to very great
expense if the entire cavalcade stopped, the retinue was sometimes
divided, each part taking a different route. The Pope's brief to the
Priors of Nepi shows to what imposition the people were subjected.

DEAR SONS: Greeting and the Apostolic Blessing. As our
dearly beloved daughter in Christ, the noble lady and Duchess
Lucretia de Borgia, who is to leave here next Monday to join her
husband Alfonso, the beloved son and first born of the Duke of
Ferrara, with a large escort of nobles, two hundred horsemen will
pass through your district; therefore we wish and command you, if
you value our favor and desire to avoid our displeasure, to provide
for the company mentioned above for a day and two nights, the time
they will spend with you. By so doing you will receive from us all
due approbation. Given in Rome, under the Apostolic seal, December
28, 1501, in the tenth year of our Pontificate.[144]

Numerous other places had similar experiences. In every city in which
the cavalcade stopped, and in some of those where they merely rested for
a short time, Lucretia, in accordance with the Pope's commands, was
honored with triumphal arches, illuminations, and processions--all the
expense of which was borne by the commune.

January 6th Lucretia, leaving her child Rodrigo, her brother Caesar, and
her parents, departed from Rome. Probably only two persons were present
when she took leave of Vannozza. None of those who describe the
festivities in the Vatican mention this woman by name.

The Chamber of the Parrots was the scene of her leave-taking with her
father. She remained with the Pope some time, departing on Caesar's
entrance. As she was leaving, Alexander called after her in a loud
voice, telling her to be of good cheer, and to write him whenever she
wanted anything, adding that he would do more for her now that she had
gone from him than he had ever done for her while she was in Rome. Then
he went from place to place and watched her until she and her retinue
were lost to sight.[145]

Lucretia set forth from Rome at three o'clock in the afternoon. All the
cardinals, ambassadors, and magistrates of the city accompanied her as
far as the Porta del Popolo. She was mounted on a white jennet
caparisoned with gold, and she wore a riding habit of red silk and
ermine, and a hat trimmed with feathers. She was surrounded by more than
a thousand persons. By her side w