DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.42863#0306
276 MESSER RAPHAEL’S EXCUSES
Colonnas pillaged the Borgo, he told us that he had
sent this antique medal with all his most precious
things out of Rome. This makes us feel sure that,
if he were so prompt in saving his medal on that
occasion, he must have been still more expeditious
before the invasion of the Spaniards and the sack
of Rome. If he denies this, we shall not believe
him so readily, but shall remain convinced that he
could let us have the medal if he chose. So we beg
you to ask him for this again, and assure him that
we would rather have nothing in exchange for our
statuettes than put up with poor and vulgar things.”
Again, on the 4th of September, she repeated
her conviction that M. Raphael had the medal, and
did not see how he could refuse to let her have it
if he had any shred of honesty left! But the unfor-
tunate dealer seems really to have been unable to
gratify the Marchesa’s wish, and after a protracted
correspondence, Isabella wrote curtly to Francesco
Gonzaga on the 29th, saying that she would be
content with the things which M. Raphael offered,
and desired them to be sent to Mantua by the
next courier. The ambassador was not more suc-
cessful in recovering a marble bas-relief which the
Marchesa had bought, but allowed to remain in a
dealer’s shop for greater safety, and which, after the
sack, had passed into Cardinal di Cesi’s hands. This
prelate courteously but firmly declined to give up
his possession, and after a protracted correspondence,
Isabella told her ambassador that it was clear Mon-
signore meant to keep the relief, and that as she did
not wish to go to law with him, he had better say
no more.1
1 Gaye, op. tit., p. 192-5.
Colonnas pillaged the Borgo, he told us that he had
sent this antique medal with all his most precious
things out of Rome. This makes us feel sure that,
if he were so prompt in saving his medal on that
occasion, he must have been still more expeditious
before the invasion of the Spaniards and the sack
of Rome. If he denies this, we shall not believe
him so readily, but shall remain convinced that he
could let us have the medal if he chose. So we beg
you to ask him for this again, and assure him that
we would rather have nothing in exchange for our
statuettes than put up with poor and vulgar things.”
Again, on the 4th of September, she repeated
her conviction that M. Raphael had the medal, and
did not see how he could refuse to let her have it
if he had any shred of honesty left! But the unfor-
tunate dealer seems really to have been unable to
gratify the Marchesa’s wish, and after a protracted
correspondence, Isabella wrote curtly to Francesco
Gonzaga on the 29th, saying that she would be
content with the things which M. Raphael offered,
and desired them to be sent to Mantua by the
next courier. The ambassador was not more suc-
cessful in recovering a marble bas-relief which the
Marchesa had bought, but allowed to remain in a
dealer’s shop for greater safety, and which, after the
sack, had passed into Cardinal di Cesi’s hands. This
prelate courteously but firmly declined to give up
his possession, and after a protracted correspondence,
Isabella told her ambassador that it was clear Mon-
signore meant to keep the relief, and that as she did
not wish to go to law with him, he had better say
no more.1
1 Gaye, op. tit., p. 192-5.