re was no scenery, for the
room was too small. In the scene where Menaechmus, seized by command
of his father-in-law, who thinks he is mad, exclaims that he is
being subjected to force, he added: "This passes understanding; for
Caesar is mighty, Zeus merciful, and Hercules kind."

Before the performance of this comedy the following play was given:
first appeared a boy in woman's clothes who represented Virtue, and
another in the character of Fortune. They began to banter each
other as to which was the mightier, whereupon Fame suddenly
appeared, standing on a globe which rested on a float, upon which
were the words, "Gloria Domus Borgiae." Fame, who also called
himself Light, awarded Virtue the prize over Fortune, saying that
Caesar and Ercole by Virtue had overcome Fortune; thereupon he
described a number of the heroic deeds performed by the illustrious
Duke of Romagna. Hercules with the lion's skin and club appeared,
and Juno sent Fortune to attack him. Hercules, however, overcame
Fortune, seized her and chained her; whereupon Juno begged him to
free her, and he, gracious and generous, consented to grant Juno's
request on the condition that she would never do anything which
might injure the house of Ercole or that of Caesar Borgia. To this
she agreed, and, in addition, she promised to bless the union of
the two houses.

Then Roma entered upon another float. She complained that
Alexander, who occupied Jupiter's place, had been unjust to her in
permitting the illustrious Donna Lucretia to go away; she praised
the duchess highly, and said that she was the refuge of all Rome.
Then came a personification of Ferrara--but not on a float--and
said that Lucretia was not going to take up her abode in an
unworthy city, and that Rome would not lose her. Mercury followed,
having been sent by the gods to reconcile Rome and Ferrara, as it
was in accordance with their wish that Donna Lucretia was going to
the latter city. Then he invited Ferrara to take a seat by his side
in the place of honor on the float.

All this was accompanied by descriptions in polished hexameters,
which celebrated the alliance of Caesar and Ercole, and predicted
that together they would overthrow all the latter's enemies. If
this prophecy is realized, the marriage will result great