s hence, and consequently Fabritius has gone to
the trouble of securing an escort for me; further, my departure and
journey have been noised about; therefore, I see no way to abandon
this pilgrimage without affecting my honor and that of my
husband--since the thing has gone so far--the more so as the
journey was undertaken with the full knowledge and consent of my
lord, and all and everything carefully considered. Your Majesty
must not be distressed or annoyed by this, my journey, and in order
that you may know everything, I will tell you that I am first going
to Marino, and thence, accompanied by Madonna Agnesina, and
incognito, shall go to Rome for the purpose of receiving absolution
at this the holy jubilee of the Church. I need not see any one
there, for during my stay in Rome I shall live in the palace of the
deceased Cardinal Savelli. The house is a good one, and is exactly
what I want, and it is within reach of the Colonna. It is my
intention to return soon to Marino, there to spend the greater part
of the time. Your Majesty, therefore, need have no further anxiety
about my journey, and must not be displeased by it. Although these
reasons are sufficient to induce me not only to continue the
journey, but to begin it, if I had not already set out I would
relinquish it, not on account of any fear of anything unpleasant
that might attend my pilgrimage, but simply to comply with the wish
expressed in your Majesty's letter, as I desire to do always. But
as I am now here, and as your Excellency will soon receive this
letter, I am sure you will approve of my course. I earnestly beg
you to do so, and to assure me by letter, addressed to Rome, that
you are not displeased, so that I may receive absolution in
greater peace and tranquillity. If you do not I shall suffer great
anxiety and grief. I commend myself to your Excellency's merciful
benevolence as your Majesty's youngest sister,

ELISABETTA.

ASSISI, _March 21, 1500_.

Agnesina di Montefeltre mentioned in the letter, Guidobaldo's soulful
sister, was married to Fabritius Colonna, who subsequently became one of
Italy's greatest captains. She was then twenty-eight years of age. She
and her husband lived at the castle of Marino in the Alban mountains,
where, in 1490, she bore him Vittoria Colonna, the future ornament of
he