DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36838#0211
154 COUNT BAUDASSARE CASTIGLIONE
thought of the grave and serious danger of the
obstacle that blocks my way, although you do not
clearly state what it is. All the same, I would not
turn back, but have sent an urgent dispatch to the
Lord Duke, begging him to let me know his pleasure,
and have made up my mind to await his answer,
and come to Mantua without fear of danger or
respect of persons, if this seems best to him. The
messenger cannot return for hve or six days, so I
am waiting here. My presence is hidden from most
people, and only known to a few, chief among whom
is my Lord Cardinal.^
' Just now I met some one who told me he had
travelled from Mantua with a messenger who was
sent by the Lord Marquis to arrest me in his
name ; but Messer Cesare Gonzaga, the brother
of M. Giulio, told him that I had already left
Ferrara for Mantua, and repeated this so decidedly
that the rider turned back on his authority. So
1 settled to ask you to consult M. Gio. Pietro
on this subject; for if the danger is not very clear
and manifest, I will gladly come, and should like the
Marquis to know that 1 am here. If I do not
come, I know my Lord Duke will feel great in-
dignation, and I should be very sorry if he should
be annoyed, most of all on my account. For my
own part, I would not hesitate to come, even with-
out receiving the Duke s answer, because I know his
mind, although I have had as yet no letters or orders
from him. So that I trust you will take prompt
action, for the thing is very serious, and may be
attended with evil results—all the more that I really
could not say why I am turning back, and every one
here knows that 1 was coming as an ambassador. I
beg you to send a messenger as soon as possible,
and commend myself to you.
'FERRARA, 5 p.m., jDecew&er 24, 1505/2
i Ercole d' Este.
2 Serassi, i. 27.
thought of the grave and serious danger of the
obstacle that blocks my way, although you do not
clearly state what it is. All the same, I would not
turn back, but have sent an urgent dispatch to the
Lord Duke, begging him to let me know his pleasure,
and have made up my mind to await his answer,
and come to Mantua without fear of danger or
respect of persons, if this seems best to him. The
messenger cannot return for hve or six days, so I
am waiting here. My presence is hidden from most
people, and only known to a few, chief among whom
is my Lord Cardinal.^
' Just now I met some one who told me he had
travelled from Mantua with a messenger who was
sent by the Lord Marquis to arrest me in his
name ; but Messer Cesare Gonzaga, the brother
of M. Giulio, told him that I had already left
Ferrara for Mantua, and repeated this so decidedly
that the rider turned back on his authority. So
1 settled to ask you to consult M. Gio. Pietro
on this subject; for if the danger is not very clear
and manifest, I will gladly come, and should like the
Marquis to know that 1 am here. If I do not
come, I know my Lord Duke will feel great in-
dignation, and I should be very sorry if he should
be annoyed, most of all on my account. For my
own part, I would not hesitate to come, even with-
out receiving the Duke s answer, because I know his
mind, although I have had as yet no letters or orders
from him. So that I trust you will take prompt
action, for the thing is very serious, and may be
attended with evil results—all the more that I really
could not say why I am turning back, and every one
here knows that 1 was coming as an ambassador. I
beg you to send a messenger as soon as possible,
and commend myself to you.
'FERRARA, 5 p.m., jDecew&er 24, 1505/2
i Ercole d' Este.
2 Serassi, i. 27.