e two rings, a sapphire and a
diamond--very beautiful--and worth three thousand ducats; the
prothonotary Cesarini gave a bowl and cup worth eight hundred
ducats; the Duke of Gandia a vessel worth seventy ducats; the
prothonotary Lunate a vase of a certain composition like jasper,
ornamented with silver, gilded, which was worth seventy to eighty
ducats. These were all the gifts presented at this time; the other
cardinals, ambassadors, etc., will bring their presents when the
marriage is celebrated, and I will do whatever is necessary. It
will, I think, be performed next Sunday, but this is not certain.

In conclusion, the women danced, and, as an interlude, a good
comedy was given, with songs and music. The Pope and all the others
were present. What shall I add? There would be no end to my letter.
Thus we passed the whole night, and whether it was good or bad your
Highness may decide.

FOOTNOTES:

[24] Boccaccio's despatches, Rome, February 25, March 11, 1493.

[25] Magni et excellentis ingenii et preclare indolis; prae se fert
speciem fillii magni Principis, et super omnia ilaris et jocundus, e
tutto festa: cum magna siquidem modestia est longe melioris et
prestantioris aspectus, quam sit dux Candie germanus suus. Anchora lue e
dotato di bone parte. Despatch of March 19, 1493.

[26] Mai fu visto il piu carnale homo; l'hama questa madona Lucrezia in
superlativo gradu. Boccaccio's Despatch, Rome, April 4, 1493. The word
_carnale_ is to be taken only in the sense of nepotism, as it is plainly
so used elsewhere by the ambassador.

CHAPTER VIII

FAMILY AFFAIRS

Lucretia's marriage with Giovanni Sforza confirmed the political
alliance which Alexander VI had made with Ludovico il Moro. The Regent
of Milan wanted to invite Charles VIII of France into Italy to make war
upon King Ferdinand of Naples, so that he himself might ultimately gain
possession of the duchy, for he was consumed with ambition and
impatience to drive his sickly nephew, Giangaleazzo, from the throne.
The latter, however, was the consort of Isabella of Aragon, a daughter
of Alfonso of Calabria and the grandson of Ferdinand himself.

The alliance of Venice, Ludovico, the Pope, and some of the other
Italian nobles had become known in Rome as early as April 25th. This
league, clearly, was opposed to Naples; and its court, therefore, was
thrown into the greatest consternatio