DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36838#0203
CHAPTER XI
1.505-1.506
The Duke of Urbino leaves Rome and joins the Duchess at Gubbio
—Serahno's poem on the ducal court—Guidobaldo's illness—
Castiglione sent to Mantua—Detained at Ferrara by Francesco
Gonzaga's threats—He narrowly escapes imprisonment—
Returns to Fossombrone—The court moves to Urbino—
Castiglione's ' Eclogue ' performed at the carnival festivities.
Ix the middle of August the Duke of Urbino finally
left Rome and returned to his own realm. But the
severe winter had produced a terrible famine in
Urbino, and this in turn had been followed by an
outbreak of the plague. ' As many as 800 died in
the city, more from hunger than disease/ writes the
diarist; ' corn rose to five and six ducats a bushel,
and every one left Urbino, which was quite deserted
till Christmas/ In May the Duchess moved to
Gubbio, and remained there with the court through-
out the summer and autumn. This ancient city, on
the southern slopes of the Apennines, looking down
on the valley of the Tiber, had been a favourite
residence of Elisabetta from the day of her marriage.
The warm climate of this sheltered spot suited her
delicate health better than the more exposed situation
of Urbino, and it was Guidobaldo's delight to beautify
the palace which had been his birthplace. The noble
central court still retains its lofty columns and
graceful arches, and was probably the first work
146
1.505-1.506
The Duke of Urbino leaves Rome and joins the Duchess at Gubbio
—Serahno's poem on the ducal court—Guidobaldo's illness—
Castiglione sent to Mantua—Detained at Ferrara by Francesco
Gonzaga's threats—He narrowly escapes imprisonment—
Returns to Fossombrone—The court moves to Urbino—
Castiglione's ' Eclogue ' performed at the carnival festivities.
Ix the middle of August the Duke of Urbino finally
left Rome and returned to his own realm. But the
severe winter had produced a terrible famine in
Urbino, and this in turn had been followed by an
outbreak of the plague. ' As many as 800 died in
the city, more from hunger than disease/ writes the
diarist; ' corn rose to five and six ducats a bushel,
and every one left Urbino, which was quite deserted
till Christmas/ In May the Duchess moved to
Gubbio, and remained there with the court through-
out the summer and autumn. This ancient city, on
the southern slopes of the Apennines, looking down
on the valley of the Tiber, had been a favourite
residence of Elisabetta from the day of her marriage.
The warm climate of this sheltered spot suited her
delicate health better than the more exposed situation
of Urbino, and it was Guidobaldo's delight to beautify
the palace which had been his birthplace. The noble
central court still retains its lofty columns and
graceful arches, and was probably the first work
146