CHAPTER IX
The messenger had not tarried above three days, when as Wagner had trussed up his baggage, and was now ready to depart, when on the third day at night he caused his boy Artur Harmarvan (who was the son of a wealthy boor, witty above many, and praised for his notable waggery: his father dwelt at Malmesburg a town hard by Wittenberg in Saxony in high Dutchland, with whom Wagner being acquainted had obtained him of his father to serve him, and he to be taught of Wagner), him he caused to go to divers scholars of his acquaintance, to sup with him at his departure, who being invited to this hated farewell, came speedily, where they had a banquet and other courtesies which in such a time both custom and laws of their fellowship do prescribe: In the supper time the scholars moved many questions, and amongst the rest, one desired the Pursuivant to describe unto them his Lord and master, for they heard say that the Duke Alphonsus was a marvellous qualified Gentleman: The Pursuivant not willing to refuse their request told them that seeing their demand proceeded of a common good zeal, he could not but wrongfully refuse to satisfy: notwithstanding the truth might be better known of another than of him, when duty bids to be partial, if any defect might breed partiality, but so much as I will tell you, the enemy will not disdain to affirm: And there he told them the very stature, proportion, and particular lineaments, concluding that he shewed the uprightness of his mind by the proportion of his body, and keeping in his outward shape, the virtue which philosophers would have kept in the mind. There he told them the feature of his countenance, the colour of his hair, eyes, face, cheeks, etc. He told them his stature, favour, and strength, which was such, that with pure cleanness of his force, he hath foiled a gentleman in wrestling, who beside whiteness of body, was very firm without affection, not as some do which in performing anything will with such a ridiculous sourness act it, as if the force of the body must be personated upon the Theatre of his face: He declared unto them that the gifts of his mind were such as then he could not for the number reckon up, but even as occasion should serve might meet with them, being all such as were more ready to be admired than imitated, as if all virtues were gathered in him together, magnanimity, magnificence, affability, modesty, etc., briefly (he said) there were in him all those Graces, which adorn the subject with the title of Virtuous. He likewise recounted unto them his studies, unto which he accommodated himself at vacant hours, were partly the Poetry. A Poem of his he said he had by chance gotten (and by greater chance had it there at that instant) which he had made in praise of his excellent Lady when he was but of young years, his Father living, I dare say he would not for ten thousand florins have it seen, being such a one as on a dreaming passion he had let fall from his pen, and of many the most abject, but such as this is deserves commendations, because a Prince made it, but if you saw his real devices, you would then say they were Prince-like. And then he read it, which I was loath, my good friends, either to translate or translated to present it here, for that it was not worthy your censure, considering the nice buildings of Sonnets nowadays, but according to Ariosto’s vein you shall find it very conformable, as also for that I knew that if I should have left it out, it would have been more wished for than now admired. Yet for that I prefer your well-known good wills afore any vain fear, take this with the rest, if they be any with such favour, as if I were by you at the reading.
A mio solemente amandona
Madonna: Donna non parelia.
L’Angelico sembiante e quel bel volte,
Fal’odio, el’ira va in oblivione,
Ch’a l’ etc.
Thus have I harshly Englished them verbally.
Angellike semblaunce beauties ornament,