DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.42861#0205
NICCOLO’S MOTTO
167
After the death of the Duchess Beatrice this
brilliant cavalier left Milan to visit his old home at
Correggio, but feared to accept a pressing invitation
from Isabella to bring his daughter, Leonora, to see
her, lest he should bring the plague to Mantua. On
the Sth of June he wrote from the heart of Petrarch’s
country:—
“ To-morrow, my dear lady, I am going to dine at
Selvapiena, two miles from Rosena, where the most
celebrated Messer Francesco Petrarca composed
so many works. It is a pleasant spot, fit for such
exercises, and if you read the life which is printed
with his sonnets and triumphs, you will see it
mentioned. So I go there joyfully, in spite of the
long journey to Rosena, which is twenty-five miles
from Correggio and a very remote place. I shall
remain there some days and await the commands of
Your Excellency, whose slave I am for ever.”
In July he came to Mantua, and falling ill soon
after his departure, wrote gallantly to his lady: “ I
parted with Your Excellency and with my own
health at the same moment.” The following May
found him again at Correggio, from which place he
wrote to tell Isabella that he hoped soon to be
allowed to visit the “retreat of the Grotta,” to
which his secretary, the accomplished soldier and
poet who went by the name of “ Il prete di
Correggio,” had been lately admitted. “If I am
allowed this favour I shall count myself honoured
indeed, and if you do not let me in, I must reluctantly
confess my inferiority and seek to learn of my
more fortunate servant.” A few days afterwards,
Isabella wrote begging him to send her a suitable
motto for Cristoforo’s medal. In reply, Niccolo
167
After the death of the Duchess Beatrice this
brilliant cavalier left Milan to visit his old home at
Correggio, but feared to accept a pressing invitation
from Isabella to bring his daughter, Leonora, to see
her, lest he should bring the plague to Mantua. On
the Sth of June he wrote from the heart of Petrarch’s
country:—
“ To-morrow, my dear lady, I am going to dine at
Selvapiena, two miles from Rosena, where the most
celebrated Messer Francesco Petrarca composed
so many works. It is a pleasant spot, fit for such
exercises, and if you read the life which is printed
with his sonnets and triumphs, you will see it
mentioned. So I go there joyfully, in spite of the
long journey to Rosena, which is twenty-five miles
from Correggio and a very remote place. I shall
remain there some days and await the commands of
Your Excellency, whose slave I am for ever.”
In July he came to Mantua, and falling ill soon
after his departure, wrote gallantly to his lady: “ I
parted with Your Excellency and with my own
health at the same moment.” The following May
found him again at Correggio, from which place he
wrote to tell Isabella that he hoped soon to be
allowed to visit the “retreat of the Grotta,” to
which his secretary, the accomplished soldier and
poet who went by the name of “ Il prete di
Correggio,” had been lately admitted. “If I am
allowed this favour I shall count myself honoured
indeed, and if you do not let me in, I must reluctantly
confess my inferiority and seek to learn of my
more fortunate servant.” A few days afterwards,
Isabella wrote begging him to send her a suitable
motto for Cristoforo’s medal. In reply, Niccolo