At twelve years of age, she became a great disputant, and was invited into the companies of the most learned, as well secular as ecclesiastic,--among whom were the bishop of Lausanne, an eminent scholar, her uncles the bishop of Cumense[36] and Francis Trivulce, of the order of franciscan friars, when several disputations took place,--and great praises were given to this damsel. She understood philosophy, history, and different sciences, was mistress of Seneca, Aristotle, and Pietro of Ravenna. Whatever she saw or heard at any of the places she visited, she related the whole to her father, on her return home, as exactly as if it had been written down. She was skilful in poetry, and one day composed so long a poem her master was surprised at her talent. She became soon expert in the greek tongue, and wrote many letters, in that and in other languages, that were greatly admired by all the learned to whom they had been addressed. She was most patient in adversity, making a joke of it: in short, every thing she did or said was miraculous, and unlike to a human being. When marriage was spoken of to her, she replied, that she would never marry a man whom she did not know to be as pure in virtue as herself. The Genoese, acting according to their accustomed treachery, forgetful of the crimes they had committed, and been pardoned for by the king, now rebelled against him, and chose for their doge one called Paul Noyus[37], who had been a silk dyer. The king, hearing of this, resolved to march in person against them, and reduce them to his obedience, notwithstanding the great preparations the Genoese had made for resistance. They had, among other things, erected a bulwark they thought impregnable; but some bold french adventurers having secretly mounted this bulwark, the hearts of the Genoese failed them, and they fled into the town. They now offered to surrender themselves to the king's mercy, who, from his uncommon benignity, and wish to avoid the effusion of human blood, pardoned them, and entered the town with his whole army, where he had a magnificent reception. Their lately-elected doge, Paul di Nove, was taken at sea by a french bark, when making his escape, brought back to Genoa, and beheaded. From this time forward, it was publicly proclaimed, that the populace should not shout 'Adorne Fregose[38]!' which they had been accustomed to do before this last reduction of the town. FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 36: Cumense. Q. Como?] [Footnote 37: Paul Noyus. Paul di Nove.] [Footnote 38: Fregose. Q. Fiesco?] CHAP. XXIII. OF THE LEAGUE OF CAMBRAY, FORMED BY THE CARDINAL OF AMBOISE, BETWEEN THE POPE, THE EMPEROR MAXIMILIAN, THE KING OF FRANCE, AND THE KING OF SPAIN, AGAINST THE VENETIANS.--THE KING OF FRANCE DEFEATS THE VENETIANS AT AGNADELLO.