DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36839#0128
104 COUNT BAUDASSARE CASTIGLIONE
very good. The subject was certainly original. Eight
young Sienese, accompanied by hfty of their servants
in satin liveries, bearing Haming torches in their
hands, came out of the Castello, and erected a grey
silk pavilion and stage in the courtyard, while the
Pope and Cardinals and many ladies and ambassa-
dors looked on from the castle windows. First of all
a fair maiden appeared, and in elegant verses implored
the Goddess of Love to have pity upon her and give
her a worthy lover. After she had vanished, eight
hermits in grey habits issued from the pavilion, to
the sound of drums and tambourines, and danced a
7?207*&S'c<3, leading the boy Cupid bound in chains, and
beating him as they went, saying that he alone was
the cause of all the world's misery. Then Cupid,
falling on his knees, called on his mother Venus, who
appeared at his prayer, and sent the maiden to give
the hermits drink from a charmed cup, which sent
them all to sleep. Cupid now recovered his bow and
arrows, and aimed his shafts at the sleeping friars,
who, waking from slumber, danced round the maid,
enamoured of her beauty. Suddenly, Hinging away
their friars' hoods and habits, they appeared in the
form of handsome and richly-clad youths, who, draw-
ing their swords, fought till all but one of them were
slain. Finally the victor was awarded the lady as
the prize of his valour, and Cupid and his mother
triumphed.
On Monday His Holiness was present at the mules'
race, and attended a comedy in Cardinal Cibo's rooms,
together with a brilliant company of Cardinals and
ladies, among whom were Count Annibale Rangone,
Lorenzo Cibo, and their wives, Cardinal Salviati's
sister, and many others. The scenery was very Hne,
Castiglione owns, but the play itself poor and tedious,
very good. The subject was certainly original. Eight
young Sienese, accompanied by hfty of their servants
in satin liveries, bearing Haming torches in their
hands, came out of the Castello, and erected a grey
silk pavilion and stage in the courtyard, while the
Pope and Cardinals and many ladies and ambassa-
dors looked on from the castle windows. First of all
a fair maiden appeared, and in elegant verses implored
the Goddess of Love to have pity upon her and give
her a worthy lover. After she had vanished, eight
hermits in grey habits issued from the pavilion, to
the sound of drums and tambourines, and danced a
7?207*&S'c<3, leading the boy Cupid bound in chains, and
beating him as they went, saying that he alone was
the cause of all the world's misery. Then Cupid,
falling on his knees, called on his mother Venus, who
appeared at his prayer, and sent the maiden to give
the hermits drink from a charmed cup, which sent
them all to sleep. Cupid now recovered his bow and
arrows, and aimed his shafts at the sleeping friars,
who, waking from slumber, danced round the maid,
enamoured of her beauty. Suddenly, Hinging away
their friars' hoods and habits, they appeared in the
form of handsome and richly-clad youths, who, draw-
ing their swords, fought till all but one of them were
slain. Finally the victor was awarded the lady as
the prize of his valour, and Cupid and his mother
triumphed.
On Monday His Holiness was present at the mules'
race, and attended a comedy in Cardinal Cibo's rooms,
together with a brilliant company of Cardinals and
ladies, among whom were Count Annibale Rangone,
Lorenzo Cibo, and their wives, Cardinal Salviati's
sister, and many others. The scenery was very Hne,
Castiglione owns, but the play itself poor and tedious,