DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.42861#0239
ISABELLA AT FERRARA
199
see the entry from the Custom-house, but as soon as
the procession has passed by, I shall return to the
Palace. After making these arrangements, my
father took me to see the hall where the comedies
are to be acted, which is 146 feet long by 46 wide.
Steps have been made from the Piazza with a parti-
tion to divide the men from the women, who will be
in the centre, with the men on either side; the ceiling
and steps are hung with green, red, and white
draperies. On the opposite side of the hall is a
wooden stage about the height of a man, with battle-
ments, and the scenery for the comedies, which are
to be six in number. About 5000 persons are
expected, but the seats will be reserved for strangers,
and any that remain will be given to Ferrarese gentle-
men. Five shields with coats of arms hang from the
roof—those of the Church, of France, Este, and Borgia,
and the black and white eagle which was our old coat
of arms. I saw nothing else worthy of note. The
wooden beams of the roof are left bare, but perhaps
these are to be draped later. I will tell you what
more is to be seen on the day itself. All these
gentlemen are busy preparing sumptuous dresses and
gold chains, but the attire of the women will be
splendid beyond words! I have not left the house
these two days, owing to the number of visitors
which I have had. To-night we go to the house of
M. Ercole Strozzi. I am sending 500 oysters by the
sailors who take back the barge, and I hope Your
Excellency will enjoy them for love of me. Kiss my
darling boy a thousand times over!—Your wife,
Isabella.”1 Ferrara, Jan. 29, 1502.
1 This and the following letters from Ferrara were published
by D Arco in Arch. St. It., App. ii. See also F. Gregorovius,
“ Lucrezia Borgia.”
199
see the entry from the Custom-house, but as soon as
the procession has passed by, I shall return to the
Palace. After making these arrangements, my
father took me to see the hall where the comedies
are to be acted, which is 146 feet long by 46 wide.
Steps have been made from the Piazza with a parti-
tion to divide the men from the women, who will be
in the centre, with the men on either side; the ceiling
and steps are hung with green, red, and white
draperies. On the opposite side of the hall is a
wooden stage about the height of a man, with battle-
ments, and the scenery for the comedies, which are
to be six in number. About 5000 persons are
expected, but the seats will be reserved for strangers,
and any that remain will be given to Ferrarese gentle-
men. Five shields with coats of arms hang from the
roof—those of the Church, of France, Este, and Borgia,
and the black and white eagle which was our old coat
of arms. I saw nothing else worthy of note. The
wooden beams of the roof are left bare, but perhaps
these are to be draped later. I will tell you what
more is to be seen on the day itself. All these
gentlemen are busy preparing sumptuous dresses and
gold chains, but the attire of the women will be
splendid beyond words! I have not left the house
these two days, owing to the number of visitors
which I have had. To-night we go to the house of
M. Ercole Strozzi. I am sending 500 oysters by the
sailors who take back the barge, and I hope Your
Excellency will enjoy them for love of me. Kiss my
darling boy a thousand times over!—Your wife,
Isabella.”1 Ferrara, Jan. 29, 1502.
1 This and the following letters from Ferrara were published
by D Arco in Arch. St. It., App. ii. See also F. Gregorovius,
“ Lucrezia Borgia.”