in the papal court he so improved that gift, that his tact in business was unrivalled, to which his mild address, and happy talent of seasoning the dullest topics with graceful pleasantry, greatly contributed. [Footnote *47: For all concerning this play and its performance at Urbino in 1513, see VERNARECCI, _Di Alcune Rappresentazioni Drammatiche alla Corte d'Urbino nel 1513_ in _Archivio Storico per le Marche e per l'Umbria_, vol. III., p. 181 _et seq._ The original prologue, by Bibbiena, was only recently made known by DEL LUNGO, _La Recitazione dei Menaechmi in Firenze e il doppio prologo della Calandria_, in the _Arch. Stor. Ital._, series III., vol. XXII., pp. 346-51. Machiavelli's estimate of Bibbiena will be found in _Lettere Famil. di N. Machiavelli_, Firenze, 1883, p. 304, "Bibbiena, hora cardinale, in verità ha gentile ingegno, ed è homo faceto et discreto, et ha durato a' suoi di gran fatica."] His personal beauty obtained for him the adjunct of _bel_ Bernardo, and he is represented in the _Cortegiano_ as saying, in reference to the amount of good looks desirable for a gentleman, "Such grace and beauty of feature are, I doubt not, mine, in consequence whereof, as you know, so many women are in love with me; but I have some misgivings as to my figure, especially these legs of mine, which, to say the truth, don't seem to me quite what I should like, though I am well enough satisfied with my bust, and all the rest." This, however, having been introduced as a jest, may perhaps be understood rather as complimentary to his person, than as a sarcasm on his vanity. A contemporary and unsparing pen thus sketches his qualities, in a manuscript printed by Roscoe, from the Vatican archives:--"He was a facetious character, with no mean powers of ridicule, and much tact in promoting jocular conversation by his wit and well-timed jests. He was a great favourite with certain cardinals, whose chief pursuit was pleasure and the chase, for he thoroughly knew all their habits and fancies, and was even aware of whatever vicious propensities they had. He likewise possessed a singular pliancy for flattery, and for obsequiously accommodating himself to their whims, stooping patiently to be the butt of insulting and abusive jokes, and shrinking from nothing which could render him acceptable to them. He also had much readiness in council, and was perfectly able seasonably to qualify his wit with wisdom, or to dissemble with singular cunning." Bembo, with more partial pen, says in a letter to Federigo Fregoso, "The days seem years until I see him, and enjoy the pleasing society, the charming conversation, the wit, the jests, the features, and the affection of that man." * * * * *