1474. (September 8th.) Ludovico Ariosto, his Birth 196 His Lineage 196 His early Studies 197 Latin the universal Language of Writers 198 The Transmutation and Transfusion of the dead Languages into modern Tongues 199 Death of Ariosto's Father 199 His pecuniary Difficulties in consequence 199 His filial and paternal Affection 200 His Brothers Gabriele and Galasso 200 His Sisters 200 A Quotation from his second Satire, alluding to his Mother 201 His Bagatelles 202 He composes his "Orlando Furioso" 203 His Answer to Cardinal Bembo, who advises him to write it in Latin 204 The Duke of Ferrara threatened with the Thunders of the Vatican 204 Ariosto sent as Ambassador to Rome on this Occasion 205 Julius II. enters into a League with the Venetians 205 The Papal Forces defeated at Ravenna 205 The Capture and Dispersion of the Republican Squadron on the River Po 205 Ariosto, his gallant Conduct on this Occasion 205 His second Embassy to Rome 206 His uncourteous Reception by the Pontiff 206 Emperor Alfonso, his fruitless Negotiations with the implacable Julius 207 And the perfidious Treatment he receives 207 The singular Manner in which he retaliates 207 1515. The first Edition of the "Orlando Furioso" 208 Succeeding Reprints and Variations of it 208 1532. The last Edition 208 Ariosto refuses to accompany Cardinal Hippolito to his Bishopric 208 Their consequent Estrangement 209 A Story of Hippolito, his natural Brother, and a Lady to whom they both paid their Addresses; the infamous and unnatural Conduct of the Cardinal 209 Independence of Ariosto 210 Ease, Freedom, and Independence necessary to the Life of a Poet 210