+Maximilian to come to Italy, and had promised him their assistance, they
+were secretly not a little alarmed at the prospect of another foreign
+invasion, fearing, as one of their chroniclers observes, that the
+Germans might prove to be even greater barbarians than the French. In
+the interview which Foscari had with the emperor at Mals, he endeavoured
+politely to dissuade him from entering Italy with a German army; but,
+as his secretary remarked, it was too late, for the Duke of Milan willed
+that he should come. Nor were the jealous Venetians altogether pleased
+to see the marks of friendship and confidence with which the German
+emperor honoured Lodovico and his wife. The familiarity with which
+Maximilian treated both the duke and duchess, and the evident pleasure
+which he took in their company, seemed little short of marvellous in the
+eyes of both Foscari and his secretary.
+
+The singular charm and intelligence of Beatrice made a deep impression
+upon Maximilian, who could not but contrast her brightness and
+cleverness with the dulness and ignorance of his own Milanese wife. And
+the duke's polished manners and cultured tastes could not fail to exert
+a powerful fascination upon a monarch whose genuine love of art and
+romance made him in his way as remarkable a type of the Renaissance as
+the Moro himself. Even apart from political considerations, this meeting
+between the two princes, that summer-time in the mountains of Tyrol, was
+an event of deep interest, and we can only regret that no record of
+Beatrice's impressions on this occasion has been left us.
+
+A conference between the emperor, the Duke of Milan, and the ambassadors
+was held on the evening of that eventful day, and the details of the
+convention between the allied powers was finally agreed upon. A new
+league, which Henry the Seventh of England was afterwards invited to
+join, was formed between the Emperor Maximilian, the Duke of Milan, the
+Pope, the King of Spain, and the Venetian Republic; and Venice and Milan
+promised Maximilian a subsidy of 16,000 ducats if he would cross the
+Alps with an army, and compel the Florentines to give up Pisa and
+Leghorn.
+
+On the following day, the Venetian ambassador and the papal legate took
+their leave, and Maximilian accompanied the duke and duchess over the
+Alps to Bormio, where he joined in a chamois-hunt, and then rode back
+with his retinue across the mountains to meet the empress at Tirano.
+Lodovico and Beatrice travelled back to Milan, where they kept the feast
+of the "glorious martyr St, Lawrence," on the 10th of August, with
+unwonted splendour, and then retired to Vigevano to prepare for the
+emperor's speedy return.
+
+Before the end of the month, Maximilian had once more crossed that
+"_crudelissima montagna_" of Braulio (Piz Umbrail), and was at Bellagio
+on the Lake of Como, where Fracassa received him, and with five other
+Milanese knights held a _baldacchino_ over his head as he rode up to the
+Marchesino Stanga's Castle on the hills.
+
+"But he only brought six secretaries and two hundred horsemen with him,
+and as before was simply clad in a suit of grey cloth," remarks a
+Venetian writer: "the pettiest German baron would have come with more
+pomp!" A few days afterwards, the emperor went on to the ducal villa at
+Meda, near Como, where Lodovico met him with the Cardinal di Santa Croce
+and Foscari, and conducted him, on the 2nd of September, to see Duchess
+Beatrice at Vigevano. Here he remained for the next three weeks,
+enjoying the beauties of the Moro's favourite summer palace, and
+admiring the perfection of Lodovico's latest improvements--the clock
+recently constructed by Bramante, the marble capitals of the great hall,
+and the model farm and stables of the Sforzesca. Maximilian had
+originally intended to visit Milan, and the erection of a triumphal arch
+in the Roman style had been ordered by the duke, together with other
+decorations on a vast scale; but at the last moment this idea was
+abandoned. The Venetian, Marino Sanuto, unkindly suggests that the Moro
+would not allow the emperor to come to Milan, lest he should see Duchess
+Isabella's son, who was the rightful heir to the crown. In all
+probability the true reason lay in Maximilian's dislike of
+state-pageants, and his preference for the freedom and country pleasures
+of Vigevano. As he told the Venetian ambassador, he preferred to travel
+about in different places and enjoy himself in his own way. And His
+Majesty added, with a frankness by no means agreeable to Foscari and his
+government, that he had no need of his company, and he preferred to be
+alone, since Duke Lodovico, with whom he was very intimate, could tell
+him all that he wished to know. With which distinctly unpalatable piece
+of information the ambassador had to be content. Maximilian, he was
+compelled to acknowledge, had come to Italy as the sworn friend and ally
+of the Duke of Milan, and the Republic must stoop to take the second
+place in the councils of the League.
+
+If Beatrice's charms had captivated the wise emperor at their first
+meeting in the mountains of the Valtellina, he found her a thousand
+times more fascinating at her beautiful country home, with her children
+in her arms. He took great interest in both her little boys, and begged
+that the elder of the two, Ercole, should bear the name of Maximilian,
+by which he became known in future days. In memory of this visit the
+emperor's portrait was introduced in the beautiful miniatures which
+illustrate Maximilian Sforza's Book of Prayers, or Libro di Gesù, still
+preserved in the Trivulzian Library. Here the young count is represented
+on horseback, receiving his illustrious cousin, while the words of the
+Latin oration, which he is in the act of reciting, are illuminated on
+the front page.
+
+The Venetian Signory had decided to send two special ambassadors to
+congratulate the emperor on his arrival in Italy, and on the 14th these
+envoys, Antonio Grimani and Marco Morosini, reached Milan, where they
+were received by Galeazzo Sforza, Count of Melzi, and lodged in the
+Palazzo del Verme, then inhabited by Madonna Cecilia Gallerani and her
+husband Count Lodovico Bergamini, and lately decorated with frescoes and
+marbles at the duke's expense. Early the next day they travelled by boat
+to Abbiategrasso, past the fair villas and smiling gardens that charmed
+the eyes of Jean d'Auton when he travelled along the banks of the
+Ticino. Here Foscari, who was already in attendance on the emperor, came
+to meet them, and they rode into Vigevano, where they were received by
+the Count of Caiazzo and Galeotto della Mirandola, and listened in
+torrents of rain to a Latin oration that was delivered in Maximilian's
+name. It was already dark when the ambassadors reached the Castello, but
+the duke himself rode out to welcome them, and conducted them to their
+lodgings in the palace of his son-in-law, Galeazzo di Sanseverino. Here
+the duke's own daughter, Madonna Bianca, the youthful bride whom Messer
+Galeaz had brought home a few weeks before, entertained her father's
+guests, and bade them welcome in the name of her gallant husband, who
+was laid up with an attack of fever, and was unable to leave his room
+or attend to business. The next day the ambassadors were granted an
+audience, at which Marino Sanuto, as a member of Foscari's suite, was
+himself present. His Majesty, whom the Venetian described as a
+magnificent-looking man of thirty-seven, with long hair already turning
+white, and perfect manners, received them at the top of the grand
+staircase, on the first floor of the Castello. As usual, he was clad in
+black and wore a long velvet mantle, and a black woollen cap trimmed
+with cords in the French style, having taken a vow to wear no colours
+until he had defeated the Turks, while his sole ornament was a gold
+chain, with the badge of the Golden Fleece, which hung round his neck.
+He was seated on a daïs, draped with cloth of gold, with the Duke of
+Milan on his right hand, and the Cardinal di Santa Croce on his left.
+The ambassadors of Naples and Spain were also present, as well as the
+Count of Caiazzo, the Marchesino Stanga, Don Angelo de' Talenti, the
+Bishops of Como and Piacenza, the secretary de' Negri, and other
+well-known Milanese courtiers. Marco Morosini then pronounced an elegant
+harangue, which was praised by all present, and graciously accepted by
+the emperor, who conversed affably with the envoys on general subjects.
+Afterwards Marino Sanuto was presented to the Duchess Beatrice, who, he
+remarks, "never leaves her lord's side, although she is once more with
+child,"--and her two fine little boys, "Ercole, whose name has been
+changed by His Majesty's desire to Maximilian, and who is called Count
+of Pavia, and a second named Sforza." A succession of _fêtes_ and
+hunting-parties was given by the duke for the entertainment of his
+imperial guest during the next week, and ending with a "_Caccia
+bellissima_" to which the cardinal-legate, all the princes, ambassadors,
+and courtiers were invited. Two hundred riders took part in the hunt
+that day, and "I myself," adds the grave historian, "was there and saw a
+hare caught by a leopard."
+
+On the 23rd of September the emperor took leave of the Duchess Beatrice,
+who presented him, as a parting gift, with a superb litter, made of
+woven gold, richly adorned with fine needlework--"the most beautiful
+thing which I have ever seen," writes Sanuto, "and valued at a thousand
+ducats." The duke accompanied his guest as far as Tortona, where he
+left Maximilian to go on to Genoa, and thence by sea to Pisa.
+
+"There are, people say, three reasons," remarked Marino Sanuto, "why His
+Imperial Majesty is such fast friends with the Duke of Milan. In the
+first place, he sees that Lodovico has great power and authority
+throughout Italy. In the second, he hopes to get some money out of him.
+And in the third place, he looks on him as a useful ally against the
+King of France."
+
+Happily for both the emperor and the Duke of Milan's peace of mind, the
+French king's military ardour had soon died away, and although Trivulzio
+was sent to Asti, and Orleans would gladly have followed him, Charles
+the Eighth spent his time in jousts and hunting-parties, and forgot his
+unhappy subjects in Southern Italy. Ferrante, assisted by a Venetian
+force under Francesco Gonzaga, recovered one fortress after another. On
+the 29th of July, Montpensier, after holding the fortified city of
+Atella during many months, was forced to capitulate with his five
+thousand men, and himself died of fever a few weeks later at Pozzuoli.
+Most of his troops shared the same fate, and few of that gallant army
+lived to return to France. Suddenly, in the midst of his victorious
+career, the young king Ferrante, who had a few months before obtained a
+papal dispensation to marry his father's youthful half-sister, Princess
+Joan, died of fever, brought on by the fatigues and hardships to which
+he had exposed himself in the previous campaign. His death was deeply
+lamented alike by his subjects and his relatives at Milan and Mantua,
+who retained a sincere affection for this brave and popular prince.
+Fortunately, his uncle and successor Frederic, the fifth king who had
+reigned over Naples during the last three years, proved a wise and
+capable monarch. By degrees he succeeded in capturing the few remaining
+castles still held by the French, and once more restored peace to his
+distracted kingdom. Such was the state of affairs that autumn, when the
+German emperor landed at Pisa on the 21st of October. The citizens
+received him with acclamations, and, pulling down the French king's
+statue, as they had broken the lion of Florence in pieces two years
+before, placed the imperial eagle on the top of the column in the public
+square. But they were once more doomed to disappointment. Maximilian,
+finding himself, as usual, ill supplied with both men and money, and
+being inadequately supported by his allies of Venice and Milan, was
+unable to prosecute the war against Florence with any vigour. He
+attempted to besiege Leghorn; but his fleet was scattered and many of
+his ships were wrecked by a violent storm, after which he gave up the
+undertaking, saying that he could not fight against both God and man.
+One day towards the end of November, he suddenly took his departure,
+and, leaving Pisa, returned by Sarzana to Pavia. The Venetians saw the
+failure of this expedition and the fruitless result of their large
+expenditure of men and money, with great dissatisfaction, and attributed
+most of the blame to Duke Lodovico.
+
+"Things go badly for the Signory at Pisa," wrote Malipiero, who was
+himself on board the Venetian fleet that sailed with Maximilian against
+Leghorn, "and the cause of this is Lodovico Duke of Milan.... His pride
+and arrogance are beyond description. He boasts that Pope Alexander is
+his chaplain, the Emperor Maximilian his condottiere, the Signory of
+Venice his chamberlain, since they spend their money largely to attain
+his ends, and the King of France his courier, who comes and goes at his
+pleasure. Truly a fearful state of things!"
+
+And Marino Sanuto remarked, "The Duke of Milan is one of the wisest men
+in the world, but his success has rendered him very ungrateful to
+Venice, whose secret enemy he will always remain. He made a great
+mistake in allowing the Duke of Orleans to escape from Novara, and some
+day he will be punished for his bad faith. For he never keeps his
+promises, and when he says one thing, always does another. All men fear
+him, because fortune is propitious to him in everything. But none the
+less, I believe that he will not continue long in prosperity, for God is
+just, and will punish him because he is a traitor and never keeps faith
+with any one."
+
+The Florentine Guicciardini moralized in much the same strain, saying
+that Lodovico publicly vaunted himself to be the son of Fortune, "little
+remembering the inconstancy of human fame," and flattered himself that
+he would always be able to govern the affairs of Italy, "with his
+industrie to turn and winde the minds of every one. This fond
+persuasion he could not dissemble, neither in himself, nor in his
+peoples, in so much that Milan day and night was replenished with voices
+vaine and glorious, celebrating with verses Latine and vulgar and with
+publicke orations full of flatterie, the wonderfull wisedom of Lodowike
+Sforce, on the which they made to depend the peace and warre of Italy,
+exalting his name even to the third heaven."
+
+In those days the bard of Pistoja proclaimed that there was one God in
+heaven and one Moro upon earth, and sang the praises of this great and
+divine Duca, who alone could open and close the doors of the Temple of
+Janus and make peace or war in Italy, while Gaspare Visconti extolled
+the talents and virtues of Duchess Beatrice as surpassing those of all
+the most illustrious women of antiquity. Then Leonardo designed that
+famous series of allegories in his sketch-book, in which Duke Lodovico
+is represented alternately as Fortune, driving the squalid figure of
+Poverty away with a golden wand, and throwing his ducal mantle over a
+helpless youth who flies before the ugly hag; or as supreme Wisdom,
+wearing the spectacles which can pierce through all disguises, and
+pronouncing sentence between Envy on the one hand and Justice on the
+other. Then Bramante painted those frescoes on the walls of the Castello
+of Milan, in which the Moro was seen crowned and seated on his throne,
+under a stately portico, administering justice, with four councillors
+and two pages at his side, while the criminal trembled before him, and
+officers of state held the scales and prepared to carry out the
+sentence. And then, too, somewhere else in the palace, an unknown
+Lombard master painted that fresco of Italy as a fair queen, with the
+names of the chief cities embroidered on her robes, and the Moro
+standing at her side, brushing the dust off her skirts with the
+_scopetta_ or little broom, that favourite emblem which appears in so
+many illuminated books of the day. On the wall below the painting, the
+following motto was inscribed:--
+
+"_Per Italia nettar d'ogni bruttura_."
+
+"Take care, my lord duke," the Florentine ambassador is reported to have
+said, when Lodovico graciously explained the meaning of the
+allegory--"take care the negro who is so busy brushing Italy's skirts
+does not cover himself with dust in his turn!" The courteous duke only
+smiled at the jest, and shrugged his shoulders; but others overheard the
+remark and repeated it, much to the satisfaction of his foes in Florence
+and Venice.
+
+The fame of the great and powerful Duke of Milan had reached the distant
+cliffs of Albion and the palace of Westminster, and that November
+Lodovico received a letter from Henry VII. of England, rejoicing with
+his new ally on the conclusion of the League against France, and the
+visit of the emperor to Italy. The king further informed him that "the
+treaty had been solemnly proclaimed by the Cardinal-Archbishop of
+Conturberi, on the Feast of All Saints, in the cathedral church of the
+Blessed Apostle St. Paul, in our city of London." And our friend, Marino
+Sanuto, proceeds to improve the occasion by informing us that "this King
+Enrico has for wife Madonna Ysabeta, daughter of the late King Edward,
+because he defended the cause of Richard, brother of the said Edward.
+And he has two sons, Artur, prince of Squales, which is a neighbouring
+island, and the Duke of Yorche."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+Isabella d'Este joins her husband in Naples--Works of Bramante and
+Leonardo in the Castello of Milan--The Cenacolo--Lodovico sends for
+Perugino--His passion for Lucrezia Crivelli--Grief of Beatrice--Death of
+Bianca Sforza--The Emperor Maximilian at Pavia--The Duke and Duchess
+return to Milan--Last days and sudden death of Beatrice d'Este.
+
+1496
+
+
+The records we have of Beatrice's private life during this busy year are
+very meagre and disappointing. Scarcely one of her letters, belonging to
+this period, has been preserved, while those which her sister Isabella
+addressed to Milan are almost as rare. The _marchesa's_ time and
+thoughts had been much engaged in public affairs during the absence of
+her husband with the Venetian forces at Naples, and she had little
+leisure for correspondence. On the 13th of July she gave birth to a
+second child, which, to her great disappointment, proved to be another
+girl, who received the name of Margherita, but only lived a few weeks.
+Of this event the duchess was duly informed, and, in sending her
+congratulations, was able to tell her sister that she was hoping to
+become the mother of a third child early in the following year. In
+September the marquis fell dangerously ill of fever, and his wife
+hurried to join him in Calabria, and, as soon as he was able to move,
+brought him back by slow stages to Mantua. During that summer, the only
+letter of interest which Isabella wrote to the Milanese court was a note
+to her friend, the jester Barone, begging him to find out for her how
+Messer Galeazzo and others who like him are the glass of fashion, manage
+to dye their hair black on certain occasions, and afterwards resume the
+natural colour of their locks, adding that she remembers distinctly to
+have seen Count Francesco Sforza with black locks one day, and the next
+with brown.
+
+On the 9th of November, Lodovico wrote an imperative note from Vigevano
+to the Castellan of the Rocchetta, Bernardino del Corte, desiring him to
+see that the walls of the new rooms are dry and ready for habitation by
+the end of the month, since the duchess must have the use of the
+apartments adjoining the ball-room during her approaching confinement,
+and telling him to ask Bergonzio, the treasurer, for money, if more
+should be required. Bernardino replied that the rooms were finished, and
+that good fires had been lighted to dry the walls, and that the whole
+suite would be furnished by the following week and ready to receive the
+duchess. He also informed the duke that the new rooms on the side of the
+garden would be completed by Christmas, and told him that Bramante,
+after finishing the arcades of the new gallery between the ball-room and
+Rocchetta, had begun the design of the new tower. Both Leonardo and
+Bramante were employed on extensive works in the Castello during the
+duke's absence that summer, although the Florentine master, we know, was
+chiefly engaged in finishing his great fresco in the refectory of the
+Dominican convent outside the Porta Vercellina. Often during the summer
+heats, Matteo Bandello, then a young novice of the Order, saw the
+Florentine master at noonday, "when the sun was in the sign of the
+Lion," leave the Corte Vecchia, where he was finishing his great horse,
+and, hurrying through the streets to the Grazie, mount the scaffold,
+brush in hand, and put a few touches to some of the figures in the
+Cenacolo, after which he would hurry away as quickly as he came. Often
+too the young friar watched him at his work; "for this excellent
+painter," Matteo tells us, "always liked to hear other people give their
+opinions freely on his pictures." Many a time the young Dominican saw
+Messer Leonardo ascend the scaffold in the early morning, and remain
+there from sunrise till the hour of twilight, forgetting to eat and
+drink, and painting all the while without a moment's pause. Sometimes
+again he would not paint a single stroke for several days, but just
+stand before the picture during one or two hours, contemplating his
+work, and considering and examining the different figures. And the
+friars were very much annoyed because of the master's delays, and
+complained to the duke, who paid him so large a sum for the work, that
+he had not yet begun the head of the traitor Judas. When the duke asked
+Leonardo why he left this head undone, he replied that during the last
+year he had been vainly seeking in all the worst streets of Milan to
+find a type of criminal who would suit the character of Judas, but that
+if desired he would introduce the prior's own likeness, which he thought
+would answer the purpose excellently! This answer is said to have amused
+the duke highly, and Lodovico and his painter had a good laugh together
+at the expense of the prior.
+
+But since Leonardo was otherwise engaged, and another painter who had
+been employed in the Castello suddenly disappeared, owing, we are told,
+to some scandal in which he was concerned, the duke determined to send
+to Florence for another artist to complete the decorations of his new
+rooms. There was evidently no Lombard master whom he considered equal to
+the task, and since Lorenzo de' Medici had sent him Leonardo, there
+might be some other artists of rare excellence among his
+fellow-citizens. So Lodovico wrote to his envoy at Florence, and desired
+him to let him have a full description of the best painters then living
+there. In reply, he received the following list, which is still
+preserved in the archives of Milan, and which is of great interest, both
+as a monument of the Moro's untiring perseverance in seeking out the
+best masters, and as a record of the different degrees of estimation in
+which living artists were held by their contemporaries:--
+
+"Sandro de Botticelli--a most excellent master, both in panel and
+wall-painting. His figures have a manly air, and are admirable in
+conception and proportion.
+
+"Filippino di Frati Filippo--an excellent disciple of the above-named,
+and a son of the rarest master of our times. His heads have a gentler
+and more suave air; but, we are inclined to think, less art.
+
+"Il Perugino--a rare and singular artist, most excellent in
+wall-painting. His faces have an air of the most angelic sweetness.
+
+"Domenico de Grillandaio--a good master in panels and a better one in
+wall-painting. His figures are good, and he is an industrious and active
+master, who produces much work.
+
+"All of these masters have given proof of their excellence in the Chapel
+of Pope Sixtus, excepting Filippino, and also in the Spedaletto of the
+Magnifico Laurentio, and their merit is almost equal."[63]
+
+This intimation seems to have decided Lodovico to apply to Perugino,
+whom Leonardo had known as his fellow-pupil in Verrocchio's atelier at
+Florence, and who was supposed to be in Venice at the time. So his
+secretary wrote to desire Guido Arcimboldo, the Archbishop of Milan, who
+was then in Venice, to inquire for the Umbrian master, and see if he
+could be induced to visit Milan. The archbishop, writing on the 14th of
+June, replied that Maestro Pietro of Perugia had left Venice six months
+ago and was back at Florence. Lodovico, however, did not lose sight of
+the master, and in the following October, by his desire, the monks of
+the Certosa of Pavia engaged this popular artist to paint an altar-piece
+for one of their chapels. In the following year the duke returned to the
+charge, and hearing that Perugino had returned to his native city, wrote
+two pressing letters to one of the Baglioni, who was the chief
+magistrate of Perugia, begging him, as a personal favour, to induce
+Messer Pietro to come to Milan, and offering to pay the artist whatever
+price he may ask, and to retain him permanently in his service or keep
+him only for a fixed time, as he may think best. Perugino, however, was
+then engaged in decorating the Sala del Cambio in his native town, and
+had already more commissions than he could execute. He declined the Duke
+of Milan's repeated invitations, and the Moro was obliged to fall back
+upon Bramante and Leonardo to finish the works in the Castello.
+
+But although the duke's passion for building new churches and palaces or
+beautifying those which he had already built, was as ardent as ever, it
+became more and more difficult to find the money to meet the vast
+expenditure which his splendid schemes involved. The _fêtes_ in honour
+of Maximilian and the subsidies which had been granted for his
+expedition had already entailed heavy expenses, and on every side the
+same complaint was heard. There was no money to pay the salaries of the
+numerous professors at Pavia and Milan, whose chairs had been founded
+by Lodovico himself; none to pay the bills for building and furnishing
+the new rooms in the Castello, or to cast Leonardo's great horse in
+bronze. Everywhere people were groaning at the heavy burdens imposed
+upon them, and at Lodi, Cremona, and other places there had been not
+only murmuring against the duke, but actual rioting and tumults, while
+in some parts of the duchy the inhabitants were leaving their homes to
+escape these harsh exactions. Lodovico's most faithful servants began to
+look grave, and the duke himself could not but be aware of his growing
+unpopularity among his subjects.
+
+Whether these rumours reached the ears of Beatrice and disturbed her
+happiness, we cannot tell; but we know that her life was saddened and
+the gladness of her heart clouded by a new sorrow that autumn. The duke,
+who for many years past had proved himself a devoted and affectionate
+husband, and realized better than any one what an admirable companion
+and partner he had in his young wife, suddenly found a new object for
+his affections in Lucrezia Crivelli, a beautiful and accomplished maiden
+of a noble Milanese family, who was one of the duchess's
+ladies-in-waiting. Soon Lodovico's passion for this new mistress became
+publicly known, Leonardo was employed to paint her picture; and, under
+the date of November, 1496, the annalist of Ferrara writes, "The latest
+news from Milan is that the duke spends his whole time and finds all his
+pleasure in the company of a girl who is one of his wife's maidens. And
+his conduct is ill regarded here." The chronicler Muralti, in his brief
+and touching account of the young duchess, after recalling Beatrice's
+charms and joyous nature, tells us that, although Lodovico loved his
+wife intensely, he took Lucrezia Crivelli for his mistress, a thing
+which caused Beatrice the most bitter anguish of mind, but could not
+alter her love for him. And remorse for the pain which he had caused
+Beatrice gave the sharpest sting to Lodovico's own despair, on that sad
+day when he wept for his young wife's early death.
+
+That autumn a fresh and unexpected blow fell upon the ducal family, in
+the death of Lodovico's beloved daughter Bianca, the young wife of
+Galeazzo di Sanseverino, who died very suddenly at Vigevano, on the
+22nd of November. Both the duke and duchess had been fondly attached to
+this fair young girl who only four or five months before had become the
+wife of Galeazzo, and was one of Beatrice's favourite companions. Her
+sudden and premature death threw a gloom over the whole court, and in
+elegant verse Niccolo da Correggio deplored the loss of the gentle
+maiden who had gone in the flower of her youth to join the blessed
+spirits, and grieved for the gallant husband whom a cruel fate had so
+early robbed of his bride. There can be little doubt that we have a
+portrait of this lamented princess in the beautiful picture of the
+Ambrosiana, which, long supposed to be the work of Leonardo, is now
+recognized by the best critics as that of Ambrogio de Predis. At one
+time this portrait was said to represent Beatrice herself, but neither
+the long slender throat nor the delicate features bear the least
+resemblance to those of the duchess, while the style of head-dress is
+equally unlike that which Beatrice wears in authentic representations.
+Again, some critics have supposed the Ambrosian picture to represent
+Kaiser Maximilian's wife, Bianca Maria Sforza; but the discovery of
+Ambrogio de Predis's actual portrait of the empress, and of his sketch
+of her head in the Venetian Academy, have shown this theory to be
+impossible. The Venetian Marc Antonio Michieli, who saw this picture in
+Taddeo Contarini's house at Venice in 1525, describes it as "a profile
+portrait of the head and bust of Madonna, daughter of Signor Lodovico of
+Milan," after which he adds, "married to the Emperor Maximilian ... by
+the hand of ... _Milanese_." The connoisseur had evidently confused the
+two Bianca Sforzas, but now that this mistake has been explained by a
+comparison of the Ambrosian portrait with genuine pictures and medals of
+the empress, there is no difficulty in accepting the remainder of his
+statement. For we have here, there can be little doubt, the portrait of
+Lodovico's daughter, by the hand of a Milanese painter, in all
+probability, as Morelli divined, the court-painter of the ducal house,
+Ambrogio de Predis. And the German critic, Dr. Müller-Walde, is probably
+right in his conjecture that the companion picture in the Ambrosiana is
+the portrait of Bianca's husband, Galeazzo di Sanseverino. This picture
+has been called by many names, and ascribed to many different hands. It
+has been described in turn as a portrait of Maximilian, of the
+short-lived Duke Giangaleazzo, and of Lodovico Moro himself. But
+Ambrogio's portrait certainly represents none of the three, and it is
+far more likely that we have here a likeness of the duke's son-in-law,
+painted about the time of his marriage to Bianca Sforza. This handsome
+man of thirty, in the fur-trimmed vest and red cap, with the dark eyes,
+long locks, and refined thoughtful face, touched with an air of
+melancholy, may well be the brilliant cavalier who played so great a
+part at the Moro's court, the patron of Leonardo and Luca Pacioli, and
+the loyal servant of Duchess Beatrice.
+
+Both the duke and his wife were overwhelmed with grief at Madonna
+Bianca's death. Lodovico himself wrote to Isabella d'Este that the wound
+had pierced his inmost heart, and the duchess and Messer Galeaz both
+expressed their grief in touching words. On the 23rd of November,
+Beatrice wrote these few sad lines to her sister--
+
+"Although you will have already heard from my husband the duke of the
+premature death of Madonna Bianca, his daughter and the wife of Messer
+Galeaz, none the less I must write these few lines with my own hand, to
+tell you how great is the trouble and distress which her death has
+caused me. The loss indeed is greater than I can express, because of our
+close relationship and of the place which she held in my heart. May God
+have her soul in His keeping!"[64]
+
+[Illustration: Galeazzo Di Sanseverino.
+
+From a painting by Ambrogio de Predis.
+
+(Ambrosiana)
+
+D. Anderson.]
+
+All the _fêtes_ which had been prepared in honour of the emperor's
+return to Lombardy were stopped, and the duke and duchess, with their
+little son, attended by a small suite of courtiers and ladies, in deep
+mourning, travelled by water to Pavia, to receive their illustrious
+kinsman when he arrived from Sarzana on the 2nd of December. On this
+occasion Maximilian behaved with great consideration, and showed deep
+sympathy with his distressed relatives. Instead of making a public entry
+through the city, he rode up through the park to the private gate of the
+Castello, where the duke and duchess met him and conducted him to his
+rooms. Here he spent the evening alone in their company, and refused to
+see any one but the little Count of Pavia, for whom he is said to have
+cherished great affection. The Venetian envoy, Francesco Foscari,
+hearing of the emperor's arrival, hastened to Pavia, and with difficulty
+obtained an audience from His Majesty, who told him that it was
+impossible for him to visit Milan or remain any longer in Italy, since
+the German Diet was about to meet, and he had promised to join his son,
+the Archduke Philip, at Augsburg. A council was held in the Castello to
+discuss political affairs, but it was plain that the Pisans had nothing
+more to expect from their imperial ally, and Maximilian was only anxious
+to be back in Germany. On the 4th he attended a solemn requiem mass for
+the lamented princess Bianca in the Duomo, and in the afternoon rode out
+to the Certosa with Lodovico, who showed him all the wonders of that
+famous church and abbey. On the 6th, the duke took his wife, whose
+delicate state of health needed rest, back to Milan, and a few days
+later returned with Foscari to meet the emperor at the ducal villa of
+Cussago. On the 11th, Maximilian went to Groppello, where he knighted
+the Venetian ambassador and dismissed him, after which he took leave of
+the duke, says the chronicler, with many expressions of affection on
+both sides, and once more set out on his journey across the terrible
+mountains. His expedition, remarked the Venetian writer, "has effected
+nothing, and he leaves Italy in still greater confusion than he found
+her."
+
+Lodovico now joined his wife at Milan in time to receive another guest
+in the person of Chiara Gonzaga, the widowed Duchess of Montpensier, who
+was on her way back from France. Since her husband's death at Pozzuoli,
+this unfortunate lady had been vainly trying to recover her fortune from
+the French king, and was full of gratitude to the duke for his friendly
+exertions on her behalf. Both her sons, Louis de Bourbon and Charles the
+famous Connétable, were fighting with the remnants of the French army
+against her brother in Naples, and both were to lose their lives in the
+wars of Italy, while she herself spent the rest of her existence in
+poverty and seclusion at Mantua. But to the last she remained a loyal
+friend to Lodovico, with whom she corresponded frequently. On the 22nd,
+Chiara left Milan, and the celebration of the Christmas festival began.
+But the courtiers and ladies-in-waiting noticed the strange and mournful
+forebodings which seemed to oppress their young duchess. They often saw
+tears in her eyes, and wondered whether they were caused by her
+husband's neglect or grief for the loss of Bianca. Day after day she
+paid long visits to the Church of S. Maria delle Grazie, where the
+duke's daughter had been laid to rest in this his favourite shrine.
+There in those last days of the year Beatrice might constantly be seen,
+spending hours in prayer at the tomb of the young princess, and musing
+sadly on the vanity of human joys. But no one dreamt how soon her own
+end was at hand.
+
+On Monday, the 2nd of January, the Duchess Beatrice drove in her chariot
+through the park of the Castello and along the streets of the city to
+the Porta Vercellina and the Church of S. Maria delle Grazie, where even
+then Leonardo was at work upon his great fresco. In the eyes of the
+people who saw her pass, she seemed in excellent health, and returned
+their loyal greetings with the same gracious charm. But when she reached
+the Dominican church, and had paid her devotions at Our Lady's altar,
+and prayed for the repose of her daughter's soul, she lingered by the
+new-made tomb, rapt in sorrowful thought, and it was long before her
+ladies could persuade her to come away. After her return to the Castello
+that afternoon, there was dancing in her rooms in the Rocchetta until
+eight o'clock in the evening, when she was suddenly taken ill. Three
+hours later she gave birth to a still-born son, and half an hour after
+midnight her spirit passed away.
+
+That night, contemporary writers tell us, "the sky above the Castello of
+Milan was all a-blaze with fiery flames, and the walls of the duchess's
+own garden fell with a sudden crash to the ground, although there was
+neither wind nor earthquake. And these things were held to be evil
+omens." "And from that time," adds Marino Sanuto, "the duke began to be
+sore troubled, and to suffer great woes, having up to that time lived
+very happily."
+
+Beatrice was gone, and with her all the joy and delight of the duke's
+life had passed away. The court was turned from an earthly paradise into
+the blackest hell, and ruin overtook the Moro and the whole realm of
+Milan, as the poet of the house of Este sang in his _Orlando Furioso_--
+
+"Come ella poi lascerà il mondo,
+Così degli infelici andrà nel fondo."
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[63] Dr. Müller-Walde in _Jahrbuch d. pr. Kunst_, 1897.
+
+[64] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 639.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+
+Grief of the Duke of Milan--His letters to Mantua and Pavia--Interview
+with Costabili--Funeral of Duchess Beatrice--Mourning of her
+husband--Letters of the Emperor Maximilian and Chiara Gonzaga--Tomb of
+Beatrice in Santa Maria delle Grazie--Leonardo's Cenacolo, and portraits
+of the duke and duchess--Lucrezia Crivelli.
+
+1497
+
+
+The horror and confusion that reigned in the Castello of Milan that
+night was long remembered. There was sorrow and consternation among
+Beatrice's servants, and dismay upon the faces of secretaries and
+courtiers who stood waiting for news in the halls and porticoes of
+Bramante's building. The duke's grief was said to be terrible. For some
+time he refused to see any one, and many days passed before even his
+children were admitted into their father's presence. But, with
+characteristic strength of mind, he sent for his secretaries that
+morning, and himself dictated the letters which bore the sad news to
+Beatrice's family at Mantua and Ferrara. In that dark hour the passion
+of his love and sorrow breaks through conventional formalities, and
+gives a touch of pathos to the brief message which he sent to Francesco
+Gonzaga--
+
+"MOST ILLUSTRIOUS RELATIVE AND DEAREST BROTHER,--
+
+"My wife was taken with sudden pains at eight o'clock last night. At
+eleven she gave birth to a dead son, and at half-past twelve she gave
+back her spirit to God. This cruel and premature end has filled me with
+bitter and indescribable anguish, so much so that I would rather have
+died myself than lose the dearest and most precious thing that I had in
+this world. But great and excessive as is my grief, beyond all measure,
+and grievous as your own will be, I know, I feel that I must tell you
+this myself, because of the brotherly love between us. And I beg you not
+to send any one to condole with me, as that would only renew my sorrow.
+I would not write to the Madonna Marchesana, and leave you to break the
+news to her as you think best, knowing well how inexpressible her sorrow
+will be.
+
+                                   "LODOVICUS M. SFORTIA,
+                                           _Anglus Dux Mediolani_.[65]
+
+Milan, January 3, 1497, 6 o'clock."
+
+The same day the duke sent the following intimation to the loyal
+citizens of Pavia: "Last night at half-past twelve our beloved wife,
+after giving birth to a son who died at eleven, changed this life for
+death, which most cruel event snatches from us one who, by reason of her
+rare and singular virtues, was dearer to us than our own life. You will
+understand what our grief is and how difficult it is to bear this
+irreparable loss with patience and reason. We beg of you to pray God for
+the soul of our dearest consort, and to hold solemn funeral services in
+the Duomo and in all other churches of the city."[66]
+
+About four o'clock that afternoon, the Ferrarese ambassador, Antonio
+Costabili, received an unexpected summons to the Castello, and he was
+admitted into the duke's presence. We give the details of his interview
+with the grief-stricken prince, in his own words from a letter which he
+addressed the same evening to Beatrice's father, Duke Ercole--
+
+"MOST ILLUSTRIOUS AND EXCELLENT LORD,
+
+"Although I had received a message to the effect that I need not leave
+the house before night, as none of your august family could be present
+at the funeral of our most illustrious Madonna, the late duchess,
+nevertheless at four o'clock the duke sent two councillors to fetch me,
+and accompanied by these gentlemen, I went to the Camera della Torre in
+the Castello, where I found all the ambassadors, ducal councillors, and
+a very large company of gentlemen assembled. Directly I arrived, his
+Excellency sent for me, and I found him in his room, lying on the bed,
+quite prostrate, and more overwhelmed with grief than any one whom I
+have ever seen. After the customary salutations, I endeavoured, in
+obedience to the request of some of his councillors, to exhort his
+Highness to take a little comfort and have patience, trying to make use
+of whatever words came into my mind at the moment, and entreating him to
+bear this cruel blow with constancy and fortitude, because in this
+manner he would give comfort and courage to your Excellency in helping
+you to bear your grief, and at the same time relieve the anxieties of
+his own servants, and restore hope and peace to their hearts.
+
+"His Highness thanked me for my kindness, and said that he could not
+bear this most cruel and grievous sorrow without speaking out the
+thoughts of his heart freely, and had sent for me, in order to tell me
+that if, as he was conscious, he had not always behaved as well as he
+should have done to your daughter, who deserved all good things, and who
+had never done him any wrong whatsoever, he begged both your
+Excellency's pardon, and hers for whose sake his heart was now sorely
+troubled. He went on to tell me that in every one of his prayers he had
+asked our Lord God to allow her to survive him, since he placed all his
+trust and peace of mind in her. And, since this had not been the will of
+God, he prayed, and would never cease praying, that if it were ever
+possible for a living man to see the dead, God would give him grace to
+see her and speak to her once more, since he had loved her better than
+himself. After many sobs and lamentations, he ended by begging me to
+assure your Highness that the love and affection which he bore you would
+never be diminished in the smallest degree, and that he would retain the
+same warm sentiments for you and for all your sons, as long as he lived,
+and would prove by his actions the depth and sincerity of his feelings.
+Then I took my leave, and he told me to go and follow the corpse, with a
+fresh outburst of sorrow, lamenting her in language so true and natural
+that it would have moved the very stones to tears. Thus, still weeping,
+I returned to join the other ambassadors, who all approached and
+expressed their grief and sympathy with your Excellency in very loving
+and compassionate words.
+
+"The obsequies which followed were celebrated with all possible
+magnificence and pomp. All the ambassadors at present in Milan, among
+whom were one from the King of the Romans, two from the King of Spain,
+and others from all the powers of Italy, lifted the corpse and bore it
+to the first gate of the Castello. Here the privy councillors took the
+body in their turn, and at the corners of the streets groups of
+magistrates stood waiting to receive it. All the relatives of the ducal
+family wore long mourning cloaks that trailed on the ground, and hoods
+over their heads. I walked first with the Marchese Ermes, and the others
+followed, each in his right order. We bore her to Santa Maria delle
+Grazie, attended by an innumerable company of monks and nuns and
+priests, bearing crosses of gold, of silver and wood, infinite numbers
+of gentlemen and citizens, and crowds of people of every rank and class,
+all weeping and making the greatest lamentation that was ever seen, for
+the great loss which this city has suffered in the death of its duchess.
+There were so many wax torches it was marvellous to see! At the gates of
+Santa Maria delle Grazie, the ambassadors were waiting to receive the
+body, and, taking it from the hands of the chief magistrates, they bore
+it to the steps of the high altar, where the most reverend
+cardinal-legate was seated, in his purple robes, between two bishops,
+and himself said the whole Office. And there the duchess was laid on a
+bier draped with cloth of gold, bearing the arms of the house of Sforza,
+and clad in one of her richest _camoras_ of gold brocade.
+
+"My dear lord, besides the extraordinary demonstrations of grief which
+have been shown by the whole people of this city, and by the women quite
+as much as by the men, which may well be a great consolation to your
+Excellency, I must tell you how above all others, Signore Messer
+Galeazzo di Sanseverino has both by his words and deeds, as well as by
+his demonstrations of sorrow, given admirable expression to the
+affection which he had for the duchess, and has taken care to make known
+to every one the virtues and goodness of that most illustrious Madonna.
+All of which I have felt it my duty to tell your Excellency, in the
+hope that it may help to alleviate your sorrow, praying you to maintain
+the same fortitude that you have always shown hitherto.
+
+"To whose favour I ever commend myself,
+
+                                   "Your Excellency's servant,
+                                              ANTONIUS COSTABILIS.[67]
+
+Milan, January 3, 1497."
+
+So, by the light of a thousand torches, at the close of the short
+winter's day, the long procession of mourners bore Duchess Beatrice to
+her last resting-place under Bramante's cupola, in the church of Our
+Lady. It was the duke's pleasure that his dearly loved wife should rest
+there, before the altar where she had often worshipped, by the side of
+the young daughter whom they had both loved so well. Only a year or two
+before, the people of Milan had seen her enter those doors in the bloom
+of her youthful beauty and the joy of her proud young motherhood to give
+thanks for the birth of her first-born son. But yesterday they had
+watched her moving among them, full of life and charm; now they saw her
+lying there in her gorgeous brocades and jewelled necklace, with her
+eyes closed in death and the dark locks curling over her marble brow.
+
+It was a tragedy which might well melt the heart of the bravest man and
+move the sternest to tears. No wonder that men like Galeazzo and the
+Marchesino, who had shared Beatrice's pleasures, and had seen her so
+lately foremost in the chase and gayest in dance and song, wept when
+they saw her lying there cold and lifeless. As the chroniclers one and
+all tell us, "Such grief had never been known before in Milan."
+
+In Ferrara, the home of Beatrice's childhood, where she was loved both
+for her own and for her mother's sake, the sorrow was scarcely less.
+
+"On Wednesday, the 4th of January," writes the diarist, "came the news
+of the death of Beatrice, Duchess of Milan. And the duke was very sad,
+and so were all the people. And on the 12th, Duke Ercole attended an
+Office said for the repose of the late duchess in the church of the
+Dominicans, which was all hung with black, and all the clergy,
+magistrates, and courtiers were there, carrying lighted torches; all the
+people wore black, and the shops were closed as if it were Christmas,
+and more than 400 Masses were said for the repose of her soul, and 660
+candles were burnt that day. It was a fine day, but a great quantity of
+wax tapers were used for this funeral service. As for the Duke of Milan,
+I will say nothing, because the things he does sound incredible to those
+who have not seen them. Certainly the extraordinary honours which he
+pays his dead wife show how dearly he loved her. She has left him two
+little sons. And all Ferrara sorrows for her death, and I saw many
+weeping. And so goes this ribald world."[68]
+
+That year no races were held on St. George's Day, at Ferrara, and the
+_pallium_ usually given to the winner was presented by Duke Ercole to
+the Franciscan Church.
+
+At Mantua there was the same general lamentation, and the same funeral
+Masses were offered up for the young duchess, who had not yet completed
+her twenty-second year. Isabella's own sorrow was great.
+
+"When I think," she wrote to her father, on the 5th of January, "what a
+loving, honoured, and only sister I have lost, I am so much oppressed
+with the burden of this sudden loss, that I know not how I can ever find
+comfort."
+
+And the marquis, writing to Duke Lodovico, says that he had never seen
+his wife so completely overwhelmed with grief; and that she who has
+always shown herself full of strong and manly courage in adversity, is
+now utterly broken down. On hearing this, Lodovico roused himself from
+the torpor of his grief to try and comfort his sister-in-law, and sent
+her an affectionate letter by one of his secretaries, begging her to
+seek the consolation which he himself could not find, and telling her
+how much he thought of her, even though his own grief and bitterness of
+soul made it impossible for him to write with his own hand. From all
+sides letters of condolence flowed in. Elegies and Latin verses recalled
+the charms and talents of Beatrice and lamented the hard fate which had
+snatched her away in the flower of life. Among these poetical tributes,
+Niccolo da Correggio's sonnet on seeing a portrait of the late duchess
+is perhaps the best.
+
+"Se a li occhi mostri quel che fosti viva
+   Morti lor, come te, nulla vedranno
+   Ma le parte invisibil tue staranno.
+   Po che del secol questa eta sia priva.
+Laude al pictor, ma più laude in che scriva
+   Quello a futuri che i presenti sanno,
+   Origin e stato e che al triseptimo anno
+   Morte spense ogni ben che in te fioriva.
+Ma come excedo tua forma il pennello
+   Excederà le tue virtù le penne
+   E resterà imperfetto, e questo e quello."
+
+The poet's complaint that the painter's art can never reproduce one-half
+of the dead lady's charms is literally true in this instance, and those
+of Beatrice's portraits which we possess do but scant justice to the
+brightness and beauty which fascinated young and old among her
+contemporaries. Two of the letters addressed to Lodovico on this
+melancholy occasion are especially worthy of mention. One was a Latin
+epistle from the Emperor Maximilian, in which the writer expresses his
+cordial regard for the duke and his frank admiration for the lamented
+duchess whose delightful company he had so lately enjoyed.
+
+The letter bears the date of January 11, 1497, and was written from
+Innsbrück.
+
+"MOST ILLUSTRIOUS PRINCE AND DEAREST OF KINSMEN AND FRIENDS,
+
+"Having just heard of the sad calamity which has befallen you in the
+death of your illustrious wife, Beatrice, our most dear kinswoman, we
+are filled with grief both on account of our great affection for you and
+of all the gifts of person and mind which adorned that renowned
+princess, and which now only adds to the heaviness of our mutual loss.
+Nothing could grieve us more at this present moment than to find
+ourselves thus suddenly deprived of a relative who was dear to us above
+all other princesses, and whose surpassing charms and virtues we had
+lately learnt to value as they deserved. But we are still more
+distressed to think that you whom we love so well should lose in her,
+not only a sweet wife, but a companion who in so remarkable a degree
+shared the burdens of your crown and lightened your cares and cheered
+your labours by her society. As for her, although she was one of the few
+women worthy of perpetual regret and eternal remembrance, this premature
+death is no true cause of sorrow, and we take comfort in the thought
+that, since we must all die, they are most blessed who die young and
+who, having lived happily in their youth, escape the innumerable
+calamities of this miserable world and the evils of a weary old age.
+Your most fortunate wife enjoyed all that makes life good; no gift of
+body and mind, no advantage of beauty or birth, was denied her. She was
+in every respect worthy to be your wife and to reign over the most
+flourishing realm in Italy. She has left you the sweetest children to
+recall the face of their lost mother, and to be alike the consolation of
+your present sorrow and the staff of your declining years. And when the
+time comes for you to go hence, you will be able to leave them a
+peaceful throne and the immortal memory of your name. May the
+recollection of all the good that you owe her help you to share in these
+consolations, so that, having already mourned your dear one's death more
+than enough, your tears may at length be dried and she may rest more
+safely, while we on our part are once more able to avail ourselves of
+your help in these difficult and perilous times."[69]
+
+The other letter was written to the duke on the 5th of January, from
+Mantua, by Chiara Gonzaga, the widowed Duchess of Montpensier, who had
+so lately enjoyed the pleasure of Beatrice's company at Milan, and who
+now poured out the fulness of her grief and sympathy with the bereaved
+husband.
+
+"The piteous and lamentable news of your wife's sudden death, which, my
+dear lord, I have just received, has so bitterly revived my own sorrows,
+that I am unable to write to your Excellency as I ought, or speak a
+single word of comfort, '_Chè medico morbeso mal sana li malatti_'--for
+a sick doctor cures sick folks badly.--All I can do is to join my tears
+with your own in lamenting this cruel and grievous misfortune and our
+mutual sorrow, which I only wish I could bear in your stead. Had
+fortune only better understood your need and mine, she would have left
+that blessed soul to enjoy all the prosperity in store for her, and
+would have allowed death to relieve me from the burden of my tearful and
+wretched existence. May that Divine Providence, Who orders all things
+for some good end, give your Excellency comfort and lead this toilsome
+life to a safe haven."[70]
+
+Maximilian's allusion to the duke's prolonged mourning for his wife
+agrees with the remarks of the Ferrarese and Venetian chroniclers. To
+these men of the Renaissance, accustomed as they were to pass quickly
+from one phase of life to another and to witness swift and sudden
+changes of fortune, this inconsolable grief seemed beyond understanding.
+For a whole fortnight Lodovico remained in a darkened room, refusing to
+see his children, and taking no pleasure even in their company. No
+ambassadors were admitted into his presence; even Borso da Correggio,
+who came from Ferrara, was referred to the Marchesino Stanga and the
+Conte di Caiazzo, as deputies appointed by the duke to receive
+condolences. And when Lodovico saw his ministers, they were strictly
+charged only to speak of business matters, and never to mention the name
+of the duchess or allude to the duke's recent bereavement. So complete
+was his seclusion and so profound his melancholy, that those about him
+began to tremble for his reason. "The duke," wrote Sanuto, "has ceased
+to care for his children or his state or anything on earth, and can
+hardly bear to live." But fears of his old enemy Louis of Orleans before
+long roused him from the apathy and despair, and showed his foes that
+they had still to reckon with him. Rumours of a French invasion were
+once more heard; Trivulzio was at Asti with a strong force, and the Duke
+of Orleans was shortly expected to lead an expedition into Lombardy and
+assert his claim to Milan.
+
+On the 17th of January, Lodovico shaved his head, came out of his room,
+and publicly gave the standard and bâton of command to Galeazzo di
+Sanseverino, who was sent to defend Alessandria at the head of a
+considerable Milanese and German army. But the French king's health was
+failing, and the Duke of Orleans, who, since the death of the little
+dauphin twelve months before, had become the next heir to the crown,
+suddenly refused to leave France. Trivulzio was repulsed in an attack
+on Novi; while an attempt to seize Genoa, which was set on foot by the
+Cardinal della Rovere and Battista Fregoso, was frustrated by the prompt
+measures of defence taken by the Duke of Milan and the Venetians.
+
+Meanwhile every possible honour was paid to the memory of Duchess
+Beatrice. All through the duchy, during the month of January, solemn
+funeral services were held, and one hundred requiem masses were said
+daily in S. Maria delle Grazie for the repose of her soul, while a
+hundred tapers were kept burning day and night round the stone
+sarcophagus supported by lions in which her remains were interred. The
+duke himself, clad in a suit of black fustian and wrapt in a long black
+cloak, which all his courtiers wore as a badge of mourning, attended two
+or three masses daily, as well as many offices to Our Lady, and sent a
+hundred gold ducats to the Santa Casa at Loreto, in discharge of a vow
+which poor Beatrice had made to take a pilgrimage to that famous shrine
+after the birth of her child.
+
+Marino Sanuto, writing in August, seven months after Beatrice's death,
+remarks that since his wife's death the duke has become an altered man.
+"He is very religious, recites offices daily, observes fasts, and lives
+chastely and devoutly. His rooms are still hung with black, and he takes
+all his meals standing, and wears a long black cloak. He goes every day
+to visit the church where his wife is buried, and never leaves this
+undone, and much of his time is spent with the friars of the convent."
+And a Dominican historian, Padre Rovegnatino, then living, records how
+during the whole of the next year Lodovico visited the convent regularly
+twice a week--on Tuesday, which, being the day of the week on which
+Beatrice died, he always kept as a fast, and on Saturday, and on these
+occasions dined with the prior Giovanni da Tortona and his successor
+Vincenzo Baldelli.
+
+The decoration and improvement of this church and convent now became the
+chief object of Lodovico's thoughts. The beautiful shrine which he had
+already adorned with Bramante's cupola and portico, was now doubly dear
+to him for the sake of Beatrice and his dead children. The annals of the
+convent record the multitude of his benefactions to both church and
+convent, and the cordial relations which he maintained with the
+Dominican friars to the end of his reign. First of all, he applied
+himself to raise a monument to the memory of Beatrice immediately in
+front of the high altar, where her remains were buried. The sculptor
+whom he chose for this work was Cristoforo Solari, called _Il Gobbo_, or
+the hunchback, a surname which he had inherited from his father, who
+seems to have been deformed. The Solari were a race of sculptors, many
+of whom had been employed at the Certosa, while Cristoforo, who had
+settled in Venice about 1490, was recalled to Milan about this time and
+appointed ducal sculptor, on the recommendation of the Marchesino
+Stanga. It was the duke's pleasure that a recumbent effigy of Beatrice,
+wearing the rich brocades and jewels in which she had been borne to her
+rest, should be placed on her tomb, so that future ages should have a
+perpetual memorial of the young duchess as she had last appeared in the
+eyes of the servants and people who had loved her so well. And as it was
+Lodovico's own wish to be buried in the same tomb, the sculptor was to
+carve an effigy of himself in ducal crown and mantle, lying at his
+wife's side in the last slumber. So, at the duke's bidding, the Milanese
+ambassador, Battista Sfondrati, bought the finest blocks of Carrara
+marble that he could find in Venice, and the brothers of the Certosa
+sent seven loads more from their vast stores to Solari's house in Milan.
+Out of these marbles the sculptor carved a noble bas-relief of the Dead
+Christ and the two admirable effigies of the duke and duchess, which now
+adorn the Certosa of Pavia. His task was probably finished before the
+close of the following year, and the tomb was set up in the _Cappella
+maggiore_ of S. Maria delle Grazie, at a cost of upwards of 15,000
+ducats. At the same time Lodovico placed a slab of black marble on the
+walls of the same chapel, in memory of the dead child whose birth had
+cost his mother her life, with the following proud inscription:--
+
+"Infelix partus: amisi ante vitam quam in
+Lucem ederer; infelicior quod matri
+Moriens vitam ademi et parentem con
+-sorte sua orbavi in tam adverso fato.
+Hoc solum mihi potest jocundium esse
+Quod divi parentes me, Ludovicus et
+Beatrix Mediolanenses duces genuere,
+M.C.C.C.C.LXXXXVII. Tertio Nonas Januarii."
+
+The ill-fated child had died before he had ever seen the light of day,
+and, still more unfortunate in this, he had deprived his mother of life,
+and left his father widowed and alone; but this at least he could
+proudly say, "Lodovico and Beatrice, Duke and Duchess of Milan, were my
+parents."
+
+The walls of the chapel were decorated with rich marbles and gilding,
+and new altars were set up in honour of Saint Louis and Santa Beatrice,
+the patron saints of the duke and duchess. Cristoforo was employed to
+carve reliefs for the high altar, and the duke gave the friars a
+jewelled crucifix and marvellously wrought set of chalices, patens,
+candelabra, paci of _niello_, engraved with Beatrice's name and arms.
+Among other costly gifts, he also presented them with a magnificent
+_pallium_ and richly embroidered hangings for the altar, and a set of
+illuminated choir-books with enamelled and jewelled bindings, while the
+Marchesino Stanga gave an organ to the church. Bramante was ordered to
+complete the cupola as soon as possible, and was employed later to add a
+new sacristy to the church.
+
+But there was one thing more which lay still nearer to Lodovico's heart.
+Leonardo's great wall-painting for the convent refectory was well-nigh
+completed. Cardinal Perault de Gurk, when he visited his friend the
+Dominican prior towards the end of January, 1497, saw and admired the
+work of Leonardo, and conversed with the painter, who laughed, Bandello
+tells us, at his Eminence's ignorance for thinking his salary of 2000
+ducats a large one and expressing surprise at the duke's liberality.
+Lodovico was now anxious to see the life-sized portraits of himself and
+Beatrice with their children painted by the great master's hand on the
+opposite wall. The Dominican historian, Padre Pino, writing in the last
+century, says that the convent retained a life-sized portrait of that
+most excellent and famous lady, Duchess Beatrice, in which the sweet
+gentleness of her nature and majesty of her bearing were faithfully
+reproduced; and Padre Gattico, a very accurate and careful writer of the
+sixteenth century who wrote the history of the convent from its
+foundation, describes how Leonardo da Vinci was employed by Lodovico to
+paint portraits of himself and Beatrice, with their children kneeling at
+their feet, on the wall opposite the Cenacolo, but adds that these
+portraits, being painted in oil, were already in a ruinous condition.
+The Dominican father's words were all too true, and only the merest
+fragments of these portraits, which Vasari described as works of sublime
+beauty, now remain on the wall, where the Lombard artist Montorfano had
+already painted his fresco of the Crucifixion. That of Beatrice is a
+mere ghost, but enough remains of Lodovico's figure to show how nobly
+Leonardo treated his subject, and is of the deepest interest as an
+example of the great Florentine's art and a faithful likeness of his
+illustrious patron. A distinct reference to Lodovico's wishes on the
+subject may be found in the paper of directions which he drew up on the
+30th of June, 1497, for his minister the Marchesino Stanga.
+
+"_Memorandum of the things which Messer Marchesino is to do._
+
+"In the first place, he is to place the ducal arms in gold letters on a
+marble slab on Porta Ludovica, together with ten bronze medals bearing
+the duke's head.
+
+"_Item_: to see that similar tablets are placed on all the public
+buildings, excepting those in the Castello, which are in charge of
+Messer Bernardino di Corte, and that medals are placed between them.
+
+"_Item_: to see that _El Gobbo_ carves the reliefs for the altar this
+year, and that he has sufficient marble, and if more is needed, send to
+Venice or Carrara.
+
+"_Item_: to see that the sepulchre is finished without delay, and to
+desire _Gobbo_ to work at the covering and all the other portions
+belonging to the tomb, so that it may be ready as soon as the rest of
+the sepulchre.
+
+"_Item_: to ask Leonardo the Florentine to finish his work on the wall
+of the Refectory, and to begin the painting on the other wall of the
+Refectory. If he will do this, some arrangement may be made with him
+regarding the agreements signed by his own hand, by which he stipulated
+to finish the work within a certain time.
+
+"_Item_: to see that the portico of S. Ambrogio is finished, for which
+two thousand ducats have been assigned.
+
+"_Item_: to call together all the most skilled architects to hold a
+consultation, and design a model for the façade of Santa Maria delle
+Grazie, which shall be of the same height and proportions as the
+_Capella Grande_.
+
+"_Item_: to finish the _Strada da Corte_, which the duke wishes to see
+completed.
+
+"_Item_: to make a head of our Madonna the late duchess, and place it on
+a medallion with that of the duke on the doors of the chapel in Santa
+Maria delle Grazie.
+
+"_Item_: to open a new gate in the walls corresponding to the Porta S.
+Marco, and call it the Porta Beatrice, and place the ducal arms and
+letters of the said duchess upon the said gate, as has been done at
+Porta Ludovica.
+
+"_Item_: to desire that the decorations of the Broletto Nuovo should be
+finished by August.
+
+"_Item_: to place an inscription in gold letters on black marble above
+the portraits of the chapel."
+
+This _Memoriale_ was signed by the ducal secretary, Bartolommeo Calco,
+and the following lines were added by Lodovico himself:--
+
+"MARCHESINO,--We have charged you with the execution of the works here
+mentioned, and, although you have already received our orders by word of
+mouth, we have for our further satisfaction set them down in writing, to
+show you how extraordinary is the interest that we take in their
+completion.
+
+"LUDOVICO MARIA SFORTIA."[71]
+
+The bronze medals here mentioned, which by Lodovico's orders were to be
+placed on all the chief public buildings, were probably those designed
+by Caradosso after Beatrice's death, in which the head of the duke and
+duchess appear side by side.
+
+The name and arms of Beatrice were to be seen everywhere; her portrait
+was to be placed in the church of the Grazie, and her medallion above
+the gate. And to-day, in spite of the common ruin which has overwhelmed
+the palaces and churches of Lodovico's fair duchy, the armorial bearings
+of his consort may still be seen painted in the lunette above the
+Cenacolo, as if the duke wished Leonardo's great painting to be
+especially associated with her beloved memory; while not only in the
+Castello of Milan, but on the site of ducal castles and villas
+throughout the Milanese, blocks of stone and marble carved with the
+initials of Lodovico and Beatrice are constantly brought to light.
+
+In the midst of these tokens of grief and love for his lost wife, we
+come upon a strange incident. That May, Lucrezia Crivelli, the mistress
+whose _liaison_ with the duke had caused Beatrice the sorrow which he
+now remembered with so much remorse, bore Lodovico a son, who was named
+Gianpaolo, and who became a valiant soldier and loyal subject of his
+half-brother Duke Francesco Sforza in after days. The Moro, as far as we
+know, never renewed his connection with Lucrezia after his wife's death.
+The universal testimony of his contemporaries--"he lived chastely and
+devoutly, and was a changed man"--seems to bear witness to the contrary;
+but in the following August he settled Cussago and Saronno, the lands
+which three years before he had given to Beatrice, upon his mistress as
+a provision for the son she had borne him, and in the act of donation
+speaks expressly of the delight which he had found in her gentle and
+excellent company.
+
+Even more strange it sounds in our ears to find Isabella d'Este, only a
+year after Beatrice's death, writing to the duke's former mistress,
+Cecilia Gallerani, to ask for the loan of her portrait by Leonardo's
+hand, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. The fact that a
+princess of the proud house of Este, and one who, in the eyes of her
+generation, was the model of all virtues, should seek a favour from one
+who had wronged her sister so deeply, affords fresh proof how lightly
+such _liaisons_ were regarded in those days, and may incline us to be
+more lenient in our judgments of the men and women of the Renaissance.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[65] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 639.
+
+[66] C. Magenta, _op. cit._
+
+[67] This valuable and interesting letter is preserved in the State
+archives of the House of Este at Modena, and was first published by
+Signor Gustavo Uzielli, in his _Leonardo da Vinci e Tre donne Milanesi_,
+p. 43.
+
+[68] Muratori, xxiv. 342.
+
+[69] M. Sanuto, _Diarii_, i. 489.
+
+[70] L. Pélissier, _Les Amies de L. Sforza_.
+
+[71] Cantù in A. S. L., 1874, p. 183.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+The Marquis of Mantua dismissed by the Venetians--He incurs Duke
+Lodovico's displeasure by his intrigues--Isabella d'Este's
+correspondence with the Duke of Milan--Leonardo in the Castello--Death
+of Charles VIII.--Visit of Lodovico to Mantua--Francesco Gonzaga
+appointed captain of the imperial forces--Isabella of Aragon and
+Isabella d'Este--Chiara Gonzaga and Caterina Sforza--Lodovico's will.
+
+1497-1498
+
+
+While Lodovico was building sanctuaries and raising memorials to his
+dead wife, his brother-in-law of Mantua had excited the suspicions of
+the Venetians by his French sympathies, and in April, 1497, was suddenly
+dismissed from his post of captain-general of the Signoria's armies.
+Isabella d'Este was deeply distressed, and Francesco Gonzaga declared
+loudly that this disgrace was the result of Galeazzo di Sanseverino's
+jealousy and of the Moro's intrigues. In September the marquis and
+Messer Galeazzo met at a tournament held at Brescia in honour of the
+Queen of Cyprus. Fracassa was also present with his wife, Margherita
+Pia, in a chariot driven by twelve fine horses, and both he and the
+marquis entered the lists with their followers, but the hero of the day
+was Galeazzo, who appeared suddenly at the head of forty horsemen, all
+in deep mourning, with hair dyed black, and black and gold armour, and a
+herald bearing a black pennon with gold griffins. When the joust was
+over, the queen entertained Fracassa's wife, and all the cavaliers, at
+supper, and the next day Galeazzo escorted her home over the hills to
+Asolo. But this meeting did not improve the strained relations between
+the princes of Milan and Mantua, and the secret intrigues which
+Francesco Gonzaga carried on both with France and Florence soon came to
+Lodovico's ears. In November the duke wrote a strong remonstrance to
+Isabella, complaining bitterly of her husband's ingratitude, and
+declaring that he would have exposed his fraudulent conduct in the eyes
+of the Venetians, and of all Italy, had it not been for the love and
+regard which he had for her. Isabella was seriously alarmed at the tone
+of her brother-in-law's letter, and did her best to effect a
+reconciliation between him and her husband. Her efforts were seconded by
+her father, Duke Ercole, and his sons, who were often at Milan, and kept
+up friendly relations with Lodovico after their sister's death. Alfonso
+and his wife, Anna Sforza, were at the Castello in June, and Galeazzo di
+Sanseverino himself accompanied the heir of Ferrara to the shop of the
+famous Missaglia to order a suit of armour which should be "of a
+gallantry and perfection worthy of Don Alfonso." We hear of a splendid
+suit of gilded armour, also the work of the Missaglias, being presented
+to Ferrante d'Este by the Duke of Milan, while Beatrice's youngest
+brother, the boy-cardinal, Ippolito, succeeded Guido Arcimboldo as
+Archbishop of Milan, and took up his abode in that city. But a new
+calamity befell the house of Este that November in the death of Anna
+Sforza, who, like her sister-in-law, gave birth to a still-born child on
+the 30th of November, and herself expired a few hours later, to the
+grief of her whole family, and more especially of Duke Ercole, who, in
+his advancing years, saw himself bereaved of all of those he loved best.
+The sweetness and goodness of this princess, the Ferrarese diarist tells
+us, had endeared her to all the people of Ferrara, and in the shock of
+her sudden death Lodovico felt a renewal of his own sorrow. In the same
+week, another Este princess, who had been closely associated with the
+Milanese court, also passed away. This was the widowed mother of Niccolo
+da Correggio, that once beautiful and charming Beatrice, who had been
+known in her youth as the Queen of Festivals, and who for many years had
+been a staunch friend of the Moro, and had long occupied rooms in the
+Castello. After her death, Niccolo, feeling that the last link which
+bound him to Lodovico's court was severed, left Milan, and returned to
+his old home at Ferrara. That autumn, Cristoforo Romano also left the
+court, which Duchess Beatrice's death had shorn of its old brightness
+and splendour, and entered the service of her sister Isabella d'Este at
+Mantua, while the court-poet, Gaspare Visconti, died early in the
+following year. One by one artists and singers were dropping out of
+sight, and the brilliant company which Lodovico's wife had gathered
+round her was fast melting away. The gay days of Vigevano and Cussago
+were over, the deer and wild boars grazed unharmed in these woodland
+valleys, and when Kaiser Maximilian asked the duke for one of his famous
+breed of falcons, Lodovico sent him one belonging to Messer Galeazzo's
+breed, saying that he no longer kept any of his own, and had quite given
+up hunting since the death of the duchess of blessed memory.
+
+But his love of art and learning was as great as ever, and Fra Luca
+Pacioli, the able mathematician, who came to Milan in 1496, and
+dedicated his treatise of _La Divina Proporzione_ to Lodovico, describes
+the laudable and scientific duel of famous and learned men, that was
+held on the 9th of February, 1498, in the Castello of Milan--"that
+invincible fortress of the glorious city which is a residence worthy of
+His Excellency." The duke himself presided at this meeting, which some
+writers have supposed to be a sitting of an academy of arts and sciences
+founded by Lodovico, with Leonardo for its president, and left Milan the
+next day, on a pilgrimage to the Holy Mount of the Madonna at Varese.
+Among the many illustrious personages, religious and secular, who were
+present on this occasion, Fra Luca mentions "Messer Galeazzo Sforza di
+San Severino, my own special patron," to whom he presented the beautiful
+illuminated copy of his treatise, now in the Ambrosiana, the Prior of
+the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, the doctors and astrologers,
+Ambrogio da Rosate, Pirovano, Cusani and Marliani, and many well-known
+jurists, councillors, architects, and engineers, including Leonardo da
+Vinci, "our fellow-citizen of Florence, who, in sculpture and painting
+alike, justifies his name and surpasses"--i.e. _vince_ = conquers--"all
+other masters."[72]
+
+Leonardo's Cenacolo, we learn from his friend Pacioli, was at length
+finished, and preparations were being made for casting his great horse
+in bronze, but the master himself was chiefly engaged in the study of
+hydraulics, and was writing a treatise on motion and water-power. In
+April, however, he was again painting in the Castello, and Messer
+Gualtero, one of Lodovico's most trusted servants, informed the duke,
+who was absent for a few days, that both his sons were very well, and
+that Magistro Leonardo was at work in the Saletta Negra. He would
+shortly proceed to the Camera Grande in the tower, and promised to
+complete the decorations by September, in order that the duke might be
+able to enjoy them next autumn. A note in one of Leonardo's manuscripts
+speaks of twenty-four Roman subjects, probably small decorative groups
+in _camaieu_, painted on the vaulting of these rooms, and gives the
+exact cost of the blue, gold, and enamel employed, but all trace of
+these decorations has vanished. At the same time Lodovico appointed his
+favourite master to the post of ducal engineer, and employed him to
+survey those vast and elaborate fortifications in the Castello, which
+excited the wonder of the French invaders.
+
+Two of Amadeo's great architectural works, the cupola of the Duomo of
+Milan, and the façade of the Certosa, were brought to a successful
+conclusion in these last years of Lodovico's rule, while the foundation
+stone of the noble Cistercian monastery attached to S. Ambrogio, now a
+military hospital, was laid by the duke, and built at his expense from
+Bramante's designs. The charitable society known as the Confraternity of
+the Santa Corona, or Holy Crown of Thorns, a name familiar to all who
+have visited its ancient halls, and seen Luini's fresco, was another
+excellent institution intended for the relief of the sick poor in their
+own homes, which was founded under the duke's auspices, and largely
+supported by his liberality. But once more wars and rumours of war came
+to disturb the Milanese, and to call Lodovico away from these public
+works and improvements in which he took delight.
+
+The renewed intrigues of Charles VIII. with the Florentines, and revived
+fears of a French invasion, induced Lodovico to send Baldassare Pusterla
+to Venice in February, 1498, to solicit the help of the Signoria, but
+while these negotiations were going on, a courier arrived from Ferrara
+with the news of the French king's sudden death. Charles, who was not
+twenty-eight, had died of apoplexy as he was watching a game of bowls at
+Amboise, and his cousin, the Duke of Orleans, had been proclaimed king
+under the title of Louis XII. Sanuto reports that the courier who
+brought the news from Amboise to Florence had ridden the whole way in
+seven days, and had killed no less than thirteen horses!
+
+"Magnificent ambassador!" said the Doge to the Milanese envoy, "you told
+us that His Most Christian Majesty was on his way to Italy. We hear that
+he is dead!"
+
+The news was a great relief to most of the Italian powers, to none more
+so than Lodovico, who saw his immediate fears removed, and did not
+realize how much reason he had to dread the ambitious designs of his old
+rival king Louis. But in his eagerness to secure the alliance of
+Florence, he committed the fatal mistake of affronting the Venetians. He
+refused to allow a fresh detachment of troops, which they were sending
+to Pisa, to pass through his dominions, and the Signory in revenge sent
+an embassy to the King of France with secret orders to take counsel with
+Trivulzio and negotiate a league with Louis XII. against the Duke of
+Milan. All Lodovico's hopes were now fixed on the formation of a new
+league between Maximilian, the Pope, Naples, and Milan. When this was
+concluded, he offered the generalship of the allied forces, with the
+title of Captain of the King of the Romans, to the Marquis of Mantua.
+Still Francesco Gonzaga was not satisfied, and complained that he ought
+also to be entitled Captain-general to the Duke of Milan, a title which
+Lodovico refused to take from his son-in-law Galeazzo. However,
+Isabella, who had already paved the way for this reconciliation,
+implored her husband to be content for the present with the duke's
+offer, remarking that the salary was the important thing, and in May the
+marquis went to Milan, where he received a cordial welcome, and the
+terms of the agreement were satisfactorily arranged.
+
+Lodovico now announced his intention of coming to Mantua in person, and
+on the 27th of June arrived there on a visit to the marquis and
+marchioness, accompanied by the young Cardinal Ippolito and the German,
+Spanish, Florentine, and Neapolitan ambassadors, with a suite of a
+thousand persons. Great was Isabella's anxiety that nothing should be
+lacking on this occasion, and endless were the pains which she took to
+do honour to her splendid brother-in-law. She borrowed plate and
+tapestries from Niccolo da Correggio, and desired her own envoy at
+Milan, Benedetto Capilupi, to ask Galeazzo Visconti and Antonio
+Costabili what wines the duke preferred and what clothes he would expect
+her to wear. Lodovico himself had not yet laid aside his mourning, and
+Isabella wondered if the rooms of his apartments at Mantua must be hung
+with black velvet, or if she might venture to relieve them with violet
+tints, as would, she felt, be more fitting to this festive occasion. The
+duke, Capilupi replied, would be satisfied with any arrangements the
+marchesa liked to make, and as for the wines, he found that those
+usually preferred by his Excellency at supper were clear white wines,
+rather sweet and new, while at dinner he generally drank light red wine,
+such as Cesolo, all very clear and new.
+
+The visit passed off successfully, and after three days of _fêtes_ and
+entertainments Lodovico returned to Milan. Francesco Gonzaga, however,
+still wavered between the duke and the Venetians, and it was not till
+Lodovico sent Marchesino Stanga and Fracassa to Mantua in November, that
+the agreement was finally concluded, and Erasmo Brasca delivered the
+bâton to the marquis in the emperor's name. Isabella herself interviewed
+the ceremony from a tribunal erected on the piazza in front of the
+Castello di Corte at Mantua, and the duke wrote a graceful note to his
+sister-in-law, thanking her for her good offices in the matter. He still
+constantly sent her presents of choice fruits or wines and venison,
+while Isabella, in return, sent him salmon-trout from Garda, and
+Evangelista, the marquis's famous trainer, tamed the duke's horses. In
+July Lodovico sent her a basket of peaches, wishing they had been even
+finer than they were, to be more worthy of her acceptance, and Isabella
+wrote in reply: "The peaches sent by your Excellency are most welcome,
+not only because they are the first ripe ones I have tasted this summer,
+but far more because they are a proof of your gracious remembrance, for
+which I can never thank your Excellency enough." On New Year's Day,
+1499, Lodovico sent the marchioness two barrels of wine--"_vino
+amabile_"--and two chests of lemons, and in February wrote to thank her
+for the fish, which were very fine and good and had reached him
+opportunely, as it was Friday in Lent.
+
+Gifts of artichokes, which were then esteemed a great delicacy, were
+often sent to the duke by Genoese nobles, and in March, 1499, we find
+Giovanni Adorno, the brother-in-law of the San Severini, who evidently
+knew Lodovico's taste for flowers, sending a basket of forty artichokes
+together with a bouquet of the finest roses. Another characteristic note
+was the following, written by the Moro to Francesco Gonzaga, in
+January:--
+
+"I always take great delight in seeing the swans which you sent us some
+years ago, sailing on the castle moat under these windows. So if you
+have any others to spare, I beg you to send me some, for which I shall
+be very grateful."[73]
+
+Two of the last letters, which Isabella addressed to her brother-in-law,
+are of especial interest, as relating to Giangaleazzo's widow, the
+Duchess Isabella of Aragon. A few weeks after Beatrice's death, this
+unfortunate lady had been desired by the duke to leave her rooms in the
+Castello, and take up her abode in the old palace near the Duomo. Some
+contention arose respecting the boy Francesco Sforza, whom Lodovico
+wished to keep with his own sons in the Rocchetta, and who remained
+there for a time, only visiting his mother once a week. "You have taken
+my son's crown away," said the duchess, indignantly, "and now you would
+take his mother too!" Lodovico is said to have replied, "Madam, you are
+a woman, so I will not quarrel with you." But in spite of her hatred for
+Lodovico, Isabella of Aragon still kept up friendly relations with her
+Este cousins. In 1498, she asked the marchioness for an antique bust,
+which Andrea Mantegna had brought back from Rome, and which she heard
+bore a striking likeness to herself. The painter, however, valued the
+marble so highly that for long he refused to part with it, and offered
+to send the duchess a cast of the bust in bronze. Isabella d'Este,
+however, finally prevailed upon him to let her buy the head, and send it
+as a present to her cousin, whom she declared it resembled in a
+marvellous manner. At the same time she promised the duchess a replica
+of a portrait of her brother, King Ferrante of Naples, which she valued
+too much to part with, but would have copied as soon as possible by
+Francesco Mantegna. Before satisfying her cousin's wishes, however, the
+prudent Isabella applied to the duke and ascertained that he had no
+objection to her action. Again, when in March, 1499, the duchess begged
+Isabella to let her have her own portrait, the marchioness sent the
+picture to Lodovico, and asked him for leave to send the picture to
+Giangaleazzo's widow.
+
+"MOST ILLUSTRIOUS PRINCE AND EXCELLENT DUKE AND DEAR FATHER,
+
+"I am afraid I shall weary not only your Highness, but all Italy with
+the sight of my portraits; but reluctantly as I do this, I could not
+refuse the Duchess Isabella's urgent entreaties to let her have my
+portrait in colours. I send this one, which is not very like me, and
+makes me look fatter than I really am, and have desired Negro, my master
+of the horse, to show it to your Highness, and, if you approve, give it
+to the duchess from me."[74]
+
+Lodovico replied pleasantly that he admired the portrait, and thought it
+very like Isabella, although it made her look stouter than when he had
+last seen her, but suggested that perhaps she had grown fatter during
+the interval. And the picture was duly presented to Duchess Isabella
+that same day.
+
+The marquis's widowed sister Chiara Gonzaga, Duchess of Montpensier,
+also kept up an active correspondence with the Moro at this time, and
+warned him repeatedly of the intrigues against him that were going on at
+the French court, and of the dangers he had to fear from Trivulzio and
+the Venetians.
+
+So warm was the friendship between this lady and Lodovico, that a
+Mantuan doctor wrote from Milan to Francesco Gonzaga, on pretence of
+having received a commission from the duke to ask for his widowed
+sister's hand in marriage, and as well as for that of his youthful
+daughter Leonora on behalf of the young Count of Pavia. The duke wrote
+back that he had never seen the doctor, and that the whole was a
+fabrication. As he informed Chiara, he had not the smallest intention of
+marrying a second time, although he had already received proposals to
+this effect, both from Naples and Germany. And, by way of
+peace-offering, he sent her a beautiful little _niello_ pax, as a
+specimen of the work of his Milanese goldsmiths, and as a proof that he
+placed himself altogether at her service. In return, Chiara sent him her
+cordial thanks, and informed him that her brother had given orders for
+the instant arrest of the mischievous doctor, and would see that he was
+delivered into the duke's hands.
+
+Another princess, who was in constant correspondence with the Moro
+during these last years, was his niece Caterina Sforza, the famous
+Madonna of Forli. Long ago, he had helped her against the conspirators
+who had killed her first husband and besieged her in the Rocca, and ten
+years before, Galeazzo di Sanseverino had won his first laurels at
+Forli. Since those days, Lodovico had been a good friend to this warlike
+lady in all her perpetual quarrels with her subjects and neighbours. "I
+should be ready to drown myself, were it not for the trust that I place
+in your Excellency," Caterina wrote to her uncle in 1496. Now that she
+had aroused the wrath of Venice by her alliance with Florence, and that
+Romagna was actually invaded by a Venetian force, the duke sent first
+Fracassa and then the Count of Caiazzo to her help. In her gratitude she
+called the infant son born of her third marriage with Giovanni de'
+Medici, Lodovico, a name which he afterwards changed, to become famous
+in history as Giovanni _delle bande nere_. But this _virago_, as
+Machiavelli named the gallant lady of Forli, was by no means easy to
+deal with, and she was constantly appealing to Lodovico to settle her
+disputes. One day she welcomed Fracassa as a delivering angel, the next
+she quarrelled with him violently, and turned a deaf ear to the Moro's
+advice to overcome the Condottiere's rudeness by fair words and gentle
+courtesy. After summarily rejecting his suggestion of a Gonzaga bride
+for her son, and informing him that she was about to accept the Count of
+Caiazzo's proposals for her daughter Bianca, she changed her mind,
+declaring the count to be too old, and suddenly bethought herself of
+Galeazzo di Sanseverino, as a suitable husband. This proposal, however,
+the Moro promptly declined in a curt note, telling the countess that
+Messer Galeazzo had no intention of marrying again.[75]
+
+But the days of the once powerful Moro's reign were already numbered,
+and the time was coming when he would be in sore need of help himself.
+His subjects were already grievously discontented. At Milan, Cremona,
+and Lodi, even in faithful Pavia, there had been tumults and riotings.
+It became increasingly difficult to exact the loans required to meet the
+heavy expenses for the national defence, while the ill-paid troops
+murmured, and in many cases deserted the standard.
+
+"In the whole Milanese there is trouble and discontent. No one loves the
+duke. And yet he still reigns.... But he is a traitor to Venice, and
+will be punished for his bad faith." So wrote Marino Sanuto that autumn;
+while another Venetian chronicler, Malipiero, gave vent to his bitter
+hatred in these words:
+
+"Lodovico hoped to give the Signory trouble by his alliance with Charles
+VIII., but God our protector has taken away that monarch's life, and has
+made King Alvise his successor, who is Lodovico's enemy."
+
+So the year closed gloomily. The political horizon was black and
+lowering, and Lodovico had lost the wife upon whose courage and presence
+of mind he had learnt to lean. He was suffering from gout himself, and
+was often unable to mount a horse. But he still found pleasure in his
+artistic dreams and in the vast schemes that filled his brain. Already
+he had seen many of his plans carried out. Bramante's cupola and
+sacristy were finished and Beatrice's tomb, with the sleeping form and
+face, had been exquisitely wrought in marble by the sculptor's hand.
+Leonardo had completed the Cenacolo to be the wonder of the world in
+coming ages, and the great equestrian statue was only waiting for better
+times to be cast in bronze and become a permanent memorial of the proud
+Sforza race. Now a new and grander vision filled his thoughts. He would
+rebuild the convent of the Dominican Friars on a vast and splendid
+scale, and make it the most glorious sanctuary in the world, surpassing
+even his beloved Certosa, for the sake of Beatrice, and as a living
+memorial of the love which he had borne to his dead wife.
+
+He began by rebuilding the friars' dormitories, enlarging their gardens,
+and giving them a good water-supply. Then, on the 3rd of December of
+this year, 1498, he drew up a deed by which he granted his beautiful
+villa of the Sforzesca, with the spacious farms and fertile lands which
+had been his pride and pleasure in past days, to the prior and convent
+of Santa Maria delle Grazie, in perpetuity. In the preamble to the deed
+of gift, the duke expresses his great love for this church, "where our
+dead children repose, and our most dear wife Beatrice d'Este sleeps,
+where, God willing, we ourselves hope to rest until the day of
+resurrection," and ends with a devout prayer "that God and the Blessed
+Virgin, the Dominican saints, Peter Martyr, Thomas Aquinas, and Dominic,
+St. Vincent, St. Katharine of Siena, and all the saints, will hear the
+prayers offered at these altars by the brothers of the order, and
+forgive our failings, increase our merit, preserve our sons, give peace
+and tranquillity to our subjects, receive the soul of our dearly loved
+Beatrice into rest eternal, and finally place us, when this life is
+over, among the holy monarchs and princes of His kingdom." This deed,
+signed and sealed by Lodovico's own hand, and beautifully illuminated by
+Antonio da Monza, or some miniaturist of his school, is preserved,
+together with the former privileges granted to the community during the
+lifetime of Duke Giangaleazzo, in the collection of the Marchese d'Adda.
+Each leaf is elaborately decorated with Lodovico's favourite mottoes and
+devices and other ornaments, while on the first page is a miniature of
+the duke in black cap and mantle, in the act of presenting the act of
+donation to the Dominican prior. After the French conquest of Milan,
+Louis XII. annulled this deed of gift, although the friars escaped
+further spoliation owing to the protection of the powerful Borromeo
+family, and, after a long dispute, their possession of the Sforzesca was
+eventually confirmed by Emperor Charles V. An inscription was placed
+over the gates of the Sforzesca in honour of Lodovico Sforza and his
+wife, and the domain remained the property of the convent until the
+general confiscation of Church lands by Napoleon in 1798. Now Lodovico's
+foundation has become national property, the remnants of his spacious
+buildings are used as government schools.
+
+On the same day, December 3, 1498, Lodovico made his will, a curious and
+interesting document, which is still preserved in the Milanese archives,
+and opens with these sentences:
+
+"The holy Fathers teach us that according to the laws of the Eternal
+kingdom, ordered by God Almighty, the elect may attain to this immortal
+heritage by purifying their souls from every earthly stain. By mourning
+for our sins, by giving alms and making reparation for wrong done to
+others, by fasting, prayers, and good works, we can win everlasting
+life, as has been decreed by God in all eternity. Believing this truth
+with our whole heart, in full agreement with the Catholic faith, and
+desiring to provide for the salvation of our soul as precious above all
+earthly treasures, so that by the help of God we may rise purified from
+the stains of this life to enjoy life and peace in the company of the
+blessed, we order these things."[76] After recommending his soul once
+more to all the saints, mentioned in the former deed, he desires that
+his body, the ducal robes and insignia, may be buried on the right of
+his wife, in the tomb erected by him, in the _Cappella Maggiore_ of
+Santa Maria delle Grazie, and further endows the convent with a rent of
+1500 ducats, in order that they may never cease to pray for his own soul
+and that of his lady, Beatrice. Seven masses, he decrees, are to be said
+daily for the duke, seven for the duchess, five requiems are to be
+chanted every Wednesday, and the whole office for the dead is to be used
+on the 3rd of every month, being the day on which Beatrice died; while
+in the church of the Sforzesca, masses are to be said in January and
+June--these being the months of Beatrice's birth and death--for both the
+duke and his wife. For a whole year after his death, the alms which he
+has given since the duchess's death are to be continued, a certain
+number of poor families are to be relieved, and poor maidens and nuns
+dowered, who are to pray for the souls of Beatrice and of his children
+Leone and Bianca. He leaves 4000 ducats to be distributed yearly in
+alms, and 3000 more to pension his old servants, while 5000 ducats are
+to be paid to each of his illegitimate sons, Cesare and Gianpaolo. All
+his debts and those of his mother are to be discharged, and a sum of
+money equal to that which he, his father, and brother Galeazzo had
+exacted from the Jews is to be spent in good works. All his gifts to the
+Duomo of Milan are confirmed, including the rich plate and vestments
+presented by Azzo Visconti to the chapel of S. Gottardo in the old
+palace, and removed by Duke Galeazzo to the Castello, but restored by
+Lodovico.
+
+To this same date, another even more interesting document must be
+assigned: the political will of Lodovico, which was among the
+manuscripts brought from Milan by Louis XII., in 1499, and is still
+preserved in the Bibliothèque Nationale.[77] This document consists of
+thirty-four parchment leaves, enriched with delicately painted initials
+and the monogram of Lodovico and Beatrice, bound in black velvet and
+fastened with gold clasps. By the duke's orders, it was placed in an
+iron casket, richly ornamented with silver work, bearing his arms and
+those of his wife, as well as the Sforza devices of the lion with the
+buckets and his own favourite emblem of the caduceus. This casket was
+sealed with the cornelian engraved with Beatrice's portrait, which
+Lodovico always used after her death, and deposited in the treasury of
+the Rocchetta, in the charge of the governor of the Castello, to be
+opened by him and the chief secretary and chamberlain, immediately after
+the duke's death. The writer begins by explaining that since the
+premature death of his wife, in whose wisdom and knowledge he placed
+absolute trust, has deprived his sons of their natural guardian, he has
+drawn up the following instructions for their education and guidance and
+for the proper administration of the State, until the elder of the two,
+Maximilian Count of Pavia, shall attain the age of twenty.
+
+First of all, he desires the governors and regents set over his son, to
+impress upon the new duke the love and duty which he owes to his Father
+in heaven, who is the Disposer of all, and the King of earthly kings,
+and under Him to his vicar, the holy pontiff, and his Imperial Majesty,
+Maximilian King of the Romans. And immediately on the present duke's
+death, his son is to apply to the Cesarean Majesty for a confirmation of
+the privileges granted to Duke Lodovico as a singular mark of favour,
+after they had been refused to his father, brother, and nephew. Lodovico
+then proceeds to give minute directions for the constitution of a
+Council of Regency, the administration of the finances, the punishment
+of criminals, appointment of magistrates, and organization of the
+national defences. A standing army of 1200 men-at-arms and 600 light
+cavalry is to be kept up, as well as garrisons in the fortresses, and
+great stress is laid on the selection of tried and trusted castellans. A
+special paragraph is devoted to Genoa, and Lodovico begs his successor
+to pay especial attention to the noble families of Adorno, Fieschi, and
+Spinola, warning him that the Genoese are easily led but will never be
+driven, and must be treated courteously, and with due regard. All
+important questions of peace and war and of making new laws are to be
+referred to representatives of the people, and the voice of the nation
+is as far as possible to be consulted in these matters. The young duke
+is to make the Castello his residence, and be as seldom absent from
+Milan as possible, never going further than his country houses of
+Abbiategrasso, Cussago, Monza, Dece, and Melegnano, until he has reached
+the age of fourteen. After that, he may, if he pleases, cross the
+Ticino, and visit Vigevano and Pavia, but is recommended to be seldom
+absent from Milan, if he wishes to keep the affection of his subjects.
+His education is to be entrusted to none but the best governors and
+teachers, who are to train him carefully in all branches of religious
+and secular learning, in good conduct and habits, and in the knowledge
+of letters, which last is not merely an ornament but an absolute
+necessity for a prince. From his earliest years he is to take his place
+in the council, and is to be gradually initiated into the management of
+affairs, taught to deliver speeches and receive ambassadors, and
+instructed in all that is necessary to make him a wise and good prince,
+who cares for the welfare of his subjects and is capable of ruling them
+in days of peace, and defending them in time of war. One particular on
+which Lodovico insists is the restraint which he places on his son's
+expenditure. The young prince is to observe great caution in his gifts
+to his favourites. Up to the age of fourteen, he is never to give away
+more than 500 ducats at a time, without the leave of his councillors,
+and may never give presents exceeding that value to strangers on his own
+authority, before he is twenty. Similar directions are given for the
+education of Lodovico's younger son, Sforza, Duke of Bari, and the
+revenues of his principality are to be carefully invested in Genoese
+banks until he is of age. The wise management of the ducal stables and
+of the chapel choir is especially recommended to the regents, and good
+horses and good singers are always to be kept, for the duke's pleasure
+and the honour of his name. Minute instructions for the safe custody of
+the treasure in the Rocchetta are given, and the very forms to be
+observed in the payment of public money and in the use of the different
+seals affixed to public documents are all carefully determined. Great
+discrimination is to be observed in the appointment of certain
+ministers, in the choice of the Podesta of Milan, in the selection of
+Commissioners of Corn and Salt, as well as of the officer of Public
+Health, since all three of these departments are of the foremost
+importance in a well-regulated State.
+
+In conclusion, directions are given as to the ceremonial to be observed
+at Lodovico's own funeral, which is to take place before the
+proclamation of his successor, who is warned, on pain of incurring the
+paternal malediction, not to assume the ducal crown until his father has
+been laid in the grave.
+
+This political testament, which is so characteristic a monument of
+Lodovico's forethought and attention to detail, and of his enlightened
+theories of government, bears no seal or signature, but ends with the
+following lines in the Moro's own handwriting--
+
+"We Lodovico Maria, lord of Milan, affirm these orders to be those which
+we desire to be followed after our death, in the government of the
+State, under our son and successor in the Duchy. And in token of this,
+we have subscribed them with our own hand, and have appended our ducal
+seal."
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[72] G. Uzielli, _Ricerche sopra L. da Vinci_, i.
+
+[73] L. Pélissier, _op. cit._
+
+[74] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 650.
+
+[75] P. Pasolini, _Caterina Sforza_, iii.
+
+[76] Cantù in A. S. L., vi. 235.
+
+[77] Italian State papers, M. 821.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+
+Treaty of Blois--Alliance between France, Venice, and the
+Borgias--Lodovico appeals to Maximilian--His gift to Leonardo and letter
+to the Certosini--The French and the Venetians invade the
+Milanese--Desertion of Gonzaga and treachery of Milanese captains--Loss
+of Alessandria--Panic and flight of Duke Lodovico--Surrender of Pavia
+and Milan to the French--Treachery of Bernardino da Corte and surrender
+of the Castello--Triumphal entry of Louis XII.
+
+1499
+
+
+From the moment of Louis XII.'s accession, he announced his intention of
+making good his claim to the duchy of Milan. He refused to give Lodovico
+the title of duke, addressing him as Messer Lodovico, while he styled
+himself King of France and Duke of Milan, and told the Bishop of Arles
+that he would rather reign over the Milanese for one year than be King
+of France during his whole lifetime. At the same time he spoke freely of
+his plans for the conquest of Italy, and told his courtiers that he
+meant one of his sons to be King of Naples, and the other Duke of Milan.
+
+These sayings were duly reported to Lodovico by his own friends at the
+French court, and chief among them M. de Trano, a Provençal gentleman
+who was in constant correspondence with Milan, as well as by the Duke of
+Ferrara's envoy. Ercole himself is described by French agents as "_très
+attaché à son gendre_" and Marino Sanuto speaks of him as "exceedingly
+partial to his son-in-law and devoted to him in his secret heart," but
+he was far too wise and prudent a ruler to oppose Louis XII. openly.
+
+The Pope, long the Moro's firm ally, had turned against him since the
+dissolution of his daughter Lucrezia's marriage to Giovanni Sforza in
+1497, and the presence of Cardinal della Rovere, who returned to Rome
+towards the end of 1498, increased his hatred of the Sforzas. He was
+still more drawn to France by the offers of Louis XII. to forward the
+ambitious designs of his son Cæsar Borgia, who had renounced his
+cardinal's hat and was seeking the hand of the King of Navarre's
+daughter. The discovery of these intrigues led to a sharp
+passage-at-arms between the Pope and Ascanio Sforza in a consistory held
+on the 3rd of December. The cardinal openly accused his Holiness of
+bringing ruin upon Italy, upon which Alexander retorted that he was only
+following the Duke of Milan's example. In vain Lodovico endeavoured to
+avert the gathering storm by entering into negotiations with the French
+king, and even approached Trivulzio with that purpose, but all attempts
+at a peaceable arrangement were frustrated by Galeazzo di Sanseverino
+and Antonio Landriano's hatred of their old rival and the fixed
+determination of Louis XII. to reign in the Moro's stead.
+
+Meanwhile the Venetian envoys were secretly plotting the Duke of Milan's
+ruin, and on the 15th of April the Treaty of Blois was signed and the
+partition of the Milanese between France and Venice finally determined.
+The Signory agreed to invade the duke's territory with an army of 6000
+men, and were to receive the district of Cremona in return for their
+assistance. This was followed by Cæsar Borgia's marriage to Charlotte
+d'Albret, which took place at Blois on the 10th of May. The Pope's son
+was created Duke of Valentinois by the French king, and Alexander VI.
+joined France and Venice and publicly declared that the house of Sforza
+must be swept off the face of the earth. At the same time, Francesco
+Gonzaga made secret advances to Louis XII., who accepted his offers of
+service and advised the Venetians to make peace with him.
+
+In his extremity Lodovico turned to his sole remaining ally, the Emperor
+Maximilian, and sent Erasmo Brasca and Marchesino Stanga to Fribourg, to
+beg that a German force might be speedily sent to his assistance, while
+he earnestly entreated his niece the empress to plead his cause with her
+husband. Unfortunately, Bianca had little or no influence at the
+imperial court, and Maximilian, who would gladly have helped the duke,
+was hampered by want of money and already engaged in war with his
+turbulent Swiss neighbours. But Bianca did her best for her uncle, and
+in these last days her letters were his chief consolation. She sent him
+the latest and most confidential news, and wrote repeatedly from
+Fribourg and Innsbrück, encouraging him with hopes of speedy help, and
+reminding him how triumphantly he had overcome greater dangers in the
+past.
+
+Even now, when his enemies were closing round him and the last struggle
+was at hand, Lodovico still clung to his old ideals. The love of art was
+still the ruling passion of his life, and Leonardo still for him the
+prince of painters. On the 26th of April, he made the Florentine master
+a present of a vineyard which he had bought from the monastery of S.
+Victor outside the Porta Vercellina, probably adjoining a house and
+piece of land which the painter had already received from him, near S.
+Maria delle Grazie. During the last few years the duke, we know, had
+found it increasingly difficult to provide money for his vast
+enterprises, and from a rough draft of a letter that has been found
+among Leonardo's manuscripts, we gather that the painter's salary was in
+arrears, and that his equestrian statue had not yet been cast in bronze:
+
+"Signore," he writes in these fragmentary sentences, "knowing the mind
+of your Excellency to be fully occupied, I must ask pardon for reminding
+you of my small affairs.... My life is at your service; I am always
+ready to obey your commands. I will say nothing of the horse, because I
+know the times; but, as your Highness is aware, two years' salary is
+owing to me, and I have two masters working at my expense, so that I
+have had to advance fifteen _lire_ out of my own purse to pay them.
+Gladly as I would undertake immortal works and show posterity that I
+have lived, I am obliged to earn my living.... May I remind your
+Highness of the commission to paint the Camerini, only asking ..."
+
+The painter, we know, had never complained of Lodovico's want of
+liberality, and before he left Milan that December, he was able to send
+600 gold florins to Florence, but he probably received the vineyard
+outside the gate in answer to this appeal. In the deed of gift, the
+duke expressly states that Leonardo, in his judgment and in that of the
+best judges, is the most famous of living painters, and that, having
+been employed by him in manifold works, in all of which he has shown
+admirable genius, the time has come to put the promises which have been
+made him into execution. Accordingly, the duke presents him with this
+vineyard, small indeed compared with the painter's merits, but which
+Leonardo may take as a sign that, as in the past, he will always find
+the ducal house sensible of his services, and that Lodovico himself will
+in the future more fully reward the master's excellent acts and singular
+talents.
+
+A week later Lodovico remembered the altar-piece which Perugino had
+promised to paint for the Certosa, and on the 1st of May wrote to the
+Carthusian friars, desiring them to urge the Umbrian painter to complete
+and deliver the work without delay.
+
+"You know," he wrote, "how much labour and expense we have bestowed on
+the decoration of the Certosa of Pavia, and how much we rejoice to see
+that the building is nearly finished. And we have always exhorted
+yourselves, venerable Prior and brothers, to choose the most excellent
+artists to paint pictures that may be at once helps to devotion and
+ornaments of the church. Since, with this intention, we proposed a
+certain Perugino and a Maestro Filippo, both of them admirable and
+honoured masters, to paint two altar-pieces, and disbursed large sums in
+order to obtain these pictures, we are seriously displeased to find that
+three years have passed without the work being done. This is unjust both
+to ourselves and the friars, since it deprives the Certosa of the
+perfection that we desire to see there, and we must beg you to insist on
+these excellent masters completing the said altar-pieces within a
+reasonable term, or else returning the money which they have received.
+For, as you know, nothing is dearer to our hearts than the things that
+concern this church and monastery."
+
+Lodovico's exertions were not in vain, at least in the case of Perugino.
+Before the end of the year, the great altar-piece containing the lovely
+Madonna and saints, which now adorns the National Gallery, was finished,
+and while the duke himself wandered in exile beyond the Alps, the
+Umbrian painter's masterpiece was safely placed in the glorious church
+which he had loved so well.
+
+This letter relating to the Certosa altar-piece and the gift to Leonardo
+were the last public acts in which the great Moro showed his love of art
+and generosity to artists. His fate was sealed, and already his foes
+were at the door. Before the end of May, King Louis and Cæsar Borgia
+came to Lyons, and Trivulzio descended upon Asti with fifteen thousand
+men. A few weeks later the Milanese envoy to Venice was dismissed, and
+the Venetian army prepared to enter the district of Cremona. Caterina
+Sforza, almost the only Italian ally who was still faithful to Milan,
+sent a troop of men from Forli to her uncle's help, but the invasion of
+Romagna by papal troops hindered her from attacking the Venetians as she
+had intended. In vain Lodovico sent despairing letters to Maximilian,
+begging for the promised reinforcements. Week after week went by, and
+still the German troops did not arrive. On the 13th of August, Trivulzio
+invaded the Milanese with a powerful force of well-trained soldiers, and
+took the castle of Annona. The same day the Venetians crossed the
+eastern frontier and advanced towards the river Adda. On the 14th
+Lodovico wrote the following letter to his niece, the Empress Bianca:--
+
+"In our present great anxieties, while the French are attacking us on
+the one side, and on the other a large Venetian army is advancing, your
+Majesty's loving letter has been a great comfort, expressing not only
+the sympathy which you feel in our troubles, but the efforts you have
+made to induce your husband, the king, to help us in these bad times.
+What you say of his good-will is not more than we expected, but your
+kind words have given us unspeakable joy, and we are exceedingly
+grateful, and beg you with all our heart to continue your offices on our
+behalf with the king, entreating him to send us help immediately
+(_presto, presto_). Indeed, his troops ought to be here now, for we are
+already reduced to extremity, as you will learn from Messer Galeazzo
+Visconti and others, whom we have sent to your Majesty, praying that
+help may be speedy and effectual."[78]
+
+Three days after, Bianca herself wrote to say that she had spoken to the
+emperor, and begged her _maître d'hôtel_ to support her request, and
+that he had solemnly promised to send her uncle help. Maximilian kept
+his word, and before the month was over despatched a strong German force
+to the duke's relief. But the sorely needed succour came too late. When
+the Germans reached the Italian frontier, Milan had already surrendered,
+and they met Lodovico flying for his life. There were traitors in the
+Moro's camp and court. Not only had the Marquis of Mantua broken faith
+and refused to defend the Milanese against the Venetians, but two of the
+Sanseverino brothers, Fracassa and Antonio Maria, had for some time past
+threatened to enter the Venetian service; while Francesco Bernardino
+Visconti, the Borromeos, and Pallavicini were secretly corresponding
+with Trivulzio, and the Count of Caiazzo was out of temper and jealous
+of his younger brother Galeazzo, if he was not, as Corio and other
+contemporaries affirm, already in league with the French. Galeazzo
+himself, who had the supreme command of the Milanese forces and held
+Alessandria with 5000 men, was a brilliant carpet-knight and gallant
+soldier, but had little experience as a general, and had no confidence
+in his ill-paid and half-starved troops. When the duke, in a moment of
+irritation, reproached his son-in-law with thinking too much of fine
+clothes and fair ladies, Galeazzo boldly told him that his subjects were
+disaffected and tired of his rule, and that if he did not take vigorous
+measures, he would lose his state. His words proved all too true. One by
+one the fortresses of the Lomellina opened their gates to Trivulzio's
+victorious army, Antonio Maria Pallavicini surrendered Tortona without a
+blow, and when Galeazzo prepared to relieve Pavia, his troops refused to
+follow him. At the head of a handful of cavalry, he made a gallant
+attempt to reach Pavia, but the citizens, alarmed at the approach of the
+French, closed their gates and refused to admit any armed men.
+
+Alessandria was now the only fortified town in the district which could
+arrest Trivulzio's onward march, and Lodovico, trusting to Galeazzo's
+valour, was confident he would be able to hold the town until the
+arrival of Maximilian's reinforcements. But, to the amazement of friend
+and foe alike, on the night of the 28th of August, Galeazzo, attended by
+only three horsemen, left Alessandria at nightfall, crossed the Po, and,
+after cutting the bridge behind him, rode as fast as he could go to
+Milan. There had been dissensions in the garrison, and the soldiers
+clamoured for pay and refused to fight, but whispers of darker treachery
+were abroad. The Count of Caiazzo, it was said, had forged a letter
+purporting to be from the duke, recalling his son-in-law to Milan on the
+spot, and Galeazzo himself afterwards showed the false orders which had
+deceived him to the French and Milanese chroniclers who repeat the
+story. There seems little doubt that Caiazzo's defection was one of the
+principal causes of Lodovico's ruin, but, whatever the circumstances of
+the case may have been, it is certain that on the next day the French
+entered Alessandria without meeting with any resistance, and Trivulzio
+sent word to his kinsman Erasmo that before the week was over he would
+dine with him in Milan.
+
+When Lodovico heard that Alessandria was lost, his courage failed him.
+He determined to seek safety in flight, and prepared to send his sons to
+Germany under the charge of his brother Cardinal Ascanio Sforza and
+Cardinal Sanseverino, both of whom had left Rome secretly on the 14th of
+July, and travelled by Genoa to Milan. Once more the duke called the
+chief citizens together, and appealed to them, by the love which they
+bore to the house of Sforza and the memory of the peace and prosperity
+which they had enjoyed under his rule, to defend Milan against the
+foreign invaders. But already sedition was spreading among the people.
+That evening the ducal treasurer, Antonio Landriano, one of Lodovico's
+ablest and most loyal servants, was attacked by the mob on the Piazza of
+the Duomo and mortally wounded.
+
+On the same day--Saturday, the 31st of August--the duke took leave of
+his sons, and sent them to Como in the charge of the two cardinals and
+their kinswoman, Camilla Sforza. "A truly piteous and heart-breaking
+sight it was," writes Corio, "to see these poor children embrace their
+beloved father, whose face was wet with their tears."
+
+Twenty mules laden with baggage, and a large chariot bearing Lodovico's
+most precious jewels and 240,000 gold ducats, covered with black canvas
+and drawn by eight strong horses, followed in the young princes' train.
+All the rest of the Moro's treasures, including a sum of 30,000 ducats,
+his vast stores of gold and silver plate, and all Duchess Beatrice's
+rich clothes and possessions, were left in the Castello, which was
+provided with ample supplies of food and ammunition, and defended by
+1800 guns and a garrison of 2800 men, who had received six months' pay
+in advance. These the duke entrusted solemnly to the charge of the
+governor, Bernardino da Corte, leaving him full instructions as to his
+future course of action, and a system of signals by which he could
+communicate with friends in the town, and telling him that he would
+return with 30,000 Germans before a month was over. Both Ascanio Sforza
+and Galeazzo di Sanseverino, it is said, entertained doubts of
+Bernardino da Corte's fidelity, and warned the duke not to leave him
+without a colleague in this responsible office; but Lodovico did not
+share their fears, and trusted implicitly in the loyalty of this
+servant, whom he had advanced from a humble position to fill this
+responsible post and loaded with favours.
+
+After his children were gone, Lodovico drew up a last deed, by which he
+left certain of his lands and houses to his friends in Milan, and made
+reparation to others whom he had wronged. Chief among these was the
+widowed Duchess Isabella, to whom he gave his own duchy of Bari, in the
+kingdom of Naples, with a yearly revenue of 6000 ducats in place of her
+dowry. He restored the lands of Angleria and the fortress of Arona to
+the Borromeos, gave poor Beatrice's favourite country house of Villa
+Nuova to Battista Visconti, and divided his different domains among the
+chief representatives of noble Milanese families, in the hope of
+securing their allegiance. While he was engaged in this final disposal
+of his property, a deputation arrived to inform him that a meeting had
+been held that day in the Dominican hall of La Rosa, at which the Bishop
+of Como, Landriano, general of the Umiliati, Castiglione, Archbishop of
+Bari, and Francesco Bernardino Visconti were chosen to form a
+provisional committee of public safety, and that these councillors had
+decided to make terms with Trivulzio and admit the French. The duke said
+that he still put his trust in the people; upon which Visconti asked him
+why, if this were the case, he had sent his sons and his treasure away?
+"If you surrender the city to the French," replied the duke, "I will
+hold the Castello for the emperor." It was his last word. In vain
+Galeazzo urged him to put himself at the head of his loyal servants, and
+call upon the citizens of Milan to man the walls against the French and
+fight or die with their duke. It was already too late. While they were
+still speaking, news reached the Castello that the people had risen in
+tumultuous uproar, and that Galeazzo di Sanseverino's stables and the
+seneschal Ambrogio Ferrari's house had been sacked by the mob. The shops
+were closed, and the houses in the principal streets were barricaded.
+Terror and confusion prevailed everywhere, and Milan seemed in a state
+of siege. Lodovico now took leave of his faithful servants, and solemnly
+charged Bernardino da Corte to hold the Castello as a sacred trust. "As
+long as the Rocca holds out, I know that I shall return; but when that
+surrenders, the house of Sforza is doomed." With these words he kissed
+the castellan on the cheek, and, mounted on a black horse, in the long
+black mantle which he always wore since his wife's death, he rode out,
+accompanied by his chief senators to the Porta Vercellina. There he
+turned to his companions, and, with a noble and dignified air, thanked
+them once more for their faithful services, and bade them all farewell.
+"_State con Dio_--may God be with you," he said, and, with a last wave
+of his hand, put spurs to his black charger and rode off.
+
+The sun was setting in the western sky, and the sorrowing courtiers
+thought that their master had gone to Como. But he alighted before the
+gates of S. Maria delle Grazie, and, throwing the reins to a page,
+entered the church where Beatrice was buried. There he knelt in prayer
+by the tomb of the wife whom he had loved so well and mourned so
+long--_la sua amantissima duchessa_--while the moments slipped away and
+his servants waited anxiously outside. At length he rose from his knees,
+took a last look at the fair face and form lying there in the deep
+repose of death, and left the church, accompanied by the weeping friars,
+who followed him with their tears and blessings to the door. Three times
+he turned round, while the tears streamed down his pale face, and looked
+at the stately pile, which held all that had been dearest to him in the
+world--where Leonardo had painted his Last Supper, and where Bianca and
+Beatrice slept together. Then, in the dusk of the summer evening, he
+rode slowly back through the park and gardens of the Castello.
+
+At break of day on the following morning, Monday, the 2nd of September,
+Duke Lodovico, accompanied by his son-in-law, Galeazzo di Sanseverino,
+his nephews, Ermes and the Count of Melzi, and his brother-in-law,
+Ippolito d'Este, and attended by a few armed horsemen, left Milan and
+rode to Como. Here the fugitives spent the night, and the duke issued a
+last decree, by which he confirmed the privileges and grants of land
+which he had granted to the friars of S. Maria delle Grazie. Then he
+told the loyal citizens of Como that he would soon return at the head of
+a German army, and rode along the banks of the lake to the mountains of
+the Valtellina. Often on the road he looked back at the blue waters and
+lovely shores of that native land which he had been so proud to call his
+own, and, at last, addressing his companions in the words of the Roman
+poet, said sorrowfully, "_Nos patriam fugimus et dulcia linquimus
+arva_."
+
+"Only think, reader," moralizes Marino Sanuto, "what grief and shame so
+great and glorious a lord, who had been held to be the wisest of
+monarchs and ablest of rulers, must have felt at losing so splendid a
+state in these few days, without a single stroke of the sword.... Let
+those who are in high places take warning, considering the miserable
+fall of this lord, who was held by many to be the greatest prince in the
+world, and let them remember that when Fortune sets you on the top of
+her wheel, she may at any moment bring you to the ground, and then the
+closer you have been to heaven, the greater and the more sudden will be
+your fall."
+
+Already Ligny's horsemen were scouring the country round Como in pursuit
+of the fugitive, and reports reached Venice that the duke had been
+captured and Galeazzo slain. By this time, however, Lodovico had crossed
+the frontier and was safe on Tyrolese soil. At Bormio he met 2000 German
+troops, who were marching to his relief; and when he reached Innsbrück,
+he found that the Empress Bianca had prepared rooms for his reception,
+and received kindly messages from Maximilian, promising him more
+efficient support as soon as he had settled his quarrel with the Swiss.
+
+Meanwhile Pavia had opened her gates to the French, upon hearing news
+of the duke's flight, Trivulzio had taken possession of the Castello,
+and Ligny was occupying the Certosa, while Jean d'Auton knew not whether
+to wonder most at the rich marbles and sumptuous chapels of the great
+church, or the vast herds of red deer which roamed in the park.
+
+"Truly," the good Benedictine exclaimed, as he wandered through these
+flowery meadows with their banks of roses and myrtles, and clear springs
+of running water--"truly, this is Paradise upon earth!"
+
+On the 6th of September, after a feeble effort on the part of the
+Milanese nobles to preserve the rights and liberties of the city, the
+keys were given up to Trivulzio, who entered by the Porta Ticinese with
+Ligny and two hundred horse, and, after visiting the Duomo, breakfasted
+in the house of his kinsman, the Bishop of Como.
+
+The Count of Caiazzo had gone out to meet Trivulzio the day before, and
+had been received with great honour, while his brothers Fracassa and
+Antonio Maria took refuge with Giovanni Adorno at Genoa, and waited to
+see how the tide would turn.
+
+Still the Castello held out, and Trivulzio was debating how best to
+reduce this almost impregnable citadel, when Bernardino da Corte sent a
+herald to parley with Francesco Bernardino Visconti. At the end of a few
+days the faithless governor agreed to surrender the Castello, in
+exchange for a large sum of money and the concession of various
+privileges for his family and friends. On the 22nd, letters from the
+duke arrived, telling the castellan to be of good cheer, for the German
+troops were on their way. But when they reached Milan, the Castello was
+already in the hands of the French. The treasures of gold and silver
+plate which the Rocca contained, the money and the precious stuffs, the
+pictures and statues and furniture which adorned its _Camerini_, were
+divided between the treacherous governor, Francesco Visconti, and
+Antonio Pallavicini, while Trivulzio reserved Lodovico's magnificent
+tapestries, that alone were valued at 150,000 ducats, for his share of
+the spoil. Then the wonders of antique and modern art which the Moro had
+collected from all parts of Italy, the paintings of Leonardo and the
+gems of Caradosso, the Greek marbles and Roman cameos, Lorenzo da
+Pavia's rare instruments and Antonio da Monza's miniatures, were
+scattered to the winds. Certain things--the gorgeous altar-plate and
+vestments of the chapel, with the priceless manuscripts of the Castello
+of Pavia, and most of the Sforza portraits--were taken to Blois, others
+found their way to Venice or Mantua, and many fell into unworthy hands
+and vanished altogether.
+
+Lodovico was lying ill of asthma in the castle at Innsbrück, discussing
+the best means of relieving the Castello with Galeazzo, when the news of
+Bernardino da Corte's treachery reached him. For some minutes he
+remained silent, as if unable to realize the full meaning of the words.
+Then he said to the friends at his bedside, "Since the day of Judas
+there has never been so black a traitor as Bernardino da Corte." And all
+the rest of that day he never spoke again.
+
+Even the French were filled with horror at Bernardino's treachery, and
+shunned him like a criminal when he appeared among them. As for his old
+friends and comrades, the poets and scholars of Lodovico's court, their
+indignation knew no bounds, Lancinus Curtius hurled bitter epigrams at
+his head, and Pistoia held him up to the scorn of the whole world in
+some of his finest sonnets. He did not live long to enjoy the reward of
+his treachery and it was popularly believed in Italy that he had
+poisoned himself in his despair, or put an end to his wretched life by
+falling upon his own sword. Even Charon, sang the poet, shuddered when
+he heard the traitor's name, and refused to let him enter the gates of
+Hades.
+
+When the news of the conquest of Milan reached Lyons, Louis XII. crossed
+the Alps without delay. On the 21st of September he was at Vercelli; on
+the 26th, at Lodovico's favourite Vigevano; on the 2nd of October he
+reached Pavia, where the Marquis of Mantua and the Duke of Ferrara, who
+feared the Pope's vengeance and Cæsar Borgia's army even more than the
+French, came to meet him.
+
+"Duke Ercole and his two sons," wrote the Ferrarese annalist, "are gone
+to meet the King of France. As for the Duke of Milan, his name is never
+mentioned, and you might think that he had never lived."
+
+On Sunday, the 6th of October, he made his triumphal entry into Milan,
+with the Dukes of Ferrara and Savoy riding at his side; the Cardinals
+della Rovere and d'Amboise were in front of him; and ambassadors from
+all the chief cities of Italy, and a goodly array of princes and nobles,
+in his train. Francesco Gonzaga, who had so lately been Duke Lodovico's
+guest, was there. And there, too, were men like Caiazzo and Fracassa,
+who had eaten and drunk at the Moro's table, and were fighting under his
+banner only a few weeks before, and with them one, who was still more
+closely associated with Lodovico and his wife by the ties of blood and
+friendship--Niccolo da Correggio, the favourite courtier and poet of the
+Moro, and the cousin of Beatrice.
+
+Conspicuous among them all by his height and majestic bearing was the
+Pope's son, Cæsar Borgia, while the king himself made a gallant show in
+his long white mantle embroidered with golden lilies over a suit of
+royal purple, bearing the ducal cap and sword. Eight Milanese nobles
+carried an ermine-lined canopy over his head, and the doctors of the
+University of Pavia were there in their scarlet robes, as they appeared
+a few short years before at Lodovico's coronation. Fair ladies in gay
+attire welcomed the victor with their smiles. Everywhere tall white
+lilies were seen blossoming in the streets that led to the Duomo--Notre
+Dame du Dôme, as the monkish chronicler calls the glorious pile of
+dazzling marbles that rose into the summer air. Here the procession
+paused, and the king walked up the vaulted aisles to pay his devotions
+at the Madonna's shrine. Then he rode on again, to the sound of trumpets
+and horns, and the royal guard of Gascon archers led the way up the
+well-known street, with the frescoed palaces and goldsmiths and
+armourers' shops, to the gates of the famous Castello, where the victor
+entered and took up his abode in this proud citadel of the Sforzas, the
+core and centre of the Milanese.
+
+In the eyes of the French strangers it was all very marvellous--the
+beautiful city with its stately palaces and hospitals, and the fair
+churches with their Gothic spires and pinnacles, their slender creamy
+shafts and deep red terra-cotta mouldings; the Milanese ladies with
+their jewelled robes and mantles embroidered with cunningly wrought
+devices, the flowering lilies and the garlands of laurel and myrtle--all
+seen under the radiant sunshine and the deep blue of the Italian skies.
+But what excited their admiration and wonder more than all was the
+Castello.
+
+"A thing," writes one of them, "truly marvellous and inestimable, with
+so many large and beautiful rooms that I lost all reckoning. Without are
+broad lakes, fair running streams, and bridges. There is a fine large
+square on the side of the town, and on the other are beautiful meadows
+and woods and the château, where the Moro had his stables, painted with
+frescoes of different-coloured horses."
+
+King Louis wondered most of all at the strength and completeness of the
+bastions and excellence of the artillery, exclaiming that never before
+had he seen so strong and splendid a citadel! And he and all the
+Frenchmen greatly blamed that second Judas, who had betrayed his master
+and delivered it up without a blow.
+
+The next morning, his Majesty attended mass at S. Ambrogio, accompanied
+by the Dukes of Ferrara and Savoy, the Marquis of Mantua, Cæsar Borgia,
+and all the cardinals and ambassadors, and afterwards visited the church
+and convent of S. Maria delle Grazie. Here he gazed with admiration on
+the Cenacolo of Leonardo, that master of whose genius he had heard so
+much, and expressed his ardent wish to transfer the famous wall-painting
+to France, a sentiment which can hardly have gratified the Dominican
+friars or the Italian princes in his train. The painter was not present
+on this occasion. His master had fled, the works upon which he was
+engaged were all interrupted, and on the approach of the French he had
+left Milan for one of his favourite country retreats in the hills of
+Bergamo or the mountains of Como, where he could study Nature and pursue
+his scientific researches in peace. And the French king and Cæsar
+Borgia, whose genuine appreciation of fine art was well known, did not
+fail to admire Bramante's fair chapel and that latest masterpiece of
+Lombard sculpture, the noble tomb which the Moro had raised to be an
+eternal memorial of his love and sorrow. There were others in his train
+that day who could hardly look unmoved on the sleeping form of the young
+duchess with the child-like face and the brocade robes which _Il Gobbo_
+had fashioned with such exquisite skill. There was her brother-in-law,
+Francesco Gonzaga, and Niccolo da Correggio, in whose heart that fair
+face and bright eyes, he tells us, were for ever enshrined; there were
+her brothers, Alfonso and Ferrante; above all, there was her father, the
+aged Duke Ercole. The sight of that marble figure, with the soft curling
+hair and the long fringe of eyelashes and quietly folded hands, must
+have vividly recalled the memory of his dead child, and of all the joy
+and brightness that had vanished in the grave with Beatrice. For him at
+least that must have been a bitter moment.
+
+And there was yet another, young Baldassare Castiglione, that courtly
+and handsome boy who had been sent to Milan a few years before to finish
+his education, and had now followed his master, the Marquis of Mantua,
+to wait upon the French king. He had been present many a time at those
+brilliant _fêtes_ in the Castello, and had seen Duchess Beatrice in her
+most radiant and triumphant hour, had talked with Leonardo and Bramante,
+and looked on Messer Galeaz as the mirror of chivalry. Now he came back
+to find the scene changed and that gay company all dead or gone. And the
+next day he sat down to write home to Mantua and tell his mother of all
+the pomp and splendour of the scenes which he had witnessed. He
+described the king's triumphal entry, and the great procession in which
+he had taken part, with all a boy's enthusiasm; but he could not refrain
+from a sigh over the melancholy change in the Castello, when he told her
+how these halls and courts, that had once been the home and
+meeting-place of rare intellects and accomplished artists, "the fine
+flower of the human race," were now full of drinking-booths and
+dung-hills--of rude soldiery, who defiled the place with their foul
+habits and polluted the air with their savage oaths. So passes the glory
+of the world.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[78] L. Pélissier, _op. cit._
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+
+Louis XII. in Milan--Hatred of the French rule--Return of Duke Lodovico
+--His march to Como and triumphal entry into Milan--Trivulzio and the
+French retire to Mortara--Surrender of the Castello of Milan, of Pavia
+and Novara, to the Moro--His want of men and money--Arrival of La
+Trémouille's army--Lodovico besieged in Novara and betrayed to the
+French king by the Swiss--Rejoicings at Rome and Venice--Triumph of the
+Borgias--Sufferings of the Milanese--Leonardo's letter.
+
+1499-1500
+
+
+During the next month Louis XII. remained in the Castello of Milan,
+joining in hunting-parties with his guests, the Duke of Ferrara and the
+Marquis of Mantua, and being royally entertained at banquets by the
+Viscontis and Borromeos and Giangiacomo Trivulzio. Isabella d'Este,
+eager to ingratiate herself with the French, invited Ligny to visit her,
+and sent dogs and falcons, as well as trout from Garda, to the king, who
+told La Trémouille that he had never tasted better fish. And when
+Cardinal d'Amboise expressed his admiration for Andrea Mantegna's art
+and told the marquis that in his opinion he was the first master in the
+world, Isabella hastened to promise him a picture by the great Paduan's
+hand.
+
+It was a sad time for the followers of Lodovico. The faithful servants
+who had followed him into exile, saw their lands and houses confiscated
+and divided among the victors. The Count of Ligny's mother occupied the
+Marchesino Stanga's house, and Trivulzio's triumph over his rivals was
+complete when he received the Moro's palace of Vigevano and Messer
+Galeazzo's fair domain of Castel Novo as his share of the spoils. But
+no one suffered more keenly or shed more bitter tears than
+Giangaleazzo's widow, Duchess Isabella. She had unwisely declined
+Lodovico's advice to leave Milan when the war broke out, and take refuge
+on her uncle Frederic's galleys at Genoa. Instead of this, she remained
+in Milan and sent her son, a child of eight, whom contemporaries
+describe as beautiful as a cherub, but weak in mind, like his father, to
+meet Louis XII. on his arrival at the Castello. But, to her dismay, the
+king refused to allow the young prince to return to his mother, and when
+he left Milan on the 7th of November, he took the boy with him to
+France, and made him Abbot of Noirmoutiers, where he lived in retirement
+until, twelve years later, he broke his neck out hunting. After her
+son's departure, the unhappy mother, who signed herself "_Ysabella de
+Aragonia Sforcia unica in disgrazia_" in letters of this period, finally
+left Milan. Early in 1500 she paid a visit to Isabella d'Este at Mantua,
+and then travelled by sea from Genoa to Naples, and spent the rest of
+her life in her principality of Bari. One of her daughters died as a
+child; the other, Bona, was betrothed to her cousin, Maximilian Sforza,
+when, in 1512, he was restored to his father's throne. It was Isabella's
+cherished dream that her last remaining child should reign over the
+duchy of Milan, where, after all, her own brightest days had been spent;
+but before the marriage could take place, the young duke had been
+compelled to abdicate his throne and taken captive to France. His
+betrothed bride, Princess Bona, married Sigismund, King of Poland, in
+1518, and six years later her mother died at Naples.
+
+After Louis XII. left Milan, the severity of Trivulzio's rule, and the
+violence and rapacity of the French soldiery, led to increasing
+discontent among the people, who sighed for the good old days of Duke
+Lodovico, when at least their life and property, and the honour of their
+wives and daughters, were safe. Even on the day of the French king's
+entry, Marino Sanuto remarks that Louis was displeased to find how few
+of the people cried "France!" while the Venetians were greeted with
+shouts of "Dogs!" and hardly dared show themselves in the streets. "We
+have given the king his dinner," said a Milanese citizen; "you will be
+served up for his supper!" Already, on the 21st of September, the
+annalist of Ferrara wrote: "The French are hated in Milan for their
+rudeness and arrogance." And a private letter, written by a Venetian
+from Milan, in October, confirms Castiglione's account of the confusion
+and disorder that reigned in the Castello.
+
+"The French are dirty people. The king goes to hear mass without a
+single candle, and eats alone, in the eyes of all the people. In the
+Castello there is nothing but foulness and dirt, such as Signor Lodovico
+would not have allowed for the whole world! The French captains spit
+upon the floor of the rooms, and the soldiers outrage women in the
+streets. The Ducheto has been taken from his mother, who weeps all day
+long. Galeazzo is with Lodovico, Caiazzo with King Louis, Fracassa and
+Antonio Maria are at Ferrara, and keep up an active correspondence with
+Lodovico and Galeazzo."[79]
+
+Meanwhile, at Innsbrück, the exiled duke was anxiously watching the
+course of events, and awaiting a favourable moment to return and claim
+his own. "I will beat the drum in winter and dance all the summer," was
+the motto which he adopted, together with the device of a tambourine, in
+reference to his future hopes. A letter which the well-known preacher,
+Celso Maffei of Verona, addressed to him, moralizing over the causes of
+his fall, and exhorting him to observe the laws of public and private
+justice, gave Lodovico an opportunity of issuing a manifesto to his
+adherents. In this curious document he defends his conduct, and declares
+that he has no reason to reproach himself for anything in his past life.
+He has always led a Christian life, given abundant alms, listened to
+frequent masses, and said many prayers, especially since the death of
+his dear wife Beatrice. He has ever had a strict regard for justice, no
+complaint of his subjects has ever been left unheard, and since his
+fall, no one has ever reproached him with injustice excepting the
+Borromeos, whose alleged wrongs he explains, in a manner to justify his
+own action. His whole desire has been to love his subjects as his own
+children, and seek peace and prosperity for his realm. If he raised
+heavy taxes, it was only in order to defend his people from their
+enemies, and he never waged war excepting to resist the invasion of
+hostile armies. Whatever mistakes he may have made, the Milanese have
+never had reason to complain of him, and have proved this by their
+fidelity, only a few captains having sold the fortresses in their charge
+and joined the French. And in conclusion he appeals to his old subjects
+to restore him once more to the throne of his ancestors.
+
+His appeal was not in vain. Niccolo della Bussola and the architect
+Jacopo da Ferrara, Leonardo's friend, arrived at Innsbrück in December,
+bringing the duke word of the disaffection that reigned in Milan, and of
+the prayers that were daily offered up for his return. Cheered by these
+tidings, Lodovico determined to leave nothing undone on his part. He
+pawned his jewels and began to raise forces both in the Tyrol and
+Switzerland. In his eagerness to find allies, he applied to Henry VII.
+of England, and even invited the Turks to attack the Venetians in
+Friuli. Maximilian helped him with men and money, as far as his slender
+resources would allow, and summoned the German Diet to meet at Augsburg
+in February, in the hope of obtaining support from the electors. But the
+Moro's impatience could brook no delay. At Christmas he came to Brixen,
+and there succeeded in collecting a force of eight or ten thousand Swiss
+and German _Landsknechten_, supported by a body of Stradiots and his own
+Milanese horse. At the head of this little army, Lodovico left Brixen on
+the 24th of January, and set out on his gallant but ill-fated attempt to
+recover his dominions.
+
+Meanwhile Girolamo Landriano, the General of the Umiliati, who had been
+the first to yield Milan to the French, was actively engaged in plotting
+the restoration of Lodovico, with the help of the leading ecclesiastics
+in the city. "To say the truth," writes Jean d'Auton, "the whole duchy
+of Milan was secretly in favour of Lodovico, and all the Lombards were
+swollen with poison, and ready like vipers to shoot out the deadly venom
+of their treason." A general rising was fixed for Candlemas Day, but so
+well was the secret kept, that not a whisper reached the vigilant ears
+of Trivulzio, and all remained quiet until the last few days of January.
+On the 24th, a band of children at play, engaged in a mimic fight
+between the supposed French and Milanese armies, ending with the rout of
+the French and a procession in which the effigy of King Louis was
+dragged through the streets tied to a donkey's tail. Some French
+soldiers, who witnessed the scene, fired on the children, killing one
+and wounding others, upon which the citizens rose in arms, and drove the
+foreigners back into the Castello. This was followed by a more serious
+riot on the 31st of January, and Trivulzio gave orders for a general
+disarming of the people, which, however, he was unable to enforce.
+Already news had reached Como that the Moro had crossed the Alps, and
+was on his way to Milan.
+
+The course of Lodovico's victorious march is best described in a letter
+which he addressed to his sister-in-law, Isabella d'Este, on the day
+after his triumphal entry into his old capital.
+
+"ILLUSTRIOUS LADY AND DEAREST SISTER,
+
+"On the 24th of last month we left Brixen by the grace of God, and
+crossed Monte Braulio into the Valtellina with a body of
+_Landsknechten_. Monsignore the Vice-chancellor, Messer Galeaz, and
+Messer Visconti, went on before with the Swiss and Grison infantry, by
+way of Coire and Chiavenna, and reached the lake of Como on the 30th.
+Here M. Galeaz fitted out eleven ships, with which he attacked and put
+to flight the enemy's fleet, and took a fortress occupied by the French.
+Both the Castle of Bellagio and the town of Torno surrendered to His
+Reverence, who pushed on with his troops to Como, where he met
+Monsignore Sanseverino arriving from the Valtellina, and the two
+cardinals together did the rest. Monsieur de Ligny and the Count of
+Musocho"--Trivulzio's son--"who held the town with 1500 horse, fled at
+the approach of the two Monsignori, knowing the feeling of the people,
+and his Eminence entered Como amidst the greatest rejoicing in the
+world. M. Galeaz and his light horse pursued the enemy, and Monsignore
+pushed on towards Milan, hearing from our friends there that his arrival
+was impatiently desired. On Friday, the last of January, some of the
+people rose in arms, and M. Gian Giacomo fortified the Corte Vecchia and
+the Duomo, and, with 2000 infantry, marched through the streets of the
+armourers, the builders, and the hatters, to make a public
+demonstration. But our friends waited, knowing that the right moment
+had not yet come. On Sunday, the 2nd, the French captains, hearing of
+the cardinals' approach, and knowing the strong feeling in the city,
+assembled their troops early on the Piazza of the Castello. Our friends
+were well prepared, and at the same moment all the bells rang, and the
+whole city rose in arms. More than 60,000 people attacked the French,
+and drove them back into the Castello, where they spent the night,
+without forage for their horses, and on Monday morning, the day before
+yesterday, they fled from Milan in terror. The bridges had been broken
+down to hinder their passage, but, luckily for them, the Ticino was low,
+and they crossed the bed of the river, and retired to Gaiata in safety.
+And on Monday the Vice-chancellor entered Milan, amidst universal
+rejoicing, and endeavoured to give chase to the French army, but had not
+a sufficient number of horse to effect his object.
+
+"On Monday morning we reached Como, after taking possession of the
+castle on the rock of Musso, and were joyfully received all along the
+lake, by the chief citizens and gentlemen of the district, who came out
+in boats to meet us. At the gates of the city, the whole population
+received us with incredible rejoicing and loud acclamations. Yesterday
+we slept at Mirabello, a house of the Landriani, about a mile out of
+Milan. All the way from Como crowds of gentlemen and citizens streamed
+out to meet us on foot or on horseback, in continually increasing
+numbers, and cries of _Moro! Moro!_ and shouts of joy greeted our steps,
+whichever way we turned. This morning at sunrise we left Mirabello, and
+entered the suburb of the Porta Nova, at the hour indicated by our
+astrologer, but alighted at Gian Francesco da Vimercato's garden, and
+waited there a little while, to give the gentlemen time to meet us, and
+enter the city.
+
+"The two cardinals rode out to meet us, and Messer Galeaz and many
+gentlemen, with a great number of men-at-arms on foot and horseback, and
+we marched all through the city and up to the Duomo. All the streets and
+windows and roofs were thronged with people shouting our name, with such
+rapture that it would be a thing almost incredible if we had not seen it
+ourselves. And so with universal rejoicing we have returned here, by
+the grace of God, and already we hear that Lodi, Piacenza, Pavia,
+Tortona, and Alessandria have driven out the French, and returned of
+their own free will to our allegiance. The castle of Trezzo has
+surrendered, and that of Cassano has been fortified in our name by the
+Marchesino, and all the towns on the Venetian frontier have declared for
+us, and before long we hope to have recovered the whole state. The
+Castello here is still held by 300 French soldiers, but it is badly
+provided with victuals and fuel, and although they have saltpetre, there
+is no charcoal to make gunpowder, so we are in good hope of recovering
+the place, but do not mean to let this delay us for a moment in pursuing
+our victorious course. The enemy is in full retreat, and we mean to
+drive them back to the mountain passes, and have already sent M. Galeaz
+early this morning with the infantry, and all the horse that we have, in
+their pursuit. Monsignore Sanseverino is gone to-day, and we follow
+to-morrow with all the horse we can collect and a good number of
+infantry, the better to carry out our plans. We hear that the soldiers,
+which were in Romagna, to the number of 250 lances, besides infantry,
+have been recalled, and have reached Parma, and feel sure that your
+lord, the Marquis of Mantua, and our other allies will pursue them, and
+with their help, and the general rising of the people, we trust to
+obtain complete victory. We tell your Highness these things the more
+gladly because we feel sure that you have been grieved for our trouble,
+and will rejoice with us at these fortunate successes. You will forgive
+me for not writing in my own hand, because of pressing engagements.
+
+                        "LODOVICUS MARIA SFORTIA,
+                             _Anglus Dux Mediolani, etc., B. Chalcus_.
+
+Milan, February 5, 1500."[80]
+
+At the same time Lodovico wrote to Francesco Gonzaga--
+
+"This morning we entered Milan, and it would be impossible to describe
+the immense jubilation of the whole city and all classes of people, or
+the extraordinary demonstrations of affection and good-will that we have
+received on all sides. Our intention is to follow up our victory with
+the utmost speed, to effect the complete destruction of our enemies, and
+secure the passes neglecting no precaution. To-day we have sent
+Monsignore Sanseverino on with ten thousand Germans, and intend to
+follow with the remaining forces ourselves to-morrow. I hope your
+Highness will attack and destroy the troops on their way from Romagna,
+and if they are already gone, join with the forces of our allies and the
+men of the country in their pursuit, according to the orders that we
+have already issued."
+
+This sudden revolution took all Italy by surprise. When couriers arrived
+in Mantua and Ferrara, saying that Duke Lodovico had that day entered
+Milan in triumph, people refused to believe the news. But it was true.
+"The Moro has returned," wrote Jean d'Auton, "and has entered Milan,
+where he has been received as if he were a God from heaven, great and
+small shouting _Moro!_ with one accord. Verily these Lombards seem to
+adore him. One and all implore him to drive out the French and become
+their prince again." When the people saw the well-known form of their
+old duke riding through the streets, clad in rich crimson damask, their
+enthusiasm knew no bounds. The two cardinals were at his side, and
+Messer Galeazzo rode behind him, in a suit of glittering brocade, with
+tall white plumes in his cap and white shoes, "better fitted," remarks
+the chronicler, "for the service of Venus than for that of Mars." They
+took up their abode in the old palace of the Corte Vecchia, near the
+Duomo, since the Castello was in the hands of the enemy, and the duke
+issued a proclamation, calling on all loyal subjects to restore the
+pictures, hangings, and other rare and precious objects, which had been
+taken from the Castello. The wealthy citizens parted freely with their
+gold and jewels, the Prior and friars of S. Maria delle Grazie melted
+down their sumptuous altar-plate, and the canons of the Duomo brought
+the duke those costly gifts which he had made them in his days of
+prosperity. Having thus succeeded in raising 100,000 ducats, Lodovico
+assembled the councillors, and harangued them in eloquent language,
+reminding them of all they had suffered from the French tyranny, and
+calling on them to join him in delivering their land from this
+intolerable yoke. "I, too, have been guilty of mistakes and faults in
+the past," he added, "but I will repair them. All I ask is to be your
+captain, not your lord. Help me to drive out the stranger."
+
+Before the week was over, Jacopo Andrea and his friends had succeeded
+in obtaining the capitulation of the French garrison, and the Castello
+was occupied by Cardinal Ascanio, whom Lodovico left with a small force
+at Milan, while he himself went on to Pavia. It was on one of the few
+days which he spent in Milan that his meeting with the Chevalier Bayard
+took place, as recorded in the joyous chronicle of the loyal servant.
+After a skirmish with some of Messer Galeazzo's horse at Binasco, the
+young French knight who had been too eager in the pursuit of his foes
+was taken prisoner, and brought before the duke at Milan. Lodovico,
+wondering at his youth, asked him what brought him in such hurried guise
+to Milan, and ended by restoring his sword and horse, and sending him
+back to his friends under the escort of a herald, to tell Ligny of the
+courteous treatment which he had received from the Moro, and to say what
+a gallant gentleman Duke Lodovico was--"_qui pour peu de chose n'est pas
+aisé à étonner_."
+
+At Pavia the Moro was received with the same enthusiastic joy, and
+during the fortnight that he remained there the Castello was bombarded
+and taken by his artillery. The next week his native town of Vigevano
+welcomed him with open arms, and the French garrison was forced to quit
+the citadel. But the Venetians held Lodi and Piacenza, and the Duke of
+Ferrara and Marquis of Mantua, however much they wished their kinsman
+well, and secretly disliked the French, did not dare to incur their
+vengeance by any rash action. In vain the Moro wrote passionate appeals
+to Francesco Gonzaga from Pavia and Vigevano, urging him to come to his
+help before it was too late, and pointing out how the safety and
+well-being of Mantua depended upon that of Milan. All the marquis
+ventured to do was to send his brother Giovanni, with a troop of horse,
+to help Lodovico in the siege of Novara, which he now attacked with the
+aid of fifty pieces of artillery sent from Innsbrück.
+
+Meanwhile his foes were every day gaining strength. King Louis had
+hastily collected a large army of French lances and Swiss mercenaries
+under La Trémouille at Asti, who entered Lombardy, and marched to
+relieve Trivulzio and Ligny at Mortara. On the other hand, the French
+troops who had gone with Yves d'Allégre to assist Cæsar Borgia in the
+siege of Forli and conquest of Romagna, speedily retraced their steps to
+relieve the garrison of Novara. But they could not hold out against the
+furious assaults of the Germans and Burgundians, and on the 21st of
+March the castle surrendered, and the garrison marched out with the
+honours of war. Two days afterwards La Trémouille reached Vercelli at
+the head of his powerful army, and succeeded in effecting a junction
+with Trivulzio's forces. This put an end to the Moro's brilliant
+successes, and it became evident to all that the unequal contest could
+not be maintained much longer. Seeing himself outnumbered and surrounded
+on all sides, Lodovico threw himself into Novara, and early in April was
+besieged there in his turn. But the Swiss, who formed the bulk of his
+force, murmured because they were not allowed to pillage the towns, and
+began to communicate secretly with their comrades in the hostile camp.
+The Moro had sent Galeazzo Visconti to Berne, and at his request the
+Helvetian Diet issued orders to the Swiss in both armies, forbidding
+them to fight against their comrades. But the French envoy, Antoine de
+Bussy, bribed the herald who bore the message to Novara, and only the
+Swiss in the Moro's service received orders to lay down their arms. The
+result was that when Lodovico's captains led them out to meet the enemy,
+they refused to fight, and withdrew in confusion into the city. In vain
+the duke offered them his silver plate and jewels, till he could obtain
+money from Milan, and begged them to return to the battle. In vain
+Galeazzo, at the head of his Lombards, charged the foe gallantly,
+killing many of them with his artillery and putting the others to
+flight. He and his brothers fought desperately, till the sword was
+broken in Galeazzo's hands and Fracassa was badly wounded. But all their
+heroism was of no avail. Trivulzio was already in secret treaty with the
+Swiss, who sent a deputy to the French camp, asking for leave to lay
+down their arms and return to their own country.
+
+Antonio Grumello, who was in Novara at the time, describes how late one
+evening, when the duke sat playing chess with Fracassa in the bishop's
+palace, where he lodged, a spy was led in, who told him that Trivulzio
+had boasted that the Moro would be his captive in less than a
+fortnight. "What do you say?" asked Lodovico of Almodoro, the
+astrologer, who had followed him into exile. But Almodoro shook his
+head. It was impossible; no planet foretold such a disaster; on the
+contrary, all the signs were propitious, and he spoke confidently of
+coming victory. "On Wednesday in Holy Week," continued the chronicler,
+"the betrayal of Judas began." That day, as Galeazzo was preparing for
+another sally, the Swiss came to him in a body and laid down their arms,
+saying they would not fight against their comrades in the other camp.
+Already one of the gates had been treacherously opened, and the French
+were in the city. In this extremity an Albanian captain offered the duke
+a fleet Arab horse and begged him to escape. But Lodovico refused to
+desert his friends, and would only accept the proposal of the Swiss
+captains that he and his companions should assume the garb of common
+soldiers and mingle in the ranks. He covered his crimson silk vest and
+scarlet hose, hid his long hair under a tight cap, and took a halberd in
+his hand. In this disguise he was preparing to file out of the camp in
+the ranks of the Grison troops, when a Swiss captain named Turman, and
+called Soprasasso by the Italians, betrayed him to the French. The
+Swiss, it is said, received 30,000 ducats as the price of blood from
+Trivulzio, but were discontented with the sum, and quarrelled violently
+over the gold among themselves; while the traitor had his head cut off
+on his return home, and such were the execrations heaped upon him by his
+comrades, that his wife and children were forced to change their name.
+"_E lo quello_"--"There he is"--were the words in which Turman pointed
+Lodovico out to a French captain, who immediately laid his hand on the
+duke's arm and arrested him in the name of King Louis. "_Son contento_,"
+replied Lodovico, calmly; and made no further resistance. "I surrender,"
+he said afterwards, "to my kinsman, Monsignore de Ligny." Accordingly he
+was delivered to Ligny, who treated him with all respect, and provided
+him with a horse and apparel suited to his rank.
+
+It is said that at first he declined to meet Trivulzio, but the
+chronicler Prato describes an interview which took place between the
+duke and his former captain soon afterwards. Trivulzio, in whose heart
+the old wrong still rankled, greeted his captive with the words, "It is
+you, Lodovico Sforza, who drove me out for the sake of a stranger, and,
+not content with this, have stirred the Milanese to rebellion." Lodovico
+merely shrugged his shoulders, and replied quietly, "Who among us can
+tell the reason why we love one man and hate another?"
+
+"And so," adds Grumello, "poor Lodovico was taken captive, and with him
+Galeazzo and Fracassa; but Galeazzo became the prisoner of the Swiss,
+and was led away by these Helvetians on a black horse without a saddle,
+riding on a sack. And I saw this with my own eyes."
+
+All three of the Sanseverini brothers were claimed by the Bailiff of
+Dijon as his prisoners, but Antonio Maria managed to escape from their
+hands, and both Fracassa and Galeazzo were ransomed by their relatives
+for one thousand ducats a-piece at the end of a few weeks. Fracassa
+sought his wife at Ferrara, and Galeazzo took refuge with the other
+Milanese exiles at Innsbrück. The Marchesino Stanga, who was also taken
+captive at Novara, was imprisoned in the Castello of Milan, and died
+there before the end of the year.
+
+On the evening of his capture, Wednesday, the 10th of April, Lodovico
+was taken to the citadel of Novara, where he remained for a week. His
+faithful friends, the good friars of S. Maria delle Grazie, supplied
+their illustrious patron with a set of silk and gold and silver brocade
+vests, hats and shoes to match, scarlet hose, and fine Reims linen
+shirts. All Lodovico himself asked for was a copy of Dante's "Divina
+Commedia," that he might study it during his captivity. On the 17th he
+was conducted by La Trémouille, accompanied by four servants and two
+pages, to Susa, where he became so ill that he was unable to continue
+the journey. After a few days' rest he recovered, and was taken over the
+mountains to Lyons, in charge of M. de Crussol and the king's band of
+archers.
+
+Great were the rejoicings among the Moro's enemies when the news of his
+capture was made known. King Louis ordered solemn _Te Deums_ to be
+chanted in Notre Dame of Paris, and himself went in state to give thanks
+in the church of Our Lady of Comfort at Lyons, while he extolled La
+Trémouille as another Clovis or Charles Martel in his despatches. The
+Pope gave the messenger who brought the news a gift of a hundred ducats,
+for joy, he said, that the traitor-brood was annihilated. The Orsini
+lighted bonfires, and the jubilee rejoicings waxed louder and longer
+through the night. Cardinal Ascanio's palace, with all his treasures of
+art, was seized by Alexander VI., and his benefices were divided among
+the pontiff's creatures. In Venice the Piazza was illuminated and all
+the bells rung, while the children and boatmen sang--
+
+    "Ora il Moro fa la danza,
+    Viva Marco e 'l re di Franza!"
+
+and dancing and pageants celebrated the downfall of the Republic's most
+dreaded foe. Even in Florence the citizens rejoiced over the fall of
+another tyrant, and raised a crucifix at the doors of the Palazzo
+Pubblico to commemorate the victory of freedom. Had they known it, they
+were in reality celebrating the loss of national independence, the
+beginning of a long reign of slavery and foreign rule. Seldom has the
+cause of freedom and civilization suffered a worse blow than this
+betrayal of the Moro at Novara, which left the Milanese a prey to French
+invaders, and planted the yoke of the stranger firmly on the neck of
+Northern Italy.
+
+At the news of his brother's capture, Ascanio Sforza left Milan to seek
+refuge across the Alps, but was himself taken prisoner, with his nephew
+Ermes, at the Castle of Rivolta, near Piacenza, by the Venetians, who
+delivered them up to the French king. Both were taken to France, and the
+cardinal was detained in honourable captivity in the citadel of Bourges,
+until, in January, 1502, he was released to take part in the conclave
+that elected Pius III. With Trivulzio's return to Milan a reign of
+terror began. The city was heavily fined, the partisans of the Sforza
+were exiled or imprisoned, Niccolo da Bussola and Leonardo's beloved
+friend, Jacopo Andrea, were hung, and their limbs drawn and quartered
+and exposed to view on the battlements of the Castello, in spite of Duke
+Ercole's intercession on behalf of the distinguished architect. Pavia
+was sacked by the French, and Lombardy paid with tears and blood for
+its loyalty to the race of Sforza. The period of anarchy and confusion
+which followed is described in mournful language by the Milanese
+chroniclers. During the next forty years, the city was continually taken
+and sacked by contending armies, her fair parks and gardens were
+trampled underfoot by foreign soldiery, and her beautiful churches and
+palaces destroyed by shells and cannon-balls. French and German ruffians
+tore the clothes off the backs of the poor, and snatched the bread from
+the lips of starving children. People were everywhere seen dying of
+hunger and the grass growing in the squares. There were no voices in the
+streets, often no services in the churches. Silence and desolation
+reigned throughout the unhappy city. "Blessed indeed," sighs the writer,
+"were those who were able to seek shelter in flight." Beyond the borders
+of Lombardy, there were others who grieved over the Moro's fall. In
+Mantua and Ferrara his friends shed secret tears over his fate. "Duke
+Ercole is very sad," writes our friend the annalist, "for his
+son-in-law's sake, and so are all the people." And Caterina Sforza, in
+her lonely captivity within the walls of the Castel' Sant' Angelo, wept
+over her uncle's ruin and the downfall of her race. Far away in
+Florence, one artist, who had lived in close intimacy with the Moro for
+many a long year, who had discussed a hundred problems and planned all
+manner of mighty works with him, heard the news with a pang of regret.
+Leonardo had been in Venice with Lorenzo da Pavia, the great
+organ-master, when the wonderful tidings of the duke's return had come.
+He and Lorenzo must have smiled when they saw the long faces and
+sinister air of the grave Venetian senators at this unexpected turn of
+affairs. Eagerly they watched and waited and wondered if these things
+could be really true, and if the Moro were to reign once more on his
+fathers' throne, and carry out all the great dreams of his soul. And now
+it was all over, and the French were supreme in Milan, and the great
+horse on which the master had spent the best years of his life was used
+as a target for the arrows of Gascon archers. The duke and Messer Galeaz
+were captives, Sforzas and Viscontis were in prison or exile, and Jacopo
+Andrea had died a cruel death. On Leonardo the blow fell with crushing
+force; but he held his peace, and only the few broken sentences in his
+notebook remain to tell of his shattered hopes and of his inconsolable
+regrets.
+
+"The Saletta above ... (left unfinished).
+
+"Bramante's buildings ... (left undone).
+
+"The Castellano a prisoner ...
+
+"Visconti in prison--his son dead.
+
+"Gian della Rosa's revenues seized.
+
+"Bergonzio"--the duke's treasurer--"deprived of his fortune.
+
+"The duke has lost state, fortune, and liberty, and not one of his works
+has been completed."
+
+In these last melancholy words we read Lodovico Sforza's epitaph,
+pronounced over him by Leonardo the Florentine.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[79] M. Sanuto, _Diarii_, iii.
+
+[80] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 672.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI
+
+Lodovico Sforza enters Lyons as a captive--His imprisonment at
+Pierre-Encise and Lys Saint-Georges--Laments over Il Moro in the popular
+poetry of France and Italy--Efforts of the Emperor Maximilian to obtain
+his release--Ascanio and Ermes Sforza released--Lodovico removed to
+Loches--Paolo Giovio's account of his captivity--His attempt to
+escape--Dungeon at Loches--Death of Lodovico Sforza--His burial in S.
+Maria delle Grazie.
+
+1500-1508
+
+
+On the 2nd of May, 1500, barely a month after Lodovico Sforza's
+triumphant return to Milan, the ancient city of Lyons witnessed a
+strange and mournful procession, in which he was again the central
+figure. That day the King of France's captive was led along the banks of
+the swift Rhone and through the Grande Rue up to the fortress of
+Pierre-Encise, on the top of the steep hill that crowns the old Roman
+city. The scene has been described in a well-known letter by an
+eye-witness, the Venetian ambassador Benedetto Trevisano, one of the
+envoys who had been sent, three years before, to meet the emperor on his
+descent into Italy, and whom the Duke of Milan had entertained royally
+at Vigevano. The fierce and vindictive tone of the writer, the exultant
+spirit in which he triumphs over the fallen foe, is another proof of the
+terror and hatred which the Moro inspired in Venice. Trevisano's letter
+was written on the evening of the 2nd of May, and addressed to the Doge.
+
+"To-day, before two o'clock, Signor Lodovico was brought into the city.
+The following was the order of the procession: first came twelve
+officers of the city guard, to restrain the people who thronged the
+streets from shouting. Then came the Governor of Lyons and Provost of
+Justice on horseback, and then the said Signor Lodovico, clad in a black
+camlet vest with black hose and riding-boots, and a black cloth
+_berretta_, which he held most of the time in his hand. He looked about
+him as if determined to hide his feelings in this great change of
+fortune, but his face was very pale and he looked very ill, although he
+had been shaved this morning, and his arms trembled and he shook all
+over. Close beside him rode the captain of the king's archers, followed
+by a hundred of his men. In this order they led him all through the
+town, up to the castle on the hill, where he will be well guarded for
+the next week, until the iron cage is ready, which will be his room both
+by night and day. The cage, I hear, is very strong, and made of iron
+framed in wood, in such a manner that the iron bars, instead of breaking
+under a file or any other instrument, would throw out sparks of fire.
+One thing I must not forget to tell you. The ambassador of Spain and I
+were together at a window when Signor Lodovico passed, and when the
+Spaniard was pointed out to him, he took off his hat and bowed. And
+being told that I was the ambassador of your Serene Highness, he
+stopped, and seemed about to speak. But I did not move, and the captain
+of the archers, who rode by him, said, 'Go on--go on!' Afterwards the
+captain mentioned this to the king, who said, 'Do you mean that he
+refused to pay you any reverence?' adding that such men as this who do
+not keep faith are bad, and so on. And I replied that I should have felt
+shame rather than honour if I had received any sign of courtesy from a
+person of this kind. The king was in his palace, and had seen Signor
+Lodovico pass, and with him were many other lords and gentlemen, who
+spoke much of the Moro. His Christian Majesty said that he had decided
+not to send him to Loches as he had intended, because at certain seasons
+of the year he himself goes there with his court for his amusement, and
+would rather not be there with him, as he does not wish to see him. So
+he has decided to send him to Lys in Berry, two leagues from the city of
+Bourges, where the king has a very strong castle with trenches wider
+than those of the Castello of Milan, full of water. This place is in the
+centre of France, and is kept by a gentleman, who was captain of the
+archers when his Majesty was Duke of Orleans, and had a body of tried
+guards who were trained by the king himself. When the Moro alighted from
+the mule which he rode, he was carried into the castle, and is, I am
+told, so weak that he cannot walk a step without help. From this I judge
+that his days will be few. I commend myself humbly to your Serene
+Highness.
+
+"BENEDICTUS TREVISANUS.[81]
+                    _Eques. Orator_."
+
+Fortunately, the iron cage seems to have been a fable invented by the
+Venetian ambassador, and from all accounts the prisoner was well and
+honourably treated, although the king absolutely refused his request to
+see him during the fortnight that he remained in the fortress at Lyons.
+He received visits, however, from several of the king's ministers, who
+all remarked that if he had been guilty of some foolish actions his
+words were remarkably wise--"_toutefois moult sagement parloit_." Anger
+gave place to pity at the sight of this victim who had suffered so
+terrible a reverse of fortune, and the Benedictine chronicler, Jean
+d'Auton, deplores the sad fate of this unfortunate prince, who, after
+many golden days of wealth and prosperity, was doomed to end his life in
+weary and lonely captivity far from house and friends: "_Somme, si le
+pauvre Seigneur captif, de deuil inconsolable avoit le coeur serrè a nul
+devoit sembler merveilles_." The sorrowful destiny of the "_infelice
+Duca_," who had once boasted himself to be the favourite of
+fortune--"_Il Figlio della Fortuna_"--became the burden of popular
+poetry, alike in France and Italy. Jean d'Auton himself gives vent to
+his feelings in an elegy on the vanity of earthly glories--
+
+    "Si Ludovic, qui jadys pleine cacque
+    Heut de ducatz et pouvoir magnifique,
+    Est en exil, sans targe, escu ne placque,
+    Captif, afflict, plus mausain que cung heticque,
+    Et que, de main hostile et inimique,
+    Malheur le fiere rudement et estocque--
+    Gloire mondaine est fragile et caducque."
+
+The grief of the Milanese bards for their duke's cruel fate found
+utterance in the following lament:
+
+    Son quel duca in Milano
+    Che compianto sto in dolore ...
+    Io diceva che un sel Dio
+    Era in cielo e un Moro in terra--
+    E secondo il mio disio
+    Io faveva pace e guerra
+    Son quel duca di Milano," etc.
+
+Fausto Andrelino wrote a Latin poem beginning with the lines--
+
+    "Ille ego sum Maurus, franco qui captus ab hoste
+    Exemplum instabilis non leve sortis eo;"
+
+and Jean Marot found inspiration in a Venetian song--"Ogni fumo viene al
+basso"--which he rendered in the following lines, alluding to the legend
+of the Moro's fresco in the Castello of Milan:--
+
+    "Jadiz fist paindre une dame, embellie
+    Par sur sa robe, des villes d'Ytalie
+    Et luy au près tenant des epoussetes,
+    Voullant dire, par superbe follie,
+    Que l'Ytalie estoit toute sonillie
+    Et qu'il voulloit faire les villes nettes.
+    Le roi Loys, voulant ravoir ses mettes,
+    Par bonne guerre luy a fait tel ennuy
+    Que l'Ytalie est nettoyé de lui!
+    Chose usurpée legier est consommée,
+    Comme argent vif qui retourne en fumée."
+
+From Lyons the captive duke was removed to Lys Saint-Georges in Berry,
+where he remained during the next four years in the charge of Gilbert
+Bertrand, the king's old captain of the guard. He was allowed to take
+exercise in the precincts of the castle and to fish in the moat.
+According to Sanuto, he was not wholly cut off from his friends. "Since
+he likes to know what is happening in the world outside, the king allows
+him to receive letters and to hear the news." But his health suffered
+from the confinement, and in the summer of 1501, he became so ill that
+Louis XII., who was hunting in the neighbourhood, sent his doctor,
+Maitre Salomon, to see him. The physician was shocked at the prisoner's
+altered appearance; his long hair, as we learn from a contemporary
+miniature, had turned entirely white, and there were black circles round
+his eyes. He sighed constantly, complained of the faithless subjects who
+had caused his ruin, and asked eagerly for the latest news of the treaty
+with the King of the Romans. Maitre Salomon told the king that he
+believed Signor Lodovico was losing his reason, and his account moved
+Louis so much that he sent to Milan for one of the duke's favourite
+dwarfs, in order to beguile the weary hours of captivity. Meanwhile, in
+justice to Maximilian, it must be said that he was untiring in his
+efforts to obtain the release of his friend and kinsman. For many years
+he steadily refused to grant Louis XII. the investiture of Milan, unless
+Lodovico was set at liberty, and repeated his solicitations to this
+effect with the most unwearied pertinacity. On this point, however, the
+French king was inexorable. He knew the hold which the Moro had retained
+on the hearts of his subjects, and would not run the risk of another
+rebellion by allowing Lodovico to join his children at Innsbrück. At the
+prayer of the Empress Bianca, he released her brother, Ermes Sforza, in
+1502, and a year later allowed Ascanio Sforza to return to Rome, at the
+request of Cardinal d'Amboise, and give his vote in the papal conclave.
+After the accession of his old enemy, Giuliano della Rovere, to the
+papal throne, Cardinal Sforza once more attained a high degree of honour
+and prosperity, and when he died, in 1505, Julius II. raised the
+magnificent monument in the church of S. Maria del Popolo to his memory.
+In February, 1504, the German ambassador made another strong appeal to
+the king on his master's behalf for Lodovico's release, but the only
+concession that he could obtain was some relaxation in the rigour of his
+treatment. The duke was removed to the château of Loches in Touraine, a
+healthy and beautiful spot, on the summit of a lofty hill, and was
+allowed greater liberty and more society.
+
+All contemporary writers agree that he bore his long and tedious
+captivity with remarkable patience and fortitude. "I have heard," writes
+the Como historian, Paolo Giovio, "from Pier Francesco da Pontremoli,
+who was the duke's faithful companion and servant during his captivity,
+that he bore his miserable condition with pious resignation and
+sweetness, often saying that God had sent him these tribulations as a
+punishment for the sins of his youth, since nothing but the sudden might
+of destiny could have subverted the counsels of human wisdom."
+
+Early in the spring of 1508, the Moro seems to have made a desperate
+attempt to escape. According to the Milanese chronicler Prato, he bribed
+one of his guardians, with gold supplied, as we learn, from Padre
+Gattico, by the friars of S. Maria delle Grazie, and succeeded in making
+his way out of the castle gates hidden in a waggon load of straw. But he
+lost his way in the woods that surround Loches, and after wandering all
+night in search of the road to Germany, he was discovered on the
+following day by blood-hounds, who were put upon his track. After this,
+his captivity became more severe. He was deprived of books and writing
+materials and cut off from intercourse with the outer world. It was
+then, too, in all likelihood, that he was confined in the subterranean
+dungeon, still shown as the Moro's prison. The cell, as visitors to
+Loches remember, is cut out of the solid rock, and light and air can
+only penetrate by one narrow loophole. There, tradition says, Leonardo's
+patron, the great duke who had once reigned over Milan, beguiled the
+weary hours of his captivity by painting red and blue devices and
+mottoes on his prison walls. Among these rude attempts at decoration we
+may still discover traces of a portrait of himself in casque and armour,
+and a sun-dial roughly scratched on the stone opposite the slit in the
+rock. And there, too, half effaced by the damp, are fragments of
+inscriptions, which tell the same piteous tale of regret for vanished
+days and weary longings for the end that would not come.
+
+    "Quand Mort me assault et que je ne puis mourir
+    Et se courir on ne me veult, mais me faire rudesse
+    Et de liesse me voir bannir. Que dois je plus guèrir?"
+
+Or this--
+
+"Je porte en prison pour ma device que je m'arme de patience par force
+de peine que l'on me fait pouster" (porter) . .
+
+Again, in large letters among the fragment of red and blue paint, we
+read--
+
+    "Celui qui ne craint fortune n'est pas bien saige."
+
+Even more pathetic, when we recall the joyous days at Milan and
+Vigevano, where Lodovico listened to readings from Dante in Beatrice's
+rooms, is the following version of Francesca da Rimini's famous lines:--
+
+    "Il n'y au monde plus grande destresse,
+    Du bon tempts soi souvenir en la tristesse."
+
+At length death brought the desired release. Marino Sanuto briefly
+records the fact in the following words: "On the 17th day of May, 1508,
+at Loches, Signor Lodovico Sforza, formerly Duke of Milan, who was there
+in prison, died as a good Christian with the rites of the Catholic
+Church." All we know besides is that his faithful servant, Pier
+Francesco, was with him to the end, and closed his eyes in the last
+sleep. To this day the place of his burial remains unknown. A local
+tradition says that he was interred in the church of Loches at the
+entrance of the choir, but a manuscript account of the Sieur Dubuisson's
+travels in 1642, preserved in the Mazarin Library, states that Ludovic
+Sforza sleeps in the Chapel of the Holy Sepulchre on the eastern side of
+the church. On his death-bed, it is said, he desired to be buried in the
+church of the Dominican friars at Tarascon, but we never hear if his
+wishes were carried out, and no trace of his burial is to be found in
+this place. On the whole we are inclined to think the most trustworthy
+authority on the subject is the Dominican historian of S. Maria delle
+Grazie, Padre Gattico. In the history of the convent which he wrote a
+hundred and fifty years after the Moro's death, he tells us that the
+friars of his convent supplied the duke with means for his unfortunate
+attempt to escape, and that this having failed, after his death they
+removed his body to Milan, and buried him by the side of his wife,
+Duchess Beatrice. This may very well have been effected during the reign
+of Lodovico's son Maximilian, who was restored to his father's throne in
+1512, and would explain the uncertainty which has always existed at
+Loches as to the Moro's grave, and the absence of any inscription to
+mark his burial-place.
+
+For Lodovico's sake, let us hope, the good Dominican's story is true. It
+is good to think that, after all the distress of those long years of
+exile and captivity, the unfortunate prince should have been brought
+back to rest in his own sunny Milanese, under Bramante's cupola, in the
+tomb where he had wished to lie, at Beatrice's side. There, during the
+next three centuries, masses were duly said for the repose of Duke
+Lodovico's soul and that of his wife, on the four anniversaries sacred
+to their memory, "in gratitude," writes Padre Pino, "for all the
+benefactions that we have received from this duke and duchess." And to
+this day, on the Feast of All Souls, the stone floor immediately in
+front of the high altar, where Beatrice's monument once stood, is
+solemnly censed, year by year, in memory of the illustrious dead who
+sleep there, in Lodovico's own words, "until the day of resurrection."
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[81] M. Sanuto. _Diarii_, iii. 320.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII
+
+The Milanese exiles at Innsbrück--Galeazzo di Sanseverino becomes Grand
+Ecuyer of France--Is slain at Pavia--Maximilian Sforza made Duke of
+Milan in 1512--Forced to abdicate by Francis I. in 1515--Reign of
+Francesco Sforza--Wars of France and Germany--Siege of Milan by the
+Imperialists--Duke Francesco restored by Charles V.--His marriage and
+death in 1535--Removal of Lodovico and Beatrice's effigies to the
+Certosa.
+
+1500-1564
+
+
+After the catastrophe of Novara and the final ruin of the Moro's cause,
+his loyal kinsfolk and followers were reduced to melancholy straits. A
+document among the Italian papers in the Bibliothèque Nationale gives a
+long list of the Milanese exiles who, in the year 1503, were living in
+exile, and whose lands and fortunes had been granted to French nobles or
+Italians who had embraced Louis XII.'s party. Among them we recognize
+many familiar names, Crivellis, Bergaminis, Marlianis, and Viscontis,
+who had served Duke Lodovico loyally and now shared in his disgrace.
+Many of these took refuge at Ferrara and Mantua; others went to Rome or
+lived in retirement on Venetian territory, while as many as two hundred
+and fifty were living at one time at Innsbrück. A few of these were
+pardoned in course of years, and obtained leave to return to their
+Lombard homes, but by far the greater number died in exile.
+
+Chief among those courtiers and captains of the Moro who found refuge at
+Maximilian's court were the Sanseverino brothers. Two of these, Fracassa
+and Antonio Maria, were soon reconciled with King Louis by the powerful
+influence of their brothers, the Count of Caiazzo and Cardinal
+Sanseverino. For Galeazzo, the son-in-law and prime favourite of the
+Moro, a strange future was in store. After his brilliant years at the
+court of Milan, he, too, tasted how salt the bread of exile is, and how
+bitter it is to depend on the charity of others. In 1503, he was still
+living at Innsbrück, where Sanuto describes him as always dressed in
+black and looking very sorrowful, and held of little account by the
+German courtiers, although Maximilian always treated him kindly. He
+accompanied the Emperor to the Diet at Augsburg, and took an active part
+in his various efforts to obtain Lodovico's deliverance. But a year
+later, when all hope of obtaining Lodovico's release was at an end, a
+fresh attempt seems to have been made by the Sanseverino family to
+reconcile Galeazzo with King Louis. He came to Milan and saw the
+Cardinal d'Amboise, who embraced his cause warmly, and a petition for
+the restoration of Galeazzo's houses and estates, as well as the fortune
+of 240,000 ducats which he had inherited from his wife Bianca, was
+addressed to the King. The result was that he soon received a summons to
+the French court, where he quickly won the royal favour, and on the
+death of Pierre d'Urfé a year later, was appointed Grand Ecuyer de
+France. From that time Galeazzo became one of Louis XII.'s chief
+favourites, and seldom left the king's side. In 1507 he attended Louis
+XII. when he entered Milan for the second time, and was a conspicuous
+figure in the grand tournament that was held on the Piazza of the
+Castello. Once more he came back to the scene of his old triumphs, under
+these changed circumstances, and played a leading part in the wars that
+distracted the Milanese. Under Francis I., Galeazzo rose still higher in
+the royal favour, and won a signal victory over his old rival Trivulzio.
+The Grand Ecuyer boldly asserted his right to Castel Novo, which Louis
+XII. had granted to Trivulzio after the conquest of Milan, and, at the
+age of seventy, the old soldier came to Paris to plead his cause against
+Messer Galeazzo. But the suit was given against him, and he was thrown
+into prison for contempt of the king's majesty, and died at Chartres in
+1518, bitterly rueing the day when he had entered the service of a
+foreign prince and led the French against Milan. Galeazzo triumphed once
+more, and kept up his reputation as a gallant soldier and brilliant
+courtier, until, in 1525, he was slain in the battle of Pavia, under
+the walls of the Castello, where, thirty-five years before, he had been
+wedded to Bianca Sforza.
+
+Meanwhile Beatrice's sons grew up at Innsbrück, under the care of their
+cousin, the Empress Bianca. It was a melancholy life for these young
+princes, born in the purple and reared in all the luxury and culture of
+Milan. And when their cousin Bianca died in 1510, they lost their best
+friend. But a sudden and unexpected turn of the tide brought them once
+more to the front. That warlike pontiff, Julius II., who, as Cardinal
+della Rovere, had been one of the chief instruments in bringing the
+French into Italy, entered into a league with Maximilian to expel them
+and reinstate the son of the hated Moro on the throne of Milan. They
+succeeded so well that, in 1512, four years after Lodovico's death at
+Loches, young Maximilian Sforza entered Milan in triumph, amidst the
+enthusiastic applause of the people. Once more he rode up to the gates
+of the Castello where he was born, and took up his abode there as
+reigning duke. But his rule over Lombardy was short. A handsome, gentle
+youth, without either his father's talents or his mother's high spirit,
+Maximilian was destined to become a passive tool in the hands of
+stronger and more powerful men. His weakness and incapacity soon became
+apparent, and when, three years later, the new French king, Francis I.,
+invaded the Milanese, and defeated the Italian army at Marignano, the
+young duke signed an act of abdication, and consented to spend the rest
+of his life in France. There he lived in honourable captivity, content
+with a pension allowed him by King Francis and with the promise of a
+cardinal's hat held out to him by the Pope, until he died, in May, 1530,
+and was buried in the Duomo of Milan. His brother Francesco was a far
+more spirited and courageous prince, who might have proved an admirable
+ruler in less troublous times, but was doomed to experience the
+strangest vicissitudes of fortune. After the second conquest of Milan by
+the French, he retired to Tyrol, until, in 1521, Pope Leo X. combined
+with Charles V. to oppose Francis I., and restore the Sforzas. Their
+aims were crowned with success, and by the end of the year Francesco
+Sforza was proclaimed Duke of Milan, only to be driven from his throne
+again three years later. After the defeat of Pavia, the young duke, who
+had won the love of all his subjects, was again restored; but having
+entered into a league with the Pope and Venice to expel the
+Imperialists, incurred the displeasure of Charles V., and was besieged
+in the Castello by the Connétable de Bourbon, who at length forced him
+to surrender. A prolonged struggle followed, in which Francesco Sforza
+was often worsted, and at one time forced to retire to Como. In the end,
+however, he was restored to the throne by Charles V., whose favour he
+succeeded in recovering, when, in 1530, that monarch visited Italy to
+receive the imperial crown. At length this long-distracted realm enjoyed
+an interval of peace, and a brighter day seemed about to dawn for the
+unhappy Milanese.
+
+The young duke was very popular with the people, who rejoiced in having
+a prince of their own once more, and who, in Guicciardini's words,
+looked to see a return of that felicity which they had enjoyed during
+his father's reign. When, in 1534, he married Charles V.'s niece,
+Christina of Denmark, the splendour of the wedding _fêtes_, the balls
+and tournaments that took place in the Castello, recalled the glories of
+Lodovico's reign and the marriage of the Empress Bianca. The charms of
+the youthful bride revived the memory of the duke's mother, Beatrice
+d'Este, and a richly illuminated book of prayers, prepared in honour of
+this occasion, and adorned with miniatures and Sforza devices, bore
+witness to Francesco's artistic tastes, and showed his desire to tread
+in his father's steps. But these bright prospects were soon clouded. The
+young duke became seriously ill, owing to a dangerous wound which he had
+received from an assassin, Bonifazio Visconti, twelve years before, and,
+after lingering through the summer months, he died on All Souls' Day,
+1535, to the consternation of the whole Milanese, On the 19th of
+November the last of the Sforzas was buried with royal pomp in the Duomo
+of Milan, and his childless widow, the youthful Duchess Christina,
+retired to the city of Tortona, which had been given her as her marriage
+portion. Her portrait, painted by the hand of Holbein, is familiar to us
+all as well as "the few words she wisely spoke," when, in reply to Henry
+VIII.'s offer of marriage, she said "that unfortunately she had only one
+head, but that if she had two, one should be at his Majesty's service."
+
+[Illustration: Tomb of Lodovico Sforza and Beatrice d'Este Contessa of
+Pavia.]
+
+A week or two later, Lodovico Sforza's only remaining son, Gianpaolo,
+the child of Lucrezia Crivelli, who had fought gallantly against French
+and Imperialists in defence of his brother's rights, died on his way to
+Naples. With him the last claimant to the throne of the Sforzas passed
+away. The duchy of Milan reverted to the Imperial crown, and this fair
+and prosperous realm sank into a mere province of Charles V.'s vast
+empire.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Thirty years after the last Sforza duke had been laid in his grave, the
+noble monument which the Moro had raised to his wife's memory in S.
+Maria delle Grazie was broken up. The friars who had known Lodovico and
+revered his memory were dead and gone, and the Prior then in office,
+seized with iconoclastic zeal, ordered the monument to be removed from
+the choir, in accordance with a canon of the Council of Trent. The tomb
+was taken to pieces, and Cristoforo Solari's beautiful effigies of the
+duke and duchess were offered for sale. Fortunately, the news of this
+act of vandalism reached the ears of the Carthusians at Pavia, and
+remembering how much they owed to the Moro's generosity, they sent word
+to a Milanese citizen, Oldrado Lampugnano, to purchase the two marble
+statues for the Certosa. Oldrado, whose father had been exiled after the
+Moro's fall, and who was himself a loyal partisan of the house of
+Sforza, bought Solari's effigies for the small sum of thirty-eight
+ducats, and removed them to the Certosa, "that shrine which had been so
+often visited by the said duke and duchess in their lifetime, and for
+which they had ever shown the greatest love and honour."
+
+There we see them to-day--Lodovico with the hooked nose and bushy
+eyebrows, in all the pride of his ducal robes, and Beatrice at his side,
+in the charm and purity of her youthful slumber, surrounded by other
+memorials of Sforzas and Viscontis, wrought with the same exquisite art
+and enriched with the same wealth of ornament. After all, these marble
+forms could hardly find a better home than the great Lombard sanctuary
+which was so closely linked with the brightest days of Beatrice's wedded
+life, and which to the last remained the object of Lodovico Sforza's
+care and love.
+
+
+
+
+INDEX
+
+
+A
+
+Agnese di Maino, 16
+
+Albergati, 151
+
+Aldo Manuzio, 30, 126, 131, 153, 261
+
+Alessandro Manuzio, 131
+
+Alexander VI. (Pope), 156 f., 165, 178, 221, 223, 249, 255 f., 295,
+337 f., 364
+
+Alfonso of Calabria, 17, 28, 43, 46, 112, 118 f., 177 f., 184, 221, 223,
+225 f., 232, 236, 249, 253, 255, 257
+
+Alfonso d'Este, 5, 8, 48, 51, 58, 100, 149, 159, 165, 174, 180, 186,
+190 f., 198, 200, 206, 222, 253, 259, 323, 351
+
+Alfonso Gonzaga, 71
+
+Alvise Marliani, 127, 324
+
+Almodoro, 362
+
+d'Amboise (Cardinal), 349, 371
+
+Ambrogio Borgognone, 104
+
+Ambrogio da Corte, 167, 206
+
+Ambrogio Ferrari, 66, 144, 345
+
+Ambrogio de Predis, 209, 218, 303
+
+Ambrogio da Rosate, 61, 120, 127, 145, 168, 224, 236, 272, 324
+
+André de la Vigne, 234
+
+Andrea Cagnola, 240
+
+Andrea Cossa, 35, 276
+
+Andrea Mantegna, 50 f., 153, 328
+
+Andrea Salai, 139
+
+Angelo Poliziano, 129, 131, 147
+
+Angelo Talenti, 179, 272, 293
+
+Angelo Testagrossa, 152
+
+Anna Sforza, 8, 43, 48, 70, 78, 169 f., 180 f., 186, 190 f., 198, 200,
+253, 259, 323
+
+Anna Solieri, 279
+
+Anne de Beaujeu, 113
+
+Anne of Bourbon, 235
+
+Anne of Brittany, 113 f., 160, 290
+
+Annibale Bentivoglio, 36, 71 ff.
+
+Antoine de Bussy, 361
+
+Anton Maria de Collis, 259
+
+Antonio Calco, 120
+
+Antonio Cammelli (Pistoia), 140, 144 f., 148, 150, 296
+
+Antonio Costabili, 308, 327
+
+Antonio da Landriano, 240, 338, 343
+
+Antonio da Monza, 63, 332, 348
+
+Antonio del Balzo, 156
+
+Antonio di Campo Fregoso, 142, 150
+
+Antonio Grifo, 142
+
+Antonio Grimani, 292
+
+Antonio Grumello, 361, 363
+
+Antonio Loredano, 113
+
+Antonio Maria Pallavicini, 342, 347
+
+Antonio Maria Sanseverino, 151, 232, 272, 279, 342-347, 354, 375
+
+Antonio of Salerno, 112
+
+Antonio Stanga, 223, 226
+
+Antonio Tassino, 22, 24 f.
+
+Antonio Tebaldeo, 35, 144
+
+Antonio Trivulzio (Bishop of Como), 186, 202 f., 293, 344, 347
+
+Antonio Visconti, 261
+
+Ariosto, 36, 87, 149, 159, 207
+
+Art and learning at Ferrara, 31-39;
+  at Milan, 128 ff.;
+  at Pavia, 126 ff.
+
+Ascanio Sforza, 16, 24, 41, 56, 73, 152, 156, 163, 165, 171, 222 f., 228,
+253, 255, 262, 338, 343 f., 360, 364, 371
+
+Atalante Migliorotti, 151 ff.
+
+Azzo Visconti, 333
+
+
+B
+
+Baldassare Castiglione, 351
+
+Baldassare Pusterla, 240, 250
+
+Baldassare Taccone, 150, 210
+
+Barone, 76, 232, 251, 298
+
+Bartolommeo Calco, 114, 125 f., 131
+
+Bartolommeo Scotti (Count), 58
+
+Battista Fregoso, 316
+
+Battista Guarino, 28 f., 36
+
+Battista Sfondrati, 317
+
+Battista Visconti, 344
+
+Beatrice of Aragon, 4
+
+Beatrice de' Contrari, 58
+
+Beatrice di Correggio, 169, 323
+
+Beatrice d'Este (the elder), 4, 22
+
+Beatrice d'Este: birth, 4;
+  early life, at Naples, 6 f.;
+  betrothal to Lodovico Sforza, 8;
+  portraits, 33;
+  education, 36 ff.;
+  wedding journey, 57 ff.;
+  marriage, 65 f.;
+  at Pavia, 67 ff.;
+  early wedded life, 76 ff.;
+  friendship with Galeazzo Sanseverino, 81 ff.;
+  jealousy of Cecilia Gallerani, 89;
+  at Vigevano, 92;
+  at Villa Nova, 96;
+  horsemanship, 97;
+  relations with Isabella of Aragon, 99;
+  escapades at Milan, 100 ff.;
+  illness, 110;
+  at Genoa, 111;
+  at Vigevano, 122;
+  patron of learning and poetry, 141 ff.;
+  of drama and music, 151 ff.;
+  first son born, 166 ff.;
+  wardrobe, 170 f.;
+  visit to Ferrara, 180 ff.;
+  diplomatic visit to Venice, chap. xvi. f.;
+  return to Milan, 205;
+  birth of second son, 258 f.;
+  courage in danger, 271;
+  meets Maximilian at Bormio, 288 ff.;
+  at Vigevano, 291 f.;
+  sadness of her last days, 302-306;
+  death, 306;
+  funeral, 310 f.;
+  Maximilian's eulogy, 313 f.;
+  tomb, 316;
+  Cenacolo, 317 f., 350
+
+Belgiojoso, 180, 184, 196, 205, 222, 225
+
+Bellincioni, 46 f., 53, 76, 86 f., 90, 100, 137, 139, 144 £., 147 f.
+
+Bello of Ferrara, 87
+
+Belriguardo, 183, 188, 205
+
+Benedetto Capilupi, 231, 264, 327
+
+Benedetto da Cingoli, 143
+
+Benedetto Ispano, 128
+
+Benedetto Trevisano, 255, 367
+
+Bergonzio, 299, 366
+
+Bernardino Caimo, 140
+
+Bernardino Corio, 19, 22, 25, 94, 99, 125, 129 f., 177 f., 230, 241,
+342 f.
+
+Bernardino da Feltre, 123
+
+Bernardino da Rossi, 66
+
+Bernardino del Corte, 272, 299, 319, 344 f., 347 f.
+
+Bernardino d'Urbino, 283
+
+Bernardo Contarini, 271
+
+Bernardo Prosperi, 170
+
+Bianca d'Este, 4, 65, 183
+
+Bianca, d. of Caterina Sforza, 330
+
+Bianca, d. of Lodovico, 45, 57, 169, 209, 233, 235, 292, 302 f., 376
+
+Bianca Maria Sforza, 43, 46, 70, 106, 115, 121, 136, 160 f., 169 f., 179,
+184, 208-220, 222, 242, 252 f., 303, 339, 346, 371, 377
+
+Bianca of Milan, m. of Lodovico, 14 ff.
+
+Bibbiena, 147
+
+Blois (Treaty of), 338
+
+Boccaccio, 143
+
+Bona of Savoy, Duchess of Milan, 8, 18-25, 70, 160, 170, 208, 216, 232,
+237, 251 f.
+
+Bona, d. of Giangaleazzo Sforza, 167, 353
+
+Bonifazio da Cremona, 63
+
+Bonifazio Visconti, 378
+
+Borella, 245, 250
+
+Borromeo, 342, 344, 354
+
+Borso di Correggio (the elder), 5
+
+Borso di Correggio (the younger), 206, 315
+
+Borso d'Este, 3, 29, 38
+
+Bramante of Urbino, 42, 76, 83, 92, 104, 122, 124, 132 ff., 139 f.,
+145-148, 229, 260, 291, 296, 299, 300, 316, 331, 350 f.
+
+Brera Altar-piece, 285 f.
+
+Briconnet, 280, 283
+
+Brognolo, 261
+
+Buttinone di Treviglio, 66
+
+
+C
+
+Cagnola, 92, 132, 288
+
+Caiazzo. _See_ Gianfrancesco Sanseverino
+
+Calvi, 242
+
+Camilla Sforza, 169, 343
+
+Caradosso, 132, 134, 137, 139, 182, 262, 320, 348
+
+Carpaccio, 103
+
+Castello of Ferrara, 1
+
+Caterina Cornaro, 204
+
+Caterina Sforza, 20, 23, 41, 253, 330, 341, 365
+
+Cecco Simonetta, 20-24
+
+Cecilia Gallerani, 52 ff., 89 ff., 150, 263, 292, 321
+
+Cecilia Simonetta, 145
+
+Celso Maffei, 354
+
+Certosa, 74, 102-106, 237
+
+Cæsar Borgia, 222, 338, 341, 348 ff., 361
+
+Charles V. (Emperor), 332, 377 f.
+
+Charles VIII. of France, 112 ff., 160, 164 f., 180, 184 f., 196 f., 209,
+221, 223, 232-238, 248, 254 ff., 258, 264, 268, 273 ff., 277, 279 f.,
+282 ff., 287, 294, 325
+
+Charlotte d'Albret, 338
+
+Chevalier Bayard, 360
+
+Chiara Gonzaga, 251, 305, 314, 329 f.
+
+Christina of Denmark, 378
+
+Conrad Stürzl, 270
+
+Conrade Vimerca, 289
+
+Constantino Privolo, 200
+
+Cordier, 76, 152, 186, 190, 196
+
+Cosimo Tura, 2, 33
+
+Cristoforo Rocchi, 61
+
+Cristoforo Romano, 56, 76, 106 ff., 111, 139, 152, 323
+
+Cristoforo Solari (Il Gobbo), 317 ff., 351, 379
+
+Cusani, 324
+
+
+D
+
+Dante, 146
+
+Delaborde, 196, 247
+
+Della Torre (Count), 169
+
+Demetrius Calcondila, 128
+
+De Trano, 337
+
+Dioda (or Diodato), 76, 81
+
+Dionigi Confanerio, 239
+
+Doge Agostino Barbarigo, 174, 186 ff., 195 ff., 267
+
+Dolcebuono, 132 ff., 140
+
+Domenico de Grillandaio, 300
+
+Donate de' Preti, 241, 244, 250
+
+Dorotea Gonzaga, 18
+
+
+E
+
+Elizabeth Gonzaga (Duchess of Urbino), 50, 57, 144, 147, 151, 187, 227
+
+Elizabeth Sforza, 262
+
+Emilia Pia, 108, 147, 151
+
+Erasmo Brasca, 64, 114, 179, 205, 217 ff., 225, 229, 242, 254, 327, 338,
+343
+
+Ercole d'Este, 2 f., 5 f., 9 f., 22, 28 ff., 38, 89, 155, 158, 164,
+182 f., 206, 222, 232, 282, 284 f., 308, 312, 323, 337, 348-351, 360,
+364 f.
+
+Ercole (Maximilian) Sforza, 166, 171, 226, 264 f., 292 f., 335, 353, 373
+
+Ermes Sforza, 43, 74, 182, 217 f., 245, 253, 310, 346, 364, 371, 377
+
+Ermolao Barbaro, 93, 124
+
+Este (House of), 2
+
+Eustachio, 25, 43
+
+
+F
+
+Fausto Andrelino, 370
+
+Federico, Marquis of Mantua, 9
+
+Federigo of Naples, 232
+
+Federigo Sanseverino (Cardinal), 44, 151, 255, 343, 375
+
+Federigo of Urbino, 4
+
+Ferrante d'Este, 6, 51, 249, 323, 351
+
+Ferrante of Naples, 3, 6, 9 f., 21, 24, 27, 45, 112 ff., 118, 121, 165,
+176, 184, 221 f.
+
+Ferrante of Naples II., 228, 255, 257, 264, 266, 269, 277, 282, 294, 328
+
+Ferrante Sforza, 7
+
+Ferrara, 31 f.
+
+Ferrari, 128
+
+Ficino, 147
+
+Fieschi, 335
+
+Filelfo, 16, 129 ff.
+
+Filippino di Frati Filippo, 300, 340
+
+Filippo Beroaldo, 129
+
+Filippo Sforza, 21
+
+Florentio, 152
+
+Fracassa. See Sanseverino (Gaspare)
+
+Francesco Bello, 35
+
+Francesco Bernardo Visconti, 215, 266 f., 342, 344, 347
+
+Francesco Capello, 190
+
+Francesco da Casate, 55
+
+Francesco Foscari, 288, 291 f., 305
+
+Francesco Francia, 34
+
+Francesco Mantegna, 329
+
+Francesco Martini, 60, 134
+
+Francesco Pallavicino, 215, 262, 342
+
+Francesco Sforza, 5, 8, 14, 114, 156, 186, 217
+
+Francesco Sforza (son of Giangaleazzo), 48, 237 f., 240, 251, 299, 328,
+353
+
+Francesco Sforza (son of Lodovico), 259, 293, 321, 335, 377 f.
+
+Francesca da Rimini, 373
+
+Franchino Gaffuri, 128, 131, 134, 152
+
+Francis I., 376 f.
+
+Frederic III. (Emperor), 179, 208
+
+Frederic of Naples, 294, 353
+
+
+G
+
+Gaguin, 94
+
+Galeazzo Pallavicino, 213, 262, 342
+
+Galeazzo di Sanseverino, 44 f., 51, 55, 58, 67, 71, 73, 76, 79 ff., 85
+ff., 92, 100, 110, 124, 136, 138, 145-148, 158 f., 162, 164, 171, 180,
+182, 206 f., 210, 216, 222, 224 f., 228, 237, 248 f., 255 f., 264, 269,
+271 f., 278 f., 281, 285-288, 292, 298, 303 f., 310, 315, 322 ff., 326,
+330, 338, 342, 344 ff., 348, 351, 354, 356-363, 365, 370, 376
+
+Galeotto del Carretto, 93, 150
+
+Galeotto della Mirandola, 4, 65, 183, 272, 292, 327, 341
+
+Gaspare Bugati, 132
+
+Gaspare Melchior, Bishop of Brixen, 209, 211, 215, 254, 270
+
+Gaspare di Pusterla, 170
+
+Gaspare Sanseverino (Fracassa), 28, 44, 71, 85, 123, 182, 228, 232, 279,
+287, 291, 296, 322, 327, 330, 342, 347, 349, 354, 361, 363, 375
+
+Gaspare Visconti, 103, 138, 142 f., 145-148, 151, 190, 217, 264, 324
+
+Gattico, 318, 322 f.
+
+Gentile Bellini, 103, 198
+
+Ghibellines, 21, 23
+
+Giacomo Trotti, 52, 62, 64 f., 76, 88 f., 91, 110, 157, 166, 241
+
+Gian Francesco da Vimercato, 357
+
+Gian Francesco Gonza of Bozzolo, 156
+
+Gianfrancesco Sanseverino (Count of Caiazzo), 74, 119, 148, 178, 182,
+232, 238, 249, 269, 272 ff., 278, 292 f., 315, 330, 342 f., 347, 349,
+354, 375
+
+Gian Galeazzo Sforza, Duke of Milan, 7, 20, 23, 41 ff., 46 f., 69, 71,
+73, 80, 115, 118 f., 124, 167, 176 f., 209, 221, 230, 237 ff., 246 f.,
+285
+
+Gian Giacomo Gillino, 202, 356
+
+Gian Giacomo Trivulzio, 45, 352
+
+Giannino, 137
+
+Gianpaolo Sforza, 321, 379
+
+Giasone del Maino, 127 f., 217, 270, 272
+
+Gilbert Bertrand, 370
+
+Gilbert of Montpensier, 251, 264, 277, 294
+
+Giorgio Merula, 64, 127-130, 137, 139
+
+Giovanni Adorno, 162, 272, 328, 335, 347
+
+Giovanni Antonio Amadeo, 104, 133 f., 140, 325
+
+Giovanni Bellini, 53, 153, 187, 263
+
+Giovanni Bentivoglio, 67
+
+Giovanni Dondi, 63
+
+Giovanni Francesco Gonzaga, Marquis of Mantua, 9, 33, 50, 56, 66 f., 72,
+109, 111, 152, 174, 182, 187 f., 191, 195, 206, 226 f., 265, 270,
+272 ff., 281, 283, 285, 298, 307, 322 f., 326 f., 329, 338, 342, 348-351,
+358 ff.
+
+Giovanni Gonzaga, 69, 98, 259, 360
+
+Giovanni de Medici, 330
+
+Giovanni Pietro Suardo, 245
+
+Giovanni Sforza of Pesaro, 165, 184, 338
+
+Giovanni Simonetta, 24
+
+Giovanni Stanga (Marquis), 106 f., 145, 148, 162, 217, 288, 291, 293,
+315, 317 ff., 327, 338, 363
+
+Giovanni da Tortona, 316
+
+Girolamo da Figino, 200
+
+Girolamo Landriano, 355
+
+Girolamo Riario, 20, 23
+
+Girolamo Savonarola, 29, 61, 157, 184, 274
+
+Girolamo Stanga, 72
+
+Girolamo Tuttavilla, 100, 120, 148, 162, 179, 186, 189 f., 206, 228
+
+Giuliano della Rovere (Cardinal), 157, 165, 225, 255, 316, 349, 371
+
+Godefroy, 237
+
+Godfrey Borgia, 221, 225
+
+Gualtero, 325
+
+Guicciardini, 12, 99, 176, 225 f., 240, 249, 259 f., 278, 295, 378
+
+Guido Arcimboldo, 301, 323
+
+Guidotto Prestinari, 144 f.
+
+Guiniforte Solari, 133
+
+
+H
+
+Henry VII. of England, 114, 290, 297, 355
+
+
+I
+
+Il Perugino, 104, 300, 340
+
+Innocent VII. (Pope), 30, 43, 62, 73, 113, 156
+
+Ippolita Sforza, 7, 17
+
+Ippolita Sforza (the younger), 230
+
+Ippolito d'Este (Cardinal), 51, 222
+
+Isabella of Aragon, 46, 69, 80, 99 ff., 118 f., 124, 160, 167, 169 f.,
+176 f., 230, 237 f., 250 ff., 265, 269, 328, 353
+
+Isabella d'Este, 4, 30, 33, 36 ff., 40, 50, 52, 53 f., 64, 68 f., 74 f.,
+78 f., 81, 84 ff., 96 ff., 101, 106 ff., 109, 123, 131, 145, 149 ff.,
+152, 155 ff., 162, 167, 171 f., 174 f., 187 f., 198, 205, 206 ff., 211,
+226, 232, 244, 250 f., 258 ff., 263 f., 272 f., 275 f., 278, 283 f., 298,
+304, 308, 312, 321 ff., 326 ff., 344, 353, 356
+
+Isabella Sforza, 7, 17
+
+
+J
+
+Jacopo Andrea, 360, 364
+
+Jacopo Antiquario, 115, 125 f.
+
+Jacopo d'Atri, 7, 108, 279, 283
+
+Jacopo Bellini, 2, 32
+
+Jacopo da Ferrara 138 f., 355
+
+Jacopo di San Secondo, 152
+
+James IV. (of Scotland), 121
+
+Jean d'Auton, 355, 359, 369, 371, 377
+
+Jean Bontemps, 209
+
+Jean Jacques Trivulzio, 282, 294, 315 f., 326, 329, 338, 341-349, 353,
+355, 360-364, 367
+
+Jean Marot, 370
+
+Joan of Aragon, 6
+
+Jorba, 173
+
+Juan Borgia, 223, 225
+
+Julius II. (Pope), 283
+
+
+L
+
+Lancinus Curtius, 128, 139, 149, 210, 230, 348
+
+Lascaris, 7, 17, 19
+
+La Trémouille, 232, 260 f., 363 f.
+
+Leo X. (Pope), 377
+
+Leonardo da Vinci, 42, 47, 53, 61, 66, 72, 76, 91, 107, 133-140, 144,
+153 f.,210, 229, 260 f., 296, 299, 302, 306, 318 f., 324 f., 331, 339 f.,
+347, 350 f., 353, 365 f.
+
+Leonello d'Este, 3, 29, 32
+
+Leonora of Aragon (Duchess d'Este), 3, 6, 28, 30, 34, 38, 50, 64, 73,
+107, 166, 168 f., 172, 177, 181, 186, 190 f., 195, 198, 206 f.
+
+Leonora da Correggio, 217
+
+Leonora Gonzaga, 226, 230, 329
+
+Lodovico Bergamini, 52, 90, 292
+
+Lodovico de Medici, 330
+
+Lodovico Sforza (Il Moro), 4, 8;
+  his character, 10 ff.;
+  birth, 14;
+  explanation of surname, 15;
+  early years, 15 f.;
+  leads crusade, 17;
+  at Cremona, 17;
+  in France, 20;
+  exile at Pisa, 21;
+  becomes Duke of Bari, 22;
+  invasion of Lombardy, 22;
+  returns to Milan as co-regent, 23;
+  betrothal, 24;
+  sole regent, 25;
+  war with Genoese and Venetians, 27 f.;
+  delays his marriage, 41;
+  development of Milan, 42;
+  marriage contract, 49;
+  again delays his marriage, 51;
+  relations with Cecilia Gallerani, 52;
+  marriage, 65 f.;
+  renounces Cecilia Gallerani, 89;
+  public works in Vigevano and the Lomellina, 92 ff.;
+  interest in the Certosa, 102-106;
+  friendship and correspondence with Isabella D'Este, 108 ff., 163 f.;
+  entertains French ambassadors, 115 ff.;
+  concludes treaty with Charles VIII., 116;
+  embassy to France, 119;
+  reforms and extends Universities of Pavia and Milan, 126 ff.;
+  endows research, 129 ff.;
+  his library, 130;
+  encourages art, 131 ff.;
+  attitude towards Renaissance, 139 f.;
+  ambition, 176 f.;
+  alliance with Venice and Papacy, 178;
+  visits Ferrara, 180 ff.;
+  vacillating policy, 221 f.;
+  joins Charles VII. against Naples, 224 f.;
+  relations with the Gonzagas of Mantua, 227;
+  proclaimed duke at Milan, 240 f.;
+  seeks investiture from Maximilian, 241 ff.;
+  refutes calumnies, 254;
+  proclamation of New League against France, 267;
+  invested Duke of Milan, 270;
+  retires before Louis of Orleans, 271;
+  war with France, 272 ff.;
+  peace, 281;
+  assists Pisa, 287;
+  league with Maximilian and others, 290;
+  his arrogance, 295;
+  grief at death of Beatrice, 307 ff., 315;
+  visit to Mantua, 326 f.;
+  his wills, 332-336;
+  flight before the French, and loss of Milan, 343-351;
+  return to Milan, 356 ff.;
+  besieged in Novara, 361;
+  betrayed by Swiss, 362;
+  captivity at Encise and Lys St. Georges, 367-370;
+  at Loches, 371 ff.;
+  death, 373;
+  place of burial, 373 f.
+
+Lorenzo Gusnasco, 37, 76, 152
+
+Lorenzo de' Medici, 7, 17, 19, 21, 42, 118, 143, 147, 151, 164
+
+Lorenzo da Pavia, 129, 153, 261 ff., 348, 365
+
+Louis XI., 20
+
+Louis XII., 265, 326, 332, 337 f., 341, 348, 360, 363, 371, 376.
+  _See also_ Orleans, Duke of.
+
+Luca Fancelli, 133 f.
+
+Luca Pacioli, 128, 304, 324
+
+Lucia Marliani, 18
+
+Lucrezia Borgia, 149, 165, 184, 338
+
+Lucrezia Crivelli, 302, 321, 379
+
+Lucrezia d'Este, 33, 36
+
+Luzio, 173
+
+
+M
+
+Machiavelli, 19, 330
+
+Maffeo Pirovano, 241, 252 ff., 324
+
+Maffeo di Treviglio, 136
+
+Magenta, 247
+
+Malipiero, 271, 284, 287, 295, 331
+
+Mantegna, 274
+
+Marc Antonio Michieli, 303
+
+Marco Morosini, 292
+
+Margareta Solari, 233
+
+Margherita Gonzaga, 298
+
+Margherita Pia, 85, 151, 322
+
+Marino Sanuto, 238, 248, 267, 291, 293 ff., 297, 315 f., 326, 331, 337,
+346, 370, 376
+
+Mariolo, 163, 170
+
+Mary of Burgundy, 113
+
+Mascagni, 147
+
+Matteo Boiardo, 36, 38, 52, 68, 86 f.
+
+Matteo Brandello, 138, 299, 318
+
+Matthias Corvinus, 43, 64, 115, 136, 154
+
+Maximilian, 113, 137, 164 f., 179 f., 184 ff., 197, 208, 218 f., 222,
+225, 241, 252 ff., 256, 269, 272, 284, 288, 295, 301, 304 f., 313 ff.,
+334, 338 f., 341 f., 346, 355, 371, 377
+
+Melzi (Count of), 346
+
+Michele Savonarola, 29
+
+Michelo Angelo, 108
+
+Milan, 260
+
+Milan, University of, 128
+
+Molmenti, 188
+
+Montferrat, Marquis of, 67, 116, 236
+
+Montorfano, 319
+
+Muralti, 65, 302
+
+
+N
+
+Narcisso, 152
+
+Nexemperger, 133
+
+Niccolo della Bussola, 355, 364
+
+Niccolo da Correggio, 5 f., 28, 35, 65, 73, 76, 80, 107, 116, 142 f.,
+145 f., 149-152, 182, 208 f., 217, 259, 264, 303, 306, 313, 323, 327,
+349, 351, 353
+
+Niccolo d'Este II., 30, 193
+
+Niccolo d'Este III., 3, 29
+
+Niccolo d'Este (s. of Leonello d'Este), 5 f.
+
+Niccolo de Negri, 188, 190, 293
+
+
+O
+
+Oldrado Lampugnano, 379
+
+Orleans, Duke of, 112, 225, 231 f., 256, 266, 268 f., 271, 279, 281 f.,
+286, 294 f., 326. _See also_ Louis XII.
+
+Orsini, 223
+
+Ortensio Lando, 52
+
+Ottaviano Sforza, 42
+
+
+P
+
+Pamfilo Sasso, 150
+
+Pandolfini, 25, 48, 118
+
+Paolo Bilia, 250
+
+Paolo Giovio, 11, 247, 273, 371
+
+Pavia, 66 ff.
+
+Pavia, University of, 126 ff.
+
+Pedro Maria, 152
+
+Perrault de Gurk, 318
+
+Perron de Baschi, 221
+
+Perugino. _See_ Il P.
+
+Petrarch, 143, 146
+
+Philippe de Commines, 48, 187, 233, 236 f., 245, 248 f., 261 f., 269,
+274, 279, 285
+
+Pier Francesco, 373
+
+Piero de Medici, 164, 184, 223, 231, 236, 241, 248, 256, 262
+
+Pierre d'Urfé, 376
+
+Pietro Alamanni, 135, 231, 241
+
+Pietro Bembo, 108, 113, 195, 197
+
+Pietro Landriano, 179
+
+Pietro Lazzarone, 150
+
+Pietro of Perugia. _See_ Il Perugino
+
+Pico della Mirandola, 30, 61
+
+Pino, 318
+
+Pistoia. _See_ Antonio Cam. P.
+
+Pius II., 16
+
+Poggio, 87
+
+Polissena d'Este, 77, 79, 232
+
+Pontano, 7
+
+Prato, 362
+
+Prosperi, 181 f.
+
+Pulci, 87
+
+
+R
+
+Raphael, 144, 152
+
+Roberto di Sanseverino, 21 ff., 27 f., 43, 137
+
+Roderigo Borgia. _See_ Alexander VI.
+
+Rodolfo Gonzaga, 65, 273
+
+Romanini, 195
+
+Rovegnatino, 316
+
+
+S
+
+Sabba da Castiglione, 35, 45, 108, 142 ff., 147, 149, 152 f., 354
+
+Salomon (physician), 370 f.
+
+Salomone Ebreo, 130
+
+Sancia of Naples, 221, 225
+
+Sandro Botticelli, 300
+
+Sannazzaro, 7
+
+Sanseverino, House of, 43 f. _See also_ Antonio Maria S., Federigo
+S., Galeazzo S., Gaspare S., Gianfrancesco S., Roberto S.
+
+Scaligero, 52
+
+Schifanoia frescoes, 32, 38
+
+Sebastian Badoer, 255
+
+Senlis (Treaty of), 180, 196, 224
+
+Serafino Aquilano, 142 ff.
+
+Sforza, Duke of Bari, 20 ff.
+
+Sigismund of Austria, 218
+
+Sigismund d'Este (Cardinal), 58
+
+Sigismund of Poland, 353
+
+Sixtus IV., 3, 20, 24, 27, 157
+
+Sperandio, 3, 31, 274
+
+Spinola family, 335
+
+Stuart d'Aubigny, 114, 121, 232, 238
+
+
+T
+
+Taddeo Contarini, 155, 303
+
+Taddeo Vimercati, 179, 187
+
+Tanzio, 139, 144
+
+Tasso, 87
+
+Teodora, 168 ff., 181
+
+Teseo d'Albonesi, 128, 153
+
+Theodore Guainiero, 247
+
+Tiraboschi, 141
+
+Tito Strozzi, 35
+
+Tommaso Grassi, 131
+
+Tommaso Piatti, 131
+
+Treso di Monza, 66
+
+Trissino, 37
+
+Tristan Calco, 70, 129 f., 210
+
+Tristan Sforza, 5, 22
+
+Turman, 362
+
+
+U
+
+Ursino, 190
+
+
+V
+
+Valentina Visconti, 231
+
+Vasari, 135, 319
+
+Venetian _fêtes_, 193 ff.
+
+Venetians attack Ferrara, 26 f.
+
+Vercelli (Peace of), 281
+
+Verrocchio, 301
+
+Vincenzo Baldelli, 316
+
+Vincenzo Calmeta, 138, 142 f., 145 f., 151
+
+Vincenzo Foppa, 63
+
+Vittore Pisanello, 2, 32
+
+Vittoria Colonna, 52, 263
+
+
+Z
+
+Zenale di Treviglio, 66, 285
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+PRINTED BY
+
+TURNBULL AND SPEARS
+
+EDINBURGH
+
+
+
+    +----------------------------------------------------+
+    |                Transcriber's Note                  |
+    |                                                    |
+    | Typographical errors corrected in the text:        |
+    |                                                    |
+    | Page   ix  Guiccardini changed to Guicciardini     |
+    | Page   ix  Baldassarre changed to Baldassare       |
+    | Page    x  Bibliotheque changed to Bibliothèque    |
+    | Page   xi  Etude changed to Étude                  |
+    | Page   xv  di changed to da                        |
+    | Page  xvi  Belrignardo changed to Belriguardo      |
+    | Page    9  negociations changed to negotiations    |
+    | Page   14  II changed to Il                        |
+    | Page   15  Guiccardini changed to Guicciardini     |
+    | Page   22  Tristran changed to Tristan             |
+    | Page   33  Cristoforó changed to Cristoforo        |
+    | Page   33  Arragon changed to Aragon               |
+    | Page   44  Baldassarre changed to Baldassare       |
+    | Page   44  Elizabetta changed to Elisabetta        |
+    | Page   36  Bentivogho changed to Bentivoglio       |
+    | Page   36  Sando changed to Sandro                 |
+    | Page   37  di changed to da                        |
+    | Page   41  Galezzo changed to Galeazzo             |
+    | Page   45  Castelnovo changed to Castelnuovo       |
+    | Page   45  Leonardi changed to Leonardo            |
+    | Page   52  Benedette changed to Benedetto          |
+    | Page   57  Valtelline changed to Valtellina        |
+    | Page   62  Certoza changed to Certosa              |
+    | Page   67  Salla changed to Sala                   |
+    | Page   71  Bentovoglio changed to Bentivoglio      |
+    | Page   71  Sanseverinos changed to Sanseverino     |
+    | Page   73  Gianfranceso changed to Gianfrancesco   |
+    | Page   74  beside changed to besides               |
+    | Page   77  Polisenna changed to Polissena          |
+    | Page   86  Castelnovo changed to Castelnuovo       |
+    | Page   91  Jesù changed to Gesù                    |
+    | Page   93  Sev^o, abbreviation for Severino,       |
+    |            has been retained                       |
+    | Page   97  l6th changed to 16th                    |
+    | Page   99  Arragon changed to Aragon               |
+    | Page  108  Castiglone changed to Castiglione       |
+    | Page  113  Fnding changed to Finding               |
+    | Page  115  magificently changed to magnificently   |
+    | Page  123  l6th changed to 16th                    |
+    | Page  128  Paciolo changed to Pacioli              |
+    | Page  133  Fabbriccieri changed to Fabbricieri     |
+    | Page  133  Gratz changed to Graz                   |
+    | Page  138  Bellincionis's changed to Bellincioni's |
+    | Page  143  Abbruzzi changed to Abruzzi             |
+    | Page  145  Bramarite's changed to Bramante's       |
+    | Page  146  Uzieili changed to Uzielli              |
+    | Page  147  Muntz changed to Müntz                  |
+    | Page  150  Baldassarre changed to Baldassare       |
+    | Page  150  Valtelline changed to Valtellina        |
+    | Page  159  Naple's changed to Naples'              |
+    | Page  161  Today changed to To-day                 |
+    | Page  163  Pecorata changed to Pecorara            |
+    | Page  177  Arragon changed to Aragon               |
+    | Page  179  Frederick changed to Frederic           |
+    | Page  187  Phillippe changed to Philippe           |
+    | Page  188  Gianfranceseo changed to Gianfrancesco  |
+    | Page  193  Comminnes changed to Commines           |
+    | Page  195  Romanin changed to Romanini             |
+    | Page  200  word "of" missing after "the daughters" |
+    |            and before "Messer Sigismondo"          |
+    | Page  206  Ambrosio changed to Ambrogio            |
+    | Page  209  Ambrogie changed to Ambrogio            |
+    | Page  210  Baldassarre changed to Baldassare       |
+    | Page  212  Rochetta changed to Rocchetta           |
+    | Page  218  Valtelline change to Valtellina         |
+    | Page  226  Guiccardini changed to Guicciardini     |
+    | Page  232  Geneva changed to Genova                |
+    | Page  234  judgement changed to judgment           |
+    | Page  236  Pecoraja changed to Pecorara            |
+    | Page  237  Godefroi changed to Godefroy            |
+    | Page  238  Placenza changed to Piacenza            |
+    | Page  240  Baldasarre changed to Baldassare        |
+    | Page  246  Piravano changed to Pirovano            |
+    | Page  255  Guiliano changed to Giuliano            |
+    | Page  259  Guiccardini changed to Guicciardini     |
+    | Page  260  Lazaretto changed to Lazzaretto         |
+    | Page  266  Arragon changed to Aragon               |
+    | Page  267  or changed to of                        |
+    | Page  269  Arragon changed to Aragon               |
+    | Page  272  Giascone changed to Giasone             |
+    | Page  273  Giovo changed to Giovio                 |
+    | Page  293  de' Negris changed to de' Negri         |
+    | Page  299  Vercelliana changed to Vercellina       |
+    | Page  300  Botticello changed to Botticelli        |
+    | Page  301  Verocchio changed to Verrocchio         |
+    | Page  302  Muralto changed to Muralti              |
+    | Page  318  alar changed to altar                   |
+    | Page  322  Arragon changed to Aragon               |
+    | Page  325  Baldassarre changed to Baldassare       |
+    | Page  330  Machiavelii changed to Machiavelli      |
+    | Page  345  sus changed to sua                      |
+    | Page  351  Baldassarre changed to Baldassare       |
+    | Page  355  Brizen changed to Brixen                |
+    | Page  371  edioius changed to tedious              |
+    | Page  383  Francessa changed to Francesca          |
+    | Page  383  d'Albert changed to d'Albret            |
+    | Page  383  Frederick changed to Frederic           |
+    | Page  384  Giocomo changed to Giacomo              |
+    | Page  384  Godefroi changed to Godefroy            |
+    | Page  385  Lascario changed to Lascaris            |
+    | Page  386  Botticello changed to Botticelli        |
+    | Page  386  Muralto changed to Muralti              |
+    | Page  386  Oldrade changed to Oldrado              |
+    | Page  387  Verocchio changed to Verrocchio         |
+    +----------------------------------------------------+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Beatrice d'Este, Duchess of Milan,
+1475-1497, by Julia Mary Cartwright
+
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+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Beatrice d'Este, Duchess of Milan, 1475-1497, by 
+Julia Mary Cartwright
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Beatrice d'Este, Duchess of Milan, 1475-1497
+
+Author: Julia Mary Cartwright
+
+Release Date: May 27, 2008 [EBook #25622]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BEATRICE D'ESTE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Barbara Kosker and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+
+<div class="img"><a name="frontis" id="frontis"></a>
+<a href="images/frontis.jpg">
+<img border="0" src="images/frontis.jpg" width="45%" alt="Bianca Sforza" /></a><br />
+<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .2em;">Bianca Sforza by Ambrogio de Predis. (Ambrosiana)<span class="totoi"><a href="#toi">ToList</a></span></p>
+</div>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<h1>BEATRICE D'ESTE</h1>
+<br />
+<h2>DUCHESS OF MILAN</h2>
+<h2>1475-1497</h2>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<h3><i>A STUDY OF THE RENAISSANCE</i></h3>
+<br />
+<br />
+
+<h3>BY</h3>
+<br />
+<h2>JULIA CARTWRIGHT</h2>
+
+<h3>(MRS HENRY ADY)</h3>
+
+<br />
+<h4><i>Author of</i> &nbsp;"<i>Madame</i>," "<i>Sacharissa</i>," "<i>J. F. Millet</i>"</h4>
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+
+<div class="img">
+<img border="0" src="images/deco.png" width="10%" alt="publisher's Mark" />
+</div>
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+
+<h3>1910</h3>
+<h3>LONDON: J. M. DENT &amp; SONS, <span class="smcap">Ltd.</span></h3>
+<h3>NEW YORK: E. P. DUTTON &amp; CO.</h3>
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+
+<h3><i>First Edition, November, 1899</i><br />
+<i>Second Edition, June, 1903</i><br />
+<i>Third Edition, November, 1903</i><br />
+<i>Fourth Edition February, 1905</i><br />
+<i>Fifth Edition, July, 1908</i><br />
+<i>Sixth Edition, May, 1910</i><br />
+<br />
+<i>All rights reserved</i></h3>
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+
+
+<hr /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[Pg v]</a></span>
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<h2><a name="PREFACE" id="PREFACE"></a>PREFACE</h2>
+
+
+<p>During the last twenty years the patient researches of successive
+students in the archives of North Italian cities have been richly
+rewarded. The State papers of Milan and Venice, of Ferrara and Modena,
+have yielded up their treasures; the correspondence of Isabella d'Este,
+in the Gonzaga archives at Mantua, has proved a source of inexhaustible
+wealth and knowledge. A flood of light has been thrown on the history of
+Italy in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries; public events and
+personages have been placed in a new aspect; the judgments of posterity
+have been modified and, in some instances, reversed.</p>
+
+<p>We see now, more clearly than ever before, what manner of men and women
+these Estes and Gonzagas, these Sforzas and Viscontis, were. We gain
+fresh insight into their characters and aims, their secret motives and
+private wishes. We see them in their daily occupations and amusements,
+at their work and at their play. We follow them from the battle-field
+and council chamber, from the chase and tournament, to the privacy of
+domestic life and the intimate scenes of the family circle. And we
+realize how, in spite of the tragic stories or bloodshed and strife that
+darkened their lives, in spite, too, of the low standard of morals and
+of the crimes and vices that we are accustomed to associate with
+Renaissance princes, there was a rare measure of beauty and goodness, of
+culture and refinement, of love of justice and zeal for truth, among
+them. As the latest historian of the Papacy, Dr. Pastor, has wisely
+remarked, we must take care not to paint the state of morals during the
+Italian Renaissance blacker than it really was. Virtue goes quietly on
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[Pg vi]</a></span>her way, while vice is noisy and uproarious; the criminal forces
+himself upon the public attention, while the honest man does his duty in
+silence, and no one hears of him. This is especially the case with the
+women of the Renaissance. They had their faults and their weaknesses,
+but the great majority among them led pure and irreproachable lives, and
+trained their children in the paths of truth and duty. Even Lucrezia
+Borgia, although she may not have been altogether immaculate, was not
+the foul creature that we once believed. And the more closely we study
+these newly discovered documents, the more we become convinced that this
+age produced some of the most admirable types of womanhood that the
+world has ever seen. When Castiglione painted his ideal woman in the
+pages of the "Cortigiano," he had no need to draw on his imagination.
+Elizabeth Gonzaga, Duchess of Urbino, and Isabella d'Este, Marchioness
+of Mantua, were both of them women of great intellect and stainless
+virtue, whose genuine love of art and letters attracted the choicest
+spirits to their court, and exerted the most beneficial influence on the
+thought of the day. Isabella, whose vast correspondence with the
+foremost painters and scholars of the age has been preserved almost
+intact, was probably the most remarkable lady of the Renaissance. The
+story of her long and eventful life&mdash;a theme of absorbing interest&mdash;yet
+remains to be written. The present work is devoted to the history of her
+younger sister, Beatrice, Duchess of Milan, who, as the wife of Lodovico
+Sforza, reigned during six years over the most splendid court of Italy.
+The charm of her personality, the important part which she played in
+political life at a critical moment of Italian history, her love of
+music and poetry, and the fine taste which she inherited, in common with
+every princess of the house of Este, all help to make Beatrice
+singularly attractive, while the interest which she inspires is deepened
+by the pathos of her sudden and early death.</p>
+
+<p>If in Isabella we have the supreme representative of Renaissance culture
+in its highest and most intellectual phase, Beatrice is the type of that
+new-found joy in life, that intoxicating rapture in the actual sense of
+existence, that was the heritage <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[Pg vii]</a></span>of her generation, and found expression
+in the words of a contemporary novelist, Matteo Bandello&mdash;himself of
+Lombard birth&mdash;when with his last breath he bade his companions live
+joyously, "<i>Vivete lieti!</i>" We see this bride of sixteen summers
+flinging herself with passionate delight into every amusement, singing
+gay songs with her courtiers, dancing and hunting through the livelong
+day, outstripping all her companions in the chase, and laughing in the
+face of danger. We see her holding her court in the famous Castello of
+Porta Giovia or in the summer palaces of Vigevano and Cussago, in these
+golden days when Milan was called the new Athens, when Leonardo and
+Bramante decorated palaces or arranged masquerades at the duke's bidding,
+when Gaspare Visconti wrote sonnets in illuminated books, and Lorenzo da
+Pavia constructed organs or viols as perfect and beautiful to see as to
+hear, for the pleasure of the youthful duchess. Scholars and poets,
+painters and writers, gallant soldiers and accomplished cavaliers, we
+see them all at Beatrice's feet, striving how best they may gratify her
+fancies and win her smiles. Young and old, they were alike devoted to
+her service, from Galeazzo di Sanseverino, the valiant captain who
+became her willing slave and chosen companion, to Niccolo da Correggio,
+that all-accomplished gentleman who laid down his pen and sword to design
+elaborate devices for his mistress's new gowns. We read her merry letters
+to her husband and sister, letters sparkling with wit and gaiety and
+overflowing with simple and natural affection. We see her rejoicing with
+all a young mother's proud delight over her first-born son, repeating, as
+mothers will, marvellous tales of his size and growth, and framing tender
+phrases for his infant lips. And we catch glimpses of her, too, in sadder
+moods, mourning her mother's loss or wounded by neglect and unkindness.
+We note how keenly her proud spirit resents wrong and injustice, and how
+in her turn she is not always careful of the rights and feelings of her
+rivals. But whatever her faults and mistakes may have been, she is always
+kindly and generous, human and lovable. A year or two passes, and we see
+her, royally arrayed in brocade and jewels, standing up in the great
+council hall of Venice, to plead her husband's cause before the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[Pg viii]</a></span>Doge and
+Senate. Later on we find her sharing her lord's counsels in court and
+camp, receiving king and emperor at Pavia or Vigevano, fascinating the
+susceptible heart of Charles VIII. by her charms, and amazing Kaiser
+Maximilian by her wisdom and judgment in affairs of state. And then
+suddenly the music and dancing, the feasting and travelling, cease, and
+the richly coloured and animated pageant is brought to an abrupt close.
+Beatrice dies, without a moment's warning, in the flower of youth and
+beauty, and the young duchess is borne to her grave in S. Maria delle
+Grazie amid the tears and lamentations of all Milan. And with her death,
+the whole Milanese state, that fabric which Lodovico Sforza had built up
+at such infinite cost and pains, crumbles into ruin. Fortune, which till
+that hour had smiled so kindly on the Moro and had raised him to giddy
+heights of prosperity, now turned her back upon him. In three short
+years he had lost everything&mdash;crown, home, and liberty&mdash;and was left to
+drag out a miserable existence in the dungeons of Berry and Touraine.</p>
+
+<p>"And when Duchess Beatrice died," wrote the poet, Vincenzo Calmeta,
+"everything fell into ruin, and that court, which had been a joyous
+paradise, was changed into a black Inferno."</p>
+
+<p>Then Milan and her people become a prey to the rude outrages of French
+soldiery. Leonardo's great horse was broken in pieces by Gascon archers,
+and the Castello, "which had once held the finest flower of the whole
+world, became," in Castiglione's words, "a place of drinking-booths and
+dung-hills." The treasures of art and beauty stored up within its walls
+were destroyed by barbarous hands, and all that brilliant company was
+dispersed and scattered abroad. Artists and poets, knights and
+scholars&mdash;Leonardo and Bramante, Galeazzo and Niccolo&mdash;were driven out,
+and went their way each in a different direction, to seek new homes and
+other patrons. But the memory of the young duchess&mdash;the <i>Donna beata</i> of
+Pistoja and Visconti's song&mdash;lived for many a year in the hearts of her
+loyal servants, Castiglione enshrined her name in his immortal pages,
+Ariosto celebrated her virtues in the cantos of his "Orlando Furioso,"
+and far on in the new century, grey-headed scholars spoke of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_ix" id="Page_ix">[Pg ix]</a></span>her as
+"<i>la pi&ugrave; zentil Donna d'Italia</i>"&mdash;the sweetest lady in all Italy.</p>
+
+<p>And to-day, as we pace the dim aisles of the great Certosa, we may look
+on the marble effigy of Duchess Beatrice and see the lovely face with
+the curling locks and child-like features which the Lombard sculptor
+carved, and which still bears witness to the love of Lodovico Sforza for
+his young wife.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p>In conclusion, I must acknowledge how deeply I am indebted to Signor
+Luzio, keeper of the Gonzaga archives at Mantua, and to his able
+colleague, Signor Renier, for the assistance which they have lent to my
+researches, as well as for the help afforded by their own publications,
+in which many of Isabella and Beatrice d'Este's most interesting letters
+have already been given to the world. The State archives of Milan and
+Mantua are the principal sources from which the information contained in
+the present volume is drawn, and a list of the other authorities which
+have been consulted is given below.</p>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">Italian.</span></p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>Archivio di Stato di Milano, <i>Beatrice d'Este, Potenze
+estere</i>, etc.</p>
+
+<p>Archivio Gonzaga Mantova, <i>Copia lettera d'Isabella d'Este</i>,
+etc.</p>
+
+<p>A. Luzio and R. Renier, <i>Delle Relazioni di Isabella d'Este
+Gonzaga con Ludovico and Beatrice Sforza</i>. Archivio Storico
+lombardo, xvii.</p>
+
+<p>T. Chalcus, <i>Residua</i>. Milano, 1644.</p>
+
+<p>Archivio Storico Italiano, serie i. vol. iii.; Cronache
+Milanesi di G. A. Prato, G. P. Cagnola, G. M. Burigozzo, etc.;
+Serie iii. vol. xii., Serie v. vol. vi., Serie vii. vol. i.</p>
+
+<p>L. A. Muratori, <i>Italicarum Rerum Scriptores</i>, vol. xxiv.</p>
+
+<p>F. Muralti, <i>Annalia</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Paolo Giovio, <i>Storia di suoi Tempi</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Marino Sanuto, <i>Diarii, De Bello Gallico</i>, etc.</p>
+
+<p>Bernardino Corio, <i>Historie Milanese</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Rosmini, <i>Storia di Milano</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Fr. Guicciardini, <i>Storia a'Italia</i>. Rendered into English by
+G. Fenton. 1618.</p>
+
+<p>F. Frizzi, <i>Storia di Ferrara</i>, vols. iv. and v.</p>
+
+<p>P. Verri, <i>Storia di Milano</i>.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_x" id="Page_x">[Pg x]</a></span>Baldassare Castiglione, <i>Lettere</i>. Edizione Serassi.</p>
+
+<p>R. Renier, <i>Sonetti di Pistoia</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Giornale Storico di Letteratura Italiano, vols. v. and vi.</p>
+
+<p>Archivio Storico dell' Arte, vols. i. and ii.</p>
+
+<p>Renier, <i>Canzoniere di Niccolo da Correggio</i>.</p>
+
+<p>A. Campo Ghisolfo, <i>Storia delle Duchesse di Milano</i>. 1542.
+Rivista Storica Mantovana.</p>
+
+<p>Carlo Magenta, <i>I Visconti e Sforza nel Castello di Pavia</i>.</p>
+
+<p>F. Calvi, <i>Bianca Maria Sforza Visconti, Regina dei Romani,
+Imperatrice di Germania</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Marchese d'Adda, <i>Indagini sulla Liberia Visconti Sforzesca
+del Castello di Pavia</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Malipiero, <i>Annali Veneti</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Romanini, <i>Storia di Venezia</i>, vols. v. and vi.</p>
+
+<p>Imhoff, <i>Historia Genealogica Itali&aelig;</i>.</p>
+
+<p>G. Uzielli, <i>Ricerche intorno a Leonardo da Vinci</i>.</p>
+
+<p>G. Uzielli, <i>Leonardo da Vinci e Tre Gentil donne Milanesi</i>.</p>
+
+<p>G. d'Adda, <i>Lodovico Maria Sforza</i>.</p>
+
+<p>L. Beltrami, <i>Il Castello di Milano, sotto il dominio degli
+Sforza</i>. 1450-1535.</p>
+
+<p>L. Beltrami, <i>Bramante poeta</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Padre Pino, <i>Storia genuina del Cenacolo</i>. 1796.</p>
+
+<p>B. Bellincioni, <i>Le Rime annotate da P. Fanfani</i>. Bologna.</p>
+
+<p>G. Tiraboschi, <i>Storia della Letteratura Italiana</i>, vols. vi.
+and vii.</p>
+
+<p>P. Molmenti, <i>La Vita Privata di Venezia</i>.</p>
+
+<p>A. Rusconi, <i>Lodovico il Moro a Novara</i>.</p>
+
+<p>F. Gabotto, <i>Girolamo Tuttavilla</i>.</p>
+
+<p>G. L. Calvi, <i>Notizie dei principali Professori di Belle Arti
+che fiorivano in Milano</i>.</p>
+
+<p>G. Mongeri, <i>L'Arte in Milano</i>.</p>
+
+<p>C. Amoretti, <i>Memorie Storiche sulla vita gli studi e le opere
+di Leonardo da Vinci</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Brigola, <i>Annali della Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Carlo dell'Acqua, <i>Lorenza Gusnasco di Pavia</i>.</p>
+
+<p>P. Pasolini, <i>Caterina Sforza</i>.</p></div>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">French.</span></p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>Manuscrits Italiens, <i>Affaires d'&eacute;tat</i>. Biblioth&egrave;que
+Nationale.</p>
+
+<p>Pasquier le Moine, <i>MS. La Conqu&ecirc;te du Duch&eacute; de Milan</i>.
+Biblioth&egrave;que Nationale.</p>
+
+<p>Jean d'Auton, <i>Chroniques de Louis XII</i>. Edition publi&eacute;e pour
+la Soci&eacute;t&eacute; de l'Histoire de France, par R. de Maulde La
+Claviere. 4 vols.</p>
+
+<p>Philippe de Commines, <i>Memoires</i>. Nouvelle edition publi&eacute;e par
+la Soci&eacute;t&eacute; de l'Histoire de France.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xi" id="Page_xi">[Pg xi]</a></span>Vicomte Delaborde, <i>L'Exp&eacute;dition de Charles VIII. en Italie</i>.</p>
+
+<p>M. Eug&egrave;ne M&uuml;ntz, <i>La Renaissance en Italie et en France &agrave;
+l'&eacute;poque de Charles VIII</i>.</p>
+
+<p>M. Eug&egrave;ne M&uuml;ntz, <i>Mus&eacute;e du Capitole</i>.</p>
+
+<p>M. Eug&egrave;ne M&uuml;ntz, <i>Leonardo da Vinci</i>.</p>
+
+<p>C. de Cherrier, <i>Histoire de Charles VIII, Roi de France,
+d'apr&egrave;s des documents diplomatiques in&eacute;dits</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Louis P&eacute;lissier, <i>Louis XII. et Lodovico Sforza</i>. Recherches
+dans les Archives Italiennes.</p>
+
+<p>Louis P&eacute;lissier, <i>Notes Italiennes</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Louis P&eacute;lissier, <i>Les amies de Lodovico Sforza</i>. (Revue
+historique.)</p>
+
+<p>Edmond Gaultier, <i>&Eacute;tude historique sur Loches</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Paravicini, <i>Architecture de la Renaissance en Italie</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Aldo Manuzio, <i>Lettres et Documents</i>. Armand Baschet.</p>
+
+<p><i>Gazette des Beaux Arts</i>, vol. xvi.</p></div>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">German.</span></p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>Dr. Ludwig Pastor, <i>Geschichte der P&auml;pste</i>, vols. v. and vi.</p>
+
+<p>Jacob Burckhardt, <i>Die Cultur der Renaissance in Italien</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Dr. W. Bode, Dr. M&uuml;ller-Walde, <i>Jahrbuch der K. Preuss.
+Kunstsammlungen</i>. Vols. ix., x., and xviii.</p>
+
+<p>K. Kindt, <i>Die Katastrophe Lodovico Moro in Novara</i>.</p>
+
+<p>Dr. M&uuml;ller-Walde, <i>Leonardo da Vinci</i>.</p></div>
+
+
+<p><span class="smcap">English.</span></p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p><i>History of the Papacy</i>, by Dr. Creighton, Bishop of London.
+Vols. iv. and v.</p>
+
+<p><i>The End of the Middle Ages</i>, by Madame James Darmetester.</p>
+
+<p><i>The Renaissance in Italy</i>. J. A. Symonds.</p>
+
+<p><i>Old Touraine</i>. T. Cook</p></div>
+<br />
+
+
+
+<hr /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xiii" id="Page_xiii">[Pg xiii]</a></span>
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<h2>CONTENTS</h2>
+
+<div class="centered">
+<table border="0" width="80%" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="Table of Contents">
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh" width="85%">&nbsp;</td>
+  <td class="tdrb" width="15%"><span class="smcap">PAGE</span></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2">1471-1480</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">The Castello of Ferrara&mdash;The House of Este&mdash;Accession of Duke
+Ercole I.&mdash;His marriage to Leonora of Aragon&mdash;Birth of Isabella
+and Beatrice d'Este&mdash;Plot of Niccolo d'Este&mdash;Visit of Leonora to
+Naples&mdash;The court of King Ferrante&mdash;Betrothal of Beatrice d'Este
+to Lodovico Sforza, Duke of Bari&mdash;And of Isabella d'Este to
+Francesco Gonzaga</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">1</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">&nbsp;</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">&nbsp;</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2">1451-1582</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">Lodovico Sforza&mdash;Known as Il Moro&mdash;His birth and childhood<br />&mdash;Murder
+of Duke Galeazzo Maria&mdash;Regency of Duchess Bona&mdash;Exile of the
+Sforza brothers&mdash;Lodovico at Pisa&mdash;His invasion of Lombardy and
+return to Milan&mdash;Death of Cecco Simonetta&mdash;Flight of Duchess
+Bona&mdash;Lodovico Regent of Milan</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">11</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">&nbsp;</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">&nbsp;</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2">1482-1490</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">Wars of Venice and Ferrara&mdash;Invasion of Ferrara&mdash;Lodovico Sforza and
+Alfonso of Calabria come to the help of Ercole d'Este&mdash;Peace of
+Bagnolo&mdash;Prosperity of Ferrara, and cultivation of art and learning
+at Ercole's court&mdash;Guarino and Aldo Manuzio&mdash;Strozzi and Boiardo&mdash;Architecture
+and painting&mdash;The frescoes of the Schifanoia&mdash;Music and
+the drama&mdash;Education of Isabella and Beatrice d'Este</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">27</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">&nbsp;</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">&nbsp;</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV</a>
+    <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xiv" id="Page_xiv">[Pg xiv]</a></span></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2">1485-1490</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">Isabella d'Este&mdash;Lodovico Sforza delays his wedding&mdash;Plot against
+his life&mdash;Submission of Genoa&mdash;Duke Gian Galeazzo&mdash;The Sanseverini
+brothers&mdash;Messer Galeazzo made Captain-General of the Milanese
+armies&mdash;His marriage to Bianca Sforza&mdash;Marriage of Gian Galeazzo
+to Isabella of Aragon&mdash;Wedding festivities at Milan<br />&mdash;Lodovico
+draws up his marriage contract with Beatrice d'Este</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">40</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">&nbsp;</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">&nbsp;</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2">1490-1491</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">Marriage of Isabella d'Este&mdash;Lodovico puts off his wedding&mdash;Cecilia
+Gallerani&mdash;Her portrait by Leonardo da Vinci&mdash;Mission of Galeazzo
+Visconti to Ferrara&mdash;Preparations for Beatrice's wedding&mdash;<br />Cristoforo
+Romano's bust&mdash;Duchess Leonora and her daughters travel to Piacenza
+and Pavia&mdash;Their reception at Pavia by Lodovico</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">50</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">&nbsp;</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">&nbsp;</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2">1491</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">City and University of Pavia&mdash;Duomo and Castello&mdash;The library of the
+Castello&mdash;Wedding of Lodovico Sforza, Duke of Bari, and Beatrice
+d'Este, in the chapel of the Castello of Pavia&mdash;Galeazzo di San
+Severino and Orlando&mdash;Reception of the bride in Milan&mdash;<br />Tournaments
+and festivities at the Castello&mdash;Visit of Duchess Leonora to the
+Certosa of Pavia</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">60</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">&nbsp;</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">&nbsp;</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2">1491</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">Beatrice Duchess of Bari&mdash;Her popularity at the court of Milan&mdash;
+Giangaleazzo and Isabella of Aragon&mdash;Lodovico's first impressions&mdash;His
+growing affection for his wife&mdash;His letters to Isabella d'Este&mdash;Hunting
+and fishing parties&mdash;Cussago and Vigevano&mdash;Controversy on
+Orlando and Rinaldo&mdash;Bellincioni's sonnets</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">75</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">&nbsp;</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">&nbsp;</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2">1491</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">Relations between Lodovico and Beatrice&mdash;Cecilia Gallerani&mdash;Birth of
+her son Cesare&mdash;Her marriage to Count Bergamini&mdash;Beatrice at Villa
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xv" id="Page_xv">[Pg xv]</a></span>Nova and Vigevano&mdash;The Sforzesca and Pecorara&mdash;Lodovico's system of
+irrigation in the Lomellina&mdash;Leonardo at Vigevano&mdash;<br />Hunting-parties
+and country life&mdash;Letters to Isabella d'Este</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">88</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">&nbsp;</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">&nbsp;</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2">1491-1492</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">Isabella of Aragon and Beatrice d'Este&mdash;Ambrogio Borgognone and
+Giovanni Antonio Amadeo&mdash;Cristoforo Romano and his works at Pavia
+and Cremona&mdash;The Certosa of Pavia&mdash;Illness of Beatrice<br />&mdash;Her journey
+to Genoa&mdash;Correspondence between Isabella and Lodovico Sforza&mdash;Visit
+of the Marquis of Mantua to Milan</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">99</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">&nbsp;</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">&nbsp;</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2">1491</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">Claims of Charles VIII. to Naples&mdash;Of the Duke of Orleans to Milan
+&mdash;Intrigues of the Venetian Senate, of Pope Innocent VIII., and of
+Ferrante and Alfonso of Naples&mdash;Visit of the French ambassadors to
+Milan&mdash;Treasures of the Castello&mdash;Jewels of Lodovico Sforza&mdash;Isabella
+of Aragon and her father&mdash;An embassy to the French court proposed&mdash;Secret
+instructions of the Count of Caiazzo&mdash;<i>F&ecirc;te</i> at Vigevano&mdash;Tournament
+of Pavia</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">112</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">&nbsp;</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">&nbsp;</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2">1492</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">Intellectual and artistic revival in Lombardy&mdash;Lodovico and his
+secretaries&mdash;Building of the new University of Pavia&mdash;Reforms and
+extension of the University&mdash;The library of the Castello remodelled&mdash;Poliziano
+and Merula&mdash;Lodovico founds new schools at Milan&mdash;Equestrian statue of
+Francesco Sforza&mdash;Leonardo's paintings at
+Milan&mdash;Lodovico as a patron of art and learning</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">125</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">&nbsp;</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">&nbsp;</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2">1492</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">Beatrice d'Este as a patron of learning and poetry&mdash;Vincenzo
+Calmeta, her secretary&mdash;Serafino d'Aquila&mdash;Rivalry of Lombard and
+Tuscan poets&mdash;Gaspare Visconti's works&mdash;Poetic jousts with Bramante
+&mdash;Niccolo da Correggio and other poets&mdash;Dramatic art and music at
+the court of Milan&mdash;Gaffuri and Testagrossa&mdash;Lorenzo Gusnasco of
+Pavia</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">141</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">&nbsp;</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">&nbsp;</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII</a>
+    <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xvi" id="Page_xvi">]Pg xvi]</a></span></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2">1492</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">Visit of Duke Ercole to Milan, and of Isabella d'Este&mdash;Election of
+Pope Alexander VI.&mdash;Bribery of the Cardinals&mdash;Influence of Ascanio
+Sforza over the new Pope, and satisfaction of Lodovico&mdash;Hunting-
+parties at Pavia and Vigevano&mdash;<i>F&ecirc;tes</i> at Milan&mdash;Visit of Isabella
+to Genoa&mdash;Lodovico's letters&mdash;Piero de Medici&mdash;King Ferrante's
+jealousy of the alliance between Rome and Milan</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">155</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">&nbsp;</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">&nbsp;</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2">1493</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">Birth of Beatrice's first-born son&mdash;The Duchess of Ferrara at Milan
+&mdash;<i>F&ecirc;tes</i> and rejoicings at court and in the Castello&mdash;The court
+moves to Vigevano&mdash;Beatrice's wardrobe&mdash;Her son's portrait<br />&mdash;Letters
+to her mother and sister&mdash;Lodovico's plans for a visit to Ferrara
+and Venice</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">166</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">&nbsp;</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">&nbsp;</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2">1493</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">Lodovico's ambitious designs&mdash;Isabella of Aragon appeals to her
+father&mdash;Breach between Naples and Milan&mdash;Alliance between the Pope,
+Venice, and Milan proclaimed&mdash;Mission of Erasmo Brasca to the king
+of the Romans&mdash;Journey of Lodovico and Beatrice to Ferrara&mdash;<i>F&ecirc;tes</i>
+and tournaments&mdash;Visit to Belriguardo, and return of Lodovico to
+Milan&mdash;Arrival of Belgiojoso from France</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">176</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">&nbsp;</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">&nbsp;</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2">1493</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">Visit of Beatrice and her mother to Venice&mdash;Letters of Lodovico to
+his wife&mdash;Reception of the duchesses by the doge at S. Clemente&mdash;
+Their triumphal entry&mdash;Procession and <i>f&ecirc;tes</i> in the Grand Canal&mdash;
+Letter of Beatrice to her husband&mdash;The palace of the Dukes of
+Ferrara in Venice</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">185</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">&nbsp;</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">&nbsp;</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2">1493</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh"><i>F&ecirc;tes</i> at Venice in honour of the Duchess of Ferrara and Duchess of
+Bari&mdash;Beatrice d'Este has an audience with the doge and Signory<br />&mdash;Explains
+Lodovico's position and his treaties with France and
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xvii" id="Page_xvii">[Pg xvii]</a></span>Germany&mdash;Visit to St. Mark's and the Treasury&mdash;<i>F&ecirc;te</i> in the
+ducal palace&mdash;The Duchess visits the Great Council&mdash;Takes leave of
+the doge&mdash;Return to Ferrara</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">195</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">&nbsp;</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">&nbsp;</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2">1493</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">Return of Beatrice to Milan&mdash;Visit of Duke Ercole and Alfonso to
+Pavia&mdash;Death of Duchess Leonora&mdash;Beatrice's <i>camora</i> and
+Niccolo da Correggio's <i>fantasia dei vinci</i>&mdash;Marriage of Bianca
+Maria Sforza to Maximilian, King of the Romans, celebrated at Milan
+&mdash;Letter of Beatrice to Isabella d'Este&mdash;Wedding <i>f&ecirc;tes</i> and journey
+of the bride to Innsbr&uuml;ck&mdash;Maximilian's relations with his wife&mdash;Bianca's
+future life</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">205</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">&nbsp;</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">&nbsp;</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2">1493-1494</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">State of political affairs in Italy&mdash;Vacillating policy of Lodovico
+Sforza&mdash;Death of King Ferrante of Naples&mdash;Alliance between his
+successor Alfonso and Pope Alexander VI.&mdash;Lodovico urges Charles
+VIII. to invade Naples&mdash;Sends Galeazzo di Sanseverino to Lyons&mdash;Cardinal
+della Rovere's flight from Rome&mdash;Alfonso of Naples declares
+war&mdash;Beatrice of Vigevano&mdash;The Gonzagas and the Moro&mdash;Duchess
+Isabella and her husband at Pavia</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">221</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">&nbsp;</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">&nbsp;</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2">1494</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">Arrival of the Duke of Orleans at Asti&mdash;The Neapolitan fleet sent
+against Genoa&mdash;The forces of Naples repulsed at Rapallo&mdash;Charles
+VIII. at Asti&mdash;Beatrice d'Este entertains him at Annona&mdash;The king's
+illness&mdash;His visit to Vigevano and Pavia&mdash;His interview with the
+Duke and Duchess of Milan&mdash;Last illness and death of Giangaleazzo
+Sforza&mdash;Lodovico proclaimed Duke at Milan&mdash;Mission of Maffeo
+Pirovano to Maximilian</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">231</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">&nbsp;</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">&nbsp;</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2">1494</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">Lodovico joins Charles VIII. at Sarzana&mdash;Suspicious rumours as to the
+late duke's death&mdash;Piero de' Medici surrenders the six fortresses of
+Tuscany to Charles VIII.&mdash;Lodovico retires in disgust from the camp&mdash;Congratulations
+of all the Italian States on his accession&mdash;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xviii" id="Page_xviii">[Pg xviii]</a></span>Grief
+of Duchess Isabella&mdash;Her return to Milan&mdash;Mission of Maffeo Pirovano
+to Antwerp&mdash;His interviews with Maximilian and Bianca&mdash;Letter to
+Lodovico to the Bishop of Brixen&mdash;Charles VIII. enters Rome&mdash;His
+treaty with Alexander VI. and departure for Naples</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">246</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">&nbsp;</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">&nbsp;</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2">1495</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">Visit of Isabella d'Este to Milan&mdash;Birth of Beatrice's son, Francesco
+Sforza&mdash;<i>F&ecirc;tes</i> and comedies at the Milanese Court&mdash;Works of
+Leonardo and of Lorenzo di Pavia&mdash;Mission of Caradosso to Florence
+and Rome in search of antiques&mdash;Fall of Naples&mdash;Entry of King Charles
+VIII. and flight of Ferrante II.&mdash;Consternation in Milan&mdash;Departure
+of Isabella d'Este</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">258</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">&nbsp;</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">&nbsp;</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2">1495</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">Proclamation of the new league against France at Venice&mdash;Charles
+VIII. at Naples&mdash;Demoralization of the victors&mdash;Charles leaves
+Naples and returns to Rome&mdash;The Duke of Orleans refuses to give
+up Asti&mdash;Arrival of the imperial ambassadors at Milan&mdash;Lodovico
+presented with the ducal insignia&mdash;<i>F&ecirc;tes</i> in the Castello&mdash;The
+Duke of Orleans seizes Novara&mdash;Terror of Lodovico&mdash;Battle of
+Fornovo&mdash;Victory claimed by both parties&mdash;The French reach Asti&mdash;Isabella's
+trophies restored by Beatrice</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">266</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">&nbsp;</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">&nbsp;</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2">1495</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">Ferrante II. recovers Naples&mdash;Siege of Novara by the army of the
+League&mdash;Review of the army by the Duke and Duchess of Milan<br />&mdash;Charles
+VIII. visits Turin and comes to Vercelli&mdash;Negotiations<br />for peace&mdash;Lodovico
+and Beatrice at the camp&mdash;Treaty of Vercelli concluded
+between France and Milan&mdash;Jealousy of the other powers&mdash;Commines at
+Vigevano&mdash;Zenale's altar-piece in the Brera</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">277</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">&nbsp;</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">&nbsp;</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">CHAPTER XXV</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2">1496</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">The war of Pisa&mdash;Venice defends the liberties of Pisa against
+Florence&mdash;Lodovico invites Maximilian to enter Italy and succour
+the Pisans&mdash;The Duke and Duchess of Milan go to meet the emperor
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xix" id="Page_xix">[Pg xix]</a></span>at Bormio&mdash;Maximilian crosses the Alps and comes to Vigevano&mdash;His
+interview with the Venetian envoys&mdash;His expedition to Pisa</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">287</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">&nbsp;</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">&nbsp;</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">CHAPTER XXVI</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2">1496</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">Isabella d'Este joins her husband in Naples&mdash;Works of Bramante and
+Leonardo in the Castello of Milan&mdash;The Cenacolo&mdash;Lodovico sends for
+Perugino&mdash;His passion for Lucrezia Crivelli&mdash;Grief of Beatrice<br />&mdash;Death
+of Bianca Sforza&mdash;The Emperor Maximilian at Pisa&mdash;The Duke
+and Duchess return to Milan&mdash;Last days and sudden death of Beatrice
+d'Este</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">298</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">&nbsp;</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">&nbsp;</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">CHAPTER XXVII</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2">1497</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">Grief of the Duke of Milan&mdash;His letters to Mantua and Pavia&mdash;
+Interview with Costabili&mdash;Funeral of Duchess Beatrice&mdash;Mourning of
+her husband&mdash;Letters of the Emperor Maximilian and Chiara Gonzaga&mdash;Tomb
+of Beatrice in Santa Maria delle Grazie&mdash;<br />Leonardo's Cenacolo,
+and portraits of the duke and duchess<br />&mdash;Lucrezia Crivelli</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">307</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">&nbsp;</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">&nbsp;</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">CHAPTER XXVIII</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2">1497-1498</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">The Marquis of Mantua dismissed by the Venetians&mdash;He incurs Duke
+Lodovico's displeasure by his intrigues&mdash;Isabella d'Este's
+correspondence with the Duke of Milan&mdash;Leonardo in the Castello&mdash;Death
+of Charles VIII.&mdash;Visit of Lodovico to Mantua<br />&mdash;Francesco
+Gonzaga appointed captain of the imperial forces<br />&mdash;Isabella of
+Aragon and Isabella d'Este&mdash;Chiara Gonzaga and Caterina Sforza&mdash;
+Lodovico's will</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">322</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">&nbsp;</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">&nbsp;</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">CHAPTER XXIX</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2">1499</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">Treaty of Blois&mdash;Alliance between France, Venice, and the Borgias&mdash;
+Lodovico appeals to Maximilian&mdash;His gift to Leonardo and letter to
+the Certosa&mdash;The French and the Venetians invade the Milanese&mdash;
+Desertion of Gonzaga and treachery of Milanese captains&mdash;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xx" id="Page_xx">[Pg xx]</a></span>Loss of
+Alessandria&mdash;Panic and flight of Duke Lodovico&mdash;Surrender of Pavia
+and Milan to the French&mdash;Treachery of Bernardino da Corte and
+surrender of the Castello&mdash;Triumphal entry of Louis XII</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">337</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">&nbsp;</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">&nbsp;</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXX">CHAPTER XXX</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2">1499-1500</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">Louis XII. in Milan&mdash;Hatred of the French rule&mdash;Return of Duke
+Lodovico&mdash;His march to Como and triumphal entry into Milan&mdash;<br />Trivulzio
+and the French retire to Mortara&mdash;Surrender of the Castello of Milan,
+of Pavia and Novara, to the Moro&mdash;His want of men and money&mdash;Arrival
+of La Tr&eacute;mouille's army&mdash;Lodovico besieged in Novara and betrayed to
+the French king by the Swiss&mdash;Rejoicings at Rome and Venice&mdash;Triumph
+of the Borgias<br />&mdash;Sufferings of the Milanese&mdash;Leonardo's letter</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">352</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">&nbsp;</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">&nbsp;</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXI">CHAPTER XXXI</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2">1500-1508</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">Lodovico Sforza enters Lyons as a captive&mdash;His imprisonment at
+Pierre-Encise and Lys Saint-Georges&mdash;Laments over Il Moro in the
+popular poetry of France and Italy&mdash;Efforts of the Emperor Maximilian
+to obtain his release&mdash;Ascanio and Ermes Sforza released&mdash;Lodovico
+removed to Loches&mdash;Paolo Giovio's account of his captivity&mdash;His
+attempt to escape&mdash;Dungeon at Loches&mdash;Death of Lodovico Sforza&mdash;His
+burial in S. Maria delle Grazie</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">367</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">&nbsp;</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">&nbsp;</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXII">CHAPTER XXXII</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdc" colspan="2">1500-1564</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">The Milanese exiles at Innsbr&uuml;ck&mdash;Galeazzo di Sanseverino becomes
+Grand Ecuyer of France&mdash;Is slain at Pavia&mdash;Maximilian Sforza made
+Duke of Milan in 1512&mdash;Forced to abdicate by Francis I. in 1515&mdash;Reign
+of Francesco Sforza&mdash;Wars of France and Germany<br />&mdash;Siege of
+Milan by the Imperialists&mdash;Duke Francesco restored by Charles V.&mdash;His
+marriage and death in 1535&mdash;Removal of Lodovico and Beatrice's
+effigies to the Certosa</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">375</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">&nbsp;</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">&nbsp;</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdl"><a href="#INDEX"><span class="smcap">Index</span></a></td>
+  <td class="tdr">381</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdlh">&nbsp;</td>
+  <td class="tdrb">&nbsp;</td>
+  </tr>
+
+</table>
+</div>
+
+<a name="toi" id="toi"></a><hr /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_xxi" id="Page_xxi">[Pg xxi]</a></span>
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+
+<h2><a name="LIST_OF_ILLUSTRATIONS" id="LIST_OF_ILLUSTRATIONS"></a>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2>
+
+
+<div class="centered">
+<table border="0" width="80%" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Illustrations">
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdl" width="80%"><span class="smcap">Bianca Sforza, by Ambrogio de  Predis</span><br />
+    <i>From a photograph by</i> <span class="smcap">Signor D. Anderson</span>, of Rome.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb" width="20%"><a href="#frontis"><i>frontispiece</i></a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Sforza MS. Illuminated</span><br />
+    <i>From a private photograph.</i></td>
+  <td class="tdrb"><a href="#imagep083"><i>To face p. 83</i></a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Altar-piece, ascribed to Zenale, with Portraits of Lodovico
+    &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sforza, Beatrice d'Este and their Sons</span><br />
+    <i>From a photograph by</i> <span class="smcap">Signor D. Anderson</span>, of Rome.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb"><a href="#imagep284"><i>To face p. 284</i></a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Galeazzo di Sanseverino, by Ambrogio de Predis</span><br />
+    <i>From a photograph by</i> <span class="smcap">Signor D. Anderson</span>, of Rome.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb"><a href="#imagep304"><i>To face p. 304</i></a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+  <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Tomb of Lodovico Sforza and Beatrice d'Este in the
+    Certosa<br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;of Pavia</span><br />
+    <i>From a photograph by</i> <span class="smcap">Fratelli Alinari</span>, of Florence.</td>
+  <td class="tdrb"><a href="#imagep389"><i>To face p. 389</i></a></td>
+  </tr>
+</table>
+</div>
+
+<br />
+<hr /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span>
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+
+<h1>BEATRICE D'ESTE</h1>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 15%;" />
+<br />
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I</h3>
+
+<div style="margin-left: 2em;">
+<p class="hang">The Castello of Ferrara&mdash;The House of Este&mdash;Accession of Duke Ercole
+I.&mdash;His marriage to Leonora of Aragon&mdash;Birth of Isabella and Beatrice
+d'Este&mdash;Plot of Niccolo d'Este&mdash;Visit of Leonora to Naples&mdash;The court of
+King Ferrante&mdash;Betrothal of Beatrice d'Este to Lodovico Sforza, Duke of
+Bari&mdash;And of Isabella d'Este to Francesco Gonzaga.</p>
+</div>
+
+<h3>1471-1480</h3>
+
+
+<p>In the heart of old Ferrara stands the Castello of the Este princes. All
+the great story of the past, all the romance of medieval chivalry, seems
+to live again in that picturesque, irregular pile with the crenellated
+towers and dusky red-brick walls, overhanging the sleepy waters of the
+ancient moat. The song of Boiardo and Ariosto still lingers in the air
+about the ruddy pinnacles; the spacious courts and broad piazza recall
+the tournaments and pageants of olden time. Once more the sound of
+clanging trumpets or merry hunting-horn awakes the echoes, as the joyous
+train of lords and ladies sweep out through the castle gates in the
+summer morning; once more, under vaulted loggias and high-arched
+balconies, we see the courtly scholar bending earnestly over some
+classic page, or catch the voice of high-born maiden singing Petrarch's
+sonnets to her lute.</p>
+
+<p>St. George was the champion of Ferrara and the patron saint of the house
+of Este. There year by year his festival was celebrated with great
+rejoicings, and vast crowds thronged the piazza before the Castello to
+see the famous races for the <i>pallium</i>. It is St. George who rides full
+tilt at the dragon in the rude sculptures <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span>on the portal of the Romanesque
+Cathedral hard by; it is the same warrior-saint who, in his gleaming
+armour, looks down from the painted fresco above the portcullis of the
+castle drawbridge. And all the masters who worked for the Este dukes,
+whether they were men of native or foreign birth&mdash;Vittore Pisanello and
+Jacopo Bellini, Cosimo Tura and Dosso Dossi&mdash;took delight in the old
+story, and painted the legend of St. George and Princess Sabra in the
+frescoes or altar-pieces with which they adorned the churches and castle
+halls.</p>
+
+<p>The Estes, who took St. George for their patron, and fought and died
+under his banner, were themselves a chivalrous and splendour-loving
+race, ever ready to ride out in quest of fresh adventure in the chase or
+battle-field. Men and women alike were renowned, even among the princely
+houses of Italy in Renaissance time, for their rare culture and genuine
+love of art and letters. And they were justly proud of their ancient
+lineage and of the love and loyalty which their subjects bore them. The
+Sforzas of Milan, the Medici of Florence, the Riarios or the Della
+Roveres, were but low-born upstarts by the side of this illustrious race
+which had reigned on the banks of the Po during the last two hundred
+years. In spite of wars and bloodshed, in spite of occasional
+conspiracies and tumults, chiefly stirred up by members of the reigning
+family, the people of Ferrara loved their rulers well, and never showed
+any wish to change the house of Este for another. The citizens took a
+personal interest in their own duke and duchess and in all that belonged
+to them, and chronicled their doings with minute attention. They shared
+their sorrows and rejoiced in their joys, they lamented their departure
+and hailed their return with acclamation, they followed the fortunes of
+their children with keen interest, and welcomed the return of the
+youthful bride with acclamations, or wept bitter tears over her untimely
+end.</p>
+
+<p>Of all the Estes who held sway at Ferrara, the most illustrious and most
+beloved was Duke Ercole I., the father of Beatrice. During the
+thirty-four years that he reigned in Ferrara, the duchy enjoyed a degree
+of material prosperity which it had never attained before, and rose to
+the foremost rank among the states of North Italy. And in the troubled
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span>times of the next century, his people looked back on the days of Duke
+Ercole and his good duchess as the golden age of Ferrara. After the
+death of his father, the able and learned Niccolo III., who first
+established his throne on sure and safe foundations, Ercole's two elder
+half-brothers, Leonello and Borso, reigned in succession over Ferrara,
+and kept up the proud traditions of the house of Este, both in war and
+peace. Both were bastards, but in the Este family this was never held to
+be a bar to the succession. "In Italy," as Commines wrote, "they make
+little difference between legitimate and illegitimate children." But
+when the last of the two, Duke Borso, died on the 27th of May, 1471, of
+malarial fever caught on his journey to Rome, to receive the investiture
+of his duchy from the Pope, Niccolo's eldest legitimate son Ercole
+successfully asserted his claim to the throne, and entered peacefully
+upon his heritage. Two years later, the next duke, who was already
+thirty-eight years of age, obtained the hand of Leonora of Aragon,
+daughter of Ferrante, King of Naples, and sent his brother Sigismondo at
+the head of a splendid retinue to bring home his royal bride. After a
+visit to Rome, where Pope Sixtus IV. entertained her at a series of
+magnificent banquets and theatrical representations, the young duchess
+entered Ferrara in state. On a bright June morning she rode through the
+streets in a robe glittering with jewels, with a stately canopy over her
+head and a gold crown on her flowing hair. Latin orations, orchestral
+music, and theatrical displays, for which Ferrara was already famous,
+greeted the bridal procession at every point. The houses were hung with
+tapestries and cloth of gold, avenues of flowering shrubs were planted
+along the broad white streets, and ringing shouts greeted the coming of
+the fair princess who was to make her home in Ferrara. The happy event
+was commemorated by a noble medal, designed by the Mantuan Sperandio,
+the most illustrious of a school of medallists employed at Ferrara in
+Duke Borso's time, while Leonora's refined features and expressive face
+are preserved in a well-known bas-relief, now in Paris. Ercole and his
+bride took up their abode in the Este palace, a stately Renaissance
+structure opposite the old Lombard Duomo, a few steps from the Castello,
+with which it was connected by a covered passage.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span>The charm and goodness of the young duchess soon won the heart of her
+subjects. From the first she entered eagerly into Ercole's schemes for
+ordering his capital and encouraging art, and brought a new and gentler
+influence to bear on the society of her husband's court. There, too, she
+found a congenial spirit in the duke's accomplished sister, Bianca, that
+Virgin of Este, who was the subject of Tito Strozzi's impassioned
+eulogy, and whose Latin and Greek prose excited the admiration of all
+her contemporaries. This cultivated princess had been originally
+betrothed to the eldest son of Federigo, Duke of Urbino, but his early
+death put an end to these hopes, and in 1468 she married Galeotto della
+Mirandola, a prince of the house of Carpi, who lived, at Ferrara some
+years, and afterwards entered the service of Lodovico Sforza and served
+as captain in his wars.</p>
+
+<p>On the 18th of May, 1474, the duchess gave birth to a daughter, who
+received the name of Isabella, always a favourite in the house of
+Aragon, and was destined to become the most celebrated lady of the
+Renaissance. A year later, on the 29th of June, 1475, a second daughter
+saw the light. Her appearance, however, proved no cause of rejoicing, as
+we learn from the contemporary chronicle published by Muratori&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"A daughter was born this day to Duke Ercole, and received the name of
+Beatrice, being the child of Madonna Leonora his wife. And there were no
+rejoicings, because every one wished for a boy."</p>
+
+<p>No one in Ferrara then dreamt that the babe who received so cold a
+welcome would one day reign over the Milanese, as the wife of Lodovico
+Sforza, the most powerful of Italian princes, and would herself be
+remembered by posterity as "la pi&ugrave; zentil donna in Italia"&mdash;the sweetest
+lady in all Italy. At least the name bestowed upon her was a good omen.
+She was called Beatrice after two favourite relatives of her parents.
+One of these was Leonora's only sister, Beatrice of Aragon, who in that
+same year passed through Ferrara on her way to join her husband,
+Matthias Corvinus, King of Hungary, and whose presence, we are told by
+the diarist, gave great pleasure to both duke and duchess. The other
+Beatrice was Ercole's half-sister, the elder daughter of Niccolo III.,
+who had long been <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span>the ornament of her father's court, when she had been
+known as the Queen of Feasts, and it had become a common proverb that to
+see Madonna Beatrice dance was to find Paradise upon earth. In 1448, at
+the age of twenty-one, this brilliant lady had wedded Borso da
+Correggio, a brother of the reigning prince of that city, and, after her
+first husband's early death, had become the wife of Tristan Sforza, an
+illegitimate son of the great Condottiere Francesco Sforza, Duke of
+Milan. Although her home was now in Lombardy, Beatrice d'Este remained
+on intimate terms with her own family, and her son Niccolo da Correggio
+was known as the handsomest and most accomplished cavalier at the court
+of Ferrara. He had accompanied his uncle Duke Borso on his journey to
+Rome, and had been one of the escort sent to conduct Duchess Leonora
+from Naples.</p>
+
+<p>In the summer of the year following Beatrice's birth, the hopes of the
+loyal Ferrarese were at length fulfilled, and a son was born to the duke
+and duchess on the 21st of July, 1476. This time the citizens abandoned
+themselves to demonstrations of enthusiastic delight. The bells were
+rung and the shops closed during three whole days, and the child was
+baptized with great pomp in the Chapel of the Vescovado, close to the
+Duomo. The infant received the name of Alfonso, after his grandfather,
+the great King of Naples, and a "beautiful f&ecirc;te," to quote one
+chronicler's words, "was held in honour of the auspicious event in the
+Sala Grande of the Schifanoia Villa." On this occasion a concert was
+given by a hundred trumpeters, pipers, and tambourine-players in the
+frescoed hall of this favourite summer palace, and a sumptuous banquet
+was prepared after the fashion of the times, with an immense number of
+<i>confetti</i>, representing lords and ladies, animals, trees, and castles,
+all made of gilt and coloured sugar, which our friend the diarist tells
+us were carried off or eaten by the people as soon as the doors were
+opened.</p>
+
+<p>But a few days afterwards, while Duke Ercole was away from Ferrara, his
+wife was surprised by a sudden rising, the result of a deep-laid
+conspiracy, secretly planned by his nephew, Niccolo, a bastard son of
+Leonello d'Este. Niccolo's first endeavour was to seize on the person of
+the duchess and her young children, an attempt which almost proved
+successful, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span>but was fortunately defeated by Leonora's own courage and
+presence of mind. The palace was already surrounded by armed men, when
+the alarm reached the ears of the duchess, and, springing out of bed
+with her infant son in her arms, followed by her two little daughters
+and a few faithful servants, she fled by the covered way to the
+Castello. Hardly had she left her room, when the conspirators rushed in
+and sacked the palace, killing all who tried to offer resistance. The
+people of Ferrara, however, were loyal to their beloved duke and
+duchess. After a few days of anxious suspense, Ercole returned, and soon
+quelled the tumult and restored order in the city. That evening he
+appeared on the balcony of the Castello, and publicly embraced his wife
+and children amid the shouts and applause of the whole city. The next
+day the whole ducal family went in solemn procession to the Cathedral,
+and there gave public thanks for their marvellous deliverance. A
+terrible list of cruel reprisals followed upon this rebellion, and
+Niccolo d'Este himself, with two hundred of his partisans, were put to
+death after the bloody fashion of the times.</p>
+
+<p>A year later, when the danger was over and tranquillity had been
+completely restored, Leonora and her two little daughters set out for
+Naples, under the escort of Niccolo da Correggio, to be present at her
+father King Ferrante's second marriage with the young Princess Joan of
+Aragon, a sister of Ferdinand the Catholic. The duchess and her children
+travelled by land to Pisa, where galleys were waiting to conduct them to
+Naples, and reached her father's court on the 1st of June, 1477. Here
+Leonora spent the next four months, and in September, gave birth to a
+second son, who was named Ferrante, after his royal grandfather. But
+soon news reached Naples that war had broken out in Northern Italy, and
+that Duke Ercole had been chosen Captain-general of the Florentine
+armies. In his absence the presence of the duchess was absolutely
+necessary at Ferrara, and early in November Leonora left Naples and
+hastened home to take up the reins of government and administer the
+state in her lord's stead. She took her elder daughter Isabella with
+her, but left her new-born son at Naples, together with his little
+sister Beatrice, from whom the old King Ferrante refused to part. This
+bright-eyed child, who had won her grandfather's affections at this
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span>early age, remained at Naples for the next eight years, and grew up in
+the royal palace on the terraced steps of that enchanted shore, where
+even then Sannazzaro was dreaming of Arcadia, and where Lorenzo de'
+Medici loved to talk over books and poetry with his learned friend the
+Duchess Ippolita. Beatrice was too young to realize the rare degree of
+culture which had made Alfonso's and Ferrante's court the favourite
+abode of the Greek and Latin scholars of the age, too innocent to be
+aware of the dark deeds which threw a shadow over these sunny regions,
+where the strange medley of luxury and vice, of refinement and cruelty,
+recalled the days of Imperial Rome. But the balmy breath of these
+Southern climes, the soft luxuriant spell of blue seas and groves of
+palm and cassia, sank deep into the child's being, and something of the
+fire and passion, the mirth and gaiety, of the dwellers in this
+delicious land passed into her soul, and helped to mould her nature
+during these years that she spent far from mother and sister at King
+Ferrante's court.</p>
+
+<p>In these early days many personages with whom she was to be closely
+associated in after-years were living at Naples. There were scholars and
+poets whom she was to meet again in Milan at her husband's court, and
+who would be glad to remind her that they had known her as a child in
+her grandfather's palace. There was Pontano, the founder of the Academy
+of Naples, who was busy writing his Latin eclogues on the myrtle bowers
+of Baiae and the orange groves of Sorrento. There was her aunt, the
+accomplished Ippolita Sforza, Duchess of Calabria, who had learnt Greek
+of the great teacher Lascaris in her young days at Milan, and whose
+wedding had brought the magnificent Lorenzo to the court of the Sforzas.
+And for playmates the little Beatrice had Ippolita's children: the boy
+Ferrante, whose chivalrous nature endeared him to his Este cousins, even
+when their husbands joined with the French invaders to drive him from
+his father's throne; and the girl Isabella, who was already affianced to
+the young Duke Giangaleazzo, who was in future years to become her
+companion and rival at the court of Milan. Here, too, in the summer of
+1479, came a new visitor in the shape of Duchess Ippolita's brother,
+Lodovico Sforza, surnamed <i>Il Moro</i>, himself the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span>younger son of the
+great Duke Francesco. On his elder brother Sforza's death, the King of
+Naples had invested him with the duchy of Bari, and now he promised him
+men and money with which to assert his claims against his sister-in-law,
+the widowed Duchess Bona and the minions who had driven him and his
+brothers out of their native land. In June, 1477, only a few days after
+Leonora and her children left Ferrara, the exiled prince had arrived
+there on his way to Pisa, and had been courteously entertained by Duke
+Ercole in the Schifanoia Palace. Since then he had spent two dreary
+years in exile at Pisa, fretting out his heart in his enforced idleness,
+and pining for the hour of release. That hour was now at hand. Before
+the end of the year, Lodovico Sforza had, by a succession of bold
+man&oelig;uvres, driven out his rivals and was virtually supreme in Milan.
+The first step which the new regent took was to ally himself with the
+Duke of Ferrara. The houses of Sforza and Este had always been on
+friendly terms, and Ercole's father Niccolo had presented Francesco
+Sforza with a famous diamond in acknowledgment of the services rendered
+him by the great Condottiere. When Francesco's son and successor, Duke
+Galeazzo Maria, was murdered in 1476, his widow, Duchess Bona, had
+renewed the old alliance with Ferrara, and a marriage had been arranged
+between her infant daughter Anna Sforza and Duke Ercole's new-born son
+and heir Alfonso. In May, 1477, this betrothal was proclaimed in Milan,
+and a fortnight later the nuptial contract was signed at Ferrara. The
+union of the two houses was celebrated by solemn processions and
+thanksgivings throughout the duchy, and the infant bridegroom was
+carried in the arms of his chamberlain to meet the Milanese ambassador,
+who appeared on behalf of the little three-year-old bride. Seven years
+afterwards, Duchess Leonora sent a magnificent doll with a trousseau of
+clothes designed by the best artists in Ferrara, as a gift to the little
+daughter-in-law whom she had not yet seen.</p>
+
+<p>In 1480, Lodovico Sforza formally asked Ercole to give him the hand of
+his elder daughter Isabella, then a child of six. Lodovico himself was
+twenty-nine, and besides being a man of remarkable abilities and
+singularly handsome presence, had the reputation of being the richest
+prince in Italy. Duke Ercole <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span>further saw the great importance of
+strengthening the alliance with Milan at a time when Ferrara was again
+threatened by her hereditary enemies, the Pope and Venice.
+Unfortunately, his youthful daughter had already been sought in marriage
+by Federico, Marquis of Mantua, on behalf of his elder son, Giovanni
+Francesco; and Ercole, unwilling to offend so near a neighbour, and yet
+reluctant to lose the chance of a second desirable alliance, offered
+Lodovico Sforza the hand of his younger daughter, Beatrice. The Duke of
+Bari made no objection to this arrangement, and on St. George's Day,
+Ercole addressed the following letter to his old ally, Marquis
+Federico:&mdash;</p>
+
+<br />
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Most illustrious Lord and dearest Brother</span>,</p>
+
+<p>"This is to inform you that the most illustrious Madonna Duchess of
+Milan and His Illustrious Highness Lodovico Sforza have sent their
+ambassador, M. Gabriele Tassino, to ask for our daughter Madonna
+Isabella on behalf of Signor Lodovico. We have replied that to our
+regret this marriage was no longer possible, since we had already
+entered into negotiations on the subject with your Highness and your
+eldest son. But since we have another daughter at Naples, who is only
+about a year younger, and who has been adopted by his Majesty the King
+of Naples as his own child, we have written to acquaint His Serene
+Majesty with the wish of these illustrious Persons, and have asked him
+if he will consent to accept the said Signor Lodovico as his kinsman,
+since without his leave we were unable to dispose of our daughter
+Beatrice's hand. The said Persons having expressed themselves as well
+content with the proceeding, out of respect for the King's Majesty he
+has now declared his approval of this marriage, to which we have
+accordingly signified our consent. We are sure that you will rejoice
+with us, seeing the close union and alliance that has long existed
+between us, and beg your Illustrious Highness to keep the matter secret
+for the present.</p>
+
+<p class="right">"<span class="smcap">Hercules, Dux Ferr., etc</span>.<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a></p>
+<p style="margin-left: 2em;"><i>Ferrara, 23rd April, 1480.</i>"</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>It is curious to reflect on the possible changes in the course <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span>of
+events in Italian history during the next thirty years, if Lodovico
+Sforza's proposals had reached Ferrara a few months earlier, and
+Isabella d'Este, instead of her sister Beatrice, had become his wife.
+Would the rare prudence and self-control of the elder princess have led
+her to play a different part in the difficult circumstances which
+surrounded her position at the court of Milan as the Moro's wife? Would
+Isabella's calmer temperament and wise and far-seeing intellect have
+been able to restrain Lodovico's ambitious dreams and avert his ruin?
+The cordial relations that were afterwards to exist between Lodovico and
+his gifted sister-in-law, the Moro's keen appreciation of Isabella's
+character, incline us to believe that she would have acquired great
+influence over her lord; and that so remarkable a woman would have
+played a very important part on this larger stage. But the Fates had
+willed otherwise, and Beatrice d'Este became the bride of Lodovico
+Sforza. Her royal grandfather, old King Ferrante, gave his sanction to
+the proposed marriage, although he refused to part from his little
+grandchild at present, and when, five years later, Beatrice returned to
+Ferrara, she assumed the title and estate of Duchess of Bari, and was
+publicly recognized as Lodovico's promised wife. She had by this&middot;time
+reached the age of ten, and her espoused husband was exactly
+thirty-four.</p>
+
+<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> Luzio-Renier in Archivio Storico Lombardo, xvii. 77.</p></div>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 15%;" /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span>
+<br />
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II</h3>
+
+<div style="margin-left: 2em;">
+<p class="hang">Lodovico Sforza&mdash;Known as Il Moro&mdash;His birth and childhood&mdash;Murder of
+Duke Galeazzo Maria&mdash;Regency of Duchess Bona&mdash;Exile of the Sforza
+brothers&mdash;Lodovico at Pisa&mdash;His invasion of Lombardy and return to Milan&mdash;Death
+of Cecco Simonetta&mdash;Flight of Duchess Bona&mdash;Lodovico Regent of
+Milan.</p>
+</div>
+
+<h3>1451-1582</h3>
+
+
+<p>Lodovico Sforza was certainly one of the most remarkable figures of the
+Italian Renaissance. He has generally been described as one of the
+blackest. "Born for the ruin of Italy," was the verdict of his
+contemporary Paolo Giovio, a verdict which every chronicler of the
+sixteenth century has endorsed. These men who saw the disasters which
+overwhelmed their country under the foreign rule, could not forget that
+Charles VIII., the first French king who invaded Italy, had crossed the
+Alps as the friend and ally of Lodovico Moro. They forgot how many
+others were at least equally guilty, and did not realize the vast
+network of intrigues in which Pope Julius II., the Venetian Signory, and
+the King of Naples all had a share. Later historians with one consent
+have accepted Paolo Giovio's view, and have made Lodovico responsible
+for all the miseries which arose from the French invasion. The bitter
+hatred with which both French and Venetian writers regarded the prince
+who had foiled their countrymen and profited by their mistakes, has
+helped to deepen this sinister impression. The greatest crimes were
+imputed to him, the vilest calumnies concerning his personal character
+found ready acceptance. But the more impartial judgment of modern
+historians, together with the light thrown upon the subject <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span>by recently
+discovered documents, has done much to modify our opinion of Lodovico's
+character. The worst charges formerly brought against him, above all,
+the alleged poisoning of his nephew, the reigning Duke of Milan, have
+been dismissed as groundless and wholly alien to his nature and
+character. On the other hand, his great merits and rare talents as ruler
+and administrator have been fully recognized, while it is admitted on
+all hands that his generous and enlightened encouragement of art and
+letters entitles him to a place among the most illustrious patrons of
+the Renaissance. To his keen intellect and discerning eye, to his fine
+taste and quick sympathy with all forms of beauty, we owe the production
+of some of the noblest works of art that human hands have ever
+fashioned. To his personal encouragement and magnificent liberality we
+owe the grandest monuments of Lombard architecture, and the finest
+development of Milanese painting, the fa&ccedil;ade of the Certosa and the
+cupola of Sta. Maria delle Grazie, the frescoes and altar-pieces of the
+Brera and the Ambrosiana. Above all, it was at the Milanese court, under
+the stimulating influence of the Moro, that Leonardo da Vinci's finest
+work was done.</p>
+
+<p>As a man, Lodovico Sforza is profoundly interesting. Burckhardt has
+called him the most complete among the princely figures of the Italian
+Renaissance, and there can be no doubt that alike in his virtues and in
+his faults, he was curiously typical of the age in which he lived.
+Guicciardini, who was certainly no friend to him, and regarded him as
+the inveterate foe of Florence, describes him as "a creature of very
+rare perfection, most excellent for his eloquence and industry and many
+gifts of nature and spirit, and not unworthy of the name of milde and
+mercifull;" and the Milanese doctor Arluno, the author of an unpublished
+chronicle in the Biblioteca Marciana at Venice, says, "He had a sublime
+soul and universal capacity. Whatever he did, he surpassed expectation,
+in the fine arts and learning, in justice and benevolence. And he had no
+equal among Italian princes for wisdom and sagacity in public affairs."
+Contemporary writers describe him as very pleasant in manner and
+gracious in speech, always gentle and courteous to others, ready to
+listen, and never losing his temper <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span>in argument. He shared in the
+laxity of morals common to his age; but was a man of deep affections as
+well as strong passions, fondly attached to his children and friends,
+while the profound and lasting grief with which he lamented his dead
+wife amazed his more fickle contemporaries. Singularly refined and
+sensitive by nature, he shrank instinctively from bloodshed, and had a
+horror of all violent actions. In this he differed greatly from his
+elder brother Galeazzo Maria, who was a monster of lust and cruelty,
+intent only on gratifying his savage instincts, and as callous to human
+suffering as he was reckless of human life. Lodovico, as his most
+hostile critics agree, was emphatically not a cruel man, and rarely
+consented to condemn even criminals to death. But, like many other
+politicians who have great ends in view, he was often unscrupulous as to
+the means which he employed, and, as Burckhardt very truly remarked,
+would probably have been surprised at being held responsible for the
+means by which he attained his object. Trained from early youth in the
+most tortuous paths of Italian diplomacy, he acted on the principle laid
+down by the Venetian Marino Sanuto, that the first duty of the really
+wise statesman is to persuade his enemies that he means to do one thing
+and then do another. But in these tangled paths he often over-reached
+himself, and only succeeded in inspiring all parties with distrust; and,
+as too often happens, this deceiver was deceived in his turn, and in the
+end betrayed by men in whom his whole trust had been placed. Another
+curious feature of Lodovico's character was the strain of moral
+cowardice which, in spite of great personal bravery, marked his public
+actions at the most critical moments. This sudden failure of courage, or
+loss of nerve, that to his contemporaries seemed little short of
+madness, absolutely inexplicable in a man who had faced death without a
+thought on many a battle-field, ultimately wrought his own downfall as
+well as that of his State.</p>
+
+<p>And yet, in spite of all his faults and failings, in spite of the
+strange tissue of complex aims and motives which swayed his course,
+Lodovico Sforza was a man of great ideas and splendid capacities, a
+prince who was in many respects distinctly in <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span>advance of his age. His
+wise and beneficial schemes for the encouragement of agriculture and the
+good of his poorer subjects, his careful regulations for the
+administration of the University and advancement of all branches of
+learning, his extraordinary industry and minute attention to detail,
+cannot fail to inspire our interest and command our admiration. In more
+peaceful times and under happier circumstances he would have been an
+excellent ruler, and his great dream of a united kingdom of North Italy
+might have been well and nobly realized. As it was, the history of
+Lodovico Moro belongs to the saddest tragedies of the Renaissance, and
+the splendour of his prosperity and the greatness of his fall became the
+common theme of poet and moralist.</p>
+
+<p>The story of Lodovico's childhood is one of the pleasantest parts of his
+strangely chequered career. He was the fourth son of Francesco Sforza,
+the famous soldier of fortune who had married Madonna Bianca, daughter
+of the last Visconti, and reigned in right of his wife as Duke of Milan
+during twenty years. On the 19th of August, 1451, a year and a half
+after the great captain had boldly entered Milan and been proclaimed
+Duke, Duchess Bianca gave birth at her summer palace of Vigevano to a
+fine boy. This "<i>bel puello</i>," as he is called in the despatch
+announcing the news to his proud father, received the name of Lodovico
+Mauro, which was afterwards altered to Lodovico Maria, when, after his
+recovery from a dangerous illness at five years old, his mother placed
+him under the special protection of the Blessed Virgin. On this occasion
+Bianca vowed rich offerings to the shrine of Il Santo at Padua, and in
+discharge of this vow, her faithful servant Giovanni Francesco Stanga of
+Cremona was sent to Padua in February, 1461, to present a life-size
+image of the boy richly worked in silver, together with a complete set
+of vestments and of altar plate bearing the ducal arms, to the ark of
+the blessed Anthony. In documents still preserved in the Paduan archives
+the boy is twice over mentioned as <i>Lodovicus Maurus filius quartus
+masculus</i>, but the silver image itself bore the inscription, "<i>Pro
+sanitate filii</i>. Lodovici Mari&aelig;, 1461."<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> There can, however, be little
+doubt that Maurus was the second name first given to Lodovico, and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span>that
+this was the true origin of the surname <i>Il Moro</i> by which Francesco
+Sforza's son became famous in after-years. The most ingenious
+explanations of this name have been invented by Italian chroniclers.
+Prato and Lomazzo both say that Lodovico was called Il Moro because of
+the darkness of his complexion and long black hair. Guicciardini repeats
+the same, but Paolo Giovio, who had seen Lodovico at Como, asserts that
+his complexion was fair, and he owed this surname to the mulberry-tree
+which he adopted as his device, because it waits till the winter is well
+over to put forth its leaves, and is therefore called the most prudent
+of all trees. As a matter of fact, there is no doubt that the surname
+was given to Lodovico by his parents. "He was first called Moro by his
+father Francesco and his mother Bianca in his earliest years," writes
+Prato, and we find the same expression in the verse of a Milanese court
+poet: "<i>Et Maurum l&aelig;to patris cognomine dictum</i>." The name naturally
+provoked puns. The dark-eyed boy with his long black hair and bushy
+eyebrows went by the nickname of Moro, and as he grew up, adopted both
+the Moor's head and the mulberry-tree as his badge. These devices in
+their turn supplied the poets and painters of his court with themes on
+which they were never tired of exercising their wit and ingenuity. Moors
+and Moorish costumes were introduced in every masquerade and ballet, a
+Moorish page was represented brushing the robes of Italy in a fresco of
+the Castello of Milan, while mulberry colour became fashionable among
+the ladies of the Moro's court, and was commonly worn by the servants
+and pages in the palace. Lodovico early gave signs of the love of
+literature and the great abilities which distinguished him in
+after-life. His quickness in learning by heart, his extraordinary
+memory, and the fluency with which he wrote and spoke Latin amazed his
+tutors. And he was fortunate in receiving an excellent education from
+the first Greek scholars of the day. Madonna Bianca, the only daughter
+of Filippo Maria, the last Visconti who had betrothed her before she was
+eight years old to Francesco Sforza, proved herself the best of wives
+and mothers. By her courage and wisdom she helped her husband to gain
+possession of her dead father's duchy, and won the hearts of all her
+subjects by <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span>her goodness. While Francesco was engaged with affairs of
+state, she directed the studies of her children, and gave her six sons
+an admirable training in learning and knightly exercises. "Let us
+remember," she said to her son's tutor, the learned scholar Filelfo,
+"that we have princes to educate, not only scholars." We find her
+setting the boys a theme on the manner in which princes should draw up
+treaties, and desiring them in her absence to write to her once a week
+in Latin. Several of these letters are still preserved in the archives
+of Milan. There is one, for instance, in which Lodovico, then sixteen
+years old, tells his mother that he is sending her seventy quails, two
+partridges, and a pheasant, the result of a day's sport in the forest,
+but takes care to assure her that the pleasures of the chase will never
+make him neglect his books.</p>
+
+<p>Many are the pleasant glimpses we catch of the family circle, whether in
+the Corte vecchia or old ducal palace of the Viscontis at Milan, in the
+beautiful park and gardens of the Castello at Pavia, or in their country
+homes of Vigevano and Binasco. We see Duke Francesco riding out with his
+young sons through the streets of Milan, visiting the churches and
+convents that were rising on all sides, the new hospital, which was the
+object of Madonna Bianca's tender care, the oak avenues and gardens with
+which she loved to surround her favourite shrines. We find the boys at
+home, helping their mother to entertain her guests with music and
+dancing, and accompanying her on visits to the noble Milanese families.
+One day their grandmother, Agnese di Maino, came to see the duke's sons
+with an old gentleman from Navarre, who went home declaring that he had
+never seen such wise and well-educated children; another time we hear of
+a Madonna Giovanna coming to spend the day at the palace, and dancing
+all the evening with Lodovico Maria; and when the duchess took her
+younger children to visit Don Tommaseo de' Rieti, general laughter was
+excited by the little four-year-old Ascanio, the future cardinal, who
+walked straight up to a portrait of the duke, exclaiming, "There is my
+lord father!" When the newly elected Pope Pius II., who as Eneas Sylvius
+Piccolomini had often been in Milan, came to visit the duke in 1457, he
+found Galeazzo reading Cicero, and his little <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span>brothers with their
+cherub faces sitting round their tutor, intent on his discourse; while
+on one occasion their sister Ippolita, the pupil of the great
+Constantine Lascaris, pronounced a Latin oration in honour of His
+Holiness. On Christmas day, a festival which was always celebrated with
+much pomp at Milan, each of the duke's four elder sons came forward and
+recited a Latin speech, and Lodovico delighted all who were present by
+the ease and grace of his bearing, and the eloquent periods in which he
+extolled his father's great deeds in peace and war.</p>
+
+<p>The duke himself always singled out Lodovico for especial notice, and
+said the boy would do great things. It was, no doubt, his sense of the
+youthful Moro's talents that made Francesco choose him, at the age of
+thirteen, to be the leader of the body of three thousand men which were
+to join in the Crusade preached by Pope Pius II. On the 2nd of June,
+1464, the ducal standard, bearing the golden lion of the house of Sforza
+and the adder of the Visconti, was solemnly committed to the charge of
+the young Crusader, before the eyes of the whole court, on the piazza in
+front of the old palace, which was gaily decorated for the occasion with
+garlands and tapestries. But the Pope died, and the idea of the Crusade
+was abandoned. Lodovico, however, was sent by his father to Cremona, the
+city which had been Duchess Bianca's dowry, and whose inhabitants were
+among the most loyal subjects of the Sforza princes. Here he lived
+during the next two years, enjoying his foretaste of power, and making
+himself very popular with the Cremonese. In 1465, his accomplished
+sister was married to Alfonso, Duke of Calabria, and Lorenzo de Medici
+came to Milan for the nuptials. Then these two men, who in days to come
+were to be so often named together as the most illustrious patrons of
+art and letters in the Renaissance, met for the first time, and
+discovered the mutual tastes which in future years often brought them
+into close relation.</p>
+
+<p>The sudden death of Duke Francesco in 1466 brought a change in
+Lodovico's position, and the ingratitude with which the new duke,
+Galeazzo, treated his widowed mother, naturally irritated his brothers.
+In October, 1468, Bianca retired to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span>Cremona, where she died a week
+after her arrival&mdash;"more from sorrow of heart than sickness of body,"
+wrote her doctor. The good duchess was buried by her husband's side in
+the Duomo of Milan, and was long and deeply lamented both by her
+children and subjects, and by none more than her son Lodovico, who
+always remembered his mother with the deepest affection. But he remained
+on good terms with Galeazzo, and was deputed by the new duke to receive
+his bride, Bona of Savoy, when the princess arrived at Genoa, from the
+French court, where her youth had been spent with her sister, the wife
+of King Louis XI. During the next ten years Lodovico lived in enforced
+idleness at the Milanese court, and, freed from the restraint of his
+parents' authority, abandoned himself to idle pleasures. All we have
+from his pen at this period are two short letters. In one, written from
+Milan and dated April 19, 1476, he asks the Cardinal of Novara to stand
+godfather to the illegitimate son whom his mistress, Lucia Marliani,
+Countess of Melzi, had borne him, and who was to be baptized at Pavia.
+The other is an affectionate letter addressed from Vigevano a year later
+to Lucia herself, rejoicing to hear of her well-being, and looking
+forward to seeing her after the feast of St. George. Whether the son was
+Leone Sforza, afterwards apostolic protonotary, or whether he was the
+child whose death Lodovic lamented a few years later, does not appear,
+but all his life the Moro retained a sincere regard for the mother,
+Lucia Marliani, and left her certain lands by his will.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, in the conduct of his elder brother Galeazzo he had the worst
+possible example. Once in possession of supreme power, the new duke gave
+himself up to the most unbridled course of vice and cruelty. The
+profligacy of his life, and the horrible tortures which he inflicted on
+the hapless victims of his jealousy and anger, caused Milanese
+chroniclers to describe him as another Nero. He was commonly believed to
+have poisoned both his mother and Dorotea Gonzaga, the betrothed bride
+of whom he wished to rid himself when a more desirable marriage
+presented itself. These charges were probably groundless, but some of
+his actions went far to justify the suspicions of madness which he
+aroused in the minds of his contemporaries. When, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span>for instance, he
+ordered his artists to decorate a hall at the Castello at Pavia with
+portraits of the ducal family in a single night, under pain of instant
+death, the Ferrarese Diarist had good reason to describe the new Duke of
+Milan as a prince guilty of great crimes and greater follies. At the
+same time, Galeazzo showed himself a liberal patron of art and learning.
+He founded a library at Milan, invited doctors and priests to the
+University of Pavia, and brought singers from all parts of the world to
+form the choir of the ducal chapel. During his reign a whole army of
+painters and sculptors were employed to decorate the interior of the
+Castello of the Porta Giovia at Milan, which his father had rebuilt when
+he gave up the ground in front of the old palace to the builders of the
+Duomo, and which now became the chief ducal residence. Under his
+auspices printing was introduced, and the first book ever produced in
+Italy, the Grammar of Lascaris&mdash;a Greek professor who had taken refuge
+at the court of the Sforzas on the fall of Constantinople&mdash;appeared at
+Milan in 1476. The splendour of his court surpassed anything that had
+been yet seen. Great rejoicings took place in 1469, when Lorenzo de
+Medici came to Milan to stand godfather to the duke's infant son, and
+Galeazzo was so delighted at the sight of the costly diamond necklace
+which the Magnificent Medici presented to Duchess Bona on this occasion,
+that he exclaimed, "You must be godfather to all my children!" The
+wealth and luxury displayed by the duke and duchess when they visited
+Florence two years later with a suite of two thousand persons,
+scandalized the old-fashioned citizens, and, in Machiavelli's opinion,
+proved the beginning of a marked degeneracy in public morals.</p>
+
+<p>For a time the Milanese were amused by the <i>f&ecirc;tes</i> provided for them,
+and dazzled by the sight of all this splendour; but retribution came in
+time, and on the Feast of St. Stephen in the winter of 1476, Duke
+Galeazzo was assassinated at the doors of the church of S. Stefano by
+three courtiers whom he had wronged. The Milanese chronicler Bernardino
+Corio gives a dramatic account of the scene, which he himself witnessed,
+and relates how Bona, who was haunted by a presentiment of coming evil,
+implored her lord not to leave the Castello that morning, and how three
+ravens <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span>were seen hovering about Galeazzo's head on that very morning,
+when, in his splendid suit of crimson brocade, the tall and handsome
+duke entered the church doors, while the choir sang the words, "<i>Sic
+transit gloria mundi</i>."</p>
+
+<p>"The peace of Italy is dead!" exclaimed Pope Sixtus IV. when the news of
+Galeazzo's murder reached him. And the issue proved that he was not far
+wrong. In her distress, the widowed duchess, who seems to have been
+fondly attached to her husband, in spite of his crimes and follies,
+addressed a piteous letter to the Holy Father owning her dead lord's
+guilt, and asking him if he could issue a bull absolving him from his
+many and grievous sins. In her anxiety for Galeazzo's soul, she promised
+to atone as far as possible for his crimes by making reparation to those
+whom he had wronged, and offered to build churches and monasteries,
+endow hospitals, and perform other works of mercy. The Pope does not
+seem to have returned a direct answer to this touching prayer, but he
+took advantage of Bona's present mood to hurry on the marriage of
+Caterina Sforza, the duke's natural daughter, with his own nephew,
+Girolamo Riario, which had been arranged by Galeazzo, and which took
+place in the following April. Lodovico was absent at the time of
+Galeazzo's assassination, and with his brother Sforza, Duke of Bari, was
+spending Christmas at the court of Louis XI. at Tours. They had not been
+banished, as Corio asserts, but, tired of idleness and fired with a wish
+to see the world, they had gone on a journey to France, and, after
+visiting Paris and Angers, were on their way home when the news of the
+duke's murder reached them. But if any hope of obtaining a share in the
+government had been aroused in Lodovico's heart, it was doomed to speedy
+disappointment. Cecco Simonetta, the able secretary and minister who had
+administered the state under Galeazzo, kept a firm hold on the reins of
+government, ruled the Milanese in the name of Duchess Bona and her young
+son Gian Galeazzo. The Sforza brothers soon found their position
+intolerable, and the intervention of a friendly neighbour, the Marquis
+of Mantua, was necessary before they could obtain any recognition of
+their right. At his request, Bona agreed to give each of her
+brothers-in-law a suitable <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span>residence in Milan, as well as a portion of
+12,500 ducats from the revenues of their mother's inheritance, the city
+of Cremona. Filippo Sforza, the second of the brothers, who is described
+as weak in intellect and a person of no account, was content to live
+peaceably in Milan, where his very existence seems to have been
+forgotten by his family, and where the only mention of him that occurs
+again is that of his death in 1492. The other brothers were sent to
+Genoa, where an insurrection had broken out, and succeeded in subduing
+the rebels and restoring peace. But when they returned to Milan at the
+head of a victorious army, with their kinsman the valiant Condottiere
+Roberto di Sanseverino, a movement was set on foot among the old
+Ghibelline followers of Duke Francesco to obtain the regency for Sforza,
+Duke of Bari. Cries of <i>Moro! Moro!</i> began to be heard in the streets of
+Milan. Simonetta, becoming alarmed, threw Donato del Conte, one of the
+Ghibelline leaders, into prison, upon which Sanseverino and the Sforzas
+loudly demanded his release. Simonetta gave them fair words in return,
+and induced the dissatisfied chiefs to meet in the park of the Castello,
+where they agreed to lay down their arms. But Sanseverino, suspecting
+treachery, set spurs to his horse, and, riding with drawn sword in his
+hand out of the city through the Porta Vercellina, crossed the Ticino,
+and did not pause until he was in safety. His companions soon followed
+his example. Ottaviano Sforza, the youngest of the family, a brave lad
+of eighteen, was drowned in crossing the swollen Adda, and his three
+remaining brothers were condemned to perpetual exile. Sforza was
+banished to his duchy of Bari, in the kingdom of Naples, Ascanio to
+Perugia, and Lodovico to the city of Pisa.</p>
+
+<p>During the next eighteen months Lodovico lived at Pisa, fretting his
+heart out in exile and wasting the best years of his life, as he
+complained to Lorenzo de Medici. His friend could only counsel patience,
+for, sympathize as he might with the banished prince, Lorenzo was
+closely allied with the rulers of Milan, and Lodovico soon saw that his
+only hope of seeing his native land again was to be found in the support
+of Ferrante, King of Naples, the sworn foe of the Medici. This monarch
+looked on Simonetta as a traitorous villain who had taken advantage of
+Bona's weakness to usurp the supreme power in <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span>Milan, and wrote to King
+Louis XI, begging him to come to his kinswoman's help and assist in
+restoring the Duke of Bari and his brother to their rights. But the
+French king had no wish to be drawn into the quarrel, and when Ferrante
+endeavoured to obtain the restoration of his exiled kinsmen by fair
+means and had failed, Sforza and Lodovico resolved to try the fortunes
+of war once more. Roberto di Sanseverino, whose mother had been a niece
+of Duke Francesco, and who had large estates of his own in Lombardy,
+placed his sword at their disposal, and they knew they could reckon on
+the secret support of their Sforza and Visconti kinsmen in Milan. Among
+these, Lodovico had a devoted partisan in Beatrice d'Este, the sister of
+Duke Ercole of Ferrara, who had lately been left a widow for the second
+time by the death of her husband, the brave soldier Tristan Sforza, and
+who kept up a secret correspondence with the exiled princes. Early in
+February, 1479, the Sforza brothers and Roberto di Sanseverino landed in
+Genoa and boldly raised the standard of revolt. Simonetta retaliated by
+confiscating their revenues and proclaiming them rebels, while he hired
+Ercole D'Este and Federigo Gonzaga to join the Florentines in resisting
+the advance of the Neapolitan forces. In the midst of these warlike
+preparations, Sforza Duke of Bari died very suddenly at Genoa. His death
+was attributed, after the fashion of the day, to poison secretly sent
+him from Milan; but, as Corio remarks, many persons thought that his
+excessive stoutness was the true cause of his decease. Lodovico, whom
+the King of Naples immediately invested with the dukedom of Bari in his
+brother's stead, now crossed the Genoese Alps and boldly invaded the
+territory of Tortona. But the enterprise was a perilous one, and the
+allied forces of Milan were preparing to crush his little army, when an
+unexpected turn of fortune altered the whole condition of affairs.
+Duchess Bona, a very beautiful woman, but, as Commines remarks, "<i>une
+dame de petit sens</i>" had become infatuated with a certain Antonio
+Tassino, a Ferrarese youth of low extraction, whom Galeazzo had
+appointed carver at the royal table, and who, after the duke's death,
+had made himself indispensable to his mistress. The <i>liaison</i> had
+created a coolness between the duchess and her prime minister, of which
+Beatrice <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span>d'Este and some of the Sforza party cleverly availed
+themselves to widen the breach. They deplored the growing arrogance of
+Simonetta, and lamented the success of his intrigues against Lodovico,
+who was his sister-in-law's nearest relative and rightful protector.
+Acting on their suggestion, Bona took a sudden resolve. She sent a
+messenger to invite Lodovico to return to Milan in his nephew's name,
+and late in the evening of the 7th of October, 1479, the Moro, leaving
+the camp at Tortona, arrived in Milan, and was secretly admitted into
+the Castello by the garden door. The duchess and her son, Gian Galeazzo,
+a boy of ten, received him with open arms, and great was the joy among
+all the Ghibellines of Milan, when they heard to their surprise that
+Duke Francesco's son was once more among them. Simonetta looked grave,
+as he well might, when he heard the news. "Most illustrious duchess," he
+said to Bona the next day, "do you know what will happen? My head will
+be cut off, and before long you will lose this state." But he proceeded
+to congratulate Lodovico on his return, and was received by him in the
+most courteous manner. When the news of these events reached the rival
+camps outside Milan, a truce was proclaimed, and the leaders on either
+side disbanded their armies. The object of the expedition was attained,
+and Lodovico restored to his rightful place at Milan. But neither
+Roberto di Sanseverino nor the other Ghibelline leader could be content
+while their hated rival Simonetta was still at large. They sent
+messengers to Lodovico, imperiously demanding his summary punishment,
+and declaring that they would never lay down their arms until he and his
+confederates were imprisoned. After some delay, Lodovico yielded to
+their demand; Bona's faithful secretary was arrested and sent to Pavia
+with his brother, while the fickle populace sacked their houses.
+Congratulations poured in from all the kinsfolk of the Sforza family.
+Caterina Sforza, the illegitimate daughter of Duke Galeazzo, who had
+been brought up by Bona with her own children, wrote from Rome, where
+she was living with her husband, Girolamo Riario, Count of Imola and
+Forli at the papal court, to rejoice with her brother the young duke
+over the fall of the hated minister; "<i>quelo nefandissimo Cecho</i> the
+murderer of our family and our flesh and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span>blood." Now at length, he
+adds, she will be able to visit Milan and see her beloved mother once
+more in peace and safety. And her husband's uncle, Pope Sixtus IV.,
+himself wrote to congratulate both duke and duchess on the arrest of
+Simonetta and the restoration of peace and tranquillity. Lodovico was
+now formally associated with Duchess Bona in the regency, and his
+brother Ascanio was recalled and advanced to the dignity of Archbishop
+of Pavia. Before many months were over peace was concluded with
+Florence, and with the full approval of King Ferrante, the Duke of
+Ferrara accepted Lodovico Sforza as his future son-in-law.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile party feeling still ran high in Milan, and the Ghibellines,
+with Sanseverino and Pusterla at their head, never ceased to clamour for
+Simonetta's head. People began to complain that Lodovico, who had been
+brought back to power by the Ghibellines, was after all a Guelph at
+heart, and a traitor to his party. In vain the Moro advocated milder
+measures, and wrote a letter to Simonetta, offering to release him on
+payment of a ransom. The old secretary, who was upwards of seventy years
+of age, refused, saying that he was ill and weary of life, and had no
+fear of death. At length Lodovico, vexed by the continual recriminations
+of his Ghibelline followers, reluctantly gave way. Bona signed the death
+warrant of her old servant, and on the 30th of October, 1480, Simonetta
+was beheaded in the Castello of Pavia. His brother Giovanni, an able and
+learned scholar, was released, and lived to write the famous Sforziada,
+or history of Duke Francesco's great deeds, which he dedicated to his
+son Lodovico.</p>
+
+<p>Already one-half of the unfortunate minister's prophecy had come true;
+the other half was soon to be fulfilled. For a few months Bona rejoiced
+in her freedom from the cares of state, and left all to Lodovico, "who
+could do her no greater pleasure than not to speak of these things,"
+says Commines. She herself was treated with the utmost respect, and
+spent her time in feasting and dancing, and loaded her favourite with
+honours. Tassino lived in rooms next to her own, and rode out with the
+duchess on pillion behind him. But her favourite, encouraged by the
+folly of his mistress, became every day more indolent, until <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span>one day he
+kept Lodovico Sforza and the chief officers of state waiting at the door
+of his room while he finished his toilet. Yet nothing could cure Bona's
+infatuation, and she went so far as to beg Lodovico to appoint her
+minion's father to be governor of the <i>Rocca</i> of Porta Zobia (Giovia),
+as the Castello of Milan was called. Fortunately Eustachio, who had been
+appointed to the post by Duke Galeazzo, and solemnly charged to hold it,
+in case of his own death, until his son was of age, refused to give up
+the keys; and the young duke and his brother Ermes were conducted into
+the Rocca, while at the same moment Tassino received an order from the
+Council to leave Milan. This he did without delay, taking with him a
+large sum of money and many valuable pearls and jewels which he had
+received from the duchess. When Bona heard of her favourite's flight she
+flew into a frantic rage, and, "forgetful alike of honour and maternal
+duty," as Corio writes, she renounced her share of the regency, saying
+that she placed her son in his uncle's care, and left Milan. "Like some
+demented woman," continues Corio, she fled as far as Abbiategrasso,
+where she was detained by Lodovico's orders, and not allowed to proceed
+to France as she had intended. In the end, however, she effected her
+purpose, and retired to her brother-in-law's Louis XI.'s court, where
+she remained during the next few years, vowing vengeance against
+Lodovico, and bitterly repenting her weakness in having consented to his
+return. So Lodovico Moro, "that hero of patience and cunning," as
+Michelet calls him, at length attained his object, and found himself
+sole Regent of Milan. <i>Merito e tempore</i> was the motto which he had
+chosen for his own, and which he placed in golden letters on his shield,
+and illuminated on the vellum pages of his favourite books, in the firm
+belief that all things come to the man who can learn to bide his time.
+Henceforth his head appeared together with that of his younger nephew on
+all coins and medals, and the words <i>Lodovico patrue gubernante</i>
+inscribed below.</p>
+
+<p>Pandolfini, the Florentine ambassador, who had watched his course with
+profound interest, sent a minute report of the latest developments of
+public events to Lodovico's friend, the Magnificent Medici. A year
+before, when Lodovico had just returned <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span>to Milan, the envoy remarked,
+"Signor Lodovico is very popular here, both with the people and with
+Madonna." Again, a little later, he wrote, "Madonna trusts much in
+Messer Lodovico's good nature." Now he added, "The whole government of
+the kingdom is placed in Lodovico's hands." He could not refrain from an
+expression of admiration at the peaceable manner in which this
+revolution had been accomplished. "With what ability and skill he has
+effected this sudden change!" And he added, "I tell him, if he uses his
+opportunities well, he will become the arbiter of the whole of Italy."</p>
+
+<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> Caffi in A. S. L., xiii.</p></div>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 15%;" /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span>
+<br />
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III</h3>
+
+<div style="margin-left: 2em;">
+<p class="hang">Wars of Venice and Ferrara&mdash;Invasion of Ferrara&mdash;Lodovico Sforza and
+Alfonso of Calabria come to the help of Ercole d'Este&mdash;Peace of Bagnolo&mdash;Prosperity
+of Ferrara, and cultivation of art and learning at Ercole's
+court&mdash;Guarino and Aldo Manuzio&mdash;Strozzi and Boiardo&mdash;Architecture and
+painting&mdash;The frescoes of the Schifanoia&mdash;Music and the drama&mdash;Education
+of Isabella and Beatrice d'Este.</p>
+</div>
+
+<h3>1482-1490</h3>
+
+
+<p>Such was the prince to whom Duke Ercole had betrothed his younger
+daughter, and who had suddenly become one of the chief personages in
+North Italy. But more than ten years were to elapse before the
+child-bride even saw her affianced husband. During that time both Milan
+and Ferrara passed through many vicissitudes, and at one moment
+Beatrice's father and his state were reduced to the utmost extremity.</p>
+
+<p>The Venetians availed themselves of the troubled state of Lombardy and
+the civil strife that divided the house of Sforza, to attack their old
+enemy the Duke of Ferrara. In 1482 Roberto di Sanseverino, the valiant
+captain who had been one of the chief instruments in restoring his
+kinsman Lodovico Sforza to his country, left Milan in a rage, because he
+did not consider his salary sufficient, and offered his services to the
+Republic of Venice. With his gallant sons to help him, he invaded the
+territory of Ferrara at the head of an army of seventeen thousand men,
+and carried all before him. The Pope as usual took up the quarrel of the
+Venetians, in the hope of sharing the spoil, and while Ercole's ally,
+King Ferrante of Naples, was engaged in resisting the papal forces, the
+Genoese, who had revolted against Duchess Bona in 1478, and elected a
+doge of their own, occupied Lodovico Sforza's attention. The Ferrarese
+troops were completely <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span>defeated in a battle under the citadel of
+Argenta, many of the Ferrarese leaders were slain, and the duke's
+nephew, Niccolo da Correggio, and three hundred men were taken prisoners
+to Venice. Sanseverino made good use of his advantage, and his son
+Gaspare, better known by his nickname of Fracassa, marched to the very
+gates of Ferrara, and planted the Lion of St. Mark on the peacocks'
+house in the ducal park. Meanwhile the plague had broken out in Ferrara,
+and so great was the scarcity of wheat in the beleaguered city, that
+Battista Guarino, the tutor of the young Princess Isabella, applied to
+her betrothed husband Francesco Gonzaga for a grant of corn to save him
+from starvation. Worse than all, Duke Ercole himself lay dangerously ill
+within the Castello, and a report of his death was circulated through
+the city. At this critical moment Duchess Leonora once more showed her
+courage and presence of mind. Seeing the greatness of the danger, she
+sent her children with a safe escort to Modena, and calling the
+magistrates together, she harangued them from the garden loggia, and
+bade them be true to their old lords of the house of Este. The citizens,
+moved to tears at the sight of Leonora's majesty and courage, shouted
+with one voice, "Diamante!"&mdash;the watchword of the house of Este, and
+vowed to die for their duke. In their enthusiasm, the people broke open
+the palace doors, and rushing into the chamber where Ercole lay on his
+sick-bed, covered his hands with kisses, and would not be satisfied
+until they had heard his voice again and knew him to be alive. After
+this outburst of loyalty, they rallied bravely to the defence of the
+city. Every man who could bear arms in Ferrara helped to man the walls,
+and the country-folk, rising in thousands, harassed the invading army
+and cut off their supplies. Fortunately, help was at hand. On the one
+hand, Lodovico Sforza's troops checked the advance of the Venetians on
+the side of Modena; on the other, Ercole's brother-in-law, Alfonso, Duke
+of Calabria, himself rode at the head of fifty horsemen and a troop of
+infantry to the help of the beleaguered city.</p>
+
+<p>Throughout the long struggle that followed, Lodovico Sforza proved
+himself a wise and faithful friend of the house of Este, and it was
+chiefly owing to him that Ferrara preserved her <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span>independence. But the
+duke and his people had to make great sacrifices on their part, and at
+the peace of Bagnolo, which was finally concluded in 1484, seven towns
+were ceded to Venice, and the fertile district of Rovigo in the
+Polesina, "<i>un petit pays</i>," in the words of Commines, "<i>tout environn&eacute;
+d'eau et abondant a merveille en tous biens</i>."</p>
+
+<p>A period of renewed peace and prosperity followed upon these disastrous
+wars. Ercole, although in his early youth he had proved himself a
+valiant soldier, had in reality far greater taste for the arts of peace
+than for those of war, and now devoted himself to the more congenial
+task of adorning Ferrara and cultivating letters. His father Niccolo
+III. had been the first prince in Northern Italy to take part in the
+revival of Greek learning that had been set on foot in Naples and
+Florence. He it was who, in 1402, revived the ancient University of
+Ferrara, and invited the best scholars of the day to give lectures to
+its students. At his prayer, the Sicilian Hellenist Aurispa, who had
+travelled to Greece and Constantinople in search of Greek manuscripts,
+fixed his residence at Ferrara; while Battista Guarino of Verona became
+the tutor of Niccolo's own son Leonello, and inspired the young prince
+with that ardour for learning which made him the most accomplished ruler
+of his time. It was Niccolo, again, who invited the celebrated Paduan
+doctor, Michele Savonarola, to fill the chair of medicine at the
+University of Ferrara. Michele's son became court physician to Ercole,
+and his grandson, the famous Dominican friar, Fra Girolamo Savonarola,
+who had forsaken the study of medicine to take the vows of a preaching
+brother, delivered his first course of Lent sermons in Ferrara during
+that troubled year 1482.</p>
+
+<p>The General Council held at Ferrara in 1438 brought some of the first
+Greek Oriental scholars together in that city, and Niccolo d'Este
+himself assisted at many of the discussions held by these learned
+professors. His son Leonello, besides encouraging students by his own
+example, devoted great pains and expense to the University library which
+he founded, while his successor, Duke Borso, pensioned poor students,
+who were clothed and fed at his cost. Ercole now followed in his
+father's and brother's steps with so much success that under his reign
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span>the University of Ferrara became the foremost in Italy, and boasted no
+less than forty-five professors, while the number of students reached
+four hundred and seventy-four. In those days the most renowned scholars
+of the age flocked from all parts of Italy to hear Guarino lecture; and
+Aldo Manuzio, the great printer, and his illustrious friend Pico della
+Mirandola, the ph&oelig;nix of the Renaissance, came to Ferrara to sit at
+the feet of this revered teacher. Here Aldo acquired the passion for
+Greek literature which made him inscribe the word Philhellene after his
+name on his first printed books. Here, in his own turn, he lectured on
+Greek and Latin authors to the cultured youth of Ercole's court, and
+here he would have set up his printing-press, under his friend Duchess
+Leonora's patronage, if the Venetian war had not forced him to leave
+Ferrara. Both from the court of Alberto Pio at Carpi, where he found
+refuge with a kinsman of the Estes, and at Venice, where he founded his
+famous printing-press, he kept up frequent communications with the
+duke's family, and dedicated books to young Cardinal Ercole, and bound
+and printed choice editions of Petrarch and Virgil for his sister
+Isabella d'Este. But if Duke Ercole emulated the zeal of his
+predecessors in the encouragement of classical learning, he surpassed
+them all in his love of travel, of building, and of theatrical
+representations. During the next twenty years he indulged freely in all
+of these favourite pursuits.</p>
+
+<p>His opportunities of travel, indeed, were limited by the duties of his
+position; but whenever he could find leisure, he gratified his roving
+taste by paying frequent visits to Milan or Venice, where the
+magnificent palace bestowed upon his ancestor Nicolas II. in the last
+century, but confiscated during the war with Ferrara, had been restored
+to him at the peace of Bagnolo. In 1484, he took Duchess Leonora there
+with a suite of seven hundred persons. On this occasion the palace
+originally decorated by Duke Borso was sumptuously restored, and the
+Doge and Senate entertained their guests with princely hospitality. A
+more distant pilgrimage to the shrine of S. Jago of Compostella in
+Spain, which Ercole had planned in 1487, had to be abandoned, owing to
+the opposition of Pope Innocent VIII.; but eight years later the duke
+paid another visit to Florence, on the pretence <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span>of discharging a vow
+which he had made to Our Lady of the Annunziata. To the last the
+adventurous disposition of the Estes, the love of seeing and hearing new
+things, marked his character and governed his actions.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile his imagination found plenty of food for activity at home, and
+nothing interfered with his love of building or with the delight which
+he took in the stage. Under him, Ferrara became one of the finest cities
+in Italy. Her broad streets and spacious squares, her noble statues and
+imposing monuments, the stately symmetry of her well-kept ways, made a
+deep impression on Lodovico Sforza when he visited his wife's home. At
+the beginning of his reign Ercole had sent to Florence to borrow
+Alberti's Treatise on Architecture from Lorenzo de' Medici, and had
+carried out his improvements on the principles advocated by the
+Renaissance architect. On every side new churches and palaces rose into
+being, a lofty Campanile was added to the ancient Lombard Cathedral, an
+equestrian statue of Niccolo III. and a bronze effigy of Duke Borso
+adorned the piazza in front of the Castello. Soon Ercole's subjects
+caught their duke's passion for building, and vied with him in erecting
+new and sumptuous houses. His brother, Cardinal Sigismondo, raised the
+Palazzo Diamante, that magnificent Renaissance structure in the Via
+degli Angeli. The Trotti and the Costabili, the Strozzi and Boschetti,
+all followed suit and built palatial residences in the neighbourhood.</p>
+
+<p>These fine buildings were surrounded with spacious gardens. One of
+Ercole's first improvements had been to lay out the noble park outside
+the town, and to people it with stags and goats, with gazelles and
+antelopes and the spotted giraffes which Niccolo da Correggio describes
+in his poems; and on the gates leading from the city were marble busts
+carved by the hand of Sperandio, the famous medallist who had worked so
+long for the ducal house, and who has left us portraits of all the chief
+personages at the Ferrarese court. The courtyard of the ancient Este
+palace was adorned with wide marble staircases, the villa of Belfiore
+was enlarged and beautified, while that of Belriguardo, twelve miles
+from the city, on the banks of the Po, became celebrated as the most
+sumptuous of all the stately <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span>pleasure-houses in which Renaissance
+princes took delight. No pains or expense were spared in the decoration
+of these luxurious country houses. The terraced gardens and marble
+loggias were adorned with fountains and statues, the halls were hung
+with costly tapestries and gold and silver embroideries. Eastern carpets
+and carved ivories, cameos and intaglios, precious gems and rare
+majolica from Urbino and Casteldurante were brought together in the
+Camerini of the Castello and the halls of the Schifanoia palace, that
+favourite Sans-Souci of the Este princes close to the court-church of S.
+Maria in Vado and to the convent of Leonora's friends, the nuns of S.
+Vito. In this charming retreat, where Borso and Ercole alike loved to
+escape from the cares of state, we may still see the remnants of these
+splendid decorations which once adorned these halls: the painted
+arabesques and stucco frieze of children playing musical instruments,
+the barrel-vaulted ceilings, and marble doorways with their rows of
+cherub heads and dolphins. There the unicorn which Borso took for his
+device, figures side by side with the imperial eagle granted him by
+Frederic III when he came to visit Ferrara, and the fleur-de-lis of
+France, which the Estes were privileged to bear on their coat-of-arms.
+There we still see fragments of the frescoes on the months and seasons
+of the year which Cossa and his scholars painted at the bidding of
+successive dukes. Borso is there on his white horse as he rides out
+hunting, attended by falconers and pages leading his favourite
+greyhounds in the leash; or looking on at the races of St. George's Day,
+surrounded by scholars and courtiers, dwarfs and jesters, and fair
+ladies clad in glittering robes of cloth of silver and gold. All the
+pageant of court-life in old Ferrara, as it was in the days when Duke
+Ercole reigned and Isabella and Beatrice d'Este grew up under the good
+Duchess Leonora's care, passes again before our eyes, as we linger in
+these low halls of the little red-brick palace among the fruit trees of
+this deserted quarter.</p>
+
+<p>Niccolo III. and his elder sons had all been liberal patrons of art, and
+had invited the best artists they could find from other parts of Italy.
+Vittore Pisanello and Jacopo Bellini had both of them visited Ferrara
+and painted portraits of the Este princes&mdash;that of Leonello, with his
+long hooked nose and low forehead, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span>is still preserved at Bergamo, and
+Piero de' Franceschi, the mighty Umbrian, is said to have supplied a
+design for Duke Borso's tomb. But it was in later years, under Ercole's
+reign, that this little group of native artists arose, and that Cosimo
+Tura and his followers founded the school which gradually spread to
+Bologna and Modena and boasted such masters as Lorenzo Costa and
+Francia, or helped to mould the genius of a Raphael and a Correggio.
+Tura himself remained at Ferrara all his life, painting altar-pieces for
+Duchess Leonora's favourite churches, as well as frescoes in the duke's
+villas and portraits of the different members of the ducal family in
+turn. In 1472, before the Duke's marriage, he painted the portrait of
+Ercole&mdash;strange to say&mdash;together with his illegitimate daughter Lucrezia
+d'Este, to be sent as a present to his bride, Leonora of Aragon, at her
+father's court of Naples. Again, in the summer of 1485, he was called
+upon in his capacity of court painter to paint the likeness of the
+youthful Isabella for her affianced husband, Francesco Gonzaga; and
+before the year was out he had to perform the same task for the other
+little bride, who had just returned from Naples. The following paper in
+the Ferrarese archives fixes the exact date of the portrait, which was
+evidently sent as a Christmas gift to Lodovico Sforza at Milan. "On the
+24th of December, 1485, Cosimo Tura received four gold florins from the
+duke, for painting from life the face and bust of the Illustrissima
+Madonna Beatrice, to be sent to Messer Lodovico Maria Sforza, Duca di
+Bari, consort of the said Beatrice&mdash;Carlo Continga taking it to him."
+Unfortunately, both of these portraits have perished, and the only
+representation of Beatrice as a girl that we have is the sculptor
+Cristoforo Romano's well-known bust in the Louvre.</p>
+
+<p>While the native schools of painting became active and prosperous under
+Ercole's auspices, a flourishing school of arts and crafts arose in
+Ferrara under the immediate patronage of the duchess. From the day of
+her marriage, Leonora not only showed that intelligent love of art and
+learning which might have been expected in a princess of the house of
+Aragon, but a warm interest in the well-being of her subjects, together
+with excellent sense and a strong practical bent. At her invitation,
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span>tapestry-workers from Milan and Florence came to settle at Ferrara, and
+skilled embroiderers were brought over from Spain. The duchess herself
+superintended these workers, selected the colours and patterns, and
+became an authority in the choice of hangings and decoration of rooms.
+While Ercole had an insatiable passion for gems and cameos, antique
+marbles and ivories, Leonora showed an especial taste for gold and
+silver metal-work. Silver boxes and girdles curiously chased and
+engraved were constantly sent to the duchess by Milanese goldsmiths, and
+among the workers in this line whom she frequently employed was
+Francesco Francia, the goldsmith painter of Bologna. In 1488, this
+artist sent her an exquisite chain of gold hearts linked together, which
+excited general admiration, and may perhaps have been intended as a
+bridal gift for Elizabeth Gonzaga, the sister of Isabella's betrothed
+husband, who visited Ferrara that spring, on her way to Urbino.
+Leonora's own jewels were said to be the finest and most artistic owned
+by any princess of her day, and, as in the case of other Renaissance
+ladies, formed no inconsiderable portion of her fortune; and, in
+consequence, they were frequently pawned to raise money for her
+husband's wars. The duchess's famous necklace of pearls, we learn, was
+repeatedly lent by the duke to bankers or goldsmiths in Rome and
+Florence as pledges for the repayment of loans advanced during the war
+with Venice.</p>
+
+<p>Music was another of Ercole's favourite pastimes, and the choir of his
+court chapel at one time rivalled that of Milan, which was held to be
+the best in Italy. Violinists and lute-players were brought from Naples
+to Ferrara, French and Spanish tenors were included among the singers
+who accompanied the duke on his journeys. A still more distinctive
+feature of his court were the theatrical representations, which became a
+prominent part of all the palace festivities, and which undoubtedly owed
+much to the duke's taste for dramatic art. Under his directions, a
+spacious theatre was fitted up in the old Gothic Palazzo della Ragione
+on the cathedral square. Here Latin comedies were performed before an
+audience which included the most learned classical scholars of the day,
+and Italian dramas were seen for the first time upon the stage. In 1486,
+an Italian <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span>version of the <i>Men&oelig;chimi</i>, translated by Ercole himself,
+was acted here, with interludes of masques and morris dances, violin
+music, and recitations. This was followed, a year later, by a
+performance of <i>Cefalo</i>, one of the oldest of Italian dramas, a pastoral
+play composed by Niccolo da Correggio, chiefly taken from Ovid's
+"Metamorphoses," and which is said to have suggested the subjects of
+Correggio's famous frescoes in the Abbess of San Paolo's parlour at
+Parma. Each Christmas and carnival these theatrical representations were
+repeated, and many were the distinguished visitors who came to Ferrara
+to witness these celebrated performances. The <i>Amphitryon</i> and <i>Cassina</i>
+of Plautus were frequently given. On one occasion, a play adapted from a
+dialogue of Lucian's by Matteo Boiardo was acted. Another time, at the
+wedding of a Marchese Strozzi, a Latin comedy written by the
+bridegroom's brother, Ercole Strozzi, was performed before the whole
+court. Sometimes, by way of variety, sacred subjects were placed upon
+the stages. Tableaux of the Annunciation and the history of Joseph were
+introduced, accompanied with recitations and music. While the duke was
+known to have a strong preference for classical plays, the duchess and
+her daughters took pleasure in lighter forms of literature, and
+encouraged the songs and romances which courtly poets wrote for their
+benefit in the <i>lingua vulgare</i>. A new school of Italian poets sprang up
+at Ferrara in the last years of the century. Antonio Tebaldeo, the
+friend of Castiglione and Raphael&mdash;"our Tebaldeo," whom Pietro Bembo
+declared Raphael had painted in so lifelike a manner that he was not so
+exactly himself in actual life as in this portrait&mdash;had his home at
+Ferrara in these early days, and enjoyed the favour of the Marchioness
+Isabella in his later years. While the elder Strozzi, Tito, had the
+reputation of being the best Latin poet of the day, his son Ercole
+belonged to the circle of younger scholars, and, like his friends Bembo
+and Ariosto, wrote elegant Italian verses as well as Latin epistles and
+orations. Then there was the blind poet Francesco Bello, the author of
+the "Mambriano," that heroic poem on the favourite Carlovingian legend;
+Andrea Cossa of Naples, who sang his own <i>rime</i> and <i>strambotti</i> to the
+music of the lute; Niccolo da Correggio, called by Isabella d'Este and
+Sabba da Castiglione "the most accomplished gentleman of the age, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span>the
+foremost man in all Italy, in the art of poetry and in courtesy," who
+devoted his muse to the service of gentle ladies, and composed <i>canzoni</i>
+and <i>capitoli</i> or set Petrarch's sonnets to music for Isabella and
+Beatrice's pleasure. And among Ercole's courtiers at Ferrara there was
+one still greater, Matteo Boiardo, Count of Scandiano, who was intimate
+with both duke and duchess, and held many high posts at court. He was a
+member of the splendid suite sent in 1473 to escort Leonora from Naples
+to Ferrara, and afterwards held the important post of Governor of Modena
+during many years. But in the midst of official labours and court
+duties, Matteo was all the while engaged in writing his his great work
+of the "Orlando Innamorato," that wonderful epic in which classic and
+romantic ideas are mingled together as strangely as in Piero di Cosimo
+or Sandro Botticelli's paintings. The first cantos of his poem, begun in
+1472, were published at Venice in 1486, with a dedication to Duke
+Ercole, and the work was continued at intervals throughout his life, and
+was only interrupted by the death of the poet. This took place in 1494,
+when the first French armies were first seen descending upon Italy, and
+the sweet singer of high romance broke off abruptly with a prophetic
+note of warning in his last accents&mdash;"While I am singing, I see all
+Italy set on fire by these Gauls, coming to ravage I know not how many
+fresh lands, alas!"</p>
+
+<p>In this city which was at once the home of Italian epic and Italian
+drama, at this court where the boy Ariosto was to take up the song that
+dropped from the lips of Boiardo, and to wear the laurel in his turn,
+the young princesses of Este grew up. There were three of them, for
+Lucrezia, the duke's illegitimate daughter, had found a kind mother in
+the duchess, and was brought up with her young step-sisters Isabella and
+Beatrice, until in 1487, she became the wife of Annibale Bentivoglio,
+and went to live in Bologna. Under Leonora's careful and vigilant eyes,
+these maidens were trained in all the culture of the day. Their
+classical studies were directed by Battista Guarino, the son of the
+learned Verona humanist, the same who begged the Marquis of Mantua for a
+grant of wheat that he might the better be able to teach his betrothed
+bride Madonna Isabella during the famine at Ferrara. With him they
+learnt sufficient Latin to read Cicero <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span>and Virgil, as well as Greek and
+Roman history. Music and dancing were taught them almost from infancy.
+They learnt to play the viol and lute, and sang <i>canzoni</i> and sonnets to
+the accompaniment of these instruments. Beatrice, we know, was
+passionately fond of music. She employed the great Pavian Lorenzo
+Gusnasco to make her clavichords and viols of the finest order, and like
+her father, she never travelled without her favourite singers. Isabella
+herself had a beautiful voice, and sang with a sweetness and grace which
+charmed all hearers. The most accomplished poets of the Renaissance,
+Pietro Bembo and Niccolo da Correggio, Girolamo Casio and Antonio
+Tebaldeo, were proud to hear her sing their verses, and the Vicenza
+scholar Trissino, forestalling Waller in this, wrote a <i>canzone</i>
+addressed to "My Lady Isabella playing the lute."</p>
+
+<p>Messer Ambrogio da Urbino began to give Isabella dancing lessons almost
+as soon as she could walk. Later on a certain Messer Lorenzo Lavagnolo,
+who had taught Elizabeth and Maddalena Gonzaga, the young sisters of the
+Marquis of Mantua, and had afterwards been sent to the court of Milan to
+teach Duchess Bona's daughters, came to Ferrara. This master, who was
+commended to the Duchess of Milan by the Marchioness Barbara of Mantua
+as superior to all other professors of the art of dancing, gave lessons
+to Isabella and her sisters, as we learn from a letter which she wrote
+to her affianced husband, thanking him in her sister's name and her own
+for having sent so excellent a teacher to undertake the task, and
+recommending this faithful and devoted servant to His Excellency's
+notice. A bill for making dresses and scenery that were employed in a
+"<i>festa</i>" composed by Messer Lorenzo for the duke's daughters is
+preserved in the Gonzaga archives, and at Lucrezia's wedding, in 1487,
+this renowned master travelled to Bologna to direct the <i>f&ecirc;tes</i> given in
+honour of her marriage.</p>
+
+<p>Some knowledge of French seems to have formed part of an Italian lady's
+education at this period, but even Isabella, with all her quickness and
+talent, was never able to speak French fluently, and Beatrice had
+recourse to interpreters when she received the visit of King Charles
+VIII. at Asti, and was required to make civil speeches in reply to his
+compliments. But they read <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span>Proven&ccedil;al poetry and translations of Spanish
+romances from the rare volumes, sumptuously bound in crimson velvet with
+enamelled and jewelled clasps and corners, that were among the most
+precious treasures of Duchess Leonora's cabinet. Above all, they took
+delight in French romances, such as "<i>I reali di Francia</i>"&mdash;that book
+which was so popular with Italian ladies, and became familiar with the
+exploits of Roland and the paladins of Charlemagne's court. As they bent
+over their embroidery-frames at their lady mother's side, in the painted
+camerini of the Castello, or under the acacias and lemon-trees of the
+Schifanoia villa, they listened to the wonderful fairy tales which
+Matteo Boiardo recited, and heard him tell how Rinaldo of Montalbano was
+pelted with roses and lilies and made captive by Cupid's dames. Now and
+then, on summer evenings, they were allowed to join in the water-parties
+at Belriguardo, and float down the stream in the ducal bucentaur to the
+sound of the court violins, or else take part in those hunting
+expeditions for which Beatrice developed a passionate taste in
+after-years. As the frescoes of Schifanoia show, hunting was always a
+favourite pastime at the court of Ferrara. The duke kept many hundred
+horses in his stables, and the greatest care was bestowed upon his breed
+of dogs and falcons. When Borso went to Rome in 1471, he took in his
+retinue eighty pages, each leading four greyhounds in a leash; and when
+he entertained the Emperor Frederic III. at Ferrara, he presented him
+with fifty of his best horses. Ercole often received gifts of Barbary
+horses from the Sultan of Tunis or the famous Gonzaga stables that were
+reckoned the best in Italy, and bought Spanish jennets and steeds of
+Irish race to improve his own breed. And Duchess Leonora owned a special
+breed of greyhounds which were held in high esteem, and a pair of which
+she sent to Caterina Sforza, Madonna of Forli, at the humble request of
+this adventurous lady.</p>
+
+<p>But it was only on very rare occasions that the young princesses of Este
+were allowed to leave their studies, which occupied their whole days,
+and, as we learn from their different preceptors' letters, absorbed
+their whole attention. Nor, we may be quite sure, was their religious
+education neglected under <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span>the eye of their mother, a sincerely devout
+and pious woman, who took pleasure in the converse of learned Dominicans
+and Carmelites, and paid frequent visits to S. Vito, close to the
+Schifanoia villa, and to the Convent of Corpus Domini, in which church
+she was buried. Her many charitable works, the liberality with which she
+helped her poorer subjects, relieved their wants, and gave dowries to
+virtuous maidens, as well as her munificence in adorning altars and
+churches with rich ornaments, are recorded by every Ferrarese historian.
+Sabadino degli Arienti places her high among the illustrious women of
+the age, and says her deeds cannot fail to have opened the adamant doors
+of Paradise, while Castiglione speaks of her excellent virtues as known
+to the whole world, and pronounces her worthy to have reigned over a far
+larger state. With the pattern of this admirable mother before their
+eyes, with all that was choicest in art and fairest in nature around
+them, Leonora's daughters grew up to womanhood, and insensibly acquired
+that enthusiasm for beauty in all its varied forms, that fine taste and
+perception which distinguished them above their contemporaries, which
+made Isabella at the end of her long life still the most attractive
+woman of her day, and which caused the bravest soldiers and the wisest
+scholars to lament the untimely death of the youthful Duchess Beatrice.
+In all the difficult and tangled ways which they were separately called
+upon to tread, the breath of scandal, the slander of idle tongues, never
+sullied their fair names. Both princesses held fast to the ideal of
+their girlhood, and, leading the same pure and spotless life, left the
+same gracious memory behind them, alike in the old Mantuan city on the
+banks of the classic Mincio, where Isabella's presence lingers like some
+delicate perfume about the <i>Camerini</i> of the ancient Castello, and in
+that grander and more splendid court where Beatrice reigned for a few
+brief years by the Moro's side at Milan.</p>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 15%;" /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span>
+<br />
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h3>
+
+<div style="margin-left: 2em;">
+<p class="hang">Isabella d'Este&mdash;Lodovico Sforza delays his wedding&mdash;Plot against his
+life&mdash;Submission of Genoa&mdash;Duke Gian Galeazzo&mdash;The Sanseverini brothers&mdash;Messer
+Galeazzo made Captain-General of the Milanese armies&mdash;His
+marriage to Bianca Sforza&mdash;Marriage of Gian Galeazzo to Isabella of
+Aragon&mdash;Wedding festivities at Milan&mdash;Lodovico draws up his marriage
+contract with Beatrice d'Este.</p>
+</div>
+
+<h3>1485-1490</h3>
+
+<p>Isabella d'Este, the eldest of Ercole's and Leonora's two daughters,
+early displayed the striking beauty and great qualities that
+distinguished her in after-years. Her regular features and delicate
+colouring, her ready wit and gracious manners, charmed all the visitors
+to Ferrara. The letters of princes and ambassadors were full of her
+praises. The Mantuan envoy who was sent to Ferrara in 1480, to arrange
+the terms of the marriage contract, was amazed at the little bride's
+precocity. The six-year-old child not only danced charmingly before him,
+but conversed with a grace and intelligence which seemed to him little
+short of miraculous. All her teachers told the same story. Whatever
+Madonna Isabella did was well done. Her quickness in learning, her
+marvellous memory, and application to her studies were the theme of
+every one at court. She was the apple of her father's eye, her mother's
+most sweet and cherished companion&mdash;"<i>la mia carissima e dolce figliuola
+sopra altre</i>." When she married and left home for Mantua, her poor old
+tutor shed tears at the loss of his favourite pupil, and wandered
+through the castle recalling her every word and movement; while for
+weeks the good duchess could not bear to enter the room or open the
+windows of the room which her darling child had occupied, and which was
+now left empty and desolate.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span>By the side of this brilliant creature, her younger sister, the little
+Beatrice, passed comparatively unnoticed. Her name is scarcely ever
+mentioned in the records of the period. Yet she was only a year younger
+than Isabella, and if all had gone well, the double wedding of the two
+sisters was to have been celebrated at the same time in February, 1490.
+But Lodovico Sforza had shown no inclination to press the matter. He
+professed the most cordial friendship for the Duke of Ferrara, who had
+every reason to be grateful for his help in the Venetian wars, and
+entertained Ercole magnificently when, in 1487, he paid a visit to
+Milan. But when the question of her marriage was mooted, he made excuses
+and suggested further delay. The extreme youth of the bride, the urgency
+of affairs of state, were all brought forward as excellent reasons for
+putting off the marriage until a more convenient season. During the ten
+years after his return to Milan, Lodovico's time and thoughts had been
+fully occupied. The internal as well as the external affairs of his
+state, the attacks of public enemies and private foes, alike demanded
+his whole energies. But so far Fortune had favoured him in a wonderful
+way. An attempt was made by Duchess Bona's confessor to assassinate him
+on the steps of Saint Ambrogio at Christmas, 1485, but fortunately
+failed, because that day Lodovico entered the church by a side door to
+avoid the crowd. The sympathy excited by this cowardly attempt on his
+life, and by his recovery from a dangerous illness which brought him to
+the point of death, helped to strengthen his position at home, while
+complete success attended his arms and diplomacy. On the one hand,
+Venice was forced to accept his terms of peace; on the other, Genoa,
+sorely pressed by her old rival Florence, appealed to the Regent of
+Milan for assistance, and once more recognized the supremacy of Gian
+Galeazzo Sforza. A cardinal's hat was obtained for Ascanio Sforza, in
+whom Lodovico found an able and loyal supporter both in Rome and Milan.
+And when, in 1488, Lodovico's niece, Caterina Sforza, turned to him for
+help against the conspirators who had murdered her husband and seized
+the Rocca of Forli, a Milanese army under young Galeazzo di Sanseverino
+was promptly sent to her assistance. The citadel was besieged and
+captured, and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span>the rights of Caterina and her son Ottaviano were
+triumphantly vindicated. Thus on every side the house of Sforza was
+restored to its former dignity, and the great Condottiere's name was
+respected and honoured. The Milanese once more enjoyed a period of peace
+and prosperity, and Lodovico was able to devote himself to his favourite
+pursuits, the encouragement of learning and of the fine arts. Even at
+the most anxious and busiest times, in the midst of the war with Venice
+and the negotiations for the league against her, Lodovico had found time
+to carry on his brother's schemes for the decoration of the Castello of
+Milan, and to help forward the works of the Duomo and the Certosa of
+Pavia. He had begun to rebuild the palace of Vigevano on a splendid
+scale, and had set on foot a vast system of irrigation for the
+improvement of the ducal estates. Besides encouraging the rising school
+of native artists, he had invited the best foreign architects and
+painters, sculptors and poets, to his court. Already Bramante of Urbino
+was the chief architect at the ducal court, and now Lorenzo de' Medici
+sent a young Florentine master to Milan who played the lute divinely,
+and whose varied talents might prove serviceable to his friend Lodovico.
+So Leonardo da Vinci came to the court of the Moro, and found in him so
+genial and understanding a patron, so generous and kindly a friend, that
+he settled at Milan, and remained in the duke's service for the next
+sixteen years. Thus Lodovico Sforza had shown himself a wise and
+excellent regent, and had earned the gratitude of both prince and
+people, while the young duke in whose name he governed was growing up to
+man's estate. From his birth Gian Galeazzo had been a frail and sickly
+child, subject to constant feverish attacks, and in the year 1483 was so
+dangerously ill that at one moment his doctors despaired of his
+recovery. As he grew older, it became plain that his mind was as feeble
+as his body. He was utterly incapable of applying himself to serious
+business, far less of administering state affairs. His whole days were
+spent in idleness and pleasure, in hunting and drinking. Horses and dogs
+were the only objects in which he took any interest. Under these
+circumstances, it became plain that Lodovico would remain the actual
+ruler of Milan even though his nephew bore the title of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span>duke. All
+outward respect was paid to Gian Galeazzo; he lived in great state, with
+a household and officers of his own, and was surrounded by regal pomp on
+public occasions. Clad in ducal robes, he appeared seated on a throne
+erected in front of the Duomo when the Genoese patricians arrived at
+Milan, and received their homage as duke of the principality of Genoa.
+His brother Ermes, his sisters Bianca and Anna, shared his state, and
+when Bianca's betrothed husband the young prince of Savoy died, she was
+formally affianced in the Duomo to the eldest son of Matthias Corvinus,
+King of Hungary. But the real sovereign of Milan was Lodovico Duke of
+Bari. Here and there a jealous or discontented Milanese nobleman might
+grumble, but the majority of the duke's subjects felt that in these
+troublous days a strong hand was needed at the helm, and knew that they
+had this strong man in the Moro.</p>
+
+<p>By degrees Lodovico removed those governors of cities and fortresses
+whose loyalty he had reason to suspect, and replaced them by
+confidential servants. Filippo Eustachio, captain of the Castello of
+Milan, a brave and honest man, Corio tells us, who had refused to yield
+up the keys of the Rocca to Bona's minion, but whose brothers had been
+implicated in the plot against Lodovico's life, was one day arrested by
+the duke's orders, and imprisoned at Abbiategrasso; he was afterwards
+released, no evidence of his guilt being produced, but his post was
+filled by one of the Moro's servants. Chief among the trusted captains
+in whom Lodovico placed his confidence were the Sanseverini brothers, "i
+gran Sanseverini," as they were called in the court poet's verses, as
+much on account of their great strength and stature as of the exalted
+position which they held at the Milanese court. Their father, that
+turbulent soldier Roberto, after making three desperate attempts to
+unseat the prince whose return to power he had effected, and being three
+times proclaimed a rebel and outlaw at Milan, had taken service under
+Pope Innocent VIII. and led the campaign against Alfonso of Calabria, as
+Captain-general of the Church. But before long he quarrelled with the
+Pope and returned to the service of the Venetian Republic, until in
+August, 1486, at the age of seventy, he fell fighting with heroic valour
+against the Imperialists in the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span>battle of Trent. Of his twelve sons,
+four entered the service of their kinsman, Lodovico Sforza, and rose to
+high honour and dignity. All of them were mighty men of valour like
+their father before them, while a fifth, Cardinal Federigo, was to prove
+a staunch adherent of the Sforzas in days to come. He inherited the
+giant stature as well as the martial tastes of his family, and at the
+consecration of Pope Alexander VI. is said to have lifted Borgia in his
+arms and placed him on the high altar. The eldest of the brothers,
+Giovanni Francesco, Count of Caiazzo, succeeded to his father's estates
+in Calabria, but lived at Milan, and became one of Lodovico's chief
+captains. Both Gaspare&mdash;the gallant soldier known by his surname of
+Captain Fracassa&mdash;and Antonio Maria, the husband of the fair and learned
+Margherita Pia of Carpi, a beloved friend and cousin of the Este
+princesses, were prominent figures at the Milanese court. But the most
+famous and popular of all the brothers was Galeazzo. This brilliant and
+accomplished cavalier, who was to play so great a part at the Milanese
+court, early attracted the notice of Lodovico by his personal charm and
+rare skill in knightly exercises. As a rider and jouster, he was without
+a rival. Wherever he entered the lists, at Milan or Venice, at Ferrara
+or Urbino, he invariably carried off the prize, and was proclaimed
+victor in the games. And to this prowess in courtly exercises he joined
+a love of art and learning which especially commended him to the Moro.
+Unlike his brother Captain Fracassa, who refused Caterina Sforza's
+invitation to join in dance and song, saying that war was his trade and
+he sought no other, Galeazzo was a model of courtesy and grace. All fair
+ladies had a smile for him. Isabella d'Este and Elisabetta Gonzaga
+honoured him with their friendship, and Beatrice d'Este found in him the
+truest of friends and best of servants. Three kings of France, Charles
+VIII., Louis XII., and Francis I., singled him out for special
+distinction, and after enjoying the highest honour at Lodovico Sforza's
+court, he lived to become Grand Ecuyer of France in the next century.
+French Italian chroniclers alike own the fascination of his handsome
+presence and extol the <i>gentilezza</i> of this very perfect knight.
+Leonardo da Vinci and Luca Pacioli the mathematician had in him a noble,
+generous patron, and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span>Baldassare Castiglione, who knew him in his youth
+at Milan, has enshrined his memory in the pages of his "Cortigiano." It
+was this rare union of qualities which endeared the young Sanseverino to
+the Moro, who chose him for his intimate friend and companion. On his
+return from his successful campaign against the Forli rebels, Lodovico
+appointed him Captain-general of the Milanese armies, a step which
+naturally excited great jealousy among his rivals, and mortally wounded
+the pride of Messer Gian Giacomo Trivulzio, an older captain in the same
+service. Short of stature and rude of speech, with the big nose and
+rugged features that are familiar to us in Caradosso's medal, this able
+soldier presented a curious contrast to the brilliant and courtly Messer
+Galeazzo, whose rival he remained to the end of his life. Yet he knew
+how to appreciate genius, and after his triumphant return to Milan in
+1499, employed Leonardo to paint his portrait and design his tomb.
+Although a Guelph by birth, Trivulzio, up to this time, had been one of
+Lodovico's most active supporters. But when he saw a younger rival
+preferred to him, he left Milan in disgust and retired to Naples, where
+he entered King Ferrante's service, and became from that time a bitter
+enemy of the Sforza's. Meanwhile the Moro loaded his favourite Galeazzo
+with honours and rewards. He gave him the fine estate of Castelnuovo in
+the Tortonese, which had once belonged to his father, the great
+Condottiere Roberto, as well as a house in Pavia near the church of San
+Francesco and a palace in Milan, near the Porta Vercellina, and allowed
+him to build a villa and extensive stables in the park of the Castello.
+As a last and crowning honour, he bestowed upon this fortunate youth the
+hand of his illegitimate daughter Bianca, a beautiful and attractive
+child to whom he was fondly attached. Of her mother we have no certain
+knowledge, but she is generally supposed to have been some mistress of
+low origin, and Bianca herself is described by a contemporary writer as
+"<i>figlia ex pellice nata</i>." The wedding was solemnized with great
+splendour in the chapel of the Castello di Pavia, on the last day of the
+year 1489, but the young princess was still a child, and Galeazzo had to
+wait five years before he took home his bride. After his marriage he
+adopted the name of Sforza Visconti, and was treated by Lodovico as a
+member of his family.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span>Another wedding which took place about this time was that of the young
+duke, Gian Galeazzo. He had already entered his twentieth year, and the
+Princess Isabella of Aragon, to whom he had been betrothed in his
+father's lifetime, was turned eighteen, so that the marriage could no
+longer be delayed. In November, 1488, his brother Ermes was sent to
+Naples with a suite of four hundred persons, who entered King Ferrante's
+capital sumptuously arrayed in silk brocade, and amazed even his
+luxurious courtiers by the splendour of their gold chains and jewelled
+plumes. At least Isabella's father, Alfonso, who had little love for his
+brother-in-law, and had already found Lodovico more than a match for his
+own cunning, could not complain that his daughter had not been
+honourably treated. After a rough passage in the depth of winter, which
+sorely tried the patience of the court poet Bellincioni, who was a
+member of the Milanese suite, the bride landed on the 7th of February,
+and travelled by land to Genoa and Tortona. There her bridegroom, the
+young Duke of Milan, was awaiting her, with his uncle Lodovico, and a
+banquet as memorable for ingenuity as for splendour was given in her
+honour. Each course was introduced by some mythological personage. Jason
+appeared with the golden fleece, Ph&oelig;bus Apollo brought in a calf
+stolen from the herds of Admetus, Diana led Act&aelig;on in the form of a
+stag, Atalanta followed with the wild boar of Calydon, Iris came with a
+peacock from the car of Juno, and Orpheus carried in the birds whom he
+had charmed with his lute. Hebe poured out the wines, Vertumnus and
+Pomona handed round apples and grapes, Thetis and her sea-nymphs brought
+every variety of fish, and shepherds crowned with chaplets of ivy
+arrived from the hills of Arcady, bearing jars of milk and honey to the
+festive board. At Milan fresh wonders were awaiting the bridal pair. The
+court of the Castello was hung with blue drapery and wreaths of laurel
+and ivy, above which the ducal arms, designed in antique style, were
+seen, supported by figures of Centaurs. Under a seven-columned portico
+adorned with crimson-and-gold hangings, the duke's sister, Bianca Maria
+Sforza, received the bride, and led her to a richly decorated chamber in
+the Camera della Torre. On the following day <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span>the wedding was solemnized
+with great pomp in the Duomo. The duke and duchess, clad in white,
+walked hand-in-hand up the great aisles of the church, and finally, were
+escorted to the rooms prepared for them in the Rocca, and after the
+Milanese fashion, hung with pure white satin. But the most memorable
+part of the wedding festivities, and that to which Lodovico himself
+devoted especial attention, was the performance of an operetta composed
+by the court poet Bellincioni for the occasion. "It was called <i>Il
+Paradiso</i>" adds the chronicler to whom we owe these details, "because
+Maestro Leonardo Vinci, the Florentine, had with great art and ingenuity
+fabricated a paradise or celestial sphere, in which the seven planets
+were represented by actors in costumes similar to those described by
+those poets of old, who each in turn spoke the praise of Duchess
+Isabella."</p>
+
+<p>The festivities were interrupted by the illness of the young duke, who
+was so much exhausted by the fatigues of these successive
+entertainments, that he was unable to leave his bed for some weeks. But
+in the following summer two splendid tournaments were held at Pavia, at
+which Messer Galeazzo, as Sanseverino is always styled in Milanese
+annals, appeared with twenty followers in golden armour, mounted on
+chargers with gold trappings and harness, and, having unhorsed no less
+than nineteen of his opponents, bore off the first prize, a length of
+costly silver brocade. The duke and duchess were present with their
+whole court, but the Ferrarese ambassador remarked that the crowd all
+shouted, "Moro! Moro!" and that Signor Lodovico was by far the most
+popular personage with the citizens of Pavia.</p>
+
+<p>"He is a great man, and intends to be what he is in fact
+already&mdash;everything!" he wrote in his despatches to Ferrara. "And yet
+who knows? In a short time he may be nobody."</p>
+
+<p>Gian Galeazzo, however, showed no signs of interfering with his uncle in
+the management of public affairs. On the contrary, he gave full rein to
+his pleasure-loving tastes, seldom came to Milan, and spent his days at
+Pavia or Vigevano in the company of his young wife and a few favourites.
+Duchess <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span>Isabella, as time showed, was a woman of strong character and
+deep feeling, but she never seemed to have acquired any influence over
+her feeble husband, and found herself powerless to arouse him to any
+sense of his position, "<i>La dicte fille</i>" says Commines, "<i>etoit fort
+courageuse et eut volontier donn&eacute; cr&eacute;dit &agrave; son mary, si elle eut pu,
+mais il n'etoit gu&egrave;re saige et r&eacute;v&eacute;lait ce qu'elle lui disait</i>."
+Lodovico treated both his nephew and niece with the utmost respect, and
+discussed the situation freely with the Florentine ambassador
+Pandolfini, saying that King Ferrante's envoy had lately gone so far as
+to suggest that, since this young man could never rule for himself, his
+uncle might as well assume the title, as well as the cares, of the head
+of the state. But this, Lodovico declared, was a crime of which he would
+never be guilty. "If I were to attempt such a thing," he exclaimed, "I
+should be infamous in the eyes of the whole world!"</p>
+
+<p>For the present the sense of power, the knowledge that he was the actual
+ruler, sufficed him, and, as the King of Naples himself recognized, no
+one could have governed Milan more wisely or well than Lodovico did in
+his nephew's name. The birth of Duchess Isabella's son, in December,
+1490, may have been a blow to his hopes. But the happy event was
+celebrated with due rejoicings, the costly presents from the city of
+Milan and court officials were displayed in the Castello, and the infant
+heir of the house of Sforza received the name of his renowned
+great-grandfather, Francesco, together with the title of Count of Pavia.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile Lodovico felt that it was time to think of his own marriage,
+and to keep the troth which he had pledged to the child-princess of
+Este. His actions, as he well knew, were narrowly watched at the court
+of Ferrara. Duchess Leonora was beginning to feel anxious about her
+daughter's future, and the marriage of Anna Sforza with young Alfonso
+d'Este had also to be arranged. Accordingly in May, 1489, when the Duke
+of Milan's wedding was safely over, the Ferrarese envoy Giacomo Trotti
+was sent back to his master duly acquainted with Signor Lodovico's
+wishes and intentions respecting these important matters.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span>On the 10th of May, the articles of the marriage contract were finally
+drawn up and signed at the Castello of Ferrara. They were on the same
+basis as the marriage treaties which had lately been drawn up between
+the Marquis Mantua and Isabella d'Este and the Duke and Duchess of
+Milan. Lodovico was to receive 40,000 gold crowns and 2000 more in
+jewels as Beatrice's portion. A sum equal to three-parts of the bride's
+dower was to be chargeable on the goods and lands of Signor Lodovico. If
+the most illustrious Madonna were to die without children, this dowry
+was to be returned, as was stipulated in the case of the Duchess of
+Milan. With regard to the choice and arrangement of the bride's
+household, and the number of her women, Lodovico was content to leave
+all particulars to the Duke and Duchess of Ferrara, trusting to their
+goodness and prudence to settle all these matters on a scale suitable to
+the birth and rank of a princess of this illustrious house. But he
+especially begged Duke Ercole to see that Madonna Beatrice was well
+supplied with clothes and other necessary articles of toilet fitting the
+position which she would occupy at Milan as wife of the Duke of Bari and
+Regent of the State. Last of all, the date of the marriage was
+positively fixed for the month of May, 1490, Lodovico promising to
+defray all the expenses of the wedding festivities. At the same time it
+was also decided that Madonna Anna's marriage should take place in July,
+1490, by which time Signor Alfonso would have completed his fourteenth
+year, and the sum due to Messer Lodovico for Beatrice's dowry was to be
+deducted from that of his niece, who, as a princess of Milan, was to
+receive a portion of 100,000 crowns.</p>
+
+<p>So Beatrice d'Este's wedding-day was at length fixed, and Duchess
+Leonora rejoiced in the happy prospect of seeing both her daughters
+married in the course of the following year.</p>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 15%;" /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span>
+<br />
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V</h3>
+
+<div style="margin-left: 2em;">
+<p class="hang">Marriage of Isabella d'Este&mdash;Lodovico puts off his wedding&mdash;Cecilia
+Gallerani&mdash;Her portrait by Leonardo da Vinci&mdash;Mission of Galeazzo
+Visconti to Ferrara&mdash;Preparations for Beatrice's wedding&mdash;Cristoforo
+Romano's bust&mdash;Duchess Leonora and her daughters travel to Piacenza and
+Pavia&mdash;Their reception at Pavia by Lodovico.</p>
+</div>
+
+<h3>1490-1491</h3>
+
+<p>The young Marquis of Mantua, Gian Francesco Gonzaga, had proved himself
+a more ardent lover than Lodovico Sforza. He frequently exchanged
+letters and compliments with his youthful bride, or sent Isabella
+presents and verses written in her honour by Mantuan poets. After his
+father's death in 1484, he visited Mantua, and brought Duchess Leonora a
+Madonna painted by the hand of the great Paduan master, Andrea Mantegna,
+the court painter of the Gonzagas. In the autumn of the same year,
+Leonora took her daughter to Mantua for a short visit, where she first
+met Gian Francesco's sister, Elizabeth Duchess of Urbino, who was to
+become her dearest friend and constant companion in the early days of
+her married life. Four years afterwards, the same Elizabeth, the
+peerless Duchess of Castiglione and Bembo's adoration, stopped at
+Ferrara on her wedding journey to her new home of Urbino, and received
+an affectionate welcome from Leonora and her daughters. The duchess, she
+wrote, treated her as a mother, while in the Marchesana she had already
+found a loving sister and friend. On the 11th of February, 1490,
+Isabella's own wedding was celebrated at Ferrara, and the following
+morning the bride rode through the streets of the city, with the Duke of
+Urbino on her right and the Ambassador of Naples on her left hand. On
+the 12th, the bride set out for Mantua, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span>travelling by water up the
+river Po in a stately bucentaur presented to Isabella by Duke Ercole,
+adorned with rich carving and gilding. Her parents and three brothers,
+Alfonso, Ferrante, and the boy Ippolito, afterwards well known as
+Ariosto's patron, Cardinal d'Este, with a large suite, accompanied her
+to the gates of Mantua, where a magnificent reception awaited her. The
+young marquis had made great preparations to welcome his bride, and,
+after the fashion of the days, had borrowed gold and silver plate,
+carpets, and hangings from all his friends and relations, including the
+famous tapestries of the Trojan war, which were the chief ornaments of
+the palace of Urbino. The <i>f&ecirc;tes</i> passed off brilliantly, the crowds
+which assembled in the streets of Mantua were enormous, and the utmost
+enthusiasm was excited by the youth and loveliness of the bride. The
+only drawback was the absence of Mantegna, whom Pope Innocent had
+detained in Rome, in spite of his master's urgent request that the
+painter might return in time to arrange the wedding festivities.</p>
+
+<p>The void which Isabella left in her old home was keenly felt alike by
+her mother and sister. The duchess could not console herself for her
+daughter's absence, and after spending a delightful week with her
+sister-in-law Elizabeth on the lake of Garda, among the lemon-groves and
+gardens of those sunny shores, Isabella and her husband returned to
+Ferrara in April. Here she found that Beatrice's marriage had been again
+put off by Signor Lodovico's wish until the summer, and Isabella agreed
+to return to Ferrara early in July, and accompany her mother and sister
+to Milan. But when July came and the young marchioness reached Ferrara,
+she found to her surprise that all these plans had been suddenly
+changed. Lodovico had once more found it impossible to keep his
+engagement, and pleaded urgent public affairs and unavoidable pressure
+of business to excuse his apparent apathy. This time the duke and
+duchess were seriously annoyed, and began to doubt if Lodovico ever
+intended to wed their daughter. The question was gravely discussed
+during Isabella's visit, and a messenger from Milan suddenly reached
+Ferrara late one evening. It was no other than Messer Galeazzo Visconti,
+one of Lodovico's most trusted envoys, who had ridden from Milan in
+great haste, with letters from his lord. The contents <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span>of these letters
+remained unknown. One thing only was clear: they gave the duke great
+dissatisfaction. And Messer Galeazzo departed the next day, as quickly
+as he came. "I have tried in vain," wrote Benedetto Capilupi, the
+Marquis of Mantua's agent at Ferrara, "to discover the reason of all
+these disturbances. Every one is out of temper, and the duke seems to be
+very much displeased. M. Galeazzo has left suddenly."</p>
+
+<p>Isabella returned to join her husband at Mantua, leaving affairs in this
+unsatisfactory state. Beatrice's wedding seemed further off than ever,
+and doubts as to her union with Signor Lodovico began to be openly
+expressed. It was well known at Ferrara, where everything that happened
+at the court of Milan was minutely reported to Duke Ercole by his
+faithful envoy, Giacomo Trotti, that Lodovico Sforza had a mistress to
+whom he was fondly attached, and whom he had for many years past treated
+with the respect and honour due to a wife. This was Cecilia Gallerani,
+afterwards the wife of Count Lodovico Bergamini, a young Milanese lady
+of noble birth, as distinguished for her learning as for her beauty. She
+spoke and wrote Latin fluently, composed sonnets in Italian, and
+delivered Latin orations to the theologians and philosophers who met at
+her house. Contemporary writings abound in allusions to the rare virtues
+and learning of "la bella Gallerani," the Sappho of modern times.
+Scaligero wrote epigrams in her honour, Ortensio Lando classes her with
+Isabella d'Este and Vittoria Colonna among the most cultured women of
+the age. The novelist Matteo Bandello, himself a friar of the Dominican
+convent of S. Maria delle Grazie at Milan, is never tired of singing
+Cecilia's praises, and of describing the pleasant company who met at the
+countess's palace in Milan or at her villa near Cremona. There, he tells
+us, all the finest wits, all the most distinguished strangers in Milan
+assemble, and you may hear valiant captains reasoning with doctors and
+philosophers, or look at paintings and designs by living artists and
+architects, and listen to the playing and singing of the best musicians.
+As a young girl, Cecilia's charms captured the heart of the Moro, who,
+as early as 1481, bestowed the estate of Saronno, which he had inherited
+from his brother Sforza, upon her by a deed of gift, in which he
+extolled her learning and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span>excellence, and at the same time recalled the
+merits and services of her ancestors. Soon after Leonardo da Vinci's
+arrival in Milan, Lodovico employed him to paint the portrait of his
+fair young mistress, and we have more than one proof of the admiration
+which the Florentine master's work excited among his contemporaries. In
+the <i>Rime</i> of the court-poet, Bellincioni, we find the following sonnet
+evidently inspired by this picture and bearing the inscription: "On the
+portrait of Madonna Cecilia, painted by Maestro Leonardo." The poet
+seeks to appease Dame Nature's wrath at the sight of this portrait, in
+which the painter has represented the lovely maiden "listening, not
+speaking," but so full of life and radiance, that the sun's beams grow
+dim before the brightness of her eyes. And instead of envying art, he
+bids her rejoice that this living image of so beautiful a form will be
+handed down to future ages, and give thanks to Lodovico's wisdom and
+Leonardo's genius for having preserved this fair face to be the joy and
+wonder of posterity. "Thine, O Nature," he cries, "is the honour! the
+more living and beautiful Cecilia shall appear in the eyes of
+generations to come, the greater will be thy glory! For long as the
+world endures, all who see her face will recognize in Leonardo's work
+the close union of Art and Nature."</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Che lei vedr&agrave;, cos&igrave; ben che sia tardo,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Vederla viva, dir&agrave;: basti ad noi<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Comprender or quel che &egrave; natura et arte."<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>On the 26th of April, 1498, a year after Beatrice d'Este's death, her
+sister the Marchioness Isabella herself wrote to the Countess Bergamini
+from Mantua, begging her for the loan of the portrait which Leonardo had
+painted of her and which she had formerly seen in Milan. "Having to-day
+seen some fine portraits by the hand of Giovanni Bellini, we began to
+discuss the works of Leonardo, and wished we could compare them with
+these paintings. And since we remember that he painted your likeness; we
+beg you to be so good as to send us your portrait by this messenger whom
+we have despatched on horseback, so that we may not only be able to
+compare the works of the two masters, but may also have the pleasure of
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span>seeing your face again. The picture shall be returned to you
+afterwards, with our most grateful thanks for your kindness, and
+assuring you of our own readiness to oblige you to the utmost of our
+power, etc.</p>
+
+
+<p class="right">"<span class="smcap">Isabella d'Este.</span></p>
+<p style="margin-left: 2em;">From Mantua."</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Cecilia sent the precious picture by the courier to Mantua, with the
+following note in reply:&mdash;</p>
+
+<br />
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Most Illustrious and Excellent Madonna and very dear Lady</span>,</p>
+
+<p>"I have read your Highness's letter, and since you wish to see my
+portrait I send it without delay, and would send it with even greater
+pleasure if it were more like me. But your Highness must not think this
+proceeds from any defect in the <i>Maestro</i> himself, for indeed I do not
+believe there is another painter equal to him in the world, but merely
+because the portrait was painted when I was still at so young and
+imperfect an age. Since then I have changed altogether, so much so that
+if you saw the picture and myself together, you would never dream it
+could be meant for me! All the same, your Highness will, I hope, accept
+this proof of my good-will, and believe that I am ready and anxious to
+gratify your wishes, not only in respect to the portrait, but in any
+other way that I can, since I am ever Your Highness's most devoted slave
+and commend myself to you a thousand times.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+<span style="padding-right: 8em;">"Your Highness's servant,</span><br />
+<span class="smcap" style="padding-right: 2em;">Cecilia Visconta Bergamina</span>,<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a></p><p style="margin-left: 2em;">From Milan, the 29th of April, 1498."</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Since that day when the great Florentine first painted her, Cecilia
+Gallerani had developed into a handsome matron, and as Lodovico Sforza's
+recognized mistress she enjoyed a position of great honour at court. For
+some years she occupied a suite of rooms in the Castello of Milan, where
+her lover constantly visited her and took the greatest delight in her
+company. His passion <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span>for this beautiful and intellectual woman only
+seemed to increase 108 with years. She had already borne him one son,
+the Leone, whom he was known to love so well that his courtiers did not
+dare tell him the sad news when the child died suddenly in 1487. The
+Duke of Bari, it was even said, intended ere long to make her his lawful
+wife, and thus to render her future issue legitimate.</p>
+
+<p>Under these circumstances, it can hardly be wondered if Lodovico Sforza
+showed some reluctance in keeping the troth which he had plighted to the
+young princess of Este, while Duke Ercole's vexation was the more
+pardonable. For a time it seemed as if a rupture between the two houses
+was inevitable, and all thought of a union between them must be
+abandoned. But soon a change came over Il Moro's dream. The difficulties
+in the way of a closer union with Cecilia Gallerani were great, and must
+invariably lead to jealousies and quarrels of a serious order. His own
+position in Milan would be endangered, and fresh hindrances placed in
+the way of his future designs. At the same time, the alliances with
+Ferrara and Mantua were both of great importance to the state, and could
+not be lightly thrown away. So he determined to sacrifice his
+inclinations to political exigencies, and make Beatrice d'Este his wife.</p>
+
+<p>Accordingly, at the end of August he sent another ambassador, Francesco
+da Casate, to Ferrara with a magnificent gift for his bride, in the
+shape of a necklace of large pearls set in gold flowers, with a very
+fine pear-shaped pendant of rubies, pearls, and emeralds. This costly
+jewel was duly presented to Beatrice in the name of her affianced
+husband, and Duchess Leonora wrote forthwith to give her daughter
+Isabella the good news, informing her that Signor Lodovico hoped she
+would accompany her mother and sister to Milan that autumn for the
+wedding. The young marchioness was delighted to accept this invitation,
+and in the course of a few days she paid another visit to Ferrara, to
+assist in the preparations for her sister's marriage. Messer Galeazzo
+Visconti was sent there again to learn the duke and duchess's pleasure
+as to their daughter's journey, and, after making the final
+arrangements, left Ferrara on the 26th of November. The bride's
+departure was fixed for the last day of the year, and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span>the wedding, it
+was decided, should take place in the chapel of the Castello of Pavia on
+the 16th of January.</p>
+
+<p>Isabella hurried to Mantua to buy horses and clothes, jewels and plate
+for her journey, and announced her intention of taking upwards of one
+hundred persons in her suite, with ninety horses and trumpeters.
+Afterwards, however, she reduced the number to fifty persons and thirty
+horses at the request of Lodovico, who begged her to bring as few
+attendants as possible, owing to the large number of guests who were
+expected at Milan. Her husband, the Marquis Gianfrancesco, had naturally
+been included in the invitation, but as a close ally of the Venetians he
+did not think it politic to appear at the wedding of Lodovico Sforza.
+The Signory of Venice were known to look coldly on this alliance between
+Ferrara and Milan, and entertained the deepest distrust of Lodovico's
+policy. So Isabella decided to join her mother and sister on their
+journey up the river, and proceed with them to Pavia and ultimately to
+Milan. Meanwhile another emissary from Milan had arrived at Ferrara.
+This was the young sculptor, Cristoforo Romano, who was sent to Signor
+Lodovico to carve a bust-portrait of his bride before she left her
+father's home. The son of a Pisan sculptor who had settled in Rome,
+Cristoforo's genius had attracted attention when he was quite a boy, and
+he had been sent to Milan by Cardinal Ascanio Sforza. The young Roman
+master was one of those brilliant and versatile artists who especially
+commended themselves to Lodovico. He sang and played the lute admirably,
+while his literary tastes made him the intimate friend of Bembo and
+Castiglione, and a great favourite with the cultured princesses of
+Mantua and Urbino. He takes a leading part in the dialogues of the
+Cortigiano, and is frequently mentioned as worthy to rank with Michael
+Angelo, whose fame he might have rivalled had he not suffered from
+continual ill health. As it is, the few works which he left behind him
+are marked with singular grace and refinement. His bust of Beatrice, now
+in the Louvre, where for many years it passed as the work of Leonardo,
+is at once remarkable for its truth and charm. The somewhat irregular
+features of the maiden of fifteen years are admirably given, the
+roundness of her cheeks, the pouting lips and slightly <i>retrouss&eacute;</i> nose,
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span>and the curling locks are faithfully represented; yet we realize the
+force of character that lies under this soft, child-like face, and the
+frank joyousness which made her so attractive. Each stray lock of hair
+is rendered with delicate accuracy, the brocaded bodice of her gown and
+the scarf lightly thrown over her shoulders are elaborately adorned with
+the triangular diamond and other favourite devices of the house of Este.
+The quaint figure of the two hands holding a veil, from which
+fertilizing dust falls on the open flower, is supposed to be an emblem
+of marriage, and is said to signify that Beatrice was already an
+affianced bride. But since the words "Herculis fili&aelig;" are cut in the
+marble, it is plain that Cristoforo carved the bust while the young
+duchess was still in her father's home, and probably took it home with
+him that autumn to Milan.</p>
+
+<p>That year the winter set in with unusual severity. The bitter frost and
+cold which man and beast endured that January were long remembered, both
+in Mantua and Ferrara. On Christmas night it began to snow, and so heavy
+and continuous was the fall, that by noon on the next day the snow lay
+three feet deep in front of the Vescovado, or Bishop's house, opposite
+the Este palace. The Po was frozen over, and the ice on the river never
+thawed until the first week in February, while the snow lasted till the
+12th of March, and some patches might still be seen in the streets of
+Ferrara on the 20th of that month.</p>
+
+<p>In the midst of these unwonted rigours, the wedding-party set out on
+their long journey. The royal brides of these days seem to have been
+singularly unlucky in the matter of weather. For one thing, they always
+travelled in the depths of winter. Elizabeth Gonzaga almost died of
+exhaustion after the sufferings of her journey from Mantua to Urbino in
+a violent tempest, which kept her ship tossing on the waves of the Po
+for several days and nights. The fleet which conveyed Isabella and her
+escort from Naples to Leghorn, narrowly escaped shipwreck off the coast
+of Tuscany. Bianca Sforza had to ride in December over the roughest
+roads across the Alps of the Valtellina, to join her Imperial lord at
+Innsbr&uuml;ck. And now Leonora and her daughters were called upon to brave
+the terrors of an Arctic winter on their way to Milan.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span>"On the 29th of December, 1490," writes the diarist of Ferrara,
+"Madonna Beatrice, daughter of Duke Ercole, went to Milan to marry
+Signor Lodovico Sforza, accompanied by her mother, Leonora Duchess of
+Ferrara; and also by Messer Sigismondo, her uncle"&mdash;the duke's younger
+brother, Cardinal d'Este&mdash;"and her brother, Don Alfonso, who went to
+bring home his bride, Madonna Anna, sister of the Duke of Milan and
+daughter of Galeazzo, and he rode in a sledge because the Po was
+frozen."<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a></p>
+
+<p>The ladies of the party travelled in rude country
+carts&mdash;"<i>carrette</i>"&mdash;as far as Brescello, where the Po was navigable,
+and they were able to continue their journey by water to Pavia. Here
+Messer Galeazzo Visconti was awaiting them with a fleet of boats and
+three bucentaurs, by which pompous name the rude barges in which these
+high-born personages travelled were glorified. The many discomforts and
+the actual cold and hunger which the Este ladies endured during the five
+days which they spent on board these vessels are graphically described
+in a letter addressed to Isabella's husband by her Ferrarese
+lady-in-waiting, Beatrice de' Contrari, after the travellers had reached
+Pavia. The boat which bore the provisions for the party was delayed by
+stress of weather, so that the travellers were left with but scanty
+breakfast and no dinner. When at length they anchored near the shore of
+Toresella at three o'clock at night, the Marchesana and her ladies were
+in a starving condition. "If it had not been for the timely help of
+Madonna Camilla, who sent us part of her supper from her barge, I for
+one," writes the lively lady-in-waiting, "should have certainly been by
+this time a saint in Paradise." As for going to bed, all wish for sleep
+was put out of their heads by the rocking of the ship and the
+uncomfortable berths, and the poor Marchesana was so cold and wretched
+without a fire that she wished herself dead, and her lady-in-waiting
+could not keep back her tears. However, at length these miseries were
+ended, Piacenza was safely reached, on the 12th of January, and the
+royal ladies and their companions were hospitably entertained by Count
+Bartolommeo Scotti, and enjoyed the luxury of warm fires and comfortable
+beds!</p>
+
+<p>"And now that we have arrived," wrote Beatrice de' Contrari to her lord,
+the marquis, "and are beginning to enjoy these <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span>weddings for the sake of
+which we have suffered so many discomforts, I am thinking seriously of
+making my last will and testament."<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a></p>
+
+<p>After a day's rest at Piacenza, the bridal party continued their journey
+up the river, and reached Pavia at half-past four on Sunday afternoon.
+Here Signor Lodovico was awaiting them on the banks of the river Ticino,
+which joins the Po a few hundred yards below the city, with a gallant
+company of Milanese lords and gentlemen, and himself conducted first
+Beatrice and then her mother and sister to the shore. Together they rode
+on horseback over the covered bridge which spans the river, and passed
+through the long streets until they reached the goal of their journey,
+and entered the gates of the far-famed Castello of Pavia.</p>
+
+<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> G. Uzielli, <i>Leonardo da Vinci e Tre Gentil donne
+Milanesi</i>, p. 23.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> A Muratori, R. I. S., xxiv. 282.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> Luzio-Renier in A. S. L., xvii. 85.</p></div>
+
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 15%;" /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span>
+<br />
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h3>
+
+<div style="margin-left: 2em;">
+<p class="hang">City and University of Pavia&mdash;Duomo and Castello&mdash;The library of the
+Castello&mdash;Wedding of Lodovico Sforza, Duke of Bari, and Beatrice d'Este,
+in the chapel of the Castello of Pavia&mdash;Galeazzo di San Severino and
+Orlando&mdash;Reception of the bride in Milan&mdash;Tournaments and festivities at
+the Castello&mdash;Visit of Duchess Leonora to the Certosa of Pavia.</p>
+</div>
+
+<h3>1491</h3>
+
+
+<p>The ancient city of Pavia, the capital of the Lombard kings before the
+conquest of Charlemagne, still presents a picturesque and imposing
+appearance to the traveller, who sees the red-brick walls and gates of
+the old fortifications and the slender bell-towers of its Romanesque
+churches rising out of the green plains on the banks of the broad and
+swift Ticino. But it was a far grander and more beautiful sight in the
+days when Lodovico Sforza's bride landed near the chapel on the bridge,
+and in the fading light of the short winter afternoon rode at his side
+through the chief streets of the old Lombard capital, or, as it was
+proudly called, the city of a hundred towers. On the princely cavalcade
+wound, amid a dense crowd of people shouting, "<i>Moro! Moro!</i>" up the
+long Strada Nova, with its marble palaces, and newly painted loggias
+adorned with busts and frescoes, in front of the stately <i>Ateneo</i> with
+its halls and porticoes for the different schools, which had the
+reputation of being the finest university in all Italy, and past the
+rising walls of the new Duomo which Lodovico was building on the site of
+the ruined basilica of Charlemagne's time. A few months before, the
+renowned Sienese architect, Francesco Martini, had arrived at Pavia on
+horseback to give his advice as to the cupola of the new cathedral,
+accompanied by His Excellency's servant, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span>Magistro Leonardo, the
+Florentine, and a vast train of servants, and had been entertained at
+the public expense. Martini had soon left again for Milan, after giving
+the architect of the Duomo, Bramante's pupil Cristoforo Rocchi, the
+benefit of his advice, and promising to send him a model of the cupola;
+but Leonardo had remained at Pavia all the summer and autumn, turning
+over old manuscripts in the library of the Castello, and discussing
+anatomical problems with the professors and surgeons of the university,
+until a peremptory summons had reached him from the governor of the
+Castello at Milan, desiring him to return immediately and assist in
+decorating the ball-room for the wedding <i>f&ecirc;tes</i>. Another visitor, a
+citizen of Beatrice's own city of Ferrara, had also been at Pavia a few
+months before&mdash;the Dominican friar, Girolamo Savonarola, who had visited
+the Certosa and Castello of Pavia on his way from Brescia to preach at
+Genoa, before he was summoned at Pico della Mirandola's request to begin
+his famous course of Lent sermons in St. Mark's of Florence. But now the
+duke's painter and the humble friar had both gone their separate ways,
+Fra Girolamo to startle the scholars of the Medici circle with his
+thunders, and Leonardo to paint cupids in the halls of the Castello at
+Milan, and to resume his labours at the great equestrian statue of
+Francesco Sforza, which Signor Lodovico was longing to see finished. All
+unconscious of their existence, the young bride of the powerful regent
+rode at her lord's side and entered the wide courtyard through the great
+gateway, under the lofty towers of the famous Castello which for over a
+hundred and fifty years had been the home of Viscontis and Sforzas.</p>
+
+<p>After the cold and fatigue of the long journey in this snowy winter
+season, the bridal party were thankful to reach the end of their journey
+and to enjoy a day's rest before the wedding ceremony, which, after
+consultation with Messer Ambrogio da Rosate, the chief court physician
+and astrologer, had been fixed for Tuesday, the 17th of January, this
+being the day of Mars, and therefore especially propitious for the
+marriage of a lord, who above all things desired the birth of a son.
+Throughout his life Il Moro, like many of his contemporaries, had a
+blind belief in the stars, and placed the most implicit confidence in
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span>Messer Ambrogio, who was said to have saved his life during his
+dangerous illness at Vigevano three years before, and who had been
+lately called upon to cast the horoscope of Pope Innocent VIII. at the
+earnest entreaty of His Holiness. "Maestro Ambrogio has been suddenly
+called to fly to Vigevano," wrote Giacomo Trotti to Ferrara one day in
+1489, "because he is a professor of astrology, by which this excellent
+Signor orders all his actions." The date of Lodovico's journeys, the
+hour of all important court ceremonies, and even the movements of his
+armies in time of war, were regulated by the course of the stars. Messer
+Ambrogio, consequently, became a most important personage at the court
+of Milan. "Without him," wrote Beatrice's maid of honour to the
+Marchioness Isabella, "nothing can be done here."</p>
+
+<p>The beautiful park and gardens at Pavia lay deep in snow, their lakes
+and fountains were all frozen over, but there was plenty to interest and
+amuse the visitors within the walls of this great Castello, of which
+they had heard so much, and which was said to be the grandest of royal
+houses in the whole of Europe. Three or four generations of masters had
+been employed by successive Visconti dukes to rear this glorious fabric,
+which in its palmy days must have been a noble monument of Lombard
+architecture. The long colonnades of low round arches went back to
+Romanesque days and the times of the first Visconti lords of Pavia; the
+Gothic windows of the banqueting-hall and upper stories had been
+finished in the reign of the great Giangaleazzo, and were enriched with
+slender marble shafts and exquisite terra-cotta mouldings similar to
+those that we admire to-day in the cloisters of the Certosa. The vaulted
+halls were painted with the finest ultramarine and gold, and the arms of
+Sforzas and Viscontis, the lilies of France and the red cross of Savoy,
+appeared on the groined roof between planets and stars of raised gold.
+The vast Sala della Palla, where the dukes and their courtiers indulged
+in their favourite pastime of "pall-mall," which Burckhardt calls the
+classic game of the Renaissance, was decorated with frescoes by the best
+artists of Pavia or Cremona, representing fishing and hunting scenes.
+Portraits of the dukes and duchesses were introduced, together with
+lions and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span>tigers, wild boars and stags flying before the hounds, in the
+forest shades or on the open moor. The ball-room was adorned with
+historic subjects from the lives of the earlier Viscontis. The poet
+Petrarch, who had once filled a chair in the university, was seen
+delivering an oration before the duke; and Giangaleazzo, the founder of
+the Duomo of Milan and of the Certosa, was represented seated at a
+festive board laden with gold and silver plate, entertaining foreign
+ambassadors, with his armour-bearer standing at his side, and his
+cupbearer pouring out the wine, while huntsmen and falconers with horses
+and dogs awaited his pleasure. Of later date were the frescoes in the
+duchess's rooms, representing the marriage of Galeazzo Sforza at the
+French court and the reception of Bona of Savoy at Genoa, while the
+paintings which adorned the chapel had only lately been completed by
+Vincenzo Foppa and Bonifazio da Cremona.</p>
+
+<p>Signor Lodovico was very proud, as he might well be, of this his
+ancestral home, and of the famous library which he had done so much to
+improve. He led his guests from room to room, and showed them all the
+rare and curious objects&mdash;the armoury with its store of ancient coats of
+mail and hauberks, of swords and helmets of ancient design, and its
+choice specimens of the engraved and damascened work; the breastplates
+and greaves that were a <i>specialit&eacute;</i> of Milanese armourers at this
+period; the wonderful clock of copper and brass worked by wheels and
+weights, upon which Giovanni Dondi had spent sixteen years of ceaseless
+thought and toil, and which not only had a peal of bells, but a complete
+solar system, showing the movement of sun, moon, and planets as set
+forth by Ptolemy. After Dondi's death, Duke Galeazzo had to send to
+Paris for a clockmaker who could regulate the works of this elaborate
+machine, which was so much admired by Charles V. when he visited Pavia
+in 1530, that he commissioned a mechanician of Cremona to make a similar
+one for him to take back to Spain. And Messer Lodovico showed them also
+what he himself held to be his greatest treasures&mdash;the precious books
+adorned by exquisite miniatures from the hand of Fra Antonio da Monza
+and other living artists, the Sforziada and the Chant de Roland, and the
+rare Greek and Latin manuscripts which he had been at such <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span>infinite
+pains to collect; the <i>codici</i> brought from Bobbio by Giorgio Merula,
+and the manuscripts which Erasmo Brasca had discovered when <i>Il Moro</i>
+sent him to search for missing texts in the convents of the South of
+France. For Lodovico himself spared no expense and grudged no time or
+trouble in order to enrich what he felt to be a great national
+institution. Two years before he had addressed a letter to the son of
+Matthias Corvinus, King of Hungary&mdash;the prince who was to have wedded
+Bianca Sforza&mdash;begging him to have a rare manuscript by Festus Pompeius
+copied for him, and deploring the "decay of the knowledge of the Latin
+tongue in Italy, and the loss of so many priceless classical works which
+the barbarians have carried away."</p>
+
+<p>The sight of these precious and varied treasures were fully appreciated
+by the cultivated Duchess Leonora, who had grown up among the scholars
+of her royal father's academy at Naples, and by her daughter, the
+accomplished Marchesana Isabella, ever eager, as she says in one of her
+letters, to see and learn some new thing, "<i>desiderosa di cosa nova</i>."
+And Signor Lodovico proved himself the most courteous and pleasant of
+hosts, conversing with graceful ease on a thousand subjects, and
+gratifying his new sister-in-law by the marked attention and courtesy
+with which he treated her.</p>
+
+<p>"I find myself highly honoured and caressed by Signor Lodovico," she
+wrote to her husband from Pavia; and the discerning eyes of the
+Ferrarese ambassador, Giacomo Trotti, noticed how much pleasure His
+Excellency already took in the company of Madonna Beatrice and the
+Marchesana. On that first day which they spent together at the Castello,
+Trotti wrote to Duke Ercole, "Signor Lodovico is always at his wife's
+side, speaking to her and watching her most attentively. And he tells me
+that it would be impossible for her to give him greater pleasure or
+satisfaction than she does, and never ceases to praise her."</p>
+
+<p>The first impression which the youthful bride made on her husband was
+evidently favourable. By all accounts, Beatrice was a singularly lovely
+and fascinating child. Without the regular features and distinguished
+air of her sister Isabella, there <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span>was a distinct charm in her sparkling
+dark eyes and jet-black hair, her bright colouring and gay smile. The
+contemporary chronicler Muralti describes her in his Annals as "of
+youthful age, beautiful in face, and dark in colouring, fond of
+inventing new costumes, and of spending day and night in song and
+dancing and all manner of delights." In these early days at Pavia and
+Milan there was, indeed, Trotti tells us, a certain shyness and reserve
+about her that was only natural and might well be ascribed to maiden
+shyness and timidity, but in the freedom and gaiety of her new life this
+soon gave way to the irrepressible mirth and joyousness of youthful
+vivacity. From the first she seems to have become sincerely attached to
+Lodovico, who, although considerably older than herself, and already
+thirty-nine years of age, was a very handsome and splendid-looking man,
+of imposing stature and striking countenance, with courteous manners and
+gentle ways. And however often he may have excited her jealousy or
+wounded her feelings, his young wife never wavered in her love for him,
+but proved, as he himself confessed, the best and most devoted of
+companions.</p>
+
+<p>On Tuesday, the 17th of January, the long-delayed wedding finally took
+place, in the Castello of Pavia. A small but very brilliant company was
+assembled that day in the ancient chapel of the Visconti. The official
+festivities were to be celebrated at Milan, where the duke and duchess
+and their court were awaiting the bride's arrival, and the Ferrarese
+ambassador was the only foreign envoy present at the wedding. But
+Lodovico's personal friends and retainers mustered in force, as well as
+those captains and courtiers who could claim kinship with the house of
+Este. Niccolo da Correggio was there, as one nearly related to both
+bride and bridegroom, and was universally pronounced to be the
+handsomest and best dressed of all the cavaliers who were present that
+day. There, too, was Galeotto Prince of Mirandola, the husband of the
+gifted Bianca d'Este, and Rodolfo Gonzaga, the Marquis of Mantua's
+uncle, and, conspicuous by their lofty stature and martial air, the four
+Sanseverino brothers.</p>
+
+<p>The bride, arrayed in a white robe sown with pearls and glittering with
+jewels, was led to the altar by the Duchess of Ferrara and Marchioness
+of Mantua, supported by the young <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span>Don Alfonso, his uncle Sigismondo,
+and a select retinue of Ferrarese courtiers and ladies. It was rumoured
+that the Marquis Gianfrancesco Gonzaga had himself been seen in the
+crowd assembled in the courtyard of the Castello, and, much to
+Isabella's surprise, Lodovico asked the marchioness, at the banquet
+which followed, if this report were true. But Isabella could only reply
+that if her husband were at Pavia, she was unaware of the fact, and it
+was not until the last day of the tournament at Milan that the marquis
+appeared in public.</p>
+
+<p>"The nuptial benediction was pronounced, and the act of espousals
+confirmed by the ring which Signor Lodovico placed on the bride's
+finger, and that night the marriage was consummated," were the words of
+the official proclamation that was made in Milan the next day, and duly
+notified to the magistrates of the different cities in the duchy as well
+as to the duke's ambassadors at foreign courts.</p>
+
+<p>On the following morning Lodovico left for Milan, to complete the
+arrangements for the bride's reception early in the following week.
+Nothing, he was determined, should be left undone to do honour to his
+nuptials or to make the occasion memorable both in the eyes of the
+people of Milan and throughout Italy. During the summer and autumn
+preparations had been actively going on, and a whole army of painters,
+goldsmiths, and embroiderers were at work, decorating the suite of rooms
+in the Rocca, or inner citadel of the Castello of the Porta Giovia,
+adjoining the Corte Ducale, where the Moro and his bride were to take up
+their abode. "Here all hands are busy," wrote the Ferrarese envoy to his
+master, "and Lodovico takes care that for the duchess nothing is done by
+halves." When the date of the wedding had been finally determined, every
+nerve was strained to complete the works within the Castello, and an
+imperative summons was issued by Messer Ambrogio Ferrari, the chief
+ducal commissioner, to the governors of Cremona, Piacenza, and Pavia,
+commanding the immediate return of the painters who were absent in these
+cities. Among the masters especially mentioned in these letters, we find
+the names of Bernardino da Rossi, Zenale and Buttinone di Treviglio,
+Treso di Monza, and Magistro Leonardo. This was none other than <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span>the
+great Florentine, then absent at Pavia, who was required to give his
+advice, if not to assist, in the actual decoration of the <i>Sala della
+palla</i> on the first floor of the Castello. The vaulted roof of this
+spacious hall, which was to serve as ball-room on this occasion, was
+painted in azure and gold to imitate the starry sky, while the walls
+were hung with canvases representing the heroic deeds of the great
+Condottiere, Francesco Sforza, whose glorious memory his son Lodovico
+was always eager to celebrate. At the entrance of the hall, an effigy of
+the hero on horseback was placed under a triumphal arch, with an
+inscription recalling his greatness, and saying that by virtue of these
+mighty exploits his children now triumph and hold festival in his
+honour.</p>
+
+<p>At the same time, orders were sent in the duke's name to the seneschals
+of the castles and towns between Pavia and Milan to see that the roads
+and bridges were repaired and widened, in order that the bridal party
+might be able to travel without hindrance or inconvenience. On the 18th
+of January, invitations were issued to the chief lords in the state, as
+well as to those foreign princes who were connected by marriage with the
+Sforza and Este families, the Marquis of Montferrat, the Marquis of
+Mantua, Giovanni Bentivoglio of Bologna, and others, requesting them to
+honour with their presence a three-days' tournament to be held on the
+great <i>piazza</i> in front of the Castello, during the last week in
+January.</p>
+
+<p>While Lodovico was personally superintending the final arrangements,
+seeing that the last touches were given to the frescoes in the duchess's
+<i>Camerino</i>, or discussing to the masques and comedies that were to be
+performed, with Bramante and Leonardo, his bride remained at Pavia with
+her family and friends. The princesses of Este were well content, for
+not only were all the treasures of the Castello and library at their
+disposal, but they had the best of company in the person of Messer
+Galeazzo di Sanseverino, who had been charged by his father-in-law,
+Signor Lodovico, to supply his place during the interval of his enforced
+absence. And certainly no better squire of dames could have been found
+than this courteous and brilliant cavalier. He took Isabella and
+Beatrice out riding in the park, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span>and showed them some of the beauties
+of that wide domain, which in the French chronicler's eyes seemed more
+like the garden of Eden than any earthly spot. They could not, it is
+true, admire those flowery lawns watered by crystal streams, and groves
+of plane and cypress and myrtle, which charmed the travellers from the
+north, and made Commines exclaim there was no other region in the world
+as divinely beautiful as the Milanese land. But they could visit the
+pleasure-houses and pavilions in the gardens, and hunt the stags and red
+deer that ran wild in the park. For their amusement Messer Galeazzo let
+fly some of those good falcons of his, with their jewelled hoods and
+silver bells, and chased the herons and water-fowl along the lake, while
+the ducal huntsmen followed in their suits of green velvet embroidered
+with gold, and blew their golden bugles. Indoors they laughed and sang
+together, and turned over the leaves of the illuminated missals or the
+rare folios of the library. And as they talked of Messer Matteo
+Boiardo's famous new poem and of the old French romances, a lively
+discussion over the respective merits of the paladins, Roland and
+Rinaldo di Montalbano arose between the two princesses on the one hand,
+and Messer Galeazzo on the other. Isabella and Beatrice were all in
+favour of the knight of Montalbano as the type of Italian chivalry,
+while Sanseverino, who had kinsmen at the court of France and took
+delight in French costumes and French literature, was as much at home in
+France as he was at Milan, and defended the matchless glory of his hero,
+Orlando. The quarrel waxed warm between them in those idle days, and in
+the fulness of their youth and high spirits they amused themselves,
+crying out, "Rolando! Rolando!" on the one side, and a "Rinaldo!" on the
+other, until one afternoon Messer Galeazzo was acknowledged victor, and
+even Isabella took up his cry of Roland, but soon returned to her old
+allegiance, and declared boldly that she would allow no rival to the
+wronged knight of Montalbano. The controversy was to be prolonged for
+many a day, and was to become the theme of more than one merry letter
+and gay challenge between the Marchesana Isabella and the handsome
+Sanseverino, who soon won over Duchess Beatrice to his side. So the days
+flew by until the week was almost over, and the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span>time came to start for
+Milan. Every hour fresh news reached Pavia of the new wonders and
+marvellous entertainments that were awaiting them at the Milanese
+capital, and Isabella's spirits rose high with eager expectation and
+delight.</p>
+
+<p>"You ought to be here," this lively princess wrote to her youngest
+brother-in-law, Giovanni Gonzaga, who had stayed behind at Mantua, and
+was absent from the wedding <i>f&ecirc;tes</i>. And she told him of all the jousts
+and banquets and balls that were to succeed each other at Milan, this
+wonderful city which she was longing to see for herself. "And among
+other <i>f&ecirc;tes</i>," she added, "there will be three of the finest theatrical
+representations that have ever been seen. But one thing which will make
+you still more envious is that from Milan we mean to go and visit that
+glorious city of Genoa, where you have never been! Only think how many
+new places and lands we shall have seen by the time of our return! We
+wish you all good things, but fear our wishes will profit you little,
+and are sure my letter will make your mouth water."</p>
+
+<p>On Saturday the 21st the bridal party set out from Pavia, and, leaving
+the Certosa on the right, travelled across the Lombard plain to Binasco,
+where they spent the night at the feudal castle of the Visconti, the
+ruins of which may still be seen on the heights above the little town.
+On Sunday morning the procession entered Milan, and the bride was
+received by her cousin, Isabella of Aragon, wife of the reigning duke,
+who had ridden out to meet her at the suburban church of S. Eustorgio,
+where the bones of the martyred friar, S. Pietro Martire, repose in
+their shrine of sculptured marble. At the gates Duke Gian Galeazzo and
+his uncle met them, followed by a brilliant company of Milanese nobles,
+and Lodovico, clad in a gorgeous mantle of gold brocade, rode through
+the streets at the side of his youthful bride. A hundred trumpeters
+marched before them, filling the air with strains of martial music, and
+the crowds, who had assembled from all parts of Lombardy, thronged
+around to gaze on the duchess and her daughters, and more especially on
+the Moro's bride.</p>
+
+<p>The street decorations that day were on the grandest scale. Lodovico had
+given orders that no expense should be spared, and the magnificence of
+the pageant amazed the foreign ambassadors <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span>and visitors from Mantua and
+Ferrara. Not only were the walls and balconies hung with red and blue
+satin or brocades, while wreaths of ivy were twined round the columns
+and doorways, but one whole street where the armourers had their shops
+was lined with effigies of armed warriors on horseback, entirely clad
+with chain-armour and plates of damascened steel. "Every one took these
+mailed figures to be alive," says Tristan Calco, the admiring chronicler
+to whom we owe these details. The procession halted on the <i>piazza</i> in
+front of the Castello, and the heralds gave a loud blast of music as the
+bride was lifted from her horse, and received under the grand portal by
+the duchess-mother, Bona of Savoy, and her two daughters, Bianca Maria
+and Anna Sforza. Bona herself had returned to Milan at the French king's
+request soon after her son's marriage, and had consented to an outward
+reconciliation with her brother-in-law, Lodovico. Her daughter Anna's
+marriage with the heir of the house of Este had always been one of the
+objects of her fondest wishes, and now she gave Duchess Leonora and her
+daughters a cordial welcome to her son's court.</p>
+
+<p>On the following day the marriage of Alfonso d'Este and the princess
+Anna was privately solemnized in the ducal chapel, but the final nuptial
+benediction was deferred until their return to Ferrara, a month later.
+Meanwhile the bride's sumptuous trousseau and jewels, as well as the
+splendid presents received by her, were displayed during the next week
+in the Castello, before the courtiers who came to pay their homage to
+the newly wedded Duke and Duchess of Bari. Of Anna Sforza herself we
+hear little, but her beauty and gentleness are praised by more than one
+contemporary chronicler, and endeared her especially to her uncle
+Lodovico, who was sincerely grieved by her early death. She and her
+husband paid frequent visits to Milan after her marriage, and were very
+happy in the society of Beatrice, whom she only survived a few months,
+dying at the birth of her first babe, to the great sorrow of her
+father-in-law, Duke Ercole. "She was very beautiful and very charming,"
+writes the Ferrarese diarist, "and there is little to tell about her,
+because she lived so short a time."</p>
+
+<p>The most splendid <i>f&ecirc;tes</i> were yet to come. On the 24th of January, the
+day after Alfonso and Anna's wedding, three tribunals were erected on
+the piazza, the one occupied by a group <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span>of heralds and trumpeters, the
+other loaded with precious bowls and dishes of gold and silver plate,
+the gifts of the magistrates of Milan and other cities to Signor
+Lodovico and his bride. The new duchess, accompanied by the other
+princes and princesses, arrayed in their richest robes and literally
+blazing with precious jewels, writes an eye-witness, ascended the third
+tribunal erected in the centre, and received the homage of the deputies
+of the city; after which two cavaliers, a Visconti and a Suardi, bending
+on one knee before the bride, took from her hand two lengths of cloth of
+gold, which were hung in the courtyard, as prizes to be given to the
+victor in the tournament. That evening two hundred Milanese ladies of
+high rank were invited to the great ball, or <i>festa per le donne</i>, given
+in the Sala della palla. On this occasion peasant girls from all parts
+of Italy, clad in the red, white, and blue of the Sforza colours, danced
+before the court, and "the palm of Terpsichore," we are told, was
+awarded to a Tuscan maiden.</p>
+
+<p>On the 26th, the Giostra, which was to be the crowning event of the
+week's festivities, began. At the tournament held in Pavia in honour of
+Giangaleazzo's wedding, the knights had for the most part appeared in
+their ordinary attire; but this time, to add greater splendour to the
+occasion, they entered the lists in companies, clad in fancy costumes
+and bearing symbolical devices after the fashion of the day. First of
+all came the Mantuan troop of twenty horsemen clad in green velvet and
+gold lace, bearing golden lances and olive boughs in their hand, with
+Isabella's kinsman, Alfonso Gonzaga, at their head. Then came Annibale
+Bentivoglio, the young husband of Lucrezia d'Este, with the Bologna
+knights, riding on a triumphal car drawn by stags and unicorns, the
+badge of the House of Este. These were followed by Gaspare di
+Sanseverino, with a band of twelve riders in black and gold Moorish
+dress, bearing Lodovico's device of the Moor's head on their helmets and
+white doves on their black armour. Last of all came a troop of wild
+Scythians, mounted on Barbary steeds, who galloped across the <i>piazza</i>,
+and then, halting in front of the ducal party, suddenly threw off their
+disguise and appeared in magnificent array, with the captain of the
+Milanese armies, Galeazzo di Sanseverino, at their head. He planted his
+golden lance in the ground, and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span>at this sign a giant Moor, advancing to
+the front, recited a poem in honour of Duchess Beatrice.<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a></p>
+
+<p>These pageants and masques formed an important feature of Renaissance
+<i>f&ecirc;tes</i>, and were evidently regarded as such by the chroniclers of these
+wedding festivities, but to us the chief interest of this tournament
+lies in the knowledge that the Scythian disguise assumed by Galeazzo di
+Sanseverino and his companions was designed by no less a personage than
+Leonardo da Vinci. Some of the drawings of savages and masks which we
+see to-day on the stray leaves of his sketch-books may relate to these
+figures, but we know for certain that he was actually employed by Messer
+Galeazzo to arrange this masquerade. In a note in his own handwriting,
+on the margin of the "Codex Atlanticus," we read, "Item, 26 of January,
+being in the house of Messer Galeazzo di San Sev^o, ordering the festa
+of his Giostra, certain men-at-arms took off their vests to try on some
+clothes of savages, upon which Giacomo" (the apprentice whom he had
+already caught thieving at Pavia) "took up a purse which lay on the bed
+with their other clothes, and took the money that was inside it." The
+actual share which the great Florentine took in the preparation of the
+wedding festivities has often been discussed, and we are never likely to
+know how much of the duchess's cabinet he painted, or what part he took
+in the decoration of the city, but at least this characteristic note on
+the lad whose honesty he had reason to suspect, proves that he was
+present in Milan at the time, and was the authority to whom Lodovico's
+son-in-law naturally turned for advice in planning this masquerade.
+Incidents of this kind help us to realize how many and varied were the
+offices Leonardo was called upon to discharge in his master's service,
+and how frequent were the interruptions which interfered with the
+painting of his pictures or the modelling of his great horse.</p>
+
+<p>After this pageant, the serious business of the Giostra began, and the
+tilting-matches lasted during three whole days. Among the foremost
+knights who distinguished themselves on this occasion, the chronicler
+and court poet mention the Marquis of Mantua, who entered the lists in
+disguise; young Annibale Bentivoglio, who wounded his hand badly, but
+refused to leave the ground; the Marchesino Girolamo Stanga, one of
+Isabella <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span>d'Este's especial friends and of Beatrice's most devoted
+servants; and Niccolo da Correggio, who was universally admired in his
+suit of gold brocade. All four Sanseverini brothers fought in the lists
+with their wonted skill and valour, but once more Messer Galeazzo,
+<i>Gentis columen</i>, came off the victor and proved himself unrivalled in
+courtly exercises, both as jouster and swordsman. On the last day of the
+tournament the prizes were given away, and Messer Galeazzo was conducted
+triumphantly to the Rocca, and there received the <i>pallium</i> of gold
+brocade from the bride's own hand.<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> As soon as Lodovico recognized the
+Marquis of Mantua, he sent him a pressing invitation to take his place
+with the ducal party; and Gianfrancesco, unable to refuse so courteous a
+request, joined his wife and sat down with the rest of his kinsfolk to
+the family banquet, which was held that night in the Castello.</p>
+
+<p>A curious letter, addressed by the Duke of Milan to his uncle Cardinal
+Ascanio Sforza in Rome, gives a full and minute account of this
+tournament, which Giangaleazzo describes as one of the most important
+events of his reign, and which he begs may be fully reported to His
+Holiness Pope Innocent. He dwells on the extraordinary magnificence of
+the sight, on the number and size of the lances used, which were more
+numerous and larger than ever before seen on these occasions, and ends
+with a splendid tribute to Messer Galeazzo, who both in valour and
+fortune surpassed all others. On the other hand, we recognize the
+cunning of Lodovico in the despatch addressed on this occasion by the
+ducal secretary to the Milanese envoy at Bologna. Here the incidents of
+the Giostra are briefly recounted, and great stress is laid on the
+valour displayed by Messer Annibale Bentivoglio, who, notwithstanding
+his wounded hand, broke many lances, and, in spite of his great youth,
+proved himself as skilled a jouster as any, and won no less glory than
+if he had borne off the prize, which he would certainly have done if
+fortune had served him as well as he deserved.</p>
+
+<p>The wedding festivities were now brought to a close, and were
+unanimously pronounced to have passed off with brilliant success.
+Nothing now remained for the bride's mother but to take leave of her
+daughter and return home. Accordingly, on the 1st of February, Duchess
+Leonora set out on her homeward <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span>journey, with her son and his
+newly-made bride and the Marchioness Isabella, accompanied by an escort
+of two hundred Milanese gentlemen, with Anna's brother, Ermes Sforza,
+and the Count of Caiazzo&mdash;Gianfrancesco, the eldest of the Sanseverino
+brothers&mdash;at their head. Both Leonora and Isabella were anxious to see
+the Certosa, of which they had heard so much, on their way back to
+Pavia, and Lodovico, glad to do the honours of this famous abbey, in
+which he took a just pride, sent a courier with the following letter to
+inform the prior and brothers of the Duchess of Ferrara's visit:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Since, besides the other honours which we have paid to the illustrious
+Duchess of Ferrara, we are above all anxious to show her the most
+remarkable things in our domain, and since we count this our church and
+monastery to be among the chief of these, we write this to inform you
+that the said duchess will visit the Certosa on Wednesday next, on her
+return home. And we desire you to give her a fitting reception, and to
+prepare an honourable banquet for the duchess and her company, which
+will number about four hundred persons and horses. No excuse on your
+part can be allowed, since this is our will and pleasure. And above all
+you will see that an abundant supply of lampreys is prepared. But we are
+quite sure that you will do your best to pay honour to the duchess,
+since otherwise we should feel obliged to do a thing that would be
+displeasing to you, and send our chamberlain to provide for her
+honourable entertainment."<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a></p>
+
+<p>The prior and brothers of the Certosa knew their own interest too well
+not to comply with this somewhat imperious missive, and left nothing
+undone which could gratify their illustrious guests. Isabella's
+curiosity for the beautiful and marvellous was amply gratified, and in
+Lodovico's future letters to his sister-in-law we find more than one
+allusion to "our church and convent of the Certosa, which you saw when
+you were at Pavia." After spending the following night at the Castello
+di Pavia, the duchess and her large party embarked on the bucentaurs
+that were awaiting them at the junction of the Ticino and the Po, and
+reached Ferrara on the 11th of February, there to begin a new series of
+splendid entertainments in honour of Don Alfonso's marriage with this
+Sforza princess.</p>
+
+<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> Porr&ograve; in A. S. L., ix. 501, etc.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> T. Chalcus, <i>Residua</i>, 90.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> C. Magenta, <i>I Visconti e Sforza nel Castello di Pavia</i>,
+i.</p></div>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 15%;" /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span>
+<br />
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h3>
+
+<div style="margin-left: 2em;">
+<p class="hang">Beatrice Duchess of Bari&mdash;Her popularity at the court of
+Milan&mdash;Giangaleazzo and Isabella of Aragon&mdash;Lodovico's first
+impressions&mdash;His growing affection for his wife&mdash;His letters to Isabella
+d'Este&mdash;Hunting and fishing parties&mdash;Cuzzago and Vigevano&mdash;Controversy
+on Orlando and Rinaldo&mdash;Bellincioni's sonnets.</p>
+</div>
+
+<h3>1491</h3>
+
+
+<p>We have seen how the childhood and early youth of Beatrice d'Este had
+been spent, first at her grandfather the King Ferrante's court at
+Naples, afterwards in her own home at Ferrara. Under the watchful eye of
+a wise and careful mother, she had been trained in all the learning and
+accomplishments of the day, but had been allowed little liberty or
+opportunity of revealing her strong individuality. Her charms and
+talents had been thrown into the shade by the superior beauty and
+intellect of the Marchioness Isabella, and until the day she landed at
+Pavia she had been regarded in the comparatively insignificant light of
+the younger and less gifted sister. Now all this suddenly changed. At
+the age of fifteen, Beatrice d'Este found herself the wife of the ablest
+and most powerful prince in Italy, released from all the restraints
+hitherto imposed upon her and placed in a position of absolute freedom
+and independence. From the quiet regularity of the sheltered life which
+she had led at Ferrara by her mother's side, she suddenly found herself
+transplanted to the gayest and most splendid court in Italy, surrounded
+by every luxury that wealth could give and every beautiful object that
+taste could devise. The bravest captains and the most accomplished
+artists of the day were at her feet, ready to obey her orders and
+gratify her smallest fancy. Leonardo and Bramante <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span>were at hand to
+arrange pageants and masquerades, to paint <i>amorini</i> on her mantelpiece
+or mythological fables along the frieze of her rooms, to build elegant
+pavilions, or lay out labyrinths and lakes in her garden. Bellincioni
+and a dozen other poets celebrated her name and recorded her words and
+actions in verse; learned scholars and commentators read Dante to her
+when she cared to listen. Niccolo da Correggio not only wrote sonnets
+and canzoni for her to sing but invented new patterns for her gowns; and
+Cristoforo Romano laid down the sculptor's chisel to play the lyre or
+viol for her pleasure. For her the wise man of Pavia, Lorenzo Gusnasco,
+fashioned cunningly wrought instruments, lutes and viols inlaid with
+ebony and ivory, and organs inscribed with Latin mottoes; and the
+wonderful tenor, Cordier, the priest of Louvain, sang his sweetest and
+most entrancing strains in the ducal chapel. For her amusement the court
+jesters laughed and chattered and played their foolish tricks&mdash;Diodato,
+who had followed her from Ferrara, and the witty clown Barone, the
+petted favourite of Isabella d'Este and Veronica Gambara and a dozen
+other great ladies. And Messer Galeazzo was ready to risk his life and
+ruin his best clothes, all for the sake of his duchess. From the moment
+of Beatrice's arrival at the Milanese court she won all hearts, less by
+her beauty than by her vivacity and high spirits, her bright eyes and
+ringing laugh, her frank gladness and keen enjoyment of life. How
+favourable was the first impression which the young duchess made upon
+those around her, we learn from the letters which the Ferrarese envoy
+and ladies-in-waiting addressed almost daily to her anxious parents,
+during the first few weeks after her marriage. Every little incident,
+each word or act that is likely to please Duchess Leonora, is faithfully
+reported by these good servants, in their eagerness to allay the natural
+fears of the loving mother for the absent child in her brilliant but
+difficult position. The demeanour of Signor Lodovico towards his wife,
+all he said and thought of her, was narrowly watched by Giacomo Trotti,
+and duly repeated in his letters to Ferrara. For the present this was
+eminently satisfactory. "Signor Lodovico," writes the ambassador during
+the wedding festivities at Milan, "has nothing but the highest praise
+both for his wife and the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span>Marchesana. He is never tired of saying how
+much pleasure he takes in their company.</p>
+
+<p>"Here jousting and tilting, feasting and dancing, are the order of the
+day. Signor Lodovico is delighted with his wife's appearance, and
+to-day, when she gave away the prizes, he kissed her repeatedly in the
+eyes of all the people."</p>
+
+<p>And again a few days later, when the festivities were ended and the
+ducal family were enjoying a little rest before the party broke up, he
+writes&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Whenever Lodovico Sforza is wanted, he is always to be found in the
+company of his wife, of the Marchesana, of Don Alfonso and Madonna Anna,
+with whom he is never tired of talking and laughing, exactly as if he
+were a youth of their own age."</p>
+
+<p>On the 6th of February, after the departure of the duchess and her
+children, Trotti wrote again, remarking, "Signor Lodovico seems to think
+of nothing but how best to please and amuse his wife, and every day he
+tells me how dear she is to him."<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a></p>
+
+<p>Among the Ferrarese ladies who had remained at Milan, in attendance on
+the young duchess, was her cousin, Polisenna d'Este, who, being
+considerably older and more sedate, and no longer either young or
+beautiful, had for these very reasons been placed by Leonora in her
+daughter's household, and desired to keep her informed of all that
+happened. Early in February this lady-in-waiting wrote the following
+letter to Isabella d'Este, in terms that were well calculated to
+reassure both the anxious sister and mother as to Beatrice's happiness
+and her husband's behaviour:&mdash;</p>
+
+<br />
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Most Illustrious Madonna and dear Marchesana</span>,</p>
+
+<p>"Since I have remained here after your Highness's departure from Milan,
+continually in the company of your sister, the illustrious Duchess of
+Bari, and of her husband, Signor Lodovico, I will no longer delay to
+discharge my duty in sending you some comforting words as to the
+well-being and happiness of the said duchess. I cannot express how happy
+she is to see herself every day more affectionately caressed and petted
+by her <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span>husband, who seems to find his sole delight in giving her every
+possible pleasure and amusement. It is indeed a rare joy to see them
+together and to realize what cordial love and good-will he bears her.
+God grant it may last long! And I felt that I must write this good news
+to your Highness, knowing that it would give you especial satisfaction.
+I will only add that the air here seems to suit her particularly well,
+and that she is certainly very much improved and stronger in appearance,
+and seems every day to grow more beautiful. I beg of your Highness to
+commend me to Madonna Beatrice and Collona.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+<span style="padding-right: 6em;">"Your Highness's servant,</span><br />
+<span class="smcap" style="padding-right: 1em;">Polissena d'Este.</span></p>
+<p style="margin-left: 2em;">From Milan, 12th of February, 1491."</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>And Beatrice herself wrote to Isabella in answer to her letter from her
+sister, describing the festivities at Ferrara, where her presence had
+been sadly missed by her affectionate relatives.</p>
+
+<p>"I leave you to imagine how much content and delight your letter of the
+17th has given me. For in it you give me so full and vivid a description
+of the successful <i>f&ecirc;tes</i> in honour of the wedding of Madonna Anna, our
+brother's wife and dearest sister, that I seem to have been present
+there myself. And since you know well how much I love and respect you, I
+am sure you will understand how glad I was to hear from you. Your
+letter, indeed, gave me greater pleasure than any which I have received
+since you left here, and I am quite sure that all of these pageants and
+spectacles were distinguished by the utmost beauty and gallantry, as you
+say, since they were all planned and arranged by our dear father, who
+orders these things with consummate wisdom and perfection. I can well
+believe that my absence has been a real grief to you, and that these
+<i>f&ecirc;tes</i> have given you but little pleasure, since I was not there. For
+my own part, I cannot deny that, now I am without your company, I feel
+not only that I am deprived of a very dear sister, but that I have lost
+half of myself. And if it were not for the new and continual amusements
+which my illustrious husband provides every day for my pleasure, I
+should have been inconsolable until I could be once more with you. But
+since our hearts and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span>thoughts are still one, and we are able to
+exchange letters constantly, I beg you to take comfort as I do, and rest
+content in feeling that, now these ceremonies are all over, we can at
+least speak to each other by means of letters, written with our own
+hands, as you have promised me."<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a></p>
+
+<p>This simple, warm-hearted letter, which breathes all the frankness and
+affection of Beatrice's nature, is written, like most of her early
+letters, in her own hand. The words are often badly spelt, and her
+handwriting is larger and less formed than that of Isabella, which it
+otherwise resembles. But owing to the multiplicity of interests and
+occupations that claimed her time after the first years of her married
+life, the young duchess generally employed a secretary, and has left
+comparatively few letters. Lodovico himself addressed several letters to
+his sister-in-law, to whom he was sincerely attached, and in order to
+facilitate the intercourse between the two sisters, and as he said, to
+leave Isabella no excuse for not answering his communications, he sent a
+courier regularly every week to Mantua, with orders to await the
+Marchesana's pleasure and bring back her letters.</p>
+
+<p>"Loving you cordially as I do," he writes, a fortnight after her
+departure, "and, knowing that I have in you a very dear sister, nothing
+can give me greater pleasure than letters from your hand. I thank your
+Highness most sincerely for all that you tell me, and most of all for
+your warm expressions of affection and for saying how sorry you were to
+leave us, and how not even the splendid <i>f&ecirc;tes</i> in Ferrara could console
+you for being deprived of our presence. All I beg of you is to write
+often, and I will see that your letters are brought here."</p>
+
+<p>Besides her sister and brother-in-law and Madonna Polisenna, Isabella
+had another correspondent at the court of Milan, in the person of Messer
+Galeazzo di Sanseverino, with whom she had formed a warm friendship at
+Pavia, and who had promised to give her frequent news of her sister,
+while at the same time he still carried on the battle over Roland and
+Rinaldo which had been started in the park of the Castello at Pavia. He
+too, writing on the 11th of February, was able to assure the Marchesana
+that all was going well, and that the relations between her sister and
+Signor Lodovico left nothing to be desired.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span>"My Duchess," as he always calls the mistress to whose service he had
+pledged his sword and life, "perseveres in showing Signor Lodovico an
+affection which is truly beyond all praise, and, to put it briefly, I am
+satisfied that there is such real attachment between them, that I do not
+believe two persons could love each other better."</p>
+
+<p>The presence of this young and joyous princess gave a touch of romance
+to court life, and inspired men like Galeazzo and Niccolo da Correggio
+with a chivalrous devotion to her person. Every one was ready to obey
+her wishes, and eager to win her smiles and to earn her thanks.</p>
+
+<p>Even Giangaleazzo, the feeble duke who seldom took pleasure in anything
+but horses and dogs, and often treated his own wife in a brutal way,
+felt the charm of this bright young creature, and was stirred out of his
+usual apathy by the coming of Beatrice. In a letter which he addressed
+to the Duke of Ferrara after the wedding festivities, he went out of his
+way to express the affection with which this charming princess, his
+wife's cousin and his uncle's wife, has inspired him.</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot," he writes, "sufficiently express how much joy this marriage
+has given me, and how glad I am to see the singular virtues and talents
+of <i>Madonna la sposa</i>." And after formally congratulating the duke on
+his daughter's marriage, and on the renewed alliance between the two
+houses, he goes on to say how much he rejoices in his uncle's happiness,
+which will, he feels sure, only increase his own. "For by means of this
+marriage, besides the two sisters which God had already given us, we
+have now gained a third, whom by God's grace we shall not love less than
+the two who are ours by nature."</p>
+
+<p>Giangaleazzo's own wife, Duchess Isabella, a virtuous and high-minded
+princess whose own merits were sadly hampered by her husband's weakness
+and folly, was much beloved by her own servants, but inherited the proud
+reserve of the Aragonese race, and led a secluded existence with her
+lord, who hated town life and seldom showed his face in Milan. But this
+young wife of Lodovico, it was easy to see, would soon throw her into
+the shade. Beatrice's presence lent a charm to the most tedious court
+functions. Her high spirits and overflowing mirth threw new <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span>zest into
+every pursuit. Grave senators and wise statesmen listened to her words
+with interest, and grey-headed prelates tolerated her merry jokes and
+smiled at her irrepressible laughter. She sang and danced, and played at
+ball and rode races, and took long hunting and fishing expeditions to
+the royal villas in the neighbourhood of Milan. "My wife," wrote
+Lodovico to his sister-in-law three months after his marriage, "has
+developed a perfect passion for horsemanship, and is always either
+riding or hunting."</p>
+
+<p>The regent himself was too deeply engaged in state affairs, and devoted
+too much time and attention to the details of administration, to be able
+to accompany his wife as a rule. But she had a devoted comrade in her
+husband's son-in-law, whom he deputed to escort the duchess on her more
+distant expeditions. Since his betrothal to Lodovico's daughter,
+Galeazzo had enjoyed all the privileges of a son, and was already, what
+the Moro had promised to make him, the first man in the state. He
+assisted at all state audiences, and was the only person present when
+Lodovico received foreign ambassadors. He shared the Moro's private
+life, and always dined alone with the duke and duchess when there were
+no other guests at their table. His letters to Isabella d'Este give
+lively accounts of the expeditions which he took in Beatrice's company
+during the first few months of her married life.</p>
+
+<p>"This morning, being Friday," he writes on the 11th of February, 1491,
+"I started at ten o'clock with the duchess and all of her ladies on
+horseback to go to Cussago, and in order to let your Highness enter
+fully into our pleasures, I must tell you that first of all I had to
+ride in a chariot with the duchess and Dioda, and as we drove we sang
+more than twenty-five songs, arranged for three voices. That is to say,
+Dioda took the tenor part, and the duchess the soprano, whilst I sang
+sometimes bass and sometimes soprano, and played so many foolish tricks
+that I really think I may claim to be more of a fool than Dioda! And now
+farewell for to-night, and I will try to improve still further, so as to
+afford your Highness the more pleasure when you come here in the
+summer."</p>
+
+<p>But Messer Galeazzo's story does not end here. A day or <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span>two later he
+takes up the thread of his discourse again, and describes the pleasant
+day which the duchess spent at Cussago, one of Lodovico Sforza's
+favourite villas on the sunny slopes of the Brianza, six miles from
+Milan, on the way to Como.</p>
+
+<p>"Having reached Cussago," he goes on, "we had a grand fishing expedition
+in the river, and caught an immense quantity of large pike, trout,
+lampreys, crabs, and several other good sorts of smaller fish, and
+proceeded to dine off them until we could eat no more. Then, to make our
+meal digest the better, directly after dinner we began to play at ball
+with great vigour and energy, and after we had played for some time we
+went over the palace, which is really very beautiful, and, among other
+things, contains a doorway of carved marble, as fine as the new works at
+the Certosa. Next we examined the result of our sport, which had been
+laid out in front of the place, and took back as many of the lampreys
+and crabs as we could eat with us, and sent some of the lampreys to his
+Highness the duke. When this was done, we went to another palace and
+caught more than a thousand large trout, and after choosing out the best
+for presents and for our own holy throats, we had the rest thrown back
+into the water. And then we mounted our horses again, and began to let
+fly some of those good falcons of mine which you saw at Pavia, along the
+river-side, and they killed several birds. By this time it was already
+four o'clock. We rode out to hunt stags and fawns, and after giving
+chase to twenty-two and killing two stags and two fawns, we returned
+home and reached Milan an hour after dark, and presented the result of
+our day's sport to my lord the Duke of Bari. My illustrious lord took
+the greatest possible pleasure in hearing all we had done, far more,
+indeed, than if he had been there in person, and I believe that my
+duchess will in the end reap the greatest benefit, and that Signor
+Lodovico will give her Cussago, which is a place of rare beauty and
+worth. But I have cut my boots to pieces and torn my clothes, and played
+the fool into the bargain, and these are the rewards one gains in the
+service of ladies. However, I will have patience, since it is all for
+the sake of my duchess, whom I never mean to fail in life or death."</p>
+
+<div class="img"><a name="imagep083" id="imagep083"></a>
+<a href="images/imagep083.jpg">
+<img border="0" src="images/imagep083th.jpg" width="75%" alt="Sforza MS. Illuminated" /></a><br />
+<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .2em;"><span class="smcap">Sforza MS. Illuminated</span> <i>From a private photograph.</i><span class="totoi"><a href="#toi">ToList</a></span></p>
+</div>
+
+<p>Galeazzo was a true prophet, and in the British Museum we <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span>may still
+admire the beautifully illuminated deed of gift, adorned with friezes of
+exquisite cherubs and medallion-portraits of Lodovico and Beatrice, by
+which the fair palace and lands of Cussago became the property of the
+young duchess. This favourite villa of the Visconti had been left by
+Francesco Sforza to his son Lodovico, who had employed a host of
+architects and painters to adorn its walls. Bramante is said to have
+reared the noble bell-tower and portico that are still standing, while
+Milanese or Pavian sculptors carved the medallions bearing the Sforza
+arms, and the portrait of Lodovico that may still be seen on the arcades
+of the loggia. To-day the once beautiful country-house is a ruin; the
+marble doorway which Galeazzo and Beatrice admired, carved it may be by
+that same Cristoforo Romano to whom we owe the portal of the Stanga
+palace, and that of Isabella d'Este's studio at Mantua, has disappeared.
+Only the fragments of frescoes and the rich terra-cotta mouldings and
+slender columns of the elegant <i>cortile</i> recall the joyous day which
+Beatrice d'Este and her ladies spent at the villa. But their memory
+sheds a glamour on the scene, and in the story of those Renaissance
+days, among so much that is dark and sinister, it is pleasant to recall
+this picture of the young duchess and her gallant cavalier singing songs
+for pure gladness of heart as they rode out together in the fair spring
+morning.</p>
+
+<p>"One thing only," wrote Messer Galeazzo, "was wanting to our pleasure,
+and that was the sweet company of yourself, fair Madonna Marchesana."
+And with a sigh he tells her how much she is missed in the Castello of
+Milan, and how often he wishes he could find her in Madonna the Duchess
+of Ferrara's rooms, having her long hair combed and curled by her
+favourite maidens Teodora and Beatrice and Violante, to all of whom he
+sends courteous greeting. Then he returns to the old controversy over
+Orlando, and replies to a gay challenge which Isabella has sent him in a
+letter to Signor Lodovico, only wishing she were here to defend Rinaldo
+in person, or rather to be made to own the error of her ways, and to
+confess that the knight of Montalbano is not to be compared to Roland!
+But he warns her that if she perseveres in this heresy, he will draw <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span>up
+such an indictment of Rinaldo's faults as will fill her with confusion,
+and make her recognize with shame his inferiority to Roland, that baron
+of immortal fame, of whom nothing but good can be said. Isabella,
+however, stuck to her colours, and, a whole month later, Messer Galeazzo
+sent her a long letter from Vigevano, in which he drew up an elaborate
+parallel between the conduct of the two paladins, as recorded in
+Boiardo's poem, and ended with a splendid eulogy of Roland.</p>
+
+<p>"Roland the most Christian! Roland the pure and strong, prudent, just,
+and merciful servant of Christ, the true defender of widows and orphans!
+Of his valour I will say nothing, this being known to all the world; but
+this I say, that when I think of my worship for Roland, however sad and
+ill disposed I may be feeling, my heart rejoices, and I become glad of
+heart and joyous again."</p>
+
+<p>So he begs her, for the love that he bears her Highness, to try and
+amend her ways and recant her errors, and do penitence in this Lenten
+season for her fault, after the example of the great apostle St. Paul,
+who was converted to the Christian faith, and became an elect son and
+mighty preacher of the gospel, bringing many to righteousness and
+enjoying the high favour of our Lord God. For Roland, the Marchesa may
+know for certain, has his place in Paradise with the saints, "and in
+serving him you will be serving God; but if, on the other hand, you
+persevere in your false opinions, you will find that you are serving the
+devil, who accompanied Rinaldo both in his life here and afterwards in
+his death. And remember," he adds in conclusion, "when the blind lead
+the blind, both fall into the ditch!"</p>
+
+<p>Nothing daunted by this long harangue, Isabella retorted in an equally
+lengthy epistle, flatly denying the charges brought against Rinaldo as
+false and unsupported by a tittle of evidence. Galeazzo replied in
+another bantering letter, assuming the part of a priest, and exhorting
+the fair sinner to confess her faults in these holy days of Passiontide,
+lest she should incur greater damnation, and drive her soul into the
+devil's jaws.</p>
+
+<p>"And since this is the hour of penitence and contrition," he concludes,
+"I would once more beg and pray your Highness <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span>to return to the true
+faith and devotion of Roland, having before your eyes the good example
+of our most illustrious duchess, your sister, who has acknowledged her
+errors, and become a sincere follower of Roland, as a good Christian,
+and is now gone to Milan to obtain pardon.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+<span style="padding-right: 8em;">"Your most humble and devoted servant,</span><br />
+<span class="smcap" style="padding-right: 6em;">Galeaz Sfortia Vicecomes,</span><br />
+<span style="padding-right: 1em;"><i>Armorum Capitaneus</i>.<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a></span><br /></p>
+<p style="margin-left: 2em;">Vigevano, 30th of March, 1491."</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Isabella, however, still remained obdurate, declaring that on no account
+would she follow Beatrice's changeable conduct, and was ready to defend
+her hero against a hundred thousand opponents. Upon which Galeazzo
+reminded her that, for all her boastings, she had been constrained to
+yield to his single-handed efforts in the park at Pavia, and had ended
+by taking up his cry of "Roland." The more pity that she should turn her
+back upon the good cause now, and prove the inconstancy of woman's
+nature! But he consoled himself by reflecting that the Marchesana would
+soon be back at Milan, when he would easily be able to make her give up
+Rinaldo, and once more cry "Roland" as she had done before.</p>
+
+<p>This letter was written by Galeazzo on the 13th of April, after which
+the subject dropped for a while, until it was revived by a visit which
+his brother, Gaspare Fracassa, paid to Mantua in the summer with his
+wife, Margherita Pia, a great friend of the Marchesana and Duchess of
+Urbino. Isabella could not resist the opportunity of returning the
+charge, and sent Messer Galeazzo, by his brother's hands, a challenge to
+battle, couched in approved terms, and indicating her choice of arms and
+of the scene of action. Galeazzo replied in the most courteous language,
+declaring himself absolutely at the service of his fair challenger, and
+assuring her that her coming is awaited with the utmost impatience by
+Signor Lodovico, the Duchess of Bari, and her humble servant.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile Isabella prepared herself for the fray by collecting all the
+information on the subject that she could possibly obtain. In that same
+month of August, when Galeazzo sent her the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span>last-named letter from his
+villa at Castelnuovo, near Tortona, the Marchesana wrote to the Mantuan
+ambassador at Venice, desiring him to send her all the poems and
+romances concerning French paladins at the court of Charlemagne which he
+could discover. At the same time she addressed a letter to her old
+friend, Messer Matteo Boiardo, at Ferrara, requesting him to send her
+the concluding cantos of his poem, the "Orlando Innamorato," which had
+not as yet been given to the world. The poet replied that, to his great
+regret, he was unable to comply with her wish, since the cantos in
+question were not yet written; and Isabella could only beg him to let
+her have a copy of the two earlier books, in order that she might
+refresh her memory by reading them once more.</p>
+
+<p>But the Marchesana's intended visit to Milan was, after all, put off,
+and Messer Galeazzo was called away to more arduous duties in camp and
+field. The debate, which had been prolonged with so much wit and
+ingenuity on both sides, came to an abrupt ending. It was left to the
+Florentine poet, Bellincioni, in whose verses the smallest incidents
+that took place at court were faithfully reflected, to celebrate this
+"praiseworthy and memorable duel of intellect between these two august
+personages." At Beatrice's command Bellincioni wrote three sonnets
+illustrating the arguments brought forward on either side. In the first,
+he adopts Isabella's standpoint, and is all in favour of Rinaldo. In the
+second, he sees a vision of Roland with the saints in Paradise, and
+declares almost in the same language as Galeazzo, that whereas Rinaldo
+was only a brave soldier, Roland was able and virtuous as well as
+valiant. Finally, in the third, he exhorts the illustrious marchioness
+to recant her errors, since the Scriptures tell us that it is human to
+err, and not to follow the bad example of Pharaoh who hardened his
+heart, but to see how immeasurably inferior Rinaldo was to his rival,
+and to become, with Messer Galeazzo and others of his merit, a true
+Christian and follower of Roland.</p>
+
+<p>The whole controversy is a curious instance of the deep interest which
+these great ladies of the Italian Renaissance and their courtiers took
+in literary subjects, and especially in the romances of the Carlovingian
+cycle. This interest was not <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span>confined to the upper circles of society,
+but spread through all classes, and was no doubt largely increased by
+the songs and the improvisations of strolling minstrels and Proven&ccedil;al
+story-tellers. First of all the Florentine Pulci, and after him Boiardo
+and Bello of Ferrara, sought inspiration in the same source, and later
+on their example was followed by Ariosto and Tasso. And Poggio, writing
+in the fifteenth century, tells us how in his day a worthy citizen of
+Milan, after hearing one of these wandering <i>cantatores</i> chanting the
+story of Roland's death with dramatic action and effect, went home
+weeping so bitterly that his wife and friends could hardly console him
+or induce him to dry his tears. "And yet," remarks the grave historian,
+"this Roland they tell of has been dead well-nigh seven hundred years."</p>
+
+<p>Unfortunately, Isabella's share in this singular and interesting
+correspondence has perished, and only Messer Galeazzo's letters survive.
+These may still be seen in the Gonzaga Archives, where they were first
+discovered by Signor Alessandro Luzio and Signor Rodolfo Renier. These
+learned writers are in some perplexity as to the identity of the writer,
+since the letters are signed Galeaz <i>Sfortia Vicecomes</i>, and internal
+evidence will not allow them to have been written by any Galeazzo Sforza
+or Visconti then living. But there can hardly be a doubt as to who the
+writer actually was. Galeazzo di Sanseverino had been adopted by
+Lodovico Sforza when he married his daughter Bianca, and from that time
+used the surname of the ducal house, <i>Sfortia Vicecomes</i>, and very
+frequently added his title of <i>Armorum Capitaneus</i>, captain of the
+armies of Milan. His well-known patronage of artists and love of
+letters, as well as his intimate connection with the duke and duchess,
+all point in the same direction; and if any further proof were needed,
+the mention of his brother Gaspare, and the allusion to Galeazzo by name
+in one of Bellincioni's sonnets on the subject, and the fact that one of
+the letters is dated from his own villa of Castelnuovo, near Tortona,
+would be sufficient to settle the question. The champion of Orlando and
+the faithful servant of Beatrice d'Este was, it is evident, none other
+than the friend of Leonardo and Castiglione&mdash;that ideal knight, Galeazzo
+di Sanseverino.</p>
+
+<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> G. Uzielli, <i>Leonardo da Vinci</i>, etc., p. 26.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> Luzio-Renier, <i>op. cit.</i>, p. 98.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> Luzio-Renier, <i>op. cit.</i>, p. 104.</p></div>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 15%;" /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span>
+<br />
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h3>
+
+<div style="margin-left: 2em;">
+<p class="hang">Relations between Lodovico and Beatrice&mdash;Cecilia Gallerani&mdash;Birth of her
+son Cesare&mdash;Her marriage to Count Bergamini&mdash;Beatrice at Villa Nova and
+Vigevano&mdash;The Sforzesca and Pecorara&mdash;Lodovico's system of irrigation in
+the Lomellina&mdash;Leonardo at Vigevano&mdash;Hunting-parties and country
+life&mdash;Letters to Isabella d'Este.</p>
+</div>
+
+<h3>1491</h3>
+
+
+<p>All these caresses and adulation, all the expeditions and
+hunting-parties and <i>f&ecirc;tes</i> in her honour, were naturally very
+delightful to this young princess of fifteen summers, who had till now
+hardly left home, and who flung herself with such boundless enjoyment
+into every new form of amusement. Life for her was full of mirth and
+rapture; a long prospect of endless pleasures seemed to open before her
+as the first breath of spring passed over the green Lombard plains, and
+the delicious gardens of the Castello of Milan and the long avenues on
+the sunny terraces of Vigevano burst into leaf. The world seemed waking
+into new bliss, and Duchess Beatrice was the gayest and gladdest of its
+creatures. So at least she appeared to those who saw her in the full
+enjoyment of chase or dance. But there was a darker side to the picture.
+Lodovico looked on his young wife as a joyous and fascinating child, as
+he told Giacomo Trotti, "<i>lieta di natura et molto piacevolina</i>," and
+thought that as long as he treated her with consideration and respect,
+and at the same time allowed her every possible indulgence, he might
+continue to go on his own way and take his pleasure in whatever form he
+chose. But he soon found out his mistake. This young wife of his, full
+of mirth and high spirits as she was, had a deeper nature and a stronger
+will than he suspected. If a constant round of amusements could have
+satisfied her, she might have accepted <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span>the playful caresses of her
+indulgent husband, and been content with the share of affection which he
+bestowed upon her. But Beatrice asked for more than this. She was bent
+on having sole possession of her lord's heart&mdash;of reigning there at
+least without a rival. And when she discovered that Lodovico had a
+mistress actually living in the Castello, whom he visited constantly and
+loved passionately, her whole being rose up in arms. Her proud spirit
+would not brook a rival, and she vowed the duke must choose between his
+mistress and his wife. When the Ferrarese envoy saw the newly wedded
+duke on his way to Cecilia Gallerani's rooms within a month after his
+marriage, he was full of gloomy forebodings. But Lodovico was perfectly
+frank with him, and did not attempt to conceal his actions or the
+motives of his conduct. For a while Beatrice spent her time riding or
+hunting about the country with Messer Galeazzo and her ladies, and
+remained in happy ignorance of the true state of affairs. But this could
+not last long. Soon a rumour of Cecilia's presence in the Rocca reached
+her ears; she heard how often the duke was seen in her company, and was
+told that before many weeks were over his mistress was likely to bear
+him a child. The first intimation which we have of this rude awakening
+which had come to the young duchess is in a letter addressed by Trotti
+to Duke Ercole, which he sends in the strictest confidence, begging his
+master to allow no one but our illustrious Madonna to read it, and then
+to burn it without delay.<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> In this letter he says that Beatrice has
+absolutely refused to wear a certain vest of woven gold which her
+husband had given her, if Madonna Cecilia ever appeared in a similar
+one, which it seems was also Lodovico's present. The duke himself, he
+adds, had been to see him that day, and had promised faithfully that he
+would put an end to his <i>liaison</i> with Cecilia, and would either marry
+her to one of his courtiers or desire her to become a nun. Lodovico, it
+is plain, had realized that the situation had become impossible, and
+that he could not keep up his relations with his old mistress without
+causing open scandal. He was true to his promise, and that carnival he
+broke off the connection which gave Beatrice so much pain, and wrote to
+Giacomo Trotti from Vigevano on the 27th of March, informing him that he
+had decided not to see Madonna Cecilia again, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span>and that after her
+child's birth she had agreed to become the wife of Count Lodovico
+Bergamini. This strange compact was duly carried out.</p>
+
+<p>On the 3rd of May, the duke's discarded mistress gave birth to a son,
+who received the name of Cesare; and in the following July, Cecilia
+Gallerani was married to Count Lodovico Bergamini of Cremona, one of the
+Moro's most loyal servants and subjects. Her trousseau on this occasion
+was of the most sumptuous description, and it was noticed that the
+corbeille which held her gowns bore the ducal arms. At the same time the
+Duke of Bari presented her with the stately Palazzo del Verme,
+originally built by his ancestor, Filippo Maria Visconti, for the great
+Captain Carmagnola, on the <i>piazza</i> of the Duomo, as a token of his
+regard and a heritage for her infant son. Court painters and sculptors
+were employed to decorate the halls and porticoes with frescoes and
+medallions of the finest marble, and at the time of the French invasion,
+eight years later, Countess Bergamini's palace was described as the
+finest private house in Milan. Cecilia devoted herself to the classical
+studies in which she had taken delight from her earliest youth, and
+entertained her learned friends in her town house or at her villa near
+Cremona until she died in advanced old age, some years after the last of
+Lodovico's sons had ceased to reign over Milan. Lodovico seems to have
+kept his promise loyally, but always treated Cecilia and her husband
+with marked favour, and acknowledged the boy Cesare as his own son.</p>
+
+<p>A curious letter addressed to him by the poet Bellincioni, in February,
+1492, when the duke was absent from Milan for a few days, begins by
+informing Lodovico that he has given Duchess Beatrice a pastoral which
+she wishes to send her husband, and goes on to say that he was dining
+yesterday with Madonna Cecilia. He tells Lodovico how he had seen her
+son Cesare, who had grown into a very fine child&mdash;"<i>quale &egrave; grasso, dico
+grasso!</i>"&mdash;and how he had made the little fellow laugh. In the same
+letter he complains of all that he has to suffer at the hands of envious
+detractors, and by way of ingratiating himself with the duke, reminds
+his Highness that he had always prophesied Madonna Cecilia's child would
+prove to be a boy. Bellincioni <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span>himself composed several sonnets in
+honour of Cesare's birth and of his accomplished mother. And among the
+exquisite miniatures of the little Maximilian Sforza's Libro del Ges&ugrave; in
+the Trivulzian library, we find a picture of Lodovico and Beatrice's
+child sitting at dinner with his mother and a lady bearing the name of
+Cecilia, in whom tradition sees the duke's old mistress, Countess
+Bergamini.</p>
+
+<p>But although Cecilia remained at court, and even maintained friendly
+relations with her famous lover, she never seems to have given Beatrice
+cause for jealousy again, and her name is never again mentioned in
+Giacomo Trotti's confidential despatches to his master. Only the
+singular fact that Beatrice d'Este's portrait was never, so far as we
+know, painted by Leonardo, the supreme master at her husband's court,
+may well be owing to the remembrance that he had formerly painted
+Cecilia Gallerani. The proud young duchess who would not wear a robe
+similar to that bestowed upon his mistress by her husband, may naturally
+enough have declined to have her portrait painted by the same artist,
+however excellent a master he might be. But whether or no this was the
+true reason of this strange omission, there was certainly no portrait of
+Beatrice d'Este by Leonardo's hand in Milan a year after her death, or
+her own sister Isabella would not have applied to Cecilia Gallerani for
+the loan of her picture as an example of Leonardo's art. From this time,
+however, the young duchess succeeded in winning her husband's heart, and
+for many years to come retained undivided possession of his roving
+affections. On the 20th of April, Trotti wrote to Ferrara that Signor
+Lodovico had been to see him on the second or third day in Easter week,
+and had spoken with the greatest warmth and affection of his wife, with
+whom he spent his whole time, and whose charming ways and manners gave
+him the greatest pleasure. Madonna Beatrice is, as he says, not only of
+a joyous nature, but of noble and elevated mind, and at the same time
+very pleasing and no less modest. And in May, when Cecilia's son was
+born, the duke himself told his wife the news, repeating his
+determination never again to renew the old connection. His letters to
+Isabella d'Este abound in the same expressions of genuine love and
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span>admiration for his young wife. He is never tired of dwelling on her
+perfections, on her courage and fine horsemanship, and looks on with an
+indulgent smile at her wildest freaks and escapades.</p>
+
+<p>Early in March he and Beatrice went to Vigevano, accompanied as usual by
+Messer Galeazzo and a few courtiers and ladies. All his life Lodovico
+retained especial affection for this old Lombard town, where he had been
+born, and which he had greatly improved and beautified during the last
+few years. By his care the streets were paved, and new houses erected;
+the buildings of the ancient Forum, which dated back to Roman times,
+were restored; and the church repaired and adorned with pictures, and
+decorated by the hand of the sculptor Cristoforo Romano.</p>
+
+<p>"At Vigevano," writes the contemporary Milanese chronicler Cagnola, "a
+place very dear to the house of Sforza, Lodovico made a fair and large
+<i>piazza</i>, and adorned it with many noble buildings and a fine park,
+which he filled with beasts of prey for the pleasure of the ducal
+family. He also laid out some most beautiful gardens, and since all this
+country was very dry and arid, he constructed aqueducts with great
+artifice and ingenuity, and brought water into the place in such
+abundance that these lands, which had hitherto been sterile and barren,
+bore fruit in great quantities. And so entirely did he improve and alter
+the whole place that, instead of Vigevano, it might well be called
+<i>Citta nova</i>."</p>
+
+<p>At the same time Lodovico rebuilt on a magnificent scale the old castle
+which crowns the heights above the valley of the Ticino, and employed
+Bramante to design the lofty tower and the arcaded courts with delicate
+traceries and terra-cotta mouldings in the finest Lombard style. This
+favourite palace of the Moro's has been turned into a barrack, and
+little remains of its former splendour; but Bramante's tower is still
+standing, and on the north gate of the keep we may read a significant
+inscription placed there by the citizens of Vigevano, recording the many
+benefactions of this most illustrious duke, who loved his native city so
+well, and was never tired of heaping benefactions on her people. "By his
+care not only was this splendid house <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span>raised from the ground, and the
+square of the old Forum restored to its pristine shape, but the course
+of rivers was turned, and flowing streams of water were brought into
+this dry and barren land. The desert waste became a green and fertile
+meadow, "the wilderness rejoiced and blossomed as the rose."</p>
+
+<p>The same sentiments inspired the verses in which Galeotto del Carretto,
+one of the most accomplished poets of Beatrice's court, celebrated
+Lodovico's improvements in this his favourite country house:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Vigevano, che gia fu gleba vile,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Ha fatto adorno, e gli agri a quel contigui<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Ha coltivati con saper utile,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">E i steril campi, e al far fructo ambigui<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Fertili ha facto et abondanti prati,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">E d'acqua ticin&egrave;se tutti irigui."<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Both Cagnola and Galeotto refer, no doubt, to the vast system of
+irrigation which Lodovico constructed at immense pains and expense to
+fertilize this district of Lomellina, and which may well have earned the
+gratitude of its inhabitants. The great Naviglio Sforzesca, which has
+resisted the ravages of time, formed part of this admirable system, and
+was probably constructed under the supervision of Leonardo, who was
+often at Vigevano with Lodovico, and who in later years became his chief
+engineer. It was here, in the immediate neighbourhood of Vigevano, that
+Lodovico established his model farm for the encouragement of
+agriculture. Like all the Moro's other undertakings, this was planned on
+a splendid scale. The villa itself was an imposing quadrangular
+building, with four lofty towers, and a noble gateway adorned with a
+Latin inscription cut in gold letters on a tablet of massive marble, and
+bearing the date 1486. These lines, composed at the duke's request by
+Ermolao Barbaro, the learned Venetian scholar, who was a personal friend
+of his, and represented the republic at his court, record how Lodovico,
+the son of one Sforza Duke of Milan, and uncle and guardian of another,
+brought water to fertilize this barren province, and was the builder of
+this fair house, "<i>villaque amenissima a fundamentis erecta</i>." In order
+to carry out his <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span>schemes, the duke acquired a large extent of land in
+the neighbourhood, partly by purchase, and partly by the confiscation of
+territory, which, as Corio remarks, naturally provoked much discontent
+among individuals, and did not help to increase Lodovico's popularity,
+although in the end it largely benefited both the state and posterity.
+He proceeded to dig canals, and bring water on the one side by the
+Naviglio Sforzesca from the Ticino, and on the other by the Mora Canal
+from the Val Seria. Then, with the help of exports from Vicenza and
+Verona, he introduced the culture of the mulberry with excellent
+results, and planted large vineyards. Here he tried various experiments
+in the culture of the vine, such, for instance, as that of burying vines
+in winter, which Leonardo noted down when he visited Vigevano in March,
+1492. At the same time Lodovico brought vast flocks of sheep from
+Languedoc, and built the large farm known as La Pecorara, close to the
+new villa. La Grange, as they called this farm, aroused the admiration
+of the French chroniclers who followed Louis XII. in his invasion of
+Lombardy, more than any other of the beautiful and marvellous houses and
+enchanted gardens which they saw in this wonderful land of Milan. Robert
+Gaguin cannot find words in which to express his amazement at the
+marvellous number of beasts that he saw there&mdash;horses, mares, oxen,
+cows, bulls, rams, ewes, goats, and other beasts with their young, such
+as fawns, calves, foals, lambs, and kids&mdash;or the massive pillars and
+lofty vaulting of the stables, which are described as being larger than
+the whole of the Carthusian convent in Paris.</p>
+
+<p>"The farm itself," he writes, "is finely situated in a wide meadow about
+four leagues in circumference, with no less than thirty-three streams of
+fair running water flowing through the pastures, and well adapted for
+the practical uses of agriculture, since they serve for the bathing and
+cleansing of the animals as well as for the watering of the grass. The
+plan of the farm-buildings is a large square, like some noble cloister,
+and in the park outside are barns and ricks of hay and other produce. In
+the central courtyard are the houses of the governors and captains who
+direct all the work on the farm. In the outhouses, which are built in
+the shape of a great cross, the labourers have <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span>their homes, together
+with their wives and families. Some of these clean and tend the cattle
+or groom the horses. Others milk the herds of cows at the proper time.
+Others, again, receive the milk and bear it into the dairies, where it
+is made into the great cheeses which they call here Milan cheeses, under
+the superintendence of the master cheese-maker. The exact weight of
+everything, that is to say, of the hay, milk, butter, and cheese, is
+carefully recorded, and there is an extraordinary wealth and abundance
+of all these things."</p>
+
+<p>These Milan cheeses were so highly esteemed by the French invaders in
+1499, that Louis XII. took back a large quantity with him to Blois, and
+kept them for several years in a room especially devoted to that
+purpose. They were preserved in oil, and are mentioned in one of his
+wife Anne of Brittany's inventories of the year 1504.</p>
+
+<p>Such were the manifold industries which this far-seeing prince
+established on his royal domain, less, as he said, for actual profit
+than for the encouragement of better methods in agriculture and the
+promotion of his poorer subjects' prosperity. And over all he kept the
+same keen and vigilant eye, paying attention to every detail and
+providing for every contingency. The management of this model farm and
+the progress of the extensive works that were being executed in the new
+palace of Vigevano filled every moment that he could spare from affairs
+of state at Milan. But on this occasion his especial object in visiting
+his native city was, as he tells Isabella d'Este, to stock the park with
+game of all kinds&mdash;deer, chamois, hare, and pheasants&mdash;as well as the
+wild boars and wolves for the more serious sport known as <i>la grande
+caccia</i>.</p>
+
+<p>"I am hoping to go to Vigevano on Monday," he writes from Milan on the
+26th of February, "with my wife, and intend to make extensive
+preparations for fresh hunting-parties, so that when you are here we may
+be able to give you the more pleasure. As for my wife, I really believe
+that since your departure she has not let a single day pass without
+mounting her horse!" And later in the summer he says, "My wife has
+become so clever at hawking that she quite outdoes me at this her
+favourite sport."</p>
+
+<p>Beatrice herself gives a lively account of her country life <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span>during the
+spring of 1491, in a charming letter which she addressed to her sister
+from Villa Nova, another of Lodovico's delightful pleasure-houses in the
+valley of the Ticino between Milan and Pavia.</p>
+
+<p>"I am now here at Villa Nova, where the loveliness of the country and
+the balmy sweetness of the air make me think we are already in the month
+of May, so warm and splendid is the weather we are enjoying! Every day
+we go out riding with the dogs and falcons, and my husband and I never
+come home without having enjoyed ourselves exceedingly in hunting herons
+and other water-fowl. I cannot say much of the perils of the chase,
+since game is so plentiful here that hares are to be seen jumping out at
+every corner&mdash;so much so, that often we hardly know which way to turn to
+find the best sport. Indeed, the eye cannot take in all one desires to
+see, and it is scarcely possible to count up the number of animals that
+are to be found in this neighbourhood. Nor must I forget to tell you how
+every day Messer Galeazzo and I, with one or two other courtiers, amuse
+ourselves playing at ball after dinner, and we often talk of your
+Highness, and wish that you were here. I say all this, not to diminish
+the pleasure that I hope you will have when you do come by telling you
+what you may expect to find here, but in order that you may know how
+well and happy I am, and how kind and affectionate my husband is, since
+I cannot thoroughly enjoy any pleasure or happiness unless I share it
+with you. And I must tell you that I have had a whole field of garlic
+planted for your benefit, so that when you come, we may be able to have
+plenty of your favourite dishes!<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a></p>
+
+<p style="margin-left: 2em;">"Ex Villa Nova, 18 Martiji, 1491."</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>It is plain from this letter that harmony had been restored between the
+wedded pair, and that the rock on which Beatrice's happiness had seemed
+likely to founder had been fortunately avoided.</p>
+
+<p>The passing cloud that cast a shadow on her bright young life had rolled
+away, and this letter breathes the serene happiness of the spring airs
+about her. But her affection for her sister was warmer and stronger than
+ever, and hardly a day passed <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span>without some fresh expression of her
+impatience for Isabella's return&mdash;an impatience which both Lodovico and
+Galeazzo seem to have shared.</p>
+
+<p>On the 21st of April, after describing a successful wolf-hunt from
+Vigevano, in which the Duke and Duchess of Milan and their courtiers had
+all taken part, Lodovico writes&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"The whole distance must have been at least thirty miles, yet on the way
+home both the duchesses stayed behind the rest of us, to make their
+horses race one against the other; and if your Highness had been here, I
+think you would have entered the lists and tried your luck against them.
+And since you must come soon, and are expected by us impatiently, I will
+remind your Highness to bring some of those fine Barbary steeds which
+your illustrious lord the marquis keeps in his stables, and then you
+will easily be able to beat all the others."</p>
+
+<p>Again, on the 16th of May, Lodovico writes in the same strain&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I am as sorry as you are that you could not be here for these
+wolf-hunts, because, as you said in the letter written with your own
+hand on the 5th instant, I am quite sure you would have given us proofs
+of your spirit and courage. I must, however, tell you that your sister's
+boldness is such that I think even you would hardly come off victor in
+this contest, especially as, since you were here, she has made great
+progress both in the arts of horsemanship and of hunting. All the same,
+I am so impatient to see you together and to match your courage one
+against the other, that it seems to me a thousand years until your
+arrival!"</p>
+
+<p>Beatrice, it appears, was absolutely fearless in the presence of danger,
+and faced an angry boar or wounded stag with the same lightness of
+heart. The greater the risks she ran, the higher her spirits rose. This
+feature of his young wife's character aroused the Moro's highest
+admiration. In a letter of the 8th of July, after recounting the various
+incidents of a long day's hunting, he tells the Marchesa what a narrow
+escape Beatrice has had from an infuriated stag which gored her horse.</p>
+
+<p>"All at once we heard that the wounded stag had been seen, and had
+attacked the horse which my wife was riding, and the next moment we saw
+her lifted up in the air a good lance's <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span>height from the ground; but she
+kept her seat, and sat erect all the while. The duke and duchess and I
+all rushed to her help, and asked if she were hurt; but she only
+laughed, and was not in the least frightened."<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a></p>
+
+<p>Isabella herself was burning with eager desire to join Lodovico and
+Beatrice in these hunting-parties, and have a share in the thrilling
+adventures which they narrated in their letters, But her husband the
+marquis was away all the spring and early summer; first at Bologna,
+where he attended his brother Giovanni Gonzaga's wedding, and afterwards
+with his sister the Duchess Elizabeth at Urbino. After his return to
+Mantua he fell ill, and when he recovered it was already late in August,
+and Isabella was compelled very reluctantly to decline Lodovico Sforza's
+pressing invitations. Money was scarce at the court of Mantua, and the
+expenses of a journey to Milan were heavy. So she contented herself with
+going to see her mother that autumn at Ferrara, and put off her visit to
+Milan until the following spring, much to the disappointment of Beatrice
+and her husband. Lodovico wrote her word that he had been arranging a
+tournament at Pavia in honour of the christening of Gian Galeazzo's son,
+the little Count of Pavia, but that since she would not come, he had
+made up his mind to put it off and have no jousting.</p>
+
+<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> G. Uzielli, <i>op. cit.</i>, p. 27.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> Luzio-Renier, <i>op. cit.</i>, p. 112.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> Luzio-Renier, <i>op. cit.</i>, p. 113.</p></div>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 15%;" /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span>
+<br />
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX</h3>
+
+<div style="margin-left: 2em;">
+<p class="hang">Isabella of Aragon and Beatrice d'Este&mdash;Ambrogio Borgognone and Giovanni
+Antonio Amadeo&mdash;Cristoforo Romano and his works at Pavia and
+Cremona&mdash;The Certosa of Pavia&mdash;Illness of Beatrice&mdash;Her journey to Genoa
+&mdash;Correspondence between Isabella and Lodovico Sforza&mdash;Visit of the
+Marquis of Mantua to Milan.</p>
+</div>
+
+<h3>1491-1492</h3>
+
+
+<p>In the frequent letters which Lodovico and Beatrice both of them
+addressed to the Marchioness of Mantua, as well as in those of Giacomo
+Trotti to the Duke of Ferrara, we find many allusions to the Duke of
+Milan's wife, Isabella of Aragon. This princess, who was Beatrice's
+first cousin and only five years older than Lodovico's wife, is
+mentioned not only as present with her husband at all court festivities
+and hunting-parties, but as her constant companion in all her
+occupations and amusements, both at Vigevano and Pavia. In after-days,
+when Lodovico had a son of his own and was suspected of designs on the
+ducal crown, Duchess Isabella bitterly resented his conduct and that of
+his wife. But there is absolutely no foundation for Corio's statement
+that this rivalry between the two duchesses began at the time of
+Beatrice's wedding, and that from the moment of her arrival at Milan,
+Lodovico's wife objected to yield precedence to the Duchess of Milan.
+The Milanese chronicler wrote after Lodovico's fall, and always assumed
+the truth of the worst charges brought against the Moro and his wife.
+Unfortunately, his hasty and inaccurate statements have been repeated by
+Guicciardini and other contemporaries, and accepted as literally true by
+later writers. In this case Corio probably looked back on the past
+through the medium of the present, and judged the actors in the drama by
+the light of their later conduct. In any <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span>case, there is absolutely no
+trace of any jealousy or rivalry between the two young duchesses in the
+private letters and court records of the period. On the contrary,
+Isabella seems to have welcomed her cousin's presence joyfully, and to
+have found that the dull life which she led by the side of her feeble
+husband was sensibly brightened by Beatrice's company.</p>
+
+<p>Bellincioni, whose verses certainly mirror the court life of the day, if
+they also breathe the incense of flattery, wrote several sonnets in
+which he descants on the close friendship and companionship of the two
+duchesses, and the love that bound them together in the tender bonds of
+sisterly affection. He is never tired of praising the concord that
+reigned in the ducal family, and the pleasure that Beatrice took in
+Isabella's little son, who was constantly seen in her arms.</p>
+
+<p>"And when the ladies ask if she does not wish for a son of her own, she
+replies in sweet accents, 'This one child is enough for me;' and
+straightway all her courtiers repeat and extol her answer."</p>
+
+<p>But more trustworthy than the rhymes of court poets is the evidence to
+be found in the letters describing the daily round of life at Milan or
+Pavia and Vigevano. Here Isabella and Beatrice are mentioned as joining
+in the same games and sports, whether playing at ball, sometimes even
+trying their strength in wrestling matches.</p>
+
+<p>"The two duchesses," writes the Ferrarese ambassador, on the 28th of
+April, "have been having a sparring match, and the Duke of Bari's wife
+has knocked down her of Milan."</p>
+
+<p>Sometimes their escapades were of a decidedly undignified order. But
+practical jokes were much in vogue among these exalted lords and ladies
+of the Renaissance. For instance, we find Beatrice's brother Alfonso and
+Messer Galeazzo, disguised as robbers, breaking into the house of
+Girolamo Tuttavilla, one of Lodovico's favourite ministers, at midnight,
+and leading him blindfold on a donkey through the streets of Milan and
+into the Castello, where he was released amid peals of laughter. And the
+two young duchesses seem to have celebrated this Eastertide, which they
+spent at Milan, by the wildest freaks.</p>
+
+<p>"There is literally no end to the pleasures and amusements <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span>which we
+have here," writes Lodovico, on the 12th of April, to his sister-in-law
+at Mantua. "I could not tell you one-thousandth part of the tricks and
+games in which the Duchess of Milan and my wife indulge. In the country
+they spent their time in riding races and galloping up behind their
+ladies at full speed, so as to make them fall off their horses. And now
+that we are back here in Milan, they are always inventing some new forms
+of amusement. They started yesterday in the rain on foot, with five or
+six of their ladies, wearing cloths or towels over their heads, and
+walked through the streets of the city to buy provisions. But since it
+is not the custom for women to wear cloths on their heads here, some of
+the women in the street began to laugh at them and make rude remarks,
+upon which my wife fired up and replied in the same manner, so much so
+that they almost came to blows. In the end they came home all muddy and
+bedraggled, and were a fine sight! I believe, when your Highness is
+here, they will go out with all the more courage, since they will have
+in you so bold and spirited a comrade, and if any one dares to be rude
+to you, they will get back as good as they give! From your affectionate
+brother,</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+<span style="padding-right: 2em;">"Lodovico."<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a></span>
+</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Isabella, for all her wisdom and prudence, does not seem to have been in
+the least scandalized by her sister's behaviour, and replied that she
+would have done worse if any one had ventured to insult her; upon which
+Lodovico remarked&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Your letter in answer to my description of my wife and the duchess
+walking about Milan with cloths on their heads, delighted me. I am sure
+you have far too much spirit to allow rude things to be said to you, and
+when I read your letter, I could see the angry flash in your eye, and
+hear the indignant answer that you would have had in readiness for any
+one who dared insult you."</p>
+
+<p>The next letter we give was written on the 12th of June, from the
+Castello di Pavia, where the ducal family spent that summer, and is of
+special interest on account of the allusions which it contains to the
+famous sanctuary of the Certosa.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span>"I have spent several days lately at the Certosa, which your Highness,
+I know, visited when you were last here. And since I did not think the
+choir-stalls in the church were in any way suitable or equal in beauty
+to the rest of the building, I went back there the day before yesterday
+and had them taken down, and have ordered new stalls to be designed in
+their place. And as I was returning, the duke and duchess and my wife
+came to meet me, and attacked me suddenly, and in order to defend
+myself, I divided my retainers, who were most of them riding mules, into
+three squadrons, and charged the enemy in due order, so there was a fine
+scuffle! Then we came home to see some youths run races, with lances in
+their hands, and after that we went to supper. And since those
+illustrious duchesses took it into their heads to return again to the
+Certosa, they went back there yesterday morning, and when it was time
+for them to return, I went out to meet them, and found that both
+duchesses and all their ladies were dressed in Turkish costumes. These
+disguises were invented by my wife, who had all the dresses made in one
+night! It seems that when they began to set to work about noon
+yesterday, the Duchess of Milan could not contain her amazement at
+seeing my wife sewing with as much vigour and energy as any old woman.
+And my wife told her that, whatever she did, whether it were jest or
+earnest, she liked to throw her whole heart into it and try and do it as
+well as possible. Certainly in this case she succeeded perfectly, and
+the skill and grace with which she carried out her idea gave me
+indescribable pleasure and satisfaction."<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a></p>
+
+<p>The passage is eminently characteristic both of the Moro and his wife.
+We see on the one hand the spirit and resolution which made Beatrice, in
+the words of the Emperor Maximilian, not merely a sweet and loving wife
+to her lord, but a partner who shared actively in all his schemes and
+lightened every burden; and on the other, we understand the admiration
+which this force of character and tenacity of purpose excited in
+Lodovico's weaker and more easily swayed nature. Beatrice's masquerade
+recalls another curious feature of the day&mdash;that taste for Turkish
+costumes and interest in Oriental habits which had sprung up in Italy
+during the forty years which had elapsed since the fall of
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span>Constantinople. In Venice, Gentile Bellini and Carpaccio were already
+showing signs of this familiarity with Eastern habits by the Turkish
+costumes and personages who figure in their pictures; and a troop of
+Turks were introduced into a masque written by the Milanese poet,
+Gaspare Visconti, and acted before the Court. These strangers from the
+far East, attracted by the fame of the great city of Milan, were
+supposed to arrive in a boat on the Lombard shores, singing the
+following chorus:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Bel paese &egrave; Lombardia<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Degno assai, ricca e galante.<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Ma di gioie la Soria<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">E di fructi &egrave; pi&ugrave; abbondante<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Tanta fama &egrave; per il mondo<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Del gran vostro alto Milano,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Che solcando il mar profondo;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Siam venuti da lontano,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Gran paese soriano,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Per veder se cosi sia,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Bel paese di Lombardia."<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Still greater interest attaches to Lodovico's description of his own
+visit to the Certosa and of the alterations which he effected in the
+choir. This famous church and monastery had been the pride of successive
+Dukes of Milan, since the day when Galeazzo Visconti laid the first
+stone in his park of Pavia a hundred years before. Viscontis and Sforzas
+had alike helped to enrich their ancestor's mighty foundation, and to
+carry on the work. But the Certosa owes more to Lodovico Sforza than to
+any other member of the dynasty. From the day when he returned to Milan
+and took up the reins of government in his nephew's name, to the last
+sad moments when his state was crumbling to pieces, this great shrine
+was the special object of his solicitude. In his eyes, as he said in the
+letter informing the Prior and brothers of Duchess Leonora's visit, the
+Certosa was the jewel of the crown, the noblest monument in the whole
+realm. The completion of the fa&ccedil;ade and the internal decoration of the
+great church and chapels was one of the objects that lay nearest to his
+heart. A whole army of architects and sculptors, painters and builders
+were employed under his orders; and so <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span>great was the store of precious
+marbles, brought there from Carrara and other parts of Italy, that the
+place was said to resemble a vast stone quarry. During the twenty years
+that the Moro reigned as Regent and Duke in Milan, the new apse built in
+Bramante's classical style, the central cupola, and the beautiful
+cloisters with their slender marble shafts and dark red terra-cotta
+friezes of angel-heads, all rose into being. Then Ambrogio Borgognone
+decorated the roof of nave and apse, and designed the elaborate
+<i>intarsiatura</i> of these very choir-stalls to which Lodovico alludes in
+his letter to Isabella d'Este. And then the same Lombard master painted
+these frescoes and altar-pieces of grave saints and gentle Madonnas,
+which still adorn the side chapels with their solemn forms and rich
+golden harmonies. Many of these are ruined, others we know are gone. The
+fragments of the noble banners with portraits of kneeling figures, which
+the artist painted for processional use on solemn occasions are now in
+our National Gallery. There, too, is that loveliest of all Perugino's
+Madonnas, with the warrior Archangels at her side, and the perfect
+landscape beyond, which the Umbrian master painted in the last years of
+the century, by the Moro's express command, for his favourite sanctuary.</p>
+
+<p>But the crowning work of Lodovico's days was the fa&ccedil;ade of the great
+church which, after many different attempts, was finally begun in 1491,
+and mostly executed during the next seven years. This magnificent
+creation, the triumph of Lombard genius, was designed by a native
+architect, Giovanni Antonio Amadeo, or Di Madeo, as he signs himself, a
+peasant lad who had grown up in his father's farm close by, and whose
+earliest independent work is said to have been a group of angels on the
+marble doorway leading from the church into the cloisters. He had
+afterwards been employed at Bergamo, where the Colleoni Chapel and the
+effigy of the great Condottiere's young daughter, the sleeping virgin
+Medea, still bear witness to his poetic invention and rare decorative
+skill. One of Lodovico's first acts after his return to Milan had been
+to recall Amadeo to Pavia, and in 1490, this gifted artist was appointed
+<i>Capo maestro</i> of the Certosa works. To his delicate fancy and exquisite
+refinement we owe much of the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span>lovely detail in the church and
+cloisters, the singing angels of the portals, the reliefs on Gian
+Galeazzo's monument, and in the monks' lavatory, and the medallions of
+the Sforzas over the doorways of the choir. There we may see the
+strongly marked features and refined expression of the great Moro,
+between his brother and his nephew, while above the opposite portal are
+the four Duchesses of Milan, Bianca Maria Visconti, Bona of Savoy,
+Isabella of Aragon, and Beatrice d'Este with the same soft, beautiful
+face, the same long coil of hair and jewelled net that we see in her
+portrait in the Brera or in Cristoforo Romano's bust in the Louvre.</p>
+
+<p>But the wonderful marble fa&ccedil;ade, with its great central portal and
+round-headed windows, its historical reliefs and marvellous wealth of
+decorative sculpture, is Amadeo's grandest creation. We know not how far
+it was completed before 1499, when his labours as chief architect of the
+cathedrals of Milan and Pavia compelled him to give up his post at the
+Certosa; but in much of the ornamental detail&mdash;in the angels that adorn
+its branches of the candelabra between the windows, in the profusion of
+carved trophies, armorial bearings, burning censers, cherub-heads,
+leaf-mouldings, flowers and fruit that has been lavished on every
+portion of the west front we recognize his handiwork. And this fa&ccedil;ade of
+the Certosa, more than any other architectural work of the age, bears
+the stamp of Lodovico Sforza's peculiar genius. Alike in the abundance
+of classical motives and in the amazing wealth of invention and infinite
+grace that inspired the whole conception, we recognize Lodovico's
+passionate love of the antique and minute attention to detail. We know
+that he was constantly on the spot, as the letter to his sister-in-law
+proves, and that when absent from Pavia the works of the Certosa were
+constantly in his mind. He was always writing orders to Amadeo to buy
+marbles and hurry on the work, always urging the prior to hasten the
+completion of the church, or inquiring in Florence and Rome for new
+masters to paint altar-pieces for the Certosa. And to-day, when so many
+of his noblest creations have perished, when the glorious pile of the
+Castello of Milan, with its stately towers and frescoed halls, rich
+decorations and vast gardens, has been defaced and battered by the hands
+of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span>barbarian invaders, when Leonardo's fresco is a wreck and the tomb
+of Beatrice broken to pieces, when Vigevano and Cussago are in ruins,
+and the matchless library of Pavia has been scattered to the winds, we
+rejoice to think that the Certosa remains to show us how splendid were
+the dreams and how rare the skill of artists in the days when Lodovico
+Sforza reigned over Milan.</p>
+
+<p>One of the finest artists who was working at the Certosa under
+Lodovico's eye in the summer of 1491, was the accomplished Roman
+sculptor, Giovanni Cristoforo Romano. We remember how he had been sent
+to Ferrara in the autumn of the previous year to execute a bust of
+Beatrice for his master. Since then he had gone back to his work at the
+Certosa, where he was employed upon the monument which Lodovico was
+raising to his ancestor Gian Galeazzo Visconti, the founder of the great
+Carthusian Abbey. His exact share in this noble work, which was begun in
+1490, remains uncertain, but both the effigy of this duke and the figure
+of the Madonna and Child in the upper part of the monument are generally
+ascribed to his hand. At the same time Cristoforo had promised to design
+the chief portal of the ancient Stanga palace in Cremona, which was
+being restored by Lodovico's Superintendent of Finances, the Marchese
+Stanga, known in court circles as the Marchesino, to distinguish him
+from his father, Duchess Bianca Maria's faithful servant. That June the
+Marchesino was married at Milan to a daughter of Count Giovanni
+Borromeo, and on this occasion, doubtless, he employed the gifted Roman
+sculptor to design the magnificent doorway which now adorns the Louvre
+and is a masterpiece of classic elegance. But now a fresh invitation
+reached Cristoforo from another quarter.</p>
+
+<p>The Marchioness of Mantua had seen the Roman master's bust of her sister
+Beatrice when she came to Milan in the winter for the wedding
+festivities, and was seized with an ardent wish to have her features
+carved in marble by the same unrivalled artist. On the 22nd of June she
+wrote to Beatrice from her favourite villa at Porto, near Mantua,
+begging her to ask Lodovico if he would kindly allow "that excellent
+master, Johan Cristoforo, who carved your Highness's portrait in
+marble," to come to Mantua for a few days, that he might render her the
+same <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span>service. Beatrice, who was always ready and anxious to gratify
+Isabella's wishes, replied that she had shown the letter at once to her
+husband, and that Lodovico would gladly comply with her sister's
+request, and had written to beg the Marchesino&mdash;for whom Johan
+Cristoforo was working at that moment&mdash;to send this master to Mantua.
+"No doubt by this time," he adds, writing from Pavia on the 15th of
+July, "Messer Cristoforo is already on his way to Mantua."</p>
+
+<p>But the sculptor, like most great artists, took his time about his work,
+and would not be interrupted or hurried, even to please so charming and
+illustrious a lady as Isabella d'Este. He wrote a courteous note to the
+Marchesa from Pavia, saying how gladly he would have obeyed her summons
+on the spot, and how deeply he regretted that this was impossible, since
+he could not leave the work upon which he was engaged for the Marchesino
+unfinished. But he hoped to have the pleasure of seeing her some day.
+Meanwhile he suggested that she should order two pieces of fine marble
+from Venice, and see that they were very white and without stain or vein
+of colour. Isabella, however, was not easily discouraged, especially
+where excellent masters and works of art were in question, and, as she
+wrote on another occasion to Niccolo da Correggio, liked to have her
+wishes gratified on the spot. This time she wrote to the Marchesino
+himself, begging him to send Messer Johan Cristoforo to Mantua as soon
+as possible. Now Giovanni Stanga, besides being a finished courtier, was
+on intimate terms with the fair Marchesana herself and with all her
+family. Only a few weeks before, Isabella had written him a charming
+letter of congratulation on his marriage, and he often sent presents of
+silver boxes and ornaments both to her and Duchess Leonora. So, when his
+own doorway was finished, he did his best to induce the sculptor to
+oblige the marchioness. But Cristoforo had evidently no intention of
+leaving Pavia at present. The summer months slipped away, and still
+Isabella waited in vain. At length, in October, she heard from the
+Marchesino that Messer Cristoforo feared it was impossible for him to
+come to Mantua at all this year, since his whole time was spent in
+working at the Certosa, besides which he was one of the Duchess of
+Bari's singers, and must obey her wishes and travel with her, now in
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span>one direction, now in another. "At present," adds the writer, "he is
+with her in Genoa."</p>
+
+<p>It was not, in fact, until after Beatrice's death that Isabella obtained
+Lodovico's leave for his favourite sculptor to visit Mantua. By that
+time the duke's affairs were in dire confusion, and seeing there was
+little hope of further employment and none of certain pay, Messer
+Cristoforo left the Milanese court sorrowfully and went to Mantua, where
+he carved the lovely doorway still to be seen in Isabella's studio of
+<i>Il Paradiso</i> at the top of the grim old Castello, and designed the
+beautiful medal of the marchioness herself, which was praised as a
+divine thing at the Court of Naples, and which the old scholar Jacopo
+d'Atri kissed a thousand times over, for the sake of its beauty and of
+the likeness which it bore to the beloved mistress whom he had not seen
+for so many years. Afterwards we know Cristoforo moved on to Urbino,
+where Bembo and Emilia Pia and the good duchess all gave him a glad
+welcome, and Castiglione enshrined his memory in the pages of the
+<i>Cortigiano</i>. Then, again, we find him in his native city, Rome,
+searching for antiques in the ruins of the Eternal City, and examining
+the newly discovered Laocoon with Michelo Angelo, until at last the
+incurable malady which had long undermined his strength put an end to
+his life, and he died in the prime of manhood at the Santa Casa of
+Loreto. But his best work was done, and his happiest years were spent,
+in the service of Duchess Beatrice, at the court of Milan.</p>
+
+<p>If Lodovico did not always care to part from his best artists at
+Isabella's request, he rarely failed to oblige his charming
+sister-in-law in other matters. Presents of game and venison, choice
+vegetables and fruit, artichokes and truffles, apples and pears or
+peaches, were constantly borne to Mantua by his couriers; and in return
+Isabella would send him the famous salmon-trout of the Lake of Garda,
+that were accounted such rare delicacies, and which Lodovico was fond of
+seeing at table, especially, as he often remarked, in Lent. The
+correspondence between the two courts was briskly kept up that year,
+although Isabella was unable to visit Milan. Lodovico himself rarely
+missed a post, and complained repeatedly that Isabella was not so
+regular a correspondent as himself.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span>"Certainly, my affection for your Highness is greater than yours for
+me," he says, writing in September, 1491. "It is plain that I think of
+you much oftener than you think of me, and I know for certain that I
+write far more letters to you than you ever write to me."</p>
+
+<p>But Isabella was unwearied in the applications which she made constantly
+to her brother-in-law on behalf of persons who, rightly or wrongly, had
+been accused of offences against the laws of Milan. Often, it must be
+owned, these suppliants whom she recommended to mercy proved to be
+criminals of the worst type; and quite as often the <i>prot&eacute;g&eacute;s</i> whom she
+sent to Milan turned out to be utterly worthless characters. This made
+her a little ashamed of the perpetual recommendations with which she
+troubled Lodovico, and explains the apologetic tone of a note which she
+addressed to him in June, 1491, on behalf of some suppliant for money.</p>
+
+<p>"The letters of recommendation which I have received in this case are so
+urgent that I feel it would be brutal to refuse the petition I send you,
+especially since they are addressed to me by private friends. But if
+your Highness complains, as you may justly do, of the frequency of my
+appeals, I must ask you to impute their persistency less to me than to
+my innate compassion, which induces me to intercede for all who ask in
+good faith. But the truth is, your Highness has given me so many tokens
+of affection that many persons who seek your favour apply to me,
+trusting to my powers of intercession. And since I should be well
+content to let the whole world know the love and kindness which your
+Highness shows me, I grant these requests the more easily, because I
+remember what good fruit my recommendations have hitherto borne."</p>
+
+<p>Sometimes, when the Marquis Gianfrancesco was away from Mantua, we find
+his wife consulting Lodovico on affairs of state, asking him to prevent
+her neighbour Galeotto della Mirandola from constructing a canal which
+may injure her subjects, or appealing to the Sanseverino brothers in the
+case of a faithless servant of hers who had sought shelter under the
+Count of Caiazzo's banners. Beatrice, in her turn, occasionally sent her
+servants and subjects with recommendations to Mantua. For <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span>instance,
+that July a Milanese soldier named Messer Giacomello arrived at the
+court of the Gonzagas, with letters from the Duchess of Bari and Messer
+Galeazzo di Sanseverino, asking for leave to fight a duel with a man of
+Ascoli who had insulted him; and the marchioness, ignorant of the
+customary method of treating these challenges, referred the case to her
+husband in a long and elaborate statement.</p>
+
+<p>Towards the end of September Beatrice fell ill, and for some days her
+husband was seriously uneasy about her. The anxiety which he showed, and
+the attentions with which he surrounded her, were duly reported by
+Giacomo Trotti in a letter to Ferrara.</p>
+
+<p>"Signor Lodovico," he wrote on the 18th of September, "does not leave
+his wife's bedside by day or night. He is always with her, and thinks of
+nothing but how he can best please and amuse her. The only cause of
+regret he has is that as yet there are not any signs of the birth of a
+son and heir."</p>
+
+<p>Lodovico's concern for his young wife was genuine. He wrote daily
+reports of her health to Isabella and her mother, and on the 4th of
+October rejoiced to be able to tell the Marchesana that her sister had
+once more been able to assist at a boar-hunt, which had taken place six
+miles from Pavia.</p>
+
+<p>"Yesterday your sister came to look on at a boar-hunt, six or seven
+miles from here. She drove to the spot in a chariot with a raised seat
+at the back, very much like the pulpits from which friars preach! Here
+she stood up, to be out of danger, and enjoyed herself immensely, as
+being placed at such a height, she could see the whole hunt better than
+any one else."</p>
+
+<p>A few days later he wrote again to say he had decided to send his wife
+to Genoa, since the air of Pavia was not healthy, he felt convinced, at
+this season of the year, and in the hope that change would help to
+complete her cure.</p>
+
+<p>"To-morrow my wife starts for Genoa <i>incognita</i>. I am sending her, first
+of all, to give her pleasure and do her health good, and, secondly, to
+prepare the way for your Highness when you come here next."</p>
+
+<p>Unfortunately, we have no further particulars of this visit to Genova la
+Superba, that city which both the sisters were so <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span>anxious to see, and
+the letters in which Beatrice described this journey to her husband have
+either perished or still lie buried in some private archives. All we
+know is that Cristoforo Romano was among the singers who accompanied the
+duchess on this occasion, although she travelled <i>incognita</i> and took
+only a few persons in her suite.</p>
+
+<p>By December Lodovico and his wife were again settled in Milan, where
+they received an unexpected visit from the Marquis of Mantua in the
+first week of that month. Gianfrancesco's own wife was absent with her
+mother at Ferrara, and without even informing Isabella of his intention,
+he suddenly arrived at Milan, and spent a week at the Castello with the
+Duke and Duchess of Bari. As a rule, the company of the marquis, a brave
+soldier, but not apparently a very attractive person, with his short
+ungainly figure and rugged features, his dark complexion and rough
+manners, was not particularly agreeable to his polished brother-in-law;
+but he received a kindly welcome from both his hosts on this occasion,
+and was highly gratified with the honours and attention that were paid
+him. Isabella, on her part, was overjoyed to hear of the kindness with
+which her husband had been treated at the court of Milan, and declared
+that his letters gave her as much pleasure as if she had been with him
+herself. Lodovico did his guest the honours of his palace and city,
+showed him the treasures and jewels of the Castello, and sent him home
+loaded with gifts. Among other presents which Gianfrancesco received
+from his brother-in-law were a pair of lions which the Moro, who was
+constantly sending to Africa for wild beasts, showed him in his
+menagerie, and promised to send him as soon as they were sufficiently
+tame. Some weeks, however, passed before they were pronounced fit to
+travel safely, and it was not till February of the following year that
+they were sent to Mantua, with a note from Lodovico, explaining that the
+keeper who accompanied them was accustomed to wild beasts, and would
+teach Gianfrancesco's servants how to treat them.</p>
+
+<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> Luzio-Renier, <i>op. cit.</i>, p. 111.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> Luzio-Renier, <i>op. cit.</i>, p. 114.</p></div>
+
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 15%;" /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span>
+<br />
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X</h3>
+
+<div style="margin-left: 2em;">
+<p class="hang">Claims of Charles VIII. to Naples&mdash;Of the Duke of Orleans to
+Milan&mdash;Intrigues of the Venetian Senate, of Pope Innocent VIII., and of
+Ferrante and Alfonso of Naples&mdash;Visit of the French ambassadors to Milan
+&mdash;Treasures of the Castello&mdash;Jewels of Lodovico Sforza&mdash;Isabella of
+Aragon and her father&mdash;An embassy to the French court proposed&mdash;Secret
+instructions of the Count of Caiazzo&mdash;<i>F&ecirc;te</i> at Vigevano&mdash;Tournament of
+Pavia.</p>
+</div>
+
+<h3>1491</h3>
+
+
+<p>The most important event at the court of Milan that winter was the visit
+of the French ambassadors. The young King of France, Charles VIII., now
+that he had emancipated himself from his sister's tutelage and felt
+himself his own master, was beginning to cherish secret dreams of
+conquest, and already turned envious eyes towards the kingdom of Naples,
+that ancient heritage of the House of Anjou. His own ardour for military
+glory was fanned by the presence at the French court of several exiled
+noblemen, who had fled from Naples to escape the harsh rule of King
+Ferrante and his hated son Alfonso, and were burning to avenge their
+wrongs. Chief among these were Antonio, Prince of Salerno, the head of
+the great Sanseverino family, and his cousin, the Prince of Bisignano,
+both of whom were in constant communication with their kinsmen at the
+Milanese court. At the same time, Charles VIII.'s brother-in-law and
+cousin, Louis, Duke of Orleans, a valiant and ambitious prince just
+thirty years of age, who had inherited the Lombard town of Asti from his
+grandmother, Valentina Visconti, and claimed the Duchy of Milan in right
+of his descent from the Visconti dukes, rejoiced at the prospect of
+advancing his pretensions against the rival House of Sforza.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span>Already more than one invitation to cross the Alps had reached the
+young French king from Italy. In January, 1484, when Venice was waging a
+desperate war against Milan and Naples, Antonio Loredano was sent to the
+French court with secret instructions to remind Charles VIII., who had
+just succeeded his father, Louis XI., that the kingdom of Naples had
+formerly belonged to his family, and that, besides occupying a throne to
+which he had no right, Ferrante of Aragon had instigated Lodovico Sforza
+to usurp the crown of Milan. The Venetian envoy was further desired to
+inform the Duke of Orleans that Lodovico evidently intended to make
+himself Duke of Milan in his nephew's stead, and to point out that Louis
+could not find a better moment than this, to assert his own claim to the
+duchy of his Visconti ancestors.</p>
+
+<p>"Say all you can to instigate the Duke of Orleans to undertake this
+enterprise," were the secret instructions of the Ten, "and tell the
+French that if they wish to dethrone the tyrant Ferrante and seize
+Naples, they will never have a better opportunity."<a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a></p>
+
+<p>A month later the Venetian Government sent another message to Louis of
+Orleans, urging him to invade Milan, and offering him the help of their
+forces. The duke was by no means averse to the suggestion, but Anne de
+Beaujeu, who governed France during her brother's minority, wisely
+declined to meddle in the quarrels of Italian States, and by August
+peace had been concluded between Venice and Milan.</p>
+
+<p>Five years afterwards Pope Innocent VIII., having quarrelled with King
+Ferrante, invited Charles VIII. to invade Naples, and offered him the
+investiture of this important fief of the Church. But at that time the
+French monarch had no leisure to think of a foreign expedition. He was
+already engaged in war with Maximilian, King of the Romans, and in a
+fierce quarrel with the States of Brittany over the regency of that
+province during the minority of young Duchess Anne, the betrothed bride
+of the future Emperor, whose first wife, Mary of Burgundy, had died in
+1482. Finding that there was no prospect of help from this quarter, the
+Pope had been forced to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span>come to terms with Ferrante, whose armies
+threatened Rome, and made peace with Naples in January, 1492.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile Charles VIII. had mortally offended the King of the Romans by
+sending back his daughter Margaret, to whom while yet Dauphin he had
+been formally betrothed by his father, Louis XI., and who had been
+educated in Touraine for the last six years, and taking Maximilian's
+affianced bride, Anne of Brittany, for his wife. The marriage was
+solemnized in the Castle of Langeais in December, 1491, and two months
+afterwards the new queen was crowned at Saint Denis. Maximilian now
+sought to form a coalition against Charles, to avenge his injured
+honour; and his ally, Henry VII. of England, sent a letter to Lodovico
+Sforza, asking him to join the league and invade France from the south.</p>
+
+<p>Under these circumstances Charles VIII. was naturally anxious to
+strengthen the old alliance which had existed between his father and the
+House of Sforza. Even before his own marriage, in the summer of 1490,
+Lodovico had sent Erasmo Brasca on a private mission to the French king,
+to ask for a renewal of the investiture of the Duchy of Genoa,
+originally granted to Francesco Sforza by Louis XI. Since those days,
+Genoa had been lost during the regency of Duchess Bona, and only
+recovered in 1888, by Lodovico's successful negotiations. Now Charles
+VIII. gladly granted the regent's request, and proposed to send an
+embassy to Milan in the course of the next year. Lodovico, on his part,
+prepared to give the French ambassadors a splendid reception, and in
+March, 1491, wrote to his chief secretary, Bartolommeo Calco, from
+Vigevano, giving minute instructions for the preparation of a suite of
+rooms in the Castello, where the Most Christian King's envoys were to be
+lodged. Since, at that time, extensive improvements were being made in
+other parts of the palace, Lodovico gave up his own rooms on the ground
+floor for the use of these distinguished strangers. The chief
+ambassador, the Scottish noble, Bernard Stuart d'Aubigny, Chamberlain to
+King Charles, he wrote word, would occupy the Duchess of Bari's
+apartment, known as the Sala della Asse, from the raised platform at one
+end of the room, and would use the duchess's boudoir, with the painted
+Amorini over the mantelpiece, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span>and the adjoining chambers for his dining
+and robing room. The second ambassador, Jean Roux de Visque, was to
+occupy Lodovico's apartments; and the third, King Charles's doctor, the
+Italian Teodoro Guainiero of Pavia, would be lodged in the rooms of
+Madonna Beatrice, Niccolo da Correggio's mother, and of the duke's
+secretary, Jacopo Antiquario. All of these rooms had been decorated and
+hung with rich tapestries and curtains of velvet and brocade for
+Lodovico's wedding a year before, but on this occasion he desired that
+canopies adorned with the <i>fleur-de-lys</i> should be placed over the beds,
+and that other changes should be made in the hangings and furniture. And
+since there was not room in the Castello, where the court officials and
+servants who were daily lodged and fed within its precincts already
+numbered some two hundred, for the whole of the suite, the remainder
+were to be entertained at the duke's expense at the different inns of
+the city, at the sign of the Stella, the Fontana and Campana.</p>
+
+<p>A few weeks later the ambassadors arrived at Milan, and were
+magnificently received by Lodovico and his nephew, both of whom wore
+sumptuous vests of white Lyons brocade, presented to them in the French
+king's name, at the ceremony of investiture which followed. Giangaleazzo
+was formally invested with the Duchy of Genoa, and did homage to the
+representative of his suzerain, the French king, in the presence of the
+whole court. Among the members of the ducal family present on this
+occasion was the duke's elder sister, Bianca Maria, who still remained
+unmarried since her affianced husband, the son of Matthias Corvinus, had
+been driven from the throne of Hungary, after his father's death in
+1490. The splendour of the ceremony, and the dazzling white velvet suits
+worn by her brother and uncle, were long remembered by this princess of
+seventeen, who spent most of her time with her mother, Bona, at
+Abbiategrasso. More than seven years afterwards, when poor Giangaleazzo
+was dead, and the Sforzas' throne was already tottering to its fall,
+Bianca Maria, then the wife of the Emperor Maximilian, wrote from
+Fribourg, begging her uncle to try and procure her a robe of the white
+velvet woven at Lyons, "like the vests worn by yourself and my brother,
+of blessed memory, on the day when he was invested with the Duchy of
+Genoa."<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a> The young empress, whose mind, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span>as her husband complained,
+never rose above childish things, and who, in the lonely splendour of
+her grim castles in the Tyrol, pined for the brightness of her fair
+Milanese home, had set her heart on a gown of this material, and begged
+her kind uncle to excuse her if she asked too much, assuring him that
+nothing else could give her so much pleasure.</p>
+
+<p>The beauty of Milan, with its stately Castello and white marble Duomo,
+its spacious streets and long rows of armourers' and goldsmiths' shops,
+its beautiful gardens and frescoed palaces, made a deep impression upon
+these strangers from the North. Never had they seen so fair a city or so
+rich a land. Marvellous were the tales they had to tell their countrymen
+of the splendid court where they had lived like princes, and of this
+wealthy and magnificent Signor Lodovico, who had entertained them in so
+royal a manner.</p>
+
+<p>But although the investiture of Genoa had been provisionally granted,
+and a treaty of alliance agreed upon, several articles of the league
+still remained to be discussed. Negotiations dragged on all through the
+year, chiefly with regard to certain castles belonging to Charles's
+ally, the Marquis of Montferrat, which had been seized by the Milanese.
+Niccolo da Correggio was sent to France in the summer to endeavour to
+bring matters to a satisfactory conclusion, but nothing was finally
+settled until the winter, when Charles decided to send a second embassy
+to Milan. This time one of the former envoys, Jean Roux de Visque, was
+selected for the office, and, together with Le Sieur Pierre de
+Courthardi, left Paris early in December, and arrived at Milan in
+January, 1492.</p>
+
+<p>Lodovico himself received the ambassadors in the Castello, and
+entertained them with his wonted magnificence. A treaty was drawn up, by
+which Charles agreed to recognize all the claims advanced by the Duke of
+Milan, and admitted the Duke of Bari by name as governor of his nephew
+into the defensive and offensive league concluded on the 13th of
+January, and on the 19th the French ambassadors left Milan. Before their
+departure, however, Lodovico, anxious to do his guests honour and at the
+same time impress them with his wealth and the vast resources at his
+command, himself conducted them over <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span>the Treasury of the Castello,
+which was deservedly regarded as one of the principal sights of Milan.</p>
+
+<p>There, in the heart of the Rocchetta, close to his own apartments, was
+the vaulted room, decorated with frescoes by Leonardo and Bramante, and
+known as the Sala del Tesoro. Here, piled up in enormous chests, were
+the vast store of gold ducats which he kept as a reserve fund for the
+State, and the priceless jewels that were his own private property.
+Here, too, in oak presses, secured by ingenious contrivances devised
+expressly for the purpose by Leonardo, were the treasures of gold and
+silver plate, the salvers and goblets, the dishes and vases of antique
+shape, in which the Moro took especial pride, and which were only
+exhibited on festive occasions. Milan was at this time one of the
+richest states in Italy. The revenue of the duchy, under Lodovico's wise
+and careful rule, exceeded the sum of 600,000 ducats&mdash;that is to say,
+double the revenue of Naples, and more than six times as much as that of
+Mantua, and was only surpassed by that of Venice, which amounted to
+800,000 ducats; while, according to the same table, the revenue of
+England in the fifteenth century was calculated at 700,000 ducats, and
+that of France at 1,000,000 ducats. And here, too, in the Sala del
+Tesoro, were the jewels belonging to Lodovico, a collection which at
+this time included some of the most famous gems in the world. A few of
+these which he pawned to a Venetian merchant in 1495, were valued at
+150,000 ducats, and a list, which is still preserved in the Trivulzio
+library, gives a description of the different jewels which in the
+troubled times at the close of his reign were pledged to bankers in Rome
+and Milan.<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a> There was the balass ruby, called <i>El Spigo</i> or "the ear
+of corn," which was valued at the enormous sum of 250,000 ducats; and
+the jewel of <i>Il Lupo</i>, "the wolf," consisting of one large diamond and
+three choice pearls, which the goldsmiths priced at 120,000 ducats.
+There was the famous <i>Puncta</i>, or diamond arrow, given by Duchess
+Beatrice's grandfather, Niccolo d'Este, to Francesco Sforza; and the
+<i>Caduceus</i>, a favourite device of the Moro's, wrought in large pearls,
+each of which was said to be worth 25,000 ducats; while the balass ruby,
+known as the Marone, often worn as a brooch <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span>by Beatrice, was valued at
+10,000 ducats. Another balass bore the effigy of Lodovico, and the
+insignia of the Moraglia, or Mulberry, was composed of emeralds,
+diamonds, and pearls. This jewel was frequently worn by the Moro
+himself, at state banquets, as well as the famous Sancy diamond, which
+had been found on the body of Charles the Bold after the battle of
+Nancy, and afterwards acquired by Lodovico, whose agents were always in
+search of precious stones of fine water and rare workmanship.</p>
+
+<p>Such were a few of the treasures which the regent displayed before the
+dazzled eyes of the French ambassadors. Unfortunately the presents which
+he gave them on their departure seemed to them poor and insignificant,
+after the marvels which they had seen in the Castello, and their
+cupidity was but ill-satisfied.</p>
+
+<p>"The French envoys," wrote the Florentine ambassador, Pandolfini, to his
+master, Lorenzo de Medici, "are gone away disappointed with Signor
+Lodovico's gifts, expecting to receive a handsomer present after seeing
+all the splendours of the Treasury."<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a></p>
+
+<p>Lodovico now determined to send an embassy to the French court to return
+the king's civilities and congratulate him on his marriage. He was the
+more anxious to strengthen his alliance with France on account of the
+growing estrangement between himself and the royal family of Naples.
+Hitherto, indeed, King Ferrante had maintained cordial relations with
+the Regent of Milan, whose claims to this position he had been the first
+to support, and whose marriage with his granddaughter Beatrice formed a
+new link between the Houses of Aragon and Sforza. But his son Alfonso,
+Duke of Calabria, who had frequently visited Milan during the long war
+with Venice, had never forgiven Lodovico for treating with the Venetians
+independently, and made no secret of his hatred for his brother-in-law.
+The quarrel between the two princes was naturally embittered by the
+complaints which Alfonso received from his daughter Isabella, Duchess of
+Milan. Her miserable husband, Giangaleazzo, showed less inclination than
+ever to take his proper place at the head of affairs, and abandoned
+himself to low <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span>debauchery. In his drunken fits it was even said that he
+forgot himself so far as to strike his wife.</p>
+
+<p>"There is no news here," wrote the widowed Marchioness of Montferrat
+from Milan to her envoy at Mantua, on the 2nd of May, 1492, "saving that
+the Duke of Milan has beaten his wife."<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a></p>
+
+<p>But the proud and high-spirited duchess began to resent the subordinate
+position in which she and her husband were placed at their own court,
+and she tried to instil her keen sense of this injustice into
+Giangaleazzo's feeble mind. When Lodovico came to Pavia that spring, his
+nephew began by refusing to see him, but before long he forgot his
+wrongs, and after behaving for a few days like a sulky child, was on the
+most affectionate terms with his uncle when they met again. Isabella
+soon found that no dependence could be placed upon this foolish youth,
+who cared for nothing but his dogs and horses, and repeated everything
+that she said to Lodovico. So she devoured her griefs in silence, and
+only gave utterance to her sorrows in her letters to Naples.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, Alfonso did his utmost to stir up enemies against Lodovico,
+while, with habitual duplicity, he sent flattering messages to his
+brother-in-law, and begged for the continuance of his friendship. That
+February envoys were sent from Naples to France, under pretence of
+buying horses and dogs for hunting, but with secret instructions to
+persuade Charles VIII., if possible, to break with Lodovico Sforza, and
+refuse to acknowledge him as Regent of Milan. Charles, however, was too
+much intent on his own plans for the conquest of Naples to pay any heed
+to these proposals, and the only result of Alfonso's intrigues was to
+strengthen the alliance between France and Milan.</p>
+
+<p>Gianfrancesco, Count of Caiazzo, the eldest of the Sanseverino brothers,
+was chosen by Lodovico as chief ambassador to the French king, and
+received secret instructions to show Charles VIII. the proposals which
+had been made to the Regent of Milan by the King of England and
+Maximilian, King of the Romans.</p>
+
+<p>"Let him know by this means," runs the letter, still <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span>preserved in the
+Milanese archives, "how unwilling we are to act in any way against his
+interests, and let him see that we have preferred his alliance to that
+of the mightiest monarchs in Europe. Take care also to insist on the
+importance of the Duchy of Milan and on the exalted position that we
+occupy in the eyes of other Italian States. And assure him that we are
+his firm and loyal friends, whose constancy neither threats nor promises
+can ever shake."<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a></p>
+
+<p>Count Carlo Belgiojoso, Galeazzo Visconti and Girolamo Tuttavilla, Count
+of Sarno, who was himself one of King Ferrante's exiled subjects, were
+selected to accompany Caiazzo on his mission. On the 23rd of February
+they left Milan, and reached Paris towards the end of March.</p>
+
+<p>Not only had Lodovico given his envoys minute instructions as to the
+language they were to hold in treating with the French king, but the
+clothes they were to wear, the presents which they bore to Charles VIII.
+and his queen, the very day and hour of their entry into Paris, were all
+regulated by his orders. His astrologer, Ambrogio di Rosate, had fixed
+upon the 28th of March as the most propitious moment for Caiazzo to
+enter Paris, and on that day, accordingly, the Milanese ambassadors,
+splendidly arrayed in rich brocades and cloth of gold, rode through the
+streets of the capital, and under the walls of the old Louvre, where the
+king and queen had their abode. On the following day, Charles himself
+received the envoys, and Galeazzo Visconti delivered a long Latin
+discourse prepared by Lodovico. On the 30th they were presented to the
+queen, and a few days afterwards they accompanied the royal party on a
+hunting expedition in the forest of Saint-Germain, but found the sport
+of a rude and fatiguing description, and complained that both men and
+animals were very savage in their habits. Every detail of the
+proceedings was faithfully reported to Lodovico by Antonio Calco, the
+secretary of the mission. For his benefit and that of Beatrice, he not
+only describes the costumes of the royal pair&mdash;the king's gorgeous
+mantle of Lyons velvet, lined with yellow satin, and the queen's gold
+brocade robe and cape of lion skin lined with crimson&mdash;but gives a
+minute account of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span>Anne of Brittany's coiffure, a black velvet cap with
+a gold fringe hanging about a finger's length over her forehead, and a
+hood studded with big diamonds drawn over her head and ears. So curious
+were Beatrice and her ladies on these matters, that Lodovico wrote on
+the 8th of April from Vigevano, desiring Calco to send him a drawing of
+the French queen's costume, "in order that the same fashion may be
+adopted here in Milan." At the same time Lodovico desired Caiazzo to
+show especial civility to the Duke of Orleans, assuring him that the
+Dukes of Bari and Milan both regarded him as their own kinsman, and
+hoped that the love and friendship between them would be that of
+brothers. The ambassador was further empowered to offer the hand of
+Bianca Sforza, the duke's unmarried sister, to James IV., the young King
+of Scotland, through Stuart d'Aubigny, the Scottish nobleman whom
+Charles VIII. had sent as his envoy to Milan. Meanwhile, King Ferrante's
+emissaries were doing their best to stir up the Duke of Orleans against
+his Sforza rivals, and had secretly offered his granddaughter Charlotte
+in marriage to the youthful Scottish monarch.</p>
+
+<p>But for the moment Lodovico's star was in the ascendant, and his
+influence reigned supreme at the French court. Charles VIII. formally
+ratified all the conditions of the treaty which had been signed at Milan
+in January, and wrote to inform Pope Innocent that he had entered into
+close alliance with the house of Sforza, and would regard any injury
+done to the Dukes of Milan and Bari as a personal wrong.</p>
+
+<p>The object of the embassy being accomplished, Count Caiazzo, Galeazzo
+Visconti and Tuttavilla took leave of the French king and returned to
+Milan on the 5th of May, leaving Count Belgiojoso as permanent envoy at
+Paris. The triumph of Lodovico's diplomacy was complete, and without
+shedding a drop of blood, or making any warlike demonstration, he had
+outwitted all his foes and secured the alliance of his most powerful
+neighbour.</p>
+
+<p>The good news gave fresh zest to the pleasures of Beatrice's court that
+summer, and to all the memorable enterprises upon which Lodovico was
+engaged at home.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span>Early in March the Duke and Duchess of Bari left Milan to take up their
+abode at Vigevano, and held a series of brilliant <i>f&ecirc;tes</i> and hunting
+parties in this newly-finished palace. The works upon which Bramante and
+his companions had been employed for years past were finished, the great
+hall with its richly-wrought marble capitals, the noble tower and
+imposing porticoes, were all complete. The last stone was in its place,
+and on the great archway that formed the entrance to the stately pile,
+Lodovico placed this proud Latin inscription, bearing the date, 1492.</p>
+
+<div class="blockquot"><p>"LUDOVICUS MARIA SFORTIA VICECOMES PRINCIPATU JOANNI GALEACIO
+NEPOTI AB EXTERIS ET INTESTINIS MOTIBUS STABILITO POSTEAQUAM
+SQUALLENTES AGROS VIGEVANENSES IMMISSIS FLUMINIBUS FERTILES
+FECIT AD VOLUPTARIOS SECESSUS IN HAC ARCE VETERES PRINCIPUM
+EDES REFORMAVIT ET NOVIS CIRCUMEDIFICATIS SPECIOSA, ETIAM
+TURRI MUNIVIT POPULI QUOQUE HABITATIONIS SITU ET SQUALORE
+OCCUPATAS STRATIS UT EXPEDITIS PER URBEM VIIS AD CIVILEM
+LAUTICIAM REDEGIT DIRRUTIS ETIAM CIRCA FORUM VETERIBUS
+EDIFICIIS ARCAM AMPLIANT AC PORTICIBUS CIRCUMDUCTIS IN HANC
+SPECIEM EXORNAVIT. ANNO A SALUTE CHRISTIANA NONAGESIMOSECUNDO
+SUPRA MILLESIMUM ET QUADRIGENTESIMUM."</p></div>
+
+<p>He had given back peace to his nephew's realm and had vanquished
+external foes and quelled internal dissensions, he had brought rivers of
+water to make the barren fields of Vigevano fertile, and had rebuilt the
+ancient Forum and raised fair porticoes and fine houses round the wide
+square. And now, as a crowning gift to this his native city, he had
+restored and beautified the ancestral castle of the illustrious house of
+Sforza and had reared stately halls and a fair tower to make Vigevano a
+home of perpetual delight.</p>
+
+<p>During the continual round of amusements in which these <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span>festive weeks
+were spent, Beatrice had little time for writing, and the only letter we
+have from her hand during this visit to Vigevano is one addressed to her
+sister Isabella, in which she begs for information respecting Father
+Bernardino da Feltre, a famous revivalist preacher of the Franciscan
+order, who had travelled through the cities of Central Italy, preaching
+repentance and founding the charitable institutions known as Monte di
+Piet&agrave; for the relief of the poor.</p>
+
+<p>"A report has reached us here," wrote the young duchess, "that the
+venerable Father Bernardino da Feltre, who has been preaching in Verona
+this Lent, was heard to declare from the pulpit that he had received a
+message from heaven, warning him that he would die in Holy Week, after
+miraculously opening the eyes of a blind man. Now I am very anxious to
+know if this report is true, and since at Mantua you are sufficiently
+near Verona to learn the truth of these tales, I beg you to make
+inquiries and let me know the result."</p>
+
+<p>A fortnight later, Isabella, who had been absent from Mantua, was able
+to satisfy her sister's curiosity and at the same time answer a previous
+note in which Beatrice had given her a bad character of one of the
+Marchesana's <i>prot&eacute;g&eacute;s</i>, an archer in Fracassa's service. She writes:&mdash;</p>
+
+<br />
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Most illustrious and honoured Sister</span>,</p>
+
+<p>"Only yesterday I received two letters which you wrote to me on the 16th
+and 17th of April: the one in answer to my recommendation of Malacarno,
+Signor Fracassa's archer, the other regarding a report which had reached
+you as to certain words which Fra Bernardino da Feltre is said to have
+spoken at Verona. In reply to your first letter, I assure your Highness
+that if I had ever dreamt Malacarno could be guilty of such detestable
+crimes, I would never have pleaded his cause, since naturally I hate
+such conduct. But as I had been told his faults were trifling, I
+consented to intercede with you on his behalf; and now I hear the bad
+character he bears, am well satisfied to hear the punishment which he
+has received, and praise your illustrious consort's prudence, while at
+the same time I thank you for the very kind expressions in your letter.
+As to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span>Fra Bernardino's supposed prophecy that he would die this Holy
+Week after miraculously opening the eyes of a blind man, I find that
+there is absolutely no truth in the report you mention. Neither at
+Verona, nor yet at Padua, where he has also been preaching, did he ever
+use such language, which indeed his humility would forbid, and as I have
+learnt from a monk who attended his sermons. All the same, in order to
+satisfy you and make sure of the truth, I have made further inquiries,
+the result of which I now lay before you, begging you to commend me
+warmly to your illustrious lord.<a name="FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a></p>
+
+<p style="margin-left: 2em;">"Mantua, May 2nd, 1492."</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>From Vigevano, Lodovico and his wife moved to Pavia, where the summer
+months were spent in entertaining a succession of guests, and, as
+before, Beatrice and Isabella joined together in hunting parties and
+amusements of every description. Giangaleazzo had totally forgotten his
+passing vexation, the clouds which darkened Isabella's sad life seemed
+to lift for the moment, and once more harmony reigned in the ducal
+family. The <i>f&ecirc;tes</i> in honour of her son's christening, which had been
+postponed in the previous summer, were now celebrated with increased
+splendour. Bramante was summoned to arrange a succession of dramatic
+performances, and a grand tournament was held in the park of the
+Castello, in which Messer Galeazzo and his brother and all the most
+skilled jousters at court took part. And the Moro's accomplished friend,
+Ermolao Barbaro, the young Venetian patriarch, who had been once more
+sent as envoy to Milan, composed a wonderful Latin epigram in honour of
+the occasion, praying Pallas not to avert her face in sorrow at the
+sound and tumult of war, which is after all but a mimic display, and
+calling upon her, the goddess whose wisdom Lodovico honours above all
+the thunders of Jove, to bless the great house of Sforza, illustrious
+alike in the arts of war and peace.</p>
+
+<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> Secret Archives of the Venetian Senate, Reg. 31, fol. 123,
+131, etc., and Reg. 32, fol. 87.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> F. Calvi, <i>Bianca Maria Sforza</i>.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> C. Trivulzio in A. S. L., iii. 530.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> V. Delaborde, <i>L'Exp&eacute;dition de Charles VIII. en Italie</i>,
+p. 228.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> G. Uzielli, <i>op. cit.</i>, p. 6.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> Archivio di Milano, <i>Potenze esterne Francia</i>.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_23_23" id="Footnote_23_23"></a><a href="#FNanchor_23_23"><span class="label">[23]</span></a> Luzio Renier, <i>op. cit.</i>, p. 348.</p></div>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 15%;" /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span>
+<br />
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI</h3>
+
+<div style="margin-left: 2em;">
+<p class="hang">Intellectual and artistic revival in Lombardy&mdash;Lodovico and his
+secretaries&mdash;Building of the new University of Pavia&mdash;Reforms and
+extension of the University&mdash;The library of the Castello
+remodelled&mdash;Poliziano and Merula&mdash;Lodovico founds new schools at
+Milan&mdash;Equestrian statue of Francesco Sforza&mdash;Leonardo's paintings at
+Milan&mdash;Lodovico as a patron of art and learning.</p>
+</div>
+
+<h3>1492</h3>
+
+
+<p>The year 1492 was one of great enterprises. The intellectual and
+artistic movement which Lodovico Sforza had inaugurated was now in full
+vigour, and the fruits of his wise and enlightened rule began to appear
+in every direction.</p>
+
+<p>"Now that the wars were ended," writes Corio, "an era of peace and
+prosperity began, and everything seemed on a firmer and more stable
+foundation than it had ever been in times past. The court of our princes
+was most splendid, full of new fashions, rich clothes, and endless
+delights. Here Minerva and Venus vied with each other, while beautiful
+youths and maidens came to learn in the school of Cupid, Minerva held
+her gentle academy in Milan, and that illustrious prince, Lodovico
+Sforza, brought men of rare excellence from the furthest ends of Europe
+at his expense. Here the learning of Greece shone, together with the
+prose and verse of the Latin race. Here the muses of poetry, and the
+masters of sculpture reigned supreme; here came the most distinguished
+painters from distant regions; here night and day were heard sounds of
+such sweet singing, and such delicious harmonies of music, that they
+seemed to descend from heaven itself."</p>
+
+<p>Foremost among the "men of singular merit" whom Lodovico attracted to
+his court and retained in his service, were his two secretaries,
+Bartolommeo Calco and Jacopo Antiquario of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span>Perugia. Both were men of
+great learning and discernment, fired with the same passion for arts and
+letters as their master, and as liberal as he was in assisting poorer
+scholars. Calco was Lodovico's right hand and chief adviser in his great
+schemes for beautifying cities and palaces. He delivered his orders to
+the countless artists in his employment, arranged court festivities and
+generally conducted the duke's correspondence. Jacopo Antiquario was
+more purely a scholar, who protected other men of letters, and helped
+them generously in time of need. His honest nature and kindly actions
+made him singularly beloved, and a contemporary describes him as the
+most learned of good men, and the best of learned men; while his
+intimate friend, the great printer, Aldo Manuzio, has immortalized his
+memory in the beautiful epistle in which he dedicates the Moralia of
+Plutarch to this man, whose name, he prays, may go down to future ages
+linked with his own. Both of these secretaries proved able assistants in
+the great revival of art and learning which is Lodovico's lasting title
+to fame. Chief among these was the reform and extension of the
+University of Pavia. During the troubled times that followed Galeazzo
+Sforza's death, this ancient University had sunk to a very low ebb. The
+professors remained unpaid, and in many cases ceased to lecture, the
+buildings were small and inconvenient and the students lawless and
+riotous. Lodovico set himself with a stern hand to repress abuses on the
+one side, while on the other he grudged neither time nor money in
+promoting the cause of learning. A letter which he addressed to the
+students from Vigevano in August, 1488, only a few weeks before the
+dangerous illness which almost ended his life, deserves to be quoted, if
+only as an example of the attention which he gave to every detail of
+administration.</p>
+
+<p>"Not a day passes," he writes, "but I hear of some fresh misconduct on
+your part, some crime committed or some uproar excited in the city, by
+you who are scholars of the University. Even last Holy Week your
+behaviour towards certain gentlemen and citizens of Pavia was justly the
+cause of scandal and complaint. Such things are not to be borne, nor do
+I intend to bear them any longer. Schools are intended for learning, and
+the object of all study and learning is that we may know how to live
+well, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span>and, by our good conduct and fair lives, gain honour and praise
+both in the eyes of God and man. We do not see that the human and divine
+laws, in which you are daily instructed, produce any good effect if you
+can behave as you have done in this case towards peaceable citizens,
+especially in these holy days when the fear of God should, above all,
+control your ways and actions. If you thus neglect the laws of good
+living, nothing but confusion can be the result. And know that, unless
+you speedily return to better ways, and show more respect for our holy
+religion, and more honourable treatment of our honest citizens, no love
+of learning will induce me to countenance such misconduct. For to
+repress crime, keep Italy in peace, and maintain the honour of our
+illustrious lord duke, is the first and chief object of our endeavours."</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, Lodovico neglected no means of improving the condition of
+both professors and scholars of the University. In 1489, the magnificent
+new Ateneo which he had planned was completed, and the different schools
+of medicine, jurisprudence, fine arts and letters, were brought together
+under the same roof. The most distinguished foreign scholars were
+invited to occupy the different professional chairs, their salaries were
+raised and their numbers increased. Giasone del Maino, who was professor
+of law at Pavia for fifty-two years, and whose reputation as jurist
+attracted students from all parts of the world, received the large
+salary of 2250 florins at this time, while Giorgio Merula of
+Alessandria, the historian, who for many years was professor of rhetoric
+at the University, and received only 375 florins in 1486, had his salary
+raised in 1492 to 1000 florins. Next to the law schools, that of
+medicine was the most noted for its excellence at Pavia, and among its
+distinguished professors were Alvise Marliani, who was said to rival
+Aristotle in philosophy, Hippocrates in medicine, and Ptolemy in
+astronomy, and who was court-physician in turn to Lodovico Sforza, to
+his son Maximilian, and to the Emperor Charles V.; and Ambrogio of
+Varese, who occupied the chair of astrology, and taught the science of
+Almansor, as it was termed. This favourite servant of the Moro received
+the title of Count and the castle and lands of Rosate from Gian Galeazzo
+in 1493, "for his services," so ran the patent, "in <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span>saving my
+illustrious uncle the Duke of Bari's life." Oriental study was another
+branch of learning that Lodovico especially encouraged. Count Teseo de'
+Albonesi of Pavia became noted as the first Chaldaic scholar of his age,
+and in 1490, the Moro established a chair of Hebrew, and appointed the
+Jew Benedetto Ispano to be the first professor, with express injunctions
+to study the text of the Bible. This experiment, however, proved a
+failure, and so few scholars attended his lectures that at the end of a
+year the chair was abolished. At the same time, new colleges were
+opened, and scholarships founded for poor students; and in 1496,
+Lodovico being then reigning Duke of Milan, granted the professors of
+law, medicine, philosophy and fine arts, an exemption from all taxation.
+Under his fostering care the University flourished as it had never
+flourished before. Scholars from all parts of Europe came to attend
+Giasone di Maino's lectures, the number of professors reached ninety:
+that of students was said to be three thousand. As the Milanese poet
+Lancinus Curtius sang in his Latin rhymes, "The fair-skinned Germans
+with their long hair flowing on their necks, the English and the knights
+from Gaul, the Iberian from the golden sands of Tagus, all hasten
+thither from the far North. The rude Pannonian lays aside his military
+cloak to join the eager throng who crowd into the virgin temple and seek
+the Helicon of Phoebus under the carved dome of wisdom, which bears
+Lodovico's name above the stars."</p>
+
+<p>But the Moro patronage of learning was by no means limited to Pavia. He
+did his utmost to revive the ancient University of Milan, which had long
+fallen into decay, and founded new and flourishing schools in this city.
+The best Pavian professors Merula and the Greek Demetrius Calcondila
+amongst others, were invited to lecture to the Milanese students. Fra
+Luca Pacioli of Borgo San Sepolcro, the famous mathematician, came to
+teach them geometry and arithmetic, and Ferrari occupied the first chair
+of history ever founded in Italy, while the priest Gaffuri became the
+first public instructor in the new school of music. In short, as a
+contemporary writes, there was not a science of any description that
+could not be learnt at Milan in the days of Lodovico Sforza.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span>The endowment of research was another point in which Lodovico showed
+himself to be in advance of his age. He granted liberal pensions to
+Bernardino Corio and Tristano Calco, "the Milanese Livy," who continued
+the history of the Visconti begun by the Alessandria professor and
+addressed letters in his own hand to the private owners of valuable
+manuscripts, requesting the loan of works that would assist these
+writers of Lombard history, "in order that a perpetual memory of the
+great deeds done by our ancestors may be preserved for future
+generations." From his earliest years history had been one of Lodovico's
+favourite studies, and an illuminated volume of extracts from Greek and
+Roman history which he compiled under his tutor Filelfo's direction at
+the age of fifteen may still be seen in the library of Turin. And in
+riper years, amid all the pressure of State affairs and political
+anxieties, he never let a day pass without having some passages from
+ancient and modern history read aloud to him by his secretaries. So wise
+and enlightened a prince well deserved the high praise bestowed upon him
+by the Bolognese scholar, Filippo Beroaldo, and the great Florentine,
+Angelo Poliziano, with whom Lodovico frequently exchanged letters, and
+who in one of his effusions thus addresses his princely friend: "All the
+world knows you to be a prince of brilliant genius and singular wisdom,
+while above all others you cherish the noble arts and show your love for
+these intellectual studies which we profess." The jealousy of his own
+subjects was often roused by the favour with which Lodovico regarded
+scholars of other nationalities, and on one occasion a fierce quarrel
+arose between Merula and Poliziano, in which the Lombard historian
+stooped to the vilest personalities. Another Pavian professor with whom
+he had a controversy over certain commentaries of Martial, had, it
+appears, ventured to hint that Merula did not really know Greek, an
+insinuation which provoked the most violent display of anger on his
+part, and when Poliziano endeavoured to appease both parties, the
+affronted Lombard flew at him like a small terrier attacking some big
+mastiff. All Lodovico's tact and courtesy were needed to allay the
+storm, and when at length Merula died in 1494, the duke ordered the
+immediate destruction of all the papers relating to this deplorable
+controversy, of which all parties, he felt, had <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span>good reason to be
+ashamed. The remodelling of the library of the Castello di Pavia was
+another important work which was carried out in the year 1492, by
+Tristano Calco the historian and kinsman of the chief secretary, under
+the eye of Lodovico himself, while he and Beatrice spent the summer at
+Pavia. All the rare and precious manuscripts which he had been at such
+pains to collect in France and Italy and Germany, and the ancient books
+contained in the library were catalogued and arranged for the use of
+students. For Lodovico was not only bent on enriching the ducal library,
+but was determined to make its treasures accessible to scholars of all
+nationalities. He allowed contemporary historians, Corio, Merula, and
+Tristan Calco himself, to borrow manuscripts freely, and, what was even
+more admirable in those days of persecution, gave permission under his
+own hand and seal to a Jewish scholar, named Salomone Ebreo, to live in
+the Castello with his family, in order that he might translate Hebrew
+manuscripts into Latin for the promotion of theological studies, and
+also be enabled to study the text of the Hebrew Bible belonging to the
+library.</p>
+
+<p>It is melancholy to reflect on the sad fate of this priceless
+collection, upon which Lodovico and his ancestors had expended so much
+care and thought. In 1499, the bulk of the library of the Castello was
+carried off to Blois by Louis XII. and its precious contents were
+dispersed. Some were taken to Fontainebleau by Francis I. and afterwards
+by Henry Quatre to Paris, where they are still the glory of the
+Biblioth&egrave;que Nationale. Others again found their way into different
+public and private collections, and may be seen at Madrid and St.
+Petersburg, in London and Vienna, still bearing the inscription "De
+Pavye au roi Louis XII.," which tells us that they once formed part of
+the Sforza Library. An illuminated manuscript of Aulus Gellius, and
+another of the "Triumphs" of Petrarch, encircled with miniatures and
+bearing Lodovico's name, which originally belonged to the same
+collection, are among the treasures of the Biblioth&egrave;que Nationale. Many
+more no doubt have disappeared, lost in the general anarchy and
+confusion which prevailed in the Milanese during the century after the
+Moro's fall.</p>
+
+<p>The newly discovered art of printing was also liberally <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span>encouraged by
+Lodovico, one of whose <i>prot&eacute;g&eacute;s</i>, Alessandro Minuziano, set up a
+printing press in Milan before Aldo Manuzio had settled in Venice, and
+in the course of the year 1494, published twenty-two books, including a
+Latin dictionary by Dionigi Este and complete editions of Cicero and
+Tacitus, Pliny and Suetonius, as well as the works of Filelfo and the
+Sonnets and Triumphs of Petrarch. In 1496, a treatise on music by
+Franchino Gaffuri was published, with a dedication to the duke, and was
+followed by the appearance of several works on harmony.</p>
+
+<p>The munificence of Lodovico stirred up others to follow his example. His
+secretary Bartolommeo Calco founded free schools, where Greek and Latin
+professors lectured free of charge to poor Milanese students; and two
+other noblemen, Tommaso Grassi and Tommaso Piatti, endowed similar
+institutions. The new passion for learning spread from Milan and Pavia
+to other cities, and even Lombard villages had their public schools and
+lecturers. Everywhere the same thirst for knowledge was felt and the
+same respect for scholars was shown. For as Signor Lodovico wrote to his
+friend Poliziano, at Florence, "Both natural inclination and the example
+of our ancestors have inspired us with ardent love for learned men and
+an eager desire to honour and reward them to the best of our power."</p>
+
+<p>If the intellectual movement which took place during the twenty years of
+Lodovico Moro's rule in Milan commanded general admiration; if learning
+flourished there as it had never done before, the widespread revival of
+art in Lombardy was a still more remarkable feature of the period. This
+indeed was the province in which Lodovico's true genius was most
+apparent, and in which his own fine taste, vast power of organization
+and minute attention to detail, all made themselves felt and bore rich
+fruit. "This," wrote Isabella d'Este&mdash;herself no mean judge of these
+matters&mdash;from Lodovico's court, "is the school of the Master and of
+those who know, the home of art and understanding."</p>
+
+<p>Throughout the Milanese, architects and engineers, painters and
+sculptors, with a host of minor craftsmen, were carrying out the vast
+projects that emanated from this one man. The <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span>decoration of the capital
+was naturally among the chief objects of his ambition.</p>
+
+<p>"In the year 1492," writes the chronicler Cagnola, "this glorious and
+magnanimous prince adorned the Castello di Porta Zobia with many fair
+and marvellous buildings, enlarged the Piazza in front of the Castello,
+and removed obstructions in the streets of the city, and caused them to
+be painted and beautified with frescoes. And he did the same in the city
+of Pavia, so that both these towns, that were formerly ugly and dirty,
+are now most beautiful, which things are very laudable and excellent,
+especially in the eyes of those who remember these cities as they were
+of old, and who see them as they are to-day."</p>
+
+<p>Chief among Lodovico's most honoured and trusted servants was Bramante
+of Urbino, whose genius excited so marked an influence on the
+development of Lombard architecture, and who was to the builders what
+Leonardo became to the painters of Milan. "Signor Lodovico loved
+Bramante greatly, and rewarded him richly," writes Fra Gaspare Bugati, a
+Dominican friar of S. Maria delle Grazie, the Moro's favourite church,
+which this great architect did so much to beautify. During this year,
+Bramante, having finished the palace of Vigevano and completed the new
+buildings at the royal villas of Abbiategrasso, Cuzzago and other
+places, upon which he had been long engaged, began several important
+works in Milan itself. The new cloister or Canonica attached to the
+ancient basilica of S. Ambrogio, with its graceful columns and
+dark-green marble capitals, and the apse of S. Maria delle Grazie, soon
+to be crowned with that matchless cupola that remains among Bramante's
+most perfect works, were both begun in 1492. A few years before, between
+1485 and 1490, he had built the Baptistery of San Satiro, which another
+of Lodovico's chosen artists, the great Como sculptor, Caradosso, was
+now engaged in modelling the lovely terra-cotta frieze of children and
+the medallions bearing, it is said, his own portrait and that of
+Bramante. The noble church of S. Maria presso San Celso, which in
+Burckhardt's opinion combines magnificence and simplicity better than
+any building of the Renaissance, was the work of Bramante's assistant,
+Dolcebuono, and owed its erection to the munificence of Lodovico, who
+laid the first stone in 1491. Nor <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span>were churches and palaces the only
+buildings upon which Lodovico lavished his gold and employed his most
+distinguished masters. In those days, the hospitals of Rome, Florence,
+Venice and Siena were the finest in Europe, and when Luther visited
+Rome, he is said to have been more impressed by the size and splendour
+of the hospitals, than by anything else in Italy. The great Moro,
+determined not to allow Milan to remain behind his age in this respect,
+employed Bramante to adorn the Gothic buildings of the Ospedale Maggiore
+with the arched windows and stately porticoes that we still admire,
+while he encircled the cloisters with marble shafts and terra-cotta
+mouldings after his own heart. And in 1488, after his own recovery from
+illness, and that terrible visitation of the plague which had carried
+off fifty thousand inhabitants of Milan in six months, Lodovico founded
+the vast Lazzaretto, which still deserves its proud title, and may well
+be called a "glorious refuge for Christ's poor."</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile the works of the Duomo of Milan, that other great foundation
+of the Visconti dukes, were being vigorously carried on. In 1481,
+Lodovico had nominated his favourite Pavian master, Amadeo, the
+architect of the Certosa, as Capomaestro in succession to Guiniforte
+Solari; but the Councillors of the Fabric declined to accept his
+suggestion, and sent to Strasburg for a German architect, John
+Nexemperger of Graz, who held the office for some years, but effected
+little, and was finally dismissed in 1486. After his departure, the
+ruinous state of the central cupola requiring immediate attention,
+Lodovico invited Luca Fancelli, the chief architect of the Gonzagas at
+Mantua, to visit Milan, and by his advice Leonardo, Bramante, and other
+leading masters were invited in 1487 to design models for a new cupola.
+On this occasion Leonardo executed a model, which, however, does not
+seem to have satisfied the Fabbricieri, and after applying in vain to
+his ambassador in Rome and Florence for a master able and willing to
+undertake the task, Lodovico returned to his first choice, and appointed
+Amadeo and Dolcebuono, architects of the Duomo, with powers to alter and
+perfect the models of the cupola submitted to them for inspection. In
+order to strengthen their hands and satisfy himself, Lodovico invited
+Luca Fancelli of Mantua and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span>Francesco Martini of Siena to decide on the
+respective merits of the models already prepared. Caradosso was sent to
+conduct Martini from Siena, while Gaffuri, Professor of Music, escorted
+Fancelli from Mantua by the duke's orders, and both masters were richly
+rewarded for the pains and presented with silken vests and clothes for
+their servants over and above the pay to which they were entitled.</p>
+
+<p>On the 27th of June, 1490, a meeting was held in the Castello, at which
+Lodovico presided, and after much deliberation the final execution of
+the cupola was entrusted to Amadeo and Dolcebuono. Bramante himself was
+not present on this occasion, but he approved highly of the model
+selected, and praised its lightness and elegance.</p>
+
+<p>As for Leonardo, he was absorbed in other studies, and had apparently
+ceased to take any interest in the subject. After allowing his first
+model to be spoilt, and receiving payment for a second which he never
+began, he had, as already mentioned, accompanied the Sienese architect,
+Martini, to Pavia, to give his opinion on the new Duomo in course of
+erection. There he lingered, studying anatomy or discussing scientific
+and philosophical questions with the University professors, until he was
+recalled to Milan, to assist in the preparations for Beatrice's wedding
+<i>f&ecirc;tes</i>. Many and varied were the tasks on which Leonardo had been
+employed since the day, some eight years before, when the Magnificent
+Medici first sent him to his friend at Milan. In the letter which the
+young master, proudly conscious of his powers, himself addressed to
+Lodovico Sforza, offering him his services, he had, first of all,
+retailed at length his different inventions "for the construction of
+bridges, cannons, engines, and catapults of fair and useful shape
+hitherto unknown, but of admirable efficiency in time of war," after
+which he proceeded to give the following account of his artistic
+capacities:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"In time of peace I believe I can equal any man in constructing public
+buildings and conducting water from one place to another. I can execute
+sculpture, whether in marble, bronze, or terra-cotta, and in painting I
+am the equal of any master, be he who he may. Again, I will undertake to
+execute the bronze horse to the immortal glory and eternal honour of the
+duke, your <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span>father, of blessed memory, and of the illustrious House of
+Sforza. And if any of the things I have mentioned above should seem to
+you impossible and impracticable, I will gladly make trial of them in
+your park, or any other place that may please your Excellency, to whom I
+commend myself in all humility."</p>
+
+<p>The master had kept his word, and justified the confidence which from
+the first Lodovico Sforza placed in him. According to Vasari and the
+biographer of the Magliabecchiana, who wrote about 1540, Leonardo
+originally attracted the Moro's notice by the surpassing charm with
+which he played on a silver lyre of his own invention, and afterwards
+fascinated him by his conversation. But from the moment of his arrival
+at Milan the Florentine artist was employed by his new master to paint
+portraits and frescoes, to construct canals, arrange masques and
+pageants, or invent mechanical contrivances for use on the stage or in
+the house. A thousand different studies in his sketch-books and
+manuscripts bear witness to the strange variety of subjects upon which
+his versatile genius was brought to bear. But the most important work
+upon which Leonardo was engaged, and that which lay nearest to Lodovico
+Sforza's heart, was the equestrian statue of Duke Francesco Sforza.
+This, we learn from the master's own words, was the true reason that
+brought him to Milan. In a letter to the Fabbricieri of the Duomo of
+Piacenza, he describes himself as Leonardo the Florentine whom Signor
+Lodovico brought to Milan to make the bronze horse, and says that he can
+undertake no other task, for this will fill his whole life, if indeed it
+is ever finished! Countless were the designs, endless the different
+forms which the great master made for this model, which was, after all,
+never to be cast in bronze, and was destined to perish by the hands of
+French archers. At one time it seemed as if he could neither satisfy
+himself nor yet his master. In July, 1489, Pietro Alamanni, one of
+Lorenzo de' Medici's agents, wrote to ask his master if he could send
+another artist capable of executing the work to the Milanese court.</p>
+
+<p>"Signor Lodovico," he says, "wishes to raise a noble memorial to his
+father, and has already charged Leonardo da Vinci to prepare a model for
+a great bronze horse, with a figure of Duke Francesco in armour. But
+since His Excellency is <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span>anxious to have something superlatively fine,
+he desires me to write and beg you to send him another master, for
+although he has given the work to Leonardo, he does not feel satisfied
+that he is equal to the task."</p>
+
+<p>Probably Lodovico's confidence had been shaken by Leonardo's endless
+delays and hesitation, but a few months later the master was at work
+again, this time it appears on a completely new model of the great
+statue. On April, 1490, we find the following memorandum in Leonardo's
+writing:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"To-day I commenced this book, and began the horse again."</p>
+
+<p>But soon another interruption came to interfere with the progress of the
+great work. There was the visit to Pavia, and the decoration of the
+ball-room in the Castello, and the wedding <i>f&ecirc;tes</i>, and the tournaments
+in which Messer Galeazzo sought his help. And in this year&mdash;1492&mdash;we
+find Leonardo at Vigevano with the Moro in March, making designs for a
+new staircase for the Sforzesca, and studying vine-culture, and later in
+the summer drawing plans of a bath-room for Duchess Beatrice, and of a
+pavilion with a round cupola for the duke's labyrinth in the gardens of
+the Castello. It was in this same year, according to Amoretti, that he
+finished the beautiful painting of the Holy Family, upon which he had
+long been engaged. This may have been the picture ordered by Lodovico as
+a gift for the art-loving King of Hungary, Matthias Corvinus, when his
+niece Bianca Maria was betrothed to that monarch's son.</p>
+
+<p>"Since we hear that His Majesty delights in pictures," wrote Lodovico to
+Maffeo di Treviglio, the ambassador whom he was sending to Hungary in
+1485, "and we have here a most excellent painter, with whose genius we
+are well acquainted, and who, we are sure, has no equal, we have ordered
+this master to paint a figure of Our Lady, as beautiful and perfect and
+holy as he can imagine, without sparing pains or expense. He has already
+set to work, and will undertake nothing else until this picture is
+finished, and we are able to send it as a gift to his said Majesty."</p>
+
+<p>The painter who had no equal could be none other than Leonardo; but it
+would be interesting to know if this picture, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span>originally destined for
+Matthias Corvinus, was the Nativity eventually given by Lodovico in 1493
+to Bianca Maria's future husband, the Emperor Maximilian. All traces of
+this altar-piece, however, as well as of the Bacchus and other subjects
+which Leonardo painted for the Moro, have vanished; and the only works
+that remain to us of his Milanese period are the cartoon of the Virgin
+and St. Anne now in the Royal Academy, and the "Vierge aux Rochers" in
+the Louvre, which was originally painted between 1490 and 1494 for a
+chapel in San Francesco of Milan, the church where the great Condottiere
+Roberto di Sanseverino was piously buried by his sons, after his death
+in the battle of Trent. The fame which Leonardo had attained, and the
+high esteem in which he was held by the Moro, is proved by the verses of
+contemporary poets, and especially by those of his fellow-countryman,
+Bellincioni, the court-poet who died in 1492.</p>
+
+<p>"To-day," he sings, "Milan is the new Athens! Here Lodovico holds his
+Parnassus; here rare and excellent artists flock as bees to seek honey
+from the flowers; here, chief among them all, is the new Apelles whom he
+has brought from Florence." In the volume of Bellincioni's Sonnets,
+published soon after his death by the priest Francesco Tanzio, the name
+Magistro Leonardo da Vinci appears in a marginal note, and in another
+sonnet inscribed to "Four illustrious men who have grown up under the
+shadow of the Moro," the editor gives the respective names of these
+famous individuals as "the painter Maestro Leonardo Florentino, the
+goldsmith Caradosso, the learned Greek scholar Giorgio Merula, called
+the sun of Alessandria, and Maestro Giannino, the Ferrarese
+gun-founder."</p>
+
+<p>"Rejoice, O Milano," sings the poet in these verses&mdash;"rejoice above all,
+that within your walls you hold one who is foremost among excellent
+artists, Da Vinci, whose drawing and colouring are alike unrivalled by
+ancient or modern masters."</p>
+
+<p>The fact that Lodovico was able to keep this great master at his court
+during so long a period is the best proof we have of his knowledge of
+men and love of art. These sixteen years were the most brilliant and
+productive of Leonardo's life. Never <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span>again was he to enjoy a freedom
+and independence so complete, never again was he to find a master as
+generous, as stimulating to his powers of brain and hand as the great
+Moro. It was not only that Signor Lodovico gave him the large salary of
+2000 ducats&mdash;about &pound;4000 of our money&mdash;"besides many other gifts and
+rewards," as Leonardo himself told Cardinal de Gurk, but that he was
+himself so fine a connoisseur and understanding a patron. More than
+this, he knew how to deal with men of genius, and could make allowance
+for their wayward fancies, and humour their caprices with infinite tact
+and kindliness. And from the little that we glean of his intercourse
+with Leonardo, he seems to have treated him rather as an equal than as a
+subject, and more like a friend than a servant.</p>
+
+<p>The glimpses that we catch of Leonardo's private life from the writings
+of contemporaries, whether in Bandello's <i>novelle</i>, or in Bellincioni's
+<i>rime</i>, all give the same pleasant impression, and show the ease and
+liberty which he enjoyed at the court of Milan. And in his own
+"Trattato" (Cap. 36) the painter describes himself as living in a fine
+house, full of beautiful paintings and choice objects, surrounded by
+musicians and poets. Here he sits at his work, handling a brush full of
+lovely colour, never so happy as when he can paint listening to the
+sound of sweet melodies. The spacious atelier is full of scholars and
+apprentices employed in carrying out their master's ideas or making
+chemical experiments, but careless of the noise of tools and hammers,
+the fair-haired boy Angelo sings his golden song, and Serafino the
+wondrous <i>improvisatore</i> chants his own verses to the sound of the lyre.
+Visitors come and go freely&mdash;Messer Jacopo of Ferrara, the architect who
+was "dear to Leonardo as a brother," the courtly poet Gaspare Visconti,
+and Vincenzo Calmeta, Duchess Beatrice's secretary, or, it may be, the
+great Messer Galeaz himself, whose big jennet and Sicilian horse the
+master has been drawing as models for the great equestrian statue
+standing outside in the Corte Vecchia. There, among them all, the
+painter bends over his canvas seeking to perfect the glazes and scumbles
+of his pearly tints, or trying to realize some dream of a face that
+haunts his fancy with its exquisite smile. He has, it is true, many
+labours&mdash;"<i>a tanta faccenda!</i>" as he <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span>wrote to the councillors of
+Piacenza&mdash;and at times he hardly knows which way to turn, but he is his
+own master, free to work as he will, now at one, now at another. He has
+no cares or anxiety. He can dress as he pleases, wear rich apparel if he
+is so minded, or don the plain clothes and sober hues that he prefers.
+He has gold enough and to spare; he can help a poorer friend and educate
+a needy apprentice, or save his money for a rainy day; and, above all,
+he has plenty of books and leisure to meditate on philosophical
+treatises, or ponder over the scientific problems in which his soul
+delights. He can find time to jot down his thoughts on many things, to
+write his great treatise on painting, and to draw the wonderful
+interlaced patterns inscribed with the strange words which have puzzled
+so many generations of commentators. And he has friends, too, dear to
+his heart&mdash;Messer Jacopo, and the wise Lorenzo da Pavia, that master of
+organs whose hands were as deft in fashioning lyres and viols as in
+drawing out sweet sounds, with whom he loved to commune of musical
+instruments and eternal harmonies, and the boy Andrea Salai, with the
+beautiful curling hair, whom he loved to dress up in green velvet
+mantles, and shoes with rose-coloured ribbons and silver buckles.</p>
+
+<p>"Such," he tells us, "was I, Leonardo the Florentine, at the court of
+the most Illustrious Prince Signor Lodovic." And what the Moro was to
+Leonardo that he showed himself to other artists and men of letters. In
+the poet's words, he was the magnet who drew men of genius (<i>virtuosi</i>)
+from all parts of the world to Milan. He might be an exacting and
+critical master, he was certainly never satisfied with any work short of
+the best&mdash;even Leonardo, we have seen, did not always find him easy to
+please&mdash;but once he discovered a man who was excellent in any branch of
+knowledge, he thought no cost too great to retain him at his court. And
+so the foremost scholars and the finest artists, Giorgio Merula and
+Lancinus Curtius, Caradosso and Cristoforo Romano, Bramante and
+Leonardo, were all drawn to Milan in turn, and, having once entered the
+Moro's service, remained there until the end.</p>
+
+<p>"We know, O most illustrious Prince!" wrote Tanzio in his preface to
+Bellincioni's Sonnets&mdash;"we know that you, the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span>Chief of the Insubrians,
+are no less a lover of your country than of your glorious father, in
+whose honour you have reared that mighty and immortal work, the great
+Colossus, which, like himself, remains without a rival. We see you
+equally anxious to glorify both his memory and your own great city. We
+see Milan, by your care, not only adorned with peace and wealth, with
+noble churches and edifices, but with rare and admirable intellects, who
+all turn to you in their hour of need, as the rivers flow into the vast
+ocean."</p>
+
+<p>Nor was it only in Milan and Pavia that this revival made itself felt.
+The new impulse spread from city to city. The lovely Renaissance fa&ccedil;ade
+of S. Maria dei Miracoli at Brescia was completed in 1487, and the great
+Church of the Incoronata at Lodi, begun in 1488, was continued during
+the next twenty years under the superintendence of Dolcebuono and
+Amadeo. Bramante supplied designs for the new fa&ccedil;ade and portals that
+were added to the cathedral of Como in 1491, and for the majestic church
+of Abbiategrasso, close to this favourite country house of the Sforzas.
+A number of other churches, both in Milan and the neighbourhood, were
+designed by him or his scholars, and bear witness to the revolution
+which he had effected in Lombard architecture. At Piacenza and Cremona,
+at Saronno and Lugano, new churches and palaces arose, and the famous
+Sanctuary of Varallo in the Val Sesia was founded in 1491 by that devout
+personage, Messer Bernardino Caimo, on his return from a pilgrimage to
+the Holy Land. The same passion for building and decoration prevailed
+everywhere. On all sides poets and scholars celebrated Lodovico's name
+as the Pericles of this new Athens, and joined in the chorus of praise
+which inspired Pistoia's famous line&mdash;</p>
+
+<p style="margin-left: 15em;">"E un Dio in cielo e il Moro in terra."</p>
+<p style="margin-left: 11em;">"There is one God in heaven and the Moro upon earth."</p>
+
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 15%;" /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span>
+<br />
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII</h3>
+
+<div style="margin-left: 2em;">
+<p>Beatrice d'Este as a patron of learning and poetry&mdash;Vincenzo Calmeta,
+her secretary&mdash;Serafino d'Aquila&mdash;Rivalry of Lombard and Tuscan poets&mdash;Gaspare
+Visconti's works&mdash;Poetic jousts with Bramante&mdash;Niccolo di
+Correggio and other poets&mdash;Dramatic art and music at the court of
+Milan&mdash;Gaffuri and Testagrossa&mdash;Lorenzo Gusnasco of Pavia.</p>
+</div>
+
+<h3>1492</h3>
+
+
+<p>Lodovico Moro, as we have seen, was justly extolled by his
+contemporaries as the most illustrious Mec&aelig;nas of his age. As Abb&eacute;
+Tiraboschi, the learned historian of Italian literature, wrote ninety
+years ago, "If we consider the immense number of learned men who flocked
+to his court from all parts of Italy in the certainty of receiving great
+honours and rich rewards; if, again, we remember how many famous
+architects and painters he invited to Milan, and how many noble
+buildings he raised, how he built and endowed the magnificent University
+of Pavia, and opened schools of every kind of science in Milan; if
+besides all this we read the splendid eulogies and dedicatory epistles
+addressed to him by scholars of every nationality, we feel inclined to
+pronounce him the best prince that ever lived." And in Beatrice d'Este,
+Lodovico possessed a wife admirably adapted to share his aims and
+preside over his court. Both her birth and education fitted her for the
+position which she now occupied. Her youth and beauty lent a new lustre
+to the court, her quick intelligence and cultured tastes led her to
+appreciate the society of poets and scholars. The natural love of
+splendour, which she shared with the Moro, went hand-in-hand with
+artistic invention. Her rich clothes and jewels were distinguished by
+their refinement and rare workmanship. The fashions which she
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span>introduced were marked by their elegance and beauty. She took especial
+delight in music and poetry, and gave signs of a fine and discriminating
+literary judgment. And like Lodovico, she knew not only how to attract
+men of genius, but how to retain them in her service. Where, again, asks
+Castiglione, who had known her in her brightest days at Milan, shall we
+find a woman of intellect as remarkable as Duchess Beatrice? And her own
+secretary, the writer known as "<i>l'elegantissimo</i> Calmeta" in the
+cultured circles of Mantua and Urbino, has told us how much men of
+letters owed to her sympathy and help. In the life of his friend,
+Serafino Aquilano, written seven years after Beatrice's death, when the
+Milanese was a French province and the Moro a captive at Loches, Calmeta
+recalls the brilliant days of his old life at Lodovico's court, and
+speaks thus of his lost mistress:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"This duke had for his most dear wife Beatrice d'Este, daughter of
+Ercole, Duke of Ferrara, who, coming to Milan in the flower of her
+opening youth, was endowed with so rare an intellect, so much grace and
+affability, and was so remarkable for her generosity and goodness that
+she may justly be compared with the noblest women of antiquity. This
+duchess devoted her time to the highest objects. Her court was composed
+of men of talent and distinction, most of whom were poets and musicians,
+who were expected to compose new eclogues, comedies, or tragedies, and
+arrange new spectacles and representations every month. In her leisure
+hours she generally employed a certain Antonio Grifo"&mdash;a well-known
+student and commentator of Dante&mdash;"or some equally gifted man, to read
+the Divina Commedia, or the works of other Italian poets, aloud to her.
+And it was no small relaxation of mind for Lodovico Sforza, when he was
+able to escape from the cares and business of state, to come and listen
+to these readings in his wife's rooms. And among the illustrious men
+whose presence adorned the court of the duchess there were three
+high-born cavaliers, renowned for many talents, but above all for their
+poetic gifts&mdash;Niccolo da Correggio, Gaspare Visconti, and Antonio di
+Campo Fregoso, together with many others, one of whom was myself,
+Vincenzo Calmeta, who for some years held the post of secretary to that
+glorious and excellent lady. And besides those I have named there was
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span>Benedetto da Cingoli, called Piceno, and many other youths of no small
+promise, who daily offered her the first fruits of their genius. Nor was
+Duchess Beatrice content with rewarding and honouring the poets of her
+own court. On the contrary, she sent to all parts of Italy to inquire
+for the compositions of elegant poets, and placed their books as sacred
+and divine things on the shelves of her cabinet of study, and praised
+and rewarded each writer according to his merit. In this manner, poetry
+and literature in the vulgar tongue, which had degenerated and sunk into
+forgetfulness after the days of Petrarch and Boccaccio, has been
+restored to its former dignity, first by the protection of Lorenzo de'
+Medici, and then by the influence of this rare lady, and others like
+her, who are still living at the present time. But when Duchess Beatrice
+died everything fell into ruin. That court, which had been a joyous
+Paradise, became a dark and gloomy Inferno, and poets and artists were
+forced to seek another road."</p>
+
+<p>Calmeta himself was a prolific writer both of verse and prose, whose
+translation of Ovid's <i>Ars amandi</i>, dedicated to Lodovico Moro, was
+highly esteemed by his contemporaries, and whom Castiglione introduces
+among the speakers of his <i>Cortigiano</i>. Like his friends Niccolo da
+Correggio and Gaspare Visconti, Beatrice's secretary was a fervent
+admirer of Petrarch, and wrote an elaborate commentary on the <i>Canzone</i>,
+"<i>Mai non vo' pi&ugrave; cantar como io solea</i>," which he dedicated to Isabella
+d'Este and sent her with a letter expressing his conviction that no one
+before him had ever fully understood this profound and subtle poem.
+Another of Beatrice's <i>prot&eacute;g&eacute;s</i> was Serafino, the famous improvisatore
+of Aquila in the Abruzzi, a short and ugly little man, whom Cardinal
+Bibbiena once laughingly compared to a carpet-bag (<i>valigia</i>)! But in
+spite of his dwarfed stature and elfish appearance, Serafino sang his
+own <i>strambotti</i> and eclogues so well, and had so fascinating a way of
+accompanying himself on the lute, that the Este and Gonzaga ladies all
+entreated him for new verses, and literally wrangled over the man
+himself! Like Calmeta and many others, however, after spending some time
+at the courts of Mantua and Urbino, he came to Milan, and devoted his
+talents to the service of Duchess Beatrice until her death, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span>after which
+he went his way sadly, and sought shelter in his old haunts. Most of his
+time after this was spent with the good Duchess Elizabeth at Urbino,
+where the Milanese refugees found a warm welcome, and where Serafino was
+caressed and <i>f&ecirc;ted</i> by all the great ladies in turn, until a premature
+death closed his career, and he died in Rome in 1500, lamented in prose
+and verse by the most cultured spirits of the age.</p>
+
+<p>While Beatrice encouraged these foreign poets to settle at Milan,
+Lodovico invited the Tuscans Bellincioni and Antonio Cammelli, surnamed
+Pistoia, to his court, in the hope of refining and polishing the rude
+Lombard diction. The priest Tanzio, writing after Bellincioni's death in
+1492, remarks that this influence had already borne fruit, and that the
+sonnet, which was practically unknown in Milan before Bellincioni's
+coming, was now diligently cultivated there. But, not unnaturally, a
+bitter rivalry sprung up between the Lombard and the Tuscan poets, and a
+fierce poetic warfare was exchanged between them. Bellincioni's
+suspicious and quarrelsome nature is revealed in his letters to his
+patron, in which he is always complaining of the envious detractors
+whose wicked tongues are employed in backbiting him day and night. His
+own character was by no means free from the same imputations; and the
+Ferrarese poet, Tebaldeo, the friend of Raphael and Castiglione,
+composed a witty epitaph, in which he warns passers-by to avoid the last
+resting-place of this singer, who had made so many enemies in life, lest
+he turn in his grave and bite them. Bellincioni's bitterest foe was a
+certain Bergamasque poet, Guidotto Prestinari, who wrote many odes and
+songs in honour of Beatrice, and represented the old Lombard school. On
+one occasion this misguided person even dared to attack Leonardo, and
+wrote a sonnet in which he jeers at the great painter for spending his
+time in hunting for curious worms and insects on the hills of Bergamo,
+when he visited his friends of the Melzi family. Leonardo scorned to
+take any notice of these petty insults, but in his letter to the
+councillors of Piacenza we see the contempt which he had for Lombard
+artists&mdash;"those rude and ignorant workmen," as he calls them, "who boast
+they will get letters of recommendation from Signora Lodovico or his
+Commissioner of Works, Messer Ambrogio Ferrari, when not one <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span>of them is
+fit to undertake the task." And certain epigrams in the Windsor
+Sketchbook are plainly directed against the false and venal science of
+the astrologer Ambrogio da Rosate, whose name is given in the margin,
+and show how cordial was Leonardo's hatred of the duke's all-powerful
+favourite.</p>
+
+<p>Fortunately, both Leonardo himself, as well as Calmeta and Pistoia, were
+on friendly terms with Gaspare Visconti, who, originally a scholar of
+Prestinari, became the chief representative of the Lombard school of
+poetry at Milan, and whom Beatrice's secretary places next to Niccolo da
+Correggio among the best poets of her court. This popular poet and
+polished cavalier was a great favourite, not only with Beatrice and her
+husband, but with Galeazzo di Sanseverino, the Marchesino Stanga, and
+all the chief personages at court. Born in 1461 of noble Milanese
+parents, he married Cecilia, daughter of Cecco Simonetta, Duchess Bona's
+ill-fated minister, and was advanced to the dignity of <i>Eques Auratus</i>
+and ducal councillor. After the death of Bellincioni he succeeded to the
+post of court poet, and was often employed by Lodovico to address
+complimentary verses to other princes or to write sonnets on passing
+events, whether his theme were a royal wedding or the death of a
+favourite falcon. His most important work was a romance entitled "Paolo
+e Daria," founded on Bramante's discovery of a tomb containing the ashes
+of these lovers, when the foundations of his new cloisters at S.
+Ambrogio were being laid in the year 1492. The incident excited great
+interest at court, and Gasparo dedicated his poem to Lodovico&mdash;"<i>mio
+Duca</i>"&mdash;and introduced an eloquent eulogy in honour of his friend
+Bramante in the first canto. In the following year he published a volume
+of rhymes, dedicated to Niccolo da Correggio, who sent the book to the
+insatiable Isabella d'Este, saying this would please her better than any
+verses that he could write. Finally, in 1496, he formally presented the
+duchess with a copy of his poems, written in silver letters and gold on
+ivory vellum, and enriched with miniatures of rare beauty. This
+sumptuous volume, bound in silver-gilt boards enamelled with flowers,
+and containing 143 sonnets as well as epistles on love and other
+philosophical and theological subjects, was dedicated to Beatrice in the
+following words:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span>"To the Most Illustrious Duchess of Milan, Gaspare Visconti, Having
+been told by many honourable persons, chief among whom is Messer
+Galeazzo Sanseverino, that the said duchess graciously pleads my cause
+with His Excellency the Duke, I beg of her to accept this book,
+dedicated to her by her humble servant." The same grateful sentiments
+inspired the lyric which followed, in which the poet implored the
+duchess to use her well-known influence with her lord, and incline his
+will to look favourably upon her servant's prayer&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Donna beata! e Spirito pudico!<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Deh! fa benigna a questa mia richiesta<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">La voglia del tuo Sposo Lodovico.<br /></span>
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Io so ben quel che dico!</span><br />
+<span class="i0">Tanta &egrave; la tua virtu che ci&oacute; che vuoi<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Dello invitto cuor disponer puoi."<a name="FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a><br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>An ardent lover of Petrarch, to whose poems these of the Milanese poet
+were often compared by his admirers, Gaspare Visconti took the lead in a
+lively poetic contest with Bramante on the respective merits of Dante
+and Petrarch, The discussion was carried on during many weeks, in the
+presence of the duchess and her courtiers in the beautiful gardens of
+Vigevano, or in those fair pleasure-houses by the running streams in the
+park at Pavia, where Beatrice and her ladies spent the long summer days.
+Gaspare found animated supporters in his friends Calmeta and Niccolo da
+Correggio, who was himself an enthusiastic admirer of Petrarch, and on
+one occasion journeyed twenty-five miles from Correggio over the worst
+roads in the world to see the remote village of Rosena, where the Tuscan
+poet had composed some of his finest <i>canzoni</i>. On the other hand,
+Bramante had the duke and duchess on his side. We know how, at the end
+of a long day's work, Lodovico loved to listen to the reading of the
+"Divina Commedia" in his wife's boudoir, and ponder the meaning of that
+great vision of heaven and hell. And when the catastrophe of Novara had
+crushed his last hopes, and he was borne a captive into the strange
+land, the only favour he asked of his victors was the loan of a volume
+of Dante, "<i>per studiare</i>"&mdash;in order that he might study the divine
+poet's words. One of Gaspare's sonnets <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span>on the subject, which was
+afterwards printed, bears this inscription: "These verses were not
+written with any pretence of deciding between the merits of these two
+great men, but solely to answer Bramante, who is a violent partisan of
+Dante."</p>
+
+<p>Another poetic tourney, in which both the great architect and his friend
+Visconti were the chief combatants, turned on Bramante's supposed
+poverty and the complaints with which he filled the air, calling on all
+the gods in heaven to help him in his misery. This was in the summer of
+1492, and not only Gaspare, but Bellincioni, who was then living, and
+Mascagni of Turin took up the parable, and charged Bramante with begging
+for a pair of shoes, when all the while he was receiving five ducats a
+week from the duke, and was secretly hoarding up a store of gold. To
+this Bramante replied in a sonnet full of allusions to Calliope, Erato,
+and all the Muses, begging his friends for pity's sake to give him a
+crown, if they would not see him left barefoot and naked to battle with
+rude Boreas. A whole series of curious sonnets from Bramante's pen has
+been lately discovered by M. M&uuml;ntz among the Italian manuscripts in the
+Biblioth&egrave;que Nationale, and reveal the burlesque side of the great
+architect's character, and the biting wit which made his opponents give
+him the name of Cerberus.<a name="FNanchor_25_25" id="FNanchor_25_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a></p>
+
+<p>These poetic jousts or encounters of wits were a favourite amusement of
+the cultured princesses of the Renaissance and their courtiers. Thus it
+was that Poliziano and Ficino discussed philosophical questions before
+Lorenzo in the gardens of Careggi or on the terraces of Fiesole; so
+Castiglione and Bibbiena reasoned of art and love with Duchess Elizabeth
+and Emilia Pia, in the palace of Urbino, till the short summer night was
+well-nigh over and the dawn broke over the peaks of Monte Catria. And at
+Milan, where in Beatrice's days there was less pedantry and more freedom
+and gaiety than in any court of the day, these lively debates found
+especial favour. The most brilliant courtiers and bravest knights, the
+gravest scholars and officers of state alike took part in them. Messer
+Galeazzo, as we have seen, was an adept at the game, and could wield his
+pen and challenge fair ladies in defence of Roland as gallantly as he
+couched his lance to ride in the lists or wielded his sword in the thick
+of the battle. So, too <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span>were the Marchesino Stanga and his friend
+Girolamo Tuttavilla. Both these noblemen were great sonnet-writers, and
+are classed by Pistoia among those illustrious lords, who, like Messer
+Galeazzo and Signor Lodovico himself, were poets and writers as well as
+statesmen and generals.</p>
+
+<p>Bramante addressed several of his sonnets to Count Tuttavilla, who in
+his turn had a lively controversy in rhyme with the Marchesino. And
+when, in the spring of 1492, Tuttavilla accompanied the Count of Caiazzo
+on his embassy to France, Gaspare Visconti sent him a sonnet asking for
+the latest news from Paris, which Duchess Beatrice and all her ladies
+were dying to hear.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me if the Queen of France is fair, and how the king appears in
+your eyes&mdash;whether he is cruel or clement, inclined to walk in the paths
+of virtue or of vice. And tell us, too, if the people of Paris seem to
+fear the English and the Spaniard, and if they are true followers of
+Mars? Tell us how the crowds who walk the streets are clad, and what
+customs and manners they have, and how they speak, and what they think.
+Tell me how many students their University numbers, and in what branches
+of learning they excel. Tell me the names of their lawgivers and
+historians, and if any classical antiquities are to be found in Paris.
+Tell me how the Abbey of S. Denis is built, and what style of
+architecture prevails in the far North? And tell me, too, if I dare ask,
+have you perchance in Paris found some fair lady to bend a gracious
+smile upon you, and console you for all that you have left behind?"</p>
+
+<p>Girolamo Tuttavilla replied in verses of the same light and airy strain,
+alluding to the fierce contest over Dante that waged between Dottore
+Bramante and his foes, and laughing at friend Bellincioni's furious
+rages, but saying that he at least is wiser, and will take the <i>vi&acirc;
+media</i> and steer warily between the two contending parties.</p>
+
+<p>But the best poet at Lodovico's court, a sweeter singer and a finer
+scholar than the much-praised Bellincioni or the gay Visconti, was
+Niccolo, the "gran Correggio" of Gaspare's song. The son of that
+accomplished princess of Este, Beatrice the Queen of Festivals, reared
+by her in all the culture of Ferrara, this singularly polished and
+handsome personage was in the eyes of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span>his contemporaries the model of a
+perfect courtier. To have known him was in itself a liberal education.
+Sabba da Castiglione, that fastidious scholar and refined writer of the
+sixteenth century, counted himself fortunate because as a boy he had
+seen and known "this most famous, most courteous and gifted cavalier in
+all Italy." Ariosto saw him in his vision upholding the Fountain of
+Song, and chanting in his own lofty and noble style&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span style="margin-left: 5em;">&nbsp;&nbsp;"Un Signor di Correggio</span><br />
+<span class="i0">Con alto stil par che cantando scriva."<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Niccolo had come to Milan in Beatrice's bridal train, and remained there
+ever since, highly valued and beloved by Lodovico and all the ducal
+family, riding in jousts and tournaments, going on foreign missions, and
+composing songs and eclogues for that young duchess whose death was one
+day to inspire some of his most touching verses. But the Marchesa
+Isabella was the true goddess of his adoration, the mistress to whom his
+heart and lyre alike were pledged, who was for him, not only "<i>la mia
+patrona e signora</i>," but "<i>la prima donna del mondo</i>," "the first lady
+in all the world." For her he translated Breton legends and Proven&ccedil;al
+romances; for her he set Virgil and Petrarch to music; for her fair
+sake, old and stiff as advancing years have made him, he is ready to
+break a lance or join once more in the dance. At Christmas-time, in the
+last days of 1491, the impatient Marchesana had written to remind him
+that she had never yet received the eclogue which he had promised to
+send her at her brother Alfonso's wedding, and refused to be put off
+with any other verses, saying that his poems pleased her more than those
+of any living bard. When in later years she found that Niccolo was
+inclined to transfer his allegiance to her sister-in-law, Lucrezia
+Borgia, she was sorely affronted, and after his death entered into a
+long contention for the possession of the book of poems which he had
+left behind.</p>
+
+<p>There were many other poets of Beatrice's court whose names were famous
+in their day, but have long ago been forgotten, and whose works have
+passed into oblivion with all that vanished world. There was Lancino di
+Corte, or, as he preferred to style himself, Lancinus Curtius, the
+writer of Latin epigrams; <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span>and Antonio di Fregoso, the noble Genoese
+youth who, like Niccolo, won Calmeta and Ariosto's praises, and whose
+poetic disputes with Lancinus were a feature of Cecilia Gallerani's
+entertainments; and Baldassare Taccone of Alessandria; and Pietro
+Lazzarone of the Valtellina. There was Galeotto del Carretto, the
+Montferrat poet and historian, who left his home at Casale to compose
+plays and sonnets for Beatrice, and who, like Niccolo da Correggio, was
+one of Isabella's favourite correspondents, and sent her eclogues and
+strambotti to sing to the lute. When Beatrice died he had just finished
+a comedy dedicated to this princess, which he afterwards sent to
+Isabella, begging her to accept it both for his sake and that of the
+lamented <i>Madonna Duchessa sorella</i>, who had taken pleasure in reading
+his effusions. And there was another Tuscan poet, Antonio Cammelli of
+Pistoia, who composed a whole volume of sonnets dedicated to "that most
+invincible Prince, the light and splendour of the world, Lodovico Moro."
+These sonnets are of great interest, less on account of their poetic
+merit than because of the fidelity with which they commemorate political
+events. The invasion of the French, the conquest of Naples, the battle
+of Fornovo, the peace of Vercelli, the proclamation of Lodovico as Duke
+of Milan, his coronation <i>f&ecirc;tes</i> at Milan and Pavia, are all carefully
+recorded. Nor does the series end here; in another sonnet the poet takes
+up the note of warning, and bids Lodovico beware of the new King of
+France and, ceasing to dally with Fortune, prepare to defend his fair
+duchy. The next time Pistoia took up his pen, it was to wail over the
+duke's fall and the ruin of Italy, and to hurl curses on the head of the
+false servants who had betrayed their trust and yielded up the Castello
+to their master's foes. This, at least, may be said to Pistoia's
+credit&mdash;he did not forget his generous patron in the days of adversity;
+and when Pamfilo Sasso, the Modena bard who had basked in the sunshine
+of the Moro's favour, assailed the fallen duke in his verses, Pistoia
+rose up in defence of his old master, and fiercely rebuked the cowardly
+poet.</p>
+
+<p>"I send you," wrote Calmeta to the Marchioness of Mantua in 1502, in a
+letter enclosing Pistoia's verses, "an invective against Sasso for
+certain sonnets and epigrams which he printed <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span>at Bologna against our
+Duke Lodovico Sforza, and which some people say that I wrote. It was
+never my habit to attack others, but if I had wasted a little ink in
+defending so illustrious a prince, I hardly think I should deserve much
+blame."<a name="FNanchor_26_26" id="FNanchor_26_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_26_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a></p>
+
+<p>Before the coming of Beatrice there had been no theatre in Milan, but
+Lodovico had done his best to encourage dramatic art. As early as 1484,
+he had written to the Duke of Ferrara, asking him to lend him a
+Bolognese actor, Albergati by name, who was also a skilled mechanic, to
+give sacred representations during Holy Week in Milan. The presence of
+Duke Ercole's daughter naturally gave a fresh impulse to the growth of
+dramatic art, and after Lodovico's visit to Ferrara in 1493, a theatre
+was erected in Milan. Courtiers and poets vied with each other in the
+production of plays and masques at each successive Christmas or
+Carnival. In 1493, Niccolo da Correggio wrote a pastoral entitled <i>Mopsa
+e Daphne</i>, which was performed at court that Carnival, and which he
+afterwards sent to Isabella, promising to explain its allegorical
+meaning at their next meeting. Another time, Gaspare Visconti composed
+the masque with the chorus of Turks, to which we have already alluded,
+for representation before the duke and duchess. On one occasion a piece
+called <i>La Fatica</i> was acted at the house of Antonio Maria Sanseverino,
+whose wife, Margherita of Carpi, was the sister of Elizabeth Gonzaga's
+beloved companion, Emilia Pia, and herself a learned and cultivated
+princess. On another a representation described as <i>La Pazienza</i> was
+given before the court, in honour of a visit which Cardinal Federigo
+Sanseverino paid to Milan.</p>
+
+<p>Music, as Calmeta tells us, was another art that flourished in an
+especial manner at the Milanese court. Both Lodovico and his wife were
+passionately fond of music, and the delicious melodies that daily
+resounded through their palace halls were the theme alike of chronicler
+and poet. When first Lorenzo de Medici had sent Leonardo to his friend's
+court to charm the Moro's ears with the surpassing sweetness of his
+playing, he had brought with him a well-known musician and maker of
+instruments, Atalante Migliorotti, who stood high in Lodovico's favour,
+and spent much of his time at Milan. We <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span>find Isabella d'Este writing to
+her friend, Niccolo da Correggio, in 1493, begging him to procure her
+the loan of a silver lyre, given him by Atalante, that she may learn to
+play this instrument; and in the following year the marchioness herself
+stood godmother to the Florentine musician's infant daughter, who was
+called Isabella after her illustrious sponsor. And in 1492 we find
+Lodovico writing to thank Francesco Gonzaga for allowing a certain
+Narcisso, who was in the Marquis of Mantua's service, to visit Milan,
+and saying what exquisite pleasure this singer's voice has afforded him.
+The following summer, Isabella, in her turn, begged her sister to allow
+her favourite violinist, Jacopo di San Secondo, to spend a few weeks at
+Mantua; and on the 7th of July Beatrice wrote to desire his return.
+"Since you are back at Mantua, I think you will not want Jacopo di San
+Secondo much longer, and beg you to send him back to Pavia as soon as
+possible, since his music will be a pleasure to my husband, who is
+suffering from a slight attack of fever." This Jacopo was a famous
+violin-player of his day, who had settled at the Moro's court, and who
+after Lodovico's fall left Milan for Rome, where he became the friend of
+Raphael and Castiglione, and is said to have served as model for the
+laurel-crowned Apollo of the Parnassus, in the Vatican Stanze. Another
+of Beatrice's favourite singers was Angelo Testagrossa, a beautiful
+youth who sang, we are told, like a seraph, and who, after the death of
+this princess, accepted Isabella's pressing invitation to Mantua, where
+he composed songs and gave her lessons on the lute. Testagrossa is said
+to have sung in the Spanish style, which was much in vogue at Milan,
+where a Spaniard named Pedro Maria was director of the palace concerts,
+and is frequently mentioned in Bellincioni's poems. The priest Franchino
+Gaffuri, as already stated, occupied the first chair of music ever
+founded in Italy. Besides this master's works on music, another treatise
+on harmony, composed by a priest named Florentio, and dedicated to
+Cardinal Ascanio Sforza, is preserved in the Trivulzian Library, with a
+fine miniature of Leonardo playing the lyre as frontispiece.</p>
+
+<p>Both the Flemish priest Cordier, with the wonderful tenor voice, and the
+accomplished master Cristoforo Romano were, as <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span>we know, among the
+chosen singers who accompanied Beatrice on her travels. And there was
+one more gifted artist, who, like Atalante Migliorotti, was both a
+skilled musician and a mechanic, and whose whole life was devoted to the
+construction of musical instruments of the choicest quality, Lorenzo
+Gusnasco of Pavia. It was Lodovico Moro who first discovered the rare
+talents of this "master of organs," as he was styled by his
+contemporaries, and it was for Beatrice's use that he began to make
+those wonderful clavichords and lutes and viols that made his name
+famous throughout Italy. In his hands the manufacture of musical
+instruments was carried to the highest pitch of excellence. He grudged
+no labour and spared no pains to make his work perfect. The choicest
+ebony and ivory, the most precious woods and delicate strings were
+sought out by him; the best scholars supplied him with Greek and Latin
+epigrams to be inscribed upon his organs and clavichords. In his opinion
+both material and shape were of the utmost importance, because, as he
+wrote to Isabella d'Este, "beauty of form is everything," "<i>perche ne la
+forma sta il tuto</i>." The work of this gifted maker naturally acquired a
+rare value in the eyes of his contemporaries. Sabba da Castiglione and
+Teseo Albonese praise him as the man who, above all others, has learnt
+the secret of combining lovely melodies with beauteous form, just as a
+divine soul is enshrined in a fair body. Painters and scholars alike
+took delight in Lorenzo's company. He was the intimate friend of
+Giovanni Bellini and Andrea Mantegna, of Pietro Bembo and Aldo Manuzio,
+of Leonardo and Isabella d'Este. It was in these festive days, in the
+Castello of Pavia, that Lorenzo da Pavia first met both the great
+Florentine and the accomplished princess who set so high a store on his
+friendship. For more than twenty years Isabella corresponded regularly
+with this gifted artist, and employed him not only to make organs and
+lutes for her, but to buy antiques and cameos, Murano glass and
+tapestry, choice pictures and rare books. Whether she wished for a
+<i>fantasia</i>, or Holy Family from the hand of Gian Bellini, or a choice
+edition of Dante or Petrarch from the press of Aldo Manuzio, it was to
+Messer Lorenzo that the request was addressed. In 1494, the Pavian
+master moved to Venice, where he found it easier to procure materials
+for his trade, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span>and was able to carry on his work on a larger scale. By
+this time his fame had spread far and wide through Italy. He made an
+organ for Matthias Corvinus, the King of Hungary, and another which he
+himself took to Rome for Pope Leo X. But his relations with Duchess
+Beatrice were not interrupted by this change of abode. In that same year
+he made her that clavichord which Isabella describes as the best and
+most beautiful which she had ever seen, and which she never ceased to
+covet until, after her sister's death and Lodovico's fall, she obtained
+possession of the precious instrument.</p>
+
+<p>It was at Venice, in the early spring of 1500, that Leonardo da Vinci
+once more met this master, whom he had formerly known so well at Pavia
+and Milan. There the two artists who had lived together for many years
+in the Moro's service conversed sadly of the terrible catastrophe which
+had overwhelmed their old master in sudden and inevitable ruin, and
+mourned over the disastrous fate which had plunged the fair Milanese
+into confusion and misery. Then, as they looked back on the happy days
+of their former life, and talked of their old companions, the painter
+brought out a drawing which Lorenzo immediately recognized as the
+portrait of Isabella d'Este, the illustrious princess, who was proud to
+call herself their friend.</p>
+
+<p>"Leonardo," he wrote the next day to the Marchesana, "is here in Venice,
+and has shown me a portrait of your Highness, which is as natural and
+lifelike as possible."<a name="FNanchor_27_27" id="FNanchor_27_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_27_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a> This drawing, which the princess describes in
+a letter to the painter as being <i>ni carbone</i> and not in colours, is now
+one of the treasures of the Louvre, and has an inestimable value, both
+as the work of Leonardo and as a genuine portrait of the most brilliant
+lady of the Renaissance.</p>
+
+<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_24_24" id="Footnote_24_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_24_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> Uzielli, <i>Ricerche</i>, i.: Renier, <i>Gaspare Visconti</i>.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_25_25" id="Footnote_25_25"></a><a href="#FNanchor_25_25"><span class="label">[25]</span></a> <i>Gazette des B. Arts</i>, 1879, p. 514.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_26_26" id="Footnote_26_26"></a><a href="#FNanchor_26_26"><span class="label">[26]</span></a> Renier, <i>Sonetti di Pistoia</i> p. 35.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_27_27" id="Footnote_27_27"></a><a href="#FNanchor_27_27"><span class="label">[27]</span></a> A. Baschet, <i>Aldo Manuzio</i>, pp. 70-75.</p></div>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 15%;" /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span>
+<br />
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII</h3>
+
+<div style="margin-left: 2em;">
+<p class="hang">Visit of Duke Ercole to Milan, and of Isabella d'Este&mdash;Election of Pope
+Alexander VI.&mdash;Bribery of the Cardinals&mdash;Influence of Ascanio Sforza
+over the new Pope, and satisfaction of Lodovico&mdash;Hunting-parties at
+Pavia and Vigevano&mdash;<i>F&ecirc;tes</i> at Milan&mdash;Visit of Isabella to
+Genoa&mdash;Lodovico's letters&mdash;Piero de Medici&mdash;King Ferrante's jealousy of
+the alliance between Rome and Milan.</p>
+</div>
+
+<h3>1492</h3>
+
+
+<p>That summer Isabella d'Este at length accomplished her long-intended
+visit to her sister, whom she had not seen since the wedding <i>f&ecirc;tes</i>.
+Early in July she received a pressing invitation from Lodovico himself,
+urging her to accompany her father, Duke Ercole, who was expected at
+Milan towards the end of the month. But, as she wrote to her husband,
+who was then in Venice, it was quite impossible for her to start on her
+journey at this early date. In the first place, half of her household
+was in bed, ladies and servants alike were suffering from a feverish
+epidemic which had attacked the whole court; and in the second place,
+many preparations were necessary if she were to appear at Milan in state
+worthy of the Marquis of Mantua's wife. "Of course, if you wish it," she
+adds proudly, "I will set off alone, in my chemise, but this I think you
+will hardly desire."</p>
+
+<p>Signor Lodovico's invitation, however, was gladly accepted, and Isabella
+made every preparation to start by the middle of August. She sent to
+Ferrara, urging her favourite goldsmith, as he loved her, to finish a
+necklace of a hundred links by next week, and begging him to lend her
+some more jewelled chains for the use of her courtiers and
+maids-of-honour. And the same day she wrote to the Venetian merchant
+Taddeo Contarini, excusing herself for her delay in paying for some
+jewels which she had lately bought, since her visit to Milan necessarily
+entailed <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span>heavy expenses. By the 10th of August she was able to start on
+her journey, and spent a night on the way at Canneto with her kinswoman,
+Antonia del Balzo, wife of Gianfrancesco Gonzaga of Bozzolo, who came to
+meet her with two beautiful daughters. "Messer Andrea Mantegna himself,"
+exclaimed the marchioness, "could not paint fairer maidens!" On the
+12th, she reached Cremona, where Lodovico's cousin, Francesco Sforza,
+was awaiting her, and a crowd of people hailed her arrival with
+enthusiasm. After spending a night in the Episcopal palace, she went on
+to Pizzighettone, where she discovered that her best hat had been
+forgotten, and sent a messenger back to Mantua with the key of her black
+chest, desiring one of her servants to look out her hat with the
+jewelled feather and send it after her by a flying courier. On the 15th,
+the Marchesana reached Pavia, where both the Duchesses of Milan and Bari
+rode out to meet her, and placing her between them, after many embraces,
+conducted her through the city. Here the two dukes and all the
+ambassadors were awaiting her, and a troop of trumpeters and outriders
+escorted the party up to the castle gates. That evening she supped alone
+with Beatrice, and the hours flew by in delightful intercourse. Both
+sisters were in the highest spirits, and Isabella anticipated the
+greatest pleasure from her visit, only regretting that her husband had
+not been able to accompany her.</p>
+
+<p>"The only news here," she wrote next day to the marquis, "is the
+election of this new Pope, which fills every one with great joy, and is
+said to be entirely due to Monsignore Ascanio, who will, they say, be
+the new Vice-Chancellor."</p>
+
+<p>On the 25th of July, Innocent VIII. had breathed his last, and on the
+6th of August, the conclave met to elect a new Pope. Among the
+twenty-three Cardinals of which the Sacred College then consisted, three
+were prominent candidates for the papal tiara. First of all there was
+Cardinal Roderigo Borgia, the oldest and wealthiest of the group, who
+held the three most important archbishoprics in Spain, as well as
+innumerable benefices in the rest of Christendom, and whose scandalous
+vices amid the general corruption of morals in Rome offered no bar to
+his advancement to the chair of St. Peter. Cardinal Ascanio Sforza, the
+rich and powerful brother of Lodovico Moro, was the second candidate
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span>for the tiara; while the third was Giuliano della Rovere, Cardinal of
+S. Pietro in Vincula, whose well-known French sympathies, as well as the
+influential position which he had occupied in Rome under his uncle,
+Sixtus IV., made him unpopular with most of his colleagues. When Ascanio
+Sforza saw that he could not ensure his own election, he threw his whole
+influence on the side of Borgia, who lavished his gold and promises
+freely among the other members of the Sacred College, with the result
+that he was elected on the 11th of August, and proclaimed Pope under the
+title of Alexander VI. The secret Archives of the Vatican<a name="FNanchor_28_28" id="FNanchor_28_28"></a><a href="#Footnote_28_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a> give full
+particulars of this election, which was obtained by the most flagrant
+simony, and proved a prelude to the days of confusion and misery which
+Fra Girolamo Savonarola, the Dominican of Florence, daily prophesied
+were in store for the Church. Ascanio Sforza was the first to reap the
+reward of his base compliance. The new Pope loaded him with favours, and
+openly acknowledged his indebtedness both to him and Lodovico, while at
+Milan the event was hailed with public rejoicings, and joy-bells and
+solemn processions celebrated the accession of this pontiff, who was
+destined to prove the most bitter enemy of the House of Sforza.</p>
+
+<p>"Signor Lodovico," wrote the Ferrarese envoy, our old friend Giacomo
+Trotti, to his master, "is in the highest spirits at the success of his
+brother's efforts. Cardinal Ascanio is likely, people say, to administer
+all the papal estates, and will be every bit as much pope as if he sat
+in Alexander's chair."</p>
+
+<p>Isabella's letters to her husband give the same impression. On the 19th
+of August she wrote from Pavia&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"To-day I dined with Signor Lodovico and my sister in their rooms,
+according to our usual habit of taking our meals together, sometimes in
+my rooms, sometimes in theirs. After dinner he dismissed all the
+company, excepting the Duke and Duchess of Milan, myself, and my
+companions, whom Signor Lodovico invited to remain, and with his own
+lips he read aloud a letter from his ambassador in Rome, saying that His
+Highness had sent for him, and addressed him in the following terms:
+'Take note of my words. I acknowledge that I have been made pope by the
+action of Monsignore Ascanio, contrary <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span>to all expectations, and in a
+truly miraculous manner. I mean to show myself the most grateful of
+popes. It is my pleasure that he should sit in my chair, and dispose of
+my spiritual and temporal estate as if I were myself,' with many other
+affectionate words. Cardinal Ascanio has already received the first
+proofs of his gratitude, since, besides the vice-chancellorship, the
+Pope has given him his own furnished house in Rome, as well as the city
+of Nepi, and many other things. And His Highness has already dined with
+him in private.</p>
+
+<p>"Besides this, Signor Lodovico read us a letter which the Pope had
+written with his own hand to Monsignore Ascanio, complaining that he had
+not seen him for half a day, a period which seemed to him more like a
+thousand years, and begging him to come to him at once, since he had
+many things of the utmost importance to settle with him. After
+describing this interview, the said Monsignore went on to tell how
+warmly His Holiness spoke of Signor Lodovico, saying that he was
+determined to maintain the most cordial relations with His Highness, and
+profit in all cases by his advice, and only wished that he were seated
+in his chair. All of this, my dear lord, affords the court here reason
+for the greatest rejoicings, and I have expressed both in word and
+gesture the pleasure which your Highness and I take in these things,
+because of our close union with Signor Lodovico."</p>
+
+<p>The marchioness goes on to describe a hunting-party, in which the whole
+court had taken part.</p>
+
+<p>"Yesterday, about four o'clock, all of these lords and ladies rode out
+with me to a place called S. Pirono, some four miles from Pavia, and had
+fine sport. White tents were erected in the meadows on the edge of the
+forest, and in the midst a <i>pergola</i> of green boughs, under which the
+duchess and I took our places, the duke and others, whether on horseback
+or on foot, occupying other tents. One stag of the eight which were
+found there, ran out of the wood, followed by eight of the Duke of
+Bari's dogs. Messer Galeazzo galloped after it with a long spear, and
+killed it before our eyes. To-morrow we dine at Belriguardo, and go on
+to supper at Vigevano, where we expect my father, who is to arrive on
+Thursday."</p>
+
+<p>Duke Ercole had reached Pavia on the 4th of August, and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span>had paid a
+visit to the Certosa with his son-in-law, after which he returned to
+Ferrara, where his presence was required, owing to urgent affairs of
+State connected with the Pope's death. Now he once more joined his
+daughters, accompanied by his son Alfonso and a troop of actors and
+pages skilled in singing and reciting poetry. Among them was young
+Ariosto, the bard of the Orlando Furioso, who was to celebrate the
+praises of all the princely personages present at Pavia and Vigevano, in
+his great poem, and who on this occasion probably met Leonardo for the
+first time. <i>F&ecirc;tes</i> and hunting-parties now succeeded each other every
+day. Even the King of Naples' ambassadors went out hunting, and one of
+them succeeded in wounding a wild boar. Isabella sent her husband
+wonderful accounts of the thrilling adventures and splendid sport which
+afforded the two sisters such unfeigned delight.</p>
+
+<p>"To-day," she wrote on the 27th of August, "we went out hunting in a
+beautiful valley which seemed as if it were expressly created for the
+spectacle. All the stags were driven into the wooded valley of the
+Ticino, and closed in on every side by the hunters, so that they were
+forced to swim the river and ascend the mountains, where the ladies
+watched them from under the <i>pergola</i> and green tents set up on the
+hillside. We could see every movement of the animals along the valley
+and up the mountain-side, where the dogs chased them across the river;
+but only two climbed the hillside and ran far out of sight, so that we
+did not see them killed, but Don Alfonso and Messer Galeazzo both gave
+them chase, and succeeded in wounding them. Afterwards came a doe with
+its young one, which the dogs were not allowed to follow. Many wild
+boars and goats were found, but only one boar was killed before our
+eyes, and one wild goat, which fell to my share. Last of all came a
+wolf, which made fine somersaults in the air as it ran past us, and
+amused the whole company; but none of its arts availed the poor beast,
+which soon followed its comrades to the slaughter. And so, with much
+laughter and merriment, we returned home, to end the day at supper, and
+give the body a share in the recreations of the mind."<a name="FNanchor_29_29" id="FNanchor_29_29"></a><a href="#Footnote_29_29" class="fnanchor">[29]</a></p>
+
+<p>Four venison pasties were despatched to Mantua the next <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span>day as a
+present to the marquis, whose absence from these expeditions his wife
+never ceased to regret, and for whom, at least in these early years of
+her married life, she had a genuine affection.</p>
+
+<p>"All of these days," she writes on the 22nd, "I have been trying to
+write to Your Highness, but have never been able to find time, as I am
+always in my sister's and Signor Lodovico's company. Now I have at
+length snatched a moment, and hasten to pay you a visit in mind, since I
+cannot do so in person. For greater even than all the pleasures which I
+am enjoying here, is the satisfaction I receive when I hear that you are
+well and happy." A week later she wrote again: "It really seems an age
+since I saw Your Highness, and, pleasant and delightful as it is here, I
+begin to get a little tired of these scenes, but rejoice at the prospect
+of paying a visit to Genoa before long." And in an affectionate letter
+to her mother, she says that sometimes in the middle of the finest hunt
+she remembers with a pang how long it is since she has seen her, and how
+far away she is from Ferrara, and the thought throws a shadow over the
+brightest sunshine and the gayest pastimes.</p>
+
+<p>After a succession of boar hunts at Novara and Mortara, Lodovico and
+Beatrice took their guests to Milan on the 15th of September, and
+Isabella entered the capital on horseback between the two young
+duchesses, while "the old Duchess Bona," she tells her husband, "and her
+daughter Madonna Bianca, with many other ladies, were awaiting me in my
+rooms in the Castello, the same suite which Signor Lodovico occupied at
+the time of his wedding."</p>
+
+<p>The duke's mother still remained at court, and occupied rooms in the
+Castello, although she made no secret of her aversion for her powerful
+brother-in-law, and was secretly intriguing against him with her nephew,
+Charles VIII. At her request the French king wrote a letter to Lodovico,
+desiring him to give the duchess's mother leave to come to France for
+his wife Anne of Brittany's confinement. But the Moro, fearing the
+effect of Bona's presence at the French court, courteously declined
+Charles's invitation, alleging as an excuse the fact that both Bona's
+daughter-in-law, the Duchess Isabella, and her young sister-in-law, his
+own wife Beatrice, were expecting similar events early <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span>in the next
+year, while her daughter Bianca was of marriageable age and needed her
+mother's protection. At Milan new pleasures awaited Isabella. Theatrical
+representations in honour of Duke Ercole, were given by the Delle Torre
+family and other noble houses, and Isabella spent long days with her
+sister in the park and beautiful gardens of the Castello, among the
+roses and fountains which Lodovico loved. He was never tired of
+beautifying and enlarging the grounds, which now extended three miles
+round the Castello, and sent to Mantua for a pair of swans to adorn the
+lake, saying how much he liked to watch the movements of these
+white-plumed birds upon the water. To his sister-in-law, as Isabella
+always repeated in her letters, the Moro showed himself the kindest and
+most generous of hosts, and was unwearied in providing for her
+amusements and gratification.</p>
+
+<p>"To-day," she writes on the evening after her arrival at Milan, "Signor
+Lodovico showed me the treasure, which Your Highness saw when you were
+last here, but which has lately received the addition of two large
+chests full of ducats, and another full of gold quartz about two and a
+half feet square. Would to God that we, who are so fond of spending
+money, possessed as much!"<a name="FNanchor_30_30" id="FNanchor_30_30"></a><a href="#Footnote_30_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a></p>
+
+<p>After which characteristic expression, the Marchesana proceeds to tell
+her lord that the date of her departure for Genoa has been fixed for the
+last day of September, and to describe her brother-in-law's preparations
+for the visit. Before her departure, he made a splendid present, which
+she describes in a letter written on the 20th of September. "Yesterday
+Signor Lodovico sent me, with the Duchess of Milan and Bari, to look at
+some sumptuous brocades which he had seen in the house of one of the
+richest merchants here. When we came home, he asked me which I
+considered the finest. I replied that what I had most admired was a
+certain gold and silver tissue embroidered with the twin towers of the
+lighthouse in the port of Genoa, bearing the Spanish motto, <i>Tal
+trabalio mes plases par tal thesauros non perder</i>."</p>
+
+<p>The Moro praised her good taste, saying that he had already had a
+<i>camora</i>, or robe, made for his wife of this material, and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span>begged her
+to accept fifteen yards of the same stuff, and wear it for his sake.</p>
+
+<p>"This brocade," wrote Isabella joyfully to her husband, "is worth at
+least forty ducats a yard!" And without delay she sent for a tailor to
+cut out the gown, in order that she might wear it once before she left
+Milan.</p>
+
+<p>The Marchesino Stanga and Count Girolamo Tuttavilla were chosen to
+escort Isabella to Genoa, where she was received in state by the
+governor Adorno, and splendidly entertained at the Casa Spinola by the
+chief citizens. Beatrice's delicate state of health had prevented her
+from accompanying her sister on this journey, but she still persisted in
+taking long hunting expeditions, and one day when she and the Moro were
+staying at Cuzzago, encountered a savage boar which had already wounded
+several greyhounds.</p>
+
+<p>"My wife," wrote the Moro to his sister-in-law, "came suddenly face to
+face with this furious beast, and herself gave it the first wound, after
+which Messer Galeazzo and I followed suit, so that the boar must have
+had great pleasure in feeling how much trouble it had given us and to
+what dangers its hunters had been exposed."</p>
+
+<p>The result of this long and fatiguing hunting expedition was that
+Beatrice fell seriously ill. Lodovico was much alarmed, and sent daily
+bulletins both to his sister-in-law and to her mother at Ferrara. "There
+is no fresh news to give you here," he wrote on the 6th of October. "My
+whole days are spent at the bedside of my dear wife, endeavouring to
+distract her thoughts and amuse her mind as best I can during her
+illness."</p>
+
+<p>Isabella, who had intended to return home from Genoa, hurried back to
+Milan at the news of her sister's illness, and did not leave her until
+she was convalescent. During these weeks Lodovico showed himself the
+most devoted and attentive of husbands, and his letters to Isabella are
+full of the practical jokes and witty dialogues and repartees with which
+he and Messer Galeazzo amused the duchess. The following letter affords
+a characteristic specimen of the kind of fooling which these great
+Renaissance lords and ladies carried on at the expense of the
+half-witted <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span>jesters and buffoons who were attached to their different
+households:&mdash;</p>
+
+<br />
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Dear Sister and most illustrious and excellent Lady</span>,</p>
+
+<p>"You know what good sport we had in the wild boar-hunts at which you
+were present this last summer. Poor Mariolo, you remember, could not be
+there, first because he was ill at Milan, and afterwards because he was
+required to keep my wife company during her illness, and was much
+distressed to have been absent from these expeditions, when he heard
+that even the king's ambassadors had wounded a wild boar. And he told us
+all what great things he would have done, had he only been present. Now
+that my dearest wife is better, and begins to be able to go out-of-doors
+again, I thought we would have a little fun at his expense. Some wolves
+and wild goats having been driven into a wood near La Pecorara, which,
+as you know, is about a mile from here, on the way to La Sforzesca,
+Cardinal Sanseverino had a common farm pig shut up in the same
+enclosure, and the next day we went out hunting, and took Mariolo with
+us. While we hunted the wolves and wild goats, we left the pig to him,
+and he, taking it for a wild boar, chased it with a great hue and cry
+along the woods. If your Highness could only have seen him running after
+this pig, you would have died of laughter, the more so that he gallantly
+tried to spear it three times over, and only succeeded in touching its
+side once. And seeing how proud he was of his prowess, we said to him,
+'Don't you know, Mariolo, that you have been hunting a tame pig?' He
+stood dumb with astonishment, and stared as if he did not know what we
+could mean, and so we all came home infinitely amused, and every one
+asked Mariolo if he did not know the difference between a wild boar and
+a tame pig!</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+<span style="padding-right: 10em;">"Your brother,</span><br />
+<span class="smcap" style="padding-right: 1em;">Lodovico Maria Sfortia.</span><a name="FNanchor_31_31" id="FNanchor_31_31"></a><a href="#Footnote_31_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a></p>
+<p style="margin-left: 2em;">Vigevano, December 6, 1492."</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>The most remarkable thing about these letters is that a prince who was
+engaged in so much and varied business, who himself <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span>conducted a vast
+correspondence in which the most intricate diplomatic questions of the
+day were involved with his envoys at the different European courts, and
+personally superintended every detail of administration, while at the
+same time he gave minute instructions to the hundreds of architects,
+sculptors, and painters in his service, should have found time to write
+these bantering epistles to his sister-in-law. One of these letters, for
+instance, is devoted to a long account of the jokes that passed between
+Messer Galeazzo and the duchess at table, how Messer Galeazzo begged to
+be allowed a taste of the duchess's soup, and complained that he was
+forgotten now that the Marchesana was no longer there, and how Beatrice
+told him she would write and tell her sister, to which he replied, "Tell
+her whatever you like, as long as I get my soup!"</p>
+
+<p>Yet at this very moment, when he penned these joking letters to
+Isabella, Lodovico was engaged in some of the most difficult and anxious
+negotiations with other States.</p>
+
+<p>During Ercole d'Este's visit, the question of sending the customary
+congratulations to the new Pope had been discussed, and Lodovico had
+suggested that the ambassadors of the four allied powers&mdash;Milan, Naples,
+Florence, and Ferrara&mdash;should send a joint deputation, both as a mark of
+special honour to His Holiness, and as a public manifesto to foreign
+powers of the strength of these united States. The step, he was
+confident, would produce a good effect both on the King of the Romans
+and Charles VIII. of France, whose designs on Italy were already
+exciting alarm. Both the Duke of Ferrara and King Ferrante, who had been
+consulted through his ambassadors, when they came to hunt at Vigevano,
+agreed readily to Lodovico's proposal, and the only person to raise
+objections was Piero de' Medici, who had lately succeeded his father as
+chief magistrate of Florence, and pretended to the same power. The death
+of his friend Lorenzo had been sincerely deplored by Lodovico, who,
+before many months had passed, began to discover how weak and
+contemptible a character his son possessed, and had already consulted
+his astrologer as to the influence which this young man would have upon
+his own fortunes. Now the vain and foolish youth refused to join in the
+proposed embassy to the Vatican, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span>because he wished to appear alone
+before Alexander VI. and impress that new Pope by the magnificence of
+his apparel and retinue. Not content with frustrating the Moro's plan,
+Piero induced King Ferrante to withdraw his consent to the joint
+deputation, a step which did not tend to improve the strained relations
+that had existed for some time past between Naples and Milan. Cardinal
+Giuliano della Rovere had retired to Ostia in disgust at the election of
+the Borgia Pope, leaving Ascanio Sforza all powerful at the Vatican, and
+the Pope availed himself of every occasion to show his friendship for
+Lodovico. Already a marriage had been proposed between Alexander's
+daughter Lucrezia Borgia and Giovanni Sforza, Prince of Pesaro, and the
+King of Naples looked with alarm on the friendly relations that existed
+between the Holy See and Milan. "Alexander VI.," said Ferrante,
+bitterly, "has no respect for the Holy Church, and cares for nothing but
+the aggrandisement of his own family. Rome will soon become a Milanese
+camp."</p>
+
+<p>But while Lodovico Sforza looked with suspicion on the intrigues of
+Ferrante's son Alfonso, and was anxious to strengthen his alliance with
+other powers, he had as yet no thought of inviting the French to invade
+Italy. On the contrary, the whole tenor of his private letters and
+public despatches was marked by the same anxiety to maintain cordial
+relations with the different Italian states, in order that they might
+present a united front to foreign enemies. However friendly were his
+advances to the King of France, he had never by word or hint given him
+the slightest encouragement to invade Italy or assert his claim to the
+crown of Naples. It was only when he saw peace restored between Charles
+and Maximilian, on the one hand, and on the other a treaty of alliance
+concluded between the Pope and the King of Naples, that he began to
+tremble for his own safety, and suddenly changed his policy. But for the
+moment counsels of peace prevailed, and the ambitious Moro could look
+forward with hope and confidence to the coming year, that promised to
+bring him new joys, and perchance the fulfilment of his long-cherished
+desire, in the birth of a son and heir.</p>
+
+<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_28_28" id="Footnote_28_28"></a><a href="#FNanchor_28_28"><span class="label">[28]</span></a> Pastor's "History of the Popes," vol. v. p. 383, etc.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_29_29" id="Footnote_29_29"></a><a href="#FNanchor_29_29"><span class="label">[29]</span></a> Luzio-Renier, <i>op. cit.</i>, p. 350, etc.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_30_30" id="Footnote_30_30"></a><a href="#FNanchor_30_30"><span class="label">[30]</span></a> Luzio-Renier, <i>op. cit.</i>, p. 356.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_31_31" id="Footnote_31_31"></a><a href="#FNanchor_31_31"><span class="label">[31]</span></a> Luzio-Renier, <i>op. cit.</i>, p. 361.</p></div>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 15%;" /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span>
+<br />
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV</h3>
+
+<div style="margin-left: 2em;">
+<p class="hang">Birth of Beatrice's first-born son&mdash;The Duchess of Ferrara at
+Milan&mdash;<i>F&ecirc;tes</i> and rejoicings at court and in the Castello&mdash;The court
+moves to Vigevano&mdash;Beatrice's wardrobe&mdash;Her son's portrait&mdash;Letters to
+her mother and sister&mdash;Lodovico's plans for a visit to Ferrara and
+Venice.</p>
+</div>
+
+<h3>1493</h3>
+
+
+<p>On the 25th of January, at four o'clock on a winter's afternoon,
+Beatrice gave birth to a son in the Rocchetta of the castle of Milan.</p>
+
+<p>"Signor Lodovico's joy at the birth of his first-born son is beyond all
+description," wrote Giacomo Trotti to his master, Duke Ercole. Duchess
+Leonora was present on the occasion, and herself announced the happy
+event in a letter to her daughter Isabella, who promptly sent a special
+envoy with her congratulations to the Duke of Bari and her sister. A
+fortnight before, Leonora had set out for Pavia, where Trotti had been
+sent to meet her, and crowds shouting <i>Moro! Moro!</i> had everywhere
+hailed her arrival. Three days later, she reached Milan in time to make
+the last preparations before the birth of her grandson. The child, a
+fine healthy boy, received the name of Ercole, in compliment to his
+grandfather, the Duke of Ferrara, but was afterwards called Maximilian,
+when the emperor became his godfather after his marriage to Bianca
+Sforza. The auspicious event was hailed with public rejoicings. The
+bells rang for six days, and solemn processions were held, and
+thanksgivings offered up in all the churches and abbeys of the Milanese.
+Prisoners for debt were released, and the advent of the new-born prince
+was celebrated with as great honour as if his father had been the
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span>reigning duke. Already some of the courtiers attached to Giangaleazzo's
+household began to whisper that the birth of Francesco, the little Count
+of Pavia, two years before, had been celebrated with far less pomp. But
+in the same week Duchess Isabella, who was residing in the <i>Corte
+ducale</i> of the Castello, gave birth to a daughter, who received the name
+of Bona, so that, as Lodovico informed the foreign ambassadors, there
+was double cause for rejoicings.</p>
+
+<p>Full and elaborate details of the ceremonies observed on this occasion,
+and of the splendid <i>f&ecirc;tes</i> that attended the recovery of the two
+duchesses, were sent to Isabella d'Este at Mantua by her mother's maid
+of honour, Teodora degli Angeli. Every particular of the decorations in
+the rooms of the Castello, the colour of the hangings and the draperies
+of the cradle, the gowns worn by the different princesses at their
+successive appearances in public, was faithfully reported for Isabella's
+benefit. On the eve of the young prince's birth, the sumptuous cradle
+and layette prepared for his reception were shown to the Ambassadors,
+chief magistrates, and nobles of Milan, and displayed on tables covered
+with gold and crimson brocade, lined with Spanish cat, in the Sala del
+Tesoro, adjoining Beatrice's rooms. All through the next fortnight
+costly gifts for the young duchess and her new-born babe were received
+from the magistrates of Milan and the chief towns of the duchy, and
+principal courtiers. On Sunday, the 4th of February, the ambassadors,
+councillors, magistrates and court officials, together with many noble
+Milanese ladies, were invited to present their congratulations to
+Beatrice, and that evening the gifts presented to her were publicly
+displayed in the Sala del Tesoro. The doors of the shelves along the
+walls were thrown open, and the splendid gold and silver plate, the
+massive jars, bowls, vases, and dishes, which they contained, were
+ranged in tiers on a stand, protected by iron bars and guarded by two
+men-at-arms wearing ducal liveries. The seneschal of Lodovico's
+household, Ambrogio da Corte, received the guests at the doors of the
+Rocchetta, paying each of them the honours due to his rank, and
+conducted them to the Sala del Tesoro. There they were received by
+stewards clad in silver brocade, who led them through a suite of rooms
+adorned with gilded columns and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span>hung with white damask curtains richly
+embroidered with equestrian figures and other Sforzesque devices, into
+the presence of the duchess. This chamber was still more richly
+decorated than the others. "Indeed, it is calculated," writes the
+admiring maid of honour, "that the tapestries and hangings here are
+worth 70,000 ducats." Two pages guarded the doors, and within, near the
+fireplace, Duchess Leonora sat at her daughter's bedside, accompanied by
+two or three ladies. Beatrice's own couch was gorgeously adorned with
+draperies of mulberry colour and gold, and a crimson canopy bearing the
+names of Lodovico and Beatrice in massive gold, with red and white
+rosettes and a fringe of golden balls which alone was valued at 8000
+ducats.</p>
+
+<p>"All," exclaimed Teodora&mdash;"<i>bello e galante</i>, beyond words!"<a name="FNanchor_32_32" id="FNanchor_32_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_32_32" class="fnanchor">[32]</a></p>
+
+<p>After paying their respects to the illustrious mother, the guests passed
+on into the room of the new-born child&mdash;<i>la camera del Puttino</i>. Here
+the walls were hung with brocades of the Sforza colours, red, white, and
+blue, and tapestries, embroidered with all manner of beasts and birds
+and fantastic designs. But the golden cradle itself, which had been made
+in Milan, was the most beautiful thing of all, with its four slender
+columns and pale blue silk canopy enriched with gold cords and fringes.
+"Truly rich and elegant beyond anything that I have ever seen!" writes
+the ecstatic maid of honour, whose eyes were fairly dazzled by the sight
+of all these splendours, and who, as she told Isabella, was lost in
+wonder and admiration at the magnificence of the Milanese court. After a
+glimpse of the royal infant, sleeping under his coverlid of cloth of
+gold, watched over by Beatrice's ladies, the visitors were conducted
+into Signor Lodovico's hall of audience, where he received the
+ambassadors and chief councillors, and through the adjoining room,
+occupied by his favourite astrologer, Messer Ambrogio da
+Rosate&mdash;"without whom nothing can be done here," remarks Teodora&mdash;back
+to the entrance hall, where the seneschal was in waiting to escort them
+to the gates.</p>
+
+<p>Messer Ambrogio, as Teodora opined, had to be consulted before the
+duchess was allowed to leave her bed. This was on Wednesday, the 24th of
+February, on which day both the royal <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span>ladies issued from their rooms at
+the same hour. "Now at length," wrote the lively maid of honour to
+Isabella, "I am able to inform your Highness that the illustrious
+Madonna your sister has left her room, and those poor tormented souls
+whose task it has been for so many nights to bring in shawls to spread
+over the presents, are at last freed from their labours."</p>
+
+<p>That same day, both the young duchesses went in state to S. Maria delle
+Grazie, to return thanks and praise to God for the birth of their
+children. The royal ladies rode in the Duchess of Ferrara's chariot, a
+sumptuous carriage hung with purple, and were accompanied by Leonora
+herself and five other Sforza princesses&mdash;Alfonso d'Este's wife, Anna;
+Duke Giangaleazzo's sister, Bianca Sforza; Signor Lodovico's daughter,
+Bianca, the youthful bride of Galeazzo Sanseverino; Madonna
+Beatrice&mdash;Niccolo da Correggio's mother&mdash;and Madonna Camilla Sforza of
+Pesaro. The toilettes worn on this occasion were exceptionally rich, as
+Teodora relates. "Our Madonna, Duchess Leonora, wore black, as usual,
+but was very gallantly adorned with her finest jewels. The Duchess of
+Bari had a lovely vest of gold brocade worked in red and blue silk, and
+a blue silk mantle trimmed with long-haired fur, and her hair coiled as
+usual in a silken net. Duchess Isabella wore gold brocade and green
+velvet enriched with crimson cords and silver thread, and a mantle of
+crimson velvet lined with grey silk. Both ladies were covered with
+jewels. Madonna Anna's <i>camora</i> was of cloth-of-gold with crimson
+sleeves, lined with fur and edged with gold fringe. One fine invention
+which I noticed was a new trimming made of grey lamb's wool, but there
+was no end to the variety of colours and fringes or to the beauty of the
+jewels."</p>
+
+<p>After hearing a solemn Te Deum and other canticles very beautifully sung
+by the choir of the ducal chapel, the whole party drove to the house of
+Count Della Torre, who entertained the dukes and duchesses, ambassadors
+and councillors, and all the chief gentlemen and ladies of the court at
+a splendid banquet. On the following day the duchesses and princesses
+were entertained at a feast given by Niccolo's mother, Madonna Beatrice,
+in her rooms in the Castello, and appeared in fresh costumes and still
+more splendid jewels. On Friday no <i>f&ecirc;te</i> was given, but most of the
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span>youthful princes and princesses went out hunting in the park, and three
+stags were killed in the course of the day. Beatrice appeared in a
+riding-habit of rose-tinted cloth, and a large jewel instead of a
+feather in her silk hat, and rode on a black horse. Madonna Anna wore
+black and gold, with a pearl-embroidered crimson hat, and her sister
+Bianca also appeared on horseback, while Duchess Leonora spent the day
+with old Duchess Bona in her rooms.</p>
+
+<p>On Saturday a <i>f&ecirc;te</i> was given at the house of Gaspare di Pusterla.
+Beatrice looked particularly charming with a feather of rubies in her
+hair, and a crimson satin robe embroidered with a pattern of knots and
+compasses and many ribbons, "after her favourite fashion," adds Teodora.
+It is these very ribbons that we still see to-day, both in the few
+portraits that we have of the short-lived duchess, and in the marble
+effigy upon her tomb. Isabella of Aragon appeared on this occasion, in a
+gown embroidered with books and letters, a favourite device of
+Renaissance ladies; while Anna Sforza was all in white, "because it was
+Saturday," explained Teodora, and she had vowed to wear no colours on
+that day for a certain number of weeks. This was a common practice with
+many Italian princesses who had lately recovered from illness or given
+birth to a child, and one to which we find frequent allusion in the
+correspondence of Isabella d'Este. On Saturday all the court attended
+high mass at S. Maria delle Grazie, and a last entertainment was given,
+this time by Duchess Beatrice herself, in the Rocchetta.</p>
+
+<p>The next day, Lodovico took his wife and mother-in-law, with the Duchess
+of Milan and their other guests, to Vigevano, to enjoy a little rest and
+country air. But here fresh amusements awaited them, and the splendour
+of Beatrice's wardrobe and the treasures of her <i>camerini</i> filled the
+Ferrarese visitors with wonder and envy. On the 6th of March, Bernardo
+Prosperi wrote to tell Isabella that our Madonna had been conducted by
+the jester Mariolo over Beatrice's "<i>guardaroba</i>," and had seen all the
+splendid gowns, pelisses, and mantles which had been made for her during
+the last two years, about eighty-four in all, "besides many more," adds
+the writer, "which your sister the duchess has in Milan." The costliness
+of the materials, and the rich and intricate <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span>embroidery which covered
+satins and brocades, made Leonora exclaim that she felt as if she were
+in a sacristy looking at priests' vestments and altar frontals. After
+examining all of these fine clothes, the duchess was taken into two
+other <i>camerini</i>, where Beatrice, after the fashion of great ladies in
+those days, had collected her favourite books and <i>object d'art</i>. One
+cabinet was full of Murano glass of delicate shape and colour, of
+porcelain dishes, and majolica from Faenza or Gubbio. Another held
+ivories, crystals, and enamels engraved in the same style as Lodovico's
+vases in the treasury at Milan. Perfumes and washes filled another case,
+while a separate cabinet was devoted to hunting implements, dog-collars,
+pouches, flasks, horns, knives, and hoods for falcons. "There was,
+indeed," added Duchess Leonora's attendant, "enough to fill many shops."</p>
+
+<p>The evenings at Vigevano were enlivened with music and singing, and, by
+Lodovico's orders, a band of Spanish musicians who had been sent from
+Rome to Milan by his brother, Cardinal Ascanio, came to play before
+Beatrice and her mother, who both admired the sweet strains of their
+large viols, and examined the shape and size of their instruments with
+curiosity. On Sunday theatrical representations were given, and Beatrice
+appeared in a wonderful new gown made of gold-striped cloth, with a
+crimson vest laced with fine silver thread "arranged," wrote an admiring
+lady-in-waiting, "in the most graceful fashion. This your sister wore,"
+she adds, "because it was Carnival Sunday; but even now, although Lent
+has begun for most of us, Carnival is not yet over for these highnesses,
+since Signor Lodovico and his duchess, Messer Galeazzo, the Duke and
+Duchess of Milan, and many of their courtiers, have received
+dispensations from Rome to eat meat all the same."<a name="FNanchor_33_33" id="FNanchor_33_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_33_33" class="fnanchor">[33]</a></p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile Beatrice's little son was growing into a strong healthy child,
+and her letters are full of the beauty and perfections of her precious
+babe. Again and again, in her notes to Isabella, she talks of "my son
+Ercole," with all a young mother's proud delight.</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot tell you," she writes to her sister, "how well Ercole is
+looking, and how big and plump he has grown lately. Each time I see him
+after a few days' absence, I am amazed and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span>delighted to see how much he
+has grown and improved, and I often wish that you could be here to see
+him, as I am quite sure you would never be able to stop petting and
+kissing him."</p>
+
+<p>Isabella, on her part, wrote warmly to her sister in return, saying how
+much she longed to see her beautiful boy&mdash;"<i>il suo bello puttino</i>" and
+"not only to see him, but to hold him in my arms and enjoy his company
+after my own fashion."</p>
+
+<p>Duchess Leonora returned to Ferrara at the end of another week, and one
+of Beatrice's first anxieties was to have a portrait of her child
+painted for her mother. On the 16th of April, she wrote from her
+favourite country house Villa Nova, where she had brought the babe to
+enjoy the sweet spring air&mdash;</p>
+
+<br />
+<p><span class="smcap">Most illustrious Madama mine, and dearest Mother</span>,</p>
+
+<p>"Your Highness must forgive my delay in writing to you. The reason was
+that every day I have been hoping the painter would bring me the
+portrait of Ercole, which my husband and I now send you by this post.
+And, I can assure you, he is much bigger than this picture makes him
+appear, for it is already more than a week since it was painted. But I
+do not send the measure of his height, because people here tell me if I
+measure him he will never grow! Or else I certainly would let you have
+it. And my lord and I, both of us, commend ourselves to your Highness,
+and I kiss your hand, my dearest mother.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+<span style="padding-right: 8em;">"Your obedient servant and child,</span><br />
+<span class="smcap" style="padding-right: 2em;">Beatrice Sfortia da Este,</span><br />
+<span style="padding-right: 2em;">with <i>my own</i> hand.<a name="FNanchor_34_34" id="FNanchor_34_34"></a><a href="#Footnote_34_34" class="fnanchor">[34]</a></span></p>
+<p style="margin-left: 2em; margin-bottom: -1px;">To the most illustrious Lady my dearest Mother,</p>
+<p style="margin-left: 2em; Margin-top: -.5px;">Signora Duchessa di Ferrara."</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>The baby's portrait was forwarded to Mantua for Isabella's inspection,
+together with a letter from her mother, saying&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I enclose a drawing which has been sent to us from Milan, to show how
+well our grandson thrives, and certainly, if we have been already told
+how flourishing he is, this gives us a living witness to his beauty and
+well-being. And if you ask me whether the portrait is a good one, I need
+only tell you who <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span>has sent it and who is the master who has done this
+drawing, and then I am sure you will be satisfied."</p>
+
+<p>Leonora's words excite our wonder as to who the artist could be whose
+name of itself would be enough to satisfy Isabella of the excellence of
+the work. As Signor Luzio has already remarked,<a name="FNanchor_35_35" id="FNanchor_35_35"></a><a href="#Footnote_35_35" class="fnanchor">[35]</a> it is impossible to
+read these words without thinking that Leonardo must have been the
+artist employed by Lodovico on this occasion to take a sketch of his
+infant son. But the drawing of Ercole has vanished, and the painter's
+name remains unknown.</p>
+
+<p>Another name which recurs frequently in Beatrice's letters to both her
+mother and sister at this time, is that of a Spanish embroiderer, named
+Maestro Jorba, noted for his rare skill, who was in the service of the
+Duchess of Ferrara, and was left by her at Vigevano in April, to design
+hangings and gowns for Lodovico's wife. On the 14th of March, Jorba was
+sent back to Ferrara with a letter from Beatrice to her mother,
+expressing her satisfaction with his work; and in April, Leonora sent
+her a new design for a <i>camora</i> which the clever Spaniard had invented.</p>
+
+<p>"I have to-night," wrote Beatrice in reply, "received the design of the
+<i>camora</i> made by Jorba, which I admire very much, and have just shown it
+to my embroiderer, as your Highness advised. He remarks that the flowers
+of the pattern are all the same size, and since the <i>camora</i> will
+naturally be cut narrower above than below, the flowers ought to be
+altered in the same proportion. I have not yet decided what will be the
+best thing to do, but thought I would tell you what Schavezi says, and
+wait to hear what you advise, and then do whatever you think best."</p>
+
+<p>Later in the same year, we find Maestro Jorba once more at Milan,
+working for Duchess Beatrice, much to the annoyance of her sister
+Isabella, who was anxious to secure the services of the skilful
+embroiderer, and offered him a salary of two hundred ducats a year if he
+would settle at Mantua. Jorba, however, seems to have preferred to
+remain at Ferrara, and only paid occasional visits to the princesses of
+Este at Milan and Mantua.</p>
+
+<p>Throughout April, all the tailors and embroiderers, goldsmiths and
+jewellers, in Beatrice's service were busy making <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span>preparations for a
+visit which their mistress was shortly to pay to her old home. Before
+Leonora left Vigevano the Moro had promised to bring his wife and child
+to Ferrara in May, and had decided to send Beatrice to Venice, with her
+mother Duchess Leonora, who was going to spend a few days with her son
+Alfonso and his wife, at the palace of the Estes on the Canal Grande. He
+had further intimated his intention of paying a visit to his
+sister-in-law at Mantua on the way. Isabella, who had just accepted an
+invitation from the Doge, Agostino Barbarigo, to visit Venice for the
+Feast of the Ascension, was somewhat dismayed when the news reached her,
+and looked forward with no little alarm to the prospect of entertaining
+her splendid brother-in-law. She wrote off without delay to consult her
+husband on the subject&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Madama sends me word that Signor Lodovico has decided to visit Ferrara
+in May, and gives me the list of the company who are to attend him,
+which I enclose for you to see. For my part I can hardly believe it, but
+shall be sorry if I am at Venice when such <i>f&ecirc;tes</i> are being held at
+Ferrara. Your Highness must decide what you think is best for the honour
+of our house, since when I was at Milan Signor Lodovico told me that if
+he came to Ferrara he would visit Mantua on the way. No doubt you will
+do what seems to be most prudent, and will let me know your wishes. But
+perhaps I may be mistaken.<a name="FNanchor_36_36" id="FNanchor_36_36"></a><a href="#Footnote_36_36" class="fnanchor">[36]</a></p>
+
+<p style="margin-left: 2em;">"Mantua, 9th of April, 1493."</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Isabella was still more disturbed when she heard that Lodovico intended
+to send his wife to Venice. Her pride shrank from the bare notion of
+appearing before the Doge and Senate at the same time as her sister,
+whose sumptuous apparel and numerous suite she felt herself unable to
+rival. "Nothing in the world," she wrote to Gianfrancesco, who was then
+at Venice as captain-general of the Republic's forces, "will induce me
+to go to Venice at the same time as my sister the duchess."</p>
+
+<p>And she insisted on her desire to appear before the Doge, not as a guest
+and foreign visitor, but as a daughter and servant, begging that she
+might be treated without any pomp or ceremony.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span>Fortunately, whether from political motives, or from his usual
+attention to his astrologer's advice, Lodovico deferred his visit to
+Ferrara until the middle of May, and himself wrote a courteous letter to
+Isabella, expressing his regret that he would after all be unable to
+accept her invitation to Mantua, since he found himself obliged to visit
+Parma. The marchioness, thus happily relieved from her fears, set off
+for Ferrara on the 4th of May, and proceeded to Venice a week later,
+having doubled the number of her retinue, and strained every nerve to
+present an appearance which should not offer too marked a contrast with
+Beatrice's regal splendours.</p>
+
+<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_32_32" id="Footnote_32_32"></a><a href="#FNanchor_32_32"><span class="label">[32]</span></a> L. Porr&ograve; in A. S. L., ix. 327.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_33_33" id="Footnote_33_33"></a><a href="#FNanchor_33_33"><span class="label">[33]</span></a> Porr&ograve;, <i>op. cit.</i>, p. 330.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_34_34" id="Footnote_34_34"></a><a href="#FNanchor_34_34"><span class="label">[34]</span></a> A. Venturi in A. S. L., xii. 227.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_35_35" id="Footnote_35_35"></a><a href="#FNanchor_35_35"><span class="label">[35]</span></a> Archivio Storico Lombardo, xvii. 368.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_36_36" id="Footnote_36_36"></a><a href="#FNanchor_36_36"><span class="label">[36]</span></a> Luzio-Renier, <i>op. cit.</i>, p. 365.</p></div>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 15%;" /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span>
+<br />
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV</h3>
+
+<div style="margin-left: 2em;">
+<p class="hang">Lodovico's ambitious designs&mdash;Isabella of Aragon appeals to her
+father&mdash;Breach between Naples and Milan&mdash;Alliance between the Pope,
+Venice, and Milan proclaimed&mdash;Mission of Erasmo Brasca to the king of
+the Romans&mdash;Journey of Lodovico and Beatrice to Ferrara&mdash;<i>F&ecirc;tes</i> and
+tournaments&mdash;Visit to Belriguardo, and return of Lodovico to
+Milan&mdash;Arrival of Belgiojoso from France.</p>
+</div>
+
+<h3>1493</h3>
+
+
+<p>The birth of Beatrice's son marks a new development in her husband's
+policy. Up to that time the Moro seems to have been content to govern in
+his nephew's name, and had rejected with horror King Ferrante's
+suggestion that he should depose Gian Galeazzo as incapable, and reign
+in his stead. But whether it was that Beatrice in her turn had become
+ambitious to bear the title of Duchess of Milan and see her son
+recognized as heir to the crown, or whether the birth of his son stirred
+up new desires in her lord's breast, it is certain that the spring of
+1493 was a turning-point in Lodovico's career. From this time he began
+to aim at reigning in his nephew's stead, and applied himself in good
+earnest to obtain legal recognition of his title. In the first place,
+the birth of Ercole, and the extraordinary honours paid to the child and
+his mother on this occasion, had the effect of exasperating Isabella of
+Aragon, and exciting new and bitter rivalry between herself and
+Beatrice. Gian Galeazzo, sunk in idle pleasures and debauchery, had long
+ceased to take any interest in the government of Milan, or to show the
+least wish to assert himself. He was recognized on all hands as
+altogether unfit to rule&mdash;in the words of the historian Guicciardini,
+"<i>incapacissimo</i>." But with his wife it was different. In public she
+controlled her rage and appeared with her cousin at <i>f&ecirc;tes</i> and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span>state
+ceremonies, but in private she wept bitter tears. Already her father,
+Alfonso, Duke of Calabria, had begged his sister Duchess Leonora and her
+husband to try and induce Lodovico to restore the Duke and Duchess of
+Milan to their rightful position, and the good duchess, who was on
+friendly terms with Bona of Savoy and with her own niece, Isabella of
+Aragon, did all in her power to soften the rivalry between the two young
+princesses. But after her departure from Milan, Isabella's ill-concealed
+anger broke out, and, according to Corio, she wrote the memorable Latin
+letter to her father.</p>
+
+<p>"It was then," writes the Milanese chronicler, "that the duchess, being
+a princess of great spirit, refused to endure the humiliations to which
+she and her husband were exposed, and wrote to Alfonso her father, after
+this manner: 'Many years have passed, my father, since you first wedded
+me to Gian Galeazzo, on the understanding that he would in due time
+succeed to the sceptre of his father and ascend the throne of Galeazzo
+and Francesco Sforza and of his Visconti ancestors. He is now of age and
+is himself a father; but he is not yet in possession of his dominions,
+and can only obtain the actual necessaries of life from the hands of
+Lodovico and his ministers. It is Lodovico who administers the state,
+treats of war and peace, confirms the laws, grants privileges, imposes
+taxes, hears petitions, and raises money. Everything is in his power,
+while we are left without friends or money, and are reduced to live as
+private persons. Not Gian Galeazzo, but Lodovico, is recognized as lord
+of the kingdom. He places prefects in the castles, raises military
+forces, appoints magistrates, and discharges all the duties of a prince.
+He is, in fact, the true duke. His wife has lately borne him a son, who
+every one prophesies will soon be called Count of Pavia, and will
+succeed to the dukedom, and royal honours were paid him at his birth,
+while we and our children are treated with contempt, and it is not
+without risk to our lives that we remain under the roof of the palace,
+from which he would remove us in his envious hatred, leaving me widowed
+and desolate, destitute of help and friends. But I have still spirit and
+courage of my own; the people regard us with compassion, and look upon
+him with hatred and curses, because he has robbed <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span>them of their gold to
+satisfy his greed. I am not able to contend with men, and am forced to
+suffer every kind of humiliation. There is no one here to whom I can
+speak, for even our servants are given us by him. But if you have any
+fatherly compassion, if a spark of royal or noble feeling still lives in
+your heart, if love of me and the sight of my tears can move your soul,
+I implore you to come to our help, and deliver your daughter and
+son-in-law from the fear of slavery, and restore them once more to their
+rightful kingdom. But if you will not help us, I would rather die by my
+own hands than bear the yoke of strangers, which would be a still
+greater evil than to allow a rival to reign in my place.'"</p>
+
+<p>This letter was probably composed by the historian, but there is no
+doubt that it reproduces the wronged duchess's sentiments, and that
+Corio does not exaggerate the effect which his daughter's indignant
+appeal produced upon Alfonso. "Shall we suffer our own blood to be
+despised?" he is said to have exclaimed, when he called upon his father
+to avenge his daughter's wrong, and at the same time pointed out how
+fraught with danger to the realm of Naples was the existence of so
+powerful and independent a prince as Lodovico. But the old king
+preferred to have recourse to his usual expedients of cunning and
+intrigue, and while he employed every artifice to undermine Lodovico's
+influence both at the other courts of Italy and in France, he sent
+ambassadors to congratulate the Moro on his son's birth, and only
+expostulated in a friendly manner with his kinsman. Lodovico himself,
+however, was too astute not to see the dangers which threatened him, and
+he became doubly anxious to form a close alliance with the Pope, and
+with his old enemies the Signory of Venice. Early in 1493, Alexander
+VI., now Lodovico Sforza's firm friend, proposed a new alliance between
+himself, Milan, and Venice to the Doge and Senate, and Count Caiazzo was
+sent by Lodovico to negotiate the terms of the treaty, which was to hold
+good for twenty-five years, and had for its express object the
+maintenance of the peace of Italy. Ferrara and Mantua both joined the
+new league, which was solemnly proclaimed at Venice on St. Mark's day,
+when, after high mass, the Doge conferred the honour of knighthood on
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span>Taddeo Vimercati, the Milanese ambassador, and the banners of Milan and
+of the Pope were borne in procession round the Piazza.</p>
+
+<p>In order to confirm the alliance, Lodovico not only agreed to visit
+Ferrara in May, but also decided to send his wife at the head of an
+embassy to Venice, as a proof of his friendship for his new allies. Four
+experienced councillors, Count Girolamo Tuttavilla, Galeazzo Visconti,
+Angelo Talenti, and Pietro Landriano, were chosen to accompany her, and
+an elaborate paper of secret directions was drawn up by Lodovico
+himself, dated the 10th of May. On the same day a still more important
+paper of instructions was delivered by the Moro to Erasmo Brasca, the
+envoy whom he sent that week to Germany. This agent was instructed to
+lay two proposals before Maximilian, King of the Romans. In the first
+place, he was to offer him the hand of Bianca Maria Sforza, the Duke of
+Milan's sister, with the enormous dowry of 400,000 ducats. In the
+second, he was to ask Maximilian, on Lodovico's behalf, for a renewal of
+the investiture of Milan, formerly granted to the Visconti dukes, but
+never obtained by the three princes of the house of Sforza. As, on the
+extinction of the Visconti race, the fief ought to have returned to the
+empire, it was in the emperor's power to bestow the duchy upon Lodovico,
+whose title would thus be rendered perfectly legal, while Gian Galeazzo
+would become the usurper, he himself, his father, and grandfather having
+only held the dukedom by right of a popular election, which had never
+been confirmed by the emperor. This, then, was the proposal which the
+Moro secretly made to Maximilian, whose father, the Emperor Frederic
+III., was at the time still living, but was known to be in very failing
+health. The King of the Romans was by no means insensible to the
+advantages of an alliance with the powerful Regent of Milan, or to the
+large dowry which Bianca Maria would bring with her to replenish his
+empty coffers. Some objections were raised by the German princes, who
+chose to consider this marriage with a Sforza princess beneath the
+imperial dignity, but Maximilian himself readily consented to all
+Lodovico's conditions, and promised to grant him the investiture of the
+duchy of Milan as soon as he <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span>succeeded his father, only stipulating
+that this part of the agreement should be kept secret for the present.
+The royal bridegroom was to receive three hundred thousand ducats as
+Bianca's dowry, while the remaining hundred thousand, which represented
+the tribute dues on the investiture of the duchy, as an imperial fief,
+were to be paid when this part of the transaction was accomplished.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile Maximilian had already entered into negotiations with Charles
+VIII., who, in his anxiety to undertake the expedition of Naples, was
+ready to make any sacrifices in other directions; and on the 15th of May
+the Treaty of Senlis was concluded between the two monarchs. Lodovico's
+ambassador, Belgiojoso, accompanied the French king to Senlis, and kept
+his master fully informed of all that happened at court. But while the
+Moro had repeatedly assured Charles of his friendly intentions, he had
+hitherto prudently abstained from offering any device as to the young
+king's warlike designs against Naples, and had, it was well known,
+opposed them. When in March, Charles VIII. had begged him, as a personal
+favour, to send him his son-in-law, Galeazzo di Sanseverino, of whose
+knightly prowess he had heard so much, in order that he might confer
+with this distinguished captain on military questions, Lodovico
+absolutely refused to consent, fearing the suspicions which Messer
+Galeazzo's presence at the French court might excite.</p>
+
+<p>Such was the state of political affairs when, on the 18th of May, 1493,
+Lodovico and Beatrice, with their infant son, arrived at Ferrara. They
+spent the night before their arrival at the palazzo Trotti, in the
+suburbs, and on the following morning entered the town by the bridge of
+Castel Tealde. After riding in state up the Via Grande and the Via degli
+Sablioni to the Castello they visited the Duomo, attended mass, and made
+an offering at the altar. The Piazza was decorated with green boughs and
+bright draperies, and crowds thronged the streets, shouting "<i>Moro!
+Moro!</i>" as the young duchess rode by in all her bravery, escorted by her
+brother Alfonso and Madonna Anna, who had ridden out to meet her, with a
+gay company of Ferrarese lords and ladies. That day Beatrice wore the
+<i>camora</i> of wonderful crimson brocade, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span>embroidered with the lighthouse
+towers of the port of Genoa, and a velvet cap studded with big pearls,
+"as large as are Madama's very largest gems," wrote the faithful
+Prosperi to Isabella d'Este, "as well as five splendid rubies."</p>
+
+<p>On this occasion Lodovico was determined to dazzle the eyes of the world
+by his splendour, and the robes and jewels of Beatrice were the wonder
+of Ferrara and Venice. Ten chariots and fifty mules laden with baggage
+followed in their train, and Prosperi describes one marvellous new
+<i>camora</i>, which Beatrice brought with her, embroidered with Lodovico's
+favourite device of the caduceus worked in large pearls, rubies, and
+diamonds, with one big diamond at the top. Not to be outdone by her
+sister-in-law, Madonna Anna appeared in a crimson and grey satin robe,
+adorned with letters of massive gold, and borrowed her mother-in-law's
+finest pearls for the occasion, so that, as Prosperi reports, her jewels
+made almost as fine a show as those of the duchess. Nor was this rivalry
+in clothes and jewels limited to the royal ladies themselves. Our lively
+friend, Duchess Leonora's maid of honour, Teodora, gives Isabella an
+amusing account of the keen emulation that existed between the Milanese
+and Ferrarese ladies who were to accompany the two duchesses to
+Venice.<a name="FNanchor_37_37" id="FNanchor_37_37"></a><a href="#Footnote_37_37" class="fnanchor">[37]</a> Beatrice's ladies each wore long gold chains, valued at two
+hundred ducats apiece, and her chief maids of honour had been provided
+with some of their mistress's brocade robes for the occasion. Hearing of
+this, the Ferrarese ladies begged duchess Leonora to give them similar
+necklaces, and did not rest until they were supplied with chains valued
+at two hundred and twenty ducats apiece. And since it transpired that
+Beatrice had given some of her ladies strings of pearls for their
+paternosters, Madama presented each of her attendants with pearl
+rosaries of a still handsomer and costlier description. When Signor
+Lodovico saw this, he went up to Beatrice, saying, "Wife, I wish all of
+your ladies to wear pearl rosaries;" and straightway ordered some much
+larger and finer ones to be made for the Duchess of Bari's attendants.
+"But Madama," adds Isabella's correspondent, gleefully, "has given some
+of her smaller pendants to our ladies, a thing which I do not think the
+duchess can supply; and there is one other point in which the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span>duchess's
+suite will come off the worst. Madama has had pelisses of green satin
+with broad stripes of black velvet made for all her ladies, which they
+are to wear at Venice, and is taking a fresh supply of jewels to lend
+them when they arrive. This I think the duchess can hardly manage."</p>
+
+<p>However, the next day Prosperi reports that the famous goldsmith
+Caradosso has just arrived with a quantity of rubies and diamonds, which
+Messer Lodovico has bought for two thousand ducats, and is having strung
+into necklaces for his wife's ladies.</p>
+
+<p>A week of brilliant festivities had been arranged by Duke Ercole in
+honour of his son-in-law. A splendid tournament was held one day on the
+Piazza in front of the Castello. "Messer Galeazzo rode in the lists,"
+writes the old chronicler of Ferrara, "with all his usual <i>gentilezza</i>,
+and carried off the prize against his brothers Caiazzo and Fracassa,
+Niccolo da Correggio, Ermes Sforza, and all other rivals. Afterwards,
+taking a massive lance in his hand, he charged a gentleman of Mirandola,
+broke his lance, and unseated him, so that both horse and man rolled
+over together. And Lodovico sent one hundred ducats to the soldier of
+Mirandola, because he fought so well. Another day a single-handed
+contest between a Milanese and a Mantuan man-at-arms was held in the
+courtyard of the castle, and won by the Mantuan, and Lodovico gave him a
+satin vest with a gold fringe and skirt of silver cloth, and the Marquis
+of Mantua and others made him fine presents."<a name="FNanchor_38_38" id="FNanchor_38_38"></a><a href="#Footnote_38_38" class="fnanchor">[38]</a> Then came the
+horse-races for the <i>pallium</i>, which Don Alfonso won, and at which
+Gianfrancesco Gonzaga's famous Barbary horses made a splendid show. A
+beautiful <i>festa</i> was also held one afternoon in the gardens, at which
+all the court assisted, and in the evenings, theatrical representations
+of the <i>Men&aelig;chmi</i> and other Latin plays were given, which pleased
+Lodovico so well that he declared he must build a theatre at Milan on
+his return. Amongst the pieces given on this occasion was a comedy, of
+which the plot, Prosperi remarks, appeared to be aimed against Signor
+Lodovico, but it seems to have given him no offence.</p>
+
+<p>The Moro was apparently in the highest good-humour, courteous and
+affable, after his wont, to all, and full of proud <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span>delight in his wife
+and child. He admired the palaces and gardens of Ferrara, and surveyed
+Duke Ercole's latest improvements with keen interest. The width and
+cleanliness of the streets, struck him especially, and he determined to
+follow the duke's example and remove the forges and shops which blocked
+up the road and interfered with the traffic and the pleasantness of the
+prospect at Milan. But of all the sights which he saw in Ferrara, what
+pleased him best was Ercole's beautiful villa of Belriguardo. On
+Saturday, the 25th of May, after Beatrice and her mother had started for
+Venice, Ercole took his son-in-law and the Milanese nobles to spend the
+day at this his favourite country house, and entertained the party at a
+banquet in the famous terraced gardens on the banks of the Po. The same
+evening Lodovico found time to write to his wife, in which he tells her
+how much he is enjoying the loveliness of the summer evening at
+Belriguardo.</p>
+
+<p>"I would not for all the world have missed seeing this place. Really, I
+do not think that I have ever seen so large and fine a house, or one
+which is so well laid out and adorned with such excellent pictures. I do
+not believe there is another to rival it in the whole world, and did not
+think it possible to find a villa at once so spacious and so thoroughly
+comfortable and well arranged. To say the truth, if I were asked whether
+Vigevano, or the Castello of Pavia, or this place was the finest palace
+in the world&mdash;the Castello must forgive me, for I would certainly choose
+Belriguardo!"<a name="FNanchor_39_39" id="FNanchor_39_39"></a><a href="#Footnote_39_39" class="fnanchor">[39]</a></p>
+
+<p>From Belriguardo, Ercole and his son-in-law proceeded to visit
+Mirandola, the castle and principality of Bianca d'Este's husband, Count
+Galeotto, and the court of the scholar princes of Carpi, who were
+intimately connected with the Sanseverini and other noble Milanese
+houses. After visiting Modena, the ducal party returned to receive the
+Venetian ambassadors at Ferrara, and accompanied them to Belriguardo,
+which Lodovico was not sorry to visit a second time. Here the Moro took
+farewell of his hosts, and, leaving his infant son at Ferrara to await
+his mother's return, he set out for Parma, on his way back to Milan.</p>
+
+<p>Here at Torgiara, in the Parmesana, he was joined by his <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span>envoy, Count
+Belgiojoso, who, in his anxiety to bring his master the latest news, had
+ridden the whole 600 miles from Senlis in six days. This faithful
+servant had already written to give Lodovico details of the treaty
+concluded between Charles VIII. and Maximilian, and had informed him of
+the French king's resolve to invade Italy without delay. Now, at his
+master's summons, he rode to Parma as fast as relays of the fleetest
+horses could take him, and fell seriously ill on the day after his
+arrival. The news which he brought determined Lodovico in the policy
+which he was about to adopt, and decided him to withdraw all opposition
+to the French king's expedition against Naples. Charles VIII. now
+appeared as the friend and ally of Maximilian, and even consented to
+support Lodovico's suit with the King of the Romans. "It seems strange,"
+wrote the Florentine ambassador at the French court to Piero de' Medici,
+"that the king should support Signor Lodovico in a thing so harmful to
+the interests of his cousin the Duke of Orleans' claims, but so it is,
+and this will show you the influence that now predominates in the royal
+counsels."</p>
+
+<p>Belgiojoso reached Torgiara, in the district of Parma, on the 4th of
+June, and on the 24th, Maximilian sent the despatch from the castle of
+Gm&uuml;nden, by which he accepted the hand of Bianca Sforza in marriage, and
+promised Lodovico Sforza the investiture of the duchy of Milan as soon
+as he himself should receive the imperial dignity. In the same month of
+June, the marriage of the Pope's daughter, Lucrezia Borgia, to Giovanni
+Sforza of Pesaro was celebrated with great pomp in the Vatican, and the
+Pope and cardinals joined in the orgies which followed. But old King
+Ferrante gnashed his teeth with rage, and his son Alfonso vowed
+vengeance against the hated Moro and all his crew. And in the Duomo of
+Florence, the fiery Dominican friar, Fra Girolamo of San Marco,
+preaching with passionate fervour to the crowds who hung on his lips,
+boldly denounced the shameless profligacy that reigned in high places,
+and warned the Church and the world of the avenging sword of the Lord.</p>
+
+<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_37_37" id="Footnote_37_37"></a><a href="#FNanchor_37_37"><span class="label">[37]</span></a> Luzio-Renier, <i>op. cit.</i>, p. 374.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_38_38" id="Footnote_38_38"></a><a href="#FNanchor_38_38"><span class="label">[38]</span></a> Muratori, R. L. S., xxiv. 284.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_39_39" id="Footnote_39_39"></a><a href="#FNanchor_39_39"><span class="label">[39]</span></a> E. Motta in <i>Giorn. st. d. lett. Ital.</i>, vii. 387.</p></div>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 15%;" /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span>
+<br />
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI</h3>
+
+<div style="margin-left: 2em;">
+<p class="hang">Visit of Beatrice and her mother to Venice&mdash;Letters of Lodovico to his
+wife&mdash;Reception of the duchesses by the Doge at S. Clemente&mdash;Their
+triumphal entry&mdash;Procession and <i>f&ecirc;tes</i> in the Grand Canal&mdash;Letter of
+Beatrice to her husband&mdash;The palace of the Dukes of Ferrara in Venice.</p>
+</div>
+
+<h3>1493</h3>
+
+
+<p>The spring of 1493, as we have already said, proved a turning-point in
+Lodovico Sforza's policy. And it also marked a new period in the life of
+Beatrice d'Este. Up to this time the young duchess was a bright and
+joyous child, intellectual and cultivated like the other ladies of her
+family, but eager, above all, to enjoy the splendour and gaiety of her
+new life, to taste of every pleasure, and fling herself into every
+passing amusement. But now she appears in a new light. For the first
+time, on this visit to Venice, she takes a leading part in political
+affairs, and comes before the Doge and Senate as her husband's
+ambassador and spokeswoman. Here we see this princess, who was not yet
+eighteen years of age, assuming the character of orator and diplomatist,
+and revealing these talents which excited the admiration of the Emperor
+Maximilian and made him pronounce her unlike all other women.</p>
+
+<p>In selecting his young wife for this important mission, Lodovico had
+acted with his usual prudence and forethought. He saw her remarkable
+powers of mind, and trusted implicitly in her womanly tact and charm.
+When the Venetian Senate first heard that Lodovico was to visit Ferrara,
+they announced their intention of sending ambassadors to request him to
+accompany the two duchesses to Venice. But the Moro felt that, at this
+critical moment of his negotiations with both Charles VIII. and
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span>Maximilian, his presence at Venice might lead to awkward questions and
+excite the suspicion of these princes. So he preferred to send his wife,
+whose journey with her mother and brother would appear rather in the
+light of a party of pleasure, and whose youth and charms would disarm
+suspicion, and at the same time exert a beneficial influence on the
+counsels of the Republic. In the written instructions which he gave
+Tuttavilla and the other envoys who accompanied Beatrice, they were
+desired to lay especial stress on the honour which the rulers of Milan
+were doing the Signory of Venice by the choice of so exalted a lady to
+be their messenger.</p>
+
+<p>"The presence of the most illustrious Duchess of Bari is the best proof
+their Excellencies can have of the singular satisfaction with which the
+Dukes of Milan and Bari regard the conclusion of this league. In
+sending, the one his aunt, the other his wife, who is the dearest thing
+that he possesses, to congratulate the Signory on this auspicious
+occasion, they show you how great and exceptional is the pleasure which
+they feel at this alliance between our two states."</p>
+
+<p>On Saturday, the 25th of May, the Duchess of Ferrara, with her two
+daughters, Beatrice Duchess of Bari and Madonna Anna Sforza, and her son
+Alfonso, accompanied by a large retinue numbering in all 1200 persons,
+sailed down the Po into the Adriatic, on their way to Venice. Beatrice
+was accompanied by Antonio Trivulzio, Bishop of Como, Francesco Sforza
+and his wife, and several other Milanese gentlemen of rank, besides the
+four ambassadors already named, and in her train were the famous Flemish
+tenor Cordier and the other court singers of the ducal chapel. On the
+20th the party reached Chioggia, where they were entertained in the
+houses of noble Venetian families, and on the following day sailed up
+between the islands, under the long sandy shore of the Lido, into the
+port of Venice. At Malamocco, the fort on the southern point of Lido
+guarding the entrance of the harbour, they were received by a deputation
+of patricians, while at S. Clemente the old Doge, Agostino Barbarigo,
+himself came out to meet them in the bucentaur, followed by an immense
+company of boats and gondolas in festive array.</p>
+
+<p>"Of all cities that I have ever known, Venice is the one <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span>where the
+greatest honour is paid to strangers," wrote Philippe de Commines, when,
+a year and a half later, he came to Venice as ambassador from his most
+Christian Majesty. And on this occasion the welcome offered to the wife
+of the powerful Moro was grander, and the <i>f&ecirc;tes</i> given in her honour
+were more splendid, than had been seen for many years.</p>
+
+<p>"Never," wrote Taddeo de' Vimercati, the Milanese ambassador, "was lord
+or lady received with greater joy, or more magnificently entertained
+than the duchess has been on this occasion." And in his letters to his
+wife Isabella, the Marquis of Mantua, who had arrived at Venice three
+days earlier, and was among the spectators of his mother and
+sister-in-law's triumphal entry, dilates on the extraordinary honours
+that were paid them, on the vast concourse of people assembled to greet
+their arrival, and the exultation with which they were received. He
+describes the procession of barks and gondolas, filled with ladies in
+gay toilettes, that were seen rowing across the lagoon many hours before
+the arrival of the illustrious visitors, and tells how the old Doge&mdash;the
+same whose venerable figure is familiar to us in Giovanni Bellini's
+altar-piece, at Murano&mdash;made his way to S. Clemente early in the
+afternoon, and retired to rest for an hour or two, in a chamber prepared
+for his Serene Highness, until the Ferrarese bucentaurs were seen in the
+distance. Gianfrancesco dwells on the number and beauty of the gaily
+decorated barges and triremes, and describes the magnificent loggia hung
+with tapestries and wreaths of flowers which had been erected in front
+of the <i>palazzo</i> occupied by the Milanese ambassador, at the entrance of
+the Canal Grande. But what impressed him most of all were the thundering
+salvoes of artillery which burst from the fleet of galleys, from the
+arsenal and the Milanese embassy, at one and the same moment, as about
+five o'clock the Ferrarese bucentaurs reached Malamocco and entered the
+Venetian waters. "The whole air," he writes, "was filled with confusion,
+when these demonstrations of great rejoicing burst simultaneously upon
+our ears."</p>
+
+<p>Isabella d'Este, who had herself lately returned from Venice and was now
+with her beloved sister-in-law, Elizabeth Duchess of Urbino, at the
+villa of Porto, devoured her husband's letters <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span>greedily, although she
+professed indifference, and wrote to her mother, "To me all these
+ceremonies seem very much of the same nature, and are all alike very
+tedious and monotonous."</p>
+
+<p>There was one point, however, upon which Gianfrancesco confessed himself
+unable to gratify his wife and sister's curiosity. "I will not attempt,"
+he says, "to describe the gowns and ornaments worn by these duchesses
+and Madonna Anna, this being quite out of my line, and will only tell
+you that all three of them appeared resplendent with the most precious
+jewels."<a name="FNanchor_40_40" id="FNanchor_40_40"></a><a href="#Footnote_40_40" class="fnanchor">[40]</a> Fortunately, this omission was supplied by one of
+Beatrice's secretaries, Niccolo de' Negri, who, in a letter to Lodovico,
+informed him, on the day of her arrival at Venice, that the duchess wore
+her gold brocade, embroidered with crimson doves, with a jewelled
+feather in her cap, and a rope of pearls and diamonds round her neck, to
+which the priceless ruby known as El Spigo was attached as pendant. But
+the best account we have of Beatrice's visit to Venice is contained in
+four of her own letters addressed to her husband, which have been
+preserved in the archives of Milan. They were originally published
+twenty years ago by Molmenti, who, however, omitted some portions which
+are given here, and transcribed some of the dates incorrectly.
+Unfortunately, several of the letters in which Beatrice daily recorded
+the events of this memorable week for her lord's benefit are missing.
+But although the narrative is incomplete, it is none the less of rare
+value and interest. The first two letters after her departure from
+Ferrara are missing, but in their stead we have two notes from Lodovico,
+which show how tenderly he thought of his absent wife, and how carefully
+he followed her movements. On the evening of the 25th, he wrote the
+letter that has been already quoted, from Belriguardo; on the 26th, he
+sent her a second note in reply to the letters which he had just
+received. In one of these Beatrice had apparently given a lively account
+of her triumphs at cards in the games which she had played with her
+companions on board the bucentaur. Like Isabella d'Este and most of her
+contemporaries, the duchess was very fond of <i>scartino</i> and other
+fashionable card-games, and had the reputation of being exceptionally
+lucky. In <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span>the course of the year 1494, Lodovico informed Girolamo
+Tuttavilla, who was at one time treasurer to the duchess, that his wife
+had won no less than three thousand ducats, all of which she declared
+had been spent in alms. "When I remarked that this seemed a very large
+sum, the duchess confessed she had paid some of it to embroiderers and
+other craftsmen. Even then I fail to see how she could have disposed of
+more than a few hundred ducats. At this rate I fear she will be unable
+to buy lands or build new houses, but when you return from Naples, we
+must try and carry out some plans better worthy of your name."</p>
+
+<p>On this occasion Beatrice seems to have won a considerable sum of money
+at the game of <i>britino</i> during her journey to Chioggia, and had
+apparently informed her husband of her good luck, for he writes in
+reply&mdash;</p>
+
+<br />
+<p>"<span class="smcap">My dearest Wife</span>,</p>
+
+<p>"It has given me the greatest pleasure to hear from your last letters
+that you have been winning your companions' money, and since I conclude
+you have been playing at <i>buttino</i>, I hope you will remember to keep
+account of your winnings, so that you may keep the money for yourself.
+But I only say this in case you win, as if you lose, I do not care to
+hear about it. Commend me to the illustrious Madonna Duchessa, our
+common mother, as well as to Don Alfonso and Madonna Anna, and salute
+all the councillors for me.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+<span style="padding-right: 8em;">"Your most affectionate husband,</span><br />
+<span class="smcap" style="padding-right: 2em;">"Lodovicus Maria Sfortia</span>.<a name="FNanchor_41_41" id="FNanchor_41_41"></a><a href="#Footnote_41_41" class="fnanchor">[41]</a></p>
+<p style="margin-left: 2em;">Belriguardo, 26th of May, 1493."</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>The first of Beatrice's letters that we have was written on the evening
+of her arrival at her father's house in Venice and is dated May 27.</p>
+
+<br />
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Most illustrious Prince and excellent Lord, my dearest
+Husband</span>,</p>
+
+<p>"I wrote to you yesterday of our arrival at Chioggia. This morning I
+heard mass in a chapel of the house where I <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span>lodged. The singers
+assisted, and I felt the greatest spiritual delight in hearing them,
+Messer Cordier as usual doing his part very well, as he did also
+yesterday morning. Certainly his singing is the greatest consolation
+possible. Then we breakfasted, and at ten we entered the bucentaur,
+dividing our company between the middle-sized and small bucentaur and a
+few gondolas, which were prepared for us, as being safer, since the
+weather was still rather stormy. My most illustrious mother, Don Alfonso
+and Madonna Anna, with a very few servants, entered the small bucentaur,
+and the other ladies and gentlemen travelled on the larger bucentaur, or
+in small gondolas, while I entered another gondola with Signor Girolamo,
+Messer Visconti, and a few others, so as to lighten the small bucentaur
+and travel more comfortably, as we were assured. So we set out and
+reached the port of Chioggia, where the ships began to dance. I took the
+greatest delight in tossing up and down, and, by the grace of God, did
+not feel the least ill effects. But I can tell you that some of our
+party were very much alarmed, amongst others Signor Ursino, Niccolo de'
+Negri, and Madonna Elisabetta. Even Signor Girolamo, although he had
+been very frugal, felt rather uncomfortable; but no one in my gondola
+was really ill, excepting Madonna Elisabetta and Cavaliere Ursino, at
+the port of Chioggia. Most of the others, especially the women, were
+very ill. The weather now improved so much, that we arrived at Malamocco
+in quite good time. Here we found about twenty-four gentlemen, with
+three well-fitted and decorated barges, one of which we entered, with as
+many of our suite as it could hold, and were honourably seated in the
+prow. Several Venetian gentlemen now entered our barge, and a certain
+Messer Francesco Capello, clad in a long mantle of white brocade,
+embroidered with large gold patterns, like your own, delivered an
+oration to the effect that this illustrious Signory, having heard of
+your presence at Ferrara, had sent two ambassadors to show the love they
+bear you, and that now, having heard of my Lady Mother's and my own
+visit to Venice, they had sent the other gentlemen who received us at
+Chioggia, and now, as a further token of their affection, sent these to
+Malamocco, to express the great pleasure the Signory felt at our coming,
+and to inform us that the Doge <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span>himself, with the Signory and a number
+of noble matrons, were about to give us welcome and do us honour to the
+best of their power. My mother, with her usual modesty, begged me to
+reply, but I insisted on her saying a few words, and afterwards began to
+speak myself. But hardly had she finished speaking, and before I had
+begun, than all the gentlemen ran up to kiss our hands, as they had done
+the day before, so that I could only express my feelings by courteous
+gestures.</p>
+
+<p>"Then we set off towards Venice, and before we reached S. Clemente,
+where the Prince was expecting us, two rafts came towards us, and
+saluted us with the sound of trumpets and firing of guns, followed by
+two galleys ready for battle, and other barks decked out like gardens,
+which were really beautiful to see. An infinite number of boats, full of
+ladies and gentlemen, now surrounded us, and escorted us all the way to
+S. Clemente. Here we landed, and were conducted to a spacious pavilion
+hung with drapery, where the Prince, accompanied by the members of the
+Signory, met us and bade us welcome, assuring us how eagerly our
+presence had been desired, and saying that my lord father the duke and
+your Excellency could do him no greater pleasure than to send us, whom
+he looked upon as his dear daughters. All this and much more concerning
+the fatherly love which he bore us, he hoped to be able to express at a
+future occasion. Then he placed my lady mother on his right and myself
+on his left, with Madonna Anna next to me, and next to my mother the
+Marquis of Mantua and Don Alfonso&mdash;the Marchese having arrived with the
+Prince&mdash;and so he conducted us on board the bucentaur. On the way we
+shook hands with all the ladies, who stood up in two rows behind the
+Prince, and then sat down in the same order. All of our ladies shook
+hands with the Prince, and we set out again on our journey, meeting an
+infinite number of decorated galleys, boats, and barks. Among others,
+there was a raft with figures of Neptune and Minerva, armed with trident
+and spear, seated on either side of a hill crowned with the arms of the
+Pope and our own illustrious lord, together with your own and those of
+the Signory of Venice. First Neptune began to dance and gambol and throw
+balls into the air to the sound of drums and tambourines, and then
+Minerva did <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span>the same. Afterwards they both joined hands and danced
+together. Next Minerva struck the mountain with her spear, and an olive
+tree appeared. Neptune did the same with his trident, and a horse jumped
+out. Then other personages appeared on the mountain with open books in
+their hands, signifying that they had come to decide on the name that
+was to be given to the city on the mountain, and they gave judgment in
+favour of Minerva. This representation was said to signify that the
+existence of states is founded on treaties of peace, and that those who
+lay the foundations will give their name to future kingdoms, as Minerva
+did to Athens.</p>
+
+<p>"As we sailed on, we saw many other barks and galleys, all richly
+decorated. Among them was one galley of armed Milanese, with a Moor in
+the centre, armed with a spear, and bearing shields with the ducal arms
+and your own fastened to the stern and prow. Round this Moor were
+figures of Fortitude, Temperance, Justice, and Wisdom with a sceptre in
+his hand, all of which made a fine pageant, and the firing of guns and
+cannons at the same time sounded quite splendid.</p>
+
+<p>"Besides these there were many barks representing the different arts and
+crafts of Venice, very beautiful to see. And so we entered the Canal
+Grande, where the Prince, who talked to us all the way with the utmost
+familiarity and kindness, took great pleasure in showing us the chief
+palaces of this noble city, and pointing out the ladies, who appeared
+glittering with jewels at all the balconies and windows, besides the
+great company&mdash;about a hundred and thirty in number&mdash;who were already
+with us in the bucentaur. All the palaces were richly adorned, and
+certainly it was a magnificent sight. The Prince showed us all the chief
+objects along the canal, until we reached my father's palace, where we
+are lodged, and where the Prince insisted on landing and conducting us
+to our rooms, although my mother and I begged him not to take this
+trouble. We found all the palace hung with tapestries, and the beds
+covered with satin draperies adorned with the ducal arms and those of
+your Excellency. And the rooms and hall are hung with Sforzesca colours,
+so you see that in point of good entertainment, good company, and good
+living we could desire nothing better. This evening three <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span>gentlemen
+came to visit me in the name of the Signory, and made the most splendid
+offers, beyond all that could have been expected, for my pleasure and
+convenience. To-morrow, if the audience has taken place, you shall hear
+more. I commend myself to your Highness.<a name="FNanchor_42_42" id="FNanchor_42_42"></a><a href="#Footnote_42_42" class="fnanchor">[42]</a></p>
+
+<p style="margin-left: 2em;">"Venice, May 27, 1493."</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>"<i>Era stupendissima cesa a vedere!</i> It was a magnificent sight!"
+exclaimed Beatrice. And indeed the scene was one which would have
+stirred a less impressionable nature than that of this young princess,
+who was so keenly alive to joy and beauty, and who now for the first
+time saw "this most triumphant city of the world," in all the loveliness
+of the summer evening. Both the Milanese ambassador and the Marquis of
+Mantua said they had never seen the like. The blue waters of the lagoon
+swarmed with boats and gondolas decked with flowers and streamers of the
+gayest hues, the Venetian Gothic palaces along the canal were hung with
+Indian and Persian carpets. The rich colours of Oriental stuffs relieved
+the dazzling whiteness of Istrian stone, and festoons of fresh leaves
+and flowers were twisted round their columns of porphyry and serpentine.
+From each carved balcony and painted window fair Venetian ladies looked
+down in their sumptuous robes, glittering with gold and gems, and the
+air rang with the <i>Vivas</i> of the crowds who filled the gondolas or
+flocked along the Riva to see the gay pageant. It was a spectacle such
+as Venice alone could offer in these days of her glory, when the Canal
+Grande was, as Commines justly said, the finest street in the whole
+world.</p>
+
+<p>And the Palazzo to which the old Doge conducted Beatrice and her mother
+was the oldest and one of the grandest in that long avenue of palaces.
+Originally built for the Pesaro family, it had been presented to Niccolo
+II. of Este in gratitude for his services when, a hundred years before,
+he had supplied the Republic with corn during the long war against
+Genoa. Since then the house had been repeatedly sequestered during the
+wars between Venice and Ferrara, and had only been restored to Duke
+Ercole after the conclusion of the peace of Bagnolo. Now its ancient
+walls, dating as far back as the year 900, had been <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span>freshly decorated
+with frescoes, and the long arcades and loggias, with their massive
+pillars and Byzantine capitals of grey marble, were enriched with
+shields carved with the unicorns and lilies of the house of Este.
+Within, the spacious halls were lavishly adorned with gilding and
+variegated marble, with fine pictures and the painted <i>cassoni</i> and
+chairs which we still admire on old Venetian palaces, while the
+tapestries and hangings bearing Sforza devices and the Moro's favourite
+mottoes met Beatrice's eyes at every turn. As she wrote in her joyous
+letters to her husband, there was nothing lacking that could charm the
+eyes or please the mind, and the courtesy and hospitality of the
+venerable old Doge and of the Venetian Signory left nothing to be
+desired.</p>
+
+<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_40_40" id="Footnote_40_40"></a><a href="#FNanchor_40_40"><span class="label">[40]</span></a> "Storia di Venezia nella Vita privata," p. 60.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_41_41" id="Footnote_41_41"></a><a href="#FNanchor_41_41"><span class="label">[41]</span></a> Luzio-Renier, <i>op. cit.</i>, p. 376.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_42_42" id="Footnote_42_42"></a><a href="#FNanchor_42_42"><span class="label">[42]</span></a> Molmenti, <i>op. cit.</i>, p. 693.</p></div>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 15%;" /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span>
+<br />
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII</h3>
+
+<div style="margin-left: 2em;">
+<p class="hang"><i>F&ecirc;tes</i> at Venice in honour of the Duchess of Ferrara and Duchess of
+Bari&mdash;Beatrice d'Este has an audience with the Doge and
+Signory&mdash;Explains Lodovico's position and his treaties with France and
+Germany&mdash;Visit to St. Mark's and the Treasury&mdash;<i>F&ecirc;te</i> in the ducal
+palace&mdash;The Duchess visits the Great Council&mdash;Takes leave of the
+Doge&mdash;Return to Ferrara.</p>
+</div>
+
+<h3>1493</h3>
+
+
+<p>A series of <i>f&ecirc;tes</i> had been arranged by the Doge and Signory of Venice
+in honour of their illustrious guests, and the order in which they took
+place is given by the Marquis of Mantua in a letter to his wife. On
+Tuesday races were held in the piazza for a <i>pallinum</i> of twenty yards
+of crimson velvet; on Wednesday afternoon a regatta took place on the
+Riva. Amongst other amusing contests, Pietro Bembo tells us there was a
+race between boats rowed by four women, a thing never before seen in
+Venice, and which, on account of its novelty, excited the greatest
+amusement. "In which marvellous contention," says Bembo, "a thing
+happened which added greatly to the pleasure of the spectacle and to the
+general mirth. A bark won the race that was rowed by a mother and her
+two daughters and one daughter-in-law, this being arranged out of
+compliment to Duchess Leonora, who has herself two daughters and one
+daughter-in-law."</p>
+
+<p>On the morning after her arrival, Beatrice received a visit from three
+gentlemen sent by the Doge to confer with her on the object of her
+mission. Much to their surprise and admiration, says Romanini, the
+Venetian historian, the young duchess, who was not yet twenty years of
+age, requested to be allowed the honour of an audience with the Signory.
+Before leaving <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span>the Este palace these gentlemen assisted at mass, which
+was privately celebrated in the duchess's rooms, and heard Cordier sing,
+as we learn from a short note addressed to Lodovico on the morning of
+the 28th.</p>
+
+<p>"This morning," she writes, "as soon as I was dressed, I heard mass sung
+in my own rooms. Messer Cordier sang, and, as usual, did his part
+admirably, which pleased me greatly, both on account of the rare delight
+which his talent gives me, and because on this occasion the gentlemen
+who had been sent to see me by the Doge were also present, and expressed
+the greatest admiration for his singing."</p>
+
+<p>Beatrice and the four Milanese ambassadors were then escorted to the
+ducal palace, where the young duchess was admitted to the Sala del
+Collegio, and laid her husband's memorial before the Signory. But, as M.
+Delaborde remarks, the language which Beatrice employed on this occasion
+differed considerably from the written instructions which had been given
+to the Milanese envoys by Lodovico. During the interval, Belgiojoso's
+despatches relating to the Treaty of Senlis, and announcing the French
+king's fixed intention of undertaking an expedition against Naples, had
+produced a sensible alteration in Lodovico's policy. In the letter of
+the 10th of May, the ambassadors were desired to congratulate the
+Venetian Signory in the most cordial terms on the conclusion of the
+league between Milan, the Pope, and the Republic, and to dwell
+especially on the importance of being in readiness to resist foreign
+invasions at this critical time when the French monarch and the King of
+the Romans were about to settle their differences. But when Beatrice
+herself addressed the Signory, she insisted on the excellent relations
+of Lodovico as Regent of Milan with both France and Germany, and, after
+setting forth the pains which her lord had taken to oppose the French
+expedition, laid Belgiojoso's latest despatch before the Signory. In
+this missive the Milanese envoy informed Lodovico of Charles the
+Eighth's intention to send an envoy to Milan, Venice, and Rome, and seek
+the help of these powers in carrying out his designs for the conquest of
+Naples. Beatrice, addressing the Venetian Signory in her lord's name,
+asked their advice as to the answer which he should give to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span>the French
+king, and ended by informing them of his negotiations with Maximilian
+for the investiture of the duchy of Milan, which, she added, were
+already far advanced. After some deliberation, the Signory returned a
+courteous but evasive answer, begging the duchess to assure her husband
+of their most friendly sentiments, but saying that the French king's
+proposals required grave consideration, and that they must, first of
+all, communicate with the Pope as head of the League.</p>
+
+<p>At a second conference which the Doge had with the young duchess on the
+1st of June, Beatrice, acting under Lodovico's directions, laid stress
+on the fact that her husband as regent was all-powerful in Milan, and
+could dispose of the treasure and castles of Lombardy at his pleasure.
+The Doge understood by this, as we learn from the secret records of the
+Venetian Government, that the real aim of the duchess was to discover
+how far the Republic was disposed to uphold Lodovico's claim to the
+ducal title, but he merely returned a civil answer and repeated his
+professions of friendship. If Beatrice's mission, however, secured no
+very tangible result from the wise and crafty Venetian, her charms made
+a deep impression upon the old councillors, who one and all marvelled at
+her wisdom and eloquence, and grudged no pains or expense to give her
+pleasure. "No honours," writes Cardinal Bembo, "were held too great for
+these royal ladies, who in those joyous times had come to see the city,
+nor was any kind of pleasure or generous liberality lacking in the
+splendid <i>f&ecirc;tes</i> with which they were entertained on this memorable
+occasion." As for Beatrice herself, she was enchanted with the beauties
+of Venice and the courtesy of her hosts, and longed to see and hear all
+the wonders of the famous city. The greater part of these days was spent
+in visiting the chief sights of the place&mdash;the great Dominican and
+Franciscan churches, S. Zanipolo with the tombs of the doges and the
+Gothic shrine of S. Maria Gloriosa with Giovanni Bellini's newly painted
+Madonnas in all their radiant loveliness, the graceful Renaissance
+buildings of S. Maria dei Miracoli and the Scuola di S. Marco, which the
+Lombardi had lately finished. Like all royal visitors, the duchesses
+were conducted over the arsenal, which Commines justly calls the finest
+thing of the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span>kind in the whole world, and were shown not only the fleet
+of a hundred ships in port, but the galleys in course of construction,
+the men making the oars, the women and children at work on the sails and
+ropes, the sulphur and saltpetre mills, and the splendid armoury, all
+enclosed within lofty walls, and guarded by twin towers crowned with the
+winged lion. And they saw what was indeed one of the wonders of the
+world&mdash;the glorious front of St. Mark's just as we see it in Gentile
+Bellini's great picture, with the many domes and myriads of pillars, the
+glittering mosaics and famous bronze horses, and the crimson standards
+floating from the three tall Venetian masts on the Piazza. We are not
+told whether Beatrice, like her sister Isabella d'Este, ascended the
+Campanile to enjoy the wonderful prospect over the lagoons, but we know
+that she went to hear the singing of the Augustinian nuns, a community
+of noble Venetian maidens as famous for the many scandals attached to
+their society as for the perfection of their musical services. Above all
+things in Venice, the duchesses admired the magnificent pile of the
+ducal palace and the noble mural paintings on which the Bellini and
+their fellow-artists were at work in the Great Hall, a sight of which
+the great fire of the sixteenth century has deprived future generations.</p>
+
+<p>But the most splendid <i>f&ecirc;te</i> given in Beatrice's honour was the banquet,
+ball, and torchlight procession that were held on Thursday in the ducal
+palace. That same morning the duchesses attended mass in state at St.
+Mark's, and by the Doge's request the Milanese choir took part in the
+service. Beatrice's letters to her husband give a full account of the
+day's festivities&mdash;</p>
+
+<br />
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Most excellent and illustrious Lord, my dearest Husband</span>,</p>
+
+<p>"To continue my relation of what is happening here day by day, I must
+now inform you that this morning my illustrious mother, Don Alfonso,
+Madonna Anna, and I, with all our company, set out for St. Mark's, where
+the Prince invited both us and our singers to assist at mass and see the
+Treasury. But before reaching St. Mark's, we landed at the Rialto, and
+went on foot up those streets which are called the Merceria, where we
+saw the shops of spices and silks and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span>other merchandise, all in fair
+order and excellent both in quality and in the great quantity and
+variety of goods for sale. And of other crafts there was also a goodly
+display, so much so that we stopped constantly to look at now one thing,
+now at another, and were quite sorry when we reached St. Mark's. Here
+our trumpets sounded from a loggia in front of the church, and we found
+the prince, who advanced to meet us at the doors of St. Mark's, and
+placing himself as before, between my illustrious mother and myself, led
+us to the high altar, where we found the priest already vested. There we
+knelt down with the prince and said the confession, and then took the
+seats prepared for us and heard mass, which the priest and his
+assistants sang with great solemnity, and our singers did their part,
+and their singing greatly pleased both the Prince and all who were
+present, especially that of Cordier, who always takes great pains to do
+honour to your Highness. After mass, we accompanied the Prince to see
+the Treasury, but had the greatest difficulty in the world to get in,
+because of the crowds of people who were assembled there, as well as in
+the streets, although every one tried to make room for us, even the
+Prince crying out to try and clear the way. But at last the Prince
+himself was forced to retire on account of the great pressure of the
+crowd, and left us to enter with only a few others, and even then we had
+the greatest difficulty to get in. Once safely inside the Treasury we
+saw everything, which was a great pleasure, for there was an infinite
+quantity of most beautiful jewels and some magnificent cups and
+chalices. When we came out of the Treasury, we went on the Piazza of St.
+Mark, among the shops of the Ascensiontide fair which is still going on,
+and found such a magnificent show of beautiful Venetian glass, that we
+were fairly bewildered, and were obliged to remain there for a long
+time. And as we walked along from shop to shop, every one turned to look
+at the jewels which I wore in the velvet cap on my head, and on the vest
+embroidered with the towers of the Port of Genoa, and especially at the
+large diamond which I wore at my breast. And I heard people saying one
+to the other&mdash;'That is the wife of Signor Lodovico. Look what fine
+jewels she wears! What splendid rubies and diamonds she has!'</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span>"At last, since the hour was already late, we went home to dine, and by
+this time it was nearly two o'clock.<a name="FNanchor_43_43" id="FNanchor_43_43"></a><a href="#Footnote_43_43" class="fnanchor">[43]</a></p>
+
+<p style="margin-left: 2em;">"Venice, May 30, 1493."</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>The day's labours, however, were hardly begun, and in her next letter
+Beatrice resumes her story&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"After dinner and a little rest, a large company of gentlemen came to
+conduct us to the <i>festa</i> at the palace. We travelled in barges, and,
+when we reached the palace, were conducted into the Great Hall. There a
+grand tribunal was erected at one end of the hall, in two divisions
+running the whole length of the walls, and in the centre of the hall a
+square stage was placed for dancing and theatrical representations. We
+ascended the tribunal, where we found a number of noble Venetian ladies,
+one hundred and thirty-two in all, richly adorned with jewels. On the
+wing to our right as we entered sat the Lord of the Company of 'the
+Potenti'&mdash;'a group of the famous company of La Calza, which included the
+wealthiest and most illustrious youths of Venice'&mdash;seated on a throne
+under a canopy of gold brocade, with Don Alfonso as a member of the
+company on his right hand. We took our seat on the left wing, and sent
+Madonna Anna to take her place by the Lord of the Company. The Prince
+was not present on this occasion, being too old and infirm to take part
+in such fatiguing entertainments; but a certain Messer Constantino
+Privolo occupied his place, as the oldest member of the Signory. The
+chiefs of the <i>festa</i> led out several ladies to dance, two or three at a
+time, and then came to ask if some of our ladies and gentlemen would not
+also take part in the dance. So, to show our friendly intentions, we
+agreed, and Conte Girolamo da Figino and a few others danced. Of the
+women, the wife of Count Francesco Sforza, the daughters Messer
+Sigismondo and of Messer Raynaldo, and a few others, also danced. During
+the dancing, by reason of the excessive heat of the room, my head began
+to ache, and as my throat also felt a little sore, I left the hall and
+retired to rest in another room for an hour. When I returned, it was
+already dark. A hundred lighted torches hung from the ceiling, and a
+representation was given on the stage, in which two big animals with
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span>large horns appeared, ridden by two figures, bearing golden balls and
+cups wreathed with verdure. These two were followed by a triumphal
+chariot, in which Justice sat enthroned, holding a drawn sword in her
+hand inscribed with the motto <i>Concordia</i>, and wreathed with palms and
+olive. In the same car was an ox with his feet resting on a figure of
+St. Mark and the adder. This, as your Highness will readily understand,
+was meant to signify the League, and as in all their discourses to me
+the Prince and these gentlemen speak of your Highness as the author of
+peace and tranquillity of Italy, so in this representation they placed
+your head on the triumphal arch above the others. Behind the chariot
+came two serpents, ridden by two other youths, dressed like the first
+riders. All these figures mounted the tribunal in the centre of the
+hall, and danced round Justice, and after dancing for a while, their
+balls exploded, and out of the flames, an ox, a lion, an adder, and a
+Moor's head suddenly appeared, and all of these danced together round
+the figure of Justice. Then the banquet followed, and the different
+dishes and <i>confetti</i> were carried in to the sound of trumpets,
+accompanied by an infinite number of torches. First of all came figures
+of the Pope, the Doge, and the Duke of Milan, with their armorial
+bearings and those of your Highness; then St. Mark, the adder, and the
+diamond, and many other objects, In coloured and gilded sugar, making as
+many as three hundred in all, together with every variety of cakes and
+confectionery, and gold and silver drinking-cups, all of which were
+spread out along the hall, and made a splendid show. Among other things,
+I saw a figure of the Pope surrounded by ten cardinals, which was said
+to be a prophecy of the ten cardinals whom the Pope is going to make
+to-morrow! The banquet was spread out upon the stage, and the dishes
+were handed round with many of these triumphs, and the Pope and the Duke
+and Duchess of Milan fell to my share. When the banquet was finished, we
+had another representation, in which the two youths on serpents played
+the chief part. A messenger arrived, riding on a triumphal car in a
+boat, bearing a letter in a packet, which he presented to the Lord of
+the Company, who opened it, and, after reading the letter, handed it
+back to him; then he entered the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span>boat again and left the hall, followed
+by the others on their serpents. This last figure was said to be a
+herald who had been sent to announce the proclamation of the League, and
+a little while afterwards the triumphal car of the League, as described
+above, appeared again, followed by four giants. The first one carried a
+horn of foliage and fruit, the two next bore two clubs with gold and
+silver balls, or catapults, while the last carried a cornucopia, similar
+to that borne by the first giant in his hand. Then came four animals in
+the shape of Chimeras ridden by four naked Moors, sounding tambourines
+and cymbals or clapping their hands. They were followed by four
+triumphal cars, bearing figures of Diana, Death, the mother of Meleager,
+and several armed men&mdash;four or five persons in each chariot, the whole
+intended to represent the story of Meleager, which was fully set forth,
+from his birth to his death, with interludes of dances. The whole fable
+would take too long to repeat, but Gian Giacomo Gillino will be able to
+recite it from beginning to end, if you care to hear it. This was the
+conclusion of the whole <i>festa</i>. After this we entered our boats, and
+the clock struck one before we got home. The bishop of Como was sitting
+by me all the evening, and his infinite weariness at the length of the
+performance, and his dislike of the great heat in that crowded hall,
+made me laugh as I never laughed before. And in order to tease him and
+have more fun, I kept on telling him that there was still more to come,
+and that the acting would go on till to-morrow morning; and it was most
+amusing to see him stretch himself first on one leg, then on the other,
+and to hear him complain, 'My legs are worn out. When will this <i>festa</i>
+ever come to an end? Never again will I come to another.' I really think
+that his sighs and groans gave me as much pleasure as the <i>festa</i>
+itself. When at length we reached home, I supped frugally and then went
+to bed, as it was already three o'clock. The gown that I wore after
+dinner was of crimson and gold watered silk, with my jewelled cap on my
+head, and the rope of pearls with the Marone as a pendant. I commend
+myself to your Highness. Your Excellency's most affectionate wife,</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+<span class="smcap" style="padding-right: 2em;">Beatrice Sfortia Viscomtis.</span><a name="FNanchor_44_44" id="FNanchor_44_44"></a><a href="#Footnote_44_44" class="fnanchor">[44]</a></p>
+<p style="margin-left: 2em;">Venetina, May 31, 1493."</p>
+<br />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span>On the back of this letter are the words&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"To the most illustrious Prince and excellent Lord, my dearest husband,
+the Lord Lodovico Maria Sfortia, etc. <i>Ubi. sit. cito. cito.</i>"</p>
+
+<p>On Saturday, the 1st of June, Beatrice wrote another letter, in which
+she describes her visit to the Great Council and final interview with
+the Doge, but makes no mention of political affairs, which were no doubt
+reserved for a separate despatch.</p>
+
+<p>"To-day after dinner," she begins, "we went to the palace, honourably
+attended by many Venetian gentlemen, to visit the Great Council, and
+were conducted into the Great Hall. Here in the centre of the hall we
+found the Prince, who had descended from his rooms to meet us, and who
+accompanied us to the Tribunal, where we sat in our usual order, and the
+Council began to vote by ballot for elections to two different offices.
+When this was over, my lady mother thanked the Prince for all the
+honours which had been paid us, and took her leave. When she had
+finished speaking, I did the same; then, following the instructions
+which you had given me in your letter, I offered myself as a daughter to
+obey all the Doge's commands. The Prince replied that he needed no
+thanks, for he had only done what might be expected from a father for a
+beloved daughter, excusing himself if anything had been left undone, and
+begging I would not impute what was lacking to him, but to the failure
+of his servants to discharge their duties, and assuring me once more
+that his will could not be better disposed towards me. Then he once more
+expressed the paternal love which he cherished towards our most
+illustrious duke, towards your Highness and myself, and again placed
+himself and his Government at the disposal of your Excellency, with many
+very generous expressions, begging me to salute your Highness and beg
+you to be of good courage, and tell you that the Signory accepted all my
+offers, and would, if need be, avail themselves gratefully of your help.
+After this, I replied again in similar terms, and he again desired me to
+greet you warmly from him, and beg you to take good care of your own
+health and person. Our councillors were then presented to him, and
+Monsignore da Como returned thanks very courteously and repeated our
+expressions of gratitude, as was <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span>convenient, and then took leave. He
+also replied in suitable terms to all that the Prince had said to me,
+which speech I will not repeat here, for fear of wearying your
+Excellency.</p>
+
+<p>"The Prince then rose and accompanied us to the foot of the great
+staircase, and here shook hands and left us. After that we went to visit
+the Queen of Cyprus at Murano, where she received us with great honour
+and gave us a beautiful entertainment. We also visited the shrine of St.
+Lucia, and so ends my tale for to-day. To-morrow morning, by the grace
+of God, we hope to set out on our journey at eight o'clock. I commend
+myself to your Excellency.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+<span style="padding-right: 6em;">"Your most illustrious lordship's wife,</span><br />
+<span class="smcap" style="padding-right: 2em;">Beatrice Sfortia.</span></p>
+<p style="margin-left: 2em;">Venice, 1st of June, 1493."</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>And so, with a pleasant trip across the sunny waters of the lagoon and a
+<i>festa</i> in the beautiful gardens of Caterina Cornaro, that royal lady
+who never neglected an opportunity of showing her friendship for the
+house of Este, Beatrice's week at Venice came to an end. The success of
+her visit had been complete, and both the Milanese ambassador and
+Niccolo de' Negri were eloquent on the splendour of the <i>f&ecirc;tes</i> held in
+her honour and the favourable impression which she had made on these
+grave and reverend signers.</p>
+
+<p>The secretary especially, in his letters to Lodovico, dwells with
+complacency on the admiration which the young duchess's gowns and
+jewels, and still more her own charms, had excited among the Venetians.
+"On every occasion the duchess appeared clad in new and beautiful robes
+and glittering jewels. Her jewels, indeed, were the wonder of the whole
+town. But I shall not be wrong if I say that the finest jewel of all is
+herself&mdash;my dear and most excellent Madonna, whose gracious ways and
+charming manners filled all the people of Venice with the utmost delight
+and enthusiasm, so that your Highness may well count himself what he
+is&mdash;the happiest and most fortunate prince in the whole world."</p>
+
+<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_43_43" id="Footnote_43_43"></a><a href="#FNanchor_43_43"><span class="label">[43]</span></a> E. Motta, <i>op. cit.</i>, p. 390, etc.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_44_44" id="Footnote_44_44"></a><a href="#FNanchor_44_44"><span class="label">[44]</span></a> Motta e Molmenti, <i>op. cit.</i></p></div>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 15%;" /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span>
+<br />
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII</h3>
+
+<div style="margin-left: 2em;">
+<p class="hang">Return of Beatrice to Milan&mdash;Visit of Duke Ercole and Alfonso to Pavia&mdash;Death
+of Duchess Leonora&mdash;Beatrice's <i>camora</i> and Niccolo da
+Correggio's <i>fantasia dei vinci</i>&mdash;Marriage of Bianca Maria Sforza to
+Maximilian, King of the Romans, celebrated at Milan&mdash;Letter of Beatrice
+to Isabella d'Este&mdash;Wedding <i>f&ecirc;tes</i> and journey of the bride to
+Innsbr&uuml;ck&mdash;Maximilian's relations with his wife&mdash;Bianca's future life.</p>
+</div>
+
+<h3>1493</h3>
+
+
+<p>On the 2nd of June, Beatrice and her mother left Venice and returned to
+Ferrara, where she once more embraced her infant son and enjoyed a few
+days' rest after all her <i>f&ecirc;tes</i> and journeyings. The 7th of June was
+spent at Belriguardo, and from this favourite villa the young duchess
+wrote to her sister, expressing her regret that she would be unable to
+visit Mantua on her return to Milan.</p>
+
+<p>"I would most willingly come to see you at Mantua, as I had hoped to do,
+and as you know I still desire, and should very much enjoy a few days
+with you in the country, but my husband is exceedingly anxious for my
+return. So I must beg your Highness to let me enjoy a sight of you in
+the bucentaur, and not to insist upon my landing this time."</p>
+
+<p>Isabella complied with her sister's request, and went to meet the
+duchess at Revere, where Beatrice stopped for a few hours on her way up
+the Po, to join her husband at Pavia. Lodovico was naturally impatient,
+not only to see his wife again, but to hear from her own lips all that
+had happened at Venice. And he on his part had much to tell her of the
+news which Belgiojoso had brought from France, and of the despatches
+which he received from Erasmo Brasca in Germany.</p>
+
+<p>The summer months were spent in the Castello of Pavia, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span>where Beatrice
+nursed her husband in a slight attack of fever, and afterwards received
+a visit from her father and brother. They arrived on the 25th of August,
+bringing with them a troop of actors to perform the <i>Men&aelig;chmi</i> and some
+of the other comedies which had pleased Lodovico so much at Ferrara.
+Duke Ercole himself, as usual, took keen interest in these theatricals,
+and before he left home sent to borrow two complete Turkish costumes and
+turbans from the Marquis of Mantua, in order to supply deficiencies in
+his actors' wardrobe. Three days after his arrival, Borso da Correggio,
+a young nephew of Niccolo, who had travelled to Pavia with the duke,
+sent the following note to give his cousin Isabella the latest news of
+her family:&mdash;</p>
+
+<br />
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Most illustrious Sister and honoured Lady,</span></p>
+
+<p>"We arrived on the 25th at Pavia, and were received by these excellent
+lords and ladies with the usual formalities. We find both of the
+duchesses well and happy, one of them, indeed&mdash;her of Milan&mdash;expects the
+birth of another child shortly, but our own duchess is as gay and joyous
+as ever. On the 27th the comedy of <i>The Captives</i> was acted, and the
+performance went off very well. To-day <i>The Merchant</i> is to be given,
+and will, I hope, prove equally successful. To-morrow we are to have a
+third. Our way of living is as follows. Early in the morning we go out
+riding. After dinner we play at <i>scartino</i>, or else at 'raising dead
+men' and '<i>l'imperiale</i>,' and other card games, till it is bed-time. The
+players are, as a rule, the Duke and Duchess of Bari together, Ambrogio
+da Corte, and some third man, whoever may happen to be present. To-day
+your father the duke, Don Alfonso, and Messer Galeaz Visconti are
+playing at pall-mall against Messer Galeaz Sanseverino, Signor Girolamo
+Tuttavilla, and myself. The Duchess of Milan does not join us in these
+games, and only appears at the theatricals. The Duke of Bari is more
+devoted to the duchess than ever, and is constantly caressing and
+embracing her. My lord your father is altogether intent on the comedies.
+When they are ended, hunting-parties will begin, and we shall all be
+ready for the quails."</p>
+
+<p>These amusements were unexpectedly interrupted by the news of Duchess
+Leonora's serious illness, a gastric affection <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span>which ended fatally on
+the 11th of October. The death of this virtuous and admirable lady was
+deeply lamented both by the members of her immediate family circle and
+by the subjects to whom she had endeared herself by her goodness of
+heart. Funeral orations in her honour were delivered both at Mantua and
+Milan, and Ariosto pronounced a panegyric in verse over her grave. The
+young Duchess Beatrice, who had been with her mother at Venice so
+lately, wept bitter tears, and for several weeks could scarcely be
+persuaded to leave her room. Some anxiety was felt respecting her sister
+Isabella, who, after being married for three years, was now expecting
+the birth of her first child, and during ten days the news was concealed
+from her. But by the end of that time the Marchesa began to be uneasy,
+and to inquire why she received no letter from Ferrara. Soon the sad
+news reached her from Milan, "whether out of mere imprudence or by some
+malicious design, we cannot discover," wrote one of her ladies to the
+absent marquis. Isabella, however, showed her usual prudence and
+self-control. After the first burst of grief, she bore her loss with
+fortitude, and found distraction in putting herself, her rooms, and her
+household into mourning. In her anxiety to appear elegant, even in her
+grief, we find her asking Beatrice to send her some of the white lawn
+veils that were made in Milan, since she could find none to her taste in
+Mantua. And at the same time, she begged one of her friends at the
+Milanese court to give her minute details as to the colour and material
+of the mourning worn by the duchess. On the 25th of October, her
+correspondent replied&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Although I have not yet been able to see the Duchess of Bari, since she
+still remains entirely in her room, yet, in order to satisfy your
+Highness, I have made inquiries as to the kind of mourning that she
+wears. Her Excellency is clad in a robe of black cloth, with sleeves of
+the same, and a very long mantle, also of black cloth, and wears on her
+head a black silk cap with muslin folds, which are neither grey nor
+yellow, but pure white. She hardly ever leaves her room, and Signor
+Lodovico spends most of his time with her, and they two and Messer
+Galeaz have their meals alone in their rooms."<a name="FNanchor_45_45" id="FNanchor_45_45"></a><a href="#Footnote_45_45" class="fnanchor">[45]</a></p>
+
+<p>A fortnight later, Beatrice roused herself from her grief to help <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span>her
+husband in the preparations for his niece Bianca Sforza's wedding to the
+Emperor Maximilian. The death of the old Emperor Frederic III., who
+breathed his last at Linz on the 19th of August, and the elevation of
+his son to the imperial throne, had hastened the development of
+Lodovico's plans. The King of the Romans, as he was still called, until
+he could be solemnly invested with the imperial insignia, now proposed
+to send ambassadors to Milan, before the end of the year, to solemnize
+his espousals with the Princess Bianca and bring his bride across the
+Alps to Innsbr&uuml;ck. The date of the wedding was fixed for the last week
+in November, and Lodovico prepared to celebrate the event with fitting
+splendour. The widowed Duchess Bona was transported with joy at the
+prospect of this exalted alliance, and forgave the Moro all his sins in
+her delight at seeing her daughter become an empress. On her part,
+Beatrice prepared to lay aside her mourning for the occasion, and appear
+in a new and wonderful robe at her niece's wedding.</p>
+
+<p>Accordingly she wrote to Isabella on the 12th of November, asking her
+sister's leave to make use of a design for a new <i>camora</i>, which had
+been suggested by Niccolo da Correggio.</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot remember if your Highness has yet carried out the idea of that
+pattern of linked tracery which Messer Niccolo da Correggio suggested to
+you when we were last together. If you have not yet ordered the
+execution of this design, I am thinking of having his invention carried
+out in massive gold, on a <i>camora</i> of purple velvet, to wear on the day
+of Madonna Bianca's wedding, since my husband desires the whole court to
+lay aside mourning for that one day and to appear in colours. This being
+the case, I cannot refrain from wearing colours on this occasion,
+although the heavy loss we have had in our dear mother's death has left
+me with little care for new inventions. But since this is necessary, I
+have decided to make a trial of this pattern, if your Highness has not
+yet made use of it, and send the present courier, begging you not to
+detain him, but to let me know at once if you have yet tried this new
+design or not."<a name="FNanchor_46_46" id="FNanchor_46_46"></a><a href="#Footnote_46_46" class="fnanchor">[46]</a></p>
+
+<p>The courier to Mantua brought back word that the marchioness had not yet
+made use of Niccolo's invention, and begged that her sister would feel
+herself at liberty to adopt the idea <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span>and "satisfy her appetite."
+Beatrice ordered the <i>camora</i> to be put in hand without delay, and
+Messer Niccolo had the satisfaction of seeing the duchess appear in this
+robe at the imperial wedding. The subject is of special interest,
+because this same pattern is repeated in the sleeves of Ambrogio de
+Predis' portrait of Lodovico's fair young daughter Bianca, which must
+have been painted about this time, and was probably adopted at the wish
+of Beatrice, who was fondly attached to her youthful step-daughter.
+Again, this same linked tracery or "<i>fantasia dei vinci</i>," as it is
+called in Beatrice and her sister's letters, is to be seen both in the
+decorations that adorn the ceiling of a hall in the Castello of Milan,
+and on the vaulting of the sacristy in St. Maria delle Grazie. And as
+Mr. M&uuml;ntz<a name="FNanchor_47_47" id="FNanchor_47_47"></a><a href="#Footnote_47_47" class="fnanchor">[47]</a> has lately pointed out, this same interlaced ornament, or
+<i>vinci</i>, in which the Belgian professor, M. Errera, sees a play upon the
+great painter's name, forms the motive of the famous circular engravings
+bearing the words "<i>Academia Leonardi Vinci</i>," which have given rise to
+so many conjectures as to the existence of that mysterious institution.
+All these repetitions of the pattern invented by Niccolo da Correggio,
+and adopted by Beatrice d'Este for her wedding robe, show how
+fashionable the <i>fantasia dei vinci</i> became at the Milanese court, and
+lead us to imagine that Leonardo himself may have had some part in the
+original design.</p>
+
+<p>On the 5th of November, Lodovico wrote a note to Vigevano, where he and
+Beatrice had retired after Duchess Leonora's death, informing his
+father-in-law that he was on the point of returning to Milan to receive
+the imperial ambassadors, Gaspar Melchior, Bishop of Brixen, and Jean
+Bontemps. These important personages arrived on the 7th, and were met by
+Lodovico and his nephew, the Duke of Milan, at the Porta Orientale,
+opposite the newly erected Lazzaretto, and conducted in state to their
+rooms in the Castello. Here the German envoys were loaded with gifts,
+and magnificently entertained during the next three weeks. The nuptial
+ceremony was put off a week, to allow time for the arrival of the
+special envoys whom at the last moment Charles VIII. had decided to
+send, to do homage to his allies, and finally took place on <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span>St.
+Andrew's festival, the 30th of November, in the Duomo of Milan.</p>
+
+<p>The street decorations on this occasion surpassed anything which had
+been seen before; the doors and windows were wreathed with ivy, laurel,
+and myrtle boughs, and the walls hung with tapestries and brocades
+embroidered with the armorial bearings of the different royal houses
+connected with the Sforza family. The adder of the Visconti, the cross
+of Savoy, and the imperial eagle were seen side by side with the
+mulberry-tree and other favourite devices of the Moro and his race,
+while all manner of strange and fantastic emblems were introduced by
+private owners, and one house exhibited the effigy of a crocodile, "a
+creature never before seen," remarks the historian, Tristan Calco, "in
+our city." But the most striking feature of the whole was the triumphal
+arch erected on the piazza in front of the Castello, and, by Lodovico's
+orders, crowned with Leonardo's model for the colossal equestrian statue
+of the great captain, Francesco Sforza. This clay horse, to which the
+Florentine master had devoted so many years of arduous labour, and which
+had cost him such infinite thought and care, was now at length
+completed, and the Milanese poets with one voice celebrated the praise
+of Lodovico, who had ordered the work,&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Per memoria del padre un gran colosso;"<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>and the fame of Leonardo, whose rare genius had produced this unrivalled
+statue&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Guarde pur come &egrave; bello quel cavallo<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Leonardo Vinci a farli sol s'&egrave; mosso<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Statura bon pictore, e bon geometra<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Un tanto ingegno rar dal ciel s'impetra."<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>So Baldassare Taccone sang in his poem on Bianca's wedding, while a
+greater scholar, Lancinus Curtius, recorded the completion of the
+long-expected work in the following epigram:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Expectant animi, molemque futuram<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Suspiciunt; fluat &aelig;s; vox erit: Ecce deus!"<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>The court poet Taccone waxes eloquent over the splendour of the
+procession, led by Messer Galeazzo, captain-general of the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span>armies, and
+the beauty of the bride, whose tall and slender figure showed to
+advantage in her gorgeous apparel, with her long fair hair flowing over
+her shoulders, as she rode through the streets bowing in response to the
+enthusiastic cheers of the crowd. He paints the marvellous scene inside
+the Duomo, where the venerable Archbishop of Milan sang mass in the
+presence of the most brilliant assembly ever seen within its walls, and
+the firing of guns and ringing of bells marked the moment when the
+Bishop of Brixen placed the imperial crown on the bride's head. Taccone
+describes the glittering array of chandeliers and vases, designed after
+Signor Lodovico's favourite antique fashion, which adorned the high
+altar, the blaze of a thousand wax lights which illumined the majestic
+choir, the sweet perfumes of incense and celestial harmonies of the
+music that filled the air. And, like a true courtier, he contrives to
+make everything, decorations, music, and processions, redound to the
+praise of the great Moro, the author of all the glories of Milan.</p>
+
+<p>But we have an equally minute and perhaps more interesting description
+of the scene from Beatrice's own pen, in a letter which she sent to her
+sister Isabella from Vigevano on the 29th of December. The marchioness,
+whose state of health prevented her from being present on the important
+occasion, had begged her sister to send her full accounts of the
+ceremony, but, owing to the <i>f&ecirc;tes</i> which followed the wedding and the
+journey of the court as far as Como with the imperial bride, a whole
+month elapsed before Beatrice was able to fulfil her promise.</p>
+
+<br />
+<p><span class="smcap">"Most illustrious Lady and dearest Sister,</span></p>
+
+<p>"I told you some time ago that I would let you have a full account of
+the triumphant display held in Milan, at the marriage of her Most Serene
+Highness the Queen of the Romans, and I certainly desired the chancellor
+to send you this account. But since you write that it has never reached
+you, the fault must rest with the said chancellor, and you must excuse
+me for this apparent neglect.</p>
+
+<p>"On the last day of the past month the nuptials took place, and in
+preparation for this solemnity, a portico was erected in <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span>front of the
+Chiesa Maggiore of the city of Milan, with pillars on either side,
+supporting a purple canopy, embroidered with doves. Within the church,
+the aisles were hung with brocade as far as the choir, in front of which
+a triumphal arch had been erected on massive pillars. This was entirely
+painted, and bore in the centre an effigy of Duke Francesco on
+horseback, in his ducal robes, with the ducal arms and those of the King
+of the Romans above. This triumphal arch was square in shape, and
+ornamented with pictures of antique feasts, and the imperial insignia
+and the arms of my husband were placed on the side towards the high
+altar. Beyond this arch were steps that led up to a great tribunal
+erected in front of the high altar. On the left was a small tribunal
+from which the Gospel was sung, hung with gold brocade; on the right was
+another, adorned with silver brocade; and behind these tribunals were
+seats ranged in order and covered with draperies, for the councillors
+and other feudatories and gentlemen. In the extreme corners of the choir
+were two raised stages, one for the singers, the other for the
+trumpeters, and in the space between were seated the doctors of law and
+medicine, with their birettas and capes lined with fur, each according
+to his rank. The altar itself was sumptuously adorned with all the
+silver vases and images of saints which you saw in the Rocchetta when
+you were at Milan.</p>
+
+<p>"The street leading to the Duomo was beautifully decorated. There were
+columns wreathed with ivy all the way from the bastions of the Castello
+to the end of the piazza, and between the columns were festoons of
+boughs bearing antique devices, and round shields with the imperial arms
+and those of our house, and Sforzesca draperies were hung above the
+street all the way from the Castello to the Duomo. Many of the doors had
+their pillars wreathed with ivy and green boughs, so that the season
+seemed to be May-time rather than November. On both sides of the street,
+the walls were hung with satin, excepting those houses which have lately
+been adorned with frescoes, and which are no less beautiful than
+tapestries.</p>
+
+<p>"On the morning of the day, at about nine o'clock, the reverend and
+magnificent ambassadors of the King of the Romans rode to the church,
+honourably attended by the Marchese <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span>Ermes, the Count of Caiazzo, Count
+Francesco Sforza, the Count of Melzo, and Messer Lodovico da Fojano, and
+took their seats on the grand tribunal, close to the small tribunal
+covered with cloth of gold, on the left as you go in, this being counted
+the most honourable place, as it is the Gospel side. At ten o'clock, her
+serene Highness the Queen ascended the triumphal car which our dearest
+mother of blessed memory gave me when I was at Ferrara, and which was
+drawn on this occasion by four snow-white horses. The queen wore a vest
+of crimson satin, embroidered in gold thread and covered with jewels.
+Her train was immensely long, and the sleeves were made to look like two
+wings, which had a very fine appearance. On her head she wore an
+ornament of magnificent diamonds and pearls. And to add to the solemnity
+of the occasion, Messer Galeazzo Pallavicino carried the train, and
+Count Conrado de' Lando and Count Manfredo Torniello each of them
+supported one of the sleeves. Before the bride walked all the
+chamberlains, courtiers, officials, gentlemen, feudatories, and last of
+all the councillors. The queen seated herself in the centre of the car,
+the Duchess Isabella being on her right, and myself on her left. The
+said duchess wore a <i>camora</i> of crimson satin, with gold cords looped
+over it, as in my grey cloth <i>camora</i>, which you must remember; and I
+wore my purple velvet <i>camora</i>, with the pattern of the links worked in
+massive gold and green and white enamel, about six inches deep on the
+front and back of my bodice, and on both sleeves. The <i>camora</i> was lined
+with cloth of gold, and with it I wore a girdle of St. Francis made of
+large pearls, with a beautiful clear-cut ruby for clasp. On the other
+side of the chariot were Madonna Fiordelisa"&mdash;an illegitimate daughter
+of Duke Francesco Sforza, who occupied rooms in the Castello,&mdash;"Madonna
+Bianca, the wife of Messer Galeazzo; and the wife of Count Francesco
+Sforza. The chariot was followed by the ambassadors who have been sent
+by his Most Christian Majesty of France to honour these nuptials, and
+after them came the envoys of the different Italian powers, according to
+their rank, then the lord duke and my husband on horseback. These were
+followed by about twelve chariots containing the noblest maidens of
+Milan, who had been especially chosen and invited to attend the
+solemnity, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span>and the ladies of the queen, all wearing the same livery,
+with tan-coloured <i>camoras</i> and mantles of bright green satin. Both the
+Duchess Isabella's ladies and mine were riding in these chariots. And as
+we drove to the Duomo in this procession, all the shops and windows on
+the road were hung with satin draperies and filled with men and women,
+and it was impossible to count the crowds of people who thronged every
+part of the streets.</p>
+
+<p>"When we reached the gates of the Duomo, we alighted from the chariots
+and found Madonna Beatrice waiting to receive the bride, with a number
+of noble ladies, and we proceeded as far as the steps of the tribunal,
+where the ambassadors of the King of the Romans advanced to meet the
+queen, whom they conducted to her place on the great tribunal in front
+of the high altar. Then we all took our proper places&mdash;that is to say,
+the ambassadors mounted the tribunal covered with cloth of gold, the
+queen was led to the tribunal of silver brocade, between the French
+ambassadors, while behind them were seated the envoys of the other
+powers, the duke and my husband, Duchess Isabella and myself. The other
+honourable relatives of the bride occupied a lower range of seats, and
+the central part of the tribunal was filled with a large number of
+ladies. On the queen's side, the councillors, feudatories, and other
+courtiers, officials, and chamberlains occupied the remainder of the
+seats. As for the rest of the people, the church, which is a very large
+one, could not contain them all.</p>
+
+<p>"When we were all in our places, the Most Reverend Archbishop of Milan
+entered in full vestments, with the priests in ordinary, and began to
+celebrate mass with the greatest pomp and solemnity, to the sound of
+trumpets, flutes, and organ-music, together with the voices of the
+chapel choir, who adapted their singing to Monsignore's time. At the
+singing of the Gospel, two of the priests in ordinary of the cathedral
+bore the incense, the one to the ambassadors of the King Maximilian, and
+the other to the queen, the duke and duchess, and my husband and myself,
+who were opposite. The Pax was given, when the right time came, by the
+Bishop of Piacenza to the king's representatives, and to us others who
+sat on the other tribunal by the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span>Bishop of Como. After mass had been
+celebrated with the greatest solemnity, the queen rose from her place
+between the ambassadors of his Most Christian Majesty, and, accompanied
+by the duke and my husband, Duchess Isabella and myself, and followed by
+all the princes of the blood, advanced to the altar. The ambassadors of
+King Maximilian advanced on their side, and we all stood before the
+altar, where Monsignore the Archbishop pronounced the marriage service,
+and the Bishop of Brixen first gave the ring to the queen, and then,
+assisted by the archbishop, placed on her head the crown, which act was
+accompanied with great blowing of trumpets, ringing of bells, and firing
+of guns and shells. And the said crown was of gold, enriched with
+rubies, pearls, and diamonds, set in the form of arches meeting in the
+shape of a cross, and on the top of all was a figure of the globe,
+crowned with a small imperial cross, after the pattern given by the
+ambassadors, in obedience to the king's directions.</p>
+
+<p>"After this, every one walked in procession to the gates of the Duomo,
+the above-named feudatories bearing the train and sleeves. Then the
+women, as well as the men, mounted horses, and a <i>baldacchino</i> of white
+damask lined with ermine was prepared, under which the queen rode,
+preceded by the ambassadors and the whole court, with the duke and my
+husband at their head. Next to the queen rode the ambassadors of her
+husband the king, the Bishop of Brixen being on the left hand, outside
+the <i>baldacchino</i>, and so the long procession moved towards the
+Castello. All the clergy of the city of Milan, richly apparelled and
+very devout in appearance, were drawn up between the Castello and Duomo,
+both on the way thither and on the return journey. Messer Zoan Francesco
+Pallavicino and Messer Francesco Bernardo Visconti acted as the queen's
+staff-bearers, from the Duomo to the Castello. The <i>baldacchino</i> was
+carried all the way by doctors robed in the manner described above, and
+behind the queen rode the duchess and myself, followed by the relatives,
+courtiers, and invited guests, all on horseback. Then came the ladies of
+the queen, those of the duchess, and my own, all sumptuously clad and
+making a splendid show, and finest of all was the queen, with the
+imperial crown on her <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span>head. Nothing but gold and silver brocade was to
+be seen, and the least well-dressed persons wore crimson velvet, so that
+the costumes were a marvellous sight, besides the infinite number of
+gold chains worn by knights and others. All those who were present
+agreed that they had never seen so glorious a spectacle. And the
+ambassador of Russia, who was among the spectators, declared that he had
+never seen such extraordinary pomp. The nuncio of His Holiness the Pope
+said the same, as well as the French ambassador, who declared that,
+although he had been present at the Pope's coronation and at that of his
+own king and queen, he had never seen as splendid a sight. Your Highness
+may judge from this how full of pleasure and glory these nuptials have
+been. All the people shouted for joy, and so at length we reached the
+Castello of Milan, where the procession broke up and the crowd
+dispersed. I wished for your presence many times during the whole
+ceremony, but since this desire of mine could not be satisfied, I
+thought I would give you this account with my own hand. Commending
+myself to your Highness as ever,</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+<span style="padding-right: 8em;">"Your sister,</span><br />
+<span class="smcap" style="padding-right: 2em;">Beatrix Sfortia Vicecomes Estensis Duchisa Bri.</span>.<a name="FNanchor_48_48" id="FNanchor_48_48"></a><a href="#Footnote_48_48" class="fnanchor">[48]</a></p>
+<p style="margin-left: 2em;">Vigevano, December 29, 1493.</p>
+<br />
+<p style="margin-left: 2em;">To my illustrious lady and most dear sister the lady Isabella<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;di Gonzaga Estensis, Marchioniss&aelig; Mantu&aelig;."</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>The splendours which Beatrice describes with so much enthusiasm did not
+end with the bride's return to the Castello. Here Bianca's magnificent
+trousseau was exhibited before the admiring eyes of the ladies of Milan.
+It was valued at 100,000 ducats, and included not only rich clothes and
+costly jewels, but gold and silver plate for use in the royal chapel and
+on the dinner-table, altar fittings and bed-hangings, mirrors and
+perfumes, and a vast store of fine linen, carpets, saddles and
+horse-trappings of the most sumptuous description. The court poet goes
+on to tell how Duchess Bona welcomed her daughter with tears of joy, and
+how during the next two days high festival was held in the Castello.
+There was a tournament, in which the "gran Sanseverini" once more proved
+their valour, and Messer Galeaz <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span>as usual bore off the prize, followed
+by much feasting and dancing, and a grand display of fireworks. "So many
+torches and lights illumined the darkness of night, that all Milan
+blazed as if the city were on fire."</p>
+
+<p>On the third day after the marriage ceremony, the queen started on her
+journey across the Alps, attended by Maximilian's ambassadors and a
+numerous suite, which included her brother, Ermes Sforza; her cousin,
+Francesco Sforza; the Archbishop of Milan; the poet Gaspare Visconti;
+and the great jurist Giasone del Maino, as well as Erasmo Brasca, who
+was to resume his post of envoy to the King of the Romans. The Duke and
+Duchess of Milan, Lodovico and Beatrice, and Bona of Savoy all
+accompanied Bianca as far as Como, where the bishop and clergy came out
+to meet her, and conducted her in state to the cathedral. After a solemn
+thanksgiving service, at which all the court assisted, the queen and the
+German ambassadors spent the night in the episcopal palace, while the
+other princes and princesses were entertained in the houses of
+distinguished courtiers in the town. On the following morning the bride
+took leave of her family, and embarked on a richly decorated barge
+fitted out by the royal citizens of Torno and rowed by forty sailors,
+while her suite followed in thirty smaller boats, painted and decked out
+with laurel boughs and tapestries. Niccolo da Correggio, whose daughter
+Leonora was one of the ladies chosen to accompany Bianca on her journey,
+has described the beauty of the scene that morning, the blue waters of
+the lake covered with glittering sails, the shores crowded with people
+in holiday attire, and the joyous sounds of music that filled the air as
+the gay <i>cort&eacute;ge</i> left Como. The bridal party reached Bellagio in
+safety, and after spending the night at the Marchesino Stanga's castle,
+started on their journey towards the upper end of the lake. But hardly
+had they left the shore, than the weather changed and a violent storm
+scattered the fleet in all directions. The poor young queen and her
+ladies wept and cried aloud to God for mercy, and their companions were
+scarcely less terrified. Only Giasone del Maino preserved his composure
+and smiled at the terror of the courtiers, who gave themselves up for
+lost, while he exhorted the frightened boatmen to keep their heads.
+Fortunately, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span>towards nightfall the tempest subsided, and after tossing
+on the waves for several hours, the queen's barge with part of the fleet
+managed to put back into Bellagio. The next day a more prosperous start
+was made, and on the 8th of December the party set off on horseback to
+cross the mountain passes. But the hardships of the journey were not yet
+over. A rough mule-track was the only road that led in those days over
+the Alps that divided the Valtellina from the Tyrol, "that fearful and
+cruel mountain of Nombray," as the Venetian chronicler calls the pass
+now crossed by the Stelvio road. No wonder the sight of those
+precipitous cliffs filled the Milanese ladies with terror, and they
+shrank from exploring such barbarous regions in the depth of winter. One
+maid of honour had to be left behind at Gravedona, unable to bear the
+fatigues of the journey, and Bianca herself complained bitterly to
+Erasmo Brasca of the hardships which she had to endure. "The queen,"
+wrote the ambassador to Lodovico, "conducts herself well on the whole,
+but often complains that I deceive her, by telling her, each morning
+when she mounts her horse, that she will not find the road so rough
+to-day, and then, as ill luck will have it, it turns out to be worse
+than ever." At length, however, on the 23rd of December, the travellers
+reached Innsbr&uuml;ck, and Bianca was kindly received by Maximilian's uncle,
+the Archduke Sigismund of Austria, and his wife, with whom she spent
+Christmas and beguiled the winter days with dancing and games, while
+Erasmo Brasca went on to meet the King of the Romans at Vienna. Even
+then some weeks passed before this laggard bridegroom joined his newly
+wedded wife, and Erasmo Brasca's mind was sorely perturbed at his
+prolonged delays and excuses. Bianca, however, whose childish mind was
+easily distracted, found plenty of amusement in her new surroundings and
+wrote long and affectionate letters to her uncle Lodovico, telling him
+how she and the Archduchess Barbara had been dressing up their ladies <i>&agrave;
+la Tedesca</i> and <i>&agrave; la Lombarda</i>, and how the court painter, Ambrogio de
+Predis, who had accompanied her from Milan to paint Maximilian's
+portrait, had just made a picture of the archduchess, which greatly
+pleased her. And she informs her uncle that the German princess had sent
+to ask her for a portrait of Signor Lodovico, which she had <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span>been very
+anxious to see and had studied with the greatest interest.</p>
+
+<p>Finally, on the 9th of March, Maximilian arrived at the castle of Hall,
+where his bride met him, and the marriage was at length consummated, "to
+the confusion of all our enemies," as Brasca wrote triumphantly to his
+master on the following morning. This union, in which Lodovico's friends
+and foes alike acknowledged a master-stroke of successful diplomacy, was
+not destined to prove a very happy one. From the first Maximilian looked
+with critical eyes on this bride of twenty-one, who was thirteen years
+younger than himself, and told Erasmo Brasca that Bianca was quite as
+fair as his first wife, Mary of Burgundy, but inferior in wisdom and
+good sense to that princess, adding that perhaps she might improve in
+time. He treated her kindly to begin with, and gratified her by the
+handsome robes which he gave her in order that she might appear attired
+in German fashion at her coronation. Before long, however, he began to
+find fault with her extravagant habits, and complained that she had
+spent 2000 florins, presented to her by the city of Cologne, in one
+single day. Brasca himself felt obliged to remonstrate with her on her
+foolish tricks, especially for eating her meals on the floor instead of
+at table, and other bad habits which annoyed the emperor, while the
+violent friendship which she made with one of her ladies, Violante by
+name, led to continual intrigues and quarrels. Maximilian soon began to
+find her presence wearisome, and to leave her mostly to herself, and
+when he found that his hopes of an heir did not seem likely to be
+realized, he allowed the poor empress to lead a very dull and solitary
+life. Left alone, as she often was for weeks, in the vast, gloomy castle
+of Innsbr&uuml;ck, Bianca pined for the bright and sunny villas and palaces
+of Milan, and looked back sadly on the gay years of her old life. She
+was constantly writing affectionate letters to her uncle, asking him to
+give places and pensions to her old friends and servants in Milan, and
+begging him for portraits of himself and Beatrice, as well as for the
+silks and feathers, the jewels and perfumes, with which her thoughts
+were always busy.<a name="FNanchor_49_49" id="FNanchor_49_49"></a><a href="#Footnote_49_49" class="fnanchor">[49]</a></p>
+
+<p>But, to do her justice, she proved a loyal friend to Lodovico <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span>in his
+darkest days, and when his children lived in exile at Innsbr&uuml;ck, they
+found a kind and loving protector in the empress during the few
+remaining years of her life. From the year after her marriage her health
+began to droop, and she became gradually weaker, until in 1510 she died
+of this lingering illness, and was buried in the Franciscan church of
+Innsbr&uuml;ck, where the bronze effigy of Maximilian's Lombard bride, robed
+in the rich brocades which she loved so well, still adorns his sumptuous
+mausoleum.</p>
+
+<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_45_45" id="Footnote_45_45"></a><a href="#FNanchor_45_45"><span class="label">[45]</span></a> Luzio-Renier. <i>op. cit.</i>, pp. 380-382.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_46_46" id="Footnote_46_46"></a><a href="#FNanchor_46_46"><span class="label">[46]</span></a> Luzio-Renier, <i>op. cit.</i>, p. 383.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_47_47" id="Footnote_47_47"></a><a href="#FNanchor_47_47"><span class="label">[47]</span></a> "Leonardo da Vinci," by Eug&egrave;ne M&uuml;ntz, vol. i. p. 226.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_48_48" id="Footnote_48_48"></a><a href="#FNanchor_48_48"><span class="label">[48]</span></a> Luzio-Renier, <i>op. cit.</i>, p. 388.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_49_49" id="Footnote_49_49"></a><a href="#FNanchor_49_49"><span class="label">[49]</span></a> F. Calvi, <i>Bianca Maria Sforza</i></p></div>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 15%;" /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span>
+<br />
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX</h3>
+
+<div style="margin-left: 2em;">
+<p class="hang">State of political affairs in Italy&mdash;Vacillating policy of Lodovico
+Sforza&mdash;Death of King Ferrante of Naples&mdash;Alliance between his successor
+Alfonso and Pope Alexander VI.&mdash;Lodovico urges Charles VIII. to invade
+Naples&mdash;Sends Galeazzo di Sanseverino to Lyons&mdash;Cardinal della Rovere's
+flight from Rome&mdash;Alfonso of Naples declares war&mdash;Beatrice at
+Vigevano&mdash;The Gonzagas and the Moro&mdash;Duchess Isabella and her husband at
+Pavia.</p>
+</div>
+
+<h3>1493-1494</h3>
+
+
+<p>While Lodovico's newly-formed alliance with Maximilian strengthened his
+hands on the one hand, on the other it helped to aggravate the strained
+relations already existing between himself and the royal family of
+Naples. The promise of the investiture of Milan, which he had received
+from the emperor, soon became known; it was freely discussed that autumn
+both in Rome and Venice, and gave Alfonso of Calabria good reason to
+take up arms in defence of his son-in-law Gian Galeazzo's rights. But
+King Ferrante still hesitated to declare war against Milan, and, while
+he raised forces and made preparations for the defence of his dominions,
+was far more concerned to detach Lodovico from the French alliance than
+to interfere in the domestic affairs of Milan on behalf of his
+granddaughter and her husband. In August he succeeded in making peace
+with Pope Alexander, and even consented to a marriage contract between
+his granddaughter Sancia, and Godfrey Borgia, the Pope's young son. This
+new departure alarmed Lodovico seriously, and produced a marked
+alteration in his foreign policy. When Charles the Eighth's envoy,
+Perron de' Baschi, visited Milan in June, he met with polite but vague
+answers from the Moro, and received no distinct promise of support in
+the conquest of Naples. But early <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span>in September, Count Belgiojoso
+returned to France, and lost no time in seeking an interview with the
+king. "Is your Majesty going to undertake the expedition or not?" were
+his first words. "Signor Lodovico is anxious to learn your intention."</p>
+
+<p>"I have already told Signor Lodovico my intentions a thousand times
+over, by envoys and letters," replied the king, petulantly, and
+proceeded to intimate that if the Moro played him false, he would
+support the Duke of Orleans in reviving his old claims on the Milanese.
+Belgiojoso hastened to assure Charles of his master's friendly
+sentiments, upon which the king's ill temper mollified, and he said,
+"Then I will regard him as a father, and seek his advice in everything."</p>
+
+<p>All the same, when Charles repeated his request that Lodovico should
+send him Messer Galeazzo, and expressed his great wish to see the hero
+of so many tournaments in person, the Moro once more gave an evasive
+answer, and told Belgiojoso that he could not spare his son-in-law at
+present. The Pope showed his friendliness to the house of Este by
+including Beatrice's brother Ippolito, a lad of fifteen, among the
+twelve cardinals whom he created that September, his own son, Cesar
+Borgia, being another of the number. In November he sent Lodovico his
+cordial congratulations on his niece's marriage with the emperor, and
+presented Maximilian with a consecrated sword.</p>
+
+<p>"This is the state of affairs in Italy at present," wrote the chronicler
+Malipiero on the 25th of September, 1493. "The Pope is in league with
+Lodovico of Milan. Maximilian, King of the Romans, has been elected
+emperor, and has taken Bianca Sforza to wife with 400,000 ducats, and
+Lodovico is to be invested with the duchy of Milan by him as emperor. At
+Rome Cardinal Ascanio's affairs prosper, and Lodovico of Milan is on
+intimate terms with the Pope and all of his allies. And Duke Ercole has
+sent his son Alfonso to France to tell King Charles that his troops will
+have free passage to Naples through his dominions, because he is the
+father-in-law of Lodovico."</p>
+
+<p>Under these circumstances, old King Ferrante, becoming desperate, made a
+last effort to win over Lodovico to his side, and implored him to use
+his influence to stop the French monarch, warning him that the tide of
+events might in the end prove too <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span>strong for him. "The time will come,"
+replied Lodovico proudly, "when all Italy will turn to me and pray to be
+delivered from the coming evils." In his anxiety to recover the Moro's
+friendship, the old king even thought of coming to Genoa himself to meet
+his granddaughter's husband, and arrive at some agreement. But early in
+the new year he fell ill, and died of fever on the 25th of January, at
+the age of seventy.</p>
+
+<p>The death of Ferrante and accession of his son Alfonso, the father of
+Duchess Isabella, and a personal enemy of the Moro, brought matters to a
+crisis. The old king could never conquer his dislike of the Pope, and
+had only given a reluctant consent to the proposed marriage of his
+granddaughter with a Borgia. Alfonso, on the contrary, was ready to
+agree to any terms which might conciliate Alexander VI., and employed
+every artifice to obtain the Pope's support, and that of Piero de'
+Medici against France and Milan. In spite of the compliments that were
+exchanged on both sides upon his accession, Alfonso's enmity to Lodovico
+Sforza was well known at Naples, and the Milanese ambassador, Antonio
+Stanga, warned Lodovico to beware of assassins and prisoners, since, to
+his certain knowledge, the "new king has paid large sums of money to
+several Neapolitans of bad repute, who have been sent to Milan on some
+evil errand." After much vacillation on the Pope's part, and prolonged
+negotiations with both France and Naples, he was induced by the Orsini,
+who were staunch allies of the house of Aragon, to grant Alfonso the
+investiture of Naples, and to send his son, Cardinal Juan Borgia, to
+officiate at his coronation. A papal bull was addressed to Charles
+VIII., warning him not to invade Italy at the peril of his soul, and
+Cardinal Ascanio Sforza, whose influence had been hitherto all-powerful
+with the Pope, left the Vatican and retired to his own palace. The
+Pope's change of front finally determined Lodovico's policy. From this
+moment he threw himself heart and soul into the alliance with France,
+and left no stone unturned to bring Charles VIII. into Italy. In an
+important letter which, on the 10th of March, he addressed to his
+brother, Cardinal Ascanio, who shared all his secrets, he reminds him
+that he had originally been no friend to the French invasion.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span>"It is not true," he writes, "that the whole movement proceeds from me.
+It was the Most Christian King who took the initiative, which is proved
+by the appeal for the investiture of Naples, which he addressed to the
+late Pope Innocent, and also by many letters written on the subject by
+our own hand. When the Treaty of Senlis was signed, he sent his envoy to
+tell me that he meant to invade Italy. At that moment, seeing how badly
+the King of Naples had behaved against the Holy Father, I was not sorry
+to come to the help of His Holiness. I ceased to dissuade the Most
+Christian King from the enterprise. I approved his resolution, and now
+he is at Lyons."</p>
+
+<p>As late as the 6th of February, Lodovico had again declined to send
+Messer Galeazzo to France, saying that every one would think he had come
+to hasten the king's movements, and that in this way Charles would lose
+the honour of the campaign. But when the news of the alliance between
+Alfonso and the Pope reached him, he made no further difficulties, and
+on the 1st of April, Galeazzo started for Lyons. On the 5th, he entered
+the town secretly, disguised as a German, and, accompanied only by four
+riders, made his way to the royal lodgings, and saw the king privately,
+this being the day which had been selected by Lodovico's astrologer,
+Ambrogio da Rosate, for his arrival at court. On the following morning
+he made his public entry, attended by a suite of a hundred horsemen clad
+in the French fashion, which Messer Galeazzo himself commonly affected.
+The king received him with the utmost cordiality, and conducted him
+immediately to see the queen, whom he presented with a magnificent
+Spanish robe in Lodovico's name, together with choice specimens of
+Milanese armour, jennets from his own famous breed, and several handsome
+silver flagons filled with fragrant perfumes, in which Charles took
+especial delight. The French king fell an easy victim to this brilliant
+cavalier's personal charm. He insisted on seeing him ride in a tilting
+match before the court, and could talk of nothing but Messer Galeazzo's
+feats of horsemanship, whether in council or at table, and even when he
+went to bed. He bestowed the order of St. Michel upon his guest, and,
+among other marks of favour, he invited Galeazzo to his private rooms,
+where he sat with a few of his favourites, and, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span>taking one of the
+fairest maidens by the hand, presented her to his visitor. Then the king
+himself sat down by another, and so they remained for some hours in
+pleasant conversation."</p>
+
+<p>In his reply to Belgiojoso, who duly reported these events to his
+master, Lodovico dwells with infinite satisfaction on the great honours
+which have been paid to his dear son, and rejoices to hear that his
+Majesty has introduced him into his private apartments, and even shared
+his domestic pleasures with him. The presence of Galeazzo di Sanseverino
+at Lyons had, no doubt, the effect of counteracting the intrigues of the
+Duke of Orleans and the Aragonese party at the French court, and the
+confidence with which he inspired Charles dissipated any doubts which
+the king may have entertained of Lodovico's honesty. "The mission of
+Signor Galeazzo," wrote Belgiojoso, "has been crowned with success.
+Without his coming, the enterprise would have been utterly ruined."</p>
+
+<p>Another and still more powerful advocate of the expedition now appeared
+at Lyons in the person of Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere, who, in
+Guicciardini's opinion, "was the fatall instrument of all the miseries
+of Italy." This bitter enemy of the Borgias had been repeatedly
+threatened with assassination by the Pope's creatures, and, feeling that
+Ostia was no safe place for him, he embarked one night in a fisherman's
+bark and fled first to Savona and thence to Genoa. Here, with Lodovico's
+assistance, he managed to proceed on his journey to France, and on the
+1st of June reached Lyons, where his vehement invectives against the
+Pope and urgent entreaties helped to hasten the king's preparations. At
+the same time Erasmo Brasca, acting under Lodovico's orders, succeeded
+in disarming Maximilian's opposition to the French king's invasion of
+Italy, and wrote to his master on the 14th of June, informing him that
+the French ambassador had just left Worms with an assurance from the
+emperor that he would not impede that monarch's designs upon Naples.
+When, ten days later, Galeazzo di Sanseverino returned to Milan, the die
+was cast, and the French invasion of Italy was at length finally
+determined. Meanwhile the long-expected rupture between Milan and Naples
+had taken place. On the 8th of May, Alfonso was crowned by the papal
+nuncio, Juan Borgia, after the marriage of the Princess Sancia to
+Godfrey Borgia had been solemnized on <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span>the previous day. A fortnight
+later, as the king rode in state, accompanied by all the foreign
+ambassadors, to church on the Feast of Corpus Christi, he took occasion
+to ask the Milanese envoy, Antonio Stanga, if the news which reached him
+from Lyons were true, and the French king's enterprise, after being
+almost given up, had now been decided upon, owing to Messer Galeazzo's
+visit. The ambassador listened deferentially, cap in hand, but
+courteously disclaimed all knowledge of such information.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell Signor Lodovico," returned the king, "that he will be the first to
+rue the day when the French set foot in Italy."</p>
+
+<p>"Before I had time to reply," writes Stanga, "the other ambassadors had
+arrived to salute his Majesty, and I did not see him again alone."</p>
+
+<p>A few days later the Milanese envoy was abruptly dismissed, and war
+declared against Milan. Alfonso committed the first open act of
+hostilities by seizing Lodovico's principality of Bari. At the same time
+a fleet was equipped to attack Genoa, and the land forces prepared to
+join the papal army and march through Romagna against the Milanese.</p>
+
+<p>The winter of 1494, "that most unhappie year for Italy," writes
+Guicciardini, "for that in it was made open the way to infinite and
+horrible calamities," was spent by Lodovico and his wife at their
+favourite palace of Vigevano. After Bianca's wedding they had retired
+there, to spend the remaining period of Beatrice's mourning at this
+country retreat, and did not leave until the spring was well advanced.
+From here Beatrice wrote on the 3rd of January to rejoice with her
+sister Isabella on the birth of her first child, a daughter, who
+received the name of Leonora, after their beloved mother. The duchess
+congratulated her sister in affectionate terms, and signed herself,
+"<i>Quella che desidera vedere la Signoria Vostra</i>." She who desires to
+see your Highness,</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+<span class="smcap" style="padding-right: 2em;">Beatrice Sforza d'Este.</span>"<a name="FNanchor_50_50" id="FNanchor_50_50"></a><a href="#Footnote_50_50" class="fnanchor">[50]</a></p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Below she added messages from her baby-boy: "Ercole begs me to commend
+him to your Highness, and to his new cousin."</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps Beatrice was the more cordial and warm in expressing her
+affection for her sister because of the difference that had lately
+arisen between her husband and the marquis, who had <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span>lately been invited
+to take the command of the King of Naples' troops in the war against
+Milan. This offer he eventually declined, as well as an invitation from
+the French king to enter his service; but on this and other occasions
+his attitude excited Lodovico's displeasure, while the Moro's somewhat
+imperious request annoyed both Gianfrancesco and his wife. For one
+thing, Isabella could not forgive the way in which her brother-in-law
+desired that fish from the lake of Garda should to sent to Milan at his
+pleasure, and wrote to her husband on the 1st of February in the
+following terms:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I am quite willing to see that fish should be sent to Milan
+occasionally, but not every week, as he requests in his imperious
+fashion, as if we were his feudatories, lest it should appear as if we
+were compelled to send it, and it were a kind of tribute."</p>
+
+<p>But although Beatrice's exalted position and the splendour of the
+Milanese court sometimes excited Isabella's envy, and Lodovico's
+pretensions ruffled her equanimity, nothing ever disturbed the happy
+relations between the sisters. Beatrice was always frank and generous in
+her behaviour to Isabella, and the marchioness remained sincerely
+attached to her, and in her letters to her beloved sister-in-law, the
+Duchess of Urbino, constantly assures her that she holds the next place
+in her heart to that occupied by her only sister, "<i>la sorella mia
+unica, la Duchessa di Bari</i>."</p>
+
+<p>It was at Vigevano that winter, on the 28th of January, that Lodovico
+drew up the deed of gift by which he endowed his wife with his palace
+lands of Cussago, as well as the Sforzesca and other lands in the
+district of Novara and Pavia. The deed, signed with his own hand, and
+richly illuminated by some excellent miniature painter of the Milanese
+school, is preserved in the British Museum, and is an admirable example
+of contemporary Lombard art. Medallion portraits of Lodovico and
+Beatrice are painted on the vellum, together with a frieze of lovely
+<i>putti</i>, supporting their armorial bearings, and a variety of Sforza
+devices and mottoes, interspersed with festoons of foliage and fruit,
+torches and cornucopias. Lodovico's strongly marked features and long
+dark hair are relieved by the richness of his dark blue mantle sown with
+gold stars, while Beatrice wears a gold <i>ferroni&egrave;re</i> on her brow. Her
+dark brown hair is coiled in a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span>jewelled net, a lock strays over her
+cheek, as in Zenale's portrait in the Brera altar-piece. Her mauve
+bodice is enriched with gold arabesques, and a cross of pearls hangs
+from a long chain she wears round her throat.</p>
+
+<p>There were no <i>f&ecirc;tes</i> that spring at Milan or Pavia. The treasury was
+exhausted by the great expenses of the Empress Bianca's wedding, and the
+court was still in mourning, while Lodovico's time and thoughts were
+absorbed in diplomatic correspondence and preparations for war. But
+there were gay hunting-parties at Vigevano, in which Beatrice joined
+with all her wonted spirit and love of sport.</p>
+
+<p>"I must thank you for your pleasant account of my brother's
+hunting-expeditions," wrote Lodovico on the 18th of March to his old
+favourite, Count Tuttavilla, who was staying in Rome with Cardinal
+Ascanio; "but I really think, if my brother were here and could join in
+our hunting-parties, he would find them even more delightful." In the
+same letter he gives Girolamo a hint of the deed of investiture which he
+was hoping to receive from Maximilian.</p>
+
+<p>"I have nothing else to say, saving that, by reason of the warm
+friendship we entertain with his serene Majesty the King of the Romans,
+as well as with the Most Christian King, to which we may add the love
+which his Holiness bears us, I hope soon to give you some good news
+which will greatly please you."<a name="FNanchor_51_51" id="FNanchor_51_51"></a><a href="#Footnote_51_51" class="fnanchor">[51]</a></p>
+
+<p>Girolamo Tuttavilla, the old and tried servant to whom this letter was
+addressed, had left Milan in February, owing to a quarrel with Galeazzo
+di Sanseverino and his brothers, whose haughty manners gave frequent
+offence to other Milanese courtiers. Both Lodovico and Beatrice, to whom
+Tuttavilla was sincerely attached, did their best to allay his
+displeasure, and Cardinal Ascanio tried to induce his guest to use
+greater moderation in speaking of Messer Galeazzo and his brothers; but,
+although Girolamo kept up friendly relations with the duke and duchess,
+the wound was never healed, and he refused to return to Milan. He
+afterwards entered the service of the young King Ferrante of Naples, and
+when a league was formed to oppose the French invaders, was appointed to
+command the cavalry, but found himself once more brought into contact
+with his old rivals Galeazzo and Fracassa, who were at the head of the
+Milanese <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span>contingent, and soon parted company with them, complaining
+that Messer Galeazzo would obey no one. But he never renounced his
+allegiance to Lodovico, and sent him and Beatrice his most hearty
+congratulations when the Moro became Duke of Milan.</p>
+
+<p>The Sanseverini brothers seem frequently to have given offence to
+Lodovico's other ministers by their proud bearing. Even the mild and
+patient Erasmo Brasca incurred Messer Galeazzo's displeasure by
+repeating some reports about his French leanings which had reached the
+German court, and had to send an apology before he could obtain pardon
+for his mistake. But nothing could diminish the favour with which
+Lodovico regarded his son-in-law, and during his absence at Lyons we
+find him busy in preparing a new and splendid palace at Vigevano to
+receive Messer Galeazzo and his youthful bride. In a letter which the
+Moro addressed on the 11th of May to his superintendent of works, the
+Marchesino Stanga, we find a mention of this building, as well as of the
+decoration of several rooms in the Castello of Milan.</p>
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Marchesino</span>,&mdash;We have given orders that the rooms which are
+being added on the garden side should be furnished according to the
+enclosed list, and desire that you should provide Messer Gualtero with
+the necessary money, 127-&frac12; ducats, which you will charge on the
+extraordinary fund. You will provide in the same way for the moneys
+which I have assigned for the building of Messer Galeazzo's palace, and
+for the conduits for watering the Giardinato and the adjoining
+lavatories, also for the painting of the hall and dining-room occupied
+by the chamberlain of my illustrious consort, so that they may be fit
+for use, as arranged, by the end of the month."<a name="FNanchor_52_52" id="FNanchor_52_52"></a><a href="#Footnote_52_52" class="fnanchor">[52]</a></p>
+
+<p>Neither the pressure of political affairs nor the anxieties of
+approaching conflict could destroy Lodovico's interest in artistic
+matters in the decorations of the Castello or the furnishing of his new
+rooms. The object which at this time lay nearest to his heart was the
+completion of Santa Maria delle Grazie, the Dominican church which he
+had taken under his especial protection, and which he intended to be the
+burial-place of his family. Even now Bramante was engaged in
+constructing the new cupola, and before long his favourite painter
+Leonardo was to set to work on his great Cenacolo in the refectory.</p>
+
+<p>While Lodovico and Beatrice were pursuing these different <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span>objects of
+their ambition, the unfortunate Duchess Isabella was eating out her
+heart in the Castello of Pavia. After the imperial wedding, at which she
+had made so brave a show, she and Gian Galeazzo retired to Pavia, and
+were rarely seen in public again. The duke's health and mental condition
+became every day more enfeebled, and his wife devoted herself wholly to
+him and her children. That winter she gave birth to a second daughter,
+who was named Ippolita after her grandmother, but died at the age of
+seven. And now, as if to increase the sadness of her forlorn condition,
+came the prospect of war with Naples, and the invasion of her father's
+dominions by a foreign monarch, who entered Italy as the ally of
+Lodovico, the usurper of her husband's throne. But melancholy as her
+surroundings were, and keenly as she felt the sight of her rival
+Beatrice's prosperity, the privations which she and her husband were
+forced to endure have been greatly exaggerated. According to Corio, they
+were often destitute of food and necessaries, and reduced to the verge
+of starvation. This chronicler, however, was not only frequently
+inaccurate in his statements, but had a spite against Duchess Beatrice,
+whose character and actions he totally misrepresented, while, after
+Lodovico's fall, his ingratitude towards his former master drew down
+upon him the bitter reproaches and invective of Lancinius Curtius. In
+this instance his statements are refuted by the bills for the expenses
+of the ducal household, which are still preserved in the Milanese
+archives. From these records we learn that Isabella's ladies were as
+numerous and as richly dressed as those of any reigning sovereign, and
+that her <i>camoras</i> and jewels were as sumptuous as Beatrice's own. Gian
+Galeazzo's stables were always well filled with horses and hounds, for
+Lodovico was too wise to grudge his nephew anything that tended to
+occupy his thoughts and distract them from public affairs. And during
+his last illness the unfortunate duke announced his intention of giving
+dowries to a hundred poor maidens on his recovery, which affords another
+proof that his poverty was not so great as Corio has declared. But none
+the less it was a bitter mortification for a king's daughter of the
+proud house of Aragon to see herself and her husband left with the mere
+semblance of power, while her cousin reigned in her place.</p>
+
+<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_50_50" id="Footnote_50_50"></a><a href="#FNanchor_50_50"><span class="label">[50]</span></a> Luzio-Renier, <i>op. cit.</i>, p. 389.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_51_51" id="Footnote_51_51"></a><a href="#FNanchor_51_51"><span class="label">[51]</span></a> Gabotto, G. <i>Tuttavilla</i>.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_52_52" id="Footnote_52_52"></a><a href="#FNanchor_52_52"><span class="label">[52]</span></a> Luca Beltrami, <i>Il Castello di Milano</i>.</p></div>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 15%;" /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span>
+<br />
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX</h3>
+
+<div style="margin-left: 2em;">
+<p class="hang">Arrival of the Duke of Orleans at Asti&mdash;The Neapolitan fleet sent
+against Genoa&mdash;The forces of Naples repulsed at Rapallo&mdash;Charles VIII.
+at Asti&mdash;Beatrice d'Este entertains him at Annona&mdash;The king's
+illness&mdash;His visit to Vigevano and Pavia&mdash;His interview with the Duke
+and Duchess of Milan&mdash;Last illness and death of Giangaleazzo
+Sforza&mdash;Lodovico proclaimed Duke at Milan&mdash;Mission of Maffeo Pirovano to
+Maximilian.</p>
+</div>
+
+<h3>1494</h3>
+
+
+<p>On the 10th of July, the Duke of Orleans crossed the Alps with the
+advanced guard of the French army, and arrived at his own city of Asti,
+the fief which had formed part of the dowry of his grandmother,
+Valentina Visconti. Lodovico Sforza went to meet him at Alexandria on
+the 13th of July, and held a council of war there. The naval
+preparations that were being made at Genoa were the chief subject of
+discussion, and Orleans asked for a loan of sixty thousand ducats, which
+the Moro undertook to arrange. This was the first meeting between these
+two princes, who were destined to become such bitter enemies in days to
+come. Even now it was well known that the Duke of Orleans assumed the
+title of <i>Dux Mediolani</i>, and his deeply rooted aversion to the Moro was
+no secret at Milan. But both princes had the same courtly and polished
+manners, and Lodovico on his part took care that nothing should be
+wanting in the entertainment of his rival. The other ambassadors watched
+the scene with curious eyes, but the first impression which Louis of
+Orleans made upon them was distinctly unfavourable. "He has a small head
+with not much room for brains," wrote Pietro Alamanni to Piero de'
+Medici; "Lodovico will soon get the better of him."</p>
+
+<p>Much interest was excited among the Milanese ladies by the arrival of
+the French duke, and Benedetto Capilupi, who had been sent from Mantua
+to invite Beatrice to the christening of her infant niece, Leonora
+Gonzaga, wrote to Isabella on the 23rd of July&mdash;</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span>"The duchess says that when the Duke of Orleans comes here, she will
+have to leave off her mourning and dance, and be kissed by the duke, who
+will kiss all the maids of honour and all the court ladies after the
+French fashion. Barone, the jester, says that when he has kissed Madonna
+Polissena d'Este, he will be tired of it and will go no further. When
+the Count Dauphin and other princes of the blood royal arrive, the
+duchess sends your Highness word that you will have to come too and
+receive some of these kisses."</p>
+
+<p>The Duke of Orleans, however, had no time to waste in paying his
+respects to the ladies of Beatrice's court. Directly after his interview
+with Lodovico, he went on to Genoa to fit out the French fleet to oppose
+that in which Alfonso's brother, Don Federigo, had already sailed to
+attack Genova. Twice over during the next few weeks the Neapolitan
+forces landed at Porto Venere and Rapallo, but each time they were
+repulsed by the Genoese and French troops, supported by a strong
+Milanese contingent under the gallant Fracassa and Antonio di
+Sanseverino, after which Don Federigo retired to the harbour of Leghorn,
+and was soon recalled to defend Naples itself against the French. On the
+27th of July, the Count of Caiazzo received the <i>b&acirc;ton</i> of command from
+Lodovico's hands on the piazza in front of the Castello of Milan, and
+started at the head of fifteen hundred foot soldiers and light cavalry
+to join the French army that was marching into Romagna to meet the
+forces led by Ferrante Duke of Calabria. On the 23rd of August, Isabella
+d'Este came to Parma at her brother-in-law's invitation to meet him and
+the French ambassador, and see the first French troops under La
+Tr&eacute;mouille and Stuart d'Aubigny&mdash;the Marchese d'Obegnino, as the
+Italians called him&mdash;march through the town. The spectacle, however, was
+less imposing than she expected, only about four hundred light cavalry
+riding past, as she describes it, in some confusion and disorder.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile Charles VIII. had at length crossed the Alps and after pawning
+the jewels of his allies, the Marchioness of Montferrat and Duchess of
+Savoy, to pay his troops, arrived at Asti on the 9th of September. Here
+he was received with great honour by Lodovico and his father-in-law,
+Duke Ercole, who rode out to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span>meet him on his entry into the town. The
+magistrates and citizens welcomed him as their liege lord, and the
+illiterate French barons were amazed to hear a child of eleven,
+Margareta Solari, declaim a Latin oration with perfect ease and fluency.
+Two days afterwards Beatrice herself arrived at the castle of Annona, in
+the neighbourhood of Asti, bringing her choir of singers and musicians,
+and accompanied by eighty ladies especially chosen for their beauty and
+rich attire, and gave the king a magnificent reception. Charles
+advanced, cap in hand, to greet the duchess, and, beginning with
+Beatrice and Bianca, the young wife of Messer Galeazzo, kissed all the
+ladies present. The beauty and vivacity of the young duchess made a deep
+impression upon the susceptible French monarch, who could not take his
+eyes off her, and after spending some time with her in lively
+conversation, begged her to allow him to see her dance. Beatrice readily
+complied with his request, as she tells Isabella in the following
+letter, written from Annona on the 12th of September:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"About noonday the king came here to pay me a friendly visit with the
+chief lords of his court, and remained for about three hours with me and
+my ladies, conversing with the greatest familiarity and affection. I
+assure you that no prince in the world could have made himself more
+agreeable. He desired to see my ladies dance, and then begged me to
+dance before him, which seemed to give him great pleasure."<a name="FNanchor_53_53" id="FNanchor_53_53"></a><a href="#Footnote_53_53" class="fnanchor">[53]</a></p>
+
+<p>The young king himself, short and ill proportioned as he was, with round
+shoulders and a large head, a very wide mouth and big nose, cut but a
+very sorry figure by the side of the stately Moro and the handsome
+Sanseverini brothers; but his good nature and genial manners atoned for
+his want of presence, and surprised Beatrice and her ladies, who had
+expected a far more formidable personage. "He was little in stature and
+of small sense, very timid in speech owing to the way in which he had
+been treated as a child, and as feeble in mind as he was in body, but
+the kindest and gentlest creature alive," says Commines, who accompanied
+Charles to Asti, and was sent on as ambassador to Venice. Guicciardini's
+judgment is more severe&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"And for the increasing of the infelicities of Italy, he whose coming
+brought all these calamities, was void of almost all <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span>the gifts of
+nature and the mind. For it is most certaine that King Charles from his
+infancie was of complexion very delicate and of body unsound and
+diseased, of small stature, and of face, if the aspect and dignitie of
+his eyes had been taken away, foule and deformed, his other members
+bearing such equal proportion that he seemed more a monster than a man.
+He was not only without all knowledge of good sciences, but scarcely he
+knew the distinct characters of letters; his mind desirous to command,
+but more proper to any other thing, for that being environed alwayes
+with his familiars and favourites, he retained with them no majestie or
+authoritie; he rejected all affaires and businesse, and yet if he did
+debate and consider in any he showed a weak discretion and judgment. And
+if he had anything in him that carried appearance of merite of praise,
+yet being thoroughly weighed and sounded, it was found farther off from
+vertue than vice. He had an inclination to glory, but it was tempered
+more with rashness and fury than with moderation and counsell: his
+liberalities were without discretion, measure, or distinction,
+immoveable oftentimes in his purposes, but that was rather an
+ill-grounded obstinacy than constancie, and that which many call bountie
+deserved more reasonably in his the name of coldnesse and slacknesse of
+spirit."<a name="FNanchor_54_54" id="FNanchor_54_54"></a><a href="#Footnote_54_54" class="fnanchor">[54]</a></p>
+
+<p>The splendours of the court of Milan, and more especially the toilettes
+of the Duchess Beatrice and her ladies, amazed the French chroniclers,
+who have left us a graphic description of the scene at the castle of
+Annona. The poet Andr&eacute; de la Vigne, in his rhyming chronicle "Le Vergier
+d'honneur," describes Beatrice's sumptuous apparel in the following
+lines:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Avecques luy fist venir sa partie<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Qui de Ferrare fille du duc estait;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">De fin drap d'or en tout ou en partie<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">De jour en jour volontiers se vestait<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Chaines, colliers, affiquetz, pierrerie,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Ainsi qu'on dit en ung commun proverbe,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Tant en avait que c'etait diablerie.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Brief mieulx valait le lyen que le gerbe.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Autour du col bagues, joyaulx carcaus,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Et pour son chief de richesse estoffer,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Bordures d'or, devises et brocans."<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span>And in his "Histoire de Charles VIII." (1684) Godefroy quotes the
+following letter, written by an eye-witness from the French camp to the
+king's sister, Anne Duchess of Bourbon, for whose benefit Charles had
+Beatrice's portrait painted by Jean Perr&eacute;al and sent to Moulins:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"People crowd to meet and welcome the king from all parts, princes and
+princesses, dukes and duchesses. Only this morning a new one has
+arrived, the description of whose dress will, I am sure, please you.
+First of all, when she arrived she was on a horse with trappings of gold
+and crimson velvet, and she herself wore a robe of gold and green
+brocade, and a fine linen <i>gorgerette</i> turned back over it, and her head
+was richly adorned with pearls, and her hair hung down behind in one
+long coil with a silk ribbon twisted round it. She wore a crimson silk
+hat, made very much like our own, with five or six red and grey
+feathers, and with all that on her head, sat up on horseback as straight
+as if she had been a man. And with her came the wife of Seigneur Galeaz'
+and many other ladies, as many as twenty-two, all riding handsome and
+richly apparelled horses, and six chariots hung with cloth of gold and
+green velvet, all full of ladies. They had intended to visit the king in
+his lodgings, but this he would not allow, and, in order to appear
+gracious, said that he would visit them, but he did not go to their
+lodgings that day, feeling unwell. The next day, after dinner, he went
+to see this lady, whom he found magnificently arrayed, after the fashion
+of the country, in a green satin robe. The bodice of her gown was loaded
+with diamonds, pearls, and rubies, both in front and behind, and the
+sleeves were made very tight and slashed so as to show the white chemise
+underneath, and tied up with a wide grey silk ribbon, which hung almost
+down to the ground. Her throat was bare and adorned with a necklace of
+very large pearls, with a ruby as big as your 'Grand Valloy,' and her
+head was dressed just the same as yesterday, only that instead of a hat
+she wore a velvet cap with an aigrette of feathers fastened with a clasp
+made of two rubies, a diamond, and a pear-shaped pearl, like your own,
+only larger. After that the king had paid her a visit, he returned to
+his house, but first he had some conversation with her, and made her
+dance in the French fashion, with some of her <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span>ladies. And I can assure
+you, madame, that she danced wonderfully well in the French fashion,
+although she said she had never danced in this manner before. If the
+king were not going to send you her picture, to show you the fashion of
+her dress, I would have endeavoured to obtain one to send you myself."</p>
+
+<p>A grand <i>f&ecirc;te</i> was arranged for the following day, but the king fell
+suddenly ill of small-pox, and had to call in Messer Ambrogio da Rosate
+to attend him. All his plans were altered, and more than a fortnight
+elapsed before he was able to leave his room. This delay discouraged the
+French, who suffered from the great heat, and complained, as Commines
+tells us, of the sourness of the country wine, the last vintage having
+been a bad one. All Lodovico's smooth words and tact were needed to keep
+the leaders in good humour in these trying circumstances. On the other
+hand, Alfonso of Naples, taking courage, boldly announced that the
+approach of winter and want of pay would force the French to retreat,
+and Piero de' Medici sent a troop of Florentine soldiers to join the
+Duke of Calabria in Romagna. But their triumph was of short duration. On
+the 6th of October the king had recovered sufficiently to leave Asti,
+and while most of his army marched direct to Piacenza, he himself
+travelled by Casale and through the dominions of his ally, the young
+Marquis of Montferrat, to Vigevano. Here Lodovico and Beatrice once more
+gave their royal guest a splendid reception, and held a banquet and
+boar-hunt in his honour during the next two days. The beauty of the
+palace, and the wealth and magnificence displayed on all sides, filled
+the French with wonder; but although Charles took Lodovico's advice on
+all points, and was apparently on the most cordial terms with his host,
+he asked for the keys of the castle at night, and desired his guards to
+keep strict watch at the gates. "The fashion of their friendship was
+such," says Commines, "that it could not last long. But for the present
+the king could not do without Lodovico."</p>
+
+<p>On the 13th, Charles slept at the Sforzesca and visited Lodovico's
+famous farm of La Pecorara, or Les Granges, as the French chroniclers
+termed this vast farm, where agricultural industries were cultivated on
+such a splendid scale. They saw the spacious buildings, the stables with
+their noble columns and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span>separate accommodation for mares and stallions,
+and the superb breed of horses which were reared under Messer Galeazzo's
+care; the pastures with their 14,000 buffaloes, oxen, and cows, and as
+many sheep and goats; and the large dairies, where butter and cheese
+were made on the most approved system, and marvelled afresh at the
+industry of the Milanese farmers and the wealth and fertility of this
+wonderful land. The next day the king went on to Pavia, where triumphal
+arches had been prepared for his reception, and the clergy and
+professors of the university hailed his presence in long harangues and
+complimentary speeches. At first lodgings had been prepared for him in
+the city, but, according to Commines, some of the king's followers had
+inspired him with fears of foul play, and he preferred to take up his
+abode in the Castello itself. Lodovico himself showed him the library
+and other treasures of his ancestral palace, and took him out hunting in
+the park. On the 15th, he visited the Duomo and Arca di S. Agostino, and
+on the 16th, rode out to the Certosa, where the monks entertained both
+princes at a grand banquet in a house outside the cloister precincts. In
+the evenings, comedies were acted or musical entertainments given in the
+Castello for the king's amusement.</p>
+
+<p>At the time of Charles's visit to Pavia, the Duke and Duchess of Milan
+and their children were occupying their rooms in the Castello, but
+during the last few weeks Giangaleazzo had become seriously ill and was
+unable to leave his bed. Both his wife and his mother Bona were
+assiduous in their attentions to the sick prince, and Isabella hardly
+ever left his bedside. The chronicler Godefroy, who has left us so
+faithful and accurate an account of Charles VIII.'s expedition,
+describes the splendid <i>f&ecirc;tes</i> given to the king at Pavia, and says that
+the Duchess Isabella, with her young son Francesco, herself received him
+at the portico of the Castello, but does not mention his visit to the
+sick duke. Another trustworthy authority, Corio, tells us that Charles
+with great thoughtfulness paid a visit to his cousin, who was suffering
+from an incurable disease, and growing visibly worse, and that the
+unfortunate duke recommended his wife and children to the king's care.
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span>Commines, who was at Pavia three days before Charles, on his way to
+Venice, says that he saw the little four-year-old prince Francesco, but
+not the duke, since he was very ill and his wife very sorrowful,
+watching by his bedside. "However," he adds, "the king spoke with him,
+and told me their words, which only related to general subjects, for he
+feared to displease Lodovico; all the same, he told me afterwards that
+he would have willingly given him a warning. And the duchess threw
+herself on her knees before Lodovico, begging him to have pity upon her
+father and brother. To which he replied that he could do nothing, and
+told her to pray rather for her husband and for herself, who was still
+so young and fair a lady."</p>
+
+<p>The Venetian chronicler, Marino Sanuto, gives a more sensational account
+of the interview. According to him, Isabella absolutely refused to see
+the king, and, seizing a dagger, declared she would stab herself rather
+than meet her father's mortal enemy. Lodovico, however, in the end
+induced her to receive the king, upon which she threw herself in tears
+at the feet of Charles VIII., and implored him to spare her father and
+brother and the house of Aragon. The king's kindly heart was touched
+with compassion at the grief of the unhappy princess, but he only spoke
+a few consoling words, and promised that her son should be as dear to
+him as if he were his own son. When Isabella renewed her earnest
+entreaties on her father's behalf, he replied that it was too late for
+him to give up the expedition, which had already cost him so much
+trouble and money, and which was now so far advanced that he could not
+retire with honour. On the 17th of October, Charles, after assisting at
+mass in the chapel of the Castello, left Pavia for Piacenza, where he
+joined the French army and prepared to enter Tuscan territory. Here he
+learnt that the Duke of Calabria had been worsted in two engagements by
+the forces of the Count of Caiazzo and the French under d'Aubigny, and
+was in full retreat. And here on the 20th, a courier from Pavia arrived,
+bringing Lodovico word that his nephew was dying. He set out at once for
+Pavia, and met another messenger on the way who told him that the duke
+was already dead. Two days after Charles VIII.'s departure from Pavia,
+Giangaleazzo became <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span>suddenly worse. A fresh attack of fever was brought
+on by his own folly in drinking large quantities of wine and eating
+pears and apples contrary to his doctor's express orders, in spite of
+the continual sickness from which he suffered. The next day he was
+rather better, and in the evening of the 20th, the four doctors who were
+attending him sent Lodovico an improved account, saying that the duke
+had slept for some hours, and had afterwards been able to take some
+chicken-broth, raw eggs, and wine. Now he had fallen asleep again. He
+was certainly no worse, they added, although still very weak and by no
+means out of danger. That same evening he spoke cheerfully to his
+trusted servant, Dionigi Confanerio, and asked to see two horses which
+Lodovico had sent him, and which were brought into the hall adjoining
+his rooms for his inspection. Afterwards he spoke affectionately of his
+uncle, and said he was sure that Lodovico would have come to see him if
+he had not been obliged to wait upon the French king. And he asked
+Dionigi in a confidential tone if he thought that Lodovico loved him and
+was sorry to see him so ill, and seemed quite satisfied with his
+attendant's assurances on the subject. A former prior of Vigevano, who
+had known the dying prince from his childhood, and had been summoned to
+Pavia by the duchess, now paid the duke a visit and heard his
+confession, after which Giangaleazzo asked to see his greyhounds, which
+were brought to his bedside, and spoke cheerfully of his speedy recovery
+before he fell asleep. Early the next morning he died in the presence of
+his wife and mother and the doctors who had attended him during the last
+few weeks.</p>
+
+<p>A few hours later Lodovico reached Pavia, and without a moment's delay
+hastened on to Milan, giving orders that the duke's body should be
+removed as soon as possible to the Duomo of Milan. There during the next
+three days the dead prince lay before the high altar, clad in the ducal
+cap and robes, with his sword and sceptre at his side, and his white
+face exposed to view. Meanwhile Lodovico had lost no time. His first
+act, on his arrival in the Castello, was to summon the councillors,
+magistrates, and chief citizens of Milan to a meeting on the following
+day, but even before these dignitaries could be assembled, he called
+together a few of his immediate friends and courtiers in the great <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span>hall
+of the Rocchetta, and after informing them of his nephew's premature and
+lamentable end, proposed that his son Francesco should be proclaimed
+duke in his father's place. Upon this, Antonio da Landriano, prefect of
+the Treasury, responded in an eloquent speech, dwelling on the danger in
+these troublous times of placing the helm of the state in the hands of a
+four-year-old child, and calling on Lodovico, for the sake of the people
+whom he had hitherto ruled so well and wisely in his nephew's name, to
+undertake the burden of sovereignty and ascend the ducal throne. "Since
+the death of Giangaleazzo's father," he said, "we have had no duke but
+you; you alone among our princes can grasp the ducal sceptre with a firm
+hand." These last words were hailed with loud applause by the Moro's
+friends, and when Landriano had ended his speech, Galeazzo Visconti
+Baldassare Pusterla, the able lawyer Andrea Cagnola, and several other
+councillors, well known for their devotion to the Moro, all spoke in the
+same strain.</p>
+
+<p>"It was propounded," writes Guicciardini, "by the principals of the
+Counsell, that, in regard of the greatness of that estate and the
+dangerous times prepared now for Italy, it would be a thing prejudicial
+that the sonne of John Galeaz, having not five yeares in age, should
+succeed his father, and therefore, as well as to keepe the liberties of
+the State in protection, as to be able to meete with the inconveniences
+which the time threatened, they thought it just and
+necessary&mdash;derogating somewhat for the public benefite, and for the
+necessite present from the disposition of the laws&mdash;as the laws
+themselves do suffer to constraine Lodovic, for the better stay of the
+commonweale, to suffer that unto him might be transported the title and
+dignitie of Duke, a burden very weightie, in so dangerous a season; with
+the which colour, honestie giving place to ambition, the morning
+following, making some show of resistance, he tooke upon him the name
+and armes of the Duke of Milan."</p>
+
+<p>The Florentine historian's account of the transaction is accurate in all
+but the last particular. Lodovico was indeed proclaimed duke in his
+nephew's stead, and, clad in a mantle of cloth of gold, rode that
+afternoon through the streets of the city, and visited the church of S.
+Ambrogio, to give thanks for his <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span>accession to the throne. The ducal
+sword and sceptre were borne before him by Galeazzo Visconti, the bells
+were rung, and the trumpets sounded, while the people hailed him with
+shouts of <i>Duca! Duca! Moro! Moro!</i> But he was careful to style himself
+Lodovicus Dux, and would not assume the title of Duke of Milan until he
+had received the imperial privileges, confirming his election and
+granting him the investiture of the duchy. These he lost no time in
+securing. Already a few weeks before this, Maximilian, mindful of his
+engagements at the time of his wedding, had sent his wife's uncle the
+diploma granting him the desired investiture for himself and his sons,
+both legitimate and illegitimate, in succession. The original deed has
+never been discovered, but, according to Corio, the diploma was granted
+on the 5th of September at Antwerp, with the express stipulation that it
+was not to be published until after the Feast of St. Martin. This
+diploma must have reached Lodovico a week or two before his nephew's
+death, and had been kept secret, in obedience to Maximilian's desires.
+That memorable day when he rode through the streets of Milan,
+accompanied by the ambassadors of Florence and Ferrara, he said in reply
+to the congratulations of the latter, our old friend Giacomo Trotti, "In
+another month you will hear greater news." "I verily believe you," said
+the Florentine, Pietro Alamanni, who recorded these words, to Piero de'
+Medici, "that he means to make himself greater still, and dreams of a
+kingdom of Insubria and Liguria." And Donato de' Preti evidently thought
+the same. "Signor Lodovico," he wrote to Isabella d'Este, "is not yet
+called Duke of Milan, but merely duke, and all documents sent out by the
+Cancelleria are worded in this manner. Some persons who knew his
+Excellency well, say that it is his intention to call himself <i>Rex
+Insubrium</i>. On the return of the ambassador who has been sent to the
+emperor, perhaps this will be announced."</p>
+
+<p>Now that Giangaleazzo was actually dead, the Moro felt that there was no
+time to be lost in obtaining the publication of the imperial diploma.
+Accordingly he ordered one of his most trusted agents, Maffeo Pirovano,
+to start the next day for Antwerp, with letters informing Maximilian and
+his wife of Giangaleazzo's death, and asking for the prompt despatch of
+ambassadors <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span>with the coveted privileges. And that same evening he wrote
+long and minute instructions to Maffeo himself and to Erasmo Brasca at
+Antwerp, urging them to lose no time in laying the case before the
+emperor. The letter to Maffeo, discovered in the Taverna archives at
+Milan, and first published by Signor Calvi in his life of Bianca Sforza,
+is of especial interest.</p>
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Mapheo</span>,&mdash;We have written this evening to Germany to inform the
+Most Serene King of the Romans of the death of the illustrious Duke, our
+nephew, and must now send you to state our case <i>viv&acirc; voce</i> to his
+Majesty, desiring him to give effect in our person to the ducal
+privileges, which he never consented to give our nephew, in consequence
+of the wrong which the emperor supposed to have been done him by our
+father and brother, in holding the duchy without any concession from the
+imperial authorities. And therefore the said king has conceded these
+privileges to us, as being innocent of this fault, and as having claims
+to the title by reason of our maternal descent, but has desired that
+these privileges should not be made public before the next feast of St.
+Martin, and before this date will not fix the time and place for the
+expedition of the said privileges. The approach of this time, the fact
+that this death has compelled us to take up the succession, have
+impelled us to send an envoy to the said king, and for this purpose we
+have made choice of yourself, being persuaded that your faithfulness and
+prudence will be equal to the gravity of this emergency. And so I desire
+you to start with the utmost speed, and not to rest till you have found
+his Majesty, and our councillor and ambassador Messer Erasmo Brasca, to
+whom you will explain the reason of your coming, and having through his
+means obtained an audience of his Majesty, you will pay him our dutiful
+respects, and, after delivering your credentials, by virtue of them will
+proceed to tell him how immediately after this death the chiefs of the
+State and of the people of this city approached me to offer their
+condolences in the customary manner, and signified their fears and
+anxieties as to the succession. One and all, speaking in the name of the
+State, declared that they would have no lord but ourselves, and
+entreated us with earnest words to accept this dignity, saying that if
+we refused they would not be content <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span>and would have to consider some
+other mode of action. After this has been explained to the king, you
+will tell him that, seeing on the one hand the conditions imposed by his
+Majesty respecting the privileges, which we do not intend to infringe,
+and on the other the dangers that might arise if the State were left
+without a lord until the time fixed for the promulgation of the
+privileges, and being further aware that the people of Milan set the
+example and draw after them all the rest of the State, we have chosen to
+accept the burden they offer us, and have ridden through the town in
+order to satisfy the wishes of the people. And this we have done, in
+order not to leave the State and city in doubt as to the last duke's
+successor, without taking either title or armorial bearings, lest we
+should incur the same blame as that illustrious lord our father. Thus,
+solely to prove that the State is not left without a lord, and at the
+same time not to infringe the conditions attached to the privileges, we
+have taken this name of duke, and will inscribe our name as <i>Ludovicus
+Dux</i> in letters and other documents, without specifying of what place we
+are duke, so as to observe the commands laid upon us by his Majesty not
+to publish the privileges before the feast of St. Martin. The full form
+which we intend to adopt at the said feast will be signified to him
+after this feast, when we shall adopt the style of <i>Dux Mediolani</i> in
+accordance with this command. But we will abstain from publishing the
+privileges until we have the approval of the said Majesty, which we hope
+to obtain as soon as the term which he fixed shall expire.</p>
+
+<p>"And you will also tell his Majesty that the publication of these
+privileges carries with it the investiture and enjoyment of the temporal
+possessions of the duchy, and therefore, as our procurator, you will ask
+for this investiture with all respect and submission. And you will beg
+his Majesty to send us an ambassador to declare that he places us in
+possession of the duchy, in order that he may give the world an outward
+demonstration of the act that he has already done in private. This, we
+beg to assure his Majesty, shall ensure a perpetual obligation on our
+part and that of our posterity towards his Majesty, who may count on the
+fidelity of this State in all contingencies, most of all in the affairs
+of Italy, where no State can be greater or of more importance <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span>than this
+one, which has the same influence in Italy as he has in Germany. And
+since the form of investiture has been given this summer to the
+Treasurer of Burgundy, you can obtain it from him by means of Messer
+Erasmo, and we will afterwards send you the imperial mandate that you
+may arrange this. As to the form of delivery of the temporalities, we
+desire to follow that which was employed in the cases of former dukes,
+which we will seek out and let you have. To this effect you will
+negotiate with the Most Serene King of the Romans, making use of the
+advise of Messer Erasmo, in order to obtain this concession in the
+manner that we devise.</p>
+
+<p>"You will also visit our niece, the Most Serene Queen, and condole in
+our name on the duke's death, which is a common cause of grief to both
+of us, and will recommend our affairs to her, begging her Majesty to
+assist you, and to employ great warmth and fervour in addressing the
+Most Serene Lord her husband.</p>
+
+<p style="margin-left: 2em;">"Milan, 22nd October, 1494."</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>These instructions were followed by a short letter from Lodovico,
+enclosing the petition to be presented to Maximilian, and urging him to
+lose no time in reaching his destination.</p>
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Mapheo</span>,&mdash;We enclose the petition for the investiture, and have
+to-day sent you money and horses. There is nothing more to say,
+excepting to urge you once more to use all diligence to seek out His
+Serene Majesty, and with the help of Erasmo leave nothing undone that
+may induce him to grant the investiture without delay, and at the same
+time send back with you persons empowered to put me in possession of the
+temporal possessions of the duchy. Without these two things, all that
+has been done till now will be of no avail."</p>
+
+<p>On the 21st, Lodovico sent an official intimation of his nephew's death,
+and of the "incredible grief" which this sad event had given him, to his
+relatives and allies. On the 22nd, he issued another circular, informing
+them in well-turned phrases of his election by the people of Milan, and
+of his consent to take up the burden imposed upon him by the will of his
+subjects. And on the same day the Mantuan envoy, Donato de' Preti,
+writing to Isabella d'Este, gave her the following version of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span>affairs:
+"This morning a meeting was held in the Castello, at which Signor
+Lodovicus was proclaimed King of Milan in the presence of the gentlemen
+and councillors assembled in the Rocchetta, no one else being nominated.
+Few spoke, and very little was said, but Signor Lodovico was chosen by
+universal acclamation, or at least with no dissent. This afternoon he
+came out of the Rocca clad in gold brocade, and rode all round the town
+for the space of two hours, and the shops are closed, and all the bells
+of the city are to be rung for three days." At Pavia, where the Moro had
+made himself greatly beloved both by the citizens and the members of the
+university, there was great rejoicing when the people heard him publicly
+proclaimed duke to the sound of fifes and trumpets. "All the people of
+Pavia," wrote Count Borella, on the 23rd of October, "are filled with
+the utmost joy and delight, like the loyal and affectionate servants of
+your Highness that they are, and pray that you may live long to enjoy
+your exalted dignity."</p>
+
+<p>On the evening of the 27th, the body of the late duke, after lying in
+state during several days before the high altar in the Duomo of Milan,
+"was buried in the vault of his ancestors with the greatest pomp and
+honour," as the Mantuan envoy told Isabella d'Este. "The Marchese Ermes,
+the Ferrarese ambassador, with the whole house of Visconti, and all the
+councillors, ministers, and court officials attending, robed in black.
+An immense concourse of people were present, together with priests and
+friars innumerable, and the blaze of lighted wax candles was so great in
+the church that I could see nothing. An eloquent and highly ornate
+sermon was preached by a Mantuan friar, named Giovanni Pietro Suardo."</p>
+
+<p>And the next day his successor joined the French king in his camp under
+the walls of Sarzana. He had at length attained the object of his
+ambition, and was reigning on his father's throne.</p>
+
+<p>"To sum up the whole matter," writes Commines, "Lodovico had himself
+proclaimed Lord of Milan, and that, as many people say, was the reason
+why he brought us over the mountains."</p>
+
+<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_53_53" id="Footnote_53_53"></a><a href="#FNanchor_53_53"><span class="label">[53]</span></a> Luzio-Renier, <i>op. cit.</i>, p. 394.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_54_54" id="Footnote_54_54"></a><a href="#FNanchor_54_54"><span class="label">[54]</span></a> Guicciardini's "Italy," Fenton's English translation, vol.
+i. p. 34.</p></div>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 15%;" /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span>
+<br />
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI</h3>
+
+<div style="margin-left: 2em;">
+<p class="hang">Lodovico joins Charles VIII. at Sarzana&mdash;Suspicious rumours as to the
+late duke's death&mdash;Piero de' Medici surrenders the six fortresses of
+Tuscany to Charles VIII.&mdash;Lodovico retires in disgust from the
+camp&mdash;Congratulations of all the Italian States on his accession&mdash;Grief
+of Duchess Isabella&mdash;Her return to Milan&mdash;Mission of Maffeo Pirovano to
+Antwerp&mdash;His interviews with Maximilian and Bianca&mdash;Letter of Lodovico
+to the Bishop of Brixen&mdash;Charles VIII. enters Rome&mdash;His treaty with
+Alexander VI. and departure for Naples.</p>
+</div>
+
+<h3>1494</h3>
+
+
+<p>The short week which had elapsed between the king's departure from Pavia
+and the return of Lodovico to the French camp had effected a complete
+change in the situation. Suddenly the Moro found himself at the height
+of his ambition, elected duke by popular acclamation, and in actual
+possession of the throne, while he held in his hands the imperial
+diploma that was to give him a surer and safer title to the duchy than
+any of his race had possessed.</p>
+
+<p>"All that this man does prospers, and all that he dreams of by night
+comes true by day," wrote the Venetian chronicler. "And, in truth, he is
+esteemed and revered throughout the world and is held to be the wisest
+and most successful man in Italy. And all men fear him, because fortune
+favours him in everything that he undertakes."</p>
+
+<p>But already ugly rumours began to be whispered abroad. The unhappy duke,
+it was openly said at Florence and Venice, had, it was plain, died of
+poison, administered by his uncle. The moment of his death was so
+opportune, and fitted in so exactly with Lodovico's plans; the
+promptness with which the Moro had acted in seizing the crown which
+ought to have belonged to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span>Giangaleazzo's son, helped to confirm the
+suspicions that were aroused in the minds of men whom the new duke's
+policy had inspired with distrust, and who looked with jealous eyes on
+the success of his diplomacy. The French king's doctor, Theodore
+Guainiero of Pavia, was quite sure he had detected signs of poisoning in
+the sick duke's face when he had been present at the interview between
+his royal master and poor Giangaleazzo at Pavia. Contemporary
+chroniclers, improving upon this remark, with one voice asserted that
+the doctor had found evident traces of poison on the body at a
+post-mortem examination held after the duke's death, ignoring the fact
+that at that moment Theodore Guainiero was with King Charles at
+Piacenza. So the legend grew, and found ready acceptance among both
+French and Italians, who alike hated the Moro with deadly hatred.</p>
+
+<p>"And if the duke were dispatched by poison, there was none," wrote the
+Florentine historian, "that held that his uncle was innocent, and either
+directly or indirectly, as he, who not content with an absolute power,
+but aspiring, according to the common desires of great men, to make
+themselves glorious with titles and honours, and especially he judged
+that both for his proper heritage and the succession of his children,
+the death of the lawful duke was necessary, wherein ambition and
+covetousness prevailed above conscience and law of nature, and the
+jealous desire of dominion enforced his disposition, otherwise abhorring
+blood, to that vile action."</p>
+
+<p>The careful examination of the various documents connected with
+Giangaleazzo's death has led recent historians to a different
+conclusion. "Nothing is further from the truth," writes Magenta, in his
+history of the "Castello di Pavia," "than that Giangaleazzo died of
+poison." And Delaborde, Porr&ograve;, Cant&ugrave;, as well as those able and learned
+scholars, Signor Luzio and Signor Renier, all endorse these statements,
+and ascribe the duke's death to natural causes. Even Paolo Giovio, who
+hated the Moro as the man who had betrayed his country to the French,
+owns that there is much reason for doubting the truth of the accusation
+brought against him in this instance. Charles VIII., it is plain, did
+not himself believe in Lodovico's guilt. When the news of Giangaleazzo's
+death reached him, he caused a solemn requiem <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span>mass to be held in the
+Duomo of Piacenza, and distributed liberal alms to the poor of the town
+in memory of his dead cousin. And Galeazzo di Sanseverino, who had
+remained in attendance upon the king, informed Lodovico, in one of his
+letters, that the only remark which His Most Christian Majesty had made
+on the subject was to express his sorrow for the duke's orphan children,
+and to say that he hoped Signor Lodovico would treat them as his own, to
+which Galeazzo replied that he might rest assured they would want for
+nothing. But the suspicion that the duke's end had been hastened by his
+uncle's act found general acceptance in the French army, and deepened
+the distrust with which Lodovico was already regarded. At this critical
+moment, the unexpected action of Piero de' Medici helped to bring about
+a breach between the Moro and his allies.</p>
+
+<p>When, on the 31st of October, the new duke reached the French camp
+before the Tuscan castle of Sarzana, he found to his surprise that Piero
+de' Medici, who up to this time had been the staunchest ally of Naples,
+had arrived there the day before, to make his submission to King
+Charles. Sanuto relates how this craven son of the magnificent Lorenzo
+threw himself at the feet of the French monarch, and promised to accept
+whatever conditions he chose to impose. Not only did he agree to give
+the army of Charles free passage through Tuscany, and to dismiss the
+Florentine troops which he had levied, but he actually promised to
+surrender the six strongholds of Sarzana, Sarzanello, Pietra Santa,
+Librafratta, Leghorn, and Pisa. Thus, without a single blow, the city
+and state of Florence was placed at the mercy of the invaders. Even the
+French councillors who negotiated the terms of the treaty, were amazed
+at the readiness with which their demands were accepted, and told
+Commines afterwards that they marvelled to see Piero de' Medici settle
+so weighty a matter with so much lightness of heart, "mocking and
+jeering at his cowardice as they spoke." Lodovico, on his part, received
+the news of Piero's disgraceful concessions with ill-concealed disgust.
+Now that he had attained his own objects, and had nothing to fear from
+Alfonso, whose armies were in full retreat, he would willingly have seen
+the progress of the French delayed, and the king forced to winter in
+Tuscany, and was bitterly annoyed to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span>find that the passes of the
+Apennines were in the hands of Charles, as well as the castles and ports
+which he had hoped to obtain for Milan as the price of his alliance.
+Guicciardini relates how he met Piero de' Medici that day in the camp,
+and how his old friend's son, anxious to ingratiate himself with the
+powerful duke, made excuses for not having given him an official welcome
+into Florentine territory, saying that he had ridden out to meet him,
+but had missed his way. "One of us certainly missed the way," replied
+the duke, with a bitter meaning under his courteous phrases; "perhaps it
+is you who have taken the wrong road."</p>
+
+<p>But he hid his vexation as best he could, when he entered the French
+king's presence, and boldly asked Charles to give him the castles of
+Sarzana and Pietra Santa, which had formerly belonged to Genoa. When the
+king replied that he preferred to keep these forts in his own hands
+until his return from Naples, Lodovico once more disguised his feelings,
+and contented himself with asking for a renewal of the investiture of
+Genoa, formerly granted to his nephew, which he obtained on payment of
+30,000 ducats. After this he saw no reason for remaining in the French
+camp any longer, and, pleading urgent State affairs, he left again for
+Milan on the 3rd of November.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Et merveilleusement malcontent</i>," says Commines, "<i>se partit du Roy
+pour le reffuz</i>."</p>
+
+<p>Only the Count of Caiazzo, with a troop of fifty horse, remained in the
+French camp, while Galeazzo di Sanseverino and Duchess Beatrice's
+brother, Ferrante d'Este, were the sole Italians to be seen riding in
+the royal procession when Charles made his triumphal entry into
+Florence. "Many thought then," adds the Sieur d'Argenton, "that he
+wished the king out of Italy." A week later he recalled the Milanese
+troops from Romagna, saying that their presence was no longer needed.
+For the present, however, the new Duke of Milan took a strictly neutral
+line, and while he outwardly maintained friendly relations with France,
+at the same time received congratulatory messages on his accession from
+the Pope, the Doge and Signory of Venice, and his old enemy, Alfonso of
+Naples, who forgot all the grievances of the past in his dismay at the
+approach of the French invaders.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span>On the 6th of November Lodovico returned to Milan, and joined his wife
+at Vigevano, where Beatrice had remained during her husband's absence
+with her infant son. We have no letters to tell us what her feelings
+were at this eventful period, and do not learn if she joined her husband
+during the few days of his hurried visit to Milan in October. But we are
+glad to find that she expressed sympathy with the unhappy widow of
+Giangaleazzo, and showed real concern for her cousin's melancholy
+condition. After her husband's death, Isabella's courage and fortitude
+broke down under the long strain, and for some days she shut herself up
+in a dark room, and refused to take food, or accept any comfort. Four
+Milanese councillors waited upon her at Pavia to offer their
+condolences, and invited her to come to Milan in the name of the new
+duke and the people, assuring her that she and her children should be
+treated with due honour, and retain possession of the ducal residence in
+the Castello. This attention gratified her, and Paolo Bilia, an old and
+faithful servant, who had been long in her service, wrote by her desire
+to Lodovico on the 28th of October&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"My Lady is much pleased to hear that you have accepted the gift which
+she sent you, and is grateful for the kind messages which she has
+received from Your Illustrious Consort, as well as the offers which you
+have made her, and the addresses of the councillors. Under Niccolo da
+Cusano's treatment her health has certainly improved; and the children
+are very well, only the boy objects to the black clothes and hangings of
+the rooms."</p>
+
+<p>A week later the Councillor Pusterla wrote that he visited the Duchess
+every day, and found her much rested, and already considerably calmer,
+and was charged to convey her warmest thanks to the duke for his
+kindness, and express her wish to show herself in all things his
+obedient daughter. But she still refused to leave Pavia, and shrank from
+seeing any one but her children and servants.</p>
+
+<p>"The duchess," wrote Donato de Preti from Milan to his mistress Isabella
+d'Este, "has not yet arrived here, but is expected on Friday. All the
+rooms and furniture in the Castello are hung with black. To-day a man
+who came from Pavia is said to have brought word that Count Borella had
+been sent to ask <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span>the duchess for her son Francesco, but that she had
+refused to send him. This, however, may not be true, for the person who
+told me is not to be trusted."</p>
+
+<p>On the 29th of November, the same informant wrote again&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"The widowed duchess has not yet come to Milan. It appears that she has
+asked leave to remain at Pavia until after her confinement, and this she
+will certainly do. I hear that she still mourns her dead lord."</p>
+
+<p>Her mother-in-law, Duchess Bona, remained with her at Pavia, and here,
+on the first of December, she received a visit from Chiara Gonzaga, a
+sister of the Marquis of Mantua, and wife of Gilbert, Duke of
+Montpensier, who was captain-general of the French army. This princess,
+who was now on her way to Mantua, was sincerely attached to both
+Isabella and Beatrice d'Este, and proved a loyal friend to Lodovico at
+the French court, while after her husband's death he, in his turn, gave
+her the benefit of his powerful help in her efforts to obtain the
+recovery of her fortune from the French king. There seems, however, to
+have been no truth in the report that the widowed duchess was again with
+child, and on the 6th of December she finally summoned up courage to
+return to Milan. On her arrival she was received by Beatrice, and
+Barone, the jester, who was on the same familiar terms with the
+Marchioness of Mantua as he was with her sister, sent her the following
+pathetic account of their meeting&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Last night the Duchess Isabella arrived in Milan, and our duchess went
+to meet her, two miles outside the town, and directly they met, our
+duchess got out of her chariot and entered that of Duchess Isabella,
+both of them weeping bitterly, and so they rode together towards the
+Castello, where the Duke of Milan met them on horseback at the gate of
+the garden. He took off his cap, and accompanied them to the Castello,
+where they all three alighted, and placing Duchess Isabella between
+them, our duke and duchess accompanied her to her old rooms. When they
+reached these rooms they sat down together, and the Duchess Isabella
+could do nothing but weep, until at last the duke spoke to her, and
+begged her to calm herself, and be comforted, with many other similar
+words. Dear friend, the hardest <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span>heart would have been melted with
+compassion at the sight of her, with her three children, looking so thin
+and altered by her grief, wearing a long black robe like a friar's
+habit, made of rough cloth, worth fourpence the yard, and her eyes
+hidden by a thick black veil. Certainly I, for one, could not help
+crying, and if I had not restrained myself, I should have wept still
+more."<a name="FNanchor_55_55" id="FNanchor_55_55"></a><a href="#Footnote_55_55" class="fnanchor">[55]</a></p>
+
+<p>Until the death of Beatrice, Isabella of Aragon and her children
+occupied the rooms in the Castello where she and her husband had
+formerly resided, and spent the spring and summer in the Castello of
+Pavia, but the widowed duchess lived in complete retirement during the
+next two years, and her name seldom appears in contemporary records. Her
+mother-in-law Bona, retained her rooms until the following January, when
+the duke desired her to move to the old palace near the Duomo, known as
+the Corte Vecchia, partly because the use of her apartments was required
+by the court officials, and partly owing to the intrigues which she
+secretly practised. Only lately Lodovico's envoys at Antwerp had
+informed him of the bitter words which Bona wrote against him to her
+daughter Bianca, words which the empress's secretary thought it wiser to
+pass over when he read her mother's letters aloud, taking care, he adds,
+to see that they were burnt before they could do further mischief. A
+year afterwards, Bona left Milan for good and returned to France, where
+she lived at Amboise until the end of 1499, when she came back to her
+native land of Savoy, and died at Fossano on the 8th of January, 1504.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile Maffeo Pirovano, after being delayed on his journey by violent
+storms and floods, and narrowly escaping with his life from the brigands
+and highwaymen who infested the streets of Cologne, had at length
+reached Antwerp and discharged his errand. In his letters to the duke,
+he gives an interesting account of his interview with the emperor, whose
+imposing presence and gracious kindness made a deep impression upon him.</p>
+
+<p>"The Most Serene King has the noblest bodily presence as well as the
+greatest qualities of mind and soul, and as far as you can judge from
+outward signs, I should say that his Majesty's wisdom and loyalty are
+beyond dispute, and that there is no <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span>prince in the world whom he
+esteems more highly than your Excellency. And if I asked why all the
+king's dealings appear slow and tardy, I should say that this was caused
+by two obstacles, which neither of them proceed from his Majesty's own
+fault. The first is want of money, and the second the little confidence
+that he can place in his ministers."</p>
+
+<p>Maffeo was able to give Lodovico satisfactory assurances as to
+Maximilian's readiness to confirm him in the investiture of Milan. He
+promised to send the letters forthwith, but desired the duke to allow no
+one but his brother Cardinal Ascanio to see a copy, and not to publish
+them before March. "He fears," wrote the Milanese envoy, "in the first
+place the electors of the Diet, and in the second the wrath of King
+Alfonso of Naples. But his Majesty promises to speak to the electors as
+soon as possible, and after that will have the privileges drawn up by
+the chancellor, and will send a solemn embassy to put the duke in
+possession of his dignities and the realm.</p>
+
+<p>The young empress, who, Maffeo remarked, "is not very wise," was
+overjoyed to see an old friend, and had much to hear about her beloved
+Milanese home. She wrote an affectionate little note to her uncle,
+lamenting her poor brother's death and congratulating him on his
+accession, which she called "a due reward of all the benefits which we
+have received from your Excellency."<a name="FNanchor_56_56" id="FNanchor_56_56"></a><a href="#Footnote_56_56" class="fnanchor">[56]</a></p>
+
+<p>And when Maffeo left Antwerp early in December to return to Milan, he
+received a whole string of commissions from her Majesty. He was, in the
+first place, to visit and condole with her mother, her widowed
+sister-in-law, and her brother Ermes, and to commend the Duchess
+Isabella and her children especially to the duke. Then he was to beg the
+duke and duchess to send her their latest portraits, as well as those of
+her mother, brother, sister-in-law, and her sister Madonna Anna, wife of
+Alfonso d'Este. There was a special message to Beatrice, begging her for
+some perfumes and powders, a ball of musk, and a bunch of heron's
+plumes. And there was another for Lodovico, asking him to try and
+procure a certain set of pearls from Bianca's half-sister, Caterina
+Sforza, the famous Madonna of Forli. Last of all, there was an earnest
+request that the duke would entreat her <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span>lord the Most Serene King to
+come to Italy, and write urgently to him on the subject, without,
+however, letting it appear that the suggestion had proceeded from Bianca
+herself.</p>
+
+<p>In these communications between the empress and her family there is no
+trace whatever of any ill-will to Lodovico and Beatrice, far less any
+suspicion that her uncle had hastened her brother's death, although some
+chroniclers allude to a report that Maximilian's wife held Lodovico to
+be guilty of this crime. The fact that some rumour of this kind had
+reached the imperial court seems probable from the Latin letter which
+Lodovico himself addressed in December, 1494, to the Bishop of Brixen,
+one of the delegates who were afterwards sent to Milan with the imperial
+privilege. In this letter the Moro refutes the calumny which he hears
+had been brought against him in certain quarters, and points out that
+his nephew's death had been due to natural causes, that the late duke
+had been ill for many months, and that he had been assiduously attended
+by his devoted wife and the most skilful doctors, three of whom had
+known him from his cradle. He alludes to the visit paid to Giangaleazzo
+a few days before his death by His Most Christian Majesty, and explains
+that he himself was only prevented from being present at his nephew's
+death-bed by the necessity of attending on the French king. "Nothing,"
+he adds, "could be more contrary to our nature than so great a crime."
+In conclusion, he dwells on the fatherly love which he had always shown
+his nephew, and renews his protestations of devotion to His Most Serene
+Majesty the King of the Romans. In point of fact, as both Maffeo and
+Brasca informed their master the subject which disquieted Maximilian at
+this moment far more than poor Giangaleazzo's death, was the rapid
+advance of the French king. A rumour had reached the German court that
+Charles aspired to the imperial title, and intended to make the Pope
+crown him in Rome. This report filled the emperor-elect with dismay, and
+he turned to the Milanese envoys with the words, "I know that the Duke
+of Milan has great power in Italy, and has proved his faith and good
+intentions towards myself, but I hope, since he is so wise in
+everything, that he will make some difference between me and the King of
+France."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span>Lodovico, however, needed no warning on this subject, and was as much
+alarmed as any of his neighbours at the extraordinary success which had
+attended Charles VIII.'s expedition. Florence and Siena both received
+him within their gates, and helped him with loans of money and supplies
+of corn. On the 4th of December he left Siena; by the 10th he was at
+Viterbo, within sixty miles of Rome, and sent the Pope word that he
+would spend Christmas in the Vatican and treat with him there. For a
+moment Alexander VI., encouraged by the arrival of the Duke of
+Calabria's army under the walls of the eternal city, put on a bold face
+and defied Charles to do his worst. The same day he arrested the
+cardinals Ascanio Sforza and Sanseverino at a consistory in the Vatican,
+upon which Galeazzo di Sanseverino, who was at Viterbo with the French
+king, rode all the way to Vigevano in three days, to take Lodovico the
+news of this insult to his family. The duke was furious, and vowed
+vengeance upon the Pope. But Alexander's courage soon failed him. In a
+few days his defiant mood gave place to one of abject terror, the two
+cardinals were released and sent to plead the Pope's cause with Charles
+VIII., and on the 30th of December Ferrante retired with his troops
+towards Naples. That same day the French king entered Rome by the
+Flaminian Gate, and rode in triumphal procession along the Corso with
+Cardinals Giuliano delle Rovere and Ascanio Sforza at his side, both of
+them, remarks Commines, great enemies of the Pope, and still greater
+enemies of one another. Alexander fled for shelter to the Castello
+Sant'Angelo, and Charles took up his abode in the palace of San Marco,
+from which he dictated terms of peace to the terrified pontiff. Already
+a rumour had reached Milan that the Pope was to be deposed, and that the
+French king intended to attempt a general reformation of the scandals
+that disgraced the Church.</p>
+
+<p>"His Most Christian Majesty," remarked Lodovico, drily, "had better
+begin by reforming himself." And when the Venetian ambassador Sebastian
+Badoer and Benedetto Trevisano arrived at Vigevano to take counsel with
+the duke in this perilous state of affairs, he spoke very contemptuously
+of the king's person and character.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span>"The Most Christian King," he said, "is young and foolish, with little
+presence and still less mental power. When I was with him at Asti,
+treating of important matters, his councillors spent their time eating
+and playing cards in his presence. Sometimes he would dictate a letter
+by one man's advice, and then withdraw it at the suggestion of another.
+He is haughty and ill-mannered, and when we were together, he has more
+than once left me alone in the room like a beast, to go and dine with
+his friends."</p>
+
+<p>And he proceeded to remind the Venetian envoys how he had sent his wife,
+Duchess Beatrice, to warn the Signoria of the critical state of affairs,
+and how his advice had been neglected, and nothing had been done.</p>
+
+<p>"It is true," the duke added, "that I lent the king money, but at the
+same time I gave him good advice. 'Sire,' I said to him, 'drive out the
+tyrant Piero de' Medici, and give Florence her old liberties;' and when
+I refused to accompany him further, I desired Messer Galeaz to defend
+the freedom and rights of both Florence and Siena. You see how little
+the king has followed my advice and how cruel and insolent he has shown
+himself. These French are bad people, and we must not allow them to
+become our neighbours."</p>
+
+<p>In reality, what disturbed the Duke of Milan far more than the success
+of Charles in the south, was the presence of Louis of Orleans with a
+body of troops at Asti. When Charles left Asti in October, his cousin
+was ill with an attack of fever, and had been compelled to remain
+behind. The close vicinity of this dangerous neighbour, and the boldness
+with which Orleans asserted his claim on Milan, led the Moro to use all
+his influence with Maximilian to induce him to join his old enemies, the
+Venetians, in a common league against the French. While these
+negotiations were being secretly carried on, the victorious French king
+had, on the 15th of January, signed a treaty with the Pope, by which the
+crown of Naples was bestowed upon him, and the chief fortresses of the
+Papal States were surrendered into his hands until his return. The next
+day Charles attended mass at St. Peter's, and met the Pope in the
+Vatican&mdash;"a very fine house," he wrote to his brother-in-law, the Duke
+of Bourbon, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span>"as well furnished and adorned as any palace or castle I
+have ever seen."</p>
+
+<p>On the 19th of January, he did homage to His Holiness before the College
+of Cardinals, as Vicar of Christ and successor of the Apostles, and was
+embraced and welcomed by the Pope in return as the eldest son of the
+Church. A week later he left Rome and set out at the head of his army on
+the march to Naples. And the same day he received the news that Alfonso
+of Aragon, seized with a fatal panic, had abdicated his crown in favour
+of his son Ferrante, and was on his way to Sicily.</p>
+
+<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_55_55" id="Footnote_55_55"></a><a href="#FNanchor_55_55"><span class="label">[55]</span></a> A Luzio-Renier, <i>op. cit.</i>, p. 399.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_56_56" id="Footnote_56_56"></a><a href="#FNanchor_56_56"><span class="label">[56]</span></a> F. Calvi, <i>op. cit.</i></p></div>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 15%;" /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span>
+<br />
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII</h3>
+
+<div style="margin-left: 2em;">
+<p class="hang">Visit of Isabella d'Este to Milan&mdash;Birth of Beatrice's son, Francesco
+Sforza&mdash;<i>F&ecirc;tes</i> and comedies at the Milanese court&mdash;Works of Leonardo
+and of Lorenzo di Pavia&mdash;Mission of Caradosso to Florence and Rome in
+search of antiques&mdash;Fall of Naples&mdash;Entry of King Charles VIII. and
+flight of Ferrante II.&mdash;Consternation in Milan&mdash;Departure of Isabella
+d'Este.</p>
+</div>
+
+<h3>1495</h3>
+
+
+<p>While Charles VIII. was leading his victorious army against Naples, and
+striking terror into all hearts throughout the length and breadth of
+Italy, Duchess Beatrice Sforza, as the wife of Lodovico now styled
+herself, was joyfully expecting the birth of a second child. Once more
+great preparations were made in the Rocchetta for the happy event. On
+the 10th of December her sister Isabella sent her the size and pattern
+of a cradle which her father had given her before the birth of her
+little daughter, Leonora, the year before, excusing herself for not
+writing a longer letter because she was engaged with her sister-in-law,
+the Duchess of Montpensier. Duke Lodovico himself, immediately on his
+return to Vigevano in November, had written begging the Marchesa to come
+to Milan in January, and on the 15th she left Mantua. On the day after
+her arrival she paid a visit of condolence to the widowed duchess, whose
+sorrowful condition filled her with compassion.</p>
+
+<p>"I found her in the large room," writes Isabella to her husband, on the
+20th of January, "all hung with black, with only just light and air
+enough to save one from suffocation. Her Highness wore a cloth cloak,
+and a black veil on her head, and her deep mourning filled me with so
+much compassion that I could not keep back my tears. I condoled with her
+in your name <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span>and my own, and she gratefully accepted my sympathy, and
+sent for her children, the sight of whom increased my emotion."</p>
+
+<p>On the 4th of February, Beatrice gave birth to a second son, a fine boy,
+who received no less than fifteen names, including those of Francesco
+Sforza, after his illustrious grandfather. As a child he was called
+Sforza, but became afterwards known as Francesco, under which name he
+reigned during the last years of his short life over the duchy of Milan.
+Isabella d'Este held the infant prince at the baptismal font, and
+remained at Milan till the end of the Carnival, at the urgent entreaty
+of her brother-in-law, who himself wrote to beg the marquis for
+permission to keep his wife a few weeks longer.</p>
+
+<p>Alfonso d'Este and his wife, Anna Sforza, always a favourite at the
+court of Milan, now joined the ducal party, and took part in the
+brilliant series of festivities which celebrated Beatrice's recovery and
+the christening of the infant prince.</p>
+
+<p>"Every third day," wrote Isabella to an absent Milanese friend of hers,
+Anton Maria de' Collis, "we have triumphal and magnificent festivities,
+one of which lasted till two in the morning, another was not over till
+four o'clock. We spend the intervening days in riding and driving in the
+park or else through the streets of Milan, which has been made so
+beautiful that if you were to come back here to-day, you would no longer
+know the place."</p>
+
+<p>In another letter Isabella describes a splendid <i>festa</i> at the house of
+Messer Niccolo da Correggio, at which a representation of the fable of
+Hippolyte and Theseus, as told in the "<i>Innamoramento di Orlando</i>" was
+beautifully given. And in answer to a letter from her brother-in-law,
+Giovanni Gonzaga, telling her of an allegorical representation in which
+the famous Serafino of Aquila had taken part, she writes&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Here too we are enjoying feasts and pleasures of every description,
+which afford us the greatest possible delight, and I hope to tell you
+many things that will excite your Highness's envy. For this is the
+school of the master of those who know."<a name="FNanchor_57_57" id="FNanchor_57_57"></a><a href="#Footnote_57_57" class="fnanchor">[57]</a></p>
+
+<p>Such phrases as these were no small praise on the lips of so
+accomplished and critical a woman as Isabella d'Este. Another
+contemporary, the Florentine Guicciardini, who visited the capital of
+Lombardy, was filled with amazement at the sight, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span>and describes Milan
+during Lodovico's reign as famous for the wealth of its citizens; the
+infinite number of its shops; the abundance and delicacy of all things
+pertaining to human life; the superb pomp and sumptuous ornaments of its
+inhabitants, both men and women; the skill and talent of its artists,
+mechanics, embroiderers, goldsmiths, and armourers; and the innumerable
+quantity of new and stately buildings which adorn its streets. "Not
+only," he adds, "is the city full of joy and pleasure, of feasting and
+delight, but so wonderfully is it increased in riches, magnificence, and
+glory, that it may certainly be called the most flourishing and happiest
+of all the cities in Italy."</p>
+
+<p>The stranger from Florence and Venice might well admire the duke's
+knowledge and taste, and wonder at the splendid results which his
+enlightened patronage of art and learning had produced. For they saw his
+great city of Milan as it has never been seen again, before the savage
+invader had spoiled its charm and defaced its loveliness; when
+Bramante's churches and porticoes rose in perfect symmetry against the
+sky, and the glowing tints of Leonardo's frescoes were yet fresh upon
+the walls. They saw the <i>Ruga bella</i>, or Beautiful Way, with its long
+line of palaces on either side, its painted walls and richly carved
+portals. They saw the lovely cupola of S. Maria delle Grazie, and the
+marble cloisters of S. Ambrogio, and the graceful Baptistery of S.
+Satiro, which Caradosso had lately adorned with his elegant frieze of
+cherubs and medallions. They saw the stately arcades of the Spedale
+Grande, and the deep-red brick and terra-cotta pile of the vast
+Lazzaretto, and the wide streets and piazzas which the duke had laid out
+"to give the people more light and air." Above all, they saw the great
+Castello which was the pride of Lodovico's court. These vaulted ceilings
+and painted halls, these beautiful gardens with their temples and
+labyrinths, their fountains and statues, these splendid stables with
+columned aisles and walls adorned with frescoes of horses, which the
+French invaders admired more than anything else in Milan, were well-nigh
+complete. But still Lodovico was always planning some new improvements
+to add to the charm and pleasantness of the ducal residence. Isabella's
+friend Leonardo, we know from one of the duke's letters, was engaged at
+this moment in painting the vaults <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span>of the newly built Camerini, while
+he was still putting the last touches to the famous equestrian statue
+which the Marchesa now saw for the first time, and which the duke
+promised should be soon cast in bronze. But the great master's thoughts
+were taking a new direction, and he was already preparing designs for
+the mural painting of the Cenacolo, with which Lodovico had ordered him
+to decorate the refectory of the Dominicans in his favourite convent of
+S. Maria della Grazie. It was a work after Leonardo's own heart, and he
+determined to frame an altogether new and original composition, a Last
+Supper which should be unlike all others in Italy. This time at least
+the duke's fastidious taste should be satisfied, and the Lombards should
+be made to own that Leonardo the Florentine was an artist who had no
+equal.</p>
+
+<p>Another of Isabella's favourite artists, Maestro Lorenzo, the gifted
+organ-maker, was absent from court, and had left his old home at Pavia
+to take up his abode at Venice near his friend Aldo Manuzio, the
+printer. But during this visit the Marchesa saw "the beautiful and
+perfect clavichord" which he had made for Beatrice, and vowed to leave
+no stone unturned until she had obtained a similar one. Unfortunately,
+when she wrote to inform Messer Lorenzo of her wishes, he was engaged in
+making a viol for the Duchess of Milan, and had also promised Messer
+Antonio Visconti a clavichord, so that he was unable to satisfy the
+impatient Marchesa as quickly as she would have liked. Nothing daunted,
+however, Isabella returned to the charge, and addressed a letter in her
+sweetest and most persuasive strain to Count Antonio Visconti, begging
+him, since her desires were so ardent and she had already waited so
+long, of his courtesy to allow Messer Lorenzo to begin her clavichord as
+soon as Duchess Beatrice's viol should be finished. The count naturally
+enough was unable to refuse the request of so charming a princess, and
+as usual Isabella got her own way. On Christmas Day, 1496, she wrote
+joyously to tell her Venetian agent, Brognolo, that Messer Lorenzo had
+just arrived at Mantua, bringing the precious clavichord, which was as
+beautiful and perfect as it could possibly be. But the saddest part of
+the story has yet to be told. After the death of Beatrice, and
+Lodovico's final ruin, Isabella d'Este remembered the matchless organ
+which Lorenzo <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span>de Pavia had made for her sister, and wrote immediately
+to the Pallavicini brothers who had joined in the betrayal of the
+Castello, begging them, if possible, to let her have the instrument. A
+considerable time elapsed before her wish was gratified, but in the end
+her perseverance triumphed over all difficulties, and on the last day of
+July, 1501, she wrote to tell Messer Lorenzo that the beautiful
+clavichord which he had made for the Duchess of Milan had been given her
+by Galeazzo Pallavicino, the husband of Niccolo da Correggio's
+half-sister, Elizabeth Sforza, and would be doubly precious to her as
+his work and because of its rare excellence.<a name="FNanchor_58_58" id="FNanchor_58_58"></a><a href="#Footnote_58_58" class="fnanchor">[58]</a> By a strange fate, the
+fragments of this precious clavichord, which was so highly esteemed in
+its day, have of late years found their way to the ancient palace of the
+dukes of Ferrara in Venice. The instrument which the gifted Pavian made
+for Beatrice, inscribed with the Greek and Latin mottoes chosen by
+Lorenzo, may still be seen under the roof of her father's old house, in
+those halls where the young duchess once spent that joyous May-time long
+ago.</p>
+
+<p>Another incident which took place at Milan during Isabella's visit, and
+could not fail to inspire her with the keenest interest, was the arrival
+of a marble Leda and a number of other antiques that were sent to the
+duke from Rome, by the goldsmith Caradosso. After the flight of Piero
+de' Medici and the revolution which had taken place in Florence,
+Lodovico sent this well-known connoisseur to try and acquire some of the
+priceless marbles or gems from the Magnificent Lorenzo's collection. But
+the Florentine magistrates wisely declined to part from these objects of
+art, which were now the property of the nation, and after Christmas
+Caradosso went on to Rome. He arrived there to find the French army in
+possession of the city and everything in the greatest confusion, but in
+the end succeeded in securing several valuable antiques. The cardinals,
+to whom Caradosso obtained introductions through Ascanio Sforza, were
+glad to ingratiate themselves with the powerful Duke of Milan at this
+critical moment, and the artist was able to inform his master that
+Cardinal di Monreale had given him a marble Leda&mdash;a really good antique,
+though some limbs of it were missing&mdash;and that other prelates had made
+him liberal offers.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span>"The Cardinal of Parma asked me yesterday what brought me to Rome. I
+told him I had come, by your Excellency's desire, to see if I could find
+any beautiful works in bronze or marble that were to be had for gold.
+Monsignore asked me if you really cared for these things. I replied,
+'Yes, undoubtedly.' Upon which the Most Reverend informed me that he had
+an antique statue, and begged me to come and see if I thought that you
+would like it, as if so, he should be glad to send it as a present to
+your Excellency. I have seen it, and it is decidedly good.... Monsignore
+di Sanseverino has promised to show me some fine things, and I hear that
+Monsignore Colonna and the Cardinal of Siena have also some good things,
+but, unluckily, they are both of them away from Rome. Since I am here I
+must do my best to play the rogue. I hope to have enough to load a bark
+shortly, and send statues to Genoa and to Milan. Meanwhile I should be
+glad if you would write and thank the Cardinal of Parma for his statue,
+because it may induce him to send you some more fine works of art, and
+your gratitude may lead others, who are anxious to gain your
+Excellency's favour, to follow his example and send you some more
+beautiful objects, so that the world may become aware how far you
+surpass all other princes both in magnanimity and in the delight which
+you take in this most laudable pursuit. On my return to Florence, I will
+make another effort to obtain some of the precious objects which I saw
+there, and perhaps this time affairs may be in better order, and I may
+be more successful in obeying the orders of your Excellency, to whom I
+commend myself.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+<span style="padding-right: 8em;">"Your servant,</span><br />
+<span class="smcap" style="padding-right: 2em;">Caradosso de Mundo.</span></p>
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Roma, February, 1495."</span>
+<br />
+
+<p>No one sympathized more truly with Lodovico's passion for collecting
+antiques, or appreciated the treasures of art which he had brought
+together in the Castello, more fully than Isabella d'Este. As before,
+this brilliant princess charmed all hearts at Milan. When she asked a
+favour, whether it was of Count Pallavicino or Madonna Cecilia, of
+Messer Lorenzo or Gian Bellini, no one could refuse her prayer. When she
+received the Venetian ambassadors, the grace and gallantry of her
+bearing were irresistible. Whatever <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span>she did was done well. Her high
+spirits never failed, her strength never seemed to tire. She could ride
+all day and dance all night. She could answer Gaspare Visconti's verses
+in impromptu rhymes, and keep up animated literary controversies with
+Niccolo da Correggio and Messer Galeaz, or discuss grave political
+questions with the duke in the wisest and most sagacious manner. "As
+usual," wrote her secretary Capilupi, "Madonna's gracious ways and
+lively conversation have charmed every one here, most of all the Signor
+Duca, who calls her his dear daughter, and always makes her dine with
+him."</p>
+
+<p>If Lodovico took pleasure in Isabella's company, Beatrice's warm heart
+glowed with tender affection for the sister whose presence recalled her
+dead mother and the home of her youth, while Isabella's love for
+children could not resist the advances of her little nephew Ercole, who
+followed his aunt about the rooms of the Castello and made her laugh
+till the tears ran down her cheeks. But the happy peace of these days
+was destined to be rudely disturbed. Suddenly, on the last day of the
+month, news reached Milan that the King of France had entered Naples and
+been crowned King of the Sicilies in the cathedral on the 22nd of
+February. The young king Ferrante had fled to Ischia with the rest of
+the royal family, and throughout his dominions the people flocked out
+along the roads to hail the victor's coming, and welcomed him with
+shouts of joy. Great was the consternation at the Milanese court that
+evening, and Isabella wrote to her husband&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"So complete and sudden a downfall appears almost impossible both to
+this illustrious lord, the duke, and to us all. It would indeed have
+been impossible were it not a Divine judgment. This sad case must be an
+example to all the kings and powers of the world, and will, I hope,
+teach them to value the love of their subjects more than all their
+fortresses, treasures, and men-at-arms, for, as we see now, the
+discontent of the people is more dangerous to a monarch than all the
+might of his enemies on the battle-field."</p>
+
+<p>The bad news threw a gloom over the gay party in the Castello. All the
+pleasure and feasting of the Carnival, all the mirth of the dancing and
+feasting, died away. Isabella and Beatrice thought sadly of their cousin
+Ferrante, the chivalrous <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span>young prince who was a favourite with all his
+kinsfolk, and his sister, the widowed Duchess Isabella, shed bitter
+tears over this fresh sorrow. Even comedies and pageants lost their old
+gaiety and became dull and tedious. "To me this Carnival seems a
+thousand years long," sighed Isabella d'Este, in a letter to her
+husband, deploring her prolonged absence and complaining that the duke
+would not allow her to leave before a certain day, fixed by his
+astrologer. By the middle of March, however, she returned to Mantua,
+followed by the most sincere regrets and liveliest expressions of
+affection on the part of both her sister and brother-in-law.</p>
+
+<p>"In all her actions," wrote Lodovico to the Marquis of Mantua, "this
+worthy Madonna has shown so much charm and excellence, that, although we
+rejoice to think you will soon enjoy her presence, we cannot but feel
+great regret at the loss of her sweet company, and when she leaves us
+to-morrow, I must confess we shall seem to be deprived of a part of
+ourselves."</p>
+
+<p>And a week later Beatrice wrote to her sister, "I cannot tell you often
+enough how strange and sad the departure of your Highness has seemed to
+me this time. Wherever I turn, in the house or out-of-doors, I seem to
+see your face before my eyes, and when I find myself deceived, and
+realize that you are really gone, you will understand how sore my
+distress has been&mdash;nay, how great it still is. And you, I think, will
+have felt the same grief, because of the love between us. Even little
+Ercole misses you, and keeps on asking continually in his childish
+fashion for his aunt, and crying '<i>Cia, cia!</i>' and he seems quite lost
+when he cannot find you anywhere."<a name="FNanchor_59_59" id="FNanchor_59_59"></a><a href="#Footnote_59_59" class="fnanchor">[59]</a></p>
+
+<p>Beatrice's strange and sad forebodings were destined to prove all too
+true. That was Isabella's last visit to her brother-in-law's court, and
+the sisters never met again. When, thirteen years afterwards, the
+Marchesa returned once more to Milan and danced in the halls of the
+Castello, she came as the guest of Louis XII., the king who had
+conquered Lodovico's fair duchy and brought about the ruin of the house
+of Sforza. Beatrice had long been dead, her children were in exile, and
+the Moro was wearing his heart out in lonely captivity within the gloomy
+prison walls of Loches.</p>
+
+<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_57_57" id="Footnote_57_57"></a><a href="#FNanchor_57_57"><span class="label">[57]</span></a> Luzio-Renier, <i>op. cit.</i>, p. 622.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_58_58" id="Footnote_58_58"></a><a href="#FNanchor_58_58"><span class="label">[58]</span></a> C. dell'Acqua, <i>Lorenzo Gusnasco</i>, pp. 19, 20.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_59_59" id="Footnote_59_59"></a><a href="#FNanchor_59_59"><span class="label">[59]</span></a> Luzio-Renier, <i>op. cit.</i>, pp. 622, 623.</p></div>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 15%;" /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span>
+<br />
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII</h3>
+
+<div style="margin-left: 2em;">
+<p class="hang">Proclamation of the new league against France at Venice&mdash;Charles VIII.
+at Naples&mdash;Demoralization of the victors&mdash;Charles leaves Naples and
+returns to Rome&mdash;The Duke of Orleans refuses to give up Asti&mdash;Arrival of
+the imperial ambassadors at Milan&mdash;Lodovico presented with the ducal
+insignia&mdash;<i>F&ecirc;tes</i> in the Castello&mdash;The Duke of Orleans seizes
+Novara&mdash;Terror of Lodovico&mdash;Battle of Fornovo&mdash;Victory claimed by both
+parties&mdash;The French reach Asti&mdash;Isabella's trophies restored by
+Beatrice.</p>
+</div>
+
+<h3>1495</h3>
+
+
+<p>On the evening of the 27th of February, while the joy bells were ringing
+in the Milanese churches in honour of the French king's triumph, the
+duke sent for the Venetian ambassadors.</p>
+
+<p>"I have had bad news," he said. "Naples is lost, and the French king has
+been joyfully welcomed by the people. I am ready to do whatever the
+Republic desires. But there is no time to waste; we must act at once."</p>
+
+<p>All eyes now turned to Lodovico as the only man who could save Italy
+from the French invaders. The emperor and the Venetians had been urging
+him to declare war against France for the last eight weeks, and now
+Ferrante of Aragon, in his despair, appealed to him by the Sforza blood
+that flowed in both their veins to deliver him and his kingdom from the
+dominion of the foreigner. The duke himself could not feel safe as long
+as Louis of Orleans remained at Asti, and declared that he was ready to
+place himself at the head of a league for the defence of Italy. He wrote
+to congratulate Commines, the French ambassador at Venice, on his
+master's success, but the same day he sent the Bishop of Como and
+Francesco Bernardino Visconti to Venice, there to negotiate a new league
+between himself, the Signoria, the Pope, the King <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span>of the Romans, and
+the King and Queen of Spain. The presence of the German and Spanish
+ambassadors, as well as the arrival of the two new Milanese envoys,
+excited Commines' suspicions, while the long faces and terror-struck air
+of the Venetian senators, when the news from Naples arrived, reminded
+him of the Romans after the defeat of Cann&aelig;. But so well was the secret
+kept that he knew nothing of the league until after it had been signed,
+late on the night of the 31st of March, in the bedchamber of the old
+Doge. Early the next morning he was summoned to the palace, and, in the
+presence of a hundred senators, solemnly informed of the new treaty.</p>
+
+<p>"Magnificent ambassador," said the prince, "our friendship for your
+master makes it our duty to inform you of all that concerns the state.
+Know, then, that yesterday, in the name of the Holy Spirit, of the
+glorious Virgin Mary, and the blessed Evangelist Monsignore S. Marco,
+our patron, a league has been concluded for the protection of the Church
+and the defence of the Holy Roman Empire and your own states, between
+his Holiness the Pope, his Majesty the King of the Romans, the King and
+Queen of Spain, our Signoria, and the Duke of Milan. Tell this, we pray
+you, to your Most Christian Majesty." Before the prince had done
+speaking, Commines heard the bells of St. Mark's ringing to celebrate
+the new league, and, still dazed by the unexpected news, he stammered
+out, "What will happen to my king? Will he be able to return to France?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly," replied the prince, "if he comes as a friend to the
+league."</p>
+
+<p>Without another word, Commines left the palace, but as he went down the
+grand staircase, he asked the secretary who accompanied him to repeat
+the Doge's words, since he could hardly take them in. Then he told his
+gondoliers to row him back to his house, near S. Giorgio Maggiore, and
+on the way he met the ambassador of Naples, in a fine new robe, with a
+smiling face, as he well might have, "for this," adds Commines, "was
+great news for him." Marino Sanuto, who narrates the incident, was much
+struck by Commines' rage and dismay, and, like a true Venetian, remarks
+contemptuously, "He did not know how to dissimulate his feelings, as one
+should do in such a case." And, in <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span>the same spirit, he goes on to
+admire the presence of mind displayed by the Milanese ambassadors, who
+to all Commines' remonstrances replied courteously, that of course their
+duke had nothing to do with all this. "They acted," he adds, "as the
+wise act in the government of states. They persuade their enemies that
+they mean to do one thing, and then they do another."</p>
+
+<p>At night all Venice was illuminated, and from his covered gondola the
+French ambassador saw the fireworks and the banquetings that were held
+at the palaces of the other envoys. He understood what it all meant, and
+trembled for his king's safety. But he lost no time, and sent warnings
+both to Orleans at Asti and to Charles at Naples, of the coming storm. A
+week or two later he left Venice, and went to meet Charles at Florence.
+On Palm Sunday, the 10th of April, the League was solemnly proclaimed on
+the Piazza of St. Mark, and all the ambassadors marched in procession
+round the square, while images of united Italy, and of all the kings and
+princes of the League, were carried about in triumph, and the golden
+rose was given by the Pope to the Venetian ambassador in Rome. "To-day,"
+said the Duke of Milan, "will see the dawn of the peace and prosperity
+of Italy."</p>
+
+<p>King Charles, meanwhile, unconscious of the dangers that threatened to
+impede his return home, was revelling in the delights of Naples, and
+holding jousts and banquets in the sunny gardens and fair palaces of
+that enchanted bay. "My brother," he wrote to the Duke of Bourbon, "this
+is the divinest land and the fairest city that I have ever seen. You
+would never believe what beautiful gardens I have here. So delicious are
+they, and so full of rare and lovely flowers and fruits, that nothing,
+by my faith, is wanting, except Adam and Eve, to make this place another
+Eden."</p>
+
+<p>While the king and his nobles were eating off gold and silver plate and
+drinking out of jewelled goblets in King Alfonso's tapestried halls, the
+French soldiers were to be seen lying about in the streets, intoxicated
+with the strong and luscious wines of Southern Italy. The whole army was
+given over to luxury and vice, and the outrages which the troops
+committed <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span>soon made them hated by the fickle populace, who a few weeks
+before had welcomed them as deliverers from the tyrant's yoke. "From the
+moment of the king's arrival until his departure," writes Commines, "he
+thought of nothing but pleasure, and those about him only cared to seek
+their own profit. His youth may excuse him, but for his servants there
+could be no excuse." The news of the league between the powers came to
+startle Charles out of this fool's paradise. On the 8th of April, the
+Count of Caiazzo was suddenly recalled to Milan, and when Charles asked
+Lodovico to send him Messer Galeazzo instead, the duke replied curtly
+that he had need of him at home. By degrees the king began to realize
+the formidable combination which had arisen against him, and prepared to
+march northward with the bulk of his army, leaving the Duke of
+Montpensier with a few hundred French troops and some thousand Swiss
+mercenaries to defend his newly conquered kingdom. On the 20th of May,
+he finally left Naples, and on the 1st of June entered Rome by the Latin
+gate, two days after the Pope had fled to Orvieto. Almost at the same
+moment, King Ferrante returned to Calabria, and his subjects flocked to
+join the old banner of the house of Aragon.</p>
+
+<p>Lodovico's first step was to send Galeazzo di Sanseverino with a body of
+newly raised troops against Asti, on the 19th of April, and to summon
+the Duke of Orleans to surrender the town and to drop the title of Duke
+of Milan. In this he was supported by the Emperor Maximilian, who sent
+an imperious order to Louis forbidding him to assume the title, on pain
+of forfeiting his fief of Asti. Orleans replied proudly that Asti formed
+part of his heritage, and that he was ready to defend it to the last
+drop of his blood against Signor Lodovico or any other foe. At the same
+time he sent an urgent appeal to the Duke of Bourbon for reinforcements,
+and prepared to act on the offensive.</p>
+
+<p>On the 14th of the same month, the Duke of Milan wrote a gay letter to
+Isabella d'Este, informing her of his intention to attack Asti, and
+regretting that she was not present to join the expedition on her fleet
+charger. But Asti was too strongly fortified, and the forces under
+Galeazzo were too raw and ill paid, for him to attempt an assault; so he
+remained in his camp at <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span>Annona, and contented himself with cutting off
+the supplies of the beleaguered city.</p>
+
+<p>Towards the end of April, the imperial envoys were at length despatched
+with the long-promised privileges, and in the middle of May they reached
+Milan, where they were magnificently entertained by the duke and duchess
+in the Castello. On the 26th of May, the festival of S. Felicissimo, the
+great ceremony took place. An imposing tribunal, hung with crimson satin
+embroidered with gold mulberry leaves and berries, was erected for the
+occasion on the piazza at the doors of the Duomo, and here, after
+attending high mass, Lodovico Sforza was solemnly proclaimed Duke of
+Milan, Count of Pavia and Angera, by the grace of God and the will of
+his Cesarean Majesty, Maximilian, Emperor-elect and chief of the Holy
+Roman Empire. The imperial delegates, Melchior, Bishop of Brixen, and
+Conrad St&uuml;rzl, Chancellor of the King of the Romans, first read aloud
+the privileges in their master's name, and then invested Lodovico with
+the ducal cap and mantle, and placed the sceptre and sword of state in
+his hands. Giasone del Maino, the celebrated Pavian jurist, recited a
+Latin oration, after which the duke, accompanied by the imperial
+ambassadors, and followed by the duchess and a brilliant suite of
+courtiers and ladies, rode in procession to the ancient basilica of S.
+Ambrogio to return thanks for his accession. Then the whole company
+returned, "with immense rejoicing and triumph," to the Castello, where a
+series of splendid <i>f&ecirc;tes</i> were given in honour of the occasion, and
+rich presents were made to the imperial ambassadors and court officials.
+Two days afterwards another imposing ceremony was held in the Castello,
+when the heads of houses from the different quarters of the city were
+assembled, and each citizen in turn swore fealty, first to Duke Lodovico
+and afterwards to Duchess Beatrice, whom, in the event of his own death,
+he had appointed to be regent of the State and guardian of his sons. The
+Marquis of Mantua was among the guests present, and Beatrice felt the
+keenest regret that the marchioness was unable to accompany him and
+witness the wonderful scene before the Duomo, which, she exclaims in her
+youthful enthusiasm," was the grandest spectacle and noblest solemnity
+that our eyes have ever beheld."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span>It was the proudest day of Lodovico's life, and his adored wife, who
+shared the cares of State as well as the festivities of his court, might
+well join in his exultation. But his confidence in the favours of
+Fortune and in the security of his position was destined to receive a
+rude shock. Before the week was ended, on the very day when Beatrice
+wrote her triumphant letter to her sister, Louis of Orleans,
+strengthened by the arrival of fresh troops, made a successful sally
+from Asti at nightfall and appeared before the walls of Novara. The
+citizens, who were already disaffected by reason of the oppressive
+exactions of the Duke of Milan, opened their gates, and after a short
+siege the citadel surrendered. Suddenly the Duke of Milan, who was
+resting after the fatigues of the recent festivities at Vigevano, heard
+that his rival, at the head of a strongly armed force, was within twenty
+miles of his palace gates. An irresistible panic seized him, and he
+retired, first to Abbiategrasso, beyond the Ticino, and then to Milan,
+where he took refuge in the Castello with his wife and children. The
+Venetian annalist Malipiero records how, on the 20th of June, two
+Lombard friars arrived at the convent of San Salvador in Venice,
+bringing word that the duke had fled in terror of his life to the Rocca,
+and would hardly see or speak to a single soul. "He is in bad health,
+with one hand paralyzed, they say, and is hated by all the people, and
+fears they will rise against him." In this critical moment, Beatrice
+showed a courage and presence of mind which contrasted curiously with
+her husband's weakness. She sent for the chief Milanese noblemen, spoke
+brave words to them, and took prompt measures for defending the Castello
+and city. Fortunately, the Venetian general, Bernardo Contarini, arrived
+on the 22nd of June at the head of several thousand Greek Stradiots to
+the duke's assistance, while the French were held in check by Galeazzo's
+force and compelled to remain within the walls of Novara. This momentary
+panic over, Lodovico recovered his health and nerve, but his treasury
+was exhausted by the large subsidies granted to his allies and the
+extravagant expenditure of the last two years, and the forced loans
+which he exacted from his subjects created a general feeling of
+discontent. Galeazzo's force was weakened by continual desertion, and
+the duke had great difficulty in raising sufficient <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span>money to maintain
+two separate armies. Rumours of the disaffection of the Milanese and of
+the perils which threatened his ally had reached Maximilian's ears at
+Worms, and on the 18th of June he sent Lodovico a grave warning by his
+envoy, Angelo Talenti, begging the duke to place German troops in the
+fortress of Lombardy, and to provide guards for the castles of Milan and
+Como, "in order that he may be able to sleep in peace." Two days later
+he spoke again to the envoy, and begged him to urge the duke to remove
+his womankind from the Castello to Cremona, where he heard that he had a
+fine palace, saying that the presence of women had often caused the loss
+of citadels. Perhaps, if Maximilian had known Duchess Beatrice as well
+as he did a year later, he would have thought this warning superfluous.
+Lodovico, however, thanked his Majesty for his thoughtfulness, and
+applied himself, with the help of Leonardo, to fortify the Castello of
+Milan and make it an impregnable citadel. That winter he had appointed
+Bernardino del Corte, one of his favourite and most devoted servants, to
+be governor of the Rocca, which held his treasure and jewels together
+with all his most precious possessions, and on the 12th of January, a
+fortnight before the birth of Beatrice's child, the new castellan had
+taken a solemn oath of fealty to the duke and duchess, swearing, with
+his hand on the crucifix, that he would hold the Castello for his liege
+lord and lady till his latest breath. Messer Galeazzo and his brother,
+Antonio Maria di Sanseverino, Giasone del Maino, Ambrogio di Rosate, the
+astrologer, Galeotto Prince of Mirandola, and Giovanni Adorno, a
+powerful Genoese nobleman, who had married a sister of the Sanseverini
+brothers, were all present in Beatrice's room in the Rocchetta on this
+occasion, and signed the document as witnesses of Bernardino's oath.</p>
+
+<p>Maximilian now sent his long-promised contingent of Swiss and German
+troops to join the Count of Caiazzo's horse, and the Venetian army,
+under the generalship of Gian Francesco Gonzaga, and the allied forces,
+amounting in all to some twenty-five thousand men, prepared to cut off
+the retreat of the French king and prevent his return to Asti. "Here I
+am," wrote the Marquis of Mantua to his wife, "at the head of the finest
+army <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span>which Italy has ever seen, not only to resist, but to exterminate
+the French." And Isabella wrote back in high spirits at the "great
+enterprise" that was before him, sending him a cross with an Agnus Dei
+to wear round his neck in battle, and telling him that her prayers and
+those of all the priests of Mantua were with him.</p>
+
+<p>On Sunday, the 5th of July, the French army, reduced by sickness and
+desertion to less than ten thousand in number, and fatigued by long
+forced marches across the Apennines, descended into the valley of the
+Taro, and encamped at the village of Fornovo, on the right bank of the
+mountain torrent. Further along the same bank, down in the plains, lay
+the army of the league, and, in order to reach Lombardy, the French had
+to cross the river in full view of the enemy's camp. Early on Monday
+morning, the 6th of July, Charles, mounted on his favourite charger,
+"Savoy," and wearing white and purple plumes in his cap, led the van of
+his army across the Taro, swollen as it was by the late heavy rains. At
+the same moment, the Marquis of Mantua and the Count of Caiazzo, at the
+head of their light cavalry, attacked the French rear-guard, and the
+battle began. Paolo Giovio describes the engagement that followed as the
+fiercest battle of the age, in which more blood was spilt than in any
+other during the last two hundred years, although Commines, who was
+present with his monarch, says that the actual fighting only lasted a
+quarter of an hour. On both sides the leaders fought with heroic
+courage. Charles VIII. himself repeatedly led the charge against the
+Milanese horse, and, calling on the chivalry of France to live or die
+with him, dashed into the thickest of the fray. Once mounted on his
+war-horse, and face to face with the foe, the ugly little deformed man
+became a true king, and risked his life and liberty at the head of his
+subjects. Francesco Gonzaga, on his part, performed prodigies of valour,
+and had three horses killed under him, while his uncle, Rodolfo Gonzaga,
+and many other gallant knights were left dead on the field. But personal
+exploits could not atone for his want of generalship, and while the
+marquis and his immediate followers were engaged in a desperate
+hand-to-hand fight with the foe, a large body of his reserve remained
+inactive on the banks of the Taro, and his <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span>Stradiots were engaged in
+plundering the French camp. The result was that, in spite of their
+superior numbers, the Italian ranks were broken and many of the
+Venetians fled in confusion towards Parma, while the French succeeded in
+crossing the river, and, early on Tuesday morning, continued their march
+across the Lombard plain. But, as the camp and baggage remained in the
+hands of the allies, the Italians claimed the victory. The Venetians
+celebrated their triumph with public rejoicings and illuminations on the
+Piazza of S. Marco, and lauded their brave captain to the skies. Both at
+Milan and Mantua there was great exultation when the news became known;
+poets and painters alike did honour to the victors: Sperandio designed
+his noble medal, and Mantegna painted the Madonna della Vittoria to
+immortalize Francesco Gonzaga's triumph. But the marquis himself,
+writing to his wife from the camp the day after the battle, remarks that
+if only others had fought as he and his followers did, the victory would
+have been complete, and laments the disobedience and cowardice of the
+Stradiots, who first plundered the enemy's camp and then fled, although
+no one pursued them. "These things," he adds, "have caused me the
+greatest grief that I have ever known."</p>
+
+<p>Lodovico's congratulations on the victory were coldly worded, and evoked
+a reply from his brother-in-law, saying that if he had foiled in
+courage, he would have been a dead man. But the duke could not forgive
+Gonzaga for allowing the French to pursue their way unmolested. Only the
+Count of Caiazzo and his brothers had attempted to follow them with
+their light cavalry, who were too few in number to do the enemy serious
+damage, and by the 8th of July, Charles and his tired army reached Asti
+in safety.</p>
+
+<p>"God Himself was our guide," devoutly ejaculates Commines, "and led us
+home with honour, as that good man Fra Girolamo of Florence had
+foretold. But, as he said truly, we were made to suffer for our sins,
+for we were in sore need of food, and so great was our want of water
+that men drank of the ditches along the road; but no one was heard to
+complain, although it was the hardest journey I ever took in my life,
+and I have had many bad ones."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span>Among the booty which fell into the hands of the marquis after the
+battle was the French king's tent with all its contents. These included
+a sword and helmet, said to have belonged to Charlemagne, a silver
+casket containing the royal seals, besides a set of rich hangings and
+altar-plate, and a jewelled cross and reliquary on which Charles set
+great value, because it held a sacred thorn and piece of wood from the
+holy cross, a vest of our Lady, and a limb of St. Denis, which were
+objects of his especial devotion. Many of these relics were eventually
+restored to the king, who, not to be outdone in courtesy, sent the
+marquis a favourite white horse of his, which had been captured by the
+French, gorgeously apparelled in gold trappings. Among the spoils sent
+to Mantua were a magnificent set of embroidered hangings from the royal
+tent, and a curious book of paintings, containing portraits of the chief
+Italian beauties who had fascinated King Charles. These, together with
+the hilt of the broken sword with which the marquis himself had fought
+in the <i>m&ecirc;l&egrave;e</i>, were joyfully received by Isabella, who counted these
+trophies among her proudest possessions. She was, accordingly, a good
+deal annoyed when, a week later, her husband desired her to send back
+the French king's hangings, as he wished to give them to her sister
+Beatrice. Her protest on this occasion is very characteristic.</p>
+
+<br />
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Most Illustrious Lord</span>,</p>
+
+<p>"Your Excellency has desired me to send the four pieces of drapery that
+belonged to the French king, in order that you may present them to the
+Duchess of Milan. I of course obey you, but in this instance I must say
+I do it with great reluctance, as I think these royal spoils ought to
+remain in our family, in perpetual memory of your glorious deeds, of
+which we have no other record here. By giving them to others, you appear
+to surrender the honour of the enterprise with these trophies of the
+victory. I do not send them to-day, because they require a mule, and I
+also hope that you will be able to make some excuse to the duchess and
+tell her, for instance, that you have already given me these hangings.
+If I had not seen them already, I should not have cared so much; <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span>but
+since you gave them to me in the first place, and they were won at the
+peril of your own life, I shall only give them up with tears in my eyes.
+All the same, as I said before, I will obey your Excellency, but shall
+hope to receive some explanation in reply. If these draperies were a
+thousand times more valuable than they are, and had been acquired in any
+other way, I should gladly give them up to my sister the duchess, whom,
+as you know, I love and honour with all my heart. But, under the
+circumstances, I must own it is very hard for me to part with them.</p>
+
+<p style="margin-left: 2em;">"Mantua, July 24, 1495."</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>In this case Beatrice showed herself, as she habitually was, the more
+generous of the two. The marquis had his way, and sent the four hangings
+to Milan, followed by a fifth belonging to the suite, which he had in
+the mean time recovered.</p>
+
+<p>On the 25th of August, Beatrice, having duly received and admired her
+brother-in-law's gift, sent them all back to Mantua, with the following
+note, thanking him for his kindness, but declining to accept a present
+that she felt belonged of right to her sister:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I have to-day received, by your Highness's courier, one of the pieces
+of drapery belonging to the King of France. Andrea Cossa had already
+brought me the other four, for which I thank you exceedingly; but I feel
+that, under the circumstances, I ought not to keep them. As it is, I
+have great pleasure in seeing them all together, and now your Highness
+can give them back to the Marchesana."<a name="FNanchor_60_60" id="FNanchor_60_60"></a><a href="#Footnote_60_60" class="fnanchor">[60]</a></p>
+
+<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_60_60" id="Footnote_60_60"></a><a href="#FNanchor_60_60"><span class="label">[60]</span></a> Luzio-Renier, <i>op. cit.</i>, pp. 632, 633.</p></div>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 15%;" /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span>
+<br />
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV</h3>
+
+<div style="margin-left: 2em;">
+<p class="hang">Ferrante II. recovers Naples&mdash;Siege of Novara by the army of the league&mdash;Review
+of the army by the Duke and Duchess of Milan&mdash;Charles VIII.
+visits Turin and comes to Vercelli&mdash;Negotiations for peace&mdash;Lodovic and
+Beatrice at the camp&mdash;Treaty of Vercelli concluded between France and
+Milan&mdash;Jealousy of the other Powers&mdash;Commines at Vigevano&mdash;Zenale's
+altar-piece in the Brera.</p>
+</div>
+
+<h3>1495</h3>
+
+
+<p>If the failure of the league to cut off the French king's return to
+Fornovo had disappointed Lodovico, he found compensation in the news
+that reached Milan from Naples. Hardly had Charles VIII. started on his
+march northwards, than Ferrante once more set foot in his own realm and
+received a joyful welcome from his subjects. On the 7th of July, the day
+after the battle of the Taro, he entered Naples, where the people took
+up arms in his favour, and the nobles who had been the first to join the
+French king hastened to assure him of their loyalty. One by one the
+castles in the neighbourhood surrendered to their rightful king, and
+Montpensier with the remnant of his forces retired into the Calabrian
+fastnesses, to carry on a petty war of depredation and skirmishes during
+the winter months. Lodovico hastened to impart the good news to his
+sister-in-law Isabella, who replied in the following letter:&mdash;</p>
+
+<br />
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Most illustrious Duke of Milan and dear Lord</span>,</p>
+
+<p>"The news of King Ferrante's entry into Naples, which your Highness was
+so good as to send me, has given me the greatest pleasure, both for his
+Majesty's own sake and for that of your Highness, since it seems to me
+that all this must help to deliver us the more speedily from the hands
+of the French. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span>So I congratulate myself with your Excellency, and thank
+you with all my heart for your kindness in allowing me to share the good
+news, which has indeed given me the greatest happiness. I only hope that
+you may soon receive tidings of the recovery of Novara, and begging you
+to keep me informed of your successes, and to commend me cordially to my
+sister the duchess,</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+<span style="padding-right: 8em;">"I remain, your daughter and servant,</span><br />
+<span class="smcap" style="padding-right: 2em;">Isabella da Este."</span><a name="FNanchor_61_61" id="FNanchor_61_61"></a><a href="#Footnote_61_61" class="fnanchor">[61]</a></p>
+<p style="margin-left: 2em;">"Written with my own hand in Mantua on the 16th of July, 1495."</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>The siege of Novara, where the Duke of Orleans had been beleagured since
+the middle of June, was now the centre of interest in Lombardy.
+Immediately after Fornovo, the Count of Caiazzo's cavalry had joined his
+brother Galeazzo's force before Novara, and on the 19th of July the
+Marquis of Mantua encamped under the walls with the Venetian army. The
+garrison of the besieged city was six or seven thousand strong, and well
+provided with arms and ammunition, but already supplies of food were
+scarce, and men and horses were dying of sickness and hunger. Some
+dissensions having arisen between Francesco Gonzaga and the other
+leaders as to the conduct of the siege, the Duke of Milan himself
+visited the camp of the league on the 3rd of August, bringing with him,
+says Guicciardini, his beloved wife&mdash;"<i>la sua carissima consorte</i>"&mdash;who
+was his companion "no less in matters of importance than in actions
+familiar, and who on this occasion, it is said, chiefly by her advice
+and counsel brought the captains to an agreement." A council of war was
+held, and Lodovico's recommendation to blockade the town instead of
+carrying it by assault was finally adopted. On the 5th of August the
+duke and duchess were present at a grand review of the whole army,
+which, with Galeazzo's troops and the German and Swiss reinforcements,
+now amounted to upwards of forty thousand men. Never in the memory of
+man, say the chroniclers, had so great and splendid an army been seen in
+Italy as that which, with flying colours and beating drums, to the sound
+of trumpets and martial music, marched past the chariot of Duchess
+Beatrice. First came the hero of Fornovo, Francesco Gonzaga, at the head
+of his troop of horse, mounted on magnificent chargers, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span>"a sight
+admirable to behold;" then the infantry, all in excellent order, led by
+their different Condottieri, in glittering armour; afterwards the
+artillery, firing big guns, which seemed to rend the air; then the
+Stradiots armed with lances, targets, and scimitars, and the Venetian
+cross-bowmen and light cavalry. These were followed by Galeazzo di
+Sanseverino, who looked his best that day, clad in French attire as a
+knight of the Order of St. Michel&mdash;for which, we are told, he was
+sharply reprimanded by the duke&mdash;followed by the flower of Milanese
+chivalry, bearing in their midst the ducal banner with the figure of a
+Moor, holding an eagle in one hand and strangling a dragon with the
+other. After Messer Galeaz came his brothers, Antonio Maria and
+Fracassa, "<i>ce tr&egrave;s-beau et tr&egrave;s-gracieux gendarme</i>," as Commines calls
+him, each leading his own squadron; and finally the German infantry,
+consisting of some five or six thousand men.</p>
+
+<p>"It was indeed," writes the Neapolitan scholar, Jacopo d'Atri, who was
+in attendance on his master, the Marquis of Mantua, "a stupendous sight,
+and all who were present say that since the days of the Romans, so vast
+and well-disciplined an army has never been seen." And the Marquis of
+Mantua, in his letters, never ceased to regret his wife's absence,
+telling her that she had missed the grandest sight in the world, a thing
+the like of which she would never see again.</p>
+
+<p>The only drawback to the day's success was an accident which befell the
+duke's horse, who stumbled and fell as Lodovico passed along the lines,
+throwing his rider to the ground, and soiling his rich clothes in the
+mud. "This," remarks the chronicler who tells the story, "was held to be
+an evil omen, and was remembered afterwards by many who were present
+that day." After this review, the duke and duchess returned to Vigevano,
+and the siege of Novara was prosecuted with fresh vigour. In vain Louis
+of Orleans and his famished soldiers looked out for the French army that
+was to bring them relief. King Charles had gone to visit his ally the
+Duchess of Savoy at Turin, and was consoling himself for the toil and
+disappointments of the campaign by making love to fair Anna Solieri in
+the neighbouring town of Chieri. Since his reduced forces were unequal
+to the task of facing the army of the league and relieving Novara, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span>he
+sent the bailiff of Dijon to raise a body of twelve thousand Swiss in
+the Cantons friendly to France, and decided to await their arrival
+before he took active measures.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile he and most of his followers were thoroughly tired of warfare,
+and the queen never ceased imploring him to return home. The French
+supplies of men and money were exhausted, and when Charles sent home for
+reinforcements, Anne of Brittany replied that there were no Frenchmen
+left to send, only widows weeping for their husbands, whose bones were
+whitening on the Italian plains. The Venetian ambassador, Commines, who
+was strongly in favour of peace, had already opened negotiations with
+some of his friends in Venice, and Charles lent a willing ear both to
+his proposals and to those of the Duchess of Savoy, who on her part
+offered to mediate between him and the Duke of Milan. But Briconnet, the
+Cardinal of S. Malo, Lodovico's old enemy and a staunch partisan of
+Orleans, defeated these plans by his intrigues, and the French army,
+leaving Asti, advanced to Vercelli, in the duchy of Savoy, and prepared
+to take the field. Both parties, however, were growing weary of this
+prolonged warfare, and Commines declares that in the French camp no one
+wanted to fight, unless the king led them to battle, and that Charles
+himself had not the slightest wish to take the field.</p>
+
+<p>At length, early in September, the first detachment of Swiss levies
+reached Vercelli, and on the 12th the king himself arrived in the camp.
+His first act was to hold a council of war, which decided in favour of
+peace, and Commines was sent to treat with the Marquis of Mantua. The
+allies insisted on the unconditional surrender of Novara, while Charles
+VIII. asked for the restitution of Genoa as an ancient fief of the
+French crown. Nothing was concluded, but a truce of eight days was
+agreed upon, and prolonged conferences were held at a castle between
+Vercelli and Cameriano.</p>
+
+<p>On the 21st of September, Lodovico returned to the camp of the league,
+bringing Beatrice with him, and rode out to meet the French
+commissioners. Commines gives a minute account of the conferences, which
+took place in the duke's lodgings at Cameriano during the next
+fortnight.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span>"Every day the duke and duchess came to meet us at the end of a long
+gallery and conducted us to their rooms, where we found two long rows of
+chairs prepared, and we sat down on one side, and the representatives of
+the league on the other. First came the ambassadors of the King of the
+Romans and the King of Spain; then the Marquis of Mantua and the
+Venetian Provveditori and envoy; then the Duke of Milan and his wife the
+duchess, seated between him and the ambassador of Ferrara. On their
+side, the duke was the only spokesman, and on our side one only. But our
+habit is not to speak as quietly as they do; two or three of us often
+began to speak at the same time, which made the duke say, 'Ho! ho! if
+you please, one at a time.' And two secretaries, one of ours and one of
+theirs, wrote down the articles agreed upon, and before we took leave,
+read them aloud, the one in Italian, the other in French, to see if
+there was anything that could be altered or shortened."</p>
+
+<p>Beatrice was present at all the deliberations, and surprised the other
+commissioners by her cleverness and quickness, and the ready tact she
+invariably showed. The duke was now sincerely anxious for peace, and
+only cared to recover Novara, and to see the French safely out of his
+dominions, where the presence of Louis of Orleans could not fail to
+prove a disturbing element. Both he and Commines directed all their
+efforts to bring matters to a favourable conclusion, but the other
+commissioners made difficulties, and the Venetian, Spanish, and German
+ambassadors would decide nothing without consulting their separate
+governments. The evacuation of Novara, however, was unanimously agreed
+upon, and on the 26th of September, Orleans and his garrison marched out
+with the honours of war, and were escorted by Messer Galeaz and the
+Marquis of Mantua to the French outposts. More than two thousand men had
+already died of sickness and starvation. Almost all their horses had
+been eaten, and the survivors were in a miserable plight. Many perished
+by the roadside, and Commines found fifty troopers in a fainting
+condition in a garden at Cameriano, and saved their lives by feeding
+them with soup. Even then one man died on the spot, and four others
+never reached the camp. Three hundred more died at Vercelli, some of
+sickness, others from over-eating themselves after <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span>the prolonged
+starvation which they had endured, and the dung-hills of the town were
+strewn with dead corpses. Yet still Orleans, who, as Commines remarks,
+had caused all this mischief, was eager for war, and entreated the king
+to make no terms with Signor Lodovico. He had a strong supporter in the
+Milanese captain, Jean Jacques Trivulzio, who had entered the French
+king's service after Alfonso's flight from Naples, and had never
+forgotten his old griefs against Lodovico and his son-in-law. And on the
+selfsame day that Novara was evacuated, the bailiff of Dijon arrived at
+Vercelli with ten or twelve thousand more Swiss mercenaries, bringing up
+the whole number to upwards of twenty thousand. So large a body had
+never been assembled before, and the presence of these rude
+mountaineers, greedy for spoil and ready to quarrel with friends or
+foes, created general alarm. The Duke of Milan was now more eager than
+ever to conclude peace, and when Louis of Orleans and Trivulzio urged
+the king to break off negotiations and march at the head of the Swiss on
+Milan, Charles replied curtly that it was too late, for the
+preliminaries of peace were already signed. He himself had no wish but
+to return home and send help to his distressed troops in Naples.</p>
+
+<p>Accordingly, on the 9th of October a separate convention was concluded
+between the King of France and the Duke of Milan, leaving the other
+Powers to settle their differences among themselves. Novara was restored
+to Lodovico, and his title to Genoa and Savona recognized, while Charles
+renounced the support of his cousin Louis of Orleans' claims upon Milan.
+In return the duke promised not to assist Ferrante with troops or ships,
+to give free passage to French armies, and assist the king with Milanese
+troops if he returned to Naples in person. He further renounced his
+claim on Asti, and agreed to pay the Duke of Orleans 50,000 ducats as a
+war indemnity, and lend the king two ships as transports for his
+soldiers from Genoa to Naples. A debt of 80,000 ducats, that was still
+owing to Lodovico, was cancelled, and the Castelletto of the port of
+Genoa was placed in the Duke of Ferrara's hands, as a security that
+these engagements would be kept on both sides. The king, we learn from
+Commines, still retained a friendly feeling <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span>for the Duke of Milan, and
+invited him to a meeting before he left Italy; but Lodovico had taken
+umbrage at certain offensive remarks made by the Count of Ligny and
+Cardinal Briconnet, and excused himself on plea of illness, while he
+declared in private that he would not trust himself in the French king's
+company unless a river ran between them. "It is true," says Commines,
+"that foolish words had been spoken, but the king meant well, and wished
+to remain his friend."</p>
+
+<p>The Marquis of Mantua was better disposed towards his Most Christian
+Majesty, and gladly accepted an invitation to visit the king at Vercelli
+before his departure. He wrote to his wife in great haste, begging her
+to send him his finest linen shirts and best gold brocade vest and
+mantle, together with different sorts of choice perfumes, and the next
+day duly made his obeisance to the king. He was highly gratified at the
+courtesy with which he was received, and at the familiar way in which
+his Majesty conversed, not only with himself, but with his servants,
+"treating them exactly as if they were his equals" and condescending to
+lift his hand to his cap each time they saluted him." What impressed
+this rough soldier most of all was the sight of three cardinals standing
+among the crowd at the door, "just as the chaplains may be seen in any
+other house," and among them the cardinal of S. Pietro in Vincula
+(afterwards Julius II.), "who dares contend with the Pope, and who yet
+stood here in the humblest and most respectful fashion." Before the
+marquis left, the king made him a present of two valuable bay horses,
+remarkable for their fine shape and speed. One of the two was an
+excellent jumper, and delighted Francesco by the way in which he could
+clear wide trenches and lofty fences at a single bound, "jumping with
+all four feet in the air at once."</p>
+
+<p>At the same time Gonzaga's secretary, Jacopo d'Atri, informed the
+Marchesa that the priest Bernardino d'Urbino and a troop of Mantuan
+singers had been sent that evening to amuse the king. Charles questioned
+the chaplain closely about his master's wife, asking for an exact
+description of her person, height, and features, and being especially
+anxious to learn if Isabella at all resembled the Duchess Beatrice, and
+if, like that illustrious lady, she was as charming and gracious as she
+was <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span>beautiful. Don Bernardino replied discreetly that the Marchesa was,
+to say the truth, even more beautiful than her sister, and surpassed all
+other ladies by her charm and brilliancy. This roused the king's
+curiosity to the highest pitch, and he insisted on having a full and
+particular account of Isabella's talents and accomplishments, as well as
+of the gowns she usually wore and the fashion of her clothes, and
+rejoiced to hear she was not very tall, since he himself was short of
+stature and admired small women. "In short," adds the secretary, "his
+Majesty appeared quite in love with my description of your Excellency,
+and if he meets you, will, I am sure, seek to kiss your cheek, not once,
+but many times. And this being the case, I am glad to be able to tell
+you that the King of France is less deformed than people say."<a name="FNanchor_62_62" id="FNanchor_62_62"></a><a href="#Footnote_62_62" class="fnanchor">[62]</a></p>
+
+<p>The desired meeting, however, was never effected. Immediately peace was
+signed, Charles VIII. left Vercelli, crossed the Alps with the remnants
+of his army, and reached Lyons on the 7th of November. Commines,
+meanwhile, was sent on a further errand to Venice, where he vainly
+endeavoured to negotiate a treaty, but found the Signoria determined to
+maintain the cause of Ferrante of Naples. The Venetians were not sorry
+to disband their army and see the French cross the Alps; but none the
+less their indignation was great at the Duke of Milan's breach of faith
+in concluding a separate peace, and sharp words passed between the
+ambassadors of Spain and Naples and the Milanese envoy at Venice.</p>
+
+<p>"The best thing, in my opinion," remarks the annalist Malipiero, "would
+have been for Contarini to give the Stradiots orders to cut to pieces
+both Duke Lodovico and Ercole of Ferrara, who are the Signory's worst
+enemies. And the truth is, you should never take part in another's
+quarrel, or enter the country of a foreign ally, for in these matters no
+one is to be trusted."</p>
+
+<div class="img"><a name="imagep284" id="imagep284"></a>
+<a href="images/imagep284.jpg">
+<img border="0" src="images/imagep284.jpg" width="50%" alt="Altar piece" /></a><br />
+<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .2em;">Altar piece ascribed to Zenale with portraits of Lodovico
+Sforza and Beatrice d'Este (Brera)<br />D. Anderson.<span class="totoi"><a href="#toi">ToList</a></span></p>
+</div>
+
+<p>Maximilian, on his part, was satisfied with Lodovico's excuses, and
+owned that the duke was right to make peace without delay. As for
+Lodovico, it was with a deep sense of relief that he saw the departure
+of the last French troops. He invited <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span>the Duke of Ferrara, the
+Marquis of Mantua, and the Venetian Provveditori to Vigevano, and
+entertained them all magnificently. When, on his return from Venice,
+Commines in his turn visited Vigevano, the duke rode out to meet him
+with charming courtesy, and bade the French ambassador welcome to his
+beautiful country home. But when they came to business, it was another
+matter. Commines heard from Genoa that the two ships, which the Duke of
+Milan was to send to Naples with the French fleet, had received orders
+not to sail, and when he asked for an explanation, Lodovico told him
+that he could put no trust or confidence in his master the king. At the
+end of three days the ambassador took his leave, and just as he was
+starting on his journey, to his surprise the duke came up to him very
+civilly, and said that, after all, he wished to keep on friendly terms
+with his Most Christian Majesty, and had determined to send Messer
+Galeaz with the ships to Naples, and that before Commines reached Lyons
+he should receive a letter to this effect. So Commines crossed the Alps
+with a light heart, and all the way to Lyons he kept looking back, he
+tells us, in constant expectation of hearing the sound of horse's hoofs
+behind him. But the duke's messenger did not overtake him, and the ships
+never sailed from Genoa.</p>
+
+<p>That year the festival of Christmas was celebrated with great joy and
+splendour at the court of Milan. After the troubled times of the last
+twelve months, after the dangers which had threatened the very existence
+of the State, and brought the noise of war to the gates of Vigevano,
+peace and tranquillity were once more restored, and another era of
+unclouded prosperity seemed about to dawn. Now that poor Giangaleazzo
+was dead, and Louis of Orleans had once more crossed the Alps, there was
+no one to dispute Lodovico's title or to prevent his son from eventually
+succeeding him on the throne. Once more he and Beatrice were free to
+devote themselves to the encouragement of learning and poetry, of
+painting and architecture; to watch Bramante and Leonardo at work, or
+read Dante and Petrarch together.</p>
+
+<p>That winter the altar-piece of the Brera, containing the portraits of
+the duke and his family, was painted by Zenale or some other Lombard
+master, for the church of S. Ambrogio in <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span>Nemo. Here the Madonna and
+Child are enthroned in the centre of the picture; the four Fathers of
+the Church, Ambrose, Augustine, Jerome, and Gregory, stand on either
+side; and in the foreground, kneeling at the foot of the throne, are the
+Duke and Duchess of Milan, with their two children. The Christ-child
+turns towards Lodovico, and St. Ambrose, the protector and patron saint
+of Milan, lays his hand on the shoulder of the duke, as, clad in rich
+brocades and wearing a massive gold chain round his neck, he clasps his
+hands in prayer. And the gentle Madonna stretches out her hand lovingly
+towards Beatrice, who kneels at her feet, with the long coil of twisted
+hair, and the pearls on her head and neck, and her favourite knots of
+ribbons fluttering from her shoulders or falling over the velvet stripes
+of her yellow satin robe. Close at her side is the infant prince,
+Francesco Sforza, with his baby face and swaddled clothes; while
+opposite, kneeling at his father's side, is the handsome little Count of
+Pavia. Here, at least, there is no doubt that we have authentic
+portraits of both Lodovico Sforza and Beatrice d'Este, the reigning Duke
+and Duchess of Milan, towards the close of the year 1495. There is no
+mistaking the long black hair, the refined features, and long nose of
+the Moro, while in Beatrice's features we recognize the same youthful
+and child-like charm that mark her countenance in Cristoforo Romano's
+bust or Solari's effigy in the Certosa of Pavia.</p>
+
+<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_61_61" id="Footnote_61_61"></a><a href="#FNanchor_61_61"><span class="label">[61]</span></a> Luzio-Renier, <i>op. cit</i>., p. 627.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_62_62" id="Footnote_62_62"></a><a href="#FNanchor_62_62"><span class="label">[62]</span></a> Luzio-Renier, <i>op. cit.</i>, p. 630.</p></div>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 15%;" /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span>
+<br />
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV</h3>
+
+<div style="margin-left: 2em;">
+<p class="hang">The war of Pisa&mdash;Venice defends the liberties of Pisa against Florence&mdash;Lodovico
+invites Maximilian to enter Italy and succour the Pisans&mdash;The
+Duke and Duchess of Milan go to meet the emperor at Mals&mdash;Maximilian
+crosses the Alps and comes to Vigevano&mdash;His interview with the Venetian
+envoys&mdash;His expedition to Pisa.</p>
+</div>
+
+<h3>1496</h3>
+
+
+<p>"After Fornovo," wrote the Venetian Malipiero, "Lodovico Duke of Milan
+governed all things in Italy." The departure of the French had left him
+practically the arbiter between the other Powers, and afforded him fresh
+opportunities of satisfying his ambitious schemes. He had long cherished
+hopes of recovering the city of Pisa, upon which the Dukes of Milan had
+ancient claims, and in September, 1495, while Orleans still held Novara,
+he sent Fracassa, at the head of a band of Genoese archers, to help the
+Pisans defend their newly recovered liberties against the Florentines.
+Three months later Fracassa was recalled, in tardy compliance with the
+condition of the Treaty of Vercelli; but early in the following year,
+the Pisans, finding themselves deserted by the French, turned once more
+to Lodovico and implored his help. At the same time they sought
+assistance from the Signory of Venice, who, in March, 1496, publicly
+took the city of Pisa under the protection of St. Mark, and helped their
+new allies with liberal supplies of men and money. The Duke of Milan
+sent a small brigade to join these forces, and strongly encouraged the
+Venetians to bear the burden of a war from which in the end he hoped to
+reap solid advantage. But his secret jealousy of Venice, as well as
+rumours that Charles VIII. was meditating a second French expedition to
+relieve the distressed garrison of Naples, induced <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span>him to seek the help
+of a new ally In the person of the Emperor Maximilian.</p>
+
+<p>Early in the spring he sent the Marchesino Stanga across the Alps to
+invite Maximilian to come to the help of Pisa, which as an imperial city
+had already appealed to him for protection, assuring him that his
+presence in Italy would maintain the balance of power between Venice and
+Florence, and curb the French king's ambition. The prospect of
+descending upon Italy and assuming the imperial crown flattered
+Maximilian's vanity, but, as usual, his movements were hampered by lack
+of money. At length he agreed to meet the Duke of Milan on the frontier
+of Tyrol and the Valtellina, and discuss their future plan of operations
+together.</p>
+
+<p>On the 5th of July the emperor left Innsbr&uuml;ck for Nauders, and on the
+same day the duke and duchess, accompanied by Galeazzo di Sanseverino
+and the Count of Melzi, set out on their journey up the lake of Como to
+Bormio, in the Valtellina, On the 17th they reached the Abbey of Mals,
+"an ancient monastery," says Cagnola, "at the foot of those terrible
+mountains on the way to Germany;" and two days afterwards, received a
+message from Maximilian, informing the duke and duchess that he was
+about to pay them a visit, but begging them not to leave their lodgings,
+as he wished the meeting to be informal and without ceremony. Early on
+the morning of the 20th, the gay music of hunting-horns woke the
+mountain echoes, and a hunting-party suddenly appeared at the gates of
+the old Benedictine abbey. First came a hundred soldiers on foot,
+bearing long lances, then fifty German lords in hunting-garb, with
+falcons on their wrists. These were followed by his Imperial Majesty, a
+princely figure in his simple grey cloth tunic and black velvet cap,
+with a lion's skin hanging over his thighs, and the badge of the Golden
+Fleece on his breast. A troop of servants and pages, in the imperial
+liveries of red, white, and yellow, brought up the rear of the
+procession, that wound along the steep mountain-side and halted before
+the convent, where the Duke of Milan had his lodgings.</p>
+
+<p>The Venetian ambassador, Francesco Foscari, hearing of Maximilian's
+proposed visit, had, on Lodovico's invitation, followed him across the
+Alps, accompanied by the Cardinal of Santa <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span>Croce, the papal nuncio.
+Both these envoys waited on the emperor at Mals, and that evening
+Foscari's secretary, Conrade Vimerca, wrote the following account of the
+meeting between Maximilian and the duke and duchess in his despatches to
+Venice:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"His Majesty alighted with an eagerness which seemed to me only too
+great, and went upstairs, where he found the duke alone with the
+duchess, and spent half an hour in close and affectionate intercourse
+with them both. Afterwards they all three attended mass in the
+neighbouring church, and his Majesty appeared, leading the duchess with
+his right hand and the duke with his left, with such demonstrations of
+love and familiarity as can hardly be described. All three then rode on
+horseback to the emperor's lodgings at Colorno (Glurns), some eight
+miles distant, where his Majesty entertained the duke and duchess and
+all their suite at dinner under a pavilion, which had been erected under
+the trees. His Majesty insisted on both the duke and duchess washing
+their hands with him in the same bowl, and, sitting down between them at
+table, himself helped first one, then the other, from the endless
+variety of dishes spread out before them. All this he did with an ease
+and kindness beyond anything that I have ever seen in royal personages.
+Each time the duke spoke he took off his cap, and his Majesty did the
+same. After dinner they remained for some while in pleasant
+conversation, and then rode all three together to another place called
+Mals, one mile further off, his Majesty bearing all the expenses of the
+entertainment. To-morrow night they will remain together here, and there
+will be some time for discussion. I am quite sure," adds the Venetian
+secretary, "after this that we shall see his Majesty in Italy next
+August, and this you may hold to be absolutely certain. As for the King
+of France, they do not even mention his name or think of him any more
+than if he did not exist."</p>
+
+<p>Although the Signoria of Venice had joined the Duke of Milan in inviting
+Maximilian to come to Italy, and had promised him their assistance, they
+were secretly not a little alarmed at the prospect of another foreign
+invasion, fearing, as one of their chroniclers observes, that the
+Germans might prove to be even greater barbarians than the French. In
+the interview which Foscari had with the emperor at Mals, he endeavoured
+politely <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span>to dissuade him from entering Italy with a German army; but,
+as his secretary remarked, it was too late, for the Duke of Milan willed
+that he should come. Nor were the jealous Venetians altogether pleased
+to see the marks of friendship and confidence with which the German
+emperor honoured Lodovico and his wife. The familiarity with which
+Maximilian treated both the duke and duchess, and the evident pleasure
+which he took in their company, seemed little short of marvellous in the
+eyes of both Foscari and his secretary.</p>
+
+<p>The singular charm and intelligence of Beatrice made a deep impression
+upon Maximilian, who could not but contrast her brightness and
+cleverness with the dulness and ignorance of his own Milanese wife. And
+the duke's polished manners and cultured tastes could not fail to exert
+a powerful fascination upon a monarch whose genuine love of art and
+romance made him in his way as remarkable a type of the Renaissance as
+the Moro himself. Even apart from political considerations, this meeting
+between the two princes, that summer-time in the mountains of Tyrol, was
+an event of deep interest, and we can only regret that no record of
+Beatrice's impressions on this occasion has been left us.</p>
+
+<p>A conference between the emperor, the Duke of Milan, and the ambassadors
+was held on the evening of that eventful day, and the details of the
+convention between the allied powers was finally agreed upon. A new
+league, which Henry the Seventh of England was afterwards invited to
+join, was formed between the Emperor Maximilian, the Duke of Milan, the
+Pope, the King of Spain, and the Venetian Republic; and Venice and Milan
+promised Maximilian a subsidy of 16,000 ducats if he would cross the
+Alps with an army, and compel the Florentines to give up Pisa and
+Leghorn.</p>
+
+<p>On the following day, the Venetian ambassador and the papal legate took
+their leave, and Maximilian accompanied the duke and duchess over the
+Alps to Bormio, where he joined in a chamois-hunt, and then rode back
+with his retinue across the mountains to meet the empress at Tirano.
+Lodovico and Beatrice travelled back to Milan, where they kept the feast
+of the "glorious martyr St, Lawrence," on the 10th of August, with
+unwonted <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span>splendour, and then retired to Vigevano to prepare for the
+emperor's speedy return.</p>
+
+<p>Before the end of the month, Maximilian had once more crossed that
+"<i>crudelissima montagna</i>" of Braulio (Piz Umbrail), and was at Bellagio
+on the Lake of Como, where Fracassa received him, and with five other
+Milanese knights held a <i>baldacchino</i> over his head as he rode up to the
+Marchesino Stanga's Castle on the hills.</p>
+
+<p>"But he only brought six secretaries and two hundred horsemen with him,
+and as before was simply clad in a suit of grey cloth," remarks a
+Venetian writer: "the pettiest German baron would have come with more
+pomp!" A few days afterwards, the emperor went on to the ducal villa at
+Meda, near Como, where Lodovico met him with the Cardinal di Santa Croce
+and Foscari, and conducted him, on the 2nd of September, to see Duchess
+Beatrice at Vigevano. Here he remained for the next three weeks,
+enjoying the beauties of the Moro's favourite summer palace, and
+admiring the perfection of Lodovico's latest improvements&mdash;the clock
+recently constructed by Bramante, the marble capitals of the great hall,
+and the model farm and stables of the Sforzesca. Maximilian had
+originally intended to visit Milan, and the erection of a triumphal arch
+in the Roman style had been ordered by the duke, together with other
+decorations on a vast scale; but at the last moment this idea was
+abandoned. The Venetian, Marino Sanuto, unkindly suggests that the Moro
+would not allow the emperor to come to Milan, lest he should see Duchess
+Isabella's son, who was the rightful heir to the crown. In all
+probability the true reason lay in Maximilian's dislike of
+state-pageants, and his preference for the freedom and country pleasures
+of Vigevano. As he told the Venetian ambassador, he preferred to travel
+about in different places and enjoy himself in his own way. And His
+Majesty added, with a frankness by no means agreeable to Foscari and his
+government, that he had no need of his company, and he preferred to be
+alone, since Duke Lodovico, with whom he was very intimate, could tell
+him all that he wished to know. With which distinctly unpalatable piece
+of information the ambassador had to be content. Maximilian, he was
+compelled to acknowledge, had come to Italy as the sworn friend and ally
+of the Duke of Milan, and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span>the Republic must stoop to take the second
+place in the councils of the League.</p>
+
+<p>If Beatrice's charms had captivated the wise emperor at their first
+meeting in the mountains of the Valtellina, he found her a thousand
+times more fascinating at her beautiful country home, with her children
+in her arms. He took great interest in both her little boys, and begged
+that the elder of the two, Ercole, should bear the name of Maximilian,
+by which he became known in future days. In memory of this visit the
+emperor's portrait was introduced in the beautiful miniatures which
+illustrate Maximilian Sforza's Book of Prayers, or Libro di Ges&ugrave;, still
+preserved in the Trivulzian Library. Here the young count is represented
+on horseback, receiving his illustrious cousin, while the words of the
+Latin oration, which he is in the act of reciting, are illuminated on
+the front page.</p>
+
+<p>The Venetian Signory had decided to send two special ambassadors to
+congratulate the emperor on his arrival in Italy, and on the 14th these
+envoys, Antonio Grimani and Marco Morosini, reached Milan, where they
+were received by Galeazzo Sforza, Count of Melzi, and lodged in the
+Palazzo del Verme, then inhabited by Madonna Cecilia Gallerani and her
+husband Count Lodovico Bergamini, and lately decorated with frescoes and
+marbles at the duke's expense. Early the next day they travelled by boat
+to Abbiategrasso, past the fair villas and smiling gardens that charmed
+the eyes of Jean d'Auton when he travelled along the banks of the
+Ticino. Here Foscari, who was already in attendance on the emperor, came
+to meet them, and they rode into Vigevano, where they were received by
+the Count of Caiazzo and Galeotto della Mirandola, and listened in
+torrents of rain to a Latin oration that was delivered in Maximilian's
+name. It was already dark when the ambassadors reached the Castello, but
+the duke himself rode out to welcome them, and conducted them to their
+lodgings in the palace of his son-in-law, Galeazzo di Sanseverino. Here
+the duke's own daughter, Madonna Bianca, the youthful bride whom Messer
+Galeaz had brought home a few weeks before, entertained her father's
+guests, and bade them welcome in the name of her gallant husband, who
+was laid up with an attack of fever, and was <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span>unable to leave his room
+or attend to business. The next day the ambassadors were granted an
+audience, at which Marino Sanuto, as a member of Foscari's suite, was
+himself present. His Majesty, whom the Venetian described as a
+magnificent-looking man of thirty-seven, with long hair already turning
+white, and perfect manners, received them at the top of the grand
+staircase, on the first floor of the Castello. As usual, he was clad in
+black and wore a long velvet mantle, and a black woollen cap trimmed
+with cords in the French style, having taken a vow to wear no colours
+until he had defeated the Turks, while his sole ornament was a gold
+chain, with the badge of the Golden Fleece, which hung round his neck.
+He was seated on a da&iuml;s, draped with cloth of gold, with the Duke of
+Milan on his right hand, and the Cardinal di Santa Croce on his left.
+The ambassadors of Naples and Spain were also present, as well as the
+Count of Caiazzo, the Marchesino Stanga, Don Angelo de' Talenti, the
+Bishops of Como and Piacenza, the secretary de' Negri, and other
+well-known Milanese courtiers. Marco Morosini then pronounced an elegant
+harangue, which was praised by all present, and graciously accepted by
+the emperor, who conversed affably with the envoys on general subjects.
+Afterwards Marino Sanuto was presented to the Duchess Beatrice, who, he
+remarks, "never leaves her lord's side, although she is once more with
+child,"&mdash;and her two fine little boys, "Ercole, whose name has been
+changed by His Majesty's desire to Maximilian, and who is called Count
+of Pavia, and a second named Sforza." A succession of <i>f&ecirc;tes</i> and
+hunting-parties was given by the duke for the entertainment of his
+imperial guest during the next week, and ending with a "<i>Caccia
+bellissima</i>" to which the cardinal-legate, all the princes, ambassadors,
+and courtiers were invited. Two hundred riders took part in the hunt
+that day, and "I myself," adds the grave historian, "was there and saw a
+hare caught by a leopard."</p>
+
+<p>On the 23rd of September the emperor took leave of the Duchess Beatrice,
+who presented him, as a parting gift, with a superb litter, made of
+woven gold, richly adorned with fine needlework&mdash;"the most beautiful
+thing which I have ever seen," writes Sanuto, "and valued at a thousand
+ducats." The duke <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span>accompanied his guest as far as Tortona, where he
+left Maximilian to go on to Genoa, and thence by sea to Pisa.</p>
+
+<p>"There are, people say, three reasons," remarked Marino Sanuto, "why His
+Imperial Majesty is such fast friends with the Duke of Milan. In the
+first place, he sees that Lodovico has great power and authority
+throughout Italy. In the second, he hopes to get some money out of him.
+And in the third place, he looks on him as a useful ally against the
+King of France."</p>
+
+<p>Happily for both the emperor and the Duke of Milan's peace of mind, the
+French king's military ardour had soon died away, and although Trivulzio
+was sent to Asti, and Orleans would gladly have followed him, Charles
+the Eighth spent his time in jousts and hunting-parties, and forgot his
+unhappy subjects in Southern Italy. Ferrante, assisted by a Venetian
+force under Francesco Gonzaga, recovered one fortress after another. On
+the 29th of July, Montpensier, after holding the fortified city of
+Atella during many months, was forced to capitulate with his five
+thousand men, and himself died of fever a few weeks later at Pozzuoli.
+Most of his troops shared the same fate, and few of that gallant army
+lived to return to France. Suddenly, in the midst of his victorious
+career, the young king Ferrante, who had a few months before obtained a
+papal dispensation to marry his father's youthful half-sister, Princess
+Joan, died of fever, brought on by the fatigues and hardships to which
+he had exposed himself in the previous campaign. His death was deeply
+lamented alike by his subjects and his relatives at Milan and Mantua,
+who retained a sincere affection for this brave and popular prince.
+Fortunately, his uncle and successor Frederic, the fifth king who had
+reigned over Naples during the last three years, proved a wise and
+capable monarch. By degrees he succeeded in capturing the few remaining
+castles still held by the French, and once more restored peace to his
+distracted kingdom. Such was the state of affairs that autumn, when the
+German emperor landed at Pisa on the 21st of October. The citizens
+received him with acclamations, and, pulling down the French king's
+statue, as they had broken the lion of Florence in pieces two years
+before, placed the imperial eagle on the top of the column in the public
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span>square. But they were once more doomed to disappointment. Maximilian,
+finding himself, as usual, ill supplied with both men and money, and
+being inadequately supported by his allies of Venice and Milan, was
+unable to prosecute the war against Florence with any vigour. He
+attempted to besiege Leghorn; but his fleet was scattered and many of
+his ships were wrecked by a violent storm, after which he gave up the
+undertaking, saying that he could not fight against both God and man.
+One day towards the end of November, he suddenly took his departure,
+and, leaving Pisa, returned by Sarzana to Pavia. The Venetians saw the
+failure of this expedition and the fruitless result of their large
+expenditure of men and money, with great dissatisfaction, and attributed
+most of the blame to Duke Lodovico.</p>
+
+<p>"Things go badly for the Signory at Pisa," wrote Malipiero, who was
+himself on board the Venetian fleet that sailed with Maximilian against
+Leghorn, "and the cause of this is Lodovico Duke of Milan.... His pride
+and arrogance are beyond description. He boasts that Pope Alexander is
+his chaplain, the Emperor Maximilian his condottiere, the Signory of
+Venice his chamberlain, since they spend their money largely to attain
+his ends, and the King of France his courier, who comes and goes at his
+pleasure. Truly a fearful state of things!"</p>
+
+<p>And Marino Sanuto remarked, "The Duke of Milan is one of the wisest men
+in the world, but his success has rendered him very ungrateful to
+Venice, whose secret enemy he will always remain. He made a great
+mistake in allowing the Duke of Orleans to escape from Novara, and some
+day he will be punished for his bad faith. For he never keeps his
+promises, and when he says one thing, always does another. All men fear
+him, because fortune is propitious to him in everything. But none the
+less, I believe that he will not continue long in prosperity, for God is
+just, and will punish him because he is a traitor and never keeps faith
+with any one."</p>
+
+<p>The Florentine Guicciardini moralized in much the same strain, saying
+that Lodovico publicly vaunted himself to be the son of Fortune, "little
+remembering the inconstancy of human fame," and flattered himself that
+he would always be able to govern the affairs of Italy, "with his
+industrie to turn and winde <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span>the minds of every one. This fond
+persuasion he could not dissemble, neither in himself, nor in his
+peoples, in so much that Milan day and night was replenished with voices
+vaine and glorious, celebrating with verses Latine and vulgar and with
+publicke orations full of flatterie, the wonderfull wisedom of Lodowike
+Sforce, on the which they made to depend the peace and warre of Italy,
+exalting his name even to the third heaven."</p>
+
+<p>In those days the bard of Pistoja proclaimed that there was one God in
+heaven and one Moro upon earth, and sang the praises of this great and
+divine Duca, who alone could open and close the doors of the Temple of
+Janus and make peace or war in Italy, while Gaspare Visconti extolled
+the talents and virtues of Duchess Beatrice as surpassing those of all
+the most illustrious women of antiquity. Then Leonardo designed that
+famous series of allegories in his sketch-book, in which Duke Lodovico
+is represented alternately as Fortune, driving the squalid figure of
+Poverty away with a golden wand, and throwing his ducal mantle over a
+helpless youth who flies before the ugly hag; or as supreme Wisdom,
+wearing the spectacles which can pierce through all disguises, and
+pronouncing sentence between Envy on the one hand and Justice on the
+other. Then Bramante painted those frescoes on the walls of the Castello
+of Milan, in which the Moro was seen crowned and seated on his throne,
+under a stately portico, administering justice, with four councillors
+and two pages at his side, while the criminal trembled before him, and
+officers of state held the scales and prepared to carry out the
+sentence. And then, too, somewhere else in the palace, an unknown
+Lombard master painted that fresco of Italy as a fair queen, with the
+names of the chief cities embroidered on her robes, and the Moro
+standing at her side, brushing the dust off her skirts with the
+<i>scopetta</i> or little broom, that favourite emblem which appears in so
+many illuminated books of the day. On the wall below the painting, the
+following motto was inscribed:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p style="margin-left: 15em;">
+"<i>Per Italia nettar d'ogni bruttura</i>."</p>
+
+<p>"Take care, my lord duke," the Florentine ambassador is reported to have
+said, when Lodovico graciously explained <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span>the meaning of the
+allegory&mdash;"take care the negro who is so busy brushing Italy's skirts
+does not cover himself with dust in his turn!" The courteous duke only
+smiled at the jest, and shrugged his shoulders; but others overheard the
+remark and repeated it, much to the satisfaction of his foes in Florence
+and Venice.</p>
+
+<p>The fame of the great and powerful Duke of Milan had reached the distant
+cliffs of Albion and the palace of Westminster, and that November
+Lodovico received a letter from Henry VII. of England, rejoicing with
+his new ally on the conclusion of the League against France, and the
+visit of the emperor to Italy. The king further informed him that "the
+treaty had been solemnly proclaimed by the Cardinal-Archbishop of
+Conturberi, on the Feast of All Saints, in the cathedral church of the
+Blessed Apostle St. Paul, in our city of London." And our friend, Marino
+Sanuto, proceeds to improve the occasion by informing us that "this King
+Enrico has for wife Madonna Ysabeta, daughter of the late King Edward,
+because he defended the cause of Richard, brother of the said Edward.
+And he has two sons, Artur, prince of Squales, which is a neighbouring
+island, and the Duke of Yorche."</p>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 15%;" /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span>
+<br />
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI</h3>
+
+<div style="margin-left: 2em;">
+<p class="hang">Isabella d'Este joins her husband in Naples&mdash;Works of Bramante and
+Leonardo in the Castello of Milan&mdash;The Cenacolo&mdash;Lodovico sends for
+Perugino&mdash;His passion for Lucrezia Crivelli&mdash;Grief of Beatrice&mdash;Death of
+Bianca Sforza&mdash;The Emperor Maximilian at Pavia&mdash;The Duke and Duchess
+return to Milan&mdash;Last days and sudden death of Beatrice d'Este.</p>
+</div>
+
+<h3>1496</h3>
+
+
+<p>The records we have of Beatrice's private life during this busy year are
+very meagre and disappointing. Scarcely one of her letters, belonging to
+this period, has been preserved, while those which her sister Isabella
+addressed to Milan are almost as rare. The <i>marchesa's</i> time and
+thoughts had been much engaged in public affairs during the absence of
+her husband with the Venetian forces at Naples, and she had little
+leisure for correspondence. On the 13th of July she gave birth to a
+second child, which, to her great disappointment, proved to be another
+girl, who received the name of Margherita, but only lived a few weeks.
+Of this event the duchess was duly informed, and, in sending her
+congratulations, was able to tell her sister that she was hoping to
+become the mother of a third child early in the following year. In
+September the marquis fell dangerously ill of fever, and his wife
+hurried to join him in Calabria, and, as soon as he was able to move,
+brought him back by slow stages to Mantua. During that summer, the only
+letter of interest which Isabella wrote to the Milanese court was a note
+to her friend, the jester Barone, begging him to find out for her how
+Messer Galeazzo and others who like him are the glass of fashion, manage
+to dye their hair black on certain occasions, and afterwards resume the
+natural colour of their locks, adding that she remembers distinctly to
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span>have seen Count Francesco Sforza with black locks one day, and the next
+with brown.</p>
+
+<p>On the 9th of November, Lodovico wrote an imperative note from Vigevano
+to the Castellan of the Rocchetta, Bernardino del Corte, desiring him to
+see that the walls of the new rooms are dry and ready for habitation by
+the end of the month, since the duchess must have the use of the
+apartments adjoining the ball-room during her approaching confinement,
+and telling him to ask Bergonzio, the treasurer, for money, if more
+should be required. Bernardino replied that the rooms were finished, and
+that good fires had been lighted to dry the walls, and that the whole
+suite would be furnished by the following week and ready to receive the
+duchess. He also informed the duke that the new rooms on the side of the
+garden would be completed by Christmas, and told him that Bramante,
+after finishing the arcades of the new gallery between the ball-room and
+Rocchetta, had begun the design of the new tower. Both Leonardo and
+Bramante were employed on extensive works in the Castello during the
+duke's absence that summer, although the Florentine master, we know, was
+chiefly engaged in finishing his great fresco in the refectory of the
+Dominican convent outside the Porta Vercellina. Often during the summer
+heats, Matteo Bandello, then a young novice of the Order, saw the
+Florentine master at noonday, "when the sun was in the sign of the
+Lion," leave the Corte Vecchia, where he was finishing his great horse,
+and, hurrying through the streets to the Grazie, mount the scaffold,
+brush in hand, and put a few touches to some of the figures in the
+Cenacolo, after which he would hurry away as quickly as he came. Often
+too the young friar watched him at his work; "for this excellent
+painter," Matteo tells us, "always liked to hear other people give their
+opinions freely on his pictures." Many a time the young Dominican saw
+Messer Leonardo ascend the scaffold in the early morning, and remain
+there from sunrise till the hour of twilight, forgetting to eat and
+drink, and painting all the while without a moment's pause. Sometimes
+again he would not paint a single stroke for several days, but just
+stand before the picture during one or two hours, contemplating his
+work, and considering and examining the different figures. And <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span>the
+friars were very much annoyed because of the master's delays, and
+complained to the duke, who paid him so large a sum for the work, that
+he had not yet begun the head of the traitor Judas. When the duke asked
+Leonardo why he left this head undone, he replied that during the last
+year he had been vainly seeking in all the worst streets of Milan to
+find a type of criminal who would suit the character of Judas, but that
+if desired he would introduce the prior's own likeness, which he thought
+would answer the purpose excellently! This answer is said to have amused
+the duke highly, and Lodovico and his painter had a good laugh together
+at the expense of the prior.</p>
+
+<p>But since Leonardo was otherwise engaged, and another painter who had
+been employed in the Castello suddenly disappeared, owing, we are told,
+to some scandal in which he was concerned, the duke determined to send
+to Florence for another artist to complete the decorations of his new
+rooms. There was evidently no Lombard master whom he considered equal to
+the task, and since Lorenzo de' Medici had sent him Leonardo, there
+might be some other artists of rare excellence among his
+fellow-citizens. So Lodovico wrote to his envoy at Florence, and desired
+him to let him have a full description of the best painters then living
+there. In reply, he received the following list, which is still
+preserved in the archives of Milan, and which is of great interest, both
+as a monument of the Moro's untiring perseverance in seeking out the
+best masters, and as a record of the different degrees of estimation in
+which living artists were held by their contemporaries:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Sandro de Botticelli&mdash;a most excellent master, both in panel and
+wall-painting. His figures have a manly air, and are admirable in
+conception and proportion.</p>
+
+<p>"Filippino di Frati Filippo&mdash;an excellent disciple of the above-named,
+and a son of the rarest master of our times. His heads have a gentler
+and more suave air; but, we are inclined to think, less art.</p>
+
+<p>"Il Perugino&mdash;a rare and singular artist, most excellent in
+wall-painting. His faces have an air of the most angelic sweetness.</p>
+
+<p>"Domenico de Grillandaio&mdash;a good master in panels and a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span>better one in
+wall-painting. His figures are good, and he is an industrious and active
+master, who produces much work.</p>
+
+<p>"All of these masters have given proof of their excellence in the Chapel
+of Pope Sixtus, excepting Filippino, and also in the Spedaletto of the
+Magnifico Laurentio, and their merit is almost equal."<a name="FNanchor_63_63" id="FNanchor_63_63"></a><a href="#Footnote_63_63" class="fnanchor">[63]</a></p>
+
+<p>This intimation seems to have decided Lodovico to apply to Perugino,
+whom Leonardo had known as his fellow-pupil in Verrocchio's atelier at
+Florence, and who was supposed to be in Venice at the time. So his
+secretary wrote to desire Guido Arcimboldo, the Archbishop of Milan, who
+was then in Venice, to inquire for the Umbrian master, and see if he
+could be induced to visit Milan. The archbishop, writing on the 14th of
+June, replied that Maestro Pietro of Perugia had left Venice six months
+ago and was back at Florence. Lodovico, however, did not lose sight of
+the master, and in the following October, by his desire, the monks of
+the Certosa of Pavia engaged this popular artist to paint an altar-piece
+for one of their chapels. In the following year the duke returned to the
+charge, and hearing that Perugino had returned to his native city, wrote
+two pressing letters to one of the Baglioni, who was the chief
+magistrate of Perugia, begging him, as a personal favour, to induce
+Messer Pietro to come to Milan, and offering to pay the artist whatever
+price he may ask, and to retain him permanently in his service or keep
+him only for a fixed time, as he may think best. Perugino, however, was
+then engaged in decorating the Sala del Cambio in his native town, and
+had already more commissions than he could execute. He declined the Duke
+of Milan's repeated invitations, and the Moro was obliged to fall back
+upon Bramante and Leonardo to finish the works in the Castello.</p>
+
+<p>But although the duke's passion for building new churches and palaces or
+beautifying those which he had already built, was as ardent as ever, it
+became more and more difficult to find the money to meet the vast
+expenditure which his splendid schemes involved. The <i>f&ecirc;tes</i> in honour
+of Maximilian and the subsidies which had been granted for his
+expedition had already entailed heavy expenses, and on every side the
+same complaint was heard. There was no money to pay the salaries of the
+numerous <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span>professors at Pavia and Milan, whose chairs had been founded
+by Lodovico himself; none to pay the bills for building and furnishing
+the new rooms in the Castello, or to cast Leonardo's great horse in
+bronze. Everywhere people were groaning at the heavy burdens imposed
+upon them, and at Lodi, Cremona, and other places there had been not
+only murmuring against the duke, but actual rioting and tumults, while
+in some parts of the duchy the inhabitants were leaving their homes to
+escape these harsh exactions. Lodovico's most faithful servants began to
+look grave, and the duke himself could not but be aware of his growing
+unpopularity among his subjects.</p>
+
+<p>Whether these rumours reached the ears of Beatrice and disturbed her
+happiness, we cannot tell; but we know that her life was saddened and
+the gladness of her heart clouded by a new sorrow that autumn. The duke,
+who for many years past had proved himself a devoted and affectionate
+husband, and realized better than any one what an admirable companion
+and partner he had in his young wife, suddenly found a new object for
+his affections in Lucrezia Crivelli, a beautiful and accomplished maiden
+of a noble Milanese family, who was one of the duchess's
+ladies-in-waiting. Soon Lodovico's passion for this new mistress became
+publicly known, Leonardo was employed to paint her picture; and, under
+the date of November, 1496, the annalist of Ferrara writes, "The latest
+news from Milan is that the duke spends his whole time and finds all his
+pleasure in the company of a girl who is one of his wife's maidens. And
+his conduct is ill regarded here." The chronicler Muralti, in his brief
+and touching account of the young duchess, after recalling Beatrice's
+charms and joyous nature, tells us that, although Lodovico loved his
+wife intensely, he took Lucrezia Crivelli for his mistress, a thing
+which caused Beatrice the most bitter anguish of mind, but could not
+alter her love for him. And remorse for the pain which he had caused
+Beatrice gave the sharpest sting to Lodovico's own despair, on that sad
+day when he wept for his young wife's early death.</p>
+
+<p>That autumn a fresh and unexpected blow fell upon the ducal family, in
+the death of Lodovico's beloved daughter Bianca, the young wife of
+Galeazzo di Sanseverino, who died very <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span>suddenly at Vigevano, on the
+22nd of November. Both the duke and duchess had been fondly attached to
+this fair young girl who only four or five months before had become the
+wife of Galeazzo, and was one of Beatrice's favourite companions. Her
+sudden and premature death threw a gloom over the whole court, and in
+elegant verse Niccolo da Correggio deplored the loss of the gentle
+maiden who had gone in the flower of her youth to join the blessed
+spirits, and grieved for the gallant husband whom a cruel fate had so
+early robbed of his bride. There can be little doubt that we have a
+portrait of this lamented princess in the beautiful picture of the
+Ambrosiana, which, long supposed to be the work of Leonardo, is now
+recognized by the best critics as that of Ambrogio de Predis. At one
+time this portrait was said to represent Beatrice herself, but neither
+the long slender throat nor the delicate features bear the least
+resemblance to those of the duchess, while the style of head-dress is
+equally unlike that which Beatrice wears in authentic representations.
+Again, some critics have supposed the Ambrosian picture to represent
+Kaiser Maximilian's wife, Bianca Maria Sforza; but the discovery of
+Ambrogio de Predis's actual portrait of the empress, and of his sketch
+of her head in the Venetian Academy, have shown this theory to be
+impossible. The Venetian Marc Antonio Michieli, who saw this picture in
+Taddeo Contarini's house at Venice in 1525, describes it as "a profile
+portrait of the head and bust of Madonna, daughter of Signor Lodovico of
+Milan," after which he adds, "married to the Emperor Maximilian ... by
+the hand of ... <i>Milanese</i>." The connoisseur had evidently confused the
+two Bianca Sforzas, but now that this mistake has been explained by a
+comparison of the Ambrosian portrait with genuine pictures and medals of
+the empress, there is no difficulty in accepting the remainder of his
+statement. For we have here, there can be little doubt, the portrait of
+Lodovico's daughter, by the hand of a Milanese painter, in all
+probability, as Morelli divined, the court-painter of the ducal house,
+Ambrogio de Predis. And the German critic, Dr. M&uuml;ller-Walde, is probably
+right in his conjecture that the companion picture in the Ambrosiana is
+the portrait of Bianca's husband, Galeazzo di Sanseverino. This picture
+has been called by many names, and ascribed to many <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span>different hands. It
+has been described in turn as a portrait of Maximilian, of the
+short-lived Duke Giangaleazzo, and of Lodovico Moro himself. But
+Ambrogio's portrait certainly represents none of the three, and it is
+far more likely that we have here a likeness of the duke's son-in-law,
+painted about the time of his marriage to Bianca Sforza. This handsome
+man of thirty, in the fur-trimmed vest and red cap, with the dark eyes,
+long locks, and refined thoughtful face, touched with an air of
+melancholy, may well be the brilliant cavalier who played so great a
+part at the Moro's court, the patron of Leonardo and Luca Pacioli, and
+the loyal servant of Duchess Beatrice.</p>
+
+<p>Both the duke and his wife were overwhelmed with grief at Madonna
+Bianca's death. Lodovico himself wrote to Isabella d'Este that the wound
+had pierced his inmost heart, and the duchess and Messer Galeaz both
+expressed their grief in touching words. On the 23rd of November,
+Beatrice wrote these few sad lines to her sister&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Although you will have already heard from my husband the duke of the
+premature death of Madonna Bianca, his daughter and the wife of Messer
+Galeaz, none the less I must write these few lines with my own hand, to
+tell you how great is the trouble and distress which her death has
+caused me. The loss indeed is greater than I can express, because of our
+close relationship and of the place which she held in my heart. May God
+have her soul in His keeping!"<a name="FNanchor_64_64" id="FNanchor_64_64"></a><a href="#Footnote_64_64" class="fnanchor">[64]</a></p>
+
+<div class="img"><a name="imagep304" id="imagep304"></a>
+<a href="images/imagep304.jpg">
+<img border="0" src="images/imagep304.jpg" width="45%" alt="Galeazzo Di Sanseverino" /></a><br />
+<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .2em;">Galeazzo Di Sanseverino.<br />
+From a painting by Ambrogio de Predis.<br />
+(Ambrosiana)<br />
+D. Anderson.<span class="totoi"><a href="#toi">ToList</a></span></p>
+</div>
+
+<p>All the <i>f&ecirc;tes</i> which had been prepared in honour of the emperor's
+return to Lombardy were stopped, and the duke and duchess, with their
+little son, attended by a small suite of courtiers and ladies, in deep
+mourning, travelled by water to Pavia, to receive their illustrious
+kinsman when he arrived from Sarzana on the 2nd of December. On this
+occasion Maximilian behaved with great consideration, and showed deep
+sympathy with his distressed relatives. Instead of making a public entry
+through the city, he rode up through the park to the private gate of the
+Castello, where the duke and duchess met him and conducted him to his
+rooms. Here he spent the evening alone in their company, and refused to
+see any one but the little Count of Pavia, for whom he is said to have
+cherished great affection. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span>The Venetian envoy, Francesco Foscari,
+hearing of the emperor's arrival, hastened to Pavia, and with difficulty
+obtained an audience from His Majesty, who told him that it was
+impossible for him to visit Milan or remain any longer in Italy, since
+the German Diet was about to meet, and he had promised to join his son,
+the Archduke Philip, at Augsburg. A council was held in the Castello to
+discuss political affairs, but it was plain that the Pisans had nothing
+more to expect from their imperial ally, and Maximilian was only anxious
+to be back in Germany. On the 4th he attended a solemn requiem mass for
+the lamented princess Bianca in the Duomo, and in the afternoon rode out
+to the Certosa with Lodovico, who showed him all the wonders of that
+famous church and abbey. On the 6th, the duke took his wife, whose
+delicate state of health needed rest, back to Milan, and a few days
+later returned with Foscari to meet the emperor at the ducal villa of
+Cussago. On the 11th, Maximilian went to Groppello, where he knighted
+the Venetian ambassador and dismissed him, after which he took leave of
+the duke, says the chronicler, with many expressions of affection on
+both sides, and once more set out on his journey across the terrible
+mountains. His expedition, remarked the Venetian writer, "has effected
+nothing, and he leaves Italy in still greater confusion than he found
+her."</p>
+
+<p>Lodovico now joined his wife at Milan in time to receive another guest
+in the person of Chiara Gonzaga, the widowed Duchess of Montpensier, who
+was on her way back from France. Since her husband's death at Pozzuoli,
+this unfortunate lady had been vainly trying to recover her fortune from
+the French king, and was full of gratitude to the duke for his friendly
+exertions on her behalf. Both her sons, Louis de Bourbon and Charles the
+famous Conn&eacute;table, were fighting with the remnants of the French army
+against her brother in Naples, and both were to lose their lives in the
+wars of Italy, while she herself spent the rest of her existence in
+poverty and seclusion at Mantua. But to the last she remained a loyal
+friend to Lodovico, with whom she corresponded frequently. On the 22nd,
+Chiara left Milan, and the celebration of the Christmas festival began.
+But the courtiers and ladies-in-waiting noticed the strange and mournful
+forebodings which seemed to oppress their young duchess. They <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span>often saw
+tears in her eyes, and wondered whether they were caused by her
+husband's neglect or grief for the loss of Bianca. Day after day she
+paid long visits to the Church of S. Maria delle Grazie, where the
+duke's daughter had been laid to rest in this his favourite shrine.
+There in those last days of the year Beatrice might constantly be seen,
+spending hours in prayer at the tomb of the young princess, and musing
+sadly on the vanity of human joys. But no one dreamt how soon her own
+end was at hand.</p>
+
+<p>On Monday, the 2nd of January, the Duchess Beatrice drove in her chariot
+through the park of the Castello and along the streets of the city to
+the Porta Vercellina and the Church of S. Maria delle Grazie, where even
+then Leonardo was at work upon his great fresco. In the eyes of the
+people who saw her pass, she seemed in excellent health, and returned
+their loyal greetings with the same gracious charm. But when she reached
+the Dominican church, and had paid her devotions at Our Lady's altar,
+and prayed for the repose of her daughter's soul, she lingered by the
+new-made tomb, rapt in sorrowful thought, and it was long before her
+ladies could persuade her to come away. After her return to the Castello
+that afternoon, there was dancing in her rooms in the Rocchetta until
+eight o'clock in the evening, when she was suddenly taken ill. Three
+hours later she gave birth to a still-born son, and half an hour after
+midnight her spirit passed away.</p>
+
+<p>That night, contemporary writers tell us, "the sky above the Castello of
+Milan was all a-blaze with fiery flames, and the walls of the duchess's
+own garden fell with a sudden crash to the ground, although there was
+neither wind nor earthquake. And these things were held to be evil
+omens." "And from that time," adds Marino Sanuto, "the duke began to be
+sore troubled, and to suffer great woes, having up to that time lived
+very happily."</p>
+
+<p>Beatrice was gone, and with her all the joy and delight of the duke's
+life had passed away. The court was turned from an earthly paradise into
+the blackest hell, and ruin overtook the Moro and the whole realm of
+Milan, as the poet of the house of Este sang in his <i>Orlando Furioso</i>&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Come ella poi lascer&agrave; il mondo,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Cos&igrave; degli infelici andr&agrave; nel fondo."</span>
+</div></div>
+
+<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_63_63" id="Footnote_63_63"></a><a href="#FNanchor_63_63"><span class="label">[63]</span></a> Dr. M&uuml;ller-Walde in <i>Jahrbuch d. pr. Kunst</i>, 1897.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_64_64" id="Footnote_64_64"></a><a href="#FNanchor_64_64"><span class="label">[64]</span></a> Luzio-Renier, <i>op. cit.</i>, p. 639.</p></div>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 15%;" /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span>
+<br />
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII</h3>
+
+<div style="margin-left: 2em;">
+<p class="hang">Grief of the Duke of Milan&mdash;His letters to Mantua and Pavia&mdash;Interview
+with Costabili&mdash;Funeral of Duchess Beatrice&mdash;Mourning of her
+husband&mdash;Letters of the Emperor Maximilian and Chiara Gonzaga&mdash;Tomb of
+Beatrice in Santa Maria delle Grazie&mdash;Leonardo's Cenacolo, and portraits
+of the duke and duchess&mdash;Lucrezia Crivelli.</p>
+</div>
+
+<h3>1497</h3>
+
+
+<p>The horror and confusion that reigned in the Castello of Milan that
+night was long remembered. There was sorrow and consternation among
+Beatrice's servants, and dismay upon the faces of secretaries and
+courtiers who stood waiting for news in the halls and porticoes of
+Bramante's building. The duke's grief was said to be terrible. For some
+time he refused to see any one, and many days passed before even his
+children were admitted into their father's presence. But, with
+characteristic strength of mind, he sent for his secretaries that
+morning, and himself dictated the letters which bore the sad news to
+Beatrice's family at Mantua and Ferrara. In that dark hour the passion
+of his love and sorrow breaks through conventional formalities, and
+gives a touch of pathos to the brief message which he sent to Francesco
+Gonzaga&mdash;</p>
+
+<br />
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Most illustrious Relative and dearest Brother,</span>&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"My wife was taken with sudden pains at eight o'clock last night. At
+eleven she gave birth to a dead son, and at half-past twelve she gave
+back her spirit to God. This cruel and premature end has filled me with
+bitter and indescribable anguish, so much so that I would rather have
+died myself than lose the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span>dearest and most precious thing that I had in
+this world. But great and excessive as is my grief, beyond all measure,
+and grievous as your own will be, I know, I feel that I must tell you
+this myself, because of the brotherly love between us. And I beg you not
+to send any one to condole with me, as that would only renew my sorrow.
+I would not write to the Madonna Marchesana, and leave you to break the
+news to her as you think best, knowing well how inexpressible her sorrow
+will be.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+<span class="smcap" style="padding-right: 8em;">Lodovicus M. Sfortia,</span><br />
+<span style="padding-right: 2em;"><i>Anglus Dux Mediolani</i>.<a name="FNanchor_65_65" id="FNanchor_65_65"></a><a href="#Footnote_65_65" class="fnanchor">[65]</a></span></p>
+<p style="margin-left: 2em;">Milan, January 3, 1497, 6 o'clock."</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>The same day the duke sent the following intimation to the loyal
+citizens of Pavia: "Last night at half-past twelve our beloved wife,
+after giving birth to a son who died at eleven, changed this life for
+death, which most cruel event snatches from us one who, by reason of her
+rare and singular virtues, was dearer to us than our own life. You will
+understand what our grief is and how difficult it is to bear this
+irreparable loss with patience and reason. We beg of you to pray God for
+the soul of our dearest consort, and to hold solemn funeral services in
+the Duomo and in all other churches of the city."<a name="FNanchor_66_66" id="FNanchor_66_66"></a><a href="#Footnote_66_66" class="fnanchor">[66]</a></p>
+
+<p>About four o'clock that afternoon, the Ferrarese ambassador, Antonio
+Costabili, received an unexpected summons to the Castello, and he was
+admitted into the duke's presence. We give the details of his interview
+with the grief-stricken prince, in his own words from a letter which he
+addressed the same evening to Beatrice's father, Duke Ercole&mdash;</p>
+
+<br />
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Most illustrious and excellent Lord,</span></p>
+
+<p>"Although I had received a message to the effect that I need not leave
+the house before night, as none of your august family could be present
+at the funeral of our most illustrious Madonna, the late duchess,
+nevertheless at four o'clock the duke sent two councillors to fetch me,
+and accompanied by these gentlemen, I went to the Camera della Torre in
+the Castello, where I found all the ambassadors, ducal <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span>councillors, and
+a very large company of gentlemen assembled. Directly I arrived, his
+Excellency sent for me, and I found him in his room, lying on the bed,
+quite prostrate, and more overwhelmed with grief than any one whom I
+have ever seen. After the customary salutations, I endeavoured, in
+obedience to the request of some of his councillors, to exhort his
+Highness to take a little comfort and have patience, trying to make use
+of whatever words came into my mind at the moment, and entreating him to
+bear this cruel blow with constancy and fortitude, because in this
+manner he would give comfort and courage to your Excellency in helping
+you to bear your grief, and at the same time relieve the anxieties of
+his own servants, and restore hope and peace to their hearts.</p>
+
+<p>"His Highness thanked me for my kindness, and said that he could not
+bear this most cruel and grievous sorrow without speaking out the
+thoughts of his heart freely, and had sent for me, in order to tell me
+that if, as he was conscious, he had not always behaved as well as he
+should have done to your daughter, who deserved all good things, and who
+had never done him any wrong whatsoever, he begged both your
+Excellency's pardon, and hers for whose sake his heart was now sorely
+troubled. He went on to tell me that in every one of his prayers he had
+asked our Lord God to allow her to survive him, since he placed all his
+trust and peace of mind in her. And, since this had not been the will of
+God, he prayed, and would never cease praying, that if it were ever
+possible for a living man to see the dead, God would give him grace to
+see her and speak to her once more, since he had loved her better than
+himself. After many sobs and lamentations, he ended by begging me to
+assure your Highness that the love and affection which he bore you would
+never be diminished in the smallest degree, and that he would retain the
+same warm sentiments for you and for all your sons, as long as he lived,
+and would prove by his actions the depth and sincerity of his feelings.
+Then I took my leave, and he told me to go and follow the corpse, with a
+fresh outburst of sorrow, lamenting her in language so true and natural
+that it would have moved the very stones to tears. Thus, still weeping,
+I returned to join the other ambassadors, who all approached and
+expressed their <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span>grief and sympathy with your Excellency in very loving
+and compassionate words.</p>
+
+<p>"The obsequies which followed were celebrated with all possible
+magnificence and pomp. All the ambassadors at present in Milan, among
+whom were one from the King of the Romans, two from the King of Spain,
+and others from all the powers of Italy, lifted the corpse and bore it
+to the first gate of the Castello. Here the privy councillors took the
+body in their turn, and at the corners of the streets groups of
+magistrates stood waiting to receive it. All the relatives of the ducal
+family wore long mourning cloaks that trailed on the ground, and hoods
+over their heads. I walked first with the Marchese Ermes, and the others
+followed, each in his right order. We bore her to Santa Maria delle
+Grazie, attended by an innumerable company of monks and nuns and
+priests, bearing crosses of gold, of silver and wood, infinite numbers
+of gentlemen and citizens, and crowds of people of every rank and class,
+all weeping and making the greatest lamentation that was ever seen, for
+the great loss which this city has suffered in the death of its duchess.
+There were so many wax torches it was marvellous to see! At the gates of
+Santa Maria delle Grazie, the ambassadors were waiting to receive the
+body, and, taking it from the hands of the chief magistrates, they bore
+it to the steps of the high altar, where the most reverend
+cardinal-legate was seated, in his purple robes, between two bishops,
+and himself said the whole Office. And there the duchess was laid on a
+bier draped with cloth of gold, bearing the arms of the house of Sforza,
+and clad in one of her richest <i>camoras</i> of gold brocade.</p>
+
+<p>"My dear lord, besides the extraordinary demonstrations of grief which
+have been shown by the whole people of this city, and by the women quite
+as much as by the men, which may well be a great consolation to your
+Excellency, I must tell you how above all others, Signore Messer
+Galeazzo di Sanseverino has both by his words and deeds, as well as by
+his demonstrations of sorrow, given admirable expression to the
+affection which he had for the duchess, and has taken care to make known
+to every one the virtues and goodness of that most illustrious Madonna.
+All of which I have felt it my duty to tell your Excellency, in <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span>the
+hope that it may help to alleviate your sorrow, praying you to maintain
+the same fortitude that you have always shown hitherto.</p>
+
+<p>"To whose favour I ever commend myself,</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+<span style="padding-right: 8em;">"Your Excellency's servant,</span><br />
+<span class="smcap" style="padding-right: 2em;">Antonius Costabilis.</span><a name="FNanchor_67_67" id="FNanchor_67_67"></a><a href="#Footnote_67_67" class="fnanchor">[67]</a></p>
+<p style="margin-left: 2em;">Milan, January 3, 1497."</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>So, by the light of a thousand torches, at the close of the short
+winter's day, the long procession of mourners bore Duchess Beatrice to
+her last resting-place under Bramante's cupola, in the church of Our
+Lady. It was the duke's pleasure that his dearly loved wife should rest
+there, before the altar where she had often worshipped, by the side of
+the young daughter whom they had both loved so well. Only a year or two
+before, the people of Milan had seen her enter those doors in the bloom
+of her youthful beauty and the joy of her proud young motherhood to give
+thanks for the birth of her first-born son. But yesterday they had
+watched her moving among them, full of life and charm; now they saw her
+lying there in her gorgeous brocades and jewelled necklace, with her
+eyes closed in death and the dark locks curling over her marble brow.</p>
+
+<p>It was a tragedy which might well melt the heart of the bravest man and
+move the sternest to tears. No wonder that men like Galeazzo and the
+Marchesino, who had shared Beatrice's pleasures, and had seen her so
+lately foremost in the chase and gayest in dance and song, wept when
+they saw her lying there cold and lifeless. As the chroniclers one and
+all tell us, "Such grief had never been known before in Milan."</p>
+
+<p>In Ferrara, the home of Beatrice's childhood, where she was loved both
+for her own and for her mother's sake, the sorrow was scarcely less.</p>
+
+<p>"On Wednesday, the 4th of January," writes the diarist, "came the news
+of the death of Beatrice, Duchess of Milan. And the duke was very sad,
+and so were all the people. And <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span>on the 12th, Duke Ercole attended an
+Office said for the repose of the late duchess in the church of the
+Dominicans, which was all hung with black, and all the clergy,
+magistrates, and courtiers were there, carrying lighted torches; all the
+people wore black, and the shops were closed as if it were Christmas,
+and more than 400 Masses were said for the repose of her soul, and 660
+candles were burnt that day. It was a fine day, but a great quantity of
+wax tapers were used for this funeral service. As for the Duke of Milan,
+I will say nothing, because the things he does sound incredible to those
+who have not seen them. Certainly the extraordinary honours which he
+pays his dead wife show how dearly he loved her. She has left him two
+little sons. And all Ferrara sorrows for her death, and I saw many
+weeping. And so goes this ribald world."<a name="FNanchor_68_68" id="FNanchor_68_68"></a><a href="#Footnote_68_68" class="fnanchor">[68]</a></p>
+
+<p>That year no races were held on St. George's Day, at Ferrara, and the
+<i>pallium</i> usually given to the winner was presented by Duke Ercole to
+the Franciscan Church.</p>
+
+<p>At Mantua there was the same general lamentation, and the same funeral
+Masses were offered up for the young duchess, who had not yet completed
+her twenty-second year. Isabella's own sorrow was great.</p>
+
+<p>"When I think," she wrote to her father, on the 5th of January, "what a
+loving, honoured, and only sister I have lost, I am so much oppressed
+with the burden of this sudden loss, that I know not how I can ever find
+comfort."</p>
+
+<p>And the marquis, writing to Duke Lodovico, says that he had never seen
+his wife so completely overwhelmed with grief; and that she who has
+always shown herself full of strong and manly courage in adversity, is
+now utterly broken down. On hearing this, Lodovico roused himself from
+the torpor of his grief to try and comfort his sister-in-law, and sent
+her an affectionate letter by one of his secretaries, begging her to
+seek the consolation which he himself could not find, and telling her
+how much he thought of her, even though his own grief and bitterness of
+soul made it impossible for him to write with his own hand. From all
+sides letters of condolence flowed in. Elegies and Latin verses recalled
+the charms and talents of Beatrice and lamented the hard fate which had
+snatched her away in the flower of life. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span>Among these poetical tributes,
+Niccolo da Correggio's sonnet on seeing a portrait of the late duchess
+is perhaps the best.</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Se a li occhi mostri quel che fosti viva</span><br />
+<span class="i2">Morti lor, come te, nulla vedranno</span><br />
+<span class="i2">Ma le parte invisibil tue staranno.</span><br />
+<span class="i2">Po che del secol questa eta sia priva.</span><br />
+<span class="i0">Laude al pictor, ma pi&ugrave; laude in che scriva</span><br />
+<span class="i2">Quello a futuri che i presenti sanno,</span><br />
+<span class="i2">Origin e stato e che al triseptimo anno</span><br />
+<span class="i2">Morte spense ogni ben che in te fioriva.</span><br />
+<span class="i0">Ma come excedo tua forma il pennello</span><br />
+<span class="i2">Exceder&agrave; le tue virt&ugrave; le penne</span><br />
+<span class="i2">E rester&agrave; imperfetto, e questo e quello."</span><br />
+</div></div>
+
+<p>The poet's complaint that the painter's art can never reproduce one-half
+of the dead lady's charms is literally true in this instance, and those
+of Beatrice's portraits which we possess do but scant justice to the
+brightness and beauty which fascinated young and old among her
+contemporaries. Two of the letters addressed to Lodovico on this
+melancholy occasion are especially worthy of mention. One was a Latin
+epistle from the Emperor Maximilian, in which the writer expresses his
+cordial regard for the duke and his frank admiration for the lamented
+duchess whose delightful company he had so lately enjoyed.</p>
+
+<p>The letter bears the date of January 11, 1497, and was written from
+Innsbr&uuml;ck.</p>
+
+<br />
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Most illustrious Prince and dearest of Kinsmen and Friends,</span></p>
+
+<p>"Having just heard of the sad calamity which has befallen you in the
+death of your illustrious wife, Beatrice, our most dear kinswoman, we
+are filled with grief both on account of our great affection for you and
+of all the gifts of person and mind which adorned that renowned
+princess, and which now only adds to the heaviness of our mutual loss.
+Nothing could grieve us more at this present moment than to find
+ourselves thus suddenly deprived of a relative who was dear to us above
+all other princesses, and whose surpassing charms and virtues we had
+lately learnt to value as they deserved. But we are still <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span>more
+distressed to think that you whom we love so well should lose in her,
+not only a sweet wife, but a companion who in so remarkable a degree
+shared the burdens of your crown and lightened your cares and cheered
+your labours by her society. As for her, although she was one of the few
+women worthy of perpetual regret and eternal remembrance, this premature
+death is no true cause of sorrow, and we take comfort in the thought
+that, since we must all die, they are most blessed who die young and
+who, having lived happily in their youth, escape the innumerable
+calamities of this miserable world and the evils of a weary old age.
+Your most fortunate wife enjoyed all that makes life good; no gift of
+body and mind, no advantage of beauty or birth, was denied her. She was
+in every respect worthy to be your wife and to reign over the most
+flourishing realm in Italy. She has left you the sweetest children to
+recall the face of their lost mother, and to be alike the consolation of
+your present sorrow and the staff of your declining years. And when the
+time comes for you to go hence, you will be able to leave them a
+peaceful throne and the immortal memory of your name. May the
+recollection of all the good that you owe her help you to share in these
+consolations, so that, having already mourned your dear one's death more
+than enough, your tears may at length be dried and she may rest more
+safely, while we on our part are once more able to avail ourselves of
+your help in these difficult and perilous times."<a name="FNanchor_69_69" id="FNanchor_69_69"></a><a href="#Footnote_69_69" class="fnanchor">[69]</a></p>
+
+<p>The other letter was written to the duke on the 5th of January, from
+Mantua, by Chiara Gonzaga, the widowed Duchess of Montpensier, who had
+so lately enjoyed the pleasure of Beatrice's company at Milan, and who
+now poured out the fulness of her grief and sympathy with the bereaved
+husband.</p>
+
+<p>"The piteous and lamentable news of your wife's sudden death, which, my
+dear lord, I have just received, has so bitterly revived my own sorrows,
+that I am unable to write to your Excellency as I ought, or speak a
+single word of comfort, '<i>Ch&egrave; medico morbeso mal sana li malatti</i>'&mdash;for
+a sick doctor cures sick folks badly.&mdash;All I can do is to join my tears
+with your own in lamenting this cruel and grievous misfortune and our
+mutual sorrow, which I only wish I could bear in your stead. Had
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span>fortune only better understood your need and mine, she would have left
+that blessed soul to enjoy all the prosperity in store for her, and
+would have allowed death to relieve me from the burden of my tearful and
+wretched existence. May that Divine Providence, Who orders all things
+for some good end, give your Excellency comfort and lead this toilsome
+life to a safe haven."<a name="FNanchor_70_70" id="FNanchor_70_70"></a><a href="#Footnote_70_70" class="fnanchor">[70]</a></p>
+
+<p>Maximilian's allusion to the duke's prolonged mourning for his wife
+agrees with the remarks of the Ferrarese and Venetian chroniclers. To
+these men of the Renaissance, accustomed as they were to pass quickly
+from one phase of life to another and to witness swift and sudden
+changes of fortune, this inconsolable grief seemed beyond understanding.
+For a whole fortnight Lodovico remained in a darkened room, refusing to
+see his children, and taking no pleasure even in their company. No
+ambassadors were admitted into his presence; even Borso da Correggio,
+who came from Ferrara, was referred to the Marchesino Stanga and the
+Conte di Caiazzo, as deputies appointed by the duke to receive
+condolences. And when Lodovico saw his ministers, they were strictly
+charged only to speak of business matters, and never to mention the name
+of the duchess or allude to the duke's recent bereavement. So complete
+was his seclusion and so profound his melancholy, that those about him
+began to tremble for his reason. "The duke," wrote Sanuto, "has ceased
+to care for his children or his state or anything on earth, and can
+hardly bear to live." But fears of his old enemy Louis of Orleans before
+long roused him from the apathy and despair, and showed his foes that
+they had still to reckon with him. Rumours of a French invasion were
+once more heard; Trivulzio was at Asti with a strong force, and the Duke
+of Orleans was shortly expected to lead an expedition into Lombardy and
+assert his claim to Milan.</p>
+
+<p>On the 17th of January, Lodovico shaved his head, came out of his room,
+and publicly gave the standard and b&acirc;ton of command to Galeazzo di
+Sanseverino, who was sent to defend Alessandria at the head of a
+considerable Milanese and German army. But the French king's health was
+failing, and the Duke of Orleans, who, since the death of the little
+dauphin twelve months before, had become the next heir to the crown,
+suddenly refused to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span>leave France. Trivulzio was repulsed in an attack
+on Novi; while an attempt to seize Genoa, which was set on foot by the
+Cardinal della Rovere and Battista Fregoso, was frustrated by the prompt
+measures of defence taken by the Duke of Milan and the Venetians.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile every possible honour was paid to the memory of Duchess
+Beatrice. All through the duchy, during the month of January, solemn
+funeral services were held, and one hundred requiem masses were said
+daily in S. Maria delle Grazie for the repose of her soul, while a
+hundred tapers were kept burning day and night round the stone
+sarcophagus supported by lions in which her remains were interred. The
+duke himself, clad in a suit of black fustian and wrapt in a long black
+cloak, which all his courtiers wore as a badge of mourning, attended two
+or three masses daily, as well as many offices to Our Lady, and sent a
+hundred gold ducats to the Santa Casa at Loreto, in discharge of a vow
+which poor Beatrice had made to take a pilgrimage to that famous shrine
+after the birth of her child.</p>
+
+<p>Marino Sanuto, writing in August, seven months after Beatrice's death,
+remarks that since his wife's death the duke has become an altered man.
+"He is very religious, recites offices daily, observes fasts, and lives
+chastely and devoutly. His rooms are still hung with black, and he takes
+all his meals standing, and wears a long black cloak. He goes every day
+to visit the church where his wife is buried, and never leaves this
+undone, and much of his time is spent with the friars of the convent."
+And a Dominican historian, Padre Rovegnatino, then living, records how
+during the whole of the next year Lodovico visited the convent regularly
+twice a week&mdash;on Tuesday, which, being the day of the week on which
+Beatrice died, he always kept as a fast, and on Saturday, and on these
+occasions dined with the prior Giovanni da Tortona and his successor
+Vincenzo Baldelli.</p>
+
+<p>The decoration and improvement of this church and convent now became the
+chief object of Lodovico's thoughts. The beautiful shrine which he had
+already adorned with Bramante's cupola and portico, was now doubly dear
+to him for the sake of Beatrice and his dead children. The annals of the
+convent record the multitude of his benefactions to both church and
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span>convent, and the cordial relations which he maintained with the
+Dominican friars to the end of his reign. First of all, he applied
+himself to raise a monument to the memory of Beatrice immediately in
+front of the high altar, where her remains were buried. The sculptor
+whom he chose for this work was Cristoforo Solari, called <i>Il Gobbo</i>, or
+the hunchback, a surname which he had inherited from his father, who
+seems to have been deformed. The Solari were a race of sculptors, many
+of whom had been employed at the Certosa, while Cristoforo, who had
+settled in Venice about 1490, was recalled to Milan about this time and
+appointed ducal sculptor, on the recommendation of the Marchesino
+Stanga. It was the duke's pleasure that a recumbent effigy of Beatrice,
+wearing the rich brocades and jewels in which she had been borne to her
+rest, should be placed on her tomb, so that future ages should have a
+perpetual memorial of the young duchess as she had last appeared in the
+eyes of the servants and people who had loved her so well. And as it was
+Lodovico's own wish to be buried in the same tomb, the sculptor was to
+carve an effigy of himself in ducal crown and mantle, lying at his
+wife's side in the last slumber. So, at the duke's bidding, the Milanese
+ambassador, Battista Sfondrati, bought the finest blocks of Carrara
+marble that he could find in Venice, and the brothers of the Certosa
+sent seven loads more from their vast stores to Solari's house in Milan.
+Out of these marbles the sculptor carved a noble bas-relief of the Dead
+Christ and the two admirable effigies of the duke and duchess, which now
+adorn the Certosa of Pavia. His task was probably finished before the
+close of the following year, and the tomb was set up in the <i>Cappella
+maggiore</i> of S. Maria delle Grazie, at a cost of upwards of 15,000
+ducats. At the same time Lodovico placed a slab of black marble on the
+walls of the same chapel, in memory of the dead child whose birth had
+cost his mother her life, with the following proud inscription:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p style="margin-left: 15em;" class="noin">
+"Infelix partus: amisi ante vitam quam in<br />
+Lucem ederer; infelicior quod matri<br />
+Moriens vitam ademi et parentem con<br />
+-sorte sua orbavi in tam adverso fato.<br />
+Hoc solum mihi potest jocundium esse<br /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span>
+Quod divi parentes me, Ludovicus et<br />
+Beatrix Mediolanenses duces genuere,<br />
+<span class="smcap">M.C.C.C.C.LXXXXVII.</span> Tertio Nonas Januarii."<br />
+</p>
+
+<p>The ill-fated child had died before he had ever seen the light of day,
+and, still more unfortunate in this, he had deprived his mother of life,
+and left his father widowed and alone; but this at least he could
+proudly say, "Lodovico and Beatrice, Duke and Duchess of Milan, were my
+parents."</p>
+
+<p>The walls of the chapel were decorated with rich marbles and gilding,
+and new altars were set up in honour of Saint Louis and Santa Beatrice,
+the patron saints of the duke and duchess. Cristoforo was employed to
+carve reliefs for the high altar, and the duke gave the friars a
+jewelled crucifix and marvellously wrought set of chalices, patens,
+candelabra, paci of <i>niello</i>, engraved with Beatrice's name and arms.
+Among other costly gifts, he also presented them with a magnificent
+<i>pallium</i> and richly embroidered hangings for the altar, and a set of
+illuminated choir-books with enamelled and jewelled bindings, while the
+Marchesino Stanga gave an organ to the church. Bramante was ordered to
+complete the cupola as soon as possible, and was employed later to add a
+new sacristy to the church.</p>
+
+<p>But there was one thing more which lay still nearer to Lodovico's heart.
+Leonardo's great wall-painting for the convent refectory was well-nigh
+completed. Cardinal Perault de Gurk, when he visited his friend the
+Dominican prior towards the end of January, 1497, saw and admired the
+work of Leonardo, and conversed with the painter, who laughed, Bandello
+tells us, at his Eminence's ignorance for thinking his salary of 2000
+ducats a large one and expressing surprise at the duke's liberality.
+Lodovico was now anxious to see the life-sized portraits of himself and
+Beatrice with their children painted by the great master's hand on the
+opposite wall. The Dominican historian, Padre Pino, writing in the last
+century, says that the convent retained a life-sized portrait of that
+most excellent and famous lady, Duchess Beatrice, in which the sweet
+gentleness of her nature and majesty of her bearing were faithfully
+reproduced; and Padre Gattico, a very accurate and careful writer of the
+sixteenth century who <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span>wrote the history of the convent from its
+foundation, describes how Leonardo da Vinci was employed by Lodovico to
+paint portraits of himself and Beatrice, with their children kneeling at
+their feet, on the wall opposite the Cenacolo, but adds that these
+portraits, being painted in oil, were already in a ruinous condition.
+The Dominican father's words were all too true, and only the merest
+fragments of these portraits, which Vasari described as works of sublime
+beauty, now remain on the wall, where the Lombard artist Montorfano had
+already painted his fresco of the Crucifixion. That of Beatrice is a
+mere ghost, but enough remains of Lodovico's figure to show how nobly
+Leonardo treated his subject, and is of the deepest interest as an
+example of the great Florentine's art and a faithful likeness of his
+illustrious patron. A distinct reference to Lodovico's wishes on the
+subject may be found in the paper of directions which he drew up on the
+30th of June, 1497, for his minister the Marchesino Stanga.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Memorandum of the things which Messer Marchesino is to do.</i></p>
+
+<p>"In the first place, he is to place the ducal arms in gold letters on a
+marble slab on Porta Ludovica, together with ten bronze medals bearing
+the duke's head.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Item</i>: to see that similar tablets are placed on all the public
+buildings, excepting those in the Castello, which are in charge of
+Messer Bernardino di Corte, and that medals are placed between them.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Item</i>: to see that <i>El Gobbo</i> carves the reliefs for the altar this
+year, and that he has sufficient marble, and if more is needed, send to
+Venice or Carrara.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Item</i>: to see that the sepulchre is finished without delay, and to
+desire <i>Gobbo</i> to work at the covering and all the other portions
+belonging to the tomb, so that it may be ready as soon as the rest of
+the sepulchre.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Item</i>: to ask Leonardo the Florentine to finish his work on the wall
+of the Refectory, and to begin the painting on the other wall of the
+Refectory. If he will do this, some arrangement may be made with him
+regarding the agreements signed by his own hand, by which he stipulated
+to finish the work within a certain time.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span>"<i>Item</i>: to see that the portico of S. Ambrogio is finished, for which
+two thousand ducats have been assigned.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Item</i>: to call together all the most skilled architects to hold a
+consultation, and design a model for the fa&ccedil;ade of Santa Maria delle
+Grazie, which shall be of the same height and proportions as the
+<i>Capella Grande</i>.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Item</i>: to finish the <i>Strada da Corte</i>, which the duke wishes to see
+completed.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Item</i>: to make a head of our Madonna the late duchess, and place it on
+a medallion with that of the duke on the doors of the chapel in Santa
+Maria delle Grazie.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Item</i>: to open a new gate in the walls corresponding to the Porta S.
+Marco, and call it the Porta Beatrice, and place the ducal arms and
+letters of the said duchess upon the said gate, as has been done at
+Porta Ludovica.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Item</i>: to desire that the decorations of the Broletto Nuovo should be
+finished by August.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Item</i>: to place an inscription in gold letters on black marble above
+the portraits of the chapel."</p>
+
+<p>This <i>Memoriale</i> was signed by the ducal secretary, Bartolommeo Calco,
+and the following lines were added by Lodovico himself:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Marchesino</span>,&mdash;We have charged you with the execution of the
+works here mentioned, and, although you have already received our orders
+by word of mouth, we have for our further satisfaction set them down in
+writing, to show you how extraordinary is the interest that we take in
+their completion.</p>
+
+<p class="right" style="padding-right: 2em;">
+"<span class="smcap">Ludovico Maria Sfortia.</span>"<a name="FNanchor_71_71" id="FNanchor_71_71"></a><a href="#Footnote_71_71" class="fnanchor">[71]</a></p>
+<br />
+
+<p>The bronze medals here mentioned, which by Lodovico's orders were to be
+placed on all the chief public buildings, were probably those designed
+by Caradosso after Beatrice's death, in which the head of the duke and
+duchess appear side by side.</p>
+
+<p>The name and arms of Beatrice were to be seen everywhere; her portrait
+was to be placed in the church of the Grazie, and her medallion above
+the gate. And to-day, in spite of the common ruin which has overwhelmed
+the palaces and churches of Lodovico's fair duchy, the armorial bearings
+of his consort may <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span>still be seen painted in the lunette above the
+Cenacolo, as if the duke wished Leonardo's great painting to be
+especially associated with her beloved memory; while not only in the
+Castello of Milan, but on the site of ducal castles and villas
+throughout the Milanese, blocks of stone and marble carved with the
+initials of Lodovico and Beatrice are constantly brought to light.</p>
+
+<p>In the midst of these tokens of grief and love for his lost wife, we
+come upon a strange incident. That May, Lucrezia Crivelli, the mistress
+whose <i>liaison</i> with the duke had caused Beatrice the sorrow which he
+now remembered with so much remorse, bore Lodovico a son, who was named
+Gianpaolo, and who became a valiant soldier and loyal subject of his
+half-brother Duke Francesco Sforza in after days. The Moro, as far as we
+know, never renewed his connection with Lucrezia after his wife's death.
+The universal testimony of his contemporaries&mdash;"he lived chastely and
+devoutly, and was a changed man"&mdash;seems to bear witness to the contrary;
+but in the following August he settled Cussago and Saronno, the lands
+which three years before he had given to Beatrice, upon his mistress as
+a provision for the son she had borne him, and in the act of donation
+speaks expressly of the delight which he had found in her gentle and
+excellent company.</p>
+
+<p>Even more strange it sounds in our ears to find Isabella d'Este, only a
+year after Beatrice's death, writing to the duke's former mistress,
+Cecilia Gallerani, to ask for the loan of her portrait by Leonardo's
+hand, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. The fact that a
+princess of the proud house of Este, and one who, in the eyes of her
+generation, was the model of all virtues, should seek a favour from one
+who had wronged her sister so deeply, affords fresh proof how lightly
+such <i>liaisons</i> were regarded in those days, and may incline us to be
+more lenient in our judgments of the men and women of the Renaissance.</p>
+
+<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_65_65" id="Footnote_65_65"></a><a href="#FNanchor_65_65"><span class="label">[65]</span></a> Luzio-Renier, <i>op. cit.</i>, p. 639.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_66_66" id="Footnote_66_66"></a><a href="#FNanchor_66_66"><span class="label">[66]</span></a> C. Magenta, <i>op. cit.</i></p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_67_67" id="Footnote_67_67"></a><a href="#FNanchor_67_67"><span class="label">[67]</span></a> This valuable and interesting letter is preserved in the
+State archives of the House of Este at Modena, and was first published
+by Signor Gustavo Uzielli, in his <i>Leonardo da Vinci e Tre donne
+Milanesi</i>, p. 43.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_68_68" id="Footnote_68_68"></a><a href="#FNanchor_68_68"><span class="label">[68]</span></a> Muratori, xxiv. 342.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_69_69" id="Footnote_69_69"></a><a href="#FNanchor_69_69"><span class="label">[69]</span></a> M. Sanuto, <i>Diarii</i>, i. 489.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_70_70" id="Footnote_70_70"></a><a href="#FNanchor_70_70"><span class="label">[70]</span></a> L. P&eacute;lissier, <i>Les Amies de L. Sforza</i>.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_71_71" id="Footnote_71_71"></a><a href="#FNanchor_71_71"><span class="label">[71]</span></a> Cant&ugrave; in A. S. L., 1874, p. 183.</p></div>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 15%;" /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span>
+<br />
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII</h3>
+
+<div style="margin-left: 2em;">
+<p class="hang">The Marquis of Mantua dismissed by the Venetians&mdash;He incurs Duke
+Lodovico's displeasure by his intrigues&mdash;Isabella d'Este's
+correspondence with the Duke of Milan&mdash;Leonardo in the Castello&mdash;Death
+of Charles VIII.&mdash;Visit of Lodovico to Mantua&mdash;Francesco Gonzaga
+appointed captain of the imperial forces&mdash;Isabella of Aragon and
+Isabella d'Este&mdash;Chiara Gonzaga and Caterina Sforza&mdash;Lodovico's will.</p>
+</div>
+
+<h3>1497-1498</h3>
+
+
+<p>While Lodovico was building sanctuaries and raising memorials to his
+dead wife, his brother-in-law of Mantua had excited the suspicions of
+the Venetians by his French sympathies, and in April, 1497, was suddenly
+dismissed from his post of captain-general of the Signoria's armies.
+Isabella d'Este was deeply distressed, and Francesco Gonzaga declared
+loudly that this disgrace was the result of Galeazzo di Sanseverino's
+jealousy and of the Moro's intrigues. In September the marquis and
+Messer Galeazzo met at a tournament held at Brescia in honour of the
+Queen of Cyprus. Fracassa was also present with his wife, Margherita
+Pia, in a chariot driven by twelve fine horses, and both he and the
+marquis entered the lists with their followers, but the hero of the day
+was Galeazzo, who appeared suddenly at the head of forty horsemen, all
+in deep mourning, with hair dyed black, and black and gold armour, and a
+herald bearing a black pennon with gold griffins. When the joust was
+over, the queen entertained Fracassa's wife, and all the cavaliers, at
+supper, and the next day Galeazzo escorted her home over the hills to
+Asolo. But this meeting did not improve the strained relations between
+the princes of Milan and Mantua, and the secret intrigues which
+Francesco Gonzaga carried on both with France and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span>Florence soon came to
+Lodovico's ears. In November the duke wrote a strong remonstrance to
+Isabella, complaining bitterly of her husband's ingratitude, and
+declaring that he would have exposed his fraudulent conduct in the eyes
+of the Venetians, and of all Italy, had it not been for the love and
+regard which he had for her. Isabella was seriously alarmed at the tone
+of her brother-in-law's letter, and did her best to effect a
+reconciliation between him and her husband. Her efforts were seconded by
+her father, Duke Ercole, and his sons, who were often at Milan, and kept
+up friendly relations with Lodovico after their sister's death. Alfonso
+and his wife, Anna Sforza, were at the Castello in June, and Galeazzo di
+Sanseverino himself accompanied the heir of Ferrara to the shop of the
+famous Missaglia to order a suit of armour which should be "of a
+gallantry and perfection worthy of Don Alfonso." We hear of a splendid
+suit of gilded armour, also the work of the Missaglias, being presented
+to Ferrante d'Este by the Duke of Milan, while Beatrice's youngest
+brother, the boy-cardinal, Ippolito, succeeded Guido Arcimboldo as
+Archbishop of Milan, and took up his abode in that city. But a new
+calamity befell the house of Este that November in the death of Anna
+Sforza, who, like her sister-in-law, gave birth to a still-born child on
+the 30th of November, and herself expired a few hours later, to the
+grief of her whole family, and more especially of Duke Ercole, who, in
+his advancing years, saw himself bereaved of all of those he loved best.
+The sweetness and goodness of this princess, the Ferrarese diarist tells
+us, had endeared her to all the people of Ferrara, and in the shock of
+her sudden death Lodovico felt a renewal of his own sorrow. In the same
+week, another Este princess, who had been closely associated with the
+Milanese court, also passed away. This was the widowed mother of Niccolo
+da Correggio, that once beautiful and charming Beatrice, who had been
+known in her youth as the Queen of Festivals, and who for many years had
+been a staunch friend of the Moro, and had long occupied rooms in the
+Castello. After her death, Niccolo, feeling that the last link which
+bound him to Lodovico's court was severed, left Milan, and returned to
+his old home at Ferrara. That autumn, Cristoforo Romano also left the
+court, which Duchess Beatrice's <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span>death had shorn of its old brightness
+and splendour, and entered the service of her sister Isabella d'Este at
+Mantua, while the court-poet, Gaspare Visconti, died early in the
+following year. One by one artists and singers were dropping out of
+sight, and the brilliant company which Lodovico's wife had gathered
+round her was fast melting away. The gay days of Vigevano and Cussago
+were over, the deer and wild boars grazed unharmed in these woodland
+valleys, and when Kaiser Maximilian asked the duke for one of his famous
+breed of falcons, Lodovico sent him one belonging to Messer Galeazzo's
+breed, saying that he no longer kept any of his own, and had quite given
+up hunting since the death of the duchess of blessed memory.</p>
+
+<p>But his love of art and learning was as great as ever, and Fra Luca
+Pacioli, the able mathematician, who came to Milan in 1496, and
+dedicated his treatise of <i>La Divina Proporzione</i> to Lodovico, describes
+the laudable and scientific duel of famous and learned men, that was
+held on the 9th of February, 1498, in the Castello of Milan&mdash;"that
+invincible fortress of the glorious city which is a residence worthy of
+His Excellency." The duke himself presided at this meeting, which some
+writers have supposed to be a sitting of an academy of arts and sciences
+founded by Lodovico, with Leonardo for its president, and left Milan the
+next day, on a pilgrimage to the Holy Mount of the Madonna at Varese.
+Among the many illustrious personages, religious and secular, who were
+present on this occasion, Fra Luca mentions "Messer Galeazzo Sforza di
+San Severino, my own special patron," to whom he presented the beautiful
+illuminated copy of his treatise, now in the Ambrosiana, the Prior of
+the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, the doctors and astrologers,
+Ambrogio da Rosate, Pirovano, Cusani and Marliani, and many well-known
+jurists, councillors, architects, and engineers, including Leonardo da
+Vinci, "our fellow-citizen of Florence, who, in sculpture and painting
+alike, justifies his name and surpasses"&mdash;i.e. <i>vince</i> = conquers&mdash;"all
+other masters."<a name="FNanchor_72_72" id="FNanchor_72_72"></a><a href="#Footnote_72_72" class="fnanchor">[72]</a></p>
+
+<p>Leonardo's Cenacolo, we learn from his friend Pacioli, was at length
+finished, and preparations were being made for casting his great horse
+in bronze, but the master himself was chiefly engaged in the study of
+hydraulics, and was writing a treatise on <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span>motion and water-power. In
+April, however, he was again painting in the Castello, and Messer
+Gualtero, one of Lodovico's most trusted servants, informed the duke,
+who was absent for a few days, that both his sons were very well, and
+that Magistro Leonardo was at work in the Saletta Negra. He would
+shortly proceed to the Camera Grande in the tower, and promised to
+complete the decorations by September, in order that the duke might be
+able to enjoy them next autumn. A note in one of Leonardo's manuscripts
+speaks of twenty-four Roman subjects, probably small decorative groups
+in <i>camaieu</i>, painted on the vaulting of these rooms, and gives the
+exact cost of the blue, gold, and enamel employed, but all trace of
+these decorations has vanished. At the same time Lodovico appointed his
+favourite master to the post of ducal engineer, and employed him to
+survey those vast and elaborate fortifications in the Castello, which
+excited the wonder of the French invaders.</p>
+
+<p>Two of Amadeo's great architectural works, the cupola of the Duomo of
+Milan, and the fa&ccedil;ade of the Certosa, were brought to a successful
+conclusion in these last years of Lodovico's rule, while the foundation
+stone of the noble Cistercian monastery attached to S. Ambrogio, now a
+military hospital, was laid by the duke, and built at his expense from
+Bramante's designs. The charitable society known as the Confraternity of
+the Santa Corona, or Holy Crown of Thorns, a name familiar to all who
+have visited its ancient halls, and seen Luini's fresco, was another
+excellent institution intended for the relief of the sick poor in their
+own homes, which was founded under the duke's auspices, and largely
+supported by his liberality. But once more wars and rumours of war came
+to disturb the Milanese, and to call Lodovico away from these public
+works and improvements in which he took delight.</p>
+
+<p>The renewed intrigues of Charles VIII. with the Florentines, and revived
+fears of a French invasion, induced Lodovico to send Baldassare Pusterla
+to Venice in February, 1498, to solicit the help of the Signoria, but
+while these negotiations were going on, a courier arrived from Ferrara
+with the news of the French king's sudden death. Charles, who was not
+twenty-eight, had died of apoplexy as he was watching a game of bowls at
+Amboise, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span>and his cousin, the Duke of Orleans, had been proclaimed king
+under the title of Louis XII. Sanuto reports that the courier who
+brought the news from Amboise to Florence had ridden the whole way in
+seven days, and had killed no less than thirteen horses!</p>
+
+<p>"Magnificent ambassador!" said the Doge to the Milanese envoy, "you told
+us that His Most Christian Majesty was on his way to Italy. We hear that
+he is dead!"</p>
+
+<p>The news was a great relief to most of the Italian powers, to none more
+so than Lodovico, who saw his immediate fears removed, and did not
+realize how much reason he had to dread the ambitious designs of his old
+rival king Louis. But in his eagerness to secure the alliance of
+Florence, he committed the fatal mistake of affronting the Venetians. He
+refused to allow a fresh detachment of troops, which they were sending
+to Pisa, to pass through his dominions, and the Signory in revenge sent
+an embassy to the King of France with secret orders to take counsel with
+Trivulzio and negotiate a league with Louis XII. against the Duke of
+Milan. All Lodovico's hopes were now fixed on the formation of a new
+league between Maximilian, the Pope, Naples, and Milan. When this was
+concluded, he offered the generalship of the allied forces, with the
+title of Captain of the King of the Romans, to the Marquis of Mantua.
+Still Francesco Gonzaga was not satisfied, and complained that he ought
+also to be entitled Captain-general to the Duke of Milan, a title which
+Lodovico refused to take from his son-in-law Galeazzo. However,
+Isabella, who had already paved the way for this reconciliation,
+implored her husband to be content for the present with the duke's
+offer, remarking that the salary was the important thing, and in May the
+marquis went to Milan, where he received a cordial welcome, and the
+terms of the agreement were satisfactorily arranged.</p>
+
+<p>Lodovico now announced his intention of coming to Mantua in person, and
+on the 27th of June arrived there on a visit to the marquis and
+marchioness, accompanied by the young Cardinal Ippolito and the German,
+Spanish, Florentine, and Neapolitan ambassadors, with a suite of a
+thousand persons. Great was Isabella's anxiety that nothing should be
+lacking on this occasion, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span>and endless were the pains which she took to
+do honour to her splendid brother-in-law. She borrowed plate and
+tapestries from Niccolo da Correggio, and desired her own envoy at
+Milan, Benedetto Capilupi, to ask Galeazzo Visconti and Antonio
+Costabili what wines the duke preferred and what clothes he would expect
+her to wear. Lodovico himself had not yet laid aside his mourning, and
+Isabella wondered if the rooms of his apartments at Mantua must be hung
+with black velvet, or if she might venture to relieve them with violet
+tints, as would, she felt, be more fitting to this festive occasion. The
+duke, Capilupi replied, would be satisfied with any arrangements the
+marchesa liked to make, and as for the wines, he found that those
+usually preferred by his Excellency at supper were clear white wines,
+rather sweet and new, while at dinner he generally drank light red wine,
+such as Cesolo, all very clear and new.</p>
+
+<p>The visit passed off successfully, and after three days of <i>f&ecirc;tes</i> and
+entertainments Lodovico returned to Milan. Francesco Gonzaga, however,
+still wavered between the duke and the Venetians, and it was not till
+Lodovico sent Marchesino Stanga and Fracassa to Mantua in November, that
+the agreement was finally concluded, and Erasmo Brasca delivered the
+b&acirc;ton to the marquis in the emperor's name. Isabella herself interviewed
+the ceremony from a tribunal erected on the piazza in front of the
+Castello di Corte at Mantua, and the duke wrote a graceful note to his
+sister-in-law, thanking her for her good offices in the matter. He still
+constantly sent her presents of choice fruits or wines and venison,
+while Isabella, in return, sent him salmon-trout from Garda, and
+Evangelista, the marquis's famous trainer, tamed the duke's horses. In
+July Lodovico sent her a basket of peaches, wishing they had been even
+finer than they were, to be more worthy of her acceptance, and Isabella
+wrote in reply: "The peaches sent by your Excellency are most welcome,
+not only because they are the first ripe ones I have tasted this summer,
+but far more because they are a proof of your gracious remembrance, for
+which I can never thank your Excellency enough." On New Year's Day,
+1499, Lodovico sent the marchioness two barrels of wine&mdash;"<i>vino
+amabile</i>"&mdash;and two chests of lemons, and in February wrote to thank her
+for the fish, which were very fine <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span>and good and had reached him
+opportunely, as it was Friday in Lent.</p>
+
+<p>Gifts of artichokes, which were then esteemed a great delicacy, were
+often sent to the duke by Genoese nobles, and in March, 1499, we find
+Giovanni Adorno, the brother-in-law of the San Severini, who evidently
+knew Lodovico's taste for flowers, sending a basket of forty artichokes
+together with a bouquet of the finest roses. Another characteristic note
+was the following, written by the Moro to Francesco Gonzaga, in
+January:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I always take great delight in seeing the swans which you sent us some
+years ago, sailing on the castle moat under these windows. So if you
+have any others to spare, I beg you to send me some, for which I shall
+be very grateful."<a name="FNanchor_73_73" id="FNanchor_73_73"></a><a href="#Footnote_73_73" class="fnanchor">[73]</a></p>
+
+<p>Two of the last letters, which Isabella addressed to her brother-in-law,
+are of especial interest, as relating to Giangaleazzo's widow, the
+Duchess Isabella of Aragon. A few weeks after Beatrice's death, this
+unfortunate lady had been desired by the duke to leave her rooms in the
+Castello, and take up her abode in the old palace near the Duomo. Some
+contention arose respecting the boy Francesco Sforza, whom Lodovico
+wished to keep with his own sons in the Rocchetta, and who remained
+there for a time, only visiting his mother once a week. "You have taken
+my son's crown away," said the duchess, indignantly, "and now you would
+take his mother too!" Lodovico is said to have replied, "Madam, you are
+a woman, so I will not quarrel with you." But in spite of her hatred for
+Lodovico, Isabella of Aragon still kept up friendly relations with her
+Este cousins. In 1498, she asked the marchioness for an antique bust,
+which Andrea Mantegna had brought back from Rome, and which she heard
+bore a striking likeness to herself. The painter, however, valued the
+marble so highly that for long he refused to part with it, and offered
+to send the duchess a cast of the bust in bronze. Isabella d'Este,
+however, finally prevailed upon him to let her buy the head, and send it
+as a present to her cousin, whom she declared it resembled in a
+marvellous manner. At the same time she promised the duchess a replica
+of a portrait of her brother, King Ferrante of Naples, which she valued
+too much to part with, but would have copied as soon as possible by
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span>Francesco Mantegna. Before satisfying her cousin's wishes, however, the
+prudent Isabella applied to the duke and ascertained that he had no
+objection to her action. Again, when in March, 1499, the duchess begged
+Isabella to let her have her own portrait, the marchioness sent the
+picture to Lodovico, and asked him for leave to send the picture to
+Giangaleazzo's widow.</p>
+
+<br />
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Most illustrious Prince and excellent Duke and dear Father,</span></p>
+
+<p>"I am afraid I shall weary not only your Highness, but all Italy with
+the sight of my portraits; but reluctantly as I do this, I could not
+refuse the Duchess Isabella's urgent entreaties to let her have my
+portrait in colours. I send this one, which is not very like me, and
+makes me look fatter than I really am, and have desired Negro, my master
+of the horse, to show it to your Highness, and, if you approve, give it
+to the duchess from me."<a name="FNanchor_74_74" id="FNanchor_74_74"></a><a href="#Footnote_74_74" class="fnanchor">[74]</a></p>
+
+<p>Lodovico replied pleasantly that he admired the portrait, and thought it
+very like Isabella, although it made her look stouter than when he had
+last seen her, but suggested that perhaps she had grown fatter during
+the interval. And the picture was duly presented to Duchess Isabella
+that same day.</p>
+
+<p>The marquis's widowed sister Chiara Gonzaga, Duchess of Montpensier,
+also kept up an active correspondence with the Moro at this time, and
+warned him repeatedly of the intrigues against him that were going on at
+the French court, and of the dangers he had to fear from Trivulzio and
+the Venetians.</p>
+
+<p>So warm was the friendship between this lady and Lodovico, that a
+Mantuan doctor wrote from Milan to Francesco Gonzaga, on pretence of
+having received a commission from the duke to ask for his widowed
+sister's hand in marriage, and as well as for that of his youthful
+daughter Leonora on behalf of the young Count of Pavia. The duke wrote
+back that he had never seen the doctor, and that the whole was a
+fabrication. As he informed Chiara, he had not the smallest intention of
+marrying a second time, although he had already received proposals to
+this effect, both from Naples and Germany. And, by way of
+peace-offering, he sent her a beautiful little <i>niello</i> pax, as a
+specimen of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span>the work of his Milanese goldsmiths, and as a proof that he
+placed himself altogether at her service. In return, Chiara sent him her
+cordial thanks, and informed him that her brother had given orders for
+the instant arrest of the mischievous doctor, and would see that he was
+delivered into the duke's hands.</p>
+
+<p>Another princess, who was in constant correspondence with the Moro
+during these last years, was his niece Caterina Sforza, the famous
+Madonna of Forli. Long ago, he had helped her against the conspirators
+who had killed her first husband and besieged her in the Rocca, and ten
+years before, Galeazzo di Sanseverino had won his first laurels at
+Forli. Since those days, Lodovico had been a good friend to this warlike
+lady in all her perpetual quarrels with her subjects and neighbours. "I
+should be ready to drown myself, were it not for the trust that I place
+in your Excellency," Caterina wrote to her uncle in 1496. Now that she
+had aroused the wrath of Venice by her alliance with Florence, and that
+Romagna was actually invaded by a Venetian force, the duke sent first
+Fracassa and then the Count of Caiazzo to her help. In her gratitude she
+called the infant son born of her third marriage with Giovanni de'
+Medici, Lodovico, a name which he afterwards changed, to become famous
+in history as Giovanni <i>delle bande nere</i>. But this <i>virago</i>, as
+Machiavelli named the gallant lady of Forli, was by no means easy to
+deal with, and she was constantly appealing to Lodovico to settle her
+disputes. One day she welcomed Fracassa as a delivering angel, the next
+she quarrelled with him violently, and turned a deaf ear to the Moro's
+advice to overcome the Condottiere's rudeness by fair words and gentle
+courtesy. After summarily rejecting his suggestion of a Gonzaga bride
+for her son, and informing him that she was about to accept the Count of
+Caiazzo's proposals for her daughter Bianca, she changed her mind,
+declaring the count to be too old, and suddenly bethought herself of
+Galeazzo di Sanseverino, as a suitable husband. This proposal, however,
+the Moro promptly declined in a curt note, telling the countess that
+Messer Galeazzo had no intention of marrying again.<a name="FNanchor_75_75" id="FNanchor_75_75"></a><a href="#Footnote_75_75" class="fnanchor">[75]</a></p>
+
+<p>But the days of the once powerful Moro's reign were already numbered,
+and the time was coming when he would be in sore <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span>need of help himself.
+His subjects were already grievously discontented. At Milan, Cremona,
+and Lodi, even in faithful Pavia, there had been tumults and riotings.
+It became increasingly difficult to exact the loans required to meet the
+heavy expenses for the national defence, while the ill-paid troops
+murmured, and in many cases deserted the standard.</p>
+
+<p>"In the whole Milanese there is trouble and discontent. No one loves the
+duke. And yet he still reigns.... But he is a traitor to Venice, and
+will be punished for his bad faith." So wrote Marino Sanuto that autumn;
+while another Venetian chronicler, Malipiero, gave vent to his bitter
+hatred in these words:</p>
+
+<p>"Lodovico hoped to give the Signory trouble by his alliance with Charles
+VIII., but God our protector has taken away that monarch's life, and has
+made King Alvise his successor, who is Lodovico's enemy."</p>
+
+<p>So the year closed gloomily. The political horizon was black and
+lowering, and Lodovico had lost the wife upon whose courage and presence
+of mind he had learnt to lean. He was suffering from gout himself, and
+was often unable to mount a horse. But he still found pleasure in his
+artistic dreams and in the vast schemes that filled his brain. Already
+he had seen many of his plans carried out. Bramante's cupola and
+sacristy were finished and Beatrice's tomb, with the sleeping form and
+face, had been exquisitely wrought in marble by the sculptor's hand.
+Leonardo had completed the Cenacolo to be the wonder of the world in
+coming ages, and the great equestrian statue was only waiting for better
+times to be cast in bronze and become a permanent memorial of the proud
+Sforza race. Now a new and grander vision filled his thoughts. He would
+rebuild the convent of the Dominican Friars on a vast and splendid
+scale, and make it the most glorious sanctuary in the world, surpassing
+even his beloved Certosa, for the sake of Beatrice, and as a living
+memorial of the love which he had borne to his dead wife.</p>
+
+<p>He began by rebuilding the friars' dormitories, enlarging their gardens,
+and giving them a good water-supply. Then, on the 3rd of December of
+this year, 1498, he drew up a deed by which he <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span>granted his beautiful
+villa of the Sforzesca, with the spacious farms and fertile lands which
+had been his pride and pleasure in past days, to the prior and convent
+of Santa Maria delle Grazie, in perpetuity. In the preamble to the deed
+of gift, the duke expresses his great love for this church, "where our
+dead children repose, and our most dear wife Beatrice d'Este sleeps,
+where, God willing, we ourselves hope to rest until the day of
+resurrection," and ends with a devout prayer "that God and the Blessed
+Virgin, the Dominican saints, Peter Martyr, Thomas Aquinas, and Dominic,
+St. Vincent, St. Katharine of Siena, and all the saints, will hear the
+prayers offered at these altars by the brothers of the order, and
+forgive our failings, increase our merit, preserve our sons, give peace
+and tranquillity to our subjects, receive the soul of our dearly loved
+Beatrice into rest eternal, and finally place us, when this life is
+over, among the holy monarchs and princes of His kingdom." This deed,
+signed and sealed by Lodovico's own hand, and beautifully illuminated by
+Antonio da Monza, or some miniaturist of his school, is preserved,
+together with the former privileges granted to the community during the
+lifetime of Duke Giangaleazzo, in the collection of the Marchese d'Adda.
+Each leaf is elaborately decorated with Lodovico's favourite mottoes and
+devices and other ornaments, while on the first page is a miniature of
+the duke in black cap and mantle, in the act of presenting the act of
+donation to the Dominican prior. After the French conquest of Milan,
+Louis XII. annulled this deed of gift, although the friars escaped
+further spoliation owing to the protection of the powerful Borromeo
+family, and, after a long dispute, their possession of the Sforzesca was
+eventually confirmed by Emperor Charles V. An inscription was placed
+over the gates of the Sforzesca in honour of Lodovico Sforza and his
+wife, and the domain remained the property of the convent until the
+general confiscation of Church lands by Napoleon in 1798. Now Lodovico's
+foundation has become national property, the remnants of his spacious
+buildings are used as government schools.</p>
+
+<p>On the same day, December 3, 1498, Lodovico made his will, a curious and
+interesting document, which is still preserved in the Milanese archives,
+and opens with these sentences:</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span>"The holy Fathers teach us that according to the laws of the Eternal
+kingdom, ordered by God Almighty, the elect may attain to this immortal
+heritage by purifying their souls from every earthly stain. By mourning
+for our sins, by giving alms and making reparation for wrong done to
+others, by fasting, prayers, and good works, we can win everlasting
+life, as has been decreed by God in all eternity. Believing this truth
+with our whole heart, in full agreement with the Catholic faith, and
+desiring to provide for the salvation of our soul as precious above all
+earthly treasures, so that by the help of God we may rise purified from
+the stains of this life to enjoy life and peace in the company of the
+blessed, we order these things."<a name="FNanchor_76_76" id="FNanchor_76_76"></a><a href="#Footnote_76_76" class="fnanchor">[76]</a> After recommending his soul once
+more to all the saints, mentioned in the former deed, he desires that
+his body, the ducal robes and insignia, may be buried on the right of
+his wife, in the tomb erected by him, in the <i>Cappella Maggiore</i> of
+Santa Maria delle Grazie, and further endows the convent with a rent of
+1500 ducats, in order that they may never cease to pray for his own soul
+and that of his lady, Beatrice. Seven masses, he decrees, are to be said
+daily for the duke, seven for the duchess, five requiems are to be
+chanted every Wednesday, and the whole office for the dead is to be used
+on the 3rd of every month, being the day on which Beatrice died; while
+in the church of the Sforzesca, masses are to be said in January and
+June&mdash;these being the months of Beatrice's birth and death&mdash;for both the
+duke and his wife. For a whole year after his death, the alms which he
+has given since the duchess's death are to be continued, a certain
+number of poor families are to be relieved, and poor maidens and nuns
+dowered, who are to pray for the souls of Beatrice and of his children
+Leone and Bianca. He leaves 4000 ducats to be distributed yearly in
+alms, and 3000 more to pension his old servants, while 5000 ducats are
+to be paid to each of his illegitimate sons, Cesare and Gianpaolo. All
+his debts and those of his mother are to be discharged, and a sum of
+money equal to that which he, his father, and brother Galeazzo had
+exacted from the Jews is to be spent in good works. All his gifts to the
+Duomo of Milan are confirmed, including the rich plate and vestments
+presented by Azzo Visconti to the chapel of S. Gottardo in the old
+palace, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span>and removed by Duke Galeazzo to the Castello, but restored by
+Lodovico.</p>
+
+<p>To this same date, another even more interesting document must be
+assigned: the political will of Lodovico, which was among the
+manuscripts brought from Milan by Louis XII., in 1499, and is still
+preserved in the Biblioth&egrave;que Nationale.<a name="FNanchor_77_77" id="FNanchor_77_77"></a><a href="#Footnote_77_77" class="fnanchor">[77]</a> This document consists of
+thirty-four parchment leaves, enriched with delicately painted initials
+and the monogram of Lodovico and Beatrice, bound in black velvet and
+fastened with gold clasps. By the duke's orders, it was placed in an
+iron casket, richly ornamented with silver work, bearing his arms and
+those of his wife, as well as the Sforza devices of the lion with the
+buckets and his own favourite emblem of the caduceus. This casket was
+sealed with the cornelian engraved with Beatrice's portrait, which
+Lodovico always used after her death, and deposited in the treasury of
+the Rocchetta, in the charge of the governor of the Castello, to be
+opened by him and the chief secretary and chamberlain, immediately after
+the duke's death. The writer begins by explaining that since the
+premature death of his wife, in whose wisdom and knowledge he placed
+absolute trust, has deprived his sons of their natural guardian, he has
+drawn up the following instructions for their education and guidance and
+for the proper administration of the State, until the elder of the two,
+Maximilian Count of Pavia, shall attain the age of twenty.</p>
+
+<p>First of all, he desires the governors and regents set over his son, to
+impress upon the new duke the love and duty which he owes to his Father
+in heaven, who is the Disposer of all, and the King of earthly kings,
+and under Him to his vicar, the holy pontiff, and his Imperial Majesty,
+Maximilian King of the Romans. And immediately on the present duke's
+death, his son is to apply to the Cesarean Majesty for a confirmation of
+the privileges granted to Duke Lodovico as a singular mark of favour,
+after they had been refused to his father, brother, and nephew. Lodovico
+then proceeds to give minute directions for the constitution of a
+Council of Regency, the administration of the finances, the punishment
+of criminals, appointment of magistrates, and organization of the
+national defences. A standing army of 1200 <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span>men-at-arms and 600 light
+cavalry is to be kept up, as well as garrisons in the fortresses, and
+great stress is laid on the selection of tried and trusted castellans. A
+special paragraph is devoted to Genoa, and Lodovico begs his successor
+to pay especial attention to the noble families of Adorno, Fieschi, and
+Spinola, warning him that the Genoese are easily led but will never be
+driven, and must be treated courteously, and with due regard. All
+important questions of peace and war and of making new laws are to be
+referred to representatives of the people, and the voice of the nation
+is as far as possible to be consulted in these matters. The young duke
+is to make the Castello his residence, and be as seldom absent from
+Milan as possible, never going further than his country houses of
+Abbiategrasso, Cussago, Monza, Dece, and Melegnano, until he has reached
+the age of fourteen. After that, he may, if he pleases, cross the
+Ticino, and visit Vigevano and Pavia, but is recommended to be seldom
+absent from Milan, if he wishes to keep the affection of his subjects.
+His education is to be entrusted to none but the best governors and
+teachers, who are to train him carefully in all branches of religious
+and secular learning, in good conduct and habits, and in the knowledge
+of letters, which last is not merely an ornament but an absolute
+necessity for a prince. From his earliest years he is to take his place
+in the council, and is to be gradually initiated into the management of
+affairs, taught to deliver speeches and receive ambassadors, and
+instructed in all that is necessary to make him a wise and good prince,
+who cares for the welfare of his subjects and is capable of ruling them
+in days of peace, and defending them in time of war. One particular on
+which Lodovico insists is the restraint which he places on his son's
+expenditure. The young prince is to observe great caution in his gifts
+to his favourites. Up to the age of fourteen, he is never to give away
+more than 500 ducats at a time, without the leave of his councillors,
+and may never give presents exceeding that value to strangers on his own
+authority, before he is twenty. Similar directions are given for the
+education of Lodovico's younger son, Sforza, Duke of Bari, and the
+revenues of his principality are to be carefully invested in Genoese
+banks until he is of age. The wise management of the ducal stables <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span>and
+of the chapel choir is especially recommended to the regents, and good
+horses and good singers are always to be kept, for the duke's pleasure
+and the honour of his name. Minute instructions for the safe custody of
+the treasure in the Rocchetta are given, and the very forms to be
+observed in the payment of public money and in the use of the different
+seals affixed to public documents are all carefully determined. Great
+discrimination is to be observed in the appointment of certain
+ministers, in the choice of the Podesta of Milan, in the selection of
+Commissioners of Corn and Salt, as well as of the officer of Public
+Health, since all three of these departments are of the foremost
+importance in a well-regulated State.</p>
+
+<p>In conclusion, directions are given as to the ceremonial to be observed
+at Lodovico's own funeral, which is to take place before the
+proclamation of his successor, who is warned, on pain of incurring the
+paternal malediction, not to assume the ducal crown until his father has
+been laid in the grave.</p>
+
+<p>This political testament, which is so characteristic a monument of
+Lodovico's forethought and attention to detail, and of his enlightened
+theories of government, bears no seal or signature, but ends with the
+following lines in the Moro's own handwriting&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"We Lodovico Maria, lord of Milan, affirm these orders to be those which
+we desire to be followed after our death, in the government of the
+State, under our son and successor in the Duchy. And in token of this,
+we have subscribed them with our own hand, and have appended our ducal
+seal."</p>
+
+<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_72_72" id="Footnote_72_72"></a><a href="#FNanchor_72_72"><span class="label">[72]</span></a> G. Uzielli, <i>Ricerche sopra L. da Vinci</i>, i.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_73_73" id="Footnote_73_73"></a><a href="#FNanchor_73_73"><span class="label">[73]</span></a> L. P&eacute;lissier, <i>op. cit.</i></p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_74_74" id="Footnote_74_74"></a><a href="#FNanchor_74_74"><span class="label">[74]</span></a> Luzio-Renier, <i>op. cit.</i>, p. 650.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_75_75" id="Footnote_75_75"></a><a href="#FNanchor_75_75"><span class="label">[75]</span></a> P. Pasolini, <i>Caterina Sforza</i>, iii.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_76_76" id="Footnote_76_76"></a><a href="#FNanchor_76_76"><span class="label">[76]</span></a> Cant&ugrave; in A. S. L., vi. 235.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_77_77" id="Footnote_77_77"></a><a href="#FNanchor_77_77"><span class="label">[77]</span></a> Italian State papers, M. 821.</p></div>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 15%;" /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span>
+<br />
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX</h3>
+
+<div style="margin-left: 2em;">
+<p class="hang">Treaty of Blois&mdash;Alliance between France, Venice, and the
+Borgias&mdash;Lodovico appeals to Maximilian&mdash;His gift to Leonardo and letter
+to the Certosini&mdash;The French and the Venetians invade the
+Milanese&mdash;Desertion of Gonzaga and treachery of Milanese captains&mdash;Loss
+of Alessandria&mdash;Panic and flight of Duke Lodovico&mdash;Surrender of Pavia
+and Milan to the French&mdash;Treachery of Bernardino da Corte and surrender
+of the Castello&mdash;Triumphal entry of Louis XII.</p>
+</div>
+
+<h3>1499</h3>
+
+
+<p>From the moment of Louis XII.'s accession, he announced his intention of
+making good his claim to the duchy of Milan. He refused to give Lodovico
+the title of duke, addressing him as Messer Lodovico, while he styled
+himself King of France and Duke of Milan, and told the Bishop of Arles
+that he would rather reign over the Milanese for one year than be King
+of France during his whole lifetime. At the same time he spoke freely of
+his plans for the conquest of Italy, and told his courtiers that he
+meant one of his sons to be King of Naples, and the other Duke of Milan.</p>
+
+<p>These sayings were duly reported to Lodovico by his own friends at the
+French court, and chief among them M. de Trano, a Proven&ccedil;al gentleman
+who was in constant correspondence with Milan, as well as by the Duke of
+Ferrara's envoy. Ercole himself is described by French agents as "<i>tr&egrave;s
+attach&eacute; &agrave; son gendre</i>" and Marino Sanuto speaks of him as "exceedingly
+partial to his son-in-law and devoted to him in his secret heart," but
+he was far too wise and prudent a ruler to oppose Louis XII. openly.</p>
+
+<p>The Pope, long the Moro's firm ally, had turned against <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span>him since the
+dissolution of his daughter Lucrezia's marriage to Giovanni Sforza in
+1497, and the presence of Cardinal della Rovere, who returned to Rome
+towards the end of 1498, increased his hatred of the Sforzas. He was
+still more drawn to France by the offers of Louis XII. to forward the
+ambitious designs of his son C&aelig;sar Borgia, who had renounced his
+cardinal's hat and was seeking the hand of the King of Navarre's
+daughter. The discovery of these intrigues led to a sharp
+passage-at-arms between the Pope and Ascanio Sforza in a consistory held
+on the 3rd of December. The cardinal openly accused his Holiness of
+bringing ruin upon Italy, upon which Alexander retorted that he was only
+following the Duke of Milan's example. In vain Lodovico endeavoured to
+avert the gathering storm by entering into negotiations with the French
+king, and even approached Trivulzio with that purpose, but all attempts
+at a peaceable arrangement were frustrated by Galeazzo di Sanseverino
+and Antonio Landriano's hatred of their old rival and the fixed
+determination of Louis XII. to reign in the Moro's stead.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile the Venetian envoys were secretly plotting the Duke of Milan's
+ruin, and on the 15th of April the Treaty of Blois was signed and the
+partition of the Milanese between France and Venice finally determined.
+The Signory agreed to invade the duke's territory with an army of 6000
+men, and were to receive the district of Cremona in return for their
+assistance. This was followed by C&aelig;sar Borgia's marriage to Charlotte
+d'Albret, which took place at Blois on the 10th of May. The Pope's son
+was created Duke of Valentinois by the French king, and Alexander VI.
+joined France and Venice and publicly declared that the house of Sforza
+must be swept off the face of the earth. At the same time, Francesco
+Gonzaga made secret advances to Louis XII., who accepted his offers of
+service and advised the Venetians to make peace with him.</p>
+
+<p>In his extremity Lodovico turned to his sole remaining ally, the Emperor
+Maximilian, and sent Erasmo Brasca and Marchesino Stanga to Fribourg, to
+beg that a German force might be speedily sent to his assistance, while
+he earnestly entreated his niece the empress to plead his cause with her
+husband. Unfortunately, Bianca had little or no influence at the
+imperial court, and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</a></span>Maximilian, who would gladly have helped the duke,
+was hampered by want of money and already engaged in war with his
+turbulent Swiss neighbours. But Bianca did her best for her uncle, and
+in these last days her letters were his chief consolation. She sent him
+the latest and most confidential news, and wrote repeatedly from
+Fribourg and Innsbr&uuml;ck, encouraging him with hopes of speedy help, and
+reminding him how triumphantly he had overcome greater dangers in the
+past.</p>
+
+<p>Even now, when his enemies were closing round him and the last struggle
+was at hand, Lodovico still clung to his old ideals. The love of art was
+still the ruling passion of his life, and Leonardo still for him the
+prince of painters. On the 26th of April, he made the Florentine master
+a present of a vineyard which he had bought from the monastery of S.
+Victor outside the Porta Vercellina, probably adjoining a house and
+piece of land which the painter had already received from him, near S.
+Maria delle Grazie. During the last few years the duke, we know, had
+found it increasingly difficult to provide money for his vast
+enterprises, and from a rough draft of a letter that has been found
+among Leonardo's manuscripts, we gather that the painter's salary was in
+arrears, and that his equestrian statue had not yet been cast in bronze:</p>
+
+<p>"Signore," he writes in these fragmentary sentences, "knowing the mind
+of your Excellency to be fully occupied, I must ask pardon for reminding
+you of my small affairs.... My life is at your service; I am always
+ready to obey your commands. I will say nothing of the horse, because I
+know the times; but, as your Highness is aware, two years' salary is
+owing to me, and I have two masters working at my expense, so that I
+have had to advance fifteen <i>lire</i> out of my own purse to pay them.
+Gladly as I would undertake immortal works and show posterity that I
+have lived, I am obliged to earn my living.... May I remind your
+Highness of the commission to paint the Camerini, only asking ..."</p>
+
+<p>The painter, we know, had never complained of Lodovico's want of
+liberality, and before he left Milan that December, he was able to send
+600 gold florins to Florence, but he probably received the vineyard
+outside the gate in answer to this appeal. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</a></span>In the deed of gift, the
+duke expressly states that Leonardo, in his judgment and in that of the
+best judges, is the most famous of living painters, and that, having
+been employed by him in manifold works, in all of which he has shown
+admirable genius, the time has come to put the promises which have been
+made him into execution. Accordingly, the duke presents him with this
+vineyard, small indeed compared with the painter's merits, but which
+Leonardo may take as a sign that, as in the past, he will always find
+the ducal house sensible of his services, and that Lodovico himself will
+in the future more fully reward the master's excellent acts and singular
+talents.</p>
+
+<p>A week later Lodovico remembered the altar-piece which Perugino had
+promised to paint for the Certosa, and on the 1st of May wrote to the
+Carthusian friars, desiring them to urge the Umbrian painter to complete
+and deliver the work without delay.</p>
+
+<p>"You know," he wrote, "how much labour and expense we have bestowed on
+the decoration of the Certosa of Pavia, and how much we rejoice to see
+that the building is nearly finished. And we have always exhorted
+yourselves, venerable Prior and brothers, to choose the most excellent
+artists to paint pictures that may be at once helps to devotion and
+ornaments of the church. Since, with this intention, we proposed a
+certain Perugino and a Maestro Filippo, both of them admirable and
+honoured masters, to paint two altar-pieces, and disbursed large sums in
+order to obtain these pictures, we are seriously displeased to find that
+three years have passed without the work being done. This is unjust both
+to ourselves and the friars, since it deprives the Certosa of the
+perfection that we desire to see there, and we must beg you to insist on
+these excellent masters completing the said altar-pieces within a
+reasonable term, or else returning the money which they have received.
+For, as you know, nothing is dearer to our hearts than the things that
+concern this church and monastery."</p>
+
+<p>Lodovico's exertions were not in vain, at least in the case of Perugino.
+Before the end of the year, the great altar-piece containing the lovely
+Madonna and saints, which now adorns the National Gallery, was finished,
+and while the duke himself wandered in exile beyond the Alps, the
+Umbrian painter's <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</a></span>masterpiece was safely placed in the glorious church
+which he had loved so well.</p>
+
+<p>This letter relating to the Certosa altar-piece and the gift to Leonardo
+were the last public acts in which the great Moro showed his love of art
+and generosity to artists. His fate was sealed, and already his foes
+were at the door. Before the end of May, King Louis and C&aelig;sar Borgia
+came to Lyons, and Trivulzio descended upon Asti with fifteen thousand
+men. A few weeks later the Milanese envoy to Venice was dismissed, and
+the Venetian army prepared to enter the district of Cremona. Caterina
+Sforza, almost the only Italian ally who was still faithful to Milan,
+sent a troop of men from Forli to her uncle's help, but the invasion of
+Romagna by papal troops hindered her from attacking the Venetians as she
+had intended. In vain Lodovico sent despairing letters to Maximilian,
+begging for the promised reinforcements. Week after week went by, and
+still the German troops did not arrive. On the 13th of August, Trivulzio
+invaded the Milanese with a powerful force of well-trained soldiers, and
+took the castle of Annona. The same day the Venetians crossed the
+eastern frontier and advanced towards the river Adda. On the 14th
+Lodovico wrote the following letter to his niece, the Empress Bianca:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"In our present great anxieties, while the French are attacking us on
+the one side, and on the other a large Venetian army is advancing, your
+Majesty's loving letter has been a great comfort, expressing not only
+the sympathy which you feel in our troubles, but the efforts you have
+made to induce your husband, the king, to help us in these bad times.
+What you say of his good-will is not more than we expected, but your
+kind words have given us unspeakable joy, and we are exceedingly
+grateful, and beg you with all our heart to continue your offices on our
+behalf with the king, entreating him to send us help immediately
+(<i>presto, presto</i>). Indeed, his troops ought to be here now, for we are
+already reduced to extremity, as you will learn from Messer Galeazzo
+Visconti and others, whom we have sent to your Majesty, praying that
+help may be speedy and effectual."<a name="FNanchor_78_78" id="FNanchor_78_78"></a><a href="#Footnote_78_78" class="fnanchor">[78]</a></p>
+
+<p>Three days after, Bianca herself wrote to say that she had spoken to the
+emperor, and begged her <i>ma&icirc;tre d'h&ocirc;tel</i> to support <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</a></span>her request, and
+that he had solemnly promised to send her uncle help. Maximilian kept
+his word, and before the month was over despatched a strong German force
+to the duke's relief. But the sorely needed succour came too late. When
+the Germans reached the Italian frontier, Milan had already surrendered,
+and they met Lodovico flying for his life. There were traitors in the
+Moro's camp and court. Not only had the Marquis of Mantua broken faith
+and refused to defend the Milanese against the Venetians, but two of the
+Sanseverino brothers, Fracassa and Antonio Maria, had for some time past
+threatened to enter the Venetian service; while Francesco Bernardino
+Visconti, the Borromeos, and Pallavicini were secretly corresponding
+with Trivulzio, and the Count of Caiazzo was out of temper and jealous
+of his younger brother Galeazzo, if he was not, as Corio and other
+contemporaries affirm, already in league with the French. Galeazzo
+himself, who had the supreme command of the Milanese forces and held
+Alessandria with 5000 men, was a brilliant carpet-knight and gallant
+soldier, but had little experience as a general, and had no confidence
+in his ill-paid and half-starved troops. When the duke, in a moment of
+irritation, reproached his son-in-law with thinking too much of fine
+clothes and fair ladies, Galeazzo boldly told him that his subjects were
+disaffected and tired of his rule, and that if he did not take vigorous
+measures, he would lose his state. His words proved all too true. One by
+one the fortresses of the Lomellina opened their gates to Trivulzio's
+victorious army, Antonio Maria Pallavicini surrendered Tortona without a
+blow, and when Galeazzo prepared to relieve Pavia, his troops refused to
+follow him. At the head of a handful of cavalry, he made a gallant
+attempt to reach Pavia, but the citizens, alarmed at the approach of the
+French, closed their gates and refused to admit any armed men.</p>
+
+<p>Alessandria was now the only fortified town in the district which could
+arrest Trivulzio's onward march, and Lodovico, trusting to Galeazzo's
+valour, was confident he would be able to hold the town until the
+arrival of Maximilian's reinforcements. But, to the amazement of friend
+and foe alike, on the night of the 28th of August, Galeazzo, attended by
+only three horsemen, left Alessandria at nightfall, crossed the Po, and,
+after cutting the bridge <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</a></span>behind him, rode as fast as he could go to
+Milan. There had been dissensions in the garrison, and the soldiers
+clamoured for pay and refused to fight, but whispers of darker treachery
+were abroad. The Count of Caiazzo, it was said, had forged a letter
+purporting to be from the duke, recalling his son-in-law to Milan on the
+spot, and Galeazzo himself afterwards showed the false orders which had
+deceived him to the French and Milanese chroniclers who repeat the
+story. There seems little doubt that Caiazzo's defection was one of the
+principal causes of Lodovico's ruin, but, whatever the circumstances of
+the case may have been, it is certain that on the next day the French
+entered Alessandria without meeting with any resistance, and Trivulzio
+sent word to his kinsman Erasmo that before the week was over he would
+dine with him in Milan.</p>
+
+<p>When Lodovico heard that Alessandria was lost, his courage failed him.
+He determined to seek safety in flight, and prepared to send his sons to
+Germany under the charge of his brother Cardinal Ascanio Sforza and
+Cardinal Sanseverino, both of whom had left Rome secretly on the 14th of
+July, and travelled by Genoa to Milan. Once more the duke called the
+chief citizens together, and appealed to them, by the love which they
+bore to the house of Sforza and the memory of the peace and prosperity
+which they had enjoyed under his rule, to defend Milan against the
+foreign invaders. But already sedition was spreading among the people.
+That evening the ducal treasurer, Antonio Landriano, one of Lodovico's
+ablest and most loyal servants, was attacked by the mob on the Piazza of
+the Duomo and mortally wounded.</p>
+
+<p>On the same day&mdash;Saturday, the 31st of August&mdash;the duke took leave of
+his sons, and sent them to Como in the charge of the two cardinals and
+their kinswoman, Camilla Sforza. "A truly piteous and heart-breaking
+sight it was," writes Corio, "to see these poor children embrace their
+beloved father, whose face was wet with their tears."</p>
+
+<p>Twenty mules laden with baggage, and a large chariot bearing Lodovico's
+most precious jewels and 240,000 gold ducats, covered with black canvas
+and drawn by eight strong horses, followed in the young princes' train.
+All the rest of the Moro's <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</a></span>treasures, including a sum of 30,000 ducats,
+his vast stores of gold and silver plate, and all Duchess Beatrice's
+rich clothes and possessions, were left in the Castello, which was
+provided with ample supplies of food and ammunition, and defended by
+1800 guns and a garrison of 2800 men, who had received six months' pay
+in advance. These the duke entrusted solemnly to the charge of the
+governor, Bernardino da Corte, leaving him full instructions as to his
+future course of action, and a system of signals by which he could
+communicate with friends in the town, and telling him that he would
+return with 30,000 Germans before a month was over. Both Ascanio Sforza
+and Galeazzo di Sanseverino, it is said, entertained doubts of
+Bernardino da Corte's fidelity, and warned the duke not to leave him
+without a colleague in this responsible office; but Lodovico did not
+share their fears, and trusted implicitly in the loyalty of this
+servant, whom he had advanced from a humble position to fill this
+responsible post and loaded with favours.</p>
+
+<p>After his children were gone, Lodovico drew up a last deed, by which he
+left certain of his lands and houses to his friends in Milan, and made
+reparation to others whom he had wronged. Chief among these was the
+widowed Duchess Isabella, to whom he gave his own duchy of Bari, in the
+kingdom of Naples, with a yearly revenue of 6000 ducats in place of her
+dowry. He restored the lands of Angleria and the fortress of Arona to
+the Borromeos, gave poor Beatrice's favourite country house of Villa
+Nuova to Battista Visconti, and divided his different domains among the
+chief representatives of noble Milanese families, in the hope of
+securing their allegiance. While he was engaged in this final disposal
+of his property, a deputation arrived to inform him that a meeting had
+been held that day in the Dominican hall of La Rosa, at which the Bishop
+of Como, Landriano, general of the Umiliati, Castiglione, Archbishop of
+Bari, and Francesco Bernardino Visconti were chosen to form a
+provisional committee of public safety, and that these councillors had
+decided to make terms with Trivulzio and admit the French. The duke said
+that he still put his trust in the people; upon which Visconti asked him
+why, if this were the case, he had sent his sons and his treasure away?
+"If you surrender the city to the French," replied the duke, "I will
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</a></span>hold the Castello for the emperor." It was his last word. In vain
+Galeazzo urged him to put himself at the head of his loyal servants, and
+call upon the citizens of Milan to man the walls against the French and
+fight or die with their duke. It was already too late. While they were
+still speaking, news reached the Castello that the people had risen in
+tumultuous uproar, and that Galeazzo di Sanseverino's stables and the
+seneschal Ambrogio Ferrari's house had been sacked by the mob. The shops
+were closed, and the houses in the principal streets were barricaded.
+Terror and confusion prevailed everywhere, and Milan seemed in a state
+of siege. Lodovico now took leave of his faithful servants, and solemnly
+charged Bernardino da Corte to hold the Castello as a sacred trust. "As
+long as the Rocca holds out, I know that I shall return; but when that
+surrenders, the house of Sforza is doomed." With these words he kissed
+the castellan on the cheek, and, mounted on a black horse, in the long
+black mantle which he always wore since his wife's death, he rode out,
+accompanied by his chief senators to the Porta Vercellina. There he
+turned to his companions, and, with a noble and dignified air, thanked
+them once more for their faithful services, and bade them all farewell.
+"<i>State con Dio</i>&mdash;may God be with you," he said, and, with a last wave
+of his hand, put spurs to his black charger and rode off.</p>
+
+<p>The sun was setting in the western sky, and the sorrowing courtiers
+thought that their master had gone to Como. But he alighted before the
+gates of S. Maria delle Grazie, and, throwing the reins to a page,
+entered the church where Beatrice was buried. There he knelt in prayer
+by the tomb of the wife whom he had loved so well and mourned so
+long&mdash;<i>la sua amantissima duchessa</i>&mdash;while the moments slipped away and
+his servants waited anxiously outside. At length he rose from his knees,
+took a last look at the fair face and form lying there in the deep
+repose of death, and left the church, accompanied by the weeping friars,
+who followed him with their tears and blessings to the door. Three times
+he turned round, while the tears streamed down his pale face, and looked
+at the stately pile, which held all that had been dearest to him in the
+world&mdash;where Leonardo had painted his Last Supper, and where Bianca and
+Beatrice slept together. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</a></span>Then, in the dusk of the summer evening, he
+rode slowly back through the park and gardens of the Castello.</p>
+
+<p>At break of day on the following morning, Monday, the 2nd of September,
+Duke Lodovico, accompanied by his son-in-law, Galeazzo di Sanseverino,
+his nephews, Ermes and the Count of Melzi, and his brother-in-law,
+Ippolito d'Este, and attended by a few armed horsemen, left Milan and
+rode to Como. Here the fugitives spent the night, and the duke issued a
+last decree, by which he confirmed the privileges and grants of land
+which he had granted to the friars of S. Maria delle Grazie. Then he
+told the loyal citizens of Como that he would soon return at the head of
+a German army, and rode along the banks of the lake to the mountains of
+the Valtellina. Often on the road he looked back at the blue waters and
+lovely shores of that native land which he had been so proud to call his
+own, and, at last, addressing his companions in the words of the Roman
+poet, said sorrowfully, "<i>Nos patriam fugimus et dulcia linquimus
+arva</i>."</p>
+
+<p>"Only think, reader," moralizes Marino Sanuto, "what grief and shame so
+great and glorious a lord, who had been held to be the wisest of
+monarchs and ablest of rulers, must have felt at losing so splendid a
+state in these few days, without a single stroke of the sword.... Let
+those who are in high places take warning, considering the miserable
+fall of this lord, who was held by many to be the greatest prince in the
+world, and let them remember that when Fortune sets you on the top of
+her wheel, she may at any moment bring you to the ground, and then the
+closer you have been to heaven, the greater and the more sudden will be
+your fall."</p>
+
+<p>Already Ligny's horsemen were scouring the country round Como in pursuit
+of the fugitive, and reports reached Venice that the duke had been
+captured and Galeazzo slain. By this time, however, Lodovico had crossed
+the frontier and was safe on Tyrolese soil. At Bormio he met 2000 German
+troops, who were marching to his relief; and when he reached Innsbr&uuml;ck,
+he found that the Empress Bianca had prepared rooms for his reception,
+and received kindly messages from Maximilian, promising him more
+efficient support as soon as he had settled his quarrel with the Swiss.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</a></span>Meanwhile Pavia had opened her gates to the French, upon hearing news
+of the duke's flight, Trivulzio had taken possession of the Castello,
+and Ligny was occupying the Certosa, while Jean d'Auton knew not whether
+to wonder most at the rich marbles and sumptuous chapels of the great
+church, or the vast herds of red deer which roamed in the park.</p>
+
+<p>"Truly," the good Benedictine exclaimed, as he wandered through these
+flowery meadows with their banks of roses and myrtles, and clear springs
+of running water&mdash;"truly, this is Paradise upon earth!"</p>
+
+<p>On the 6th of September, after a feeble effort on the part of the
+Milanese nobles to preserve the rights and liberties of the city, the
+keys were given up to Trivulzio, who entered by the Porta Ticinese with
+Ligny and two hundred horse, and, after visiting the Duomo, breakfasted
+in the house of his kinsman, the Bishop of Como.</p>
+
+<p>The Count of Caiazzo had gone out to meet Trivulzio the day before, and
+had been received with great honour, while his brothers Fracassa and
+Antonio Maria took refuge with Giovanni Adorno at Genoa, and waited to
+see how the tide would turn.</p>
+
+<p>Still the Castello held out, and Trivulzio was debating how best to
+reduce this almost impregnable citadel, when Bernardino da Corte sent a
+herald to parley with Francesco Bernardino Visconti. At the end of a few
+days the faithless governor agreed to surrender the Castello, in
+exchange for a large sum of money and the concession of various
+privileges for his family and friends. On the 22nd, letters from the
+duke arrived, telling the castellan to be of good cheer, for the German
+troops were on their way. But when they reached Milan, the Castello was
+already in the hands of the French. The treasures of gold and silver
+plate which the Rocca contained, the money and the precious stuffs, the
+pictures and statues and furniture which adorned its <i>Camerini</i>, were
+divided between the treacherous governor, Francesco Visconti, and
+Antonio Pallavicini, while Trivulzio reserved Lodovico's magnificent
+tapestries, that alone were valued at 150,000 ducats, for his share of
+the spoil. Then the wonders of antique and modern art which the Moro had
+collected from all parts of Italy, the paintings of Leonardo and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</a></span>the
+gems of Caradosso, the Greek marbles and Roman cameos, Lorenzo da
+Pavia's rare instruments and Antonio da Monza's miniatures, were
+scattered to the winds. Certain things&mdash;the gorgeous altar-plate and
+vestments of the chapel, with the priceless manuscripts of the Castello
+of Pavia, and most of the Sforza portraits&mdash;were taken to Blois, others
+found their way to Venice or Mantua, and many fell into unworthy hands
+and vanished altogether.</p>
+
+<p>Lodovico was lying ill of asthma in the castle at Innsbr&uuml;ck, discussing
+the best means of relieving the Castello with Galeazzo, when the news of
+Bernardino da Corte's treachery reached him. For some minutes he
+remained silent, as if unable to realize the full meaning of the words.
+Then he said to the friends at his bedside, "Since the day of Judas
+there has never been so black a traitor as Bernardino da Corte." And all
+the rest of that day he never spoke again.</p>
+
+<p>Even the French were filled with horror at Bernardino's treachery, and
+shunned him like a criminal when he appeared among them. As for his old
+friends and comrades, the poets and scholars of Lodovico's court, their
+indignation knew no bounds, Lancinus Curtius hurled bitter epigrams at
+his head, and Pistoia held him up to the scorn of the whole world in
+some of his finest sonnets. He did not live long to enjoy the reward of
+his treachery and it was popularly believed in Italy that he had
+poisoned himself in his despair, or put an end to his wretched life by
+falling upon his own sword. Even Charon, sang the poet, shuddered when
+he heard the traitor's name, and refused to let him enter the gates of
+Hades.</p>
+
+<p>When the news of the conquest of Milan reached Lyons, Louis XII. crossed
+the Alps without delay. On the 21st of September he was at Vercelli; on
+the 26th, at Lodovico's favourite Vigevano; on the 2nd of October he
+reached Pavia, where the Marquis of Mantua and the Duke of Ferrara, who
+feared the Pope's vengeance and C&aelig;sar Borgia's army even more than the
+French, came to meet him.</p>
+
+<p>"Duke Ercole and his two sons," wrote the Ferrarese annalist, "are gone
+to meet the King of France. As for the Duke of Milan, his name is never
+mentioned, and you might think that he had never lived."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[Pg 349]</a></span>On Sunday, the 6th of October, he made his triumphal entry into Milan,
+with the Dukes of Ferrara and Savoy riding at his side; the Cardinals
+della Rovere and d'Amboise were in front of him; and ambassadors from
+all the chief cities of Italy, and a goodly array of princes and nobles,
+in his train. Francesco Gonzaga, who had so lately been Duke Lodovico's
+guest, was there. And there, too, were men like Caiazzo and Fracassa,
+who had eaten and drunk at the Moro's table, and were fighting under his
+banner only a few weeks before, and with them one, who was still more
+closely associated with Lodovico and his wife by the ties of blood and
+friendship&mdash;Niccolo da Correggio, the favourite courtier and poet of the
+Moro, and the cousin of Beatrice.</p>
+
+<p>Conspicuous among them all by his height and majestic bearing was the
+Pope's son, C&aelig;sar Borgia, while the king himself made a gallant show in
+his long white mantle embroidered with golden lilies over a suit of
+royal purple, bearing the ducal cap and sword. Eight Milanese nobles
+carried an ermine-lined canopy over his head, and the doctors of the
+University of Pavia were there in their scarlet robes, as they appeared
+a few short years before at Lodovico's coronation. Fair ladies in gay
+attire welcomed the victor with their smiles. Everywhere tall white
+lilies were seen blossoming in the streets that led to the Duomo&mdash;Notre
+Dame du D&ocirc;me, as the monkish chronicler calls the glorious pile of
+dazzling marbles that rose into the summer air. Here the procession
+paused, and the king walked up the vaulted aisles to pay his devotions
+at the Madonna's shrine. Then he rode on again, to the sound of trumpets
+and horns, and the royal guard of Gascon archers led the way up the
+well-known street, with the frescoed palaces and goldsmiths and
+armourers' shops, to the gates of the famous Castello, where the victor
+entered and took up his abode in this proud citadel of the Sforzas, the
+core and centre of the Milanese.</p>
+
+<p>In the eyes of the French strangers it was all very marvellous&mdash;the
+beautiful city with its stately palaces and hospitals, and the fair
+churches with their Gothic spires and pinnacles, their slender creamy
+shafts and deep red terra-cotta mouldings; the Milanese ladies with
+their jewelled robes and mantles embroidered with <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[Pg 350]</a></span>cunningly wrought
+devices, the flowering lilies and the garlands of laurel and myrtle&mdash;all
+seen under the radiant sunshine and the deep blue of the Italian skies.
+But what excited their admiration and wonder more than all was the
+Castello.</p>
+
+<p>"A thing," writes one of them, "truly marvellous and inestimable, with
+so many large and beautiful rooms that I lost all reckoning. Without are
+broad lakes, fair running streams, and bridges. There is a fine large
+square on the side of the town, and on the other are beautiful meadows
+and woods and the ch&acirc;teau, where the Moro had his stables, painted with
+frescoes of different-coloured horses."</p>
+
+<p>King Louis wondered most of all at the strength and completeness of the
+bastions and excellence of the artillery, exclaiming that never before
+had he seen so strong and splendid a citadel! And he and all the
+Frenchmen greatly blamed that second Judas, who had betrayed his master
+and delivered it up without a blow.</p>
+
+<p>The next morning, his Majesty attended mass at S. Ambrogio, accompanied
+by the Dukes of Ferrara and Savoy, the Marquis of Mantua, C&aelig;sar Borgia,
+and all the cardinals and ambassadors, and afterwards visited the church
+and convent of S. Maria delle Grazie. Here he gazed with admiration on
+the Cenacolo of Leonardo, that master of whose genius he had heard so
+much, and expressed his ardent wish to transfer the famous wall-painting
+to France, a sentiment which can hardly have gratified the Dominican
+friars or the Italian princes in his train. The painter was not present
+on this occasion. His master had fled, the works upon which he was
+engaged were all interrupted, and on the approach of the French he had
+left Milan for one of his favourite country retreats in the hills of
+Bergamo or the mountains of Como, where he could study Nature and pursue
+his scientific researches in peace. And the French king and C&aelig;sar
+Borgia, whose genuine appreciation of fine art was well known, did not
+fail to admire Bramante's fair chapel and that latest masterpiece of
+Lombard sculpture, the noble tomb which the Moro had raised to be an
+eternal memorial of his love and sorrow. There were others in his train
+that day who could hardly look unmoved on the sleeping form of the young
+duchess with the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[Pg 351]</a></span>child-like face and the brocade robes which <i>Il Gobbo</i>
+had fashioned with such exquisite skill. There was her brother-in-law,
+Francesco Gonzaga, and Niccolo da Correggio, in whose heart that fair
+face and bright eyes, he tells us, were for ever enshrined; there were
+her brothers, Alfonso and Ferrante; above all, there was her father, the
+aged Duke Ercole. The sight of that marble figure, with the soft curling
+hair and the long fringe of eyelashes and quietly folded hands, must
+have vividly recalled the memory of his dead child, and of all the joy
+and brightness that had vanished in the grave with Beatrice. For him at
+least that must have been a bitter moment.</p>
+
+<p>And there was yet another, young Baldassare Castiglione, that courtly
+and handsome boy who had been sent to Milan a few years before to finish
+his education, and had now followed his master, the Marquis of Mantua,
+to wait upon the French king. He had been present many a time at those
+brilliant <i>f&ecirc;tes</i> in the Castello, and had seen Duchess Beatrice in her
+most radiant and triumphant hour, had talked with Leonardo and Bramante,
+and looked on Messer Galeaz as the mirror of chivalry. Now he came back
+to find the scene changed and that gay company all dead or gone. And the
+next day he sat down to write home to Mantua and tell his mother of all
+the pomp and splendour of the scenes which he had witnessed. He
+described the king's triumphal entry, and the great procession in which
+he had taken part, with all a boy's enthusiasm; but he could not refrain
+from a sigh over the melancholy change in the Castello, when he told her
+how these halls and courts, that had once been the home and
+meeting-place of rare intellects and accomplished artists, "the fine
+flower of the human race," were now full of drinking-booths and
+dung-hills&mdash;of rude soldiery, who defiled the place with their foul
+habits and polluted the air with their savage oaths. So passes the glory
+of the world.</p>
+
+<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_78_78" id="Footnote_78_78"></a><a href="#FNanchor_78_78"><span class="label">[78]</span></a> L. P&eacute;lissier, <i>op. cit.</i></p></div>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 15%;" /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[Pg 352]</a></span>
+<br />
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX"></a>CHAPTER XXX</h3>
+
+<div style="margin-left: 2em;">
+<p class="hang">Louis XII. in Milan&mdash;Hatred of the French rule&mdash;Return of Duke Lodovico&mdash;His
+march to Como and triumphal entry into Milan&mdash;Trivulzio and the
+French retire to Mortara&mdash;Surrender of the Castello of Milan, of Pavia
+and Novara, to the Moro&mdash;His want of men and money&mdash;Arrival of La
+Tr&eacute;mouille's army&mdash;Lodovico besieged in Novara and betrayed to the
+French king by the Swiss&mdash;Rejoicings at Rome and Venice&mdash;Triumph of the
+Borgias&mdash;Sufferings of the Milanese&mdash;Leonardo's letter.</p>
+</div>
+
+<h3>1499-1500</h3>
+
+
+<p>During the next month Louis XII. remained in the Castello of Milan,
+joining in hunting-parties with his guests, the Duke of Ferrara and the
+Marquis of Mantua, and being royally entertained at banquets by the
+Viscontis and Borromeos and Giangiacomo Trivulzio. Isabella d'Este,
+eager to ingratiate herself with the French, invited Ligny to visit her,
+and sent dogs and falcons, as well as trout from Garda, to the king, who
+told La Tr&eacute;mouille that he had never tasted better fish. And when
+Cardinal d'Amboise expressed his admiration for Andrea Mantegna's art
+and told the marquis that in his opinion he was the first master in the
+world, Isabella hastened to promise him a picture by the great Paduan's
+hand.</p>
+
+<p>It was a sad time for the followers of Lodovico. The faithful servants
+who had followed him into exile, saw their lands and houses confiscated
+and divided among the victors. The Count of Ligny's mother occupied the
+Marchesino Stanga's house, and Trivulzio's triumph over his rivals was
+complete when he received the Moro's palace of Vigevano and Messer
+Galeazzo's fair domain of Castel Novo as his share of the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[Pg 353]</a></span>spoils. But
+no one suffered more keenly or shed more bitter tears than
+Giangaleazzo's widow, Duchess Isabella. She had unwisely declined
+Lodovico's advice to leave Milan when the war broke out, and take refuge
+on her uncle Frederic's galleys at Genoa. Instead of this, she remained
+in Milan and sent her son, a child of eight, whom contemporaries
+describe as beautiful as a cherub, but weak in mind, like his father, to
+meet Louis XII. on his arrival at the Castello. But, to her dismay, the
+king refused to allow the young prince to return to his mother, and when
+he left Milan on the 7th of November, he took the boy with him to
+France, and made him Abbot of Noirmoutiers, where he lived in retirement
+until, twelve years later, he broke his neck out hunting. After her
+son's departure, the unhappy mother, who signed herself "<i>Ysabella de
+Aragonia Sforcia unica in disgrazia</i>" in letters of this period, finally
+left Milan. Early in 1500 she paid a visit to Isabella d'Este at Mantua,
+and then travelled by sea from Genoa to Naples, and spent the rest of
+her life in her principality of Bari. One of her daughters died as a
+child; the other, Bona, was betrothed to her cousin, Maximilian Sforza,
+when, in 1512, he was restored to his father's throne. It was Isabella's
+cherished dream that her last remaining child should reign over the
+duchy of Milan, where, after all, her own brightest days had been spent;
+but before the marriage could take place, the young duke had been
+compelled to abdicate his throne and taken captive to France. His
+betrothed bride, Princess Bona, married Sigismund, King of Poland, in
+1518, and six years later her mother died at Naples.</p>
+
+<p>After Louis XII. left Milan, the severity of Trivulzio's rule, and the
+violence and rapacity of the French soldiery, led to increasing
+discontent among the people, who sighed for the good old days of Duke
+Lodovico, when at least their life and property, and the honour of their
+wives and daughters, were safe. Even on the day of the French king's
+entry, Marino Sanuto remarks that Louis was displeased to find how few
+of the people cried "France!" while the Venetians were greeted with
+shouts of "Dogs!" and hardly dared show themselves in the streets. "We
+have given the king his dinner," said a Milanese citizen; "you will be
+served up for his supper!" Already, on the 21st <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[Pg 354]</a></span>of September, the
+annalist of Ferrara wrote: "The French are hated in Milan for their
+rudeness and arrogance." And a private letter, written by a Venetian
+from Milan, in October, confirms Castiglione's account of the confusion
+and disorder that reigned in the Castello.</p>
+
+<p>"The French are dirty people. The king goes to hear mass without a
+single candle, and eats alone, in the eyes of all the people. In the
+Castello there is nothing but foulness and dirt, such as Signor Lodovico
+would not have allowed for the whole world! The French captains spit
+upon the floor of the rooms, and the soldiers outrage women in the
+streets. The Ducheto has been taken from his mother, who weeps all day
+long. Galeazzo is with Lodovico, Caiazzo with King Louis, Fracassa and
+Antonio Maria are at Ferrara, and keep up an active correspondence with
+Lodovico and Galeazzo."<a name="FNanchor_79_79" id="FNanchor_79_79"></a><a href="#Footnote_79_79" class="fnanchor">[79]</a></p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, at Innsbr&uuml;ck, the exiled duke was anxiously watching the
+course of events, and awaiting a favourable moment to return and claim
+his own. "I will beat the drum in winter and dance all the summer," was
+the motto which he adopted, together with the device of a tambourine, in
+reference to his future hopes. A letter which the well-known preacher,
+Celso Maffei of Verona, addressed to him, moralizing over the causes of
+his fall, and exhorting him to observe the laws of public and private
+justice, gave Lodovico an opportunity of issuing a manifesto to his
+adherents. In this curious document he defends his conduct, and declares
+that he has no reason to reproach himself for anything in his past life.
+He has always led a Christian life, given abundant alms, listened to
+frequent masses, and said many prayers, especially since the death of
+his dear wife Beatrice. He has ever had a strict regard for justice, no
+complaint of his subjects has ever been left unheard, and since his
+fall, no one has ever reproached him with injustice excepting the
+Borromeos, whose alleged wrongs he explains, in a manner to justify his
+own action. His whole desire has been to love his subjects as his own
+children, and seek peace and prosperity for his realm. If he raised
+heavy taxes, it was only in order to defend his people from their
+enemies, and he never waged war excepting to resist the invasion of
+hostile armies. Whatever <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[Pg 355]</a></span>mistakes he may have made, the Milanese have
+never had reason to complain of him, and have proved this by their
+fidelity, only a few captains having sold the fortresses in their charge
+and joined the French. And in conclusion he appeals to his old subjects
+to restore him once more to the throne of his ancestors.</p>
+
+<p>His appeal was not in vain. Niccolo della Bussola and the architect
+Jacopo da Ferrara, Leonardo's friend, arrived at Innsbr&uuml;ck in December,
+bringing the duke word of the disaffection that reigned in Milan, and of
+the prayers that were daily offered up for his return. Cheered by these
+tidings, Lodovico determined to leave nothing undone on his part. He
+pawned his jewels and began to raise forces both in the Tyrol and
+Switzerland. In his eagerness to find allies, he applied to Henry VII.
+of England, and even invited the Turks to attack the Venetians in
+Friuli. Maximilian helped him with men and money, as far as his slender
+resources would allow, and summoned the German Diet to meet at Augsburg
+in February, in the hope of obtaining support from the electors. But the
+Moro's impatience could brook no delay. At Christmas he came to Brixen,
+and there succeeded in collecting a force of eight or ten thousand Swiss
+and German <i>Landsknechten</i>, supported by a body of Stradiots and his own
+Milanese horse. At the head of this little army, Lodovico left Brixen on
+the 24th of January, and set out on his gallant but ill-fated attempt to
+recover his dominions.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile Girolamo Landriano, the General of the Umiliati, who had been
+the first to yield Milan to the French, was actively engaged in plotting
+the restoration of Lodovico, with the help of the leading ecclesiastics
+in the city. "To say the truth," writes Jean d'Auton, "the whole duchy
+of Milan was secretly in favour of Lodovico, and all the Lombards were
+swollen with poison, and ready like vipers to shoot out the deadly venom
+of their treason." A general rising was fixed for Candlemas Day, but so
+well was the secret kept, that not a whisper reached the vigilant ears
+of Trivulzio, and all remained quiet until the last few days of January.
+On the 24th, a band of children at play, engaged in a mimic fight
+between the supposed French and Milanese armies, ending with the rout of
+the French and a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[Pg 356]</a></span>procession in which the effigy of King Louis was
+dragged through the streets tied to a donkey's tail. Some French
+soldiers, who witnessed the scene, fired on the children, killing one
+and wounding others, upon which the citizens rose in arms, and drove the
+foreigners back into the Castello. This was followed by a more serious
+riot on the 31st of January, and Trivulzio gave orders for a general
+disarming of the people, which, however, he was unable to enforce.
+Already news had reached Como that the Moro had crossed the Alps, and
+was on his way to Milan.</p>
+
+<p>The course of Lodovico's victorious march is best described in a letter
+which he addressed to his sister-in-law, Isabella d'Este, on the day
+after his triumphal entry into his old capital.</p>
+
+<br />
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Illustrious Lady and dearest Sister</span>,</p>
+
+<p>"On the 24th of last month we left Brixen by the grace of God, and
+crossed Monte Braulio into the Valtellina with a body of
+<i>Landsknechten</i>. Monsignore the Vice-chancellor, Messer Galeaz, and
+Messer Visconti, went on before with the Swiss and Grison infantry, by
+way of Coire and Chiavenna, and reached the lake of Como on the 30th.
+Here M. Galeaz fitted out eleven ships, with which he attacked and put
+to flight the enemy's fleet, and took a fortress occupied by the French.
+Both the Castle of Bellagio and the town of Torno surrendered to His
+Reverence, who pushed on with his troops to Como, where he met
+Monsignore Sanseverino arriving from the Valtellina, and the two
+cardinals together did the rest. Monsieur de Ligny and the Count of
+Musocho"&mdash;Trivulzio's son&mdash;"who held the town with 1500 horse, fled at
+the approach of the two Monsignori, knowing the feeling of the people,
+and his Eminence entered Como amidst the greatest rejoicing in the
+world. M. Galeaz and his light horse pursued the enemy, and Monsignore
+pushed on towards Milan, hearing from our friends there that his arrival
+was impatiently desired. On Friday, the last of January, some of the
+people rose in arms, and M. Gian Giacomo fortified the Corte Vecchia and
+the Duomo, and, with 2000 infantry, marched through the streets of the
+armourers, the builders, and the hatters, to make a public
+demonstration. <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[Pg 357]</a></span>But our friends waited, knowing that the right moment
+had not yet come. On Sunday, the 2nd, the French captains, hearing of
+the cardinals' approach, and knowing the strong feeling in the city,
+assembled their troops early on the Piazza of the Castello. Our friends
+were well prepared, and at the same moment all the bells rang, and the
+whole city rose in arms. More than 60,000 people attacked the French,
+and drove them back into the Castello, where they spent the night,
+without forage for their horses, and on Monday morning, the day before
+yesterday, they fled from Milan in terror. The bridges had been broken
+down to hinder their passage, but, luckily for them, the Ticino was low,
+and they crossed the bed of the river, and retired to Gaiata in safety.
+And on Monday the Vice-chancellor entered Milan, amidst universal
+rejoicing, and endeavoured to give chase to the French army, but had not
+a sufficient number of horse to effect his object.</p>
+
+<p>"On Monday morning we reached Como, after taking possession of the
+castle on the rock of Musso, and were joyfully received all along the
+lake, by the chief citizens and gentlemen of the district, who came out
+in boats to meet us. At the gates of the city, the whole population
+received us with incredible rejoicing and loud acclamations. Yesterday
+we slept at Mirabello, a house of the Landriani, about a mile out of
+Milan. All the way from Como crowds of gentlemen and citizens streamed
+out to meet us on foot or on horseback, in continually increasing
+numbers, and cries of <i>Moro! Moro!</i> and shouts of joy greeted our steps,
+whichever way we turned. This morning at sunrise we left Mirabello, and
+entered the suburb of the Porta Nova, at the hour indicated by our
+astrologer, but alighted at Gian Francesco da Vimercato's garden, and
+waited there a little while, to give the gentlemen time to meet us, and
+enter the city.</p>
+
+<p>"The two cardinals rode out to meet us, and Messer Galeaz and many
+gentlemen, with a great number of men-at-arms on foot and horseback, and
+we marched all through the city and up to the Duomo. All the streets and
+windows and roofs were thronged with people shouting our name, with such
+rapture that it would be a thing almost incredible if we had not seen it
+ourselves. And so with universal rejoicing we have returned here, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[Pg 358]</a></span>by
+the grace of God, and already we hear that Lodi, Piacenza, Pavia,
+Tortona, and Alessandria have driven out the French, and returned of
+their own free will to our allegiance. The castle of Trezzo has
+surrendered, and that of Cassano has been fortified in our name by the
+Marchesino, and all the towns on the Venetian frontier have declared for
+us, and before long we hope to have recovered the whole state. The
+Castello here is still held by 300 French soldiers, but it is badly
+provided with victuals and fuel, and although they have saltpetre, there
+is no charcoal to make gunpowder, so we are in good hope of recovering
+the place, but do not mean to let this delay us for a moment in pursuing
+our victorious course. The enemy is in full retreat, and we mean to
+drive them back to the mountain passes, and have already sent M. Galeaz
+early this morning with the infantry, and all the horse that we have, in
+their pursuit. Monsignore Sanseverino is gone to-day, and we follow
+to-morrow with all the horse we can collect and a good number of
+infantry, the better to carry out our plans. We hear that the soldiers,
+which were in Romagna, to the number of 250 lances, besides infantry,
+have been recalled, and have reached Parma, and feel sure that your
+lord, the Marquis of Mantua, and our other allies will pursue them, and
+with their help, and the general rising of the people, we trust to
+obtain complete victory. We tell your Highness these things the more
+gladly because we feel sure that you have been grieved for our trouble,
+and will rejoice with us at these fortunate successes. You will forgive
+me for not writing in my own hand, because of pressing engagements.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+<span class="smcap" style="padding-right: 8em;">Lodovicus Maria Sfortia,</span>,<br />
+<span style="padding-right: 2em;"><i>Anglus Dux Mediolani, etc., B. Chalcus</i>.</span></p>
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Milan, February 5, 1500."<a name="FNanchor_80_80" id="FNanchor_80_80"></a><a href="#Footnote_80_80" class="fnanchor">[80]</a></span>
+<br />
+
+<p>At the same time Lodovico wrote to Francesco Gonzaga&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"This morning we entered Milan, and it would be impossible to describe
+the immense jubilation of the whole city and all classes of people, or
+the extraordinary demonstrations of affection and good-will that we have
+received on all sides. Our intention is to follow up our victory with
+the utmost speed, to effect the complete destruction of our enemies, and
+secure the passes <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[Pg 359]</a></span>neglecting no precaution. To-day we have sent
+Monsignore Sanseverino on with ten thousand Germans, and intend to
+follow with the remaining forces ourselves to-morrow. I hope your
+Highness will attack and destroy the troops on their way from Romagna,
+and if they are already gone, join with the forces of our allies and the
+men of the country in their pursuit, according to the orders that we
+have already issued."</p>
+
+<p>This sudden revolution took all Italy by surprise. When couriers arrived
+in Mantua and Ferrara, saying that Duke Lodovico had that day entered
+Milan in triumph, people refused to believe the news. But it was true.
+"The Moro has returned," wrote Jean d'Auton, "and has entered Milan,
+where he has been received as if he were a God from heaven, great and
+small shouting <i>Moro!</i> with one accord. Verily these Lombards seem to
+adore him. One and all implore him to drive out the French and become
+their prince again." When the people saw the well-known form of their
+old duke riding through the streets, clad in rich crimson damask, their
+enthusiasm knew no bounds. The two cardinals were at his side, and
+Messer Galeazzo rode behind him, in a suit of glittering brocade, with
+tall white plumes in his cap and white shoes, "better fitted," remarks
+the chronicler, "for the service of Venus than for that of Mars." They
+took up their abode in the old palace of the Corte Vecchia, near the
+Duomo, since the Castello was in the hands of the enemy, and the duke
+issued a proclamation, calling on all loyal subjects to restore the
+pictures, hangings, and other rare and precious objects, which had been
+taken from the Castello. The wealthy citizens parted freely with their
+gold and jewels, the Prior and friars of S. Maria delle Grazie melted
+down their sumptuous altar-plate, and the canons of the Duomo brought
+the duke those costly gifts which he had made them in his days of
+prosperity. Having thus succeeded in raising 100,000 ducats, Lodovico
+assembled the councillors, and harangued them in eloquent language,
+reminding them of all they had suffered from the French tyranny, and
+calling on them to join him in delivering their land from this
+intolerable yoke. "I, too, have been guilty of mistakes and faults in
+the past," he added, "but I will repair them. All I ask is to be your
+captain, not your lord. Help me to drive out the stranger."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[Pg 360]</a></span>Before the week was over, Jacopo Andrea and his friends had succeeded
+in obtaining the capitulation of the French garrison, and the Castello
+was occupied by Cardinal Ascanio, whom Lodovico left with a small force
+at Milan, while he himself went on to Pavia. It was on one of the few
+days which he spent in Milan that his meeting with the Chevalier Bayard
+took place, as recorded in the joyous chronicle of the loyal servant.
+After a skirmish with some of Messer Galeazzo's horse at Binasco, the
+young French knight who had been too eager in the pursuit of his foes
+was taken prisoner, and brought before the duke at Milan. Lodovico,
+wondering at his youth, asked him what brought him in such hurried guise
+to Milan, and ended by restoring his sword and horse, and sending him
+back to his friends under the escort of a herald, to tell Ligny of the
+courteous treatment which he had received from the Moro, and to say what
+a gallant gentleman Duke Lodovico was&mdash;"<i>qui pour peu de chose n'est pas
+ais&eacute; &agrave; &eacute;tonner</i>."</p>
+
+<p>At Pavia the Moro was received with the same enthusiastic joy, and
+during the fortnight that he remained there the Castello was bombarded
+and taken by his artillery. The next week his native town of Vigevano
+welcomed him with open arms, and the French garrison was forced to quit
+the citadel. But the Venetians held Lodi and Piacenza, and the Duke of
+Ferrara and Marquis of Mantua, however much they wished their kinsman
+well, and secretly disliked the French, did not dare to incur their
+vengeance by any rash action. In vain the Moro wrote passionate appeals
+to Francesco Gonzaga from Pavia and Vigevano, urging him to come to his
+help before it was too late, and pointing out how the safety and
+well-being of Mantua depended upon that of Milan. All the marquis
+ventured to do was to send his brother Giovanni, with a troop of horse,
+to help Lodovico in the siege of Novara, which he now attacked with the
+aid of fifty pieces of artillery sent from Innsbr&uuml;ck.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile his foes were every day gaining strength. King Louis had
+hastily collected a large army of French lances and Swiss mercenaries
+under La Tr&eacute;mouille at Asti, who entered Lombardy, and marched to
+relieve Trivulzio and Ligny at Mortara. On the other hand, the French
+troops who had gone <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[Pg 361]</a></span>with Yves d'All&eacute;gre to assist C&aelig;sar Borgia in the
+siege of Forli and conquest of Romagna, speedily retraced their steps to
+relieve the garrison of Novara. But they could not hold out against the
+furious assaults of the Germans and Burgundians, and on the 21st of
+March the castle surrendered, and the garrison marched out with the
+honours of war. Two days afterwards La Tr&eacute;mouille reached Vercelli at
+the head of his powerful army, and succeeded in effecting a junction
+with Trivulzio's forces. This put an end to the Moro's brilliant
+successes, and it became evident to all that the unequal contest could
+not be maintained much longer. Seeing himself outnumbered and surrounded
+on all sides, Lodovico threw himself into Novara, and early in April was
+besieged there in his turn. But the Swiss, who formed the bulk of his
+force, murmured because they were not allowed to pillage the towns, and
+began to communicate secretly with their comrades in the hostile camp.
+The Moro had sent Galeazzo Visconti to Berne, and at his request the
+Helvetian Diet issued orders to the Swiss in both armies, forbidding
+them to fight against their comrades. But the French envoy, Antoine de
+Bussy, bribed the herald who bore the message to Novara, and only the
+Swiss in the Moro's service received orders to lay down their arms. The
+result was that when Lodovico's captains led them out to meet the enemy,
+they refused to fight, and withdrew in confusion into the city. In vain
+the duke offered them his silver plate and jewels, till he could obtain
+money from Milan, and begged them to return to the battle. In vain
+Galeazzo, at the head of his Lombards, charged the foe gallantly,
+killing many of them with his artillery and putting the others to
+flight. He and his brothers fought desperately, till the sword was
+broken in Galeazzo's hands and Fracassa was badly wounded. But all their
+heroism was of no avail. Trivulzio was already in secret treaty with the
+Swiss, who sent a deputy to the French camp, asking for leave to lay
+down their arms and return to their own country.</p>
+
+<p>Antonio Grumello, who was in Novara at the time, describes how late one
+evening, when the duke sat playing chess with Fracassa in the bishop's
+palace, where he lodged, a spy was led in, who told him that Trivulzio
+had boasted that the Moro <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[Pg 362]</a></span>would be his captive in less than a
+fortnight. "What do you say?" asked Lodovico of Almodoro, the
+astrologer, who had followed him into exile. But Almodoro shook his
+head. It was impossible; no planet foretold such a disaster; on the
+contrary, all the signs were propitious, and he spoke confidently of
+coming victory. "On Wednesday in Holy Week," continued the chronicler,
+"the betrayal of Judas began." That day, as Galeazzo was preparing for
+another sally, the Swiss came to him in a body and laid down their arms,
+saying they would not fight against their comrades in the other camp.
+Already one of the gates had been treacherously opened, and the French
+were in the city. In this extremity an Albanian captain offered the duke
+a fleet Arab horse and begged him to escape. But Lodovico refused to
+desert his friends, and would only accept the proposal of the Swiss
+captains that he and his companions should assume the garb of common
+soldiers and mingle in the ranks. He covered his crimson silk vest and
+scarlet hose, hid his long hair under a tight cap, and took a halberd in
+his hand. In this disguise he was preparing to file out of the camp in
+the ranks of the Grison troops, when a Swiss captain named Turman, and
+called Soprasasso by the Italians, betrayed him to the French. The
+Swiss, it is said, received 30,000 ducats as the price of blood from
+Trivulzio, but were discontented with the sum, and quarrelled violently
+over the gold among themselves; while the traitor had his head cut off
+on his return home, and such were the execrations heaped upon him by his
+comrades, that his wife and children were forced to change their name.
+"<i>E lo quello</i>"&mdash;"There he is"&mdash;were the words in which Turman pointed
+Lodovico out to a French captain, who immediately laid his hand on the
+duke's arm and arrested him in the name of King Louis. "<i>Son contento</i>,"
+replied Lodovico, calmly; and made no further resistance. "I surrender,"
+he said afterwards, "to my kinsman, Monsignore de Ligny." Accordingly he
+was delivered to Ligny, who treated him with all respect, and provided
+him with a horse and apparel suited to his rank.</p>
+
+<p>It is said that at first he declined to meet Trivulzio, but the
+chronicler Prato describes an interview which took place between the
+duke and his former captain soon afterwards. Trivulzio, in <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[Pg 363]</a></span>whose heart
+the old wrong still rankled, greeted his captive with the words, "It is
+you, Lodovico Sforza, who drove me out for the sake of a stranger, and,
+not content with this, have stirred the Milanese to rebellion." Lodovico
+merely shrugged his shoulders, and replied quietly, "Who among us can
+tell the reason why we love one man and hate another?"</p>
+
+<p>"And so," adds Grumello, "poor Lodovico was taken captive, and with him
+Galeazzo and Fracassa; but Galeazzo became the prisoner of the Swiss,
+and was led away by these Helvetians on a black horse without a saddle,
+riding on a sack. And I saw this with my own eyes."</p>
+
+<p>All three of the Sanseverini brothers were claimed by the Bailiff of
+Dijon as his prisoners, but Antonio Maria managed to escape from their
+hands, and both Fracassa and Galeazzo were ransomed by their relatives
+for one thousand ducats a-piece at the end of a few weeks. Fracassa
+sought his wife at Ferrara, and Galeazzo took refuge with the other
+Milanese exiles at Innsbr&uuml;ck. The Marchesino Stanga, who was also taken
+captive at Novara, was imprisoned in the Castello of Milan, and died
+there before the end of the year.</p>
+
+<p>On the evening of his capture, Wednesday, the 10th of April, Lodovico
+was taken to the citadel of Novara, where he remained for a week. His
+faithful friends, the good friars of S. Maria delle Grazie, supplied
+their illustrious patron with a set of silk and gold and silver brocade
+vests, hats and shoes to match, scarlet hose, and fine Reims linen
+shirts. All Lodovico himself asked for was a copy of Dante's "Divina
+Commedia," that he might study it during his captivity. On the 17th he
+was conducted by La Tr&eacute;mouille, accompanied by four servants and two
+pages, to Susa, where he became so ill that he was unable to continue
+the journey. After a few days' rest he recovered, and was taken over the
+mountains to Lyons, in charge of M. de Crussol and the king's band of
+archers.</p>
+
+<p>Great were the rejoicings among the Moro's enemies when the news of his
+capture was made known. King Louis ordered solemn <i>Te Deums</i> to be
+chanted in Notre Dame of Paris, and himself went in state to give thanks
+in the church of Our Lady <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[Pg 364]</a></span>of Comfort at Lyons, while he extolled La
+Tr&eacute;mouille as another Clovis or Charles Martel in his despatches. The
+Pope gave the messenger who brought the news a gift of a hundred ducats,
+for joy, he said, that the traitor-brood was annihilated. The Orsini
+lighted bonfires, and the jubilee rejoicings waxed louder and longer
+through the night. Cardinal Ascanio's palace, with all his treasures of
+art, was seized by Alexander VI., and his benefices were divided among
+the pontiff's creatures. In Venice the Piazza was illuminated and all
+the bells rung, while the children and boatmen sang&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i2">"Ora il Moro fa la danza,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Viva Marco e 'l re di Franza!"<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>and dancing and pageants celebrated the downfall of the Republic's most
+dreaded foe. Even in Florence the citizens rejoiced over the fall of
+another tyrant, and raised a crucifix at the doors of the Palazzo
+Pubblico to commemorate the victory of freedom. Had they known it, they
+were in reality celebrating the loss of national independence, the
+beginning of a long reign of slavery and foreign rule. Seldom has the
+cause of freedom and civilization suffered a worse blow than this
+betrayal of the Moro at Novara, which left the Milanese a prey to French
+invaders, and planted the yoke of the stranger firmly on the neck of
+Northern Italy.</p>
+
+<p>At the news of his brother's capture, Ascanio Sforza left Milan to seek
+refuge across the Alps, but was himself taken prisoner, with his nephew
+Ermes, at the Castle of Rivolta, near Piacenza, by the Venetians, who
+delivered them up to the French king. Both were taken to France, and the
+cardinal was detained in honourable captivity in the citadel of Bourges,
+until, in January, 1502, he was released to take part in the conclave
+that elected Pius III. With Trivulzio's return to Milan a reign of
+terror began. The city was heavily fined, the partisans of the Sforza
+were exiled or imprisoned, Niccolo da Bussola and Leonardo's beloved
+friend, Jacopo Andrea, were hung, and their limbs drawn and quartered
+and exposed to view on the battlements of the Castello, in spite of Duke
+Ercole's intercession on behalf of the distinguished architect. Pavia
+was sacked by the French, and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[Pg 365]</a></span>Lombardy paid with tears and blood for
+its loyalty to the race of Sforza. The period of anarchy and confusion
+which followed is described in mournful language by the Milanese
+chroniclers. During the next forty years, the city was continually taken
+and sacked by contending armies, her fair parks and gardens were
+trampled underfoot by foreign soldiery, and her beautiful churches and
+palaces destroyed by shells and cannon-balls. French and German ruffians
+tore the clothes off the backs of the poor, and snatched the bread from
+the lips of starving children. People were everywhere seen dying of
+hunger and the grass growing in the squares. There were no voices in the
+streets, often no services in the churches. Silence and desolation
+reigned throughout the unhappy city. "Blessed indeed," sighs the writer,
+"were those who were able to seek shelter in flight." Beyond the borders
+of Lombardy, there were others who grieved over the Moro's fall. In
+Mantua and Ferrara his friends shed secret tears over his fate. "Duke
+Ercole is very sad," writes our friend the annalist, "for his
+son-in-law's sake, and so are all the people." And Caterina Sforza, in
+her lonely captivity within the walls of the Castel' Sant' Angelo, wept
+over her uncle's ruin and the downfall of her race. Far away in
+Florence, one artist, who had lived in close intimacy with the Moro for
+many a long year, who had discussed a hundred problems and planned all
+manner of mighty works with him, heard the news with a pang of regret.
+Leonardo had been in Venice with Lorenzo da Pavia, the great
+organ-master, when the wonderful tidings of the duke's return had come.
+He and Lorenzo must have smiled when they saw the long faces and
+sinister air of the grave Venetian senators at this unexpected turn of
+affairs. Eagerly they watched and waited and wondered if these things
+could be really true, and if the Moro were to reign once more on his
+fathers' throne, and carry out all the great dreams of his soul. And now
+it was all over, and the French were supreme in Milan, and the great
+horse on which the master had spent the best years of his life was used
+as a target for the arrows of Gascon archers. The duke and Messer Galeaz
+were captives, Sforzas and Viscontis were in prison or exile, and Jacopo
+Andrea had died a cruel death. On Leonardo the blow fell with crushing
+force; but he <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[Pg 366]</a></span>held his peace, and only the few broken sentences in his
+notebook remain to tell of his shattered hopes and of his inconsolable
+regrets.</p>
+
+<p>"The Saletta above ... (left unfinished).</p>
+
+<p>"Bramante's buildings ... (left undone).</p>
+
+<p>"The Castellano a prisoner ...</p>
+
+<p>"Visconti in prison&mdash;his son dead.</p>
+
+<p>"Gian della Rosa's revenues seized.</p>
+
+<p>"Bergonzio"&mdash;the duke's treasurer&mdash;"deprived of his fortune.</p>
+
+<p>"The duke has lost state, fortune, and liberty, and not one of his works
+has been completed."</p>
+
+<p>In these last melancholy words we read Lodovico Sforza's epitaph,
+pronounced over him by Leonardo the Florentine.</p>
+
+<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_79_79" id="Footnote_79_79"></a><a href="#FNanchor_79_79"><span class="label">[79]</span></a> M. Sanuto, <i>Diarii</i>, iii.</p></div>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_80_80" id="Footnote_80_80"></a><a href="#FNanchor_80_80"><span class="label">[80]</span></a> Luzio-Renier, <i>op. cit.</i>, p. 672.</p></div>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 15%;" /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[Pg 367]</a></span>
+<br />
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXXI" id="CHAPTER_XXXI"></a>CHAPTER XXXI</h3>
+
+<div style="margin-left: 2em;">
+<p class="hang">Lodovico Sforza enters Lyons as a captive&mdash;His imprisonment at
+Pierre-Encise and Lys Saint-Georges&mdash;Laments over Il Moro in the popular
+poetry of France and Italy&mdash;Efforts of the Emperor Maximilian to obtain
+his release&mdash;Ascanio and Ermes Sforza released&mdash;Lodovico removed to
+Loches&mdash;Paolo Giovio's account of his captivity&mdash;His attempt to
+escape&mdash;Dungeon at Loches&mdash;Death of Lodovico Sforza&mdash;His burial in S.
+Maria delle Grazie.</p>
+</div>
+
+<h3>1500-1508</h3>
+
+
+<p>On the 2nd of May, 1500, barely a month after Lodovico Sforza's
+triumphant return to Milan, the ancient city of Lyons witnessed a
+strange and mournful procession, in which he was again the central
+figure. That day the King of France's captive was led along the banks of
+the swift Rhone and through the Grande Rue up to the fortress of
+Pierre-Encise, on the top of the steep hill that crowns the old Roman
+city. The scene has been described in a well-known letter by an
+eye-witness, the Venetian ambassador Benedetto Trevisano, one of the
+envoys who had been sent, three years before, to meet the emperor on his
+descent into Italy, and whom the Duke of Milan had entertained royally
+at Vigevano. The fierce and vindictive tone of the writer, the exultant
+spirit in which he triumphs over the fallen foe, is another proof of the
+terror and hatred which the Moro inspired in Venice. Trevisano's letter
+was written on the evening of the 2nd of May, and addressed to the Doge.</p>
+
+<p>"To-day, before two o'clock, Signor Lodovico was brought into the city.
+The following was the order of the procession: first came twelve
+officers of the city guard, to restrain the people who thronged the
+streets from shouting. Then came the Governor <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[Pg 368]</a></span>of Lyons and Provost of
+Justice on horseback, and then the said Signor Lodovico, clad in a black
+camlet vest with black hose and riding-boots, and a black cloth
+<i>berretta</i>, which he held most of the time in his hand. He looked about
+him as if determined to hide his feelings in this great change of
+fortune, but his face was very pale and he looked very ill, although he
+had been shaved this morning, and his arms trembled and he shook all
+over. Close beside him rode the captain of the king's archers, followed
+by a hundred of his men. In this order they led him all through the
+town, up to the castle on the hill, where he will be well guarded for
+the next week, until the iron cage is ready, which will be his room both
+by night and day. The cage, I hear, is very strong, and made of iron
+framed in wood, in such a manner that the iron bars, instead of breaking
+under a file or any other instrument, would throw out sparks of fire.
+One thing I must not forget to tell you. The ambassador of Spain and I
+were together at a window when Signor Lodovico passed, and when the
+Spaniard was pointed out to him, he took off his hat and bowed. And
+being told that I was the ambassador of your Serene Highness, he
+stopped, and seemed about to speak. But I did not move, and the captain
+of the archers, who rode by him, said, 'Go on&mdash;go on!' Afterwards the
+captain mentioned this to the king, who said, 'Do you mean that he
+refused to pay you any reverence?' adding that such men as this who do
+not keep faith are bad, and so on. And I replied that I should have felt
+shame rather than honour if I had received any sign of courtesy from a
+person of this kind. The king was in his palace, and had seen Signor
+Lodovico pass, and with him were many other lords and gentlemen, who
+spoke much of the Moro. His Christian Majesty said that he had decided
+not to send him to Loches as he had intended, because at certain seasons
+of the year he himself goes there with his court for his amusement, and
+would rather not be there with him, as he does not wish to see him. So
+he has decided to send him to Lys in Berry, two leagues from the city of
+Bourges, where the king has a very strong castle with trenches wider
+than those of the Castello of Milan, full of water. This place is in the
+centre of France, and is kept by a gentleman, who was captain of the
+archers when his Majesty was Duke of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[Pg 369]</a></span>Orleans, and had a body of tried
+guards who were trained by the king himself. When the Moro alighted from
+the mule which he rode, he was carried into the castle, and is, I am
+told, so weak that he cannot walk a step without help. From this I judge
+that his days will be few. I commend myself humbly to your Serene
+Highness.</p>
+
+<p class="right">
+<span class="smcap" style="padding-right: 4em;">Benedictus Trevisanus.<a name="FNanchor_81_81" id="FNanchor_81_81"></a><a href="#Footnote_81_81" class="fnanchor">[81]</a></span><br />
+<span style="padding-right: 2em;"><i>Eques. Orator</i>."</span></p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Fortunately, the iron cage seems to have been a fable invented by the
+Venetian ambassador, and from all accounts the prisoner was well and
+honourably treated, although the king absolutely refused his request to
+see him during the fortnight that he remained in the fortress at Lyons.
+He received visits, however, from several of the king's ministers, who
+all remarked that if he had been guilty of some foolish actions his
+words were remarkably wise&mdash;"<i>toutefois moult sagement parloit</i>." Anger
+gave place to pity at the sight of this victim who had suffered so
+terrible a reverse of fortune, and the Benedictine chronicler, Jean
+d'Auton, deplores the sad fate of this unfortunate prince, who, after
+many golden days of wealth and prosperity, was doomed to end his life in
+weary and lonely captivity far from house and friends: "<i>Somme, si le
+pauvre Seigneur captif, de deuil inconsolable avoit le c&oelig;ur serr&egrave; a
+nul devoit sembler merveilles</i>." The sorrowful destiny of the "<i>infelice
+Duca</i>," who had once boasted himself to be the favourite of
+fortune&mdash;"<i>Il Figlio della Fortuna</i>"&mdash;became the burden of popular
+poetry, alike in France and Italy. Jean d'Auton himself gives vent to
+his feelings in an elegy on the vanity of earthly glories&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Si Ludovic, qui jadys pleine cacque<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Heut de ducatz et pouvoir magnifique,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Est en exil, sans targe, escu ne placque,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Captif, afflict, plus mausain que cung heticque,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Et que, de main hostile et inimique,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Malheur le fiere rudement et estocque&mdash;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Gloire mondaine est fragile et caducque."<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>The grief of the Milanese bards for their duke's cruel fate found
+utterance in the following lament:</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[Pg 370]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Son quel duca in Milano<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Che compianto sto in dolore ...<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Io diceva che un sel Dio<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Era in cielo e un Moro in terra&mdash;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">E secondo il mio disio<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Io faveva pace e guerra<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Son quel duca di Milano," etc.<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Fausto Andrelino wrote a Latin poem beginning with the lines&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Ille ego sum Maurus, franco qui captus ab hoste<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Exemplum instabilis non leve sortis eo;"<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>and Jean Marot found inspiration in a Venetian song&mdash;"Ogni fumo viene al
+basso"&mdash;which he rendered in the following lines, alluding to the legend
+of the Moro's fresco in the Castello of Milan:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Jadiz fist paindre une dame, embellie<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Par sur sa robe, des villes d'Ytalie<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Et luy au pr&egrave;s tenant des epoussetes,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Voullant dire, par superbe follie,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Que l'Ytalie estoit toute sonillie<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Et qu'il voulloit faire les villes nettes.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Le roi Loys, voulant ravoir ses mettes,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Par bonne guerre luy a fait tel ennuy<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Que l'Ytalie est nettoy&eacute; de lui!<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Chose usurp&eacute;e legier est consomm&eacute;e,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Comme argent vif qui retourne en fum&eacute;e."<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>From Lyons the captive duke was removed to Lys Saint-Georges in Berry,
+where he remained during the next four years in the charge of Gilbert
+Bertrand, the king's old captain of the guard. He was allowed to take
+exercise in the precincts of the castle and to fish in the moat.
+According to Sanuto, he was not wholly cut off from his friends. "Since
+he likes to know what is happening in the world outside, the king allows
+him to receive letters and to hear the news." But his health suffered
+from the confinement, and in the summer of 1501, he became so ill that
+Louis XII., who was hunting in the neighbourhood, sent his doctor,
+Maitre Salomon, to see him. The physician was shocked at the prisoner's
+altered appearance; his long hair, as we <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[Pg 371]</a></span>learn from a contemporary
+miniature, had turned entirely white, and there were black circles round
+his eyes. He sighed constantly, complained of the faithless subjects who
+had caused his ruin, and asked eagerly for the latest news of the treaty
+with the King of the Romans. Maitre Salomon told the king that he
+believed Signor Lodovico was losing his reason, and his account moved
+Louis so much that he sent to Milan for one of the duke's favourite
+dwarfs, in order to beguile the weary hours of captivity. Meanwhile, in
+justice to Maximilian, it must be said that he was untiring in his
+efforts to obtain the release of his friend and kinsman. For many years
+he steadily refused to grant Louis XII. the investiture of Milan, unless
+Lodovico was set at liberty, and repeated his solicitations to this
+effect with the most unwearied pertinacity. On this point, however, the
+French king was inexorable. He knew the hold which the Moro had retained
+on the hearts of his subjects, and would not run the risk of another
+rebellion by allowing Lodovico to join his children at Innsbr&uuml;ck. At the
+prayer of the Empress Bianca, he released her brother, Ermes Sforza, in
+1502, and a year later allowed Ascanio Sforza to return to Rome, at the
+request of Cardinal d'Amboise, and give his vote in the papal conclave.
+After the accession of his old enemy, Giuliano della Rovere, to the
+papal throne, Cardinal Sforza once more attained a high degree of honour
+and prosperity, and when he died, in 1505, Julius II. raised the
+magnificent monument in the church of S. Maria del Popolo to his memory.
+In February, 1504, the German ambassador made another strong appeal to
+the king on his master's behalf for Lodovico's release, but the only
+concession that he could obtain was some relaxation in the rigour of his
+treatment. The duke was removed to the ch&acirc;teau of Loches in Touraine, a
+healthy and beautiful spot, on the summit of a lofty hill, and was
+allowed greater liberty and more society.</p>
+
+<p>All contemporary writers agree that he bore his long and tedious
+captivity with remarkable patience and fortitude. "I have heard," writes
+the Como historian, Paolo Giovio, "from Pier Francesco da Pontremoli,
+who was the duke's faithful companion and servant during his captivity,
+that he bore his miserable condition with pious resignation and
+sweetness, often saying <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[Pg 372]</a></span>that God had sent him these tribulations as a
+punishment for the sins of his youth, since nothing but the sudden might
+of destiny could have subverted the counsels of human wisdom."</p>
+
+<p>Early in the spring of 1508, the Moro seems to have made a desperate
+attempt to escape. According to the Milanese chronicler Prato, he bribed
+one of his guardians, with gold supplied, as we learn, from Padre
+Gattico, by the friars of S. Maria delle Grazie, and succeeded in making
+his way out of the castle gates hidden in a waggon load of straw. But he
+lost his way in the woods that surround Loches, and after wandering all
+night in search of the road to Germany, he was discovered on the
+following day by blood-hounds, who were put upon his track. After this,
+his captivity became more severe. He was deprived of books and writing
+materials and cut off from intercourse with the outer world. It was
+then, too, in all likelihood, that he was confined in the subterranean
+dungeon, still shown as the Moro's prison. The cell, as visitors to
+Loches remember, is cut out of the solid rock, and light and air can
+only penetrate by one narrow loophole. There, tradition says, Leonardo's
+patron, the great duke who had once reigned over Milan, beguiled the
+weary hours of his captivity by painting red and blue devices and
+mottoes on his prison walls. Among these rude attempts at decoration we
+may still discover traces of a portrait of himself in casque and armour,
+and a sun-dial roughly scratched on the stone opposite the slit in the
+rock. And there, too, half effaced by the damp, are fragments of
+inscriptions, which tell the same piteous tale of regret for vanished
+days and weary longings for the end that would not come.</p>
+
+<div class="poem2"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Quand Mort me assault et que je ne puis mourir<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Et se courir on ne me veult, mais me faire rudesse<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Et de liesse me voir bannir. Que dois je plus gu&egrave;rir?"<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Or this&mdash;</p>
+
+<p style="margin-left: 8em; margin-bottom: -1px;">
+"Je porte en prison pour ma device que je m'arme de patience par force</p>
+<p style="margin-left: 8em;">de peine que l'on me fait pouster" (porter) ...</p>
+<br />
+
+<p>Again, in large letters among the fragment of red and blue paint, we
+read&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem2"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Celui qui ne craint fortune n'est pas bien saige."<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[Pg 373]</a></span>Even more pathetic, when we recall the joyous days at Milan and
+Vigevano, where Lodovico listened to readings from Dante in Beatrice's
+rooms, is the following version of Francesca da Rimini's famous lines:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Il n'y au monde plus grande destresse,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Du bon tempts soi souvenir en la tristesse."<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>At length death brought the desired release. Marino Sanuto briefly
+records the fact in the following words: "On the 17th day of May, 1508,
+at Loches, Signor Lodovico Sforza, formerly Duke of Milan, who was there
+in prison, died as a good Christian with the rites of the Catholic
+Church." All we know besides is that his faithful servant, Pier
+Francesco, was with him to the end, and closed his eyes in the last
+sleep. To this day the place of his burial remains unknown. A local
+tradition says that he was interred in the church of Loches at the
+entrance of the choir, but a manuscript account of the Sieur Dubuisson's
+travels in 1642, preserved in the Mazarin Library, states that Ludovic
+Sforza sleeps in the Chapel of the Holy Sepulchre on the eastern side of
+the church. On his death-bed, it is said, he desired to be buried in the
+church of the Dominican friars at Tarascon, but we never hear if his
+wishes were carried out, and no trace of his burial is to be found in
+this place. On the whole we are inclined to think the most trustworthy
+authority on the subject is the Dominican historian of S. Maria delle
+Grazie, Padre Gattico. In the history of the convent which he wrote a
+hundred and fifty years after the Moro's death, he tells us that the
+friars of his convent supplied the duke with means for his unfortunate
+attempt to escape, and that this having failed, after his death they
+removed his body to Milan, and buried him by the side of his wife,
+Duchess Beatrice. This may very well have been effected during the reign
+of Lodovico's son Maximilian, who was restored to his father's throne in
+1512, and would explain the uncertainty which has always existed at
+Loches as to the Moro's grave, and the absence of any inscription to
+mark his burial-place.</p>
+
+<p>For Lodovico's sake, let us hope, the good Dominican's story is true. It
+is good to think that, after all the distress of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[Pg 374]</a></span>those long years of
+exile and captivity, the unfortunate prince should have been brought
+back to rest in his own sunny Milanese, under Bramante's cupola, in the
+tomb where he had wished to lie, at Beatrice's side. There, during the
+next three centuries, masses were duly said for the repose of Duke
+Lodovico's soul and that of his wife, on the four anniversaries sacred
+to their memory, "in gratitude," writes Padre Pino, "for all the
+benefactions that we have received from this duke and duchess." And to
+this day, on the Feast of All Souls, the stone floor immediately in
+front of the high altar, where Beatrice's monument once stood, is
+solemnly censed, year by year, in memory of the illustrious dead who
+sleep there, in Lodovico's own words, "until the day of resurrection."</p>
+
+<h4>FOOTNOTES:</h4>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p class="noin"><a name="Footnote_81_81" id="Footnote_81_81"></a><a href="#FNanchor_81_81"><span class="label">[81]</span></a> M. Sanuto. <i>Diarii</i>, iii. 320.</p></div>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 15%;" /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[Pg 375]</a></span>
+<br />
+<h3><a name="CHAPTER_XXXII" id="CHAPTER_XXXII"></a>CHAPTER XXXII</h3>
+
+<div style="margin-left: 2em;">
+<p>The Milanese exiles at Innsbr&uuml;ck&mdash;Galeazzo di Sanseverino becomes Grand
+Ecuyer of France&mdash;Is slain at Pavia&mdash;Maximilian Sforza made Duke of
+Milan in 1512&mdash;Forced to abdicate by Francis I. in 1515&mdash;Reign of
+Francesco Sforza&mdash;Wars of France and Germany&mdash;Siege of Milan by the
+Imperialists&mdash;Duke Francesco restored by Charles V.&mdash;His marriage and
+death in 1535&mdash;Removal of Lodovico and Beatrice's effigies to the
+Certosa.</p>
+</div>
+
+<h3>1500-1564</h3>
+
+
+<p>After the catastrophe of Novara and the final ruin of the Moro's cause,
+his loyal kinsfolk and followers were reduced to melancholy straits. A
+document among the Italian papers in the Biblioth&egrave;que Nationale gives a
+long list of the Milanese exiles who, in the year 1503, were living in
+exile, and whose lands and fortunes had been granted to French nobles or
+Italians who had embraced Louis XII.'s party. Among them we recognize
+many familiar names, Crivellis, Bergaminis, Marlianis, and Viscontis,
+who had served Duke Lodovico loyally and now shared in his disgrace.
+Many of these took refuge at Ferrara and Mantua; others went to Rome or
+lived in retirement on Venetian territory, while as many as two hundred
+and fifty were living at one time at Innsbr&uuml;ck. A few of these were
+pardoned in course of years, and obtained leave to return to their
+Lombard homes, but by far the greater number died in exile.</p>
+
+<p>Chief among those courtiers and captains of the Moro who found refuge at
+Maximilian's court were the Sanseverino brothers. Two of these, Fracassa
+and Antonio Maria, were soon reconciled with King Louis by the powerful
+influence of their brothers, the Count of Caiazzo and Cardinal
+Sanseverino. For Galeazzo, the son-in-law and prime favourite of the
+Moro, a strange future <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[Pg 376]</a></span>was in store. After his brilliant years at the
+court of Milan, he, too, tasted how salt the bread of exile is, and how
+bitter it is to depend on the charity of others. In 1503, he was still
+living at Innsbr&uuml;ck, where Sanuto describes him as always dressed in
+black and looking very sorrowful, and held of little account by the
+German courtiers, although Maximilian always treated him kindly. He
+accompanied the Emperor to the Diet at Augsburg, and took an active part
+in his various efforts to obtain Lodovico's deliverance. But a year
+later, when all hope of obtaining Lodovico's release was at an end, a
+fresh attempt seems to have been made by the Sanseverino family to
+reconcile Galeazzo with King Louis. He came to Milan and saw the
+Cardinal d'Amboise, who embraced his cause warmly, and a petition for
+the restoration of Galeazzo's houses and estates, as well as the fortune
+of 240,000 ducats which he had inherited from his wife Bianca, was
+addressed to the King. The result was that he soon received a summons to
+the French court, where he quickly won the royal favour, and on the
+death of Pierre d'Urf&eacute; a year later, was appointed Grand Ecuyer de
+France. From that time Galeazzo became one of Louis XII.'s chief
+favourites, and seldom left the king's side. In 1507 he attended Louis
+XII. when he entered Milan for the second time, and was a conspicuous
+figure in the grand tournament that was held on the Piazza of the
+Castello. Once more he came back to the scene of his old triumphs, under
+these changed circumstances, and played a leading part in the wars that
+distracted the Milanese. Under Francis I., Galeazzo rose still higher in
+the royal favour, and won a signal victory over his old rival Trivulzio.
+The Grand Ecuyer boldly asserted his right to Castel Novo, which Louis
+XII. had granted to Trivulzio after the conquest of Milan, and, at the
+age of seventy, the old soldier came to Paris to plead his cause against
+Messer Galeazzo. But the suit was given against him, and he was thrown
+into prison for contempt of the king's majesty, and died at Chartres in
+1518, bitterly rueing the day when he had entered the service of a
+foreign prince and led the French against Milan. Galeazzo triumphed once
+more, and kept up his reputation as a gallant soldier and brilliant
+courtier, until, in 1525, he was slain in the battle of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[Pg 377]</a></span>Pavia, under
+the walls of the Castello, where, thirty-five years before, he had been
+wedded to Bianca Sforza.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile Beatrice's sons grew up at Innsbr&uuml;ck, under the care of their
+cousin, the Empress Bianca. It was a melancholy life for these young
+princes, born in the purple and reared in all the luxury and culture of
+Milan. And when their cousin Bianca died in 1510, they lost their best
+friend. But a sudden and unexpected turn of the tide brought them once
+more to the front. That warlike pontiff, Julius II., who, as Cardinal
+della Rovere, had been one of the chief instruments in bringing the
+French into Italy, entered into a league with Maximilian to expel them
+and reinstate the son of the hated Moro on the throne of Milan. They
+succeeded so well that, in 1512, four years after Lodovico's death at
+Loches, young Maximilian Sforza entered Milan in triumph, amidst the
+enthusiastic applause of the people. Once more he rode up to the gates
+of the Castello where he was born, and took up his abode there as
+reigning duke. But his rule over Lombardy was short. A handsome, gentle
+youth, without either his father's talents or his mother's high spirit,
+Maximilian was destined to become a passive tool in the hands of
+stronger and more powerful men. His weakness and incapacity soon became
+apparent, and when, three years later, the new French king, Francis I.,
+invaded the Milanese, and defeated the Italian army at Marignano, the
+young duke signed an act of abdication, and consented to spend the rest
+of his life in France. There he lived in honourable captivity, content
+with a pension allowed him by King Francis and with the promise of a
+cardinal's hat held out to him by the Pope, until he died, in May, 1530,
+and was buried in the Duomo of Milan. His brother Francesco was a far
+more spirited and courageous prince, who might have proved an admirable
+ruler in less troublous times, but was doomed to experience the
+strangest vicissitudes of fortune. After the second conquest of Milan by
+the French, he retired to Tyrol, until, in 1521, Pope Leo X. combined
+with Charles V. to oppose Francis I., and restore the Sforzas. Their
+aims were crowned with success, and by the end of the year Francesco
+Sforza was proclaimed Duke of Milan, only to be driven from his throne
+again three years later. After the defeat of Pavia, the young <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[Pg 378]</a></span>duke, who
+had won the love of all his subjects, was again restored; but having
+entered into a league with the Pope and Venice to expel the
+Imperialists, incurred the displeasure of Charles V., and was besieged
+in the Castello by the Conn&eacute;table de Bourbon, who at length forced him
+to surrender. A prolonged struggle followed, in which Francesco Sforza
+was often worsted, and at one time forced to retire to Como. In the end,
+however, he was restored to the throne by Charles V., whose favour he
+succeeded in recovering, when, in 1530, that monarch visited Italy to
+receive the imperial crown. At length this long-distracted realm enjoyed
+an interval of peace, and a brighter day seemed about to dawn for the
+unhappy Milanese.</p>
+
+<p>The young duke was very popular with the people, who rejoiced in having
+a prince of their own once more, and who, in Guicciardini's words,
+looked to see a return of that felicity which they had enjoyed during
+his father's reign. When, in 1534, he married Charles V.'s niece,
+Christina of Denmark, the splendour of the wedding <i>f&ecirc;tes</i>, the balls
+and tournaments that took place in the Castello, recalled the glories of
+Lodovico's reign and the marriage of the Empress Bianca. The charms of
+the youthful bride revived the memory of the duke's mother, Beatrice
+d'Este, and a richly illuminated book of prayers, prepared in honour of
+this occasion, and adorned with miniatures and Sforza devices, bore
+witness to Francesco's artistic tastes, and showed his desire to tread
+in his father's steps. But these bright prospects were soon clouded. The
+young duke became seriously ill, owing to a dangerous wound which he had
+received from an assassin, Bonifazio Visconti, twelve years before, and,
+after lingering through the summer months, he died on All Souls' Day,
+1535, to the consternation of the whole Milanese, On the 19th of
+November the last of the Sforzas was buried with royal pomp in the Duomo
+of Milan, and his childless widow, the youthful Duchess Christina,
+retired to the city of Tortona, which had been given her as her marriage
+portion. Her portrait, painted by the hand of Holbein, is familiar to us
+all as well as "the few words she wisely spoke," when, in reply to Henry
+VIII.'s offer of marriage, she said "that unfortunately she had only one
+head, but that if she had two, one should be at his Majesty's service."</p>
+
+<div class="img"><a name="imagep389" id="imagep389"></a>
+<a href="images/imagep389.jpg">
+<img border="0" src="images/imagep389.jpg" width="75%" alt="Tomb of Lodovico Sforza and Beatrice d'Este Contessa of Pavia." /></a><br />
+<p class="cen" style="margin-top: .2em;">Tomb of Lodovico Sforza and Beatrice d'Este Contessa of Pavia.<span class="totoi"><a href="#toi">ToList</a></span></p>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[Pg 379]</a></span>A week or two later, Lodovico Sforza's only remaining son, Gianpaolo,
+the child of Lucrezia Crivelli, who had fought gallantly against French
+and Imperialists in defence of his brother's rights, died on his way to
+Naples. With him the last claimant to the throne of the Sforzas passed
+away. The duchy of Milan reverted to the Imperial crown, and this fair
+and prosperous realm sank into a mere province of Charles V.'s vast
+empire.</p>
+
+<br />
+<hr />
+<br />
+
+<p>Thirty years after the last Sforza duke had been laid in his grave, the
+noble monument which the Moro had raised to his wife's memory in S.
+Maria delle Grazie was broken up. The friars who had known Lodovico and
+revered his memory were dead and gone, and the Prior then in office,
+seized with iconoclastic zeal, ordered the monument to be removed from
+the choir, in accordance with a canon of the Council of Trent. The tomb
+was taken to pieces, and Cristoforo Solari's beautiful effigies of the
+duke and duchess were offered for sale. Fortunately, the news of this
+act of vandalism reached the ears of the Carthusians at Pavia, and
+remembering how much they owed to the Moro's generosity, they sent word
+to a Milanese citizen, Oldrado Lampugnano, to purchase the two marble
+statues for the Certosa. Oldrado, whose father had been exiled after the
+Moro's fall, and who was himself a loyal partisan of the house of
+Sforza, bought Solari's effigies for the small sum of thirty-eight
+ducats, and removed them to the Certosa, "that shrine which had been so
+often visited by the said duke and duchess in their lifetime, and for
+which they had ever shown the greatest love and honour."</p>
+
+<p>There we see them to-day&mdash;Lodovico with the hooked nose and bushy
+eyebrows, in all the pride of his ducal robes, and Beatrice at his side,
+in the charm and purity of her youthful slumber, surrounded by other
+memorials of Sforzas and Viscontis, wrought with the same exquisite art
+and enriched with the same wealth of ornament. After all, these marble
+forms could hardly find a better home than the great Lombard sanctuary
+which was so closely linked with the brightest days of Beatrice's wedded
+life, and which to the last remained the object of Lodovico Sforza's
+care and love.</p>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<hr style="width: 15%;" /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[Pg 381]</a></span>
+<h3><a name="INDEX" id="INDEX"></a>INDEX</h3>
+
+
+
+<ul><li>A</li>
+
+<li>Agnese di Maino, <a href="#Page_16">16</a></li>
+
+<li>Albergati, <a href="#Page_151">151</a></li>
+
+<li>Aldo Manuzio, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_126">126</a>, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>, <a href="#Page_261">261</a></li>
+
+<li>Alessandro Manuzio, <a href="#Page_131">131</a></li>
+
+<li>Alexander VI. (Pope), <a href="#Page_156">156</a> f., <a href="#Page_165">165</a>, <a href="#Page_178">178</a>, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>, <a href="#Page_223">223</a>, <a href="#Page_249">249</a>, <a href="#Page_255">255</a> f., <a href="#Page_295">295</a>, <a href="#Page_337">337</a> f., <a href="#Page_364">364</a></li>
+
+<li>Alfonso of Calabria, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_118">118</a> f., <a href="#Page_177">177</a> f., <a href="#Page_184">184</a>, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>, <a href="#Page_223">223</a>, <a href="#Page_225">225</a> f., <a href="#Page_232">232</a>, <a href="#Page_236">236</a>, <a href="#Page_249">249</a>, <a href="#Page_253">253</a>, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>, <a href="#Page_257">257</a></li>
+
+<li>Alfonso d'Este, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_159">159</a>, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>, <a href="#Page_180">180</a>, <a href="#Page_186">186</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a> f., <a href="#Page_198">198</a>, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>, <a href="#Page_222">222</a>, <a href="#Page_253">253</a>, <a href="#Page_259">259</a>, <a href="#Page_323">323</a>, <a href="#Page_351">351</a></li>
+
+<li>Alfonso Gonzaga, <a href="#Page_71">71</a></li>
+
+<li>Alvise Marliani, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>, <a href="#Page_324">324</a></li>
+
+<li>Almodoro, <a href="#Page_362">362</a></li>
+
+<li>d'Amboise (Cardinal), <a href="#Page_349">349</a>, <a href="#Page_371">371</a></li>
+
+<li>Ambrogio Borgognone, <a href="#Page_104">104</a></li>
+
+<li>Ambrogio da Corte, <a href="#Page_167">167</a>, <a href="#Page_206">206</a></li>
+
+<li>Ambrogio Ferrari, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_345">345</a></li>
+
+<li>Ambrogio de Predis, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>, <a href="#Page_303">303</a></li>
+
+<li>Ambrogio da Rosate, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>, <a href="#Page_168">168</a>, <a href="#Page_224">224</a>, <a href="#Page_236">236</a>, <a href="#Page_272">272</a>, <a href="#Page_324">324</a></li>
+
+<li>Andr&eacute; de la Vigne, <a href="#Page_234">234</a></li>
+
+<li>Andrea Cagnola, <a href="#Page_240">240</a></li>
+
+<li>Andrea Cossa, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_276">276</a></li>
+
+<li>Andrea Mantegna, <a href="#Page_50">50</a> f., <a href="#Page_153">153</a>, <a href="#Page_328">328</a></li>
+
+<li>Andrea Salai, <a href="#Page_139">139</a></li>
+
+<li>Angelo Poliziano, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_147">147</a></li>
+
+<li>Angelo Talenti, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>, <a href="#Page_272">272</a>, <a href="#Page_293">293</a></li>
+
+<li>Angelo Testagrossa, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li>
+
+<li>Anna Sforza, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>, <a href="#Page_169">169</a> f., <a href="#Page_180">180</a> f., <a href="#Page_186">186</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a> f., <a href="#Page_198">198</a>, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>, <a href="#Page_253">253</a>, <a href="#Page_259">259</a>, <a href="#Page_323">323</a></li>
+
+<li>Anna Solieri, <a href="#Page_279">279</a></li>
+
+<li>Anne de Beaujeu, <a href="#Page_113">113</a></li>
+
+<li>Anne of Bourbon, <a href="#Page_235">235</a></li>
+
+<li>Anne of Brittany, <a href="#Page_113">113</a> f., <a href="#Page_160">160</a>, <a href="#Page_290">290</a></li>
+
+<li>Annibale Bentivoglio, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_71">71</a> ff.</li>
+
+<li>Antoine de Bussy, <a href="#Page_361">361</a></li>
+
+<li>Anton Maria de Collis, <a href="#Page_259">259</a></li>
+
+<li>Antonio Calco, <a href="#Page_120">120</a></li>
+
+<li>Antonio Cammelli (Pistoia), <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_144">144</a> f., <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_296">296</a></li>
+
+<li>Antonio Costabili, <a href="#Page_308">308</a>, <a href="#Page_327">327</a></li>
+
+<li>Antonio da Landriano, <a href="#Page_240">240</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a>, <a href="#Page_343">343</a></li>
+
+<li>Antonio da Monza, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>, <a href="#Page_332">332</a>, <a href="#Page_348">348</a></li>
+
+<li>Antonio del Balzo, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li>
+
+<li>Antonio di Campo Fregoso, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_150">150</a></li>
+
+<li>Antonio Grifo, <a href="#Page_142">142</a></li>
+
+<li>Antonio Grimani, <a href="#Page_292">292</a></li>
+
+<li>Antonio Grumello, <a href="#Page_361">361</a>, <a href="#Page_363">363</a></li>
+
+<li>Antonio Loredano, <a href="#Page_113">113</a></li>
+
+<li>Antonio Maria Pallavicini, <a href="#Page_342">342</a>, <a href="#Page_347">347</a></li>
+
+<li>Antonio Maria Sanseverino, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>, <a href="#Page_272">272</a>, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>, <a href="#Page_342">342</a>-347, <a href="#Page_354">354</a>, <a href="#Page_375">375</a></li>
+
+<li>Antonio of Salerno, <a href="#Page_112">112</a></li>
+
+<li>Antonio Stanga, <a href="#Page_223">223</a>, <a href="#Page_226">226</a></li>
+
+<li>Antonio Tassino, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a href="#Page_24">24</a> f.</li>
+
+<li>Antonio Tebaldeo, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_144">144</a></li>
+
+<li>Antonio Trivulzio (Bishop of Como), <a href="#Page_186">186</a>, <a href="#Page_202">202</a> f., <a href="#Page_293">293</a>, <a href="#Page_344">344</a>, <a href="#Page_347">347</a></li>
+
+<li>Antonio Visconti, <a href="#Page_261">261</a></li>
+
+<li>Ariosto, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_159">159</a>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a></li>
+
+<li>Art and learning at Ferrara, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>-39;
+  <ul class="nest">
+  <li>at Milan, <a href="#Page_128">128</a> ff.;</li>
+  <li>at Pavia, <a href="#Page_126">126</a> ff.</li>
+  </ul>
+</li>
+
+<li>Ascanio Sforza, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_56">56</a>, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>, <a href="#Page_222">222</a> f., <a href="#Page_228">228</a>, <a href="#Page_253">253</a>, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>, <a href="#Page_262">262</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a>, <a href="#Page_343">343</a> f., <a href="#Page_360">360</a>, <a href="#Page_364">364</a>, <a href="#Page_371">371</a></li>
+
+<li>Atalante Migliorotti, <a href="#Page_151">151</a> ff.</li>
+
+<li>Azzo Visconti, <a href="#Page_333">333</a><br /><br /></li>
+
+
+<li>B</li>
+
+<li>Baldassare Castiglione, <a href="#Page_351">351</a></li>
+
+<li>Baldassare Pusterla, <a href="#Page_240">240</a>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a></li>
+
+<li>Baldassare Taccone, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_210">210</a></li>
+
+<li>Barone, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_298">298</a></li>
+
+<li>Bartolommeo Calco, <a href="#Page_114">114</a>, <a href="#Page_125">125</a> f., <a href="#Page_131">131</a></li>
+
+<li>Bartolommeo Scotti (Count), <a href="#Page_58">58</a></li>
+
+<li>Battista Fregoso, <a href="#Page_316">316</a></li>
+
+<li>Battista Guarino, <a href="#Page_28">28</a> f., <a href="#Page_36">36</a><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[Pg 382]</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Battista Sfondrati, <a href="#Page_317">317</a></li>
+
+<li>Battista Visconti, <a href="#Page_344">344</a></li>
+
+<li>Beatrice of Aragon, <a href="#Page_4">4</a></li>
+
+<li>Beatrice de' Contrari, <a href="#Page_58">58</a></li>
+
+<li>Beatrice di Correggio, <a href="#Page_169">169</a>, <a href="#Page_323">323</a></li>
+
+<li>Beatrice d'Este (the elder), <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_22">22</a></li>
+
+<li>Beatrice d'Este: birth, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>;
+  <ul class="nest">
+  <li>early life, at Naples, <a href="#Page_6">6</a> f.;</li>
+  <li>betrothal to Lodovico Sforza, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>;</li>
+  <li>portraits, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>;</li>
+  <li>education, <a href="#Page_36">36</a> ff.;</li>
+  <li>wedding journey, <a href="#Page_57">57</a> ff.;</li>
+  <li>marriage, <a href="#Page_65">65</a> f.;</li>
+  <li>at Pavia, <a href="#Page_67">67</a> ff.;</li>
+  <li>early wedded life, <a href="#Page_76">76</a> ff.;</li>
+  <li>friendship with Galeazzo Sanseverino, <a href="#Page_81">81</a> ff.;</li>
+  <li>jealousy of Cecilia Gallerani, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>;</li>
+  <li>at Vigevano, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>;</li>
+  <li>at Villa Nova, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>;</li>
+  <li>horsemanship, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>;</li>
+  <li>relations with Isabella of Aragon, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>;</li>
+  <li>escapades at Milan, <a href="#Page_100">100</a> ff.;</li>
+  <li>illness, <a href="#Page_110">110</a>;</li>
+  <li>at Genoa, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>;</li>
+  <li>at Vigevano, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>;</li>
+  <li>patron of learning and poetry, <a href="#Page_141">141</a> ff.;</li>
+  <li>of drama and music, <a href="#Page_151">151</a> ff.;</li>
+  <li>first son born, <a href="#Page_166">166</a> ff.;</li>
+  <li>wardrobe, <a href="#Page_170">170</a> f.;</li>
+  <li>visit to Ferrara, <a href="#Page_180">180</a> ff.;</li>
+  <li>diplomatic visit to Venice, chap. xvi. f.;</li>
+  <li>return to Milan, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>;</li>
+  <li>birth of second son, <a href="#Page_258">258</a> f.;</li>
+  <li>courage in danger, <a href="#Page_271">271</a>;</li>
+  <li>meets Maximilian at Bormio, <a href="#Page_288">288</a> ff.;</li>
+  <li>at Vigevano, <a href="#Page_291">291</a> f.;</li>
+  <li>sadness of her last days, <a href="#Page_302">302</a>-306;</li>
+  <li>death, <a href="#Page_306">306</a>;</li>
+  <li>funeral, <a href="#Page_310">310</a> f.;</li>
+  <li>Maximilian's eulogy, <a href="#Page_313">313</a> f.;</li>
+  <li>tomb, <a href="#Page_316">316</a>;</li>
+  <li>Cenacolo, <a href="#Page_317">317</a> f., <a href="#Page_350">350</a></li>
+  </ul>
+</li>
+
+<li>Belgiojoso, <a href="#Page_180">180</a>, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>, <a href="#Page_196">196</a>, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>, <a href="#Page_222">222</a>, <a href="#Page_225">225</a></li>
+
+<li>Bellincioni, <a href="#Page_46">46</a> f., <a href="#Page_53">53</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_86">86</a> f., <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_144">144</a> &pound;., <a href="#Page_147">147</a> f.</li>
+
+<li>Bello of Ferrara, <a href="#Page_87">87</a></li>
+
+<li>Belriguardo, <a href="#Page_183">183</a>, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>, <a href="#Page_205">205</a></li>
+
+<li>Benedetto Capilupi, <a href="#Page_231">231</a>, <a href="#Page_264">264</a>, <a href="#Page_327">327</a></li>
+
+<li>Benedetto da Cingoli, <a href="#Page_143">143</a></li>
+
+<li>Benedetto Ispano, <a href="#Page_128">128</a></li>
+
+<li>Benedetto Trevisano, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>, <a href="#Page_367">367</a></li>
+
+<li>Bergonzio, <a href="#Page_299">299</a>, <a href="#Page_366">366</a></li>
+
+<li>Bernardino Caimo, <a href="#Page_140">140</a></li>
+
+<li>Bernardino Corio, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, <a href="#Page_129">129</a> f., <a href="#Page_177">177</a> f., <a href="#Page_230">230</a>, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>, <a href="#Page_342">342</a> f.</li>
+
+<li>Bernardino da Feltre, <a href="#Page_123">123</a></li>
+
+<li>Bernardino da Rossi, <a href="#Page_66">66</a></li>
+
+<li>Bernardino del Corte, <a href="#Page_272">272</a>, <a href="#Page_299">299</a>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>, <a href="#Page_344">344</a> f., <a href="#Page_347">347</a> f.</li>
+
+<li>Bernardino d'Urbino, <a href="#Page_283">283</a></li>
+
+<li>Bernardo Contarini, <a href="#Page_271">271</a></li>
+
+<li>Bernardo Prosperi, <a href="#Page_170">170</a></li>
+
+<li>Bianca d'Este, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>, <a href="#Page_183">183</a></li>
+
+<li>Bianca, d. of Caterina Sforza, <a href="#Page_330">330</a></li>
+
+<li>Bianca, d. of Lodovico, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_169">169</a>, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>, <a href="#Page_233">233</a>, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>, <a href="#Page_292">292</a>, <a href="#Page_302">302</a> f., <a href="#Page_376">376</a></li>
+
+<li>Bianca Maria Sforza, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_160">160</a> f., <a href="#Page_169">169</a> f., <a href="#Page_179">179</a>, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>-220, <a href="#Page_222">222</a>, <a href="#Page_242">242</a>, <a href="#Page_252">252</a> f., <a href="#Page_303">303</a>, <a href="#Page_339">339</a>, <a href="#Page_346">346</a>, <a href="#Page_371">371</a>, <a href="#Page_377">377</a></li>
+
+<li>Bianca of Milan, m. of Lodovico, <a href="#Page_14">14</a> ff.</li>
+
+<li>Bibbiena, <a href="#Page_147">147</a></li>
+
+<li>Blois (Treaty of), <a href="#Page_338">338</a></li>
+
+<li>Boccaccio, <a href="#Page_143">143</a></li>
+
+<li>Bona of Savoy, Duchess of Milan, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>-25, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>, <a href="#Page_237">237</a>, <a href="#Page_251">251</a> f.</li>
+
+<li>Bona, d. of Giangaleazzo Sforza, <a href="#Page_167">167</a>, <a href="#Page_353">353</a></li>
+
+<li>Bonifazio da Cremona, <a href="#Page_63">63</a></li>
+
+<li>Bonifazio Visconti, <a href="#Page_378">378</a></li>
+
+<li>Borella, <a href="#Page_245">245</a>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a></li>
+
+<li>Borromeo, <a href="#Page_342">342</a>, <a href="#Page_344">344</a>, <a href="#Page_354">354</a></li>
+
+<li>Borso di Correggio (the elder), <a href="#Page_5">5</a></li>
+
+<li>Borso di Correggio (the younger), <a href="#Page_206">206</a>, <a href="#Page_315">315</a></li>
+
+<li>Borso d'Este, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_38">38</a></li>
+
+<li>Bramante of Urbino, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_83">83</a>, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>, <a href="#Page_122">122</a>, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>, <a href="#Page_132">132</a> ff., <a href="#Page_139">139</a> f., <a href="#Page_145">145</a>-148, <a href="#Page_229">229</a>, <a href="#Page_260">260</a>, <a href="#Page_291">291</a>, <a href="#Page_296">296</a>, <a href="#Page_299">299</a>, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>, <a href="#Page_316">316</a>, <a href="#Page_331">331</a>, <a href="#Page_350">350</a> f.</li>
+
+<li>Brera Altar-piece, <a href="#Page_285">285</a> f.</li>
+
+<li>Briconnet, <a href="#Page_280">280</a>, <a href="#Page_283">283</a></li>
+
+<li>Brognolo, <a href="#Page_261">261</a></li>
+
+<li>Buttinone di Treviglio, <a href="#Page_66">66</a><br /><br /></li>
+
+
+<li>C</li>
+
+<li>Cagnola, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li>
+
+<li>Caiazzo. <i>See</i> Gianfrancesco Sanseverino</li>
+
+<li>Calvi, <a href="#Page_242">242</a></li>
+
+<li>Camilla Sforza, <a href="#Page_169">169</a>, <a href="#Page_343">343</a></li>
+
+<li>Caradosso, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>, <a href="#Page_134">134</a>, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_182">182</a>, <a href="#Page_262">262</a>, <a href="#Page_320">320</a>, <a href="#Page_348">348</a></li>
+
+<li>Carpaccio, <a href="#Page_103">103</a></li>
+
+<li>Castello of Ferrara, <a href="#Page_1">1</a></li>
+
+<li>Caterina Cornaro, <a href="#Page_204">204</a></li>
+
+<li>Caterina Sforza, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_253">253</a>, <a href="#Page_330">330</a>, <a href="#Page_341">341</a>, <a href="#Page_365">365</a></li>
+
+<li>Cecco Simonetta, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>-24</li>
+
+<li>Cecilia Gallerani, <a href="#Page_52">52</a> ff., <a href="#Page_89">89</a> ff., <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_263">263</a>, <a href="#Page_292">292</a>, <a href="#Page_321">321</a></li>
+
+<li>Cecilia Simonetta, <a href="#Page_145">145</a></li>
+
+<li>Celso Maffei, <a href="#Page_354">354</a></li>
+
+<li>Certosa, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>-106, <a href="#Page_237">237</a></li>
+
+<li>C&aelig;sar Borgia, <a href="#Page_222">222</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a>, <a href="#Page_341">341</a>, <a href="#Page_348">348</a> ff., <a href="#Page_361">361</a></li>
+
+<li>Charles V. (Emperor), <a href="#Page_332">332</a>, <a href="#Page_377">377</a> f.</li>
+
+<li>Charles VIII. of France, <a href="#Page_112">112</a> ff., <a href="#Page_160">160</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a> f., <a href="#Page_180">180</a>, <a href="#Page_184">184</a> f., <a href="#Page_196">196</a> f., <a href="#Page_209">209</a>, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>, <a href="#Page_223">223</a>, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>-238, <a href="#Page_248">248</a>, <a href="#Page_254">254</a> ff., <a href="#Page_258">258</a>, <a href="#Page_264">264</a>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a>, <a href="#Page_273">273</a> ff., <a href="#Page_277">277</a>, <a href="#Page_279">279</a> f., <a href="#Page_282">282</a> ff., <a href="#Page_287">287</a>, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>, <a href="#Page_325">325</a><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[Pg 383]</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Charlotte d'Albret, <a href="#Page_338">338</a></li>
+
+<li>Chevalier Bayard, <a href="#Page_360">360</a></li>
+
+<li>Chiara Gonzaga, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_305">305</a>, <a href="#Page_314">314</a>, <a href="#Page_329">329</a> f.</li>
+
+<li>Christina of Denmark, <a href="#Page_378">378</a></li>
+
+<li>Conrad St&uuml;rzl, <a href="#Page_270">270</a></li>
+
+<li>Conrade Vimerca, <a href="#Page_289">289</a></li>
+
+<li>Constantino Privolo, <a href="#Page_200">200</a></li>
+
+<li>Cordier, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_186">186</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_196">196</a></li>
+
+<li>Cosimo Tura, <a href="#Page_2">2</a>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a></li>
+
+<li>Cristoforo Rocchi, <a href="#Page_61">61</a></li>
+
+<li>Cristoforo Romano, <a href="#Page_56">56</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_106">106</a> ff., <a href="#Page_111">111</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_323">323</a></li>
+
+<li>Cristoforo Solari (Il Gobbo), <a href="#Page_317">317</a> ff., <a href="#Page_351">351</a>, <a href="#Page_379">379</a></li>
+
+<li>Cusani, <a href="#Page_324">324</a><br /><br /></li>
+
+
+<li>D</li>
+
+<li>Dante, <a href="#Page_146">146</a></li>
+
+<li>Delaborde, <a href="#Page_196">196</a>, <a href="#Page_247">247</a></li>
+
+<li>Della Torre (Count), <a href="#Page_169">169</a></li>
+
+<li>Demetrius Calcondila, <a href="#Page_128">128</a></li>
+
+<li>De Trano, <a href="#Page_337">337</a></li>
+
+<li>Dioda (or Diodato), <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_81">81</a></li>
+
+<li>Dionigi Confanerio, <a href="#Page_239">239</a></li>
+
+<li>Doge Agostino Barbarigo, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>, <a href="#Page_186">186</a> ff., <a href="#Page_195">195</a> ff., <a href="#Page_267">267</a></li>
+
+<li>Dolcebuono, <a href="#Page_132">132</a> ff., <a href="#Page_140">140</a></li>
+
+<li>Domenico de Grillandaio, <a href="#Page_300">300</a></li>
+
+<li>Donate de' Preti, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>, <a href="#Page_244">244</a>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a></li>
+
+<li>Dorotea Gonzaga, <a href="#Page_18">18</a><br /><br /></li>
+
+
+
+<li>E</li>
+
+<li>Elizabeth Gonzaga (Duchess of Urbino), <a href="#Page_50">50</a>, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_227">227</a></li>
+
+<li>Elizabeth Sforza, <a href="#Page_262">262</a></li>
+
+<li>Emilia Pia, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_151">151</a></li>
+
+<li>Erasmo Brasca, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_114">114</a>, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>, <a href="#Page_217">217</a> ff., <a href="#Page_225">225</a>, <a href="#Page_229">229</a>, <a href="#Page_242">242</a>, <a href="#Page_254">254</a>, <a href="#Page_327">327</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a>, <a href="#Page_343">343</a></li>
+
+<li>Ercole d'Este, <a href="#Page_2">2</a> f., <a href="#Page_5">5</a> f., <a href="#Page_9">9</a> f., <a href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a> ff., <a href="#Page_38">38</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, <a href="#Page_182">182</a> f., <a href="#Page_206">206</a>, <a href="#Page_222">222</a>, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>, <a href="#Page_284">284</a> f., <a href="#Page_308">308</a>, <a href="#Page_312">312</a>, <a href="#Page_323">323</a>, <a href="#Page_337">337</a>, <a href="#Page_348">348</a>-351, <a href="#Page_360">360</a>, <a href="#Page_364">364</a> f.</li>
+
+<li>Ercole (Maximilian) Sforza, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>, <a href="#Page_264">264</a> f., <a href="#Page_292">292</a> f., <a href="#Page_335">335</a>, <a href="#Page_353">353</a>, <a href="#Page_373">373</a></li>
+
+<li>Ermes Sforza, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="#Page_182">182</a>, <a href="#Page_217">217</a> f., <a href="#Page_245">245</a>, <a href="#Page_253">253</a>, <a href="#Page_310">310</a>, <a href="#Page_346">346</a>, <a href="#Page_364">364</a>, <a href="#Page_371">371</a>, <a href="#Page_377">377</a></li>
+
+<li>Ermolao Barbaro, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_124">124</a></li>
+
+<li>Este (House of), <a href="#Page_2">2</a></li>
+
+<li>Eustachio, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a><br /><br /></li>
+
+
+<li>F</li>
+
+<li>Fausto Andrelino, <a href="#Page_370">370</a></li>
+
+<li>Federico, Marquis of Mantua, <a href="#Page_9">9</a></li>
+
+<li>Federigo of Naples, <a href="#Page_232">232</a></li>
+
+<li>Federigo Sanseverino (Cardinal), <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>, <a href="#Page_343">343</a>, <a href="#Page_375">375</a></li>
+
+<li>Federigo of Urbino, <a href="#Page_4">4</a></li>
+
+<li>Ferrante d'Este, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_249">249</a>, <a href="#Page_323">323</a>, <a href="#Page_351">351</a></li>
+
+<li>Ferrante of Naples, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>, <a href="#Page_9">9</a> f., <a href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a> ff., <a href="#Page_118">118</a>, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>, <a href="#Page_221">221</a> f.</li>
+
+<li>Ferrante of Naples II., <a href="#Page_228">228</a>, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>, <a href="#Page_257">257</a>, <a href="#Page_264">264</a>, <a href="#Page_266">266</a>, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>, <a href="#Page_328">328</a></li>
+
+<li>Ferrante Sforza, <a href="#Page_7">7</a></li>
+
+<li>Ferrara, <a href="#Page_31">31</a> f.</li>
+
+<li>Ferrari, <a href="#Page_128">128</a></li>
+
+<li>Ficino, <a href="#Page_147">147</a></li>
+
+<li>Fieschi, <a href="#Page_335">335</a></li>
+
+<li>Filelfo, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>, <a href="#Page_129">129</a> ff.</li>
+
+<li>Filippino di Frati Filippo, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>, <a href="#Page_340">340</a></li>
+
+<li>Filippo Beroaldo, <a href="#Page_129">129</a></li>
+
+<li>Filippo Sforza, <a href="#Page_21">21</a></li>
+
+<li>Florentio, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li>
+
+<li>Fracassa. See Sanseverino (Gaspare)</li>
+
+<li>Francesco Bello, <a href="#Page_35">35</a></li>
+
+<li>Francesco Bernardo Visconti, <a href="#Page_215">215</a>, <a href="#Page_266">266</a> f., <a href="#Page_342">342</a>, <a href="#Page_344">344</a>, <a href="#Page_347">347</a></li>
+
+<li>Francesco Capello, <a href="#Page_190">190</a></li>
+
+<li>Francesco da Casate, <a href="#Page_55">55</a></li>
+
+<li>Francesco Foscari, <a href="#Page_288">288</a>, <a href="#Page_291">291</a> f., <a href="#Page_305">305</a></li>
+
+<li>Francesco Francia, <a href="#Page_34">34</a></li>
+
+<li>Francesco Mantegna, <a href="#Page_329">329</a></li>
+
+<li>Francesco Martini, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_134">134</a></li>
+
+<li>Francesco Pallavicino, <a href="#Page_215">215</a>, <a href="#Page_262">262</a>, <a href="#Page_342">342</a></li>
+
+<li>Francesco Sforza, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>, <a href="#Page_114">114</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="#Page_186">186</a>, <a href="#Page_217">217</a></li>
+
+<li>Francesco Sforza (son of Giangaleazzo), <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_237">237</a> f., <a href="#Page_240">240</a>, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_299">299</a>, <a href="#Page_328">328</a>, <a href="#Page_353">353</a></li>
+
+<li>Francesco Sforza (son of Lodovico), <a href="#Page_259">259</a>, <a href="#Page_293">293</a>, <a href="#Page_321">321</a>, <a href="#Page_335">335</a>, <a href="#Page_377">377</a> f.</li>
+
+<li>Francesca da Rimini, <a href="#Page_373">373</a></li>
+
+<li>Franchino Gaffuri, <a href="#Page_128">128</a>, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_134">134</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li>
+
+<li>Francis I., <a href="#Page_376">376</a> f.</li>
+
+<li>Frederic III. (Emperor), <a href="#Page_179">179</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a></li>
+
+<li>Frederic of Naples, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>, <a href="#Page_353">353</a><br /><br /></li>
+
+
+<li>G</li>
+
+<li>Gaguin, <a href="#Page_94">94</a></li>
+
+<li>Galeazzo Pallavicino, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>, <a href="#Page_262">262</a>, <a href="#Page_342">342</a></li>
+
+<li>Galeazzo di Sanseverino, <a href="#Page_44">44</a> f., <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_79">79</a> ff., <a href="#Page_85">85</a> ff., <a href="#Page_92">92</a>, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>, <a href="#Page_110">110</a>, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>-148, <a href="#Page_158">158</a> f., <a href="#Page_162">162</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>, <a href="#Page_180">180</a>, <a href="#Page_182">182</a>, <a href="#Page_206">206</a> f., <a href="#Page_210">210</a>, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>, <a href="#Page_222">222</a>, <a href="#Page_224">224</a> f., <a href="#Page_228">228</a>, <a href="#Page_237">237</a>, <a href="#Page_248">248</a> f., <a href="#Page_255">255</a> f., <a href="#Page_264">264</a>, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>, <a href="#Page_271">271</a> f., <a href="#Page_278">278</a> f., <a href="#Page_281">281</a>, <a href="#Page_285">285</a>-288, <a href="#Page_292">292</a>, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>, <a href="#Page_303">303</a> f., <a href="#Page_310">310</a>, <a href="#Page_315">315</a>, <a href="#Page_322">322</a> ff., <a href="#Page_326">326</a>, <a href="#Page_330">330</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a>, <a href="#Page_342">342</a>, <a href="#Page_344">344</a> ff., <a href="#Page_348">348</a>, <a href="#Page_351">351</a>, <a href="#Page_354">354</a>, <a href="#Page_356">356</a>-363, <a href="#Page_365">365</a>, <a href="#Page_370">370</a>, <a href="#Page_376">376</a><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[Pg 384]</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Galeotto del Carretto, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_150">150</a></li>
+
+<li>Galeotto della Mirandola, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>, <a href="#Page_183">183</a>, <a href="#Page_272">272</a>, <a href="#Page_292">292</a>, <a href="#Page_327">327</a>, <a href="#Page_341">341</a></li>
+
+<li>Gaspare Bugati, <a href="#Page_132">132</a></li>
+
+<li>Gaspare Melchior, Bishop of Brixen, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>, <a href="#Page_215">215</a>, <a href="#Page_254">254</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a></li>
+
+<li>Gaspare di Pusterla, <a href="#Page_170">170</a></li>
+
+<li>Gaspare Sanseverino (Fracassa), <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>, <a href="#Page_182">182</a>, <a href="#Page_228">228</a>, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>, <a href="#Page_287">287</a>, <a href="#Page_291">291</a>, <a href="#Page_296">296</a>, <a href="#Page_322">322</a>, <a href="#Page_327">327</a>, <a href="#Page_330">330</a>, <a href="#Page_342">342</a>, <a href="#Page_347">347</a>, <a href="#Page_349">349</a>, <a href="#Page_354">354</a>, <a href="#Page_361">361</a>, <a href="#Page_363">363</a>, <a href="#Page_375">375</a></li>
+
+<li>Gaspare Visconti, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a> f., <a href="#Page_145">145</a>-148, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>, <a href="#Page_264">264</a>, <a href="#Page_324">324</a></li>
+
+<li>Gattico, <a href="#Page_318">318</a>, <a href="#Page_322">322</a> f.</li>
+
+<li>Gentile Bellini, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a></li>
+
+<li>Ghibellines, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a href="#Page_23">23</a></li>
+
+<li>Giacomo Trotti, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a> f., <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_88">88</a> f., <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, <a href="#Page_110">110</a>, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, <a href="#Page_241">241</a></li>
+
+<li>Gian Francesco da Vimercato, <a href="#Page_357">357</a></li>
+
+<li>Gian Francesco Gonza of Bozzolo, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li>
+
+<li>Gianfrancesco Sanseverino (Count of Caiazzo), <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_178">178</a>, <a href="#Page_182">182</a>, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>, <a href="#Page_238">238</a>, <a href="#Page_249">249</a>, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>, <a href="#Page_272">272</a> ff., <a href="#Page_278">278</a>, <a href="#Page_292">292</a> f., <a href="#Page_315">315</a>, <a href="#Page_330">330</a>, <a href="#Page_342">342</a> f., <a href="#Page_347">347</a>, <a href="#Page_349">349</a>, <a href="#Page_354">354</a>, <a href="#Page_375">375</a></li>
+
+<li>Gian Galeazzo Sforza, Duke of Milan, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a href="#Page_41">41</a> ff., <a href="#Page_46">46</a> f., <a href="#Page_69">69</a>, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>, <a href="#Page_118">118</a> f., <a href="#Page_124">124</a>, <a href="#Page_167">167</a>, <a href="#Page_176">176</a> f., <a href="#Page_209">209</a>, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>, <a href="#Page_230">230</a>, <a href="#Page_237">237</a> ff., <a href="#Page_246">246</a> f., <a href="#Page_285">285</a></li>
+
+<li>Gian Giacomo Gillino, <a href="#Page_202">202</a>, <a href="#Page_356">356</a></li>
+
+<li>Gian Giacomo Trivulzio, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_352">352</a></li>
+
+<li>Giannino, <a href="#Page_137">137</a></li>
+
+<li>Gianpaolo Sforza, <a href="#Page_321">321</a>, <a href="#Page_379">379</a></li>
+
+<li>Giasone del Maino, <a href="#Page_127">127</a> f., <a href="#Page_217">217</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>, <a href="#Page_272">272</a></li>
+
+<li>Gilbert Bertrand, <a href="#Page_370">370</a></li>
+
+<li>Gilbert of Montpensier, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_264">264</a>, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>, <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li>
+
+<li>Giorgio Merula, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>-130, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a></li>
+
+<li>Giovanni Adorno, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>, <a href="#Page_272">272</a>, <a href="#Page_328">328</a>, <a href="#Page_335">335</a>, <a href="#Page_347">347</a></li>
+
+<li>Giovanni Antonio Amadeo, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>, <a href="#Page_133">133</a> f., <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_325">325</a></li>
+
+<li>Giovanni Bellini, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_263">263</a></li>
+
+<li>Giovanni Bentivoglio, <a href="#Page_67">67</a></li>
+
+<li>Giovanni Dondi, <a href="#Page_63">63</a></li>
+
+<li>Giovanni Francesco Gonzaga, Marquis of Mantua, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>, <a href="#Page_56">56</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a> f., <a href="#Page_72">72</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>, <a href="#Page_182">182</a>, <a href="#Page_187">187</a> f., <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>, <a href="#Page_226">226</a> f., <a href="#Page_265">265</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>, <a href="#Page_272">272</a> ff., <a href="#Page_281">281</a>, <a href="#Page_283">283</a>, <a href="#Page_285">285</a>, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>, <a href="#Page_307">307</a>, <a href="#Page_322">322</a> f., <a href="#Page_326">326</a> f., <a href="#Page_329">329</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a>, <a href="#Page_342">342</a>, <a href="#Page_348">348</a>-351, <a href="#Page_358">358</a> ff.</li>
+
+<li>Giovanni Gonzaga, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>, <a href="#Page_98">98</a>, <a href="#Page_259">259</a>, <a href="#Page_360">360</a></li>
+
+<li>Giovanni de Medici, <a href="#Page_330">330</a></li>
+
+<li>Giovanni Pietro Suardo, <a href="#Page_245">245</a></li>
+
+<li>Giovanni Sforza of Pesaro, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a></li>
+
+<li>Giovanni Simonetta, <a href="#Page_24">24</a></li>
+
+<li>Giovanni Stanga (Marquis), <a href="#Page_106">106</a> f., <a href="#Page_145">145</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>, <a href="#Page_288">288</a>, <a href="#Page_291">291</a>, <a href="#Page_293">293</a>, <a href="#Page_315">315</a>, <a href="#Page_317">317</a> ff., <a href="#Page_327">327</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a>, <a href="#Page_363">363</a></li>
+
+<li>Giovanni da Tortona, <a href="#Page_316">316</a></li>
+
+<li>Girolamo da Figino, <a href="#Page_200">200</a></li>
+
+<li>Girolamo Landriano, <a href="#Page_355">355</a></li>
+
+<li>Girolamo Riario, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a href="#Page_23">23</a></li>
+
+<li>Girolamo Savonarola, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>, <a href="#Page_274">274</a></li>
+
+<li>Girolamo Stanga, <a href="#Page_72">72</a></li>
+
+<li>Girolamo Tuttavilla, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>, <a href="#Page_186">186</a>, <a href="#Page_189">189</a> f., <a href="#Page_206">206</a>, <a href="#Page_228">228</a></li>
+
+<li>Giuliano della Rovere (Cardinal), <a href="#Page_157">157</a>, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>, <a href="#Page_316">316</a>, <a href="#Page_349">349</a>, <a href="#Page_371">371</a></li>
+
+<li>Godefroy, <a href="#Page_237">237</a></li>
+
+<li>Godfrey Borgia, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>, <a href="#Page_225">225</a></li>
+
+<li>Gualtero, <a href="#Page_325">325</a></li>
+
+<li>Guicciardini, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>, <a href="#Page_225">225</a> f., <a href="#Page_240">240</a>, <a href="#Page_249">249</a>, <a href="#Page_259">259</a> f., <a href="#Page_278">278</a>, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>, <a href="#Page_378">378</a></li>
+
+<li>Guido Arcimboldo, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>, <a href="#Page_323">323</a></li>
+
+<li>Guidotto Prestinari, <a href="#Page_144">144</a> f.</li>
+
+<li>Guiniforte Solari, <a href="#Page_133">133</a><br /><br /></li>
+
+
+<li>H</li>
+
+<li>Henry VII. of England, <a href="#Page_114">114</a>, <a href="#Page_290">290</a>, <a href="#Page_297">297</a>, <a href="#Page_355">355</a><br /><br /></li>
+
+
+<li>I</li>
+
+<li>Il Perugino, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>, <a href="#Page_340">340</a></li>
+
+<li>Innocent VII. (Pope), <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>, <a href="#Page_156">156</a></li>
+
+<li>Ippolita Sforza, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>, <a href="#Page_17">17</a></li>
+
+<li>Ippolita Sforza (the younger), <a href="#Page_230">230</a></li>
+
+<li>Ippolito d'Este (Cardinal), <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_222">222</a></li>
+
+<li>Isabella of Aragon, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_99">99</a> ff., <a href="#Page_118">118</a> f., <a href="#Page_124">124</a>, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>, <a href="#Page_167">167</a>, <a href="#Page_169">169</a> f., <a href="#Page_176">176</a> f., <a href="#Page_230">230</a>, <a href="#Page_237">237</a> f., <a href="#Page_250">250</a> ff., <a href="#Page_265">265</a>, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>, <a href="#Page_328">328</a>, <a href="#Page_353">353</a></li>
+
+<li>Isabella d'Este, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a> ff., <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>, <a href="#Page_53">53</a> f., <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_68">68</a> f., <a href="#Page_74">74</a> f., <a href="#Page_78">78</a> f., <a href="#Page_81">81</a>, <a href="#Page_84">84</a> ff., <a href="#Page_96">96</a> ff., <a href="#Page_101">101</a>, <a href="#Page_106">106</a> ff., <a href="#Page_109">109</a>, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>, <a href="#Page_149">149</a> ff., <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_155">155</a> ff., <a href="#Page_162">162</a>, <a href="#Page_167">167</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a> f., <a href="#Page_174">174</a> f., <a href="#Page_187">187</a> f., <a href="#Page_198">198</a>, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>, <a href="#Page_206">206</a> ff., <a href="#Page_211">211</a>, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>, <a href="#Page_244">244</a>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a> f., <a href="#Page_258">258</a> ff., <a href="#Page_263">263</a> f., <a href="#Page_272">272</a> f., <a href="#Page_275">275</a> f., <a href="#Page_278">278</a>, <a href="#Page_283">283</a> f., <a href="#Page_298">298</a>, <a href="#Page_304">304</a>, <a href="#Page_308">308</a>, <a href="#Page_312">312</a>, <a href="#Page_321">321</a> ff., <a href="#Page_326">326</a> ff., <a href="#Page_344">344</a>, <a href="#Page_353">353</a>, <a href="#Page_356">356</a></li>
+
+<li>Isabella Sforza, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>, <a href="#Page_17">17</a><br /><br /></li>
+
+
+<li>J<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_385" id="Page_385">[Pg 385]</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Jacopo Andrea, <a href="#Page_360">360</a>, <a href="#Page_364">364</a></li>
+
+<li>Jacopo Antiquario, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>, <a href="#Page_125">125</a> f.</li>
+
+<li>Jacopo d'Atri, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>, <a href="#Page_283">283</a></li>
+
+<li>Jacopo Bellini, <a href="#Page_2">2</a>, <a href="#Page_32">32</a></li>
+
+<li>Jacopo da Ferrara <a href="#Page_138">138</a> f., <a href="#Page_355">355</a></li>
+
+<li>Jacopo di San Secondo, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li>
+
+<li>James IV. (of Scotland), <a href="#Page_121">121</a></li>
+
+<li>Jean d'Auton, <a href="#Page_355">355</a>, <a href="#Page_359">359</a>, <a href="#Page_369">369</a>, <a href="#Page_371">371</a>, <a href="#Page_377">377</a></li>
+
+<li>Jean Bontemps, <a href="#Page_209">209</a></li>
+
+<li>Jean Jacques Trivulzio, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>, <a href="#Page_315">315</a> f., <a href="#Page_326">326</a>, <a href="#Page_329">329</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a>, <a href="#Page_341">341</a>-349, <a href="#Page_353">353</a>, <a href="#Page_355">355</a>, <a href="#Page_360">360</a>-364, <a href="#Page_367">367</a></li>
+
+<li>Jean Marot, <a href="#Page_370">370</a></li>
+
+<li>Joan of Aragon, <a href="#Page_6">6</a></li>
+
+<li>Jorba, <a href="#Page_173">173</a></li>
+
+<li>Juan Borgia, <a href="#Page_223">223</a>, <a href="#Page_225">225</a></li>
+
+<li>Julius II. (Pope), <a href="#Page_283">283</a><br /><br /></li>
+
+
+<li>L</li>
+
+<li>Lancinus Curtius, <a href="#Page_128">128</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_210">210</a>, <a href="#Page_230">230</a>, <a href="#Page_348">348</a></li>
+
+<li>Lascaris, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_19">19</a></li>
+
+<li>La Tr&eacute;mouille, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>, <a href="#Page_260">260</a> f., <a href="#Page_363">363</a> f.</li>
+
+<li>Leo X. (Pope), <a href="#Page_377">377</a></li>
+
+<li>Leonardo da Vinci, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>, <a href="#Page_133">133</a>-140, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a> f., <a href="#Page_210">210</a>, <a href="#Page_229">229</a>, <a href="#Page_260">260</a> f., <a href="#Page_296">296</a>, <a href="#Page_299">299</a>, <a href="#Page_302">302</a>, <a href="#Page_306">306</a>, <a href="#Page_318">318</a> f., <a href="#Page_324">324</a> f., <a href="#Page_331">331</a>, <a href="#Page_339">339</a> f., <a href="#Page_347">347</a>, <a href="#Page_350">350</a> f., <a href="#Page_353">353</a>, <a href="#Page_365">365</a> f.</li>
+
+<li>Leonello d'Este, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_32">32</a></li>
+
+<li>Leonora of Aragon (Duchess d'Este), <a href="#Page_3">3</a>, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, <a href="#Page_168">168</a> f., <a href="#Page_172">172</a>, <a href="#Page_177">177</a>, <a href="#Page_181">181</a>, <a href="#Page_186">186</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a> f., <a href="#Page_195">195</a>, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>, <a href="#Page_206">206</a> f.</li>
+
+<li>Leonora da Correggio, <a href="#Page_217">217</a></li>
+
+<li>Leonora Gonzaga, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>, <a href="#Page_230">230</a>, <a href="#Page_329">329</a></li>
+
+<li>Lodovico Bergamini, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_292">292</a></li>
+
+<li>Lodovico de Medici, <a href="#Page_330">330</a></li>
+
+<li>Lodovico Sforza (Il Moro), <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>;
+  <ul class="nest">
+  <li>his character, <a href="#Page_10">10</a> ff.;</li>
+  <li>birth, <a href="#Page_14">14</a>;</li>
+  <li>explanation of surname, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>;</li>
+  <li>early years, <a href="#Page_15">15</a> f.;</li>
+  <li>leads crusade, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>;</li>
+  <li>at Cremona, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>;</li>
+  <li>in France, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>;</li>
+  <li>exile at Pisa, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>;</li>
+  <li>becomes Duke of Bari, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>;</li>
+  <li>invasion of Lombardy, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>;</li>
+  <li>returns to Milan as co-regent, <a href="#Page_23">23</a>;</li>
+  <li>betrothal, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>;</li>
+  <li>sole regent, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>;</li>
+  <li>war with Genoese and Venetians, <a href="#Page_27">27</a> f.;</li>
+  <li>delays his marriage, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>;</li>
+  <li>development of Milan, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>;</li>
+  <li>marriage contract, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>;</li>
+  <li>again delays his marriage, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>;</li>
+  <li>relations with Cecilia Gallerani, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>;</li>
+  <li>marriage, <a href="#Page_65">65</a> f.;</li>
+  <li>renounces Cecilia Gallerani, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>;</li>
+  <li>public works in Vigevano and the Lomellina, <a href="#Page_92">92</a> ff.;</li>
+  <li>interest in the Certosa, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>-106;</li>
+  <li>friendship and correspondence with Isabella D'Este, <a href="#Page_108">108</a> ff., <a href="#Page_163">163</a> f.;</li>
+  <li>entertains French ambassadors, <a href="#Page_115">115</a> ff.;</li>
+  <li>concludes treaty with Charles VIII., <a href="#Page_116">116</a>;</li>
+  <li>embassy to France, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>;</li>
+  <li>reforms and extends Universities of Pavia and Milan, <a href="#Page_126">126</a> ff.;</li>
+  <li>endows research, <a href="#Page_129">129</a> ff.;</li>
+  <li>his library, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>;</li>
+  <li>encourages art, <a href="#Page_131">131</a> ff.;</li>
+  <li>attitude towards Renaissance, <a href="#Page_139">139</a> f.;</li>
+  <li>ambition, <a href="#Page_176">176</a> f.;</li>
+  <li>alliance with Venice and Papacy, <a href="#Page_178">178</a>;</li>
+  <li>visits Ferrara, <a href="#Page_180">180</a> ff.;</li>
+  <li>vacillating policy, <a href="#Page_221">221</a> f.;</li>
+  <li>joins Charles VII. against Naples, <a href="#Page_224">224</a> f.;</li>
+  <li>relations with the Gonzagas of Mantua, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>;</li>
+  <li>proclaimed duke at Milan, <a href="#Page_240">240</a> f.;</li>
+  <li>seeks investiture from Maximilian, <a href="#Page_241">241</a> ff.;</li>
+  <li>refutes calumnies, <a href="#Page_254">254</a>;</li>
+  <li>proclamation of New League against France, <a href="#Page_267">267</a>;</li>
+  <li>invested Duke of Milan, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>;</li>
+  <li>retires before Louis of Orleans, <a href="#Page_271">271</a>;</li>
+  <li>war with France, <a href="#Page_272">272</a> ff.;</li>
+  <li>peace, <a href="#Page_281">281</a>;</li>
+  <li>assists Pisa, <a href="#Page_287">287</a>;</li>
+  <li>league with Maximilian and others, <a href="#Page_290">290</a>;</li>
+  <li>his arrogance, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>;</li>
+  <li>grief at death of Beatrice, <a href="#Page_307">307</a> ff., <a href="#Page_315">315</a>;</li>
+  <li>visit to Mantua, <a href="#Page_326">326</a> f.;</li>
+  <li>his wills, <a href="#Page_332">332</a>-336;</li>
+  <li>flight before the French, and loss of Milan, <a href="#Page_343">343</a>-351;</li>
+  <li>return to Milan, <a href="#Page_356">356</a> ff.;</li>
+  <li>besieged in Novara, <a href="#Page_361">361</a>;</li>
+  <li>betrayed by Swiss, <a href="#Page_362">362</a>;</li>
+  <li>captivity at Encise and Lys St. Georges, <a href="#Page_367">367</a>-370;</li>
+  <li>at Loches, <a href="#Page_371">371</a> ff.;</li>
+  <li>death, <a href="#Page_373">373</a>;</li>
+  <li>place of burial, <a href="#Page_373">373</a> f.;</li>
+  </ul>
+</li>
+
+<li>Lorenzo Gusnasco, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li>
+
+<li>Lorenzo de' Medici, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a></li>
+
+<li>Lorenzo da Pavia, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>, <a href="#Page_261">261</a> ff., <a href="#Page_348">348</a>, <a href="#Page_365">365</a></li>
+
+<li>Louis XI., <a href="#Page_20">20</a></li>
+
+<li>Louis XII., <a href="#Page_265">265</a>, <a href="#Page_326">326</a>, <a href="#Page_332">332</a>, <a href="#Page_337">337</a> f., <a href="#Page_341">341</a>, <a href="#Page_348">348</a>, <a href="#Page_360">360</a>, <a href="#Page_363">363</a>, <a href="#Page_371">371</a>, <a href="#Page_376">376</a>. <i>See also</i> Orlealns, Duke of.</li>
+
+<li>Luca Fancelli, <a href="#Page_133">133</a> f.</li>
+
+<li>Luca Pacioli, <a href="#Page_128">128</a>, <a href="#Page_304">304</a>, <a href="#Page_324">324</a></li>
+
+<li>Lucia Marliani, <a href="#Page_18">18</a></li>
+
+<li>Lucrezia Borgia, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a></li>
+
+<li>Lucrezia Crivelli, <a href="#Page_302">302</a>, <a href="#Page_321">321</a>, <a href="#Page_379">379</a></li>
+
+<li>Lucrezia d'Este, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a></li>
+
+<li>Luzio, <a href="#Page_173">173</a><br /><br /></li>
+
+
+<li>M</li>
+
+<li>Machiavelli, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_330">330</a></li>
+
+<li>Maffeo Pirovano, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>, <a href="#Page_252">252</a> ff., <a href="#Page_324">324</a></li>
+
+<li>Maffeo di Treviglio, <a href="#Page_136">136</a></li>
+
+<li>Magenta, <a href="#Page_247">247</a><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_386" id="Page_386">[Pg 386]</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Malipiero, <a href="#Page_271">271</a>, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>, <a href="#Page_287">287</a>, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>, <a href="#Page_331">331</a></li>
+
+<li>Mantegna, <a href="#Page_274">274</a></li>
+
+<li>Marc Antonio Michieli, <a href="#Page_303">303</a></li>
+
+<li>Marco Morosini, <a href="#Page_292">292</a></li>
+
+<li>Margareta Solari, <a href="#Page_233">233</a></li>
+
+<li>Margherita Gonzaga, <a href="#Page_298">298</a></li>
+
+<li>Margherita Pia, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="#Page_322">322</a></li>
+
+<li>Marino Sanuto, <a href="#Page_238">238</a>, <a href="#Page_248">248</a>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a>, <a href="#Page_291">291</a>, <a href="#Page_293">293</a> ff., <a href="#Page_297">297</a>, <a href="#Page_315">315</a> f., <a href="#Page_326">326</a>, <a href="#Page_331">331</a>, <a href="#Page_337">337</a>, <a href="#Page_346">346</a>, <a href="#Page_370">370</a>, <a href="#Page_376">376</a></li>
+
+<li>Mariolo, <a href="#Page_163">163</a>, <a href="#Page_170">170</a></li>
+
+<li>Mary of Burgundy, <a href="#Page_113">113</a></li>
+
+<li>Mascagni, <a href="#Page_147">147</a></li>
+
+<li>Matteo Boiardo, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>, <a href="#Page_86">86</a> f.</li>
+
+<li>Matteo Brandello, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_299">299</a>, <a href="#Page_318">318</a></li>
+
+<li>Matthias Corvinus, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a></li>
+
+<li>Maximilian, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a> f., <a href="#Page_179">179</a> f., <a href="#Page_184">184</a> ff., <a href="#Page_197">197</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a> f., <a href="#Page_222">222</a>, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>, <a href="#Page_252">252</a> ff., <a href="#Page_256">256</a>, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>, <a href="#Page_272">272</a>, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>, <a href="#Page_288">288</a>, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>, <a href="#Page_304">304</a> f., <a href="#Page_313">313</a> ff., <a href="#Page_334">334</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a> f., <a href="#Page_341">341</a> f., <a href="#Page_346">346</a>, <a href="#Page_355">355</a>, <a href="#Page_371">371</a>, <a href="#Page_377">377</a></li>
+
+<li>Melzi (Count of), <a href="#Page_346">346</a></li>
+
+<li>Michele Savonarola, <a href="#Page_29">29</a></li>
+
+<li>Michelo Angelo, <a href="#Page_108">108</a></li>
+
+<li>Milan, <a href="#Page_260">260</a></li>
+
+<li>Milan, University of, <a href="#Page_128">128</a></li>
+
+<li>Molmenti, <a href="#Page_188">188</a></li>
+
+<li>Montferrat, Marquis of, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, <a href="#Page_236">236</a></li>
+
+<li>Montorfano, <a href="#Page_319">319</a></li>
+
+<li>Muralti, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>, <a href="#Page_302">302</a><br /><br /></li>
+
+
+<li>N</li>
+
+<li>Narcisso, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li>
+
+<li>Nexemperger, <a href="#Page_133">133</a></li>
+
+<li>Niccolo della Bussola, <a href="#Page_355">355</a>, <a href="#Page_364">364</a></li>
+
+<li>Niccolo da Correggio, <a href="#Page_5">5</a> f., <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a> f., <a href="#Page_145">145</a> f., <a href="#Page_149">149</a>-152, <a href="#Page_182">182</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a> f., <a href="#Page_217">217</a>, <a href="#Page_259">259</a>, <a href="#Page_264">264</a>, <a href="#Page_303">303</a>, <a href="#Page_306">306</a>, <a href="#Page_313">313</a>, <a href="#Page_323">323</a>, <a href="#Page_327">327</a>, <a href="#Page_349">349</a>, <a href="#Page_351">351</a>, <a href="#Page_353">353</a></li>
+
+<li>Niccolo d'Este II., <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a></li>
+
+<li>Niccolo d'Este III., <a href="#Page_3">3</a>, <a href="#Page_29">29</a></li>
+
+<li>Niccolo d'Este (s. of Leonello d'Este), <a href="#Page_5">5</a> f.</li>
+
+<li>Niccolo de Negri, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_293">293</a><br /><br /></li>
+
+
+<li>O</li>
+
+<li>Oldrado Lampugnano, <a href="#Page_379">379</a></li>
+
+<li>Orleans, Duke of, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>, <a href="#Page_231">231</a> f., <a href="#Page_256">256</a>, <a href="#Page_266">266</a>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a> f., <a href="#Page_271">271</a>, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>, <a href="#Page_281">281</a> f., <a href="#Page_286">286</a>, <a href="#Page_294">294</a> f., <a href="#Page_326">326</a>. <i>See also</i> Louis XII.</li>
+
+<li>Orsini, <a href="#Page_223">223</a></li>
+
+<li>Ortensio Lando, <a href="#Page_52">52</a></li>
+
+<li>Ottaviano Sforza, <a href="#Page_42">42</a><br /><br /></li>
+
+
+<li>P</li>
+
+<li>Pamfilo Sasso, <a href="#Page_150">150</a></li>
+
+<li>Pandolfini, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_118">118</a></li>
+
+<li>Paolo Bilia, <a href="#Page_250">250</a></li>
+
+<li>Paolo Giovio, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>, <a href="#Page_247">247</a>, <a href="#Page_273">273</a>, <a href="#Page_371">371</a></li>
+
+<li>Pavia, <a href="#Page_66">66</a> ff.</li>
+
+<li>Pavia, University of, <a href="#Page_126">126</a> ff.</li>
+
+<li>Pedro Maria, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li>
+
+<li>Perrault de Gurk, <a href="#Page_318">318</a></li>
+
+<li>Perron de Baschi, <a href="#Page_221">221</a></li>
+
+<li>Perugino. <i>See</i> Il P.</li>
+
+<li>Petrarch, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_146">146</a></li>
+
+<li>Philippe de Commines, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_233">233</a>, <a href="#Page_236">236</a> f., <a href="#Page_245">245</a>, <a href="#Page_248">248</a> f., <a href="#Page_261">261</a> f., <a href="#Page_269">269</a>, <a href="#Page_274">274</a>, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>, <a href="#Page_285">285</a></li>
+
+<li>Pier Francesco, <a href="#Page_373">373</a></li>
+
+<li>Piero de Medici, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>, <a href="#Page_223">223</a>, <a href="#Page_231">231</a>, <a href="#Page_236">236</a>, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>, <a href="#Page_248">248</a>, <a href="#Page_256">256</a>, <a href="#Page_262">262</a></li>
+
+<li>Pierre d'Urf&eacute;, <a href="#Page_376">376</a></li>
+
+<li>Pietro Alamanni, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_231">231</a>, <a href="#Page_241">241</a></li>
+
+<li>Pietro Bembo, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>, <a href="#Page_197">197</a></li>
+
+<li>Pietro Landriano, <a href="#Page_179">179</a></li>
+
+<li>Pietro Lazzarone, <a href="#Page_150">150</a></li>
+
+<li>Pietro of Perugia. <i>See</i> Il Perugino</li>
+
+<li>Pico della Mirandola, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_61">61</a></li>
+
+<li>Pino, <a href="#Page_318">318</a></li>
+
+<li>Pistoia. <i>See</i> Antonio Cam. P.</li>
+
+<li>Pius II., <a href="#Page_16">16</a></li>
+
+<li>Poggio, <a href="#Page_87">87</a></li>
+
+<li>Polissena d'Este, <a href="#Page_77">77</a>, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>, <a href="#Page_232">232</a></li>
+
+<li>Pontano, <a href="#Page_7">7</a></li>
+
+<li>Prato, <a href="#Page_362">362</a></li>
+
+<li>Prosperi, <a href="#Page_181">181</a> f.</li>
+
+<li>Pulci, <a href="#Page_87">87</a><br /><br /></li>
+
+
+<li>R</li>
+
+<li>Raphael, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li>
+
+<li>Roberto di Sanseverino, <a href="#Page_21">21</a> ff., <a href="#Page_27">27</a> f., <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_137">137</a></li>
+
+<li>Roderigo Borgia. <i>See</i> Alexander VI.</li>
+
+<li>Rodolfo Gonzaga, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>, <a href="#Page_273">273</a></li>
+
+<li>Romanini, <a href="#Page_195">195</a></li>
+
+<li>Rovegnatino, <a href="#Page_316">316</a><br /><br /></li>
+
+
+<li>S</li>
+
+<li>Sabba da Castiglione, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a> ff., <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a> f., <a href="#Page_354">354</a></li>
+
+<li>Salomon (physician), <a href="#Page_370">370</a> f.</li>
+
+<li>Salomone Ebreo, <a href="#Page_130">130</a></li>
+
+<li>Sancia of Naples, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>, <a href="#Page_225">225</a></li>
+
+<li>Sandro Botticelli, <a href="#Page_300">300</a></li>
+
+<li>Sannazzaro, <a href="#Page_7">7</a></li>
+
+<li>Sanseverino, House of, <a href="#Page_43">43</a> f. <i>See also</i> Antonio Maria S., Federigo S., Galeazzo S., Gaspare S., Gianfrancesco S., Roberto S.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_387" id="Page_387">[Pg 387]</a></span></li>
+
+<li>Scaligero, <a href="#Page_52">52</a></li>
+
+<li>Schifanoia frescoes, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>, <a href="#Page_38">38</a></li>
+
+<li>Sebastian Badoer, <a href="#Page_255">255</a></li>
+
+<li>Senlis (Treaty of), <a href="#Page_180">180</a>, <a href="#Page_196">196</a>, <a href="#Page_224">224</a></li>
+
+<li>Serafino Aquilano, <a href="#Page_142">142</a> ff.</li>
+
+<li>Sforza, Duke of Bari, <a href="#Page_20">20</a> ff.</li>
+
+<li>Sigismund of Austria, <a href="#Page_218">218</a></li>
+
+<li>Sigismund d'Este (Cardinal), <a href="#Page_58">58</a></li>
+
+<li>Sigismund of Poland, <a href="#Page_353">353</a></li>
+
+<li>Sixtus IV., <a href="#Page_3">3</a>, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_157">157</a></li>
+
+<li>Sperandio, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_274">274</a></li>
+
+<li>Spinola family, <a href="#Page_335">335</a></li>
+
+<li>Stuart d'Aubigny, <a href="#Page_114">114</a>, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>, <a href="#Page_238">238</a><br /><br /></li>
+
+
+<li>T</li>
+
+<li>Taddeo Contarini, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_303">303</a></li>
+
+<li>Taddeo Vimercati, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>, <a href="#Page_187">187</a></li>
+
+<li>Tanzio, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_144">144</a></li>
+
+<li>Tasso, <a href="#Page_87">87</a></li>
+
+<li>Teodora, <a href="#Page_168">168</a> ff., <a href="#Page_181">181</a></li>
+
+<li>Teseo d'Albonesi, <a href="#Page_128">128</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a></li>
+
+<li>Theodore Guainiero, <a href="#Page_247">247</a></li>
+
+<li>Tiraboschi, <a href="#Page_141">141</a></li>
+
+<li>Tito Strozzi, <a href="#Page_35">35</a></li>
+
+<li>Tommaso Grassi, <a href="#Page_131">131</a></li>
+
+<li>Tommaso Piatti, <a href="#Page_131">131</a></li>
+
+<li>Treso di Monza, <a href="#Page_66">66</a></li>
+
+<li>Trissino, <a href="#Page_37">37</a></li>
+
+<li>Tristan Calco, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>, <a href="#Page_129">129</a> f., <a href="#Page_210">210</a></li>
+
+<li>Tristan Sforza, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>, <a href="#Page_22">22</a></li>
+
+<li>Turman, <a href="#Page_362">362</a><br /><br /></li>
+
+
+<li>U</li>
+
+<li>Ursino, <a href="#Page_190">190</a><br /><br /></li>
+
+
+<li>V</li>
+
+<li>Valentina Visconti, <a href="#Page_231">231</a></li>
+
+<li>Vasari, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a></li>
+
+<li>Venetian <i>f&ecirc;tes</i>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a> ff.</li>
+
+<li>Venetians attack Ferrara, <a href="#Page_26">26</a> f.</li>
+
+<li>Vercelli (Peace of), <a href="#Page_281">281</a></li>
+
+<li>Verrocchio, <a href="#Page_301">301</a></li>
+
+<li>Vincenzo Baldelli, <a href="#Page_316">316</a></li>
+
+<li>Vincenzo Calmeta, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a> f., <a href="#Page_145">145</a> f., <a href="#Page_151">151</a></li>
+
+<li>Vincenzo Foppa, <a href="#Page_63">63</a></li>
+
+<li>Vittore Pisanello, <a href="#Page_2">2</a>, <a href="#Page_32">32</a></li>
+
+<li>Vittoria Colonna, <a href="#Page_52">52</a>, <a href="#Page_263">263</a><br /><br /></li>
+
+
+<li>Z</li>
+
+<li>Zenale di Treviglio, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_285">285</a></li>
+</ul>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<h3>THE END</h3>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br /><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_388" id="Page_388">[Pg 388]</a></span>
+
+<h3>PRINTED BY</h3>
+<h3>TURNBULL AND SPEARS</h3>
+<h3>EDINBURGH</h3>
+
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+<br />
+
+<div class="tr">
+<p class="cen"><a name="TN" id="TN"></a>Transcriber's Note</p>
+<br />
+
+Typographical errors corrected in the text:<br />
+<br />
+
+Page&nbsp;&nbsp;   ix&nbsp;  Guiccardini changed to Guicciardini<br />
+Page&nbsp;&nbsp;   ix&nbsp;  Baldassarre changed to Baldassare<br />
+Page&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    x&nbsp;  Bibliotheque changed to Biblioth&egrave;que<br />
+Page&nbsp;&nbsp;   xi&nbsp;  Etude changed to &Eacute;tude<br />
+Page&nbsp;&nbsp;   xv&nbsp;  di changed to da<br />
+Page&nbsp;  xvi&nbsp;  Belrignardo changed to Belriguardo<br />
+Page&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;    9&nbsp;  negociations changed to negotiations<br />
+Page&nbsp;&nbsp;   14&nbsp;  II changed to Il<br />
+Page&nbsp;&nbsp;   15&nbsp;  Guiccardini changed to Guicciardini<br />
+Page&nbsp;&nbsp;   22&nbsp;  Tristran changed to Tristan<br />
+Page&nbsp;&nbsp;   33&nbsp;  Cristofor&oacute; changed to Cristoforo<br />
+Page&nbsp;&nbsp;   33&nbsp;  Arragon changed to Aragon<br />
+Page&nbsp;&nbsp;   44&nbsp;  Baldassarre changed to Baldassare<br />
+Page&nbsp;&nbsp;   44&nbsp;  Elizabetta changed to Elisabetta<br />
+Page&nbsp;&nbsp;   36&nbsp;  Bentivogho changed to Bentivoglio<br />
+Page&nbsp;&nbsp;   36&nbsp;  Sando changed to Sandro<br />
+Page&nbsp;&nbsp;   37&nbsp;  di changed to da<br />
+Page&nbsp;&nbsp;   41&nbsp;  Galezzo changed to Galeazzo<br />
+Page&nbsp;&nbsp;   45&nbsp;  Castelnovo changed to Castelnuovo<br />
+Page&nbsp;&nbsp;   45&nbsp;  Leonardi changed to Leonardo<br />
+Page&nbsp;&nbsp;   52&nbsp;  Benedette changed to Benedetto<br />
+Page&nbsp;&nbsp;   57&nbsp;  Valtelline changed to Valtellina<br />
+Page&nbsp;&nbsp;   62&nbsp;  Certoza changed to Certosa<br />
+Page&nbsp;&nbsp;   67&nbsp;  Salla changed to Sala<br />
+Page&nbsp;&nbsp;   71&nbsp;  Bentovoglio changed to Bentivoglio<br />
+Page&nbsp;&nbsp;   71&nbsp;  Sanseverinos changed to Sanseverino<br />
+Page&nbsp;&nbsp;   73&nbsp;  Gianfranceso changed to Gianfrancesco<br />
+Page&nbsp;&nbsp;   74&nbsp;  beside changed to besides<br />
+Page&nbsp;&nbsp;   77&nbsp;  Polisenna changed to Polissena<br />
+Page&nbsp;&nbsp;   86&nbsp;  Castelnovo changed to Castelnuovo<br />
+Page&nbsp;&nbsp;   91&nbsp;  Jes&ugrave; changed to Ges&ugrave;<br />
+Page&nbsp;&nbsp;   97&nbsp;  l6th changed to 16th<br />
+Page&nbsp;&nbsp;   99&nbsp;  Arragon changed to Aragon<br />
+Page&nbsp;  108&nbsp;  Castiglone changed to Castiglione<br />
+Page&nbsp;  113&nbsp;  Fnding changed to Finding<br />
+Page&nbsp;  115&nbsp;  magificently changed to magnificently<br />
+Page&nbsp;  123&nbsp;  l6th changed to 16th<br />
+Page&nbsp;  128&nbsp;  Paciolo changed to Pacioli<br />
+Page&nbsp;  133&nbsp;  Fabbriccieri changed to Fabbricieri<br />
+Page&nbsp;  133&nbsp;  Gratz changed to Graz<br />
+Page&nbsp;  138&nbsp;  Bellincionis's changed to Bellincioni's<br />
+Page&nbsp;  143&nbsp;  Abbruzzi changed to Abruzzi<br />
+Page&nbsp;  145&nbsp;  Bramarite's changed to Bramante's<br />
+Page&nbsp;  146&nbsp;  Uzieili changed to Uzielli<br />
+Page&nbsp;  147&nbsp;  Muntz changed to M&uuml;ntz<br />
+Page&nbsp;  150&nbsp;  Baldassarre changed to Baldassare<br />
+Page&nbsp;  150&nbsp;  Valtelline changed to Valtellina<br />
+Page&nbsp;  159&nbsp;  Naple's changed to Naples'<br />
+Page&nbsp;  161&nbsp;  Today changed to To-day<br />
+Page&nbsp;  163&nbsp;  Pecorata changed to Pecorara<br />
+Page&nbsp;  177&nbsp;  Arragon changed to Aragon<br />
+Page&nbsp;  179&nbsp;  Frederick changed to Frederic<br />
+Page&nbsp;  187&nbsp;  Phillippe changed to Philippe<br />
+Page&nbsp;  188&nbsp;  Gianfranceseo changed to Gianfrancesco<br />
+Page&nbsp;  193&nbsp;  Comminnes changed to Commines<br />
+Page&nbsp;  195&nbsp;  Romanin changed to Romanini<br />
+Page&nbsp;  200&nbsp;  word "of" missing after "the daughters"<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;and before "Messer Sigismondo"<br />
+Page&nbsp;  206&nbsp;  Ambrosio changed to Ambrogio<br />
+Page&nbsp;  209&nbsp;  Ambrogie changed to Ambrogio<br />
+Page&nbsp;  210&nbsp;  Baldassarre changed to Baldassare<br />
+Page&nbsp;  212&nbsp;  Rochetta changed to Rocchetta<br />
+Page&nbsp;  218&nbsp;  Valtelline change to Valtellina<br />
+Page&nbsp;  226&nbsp;  Guiccardini changed to Guicciardini<br />
+Page&nbsp;  232&nbsp;  Geneva changed to Genova<br />
+Page&nbsp;  234&nbsp;  judgement changed to judgment<br />
+Page&nbsp;  236&nbsp;  Pecoraja changed to Pecorara<br />
+Page&nbsp;  237&nbsp;  Godefroi changed to Godefroy<br />
+Page&nbsp;  238&nbsp;  Placenza changed to Piacenza<br />
+Page&nbsp;  240&nbsp;  Baldasarre changed to Baldassare<br />
+Page&nbsp;  246&nbsp;  Piravano changed to Pirovano<br />
+Page&nbsp;  255&nbsp;  Guiliano changed to Giuliano<br />
+Page&nbsp;  259&nbsp;  Guiccardini changed to Guicciardini<br />
+Page&nbsp;  260&nbsp;  Lazaretto changed to Lazzaretto<br />
+Page&nbsp;  266&nbsp;  Arragon changed to Aragon<br />
+Page&nbsp;  267&nbsp;  or changed to of<br />
+Page&nbsp;  269&nbsp;  Arragon changed to Aragon<br />
+Page&nbsp;  272&nbsp;  Giascone changed to Giasone<br />
+Page&nbsp;  273&nbsp;  Giovo changed to Giovio<br />
+Page&nbsp;  293&nbsp;  de' Negris changed to de' Negri<br />
+Page&nbsp;  299&nbsp;  Vercelliana changed to Vercellina<br />
+Page&nbsp;  300&nbsp;  Botticello changed to Botticelli<br />
+Page&nbsp;  301&nbsp;  Verocchio changed to Verrocchio<br />
+Page&nbsp;  302&nbsp;  Muralto changed to Muralti<br />
+Page&nbsp;  318&nbsp;  alar changed to altar<br />
+Page&nbsp;  322&nbsp;  Arragon changed to Aragon<br />
+Page&nbsp;  325&nbsp;  Baldassarre changed to Baldassare<br />
+Page&nbsp;  330&nbsp;  Machiavelii changed to Machiavelli<br />
+Page&nbsp;  345&nbsp;  sus changed to sua<br />
+Page&nbsp;  351&nbsp;  Baldassarre changed to Baldassare<br />
+Page&nbsp;  355&nbsp;  Brizen changed to Brixen<br />
+Page&nbsp;  371&nbsp;  edioius changed to tedious<br />
+Page&nbsp;  383&nbsp;  Francessa changed to Francesca<br />
+Page&nbsp;  383&nbsp;  d'Albert changed to d'Albret<br />
+Page&nbsp;  383&nbsp;  Frederick changed to Frederic<br />
+Page&nbsp;  384&nbsp;  Giocomo changed to Giacomo<br />
+Page&nbsp;  384&nbsp;  Godefroi changed to Godefroy<br />
+Page&nbsp;  385&nbsp;  Lascario changed to Lascaris<br />
+Page&nbsp;  386&nbsp;  Botticello changed to Botticelli<br />
+Page&nbsp;  386&nbsp;  Muralto changed to Muralti<br />
+Page&nbsp;  386&nbsp;  Oldrade changed to Oldrado<br />
+Page&nbsp;  387&nbsp;  Verocchio changed to Verrocchio<br />
+</div>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Beatrice d'Este, Duchess of Milan,
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+</pre>
+
+</body>
+</html>
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@@ -0,0 +1,15899 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Beatrice d'Este, Duchess of Milan, 1475-1497, by
+Julia Mary Cartwright
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Beatrice d'Este, Duchess of Milan, 1475-1497
+
+Author: Julia Mary Cartwright
+
+Release Date: May 27, 2008 [EBook #25622]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BEATRICE D'ESTE ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Barbara Kosker and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: Bianca Sforza by Ambrogio de Predis. (Ambrosiana)]
+
+
+
+
+BEATRICE D'ESTE
+
+DUCHESS OF MILAN
+
+1475-1497
+
+
+
+_A STUDY OF THE RENAISSANCE_
+
+BY
+
+JULIA CARTWRIGHT
+
+(MRS HENRY ADY)
+
+_Author of_ "_Madame_," "_Sacharissa_," "_J. F. Millet_"
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+1910
+LONDON: J. M. DENT & SONS, LTD.
+NEW YORK: E. P. DUTTON & CO.
+
+
+
+
+_First Edition, November, 1899_
+_Second Edition, June, 1903_
+_Third Edition, November, 1903_
+_Fourth Edition February, 1905_
+_Fifth Edition, July, 1908_
+_Sixth Edition, May, 1910_
+
+
+_All rights reserved_
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE
+
+
+During the last twenty years the patient researches of successive
+students in the archives of North Italian cities have been richly
+rewarded. The State papers of Milan and Venice, of Ferrara and Modena,
+have yielded up their treasures; the correspondence of Isabella d'Este,
+in the Gonzaga archives at Mantua, has proved a source of inexhaustible
+wealth and knowledge. A flood of light has been thrown on the history of
+Italy in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries; public events and
+personages have been placed in a new aspect; the judgments of posterity
+have been modified and, in some instances, reversed.
+
+We see now, more clearly than ever before, what manner of men and women
+these Estes and Gonzagas, these Sforzas and Viscontis, were. We gain
+fresh insight into their characters and aims, their secret motives and
+private wishes. We see them in their daily occupations and amusements,
+at their work and at their play. We follow them from the battle-field
+and council chamber, from the chase and tournament, to the privacy of
+domestic life and the intimate scenes of the family circle. And we
+realize how, in spite of the tragic stories or bloodshed and strife that
+darkened their lives, in spite, too, of the low standard of morals and
+of the crimes and vices that we are accustomed to associate with
+Renaissance princes, there was a rare measure of beauty and goodness, of
+culture and refinement, of love of justice and zeal for truth, among
+them. As the latest historian of the Papacy, Dr. Pastor, has wisely
+remarked, we must take care not to paint the state of morals during the
+Italian Renaissance blacker than it really was. Virtue goes quietly on
+her way, while vice is noisy and uproarious; the criminal forces
+himself upon the public attention, while the honest man does his duty in
+silence, and no one hears of him. This is especially the case with the
+women of the Renaissance. They had their faults and their weaknesses,
+but the great majority among them led pure and irreproachable lives, and
+trained their children in the paths of truth and duty. Even Lucrezia
+Borgia, although she may not have been altogether immaculate, was not
+the foul creature that we once believed. And the more closely we study
+these newly discovered documents, the more we become convinced that this
+age produced some of the most admirable types of womanhood that the
+world has ever seen. When Castiglione painted his ideal woman in the
+pages of the "Cortigiano," he had no need to draw on his imagination.
+Elizabeth Gonzaga, Duchess of Urbino, and Isabella d'Este, Marchioness
+of Mantua, were both of them women of great intellect and stainless
+virtue, whose genuine love of art and letters attracted the choicest
+spirits to their court, and exerted the most beneficial influence on the
+thought of the day. Isabella, whose vast correspondence with the
+foremost painters and scholars of the age has been preserved almost
+intact, was probably the most remarkable lady of the Renaissance. The
+story of her long and eventful life--a theme of absorbing interest--yet
+remains to be written. The present work is devoted to the history of her
+younger sister, Beatrice, Duchess of Milan, who, as the wife of Lodovico
+Sforza, reigned during six years over the most splendid court of Italy.
+The charm of her personality, the important part which she played in
+political life at a critical moment of Italian history, her love of
+music and poetry, and the fine taste which she inherited, in common with
+every princess of the house of Este, all help to make Beatrice
+singularly attractive, while the interest which she inspires is deepened
+by the pathos of her sudden and early death.
+
+If in Isabella we have the supreme representative of Renaissance culture
+in its highest and most intellectual phase, Beatrice is the type of that
+new-found joy in life, that intoxicating rapture in the actual sense of
+existence, that was the heritage of her generation, and found
+expression in the words of a contemporary novelist, Matteo
+Bandello--himself of Lombard birth--when with his last breath he bade
+his companions live joyously, "_Vivete lieti!_" We see this bride of
+sixteen summers flinging herself with passionate delight into every
+amusement, singing gay songs with her courtiers, dancing and hunting
+through the livelong day, outstripping all her companions in the chase,
+and laughing in the face of danger. We see her holding her court in the
+famous Castello of Porta Giovia or in the summer palaces of Vigevano and
+Cussago, in these golden days when Milan was called the new Athens, when
+Leonardo and Bramante decorated palaces or arranged masquerades at the
+duke's bidding, when Gaspare Visconti wrote sonnets in illuminated
+books, and Lorenzo da Pavia constructed organs or viols as perfect and
+beautiful to see as to hear, for the pleasure of the youthful duchess.
+Scholars and poets, painters and writers, gallant soldiers and
+accomplished cavaliers, we see them all at Beatrice's feet, striving how
+best they may gratify her fancies and win her smiles. Young and old,
+they were alike devoted to her service, from Galeazzo di Sanseverino,
+the valiant captain who became her willing slave and chosen companion,
+to Niccolo da Correggio, that all-accomplished gentleman who laid down
+his pen and sword to design elaborate devices for his mistress's new
+gowns. We read her merry letters to her husband and sister, letters
+sparkling with wit and gaiety and overflowing with simple and natural
+affection. We see her rejoicing with all a young mother's proud delight
+over her first-born son, repeating, as mothers will, marvellous tales of
+his size and growth, and framing tender phrases for his infant lips. And
+we catch glimpses of her, too, in sadder moods, mourning her mother's
+loss or wounded by neglect and unkindness. We note how keenly her proud
+spirit resents wrong and injustice, and how in her turn she is not
+always careful of the rights and feelings of her rivals. But whatever
+her faults and mistakes may have been, she is always kindly and
+generous, human and lovable. A year or two passes, and we see her,
+royally arrayed in brocade and jewels, standing up in the great council
+hall of Venice, to plead her husband's cause before the Doge and
+Senate. Later on we find her sharing her lord's counsels in court and
+camp, receiving king and emperor at Pavia or Vigevano, fascinating the
+susceptible heart of Charles VIII. by her charms, and amazing Kaiser
+Maximilian by her wisdom and judgment in affairs of state. And then
+suddenly the music and dancing, the feasting and travelling, cease, and
+the richly coloured and animated pageant is brought to an abrupt close.
+Beatrice dies, without a moment's warning, in the flower of youth and
+beauty, and the young duchess is borne to her grave in S. Maria delle
+Grazie amid the tears and lamentations of all Milan. And with her death,
+the whole Milanese state, that fabric which Lodovico Sforza had built up
+at such infinite cost and pains, crumbles into ruin. Fortune, which till
+that hour had smiled so kindly on the Moro and had raised him to giddy
+heights of prosperity, now turned her back upon him. In three short
+years he had lost everything--crown, home, and liberty--and was left to
+drag out a miserable existence in the dungeons of Berry and Touraine.
+
+"And when Duchess Beatrice died," wrote the poet, Vincenzo Calmeta,
+"everything fell into ruin, and that court, which had been a joyous
+paradise, was changed into a black Inferno."
+
+Then Milan and her people become a prey to the rude outrages of French
+soldiery. Leonardo's great horse was broken in pieces by Gascon archers,
+and the Castello, "which had once held the finest flower of the whole
+world, became," in Castiglione's words, "a place of drinking-booths and
+dung-hills." The treasures of art and beauty stored up within its walls
+were destroyed by barbarous hands, and all that brilliant company was
+dispersed and scattered abroad. Artists and poets, knights and
+scholars--Leonardo and Bramante, Galeazzo and Niccolo--were driven out,
+and went their way each in a different direction, to seek new homes and
+other patrons. But the memory of the young duchess--the _Donna beata_ of
+Pistoja and Visconti's song--lived for many a year in the hearts of her
+loyal servants, Castiglione enshrined her name in his immortal pages,
+Ariosto celebrated her virtues in the cantos of his "Orlando Furioso,"
+and far on in the new century, grey-headed scholars spoke of her as
+"_la piu zentil Donna d'Italia_"--the sweetest lady in all Italy.
+
+And to-day, as we pace the dim aisles of the great Certosa, we may look
+on the marble effigy of Duchess Beatrice and see the lovely face with
+the curling locks and child-like features which the Lombard sculptor
+carved, and which still bears witness to the love of Lodovico Sforza for
+his young wife.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+In conclusion, I must acknowledge how deeply I am indebted to Signor
+Luzio, keeper of the Gonzaga archives at Mantua, and to his able
+colleague, Signor Renier, for the assistance which they have lent to my
+researches, as well as for the help afforded by their own publications,
+in which many of Isabella and Beatrice d'Este's most interesting letters
+have already been given to the world. The State archives of Milan and
+Mantua are the principal sources from which the information contained in
+the present volume is drawn, and a list of the other authorities which
+have been consulted is given below.
+
+
+ITALIAN.
+
+     Archivio di Stato di Milano, _Beatrice d'Este, Potenze
+     estere_, etc.
+
+     Archivio Gonzaga Mantova, _Copia lettera d'Isabella d'Este_,
+     etc.
+
+     A. Luzio and R. Renier, _Delle Relazioni di Isabella d'Este
+     Gonzaga con Ludovico and Beatrice Sforza_. Archivio Storico
+     lombardo, xvii.
+
+     T. Chalcus, _Residua_. Milano, 1644.
+
+     Archivio Storico Italiano, serie i. vol. iii.; Cronache
+     Milanesi di G. A. Prato, G. P. Cagnola, G. M. Burigozzo, etc.;
+     Serie iii. vol. xii., Serie v. vol. vi., Serie vii. vol. i.
+
+     L. A. Muratori, _Italicarum Rerum Scriptores_, vol. xxiv.
+
+     F. Muralti, _Annalia_.
+
+     Paolo Giovio, _Storia di suoi Tempi_.
+
+     Marino Sanuto, _Diarii, De Bello Gallico_, etc.
+
+     Bernardino Corio, _Historie Milanese_.
+
+     Rosmini, _Storia di Milano_.
+
+     Fr. Guicciardini, _Storia a'Italia_. Rendered into English by
+     G. Fenton. 1618.
+
+     F. Frizzi, _Storia di Ferrara_, vols. iv. and v.
+
+     P. Verri, _Storia di Milano_.
+
+     Baldassare Castiglione, _Lettere_. Edizione Serassi.
+
+     R. Renier, _Sonetti di Pistoia_.
+
+     Giornale Storico di Letteratura Italiano, vols. v. and vi.
+
+     Archivio Storico dell' Arte, vols. i. and ii.
+
+     Renier, _Canzoniere di Niccolo da Correggio_.
+
+     A. Campo Ghisolfo, _Storia delle Duchesse di Milano_. 1542.
+     Rivista Storica Mantovana.
+
+     Carlo Magenta, _I Visconti e Sforza nel Castello di Pavia_.
+
+     F. Calvi, _Bianca Maria Sforza Visconti, Regina dei Romani,
+     Imperatrice di Germania_.
+
+     Marchese d'Adda, _Indagini sulla Liberia Visconti Sforzesca
+     del Castello di Pavia_.
+
+     Malipiero, _Annali Veneti_.
+
+     Romanini, _Storia di Venezia_, vols. v. and vi.
+
+     Imhoff, _Historia Genealogica Italiae_.
+
+     G. Uzielli, _Ricerche intorno a Leonardo da Vinci_.
+
+     G. Uzielli, _Leonardo da Vinci e Tre Gentil donne Milanesi_.
+
+     G. d'Adda, _Lodovico Maria Sforza_.
+
+     L. Beltrami, _Il Castello di Milano, sotto il dominio degli
+     Sforza_. 1450-1535.
+
+     L. Beltrami, _Bramante poeta_.
+
+     Padre Pino, _Storia genuina del Cenacolo_. 1796.
+
+     B. Bellincioni, _Le Rime annotate da P. Fanfani_. Bologna.
+
+     G. Tiraboschi, _Storia della Letteratura Italiana_, vols. vi.
+     and vii.
+
+     P. Molmenti, _La Vita Privata di Venezia_.
+
+     A. Rusconi, _Lodovico il Moro a Novara_.
+
+     F. Gabotto, _Girolamo Tuttavilla_.
+
+     G. L. Calvi, _Notizie dei principali Professori di Belle Arti
+     che fiorivano in Milano_.
+
+     G. Mongeri, _L'Arte in Milano_.
+
+     C. Amoretti, _Memorie Storiche sulla vita gli studi e le opere
+     di Leonardo da Vinci_.
+
+     Brigola, _Annali della Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano_.
+
+     Carlo dell'Acqua, _Lorenza Gusnasco di Pavia_.
+
+     P. Pasolini, _Caterina Sforza_.
+
+
+FRENCH.
+
+     Manuscrits Italiens, _Affaires d'etat_. Bibliotheque
+     Nationale.
+
+     Pasquier le Moine, _MS. La Conquete du Duche de Milan_.
+     Bibliotheque Nationale.
+
+     Jean d'Auton, _Chroniques de Louis XII_. Edition publiee pour
+     la Societe de l'Histoire de France, par R. de Maulde La
+     Claviere. 4 vols.
+
+     Philippe de Commines, _Memoires_. Nouvelle edition publiee par
+     la Societe de l'Histoire de France.
+
+     Vicomte Delaborde, _L'Expedition de Charles VIII. en Italie_.
+
+     M. Eugene Muntz, _La Renaissance en Italie et en France a
+     l'epoque de Charles VIII_.
+
+     M. Eugene Muntz, _Musee du Capitole_.
+
+     M. Eugene Muntz, _Leonardo da Vinci_.
+
+     C. de Cherrier, _Histoire de Charles VIII, Roi de France,
+     d'apres des documents diplomatiques inedits_.
+
+     Louis Pelissier, _Louis XII. et Lodovico Sforza_. Recherches
+     dans les Archives Italiennes.
+
+     Louis Pelissier, _Notes Italiennes_.
+
+     Louis Pelissier, _Les amies de Lodovico Sforza_. (Revue
+     historique.)
+
+     Edmond Gaultier, _Etude historique sur Loches_.
+
+     Paravicini, _Architecture de la Renaissance en Italie_.
+
+     Aldo Manuzio, _Lettres et Documents_. Armand Baschet.
+
+     _Gazette des Beaux Arts_, vol. xvi.
+
+
+GERMAN.
+
+     Dr. Ludwig Pastor, _Geschichte der Papste_, vols. v. and vi.
+
+     Jacob Burckhardt, _Die Cultur der Renaissance in Italien_.
+
+     Dr. W. Bode, Dr. Muller-Walde, _Jahrbuch der K. Preuss.
+     Kunstsammlungen_. Vols. ix., x., and xviii.
+
+     K. Kindt, _Die Katastrophe Lodovico Moro in Novara_.
+
+     Dr. Muller-Walde, _Leonardo da Vinci_.
+
+
+ENGLISH.
+
+     _History of the Papacy_, by Dr. Creighton, Bishop of London.
+     Vols. iv. and v.
+
+     _The End of the Middle Ages_, by Madame James Darmetester.
+
+     _The Renaissance in Italy_. J. A. Symonds.
+
+     _Old Touraine_. T. Cook
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+                                                                       PAGE
+CHAPTER I
+1471-1480
+
+The Castello of Ferrara--The House of Este--Accession of Duke
+Ercole I.--His marriage to Leonora of Aragon--Birth of Isabella
+and Beatrice d'Este--Plot of Niccolo d'Este--Visit of Leonora to
+Naples--The court of King Ferrante--Betrothal of Beatrice d'Este
+to Lodovico Sforza, Duke of Bari--And of Isabella d'Este to
+Francesco Gonzaga                                                         1
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+1451-1582
+
+Lodovico Sforza--Known as Il Moro--His birth and childhood--Murder
+of Duke Galeazzo Maria--Regency of Duchess Bona--Exile of the
+Sforza brothers--Lodovico at Pisa--His invasion of Lombardy and
+return to Milan--Death of Cecco Simonetta--Flight of Duchess
+Bona--Lodovico Regent of Milan                                           11
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+1482-1490
+
+Wars of Venice and Ferrara--Invasion of Ferrara--Lodovico Sforza and
+Alfonso of Calabria come to the help of Ercole d'Este--Peace of
+Bagnolo--Prosperity of Ferrara, and cultivation of art and learning
+at Ercole's court--Guarino and Aldo Manuzio--Strozzi and Boiardo--
+Architecture and painting--The frescoes of the Schifanoia--Music and
+the drama--Education of Isabella and Beatrice d'Este                     27
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+1485-1490
+
+Isabella d'Este--Lodovico Sforza delays his wedding--Plot against
+his life--Submission of Genoa--Duke Gian Galeazzo--The Sanseverini
+brothers--Messer Galeazzo made Captain-General of the Milanese
+armies--His marriage to Bianca Sforza--Marriage of Gian Galeazzo
+to Isabella of Aragon--Wedding festivities at Milan--Lodovico
+draws up his marriage contract with Beatrice d'Este                      40
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+1490-1491
+
+Marriage of Isabella d'Este--Lodovico puts off his wedding--Cecilia
+Gallerani--Her portrait by Leonardo da Vinci--Mission of Galeazzo
+Visconti to Ferrara--Preparations for Beatrice's wedding--Cristoforo
+Romano's bust--Duchess Leonora and her daughters travel to Piacenza
+and Pavia--Their reception at Pavia by Lodovico                          50
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+1491
+
+City and University of Pavia--Duomo and Castello--The library of the
+Castello--Wedding of Lodovico Sforza, Duke of Bari, and Beatrice
+d'Este, in the chapel of the Castello of Pavia--Galeazzo di San
+Severino and Orlando--Reception of the bride in Milan--Tournaments
+and festivities at the Castello--Visit of Duchess Leonora to the
+Certosa of Pavia                                                         60
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+1491
+
+Beatrice Duchess of Bari--Her popularity at the court of Milan--
+Giangaleazzo and Isabella of Aragon--Lodovico's first impressions--
+His growing affection for his wife--His letters to Isabella d'Este
+--Hunting and fishing parties--Cussago and Vigevano--Controversy on
+Orlando and Rinaldo--Bellincioni's sonnets                               75
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+1491
+
+Relations between Lodovico and Beatrice--Cecilia Gallerani--Birth of
+her son Cesare--Her marriage to Count Bergamini--Beatrice at Villa
+Nova and Vigevano--The Sforzesca and Pecorara--Lodovico's system of
+irrigation in the Lomellina--Leonardo at Vigevano--Hunting-parties
+and country life--Letters to Isabella d'Este                             88
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+1491-1492
+
+Isabella of Aragon and Beatrice d'Este--Ambrogio Borgognone and
+Giovanni Antonio Amadeo--Cristoforo Romano and his works at Pavia
+and Cremona--The Certosa of Pavia--Illness of Beatrice--Her journey
+to Genoa--Correspondence between Isabella and Lodovico Sforza--Visit
+of the Marquis of Mantua to Milan                                        99
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+1491
+
+Claims of Charles VIII. to Naples--Of the Duke of Orleans to Milan
+--Intrigues of the Venetian Senate, of Pope Innocent VIII., and of
+Ferrante and Alfonso of Naples--Visit of the French ambassadors to
+Milan--Treasures of the Castello--Jewels of Lodovico Sforza--Isabella
+of Aragon and her father--An embassy to the French court proposed--
+Secret instructions of the Count of Caiazzo--_Fete_ at Vigevano
+--Tournament of Pavia                                                   112
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+1492
+
+Intellectual and artistic revival in Lombardy--Lodovico and his
+secretaries--Building of the new University of Pavia--Reforms and
+extension of the University--The library of the Castello remodelled
+--Poliziano and Merula--Lodovico founds new schools at Milan--
+Equestrian statue of Francesco Sforza--Leonardo's paintings at
+Milan--Lodovico as a patron of art and learning                         125
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+1492
+
+Beatrice d'Este as a patron of learning and poetry--Vincenzo
+Calmeta, her secretary--Serafino d'Aquila--Rivalry of Lombard and
+Tuscan poets--Gaspare Visconti's works--Poetic jousts with Bramante
+--Niccolo da Correggio and other poets--Dramatic art and music at
+the court of Milan--Gaffuri and Testagrossa--Lorenzo Gusnasco of
+Pavia                                                                   141
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+1492
+
+Visit of Duke Ercole to Milan, and of Isabella d'Este--Election of
+Pope Alexander VI.--Bribery of the Cardinals--Influence of Ascanio
+Sforza over the new Pope, and satisfaction of Lodovico--Hunting-
+parties at Pavia and Vigevano--_Fetes_ at Milan--Visit of Isabella
+to Genoa--Lodovico's letters--Piero de Medici--King Ferrante's
+jealousy of the alliance between Rome and Milan                         155
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+1493
+
+Birth of Beatrice's first-born son--The Duchess of Ferrara at Milan
+--_Fetes_ and rejoicings at court and in the Castello--The court
+moves to Vigevano--Beatrice's wardrobe--Her son's portrait--Letters
+to her mother and sister--Lodovico's plans for a visit to Ferrara
+and Venice                                                              166
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+1493
+
+Lodovico's ambitious designs--Isabella of Aragon appeals to her
+father--Breach between Naples and Milan--Alliance between the Pope,
+Venice, and Milan proclaimed--Mission of Erasmo Brasca to the king
+of the Romans--Journey of Lodovico and Beatrice to Ferrara--_Fetes_
+and tournaments--Visit to Belriguardo, and return of Lodovico to
+Milan--Arrival of Belgiojoso from France                                176
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+1493
+
+Visit of Beatrice and her mother to Venice--Letters of Lodovico to
+his wife--Reception of the duchesses by the doge at S. Clemente--
+Their triumphal entry--Procession and _fetes_ in the Grand Canal--
+Letter of Beatrice to her husband--The palace of the Dukes of
+Ferrara in Venice                                                       185
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+1493
+
+_Fetes_ at Venice in honour of the Duchess of Ferrara and Duchess of
+Bari--Beatrice d'Este has an audience with the doge and Signory--
+Explains Lodovico's position and his treaties with France and
+Germany--Visit to St. Mark's and the Treasury--_Fete_ in the
+ducal palace--The Duchess visits the Great Council--Takes leave of
+the doge--Return to Ferrara                                             195
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+1493
+
+Return of Beatrice to Milan--Visit of Duke Ercole and Alfonso to
+Pavia--Death of Duchess Leonora--Beatrice's _camora_ and
+Niccolo da Correggio's _fantasia dei vinci_--Marriage of Bianca
+Maria Sforza to Maximilian, King of the Romans, celebrated at Milan
+--Letter of Beatrice to Isabella d'Este--Wedding _fetes_ and journey
+of the bride to Innsbruck--Maximilian's relations with his wife--
+Bianca's future life                                                    205
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+1493-1494
+
+State of political affairs in Italy--Vacillating policy of Lodovico
+Sforza--Death of King Ferrante of Naples--Alliance between his
+successor Alfonso and Pope Alexander VI.--Lodovico urges Charles
+VIII. to invade Naples--Sends Galeazzo di Sanseverino to Lyons--
+Cardinal della Rovere's flight from Rome--Alfonso of Naples declares
+war--Beatrice of Vigevano--The Gonzagas and the Moro--Duchess
+Isabella and her husband at Pavia                                       221
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+1494
+
+Arrival of the Duke of Orleans at Asti--The Neapolitan fleet sent
+against Genoa--The forces of Naples repulsed at Rapallo--Charles
+VIII. at Asti--Beatrice d'Este entertains him at Annona--The king's
+illness--His visit to Vigevano and Pavia--His interview with the
+Duke and Duchess of Milan--Last illness and death of Giangaleazzo
+Sforza--Lodovico proclaimed Duke at Milan--Mission of Maffeo
+Pirovano to Maximilian                                                  231
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+1494
+
+Lodovico joins Charles VIII. at Sarzana--Suspicious rumours as to the
+late duke's death--Piero de' Medici surrenders the six fortresses of
+Tuscany to Charles VIII.--Lodovico retires in disgust from the camp
+--Congratulations of all the Italian States on his accession--Grief
+of Duchess Isabella--Her return to Milan--Mission of Maffeo Pirovano
+to Antwerp--His interviews with Maximilian and Bianca--Letter to
+Lodovico to the Bishop of Brixen--Charles VIII. enters Rome--His
+treaty with Alexander VI. and departure for Naples                      246
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+1495
+
+Visit of Isabella d'Este to Milan--Birth of Beatrice's son, Francesco
+Sforza--_Fetes_ and comedies at the Milanese Court--Works of
+Leonardo and of Lorenzo di Pavia--Mission of Caradosso to Florence
+and Rome in search of antiques--Fall of Naples--Entry of King Charles
+VIII. and flight of Ferrante II.--Consternation in Milan--Departure
+of Isabella d'Este                                                      258
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+1495
+
+Proclamation of the new league against France at Venice--Charles
+VIII. at Naples--Demoralization of the victors--Charles leaves
+Naples and returns to Rome--The Duke of Orleans refuses to give
+up Asti--Arrival of the imperial ambassadors at Milan--Lodovico
+presented with the ducal insignia--_Fetes_ in the Castello--
+The Duke of Orleans seizes Novara--Terror of Lodovico--Battle of
+Fornovo--Victory claimed by both parties--The French reach Asti--
+Isabella's trophies restored by Beatrice                                266
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+1495
+
+Ferrante II. recovers Naples--Siege of Novara by the army of the
+League--Review of the army by the Duke and Duchess of Milan--Charles
+VIII. visits Turin and comes to Vercelli--Negotiations for peace--
+Lodovico and Beatrice at the camp--Treaty of Vercelli concluded
+between France and Milan--Jealousy of the other powers--Commines at
+Vigevano--Zenale's altar-piece in the Brera                             277
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+1496
+
+The war of Pisa--Venice defends the liberties of Pisa against
+Florence--Lodovico invites Maximilian to enter Italy and succour
+the Pisans--The Duke and Duchess of Milan go to meet the emperor
+at Bormio--Maximilian crosses the Alps and comes to Vigevano--His
+interview with the Venetian envoys--His expedition to Pisa              287
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+1496
+
+Isabella d'Este joins her husband in Naples--Works of Bramante and
+Leonardo in the Castello of Milan--The Cenacolo--Lodovico sends for
+Perugino--His passion for Lucrezia Crivelli--Grief of Beatrice--
+Death of Bianca Sforza--The Emperor Maximilian at Pisa--The Duke
+and Duchess return to Milan--Last days and sudden death of Beatrice
+d'Este                                                                  298
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+1497
+
+Grief of the Duke of Milan--His letters to Mantua and Pavia--
+Interview with Costabili--Funeral of Duchess Beatrice--Mourning of
+her husband--Letters of the Emperor Maximilian and Chiara Gonzaga--
+Tomb of Beatrice in Santa Maria delle Grazie--Leonardo's Cenacolo,
+and portraits of the duke and duchess--Lucrezia Crivelli                307
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+1497-1498
+
+The Marquis of Mantua dismissed by the Venetians--He incurs Duke
+Lodovico's displeasure by his intrigues--Isabella d'Este's
+correspondence with the Duke of Milan--Leonardo in the Castello--
+Death of Charles VIII.--Visit of Lodovico to Mantua--Francesco
+Gonzaga appointed captain of the imperial forces--Isabella of
+Aragon and Isabella d'Este--Chiara Gonzaga and Caterina Sforza--
+Lodovico's will                                                         322
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+1499
+
+Treaty of Blois--Alliance between France, Venice, and the Borgias--
+Lodovico appeals to Maximilian--His gift to Leonardo and letter to
+the Certosa--The French and the Venetians invade the Milanese--
+Desertion of Gonzaga and treachery of Milanese captains--Loss of
+Alessandria--Panic and flight of Duke Lodovico--Surrender of Pavia
+and Milan to the French--Treachery of Bernardino da Corte and
+surrender of the Castello--Triumphal entry of Louis XII                 337
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+1499-1500
+
+Louis XII. in Milan--Hatred of the French rule--Return of Duke
+Lodovico--His march to Como and triumphal entry into Milan--Trivulzio
+and the French retire to Mortara--Surrender of the Castello of Milan,
+of Pavia and Novara, to the Moro--His want of men and money--Arrival
+of La Tremouille's army--Lodovico besieged in Novara and betrayed to
+the French king by the Swiss--Rejoicings at Rome and Venice--Triumph
+of the Borgias--Sufferings of the Milanese--Leonardo's letter           352
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI
+1500-1508
+
+Lodovico Sforza enters Lyons as a captive--His imprisonment at
+Pierre-Encise and Lys Saint-Georges--Laments over Il Moro in the
+popular poetry of France and Italy--Efforts of the Emperor Maximilian
+to obtain his release--Ascanio and Ermes Sforza released--Lodovico
+removed to Loches--Paolo Giovio's account of his captivity--His
+attempt to escape--Dungeon at Loches--Death of Lodovico Sforza--His
+burial in S. Maria delle Grazie                                         367
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII
+1500-1564
+
+The Milanese exiles at Innsbruck--Galeazzo di Sanseverino becomes
+Grand Ecuyer of France--Is slain at Pavia--Maximilian Sforza made
+Duke of Milan in 1512--Forced to abdicate by Francis I. in 1515--
+Reign of Francesco Sforza--Wars of France and Germany--Siege of
+Milan by the Imperialists--Duke Francesco restored by Charles V.--
+His marriage and death in 1535--Removal of Lodovico and Beatrice's
+effigies to the Certosa                                                 375
+
+INDEX                                                                   381
+
+
+
+
+LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+
+BIANCA SFORZA, BY AMBROGIO DE PREDIS                     _Frontispiece_
+_From a photograph by_ SIGNOR D. ANDERSON, of Rome.
+
+SFORZA MS. ILLUMINATED                                   _To face p. 83_
+_From a private photograph._
+
+ALTAR-PIECE, ASCRIBED TO ZENALE, WITH PORTRAITS OF
+LODOVICO SFORZA, BEATRICE D'ESTE AND THEIR SONS         _To face p. 284_
+_From a photograph by_ SIGNOR D. ANDERSON, of Rome.
+
+GALEAZZO DI SANSEVERINO, BY AMBROGIO DE PREDIS          _To face p. 304_
+_From a photograph by_ SIGNOR D. ANDERSON, of Rome.
+
+TOMB OF LODOVICO SFORZA AND BEATRICE D'ESTE IN THE
+CERTOSA OF PAVIA                                        _To face p. 389_
+_From a photograph by_ FRATELLI ALINARI, of Florence.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+BEATRICE D'ESTE
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+The Castello of Ferrara--The House of Este--Accession of Duke Ercole
+I.--His marriage to Leonora of Aragon--Birth of Isabella and Beatrice
+d'Este--Plot of Niccolo d'Este--Visit of Leonora to Naples--The court of
+King Ferrante--Betrothal of Beatrice d'Este to Lodovico Sforza, Duke of
+Bari--And of Isabella d'Este to Francesco Gonzaga.
+
+1471-1480
+
+
+In the heart of old Ferrara stands the Castello of the Este princes. All
+the great story of the past, all the romance of medieval chivalry, seems
+to live again in that picturesque, irregular pile with the crenellated
+towers and dusky red-brick walls, overhanging the sleepy waters of the
+ancient moat. The song of Boiardo and Ariosto still lingers in the air
+about the ruddy pinnacles; the spacious courts and broad piazza recall
+the tournaments and pageants of olden time. Once more the sound of
+clanging trumpets or merry hunting-horn awakes the echoes, as the joyous
+train of lords and ladies sweep out through the castle gates in the
+summer morning; once more, under vaulted loggias and high-arched
+balconies, we see the courtly scholar bending earnestly over some
+classic page, or catch the voice of high-born maiden singing Petrarch's
+sonnets to her lute.
+
+St. George was the champion of Ferrara and the patron saint of the house
+of Este. There year by year his festival was celebrated with great
+rejoicings, and vast crowds thronged the piazza before the Castello to
+see the famous races for the _pallium_. It is St. George who rides full
+tilt at the dragon in the rude sculptures on the portal of the
+Romanesque Cathedral hard by; it is the same warrior-saint who, in his
+gleaming armour, looks down from the painted fresco above the portcullis
+of the castle drawbridge. And all the masters who worked for the Este
+dukes, whether they were men of native or foreign birth--Vittore
+Pisanello and Jacopo Bellini, Cosimo Tura and Dosso Dossi--took delight
+in the old story, and painted the legend of St. George and Princess
+Sabra in the frescoes or altar-pieces with which they adorned the
+churches and castle halls.
+
+The Estes, who took St. George for their patron, and fought and died
+under his banner, were themselves a chivalrous and splendour-loving
+race, ever ready to ride out in quest of fresh adventure in the chase or
+battle-field. Men and women alike were renowned, even among the princely
+houses of Italy in Renaissance time, for their rare culture and genuine
+love of art and letters. And they were justly proud of their ancient
+lineage and of the love and loyalty which their subjects bore them. The
+Sforzas of Milan, the Medici of Florence, the Riarios or the Della
+Roveres, were but low-born upstarts by the side of this illustrious race
+which had reigned on the banks of the Po during the last two hundred
+years. In spite of wars and bloodshed, in spite of occasional
+conspiracies and tumults, chiefly stirred up by members of the reigning
+family, the people of Ferrara loved their rulers well, and never showed
+any wish to change the house of Este for another. The citizens took a
+personal interest in their own duke and duchess and in all that belonged
+to them, and chronicled their doings with minute attention. They shared
+their sorrows and rejoiced in their joys, they lamented their departure
+and hailed their return with acclamation, they followed the fortunes of
+their children with keen interest, and welcomed the return of the
+youthful bride with acclamations, or wept bitter tears over her untimely
+end.
+
+Of all the Estes who held sway at Ferrara, the most illustrious and most
+beloved was Duke Ercole I., the father of Beatrice. During the
+thirty-four years that he reigned in Ferrara, the duchy enjoyed a degree
+of material prosperity which it had never attained before, and rose to
+the foremost rank among the states of North Italy. And in the troubled
+times of the next century, his people looked back on the days of Duke
+Ercole and his good duchess as the golden age of Ferrara. After the
+death of his father, the able and learned Niccolo III., who first
+established his throne on sure and safe foundations, Ercole's two elder
+half-brothers, Leonello and Borso, reigned in succession over Ferrara,
+and kept up the proud traditions of the house of Este, both in war and
+peace. Both were bastards, but in the Este family this was never held to
+be a bar to the succession. "In Italy," as Commines wrote, "they make
+little difference between legitimate and illegitimate children." But
+when the last of the two, Duke Borso, died on the 27th of May, 1471, of
+malarial fever caught on his journey to Rome, to receive the investiture
+of his duchy from the Pope, Niccolo's eldest legitimate son Ercole
+successfully asserted his claim to the throne, and entered peacefully
+upon his heritage. Two years later, the next duke, who was already
+thirty-eight years of age, obtained the hand of Leonora of Aragon,
+daughter of Ferrante, King of Naples, and sent his brother Sigismondo at
+the head of a splendid retinue to bring home his royal bride. After a
+visit to Rome, where Pope Sixtus IV. entertained her at a series of
+magnificent banquets and theatrical representations, the young duchess
+entered Ferrara in state. On a bright June morning she rode through the
+streets in a robe glittering with jewels, with a stately canopy over her
+head and a gold crown on her flowing hair. Latin orations, orchestral
+music, and theatrical displays, for which Ferrara was already famous,
+greeted the bridal procession at every point. The houses were hung with
+tapestries and cloth of gold, avenues of flowering shrubs were planted
+along the broad white streets, and ringing shouts greeted the coming of
+the fair princess who was to make her home in Ferrara. The happy event
+was commemorated by a noble medal, designed by the Mantuan Sperandio,
+the most illustrious of a school of medallists employed at Ferrara in
+Duke Borso's time, while Leonora's refined features and expressive face
+are preserved in a well-known bas-relief, now in Paris. Ercole and his
+bride took up their abode in the Este palace, a stately Renaissance
+structure opposite the old Lombard Duomo, a few steps from the Castello,
+with which it was connected by a covered passage.
+
+The charm and goodness of the young duchess soon won the heart of her
+subjects. From the first she entered eagerly into Ercole's schemes for
+ordering his capital and encouraging art, and brought a new and gentler
+influence to bear on the society of her husband's court. There, too, she
+found a congenial spirit in the duke's accomplished sister, Bianca, that
+Virgin of Este, who was the subject of Tito Strozzi's impassioned
+eulogy, and whose Latin and Greek prose excited the admiration of all
+her contemporaries. This cultivated princess had been originally
+betrothed to the eldest son of Federigo, Duke of Urbino, but his early
+death put an end to these hopes, and in 1468 she married Galeotto della
+Mirandola, a prince of the house of Carpi, who lived, at Ferrara some
+years, and afterwards entered the service of Lodovico Sforza and served
+as captain in his wars.
+
+On the 18th of May, 1474, the duchess gave birth to a daughter, who
+received the name of Isabella, always a favourite in the house of
+Aragon, and was destined to become the most celebrated lady of the
+Renaissance. A year later, on the 29th of June, 1475, a second daughter
+saw the light. Her appearance, however, proved no cause of rejoicing, as
+we learn from the contemporary chronicle published by Muratori--
+
+"A daughter was born this day to Duke Ercole, and received the name of
+Beatrice, being the child of Madonna Leonora his wife. And there were no
+rejoicings, because every one wished for a boy."
+
+No one in Ferrara then dreamt that the babe who received so cold a
+welcome would one day reign over the Milanese, as the wife of Lodovico
+Sforza, the most powerful of Italian princes, and would herself be
+remembered by posterity as "la piu zentil donna in Italia"--the sweetest
+lady in all Italy. At least the name bestowed upon her was a good omen.
+She was called Beatrice after two favourite relatives of her parents.
+One of these was Leonora's only sister, Beatrice of Aragon, who in that
+same year passed through Ferrara on her way to join her husband,
+Matthias Corvinus, King of Hungary, and whose presence, we are told by
+the diarist, gave great pleasure to both duke and duchess. The other
+Beatrice was Ercole's half-sister, the elder daughter of Niccolo III.,
+who had long been the ornament of her father's court, when she had been
+known as the Queen of Feasts, and it had become a common proverb that to
+see Madonna Beatrice dance was to find Paradise upon earth. In 1448, at
+the age of twenty-one, this brilliant lady had wedded Borso da
+Correggio, a brother of the reigning prince of that city, and, after her
+first husband's early death, had become the wife of Tristan Sforza, an
+illegitimate son of the great Condottiere Francesco Sforza, Duke of
+Milan. Although her home was now in Lombardy, Beatrice d'Este remained
+on intimate terms with her own family, and her son Niccolo da Correggio
+was known as the handsomest and most accomplished cavalier at the court
+of Ferrara. He had accompanied his uncle Duke Borso on his journey to
+Rome, and had been one of the escort sent to conduct Duchess Leonora
+from Naples.
+
+In the summer of the year following Beatrice's birth, the hopes of the
+loyal Ferrarese were at length fulfilled, and a son was born to the duke
+and duchess on the 21st of July, 1476. This time the citizens abandoned
+themselves to demonstrations of enthusiastic delight. The bells were
+rung and the shops closed during three whole days, and the child was
+baptized with great pomp in the Chapel of the Vescovado, close to the
+Duomo. The infant received the name of Alfonso, after his grandfather,
+the great King of Naples, and a "beautiful fete," to quote one
+chronicler's words, "was held in honour of the auspicious event in the
+Sala Grande of the Schifanoia Villa." On this occasion a concert was
+given by a hundred trumpeters, pipers, and tambourine-players in the
+frescoed hall of this favourite summer palace, and a sumptuous banquet
+was prepared after the fashion of the times, with an immense number of
+_confetti_, representing lords and ladies, animals, trees, and castles,
+all made of gilt and coloured sugar, which our friend the diarist tells
+us were carried off or eaten by the people as soon as the doors were
+opened.
+
+But a few days afterwards, while Duke Ercole was away from Ferrara, his
+wife was surprised by a sudden rising, the result of a deep-laid
+conspiracy, secretly planned by his nephew, Niccolo, a bastard son of
+Leonello d'Este. Niccolo's first endeavour was to seize on the person of
+the duchess and her young children, an attempt which almost proved
+successful, but was fortunately defeated by Leonora's own courage and
+presence of mind. The palace was already surrounded by armed men, when
+the alarm reached the ears of the duchess, and, springing out of bed
+with her infant son in her arms, followed by her two little daughters
+and a few faithful servants, she fled by the covered way to the
+Castello. Hardly had she left her room, when the conspirators rushed in
+and sacked the palace, killing all who tried to offer resistance. The
+people of Ferrara, however, were loyal to their beloved duke and
+duchess. After a few days of anxious suspense, Ercole returned, and soon
+quelled the tumult and restored order in the city. That evening he
+appeared on the balcony of the Castello, and publicly embraced his wife
+and children amid the shouts and applause of the whole city. The next
+day the whole ducal family went in solemn procession to the Cathedral,
+and there gave public thanks for their marvellous deliverance. A
+terrible list of cruel reprisals followed upon this rebellion, and
+Niccolo d'Este himself, with two hundred of his partisans, were put to
+death after the bloody fashion of the times.
+
+A year later, when the danger was over and tranquillity had been
+completely restored, Leonora and her two little daughters set out for
+Naples, under the escort of Niccolo da Correggio, to be present at her
+father King Ferrante's second marriage with the young Princess Joan of
+Aragon, a sister of Ferdinand the Catholic. The duchess and her children
+travelled by land to Pisa, where galleys were waiting to conduct them to
+Naples, and reached her father's court on the 1st of June, 1477. Here
+Leonora spent the next four months, and in September, gave birth to a
+second son, who was named Ferrante, after his royal grandfather. But
+soon news reached Naples that war had broken out in Northern Italy, and
+that Duke Ercole had been chosen Captain-general of the Florentine
+armies. In his absence the presence of the duchess was absolutely
+necessary at Ferrara, and early in November Leonora left Naples and
+hastened home to take up the reins of government and administer the
+state in her lord's stead. She took her elder daughter Isabella with
+her, but left her new-born son at Naples, together with his little
+sister Beatrice, from whom the old King Ferrante refused to part. This
+bright-eyed child, who had won her grandfather's affections at this
+early age, remained at Naples for the next eight years, and grew up in
+the royal palace on the terraced steps of that enchanted shore, where
+even then Sannazzaro was dreaming of Arcadia, and where Lorenzo de'
+Medici loved to talk over books and poetry with his learned friend the
+Duchess Ippolita. Beatrice was too young to realize the rare degree of
+culture which had made Alfonso's and Ferrante's court the favourite
+abode of the Greek and Latin scholars of the age, too innocent to be
+aware of the dark deeds which threw a shadow over these sunny regions,
+where the strange medley of luxury and vice, of refinement and cruelty,
+recalled the days of Imperial Rome. But the balmy breath of these
+Southern climes, the soft luxuriant spell of blue seas and groves of
+palm and cassia, sank deep into the child's being, and something of the
+fire and passion, the mirth and gaiety, of the dwellers in this
+delicious land passed into her soul, and helped to mould her nature
+during these years that she spent far from mother and sister at King
+Ferrante's court.
+
+In these early days many personages with whom she was to be closely
+associated in after-years were living at Naples. There were scholars and
+poets whom she was to meet again in Milan at her husband's court, and
+who would be glad to remind her that they had known her as a child in
+her grandfather's palace. There was Pontano, the founder of the Academy
+of Naples, who was busy writing his Latin eclogues on the myrtle bowers
+of Baiae and the orange groves of Sorrento. There was her aunt, the
+accomplished Ippolita Sforza, Duchess of Calabria, who had learnt Greek
+of the great teacher Lascaris in her young days at Milan, and whose
+wedding had brought the magnificent Lorenzo to the court of the Sforzas.
+And for playmates the little Beatrice had Ippolita's children: the boy
+Ferrante, whose chivalrous nature endeared him to his Este cousins, even
+when their husbands joined with the French invaders to drive him from
+his father's throne; and the girl Isabella, who was already affianced to
+the young Duke Giangaleazzo, who was in future years to become her
+companion and rival at the court of Milan. Here, too, in the summer of
+1479, came a new visitor in the shape of Duchess Ippolita's brother,
+Lodovico Sforza, surnamed _Il Moro_, himself the younger son of the
+great Duke Francesco. On his elder brother Sforza's death, the King of
+Naples had invested him with the duchy of Bari, and now he promised him
+men and money with which to assert his claims against his sister-in-law,
+the widowed Duchess Bona and the minions who had driven him and his
+brothers out of their native land. In June, 1477, only a few days after
+Leonora and her children left Ferrara, the exiled prince had arrived
+there on his way to Pisa, and had been courteously entertained by Duke
+Ercole in the Schifanoia Palace. Since then he had spent two dreary
+years in exile at Pisa, fretting out his heart in his enforced idleness,
+and pining for the hour of release. That hour was now at hand. Before
+the end of the year, Lodovico Sforza had, by a succession of bold
+manoeuvres, driven out his rivals and was virtually supreme in Milan.
+The first step which the new regent took was to ally himself with the
+Duke of Ferrara. The houses of Sforza and Este had always been on
+friendly terms, and Ercole's father Niccolo had presented Francesco
+Sforza with a famous diamond in acknowledgment of the services rendered
+him by the great Condottiere. When Francesco's son and successor, Duke
+Galeazzo Maria, was murdered in 1476, his widow, Duchess Bona, had
+renewed the old alliance with Ferrara, and a marriage had been arranged
+between her infant daughter Anna Sforza and Duke Ercole's new-born son
+and heir Alfonso. In May, 1477, this betrothal was proclaimed in Milan,
+and a fortnight later the nuptial contract was signed at Ferrara. The
+union of the two houses was celebrated by solemn processions and
+thanksgivings throughout the duchy, and the infant bridegroom was
+carried in the arms of his chamberlain to meet the Milanese ambassador,
+who appeared on behalf of the little three-year-old bride. Seven years
+afterwards, Duchess Leonora sent a magnificent doll with a trousseau of
+clothes designed by the best artists in Ferrara, as a gift to the little
+daughter-in-law whom she had not yet seen.
+
+In 1480, Lodovico Sforza formally asked Ercole to give him the hand of
+his elder daughter Isabella, then a child of six. Lodovico himself was
+twenty-nine, and besides being a man of remarkable abilities and
+singularly handsome presence, had the reputation of being the richest
+prince in Italy. Duke Ercole further saw the great importance of
+strengthening the alliance with Milan at a time when Ferrara was again
+threatened by her hereditary enemies, the Pope and Venice.
+Unfortunately, his youthful daughter had already been sought in marriage
+by Federico, Marquis of Mantua, on behalf of his elder son, Giovanni
+Francesco; and Ercole, unwilling to offend so near a neighbour, and yet
+reluctant to lose the chance of a second desirable alliance, offered
+Lodovico Sforza the hand of his younger daughter, Beatrice. The Duke of
+Bari made no objection to this arrangement, and on St. George's Day,
+Ercole addressed the following letter to his old ally, Marquis
+Federico:--
+
+
+"MOST ILLUSTRIOUS LORD AND DEAREST BROTHER,
+
+"This is to inform you that the most illustrious Madonna Duchess of
+Milan and His Illustrious Highness Lodovico Sforza have sent their
+ambassador, M. Gabriele Tassino, to ask for our daughter Madonna
+Isabella on behalf of Signor Lodovico. We have replied that to our
+regret this marriage was no longer possible, since we had already
+entered into negotiations on the subject with your Highness and your
+eldest son. But since we have another daughter at Naples, who is only
+about a year younger, and who has been adopted by his Majesty the King
+of Naples as his own child, we have written to acquaint His Serene
+Majesty with the wish of these illustrious Persons, and have asked him
+if he will consent to accept the said Signor Lodovico as his kinsman,
+since without his leave we were unable to dispose of our daughter
+Beatrice's hand. The said Persons having expressed themselves as well
+content with the proceeding, out of respect for the King's Majesty he
+has now declared his approval of this marriage, to which we have
+accordingly signified our consent. We are sure that you will rejoice
+with us, seeing the close union and alliance that has long existed
+between us, and beg your Illustrious Highness to keep the matter secret
+for the present.
+
+                                         "HERCULES, DUX FERR., ETC.[1]
+
+_Ferrara, 23rd April, 1480._"
+
+It is curious to reflect on the possible changes in the course of
+events in Italian history during the next thirty years, if Lodovico
+Sforza's proposals had reached Ferrara a few months earlier, and
+Isabella d'Este, instead of her sister Beatrice, had become his wife.
+Would the rare prudence and self-control of the elder princess have led
+her to play a different part in the difficult circumstances which
+surrounded her position at the court of Milan as the Moro's wife? Would
+Isabella's calmer temperament and wise and far-seeing intellect have
+been able to restrain Lodovico's ambitious dreams and avert his ruin?
+The cordial relations that were afterwards to exist between Lodovico and
+his gifted sister-in-law, the Moro's keen appreciation of Isabella's
+character, incline us to believe that she would have acquired great
+influence over her lord; and that so remarkable a woman would have
+played a very important part on this larger stage. But the Fates had
+willed otherwise, and Beatrice d'Este became the bride of Lodovico
+Sforza. Her royal grandfather, old King Ferrante, gave his sanction to
+the proposed marriage, although he refused to part from his little
+grandchild at present, and when, five years later, Beatrice returned to
+Ferrara, she assumed the title and estate of Duchess of Bari, and was
+publicly recognized as Lodovico's promised wife. She had by this time
+reached the age of ten, and her espoused husband was exactly
+thirty-four.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[1] Luzio-Renier in Archivio Storico Lombardo, xvii. 77.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+Lodovico Sforza--Known as Il Moro--His birth and childhood--Murder of
+Duke Galeazzo Maria--Regency of Duchess Bona--Exile of the Sforza
+brothers--Lodovico at Pisa--His invasion of Lombardy and return to Milan
+--Death of Cecco Simonetta--Flight of Duchess Bona--Lodovico Regent of
+Milan.
+
+1451-1582
+
+
+Lodovico Sforza was certainly one of the most remarkable figures of the
+Italian Renaissance. He has generally been described as one of the
+blackest. "Born for the ruin of Italy," was the verdict of his
+contemporary Paolo Giovio, a verdict which every chronicler of the
+sixteenth century has endorsed. These men who saw the disasters which
+overwhelmed their country under the foreign rule, could not forget that
+Charles VIII., the first French king who invaded Italy, had crossed the
+Alps as the friend and ally of Lodovico Moro. They forgot how many
+others were at least equally guilty, and did not realize the vast
+network of intrigues in which Pope Julius II., the Venetian Signory, and
+the King of Naples all had a share. Later historians with one consent
+have accepted Paolo Giovio's view, and have made Lodovico responsible
+for all the miseries which arose from the French invasion. The bitter
+hatred with which both French and Venetian writers regarded the prince
+who had foiled their countrymen and profited by their mistakes, has
+helped to deepen this sinister impression. The greatest crimes were
+imputed to him, the vilest calumnies concerning his personal character
+found ready acceptance. But the more impartial judgment of modern
+historians, together with the light thrown upon the subject by recently
+discovered documents, has done much to modify our opinion of Lodovico's
+character. The worst charges formerly brought against him, above all,
+the alleged poisoning of his nephew, the reigning Duke of Milan, have
+been dismissed as groundless and wholly alien to his nature and
+character. On the other hand, his great merits and rare talents as ruler
+and administrator have been fully recognized, while it is admitted on
+all hands that his generous and enlightened encouragement of art and
+letters entitles him to a place among the most illustrious patrons of
+the Renaissance. To his keen intellect and discerning eye, to his fine
+taste and quick sympathy with all forms of beauty, we owe the production
+of some of the noblest works of art that human hands have ever
+fashioned. To his personal encouragement and magnificent liberality we
+owe the grandest monuments of Lombard architecture, and the finest
+development of Milanese painting, the facade of the Certosa and the
+cupola of Sta. Maria delle Grazie, the frescoes and altar-pieces of the
+Brera and the Ambrosiana. Above all, it was at the Milanese court, under
+the stimulating influence of the Moro, that Leonardo da Vinci's finest
+work was done.
+
+As a man, Lodovico Sforza is profoundly interesting. Burckhardt has
+called him the most complete among the princely figures of the Italian
+Renaissance, and there can be no doubt that alike in his virtues and in
+his faults, he was curiously typical of the age in which he lived.
+Guicciardini, who was certainly no friend to him, and regarded him as
+the inveterate foe of Florence, describes him as "a creature of very
+rare perfection, most excellent for his eloquence and industry and many
+gifts of nature and spirit, and not unworthy of the name of milde and
+mercifull;" and the Milanese doctor Arluno, the author of an unpublished
+chronicle in the Biblioteca Marciana at Venice, says, "He had a sublime
+soul and universal capacity. Whatever he did, he surpassed expectation,
+in the fine arts and learning, in justice and benevolence. And he had no
+equal among Italian princes for wisdom and sagacity in public affairs."
+Contemporary writers describe him as very pleasant in manner and
+gracious in speech, always gentle and courteous to others, ready to
+listen, and never losing his temper in argument. He shared in the
+laxity of morals common to his age; but was a man of deep affections as
+well as strong passions, fondly attached to his children and friends,
+while the profound and lasting grief with which he lamented his dead
+wife amazed his more fickle contemporaries. Singularly refined and
+sensitive by nature, he shrank instinctively from bloodshed, and had a
+horror of all violent actions. In this he differed greatly from his
+elder brother Galeazzo Maria, who was a monster of lust and cruelty,
+intent only on gratifying his savage instincts, and as callous to human
+suffering as he was reckless of human life. Lodovico, as his most
+hostile critics agree, was emphatically not a cruel man, and rarely
+consented to condemn even criminals to death. But, like many other
+politicians who have great ends in view, he was often unscrupulous as to
+the means which he employed, and, as Burckhardt very truly remarked,
+would probably have been surprised at being held responsible for the
+means by which he attained his object. Trained from early youth in the
+most tortuous paths of Italian diplomacy, he acted on the principle laid
+down by the Venetian Marino Sanuto, that the first duty of the really
+wise statesman is to persuade his enemies that he means to do one thing
+and then do another. But in these tangled paths he often over-reached
+himself, and only succeeded in inspiring all parties with distrust; and,
+as too often happens, this deceiver was deceived in his turn, and in the
+end betrayed by men in whom his whole trust had been placed. Another
+curious feature of Lodovico's character was the strain of moral
+cowardice which, in spite of great personal bravery, marked his public
+actions at the most critical moments. This sudden failure of courage, or
+loss of nerve, that to his contemporaries seemed little short of
+madness, absolutely inexplicable in a man who had faced death without a
+thought on many a battle-field, ultimately wrought his own downfall as
+well as that of his State.
+
+And yet, in spite of all his faults and failings, in spite of the
+strange tissue of complex aims and motives which swayed his course,
+Lodovico Sforza was a man of great ideas and splendid capacities, a
+prince who was in many respects distinctly in advance of his age. His
+wise and beneficial schemes for the encouragement of agriculture and the
+good of his poorer subjects, his careful regulations for the
+administration of the University and advancement of all branches of
+learning, his extraordinary industry and minute attention to detail,
+cannot fail to inspire our interest and command our admiration. In more
+peaceful times and under happier circumstances he would have been an
+excellent ruler, and his great dream of a united kingdom of North Italy
+might have been well and nobly realized. As it was, the history of
+Lodovico Moro belongs to the saddest tragedies of the Renaissance, and
+the splendour of his prosperity and the greatness of his fall became the
+common theme of poet and moralist.
+
+The story of Lodovico's childhood is one of the pleasantest parts of his
+strangely chequered career. He was the fourth son of Francesco Sforza,
+the famous soldier of fortune who had married Madonna Bianca, daughter
+of the last Visconti, and reigned in right of his wife as Duke of Milan
+during twenty years. On the 19th of August, 1451, a year and a half
+after the great captain had boldly entered Milan and been proclaimed
+Duke, Duchess Bianca gave birth at her summer palace of Vigevano to a
+fine boy. This "_bel puello_," as he is called in the despatch
+announcing the news to his proud father, received the name of Lodovico
+Mauro, which was afterwards altered to Lodovico Maria, when, after his
+recovery from a dangerous illness at five years old, his mother placed
+him under the special protection of the Blessed Virgin. On this occasion
+Bianca vowed rich offerings to the shrine of Il Santo at Padua, and in
+discharge of this vow, her faithful servant Giovanni Francesco Stanga of
+Cremona was sent to Padua in February, 1461, to present a life-size
+image of the boy richly worked in silver, together with a complete set
+of vestments and of altar plate bearing the ducal arms, to the ark of
+the blessed Anthony. In documents still preserved in the Paduan archives
+the boy is twice over mentioned as _Lodovicus Maurus filius quartus
+masculus_, but the silver image itself bore the inscription, "_Pro
+sanitate filii_. Lodovici Mariae, 1461."[2] There can, however, be little
+doubt that Maurus was the second name first given to Lodovico, and that
+this was the true origin of the surname _Il Moro_ by which Francesco
+Sforza's son became famous in after-years. The most ingenious
+explanations of this name have been invented by Italian chroniclers.
+Prato and Lomazzo both say that Lodovico was called Il Moro because of
+the darkness of his complexion and long black hair. Guicciardini repeats
+the same, but Paolo Giovio, who had seen Lodovico at Como, asserts that
+his complexion was fair, and he owed this surname to the mulberry-tree
+which he adopted as his device, because it waits till the winter is well
+over to put forth its leaves, and is therefore called the most prudent
+of all trees. As a matter of fact, there is no doubt that the surname
+was given to Lodovico by his parents. "He was first called Moro by his
+father Francesco and his mother Bianca in his earliest years," writes
+Prato, and we find the same expression in the verse of a Milanese court
+poet: "_Et Maurum laeto patris cognomine dictum_." The name naturally
+provoked puns. The dark-eyed boy with his long black hair and bushy
+eyebrows went by the nickname of Moro, and as he grew up, adopted both
+the Moor's head and the mulberry-tree as his badge. These devices in
+their turn supplied the poets and painters of his court with themes on
+which they were never tired of exercising their wit and ingenuity. Moors
+and Moorish costumes were introduced in every masquerade and ballet, a
+Moorish page was represented brushing the robes of Italy in a fresco of
+the Castello of Milan, while mulberry colour became fashionable among
+the ladies of the Moro's court, and was commonly worn by the servants
+and pages in the palace. Lodovico early gave signs of the love of
+literature and the great abilities which distinguished him in
+after-life. His quickness in learning by heart, his extraordinary
+memory, and the fluency with which he wrote and spoke Latin amazed his
+tutors. And he was fortunate in receiving an excellent education from
+the first Greek scholars of the day. Madonna Bianca, the only daughter
+of Filippo Maria, the last Visconti who had betrothed her before she was
+eight years old to Francesco Sforza, proved herself the best of wives
+and mothers. By her courage and wisdom she helped her husband to gain
+possession of her dead father's duchy, and won the hearts of all her
+subjects by her goodness. While Francesco was engaged with affairs of
+state, she directed the studies of her children, and gave her six sons
+an admirable training in learning and knightly exercises. "Let us
+remember," she said to her son's tutor, the learned scholar Filelfo,
+"that we have princes to educate, not only scholars." We find her
+setting the boys a theme on the manner in which princes should draw up
+treaties, and desiring them in her absence to write to her once a week
+in Latin. Several of these letters are still preserved in the archives
+of Milan. There is one, for instance, in which Lodovico, then sixteen
+years old, tells his mother that he is sending her seventy quails, two
+partridges, and a pheasant, the result of a day's sport in the forest,
+but takes care to assure her that the pleasures of the chase will never
+make him neglect his books.
+
+Many are the pleasant glimpses we catch of the family circle, whether in
+the Corte vecchia or old ducal palace of the Viscontis at Milan, in the
+beautiful park and gardens of the Castello at Pavia, or in their country
+homes of Vigevano and Binasco. We see Duke Francesco riding out with his
+young sons through the streets of Milan, visiting the churches and
+convents that were rising on all sides, the new hospital, which was the
+object of Madonna Bianca's tender care, the oak avenues and gardens with
+which she loved to surround her favourite shrines. We find the boys at
+home, helping their mother to entertain her guests with music and
+dancing, and accompanying her on visits to the noble Milanese families.
+One day their grandmother, Agnese di Maino, came to see the duke's sons
+with an old gentleman from Navarre, who went home declaring that he had
+never seen such wise and well-educated children; another time we hear of
+a Madonna Giovanna coming to spend the day at the palace, and dancing
+all the evening with Lodovico Maria; and when the duchess took her
+younger children to visit Don Tommaseo de' Rieti, general laughter was
+excited by the little four-year-old Ascanio, the future cardinal, who
+walked straight up to a portrait of the duke, exclaiming, "There is my
+lord father!" When the newly elected Pope Pius II., who as Eneas Sylvius
+Piccolomini had often been in Milan, came to visit the duke in 1457, he
+found Galeazzo reading Cicero, and his little brothers with their
+cherub faces sitting round their tutor, intent on his discourse; while
+on one occasion their sister Ippolita, the pupil of the great
+Constantine Lascaris, pronounced a Latin oration in honour of His
+Holiness. On Christmas day, a festival which was always celebrated with
+much pomp at Milan, each of the duke's four elder sons came forward and
+recited a Latin speech, and Lodovico delighted all who were present by
+the ease and grace of his bearing, and the eloquent periods in which he
+extolled his father's great deeds in peace and war.
+
+The duke himself always singled out Lodovico for especial notice, and
+said the boy would do great things. It was, no doubt, his sense of the
+youthful Moro's talents that made Francesco choose him, at the age of
+thirteen, to be the leader of the body of three thousand men which were
+to join in the Crusade preached by Pope Pius II. On the 2nd of June,
+1464, the ducal standard, bearing the golden lion of the house of Sforza
+and the adder of the Visconti, was solemnly committed to the charge of
+the young Crusader, before the eyes of the whole court, on the piazza in
+front of the old palace, which was gaily decorated for the occasion with
+garlands and tapestries. But the Pope died, and the idea of the Crusade
+was abandoned. Lodovico, however, was sent by his father to Cremona, the
+city which had been Duchess Bianca's dowry, and whose inhabitants were
+among the most loyal subjects of the Sforza princes. Here he lived
+during the next two years, enjoying his foretaste of power, and making
+himself very popular with the Cremonese. In 1465, his accomplished
+sister was married to Alfonso, Duke of Calabria, and Lorenzo de Medici
+came to Milan for the nuptials. Then these two men, who in days to come
+were to be so often named together as the most illustrious patrons of
+art and letters in the Renaissance, met for the first time, and
+discovered the mutual tastes which in future years often brought them
+into close relation.
+
+The sudden death of Duke Francesco in 1466 brought a change in
+Lodovico's position, and the ingratitude with which the new duke,
+Galeazzo, treated his widowed mother, naturally irritated his brothers.
+In October, 1468, Bianca retired to Cremona, where she died a week
+after her arrival--"more from sorrow of heart than sickness of body,"
+wrote her doctor. The good duchess was buried by her husband's side in
+the Duomo of Milan, and was long and deeply lamented both by her
+children and subjects, and by none more than her son Lodovico, who
+always remembered his mother with the deepest affection. But he remained
+on good terms with Galeazzo, and was deputed by the new duke to receive
+his bride, Bona of Savoy, when the princess arrived at Genoa, from the
+French court, where her youth had been spent with her sister, the wife
+of King Louis XI. During the next ten years Lodovico lived in enforced
+idleness at the Milanese court, and, freed from the restraint of his
+parents' authority, abandoned himself to idle pleasures. All we have
+from his pen at this period are two short letters. In one, written from
+Milan and dated April 19, 1476, he asks the Cardinal of Novara to stand
+godfather to the illegitimate son whom his mistress, Lucia Marliani,
+Countess of Melzi, had borne him, and who was to be baptized at Pavia.
+The other is an affectionate letter addressed from Vigevano a year later
+to Lucia herself, rejoicing to hear of her well-being, and looking
+forward to seeing her after the feast of St. George. Whether the son was
+Leone Sforza, afterwards apostolic protonotary, or whether he was the
+child whose death Lodovic lamented a few years later, does not appear,
+but all his life the Moro retained a sincere regard for the mother,
+Lucia Marliani, and left her certain lands by his will.
+
+Meanwhile, in the conduct of his elder brother Galeazzo he had the worst
+possible example. Once in possession of supreme power, the new duke gave
+himself up to the most unbridled course of vice and cruelty. The
+profligacy of his life, and the horrible tortures which he inflicted on
+the hapless victims of his jealousy and anger, caused Milanese
+chroniclers to describe him as another Nero. He was commonly believed to
+have poisoned both his mother and Dorotea Gonzaga, the betrothed bride
+of whom he wished to rid himself when a more desirable marriage
+presented itself. These charges were probably groundless, but some of
+his actions went far to justify the suspicions of madness which he
+aroused in the minds of his contemporaries. When, for instance, he
+ordered his artists to decorate a hall at the Castello at Pavia with
+portraits of the ducal family in a single night, under pain of instant
+death, the Ferrarese Diarist had good reason to describe the new Duke of
+Milan as a prince guilty of great crimes and greater follies. At the
+same time, Galeazzo showed himself a liberal patron of art and learning.
+He founded a library at Milan, invited doctors and priests to the
+University of Pavia, and brought singers from all parts of the world to
+form the choir of the ducal chapel. During his reign a whole army of
+painters and sculptors were employed to decorate the interior of the
+Castello of the Porta Giovia at Milan, which his father had rebuilt when
+he gave up the ground in front of the old palace to the builders of the
+Duomo, and which now became the chief ducal residence. Under his
+auspices printing was introduced, and the first book ever produced in
+Italy, the Grammar of Lascaris--a Greek professor who had taken refuge
+at the court of the Sforzas on the fall of Constantinople--appeared at
+Milan in 1476. The splendour of his court surpassed anything that had
+been yet seen. Great rejoicings took place in 1469, when Lorenzo de
+Medici came to Milan to stand godfather to the duke's infant son, and
+Galeazzo was so delighted at the sight of the costly diamond necklace
+which the Magnificent Medici presented to Duchess Bona on this occasion,
+that he exclaimed, "You must be godfather to all my children!" The
+wealth and luxury displayed by the duke and duchess when they visited
+Florence two years later with a suite of two thousand persons,
+scandalized the old-fashioned citizens, and, in Machiavelli's opinion,
+proved the beginning of a marked degeneracy in public morals.
+
+For a time the Milanese were amused by the _fetes_ provided for them,
+and dazzled by the sight of all this splendour; but retribution came in
+time, and on the Feast of St. Stephen in the winter of 1476, Duke
+Galeazzo was assassinated at the doors of the church of S. Stefano by
+three courtiers whom he had wronged. The Milanese chronicler Bernardino
+Corio gives a dramatic account of the scene, which he himself witnessed,
+and relates how Bona, who was haunted by a presentiment of coming evil,
+implored her lord not to leave the Castello that morning, and how three
+ravens were seen hovering about Galeazzo's head on that very morning,
+when, in his splendid suit of crimson brocade, the tall and handsome
+duke entered the church doors, while the choir sang the words, "_Sic
+transit gloria mundi_."
+
+"The peace of Italy is dead!" exclaimed Pope Sixtus IV. when the news of
+Galeazzo's murder reached him. And the issue proved that he was not far
+wrong. In her distress, the widowed duchess, who seems to have been
+fondly attached to her husband, in spite of his crimes and follies,
+addressed a piteous letter to the Holy Father owning her dead lord's
+guilt, and asking him if he could issue a bull absolving him from his
+many and grievous sins. In her anxiety for Galeazzo's soul, she promised
+to atone as far as possible for his crimes by making reparation to those
+whom he had wronged, and offered to build churches and monasteries,
+endow hospitals, and perform other works of mercy. The Pope does not
+seem to have returned a direct answer to this touching prayer, but he
+took advantage of Bona's present mood to hurry on the marriage of
+Caterina Sforza, the duke's natural daughter, with his own nephew,
+Girolamo Riario, which had been arranged by Galeazzo, and which took
+place in the following April. Lodovico was absent at the time of
+Galeazzo's assassination, and with his brother Sforza, Duke of Bari, was
+spending Christmas at the court of Louis XI. at Tours. They had not been
+banished, as Corio asserts, but, tired of idleness and fired with a wish
+to see the world, they had gone on a journey to France, and, after
+visiting Paris and Angers, were on their way home when the news of the
+duke's murder reached them. But if any hope of obtaining a share in the
+government had been aroused in Lodovico's heart, it was doomed to speedy
+disappointment. Cecco Simonetta, the able secretary and minister who had
+administered the state under Galeazzo, kept a firm hold on the reins of
+government, ruled the Milanese in the name of Duchess Bona and her young
+son Gian Galeazzo. The Sforza brothers soon found their position
+intolerable, and the intervention of a friendly neighbour, the Marquis
+of Mantua, was necessary before they could obtain any recognition of
+their right. At his request, Bona agreed to give each of her
+brothers-in-law a suitable residence in Milan, as well as a portion of
+12,500 ducats from the revenues of their mother's inheritance, the city
+of Cremona. Filippo Sforza, the second of the brothers, who is described
+as weak in intellect and a person of no account, was content to live
+peaceably in Milan, where his very existence seems to have been
+forgotten by his family, and where the only mention of him that occurs
+again is that of his death in 1492. The other brothers were sent to
+Genoa, where an insurrection had broken out, and succeeded in subduing
+the rebels and restoring peace. But when they returned to Milan at the
+head of a victorious army, with their kinsman the valiant Condottiere
+Roberto di Sanseverino, a movement was set on foot among the old
+Ghibelline followers of Duke Francesco to obtain the regency for Sforza,
+Duke of Bari. Cries of _Moro! Moro!_ began to be heard in the streets of
+Milan. Simonetta, becoming alarmed, threw Donato del Conte, one of the
+Ghibelline leaders, into prison, upon which Sanseverino and the Sforzas
+loudly demanded his release. Simonetta gave them fair words in return,
+and induced the dissatisfied chiefs to meet in the park of the Castello,
+where they agreed to lay down their arms. But Sanseverino, suspecting
+treachery, set spurs to his horse, and, riding with drawn sword in his
+hand out of the city through the Porta Vercellina, crossed the Ticino,
+and did not pause until he was in safety. His companions soon followed
+his example. Ottaviano Sforza, the youngest of the family, a brave lad
+of eighteen, was drowned in crossing the swollen Adda, and his three
+remaining brothers were condemned to perpetual exile. Sforza was
+banished to his duchy of Bari, in the kingdom of Naples, Ascanio to
+Perugia, and Lodovico to the city of Pisa.
+
+During the next eighteen months Lodovico lived at Pisa, fretting his
+heart out in exile and wasting the best years of his life, as he
+complained to Lorenzo de Medici. His friend could only counsel patience,
+for, sympathize as he might with the banished prince, Lorenzo was
+closely allied with the rulers of Milan, and Lodovico soon saw that his
+only hope of seeing his native land again was to be found in the support
+of Ferrante, King of Naples, the sworn foe of the Medici. This monarch
+looked on Simonetta as a traitorous villain who had taken advantage of
+Bona's weakness to usurp the supreme power in Milan, and wrote to King
+Louis XI, begging him to come to his kinswoman's help and assist in
+restoring the Duke of Bari and his brother to their rights. But the
+French king had no wish to be drawn into the quarrel, and when Ferrante
+endeavoured to obtain the restoration of his exiled kinsmen by fair
+means and had failed, Sforza and Lodovico resolved to try the fortunes
+of war once more. Roberto di Sanseverino, whose mother had been a niece
+of Duke Francesco, and who had large estates of his own in Lombardy,
+placed his sword at their disposal, and they knew they could reckon on
+the secret support of their Sforza and Visconti kinsmen in Milan. Among
+these, Lodovico had a devoted partisan in Beatrice d'Este, the sister of
+Duke Ercole of Ferrara, who had lately been left a widow for the second
+time by the death of her husband, the brave soldier Tristan Sforza, and
+who kept up a secret correspondence with the exiled princes. Early in
+February, 1479, the Sforza brothers and Roberto di Sanseverino landed in
+Genoa and boldly raised the standard of revolt. Simonetta retaliated by
+confiscating their revenues and proclaiming them rebels, while he hired
+Ercole D'Este and Federigo Gonzaga to join the Florentines in resisting
+the advance of the Neapolitan forces. In the midst of these warlike
+preparations, Sforza Duke of Bari died very suddenly at Genoa. His death
+was attributed, after the fashion of the day, to poison secretly sent
+him from Milan; but, as Corio remarks, many persons thought that his
+excessive stoutness was the true cause of his decease. Lodovico, whom
+the King of Naples immediately invested with the dukedom of Bari in his
+brother's stead, now crossed the Genoese Alps and boldly invaded the
+territory of Tortona. But the enterprise was a perilous one, and the
+allied forces of Milan were preparing to crush his little army, when an
+unexpected turn of fortune altered the whole condition of affairs.
+Duchess Bona, a very beautiful woman, but, as Commines remarks, "_une
+dame de petit sens_" had become infatuated with a certain Antonio
+Tassino, a Ferrarese youth of low extraction, whom Galeazzo had
+appointed carver at the royal table, and who, after the duke's death,
+had made himself indispensable to his mistress. The _liaison_ had
+created a coolness between the duchess and her prime minister, of which
+Beatrice d'Este and some of the Sforza party cleverly availed
+themselves to widen the breach. They deplored the growing arrogance of
+Simonetta, and lamented the success of his intrigues against Lodovico,
+who was his sister-in-law's nearest relative and rightful protector.
+Acting on their suggestion, Bona took a sudden resolve. She sent a
+messenger to invite Lodovico to return to Milan in his nephew's name,
+and late in the evening of the 7th of October, 1479, the Moro, leaving
+the camp at Tortona, arrived in Milan, and was secretly admitted into
+the Castello by the garden door. The duchess and her son, Gian Galeazzo,
+a boy of ten, received him with open arms, and great was the joy among
+all the Ghibellines of Milan, when they heard to their surprise that
+Duke Francesco's son was once more among them. Simonetta looked grave,
+as he well might, when he heard the news. "Most illustrious duchess," he
+said to Bona the next day, "do you know what will happen? My head will
+be cut off, and before long you will lose this state." But he proceeded
+to congratulate Lodovico on his return, and was received by him in the
+most courteous manner. When the news of these events reached the rival
+camps outside Milan, a truce was proclaimed, and the leaders on either
+side disbanded their armies. The object of the expedition was attained,
+and Lodovico restored to his rightful place at Milan. But neither
+Roberto di Sanseverino nor the other Ghibelline leader could be content
+while their hated rival Simonetta was still at large. They sent
+messengers to Lodovico, imperiously demanding his summary punishment,
+and declaring that they would never lay down their arms until he and his
+confederates were imprisoned. After some delay, Lodovico yielded to
+their demand; Bona's faithful secretary was arrested and sent to Pavia
+with his brother, while the fickle populace sacked their houses.
+Congratulations poured in from all the kinsfolk of the Sforza family.
+Caterina Sforza, the illegitimate daughter of Duke Galeazzo, who had
+been brought up by Bona with her own children, wrote from Rome, where
+she was living with her husband, Girolamo Riario, Count of Imola and
+Forli at the papal court, to rejoice with her brother the young duke
+over the fall of the hated minister; "_quelo nefandissimo Cecho_ the
+murderer of our family and our flesh and blood." Now at length, he
+adds, she will be able to visit Milan and see her beloved mother once
+more in peace and safety. And her husband's uncle, Pope Sixtus IV.,
+himself wrote to congratulate both duke and duchess on the arrest of
+Simonetta and the restoration of peace and tranquillity. Lodovico was
+now formally associated with Duchess Bona in the regency, and his
+brother Ascanio was recalled and advanced to the dignity of Archbishop
+of Pavia. Before many months were over peace was concluded with
+Florence, and with the full approval of King Ferrante, the Duke of
+Ferrara accepted Lodovico Sforza as his future son-in-law.
+
+Meanwhile party feeling still ran high in Milan, and the Ghibellines,
+with Sanseverino and Pusterla at their head, never ceased to clamour for
+Simonetta's head. People began to complain that Lodovico, who had been
+brought back to power by the Ghibellines, was after all a Guelph at
+heart, and a traitor to his party. In vain the Moro advocated milder
+measures, and wrote a letter to Simonetta, offering to release him on
+payment of a ransom. The old secretary, who was upwards of seventy years
+of age, refused, saying that he was ill and weary of life, and had no
+fear of death. At length Lodovico, vexed by the continual recriminations
+of his Ghibelline followers, reluctantly gave way. Bona signed the death
+warrant of her old servant, and on the 30th of October, 1480, Simonetta
+was beheaded in the Castello of Pavia. His brother Giovanni, an able and
+learned scholar, was released, and lived to write the famous Sforziada,
+or history of Duke Francesco's great deeds, which he dedicated to his
+son Lodovico.
+
+Already one-half of the unfortunate minister's prophecy had come true;
+the other half was soon to be fulfilled. For a few months Bona rejoiced
+in her freedom from the cares of state, and left all to Lodovico, "who
+could do her no greater pleasure than not to speak of these things,"
+says Commines. She herself was treated with the utmost respect, and
+spent her time in feasting and dancing, and loaded her favourite with
+honours. Tassino lived in rooms next to her own, and rode out with the
+duchess on pillion behind him. But her favourite, encouraged by the
+folly of his mistress, became every day more indolent, until one day he
+kept Lodovico Sforza and the chief officers of state waiting at the door
+of his room while he finished his toilet. Yet nothing could cure Bona's
+infatuation, and she went so far as to beg Lodovico to appoint her
+minion's father to be governor of the _Rocca_ of Porta Zobia (Giovia),
+as the Castello of Milan was called. Fortunately Eustachio, who had been
+appointed to the post by Duke Galeazzo, and solemnly charged to hold it,
+in case of his own death, until his son was of age, refused to give up
+the keys; and the young duke and his brother Ermes were conducted into
+the Rocca, while at the same moment Tassino received an order from the
+Council to leave Milan. This he did without delay, taking with him a
+large sum of money and many valuable pearls and jewels which he had
+received from the duchess. When Bona heard of her favourite's flight she
+flew into a frantic rage, and, "forgetful alike of honour and maternal
+duty," as Corio writes, she renounced her share of the regency, saying
+that she placed her son in his uncle's care, and left Milan. "Like some
+demented woman," continues Corio, she fled as far as Abbiategrasso,
+where she was detained by Lodovico's orders, and not allowed to proceed
+to France as she had intended. In the end, however, she effected her
+purpose, and retired to her brother-in-law's Louis XI.'s court, where
+she remained during the next few years, vowing vengeance against
+Lodovico, and bitterly repenting her weakness in having consented to his
+return. So Lodovico Moro, "that hero of patience and cunning," as
+Michelet calls him, at length attained his object, and found himself
+sole Regent of Milan. _Merito e tempore_ was the motto which he had
+chosen for his own, and which he placed in golden letters on his shield,
+and illuminated on the vellum pages of his favourite books, in the firm
+belief that all things come to the man who can learn to bide his time.
+Henceforth his head appeared together with that of his younger nephew on
+all coins and medals, and the words _Lodovico patrue gubernante_
+inscribed below.
+
+Pandolfini, the Florentine ambassador, who had watched his course with
+profound interest, sent a minute report of the latest developments of
+public events to Lodovico's friend, the Magnificent Medici. A year
+before, when Lodovico had just returned to Milan, the envoy remarked,
+"Signor Lodovico is very popular here, both with the people and with
+Madonna." Again, a little later, he wrote, "Madonna trusts much in
+Messer Lodovico's good nature." Now he added, "The whole government of
+the kingdom is placed in Lodovico's hands." He could not refrain from an
+expression of admiration at the peaceable manner in which this
+revolution had been accomplished. "With what ability and skill he has
+effected this sudden change!" And he added, "I tell him, if he uses his
+opportunities well, he will become the arbiter of the whole of Italy."
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[2] Caffi in A. S. L., xiii.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+Wars of Venice and Ferrara--Invasion of Ferrara--Lodovico Sforza and
+Alfonso of Calabria come to the help of Ercole d'Este--Peace of Bagnolo
+--Prosperity of Ferrara, and cultivation of art and learning at Ercole's
+court--Guarino and Aldo Manuzio--Strozzi and Boiardo--Architecture and
+painting--The frescoes of the Schifanoia--Music and the drama--Education
+of Isabella and Beatrice d'Este.
+
+1482-1490
+
+
+Such was the prince to whom Duke Ercole had betrothed his younger
+daughter, and who had suddenly become one of the chief personages in
+North Italy. But more than ten years were to elapse before the
+child-bride even saw her affianced husband. During that time both Milan
+and Ferrara passed through many vicissitudes, and at one moment
+Beatrice's father and his state were reduced to the utmost extremity.
+
+The Venetians availed themselves of the troubled state of Lombardy and
+the civil strife that divided the house of Sforza, to attack their old
+enemy the Duke of Ferrara. In 1482 Roberto di Sanseverino, the valiant
+captain who had been one of the chief instruments in restoring his
+kinsman Lodovico Sforza to his country, left Milan in a rage, because he
+did not consider his salary sufficient, and offered his services to the
+Republic of Venice. With his gallant sons to help him, he invaded the
+territory of Ferrara at the head of an army of seventeen thousand men,
+and carried all before him. The Pope as usual took up the quarrel of the
+Venetians, in the hope of sharing the spoil, and while Ercole's ally,
+King Ferrante of Naples, was engaged in resisting the papal forces, the
+Genoese, who had revolted against Duchess Bona in 1478, and elected a
+doge of their own, occupied Lodovico Sforza's attention. The Ferrarese
+troops were completely defeated in a battle under the citadel of
+Argenta, many of the Ferrarese leaders were slain, and the duke's
+nephew, Niccolo da Correggio, and three hundred men were taken prisoners
+to Venice. Sanseverino made good use of his advantage, and his son
+Gaspare, better known by his nickname of Fracassa, marched to the very
+gates of Ferrara, and planted the Lion of St. Mark on the peacocks'
+house in the ducal park. Meanwhile the plague had broken out in Ferrara,
+and so great was the scarcity of wheat in the beleaguered city, that
+Battista Guarino, the tutor of the young Princess Isabella, applied to
+her betrothed husband Francesco Gonzaga for a grant of corn to save him
+from starvation. Worse than all, Duke Ercole himself lay dangerously ill
+within the Castello, and a report of his death was circulated through
+the city. At this critical moment Duchess Leonora once more showed her
+courage and presence of mind. Seeing the greatness of the danger, she
+sent her children with a safe escort to Modena, and calling the
+magistrates together, she harangued them from the garden loggia, and
+bade them be true to their old lords of the house of Este. The citizens,
+moved to tears at the sight of Leonora's majesty and courage, shouted
+with one voice, "Diamante!"--the watchword of the house of Este, and
+vowed to die for their duke. In their enthusiasm, the people broke open
+the palace doors, and rushing into the chamber where Ercole lay on his
+sick-bed, covered his hands with kisses, and would not be satisfied
+until they had heard his voice again and knew him to be alive. After
+this outburst of loyalty, they rallied bravely to the defence of the
+city. Every man who could bear arms in Ferrara helped to man the walls,
+and the country-folk, rising in thousands, harassed the invading army
+and cut off their supplies. Fortunately, help was at hand. On the one
+hand, Lodovico Sforza's troops checked the advance of the Venetians on
+the side of Modena; on the other, Ercole's brother-in-law, Alfonso, Duke
+of Calabria, himself rode at the head of fifty horsemen and a troop of
+infantry to the help of the beleaguered city.
+
+Throughout the long struggle that followed, Lodovico Sforza proved
+himself a wise and faithful friend of the house of Este, and it was
+chiefly owing to him that Ferrara preserved her independence. But the
+duke and his people had to make great sacrifices on their part, and at
+the peace of Bagnolo, which was finally concluded in 1484, seven towns
+were ceded to Venice, and the fertile district of Rovigo in the
+Polesina, "_un petit pays_," in the words of Commines, "_tout environne
+d'eau et abondant a merveille en tous biens_."
+
+A period of renewed peace and prosperity followed upon these disastrous
+wars. Ercole, although in his early youth he had proved himself a
+valiant soldier, had in reality far greater taste for the arts of peace
+than for those of war, and now devoted himself to the more congenial
+task of adorning Ferrara and cultivating letters. His father Niccolo
+III. had been the first prince in Northern Italy to take part in the
+revival of Greek learning that had been set on foot in Naples and
+Florence. He it was who, in 1402, revived the ancient University of
+Ferrara, and invited the best scholars of the day to give lectures to
+its students. At his prayer, the Sicilian Hellenist Aurispa, who had
+travelled to Greece and Constantinople in search of Greek manuscripts,
+fixed his residence at Ferrara; while Battista Guarino of Verona became
+the tutor of Niccolo's own son Leonello, and inspired the young prince
+with that ardour for learning which made him the most accomplished ruler
+of his time. It was Niccolo, again, who invited the celebrated Paduan
+doctor, Michele Savonarola, to fill the chair of medicine at the
+University of Ferrara. Michele's son became court physician to Ercole,
+and his grandson, the famous Dominican friar, Fra Girolamo Savonarola,
+who had forsaken the study of medicine to take the vows of a preaching
+brother, delivered his first course of Lent sermons in Ferrara during
+that troubled year 1482.
+
+The General Council held at Ferrara in 1438 brought some of the first
+Greek Oriental scholars together in that city, and Niccolo d'Este
+himself assisted at many of the discussions held by these learned
+professors. His son Leonello, besides encouraging students by his own
+example, devoted great pains and expense to the University library which
+he founded, while his successor, Duke Borso, pensioned poor students,
+who were clothed and fed at his cost. Ercole now followed in his
+father's and brother's steps with so much success that under his reign
+the University of Ferrara became the foremost in Italy, and boasted no
+less than forty-five professors, while the number of students reached
+four hundred and seventy-four. In those days the most renowned scholars
+of the age flocked from all parts of Italy to hear Guarino lecture; and
+Aldo Manuzio, the great printer, and his illustrious friend Pico della
+Mirandola, the phoenix of the Renaissance, came to Ferrara to sit at the
+feet of this revered teacher. Here Aldo acquired the passion for Greek
+literature which made him inscribe the word Philhellene after his name
+on his first printed books. Here, in his own turn, he lectured on Greek
+and Latin authors to the cultured youth of Ercole's court, and here he
+would have set up his printing-press, under his friend Duchess Leonora's
+patronage, if the Venetian war had not forced him to leave Ferrara. Both
+from the court of Alberto Pio at Carpi, where he found refuge with a
+kinsman of the Estes, and at Venice, where he founded his famous
+printing-press, he kept up frequent communications with the duke's
+family, and dedicated books to young Cardinal Ercole, and bound and
+printed choice editions of Petrarch and Virgil for his sister Isabella
+d'Este. But if Duke Ercole emulated the zeal of his predecessors in the
+encouragement of classical learning, he surpassed them all in his love
+of travel, of building, and of theatrical representations. During the
+next twenty years he indulged freely in all of these favourite pursuits.
+
+His opportunities of travel, indeed, were limited by the duties of his
+position; but whenever he could find leisure, he gratified his roving
+taste by paying frequent visits to Milan or Venice, where the
+magnificent palace bestowed upon his ancestor Nicolas II. in the last
+century, but confiscated during the war with Ferrara, had been restored
+to him at the peace of Bagnolo. In 1484, he took Duchess Leonora there
+with a suite of seven hundred persons. On this occasion the palace
+originally decorated by Duke Borso was sumptuously restored, and the
+Doge and Senate entertained their guests with princely hospitality. A
+more distant pilgrimage to the shrine of S. Jago of Compostella in
+Spain, which Ercole had planned in 1487, had to be abandoned, owing to
+the opposition of Pope Innocent VIII.; but eight years later the duke
+paid another visit to Florence, on the pretence of discharging a vow
+which he had made to Our Lady of the Annunziata. To the last the
+adventurous disposition of the Estes, the love of seeing and hearing new
+things, marked his character and governed his actions.
+
+Meanwhile his imagination found plenty of food for activity at home, and
+nothing interfered with his love of building or with the delight which
+he took in the stage. Under him, Ferrara became one of the finest cities
+in Italy. Her broad streets and spacious squares, her noble statues and
+imposing monuments, the stately symmetry of her well-kept ways, made a
+deep impression on Lodovico Sforza when he visited his wife's home. At
+the beginning of his reign Ercole had sent to Florence to borrow
+Alberti's Treatise on Architecture from Lorenzo de' Medici, and had
+carried out his improvements on the principles advocated by the
+Renaissance architect. On every side new churches and palaces rose into
+being, a lofty Campanile was added to the ancient Lombard Cathedral, an
+equestrian statue of Niccolo III. and a bronze effigy of Duke Borso
+adorned the piazza in front of the Castello. Soon Ercole's subjects
+caught their duke's passion for building, and vied with him in erecting
+new and sumptuous houses. His brother, Cardinal Sigismondo, raised the
+Palazzo Diamante, that magnificent Renaissance structure in the Via
+degli Angeli. The Trotti and the Costabili, the Strozzi and Boschetti,
+all followed suit and built palatial residences in the neighbourhood.
+
+These fine buildings were surrounded with spacious gardens. One of
+Ercole's first improvements had been to lay out the noble park outside
+the town, and to people it with stags and goats, with gazelles and
+antelopes and the spotted giraffes which Niccolo da Correggio describes
+in his poems; and on the gates leading from the city were marble busts
+carved by the hand of Sperandio, the famous medallist who had worked so
+long for the ducal house, and who has left us portraits of all the chief
+personages at the Ferrarese court. The courtyard of the ancient Este
+palace was adorned with wide marble staircases, the villa of Belfiore
+was enlarged and beautified, while that of Belriguardo, twelve miles
+from the city, on the banks of the Po, became celebrated as the most
+sumptuous of all the stately pleasure-houses in which Renaissance
+princes took delight. No pains or expense were spared in the decoration
+of these luxurious country houses. The terraced gardens and marble
+loggias were adorned with fountains and statues, the halls were hung
+with costly tapestries and gold and silver embroideries. Eastern carpets
+and carved ivories, cameos and intaglios, precious gems and rare
+majolica from Urbino and Casteldurante were brought together in the
+Camerini of the Castello and the halls of the Schifanoia palace, that
+favourite Sans-Souci of the Este princes close to the court-church of S.
+Maria in Vado and to the convent of Leonora's friends, the nuns of S.
+Vito. In this charming retreat, where Borso and Ercole alike loved to
+escape from the cares of state, we may still see the remnants of these
+splendid decorations which once adorned these halls: the painted
+arabesques and stucco frieze of children playing musical instruments,
+the barrel-vaulted ceilings, and marble doorways with their rows of
+cherub heads and dolphins. There the unicorn which Borso took for his
+device, figures side by side with the imperial eagle granted him by
+Frederic III when he came to visit Ferrara, and the fleur-de-lis of
+France, which the Estes were privileged to bear on their coat-of-arms.
+There we still see fragments of the frescoes on the months and seasons
+of the year which Cossa and his scholars painted at the bidding of
+successive dukes. Borso is there on his white horse as he rides out
+hunting, attended by falconers and pages leading his favourite
+greyhounds in the leash; or looking on at the races of St. George's Day,
+surrounded by scholars and courtiers, dwarfs and jesters, and fair
+ladies clad in glittering robes of cloth of silver and gold. All the
+pageant of court-life in old Ferrara, as it was in the days when Duke
+Ercole reigned and Isabella and Beatrice d'Este grew up under the good
+Duchess Leonora's care, passes again before our eyes, as we linger in
+these low halls of the little red-brick palace among the fruit trees of
+this deserted quarter.
+
+Niccolo III. and his elder sons had all been liberal patrons of art, and
+had invited the best artists they could find from other parts of Italy.
+Vittore Pisanello and Jacopo Bellini had both of them visited Ferrara
+and painted portraits of the Este princes--that of Leonello, with his
+long hooked nose and low forehead, is still preserved at Bergamo, and
+Piero de' Franceschi, the mighty Umbrian, is said to have supplied a
+design for Duke Borso's tomb. But it was in later years, under Ercole's
+reign, that this little group of native artists arose, and that Cosimo
+Tura and his followers founded the school which gradually spread to
+Bologna and Modena and boasted such masters as Lorenzo Costa and
+Francia, or helped to mould the genius of a Raphael and a Correggio.
+Tura himself remained at Ferrara all his life, painting altar-pieces for
+Duchess Leonora's favourite churches, as well as frescoes in the duke's
+villas and portraits of the different members of the ducal family in
+turn. In 1472, before the Duke's marriage, he painted the portrait of
+Ercole--strange to say--together with his illegitimate daughter Lucrezia
+d'Este, to be sent as a present to his bride, Leonora of Aragon, at her
+father's court of Naples. Again, in the summer of 1485, he was called
+upon in his capacity of court painter to paint the likeness of the
+youthful Isabella for her affianced husband, Francesco Gonzaga; and
+before the year was out he had to perform the same task for the other
+little bride, who had just returned from Naples. The following paper in
+the Ferrarese archives fixes the exact date of the portrait, which was
+evidently sent as a Christmas gift to Lodovico Sforza at Milan. "On the
+24th of December, 1485, Cosimo Tura received four gold florins from the
+duke, for painting from life the face and bust of the Illustrissima
+Madonna Beatrice, to be sent to Messer Lodovico Maria Sforza, Duca di
+Bari, consort of the said Beatrice--Carlo Continga taking it to him."
+Unfortunately, both of these portraits have perished, and the only
+representation of Beatrice as a girl that we have is the sculptor
+Cristoforo Romano's well-known bust in the Louvre.
+
+While the native schools of painting became active and prosperous under
+Ercole's auspices, a flourishing school of arts and crafts arose in
+Ferrara under the immediate patronage of the duchess. From the day of
+her marriage, Leonora not only showed that intelligent love of art and
+learning which might have been expected in a princess of the house of
+Aragon, but a warm interest in the well-being of her subjects, together
+with excellent sense and a strong practical bent. At her invitation,
+tapestry-workers from Milan and Florence came to settle at Ferrara, and
+skilled embroiderers were brought over from Spain. The duchess herself
+superintended these workers, selected the colours and patterns, and
+became an authority in the choice of hangings and decoration of rooms.
+While Ercole had an insatiable passion for gems and cameos, antique
+marbles and ivories, Leonora showed an especial taste for gold and
+silver metal-work. Silver boxes and girdles curiously chased and
+engraved were constantly sent to the duchess by Milanese goldsmiths, and
+among the workers in this line whom she frequently employed was
+Francesco Francia, the goldsmith painter of Bologna. In 1488, this
+artist sent her an exquisite chain of gold hearts linked together, which
+excited general admiration, and may perhaps have been intended as a
+bridal gift for Elizabeth Gonzaga, the sister of Isabella's betrothed
+husband, who visited Ferrara that spring, on her way to Urbino.
+Leonora's own jewels were said to be the finest and most artistic owned
+by any princess of her day, and, as in the case of other Renaissance
+ladies, formed no inconsiderable portion of her fortune; and, in
+consequence, they were frequently pawned to raise money for her
+husband's wars. The duchess's famous necklace of pearls, we learn, was
+repeatedly lent by the duke to bankers or goldsmiths in Rome and
+Florence as pledges for the repayment of loans advanced during the war
+with Venice.
+
+Music was another of Ercole's favourite pastimes, and the choir of his
+court chapel at one time rivalled that of Milan, which was held to be
+the best in Italy. Violinists and lute-players were brought from Naples
+to Ferrara, French and Spanish tenors were included among the singers
+who accompanied the duke on his journeys. A still more distinctive
+feature of his court were the theatrical representations, which became a
+prominent part of all the palace festivities, and which undoubtedly owed
+much to the duke's taste for dramatic art. Under his directions, a
+spacious theatre was fitted up in the old Gothic Palazzo della Ragione
+on the cathedral square. Here Latin comedies were performed before an
+audience which included the most learned classical scholars of the day,
+and Italian dramas were seen for the first time upon the stage. In 1486,
+an Italian version of the _Menaechimi_, translated by Ercole himself,
+was acted here, with interludes of masques and morris dances, violin
+music, and recitations. This was followed, a year later, by a
+performance of _Cefalo_, one of the oldest of Italian dramas, a pastoral
+play composed by Niccolo da Correggio, chiefly taken from Ovid's
+"Metamorphoses," and which is said to have suggested the subjects of
+Correggio's famous frescoes in the Abbess of San Paolo's parlour at
+Parma. Each Christmas and carnival these theatrical representations were
+repeated, and many were the distinguished visitors who came to Ferrara
+to witness these celebrated performances. The _Amphitryon_ and _Cassina_
+of Plautus were frequently given. On one occasion, a play adapted from a
+dialogue of Lucian's by Matteo Boiardo was acted. Another time, at the
+wedding of a Marchese Strozzi, a Latin comedy written by the
+bridegroom's brother, Ercole Strozzi, was performed before the whole
+court. Sometimes, by way of variety, sacred subjects were placed upon
+the stages. Tableaux of the Annunciation and the history of Joseph were
+introduced, accompanied with recitations and music. While the duke was
+known to have a strong preference for classical plays, the duchess and
+her daughters took pleasure in lighter forms of literature, and
+encouraged the songs and romances which courtly poets wrote for their
+benefit in the _lingua vulgare_. A new school of Italian poets sprang up
+at Ferrara in the last years of the century. Antonio Tebaldeo, the
+friend of Castiglione and Raphael--"our Tebaldeo," whom Pietro Bembo
+declared Raphael had painted in so lifelike a manner that he was not so
+exactly himself in actual life as in this portrait--had his home at
+Ferrara in these early days, and enjoyed the favour of the Marchioness
+Isabella in his later years. While the elder Strozzi, Tito, had the
+reputation of being the best Latin poet of the day, his son Ercole
+belonged to the circle of younger scholars, and, like his friends Bembo
+and Ariosto, wrote elegant Italian verses as well as Latin epistles and
+orations. Then there was the blind poet Francesco Bello, the author of
+the "Mambriano," that heroic poem on the favourite Carlovingian legend;
+Andrea Cossa of Naples, who sang his own _rime_ and _strambotti_ to the
+music of the lute; Niccolo da Correggio, called by Isabella d'Este and
+Sabba da Castiglione "the most accomplished gentleman of the age, the
+foremost man in all Italy, in the art of poetry and in courtesy," who
+devoted his muse to the service of gentle ladies, and composed _canzoni_
+and _capitoli_ or set Petrarch's sonnets to music for Isabella and
+Beatrice's pleasure. And among Ercole's courtiers at Ferrara there was
+one still greater, Matteo Boiardo, Count of Scandiano, who was intimate
+with both duke and duchess, and held many high posts at court. He was a
+member of the splendid suite sent in 1473 to escort Leonora from Naples
+to Ferrara, and afterwards held the important post of Governor of Modena
+during many years. But in the midst of official labours and court
+duties, Matteo was all the while engaged in writing his great work
+of the "Orlando Innamorato," that wonderful epic in which classic and
+romantic ideas are mingled together as strangely as in Piero di Cosimo
+or Sandro Botticelli's paintings. The first cantos of his poem, begun in
+1472, were published at Venice in 1486, with a dedication to Duke
+Ercole, and the work was continued at intervals throughout his life, and
+was only interrupted by the death of the poet. This took place in 1494,
+when the first French armies were first seen descending upon Italy, and
+the sweet singer of high romance broke off abruptly with a prophetic
+note of warning in his last accents--"While I am singing, I see all
+Italy set on fire by these Gauls, coming to ravage I know not how many
+fresh lands, alas!"
+
+In this city which was at once the home of Italian epic and Italian
+drama, at this court where the boy Ariosto was to take up the song that
+dropped from the lips of Boiardo, and to wear the laurel in his turn,
+the young princesses of Este grew up. There were three of them, for
+Lucrezia, the duke's illegitimate daughter, had found a kind mother in
+the duchess, and was brought up with her young step-sisters Isabella and
+Beatrice, until in 1487, she became the wife of Annibale Bentivoglio,
+and went to live in Bologna. Under Leonora's careful and vigilant eyes,
+these maidens were trained in all the culture of the day. Their
+classical studies were directed by Battista Guarino, the son of the
+learned Verona humanist, the same who begged the Marquis of Mantua for a
+grant of wheat that he might the better be able to teach his betrothed
+bride Madonna Isabella during the famine at Ferrara. With him they
+learnt sufficient Latin to read Cicero and Virgil, as well as Greek and
+Roman history. Music and dancing were taught them almost from infancy.
+They learnt to play the viol and lute, and sang _canzoni_ and sonnets to
+the accompaniment of these instruments. Beatrice, we know, was
+passionately fond of music. She employed the great Pavian Lorenzo
+Gusnasco to make her clavichords and viols of the finest order, and like
+her father, she never travelled without her favourite singers. Isabella
+herself had a beautiful voice, and sang with a sweetness and grace which
+charmed all hearers. The most accomplished poets of the Renaissance,
+Pietro Bembo and Niccolo da Correggio, Girolamo Casio and Antonio
+Tebaldeo, were proud to hear her sing their verses, and the Vicenza
+scholar Trissino, forestalling Waller in this, wrote a _canzone_
+addressed to "My Lady Isabella playing the lute."
+
+Messer Ambrogio da Urbino began to give Isabella dancing lessons almost
+as soon as she could walk. Later on a certain Messer Lorenzo Lavagnolo,
+who had taught Elizabeth and Maddalena Gonzaga, the young sisters of the
+Marquis of Mantua, and had afterwards been sent to the court of Milan to
+teach Duchess Bona's daughters, came to Ferrara. This master, who was
+commended to the Duchess of Milan by the Marchioness Barbara of Mantua
+as superior to all other professors of the art of dancing, gave lessons
+to Isabella and her sisters, as we learn from a letter which she wrote
+to her affianced husband, thanking him in her sister's name and her own
+for having sent so excellent a teacher to undertake the task, and
+recommending this faithful and devoted servant to His Excellency's
+notice. A bill for making dresses and scenery that were employed in a
+"_festa_" composed by Messer Lorenzo for the duke's daughters is
+preserved in the Gonzaga archives, and at Lucrezia's wedding, in 1487,
+this renowned master travelled to Bologna to direct the _fetes_ given in
+honour of her marriage.
+
+Some knowledge of French seems to have formed part of an Italian lady's
+education at this period, but even Isabella, with all her quickness and
+talent, was never able to speak French fluently, and Beatrice had
+recourse to interpreters when she received the visit of King Charles
+VIII. at Asti, and was required to make civil speeches in reply to his
+compliments. But they read Provencal poetry and translations of Spanish
+romances from the rare volumes, sumptuously bound in crimson velvet with
+enamelled and jewelled clasps and corners, that were among the most
+precious treasures of Duchess Leonora's cabinet. Above all, they took
+delight in French romances, such as "_I reali di Francia_"--that book
+which was so popular with Italian ladies, and became familiar with the
+exploits of Roland and the paladins of Charlemagne's court. As they bent
+over their embroidery-frames at their lady mother's side, in the painted
+camerini of the Castello, or under the acacias and lemon-trees of the
+Schifanoia villa, they listened to the wonderful fairy tales which
+Matteo Boiardo recited, and heard him tell how Rinaldo of Montalbano was
+pelted with roses and lilies and made captive by Cupid's dames. Now and
+then, on summer evenings, they were allowed to join in the water-parties
+at Belriguardo, and float down the stream in the ducal bucentaur to the
+sound of the court violins, or else take part in those hunting
+expeditions for which Beatrice developed a passionate taste in
+after-years. As the frescoes of Schifanoia show, hunting was always a
+favourite pastime at the court of Ferrara. The duke kept many hundred
+horses in his stables, and the greatest care was bestowed upon his breed
+of dogs and falcons. When Borso went to Rome in 1471, he took in his
+retinue eighty pages, each leading four greyhounds in a leash; and when
+he entertained the Emperor Frederic III. at Ferrara, he presented him
+with fifty of his best horses. Ercole often received gifts of Barbary
+horses from the Sultan of Tunis or the famous Gonzaga stables that were
+reckoned the best in Italy, and bought Spanish jennets and steeds of
+Irish race to improve his own breed. And Duchess Leonora owned a special
+breed of greyhounds which were held in high esteem, and a pair of which
+she sent to Caterina Sforza, Madonna of Forli, at the humble request of
+this adventurous lady.
+
+But it was only on very rare occasions that the young princesses of Este
+were allowed to leave their studies, which occupied their whole days,
+and, as we learn from their different preceptors' letters, absorbed
+their whole attention. Nor, we may be quite sure, was their religious
+education neglected under the eye of their mother, a sincerely devout
+and pious woman, who took pleasure in the converse of learned Dominicans
+and Carmelites, and paid frequent visits to S. Vito, close to the
+Schifanoia villa, and to the Convent of Corpus Domini, in which church
+she was buried. Her many charitable works, the liberality with which she
+helped her poorer subjects, relieved their wants, and gave dowries to
+virtuous maidens, as well as her munificence in adorning altars and
+churches with rich ornaments, are recorded by every Ferrarese historian.
+Sabadino degli Arienti places her high among the illustrious women of
+the age, and says her deeds cannot fail to have opened the adamant doors
+of Paradise, while Castiglione speaks of her excellent virtues as known
+to the whole world, and pronounces her worthy to have reigned over a far
+larger state. With the pattern of this admirable mother before their
+eyes, with all that was choicest in art and fairest in nature around
+them, Leonora's daughters grew up to womanhood, and insensibly acquired
+that enthusiasm for beauty in all its varied forms, that fine taste and
+perception which distinguished them above their contemporaries, which
+made Isabella at the end of her long life still the most attractive
+woman of her day, and which caused the bravest soldiers and the wisest
+scholars to lament the untimely death of the youthful Duchess Beatrice.
+In all the difficult and tangled ways which they were separately called
+upon to tread, the breath of scandal, the slander of idle tongues, never
+sullied their fair names. Both princesses held fast to the ideal of
+their girlhood, and, leading the same pure and spotless life, left the
+same gracious memory behind them, alike in the old Mantuan city on the
+banks of the classic Mincio, where Isabella's presence lingers like some
+delicate perfume about the _Camerini_ of the ancient Castello, and in
+that grander and more splendid court where Beatrice reigned for a few
+brief years by the Moro's side at Milan.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+Isabella d'Este--Lodovico Sforza delays his wedding--Plot against his
+life--Submission of Genoa--Duke Gian Galeazzo--The Sanseverini brothers
+--Messer Galeazzo made Captain-General of the Milanese armies--His
+marriage to Bianca Sforza--Marriage of Gian Galeazzo to Isabella of
+Aragon--Wedding festivities at Milan--Lodovico draws up his marriage
+contract with Beatrice d'Este.
+
+1485-1490
+
+
+Isabella d'Este, the eldest of Ercole's and Leonora's two daughters,
+early displayed the striking beauty and great qualities that
+distinguished her in after-years. Her regular features and delicate
+colouring, her ready wit and gracious manners, charmed all the visitors
+to Ferrara. The letters of princes and ambassadors were full of her
+praises. The Mantuan envoy who was sent to Ferrara in 1480, to arrange
+the terms of the marriage contract, was amazed at the little bride's
+precocity. The six-year-old child not only danced charmingly before him,
+but conversed with a grace and intelligence which seemed to him little
+short of miraculous. All her teachers told the same story. Whatever
+Madonna Isabella did was well done. Her quickness in learning, her
+marvellous memory, and application to her studies were the theme of
+every one at court. She was the apple of her father's eye, her mother's
+most sweet and cherished companion--"_la mia carissima e dolce figliuola
+sopra altre_." When she married and left home for Mantua, her poor old
+tutor shed tears at the loss of his favourite pupil, and wandered
+through the castle recalling her every word and movement; while for
+weeks the good duchess could not bear to enter the room or open the
+windows of the room which her darling child had occupied, and which was
+now left empty and desolate.
+
+By the side of this brilliant creature, her younger sister, the little
+Beatrice, passed comparatively unnoticed. Her name is scarcely ever
+mentioned in the records of the period. Yet she was only a year younger
+than Isabella, and if all had gone well, the double wedding of the two
+sisters was to have been celebrated at the same time in February, 1490.
+But Lodovico Sforza had shown no inclination to press the matter. He
+professed the most cordial friendship for the Duke of Ferrara, who had
+every reason to be grateful for his help in the Venetian wars, and
+entertained Ercole magnificently when, in 1487, he paid a visit to
+Milan. But when the question of her marriage was mooted, he made excuses
+and suggested further delay. The extreme youth of the bride, the urgency
+of affairs of state, were all brought forward as excellent reasons for
+putting off the marriage until a more convenient season. During the ten
+years after his return to Milan, Lodovico's time and thoughts had been
+fully occupied. The internal as well as the external affairs of his
+state, the attacks of public enemies and private foes, alike demanded
+his whole energies. But so far Fortune had favoured him in a wonderful
+way. An attempt was made by Duchess Bona's confessor to assassinate him
+on the steps of Saint Ambrogio at Christmas, 1485, but fortunately
+failed, because that day Lodovico entered the church by a side door to
+avoid the crowd. The sympathy excited by this cowardly attempt on his
+life, and by his recovery from a dangerous illness which brought him to
+the point of death, helped to strengthen his position at home, while
+complete success attended his arms and diplomacy. On the one hand,
+Venice was forced to accept his terms of peace; on the other, Genoa,
+sorely pressed by her old rival Florence, appealed to the Regent of
+Milan for assistance, and once more recognized the supremacy of Gian
+Galeazzo Sforza. A cardinal's hat was obtained for Ascanio Sforza, in
+whom Lodovico found an able and loyal supporter both in Rome and Milan.
+And when, in 1488, Lodovico's niece, Caterina Sforza, turned to him for
+help against the conspirators who had murdered her husband and seized
+the Rocca of Forli, a Milanese army under young Galeazzo di Sanseverino
+was promptly sent to her assistance. The citadel was besieged and
+captured, and the rights of Caterina and her son Ottaviano were
+triumphantly vindicated. Thus on every side the house of Sforza was
+restored to its former dignity, and the great Condottiere's name was
+respected and honoured. The Milanese once more enjoyed a period of peace
+and prosperity, and Lodovico was able to devote himself to his favourite
+pursuits, the encouragement of learning and of the fine arts. Even at
+the most anxious and busiest times, in the midst of the war with Venice
+and the negotiations for the league against her, Lodovico had found time
+to carry on his brother's schemes for the decoration of the Castello of
+Milan, and to help forward the works of the Duomo and the Certosa of
+Pavia. He had begun to rebuild the palace of Vigevano on a splendid
+scale, and had set on foot a vast system of irrigation for the
+improvement of the ducal estates. Besides encouraging the rising school
+of native artists, he had invited the best foreign architects and
+painters, sculptors and poets, to his court. Already Bramante of Urbino
+was the chief architect at the ducal court, and now Lorenzo de' Medici
+sent a young Florentine master to Milan who played the lute divinely,
+and whose varied talents might prove serviceable to his friend Lodovico.
+So Leonardo da Vinci came to the court of the Moro, and found in him so
+genial and understanding a patron, so generous and kindly a friend, that
+he settled at Milan, and remained in the duke's service for the next
+sixteen years. Thus Lodovico Sforza had shown himself a wise and
+excellent regent, and had earned the gratitude of both prince and
+people, while the young duke in whose name he governed was growing up to
+man's estate. From his birth Gian Galeazzo had been a frail and sickly
+child, subject to constant feverish attacks, and in the year 1483 was so
+dangerously ill that at one moment his doctors despaired of his
+recovery. As he grew older, it became plain that his mind was as feeble
+as his body. He was utterly incapable of applying himself to serious
+business, far less of administering state affairs. His whole days were
+spent in idleness and pleasure, in hunting and drinking. Horses and dogs
+were the only objects in which he took any interest. Under these
+circumstances, it became plain that Lodovico would remain the actual
+ruler of Milan even though his nephew bore the title of duke. All
+outward respect was paid to Gian Galeazzo; he lived in great state, with
+a household and officers of his own, and was surrounded by regal pomp on
+public occasions. Clad in ducal robes, he appeared seated on a throne
+erected in front of the Duomo when the Genoese patricians arrived at
+Milan, and received their homage as duke of the principality of Genoa.
+His brother Ermes, his sisters Bianca and Anna, shared his state, and
+when Bianca's betrothed husband the young prince of Savoy died, she was
+formally affianced in the Duomo to the eldest son of Matthias Corvinus,
+King of Hungary. But the real sovereign of Milan was Lodovico Duke of
+Bari. Here and there a jealous or discontented Milanese nobleman might
+grumble, but the majority of the duke's subjects felt that in these
+troublous days a strong hand was needed at the helm, and knew that they
+had this strong man in the Moro.
+
+By degrees Lodovico removed those governors of cities and fortresses
+whose loyalty he had reason to suspect, and replaced them by
+confidential servants. Filippo Eustachio, captain of the Castello of
+Milan, a brave and honest man, Corio tells us, who had refused to yield
+up the keys of the Rocca to Bona's minion, but whose brothers had been
+implicated in the plot against Lodovico's life, was one day arrested by
+the duke's orders, and imprisoned at Abbiategrasso; he was afterwards
+released, no evidence of his guilt being produced, but his post was
+filled by one of the Moro's servants. Chief among the trusted captains
+in whom Lodovico placed his confidence were the Sanseverini brothers, "i
+gran Sanseverini," as they were called in the court poet's verses, as
+much on account of their great strength and stature as of the exalted
+position which they held at the Milanese court. Their father, that
+turbulent soldier Roberto, after making three desperate attempts to
+unseat the prince whose return to power he had effected, and being three
+times proclaimed a rebel and outlaw at Milan, had taken service under
+Pope Innocent VIII. and led the campaign against Alfonso of Calabria, as
+Captain-general of the Church. But before long he quarrelled with the
+Pope and returned to the service of the Venetian Republic, until in
+August, 1486, at the age of seventy, he fell fighting with heroic valour
+against the Imperialists in the battle of Trent. Of his twelve sons,
+four entered the service of their kinsman, Lodovico Sforza, and rose to
+high honour and dignity. All of them were mighty men of valour like
+their father before them, while a fifth, Cardinal Federigo, was to prove
+a staunch adherent of the Sforzas in days to come. He inherited the
+giant stature as well as the martial tastes of his family, and at the
+consecration of Pope Alexander VI. is said to have lifted Borgia in his
+arms and placed him on the high altar. The eldest of the brothers,
+Giovanni Francesco, Count of Caiazzo, succeeded to his father's estates
+in Calabria, but lived at Milan, and became one of Lodovico's chief
+captains. Both Gaspare--the gallant soldier known by his surname of
+Captain Fracassa--and Antonio Maria, the husband of the fair and learned
+Margherita Pia of Carpi, a beloved friend and cousin of the Este
+princesses, were prominent figures at the Milanese court. But the most
+famous and popular of all the brothers was Galeazzo. This brilliant and
+accomplished cavalier, who was to play so great a part at the Milanese
+court, early attracted the notice of Lodovico by his personal charm and
+rare skill in knightly exercises. As a rider and jouster, he was without
+a rival. Wherever he entered the lists, at Milan or Venice, at Ferrara
+or Urbino, he invariably carried off the prize, and was proclaimed
+victor in the games. And to this prowess in courtly exercises he joined
+a love of art and learning which especially commended him to the Moro.
+Unlike his brother Captain Fracassa, who refused Caterina Sforza's
+invitation to join in dance and song, saying that war was his trade and
+he sought no other, Galeazzo was a model of courtesy and grace. All fair
+ladies had a smile for him. Isabella d'Este and Elisabetta Gonzaga
+honoured him with their friendship, and Beatrice d'Este found in him the
+truest of friends and best of servants. Three kings of France, Charles
+VIII., Louis XII., and Francis I., singled him out for special
+distinction, and after enjoying the highest honour at Lodovico Sforza's
+court, he lived to become Grand Ecuyer of France in the next century.
+French Italian chroniclers alike own the fascination of his handsome
+presence and extol the _gentilezza_ of this very perfect knight.
+Leonardo da Vinci and Luca Pacioli the mathematician had in him a noble,
+generous patron, and Baldassare Castiglione, who knew him in his youth
+at Milan, has enshrined his memory in the pages of his "Cortigiano." It
+was this rare union of qualities which endeared the young Sanseverino to
+the Moro, who chose him for his intimate friend and companion. On his
+return from his successful campaign against the Forli rebels, Lodovico
+appointed him Captain-general of the Milanese armies, a step which
+naturally excited great jealousy among his rivals, and mortally wounded
+the pride of Messer Gian Giacomo Trivulzio, an older captain in the same
+service. Short of stature and rude of speech, with the big nose and
+rugged features that are familiar to us in Caradosso's medal, this able
+soldier presented a curious contrast to the brilliant and courtly Messer
+Galeazzo, whose rival he remained to the end of his life. Yet he knew
+how to appreciate genius, and after his triumphant return to Milan in
+1499, employed Leonardo to paint his portrait and design his tomb.
+Although a Guelph by birth, Trivulzio, up to this time, had been one of
+Lodovico's most active supporters. But when he saw a younger rival
+preferred to him, he left Milan in disgust and retired to Naples, where
+he entered King Ferrante's service, and became from that time a bitter
+enemy of the Sforza's. Meanwhile the Moro loaded his favourite Galeazzo
+with honours and rewards. He gave him the fine estate of Castelnuovo in
+the Tortonese, which had once belonged to his father, the great
+Condottiere Roberto, as well as a house in Pavia near the church of San
+Francesco and a palace in Milan, near the Porta Vercellina, and allowed
+him to build a villa and extensive stables in the park of the Castello.
+As a last and crowning honour, he bestowed upon this fortunate youth the
+hand of his illegitimate daughter Bianca, a beautiful and attractive
+child to whom he was fondly attached. Of her mother we have no certain
+knowledge, but she is generally supposed to have been some mistress of
+low origin, and Bianca herself is described by a contemporary writer as
+"_figlia ex pellice nata_." The wedding was solemnized with great
+splendour in the chapel of the Castello di Pavia, on the last day of the
+year 1489, but the young princess was still a child, and Galeazzo had to
+wait five years before he took home his bride. After his marriage he
+adopted the name of Sforza Visconti, and was treated by Lodovico as a
+member of his family.
+
+Another wedding which took place about this time was that of the young
+duke, Gian Galeazzo. He had already entered his twentieth year, and the
+Princess Isabella of Aragon, to whom he had been betrothed in his
+father's lifetime, was turned eighteen, so that the marriage could no
+longer be delayed. In November, 1488, his brother Ermes was sent to
+Naples with a suite of four hundred persons, who entered King Ferrante's
+capital sumptuously arrayed in silk brocade, and amazed even his
+luxurious courtiers by the splendour of their gold chains and jewelled
+plumes. At least Isabella's father, Alfonso, who had little love for his
+brother-in-law, and had already found Lodovico more than a match for his
+own cunning, could not complain that his daughter had not been
+honourably treated. After a rough passage in the depth of winter, which
+sorely tried the patience of the court poet Bellincioni, who was a
+member of the Milanese suite, the bride landed on the 7th of February,
+and travelled by land to Genoa and Tortona. There her bridegroom, the
+young Duke of Milan, was awaiting her, with his uncle Lodovico, and a
+banquet as memorable for ingenuity as for splendour was given in her
+honour. Each course was introduced by some mythological personage. Jason
+appeared with the golden fleece, Phoebus Apollo brought in a calf stolen
+from the herds of Admetus, Diana led Actaeon in the form of a stag,
+Atalanta followed with the wild boar of Calydon, Iris came with a
+peacock from the car of Juno, and Orpheus carried in the birds whom he
+had charmed with his lute. Hebe poured out the wines, Vertumnus and
+Pomona handed round apples and grapes, Thetis and her sea-nymphs brought
+every variety of fish, and shepherds crowned with chaplets of ivy
+arrived from the hills of Arcady, bearing jars of milk and honey to the
+festive board. At Milan fresh wonders were awaiting the bridal pair. The
+court of the Castello was hung with blue drapery and wreaths of laurel
+and ivy, above which the ducal arms, designed in antique style, were
+seen, supported by figures of Centaurs. Under a seven-columned portico
+adorned with crimson-and-gold hangings, the duke's sister, Bianca Maria
+Sforza, received the bride, and led her to a richly decorated chamber in
+the Camera della Torre. On the following day the wedding was solemnized
+with great pomp in the Duomo. The duke and duchess, clad in white,
+walked hand-in-hand up the great aisles of the church, and finally, were
+escorted to the rooms prepared for them in the Rocca, and after the
+Milanese fashion, hung with pure white satin. But the most memorable
+part of the wedding festivities, and that to which Lodovico himself
+devoted especial attention, was the performance of an operetta composed
+by the court poet Bellincioni for the occasion. "It was called _Il
+Paradiso_" adds the chronicler to whom we owe these details, "because
+Maestro Leonardo Vinci, the Florentine, had with great art and ingenuity
+fabricated a paradise or celestial sphere, in which the seven planets
+were represented by actors in costumes similar to those described by
+those poets of old, who each in turn spoke the praise of Duchess
+Isabella."
+
+The festivities were interrupted by the illness of the young duke, who
+was so much exhausted by the fatigues of these successive
+entertainments, that he was unable to leave his bed for some weeks. But
+in the following summer two splendid tournaments were held at Pavia, at
+which Messer Galeazzo, as Sanseverino is always styled in Milanese
+annals, appeared with twenty followers in golden armour, mounted on
+chargers with gold trappings and harness, and, having unhorsed no less
+than nineteen of his opponents, bore off the first prize, a length of
+costly silver brocade. The duke and duchess were present with their
+whole court, but the Ferrarese ambassador remarked that the crowd all
+shouted, "Moro! Moro!" and that Signor Lodovico was by far the most
+popular personage with the citizens of Pavia.
+
+"He is a great man, and intends to be what he is in fact
+already--everything!" he wrote in his despatches to Ferrara. "And yet
+who knows? In a short time he may be nobody."
+
+Gian Galeazzo, however, showed no signs of interfering with his uncle in
+the management of public affairs. On the contrary, he gave full rein to
+his pleasure-loving tastes, seldom came to Milan, and spent his days at
+Pavia or Vigevano in the company of his young wife and a few favourites.
+Duchess Isabella, as time showed, was a woman of strong character and
+deep feeling, but she never seemed to have acquired any influence over
+her feeble husband, and found herself powerless to arouse him to any
+sense of his position, "_La dicte fille_" says Commines, "_etoit fort
+courageuse et eut volontier donne credit a son mary, si elle eut pu,
+mais il n'etoit guere saige et revelait ce qu'elle lui disait_."
+Lodovico treated both his nephew and niece with the utmost respect, and
+discussed the situation freely with the Florentine ambassador
+Pandolfini, saying that King Ferrante's envoy had lately gone so far as
+to suggest that, since this young man could never rule for himself, his
+uncle might as well assume the title, as well as the cares, of the head
+of the state. But this, Lodovico declared, was a crime of which he would
+never be guilty. "If I were to attempt such a thing," he exclaimed, "I
+should be infamous in the eyes of the whole world!"
+
+For the present the sense of power, the knowledge that he was the actual
+ruler, sufficed him, and, as the King of Naples himself recognized, no
+one could have governed Milan more wisely or well than Lodovico did in
+his nephew's name. The birth of Duchess Isabella's son, in December,
+1490, may have been a blow to his hopes. But the happy event was
+celebrated with due rejoicings, the costly presents from the city of
+Milan and court officials were displayed in the Castello, and the infant
+heir of the house of Sforza received the name of his renowned
+great-grandfather, Francesco, together with the title of Count of Pavia.
+
+Meanwhile Lodovico felt that it was time to think of his own marriage,
+and to keep the troth which he had pledged to the child-princess of
+Este. His actions, as he well knew, were narrowly watched at the court
+of Ferrara. Duchess Leonora was beginning to feel anxious about her
+daughter's future, and the marriage of Anna Sforza with young Alfonso
+d'Este had also to be arranged. Accordingly in May, 1489, when the Duke
+of Milan's wedding was safely over, the Ferrarese envoy Giacomo Trotti
+was sent back to his master duly acquainted with Signor Lodovico's
+wishes and intentions respecting these important matters.
+
+On the 10th of May, the articles of the marriage contract were finally
+drawn up and signed at the Castello of Ferrara. They were on the same
+basis as the marriage treaties which had lately been drawn up between
+the Marquis Mantua and Isabella d'Este and the Duke and Duchess of
+Milan. Lodovico was to receive 40,000 gold crowns and 2000 more in
+jewels as Beatrice's portion. A sum equal to three-parts of the bride's
+dower was to be chargeable on the goods and lands of Signor Lodovico. If
+the most illustrious Madonna were to die without children, this dowry
+was to be returned, as was stipulated in the case of the Duchess of
+Milan. With regard to the choice and arrangement of the bride's
+household, and the number of her women, Lodovico was content to leave
+all particulars to the Duke and Duchess of Ferrara, trusting to their
+goodness and prudence to settle all these matters on a scale suitable to
+the birth and rank of a princess of this illustrious house. But he
+especially begged Duke Ercole to see that Madonna Beatrice was well
+supplied with clothes and other necessary articles of toilet fitting the
+position which she would occupy at Milan as wife of the Duke of Bari and
+Regent of the State. Last of all, the date of the marriage was
+positively fixed for the month of May, 1490, Lodovico promising to
+defray all the expenses of the wedding festivities. At the same time it
+was also decided that Madonna Anna's marriage should take place in July,
+1490, by which time Signor Alfonso would have completed his fourteenth
+year, and the sum due to Messer Lodovico for Beatrice's dowry was to be
+deducted from that of his niece, who, as a princess of Milan, was to
+receive a portion of 100,000 crowns.
+
+So Beatrice d'Este's wedding-day was at length fixed, and Duchess
+Leonora rejoiced in the happy prospect of seeing both her daughters
+married in the course of the following year.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+Marriage of Isabella d'Este--Lodovico puts off his wedding--Cecilia
+Gallerani--Her portrait by Leonardo da Vinci--Mission of Galeazzo
+Visconti to Ferrara--Preparations for Beatrice's wedding--Cristoforo
+Romano's bust--Duchess Leonora and her daughters travel to Piacenza and
+Pavia--Their reception at Pavia by Lodovico.
+
+1490-1491
+
+
+The young Marquis of Mantua, Gian Francesco Gonzaga, had proved himself
+a more ardent lover than Lodovico Sforza. He frequently exchanged
+letters and compliments with his youthful bride, or sent Isabella
+presents and verses written in her honour by Mantuan poets. After his
+father's death in 1484, he visited Mantua, and brought Duchess Leonora a
+Madonna painted by the hand of the great Paduan master, Andrea Mantegna,
+the court painter of the Gonzagas. In the autumn of the same year,
+Leonora took her daughter to Mantua for a short visit, where she first
+met Gian Francesco's sister, Elizabeth Duchess of Urbino, who was to
+become her dearest friend and constant companion in the early days of
+her married life. Four years afterwards, the same Elizabeth, the
+peerless Duchess of Castiglione and Bembo's adoration, stopped at
+Ferrara on her wedding journey to her new home of Urbino, and received
+an affectionate welcome from Leonora and her daughters. The duchess, she
+wrote, treated her as a mother, while in the Marchesana she had already
+found a loving sister and friend. On the 11th of February, 1490,
+Isabella's own wedding was celebrated at Ferrara, and the following
+morning the bride rode through the streets of the city, with the Duke of
+Urbino on her right and the Ambassador of Naples on her left hand. On
+the 12th, the bride set out for Mantua, travelling by water up the
+river Po in a stately bucentaur presented to Isabella by Duke Ercole,
+adorned with rich carving and gilding. Her parents and three brothers,
+Alfonso, Ferrante, and the boy Ippolito, afterwards well known as
+Ariosto's patron, Cardinal d'Este, with a large suite, accompanied her
+to the gates of Mantua, where a magnificent reception awaited her. The
+young marquis had made great preparations to welcome his bride, and,
+after the fashion of the days, had borrowed gold and silver plate,
+carpets, and hangings from all his friends and relations, including the
+famous tapestries of the Trojan war, which were the chief ornaments of
+the palace of Urbino. The _fetes_ passed off brilliantly, the crowds
+which assembled in the streets of Mantua were enormous, and the utmost
+enthusiasm was excited by the youth and loveliness of the bride. The
+only drawback was the absence of Mantegna, whom Pope Innocent had
+detained in Rome, in spite of his master's urgent request that the
+painter might return in time to arrange the wedding festivities.
+
+The void which Isabella left in her old home was keenly felt alike by
+her mother and sister. The duchess could not console herself for her
+daughter's absence, and after spending a delightful week with her
+sister-in-law Elizabeth on the lake of Garda, among the lemon-groves and
+gardens of those sunny shores, Isabella and her husband returned to
+Ferrara in April. Here she found that Beatrice's marriage had been again
+put off by Signor Lodovico's wish until the summer, and Isabella agreed
+to return to Ferrara early in July, and accompany her mother and sister
+to Milan. But when July came and the young marchioness reached Ferrara,
+she found to her surprise that all these plans had been suddenly
+changed. Lodovico had once more found it impossible to keep his
+engagement, and pleaded urgent public affairs and unavoidable pressure
+of business to excuse his apparent apathy. This time the duke and
+duchess were seriously annoyed, and began to doubt if Lodovico ever
+intended to wed their daughter. The question was gravely discussed
+during Isabella's visit, and a messenger from Milan suddenly reached
+Ferrara late one evening. It was no other than Messer Galeazzo Visconti,
+one of Lodovico's most trusted envoys, who had ridden from Milan in
+great haste, with letters from his lord. The contents of these letters
+remained unknown. One thing only was clear: they gave the duke great
+dissatisfaction. And Messer Galeazzo departed the next day, as quickly
+as he came. "I have tried in vain," wrote Benedetto Capilupi, the
+Marquis of Mantua's agent at Ferrara, "to discover the reason of all
+these disturbances. Every one is out of temper, and the duke seems to be
+very much displeased. M. Galeazzo has left suddenly."
+
+Isabella returned to join her husband at Mantua, leaving affairs in this
+unsatisfactory state. Beatrice's wedding seemed further off than ever,
+and doubts as to her union with Signor Lodovico began to be openly
+expressed. It was well known at Ferrara, where everything that happened
+at the court of Milan was minutely reported to Duke Ercole by his
+faithful envoy, Giacomo Trotti, that Lodovico Sforza had a mistress to
+whom he was fondly attached, and whom he had for many years past treated
+with the respect and honour due to a wife. This was Cecilia Gallerani,
+afterwards the wife of Count Lodovico Bergamini, a young Milanese lady
+of noble birth, as distinguished for her learning as for her beauty. She
+spoke and wrote Latin fluently, composed sonnets in Italian, and
+delivered Latin orations to the theologians and philosophers who met at
+her house. Contemporary writings abound in allusions to the rare virtues
+and learning of "la bella Gallerani," the Sappho of modern times.
+Scaligero wrote epigrams in her honour, Ortensio Lando classes her with
+Isabella d'Este and Vittoria Colonna among the most cultured women of
+the age. The novelist Matteo Bandello, himself a friar of the Dominican
+convent of S. Maria delle Grazie at Milan, is never tired of singing
+Cecilia's praises, and of describing the pleasant company who met at the
+countess's palace in Milan or at her villa near Cremona. There, he tells
+us, all the finest wits, all the most distinguished strangers in Milan
+assemble, and you may hear valiant captains reasoning with doctors and
+philosophers, or look at paintings and designs by living artists and
+architects, and listen to the playing and singing of the best musicians.
+As a young girl, Cecilia's charms captured the heart of the Moro, who,
+as early as 1481, bestowed the estate of Saronno, which he had inherited
+from his brother Sforza, upon her by a deed of gift, in which he
+extolled her learning and excellence, and at the same time recalled the
+merits and services of her ancestors. Soon after Leonardo da Vinci's
+arrival in Milan, Lodovico employed him to paint the portrait of his
+fair young mistress, and we have more than one proof of the admiration
+which the Florentine master's work excited among his contemporaries. In
+the _Rime_ of the court-poet, Bellincioni, we find the following sonnet
+evidently inspired by this picture and bearing the inscription: "On the
+portrait of Madonna Cecilia, painted by Maestro Leonardo." The poet
+seeks to appease Dame Nature's wrath at the sight of this portrait, in
+which the painter has represented the lovely maiden "listening, not
+speaking," but so full of life and radiance, that the sun's beams grow
+dim before the brightness of her eyes. And instead of envying art, he
+bids her rejoice that this living image of so beautiful a form will be
+handed down to future ages, and give thanks to Lodovico's wisdom and
+Leonardo's genius for having preserved this fair face to be the joy and
+wonder of posterity. "Thine, O Nature," he cries, "is the honour! the
+more living and beautiful Cecilia shall appear in the eyes of
+generations to come, the greater will be thy glory! For long as the
+world endures, all who see her face will recognize in Leonardo's work
+the close union of Art and Nature."
+
+    "Che lei vedra, cosi ben che sia tardo,
+    Vederla viva, dira: basti ad noi
+    Comprender or quel che e natura et arte."
+
+On the 26th of April, 1498, a year after Beatrice d'Este's death, her
+sister the Marchioness Isabella herself wrote to the Countess Bergamini
+from Mantua, begging her for the loan of the portrait which Leonardo had
+painted of her and which she had formerly seen in Milan. "Having to-day
+seen some fine portraits by the hand of Giovanni Bellini, we began to
+discuss the works of Leonardo, and wished we could compare them with
+these paintings. And since we remember that he painted your likeness; we
+beg you to be so good as to send us your portrait by this messenger whom
+we have despatched on horseback, so that we may not only be able to
+compare the works of the two masters, but may also have the pleasure of
+seeing your face again. The picture shall be returned to you
+afterwards, with our most grateful thanks for your kindness, and
+assuring you of our own readiness to oblige you to the utmost of our
+power, etc.
+
+                                                     "ISABELLA D'ESTE.
+
+From Mantua."
+
+Cecilia sent the precious picture by the courier to Mantua, with the
+following note in reply:--
+
+
+"MOST ILLUSTRIOUS AND EXCELLENT MADONNA AND VERY DEAR LADY,
+
+"I have read your Highness's letter, and since you wish to see my
+portrait I send it without delay, and would send it with even greater
+pleasure if it were more like me. But your Highness must not think this
+proceeds from any defect in the _Maestro_ himself, for indeed I do not
+believe there is another painter equal to him in the world, but merely
+because the portrait was painted when I was still at so young and
+imperfect an age. Since then I have changed altogether, so much so that
+if you saw the picture and myself together, you would never dream it
+could be meant for me! All the same, your Highness will, I hope, accept
+this proof of my good-will, and believe that I am ready and anxious to
+gratify your wishes, not only in respect to the portrait, but in any
+other way that I can, since I am ever Your Highness's most devoted slave
+and commend myself to you a thousand times.
+
+                                   "Your Highness's servant,
+                                        CECILIA VISCONTA BERGAMINA,[3]
+
+From Milan, the 29th of April, 1498."
+
+Since that day when the great Florentine first painted her, Cecilia
+Gallerani had developed into a handsome matron, and as Lodovico Sforza's
+recognized mistress she enjoyed a position of great honour at court. For
+some years she occupied a suite of rooms in the Castello of Milan, where
+her lover constantly visited her and took the greatest delight in her
+company. His passion for this beautiful and intellectual woman only
+seemed to increase 108 with years. She had already borne him one son,
+the Leone, whom he was known to love so well that his courtiers did not
+dare tell him the sad news when the child died suddenly in 1487. The
+Duke of Bari, it was even said, intended ere long to make her his lawful
+wife, and thus to render her future issue legitimate.
+
+Under these circumstances, it can hardly be wondered if Lodovico Sforza
+showed some reluctance in keeping the troth which he had plighted to the
+young princess of Este, while Duke Ercole's vexation was the more
+pardonable. For a time it seemed as if a rupture between the two houses
+was inevitable, and all thought of a union between them must be
+abandoned. But soon a change came over Il Moro's dream. The difficulties
+in the way of a closer union with Cecilia Gallerani were great, and must
+invariably lead to jealousies and quarrels of a serious order. His own
+position in Milan would be endangered, and fresh hindrances placed in
+the way of his future designs. At the same time, the alliances with
+Ferrara and Mantua were both of great importance to the state, and could
+not be lightly thrown away. So he determined to sacrifice his
+inclinations to political exigencies, and make Beatrice d'Este his wife.
+
+Accordingly, at the end of August he sent another ambassador, Francesco
+da Casate, to Ferrara with a magnificent gift for his bride, in the
+shape of a necklace of large pearls set in gold flowers, with a very
+fine pear-shaped pendant of rubies, pearls, and emeralds. This costly
+jewel was duly presented to Beatrice in the name of her affianced
+husband, and Duchess Leonora wrote forthwith to give her daughter
+Isabella the good news, informing her that Signor Lodovico hoped she
+would accompany her mother and sister to Milan that autumn for the
+wedding. The young marchioness was delighted to accept this invitation,
+and in the course of a few days she paid another visit to Ferrara, to
+assist in the preparations for her sister's marriage. Messer Galeazzo
+Visconti was sent there again to learn the duke and duchess's pleasure
+as to their daughter's journey, and, after making the final
+arrangements, left Ferrara on the 26th of November. The bride's
+departure was fixed for the last day of the year, and the wedding, it
+was decided, should take place in the chapel of the Castello of Pavia on
+the 16th of January.
+
+Isabella hurried to Mantua to buy horses and clothes, jewels and plate
+for her journey, and announced her intention of taking upwards of one
+hundred persons in her suite, with ninety horses and trumpeters.
+Afterwards, however, she reduced the number to fifty persons and thirty
+horses at the request of Lodovico, who begged her to bring as few
+attendants as possible, owing to the large number of guests who were
+expected at Milan. Her husband, the Marquis Gianfrancesco, had naturally
+been included in the invitation, but as a close ally of the Venetians he
+did not think it politic to appear at the wedding of Lodovico Sforza.
+The Signory of Venice were known to look coldly on this alliance between
+Ferrara and Milan, and entertained the deepest distrust of Lodovico's
+policy. So Isabella decided to join her mother and sister on their
+journey up the river, and proceed with them to Pavia and ultimately to
+Milan. Meanwhile another emissary from Milan had arrived at Ferrara.
+This was the young sculptor, Cristoforo Romano, who was sent to Signor
+Lodovico to carve a bust-portrait of his bride before she left her
+father's home. The son of a Pisan sculptor who had settled in Rome,
+Cristoforo's genius had attracted attention when he was quite a boy, and
+he had been sent to Milan by Cardinal Ascanio Sforza. The young Roman
+master was one of those brilliant and versatile artists who especially
+commended themselves to Lodovico. He sang and played the lute admirably,
+while his literary tastes made him the intimate friend of Bembo and
+Castiglione, and a great favourite with the cultured princesses of
+Mantua and Urbino. He takes a leading part in the dialogues of the
+Cortigiano, and is frequently mentioned as worthy to rank with Michael
+Angelo, whose fame he might have rivalled had he not suffered from
+continual ill health. As it is, the few works which he left behind him
+are marked with singular grace and refinement. His bust of Beatrice, now
+in the Louvre, where for many years it passed as the work of Leonardo,
+is at once remarkable for its truth and charm. The somewhat irregular
+features of the maiden of fifteen years are admirably given, the
+roundness of her cheeks, the pouting lips and slightly _retrousse_ nose,
+and the curling locks are faithfully represented; yet we realize the
+force of character that lies under this soft, child-like face, and the
+frank joyousness which made her so attractive. Each stray lock of hair
+is rendered with delicate accuracy, the brocaded bodice of her gown and
+the scarf lightly thrown over her shoulders are elaborately adorned with
+the triangular diamond and other favourite devices of the house of Este.
+The quaint figure of the two hands holding a veil, from which
+fertilizing dust falls on the open flower, is supposed to be an emblem
+of marriage, and is said to signify that Beatrice was already an
+affianced bride. But since the words "Herculis filiae" are cut in the
+marble, it is plain that Cristoforo carved the bust while the young
+duchess was still in her father's home, and probably took it home with
+him that autumn to Milan.
+
+That year the winter set in with unusual severity. The bitter frost and
+cold which man and beast endured that January were long remembered, both
+in Mantua and Ferrara. On Christmas night it began to snow, and so heavy
+and continuous was the fall, that by noon on the next day the snow lay
+three feet deep in front of the Vescovado, or Bishop's house, opposite
+the Este palace. The Po was frozen over, and the ice on the river never
+thawed until the first week in February, while the snow lasted till the
+12th of March, and some patches might still be seen in the streets of
+Ferrara on the 20th of that month.
+
+In the midst of these unwonted rigours, the wedding-party set out on
+their long journey. The royal brides of these days seem to have been
+singularly unlucky in the matter of weather. For one thing, they always
+travelled in the depths of winter. Elizabeth Gonzaga almost died of
+exhaustion after the sufferings of her journey from Mantua to Urbino in
+a violent tempest, which kept her ship tossing on the waves of the Po
+for several days and nights. The fleet which conveyed Isabella and her
+escort from Naples to Leghorn, narrowly escaped shipwreck off the coast
+of Tuscany. Bianca Sforza had to ride in December over the roughest
+roads across the Alps of the Valtellina, to join her Imperial lord at
+Innsbruck. And now Leonora and her daughters were called upon to brave
+the terrors of an Arctic winter on their way to Milan.
+
+"On the 29th of December, 1490," writes the diarist of Ferrara,
+"Madonna Beatrice, daughter of Duke Ercole, went to Milan to marry
+Signor Lodovico Sforza, accompanied by her mother, Leonora Duchess of
+Ferrara; and also by Messer Sigismondo, her uncle"--the duke's younger
+brother, Cardinal d'Este--"and her brother, Don Alfonso, who went to
+bring home his bride, Madonna Anna, sister of the Duke of Milan and
+daughter of Galeazzo, and he rode in a sledge because the Po was
+frozen."[4]
+
+The ladies of the party travelled in rude country carts--"_carrette_"--as
+far as Brescello, where the Po was navigable, and they were able to
+continue their journey by water to Pavia. Here Messer Galeazzo Visconti
+was awaiting them with a fleet of boats and three bucentaurs, by which
+pompous name the rude barges in which these high-born personages travelled
+were glorified. The many discomforts and the actual cold and hunger which
+the Este ladies endured during the five days which they spent on board
+these vessels are graphically described in a letter addressed to Isabella's
+husband by her Ferrarese lady-in-waiting, Beatrice de' Contrari, after the
+travellers had reached Pavia. The boat which bore the provisions for the
+party was delayed by stress of weather, so that the travellers were left
+with but scanty breakfast and no dinner. When at length they anchored near
+the shore of Toresella at three o'clock at night, the Marchesana and her
+ladies were in a starving condition. "If it had not been for the timely
+help of Madonna Camilla, who sent us part of her supper from her barge, I
+for one," writes the lively lady-in-waiting, "should have certainly been
+by this time a saint in Paradise." As for going to bed, all wish for
+sleep was put out of their heads by the rocking of the ship and the
+uncomfortable berths, and the poor Marchesana was so cold and wretched
+without a fire that she wished herself dead, and her lady-in-waiting
+could not keep back her tears. However, at length these miseries were
+ended, Piacenza was safely reached, on the 12th of January, and the
+royal ladies and their companions were hospitably entertained by Count
+Bartolommeo Scotti, and enjoyed the luxury of warm fires and comfortable
+beds!
+
+"And now that we have arrived," wrote Beatrice de' Contrari to her lord,
+the marquis, "and are beginning to enjoy these weddings for the sake of
+which we have suffered so many discomforts, I am thinking seriously of
+making my last will and testament."[5]
+
+After a day's rest at Piacenza, the bridal party continued their journey
+up the river, and reached Pavia at half-past four on Sunday afternoon.
+Here Signor Lodovico was awaiting them on the banks of the river Ticino,
+which joins the Po a few hundred yards below the city, with a gallant
+company of Milanese lords and gentlemen, and himself conducted first
+Beatrice and then her mother and sister to the shore. Together they rode
+on horseback over the covered bridge which spans the river, and passed
+through the long streets until they reached the goal of their journey,
+and entered the gates of the far-famed Castello of Pavia.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[3] G. Uzielli, _Leonardo da Vinci e Tre Gentil donne Milanesi_, p. 23.
+
+[4] A Muratori, R. I. S., xxiv. 282.
+
+[5] Luzio-Renier in A. S. L., xvii. 85.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+City and University of Pavia--Duomo and Castello--The library of the
+Castello--Wedding of Lodovico Sforza, Duke of Bari, and Beatrice d'Este,
+in the chapel of the Castello of Pavia--Galeazzo di San Severino and
+Orlando--Reception of the bride in Milan--Tournaments and festivities at
+the Castello--Visit of Duchess Leonora to the Certosa of Pavia.
+
+1491
+
+
+The ancient city of Pavia, the capital of the Lombard kings before the
+conquest of Charlemagne, still presents a picturesque and imposing
+appearance to the traveller, who sees the red-brick walls and gates of
+the old fortifications and the slender bell-towers of its Romanesque
+churches rising out of the green plains on the banks of the broad and
+swift Ticino. But it was a far grander and more beautiful sight in the
+days when Lodovico Sforza's bride landed near the chapel on the bridge,
+and in the fading light of the short winter afternoon rode at his side
+through the chief streets of the old Lombard capital, or, as it was
+proudly called, the city of a hundred towers. On the princely cavalcade
+wound, amid a dense crowd of people shouting, "_Moro! Moro!_" up the
+long Strada Nova, with its marble palaces, and newly painted loggias
+adorned with busts and frescoes, in front of the stately _Ateneo_ with
+its halls and porticoes for the different schools, which had the
+reputation of being the finest university in all Italy, and past the
+rising walls of the new Duomo which Lodovico was building on the site of
+the ruined basilica of Charlemagne's time. A few months before, the
+renowned Sienese architect, Francesco Martini, had arrived at Pavia on
+horseback to give his advice as to the cupola of the new cathedral,
+accompanied by His Excellency's servant, Magistro Leonardo, the
+Florentine, and a vast train of servants, and had been entertained at
+the public expense. Martini had soon left again for Milan, after giving
+the architect of the Duomo, Bramante's pupil Cristoforo Rocchi, the
+benefit of his advice, and promising to send him a model of the cupola;
+but Leonardo had remained at Pavia all the summer and autumn, turning
+over old manuscripts in the library of the Castello, and discussing
+anatomical problems with the professors and surgeons of the university,
+until a peremptory summons had reached him from the governor of the
+Castello at Milan, desiring him to return immediately and assist in
+decorating the ball-room for the wedding _fetes_. Another visitor, a
+citizen of Beatrice's own city of Ferrara, had also been at Pavia a few
+months before--the Dominican friar, Girolamo Savonarola, who had visited
+the Certosa and Castello of Pavia on his way from Brescia to preach at
+Genoa, before he was summoned at Pico della Mirandola's request to begin
+his famous course of Lent sermons in St. Mark's of Florence. But now the
+duke's painter and the humble friar had both gone their separate ways,
+Fra Girolamo to startle the scholars of the Medici circle with his
+thunders, and Leonardo to paint cupids in the halls of the Castello at
+Milan, and to resume his labours at the great equestrian statue of
+Francesco Sforza, which Signor Lodovico was longing to see finished. All
+unconscious of their existence, the young bride of the powerful regent
+rode at her lord's side and entered the wide courtyard through the great
+gateway, under the lofty towers of the famous Castello which for over a
+hundred and fifty years had been the home of Viscontis and Sforzas.
+
+After the cold and fatigue of the long journey in this snowy winter
+season, the bridal party were thankful to reach the end of their journey
+and to enjoy a day's rest before the wedding ceremony, which, after
+consultation with Messer Ambrogio da Rosate, the chief court physician
+and astrologer, had been fixed for Tuesday, the 17th of January, this
+being the day of Mars, and therefore especially propitious for the
+marriage of a lord, who above all things desired the birth of a son.
+Throughout his life Il Moro, like many of his contemporaries, had a
+blind belief in the stars, and placed the most implicit confidence in
+Messer Ambrogio, who was said to have saved his life during his
+dangerous illness at Vigevano three years before, and who had been
+lately called upon to cast the horoscope of Pope Innocent VIII. at the
+earnest entreaty of His Holiness. "Maestro Ambrogio has been suddenly
+called to fly to Vigevano," wrote Giacomo Trotti to Ferrara one day in
+1489, "because he is a professor of astrology, by which this excellent
+Signor orders all his actions." The date of Lodovico's journeys, the
+hour of all important court ceremonies, and even the movements of his
+armies in time of war, were regulated by the course of the stars. Messer
+Ambrogio, consequently, became a most important personage at the court
+of Milan. "Without him," wrote Beatrice's maid of honour to the
+Marchioness Isabella, "nothing can be done here."
+
+The beautiful park and gardens at Pavia lay deep in snow, their lakes
+and fountains were all frozen over, but there was plenty to interest and
+amuse the visitors within the walls of this great Castello, of which
+they had heard so much, and which was said to be the grandest of royal
+houses in the whole of Europe. Three or four generations of masters had
+been employed by successive Visconti dukes to rear this glorious fabric,
+which in its palmy days must have been a noble monument of Lombard
+architecture. The long colonnades of low round arches went back to
+Romanesque days and the times of the first Visconti lords of Pavia; the
+Gothic windows of the banqueting-hall and upper stories had been
+finished in the reign of the great Giangaleazzo, and were enriched with
+slender marble shafts and exquisite terra-cotta mouldings similar to
+those that we admire to-day in the cloisters of the Certosa. The vaulted
+halls were painted with the finest ultramarine and gold, and the arms of
+Sforzas and Viscontis, the lilies of France and the red cross of Savoy,
+appeared on the groined roof between planets and stars of raised gold.
+The vast Sala della Palla, where the dukes and their courtiers indulged
+in their favourite pastime of "pall-mall," which Burckhardt calls the
+classic game of the Renaissance, was decorated with frescoes by the best
+artists of Pavia or Cremona, representing fishing and hunting scenes.
+Portraits of the dukes and duchesses were introduced, together with
+lions and tigers, wild boars and stags flying before the hounds, in the
+forest shades or on the open moor. The ball-room was adorned with
+historic subjects from the lives of the earlier Viscontis. The poet
+Petrarch, who had once filled a chair in the university, was seen
+delivering an oration before the duke; and Giangaleazzo, the founder of
+the Duomo of Milan and of the Certosa, was represented seated at a
+festive board laden with gold and silver plate, entertaining foreign
+ambassadors, with his armour-bearer standing at his side, and his
+cupbearer pouring out the wine, while huntsmen and falconers with horses
+and dogs awaited his pleasure. Of later date were the frescoes in the
+duchess's rooms, representing the marriage of Galeazzo Sforza at the
+French court and the reception of Bona of Savoy at Genoa, while the
+paintings which adorned the chapel had only lately been completed by
+Vincenzo Foppa and Bonifazio da Cremona.
+
+Signor Lodovico was very proud, as he might well be, of this his
+ancestral home, and of the famous library which he had done so much to
+improve. He led his guests from room to room, and showed them all the
+rare and curious objects--the armoury with its store of ancient coats of
+mail and hauberks, of swords and helmets of ancient design, and its
+choice specimens of the engraved and damascened work; the breastplates
+and greaves that were a _specialite_ of Milanese armourers at this
+period; the wonderful clock of copper and brass worked by wheels and
+weights, upon which Giovanni Dondi had spent sixteen years of ceaseless
+thought and toil, and which not only had a peal of bells, but a complete
+solar system, showing the movement of sun, moon, and planets as set
+forth by Ptolemy. After Dondi's death, Duke Galeazzo had to send to
+Paris for a clockmaker who could regulate the works of this elaborate
+machine, which was so much admired by Charles V. when he visited Pavia
+in 1530, that he commissioned a mechanician of Cremona to make a similar
+one for him to take back to Spain. And Messer Lodovico showed them also
+what he himself held to be his greatest treasures--the precious books
+adorned by exquisite miniatures from the hand of Fra Antonio da Monza
+and other living artists, the Sforziada and the Chant de Roland, and the
+rare Greek and Latin manuscripts which he had been at such infinite
+pains to collect; the _codici_ brought from Bobbio by Giorgio Merula,
+and the manuscripts which Erasmo Brasca had discovered when _Il Moro_
+sent him to search for missing texts in the convents of the South of
+France. For Lodovico himself spared no expense and grudged no time or
+trouble in order to enrich what he felt to be a great national
+institution. Two years before he had addressed a letter to the son of
+Matthias Corvinus, King of Hungary--the prince who was to have wedded
+Bianca Sforza--begging him to have a rare manuscript by Festus Pompeius
+copied for him, and deploring the "decay of the knowledge of the Latin
+tongue in Italy, and the loss of so many priceless classical works which
+the barbarians have carried away."
+
+The sight of these precious and varied treasures were fully appreciated
+by the cultivated Duchess Leonora, who had grown up among the scholars
+of her royal father's academy at Naples, and by her daughter, the
+accomplished Marchesana Isabella, ever eager, as she says in one of her
+letters, to see and learn some new thing, "_desiderosa di cosa nova_."
+And Signor Lodovico proved himself the most courteous and pleasant of
+hosts, conversing with graceful ease on a thousand subjects, and
+gratifying his new sister-in-law by the marked attention and courtesy
+with which he treated her.
+
+"I find myself highly honoured and caressed by Signor Lodovico," she
+wrote to her husband from Pavia; and the discerning eyes of the
+Ferrarese ambassador, Giacomo Trotti, noticed how much pleasure His
+Excellency already took in the company of Madonna Beatrice and the
+Marchesana. On that first day which they spent together at the Castello,
+Trotti wrote to Duke Ercole, "Signor Lodovico is always at his wife's
+side, speaking to her and watching her most attentively. And he tells me
+that it would be impossible for her to give him greater pleasure or
+satisfaction than she does, and never ceases to praise her."
+
+The first impression which the youthful bride made on her husband was
+evidently favourable. By all accounts, Beatrice was a singularly lovely
+and fascinating child. Without the regular features and distinguished
+air of her sister Isabella, there was a distinct charm in her sparkling
+dark eyes and jet-black hair, her bright colouring and gay smile. The
+contemporary chronicler Muralti describes her in his Annals as "of
+youthful age, beautiful in face, and dark in colouring, fond of
+inventing new costumes, and of spending day and night in song and
+dancing and all manner of delights." In these early days at Pavia and
+Milan there was, indeed, Trotti tells us, a certain shyness and reserve
+about her that was only natural and might well be ascribed to maiden
+shyness and timidity, but in the freedom and gaiety of her new life this
+soon gave way to the irrepressible mirth and joyousness of youthful
+vivacity. From the first she seems to have become sincerely attached to
+Lodovico, who, although considerably older than herself, and already
+thirty-nine years of age, was a very handsome and splendid-looking man,
+of imposing stature and striking countenance, with courteous manners and
+gentle ways. And however often he may have excited her jealousy or
+wounded her feelings, his young wife never wavered in her love for him,
+but proved, as he himself confessed, the best and most devoted of
+companions.
+
+On Tuesday, the 17th of January, the long-delayed wedding finally took
+place, in the Castello of Pavia. A small but very brilliant company was
+assembled that day in the ancient chapel of the Visconti. The official
+festivities were to be celebrated at Milan, where the duke and duchess
+and their court were awaiting the bride's arrival, and the Ferrarese
+ambassador was the only foreign envoy present at the wedding. But
+Lodovico's personal friends and retainers mustered in force, as well as
+those captains and courtiers who could claim kinship with the house of
+Este. Niccolo da Correggio was there, as one nearly related to both
+bride and bridegroom, and was universally pronounced to be the
+handsomest and best dressed of all the cavaliers who were present that
+day. There, too, was Galeotto Prince of Mirandola, the husband of the
+gifted Bianca d'Este, and Rodolfo Gonzaga, the Marquis of Mantua's
+uncle, and, conspicuous by their lofty stature and martial air, the four
+Sanseverino brothers.
+
+The bride, arrayed in a white robe sown with pearls and glittering with
+jewels, was led to the altar by the Duchess of Ferrara and Marchioness
+of Mantua, supported by the young Don Alfonso, his uncle Sigismondo,
+and a select retinue of Ferrarese courtiers and ladies. It was rumoured
+that the Marquis Gianfrancesco Gonzaga had himself been seen in the
+crowd assembled in the courtyard of the Castello, and, much to
+Isabella's surprise, Lodovico asked the marchioness, at the banquet
+which followed, if this report were true. But Isabella could only reply
+that if her husband were at Pavia, she was unaware of the fact, and it
+was not until the last day of the tournament at Milan that the marquis
+appeared in public.
+
+"The nuptial benediction was pronounced, and the act of espousals
+confirmed by the ring which Signor Lodovico placed on the bride's
+finger, and that night the marriage was consummated," were the words of
+the official proclamation that was made in Milan the next day, and duly
+notified to the magistrates of the different cities in the duchy as well
+as to the duke's ambassadors at foreign courts.
+
+On the following morning Lodovico left for Milan, to complete the
+arrangements for the bride's reception early in the following week.
+Nothing, he was determined, should be left undone to do honour to his
+nuptials or to make the occasion memorable both in the eyes of the
+people of Milan and throughout Italy. During the summer and autumn
+preparations had been actively going on, and a whole army of painters,
+goldsmiths, and embroiderers were at work, decorating the suite of rooms
+in the Rocca, or inner citadel of the Castello of the Porta Giovia,
+adjoining the Corte Ducale, where the Moro and his bride were to take up
+their abode. "Here all hands are busy," wrote the Ferrarese envoy to his
+master, "and Lodovico takes care that for the duchess nothing is done by
+halves." When the date of the wedding had been finally determined, every
+nerve was strained to complete the works within the Castello, and an
+imperative summons was issued by Messer Ambrogio Ferrari, the chief
+ducal commissioner, to the governors of Cremona, Piacenza, and Pavia,
+commanding the immediate return of the painters who were absent in these
+cities. Among the masters especially mentioned in these letters, we find
+the names of Bernardino da Rossi, Zenale and Buttinone di Treviglio,
+Treso di Monza, and Magistro Leonardo. This was none other than the
+great Florentine, then absent at Pavia, who was required to give his
+advice, if not to assist, in the actual decoration of the _Sala della
+palla_ on the first floor of the Castello. The vaulted roof of this
+spacious hall, which was to serve as ball-room on this occasion, was
+painted in azure and gold to imitate the starry sky, while the walls
+were hung with canvases representing the heroic deeds of the great
+Condottiere, Francesco Sforza, whose glorious memory his son Lodovico
+was always eager to celebrate. At the entrance of the hall, an effigy of
+the hero on horseback was placed under a triumphal arch, with an
+inscription recalling his greatness, and saying that by virtue of these
+mighty exploits his children now triumph and hold festival in his
+honour.
+
+At the same time, orders were sent in the duke's name to the seneschals
+of the castles and towns between Pavia and Milan to see that the roads
+and bridges were repaired and widened, in order that the bridal party
+might be able to travel without hindrance or inconvenience. On the 18th
+of January, invitations were issued to the chief lords in the state, as
+well as to those foreign princes who were connected by marriage with the
+Sforza and Este families, the Marquis of Montferrat, the Marquis of
+Mantua, Giovanni Bentivoglio of Bologna, and others, requesting them to
+honour with their presence a three-days' tournament to be held on the
+great _piazza_ in front of the Castello, during the last week in
+January.
+
+While Lodovico was personally superintending the final arrangements,
+seeing that the last touches were given to the frescoes in the duchess's
+_Camerino_, or discussing to the masques and comedies that were to be
+performed, with Bramante and Leonardo, his bride remained at Pavia with
+her family and friends. The princesses of Este were well content, for
+not only were all the treasures of the Castello and library at their
+disposal, but they had the best of company in the person of Messer
+Galeazzo di Sanseverino, who had been charged by his father-in-law,
+Signor Lodovico, to supply his place during the interval of his enforced
+absence. And certainly no better squire of dames could have been found
+than this courteous and brilliant cavalier. He took Isabella and
+Beatrice out riding in the park, and showed them some of the beauties
+of that wide domain, which in the French chronicler's eyes seemed more
+like the garden of Eden than any earthly spot. They could not, it is
+true, admire those flowery lawns watered by crystal streams, and groves
+of plane and cypress and myrtle, which charmed the travellers from the
+north, and made Commines exclaim there was no other region in the world
+as divinely beautiful as the Milanese land. But they could visit the
+pleasure-houses and pavilions in the gardens, and hunt the stags and red
+deer that ran wild in the park. For their amusement Messer Galeazzo let
+fly some of those good falcons of his, with their jewelled hoods and
+silver bells, and chased the herons and water-fowl along the lake, while
+the ducal huntsmen followed in their suits of green velvet embroidered
+with gold, and blew their golden bugles. Indoors they laughed and sang
+together, and turned over the leaves of the illuminated missals or the
+rare folios of the library. And as they talked of Messer Matteo
+Boiardo's famous new poem and of the old French romances, a lively
+discussion over the respective merits of the paladins, Roland and
+Rinaldo di Montalbano arose between the two princesses on the one hand,
+and Messer Galeazzo on the other. Isabella and Beatrice were all in
+favour of the knight of Montalbano as the type of Italian chivalry,
+while Sanseverino, who had kinsmen at the court of France and took
+delight in French costumes and French literature, was as much at home in
+France as he was at Milan, and defended the matchless glory of his hero,
+Orlando. The quarrel waxed warm between them in those idle days, and in
+the fulness of their youth and high spirits they amused themselves,
+crying out, "Rolando! Rolando!" on the one side, and a "Rinaldo!" on the
+other, until one afternoon Messer Galeazzo was acknowledged victor, and
+even Isabella took up his cry of Roland, but soon returned to her old
+allegiance, and declared boldly that she would allow no rival to the
+wronged knight of Montalbano. The controversy was to be prolonged for
+many a day, and was to become the theme of more than one merry letter
+and gay challenge between the Marchesana Isabella and the handsome
+Sanseverino, who soon won over Duchess Beatrice to his side. So the days
+flew by until the week was almost over, and the time came to start for
+Milan. Every hour fresh news reached Pavia of the new wonders and
+marvellous entertainments that were awaiting them at the Milanese
+capital, and Isabella's spirits rose high with eager expectation and
+delight.
+
+"You ought to be here," this lively princess wrote to her youngest
+brother-in-law, Giovanni Gonzaga, who had stayed behind at Mantua, and
+was absent from the wedding _fetes_. And she told him of all the jousts
+and banquets and balls that were to succeed each other at Milan, this
+wonderful city which she was longing to see for herself. "And among
+other _fetes_," she added, "there will be three of the finest theatrical
+representations that have ever been seen. But one thing which will make
+you still more envious is that from Milan we mean to go and visit that
+glorious city of Genoa, where you have never been! Only think how many
+new places and lands we shall have seen by the time of our return! We
+wish you all good things, but fear our wishes will profit you little,
+and are sure my letter will make your mouth water."
+
+On Saturday the 21st the bridal party set out from Pavia, and, leaving
+the Certosa on the right, travelled across the Lombard plain to Binasco,
+where they spent the night at the feudal castle of the Visconti, the
+ruins of which may still be seen on the heights above the little town.
+On Sunday morning the procession entered Milan, and the bride was
+received by her cousin, Isabella of Aragon, wife of the reigning duke,
+who had ridden out to meet her at the suburban church of S. Eustorgio,
+where the bones of the martyred friar, S. Pietro Martire, repose in
+their shrine of sculptured marble. At the gates Duke Gian Galeazzo and
+his uncle met them, followed by a brilliant company of Milanese nobles,
+and Lodovico, clad in a gorgeous mantle of gold brocade, rode through
+the streets at the side of his youthful bride. A hundred trumpeters
+marched before them, filling the air with strains of martial music, and
+the crowds, who had assembled from all parts of Lombardy, thronged
+around to gaze on the duchess and her daughters, and more especially on
+the Moro's bride.
+
+The street decorations that day were on the grandest scale. Lodovico had
+given orders that no expense should be spared, and the magnificence of
+the pageant amazed the foreign ambassadors and visitors from Mantua and
+Ferrara. Not only were the walls and balconies hung with red and blue
+satin or brocades, while wreaths of ivy were twined round the columns
+and doorways, but one whole street where the armourers had their shops
+was lined with effigies of armed warriors on horseback, entirely clad
+with chain-armour and plates of damascened steel. "Every one took these
+mailed figures to be alive," says Tristan Calco, the admiring chronicler
+to whom we owe these details. The procession halted on the _piazza_ in
+front of the Castello, and the heralds gave a loud blast of music as the
+bride was lifted from her horse, and received under the grand portal by
+the duchess-mother, Bona of Savoy, and her two daughters, Bianca Maria
+and Anna Sforza. Bona herself had returned to Milan at the French king's
+request soon after her son's marriage, and had consented to an outward
+reconciliation with her brother-in-law, Lodovico. Her daughter Anna's
+marriage with the heir of the house of Este had always been one of the
+objects of her fondest wishes, and now she gave Duchess Leonora and her
+daughters a cordial welcome to her son's court.
+
+On the following day the marriage of Alfonso d'Este and the princess
+Anna was privately solemnized in the ducal chapel, but the final nuptial
+benediction was deferred until their return to Ferrara, a month later.
+Meanwhile the bride's sumptuous trousseau and jewels, as well as the
+splendid presents received by her, were displayed during the next week
+in the Castello, before the courtiers who came to pay their homage to
+the newly wedded Duke and Duchess of Bari. Of Anna Sforza herself we
+hear little, but her beauty and gentleness are praised by more than one
+contemporary chronicler, and endeared her especially to her uncle
+Lodovico, who was sincerely grieved by her early death. She and her
+husband paid frequent visits to Milan after her marriage, and were very
+happy in the society of Beatrice, whom she only survived a few months,
+dying at the birth of her first babe, to the great sorrow of her
+father-in-law, Duke Ercole. "She was very beautiful and very charming,"
+writes the Ferrarese diarist, "and there is little to tell about her,
+because she lived so short a time."
+
+The most splendid _fetes_ were yet to come. On the 24th of January, the
+day after Alfonso and Anna's wedding, three tribunals were erected on
+the piazza, the one occupied by a group of heralds and trumpeters, the
+other loaded with precious bowls and dishes of gold and silver plate,
+the gifts of the magistrates of Milan and other cities to Signor
+Lodovico and his bride. The new duchess, accompanied by the other
+princes and princesses, arrayed in their richest robes and literally
+blazing with precious jewels, writes an eye-witness, ascended the third
+tribunal erected in the centre, and received the homage of the deputies
+of the city; after which two cavaliers, a Visconti and a Suardi, bending
+on one knee before the bride, took from her hand two lengths of cloth of
+gold, which were hung in the courtyard, as prizes to be given to the
+victor in the tournament. That evening two hundred Milanese ladies of
+high rank were invited to the great ball, or _festa per le donne_, given
+in the Sala della palla. On this occasion peasant girls from all parts
+of Italy, clad in the red, white, and blue of the Sforza colours, danced
+before the court, and "the palm of Terpsichore," we are told, was
+awarded to a Tuscan maiden.
+
+On the 26th, the Giostra, which was to be the crowning event of the
+week's festivities, began. At the tournament held in Pavia in honour of
+Giangaleazzo's wedding, the knights had for the most part appeared in
+their ordinary attire; but this time, to add greater splendour to the
+occasion, they entered the lists in companies, clad in fancy costumes
+and bearing symbolical devices after the fashion of the day. First of
+all came the Mantuan troop of twenty horsemen clad in green velvet and
+gold lace, bearing golden lances and olive boughs in their hand, with
+Isabella's kinsman, Alfonso Gonzaga, at their head. Then came Annibale
+Bentivoglio, the young husband of Lucrezia d'Este, with the Bologna
+knights, riding on a triumphal car drawn by stags and unicorns, the
+badge of the House of Este. These were followed by Gaspare di
+Sanseverino, with a band of twelve riders in black and gold Moorish
+dress, bearing Lodovico's device of the Moor's head on their helmets and
+white doves on their black armour. Last of all came a troop of wild
+Scythians, mounted on Barbary steeds, who galloped across the _piazza_,
+and then, halting in front of the ducal party, suddenly threw off their
+disguise and appeared in magnificent array, with the captain of the
+Milanese armies, Galeazzo di Sanseverino, at their head. He planted his
+golden lance in the ground, and at this sign a giant Moor, advancing to
+the front, recited a poem in honour of Duchess Beatrice.[6]
+
+These pageants and masques formed an important feature of Renaissance
+_fetes_, and were evidently regarded as such by the chroniclers of these
+wedding festivities, but to us the chief interest of this tournament
+lies in the knowledge that the Scythian disguise assumed by Galeazzo di
+Sanseverino and his companions was designed by no less a personage than
+Leonardo da Vinci. Some of the drawings of savages and masks which we
+see to-day on the stray leaves of his sketch-books may relate to these
+figures, but we know for certain that he was actually employed by Messer
+Galeazzo to arrange this masquerade. In a note in his own handwriting,
+on the margin of the "Codex Atlanticus," we read, "Item, 26 of January,
+being in the house of Messer Galeazzo di San Sev^o, ordering the festa
+of his Giostra, certain men-at-arms took off their vests to try on some
+clothes of savages, upon which Giacomo" (the apprentice whom he had
+already caught thieving at Pavia) "took up a purse which lay on the bed
+with their other clothes, and took the money that was inside it." The
+actual share which the great Florentine took in the preparation of the
+wedding festivities has often been discussed, and we are never likely to
+know how much of the duchess's cabinet he painted, or what part he took
+in the decoration of the city, but at least this characteristic note on
+the lad whose honesty he had reason to suspect, proves that he was
+present in Milan at the time, and was the authority to whom Lodovico's
+son-in-law naturally turned for advice in planning this masquerade.
+Incidents of this kind help us to realize how many and varied were the
+offices Leonardo was called upon to discharge in his master's service,
+and how frequent were the interruptions which interfered with the
+painting of his pictures or the modelling of his great horse.
+
+After this pageant, the serious business of the Giostra began, and the
+tilting-matches lasted during three whole days. Among the foremost
+knights who distinguished themselves on this occasion, the chronicler
+and court poet mention the Marquis of Mantua, who entered the lists in
+disguise; young Annibale Bentivoglio, who wounded his hand badly, but
+refused to leave the ground; the Marchesino Girolamo Stanga, one of
+Isabella d'Este's especial friends and of Beatrice's most devoted
+servants; and Niccolo da Correggio, who was universally admired in his
+suit of gold brocade. All four Sanseverini brothers fought in the lists
+with their wonted skill and valour, but once more Messer Galeazzo,
+_Gentis columen_, came off the victor and proved himself unrivalled in
+courtly exercises, both as jouster and swordsman. On the last day of the
+tournament the prizes were given away, and Messer Galeazzo was conducted
+triumphantly to the Rocca, and there received the _pallium_ of gold
+brocade from the bride's own hand.[7] As soon as Lodovico recognized the
+Marquis of Mantua, he sent him a pressing invitation to take his place
+with the ducal party; and Gianfrancesco, unable to refuse so courteous a
+request, joined his wife and sat down with the rest of his kinsfolk to
+the family banquet, which was held that night in the Castello.
+
+A curious letter, addressed by the Duke of Milan to his uncle Cardinal
+Ascanio Sforza in Rome, gives a full and minute account of this
+tournament, which Giangaleazzo describes as one of the most important
+events of his reign, and which he begs may be fully reported to His
+Holiness Pope Innocent. He dwells on the extraordinary magnificence of
+the sight, on the number and size of the lances used, which were more
+numerous and larger than ever before seen on these occasions, and ends
+with a splendid tribute to Messer Galeazzo, who both in valour and
+fortune surpassed all others. On the other hand, we recognize the
+cunning of Lodovico in the despatch addressed on this occasion by the
+ducal secretary to the Milanese envoy at Bologna. Here the incidents of
+the Giostra are briefly recounted, and great stress is laid on the
+valour displayed by Messer Annibale Bentivoglio, who, notwithstanding
+his wounded hand, broke many lances, and, in spite of his great youth,
+proved himself as skilled a jouster as any, and won no less glory than
+if he had borne off the prize, which he would certainly have done if
+fortune had served him as well as he deserved.
+
+The wedding festivities were now brought to a close, and were
+unanimously pronounced to have passed off with brilliant success.
+Nothing now remained for the bride's mother but to take leave of her
+daughter and return home. Accordingly, on the 1st of February, Duchess
+Leonora set out on her homeward journey, with her son and his newly-made
+bride and the Marchioness Isabella, accompanied by an escort of two
+hundred Milanese gentlemen, with Anna's brother, Ermes Sforza, and the
+Count of Caiazzo--Gianfrancesco, the eldest of the Sanseverino brothers
+--at their head. Both Leonora and Isabella were anxious to see the
+Certosa, of which they had heard so much, on their way back to Pavia,
+and Lodovico, glad to do the honours of this famous abbey, in which he
+took a just pride, sent a courier with the following letter to inform
+the prior and brothers of the Duchess of Ferrara's visit:--
+
+"Since, besides the other honours which we have paid to the illustrious
+Duchess of Ferrara, we are above all anxious to show her the most
+remarkable things in our domain, and since we count this our church and
+monastery to be among the chief of these, we write this to inform you
+that the said duchess will visit the Certosa on Wednesday next, on her
+return home. And we desire you to give her a fitting reception, and to
+prepare an honourable banquet for the duchess and her company, which
+will number about four hundred persons and horses. No excuse on your
+part can be allowed, since this is our will and pleasure. And above all
+you will see that an abundant supply of lampreys is prepared. But we are
+quite sure that you will do your best to pay honour to the duchess,
+since otherwise we should feel obliged to do a thing that would be
+displeasing to you, and send our chamberlain to provide for her
+honourable entertainment."[8]
+
+The prior and brothers of the Certosa knew their own interest too well
+not to comply with this somewhat imperious missive, and left nothing
+undone which could gratify their illustrious guests. Isabella's
+curiosity for the beautiful and marvellous was amply gratified, and in
+Lodovico's future letters to his sister-in-law we find more than one
+allusion to "our church and convent of the Certosa, which you saw when
+you were at Pavia." After spending the following night at the Castello
+di Pavia, the duchess and her large party embarked on the bucentaurs
+that were awaiting them at the junction of the Ticino and the Po, and
+reached Ferrara on the 11th of February, there to begin a new series of
+splendid entertainments in honour of Don Alfonso's marriage with this
+Sforza princess.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[6] Porro in A. S. L., ix. 501, etc.
+
+[7] T. Chalcus, _Residua_, 90.
+
+[8] C. Magenta, _I Visconti e Sforza nel Castello di Pavia_, i.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+
+Beatrice Duchess of Bari--Her popularity at the court of
+Milan--Giangaleazzo and Isabella of Aragon--Lodovico's first
+impressions--His growing affection for his wife--His letters to Isabella
+d'Este--Hunting and fishing parties--Cuzzago and Vigevano--Controversy
+on Orlando and Rinaldo--Bellincioni's sonnets.
+
+
+1491
+
+
+We have seen how the childhood and early youth of Beatrice d'Este had
+been spent, first at her grandfather the King Ferrante's court at
+Naples, afterwards in her own home at Ferrara. Under the watchful eye of
+a wise and careful mother, she had been trained in all the learning and
+accomplishments of the day, but had been allowed little liberty or
+opportunity of revealing her strong individuality. Her charms and
+talents had been thrown into the shade by the superior beauty and
+intellect of the Marchioness Isabella, and until the day she landed at
+Pavia she had been regarded in the comparatively insignificant light of
+the younger and less gifted sister. Now all this suddenly changed. At
+the age of fifteen, Beatrice d'Este found herself the wife of the ablest
+and most powerful prince in Italy, released from all the restraints
+hitherto imposed upon her and placed in a position of absolute freedom
+and independence. From the quiet regularity of the sheltered life which
+she had led at Ferrara by her mother's side, she suddenly found herself
+transplanted to the gayest and most splendid court in Italy, surrounded
+by every luxury that wealth could give and every beautiful object that
+taste could devise. The bravest captains and the most accomplished
+artists of the day were at her feet, ready to obey her orders and
+gratify her smallest fancy. Leonardo and Bramante were at hand to
+arrange pageants and masquerades, to paint _amorini_ on her mantelpiece
+or mythological fables along the frieze of her rooms, to build elegant
+pavilions, or lay out labyrinths and lakes in her garden. Bellincioni
+and a dozen other poets celebrated her name and recorded her words and
+actions in verse; learned scholars and commentators read Dante to her
+when she cared to listen. Niccolo da Correggio not only wrote sonnets
+and canzoni for her to sing but invented new patterns for her gowns; and
+Cristoforo Romano laid down the sculptor's chisel to play the lyre or
+viol for her pleasure. For her the wise man of Pavia, Lorenzo Gusnasco,
+fashioned cunningly wrought instruments, lutes and viols inlaid with
+ebony and ivory, and organs inscribed with Latin mottoes; and the
+wonderful tenor, Cordier, the priest of Louvain, sang his sweetest and
+most entrancing strains in the ducal chapel. For her amusement the court
+jesters laughed and chattered and played their foolish tricks--Diodato,
+who had followed her from Ferrara, and the witty clown Barone, the
+petted favourite of Isabella d'Este and Veronica Gambara and a dozen
+other great ladies. And Messer Galeazzo was ready to risk his life and
+ruin his best clothes, all for the sake of his duchess. From the moment
+of Beatrice's arrival at the Milanese court she won all hearts, less by
+her beauty than by her vivacity and high spirits, her bright eyes and
+ringing laugh, her frank gladness and keen enjoyment of life. How
+favourable was the first impression which the young duchess made upon
+those around her, we learn from the letters which the Ferrarese envoy
+and ladies-in-waiting addressed almost daily to her anxious parents,
+during the first few weeks after her marriage. Every little incident,
+each word or act that is likely to please Duchess Leonora, is faithfully
+reported by these good servants, in their eagerness to allay the natural
+fears of the loving mother for the absent child in her brilliant but
+difficult position. The demeanour of Signor Lodovico towards his wife,
+all he said and thought of her, was narrowly watched by Giacomo Trotti,
+and duly repeated in his letters to Ferrara. For the present this was
+eminently satisfactory. "Signor Lodovico," writes the ambassador during
+the wedding festivities at Milan, "has nothing but the highest praise
+both for his wife and the Marchesana. He is never tired of saying how
+much pleasure he takes in their company.
+
+"Here jousting and tilting, feasting and dancing, are the order of the
+day. Signor Lodovico is delighted with his wife's appearance, and
+to-day, when she gave away the prizes, he kissed her repeatedly in the
+eyes of all the people."
+
+And again a few days later, when the festivities were ended and the
+ducal family were enjoying a little rest before the party broke up, he
+writes--
+
+"Whenever Lodovico Sforza is wanted, he is always to be found in the
+company of his wife, of the Marchesana, of Don Alfonso and Madonna Anna,
+with whom he is never tired of talking and laughing, exactly as if he
+were a youth of their own age."
+
+On the 6th of February, after the departure of the duchess and her
+children, Trotti wrote again, remarking, "Signor Lodovico seems to think
+of nothing but how best to please and amuse his wife, and every day he
+tells me how dear she is to him."[9]
+
+Among the Ferrarese ladies who had remained at Milan, in attendance on
+the young duchess, was her cousin, Polisenna d'Este, who, being
+considerably older and more sedate, and no longer either young or
+beautiful, had for these very reasons been placed by Leonora in her
+daughter's household, and desired to keep her informed of all that
+happened. Early in February this lady-in-waiting wrote the following
+letter to Isabella d'Este, in terms that were well calculated to
+reassure both the anxious sister and mother as to Beatrice's happiness
+and her husband's behaviour:--
+
+
+"MOST ILLUSTRIOUS MADONNA AND DEAR MARCHESANA,
+
+"Since I have remained here after your Highness's departure from Milan,
+continually in the company of your sister, the illustrious Duchess of
+Bari, and of her husband, Signor Lodovico, I will no longer delay to
+discharge my duty in sending you some comforting words as to the
+well-being and happiness of the said duchess. I cannot express how happy
+she is to see herself every day more affectionately caressed and petted
+by her husband, who seems to find his sole delight in giving her every
+possible pleasure and amusement. It is indeed a rare joy to see them
+together and to realize what cordial love and good-will he bears her.
+God grant it may last long! And I felt that I must write this good news
+to your Highness, knowing that it would give you especial satisfaction.
+I will only add that the air here seems to suit her particularly well,
+and that she is certainly very much improved and stronger in appearance,
+and seems every day to grow more beautiful. I beg of your Highness to
+commend me to Madonna Beatrice and Collona.
+
+                                   "Your Highness's servant,
+                                                     POLISSENA D'ESTE.
+
+From Milan, 12th of February, 1491."
+
+And Beatrice herself wrote to Isabella in answer to her letter from her
+sister, describing the festivities at Ferrara, where her presence had
+been sadly missed by her affectionate relatives.
+
+"I leave you to imagine how much content and delight your letter of the
+17th has given me. For in it you give me so full and vivid a description
+of the successful _fetes_ in honour of the wedding of Madonna Anna, our
+brother's wife and dearest sister, that I seem to have been present
+there myself. And since you know well how much I love and respect you, I
+am sure you will understand how glad I was to hear from you. Your
+letter, indeed, gave me greater pleasure than any which I have received
+since you left here, and I am quite sure that all of these pageants and
+spectacles were distinguished by the utmost beauty and gallantry, as you
+say, since they were all planned and arranged by our dear father, who
+orders these things with consummate wisdom and perfection. I can well
+believe that my absence has been a real grief to you, and that these
+_fetes_ have given you but little pleasure, since I was not there. For
+my own part, I cannot deny that, now I am without your company, I feel
+not only that I am deprived of a very dear sister, but that I have lost
+half of myself. And if it were not for the new and continual amusements
+which my illustrious husband provides every day for my pleasure, I
+should have been inconsolable until I could be once more with you. But
+since our hearts and thoughts are still one, and we are able to exchange
+letters constantly, I beg you to take comfort as I do, and rest content
+in feeling that, now these ceremonies are all over, we can at least speak
+to each other by means of letters, written with our own hands, as you
+have promised me."[10]
+
+This simple, warm-hearted letter, which breathes all the frankness and
+affection of Beatrice's nature, is written, like most of her early
+letters, in her own hand. The words are often badly spelt, and her
+handwriting is larger and less formed than that of Isabella, which it
+otherwise resembles. But owing to the multiplicity of interests and
+occupations that claimed her time after the first years of her married
+life, the young duchess generally employed a secretary, and has left
+comparatively few letters. Lodovico himself addressed several letters to
+his sister-in-law, to whom he was sincerely attached, and in order to
+facilitate the intercourse between the two sisters, and as he said, to
+leave Isabella no excuse for not answering his communications, he sent a
+courier regularly every week to Mantua, with orders to await the
+Marchesana's pleasure and bring back her letters.
+
+"Loving you cordially as I do," he writes, a fortnight after her
+departure, "and, knowing that I have in you a very dear sister, nothing
+can give me greater pleasure than letters from your hand. I thank your
+Highness most sincerely for all that you tell me, and most of all for
+your warm expressions of affection and for saying how sorry you were to
+leave us, and how not even the splendid _fetes_ in Ferrara could console
+you for being deprived of our presence. All I beg of you is to write
+often, and I will see that your letters are brought here."
+
+Besides her sister and brother-in-law and Madonna Polisenna, Isabella
+had another correspondent at the court of Milan, in the person of Messer
+Galeazzo di Sanseverino, with whom she had formed a warm friendship at
+Pavia, and who had promised to give her frequent news of her sister,
+while at the same time he still carried on the battle over Roland and
+Rinaldo which had been started in the park of the Castello at Pavia. He
+too, writing on the 11th of February, was able to assure the Marchesana
+that all was going well, and that the relations between her sister and
+Signor Lodovico left nothing to be desired.
+
+"My Duchess," as he always calls the mistress to whose service he had
+pledged his sword and life, "perseveres in showing Signor Lodovico an
+affection which is truly beyond all praise, and, to put it briefly, I am
+satisfied that there is such real attachment between them, that I do not
+believe two persons could love each other better."
+
+The presence of this young and joyous princess gave a touch of romance
+to court life, and inspired men like Galeazzo and Niccolo da Correggio
+with a chivalrous devotion to her person. Every one was ready to obey
+her wishes, and eager to win her smiles and to earn her thanks.
+
+Even Giangaleazzo, the feeble duke who seldom took pleasure in anything
+but horses and dogs, and often treated his own wife in a brutal way,
+felt the charm of this bright young creature, and was stirred out of his
+usual apathy by the coming of Beatrice. In a letter which he addressed
+to the Duke of Ferrara after the wedding festivities, he went out of his
+way to express the affection with which this charming princess, his
+wife's cousin and his uncle's wife, has inspired him.
+
+"I cannot," he writes, "sufficiently express how much joy this marriage
+has given me, and how glad I am to see the singular virtues and talents
+of _Madonna la sposa_." And after formally congratulating the duke on
+his daughter's marriage, and on the renewed alliance between the two
+houses, he goes on to say how much he rejoices in his uncle's happiness,
+which will, he feels sure, only increase his own. "For by means of this
+marriage, besides the two sisters which God had already given us, we
+have now gained a third, whom by God's grace we shall not love less than
+the two who are ours by nature."
+
+Giangaleazzo's own wife, Duchess Isabella, a virtuous and high-minded
+princess whose own merits were sadly hampered by her husband's weakness
+and folly, was much beloved by her own servants, but inherited the proud
+reserve of the Aragonese race, and led a secluded existence with her
+lord, who hated town life and seldom showed his face in Milan. But this
+young wife of Lodovico, it was easy to see, would soon throw her into
+the shade. Beatrice's presence lent a charm to the most tedious court
+functions. Her high spirits and overflowing mirth threw new zest into
+every pursuit. Grave senators and wise statesmen listened to her words
+with interest, and grey-headed prelates tolerated her merry jokes and
+smiled at her irrepressible laughter. She sang and danced, and played at
+ball and rode races, and took long hunting and fishing expeditions to
+the royal villas in the neighbourhood of Milan. "My wife," wrote
+Lodovico to his sister-in-law three months after his marriage, "has
+developed a perfect passion for horsemanship, and is always either
+riding or hunting."
+
+The regent himself was too deeply engaged in state affairs, and devoted
+too much time and attention to the details of administration, to be able
+to accompany his wife as a rule. But she had a devoted comrade in her
+husband's son-in-law, whom he deputed to escort the duchess on her more
+distant expeditions. Since his betrothal to Lodovico's daughter,
+Galeazzo had enjoyed all the privileges of a son, and was already, what
+the Moro had promised to make him, the first man in the state. He
+assisted at all state audiences, and was the only person present when
+Lodovico received foreign ambassadors. He shared the Moro's private
+life, and always dined alone with the duke and duchess when there were
+no other guests at their table. His letters to Isabella d'Este give
+lively accounts of the expeditions which he took in Beatrice's company
+during the first few months of her married life.
+
+"This morning, being Friday," he writes on the 11th of February, 1491,
+"I started at ten o'clock with the duchess and all of her ladies on
+horseback to go to Cussago, and in order to let your Highness enter
+fully into our pleasures, I must tell you that first of all I had to
+ride in a chariot with the duchess and Dioda, and as we drove we sang
+more than twenty-five songs, arranged for three voices. That is to say,
+Dioda took the tenor part, and the duchess the soprano, whilst I sang
+sometimes bass and sometimes soprano, and played so many foolish tricks
+that I really think I may claim to be more of a fool than Dioda! And now
+farewell for to-night, and I will try to improve still further, so as to
+afford your Highness the more pleasure when you come here in the
+summer."
+
+But Messer Galeazzo's story does not end here. A day or two later he
+takes up the thread of his discourse again, and describes the pleasant
+day which the duchess spent at Cussago, one of Lodovico Sforza's
+favourite villas on the sunny slopes of the Brianza, six miles from
+Milan, on the way to Como.
+
+"Having reached Cussago," he goes on, "we had a grand fishing expedition
+in the river, and caught an immense quantity of large pike, trout,
+lampreys, crabs, and several other good sorts of smaller fish, and
+proceeded to dine off them until we could eat no more. Then, to make our
+meal digest the better, directly after dinner we began to play at ball
+with great vigour and energy, and after we had played for some time we
+went over the palace, which is really very beautiful, and, among other
+things, contains a doorway of carved marble, as fine as the new works at
+the Certosa. Next we examined the result of our sport, which had been
+laid out in front of the place, and took back as many of the lampreys
+and crabs as we could eat with us, and sent some of the lampreys to his
+Highness the duke. When this was done, we went to another palace and
+caught more than a thousand large trout, and after choosing out the best
+for presents and for our own holy throats, we had the rest thrown back
+into the water. And then we mounted our horses again, and began to let
+fly some of those good falcons of mine which you saw at Pavia, along the
+river-side, and they killed several birds. By this time it was already
+four o'clock. We rode out to hunt stags and fawns, and after giving
+chase to twenty-two and killing two stags and two fawns, we returned
+home and reached Milan an hour after dark, and presented the result of
+our day's sport to my lord the Duke of Bari. My illustrious lord took
+the greatest possible pleasure in hearing all we had done, far more,
+indeed, than if he had been there in person, and I believe that my
+duchess will in the end reap the greatest benefit, and that Signor
+Lodovico will give her Cussago, which is a place of rare beauty and
+worth. But I have cut my boots to pieces and torn my clothes, and played
+the fool into the bargain, and these are the rewards one gains in the
+service of ladies. However, I will have patience, since it is all for
+the sake of my duchess, whom I never mean to fail in life or death."
+
+[Illustration: SFORZA MS. ILLUMINATED _From a private photograph._]
+
+Galeazzo was a true prophet, and in the British Museum we may still
+admire the beautifully illuminated deed of gift, adorned with friezes of
+exquisite cherubs and medallion-portraits of Lodovico and Beatrice, by
+which the fair palace and lands of Cussago became the property of the
+young duchess. This favourite villa of the Visconti had been left by
+Francesco Sforza to his son Lodovico, who had employed a host of
+architects and painters to adorn its walls. Bramante is said to have
+reared the noble bell-tower and portico that are still standing, while
+Milanese or Pavian sculptors carved the medallions bearing the Sforza
+arms, and the portrait of Lodovico that may still be seen on the arcades
+of the loggia. To-day the once beautiful country-house is a ruin; the
+marble doorway which Galeazzo and Beatrice admired, carved it may be by
+that same Cristoforo Romano to whom we owe the portal of the Stanga
+palace, and that of Isabella d'Este's studio at Mantua, has disappeared.
+Only the fragments of frescoes and the rich terra-cotta mouldings and
+slender columns of the elegant _cortile_ recall the joyous day which
+Beatrice d'Este and her ladies spent at the villa. But their memory
+sheds a glamour on the scene, and in the story of those Renaissance
+days, among so much that is dark and sinister, it is pleasant to recall
+this picture of the young duchess and her gallant cavalier singing songs
+for pure gladness of heart as they rode out together in the fair spring
+morning.
+
+"One thing only," wrote Messer Galeazzo, "was wanting to our pleasure,
+and that was the sweet company of yourself, fair Madonna Marchesana."
+And with a sigh he tells her how much she is missed in the Castello of
+Milan, and how often he wishes he could find her in Madonna the Duchess
+of Ferrara's rooms, having her long hair combed and curled by her
+favourite maidens Teodora and Beatrice and Violante, to all of whom he
+sends courteous greeting. Then he returns to the old controversy over
+Orlando, and replies to a gay challenge which Isabella has sent him in a
+letter to Signor Lodovico, only wishing she were here to defend Rinaldo
+in person, or rather to be made to own the error of her ways, and to
+confess that the knight of Montalbano is not to be compared to Roland!
+But he warns her that if she perseveres in this heresy, he will draw up
+such an indictment of Rinaldo's faults as will fill her with confusion,
+and make her recognize with shame his inferiority to Roland, that baron
+of immortal fame, of whom nothing but good can be said. Isabella,
+however, stuck to her colours, and, a whole month later, Messer Galeazzo
+sent her a long letter from Vigevano, in which he drew up an elaborate
+parallel between the conduct of the two paladins, as recorded in
+Boiardo's poem, and ended with a splendid eulogy of Roland.
+
+"Roland the most Christian! Roland the pure and strong, prudent, just,
+and merciful servant of Christ, the true defender of widows and orphans!
+Of his valour I will say nothing, this being known to all the world; but
+this I say, that when I think of my worship for Roland, however sad and
+ill disposed I may be feeling, my heart rejoices, and I become glad of
+heart and joyous again."
+
+So he begs her, for the love that he bears her Highness, to try and
+amend her ways and recant her errors, and do penitence in this Lenten
+season for her fault, after the example of the great apostle St. Paul,
+who was converted to the Christian faith, and became an elect son and
+mighty preacher of the gospel, bringing many to righteousness and
+enjoying the high favour of our Lord God. For Roland, the Marchesa may
+know for certain, has his place in Paradise with the saints, "and in
+serving him you will be serving God; but if, on the other hand, you
+persevere in your false opinions, you will find that you are serving the
+devil, who accompanied Rinaldo both in his life here and afterwards in
+his death. And remember," he adds in conclusion, "when the blind lead
+the blind, both fall into the ditch!"
+
+Nothing daunted by this long harangue, Isabella retorted in an equally
+lengthy epistle, flatly denying the charges brought against Rinaldo as
+false and unsupported by a tittle of evidence. Galeazzo replied in
+another bantering letter, assuming the part of a priest, and exhorting
+the fair sinner to confess her faults in these holy days of Passiontide,
+lest she should incur greater damnation, and drive her soul into the
+devil's jaws.
+
+"And since this is the hour of penitence and contrition," he concludes,
+"I would once more beg and pray your Highness to return to the true
+faith and devotion of Roland, having before your eyes the good example
+of our most illustrious duchess, your sister, who has acknowledged her
+errors, and become a sincere follower of Roland, as a good Christian,
+and is now gone to Milan to obtain pardon.
+
+                                "Your most humble and devoted servant,
+                                             GALEAZ SFORTIA VICECOMES,
+                                             _Armorum Capitaneus_.[11]
+
+Vigevano, 30th of March, 1491."
+
+Isabella, however, still remained obdurate, declaring that on no account
+would she follow Beatrice's changeable conduct, and was ready to defend
+her hero against a hundred thousand opponents. Upon which Galeazzo
+reminded her that, for all her boastings, she had been constrained to
+yield to his single-handed efforts in the park at Pavia, and had ended
+by taking up his cry of "Roland." The more pity that she should turn her
+back upon the good cause now, and prove the inconstancy of woman's
+nature! But he consoled himself by reflecting that the Marchesana would
+soon be back at Milan, when he would easily be able to make her give up
+Rinaldo, and once more cry "Roland" as she had done before.
+
+This letter was written by Galeazzo on the 13th of April, after which
+the subject dropped for a while, until it was revived by a visit which
+his brother, Gaspare Fracassa, paid to Mantua in the summer with his
+wife, Margherita Pia, a great friend of the Marchesana and Duchess of
+Urbino. Isabella could not resist the opportunity of returning the
+charge, and sent Messer Galeazzo, by his brother's hands, a challenge to
+battle, couched in approved terms, and indicating her choice of arms and
+of the scene of action. Galeazzo replied in the most courteous language,
+declaring himself absolutely at the service of his fair challenger, and
+assuring her that her coming is awaited with the utmost impatience by
+Signor Lodovico, the Duchess of Bari, and her humble servant.
+
+Meanwhile Isabella prepared herself for the fray by collecting all the
+information on the subject that she could possibly obtain. In that same
+month of August, when Galeazzo sent her the last-named letter from his
+villa at Castelnuovo, near Tortona, the Marchesana wrote to the Mantuan
+ambassador at Venice, desiring him to send her all the poems and
+romances concerning French paladins at the court of Charlemagne which he
+could discover. At the same time she addressed a letter to her old
+friend, Messer Matteo Boiardo, at Ferrara, requesting him to send her
+the concluding cantos of his poem, the "Orlando Innamorato," which had
+not as yet been given to the world. The poet replied that, to his great
+regret, he was unable to comply with her wish, since the cantos in
+question were not yet written; and Isabella could only beg him to let
+her have a copy of the two earlier books, in order that she might
+refresh her memory by reading them once more.
+
+But the Marchesana's intended visit to Milan was, after all, put off,
+and Messer Galeazzo was called away to more arduous duties in camp and
+field. The debate, which had been prolonged with so much wit and
+ingenuity on both sides, came to an abrupt ending. It was left to the
+Florentine poet, Bellincioni, in whose verses the smallest incidents
+that took place at court were faithfully reflected, to celebrate this
+"praiseworthy and memorable duel of intellect between these two august
+personages." At Beatrice's command Bellincioni wrote three sonnets
+illustrating the arguments brought forward on either side. In the first,
+he adopts Isabella's standpoint, and is all in favour of Rinaldo. In the
+second, he sees a vision of Roland with the saints in Paradise, and
+declares almost in the same language as Galeazzo, that whereas Rinaldo
+was only a brave soldier, Roland was able and virtuous as well as
+valiant. Finally, in the third, he exhorts the illustrious marchioness
+to recant her errors, since the Scriptures tell us that it is human to
+err, and not to follow the bad example of Pharaoh who hardened his
+heart, but to see how immeasurably inferior Rinaldo was to his rival,
+and to become, with Messer Galeazzo and others of his merit, a true
+Christian and follower of Roland.
+
+The whole controversy is a curious instance of the deep interest which
+these great ladies of the Italian Renaissance and their courtiers took
+in literary subjects, and especially in the romances of the Carlovingian
+cycle. This interest was not confined to the upper circles of society,
+but spread through all classes, and was no doubt largely increased by
+the songs and the improvisations of strolling minstrels and Provencal
+story-tellers. First of all the Florentine Pulci, and after him Boiardo
+and Bello of Ferrara, sought inspiration in the same source, and later
+on their example was followed by Ariosto and Tasso. And Poggio, writing
+in the fifteenth century, tells us how in his day a worthy citizen of
+Milan, after hearing one of these wandering _cantatores_ chanting the
+story of Roland's death with dramatic action and effect, went home
+weeping so bitterly that his wife and friends could hardly console him
+or induce him to dry his tears. "And yet," remarks the grave historian,
+"this Roland they tell of has been dead well-nigh seven hundred years."
+
+Unfortunately, Isabella's share in this singular and interesting
+correspondence has perished, and only Messer Galeazzo's letters survive.
+These may still be seen in the Gonzaga Archives, where they were first
+discovered by Signor Alessandro Luzio and Signor Rodolfo Renier. These
+learned writers are in some perplexity as to the identity of the writer,
+since the letters are signed Galeaz _Sfortia Vicecomes_, and internal
+evidence will not allow them to have been written by any Galeazzo Sforza
+or Visconti then living. But there can hardly be a doubt as to who the
+writer actually was. Galeazzo di Sanseverino had been adopted by
+Lodovico Sforza when he married his daughter Bianca, and from that time
+used the surname of the ducal house, _Sfortia Vicecomes_, and very
+frequently added his title of _Armorum Capitaneus_, captain of the
+armies of Milan. His well-known patronage of artists and love of
+letters, as well as his intimate connection with the duke and duchess,
+all point in the same direction; and if any further proof were needed,
+the mention of his brother Gaspare, and the allusion to Galeazzo by name
+in one of Bellincioni's sonnets on the subject, and the fact that one of
+the letters is dated from his own villa of Castelnuovo, near Tortona,
+would be sufficient to settle the question. The champion of Orlando and
+the faithful servant of Beatrice d'Este was, it is evident, none other
+than the friend of Leonardo and Castiglione--that ideal knight, Galeazzo
+di Sanseverino.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[9] G. Uzielli, _Leonardo da Vinci_, etc., p. 26.
+
+[10] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 98.
+
+[11] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 104.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+Relations between Lodovico and Beatrice--Cecilia Gallerani--Birth of her
+son Cesare--Her marriage to Count Bergamini--Beatrice at Villa Nova and
+Vigevano--The Sforzesca and Pecorara--Lodovico's system of irrigation in
+the Lomellina--Leonardo at Vigevano--Hunting-parties and country
+life--Letters to Isabella d'Este.
+
+1491
+
+All these caresses and adulation, all the expeditions and hunting-parties
+and _fetes_ in her honour, were naturally very delightful to this young
+princess of fifteen summers, who had till now hardly left home, and who
+flung herself with such boundless enjoyment into every new form of
+amusement. Life for her was full of mirth and rapture; a long prospect of
+endless pleasures seemed to open before her as the first breath of spring
+passed over the green Lombard plains, and the delicious gardens of the
+Castello of Milan and the long avenues on the sunny terraces of Vigevano
+burst into leaf. The world seemed waking into new bliss, and Duchess
+Beatrice was the gayest and gladdest of its creatures. So at least she
+appeared to those who saw her in the full enjoyment of chase or dance.
+But there was a darker side to the picture. Lodovico looked on his young
+wife as a joyous and fascinating child, as he told Giacomo Trotti,
+"_lieta di natura et molto piacevolina_," and thought that as long as he
+treated her with consideration and respect, and at the same time allowed
+her every possible indulgence, he might continue to go on his own way and
+take his pleasure in whatever form he chose. But he soon found out his
+mistake. This young wife of his, full of mirth and high spirits as she
+was, had a deeper nature and a stronger will than he suspected. If a
+constant round of amusements could have satisfied her, she might have
+accepted the playful caresses of her indulgent husband, and been content
+with the share of affection which he bestowed upon her. But Beatrice
+asked for more than this. She was bent on having sole possession of her
+lord's heart--of reigning there at least without a rival. And when she
+discovered that Lodovico had a mistress actually living in the Castello,
+whom he visited constantly and loved passionately, her whole being rose
+up in arms. Her proud spirit would not brook a rival, and she vowed the
+duke must choose between his mistress and his wife. When the Ferrarese
+envoy saw the newly wedded duke on his way to Cecilia Gallerani's rooms
+within a month after his marriage, he was full of gloomy forebodings.
+But Lodovico was perfectly frank with him, and did not attempt to conceal
+his actions or the motives of his conduct. For a while Beatrice spent her
+time riding or hunting about the country with Messer Galeazzo and her
+ladies, and remained in happy ignorance of the true state of affairs. But
+this could not last long. Soon a rumour of Cecilia's presence in the
+Rocca reached her ears; she heard how often the duke was seen in her
+company, and was told that before many weeks were over his mistress was
+likely to bear him a child. The first intimation which we have of this
+rude awakening which had come to the young duchess is in a letter
+addressed by Trotti to Duke Ercole, which he sends in the strictest
+confidence, begging his master to allow no one but our illustrious Madonna
+to read it, and then to burn it without delay.[12] In this letter he says
+that Beatrice has absolutely refused to wear a certain vest of woven gold
+which her husband had given her, if Madonna Cecilia ever appeared in a
+similar one, which it seems was also Lodovico's present. The duke himself,
+he adds, had been to see him that day, and had promised faithfully that he
+would put an end to his _liaison_ with Cecilia, and would either marry
+her to one of his courtiers or desire her to become a nun. Lodovico, it
+is plain, had realized that the situation had become impossible, and
+that he could not keep up his relations with his old mistress without
+causing open scandal. He was true to his promise, and that carnival he
+broke off the connection which gave Beatrice so much pain, and wrote to
+Giacomo Trotti from Vigevano on the 27th of March, informing him that he
+had decided not to see Madonna Cecilia again, and that after her child's
+birth she had agreed to become the wife of Count Lodovico Bergamini. This
+strange compact was duly carried out.
+
+On the 3rd of May, the duke's discarded mistress gave birth to a son,
+who received the name of Cesare; and in the following July, Cecilia
+Gallerani was married to Count Lodovico Bergamini of Cremona, one of the
+Moro's most loyal servants and subjects. Her trousseau on this occasion
+was of the most sumptuous description, and it was noticed that the
+corbeille which held her gowns bore the ducal arms. At the same time the
+Duke of Bari presented her with the stately Palazzo del Verme,
+originally built by his ancestor, Filippo Maria Visconti, for the great
+Captain Carmagnola, on the _piazza_ of the Duomo, as a token of his
+regard and a heritage for her infant son. Court painters and sculptors
+were employed to decorate the halls and porticoes with frescoes and
+medallions of the finest marble, and at the time of the French invasion,
+eight years later, Countess Bergamini's palace was described as the
+finest private house in Milan. Cecilia devoted herself to the classical
+studies in which she had taken delight from her earliest youth, and
+entertained her learned friends in her town house or at her villa near
+Cremona until she died in advanced old age, some years after the last of
+Lodovico's sons had ceased to reign over Milan. Lodovico seems to have
+kept his promise loyally, but always treated Cecilia and her husband
+with marked favour, and acknowledged the boy Cesare as his own son.
+
+A curious letter addressed to him by the poet Bellincioni, in February,
+1492, when the duke was absent from Milan for a few days, begins by
+informing Lodovico that he has given Duchess Beatrice a pastoral which
+she wishes to send her husband, and goes on to say that he was dining
+yesterday with Madonna Cecilia. He tells Lodovico how he had seen her
+son Cesare, who had grown into a very fine child--"_quale e grasso, dico
+grasso!_"--and how he had made the little fellow laugh. In the same
+letter he complains of all that he has to suffer at the hands of envious
+detractors, and by way of ingratiating himself with the duke, reminds
+his Highness that he had always prophesied Madonna Cecilia's child would
+prove to be a boy. Bellincioni himself composed several sonnets in
+honour of Cesare's birth and of his accomplished mother. And among the
+exquisite miniatures of the little Maximilian Sforza's Libro del Gesu in
+the Trivulzian library, we find a picture of Lodovico and Beatrice's
+child sitting at dinner with his mother and a lady bearing the name of
+Cecilia, in whom tradition sees the duke's old mistress, Countess
+Bergamini.
+
+But although Cecilia remained at court, and even maintained friendly
+relations with her famous lover, she never seems to have given Beatrice
+cause for jealousy again, and her name is never again mentioned in
+Giacomo Trotti's confidential despatches to his master. Only the
+singular fact that Beatrice d'Este's portrait was never, so far as we
+know, painted by Leonardo, the supreme master at her husband's court,
+may well be owing to the remembrance that he had formerly painted
+Cecilia Gallerani. The proud young duchess who would not wear a robe
+similar to that bestowed upon his mistress by her husband, may naturally
+enough have declined to have her portrait painted by the same artist,
+however excellent a master he might be. But whether or no this was the
+true reason of this strange omission, there was certainly no portrait of
+Beatrice d'Este by Leonardo's hand in Milan a year after her death, or
+her own sister Isabella would not have applied to Cecilia Gallerani for
+the loan of her picture as an example of Leonardo's art. From this time,
+however, the young duchess succeeded in winning her husband's heart, and
+for many years to come retained undivided possession of his roving
+affections. On the 20th of April, Trotti wrote to Ferrara that Signor
+Lodovico had been to see him on the second or third day in Easter week,
+and had spoken with the greatest warmth and affection of his wife, with
+whom he spent his whole time, and whose charming ways and manners gave
+him the greatest pleasure. Madonna Beatrice is, as he says, not only of
+a joyous nature, but of noble and elevated mind, and at the same time
+very pleasing and no less modest. And in May, when Cecilia's son was
+born, the duke himself told his wife the news, repeating his
+determination never again to renew the old connection. His letters to
+Isabella d'Este abound in the same expressions of genuine love and
+admiration for his young wife. He is never tired of dwelling on her
+perfections, on her courage and fine horsemanship, and looks on with an
+indulgent smile at her wildest freaks and escapades.
+
+Early in March he and Beatrice went to Vigevano, accompanied as usual by
+Messer Galeazzo and a few courtiers and ladies. All his life Lodovico
+retained especial affection for this old Lombard town, where he had been
+born, and which he had greatly improved and beautified during the last
+few years. By his care the streets were paved, and new houses erected;
+the buildings of the ancient Forum, which dated back to Roman times,
+were restored; and the church repaired and adorned with pictures, and
+decorated by the hand of the sculptor Cristoforo Romano.
+
+"At Vigevano," writes the contemporary Milanese chronicler Cagnola, "a
+place very dear to the house of Sforza, Lodovico made a fair and large
+_piazza_, and adorned it with many noble buildings and a fine park,
+which he filled with beasts of prey for the pleasure of the ducal
+family. He also laid out some most beautiful gardens, and since all this
+country was very dry and arid, he constructed aqueducts with great
+artifice and ingenuity, and brought water into the place in such
+abundance that these lands, which had hitherto been sterile and barren,
+bore fruit in great quantities. And so entirely did he improve and alter
+the whole place that, instead of Vigevano, it might well be called
+_Citta nova_."
+
+At the same time Lodovico rebuilt on a magnificent scale the old castle
+which crowns the heights above the valley of the Ticino, and employed
+Bramante to design the lofty tower and the arcaded courts with delicate
+traceries and terra-cotta mouldings in the finest Lombard style. This
+favourite palace of the Moro's has been turned into a barrack, and
+little remains of its former splendour; but Bramante's tower is still
+standing, and on the north gate of the keep we may read a significant
+inscription placed there by the citizens of Vigevano, recording the many
+benefactions of this most illustrious duke, who loved his native city so
+well, and was never tired of heaping benefactions on her people. "By his
+care not only was this splendid house raised from the ground, and the
+square of the old Forum restored to its pristine shape, but the course
+of rivers was turned, and flowing streams of water were brought into
+this dry and barren land. The desert waste became a green and fertile
+meadow, "the wilderness rejoiced and blossomed as the rose."
+
+The same sentiments inspired the verses in which Galeotto del Carretto,
+one of the most accomplished poets of Beatrice's court, celebrated
+Lodovico's improvements in this his favourite country house:
+
+    "Vigevano, che gia fu gleba vile,
+    Ha fatto adorno, e gli agri a quel contigui
+    Ha coltivati con saper utile,
+    E i steril campi, e al far fructo ambigui
+    Fertili ha facto et abondanti prati,
+    E d'acqua ticinese tutti irigui."
+
+Both Cagnola and Galeotto refer, no doubt, to the vast system of
+irrigation which Lodovico constructed at immense pains and expense to
+fertilize this district of Lomellina, and which may well have earned the
+gratitude of its inhabitants. The great Naviglio Sforzesca, which has
+resisted the ravages of time, formed part of this admirable system, and
+was probably constructed under the supervision of Leonardo, who was
+often at Vigevano with Lodovico, and who in later years became his chief
+engineer. It was here, in the immediate neighbourhood of Vigevano, that
+Lodovico established his model farm for the encouragement of agriculture.
+Like all the Moro's other undertakings, this was planned on a splendid
+scale. The villa itself was an imposing quadrangular building, with four
+lofty towers, and a noble gateway adorned with a Latin inscription cut in
+gold letters on a tablet of massive marble, and bearing the date 1486.
+These lines, composed at the duke's request by Ermolao Barbaro, the
+learned Venetian scholar, who was a personal friend of his, and
+represented the republic at his court, record how Lodovico, the son of
+one Sforza Duke of Milan, and uncle and guardian of another, brought
+water to fertilize this barren province, and was the builder of this
+fair house, "_villaque amenissima a fundamentis erecta_." In order to
+carry out his schemes, the duke acquired a large extent of land in the
+neighbourhood, partly by purchase, and partly by the confiscation of
+territory, which, as Corio remarks, naturally provoked much discontent
+among individuals, and did not help to increase Lodovico's popularity,
+although in the end it largely benefited both the state and posterity.
+He proceeded to dig canals, and bring water on the one side by the
+Naviglio Sforzesca from the Ticino, and on the other by the Mora Canal
+from the Val Seria. Then, with the help of exports from Vicenza and
+Verona, he introduced the culture of the mulberry with excellent
+results, and planted large vineyards. Here he tried various experiments
+in the culture of the vine, such, for instance, as that of burying vines
+in winter, which Leonardo noted down when he visited Vigevano in March,
+1492. At the same time Lodovico brought vast flocks of sheep from
+Languedoc, and built the large farm known as La Pecorara, close to the
+new villa. La Grange, as they called this farm, aroused the admiration
+of the French chroniclers who followed Louis XII. in his invasion of
+Lombardy, more than any other of the beautiful and marvellous houses and
+enchanted gardens which they saw in this wonderful land of Milan. Robert
+Gaguin cannot find words in which to express his amazement at the
+marvellous number of beasts that he saw there--horses, mares, oxen,
+cows, bulls, rams, ewes, goats, and other beasts with their young, such
+as fawns, calves, foals, lambs, and kids--or the massive pillars and
+lofty vaulting of the stables, which are described as being larger than
+the whole of the Carthusian convent in Paris.
+
+"The farm itself," he writes, "is finely situated in a wide meadow about
+four leagues in circumference, with no less than thirty-three streams of
+fair running water flowing through the pastures, and well adapted for
+the practical uses of agriculture, since they serve for the bathing and
+cleansing of the animals as well as for the watering of the grass. The
+plan of the farm-buildings is a large square, like some noble cloister,
+and in the park outside are barns and ricks of hay and other produce. In
+the central courtyard are the houses of the governors and captains who
+direct all the work on the farm. In the outhouses, which are built in
+the shape of a great cross, the labourers have their homes, together
+with their wives and families. Some of these clean and tend the cattle
+or groom the horses. Others milk the herds of cows at the proper time.
+Others, again, receive the milk and bear it into the dairies, where it
+is made into the great cheeses which they call here Milan cheeses, under
+the superintendence of the master cheese-maker. The exact weight of
+everything, that is to say, of the hay, milk, butter, and cheese, is
+carefully recorded, and there is an extraordinary wealth and abundance
+of all these things."
+
+These Milan cheeses were so highly esteemed by the French invaders in
+1499, that Louis XII. took back a large quantity with him to Blois, and
+kept them for several years in a room especially devoted to that
+purpose. They were preserved in oil, and are mentioned in one of his
+wife Anne of Brittany's inventories of the year 1504.
+
+Such were the manifold industries which this far-seeing prince
+established on his royal domain, less, as he said, for actual profit
+than for the encouragement of better methods in agriculture and the
+promotion of his poorer subjects' prosperity. And over all he kept the
+same keen and vigilant eye, paying attention to every detail and
+providing for every contingency. The management of this model farm and
+the progress of the extensive works that were being executed in the new
+palace of Vigevano filled every moment that he could spare from affairs
+of state at Milan. But on this occasion his especial object in visiting
+his native city was, as he tells Isabella d'Este, to stock the park with
+game of all kinds--deer, chamois, hare, and pheasants--as well as the
+wild boars and wolves for the more serious sport known as _la grande
+caccia_.
+
+"I am hoping to go to Vigevano on Monday," he writes from Milan on the
+26th of February, "with my wife, and intend to make extensive preparations
+for fresh hunting-parties, so that when you are here we may be able to
+give you the more pleasure. As for my wife, I really believe that since
+your departure she has not let a single day pass without mounting her
+horse!" And later in the summer he says, "My wife has become so clever at
+hawking that she quite outdoes me at this her favourite sport."
+
+Beatrice herself gives a lively account of her country life during the
+spring of 1491, in a charming letter which she addressed to her sister
+from Villa Nova, another of Lodovico's delightful pleasure-houses in the
+valley of the Ticino between Milan and Pavia.
+
+"I am now here at Villa Nova, where the loveliness of the country and
+the balmy sweetness of the air make me think we are already in the month
+of May, so warm and splendid is the weather we are enjoying! Every day
+we go out riding with the dogs and falcons, and my husband and I never
+come home without having enjoyed ourselves exceedingly in hunting herons
+and other water-fowl. I cannot say much of the perils of the chase,
+since game is so plentiful here that hares are to be seen jumping out at
+every corner--so much so, that often we hardly know which way to turn to
+find the best sport. Indeed, the eye cannot take in all one desires to
+see, and it is scarcely possible to count up the number of animals that
+are to be found in this neighbourhood. Nor must I forget to tell you how
+every day Messer Galeazzo and I, with one or two other courtiers, amuse
+ourselves playing at ball after dinner, and we often talk of your
+Highness, and wish that you were here. I say all this, not to diminish
+the pleasure that I hope you will have when you do come by telling you
+what you may expect to find here, but in order that you may know how
+well and happy I am, and how kind and affectionate my husband is, since
+I cannot thoroughly enjoy any pleasure or happiness unless I share it
+with you. And I must tell you that I have had a whole field of garlic
+planted for your benefit, so that when you come, we may be able to have
+plenty of your favourite dishes![13]
+
+"Ex Villa Nova, 18 Martiji, 1491."
+
+It is plain from this letter that harmony had been restored between the
+wedded pair, and that the rock on which Beatrice's happiness had seemed
+likely to founder had been fortunately avoided.
+
+The passing cloud that cast a shadow on her bright young life had rolled
+away, and this letter breathes the serene happiness of the spring airs
+about her. But her affection for her sister was warmer and stronger than
+ever, and hardly a day passed without some fresh expression of her
+impatience for Isabella's return--an impatience which both Lodovico and
+Galeazzo seem to have shared.
+
+On the 21st of April, after describing a successful wolf-hunt from
+Vigevano, in which the Duke and Duchess of Milan and their courtiers had
+all taken part, Lodovico writes--
+
+"The whole distance must have been at least thirty miles, yet on the way
+home both the duchesses stayed behind the rest of us, to make their
+horses race one against the other; and if your Highness had been here, I
+think you would have entered the lists and tried your luck against them.
+And since you must come soon, and are expected by us impatiently, I will
+remind your Highness to bring some of those fine Barbary steeds which
+your illustrious lord the marquis keeps in his stables, and then you
+will easily be able to beat all the others."
+
+Again, on the 16th of May, Lodovico writes in the same strain--
+
+"I am as sorry as you are that you could not be here for these
+wolf-hunts, because, as you said in the letter written with your own
+hand on the 5th instant, I am quite sure you would have given us proofs
+of your spirit and courage. I must, however, tell you that your sister's
+boldness is such that I think even you would hardly come off victor in
+this contest, especially as, since you were here, she has made great
+progress both in the arts of horsemanship and of hunting. All the same,
+I am so impatient to see you together and to match your courage one
+against the other, that it seems to me a thousand years until your
+arrival!"
+
+Beatrice, it appears, was absolutely fearless in the presence of danger,
+and faced an angry boar or wounded stag with the same lightness of
+heart. The greater the risks she ran, the higher her spirits rose. This
+feature of his young wife's character aroused the Moro's highest
+admiration. In a letter of the 8th of July, after recounting the various
+incidents of a long day's hunting, he tells the Marchesa what a narrow
+escape Beatrice has had from an infuriated stag which gored her horse.
+
+"All at once we heard that the wounded stag had been seen, and had
+attacked the horse which my wife was riding, and the next moment we saw
+her lifted up in the air a good lance's height from the ground; but she
+kept her seat, and sat erect all the while. The duke and duchess and I
+all rushed to her help, and asked if she were hurt; but she only
+laughed, and was not in the least frightened."[14]
+
+Isabella herself was burning with eager desire to join Lodovico and
+Beatrice in these hunting-parties, and have a share in the thrilling
+adventures which they narrated in their letters, But her husband the
+marquis was away all the spring and early summer; first at Bologna,
+where he attended his brother Giovanni Gonzaga's wedding, and afterwards
+with his sister the Duchess Elizabeth at Urbino. After his return to
+Mantua he fell ill, and when he recovered it was already late in August,
+and Isabella was compelled very reluctantly to decline Lodovico Sforza's
+pressing invitations. Money was scarce at the court of Mantua, and the
+expenses of a journey to Milan were heavy. So she contented herself with
+going to see her mother that autumn at Ferrara, and put off her visit to
+Milan until the following spring, much to the disappointment of Beatrice
+and her husband. Lodovico wrote her word that he had been arranging a
+tournament at Pavia in honour of the christening of Gian Galeazzo's son,
+the little Count of Pavia, but that since she would not come, he had
+made up his mind to put it off and have no jousting.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[12] G. Uzielli, _op. cit._, p. 27.
+
+[13] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 112.
+
+[14] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 113.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+Isabella of Aragon and Beatrice d'Este--Ambrogio Borgognone and
+Giovanni Antonio Amadeo--Cristoforo Romano and his works at Pavia and
+Cremona--The Certosa of Pavia--Illness of Beatrice--Her journey to
+Genoa--Correspondence between Isabella and Lodovico Sforza--Visit of
+the Marquis of Mantua to Milan.
+
+1491-1492
+
+
+In the frequent letters which Lodovico and Beatrice both of them
+addressed to the Marchioness of Mantua, as well as in those of Giacomo
+Trotti to the Duke of Ferrara, we find many allusions to the Duke of
+Milan's wife, Isabella of Aragon. This princess, who was Beatrice's
+first cousin and only five years older than Lodovico's wife, is
+mentioned not only as present with her husband at all court festivities
+and hunting-parties, but as her constant companion in all her
+occupations and amusements, both at Vigevano and Pavia. In after-days,
+when Lodovico had a son of his own and was suspected of designs on the
+ducal crown, Duchess Isabella bitterly resented his conduct and that of
+his wife. But there is absolutely no foundation for Corio's statement
+that this rivalry between the two duchesses began at the time of
+Beatrice's wedding, and that from the moment of her arrival at Milan,
+Lodovico's wife objected to yield precedence to the Duchess of Milan.
+The Milanese chronicler wrote after Lodovico's fall, and always assumed
+the truth of the worst charges brought against the Moro and his wife.
+Unfortunately, his hasty and inaccurate statements have been repeated by
+Guicciardini and other contemporaries, and accepted as literally true by
+later writers. In this case Corio probably looked back on the past
+through the medium of the present, and judged the actors in the drama by
+the light of their later conduct. In any case, there is absolutely no
+trace of any jealousy or rivalry between the two young duchesses in the
+private letters and court records of the period. On the contrary,
+Isabella seems to have welcomed her cousin's presence joyfully, and to
+have found that the dull life which she led by the side of her feeble
+husband was sensibly brightened by Beatrice's company.
+
+Bellincioni, whose verses certainly mirror the court life of the day, if
+they also breathe the incense of flattery, wrote several sonnets in
+which he descants on the close friendship and companionship of the two
+duchesses, and the love that bound them together in the tender bonds of
+sisterly affection. He is never tired of praising the concord that
+reigned in the ducal family, and the pleasure that Beatrice took in
+Isabella's little son, who was constantly seen in her arms.
+
+"And when the ladies ask if she does not wish for a son of her own, she
+replies in sweet accents, 'This one child is enough for me;' and
+straightway all her courtiers repeat and extol her answer."
+
+But more trustworthy than the rhymes of court poets is the evidence to
+be found in the letters describing the daily round of life at Milan or
+Pavia and Vigevano. Here Isabella and Beatrice are mentioned as joining
+in the same games and sports, whether playing at ball, sometimes even
+trying their strength in wrestling matches.
+
+"The two duchesses," writes the Ferrarese ambassador, on the 28th of
+April, "have been having a sparring match, and the Duke of Bari's wife
+has knocked down her of Milan."
+
+Sometimes their escapades were of a decidedly undignified order. But
+practical jokes were much in vogue among these exalted lords and ladies
+of the Renaissance. For instance, we find Beatrice's brother Alfonso and
+Messer Galeazzo, disguised as robbers, breaking into the house of
+Girolamo Tuttavilla, one of Lodovico's favourite ministers, at midnight,
+and leading him blindfold on a donkey through the streets of Milan and
+into the Castello, where he was released amid peals of laughter. And the
+two young duchesses seem to have celebrated this Eastertide, which they
+spent at Milan, by the wildest freaks.
+
+"There is literally no end to the pleasures and amusements which we
+have here," writes Lodovico, on the 12th of April, to his sister-in-law
+at Mantua. "I could not tell you one-thousandth part of the tricks and
+games in which the Duchess of Milan and my wife indulge. In the country
+they spent their time in riding races and galloping up behind their
+ladies at full speed, so as to make them fall off their horses. And now
+that we are back here in Milan, they are always inventing some new forms
+of amusement. They started yesterday in the rain on foot, with five or
+six of their ladies, wearing cloths or towels over their heads, and
+walked through the streets of the city to buy provisions. But since it
+is not the custom for women to wear cloths on their heads here, some of
+the women in the street began to laugh at them and make rude remarks,
+upon which my wife fired up and replied in the same manner, so much so
+that they almost came to blows. In the end they came home all muddy and
+bedraggled, and were a fine sight! I believe, when your Highness is
+here, they will go out with all the more courage, since they will have
+in you so bold and spirited a comrade, and if any one dares to be rude
+to you, they will get back as good as they give! From your affectionate
+brother,
+
+                                                       "Lodovico."[15]
+
+Isabella, for all her wisdom and prudence, does not seem to have been in
+the least scandalized by her sister's behaviour, and replied that she
+would have done worse if any one had ventured to insult her; upon which
+Lodovico remarked--
+
+"Your letter in answer to my description of my wife and the duchess
+walking about Milan with cloths on their heads, delighted me. I am sure
+you have far too much spirit to allow rude things to be said to you, and
+when I read your letter, I could see the angry flash in your eye, and
+hear the indignant answer that you would have had in readiness for any
+one who dared insult you."
+
+The next letter we give was written on the 12th of June, from the
+Castello di Pavia, where the ducal family spent that summer, and is of
+special interest on account of the allusions which it contains to the
+famous sanctuary of the Certosa.
+
+"I have spent several days lately at the Certosa, which your Highness,
+I know, visited when you were last here. And since I did not think the
+choir-stalls in the church were in any way suitable or equal in beauty
+to the rest of the building, I went back there the day before yesterday
+and had them taken down, and have ordered new stalls to be designed in
+their place. And as I was returning, the duke and duchess and my wife
+came to meet me, and attacked me suddenly, and in order to defend
+myself, I divided my retainers, who were most of them riding mules, into
+three squadrons, and charged the enemy in due order, so there was a fine
+scuffle! Then we came home to see some youths run races, with lances in
+their hands, and after that we went to supper. And since those
+illustrious duchesses took it into their heads to return again to the
+Certosa, they went back there yesterday morning, and when it was time
+for them to return, I went out to meet them, and found that both
+duchesses and all their ladies were dressed in Turkish costumes. These
+disguises were invented by my wife, who had all the dresses made in one
+night! It seems that when they began to set to work about noon
+yesterday, the Duchess of Milan could not contain her amazement at
+seeing my wife sewing with as much vigour and energy as any old woman.
+And my wife told her that, whatever she did, whether it were jest or
+earnest, she liked to throw her whole heart into it and try and do it as
+well as possible. Certainly in this case she succeeded perfectly, and
+the skill and grace with which she carried out her idea gave me
+indescribable pleasure and satisfaction."[16]
+
+The passage is eminently characteristic both of the Moro and his wife.
+We see on the one hand the spirit and resolution which made Beatrice, in
+the words of the Emperor Maximilian, not merely a sweet and loving wife
+to her lord, but a partner who shared actively in all his schemes and
+lightened every burden; and on the other, we understand the admiration
+which this force of character and tenacity of purpose excited in
+Lodovico's weaker and more easily swayed nature. Beatrice's masquerade
+recalls another curious feature of the day--that taste for Turkish
+costumes and interest in Oriental habits which had sprung up in Italy
+during the forty years which had elapsed since the fall of
+Constantinople. In Venice, Gentile Bellini and Carpaccio were already
+showing signs of this familiarity with Eastern habits by the Turkish
+costumes and personages who figure in their pictures; and a troop of
+Turks were introduced into a masque written by the Milanese poet,
+Gaspare Visconti, and acted before the Court. These strangers from the
+far East, attracted by the fame of the great city of Milan, were
+supposed to arrive in a boat on the Lombard shores, singing the
+following chorus:--
+
+    "Bel paese e Lombardia
+    Degno assai, ricca e galante.
+      Ma di gioie la Soria
+    E di fructi e piu abbondante
+      Tanta fama e per il mondo
+    Del gran vostro alto Milano,
+      Che solcando il mar profondo;
+    Siam venuti da lontano,
+      Gran paese soriano,
+    Per veder se cosi sia,
+      Bel paese di Lombardia."
+
+Still greater interest attaches to Lodovico's description of his own
+visit to the Certosa and of the alterations which he effected in the
+choir. This famous church and monastery had been the pride of successive
+Dukes of Milan, since the day when Galeazzo Visconti laid the first
+stone in his park of Pavia a hundred years before. Viscontis and Sforzas
+had alike helped to enrich their ancestor's mighty foundation, and to
+carry on the work. But the Certosa owes more to Lodovico Sforza than to
+any other member of the dynasty. From the day when he returned to Milan
+and took up the reins of government in his nephew's name, to the last
+sad moments when his state was crumbling to pieces, this great shrine
+was the special object of his solicitude. In his eyes, as he said in the
+letter informing the Prior and brothers of Duchess Leonora's visit, the
+Certosa was the jewel of the crown, the noblest monument in the whole
+realm. The completion of the facade and the internal decoration of the
+great church and chapels was one of the objects that lay nearest to his
+heart. A whole army of architects and sculptors, painters and builders
+were employed under his orders; and so great was the store of precious
+marbles, brought there from Carrara and other parts of Italy, that the
+place was said to resemble a vast stone quarry. During the twenty years
+that the Moro reigned as Regent and Duke in Milan, the new apse built in
+Bramante's classical style, the central cupola, and the beautiful
+cloisters with their slender marble shafts and dark red terra-cotta
+friezes of angel-heads, all rose into being. Then Ambrogio Borgognone
+decorated the roof of nave and apse, and designed the elaborate
+_intarsiatura_ of these very choir-stalls to which Lodovico alludes in
+his letter to Isabella d'Este. And then the same Lombard master painted
+these frescoes and altar-pieces of grave saints and gentle Madonnas,
+which still adorn the side chapels with their solemn forms and rich
+golden harmonies. Many of these are ruined, others we know are gone. The
+fragments of the noble banners with portraits of kneeling figures, which
+the artist painted for processional use on solemn occasions are now in
+our National Gallery. There, too, is that loveliest of all Perugino's
+Madonnas, with the warrior Archangels at her side, and the perfect
+landscape beyond, which the Umbrian master painted in the last years of
+the century, by the Moro's express command, for his favourite sanctuary.
+
+But the crowning work of Lodovico's days was the facade of the great
+church which, after many different attempts, was finally begun in 1491,
+and mostly executed during the next seven years. This magnificent
+creation, the triumph of Lombard genius, was designed by a native
+architect, Giovanni Antonio Amadeo, or Di Madeo, as he signs himself, a
+peasant lad who had grown up in his father's farm close by, and whose
+earliest independent work is said to have been a group of angels on the
+marble doorway leading from the church into the cloisters. He had
+afterwards been employed at Bergamo, where the Colleoni Chapel and the
+effigy of the great Condottiere's young daughter, the sleeping virgin
+Medea, still bear witness to his poetic invention and rare decorative
+skill. One of Lodovico's first acts after his return to Milan had been
+to recall Amadeo to Pavia, and in 1490, this gifted artist was appointed
+_Capo maestro_ of the Certosa works. To his delicate fancy and exquisite
+refinement we owe much of the lovely detail in the church and cloisters,
+the singing angels of the portals, the reliefs on Gian Galeazzo's
+monument, and in the monks' lavatory, and the medallions of the Sforzas
+over the doorways of the choir. There we may see the strongly marked
+features and refined expression of the great Moro, between his brother
+and his nephew, while above the opposite portal are the four Duchesses
+of Milan, Bianca Maria Visconti, Bona of Savoy, Isabella of Aragon, and
+Beatrice d'Este with the same soft, beautiful face, the same long coil
+of hair and jewelled net that we see in her portrait in the Brera or in
+Cristoforo Romano's bust in the Louvre.
+
+But the wonderful marble facade, with its great central portal and
+round-headed windows, its historical reliefs and marvellous wealth of
+decorative sculpture, is Amadeo's grandest creation. We know not how far
+it was completed before 1499, when his labours as chief architect of the
+cathedrals of Milan and Pavia compelled him to give up his post at the
+Certosa; but in much of the ornamental detail--in the angels that adorn
+its branches of the candelabra between the windows, in the profusion of
+carved trophies, armorial bearings, burning censers, cherub-heads,
+leaf-mouldings, flowers and fruit that has been lavished on every
+portion of the west front we recognize his handiwork. And this facade of
+the Certosa, more than any other architectural work of the age, bears
+the stamp of Lodovico Sforza's peculiar genius. Alike in the abundance
+of classical motives and in the amazing wealth of invention and infinite
+grace that inspired the whole conception, we recognize Lodovico's
+passionate love of the antique and minute attention to detail. We know
+that he was constantly on the spot, as the letter to his sister-in-law
+proves, and that when absent from Pavia the works of the Certosa were
+constantly in his mind. He was always writing orders to Amadeo to buy
+marbles and hurry on the work, always urging the prior to hasten the
+completion of the church, or inquiring in Florence and Rome for new
+masters to paint altar-pieces for the Certosa. And to-day, when so many
+of his noblest creations have perished, when the glorious pile of the
+Castello of Milan, with its stately towers and frescoed halls, rich
+decorations and vast gardens, has been defaced and battered by the hands
+of barbarian invaders, when Leonardo's fresco is a wreck and the tomb
+of Beatrice broken to pieces, when Vigevano and Cussago are in ruins,
+and the matchless library of Pavia has been scattered to the winds, we
+rejoice to think that the Certosa remains to show us how splendid were
+the dreams and how rare the skill of artists in the days when Lodovico
+Sforza reigned over Milan.
+
+One of the finest artists who was working at the Certosa under
+Lodovico's eye in the summer of 1491, was the accomplished Roman
+sculptor, Giovanni Cristoforo Romano. We remember how he had been sent
+to Ferrara in the autumn of the previous year to execute a bust of
+Beatrice for his master. Since then he had gone back to his work at the
+Certosa, where he was employed upon the monument which Lodovico was
+raising to his ancestor Gian Galeazzo Visconti, the founder of the great
+Carthusian Abbey. His exact share in this noble work, which was begun in
+1490, remains uncertain, but both the effigy of this duke and the figure
+of the Madonna and Child in the upper part of the monument are generally
+ascribed to his hand. At the same time Cristoforo had promised to design
+the chief portal of the ancient Stanga palace in Cremona, which was
+being restored by Lodovico's Superintendent of Finances, the Marchese
+Stanga, known in court circles as the Marchesino, to distinguish him
+from his father, Duchess Bianca Maria's faithful servant. That June the
+Marchesino was married at Milan to a daughter of Count Giovanni
+Borromeo, and on this occasion, doubtless, he employed the gifted Roman
+sculptor to design the magnificent doorway which now adorns the Louvre
+and is a masterpiece of classic elegance. But now a fresh invitation
+reached Cristoforo from another quarter.
+
+The Marchioness of Mantua had seen the Roman master's bust of her sister
+Beatrice when she came to Milan in the winter for the wedding
+festivities, and was seized with an ardent wish to have her features
+carved in marble by the same unrivalled artist. On the 22nd of June she
+wrote to Beatrice from her favourite villa at Porto, near Mantua,
+begging her to ask Lodovico if he would kindly allow "that excellent
+master, Johan Cristoforo, who carved your Highness's portrait in
+marble," to come to Mantua for a few days, that he might render her the
+same service. Beatrice, who was always ready and anxious to gratify
+Isabella's wishes, replied that she had shown the letter at once to her
+husband, and that Lodovico would gladly comply with her sister's
+request, and had written to beg the Marchesino--for whom Johan
+Cristoforo was working at that moment--to send this master to Mantua.
+"No doubt by this time," he adds, writing from Pavia on the 15th of
+July, "Messer Cristoforo is already on his way to Mantua."
+
+But the sculptor, like most great artists, took his time about his work,
+and would not be interrupted or hurried, even to please so charming and
+illustrious a lady as Isabella d'Este. He wrote a courteous note to the
+Marchesa from Pavia, saying how gladly he would have obeyed her summons
+on the spot, and how deeply he regretted that this was impossible, since
+he could not leave the work upon which he was engaged for the Marchesino
+unfinished. But he hoped to have the pleasure of seeing her some day.
+Meanwhile he suggested that she should order two pieces of fine marble
+from Venice, and see that they were very white and without stain or vein
+of colour. Isabella, however, was not easily discouraged, especially
+where excellent masters and works of art were in question, and, as she
+wrote on another occasion to Niccolo da Correggio, liked to have her
+wishes gratified on the spot. This time she wrote to the Marchesino
+himself, begging him to send Messer Johan Cristoforo to Mantua as soon
+as possible. Now Giovanni Stanga, besides being a finished courtier, was
+on intimate terms with the fair Marchesana herself and with all her
+family. Only a few weeks before, Isabella had written him a charming
+letter of congratulation on his marriage, and he often sent presents of
+silver boxes and ornaments both to her and Duchess Leonora. So, when his
+own doorway was finished, he did his best to induce the sculptor to
+oblige the marchioness. But Cristoforo had evidently no intention of
+leaving Pavia at present. The summer months slipped away, and still
+Isabella waited in vain. At length, in October, she heard from the
+Marchesino that Messer Cristoforo feared it was impossible for him to
+come to Mantua at all this year, since his whole time was spent in
+working at the Certosa, besides which he was one of the Duchess of
+Bari's singers, and must obey her wishes and travel with her, now in
+one direction, now in another. "At present," adds the writer, "he is
+with her in Genoa."
+
+It was not, in fact, until after Beatrice's death that Isabella obtained
+Lodovico's leave for his favourite sculptor to visit Mantua. By that
+time the duke's affairs were in dire confusion, and seeing there was
+little hope of further employment and none of certain pay, Messer
+Cristoforo left the Milanese court sorrowfully and went to Mantua, where
+he carved the lovely doorway still to be seen in Isabella's studio of
+_Il Paradiso_ at the top of the grim old Castello, and designed the
+beautiful medal of the marchioness herself, which was praised as a
+divine thing at the Court of Naples, and which the old scholar Jacopo
+d'Atri kissed a thousand times over, for the sake of its beauty and of
+the likeness which it bore to the beloved mistress whom he had not seen
+for so many years. Afterwards we know Cristoforo moved on to Urbino,
+where Bembo and Emilia Pia and the good duchess all gave him a glad
+welcome, and Castiglione enshrined his memory in the pages of the
+_Cortigiano_. Then, again, we find him in his native city, Rome,
+searching for antiques in the ruins of the Eternal City, and examining
+the newly discovered Laocoon with Michelo Angelo, until at last the
+incurable malady which had long undermined his strength put an end to
+his life, and he died in the prime of manhood at the Santa Casa of
+Loreto. But his best work was done, and his happiest years were spent,
+in the service of Duchess Beatrice, at the court of Milan.
+
+If Lodovico did not always care to part from his best artists at
+Isabella's request, he rarely failed to oblige his charming
+sister-in-law in other matters. Presents of game and venison, choice
+vegetables and fruit, artichokes and truffles, apples and pears or
+peaches, were constantly borne to Mantua by his couriers; and in return
+Isabella would send him the famous salmon-trout of the Lake of Garda,
+that were accounted such rare delicacies, and which Lodovico was fond of
+seeing at table, especially, as he often remarked, in Lent. The
+correspondence between the two courts was briskly kept up that year,
+although Isabella was unable to visit Milan. Lodovico himself rarely
+missed a post, and complained repeatedly that Isabella was not so
+regular a correspondent as himself.
+
+"Certainly, my affection for your Highness is greater than yours for
+me," he says, writing in September, 1491. "It is plain that I think of
+you much oftener than you think of me, and I know for certain that I
+write far more letters to you than you ever write to me."
+
+But Isabella was unwearied in the applications which she made constantly
+to her brother-in-law on behalf of persons who, rightly or wrongly, had
+been accused of offences against the laws of Milan. Often, it must be
+owned, these suppliants whom she recommended to mercy proved to be
+criminals of the worst type; and quite as often the _proteges_ whom she
+sent to Milan turned out to be utterly worthless characters. This made
+her a little ashamed of the perpetual recommendations with which she
+troubled Lodovico, and explains the apologetic tone of a note which she
+addressed to him in June, 1491, on behalf of some suppliant for money.
+
+"The letters of recommendation which I have received in this case are so
+urgent that I feel it would be brutal to refuse the petition I send you,
+especially since they are addressed to me by private friends. But if
+your Highness complains, as you may justly do, of the frequency of my
+appeals, I must ask you to impute their persistency less to me than to
+my innate compassion, which induces me to intercede for all who ask in
+good faith. But the truth is, your Highness has given me so many tokens
+of affection that many persons who seek your favour apply to me,
+trusting to my powers of intercession. And since I should be well
+content to let the whole world know the love and kindness which your
+Highness shows me, I grant these requests the more easily, because I
+remember what good fruit my recommendations have hitherto borne."
+
+Sometimes, when the Marquis Gianfrancesco was away from Mantua, we find
+his wife consulting Lodovico on affairs of state, asking him to prevent
+her neighbour Galeotto della Mirandola from constructing a canal which
+may injure her subjects, or appealing to the Sanseverino brothers in the
+case of a faithless servant of hers who had sought shelter under the
+Count of Caiazzo's banners. Beatrice, in her turn, occasionally sent her
+servants and subjects with recommendations to Mantua. For instance,
+that July a Milanese soldier named Messer Giacomello arrived at the
+court of the Gonzagas, with letters from the Duchess of Bari and Messer
+Galeazzo di Sanseverino, asking for leave to fight a duel with a man of
+Ascoli who had insulted him; and the marchioness, ignorant of the
+customary method of treating these challenges, referred the case to her
+husband in a long and elaborate statement.
+
+Towards the end of September Beatrice fell ill, and for some days her
+husband was seriously uneasy about her. The anxiety which he showed, and
+the attentions with which he surrounded her, were duly reported by
+Giacomo Trotti in a letter to Ferrara.
+
+"Signor Lodovico," he wrote on the 18th of September, "does not leave
+his wife's bedside by day or night. He is always with her, and thinks of
+nothing but how he can best please and amuse her. The only cause of
+regret he has is that as yet there are not any signs of the birth of a
+son and heir."
+
+Lodovico's concern for his young wife was genuine. He wrote daily
+reports of her health to Isabella and her mother, and on the 4th of
+October rejoiced to be able to tell the Marchesana that her sister had
+once more been able to assist at a boar-hunt, which had taken place six
+miles from Pavia.
+
+"Yesterday your sister came to look on at a boar-hunt, six or seven
+miles from here. She drove to the spot in a chariot with a raised seat
+at the back, very much like the pulpits from which friars preach! Here
+she stood up, to be out of danger, and enjoyed herself immensely, as
+being placed at such a height, she could see the whole hunt better than
+any one else."
+
+A few days later he wrote again to say he had decided to send his wife
+to Genoa, since the air of Pavia was not healthy, he felt convinced, at
+this season of the year, and in the hope that change would help to
+complete her cure.
+
+"To-morrow my wife starts for Genoa _incognita_. I am sending her, first
+of all, to give her pleasure and do her health good, and, secondly, to
+prepare the way for your Highness when you come here next."
+
+Unfortunately, we have no further particulars of this visit to Genova la
+Superba, that city which both the sisters were so anxious to see, and
+the letters in which Beatrice described this journey to her husband have
+either perished or still lie buried in some private archives. All we
+know is that Cristoforo Romano was among the singers who accompanied the
+duchess on this occasion, although she travelled _incognita_ and took
+only a few persons in her suite.
+
+By December Lodovico and his wife were again settled in Milan, where
+they received an unexpected visit from the Marquis of Mantua in the
+first week of that month. Gianfrancesco's own wife was absent with her
+mother at Ferrara, and without even informing Isabella of his intention,
+he suddenly arrived at Milan, and spent a week at the Castello with the
+Duke and Duchess of Bari. As a rule, the company of the marquis, a brave
+soldier, but not apparently a very attractive person, with his short
+ungainly figure and rugged features, his dark complexion and rough
+manners, was not particularly agreeable to his polished brother-in-law;
+but he received a kindly welcome from both his hosts on this occasion,
+and was highly gratified with the honours and attention that were paid
+him. Isabella, on her part, was overjoyed to hear of the kindness with
+which her husband had been treated at the court of Milan, and declared
+that his letters gave her as much pleasure as if she had been with him
+herself. Lodovico did his guest the honours of his palace and city,
+showed him the treasures and jewels of the Castello, and sent him home
+loaded with gifts. Among other presents which Gianfrancesco received
+from his brother-in-law were a pair of lions which the Moro, who was
+constantly sending to Africa for wild beasts, showed him in his
+menagerie, and promised to send him as soon as they were sufficiently
+tame. Some weeks, however, passed before they were pronounced fit to
+travel safely, and it was not till February of the following year that
+they were sent to Mantua, with a note from Lodovico, explaining that the
+keeper who accompanied them was accustomed to wild beasts, and would
+teach Gianfrancesco's servants how to treat them.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[15] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 111.
+
+[16] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 114.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+Claims of Charles VIII. to Naples--Of the Duke of Orleans to Milan--
+Intrigues of the Venetian Senate, of Pope Innocent VIII., and of
+Ferrante and Alfonso of Naples--Visit of the French ambassadors to Milan
+--Treasures of the Castello--Jewels of Lodovico Sforza--Isabella of
+Aragon and her father--An embassy to the French court proposed--Secret
+instructions of the Count of Caiazzo--_Fete_ at Vigevano--Tournament of
+Pavia.
+
+1491
+
+
+The most important event at the court of Milan that winter was the visit
+of the French ambassadors. The young King of France, Charles VIII., now
+that he had emancipated himself from his sister's tutelage and felt
+himself his own master, was beginning to cherish secret dreams of
+conquest, and already turned envious eyes towards the kingdom of Naples,
+that ancient heritage of the House of Anjou. His own ardour for military
+glory was fanned by the presence at the French court of several exiled
+noblemen, who had fled from Naples to escape the harsh rule of King
+Ferrante and his hated son Alfonso, and were burning to avenge their
+wrongs. Chief among these were Antonio, Prince of Salerno, the head of
+the great Sanseverino family, and his cousin, the Prince of Bisignano,
+both of whom were in constant communication with their kinsmen at the
+Milanese court. At the same time, Charles VIII.'s brother-in-law and
+cousin, Louis, Duke of Orleans, a valiant and ambitious prince just
+thirty years of age, who had inherited the Lombard town of Asti from his
+grandmother, Valentina Visconti, and claimed the Duchy of Milan in right
+of his descent from the Visconti dukes, rejoiced at the prospect of
+advancing his pretensions against the rival House of Sforza.
+
+Already more than one invitation to cross the Alps had reached the
+young French king from Italy. In January, 1484, when Venice was waging a
+desperate war against Milan and Naples, Antonio Loredano was sent to the
+French court with secret instructions to remind Charles VIII., who had
+just succeeded his father, Louis XI., that the kingdom of Naples had
+formerly belonged to his family, and that, besides occupying a throne to
+which he had no right, Ferrante of Aragon had instigated Lodovico Sforza
+to usurp the crown of Milan. The Venetian envoy was further desired to
+inform the Duke of Orleans that Lodovico evidently intended to make
+himself Duke of Milan in his nephew's stead, and to point out that Louis
+could not find a better moment than this, to assert his own claim to the
+duchy of his Visconti ancestors.
+
+"Say all you can to instigate the Duke of Orleans to undertake this
+enterprise," were the secret instructions of the Ten, "and tell the
+French that if they wish to dethrone the tyrant Ferrante and seize
+Naples, they will never have a better opportunity."[17]
+
+A month later the Venetian Government sent another message to Louis of
+Orleans, urging him to invade Milan, and offering him the help of their
+forces. The duke was by no means averse to the suggestion, but Anne de
+Beaujeu, who governed France during her brother's minority, wisely
+declined to meddle in the quarrels of Italian States, and by August
+peace had been concluded between Venice and Milan.
+
+Five years afterwards Pope Innocent VIII., having quarrelled with King
+Ferrante, invited Charles VIII. to invade Naples, and offered him the
+investiture of this important fief of the Church. But at that time the
+French monarch had no leisure to think of a foreign expedition. He was
+already engaged in war with Maximilian, King of the Romans, and in a
+fierce quarrel with the States of Brittany over the regency of that
+province during the minority of young Duchess Anne, the betrothed bride
+of the future Emperor, whose first wife, Mary of Burgundy, had died in
+1482. Finding that there was no prospect of help from this quarter, the
+Pope had been forced to come to terms with Ferrante, whose armies
+threatened Rome, and made peace with Naples in January, 1492.
+
+Meanwhile Charles VIII. had mortally offended the King of the Romans by
+sending back his daughter Margaret, to whom while yet Dauphin he had
+been formally betrothed by his father, Louis XI., and who had been
+educated in Touraine for the last six years, and taking Maximilian's
+affianced bride, Anne of Brittany, for his wife. The marriage was
+solemnized in the Castle of Langeais in December, 1491, and two months
+afterwards the new queen was crowned at Saint Denis. Maximilian now
+sought to form a coalition against Charles, to avenge his injured
+honour; and his ally, Henry VII. of England, sent a letter to Lodovico
+Sforza, asking him to join the league and invade France from the south.
+
+Under these circumstances Charles VIII. was naturally anxious to
+strengthen the old alliance which had existed between his father and the
+House of Sforza. Even before his own marriage, in the summer of 1490,
+Lodovico had sent Erasmo Brasca on a private mission to the French king,
+to ask for a renewal of the investiture of the Duchy of Genoa,
+originally granted to Francesco Sforza by Louis XI. Since those days,
+Genoa had been lost during the regency of Duchess Bona, and only
+recovered in 1888, by Lodovico's successful negotiations. Now Charles
+VIII. gladly granted the regent's request, and proposed to send an
+embassy to Milan in the course of the next year. Lodovico, on his part,
+prepared to give the French ambassadors a splendid reception, and in
+March, 1491, wrote to his chief secretary, Bartolommeo Calco, from
+Vigevano, giving minute instructions for the preparation of a suite of
+rooms in the Castello, where the Most Christian King's envoys were to be
+lodged. Since, at that time, extensive improvements were being made in
+other parts of the palace, Lodovico gave up his own rooms on the ground
+floor for the use of these distinguished strangers. The chief
+ambassador, the Scottish noble, Bernard Stuart d'Aubigny, Chamberlain to
+King Charles, he wrote word, would occupy the Duchess of Bari's
+apartment, known as the Sala della Asse, from the raised platform at one
+end of the room, and would use the duchess's boudoir, with the painted
+Amorini over the mantelpiece, and the adjoining chambers for his dining
+and robing room. The second ambassador, Jean Roux de Visque, was to
+occupy Lodovico's apartments; and the third, King Charles's doctor, the
+Italian Teodoro Guainiero of Pavia, would be lodged in the rooms of
+Madonna Beatrice, Niccolo da Correggio's mother, and of the duke's
+secretary, Jacopo Antiquario. All of these rooms had been decorated and
+hung with rich tapestries and curtains of velvet and brocade for
+Lodovico's wedding a year before, but on this occasion he desired that
+canopies adorned with the _fleur-de-lys_ should be placed over the beds,
+and that other changes should be made in the hangings and furniture. And
+since there was not room in the Castello, where the court officials and
+servants who were daily lodged and fed within its precincts already
+numbered some two hundred, for the whole of the suite, the remainder
+were to be entertained at the duke's expense at the different inns of
+the city, at the sign of the Stella, the Fontana and Campana.
+
+A few weeks later the ambassadors arrived at Milan, and were
+magnificently received by Lodovico and his nephew, both of whom wore
+sumptuous vests of white Lyons brocade, presented to them in the French
+king's name, at the ceremony of investiture which followed. Giangaleazzo
+was formally invested with the Duchy of Genoa, and did homage to the
+representative of his suzerain, the French king, in the presence of the
+whole court. Among the members of the ducal family present on this
+occasion was the duke's elder sister, Bianca Maria, who still remained
+unmarried since her affianced husband, the son of Matthias Corvinus, had
+been driven from the throne of Hungary, after his father's death in
+1490. The splendour of the ceremony, and the dazzling white velvet suits
+worn by her brother and uncle, were long remembered by this princess of
+seventeen, who spent most of her time with her mother, Bona, at
+Abbiategrasso. More than seven years afterwards, when poor Giangaleazzo
+was dead, and the Sforzas' throne was already tottering to its fall,
+Bianca Maria, then the wife of the Emperor Maximilian, wrote from
+Fribourg, begging her uncle to try and procure her a robe of the white
+velvet woven at Lyons, "like the vests worn by yourself and my brother,
+of blessed memory, on the day when he was invested with the Duchy of
+Genoa."[18] The young empress, whose mind, as her husband complained,
+never rose above childish things, and who, in the lonely splendour of
+her grim castles in the Tyrol, pined for the brightness of her fair
+Milanese home, had set her heart on a gown of this material, and begged
+her kind uncle to excuse her if she asked too much, assuring him that
+nothing else could give her so much pleasure.
+
+The beauty of Milan, with its stately Castello and white marble Duomo,
+its spacious streets and long rows of armourers' and goldsmiths' shops,
+its beautiful gardens and frescoed palaces, made a deep impression upon
+these strangers from the North. Never had they seen so fair a city or so
+rich a land. Marvellous were the tales they had to tell their countrymen
+of the splendid court where they had lived like princes, and of this
+wealthy and magnificent Signor Lodovico, who had entertained them in so
+royal a manner.
+
+But although the investiture of Genoa had been provisionally granted,
+and a treaty of alliance agreed upon, several articles of the league
+still remained to be discussed. Negotiations dragged on all through the
+year, chiefly with regard to certain castles belonging to Charles's
+ally, the Marquis of Montferrat, which had been seized by the Milanese.
+Niccolo da Correggio was sent to France in the summer to endeavour to
+bring matters to a satisfactory conclusion, but nothing was finally
+settled until the winter, when Charles decided to send a second embassy
+to Milan. This time one of the former envoys, Jean Roux de Visque, was
+selected for the office, and, together with Le Sieur Pierre de
+Courthardi, left Paris early in December, and arrived at Milan in
+January, 1492.
+
+Lodovico himself received the ambassadors in the Castello, and
+entertained them with his wonted magnificence. A treaty was drawn up, by
+which Charles agreed to recognize all the claims advanced by the Duke of
+Milan, and admitted the Duke of Bari by name as governor of his nephew
+into the defensive and offensive league concluded on the 13th of
+January, and on the 19th the French ambassadors left Milan. Before their
+departure, however, Lodovico, anxious to do his guests honour and at the
+same time impress them with his wealth and the vast resources at his
+command, himself conducted them over the Treasury of the Castello,
+which was deservedly regarded as one of the principal sights of Milan.
+
+There, in the heart of the Rocchetta, close to his own apartments, was
+the vaulted room, decorated with frescoes by Leonardo and Bramante, and
+known as the Sala del Tesoro. Here, piled up in enormous chests, were
+the vast store of gold ducats which he kept as a reserve fund for the
+State, and the priceless jewels that were his own private property.
+Here, too, in oak presses, secured by ingenious contrivances devised
+expressly for the purpose by Leonardo, were the treasures of gold and
+silver plate, the salvers and goblets, the dishes and vases of antique
+shape, in which the Moro took especial pride, and which were only
+exhibited on festive occasions. Milan was at this time one of the
+richest states in Italy. The revenue of the duchy, under Lodovico's wise
+and careful rule, exceeded the sum of 600,000 ducats--that is to say,
+double the revenue of Naples, and more than six times as much as that of
+Mantua, and was only surpassed by that of Venice, which amounted to
+800,000 ducats; while, according to the same table, the revenue of
+England in the fifteenth century was calculated at 700,000 ducats, and
+that of France at 1,000,000 ducats. And here, too, in the Sala del
+Tesoro, were the jewels belonging to Lodovico, a collection which at
+this time included some of the most famous gems in the world. A few of
+these which he pawned to a Venetian merchant in 1495, were valued at
+150,000 ducats, and a list, which is still preserved in the Trivulzio
+library, gives a description of the different jewels which in the
+troubled times at the close of his reign were pledged to bankers in Rome
+and Milan.[19] There was the balass ruby, called _El Spigo_ or "the ear
+of corn," which was valued at the enormous sum of 250,000 ducats; and
+the jewel of _Il Lupo_, "the wolf," consisting of one large diamond and
+three choice pearls, which the goldsmiths priced at 120,000 ducats.
+There was the famous _Puncta_, or diamond arrow, given by Duchess
+Beatrice's grandfather, Niccolo d'Este, to Francesco Sforza; and the
+_Caduceus_, a favourite device of the Moro's, wrought in large pearls,
+each of which was said to be worth 25,000 ducats; while the balass ruby,
+known as the Marone, often worn as a brooch by Beatrice, was valued at
+10,000 ducats. Another balass bore the effigy of Lodovico, and the
+insignia of the Moraglia, or Mulberry, was composed of emeralds,
+diamonds, and pearls. This jewel was frequently worn by the Moro
+himself, at state banquets, as well as the famous Sancy diamond, which
+had been found on the body of Charles the Bold after the battle of
+Nancy, and afterwards acquired by Lodovico, whose agents were always in
+search of precious stones of fine water and rare workmanship.
+
+Such were a few of the treasures which the regent displayed before the
+dazzled eyes of the French ambassadors. Unfortunately the presents which
+he gave them on their departure seemed to them poor and insignificant,
+after the marvels which they had seen in the Castello, and their
+cupidity was but ill-satisfied.
+
+"The French envoys," wrote the Florentine ambassador, Pandolfini, to his
+master, Lorenzo de Medici, "are gone away disappointed with Signor
+Lodovico's gifts, expecting to receive a handsomer present after seeing
+all the splendours of the Treasury."[20]
+
+Lodovico now determined to send an embassy to the French court to return
+the king's civilities and congratulate him on his marriage. He was the
+more anxious to strengthen his alliance with France on account of the
+growing estrangement between himself and the royal family of Naples.
+Hitherto, indeed, King Ferrante had maintained cordial relations with
+the Regent of Milan, whose claims to this position he had been the first
+to support, and whose marriage with his granddaughter Beatrice formed a
+new link between the Houses of Aragon and Sforza. But his son Alfonso,
+Duke of Calabria, who had frequently visited Milan during the long war
+with Venice, had never forgiven Lodovico for treating with the Venetians
+independently, and made no secret of his hatred for his brother-in-law.
+The quarrel between the two princes was naturally embittered by the
+complaints which Alfonso received from his daughter Isabella, Duchess of
+Milan. Her miserable husband, Giangaleazzo, showed less inclination than
+ever to take his proper place at the head of affairs, and abandoned
+himself to low debauchery. In his drunken fits it was even said that he
+forgot himself so far as to strike his wife.
+
+"There is no news here," wrote the widowed Marchioness of Montferrat
+from Milan to her envoy at Mantua, on the 2nd of May, 1492, "saving that
+the Duke of Milan has beaten his wife."[21]
+
+But the proud and high-spirited duchess began to resent the subordinate
+position in which she and her husband were placed at their own court,
+and she tried to instil her keen sense of this injustice into
+Giangaleazzo's feeble mind. When Lodovico came to Pavia that spring, his
+nephew began by refusing to see him, but before long he forgot his
+wrongs, and after behaving for a few days like a sulky child, was on the
+most affectionate terms with his uncle when they met again. Isabella
+soon found that no dependence could be placed upon this foolish youth,
+who cared for nothing but his dogs and horses, and repeated everything
+that she said to Lodovico. So she devoured her griefs in silence, and
+only gave utterance to her sorrows in her letters to Naples.
+
+Meanwhile, Alfonso did his utmost to stir up enemies against Lodovico,
+while, with habitual duplicity, he sent flattering messages to his
+brother-in-law, and begged for the continuance of his friendship. That
+February envoys were sent from Naples to France, under pretence of
+buying horses and dogs for hunting, but with secret instructions to
+persuade Charles VIII., if possible, to break with Lodovico Sforza, and
+refuse to acknowledge him as Regent of Milan. Charles, however, was too
+much intent on his own plans for the conquest of Naples to pay any heed
+to these proposals, and the only result of Alfonso's intrigues was to
+strengthen the alliance between France and Milan.
+
+Gianfrancesco, Count of Caiazzo, the eldest of the Sanseverino brothers,
+was chosen by Lodovico as chief ambassador to the French king, and
+received secret instructions to show Charles VIII. the proposals which
+had been made to the Regent of Milan by the King of England and
+Maximilian, King of the Romans.
+
+"Let him know by this means," runs the letter, still preserved in the
+Milanese archives, "how unwilling we are to act in any way against his
+interests, and let him see that we have preferred his alliance to that
+of the mightiest monarchs in Europe. Take care also to insist on the
+importance of the Duchy of Milan and on the exalted position that we
+occupy in the eyes of other Italian States. And assure him that we are
+his firm and loyal friends, whose constancy neither threats nor promises
+can ever shake."[22]
+
+Count Carlo Belgiojoso, Galeazzo Visconti and Girolamo Tuttavilla, Count
+of Sarno, who was himself one of King Ferrante's exiled subjects, were
+selected to accompany Caiazzo on his mission. On the 23rd of February
+they left Milan, and reached Paris towards the end of March.
+
+Not only had Lodovico given his envoys minute instructions as to the
+language they were to hold in treating with the French king, but the
+clothes they were to wear, the presents which they bore to Charles VIII.
+and his queen, the very day and hour of their entry into Paris, were all
+regulated by his orders. His astrologer, Ambrogio di Rosate, had fixed
+upon the 28th of March as the most propitious moment for Caiazzo to
+enter Paris, and on that day, accordingly, the Milanese ambassadors,
+splendidly arrayed in rich brocades and cloth of gold, rode through the
+streets of the capital, and under the walls of the old Louvre, where the
+king and queen had their abode. On the following day, Charles himself
+received the envoys, and Galeazzo Visconti delivered a long Latin
+discourse prepared by Lodovico. On the 30th they were presented to the
+queen, and a few days afterwards they accompanied the royal party on a
+hunting expedition in the forest of Saint-Germain, but found the sport
+of a rude and fatiguing description, and complained that both men and
+animals were very savage in their habits. Every detail of the
+proceedings was faithfully reported to Lodovico by Antonio Calco, the
+secretary of the mission. For his benefit and that of Beatrice, he not
+only describes the costumes of the royal pair--the king's gorgeous
+mantle of Lyons velvet, lined with yellow satin, and the queen's gold
+brocade robe and cape of lion skin lined with crimson--but gives a
+minute account of Anne of Brittany's coiffure, a black velvet cap with
+a gold fringe hanging about a finger's length over her forehead, and a
+hood studded with big diamonds drawn over her head and ears. So curious
+were Beatrice and her ladies on these matters, that Lodovico wrote on
+the 8th of April from Vigevano, desiring Calco to send him a drawing of
+the French queen's costume, "in order that the same fashion may be
+adopted here in Milan." At the same time Lodovico desired Caiazzo to
+show especial civility to the Duke of Orleans, assuring him that the
+Dukes of Bari and Milan both regarded him as their own kinsman, and
+hoped that the love and friendship between them would be that of
+brothers. The ambassador was further empowered to offer the hand of
+Bianca Sforza, the duke's unmarried sister, to James IV., the young King
+of Scotland, through Stuart d'Aubigny, the Scottish nobleman whom
+Charles VIII. had sent as his envoy to Milan. Meanwhile, King Ferrante's
+emissaries were doing their best to stir up the Duke of Orleans against
+his Sforza rivals, and had secretly offered his granddaughter Charlotte
+in marriage to the youthful Scottish monarch.
+
+But for the moment Lodovico's star was in the ascendant, and his
+influence reigned supreme at the French court. Charles VIII. formally
+ratified all the conditions of the treaty which had been signed at Milan
+in January, and wrote to inform Pope Innocent that he had entered into
+close alliance with the house of Sforza, and would regard any injury
+done to the Dukes of Milan and Bari as a personal wrong.
+
+The object of the embassy being accomplished, Count Caiazzo, Galeazzo
+Visconti and Tuttavilla took leave of the French king and returned to
+Milan on the 5th of May, leaving Count Belgiojoso as permanent envoy at
+Paris. The triumph of Lodovico's diplomacy was complete, and without
+shedding a drop of blood, or making any warlike demonstration, he had
+outwitted all his foes and secured the alliance of his most powerful
+neighbour.
+
+The good news gave fresh zest to the pleasures of Beatrice's court that
+summer, and to all the memorable enterprises upon which Lodovico was
+engaged at home.
+
+Early in March the Duke and Duchess of Bari left Milan to take up their
+abode at Vigevano, and held a series of brilliant _fetes_ and hunting
+parties in this newly-finished palace. The works upon which Bramante and
+his companions had been employed for years past were finished, the great
+hall with its richly-wrought marble capitals, the noble tower and
+imposing porticoes, were all complete. The last stone was in its place,
+and on the great archway that formed the entrance to the stately pile,
+Lodovico placed this proud Latin inscription, bearing the date, 1492.
+
+     "LUDOVICUS MARIA SFORTIA VICECOMES PRINCIPATU JOANNI GALEACIO
+     NEPOTI AB EXTERIS ET INTESTINIS MOTIBUS STABILITO POSTEAQUAM
+     SQUALLENTES AGROS VIGEVANENSES IMMISSIS FLUMINIBUS FERTILES
+     FECIT AD VOLUPTARIOS SECESSUS IN HAC ARCE VETERES PRINCIPUM
+     EDES REFORMAVIT ET NOVIS CIRCUMEDIFICATIS SPECIOSA, ETIAM
+     TURRI MUNIVIT POPULI QUOQUE HABITATIONIS SITU ET SQUALORE
+     OCCUPATAS STRATIS UT EXPEDITIS PER URBEM VIIS AD CIVILEM
+     LAUTICIAM REDEGIT DIRRUTIS ETIAM CIRCA FORUM VETERIBUS
+     EDIFICIIS ARCAM AMPLIANT AC PORTICIBUS CIRCUMDUCTIS IN HANC
+     SPECIEM EXORNAVIT. ANNO A SALUTE CHRISTIANA NONAGESIMOSECUNDO
+     SUPRA MILLESIMUM ET QUADRIGENTESIMUM."
+
+He had given back peace to his nephew's realm and had vanquished external
+foes and quelled internal dissensions, he had brought rivers of water to
+make the barren fields of Vigevano fertile, and had rebuilt the ancient
+Forum and raised fair porticoes and fine houses round the wide square.
+And now, as a crowning gift to this his native city, he had restored and
+beautified the ancestral castle of the illustrious house of Sforza and
+had reared stately halls and a fair tower to make Vigevano a home of
+perpetual delight.
+
+During the continual round of amusements in which these festive weeks
+were spent, Beatrice had little time for writing, and the only letter we
+have from her hand during this visit to Vigevano is one addressed to her
+sister Isabella, in which she begs for information respecting Father
+Bernardino da Feltre, a famous revivalist preacher of the Franciscan
+order, who had travelled through the cities of Central Italy, preaching
+repentance and founding the charitable institutions known as Monte di
+Pieta for the relief of the poor.
+
+"A report has reached us here," wrote the young duchess, "that the
+venerable Father Bernardino da Feltre, who has been preaching in Verona
+this Lent, was heard to declare from the pulpit that he had received a
+message from heaven, warning him that he would die in Holy Week, after
+miraculously opening the eyes of a blind man. Now I am very anxious to
+know if this report is true, and since at Mantua you are sufficiently
+near Verona to learn the truth of these tales, I beg you to make
+inquiries and let me know the result."
+
+A fortnight later, Isabella, who had been absent from Mantua, was able
+to satisfy her sister's curiosity and at the same time answer a previous
+note in which Beatrice had given her a bad character of one of the
+Marchesana's _proteges_, an archer in Fracassa's service. She writes:--
+
+
+"MOST ILLUSTRIOUS AND HONOURED SISTER,
+
+"Only yesterday I received two letters which you wrote to me on the 16th
+and 17th of April: the one in answer to my recommendation of Malacarno,
+Signor Fracassa's archer, the other regarding a report which had reached
+you as to certain words which Fra Bernardino da Feltre is said to have
+spoken at Verona. In reply to your first letter, I assure your Highness
+that if I had ever dreamt Malacarno could be guilty of such detestable
+crimes, I would never have pleaded his cause, since naturally I hate
+such conduct. But as I had been told his faults were trifling, I
+consented to intercede with you on his behalf; and now I hear the bad
+character he bears, am well satisfied to hear the punishment which he
+has received, and praise your illustrious consort's prudence, while at
+the same time I thank you for the very kind expressions in your letter.
+As to Fra Bernardino's supposed prophecy that he would die this Holy
+Week after miraculously opening the eyes of a blind man, I find that
+there is absolutely no truth in the report you mention. Neither at
+Verona, nor yet at Padua, where he has also been preaching, did he ever
+use such language, which indeed his humility would forbid, and as I have
+learnt from a monk who attended his sermons. All the same, in order to
+satisfy you and make sure of the truth, I have made further inquiries,
+the result of which I now lay before you, begging you to commend me
+warmly to your illustrious lord.[23]
+
+"Mantua, May 2nd, 1492."
+
+From Vigevano, Lodovico and his wife moved to Pavia, where the summer
+months were spent in entertaining a succession of guests, and, as
+before, Beatrice and Isabella joined together in hunting parties and
+amusements of every description. Giangaleazzo had totally forgotten his
+passing vexation, the clouds which darkened Isabella's sad life seemed
+to lift for the moment, and once more harmony reigned in the ducal
+family. The _fetes_ in honour of her son's christening, which had been
+postponed in the previous summer, were now celebrated with increased
+splendour. Bramante was summoned to arrange a succession of dramatic
+performances, and a grand tournament was held in the park of the
+Castello, in which Messer Galeazzo and his brother and all the most
+skilled jousters at court took part. And the Moro's accomplished friend,
+Ermolao Barbaro, the young Venetian patriarch, who had been once more
+sent as envoy to Milan, composed a wonderful Latin epigram in honour of
+the occasion, praying Pallas not to avert her face in sorrow at the
+sound and tumult of war, which is after all but a mimic display, and
+calling upon her, the goddess whose wisdom Lodovico honours above all
+the thunders of Jove, to bless the great house of Sforza, illustrious
+alike in the arts of war and peace.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[17] Secret Archives of the Venetian Senate, Reg. 31, fol. 123, 131,
+etc., and Reg. 32, fol. 87.
+
+[18] F. Calvi, _Bianca Maria Sforza_.
+
+[19] C. Trivulzio in A. S. L., iii. 530.
+
+[20] V. Delaborde, _L'Expedition de Charles VIII. en Italie_, p. 228.
+
+[21] G. Uzielli, _op. cit._, p. 6.
+
+[22] Archivio di Milano, _Potenze esterne Francia_.
+
+[23] Luzio Renier, _op. cit._, p. 348.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+Intellectual and artistic revival in Lombardy--Lodovico and his
+secretaries--Building of the new University of Pavia--Reforms and
+extension of the University--The library of the Castello
+remodelled--Poliziano and Merula--Lodovico founds new schools at
+Milan--Equestrian statue of Francesco Sforza--Leonardo's paintings at
+Milan--Lodovico as a patron of art and learning.
+
+1492
+
+
+The year 1492 was one of great enterprises. The intellectual and
+artistic movement which Lodovico Sforza had inaugurated was now in full
+vigour, and the fruits of his wise and enlightened rule began to appear
+in every direction.
+
+"Now that the wars were ended," writes Corio, "an era of peace and
+prosperity began, and everything seemed on a firmer and more stable
+foundation than it had ever been in times past. The court of our princes
+was most splendid, full of new fashions, rich clothes, and endless
+delights. Here Minerva and Venus vied with each other, while beautiful
+youths and maidens came to learn in the school of Cupid, Minerva held
+her gentle academy in Milan, and that illustrious prince, Lodovico
+Sforza, brought men of rare excellence from the furthest ends of Europe
+at his expense. Here the learning of Greece shone, together with the
+prose and verse of the Latin race. Here the muses of poetry, and the
+masters of sculpture reigned supreme; here came the most distinguished
+painters from distant regions; here night and day were heard sounds of
+such sweet singing, and such delicious harmonies of music, that they
+seemed to descend from heaven itself."
+
+Foremost among the "men of singular merit" whom Lodovico attracted to
+his court and retained in his service, were his two secretaries,
+Bartolommeo Calco and Jacopo Antiquario of Perugia. Both were men of
+great learning and discernment, fired with the same passion for arts and
+letters as their master, and as liberal as he was in assisting poorer
+scholars. Calco was Lodovico's right hand and chief adviser in his great
+schemes for beautifying cities and palaces. He delivered his orders to
+the countless artists in his employment, arranged court festivities and
+generally conducted the duke's correspondence. Jacopo Antiquario was
+more purely a scholar, who protected other men of letters, and helped
+them generously in time of need. His honest nature and kindly actions
+made him singularly beloved, and a contemporary describes him as the
+most learned of good men, and the best of learned men; while his
+intimate friend, the great printer, Aldo Manuzio, has immortalized his
+memory in the beautiful epistle in which he dedicates the Moralia of
+Plutarch to this man, whose name, he prays, may go down to future ages
+linked with his own. Both of these secretaries proved able assistants in
+the great revival of art and learning which is Lodovico's lasting title
+to fame. Chief among these was the reform and extension of the
+University of Pavia. During the troubled times that followed Galeazzo
+Sforza's death, this ancient University had sunk to a very low ebb. The
+professors remained unpaid, and in many cases ceased to lecture, the
+buildings were small and inconvenient and the students lawless and
+riotous. Lodovico set himself with a stern hand to repress abuses on the
+one side, while on the other he grudged neither time nor money in
+promoting the cause of learning. A letter which he addressed to the
+students from Vigevano in August, 1488, only a few weeks before the
+dangerous illness which almost ended his life, deserves to be quoted, if
+only as an example of the attention which he gave to every detail of
+administration.
+
+"Not a day passes," he writes, "but I hear of some fresh misconduct on
+your part, some crime committed or some uproar excited in the city, by
+you who are scholars of the University. Even last Holy Week your
+behaviour towards certain gentlemen and citizens of Pavia was justly the
+cause of scandal and complaint. Such things are not to be borne, nor do
+I intend to bear them any longer. Schools are intended for learning, and
+the object of all study and learning is that we may know how to live
+well, and, by our good conduct and fair lives, gain honour and praise
+both in the eyes of God and man. We do not see that the human and divine
+laws, in which you are daily instructed, produce any good effect if you
+can behave as you have done in this case towards peaceable citizens,
+especially in these holy days when the fear of God should, above all,
+control your ways and actions. If you thus neglect the laws of good
+living, nothing but confusion can be the result. And know that, unless
+you speedily return to better ways, and show more respect for our holy
+religion, and more honourable treatment of our honest citizens, no love
+of learning will induce me to countenance such misconduct. For to
+repress crime, keep Italy in peace, and maintain the honour of our
+illustrious lord duke, is the first and chief object of our endeavours."
+
+Meanwhile, Lodovico neglected no means of improving the condition of
+both professors and scholars of the University. In 1489, the magnificent
+new Ateneo which he had planned was completed, and the different schools
+of medicine, jurisprudence, fine arts and letters, were brought together
+under the same roof. The most distinguished foreign scholars were
+invited to occupy the different professional chairs, their salaries were
+raised and their numbers increased. Giasone del Maino, who was professor
+of law at Pavia for fifty-two years, and whose reputation as jurist
+attracted students from all parts of the world, received the large
+salary of 2250 florins at this time, while Giorgio Merula of Alessandria,
+the historian, who for many years was professor of rhetoric at the
+University, and received only 375 florins in 1486, had his salary
+raised in 1492 to 1000 florins. Next to the law schools, that of
+medicine was the most noted for its excellence at Pavia, and among its
+distinguished professors were Alvise Marliani, who was said to rival
+Aristotle in philosophy, Hippocrates in medicine, and Ptolemy in
+astronomy, and who was court-physician in turn to Lodovico Sforza, to
+his son Maximilian, and to the Emperor Charles V.; and Ambrogio of
+Varese, who occupied the chair of astrology, and taught the science of
+Almansor, as it was termed. This favourite servant of the Moro received
+the title of Count and the castle and lands of Rosate from Gian Galeazzo
+in 1493, "for his services," so ran the patent, "in saving my illustrious
+uncle the Duke of Bari's life." Oriental study was another branch of
+learning that Lodovico especially encouraged. Count Teseo de'Albonesi of
+Pavia became noted as the first Chaldaic scholar of his age, and in 1490,
+the Moro established a chair of Hebrew, and appointed the Jew Benedetto
+Ispano to be the first professor, with express injunctions to study the
+text of the Bible. This experiment, however, proved a failure, and so few
+scholars attended his lectures that at the end of a year the chair was
+abolished. At the same time, new colleges were opened, and scholarships
+founded for poor students; and in 1496, Lodovico being then reigning Duke
+of Milan, granted the professors of law, medicine, philosophy and fine
+arts, an exemption from all taxation. Under his fostering care the
+University flourished as it had never flourished before. Scholars from
+all parts of Europe came to attend Giasone di Maino's lectures, the
+number of professors reached ninety: that of students was said to be
+three thousand. As the Milanese poet Lancinus Curtius sang in his Latin
+rhymes, "The fair-skinned Germans with their long hair flowing on their
+necks, the English and the knights from Gaul, the Iberian from the golden
+sands of Tagus, all hasten thither from the far North. The rude Pannonian
+lays aside his military cloak to join the eager throng who crowd into the
+virgin temple and seek the Helicon of Phoebus under the carved dome of
+wisdom, which bears Lodovico's name above the stars."
+
+But the Moro patronage of learning was by no means limited to Pavia. He
+did his utmost to revive the ancient University of Milan, which had long
+fallen into decay, and founded new and flourishing schools in this city.
+The best Pavian professors Merula and the Greek Demetrius Calcondila
+amongst others, were invited to lecture to the Milanese students. Fra
+Luca Pacioli of Borgo San Sepolcro, the famous mathematician, came to
+teach them geometry and arithmetic, and Ferrari occupied the first chair
+of history ever founded in Italy, while the priest Gaffuri became the
+first public instructor in the new school of music. In short, as a
+contemporary writes, there was not a science of any description that
+could not be learnt at Milan in the days of Lodovico Sforza.
+
+The endowment of research was another point in which Lodovico showed
+himself to be in advance of his age. He granted liberal pensions to
+Bernardino Corio and Tristano Calco, "the Milanese Livy," who continued
+the history of the Visconti begun by the Alessandria professor and
+addressed letters in his own hand to the private owners of valuable
+manuscripts, requesting the loan of works that would assist these
+writers of Lombard history, "in order that a perpetual memory of the
+great deeds done by our ancestors may be preserved for future
+generations." From his earliest years history had been one of Lodovico's
+favourite studies, and an illuminated volume of extracts from Greek and
+Roman history which he compiled under his tutor Filelfo's direction at
+the age of fifteen may still be seen in the library of Turin. And in
+riper years, amid all the pressure of State affairs and political
+anxieties, he never let a day pass without having some passages from
+ancient and modern history read aloud to him by his secretaries. So wise
+and enlightened a prince well deserved the high praise bestowed upon him
+by the Bolognese scholar, Filippo Beroaldo, and the great Florentine,
+Angelo Poliziano, with whom Lodovico frequently exchanged letters, and
+who in one of his effusions thus addresses his princely friend: "All the
+world knows you to be a prince of brilliant genius and singular wisdom,
+while above all others you cherish the noble arts and show your love for
+these intellectual studies which we profess." The jealousy of his own
+subjects was often roused by the favour with which Lodovico regarded
+scholars of other nationalities, and on one occasion a fierce quarrel
+arose between Merula and Poliziano, in which the Lombard historian
+stooped to the vilest personalities. Another Pavian professor with whom
+he had a controversy over certain commentaries of Martial, had, it
+appears, ventured to hint that Merula did not really know Greek, an
+insinuation which provoked the most violent display of anger on his
+part, and when Poliziano endeavoured to appease both parties, the
+affronted Lombard flew at him like a small terrier attacking some big
+mastiff. All Lodovico's tact and courtesy were needed to allay the
+storm, and when at length Merula died in 1494, the duke ordered the
+immediate destruction of all the papers relating to this deplorable
+controversy, of which all parties, he felt, had good reason to be
+ashamed. The remodelling of the library of the Castello di Pavia was
+another important work which was carried out in the year 1492, by
+Tristano Calco the historian and kinsman of the chief secretary, under
+the eye of Lodovico himself, while he and Beatrice spent the summer at
+Pavia. All the rare and precious manuscripts which he had been at such
+pains to collect in France and Italy and Germany, and the ancient books
+contained in the library were catalogued and arranged for the use of
+students. For Lodovico was not only bent on enriching the ducal library,
+but was determined to make its treasures accessible to scholars of all
+nationalities. He allowed contemporary historians, Corio, Merula, and
+Tristan Calco himself, to borrow manuscripts freely, and, what was even
+more admirable in those days of persecution, gave permission under his
+own hand and seal to a Jewish scholar, named Salomone Ebreo, to live in
+the Castello with his family, in order that he might translate Hebrew
+manuscripts into Latin for the promotion of theological studies, and
+also be enabled to study the text of the Hebrew Bible belonging to the
+library.
+
+It is melancholy to reflect on the sad fate of this priceless
+collection, upon which Lodovico and his ancestors had expended so much
+care and thought. In 1499, the bulk of the library of the Castello was
+carried off to Blois by Louis XII. and its precious contents were
+dispersed. Some were taken to Fontainebleau by Francis I. and afterwards
+by Henry Quatre to Paris, where they are still the glory of the
+Bibliotheque Nationale. Others again found their way into different
+public and private collections, and may be seen at Madrid and St.
+Petersburg, in London and Vienna, still bearing the inscription "De
+Pavye au roi Louis XII.," which tells us that they once formed part of
+the Sforza Library. An illuminated manuscript of Aulus Gellius, and
+another of the "Triumphs" of Petrarch, encircled with miniatures and
+bearing Lodovico's name, which originally belonged to the same
+collection, are among the treasures of the Bibliotheque Nationale. Many
+more no doubt have disappeared, lost in the general anarchy and
+confusion which prevailed in the Milanese during the century after the
+Moro's fall.
+
+The newly discovered art of printing was also liberally encouraged by
+Lodovico, one of whose _proteges_, Alessandro Minuziano, set up a
+printing press in Milan before Aldo Manuzio had settled in Venice, and
+in the course of the year 1494, published twenty-two books, including a
+Latin dictionary by Dionigi Este and complete editions of Cicero and
+Tacitus, Pliny and Suetonius, as well as the works of Filelfo and the
+Sonnets and Triumphs of Petrarch. In 1496, a treatise on music by
+Franchino Gaffuri was published, with a dedication to the duke, and was
+followed by the appearance of several works on harmony.
+
+The munificence of Lodovico stirred up others to follow his example. His
+secretary Bartolommeo Calco founded free schools, where Greek and Latin
+professors lectured free of charge to poor Milanese students; and two
+other noblemen, Tommaso Grassi and Tommaso Piatti, endowed similar
+institutions. The new passion for learning spread from Milan and Pavia
+to other cities, and even Lombard villages had their public schools and
+lecturers. Everywhere the same thirst for knowledge was felt and the
+same respect for scholars was shown. For as Signor Lodovico wrote to his
+friend Poliziano, at Florence, "Both natural inclination and the example
+of our ancestors have inspired us with ardent love for learned men and
+an eager desire to honour and reward them to the best of our power."
+
+If the intellectual movement which took place during the twenty years of
+Lodovico Moro's rule in Milan commanded general admiration; if learning
+flourished there as it had never done before, the widespread revival of
+art in Lombardy was a still more remarkable feature of the period. This
+indeed was the province in which Lodovico's true genius was most
+apparent, and in which his own fine taste, vast power of organization
+and minute attention to detail, all made themselves felt and bore rich
+fruit. "This," wrote Isabella d'Este--herself no mean judge of these
+matters--from Lodovico's court, "is the school of the Master and of
+those who know, the home of art and understanding."
+
+Throughout the Milanese, architects and engineers, painters and
+sculptors, with a host of minor craftsmen, were carrying out the vast
+projects that emanated from this one man. The decoration of the capital
+was naturally among the chief objects of his ambition.
+
+"In the year 1492," writes the chronicler Cagnola, "this glorious and
+magnanimous prince adorned the Castello di Porta Zobia with many fair
+and marvellous buildings, enlarged the Piazza in front of the Castello,
+and removed obstructions in the streets of the city, and caused them to
+be painted and beautified with frescoes. And he did the same in the city
+of Pavia, so that both these towns, that were formerly ugly and dirty,
+are now most beautiful, which things are very laudable and excellent,
+especially in the eyes of those who remember these cities as they were
+of old, and who see them as they are to-day."
+
+Chief among Lodovico's most honoured and trusted servants was Bramante
+of Urbino, whose genius excited so marked an influence on the
+development of Lombard architecture, and who was to the builders what
+Leonardo became to the painters of Milan. "Signor Lodovico loved
+Bramante greatly, and rewarded him richly," writes Fra Gaspare Bugati, a
+Dominican friar of S. Maria delle Grazie, the Moro's favourite church,
+which this great architect did so much to beautify. During this year,
+Bramante, having finished the palace of Vigevano and completed the new
+buildings at the royal villas of Abbiategrasso, Cuzzago and other
+places, upon which he had been long engaged, began several important
+works in Milan itself. The new cloister or Canonica attached to the
+ancient basilica of S. Ambrogio, with its graceful columns and
+dark-green marble capitals, and the apse of S. Maria delle Grazie, soon
+to be crowned with that matchless cupola that remains among Bramante's
+most perfect works, were both begun in 1492. A few years before, between
+1485 and 1490, he had built the Baptistery of San Satiro, which another
+of Lodovico's chosen artists, the great Como sculptor, Caradosso, was
+now engaged in modelling the lovely terra-cotta frieze of children and
+the medallions bearing, it is said, his own portrait and that of
+Bramante. The noble church of S. Maria presso San Celso, which in
+Burckhardt's opinion combines magnificence and simplicity better than
+any building of the Renaissance, was the work of Bramante's assistant,
+Dolcebuono, and owed its erection to the munificence of Lodovico, who
+laid the first stone in 1491. Nor were churches and palaces the only
+buildings upon which Lodovico lavished his gold and employed his most
+distinguished masters. In those days, the hospitals of Rome, Florence,
+Venice and Siena were the finest in Europe, and when Luther visited
+Rome, he is said to have been more impressed by the size and splendour
+of the hospitals, than by anything else in Italy. The great Moro,
+determined not to allow Milan to remain behind his age in this respect,
+employed Bramante to adorn the Gothic buildings of the Ospedale Maggiore
+with the arched windows and stately porticoes that we still admire,
+while he encircled the cloisters with marble shafts and terra-cotta
+mouldings after his own heart. And in 1488, after his own recovery from
+illness, and that terrible visitation of the plague which had carried
+off fifty thousand inhabitants of Milan in six months, Lodovico founded
+the vast Lazzaretto, which still deserves its proud title, and may well
+be called a "glorious refuge for Christ's poor."
+
+Meanwhile the works of the Duomo of Milan, that other great foundation
+of the Visconti dukes, were being vigorously carried on. In 1481,
+Lodovico had nominated his favourite Pavian master, Amadeo, the
+architect of the Certosa, as Capomaestro in succession to Guiniforte
+Solari; but the Councillors of the Fabric declined to accept his
+suggestion, and sent to Strasburg for a German architect, John
+Nexemperger of Graz, who held the office for some years, but effected
+little, and was finally dismissed in 1486. After his departure, the
+ruinous state of the central cupola requiring immediate attention,
+Lodovico invited Luca Fancelli, the chief architect of the Gonzagas at
+Mantua, to visit Milan, and by his advice Leonardo, Bramante, and other
+leading masters were invited in 1487 to design models for a new cupola.
+On this occasion Leonardo executed a model, which, however, does not
+seem to have satisfied the Fabbricieri, and after applying in vain to
+his ambassador in Rome and Florence for a master able and willing to
+undertake the task, Lodovico returned to his first choice, and appointed
+Amadeo and Dolcebuono, architects of the Duomo, with powers to alter and
+perfect the models of the cupola submitted to them for inspection. In
+order to strengthen their hands and satisfy himself, Lodovico invited
+Luca Fancelli of Mantua and Francesco Martini of Siena to decide on the
+respective merits of the models already prepared. Caradosso was sent to
+conduct Martini from Siena, while Gaffuri, Professor of Music, escorted
+Fancelli from Mantua by the duke's orders, and both masters were richly
+rewarded for the pains and presented with silken vests and clothes for
+their servants over and above the pay to which they were entitled.
+
+On the 27th of June, 1490, a meeting was held in the Castello, at which
+Lodovico presided, and after much deliberation the final execution of
+the cupola was entrusted to Amadeo and Dolcebuono. Bramante himself was
+not present on this occasion, but he approved highly of the model
+selected, and praised its lightness and elegance.
+
+As for Leonardo, he was absorbed in other studies, and had apparently
+ceased to take any interest in the subject. After allowing his first
+model to be spoilt, and receiving payment for a second which he never
+began, he had, as already mentioned, accompanied the Sienese architect,
+Martini, to Pavia, to give his opinion on the new Duomo in course of
+erection. There he lingered, studying anatomy or discussing scientific
+and philosophical questions with the University professors, until he was
+recalled to Milan, to assist in the preparations for Beatrice's wedding
+_fetes_. Many and varied were the tasks on which Leonardo had been
+employed since the day, some eight years before, when the Magnificent
+Medici first sent him to his friend at Milan. In the letter which the
+young master, proudly conscious of his powers, himself addressed to
+Lodovico Sforza, offering him his services, he had, first of all,
+retailed at length his different inventions "for the construction of
+bridges, cannons, engines, and catapults of fair and useful shape
+hitherto unknown, but of admirable efficiency in time of war," after
+which he proceeded to give the following account of his artistic
+capacities:--
+
+"In time of peace I believe I can equal any man in constructing public
+buildings and conducting water from one place to another. I can execute
+sculpture, whether in marble, bronze, or terra-cotta, and in painting I
+am the equal of any master, be he who he may. Again, I will undertake to
+execute the bronze horse to the immortal glory and eternal honour of the
+duke, your father, of blessed memory, and of the illustrious House of
+Sforza. And if any of the things I have mentioned above should seem to
+you impossible and impracticable, I will gladly make trial of them in
+your park, or any other place that may please your Excellency, to whom I
+commend myself in all humility."
+
+The master had kept his word, and justified the confidence which from
+the first Lodovico Sforza placed in him. According to Vasari and the
+biographer of the Magliabecchiana, who wrote about 1540, Leonardo
+originally attracted the Moro's notice by the surpassing charm with
+which he played on a silver lyre of his own invention, and afterwards
+fascinated him by his conversation. But from the moment of his arrival
+at Milan the Florentine artist was employed by his new master to paint
+portraits and frescoes, to construct canals, arrange masques and
+pageants, or invent mechanical contrivances for use on the stage or in
+the house. A thousand different studies in his sketch-books and
+manuscripts bear witness to the strange variety of subjects upon which
+his versatile genius was brought to bear. But the most important work
+upon which Leonardo was engaged, and that which lay nearest to Lodovico
+Sforza's heart, was the equestrian statue of Duke Francesco Sforza.
+This, we learn from the master's own words, was the true reason that
+brought him to Milan. In a letter to the Fabbricieri of the Duomo of
+Piacenza, he describes himself as Leonardo the Florentine whom Signor
+Lodovico brought to Milan to make the bronze horse, and says that he can
+undertake no other task, for this will fill his whole life, if indeed it
+is ever finished! Countless were the designs, endless the different
+forms which the great master made for this model, which was, after all,
+never to be cast in bronze, and was destined to perish by the hands of
+French archers. At one time it seemed as if he could neither satisfy
+himself nor yet his master. In July, 1489, Pietro Alamanni, one of
+Lorenzo de' Medici's agents, wrote to ask his master if he could send
+another artist capable of executing the work to the Milanese court.
+
+"Signor Lodovico," he says, "wishes to raise a noble memorial to his
+father, and has already charged Leonardo da Vinci to prepare a model for
+a great bronze horse, with a figure of Duke Francesco in armour. But
+since His Excellency is anxious to have something superlatively fine,
+he desires me to write and beg you to send him another master, for
+although he has given the work to Leonardo, he does not feel satisfied
+that he is equal to the task."
+
+Probably Lodovico's confidence had been shaken by Leonardo's endless
+delays and hesitation, but a few months later the master was at work
+again, this time it appears on a completely new model of the great
+statue. On April, 1490, we find the following memorandum in Leonardo's
+writing:--
+
+"To-day I commenced this book, and began the horse again."
+
+But soon another interruption came to interfere with the progress of the
+great work. There was the visit to Pavia, and the decoration of the
+ball-room in the Castello, and the wedding _fetes_, and the tournaments
+in which Messer Galeazzo sought his help. And in this year--1492--we
+find Leonardo at Vigevano with the Moro in March, making designs for a
+new staircase for the Sforzesca, and studying vine-culture, and later in
+the summer drawing plans of a bath-room for Duchess Beatrice, and of a
+pavilion with a round cupola for the duke's labyrinth in the gardens of
+the Castello. It was in this same year, according to Amoretti, that he
+finished the beautiful painting of the Holy Family, upon which he had
+long been engaged. This may have been the picture ordered by Lodovico as
+a gift for the art-loving King of Hungary, Matthias Corvinus, when his
+niece Bianca Maria was betrothed to that monarch's son.
+
+"Since we hear that His Majesty delights in pictures," wrote Lodovico to
+Maffeo di Treviglio, the ambassador whom he was sending to Hungary in
+1485, "and we have here a most excellent painter, with whose genius we
+are well acquainted, and who, we are sure, has no equal, we have ordered
+this master to paint a figure of Our Lady, as beautiful and perfect and
+holy as he can imagine, without sparing pains or expense. He has already
+set to work, and will undertake nothing else until this picture is
+finished, and we are able to send it as a gift to his said Majesty."
+
+The painter who had no equal could be none other than Leonardo; but it
+would be interesting to know if this picture, originally destined for
+Matthias Corvinus, was the Nativity eventually given by Lodovico in 1493
+to Bianca Maria's future husband, the Emperor Maximilian. All traces of
+this altar-piece, however, as well as of the Bacchus and other subjects
+which Leonardo painted for the Moro, have vanished; and the only works
+that remain to us of his Milanese period are the cartoon of the Virgin
+and St. Anne now in the Royal Academy, and the "Vierge aux Rochers" in
+the Louvre, which was originally painted between 1490 and 1494 for a
+chapel in San Francesco of Milan, the church where the great Condottiere
+Roberto di Sanseverino was piously buried by his sons, after his death
+in the battle of Trent. The fame which Leonardo had attained, and the
+high esteem in which he was held by the Moro, is proved by the verses of
+contemporary poets, and especially by those of his fellow-countryman,
+Bellincioni, the court-poet who died in 1492.
+
+"To-day," he sings, "Milan is the new Athens! Here Lodovico holds his
+Parnassus; here rare and excellent artists flock as bees to seek honey
+from the flowers; here, chief among them all, is the new Apelles whom he
+has brought from Florence." In the volume of Bellincioni's Sonnets,
+published soon after his death by the priest Francesco Tanzio, the name
+Magistro Leonardo da Vinci appears in a marginal note, and in another
+sonnet inscribed to "Four illustrious men who have grown up under the
+shadow of the Moro," the editor gives the respective names of these
+famous individuals as "the painter Maestro Leonardo Florentino, the
+goldsmith Caradosso, the learned Greek scholar Giorgio Merula, called
+the sun of Alessandria, and Maestro Giannino, the Ferrarese
+gun-founder."
+
+"Rejoice, O Milano," sings the poet in these verses--"rejoice above all,
+that within your walls you hold one who is foremost among excellent
+artists, Da Vinci, whose drawing and colouring are alike unrivalled by
+ancient or modern masters."
+
+The fact that Lodovico was able to keep this great master at his court
+during so long a period is the best proof we have of his knowledge of
+men and love of art. These sixteen years were the most brilliant and
+productive of Leonardo's life. Never again was he to enjoy a freedom
+and independence so complete, never again was he to find a master as
+generous, as stimulating to his powers of brain and hand as the great
+Moro. It was not only that Signor Lodovico gave him the large salary of
+2000 ducats--about L4000 of our money--"besides many other gifts and
+rewards," as Leonardo himself told Cardinal de Gurk, but that he was
+himself so fine a connoisseur and understanding a patron. More than
+this, he knew how to deal with men of genius, and could make allowance
+for their wayward fancies, and humour their caprices with infinite tact
+and kindliness. And from the little that we glean of his intercourse
+with Leonardo, he seems to have treated him rather as an equal than as a
+subject, and more like a friend than a servant.
+
+The glimpses that we catch of Leonardo's private life from the writings
+of contemporaries, whether in Bandello's _novelle_, or in Bellincioni's
+_rime_, all give the same pleasant impression, and show the ease and
+liberty which he enjoyed at the court of Milan. And in his own
+"Trattato" (Cap. 36) the painter describes himself as living in a fine
+house, full of beautiful paintings and choice objects, surrounded by
+musicians and poets. Here he sits at his work, handling a brush full of
+lovely colour, never so happy as when he can paint listening to the
+sound of sweet melodies. The spacious atelier is full of scholars and
+apprentices employed in carrying out their master's ideas or making
+chemical experiments, but careless of the noise of tools and hammers,
+the fair-haired boy Angelo sings his golden song, and Serafino the
+wondrous _improvisatore_ chants his own verses to the sound of the lyre.
+Visitors come and go freely--Messer Jacopo of Ferrara, the architect who
+was "dear to Leonardo as a brother," the courtly poet Gaspare Visconti,
+and Vincenzo Calmeta, Duchess Beatrice's secretary, or, it may be, the
+great Messer Galeaz himself, whose big jennet and Sicilian horse the
+master has been drawing as models for the great equestrian statue
+standing outside in the Corte Vecchia. There, among them all, the
+painter bends over his canvas seeking to perfect the glazes and scumbles
+of his pearly tints, or trying to realize some dream of a face that
+haunts his fancy with its exquisite smile. He has, it is true, many
+labours--"_a tanta faccenda!_" as he wrote to the councillors of
+Piacenza--and at times he hardly knows which way to turn, but he is his
+own master, free to work as he will, now at one, now at another. He has
+no cares or anxiety. He can dress as he pleases, wear rich apparel if he
+is so minded, or don the plain clothes and sober hues that he prefers.
+He has gold enough and to spare; he can help a poorer friend and educate
+a needy apprentice, or save his money for a rainy day; and, above all,
+he has plenty of books and leisure to meditate on philosophical
+treatises, or ponder over the scientific problems in which his soul
+delights. He can find time to jot down his thoughts on many things, to
+write his great treatise on painting, and to draw the wonderful
+interlaced patterns inscribed with the strange words which have puzzled
+so many generations of commentators. And he has friends, too, dear to
+his heart--Messer Jacopo, and the wise Lorenzo da Pavia, that master of
+organs whose hands were as deft in fashioning lyres and viols as in
+drawing out sweet sounds, with whom he loved to commune of musical
+instruments and eternal harmonies, and the boy Andrea Salai, with the
+beautiful curling hair, whom he loved to dress up in green velvet
+mantles, and shoes with rose-coloured ribbons and silver buckles.
+
+"Such," he tells us, "was I, Leonardo the Florentine, at the court of
+the most Illustrious Prince Signor Lodovic." And what the Moro was to
+Leonardo that he showed himself to other artists and men of letters. In
+the poet's words, he was the magnet who drew men of genius (_virtuosi_)
+from all parts of the world to Milan. He might be an exacting and
+critical master, he was certainly never satisfied with any work short of
+the best--even Leonardo, we have seen, did not always find him easy to
+please--but once he discovered a man who was excellent in any branch of
+knowledge, he thought no cost too great to retain him at his court. And
+so the foremost scholars and the finest artists, Giorgio Merula and
+Lancinus Curtius, Caradosso and Cristoforo Romano, Bramante and
+Leonardo, were all drawn to Milan in turn, and, having once entered the
+Moro's service, remained there until the end.
+
+"We know, O most illustrious Prince!" wrote Tanzio in his preface to
+Bellincioni's Sonnets--"we know that you, the Chief of the Insubrians,
+are no less a lover of your country than of your glorious father, in
+whose honour you have reared that mighty and immortal work, the great
+Colossus, which, like himself, remains without a rival. We see you
+equally anxious to glorify both his memory and your own great city. We
+see Milan, by your care, not only adorned with peace and wealth, with
+noble churches and edifices, but with rare and admirable intellects, who
+all turn to you in their hour of need, as the rivers flow into the vast
+ocean."
+
+Nor was it only in Milan and Pavia that this revival made itself felt.
+The new impulse spread from city to city. The lovely Renaissance facade
+of S. Maria dei Miracoli at Brescia was completed in 1487, and the great
+Church of the Incoronata at Lodi, begun in 1488, was continued during
+the next twenty years under the superintendence of Dolcebuono and
+Amadeo. Bramante supplied designs for the new facade and portals that
+were added to the cathedral of Como in 1491, and for the majestic church
+of Abbiategrasso, close to this favourite country house of the Sforzas.
+A number of other churches, both in Milan and the neighbourhood, were
+designed by him or his scholars, and bear witness to the revolution
+which he had effected in Lombard architecture. At Piacenza and Cremona,
+at Saronno and Lugano, new churches and palaces arose, and the famous
+Sanctuary of Varallo in the Val Sesia was founded in 1491 by that devout
+personage, Messer Bernardino Caimo, on his return from a pilgrimage to
+the Holy Land. The same passion for building and decoration prevailed
+everywhere. On all sides poets and scholars celebrated Lodovico's name
+as the Pericles of this new Athens, and joined in the chorus of praise
+which inspired Pistoia's famous line--
+
+"E un Dio in cielo e il Moro in terra."
+
+"There is one God in heaven and the Moro upon earth."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+Beatrice d'Este as a patron of learning and poetry--Vincenzo Calmeta,
+her secretary--Serafino d'Aquila--Rivalry of Lombard and Tuscan poets
+--Gaspare Visconti's works--Poetic jousts with Bramante--Niccolo di
+Correggio and other poets--Dramatic art and music at the court of
+Milan--Gaffuri and Testagrossa--Lorenzo Gusnasco of Pavia.
+
+1492
+
+
+Lodovico Moro, as we have seen, was justly extolled by his
+contemporaries as the most illustrious Mecaenas of his age. As Abbe
+Tiraboschi, the learned historian of Italian literature, wrote ninety
+years ago, "If we consider the immense number of learned men who flocked
+to his court from all parts of Italy in the certainty of receiving great
+honours and rich rewards; if, again, we remember how many famous
+architects and painters he invited to Milan, and how many noble
+buildings he raised, how he built and endowed the magnificent University
+of Pavia, and opened schools of every kind of science in Milan; if
+besides all this we read the splendid eulogies and dedicatory epistles
+addressed to him by scholars of every nationality, we feel inclined to
+pronounce him the best prince that ever lived." And in Beatrice d'Este,
+Lodovico possessed a wife admirably adapted to share his aims and
+preside over his court. Both her birth and education fitted her for the
+position which she now occupied. Her youth and beauty lent a new lustre
+to the court, her quick intelligence and cultured tastes led her to
+appreciate the society of poets and scholars. The natural love of
+splendour, which she shared with the Moro, went hand-in-hand with
+artistic invention. Her rich clothes and jewels were distinguished by
+their refinement and rare workmanship. The fashions which she
+introduced were marked by their elegance and beauty. She took especial
+delight in music and poetry, and gave signs of a fine and discriminating
+literary judgment. And like Lodovico, she knew not only how to attract
+men of genius, but how to retain them in her service. Where, again, asks
+Castiglione, who had known her in her brightest days at Milan, shall we
+find a woman of intellect as remarkable as Duchess Beatrice? And her own
+secretary, the writer known as "_l'elegantissimo_ Calmeta" in the
+cultured circles of Mantua and Urbino, has told us how much men of
+letters owed to her sympathy and help. In the life of his friend,
+Serafino Aquilano, written seven years after Beatrice's death, when the
+Milanese was a French province and the Moro a captive at Loches, Calmeta
+recalls the brilliant days of his old life at Lodovico's court, and
+speaks thus of his lost mistress:--
+
+"This duke had for his most dear wife Beatrice d'Este, daughter of
+Ercole, Duke of Ferrara, who, coming to Milan in the flower of her
+opening youth, was endowed with so rare an intellect, so much grace and
+affability, and was so remarkable for her generosity and goodness that
+she may justly be compared with the noblest women of antiquity. This
+duchess devoted her time to the highest objects. Her court was composed
+of men of talent and distinction, most of whom were poets and musicians,
+who were expected to compose new eclogues, comedies, or tragedies, and
+arrange new spectacles and representations every month. In her leisure
+hours she generally employed a certain Antonio Grifo"--a well-known
+student and commentator of Dante--"or some equally gifted man, to read
+the Divina Commedia, or the works of other Italian poets, aloud to her.
+And it was no small relaxation of mind for Lodovico Sforza, when he was
+able to escape from the cares and business of state, to come and listen
+to these readings in his wife's rooms. And among the illustrious men
+whose presence adorned the court of the duchess there were three
+high-born cavaliers, renowned for many talents, but above all for their
+poetic gifts--Niccolo da Correggio, Gaspare Visconti, and Antonio di
+Campo Fregoso, together with many others, one of whom was myself,
+Vincenzo Calmeta, who for some years held the post of secretary to that
+glorious and excellent lady. And besides those I have named there was
+Benedetto da Cingoli, called Piceno, and many other youths of no small
+promise, who daily offered her the first fruits of their genius. Nor was
+Duchess Beatrice content with rewarding and honouring the poets of her
+own court. On the contrary, she sent to all parts of Italy to inquire
+for the compositions of elegant poets, and placed their books as sacred
+and divine things on the shelves of her cabinet of study, and praised
+and rewarded each writer according to his merit. In this manner, poetry
+and literature in the vulgar tongue, which had degenerated and sunk into
+forgetfulness after the days of Petrarch and Boccaccio, has been
+restored to its former dignity, first by the protection of Lorenzo de'
+Medici, and then by the influence of this rare lady, and others like
+her, who are still living at the present time. But when Duchess Beatrice
+died everything fell into ruin. That court, which had been a joyous
+Paradise, became a dark and gloomy Inferno, and poets and artists were
+forced to seek another road."
+
+Calmeta himself was a prolific writer both of verse and prose, whose
+translation of Ovid's _Ars amandi_, dedicated to Lodovico Moro, was
+highly esteemed by his contemporaries, and whom Castiglione introduces
+among the speakers of his _Cortigiano_. Like his friends Niccolo da
+Correggio and Gaspare Visconti, Beatrice's secretary was a fervent
+admirer of Petrarch, and wrote an elaborate commentary on the _Canzone_,
+"_Mai non vo' piu cantar como io solea_," which he dedicated to Isabella
+d'Este and sent her with a letter expressing his conviction that no one
+before him had ever fully understood this profound and subtle poem.
+Another of Beatrice's _proteges_ was Serafino, the famous improvisatore
+of Aquila in the Abruzzi, a short and ugly little man, whom Cardinal
+Bibbiena once laughingly compared to a carpet-bag (_valigia_)! But in
+spite of his dwarfed stature and elfish appearance, Serafino sang his
+own _strambotti_ and eclogues so well, and had so fascinating a way of
+accompanying himself on the lute, that the Este and Gonzaga ladies all
+entreated him for new verses, and literally wrangled over the man
+himself! Like Calmeta and many others, however, after spending some time
+at the courts of Mantua and Urbino, he came to Milan, and devoted his
+talents to the service of Duchess Beatrice until her death, after which
+he went his way sadly, and sought shelter in his old haunts. Most of his
+time after this was spent with the good Duchess Elizabeth at Urbino,
+where the Milanese refugees found a warm welcome, and where Serafino was
+caressed and _feted_ by all the great ladies in turn, until a premature
+death closed his career, and he died in Rome in 1500, lamented in prose
+and verse by the most cultured spirits of the age.
+
+While Beatrice encouraged these foreign poets to settle at Milan,
+Lodovico invited the Tuscans Bellincioni and Antonio Cammelli, surnamed
+Pistoia, to his court, in the hope of refining and polishing the rude
+Lombard diction. The priest Tanzio, writing after Bellincioni's death in
+1492, remarks that this influence had already borne fruit, and that the
+sonnet, which was practically unknown in Milan before Bellincioni's
+coming, was now diligently cultivated there. But, not unnaturally, a
+bitter rivalry sprung up between the Lombard and the Tuscan poets, and a
+fierce poetic warfare was exchanged between them. Bellincioni's
+suspicious and quarrelsome nature is revealed in his letters to his
+patron, in which he is always complaining of the envious detractors
+whose wicked tongues are employed in backbiting him day and night. His
+own character was by no means free from the same imputations; and the
+Ferrarese poet, Tebaldeo, the friend of Raphael and Castiglione,
+composed a witty epitaph, in which he warns passers-by to avoid the last
+resting-place of this singer, who had made so many enemies in life, lest
+he turn in his grave and bite them. Bellincioni's bitterest foe was a
+certain Bergamasque poet, Guidotto Prestinari, who wrote many odes and
+songs in honour of Beatrice, and represented the old Lombard school. On
+one occasion this misguided person even dared to attack Leonardo, and
+wrote a sonnet in which he jeers at the great painter for spending his
+time in hunting for curious worms and insects on the hills of Bergamo,
+when he visited his friends of the Melzi family. Leonardo scorned to
+take any notice of these petty insults, but in his letter to the
+councillors of Piacenza we see the contempt which he had for Lombard
+artists--"those rude and ignorant workmen," as he calls them, "who boast
+they will get letters of recommendation from Signora Lodovico or his
+Commissioner of Works, Messer Ambrogio Ferrari, when not one of them is
+fit to undertake the task." And certain epigrams in the Windsor
+Sketchbook are plainly directed against the false and venal science of
+the astrologer Ambrogio da Rosate, whose name is given in the margin,
+and show how cordial was Leonardo's hatred of the duke's all-powerful
+favourite.
+
+Fortunately, both Leonardo himself, as well as Calmeta and Pistoia, were
+on friendly terms with Gaspare Visconti, who, originally a scholar of
+Prestinari, became the chief representative of the Lombard school of
+poetry at Milan, and whom Beatrice's secretary places next to Niccolo da
+Correggio among the best poets of her court. This popular poet and
+polished cavalier was a great favourite, not only with Beatrice and her
+husband, but with Galeazzo di Sanseverino, the Marchesino Stanga, and
+all the chief personages at court. Born in 1461 of noble Milanese
+parents, he married Cecilia, daughter of Cecco Simonetta, Duchess Bona's
+ill-fated minister, and was advanced to the dignity of _Eques Auratus_
+and ducal councillor. After the death of Bellincioni he succeeded to the
+post of court poet, and was often employed by Lodovico to address
+complimentary verses to other princes or to write sonnets on passing
+events, whether his theme were a royal wedding or the death of a
+favourite falcon. His most important work was a romance entitled "Paolo
+e Daria," founded on Bramante's discovery of a tomb containing the ashes
+of these lovers, when the foundations of his new cloisters at S.
+Ambrogio were being laid in the year 1492. The incident excited great
+interest at court, and Gasparo dedicated his poem to Lodovico--"_mio
+Duca_"--and introduced an eloquent eulogy in honour of his friend
+Bramante in the first canto. In the following year he published a volume
+of rhymes, dedicated to Niccolo da Correggio, who sent the book to the
+insatiable Isabella d'Este, saying this would please her better than any
+verses that he could write. Finally, in 1496, he formally presented the
+duchess with a copy of his poems, written in silver letters and gold on
+ivory vellum, and enriched with miniatures of rare beauty. This
+sumptuous volume, bound in silver-gilt boards enamelled with flowers,
+and containing 143 sonnets as well as epistles on love and other
+philosophical and theological subjects, was dedicated to Beatrice in the
+following words:--
+
+"To the Most Illustrious Duchess of Milan, Gaspare Visconti, Having
+been told by many honourable persons, chief among whom is Messer
+Galeazzo Sanseverino, that the said duchess graciously pleads my cause
+with His Excellency the Duke, I beg of her to accept this book,
+dedicated to her by her humble servant." The same grateful sentiments
+inspired the lyric which followed, in which the poet implored the
+duchess to use her well-known influence with her lord, and incline his
+will to look favourably upon her servant's prayer--
+
+"Donna beata! e Spirito pudico!
+Deh! fa benigna a questa mia richiesta
+La voglia del tuo Sposo Lodovico.
+    Io so ben quel che dico!
+Tanta e la tua virtu che cio che vuoi
+Dello invitto cuor disponer puoi."[24]
+
+An ardent lover of Petrarch, to whose poems these of the Milanese poet
+were often compared by his admirers, Gaspare Visconti took the lead in a
+lively poetic contest with Bramante on the respective merits of Dante
+and Petrarch, The discussion was carried on during many weeks, in the
+presence of the duchess and her courtiers in the beautiful gardens of
+Vigevano, or in those fair pleasure-houses by the running streams in the
+park at Pavia, where Beatrice and her ladies spent the long summer days.
+Gaspare found animated supporters in his friends Calmeta and Niccolo da
+Correggio, who was himself an enthusiastic admirer of Petrarch, and on
+one occasion journeyed twenty-five miles from Correggio over the worst
+roads in the world to see the remote village of Rosena, where the Tuscan
+poet had composed some of his finest _canzoni_. On the other hand,
+Bramante had the duke and duchess on his side. We know how, at the end
+of a long day's work, Lodovico loved to listen to the reading of the
+"Divina Commedia" in his wife's boudoir, and ponder the meaning of that
+great vision of heaven and hell. And when the catastrophe of Novara had
+crushed his last hopes, and he was borne a captive into the strange
+land, the only favour he asked of his victors was the loan of a volume
+of Dante, "_per studiare_"--in order that he might study the divine
+poet's words. One of Gaspare's sonnets on the subject, which was
+afterwards printed, bears this inscription: "These verses were not
+written with any pretence of deciding between the merits of these two
+great men, but solely to answer Bramante, who is a violent partisan of
+Dante."
+
+Another poetic tourney, in which both the great architect and his friend
+Visconti were the chief combatants, turned on Bramante's supposed
+poverty and the complaints with which he filled the air, calling on all
+the gods in heaven to help him in his misery. This was in the summer of
+1492, and not only Gaspare, but Bellincioni, who was then living, and
+Mascagni of Turin took up the parable, and charged Bramante with begging
+for a pair of shoes, when all the while he was receiving five ducats a
+week from the duke, and was secretly hoarding up a store of gold. To
+this Bramante replied in a sonnet full of allusions to Calliope, Erato,
+and all the Muses, begging his friends for pity's sake to give him a
+crown, if they would not see him left barefoot and naked to battle with
+rude Boreas. A whole series of curious sonnets from Bramante's pen has
+been lately discovered by M. Muntz among the Italian manuscripts in the
+Bibliotheque Nationale, and reveal the burlesque side of the great
+architect's character, and the biting wit which made his opponents give
+him the name of Cerberus.[25]
+
+These poetic jousts or encounters of wits were a favourite amusement of
+the cultured princesses of the Renaissance and their courtiers. Thus it
+was that Poliziano and Ficino discussed philosophical questions before
+Lorenzo in the gardens of Careggi or on the terraces of Fiesole; so
+Castiglione and Bibbiena reasoned of art and love with Duchess Elizabeth
+and Emilia Pia, in the palace of Urbino, till the short summer night was
+well-nigh over and the dawn broke over the peaks of Monte Catria. And at
+Milan, where in Beatrice's days there was less pedantry and more freedom
+and gaiety than in any court of the day, these lively debates found
+especial favour. The most brilliant courtiers and bravest knights, the
+gravest scholars and officers of state alike took part in them. Messer
+Galeazzo, as we have seen, was an adept at the game, and could wield his
+pen and challenge fair ladies in defence of Roland as gallantly as he
+couched his lance to ride in the lists or wielded his sword in the thick
+of the battle. So, too were the Marchesino Stanga and his friend
+Girolamo Tuttavilla. Both these noblemen were great sonnet-writers, and
+are classed by Pistoia among those illustrious lords, who, like Messer
+Galeazzo and Signor Lodovico himself, were poets and writers as well as
+statesmen and generals.
+
+Bramante addressed several of his sonnets to Count Tuttavilla, who in
+his turn had a lively controversy in rhyme with the Marchesino. And
+when, in the spring of 1492, Tuttavilla accompanied the Count of Caiazzo
+on his embassy to France, Gaspare Visconti sent him a sonnet asking for
+the latest news from Paris, which Duchess Beatrice and all her ladies
+were dying to hear.
+
+"Tell me if the Queen of France is fair, and how the king appears in
+your eyes--whether he is cruel or clement, inclined to walk in the paths
+of virtue or of vice. And tell us, too, if the people of Paris seem to
+fear the English and the Spaniard, and if they are true followers of
+Mars? Tell us how the crowds who walk the streets are clad, and what
+customs and manners they have, and how they speak, and what they think.
+Tell me how many students their University numbers, and in what branches
+of learning they excel. Tell me the names of their lawgivers and
+historians, and if any classical antiquities are to be found in Paris.
+Tell me how the Abbey of S. Denis is built, and what style of
+architecture prevails in the far North? And tell me, too, if I dare ask,
+have you perchance in Paris found some fair lady to bend a gracious
+smile upon you, and console you for all that you have left behind?"
+
+Girolamo Tuttavilla replied in verses of the same light and airy strain,
+alluding to the fierce contest over Dante that waged between Dottore
+Bramante and his foes, and laughing at friend Bellincioni's furious
+rages, but saying that he at least is wiser, and will take the _via
+media_ and steer warily between the two contending parties.
+
+But the best poet at Lodovico's court, a sweeter singer and a finer
+scholar than the much-praised Bellincioni or the gay Visconti, was
+Niccolo, the "gran Correggio" of Gaspare's song. The son of that
+accomplished princess of Este, Beatrice the Queen of Festivals, reared
+by her in all the culture of Ferrara, this singularly polished and
+handsome personage was in the eyes of his contemporaries the model of a
+perfect courtier. To have known him was in itself a liberal education.
+Sabba da Castiglione, that fastidious scholar and refined writer of the
+sixteenth century, counted himself fortunate because as a boy he had
+seen and known "this most famous, most courteous and gifted cavalier in
+all Italy." Ariosto saw him in his vision upholding the Fountain of
+Song, and chanting in his own lofty and noble style--
+
+          "Un Signor di Correggio
+Con alto stil par che cantando scriva."
+
+Niccolo had come to Milan in Beatrice's bridal train, and remained there
+ever since, highly valued and beloved by Lodovico and all the ducal
+family, riding in jousts and tournaments, going on foreign missions, and
+composing songs and eclogues for that young duchess whose death was one
+day to inspire some of his most touching verses. But the Marchesa
+Isabella was the true goddess of his adoration, the mistress to whom his
+heart and lyre alike were pledged, who was for him, not only "_la mia
+patrona e signora_," but "_la prima donna del mondo_," "the first lady
+in all the world." For her he translated Breton legends and Provencal
+romances; for her he set Virgil and Petrarch to music; for her fair
+sake, old and stiff as advancing years have made him, he is ready to
+break a lance or join once more in the dance. At Christmas-time, in the
+last days of 1491, the impatient Marchesana had written to remind him
+that she had never yet received the eclogue which he had promised to
+send her at her brother Alfonso's wedding, and refused to be put off
+with any other verses, saying that his poems pleased her more than those
+of any living bard. When in later years she found that Niccolo was
+inclined to transfer his allegiance to her sister-in-law, Lucrezia
+Borgia, she was sorely affronted, and after his death entered into a
+long contention for the possession of the book of poems which he had
+left behind.
+
+There were many other poets of Beatrice's court whose names were famous
+in their day, but have long ago been forgotten, and whose works have
+passed into oblivion with all that vanished world. There was Lancino di
+Corte, or, as he preferred to style himself, Lancinus Curtius, the
+writer of Latin epigrams; and Antonio di Fregoso, the noble Genoese
+youth who, like Niccolo, won Calmeta and Ariosto's praises, and whose
+poetic disputes with Lancinus were a feature of Cecilia Gallerani's
+entertainments; and Baldassare Taccone of Alessandria; and Pietro
+Lazzarone of the Valtellina. There was Galeotto del Carretto, the
+Montferrat poet and historian, who left his home at Casale to compose
+plays and sonnets for Beatrice, and who, like Niccolo da Correggio, was
+one of Isabella's favourite correspondents, and sent her eclogues and
+strambotti to sing to the lute. When Beatrice died he had just finished
+a comedy dedicated to this princess, which he afterwards sent to
+Isabella, begging her to accept it both for his sake and that of the
+lamented _Madonna Duchessa sorella_, who had taken pleasure in reading
+his effusions. And there was another Tuscan poet, Antonio Cammelli of
+Pistoia, who composed a whole volume of sonnets dedicated to "that most
+invincible Prince, the light and splendour of the world, Lodovico Moro."
+These sonnets are of great interest, less on account of their poetic
+merit than because of the fidelity with which they commemorate political
+events. The invasion of the French, the conquest of Naples, the battle
+of Fornovo, the peace of Vercelli, the proclamation of Lodovico as Duke
+of Milan, his coronation _fetes_ at Milan and Pavia, are all carefully
+recorded. Nor does the series end here; in another sonnet the poet takes
+up the note of warning, and bids Lodovico beware of the new King of
+France and, ceasing to dally with Fortune, prepare to defend his fair
+duchy. The next time Pistoia took up his pen, it was to wail over the
+duke's fall and the ruin of Italy, and to hurl curses on the head of the
+false servants who had betrayed their trust and yielded up the Castello
+to their master's foes. This, at least, may be said to Pistoia's
+credit--he did not forget his generous patron in the days of adversity;
+and when Pamfilo Sasso, the Modena bard who had basked in the sunshine
+of the Moro's favour, assailed the fallen duke in his verses, Pistoia
+rose up in defence of his old master, and fiercely rebuked the cowardly
+poet.
+
+"I send you," wrote Calmeta to the Marchioness of Mantua in 1502, in a
+letter enclosing Pistoia's verses, "an invective against Sasso for
+certain sonnets and epigrams which he printed at Bologna against our
+Duke Lodovico Sforza, and which some people say that I wrote. It was
+never my habit to attack others, but if I had wasted a little ink in
+defending so illustrious a prince, I hardly think I should deserve much
+blame."[26]
+
+Before the coming of Beatrice there had been no theatre in Milan, but
+Lodovico had done his best to encourage dramatic art. As early as 1484,
+he had written to the Duke of Ferrara, asking him to lend him a
+Bolognese actor, Albergati by name, who was also a skilled mechanic, to
+give sacred representations during Holy Week in Milan. The presence of
+Duke Ercole's daughter naturally gave a fresh impulse to the growth of
+dramatic art, and after Lodovico's visit to Ferrara in 1493, a theatre
+was erected in Milan. Courtiers and poets vied with each other in the
+production of plays and masques at each successive Christmas or
+Carnival. In 1493, Niccolo da Correggio wrote a pastoral entitled _Mopsa
+e Daphne_, which was performed at court that Carnival, and which he
+afterwards sent to Isabella, promising to explain its allegorical
+meaning at their next meeting. Another time, Gaspare Visconti composed
+the masque with the chorus of Turks, to which we have already alluded,
+for representation before the duke and duchess. On one occasion a piece
+called _La Fatica_ was acted at the house of Antonio Maria Sanseverino,
+whose wife, Margherita of Carpi, was the sister of Elizabeth Gonzaga's
+beloved companion, Emilia Pia, and herself a learned and cultivated
+princess. On another a representation described as _La Pazienza_ was
+given before the court, in honour of a visit which Cardinal Federigo
+Sanseverino paid to Milan.
+
+Music, as Calmeta tells us, was another art that flourished in an
+especial manner at the Milanese court. Both Lodovico and his wife were
+passionately fond of music, and the delicious melodies that daily
+resounded through their palace halls were the theme alike of chronicler
+and poet. When first Lorenzo de Medici had sent Leonardo to his friend's
+court to charm the Moro's ears with the surpassing sweetness of his
+playing, he had brought with him a well-known musician and maker of
+instruments, Atalante Migliorotti, who stood high in Lodovico's favour,
+and spent much of his time at Milan. We find Isabella d'Este writing to
+her friend, Niccolo da Correggio, in 1493, begging him to procure her
+the loan of a silver lyre, given him by Atalante, that she may learn to
+play this instrument; and in the following year the marchioness herself
+stood godmother to the Florentine musician's infant daughter, who was
+called Isabella after her illustrious sponsor. And in 1492 we find
+Lodovico writing to thank Francesco Gonzaga for allowing a certain
+Narcisso, who was in the Marquis of Mantua's service, to visit Milan,
+and saying what exquisite pleasure this singer's voice has afforded him.
+The following summer, Isabella, in her turn, begged her sister to allow
+her favourite violinist, Jacopo di San Secondo, to spend a few weeks at
+Mantua; and on the 7th of July Beatrice wrote to desire his return.
+"Since you are back at Mantua, I think you will not want Jacopo di San
+Secondo much longer, and beg you to send him back to Pavia as soon as
+possible, since his music will be a pleasure to my husband, who is
+suffering from a slight attack of fever." This Jacopo was a famous
+violin-player of his day, who had settled at the Moro's court, and who
+after Lodovico's fall left Milan for Rome, where he became the friend of
+Raphael and Castiglione, and is said to have served as model for the
+laurel-crowned Apollo of the Parnassus, in the Vatican Stanze. Another
+of Beatrice's favourite singers was Angelo Testagrossa, a beautiful
+youth who sang, we are told, like a seraph, and who, after the death of
+this princess, accepted Isabella's pressing invitation to Mantua, where
+he composed songs and gave her lessons on the lute. Testagrossa is said
+to have sung in the Spanish style, which was much in vogue at Milan,
+where a Spaniard named Pedro Maria was director of the palace concerts,
+and is frequently mentioned in Bellincioni's poems. The priest Franchino
+Gaffuri, as already stated, occupied the first chair of music ever
+founded in Italy. Besides this master's works on music, another treatise
+on harmony, composed by a priest named Florentio, and dedicated to
+Cardinal Ascanio Sforza, is preserved in the Trivulzian Library, with a
+fine miniature of Leonardo playing the lyre as frontispiece.
+
+Both the Flemish priest Cordier, with the wonderful tenor voice, and the
+accomplished master Cristoforo Romano were, as we know, among the
+chosen singers who accompanied Beatrice on her travels. And there was
+one more gifted artist, who, like Atalante Migliorotti, was both a
+skilled musician and a mechanic, and whose whole life was devoted to the
+construction of musical instruments of the choicest quality, Lorenzo
+Gusnasco of Pavia. It was Lodovico Moro who first discovered the rare
+talents of this "master of organs," as he was styled by his
+contemporaries, and it was for Beatrice's use that he began to make
+those wonderful clavichords and lutes and viols that made his name
+famous throughout Italy. In his hands the manufacture of musical
+instruments was carried to the highest pitch of excellence. He grudged
+no labour and spared no pains to make his work perfect. The choicest
+ebony and ivory, the most precious woods and delicate strings were
+sought out by him; the best scholars supplied him with Greek and Latin
+epigrams to be inscribed upon his organs and clavichords. In his opinion
+both material and shape were of the utmost importance, because, as he
+wrote to Isabella d'Este, "beauty of form is everything," "_perche ne la
+forma sta il tuto_." The work of this gifted maker naturally acquired a
+rare value in the eyes of his contemporaries. Sabba da Castiglione and
+Teseo Albonese praise him as the man who, above all others, has learnt
+the secret of combining lovely melodies with beauteous form, just as a
+divine soul is enshrined in a fair body. Painters and scholars alike
+took delight in Lorenzo's company. He was the intimate friend of
+Giovanni Bellini and Andrea Mantegna, of Pietro Bembo and Aldo Manuzio,
+of Leonardo and Isabella d'Este. It was in these festive days, in the
+Castello of Pavia, that Lorenzo da Pavia first met both the great
+Florentine and the accomplished princess who set so high a store on his
+friendship. For more than twenty years Isabella corresponded regularly
+with this gifted artist, and employed him not only to make organs and
+lutes for her, but to buy antiques and cameos, Murano glass and
+tapestry, choice pictures and rare books. Whether she wished for a
+_fantasia_, or Holy Family from the hand of Gian Bellini, or a choice
+edition of Dante or Petrarch from the press of Aldo Manuzio, it was to
+Messer Lorenzo that the request was addressed. In 1494, the Pavian
+master moved to Venice, where he found it easier to procure materials
+for his trade, and was able to carry on his work on a larger scale. By
+this time his fame had spread far and wide through Italy. He made an
+organ for Matthias Corvinus, the King of Hungary, and another which he
+himself took to Rome for Pope Leo X. But his relations with Duchess
+Beatrice were not interrupted by this change of abode. In that same year
+he made her that clavichord which Isabella describes as the best and
+most beautiful which she had ever seen, and which she never ceased to
+covet until, after her sister's death and Lodovico's fall, she obtained
+possession of the precious instrument.
+
+It was at Venice, in the early spring of 1500, that Leonardo da Vinci
+once more met this master, whom he had formerly known so well at Pavia
+and Milan. There the two artists who had lived together for many years
+in the Moro's service conversed sadly of the terrible catastrophe which
+had overwhelmed their old master in sudden and inevitable ruin, and
+mourned over the disastrous fate which had plunged the fair Milanese
+into confusion and misery. Then, as they looked back on the happy days
+of their former life, and talked of their old companions, the painter
+brought out a drawing which Lorenzo immediately recognized as the
+portrait of Isabella d'Este, the illustrious princess, who was proud to
+call herself their friend.
+
+"Leonardo," he wrote the next day to the Marchesana, "is here in Venice,
+and has shown me a portrait of your Highness, which is as natural and
+lifelike as possible."[27] This drawing, which the princess describes in
+a letter to the painter as being _ni carbone_ and not in colours, is now
+one of the treasures of the Louvre, and has an inestimable value, both
+as the work of Leonardo and as a genuine portrait of the most brilliant
+lady of the Renaissance.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[24] Uzielli, _Ricerche_, i.: Renier, _Gaspare Visconti_.
+
+[25] _Gazette des B. Arts_, 1879, p. 514.
+
+[26] Renier, _Sonetti di Pistoia_ p. 35.
+
+[27] A. Baschet, _Aldo Manuzio_, pp. 70-75.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+Visit of Duke Ercole to Milan, and of Isabella d'Este--Election of Pope
+Alexander VI.--Bribery of the Cardinals--Influence of Ascanio Sforza
+over the new Pope, and satisfaction of Lodovico--Hunting-parties at
+Pavia and Vigevano--_Fetes_ at Milan--Visit of Isabella to
+Genoa--Lodovico's letters--Piero de Medici--King Ferrante's jealousy of
+the alliance between Rome and Milan.
+
+1492
+
+
+That summer Isabella d'Este at length accomplished her long-intended
+visit to her sister, whom she had not seen since the wedding _fetes_.
+Early in July she received a pressing invitation from Lodovico himself,
+urging her to accompany her father, Duke Ercole, who was expected at
+Milan towards the end of the month. But, as she wrote to her husband,
+who was then in Venice, it was quite impossible for her to start on her
+journey at this early date. In the first place, half of her household
+was in bed, ladies and servants alike were suffering from a feverish
+epidemic which had attacked the whole court; and in the second place,
+many preparations were necessary if she were to appear at Milan in state
+worthy of the Marquis of Mantua's wife. "Of course, if you wish it," she
+adds proudly, "I will set off alone, in my chemise, but this I think you
+will hardly desire."
+
+Signor Lodovico's invitation, however, was gladly accepted, and Isabella
+made every preparation to start by the middle of August. She sent to
+Ferrara, urging her favourite goldsmith, as he loved her, to finish a
+necklace of a hundred links by next week, and begging him to lend her
+some more jewelled chains for the use of her courtiers and
+maids-of-honour. And the same day she wrote to the Venetian merchant
+Taddeo Contarini, excusing herself for her delay in paying for some
+jewels which she had lately bought, since her visit to Milan necessarily
+entailed heavy expenses. By the 10th of August she was able to start on
+her journey, and spent a night on the way at Canneto with her kinswoman,
+Antonia del Balzo, wife of Gianfrancesco Gonzaga of Bozzolo, who came to
+meet her with two beautiful daughters. "Messer Andrea Mantegna himself,"
+exclaimed the marchioness, "could not paint fairer maidens!" On the
+12th, she reached Cremona, where Lodovico's cousin, Francesco Sforza,
+was awaiting her, and a crowd of people hailed her arrival with
+enthusiasm. After spending a night in the Episcopal palace, she went on
+to Pizzighettone, where she discovered that her best hat had been
+forgotten, and sent a messenger back to Mantua with the key of her black
+chest, desiring one of her servants to look out her hat with the
+jewelled feather and send it after her by a flying courier. On the 15th,
+the Marchesana reached Pavia, where both the Duchesses of Milan and Bari
+rode out to meet her, and placing her between them, after many embraces,
+conducted her through the city. Here the two dukes and all the
+ambassadors were awaiting her, and a troop of trumpeters and outriders
+escorted the party up to the castle gates. That evening she supped alone
+with Beatrice, and the hours flew by in delightful intercourse. Both
+sisters were in the highest spirits, and Isabella anticipated the
+greatest pleasure from her visit, only regretting that her husband had
+not been able to accompany her.
+
+"The only news here," she wrote next day to the marquis, "is the
+election of this new Pope, which fills every one with great joy, and is
+said to be entirely due to Monsignore Ascanio, who will, they say, be
+the new Vice-Chancellor."
+
+On the 25th of July, Innocent VIII. had breathed his last, and on the
+6th of August, the conclave met to elect a new Pope. Among the
+twenty-three Cardinals of which the Sacred College then consisted, three
+were prominent candidates for the papal tiara. First of all there was
+Cardinal Roderigo Borgia, the oldest and wealthiest of the group, who
+held the three most important archbishoprics in Spain, as well as
+innumerable benefices in the rest of Christendom, and whose scandalous
+vices amid the general corruption of morals in Rome offered no bar to
+his advancement to the chair of St. Peter. Cardinal Ascanio Sforza, the
+rich and powerful brother of Lodovico Moro, was the second candidate
+for the tiara; while the third was Giuliano della Rovere, Cardinal of
+S. Pietro in Vincula, whose well-known French sympathies, as well as the
+influential position which he had occupied in Rome under his uncle,
+Sixtus IV., made him unpopular with most of his colleagues. When Ascanio
+Sforza saw that he could not ensure his own election, he threw his whole
+influence on the side of Borgia, who lavished his gold and promises
+freely among the other members of the Sacred College, with the result
+that he was elected on the 11th of August, and proclaimed Pope under the
+title of Alexander VI. The secret Archives of the Vatican[28] give full
+particulars of this election, which was obtained by the most flagrant
+simony, and proved a prelude to the days of confusion and misery which
+Fra Girolamo Savonarola, the Dominican of Florence, daily prophesied
+were in store for the Church. Ascanio Sforza was the first to reap the
+reward of his base compliance. The new Pope loaded him with favours, and
+openly acknowledged his indebtedness both to him and Lodovico, while at
+Milan the event was hailed with public rejoicings, and joy-bells and
+solemn processions celebrated the accession of this pontiff, who was
+destined to prove the most bitter enemy of the House of Sforza.
+
+"Signor Lodovico," wrote the Ferrarese envoy, our old friend Giacomo
+Trotti, to his master, "is in the highest spirits at the success of his
+brother's efforts. Cardinal Ascanio is likely, people say, to administer
+all the papal estates, and will be every bit as much pope as if he sat
+in Alexander's chair."
+
+Isabella's letters to her husband give the same impression. On the 19th
+of August she wrote from Pavia--
+
+"To-day I dined with Signor Lodovico and my sister in their rooms,
+according to our usual habit of taking our meals together, sometimes in
+my rooms, sometimes in theirs. After dinner he dismissed all the
+company, excepting the Duke and Duchess of Milan, myself, and my
+companions, whom Signor Lodovico invited to remain, and with his own
+lips he read aloud a letter from his ambassador in Rome, saying that His
+Highness had sent for him, and addressed him in the following terms:
+'Take note of my words. I acknowledge that I have been made pope by the
+action of Monsignore Ascanio, contrary to all expectations, and in a
+truly miraculous manner. I mean to show myself the most grateful of
+popes. It is my pleasure that he should sit in my chair, and dispose of
+my spiritual and temporal estate as if I were myself,' with many other
+affectionate words. Cardinal Ascanio has already received the first
+proofs of his gratitude, since, besides the vice-chancellorship, the
+Pope has given him his own furnished house in Rome, as well as the city
+of Nepi, and many other things. And His Highness has already dined with
+him in private.
+
+"Besides this, Signor Lodovico read us a letter which the Pope had
+written with his own hand to Monsignore Ascanio, complaining that he had
+not seen him for half a day, a period which seemed to him more like a
+thousand years, and begging him to come to him at once, since he had
+many things of the utmost importance to settle with him. After
+describing this interview, the said Monsignore went on to tell how
+warmly His Holiness spoke of Signor Lodovico, saying that he was
+determined to maintain the most cordial relations with His Highness, and
+profit in all cases by his advice, and only wished that he were seated
+in his chair. All of this, my dear lord, affords the court here reason
+for the greatest rejoicings, and I have expressed both in word and
+gesture the pleasure which your Highness and I take in these things,
+because of our close union with Signor Lodovico."
+
+The marchioness goes on to describe a hunting-party, in which the whole
+court had taken part.
+
+"Yesterday, about four o'clock, all of these lords and ladies rode out
+with me to a place called S. Pirono, some four miles from Pavia, and had
+fine sport. White tents were erected in the meadows on the edge of the
+forest, and in the midst a _pergola_ of green boughs, under which the
+duchess and I took our places, the duke and others, whether on horseback
+or on foot, occupying other tents. One stag of the eight which were
+found there, ran out of the wood, followed by eight of the Duke of
+Bari's dogs. Messer Galeazzo galloped after it with a long spear, and
+killed it before our eyes. To-morrow we dine at Belriguardo, and go on
+to supper at Vigevano, where we expect my father, who is to arrive on
+Thursday."
+
+Duke Ercole had reached Pavia on the 4th of August, and had paid a
+visit to the Certosa with his son-in-law, after which he returned to
+Ferrara, where his presence was required, owing to urgent affairs of
+State connected with the Pope's death. Now he once more joined his
+daughters, accompanied by his son Alfonso and a troop of actors and
+pages skilled in singing and reciting poetry. Among them was young
+Ariosto, the bard of the Orlando Furioso, who was to celebrate the
+praises of all the princely personages present at Pavia and Vigevano, in
+his great poem, and who on this occasion probably met Leonardo for the
+first time. _Fetes_ and hunting-parties now succeeded each other every
+day. Even the King of Naples' ambassadors went out hunting, and one of
+them succeeded in wounding a wild boar. Isabella sent her husband
+wonderful accounts of the thrilling adventures and splendid sport which
+afforded the two sisters such unfeigned delight.
+
+"To-day," she wrote on the 27th of August, "we went out hunting in a
+beautiful valley which seemed as if it were expressly created for the
+spectacle. All the stags were driven into the wooded valley of the
+Ticino, and closed in on every side by the hunters, so that they were
+forced to swim the river and ascend the mountains, where the ladies
+watched them from under the _pergola_ and green tents set up on the
+hillside. We could see every movement of the animals along the valley
+and up the mountain-side, where the dogs chased them across the river;
+but only two climbed the hillside and ran far out of sight, so that we
+did not see them killed, but Don Alfonso and Messer Galeazzo both gave
+them chase, and succeeded in wounding them. Afterwards came a doe with
+its young one, which the dogs were not allowed to follow. Many wild
+boars and goats were found, but only one boar was killed before our
+eyes, and one wild goat, which fell to my share. Last of all came a
+wolf, which made fine somersaults in the air as it ran past us, and
+amused the whole company; but none of its arts availed the poor beast,
+which soon followed its comrades to the slaughter. And so, with much
+laughter and merriment, we returned home, to end the day at supper, and
+give the body a share in the recreations of the mind."[29]
+
+Four venison pasties were despatched to Mantua the next day as a
+present to the marquis, whose absence from these expeditions his wife
+never ceased to regret, and for whom, at least in these early years of
+her married life, she had a genuine affection.
+
+"All of these days," she writes on the 22nd, "I have been trying to
+write to Your Highness, but have never been able to find time, as I am
+always in my sister's and Signor Lodovico's company. Now I have at
+length snatched a moment, and hasten to pay you a visit in mind, since I
+cannot do so in person. For greater even than all the pleasures which I
+am enjoying here, is the satisfaction I receive when I hear that you are
+well and happy." A week later she wrote again: "It really seems an age
+since I saw Your Highness, and, pleasant and delightful as it is here, I
+begin to get a little tired of these scenes, but rejoice at the prospect
+of paying a visit to Genoa before long." And in an affectionate letter
+to her mother, she says that sometimes in the middle of the finest hunt
+she remembers with a pang how long it is since she has seen her, and how
+far away she is from Ferrara, and the thought throws a shadow over the
+brightest sunshine and the gayest pastimes.
+
+After a succession of boar hunts at Novara and Mortara, Lodovico and
+Beatrice took their guests to Milan on the 15th of September, and
+Isabella entered the capital on horseback between the two young
+duchesses, while "the old Duchess Bona," she tells her husband, "and her
+daughter Madonna Bianca, with many other ladies, were awaiting me in my
+rooms in the Castello, the same suite which Signor Lodovico occupied at
+the time of his wedding."
+
+The duke's mother still remained at court, and occupied rooms in the
+Castello, although she made no secret of her aversion for her powerful
+brother-in-law, and was secretly intriguing against him with her nephew,
+Charles VIII. At her request the French king wrote a letter to Lodovico,
+desiring him to give the duchess's mother leave to come to France for
+his wife Anne of Brittany's confinement. But the Moro, fearing the
+effect of Bona's presence at the French court, courteously declined
+Charles's invitation, alleging as an excuse the fact that both Bona's
+daughter-in-law, the Duchess Isabella, and her young sister-in-law, his
+own wife Beatrice, were expecting similar events early in the next
+year, while her daughter Bianca was of marriageable age and needed her
+mother's protection. At Milan new pleasures awaited Isabella. Theatrical
+representations in honour of Duke Ercole, were given by the Delle Torre
+family and other noble houses, and Isabella spent long days with her
+sister in the park and beautiful gardens of the Castello, among the
+roses and fountains which Lodovico loved. He was never tired of
+beautifying and enlarging the grounds, which now extended three miles
+round the Castello, and sent to Mantua for a pair of swans to adorn the
+lake, saying how much he liked to watch the movements of these
+white-plumed birds upon the water. To his sister-in-law, as Isabella
+always repeated in her letters, the Moro showed himself the kindest and
+most generous of hosts, and was unwearied in providing for her
+amusements and gratification.
+
+"To-day," she writes on the evening after her arrival at Milan, "Signor
+Lodovico showed me the treasure, which Your Highness saw when you were
+last here, but which has lately received the addition of two large
+chests full of ducats, and another full of gold quartz about two and a
+half feet square. Would to God that we, who are so fond of spending
+money, possessed as much!"[30]
+
+After which characteristic expression, the Marchesana proceeds to tell
+her lord that the date of her departure for Genoa has been fixed for the
+last day of September, and to describe her brother-in-law's preparations
+for the visit. Before her departure, he made a splendid present, which
+she describes in a letter written on the 20th of September. "Yesterday
+Signor Lodovico sent me, with the Duchess of Milan and Bari, to look at
+some sumptuous brocades which he had seen in the house of one of the
+richest merchants here. When we came home, he asked me which I
+considered the finest. I replied that what I had most admired was a
+certain gold and silver tissue embroidered with the twin towers of the
+lighthouse in the port of Genoa, bearing the Spanish motto, _Tal
+trabalio mes plases par tal thesauros non perder_."
+
+The Moro praised her good taste, saying that he had already had a
+_camora_, or robe, made for his wife of this material, and begged her
+to accept fifteen yards of the same stuff, and wear it for his sake.
+
+"This brocade," wrote Isabella joyfully to her husband, "is worth at
+least forty ducats a yard!" And without delay she sent for a tailor to
+cut out the gown, in order that she might wear it once before she left
+Milan.
+
+The Marchesino Stanga and Count Girolamo Tuttavilla were chosen to
+escort Isabella to Genoa, where she was received in state by the
+governor Adorno, and splendidly entertained at the Casa Spinola by the
+chief citizens. Beatrice's delicate state of health had prevented her
+from accompanying her sister on this journey, but she still persisted in
+taking long hunting expeditions, and one day when she and the Moro were
+staying at Cuzzago, encountered a savage boar which had already wounded
+several greyhounds.
+
+"My wife," wrote the Moro to his sister-in-law, "came suddenly face to
+face with this furious beast, and herself gave it the first wound, after
+which Messer Galeazzo and I followed suit, so that the boar must have
+had great pleasure in feeling how much trouble it had given us and to
+what dangers its hunters had been exposed."
+
+The result of this long and fatiguing hunting expedition was that
+Beatrice fell seriously ill. Lodovico was much alarmed, and sent daily
+bulletins both to his sister-in-law and to her mother at Ferrara. "There
+is no fresh news to give you here," he wrote on the 6th of October. "My
+whole days are spent at the bedside of my dear wife, endeavouring to
+distract her thoughts and amuse her mind as best I can during her
+illness."
+
+Isabella, who had intended to return home from Genoa, hurried back to
+Milan at the news of her sister's illness, and did not leave her until
+she was convalescent. During these weeks Lodovico showed himself the
+most devoted and attentive of husbands, and his letters to Isabella are
+full of the practical jokes and witty dialogues and repartees with which
+he and Messer Galeazzo amused the duchess. The following letter affords
+a characteristic specimen of the kind of fooling which these great
+Renaissance lords and ladies carried on at the expense of the
+half-witted jesters and buffoons who were attached to their different
+households:--
+
+
+"DEAR SISTER AND MOST ILLUSTRIOUS AND EXCELLENT LADY,
+
+"You know what good sport we had in the wild boar-hunts at which you
+were present this last summer. Poor Mariolo, you remember, could not be
+there, first because he was ill at Milan, and afterwards because he was
+required to keep my wife company during her illness, and was much
+distressed to have been absent from these expeditions, when he heard
+that even the king's ambassadors had wounded a wild boar. And he told us
+all what great things he would have done, had he only been present. Now
+that my dearest wife is better, and begins to be able to go out-of-doors
+again, I thought we would have a little fun at his expense. Some wolves
+and wild goats having been driven into a wood near La Pecorara, which,
+as you know, is about a mile from here, on the way to La Sforzesca,
+Cardinal Sanseverino had a common farm pig shut up in the same
+enclosure, and the next day we went out hunting, and took Mariolo with
+us. While we hunted the wolves and wild goats, we left the pig to him,
+and he, taking it for a wild boar, chased it with a great hue and cry
+along the woods. If your Highness could only have seen him running after
+this pig, you would have died of laughter, the more so that he gallantly
+tried to spear it three times over, and only succeeded in touching its
+side once. And seeing how proud he was of his prowess, we said to him,
+'Don't you know, Mariolo, that you have been hunting a tame pig?' He
+stood dumb with astonishment, and stared as if he did not know what we
+could mean, and so we all came home infinitely amused, and every one
+asked Mariolo if he did not know the difference between a wild boar and
+a tame pig!
+
+                                   "Your brother,
+                                           LODOVICO MARIA SFORTIA.[31]
+
+Vigevano, December 6, 1492."
+
+The most remarkable thing about these letters is that a prince who was
+engaged in so much and varied business, who himself conducted a vast
+correspondence in which the most intricate diplomatic questions of the
+day were involved with his envoys at the different European courts, and
+personally superintended every detail of administration, while at the
+same time he gave minute instructions to the hundreds of architects,
+sculptors, and painters in his service, should have found time to write
+these bantering epistles to his sister-in-law. One of these letters, for
+instance, is devoted to a long account of the jokes that passed between
+Messer Galeazzo and the duchess at table, how Messer Galeazzo begged to
+be allowed a taste of the duchess's soup, and complained that he was
+forgotten now that the Marchesana was no longer there, and how Beatrice
+told him she would write and tell her sister, to which he replied, "Tell
+her whatever you like, as long as I get my soup!"
+
+Yet at this very moment, when he penned these joking letters to
+Isabella, Lodovico was engaged in some of the most difficult and anxious
+negotiations with other States.
+
+During Ercole d'Este's visit, the question of sending the customary
+congratulations to the new Pope had been discussed, and Lodovico had
+suggested that the ambassadors of the four allied powers--Milan, Naples,
+Florence, and Ferrara--should send a joint deputation, both as a mark of
+special honour to His Holiness, and as a public manifesto to foreign
+powers of the strength of these united States. The step, he was
+confident, would produce a good effect both on the King of the Romans
+and Charles VIII. of France, whose designs on Italy were already
+exciting alarm. Both the Duke of Ferrara and King Ferrante, who had been
+consulted through his ambassadors, when they came to hunt at Vigevano,
+agreed readily to Lodovico's proposal, and the only person to raise
+objections was Piero de' Medici, who had lately succeeded his father as
+chief magistrate of Florence, and pretended to the same power. The death
+of his friend Lorenzo had been sincerely deplored by Lodovico, who,
+before many months had passed, began to discover how weak and
+contemptible a character his son possessed, and had already consulted
+his astrologer as to the influence which this young man would have upon
+his own fortunes. Now the vain and foolish youth refused to join in the
+proposed embassy to the Vatican, because he wished to appear alone
+before Alexander VI. and impress that new Pope by the magnificence of
+his apparel and retinue. Not content with frustrating the Moro's plan,
+Piero induced King Ferrante to withdraw his consent to the joint
+deputation, a step which did not tend to improve the strained relations
+that had existed for some time past between Naples and Milan. Cardinal
+Giuliano della Rovere had retired to Ostia in disgust at the election of
+the Borgia Pope, leaving Ascanio Sforza all powerful at the Vatican, and
+the Pope availed himself of every occasion to show his friendship for
+Lodovico. Already a marriage had been proposed between Alexander's
+daughter Lucrezia Borgia and Giovanni Sforza, Prince of Pesaro, and the
+King of Naples looked with alarm on the friendly relations that existed
+between the Holy See and Milan. "Alexander VI.," said Ferrante,
+bitterly, "has no respect for the Holy Church, and cares for nothing but
+the aggrandisement of his own family. Rome will soon become a Milanese
+camp."
+
+But while Lodovico Sforza looked with suspicion on the intrigues of
+Ferrante's son Alfonso, and was anxious to strengthen his alliance with
+other powers, he had as yet no thought of inviting the French to invade
+Italy. On the contrary, the whole tenor of his private letters and
+public despatches was marked by the same anxiety to maintain cordial
+relations with the different Italian states, in order that they might
+present a united front to foreign enemies. However friendly were his
+advances to the King of France, he had never by word or hint given him
+the slightest encouragement to invade Italy or assert his claim to the
+crown of Naples. It was only when he saw peace restored between Charles
+and Maximilian, on the one hand, and on the other a treaty of alliance
+concluded between the Pope and the King of Naples, that he began to
+tremble for his own safety, and suddenly changed his policy. But for the
+moment counsels of peace prevailed, and the ambitious Moro could look
+forward with hope and confidence to the coming year, that promised to
+bring him new joys, and perchance the fulfilment of his long-cherished
+desire, in the birth of a son and heir.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[28] Pastor's "History of the Popes," vol. v. p. 383, etc.
+
+[29] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 350, etc.
+
+[30] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 356.
+
+[31] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 361.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+Birth of Beatrice's first-born son--The Duchess of Ferrara at
+Milan--_Fetes_ and rejoicings at court and in the Castello--The court
+moves to Vigevano--Beatrice's wardrobe--Her son's portrait--Letters to
+her mother and sister--Lodovico's plans for a visit to Ferrara and
+Venice.
+
+1493
+
+
+On the 25th of January, at four o'clock on a winter's afternoon,
+Beatrice gave birth to a son in the Rocchetta of the castle of Milan.
+
+"Signor Lodovico's joy at the birth of his first-born son is beyond all
+description," wrote Giacomo Trotti to his master, Duke Ercole. Duchess
+Leonora was present on the occasion, and herself announced the happy
+event in a letter to her daughter Isabella, who promptly sent a special
+envoy with her congratulations to the Duke of Bari and her sister. A
+fortnight before, Leonora had set out for Pavia, where Trotti had been
+sent to meet her, and crowds shouting _Moro! Moro!_ had everywhere
+hailed her arrival. Three days later, she reached Milan in time to make
+the last preparations before the birth of her grandson. The child, a
+fine healthy boy, received the name of Ercole, in compliment to his
+grandfather, the Duke of Ferrara, but was afterwards called Maximilian,
+when the emperor became his godfather after his marriage to Bianca
+Sforza. The auspicious event was hailed with public rejoicings. The
+bells rang for six days, and solemn processions were held, and
+thanksgivings offered up in all the churches and abbeys of the Milanese.
+Prisoners for debt were released, and the advent of the new-born prince
+was celebrated with as great honour as if his father had been the
+reigning duke. Already some of the courtiers attached to Giangaleazzo's
+household began to whisper that the birth of Francesco, the little Count
+of Pavia, two years before, had been celebrated with far less pomp. But
+in the same week Duchess Isabella, who was residing in the _Corte
+ducale_ of the Castello, gave birth to a daughter, who received the name
+of Bona, so that, as Lodovico informed the foreign ambassadors, there
+was double cause for rejoicings.
+
+Full and elaborate details of the ceremonies observed on this occasion,
+and of the splendid _fetes_ that attended the recovery of the two
+duchesses, were sent to Isabella d'Este at Mantua by her mother's maid
+of honour, Teodora degli Angeli. Every particular of the decorations in
+the rooms of the Castello, the colour of the hangings and the draperies
+of the cradle, the gowns worn by the different princesses at their
+successive appearances in public, was faithfully reported for Isabella's
+benefit. On the eve of the young prince's birth, the sumptuous cradle
+and layette prepared for his reception were shown to the Ambassadors,
+chief magistrates, and nobles of Milan, and displayed on tables covered
+with gold and crimson brocade, lined with Spanish cat, in the Sala del
+Tesoro, adjoining Beatrice's rooms. All through the next fortnight
+costly gifts for the young duchess and her new-born babe were received
+from the magistrates of Milan and the chief towns of the duchy, and
+principal courtiers. On Sunday, the 4th of February, the ambassadors,
+councillors, magistrates and court officials, together with many noble
+Milanese ladies, were invited to present their congratulations to
+Beatrice, and that evening the gifts presented to her were publicly
+displayed in the Sala del Tesoro. The doors of the shelves along the
+walls were thrown open, and the splendid gold and silver plate, the
+massive jars, bowls, vases, and dishes, which they contained, were
+ranged in tiers on a stand, protected by iron bars and guarded by two
+men-at-arms wearing ducal liveries. The seneschal of Lodovico's
+household, Ambrogio da Corte, received the guests at the doors of the
+Rocchetta, paying each of them the honours due to his rank, and
+conducted them to the Sala del Tesoro. There they were received by
+stewards clad in silver brocade, who led them through a suite of rooms
+adorned with gilded columns and hung with white damask curtains richly
+embroidered with equestrian figures and other Sforzesque devices, into
+the presence of the duchess. This chamber was still more richly
+decorated than the others. "Indeed, it is calculated," writes the
+admiring maid of honour, "that the tapestries and hangings here are
+worth 70,000 ducats." Two pages guarded the doors, and within, near the
+fireplace, Duchess Leonora sat at her daughter's bedside, accompanied by
+two or three ladies. Beatrice's own couch was gorgeously adorned with
+draperies of mulberry colour and gold, and a crimson canopy bearing the
+names of Lodovico and Beatrice in massive gold, with red and white
+rosettes and a fringe of golden balls which alone was valued at 8000
+ducats.
+
+"All," exclaimed Teodora--"_bello e galante_, beyond words!"[32]
+
+After paying their respects to the illustrious mother, the guests passed
+on into the room of the new-born child--_la camera del Puttino_. Here
+the walls were hung with brocades of the Sforza colours, red, white, and
+blue, and tapestries, embroidered with all manner of beasts and birds
+and fantastic designs. But the golden cradle itself, which had been made
+in Milan, was the most beautiful thing of all, with its four slender
+columns and pale blue silk canopy enriched with gold cords and fringes.
+"Truly rich and elegant beyond anything that I have ever seen!" writes
+the ecstatic maid of honour, whose eyes were fairly dazzled by the sight
+of all these splendours, and who, as she told Isabella, was lost in
+wonder and admiration at the magnificence of the Milanese court. After a
+glimpse of the royal infant, sleeping under his coverlid of cloth of
+gold, watched over by Beatrice's ladies, the visitors were conducted
+into Signor Lodovico's hall of audience, where he received the
+ambassadors and chief councillors, and through the adjoining room,
+occupied by his favourite astrologer, Messer Ambrogio da
+Rosate--"without whom nothing can be done here," remarks Teodora--back
+to the entrance hall, where the seneschal was in waiting to escort them
+to the gates.
+
+Messer Ambrogio, as Teodora opined, had to be consulted before the
+duchess was allowed to leave her bed. This was on Wednesday, the 24th of
+February, on which day both the royal ladies issued from their rooms at
+the same hour. "Now at length," wrote the lively maid of honour to
+Isabella, "I am able to inform your Highness that the illustrious
+Madonna your sister has left her room, and those poor tormented souls
+whose task it has been for so many nights to bring in shawls to spread
+over the presents, are at last freed from their labours."
+
+That same day, both the young duchesses went in state to S. Maria delle
+Grazie, to return thanks and praise to God for the birth of their
+children. The royal ladies rode in the Duchess of Ferrara's chariot, a
+sumptuous carriage hung with purple, and were accompanied by Leonora
+herself and five other Sforza princesses--Alfonso d'Este's wife, Anna;
+Duke Giangaleazzo's sister, Bianca Sforza; Signor Lodovico's daughter,
+Bianca, the youthful bride of Galeazzo Sanseverino; Madonna
+Beatrice--Niccolo da Correggio's mother--and Madonna Camilla Sforza of
+Pesaro. The toilettes worn on this occasion were exceptionally rich, as
+Teodora relates. "Our Madonna, Duchess Leonora, wore black, as usual,
+but was very gallantly adorned with her finest jewels. The Duchess of
+Bari had a lovely vest of gold brocade worked in red and blue silk, and
+a blue silk mantle trimmed with long-haired fur, and her hair coiled as
+usual in a silken net. Duchess Isabella wore gold brocade and green
+velvet enriched with crimson cords and silver thread, and a mantle of
+crimson velvet lined with grey silk. Both ladies were covered with
+jewels. Madonna Anna's _camora_ was of cloth-of-gold with crimson
+sleeves, lined with fur and edged with gold fringe. One fine invention
+which I noticed was a new trimming made of grey lamb's wool, but there
+was no end to the variety of colours and fringes or to the beauty of the
+jewels."
+
+After hearing a solemn Te Deum and other canticles very beautifully sung
+by the choir of the ducal chapel, the whole party drove to the house of
+Count Della Torre, who entertained the dukes and duchesses, ambassadors
+and councillors, and all the chief gentlemen and ladies of the court at
+a splendid banquet. On the following day the duchesses and princesses
+were entertained at a feast given by Niccolo's mother, Madonna Beatrice,
+in her rooms in the Castello, and appeared in fresh costumes and still
+more splendid jewels. On Friday no _fete_ was given, but most of the
+youthful princes and princesses went out hunting in the park, and three
+stags were killed in the course of the day. Beatrice appeared in a
+riding-habit of rose-tinted cloth, and a large jewel instead of a
+feather in her silk hat, and rode on a black horse. Madonna Anna wore
+black and gold, with a pearl-embroidered crimson hat, and her sister
+Bianca also appeared on horseback, while Duchess Leonora spent the day
+with old Duchess Bona in her rooms.
+
+On Saturday a _fete_ was given at the house of Gaspare di Pusterla.
+Beatrice looked particularly charming with a feather of rubies in her
+hair, and a crimson satin robe embroidered with a pattern of knots and
+compasses and many ribbons, "after her favourite fashion," adds Teodora.
+It is these very ribbons that we still see to-day, both in the few
+portraits that we have of the short-lived duchess, and in the marble
+effigy upon her tomb. Isabella of Aragon appeared on this occasion, in a
+gown embroidered with books and letters, a favourite device of
+Renaissance ladies; while Anna Sforza was all in white, "because it was
+Saturday," explained Teodora, and she had vowed to wear no colours on
+that day for a certain number of weeks. This was a common practice with
+many Italian princesses who had lately recovered from illness or given
+birth to a child, and one to which we find frequent allusion in the
+correspondence of Isabella d'Este. On Saturday all the court attended
+high mass at S. Maria delle Grazie, and a last entertainment was given,
+this time by Duchess Beatrice herself, in the Rocchetta.
+
+The next day, Lodovico took his wife and mother-in-law, with the Duchess
+of Milan and their other guests, to Vigevano, to enjoy a little rest and
+country air. But here fresh amusements awaited them, and the splendour
+of Beatrice's wardrobe and the treasures of her _camerini_ filled the
+Ferrarese visitors with wonder and envy. On the 6th of March, Bernardo
+Prosperi wrote to tell Isabella that our Madonna had been conducted by
+the jester Mariolo over Beatrice's "_guardaroba_," and had seen all the
+splendid gowns, pelisses, and mantles which had been made for her during
+the last two years, about eighty-four in all, "besides many more," adds
+the writer, "which your sister the duchess has in Milan." The costliness
+of the materials, and the rich and intricate embroidery which covered
+satins and brocades, made Leonora exclaim that she felt as if she were
+in a sacristy looking at priests' vestments and altar frontals. After
+examining all of these fine clothes, the duchess was taken into two
+other _camerini_, where Beatrice, after the fashion of great ladies in
+those days, had collected her favourite books and _object d'art_. One
+cabinet was full of Murano glass of delicate shape and colour, of
+porcelain dishes, and majolica from Faenza or Gubbio. Another held
+ivories, crystals, and enamels engraved in the same style as Lodovico's
+vases in the treasury at Milan. Perfumes and washes filled another case,
+while a separate cabinet was devoted to hunting implements, dog-collars,
+pouches, flasks, horns, knives, and hoods for falcons. "There was,
+indeed," added Duchess Leonora's attendant, "enough to fill many shops."
+
+The evenings at Vigevano were enlivened with music and singing, and, by
+Lodovico's orders, a band of Spanish musicians who had been sent from
+Rome to Milan by his brother, Cardinal Ascanio, came to play before
+Beatrice and her mother, who both admired the sweet strains of their
+large viols, and examined the shape and size of their instruments with
+curiosity. On Sunday theatrical representations were given, and Beatrice
+appeared in a wonderful new gown made of gold-striped cloth, with a
+crimson vest laced with fine silver thread "arranged," wrote an admiring
+lady-in-waiting, "in the most graceful fashion. This your sister wore,"
+she adds, "because it was Carnival Sunday; but even now, although Lent
+has begun for most of us, Carnival is not yet over for these highnesses,
+since Signor Lodovico and his duchess, Messer Galeazzo, the Duke and
+Duchess of Milan, and many of their courtiers, have received
+dispensations from Rome to eat meat all the same."[33]
+
+Meanwhile Beatrice's little son was growing into a strong healthy child,
+and her letters are full of the beauty and perfections of her precious
+babe. Again and again, in her notes to Isabella, she talks of "my son
+Ercole," with all a young mother's proud delight.
+
+"I cannot tell you," she writes to her sister, "how well Ercole is
+looking, and how big and plump he has grown lately. Each time I see him
+after a few days' absence, I am amazed and delighted to see how much he
+has grown and improved, and I often wish that you could be here to see
+him, as I am quite sure you would never be able to stop petting and
+kissing him."
+
+Isabella, on her part, wrote warmly to her sister in return, saying how
+much she longed to see her beautiful boy--"_il suo bello puttino_" and
+"not only to see him, but to hold him in my arms and enjoy his company
+after my own fashion."
+
+Duchess Leonora returned to Ferrara at the end of another week, and one
+of Beatrice's first anxieties was to have a portrait of her child
+painted for her mother. On the 16th of April, she wrote from her
+favourite country house Villa Nova, where she had brought the babe to
+enjoy the sweet spring air--
+
+
+MOST ILLUSTRIOUS MADAMA MINE, AND DEAREST MOTHER,
+
+"Your Highness must forgive my delay in writing to you. The reason was
+that every day I have been hoping the painter would bring me the
+portrait of Ercole, which my husband and I now send you by this post.
+And, I can assure you, he is much bigger than this picture makes him
+appear, for it is already more than a week since it was painted. But I
+do not send the measure of his height, because people here tell me if I
+measure him he will never grow! Or else I certainly would let you have
+it. And my lord and I, both of us, commend ourselves to your Highness,
+and I kiss your hand, my dearest mother.
+
+                                   "Your obedient servant and child,
+                                             BEATRICE SFORTIA DA ESTE,
+                                               with _my own_ hand.[34]
+
+To the most illustrious Lady my dearest Mother,
+Signora Duchessa di Ferrara."
+
+The baby's portrait was forwarded to Mantua for Isabella's inspection,
+together with a letter from her mother, saying--
+
+"I enclose a drawing which has been sent to us from Milan, to show how
+well our grandson thrives, and certainly, if we have been already told
+how flourishing he is, this gives us a living witness to his beauty and
+well-being. And if you ask me whether the portrait is a good one, I need
+only tell you who has sent it and who is the master who has done this
+drawing, and then I am sure you will be satisfied."
+
+Leonora's words excite our wonder as to who the artist could be whose
+name of itself would be enough to satisfy Isabella of the excellence of
+the work. As Signor Luzio has already remarked,[35] it is impossible to
+read these words without thinking that Leonardo must have been the
+artist employed by Lodovico on this occasion to take a sketch of his
+infant son. But the drawing of Ercole has vanished, and the painter's
+name remains unknown.
+
+Another name which recurs frequently in Beatrice's letters to both her
+mother and sister at this time, is that of a Spanish embroiderer, named
+Maestro Jorba, noted for his rare skill, who was in the service of the
+Duchess of Ferrara, and was left by her at Vigevano in April, to design
+hangings and gowns for Lodovico's wife. On the 14th of March, Jorba was
+sent back to Ferrara with a letter from Beatrice to her mother,
+expressing her satisfaction with his work; and in April, Leonora sent
+her a new design for a _camora_ which the clever Spaniard had invented.
+
+"I have to-night," wrote Beatrice in reply, "received the design of the
+_camora_ made by Jorba, which I admire very much, and have just shown it
+to my embroiderer, as your Highness advised. He remarks that the flowers
+of the pattern are all the same size, and since the _camora_ will
+naturally be cut narrower above than below, the flowers ought to be
+altered in the same proportion. I have not yet decided what will be the
+best thing to do, but thought I would tell you what Schavezi says, and
+wait to hear what you advise, and then do whatever you think best."
+
+Later in the same year, we find Maestro Jorba once more at Milan,
+working for Duchess Beatrice, much to the annoyance of her sister
+Isabella, who was anxious to secure the services of the skilful
+embroiderer, and offered him a salary of two hundred ducats a year if he
+would settle at Mantua. Jorba, however, seems to have preferred to
+remain at Ferrara, and only paid occasional visits to the princesses of
+Este at Milan and Mantua.
+
+Throughout April, all the tailors and embroiderers, goldsmiths and
+jewellers, in Beatrice's service were busy making preparations for a
+visit which their mistress was shortly to pay to her old home. Before
+Leonora left Vigevano the Moro had promised to bring his wife and child
+to Ferrara in May, and had decided to send Beatrice to Venice, with her
+mother Duchess Leonora, who was going to spend a few days with her son
+Alfonso and his wife, at the palace of the Estes on the Canal Grande. He
+had further intimated his intention of paying a visit to his
+sister-in-law at Mantua on the way. Isabella, who had just accepted an
+invitation from the Doge, Agostino Barbarigo, to visit Venice for the
+Feast of the Ascension, was somewhat dismayed when the news reached her,
+and looked forward with no little alarm to the prospect of entertaining
+her splendid brother-in-law. She wrote off without delay to consult her
+husband on the subject--
+
+"Madama sends me word that Signor Lodovico has decided to visit Ferrara
+in May, and gives me the list of the company who are to attend him,
+which I enclose for you to see. For my part I can hardly believe it, but
+shall be sorry if I am at Venice when such _fetes_ are being held at
+Ferrara. Your Highness must decide what you think is best for the honour
+of our house, since when I was at Milan Signor Lodovico told me that if
+he came to Ferrara he would visit Mantua on the way. No doubt you will
+do what seems to be most prudent, and will let me know your wishes. But
+perhaps I may be mistaken.[36]
+
+"Mantua, 9th of April, 1493."
+
+Isabella was still more disturbed when she heard that Lodovico intended
+to send his wife to Venice. Her pride shrank from the bare notion of
+appearing before the Doge and Senate at the same time as her sister,
+whose sumptuous apparel and numerous suite she felt herself unable to
+rival. "Nothing in the world," she wrote to Gianfrancesco, who was then
+at Venice as captain-general of the Republic's forces, "will induce me
+to go to Venice at the same time as my sister the duchess."
+
+And she insisted on her desire to appear before the Doge, not as a guest
+and foreign visitor, but as a daughter and servant, begging that she
+might be treated without any pomp or ceremony.
+
+Fortunately, whether from political motives, or from his usual
+attention to his astrologer's advice, Lodovico deferred his visit to
+Ferrara until the middle of May, and himself wrote a courteous letter to
+Isabella, expressing his regret that he would after all be unable to
+accept her invitation to Mantua, since he found himself obliged to visit
+Parma. The marchioness, thus happily relieved from her fears, set off
+for Ferrara on the 4th of May, and proceeded to Venice a week later,
+having doubled the number of her retinue, and strained every nerve to
+present an appearance which should not offer too marked a contrast with
+Beatrice's regal splendours.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[32] L. Porro in A. S. L., ix. 327.
+
+[33] Porro, _op. cit._, p. 330.
+
+[34] A. Venturi in A. S. L., xii. 227.
+
+[35] Archivio Storico Lombardo, xvii. 368.
+
+[36] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 365.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+Lodovico's ambitious designs--Isabella of Aragon appeals to her
+father--Breach between Naples and Milan--Alliance between the Pope,
+Venice, and Milan proclaimed--Mission of Erasmo Brasca to the king of
+the Romans--Journey of Lodovico and Beatrice to Ferrara--_Fetes_ and
+tournaments--Visit to Belriguardo, and return of Lodovico to
+Milan--Arrival of Belgiojoso from France.
+
+1493
+
+
+The birth of Beatrice's son marks a new development in her husband's
+policy. Up to that time the Moro seems to have been content to govern in
+his nephew's name, and had rejected with horror King Ferrante's
+suggestion that he should depose Gian Galeazzo as incapable, and reign
+in his stead. But whether it was that Beatrice in her turn had become
+ambitious to bear the title of Duchess of Milan and see her son
+recognized as heir to the crown, or whether the birth of his son stirred
+up new desires in her lord's breast, it is certain that the spring of
+1493 was a turning-point in Lodovico's career. From this time he began
+to aim at reigning in his nephew's stead, and applied himself in good
+earnest to obtain legal recognition of his title. In the first place,
+the birth of Ercole, and the extraordinary honours paid to the child and
+his mother on this occasion, had the effect of exasperating Isabella of
+Aragon, and exciting new and bitter rivalry between herself and
+Beatrice. Gian Galeazzo, sunk in idle pleasures and debauchery, had long
+ceased to take any interest in the government of Milan, or to show the
+least wish to assert himself. He was recognized on all hands as
+altogether unfit to rule--in the words of the historian Guicciardini,
+"_incapacissimo_." But with his wife it was different. In public she
+controlled her rage and appeared with her cousin at _fetes_ and state
+ceremonies, but in private she wept bitter tears. Already her father,
+Alfonso, Duke of Calabria, had begged his sister Duchess Leonora and her
+husband to try and induce Lodovico to restore the Duke and Duchess of
+Milan to their rightful position, and the good duchess, who was on
+friendly terms with Bona of Savoy and with her own niece, Isabella of
+Aragon, did all in her power to soften the rivalry between the two young
+princesses. But after her departure from Milan, Isabella's ill-concealed
+anger broke out, and, according to Corio, she wrote the memorable Latin
+letter to her father.
+
+"It was then," writes the Milanese chronicler, "that the duchess, being
+a princess of great spirit, refused to endure the humiliations to which
+she and her husband were exposed, and wrote to Alfonso her father, after
+this manner: 'Many years have passed, my father, since you first wedded
+me to Gian Galeazzo, on the understanding that he would in due time
+succeed to the sceptre of his father and ascend the throne of Galeazzo
+and Francesco Sforza and of his Visconti ancestors. He is now of age and
+is himself a father; but he is not yet in possession of his dominions,
+and can only obtain the actual necessaries of life from the hands of
+Lodovico and his ministers. It is Lodovico who administers the state,
+treats of war and peace, confirms the laws, grants privileges, imposes
+taxes, hears petitions, and raises money. Everything is in his power,
+while we are left without friends or money, and are reduced to live as
+private persons. Not Gian Galeazzo, but Lodovico, is recognized as lord
+of the kingdom. He places prefects in the castles, raises military
+forces, appoints magistrates, and discharges all the duties of a prince.
+He is, in fact, the true duke. His wife has lately borne him a son, who
+every one prophesies will soon be called Count of Pavia, and will
+succeed to the dukedom, and royal honours were paid him at his birth,
+while we and our children are treated with contempt, and it is not
+without risk to our lives that we remain under the roof of the palace,
+from which he would remove us in his envious hatred, leaving me widowed
+and desolate, destitute of help and friends. But I have still spirit and
+courage of my own; the people regard us with compassion, and look upon
+him with hatred and curses, because he has robbed them of their gold to
+satisfy his greed. I am not able to contend with men, and am forced to
+suffer every kind of humiliation. There is no one here to whom I can
+speak, for even our servants are given us by him. But if you have any
+fatherly compassion, if a spark of royal or noble feeling still lives in
+your heart, if love of me and the sight of my tears can move your soul,
+I implore you to come to our help, and deliver your daughter and
+son-in-law from the fear of slavery, and restore them once more to their
+rightful kingdom. But if you will not help us, I would rather die by my
+own hands than bear the yoke of strangers, which would be a still
+greater evil than to allow a rival to reign in my place.'"
+
+This letter was probably composed by the historian, but there is no
+doubt that it reproduces the wronged duchess's sentiments, and that
+Corio does not exaggerate the effect which his daughter's indignant
+appeal produced upon Alfonso. "Shall we suffer our own blood to be
+despised?" he is said to have exclaimed, when he called upon his father
+to avenge his daughter's wrong, and at the same time pointed out how
+fraught with danger to the realm of Naples was the existence of so
+powerful and independent a prince as Lodovico. But the old king
+preferred to have recourse to his usual expedients of cunning and
+intrigue, and while he employed every artifice to undermine Lodovico's
+influence both at the other courts of Italy and in France, he sent
+ambassadors to congratulate the Moro on his son's birth, and only
+expostulated in a friendly manner with his kinsman. Lodovico himself,
+however, was too astute not to see the dangers which threatened him, and
+he became doubly anxious to form a close alliance with the Pope, and
+with his old enemies the Signory of Venice. Early in 1493, Alexander
+VI., now Lodovico Sforza's firm friend, proposed a new alliance between
+himself, Milan, and Venice to the Doge and Senate, and Count Caiazzo was
+sent by Lodovico to negotiate the terms of the treaty, which was to hold
+good for twenty-five years, and had for its express object the
+maintenance of the peace of Italy. Ferrara and Mantua both joined the
+new league, which was solemnly proclaimed at Venice on St. Mark's day,
+when, after high mass, the Doge conferred the honour of knighthood on
+Taddeo Vimercati, the Milanese ambassador, and the banners of Milan and
+of the Pope were borne in procession round the Piazza.
+
+In order to confirm the alliance, Lodovico not only agreed to visit
+Ferrara in May, but also decided to send his wife at the head of an
+embassy to Venice, as a proof of his friendship for his new allies. Four
+experienced councillors, Count Girolamo Tuttavilla, Galeazzo Visconti,
+Angelo Talenti, and Pietro Landriano, were chosen to accompany her, and
+an elaborate paper of secret directions was drawn up by Lodovico
+himself, dated the 10th of May. On the same day a still more important
+paper of instructions was delivered by the Moro to Erasmo Brasca, the
+envoy whom he sent that week to Germany. This agent was instructed to
+lay two proposals before Maximilian, King of the Romans. In the first
+place, he was to offer him the hand of Bianca Maria Sforza, the Duke of
+Milan's sister, with the enormous dowry of 400,000 ducats. In the
+second, he was to ask Maximilian, on Lodovico's behalf, for a renewal of
+the investiture of Milan, formerly granted to the Visconti dukes, but
+never obtained by the three princes of the house of Sforza. As, on the
+extinction of the Visconti race, the fief ought to have returned to the
+empire, it was in the emperor's power to bestow the duchy upon Lodovico,
+whose title would thus be rendered perfectly legal, while Gian Galeazzo
+would become the usurper, he himself, his father, and grandfather having
+only held the dukedom by right of a popular election, which had never
+been confirmed by the emperor. This, then, was the proposal which the
+Moro secretly made to Maximilian, whose father, the Emperor Frederic
+III., was at the time still living, but was known to be in very failing
+health. The King of the Romans was by no means insensible to the
+advantages of an alliance with the powerful Regent of Milan, or to the
+large dowry which Bianca Maria would bring with her to replenish his
+empty coffers. Some objections were raised by the German princes, who
+chose to consider this marriage with a Sforza princess beneath the
+imperial dignity, but Maximilian himself readily consented to all
+Lodovico's conditions, and promised to grant him the investiture of the
+duchy of Milan as soon as he succeeded his father, only stipulating
+that this part of the agreement should be kept secret for the present.
+The royal bridegroom was to receive three hundred thousand ducats as
+Bianca's dowry, while the remaining hundred thousand, which represented
+the tribute dues on the investiture of the duchy, as an imperial fief,
+were to be paid when this part of the transaction was accomplished.
+
+Meanwhile Maximilian had already entered into negotiations with Charles
+VIII., who, in his anxiety to undertake the expedition of Naples, was
+ready to make any sacrifices in other directions; and on the 15th of May
+the Treaty of Senlis was concluded between the two monarchs. Lodovico's
+ambassador, Belgiojoso, accompanied the French king to Senlis, and kept
+his master fully informed of all that happened at court. But while the
+Moro had repeatedly assured Charles of his friendly intentions, he had
+hitherto prudently abstained from offering any device as to the young
+king's warlike designs against Naples, and had, it was well known,
+opposed them. When in March, Charles VIII. had begged him, as a personal
+favour, to send him his son-in-law, Galeazzo di Sanseverino, of whose
+knightly prowess he had heard so much, in order that he might confer
+with this distinguished captain on military questions, Lodovico
+absolutely refused to consent, fearing the suspicions which Messer
+Galeazzo's presence at the French court might excite.
+
+Such was the state of political affairs when, on the 18th of May, 1493,
+Lodovico and Beatrice, with their infant son, arrived at Ferrara. They
+spent the night before their arrival at the palazzo Trotti, in the
+suburbs, and on the following morning entered the town by the bridge of
+Castel Tealde. After riding in state up the Via Grande and the Via degli
+Sablioni to the Castello they visited the Duomo, attended mass, and made
+an offering at the altar. The Piazza was decorated with green boughs and
+bright draperies, and crowds thronged the streets, shouting "_Moro!
+Moro!_" as the young duchess rode by in all her bravery, escorted by her
+brother Alfonso and Madonna Anna, who had ridden out to meet her, with a
+gay company of Ferrarese lords and ladies. That day Beatrice wore the
+_camora_ of wonderful crimson brocade, embroidered with the lighthouse
+towers of the port of Genoa, and a velvet cap studded with big pearls,
+"as large as are Madama's very largest gems," wrote the faithful
+Prosperi to Isabella d'Este, "as well as five splendid rubies."
+
+On this occasion Lodovico was determined to dazzle the eyes of the world
+by his splendour, and the robes and jewels of Beatrice were the wonder
+of Ferrara and Venice. Ten chariots and fifty mules laden with baggage
+followed in their train, and Prosperi describes one marvellous new
+_camora_, which Beatrice brought with her, embroidered with Lodovico's
+favourite device of the caduceus worked in large pearls, rubies, and
+diamonds, with one big diamond at the top. Not to be outdone by her
+sister-in-law, Madonna Anna appeared in a crimson and grey satin robe,
+adorned with letters of massive gold, and borrowed her mother-in-law's
+finest pearls for the occasion, so that, as Prosperi reports, her jewels
+made almost as fine a show as those of the duchess. Nor was this rivalry
+in clothes and jewels limited to the royal ladies themselves. Our lively
+friend, Duchess Leonora's maid of honour, Teodora, gives Isabella an
+amusing account of the keen emulation that existed between the Milanese
+and Ferrarese ladies who were to accompany the two duchesses to
+Venice.[37] Beatrice's ladies each wore long gold chains, valued at two
+hundred ducats apiece, and her chief maids of honour had been provided
+with some of their mistress's brocade robes for the occasion. Hearing of
+this, the Ferrarese ladies begged duchess Leonora to give them similar
+necklaces, and did not rest until they were supplied with chains valued
+at two hundred and twenty ducats apiece. And since it transpired that
+Beatrice had given some of her ladies strings of pearls for their
+paternosters, Madama presented each of her attendants with pearl
+rosaries of a still handsomer and costlier description. When Signor
+Lodovico saw this, he went up to Beatrice, saying, "Wife, I wish all of
+your ladies to wear pearl rosaries;" and straightway ordered some much
+larger and finer ones to be made for the Duchess of Bari's attendants.
+"But Madama," adds Isabella's correspondent, gleefully, "has given some
+of her smaller pendants to our ladies, a thing which I do not think the
+duchess can supply; and there is one other point in which the duchess's
+suite will come off the worst. Madama has had pelisses of green satin
+with broad stripes of black velvet made for all her ladies, which they
+are to wear at Venice, and is taking a fresh supply of jewels to lend
+them when they arrive. This I think the duchess can hardly manage."
+
+However, the next day Prosperi reports that the famous goldsmith
+Caradosso has just arrived with a quantity of rubies and diamonds, which
+Messer Lodovico has bought for two thousand ducats, and is having strung
+into necklaces for his wife's ladies.
+
+A week of brilliant festivities had been arranged by Duke Ercole in
+honour of his son-in-law. A splendid tournament was held one day on the
+Piazza in front of the Castello. "Messer Galeazzo rode in the lists,"
+writes the old chronicler of Ferrara, "with all his usual _gentilezza_,
+and carried off the prize against his brothers Caiazzo and Fracassa,
+Niccolo da Correggio, Ermes Sforza, and all other rivals. Afterwards,
+taking a massive lance in his hand, he charged a gentleman of Mirandola,
+broke his lance, and unseated him, so that both horse and man rolled
+over together. And Lodovico sent one hundred ducats to the soldier of
+Mirandola, because he fought so well. Another day a single-handed
+contest between a Milanese and a Mantuan man-at-arms was held in the
+courtyard of the castle, and won by the Mantuan, and Lodovico gave him a
+satin vest with a gold fringe and skirt of silver cloth, and the Marquis
+of Mantua and others made him fine presents."[38] Then came the
+horse-races for the _pallium_, which Don Alfonso won, and at which
+Gianfrancesco Gonzaga's famous Barbary horses made a splendid show. A
+beautiful _festa_ was also held one afternoon in the gardens, at which
+all the court assisted, and in the evenings, theatrical representations
+of the _Menaechmi_ and other Latin plays were given, which pleased
+Lodovico so well that he declared he must build a theatre at Milan on
+his return. Amongst the pieces given on this occasion was a comedy, of
+which the plot, Prosperi remarks, appeared to be aimed against Signor
+Lodovico, but it seems to have given him no offence.
+
+The Moro was apparently in the highest good-humour, courteous and
+affable, after his wont, to all, and full of proud delight in his wife
+and child. He admired the palaces and gardens of Ferrara, and surveyed
+Duke Ercole's latest improvements with keen interest. The width and
+cleanliness of the streets, struck him especially, and he determined to
+follow the duke's example and remove the forges and shops which blocked
+up the road and interfered with the traffic and the pleasantness of the
+prospect at Milan. But of all the sights which he saw in Ferrara, what
+pleased him best was Ercole's beautiful villa of Belriguardo. On
+Saturday, the 25th of May, after Beatrice and her mother had started for
+Venice, Ercole took his son-in-law and the Milanese nobles to spend the
+day at this his favourite country house, and entertained the party at a
+banquet in the famous terraced gardens on the banks of the Po. The same
+evening Lodovico found time to write to his wife, in which he tells her
+how much he is enjoying the loveliness of the summer evening at
+Belriguardo.
+
+"I would not for all the world have missed seeing this place. Really, I
+do not think that I have ever seen so large and fine a house, or one
+which is so well laid out and adorned with such excellent pictures. I do
+not believe there is another to rival it in the whole world, and did not
+think it possible to find a villa at once so spacious and so thoroughly
+comfortable and well arranged. To say the truth, if I were asked whether
+Vigevano, or the Castello of Pavia, or this place was the finest palace
+in the world--the Castello must forgive me, for I would certainly choose
+Belriguardo!"[39]
+
+From Belriguardo, Ercole and his son-in-law proceeded to visit
+Mirandola, the castle and principality of Bianca d'Este's husband, Count
+Galeotto, and the court of the scholar princes of Carpi, who were
+intimately connected with the Sanseverini and other noble Milanese
+houses. After visiting Modena, the ducal party returned to receive the
+Venetian ambassadors at Ferrara, and accompanied them to Belriguardo,
+which Lodovico was not sorry to visit a second time. Here the Moro took
+farewell of his hosts, and, leaving his infant son at Ferrara to await
+his mother's return, he set out for Parma, on his way back to Milan.
+
+Here at Torgiara, in the Parmesana, he was joined by his envoy, Count
+Belgiojoso, who, in his anxiety to bring his master the latest news, had
+ridden the whole 600 miles from Senlis in six days. This faithful
+servant had already written to give Lodovico details of the treaty
+concluded between Charles VIII. and Maximilian, and had informed him of
+the French king's resolve to invade Italy without delay. Now, at his
+master's summons, he rode to Parma as fast as relays of the fleetest
+horses could take him, and fell seriously ill on the day after his
+arrival. The news which he brought determined Lodovico in the policy
+which he was about to adopt, and decided him to withdraw all opposition
+to the French king's expedition against Naples. Charles VIII. now
+appeared as the friend and ally of Maximilian, and even consented to
+support Lodovico's suit with the King of the Romans. "It seems strange,"
+wrote the Florentine ambassador at the French court to Piero de' Medici,
+"that the king should support Signor Lodovico in a thing so harmful to
+the interests of his cousin the Duke of Orleans' claims, but so it is,
+and this will show you the influence that now predominates in the royal
+counsels."
+
+Belgiojoso reached Torgiara, in the district of Parma, on the 4th of
+June, and on the 24th, Maximilian sent the despatch from the castle of
+Gmunden, by which he accepted the hand of Bianca Sforza in marriage, and
+promised Lodovico Sforza the investiture of the duchy of Milan as soon
+as he himself should receive the imperial dignity. In the same month of
+June, the marriage of the Pope's daughter, Lucrezia Borgia, to Giovanni
+Sforza of Pesaro was celebrated with great pomp in the Vatican, and the
+Pope and cardinals joined in the orgies which followed. But old King
+Ferrante gnashed his teeth with rage, and his son Alfonso vowed
+vengeance against the hated Moro and all his crew. And in the Duomo of
+Florence, the fiery Dominican friar, Fra Girolamo of San Marco,
+preaching with passionate fervour to the crowds who hung on his lips,
+boldly denounced the shameless profligacy that reigned in high places,
+and warned the Church and the world of the avenging sword of the Lord.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[37] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 374.
+
+[38] Muratori, R. L. S., xxiv. 284.
+
+[39] E. Motta in _Giorn. st. d. lett. Ital._, vii. 387.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+Visit of Beatrice and her mother to Venice--Letters of Lodovico to his
+wife--Reception of the duchesses by the Doge at S. Clemente--Their
+triumphal entry--Procession and _fetes_ in the Grand Canal--Letter of
+Beatrice to her husband--The palace of the Dukes of Ferrara in Venice.
+
+1493
+
+
+The spring of 1493, as we have already said, proved a turning-point in
+Lodovico Sforza's policy. And it also marked a new period in the life of
+Beatrice d'Este. Up to this time the young duchess was a bright and
+joyous child, intellectual and cultivated like the other ladies of her
+family, but eager, above all, to enjoy the splendour and gaiety of her
+new life, to taste of every pleasure, and fling herself into every
+passing amusement. But now she appears in a new light. For the first
+time, on this visit to Venice, she takes a leading part in political
+affairs, and comes before the Doge and Senate as her husband's
+ambassador and spokeswoman. Here we see this princess, who was not yet
+eighteen years of age, assuming the character of orator and diplomatist,
+and revealing these talents which excited the admiration of the Emperor
+Maximilian and made him pronounce her unlike all other women.
+
+In selecting his young wife for this important mission, Lodovico had
+acted with his usual prudence and forethought. He saw her remarkable
+powers of mind, and trusted implicitly in her womanly tact and charm.
+When the Venetian Senate first heard that Lodovico was to visit Ferrara,
+they announced their intention of sending ambassadors to request him to
+accompany the two duchesses to Venice. But the Moro felt that, at this
+critical moment of his negotiations with both Charles VIII. and
+Maximilian, his presence at Venice might lead to awkward questions and
+excite the suspicion of these princes. So he preferred to send his wife,
+whose journey with her mother and brother would appear rather in the
+light of a party of pleasure, and whose youth and charms would disarm
+suspicion, and at the same time exert a beneficial influence on the
+counsels of the Republic. In the written instructions which he gave
+Tuttavilla and the other envoys who accompanied Beatrice, they were
+desired to lay especial stress on the honour which the rulers of Milan
+were doing the Signory of Venice by the choice of so exalted a lady to
+be their messenger.
+
+"The presence of the most illustrious Duchess of Bari is the best proof
+their Excellencies can have of the singular satisfaction with which the
+Dukes of Milan and Bari regard the conclusion of this league. In
+sending, the one his aunt, the other his wife, who is the dearest thing
+that he possesses, to congratulate the Signory on this auspicious
+occasion, they show you how great and exceptional is the pleasure which
+they feel at this alliance between our two states."
+
+On Saturday, the 25th of May, the Duchess of Ferrara, with her two
+daughters, Beatrice Duchess of Bari and Madonna Anna Sforza, and her son
+Alfonso, accompanied by a large retinue numbering in all 1200 persons,
+sailed down the Po into the Adriatic, on their way to Venice. Beatrice
+was accompanied by Antonio Trivulzio, Bishop of Como, Francesco Sforza
+and his wife, and several other Milanese gentlemen of rank, besides the
+four ambassadors already named, and in her train were the famous Flemish
+tenor Cordier and the other court singers of the ducal chapel. On the
+20th the party reached Chioggia, where they were entertained in the
+houses of noble Venetian families, and on the following day sailed up
+between the islands, under the long sandy shore of the Lido, into the
+port of Venice. At Malamocco, the fort on the southern point of Lido
+guarding the entrance of the harbour, they were received by a deputation
+of patricians, while at S. Clemente the old Doge, Agostino Barbarigo,
+himself came out to meet them in the bucentaur, followed by an immense
+company of boats and gondolas in festive array.
+
+"Of all cities that I have ever known, Venice is the one where the
+greatest honour is paid to strangers," wrote Philippe de Commines, when,
+a year and a half later, he came to Venice as ambassador from his most
+Christian Majesty. And on this occasion the welcome offered to the wife
+of the powerful Moro was grander, and the _fetes_ given in her honour
+were more splendid, than had been seen for many years.
+
+"Never," wrote Taddeo de' Vimercati, the Milanese ambassador, "was lord
+or lady received with greater joy, or more magnificently entertained
+than the duchess has been on this occasion." And in his letters to his
+wife Isabella, the Marquis of Mantua, who had arrived at Venice three
+days earlier, and was among the spectators of his mother and
+sister-in-law's triumphal entry, dilates on the extraordinary honours
+that were paid them, on the vast concourse of people assembled to greet
+their arrival, and the exultation with which they were received. He
+describes the procession of barks and gondolas, filled with ladies in
+gay toilettes, that were seen rowing across the lagoon many hours before
+the arrival of the illustrious visitors, and tells how the old Doge--the
+same whose venerable figure is familiar to us in Giovanni Bellini's
+altar-piece, at Murano--made his way to S. Clemente early in the
+afternoon, and retired to rest for an hour or two, in a chamber prepared
+for his Serene Highness, until the Ferrarese bucentaurs were seen in the
+distance. Gianfrancesco dwells on the number and beauty of the gaily
+decorated barges and triremes, and describes the magnificent loggia hung
+with tapestries and wreaths of flowers which had been erected in front
+of the _palazzo_ occupied by the Milanese ambassador, at the entrance of
+the Canal Grande. But what impressed him most of all were the thundering
+salvoes of artillery which burst from the fleet of galleys, from the
+arsenal and the Milanese embassy, at one and the same moment, as about
+five o'clock the Ferrarese bucentaurs reached Malamocco and entered the
+Venetian waters. "The whole air," he writes, "was filled with confusion,
+when these demonstrations of great rejoicing burst simultaneously upon
+our ears."
+
+Isabella d'Este, who had herself lately returned from Venice and was now
+with her beloved sister-in-law, Elizabeth Duchess of Urbino, at the
+villa of Porto, devoured her husband's letters greedily, although she
+professed indifference, and wrote to her mother, "To me all these
+ceremonies seem very much of the same nature, and are all alike very
+tedious and monotonous."
+
+There was one point, however, upon which Gianfrancesco confessed himself
+unable to gratify his wife and sister's curiosity. "I will not attempt,"
+he says, "to describe the gowns and ornaments worn by these duchesses
+and Madonna Anna, this being quite out of my line, and will only tell
+you that all three of them appeared resplendent with the most precious
+jewels."[40] Fortunately, this omission was supplied by one of
+Beatrice's secretaries, Niccolo de' Negri, who, in a letter to Lodovico,
+informed him, on the day of her arrival at Venice, that the duchess wore
+her gold brocade, embroidered with crimson doves, with a jewelled
+feather in her cap, and a rope of pearls and diamonds round her neck, to
+which the priceless ruby known as El Spigo was attached as pendant. But
+the best account we have of Beatrice's visit to Venice is contained in
+four of her own letters addressed to her husband, which have been
+preserved in the archives of Milan. They were originally published
+twenty years ago by Molmenti, who, however, omitted some portions which
+are given here, and transcribed some of the dates incorrectly.
+Unfortunately, several of the letters in which Beatrice daily recorded
+the events of this memorable week for her lord's benefit are missing.
+But although the narrative is incomplete, it is none the less of rare
+value and interest. The first two letters after her departure from
+Ferrara are missing, but in their stead we have two notes from Lodovico,
+which show how tenderly he thought of his absent wife, and how carefully
+he followed her movements. On the evening of the 25th, he wrote the
+letter that has been already quoted, from Belriguardo; on the 26th, he
+sent her a second note in reply to the letters which he had just
+received. In one of these Beatrice had apparently given a lively account
+of her triumphs at cards in the games which she had played with her
+companions on board the bucentaur. Like Isabella d'Este and most of her
+contemporaries, the duchess was very fond of _scartino_ and other
+fashionable card-games, and had the reputation of being exceptionally
+lucky. In the course of the year 1494, Lodovico informed Girolamo
+Tuttavilla, who was at one time treasurer to the duchess, that his wife
+had won no less than three thousand ducats, all of which she declared
+had been spent in alms. "When I remarked that this seemed a very large
+sum, the duchess confessed she had paid some of it to embroiderers and
+other craftsmen. Even then I fail to see how she could have disposed of
+more than a few hundred ducats. At this rate I fear she will be unable
+to buy lands or build new houses, but when you return from Naples, we
+must try and carry out some plans better worthy of your name."
+
+On this occasion Beatrice seems to have won a considerable sum of money
+at the game of _britino_ during her journey to Chioggia, and had
+apparently informed her husband of her good luck, for he writes in
+reply--
+
+"MY DEAREST WIFE,
+
+"It has given me the greatest pleasure to hear from your last letters
+that you have been winning your companions' money, and since I conclude
+you have been playing at _buttino_, I hope you will remember to keep
+account of your winnings, so that you may keep the money for yourself.
+But I only say this in case you win, as if you lose, I do not care to
+hear about it. Commend me to the illustrious Madonna Duchessa, our
+common mother, as well as to Don Alfonso and Madonna Anna, and salute
+all the councillors for me.
+
+                                   "Your most affectionate husband,
+                                          LODOVICUS MARIA SFORTIA.[41]
+
+Belriguardo, 26th of May, 1493."
+
+The first of Beatrice's letters that we have was written on the evening
+of her arrival at her father's house in Venice and is dated May 27.
+
+"MOST ILLUSTRIOUS PRINCE AND EXCELLENT LORD, MY DEAREST HUSBAND,
+
+"I wrote to you yesterday of our arrival at Chioggia. This morning I
+heard mass in a chapel of the house where I lodged. The singers
+assisted, and I felt the greatest spiritual delight in hearing them,
+Messer Cordier as usual doing his part very well, as he did also
+yesterday morning. Certainly his singing is the greatest consolation
+possible. Then we breakfasted, and at ten we entered the bucentaur,
+dividing our company between the middle-sized and small bucentaur and a
+few gondolas, which were prepared for us, as being safer, since the
+weather was still rather stormy. My most illustrious mother, Don Alfonso
+and Madonna Anna, with a very few servants, entered the small bucentaur,
+and the other ladies and gentlemen travelled on the larger bucentaur, or
+in small gondolas, while I entered another gondola with Signor Girolamo,
+Messer Visconti, and a few others, so as to lighten the small bucentaur
+and travel more comfortably, as we were assured. So we set out and
+reached the port of Chioggia, where the ships began to dance. I took the
+greatest delight in tossing up and down, and, by the grace of God, did
+not feel the least ill effects. But I can tell you that some of our
+party were very much alarmed, amongst others Signor Ursino, Niccolo de'
+Negri, and Madonna Elisabetta. Even Signor Girolamo, although he had
+been very frugal, felt rather uncomfortable; but no one in my gondola
+was really ill, excepting Madonna Elisabetta and Cavaliere Ursino, at
+the port of Chioggia. Most of the others, especially the women, were
+very ill. The weather now improved so much, that we arrived at Malamocco
+in quite good time. Here we found about twenty-four gentlemen, with
+three well-fitted and decorated barges, one of which we entered, with as
+many of our suite as it could hold, and were honourably seated in the
+prow. Several Venetian gentlemen now entered our barge, and a certain
+Messer Francesco Capello, clad in a long mantle of white brocade,
+embroidered with large gold patterns, like your own, delivered an
+oration to the effect that this illustrious Signory, having heard of
+your presence at Ferrara, had sent two ambassadors to show the love they
+bear you, and that now, having heard of my Lady Mother's and my own
+visit to Venice, they had sent the other gentlemen who received us at
+Chioggia, and now, as a further token of their affection, sent these to
+Malamocco, to express the great pleasure the Signory felt at our coming,
+and to inform us that the Doge himself, with the Signory and a number
+of noble matrons, were about to give us welcome and do us honour to the
+best of their power. My mother, with her usual modesty, begged me to
+reply, but I insisted on her saying a few words, and afterwards began to
+speak myself. But hardly had she finished speaking, and before I had
+begun, than all the gentlemen ran up to kiss our hands, as they had done
+the day before, so that I could only express my feelings by courteous
+gestures.
+
+"Then we set off towards Venice, and before we reached S. Clemente,
+where the Prince was expecting us, two rafts came towards us, and
+saluted us with the sound of trumpets and firing of guns, followed by
+two galleys ready for battle, and other barks decked out like gardens,
+which were really beautiful to see. An infinite number of boats, full of
+ladies and gentlemen, now surrounded us, and escorted us all the way to
+S. Clemente. Here we landed, and were conducted to a spacious pavilion
+hung with drapery, where the Prince, accompanied by the members of the
+Signory, met us and bade us welcome, assuring us how eagerly our
+presence had been desired, and saying that my lord father the duke and
+your Excellency could do him no greater pleasure than to send us, whom
+he looked upon as his dear daughters. All this and much more concerning
+the fatherly love which he bore us, he hoped to be able to express at a
+future occasion. Then he placed my lady mother on his right and myself
+on his left, with Madonna Anna next to me, and next to my mother the
+Marquis of Mantua and Don Alfonso--the Marchese having arrived with the
+Prince--and so he conducted us on board the bucentaur. On the way we
+shook hands with all the ladies, who stood up in two rows behind the
+Prince, and then sat down in the same order. All of our ladies shook
+hands with the Prince, and we set out again on our journey, meeting an
+infinite number of decorated galleys, boats, and barks. Among others,
+there was a raft with figures of Neptune and Minerva, armed with trident
+and spear, seated on either side of a hill crowned with the arms of the
+Pope and our own illustrious lord, together with your own and those of
+the Signory of Venice. First Neptune began to dance and gambol and throw
+balls into the air to the sound of drums and tambourines, and then
+Minerva did the same. Afterwards they both joined hands and danced
+together. Next Minerva struck the mountain with her spear, and an olive
+tree appeared. Neptune did the same with his trident, and a horse jumped
+out. Then other personages appeared on the mountain with open books in
+their hands, signifying that they had come to decide on the name that
+was to be given to the city on the mountain, and they gave judgment in
+favour of Minerva. This representation was said to signify that the
+existence of states is founded on treaties of peace, and that those who
+lay the foundations will give their name to future kingdoms, as Minerva
+did to Athens.
+
+"As we sailed on, we saw many other barks and galleys, all richly
+decorated. Among them was one galley of armed Milanese, with a Moor in
+the centre, armed with a spear, and bearing shields with the ducal arms
+and your own fastened to the stern and prow. Round this Moor were
+figures of Fortitude, Temperance, Justice, and Wisdom with a sceptre in
+his hand, all of which made a fine pageant, and the firing of guns and
+cannons at the same time sounded quite splendid.
+
+"Besides these there were many barks representing the different arts and
+crafts of Venice, very beautiful to see. And so we entered the Canal
+Grande, where the Prince, who talked to us all the way with the utmost
+familiarity and kindness, took great pleasure in showing us the chief
+palaces of this noble city, and pointing out the ladies, who appeared
+glittering with jewels at all the balconies and windows, besides the
+great company--about a hundred and thirty in number--who were already
+with us in the bucentaur. All the palaces were richly adorned, and
+certainly it was a magnificent sight. The Prince showed us all the chief
+objects along the canal, until we reached my father's palace, where we
+are lodged, and where the Prince insisted on landing and conducting us
+to our rooms, although my mother and I begged him not to take this
+trouble. We found all the palace hung with tapestries, and the beds
+covered with satin draperies adorned with the ducal arms and those of
+your Excellency. And the rooms and hall are hung with Sforzesca colours,
+so you see that in point of good entertainment, good company, and good
+living we could desire nothing better. This evening three gentlemen
+came to visit me in the name of the Signory, and made the most splendid
+offers, beyond all that could have been expected, for my pleasure and
+convenience. To-morrow, if the audience has taken place, you shall hear
+more. I commend myself to your Highness.[42]
+
+"Venice, May 27, 1493."
+
+"_Era stupendissima cesa a vedere!_ It was a magnificent sight!"
+exclaimed Beatrice. And indeed the scene was one which would have
+stirred a less impressionable nature than that of this young princess,
+who was so keenly alive to joy and beauty, and who now for the first
+time saw "this most triumphant city of the world," in all the loveliness
+of the summer evening. Both the Milanese ambassador and the Marquis of
+Mantua said they had never seen the like. The blue waters of the lagoon
+swarmed with boats and gondolas decked with flowers and streamers of the
+gayest hues, the Venetian Gothic palaces along the canal were hung with
+Indian and Persian carpets. The rich colours of Oriental stuffs relieved
+the dazzling whiteness of Istrian stone, and festoons of fresh leaves
+and flowers were twisted round their columns of porphyry and serpentine.
+From each carved balcony and painted window fair Venetian ladies looked
+down in their sumptuous robes, glittering with gold and gems, and the
+air rang with the _Vivas_ of the crowds who filled the gondolas or
+flocked along the Riva to see the gay pageant. It was a spectacle such
+as Venice alone could offer in these days of her glory, when the Canal
+Grande was, as Commines justly said, the finest street in the whole
+world.
+
+And the Palazzo to which the old Doge conducted Beatrice and her mother
+was the oldest and one of the grandest in that long avenue of palaces.
+Originally built for the Pesaro family, it had been presented to Niccolo
+II. of Este in gratitude for his services when, a hundred years before,
+he had supplied the Republic with corn during the long war against
+Genoa. Since then the house had been repeatedly sequestered during the
+wars between Venice and Ferrara, and had only been restored to Duke
+Ercole after the conclusion of the peace of Bagnolo. Now its ancient
+walls, dating as far back as the year 900, had been freshly decorated
+with frescoes, and the long arcades and loggias, with their massive
+pillars and Byzantine capitals of grey marble, were enriched with
+shields carved with the unicorns and lilies of the house of Este.
+Within, the spacious halls were lavishly adorned with gilding and
+variegated marble, with fine pictures and the painted _cassoni_ and
+chairs which we still admire on old Venetian palaces, while the
+tapestries and hangings bearing Sforza devices and the Moro's favourite
+mottoes met Beatrice's eyes at every turn. As she wrote in her joyous
+letters to her husband, there was nothing lacking that could charm the
+eyes or please the mind, and the courtesy and hospitality of the
+venerable old Doge and of the Venetian Signory left nothing to be
+desired.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[40] "Storia di Venezia nella Vita privata," p. 60.
+
+[41] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 376.
+
+[42] Molmenti, _op. cit._, p. 693.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+_Fetes_ at Venice in honour of the Duchess of Ferrara and Duchess of
+Bari--Beatrice d'Este has an audience with the Doge and
+Signory--Explains Lodovico's position and his treaties with France and
+Germany--Visit to St. Mark's and the Treasury--_Fete_ in the ducal
+palace--The Duchess visits the Great Council--Takes leave of the
+Doge--Return to Ferrara.
+
+1493
+
+
+A series of _fetes_ had been arranged by the Doge and Signory of Venice
+in honour of their illustrious guests, and the order in which they took
+place is given by the Marquis of Mantua in a letter to his wife. On
+Tuesday races were held in the piazza for a _pallinum_ of twenty yards
+of crimson velvet; on Wednesday afternoon a regatta took place on the
+Riva. Amongst other amusing contests, Pietro Bembo tells us there was a
+race between boats rowed by four women, a thing never before seen in
+Venice, and which, on account of its novelty, excited the greatest
+amusement. "In which marvellous contention," says Bembo, "a thing
+happened which added greatly to the pleasure of the spectacle and to the
+general mirth. A bark won the race that was rowed by a mother and her
+two daughters and one daughter-in-law, this being arranged out of
+compliment to Duchess Leonora, who has herself two daughters and one
+daughter-in-law."
+
+On the morning after her arrival, Beatrice received a visit from three
+gentlemen sent by the Doge to confer with her on the object of her
+mission. Much to their surprise and admiration, says Romanini, the
+Venetian historian, the young duchess, who was not yet twenty years of
+age, requested to be allowed the honour of an audience with the Signory.
+Before leaving the Este palace these gentlemen assisted at mass, which
+was privately celebrated in the duchess's rooms, and heard Cordier sing,
+as we learn from a short note addressed to Lodovico on the morning of
+the 28th.
+
+"This morning," she writes, "as soon as I was dressed, I heard mass sung
+in my own rooms. Messer Cordier sang, and, as usual, did his part
+admirably, which pleased me greatly, both on account of the rare delight
+which his talent gives me, and because on this occasion the gentlemen
+who had been sent to see me by the Doge were also present, and expressed
+the greatest admiration for his singing."
+
+Beatrice and the four Milanese ambassadors were then escorted to the
+ducal palace, where the young duchess was admitted to the Sala del
+Collegio, and laid her husband's memorial before the Signory. But, as M.
+Delaborde remarks, the language which Beatrice employed on this occasion
+differed considerably from the written instructions which had been given
+to the Milanese envoys by Lodovico. During the interval, Belgiojoso's
+despatches relating to the Treaty of Senlis, and announcing the French
+king's fixed intention of undertaking an expedition against Naples, had
+produced a sensible alteration in Lodovico's policy. In the letter of
+the 10th of May, the ambassadors were desired to congratulate the
+Venetian Signory in the most cordial terms on the conclusion of the
+league between Milan, the Pope, and the Republic, and to dwell
+especially on the importance of being in readiness to resist foreign
+invasions at this critical time when the French monarch and the King of
+the Romans were about to settle their differences. But when Beatrice
+herself addressed the Signory, she insisted on the excellent relations
+of Lodovico as Regent of Milan with both France and Germany, and, after
+setting forth the pains which her lord had taken to oppose the French
+expedition, laid Belgiojoso's latest despatch before the Signory. In
+this missive the Milanese envoy informed Lodovico of Charles the
+Eighth's intention to send an envoy to Milan, Venice, and Rome, and seek
+the help of these powers in carrying out his designs for the conquest of
+Naples. Beatrice, addressing the Venetian Signory in her lord's name,
+asked their advice as to the answer which he should give to the French
+king, and ended by informing them of his negotiations with Maximilian
+for the investiture of the duchy of Milan, which, she added, were
+already far advanced. After some deliberation, the Signory returned a
+courteous but evasive answer, begging the duchess to assure her husband
+of their most friendly sentiments, but saying that the French king's
+proposals required grave consideration, and that they must, first of
+all, communicate with the Pope as head of the League.
+
+At a second conference which the Doge had with the young duchess on the
+1st of June, Beatrice, acting under Lodovico's directions, laid stress
+on the fact that her husband as regent was all-powerful in Milan, and
+could dispose of the treasure and castles of Lombardy at his pleasure.
+The Doge understood by this, as we learn from the secret records of the
+Venetian Government, that the real aim of the duchess was to discover
+how far the Republic was disposed to uphold Lodovico's claim to the
+ducal title, but he merely returned a civil answer and repeated his
+professions of friendship. If Beatrice's mission, however, secured no
+very tangible result from the wise and crafty Venetian, her charms made
+a deep impression upon the old councillors, who one and all marvelled at
+her wisdom and eloquence, and grudged no pains or expense to give her
+pleasure. "No honours," writes Cardinal Bembo, "were held too great for
+these royal ladies, who in those joyous times had come to see the city,
+nor was any kind of pleasure or generous liberality lacking in the
+splendid _fetes_ with which they were entertained on this memorable
+occasion." As for Beatrice herself, she was enchanted with the beauties
+of Venice and the courtesy of her hosts, and longed to see and hear all
+the wonders of the famous city. The greater part of these days was spent
+in visiting the chief sights of the place--the great Dominican and
+Franciscan churches, S. Zanipolo with the tombs of the doges and the
+Gothic shrine of S. Maria Gloriosa with Giovanni Bellini's newly painted
+Madonnas in all their radiant loveliness, the graceful Renaissance
+buildings of S. Maria dei Miracoli and the Scuola di S. Marco, which the
+Lombardi had lately finished. Like all royal visitors, the duchesses
+were conducted over the arsenal, which Commines justly calls the finest
+thing of the kind in the whole world, and were shown not only the fleet
+of a hundred ships in port, but the galleys in course of construction,
+the men making the oars, the women and children at work on the sails and
+ropes, the sulphur and saltpetre mills, and the splendid armoury, all
+enclosed within lofty walls, and guarded by twin towers crowned with the
+winged lion. And they saw what was indeed one of the wonders of the
+world--the glorious front of St. Mark's just as we see it in Gentile
+Bellini's great picture, with the many domes and myriads of pillars, the
+glittering mosaics and famous bronze horses, and the crimson standards
+floating from the three tall Venetian masts on the Piazza. We are not
+told whether Beatrice, like her sister Isabella d'Este, ascended the
+Campanile to enjoy the wonderful prospect over the lagoons, but we know
+that she went to hear the singing of the Augustinian nuns, a community
+of noble Venetian maidens as famous for the many scandals attached to
+their society as for the perfection of their musical services. Above all
+things in Venice, the duchesses admired the magnificent pile of the
+ducal palace and the noble mural paintings on which the Bellini and
+their fellow-artists were at work in the Great Hall, a sight of which
+the great fire of the sixteenth century has deprived future generations.
+
+But the most splendid _fete_ given in Beatrice's honour was the banquet,
+ball, and torchlight procession that were held on Thursday in the ducal
+palace. That same morning the duchesses attended mass in state at St.
+Mark's, and by the Doge's request the Milanese choir took part in the
+service. Beatrice's letters to her husband give a full account of the
+day's festivities--
+
+"MOST EXCELLENT AND ILLUSTRIOUS LORD, MY DEAREST HUSBAND,
+
+"To continue my relation of what is happening here day by day, I must
+now inform you that this morning my illustrious mother, Don Alfonso,
+Madonna Anna, and I, with all our company, set out for St. Mark's, where
+the Prince invited both us and our singers to assist at mass and see the
+Treasury. But before reaching St. Mark's, we landed at the Rialto, and
+went on foot up those streets which are called the Merceria, where we
+saw the shops of spices and silks and other merchandise, all in fair
+order and excellent both in quality and in the great quantity and
+variety of goods for sale. And of other crafts there was also a goodly
+display, so much so that we stopped constantly to look at now one thing,
+now at another, and were quite sorry when we reached St. Mark's. Here
+our trumpets sounded from a loggia in front of the church, and we found
+the prince, who advanced to meet us at the doors of St. Mark's, and
+placing himself as before, between my illustrious mother and myself, led
+us to the high altar, where we found the priest already vested. There we
+knelt down with the prince and said the confession, and then took the
+seats prepared for us and heard mass, which the priest and his
+assistants sang with great solemnity, and our singers did their part,
+and their singing greatly pleased both the Prince and all who were
+present, especially that of Cordier, who always takes great pains to do
+honour to your Highness. After mass, we accompanied the Prince to see
+the Treasury, but had the greatest difficulty in the world to get in,
+because of the crowds of people who were assembled there, as well as in
+the streets, although every one tried to make room for us, even the
+Prince crying out to try and clear the way. But at last the Prince
+himself was forced to retire on account of the great pressure of the
+crowd, and left us to enter with only a few others, and even then we had
+the greatest difficulty to get in. Once safely inside the Treasury we
+saw everything, which was a great pleasure, for there was an infinite
+quantity of most beautiful jewels and some magnificent cups and
+chalices. When we came out of the Treasury, we went on the Piazza of St.
+Mark, among the shops of the Ascensiontide fair which is still going on,
+and found such a magnificent show of beautiful Venetian glass, that we
+were fairly bewildered, and were obliged to remain there for a long
+time. And as we walked along from shop to shop, every one turned to look
+at the jewels which I wore in the velvet cap on my head, and on the vest
+embroidered with the towers of the Port of Genoa, and especially at the
+large diamond which I wore at my breast. And I heard people saying one
+to the other--'That is the wife of Signor Lodovico. Look what fine
+jewels she wears! What splendid rubies and diamonds she has!'
+
+"At last, since the hour was already late, we went home to dine, and by
+this time it was nearly two o'clock.[43]
+
+"Venice, May 30, 1493."
+
+The day's labours, however, were hardly begun, and in her next letter
+Beatrice resumes her story--
+
+"After dinner and a little rest, a large company of gentlemen came to
+conduct us to the _festa_ at the palace. We travelled in barges, and,
+when we reached the palace, were conducted into the Great Hall. There a
+grand tribunal was erected at one end of the hall, in two divisions
+running the whole length of the walls, and in the centre of the hall a
+square stage was placed for dancing and theatrical representations. We
+ascended the tribunal, where we found a number of noble Venetian ladies,
+one hundred and thirty-two in all, richly adorned with jewels. On the
+wing to our right as we entered sat the Lord of the Company of 'the
+Potenti'--'a group of the famous company of La Calza, which included the
+wealthiest and most illustrious youths of Venice'--seated on a throne
+under a canopy of gold brocade, with Don Alfonso as a member of the
+company on his right hand. We took our seat on the left wing, and sent
+Madonna Anna to take her place by the Lord of the Company. The Prince
+was not present on this occasion, being too old and infirm to take part
+in such fatiguing entertainments; but a certain Messer Constantino
+Privolo occupied his place, as the oldest member of the Signory. The
+chiefs of the _festa_ led out several ladies to dance, two or three at a
+time, and then came to ask if some of our ladies and gentlemen would not
+also take part in the dance. So, to show our friendly intentions, we
+agreed, and Conte Girolamo da Figino and a few others danced. Of the
+women, the wife of Count Francesco Sforza, the daughters Messer
+Sigismondo and of Messer Raynaldo, and a few others, also danced. During
+the dancing, by reason of the excessive heat of the room, my head began
+to ache, and as my throat also felt a little sore, I left the hall and
+retired to rest in another room for an hour. When I returned, it was
+already dark. A hundred lighted torches hung from the ceiling, and a
+representation was given on the stage, in which two big animals with
+large horns appeared, ridden by two figures, bearing golden balls and
+cups wreathed with verdure. These two were followed by a triumphal
+chariot, in which Justice sat enthroned, holding a drawn sword in her
+hand inscribed with the motto _Concordia_, and wreathed with palms and
+olive. In the same car was an ox with his feet resting on a figure of
+St. Mark and the adder. This, as your Highness will readily understand,
+was meant to signify the League, and as in all their discourses to me
+the Prince and these gentlemen speak of your Highness as the author of
+peace and tranquillity of Italy, so in this representation they placed
+your head on the triumphal arch above the others. Behind the chariot
+came two serpents, ridden by two other youths, dressed like the first
+riders. All these figures mounted the tribunal in the centre of the
+hall, and danced round Justice, and after dancing for a while, their
+balls exploded, and out of the flames, an ox, a lion, an adder, and a
+Moor's head suddenly appeared, and all of these danced together round
+the figure of Justice. Then the banquet followed, and the different
+dishes and _confetti_ were carried in to the sound of trumpets,
+accompanied by an infinite number of torches. First of all came figures
+of the Pope, the Doge, and the Duke of Milan, with their armorial
+bearings and those of your Highness; then St. Mark, the adder, and the
+diamond, and many other objects, In coloured and gilded sugar, making as
+many as three hundred in all, together with every variety of cakes and
+confectionery, and gold and silver drinking-cups, all of which were
+spread out along the hall, and made a splendid show. Among other things,
+I saw a figure of the Pope surrounded by ten cardinals, which was said
+to be a prophecy of the ten cardinals whom the Pope is going to make
+to-morrow! The banquet was spread out upon the stage, and the dishes
+were handed round with many of these triumphs, and the Pope and the Duke
+and Duchess of Milan fell to my share. When the banquet was finished, we
+had another representation, in which the two youths on serpents played
+the chief part. A messenger arrived, riding on a triumphal car in a
+boat, bearing a letter in a packet, which he presented to the Lord of
+the Company, who opened it, and, after reading the letter, handed it
+back to him; then he entered the boat again and left the hall, followed
+by the others on their serpents. This last figure was said to be a
+herald who had been sent to announce the proclamation of the League, and
+a little while afterwards the triumphal car of the League, as described
+above, appeared again, followed by four giants. The first one carried a
+horn of foliage and fruit, the two next bore two clubs with gold and
+silver balls, or catapults, while the last carried a cornucopia, similar
+to that borne by the first giant in his hand. Then came four animals in
+the shape of Chimeras ridden by four naked Moors, sounding tambourines
+and cymbals or clapping their hands. They were followed by four
+triumphal cars, bearing figures of Diana, Death, the mother of Meleager,
+and several armed men--four or five persons in each chariot, the whole
+intended to represent the story of Meleager, which was fully set forth,
+from his birth to his death, with interludes of dances. The whole fable
+would take too long to repeat, but Gian Giacomo Gillino will be able to
+recite it from beginning to end, if you care to hear it. This was the
+conclusion of the whole _festa_. After this we entered our boats, and
+the clock struck one before we got home. The bishop of Como was sitting
+by me all the evening, and his infinite weariness at the length of the
+performance, and his dislike of the great heat in that crowded hall,
+made me laugh as I never laughed before. And in order to tease him and
+have more fun, I kept on telling him that there was still more to come,
+and that the acting would go on till to-morrow morning; and it was most
+amusing to see him stretch himself first on one leg, then on the other,
+and to hear him complain, 'My legs are worn out. When will this _festa_
+ever come to an end? Never again will I come to another.' I really think
+that his sighs and groans gave me as much pleasure as the _festa_
+itself. When at length we reached home, I supped frugally and then went
+to bed, as it was already three o'clock. The gown that I wore after
+dinner was of crimson and gold watered silk, with my jewelled cap on my
+head, and the rope of pearls with the Marone as a pendant. I commend
+myself to your Highness. Your Excellency's most affectionate wife,
+
+                                      "BEATRICE SFORTIA VISCOMTIS.[44]
+
+Venetina, May 31, 1493."
+
+On the back of this letter are the words--
+
+"To the most illustrious Prince and excellent Lord, my dearest husband,
+the Lord Lodovico Maria Sfortia, etc. _Ubi. sit. cito. cito._"
+
+On Saturday, the 1st of June, Beatrice wrote another letter, in which
+she describes her visit to the Great Council and final interview with
+the Doge, but makes no mention of political affairs, which were no doubt
+reserved for a separate despatch.
+
+"To-day after dinner," she begins, "we went to the palace, honourably
+attended by many Venetian gentlemen, to visit the Great Council, and
+were conducted into the Great Hall. Here in the centre of the hall we
+found the Prince, who had descended from his rooms to meet us, and who
+accompanied us to the Tribunal, where we sat in our usual order, and the
+Council began to vote by ballot for elections to two different offices.
+When this was over, my lady mother thanked the Prince for all the
+honours which had been paid us, and took her leave. When she had
+finished speaking, I did the same; then, following the instructions
+which you had given me in your letter, I offered myself as a daughter to
+obey all the Doge's commands. The Prince replied that he needed no
+thanks, for he had only done what might be expected from a father for a
+beloved daughter, excusing himself if anything had been left undone, and
+begging I would not impute what was lacking to him, but to the failure
+of his servants to discharge their duties, and assuring me once more
+that his will could not be better disposed towards me. Then he once more
+expressed the paternal love which he cherished towards our most
+illustrious duke, towards your Highness and myself, and again placed
+himself and his Government at the disposal of your Excellency, with many
+very generous expressions, begging me to salute your Highness and beg
+you to be of good courage, and tell you that the Signory accepted all my
+offers, and would, if need be, avail themselves gratefully of your help.
+After this, I replied again in similar terms, and he again desired me to
+greet you warmly from him, and beg you to take good care of your own
+health and person. Our councillors were then presented to him, and
+Monsignore da Como returned thanks very courteously and repeated our
+expressions of gratitude, as was convenient, and then took leave. He
+also replied in suitable terms to all that the Prince had said to me,
+which speech I will not repeat here, for fear of wearying your
+Excellency.
+
+"The Prince then rose and accompanied us to the foot of the great
+staircase, and here shook hands and left us. After that we went to visit
+the Queen of Cyprus at Murano, where she received us with great honour
+and gave us a beautiful entertainment. We also visited the shrine of St.
+Lucia, and so ends my tale for to-day. To-morrow morning, by the grace
+of God, we hope to set out on our journey at eight o'clock. I commend
+myself to your Excellency.
+
+                              "Your most illustrious lordship's wife,
+                                                     BEATRICE SFORTIA.
+
+Venice, 1st of June, 1493."
+
+And so, with a pleasant trip across the sunny waters of the lagoon and a
+_festa_ in the beautiful gardens of Caterina Cornaro, that royal lady
+who never neglected an opportunity of showing her friendship for the
+house of Este, Beatrice's week at Venice came to an end. The success of
+her visit had been complete, and both the Milanese ambassador and
+Niccolo de' Negri were eloquent on the splendour of the _fetes_ held in
+her honour and the favourable impression which she had made on these
+grave and reverend signers.
+
+The secretary especially, in his letters to Lodovico, dwells with
+complacency on the admiration which the young duchess's gowns and
+jewels, and still more her own charms, had excited among the Venetians.
+"On every occasion the duchess appeared clad in new and beautiful robes
+and glittering jewels. Her jewels, indeed, were the wonder of the whole
+town. But I shall not be wrong if I say that the finest jewel of all is
+herself--my dear and most excellent Madonna, whose gracious ways and
+charming manners filled all the people of Venice with the utmost delight
+and enthusiasm, so that your Highness may well count himself what he
+is--the happiest and most fortunate prince in the whole world."
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[43] E. Motta, _op. cit._, p. 390, etc.
+
+[44] Motta e Molmenti, _op. cit._
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+Return of Beatrice to Milan--Visit of Duke Ercole and Alfonso to Pavia
+--Death of Duchess Leonora--Beatrice's _camora_ and Niccolo da
+Correggio's _fantasia dei vinci_--Marriage of Bianca Maria Sforza to
+Maximilian, King of the Romans, celebrated at Milan--Letter of Beatrice
+to Isabella d'Este--Wedding _fetes_ and journey of the bride to
+Innsbruck--Maximilian's relations with his wife--Bianca's future life.
+
+1493
+
+
+On the 2nd of June, Beatrice and her mother left Venice and returned to
+Ferrara, where she once more embraced her infant son and enjoyed a few
+days' rest after all her _fetes_ and journeyings. The 7th of June was
+spent at Belriguardo, and from this favourite villa the young duchess
+wrote to her sister, expressing her regret that she would be unable to
+visit Mantua on her return to Milan.
+
+"I would most willingly come to see you at Mantua, as I had hoped to do,
+and as you know I still desire, and should very much enjoy a few days
+with you in the country, but my husband is exceedingly anxious for my
+return. So I must beg your Highness to let me enjoy a sight of you in
+the bucentaur, and not to insist upon my landing this time."
+
+Isabella complied with her sister's request, and went to meet the
+duchess at Revere, where Beatrice stopped for a few hours on her way up
+the Po, to join her husband at Pavia. Lodovico was naturally impatient,
+not only to see his wife again, but to hear from her own lips all that
+had happened at Venice. And he on his part had much to tell her of the
+news which Belgiojoso had brought from France, and of the despatches
+which he received from Erasmo Brasca in Germany.
+
+The summer months were spent in the Castello of Pavia, where Beatrice
+nursed her husband in a slight attack of fever, and afterwards received
+a visit from her father and brother. They arrived on the 25th of August,
+bringing with them a troop of actors to perform the _Menaechmi_ and some
+of the other comedies which had pleased Lodovico so much at Ferrara.
+Duke Ercole himself, as usual, took keen interest in these theatricals,
+and before he left home sent to borrow two complete Turkish costumes and
+turbans from the Marquis of Mantua, in order to supply deficiencies in
+his actors' wardrobe. Three days after his arrival, Borso da Correggio,
+a young nephew of Niccolo, who had travelled to Pavia with the duke,
+sent the following note to give his cousin Isabella the latest news of
+her family:--
+
+"MOST ILLUSTRIOUS SISTER AND HONOURED LADY,
+
+"We arrived on the 25th at Pavia, and were received by these excellent
+lords and ladies with the usual formalities. We find both of the
+duchesses well and happy, one of them, indeed--her of Milan--expects the
+birth of another child shortly, but our own duchess is as gay and joyous
+as ever. On the 27th the comedy of _The Captives_ was acted, and the
+performance went off very well. To-day _The Merchant_ is to be given,
+and will, I hope, prove equally successful. To-morrow we are to have a
+third. Our way of living is as follows. Early in the morning we go out
+riding. After dinner we play at _scartino_, or else at 'raising dead
+men' and '_l'imperiale_,' and other card games, till it is bed-time. The
+players are, as a rule, the Duke and Duchess of Bari together, Ambrogio
+da Corte, and some third man, whoever may happen to be present. To-day
+your father the duke, Don Alfonso, and Messer Galeaz Visconti are
+playing at pall-mall against Messer Galeaz Sanseverino, Signor Girolamo
+Tuttavilla, and myself. The Duchess of Milan does not join us in these
+games, and only appears at the theatricals. The Duke of Bari is more
+devoted to the duchess than ever, and is constantly caressing and
+embracing her. My lord your father is altogether intent on the comedies.
+When they are ended, hunting-parties will begin, and we shall all be
+ready for the quails."
+
+These amusements were unexpectedly interrupted by the news of Duchess
+Leonora's serious illness, a gastric affection which ended fatally on
+the 11th of October. The death of this virtuous and admirable lady was
+deeply lamented both by the members of her immediate family circle and
+by the subjects to whom she had endeared herself by her goodness of
+heart. Funeral orations in her honour were delivered both at Mantua and
+Milan, and Ariosto pronounced a panegyric in verse over her grave. The
+young Duchess Beatrice, who had been with her mother at Venice so
+lately, wept bitter tears, and for several weeks could scarcely be
+persuaded to leave her room. Some anxiety was felt respecting her sister
+Isabella, who, after being married for three years, was now expecting
+the birth of her first child, and during ten days the news was concealed
+from her. But by the end of that time the Marchesa began to be uneasy,
+and to inquire why she received no letter from Ferrara. Soon the sad
+news reached her from Milan, "whether out of mere imprudence or by some
+malicious design, we cannot discover," wrote one of her ladies to the
+absent marquis. Isabella, however, showed her usual prudence and
+self-control. After the first burst of grief, she bore her loss with
+fortitude, and found distraction in putting herself, her rooms, and her
+household into mourning. In her anxiety to appear elegant, even in her
+grief, we find her asking Beatrice to send her some of the white lawn
+veils that were made in Milan, since she could find none to her taste in
+Mantua. And at the same time, she begged one of her friends at the
+Milanese court to give her minute details as to the colour and material
+of the mourning worn by the duchess. On the 25th of October, her
+correspondent replied--
+
+"Although I have not yet been able to see the Duchess of Bari, since she
+still remains entirely in her room, yet, in order to satisfy your
+Highness, I have made inquiries as to the kind of mourning that she
+wears. Her Excellency is clad in a robe of black cloth, with sleeves of
+the same, and a very long mantle, also of black cloth, and wears on her
+head a black silk cap with muslin folds, which are neither grey nor
+yellow, but pure white. She hardly ever leaves her room, and Signor
+Lodovico spends most of his time with her, and they two and Messer
+Galeaz have their meals alone in their rooms."[45]
+
+A fortnight later, Beatrice roused herself from her grief to help her
+husband in the preparations for his niece Bianca Sforza's wedding to the
+Emperor Maximilian. The death of the old Emperor Frederic III., who
+breathed his last at Linz on the 19th of August, and the elevation of
+his son to the imperial throne, had hastened the development of
+Lodovico's plans. The King of the Romans, as he was still called, until
+he could be solemnly invested with the imperial insignia, now proposed
+to send ambassadors to Milan, before the end of the year, to solemnize
+his espousals with the Princess Bianca and bring his bride across the
+Alps to Innsbruck. The date of the wedding was fixed for the last week
+in November, and Lodovico prepared to celebrate the event with fitting
+splendour. The widowed Duchess Bona was transported with joy at the
+prospect of this exalted alliance, and forgave the Moro all his sins in
+her delight at seeing her daughter become an empress. On her part,
+Beatrice prepared to lay aside her mourning for the occasion, and appear
+in a new and wonderful robe at her niece's wedding.
+
+Accordingly she wrote to Isabella on the 12th of November, asking her
+sister's leave to make use of a design for a new _camora_, which had
+been suggested by Niccolo da Correggio.
+
+"I cannot remember if your Highness has yet carried out the idea of that
+pattern of linked tracery which Messer Niccolo da Correggio suggested to
+you when we were last together. If you have not yet ordered the
+execution of this design, I am thinking of having his invention carried
+out in massive gold, on a _camora_ of purple velvet, to wear on the day
+of Madonna Bianca's wedding, since my husband desires the whole court to
+lay aside mourning for that one day and to appear in colours. This being
+the case, I cannot refrain from wearing colours on this occasion,
+although the heavy loss we have had in our dear mother's death has left
+me with little care for new inventions. But since this is necessary, I
+have decided to make a trial of this pattern, if your Highness has not
+yet made use of it, and send the present courier, begging you not to
+detain him, but to let me know at once if you have yet tried this new
+design or not."[46]
+
+The courier to Mantua brought back word that the marchioness had not yet
+made use of Niccolo's invention, and begged that her sister would feel
+herself at liberty to adopt the idea and "satisfy her appetite."
+Beatrice ordered the _camora_ to be put in hand without delay, and
+Messer Niccolo had the satisfaction of seeing the duchess appear in this
+robe at the imperial wedding. The subject is of special interest,
+because this same pattern is repeated in the sleeves of Ambrogio de
+Predis' portrait of Lodovico's fair young daughter Bianca, which must
+have been painted about this time, and was probably adopted at the wish
+of Beatrice, who was fondly attached to her youthful step-daughter.
+Again, this same linked tracery or "_fantasia dei vinci_," as it is
+called in Beatrice and her sister's letters, is to be seen both in the
+decorations that adorn the ceiling of a hall in the Castello of Milan,
+and on the vaulting of the sacristy in St. Maria delle Grazie. And as
+Mr. Muntz[47] has lately pointed out, this same interlaced ornament, or
+_vinci_, in which the Belgian professor, M. Errera, sees a play upon the
+great painter's name, forms the motive of the famous circular engravings
+bearing the words "_Academia Leonardi Vinci_," which have given rise to
+so many conjectures as to the existence of that mysterious institution.
+All these repetitions of the pattern invented by Niccolo da Correggio,
+and adopted by Beatrice d'Este for her wedding robe, show how
+fashionable the _fantasia dei vinci_ became at the Milanese court, and
+lead us to imagine that Leonardo himself may have had some part in the
+original design.
+
+On the 5th of November, Lodovico wrote a note to Vigevano, where he and
+Beatrice had retired after Duchess Leonora's death, informing his
+father-in-law that he was on the point of returning to Milan to receive
+the imperial ambassadors, Gaspar Melchior, Bishop of Brixen, and Jean
+Bontemps. These important personages arrived on the 7th, and were met by
+Lodovico and his nephew, the Duke of Milan, at the Porta Orientale,
+opposite the newly erected Lazzaretto, and conducted in state to their
+rooms in the Castello. Here the German envoys were loaded with gifts,
+and magnificently entertained during the next three weeks. The nuptial
+ceremony was put off a week, to allow time for the arrival of the
+special envoys whom at the last moment Charles VIII. had decided to
+send, to do homage to his allies, and finally took place on St.
+Andrew's festival, the 30th of November, in the Duomo of Milan.
+
+The street decorations on this occasion surpassed anything which had
+been seen before; the doors and windows were wreathed with ivy, laurel,
+and myrtle boughs, and the walls hung with tapestries and brocades
+embroidered with the armorial bearings of the different royal houses
+connected with the Sforza family. The adder of the Visconti, the cross
+of Savoy, and the imperial eagle were seen side by side with the
+mulberry-tree and other favourite devices of the Moro and his race,
+while all manner of strange and fantastic emblems were introduced by
+private owners, and one house exhibited the effigy of a crocodile, "a
+creature never before seen," remarks the historian, Tristan Calco, "in
+our city." But the most striking feature of the whole was the triumphal
+arch erected on the piazza in front of the Castello, and, by Lodovico's
+orders, crowned with Leonardo's model for the colossal equestrian statue
+of the great captain, Francesco Sforza. This clay horse, to which the
+Florentine master had devoted so many years of arduous labour, and which
+had cost him such infinite thought and care, was now at length
+completed, and the Milanese poets with one voice celebrated the praise
+of Lodovico, who had ordered the work,--
+
+    "Per memoria del padre un gran colosso;"
+
+and the fame of Leonardo, whose rare genius had produced this unrivalled
+statue--
+
+    "Guarde pur come e bello quel cavallo
+    Leonardo Vinci a farli sol s'e mosso
+    Statura bon pictore, e bon geometra
+    Un tanto ingegno rar dal ciel s'impetra."
+
+So Baldassare Taccone sang in his poem on Bianca's wedding, while a
+greater scholar, Lancinus Curtius, recorded the completion of the
+long-expected work in the following epigram:--
+
+    "Expectant animi, molemque futuram
+    Suspiciunt; fluat aes; vox erit: Ecce deus!"
+
+The court poet Taccone waxes eloquent over the splendour of the
+procession, led by Messer Galeazzo, captain-general of the armies, and
+the beauty of the bride, whose tall and slender figure showed to
+advantage in her gorgeous apparel, with her long fair hair flowing over
+her shoulders, as she rode through the streets bowing in response to the
+enthusiastic cheers of the crowd. He paints the marvellous scene inside
+the Duomo, where the venerable Archbishop of Milan sang mass in the
+presence of the most brilliant assembly ever seen within its walls, and
+the firing of guns and ringing of bells marked the moment when the
+Bishop of Brixen placed the imperial crown on the bride's head. Taccone
+describes the glittering array of chandeliers and vases, designed after
+Signor Lodovico's favourite antique fashion, which adorned the high
+altar, the blaze of a thousand wax lights which illumined the majestic
+choir, the sweet perfumes of incense and celestial harmonies of the
+music that filled the air. And, like a true courtier, he contrives to
+make everything, decorations, music, and processions, redound to the
+praise of the great Moro, the author of all the glories of Milan.
+
+But we have an equally minute and perhaps more interesting description
+of the scene from Beatrice's own pen, in a letter which she sent to her
+sister Isabella from Vigevano on the 29th of December. The marchioness,
+whose state of health prevented her from being present on the important
+occasion, had begged her sister to send her full accounts of the
+ceremony, but, owing to the _fetes_ which followed the wedding and the
+journey of the court as far as Como with the imperial bride, a whole
+month elapsed before Beatrice was able to fulfil her promise.
+
+"MOST ILLUSTRIOUS LADY AND DEAREST SISTER,
+
+"I told you some time ago that I would let you have a full account of
+the triumphant display held in Milan, at the marriage of her Most Serene
+Highness the Queen of the Romans, and I certainly desired the chancellor
+to send you this account. But since you write that it has never reached
+you, the fault must rest with the said chancellor, and you must excuse
+me for this apparent neglect.
+
+"On the last day of the past month the nuptials took place, and in
+preparation for this solemnity, a portico was erected in front of the
+Chiesa Maggiore of the city of Milan, with pillars on either side,
+supporting a purple canopy, embroidered with doves. Within the church,
+the aisles were hung with brocade as far as the choir, in front of which
+a triumphal arch had been erected on massive pillars. This was entirely
+painted, and bore in the centre an effigy of Duke Francesco on
+horseback, in his ducal robes, with the ducal arms and those of the King
+of the Romans above. This triumphal arch was square in shape, and
+ornamented with pictures of antique feasts, and the imperial insignia
+and the arms of my husband were placed on the side towards the high
+altar. Beyond this arch were steps that led up to a great tribunal
+erected in front of the high altar. On the left was a small tribunal
+from which the Gospel was sung, hung with gold brocade; on the right was
+another, adorned with silver brocade; and behind these tribunals were
+seats ranged in order and covered with draperies, for the councillors
+and other feudatories and gentlemen. In the extreme corners of the choir
+were two raised stages, one for the singers, the other for the
+trumpeters, and in the space between were seated the doctors of law and
+medicine, with their birettas and capes lined with fur, each according
+to his rank. The altar itself was sumptuously adorned with all the
+silver vases and images of saints which you saw in the Rocchetta when
+you were at Milan.
+
+"The street leading to the Duomo was beautifully decorated. There were
+columns wreathed with ivy all the way from the bastions of the Castello
+to the end of the piazza, and between the columns were festoons of
+boughs bearing antique devices, and round shields with the imperial arms
+and those of our house, and Sforzesca draperies were hung above the
+street all the way from the Castello to the Duomo. Many of the doors had
+their pillars wreathed with ivy and green boughs, so that the season
+seemed to be May-time rather than November. On both sides of the street,
+the walls were hung with satin, excepting those houses which have lately
+been adorned with frescoes, and which are no less beautiful than
+tapestries.
+
+"On the morning of the day, at about nine o'clock, the reverend and
+magnificent ambassadors of the King of the Romans rode to the church,
+honourably attended by the Marchese Ermes, the Count of Caiazzo, Count
+Francesco Sforza, the Count of Melzo, and Messer Lodovico da Fojano, and
+took their seats on the grand tribunal, close to the small tribunal
+covered with cloth of gold, on the left as you go in, this being counted
+the most honourable place, as it is the Gospel side. At ten o'clock, her
+serene Highness the Queen ascended the triumphal car which our dearest
+mother of blessed memory gave me when I was at Ferrara, and which was
+drawn on this occasion by four snow-white horses. The queen wore a vest
+of crimson satin, embroidered in gold thread and covered with jewels.
+Her train was immensely long, and the sleeves were made to look like two
+wings, which had a very fine appearance. On her head she wore an
+ornament of magnificent diamonds and pearls. And to add to the solemnity
+of the occasion, Messer Galeazzo Pallavicino carried the train, and
+Count Conrado de' Lando and Count Manfredo Torniello each of them
+supported one of the sleeves. Before the bride walked all the
+chamberlains, courtiers, officials, gentlemen, feudatories, and last of
+all the councillors. The queen seated herself in the centre of the car,
+the Duchess Isabella being on her right, and myself on her left. The
+said duchess wore a _camora_ of crimson satin, with gold cords looped
+over it, as in my grey cloth _camora_, which you must remember; and I
+wore my purple velvet _camora_, with the pattern of the links worked in
+massive gold and green and white enamel, about six inches deep on the
+front and back of my bodice, and on both sleeves. The _camora_ was lined
+with cloth of gold, and with it I wore a girdle of St. Francis made of
+large pearls, with a beautiful clear-cut ruby for clasp. On the other
+side of the chariot were Madonna Fiordelisa"--an illegitimate daughter
+of Duke Francesco Sforza, who occupied rooms in the Castello,--"Madonna
+Bianca, the wife of Messer Galeazzo; and the wife of Count Francesco
+Sforza. The chariot was followed by the ambassadors who have been sent
+by his Most Christian Majesty of France to honour these nuptials, and
+after them came the envoys of the different Italian powers, according to
+their rank, then the lord duke and my husband on horseback. These were
+followed by about twelve chariots containing the noblest maidens of
+Milan, who had been especially chosen and invited to attend the
+solemnity, and the ladies of the queen, all wearing the same livery,
+with tan-coloured _camoras_ and mantles of bright green satin. Both the
+Duchess Isabella's ladies and mine were riding in these chariots. And as
+we drove to the Duomo in this procession, all the shops and windows on
+the road were hung with satin draperies and filled with men and women,
+and it was impossible to count the crowds of people who thronged every
+part of the streets.
+
+"When we reached the gates of the Duomo, we alighted from the chariots
+and found Madonna Beatrice waiting to receive the bride, with a number
+of noble ladies, and we proceeded as far as the steps of the tribunal,
+where the ambassadors of the King of the Romans advanced to meet the
+queen, whom they conducted to her place on the great tribunal in front
+of the high altar. Then we all took our proper places--that is to say,
+the ambassadors mounted the tribunal covered with cloth of gold, the
+queen was led to the tribunal of silver brocade, between the French
+ambassadors, while behind them were seated the envoys of the other
+powers, the duke and my husband, Duchess Isabella and myself. The other
+honourable relatives of the bride occupied a lower range of seats, and
+the central part of the tribunal was filled with a large number of
+ladies. On the queen's side, the councillors, feudatories, and other
+courtiers, officials, and chamberlains occupied the remainder of the
+seats. As for the rest of the people, the church, which is a very large
+one, could not contain them all.
+
+"When we were all in our places, the Most Reverend Archbishop of Milan
+entered in full vestments, with the priests in ordinary, and began to
+celebrate mass with the greatest pomp and solemnity, to the sound of
+trumpets, flutes, and organ-music, together with the voices of the
+chapel choir, who adapted their singing to Monsignore's time. At the
+singing of the Gospel, two of the priests in ordinary of the cathedral
+bore the incense, the one to the ambassadors of the King Maximilian, and
+the other to the queen, the duke and duchess, and my husband and myself,
+who were opposite. The Pax was given, when the right time came, by the
+Bishop of Piacenza to the king's representatives, and to us others who
+sat on the other tribunal by the Bishop of Como. After mass had been
+celebrated with the greatest solemnity, the queen rose from her place
+between the ambassadors of his Most Christian Majesty, and, accompanied
+by the duke and my husband, Duchess Isabella and myself, and followed by
+all the princes of the blood, advanced to the altar. The ambassadors of
+King Maximilian advanced on their side, and we all stood before the
+altar, where Monsignore the Archbishop pronounced the marriage service,
+and the Bishop of Brixen first gave the ring to the queen, and then,
+assisted by the archbishop, placed on her head the crown, which act was
+accompanied with great blowing of trumpets, ringing of bells, and firing
+of guns and shells. And the said crown was of gold, enriched with
+rubies, pearls, and diamonds, set in the form of arches meeting in the
+shape of a cross, and on the top of all was a figure of the globe,
+crowned with a small imperial cross, after the pattern given by the
+ambassadors, in obedience to the king's directions.
+
+"After this, every one walked in procession to the gates of the Duomo,
+the above-named feudatories bearing the train and sleeves. Then the
+women, as well as the men, mounted horses, and a _baldacchino_ of white
+damask lined with ermine was prepared, under which the queen rode,
+preceded by the ambassadors and the whole court, with the duke and my
+husband at their head. Next to the queen rode the ambassadors of her
+husband the king, the Bishop of Brixen being on the left hand, outside
+the _baldacchino_, and so the long procession moved towards the
+Castello. All the clergy of the city of Milan, richly apparelled and
+very devout in appearance, were drawn up between the Castello and Duomo,
+both on the way thither and on the return journey. Messer Zoan Francesco
+Pallavicino and Messer Francesco Bernardo Visconti acted as the queen's
+staff-bearers, from the Duomo to the Castello. The _baldacchino_ was
+carried all the way by doctors robed in the manner described above, and
+behind the queen rode the duchess and myself, followed by the relatives,
+courtiers, and invited guests, all on horseback. Then came the ladies of
+the queen, those of the duchess, and my own, all sumptuously clad and
+making a splendid show, and finest of all was the queen, with the
+imperial crown on her head. Nothing but gold and silver brocade was to
+be seen, and the least well-dressed persons wore crimson velvet, so that
+the costumes were a marvellous sight, besides the infinite number of
+gold chains worn by knights and others. All those who were present
+agreed that they had never seen so glorious a spectacle. And the
+ambassador of Russia, who was among the spectators, declared that he had
+never seen such extraordinary pomp. The nuncio of His Holiness the Pope
+said the same, as well as the French ambassador, who declared that,
+although he had been present at the Pope's coronation and at that of his
+own king and queen, he had never seen as splendid a sight. Your Highness
+may judge from this how full of pleasure and glory these nuptials have
+been. All the people shouted for joy, and so at length we reached the
+Castello of Milan, where the procession broke up and the crowd
+dispersed. I wished for your presence many times during the whole
+ceremony, but since this desire of mine could not be satisfied, I
+thought I would give you this account with my own hand. Commending
+myself to your Highness as ever,
+
+                                   "Your sister,
+                   BEATRIX SFORTIA VICECOMES ESTENSIS DUCHISA BRI.[48]
+
+Vigevano, December 29, 1493.
+
+To my illustrious lady and most dear sister the lady Isabella di
+Gonzaga Estensis, Marchionissae Mantuae."
+
+The splendours which Beatrice describes with so much enthusiasm did not
+end with the bride's return to the Castello. Here Bianca's magnificent
+trousseau was exhibited before the admiring eyes of the ladies of Milan.
+It was valued at 100,000 ducats, and included not only rich clothes and
+costly jewels, but gold and silver plate for use in the royal chapel and
+on the dinner-table, altar fittings and bed-hangings, mirrors and
+perfumes, and a vast store of fine linen, carpets, saddles and
+horse-trappings of the most sumptuous description. The court poet goes
+on to tell how Duchess Bona welcomed her daughter with tears of joy, and
+how during the next two days high festival was held in the Castello.
+There was a tournament, in which the "gran Sanseverini" once more proved
+their valour, and Messer Galeaz as usual bore off the prize, followed
+by much feasting and dancing, and a grand display of fireworks. "So many
+torches and lights illumined the darkness of night, that all Milan
+blazed as if the city were on fire."
+
+On the third day after the marriage ceremony, the queen started on her
+journey across the Alps, attended by Maximilian's ambassadors and a
+numerous suite, which included her brother, Ermes Sforza; her cousin,
+Francesco Sforza; the Archbishop of Milan; the poet Gaspare Visconti;
+and the great jurist Giasone del Maino, as well as Erasmo Brasca, who
+was to resume his post of envoy to the King of the Romans. The Duke and
+Duchess of Milan, Lodovico and Beatrice, and Bona of Savoy all
+accompanied Bianca as far as Como, where the bishop and clergy came out
+to meet her, and conducted her in state to the cathedral. After a solemn
+thanksgiving service, at which all the court assisted, the queen and the
+German ambassadors spent the night in the episcopal palace, while the
+other princes and princesses were entertained in the houses of
+distinguished courtiers in the town. On the following morning the bride
+took leave of her family, and embarked on a richly decorated barge
+fitted out by the royal citizens of Torno and rowed by forty sailors,
+while her suite followed in thirty smaller boats, painted and decked out
+with laurel boughs and tapestries. Niccolo da Correggio, whose daughter
+Leonora was one of the ladies chosen to accompany Bianca on her journey,
+has described the beauty of the scene that morning, the blue waters of
+the lake covered with glittering sails, the shores crowded with people
+in holiday attire, and the joyous sounds of music that filled the air as
+the gay _cortege_ left Como. The bridal party reached Bellagio in
+safety, and after spending the night at the Marchesino Stanga's castle,
+started on their journey towards the upper end of the lake. But hardly
+had they left the shore, than the weather changed and a violent storm
+scattered the fleet in all directions. The poor young queen and her
+ladies wept and cried aloud to God for mercy, and their companions were
+scarcely less terrified. Only Giasone del Maino preserved his composure
+and smiled at the terror of the courtiers, who gave themselves up for
+lost, while he exhorted the frightened boatmen to keep their heads.
+Fortunately, towards nightfall the tempest subsided, and after tossing
+on the waves for several hours, the queen's barge with part of the fleet
+managed to put back into Bellagio. The next day a more prosperous start
+was made, and on the 8th of December the party set off on horseback to
+cross the mountain passes. But the hardships of the journey were not yet
+over. A rough mule-track was the only road that led in those days over
+the Alps that divided the Valtellina from the Tyrol, "that fearful and
+cruel mountain of Nombray," as the Venetian chronicler calls the pass
+now crossed by the Stelvio road. No wonder the sight of those
+precipitous cliffs filled the Milanese ladies with terror, and they
+shrank from exploring such barbarous regions in the depth of winter. One
+maid of honour had to be left behind at Gravedona, unable to bear the
+fatigues of the journey, and Bianca herself complained bitterly to
+Erasmo Brasca of the hardships which she had to endure. "The queen,"
+wrote the ambassador to Lodovico, "conducts herself well on the whole,
+but often complains that I deceive her, by telling her, each morning
+when she mounts her horse, that she will not find the road so rough
+to-day, and then, as ill luck will have it, it turns out to be worse
+than ever." At length, however, on the 23rd of December, the travellers
+reached Innsbruck, and Bianca was kindly received by Maximilian's uncle,
+the Archduke Sigismund of Austria, and his wife, with whom she spent
+Christmas and beguiled the winter days with dancing and games, while
+Erasmo Brasca went on to meet the King of the Romans at Vienna. Even
+then some weeks passed before this laggard bridegroom joined his newly
+wedded wife, and Erasmo Brasca's mind was sorely perturbed at his
+prolonged delays and excuses. Bianca, however, whose childish mind was
+easily distracted, found plenty of amusement in her new surroundings and
+wrote long and affectionate letters to her uncle Lodovico, telling him
+how she and the Archduchess Barbara had been dressing up their ladies _a
+la Tedesca_ and _a la Lombarda_, and how the court painter, Ambrogio de
+Predis, who had accompanied her from Milan to paint Maximilian's
+portrait, had just made a picture of the archduchess, which greatly
+pleased her. And she informs her uncle that the German princess had sent
+to ask her for a portrait of Signor Lodovico, which she had been very
+anxious to see and had studied with the greatest interest.
+
+Finally, on the 9th of March, Maximilian arrived at the castle of Hall,
+where his bride met him, and the marriage was at length consummated, "to
+the confusion of all our enemies," as Brasca wrote triumphantly to his
+master on the following morning. This union, in which Lodovico's friends
+and foes alike acknowledged a master-stroke of successful diplomacy, was
+not destined to prove a very happy one. From the first Maximilian looked
+with critical eyes on this bride of twenty-one, who was thirteen years
+younger than himself, and told Erasmo Brasca that Bianca was quite as
+fair as his first wife, Mary of Burgundy, but inferior in wisdom and
+good sense to that princess, adding that perhaps she might improve in
+time. He treated her kindly to begin with, and gratified her by the
+handsome robes which he gave her in order that she might appear attired
+in German fashion at her coronation. Before long, however, he began to
+find fault with her extravagant habits, and complained that she had
+spent 2000 florins, presented to her by the city of Cologne, in one
+single day. Brasca himself felt obliged to remonstrate with her on her
+foolish tricks, especially for eating her meals on the floor instead of
+at table, and other bad habits which annoyed the emperor, while the
+violent friendship which she made with one of her ladies, Violante by
+name, led to continual intrigues and quarrels. Maximilian soon began to
+find her presence wearisome, and to leave her mostly to herself, and
+when he found that his hopes of an heir did not seem likely to be
+realized, he allowed the poor empress to lead a very dull and solitary
+life. Left alone, as she often was for weeks, in the vast, gloomy castle
+of Innsbruck, Bianca pined for the bright and sunny villas and palaces
+of Milan, and looked back sadly on the gay years of her old life. She
+was constantly writing affectionate letters to her uncle, asking him to
+give places and pensions to her old friends and servants in Milan, and
+begging him for portraits of himself and Beatrice, as well as for the
+silks and feathers, the jewels and perfumes, with which her thoughts
+were always busy.[49]
+
+But, to do her justice, she proved a loyal friend to Lodovico in his
+darkest days, and when his children lived in exile at Innsbruck, they
+found a kind and loving protector in the empress during the few
+remaining years of her life. From the year after her marriage her health
+began to droop, and she became gradually weaker, until in 1510 she died
+of this lingering illness, and was buried in the Franciscan church of
+Innsbruck, where the bronze effigy of Maximilian's Lombard bride, robed
+in the rich brocades which she loved so well, still adorns his sumptuous
+mausoleum.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[45] Luzio-Renier. _op. cit._, pp. 380-382.
+
+[46] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 383.
+
+[47] "Leonardo da Vinci," by Eugene Muntz, vol. i. p. 226.
+
+[48] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 388.
+
+[49] F. Calvi, _Bianca Maria Sforza_
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+State of political affairs in Italy--Vacillating policy of Lodovico
+Sforza--Death of King Ferrante of Naples--Alliance between his successor
+Alfonso and Pope Alexander VI.--Lodovico urges Charles VIII. to invade
+Naples--Sends Galeazzo di Sanseverino to Lyons--Cardinal della Rovere's
+flight from Rome--Alfonso of Naples declares war--Beatrice at
+Vigevano--The Gonzagas and the Moro--Duchess Isabella and her husband at
+Pavia.
+
+1493-1494
+
+
+While Lodovico's newly-formed alliance with Maximilian strengthened his
+hands on the one hand, on the other it helped to aggravate the strained
+relations already existing between himself and the royal family of
+Naples. The promise of the investiture of Milan, which he had received
+from the emperor, soon became known; it was freely discussed that autumn
+both in Rome and Venice, and gave Alfonso of Calabria good reason to
+take up arms in defence of his son-in-law Gian Galeazzo's rights. But
+King Ferrante still hesitated to declare war against Milan, and, while
+he raised forces and made preparations for the defence of his dominions,
+was far more concerned to detach Lodovico from the French alliance than
+to interfere in the domestic affairs of Milan on behalf of his
+granddaughter and her husband. In August he succeeded in making peace
+with Pope Alexander, and even consented to a marriage contract between
+his granddaughter Sancia, and Godfrey Borgia, the Pope's young son. This
+new departure alarmed Lodovico seriously, and produced a marked
+alteration in his foreign policy. When Charles the Eighth's envoy,
+Perron de' Baschi, visited Milan in June, he met with polite but vague
+answers from the Moro, and received no distinct promise of support in
+the conquest of Naples. But early in September, Count Belgiojoso
+returned to France, and lost no time in seeking an interview with the
+king. "Is your Majesty going to undertake the expedition or not?" were
+his first words. "Signor Lodovico is anxious to learn your intention."
+
+"I have already told Signor Lodovico my intentions a thousand times
+over, by envoys and letters," replied the king, petulantly, and
+proceeded to intimate that if the Moro played him false, he would
+support the Duke of Orleans in reviving his old claims on the Milanese.
+Belgiojoso hastened to assure Charles of his master's friendly
+sentiments, upon which the king's ill temper mollified, and he said,
+"Then I will regard him as a father, and seek his advice in everything."
+
+All the same, when Charles repeated his request that Lodovico should
+send him Messer Galeazzo, and expressed his great wish to see the hero
+of so many tournaments in person, the Moro once more gave an evasive
+answer, and told Belgiojoso that he could not spare his son-in-law at
+present. The Pope showed his friendliness to the house of Este by
+including Beatrice's brother Ippolito, a lad of fifteen, among the
+twelve cardinals whom he created that September, his own son, Cesar
+Borgia, being another of the number. In November he sent Lodovico his
+cordial congratulations on his niece's marriage with the emperor, and
+presented Maximilian with a consecrated sword.
+
+"This is the state of affairs in Italy at present," wrote the chronicler
+Malipiero on the 25th of September, 1493. "The Pope is in league with
+Lodovico of Milan. Maximilian, King of the Romans, has been elected
+emperor, and has taken Bianca Sforza to wife with 400,000 ducats, and
+Lodovico is to be invested with the duchy of Milan by him as emperor. At
+Rome Cardinal Ascanio's affairs prosper, and Lodovico of Milan is on
+intimate terms with the Pope and all of his allies. And Duke Ercole has
+sent his son Alfonso to France to tell King Charles that his troops will
+have free passage to Naples through his dominions, because he is the
+father-in-law of Lodovico."
+
+Under these circumstances, old King Ferrante, becoming desperate, made a
+last effort to win over Lodovico to his side, and implored him to use
+his influence to stop the French monarch, warning him that the tide of
+events might in the end prove too strong for him. "The time will come,"
+replied Lodovico proudly, "when all Italy will turn to me and pray to be
+delivered from the coming evils." In his anxiety to recover the Moro's
+friendship, the old king even thought of coming to Genoa himself to meet
+his granddaughter's husband, and arrive at some agreement. But early in
+the new year he fell ill, and died of fever on the 25th of January, at
+the age of seventy.
+
+The death of Ferrante and accession of his son Alfonso, the father of
+Duchess Isabella, and a personal enemy of the Moro, brought matters to a
+crisis. The old king could never conquer his dislike of the Pope, and
+had only given a reluctant consent to the proposed marriage of his
+granddaughter with a Borgia. Alfonso, on the contrary, was ready to
+agree to any terms which might conciliate Alexander VI., and employed
+every artifice to obtain the Pope's support, and that of Piero de'
+Medici against France and Milan. In spite of the compliments that were
+exchanged on both sides upon his accession, Alfonso's enmity to Lodovico
+Sforza was well known at Naples, and the Milanese ambassador, Antonio
+Stanga, warned Lodovico to beware of assassins and prisoners, since, to
+his certain knowledge, the "new king has paid large sums of money to
+several Neapolitans of bad repute, who have been sent to Milan on some
+evil errand." After much vacillation on the Pope's part, and prolonged
+negotiations with both France and Naples, he was induced by the Orsini,
+who were staunch allies of the house of Aragon, to grant Alfonso the
+investiture of Naples, and to send his son, Cardinal Juan Borgia, to
+officiate at his coronation. A papal bull was addressed to Charles
+VIII., warning him not to invade Italy at the peril of his soul, and
+Cardinal Ascanio Sforza, whose influence had been hitherto all-powerful
+with the Pope, left the Vatican and retired to his own palace. The
+Pope's change of front finally determined Lodovico's policy. From this
+moment he threw himself heart and soul into the alliance with France,
+and left no stone unturned to bring Charles VIII. into Italy. In an
+important letter which, on the 10th of March, he addressed to his
+brother, Cardinal Ascanio, who shared all his secrets, he reminds him
+that he had originally been no friend to the French invasion.
+
+"It is not true," he writes, "that the whole movement proceeds from me.
+It was the Most Christian King who took the initiative, which is proved
+by the appeal for the investiture of Naples, which he addressed to the
+late Pope Innocent, and also by many letters written on the subject by
+our own hand. When the Treaty of Senlis was signed, he sent his envoy to
+tell me that he meant to invade Italy. At that moment, seeing how badly
+the King of Naples had behaved against the Holy Father, I was not sorry
+to come to the help of His Holiness. I ceased to dissuade the Most
+Christian King from the enterprise. I approved his resolution, and now
+he is at Lyons."
+
+As late as the 6th of February, Lodovico had again declined to send
+Messer Galeazzo to France, saying that every one would think he had come
+to hasten the king's movements, and that in this way Charles would lose
+the honour of the campaign. But when the news of the alliance between
+Alfonso and the Pope reached him, he made no further difficulties, and
+on the 1st of April, Galeazzo started for Lyons. On the 5th, he entered
+the town secretly, disguised as a German, and, accompanied only by four
+riders, made his way to the royal lodgings, and saw the king privately,
+this being the day which had been selected by Lodovico's astrologer,
+Ambrogio da Rosate, for his arrival at court. On the following morning
+he made his public entry, attended by a suite of a hundred horsemen clad
+in the French fashion, which Messer Galeazzo himself commonly affected.
+The king received him with the utmost cordiality, and conducted him
+immediately to see the queen, whom he presented with a magnificent
+Spanish robe in Lodovico's name, together with choice specimens of
+Milanese armour, jennets from his own famous breed, and several handsome
+silver flagons filled with fragrant perfumes, in which Charles took
+especial delight. The French king fell an easy victim to this brilliant
+cavalier's personal charm. He insisted on seeing him ride in a tilting
+match before the court, and could talk of nothing but Messer Galeazzo's
+feats of horsemanship, whether in council or at table, and even when he
+went to bed. He bestowed the order of St. Michel upon his guest, and,
+among other marks of favour, he invited Galeazzo to his private rooms,
+where he sat with a few of his favourites, and, taking one of the
+fairest maidens by the hand, presented her to his visitor. Then the king
+himself sat down by another, and so they remained for some hours in
+pleasant conversation."
+
+In his reply to Belgiojoso, who duly reported these events to his
+master, Lodovico dwells with infinite satisfaction on the great honours
+which have been paid to his dear son, and rejoices to hear that his
+Majesty has introduced him into his private apartments, and even shared
+his domestic pleasures with him. The presence of Galeazzo di Sanseverino
+at Lyons had, no doubt, the effect of counteracting the intrigues of the
+Duke of Orleans and the Aragonese party at the French court, and the
+confidence with which he inspired Charles dissipated any doubts which
+the king may have entertained of Lodovico's honesty. "The mission of
+Signor Galeazzo," wrote Belgiojoso, "has been crowned with success.
+Without his coming, the enterprise would have been utterly ruined."
+
+Another and still more powerful advocate of the expedition now appeared
+at Lyons in the person of Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere, who, in
+Guicciardini's opinion, "was the fatall instrument of all the miseries
+of Italy." This bitter enemy of the Borgias had been repeatedly
+threatened with assassination by the Pope's creatures, and, feeling that
+Ostia was no safe place for him, he embarked one night in a fisherman's
+bark and fled first to Savona and thence to Genoa. Here, with Lodovico's
+assistance, he managed to proceed on his journey to France, and on the
+1st of June reached Lyons, where his vehement invectives against the
+Pope and urgent entreaties helped to hasten the king's preparations. At
+the same time Erasmo Brasca, acting under Lodovico's orders, succeeded
+in disarming Maximilian's opposition to the French king's invasion of
+Italy, and wrote to his master on the 14th of June, informing him that
+the French ambassador had just left Worms with an assurance from the
+emperor that he would not impede that monarch's designs upon Naples.
+When, ten days later, Galeazzo di Sanseverino returned to Milan, the die
+was cast, and the French invasion of Italy was at length finally
+determined. Meanwhile the long-expected rupture between Milan and Naples
+had taken place. On the 8th of May, Alfonso was crowned by the papal
+nuncio, Juan Borgia, after the marriage of the Princess Sancia to
+Godfrey Borgia had been solemnized on the previous day. A fortnight
+later, as the king rode in state, accompanied by all the foreign
+ambassadors, to church on the Feast of Corpus Christi, he took occasion
+to ask the Milanese envoy, Antonio Stanga, if the news which reached him
+from Lyons were true, and the French king's enterprise, after being
+almost given up, had now been decided upon, owing to Messer Galeazzo's
+visit. The ambassador listened deferentially, cap in hand, but
+courteously disclaimed all knowledge of such information.
+
+"Tell Signor Lodovico," returned the king, "that he will be the first to
+rue the day when the French set foot in Italy."
+
+"Before I had time to reply," writes Stanga, "the other ambassadors had
+arrived to salute his Majesty, and I did not see him again alone."
+
+A few days later the Milanese envoy was abruptly dismissed, and war
+declared against Milan. Alfonso committed the first open act of
+hostilities by seizing Lodovico's principality of Bari. At the same time
+a fleet was equipped to attack Genoa, and the land forces prepared to
+join the papal army and march through Romagna against the Milanese.
+
+The winter of 1494, "that most unhappie year for Italy," writes
+Guicciardini, "for that in it was made open the way to infinite and
+horrible calamities," was spent by Lodovico and his wife at their
+favourite palace of Vigevano. After Bianca's wedding they had retired
+there, to spend the remaining period of Beatrice's mourning at this
+country retreat, and did not leave until the spring was well advanced.
+From here Beatrice wrote on the 3rd of January to rejoice with her
+sister Isabella on the birth of her first child, a daughter, who
+received the name of Leonora, after their beloved mother. The duchess
+congratulated her sister in affectionate terms, and signed herself,
+"_Quella che desidera vedere la Signoria Vostra_." She who desires to
+see your Highness,
+
+"BEATRICE SFORZA D'ESTE."[50]
+
+Below she added messages from her baby-boy: "Ercole begs me to commend
+him to your Highness, and to his new cousin."
+
+Perhaps Beatrice was the more cordial and warm in expressing her
+affection for her sister because of the difference that had lately
+arisen between her husband and the marquis, who had lately been invited
+to take the command of the King of Naples' troops in the war against
+Milan. This offer he eventually declined, as well as an invitation from
+the French king to enter his service; but on this and other occasions
+his attitude excited Lodovico's displeasure, while the Moro's somewhat
+imperious request annoyed both Gianfrancesco and his wife. For one
+thing, Isabella could not forgive the way in which her brother-in-law
+desired that fish from the lake of Garda should to sent to Milan at his
+pleasure, and wrote to her husband on the 1st of February in the
+following terms:--
+
+"I am quite willing to see that fish should be sent to Milan
+occasionally, but not every week, as he requests in his imperious
+fashion, as if we were his feudatories, lest it should appear as if we
+were compelled to send it, and it were a kind of tribute."
+
+But although Beatrice's exalted position and the splendour of the
+Milanese court sometimes excited Isabella's envy, and Lodovico's
+pretensions ruffled her equanimity, nothing ever disturbed the happy
+relations between the sisters. Beatrice was always frank and generous in
+her behaviour to Isabella, and the marchioness remained sincerely
+attached to her, and in her letters to her beloved sister-in-law, the
+Duchess of Urbino, constantly assures her that she holds the next place
+in her heart to that occupied by her only sister, "_la sorella mia
+unica, la Duchessa di Bari_."
+
+It was at Vigevano that winter, on the 28th of January, that Lodovico
+drew up the deed of gift by which he endowed his wife with his palace
+lands of Cussago, as well as the Sforzesca and other lands in the
+district of Novara and Pavia. The deed, signed with his own hand, and
+richly illuminated by some excellent miniature painter of the Milanese
+school, is preserved in the British Museum, and is an admirable example
+of contemporary Lombard art. Medallion portraits of Lodovico and
+Beatrice are painted on the vellum, together with a frieze of lovely
+_putti_, supporting their armorial bearings, and a variety of Sforza
+devices and mottoes, interspersed with festoons of foliage and fruit,
+torches and cornucopias. Lodovico's strongly marked features and long
+dark hair are relieved by the richness of his dark blue mantle sown with
+gold stars, while Beatrice wears a gold _ferroniere_ on her brow. Her
+dark brown hair is coiled in a jewelled net, a lock strays over her
+cheek, as in Zenale's portrait in the Brera altar-piece. Her mauve
+bodice is enriched with gold arabesques, and a cross of pearls hangs
+from a long chain she wears round her throat.
+
+There were no _fetes_ that spring at Milan or Pavia. The treasury was
+exhausted by the great expenses of the Empress Bianca's wedding, and the
+court was still in mourning, while Lodovico's time and thoughts were
+absorbed in diplomatic correspondence and preparations for war. But
+there were gay hunting-parties at Vigevano, in which Beatrice joined
+with all her wonted spirit and love of sport.
+
+"I must thank you for your pleasant account of my brother's
+hunting-expeditions," wrote Lodovico on the 18th of March to his old
+favourite, Count Tuttavilla, who was staying in Rome with Cardinal
+Ascanio; "but I really think, if my brother were here and could join in
+our hunting-parties, he would find them even more delightful." In the
+same letter he gives Girolamo a hint of the deed of investiture which he
+was hoping to receive from Maximilian.
+
+"I have nothing else to say, saving that, by reason of the warm
+friendship we entertain with his serene Majesty the King of the Romans,
+as well as with the Most Christian King, to which we may add the love
+which his Holiness bears us, I hope soon to give you some good news
+which will greatly please you."[51]
+
+Girolamo Tuttavilla, the old and tried servant to whom this letter was
+addressed, had left Milan in February, owing to a quarrel with Galeazzo
+di Sanseverino and his brothers, whose haughty manners gave frequent
+offence to other Milanese courtiers. Both Lodovico and Beatrice, to whom
+Tuttavilla was sincerely attached, did their best to allay his
+displeasure, and Cardinal Ascanio tried to induce his guest to use
+greater moderation in speaking of Messer Galeazzo and his brothers; but,
+although Girolamo kept up friendly relations with the duke and duchess,
+the wound was never healed, and he refused to return to Milan. He
+afterwards entered the service of the young King Ferrante of Naples, and
+when a league was formed to oppose the French invaders, was appointed to
+command the cavalry, but found himself once more brought into contact
+with his old rivals Galeazzo and Fracassa, who were at the head of the
+Milanese contingent, and soon parted company with them, complaining
+that Messer Galeazzo would obey no one. But he never renounced his
+allegiance to Lodovico, and sent him and Beatrice his most hearty
+congratulations when the Moro became Duke of Milan.
+
+The Sanseverini brothers seem frequently to have given offence to
+Lodovico's other ministers by their proud bearing. Even the mild and
+patient Erasmo Brasca incurred Messer Galeazzo's displeasure by
+repeating some reports about his French leanings which had reached the
+German court, and had to send an apology before he could obtain pardon
+for his mistake. But nothing could diminish the favour with which
+Lodovico regarded his son-in-law, and during his absence at Lyons we
+find him busy in preparing a new and splendid palace at Vigevano to
+receive Messer Galeazzo and his youthful bride. In a letter which the
+Moro addressed on the 11th of May to his superintendent of works, the
+Marchesino Stanga, we find a mention of this building, as well as of the
+decoration of several rooms in the Castello of Milan.
+
+"MARCHESINO,--We have given orders that the rooms which are being added
+on the garden side should be furnished according to the enclosed list,
+and desire that you should provide Messer Gualtero with the necessary
+money, 127-1/2 ducats, which you will charge on the extraordinary fund.
+You will provide in the same way for the moneys which I have assigned
+for the building of Messer Galeazzo's palace, and for the conduits for
+watering the Giardinato and the adjoining lavatories, also for the
+painting of the hall and dining-room occupied by the chamberlain of my
+illustrious consort, so that they may be fit for use, as arranged, by
+the end of the month."[52]
+
+Neither the pressure of political affairs nor the anxieties of
+approaching conflict could destroy Lodovico's interest in artistic
+matters in the decorations of the Castello or the furnishing of his new
+rooms. The object which at this time lay nearest to his heart was the
+completion of Santa Maria delle Grazie, the Dominican church which he
+had taken under his especial protection, and which he intended to be the
+burial-place of his family. Even now Bramante was engaged in
+constructing the new cupola, and before long his favourite painter
+Leonardo was to set to work on his great Cenacolo in the refectory.
+
+While Lodovico and Beatrice were pursuing these different objects of
+their ambition, the unfortunate Duchess Isabella was eating out her
+heart in the Castello of Pavia. After the imperial wedding, at which she
+had made so brave a show, she and Gian Galeazzo retired to Pavia, and
+were rarely seen in public again. The duke's health and mental condition
+became every day more enfeebled, and his wife devoted herself wholly to
+him and her children. That winter she gave birth to a second daughter,
+who was named Ippolita after her grandmother, but died at the age of
+seven. And now, as if to increase the sadness of her forlorn condition,
+came the prospect of war with Naples, and the invasion of her father's
+dominions by a foreign monarch, who entered Italy as the ally of
+Lodovico, the usurper of her husband's throne. But melancholy as her
+surroundings were, and keenly as she felt the sight of her rival
+Beatrice's prosperity, the privations which she and her husband were
+forced to endure have been greatly exaggerated. According to Corio, they
+were often destitute of food and necessaries, and reduced to the verge
+of starvation. This chronicler, however, was not only frequently
+inaccurate in his statements, but had a spite against Duchess Beatrice,
+whose character and actions he totally misrepresented, while, after
+Lodovico's fall, his ingratitude towards his former master drew down
+upon him the bitter reproaches and invective of Lancinius Curtius. In
+this instance his statements are refuted by the bills for the expenses
+of the ducal household, which are still preserved in the Milanese
+archives. From these records we learn that Isabella's ladies were as
+numerous and as richly dressed as those of any reigning sovereign, and
+that her _camoras_ and jewels were as sumptuous as Beatrice's own. Gian
+Galeazzo's stables were always well filled with horses and hounds, for
+Lodovico was too wise to grudge his nephew anything that tended to
+occupy his thoughts and distract them from public affairs. And during
+his last illness the unfortunate duke announced his intention of giving
+dowries to a hundred poor maidens on his recovery, which affords another
+proof that his poverty was not so great as Corio has declared. But none
+the less it was a bitter mortification for a king's daughter of the
+proud house of Aragon to see herself and her husband left with the mere
+semblance of power, while her cousin reigned in her place.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[50] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 389.
+
+[51] Gabotto, G. _Tuttavilla_.
+
+[52] Luca Beltrami, _Il Castello di Milano_.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+Arrival of the Duke of Orleans at Asti--The Neapolitan fleet sent
+against Genoa--The forces of Naples repulsed at Rapallo--Charles VIII.
+at Asti--Beatrice d'Este entertains him at Annona--The king's
+illness--His visit to Vigevano and Pavia--His interview with the Duke
+and Duchess of Milan--Last illness and death of Giangaleazzo
+Sforza--Lodovico proclaimed Duke at Milan--Mission of Maffeo Pirovano to
+Maximilian.
+
+1494
+
+
+On the 10th of July, the Duke of Orleans crossed the Alps with the
+advanced guard of the French army, and arrived at his own city of Asti,
+the fief which had formed part of the dowry of his grandmother,
+Valentina Visconti. Lodovico Sforza went to meet him at Alexandria on
+the 13th of July, and held a council of war there. The naval
+preparations that were being made at Genoa were the chief subject of
+discussion, and Orleans asked for a loan of sixty thousand ducats, which
+the Moro undertook to arrange. This was the first meeting between these
+two princes, who were destined to become such bitter enemies in days to
+come. Even now it was well known that the Duke of Orleans assumed the
+title of _Dux Mediolani_, and his deeply rooted aversion to the Moro was
+no secret at Milan. But both princes had the same courtly and polished
+manners, and Lodovico on his part took care that nothing should be
+wanting in the entertainment of his rival. The other ambassadors watched
+the scene with curious eyes, but the first impression which Louis of
+Orleans made upon them was distinctly unfavourable. "He has a small head
+with not much room for brains," wrote Pietro Alamanni to Piero de'
+Medici; "Lodovico will soon get the better of him."
+
+Much interest was excited among the Milanese ladies by the arrival of
+the French duke, and Benedetto Capilupi, who had been sent from Mantua
+to invite Beatrice to the christening of her infant niece, Leonora
+Gonzaga, wrote to Isabella on the 23rd of July--
+
+"The duchess says that when the Duke of Orleans comes here, she will
+have to leave off her mourning and dance, and be kissed by the duke, who
+will kiss all the maids of honour and all the court ladies after the
+French fashion. Barone, the jester, says that when he has kissed Madonna
+Polissena d'Este, he will be tired of it and will go no further. When
+the Count Dauphin and other princes of the blood royal arrive, the
+duchess sends your Highness word that you will have to come too and
+receive some of these kisses."
+
+The Duke of Orleans, however, had no time to waste in paying his
+respects to the ladies of Beatrice's court. Directly after his interview
+with Lodovico, he went on to Genoa to fit out the French fleet to oppose
+that in which Alfonso's brother, Don Federigo, had already sailed to
+attack Genova. Twice over during the next few weeks the Neapolitan
+forces landed at Porto Venere and Rapallo, but each time they were
+repulsed by the Genoese and French troops, supported by a strong
+Milanese contingent under the gallant Fracassa and Antonio di
+Sanseverino, after which Don Federigo retired to the harbour of Leghorn,
+and was soon recalled to defend Naples itself against the French. On the
+27th of July, the Count of Caiazzo received the _baton_ of command from
+Lodovico's hands on the piazza in front of the Castello of Milan, and
+started at the head of fifteen hundred foot soldiers and light cavalry
+to join the French army that was marching into Romagna to meet the
+forces led by Ferrante Duke of Calabria. On the 23rd of August, Isabella
+d'Este came to Parma at her brother-in-law's invitation to meet him and
+the French ambassador, and see the first French troops under La
+Tremouille and Stuart d'Aubigny--the Marchese d'Obegnino, as the
+Italians called him--march through the town. The spectacle, however, was
+less imposing than she expected, only about four hundred light cavalry
+riding past, as she describes it, in some confusion and disorder.
+
+Meanwhile Charles VIII. had at length crossed the Alps and after pawning
+the jewels of his allies, the Marchioness of Montferrat and Duchess of
+Savoy, to pay his troops, arrived at Asti on the 9th of September. Here
+he was received with great honour by Lodovico and his father-in-law,
+Duke Ercole, who rode out to meet him on his entry into the town. The
+magistrates and citizens welcomed him as their liege lord, and the
+illiterate French barons were amazed to hear a child of eleven,
+Margareta Solari, declaim a Latin oration with perfect ease and fluency.
+Two days afterwards Beatrice herself arrived at the castle of Annona, in
+the neighbourhood of Asti, bringing her choir of singers and musicians,
+and accompanied by eighty ladies especially chosen for their beauty and
+rich attire, and gave the king a magnificent reception. Charles
+advanced, cap in hand, to greet the duchess, and, beginning with
+Beatrice and Bianca, the young wife of Messer Galeazzo, kissed all the
+ladies present. The beauty and vivacity of the young duchess made a deep
+impression upon the susceptible French monarch, who could not take his
+eyes off her, and after spending some time with her in lively
+conversation, begged her to allow him to see her dance. Beatrice readily
+complied with his request, as she tells Isabella in the following
+letter, written from Annona on the 12th of September:--
+
+"About noonday the king came here to pay me a friendly visit with the
+chief lords of his court, and remained for about three hours with me and
+my ladies, conversing with the greatest familiarity and affection. I
+assure you that no prince in the world could have made himself more
+agreeable. He desired to see my ladies dance, and then begged me to
+dance before him, which seemed to give him great pleasure."[53]
+
+The young king himself, short and ill proportioned as he was, with round
+shoulders and a large head, a very wide mouth and big nose, cut but a
+very sorry figure by the side of the stately Moro and the handsome
+Sanseverini brothers; but his good nature and genial manners atoned for
+his want of presence, and surprised Beatrice and her ladies, who had
+expected a far more formidable personage. "He was little in stature and
+of small sense, very timid in speech owing to the way in which he had
+been treated as a child, and as feeble in mind as he was in body, but
+the kindest and gentlest creature alive," says Commines, who accompanied
+Charles to Asti, and was sent on as ambassador to Venice. Guicciardini's
+judgment is more severe--
+
+"And for the increasing of the infelicities of Italy, he whose coming
+brought all these calamities, was void of almost all the gifts of
+nature and the mind. For it is most certaine that King Charles from his
+infancie was of complexion very delicate and of body unsound and
+diseased, of small stature, and of face, if the aspect and dignitie of
+his eyes had been taken away, foule and deformed, his other members
+bearing such equal proportion that he seemed more a monster than a man.
+He was not only without all knowledge of good sciences, but scarcely he
+knew the distinct characters of letters; his mind desirous to command,
+but more proper to any other thing, for that being environed alwayes
+with his familiars and favourites, he retained with them no majestie or
+authoritie; he rejected all affaires and businesse, and yet if he did
+debate and consider in any he showed a weak discretion and judgment. And
+if he had anything in him that carried appearance of merite of praise,
+yet being thoroughly weighed and sounded, it was found farther off from
+vertue than vice. He had an inclination to glory, but it was tempered
+more with rashness and fury than with moderation and counsell: his
+liberalities were without discretion, measure, or distinction,
+immoveable oftentimes in his purposes, but that was rather an
+ill-grounded obstinacy than constancie, and that which many call bountie
+deserved more reasonably in his the name of coldnesse and slacknesse of
+spirit."[54]
+
+The splendours of the court of Milan, and more especially the toilettes
+of the Duchess Beatrice and her ladies, amazed the French chroniclers,
+who have left us a graphic description of the scene at the castle of
+Annona. The poet Andre de la Vigne, in his rhyming chronicle "Le Vergier
+d'honneur," describes Beatrice's sumptuous apparel in the following
+lines:--
+
+    "Avecques luy fist venir sa partie
+      Qui de Ferrare fille du duc estait;
+    De fin drap d'or en tout ou en partie
+      De jour en jour volontiers se vestait
+    Chaines, colliers, affiquetz, pierrerie,
+    Ainsi qu'on dit en ung commun proverbe,
+      Tant en avait que c'etait diablerie.
+    Brief mieulx valait le lyen que le gerbe.
+    Autour du col bagues, joyaulx carcaus,
+      Et pour son chief de richesse estoffer,
+      Bordures d'or, devises et brocans."
+
+And in his "Histoire de Charles VIII." (1684) Godefroy quotes the
+following letter, written by an eye-witness from the French camp to the
+king's sister, Anne Duchess of Bourbon, for whose benefit Charles had
+Beatrice's portrait painted by Jean Perreal and sent to Moulins:--
+
+"People crowd to meet and welcome the king from all parts, princes and
+princesses, dukes and duchesses. Only this morning a new one has
+arrived, the description of whose dress will, I am sure, please you.
+First of all, when she arrived she was on a horse with trappings of gold
+and crimson velvet, and she herself wore a robe of gold and green
+brocade, and a fine linen _gorgerette_ turned back over it, and her head
+was richly adorned with pearls, and her hair hung down behind in one
+long coil with a silk ribbon twisted round it. She wore a crimson silk
+hat, made very much like our own, with five or six red and grey
+feathers, and with all that on her head, sat up on horseback as straight
+as if she had been a man. And with her came the wife of Seigneur Galeaz'
+and many other ladies, as many as twenty-two, all riding handsome and
+richly apparelled horses, and six chariots hung with cloth of gold and
+green velvet, all full of ladies. They had intended to visit the king in
+his lodgings, but this he would not allow, and, in order to appear
+gracious, said that he would visit them, but he did not go to their
+lodgings that day, feeling unwell. The next day, after dinner, he went
+to see this lady, whom he found magnificently arrayed, after the fashion
+of the country, in a green satin robe. The bodice of her gown was loaded
+with diamonds, pearls, and rubies, both in front and behind, and the
+sleeves were made very tight and slashed so as to show the white chemise
+underneath, and tied up with a wide grey silk ribbon, which hung almost
+down to the ground. Her throat was bare and adorned with a necklace of
+very large pearls, with a ruby as big as your 'Grand Valloy,' and her
+head was dressed just the same as yesterday, only that instead of a hat
+she wore a velvet cap with an aigrette of feathers fastened with a clasp
+made of two rubies, a diamond, and a pear-shaped pearl, like your own,
+only larger. After that the king had paid her a visit, he returned to
+his house, but first he had some conversation with her, and made her
+dance in the French fashion, with some of her ladies. And I can assure
+you, madame, that she danced wonderfully well in the French fashion,
+although she said she had never danced in this manner before. If the
+king were not going to send you her picture, to show you the fashion of
+her dress, I would have endeavoured to obtain one to send you myself."
+
+A grand _fete_ was arranged for the following day, but the king fell
+suddenly ill of small-pox, and had to call in Messer Ambrogio da Rosate
+to attend him. All his plans were altered, and more than a fortnight
+elapsed before he was able to leave his room. This delay discouraged the
+French, who suffered from the great heat, and complained, as Commines
+tells us, of the sourness of the country wine, the last vintage having
+been a bad one. All Lodovico's smooth words and tact were needed to keep
+the leaders in good humour in these trying circumstances. On the other
+hand, Alfonso of Naples, taking courage, boldly announced that the
+approach of winter and want of pay would force the French to retreat,
+and Piero de' Medici sent a troop of Florentine soldiers to join the
+Duke of Calabria in Romagna. But their triumph was of short duration. On
+the 6th of October the king had recovered sufficiently to leave Asti,
+and while most of his army marched direct to Piacenza, he himself
+travelled by Casale and through the dominions of his ally, the young
+Marquis of Montferrat, to Vigevano. Here Lodovico and Beatrice once more
+gave their royal guest a splendid reception, and held a banquet and
+boar-hunt in his honour during the next two days. The beauty of the
+palace, and the wealth and magnificence displayed on all sides, filled
+the French with wonder; but although Charles took Lodovico's advice on
+all points, and was apparently on the most cordial terms with his host,
+he asked for the keys of the castle at night, and desired his guards to
+keep strict watch at the gates. "The fashion of their friendship was
+such," says Commines, "that it could not last long. But for the present
+the king could not do without Lodovico."
+
+On the 13th, Charles slept at the Sforzesca and visited Lodovico's
+famous farm of La Pecorara, or Les Granges, as the French chroniclers
+termed this vast farm, where agricultural industries were cultivated on
+such a splendid scale. They saw the spacious buildings, the stables with
+their noble columns and separate accommodation for mares and stallions,
+and the superb breed of horses which were reared under Messer Galeazzo's
+care; the pastures with their 14,000 buffaloes, oxen, and cows, and as
+many sheep and goats; and the large dairies, where butter and cheese
+were made on the most approved system, and marvelled afresh at the
+industry of the Milanese farmers and the wealth and fertility of this
+wonderful land. The next day the king went on to Pavia, where triumphal
+arches had been prepared for his reception, and the clergy and
+professors of the university hailed his presence in long harangues and
+complimentary speeches. At first lodgings had been prepared for him in
+the city, but, according to Commines, some of the king's followers had
+inspired him with fears of foul play, and he preferred to take up his
+abode in the Castello itself. Lodovico himself showed him the library
+and other treasures of his ancestral palace, and took him out hunting in
+the park. On the 15th, he visited the Duomo and Arca di S. Agostino, and
+on the 16th, rode out to the Certosa, where the monks entertained both
+princes at a grand banquet in a house outside the cloister precincts. In
+the evenings, comedies were acted or musical entertainments given in the
+Castello for the king's amusement.
+
+At the time of Charles's visit to Pavia, the Duke and Duchess of Milan
+and their children were occupying their rooms in the Castello, but
+during the last few weeks Giangaleazzo had become seriously ill and was
+unable to leave his bed. Both his wife and his mother Bona were
+assiduous in their attentions to the sick prince, and Isabella hardly
+ever left his bedside. The chronicler Godefroy, who has left us so
+faithful and accurate an account of Charles VIII.'s expedition,
+describes the splendid _fetes_ given to the king at Pavia, and says that
+the Duchess Isabella, with her young son Francesco, herself received him
+at the portico of the Castello, but does not mention his visit to the
+sick duke. Another trustworthy authority, Corio, tells us that Charles
+with great thoughtfulness paid a visit to his cousin, who was suffering
+from an incurable disease, and growing visibly worse, and that the
+unfortunate duke recommended his wife and children to the king's care.
+Commines, who was at Pavia three days before Charles, on his way to
+Venice, says that he saw the little four-year-old prince Francesco, but
+not the duke, since he was very ill and his wife very sorrowful,
+watching by his bedside. "However," he adds, "the king spoke with him,
+and told me their words, which only related to general subjects, for he
+feared to displease Lodovico; all the same, he told me afterwards that
+he would have willingly given him a warning. And the duchess threw
+herself on her knees before Lodovico, begging him to have pity upon her
+father and brother. To which he replied that he could do nothing, and
+told her to pray rather for her husband and for herself, who was still
+so young and fair a lady."
+
+The Venetian chronicler, Marino Sanuto, gives a more sensational account
+of the interview. According to him, Isabella absolutely refused to see
+the king, and, seizing a dagger, declared she would stab herself rather
+than meet her father's mortal enemy. Lodovico, however, in the end
+induced her to receive the king, upon which she threw herself in tears
+at the feet of Charles VIII., and implored him to spare her father and
+brother and the house of Aragon. The king's kindly heart was touched
+with compassion at the grief of the unhappy princess, but he only spoke
+a few consoling words, and promised that her son should be as dear to
+him as if he were his own son. When Isabella renewed her earnest
+entreaties on her father's behalf, he replied that it was too late for
+him to give up the expedition, which had already cost him so much
+trouble and money, and which was now so far advanced that he could not
+retire with honour. On the 17th of October, Charles, after assisting at
+mass in the chapel of the Castello, left Pavia for Piacenza, where he
+joined the French army and prepared to enter Tuscan territory. Here he
+learnt that the Duke of Calabria had been worsted in two engagements by
+the forces of the Count of Caiazzo and the French under d'Aubigny, and
+was in full retreat. And here on the 20th, a courier from Pavia arrived,
+bringing Lodovico word that his nephew was dying. He set out at once for
+Pavia, and met another messenger on the way who told him that the duke
+was already dead. Two days after Charles VIII.'s departure from Pavia,
+Giangaleazzo became suddenly worse. A fresh attack of fever was brought
+on by his own folly in drinking large quantities of wine and eating
+pears and apples contrary to his doctor's express orders, in spite of
+the continual sickness from which he suffered. The next day he was
+rather better, and in the evening of the 20th, the four doctors who were
+attending him sent Lodovico an improved account, saying that the duke
+had slept for some hours, and had afterwards been able to take some
+chicken-broth, raw eggs, and wine. Now he had fallen asleep again. He
+was certainly no worse, they added, although still very weak and by no
+means out of danger. That same evening he spoke cheerfully to his
+trusted servant, Dionigi Confanerio, and asked to see two horses which
+Lodovico had sent him, and which were brought into the hall adjoining
+his rooms for his inspection. Afterwards he spoke affectionately of his
+uncle, and said he was sure that Lodovico would have come to see him if
+he had not been obliged to wait upon the French king. And he asked
+Dionigi in a confidential tone if he thought that Lodovico loved him and
+was sorry to see him so ill, and seemed quite satisfied with his
+attendant's assurances on the subject. A former prior of Vigevano, who
+had known the dying prince from his childhood, and had been summoned to
+Pavia by the duchess, now paid the duke a visit and heard his
+confession, after which Giangaleazzo asked to see his greyhounds, which
+were brought to his bedside, and spoke cheerfully of his speedy recovery
+before he fell asleep. Early the next morning he died in the presence of
+his wife and mother and the doctors who had attended him during the last
+few weeks.
+
+A few hours later Lodovico reached Pavia, and without a moment's delay
+hastened on to Milan, giving orders that the duke's body should be
+removed as soon as possible to the Duomo of Milan. There during the next
+three days the dead prince lay before the high altar, clad in the ducal
+cap and robes, with his sword and sceptre at his side, and his white
+face exposed to view. Meanwhile Lodovico had lost no time. His first
+act, on his arrival in the Castello, was to summon the councillors,
+magistrates, and chief citizens of Milan to a meeting on the following
+day, but even before these dignitaries could be assembled, he called
+together a few of his immediate friends and courtiers in the great hall
+of the Rocchetta, and after informing them of his nephew's premature and
+lamentable end, proposed that his son Francesco should be proclaimed
+duke in his father's place. Upon this, Antonio da Landriano, prefect of
+the Treasury, responded in an eloquent speech, dwelling on the danger in
+these troublous times of placing the helm of the state in the hands of a
+four-year-old child, and calling on Lodovico, for the sake of the people
+whom he had hitherto ruled so well and wisely in his nephew's name, to
+undertake the burden of sovereignty and ascend the ducal throne. "Since
+the death of Giangaleazzo's father," he said, "we have had no duke but
+you; you alone among our princes can grasp the ducal sceptre with a firm
+hand." These last words were hailed with loud applause by the Moro's
+friends, and when Landriano had ended his speech, Galeazzo Visconti
+Baldassare Pusterla, the able lawyer Andrea Cagnola, and several other
+councillors, well known for their devotion to the Moro, all spoke in the
+same strain.
+
+"It was propounded," writes Guicciardini, "by the principals of the
+Counsell, that, in regard of the greatness of that estate and the
+dangerous times prepared now for Italy, it would be a thing prejudicial
+that the sonne of John Galeaz, having not five yeares in age, should
+succeed his father, and therefore, as well as to keepe the liberties of
+the State in protection, as to be able to meete with the inconveniences
+which the time threatened, they thought it just and necessary--derogating
+somewhat for the public benefite, and for the necessite present from the
+disposition of the laws--as the laws themselves do suffer to constraine
+Lodovic, for the better stay of the commonweale, to suffer that unto him
+might be transported the title and dignitie of Duke, a burden very
+weightie, in so dangerous a season; with the which colour, honestie giving
+place to ambition, the morning following, making some show of resistance,
+he tooke upon him the name and armes of the Duke of Milan."
+
+The Florentine historian's account of the transaction is accurate in all
+but the last particular. Lodovico was indeed proclaimed duke in his
+nephew's stead, and, clad in a mantle of cloth of gold, rode that
+afternoon through the streets of the city, and visited the church of S.
+Ambrogio, to give thanks for his accession to the throne. The ducal
+sword and sceptre were borne before him by Galeazzo Visconti, the bells
+were rung, and the trumpets sounded, while the people hailed him with
+shouts of _Duca! Duca! Moro! Moro!_ But he was careful to style himself
+Lodovicus Dux, and would not assume the title of Duke of Milan until he
+had received the imperial privileges, confirming his election and
+granting him the investiture of the duchy. These he lost no time in
+securing. Already a few weeks before this, Maximilian, mindful of his
+engagements at the time of his wedding, had sent his wife's uncle the
+diploma granting him the desired investiture for himself and his sons,
+both legitimate and illegitimate, in succession. The original deed has
+never been discovered, but, according to Corio, the diploma was granted
+on the 5th of September at Antwerp, with the express stipulation that it
+was not to be published until after the Feast of St. Martin. This
+diploma must have reached Lodovico a week or two before his nephew's
+death, and had been kept secret, in obedience to Maximilian's desires.
+That memorable day when he rode through the streets of Milan,
+accompanied by the ambassadors of Florence and Ferrara, he said in reply
+to the congratulations of the latter, our old friend Giacomo Trotti, "In
+another month you will hear greater news." "I verily believe you," said
+the Florentine, Pietro Alamanni, who recorded these words, to Piero de'
+Medici, "that he means to make himself greater still, and dreams of a
+kingdom of Insubria and Liguria." And Donato de' Preti evidently thought
+the same. "Signor Lodovico," he wrote to Isabella d'Este, "is not yet
+called Duke of Milan, but merely duke, and all documents sent out by the
+Cancelleria are worded in this manner. Some persons who knew his
+Excellency well, say that it is his intention to call himself _Rex
+Insubrium_. On the return of the ambassador who has been sent to the
+emperor, perhaps this will be announced."
+
+Now that Giangaleazzo was actually dead, the Moro felt that there was no
+time to be lost in obtaining the publication of the imperial diploma.
+Accordingly he ordered one of his most trusted agents, Maffeo Pirovano,
+to start the next day for Antwerp, with letters informing Maximilian and
+his wife of Giangaleazzo's death, and asking for the prompt despatch of
+ambassadors with the coveted privileges. And that same evening he wrote
+long and minute instructions to Maffeo himself and to Erasmo Brasca at
+Antwerp, urging them to lose no time in laying the case before the
+emperor. The letter to Maffeo, discovered in the Taverna archives at
+Milan, and first published by Signor Calvi in his life of Bianca Sforza,
+is of especial interest.
+
+"MAPHEO,--We have written this evening to Germany to inform the Most
+Serene King of the Romans of the death of the illustrious Duke, our
+nephew, and must now send you to state our case _viva voce_ to his
+Majesty, desiring him to give effect in our person to the ducal
+privileges, which he never consented to give our nephew, in consequence
+of the wrong which the emperor supposed to have been done him by our
+father and brother, in holding the duchy without any concession from the
+imperial authorities. And therefore the said king has conceded these
+privileges to us, as being innocent of this fault, and as having claims
+to the title by reason of our maternal descent, but has desired that
+these privileges should not be made public before the next feast of St.
+Martin, and before this date will not fix the time and place for the
+expedition of the said privileges. The approach of this time, the fact
+that this death has compelled us to take up the succession, have
+impelled us to send an envoy to the said king, and for this purpose we
+have made choice of yourself, being persuaded that your faithfulness and
+prudence will be equal to the gravity of this emergency. And so I desire
+you to start with the utmost speed, and not to rest till you have found
+his Majesty, and our councillor and ambassador Messer Erasmo Brasca, to
+whom you will explain the reason of your coming, and having through his
+means obtained an audience of his Majesty, you will pay him our dutiful
+respects, and, after delivering your credentials, by virtue of them will
+proceed to tell him how immediately after this death the chiefs of the
+State and of the people of this city approached me to offer their
+condolences in the customary manner, and signified their fears and
+anxieties as to the succession. One and all, speaking in the name of the
+State, declared that they would have no lord but ourselves, and
+entreated us with earnest words to accept this dignity, saying that if
+we refused they would not be content and would have to consider some
+other mode of action. After this has been explained to the king, you
+will tell him that, seeing on the one hand the conditions imposed by his
+Majesty respecting the privileges, which we do not intend to infringe,
+and on the other the dangers that might arise if the State were left
+without a lord until the time fixed for the promulgation of the
+privileges, and being further aware that the people of Milan set the
+example and draw after them all the rest of the State, we have chosen to
+accept the burden they offer us, and have ridden through the town in
+order to satisfy the wishes of the people. And this we have done, in
+order not to leave the State and city in doubt as to the last duke's
+successor, without taking either title or armorial bearings, lest we
+should incur the same blame as that illustrious lord our father. Thus,
+solely to prove that the State is not left without a lord, and at the
+same time not to infringe the conditions attached to the privileges, we
+have taken this name of duke, and will inscribe our name as _Ludovicus
+Dux_ in letters and other documents, without specifying of what place we
+are duke, so as to observe the commands laid upon us by his Majesty not
+to publish the privileges before the feast of St. Martin. The full form
+which we intend to adopt at the said feast will be signified to him
+after this feast, when we shall adopt the style of _Dux Mediolani_ in
+accordance with this command. But we will abstain from publishing the
+privileges until we have the approval of the said Majesty, which we hope
+to obtain as soon as the term which he fixed shall expire.
+
+"And you will also tell his Majesty that the publication of these
+privileges carries with it the investiture and enjoyment of the temporal
+possessions of the duchy, and therefore, as our procurator, you will ask
+for this investiture with all respect and submission. And you will beg
+his Majesty to send us an ambassador to declare that he places us in
+possession of the duchy, in order that he may give the world an outward
+demonstration of the act that he has already done in private. This, we
+beg to assure his Majesty, shall ensure a perpetual obligation on our
+part and that of our posterity towards his Majesty, who may count on the
+fidelity of this State in all contingencies, most of all in the affairs
+of Italy, where no State can be greater or of more importance than this
+one, which has the same influence in Italy as he has in Germany. And
+since the form of investiture has been given this summer to the
+Treasurer of Burgundy, you can obtain it from him by means of Messer
+Erasmo, and we will afterwards send you the imperial mandate that you
+may arrange this. As to the form of delivery of the temporalities, we
+desire to follow that which was employed in the cases of former dukes,
+which we will seek out and let you have. To this effect you will
+negotiate with the Most Serene King of the Romans, making use of the
+advise of Messer Erasmo, in order to obtain this concession in the
+manner that we devise.
+
+"You will also visit our niece, the Most Serene Queen, and condole in
+our name on the duke's death, which is a common cause of grief to both
+of us, and will recommend our affairs to her, begging her Majesty to
+assist you, and to employ great warmth and fervour in addressing the
+Most Serene Lord her husband.
+
+"Milan, 22nd October, 1494."
+
+These instructions were followed by a short letter from Lodovico,
+enclosing the petition to be presented to Maximilian, and urging him to
+lose no time in reaching his destination.
+
+"MAPHEO,--We enclose the petition for the investiture, and have to-day
+sent you money and horses. There is nothing more to say, excepting to
+urge you once more to use all diligence to seek out His Serene Majesty,
+and with the help of Erasmo leave nothing undone that may induce him to
+grant the investiture without delay, and at the same time send back with
+you persons empowered to put me in possession of the temporal
+possessions of the duchy. Without these two things, all that has been
+done till now will be of no avail."
+
+On the 21st, Lodovico sent an official intimation of his nephew's death,
+and of the "incredible grief" which this sad event had given him, to his
+relatives and allies. On the 22nd, he issued another circular, informing
+them in well-turned phrases of his election by the people of Milan, and
+of his consent to take up the burden imposed upon him by the will of his
+subjects. And on the same day the Mantuan envoy, Donato de' Preti,
+writing to Isabella d'Este, gave her the following version of affairs:
+"This morning a meeting was held in the Castello, at which Signor
+Lodovicus was proclaimed King of Milan in the presence of the gentlemen
+and councillors assembled in the Rocchetta, no one else being nominated.
+Few spoke, and very little was said, but Signor Lodovico was chosen by
+universal acclamation, or at least with no dissent. This afternoon he
+came out of the Rocca clad in gold brocade, and rode all round the town
+for the space of two hours, and the shops are closed, and all the bells
+of the city are to be rung for three days." At Pavia, where the Moro had
+made himself greatly beloved both by the citizens and the members of the
+university, there was great rejoicing when the people heard him publicly
+proclaimed duke to the sound of fifes and trumpets. "All the people of
+Pavia," wrote Count Borella, on the 23rd of October, "are filled with
+the utmost joy and delight, like the loyal and affectionate servants of
+your Highness that they are, and pray that you may live long to enjoy
+your exalted dignity."
+
+On the evening of the 27th, the body of the late duke, after lying in
+state during several days before the high altar in the Duomo of Milan,
+"was buried in the vault of his ancestors with the greatest pomp and
+honour," as the Mantuan envoy told Isabella d'Este. "The Marchese Ermes,
+the Ferrarese ambassador, with the whole house of Visconti, and all the
+councillors, ministers, and court officials attending, robed in black.
+An immense concourse of people were present, together with priests and
+friars innumerable, and the blaze of lighted wax candles was so great in
+the church that I could see nothing. An eloquent and highly ornate
+sermon was preached by a Mantuan friar, named Giovanni Pietro Suardo."
+
+And the next day his successor joined the French king in his camp under
+the walls of Sarzana. He had at length attained the object of his
+ambition, and was reigning on his father's throne.
+
+"To sum up the whole matter," writes Commines, "Lodovico had himself
+proclaimed Lord of Milan, and that, as many people say, was the reason
+why he brought us over the mountains."
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[53] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 394.
+
+[54] Guicciardini's "Italy," Fenton's English translation, vol. i. p.
+34.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+Lodovico joins Charles VIII. at Sarzana--Suspicious rumours as to the
+late duke's death--Piero de' Medici surrenders the six fortresses of
+Tuscany to Charles VIII.--Lodovico retires in disgust from the
+camp--Congratulations of all the Italian States on his accession--Grief
+of Duchess Isabella--Her return to Milan--Mission of Maffeo Pirovano to
+Antwerp--His interviews with Maximilian and Bianca--Letter of Lodovico
+to the Bishop of Brixen--Charles VIII. enters Rome--His treaty with
+Alexander VI. and departure for Naples.
+
+1494
+
+
+The short week which had elapsed between the king's departure from Pavia
+and the return of Lodovico to the French camp had effected a complete
+change in the situation. Suddenly the Moro found himself at the height
+of his ambition, elected duke by popular acclamation, and in actual
+possession of the throne, while he held in his hands the imperial
+diploma that was to give him a surer and safer title to the duchy than
+any of his race had possessed.
+
+"All that this man does prospers, and all that he dreams of by night
+comes true by day," wrote the Venetian chronicler. "And, in truth, he is
+esteemed and revered throughout the world and is held to be the wisest
+and most successful man in Italy. And all men fear him, because fortune
+favours him in everything that he undertakes."
+
+But already ugly rumours began to be whispered abroad. The unhappy duke,
+it was openly said at Florence and Venice, had, it was plain, died of
+poison, administered by his uncle. The moment of his death was so
+opportune, and fitted in so exactly with Lodovico's plans; the
+promptness with which the Moro had acted in seizing the crown which
+ought to have belonged to Giangaleazzo's son, helped to confirm the
+suspicions that were aroused in the minds of men whom the new duke's
+policy had inspired with distrust, and who looked with jealous eyes on
+the success of his diplomacy. The French king's doctor, Theodore
+Guainiero of Pavia, was quite sure he had detected signs of poisoning in
+the sick duke's face when he had been present at the interview between
+his royal master and poor Giangaleazzo at Pavia. Contemporary
+chroniclers, improving upon this remark, with one voice asserted that
+the doctor had found evident traces of poison on the body at a
+post-mortem examination held after the duke's death, ignoring the fact
+that at that moment Theodore Guainiero was with King Charles at
+Piacenza. So the legend grew, and found ready acceptance among both
+French and Italians, who alike hated the Moro with deadly hatred.
+
+"And if the duke were dispatched by poison, there was none," wrote the
+Florentine historian, "that held that his uncle was innocent, and either
+directly or indirectly, as he, who not content with an absolute power,
+but aspiring, according to the common desires of great men, to make
+themselves glorious with titles and honours, and especially he judged
+that both for his proper heritage and the succession of his children,
+the death of the lawful duke was necessary, wherein ambition and
+covetousness prevailed above conscience and law of nature, and the
+jealous desire of dominion enforced his disposition, otherwise abhorring
+blood, to that vile action."
+
+The careful examination of the various documents connected with
+Giangaleazzo's death has led recent historians to a different
+conclusion. "Nothing is further from the truth," writes Magenta, in his
+history of the "Castello di Pavia," "than that Giangaleazzo died of
+poison." And Delaborde, Porro, Cantu, as well as those able and learned
+scholars, Signor Luzio and Signor Renier, all endorse these statements,
+and ascribe the duke's death to natural causes. Even Paolo Giovio, who
+hated the Moro as the man who had betrayed his country to the French,
+owns that there is much reason for doubting the truth of the accusation
+brought against him in this instance. Charles VIII., it is plain, did
+not himself believe in Lodovico's guilt. When the news of Giangaleazzo's
+death reached him, he caused a solemn requiem mass to be held in the
+Duomo of Piacenza, and distributed liberal alms to the poor of the town
+in memory of his dead cousin. And Galeazzo di Sanseverino, who had
+remained in attendance upon the king, informed Lodovico, in one of his
+letters, that the only remark which His Most Christian Majesty had made
+on the subject was to express his sorrow for the duke's orphan children,
+and to say that he hoped Signor Lodovico would treat them as his own, to
+which Galeazzo replied that he might rest assured they would want for
+nothing. But the suspicion that the duke's end had been hastened by his
+uncle's act found general acceptance in the French army, and deepened
+the distrust with which Lodovico was already regarded. At this critical
+moment, the unexpected action of Piero de' Medici helped to bring about
+a breach between the Moro and his allies.
+
+When, on the 31st of October, the new duke reached the French camp
+before the Tuscan castle of Sarzana, he found to his surprise that Piero
+de' Medici, who up to this time had been the staunchest ally of Naples,
+had arrived there the day before, to make his submission to King
+Charles. Sanuto relates how this craven son of the magnificent Lorenzo
+threw himself at the feet of the French monarch, and promised to accept
+whatever conditions he chose to impose. Not only did he agree to give
+the army of Charles free passage through Tuscany, and to dismiss the
+Florentine troops which he had levied, but he actually promised to
+surrender the six strongholds of Sarzana, Sarzanello, Pietra Santa,
+Librafratta, Leghorn, and Pisa. Thus, without a single blow, the city
+and state of Florence was placed at the mercy of the invaders. Even the
+French councillors who negotiated the terms of the treaty, were amazed
+at the readiness with which their demands were accepted, and told
+Commines afterwards that they marvelled to see Piero de' Medici settle
+so weighty a matter with so much lightness of heart, "mocking and
+jeering at his cowardice as they spoke." Lodovico, on his part, received
+the news of Piero's disgraceful concessions with ill-concealed disgust.
+Now that he had attained his own objects, and had nothing to fear from
+Alfonso, whose armies were in full retreat, he would willingly have seen
+the progress of the French delayed, and the king forced to winter in
+Tuscany, and was bitterly annoyed to find that the passes of the
+Apennines were in the hands of Charles, as well as the castles and ports
+which he had hoped to obtain for Milan as the price of his alliance.
+Guicciardini relates how he met Piero de' Medici that day in the camp,
+and how his old friend's son, anxious to ingratiate himself with the
+powerful duke, made excuses for not having given him an official welcome
+into Florentine territory, saying that he had ridden out to meet him,
+but had missed his way. "One of us certainly missed the way," replied
+the duke, with a bitter meaning under his courteous phrases; "perhaps it
+is you who have taken the wrong road."
+
+But he hid his vexation as best he could, when he entered the French
+king's presence, and boldly asked Charles to give him the castles of
+Sarzana and Pietra Santa, which had formerly belonged to Genoa. When the
+king replied that he preferred to keep these forts in his own hands
+until his return from Naples, Lodovico once more disguised his feelings,
+and contented himself with asking for a renewal of the investiture of
+Genoa, formerly granted to his nephew, which he obtained on payment of
+30,000 ducats. After this he saw no reason for remaining in the French
+camp any longer, and, pleading urgent State affairs, he left again for
+Milan on the 3rd of November.
+
+"_Et merveilleusement malcontent_," says Commines, "_se partit du Roy
+pour le reffuz_."
+
+Only the Count of Caiazzo, with a troop of fifty horse, remained in the
+French camp, while Galeazzo di Sanseverino and Duchess Beatrice's
+brother, Ferrante d'Este, were the sole Italians to be seen riding in
+the royal procession when Charles made his triumphal entry into
+Florence. "Many thought then," adds the Sieur d'Argenton, "that he
+wished the king out of Italy." A week later he recalled the Milanese
+troops from Romagna, saying that their presence was no longer needed.
+For the present, however, the new Duke of Milan took a strictly neutral
+line, and while he outwardly maintained friendly relations with France,
+at the same time received congratulatory messages on his accession from
+the Pope, the Doge and Signory of Venice, and his old enemy, Alfonso of
+Naples, who forgot all the grievances of the past in his dismay at the
+approach of the French invaders.
+
+On the 6th of November Lodovico returned to Milan, and joined his wife
+at Vigevano, where Beatrice had remained during her husband's absence
+with her infant son. We have no letters to tell us what her feelings
+were at this eventful period, and do not learn if she joined her husband
+during the few days of his hurried visit to Milan in October. But we are
+glad to find that she expressed sympathy with the unhappy widow of
+Giangaleazzo, and showed real concern for her cousin's melancholy
+condition. After her husband's death, Isabella's courage and fortitude
+broke down under the long strain, and for some days she shut herself up
+in a dark room, and refused to take food, or accept any comfort. Four
+Milanese councillors waited upon her at Pavia to offer their
+condolences, and invited her to come to Milan in the name of the new
+duke and the people, assuring her that she and her children should be
+treated with due honour, and retain possession of the ducal residence in
+the Castello. This attention gratified her, and Paolo Bilia, an old and
+faithful servant, who had been long in her service, wrote by her desire
+to Lodovico on the 28th of October--
+
+"My Lady is much pleased to hear that you have accepted the gift which
+she sent you, and is grateful for the kind messages which she has
+received from Your Illustrious Consort, as well as the offers which you
+have made her, and the addresses of the councillors. Under Niccolo da
+Cusano's treatment her health has certainly improved; and the children
+are very well, only the boy objects to the black clothes and hangings of
+the rooms."
+
+A week later the Councillor Pusterla wrote that he visited the Duchess
+every day, and found her much rested, and already considerably calmer,
+and was charged to convey her warmest thanks to the duke for his
+kindness, and express her wish to show herself in all things his
+obedient daughter. But she still refused to leave Pavia, and shrank from
+seeing any one but her children and servants.
+
+"The duchess," wrote Donato de Preti from Milan to his mistress Isabella
+d'Este, "has not yet arrived here, but is expected on Friday. All the
+rooms and furniture in the Castello are hung with black. To-day a man
+who came from Pavia is said to have brought word that Count Borella had
+been sent to ask the duchess for her son Francesco, but that she had
+refused to send him. This, however, may not be true, for the person who
+told me is not to be trusted."
+
+On the 29th of November, the same informant wrote again--
+
+"The widowed duchess has not yet come to Milan. It appears that she has
+asked leave to remain at Pavia until after her confinement, and this she
+will certainly do. I hear that she still mourns her dead lord."
+
+Her mother-in-law, Duchess Bona, remained with her at Pavia, and here,
+on the first of December, she received a visit from Chiara Gonzaga, a
+sister of the Marquis of Mantua, and wife of Gilbert, Duke of
+Montpensier, who was captain-general of the French army. This princess,
+who was now on her way to Mantua, was sincerely attached to both
+Isabella and Beatrice d'Este, and proved a loyal friend to Lodovico at
+the French court, while after her husband's death he, in his turn, gave
+her the benefit of his powerful help in her efforts to obtain the
+recovery of her fortune from the French king. There seems, however, to
+have been no truth in the report that the widowed duchess was again with
+child, and on the 6th of December she finally summoned up courage to
+return to Milan. On her arrival she was received by Beatrice, and
+Barone, the jester, who was on the same familiar terms with the
+Marchioness of Mantua as he was with her sister, sent her the following
+pathetic account of their meeting--
+
+"Last night the Duchess Isabella arrived in Milan, and our duchess went
+to meet her, two miles outside the town, and directly they met, our
+duchess got out of her chariot and entered that of Duchess Isabella,
+both of them weeping bitterly, and so they rode together towards the
+Castello, where the Duke of Milan met them on horseback at the gate of
+the garden. He took off his cap, and accompanied them to the Castello,
+where they all three alighted, and placing Duchess Isabella between
+them, our duke and duchess accompanied her to her old rooms. When they
+reached these rooms they sat down together, and the Duchess Isabella
+could do nothing but weep, until at last the duke spoke to her, and
+begged her to calm herself, and be comforted, with many other similar
+words. Dear friend, the hardest heart would have been melted with
+compassion at the sight of her, with her three children, looking so thin
+and altered by her grief, wearing a long black robe like a friar's
+habit, made of rough cloth, worth fourpence the yard, and her eyes
+hidden by a thick black veil. Certainly I, for one, could not help
+crying, and if I had not restrained myself, I should have wept still
+more."[55]
+
+Until the death of Beatrice, Isabella of Aragon and her children
+occupied the rooms in the Castello where she and her husband had
+formerly resided, and spent the spring and summer in the Castello of
+Pavia, but the widowed duchess lived in complete retirement during the
+next two years, and her name seldom appears in contemporary records. Her
+mother-in-law Bona, retained her rooms until the following January, when
+the duke desired her to move to the old palace near the Duomo, known as
+the Corte Vecchia, partly because the use of her apartments was required
+by the court officials, and partly owing to the intrigues which she
+secretly practised. Only lately Lodovico's envoys at Antwerp had
+informed him of the bitter words which Bona wrote against him to her
+daughter Bianca, words which the empress's secretary thought it wiser to
+pass over when he read her mother's letters aloud, taking care, he adds,
+to see that they were burnt before they could do further mischief. A
+year afterwards, Bona left Milan for good and returned to France, where
+she lived at Amboise until the end of 1499, when she came back to her
+native land of Savoy, and died at Fossano on the 8th of January, 1504.
+
+Meanwhile Maffeo Pirovano, after being delayed on his journey by violent
+storms and floods, and narrowly escaping with his life from the brigands
+and highwaymen who infested the streets of Cologne, had at length
+reached Antwerp and discharged his errand. In his letters to the duke,
+he gives an interesting account of his interview with the emperor, whose
+imposing presence and gracious kindness made a deep impression upon him.
+
+"The Most Serene King has the noblest bodily presence as well as the
+greatest qualities of mind and soul, and as far as you can judge from
+outward signs, I should say that his Majesty's wisdom and loyalty are
+beyond dispute, and that there is no prince in the world whom he
+esteems more highly than your Excellency. And if I asked why all the
+king's dealings appear slow and tardy, I should say that this was caused
+by two obstacles, which neither of them proceed from his Majesty's own
+fault. The first is want of money, and the second the little confidence
+that he can place in his ministers."
+
+Maffeo was able to give Lodovico satisfactory assurances as to
+Maximilian's readiness to confirm him in the investiture of Milan. He
+promised to send the letters forthwith, but desired the duke to allow no
+one but his brother Cardinal Ascanio to see a copy, and not to publish
+them before March. "He fears," wrote the Milanese envoy, "in the first
+place the electors of the Diet, and in the second the wrath of King
+Alfonso of Naples. But his Majesty promises to speak to the electors as
+soon as possible, and after that will have the privileges drawn up by
+the chancellor, and will send a solemn embassy to put the duke in
+possession of his dignities and the realm.
+
+The young empress, who, Maffeo remarked, "is not very wise," was
+overjoyed to see an old friend, and had much to hear about her beloved
+Milanese home. She wrote an affectionate little note to her uncle,
+lamenting her poor brother's death and congratulating him on his
+accession, which she called "a due reward of all the benefits which we
+have received from your Excellency."[56]
+
+And when Maffeo left Antwerp early in December to return to Milan, he
+received a whole string of commissions from her Majesty. He was, in the
+first place, to visit and condole with her mother, her widowed
+sister-in-law, and her brother Ermes, and to commend the Duchess
+Isabella and her children especially to the duke. Then he was to beg the
+duke and duchess to send her their latest portraits, as well as those of
+her mother, brother, sister-in-law, and her sister Madonna Anna, wife of
+Alfonso d'Este. There was a special message to Beatrice, begging her for
+some perfumes and powders, a ball of musk, and a bunch of heron's
+plumes. And there was another for Lodovico, asking him to try and
+procure a certain set of pearls from Bianca's half-sister, Caterina
+Sforza, the famous Madonna of Forli. Last of all, there was an earnest
+request that the duke would entreat her lord the Most Serene King to
+come to Italy, and write urgently to him on the subject, without,
+however, letting it appear that the suggestion had proceeded from Bianca
+herself.
+
+In these communications between the empress and her family there is no
+trace whatever of any ill-will to Lodovico and Beatrice, far less any
+suspicion that her uncle had hastened her brother's death, although some
+chroniclers allude to a report that Maximilian's wife held Lodovico to
+be guilty of this crime. The fact that some rumour of this kind had
+reached the imperial court seems probable from the Latin letter which
+Lodovico himself addressed in December, 1494, to the Bishop of Brixen,
+one of the delegates who were afterwards sent to Milan with the imperial
+privilege. In this letter the Moro refutes the calumny which he hears
+had been brought against him in certain quarters, and points out that
+his nephew's death had been due to natural causes, that the late duke
+had been ill for many months, and that he had been assiduously attended
+by his devoted wife and the most skilful doctors, three of whom had
+known him from his cradle. He alludes to the visit paid to Giangaleazzo
+a few days before his death by His Most Christian Majesty, and explains
+that he himself was only prevented from being present at his nephew's
+death-bed by the necessity of attending on the French king. "Nothing,"
+he adds, "could be more contrary to our nature than so great a crime."
+In conclusion, he dwells on the fatherly love which he had always shown
+his nephew, and renews his protestations of devotion to His Most Serene
+Majesty the King of the Romans. In point of fact, as both Maffeo and
+Brasca informed their master the subject which disquieted Maximilian at
+this moment far more than poor Giangaleazzo's death, was the rapid
+advance of the French king. A rumour had reached the German court that
+Charles aspired to the imperial title, and intended to make the Pope
+crown him in Rome. This report filled the emperor-elect with dismay, and
+he turned to the Milanese envoys with the words, "I know that the Duke
+of Milan has great power in Italy, and has proved his faith and good
+intentions towards myself, but I hope, since he is so wise in
+everything, that he will make some difference between me and the King of
+France."
+
+Lodovico, however, needed no warning on this subject, and was as much
+alarmed as any of his neighbours at the extraordinary success which had
+attended Charles VIII.'s expedition. Florence and Siena both received
+him within their gates, and helped him with loans of money and supplies
+of corn. On the 4th of December he left Siena; by the 10th he was at
+Viterbo, within sixty miles of Rome, and sent the Pope word that he
+would spend Christmas in the Vatican and treat with him there. For a
+moment Alexander VI., encouraged by the arrival of the Duke of
+Calabria's army under the walls of the eternal city, put on a bold face
+and defied Charles to do his worst. The same day he arrested the
+cardinals Ascanio Sforza and Sanseverino at a consistory in the Vatican,
+upon which Galeazzo di Sanseverino, who was at Viterbo with the French
+king, rode all the way to Vigevano in three days, to take Lodovico the
+news of this insult to his family. The duke was furious, and vowed
+vengeance upon the Pope. But Alexander's courage soon failed him. In a
+few days his defiant mood gave place to one of abject terror, the two
+cardinals were released and sent to plead the Pope's cause with Charles
+VIII., and on the 30th of December Ferrante retired with his troops
+towards Naples. That same day the French king entered Rome by the
+Flaminian Gate, and rode in triumphal procession along the Corso with
+Cardinals Giuliano delle Rovere and Ascanio Sforza at his side, both of
+them, remarks Commines, great enemies of the Pope, and still greater
+enemies of one another. Alexander fled for shelter to the Castello
+Sant'Angelo, and Charles took up his abode in the palace of San Marco,
+from which he dictated terms of peace to the terrified pontiff. Already
+a rumour had reached Milan that the Pope was to be deposed, and that the
+French king intended to attempt a general reformation of the scandals
+that disgraced the Church.
+
+"His Most Christian Majesty," remarked Lodovico, drily, "had better
+begin by reforming himself." And when the Venetian ambassador Sebastian
+Badoer and Benedetto Trevisano arrived at Vigevano to take counsel with
+the duke in this perilous state of affairs, he spoke very contemptuously
+of the king's person and character.
+
+"The Most Christian King," he said, "is young and foolish, with little
+presence and still less mental power. When I was with him at Asti,
+treating of important matters, his councillors spent their time eating
+and playing cards in his presence. Sometimes he would dictate a letter
+by one man's advice, and then withdraw it at the suggestion of another.
+He is haughty and ill-mannered, and when we were together, he has more
+than once left me alone in the room like a beast, to go and dine with
+his friends."
+
+And he proceeded to remind the Venetian envoys how he had sent his wife,
+Duchess Beatrice, to warn the Signoria of the critical state of affairs,
+and how his advice had been neglected, and nothing had been done.
+
+"It is true," the duke added, "that I lent the king money, but at the
+same time I gave him good advice. 'Sire,' I said to him, 'drive out the
+tyrant Piero de' Medici, and give Florence her old liberties;' and when
+I refused to accompany him further, I desired Messer Galeaz to defend
+the freedom and rights of both Florence and Siena. You see how little
+the king has followed my advice and how cruel and insolent he has shown
+himself. These French are bad people, and we must not allow them to
+become our neighbours."
+
+In reality, what disturbed the Duke of Milan far more than the success
+of Charles in the south, was the presence of Louis of Orleans with a
+body of troops at Asti. When Charles left Asti in October, his cousin
+was ill with an attack of fever, and had been compelled to remain
+behind. The close vicinity of this dangerous neighbour, and the boldness
+with which Orleans asserted his claim on Milan, led the Moro to use all
+his influence with Maximilian to induce him to join his old enemies, the
+Venetians, in a common league against the French. While these
+negotiations were being secretly carried on, the victorious French king
+had, on the 15th of January, signed a treaty with the Pope, by which the
+crown of Naples was bestowed upon him, and the chief fortresses of the
+Papal States were surrendered into his hands until his return. The next
+day Charles attended mass at St. Peter's, and met the Pope in the
+Vatican--"a very fine house," he wrote to his brother-in-law, the Duke
+of Bourbon, "as well furnished and adorned as any palace or castle I
+have ever seen."
+
+On the 19th of January, he did homage to His Holiness before the College
+of Cardinals, as Vicar of Christ and successor of the Apostles, and was
+embraced and welcomed by the Pope in return as the eldest son of the
+Church. A week later he left Rome and set out at the head of his army on
+the march to Naples. And the same day he received the news that Alfonso
+of Aragon, seized with a fatal panic, had abdicated his crown in favour
+of his son Ferrante, and was on his way to Sicily.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[55] A Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 399.
+
+[56] F. Calvi, _op. cit._
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+Visit of Isabella d'Este to Milan--Birth of Beatrice's son, Francesco
+Sforza--_Fetes_ and comedies at the Milanese court--Works of Leonardo
+and of Lorenzo di Pavia--Mission of Caradosso to Florence and Rome in
+search of antiques--Fall of Naples--Entry of King Charles VIII. and
+flight of Ferrante II.--Consternation in Milan--Departure of Isabella
+d'Este.
+
+1495
+
+
+While Charles VIII. was leading his victorious army against Naples, and
+striking terror into all hearts throughout the length and breadth of
+Italy, Duchess Beatrice Sforza, as the wife of Lodovico now styled
+herself, was joyfully expecting the birth of a second child. Once more
+great preparations were made in the Rocchetta for the happy event. On
+the 10th of December her sister Isabella sent her the size and pattern
+of a cradle which her father had given her before the birth of her
+little daughter, Leonora, the year before, excusing herself for not
+writing a longer letter because she was engaged with her sister-in-law,
+the Duchess of Montpensier. Duke Lodovico himself, immediately on his
+return to Vigevano in November, had written begging the Marchesa to come
+to Milan in January, and on the 15th she left Mantua. On the day after
+her arrival she paid a visit of condolence to the widowed duchess, whose
+sorrowful condition filled her with compassion.
+
+"I found her in the large room," writes Isabella to her husband, on the
+20th of January, "all hung with black, with only just light and air
+enough to save one from suffocation. Her Highness wore a cloth cloak,
+and a black veil on her head, and her deep mourning filled me with so
+much compassion that I could not keep back my tears. I condoled with her
+in your name and my own, and she gratefully accepted my sympathy, and
+sent for her children, the sight of whom increased my emotion."
+
+On the 4th of February, Beatrice gave birth to a second son, a fine boy,
+who received no less than fifteen names, including those of Francesco
+Sforza, after his illustrious grandfather. As a child he was called
+Sforza, but became afterwards known as Francesco, under which name he
+reigned during the last years of his short life over the duchy of Milan.
+Isabella d'Este held the infant prince at the baptismal font, and
+remained at Milan till the end of the Carnival, at the urgent entreaty
+of her brother-in-law, who himself wrote to beg the marquis for
+permission to keep his wife a few weeks longer.
+
+Alfonso d'Este and his wife, Anna Sforza, always a favourite at the
+court of Milan, now joined the ducal party, and took part in the
+brilliant series of festivities which celebrated Beatrice's recovery and
+the christening of the infant prince.
+
+"Every third day," wrote Isabella to an absent Milanese friend of hers,
+Anton Maria de' Collis, "we have triumphal and magnificent festivities,
+one of which lasted till two in the morning, another was not over till
+four o'clock. We spend the intervening days in riding and driving in the
+park or else through the streets of Milan, which has been made so
+beautiful that if you were to come back here to-day, you would no longer
+know the place."
+
+In another letter Isabella describes a splendid _festa_ at the house of
+Messer Niccolo da Correggio, at which a representation of the fable of
+Hippolyte and Theseus, as told in the "_Innamoramento di Orlando_" was
+beautifully given. And in answer to a letter from her brother-in-law,
+Giovanni Gonzaga, telling her of an allegorical representation in which
+the famous Serafino of Aquila had taken part, she writes--
+
+"Here too we are enjoying feasts and pleasures of every description,
+which afford us the greatest possible delight, and I hope to tell you
+many things that will excite your Highness's envy. For this is the
+school of the master of those who know."[57]
+
+Such phrases as these were no small praise on the lips of so
+accomplished and critical a woman as Isabella d'Este. Another
+contemporary, the Florentine Guicciardini, who visited the capital of
+Lombardy, was filled with amazement at the sight, and describes Milan
+during Lodovico's reign as famous for the wealth of its citizens; the
+infinite number of its shops; the abundance and delicacy of all things
+pertaining to human life; the superb pomp and sumptuous ornaments of its
+inhabitants, both men and women; the skill and talent of its artists,
+mechanics, embroiderers, goldsmiths, and armourers; and the innumerable
+quantity of new and stately buildings which adorn its streets. "Not
+only," he adds, "is the city full of joy and pleasure, of feasting and
+delight, but so wonderfully is it increased in riches, magnificence, and
+glory, that it may certainly be called the most flourishing and happiest
+of all the cities in Italy."
+
+The stranger from Florence and Venice might well admire the duke's
+knowledge and taste, and wonder at the splendid results which his
+enlightened patronage of art and learning had produced. For they saw his
+great city of Milan as it has never been seen again, before the savage
+invader had spoiled its charm and defaced its loveliness; when
+Bramante's churches and porticoes rose in perfect symmetry against the
+sky, and the glowing tints of Leonardo's frescoes were yet fresh upon
+the walls. They saw the _Ruga bella_, or Beautiful Way, with its long
+line of palaces on either side, its painted walls and richly carved
+portals. They saw the lovely cupola of S. Maria delle Grazie, and the
+marble cloisters of S. Ambrogio, and the graceful Baptistery of S.
+Satiro, which Caradosso had lately adorned with his elegant frieze of
+cherubs and medallions. They saw the stately arcades of the Spedale
+Grande, and the deep-red brick and terra-cotta pile of the vast
+Lazzaretto, and the wide streets and piazzas which the duke had laid out
+"to give the people more light and air." Above all, they saw the great
+Castello which was the pride of Lodovico's court. These vaulted ceilings
+and painted halls, these beautiful gardens with their temples and
+labyrinths, their fountains and statues, these splendid stables with
+columned aisles and walls adorned with frescoes of horses, which the
+French invaders admired more than anything else in Milan, were well-nigh
+complete. But still Lodovico was always planning some new improvements
+to add to the charm and pleasantness of the ducal residence. Isabella's
+friend Leonardo, we know from one of the duke's letters, was engaged at
+this moment in painting the vaults of the newly built Camerini, while
+he was still putting the last touches to the famous equestrian statue
+which the Marchesa now saw for the first time, and which the duke
+promised should be soon cast in bronze. But the great master's thoughts
+were taking a new direction, and he was already preparing designs for
+the mural painting of the Cenacolo, with which Lodovico had ordered him
+to decorate the refectory of the Dominicans in his favourite convent of
+S. Maria della Grazie. It was a work after Leonardo's own heart, and he
+determined to frame an altogether new and original composition, a Last
+Supper which should be unlike all others in Italy. This time at least
+the duke's fastidious taste should be satisfied, and the Lombards should
+be made to own that Leonardo the Florentine was an artist who had no
+equal.
+
+Another of Isabella's favourite artists, Maestro Lorenzo, the gifted
+organ-maker, was absent from court, and had left his old home at Pavia
+to take up his abode at Venice near his friend Aldo Manuzio, the
+printer. But during this visit the Marchesa saw "the beautiful and
+perfect clavichord" which he had made for Beatrice, and vowed to leave
+no stone unturned until she had obtained a similar one. Unfortunately,
+when she wrote to inform Messer Lorenzo of her wishes, he was engaged in
+making a viol for the Duchess of Milan, and had also promised Messer
+Antonio Visconti a clavichord, so that he was unable to satisfy the
+impatient Marchesa as quickly as she would have liked. Nothing daunted,
+however, Isabella returned to the charge, and addressed a letter in her
+sweetest and most persuasive strain to Count Antonio Visconti, begging
+him, since her desires were so ardent and she had already waited so
+long, of his courtesy to allow Messer Lorenzo to begin her clavichord as
+soon as Duchess Beatrice's viol should be finished. The count naturally
+enough was unable to refuse the request of so charming a princess, and
+as usual Isabella got her own way. On Christmas Day, 1496, she wrote
+joyously to tell her Venetian agent, Brognolo, that Messer Lorenzo had
+just arrived at Mantua, bringing the precious clavichord, which was as
+beautiful and perfect as it could possibly be. But the saddest part of
+the story has yet to be told. After the death of Beatrice, and
+Lodovico's final ruin, Isabella d'Este remembered the matchless organ
+which Lorenzo de Pavia had made for her sister, and wrote immediately
+to the Pallavicini brothers who had joined in the betrayal of the
+Castello, begging them, if possible, to let her have the instrument. A
+considerable time elapsed before her wish was gratified, but in the end
+her perseverance triumphed over all difficulties, and on the last day of
+July, 1501, she wrote to tell Messer Lorenzo that the beautiful
+clavichord which he had made for the Duchess of Milan had been given her
+by Galeazzo Pallavicino, the husband of Niccolo da Correggio's
+half-sister, Elizabeth Sforza, and would be doubly precious to her as
+his work and because of its rare excellence.[58] By a strange fate, the
+fragments of this precious clavichord, which was so highly esteemed in
+its day, have of late years found their way to the ancient palace of the
+dukes of Ferrara in Venice. The instrument which the gifted Pavian made
+for Beatrice, inscribed with the Greek and Latin mottoes chosen by
+Lorenzo, may still be seen under the roof of her father's old house, in
+those halls where the young duchess once spent that joyous May-time long
+ago.
+
+Another incident which took place at Milan during Isabella's visit, and
+could not fail to inspire her with the keenest interest, was the arrival
+of a marble Leda and a number of other antiques that were sent to the
+duke from Rome, by the goldsmith Caradosso. After the flight of Piero
+de' Medici and the revolution which had taken place in Florence,
+Lodovico sent this well-known connoisseur to try and acquire some of the
+priceless marbles or gems from the Magnificent Lorenzo's collection. But
+the Florentine magistrates wisely declined to part from these objects of
+art, which were now the property of the nation, and after Christmas
+Caradosso went on to Rome. He arrived there to find the French army in
+possession of the city and everything in the greatest confusion, but in
+the end succeeded in securing several valuable antiques. The cardinals,
+to whom Caradosso obtained introductions through Ascanio Sforza, were
+glad to ingratiate themselves with the powerful Duke of Milan at this
+critical moment, and the artist was able to inform his master that
+Cardinal di Monreale had given him a marble Leda--a really good antique,
+though some limbs of it were missing--and that other prelates had made
+him liberal offers.
+
+"The Cardinal of Parma asked me yesterday what brought me to Rome. I
+told him I had come, by your Excellency's desire, to see if I could find
+any beautiful works in bronze or marble that were to be had for gold.
+Monsignore asked me if you really cared for these things. I replied,
+'Yes, undoubtedly.' Upon which the Most Reverend informed me that he had
+an antique statue, and begged me to come and see if I thought that you
+would like it, as if so, he should be glad to send it as a present to
+your Excellency. I have seen it, and it is decidedly good.... Monsignore
+di Sanseverino has promised to show me some fine things, and I hear that
+Monsignore Colonna and the Cardinal of Siena have also some good things,
+but, unluckily, they are both of them away from Rome. Since I am here I
+must do my best to play the rogue. I hope to have enough to load a bark
+shortly, and send statues to Genoa and to Milan. Meanwhile I should be
+glad if you would write and thank the Cardinal of Parma for his statue,
+because it may induce him to send you some more fine works of art, and
+your gratitude may lead others, who are anxious to gain your
+Excellency's favour, to follow his example and send you some more
+beautiful objects, so that the world may become aware how far you
+surpass all other princes both in magnanimity and in the delight which
+you take in this most laudable pursuit. On my return to Florence, I will
+make another effort to obtain some of the precious objects which I saw
+there, and perhaps this time affairs may be in better order, and I may
+be more successful in obeying the orders of your Excellency, to whom I
+commend myself.
+
+                                   "Your servant,
+                                                   CARADOSSO DE MUNDO.
+
+Roma, February, 1495."
+
+No one sympathized more truly with Lodovico's passion for collecting
+antiques, or appreciated the treasures of art which he had brought
+together in the Castello, more fully than Isabella d'Este. As before,
+this brilliant princess charmed all hearts at Milan. When she asked a
+favour, whether it was of Count Pallavicino or Madonna Cecilia, of
+Messer Lorenzo or Gian Bellini, no one could refuse her prayer. When she
+received the Venetian ambassadors, the grace and gallantry of her
+bearing were irresistible. Whatever she did was done well. Her high
+spirits never failed, her strength never seemed to tire. She could ride
+all day and dance all night. She could answer Gaspare Visconti's verses
+in impromptu rhymes, and keep up animated literary controversies with
+Niccolo da Correggio and Messer Galeaz, or discuss grave political
+questions with the duke in the wisest and most sagacious manner. "As
+usual," wrote her secretary Capilupi, "Madonna's gracious ways and
+lively conversation have charmed every one here, most of all the Signor
+Duca, who calls her his dear daughter, and always makes her dine with
+him."
+
+If Lodovico took pleasure in Isabella's company, Beatrice's warm heart
+glowed with tender affection for the sister whose presence recalled her
+dead mother and the home of her youth, while Isabella's love for
+children could not resist the advances of her little nephew Ercole, who
+followed his aunt about the rooms of the Castello and made her laugh
+till the tears ran down her cheeks. But the happy peace of these days
+was destined to be rudely disturbed. Suddenly, on the last day of the
+month, news reached Milan that the King of France had entered Naples and
+been crowned King of the Sicilies in the cathedral on the 22nd of
+February. The young king Ferrante had fled to Ischia with the rest of
+the royal family, and throughout his dominions the people flocked out
+along the roads to hail the victor's coming, and welcomed him with
+shouts of joy. Great was the consternation at the Milanese court that
+evening, and Isabella wrote to her husband--
+
+"So complete and sudden a downfall appears almost impossible both to
+this illustrious lord, the duke, and to us all. It would indeed have
+been impossible were it not a Divine judgment. This sad case must be an
+example to all the kings and powers of the world, and will, I hope,
+teach them to value the love of their subjects more than all their
+fortresses, treasures, and men-at-arms, for, as we see now, the
+discontent of the people is more dangerous to a monarch than all the
+might of his enemies on the battle-field."
+
+The bad news threw a gloom over the gay party in the Castello. All the
+pleasure and feasting of the Carnival, all the mirth of the dancing and
+feasting, died away. Isabella and Beatrice thought sadly of their cousin
+Ferrante, the chivalrous young prince who was a favourite with all his
+kinsfolk, and his sister, the widowed Duchess Isabella, shed bitter
+tears over this fresh sorrow. Even comedies and pageants lost their old
+gaiety and became dull and tedious. "To me this Carnival seems a
+thousand years long," sighed Isabella d'Este, in a letter to her
+husband, deploring her prolonged absence and complaining that the duke
+would not allow her to leave before a certain day, fixed by his
+astrologer. By the middle of March, however, she returned to Mantua,
+followed by the most sincere regrets and liveliest expressions of
+affection on the part of both her sister and brother-in-law.
+
+"In all her actions," wrote Lodovico to the Marquis of Mantua, "this
+worthy Madonna has shown so much charm and excellence, that, although we
+rejoice to think you will soon enjoy her presence, we cannot but feel
+great regret at the loss of her sweet company, and when she leaves us
+to-morrow, I must confess we shall seem to be deprived of a part of
+ourselves."
+
+And a week later Beatrice wrote to her sister, "I cannot tell you often
+enough how strange and sad the departure of your Highness has seemed to
+me this time. Wherever I turn, in the house or out-of-doors, I seem to
+see your face before my eyes, and when I find myself deceived, and
+realize that you are really gone, you will understand how sore my
+distress has been--nay, how great it still is. And you, I think, will
+have felt the same grief, because of the love between us. Even little
+Ercole misses you, and keeps on asking continually in his childish
+fashion for his aunt, and crying '_Cia, cia!_' and he seems quite lost
+when he cannot find you anywhere."[59]
+
+Beatrice's strange and sad forebodings were destined to prove all too
+true. That was Isabella's last visit to her brother-in-law's court, and
+the sisters never met again. When, thirteen years afterwards, the
+Marchesa returned once more to Milan and danced in the halls of the
+Castello, she came as the guest of Louis XII., the king who had
+conquered Lodovico's fair duchy and brought about the ruin of the house
+of Sforza. Beatrice had long been dead, her children were in exile, and
+the Moro was wearing his heart out in lonely captivity within the gloomy
+prison walls of Loches.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[57] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 622.
+
+[58] C. dell'Acqua, _Lorenzo Gusnasco_, pp. 19, 20.
+
+[59] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, pp. 622, 623.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+Proclamation of the new league against France at Venice--Charles VIII.
+at Naples--Demoralization of the victors--Charles leaves Naples and
+returns to Rome--The Duke of Orleans refuses to give up Asti--Arrival of
+the imperial ambassadors at Milan--Lodovico presented with the ducal
+insignia--_Fetes_ in the Castello--The Duke of Orleans seizes
+Novara--Terror of Lodovico--Battle of Fornovo--Victory claimed by both
+parties--The French reach Asti--Isabella's trophies restored by
+Beatrice.
+
+1495
+
+
+On the evening of the 27th of February, while the joy bells were ringing
+in the Milanese churches in honour of the French king's triumph, the
+duke sent for the Venetian ambassadors.
+
+"I have had bad news," he said. "Naples is lost, and the French king has
+been joyfully welcomed by the people. I am ready to do whatever the
+Republic desires. But there is no time to waste; we must act at once."
+
+All eyes now turned to Lodovico as the only man who could save Italy
+from the French invaders. The emperor and the Venetians had been urging
+him to declare war against France for the last eight weeks, and now
+Ferrante of Aragon, in his despair, appealed to him by the Sforza blood
+that flowed in both their veins to deliver him and his kingdom from the
+dominion of the foreigner. The duke himself could not feel safe as long
+as Louis of Orleans remained at Asti, and declared that he was ready to
+place himself at the head of a league for the defence of Italy. He wrote
+to congratulate Commines, the French ambassador at Venice, on his
+master's success, but the same day he sent the Bishop of Como and
+Francesco Bernardino Visconti to Venice, there to negotiate a new league
+between himself, the Signoria, the Pope, the King of the Romans, and
+the King and Queen of Spain. The presence of the German and Spanish
+ambassadors, as well as the arrival of the two new Milanese envoys,
+excited Commines' suspicions, while the long faces and terror-struck air
+of the Venetian senators, when the news from Naples arrived, reminded
+him of the Romans after the defeat of Cannae. But so well was the secret
+kept that he knew nothing of the league until after it had been signed,
+late on the night of the 31st of March, in the bedchamber of the old
+Doge. Early the next morning he was summoned to the palace, and, in the
+presence of a hundred senators, solemnly informed of the new treaty.
+
+"Magnificent ambassador," said the prince, "our friendship for your
+master makes it our duty to inform you of all that concerns the state.
+Know, then, that yesterday, in the name of the Holy Spirit, of the
+glorious Virgin Mary, and the blessed Evangelist Monsignore S. Marco,
+our patron, a league has been concluded for the protection of the Church
+and the defence of the Holy Roman Empire and your own states, between
+his Holiness the Pope, his Majesty the King of the Romans, the King and
+Queen of Spain, our Signoria, and the Duke of Milan. Tell this, we pray
+you, to your Most Christian Majesty." Before the prince had done
+speaking, Commines heard the bells of St. Mark's ringing to celebrate
+the new league, and, still dazed by the unexpected news, he stammered
+out, "What will happen to my king? Will he be able to return to France?"
+
+"Certainly," replied the prince, "if he comes as a friend to the
+league."
+
+Without another word, Commines left the palace, but as he went down the
+grand staircase, he asked the secretary who accompanied him to repeat
+the Doge's words, since he could hardly take them in. Then he told his
+gondoliers to row him back to his house, near S. Giorgio Maggiore, and
+on the way he met the ambassador of Naples, in a fine new robe, with a
+smiling face, as he well might have, "for this," adds Commines, "was
+great news for him." Marino Sanuto, who narrates the incident, was much
+struck by Commines' rage and dismay, and, like a true Venetian, remarks
+contemptuously, "He did not know how to dissimulate his feelings, as one
+should do in such a case." And, in the same spirit, he goes on to
+admire the presence of mind displayed by the Milanese ambassadors, who
+to all Commines' remonstrances replied courteously, that of course their
+duke had nothing to do with all this. "They acted," he adds, "as the
+wise act in the government of states. They persuade their enemies that
+they mean to do one thing, and then they do another."
+
+At night all Venice was illuminated, and from his covered gondola the
+French ambassador saw the fireworks and the banquetings that were held
+at the palaces of the other envoys. He understood what it all meant, and
+trembled for his king's safety. But he lost no time, and sent warnings
+both to Orleans at Asti and to Charles at Naples, of the coming storm. A
+week or two later he left Venice, and went to meet Charles at Florence.
+On Palm Sunday, the 10th of April, the League was solemnly proclaimed on
+the Piazza of St. Mark, and all the ambassadors marched in procession
+round the square, while images of united Italy, and of all the kings and
+princes of the League, were carried about in triumph, and the golden
+rose was given by the Pope to the Venetian ambassador in Rome. "To-day,"
+said the Duke of Milan, "will see the dawn of the peace and prosperity
+of Italy."
+
+King Charles, meanwhile, unconscious of the dangers that threatened to
+impede his return home, was revelling in the delights of Naples, and
+holding jousts and banquets in the sunny gardens and fair palaces of
+that enchanted bay. "My brother," he wrote to the Duke of Bourbon, "this
+is the divinest land and the fairest city that I have ever seen. You
+would never believe what beautiful gardens I have here. So delicious are
+they, and so full of rare and lovely flowers and fruits, that nothing,
+by my faith, is wanting, except Adam and Eve, to make this place another
+Eden."
+
+While the king and his nobles were eating off gold and silver plate and
+drinking out of jewelled goblets in King Alfonso's tapestried halls, the
+French soldiers were to be seen lying about in the streets, intoxicated
+with the strong and luscious wines of Southern Italy. The whole army was
+given over to luxury and vice, and the outrages which the troops
+committed soon made them hated by the fickle populace, who a few weeks
+before had welcomed them as deliverers from the tyrant's yoke. "From the
+moment of the king's arrival until his departure," writes Commines, "he
+thought of nothing but pleasure, and those about him only cared to seek
+their own profit. His youth may excuse him, but for his servants there
+could be no excuse." The news of the league between the powers came to
+startle Charles out of this fool's paradise. On the 8th of April, the
+Count of Caiazzo was suddenly recalled to Milan, and when Charles asked
+Lodovico to send him Messer Galeazzo instead, the duke replied curtly
+that he had need of him at home. By degrees the king began to realize
+the formidable combination which had arisen against him, and prepared to
+march northward with the bulk of his army, leaving the Duke of
+Montpensier with a few hundred French troops and some thousand Swiss
+mercenaries to defend his newly conquered kingdom. On the 20th of May,
+he finally left Naples, and on the 1st of June entered Rome by the Latin
+gate, two days after the Pope had fled to Orvieto. Almost at the same
+moment, King Ferrante returned to Calabria, and his subjects flocked to
+join the old banner of the house of Aragon.
+
+Lodovico's first step was to send Galeazzo di Sanseverino with a body of
+newly raised troops against Asti, on the 19th of April, and to summon
+the Duke of Orleans to surrender the town and to drop the title of Duke
+of Milan. In this he was supported by the Emperor Maximilian, who sent
+an imperious order to Louis forbidding him to assume the title, on pain
+of forfeiting his fief of Asti. Orleans replied proudly that Asti formed
+part of his heritage, and that he was ready to defend it to the last
+drop of his blood against Signor Lodovico or any other foe. At the same
+time he sent an urgent appeal to the Duke of Bourbon for reinforcements,
+and prepared to act on the offensive.
+
+On the 14th of the same month, the Duke of Milan wrote a gay letter to
+Isabella d'Este, informing her of his intention to attack Asti, and
+regretting that she was not present to join the expedition on her fleet
+charger. But Asti was too strongly fortified, and the forces under
+Galeazzo were too raw and ill paid, for him to attempt an assault; so he
+remained in his camp at Annona, and contented himself with cutting off
+the supplies of the beleaguered city.
+
+Towards the end of April, the imperial envoys were at length despatched
+with the long-promised privileges, and in the middle of May they reached
+Milan, where they were magnificently entertained by the duke and duchess
+in the Castello. On the 26th of May, the festival of S. Felicissimo, the
+great ceremony took place. An imposing tribunal, hung with crimson satin
+embroidered with gold mulberry leaves and berries, was erected for the
+occasion on the piazza at the doors of the Duomo, and here, after
+attending high mass, Lodovico Sforza was solemnly proclaimed Duke of
+Milan, Count of Pavia and Angera, by the grace of God and the will of
+his Cesarean Majesty, Maximilian, Emperor-elect and chief of the Holy
+Roman Empire. The imperial delegates, Melchior, Bishop of Brixen, and
+Conrad Sturzl, Chancellor of the King of the Romans, first read aloud
+the privileges in their master's name, and then invested Lodovico with
+the ducal cap and mantle, and placed the sceptre and sword of state in
+his hands. Giasone del Maino, the celebrated Pavian jurist, recited a
+Latin oration, after which the duke, accompanied by the imperial
+ambassadors, and followed by the duchess and a brilliant suite of
+courtiers and ladies, rode in procession to the ancient basilica of S.
+Ambrogio to return thanks for his accession. Then the whole company
+returned, "with immense rejoicing and triumph," to the Castello, where a
+series of splendid _fetes_ were given in honour of the occasion, and
+rich presents were made to the imperial ambassadors and court officials.
+Two days afterwards another imposing ceremony was held in the Castello,
+when the heads of houses from the different quarters of the city were
+assembled, and each citizen in turn swore fealty, first to Duke Lodovico
+and afterwards to Duchess Beatrice, whom, in the event of his own death,
+he had appointed to be regent of the State and guardian of his sons. The
+Marquis of Mantua was among the guests present, and Beatrice felt the
+keenest regret that the marchioness was unable to accompany him and
+witness the wonderful scene before the Duomo, which, she exclaims in her
+youthful enthusiasm," was the grandest spectacle and noblest solemnity
+that our eyes have ever beheld."
+
+It was the proudest day of Lodovico's life, and his adored wife, who
+shared the cares of State as well as the festivities of his court, might
+well join in his exultation. But his confidence in the favours of
+Fortune and in the security of his position was destined to receive a
+rude shock. Before the week was ended, on the very day when Beatrice
+wrote her triumphant letter to her sister, Louis of Orleans,
+strengthened by the arrival of fresh troops, made a successful sally
+from Asti at nightfall and appeared before the walls of Novara. The
+citizens, who were already disaffected by reason of the oppressive
+exactions of the Duke of Milan, opened their gates, and after a short
+siege the citadel surrendered. Suddenly the Duke of Milan, who was
+resting after the fatigues of the recent festivities at Vigevano, heard
+that his rival, at the head of a strongly armed force, was within twenty
+miles of his palace gates. An irresistible panic seized him, and he
+retired, first to Abbiategrasso, beyond the Ticino, and then to Milan,
+where he took refuge in the Castello with his wife and children. The
+Venetian annalist Malipiero records how, on the 20th of June, two
+Lombard friars arrived at the convent of San Salvador in Venice,
+bringing word that the duke had fled in terror of his life to the Rocca,
+and would hardly see or speak to a single soul. "He is in bad health,
+with one hand paralyzed, they say, and is hated by all the people, and
+fears they will rise against him." In this critical moment, Beatrice
+showed a courage and presence of mind which contrasted curiously with
+her husband's weakness. She sent for the chief Milanese noblemen, spoke
+brave words to them, and took prompt measures for defending the Castello
+and city. Fortunately, the Venetian general, Bernardo Contarini, arrived
+on the 22nd of June at the head of several thousand Greek Stradiots to
+the duke's assistance, while the French were held in check by Galeazzo's
+force and compelled to remain within the walls of Novara. This momentary
+panic over, Lodovico recovered his health and nerve, but his treasury
+was exhausted by the large subsidies granted to his allies and the
+extravagant expenditure of the last two years, and the forced loans
+which he exacted from his subjects created a general feeling of
+discontent. Galeazzo's force was weakened by continual desertion, and
+the duke had great difficulty in raising sufficient money to maintain
+two separate armies. Rumours of the disaffection of the Milanese and of
+the perils which threatened his ally had reached Maximilian's ears at
+Worms, and on the 18th of June he sent Lodovico a grave warning by his
+envoy, Angelo Talenti, begging the duke to place German troops in the
+fortress of Lombardy, and to provide guards for the castles of Milan and
+Como, "in order that he may be able to sleep in peace." Two days later
+he spoke again to the envoy, and begged him to urge the duke to remove
+his womankind from the Castello to Cremona, where he heard that he had a
+fine palace, saying that the presence of women had often caused the loss
+of citadels. Perhaps, if Maximilian had known Duchess Beatrice as well
+as he did a year later, he would have thought this warning superfluous.
+Lodovico, however, thanked his Majesty for his thoughtfulness, and
+applied himself, with the help of Leonardo, to fortify the Castello of
+Milan and make it an impregnable citadel. That winter he had appointed
+Bernardino del Corte, one of his favourite and most devoted servants, to
+be governor of the Rocca, which held his treasure and jewels together
+with all his most precious possessions, and on the 12th of January, a
+fortnight before the birth of Beatrice's child, the new castellan had
+taken a solemn oath of fealty to the duke and duchess, swearing, with
+his hand on the crucifix, that he would hold the Castello for his liege
+lord and lady till his latest breath. Messer Galeazzo and his brother,
+Antonio Maria di Sanseverino, Giasone del Maino, Ambrogio di Rosate, the
+astrologer, Galeotto Prince of Mirandola, and Giovanni Adorno, a
+powerful Genoese nobleman, who had married a sister of the Sanseverini
+brothers, were all present in Beatrice's room in the Rocchetta on this
+occasion, and signed the document as witnesses of Bernardino's oath.
+
+Maximilian now sent his long-promised contingent of Swiss and German
+troops to join the Count of Caiazzo's horse, and the Venetian army,
+under the generalship of Gian Francesco Gonzaga, and the allied forces,
+amounting in all to some twenty-five thousand men, prepared to cut off
+the retreat of the French king and prevent his return to Asti. "Here I
+am," wrote the Marquis of Mantua to his wife, "at the head of the finest
+army which Italy has ever seen, not only to resist, but to exterminate
+the French." And Isabella wrote back in high spirits at the "great
+enterprise" that was before him, sending him a cross with an Agnus Dei
+to wear round his neck in battle, and telling him that her prayers and
+those of all the priests of Mantua were with him.
+
+On Sunday, the 5th of July, the French army, reduced by sickness and
+desertion to less than ten thousand in number, and fatigued by long
+forced marches across the Apennines, descended into the valley of the
+Taro, and encamped at the village of Fornovo, on the right bank of the
+mountain torrent. Further along the same bank, down in the plains, lay
+the army of the league, and, in order to reach Lombardy, the French had
+to cross the river in full view of the enemy's camp. Early on Monday
+morning, the 6th of July, Charles, mounted on his favourite charger,
+"Savoy," and wearing white and purple plumes in his cap, led the van of
+his army across the Taro, swollen as it was by the late heavy rains. At
+the same moment, the Marquis of Mantua and the Count of Caiazzo, at the
+head of their light cavalry, attacked the French rear-guard, and the
+battle began. Paolo Giovio describes the engagement that followed as the
+fiercest battle of the age, in which more blood was spilt than in any
+other during the last two hundred years, although Commines, who was
+present with his monarch, says that the actual fighting only lasted a
+quarter of an hour. On both sides the leaders fought with heroic
+courage. Charles VIII. himself repeatedly led the charge against the
+Milanese horse, and, calling on the chivalry of France to live or die
+with him, dashed into the thickest of the fray. Once mounted on his
+war-horse, and face to face with the foe, the ugly little deformed man
+became a true king, and risked his life and liberty at the head of his
+subjects. Francesco Gonzaga, on his part, performed prodigies of valour,
+and had three horses killed under him, while his uncle, Rodolfo Gonzaga,
+and many other gallant knights were left dead on the field. But personal
+exploits could not atone for his want of generalship, and while the
+marquis and his immediate followers were engaged in a desperate
+hand-to-hand fight with the foe, a large body of his reserve remained
+inactive on the banks of the Taro, and his Stradiots were engaged in
+plundering the French camp. The result was that, in spite of their
+superior numbers, the Italian ranks were broken and many of the
+Venetians fled in confusion towards Parma, while the French succeeded in
+crossing the river, and, early on Tuesday morning, continued their march
+across the Lombard plain. But, as the camp and baggage remained in the
+hands of the allies, the Italians claimed the victory. The Venetians
+celebrated their triumph with public rejoicings and illuminations on the
+Piazza of S. Marco, and lauded their brave captain to the skies. Both at
+Milan and Mantua there was great exultation when the news became known;
+poets and painters alike did honour to the victors: Sperandio designed
+his noble medal, and Mantegna painted the Madonna della Vittoria to
+immortalize Francesco Gonzaga's triumph. But the marquis himself,
+writing to his wife from the camp the day after the battle, remarks that
+if only others had fought as he and his followers did, the victory would
+have been complete, and laments the disobedience and cowardice of the
+Stradiots, who first plundered the enemy's camp and then fled, although
+no one pursued them. "These things," he adds, "have caused me the
+greatest grief that I have ever known."
+
+Lodovico's congratulations on the victory were coldly worded, and evoked
+a reply from his brother-in-law, saying that if he had foiled in
+courage, he would have been a dead man. But the duke could not forgive
+Gonzaga for allowing the French to pursue their way unmolested. Only the
+Count of Caiazzo and his brothers had attempted to follow them with
+their light cavalry, who were too few in number to do the enemy serious
+damage, and by the 8th of July, Charles and his tired army reached Asti
+in safety.
+
+"God Himself was our guide," devoutly ejaculates Commines, "and led us
+home with honour, as that good man Fra Girolamo of Florence had
+foretold. But, as he said truly, we were made to suffer for our sins,
+for we were in sore need of food, and so great was our want of water
+that men drank of the ditches along the road; but no one was heard to
+complain, although it was the hardest journey I ever took in my life,
+and I have had many bad ones."
+
+Among the booty which fell into the hands of the marquis after the
+battle was the French king's tent with all its contents. These included
+a sword and helmet, said to have belonged to Charlemagne, a silver
+casket containing the royal seals, besides a set of rich hangings and
+altar-plate, and a jewelled cross and reliquary on which Charles set
+great value, because it held a sacred thorn and piece of wood from the
+holy cross, a vest of our Lady, and a limb of St. Denis, which were
+objects of his especial devotion. Many of these relics were eventually
+restored to the king, who, not to be outdone in courtesy, sent the
+marquis a favourite white horse of his, which had been captured by the
+French, gorgeously apparelled in gold trappings. Among the spoils sent
+to Mantua were a magnificent set of embroidered hangings from the royal
+tent, and a curious book of paintings, containing portraits of the chief
+Italian beauties who had fascinated King Charles. These, together with
+the hilt of the broken sword with which the marquis himself had fought
+in the _melee_, were joyfully received by Isabella, who counted these
+trophies among her proudest possessions. She was, accordingly, a good
+deal annoyed when, a week later, her husband desired her to send back
+the French king's hangings, as he wished to give them to her sister
+Beatrice. Her protest on this occasion is very characteristic.
+
+"MOST ILLUSTRIOUS LORD,
+
+"Your Excellency has desired me to send the four pieces of drapery that
+belonged to the French king, in order that you may present them to the
+Duchess of Milan. I of course obey you, but in this instance I must say
+I do it with great reluctance, as I think these royal spoils ought to
+remain in our family, in perpetual memory of your glorious deeds, of
+which we have no other record here. By giving them to others, you appear
+to surrender the honour of the enterprise with these trophies of the
+victory. I do not send them to-day, because they require a mule, and I
+also hope that you will be able to make some excuse to the duchess and
+tell her, for instance, that you have already given me these hangings.
+If I had not seen them already, I should not have cared so much; but
+since you gave them to me in the first place, and they were won at the
+peril of your own life, I shall only give them up with tears in my eyes.
+All the same, as I said before, I will obey your Excellency, but shall
+hope to receive some explanation in reply. If these draperies were a
+thousand times more valuable than they are, and had been acquired in any
+other way, I should gladly give them up to my sister the duchess, whom,
+as you know, I love and honour with all my heart. But, under the
+circumstances, I must own it is very hard for me to part with them.
+
+"Mantua, July 24, 1495."
+
+In this case Beatrice showed herself, as she habitually was, the more
+generous of the two. The marquis had his way, and sent the four hangings
+to Milan, followed by a fifth belonging to the suite, which he had in
+the mean time recovered.
+
+On the 25th of August, Beatrice, having duly received and admired her
+brother-in-law's gift, sent them all back to Mantua, with the following
+note, thanking him for his kindness, but declining to accept a present
+that she felt belonged of right to her sister:--
+
+"I have to-day received, by your Highness's courier, one of the pieces
+of drapery belonging to the King of France. Andrea Cossa had already
+brought me the other four, for which I thank you exceedingly; but I feel
+that, under the circumstances, I ought not to keep them. As it is, I
+have great pleasure in seeing them all together, and now your Highness
+can give them back to the Marchesana."[60]
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[60] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, pp. 632, 633.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+Ferrante II. recovers Naples--Siege of Novara by the army of the league
+--Review of the army by the Duke and Duchess of Milan--Charles VIII.
+visits Turin and comes to Vercelli--Negotiations for peace--Lodovic and
+Beatrice at the camp--Treaty of Vercelli concluded between France and
+Milan--Jealousy of the other Powers--Commines at Vigevano--Zenale's
+altar-piece in the Brera.
+
+1495
+
+
+If the failure of the league to cut off the French king's return to
+Fornovo had disappointed Lodovico, he found compensation in the news
+that reached Milan from Naples. Hardly had Charles VIII. started on his
+march northwards, than Ferrante once more set foot in his own realm and
+received a joyful welcome from his subjects. On the 7th of July, the day
+after the battle of the Taro, he entered Naples, where the people took
+up arms in his favour, and the nobles who had been the first to join the
+French king hastened to assure him of their loyalty. One by one the
+castles in the neighbourhood surrendered to their rightful king, and
+Montpensier with the remnant of his forces retired into the Calabrian
+fastnesses, to carry on a petty war of depredation and skirmishes during
+the winter months. Lodovico hastened to impart the good news to his
+sister-in-law Isabella, who replied in the following letter:--
+
+"MOST ILLUSTRIOUS DUKE OF MILAN AND DEAR LORD,
+
+"The news of King Ferrante's entry into Naples, which your Highness was
+so good as to send me, has given me the greatest pleasure, both for his
+Majesty's own sake and for that of your Highness, since it seems to me
+that all this must help to deliver us the more speedily from the hands
+of the French. So I congratulate myself with your Excellency, and thank
+you with all my heart for your kindness in allowing me to share the good
+news, which has indeed given me the greatest happiness. I only hope that
+you may soon receive tidings of the recovery of Novara, and begging you
+to keep me informed of your successes, and to commend me cordially to my
+sister the duchess,
+
+                              "I remain, your daughter and servant,
+                                                ISABELLA DA ESTE."[61]
+
+Written with my own hand in Mantua on the 16th of July, 1495."
+
+The siege of Novara, where the Duke of Orleans had been beleagured since
+the middle of June, was now the centre of interest in Lombardy.
+Immediately after Fornovo, the Count of Caiazzo's cavalry had joined his
+brother Galeazzo's force before Novara, and on the 19th of July the
+Marquis of Mantua encamped under the walls with the Venetian army. The
+garrison of the besieged city was six or seven thousand strong, and well
+provided with arms and ammunition, but already supplies of food were
+scarce, and men and horses were dying of sickness and hunger. Some
+dissensions having arisen between Francesco Gonzaga and the other
+leaders as to the conduct of the siege, the Duke of Milan himself
+visited the camp of the league on the 3rd of August, bringing with him,
+says Guicciardini, his beloved wife--"_la sua carissima consorte_"--who
+was his companion "no less in matters of importance than in actions
+familiar, and who on this occasion, it is said, chiefly by her advice
+and counsel brought the captains to an agreement." A council of war was
+held, and Lodovico's recommendation to blockade the town instead of
+carrying it by assault was finally adopted. On the 5th of August the
+duke and duchess were present at a grand review of the whole army,
+which, with Galeazzo's troops and the German and Swiss reinforcements,
+now amounted to upwards of forty thousand men. Never in the memory of
+man, say the chroniclers, had so great and splendid an army been seen in
+Italy as that which, with flying colours and beating drums, to the sound
+of trumpets and martial music, marched past the chariot of Duchess
+Beatrice. First came the hero of Fornovo, Francesco Gonzaga, at the head
+of his troop of horse, mounted on magnificent chargers, "a sight
+admirable to behold;" then the infantry, all in excellent order, led by
+their different Condottieri, in glittering armour; afterwards the
+artillery, firing big guns, which seemed to rend the air; then the
+Stradiots armed with lances, targets, and scimitars, and the Venetian
+cross-bowmen and light cavalry. These were followed by Galeazzo di
+Sanseverino, who looked his best that day, clad in French attire as a
+knight of the Order of St. Michel--for which, we are told, he was
+sharply reprimanded by the duke--followed by the flower of Milanese
+chivalry, bearing in their midst the ducal banner with the figure of a
+Moor, holding an eagle in one hand and strangling a dragon with the
+other. After Messer Galeaz came his brothers, Antonio Maria and
+Fracassa, "_ce tres-beau et tres-gracieux gendarme_," as Commines calls
+him, each leading his own squadron; and finally the German infantry,
+consisting of some five or six thousand men.
+
+"It was indeed," writes the Neapolitan scholar, Jacopo d'Atri, who was
+in attendance on his master, the Marquis of Mantua, "a stupendous sight,
+and all who were present say that since the days of the Romans, so vast
+and well-disciplined an army has never been seen." And the Marquis of
+Mantua, in his letters, never ceased to regret his wife's absence,
+telling her that she had missed the grandest sight in the world, a thing
+the like of which she would never see again.
+
+The only drawback to the day's success was an accident which befell the
+duke's horse, who stumbled and fell as Lodovico passed along the lines,
+throwing his rider to the ground, and soiling his rich clothes in the
+mud. "This," remarks the chronicler who tells the story, "was held to be
+an evil omen, and was remembered afterwards by many who were present
+that day." After this review, the duke and duchess returned to Vigevano,
+and the siege of Novara was prosecuted with fresh vigour. In vain Louis
+of Orleans and his famished soldiers looked out for the French army that
+was to bring them relief. King Charles had gone to visit his ally the
+Duchess of Savoy at Turin, and was consoling himself for the toil and
+disappointments of the campaign by making love to fair Anna Solieri in
+the neighbouring town of Chieri. Since his reduced forces were unequal
+to the task of facing the army of the league and relieving Novara, he
+sent the bailiff of Dijon to raise a body of twelve thousand Swiss in
+the Cantons friendly to France, and decided to await their arrival
+before he took active measures.
+
+Meanwhile he and most of his followers were thoroughly tired of warfare,
+and the queen never ceased imploring him to return home. The French
+supplies of men and money were exhausted, and when Charles sent home for
+reinforcements, Anne of Brittany replied that there were no Frenchmen
+left to send, only widows weeping for their husbands, whose bones were
+whitening on the Italian plains. The Venetian ambassador, Commines, who
+was strongly in favour of peace, had already opened negotiations with
+some of his friends in Venice, and Charles lent a willing ear both to
+his proposals and to those of the Duchess of Savoy, who on her part
+offered to mediate between him and the Duke of Milan. But Briconnet, the
+Cardinal of S. Malo, Lodovico's old enemy and a staunch partisan of
+Orleans, defeated these plans by his intrigues, and the French army,
+leaving Asti, advanced to Vercelli, in the duchy of Savoy, and prepared
+to take the field. Both parties, however, were growing weary of this
+prolonged warfare, and Commines declares that in the French camp no one
+wanted to fight, unless the king led them to battle, and that Charles
+himself had not the slightest wish to take the field.
+
+At length, early in September, the first detachment of Swiss levies
+reached Vercelli, and on the 12th the king himself arrived in the camp.
+His first act was to hold a council of war, which decided in favour of
+peace, and Commines was sent to treat with the Marquis of Mantua. The
+allies insisted on the unconditional surrender of Novara, while Charles
+VIII. asked for the restitution of Genoa as an ancient fief of the
+French crown. Nothing was concluded, but a truce of eight days was
+agreed upon, and prolonged conferences were held at a castle between
+Vercelli and Cameriano.
+
+On the 21st of September, Lodovico returned to the camp of the league,
+bringing Beatrice with him, and rode out to meet the French
+commissioners. Commines gives a minute account of the conferences, which
+took place in the duke's lodgings at Cameriano during the next
+fortnight.
+
+"Every day the duke and duchess came to meet us at the end of a long
+gallery and conducted us to their rooms, where we found two long rows of
+chairs prepared, and we sat down on one side, and the representatives of
+the league on the other. First came the ambassadors of the King of the
+Romans and the King of Spain; then the Marquis of Mantua and the
+Venetian Provveditori and envoy; then the Duke of Milan and his wife the
+duchess, seated between him and the ambassador of Ferrara. On their
+side, the duke was the only spokesman, and on our side one only. But our
+habit is not to speak as quietly as they do; two or three of us often
+began to speak at the same time, which made the duke say, 'Ho! ho! if
+you please, one at a time.' And two secretaries, one of ours and one of
+theirs, wrote down the articles agreed upon, and before we took leave,
+read them aloud, the one in Italian, the other in French, to see if
+there was anything that could be altered or shortened."
+
+Beatrice was present at all the deliberations, and surprised the other
+commissioners by her cleverness and quickness, and the ready tact she
+invariably showed. The duke was now sincerely anxious for peace, and
+only cared to recover Novara, and to see the French safely out of his
+dominions, where the presence of Louis of Orleans could not fail to
+prove a disturbing element. Both he and Commines directed all their
+efforts to bring matters to a favourable conclusion, but the other
+commissioners made difficulties, and the Venetian, Spanish, and German
+ambassadors would decide nothing without consulting their separate
+governments. The evacuation of Novara, however, was unanimously agreed
+upon, and on the 26th of September, Orleans and his garrison marched out
+with the honours of war, and were escorted by Messer Galeaz and the
+Marquis of Mantua to the French outposts. More than two thousand men had
+already died of sickness and starvation. Almost all their horses had
+been eaten, and the survivors were in a miserable plight. Many perished
+by the roadside, and Commines found fifty troopers in a fainting
+condition in a garden at Cameriano, and saved their lives by feeding
+them with soup. Even then one man died on the spot, and four others
+never reached the camp. Three hundred more died at Vercelli, some of
+sickness, others from over-eating themselves after the prolonged
+starvation which they had endured, and the dung-hills of the town were
+strewn with dead corpses. Yet still Orleans, who, as Commines remarks,
+had caused all this mischief, was eager for war, and entreated the king
+to make no terms with Signor Lodovico. He had a strong supporter in the
+Milanese captain, Jean Jacques Trivulzio, who had entered the French
+king's service after Alfonso's flight from Naples, and had never
+forgotten his old griefs against Lodovico and his son-in-law. And on the
+selfsame day that Novara was evacuated, the bailiff of Dijon arrived at
+Vercelli with ten or twelve thousand more Swiss mercenaries, bringing up
+the whole number to upwards of twenty thousand. So large a body had
+never been assembled before, and the presence of these rude
+mountaineers, greedy for spoil and ready to quarrel with friends or
+foes, created general alarm. The Duke of Milan was now more eager than
+ever to conclude peace, and when Louis of Orleans and Trivulzio urged
+the king to break off negotiations and march at the head of the Swiss on
+Milan, Charles replied curtly that it was too late, for the
+preliminaries of peace were already signed. He himself had no wish but
+to return home and send help to his distressed troops in Naples.
+
+Accordingly, on the 9th of October a separate convention was concluded
+between the King of France and the Duke of Milan, leaving the other
+Powers to settle their differences among themselves. Novara was restored
+to Lodovico, and his title to Genoa and Savona recognized, while Charles
+renounced the support of his cousin Louis of Orleans' claims upon Milan.
+In return the duke promised not to assist Ferrante with troops or ships,
+to give free passage to French armies, and assist the king with Milanese
+troops if he returned to Naples in person. He further renounced his
+claim on Asti, and agreed to pay the Duke of Orleans 50,000 ducats as a
+war indemnity, and lend the king two ships as transports for his
+soldiers from Genoa to Naples. A debt of 80,000 ducats, that was still
+owing to Lodovico, was cancelled, and the Castelletto of the port of
+Genoa was placed in the Duke of Ferrara's hands, as a security that
+these engagements would be kept on both sides. The king, we learn from
+Commines, still retained a friendly feeling for the Duke of Milan, and
+invited him to a meeting before he left Italy; but Lodovico had taken
+umbrage at certain offensive remarks made by the Count of Ligny and
+Cardinal Briconnet, and excused himself on plea of illness, while he
+declared in private that he would not trust himself in the French king's
+company unless a river ran between them. "It is true," says Commines,
+"that foolish words had been spoken, but the king meant well, and wished
+to remain his friend."
+
+The Marquis of Mantua was better disposed towards his Most Christian
+Majesty, and gladly accepted an invitation to visit the king at Vercelli
+before his departure. He wrote to his wife in great haste, begging her
+to send him his finest linen shirts and best gold brocade vest and
+mantle, together with different sorts of choice perfumes, and the next
+day duly made his obeisance to the king. He was highly gratified at the
+courtesy with which he was received, and at the familiar way in which
+his Majesty conversed, not only with himself, but with his servants,
+"treating them exactly as if they were his equals" and condescending to
+lift his hand to his cap each time they saluted him." What impressed
+this rough soldier most of all was the sight of three cardinals standing
+among the crowd at the door, "just as the chaplains may be seen in any
+other house," and among them the cardinal of S. Pietro in Vincula
+(afterwards Julius II.), "who dares contend with the Pope, and who yet
+stood here in the humblest and most respectful fashion." Before the
+marquis left, the king made him a present of two valuable bay horses,
+remarkable for their fine shape and speed. One of the two was an
+excellent jumper, and delighted Francesco by the way in which he could
+clear wide trenches and lofty fences at a single bound, "jumping with
+all four feet in the air at once."
+
+At the same time Gonzaga's secretary, Jacopo d'Atri, informed the
+Marchesa that the priest Bernardino d'Urbino and a troop of Mantuan
+singers had been sent that evening to amuse the king. Charles questioned
+the chaplain closely about his master's wife, asking for an exact
+description of her person, height, and features, and being especially
+anxious to learn if Isabella at all resembled the Duchess Beatrice, and
+if, like that illustrious lady, she was as charming and gracious as she
+was beautiful. Don Bernardino replied discreetly that the Marchesa was,
+to say the truth, even more beautiful than her sister, and surpassed all
+other ladies by her charm and brilliancy. This roused the king's
+curiosity to the highest pitch, and he insisted on having a full and
+particular account of Isabella's talents and accomplishments, as well as
+of the gowns she usually wore and the fashion of her clothes, and
+rejoiced to hear she was not very tall, since he himself was short of
+stature and admired small women. "In short," adds the secretary, "his
+Majesty appeared quite in love with my description of your Excellency,
+and if he meets you, will, I am sure, seek to kiss your cheek, not once,
+but many times. And this being the case, I am glad to be able to tell
+you that the King of France is less deformed than people say."[62]
+
+The desired meeting, however, was never effected. Immediately peace was
+signed, Charles VIII. left Vercelli, crossed the Alps with the remnants
+of his army, and reached Lyons on the 7th of November. Commines,
+meanwhile, was sent on a further errand to Venice, where he vainly
+endeavoured to negotiate a treaty, but found the Signoria determined to
+maintain the cause of Ferrante of Naples. The Venetians were not sorry
+to disband their army and see the French cross the Alps; but none the
+less their indignation was great at the Duke of Milan's breach of faith
+in concluding a separate peace, and sharp words passed between the
+ambassadors of Spain and Naples and the Milanese envoy at Venice.
+
+"The best thing, in my opinion," remarks the annalist Malipiero, "would
+have been for Contarini to give the Stradiots orders to cut to pieces
+both Duke Lodovico and Ercole of Ferrara, who are the Signory's worst
+enemies. And the truth is, you should never take part in another's
+quarrel, or enter the country of a foreign ally, for in these matters no
+one is to be trusted."
+
+[Illustration: Altar piece ascribed to Zenale with portraits of Lodovico
+Sforza and Beatrice d'Este (Brera)
+
+D. Anderson.]
+
+Maximilian, on his part, was satisfied with Lodovico's excuses, and
+owned that the duke was right to make peace without delay. As for
+Lodovico, it was with a deep sense of relief that he saw the departure
+of the last French troops. He invited the Duke of Ferrara, the
+Marquis of Mantua, and the Venetian Provveditori to Vigevano, and
+entertained them all magnificently. When, on his return from Venice,
+Commines in his turn visited Vigevano, the duke rode out to meet him
+with charming courtesy, and bade the French ambassador welcome to his
+beautiful country home. But when they came to business, it was another
+matter. Commines heard from Genoa that the two ships, which the Duke of
+Milan was to send to Naples with the French fleet, had received orders
+not to sail, and when he asked for an explanation, Lodovico told him
+that he could put no trust or confidence in his master the king. At the
+end of three days the ambassador took his leave, and just as he was
+starting on his journey, to his surprise the duke came up to him very
+civilly, and said that, after all, he wished to keep on friendly terms
+with his Most Christian Majesty, and had determined to send Messer
+Galeaz with the ships to Naples, and that before Commines reached Lyons
+he should receive a letter to this effect. So Commines crossed the Alps
+with a light heart, and all the way to Lyons he kept looking back, he
+tells us, in constant expectation of hearing the sound of horse's hoofs
+behind him. But the duke's messenger did not overtake him, and the ships
+never sailed from Genoa.
+
+That year the festival of Christmas was celebrated with great joy and
+splendour at the court of Milan. After the troubled times of the last
+twelve months, after the dangers which had threatened the very existence
+of the State, and brought the noise of war to the gates of Vigevano,
+peace and tranquillity were once more restored, and another era of
+unclouded prosperity seemed about to dawn. Now that poor Giangaleazzo
+was dead, and Louis of Orleans had once more crossed the Alps, there was
+no one to dispute Lodovico's title or to prevent his son from eventually
+succeeding him on the throne. Once more he and Beatrice were free to
+devote themselves to the encouragement of learning and poetry, of
+painting and architecture; to watch Bramante and Leonardo at work, or
+read Dante and Petrarch together.
+
+That winter the altar-piece of the Brera, containing the portraits of
+the duke and his family, was painted by Zenale or some other Lombard
+master, for the church of S. Ambrogio in Nemo. Here the Madonna and
+Child are enthroned in the centre of the picture; the four Fathers of
+the Church, Ambrose, Augustine, Jerome, and Gregory, stand on either
+side; and in the foreground, kneeling at the foot of the throne, are the
+Duke and Duchess of Milan, with their two children. The Christ-child
+turns towards Lodovico, and St. Ambrose, the protector and patron saint
+of Milan, lays his hand on the shoulder of the duke, as, clad in rich
+brocades and wearing a massive gold chain round his neck, he clasps his
+hands in prayer. And the gentle Madonna stretches out her hand lovingly
+towards Beatrice, who kneels at her feet, with the long coil of twisted
+hair, and the pearls on her head and neck, and her favourite knots of
+ribbons fluttering from her shoulders or falling over the velvet stripes
+of her yellow satin robe. Close at her side is the infant prince,
+Francesco Sforza, with his baby face and swaddled clothes; while
+opposite, kneeling at his father's side, is the handsome little Count of
+Pavia. Here, at least, there is no doubt that we have authentic
+portraits of both Lodovico Sforza and Beatrice d'Este, the reigning Duke
+and Duchess of Milan, towards the close of the year 1495. There is no
+mistaking the long black hair, the refined features, and long nose of
+the Moro, while in Beatrice's features we recognize the same youthful
+and child-like charm that mark her countenance in Cristoforo Romano's
+bust or Solari's effigy in the Certosa of Pavia.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[61] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit_., p. 627.
+
+[62] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 630.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+The war of Pisa--Venice defends the liberties of Pisa against Florence
+--Lodovico invites Maximilian to enter Italy and succour the Pisans--The
+Duke and Duchess of Milan go to meet the emperor at Mals--Maximilian
+crosses the Alps and comes to Vigevano--His interview with the Venetian
+envoys--His expedition to Pisa.
+
+1496
+
+
+"After Fornovo," wrote the Venetian Malipiero, "Lodovico Duke of Milan
+governed all things in Italy." The departure of the French had left him
+practically the arbiter between the other Powers, and afforded him fresh
+opportunities of satisfying his ambitious schemes. He had long cherished
+hopes of recovering the city of Pisa, upon which the Dukes of Milan had
+ancient claims, and in September, 1495, while Orleans still held Novara,
+he sent Fracassa, at the head of a band of Genoese archers, to help the
+Pisans defend their newly recovered liberties against the Florentines.
+Three months later Fracassa was recalled, in tardy compliance with the
+condition of the Treaty of Vercelli; but early in the following year,
+the Pisans, finding themselves deserted by the French, turned once more
+to Lodovico and implored his help. At the same time they sought
+assistance from the Signory of Venice, who, in March, 1496, publicly
+took the city of Pisa under the protection of St. Mark, and helped their
+new allies with liberal supplies of men and money. The Duke of Milan
+sent a small brigade to join these forces, and strongly encouraged the
+Venetians to bear the burden of a war from which in the end he hoped to
+reap solid advantage. But his secret jealousy of Venice, as well as
+rumours that Charles VIII. was meditating a second French expedition to
+relieve the distressed garrison of Naples, induced him to seek the help
+of a new ally In the person of the Emperor Maximilian.
+
+Early in the spring he sent the Marchesino Stanga across the Alps to
+invite Maximilian to come to the help of Pisa, which as an imperial city
+had already appealed to him for protection, assuring him that his
+presence in Italy would maintain the balance of power between Venice and
+Florence, and curb the French king's ambition. The prospect of
+descending upon Italy and assuming the imperial crown flattered
+Maximilian's vanity, but, as usual, his movements were hampered by lack
+of money. At length he agreed to meet the Duke of Milan on the frontier
+of Tyrol and the Valtellina, and discuss their future plan of operations
+together.
+
+On the 5th of July the emperor left Innsbruck for Nauders, and on the
+same day the duke and duchess, accompanied by Galeazzo di Sanseverino
+and the Count of Melzi, set out on their journey up the lake of Como to
+Bormio, in the Valtellina, On the 17th they reached the Abbey of Mals,
+"an ancient monastery," says Cagnola, "at the foot of those terrible
+mountains on the way to Germany;" and two days afterwards, received a
+message from Maximilian, informing the duke and duchess that he was
+about to pay them a visit, but begging them not to leave their lodgings,
+as he wished the meeting to be informal and without ceremony. Early on
+the morning of the 20th, the gay music of hunting-horns woke the
+mountain echoes, and a hunting-party suddenly appeared at the gates of
+the old Benedictine abbey. First came a hundred soldiers on foot,
+bearing long lances, then fifty German lords in hunting-garb, with
+falcons on their wrists. These were followed by his Imperial Majesty, a
+princely figure in his simple grey cloth tunic and black velvet cap,
+with a lion's skin hanging over his thighs, and the badge of the Golden
+Fleece on his breast. A troop of servants and pages, in the imperial
+liveries of red, white, and yellow, brought up the rear of the
+procession, that wound along the steep mountain-side and halted before
+the convent, where the Duke of Milan had his lodgings.
+
+The Venetian ambassador, Francesco Foscari, hearing of Maximilian's
+proposed visit, had, on Lodovico's invitation, followed him across the
+Alps, accompanied by the Cardinal of Santa Croce, the papal nuncio.
+Both these envoys waited on the emperor at Mals, and that evening
+Foscari's secretary, Conrade Vimerca, wrote the following account of the
+meeting between Maximilian and the duke and duchess in his despatches to
+Venice:--
+
+"His Majesty alighted with an eagerness which seemed to me only too
+great, and went upstairs, where he found the duke alone with the
+duchess, and spent half an hour in close and affectionate intercourse
+with them both. Afterwards they all three attended mass in the
+neighbouring church, and his Majesty appeared, leading the duchess with
+his right hand and the duke with his left, with such demonstrations of
+love and familiarity as can hardly be described. All three then rode on
+horseback to the emperor's lodgings at Colorno (Glurns), some eight
+miles distant, where his Majesty entertained the duke and duchess and
+all their suite at dinner under a pavilion, which had been erected under
+the trees. His Majesty insisted on both the duke and duchess washing
+their hands with him in the same bowl, and, sitting down between them at
+table, himself helped first one, then the other, from the endless
+variety of dishes spread out before them. All this he did with an ease
+and kindness beyond anything that I have ever seen in royal personages.
+Each time the duke spoke he took off his cap, and his Majesty did the
+same. After dinner they remained for some while in pleasant
+conversation, and then rode all three together to another place called
+Mals, one mile further off, his Majesty bearing all the expenses of the
+entertainment. To-morrow night they will remain together here, and there
+will be some time for discussion. I am quite sure," adds the Venetian
+secretary, "after this that we shall see his Majesty in Italy next
+August, and this you may hold to be absolutely certain. As for the King
+of France, they do not even mention his name or think of him any more
+than if he did not exist."
+
+Although the Signoria of Venice had joined the Duke of Milan in inviting
+Maximilian to come to Italy, and had promised him their assistance, they
+were secretly not a little alarmed at the prospect of another foreign
+invasion, fearing, as one of their chroniclers observes, that the
+Germans might prove to be even greater barbarians than the French. In
+the interview which Foscari had with the emperor at Mals, he endeavoured
+politely to dissuade him from entering Italy with a German army; but,
+as his secretary remarked, it was too late, for the Duke of Milan willed
+that he should come. Nor were the jealous Venetians altogether pleased
+to see the marks of friendship and confidence with which the German
+emperor honoured Lodovico and his wife. The familiarity with which
+Maximilian treated both the duke and duchess, and the evident pleasure
+which he took in their company, seemed little short of marvellous in the
+eyes of both Foscari and his secretary.
+
+The singular charm and intelligence of Beatrice made a deep impression
+upon Maximilian, who could not but contrast her brightness and
+cleverness with the dulness and ignorance of his own Milanese wife. And
+the duke's polished manners and cultured tastes could not fail to exert
+a powerful fascination upon a monarch whose genuine love of art and
+romance made him in his way as remarkable a type of the Renaissance as
+the Moro himself. Even apart from political considerations, this meeting
+between the two princes, that summer-time in the mountains of Tyrol, was
+an event of deep interest, and we can only regret that no record of
+Beatrice's impressions on this occasion has been left us.
+
+A conference between the emperor, the Duke of Milan, and the ambassadors
+was held on the evening of that eventful day, and the details of the
+convention between the allied powers was finally agreed upon. A new
+league, which Henry the Seventh of England was afterwards invited to
+join, was formed between the Emperor Maximilian, the Duke of Milan, the
+Pope, the King of Spain, and the Venetian Republic; and Venice and Milan
+promised Maximilian a subsidy of 16,000 ducats if he would cross the
+Alps with an army, and compel the Florentines to give up Pisa and
+Leghorn.
+
+On the following day, the Venetian ambassador and the papal legate took
+their leave, and Maximilian accompanied the duke and duchess over the
+Alps to Bormio, where he joined in a chamois-hunt, and then rode back
+with his retinue across the mountains to meet the empress at Tirano.
+Lodovico and Beatrice travelled back to Milan, where they kept the feast
+of the "glorious martyr St, Lawrence," on the 10th of August, with
+unwonted splendour, and then retired to Vigevano to prepare for the
+emperor's speedy return.
+
+Before the end of the month, Maximilian had once more crossed that
+"_crudelissima montagna_" of Braulio (Piz Umbrail), and was at Bellagio
+on the Lake of Como, where Fracassa received him, and with five other
+Milanese knights held a _baldacchino_ over his head as he rode up to the
+Marchesino Stanga's Castle on the hills.
+
+"But he only brought six secretaries and two hundred horsemen with him,
+and as before was simply clad in a suit of grey cloth," remarks a
+Venetian writer: "the pettiest German baron would have come with more
+pomp!" A few days afterwards, the emperor went on to the ducal villa at
+Meda, near Como, where Lodovico met him with the Cardinal di Santa Croce
+and Foscari, and conducted him, on the 2nd of September, to see Duchess
+Beatrice at Vigevano. Here he remained for the next three weeks,
+enjoying the beauties of the Moro's favourite summer palace, and
+admiring the perfection of Lodovico's latest improvements--the clock
+recently constructed by Bramante, the marble capitals of the great hall,
+and the model farm and stables of the Sforzesca. Maximilian had
+originally intended to visit Milan, and the erection of a triumphal arch
+in the Roman style had been ordered by the duke, together with other
+decorations on a vast scale; but at the last moment this idea was
+abandoned. The Venetian, Marino Sanuto, unkindly suggests that the Moro
+would not allow the emperor to come to Milan, lest he should see Duchess
+Isabella's son, who was the rightful heir to the crown. In all
+probability the true reason lay in Maximilian's dislike of
+state-pageants, and his preference for the freedom and country pleasures
+of Vigevano. As he told the Venetian ambassador, he preferred to travel
+about in different places and enjoy himself in his own way. And His
+Majesty added, with a frankness by no means agreeable to Foscari and his
+government, that he had no need of his company, and he preferred to be
+alone, since Duke Lodovico, with whom he was very intimate, could tell
+him all that he wished to know. With which distinctly unpalatable piece
+of information the ambassador had to be content. Maximilian, he was
+compelled to acknowledge, had come to Italy as the sworn friend and ally
+of the Duke of Milan, and the Republic must stoop to take the second
+place in the councils of the League.
+
+If Beatrice's charms had captivated the wise emperor at their first
+meeting in the mountains of the Valtellina, he found her a thousand
+times more fascinating at her beautiful country home, with her children
+in her arms. He took great interest in both her little boys, and begged
+that the elder of the two, Ercole, should bear the name of Maximilian,
+by which he became known in future days. In memory of this visit the
+emperor's portrait was introduced in the beautiful miniatures which
+illustrate Maximilian Sforza's Book of Prayers, or Libro di Gesu, still
+preserved in the Trivulzian Library. Here the young count is represented
+on horseback, receiving his illustrious cousin, while the words of the
+Latin oration, which he is in the act of reciting, are illuminated on
+the front page.
+
+The Venetian Signory had decided to send two special ambassadors to
+congratulate the emperor on his arrival in Italy, and on the 14th these
+envoys, Antonio Grimani and Marco Morosini, reached Milan, where they
+were received by Galeazzo Sforza, Count of Melzi, and lodged in the
+Palazzo del Verme, then inhabited by Madonna Cecilia Gallerani and her
+husband Count Lodovico Bergamini, and lately decorated with frescoes and
+marbles at the duke's expense. Early the next day they travelled by boat
+to Abbiategrasso, past the fair villas and smiling gardens that charmed
+the eyes of Jean d'Auton when he travelled along the banks of the
+Ticino. Here Foscari, who was already in attendance on the emperor, came
+to meet them, and they rode into Vigevano, where they were received by
+the Count of Caiazzo and Galeotto della Mirandola, and listened in
+torrents of rain to a Latin oration that was delivered in Maximilian's
+name. It was already dark when the ambassadors reached the Castello, but
+the duke himself rode out to welcome them, and conducted them to their
+lodgings in the palace of his son-in-law, Galeazzo di Sanseverino. Here
+the duke's own daughter, Madonna Bianca, the youthful bride whom Messer
+Galeaz had brought home a few weeks before, entertained her father's
+guests, and bade them welcome in the name of her gallant husband, who
+was laid up with an attack of fever, and was unable to leave his room
+or attend to business. The next day the ambassadors were granted an
+audience, at which Marino Sanuto, as a member of Foscari's suite, was
+himself present. His Majesty, whom the Venetian described as a
+magnificent-looking man of thirty-seven, with long hair already turning
+white, and perfect manners, received them at the top of the grand
+staircase, on the first floor of the Castello. As usual, he was clad in
+black and wore a long velvet mantle, and a black woollen cap trimmed
+with cords in the French style, having taken a vow to wear no colours
+until he had defeated the Turks, while his sole ornament was a gold
+chain, with the badge of the Golden Fleece, which hung round his neck.
+He was seated on a dais, draped with cloth of gold, with the Duke of
+Milan on his right hand, and the Cardinal di Santa Croce on his left.
+The ambassadors of Naples and Spain were also present, as well as the
+Count of Caiazzo, the Marchesino Stanga, Don Angelo de' Talenti, the
+Bishops of Como and Piacenza, the secretary de' Negri, and other
+well-known Milanese courtiers. Marco Morosini then pronounced an elegant
+harangue, which was praised by all present, and graciously accepted by
+the emperor, who conversed affably with the envoys on general subjects.
+Afterwards Marino Sanuto was presented to the Duchess Beatrice, who, he
+remarks, "never leaves her lord's side, although she is once more with
+child,"--and her two fine little boys, "Ercole, whose name has been
+changed by His Majesty's desire to Maximilian, and who is called Count
+of Pavia, and a second named Sforza." A succession of _fetes_ and
+hunting-parties was given by the duke for the entertainment of his
+imperial guest during the next week, and ending with a "_Caccia
+bellissima_" to which the cardinal-legate, all the princes, ambassadors,
+and courtiers were invited. Two hundred riders took part in the hunt
+that day, and "I myself," adds the grave historian, "was there and saw a
+hare caught by a leopard."
+
+On the 23rd of September the emperor took leave of the Duchess Beatrice,
+who presented him, as a parting gift, with a superb litter, made of
+woven gold, richly adorned with fine needlework--"the most beautiful
+thing which I have ever seen," writes Sanuto, "and valued at a thousand
+ducats." The duke accompanied his guest as far as Tortona, where he
+left Maximilian to go on to Genoa, and thence by sea to Pisa.
+
+"There are, people say, three reasons," remarked Marino Sanuto, "why His
+Imperial Majesty is such fast friends with the Duke of Milan. In the
+first place, he sees that Lodovico has great power and authority
+throughout Italy. In the second, he hopes to get some money out of him.
+And in the third place, he looks on him as a useful ally against the
+King of France."
+
+Happily for both the emperor and the Duke of Milan's peace of mind, the
+French king's military ardour had soon died away, and although Trivulzio
+was sent to Asti, and Orleans would gladly have followed him, Charles
+the Eighth spent his time in jousts and hunting-parties, and forgot his
+unhappy subjects in Southern Italy. Ferrante, assisted by a Venetian
+force under Francesco Gonzaga, recovered one fortress after another. On
+the 29th of July, Montpensier, after holding the fortified city of
+Atella during many months, was forced to capitulate with his five
+thousand men, and himself died of fever a few weeks later at Pozzuoli.
+Most of his troops shared the same fate, and few of that gallant army
+lived to return to France. Suddenly, in the midst of his victorious
+career, the young king Ferrante, who had a few months before obtained a
+papal dispensation to marry his father's youthful half-sister, Princess
+Joan, died of fever, brought on by the fatigues and hardships to which
+he had exposed himself in the previous campaign. His death was deeply
+lamented alike by his subjects and his relatives at Milan and Mantua,
+who retained a sincere affection for this brave and popular prince.
+Fortunately, his uncle and successor Frederic, the fifth king who had
+reigned over Naples during the last three years, proved a wise and
+capable monarch. By degrees he succeeded in capturing the few remaining
+castles still held by the French, and once more restored peace to his
+distracted kingdom. Such was the state of affairs that autumn, when the
+German emperor landed at Pisa on the 21st of October. The citizens
+received him with acclamations, and, pulling down the French king's
+statue, as they had broken the lion of Florence in pieces two years
+before, placed the imperial eagle on the top of the column in the public
+square. But they were once more doomed to disappointment. Maximilian,
+finding himself, as usual, ill supplied with both men and money, and
+being inadequately supported by his allies of Venice and Milan, was
+unable to prosecute the war against Florence with any vigour. He
+attempted to besiege Leghorn; but his fleet was scattered and many of
+his ships were wrecked by a violent storm, after which he gave up the
+undertaking, saying that he could not fight against both God and man.
+One day towards the end of November, he suddenly took his departure,
+and, leaving Pisa, returned by Sarzana to Pavia. The Venetians saw the
+failure of this expedition and the fruitless result of their large
+expenditure of men and money, with great dissatisfaction, and attributed
+most of the blame to Duke Lodovico.
+
+"Things go badly for the Signory at Pisa," wrote Malipiero, who was
+himself on board the Venetian fleet that sailed with Maximilian against
+Leghorn, "and the cause of this is Lodovico Duke of Milan.... His pride
+and arrogance are beyond description. He boasts that Pope Alexander is
+his chaplain, the Emperor Maximilian his condottiere, the Signory of
+Venice his chamberlain, since they spend their money largely to attain
+his ends, and the King of France his courier, who comes and goes at his
+pleasure. Truly a fearful state of things!"
+
+And Marino Sanuto remarked, "The Duke of Milan is one of the wisest men
+in the world, but his success has rendered him very ungrateful to
+Venice, whose secret enemy he will always remain. He made a great
+mistake in allowing the Duke of Orleans to escape from Novara, and some
+day he will be punished for his bad faith. For he never keeps his
+promises, and when he says one thing, always does another. All men fear
+him, because fortune is propitious to him in everything. But none the
+less, I believe that he will not continue long in prosperity, for God is
+just, and will punish him because he is a traitor and never keeps faith
+with any one."
+
+The Florentine Guicciardini moralized in much the same strain, saying
+that Lodovico publicly vaunted himself to be the son of Fortune, "little
+remembering the inconstancy of human fame," and flattered himself that
+he would always be able to govern the affairs of Italy, "with his
+industrie to turn and winde the minds of every one. This fond
+persuasion he could not dissemble, neither in himself, nor in his
+peoples, in so much that Milan day and night was replenished with voices
+vaine and glorious, celebrating with verses Latine and vulgar and with
+publicke orations full of flatterie, the wonderfull wisedom of Lodowike
+Sforce, on the which they made to depend the peace and warre of Italy,
+exalting his name even to the third heaven."
+
+In those days the bard of Pistoja proclaimed that there was one God in
+heaven and one Moro upon earth, and sang the praises of this great and
+divine Duca, who alone could open and close the doors of the Temple of
+Janus and make peace or war in Italy, while Gaspare Visconti extolled
+the talents and virtues of Duchess Beatrice as surpassing those of all
+the most illustrious women of antiquity. Then Leonardo designed that
+famous series of allegories in his sketch-book, in which Duke Lodovico
+is represented alternately as Fortune, driving the squalid figure of
+Poverty away with a golden wand, and throwing his ducal mantle over a
+helpless youth who flies before the ugly hag; or as supreme Wisdom,
+wearing the spectacles which can pierce through all disguises, and
+pronouncing sentence between Envy on the one hand and Justice on the
+other. Then Bramante painted those frescoes on the walls of the Castello
+of Milan, in which the Moro was seen crowned and seated on his throne,
+under a stately portico, administering justice, with four councillors
+and two pages at his side, while the criminal trembled before him, and
+officers of state held the scales and prepared to carry out the
+sentence. And then, too, somewhere else in the palace, an unknown
+Lombard master painted that fresco of Italy as a fair queen, with the
+names of the chief cities embroidered on her robes, and the Moro
+standing at her side, brushing the dust off her skirts with the
+_scopetta_ or little broom, that favourite emblem which appears in so
+many illuminated books of the day. On the wall below the painting, the
+following motto was inscribed:--
+
+"_Per Italia nettar d'ogni bruttura_."
+
+"Take care, my lord duke," the Florentine ambassador is reported to have
+said, when Lodovico graciously explained the meaning of the
+allegory--"take care the negro who is so busy brushing Italy's skirts
+does not cover himself with dust in his turn!" The courteous duke only
+smiled at the jest, and shrugged his shoulders; but others overheard the
+remark and repeated it, much to the satisfaction of his foes in Florence
+and Venice.
+
+The fame of the great and powerful Duke of Milan had reached the distant
+cliffs of Albion and the palace of Westminster, and that November
+Lodovico received a letter from Henry VII. of England, rejoicing with
+his new ally on the conclusion of the League against France, and the
+visit of the emperor to Italy. The king further informed him that "the
+treaty had been solemnly proclaimed by the Cardinal-Archbishop of
+Conturberi, on the Feast of All Saints, in the cathedral church of the
+Blessed Apostle St. Paul, in our city of London." And our friend, Marino
+Sanuto, proceeds to improve the occasion by informing us that "this King
+Enrico has for wife Madonna Ysabeta, daughter of the late King Edward,
+because he defended the cause of Richard, brother of the said Edward.
+And he has two sons, Artur, prince of Squales, which is a neighbouring
+island, and the Duke of Yorche."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+Isabella d'Este joins her husband in Naples--Works of Bramante and
+Leonardo in the Castello of Milan--The Cenacolo--Lodovico sends for
+Perugino--His passion for Lucrezia Crivelli--Grief of Beatrice--Death of
+Bianca Sforza--The Emperor Maximilian at Pavia--The Duke and Duchess
+return to Milan--Last days and sudden death of Beatrice d'Este.
+
+1496
+
+
+The records we have of Beatrice's private life during this busy year are
+very meagre and disappointing. Scarcely one of her letters, belonging to
+this period, has been preserved, while those which her sister Isabella
+addressed to Milan are almost as rare. The _marchesa's_ time and
+thoughts had been much engaged in public affairs during the absence of
+her husband with the Venetian forces at Naples, and she had little
+leisure for correspondence. On the 13th of July she gave birth to a
+second child, which, to her great disappointment, proved to be another
+girl, who received the name of Margherita, but only lived a few weeks.
+Of this event the duchess was duly informed, and, in sending her
+congratulations, was able to tell her sister that she was hoping to
+become the mother of a third child early in the following year. In
+September the marquis fell dangerously ill of fever, and his wife
+hurried to join him in Calabria, and, as soon as he was able to move,
+brought him back by slow stages to Mantua. During that summer, the only
+letter of interest which Isabella wrote to the Milanese court was a note
+to her friend, the jester Barone, begging him to find out for her how
+Messer Galeazzo and others who like him are the glass of fashion, manage
+to dye their hair black on certain occasions, and afterwards resume the
+natural colour of their locks, adding that she remembers distinctly to
+have seen Count Francesco Sforza with black locks one day, and the next
+with brown.
+
+On the 9th of November, Lodovico wrote an imperative note from Vigevano
+to the Castellan of the Rocchetta, Bernardino del Corte, desiring him to
+see that the walls of the new rooms are dry and ready for habitation by
+the end of the month, since the duchess must have the use of the
+apartments adjoining the ball-room during her approaching confinement,
+and telling him to ask Bergonzio, the treasurer, for money, if more
+should be required. Bernardino replied that the rooms were finished, and
+that good fires had been lighted to dry the walls, and that the whole
+suite would be furnished by the following week and ready to receive the
+duchess. He also informed the duke that the new rooms on the side of the
+garden would be completed by Christmas, and told him that Bramante,
+after finishing the arcades of the new gallery between the ball-room and
+Rocchetta, had begun the design of the new tower. Both Leonardo and
+Bramante were employed on extensive works in the Castello during the
+duke's absence that summer, although the Florentine master, we know, was
+chiefly engaged in finishing his great fresco in the refectory of the
+Dominican convent outside the Porta Vercellina. Often during the summer
+heats, Matteo Bandello, then a young novice of the Order, saw the
+Florentine master at noonday, "when the sun was in the sign of the
+Lion," leave the Corte Vecchia, where he was finishing his great horse,
+and, hurrying through the streets to the Grazie, mount the scaffold,
+brush in hand, and put a few touches to some of the figures in the
+Cenacolo, after which he would hurry away as quickly as he came. Often
+too the young friar watched him at his work; "for this excellent
+painter," Matteo tells us, "always liked to hear other people give their
+opinions freely on his pictures." Many a time the young Dominican saw
+Messer Leonardo ascend the scaffold in the early morning, and remain
+there from sunrise till the hour of twilight, forgetting to eat and
+drink, and painting all the while without a moment's pause. Sometimes
+again he would not paint a single stroke for several days, but just
+stand before the picture during one or two hours, contemplating his
+work, and considering and examining the different figures. And the
+friars were very much annoyed because of the master's delays, and
+complained to the duke, who paid him so large a sum for the work, that
+he had not yet begun the head of the traitor Judas. When the duke asked
+Leonardo why he left this head undone, he replied that during the last
+year he had been vainly seeking in all the worst streets of Milan to
+find a type of criminal who would suit the character of Judas, but that
+if desired he would introduce the prior's own likeness, which he thought
+would answer the purpose excellently! This answer is said to have amused
+the duke highly, and Lodovico and his painter had a good laugh together
+at the expense of the prior.
+
+But since Leonardo was otherwise engaged, and another painter who had
+been employed in the Castello suddenly disappeared, owing, we are told,
+to some scandal in which he was concerned, the duke determined to send
+to Florence for another artist to complete the decorations of his new
+rooms. There was evidently no Lombard master whom he considered equal to
+the task, and since Lorenzo de' Medici had sent him Leonardo, there
+might be some other artists of rare excellence among his
+fellow-citizens. So Lodovico wrote to his envoy at Florence, and desired
+him to let him have a full description of the best painters then living
+there. In reply, he received the following list, which is still
+preserved in the archives of Milan, and which is of great interest, both
+as a monument of the Moro's untiring perseverance in seeking out the
+best masters, and as a record of the different degrees of estimation in
+which living artists were held by their contemporaries:--
+
+"Sandro de Botticelli--a most excellent master, both in panel and
+wall-painting. His figures have a manly air, and are admirable in
+conception and proportion.
+
+"Filippino di Frati Filippo--an excellent disciple of the above-named,
+and a son of the rarest master of our times. His heads have a gentler
+and more suave air; but, we are inclined to think, less art.
+
+"Il Perugino--a rare and singular artist, most excellent in
+wall-painting. His faces have an air of the most angelic sweetness.
+
+"Domenico de Grillandaio--a good master in panels and a better one in
+wall-painting. His figures are good, and he is an industrious and active
+master, who produces much work.
+
+"All of these masters have given proof of their excellence in the Chapel
+of Pope Sixtus, excepting Filippino, and also in the Spedaletto of the
+Magnifico Laurentio, and their merit is almost equal."[63]
+
+This intimation seems to have decided Lodovico to apply to Perugino,
+whom Leonardo had known as his fellow-pupil in Verrocchio's atelier at
+Florence, and who was supposed to be in Venice at the time. So his
+secretary wrote to desire Guido Arcimboldo, the Archbishop of Milan, who
+was then in Venice, to inquire for the Umbrian master, and see if he
+could be induced to visit Milan. The archbishop, writing on the 14th of
+June, replied that Maestro Pietro of Perugia had left Venice six months
+ago and was back at Florence. Lodovico, however, did not lose sight of
+the master, and in the following October, by his desire, the monks of
+the Certosa of Pavia engaged this popular artist to paint an altar-piece
+for one of their chapels. In the following year the duke returned to the
+charge, and hearing that Perugino had returned to his native city, wrote
+two pressing letters to one of the Baglioni, who was the chief
+magistrate of Perugia, begging him, as a personal favour, to induce
+Messer Pietro to come to Milan, and offering to pay the artist whatever
+price he may ask, and to retain him permanently in his service or keep
+him only for a fixed time, as he may think best. Perugino, however, was
+then engaged in decorating the Sala del Cambio in his native town, and
+had already more commissions than he could execute. He declined the Duke
+of Milan's repeated invitations, and the Moro was obliged to fall back
+upon Bramante and Leonardo to finish the works in the Castello.
+
+But although the duke's passion for building new churches and palaces or
+beautifying those which he had already built, was as ardent as ever, it
+became more and more difficult to find the money to meet the vast
+expenditure which his splendid schemes involved. The _fetes_ in honour
+of Maximilian and the subsidies which had been granted for his
+expedition had already entailed heavy expenses, and on every side the
+same complaint was heard. There was no money to pay the salaries of the
+numerous professors at Pavia and Milan, whose chairs had been founded
+by Lodovico himself; none to pay the bills for building and furnishing
+the new rooms in the Castello, or to cast Leonardo's great horse in
+bronze. Everywhere people were groaning at the heavy burdens imposed
+upon them, and at Lodi, Cremona, and other places there had been not
+only murmuring against the duke, but actual rioting and tumults, while
+in some parts of the duchy the inhabitants were leaving their homes to
+escape these harsh exactions. Lodovico's most faithful servants began to
+look grave, and the duke himself could not but be aware of his growing
+unpopularity among his subjects.
+
+Whether these rumours reached the ears of Beatrice and disturbed her
+happiness, we cannot tell; but we know that her life was saddened and
+the gladness of her heart clouded by a new sorrow that autumn. The duke,
+who for many years past had proved himself a devoted and affectionate
+husband, and realized better than any one what an admirable companion
+and partner he had in his young wife, suddenly found a new object for
+his affections in Lucrezia Crivelli, a beautiful and accomplished maiden
+of a noble Milanese family, who was one of the duchess's
+ladies-in-waiting. Soon Lodovico's passion for this new mistress became
+publicly known, Leonardo was employed to paint her picture; and, under
+the date of November, 1496, the annalist of Ferrara writes, "The latest
+news from Milan is that the duke spends his whole time and finds all his
+pleasure in the company of a girl who is one of his wife's maidens. And
+his conduct is ill regarded here." The chronicler Muralti, in his brief
+and touching account of the young duchess, after recalling Beatrice's
+charms and joyous nature, tells us that, although Lodovico loved his
+wife intensely, he took Lucrezia Crivelli for his mistress, a thing
+which caused Beatrice the most bitter anguish of mind, but could not
+alter her love for him. And remorse for the pain which he had caused
+Beatrice gave the sharpest sting to Lodovico's own despair, on that sad
+day when he wept for his young wife's early death.
+
+That autumn a fresh and unexpected blow fell upon the ducal family, in
+the death of Lodovico's beloved daughter Bianca, the young wife of
+Galeazzo di Sanseverino, who died very suddenly at Vigevano, on the
+22nd of November. Both the duke and duchess had been fondly attached to
+this fair young girl who only four or five months before had become the
+wife of Galeazzo, and was one of Beatrice's favourite companions. Her
+sudden and premature death threw a gloom over the whole court, and in
+elegant verse Niccolo da Correggio deplored the loss of the gentle
+maiden who had gone in the flower of her youth to join the blessed
+spirits, and grieved for the gallant husband whom a cruel fate had so
+early robbed of his bride. There can be little doubt that we have a
+portrait of this lamented princess in the beautiful picture of the
+Ambrosiana, which, long supposed to be the work of Leonardo, is now
+recognized by the best critics as that of Ambrogio de Predis. At one
+time this portrait was said to represent Beatrice herself, but neither
+the long slender throat nor the delicate features bear the least
+resemblance to those of the duchess, while the style of head-dress is
+equally unlike that which Beatrice wears in authentic representations.
+Again, some critics have supposed the Ambrosian picture to represent
+Kaiser Maximilian's wife, Bianca Maria Sforza; but the discovery of
+Ambrogio de Predis's actual portrait of the empress, and of his sketch
+of her head in the Venetian Academy, have shown this theory to be
+impossible. The Venetian Marc Antonio Michieli, who saw this picture in
+Taddeo Contarini's house at Venice in 1525, describes it as "a profile
+portrait of the head and bust of Madonna, daughter of Signor Lodovico of
+Milan," after which he adds, "married to the Emperor Maximilian ... by
+the hand of ... _Milanese_." The connoisseur had evidently confused the
+two Bianca Sforzas, but now that this mistake has been explained by a
+comparison of the Ambrosian portrait with genuine pictures and medals of
+the empress, there is no difficulty in accepting the remainder of his
+statement. For we have here, there can be little doubt, the portrait of
+Lodovico's daughter, by the hand of a Milanese painter, in all
+probability, as Morelli divined, the court-painter of the ducal house,
+Ambrogio de Predis. And the German critic, Dr. Muller-Walde, is probably
+right in his conjecture that the companion picture in the Ambrosiana is
+the portrait of Bianca's husband, Galeazzo di Sanseverino. This picture
+has been called by many names, and ascribed to many different hands. It
+has been described in turn as a portrait of Maximilian, of the
+short-lived Duke Giangaleazzo, and of Lodovico Moro himself. But
+Ambrogio's portrait certainly represents none of the three, and it is
+far more likely that we have here a likeness of the duke's son-in-law,
+painted about the time of his marriage to Bianca Sforza. This handsome
+man of thirty, in the fur-trimmed vest and red cap, with the dark eyes,
+long locks, and refined thoughtful face, touched with an air of
+melancholy, may well be the brilliant cavalier who played so great a
+part at the Moro's court, the patron of Leonardo and Luca Pacioli, and
+the loyal servant of Duchess Beatrice.
+
+Both the duke and his wife were overwhelmed with grief at Madonna
+Bianca's death. Lodovico himself wrote to Isabella d'Este that the wound
+had pierced his inmost heart, and the duchess and Messer Galeaz both
+expressed their grief in touching words. On the 23rd of November,
+Beatrice wrote these few sad lines to her sister--
+
+"Although you will have already heard from my husband the duke of the
+premature death of Madonna Bianca, his daughter and the wife of Messer
+Galeaz, none the less I must write these few lines with my own hand, to
+tell you how great is the trouble and distress which her death has
+caused me. The loss indeed is greater than I can express, because of our
+close relationship and of the place which she held in my heart. May God
+have her soul in His keeping!"[64]
+
+[Illustration: Galeazzo Di Sanseverino.
+
+From a painting by Ambrogio de Predis.
+
+(Ambrosiana)
+
+D. Anderson.]
+
+All the _fetes_ which had been prepared in honour of the emperor's
+return to Lombardy were stopped, and the duke and duchess, with their
+little son, attended by a small suite of courtiers and ladies, in deep
+mourning, travelled by water to Pavia, to receive their illustrious
+kinsman when he arrived from Sarzana on the 2nd of December. On this
+occasion Maximilian behaved with great consideration, and showed deep
+sympathy with his distressed relatives. Instead of making a public entry
+through the city, he rode up through the park to the private gate of the
+Castello, where the duke and duchess met him and conducted him to his
+rooms. Here he spent the evening alone in their company, and refused to
+see any one but the little Count of Pavia, for whom he is said to have
+cherished great affection. The Venetian envoy, Francesco Foscari,
+hearing of the emperor's arrival, hastened to Pavia, and with difficulty
+obtained an audience from His Majesty, who told him that it was
+impossible for him to visit Milan or remain any longer in Italy, since
+the German Diet was about to meet, and he had promised to join his son,
+the Archduke Philip, at Augsburg. A council was held in the Castello to
+discuss political affairs, but it was plain that the Pisans had nothing
+more to expect from their imperial ally, and Maximilian was only anxious
+to be back in Germany. On the 4th he attended a solemn requiem mass for
+the lamented princess Bianca in the Duomo, and in the afternoon rode out
+to the Certosa with Lodovico, who showed him all the wonders of that
+famous church and abbey. On the 6th, the duke took his wife, whose
+delicate state of health needed rest, back to Milan, and a few days
+later returned with Foscari to meet the emperor at the ducal villa of
+Cussago. On the 11th, Maximilian went to Groppello, where he knighted
+the Venetian ambassador and dismissed him, after which he took leave of
+the duke, says the chronicler, with many expressions of affection on
+both sides, and once more set out on his journey across the terrible
+mountains. His expedition, remarked the Venetian writer, "has effected
+nothing, and he leaves Italy in still greater confusion than he found
+her."
+
+Lodovico now joined his wife at Milan in time to receive another guest
+in the person of Chiara Gonzaga, the widowed Duchess of Montpensier, who
+was on her way back from France. Since her husband's death at Pozzuoli,
+this unfortunate lady had been vainly trying to recover her fortune from
+the French king, and was full of gratitude to the duke for his friendly
+exertions on her behalf. Both her sons, Louis de Bourbon and Charles the
+famous Connetable, were fighting with the remnants of the French army
+against her brother in Naples, and both were to lose their lives in the
+wars of Italy, while she herself spent the rest of her existence in
+poverty and seclusion at Mantua. But to the last she remained a loyal
+friend to Lodovico, with whom she corresponded frequently. On the 22nd,
+Chiara left Milan, and the celebration of the Christmas festival began.
+But the courtiers and ladies-in-waiting noticed the strange and mournful
+forebodings which seemed to oppress their young duchess. They often saw
+tears in her eyes, and wondered whether they were caused by her
+husband's neglect or grief for the loss of Bianca. Day after day she
+paid long visits to the Church of S. Maria delle Grazie, where the
+duke's daughter had been laid to rest in this his favourite shrine.
+There in those last days of the year Beatrice might constantly be seen,
+spending hours in prayer at the tomb of the young princess, and musing
+sadly on the vanity of human joys. But no one dreamt how soon her own
+end was at hand.
+
+On Monday, the 2nd of January, the Duchess Beatrice drove in her chariot
+through the park of the Castello and along the streets of the city to
+the Porta Vercellina and the Church of S. Maria delle Grazie, where even
+then Leonardo was at work upon his great fresco. In the eyes of the
+people who saw her pass, she seemed in excellent health, and returned
+their loyal greetings with the same gracious charm. But when she reached
+the Dominican church, and had paid her devotions at Our Lady's altar,
+and prayed for the repose of her daughter's soul, she lingered by the
+new-made tomb, rapt in sorrowful thought, and it was long before her
+ladies could persuade her to come away. After her return to the Castello
+that afternoon, there was dancing in her rooms in the Rocchetta until
+eight o'clock in the evening, when she was suddenly taken ill. Three
+hours later she gave birth to a still-born son, and half an hour after
+midnight her spirit passed away.
+
+That night, contemporary writers tell us, "the sky above the Castello of
+Milan was all a-blaze with fiery flames, and the walls of the duchess's
+own garden fell with a sudden crash to the ground, although there was
+neither wind nor earthquake. And these things were held to be evil
+omens." "And from that time," adds Marino Sanuto, "the duke began to be
+sore troubled, and to suffer great woes, having up to that time lived
+very happily."
+
+Beatrice was gone, and with her all the joy and delight of the duke's
+life had passed away. The court was turned from an earthly paradise into
+the blackest hell, and ruin overtook the Moro and the whole realm of
+Milan, as the poet of the house of Este sang in his _Orlando Furioso_--
+
+"Come ella poi lascera il mondo,
+Cosi degli infelici andra nel fondo."
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[63] Dr. Muller-Walde in _Jahrbuch d. pr. Kunst_, 1897.
+
+[64] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 639.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+
+Grief of the Duke of Milan--His letters to Mantua and Pavia--Interview
+with Costabili--Funeral of Duchess Beatrice--Mourning of her
+husband--Letters of the Emperor Maximilian and Chiara Gonzaga--Tomb of
+Beatrice in Santa Maria delle Grazie--Leonardo's Cenacolo, and portraits
+of the duke and duchess--Lucrezia Crivelli.
+
+1497
+
+
+The horror and confusion that reigned in the Castello of Milan that
+night was long remembered. There was sorrow and consternation among
+Beatrice's servants, and dismay upon the faces of secretaries and
+courtiers who stood waiting for news in the halls and porticoes of
+Bramante's building. The duke's grief was said to be terrible. For some
+time he refused to see any one, and many days passed before even his
+children were admitted into their father's presence. But, with
+characteristic strength of mind, he sent for his secretaries that
+morning, and himself dictated the letters which bore the sad news to
+Beatrice's family at Mantua and Ferrara. In that dark hour the passion
+of his love and sorrow breaks through conventional formalities, and
+gives a touch of pathos to the brief message which he sent to Francesco
+Gonzaga--
+
+"MOST ILLUSTRIOUS RELATIVE AND DEAREST BROTHER,--
+
+"My wife was taken with sudden pains at eight o'clock last night. At
+eleven she gave birth to a dead son, and at half-past twelve she gave
+back her spirit to God. This cruel and premature end has filled me with
+bitter and indescribable anguish, so much so that I would rather have
+died myself than lose the dearest and most precious thing that I had in
+this world. But great and excessive as is my grief, beyond all measure,
+and grievous as your own will be, I know, I feel that I must tell you
+this myself, because of the brotherly love between us. And I beg you not
+to send any one to condole with me, as that would only renew my sorrow.
+I would not write to the Madonna Marchesana, and leave you to break the
+news to her as you think best, knowing well how inexpressible her sorrow
+will be.
+
+                                   "LODOVICUS M. SFORTIA,
+                                           _Anglus Dux Mediolani_.[65]
+
+Milan, January 3, 1497, 6 o'clock."
+
+The same day the duke sent the following intimation to the loyal
+citizens of Pavia: "Last night at half-past twelve our beloved wife,
+after giving birth to a son who died at eleven, changed this life for
+death, which most cruel event snatches from us one who, by reason of her
+rare and singular virtues, was dearer to us than our own life. You will
+understand what our grief is and how difficult it is to bear this
+irreparable loss with patience and reason. We beg of you to pray God for
+the soul of our dearest consort, and to hold solemn funeral services in
+the Duomo and in all other churches of the city."[66]
+
+About four o'clock that afternoon, the Ferrarese ambassador, Antonio
+Costabili, received an unexpected summons to the Castello, and he was
+admitted into the duke's presence. We give the details of his interview
+with the grief-stricken prince, in his own words from a letter which he
+addressed the same evening to Beatrice's father, Duke Ercole--
+
+"MOST ILLUSTRIOUS AND EXCELLENT LORD,
+
+"Although I had received a message to the effect that I need not leave
+the house before night, as none of your august family could be present
+at the funeral of our most illustrious Madonna, the late duchess,
+nevertheless at four o'clock the duke sent two councillors to fetch me,
+and accompanied by these gentlemen, I went to the Camera della Torre in
+the Castello, where I found all the ambassadors, ducal councillors, and
+a very large company of gentlemen assembled. Directly I arrived, his
+Excellency sent for me, and I found him in his room, lying on the bed,
+quite prostrate, and more overwhelmed with grief than any one whom I
+have ever seen. After the customary salutations, I endeavoured, in
+obedience to the request of some of his councillors, to exhort his
+Highness to take a little comfort and have patience, trying to make use
+of whatever words came into my mind at the moment, and entreating him to
+bear this cruel blow with constancy and fortitude, because in this
+manner he would give comfort and courage to your Excellency in helping
+you to bear your grief, and at the same time relieve the anxieties of
+his own servants, and restore hope and peace to their hearts.
+
+"His Highness thanked me for my kindness, and said that he could not
+bear this most cruel and grievous sorrow without speaking out the
+thoughts of his heart freely, and had sent for me, in order to tell me
+that if, as he was conscious, he had not always behaved as well as he
+should have done to your daughter, who deserved all good things, and who
+had never done him any wrong whatsoever, he begged both your
+Excellency's pardon, and hers for whose sake his heart was now sorely
+troubled. He went on to tell me that in every one of his prayers he had
+asked our Lord God to allow her to survive him, since he placed all his
+trust and peace of mind in her. And, since this had not been the will of
+God, he prayed, and would never cease praying, that if it were ever
+possible for a living man to see the dead, God would give him grace to
+see her and speak to her once more, since he had loved her better than
+himself. After many sobs and lamentations, he ended by begging me to
+assure your Highness that the love and affection which he bore you would
+never be diminished in the smallest degree, and that he would retain the
+same warm sentiments for you and for all your sons, as long as he lived,
+and would prove by his actions the depth and sincerity of his feelings.
+Then I took my leave, and he told me to go and follow the corpse, with a
+fresh outburst of sorrow, lamenting her in language so true and natural
+that it would have moved the very stones to tears. Thus, still weeping,
+I returned to join the other ambassadors, who all approached and
+expressed their grief and sympathy with your Excellency in very loving
+and compassionate words.
+
+"The obsequies which followed were celebrated with all possible
+magnificence and pomp. All the ambassadors at present in Milan, among
+whom were one from the King of the Romans, two from the King of Spain,
+and others from all the powers of Italy, lifted the corpse and bore it
+to the first gate of the Castello. Here the privy councillors took the
+body in their turn, and at the corners of the streets groups of
+magistrates stood waiting to receive it. All the relatives of the ducal
+family wore long mourning cloaks that trailed on the ground, and hoods
+over their heads. I walked first with the Marchese Ermes, and the others
+followed, each in his right order. We bore her to Santa Maria delle
+Grazie, attended by an innumerable company of monks and nuns and
+priests, bearing crosses of gold, of silver and wood, infinite numbers
+of gentlemen and citizens, and crowds of people of every rank and class,
+all weeping and making the greatest lamentation that was ever seen, for
+the great loss which this city has suffered in the death of its duchess.
+There were so many wax torches it was marvellous to see! At the gates of
+Santa Maria delle Grazie, the ambassadors were waiting to receive the
+body, and, taking it from the hands of the chief magistrates, they bore
+it to the steps of the high altar, where the most reverend
+cardinal-legate was seated, in his purple robes, between two bishops,
+and himself said the whole Office. And there the duchess was laid on a
+bier draped with cloth of gold, bearing the arms of the house of Sforza,
+and clad in one of her richest _camoras_ of gold brocade.
+
+"My dear lord, besides the extraordinary demonstrations of grief which
+have been shown by the whole people of this city, and by the women quite
+as much as by the men, which may well be a great consolation to your
+Excellency, I must tell you how above all others, Signore Messer
+Galeazzo di Sanseverino has both by his words and deeds, as well as by
+his demonstrations of sorrow, given admirable expression to the
+affection which he had for the duchess, and has taken care to make known
+to every one the virtues and goodness of that most illustrious Madonna.
+All of which I have felt it my duty to tell your Excellency, in the
+hope that it may help to alleviate your sorrow, praying you to maintain
+the same fortitude that you have always shown hitherto.
+
+"To whose favour I ever commend myself,
+
+                                   "Your Excellency's servant,
+                                              ANTONIUS COSTABILIS.[67]
+
+Milan, January 3, 1497."
+
+So, by the light of a thousand torches, at the close of the short
+winter's day, the long procession of mourners bore Duchess Beatrice to
+her last resting-place under Bramante's cupola, in the church of Our
+Lady. It was the duke's pleasure that his dearly loved wife should rest
+there, before the altar where she had often worshipped, by the side of
+the young daughter whom they had both loved so well. Only a year or two
+before, the people of Milan had seen her enter those doors in the bloom
+of her youthful beauty and the joy of her proud young motherhood to give
+thanks for the birth of her first-born son. But yesterday they had
+watched her moving among them, full of life and charm; now they saw her
+lying there in her gorgeous brocades and jewelled necklace, with her
+eyes closed in death and the dark locks curling over her marble brow.
+
+It was a tragedy which might well melt the heart of the bravest man and
+move the sternest to tears. No wonder that men like Galeazzo and the
+Marchesino, who had shared Beatrice's pleasures, and had seen her so
+lately foremost in the chase and gayest in dance and song, wept when
+they saw her lying there cold and lifeless. As the chroniclers one and
+all tell us, "Such grief had never been known before in Milan."
+
+In Ferrara, the home of Beatrice's childhood, where she was loved both
+for her own and for her mother's sake, the sorrow was scarcely less.
+
+"On Wednesday, the 4th of January," writes the diarist, "came the news
+of the death of Beatrice, Duchess of Milan. And the duke was very sad,
+and so were all the people. And on the 12th, Duke Ercole attended an
+Office said for the repose of the late duchess in the church of the
+Dominicans, which was all hung with black, and all the clergy,
+magistrates, and courtiers were there, carrying lighted torches; all the
+people wore black, and the shops were closed as if it were Christmas,
+and more than 400 Masses were said for the repose of her soul, and 660
+candles were burnt that day. It was a fine day, but a great quantity of
+wax tapers were used for this funeral service. As for the Duke of Milan,
+I will say nothing, because the things he does sound incredible to those
+who have not seen them. Certainly the extraordinary honours which he
+pays his dead wife show how dearly he loved her. She has left him two
+little sons. And all Ferrara sorrows for her death, and I saw many
+weeping. And so goes this ribald world."[68]
+
+That year no races were held on St. George's Day, at Ferrara, and the
+_pallium_ usually given to the winner was presented by Duke Ercole to
+the Franciscan Church.
+
+At Mantua there was the same general lamentation, and the same funeral
+Masses were offered up for the young duchess, who had not yet completed
+her twenty-second year. Isabella's own sorrow was great.
+
+"When I think," she wrote to her father, on the 5th of January, "what a
+loving, honoured, and only sister I have lost, I am so much oppressed
+with the burden of this sudden loss, that I know not how I can ever find
+comfort."
+
+And the marquis, writing to Duke Lodovico, says that he had never seen
+his wife so completely overwhelmed with grief; and that she who has
+always shown herself full of strong and manly courage in adversity, is
+now utterly broken down. On hearing this, Lodovico roused himself from
+the torpor of his grief to try and comfort his sister-in-law, and sent
+her an affectionate letter by one of his secretaries, begging her to
+seek the consolation which he himself could not find, and telling her
+how much he thought of her, even though his own grief and bitterness of
+soul made it impossible for him to write with his own hand. From all
+sides letters of condolence flowed in. Elegies and Latin verses recalled
+the charms and talents of Beatrice and lamented the hard fate which had
+snatched her away in the flower of life. Among these poetical tributes,
+Niccolo da Correggio's sonnet on seeing a portrait of the late duchess
+is perhaps the best.
+
+"Se a li occhi mostri quel che fosti viva
+   Morti lor, come te, nulla vedranno
+   Ma le parte invisibil tue staranno.
+   Po che del secol questa eta sia priva.
+Laude al pictor, ma piu laude in che scriva
+   Quello a futuri che i presenti sanno,
+   Origin e stato e che al triseptimo anno
+   Morte spense ogni ben che in te fioriva.
+Ma come excedo tua forma il pennello
+   Excedera le tue virtu le penne
+   E restera imperfetto, e questo e quello."
+
+The poet's complaint that the painter's art can never reproduce one-half
+of the dead lady's charms is literally true in this instance, and those
+of Beatrice's portraits which we possess do but scant justice to the
+brightness and beauty which fascinated young and old among her
+contemporaries. Two of the letters addressed to Lodovico on this
+melancholy occasion are especially worthy of mention. One was a Latin
+epistle from the Emperor Maximilian, in which the writer expresses his
+cordial regard for the duke and his frank admiration for the lamented
+duchess whose delightful company he had so lately enjoyed.
+
+The letter bears the date of January 11, 1497, and was written from
+Innsbruck.
+
+"MOST ILLUSTRIOUS PRINCE AND DEAREST OF KINSMEN AND FRIENDS,
+
+"Having just heard of the sad calamity which has befallen you in the
+death of your illustrious wife, Beatrice, our most dear kinswoman, we
+are filled with grief both on account of our great affection for you and
+of all the gifts of person and mind which adorned that renowned
+princess, and which now only adds to the heaviness of our mutual loss.
+Nothing could grieve us more at this present moment than to find
+ourselves thus suddenly deprived of a relative who was dear to us above
+all other princesses, and whose surpassing charms and virtues we had
+lately learnt to value as they deserved. But we are still more
+distressed to think that you whom we love so well should lose in her,
+not only a sweet wife, but a companion who in so remarkable a degree
+shared the burdens of your crown and lightened your cares and cheered
+your labours by her society. As for her, although she was one of the few
+women worthy of perpetual regret and eternal remembrance, this premature
+death is no true cause of sorrow, and we take comfort in the thought
+that, since we must all die, they are most blessed who die young and
+who, having lived happily in their youth, escape the innumerable
+calamities of this miserable world and the evils of a weary old age.
+Your most fortunate wife enjoyed all that makes life good; no gift of
+body and mind, no advantage of beauty or birth, was denied her. She was
+in every respect worthy to be your wife and to reign over the most
+flourishing realm in Italy. She has left you the sweetest children to
+recall the face of their lost mother, and to be alike the consolation of
+your present sorrow and the staff of your declining years. And when the
+time comes for you to go hence, you will be able to leave them a
+peaceful throne and the immortal memory of your name. May the
+recollection of all the good that you owe her help you to share in these
+consolations, so that, having already mourned your dear one's death more
+than enough, your tears may at length be dried and she may rest more
+safely, while we on our part are once more able to avail ourselves of
+your help in these difficult and perilous times."[69]
+
+The other letter was written to the duke on the 5th of January, from
+Mantua, by Chiara Gonzaga, the widowed Duchess of Montpensier, who had
+so lately enjoyed the pleasure of Beatrice's company at Milan, and who
+now poured out the fulness of her grief and sympathy with the bereaved
+husband.
+
+"The piteous and lamentable news of your wife's sudden death, which, my
+dear lord, I have just received, has so bitterly revived my own sorrows,
+that I am unable to write to your Excellency as I ought, or speak a
+single word of comfort, '_Che medico morbeso mal sana li malatti_'--for
+a sick doctor cures sick folks badly.--All I can do is to join my tears
+with your own in lamenting this cruel and grievous misfortune and our
+mutual sorrow, which I only wish I could bear in your stead. Had
+fortune only better understood your need and mine, she would have left
+that blessed soul to enjoy all the prosperity in store for her, and
+would have allowed death to relieve me from the burden of my tearful and
+wretched existence. May that Divine Providence, Who orders all things
+for some good end, give your Excellency comfort and lead this toilsome
+life to a safe haven."[70]
+
+Maximilian's allusion to the duke's prolonged mourning for his wife
+agrees with the remarks of the Ferrarese and Venetian chroniclers. To
+these men of the Renaissance, accustomed as they were to pass quickly
+from one phase of life to another and to witness swift and sudden
+changes of fortune, this inconsolable grief seemed beyond understanding.
+For a whole fortnight Lodovico remained in a darkened room, refusing to
+see his children, and taking no pleasure even in their company. No
+ambassadors were admitted into his presence; even Borso da Correggio,
+who came from Ferrara, was referred to the Marchesino Stanga and the
+Conte di Caiazzo, as deputies appointed by the duke to receive
+condolences. And when Lodovico saw his ministers, they were strictly
+charged only to speak of business matters, and never to mention the name
+of the duchess or allude to the duke's recent bereavement. So complete
+was his seclusion and so profound his melancholy, that those about him
+began to tremble for his reason. "The duke," wrote Sanuto, "has ceased
+to care for his children or his state or anything on earth, and can
+hardly bear to live." But fears of his old enemy Louis of Orleans before
+long roused him from the apathy and despair, and showed his foes that
+they had still to reckon with him. Rumours of a French invasion were
+once more heard; Trivulzio was at Asti with a strong force, and the Duke
+of Orleans was shortly expected to lead an expedition into Lombardy and
+assert his claim to Milan.
+
+On the 17th of January, Lodovico shaved his head, came out of his room,
+and publicly gave the standard and baton of command to Galeazzo di
+Sanseverino, who was sent to defend Alessandria at the head of a
+considerable Milanese and German army. But the French king's health was
+failing, and the Duke of Orleans, who, since the death of the little
+dauphin twelve months before, had become the next heir to the crown,
+suddenly refused to leave France. Trivulzio was repulsed in an attack
+on Novi; while an attempt to seize Genoa, which was set on foot by the
+Cardinal della Rovere and Battista Fregoso, was frustrated by the prompt
+measures of defence taken by the Duke of Milan and the Venetians.
+
+Meanwhile every possible honour was paid to the memory of Duchess
+Beatrice. All through the duchy, during the month of January, solemn
+funeral services were held, and one hundred requiem masses were said
+daily in S. Maria delle Grazie for the repose of her soul, while a
+hundred tapers were kept burning day and night round the stone
+sarcophagus supported by lions in which her remains were interred. The
+duke himself, clad in a suit of black fustian and wrapt in a long black
+cloak, which all his courtiers wore as a badge of mourning, attended two
+or three masses daily, as well as many offices to Our Lady, and sent a
+hundred gold ducats to the Santa Casa at Loreto, in discharge of a vow
+which poor Beatrice had made to take a pilgrimage to that famous shrine
+after the birth of her child.
+
+Marino Sanuto, writing in August, seven months after Beatrice's death,
+remarks that since his wife's death the duke has become an altered man.
+"He is very religious, recites offices daily, observes fasts, and lives
+chastely and devoutly. His rooms are still hung with black, and he takes
+all his meals standing, and wears a long black cloak. He goes every day
+to visit the church where his wife is buried, and never leaves this
+undone, and much of his time is spent with the friars of the convent."
+And a Dominican historian, Padre Rovegnatino, then living, records how
+during the whole of the next year Lodovico visited the convent regularly
+twice a week--on Tuesday, which, being the day of the week on which
+Beatrice died, he always kept as a fast, and on Saturday, and on these
+occasions dined with the prior Giovanni da Tortona and his successor
+Vincenzo Baldelli.
+
+The decoration and improvement of this church and convent now became the
+chief object of Lodovico's thoughts. The beautiful shrine which he had
+already adorned with Bramante's cupola and portico, was now doubly dear
+to him for the sake of Beatrice and his dead children. The annals of the
+convent record the multitude of his benefactions to both church and
+convent, and the cordial relations which he maintained with the
+Dominican friars to the end of his reign. First of all, he applied
+himself to raise a monument to the memory of Beatrice immediately in
+front of the high altar, where her remains were buried. The sculptor
+whom he chose for this work was Cristoforo Solari, called _Il Gobbo_, or
+the hunchback, a surname which he had inherited from his father, who
+seems to have been deformed. The Solari were a race of sculptors, many
+of whom had been employed at the Certosa, while Cristoforo, who had
+settled in Venice about 1490, was recalled to Milan about this time and
+appointed ducal sculptor, on the recommendation of the Marchesino
+Stanga. It was the duke's pleasure that a recumbent effigy of Beatrice,
+wearing the rich brocades and jewels in which she had been borne to her
+rest, should be placed on her tomb, so that future ages should have a
+perpetual memorial of the young duchess as she had last appeared in the
+eyes of the servants and people who had loved her so well. And as it was
+Lodovico's own wish to be buried in the same tomb, the sculptor was to
+carve an effigy of himself in ducal crown and mantle, lying at his
+wife's side in the last slumber. So, at the duke's bidding, the Milanese
+ambassador, Battista Sfondrati, bought the finest blocks of Carrara
+marble that he could find in Venice, and the brothers of the Certosa
+sent seven loads more from their vast stores to Solari's house in Milan.
+Out of these marbles the sculptor carved a noble bas-relief of the Dead
+Christ and the two admirable effigies of the duke and duchess, which now
+adorn the Certosa of Pavia. His task was probably finished before the
+close of the following year, and the tomb was set up in the _Cappella
+maggiore_ of S. Maria delle Grazie, at a cost of upwards of 15,000
+ducats. At the same time Lodovico placed a slab of black marble on the
+walls of the same chapel, in memory of the dead child whose birth had
+cost his mother her life, with the following proud inscription:--
+
+"Infelix partus: amisi ante vitam quam in
+Lucem ederer; infelicior quod matri
+Moriens vitam ademi et parentem con
+-sorte sua orbavi in tam adverso fato.
+Hoc solum mihi potest jocundium esse
+Quod divi parentes me, Ludovicus et
+Beatrix Mediolanenses duces genuere,
+M.C.C.C.C.LXXXXVII. Tertio Nonas Januarii."
+
+The ill-fated child had died before he had ever seen the light of day,
+and, still more unfortunate in this, he had deprived his mother of life,
+and left his father widowed and alone; but this at least he could
+proudly say, "Lodovico and Beatrice, Duke and Duchess of Milan, were my
+parents."
+
+The walls of the chapel were decorated with rich marbles and gilding,
+and new altars were set up in honour of Saint Louis and Santa Beatrice,
+the patron saints of the duke and duchess. Cristoforo was employed to
+carve reliefs for the high altar, and the duke gave the friars a
+jewelled crucifix and marvellously wrought set of chalices, patens,
+candelabra, paci of _niello_, engraved with Beatrice's name and arms.
+Among other costly gifts, he also presented them with a magnificent
+_pallium_ and richly embroidered hangings for the altar, and a set of
+illuminated choir-books with enamelled and jewelled bindings, while the
+Marchesino Stanga gave an organ to the church. Bramante was ordered to
+complete the cupola as soon as possible, and was employed later to add a
+new sacristy to the church.
+
+But there was one thing more which lay still nearer to Lodovico's heart.
+Leonardo's great wall-painting for the convent refectory was well-nigh
+completed. Cardinal Perault de Gurk, when he visited his friend the
+Dominican prior towards the end of January, 1497, saw and admired the
+work of Leonardo, and conversed with the painter, who laughed, Bandello
+tells us, at his Eminence's ignorance for thinking his salary of 2000
+ducats a large one and expressing surprise at the duke's liberality.
+Lodovico was now anxious to see the life-sized portraits of himself and
+Beatrice with their children painted by the great master's hand on the
+opposite wall. The Dominican historian, Padre Pino, writing in the last
+century, says that the convent retained a life-sized portrait of that
+most excellent and famous lady, Duchess Beatrice, in which the sweet
+gentleness of her nature and majesty of her bearing were faithfully
+reproduced; and Padre Gattico, a very accurate and careful writer of the
+sixteenth century who wrote the history of the convent from its
+foundation, describes how Leonardo da Vinci was employed by Lodovico to
+paint portraits of himself and Beatrice, with their children kneeling at
+their feet, on the wall opposite the Cenacolo, but adds that these
+portraits, being painted in oil, were already in a ruinous condition.
+The Dominican father's words were all too true, and only the merest
+fragments of these portraits, which Vasari described as works of sublime
+beauty, now remain on the wall, where the Lombard artist Montorfano had
+already painted his fresco of the Crucifixion. That of Beatrice is a
+mere ghost, but enough remains of Lodovico's figure to show how nobly
+Leonardo treated his subject, and is of the deepest interest as an
+example of the great Florentine's art and a faithful likeness of his
+illustrious patron. A distinct reference to Lodovico's wishes on the
+subject may be found in the paper of directions which he drew up on the
+30th of June, 1497, for his minister the Marchesino Stanga.
+
+"_Memorandum of the things which Messer Marchesino is to do._
+
+"In the first place, he is to place the ducal arms in gold letters on a
+marble slab on Porta Ludovica, together with ten bronze medals bearing
+the duke's head.
+
+"_Item_: to see that similar tablets are placed on all the public
+buildings, excepting those in the Castello, which are in charge of
+Messer Bernardino di Corte, and that medals are placed between them.
+
+"_Item_: to see that _El Gobbo_ carves the reliefs for the altar this
+year, and that he has sufficient marble, and if more is needed, send to
+Venice or Carrara.
+
+"_Item_: to see that the sepulchre is finished without delay, and to
+desire _Gobbo_ to work at the covering and all the other portions
+belonging to the tomb, so that it may be ready as soon as the rest of
+the sepulchre.
+
+"_Item_: to ask Leonardo the Florentine to finish his work on the wall
+of the Refectory, and to begin the painting on the other wall of the
+Refectory. If he will do this, some arrangement may be made with him
+regarding the agreements signed by his own hand, by which he stipulated
+to finish the work within a certain time.
+
+"_Item_: to see that the portico of S. Ambrogio is finished, for which
+two thousand ducats have been assigned.
+
+"_Item_: to call together all the most skilled architects to hold a
+consultation, and design a model for the facade of Santa Maria delle
+Grazie, which shall be of the same height and proportions as the
+_Capella Grande_.
+
+"_Item_: to finish the _Strada da Corte_, which the duke wishes to see
+completed.
+
+"_Item_: to make a head of our Madonna the late duchess, and place it on
+a medallion with that of the duke on the doors of the chapel in Santa
+Maria delle Grazie.
+
+"_Item_: to open a new gate in the walls corresponding to the Porta S.
+Marco, and call it the Porta Beatrice, and place the ducal arms and
+letters of the said duchess upon the said gate, as has been done at
+Porta Ludovica.
+
+"_Item_: to desire that the decorations of the Broletto Nuovo should be
+finished by August.
+
+"_Item_: to place an inscription in gold letters on black marble above
+the portraits of the chapel."
+
+This _Memoriale_ was signed by the ducal secretary, Bartolommeo Calco,
+and the following lines were added by Lodovico himself:--
+
+"MARCHESINO,--We have charged you with the execution of the works here
+mentioned, and, although you have already received our orders by word of
+mouth, we have for our further satisfaction set them down in writing, to
+show you how extraordinary is the interest that we take in their
+completion.
+
+"LUDOVICO MARIA SFORTIA."[71]
+
+The bronze medals here mentioned, which by Lodovico's orders were to be
+placed on all the chief public buildings, were probably those designed
+by Caradosso after Beatrice's death, in which the head of the duke and
+duchess appear side by side.
+
+The name and arms of Beatrice were to be seen everywhere; her portrait
+was to be placed in the church of the Grazie, and her medallion above
+the gate. And to-day, in spite of the common ruin which has overwhelmed
+the palaces and churches of Lodovico's fair duchy, the armorial bearings
+of his consort may still be seen painted in the lunette above the
+Cenacolo, as if the duke wished Leonardo's great painting to be
+especially associated with her beloved memory; while not only in the
+Castello of Milan, but on the site of ducal castles and villas
+throughout the Milanese, blocks of stone and marble carved with the
+initials of Lodovico and Beatrice are constantly brought to light.
+
+In the midst of these tokens of grief and love for his lost wife, we
+come upon a strange incident. That May, Lucrezia Crivelli, the mistress
+whose _liaison_ with the duke had caused Beatrice the sorrow which he
+now remembered with so much remorse, bore Lodovico a son, who was named
+Gianpaolo, and who became a valiant soldier and loyal subject of his
+half-brother Duke Francesco Sforza in after days. The Moro, as far as we
+know, never renewed his connection with Lucrezia after his wife's death.
+The universal testimony of his contemporaries--"he lived chastely and
+devoutly, and was a changed man"--seems to bear witness to the contrary;
+but in the following August he settled Cussago and Saronno, the lands
+which three years before he had given to Beatrice, upon his mistress as
+a provision for the son she had borne him, and in the act of donation
+speaks expressly of the delight which he had found in her gentle and
+excellent company.
+
+Even more strange it sounds in our ears to find Isabella d'Este, only a
+year after Beatrice's death, writing to the duke's former mistress,
+Cecilia Gallerani, to ask for the loan of her portrait by Leonardo's
+hand, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. The fact that a
+princess of the proud house of Este, and one who, in the eyes of her
+generation, was the model of all virtues, should seek a favour from one
+who had wronged her sister so deeply, affords fresh proof how lightly
+such _liaisons_ were regarded in those days, and may incline us to be
+more lenient in our judgments of the men and women of the Renaissance.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[65] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 639.
+
+[66] C. Magenta, _op. cit._
+
+[67] This valuable and interesting letter is preserved in the State
+archives of the House of Este at Modena, and was first published by
+Signor Gustavo Uzielli, in his _Leonardo da Vinci e Tre donne Milanesi_,
+p. 43.
+
+[68] Muratori, xxiv. 342.
+
+[69] M. Sanuto, _Diarii_, i. 489.
+
+[70] L. Pelissier, _Les Amies de L. Sforza_.
+
+[71] Cantu in A. S. L., 1874, p. 183.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+The Marquis of Mantua dismissed by the Venetians--He incurs Duke
+Lodovico's displeasure by his intrigues--Isabella d'Este's
+correspondence with the Duke of Milan--Leonardo in the Castello--Death
+of Charles VIII.--Visit of Lodovico to Mantua--Francesco Gonzaga
+appointed captain of the imperial forces--Isabella of Aragon and
+Isabella d'Este--Chiara Gonzaga and Caterina Sforza--Lodovico's will.
+
+1497-1498
+
+
+While Lodovico was building sanctuaries and raising memorials to his
+dead wife, his brother-in-law of Mantua had excited the suspicions of
+the Venetians by his French sympathies, and in April, 1497, was suddenly
+dismissed from his post of captain-general of the Signoria's armies.
+Isabella d'Este was deeply distressed, and Francesco Gonzaga declared
+loudly that this disgrace was the result of Galeazzo di Sanseverino's
+jealousy and of the Moro's intrigues. In September the marquis and
+Messer Galeazzo met at a tournament held at Brescia in honour of the
+Queen of Cyprus. Fracassa was also present with his wife, Margherita
+Pia, in a chariot driven by twelve fine horses, and both he and the
+marquis entered the lists with their followers, but the hero of the day
+was Galeazzo, who appeared suddenly at the head of forty horsemen, all
+in deep mourning, with hair dyed black, and black and gold armour, and a
+herald bearing a black pennon with gold griffins. When the joust was
+over, the queen entertained Fracassa's wife, and all the cavaliers, at
+supper, and the next day Galeazzo escorted her home over the hills to
+Asolo. But this meeting did not improve the strained relations between
+the princes of Milan and Mantua, and the secret intrigues which
+Francesco Gonzaga carried on both with France and Florence soon came to
+Lodovico's ears. In November the duke wrote a strong remonstrance to
+Isabella, complaining bitterly of her husband's ingratitude, and
+declaring that he would have exposed his fraudulent conduct in the eyes
+of the Venetians, and of all Italy, had it not been for the love and
+regard which he had for her. Isabella was seriously alarmed at the tone
+of her brother-in-law's letter, and did her best to effect a
+reconciliation between him and her husband. Her efforts were seconded by
+her father, Duke Ercole, and his sons, who were often at Milan, and kept
+up friendly relations with Lodovico after their sister's death. Alfonso
+and his wife, Anna Sforza, were at the Castello in June, and Galeazzo di
+Sanseverino himself accompanied the heir of Ferrara to the shop of the
+famous Missaglia to order a suit of armour which should be "of a
+gallantry and perfection worthy of Don Alfonso." We hear of a splendid
+suit of gilded armour, also the work of the Missaglias, being presented
+to Ferrante d'Este by the Duke of Milan, while Beatrice's youngest
+brother, the boy-cardinal, Ippolito, succeeded Guido Arcimboldo as
+Archbishop of Milan, and took up his abode in that city. But a new
+calamity befell the house of Este that November in the death of Anna
+Sforza, who, like her sister-in-law, gave birth to a still-born child on
+the 30th of November, and herself expired a few hours later, to the
+grief of her whole family, and more especially of Duke Ercole, who, in
+his advancing years, saw himself bereaved of all of those he loved best.
+The sweetness and goodness of this princess, the Ferrarese diarist tells
+us, had endeared her to all the people of Ferrara, and in the shock of
+her sudden death Lodovico felt a renewal of his own sorrow. In the same
+week, another Este princess, who had been closely associated with the
+Milanese court, also passed away. This was the widowed mother of Niccolo
+da Correggio, that once beautiful and charming Beatrice, who had been
+known in her youth as the Queen of Festivals, and who for many years had
+been a staunch friend of the Moro, and had long occupied rooms in the
+Castello. After her death, Niccolo, feeling that the last link which
+bound him to Lodovico's court was severed, left Milan, and returned to
+his old home at Ferrara. That autumn, Cristoforo Romano also left the
+court, which Duchess Beatrice's death had shorn of its old brightness
+and splendour, and entered the service of her sister Isabella d'Este at
+Mantua, while the court-poet, Gaspare Visconti, died early in the
+following year. One by one artists and singers were dropping out of
+sight, and the brilliant company which Lodovico's wife had gathered
+round her was fast melting away. The gay days of Vigevano and Cussago
+were over, the deer and wild boars grazed unharmed in these woodland
+valleys, and when Kaiser Maximilian asked the duke for one of his famous
+breed of falcons, Lodovico sent him one belonging to Messer Galeazzo's
+breed, saying that he no longer kept any of his own, and had quite given
+up hunting since the death of the duchess of blessed memory.
+
+But his love of art and learning was as great as ever, and Fra Luca
+Pacioli, the able mathematician, who came to Milan in 1496, and
+dedicated his treatise of _La Divina Proporzione_ to Lodovico, describes
+the laudable and scientific duel of famous and learned men, that was
+held on the 9th of February, 1498, in the Castello of Milan--"that
+invincible fortress of the glorious city which is a residence worthy of
+His Excellency." The duke himself presided at this meeting, which some
+writers have supposed to be a sitting of an academy of arts and sciences
+founded by Lodovico, with Leonardo for its president, and left Milan the
+next day, on a pilgrimage to the Holy Mount of the Madonna at Varese.
+Among the many illustrious personages, religious and secular, who were
+present on this occasion, Fra Luca mentions "Messer Galeazzo Sforza di
+San Severino, my own special patron," to whom he presented the beautiful
+illuminated copy of his treatise, now in the Ambrosiana, the Prior of
+the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, the doctors and astrologers,
+Ambrogio da Rosate, Pirovano, Cusani and Marliani, and many well-known
+jurists, councillors, architects, and engineers, including Leonardo da
+Vinci, "our fellow-citizen of Florence, who, in sculpture and painting
+alike, justifies his name and surpasses"--i.e. _vince_ = conquers--"all
+other masters."[72]
+
+Leonardo's Cenacolo, we learn from his friend Pacioli, was at length
+finished, and preparations were being made for casting his great horse
+in bronze, but the master himself was chiefly engaged in the study of
+hydraulics, and was writing a treatise on motion and water-power. In
+April, however, he was again painting in the Castello, and Messer
+Gualtero, one of Lodovico's most trusted servants, informed the duke,
+who was absent for a few days, that both his sons were very well, and
+that Magistro Leonardo was at work in the Saletta Negra. He would
+shortly proceed to the Camera Grande in the tower, and promised to
+complete the decorations by September, in order that the duke might be
+able to enjoy them next autumn. A note in one of Leonardo's manuscripts
+speaks of twenty-four Roman subjects, probably small decorative groups
+in _camaieu_, painted on the vaulting of these rooms, and gives the
+exact cost of the blue, gold, and enamel employed, but all trace of
+these decorations has vanished. At the same time Lodovico appointed his
+favourite master to the post of ducal engineer, and employed him to
+survey those vast and elaborate fortifications in the Castello, which
+excited the wonder of the French invaders.
+
+Two of Amadeo's great architectural works, the cupola of the Duomo of
+Milan, and the facade of the Certosa, were brought to a successful
+conclusion in these last years of Lodovico's rule, while the foundation
+stone of the noble Cistercian monastery attached to S. Ambrogio, now a
+military hospital, was laid by the duke, and built at his expense from
+Bramante's designs. The charitable society known as the Confraternity of
+the Santa Corona, or Holy Crown of Thorns, a name familiar to all who
+have visited its ancient halls, and seen Luini's fresco, was another
+excellent institution intended for the relief of the sick poor in their
+own homes, which was founded under the duke's auspices, and largely
+supported by his liberality. But once more wars and rumours of war came
+to disturb the Milanese, and to call Lodovico away from these public
+works and improvements in which he took delight.
+
+The renewed intrigues of Charles VIII. with the Florentines, and revived
+fears of a French invasion, induced Lodovico to send Baldassare Pusterla
+to Venice in February, 1498, to solicit the help of the Signoria, but
+while these negotiations were going on, a courier arrived from Ferrara
+with the news of the French king's sudden death. Charles, who was not
+twenty-eight, had died of apoplexy as he was watching a game of bowls at
+Amboise, and his cousin, the Duke of Orleans, had been proclaimed king
+under the title of Louis XII. Sanuto reports that the courier who
+brought the news from Amboise to Florence had ridden the whole way in
+seven days, and had killed no less than thirteen horses!
+
+"Magnificent ambassador!" said the Doge to the Milanese envoy, "you told
+us that His Most Christian Majesty was on his way to Italy. We hear that
+he is dead!"
+
+The news was a great relief to most of the Italian powers, to none more
+so than Lodovico, who saw his immediate fears removed, and did not
+realize how much reason he had to dread the ambitious designs of his old
+rival king Louis. But in his eagerness to secure the alliance of
+Florence, he committed the fatal mistake of affronting the Venetians. He
+refused to allow a fresh detachment of troops, which they were sending
+to Pisa, to pass through his dominions, and the Signory in revenge sent
+an embassy to the King of France with secret orders to take counsel with
+Trivulzio and negotiate a league with Louis XII. against the Duke of
+Milan. All Lodovico's hopes were now fixed on the formation of a new
+league between Maximilian, the Pope, Naples, and Milan. When this was
+concluded, he offered the generalship of the allied forces, with the
+title of Captain of the King of the Romans, to the Marquis of Mantua.
+Still Francesco Gonzaga was not satisfied, and complained that he ought
+also to be entitled Captain-general to the Duke of Milan, a title which
+Lodovico refused to take from his son-in-law Galeazzo. However,
+Isabella, who had already paved the way for this reconciliation,
+implored her husband to be content for the present with the duke's
+offer, remarking that the salary was the important thing, and in May the
+marquis went to Milan, where he received a cordial welcome, and the
+terms of the agreement were satisfactorily arranged.
+
+Lodovico now announced his intention of coming to Mantua in person, and
+on the 27th of June arrived there on a visit to the marquis and
+marchioness, accompanied by the young Cardinal Ippolito and the German,
+Spanish, Florentine, and Neapolitan ambassadors, with a suite of a
+thousand persons. Great was Isabella's anxiety that nothing should be
+lacking on this occasion, and endless were the pains which she took to
+do honour to her splendid brother-in-law. She borrowed plate and
+tapestries from Niccolo da Correggio, and desired her own envoy at
+Milan, Benedetto Capilupi, to ask Galeazzo Visconti and Antonio
+Costabili what wines the duke preferred and what clothes he would expect
+her to wear. Lodovico himself had not yet laid aside his mourning, and
+Isabella wondered if the rooms of his apartments at Mantua must be hung
+with black velvet, or if she might venture to relieve them with violet
+tints, as would, she felt, be more fitting to this festive occasion. The
+duke, Capilupi replied, would be satisfied with any arrangements the
+marchesa liked to make, and as for the wines, he found that those
+usually preferred by his Excellency at supper were clear white wines,
+rather sweet and new, while at dinner he generally drank light red wine,
+such as Cesolo, all very clear and new.
+
+The visit passed off successfully, and after three days of _fetes_ and
+entertainments Lodovico returned to Milan. Francesco Gonzaga, however,
+still wavered between the duke and the Venetians, and it was not till
+Lodovico sent Marchesino Stanga and Fracassa to Mantua in November, that
+the agreement was finally concluded, and Erasmo Brasca delivered the
+baton to the marquis in the emperor's name. Isabella herself interviewed
+the ceremony from a tribunal erected on the piazza in front of the
+Castello di Corte at Mantua, and the duke wrote a graceful note to his
+sister-in-law, thanking her for her good offices in the matter. He still
+constantly sent her presents of choice fruits or wines and venison,
+while Isabella, in return, sent him salmon-trout from Garda, and
+Evangelista, the marquis's famous trainer, tamed the duke's horses. In
+July Lodovico sent her a basket of peaches, wishing they had been even
+finer than they were, to be more worthy of her acceptance, and Isabella
+wrote in reply: "The peaches sent by your Excellency are most welcome,
+not only because they are the first ripe ones I have tasted this summer,
+but far more because they are a proof of your gracious remembrance, for
+which I can never thank your Excellency enough." On New Year's Day,
+1499, Lodovico sent the marchioness two barrels of wine--"_vino
+amabile_"--and two chests of lemons, and in February wrote to thank her
+for the fish, which were very fine and good and had reached him
+opportunely, as it was Friday in Lent.
+
+Gifts of artichokes, which were then esteemed a great delicacy, were
+often sent to the duke by Genoese nobles, and in March, 1499, we find
+Giovanni Adorno, the brother-in-law of the San Severini, who evidently
+knew Lodovico's taste for flowers, sending a basket of forty artichokes
+together with a bouquet of the finest roses. Another characteristic note
+was the following, written by the Moro to Francesco Gonzaga, in
+January:--
+
+"I always take great delight in seeing the swans which you sent us some
+years ago, sailing on the castle moat under these windows. So if you
+have any others to spare, I beg you to send me some, for which I shall
+be very grateful."[73]
+
+Two of the last letters, which Isabella addressed to her brother-in-law,
+are of especial interest, as relating to Giangaleazzo's widow, the
+Duchess Isabella of Aragon. A few weeks after Beatrice's death, this
+unfortunate lady had been desired by the duke to leave her rooms in the
+Castello, and take up her abode in the old palace near the Duomo. Some
+contention arose respecting the boy Francesco Sforza, whom Lodovico
+wished to keep with his own sons in the Rocchetta, and who remained
+there for a time, only visiting his mother once a week. "You have taken
+my son's crown away," said the duchess, indignantly, "and now you would
+take his mother too!" Lodovico is said to have replied, "Madam, you are
+a woman, so I will not quarrel with you." But in spite of her hatred for
+Lodovico, Isabella of Aragon still kept up friendly relations with her
+Este cousins. In 1498, she asked the marchioness for an antique bust,
+which Andrea Mantegna had brought back from Rome, and which she heard
+bore a striking likeness to herself. The painter, however, valued the
+marble so highly that for long he refused to part with it, and offered
+to send the duchess a cast of the bust in bronze. Isabella d'Este,
+however, finally prevailed upon him to let her buy the head, and send it
+as a present to her cousin, whom she declared it resembled in a
+marvellous manner. At the same time she promised the duchess a replica
+of a portrait of her brother, King Ferrante of Naples, which she valued
+too much to part with, but would have copied as soon as possible by
+Francesco Mantegna. Before satisfying her cousin's wishes, however, the
+prudent Isabella applied to the duke and ascertained that he had no
+objection to her action. Again, when in March, 1499, the duchess begged
+Isabella to let her have her own portrait, the marchioness sent the
+picture to Lodovico, and asked him for leave to send the picture to
+Giangaleazzo's widow.
+
+"MOST ILLUSTRIOUS PRINCE AND EXCELLENT DUKE AND DEAR FATHER,
+
+"I am afraid I shall weary not only your Highness, but all Italy with
+the sight of my portraits; but reluctantly as I do this, I could not
+refuse the Duchess Isabella's urgent entreaties to let her have my
+portrait in colours. I send this one, which is not very like me, and
+makes me look fatter than I really am, and have desired Negro, my master
+of the horse, to show it to your Highness, and, if you approve, give it
+to the duchess from me."[74]
+
+Lodovico replied pleasantly that he admired the portrait, and thought it
+very like Isabella, although it made her look stouter than when he had
+last seen her, but suggested that perhaps she had grown fatter during
+the interval. And the picture was duly presented to Duchess Isabella
+that same day.
+
+The marquis's widowed sister Chiara Gonzaga, Duchess of Montpensier,
+also kept up an active correspondence with the Moro at this time, and
+warned him repeatedly of the intrigues against him that were going on at
+the French court, and of the dangers he had to fear from Trivulzio and
+the Venetians.
+
+So warm was the friendship between this lady and Lodovico, that a
+Mantuan doctor wrote from Milan to Francesco Gonzaga, on pretence of
+having received a commission from the duke to ask for his widowed
+sister's hand in marriage, and as well as for that of his youthful
+daughter Leonora on behalf of the young Count of Pavia. The duke wrote
+back that he had never seen the doctor, and that the whole was a
+fabrication. As he informed Chiara, he had not the smallest intention of
+marrying a second time, although he had already received proposals to
+this effect, both from Naples and Germany. And, by way of
+peace-offering, he sent her a beautiful little _niello_ pax, as a
+specimen of the work of his Milanese goldsmiths, and as a proof that he
+placed himself altogether at her service. In return, Chiara sent him her
+cordial thanks, and informed him that her brother had given orders for
+the instant arrest of the mischievous doctor, and would see that he was
+delivered into the duke's hands.
+
+Another princess, who was in constant correspondence with the Moro
+during these last years, was his niece Caterina Sforza, the famous
+Madonna of Forli. Long ago, he had helped her against the conspirators
+who had killed her first husband and besieged her in the Rocca, and ten
+years before, Galeazzo di Sanseverino had won his first laurels at
+Forli. Since those days, Lodovico had been a good friend to this warlike
+lady in all her perpetual quarrels with her subjects and neighbours. "I
+should be ready to drown myself, were it not for the trust that I place
+in your Excellency," Caterina wrote to her uncle in 1496. Now that she
+had aroused the wrath of Venice by her alliance with Florence, and that
+Romagna was actually invaded by a Venetian force, the duke sent first
+Fracassa and then the Count of Caiazzo to her help. In her gratitude she
+called the infant son born of her third marriage with Giovanni de'
+Medici, Lodovico, a name which he afterwards changed, to become famous
+in history as Giovanni _delle bande nere_. But this _virago_, as
+Machiavelli named the gallant lady of Forli, was by no means easy to
+deal with, and she was constantly appealing to Lodovico to settle her
+disputes. One day she welcomed Fracassa as a delivering angel, the next
+she quarrelled with him violently, and turned a deaf ear to the Moro's
+advice to overcome the Condottiere's rudeness by fair words and gentle
+courtesy. After summarily rejecting his suggestion of a Gonzaga bride
+for her son, and informing him that she was about to accept the Count of
+Caiazzo's proposals for her daughter Bianca, she changed her mind,
+declaring the count to be too old, and suddenly bethought herself of
+Galeazzo di Sanseverino, as a suitable husband. This proposal, however,
+the Moro promptly declined in a curt note, telling the countess that
+Messer Galeazzo had no intention of marrying again.[75]
+
+But the days of the once powerful Moro's reign were already numbered,
+and the time was coming when he would be in sore need of help himself.
+His subjects were already grievously discontented. At Milan, Cremona,
+and Lodi, even in faithful Pavia, there had been tumults and riotings.
+It became increasingly difficult to exact the loans required to meet the
+heavy expenses for the national defence, while the ill-paid troops
+murmured, and in many cases deserted the standard.
+
+"In the whole Milanese there is trouble and discontent. No one loves the
+duke. And yet he still reigns.... But he is a traitor to Venice, and
+will be punished for his bad faith." So wrote Marino Sanuto that autumn;
+while another Venetian chronicler, Malipiero, gave vent to his bitter
+hatred in these words:
+
+"Lodovico hoped to give the Signory trouble by his alliance with Charles
+VIII., but God our protector has taken away that monarch's life, and has
+made King Alvise his successor, who is Lodovico's enemy."
+
+So the year closed gloomily. The political horizon was black and
+lowering, and Lodovico had lost the wife upon whose courage and presence
+of mind he had learnt to lean. He was suffering from gout himself, and
+was often unable to mount a horse. But he still found pleasure in his
+artistic dreams and in the vast schemes that filled his brain. Already
+he had seen many of his plans carried out. Bramante's cupola and
+sacristy were finished and Beatrice's tomb, with the sleeping form and
+face, had been exquisitely wrought in marble by the sculptor's hand.
+Leonardo had completed the Cenacolo to be the wonder of the world in
+coming ages, and the great equestrian statue was only waiting for better
+times to be cast in bronze and become a permanent memorial of the proud
+Sforza race. Now a new and grander vision filled his thoughts. He would
+rebuild the convent of the Dominican Friars on a vast and splendid
+scale, and make it the most glorious sanctuary in the world, surpassing
+even his beloved Certosa, for the sake of Beatrice, and as a living
+memorial of the love which he had borne to his dead wife.
+
+He began by rebuilding the friars' dormitories, enlarging their gardens,
+and giving them a good water-supply. Then, on the 3rd of December of
+this year, 1498, he drew up a deed by which he granted his beautiful
+villa of the Sforzesca, with the spacious farms and fertile lands which
+had been his pride and pleasure in past days, to the prior and convent
+of Santa Maria delle Grazie, in perpetuity. In the preamble to the deed
+of gift, the duke expresses his great love for this church, "where our
+dead children repose, and our most dear wife Beatrice d'Este sleeps,
+where, God willing, we ourselves hope to rest until the day of
+resurrection," and ends with a devout prayer "that God and the Blessed
+Virgin, the Dominican saints, Peter Martyr, Thomas Aquinas, and Dominic,
+St. Vincent, St. Katharine of Siena, and all the saints, will hear the
+prayers offered at these altars by the brothers of the order, and
+forgive our failings, increase our merit, preserve our sons, give peace
+and tranquillity to our subjects, receive the soul of our dearly loved
+Beatrice into rest eternal, and finally place us, when this life is
+over, among the holy monarchs and princes of His kingdom." This deed,
+signed and sealed by Lodovico's own hand, and beautifully illuminated by
+Antonio da Monza, or some miniaturist of his school, is preserved,
+together with the former privileges granted to the community during the
+lifetime of Duke Giangaleazzo, in the collection of the Marchese d'Adda.
+Each leaf is elaborately decorated with Lodovico's favourite mottoes and
+devices and other ornaments, while on the first page is a miniature of
+the duke in black cap and mantle, in the act of presenting the act of
+donation to the Dominican prior. After the French conquest of Milan,
+Louis XII. annulled this deed of gift, although the friars escaped
+further spoliation owing to the protection of the powerful Borromeo
+family, and, after a long dispute, their possession of the Sforzesca was
+eventually confirmed by Emperor Charles V. An inscription was placed
+over the gates of the Sforzesca in honour of Lodovico Sforza and his
+wife, and the domain remained the property of the convent until the
+general confiscation of Church lands by Napoleon in 1798. Now Lodovico's
+foundation has become national property, the remnants of his spacious
+buildings are used as government schools.
+
+On the same day, December 3, 1498, Lodovico made his will, a curious and
+interesting document, which is still preserved in the Milanese archives,
+and opens with these sentences:
+
+"The holy Fathers teach us that according to the laws of the Eternal
+kingdom, ordered by God Almighty, the elect may attain to this immortal
+heritage by purifying their souls from every earthly stain. By mourning
+for our sins, by giving alms and making reparation for wrong done to
+others, by fasting, prayers, and good works, we can win everlasting
+life, as has been decreed by God in all eternity. Believing this truth
+with our whole heart, in full agreement with the Catholic faith, and
+desiring to provide for the salvation of our soul as precious above all
+earthly treasures, so that by the help of God we may rise purified from
+the stains of this life to enjoy life and peace in the company of the
+blessed, we order these things."[76] After recommending his soul once
+more to all the saints, mentioned in the former deed, he desires that
+his body, the ducal robes and insignia, may be buried on the right of
+his wife, in the tomb erected by him, in the _Cappella Maggiore_ of
+Santa Maria delle Grazie, and further endows the convent with a rent of
+1500 ducats, in order that they may never cease to pray for his own soul
+and that of his lady, Beatrice. Seven masses, he decrees, are to be said
+daily for the duke, seven for the duchess, five requiems are to be
+chanted every Wednesday, and the whole office for the dead is to be used
+on the 3rd of every month, being the day on which Beatrice died; while
+in the church of the Sforzesca, masses are to be said in January and
+June--these being the months of Beatrice's birth and death--for both the
+duke and his wife. For a whole year after his death, the alms which he
+has given since the duchess's death are to be continued, a certain
+number of poor families are to be relieved, and poor maidens and nuns
+dowered, who are to pray for the souls of Beatrice and of his children
+Leone and Bianca. He leaves 4000 ducats to be distributed yearly in
+alms, and 3000 more to pension his old servants, while 5000 ducats are
+to be paid to each of his illegitimate sons, Cesare and Gianpaolo. All
+his debts and those of his mother are to be discharged, and a sum of
+money equal to that which he, his father, and brother Galeazzo had
+exacted from the Jews is to be spent in good works. All his gifts to the
+Duomo of Milan are confirmed, including the rich plate and vestments
+presented by Azzo Visconti to the chapel of S. Gottardo in the old
+palace, and removed by Duke Galeazzo to the Castello, but restored by
+Lodovico.
+
+To this same date, another even more interesting document must be
+assigned: the political will of Lodovico, which was among the
+manuscripts brought from Milan by Louis XII., in 1499, and is still
+preserved in the Bibliotheque Nationale.[77] This document consists of
+thirty-four parchment leaves, enriched with delicately painted initials
+and the monogram of Lodovico and Beatrice, bound in black velvet and
+fastened with gold clasps. By the duke's orders, it was placed in an
+iron casket, richly ornamented with silver work, bearing his arms and
+those of his wife, as well as the Sforza devices of the lion with the
+buckets and his own favourite emblem of the caduceus. This casket was
+sealed with the cornelian engraved with Beatrice's portrait, which
+Lodovico always used after her death, and deposited in the treasury of
+the Rocchetta, in the charge of the governor of the Castello, to be
+opened by him and the chief secretary and chamberlain, immediately after
+the duke's death. The writer begins by explaining that since the
+premature death of his wife, in whose wisdom and knowledge he placed
+absolute trust, has deprived his sons of their natural guardian, he has
+drawn up the following instructions for their education and guidance and
+for the proper administration of the State, until the elder of the two,
+Maximilian Count of Pavia, shall attain the age of twenty.
+
+First of all, he desires the governors and regents set over his son, to
+impress upon the new duke the love and duty which he owes to his Father
+in heaven, who is the Disposer of all, and the King of earthly kings,
+and under Him to his vicar, the holy pontiff, and his Imperial Majesty,
+Maximilian King of the Romans. And immediately on the present duke's
+death, his son is to apply to the Cesarean Majesty for a confirmation of
+the privileges granted to Duke Lodovico as a singular mark of favour,
+after they had been refused to his father, brother, and nephew. Lodovico
+then proceeds to give minute directions for the constitution of a
+Council of Regency, the administration of the finances, the punishment
+of criminals, appointment of magistrates, and organization of the
+national defences. A standing army of 1200 men-at-arms and 600 light
+cavalry is to be kept up, as well as garrisons in the fortresses, and
+great stress is laid on the selection of tried and trusted castellans. A
+special paragraph is devoted to Genoa, and Lodovico begs his successor
+to pay especial attention to the noble families of Adorno, Fieschi, and
+Spinola, warning him that the Genoese are easily led but will never be
+driven, and must be treated courteously, and with due regard. All
+important questions of peace and war and of making new laws are to be
+referred to representatives of the people, and the voice of the nation
+is as far as possible to be consulted in these matters. The young duke
+is to make the Castello his residence, and be as seldom absent from
+Milan as possible, never going further than his country houses of
+Abbiategrasso, Cussago, Monza, Dece, and Melegnano, until he has reached
+the age of fourteen. After that, he may, if he pleases, cross the
+Ticino, and visit Vigevano and Pavia, but is recommended to be seldom
+absent from Milan, if he wishes to keep the affection of his subjects.
+His education is to be entrusted to none but the best governors and
+teachers, who are to train him carefully in all branches of religious
+and secular learning, in good conduct and habits, and in the knowledge
+of letters, which last is not merely an ornament but an absolute
+necessity for a prince. From his earliest years he is to take his place
+in the council, and is to be gradually initiated into the management of
+affairs, taught to deliver speeches and receive ambassadors, and
+instructed in all that is necessary to make him a wise and good prince,
+who cares for the welfare of his subjects and is capable of ruling them
+in days of peace, and defending them in time of war. One particular on
+which Lodovico insists is the restraint which he places on his son's
+expenditure. The young prince is to observe great caution in his gifts
+to his favourites. Up to the age of fourteen, he is never to give away
+more than 500 ducats at a time, without the leave of his councillors,
+and may never give presents exceeding that value to strangers on his own
+authority, before he is twenty. Similar directions are given for the
+education of Lodovico's younger son, Sforza, Duke of Bari, and the
+revenues of his principality are to be carefully invested in Genoese
+banks until he is of age. The wise management of the ducal stables and
+of the chapel choir is especially recommended to the regents, and good
+horses and good singers are always to be kept, for the duke's pleasure
+and the honour of his name. Minute instructions for the safe custody of
+the treasure in the Rocchetta are given, and the very forms to be
+observed in the payment of public money and in the use of the different
+seals affixed to public documents are all carefully determined. Great
+discrimination is to be observed in the appointment of certain
+ministers, in the choice of the Podesta of Milan, in the selection of
+Commissioners of Corn and Salt, as well as of the officer of Public
+Health, since all three of these departments are of the foremost
+importance in a well-regulated State.
+
+In conclusion, directions are given as to the ceremonial to be observed
+at Lodovico's own funeral, which is to take place before the
+proclamation of his successor, who is warned, on pain of incurring the
+paternal malediction, not to assume the ducal crown until his father has
+been laid in the grave.
+
+This political testament, which is so characteristic a monument of
+Lodovico's forethought and attention to detail, and of his enlightened
+theories of government, bears no seal or signature, but ends with the
+following lines in the Moro's own handwriting--
+
+"We Lodovico Maria, lord of Milan, affirm these orders to be those which
+we desire to be followed after our death, in the government of the
+State, under our son and successor in the Duchy. And in token of this,
+we have subscribed them with our own hand, and have appended our ducal
+seal."
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[72] G. Uzielli, _Ricerche sopra L. da Vinci_, i.
+
+[73] L. Pelissier, _op. cit._
+
+[74] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 650.
+
+[75] P. Pasolini, _Caterina Sforza_, iii.
+
+[76] Cantu in A. S. L., vi. 235.
+
+[77] Italian State papers, M. 821.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+
+Treaty of Blois--Alliance between France, Venice, and the
+Borgias--Lodovico appeals to Maximilian--His gift to Leonardo and letter
+to the Certosini--The French and the Venetians invade the
+Milanese--Desertion of Gonzaga and treachery of Milanese captains--Loss
+of Alessandria--Panic and flight of Duke Lodovico--Surrender of Pavia
+and Milan to the French--Treachery of Bernardino da Corte and surrender
+of the Castello--Triumphal entry of Louis XII.
+
+1499
+
+
+From the moment of Louis XII.'s accession, he announced his intention of
+making good his claim to the duchy of Milan. He refused to give Lodovico
+the title of duke, addressing him as Messer Lodovico, while he styled
+himself King of France and Duke of Milan, and told the Bishop of Arles
+that he would rather reign over the Milanese for one year than be King
+of France during his whole lifetime. At the same time he spoke freely of
+his plans for the conquest of Italy, and told his courtiers that he
+meant one of his sons to be King of Naples, and the other Duke of Milan.
+
+These sayings were duly reported to Lodovico by his own friends at the
+French court, and chief among them M. de Trano, a Provencal gentleman
+who was in constant correspondence with Milan, as well as by the Duke of
+Ferrara's envoy. Ercole himself is described by French agents as "_tres
+attache a son gendre_" and Marino Sanuto speaks of him as "exceedingly
+partial to his son-in-law and devoted to him in his secret heart," but
+he was far too wise and prudent a ruler to oppose Louis XII. openly.
+
+The Pope, long the Moro's firm ally, had turned against him since the
+dissolution of his daughter Lucrezia's marriage to Giovanni Sforza in
+1497, and the presence of Cardinal della Rovere, who returned to Rome
+towards the end of 1498, increased his hatred of the Sforzas. He was
+still more drawn to France by the offers of Louis XII. to forward the
+ambitious designs of his son Caesar Borgia, who had renounced his
+cardinal's hat and was seeking the hand of the King of Navarre's
+daughter. The discovery of these intrigues led to a sharp
+passage-at-arms between the Pope and Ascanio Sforza in a consistory held
+on the 3rd of December. The cardinal openly accused his Holiness of
+bringing ruin upon Italy, upon which Alexander retorted that he was only
+following the Duke of Milan's example. In vain Lodovico endeavoured to
+avert the gathering storm by entering into negotiations with the French
+king, and even approached Trivulzio with that purpose, but all attempts
+at a peaceable arrangement were frustrated by Galeazzo di Sanseverino
+and Antonio Landriano's hatred of their old rival and the fixed
+determination of Louis XII. to reign in the Moro's stead.
+
+Meanwhile the Venetian envoys were secretly plotting the Duke of Milan's
+ruin, and on the 15th of April the Treaty of Blois was signed and the
+partition of the Milanese between France and Venice finally determined.
+The Signory agreed to invade the duke's territory with an army of 6000
+men, and were to receive the district of Cremona in return for their
+assistance. This was followed by Caesar Borgia's marriage to Charlotte
+d'Albret, which took place at Blois on the 10th of May. The Pope's son
+was created Duke of Valentinois by the French king, and Alexander VI.
+joined France and Venice and publicly declared that the house of Sforza
+must be swept off the face of the earth. At the same time, Francesco
+Gonzaga made secret advances to Louis XII., who accepted his offers of
+service and advised the Venetians to make peace with him.
+
+In his extremity Lodovico turned to his sole remaining ally, the Emperor
+Maximilian, and sent Erasmo Brasca and Marchesino Stanga to Fribourg, to
+beg that a German force might be speedily sent to his assistance, while
+he earnestly entreated his niece the empress to plead his cause with her
+husband. Unfortunately, Bianca had little or no influence at the
+imperial court, and Maximilian, who would gladly have helped the duke,
+was hampered by want of money and already engaged in war with his
+turbulent Swiss neighbours. But Bianca did her best for her uncle, and
+in these last days her letters were his chief consolation. She sent him
+the latest and most confidential news, and wrote repeatedly from
+Fribourg and Innsbruck, encouraging him with hopes of speedy help, and
+reminding him how triumphantly he had overcome greater dangers in the
+past.
+
+Even now, when his enemies were closing round him and the last struggle
+was at hand, Lodovico still clung to his old ideals. The love of art was
+still the ruling passion of his life, and Leonardo still for him the
+prince of painters. On the 26th of April, he made the Florentine master
+a present of a vineyard which he had bought from the monastery of S.
+Victor outside the Porta Vercellina, probably adjoining a house and
+piece of land which the painter had already received from him, near S.
+Maria delle Grazie. During the last few years the duke, we know, had
+found it increasingly difficult to provide money for his vast
+enterprises, and from a rough draft of a letter that has been found
+among Leonardo's manuscripts, we gather that the painter's salary was in
+arrears, and that his equestrian statue had not yet been cast in bronze:
+
+"Signore," he writes in these fragmentary sentences, "knowing the mind
+of your Excellency to be fully occupied, I must ask pardon for reminding
+you of my small affairs.... My life is at your service; I am always
+ready to obey your commands. I will say nothing of the horse, because I
+know the times; but, as your Highness is aware, two years' salary is
+owing to me, and I have two masters working at my expense, so that I
+have had to advance fifteen _lire_ out of my own purse to pay them.
+Gladly as I would undertake immortal works and show posterity that I
+have lived, I am obliged to earn my living.... May I remind your
+Highness of the commission to paint the Camerini, only asking ..."
+
+The painter, we know, had never complained of Lodovico's want of
+liberality, and before he left Milan that December, he was able to send
+600 gold florins to Florence, but he probably received the vineyard
+outside the gate in answer to this appeal. In the deed of gift, the
+duke expressly states that Leonardo, in his judgment and in that of the
+best judges, is the most famous of living painters, and that, having
+been employed by him in manifold works, in all of which he has shown
+admirable genius, the time has come to put the promises which have been
+made him into execution. Accordingly, the duke presents him with this
+vineyard, small indeed compared with the painter's merits, but which
+Leonardo may take as a sign that, as in the past, he will always find
+the ducal house sensible of his services, and that Lodovico himself will
+in the future more fully reward the master's excellent acts and singular
+talents.
+
+A week later Lodovico remembered the altar-piece which Perugino had
+promised to paint for the Certosa, and on the 1st of May wrote to the
+Carthusian friars, desiring them to urge the Umbrian painter to complete
+and deliver the work without delay.
+
+"You know," he wrote, "how much labour and expense we have bestowed on
+the decoration of the Certosa of Pavia, and how much we rejoice to see
+that the building is nearly finished. And we have always exhorted
+yourselves, venerable Prior and brothers, to choose the most excellent
+artists to paint pictures that may be at once helps to devotion and
+ornaments of the church. Since, with this intention, we proposed a
+certain Perugino and a Maestro Filippo, both of them admirable and
+honoured masters, to paint two altar-pieces, and disbursed large sums in
+order to obtain these pictures, we are seriously displeased to find that
+three years have passed without the work being done. This is unjust both
+to ourselves and the friars, since it deprives the Certosa of the
+perfection that we desire to see there, and we must beg you to insist on
+these excellent masters completing the said altar-pieces within a
+reasonable term, or else returning the money which they have received.
+For, as you know, nothing is dearer to our hearts than the things that
+concern this church and monastery."
+
+Lodovico's exertions were not in vain, at least in the case of Perugino.
+Before the end of the year, the great altar-piece containing the lovely
+Madonna and saints, which now adorns the National Gallery, was finished,
+and while the duke himself wandered in exile beyond the Alps, the
+Umbrian painter's masterpiece was safely placed in the glorious church
+which he had loved so well.
+
+This letter relating to the Certosa altar-piece and the gift to Leonardo
+were the last public acts in which the great Moro showed his love of art
+and generosity to artists. His fate was sealed, and already his foes
+were at the door. Before the end of May, King Louis and Caesar Borgia
+came to Lyons, and Trivulzio descended upon Asti with fifteen thousand
+men. A few weeks later the Milanese envoy to Venice was dismissed, and
+the Venetian army prepared to enter the district of Cremona. Caterina
+Sforza, almost the only Italian ally who was still faithful to Milan,
+sent a troop of men from Forli to her uncle's help, but the invasion of
+Romagna by papal troops hindered her from attacking the Venetians as she
+had intended. In vain Lodovico sent despairing letters to Maximilian,
+begging for the promised reinforcements. Week after week went by, and
+still the German troops did not arrive. On the 13th of August, Trivulzio
+invaded the Milanese with a powerful force of well-trained soldiers, and
+took the castle of Annona. The same day the Venetians crossed the
+eastern frontier and advanced towards the river Adda. On the 14th
+Lodovico wrote the following letter to his niece, the Empress Bianca:--
+
+"In our present great anxieties, while the French are attacking us on
+the one side, and on the other a large Venetian army is advancing, your
+Majesty's loving letter has been a great comfort, expressing not only
+the sympathy which you feel in our troubles, but the efforts you have
+made to induce your husband, the king, to help us in these bad times.
+What you say of his good-will is not more than we expected, but your
+kind words have given us unspeakable joy, and we are exceedingly
+grateful, and beg you with all our heart to continue your offices on our
+behalf with the king, entreating him to send us help immediately
+(_presto, presto_). Indeed, his troops ought to be here now, for we are
+already reduced to extremity, as you will learn from Messer Galeazzo
+Visconti and others, whom we have sent to your Majesty, praying that
+help may be speedy and effectual."[78]
+
+Three days after, Bianca herself wrote to say that she had spoken to the
+emperor, and begged her _maitre d'hotel_ to support her request, and
+that he had solemnly promised to send her uncle help. Maximilian kept
+his word, and before the month was over despatched a strong German force
+to the duke's relief. But the sorely needed succour came too late. When
+the Germans reached the Italian frontier, Milan had already surrendered,
+and they met Lodovico flying for his life. There were traitors in the
+Moro's camp and court. Not only had the Marquis of Mantua broken faith
+and refused to defend the Milanese against the Venetians, but two of the
+Sanseverino brothers, Fracassa and Antonio Maria, had for some time past
+threatened to enter the Venetian service; while Francesco Bernardino
+Visconti, the Borromeos, and Pallavicini were secretly corresponding
+with Trivulzio, and the Count of Caiazzo was out of temper and jealous
+of his younger brother Galeazzo, if he was not, as Corio and other
+contemporaries affirm, already in league with the French. Galeazzo
+himself, who had the supreme command of the Milanese forces and held
+Alessandria with 5000 men, was a brilliant carpet-knight and gallant
+soldier, but had little experience as a general, and had no confidence
+in his ill-paid and half-starved troops. When the duke, in a moment of
+irritation, reproached his son-in-law with thinking too much of fine
+clothes and fair ladies, Galeazzo boldly told him that his subjects were
+disaffected and tired of his rule, and that if he did not take vigorous
+measures, he would lose his state. His words proved all too true. One by
+one the fortresses of the Lomellina opened their gates to Trivulzio's
+victorious army, Antonio Maria Pallavicini surrendered Tortona without a
+blow, and when Galeazzo prepared to relieve Pavia, his troops refused to
+follow him. At the head of a handful of cavalry, he made a gallant
+attempt to reach Pavia, but the citizens, alarmed at the approach of the
+French, closed their gates and refused to admit any armed men.
+
+Alessandria was now the only fortified town in the district which could
+arrest Trivulzio's onward march, and Lodovico, trusting to Galeazzo's
+valour, was confident he would be able to hold the town until the
+arrival of Maximilian's reinforcements. But, to the amazement of friend
+and foe alike, on the night of the 28th of August, Galeazzo, attended by
+only three horsemen, left Alessandria at nightfall, crossed the Po, and,
+after cutting the bridge behind him, rode as fast as he could go to
+Milan. There had been dissensions in the garrison, and the soldiers
+clamoured for pay and refused to fight, but whispers of darker treachery
+were abroad. The Count of Caiazzo, it was said, had forged a letter
+purporting to be from the duke, recalling his son-in-law to Milan on the
+spot, and Galeazzo himself afterwards showed the false orders which had
+deceived him to the French and Milanese chroniclers who repeat the
+story. There seems little doubt that Caiazzo's defection was one of the
+principal causes of Lodovico's ruin, but, whatever the circumstances of
+the case may have been, it is certain that on the next day the French
+entered Alessandria without meeting with any resistance, and Trivulzio
+sent word to his kinsman Erasmo that before the week was over he would
+dine with him in Milan.
+
+When Lodovico heard that Alessandria was lost, his courage failed him.
+He determined to seek safety in flight, and prepared to send his sons to
+Germany under the charge of his brother Cardinal Ascanio Sforza and
+Cardinal Sanseverino, both of whom had left Rome secretly on the 14th of
+July, and travelled by Genoa to Milan. Once more the duke called the
+chief citizens together, and appealed to them, by the love which they
+bore to the house of Sforza and the memory of the peace and prosperity
+which they had enjoyed under his rule, to defend Milan against the
+foreign invaders. But already sedition was spreading among the people.
+That evening the ducal treasurer, Antonio Landriano, one of Lodovico's
+ablest and most loyal servants, was attacked by the mob on the Piazza of
+the Duomo and mortally wounded.
+
+On the same day--Saturday, the 31st of August--the duke took leave of
+his sons, and sent them to Como in the charge of the two cardinals and
+their kinswoman, Camilla Sforza. "A truly piteous and heart-breaking
+sight it was," writes Corio, "to see these poor children embrace their
+beloved father, whose face was wet with their tears."
+
+Twenty mules laden with baggage, and a large chariot bearing Lodovico's
+most precious jewels and 240,000 gold ducats, covered with black canvas
+and drawn by eight strong horses, followed in the young princes' train.
+All the rest of the Moro's treasures, including a sum of 30,000 ducats,
+his vast stores of gold and silver plate, and all Duchess Beatrice's
+rich clothes and possessions, were left in the Castello, which was
+provided with ample supplies of food and ammunition, and defended by
+1800 guns and a garrison of 2800 men, who had received six months' pay
+in advance. These the duke entrusted solemnly to the charge of the
+governor, Bernardino da Corte, leaving him full instructions as to his
+future course of action, and a system of signals by which he could
+communicate with friends in the town, and telling him that he would
+return with 30,000 Germans before a month was over. Both Ascanio Sforza
+and Galeazzo di Sanseverino, it is said, entertained doubts of
+Bernardino da Corte's fidelity, and warned the duke not to leave him
+without a colleague in this responsible office; but Lodovico did not
+share their fears, and trusted implicitly in the loyalty of this
+servant, whom he had advanced from a humble position to fill this
+responsible post and loaded with favours.
+
+After his children were gone, Lodovico drew up a last deed, by which he
+left certain of his lands and houses to his friends in Milan, and made
+reparation to others whom he had wronged. Chief among these was the
+widowed Duchess Isabella, to whom he gave his own duchy of Bari, in the
+kingdom of Naples, with a yearly revenue of 6000 ducats in place of her
+dowry. He restored the lands of Angleria and the fortress of Arona to
+the Borromeos, gave poor Beatrice's favourite country house of Villa
+Nuova to Battista Visconti, and divided his different domains among the
+chief representatives of noble Milanese families, in the hope of
+securing their allegiance. While he was engaged in this final disposal
+of his property, a deputation arrived to inform him that a meeting had
+been held that day in the Dominican hall of La Rosa, at which the Bishop
+of Como, Landriano, general of the Umiliati, Castiglione, Archbishop of
+Bari, and Francesco Bernardino Visconti were chosen to form a
+provisional committee of public safety, and that these councillors had
+decided to make terms with Trivulzio and admit the French. The duke said
+that he still put his trust in the people; upon which Visconti asked him
+why, if this were the case, he had sent his sons and his treasure away?
+"If you surrender the city to the French," replied the duke, "I will
+hold the Castello for the emperor." It was his last word. In vain
+Galeazzo urged him to put himself at the head of his loyal servants, and
+call upon the citizens of Milan to man the walls against the French and
+fight or die with their duke. It was already too late. While they were
+still speaking, news reached the Castello that the people had risen in
+tumultuous uproar, and that Galeazzo di Sanseverino's stables and the
+seneschal Ambrogio Ferrari's house had been sacked by the mob. The shops
+were closed, and the houses in the principal streets were barricaded.
+Terror and confusion prevailed everywhere, and Milan seemed in a state
+of siege. Lodovico now took leave of his faithful servants, and solemnly
+charged Bernardino da Corte to hold the Castello as a sacred trust. "As
+long as the Rocca holds out, I know that I shall return; but when that
+surrenders, the house of Sforza is doomed." With these words he kissed
+the castellan on the cheek, and, mounted on a black horse, in the long
+black mantle which he always wore since his wife's death, he rode out,
+accompanied by his chief senators to the Porta Vercellina. There he
+turned to his companions, and, with a noble and dignified air, thanked
+them once more for their faithful services, and bade them all farewell.
+"_State con Dio_--may God be with you," he said, and, with a last wave
+of his hand, put spurs to his black charger and rode off.
+
+The sun was setting in the western sky, and the sorrowing courtiers
+thought that their master had gone to Como. But he alighted before the
+gates of S. Maria delle Grazie, and, throwing the reins to a page,
+entered the church where Beatrice was buried. There he knelt in prayer
+by the tomb of the wife whom he had loved so well and mourned so
+long--_la sua amantissima duchessa_--while the moments slipped away and
+his servants waited anxiously outside. At length he rose from his knees,
+took a last look at the fair face and form lying there in the deep
+repose of death, and left the church, accompanied by the weeping friars,
+who followed him with their tears and blessings to the door. Three times
+he turned round, while the tears streamed down his pale face, and looked
+at the stately pile, which held all that had been dearest to him in the
+world--where Leonardo had painted his Last Supper, and where Bianca and
+Beatrice slept together. Then, in the dusk of the summer evening, he
+rode slowly back through the park and gardens of the Castello.
+
+At break of day on the following morning, Monday, the 2nd of September,
+Duke Lodovico, accompanied by his son-in-law, Galeazzo di Sanseverino,
+his nephews, Ermes and the Count of Melzi, and his brother-in-law,
+Ippolito d'Este, and attended by a few armed horsemen, left Milan and
+rode to Como. Here the fugitives spent the night, and the duke issued a
+last decree, by which he confirmed the privileges and grants of land
+which he had granted to the friars of S. Maria delle Grazie. Then he
+told the loyal citizens of Como that he would soon return at the head of
+a German army, and rode along the banks of the lake to the mountains of
+the Valtellina. Often on the road he looked back at the blue waters and
+lovely shores of that native land which he had been so proud to call his
+own, and, at last, addressing his companions in the words of the Roman
+poet, said sorrowfully, "_Nos patriam fugimus et dulcia linquimus
+arva_."
+
+"Only think, reader," moralizes Marino Sanuto, "what grief and shame so
+great and glorious a lord, who had been held to be the wisest of
+monarchs and ablest of rulers, must have felt at losing so splendid a
+state in these few days, without a single stroke of the sword.... Let
+those who are in high places take warning, considering the miserable
+fall of this lord, who was held by many to be the greatest prince in the
+world, and let them remember that when Fortune sets you on the top of
+her wheel, she may at any moment bring you to the ground, and then the
+closer you have been to heaven, the greater and the more sudden will be
+your fall."
+
+Already Ligny's horsemen were scouring the country round Como in pursuit
+of the fugitive, and reports reached Venice that the duke had been
+captured and Galeazzo slain. By this time, however, Lodovico had crossed
+the frontier and was safe on Tyrolese soil. At Bormio he met 2000 German
+troops, who were marching to his relief; and when he reached Innsbruck,
+he found that the Empress Bianca had prepared rooms for his reception,
+and received kindly messages from Maximilian, promising him more
+efficient support as soon as he had settled his quarrel with the Swiss.
+
+Meanwhile Pavia had opened her gates to the French, upon hearing news
+of the duke's flight, Trivulzio had taken possession of the Castello,
+and Ligny was occupying the Certosa, while Jean d'Auton knew not whether
+to wonder most at the rich marbles and sumptuous chapels of the great
+church, or the vast herds of red deer which roamed in the park.
+
+"Truly," the good Benedictine exclaimed, as he wandered through these
+flowery meadows with their banks of roses and myrtles, and clear springs
+of running water--"truly, this is Paradise upon earth!"
+
+On the 6th of September, after a feeble effort on the part of the
+Milanese nobles to preserve the rights and liberties of the city, the
+keys were given up to Trivulzio, who entered by the Porta Ticinese with
+Ligny and two hundred horse, and, after visiting the Duomo, breakfasted
+in the house of his kinsman, the Bishop of Como.
+
+The Count of Caiazzo had gone out to meet Trivulzio the day before, and
+had been received with great honour, while his brothers Fracassa and
+Antonio Maria took refuge with Giovanni Adorno at Genoa, and waited to
+see how the tide would turn.
+
+Still the Castello held out, and Trivulzio was debating how best to
+reduce this almost impregnable citadel, when Bernardino da Corte sent a
+herald to parley with Francesco Bernardino Visconti. At the end of a few
+days the faithless governor agreed to surrender the Castello, in
+exchange for a large sum of money and the concession of various
+privileges for his family and friends. On the 22nd, letters from the
+duke arrived, telling the castellan to be of good cheer, for the German
+troops were on their way. But when they reached Milan, the Castello was
+already in the hands of the French. The treasures of gold and silver
+plate which the Rocca contained, the money and the precious stuffs, the
+pictures and statues and furniture which adorned its _Camerini_, were
+divided between the treacherous governor, Francesco Visconti, and
+Antonio Pallavicini, while Trivulzio reserved Lodovico's magnificent
+tapestries, that alone were valued at 150,000 ducats, for his share of
+the spoil. Then the wonders of antique and modern art which the Moro had
+collected from all parts of Italy, the paintings of Leonardo and the
+gems of Caradosso, the Greek marbles and Roman cameos, Lorenzo da
+Pavia's rare instruments and Antonio da Monza's miniatures, were
+scattered to the winds. Certain things--the gorgeous altar-plate and
+vestments of the chapel, with the priceless manuscripts of the Castello
+of Pavia, and most of the Sforza portraits--were taken to Blois, others
+found their way to Venice or Mantua, and many fell into unworthy hands
+and vanished altogether.
+
+Lodovico was lying ill of asthma in the castle at Innsbruck, discussing
+the best means of relieving the Castello with Galeazzo, when the news of
+Bernardino da Corte's treachery reached him. For some minutes he
+remained silent, as if unable to realize the full meaning of the words.
+Then he said to the friends at his bedside, "Since the day of Judas
+there has never been so black a traitor as Bernardino da Corte." And all
+the rest of that day he never spoke again.
+
+Even the French were filled with horror at Bernardino's treachery, and
+shunned him like a criminal when he appeared among them. As for his old
+friends and comrades, the poets and scholars of Lodovico's court, their
+indignation knew no bounds, Lancinus Curtius hurled bitter epigrams at
+his head, and Pistoia held him up to the scorn of the whole world in
+some of his finest sonnets. He did not live long to enjoy the reward of
+his treachery and it was popularly believed in Italy that he had
+poisoned himself in his despair, or put an end to his wretched life by
+falling upon his own sword. Even Charon, sang the poet, shuddered when
+he heard the traitor's name, and refused to let him enter the gates of
+Hades.
+
+When the news of the conquest of Milan reached Lyons, Louis XII. crossed
+the Alps without delay. On the 21st of September he was at Vercelli; on
+the 26th, at Lodovico's favourite Vigevano; on the 2nd of October he
+reached Pavia, where the Marquis of Mantua and the Duke of Ferrara, who
+feared the Pope's vengeance and Caesar Borgia's army even more than the
+French, came to meet him.
+
+"Duke Ercole and his two sons," wrote the Ferrarese annalist, "are gone
+to meet the King of France. As for the Duke of Milan, his name is never
+mentioned, and you might think that he had never lived."
+
+On Sunday, the 6th of October, he made his triumphal entry into Milan,
+with the Dukes of Ferrara and Savoy riding at his side; the Cardinals
+della Rovere and d'Amboise were in front of him; and ambassadors from
+all the chief cities of Italy, and a goodly array of princes and nobles,
+in his train. Francesco Gonzaga, who had so lately been Duke Lodovico's
+guest, was there. And there, too, were men like Caiazzo and Fracassa,
+who had eaten and drunk at the Moro's table, and were fighting under his
+banner only a few weeks before, and with them one, who was still more
+closely associated with Lodovico and his wife by the ties of blood and
+friendship--Niccolo da Correggio, the favourite courtier and poet of the
+Moro, and the cousin of Beatrice.
+
+Conspicuous among them all by his height and majestic bearing was the
+Pope's son, Caesar Borgia, while the king himself made a gallant show in
+his long white mantle embroidered with golden lilies over a suit of
+royal purple, bearing the ducal cap and sword. Eight Milanese nobles
+carried an ermine-lined canopy over his head, and the doctors of the
+University of Pavia were there in their scarlet robes, as they appeared
+a few short years before at Lodovico's coronation. Fair ladies in gay
+attire welcomed the victor with their smiles. Everywhere tall white
+lilies were seen blossoming in the streets that led to the Duomo--Notre
+Dame du Dome, as the monkish chronicler calls the glorious pile of
+dazzling marbles that rose into the summer air. Here the procession
+paused, and the king walked up the vaulted aisles to pay his devotions
+at the Madonna's shrine. Then he rode on again, to the sound of trumpets
+and horns, and the royal guard of Gascon archers led the way up the
+well-known street, with the frescoed palaces and goldsmiths and
+armourers' shops, to the gates of the famous Castello, where the victor
+entered and took up his abode in this proud citadel of the Sforzas, the
+core and centre of the Milanese.
+
+In the eyes of the French strangers it was all very marvellous--the
+beautiful city with its stately palaces and hospitals, and the fair
+churches with their Gothic spires and pinnacles, their slender creamy
+shafts and deep red terra-cotta mouldings; the Milanese ladies with
+their jewelled robes and mantles embroidered with cunningly wrought
+devices, the flowering lilies and the garlands of laurel and myrtle--all
+seen under the radiant sunshine and the deep blue of the Italian skies.
+But what excited their admiration and wonder more than all was the
+Castello.
+
+"A thing," writes one of them, "truly marvellous and inestimable, with
+so many large and beautiful rooms that I lost all reckoning. Without are
+broad lakes, fair running streams, and bridges. There is a fine large
+square on the side of the town, and on the other are beautiful meadows
+and woods and the chateau, where the Moro had his stables, painted with
+frescoes of different-coloured horses."
+
+King Louis wondered most of all at the strength and completeness of the
+bastions and excellence of the artillery, exclaiming that never before
+had he seen so strong and splendid a citadel! And he and all the
+Frenchmen greatly blamed that second Judas, who had betrayed his master
+and delivered it up without a blow.
+
+The next morning, his Majesty attended mass at S. Ambrogio, accompanied
+by the Dukes of Ferrara and Savoy, the Marquis of Mantua, Caesar Borgia,
+and all the cardinals and ambassadors, and afterwards visited the church
+and convent of S. Maria delle Grazie. Here he gazed with admiration on
+the Cenacolo of Leonardo, that master of whose genius he had heard so
+much, and expressed his ardent wish to transfer the famous wall-painting
+to France, a sentiment which can hardly have gratified the Dominican
+friars or the Italian princes in his train. The painter was not present
+on this occasion. His master had fled, the works upon which he was
+engaged were all interrupted, and on the approach of the French he had
+left Milan for one of his favourite country retreats in the hills of
+Bergamo or the mountains of Como, where he could study Nature and pursue
+his scientific researches in peace. And the French king and Caesar
+Borgia, whose genuine appreciation of fine art was well known, did not
+fail to admire Bramante's fair chapel and that latest masterpiece of
+Lombard sculpture, the noble tomb which the Moro had raised to be an
+eternal memorial of his love and sorrow. There were others in his train
+that day who could hardly look unmoved on the sleeping form of the young
+duchess with the child-like face and the brocade robes which _Il Gobbo_
+had fashioned with such exquisite skill. There was her brother-in-law,
+Francesco Gonzaga, and Niccolo da Correggio, in whose heart that fair
+face and bright eyes, he tells us, were for ever enshrined; there were
+her brothers, Alfonso and Ferrante; above all, there was her father, the
+aged Duke Ercole. The sight of that marble figure, with the soft curling
+hair and the long fringe of eyelashes and quietly folded hands, must
+have vividly recalled the memory of his dead child, and of all the joy
+and brightness that had vanished in the grave with Beatrice. For him at
+least that must have been a bitter moment.
+
+And there was yet another, young Baldassare Castiglione, that courtly
+and handsome boy who had been sent to Milan a few years before to finish
+his education, and had now followed his master, the Marquis of Mantua,
+to wait upon the French king. He had been present many a time at those
+brilliant _fetes_ in the Castello, and had seen Duchess Beatrice in her
+most radiant and triumphant hour, had talked with Leonardo and Bramante,
+and looked on Messer Galeaz as the mirror of chivalry. Now he came back
+to find the scene changed and that gay company all dead or gone. And the
+next day he sat down to write home to Mantua and tell his mother of all
+the pomp and splendour of the scenes which he had witnessed. He
+described the king's triumphal entry, and the great procession in which
+he had taken part, with all a boy's enthusiasm; but he could not refrain
+from a sigh over the melancholy change in the Castello, when he told her
+how these halls and courts, that had once been the home and
+meeting-place of rare intellects and accomplished artists, "the fine
+flower of the human race," were now full of drinking-booths and
+dung-hills--of rude soldiery, who defiled the place with their foul
+habits and polluted the air with their savage oaths. So passes the glory
+of the world.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[78] L. Pelissier, _op. cit._
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+
+Louis XII. in Milan--Hatred of the French rule--Return of Duke Lodovico
+--His march to Como and triumphal entry into Milan--Trivulzio and the
+French retire to Mortara--Surrender of the Castello of Milan, of Pavia
+and Novara, to the Moro--His want of men and money--Arrival of La
+Tremouille's army--Lodovico besieged in Novara and betrayed to the
+French king by the Swiss--Rejoicings at Rome and Venice--Triumph of the
+Borgias--Sufferings of the Milanese--Leonardo's letter.
+
+1499-1500
+
+
+During the next month Louis XII. remained in the Castello of Milan,
+joining in hunting-parties with his guests, the Duke of Ferrara and the
+Marquis of Mantua, and being royally entertained at banquets by the
+Viscontis and Borromeos and Giangiacomo Trivulzio. Isabella d'Este,
+eager to ingratiate herself with the French, invited Ligny to visit her,
+and sent dogs and falcons, as well as trout from Garda, to the king, who
+told La Tremouille that he had never tasted better fish. And when
+Cardinal d'Amboise expressed his admiration for Andrea Mantegna's art
+and told the marquis that in his opinion he was the first master in the
+world, Isabella hastened to promise him a picture by the great Paduan's
+hand.
+
+It was a sad time for the followers of Lodovico. The faithful servants
+who had followed him into exile, saw their lands and houses confiscated
+and divided among the victors. The Count of Ligny's mother occupied the
+Marchesino Stanga's house, and Trivulzio's triumph over his rivals was
+complete when he received the Moro's palace of Vigevano and Messer
+Galeazzo's fair domain of Castel Novo as his share of the spoils. But
+no one suffered more keenly or shed more bitter tears than
+Giangaleazzo's widow, Duchess Isabella. She had unwisely declined
+Lodovico's advice to leave Milan when the war broke out, and take refuge
+on her uncle Frederic's galleys at Genoa. Instead of this, she remained
+in Milan and sent her son, a child of eight, whom contemporaries
+describe as beautiful as a cherub, but weak in mind, like his father, to
+meet Louis XII. on his arrival at the Castello. But, to her dismay, the
+king refused to allow the young prince to return to his mother, and when
+he left Milan on the 7th of November, he took the boy with him to
+France, and made him Abbot of Noirmoutiers, where he lived in retirement
+until, twelve years later, he broke his neck out hunting. After her
+son's departure, the unhappy mother, who signed herself "_Ysabella de
+Aragonia Sforcia unica in disgrazia_" in letters of this period, finally
+left Milan. Early in 1500 she paid a visit to Isabella d'Este at Mantua,
+and then travelled by sea from Genoa to Naples, and spent the rest of
+her life in her principality of Bari. One of her daughters died as a
+child; the other, Bona, was betrothed to her cousin, Maximilian Sforza,
+when, in 1512, he was restored to his father's throne. It was Isabella's
+cherished dream that her last remaining child should reign over the
+duchy of Milan, where, after all, her own brightest days had been spent;
+but before the marriage could take place, the young duke had been
+compelled to abdicate his throne and taken captive to France. His
+betrothed bride, Princess Bona, married Sigismund, King of Poland, in
+1518, and six years later her mother died at Naples.
+
+After Louis XII. left Milan, the severity of Trivulzio's rule, and the
+violence and rapacity of the French soldiery, led to increasing
+discontent among the people, who sighed for the good old days of Duke
+Lodovico, when at least their life and property, and the honour of their
+wives and daughters, were safe. Even on the day of the French king's
+entry, Marino Sanuto remarks that Louis was displeased to find how few
+of the people cried "France!" while the Venetians were greeted with
+shouts of "Dogs!" and hardly dared show themselves in the streets. "We
+have given the king his dinner," said a Milanese citizen; "you will be
+served up for his supper!" Already, on the 21st of September, the
+annalist of Ferrara wrote: "The French are hated in Milan for their
+rudeness and arrogance." And a private letter, written by a Venetian
+from Milan, in October, confirms Castiglione's account of the confusion
+and disorder that reigned in the Castello.
+
+"The French are dirty people. The king goes to hear mass without a
+single candle, and eats alone, in the eyes of all the people. In the
+Castello there is nothing but foulness and dirt, such as Signor Lodovico
+would not have allowed for the whole world! The French captains spit
+upon the floor of the rooms, and the soldiers outrage women in the
+streets. The Ducheto has been taken from his mother, who weeps all day
+long. Galeazzo is with Lodovico, Caiazzo with King Louis, Fracassa and
+Antonio Maria are at Ferrara, and keep up an active correspondence with
+Lodovico and Galeazzo."[79]
+
+Meanwhile, at Innsbruck, the exiled duke was anxiously watching the
+course of events, and awaiting a favourable moment to return and claim
+his own. "I will beat the drum in winter and dance all the summer," was
+the motto which he adopted, together with the device of a tambourine, in
+reference to his future hopes. A letter which the well-known preacher,
+Celso Maffei of Verona, addressed to him, moralizing over the causes of
+his fall, and exhorting him to observe the laws of public and private
+justice, gave Lodovico an opportunity of issuing a manifesto to his
+adherents. In this curious document he defends his conduct, and declares
+that he has no reason to reproach himself for anything in his past life.
+He has always led a Christian life, given abundant alms, listened to
+frequent masses, and said many prayers, especially since the death of
+his dear wife Beatrice. He has ever had a strict regard for justice, no
+complaint of his subjects has ever been left unheard, and since his
+fall, no one has ever reproached him with injustice excepting the
+Borromeos, whose alleged wrongs he explains, in a manner to justify his
+own action. His whole desire has been to love his subjects as his own
+children, and seek peace and prosperity for his realm. If he raised
+heavy taxes, it was only in order to defend his people from their
+enemies, and he never waged war excepting to resist the invasion of
+hostile armies. Whatever mistakes he may have made, the Milanese have
+never had reason to complain of him, and have proved this by their
+fidelity, only a few captains having sold the fortresses in their charge
+and joined the French. And in conclusion he appeals to his old subjects
+to restore him once more to the throne of his ancestors.
+
+His appeal was not in vain. Niccolo della Bussola and the architect
+Jacopo da Ferrara, Leonardo's friend, arrived at Innsbruck in December,
+bringing the duke word of the disaffection that reigned in Milan, and of
+the prayers that were daily offered up for his return. Cheered by these
+tidings, Lodovico determined to leave nothing undone on his part. He
+pawned his jewels and began to raise forces both in the Tyrol and
+Switzerland. In his eagerness to find allies, he applied to Henry VII.
+of England, and even invited the Turks to attack the Venetians in
+Friuli. Maximilian helped him with men and money, as far as his slender
+resources would allow, and summoned the German Diet to meet at Augsburg
+in February, in the hope of obtaining support from the electors. But the
+Moro's impatience could brook no delay. At Christmas he came to Brixen,
+and there succeeded in collecting a force of eight or ten thousand Swiss
+and German _Landsknechten_, supported by a body of Stradiots and his own
+Milanese horse. At the head of this little army, Lodovico left Brixen on
+the 24th of January, and set out on his gallant but ill-fated attempt to
+recover his dominions.
+
+Meanwhile Girolamo Landriano, the General of the Umiliati, who had been
+the first to yield Milan to the French, was actively engaged in plotting
+the restoration of Lodovico, with the help of the leading ecclesiastics
+in the city. "To say the truth," writes Jean d'Auton, "the whole duchy
+of Milan was secretly in favour of Lodovico, and all the Lombards were
+swollen with poison, and ready like vipers to shoot out the deadly venom
+of their treason." A general rising was fixed for Candlemas Day, but so
+well was the secret kept, that not a whisper reached the vigilant ears
+of Trivulzio, and all remained quiet until the last few days of January.
+On the 24th, a band of children at play, engaged in a mimic fight
+between the supposed French and Milanese armies, ending with the rout of
+the French and a procession in which the effigy of King Louis was
+dragged through the streets tied to a donkey's tail. Some French
+soldiers, who witnessed the scene, fired on the children, killing one
+and wounding others, upon which the citizens rose in arms, and drove the
+foreigners back into the Castello. This was followed by a more serious
+riot on the 31st of January, and Trivulzio gave orders for a general
+disarming of the people, which, however, he was unable to enforce.
+Already news had reached Como that the Moro had crossed the Alps, and
+was on his way to Milan.
+
+The course of Lodovico's victorious march is best described in a letter
+which he addressed to his sister-in-law, Isabella d'Este, on the day
+after his triumphal entry into his old capital.
+
+"ILLUSTRIOUS LADY AND DEAREST SISTER,
+
+"On the 24th of last month we left Brixen by the grace of God, and
+crossed Monte Braulio into the Valtellina with a body of
+_Landsknechten_. Monsignore the Vice-chancellor, Messer Galeaz, and
+Messer Visconti, went on before with the Swiss and Grison infantry, by
+way of Coire and Chiavenna, and reached the lake of Como on the 30th.
+Here M. Galeaz fitted out eleven ships, with which he attacked and put
+to flight the enemy's fleet, and took a fortress occupied by the French.
+Both the Castle of Bellagio and the town of Torno surrendered to His
+Reverence, who pushed on with his troops to Como, where he met
+Monsignore Sanseverino arriving from the Valtellina, and the two
+cardinals together did the rest. Monsieur de Ligny and the Count of
+Musocho"--Trivulzio's son--"who held the town with 1500 horse, fled at
+the approach of the two Monsignori, knowing the feeling of the people,
+and his Eminence entered Como amidst the greatest rejoicing in the
+world. M. Galeaz and his light horse pursued the enemy, and Monsignore
+pushed on towards Milan, hearing from our friends there that his arrival
+was impatiently desired. On Friday, the last of January, some of the
+people rose in arms, and M. Gian Giacomo fortified the Corte Vecchia and
+the Duomo, and, with 2000 infantry, marched through the streets of the
+armourers, the builders, and the hatters, to make a public
+demonstration. But our friends waited, knowing that the right moment
+had not yet come. On Sunday, the 2nd, the French captains, hearing of
+the cardinals' approach, and knowing the strong feeling in the city,
+assembled their troops early on the Piazza of the Castello. Our friends
+were well prepared, and at the same moment all the bells rang, and the
+whole city rose in arms. More than 60,000 people attacked the French,
+and drove them back into the Castello, where they spent the night,
+without forage for their horses, and on Monday morning, the day before
+yesterday, they fled from Milan in terror. The bridges had been broken
+down to hinder their passage, but, luckily for them, the Ticino was low,
+and they crossed the bed of the river, and retired to Gaiata in safety.
+And on Monday the Vice-chancellor entered Milan, amidst universal
+rejoicing, and endeavoured to give chase to the French army, but had not
+a sufficient number of horse to effect his object.
+
+"On Monday morning we reached Como, after taking possession of the
+castle on the rock of Musso, and were joyfully received all along the
+lake, by the chief citizens and gentlemen of the district, who came out
+in boats to meet us. At the gates of the city, the whole population
+received us with incredible rejoicing and loud acclamations. Yesterday
+we slept at Mirabello, a house of the Landriani, about a mile out of
+Milan. All the way from Como crowds of gentlemen and citizens streamed
+out to meet us on foot or on horseback, in continually increasing
+numbers, and cries of _Moro! Moro!_ and shouts of joy greeted our steps,
+whichever way we turned. This morning at sunrise we left Mirabello, and
+entered the suburb of the Porta Nova, at the hour indicated by our
+astrologer, but alighted at Gian Francesco da Vimercato's garden, and
+waited there a little while, to give the gentlemen time to meet us, and
+enter the city.
+
+"The two cardinals rode out to meet us, and Messer Galeaz and many
+gentlemen, with a great number of men-at-arms on foot and horseback, and
+we marched all through the city and up to the Duomo. All the streets and
+windows and roofs were thronged with people shouting our name, with such
+rapture that it would be a thing almost incredible if we had not seen it
+ourselves. And so with universal rejoicing we have returned here, by
+the grace of God, and already we hear that Lodi, Piacenza, Pavia,
+Tortona, and Alessandria have driven out the French, and returned of
+their own free will to our allegiance. The castle of Trezzo has
+surrendered, and that of Cassano has been fortified in our name by the
+Marchesino, and all the towns on the Venetian frontier have declared for
+us, and before long we hope to have recovered the whole state. The
+Castello here is still held by 300 French soldiers, but it is badly
+provided with victuals and fuel, and although they have saltpetre, there
+is no charcoal to make gunpowder, so we are in good hope of recovering
+the place, but do not mean to let this delay us for a moment in pursuing
+our victorious course. The enemy is in full retreat, and we mean to
+drive them back to the mountain passes, and have already sent M. Galeaz
+early this morning with the infantry, and all the horse that we have, in
+their pursuit. Monsignore Sanseverino is gone to-day, and we follow
+to-morrow with all the horse we can collect and a good number of
+infantry, the better to carry out our plans. We hear that the soldiers,
+which were in Romagna, to the number of 250 lances, besides infantry,
+have been recalled, and have reached Parma, and feel sure that your
+lord, the Marquis of Mantua, and our other allies will pursue them, and
+with their help, and the general rising of the people, we trust to
+obtain complete victory. We tell your Highness these things the more
+gladly because we feel sure that you have been grieved for our trouble,
+and will rejoice with us at these fortunate successes. You will forgive
+me for not writing in my own hand, because of pressing engagements.
+
+                        "LODOVICUS MARIA SFORTIA,
+                             _Anglus Dux Mediolani, etc., B. Chalcus_.
+
+Milan, February 5, 1500."[80]
+
+At the same time Lodovico wrote to Francesco Gonzaga--
+
+"This morning we entered Milan, and it would be impossible to describe
+the immense jubilation of the whole city and all classes of people, or
+the extraordinary demonstrations of affection and good-will that we have
+received on all sides. Our intention is to follow up our victory with
+the utmost speed, to effect the complete destruction of our enemies, and
+secure the passes neglecting no precaution. To-day we have sent
+Monsignore Sanseverino on with ten thousand Germans, and intend to
+follow with the remaining forces ourselves to-morrow. I hope your
+Highness will attack and destroy the troops on their way from Romagna,
+and if they are already gone, join with the forces of our allies and the
+men of the country in their pursuit, according to the orders that we
+have already issued."
+
+This sudden revolution took all Italy by surprise. When couriers arrived
+in Mantua and Ferrara, saying that Duke Lodovico had that day entered
+Milan in triumph, people refused to believe the news. But it was true.
+"The Moro has returned," wrote Jean d'Auton, "and has entered Milan,
+where he has been received as if he were a God from heaven, great and
+small shouting _Moro!_ with one accord. Verily these Lombards seem to
+adore him. One and all implore him to drive out the French and become
+their prince again." When the people saw the well-known form of their
+old duke riding through the streets, clad in rich crimson damask, their
+enthusiasm knew no bounds. The two cardinals were at his side, and
+Messer Galeazzo rode behind him, in a suit of glittering brocade, with
+tall white plumes in his cap and white shoes, "better fitted," remarks
+the chronicler, "for the service of Venus than for that of Mars." They
+took up their abode in the old palace of the Corte Vecchia, near the
+Duomo, since the Castello was in the hands of the enemy, and the duke
+issued a proclamation, calling on all loyal subjects to restore the
+pictures, hangings, and other rare and precious objects, which had been
+taken from the Castello. The wealthy citizens parted freely with their
+gold and jewels, the Prior and friars of S. Maria delle Grazie melted
+down their sumptuous altar-plate, and the canons of the Duomo brought
+the duke those costly gifts which he had made them in his days of
+prosperity. Having thus succeeded in raising 100,000 ducats, Lodovico
+assembled the councillors, and harangued them in eloquent language,
+reminding them of all they had suffered from the French tyranny, and
+calling on them to join him in delivering their land from this
+intolerable yoke. "I, too, have been guilty of mistakes and faults in
+the past," he added, "but I will repair them. All I ask is to be your
+captain, not your lord. Help me to drive out the stranger."
+
+Before the week was over, Jacopo Andrea and his friends had succeeded
+in obtaining the capitulation of the French garrison, and the Castello
+was occupied by Cardinal Ascanio, whom Lodovico left with a small force
+at Milan, while he himself went on to Pavia. It was on one of the few
+days which he spent in Milan that his meeting with the Chevalier Bayard
+took place, as recorded in the joyous chronicle of the loyal servant.
+After a skirmish with some of Messer Galeazzo's horse at Binasco, the
+young French knight who had been too eager in the pursuit of his foes
+was taken prisoner, and brought before the duke at Milan. Lodovico,
+wondering at his youth, asked him what brought him in such hurried guise
+to Milan, and ended by restoring his sword and horse, and sending him
+back to his friends under the escort of a herald, to tell Ligny of the
+courteous treatment which he had received from the Moro, and to say what
+a gallant gentleman Duke Lodovico was--"_qui pour peu de chose n'est pas
+aise a etonner_."
+
+At Pavia the Moro was received with the same enthusiastic joy, and
+during the fortnight that he remained there the Castello was bombarded
+and taken by his artillery. The next week his native town of Vigevano
+welcomed him with open arms, and the French garrison was forced to quit
+the citadel. But the Venetians held Lodi and Piacenza, and the Duke of
+Ferrara and Marquis of Mantua, however much they wished their kinsman
+well, and secretly disliked the French, did not dare to incur their
+vengeance by any rash action. In vain the Moro wrote passionate appeals
+to Francesco Gonzaga from Pavia and Vigevano, urging him to come to his
+help before it was too late, and pointing out how the safety and
+well-being of Mantua depended upon that of Milan. All the marquis
+ventured to do was to send his brother Giovanni, with a troop of horse,
+to help Lodovico in the siege of Novara, which he now attacked with the
+aid of fifty pieces of artillery sent from Innsbruck.
+
+Meanwhile his foes were every day gaining strength. King Louis had
+hastily collected a large army of French lances and Swiss mercenaries
+under La Tremouille at Asti, who entered Lombardy, and marched to
+relieve Trivulzio and Ligny at Mortara. On the other hand, the French
+troops who had gone with Yves d'Allegre to assist Caesar Borgia in the
+siege of Forli and conquest of Romagna, speedily retraced their steps to
+relieve the garrison of Novara. But they could not hold out against the
+furious assaults of the Germans and Burgundians, and on the 21st of
+March the castle surrendered, and the garrison marched out with the
+honours of war. Two days afterwards La Tremouille reached Vercelli at
+the head of his powerful army, and succeeded in effecting a junction
+with Trivulzio's forces. This put an end to the Moro's brilliant
+successes, and it became evident to all that the unequal contest could
+not be maintained much longer. Seeing himself outnumbered and surrounded
+on all sides, Lodovico threw himself into Novara, and early in April was
+besieged there in his turn. But the Swiss, who formed the bulk of his
+force, murmured because they were not allowed to pillage the towns, and
+began to communicate secretly with their comrades in the hostile camp.
+The Moro had sent Galeazzo Visconti to Berne, and at his request the
+Helvetian Diet issued orders to the Swiss in both armies, forbidding
+them to fight against their comrades. But the French envoy, Antoine de
+Bussy, bribed the herald who bore the message to Novara, and only the
+Swiss in the Moro's service received orders to lay down their arms. The
+result was that when Lodovico's captains led them out to meet the enemy,
+they refused to fight, and withdrew in confusion into the city. In vain
+the duke offered them his silver plate and jewels, till he could obtain
+money from Milan, and begged them to return to the battle. In vain
+Galeazzo, at the head of his Lombards, charged the foe gallantly,
+killing many of them with his artillery and putting the others to
+flight. He and his brothers fought desperately, till the sword was
+broken in Galeazzo's hands and Fracassa was badly wounded. But all their
+heroism was of no avail. Trivulzio was already in secret treaty with the
+Swiss, who sent a deputy to the French camp, asking for leave to lay
+down their arms and return to their own country.
+
+Antonio Grumello, who was in Novara at the time, describes how late one
+evening, when the duke sat playing chess with Fracassa in the bishop's
+palace, where he lodged, a spy was led in, who told him that Trivulzio
+had boasted that the Moro would be his captive in less than a
+fortnight. "What do you say?" asked Lodovico of Almodoro, the
+astrologer, who had followed him into exile. But Almodoro shook his
+head. It was impossible; no planet foretold such a disaster; on the
+contrary, all the signs were propitious, and he spoke confidently of
+coming victory. "On Wednesday in Holy Week," continued the chronicler,
+"the betrayal of Judas began." That day, as Galeazzo was preparing for
+another sally, the Swiss came to him in a body and laid down their arms,
+saying they would not fight against their comrades in the other camp.
+Already one of the gates had been treacherously opened, and the French
+were in the city. In this extremity an Albanian captain offered the duke
+a fleet Arab horse and begged him to escape. But Lodovico refused to
+desert his friends, and would only accept the proposal of the Swiss
+captains that he and his companions should assume the garb of common
+soldiers and mingle in the ranks. He covered his crimson silk vest and
+scarlet hose, hid his long hair under a tight cap, and took a halberd in
+his hand. In this disguise he was preparing to file out of the camp in
+the ranks of the Grison troops, when a Swiss captain named Turman, and
+called Soprasasso by the Italians, betrayed him to the French. The
+Swiss, it is said, received 30,000 ducats as the price of blood from
+Trivulzio, but were discontented with the sum, and quarrelled violently
+over the gold among themselves; while the traitor had his head cut off
+on his return home, and such were the execrations heaped upon him by his
+comrades, that his wife and children were forced to change their name.
+"_E lo quello_"--"There he is"--were the words in which Turman pointed
+Lodovico out to a French captain, who immediately laid his hand on the
+duke's arm and arrested him in the name of King Louis. "_Son contento_,"
+replied Lodovico, calmly; and made no further resistance. "I surrender,"
+he said afterwards, "to my kinsman, Monsignore de Ligny." Accordingly he
+was delivered to Ligny, who treated him with all respect, and provided
+him with a horse and apparel suited to his rank.
+
+It is said that at first he declined to meet Trivulzio, but the
+chronicler Prato describes an interview which took place between the
+duke and his former captain soon afterwards. Trivulzio, in whose heart
+the old wrong still rankled, greeted his captive with the words, "It is
+you, Lodovico Sforza, who drove me out for the sake of a stranger, and,
+not content with this, have stirred the Milanese to rebellion." Lodovico
+merely shrugged his shoulders, and replied quietly, "Who among us can
+tell the reason why we love one man and hate another?"
+
+"And so," adds Grumello, "poor Lodovico was taken captive, and with him
+Galeazzo and Fracassa; but Galeazzo became the prisoner of the Swiss,
+and was led away by these Helvetians on a black horse without a saddle,
+riding on a sack. And I saw this with my own eyes."
+
+All three of the Sanseverini brothers were claimed by the Bailiff of
+Dijon as his prisoners, but Antonio Maria managed to escape from their
+hands, and both Fracassa and Galeazzo were ransomed by their relatives
+for one thousand ducats a-piece at the end of a few weeks. Fracassa
+sought his wife at Ferrara, and Galeazzo took refuge with the other
+Milanese exiles at Innsbruck. The Marchesino Stanga, who was also taken
+captive at Novara, was imprisoned in the Castello of Milan, and died
+there before the end of the year.
+
+On the evening of his capture, Wednesday, the 10th of April, Lodovico
+was taken to the citadel of Novara, where he remained for a week. His
+faithful friends, the good friars of S. Maria delle Grazie, supplied
+their illustrious patron with a set of silk and gold and silver brocade
+vests, hats and shoes to match, scarlet hose, and fine Reims linen
+shirts. All Lodovico himself asked for was a copy of Dante's "Divina
+Commedia," that he might study it during his captivity. On the 17th he
+was conducted by La Tremouille, accompanied by four servants and two
+pages, to Susa, where he became so ill that he was unable to continue
+the journey. After a few days' rest he recovered, and was taken over the
+mountains to Lyons, in charge of M. de Crussol and the king's band of
+archers.
+
+Great were the rejoicings among the Moro's enemies when the news of his
+capture was made known. King Louis ordered solemn _Te Deums_ to be
+chanted in Notre Dame of Paris, and himself went in state to give thanks
+in the church of Our Lady of Comfort at Lyons, while he extolled La
+Tremouille as another Clovis or Charles Martel in his despatches. The
+Pope gave the messenger who brought the news a gift of a hundred ducats,
+for joy, he said, that the traitor-brood was annihilated. The Orsini
+lighted bonfires, and the jubilee rejoicings waxed louder and longer
+through the night. Cardinal Ascanio's palace, with all his treasures of
+art, was seized by Alexander VI., and his benefices were divided among
+the pontiff's creatures. In Venice the Piazza was illuminated and all
+the bells rung, while the children and boatmen sang--
+
+    "Ora il Moro fa la danza,
+    Viva Marco e 'l re di Franza!"
+
+and dancing and pageants celebrated the downfall of the Republic's most
+dreaded foe. Even in Florence the citizens rejoiced over the fall of
+another tyrant, and raised a crucifix at the doors of the Palazzo
+Pubblico to commemorate the victory of freedom. Had they known it, they
+were in reality celebrating the loss of national independence, the
+beginning of a long reign of slavery and foreign rule. Seldom has the
+cause of freedom and civilization suffered a worse blow than this
+betrayal of the Moro at Novara, which left the Milanese a prey to French
+invaders, and planted the yoke of the stranger firmly on the neck of
+Northern Italy.
+
+At the news of his brother's capture, Ascanio Sforza left Milan to seek
+refuge across the Alps, but was himself taken prisoner, with his nephew
+Ermes, at the Castle of Rivolta, near Piacenza, by the Venetians, who
+delivered them up to the French king. Both were taken to France, and the
+cardinal was detained in honourable captivity in the citadel of Bourges,
+until, in January, 1502, he was released to take part in the conclave
+that elected Pius III. With Trivulzio's return to Milan a reign of
+terror began. The city was heavily fined, the partisans of the Sforza
+were exiled or imprisoned, Niccolo da Bussola and Leonardo's beloved
+friend, Jacopo Andrea, were hung, and their limbs drawn and quartered
+and exposed to view on the battlements of the Castello, in spite of Duke
+Ercole's intercession on behalf of the distinguished architect. Pavia
+was sacked by the French, and Lombardy paid with tears and blood for
+its loyalty to the race of Sforza. The period of anarchy and confusion
+which followed is described in mournful language by the Milanese
+chroniclers. During the next forty years, the city was continually taken
+and sacked by contending armies, her fair parks and gardens were
+trampled underfoot by foreign soldiery, and her beautiful churches and
+palaces destroyed by shells and cannon-balls. French and German ruffians
+tore the clothes off the backs of the poor, and snatched the bread from
+the lips of starving children. People were everywhere seen dying of
+hunger and the grass growing in the squares. There were no voices in the
+streets, often no services in the churches. Silence and desolation
+reigned throughout the unhappy city. "Blessed indeed," sighs the writer,
+"were those who were able to seek shelter in flight." Beyond the borders
+of Lombardy, there were others who grieved over the Moro's fall. In
+Mantua and Ferrara his friends shed secret tears over his fate. "Duke
+Ercole is very sad," writes our friend the annalist, "for his
+son-in-law's sake, and so are all the people." And Caterina Sforza, in
+her lonely captivity within the walls of the Castel' Sant' Angelo, wept
+over her uncle's ruin and the downfall of her race. Far away in
+Florence, one artist, who had lived in close intimacy with the Moro for
+many a long year, who had discussed a hundred problems and planned all
+manner of mighty works with him, heard the news with a pang of regret.
+Leonardo had been in Venice with Lorenzo da Pavia, the great
+organ-master, when the wonderful tidings of the duke's return had come.
+He and Lorenzo must have smiled when they saw the long faces and
+sinister air of the grave Venetian senators at this unexpected turn of
+affairs. Eagerly they watched and waited and wondered if these things
+could be really true, and if the Moro were to reign once more on his
+fathers' throne, and carry out all the great dreams of his soul. And now
+it was all over, and the French were supreme in Milan, and the great
+horse on which the master had spent the best years of his life was used
+as a target for the arrows of Gascon archers. The duke and Messer Galeaz
+were captives, Sforzas and Viscontis were in prison or exile, and Jacopo
+Andrea had died a cruel death. On Leonardo the blow fell with crushing
+force; but he held his peace, and only the few broken sentences in his
+notebook remain to tell of his shattered hopes and of his inconsolable
+regrets.
+
+"The Saletta above ... (left unfinished).
+
+"Bramante's buildings ... (left undone).
+
+"The Castellano a prisoner ...
+
+"Visconti in prison--his son dead.
+
+"Gian della Rosa's revenues seized.
+
+"Bergonzio"--the duke's treasurer--"deprived of his fortune.
+
+"The duke has lost state, fortune, and liberty, and not one of his works
+has been completed."
+
+In these last melancholy words we read Lodovico Sforza's epitaph,
+pronounced over him by Leonardo the Florentine.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[79] M. Sanuto, _Diarii_, iii.
+
+[80] Luzio-Renier, _op. cit._, p. 672.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI
+
+Lodovico Sforza enters Lyons as a captive--His imprisonment at
+Pierre-Encise and Lys Saint-Georges--Laments over Il Moro in the popular
+poetry of France and Italy--Efforts of the Emperor Maximilian to obtain
+his release--Ascanio and Ermes Sforza released--Lodovico removed to
+Loches--Paolo Giovio's account of his captivity--His attempt to
+escape--Dungeon at Loches--Death of Lodovico Sforza--His burial in S.
+Maria delle Grazie.
+
+1500-1508
+
+
+On the 2nd of May, 1500, barely a month after Lodovico Sforza's
+triumphant return to Milan, the ancient city of Lyons witnessed a
+strange and mournful procession, in which he was again the central
+figure. That day the King of France's captive was led along the banks of
+the swift Rhone and through the Grande Rue up to the fortress of
+Pierre-Encise, on the top of the steep hill that crowns the old Roman
+city. The scene has been described in a well-known letter by an
+eye-witness, the Venetian ambassador Benedetto Trevisano, one of the
+envoys who had been sent, three years before, to meet the emperor on his
+descent into Italy, and whom the Duke of Milan had entertained royally
+at Vigevano. The fierce and vindictive tone of the writer, the exultant
+spirit in which he triumphs over the fallen foe, is another proof of the
+terror and hatred which the Moro inspired in Venice. Trevisano's letter
+was written on the evening of the 2nd of May, and addressed to the Doge.
+
+"To-day, before two o'clock, Signor Lodovico was brought into the city.
+The following was the order of the procession: first came twelve
+officers of the city guard, to restrain the people who thronged the
+streets from shouting. Then came the Governor of Lyons and Provost of
+Justice on horseback, and then the said Signor Lodovico, clad in a black
+camlet vest with black hose and riding-boots, and a black cloth
+_berretta_, which he held most of the time in his hand. He looked about
+him as if determined to hide his feelings in this great change of
+fortune, but his face was very pale and he looked very ill, although he
+had been shaved this morning, and his arms trembled and he shook all
+over. Close beside him rode the captain of the king's archers, followed
+by a hundred of his men. In this order they led him all through the
+town, up to the castle on the hill, where he will be well guarded for
+the next week, until the iron cage is ready, which will be his room both
+by night and day. The cage, I hear, is very strong, and made of iron
+framed in wood, in such a manner that the iron bars, instead of breaking
+under a file or any other instrument, would throw out sparks of fire.
+One thing I must not forget to tell you. The ambassador of Spain and I
+were together at a window when Signor Lodovico passed, and when the
+Spaniard was pointed out to him, he took off his hat and bowed. And
+being told that I was the ambassador of your Serene Highness, he
+stopped, and seemed about to speak. But I did not move, and the captain
+of the archers, who rode by him, said, 'Go on--go on!' Afterwards the
+captain mentioned this to the king, who said, 'Do you mean that he
+refused to pay you any reverence?' adding that such men as this who do
+not keep faith are bad, and so on. And I replied that I should have felt
+shame rather than honour if I had received any sign of courtesy from a
+person of this kind. The king was in his palace, and had seen Signor
+Lodovico pass, and with him were many other lords and gentlemen, who
+spoke much of the Moro. His Christian Majesty said that he had decided
+not to send him to Loches as he had intended, because at certain seasons
+of the year he himself goes there with his court for his amusement, and
+would rather not be there with him, as he does not wish to see him. So
+he has decided to send him to Lys in Berry, two leagues from the city of
+Bourges, where the king has a very strong castle with trenches wider
+than those of the Castello of Milan, full of water. This place is in the
+centre of France, and is kept by a gentleman, who was captain of the
+archers when his Majesty was Duke of Orleans, and had a body of tried
+guards who were trained by the king himself. When the Moro alighted from
+the mule which he rode, he was carried into the castle, and is, I am
+told, so weak that he cannot walk a step without help. From this I judge
+that his days will be few. I commend myself humbly to your Serene
+Highness.
+
+"BENEDICTUS TREVISANUS.[81]
+                    _Eques. Orator_."
+
+Fortunately, the iron cage seems to have been a fable invented by the
+Venetian ambassador, and from all accounts the prisoner was well and
+honourably treated, although the king absolutely refused his request to
+see him during the fortnight that he remained in the fortress at Lyons.
+He received visits, however, from several of the king's ministers, who
+all remarked that if he had been guilty of some foolish actions his
+words were remarkably wise--"_toutefois moult sagement parloit_." Anger
+gave place to pity at the sight of this victim who had suffered so
+terrible a reverse of fortune, and the Benedictine chronicler, Jean
+d'Auton, deplores the sad fate of this unfortunate prince, who, after
+many golden days of wealth and prosperity, was doomed to end his life in
+weary and lonely captivity far from house and friends: "_Somme, si le
+pauvre Seigneur captif, de deuil inconsolable avoit le coeur serre a nul
+devoit sembler merveilles_." The sorrowful destiny of the "_infelice
+Duca_," who had once boasted himself to be the favourite of
+fortune--"_Il Figlio della Fortuna_"--became the burden of popular
+poetry, alike in France and Italy. Jean d'Auton himself gives vent to
+his feelings in an elegy on the vanity of earthly glories--
+
+    "Si Ludovic, qui jadys pleine cacque
+    Heut de ducatz et pouvoir magnifique,
+    Est en exil, sans targe, escu ne placque,
+    Captif, afflict, plus mausain que cung heticque,
+    Et que, de main hostile et inimique,
+    Malheur le fiere rudement et estocque--
+    Gloire mondaine est fragile et caducque."
+
+The grief of the Milanese bards for their duke's cruel fate found
+utterance in the following lament:
+
+    Son quel duca in Milano
+    Che compianto sto in dolore ...
+    Io diceva che un sel Dio
+    Era in cielo e un Moro in terra--
+    E secondo il mio disio
+    Io faveva pace e guerra
+    Son quel duca di Milano," etc.
+
+Fausto Andrelino wrote a Latin poem beginning with the lines--
+
+    "Ille ego sum Maurus, franco qui captus ab hoste
+    Exemplum instabilis non leve sortis eo;"
+
+and Jean Marot found inspiration in a Venetian song--"Ogni fumo viene al
+basso"--which he rendered in the following lines, alluding to the legend
+of the Moro's fresco in the Castello of Milan:--
+
+    "Jadiz fist paindre une dame, embellie
+    Par sur sa robe, des villes d'Ytalie
+    Et luy au pres tenant des epoussetes,
+    Voullant dire, par superbe follie,
+    Que l'Ytalie estoit toute sonillie
+    Et qu'il voulloit faire les villes nettes.
+    Le roi Loys, voulant ravoir ses mettes,
+    Par bonne guerre luy a fait tel ennuy
+    Que l'Ytalie est nettoye de lui!
+    Chose usurpee legier est consommee,
+    Comme argent vif qui retourne en fumee."
+
+From Lyons the captive duke was removed to Lys Saint-Georges in Berry,
+where he remained during the next four years in the charge of Gilbert
+Bertrand, the king's old captain of the guard. He was allowed to take
+exercise in the precincts of the castle and to fish in the moat.
+According to Sanuto, he was not wholly cut off from his friends. "Since
+he likes to know what is happening in the world outside, the king allows
+him to receive letters and to hear the news." But his health suffered
+from the confinement, and in the summer of 1501, he became so ill that
+Louis XII., who was hunting in the neighbourhood, sent his doctor,
+Maitre Salomon, to see him. The physician was shocked at the prisoner's
+altered appearance; his long hair, as we learn from a contemporary
+miniature, had turned entirely white, and there were black circles round
+his eyes. He sighed constantly, complained of the faithless subjects who
+had caused his ruin, and asked eagerly for the latest news of the treaty
+with the King of the Romans. Maitre Salomon told the king that he
+believed Signor Lodovico was losing his reason, and his account moved
+Louis so much that he sent to Milan for one of the duke's favourite
+dwarfs, in order to beguile the weary hours of captivity. Meanwhile, in
+justice to Maximilian, it must be said that he was untiring in his
+efforts to obtain the release of his friend and kinsman. For many years
+he steadily refused to grant Louis XII. the investiture of Milan, unless
+Lodovico was set at liberty, and repeated his solicitations to this
+effect with the most unwearied pertinacity. On this point, however, the
+French king was inexorable. He knew the hold which the Moro had retained
+on the hearts of his subjects, and would not run the risk of another
+rebellion by allowing Lodovico to join his children at Innsbruck. At the
+prayer of the Empress Bianca, he released her brother, Ermes Sforza, in
+1502, and a year later allowed Ascanio Sforza to return to Rome, at the
+request of Cardinal d'Amboise, and give his vote in the papal conclave.
+After the accession of his old enemy, Giuliano della Rovere, to the
+papal throne, Cardinal Sforza once more attained a high degree of honour
+and prosperity, and when he died, in 1505, Julius II. raised the
+magnificent monument in the church of S. Maria del Popolo to his memory.
+In February, 1504, the German ambassador made another strong appeal to
+the king on his master's behalf for Lodovico's release, but the only
+concession that he could obtain was some relaxation in the rigour of his
+treatment. The duke was removed to the chateau of Loches in Touraine, a
+healthy and beautiful spot, on the summit of a lofty hill, and was
+allowed greater liberty and more society.
+
+All contemporary writers agree that he bore his long and tedious
+captivity with remarkable patience and fortitude. "I have heard," writes
+the Como historian, Paolo Giovio, "from Pier Francesco da Pontremoli,
+who was the duke's faithful companion and servant during his captivity,
+that he bore his miserable condition with pious resignation and
+sweetness, often saying that God had sent him these tribulations as a
+punishment for the sins of his youth, since nothing but the sudden might
+of destiny could have subverted the counsels of human wisdom."
+
+Early in the spring of 1508, the Moro seems to have made a desperate
+attempt to escape. According to the Milanese chronicler Prato, he bribed
+one of his guardians, with gold supplied, as we learn, from Padre
+Gattico, by the friars of S. Maria delle Grazie, and succeeded in making
+his way out of the castle gates hidden in a waggon load of straw. But he
+lost his way in the woods that surround Loches, and after wandering all
+night in search of the road to Germany, he was discovered on the
+following day by blood-hounds, who were put upon his track. After this,
+his captivity became more severe. He was deprived of books and writing
+materials and cut off from intercourse with the outer world. It was
+then, too, in all likelihood, that he was confined in the subterranean
+dungeon, still shown as the Moro's prison. The cell, as visitors to
+Loches remember, is cut out of the solid rock, and light and air can
+only penetrate by one narrow loophole. There, tradition says, Leonardo's
+patron, the great duke who had once reigned over Milan, beguiled the
+weary hours of his captivity by painting red and blue devices and
+mottoes on his prison walls. Among these rude attempts at decoration we
+may still discover traces of a portrait of himself in casque and armour,
+and a sun-dial roughly scratched on the stone opposite the slit in the
+rock. And there, too, half effaced by the damp, are fragments of
+inscriptions, which tell the same piteous tale of regret for vanished
+days and weary longings for the end that would not come.
+
+    "Quand Mort me assault et que je ne puis mourir
+    Et se courir on ne me veult, mais me faire rudesse
+    Et de liesse me voir bannir. Que dois je plus guerir?"
+
+Or this--
+
+"Je porte en prison pour ma device que je m'arme de patience par force
+de peine que l'on me fait pouster" (porter) . .
+
+Again, in large letters among the fragment of red and blue paint, we
+read--
+
+    "Celui qui ne craint fortune n'est pas bien saige."
+
+Even more pathetic, when we recall the joyous days at Milan and
+Vigevano, where Lodovico listened to readings from Dante in Beatrice's
+rooms, is the following version of Francesca da Rimini's famous lines:--
+
+    "Il n'y au monde plus grande destresse,
+    Du bon tempts soi souvenir en la tristesse."
+
+At length death brought the desired release. Marino Sanuto briefly
+records the fact in the following words: "On the 17th day of May, 1508,
+at Loches, Signor Lodovico Sforza, formerly Duke of Milan, who was there
+in prison, died as a good Christian with the rites of the Catholic
+Church." All we know besides is that his faithful servant, Pier
+Francesco, was with him to the end, and closed his eyes in the last
+sleep. To this day the place of his burial remains unknown. A local
+tradition says that he was interred in the church of Loches at the
+entrance of the choir, but a manuscript account of the Sieur Dubuisson's
+travels in 1642, preserved in the Mazarin Library, states that Ludovic
+Sforza sleeps in the Chapel of the Holy Sepulchre on the eastern side of
+the church. On his death-bed, it is said, he desired to be buried in the
+church of the Dominican friars at Tarascon, but we never hear if his
+wishes were carried out, and no trace of his burial is to be found in
+this place. On the whole we are inclined to think the most trustworthy
+authority on the subject is the Dominican historian of S. Maria delle
+Grazie, Padre Gattico. In the history of the convent which he wrote a
+hundred and fifty years after the Moro's death, he tells us that the
+friars of his convent supplied the duke with means for his unfortunate
+attempt to escape, and that this having failed, after his death they
+removed his body to Milan, and buried him by the side of his wife,
+Duchess Beatrice. This may very well have been effected during the reign
+of Lodovico's son Maximilian, who was restored to his father's throne in
+1512, and would explain the uncertainty which has always existed at
+Loches as to the Moro's grave, and the absence of any inscription to
+mark his burial-place.
+
+For Lodovico's sake, let us hope, the good Dominican's story is true. It
+is good to think that, after all the distress of those long years of
+exile and captivity, the unfortunate prince should have been brought
+back to rest in his own sunny Milanese, under Bramante's cupola, in the
+tomb where he had wished to lie, at Beatrice's side. There, during the
+next three centuries, masses were duly said for the repose of Duke
+Lodovico's soul and that of his wife, on the four anniversaries sacred
+to their memory, "in gratitude," writes Padre Pino, "for all the
+benefactions that we have received from this duke and duchess." And to
+this day, on the Feast of All Souls, the stone floor immediately in
+front of the high altar, where Beatrice's monument once stood, is
+solemnly censed, year by year, in memory of the illustrious dead who
+sleep there, in Lodovico's own words, "until the day of resurrection."
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[81] M. Sanuto. _Diarii_, iii. 320.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII
+
+The Milanese exiles at Innsbruck--Galeazzo di Sanseverino becomes Grand
+Ecuyer of France--Is slain at Pavia--Maximilian Sforza made Duke of
+Milan in 1512--Forced to abdicate by Francis I. in 1515--Reign of
+Francesco Sforza--Wars of France and Germany--Siege of Milan by the
+Imperialists--Duke Francesco restored by Charles V.--His marriage and
+death in 1535--Removal of Lodovico and Beatrice's effigies to the
+Certosa.
+
+1500-1564
+
+
+After the catastrophe of Novara and the final ruin of the Moro's cause,
+his loyal kinsfolk and followers were reduced to melancholy straits. A
+document among the Italian papers in the Bibliotheque Nationale gives a
+long list of the Milanese exiles who, in the year 1503, were living in
+exile, and whose lands and fortunes had been granted to French nobles or
+Italians who had embraced Louis XII.'s party. Among them we recognize
+many familiar names, Crivellis, Bergaminis, Marlianis, and Viscontis,
+who had served Duke Lodovico loyally and now shared in his disgrace.
+Many of these took refuge at Ferrara and Mantua; others went to Rome or
+lived in retirement on Venetian territory, while as many as two hundred
+and fifty were living at one time at Innsbruck. A few of these were
+pardoned in course of years, and obtained leave to return to their
+Lombard homes, but by far the greater number died in exile.
+
+Chief among those courtiers and captains of the Moro who found refuge at
+Maximilian's court were the Sanseverino brothers. Two of these, Fracassa
+and Antonio Maria, were soon reconciled with King Louis by the powerful
+influence of their brothers, the Count of Caiazzo and Cardinal
+Sanseverino. For Galeazzo, the son-in-law and prime favourite of the
+Moro, a strange future was in store. After his brilliant years at the
+court of Milan, he, too, tasted how salt the bread of exile is, and how
+bitter it is to depend on the charity of others. In 1503, he was still
+living at Innsbruck, where Sanuto describes him as always dressed in
+black and looking very sorrowful, and held of little account by the
+German courtiers, although Maximilian always treated him kindly. He
+accompanied the Emperor to the Diet at Augsburg, and took an active part
+in his various efforts to obtain Lodovico's deliverance. But a year
+later, when all hope of obtaining Lodovico's release was at an end, a
+fresh attempt seems to have been made by the Sanseverino family to
+reconcile Galeazzo with King Louis. He came to Milan and saw the
+Cardinal d'Amboise, who embraced his cause warmly, and a petition for
+the restoration of Galeazzo's houses and estates, as well as the fortune
+of 240,000 ducats which he had inherited from his wife Bianca, was
+addressed to the King. The result was that he soon received a summons to
+the French court, where he quickly won the royal favour, and on the
+death of Pierre d'Urfe a year later, was appointed Grand Ecuyer de
+France. From that time Galeazzo became one of Louis XII.'s chief
+favourites, and seldom left the king's side. In 1507 he attended Louis
+XII. when he entered Milan for the second time, and was a conspicuous
+figure in the grand tournament that was held on the Piazza of the
+Castello. Once more he came back to the scene of his old triumphs, under
+these changed circumstances, and played a leading part in the wars that
+distracted the Milanese. Under Francis I., Galeazzo rose still higher in
+the royal favour, and won a signal victory over his old rival Trivulzio.
+The Grand Ecuyer boldly asserted his right to Castel Novo, which Louis
+XII. had granted to Trivulzio after the conquest of Milan, and, at the
+age of seventy, the old soldier came to Paris to plead his cause against
+Messer Galeazzo. But the suit was given against him, and he was thrown
+into prison for contempt of the king's majesty, and died at Chartres in
+1518, bitterly rueing the day when he had entered the service of a
+foreign prince and led the French against Milan. Galeazzo triumphed once
+more, and kept up his reputation as a gallant soldier and brilliant
+courtier, until, in 1525, he was slain in the battle of Pavia, under
+the walls of the Castello, where, thirty-five years before, he had been
+wedded to Bianca Sforza.
+
+Meanwhile Beatrice's sons grew up at Innsbruck, under the care of their
+cousin, the Empress Bianca. It was a melancholy life for these young
+princes, born in the purple and reared in all the luxury and culture of
+Milan. And when their cousin Bianca died in 1510, they lost their best
+friend. But a sudden and unexpected turn of the tide brought them once
+more to the front. That warlike pontiff, Julius II., who, as Cardinal
+della Rovere, had been one of the chief instruments in bringing the
+French into Italy, entered into a league with Maximilian to expel them
+and reinstate the son of the hated Moro on the throne of Milan. They
+succeeded so well that, in 1512, four years after Lodovico's death at
+Loches, young Maximilian Sforza entered Milan in triumph, amidst the
+enthusiastic applause of the people. Once more he rode up to the gates
+of the Castello where he was born, and took up his abode there as
+reigning duke. But his rule over Lombardy was short. A handsome, gentle
+youth, without either his father's talents or his mother's high spirit,
+Maximilian was destined to become a passive tool in the hands of
+stronger and more powerful men. His weakness and incapacity soon became
+apparent, and when, three years later, the new French king, Francis I.,
+invaded the Milanese, and defeated the Italian army at Marignano, the
+young duke signed an act of abdication, and consented to spend the rest
+of his life in France. There he lived in honourable captivity, content
+with a pension allowed him by King Francis and with the promise of a
+cardinal's hat held out to him by the Pope, until he died, in May, 1530,
+and was buried in the Duomo of Milan. His brother Francesco was a far
+more spirited and courageous prince, who might have proved an admirable
+ruler in less troublous times, but was doomed to experience the
+strangest vicissitudes of fortune. After the second conquest of Milan by
+the French, he retired to Tyrol, until, in 1521, Pope Leo X. combined
+with Charles V. to oppose Francis I., and restore the Sforzas. Their
+aims were crowned with success, and by the end of the year Francesco
+Sforza was proclaimed Duke of Milan, only to be driven from his throne
+again three years later. After the defeat of Pavia, the young duke, who
+had won the love of all his subjects, was again restored; but having
+entered into a league with the Pope and Venice to expel the
+Imperialists, incurred the displeasure of Charles V., and was besieged
+in the Castello by the Connetable de Bourbon, who at length forced him
+to surrender. A prolonged struggle followed, in which Francesco Sforza
+was often worsted, and at one time forced to retire to Como. In the end,
+however, he was restored to the throne by Charles V., whose favour he
+succeeded in recovering, when, in 1530, that monarch visited Italy to
+receive the imperial crown. At length this long-distracted realm enjoyed
+an interval of peace, and a brighter day seemed about to dawn for the
+unhappy Milanese.
+
+The young duke was very popular with the people, who rejoiced in having
+a prince of their own once more, and who, in Guicciardini's words,
+looked to see a return of that felicity which they had enjoyed during
+his father's reign. When, in 1534, he married Charles V.'s niece,
+Christina of Denmark, the splendour of the wedding _fetes_, the balls
+and tournaments that took place in the Castello, recalled the glories of
+Lodovico's reign and the marriage of the Empress Bianca. The charms of
+the youthful bride revived the memory of the duke's mother, Beatrice
+d'Este, and a richly illuminated book of prayers, prepared in honour of
+this occasion, and adorned with miniatures and Sforza devices, bore
+witness to Francesco's artistic tastes, and showed his desire to tread
+in his father's steps. But these bright prospects were soon clouded. The
+young duke became seriously ill, owing to a dangerous wound which he had
+received from an assassin, Bonifazio Visconti, twelve years before, and,
+after lingering through the summer months, he died on All Souls' Day,
+1535, to the consternation of the whole Milanese, On the 19th of
+November the last of the Sforzas was buried with royal pomp in the Duomo
+of Milan, and his childless widow, the youthful Duchess Christina,
+retired to the city of Tortona, which had been given her as her marriage
+portion. Her portrait, painted by the hand of Holbein, is familiar to us
+all as well as "the few words she wisely spoke," when, in reply to Henry
+VIII.'s offer of marriage, she said "that unfortunately she had only one
+head, but that if she had two, one should be at his Majesty's service."
+
+[Illustration: Tomb of Lodovico Sforza and Beatrice d'Este Contessa of
+Pavia.]
+
+A week or two later, Lodovico Sforza's only remaining son, Gianpaolo,
+the child of Lucrezia Crivelli, who had fought gallantly against French
+and Imperialists in defence of his brother's rights, died on his way to
+Naples. With him the last claimant to the throne of the Sforzas passed
+away. The duchy of Milan reverted to the Imperial crown, and this fair
+and prosperous realm sank into a mere province of Charles V.'s vast
+empire.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Thirty years after the last Sforza duke had been laid in his grave, the
+noble monument which the Moro had raised to his wife's memory in S.
+Maria delle Grazie was broken up. The friars who had known Lodovico and
+revered his memory were dead and gone, and the Prior then in office,
+seized with iconoclastic zeal, ordered the monument to be removed from
+the choir, in accordance with a canon of the Council of Trent. The tomb
+was taken to pieces, and Cristoforo Solari's beautiful effigies of the
+duke and duchess were offered for sale. Fortunately, the news of this
+act of vandalism reached the ears of the Carthusians at Pavia, and
+remembering how much they owed to the Moro's generosity, they sent word
+to a Milanese citizen, Oldrado Lampugnano, to purchase the two marble
+statues for the Certosa. Oldrado, whose father had been exiled after the
+Moro's fall, and who was himself a loyal partisan of the house of
+Sforza, bought Solari's effigies for the small sum of thirty-eight
+ducats, and removed them to the Certosa, "that shrine which had been so
+often visited by the said duke and duchess in their lifetime, and for
+which they had ever shown the greatest love and honour."
+
+There we see them to-day--Lodovico with the hooked nose and bushy
+eyebrows, in all the pride of his ducal robes, and Beatrice at his side,
+in the charm and purity of her youthful slumber, surrounded by other
+memorials of Sforzas and Viscontis, wrought with the same exquisite art
+and enriched with the same wealth of ornament. After all, these marble
+forms could hardly find a better home than the great Lombard sanctuary
+which was so closely linked with the brightest days of Beatrice's wedded
+life, and which to the last remained the object of Lodovico Sforza's
+care and love.
+
+
+
+
+INDEX
+
+
+A
+
+Agnese di Maino, 16
+
+Albergati, 151
+
+Aldo Manuzio, 30, 126, 131, 153, 261
+
+Alessandro Manuzio, 131
+
+Alexander VI. (Pope), 156 f., 165, 178, 221, 223, 249, 255 f., 295,
+337 f., 364
+
+Alfonso of Calabria, 17, 28, 43, 46, 112, 118 f., 177 f., 184, 221, 223,
+225 f., 232, 236, 249, 253, 255, 257
+
+Alfonso d'Este, 5, 8, 48, 51, 58, 100, 149, 159, 165, 174, 180, 186,
+190 f., 198, 200, 206, 222, 253, 259, 323, 351
+
+Alfonso Gonzaga, 71
+
+Alvise Marliani, 127, 324
+
+Almodoro, 362
+
+d'Amboise (Cardinal), 349, 371
+
+Ambrogio Borgognone, 104
+
+Ambrogio da Corte, 167, 206
+
+Ambrogio Ferrari, 66, 144, 345
+
+Ambrogio de Predis, 209, 218, 303
+
+Ambrogio da Rosate, 61, 120, 127, 145, 168, 224, 236, 272, 324
+
+Andre de la Vigne, 234
+
+Andrea Cagnola, 240
+
+Andrea Cossa, 35, 276
+
+Andrea Mantegna, 50 f., 153, 328
+
+Andrea Salai, 139
+
+Angelo Poliziano, 129, 131, 147
+
+Angelo Talenti, 179, 272, 293
+
+Angelo Testagrossa, 152
+
+Anna Sforza, 8, 43, 48, 70, 78, 169 f., 180 f., 186, 190 f., 198, 200,
+253, 259, 323
+
+Anna Solieri, 279
+
+Anne de Beaujeu, 113
+
+Anne of Bourbon, 235
+
+Anne of Brittany, 113 f., 160, 290
+
+Annibale Bentivoglio, 36, 71 ff.
+
+Antoine de Bussy, 361
+
+Anton Maria de Collis, 259
+
+Antonio Calco, 120
+
+Antonio Cammelli (Pistoia), 140, 144 f., 148, 150, 296
+
+Antonio Costabili, 308, 327
+
+Antonio da Landriano, 240, 338, 343
+
+Antonio da Monza, 63, 332, 348
+
+Antonio del Balzo, 156
+
+Antonio di Campo Fregoso, 142, 150
+
+Antonio Grifo, 142
+
+Antonio Grimani, 292
+
+Antonio Grumello, 361, 363
+
+Antonio Loredano, 113
+
+Antonio Maria Pallavicini, 342, 347
+
+Antonio Maria Sanseverino, 151, 232, 272, 279, 342-347, 354, 375
+
+Antonio of Salerno, 112
+
+Antonio Stanga, 223, 226
+
+Antonio Tassino, 22, 24 f.
+
+Antonio Tebaldeo, 35, 144
+
+Antonio Trivulzio (Bishop of Como), 186, 202 f., 293, 344, 347
+
+Antonio Visconti, 261
+
+Ariosto, 36, 87, 149, 159, 207
+
+Art and learning at Ferrara, 31-39;
+  at Milan, 128 ff.;
+  at Pavia, 126 ff.
+
+Ascanio Sforza, 16, 24, 41, 56, 73, 152, 156, 163, 165, 171, 222 f., 228,
+253, 255, 262, 338, 343 f., 360, 364, 371
+
+Atalante Migliorotti, 151 ff.
+
+Azzo Visconti, 333
+
+
+B
+
+Baldassare Castiglione, 351
+
+Baldassare Pusterla, 240, 250
+
+Baldassare Taccone, 150, 210
+
+Barone, 76, 232, 251, 298
+
+Bartolommeo Calco, 114, 125 f., 131
+
+Bartolommeo Scotti (Count), 58
+
+Battista Fregoso, 316
+
+Battista Guarino, 28 f., 36
+
+Battista Sfondrati, 317
+
+Battista Visconti, 344
+
+Beatrice of Aragon, 4
+
+Beatrice de' Contrari, 58
+
+Beatrice di Correggio, 169, 323
+
+Beatrice d'Este (the elder), 4, 22
+
+Beatrice d'Este: birth, 4;
+  early life, at Naples, 6 f.;
+  betrothal to Lodovico Sforza, 8;
+  portraits, 33;
+  education, 36 ff.;
+  wedding journey, 57 ff.;
+  marriage, 65 f.;
+  at Pavia, 67 ff.;
+  early wedded life, 76 ff.;
+  friendship with Galeazzo Sanseverino, 81 ff.;
+  jealousy of Cecilia Gallerani, 89;
+  at Vigevano, 92;
+  at Villa Nova, 96;
+  horsemanship, 97;
+  relations with Isabella of Aragon, 99;
+  escapades at Milan, 100 ff.;
+  illness, 110;
+  at Genoa, 111;
+  at Vigevano, 122;
+  patron of learning and poetry, 141 ff.;
+  of drama and music, 151 ff.;
+  first son born, 166 ff.;
+  wardrobe, 170 f.;
+  visit to Ferrara, 180 ff.;
+  diplomatic visit to Venice, chap. xvi. f.;
+  return to Milan, 205;
+  birth of second son, 258 f.;
+  courage in danger, 271;
+  meets Maximilian at Bormio, 288 ff.;
+  at Vigevano, 291 f.;
+  sadness of her last days, 302-306;
+  death, 306;
+  funeral, 310 f.;
+  Maximilian's eulogy, 313 f.;
+  tomb, 316;
+  Cenacolo, 317 f., 350
+
+Belgiojoso, 180, 184, 196, 205, 222, 225
+
+Bellincioni, 46 f., 53, 76, 86 f., 90, 100, 137, 139, 144 L., 147 f.
+
+Bello of Ferrara, 87
+
+Belriguardo, 183, 188, 205
+
+Benedetto Capilupi, 231, 264, 327
+
+Benedetto da Cingoli, 143
+
+Benedetto Ispano, 128
+
+Benedetto Trevisano, 255, 367
+
+Bergonzio, 299, 366
+
+Bernardino Caimo, 140
+
+Bernardino Corio, 19, 22, 25, 94, 99, 125, 129 f., 177 f., 230, 241,
+342 f.
+
+Bernardino da Feltre, 123
+
+Bernardino da Rossi, 66
+
+Bernardino del Corte, 272, 299, 319, 344 f., 347 f.
+
+Bernardino d'Urbino, 283
+
+Bernardo Contarini, 271
+
+Bernardo Prosperi, 170
+
+Bianca d'Este, 4, 65, 183
+
+Bianca, d. of Caterina Sforza, 330
+
+Bianca, d. of Lodovico, 45, 57, 169, 209, 233, 235, 292, 302 f., 376
+
+Bianca Maria Sforza, 43, 46, 70, 106, 115, 121, 136, 160 f., 169 f., 179,
+184, 208-220, 222, 242, 252 f., 303, 339, 346, 371, 377
+
+Bianca of Milan, m. of Lodovico, 14 ff.
+
+Bibbiena, 147
+
+Blois (Treaty of), 338
+
+Boccaccio, 143
+
+Bona of Savoy, Duchess of Milan, 8, 18-25, 70, 160, 170, 208, 216, 232,
+237, 251 f.
+
+Bona, d. of Giangaleazzo Sforza, 167, 353
+
+Bonifazio da Cremona, 63
+
+Bonifazio Visconti, 378
+
+Borella, 245, 250
+
+Borromeo, 342, 344, 354
+
+Borso di Correggio (the elder), 5
+
+Borso di Correggio (the younger), 206, 315
+
+Borso d'Este, 3, 29, 38
+
+Bramante of Urbino, 42, 76, 83, 92, 104, 122, 124, 132 ff., 139 f.,
+145-148, 229, 260, 291, 296, 299, 300, 316, 331, 350 f.
+
+Brera Altar-piece, 285 f.
+
+Briconnet, 280, 283
+
+Brognolo, 261
+
+Buttinone di Treviglio, 66
+
+
+C
+
+Cagnola, 92, 132, 288
+
+Caiazzo. _See_ Gianfrancesco Sanseverino
+
+Calvi, 242
+
+Camilla Sforza, 169, 343
+
+Caradosso, 132, 134, 137, 139, 182, 262, 320, 348
+
+Carpaccio, 103
+
+Castello of Ferrara, 1
+
+Caterina Cornaro, 204
+
+Caterina Sforza, 20, 23, 41, 253, 330, 341, 365
+
+Cecco Simonetta, 20-24
+
+Cecilia Gallerani, 52 ff., 89 ff., 150, 263, 292, 321
+
+Cecilia Simonetta, 145
+
+Celso Maffei, 354
+
+Certosa, 74, 102-106, 237
+
+Caesar Borgia, 222, 338, 341, 348 ff., 361
+
+Charles V. (Emperor), 332, 377 f.
+
+Charles VIII. of France, 112 ff., 160, 164 f., 180, 184 f., 196 f., 209,
+221, 223, 232-238, 248, 254 ff., 258, 264, 268, 273 ff., 277, 279 f.,
+282 ff., 287, 294, 325
+
+Charlotte d'Albret, 338
+
+Chevalier Bayard, 360
+
+Chiara Gonzaga, 251, 305, 314, 329 f.
+
+Christina of Denmark, 378
+
+Conrad Sturzl, 270
+
+Conrade Vimerca, 289
+
+Constantino Privolo, 200
+
+Cordier, 76, 152, 186, 190, 196
+
+Cosimo Tura, 2, 33
+
+Cristoforo Rocchi, 61
+
+Cristoforo Romano, 56, 76, 106 ff., 111, 139, 152, 323
+
+Cristoforo Solari (Il Gobbo), 317 ff., 351, 379
+
+Cusani, 324
+
+
+D
+
+Dante, 146
+
+Delaborde, 196, 247
+
+Della Torre (Count), 169
+
+Demetrius Calcondila, 128
+
+De Trano, 337
+
+Dioda (or Diodato), 76, 81
+
+Dionigi Confanerio, 239
+
+Doge Agostino Barbarigo, 174, 186 ff., 195 ff., 267
+
+Dolcebuono, 132 ff., 140
+
+Domenico de Grillandaio, 300
+
+Donate de' Preti, 241, 244, 250
+
+Dorotea Gonzaga, 18
+
+
+E
+
+Elizabeth Gonzaga (Duchess of Urbino), 50, 57, 144, 147, 151, 187, 227
+
+Elizabeth Sforza, 262
+
+Emilia Pia, 108, 147, 151
+
+Erasmo Brasca, 64, 114, 179, 205, 217 ff., 225, 229, 242, 254, 327, 338,
+343
+
+Ercole d'Este, 2 f., 5 f., 9 f., 22, 28 ff., 38, 89, 155, 158, 164,
+182 f., 206, 222, 232, 282, 284 f., 308, 312, 323, 337, 348-351, 360,
+364 f.
+
+Ercole (Maximilian) Sforza, 166, 171, 226, 264 f., 292 f., 335, 353, 373
+
+Ermes Sforza, 43, 74, 182, 217 f., 245, 253, 310, 346, 364, 371, 377
+
+Ermolao Barbaro, 93, 124
+
+Este (House of), 2
+
+Eustachio, 25, 43
+
+
+F
+
+Fausto Andrelino, 370
+
+Federico, Marquis of Mantua, 9
+
+Federigo of Naples, 232
+
+Federigo Sanseverino (Cardinal), 44, 151, 255, 343, 375
+
+Federigo of Urbino, 4
+
+Ferrante d'Este, 6, 51, 249, 323, 351
+
+Ferrante of Naples, 3, 6, 9 f., 21, 24, 27, 45, 112 ff., 118, 121, 165,
+176, 184, 221 f.
+
+Ferrante of Naples II., 228, 255, 257, 264, 266, 269, 277, 282, 294, 328
+
+Ferrante Sforza, 7
+
+Ferrara, 31 f.
+
+Ferrari, 128
+
+Ficino, 147
+
+Fieschi, 335
+
+Filelfo, 16, 129 ff.
+
+Filippino di Frati Filippo, 300, 340
+
+Filippo Beroaldo, 129
+
+Filippo Sforza, 21
+
+Florentio, 152
+
+Fracassa. See Sanseverino (Gaspare)
+
+Francesco Bello, 35
+
+Francesco Bernardo Visconti, 215, 266 f., 342, 344, 347
+
+Francesco Capello, 190
+
+Francesco da Casate, 55
+
+Francesco Foscari, 288, 291 f., 305
+
+Francesco Francia, 34
+
+Francesco Mantegna, 329
+
+Francesco Martini, 60, 134
+
+Francesco Pallavicino, 215, 262, 342
+
+Francesco Sforza, 5, 8, 14, 114, 156, 186, 217
+
+Francesco Sforza (son of Giangaleazzo), 48, 237 f., 240, 251, 299, 328,
+353
+
+Francesco Sforza (son of Lodovico), 259, 293, 321, 335, 377 f.
+
+Francesca da Rimini, 373
+
+Franchino Gaffuri, 128, 131, 134, 152
+
+Francis I., 376 f.
+
+Frederic III. (Emperor), 179, 208
+
+Frederic of Naples, 294, 353
+
+
+G
+
+Gaguin, 94
+
+Galeazzo Pallavicino, 213, 262, 342
+
+Galeazzo di Sanseverino, 44 f., 51, 55, 58, 67, 71, 73, 76, 79 ff., 85
+ff., 92, 100, 110, 124, 136, 138, 145-148, 158 f., 162, 164, 171, 180,
+182, 206 f., 210, 216, 222, 224 f., 228, 237, 248 f., 255 f., 264, 269,
+271 f., 278 f., 281, 285-288, 292, 298, 303 f., 310, 315, 322 ff., 326,
+330, 338, 342, 344 ff., 348, 351, 354, 356-363, 365, 370, 376
+
+Galeotto del Carretto, 93, 150
+
+Galeotto della Mirandola, 4, 65, 183, 272, 292, 327, 341
+
+Gaspare Bugati, 132
+
+Gaspare Melchior, Bishop of Brixen, 209, 211, 215, 254, 270
+
+Gaspare di Pusterla, 170
+
+Gaspare Sanseverino (Fracassa), 28, 44, 71, 85, 123, 182, 228, 232, 279,
+287, 291, 296, 322, 327, 330, 342, 347, 349, 354, 361, 363, 375
+
+Gaspare Visconti, 103, 138, 142 f., 145-148, 151, 190, 217, 264, 324
+
+Gattico, 318, 322 f.
+
+Gentile Bellini, 103, 198
+
+Ghibellines, 21, 23
+
+Giacomo Trotti, 52, 62, 64 f., 76, 88 f., 91, 110, 157, 166, 241
+
+Gian Francesco da Vimercato, 357
+
+Gian Francesco Gonza of Bozzolo, 156
+
+Gianfrancesco Sanseverino (Count of Caiazzo), 74, 119, 148, 178, 182,
+232, 238, 249, 269, 272 ff., 278, 292 f., 315, 330, 342 f., 347, 349,
+354, 375
+
+Gian Galeazzo Sforza, Duke of Milan, 7, 20, 23, 41 ff., 46 f., 69, 71,
+73, 80, 115, 118 f., 124, 167, 176 f., 209, 221, 230, 237 ff., 246 f.,
+285
+
+Gian Giacomo Gillino, 202, 356
+
+Gian Giacomo Trivulzio, 45, 352
+
+Giannino, 137
+
+Gianpaolo Sforza, 321, 379
+
+Giasone del Maino, 127 f., 217, 270, 272
+
+Gilbert Bertrand, 370
+
+Gilbert of Montpensier, 251, 264, 277, 294
+
+Giorgio Merula, 64, 127-130, 137, 139
+
+Giovanni Adorno, 162, 272, 328, 335, 347
+
+Giovanni Antonio Amadeo, 104, 133 f., 140, 325
+
+Giovanni Bellini, 53, 153, 187, 263
+
+Giovanni Bentivoglio, 67
+
+Giovanni Dondi, 63
+
+Giovanni Francesco Gonzaga, Marquis of Mantua, 9, 33, 50, 56, 66 f., 72,
+109, 111, 152, 174, 182, 187 f., 191, 195, 206, 226 f., 265, 270,
+272 ff., 281, 283, 285, 298, 307, 322 f., 326 f., 329, 338, 342, 348-351,
+358 ff.
+
+Giovanni Gonzaga, 69, 98, 259, 360
+
+Giovanni de Medici, 330
+
+Giovanni Pietro Suardo, 245
+
+Giovanni Sforza of Pesaro, 165, 184, 338
+
+Giovanni Simonetta, 24
+
+Giovanni Stanga (Marquis), 106 f., 145, 148, 162, 217, 288, 291, 293,
+315, 317 ff., 327, 338, 363
+
+Giovanni da Tortona, 316
+
+Girolamo da Figino, 200
+
+Girolamo Landriano, 355
+
+Girolamo Riario, 20, 23
+
+Girolamo Savonarola, 29, 61, 157, 184, 274
+
+Girolamo Stanga, 72
+
+Girolamo Tuttavilla, 100, 120, 148, 162, 179, 186, 189 f., 206, 228
+
+Giuliano della Rovere (Cardinal), 157, 165, 225, 255, 316, 349, 371
+
+Godefroy, 237
+
+Godfrey Borgia, 221, 225
+
+Gualtero, 325
+
+Guicciardini, 12, 99, 176, 225 f., 240, 249, 259 f., 278, 295, 378
+
+Guido Arcimboldo, 301, 323
+
+Guidotto Prestinari, 144 f.
+
+Guiniforte Solari, 133
+
+
+H
+
+Henry VII. of England, 114, 290, 297, 355
+
+
+I
+
+Il Perugino, 104, 300, 340
+
+Innocent VII. (Pope), 30, 43, 62, 73, 113, 156
+
+Ippolita Sforza, 7, 17
+
+Ippolita Sforza (the younger), 230
+
+Ippolito d'Este (Cardinal), 51, 222
+
+Isabella of Aragon, 46, 69, 80, 99 ff., 118 f., 124, 160, 167, 169 f.,
+176 f., 230, 237 f., 250 ff., 265, 269, 328, 353
+
+Isabella d'Este, 4, 30, 33, 36 ff., 40, 50, 52, 53 f., 64, 68 f., 74 f.,
+78 f., 81, 84 ff., 96 ff., 101, 106 ff., 109, 123, 131, 145, 149 ff.,
+152, 155 ff., 162, 167, 171 f., 174 f., 187 f., 198, 205, 206 ff., 211,
+226, 232, 244, 250 f., 258 ff., 263 f., 272 f., 275 f., 278, 283 f., 298,
+304, 308, 312, 321 ff., 326 ff., 344, 353, 356
+
+Isabella Sforza, 7, 17
+
+
+J
+
+Jacopo Andrea, 360, 364
+
+Jacopo Antiquario, 115, 125 f.
+
+Jacopo d'Atri, 7, 108, 279, 283
+
+Jacopo Bellini, 2, 32
+
+Jacopo da Ferrara 138 f., 355
+
+Jacopo di San Secondo, 152
+
+James IV. (of Scotland), 121
+
+Jean d'Auton, 355, 359, 369, 371, 377
+
+Jean Bontemps, 209
+
+Jean Jacques Trivulzio, 282, 294, 315 f., 326, 329, 338, 341-349, 353,
+355, 360-364, 367
+
+Jean Marot, 370
+
+Joan of Aragon, 6
+
+Jorba, 173
+
+Juan Borgia, 223, 225
+
+Julius II. (Pope), 283
+
+
+L
+
+Lancinus Curtius, 128, 139, 149, 210, 230, 348
+
+Lascaris, 7, 17, 19
+
+La Tremouille, 232, 260 f., 363 f.
+
+Leo X. (Pope), 377
+
+Leonardo da Vinci, 42, 47, 53, 61, 66, 72, 76, 91, 107, 133-140, 144,
+153 f.,210, 229, 260 f., 296, 299, 302, 306, 318 f., 324 f., 331, 339 f.,
+347, 350 f., 353, 365 f.
+
+Leonello d'Este, 3, 29, 32
+
+Leonora of Aragon (Duchess d'Este), 3, 6, 28, 30, 34, 38, 50, 64, 73,
+107, 166, 168 f., 172, 177, 181, 186, 190 f., 195, 198, 206 f.
+
+Leonora da Correggio, 217
+
+Leonora Gonzaga, 226, 230, 329
+
+Lodovico Bergamini, 52, 90, 292
+
+Lodovico de Medici, 330
+
+Lodovico Sforza (Il Moro), 4, 8;
+  his character, 10 ff.;
+  birth, 14;
+  explanation of surname, 15;
+  early years, 15 f.;
+  leads crusade, 17;
+  at Cremona, 17;
+  in France, 20;
+  exile at Pisa, 21;
+  becomes Duke of Bari, 22;
+  invasion of Lombardy, 22;
+  returns to Milan as co-regent, 23;
+  betrothal, 24;
+  sole regent, 25;
+  war with Genoese and Venetians, 27 f.;
+  delays his marriage, 41;
+  development of Milan, 42;
+  marriage contract, 49;
+  again delays his marriage, 51;
+  relations with Cecilia Gallerani, 52;
+  marriage, 65 f.;
+  renounces Cecilia Gallerani, 89;
+  public works in Vigevano and the Lomellina, 92 ff.;
+  interest in the Certosa, 102-106;
+  friendship and correspondence with Isabella D'Este, 108 ff., 163 f.;
+  entertains French ambassadors, 115 ff.;
+  concludes treaty with Charles VIII., 116;
+  embassy to France, 119;
+  reforms and extends Universities of Pavia and Milan, 126 ff.;
+  endows research, 129 ff.;
+  his library, 130;
+  encourages art, 131 ff.;
+  attitude towards Renaissance, 139 f.;
+  ambition, 176 f.;
+  alliance with Venice and Papacy, 178;
+  visits Ferrara, 180 ff.;
+  vacillating policy, 221 f.;
+  joins Charles VII. against Naples, 224 f.;
+  relations with the Gonzagas of Mantua, 227;
+  proclaimed duke at Milan, 240 f.;
+  seeks investiture from Maximilian, 241 ff.;
+  refutes calumnies, 254;
+  proclamation of New League against France, 267;
+  invested Duke of Milan, 270;
+  retires before Louis of Orleans, 271;
+  war with France, 272 ff.;
+  peace, 281;
+  assists Pisa, 287;
+  league with Maximilian and others, 290;
+  his arrogance, 295;
+  grief at death of Beatrice, 307 ff., 315;
+  visit to Mantua, 326 f.;
+  his wills, 332-336;
+  flight before the French, and loss of Milan, 343-351;
+  return to Milan, 356 ff.;
+  besieged in Novara, 361;
+  betrayed by Swiss, 362;
+  captivity at Encise and Lys St. Georges, 367-370;
+  at Loches, 371 ff.;
+  death, 373;
+  place of burial, 373 f.
+
+Lorenzo Gusnasco, 37, 76, 152
+
+Lorenzo de' Medici, 7, 17, 19, 21, 42, 118, 143, 147, 151, 164
+
+Lorenzo da Pavia, 129, 153, 261 ff., 348, 365
+
+Louis XI., 20
+
+Louis XII., 265, 326, 332, 337 f., 341, 348, 360, 363, 371, 376.
+  _See also_ Orleans, Duke of.
+
+Luca Fancelli, 133 f.
+
+Luca Pacioli, 128, 304, 324
+
+Lucia Marliani, 18
+
+Lucrezia Borgia, 149, 165, 184, 338
+
+Lucrezia Crivelli, 302, 321, 379
+
+Lucrezia d'Este, 33, 36
+
+Luzio, 173
+
+
+M
+
+Machiavelli, 19, 330
+
+Maffeo Pirovano, 241, 252 ff., 324
+
+Maffeo di Treviglio, 136
+
+Magenta, 247
+
+Malipiero, 271, 284, 287, 295, 331
+
+Mantegna, 274
+
+Marc Antonio Michieli, 303
+
+Marco Morosini, 292
+
+Margareta Solari, 233
+
+Margherita Gonzaga, 298
+
+Margherita Pia, 85, 151, 322
+
+Marino Sanuto, 238, 248, 267, 291, 293 ff., 297, 315 f., 326, 331, 337,
+346, 370, 376
+
+Mariolo, 163, 170
+
+Mary of Burgundy, 113
+
+Mascagni, 147
+
+Matteo Boiardo, 36, 38, 52, 68, 86 f.
+
+Matteo Brandello, 138, 299, 318
+
+Matthias Corvinus, 43, 64, 115, 136, 154
+
+Maximilian, 113, 137, 164 f., 179 f., 184 ff., 197, 208, 218 f., 222,
+225, 241, 252 ff., 256, 269, 272, 284, 288, 295, 301, 304 f., 313 ff.,
+334, 338 f., 341 f., 346, 355, 371, 377
+
+Melzi (Count of), 346
+
+Michele Savonarola, 29
+
+Michelo Angelo, 108
+
+Milan, 260
+
+Milan, University of, 128
+
+Molmenti, 188
+
+Montferrat, Marquis of, 67, 116, 236
+
+Montorfano, 319
+
+Muralti, 65, 302
+
+
+N
+
+Narcisso, 152
+
+Nexemperger, 133
+
+Niccolo della Bussola, 355, 364
+
+Niccolo da Correggio, 5 f., 28, 35, 65, 73, 76, 80, 107, 116, 142 f.,
+145 f., 149-152, 182, 208 f., 217, 259, 264, 303, 306, 313, 323, 327,
+349, 351, 353
+
+Niccolo d'Este II., 30, 193
+
+Niccolo d'Este III., 3, 29
+
+Niccolo d'Este (s. of Leonello d'Este), 5 f.
+
+Niccolo de Negri, 188, 190, 293
+
+
+O
+
+Oldrado Lampugnano, 379
+
+Orleans, Duke of, 112, 225, 231 f., 256, 266, 268 f., 271, 279, 281 f.,
+286, 294 f., 326. _See also_ Louis XII.
+
+Orsini, 223
+
+Ortensio Lando, 52
+
+Ottaviano Sforza, 42
+
+
+P
+
+Pamfilo Sasso, 150
+
+Pandolfini, 25, 48, 118
+
+Paolo Bilia, 250
+
+Paolo Giovio, 11, 247, 273, 371
+
+Pavia, 66 ff.
+
+Pavia, University of, 126 ff.
+
+Pedro Maria, 152
+
+Perrault de Gurk, 318
+
+Perron de Baschi, 221
+
+Perugino. _See_ Il P.
+
+Petrarch, 143, 146
+
+Philippe de Commines, 48, 187, 233, 236 f., 245, 248 f., 261 f., 269,
+274, 279, 285
+
+Pier Francesco, 373
+
+Piero de Medici, 164, 184, 223, 231, 236, 241, 248, 256, 262
+
+Pierre d'Urfe, 376
+
+Pietro Alamanni, 135, 231, 241
+
+Pietro Bembo, 108, 113, 195, 197
+
+Pietro Landriano, 179
+
+Pietro Lazzarone, 150
+
+Pietro of Perugia. _See_ Il Perugino
+
+Pico della Mirandola, 30, 61
+
+Pino, 318
+
+Pistoia. _See_ Antonio Cam. P.
+
+Pius II., 16
+
+Poggio, 87
+
+Polissena d'Este, 77, 79, 232
+
+Pontano, 7
+
+Prato, 362
+
+Prosperi, 181 f.
+
+Pulci, 87
+
+
+R
+
+Raphael, 144, 152
+
+Roberto di Sanseverino, 21 ff., 27 f., 43, 137
+
+Roderigo Borgia. _See_ Alexander VI.
+
+Rodolfo Gonzaga, 65, 273
+
+Romanini, 195
+
+Rovegnatino, 316
+
+
+S
+
+Sabba da Castiglione, 35, 45, 108, 142 ff., 147, 149, 152 f., 354
+
+Salomon (physician), 370 f.
+
+Salomone Ebreo, 130
+
+Sancia of Naples, 221, 225
+
+Sandro Botticelli, 300
+
+Sannazzaro, 7
+
+Sanseverino, House of, 43 f. _See also_ Antonio Maria S., Federigo
+S., Galeazzo S., Gaspare S., Gianfrancesco S., Roberto S.
+
+Scaligero, 52
+
+Schifanoia frescoes, 32, 38
+
+Sebastian Badoer, 255
+
+Senlis (Treaty of), 180, 196, 224
+
+Serafino Aquilano, 142 ff.
+
+Sforza, Duke of Bari, 20 ff.
+
+Sigismund of Austria, 218
+
+Sigismund d'Este (Cardinal), 58
+
+Sigismund of Poland, 353
+
+Sixtus IV., 3, 20, 24, 27, 157
+
+Sperandio, 3, 31, 274
+
+Spinola family, 335
+
+Stuart d'Aubigny, 114, 121, 232, 238
+
+
+T
+
+Taddeo Contarini, 155, 303
+
+Taddeo Vimercati, 179, 187
+
+Tanzio, 139, 144
+
+Tasso, 87
+
+Teodora, 168 ff., 181
+
+Teseo d'Albonesi, 128, 153
+
+Theodore Guainiero, 247
+
+Tiraboschi, 141
+
+Tito Strozzi, 35
+
+Tommaso Grassi, 131
+
+Tommaso Piatti, 131
+
+Treso di Monza, 66
+
+Trissino, 37
+
+Tristan Calco, 70, 129 f., 210
+
+Tristan Sforza, 5, 22
+
+Turman, 362
+
+
+U
+
+Ursino, 190
+
+
+V
+
+Valentina Visconti, 231
+
+Vasari, 135, 319
+
+Venetian _fetes_, 193 ff.
+
+Venetians attack Ferrara, 26 f.
+
+Vercelli (Peace of), 281
+
+Verrocchio, 301
+
+Vincenzo Baldelli, 316
+
+Vincenzo Calmeta, 138, 142 f., 145 f., 151
+
+Vincenzo Foppa, 63
+
+Vittore Pisanello, 2, 32
+
+Vittoria Colonna, 52, 263
+
+
+Z
+
+Zenale di Treviglio, 66, 285
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+PRINTED BY
+
+TURNBULL AND SPEARS
+
+EDINBURGH
+
+
+
+    +----------------------------------------------------+
+    |                Transcriber's Note                  |
+    |                                                    |
+    | Typographical errors corrected in the text:        |
+    |                                                    |
+    | Page   ix  Guiccardini changed to Guicciardini     |
+    | Page   ix  Baldassarre changed to Baldassare       |
+    | Page    x  Bibliotheque changed to Bibliotheque    |
+    | Page   xi  Etude changed to Etude                  |
+    | Page   xv  di changed to da                        |
+    | Page  xvi  Belrignardo changed to Belriguardo      |
+    | Page    9  negociations changed to negotiations    |
+    | Page   14  II changed to Il                        |
+    | Page   15  Guiccardini changed to Guicciardini     |
+    | Page   22  Tristran changed to Tristan             |
+    | Page   33  Cristoforo changed to Cristoforo        |
+    | Page   33  Arragon changed to Aragon               |
+    | Page   44  Baldassarre changed to Baldassare       |
+    | Page   44  Elizabetta changed to Elisabetta        |
+    | Page   36  Bentivogho changed to Bentivoglio       |
+    | Page   36  Sando changed to Sandro                 |
+    | Page   37  di changed to da                        |
+    | Page   41  Galezzo changed to Galeazzo             |
+    | Page   45  Castelnovo changed to Castelnuovo       |
+    | Page   45  Leonardi changed to Leonardo            |
+    | Page   52  Benedette changed to Benedetto          |
+    | Page   57  Valtelline changed to Valtellina        |
+    | Page   62  Certoza changed to Certosa              |
+    | Page   67  Salla changed to Sala                   |
+    | Page   71  Bentovoglio changed to Bentivoglio      |
+    | Page   71  Sanseverinos changed to Sanseverino     |
+    | Page   73  Gianfranceso changed to Gianfrancesco   |
+    | Page   74  beside changed to besides               |
+    | Page   77  Polisenna changed to Polissena          |
+    | Page   86  Castelnovo changed to Castelnuovo       |
+    | Page   91  Jesu changed to Gesu                    |
+    | Page   93  Sev^o, abbreviation for Severino,       |
+    |            has been retained                       |
+    | Page   97  l6th changed to 16th                    |
+    | Page   99  Arragon changed to Aragon               |
+    | Page  108  Castiglone changed to Castiglione       |
+    | Page  113  Fnding changed to Finding               |
+    | Page  115  magificently changed to magnificently   |
+    | Page  123  l6th changed to 16th                    |
+    | Page  128  Paciolo changed to Pacioli              |
+    | Page  133  Fabbriccieri changed to Fabbricieri     |
+    | Page  133  Gratz changed to Graz                   |
+    | Page  138  Bellincionis's changed to Bellincioni's |
+    | Page  143  Abbruzzi changed to Abruzzi             |
+    | Page  145  Bramarite's changed to Bramante's       |
+    | Page  146  Uzieili changed to Uzielli              |
+    | Page  147  Muntz changed to Muntz                  |
+    | Page  150  Baldassarre changed to Baldassare       |
+    | Page  150  Valtelline changed to Valtellina        |
+    | Page  159  Naple's changed to Naples'              |
+    | Page  161  Today changed to To-day                 |
+    | Page  163  Pecorata changed to Pecorara            |
+    | Page  177  Arragon changed to Aragon               |
+    | Page  179  Frederick changed to Frederic           |
+    | Page  187  Phillippe changed to Philippe           |
+    | Page  188  Gianfranceseo changed to Gianfrancesco  |
+    | Page  193  Comminnes changed to Commines           |
+    | Page  195  Romanin changed to Romanini             |
+    | Page  200  word "of" missing after "the daughters" |
+    |            and before "Messer Sigismondo"          |
+    | Page  206  Ambrosio changed to Ambrogio            |
+    | Page  209  Ambrogie changed to Ambrogio            |
+    | Page  210  Baldassarre changed to Baldassare       |
+    | Page  212  Rochetta changed to Rocchetta           |
+    | Page  218  Valtelline change to Valtellina         |
+    | Page  226  Guiccardini changed to Guicciardini     |
+    | Page  232  Geneva changed to Genova                |
+    | Page  234  judgement changed to judgment           |
+    | Page  236  Pecoraja changed to Pecorara            |
+    | Page  237  Godefroi changed to Godefroy            |
+    | Page  238  Placenza changed to Piacenza            |
+    | Page  240  Baldasarre changed to Baldassare        |
+    | Page  246  Piravano changed to Pirovano            |
+    | Page  255  Guiliano changed to Giuliano            |
+    | Page  259  Guiccardini changed to Guicciardini     |
+    | Page  260  Lazaretto changed to Lazzaretto         |
+    | Page  266  Arragon changed to Aragon               |
+    | Page  267  or changed to of                        |
+    | Page  269  Arragon changed to Aragon               |
+    | Page  272  Giascone changed to Giasone             |
+    | Page  273  Giovo changed to Giovio                 |
+    | Page  293  de' Negris changed to de' Negri         |
+    | Page  299  Vercelliana changed to Vercellina       |
+    | Page  300  Botticello changed to Botticelli        |
+    | Page  301  Verocchio changed to Verrocchio         |
+    | Page  302  Muralto changed to Muralti              |
+    | Page  318  alar changed to altar                   |
+    | Page  322  Arragon changed to Aragon               |
+    | Page  325  Baldassarre changed to Baldassare       |
+    | Page  330  Machiavelii changed to Machiavelli      |
+    | Page  345  sus changed to sua                      |
+    | Page  351  Baldassarre changed to Baldassare       |
+    | Page  355  Brizen changed to Brixen                |
+    | Page  371  edioius changed to tedious              |
+    | Page  383  Francessa changed to Francesca          |
+    | Page  383  d'Albert changed to d'Albret            |
+    | Page  383  Frederick changed to Frederic           |
+    | Page  384  Giocomo changed to Giacomo              |
+    | Page  384  Godefroi changed to Godefroy            |
+    | Page  385  Lascario changed to Lascaris            |
+    | Page  386  Botticello changed to Botticelli        |
+    | Page  386  Muralto changed to Muralti              |
+    | Page  386  Oldrade changed to Oldrado              |
+    | Page  387  Verocchio changed to Verrocchio         |
+    +----------------------------------------------------+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Beatrice d'Este, Duchess of Milan,
+1475-1497, by Julia Mary Cartwright
+
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