Page:The Book of the Courtier.djvu/279

THE SECOND BOOK OF THE COURTIER superscription of which read, 'This missive is to be delivered to the author of my woes.' 'Methinks,' said Rafaello, 'this letter is intended for Paolo Tolosa."* Imagine how the bystanders laughed, when everyone knew that Paolo Tolosa had lent the Prior ten thousand ducats, and that he, being a great spend- thrift, found no means to repay them. " Akin to this is the giving of friendly admonition in the form of advice, yet covertly. As Cosimo de' Medici did to one of his friends, who was very rich but of moderate education and who had secured through Cosimo a mission away from Florence. When on setting out the man asked Cosimo what course he thought ought to be taken in order to do well in the mission, Cosimo replied: 'W^ear rose-colour ,""' and say little.' Of the same kind was what Count Ludovico said to a man who wished to travel incognito through a certain dangerous place and knew not how to disguise himself; and being asked about it, the count replied: 'Dress like a doctor or some other man of sense.' Again, Gianotto de' Pazzi"^ said to someone who wished to make a jerkin of as varied colours as he could find: 'Imitate the Cardinal of Pavia in word and deed.' 79 — "We laugh also at some things that have no connection. As when someone said the other day to messer Antonio Rizzo "^ about a certain man from Forli: 'You may know he is a fool, for his name is Bartolommeo.' And another: 'You are looking for a Master Stall, and have no horses!' And: 'All the fellow lacks is money and brains.' " And we laugh at certain other things that seem to have se- quence. As recently, when a friend of ours was suspected of having had the renunciation" of a benefice forged, upon another priest's falling sick, Antonio Torello"" said to our friend: 'Why do you delay to send for that notary of yours and see about filch- ing this other benefice?' Likewise at some things that have no sequence. As the other day, when the pope sent for messer Gianluca da Pontremolo and messer Domenico dalla Porta (who are both hunchbacks as you know), and made them auditors, saying that he wished to set the Wheel right, — messer Latino Giovenale said: 'His Holiness is in errour if he thinks to make the Wheel right with two wrongs {due torti).' 151