CHAPTER XII. LUCREZIA'S THIRD MARRIAGE 

At about the same time that Burchard was making in his Diarium those entries which reflect so grossly upon the Pope and Lucrezia, Gianluca Pozzi, the ambassador of Ferrara at the Vatican, was writing the following letter to his master, Duke Ercole, Lucrezia's father-in-law elect: 

"This evening, after supper, I accompanied Messer Gerardo Saraceni to visit the Most Illustrious Madonna Lucrezia in your Excellency's name and that of the Most Illustrious Don Alfonso. We entered into a long discussion touching various matters. In truth she showed herself a prudent, discreet, and good-natured lady."(1) 

1 See Gregorovius's Lucrezia Borgia. 

The handsome, athletic Cardinal Ippolito d'Este, with his brothers Sigismondo and Fernando, had arrived in Rome on December 23 with the imposing escort that was to accompany their brother Alfonso's bride back to Ferrara. 

Cesare was prominent in the welcome given them. Never, perhaps, had he made greater display than on the occasion of his riding out to meet the Ferrarese, accompanied by no fewer than 4,000 men-at-arms, and mounted on a great war-horse whose trappings of cloth of gold and jewels were estimated at 10,000 ducats. 

The days and nights that followed, until Lucrezia's departure a fortnight later, were days and nights of gaiety and merry-making at the Vatican; in banquets, dancing, the performance of comedies, masques, etc., was the time made to pass as agreeably as might be for the guests from Ferrara, and in all Cesare was conspicuous, either for the grace and zest with which he nightly danced, or for the skill and daring which he displayed in the daily joustings and entertainments, and more particularly in the bull-fight that was included in them. 
Who rode out to meet someone?
With how many people?
And on what?
With things worth how much?
How long was the party?
Was there dancing?
Did Cesare dance?
What ended the celebration?
Who was she to marry?
What character traits did she have?
What was her title?
Which of the brothers was getting married?
How many brothers did he have?
Where did they go?
When did they arrive?
Who wrote the letter?
What was his name?
To who did he write?
Named?
What was the future groom's title?
Cesare
his
no fewer than 4,000 men-
no fewer than 4,000 men-
a horse
a great war-horse
10,000 ducats
10,000 ducats
days and nights
days and nights 
yes
dancing
Yes
he nightly danced
Lucrezia's departure
until Lucrezia's departure
Duke Ercole's son
Duke Ercole, Lucrezia's father-in-law elect
she was a prudent, discreet, and good-natured
she showed herself a prudent, discreet, and good-natured 
the Most Illustrious Madonna
the Most Illustrious Madonna
Alfonso
Alfonso
Two
Sigismondo and Fernando
Rome
Rome
December 23
December 23
the ambassador of Ferrara
the ambassador of Ferrara
Gianluca Pozzi
Gianluca Pozzi
his master
 his master
Duke Ercole
Duke Ercole
Cardinal Ippolito d'Este
Cardinal Ippolito d'Este