DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.42861#0116
84 HER ADMIRATION FOR HIS POEMS
wrote to the Marchesa assuring her of his devotion
and offering to execute any commission for her
in Paris. On his return, Isabella lost no time in
reminding him of his promise, and ended her letter
with these characteristic words: 44 Since I am of
an essentially greedy and impatient nature, I hold
those things the most dear, which I can obtain the
soonest.” But the young princess had to restrain
her impatience, and it was not until the close of the
year that she received the fable of Psyche—a short
poem in ottava rima, with an elaborate dedication
which is still preserved in a few rare editions.
Meanwhile rumours of Niccolo’s new fable had
reached Mantua, and a Milanese poet wrote to tell
one of Isabella’s favourite courtiers, Jacopo d’Atri,
Count of Pianella, that he would soon see the Psyche
composed for his illustrious Madonna. 44 It is
finished,” he goes on to say, 44 and will, I feel sure,
please you, but on your honour I beg you not to say
a word to any one, as the author does not wish
the report to precede the presentation of his poem.”1
Isabella was anxious that her accomplished kinsman
should spend the next carnival at Mantua, but
he was detained at Milan, to organise the festi-
vities at the Moro’s court, and she did not see
him until she went to Pavia and Milan that
summer. Early in 1493, Niccolo sent her a copy of
the Rime composed by his friend Gasparo Visconti,
one of the sweetest singers of Beatrice’s court,
but the Marchesa received the gift coldly, remark-
ing that she should have much preferred to have
the poems before they were printed, and begging
Niccolo to send her anything new of his own, 44 for
1 Luzio, op. cit., p. 250.
wrote to the Marchesa assuring her of his devotion
and offering to execute any commission for her
in Paris. On his return, Isabella lost no time in
reminding him of his promise, and ended her letter
with these characteristic words: 44 Since I am of
an essentially greedy and impatient nature, I hold
those things the most dear, which I can obtain the
soonest.” But the young princess had to restrain
her impatience, and it was not until the close of the
year that she received the fable of Psyche—a short
poem in ottava rima, with an elaborate dedication
which is still preserved in a few rare editions.
Meanwhile rumours of Niccolo’s new fable had
reached Mantua, and a Milanese poet wrote to tell
one of Isabella’s favourite courtiers, Jacopo d’Atri,
Count of Pianella, that he would soon see the Psyche
composed for his illustrious Madonna. 44 It is
finished,” he goes on to say, 44 and will, I feel sure,
please you, but on your honour I beg you not to say
a word to any one, as the author does not wish
the report to precede the presentation of his poem.”1
Isabella was anxious that her accomplished kinsman
should spend the next carnival at Mantua, but
he was detained at Milan, to organise the festi-
vities at the Moro’s court, and she did not see
him until she went to Pavia and Milan that
summer. Early in 1493, Niccolo sent her a copy of
the Rime composed by his friend Gasparo Visconti,
one of the sweetest singers of Beatrice’s court,
but the Marchesa received the gift coldly, remark-
ing that she should have much preferred to have
the poems before they were printed, and begging
Niccolo to send her anything new of his own, 44 for
1 Luzio, op. cit., p. 250.