In Milan, the capital of Lombardy, an ancient city abounding in graceful
ladies, adorned with sumptuous palaces, and rich in all those things
which are fitted to so magnificent a town, there resided Ottaviano Maria
Sforza, Bishop-elect of Lodi, to whom by claim of heredity (Francesco
Sforza, Duke of Milan, being dead) the sovereignty of the state
rightfully belonged. But through the falling in of evil times, through
bitter hatreds, through bloody battles, and through the never-ending
vicissitudes of state affairs, he departed thence and betook himself
secretly to Lodi with his daughter Lucretia, the wife of Giovanni
Francesco Gonzaga, cousin of Federico, Marquis of Mantua, and there they
abode some months. Long time had not passed before his kinsmen
discovered his whereabouts, and began forthwith to annoy him; so the
unhappy prince, finding himself still the object of their ill will, took
with him what jewels and money he had about him, and withdrew with his
daughter, who was already a widow, to Venice, where they found friendly
reception from Ferier Beltramo, a noble gentleman of most benevolent
nature, amiable and graceful, who with great courtesy gave them pressing
invitation to take up their abode in his own house. But to share the
home of another generally begets restraint, so the duke, after mature
deliberation, resolved to depart and to find elsewhere a dwelling of his
own. Wherefore, embarking one day with his daughter in a small vessel,
he went to Morano, and having come there his eyes fell upon a
marvellously beautiful palace which at that time stood empty. He entered
it, and having taken note of its lovely position, its lofty halls, its
superb loggias, its pleasant gardens filled with smiling flowers and
rich in all sorts of fruit and blooming herbs, he found them all highly
to his taste. Then he mounted the marble staircase and surveyed the
magnificent hall, the exquisite chambers, and the balcony built over the
water, which commanded a view of the whole place. The princess,
captivated by the charm of the pleasant spot, besought her father so
strongly with soft and tender speeches, that he to please her fancy
hired the palace for their home. Over this she rejoiced greatly, for
morning and evening she would go upon the balcony to watch the scaly
fish which swam about in numerous shoals through the clear salt water,
and in seeing them dart about now here now there she took the greatest
delight. And because she was now forsaken by the ladies who had formerly
been about her court, she chose in their places ten others as beautiful
as they were good; indeed, time would fail wherein to describe their
virtues and their graces. Of these the first was Lodovica, who had
lovely eyes sparkling like the brightest stars, and everyone who looked
upon her could not but admire her greatly. The next was Vicenza, of
excellent carriage, of fine figure, and of polished manners, whose
lovely and delicate face shone with refreshing beauty upon all who
beheld it. The third was Lionora, who, although by the natural fashion
of her beauty she seemed somewhat haughty, was withal as kindly and
courteous as any lady to be found in all the world. The fourth was
Alteria, with lovely fair hair, who held her womanly devotion ever at
the service of the Signora. The fifth was Lauretta, lovely in person,
but somewhat disdainful, whose clear and languishing glances surely
enslaved any lover who ventured to court them. The sixth was Eritrea,
who, though she was small of stature, yielded to none of the others in
beauty and grace, seeing that she had two brilliant eyes, sparkling even
brighter than the sun’s rays, a small mouth, and a rounded bosom, nor
was there to be found in her anything at all which was not worthy of the
highest praise. The seventh was Cateruzza, surnamed Brunetta, who, all
graceful and amorous as she was, with her sweet and loving words
entangled not only men in her snares, but could even have made descend
from heaven the mighty Jove himself. The eighth was Arianna, who, though
young in years, was grave and sedate in her seeming, gifted with a
fluent tongue, and encompassed with divine virtues, worthy of the
highest praise, which shone like the stars scattered about the heavens.
The ninth was Isabella, a highly-gifted damsel, and one who, on account
of her wit and skilful fence of tongue, commanded the admiration of the
whole company. The last was Fiordiana, a prudent damsel, with a mind
stored with worthy thoughts, and a hand ever prompt to virtuous deeds
beyond any other lady in all the world. These ten charming damsels gave
service to their Lady Lucretia both in a bevy and singly. The Signora,
in addition to these, chose two matrons reverend of aspect, of noble
blood, of mature age, and of sterling worth, to assist her with their
wise counsels, the one to stand at her right hand and the other at her
left. Of these one was the Signora Chiara, wife of Girolamo Guidiccione,
a gentleman of Ferrara; and the other the Signora Veronica, the widow of
Santo Orbat, of one of the oldest houses of Crema. To join this gentle
and honourable company there came many nobles and men of learning,
amongst whom were Casal Bolognese, a bishop, and likewise ambassador of
the King of England, and the learned Pietro Bembo, knight of Rhodes and
preacher to the citizens of Milan, a man of distinguished parts and
standing highest in the Signora’s favour. After these came Bernardo
Capello, counted one of the chief poets of the time, the amiable Antonio
Bembo, Benedetto Trivigiano, a man of jovial easy manners, and Antonio
Molino, surnamed Burchiella, with his pretty wit, Ferier Beltramo, a
courteous gentleman, and many others whom it would be tedious to name in
turn. It was the custom of these, or at any rate of the greater part of
them, to assemble every evening at the palace of the Signora Lucretia,
and to entertain her with graceful dances, and playful discourse, and
music and song, thus graciously beguiling the fleeting hours. Sometimes,
too, certain problems would be propounded, to which the Signora alone
could find solution; but as the days of Carnival drew nigh, days always
vowed to playfulness and riot, the Signora bade them, under pain of her
displeasure, to assemble next evening on purpose to arrange what manner
of feast they themselves should keep. At the dusk of the next evening
they all duly appeared in obedience to her behest, and, having seated
themselves according to their rank, the Signora thus addressed them:
“Honourable gentlemen and you gracious ladies, now that we are come
together according to our wont, it seems well to me that we should order
these pleasant and gentle diversions of ours so as to furnish us with
some jovial pastime for the days of Carnival which are yet to run. Each
one of you therefore will propose what may seem most acceptable, and the
form of diversion which proves to be to the taste of the greatest number
shall—if it be seemly and decorous—be adopted.”
The ladies, and the gentlemen as well, declared with one voice that
everything should be left to the Signora’s decision; and she, when she
perceived their will, turned towards the noble company and said: “Since
it pleases you that I should settle the order of our entertainment, I,
for my part, would counsel that every evening, as long as Carnival
lasts, we should begin with a dance; then that five ladies should sing
some song of their own choosing, and this finished, that these five
ladies, in order to be determined by lot, should tell some story, ending
with an enigma which we will solve, if our wit be sufficient therefor.
At the end of the story-telling we will disperse to our homes for the
night. But if these propositions of mine be not acceptable to you, I
will readily bow to any other which may please you, and now I invite you
to make your wishes known.”
The project set forth by the Signora won the favour of all; wherefore
she commanded a golden vase to be brought forthwith, and into this were
cast papers bearing the names of five of the damsels present. The first
to be drawn forth was that of the fair Lauretta, who, bashful as she
was, blushed softly as the early hues of dawn. Next came the name of
Alteria, then Cateruzza, then Eritrea, and then Arianna. The drawing
over, the Signora caused to be brought in the musical instruments, and
set on the head of Lauretta a wreath of laurel in token that she should
make beginning of their entertainment on the evening following.
It now pleased the Signora that the company should fall to dancing, and
almost before she had signified this wish to Signor Antonio Bembo, that
gallant gentleman took by the hand Fiordiana, with whom he was somewhat
enamoured, and the others of the company followed this example
straightway, and kept up the measure merrily. Loath to forego such
pleasure, they gave over reluctantly, and bandying many soft speeches,
the young men and the damsels withdrew to another apartment, in which
were laid out tables with sweetmeats and rare wines, and there they
spent a pleasant time in jesting one with another. When their merriment
was over, they took leave of the Signora, who gracefully dismissed them
all.
As soon as the company had come together the next evening in the
beautiful palace of the Signora, she signed to the fair Lauretta to
begin her singing, and Lauretta without waiting for farther command
stood up, and, after respectfully saluting the Signora, went up on a
raised platform, upon which was placed a beautiful chair covered with
draperies of rich silk. Then having called her four chosen companions,
they sang in tender angelic cadence the following song in praise of the
Signora:
SONG.
Lady, by your kindly hand,
Which ever waits on love’s behest;
By your voice of sweet command,
That bids us in your presence rest;
You hold in fee your servants’ love,
And rank with spirits blest above.
You quit the city’s din and heat,
And let us in your smile rejoice;
You call us willing to your feet,
To listen to our lady’s voice;
Then let us loudly celebrate
Your dignity and queenly state.
And though upon our charmed sight
Earth’s fairest visions soft may fall;
Your grace, your wit, your beauty bright,
Will blur them and outshine them all.
To laud another should we seek,
Our tongues your praise alone would speak.
When the five damsels gave over singing, in token that their song had
come to an end, the instruments began to sound, and the graceful
Lauretta, upon whom the lot had fallen to tell the first story of the
evening, gave the following fable without waiting for further sign from
the Signora.
[Illustration: [Fleuron]]
=Night the First.=
[Illustration: [Fleuron]]
[Illustration: [Fleuron]]
=Night the First.=