DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.42863#0071
CARDINAL BIBBIENA’S FLATTERY 49
during his stay in Rome. But the idea of union with
a man old enough to have been her father seems to
have repelled the fair Margarita herself, and Chigi
wisely refrained from pressing a suit which he saw
was distasteful, and consoled himself with a wife of
less exalted degree. Another correspondent of the
Marchesa, who had seen Federico at Bologna, sent
her glowing accounts of the boy. This was il bel
Bernardo, as Bibbiena was called by his friends.
The Marquis’s anger had lately been roused by the
discovery of some intrigues among his enemies at
Florence, in which Cardinal Medici was accused of
taking part, and that prelate charged his secretary to
assure his compare, the Marchesa, that he was as
absolutely ignorant of the matter as the Grand Turk
himself, and remained as ever entirely devoted to
herself and her family. Bibbiena took occasion of
this opportunity to tell Isabella that he had been
supping that evening with her charming son, and was
surprised to find him quick and clever, as well as
wise and serious beyond his years. “ O Madonna ! ”
he exclaims,1 “you have indeed a rare son, and I
think you will find more comfort in him than in
anything else in the world.” This accomplished
courtier, it is plain, knew the best way to Isabella’s
heart.
1 Luzio, op. cit., p. 15.
VOL. II.
D
during his stay in Rome. But the idea of union with
a man old enough to have been her father seems to
have repelled the fair Margarita herself, and Chigi
wisely refrained from pressing a suit which he saw
was distasteful, and consoled himself with a wife of
less exalted degree. Another correspondent of the
Marchesa, who had seen Federico at Bologna, sent
her glowing accounts of the boy. This was il bel
Bernardo, as Bibbiena was called by his friends.
The Marquis’s anger had lately been roused by the
discovery of some intrigues among his enemies at
Florence, in which Cardinal Medici was accused of
taking part, and that prelate charged his secretary to
assure his compare, the Marchesa, that he was as
absolutely ignorant of the matter as the Grand Turk
himself, and remained as ever entirely devoted to
herself and her family. Bibbiena took occasion of
this opportunity to tell Isabella that he had been
supping that evening with her charming son, and was
surprised to find him quick and clever, as well as
wise and serious beyond his years. “ O Madonna ! ”
he exclaims,1 “you have indeed a rare son, and I
think you will find more comfort in him than in
anything else in the world.” This accomplished
courtier, it is plain, knew the best way to Isabella’s
heart.
1 Luzio, op. cit., p. 15.
VOL. II.
D