DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36838#0145
90 COUNT BALDAS8ARE CASTIGLIONE
of wisdom and prudence. To these virtues she joined
a certain modesty and sweetness that were apparent
in all her words and movements, and made her
the unconscious arbiter of the deeds and wishes of
others. Thus Castiglione, in his pastoral play of
' Tirsi,' sings:
Una fra tutte lor v' e dolce e pia
Ch' accanto della Dea sempre si vede
Questa non porta mai seco arme in caccia,
Sol col dolce parlar le Here allaccia.
But what above all made her worthy of the greatest
honour and reverence was her great and singular
chastity. For, although she was young and beautiful
and lived at the gayest of Courts, among constant
dancing and festivity, and was admired and courted
by many gallant knights, not only did she remain
chaste and modest in word and deed, but knew how
to instil the same pure sentiments and modesty into
other ladies. For these virtues, as well as others,
Madonna Emilia was especially worthy to he the
sister, counsellor, and inseparable companion of
Duchess ElisabettaU
This invincible virtue, as Serassi goes on to say, was
not altogether approved of by the gay cavaliers at
court, some of whom complained of the fair lady's
tyranny, and wrote sonnets and epigrams 'Alla Signora
Emilia impia.' Even the Goddess of Uove, Bemho
tells us, and her son Cupid, had cause to lament the
cruelty of the Eady Emilia, and sent messengers to the
court of Urbino to ask why the winged darts of Love
were shot in vain along the banks of the Metauro, and
fair maidens there laughed at the fiery rays of the
Evening Star. The medal struck at Urbino in
honour of Emilia, bears witness to the inviolable
i Serassi, ii. 270.
of wisdom and prudence. To these virtues she joined
a certain modesty and sweetness that were apparent
in all her words and movements, and made her
the unconscious arbiter of the deeds and wishes of
others. Thus Castiglione, in his pastoral play of
' Tirsi,' sings:
Una fra tutte lor v' e dolce e pia
Ch' accanto della Dea sempre si vede
Questa non porta mai seco arme in caccia,
Sol col dolce parlar le Here allaccia.
But what above all made her worthy of the greatest
honour and reverence was her great and singular
chastity. For, although she was young and beautiful
and lived at the gayest of Courts, among constant
dancing and festivity, and was admired and courted
by many gallant knights, not only did she remain
chaste and modest in word and deed, but knew how
to instil the same pure sentiments and modesty into
other ladies. For these virtues, as well as others,
Madonna Emilia was especially worthy to he the
sister, counsellor, and inseparable companion of
Duchess ElisabettaU
This invincible virtue, as Serassi goes on to say, was
not altogether approved of by the gay cavaliers at
court, some of whom complained of the fair lady's
tyranny, and wrote sonnets and epigrams 'Alla Signora
Emilia impia.' Even the Goddess of Uove, Bemho
tells us, and her son Cupid, had cause to lament the
cruelty of the Eady Emilia, and sent messengers to the
court of Urbino to ask why the winged darts of Love
were shot in vain along the banks of the Metauro, and
fair maidens there laughed at the fiery rays of the
Evening Star. The medal struck at Urbino in
honour of Emilia, bears witness to the inviolable
i Serassi, ii. 270.