DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36838#0377
CHAPTER XX
1511-1512
Marriage proposals renewed by Count Martinengo, and suddenly
broken oil—-The Pope suspects Castiglione of intrigues with the
French—The Duke of Urbino refuses to serve under another
general—Incurs the Pope's displeasure anew—His offer of
service accepted after the defeat of Ravenna—Campaign
against Ferrara—Death of Cesare Gonzaga.
AFTER all the dangers and anxieties of the past
year, Madonna Luigia was naturally anxious to see
her son. She had also many things to discuss with
him—above all, the eternal marriage question, which
as yet remained unsettled. The pertinacity with
which she met all rebuffs, and continued her exertions
to find Baldassare a suitable and well-dowered bride,
was altogether admirable; but it is hardly surprising
if the knight himself began to grow tired of her
importunities. Even when he was engaged in active
warfare she sent him fresh proposals. From the
camp at Finale he wrote on April 27:
' As for Madonna Bionda's offer, I leave it to you ;
but I fear the lady's father is not of gentle birth,
a thing which I count of great importance ; and I
do not see that the other conditions are sufficiently
good to counterbalance this drawback, or that, for
instance, we can expect a large dowry, high position,
or any other advantages.
i Serassi, i. 58.
304-
1511-1512
Marriage proposals renewed by Count Martinengo, and suddenly
broken oil—-The Pope suspects Castiglione of intrigues with the
French—The Duke of Urbino refuses to serve under another
general—Incurs the Pope's displeasure anew—His offer of
service accepted after the defeat of Ravenna—Campaign
against Ferrara—Death of Cesare Gonzaga.
AFTER all the dangers and anxieties of the past
year, Madonna Luigia was naturally anxious to see
her son. She had also many things to discuss with
him—above all, the eternal marriage question, which
as yet remained unsettled. The pertinacity with
which she met all rebuffs, and continued her exertions
to find Baldassare a suitable and well-dowered bride,
was altogether admirable; but it is hardly surprising
if the knight himself began to grow tired of her
importunities. Even when he was engaged in active
warfare she sent him fresh proposals. From the
camp at Finale he wrote on April 27:
' As for Madonna Bionda's offer, I leave it to you ;
but I fear the lady's father is not of gentle birth,
a thing which I count of great importance ; and I
do not see that the other conditions are sufficiently
good to counterbalance this drawback, or that, for
instance, we can expect a large dowry, high position,
or any other advantages.
i Serassi, i. 58.
304-