DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36838#0212
RETURN TO FOSSOMBRONE 155
Fortunately, Castiglione's doubts and difficulties
were quickly settled by a message from the Duke,
recalling him at once, and early in the New Year he
set out on his journey southward. On January 5,
1506, he wrote as follows to his mother:
' To-day—Monday—I have received your letter by
Carlo da Villanova, and the day after to-morrow at
latest I return across the mountains. His Excellency
my Lord Duke and my Lady Duchess have recalled
me, although my lord writes that he should not
dream of doing this because of the Marquis's objec-
tions, and would have been glad to see what might
have happened; but after hearing the warnings which
I have received, he would not allow me to run any
risks, as I am too dear in his eyes. So I will return
to yonder place, where, if other things are lacking, at
least I am sure of a welcome. I beg you to send me
those things which I need so much by Brognolino or
some other way. Jeronimo must certainly have a
mule. I will endeavour to procure him one in our
part of the world. I send you the Confessional by
Francesco, who has begged me to let him go home
on account of his mother's death, and hope you will
listen to certain things which I have desired him
to tell you, chiefly as to one M. Niccolb Frisio, who,
I hear, is at Mantua. I very much hope you will be
good to him, because he was exceedingly kind to me
during my illness in Rome. I do not expect you
to receive him with great ceremony, but only to
treat him as well as you can, for I know that he
loves me much. Madonna Barbara Torella, or Benti-
voglia [wife of Ercole Bentivoglio, and afterwards
of Ercole Strozzi], and her sister, Madonna Orsina,
commend themselves to you, and also Madonna
Simona StrozziJ I have borrowed ten ducats from
* Simona degli Uberti, wife of Tito Strozzi's son Guido, and cousin
of Luigia.
Fortunately, Castiglione's doubts and difficulties
were quickly settled by a message from the Duke,
recalling him at once, and early in the New Year he
set out on his journey southward. On January 5,
1506, he wrote as follows to his mother:
' To-day—Monday—I have received your letter by
Carlo da Villanova, and the day after to-morrow at
latest I return across the mountains. His Excellency
my Lord Duke and my Lady Duchess have recalled
me, although my lord writes that he should not
dream of doing this because of the Marquis's objec-
tions, and would have been glad to see what might
have happened; but after hearing the warnings which
I have received, he would not allow me to run any
risks, as I am too dear in his eyes. So I will return
to yonder place, where, if other things are lacking, at
least I am sure of a welcome. I beg you to send me
those things which I need so much by Brognolino or
some other way. Jeronimo must certainly have a
mule. I will endeavour to procure him one in our
part of the world. I send you the Confessional by
Francesco, who has begged me to let him go home
on account of his mother's death, and hope you will
listen to certain things which I have desired him
to tell you, chiefly as to one M. Niccolb Frisio, who,
I hear, is at Mantua. I very much hope you will be
good to him, because he was exceedingly kind to me
during my illness in Rome. I do not expect you
to receive him with great ceremony, but only to
treat him as well as you can, for I know that he
loves me much. Madonna Barbara Torella, or Benti-
voglia [wife of Ercole Bentivoglio, and afterwards
of Ercole Strozzi], and her sister, Madonna Orsina,
commend themselves to you, and also Madonna
Simona StrozziJ I have borrowed ten ducats from
* Simona degli Uberti, wife of Tito Strozzi's son Guido, and cousin
of Luigia.