The Book of the Courtier

The First Book of the Courtier

The same was it among the ladies…

My lady Duchess laughed, and the Unico…

'I wish, then, that this Courtier of ours…'

Then my lord Gaspare replied: 'As for me…'

Then Messer Cesare Gonzaga said…'

Then my lord Magnifico said: 'This is true…'

The Magnifico said: 'I cannot and in reason…'

'We, on the contrary, much more strict…'

Then the Count said: 'I fear we shall be entering…'

'Thus you know Alexander held Homer…'

Then my lord Gaspare said: 'I admit that music…'

Therefore painting seems to me nobler…

The Second Book of the Courtier

Therefore let it be allowed us also to follow…

'And I remember having in my time known…'

Messer Federico replied: 'I regard as beautiful…'

Without waiting for more, Pietro da Napoli…

Then Messer Federico replied: 'I will by no…'

'But I do not wish to touch on painful subjects.'

'What,' replied my lord Gaspare, 'do you say…'

'Sometimes, thinking it to be droll and witty…'

'Hence in our mode of life and conversation…'

'Moreover we must diligently consider…'

Messer Bernardo said: 'They must rather have…'

'But among other witticisms those have…'

'You see that this situation gave opportunity…'

'Don Giovanni di Cardona said something…'

'Another time Rafaello de Pazzi saw a letter…'

Then my lady Duchess said: 'And why do you…'

And so, after they had again laughed awhile…

Then Messer Bernardo said, laughing…

The Third Book of the Courtier

'Laying aside, then, those faculties of the mind…'

Then my lord Gaspare said: 'I do not wish…'

'I do not see, my lord Magnifico,'…

The Magnifico Giuliano laughed, and said…'

My lord Gaspare said: 'It may be that this lady…'

'But laying all others aside, tell me, my lord…'

Then Messer Cesare, who had been silent…

'Forgive me, my lord Gaspare, if I say the truth…'

Messer Cesare having ceased speaking…

Then my lord Gaspare said, laughing…

'My Lady,' replied the Unico…

The Magnifico replied: 'Love affairs that have…'

Then my lord Gaspare said: 'Another cause…'

If, then, these men had lived…

'From this it follows that…'

Then my lord Ottaviano said, smiling…'

My lord Ottaviano replied: 'You have judged…'

My lord Ottaviano replied: 'With that gentle…'

Then my lord Gaspare said: 'I should much like…'

'I should say then, that the prince ought to…'

My lord Ottaviano added: 'I think, then…'

My lord Ottaviano laughed, and said: 'My lord…'

Then my lady Duchess said: 'I am glad, Messer…'

Here Bembo paused a little, as if to rest…

Messer Pietro Bembo was silent…

'Therefore the lover who considers beauty…'

'What mortal tongue, then, O most holy Love…'