1474. (September 8th.) Ludovico Ariosto, his Birth 196
His Lineage 196
His early Studies 197
Latin the universal Language of Writers 198
The Transmutation and Transfusion of the dead Languages
into modern Tongues 199
Death of Ariosto's Father 199
His pecuniary Difficulties in consequence 199
His filial and paternal Affection 200
His Brothers Gabriele and Galasso 200
His Sisters 200
A Quotation from his second Satire, alluding to his Mother 201
His Bagatelles 202
He composes his "Orlando Furioso" 203
His Answer to Cardinal Bembo, who advises him to write it in
Latin 204
The Duke of Ferrara threatened with the Thunders of the
Vatican 204
Ariosto sent as Ambassador to Rome on this Occasion 205
Julius II. enters into a League with the Venetians 205
The Papal Forces defeated at Ravenna 205
The Capture and Dispersion of the Republican Squadron on the
River Po 205
Ariosto, his gallant Conduct on this Occasion 205
His second Embassy to Rome 206
His uncourteous Reception by the Pontiff 206
Emperor Alfonso, his fruitless Negotiations with the implacable
Julius 207
And the perfidious Treatment he receives 207
The singular Manner in which he retaliates 207
1515. The first Edition of the "Orlando Furioso" 208
Succeeding Reprints and Variations of it 208
1532. The last Edition 208
Ariosto refuses to accompany Cardinal Hippolito to his Bishopric 208
Their consequent Estrangement 209
A Story of Hippolito, his natural Brother, and a Lady to whom
they both paid their Addresses; the infamous and unnatural
Conduct of the Cardinal 209
Independence of Ariosto 210
Ease, Freedom, and Independence necessary to the Life of a
Poet 210
Letter of Ariosto to his Brother Alessandro 212
Ariosto enters the Service of Duke Alfonso 217
Discomforts and Mortifications of his precarious Circumstances 218
His Reasons for not taking Orders 219
Pope Leo X. issues a Bull in favour of the "Orlando Furioso" 219
What Claims had Ariosto on the Bounty of Leo X.? 220
Extracts from his Satires 221
The Dignity and Ease he enjoys at the Court of Alfonso 226
His Government of Graffagnana 226
His Rencontre with some of his uncouth Neighbours 227
Baretti, his Version of this Anecdote 228
Extract from his Satires 229
He is invited to accept a third Embassy to Rome 230
His Answer to Bonaventura Pistolfo 230
His Release from his Government 232
He perfects his "Orlando;" his Dramatic Works 232
A curious Anecdote of him when a Child 232
Remarks on his Writings 234
1532. Ariosto, his last Illness 234
Apocryphal Traditions of him 235
His Person 235
His Character 236
His Sons 237
His Elegies, Sonnets, and Madrigals 237
A Translation of one of his Sonnets 238
Difficulty of translating his Works 239
English Versions of his "Orlando Furioso" 239
His Recitation 240
Anecdote of him 240
His whimsical Peculiarities; his Habits 241
His Reveries 242
His last Hours 243
His Monument 244
Sketch of the Outline of the "Orlando Furioso" 245
Critical Remarks on it 247
A Sequel and Imitation of it 250