Don Tarquinio.....................................................................................................................................................1

When the last century was adying, a certain idiot asked me to write the history of one day in the life of a

man of fashion in the era of the Borgia. It was to include every single act and deed of his during a given

fourandtwenty hours: because it was wanted for a magazine, which proposed to publish a series of such

Of course I instantly thought of the holographs which Don Tarquinio Giorgio Drakontoletes Poplicola di

Santacroce wrote for the edification of his son Prospero. They purport to have been written about 15231527,

as the leisurely effort of a man of unbounded energy very anxious to express himself; and there was one of

them which certainly seemed pat to my purpose. It actually did describe all Don Tarquinio's doings on one

day in 1495, from (a little before) 6 p.m. to 6 p.m. round the clock. It was very exciting and very comical.

So I did it. But it was by no means easy: as you'll readily understand when I hint that the frightful man wrote

an Italian jargon of his own, which was all Greek where it wasn't Latin. No doubt the fashion of his age was

And then again, think what it means to boil down a book into a magazine article. You see, the terms of my

commission were that I was to set down everything the gentleman did. But he did such a lot. And he

explained it all so voluminously, with a wealth of detail which simply could not be omitted.

And of course my version was rejected. It was a mere categorynot a story. I myself could see that.

I put the thing in a cupboard with curses, on the idiot who had invited me to do a useless thing, on myself for

being ass enough to waste four months in trying to make a sow's ear out of a silken purseI mean, in

attempting to compress a piece of real and serious and elaborate history, and an amazingly amusing character

study, and a breathlessly intricate story of adventure, into a merely ephemeral ten pages or so of journalism.

There the papers lay until a week ago, when I had just finished my new book, and was rummaging among my

Little by little I saw what an accented fool I had been not to let Don Tarquinio tell his own tale, in his own

quaint acute humorous sensuous conscientious way. For it's all nonsense to say that the Fifteenth Century

can't possibly speak to the Twentieth, because it is the Fifteenth and not the Twentieth, and because those two

And, so, since you're always bothering me to write a book which is not about silly Catholic clergymen, or

incomprehensible antiquities, or abnormal modernitiesfor once I'll let my Waterman's Ideal be his Barnum,

You'll find him and his fellows just as deliciously and comically silly, and just as haphazardly and

unexpectedly wise, and just as good, and just as bad, as the people whom you meet every day of your life,

who always go such a frightfully long way round in their endeavours to attain their objects,and not a bit

like the disagreeably, unnatural people in ordinary books who persistently do the right thing in the right way

Read what Tarquinio says of himself, and his plight and his longings. Mark how he tells the story of his

fortunate day. Learn how he risked his life to win release from the Great Ban, anxious to act as a prince

DURING the present year, the first of the paparchy of Clement, Messer Francesco Guicciardini and Messer

Paolo Giovio came from Fiorenza, bringing to me their wellwritten manuscripts: to the end that I might read

the same, and praise them or vituperate them, as well for the purity of letters as for the good of the race of

But the said manuscripts ought to be burned; and no copy of them ought to be preserved. These scribes are, as

I have said, of Fiorenza; and they have written of events which took place in the City when they were little

boys. They have no means of knowing these events, except from hearsay. They have dared to write that

which they have heard: for they certainly never saw. But we know well that it is impossible for any man of

Fiorenza truthfully to intreat of Roman events, by cause of the hatred, indelible, Carthaginian, which all

Fiorentini always bear to us Romans. And I myself do know these their histories to be false and shameful: for

I indeed was concerned in the making of history here in the City, at the same time of which these men have

Messer Francesco is a rather vain vacuous man, incapable of dealing with grave matters. I believe that he

wisheth to be honest: but his shallow mind causeth him to collect gossip, without testing its truth, as may be

seen in the manuscript which he will not burn, where They say, and It is said, and I am told that, and other

Messer Paolo, on the other hand, hath written gossip as though it were history: nor hath he deemed it right to

qualify his assertions in the manner of the aforesaid Messer Francesco. Moreover, when I plainly showed him

how that, to mine own knowledge, certain of his allegations were false, he audaciously responded in these

"The people wish to be deceived. I will deceive them in return for gold sequins. And, after an hundred years,

The said Messer Paolo thus hath confessed himself to be a liar, flagrant, impenitent. So long as he was

content to write of those things of which he had cognition, for example the Book About Fishes which lately

hath been printed, so long he was worthy of observance as a rather rustic pagan man who diligently used his

little ability. But, seeing that he not only hath written many falsehoods but also openly hath boasted of the

It appeareth to me that the writing of history is a simple matter. Let each man, from the age of puberty, write

of the things which happen to himself. So few men can write that not more than enough will be written. Also,

some men, having been born under benignant stars, will rise: while others, having been born under malignant

stars, will fall. The writings of the first will live; and their successors will profit by reading what they have

written. The writings of the second die and disappear with the corruptible carcase of their writers.

Wherefore I myself will write the history of one day of mine own life, in order that thou, my son, mayst learn

the true method of writing history: that is to say, with knowledge, with a share in the fact, with truth as before

the priest, with accurate descriptions of persons and things, but chiefly without any desire of persuading. But

the four stumblingblocks to truth, which the Anglican mage invented, must be avoided, and they are:

Furthermore, as to what truth is, I will say that, apart from the truths of our most holy faith which are of

divine revelation and therefore not to be questioned, the truth is that which every man may acquire from the

apprehensive nature of perfectly cultivated senses: or, as Zeno the Stoic saith, the test of truth is the

Kataleptic Phantasm. For this cause, o Prospero, I will write history for thee from the evidence of my proper

senses alone, and not from the idle reports of ungoverned and ungovernable tongues.

I will choose to write the history of the day on which I was delivered from disability, of the day on which

Alexander, magnificent, invincible, made me what I now am. I will write the history of my fortunate day. On

that day, many things were done in which I had no little share. Of these things I will write. But, to know the

history of that day absolutely as the Ruler of Olympos knoweth it, needs must that The Prince and the

Cardinal of Ferrara, and Prince Gioffredo Borgia of Squillace, and innumerable other persons, should be

moved as I am moved, and should be capable as I am capable, and should write as I will write. Nevertheless,

seeing that none of these have written, thou shalt be content to take the history of that day from me, thy

loving father. It will be a good enough history, seeing that I assisted at its making and that I wish to tell the

Thou shalt know, o virginal Prospero, that, in the year MCCCCLXXXXV after the Admirable Parturition of

the Mother Maid, our house was suffering for its sins. For xij years before, on the ninth day of the kalends

of March, mine uncle and our baron Madonno Francesco, the same who was the model for Messer Simone

Fiorentini's image of our primate Saint George of Seriphos, had been stabbed in a brawl by one of the

infamous Dellavalle. We instantly had leagued with Orsini against this our hereditary enemy and Colonna;

and had comported ourselves in such wise that, during iij months, the blood of those monsters befouled every

gutter in the City. But, when we were in the very article of ridding this land of those reptiles, even as Saint

George our said progenitor ridded his Isle of Seriphos of the pterodactyl, for very few of them remained

alive, then our Lord the Paparch reinforced them with the bands of His Own house of Dellarovere and with

those of Riarj to which He was allied by the marriage of His sister. Then indeed we tolerated many evils. His

said Sanctity expelled us all from the City, man, woman, priest, and child, encumbering us with the Great

Ban so that we never should return; and, further, He ordained the demolition of our palace on Catinari. It was

done; and for this same cause my cousin now buildeth that new palace where we shall live.

Marcantonio, my said cousin, being mine equal in age, retired to Fiorenza. Being of a singular habit of mind,

anxious to evade the society of most men, and not having a taste either for war or for letters, he became a

disciple of Messer Lionardo da Vinci that miracle of genius, who loved him as Sokrates loved Phaid*n for his

beautiful hair: with whom he studied the arts, fortifications, architecture, painting, and the construction of

ingenious machines whereby men might fly with wings like bats or swim with webbed feet like tritons.

We of the junior branch made way to our castle of Deira by Squillace in the Kingdom, which thou never hast

seen but shalt see. That demesne formerly was denominated Greater Greece, by cause that while yet the City

was no more than a cluster of Alban shepherds' huts on Campidoglio and Latium a kingdom, numbers of our

progenitors took ship from Athens, violetcrowned, immortal, and founded states and cities on these shores.

But at Deira we fortified ourselves, drawing fighting men and youths apt to war from among the natives; and,

by cause that the arteries of these were filled with the blood of Athenian heroes mixed with the blood of those

fierce Northmen, who also settled in our vicinity about the time when our castle was a building, that is to

say about the year ML since our Fructiferous Redemption, our potency became superior to that of all other

barons of the said Kingdom. But, though we lived in peace, shewing ourselves rather dangerous to any who

would have been our enemies, yet we maintained ourselves with all the incessant stringency of siege, at first

in preparation for an assault by the Riarj, with our ancient foes, (which never was delivered, I suppose by

cause that the whole orb of earth knew that we were very gravely to be feared being driven to bay;) and even

afterward, when Xystus had migrated to The Lord and the Riarj and the Dellarovere had lost their

predominance, we abated none of our precautions, seeing that we were ignorant concerning the manner in

In those xij years, o Prospero, thy father passed from the care of nurses to boyhood and even to the gate of

adolescence. I am not to intreat of those years now, nor of the manner in which I spent them. But I will say

that, having something of the solitary habit of Marcantonio, and being not entirely engrossed by martial

exercises or by human letters as all my fellows were, I learned to think; and thinking made me chafe, by

cause that I deemed it to be a terrible sacrilege against the Maker of the World that I should be compelled to

waste my life among the rustics of Deira, I being fit in mind and body to equal any patrician in the City. My

Therefore, of His Nature He must create: for a force which engendereth nothing is not a force.

But at Deira I was as a bird in a cage, as a prisoner in a dungeon, as a scorpion in a circle of fire: nor was

there any release for me. Wherefore the new adolescence of me, exquisite, ebullient, very grievously did

But by chance, on the festival of Saint Valentine in the year MCCCCLXXXXV, there occurred to me the

Most Illustrious Lord Cardinal*. of Santa Lucia in Silice alias in Orfea, the Prince Ippolito d'Este of Ferrara.

He came with an admirable company out of Syracuse where he had been buying wrestlers: for he was very

curious in every kind of human monster, and his collection of athletes was without rival. He himself also was

by way of being abnormal: for he was of the age of xvij years, and during ij years he had worn the vermilion

hat. He was tall of frame and supple of sinew and mighty of limb, having fortified his adolescence with

archery and other exercises. Grace and charm bloomed on the face of him. His olivecoloured skin glowed

with healthful pallor. His bright black eyes gleamed with grave tranquillity, meriting praises. His whole

aspect was most basilical. He was an expert swimmer; and, with whatsoever weapons he adroitly strove, he

Thou shalt know, o my rosy Prospero, that there are two kinds of beauty, videlicet the beauty of the body and

the beauty of the soul. The latter is to be preferred: for it is permanent; and he who possesseth psychical

beauty is like the immortal gods, divine ones inhabiting heavenly mansions. Yet this kind of beauty is not

easily perceived. Wherefore the possession of the other kind is much to be desired: by cause that physical

beauty maketh the world to turn round and to stand at gaze, whereby perception of psychical beauty, if any

there be, is facilitated. Hence, physical beauty is the more important: although, unless to it be added psychical

beauty, it is liable to become invalid when its first effect should have faded. But the Cardinal of Ferrara had

When we first looked upon each other, our attention was arrested by means of the sense of sight: but, when

words had passed, we recognized each other as being of equal texture, even as one star doth recognize

another crossing the firmament of heaven, or as travellers returning to their dear homes recognize their

After many words had been spoken: for, as soon as the glances of our eyes first clashed together, striking the

spark of sympathy, whereby a certain fire burned in our minds, and as Harmodios and Aristogeit*n loved

"It is not meet that such an one should be chained to this rock of Deira, where the vultures of impotent desire

Thus he spoke: but there was a plan in his mind, perceiving which I responded, saying:

"Only the successor of Him, Who chained Us and Our house with the Great Ban, is able to deliver; and that is

"We Ourself are in the grace of the said Alexander, magnificent, invincible. Moreover the Great Ban will not

run in thy despite so long as that thou shalt be in Our company: for, where Este is, Ferrara is; and Rome hath

His saying was a true one. Wherefore, having collected my familiars, with a joyful heart I turned my back

upon Deira; and anon, with the Cardinal of Ferrara, I rode to Rome. As we rode, we conversed concerning

many things, in order that the beauty of our souls might be manifested: nor did we omit to exhibit the beauty

of our bodies in feats of strength and agility. It appeared that, though I had not such irresistible strength as

Ippolito had, nevertheless my limberness and quickness of eye gave me no cause to blush while we

contended. But, when our alliance was confirmed by the discovery of our admirable qualities, we gave names

to each other, as the manner was. To Ippolito, I gave the name Hebe, on account of his xvij years. To me, he

gave the name Sideynes, on account of my xv years. And so conversing and contending, we reached the City.

It was agreed that I should live as a guest in the Estense Palace, until such time when Ippolito should find

occasion for speaking of me to our Lord the Paparch. And so it was. But, as soon as we had invaded the City,

I became conscious that I had exchanged one prison for another: for, on account of the Great Ban, it was not

convenient that I should go out from the Estense Palace, unless a decurion of the cardinalitial familiars

Thus, I was precluded from seeking such adventures as my youth and my spirit required. Now and then, I

accepted the restraint: in order that I might see the world's metropolis, of which I myself was no mean citizen.

But the estate of my procession terribly irked me; and I would not have gone out any more, save for a maid

whom I espied on the third day; and she was thy proper mother, o Prospero. For, when I saw the tender

girlishness of her, and her blueblack hair, and her blueblack eyes, and her rosy flesh, which was so bright

and pure that I knew it to be soft and firm and cool to touch, then the fire of love was kindled in my dear

breast; and I yearned after her. But her very name was hidden from me: nor might I ask it of any, for I was

environed by my guards, and she was in the train of a princess. Her gait proclaimed her nobility. She

appeared to be of equal age with me. For which causes, I pervaded the City at all hours in hope of an

Once I scattered primroses low at the feet of her beauty. She gazed modestly downward: but I looked where I

The eighth was my fortunate day. I will set down the history of the said day, a.d. vij Kal. Mar., being the day

Divine Phoibos was finishing his course, and his radiant horses were about to plunge into the oceanstream,

when the Most Illustrious Lord Cardinal*. of Santa Lucia in Silice alias in Orfea, Prince Ippolito d'Este of

Ferrara, with me, Prince Tarquinio Georgio Drakontoletes Poplicola di Hagiostayros, came from a certain

meadow beyond the Milvian Bridge where we had been playing at great ball. A pair of patrician pages had

played on his side, which was red; and another pair played on my side, which was blue: but the red were

victorious. I cannot remember the names of the said pages: nor is it of importance. that I should remember

them. Many persons have thrown the greatball since Deykalion threw stones; and the names of the throwers

Having come to the bank of Tiber, we ascended the cardinalitial barge. Indian oarsmen propelled it; and the

colour of their flesh resembled the colour of a field of ripe wheat when as some delicate zephyr sways the

stems in the sunlight not more than half revealing poppies: but their eyes were like pools of ink, fathomless,

upon glittering mother o' pearl, very beautiful, and quite unintellectual. Servitors crowded amidships. Turkish

arbalisters and halberdiers from Ferrara manned the bulwarks. Pages, in liveries resembling vermilion skins

from toe to throat and wrist, bearing armorials on their tabards, displayed at the prow the double cross,

golden, and the high Estense gonfalon, in order to teach discretion. For, cardinals like Ippolito, and princes

like Tarquinio, risked life whenever they would play at greatball, in those old days when the Keltic

barbarians of Gaul were occupying half the City on the one side of Tiber, while the Paparch Alexander was

being beleaguered in the Castle of Santangelo on the other. For this cause Ippolito displayed his state, so that

any man of evil mind, presumptuous, who should be tempted of the devil to molest us, might know that he

would incur the ban of Holy Mother Church for molesting a cardinal not less than the ban of Ferrara for

The air above the river was growing chilly. We who were heated with the game needed to continue in action,

that we might evade perils of ague or of fever or of the Pest, most pernicious. Wherefore I wrestled as

vigorously as possible with Ippolito inside the vermilion curtains of the canopied poop. But his great strength

reduced my suppleness to no price; and he threw me once and twice and six times, till he was weary of easy

Abaft Ripetta, came one in a little boat with rumours: with whom we instantly collogued. It was said that

some sort of a peace had been patched up. It was said that the Keltic King was about to relinquish the City.

Ippolito's mind became inflamed with desire of inquiry. Wherefore, having crossed the river, we descended

from the barge; and made haste toward Vatican, in order that we might get the news from that side.

As we hurried through the streets, mine heart was sad and disconsolate in my breast, by cause of my secret

longing and by cause of mine illused body; and I was oblivious of all other things.

Ippolito perceived my grief, and set himself to console me, as we walked along: but he knew not all the

causes of my distress. He spoke only of the Great Ban, which indeed weighed heavily, and moreover it was

the root and source of all mine ill. For, had it not been for that grave impediment, I should have been a free

prince; and, with my freedom, I could have won the desire of my soul, and also could have used my body to

advantage. Thus he spoke: but I passed, from grieving over mine unknown maid and my bruised flesh, into

most profound trouble by cause of my disability. And that trouble was so sore that very soon it changed into

furious despair. I would do: but I could not do, by cause that I might not do. To myself I seemed useless. I

was merely a bandit. Yet I got no joy of my banditry as other bandits did, by cause that I was too foolish or

Blood was blinding mine eyes at these thoughts; and my lips quivered fiercely. Thus to Vatican I came, in a

I SAW those great stone stairs leading to the long fortified gallery which extends from the Apostolic Palace

to the Castle of Santangelo. I saw the porphyrycoloured lines of paparchal menatarms which guarded

them. I also saw the porphyry coloured knots of chamberlains and pages and prelates which clustered upon

them. All around me were voices and the noise of movement. Cardinals and bishops, and barons, each with

his company, continually were arriving and ascending the stairs and disappearing along the gallery above, or

All this time, Ippolito was pouring sympathetic words into my deaf ears. As he left me, I contrived to hear

"Be of good heart, O Sideynes, for thy chance may be near even now. Fortune never ceaseth to turn her

I stood by a window in the hall, very sad. Our ij decurions remained, waiting in my vicinity, but not so near

as to intrude upon my secret. Mine heart began to weep within my breast, silently, very bitterly: but the

crowds which came in and the crowds which went out were ignorant of my grief. To the genuinely aggrieved,

there is nothing more distracting (and consoling) than the knowledge that he is keeping his grievance to

Anon, a certain princess entered, attended by a galaxy of maidsofhonour, all chattering like jays, very

flippant. She was most virginal and young, with a long sheet of shining yellow hair flowing loosely from a

garland of jacinths. Her robe of mulberrycoloured silk was embroidered with gold herringbones. The

paparchal pages swept us against the wall to make a passage for her. I took one by the ear, demanding the

lady's name for a very valid reason. Having said that she was Madonna Lucrezia BorgiaSforza, the daughter

of the Paparch's Sanctity, the wife of the Tyrant of Pesaro, a pearl of women, lovely and good, gentle and

courteous to all, anon he threatened me with penalties for my abuse of his ear. But I consoled him with iij

silver ouches shaped like herons which I tore out of my cloak; and, having pushed through the throng, I made

a very low obeisance to the princess: for I wished to be seen of her in whose train I myself had noted my

When Madonna Lucrezia had given me a frank and simple look of admiration, for I was not unnotable in a

knitted habit like a skin of nacrecoloured silk embroidered with a flight of silver herons, she also climbed

I was standing below, strenuously looking upward. Courtiers came forward up there, pairing with the girls,

strutting to and fro like a troop of apes and a muster of peacocks. One of the maids had no companion. She

An enormous baron, one of the loyal Cesarini, came from the gallery. His company gathered round him as he

began the descent of the stair. The solitary maid also stepped down in his train, just when I was sinking again

Her seablue robe was girdled by great cat'seyes set in gold. Her mane of blueblack hair floated around

her from a coronal of seablue beryls. There was a modest look of seeking in her eyes, halfveiled by lovely

lashes. Tender blushes brightened her diaphanous flesh. watched her very cautelously, maintaining my

dejected attitude by the window, using all the powers of my will to draw her to me. Several times she passed

me as she paced the hall. Anon she stayed by me, lifting her lashes, fulfilling me with the light of her regard;

I wrenched myself from my distress; and comported myself as one to whom a divine vision is vouchsafed,

letting a look of recognition gradually come into mine eyes. So I went to her; and drew her into the embrasure

of the window, where the mailed backs of my decurion walled us off from the passersby. And, on my two

She was not angry: but sweetly tender, modest, not unwilling. Her mood brightened mine; and mine heart

became as blithe as the sea at dawn in spring. She was not mine; but she was to be had for the asking: for

which cause I continued to speak. I said that I hitherto had had no means of approaching her: that I even now

She begged me to rise, lest some passerby should misunderstand me; and her eyes darted up the stairs to the

other maids with their partners. She was very young, and perhaps a little terrified by the violence of love,

though she by no means was for flying from it. I stood up; and, by cause that I most fervently regarded her,

she let her eyelids droop a little while she responded to me, telling me her name and condition. Anon she

used a new stratagem in the sweet affray, demanding that I should speak about myself. So, I was driven back

into the citadel of my sadness, mine assault being prevented. She pushed me closer, persisting, gently urging

Anon I told her how that our house had been xij years in exile, notwithstanding that we were the most noble

patricians in the Golden Book of Rome; and I spoke of Saint George the Dragonslayer of Seriphos, of the

Great Ban, of our razed palace, of our baron fooling at Fiorenza. I said that I was a scion of the younger

branch, and innocent of the murders which had caused us to be banned; and I told her of my breeding, with

all other matters necessary to be known by her. I gave her notice of mine arts and parts. There I was to serve

her, as she could see, young, strong, wellinstructed, not uncomely, and burning for an opportunity of doing

deeds. I also spoke of Ippolito, my friend, who had brought me to the City in search of that opportunity which

She, with divine tenderness, feared for my safety. I gave her confidence again, reciting the precautions

observed and the privileges enjoyed among the Estense familiars. But, by side of these things, I bade her to

know that I as yet was not a notable person upon whom our Lord the Paparch well might execute justice.

Further, I said that Alexander so far had not manifested special virulence toward mine house. We were

bandits when He began to reign. So He found us. The Great Ban had been laid on us by His predecessors;

and, if He so willed, He could annul it. Wherefore I had taken the risk, for the sake of meeting an

opportunity. And I showed her how that Ippolito, being in the Paparch's favour, was watching daily for a

fortunate moment in which to plead my case. Not that I wished to sue for favours: but I was seeking an

opportunity for doing some signal service, which should merit and compel paparchal approbation. I preferred

to help myself. But, until my disability should have been removed, I was (so I said) like a prisoner in chains,

She moved a little nearer to me, lifting the sweet deep wells of her eyes for me to bathe in; and she said:

And, at the word, I saw mine image inshrined within those mirrors of her soul. It was an omen, very

fortunate, very invigorating. If Hersilia loved me, that nerved me; and I would persevere. So I said.

She wished to speak for me to Madonna Lucrezia: saying that that one was beneficent to everybody and

allpowerful with her Most Holy Father. But I denied her. A man ought to raise himself and not to owe his

fortunes to women. That was my sentence. I also said that Hersilia was like the angel who formerly delivered

the Paparch Saint Peter from chains. She had made me strong to free myself. Nothing more was necessary

At that moment, Ippolito and Madonna Lucrezia appeared together in the gallery; and began the descent of

the stairs. There was a sudden collecting of companies. Longlegged pages darted hither and thither with

He had no news for me. Our Lord the Paparch was playing with chess against His favourite page out of

Spain; and only had whispered ij words to the cardinal. What those ij words were, was Ippolito's secret. Nor

had I any news for him. What I had heard from my maid, was my secret. Together we went in silence,

So we ascended the waiting barge; and proceeded down Tiber, rapt in meditation. And the sun set in gold.

WHEN the barge had swung free of the shoal of smaller boats by the quay, and had attained midstream,

Ippolito anon emerged from his thoughts. I also emerged from mine. There was a gleam of hilarity in his

blackeyed glance. I returned it. It was understood that we were setting trouble aside for the moment, and

Having cast off his vermilion robes, Ippolito blessed his body; and forthwith smoothly plunged into the river,

strongly swimming with a huge leap sideways and a circular sweep of alternate arms and a double downward

thrust of his mighty haunches. I for a few moments watched him, while I strengthened my proper arms by

swinging the heavy armshields, wooden, cylindrical, studded with square knops, which we had used in our

game of greatball. Anon, having made ready, I climbed on the high shoulders of the steersman, standing

there till Ippolito saw my whiteness; and so I dived into the barge's wake, and swam.

The oarsmen diminished their speed to ours; and we swam between the right bank, where our Lord the

Paparch kept His court in the Castle of Santangelo, and the left bank, where the army of the Keltic king

inravished half the City. We continued swimming together under the new Xystine Bridge, and under the

Cestian Bridge, and by the Island, until the barge was moored by the Estense quay in Trastevere.

Gigantic jatraleiptai, which Ippolito got out of Morocco, attended us when we climbed inboard. Their

chestnut coloured bodies were girdled with azuregreen. Using pure oil of olives in which violets were

macerated, they imparted friction with their hands to our chilled flesh. When my skin had the rosy glow of

pomegranates, they robed me in a cloak of vair of nutbrown squirrels: but Ippolito muffled himself in the

ermine and vermilion of his greatcloak, covering his head with a coif of the same. Chamberlains with vj

torches went before him, iij went before me, when we left the barge and entered the palace. Our teeth

There was an immense crowd of familiars along the quay and by the watergate, freelances from Ferrara,

Gothic halberdiers, Dacian slingers, redhaired Skythian wrestlers very gigantic, roefooted runners from

Utter Britain, North African Moors, Ethiopic athletes, Indian acrobats, all selected for some singular physical

beauty or capability. The crowd, as I have said, seemed to be immense: but considering that Ippolito was a

prince as well as a cardinal, a family of merely cccc persons was by no means overabundant. Many barons

and many sacredly purpled persons are well known to keep much larger families: but Ippolito cared more for

quality than for quantity, and he cared nothing at all for ostentation or display. This trait of his character was

very pleasing to me: for I myself at all times would rather have those exquisite things which no other prince

The watergate, ironbarred, ironshielded, clanged behind us. Armed footmen lined the stair. Slight

vermilion pages, patrician on this side, plebeian on that, made obeisance in the xv antechambers. A bevy of

delicate youngsters, whose hair glittered like cocoons in candlelight, joined our progress. Ippolito was wont

to pay cccmd golden sequins for one of these specimens of The Creator's handiwork; and he had collected no

more than viiij. He told me this, seeing how greatly I admired them; and he described the difficulty which his

agents had had in finding them, for there was no blemish on them from sole to crown. Thus conversing, we

passed the wardrobe, where the master waited with his grooms and our gentlemen; and so we parted to go to

our bathingchambers. From this description, o Prospero, thou shalt know how a cardinal kept state in the

days of thy father's youth. But I will continue, that no single thing which I did on that day may be hidden

Wellgrown pages, girt with white napkins, spread the floor sheets and sponged my flesh with warm water,

rubbing me with lupinmeal, alkaline, emollient. Having poured cold jasmine water over me, and dried me

with fine flax, they indued me with knitted undergarb of soft wool, swathing my wet hair with cloths.

Wrapped in a woollen nightgown, I encountered Ippolito similarly arrayed in the wardrobe. The grooms

produced various habits; and our pages deftly did them on us. Ippolito's grand legs were sheathed in silk

hosen, tyrianthinecoloured. A loose doublet of the same covered his body. It was open on the breast and the

long wide sleeves, shewing the laces and embroidery of his smock. His poignard dangled, from a golden belt

formed of linked dryades and naiades. His cap and his shoes were vermilion. His pectoral cross was hidden in

his smock; and his chain was set with those periapts which procure fearlessness and avert drowning, passion,

incubi and succubi, videlicet carnelian, jasper, topaz, coral. And I must not omit to record that the sapphire of

his ring, worth dc sequins, was engraved with a figure of the Heroic Herakles strangling the Nemean Lion,

which inchanteth against colic and gaineth favour. But I, on my part, chose to wear no smock that night,

preferring a certain habit of white silk which clung to my contours. It was shaped like an inverted chevron on

breast and back, with broidered bands of pearls on silver; and I chose it by cause that I could breathe more

freely when my throat was bare, for mine heart was very full of the joy which cometh to him who hath done

well with his body. Indeed I hardly could stand still while the pages very carefully rubbed the delicate fabric

on me, smoothing the wrinkles: but, when this was done, I knew that I had chosen rightly, for this habit was

no restraint to me. A pointed belt of linked silver medals engraved with the loves of Leykippe and

Kleitophonta bound a brief close flounce of silverbanded silk round my loins; and my boots were of white

buckskin, clasped with silver at an handsbreadth below my knees. They also brought me a white silk cap

So I stood, while Ippolito praised me, saying that I resembled Messer Verrocchio's lithe thalerose image of

David carven of shimmering mother o' pearl. Concerning which same image, and concerning also the other

image of David by Messer Donatello, I took occasion to narrate the tragicomedy of the said images, and of

the ij adolescents of Deira named Baldonero Fioravanti and Rufo Drudodimare, and of their doings with the

whitefaced cardinal. And the same history I shall put in an appendix, seeing that no more than the mention

of it is pertinent to this present history. But my discourse was so pleasing to Ippolito that, when I had made

an end of speaking, he sent to me a page with a tray of rings for mine acceptance. Wherefrom I chose vj for

the adornment of my thumbs and my firstfingers and my thirdfingers: videlicet a cockatrice, intagliate in

green jasper, for averting the evil eye: a fair boy's head wellcombed, intagliate in smaragd, for preserving

joy: an Apollino with a necklace of herbs, intagliate in heliotrope, which conferreth invisibility when

anointed with marigoldjuice: the Kythereia and Ares, intagliate in chalcedonyx, for gaining victories: the

Anadyomene, intagliate in seablue beryl, fine, brilliant, very large, also for gaining victories: a silver ring

set through on all sides with toadstone and asshoof, for augmenting manlihood and for protection against

The patrician pages, who stood in our shadows, quietly quarrelled among themselves while they filled our

burses with perfumes, comfitboxes, kerchieves, combs, mirrors, amulets, tablets, rosaries, and other gear.

We struck them in the rear with spatulas from time to time. Nor would we permit them to affix the said

burses to our belts: for our forms would have been falsified thereby. Wherefore, they perforce were

compelled to carry them, attending us closely, buffeted as occasion served. But we sat resting in armchairs,

while the grooms covered us with sheets with fringes, drying and combing and scenting our ravenhued and

For our solace, a chamberlain admitted a pair of chaplains in black cymars with an archluth and a book of

hours. They kneeled, and intoned vespers with completorium. At the Sign and Et fidelium animae, the bells

of the City began to sound in a new manner, strange then to me, but familiar enough to thee, o Prospero,

I looked with inquiry toward Ippolito. He smiled: for he had been at the heart of things that day; and he said

Our coverings instantly were removed. Two vermilion cushions were placed before us. All sank on the knees.

The Cardinal of Ferrara intoned, in honour of the Fructiferous Incarnation; and we responded to him, saying

V. Oremus. Gratia' Tua', quaesumus, Domine, mentibus nostris infunde, ut Qui, angelo nuntiante, Christ Filj

Tui Incarnatione' cognovimus, per Passione' Ejus et Cruce' ad Resurrectionis Gloria' perducamur. Per Eunde'

Now, the day which for me for ever is marked with a white stone, fortunebringing, the great day of my life

I WILL tell thee, o Prospero, of the Estense Palace: for it is impossible for thee to see it with thy proper

seablue eyes, by cause that it was pulled down in the year before thy birth, after the miraculous picture

appeared on the gardenwall; and hath given place to the new church of Theotokos with the new streets.

It was a gigantic oblong, extending from the riverbank to the said gardenwall, having the grove of the

Divine Furina on the one side, and Saint Cecilia and Saint Mary of the Chapel on the other. It was neither so

fine nor so large as that new palace which my cousin and our baron Marcantonio is about to build on

Catinari: but it was fine and large enough for a foreign cardinal. One end of the oblong abutted on Tiber,

where was the great barbacan and the watergate; and it was divided into iiij equalsided courts by the hall

and the audience chamber and the chapel. The exterior walls were fortifications v braccie in thickness,

where little windowslits lighted only galleries and stairs. Who builded it, I do not know: but, when it was

pulled down we recognized it as the work of a masterbuilder, cyclopean, absolute. All the chief apartments

were on the first floor. Below were kitchens, cellars, prisons, storehouses, military quarters. Above were iij

floors for the familiars and the athletes. The first court from the gate was allotted to the soldiers and servitors:

the second, to the gentlemen and pages: the third to the men of letters and to the illustrious, nobilities,

supernities, celsitudes, tranquillities, magnificences, sublimities: the fourth was the court of the women,

where the wives and daughters of the familiars cooked the food and made or mended clothes, pent from boys

and adolescents savage or military, in suitable seclusion beyond the ruota. A flat roof, with machicolated

battlement, crowned the pile, chiefly fortified, but also providing a terrace, d braccie in total length, l braccie

When we stood up ready to proceed from the wardrobe, all the people came and made their genuflections.

The pages with the cardinalitial doublecross and the Estense gonfalon went before. The gentlemen followed

after, playing with their budding upperlips. These were quite useless persons, not even showy, and only

included in the family in order that they might learn manners. I never have had gentlemen in my proper

family: for I prefer pages and servitors to whom I can speak and who will respond to me in turn. I would

rather be surrounded by barbarians, as Ippolito generally was, than by these silent simpering youths who are

merely noble. And as for myself, rather than be a gentleman in another baron's family, I would prefer to be a

farmer. And, as I will for myself, so also I will for my dear son. Note it, o Prospero.

The chamberlains preceded us with the vj torches and the iij. As we passed down the iiij stairs which led into

the first gallery, a chamberlain slipped on a patch of tallow, which had dropped from a rushlight badly

placed in the sconce on the wall. He was a very fat man; and his hosen split on the ham bone: at whose

In the private diningroom, I was moved to give an inkling of mine hopes to Ippolito, continuing to whisper

until we had passed through the state withdrawingroom into the hall. He sighed when I spoke of my maid;

and suddenly smiled, as one who locketh the box of his trouble when his friend unlocketh his box of joy. It

appeared to me that Ippolito was not ignorant of an experience similar to mine: but the importance of my

My discourse was interrupted by the pages at the door of the hall presenting the embossed gold basin with the

ewer of tepid rosewater and diapered towels, while we washed our fingers reciting the Psalm I will wash

mine hands in innocency. Our seats on the dais were canopied by the vermilion baldaquin, Ippolito's being on

a step above mine. Below on our right, was the table of the chaplains and the men of letters who knew the iiij

human languages, videlicet Greek, Roman, Tuscan, Hebrew. Below on our left, was the table of the general

comptroller of estates, the secretaries, the chief steward, the auditor, the notary, the datary, the captain and

lieutenants of the guard, the herald, the physician, and the barberchirurgeon. Lower down the hall were

tables, large and long. At the middle table, where the saltcellar divided patrician from plebeian, the

gentlemen sat and the bevy of pages. The rest of the family was at the end of the hall. The plebeians each

brought their daily portions from the canteen, videlicet xvj ounces of beef, xx ounces of fine or coarse bread

according to condition, a pint and a half of wine, pieces of their monthly pounds of cheese. All through the

meal, they looked lickerishly toward the dais, thinking of their chances of our gentle leavings.

Wax torches, v in number, escorted each dish from the ruota to the carvingtable; v others illumined the

tables of the patricians: cool, dim, twinkling wicks floating on oil in brazen lamps, and the blaze of the logs

on the hearth, gave light to the rest. The reflections of these in the panels of the walls and roof, oaken,

As I and Ippolito spread the napkins on our breasts for tying, there was some commotion at the pages' table. It

was seen that, not content with their own napkin, they had stolen also the one pertaining to the gentlemen,

which napkin one of the last retrieved with a little violence. We only saw the short struggle, and we only

heard the indignant advice to the robbers that they should use their caps and sleeves like the plebeians.

Ippolito demanded of me whether, in my judgment, such advice was suitable for young boys. I responded

saying that it was indecorous, and that the adviser ought to be dismissed. I forget whether this last was done.

While the wan nervous venomtaster in black, who stood at Ippolito's left hand, was performing his office on

the viands and on the wine, my flesh glowed with the stinging cold of my swim in Tiber and the subsequent

ministrations of my pages. Ippolito was in a muse. But I looked at my face in my mirror; and saw happiness

trying to shine there. I smoothed mine hair. I stretched my legs and arms. I felt strong. My bowels yearned to

do some violent deed. But what deed? Ah, I did not know what deed to do. And I instantly slid from the

As soon as the chaplains had finished intoning the prayers, I drank beefandbarley broth from a silver bowl.

It did not comfort me. I ate the beef from which the broth had been made. It was fibrous and dry. The

brigands of the Campagna who, in those old days, used to steal half all imports sent to the City, must have

been employed elsewhere that day: for roast pig and venison appeared on the carving table. I ate of both,

being ravenously hungry and unwilling to waste time in talking to Ippolito about a stranger who was sitting at

the table of the men of letters. But I said that a man who had an olivecoloured skin ought not to wear a pink

and green gown; and I have forgotten all else about the said stranger. The venison suited my taste, being fat

and full of blood; and I signed for a third platterful. Nor did I neglect the fried things, videlicet minced

chicken livers in paste balls, goosebreasts in batter, cockscombs on lettuce, leeks parboiled and fried in oil,

a dish of quails farced with figs. The goosebreasts and the cockscombs were the best. Every time when I

paused to wash mine hands, I seemed to be sinking deeper in the mire of my melancholy.

I was plunging, sighing, into a gigantic salad: for I remembered that greenmeat is as efficacious for

whitening the skin as are bloodmeats for rendering supple the sinews. But we heard the sudden ringing of

horsehooves in the court, and the champing of bitts, and the noise of an arrival. Then indeed the human tide

at the end of the hall swept sideways, as Tiber surges when cloven by a galley's prow. A pursuivant and two

vermilion chamberlains, each with a handful of lighted torches snatched from anywhere, precipitated

This prince, o Prospero, was then of mine own age: but he already had commanded dccxl freelances in the

war, and he already was months a benedick: while I, who could do nothing but fight and swim and run and

speak Greek and write it and look much more like the David of Messer Verrocchio than Baldonero Fioravanti

or than Rufo Drudodimare, I, I say, had no opportunity of doing anything. And I was most miserable. But I

smiled, welcoming the guest: for he seemed to be a merry lad; and I admired the hardy contours of his form,

precocious, voluptuous. Sulphurcoloured silk defined each line of him. The silver bands at his throat and

wrists and hips were set with great cabochon emeralds no greener than his eyes which flashed between long

lashes. His curly hair was as black as night. His flesh had the rosy clearness of carnation. His laughing mouth

was as red as beef. He used himself with lively dignity as became the veritable son of our Lord the Paparch;

"Salute the father of a lovely girl, born a month ago at Naples, whom Our Most Holy Father yesterday hath

The cellarers served a rich red wine of Nemi, fullbodied, wellsunned. Ippolito commanded them to bring

mossagate cups: in order that the Paparch's son might have security against venom. While we drank, those ij

I threw a cupful of wine in the face of the page with my basin, that I might make him as unhappy as I. He

looked so meekly furious that I laughed as I washed my fingers before tasting the sweetmeats. But anon,

remembering that the said page was noble and that I had hurt his honour, I sent him to fetch my two best

swords. And, having slipped into the state withdrawingroom, I made him proud and happy by disarming

him twice, scratching the back of his right hand. He was a bold boy, fearful of the blood of the grape, not of

Chaplains intoned the long action of graces, * Memoria' fecit mirabiliu' suoru' etc. I lingered over a conserve

of quinces, which, said Ippolito, disperseth fumes and preventeth vapours from striking upwards; and I

chatted in Greek with Messer Pierettore Arrivabene below the dais, while Ippolito and the Borgia prince

eagerly whispered. When the familiars were gone out by the lower door, we iij washed our hands; and went

to take our ease in the secret chamber. Singing boys followed our progress, mingling voices with archluths,

THAT secret chamber, o Prospero, was circular and very large. The walls and the vaulted roof were covered

with a veneer of ivory iij barleycorns in thickness, smoothly gleaming. Ivory images of fauns and nymphs

as large as life, xj of the one, x of the other, stood on ivory pedestals round the walls supporting the cornice.

The said cornice also was of ivory carved with a dance of satyrs in basso rilievo. Wax torches burned on tall

gold candlesticks placed on the floor between the images, except in the spaces occupied by the ivory door and

the window. The last was furnished with a balcony over Tiber; and shewed a view of the City in darkening

Having washed our fingers at the gold lavabo by the door, we composed ourselves on massive black velvet

cushions, which were heaped up here and there upon the floor. Ippolito drew up a low ivory table; and

offered sweetmeats to us from a gold box, cursing meanwhile by cause that the pile of napkins for the night

was lacking. In the midst of his objurgations, a servitor hurried in with an armful, depositing the same by the

The men of letters swaggered in, bent on improving our minds. The first read the histories of Solon and

Publius Valerius Poplicola with Parallel, from the **o* �*�*��*�o* of Messer Ploytarchos: the second read a

page of Messer Cicero's Oration for Caecina: the third declaimed the eighteenth canto of Messer Alighieri's

Paradiso: the fourth intoned a lection from the Evangel of Saint John the Divine (whose Greek, o Prospero, is

purer than that of the other Apostles, especially Saint Paul), and he used the second volume of that fine Bible

Prince Gioffredo became uneasy in his body: for he had not expected this kind of entertainment. Wherefore

Ippolito conversed with him apart, while I became obedient to the mages who were my masters for the nonce:

it being at all times my will, as it should be thine, o my mercurial son, to give as much care to the acquisition

of mental superiority as to the acquisition of physical. I translated aloud into Tuscan a folio of the Phaid*n of

Plato, that absolute work, and a breve of Messer Plinius from the new edition which Messer Pomponius

Laetus had given to Ippolito. Anon I meekly tolerated an adverse judgment of my weekly thesis, the absurd

subject of which was The Irreducible Surd: nor did I even wince when Messer Pierettore denounced it by the

epithet Childish, for now I was beyond concern for these lesser matters, pondering the unmitigable calamity

Anon it was Ippolito's turn to do his lessons; and mine to amuse the guest. That one, by no means satisfied

with the grave conversation of the cardinal, looked upon me as being a more suitable companion; and he

instantly proposed that we should ride through the City to see the sights of the night. I was by no means loath

to oblige him: indeed the peril of such an adventure recommended itself to me as a means of escape from my

While my decurion and the prince's were being collected, I chose my mailshirt from a trayful. Ippolito had

obtained a few minutes' interval in which to speed our departure; and he praised my caution to Prince

Gioffredo, saying that foolhardiness was not courage, and that vanity (however just) should not breed

rashness. The Paparch's son watched me glittering in the pliant steel, while I was buckling on my swordbelt;

and he said that I was as comely in the mail falling in escallops round mine haunches as I was in silk or

velvet. Thus he spoke; and, finding on the tray another mail shirt so fine that his two hands plump, juicy

with heat, completely covered it, he let my pages do it on him. Certainly he made a gallant show; and a

mirror taught him that veiling the splendour of the body (in such a gleaming web) enhances the splendour of

We mounted in the first court; and gave the word to our ij decurions. The great gate yawned before us; and

clanged behind us. With a pomp of xx torches, we clattered over Tiber by the doublebridge and the Island.

The night was young. The City was still: for the Keltic army chiefly lay outside the Flaminian Gate and in the

Region of Campo Marzo. We rode quietly, bidding our guards to follow us: for so the light of their torches

The Prince of Squillace said that he was going to amuse himself. I, desperate with the oppression of my

misery, declared that I also would amuse myself, Great Ban or no Great Ban, safely or unsafely. I had my

sword and my x men with their lieutenant; and I would risk something for the sake of a little amusement.

Gioffredo said that Rome was a dull city, not to be compared for gaiety with little cities like Naples or

Ferrara, seeing that Colonna and Orsini had eaten all the baronage save Cesarini, which last house alone

remained leal to our Lord the Paparch. One might cultivate the arts, quoth he: or plague the rebellious barons

and their Keltic friends: or sit in the Apostolic Palace making and unmaking kings and continents. But these

Little vulgar boys might go and throw stones on Campo Vaccino, in defiance of the CardinalVicar's edict,

Degenerates, quoth he, might go and gamble with the white faced cardinal, who certainly was the pink of

Formerly, quoth Gioffredo, much diversion had been gained by hunting Jews or Bargelli, slicing off their

noses, or other ways afflicting them: but now the Paparch prohibited these exercitations, using Himself very

kindly to the accursed race which so feloniously had slaughtered our Divine Redeemer, and being determined

to keep order in the City by means of the said Bargelli. Wherefore, quoth he, these things being so, and the

Paparch's Sanctity being not only so good but also so loving and so dear that no one but a devil wilfully

would offend Him, it behoved respectable princes to be at some pains in obeying Him.

I loved the boy for those words, o Prospero: for they showed that a good heart accompanied his handsome

person and his lightly merry temper. But I found no word to say; and mine unhappiness overwhelmed me.

Gioffredo leaned across to me, slyly saying that we ought to seek legitimate adventures. I took fire at his

words; and we rode on, through and through the Street of the Bear, peeping in the inns where foreigners lay:

but we savoured no spice of adventure in the public resorts. At Saint John's of the Florentines, we agreed to

prowl separately; and, taking each our decurion, we chose different roads. Gioffredo went by Banchi Vecchi.

All the shops of the archers and armourers were shut on Campo de' Fiore; and the eyes of the houses twinkled

with no light. I avoided the Square of Catinari: for I could not bear to see the razed palace of our house there;

and I halted under the Capitol at the foot of Toasted Beans Lane. I was drowning in the cold waters of

unhappiness. I also was molested by the pangs of hunger: for study doth augment the carnal appetite most

wonderfully, and, at that time, it was necessary also that I continually should heap fuel on the furnace of the

prime of mine adolescence. I diverged at a right angle, proceeding through a series of narrow streets, and by

the black bulk of Rotondo in the Region of Pigna, to the Square of Saint Eustace: where I dismounted at the

new Falcon Inn. Ippolito had spoken of this place, as being already famous for its grotesque chambers and its

antic viands; and I wished to see for myself, and to taste food similar to that which had gratified mine

illustrious forefathers: for it seemed that such a diversion would enable me to overcome the malignance of

The chamber, which I chose, was shaped like an isoskelene triangle couped at the apex by a circular alcove

about iij braccie in diameter. The door was in the base of the triangle. The walls and roof and tiled floor were

porphyry colour. The last was strewn with lemon verbena, a most delicious odour, invigorating,

passioninspiring. The alcove was a couch of cushions. The shuttered windows concealed their blindness

behind white and porphyrycoloured curtains. A rush seated settle waited by a bronze table in the middle;

and a lamp of vij wicks smiled from overhead. While I demanded supper of the innkeeper, I dismissed my

cap and cloak into the alcove, giving my sword leave to rest by the bench, washing mine hands and combing

mine hair as though there was no such thing as wretchedness on this orb of earth.

He named a boiled owl farced with assafoetida, a roasted wildboar with sweet sauce and pinekernels, a

bear's hams, and a baked porpentine. I chose the boar and the porpentine for my proper repast, with a measure

of the black wine of Marino; and I sent the bear's hams and xj measures of wine to my decurion, paying two

A sturdy Roman hob, in snowy linen with black hosen and leathern bellyband, brought napery and the

apparatus of the table. He came again with a dish on each hand, and the wine flask's loose rush cover

gripped in his strong white teeth. This time, a cleanlimbed youngster accompanied him, precociously and

grandly formed, having a wonderful freshness of complexion, short curly brown hair, and an expression of

The eye is the mirror of the soul, o Prospero, and it is of ij kinds, videlicet the open eye and the shut eye. The

open eye denoteth a soul which is ready, willing, able, to enter into unreserved communion with its peer: not

abnegating its proper rights, but sharing the same, according to the precepts of nobility. The shut eye is that

eye wherein a veil is drawn continually, or at will, before the true image of the soul. It appertaineth to those

unfortunate persons who, either from poorness of spirit or from vileness, wish to conceal their souls in selfish

solitude. Note this, o Prospero. My proper preference (like that of all White Men) is for the open eye; and

having seen this youngster, I knew that some benignant star had deigned to send me one with whom I was in

The boy appeared to be clothed on his arms and his sides and the outsides of his legs: but he really was

covered from throat to wrist and foot with a single garment of knitted wool, resembling a skin, myrtlegreen

with a wide central stripe of fleshcolour, very ingenious. He did tableservice inaccurately and disdainfully.

It was plain that he never had served, and that he was accustomed to be served. Not a word was said while I

When I had performed the last lavation, I lay back on the bench, stretching out my legs at length; and I

formed a totally erroneous idea of the avocation of mine attendant. I did not speak: but only looked at him.

The events of the next quarterhour will be set forth in another history, which thou, o Prospero, wilt read

Anon, having summoned my lieutenant, I declared my will to him. I would rescue these ij children, taking the

lad behind my saddle: but he would take the girl behind his. The decurion was to close our rear; and all was

So it was done. There were protests and outcries at the door, a fine affray, hard blows; and I stung more than

one with my sword. But, when we were free of the crowd, I changed pursuers into scramblers, by scattering

We galloped through the Square of Navona in the Region of Parione; and, by the tortuous lanes of the Region

Straightly behind me balanced, hands on his haunches, the lad rode. Strange was that fierce spell of riding

THE City was quiet on the other side of Tiber and where we halted: but, on our right hand, the Keltic camp,

now blazing with torches, hummed like a swarm of wasps. My guards lighted their own torches from the

We went onward slowly, through Banchi Vecchi and by the Cenci Palace, in search of Gioffredo: whom we

found near the fort of Pierleone, much disordered in his habits) his hosen being full of dried peas of which his

decurion was relieving him. Their laughter prevented my words for a time. Wherefore, giving favour to my

tongue, I consigned the Keltic lad to one of my proper guards; and, when anon Gioffredo had remounted, we

He was very loquacious concerning his adventures in a Jew's house, which used to stand by St. George's of

the Golden Sail and the arch of Janus, where certain Jewesses had been entertaining him. But, their father

having returned unexpectedly from some nocturnal orgy, they had hidden Gioffredo in the peabin: from

which uncomfortable abode he at length emerged, deeming the moment convenient for flight. But the said

Jew, having found a strange sword, was on the watch; and furiously withstood him. Gioffredo had only a

poignard and a mailshirt, the latter in his hand instead of on his body: but, nevertheless, he had bidden old

Abraham to bethink himself, seeing that the said poignard had been used for carving pork. But the Jew had

enraged himself the more; and Gioffredo, having all his points untrussed and his hosen about his feet, was

unable to run. Wherefore, taking the mailshirt by the sleeves, he swinged at his opponent such a blow that

he fell prone, over whom incontinently rolling, the Paparch's son contrived to get into the street. He had lost

his sword and his boots; and he had spoiled his garments: but his speech was so comical, and his occasional

jerks (when the movement of his horse caused him to sit upon a forgotten pea) by degrees dismissed the

severity with which I at first was inclined to treat him. And also I was no saint myself. So I said. And so we

Gioffredo affectionately inquired the cause of my silence, saying that thinking made one grow old.

To whom I responded, saying that I was unhappy, and that all these games appeared to be only vain and

rather silly, seeing that there were many other worthier occupations for princes of our quality. But,

remembering that Gioffredo was a guest, anon I changed my mood, lightly asking whether he would wend to

He would not; but he demanded half of my bed for the night, commanding his decurion to bring a valise of

new habits from Traspontina, for him to don on the morrow. And so we entered the palace.

Some malignant star caused a misfortune at our entrance. The soldier, who had my Keltic lad on his horse's

crupper, dismounted; and began to unbuckle the girth. Near by, ij pages had been fighting; and one was

bewailing and letting drip a bleeding nose. The odour of the blood enraged the stallion, on whose bare back

the Keltic lad was sitting sideways, waiting for orders. That one promptly flung his leg over; and, leaning

forward, seized the bridle. Insued sudden dispersal of the crowd, wild galloping through the courtyards,

sidelong sweepings and rushings, heavenward tossings, frantic plungings; but the rider sat erect, tense as

young Bellerophon before Chimaira, gripped to his steed by thighs and knees. Indeed, it was a very grand

While we all were gazing, the noise disturbed Ippolito: who came bounding down the stair, as the furious

beast dashed through the low arch beneath the hall. That cardinal instantly cast his cardinalature to the iiij

winds, leaping and tearing at the bitt with his gigantic strength, muffling the stallion's head in his vermilion

Anon the Keltic lad dismounted; and stood before us, blushing, trembling, brighteyed, brave, a slender

supple figure, with articulations of most delicate distinction. His glance strayed toward the girl. She stood

still where she had been placed at first. In admiring him, I forgot that I myself was miserable. Gioffredo's

Ippolito looked from the stranger to me. Having whispered what was necessary to the one, I announced to the

other Ippolito's condition of Most Illustrious Lord Cardinal*, and Prince of Ferrara. The Keltic lad kneeled;

That one responded, saying that he was the Vicomte R�n� XVIIII Raoul Alain Gabriel Marie de Sainctrose,

Vidame de Sainctrose, Sieur de Chastelmondesir; and now, o Prospero, thou knowest how thy father, and thy

We all were much astonished. Ippolito demanded more news. To whom the Vicomte de Sainctrose was

pleased to say that his father had had two brothers, videlicet the Sieur Estienne who was father to the

Damoiselle Estelle there present and cousin of the speaker, and the Sieur Guichart who was father to the

Damoiseau Armand then absent but also cousin of the speaker. Further he said that his own father and mother

long had lived in olympian mansions: that his uncle Estienne had gone by the same road at Michaelmas: that

his uncle Guichart, being then his warden and the girl's, and wishing to have his demesne and hers for his

own son, kept them both hardly, fearing by cause that they loved one another. Wherefore, on the day of the

dead, those ij had prayed to their parents with the gods, and anon escaped into the forest belonging to the said

Vicomte de Sainctrose, intending to love and to die there. But a company of Egyptians had captured them;

and had brought them, with other stolen children, by long roads to the City, selling them as slaves.

The Vicomte indignantly gainsaid him: asseverating that he himself and his cousin had been but a night and a

day in the City; and that, as he was not alone, it behoved him to use subtilty for the sake of his said cousin.

He denied that he had followed an evil trade, having a knife, which either would cause force to flee, or would

"The Most Illustrious Prince Tarquinio Giorgio Drakontoletes Poplicola di Hagiostayros used princely words

and kindlike, the first from strangers during many months: for which cause We wished to let him know that a

As thou well knowst, o Prospero, the road to my love lieth through Hellas; and, when I heard that last word of

He responded to me, saying that the nones of April would mark the opening of his fifteenth year.

When I understood that he had been born under the Ram and Mars, the cause of his extraordinary courage

and of the astounding manner in which he had governed his affairs, at once became clear to me. Desiring to

He responded to me again, saying that he desired nothing better than to learn the duties of his estate in order

that he might oust the usurper of his feoffs at an opportune time. But his eyes wandered to the girl.

I said that the comptroller should have order regarding him, and that the mistress of the women should have

order regarding the damoiselle: for, being no more than a guest in the Estense palace, I was in a quandary at

the moment. And so I turned away, with Ippolito and the Borgia boy. As we went, I was telling Ippolito more

of what had happened at the Falcon Inn. Gioffredo continually ejaculated concerning the good fortune of

certain people: but Ippolito's brow became as black as night. Anon he interrupted me; and took command of

the whole matter, saying that he would not know of any sin or of anything needing amendment in his palace.

The page Giovempedocle (he was very finely made, o Prospero, but his right eye was brown while his left

eye was blue) evanesced with an order for the mistress of the women to conduct the Damoiselle Estelle de

The page Giacinto (he was quite young, but his hair was as white as hoarfrost and very luxuriant indeed)

evanesced with an order for an abbate (whose name I have forgotten) to attend in the chapel.

But we returned; and joined the Vicomte de Sainctrose to our company. R�n� was palpitating with emotions

not necessary to be described. I took his hand; and we followed Ippolito to the treasury, where a choice was

made of certain matters. As we went along, a full state of gentlemen and chamberlains with the doublecross

There, we withdrew the ij Keltic nobles to the window, where we could speak in secret; and Ippolito

examined them as to their real sentiments each for other. Their wonderful frank eyes became grave as they

responded, saying that they were one. He gave rings to them, each ring a flight of golden cupids bound with

scrolls inscribed Je sui' ici en li'u d'amy and Filz ou Fille. Taking their hands, he led them to the chapel. The

presbyter blessed the rings. They were exchanged and planted. Benediction hallowed nuptials, legitimate,

Thus was one of the many grand deeds done by thy father, o my son Prospero, well done on that fortunate

WE conducted the bridegroom and his bride to an apartment on the second stair; and the door was shut.

Having seen those children happy, I felt mine own unhappiness surging again in my breast. By the grace of

the gods, the Borgia boy chattered like a pie all the time, enraptured with his own garrulity, needing no

attention. Thus I was able to let my proper thoughts range freely. We rested in armchairs, while the pages

It was not to be denied that I had done a noble deed in rescuing those children from a den of infamy. I looked

at the sheets, filled with fragrant herbs, which hung by their corners from the ceiling of the bathingchamber,

as though I expected a message of approval from the Divine Ones who live in that direction. We were sitting

on large sponges placed on rush seated stools upon the floorsheet; and pages laid other sponges under our

I remember noting that Gioffredo's big toes were his longest toes: but my second toes are my longest toes,

according to the canon of Lysippos. Otherwise his form was without blemish; and if, as Ippolito alleged, I in

mine adolescence resembled the marble copy of the lithe thalerose image of David by Messer Verrocchio,

certainly the Borgia boy at that time resembled the sleek plump image of David by Messer Donatello, which

images copied in tinted marble the whitefaced cardinal then possessed. So I judged; and I resolved to

mention this particular to Ippolito: not that I actually believed myself to resemble the beautiful Rufo

Drudodimare, admirable, pathetic, or Gioffredo to resemble the splendid Baldonero Fioravanti, admirable,

treacherous, in more particulars than a few and those very superficial: but those ij adolescents had been

mistaken for the very images themselves abovenamed; and so we ij also possessed a certain similitude to the

same, but only to the casual spectator. However, the thing was strange; and I pondered it in my mind.

Anon I began to wonder what colour of body his stars had deigned to R�n�. That his form was as exquisite

and as vigorous as his mind, I already knew from the evidence of my sense of sight: but I often have noted

that a fine form and fine features sometimes are marred by some imperfect tincture of the skin in parts; and I

eagerly looked forward to the morrow, when I might take an opportunity of assuring myself as to the person

After these rather absurd meditations, I went on to consider the likely effects of my deed of the night.

The pages had placed beneath our stools great silver bowls containing the steaming stew of hollyhock,

mallow, pellitory, sweet fennel, wallwort, johnswort, centaury, ribgrass, camomile, heyhove, heyriff,

herbbenet, daisy, wild waterparsley, waterspeedwell, scabious, henbane, withyleaves, green oats, all

boiled to a pulp in distilled water. Note the composition of this bath, o Prospero. It was invented by one of his

mages for the cardinal; and as conducing to physical health, it hath no equal. I heard the senior page reciting

the names of the herbs, as I had heard him on the vij previous nights, while the others wrapped us and our

stools closely in thick woollen cloths of enormous size. While thus we sat sweating in the odoriferous steam,

It appeared to me that I had delivered a Keltic noble from slavery, had enabled him to provide himself with

legitimate heirs of his body in contempt of his wicked uncle, and that I was going to enable him sooner or

later to achieve his natural rights and dignities. In plain words, I had laid him under a debt of gratitude.

Secondly, I had conceived an immense affection for him, which he in turn seemed to reciprocate. In plain

At this point of the argument, the cloths were removed; and our flesh was seen to be as scarlet as the flesh of

tunnyfish. The pages sponged us with tepid rosewater; and several bucketfuls of cold, poured over our

heads when we stood up, caused pallor anon to conquer ruddiness. So we stood on dry sheets by the glow of

the fire, spitting into gold basins while cleaning our teeth with linen, moistened in a liquid made of mastic,

rosemary, sage, brambleleaves all macerate in Greek wine, and dipped in a powder of barleybread burned

with salt. This was the recipe which our mage of Deira gave to me; and I gave it to Ippolito.

The pages dried our bodies, chafing our limbs with their hands; but I was persuading myself that such a

friend as the Vicomte de Sainctrose might be very useful to me anon, supposing that Ippolito should fail to

induce our Lord the Paparch to treat me fairly: for, I deliberated, if the Great Ban were to continue in force

against me here, I should be compelled to seek an opportunity for expending mine energies elsewhere. And I

stretched myself, looking down upon my tremendous natural capabilities with anger at the thought that they

Gioffredo went on chattering. I believe that he had not found me a good listener: for he was addressing

himself to the pages who were rubbing his ribs. We went into the bedchamber for the drying and combing of

our hair. Long before this was finished, Gioffredo slept where he sat in his chair. The service was a poor one

for the son of our Lord the Paparch, accustomed to luxuries as he was: but he himself had chosen his lot, and

But I, on my part, bitterly complained of evil knitting in the hosen which I had doffed, reducing my

comptroller to terror, very comical, lest he should be degraded from his situation; for mine anger at the

malignance of my stars made me angry with all and singular. What was the use, I reflected, of a Keltic friend,

not xv years old, dispossessed of his demesnes, and actually dependent on me for a livelihood? And I thought

bitterly of R�n� blissfully mounted and riding to fortune, and of myself writhing under the oppression of the

Our hair having been tucked into our nightcaps, nothing now remained but that we should betake ourselves to

bed. But, while the pages were spreading the footcloths, and covering the rush lights with shades, and

opening the windows, Gioffredo suddenly awakened and would have been merry. I myself was in no mood

for sleep: nor could I join in his mirth. But I suggested that we ij should go to find Ippolito.

A couple of my best nightgowns were brought; and the Borgia boy chose the one of vair of nutbrown

squirrels, with slippers of the same: but I indued the other of ermine reversed with ermines, with slippers of

minever. I remember this, by cause that both these nightgowns were of great value, and after this night I

Thus we proceeded; and we found the cardinal writing, in the secret chamber, still engaged with his tasks.

WHILE we washed our fingers on entering, Ippolito threw aside his writing, making room for us on the big

As soon as the servitors were gone, Gioffredo began again to recite his adventures with much noise and

gesture. I let him talk; and sat a little apart, in silence, thinking my proper thoughts, wishing for the time

when I might consult Ippolito thereon. A twicetold tale is not always very amusing: but the Borgia boy

gabbled so insistently and so incessantly that I at last was compelled to listen. I will not set down his words:

for they were of no importance whatever, but merely as bright and as sharp and as pleasant and also as

ephemeral as the foam of the sea. He omitted no singular particular of his exploits. Had the matter been an

Easter shrift, it could not have been more explicit. He was exquisitely droll, frankly shameless.

Ippolito gradually lapsed into gloom: a species of distaste affected him. But I, for want of something better,

began to be amused. The thing was infectious. And anon, when I also began to speak in the same strain, the

"Is woman all? Is there naught else in Total Christendom to serve you in passing time? Thou, o Prince of

Squillace, hast tried war: men name thee fearless. It can be seen that thou hast lively wits as well as robust

sinews. Canst thou not use these for Madonna Sancia thy wife, or for thy Most Holy Father in His need,

leaving vulgar adventures to pages or apprentices? And thou, o Sideynes, hast hyperexcellent parts. We never

have seen an adolescent more godlike in white splendour of body and mind, though thou knowest that We

keep xl merchants travelling over the orb of the earth solely to seek and to purchase for Us such

monstrosities. There is not a man, there is not a sovereign, equal to thee in birth. Th'art healthy, strong. With

the sword thou hast not a peer: also, Messeri Claudio and Pierettore Arrivabene both say that thy written

Greek might be the Greek of an archangel. And they should know, having been the friends of the Divine

Poliziano, on whom be peace. It is true that We could kill thee with one hand. Domeniddio so made Us:

putting into these limbs that which, after mature consideration, He might have put into Our head. Different

calamities oppress different persons. Of advantages also each hath his own: to Us, Our purple and Our

strength of body: to the Prince of Squillace, lusty sinews and a daring mind and an opportunity: to thee, o

Sideynes, splendid wits, adolescence full of grace, and the aspect of one nourished on the marrow and nerves

Thus he spoke; and the speech was a very memorable one. The sudden outburst and the pungent force of it set

me striding to and fro, with my fists clenched and my brows drawn straight to the upright furrow above

dilated eyes, seablue, glittering. And now my mind was in a whirl: for I knew that this was my chance for

speaking unwinged words, which should lie and germinate and bear fruit there where I flung them. I could

not ask for boons. I could not propose plans. But, with certain furious selected speeches, I might disclose the

"Where is Our opportunity, o prudent Purpled Person? Give Us Our Sancia; and she shall swoon with joy.

Give Us Our free lances; and We will lead them against devils. But, when there is neither wife nor war for

Us, when Sancia is yet in the straw, and the Keltic army is about to take flight, and our Most Holy Father

sitteth silent and solemn in the Castle, what else can We do but accept such adventures as We find?"

"Hear Us also, o Hebe, Us, thy Sideynes, descended from Zeys not only on the spade but also on the distaff

side. Thou well knowst how We are: Our house being under the Great Ban, Our palace razed, Our princes

bandits, Madonno Marcantonio a meek student in exile, Madonno Francesco in exile with a price upon his

head, Madonno Giorgio in exile, hunted for his life since he slew Colonna. Why should We not amuse

Ourself with the Prince of Squillace, seeing that no better way lieth open to Us? Why dost thou decry such

pleasures, when thine own hero Herakles married the most women that ever one man did? Know that Our

adolescence burneth like a furnace vij times heated. It must have vent. Where can we vent it? We are

tolerated in this place only by cause of thy protection and of Our Own insignificance. What advantage is life

"Make a career with that thine intellect, o dear Sideynes. Where the will is, there will be a way. In spite of thy

words, thou knowst that the pleasures of sense are inferior to the pleasures of the intellect. Let thy mind be

thy ruler and governour. As Messer Lionardo saith, Make thine own life as thou wouldst make any other

work of art: the life of intellect should be of intellect's own design: to have but not to be had, is the rule from

which intellect must not swerve. Further, trust in thy splendid stars; and take no count of Fortune, whose

name is not in any martyrologium. She hath, indeed, no Divine Creator, for any man may make her at his

will: of whom Messer Decimus Junius Juvenalis hath written, Thou, o Fortune, art not divine where prudence

is, for it is we, we, who make thee a goddess and place thee in heaven.Why dost thou pause to play the fool?

By cause that thou art not free to work out thine own salvation? So. Now mark me well and closely, o

Sideynes. Be it known to thee that Alexander, magnificent, invincible, loveth beauty, loveth wit; and those

twain in one person need not lack His favour for a paltry disability, such as the Great Ban. Wilt thou serve

Him with thy body, with thy mind? With the last, thou wilt have a chance of shewing thy goodness. Know

also that on the morrow We ride to Vatican, where We shall render a certain account. This done, it will be

Gioffredo wagged a long leg, plump, carnationcoloured, out of his brown fur nightgown; and yelped,

"No, no, go not, o Tarquinio: for Our Most Holy Father starveth Himself and His guests. But We and thou

will ride to Vatican with the lord cardinal; and there part peacefully. He will proceed by Lo Andare to render

his said account: but we ij will cross to Our palace of Traspontina, where food is, and wine, and many

"But only for passing the afternoon pleasantly, which is the point of Our argument."

"Thy Venus We totally disregard. The point of the whole argument is the salvation of Our wellbeloved

Thus he spoke; and it was enough. I kneeled to him, kissing his sapphire, and saying:

"We accede to the Lord Cardinal of Ferrara: for thou, o Hebe, art not only grand but also good. Nevertheless

We will not dine with our Lord the Paparch: for food, and food in bulk, We must have lest Our wits wither

and Our sinews shrivel. Neither will We consent to ask a favour, nor to accept thy mediation: but We will

that Alexander, magnificent, invincible, should see Us as We shall shew Ourself to Him, and that He should

hear Us as it were by accident. If that can be contrived, well. If not, let Us have a chance of serving Him, so

that We may compel Him to deal fairly by Us. If neither of these things can be done now, bear them in mind.

Now that thou knowst Our desire, We are content to wait patiently for some benignant affection of Our stars;

Thus I spoke: for the genuine lovingkindness of Ippolito cheered me. I knew not, at that moment, anything

save that I was happier in my mind; and, being at length desirous of turning the conversation away from

"But tell Us, o Hebe, hast thou never amused thyself as we ij have been amusing ourselves? Sometimes We

"That thou at some time hast been like the rest of us, loving a woman: that thou hast lost her, and cherish but

He smiled; and his whole being seemed to open, blossoming like a rose. He, with full breath, said:

"Oh, oh, oh! And whom? Madonna Lucrezia? Yes: so it must be: for all men love Our sister."

"She is the unique illumination which hath lighted Gaul, and through all ages still shall light that land from

"Our Lord Alexander Himself made Us to know her ij years ago. The Holiness of Him saw Us to be lusty and

froward, unworthy of the purple which Our father Duke Ercole sent Us to have of Him. Wherefore He

questioned Us concerning Our loves; and, finding that insatiate desire and strenuous strife had failed to cheer,

He told Us, oh but gently, as we walked in the court under the Borgia Tower,(the cardinal was speaking, o

my Prospero, of the court where the Paparch Julius placed the image of that mediocre anisopod which He

called the Apollo of the Belvedere)He told Us of a maid so sympathetic that the mere name of her put Our

heart in chains. She was well grown, stronglimbed, young, of the age of xvij years, He said. Her land was

distracted by more than a century of years of war. Her sovereign was a slave. Came to her for strength, the

god Michael Archangel: came to her for wisdom and for maiden charm, the goddesses Katharine and

Margaret, all in an orchard of applebloom. These divine ones brought word that she must go to save her

fatherland and to crown her king. Many times they came. And she went. She gave news that she was of

divine sending; and shewed tokens. That little girl commanded armies, strove with sword, took blows and

gave. In ij years, she brought to her country that deliverance which men had failed to compass in an hundred.

Her crowned king ennobled her: she had given him the means. But anon she was captured treacherously by

the flying foe: they traded her to foes of her own country who of envy sought her life. The chief of these last,

and he was a bishop, bought her: fraudulently adjudged her Heretic, Heretic by cause that she was urged by

heavenly voices, fraudulently by cause that she stated an appeal to God's Vicegerent here on earth, thus

soaring far above merely episcopal jurisdiction. But that foul prelate had might. The girl had only right. And

he was promised an archbishopric for her death. He suppressed her appeal. He laid the Great Ban on her. She

most miserably died for a most glorious deed: for he afflicted her with natural death by fire. Wait. Her king

who owed her a crown, her countrymen who owed her their liberty, were craven cowards having the bowels

and brains of apes from Barbary. They minced and gibbered and grimaced; and they let her burn. They were

Keltic dogs. What could ye expect? But, after xx years, that Christian King found that he held his crown from

a girl whom Holy Church (illserved by that satanic bishop) had burned as bandit and heretic; and for his

crown he trembled most exceedingly. Wherefore, after those xx years, he let Rome have that holy maid's

appeal. Our Lord the Paparch all incontinently preconized new judges, who, having examined the whole case,

pronounced her to be all that they would desire their own sisters to be, videlicet holy, maiden, favourite and

ambassador of Divine Ones inhabiting olympian mansions. This their decree was confirmed in form. That

marvel, that miracle, that adorable sweet child, that most courageous palatine, Madame Jehane de Lys by her

king's creation, called The Maid by Christendom, so foully killed and slain, was named by God's Vicegerent

as one of the blessed carrying lilies in paradise, wearing an immortal diadem. She is the lady of Our love and

worship. As ivy clingeth to oak, so will We cling to her memory. It was the Lord Alexander who made us to

know her, as We have said. He Himself had her history when, in His Own youth, He entered the Sacred

College with that selfsame Bishop of Constance, Archpresbyter of the Vatican basilica, the Lord Richart de

Longvevil Olivier, Cardinalpresbyter of the Title of Santa Susanna, who had been one of the judges of the

Maid. Moreover, ye shall know that it was the said Lord Alexander's Own uncle and creator, the Paparch

Thus Ippolito spoke: but we bestowed favour on our tongues, revolving the whole matter in our minds.

"Saincte Vierge et Martyre, dict�e Jehane d'Arcques, priez toulzjours pour moy et pour toulz tes serviteurs."

Gioffredo eyed him, decorously waiting for licence to speak. I was hugging mine own bare arms in the

sleeves of my nightgown; and my glance was directed to the toes of my slippers which were stretched out

But my mind was wandering far away to a live love, yearning for her who was sleeping over there in the

BUT our meditations were interrupted by an instant scratching on the outside of the ivory door; and a wave of

Ippolito arose, grave, selfdominant. I and Gioffredo also arose, wrapping our furs more closely round us,

I will tell thee, o Prospero, how Cardinal Cesare appeared to me on that night: so that thou mayst have ever

before thine eyes a vivid image of the prodigious personality who, as Messer Niccolo Machiavelli saith,

might have done Anything. He was of the age of xx years, tall and splendid of form. Tawny hair and beardlet

shaded his swarthy features. The hair was rolled in a golden bag of network convenient for travelling. His

eyes were like glowing iron in the furnace of his face. Under the cardinalitial greatcloak, he wore a secular

habit of vermilion velvet. The huge sapphire glittered on the first finger of his right hand. A thick gold chain

surrounded his neck, disappearing in the lace of the smock which peeped out of the breast of his doublet.

Beneath the lower hem of the last, the escalloped edge of a mailshirt appeared. All this I noted, while he

His pages caught the greatcloak flung to them: left the doublecross leaning against one of the ivory

images; and retired; and the door was shut. He advanced towards the Cardinal of Ferrara: but he was winking

at Gioffredo with haggard brilliant eyes. As for me, he noted me no more than the said ivory images: whereat

I fumed with rage, only restraining myself from using my sting by cause that I desired to see more of this

"In virtue of his obedience to our Lord the Paparch, We are to demand secret conference with the Cardinal of

It was evident from the form of this speech that very great matters were afoot. I instantly shot such a glance at

Ippolito as taught him my vehement desire to be mixed up with the affair. Such was the force of my will that

Ippolito went to the door; and issued commandments to the chamberlains in the antechamber.

Cardinal Cesare was pinching the plump legs of Gioffredo in a merry manner, running round the room.

Anon a guard of viiij gigantic Numidians, ebonycoloured, girt with jaguarskins, white and tawny, armed

with terrible clubs, produced themselves; and were ranged outside, in a wedge whose base was the ivory

portal. But xviij other Numidians in the outer antechamber kept the way against all comers. And so the door

Ippolito beckoned me to him; and placed me with my back against it, making it my charge. I kept silence: but

Gioffredo escaped from his tormentor; and taking the comb from his pouch, tidied his ruffled hair, and

Ippolito and the Cardinal of Valencia disposed themselves on the black cushions. The former drew up the low

ivory tables of wine and sweetmeats, beginning to chew fresh sageleaves from a vase: but the latter

degusted spoonfuls of a confection of prickly pear. Anon Gioffredo joined himself to them. But I munched

corianderseeds steeped in marjoramvinegar and crusted with sugar, which by chance I had in my

Ippolito responded, saying that he very assiduously had been playing at greatball since his return to the City,

and had not paid much attention to affairs. He knew, of course, that Alexander, magnificent, invincible, had

interned Himself in the castle; and that the Keltic king was occupying part of the City on the other side of

Tiber. Also he knew, from rumour, that the said king's nose resembled a raw ham, that a pink birthflare

surrounded his left eye, that his twelvetoed shanks had no more form than women's spindles, that he had

brought into the City a new disease which he who was speaking called Morbus Gallicus, but Prince Tarquinio

here present called it Morbus Kelticus, and the Cardinal of Valencia might decide between us. Finally,

resuming his gravity, Ippolito named the rumour which said that the said Keltic king, finding our Lord the

Cesare silently produced the pectoral cross which was attached to his neckchain. It was set with great

tablerubies. Unfastening its clasp, he disengaged a ring, huge, massive, which hung by its side. I never had

seen so enormous a ring then. It was made of gilded bronze, viiij barleycorns in diameter. Its oblong bezel

was set with, a cabochon rockcrystal, highly projecting. One shoulder was carved with the Borgia armorials,

videlicet Sol a Bull passant Mars on a closet Venus flory proper within a bordure Mars sem�e of flammels

Sol. The Triple Crown and the Keys were carved on the other shoulder. The legend papa aler vj was carved

on the hoop. This ring, as thou knowst, o Prospero, is the most precious thing in my proper treasury at the

time of writing: for which cause I am able to describe it, although at the time of which I write I was not able

While he was disentangling this ponderous jewel, Cesare was cursing in the urbane and simple manner of a

"That a Worship of my Respectability should be compelled to carry so vulgar an ingot, a sordid lump only

intended for couriers to wave at posthouses in passing by, a blasted gyve which even a blind postmaster

Ippolito kneeled, applying his ear to it with surprise and reverence, ejaculating:

Cesare jumped up; and put himself to stride about the room. At first he shouted: but anon his voice sank into

the tone of selfcommunion; and finally, resuming his seat, he returned to an ordinary mode of speech. He

"Father? Yes, father. Pater patrum. Thine as well as Ours. Oh We catch the sneer of thy meaning, o Cardinal

of Ferrara. But We mean Father after the spirit. Whether after the flesh also, who knoweth? Not We, for one.

He is generous to Us: but He is not fatherlike to Us. Nor do We Ourself believeno, We do not believe.

There be secret mysteries, incongruities. Yet We dare not ask her. But she was the other's before she was His.

And the time of Our birth coincideth. Did We ever tell thee, o Cardinal of Ferrara, of the woman who

screamed at Us out of the crowd at Naples when We took Gioffredo to his marriage? See the Dellarovere, she

cried, wagging a stark finger at Us. But enough. Thou takest cognizance of this Our credentials?"

Remember, o Prospero, that thy father heard those pregnant words, while his eyes saw that splendid creature

laying bare his mind. So thou shalt know truly who was the actual father of Cesare whom men called Borgia.

Ippolito again offered his ear to be touched by the ring; and responded, saying:

"Then listen: for time is short. Thou knowest nothing of affairs. Well, We will treat thee honestly. Always

We save Ourself pains so. First, thou shalt know that the Christian King, on pretence of a crusade against the

Grand Turk, obtained leave from our Lord the Paparch to march his troops through Italy. On the way, he

conceived a claim to the crowns of Aragon, Naples, Both Sicilies, and Hierusalem. At Fiorenza, he intrigued

with the maniac Fra Girolamo, whose proper place should be Santo Spirito. When anon the said Christian

King reached the City, finding himself with an army at his back, he dared to require our said Lord the

Paparch to confirm his claim, knowing that (without such recognition) he can wear no crown. But Alexander,

magnificent, invincible, having no particular grievance against King Don Alonzo of Naples and the rest, who

already is in possession, refused to depose that sovereign in favour of the Christian King. Wherefore that

Keltic monkey, in revenge, conspired with the traitor Cardinalbishop Giuliano Dellarovere, and with his

friends the traitor barons Colonna, Orsini, Savelli, Sanseverini, Cajetani; and he even hath won the

Cardinalvicechancellor SforzaVisconti with Cardinal presbyter Sanseverini and Cardinal*. Lunati.

Then he appealed to the arbitrement of war. What cared the invincible Alexander? Having laid hands on

those iij treacherous purpled persons, He nipped them in the dungeons of the castle. Taking the Sult*n Jam

along with Him, He Himself also retired into the castle, snapping a thumb and finger at the Christian King."

Ippolito interrupted, demanding the reason for the sequestration of the said Sult*n Jam.

"The Sult*n Jam is of inestimable value to our Lord the Paparch, by cause that he is the brother and rival of

the Grand Turk. The said potentate, by name the Sult*n Bajazet, preferreth not to be dethroned by the Sult*n

Jam. Wherefore he agreed to pay xlm ducats yearly to the Supreme Pontiff, so long as that He shall keep the

said brother and rival from Byzantion. Lately no ducats have been paid; and the Grand Turk now demandeth

the person of the Sult*n Jam. But the Sanctity of the Paparch knoweth ij things. First, that the Sult*n Bajazet

hath a mind to kill and slay his brother; and the magnificent Alexander will not become a proximate occasion

of fratricide. Secondly, that so long as that Christian hands retain the Sult*n Jam, so long will the Muslim

Infidel refrain from advancing nefariously on Hungary and Vienna, lest Christendom, postponing private

quarrels, should combine to set up the Sult*n Jam in his despite, having obtained warranties of good

behaviour. Wherefore, although the said Sult*n Jam actually is our pensioner, our Lord the Paparch

generously permitteth him to keep his own court here with Him in the security of the Castle of Santangelo."

"Good, good! Either the Paparch's Blessedness or Thy Worship's Respectability, We know not which, is as

expert and as artificial with the wits of the head as We are with the sinews of Our body."

"These things having been understood, thou art to know that the Christian King made a show of siege, sitting

down before the Castle of Santangelo with a gaggle of the common queans of the City and the stinking

strumpets of the stews. But, after this diversion, he seeth that the paparchal fortress is too hard a nut to crack.

As the Sieur de Commines confessed to Us, he hath become aware that the deposition of our Lord the

Paparch is beyond his power. As Messer Demosthenes saith, The mouse hath found out that he is eating

pitch. And so the said Christian King will be wholly glad to go away, if he can save his face. Our Lord the

Paparch, on the other hand, doth not enjoy sitting in the castle like a cat in a cherrybaytree, even though

that dog of a Kelt can do no more than yelp at him. But the Christian King is totally ignorant of this. He

knoweth no more than that he hath failed to capture Santangelo, and that the invincible Alexander most

mercifully doth deign to give him these terms. First, the Christian King may raise the siege, departing in

peace from the inviolable City and from Peter's Patrimony: whither, our Lord the Paparch saith notGaul,

Crusade, Naples, His Sanctity specifieth not whither: but the Christian King must go. His attempted

intimidation of the Roman Paparch was very blamable: but he will be permitted to retire unmolested.

Secondly, our Lord the Paparch maketh no engagement concerning the crowns of Naples and the rest: but the

Christian King must go. Thirdly, our Lord the Paparch deigneth to give hostages for vj months to the said

Christian King, sop to uncurbable conceit. Whom will He give, dost thou ask, as hostages in such a grave

WE iij, o Prospero, fetched our breath faster; and our eyes dilated, but, speaking no word, we listened.

"Now these terms are not what the Keltic monkey wanted: but they are the best which he can get. Being a

fool, never constant to a single idea, he hath determined to hasten southward, and to conquer Naples on his

own initiative: having persuaded himself that, if he could return some day with the crowns of Naples and the

rest in his hand, the Father of princes and kings would not refuse to put them on his head. So the treaty hath

been signed. And, touching the matter of Sult*n Jam, Our fellowhostage, thou shalt suppose that, since the

Grand Turk hath ceased to pay, he is but a burthen on our Lord the Paparch. Also thou shalt suppose that it

mattereth not a jot in whose ward he is, so long as that warden be Christian. Wherefore the magnificent

Alexander most sagaciously will shift him on to the shoulders of the Christian King, whence he can be

The speaker thrust out the protruded middle finger of his ringed right hand; and continued, saying:

"But We also are an hostage; and, after the mass of dawn, We ride in the train of the Christian King."

My bowels began to beat like armourers' hammers. My lips retired, and left my teeth bare. I drew breath

through the last, softly whistling: but as yet I knew not the true cause of mine emotions. The words which I

had heard were terrible. Very great affairs were afoot: yet it did not seem that they concerned me. I was only

an unnoted prince, profoundly but inexplicably agitated, with my back against an ivory door.

Gioffredo left the cardinals on the cushions, with a snort of incredulity, or despair, or disgust; and came and

"Long speeches are better than short ones. They give understanding, without which no action of great import

can be accomplished. Dost thou admit the validity of my credentials, o Cardinal of Ferrara?"

Ippolito again offered his ear to be touched by the gigantic ring; and, standing, he asseverated:

"We are the son and servant of our Lord the Paparch, and of The Most Respectable Worship of thee speaking

to Us in His name. In the words of Plato, immortal, beaming on all things, All Our money is at thy service."

But now Cesare seemed to fall into a muse, yawning, playing with our impatience as the tawny tiger at our

Gioffredo left me; and went nearer, lying on the black carpet, supporting his chin on his hands, widely

I stood transfixed, staring at that queer fateful Cardinal of Valencia, who could afford to play when iiij hours

would see him an hostage and a prisoner in an enemy's camp. Very strange it is to say, but I will tell thee, o

Prospero, that, though there were iiij ablebodied lusty adolescents at that moment in that secret chamber,

nevertheless the minds of iij of them were in complete abeyance; and only the mind of the fourth

predominated. Wherefore we iij had naught to do but to listen to the mind of the Cardinal of Valencia, who at

"This ring is one of a score, which have been journeying round Christendom, on the hands of paparchal

ablegates, to the ElectEmperor Maximilian Always August, to the Catholic King and Queen Don Hernando

and Do*a Isabella, to the Sacred King Henry of the Anglicans, to the Majesties and Tranquillities and

Valvasours and Supernities and Celsitudes and Magnificencies and Sublimities and Highnesses and

Mightinesses and Splendours and Potencies of the Empire and Portugal and Poland and Hungary and Naples

and Milan and Ferrara and Sabaudia and Genoa and Venice and Fiorenza and Mantua and Parma and Padua

I am unable to tell thee, o Prospero, why I refrained from roaring. But I perceived that this most feline

cardinal would tell his tale in his own way and in none other. It pleased him to dally with us, watching the

surging of our emotions. But anon, being satisfied, he struck with the swift talons of his stratagem, saying:

"Our Lord the Paparch is by no means at the end of His resources; and let no man think the contrary. Once let

Him deliver Himself from the Christian King, once let Him rid Peter's Patrimony of that pestiferous monkey,

and the Holy Roman Empire, Spain, the Italian kingdoms and duchies and republics, Christendom, will

league with Alexander against Gaul. In which galley We Ourself are to hold the rudder. To get the Christian

King away from the City, the Sult*n Jam was conducted to his camp an hour ago. When We leave this

palace, We also will join the Keltic army, exposing Our life to the chances of fate."

"No, Gioffredo: We will go alone. But now, o Cardinal of Ferrara, lend Us both thine ears. After the

dawnmass, We ride from the City, southward by the Appian Way toward the kingdom of Naples. So Our

spies have brought news. Three hours later, We reach Velletri, beyond the frontier: where the Christian King

"Hear Us now. The Most Respectable Worship of thee is the most valuable of all the Paparch's lieges. The

loss of thee will be like the chopping off of Alexander's right hand. Wherefore, if it be really and truly

necessary for thee to leave the City as thou sayst, let thy going be but a feint. We have here ccc armed

barbarians to serve thee, and the trained forces of Ferrara at call. We Ourself are as strong as any man; and,

with a mace, a mace of tempered steel, and Our Arabian stallion between these thighs, We, even We, will be

"Let Us go in thy stead, o Valencia. Are We not Alexander's son? Do We not command a troop? Is not Our

wife a princess of Aragon of Naples? If there be question of ransom, are We not worth as much as thou?"

But I still maintained phrenetic silence, keen, alert, strenuously desiring to do something, not knowing what

"We will not have valorously violent rescues. None in the City may be known as conniving at Our escape:

that would insure the Christian King's return. This is an affair for the head, not for massive limbs. A cunning

sage is here more precious than a palatine, o heraklean Ippolito. And as for thee, Gioffredo, know that there is

no time in which to change Our plans. The action already is begun. The obligation is made; and cannot be

evaded. But it maybe annulled. If it is to be annulled, that must be done in such a way that the Christian King

will not be able to prove complicity on the part of any Roman. Our Lord the Paparch must not be found out

participating in conspiracy. We, His servants, must combine the columbine manner of doves with the

serpentine actions of snakes. Wherefore, what is to be done must be done by others, beyond Roman territory,

It was clear that we were expected only to listen, not to advise. We were not a council: but merely pupils, in

the presence of a master, who was unfolding schemes already cut and dried. We composed our bodies; and

"That bleareyed ape of Gaul must be pinned in the kingdom of Naples as vermin is pinned in a trap. His

teeth and talons must be drawn there. His army never again must return to Gaul. It must be annihilated in

Italy. Wherefore, to lead the said Christian King into this trap, We Ourself will be the bait. We will go with

him beyond the Roman frontier. At Velletri, We will halt with him, during the heat of the day. And, from

Velletri, We will escape; and return to the City, promptly assuming direction of the league against Gaul."

"We admire the plan, but know not how an escape can be effected under such conditions."

"Know that the Borgia of Velletri, though little insignificant people, are of the same origin as the Roman

Borgia: but they have been established in Italy many gliding lustrums longer. Know also that the Regent of

Velletri hath a son, by name Pietro Gregorio Borgia, an adolescent of parts, very anxious for a career, very

friendly to Ourself, and of equal age with and similar appearance to Us. A messenger instantly must be sent

to the said Pietrogorio: who knoweth that he can make his own fortune by caring for Ours. Wherefore, o

Cardinal of Ferrara, seeing that the fame of thy collection of barbaric athletes hath come to the ears of our

Lord the Paparch, thou art commanded, by thine obedience to the bearer of this ring thou art commanded, to

I think that Ippolito was dazzled, at the moment, by so distinct a recognition of his exquisite connoisseurship

of physique: for he sat there smiling and blinking his eyes while one might say a paternoster.

Cesare closely regarded him, until his countenance resumed its normal gravity, shewing that the intellect

within was operating; and then he turned away, drawing Gioffredo on to his knees, feeding him with comfits

But Ippolito approached me where I stood rigid by the door; and would have consulted me, naming his

runners one by one, Liparo, Hygropyrrho, Bueselvatico, Fantedifiume, Teres, Lo Skytho, Lo Skoto, the sleek

one, the supple redhead, the wild bull, the servant of the sea, the smoothfleshed one, the Skythian, the Skot,

But I could not think of anything saving the great good fortune of Pietrogorio, my stars being malignant. I

envied and hated him as much as possible; and I wished to occupy his place. There came before mine eyes a

phantasm of my maid, as she stood before me at Vatican, with her dear brows so finely lifted and her sweet

lips so rapturously trembling, pitying me and urging me. Yet, here I was, stonestill, unable to move, for I

Ippolito looked at me with inquiry. I vacantly returned his gaze. And anon, having led me aside, he opened

The wedge of Numidians, basaltine, gigantic, turned to face him, making a path for him. A vermilion page

advanced, impertinently bending to the ground. That one had the form of a young Hyakinthos, and the face of

a beautiful white fiend framed in a web of buttercupcoloured hair. Ippolito commanded him to summon the

The chief chamberlain trotted toward us, bustling and genuflecting. To whom Ippolito delivered a mandate,

The chief chamberlain fled. In flying, he swept before him all the pages and gentlemen until the door of the

private stairs was passed, driving them out of sight and hearing, leaving only those mute eunuchs of the

Numidian guard. Anon, he returned accompanied by a halfsavage runner, a lanky, stone deaf youth of the

age of xviiij years bought out of the horrible and ultimate Britains. This animal was pushed into the secret

I shall describe this singular barbarian, o Prospero, who was of astonishing leanness, stepping like a prancing

horse, and very archaic as to his aspect. He was clad in an oblong cloth, chequered in brown and green and

yellow. The lower quarter of the said cloth was belted in folds round his waist. The upper threequarters were

folded together lengthways, and passed upward, behind his back, over his left shoulder and breast; and the

end was tucked into the front of the right side of his belt. A goatskin pouch depended from the fore part of

the said belt. All the rest of him was uncovered. His arms were very long and very thin. His breast was

enormous. His long legs also were very lean, but round and sinewy. His feet were horny. His heavy head was

pearshaped: the brow, white: the cheeks and nose and pointed jaw, thickly freckled: the hair, a nasty light

mudcoloured brown knot on the crown; and the steelcoloured eyes awkwardly wavered behind small slits,

The Cardinal of Valencia sniffed at the perfumed amber ball which was chained to his left wrist; and, having

examined Lo Skoto's points in the way which one useth for horses, he appeared to be satisfied. So he came to

us sitting on the cushions; and demanded of Ippolito that a mage should be summoned, who could cause the

runner to sleep instantly and heavily during a halfhour without impeding his speed thereafter.

Ippolito went into the antechamber, commanding the service of Messer Nerone Diotisalvi, the mage who

tolerated natural death by strangling after the conclave which elected the Piccolhuomini. But, to occupy the

time which preceded the arrival of this one, Cesare took writing materials; and wrote this letter:

"Our Lord the Paparch suddenly sendeth Us as hostage with the Christian King, leaving Us no opportunity of

attending to Our proper affairs. Wherefore thou art to know that the bearer of these letters is an unruly slave,

who (if We remained here) should tolerate not more than one hour of Our private pillory, distended as to

arms and legs, not stringently enough to harm, but stringently enough, with divers apt and commodious

actions on the flesh of his bare back. For which cause, o wellbeloved Pietrogorio, by the affection which

thou dost nourish for Us, thy trusty kinsman, We lay it upon thee to treat our said slave conveniently as

aforesaid, with all other order known to thy piety, that he may have amended his said naughty ways before

When we were permitted to peruse the screed, Gioffredo denounced it as nonsense. Ippolito uttered the

opinion that it meant what it did not say. But I, being perplexed and angry, gave favour to my tongue.

"Be it known unto these princes that Our use is to keep, in every city, at least one adolescent on whom We

may depend in need. Such an one in Velletri is Pietrogorio, prepared for any emergency, prompt to serve; and

he will know what ought to be done. Furthermore, if the Kelts, or Colonna, or Orsini, or Savelli, or

Dellarovere, or Cajetani, or any other bandits, shall catch the runner of such a message as this, having read it,

Messer Nerone presently entered, indulging himself in a phrenetic spasm of obeisances, chirruping like a

slow tomtit. He was antique, humptybacked. He spoke always in monotone, using a high shrill scream with

At whom Ippolito rushed, explaining what was to be done. We others stuffed our kerchieves in our nostrils,

But the physician forthwith crossed the room to the table where the wine was and the water, prattling of the

virtues of belladonna and stramonium. There, standing with his back to Lo Skoto and having taken ij little

silver pots from his burse, he put a pinch from each into a cup of wine. This cup he put on a salver with

another similar cup which he filled with pure water; and so he brought them both to the runner.

As this was being done, the ij cardinals and Gioffredo held a parley on the cushions: but I moved toward the

Messer Nerone offered the water to the runner. Lo Skoto reluctantly sipped it, longingly leering at the wine.

The mage, having pretended to assure himself that no one was observing, simulated a sudden access of

liberality; and offered the wine instead. It was done most admirably, with absolute art.

Lo Skoto gulched down the infected potion, stroking himself, vacuously grinning.

The mage replaced the salver with the cups on the ivory table. The Cardinal of Valencia took the ij little

silver pots from him, and pouched them: giving him the jewel with its slight chains from the back of his own

hand, and putting him outside the ivory door in the antechamber among the Numidians with a word of

As he went, I touched his hump for luck; for it seemed that I needed all the aids which fortune had in store,

my stars being most malignant. We heard the shrill whining of his voice dying away as he was escorted

The door having been shut, we continued to entertain ourselves, paying no attention to the drugged runner,

But I was staring at the innumerable lights of the waxen torches, reflected in endless vistas in the polished

ivory of the circular walls and the dome of the roof, until mine eyes were dazzled by the sheen. And I chafed:

being in that agony of bewilderment when the whole world seems to whirl round, near, very near, but just out

of reach. For nothing is more exasperating than to find oneself still and alone, when everything else is in

Anon, the runner suddenly started as though a phantom had touched him unawares. He, cast suspicious

glances round him: but we iiij were in the middle of the chamber, while he was alone by the door. We stood

up, openly looking at him as though we were astounded at his audacity: for, in starting, he had knocked down

the doublecross, golden, which leaned against the pedestal of the ivory faun near him, nor did he attempt to

replace it. Indeed, his. eyes began to glare like those of one who unadvisedly had looked upon a cluster of

hobgoblins. His knees also began to bend like those of one pressed downward by an incubus, gently,

Having approached him, Cesare opened one of his eyes with thumb and indexfinger. Naught but white was

seen. Having pinched together iij barleycorns' length of the freckled flesh of the neck, the said cardinal

transfixed the same with a needlepoint from Ippolito's handcase. But the sleeper soundly slept.

Cesare returned to the black cushions and seated himself by side of Ippolito, saying:

Gioffredo assisted me. We left the runner in possession of nothing but himself. He was very heavy and inert;

and we pulled him about rather roughly. Anon, having dragged him to the feet of the cardinals, we laid him

out on the black carpet, limp as a freshlymade cadaver, a lean long form, huge of loin, the breast deeply

arched, puny and narrow of shoulder and arm. The tan of the sinuous legs faded at the middle of the thighs:

thence, to the ribs on the right side and to the shoulder on the left side, there was dazzling whiteness. Having

inspected him, we turned him downward; and left him, eagerly fixing our gaze on the Cardinal of Valencia.

That purpled person produced from his burse a tiny crystal vial containing a fleshcoloured liquid, viscous

and opaque as cream, with a little brush of very fine hogs' bristles. Having unstopped the vial, he gave it into

Ippolito's ready hand; and dipped the brush. We became conscious of a certain f*tor, mysterious, mephitic.

"Know that ye are savouring a solution in spirit of the juice of an Indian fig, which We took from Messer

Leone Abrabanel of Naples. Know also that We habitually bereave mages of their drugs when We have seen

the method of using and the effect of the same: for a prince very often hath need of such matters."

Thus he spoke: but we signified assent with our eyebrows very intently watching his actions. He began to

For, at the first touch of the said brush on the top of the left shoulderblade, the malignance of his stars

caused the sleeper to think fit to move his head, and to attempt to rise. Immense confusion instantly invaded

Cesare sprang up, vociferating maledictions. Ippolito stopped the vial; and pouched it, preparing himself to

rebut accusations of treachery. Gioffredo danced up and down like a cat who inopportunely hath stepped on

Lo Skoto with a bound was on his feet, phrenetic with fear, capering hither and thither, babbling in an

unknown savage jargon. Upon whom I launched myself like a flash of white thunder.

But, before I could touch and crush his flesh with mine, Cesare whipped a raging poignard into him, and out:

a clever Roman thrust upward through the heart from the stomach. The runner wriggled and choked, spouting

red blood; and fell. He kicked the carpet iiij times very quickly; and writhed; and died straight. I never have

The Cardinal of Valencia at once recovered his equanimity; and dried his poignard in the knot of dead hair,

"Pardon, o Cardinal of Ferrara, on account of this puddle on thy carpet. It is not caused by malice but by

necessity. But now, before we consider new plans, let us be rid of this carrion, secretly."

But, by favour of some benignant star, my wits seemed to be coming back to me. I began to know, one by

Wherefore, I beckoned to Gioffredo to take the ankles: but I myself took the hollow armpits; and terribly the

head waggled between. In this manner we flung the dead slave from the balcony: but, after we had heard the

Still was the gaze of Ippolito fixed on the mess on the carpet. Cesare walked like a tiger to and fro in a fume.

Now my vision was clear; my stars being very benignant: nor did perplexity blind me any more to my

HAVING collected the vesture of the runner, I placed myself in the way of the Cardinal of Valencia, whom I

"Tiber beareth that dead barbarian to the sea; and I, o Lord Cardinal, will be Thy Most Respectable Worship's

Cesare instantly stopped, inquiring whether I could run. To whom my mouth gave no response: for my form

and membrature testified the thing. His glances impinged upon me, bringing the hot blood from mine heart;

and looking down, I saw my breast reddening as though stricken with the flat of the hand.

"Can he run indeed? But he can run, an he will, with the superhuman swiftness and endurance of

Wingfooted Hermes, or of Asahel who ran like a wild roe in the Sacred Scriptures."

At my commandment, pages brought certain matters from the wardrobe, depositing them at my feet: and,

I belted the runner's cloth on my loins, letting the larger portion hang down behind, so that my back was bare.

Ippolito very carefully folded ij squares of tanned buckskin round my feet; and firmly bandaged them with

thongs of the same. Thus garbed, I turned my face to the ivory door, exposing the flesh of my back as the

Thereon he began to write cyphers with the brush. The viscous liquid, which he used, seemed somewhat to

sting and bite me: but I clenched my teeth and fists, and remained immovable; and anon the little pangs

evanesced. He covered my back with writing from shoulder to shoulder and below to my middle, vij lines in

"These characters, which now are wet and glossy, will become invisible when they are dried, being of the

same colour as the substance on which We write. Such is the nature of this magic, that neither sweat nor

water will affect it. Ye have seen the letters, which We wrote in ink upon the paper, to be naught but a mere

blind. The prince will carry those letters in the goatskin pouch; and anyone may read them. But he beareth the

real message on his proper body; and no Roman ever hath seen that message: for ye see that each letter

evanisheth as We write it. Nor hath this angel himself seen it: for no adolescent can see his own back. But

Pietrogorio alone will see it: for he will rub this fine white flesh with soot which, adhering to the cyphers,

will render them visible when the back which beareth them shall have been cleansed with washing."

Thus he spoke: but I was thinking of my reward, though a reward was not named: for I knew that great

rewards would be due for such a service; and furthermore the cardinal had said that I was about to run for

myself as well as for him. Moreover I knew from his way of handling me, very gentle, very urbane, what all

the world knoweth now, videlicet, that, from the moment when he first saw how my stars had made me, the

And, when the matter was completed, I demanded a poignard for mine equipment, lest the said Pietrogorio, or

any other person instigated by the devil, being strange to me, should try to fulfil the mandate of the letters

which I carried in the goatskin pouch: for it was not meet that a prince of my quality, nameless, nearly naked,

and without credentials as I was, should submit to pillory and stripes. And so, having folded the upper part of

the cloth together lengthways, I passed it under my right arm and across my breast and over my left shoulder,

fixing the end in the belt, so that the wind of my swift movement should not cause it to impede me. And,

having composed mine hair as tightly as possible in my nightcap, I at length was ready to run.

Sumptermules, which bore the cardinal's valises, were waiting in the first court. Gioffredo donned one of

my riding habits of white doeskin, while a litter was being prepared for me. Covered with a cloak, I was

placed therein. Two decurions attended us, chosen for secrecy and fidelity. We crossed Tiber by the Island,

riding very quietly by Saints Nereys and Achilleys to the Gate of Saint Sebastian.

During the journey in the silent litter, I was able to recollect myself. It was more than ever plain to me that I

was the chief prince in this adventure. Wherefore I did not hesitate at taking the government into mine own

hands, even to the issuing of commandments to the cardinals and to the Prince of Squillace.

On mine emergence, barelimbed, lighthearted, I assured Cesare that his errand was as good as done; and

dismissed him with Ippolito to the Keltic camp. They swore: but they smiled at me; and they went.

But I bade Gioffredo to return to the Estense Palace, there to rest in my bed, in order that he might be able to

render the assistance which I would need in the morning after my running. For I was intending myself to

return, ahorseback if possible, by the upper road, that I might not encounter the Kelts swarming along the

lower. Wherefore I bade him to bring his troop and my litter to the Lateran Gate at the first hour of the day,

He agreed; and, embracing me, gave me good luck in my going. Nothing delayed me longer, and I took to the

THE night was very dark and cold. A little horned moon gave as much light as let me see the riband of road

stretched out before me, and no more. The lines of ruined tombs on both sides were only shapeless

blacknesses silhouetted on blacker blackness. I cared nothing then for the pleasures of sight.

The cool fresh breath of Lady Night greeted my nostrils, and caressed my flesh as I ran.

The hum of the City very soon was left behind. I heard naught save the sighs of the sleeping earth and the

The aromatic flavour of herbs growing by the roadside was on my lips: from time to time my protruded

I thought of nothing at all: letting my forces collect and develop only in pressing onward with long light

striding. I knew that the triumph of our Lord the Paparch depended on me, that I was alone and unprotected:

but I felt myself to be so terribly strong that I could have shouted for very gladness. I saved my breath; and

continued running. More than this I cannot tell thee of my running, o mine own mercurial Prospero: for I

I went with extreme caution by Cajetani's Tower: but the darkness of midnight and the malignance of that

baron's stars favoured me, so that the watch did not perceive my passing. That was the only real piece of

danger in mine enterprize. Having escaped it, I stretched myself to the fulness of my speed.

Anon the straight white way lost itself beneath a carpet of grass. I guided my course between the gaunt ruins

of the tombs on each hand. I could not pass Solfatara without refreshing myself; and, having denuded my

body reeking with sweat, I plunged into the pool again and again until all my flesh was benumbed. I will tell

thee, o Prospero, that thy father at that moment was in a mood for violent feats. My strength was multiplied a

thousand times by the cold water: but the heart in my breast rejoiced greatly, because I knew that I was in a

way to break my fetters. Wherefore I set out again at augmented speed, desiring to accomplish mine errand,

Hereafter, in my running, I thought of my maid in the City, who knew not what great deeds her loving lover

was doing in order that he might win her. But these thoughts went near to impede my progress: for which

The night became more obscure; and I ran for a very long time keeping my mind in abeyance, concentrating

Anon the moon set; and there was no light but dim starlight. It behoved me to go very cautelously: for, at

Albano was Savelli, fortified, rebellious. Wherefore, having prayed to my proper divinities as well as to those

who were the protectors of my maid, beseeching them that they would bring me to the herborough where I

would be, I ascended the hill, passing that city on the right; and made my way by the lake into Aricia.

I was running by faith and not by sight. The road was much more difficult by cause of the many ups and

downs. But I did not slacken speed: for I knew that my stars were as benignant as possible.

Cinthyanum was still asleep as I fled through its street, silent, vacant. In all my journey indeed I encountered

no one of human origin, clearly shewing that the gods approved my course. I might have rested safely

anywhere in the dark. But I would not: for I feared lest my limbs should stiffen; and there was in my mind

only the sole desire of fulfilling my mission. Wherefore I continued to run faster and faster, knowing how

Anon the darkness of the night gave way to a certain timid greyness, whereby I was enabled to follow the

windings of the road with less caution. But by cause that dawn was near, I put forth all my vigour. I was

conscious only that my legs were swinging to and fro with no effort, lightlyflying, space devouring. I was

happy, by cause of them, by cause that my flesh glowed in the cold air, by cause that I was alive and doing.

Naught else gave me happiness, here, at the end of my journey. So I entered Velletri, through the gate, with

MY shouts for the palace of the Regent, and the fierceness of my mien, brought me instantly to Pietrogorio.

Had I not known that the Cardinal of Valencia had remained in the City, and that none had passed me on the

road, I should have suspected magic of the particular kind called bilocation, by means of which the

goldenthighed Pythagoras was seen and heard to lecture, at the same day and hour, in the two widely distant

cities of Metapontion and Tayromenion: for the aspect of this adolescent was precisely similar to that of the

other who had sent me. But my stars told me that they must be two and not one: for which cause I did not

Pietrogorio permitted himself to laugh while he was reading: in which diversion I did not omit to join,

although, fearing lest he might stray unduly into error, I kept my poignard handy. Anon I took the first

opportunity of acquainting him with the quality of mine estate; and he instantly withdrew me from the court,

where he had been about to exercise some horses, conducting me to a secret apartment allotted to him by the

"If, as We believe, the truth is being told, it will be known unto this prince what other matters must be done

"Let a shovelful of soot be brought, and several bucketfuls of water for washing; and anon this noble will not

The things having been brought into an empty part of the stables, near by the boxes where the horses were,

but separate therefrom by a wooden wall, I divested myself of the long cloth; and stood still, keeping my

Pietrogorio understood; and he also knew that I understood. So far we had gone step by step in turn; and now

Taking the soot in handfuls, he rubbed the flesh of my back therewith. I felt it dropping, with odious softness,

on my loins and on the calves of my legs: for I was standing very stiffly. Sometimes, looking over my

shoulders, I saw that the shining whiteness of me was becoming as dully black as a Moor: but, having so

degraded myself as to run across Campagna in a barbaric slave's garb, I placed no demurrer against this last

abomination. But I promised myself many very long ablutions, elaborate, exquisite, in the moment after my

return to the City. Indeed, I was not in a condition to place remonstrances of any kind at that time: for,

whether my message pleased him or irked him, I was at Pietrogorio's mercy for present accommodation and

Having blacked half of me thoroughly, making me a piebald prince for the first and last time, he fetched a

horseblock near me; and, standing thereon, he poured iiij bucketfuls of water over me.

It greatly refreshed me: but I grieved when I saw that the water, in flowing over my back, carried away the

superfluous soot, trickling over every part of me save my breast and mine arms which I held upward. The

first bucketful ran off in inky streams: the second and third were greyer and still greyer; and the fourth was

almost clear. But the flesh of me remained of a terrible dirtiness; and I stood still, sodden, unclean, beginning

Pietrogorio dismounted from the horseblock; and inspected the visible cyphers on my back. Incontinent he

uttered the greatest shout which I ever have heard from the throat of one adolescent. It was so full of surprize,

But emotion transfixed him for the moment. The intense expression of his countenance taught me that he was

collecting his energies for some tremendous effort, that he was in the throes of labour with some huge idea.

Anon, his plan was born; and the tension was relaxed. Not forgetful of good manners, even at such a moment,

"Order shall be given for the comfort and the entertainment due to Thy Most Illustrious Potency. But We

Ourself beg to be excused from attendance, seeing that We have in hand the vital welfare of Our patron, on

whose account We are willing to die: for it seemeth to Us that another messenger must go to Cinthyanum on

"Give Us the means of riding, and We Ourself will be that messenger: for We desire nothing better than to

emulate Thy Nobility in serving the Cardinal of Valencia to the uttermost; and it is clear that We shall serve

Ourself at the same time, seeing that Cinthyanum lieth on the high road to the City."

Thus I spoke, letting the fire of mine eyes add force to the words; and Pietrogorio saw that the thing must be

so. He himself is, as thou knowest, o Prospero, more a man of deeds than of words; and, thereafter, we spoke

While I girded on the runner's garb again, he saddled an horse for me, shouting meanwhile for his people to

bring the juice of a live goose pressed to death for me to drink, and to rub my stiffening legs with mugwort in

Anon I leaped into the saddle; and he led me through the gateway alone. There, he gave me the little gold ring

with the carbuncle (which thy mother, o Prospero, weareth on her neck chain), signing for the use of mine

"Present this ring to the postmaster of Cinthyanum, as a sign that all the horses in that city are bought up by

Thus having spoken, he sent me flying away at a gallop, mightily striking the stallion on the rump with his

I HAD no more than a superficial knowledge of what was doing now. But I was returning to the City; and

that sufficed for my satisfaction. Little vulgar boys gibed at my disgraceful aspect as I rode through the

streets. At another time I would have cut out their tongues: but, then, I did not even stop to frown at them.

Little simpering girls, going to mass with the nuns of their convent, pretended to shudder at the dirty,

detestable, but not unshapely legs so shamelessly exposed: but I did not even kiss my fingers. Every moment

now brought me nearer to my proper maid. I thought of nothing else as I flew along the road: but I grieved a

little by cause that I had no spurs, and the whip (which I had snatched up at parting) was but a slight one.

But, when I drummed with mine heels on my beast's barrel, the sodden leather of my footgear emitted certain

squelching noises, amusing to the rider, terrific to the ridden: for he augmented his speed in a very agreeable

So I came to Cinthyanum; and, having done my business with the postmaster, I pursued my course without

When I reached the summit of the hill by the ruins, I saw (in the ravine before me) an approaching troop.

Mine eyes were so blinded by my sweat and the dust of my furious riding, that (though I perceived the glint

of the sun on loricate mail coats and on crossbows) I could not see clearly whether these were worn and

But I knew that it was easier to ride through a squadron from an high place, than for an ascending squadron to

obstruct precipitate attack. Wherefore I goaded mine horse to extra speed with terrific shoutings as well as

But the beast, having run away four times for his own pleasure and being now constrained to run for mine,

was becoming exhausted; and I myself was becoming sore and rather feeble from the stress of my night's

adventure: moreover, I was famishing with hunger. For which causes we came down the steep hill with less

impetus than I had designed; and nothing would have been done at the bottom in the way of smashing a

The said troop, indeed, did not wait for the onslaught: but, to my immense surprise, ranged itself by the sides

But I, indignant at gratuitous contumely, erected myself on my saddle, straight and filthy (for I had come

down the hill lying along the horse's back the better to avoid wounds during the proposed swift passage); and

I indignantly looked about for one of mine own estate whom I might call to account. And, while I was

looking, my beast rocked and fell dead: but I made shift to leap clear of him, in order to meet mine own

But I had fallen into no worse hands than those of the chubby Gioffredo. That one instantly began to chatter:

to whose inquiries I would not respond, until he had dismounted one of his own kataphractors in order to give

So we galloped together like Kastor and Polydeykes: but the dismounted kataphractor rode apillion with one

of his comrades. And, as we went, I gave a little news of my deeds to Gioffredo until my breath failed me.

The remnant I kept for the business of riding as quickly as possible; for I was very anxious to make an end.

When I lapsed into silence, Gioffredo began to be garrulous. What he said was not important. He had spent

an hour of the night with his wife at Traspontina. But it pleased me to hear that impatience and a kind heart

had constrained him to leave long before the time, and had sent him so great a distance along the road to mine

assistance. And I eagerly desired to reach the Lateran Gate: for there (so he said) the litter was waiting,

wherein I longed to seclude myself, by cause of the sordid condition of my body, which shame forbade me to

exhibit in the City, and by cause that fatigue was affecting me very gravely indeed.

Anon we reached the place; and, having been lifted on to the soft cushions, the curtains were drawn about

me. Instantly I fell asleep: for which cause, o Prospero, I am unable to write the history of my progress from

the Lateran Gate to the Estense Palace. But there I awoke, as the mules halted with a jerk in the first court.

I peeped between the curtains; and I saw the doublecross and the torches of the cardinal's estate

disappearing up the steps of the audiencechamber: from which portent I augured that it would be useless to

try to approach Ippolito until such time when he should have finished the morn's business of dispensing

But, that I might come at him as soon as possible, I advised Gioffredo to dismiss the decurions, and himself

to accompany me as I was, mixing unnoted with the motley of clients, parasites, flatterers, menatarms,

chamberlains, pages, chaplains, athletes, poets, painters, merchants, officials, secretaries, servitors, women,

So we did. But, though we were able to enter, we could not penetrate to the front of the crowd, having come

in behind all the others. I myself was too drowsy and too stiff to care whether I spoke then or at another time.

My only idea was to refrain from interrupting the natural order of events, and to wait for an opportunity: for I

saw that my stars had become malignant. Wherefore I restrained Gioffredo from certain violent

demonstrations which he was preparing; and together we found a corner quieter than the others.

Here, by the marble wall, we sat on the settle of marble, out of the stink and confusion of the mob at the front.

IN order to prevent myself from falling again into slumber, I carefully noted the white walls and the cornice

of shields, spadeshaped, richly blazoned, and the Byzantine tapestries which depended therefrom. Nor did

the grandeur of Ippolito on his vermilion throne, listening to the chaplains who intoned the Office of None,

escape my notice. In the same manner I assiduously attended when the day's business was begun. At first it

While the auditors whispered advice in the cardinal's ears, and while the secretaries recorded events in huge

tomes or wrote at his dictation, I put myself to count the gilded coffers of the oaken roof. This casting upward

of mine eyes made me more drowsy than ever: but I knew that, if once I permitted myself to sleep, my sleep

would be a stupor from which even an earthquake would not awaken me. Wherefore I constrained myself to

note all that was going on: lest I should lose a chance of declaring mine achievement. For it must be clear to

thee, o Prospero, that, when I ran as the Cardinal of Valencia's angel, I ran as the Cardinal of Ferrara's

familiar, to which last it behoved me to render an account as soon as possible, as well for relieving him from

his obligation to the credentials sent by our Lord the Paparch as for mine own deliverance, first, from the filth

of my body, secondly, from the rigour which was paralyzing my limbs, thirdly, from the Great Ban which so

direly was afflicting me. For I did not doubt but that the last would be the reward of my running.

To pass the time, I entertained myself with thoughts of my maid, as soon as I had convinced Gioffredo of my

determination to remain silent. He, being more than a little fatigued, took a nap, after cursing me for a sulky

prince. I promised myself an abundance of felicity in the contemplation of Hersilia, when she should have

heard of my viiij leagues' journey through the lonely night: for it is very pleasant to be pitied and admired by

one's lover when one has striven strenuously and successfully. I tried to be deaf to the hubbub in front of me,

while I indulged my mind as aforesaid: but it was merely another insidious way to sleep. Wherefore, having

rejected it, I dismissed my proper affairs, and alertly attended to the others. They were as follows.

The master of pages exhibited, to the cardinal, the monthly sheaf of the boys' specimens of handwriting.

Ippolito having inspected the same, dictated to a secretary to be written neatly on a bad one: "Gianlucido,

The master of pages retired, to see it done: but Ippolito signed some billets authorizing sundry expenditures

The steward brought a plebeian page, who had been caught in the act of spitting idly into the rainwater tank

of the cardinal's bathingchamber. The rascal was condemned to be stripped in the courtyard, and to be spat

upon by x of his companions during halfanhour. Order was issued for covering the said tank with stout

The mistress of the women shrilly complained that one Fulgencia, a laundrymaid, was refusing to be

married by the barber's son, to whom she had been betrothed one year. Interrogated whether she could shew

cause for so culpable a defection, the said Fulgencia responded, saying: No. And sucked her thumb. The

mistress of the women was impowered to whip her, in the presence of iij maids, every Friday at the ninth

hour of the day, until the marriage should have been consummate. The said Fulgencia, having bellowed for

instant nuptials, was conveyed to the chapel with the said barber's.son, iiij witnesses, and one chaplain, to be

The oilmerchant appealed against the steward, who was intending to cause him to bear the loss of a

consignment of his merchandize which had been stolen, on the Ostian Way, by brigands in the pay of the

bandit Cardinal Giuliano Dellarovere desirous of building a new cathedral. The said appeal was admitted.

The vegetablemerchant very brazenly came forward, producing a similar appeal. But the steward confronted

him with proofs of his fraud. His appeal was rejected, and his privilege was cancelled; and the steward had

The slavemerchant offered for sale ij young Indian acrobats, saying that Cardinal Rafaele Riarj wished to

have them. They performed divers tricks of agility, which Ippolito applauded; and he gave order that, on the

physician certifying them to be healthy and their bodies without blemish, the treasurer should pay the price.

They were extremely slim of figure; and their flesh was as yellow as dewkissed pumpkins gleaming in the

The chief equerry had order to water the horses daily in Tiber, beyond the Portuensian Gate, seeing that the

Order was issued for the burial of ij mercenaries, who had been found murdered outside the barbacan at

dawn, having gone out at night without their mailshirts. Order was issued for ij masses to be intoned for

Order was issued for iij masses to be intoned for the repose of the soul of one without a name, who had died

The absurd Messer Nerone Diotisalvi was required on pain of the minor torments to apply himself more

assiduously to his studies in the magic arts. For it will be clear to thee, o Prospero, that, had it not been for

that mage's ignorance of his proper craft, homicide would not have been necessary.

Permission was granted to the firelighter to become served by ij extra boys, if the weather should continue to

The new goldsmith offered a crucifix for purchase. Ippolito, having inspected the piece, gave order that the

wretch should be buffeted by all and singular, from the audiencechamber to the gate of the barbacan, by

cause that he contumeliously had used carelessness in making the Image of the Divine Heros.

A strange poet, in a darkgreen wig resembling seaweeds, declaimed a sonnet in praise of a bee's nipples;

A very young painter, shy, rather rosyfaced, exhibited a panel whereon he had depicted the Divine Herakles

Ippolito complained that the tallowscraper had neglected to scrape tallow from iiij stairs, whereby the attire

of a certain chamberlain (whose name I have forgotten) had been rendered indecorous, and the cardinalitial

shins themselves liable to divers incommodious abrasions. The said misdemeanant was produced; and

charged with his crime. He blubbered. Order was issued that he should tolerate vij stripes in honour of the

The master of the pages exhibited the amended specimen of handwriting. Ippolito, having denominated it still

very evil, dictated to a secretary to be written very neatly thereupon: "Gianlucido, write thus or better before

The captain of the mercenaries accused a Turkish arbalister of having murdered a baptized Dacian slinger

treacherously, in a brawl, at the sixth hour of the night: also, of having torn out the said Dacian's heart, eating

the same, hot, in contempt of our most holy faith. Order was issued that the said Turk, having been

conveniently tormented, should tolerate natural death by strangulation within the hour: that his carcase should

hang in the place of exposition till avemmaria, and then be thrown into Tiber at a mile below the Portuensian

Two tormentors introduced the miscreant tallowscraper before the dais, loudly bawling. He was a sturdy

Trasteverino of about the age of xiij years, darkcoloured and bigeyed, and tough and sinewy as a young

wolf. Having placed him, they tied his wrists behind him with the end of a coil of rope, deftly tossing the

Ippolito was smelling to an orange infected with roseattar: for indeed the f*tor of the mob in the

audiencechamber was most putid. He threw the fruit to a favourite page; and I augured from the expression

on his physiognomy that he was about to manifest abnormal sagacity. He pretended that he understood not

"The Most Illustrious Purpled Person will choose to hear the rogue's confession of his crime."

"But not under The Question, o Most Illustrious: for none can believe a creature who is neither clerk nor

noble, unless he (first) shall have been hauled upward by the drawnback wrists and (secondly) shall have

been dropped suddenly to within a span from the floor. It is the torture of hanging from dislocated shoulders

Thus having spoken, he instantly pulled the rope; and the boy ascended high over the heads of all.

But that rascal, being very sinewy and very quickwitted, did not wait for the dislocation of his shoulders.

For, drawing up his legs and clenching his teeth as he left the floor, he instantly pressed his bound hands

downward on his buttocks, with admirable force, twisting round and round like an athlete.

Applause began to be heard. The boy's throat curved stiffly backward; and his breasts and shoulders

resembled tancoloured knots as he hung up there. He bended his legs further and further back; and, by

degrees, he contrived to grasp his own ankles, relaxing the strain on his sinews, and hanging face downward

"What thou hast said is purely silly. Our chamberlain's split hosen, and the tallow on Our stairs, proclaim the

crime. The boy's office is to look that Our floors lack tallow. No confession is needed, with The Question or

without. Let him come down. Give him his whipping. And let him go to the treasurer for a rosegiulio as the

reward of dexterity. And then let him go to the master of the athletes, who hath order to take him in charge.

And let the comptroller provide another tallowscraper, who will do well not to waste Our tallow."

When the boy came down, the first tormentor disappointedly untied his wrists; and, seizing them, hoisted him

in the usual manner: while the other, having turned his garment over his head, scored xij crisscross weals on

Anon being released, the freshly sprouted athlete stifled his yells; and he instantly stood on his head with his

Gioffredo woke up and would have been precipitate: for chamberlains were announcing:

Beating as quickly as possible then was the heart in my bosom, instantly sensing the coming of its mate in my

ALL the women in the audiencechamber were plebeian, ugly, stinking. But this most beautiful princess

brought in the odours of a garden of fragrant herbs; and, among the bevy attending her, I saw my maid.

Her eyelashes were lowered: but, every now and then, she flashed a glance on this side and on that, as though

But I shrank down in my corner, pulling the impetuous Gioffredo with me: for I was not conscious that the

The crowd opened a pathway for the tyrant. A stool was set for her under the canopy near Ippolito. Her

maidsofhonour stood behind her. All their hair was dyed yellow with oil of honey in imitation of their

mistress: but my maid's hair was as black as a sapphire in a night without light.

The chamberlains emptied a great space in front of the dais, pressing back the crowd.

But I and Gioffredo thrust ourselves through, not to the front rank but to the second: for I did not wish to be

"We are come, o lord cardinal, from visiting Our mother. Madonna Giovannozza rejoiceth by cause that the

Keltic soldiers are departed: for she hath been in terror lest they should rob the blossoms of her orchard, the

which is her heart's treasure; and the revenues of her late husband's bequest suffice not for the pay of an

armed guard. Wherefore, We are sworn to ask Our Most Blessed Father for the immunity of her inn against

taxation and against the exciseduty on wines, so that she may reap a little profit in these hard times."

She spoke rapidly, as her young brother did, but in a voice which was very sweet and soft to hear. But it was

clear to me that she had other more important things to say by side of this gossip. Ippolito also perceived it:

"Thou goest at noon to dine with Our Most Blessed Father, o Cardinal of Ferrara. His Blessedness is very

lonely, very grave. He taketh hardly the defect of the Vicechancellor, whom He hath loved much: for He

cannot see that Sforza needs must stand by Sforza in these horrid quarrels. As for those Keltic invaders, He

saith that the end is not yet: that, though they go now, anon they will return: that there will be war, perhaps

during iij months, but not in the City: but that there first will be happenings which will astound the Christian

Madonna Lucrezia again tried to approach the matter which she had in mind, saying:

"After Lent, o lord cardinal, it is Our intention to dine daily in the gardens of La Magliana to the sound of

luths. Madonna Giulia hath brought iiij luthists from Venice; and one is an improvisatore. We therefore beg

that thou wilt be Our beadsman, giving Us the benefit of thine holy prayers for fair weather after Eastertide."

Ippolito conceded a gesture of assent. What was the use of a cardinaldeacon, excepting to pray for fair

weather for fair ladies who were minded to dine in gardens, his aspect seemed to say. Having obtained so

"Since yesterday, divers strange things have happened. One of Our athletes, by race a Dacian, hath been

murdered; and his murderer even now is tolerating torment before strangulation."

"There are not any news of affairs known to Us, save those of Our family and those which Thine Exalted

Madonna Lucrezia looked him up and down. She would try the effect of a taunt; and continued, saying:

"Our Most Blessed Father sitteth in the Castle of Santangelo, dumb, but smiling at His thoughts. Of what

pleasant thing is He thinking? There is not anyone in the City who will respond to Our inquiries. The others,

She was becoming indignant, but sorry. A dark woman never ought to inflame herself with anger, by cause

that the black or the brown of her hair and the red of her rage are the colours of our old enemy, the devil: but

fury augmenteth the beauty of a fair woman to the highest degree, for it brighteneth the clear blue of her eyes,

while the poppycolour of her face is exquisitely allied with the strawcolour of her hair. At such a moment,

she resembleth a joyful field ready for reaping; and happy is the youth who is bold enough to reap.

Ippolito was a little confused; but he used himself serenely enough, saying that (for his part) he was willing

The tyrant no longer restrained her spleen. She spoke, while her fair cheeks flamed, scornfully saying:

"It is well known to Us that the Cardinal of Ferrara doth profess himself to be the friend of the Cardinal of

Valencia. Our mind telleth Us also that the said Cesare is this day in some dire peril, having gone away with

that very abominable Keltic king. Wherefore We should have thought that the Cardinal of Ferrara, having so

many vigorous familiars in his hand, would be doing something for the safety of his friend. Or are all these

"At least one of the Lord Cardinal's gentlemen is useful and willing as well as magnificent and mighty and

Everybody shouted with laughter at such effrontery. Her blushes burned her like a fire: but she maintained

her situation bravely in front of the other girls; and her eyes glittered like stars, blueblack, brilliantly

beaming. I almost believed that she actually saw me: but I kept my face behind the head of a fool, peeping

Madonna Lucrezia changed her posture, with the alacrity of one who findeth that her seat is a nest of

I instantly cuddled Gioffredo's head as tightly as possible, pressing one wrist into his very wideopen mouth;

and, at the same time, despite my fast failing strength, with the other hand I seized him in a certain grip from

which no one may move an hair's breadth. Nor did I release him without a promise of silence, asked in a

whisper, granted by green eyes bulging and glaring. Thus we ij stood staring at the form of his wife.

SHE came in with her own galaxy of maidsofhonour, all in black habits, waving her hands and swaying

She was a fat girl, very long in the back, redhaired, white fleshed; and her eyes resembled those of a

bereaved cow. A large nurse stepped closely behind her, carrying a baby swaddled on a board, terribly

squealing. This, together with the recriminations now proceeding at the throne, and the occasional howls of

the Princess of Squillace, and the shrieking laughter of the crowd, produced a tumult resembling that of

Another stool having been set on the dais, the new comers arranged themselves in order.

Gioffredo's wife wept loudly until everyone was silent. Then she began to speak, saying:

"Ahhoo, o Lord Cardinal, We are come for consolation, ah hoo, ahhoo, ahhehehehe. For thou shalt

know that Cesare hath gone to Naples; and Our Fredo hath followed him, ahhoo, ahhoo, ahhehehehe.

We desire to know why. Ahhoo. We desire to know why. Ahhehehehehoo. Now we all will be

compelled to sell our jewels. Now we all will be compelled to be ransomed, ahhoo, ahhoo. Why hath not

Lucrezia prevented Cesare from going? Why hath not this Purpled Person prevented Our Fredo from

following? Both those impetuous adolescents were in this very palace during the past night: for Fredo himself

said so. And now he hath deserted Us, his most loving wife; and hath ridden after Cesare with a mere handful

of an escort, and on swift horses, ahhoo. Three hours ago, We missed him. Four hours and who knoweth

how much more, have We been a widow, and Our baby but a month old, ahoo, ahoo. Lord Cardinal, We

She tottered toward the large nurse; and set herself to moo over her baby, mumbling it with her lips from time

to time. I wished for the death of the brat and its mother: for I feared that I should not be able to restrain

"We are unable to treat such people with patience. Women do not become widows every time when their

husbands run after the soldiers. Hath not Our Own husband gone to assist his cousin, Duke Lodovico

SforzaVisconti of Milan, and the Kelts, some months ago, before these wars began? And is there any

Roman temerarious enough, or suburban enough, to denominate Alexander's daughter Widow on that count?"

But now indeed Gioffredo began to jump about, disturbing the people whose bodies had concealed us; and I

was totally unable to hold him. For, having broken away from me, he bounded towards his wife, very

agitated, roaring like Stentor. And, at the same moment, Ippolito, catching a glimpse of me, emitted

But mine eyes were directed toward my maid. Now that this long (and, as I think, rather silly) period of

concealment at length was concluded, I had no thoughts in my breast save of her who, unknowingly, had

nerved me to my great exploit. Wherefore, there being no longer any cause for secrecy, I attempted to rush to

But it became clear that I could do no more than limp, slowly, painfully, very ungracefully; and, when vij

paces had extricated me from the crowd, placing me alone in the empty space in the middle of the

audiencechamber, where I instantly felt myself to be the target for the arrows of more than dccc eyes, then I

suddenly remembered that my yellowsilver hair was knotted in an abominable nightcap, that the flesh of

my body and limbs was a great deal more than halfnaked, that I stank most indelicately, that I was

besmirched and begrimed from head to foot with sweat and mire and every kind of uncleanness.

Such a terrific piece of knowledge caused me to utter yells, and to bolt (like a rabbit into his burrow) through

the tapestried door at the side of the audiencechamber. Tumults of laughter pursued me; and lent wings to

HAVING made shift to get as far as the threshold of my proper antechamber, my limbs failed me there; and I

The way through the palace was long and devious. All the family was in the audiencechamber; and I

I was so utterly exhausted that I ceased to care for anything at all; and the mind in my breast advised me to lie

still, until such time when my servitors should come to me. For, it being known that I had returned to the

That antechamber, o Prospero, was a very long room panelled with slabs of lapislazuli and malachite. The

ceiling of it was painted with the images of the Divine Hylas struggling with the nymphs. I deliberated that

my maid was fairer than any of these; and I wondered what she might be doing at that moment.

The sunlight streamed in through the row of windows which abutted on the court, brightening the gilding of

the cornice. On the other side all the outer doors of my divers chambers stood open; but I continued to lie

where I was on the very threshold of the antechamber, happy, drowsy, not anxious to go further.

Anon, a posse of my familiars came running up the stairs behind me, moaning and shouting commiseration

for my condition: who, having carried me into the bathingchamber, stripped me, and began to perform their

office. And now indeed my mind devised new schemes; and I became most anxious for instant restoration of

my normal aspect. Wherefore, I condemned them for a parcel of fools and lazy oaves; and I issued divers

Pages galloped hither and thither to and from the wardrobe, bringing towels, ewers of various waters, and all

the apparatus of washing, with numerous ceremonial garments, trays of jewels, flasks of the quintessence of

While my flesh was being scrubbed, I selected a certain very singular new habit, which, by the benignance of

my stars, I had caused to be made, when I first entered the City, for just such an occasion as the present

appeared likely to be. For now my mind was persuaded that but one more turn of Divine Fortune's wheel

Ippolito with the Tyrant Lucrezia, and Gioffredo with the Princess Sancia, and mine own maid with all the

A gesture from the chamberlains at my door kept them in the antechamber. The said door was not quite shut;

and, having put my wet hair away from mine eyes, I was able (through the crevice) to see Gioffredo and his

wife going to the embrasure of one of the windows. There they sat down, billing and cooing: but the others,

"Gioffredo saith that thou hast done that which thou didst set out to do. Tell us of the same, o Sideynes."

To whom I briefly responded (for, at the moment, the page on the stool was deluging me with hot water),

"Pietrogorio hath received both messages and he desireth nothing better than to die for the Cardinal of

But, when I had said this, I noted that my servitors were wearing a rather desperate aspect: nor durst they give

more than deprecating gestures and sad imploring glances to my prompt interrogations. Wherefore, having

commanded them to bring mirrors, I placed myself between the same in order that I might examine my

person. What I saw on the flesh of my back caused me to utter certain very fervent objurgations.

The people in the antechamber with one voice instantly demanded the cause of mine anger.

To whom I indignantly responded, saying that the cyphers evidently were indelible: for vigorous scrubbing

with hot water and lupinmeal only rendered my white flesh whiter, but the diagram itself remained clearly

A certain page suggested an application of pumice: but I indignantly denied him, not being willing to have

Those friends of mine in the antechamber cackled with laughter at my discomfiture; and Madonna Lucrezia

implored me to exhibit the accursed inscription. Ippolito also placed a similar request: to whose voice all the

others added theirs. My pages having swathed me in dry sheets (covering me from head to foot like a

shrouded cadaver but exposing my back), I placed myself for a few moments in the open doorway.

Everybody giggled; and came near. I heard their snuffling gasps of exclamation; and felt the warm breath of

the heads which stooped to gaze. No one was able to read the cyphers. These be they, o Prospero.

The Tyrant Lucrezia instantly averred that this was a lovely device for embroidering in gold on the front of a

bodice, and that such a work would drive the plain Marchioness of Mantua mad with envy.

Ippolito, having traced the grey lines slowly with the tip of a loving finger (for so I felt it to be), stated an

opinion that this was the kabbalistic character invented by Messer Honorios, formerly of Thebes, which

Cesare was known to have taken from that erudite Gothic boy called Enrico Cornelio Agrippa von

Nettesheim, who now is a councillor of the Emperor. In this case, he said, no one could read it save Cesare

only and his proper familiars. As for the defilement of my flesh, he said, it no doubt would wear off in time.

And then I rejoiced very greatly: for I heard the dear little voice of my maid, saying:

"We will offer most fervent prayers that the lord cardinal's prediction may not lack fulfilment."

At which words Madonna Lucrezia suddenly turned to examine the last speaker, instantly becoming agog for

matchmaking. In her opinion, so she said, so beautiful a gentleman was fit to be anybody's husband.

That, she said, could not be permitted to run longer in despite of such an one as I had shown myself to be. For

which cause, she said, the beautiful and blameless gentleman in the doorway instantly must hasten to the

Castle of Santangelo with the present company, in order to tell all the tale to our Lord the Paparch Himself.

I howled with delight; and, having leaped forward into my secret chambers, I commanded the pages to indue

Ippolito cried out, inquiring whether Pietrogorio had read the cypher message to me, demanding also what

To whom I responded, saying that His Nobility had read the inscription as signifying: "Statim adveniunt

Gallicani, cum iis ego, obses retentus: fac ut exquiras, et auxilium praestesThe Gallicans are upon thee,

with me as their hostage; find me, and lend succour:" and the autograph, "C. Caral. de Valencia." Also I said

that I was ignorant of Pietrogorio's plans, knowing only that he had sent me to buy up all the horses at the

posthouse of Cinthyanum in Cesare's name. And I added that the said adolescent, in my judgment, was not

only a very Odysseys for deepscheming, but also a gentleman with whom it would be safe to play

Having pondered these words, Ippolito began to have an inkling of Pietrogorio's plan. So he said. For there

are but ij leagues between Velletri and Cinthyanum, which last city doth belong to Rome; and, if Cesare

could get there and find himself master of all means of transit, he would have no difficulty in effecting a

speedy return. But those ij leagues were the crux of the affair. Such was Ippolito's sentence.

The Tyrant Lucrezia delivered herself of another opinion. She said that Cesare was a beast, a fine beast, an

admirable beast, an irresistible beast, and just now a necessary (nay) an indispensable beast. And she was

But, at the moment of speaking, at length I escaped from my pages, radiant, delicate, princely, in a habit of

I CAME out into the antechamber, very vivid, very vigorous, for fatigue seemed to have left my limbs very

pale and clean, for I was myself again, very grandeyed, for lovely pleasant things were waiting for me to

look upon them. My smooth hair was glittering like a cocoon, sunlit, delicate. My garb was shining silk,

white as pearls, adorned with silver set with great cabochon moonstones. The armorials of mine house were

emblazoned on my breast, not in our ordinary tinctures of white and red but in white and black, videlicet

To whom I responded, saying that I had had them prepared secretly for the day when I should come face to

face with our Lord the Paparch; and that they bore a certain signification. I in fact had made myself as it were

a book which His Sanctity might read. He would see youth and strength and ability: He would see the candid

whiteness of innocence: He would see the blazon of mine house blackened by the Great Ban, whitening with

the dawn of hope. But, having said these things, I became conscious of the eyes of my maid, a few paces

away, gazing upon me with adoration: at whom I instantly precipitated myself, forgetting the others.

"All these things are very poetic and pretty; and the beautiful and blameless gentleman certainly is most

urbane: but We take pride in Ourself by cause that We are purely practical. Furthermore, all the damage,

which is done on this orb of earth, is done either by saying the right things to the wrong person, or the wrong

things to the right person. These admirable words ought not to be uttered to Us, but to Our Most Blessed

Father. Wherefore, the present company instantly must go to the Castle of Santangelo. Boy! Litters! At the

Vatican, a division shall be made, not to embarrass Our Most Blessed Father with a show of force. The

Cardinal of Ferrara hath the right of demanding a boon, by cause that he provided the swift runner. The

beautiful and blameless gentleman hath an equal right, by cause that he ran swiftly. Let those ij demand their

said boons. If they win them, well. In any case, after dinner, when Our Most Blessed Father is in a good

humour and will concede anything for the sake of being left to His afternoon nap, then We Ourself and Our

wellbeloved brother, Don Gioffredo, will enter The Presence prepared to intercede. But the Lord Alexander

Half a score of pages fled down the stair with Her Tranquillity's commandments. No one said any more: for

there was nothing more to be said. Our several families began to collect themselves, while we washed our

In the courtyard, the tyrant and the princess and their maids ascended the litters: but we others took horse in

full state; and so we set forth, a very grand procession, but not unusual in those old days, o my parthenean

Prospero, when a pageant of princes going to pay respects to the Pontifex Maximus was common enough.

We went by Lungara. I rode by side of Ippolito. We both were silent, pondering the matter in hand.

As we passed the great Riarj Palace on the left, where the whitefaced cardinal was entertaining The

It was a silly irrelevant word, uttered only by cause that I did not wish to seem either sulky or afraid. Ippolito

Thereafter we rode without speaking. I knew that I was as nervous as a February sparrow, jipping and flirting,

and liable to twitter entirely automatically. For which cause I set myself to consider who I was, and what I

had done, and how extremely notable mine aspect was. I contemplated myself, my mind, my body, my

qualities, capabilities, exploits, desires. I also called to remembrance the benignance of my stars. And behold

Nothing disturbed me. Nothing ever again would disturb me. Was I not riding in triumph, to the Giver of

HAVING parted from our companions and dismissed our trains, I and Ippolito walked along the high gallery,

emerging at length on the vast corridor of the castle, spiral, gloomy. Below were labyrinthine depths. We

ascended several little stairs, passing through numerous antechambers hung with porphyrycoloured arras.

A ruffled flunkey in a Spanish habit of black, with cloak and sword, drew aside a thick porphyrycoloured

curtain; and we passed out of darkness into the blazing sunlight of The Presence.

We were on a secluded terrace on the summit of the fortress. Beyond the battlements, we could see the

panorama of all Rome and the Campagna with the Alban Mount on the distant horizon. Tiber seemed to be a

chain of chrysoliths meandering among mounds of emeralds. So lofty a situation was convenient for Him,

Some orangetrees in tubs formed a screen in the shadow of a turret. A square carpet, porphyrycoloured,

was spread on the pavement. A thronelike chair, raised on one step, with a foot stool and cushions and

Here sat the Ruler of the world, the Father of princes and kings, the earthly Vicar of Jesus Christ our Saviour,

the Paparch Alexander, magnificent, invincible, alone and reading in His breviary.

I will tell thee, o Prospero, how that incomparable prince and pontiff appeared to me. He was habited in the

white cassock, sash, and hosen, the porphyrycoloured shoes embroidered with gold crosses, the cape and

cap of porphyrycoloured velvet, reversed with ermine, the golden paparchal stole. The pallium of universal

jurisdiction, wellwoven, snowlike, was fixed, on His breast and shoulders, by diamond pins of the form of

crosses potent elongate. A gold chain surrounded His neck; and its pendent cross decorously was hidden in

the folds of His cape. The grand gold signet of the paparchy glittered on the first finger, and an enormous

amethyst on the third of His right hand. He was in the sixtyfifth year of His age, of a robust habit of body;

and genial generous majesty distinguished the splendour of His Spanish features.

The chamberlains and pages in porphyrycoloured liveries, who stood about the turret doorway, performed

Ippolito let his greatcloak of ermine and vermilion fall to trail voluminously behind him; and led me

forward by the hand. I suddenly became conscious that I was very young and very slim by side of all this

sumptuous grandeur. I felt as a new taper feeleth when stuck suddenly on high upon a pricket, rather pleased

with the light on its head: but knowing that a mere flip of the finger can break its body in twain and consign it

to the darkness of oblivion. But yet, remembering how diaphanously white and vivid were mine aspect and

We kneeled at the footstool. Ippolito kissed the paparchal hand: I, the cross on the shoe.

The Archiereys closed His prayerbook, looking with inquiry from me to Ippolito, and back again to me. I

perceived admiration in His glance which swept and enveloped me; and I knew that my stars were benignant.

Ippolito stood up: but I remained on my knees. He took mine hand; and presented me by name, reciting my

Ippolito continued his discourse, stating mine abominable condition, naming my natural abilities as well as

the disabilities which, as a bandit, I was compelled to tolerate; and he briefly narrated the deed which I had

Our Lord the Paparch gave me a sign to rise, saying nothing. I alertly sprang to my feet; and took ij paces

backward, from the shadow into the full glare of the sun, stiffening my strong knees, standing wellpoised

and very rigidly erect indeed. So, having shaken mine hair from mine eyes, I looked squarely and superbly in

I drew in a very long breath, inflating my breast, raising my head and shoulders; and began to speak, gravely,

slowly, saying that I knew myself to be in the presence of the Ruler of the world, Whose plenitude of power

could reinstate mine house of Poplicola di Hagiostayros, no one contradicting, or could eradicate the same

Then I hesitated: for sudden overwhelming conviction of mine helpless insignificance rushed into my mind. I

poured out a torrent of words. What was I, I said, in the sight of the Father of princes and kings, but a

And impotent fury, at my total dependence on the Paparch's will and pleasure, inflamed me. My face tingled

with angry blood, at the thought that anyone should be my superior, at the knowledge that I knew myself to

be this One's inferior and had confessed the same. But instantly, with a very vehement effort, I mastered mine

emotions; and continued speaking, deliberately, even frigidly, while the bowels terrifically throbbed within

"But I will not sue. There are no crimes on my soul which are matter for pardon. I will not ask for favour.

But, rather than live another hour, blameless under the Great Ban which I have not merited, I will dive

headlong from these near battlements, that the candour of mine innocence may shatter the bloodstained

Thus having spoken, I flashed mine eyes to the side for an instant, noting the place whence I would spring.

Then I looked back with most fierce determination, alert and ready to leap before Ippolito could lay his

Our Lord the Paparch eyed me up and down, comprehending each plane and contour of the incarnate

independence, pallid, not uncomely in defiance, which refused to ask for right as a grace. And anon He very

At those words, sublime, benignant, my throat was constricted and my knees trembled very exceedingly.

Mine eyes glared upon the Paparch and the cardinal in turn, without seeing either of those personages. Then I

looked upward to the empyrean where the gods live: for surely it was a god's voice which I had heard; and I

noted a little skylark soaring above me, singing like an angel. Nothing else was visible to me at that moment.

My body was simply tottering by cause of the sudden violent evanescence of my fury.

The bells in all the turrets of the City began clanging in the new manner. It was the hour of noon.

Our Lord the Paparch and the Cardinal of Ferrara kneeled where they were; and said the prayers, Angelus

I also was kneeling, thankful enough for the interval granted while I conquered my weakness, recollecting

A COMPANY of paparchal familiars entered. Some brought a table sustaining the apparatus for dining.

Others brought another table covered with a fair linen cloth. On the last, the cook placed a covered dish: the

butler, a dish of raisins and a basket of bread: the cellarer, a glass flask of wine and another of water. I never

Being now fulfilled with vigour and thankfulness, I longed to do something dynamic. Wherefore, I violently

hustled three pages, robbing them of the basin and the ewer and the towel; and, on my knees, I did boy's

He smiled at mine ardour: but knowing (in His enormous wisdom) that I was excited beyond measure, He

"Most of thy colleagues, o Cardinal of Ferrara, are either in prison or in rebellion; and the orators and the

barons are unwilling to dine with Us, by cause that We so far abstain from carnal lusts in that a single dish

sufficeth for our table. Consequently, when We find in Our hand, at dinner time, a cardinalprince and a

Roman patrician, it is but natural that they should become Our guests. What is enough for one is enough for

ij, and what is enough for ij is enough for iij. Let then stools be set for the cardinal and for this white flame of

The table, being an high one, was wheeled to our Lord the Paparch where He sat on His elevated chair. But

our stools were heightened by cushions. Very strange ceremonial was observed at this meal.

A chamberlain presented a bundle of napkins, from which we each selected ij. With the first, we scrupulously

rubbed our platters and knives and forks and mossagate cups, before using the same. With the second, we

protected our garments from slops, or wiped our mouths before drinking. All this being strange to me, I

carefully imitated the example of Ippolito, perceiving him to be acquainted with the practice. But I wondered

greatly what might be the significance of such elaborate functions. And anon it was given to me to

For the cook, having uncovered the dish, genuflected; and presented beef and olives to Our Lord the Paparch:

Who Himself deigned to cut off a mouthful at random, putting the same on a fork with an olive similarly

selected; and watched the said cook eating both morsels. This having been done, His Sanctity took His

portion of the viands; and the dish was brought to us others in turn. In like manner, the butler proffered the

bread basket; and ate crust and crumb of the Paparch's choosing, before any bread was so much as touched

by us iij. The same ceremony having been kept with the raisins, the dish and the basket were established on

the table under our eyes. The cellarer brought also the wine and water; and, having drunk a cupful of both,

which the Paparch deigned to pour for him, he filled for us, and placed the flasks by side of the dish of

By this time, I had become conscious that these practices merely were a substitute for the customary

venomtaster; and, all incontinent, I said, by way of comment, that life would not be worth my while, if I

were compelled to take so many meticulous precautions against venom every time when I desired to satiate

And He began to speak to Ippolito, as soon as the servitors had left us alone, questioning him very acutely

concerning the events of the night and morning. It was very strange to hear Him talking of the Cardinal of

Valencia: for He by no means spoke of that splendid purpled person, tawny, tigerlike, as a father speaketh

of the son of his loins, nor did He speak of the said adolescent as a slave speaketh of his tyrant or as a victim

speaketh of his persecutor, in despite of those who very vainly have alleged that Cesare dominated the

indomitable Alexander: but it seemed to me that He spoke of him rather as one would speak of a servant of

hyperexcellent parts, whom one employeth for the sake of another who is served by such employment of such

a servant. And this indeed is true: for we now know that Madonna Giovannozza bore Cesare to Giuliano

before she bore Juan Francisco and Lucrezia and Gioffredo to Rodrigo; and, that Alexander should have

deigned to advance the fortunes of Cesare, as well for that splendid prince's own utility as for the love which

He bore for the mother of the same, is only natural. But, while I was excogitating the matter, I did not omit to

devour as much food as decorum permitted, I being most terrifically hungry, and the attention of the other ij

And anon, at the end, our Lord the Paparch thus addressed me by the same appellation as before; and He used

But, before that I was able to utter a syllable, Ippolito interrupted, reciting a category of my numerous

peculiar excellencies, which I will not include in this history, seeing that they are known to every man. But,

after many words concerning my bravery, he ended with the assertion of Messer Pierettore that I could write

This seemed to be intended as an advice to me: for which cause, seeing that the Paparch's grand eyes still

dwelled on me as though expecting mine own response, I began to orate in the crisp and dulcet syllabification

"Dear lovely child, thou shalt know that an old man like Ourself, Who hath been worried by recalcitrant kings

and by other naughty men, hath forgotten all the Greek which He ever knew, save the wail of that scribe who

But the saying was a pathetic one, tearbringing, love inspiring; and, at that moment, I could not think of

anything better to say than that I was in all things obedient to His sovereign will.

He was listening very intently: for, having afforded me so much time for recollection, I think that He

expected me to make an elaborate discourse. But I, being mindful of His supremacy not less than of His

generosity, preferred to shew an equal generosity and confidence on mine own part: for which cause, I

responded as aforesaid. He urged me then to make a formal definite petition: but, being indeed very pleased

with the form of words which I had used, I continued to respond to all His urging, saying only:

At this the paparchal pages returned, bringing the rosewater for our last handwashing. This duty having

Ippolito stood up, stretching his gigantic limbs and combing his hair: but our Lord the Paparch was observing

me all the time. As the servitors were going away, He shot a sudden commandment after them to bring a skin

This having been done, and we iij being alone again, He ordained that I should bring my stool near to Him,

having thrown the cushions aside, and having placed the writing materials on it; and also that I should kneel

Thus, He Himself dictated to me the petition, which thou, o Prospero, knowest to be the most precious

document in thy father's archives. But, although thou hast seen the same so often that its contents are

impressed indelibly on thy memory, nevertheless I will not omit to transcribe it here, in order that this history

may be perfect and complete, videlicet: The petition of the Roman patrician named Tarquinio Giorgio

Drakontoletes Poplicola di Hagiostayros is that he may be delivered from the Great Ban, that he may be

relieved from all disabilities, that he may be absolved from all canonical censures and excommunications, in

his own person, and in the persons of all of his house: also that he himself may be named among the

Advocates of the Sacred Consistory, where he may use his mind: also that he himself may be named among

Our knights of Saint George for the Defence of Christendom, where he may use his body against the foes of

Thus He spoke and thus I had written: but when I conned it over, as I threw the golden pounce upon the wet

ink, a kind of terror seized me; and I began again to shake like one in a palsy. And suddenly a new diversion

Numerous footsteps and voices approached the door of the turret, wafting a delicate odour as of women and

MADONNA Lucrezia entered with her galaxy of maids, who did obeisance; and crossed the terrace toward

the battlements. There they stood, admiring the view, moving a little among themselves like flowers in a

breeze. But the tyrant came and sat on one of the cushions near the Paparch's footstool, between me and

She put a most delicate hand on the archieratic knee; and thus she spoke, saying:

"Dear and Most Holy Father, I hope that Thou hast been doing justice to this beautiful and blameless

But, while she was speaking, yet more noises came from the door of the turret; and Gioffredo entered with his

wife and their baby and their several trains. The prince and princess seated themselves on the other cushions

on the step of the throne: but their familiars drifted away to the other maidsof honour who were already by

I was kneeling still with the portentous parchment under mine hand. All my body was quaking terribly: for I

was not quite able to believe in my good fortune, and rather feared that I was being played with.

Ippolito, having drawn up a stool, sat by my side in front of the Paparch and His children.

I durst not move from my knees: but I cast a quick look among the maids for my proper maid. She instantly

caught it, returning a smile, very lovely, soulinspiring. Wherefore I comforted myself, knowing that my

But Madonna Lucrezia and her brother began to make intercession on mine account; and Ippolito joined

himself to them from time to time. The iij voices blended very harmoniously, videlicet, the clear treble of the

girl, the countertenor of the boy as insistent and mellow as a bell, the bass of the young cardinal, sonorous,

I at first listened very gratefully to their melodious intonation: but anon, the things which they said of me

afflicted me with nausea. I have done many great and noble deeds, with my body as well as with mine

intellect; and I am not ashamed of esteeming the same according to their merits, or of hearing them praised in

convenient terms. But enough is as good as a feast; and at this moment I had heard enough and more than

enough. Wherefore, with mine eyes I strove most earnestly, imploring Ippolito and Gioffredo to be

favourable to their tongues. All to no purpose. They continued to speak; and I perforce was compelled to

"We have heard you, o lord cardinal and o dearest daughter and o dearest son; and We thank you for your

good offices. But intercessors are not necessary in this present matter. for Our dear lovely child here present

hath an exceedingly definite notion of what is due from Us to him; and he hath set down the same most

And, having thus spoken, He took the parchment from me; and handed it to the others.

Ippolito already had heard what I had written by commandment: but Madonna Lucrezia and Gioffredo put

But the fine features of Alexander remained as imperscrutable as those of the sphynx.

His daughter looked at Him, trying to read the intention of His mind: but, having failed, she said:

"The beautiful and blameless gentleman hath merited these rewards at least; and there is another reward

known to me which he in any case shall have. But first deign a stroke of the pen here, o dear and Most Holy

Thus she spoke: but we all suddenly began to hear very joyful shouts from the distance far below, surging

nearer and nearer, ever augmenting. Crowds of familiars, baronial, cardinalitial, paparchal, came tumbling

But, while we stood and kneeled staring in amazement, the splendid Cardinal of Valencia also strode on to

the terrace, panting, sweating, mudstained, but elate with triumph. He wore an astonishing Neapolitan habit

of green velvet, pinked and escalloped and purred with orangecoloured satin, the same which I myself

already had seen on another person in another city on that very day. His hosen were striped in green and

orangecolour. His boots were of orangecoloured leather. His high conical green hat, longpeaked in front,

was adorned by a tall orangecoloured feather: but his tawny hair bulged behind in a net of green cord. I

never have seen a cardinal in such an incommodious guise before or since. And he dragged with him by the

hand that noble Pietrogorio, of whom I already have written, who wore the vermilion habit which Cesare had

worn when he left us during the night, which habit now was very gravely disordered. Had it not been for their

different voices, it would have been difficult to say which was the cardinal and which the noble: but, as it

was, they only resembled twins in trouble, horribly dirty, tattered, dilapidated.

Gioffredo made himself heard in a sentence, saying that it would occupy the servitors of these gentlemen

They fell on their knees; and the Cardinal of Valencia began to bellow a narration of his adventures.

But our Lord the Paparch with a gesture produced silence. And anon He beckoned me to hold up my stool

and to give Him the pen. This I did, holding my face low: in order to avoid the pricking of the multitudinous

eyes which were impinging upon every bare part of my flesh. And, having taken the parchment, and having

placed it on the stool, He began to write in this way, saying each word aloud as He wrote it; and thus He said:

"It pleaseth Us, and so by Our Own impulse We command: Alexander the Sixth, Supreme Pontiff."

Having bent down to kiss the cross on His shoe, purely grateful, and having made obeisance to Madonna

Lucrezia and to Gioffredo, and having embraced Ippolito, oblivious of manners I launched myself toward my

The moment was opportune. Everybody was approaching The Presence to hear the newest news: for mine

affairs were no longer important. Could I have done aught else, o Prospero? We were alone, at the back of the

crowd. I offered to her the parchment, and my body and soul with it, kneeling on both my knees as one who

kneeleth before some Divine One. But she raised me with a most gentle movement, giving herself all to me.

I cannot remember what happened in the insuing minutes: but, when I once more became conscious of my

circumstances, the Cardinal of Valencia, unchecked, was bellowing like the Borgia bull. I will set down the

few words which I heard him saying: not that I paid much observance to him, for who, having the desire of

his heart in his heart and pressed against his heart, would listen to another roaring of other matters? Yet, by

cause of that cardinal's vociferations (and his teeth and his eyes gleamed the while like a tiger's, delicate, very

triumphant in vigour), I could not avoid seeing his gestures and hearing the noise which he was making. He

"Having secluded me as aforesaid, this Nobility changeth clothes with me; and forthwith betaketh himself in

my room to the neighbourhood of the Keltic monkey. But I made haste to ride back to Cinthyanum, where

during iij hours I waited in the house of which some of ye pretend to know. Anon, this Nobility cometh,

laughing as though his cheeks were another's. For the Christian King, on preparing to ride from Velletri,

quickly perceived that his hostage no longer was the Cardinal of Valencia; and, falling in a fume lest I myself

should harass his rear, resolved to make a sudden dash for Naples, where he might fortify his camp. But he

left behind him the Cardinal of Amboise and the Sieur de Commines, ordaining that they should strangle very

worthy Nobility and fire his city. They did neither, admiring his courage and fidelity as much as I do

Pietrogorio, thou art Our locumtenens and signifer from today: but, having put him near a fresh horse,

they turned their backs and looked for him elsewhere, quietly evacuating Velletri and following their master.

Wherefore this Nobility, seeing that his escape was permitted, came to Cinthyanum, and thence with me

Thus he spoke. But Madonna Lucrezia, not being overmuch entertained by his narration, was letting her

sweet eyes rove round among the company. And here she pointed a mischievous finger at me and my maid:

for, at the moment, we by chance were lip to lip. The crowd divided, exhibiting us in that situation.

We instantly became conscious of a very terrific silence, and of innumerable glances stabbing us. Having

recognised our predicament, we drew a little apart. Slight giggles arising from the crowd, and the glittering of

innumerable teeth manifested by innumerable smiles, further disconcerted and dismayed us. We ran forward

hand in hand, kneeling before our Lord the Paparch. I was hot with blushes: but I contrived to stammer a few

"Immense happiness is our excuse for indecorum in the Apostolic Presence: for, o Sanctity, we love one

Alexander, magnificent, invincible, benignly smiled upon us; and He deigned a response, saying:

Seeing how I was in the Paparch's favour, everybody instantly proffered all their rings. We might have been

married with Ippolito's cardinalitial sapphire. Madonna Lucrezia offered ij handfuls. Prince Gioffredo thrust

upon me his great table ruby. I might have had a peckmeasure full of rings. But I myself was drawing off

mine own jasper with the Scorpion and Ares, being desirous of communicating the benignance of my stars

with my maid, when the Cardinal of Valencia produced the enormous giltbronze ring, the credentials which

had procured for him the swift runner. And we all realized the suitability of that.

Gioffredo, having brought the little silver stoup of holy water from the inside of the door of the turret, placed

The sky above our heads had the beautiful blue of spring time, clear as the light in my maid's eyes. We were

Out of profound silence, the strong voice of the Archiereys came to me, demanding whether I willed to have

He demanded of her whether she willed to have me as her wedded husband. To Whom she responded,

Everybody was smiling again. Our Lord the Paparch joined our hands. Having sprinkled the enormous ring

and blessed it, He deigned it to me. I put it on the first, the second, and left it on the third left finger of my

Our Lord the Paparch rose. All the company kneeled round us. Lifting His hand, He imparted Apostolic

So He withdrew to His afternoon nap, like the lifegiving sun, who sinketh, glorious, golden, to his rest in the

INSTANTLY, the light of The Presence having been extinguished, we were (so to speak) all in the dark.

Great confabulations insued. Everybody exuded important but perfectly preposterous propositions.

The Cardinal of Valencia was for raising armies wherewith to pursue the Keltic scamps; and put himself to

speak seriously to the Cardinal of Este, inquiring how many mercenaries could be bought from Ferrara. But

Ippolito would not have anything to say to him; and he went off, muttering, with his new lieutenant and

But all the others came to converse with me. From what was said, certain matters appeared, which gave food

The question of my next act was discussed. It seemed not to be decorous that I should live with my wife in

the palace of the Cardinal of Ferrara. It clearly was my bounden duty to send news, of the removal of the

Great Ban, to my cousin and our baron Marcantonio. I also desired very strenuously to go at once to my

castle of Deira by the southern sea, there to arrange the transit of my goods and my familiars to the City,

where I was intending to pass my life. Furthermore, I was famishing with hunger, not only for my maid but

also for a meal, solid, interminable, seeing that I had been fasting since suppertime: for what I had eaten at

Wherefore, the Cardinal of Valencia having disappeared, while the tyrant and the princess and their girls

were chattering to my blushing wife (whose dear little hand I did not relinquish for a moment), I turned the

other way; and at length, contrived to overcome the loud voices of Ippolito and Gioffredo, proclaiming to

But, though they demurred from my departure, nevertheless they confessed that I spoke reasonably; and,

finally, after many words, Gioffredo offered an immediate banquet with lodgings at Traspontina till the

evening, and Ippolito offered an escort of xl athletes and xl menatarms for our journey to Deira.

And anon we went to Traspontina. There we feasted. There we played. There we also slept. What we ate and

drank, or what we did, in those iiij hours, I am unable to specify. For I was in a species of delirium, having no

more mind and body than sufficed for these ij things, videlicet my wife, and mine insuing progress to the

cradle of my race, in comparison with which all other worldly matters seemed very rightly to be of no price.

But at one hour before avemmaria, my valises having been brought from the Estense Palace and my wife's

from the Apostolic Palace of Vatican, viij decurions of Ippolito's came with my proper iij, being a company

of cxxj persons in all to attend us; and so we rode out from the City, on the first stage toward the eastern road

Thus, thy loving father hath set down the full history of the fourandtwenty hours of his fortunate day, not

concealing anything which his own senses perceived; and he saith, that this is the manner in which history