DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36838#0391
318 COUNT BALDASSARE CASTIGLIONE
escapade, and was Ailed with fears, which her son did
his best to dissipate.
' As for what you write about the ill-conduct of
my servants, I thank you warmly for what you say,
as I know it comes from your heart ; but I beg of
you not to distress yourself about these matters, for,
thank God, I am not in want of good servants, and
can get as many as I desire. For the rest I trust
in God, who will guide and protect me from danger,
as He has done till now, thanks to the prayers of
holy persons. I am rather puzzled to understand
why you beg me to be careful as to whom I allow
to sleep in my room, for I am not aware that I have
any secret enemy. With regard to my secretary-
ship, as I wrote before, I want a man accustomed to
a hard life and who can write well. As long as he
can do these things, you may send me anyone you
choose. With regard to a bed-hanging that is not
too large, I should be very glad to have one such
as you describe to keep out the wind. But no one
can tell what our future movements may be. How-
ever, as far as I can see, we shall be able to do little
more this winter. The bearer of this is a Spanish
oAicer, a great friend of mine, who is coming to
Mantua on business. I invited him to our house
because he is a very pleasant and gallant gentleman.
I think he will pay you a visit, and hope you will
show him civility, and as far as possible amuse him,
and if he likes a bed in our house I hope you will
give him one. I will say no more, but beg of you to
be of good cheer and trust in our Lord God, who will
help us. And for your peace of mind I will tell you
that the Lord Duke has been graciously pleased to
give me a castle in his new State of Pesaro, which,
from what I hear, is in a very fair and pleasant spot,
in a fruitful domain, looking over the sea; and
although it may not be as fertile as our Lombard
soil, yet it brings in quite 200 ducats a year, and is
escapade, and was Ailed with fears, which her son did
his best to dissipate.
' As for what you write about the ill-conduct of
my servants, I thank you warmly for what you say,
as I know it comes from your heart ; but I beg of
you not to distress yourself about these matters, for,
thank God, I am not in want of good servants, and
can get as many as I desire. For the rest I trust
in God, who will guide and protect me from danger,
as He has done till now, thanks to the prayers of
holy persons. I am rather puzzled to understand
why you beg me to be careful as to whom I allow
to sleep in my room, for I am not aware that I have
any secret enemy. With regard to my secretary-
ship, as I wrote before, I want a man accustomed to
a hard life and who can write well. As long as he
can do these things, you may send me anyone you
choose. With regard to a bed-hanging that is not
too large, I should be very glad to have one such
as you describe to keep out the wind. But no one
can tell what our future movements may be. How-
ever, as far as I can see, we shall be able to do little
more this winter. The bearer of this is a Spanish
oAicer, a great friend of mine, who is coming to
Mantua on business. I invited him to our house
because he is a very pleasant and gallant gentleman.
I think he will pay you a visit, and hope you will
show him civility, and as far as possible amuse him,
and if he likes a bed in our house I hope you will
give him one. I will say no more, but beg of you to
be of good cheer and trust in our Lord God, who will
help us. And for your peace of mind I will tell you
that the Lord Duke has been graciously pleased to
give me a castle in his new State of Pesaro, which,
from what I hear, is in a very fair and pleasant spot,
in a fruitful domain, looking over the sea; and
although it may not be as fertile as our Lombard
soil, yet it brings in quite 200 ducats a year, and is