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singing； and exquisite skill in playing on Instruments； for which he
was highly in favour with King Piero； who made （almost） daily use of
him； to heare him both sing and play。
Her tender and loving father conceived immediately； that shee was
desirous to heare his playing and singing； both being comfortable to a
body in a languishing。 sickenesse； whereupon； he sent presently for
the Gentleman； who came accordingly； and after he had comforted Lisana
with kind and courteous speeches； he played dexteriously on his
Lute； which purposely hee had brought with him； and likewise he sung
divers excellent Ditties； which insted of his intended consolation
to the Maid； did nothing else but encrease her fire and flame。
Afterward； she requested to have some conference with Manutio alone；
and every one being gone forth of the Chamber； she spake unto him in
this manner。
Manutio； I have made choyce of thee； to be the faithfull Guardian of
an especial secret； hoping first of al； that thou wilt never reveale
it to any living body； but onely to him whom I shall bid thee： And
next； to helpe me so much as possibly thou canst； because my onely
hope relyeth in thee。 Know then my dearest friend Manutio； that on the
solemne festivall day； when our Soveraigne Lord the King honoured
his exaltation； with the noble exercises of Tilt and Turney； his brave
behaviour kindled such a sparke in my soule； as since brake forth into
a violent flame； and brought me to this weake condition as now thou
seest。 But knowing and confessing； how farre unbeseeming my love is；
to aime so ambitiously at a King； and being unable to controule it； or
in the least manner to diminish it： I have made choyce of the onely
and best remedy of all； namely； to dye； and so I am most willing to
doe。
True it is； that I shall travaile in this my latest journey； with
endlesse torment and affliction of soule； except he have some
understanding thereof before； and not knowing by whom to give him
intelligence； in so oft and convenient order； as by thee： I doe
therefore commit this last office of a friend to thy trust； desiring
thee； not to refuse me in the performance thereof。 And when thou
hast done it； to let me understand what he saith； that I may dye the
more contentedly； and disburdened of so heavy an oppression； the onely
comfort to a parting spirit： and so she ceased； her teares flowing
forth abundantly。
Manutio did not a little wonder at the Maides great spirit； and
her desperate resolution； which moved him to exceeding
commiseration； and suddenly he conceived； that honestly he might
discharge this duty for her； whereupon； he returned her this answer。
Lisana； here I engage my faith to thee； that thou shalt find me
firme and constant； and die I will； rather then deceive thee。
Greatly I doe commend thy high attempt； in fixing thy affection on
so Potent a King； wherein I offer thee my utmost assistance： and I
make no doubt （if thou wouldest be of good comfort） to deale in such
sort； as； before three dayes are fully past； to bring such newes as
will content thee； and because I am loath to loose the least time； I
will goe about it presently。 Lisana the yong Maiden； once againe
entreated his care and diligence； promising to comfort her selfe so
well as she could； commending him to his good fortune。 When Manutio
was gone from her； hee went to a Gentleman； named Mico de Sienna；
one of the best Poets in the composing of verses； as all those parts
yeelded not the like。 At his request； Mico made for him this ensuing
Dittie。
THE SONG
SUNG IN THE HEARING OF KING PIERO； ON THE
BEHALFE OF LOVE…SICKE LISANA
Goe Love； and tell the torments I endure；
Say to my Soveraigne Lord； that I must die
Except he come； some comfort to procure；
For tell I may not； what I feele； and why。
With heaved hands Great Love； I call to thee；
Goe see my Soveraigne； where he doth abide；
And say to him； in what extremity；
Thou hast （for him） my firm affection tryed。
To die for him； it is my sole desire；
For live with him I may not； nor aspire；
To have my fortunes thereby dignified；
Onely his sight would lend me life a while：
Grant it （great love） mine anguish to beguile。
Goe love； and tell the torments； etc。
Since the first houre that love enthralled me；
I never had the heart； to tell my griefe；
My thoughts did speake； for thoughts be alwayes free；
Yet hopefull thoughts doe find but poore reliefe。
When Gnats will mount to Eagles in the ayre；
Alas！ they scorne them； for full well they know；
They were not bred to prey so base and low；
Aloft they look； to make their flight more faire。
And yet his sight would lend me life a while：
Grant it （great love） mine anguish to beguile。
Goe love； and tell the torments； etc。
If sight shall be denyed； then tell them plaine；
His high triumphall day procurd my death；
The Launce that won him Honour； hath me slaine；
For instantly it did bereave my breath。
That speake I could not； nor durst be so bold；
To make the Ayre acquainted with my woe：
Alas！ I lookt so high； and doing so；
Justly deserve by death to be controld。
Yet mercies sight would lend me life a while；
Grant it （great love） mine anguish to beguffe。
Goe love； and tell the torments I endure；
Say to my Soveraigne Lord； that I must die：
Except he come； some comfort to procure；
For tell I may not； what I feele； and why。
The lines contained in this Ditty； Manutio fitted with noates so
mooving and singularly musicall； that every word had the seisible
motion of life in it； where the King being （as yet） not risen from the
Table； he commanded him to use both his Lute and voyce。
This seemed a happy opportunity to Manutio； to sing the dittie so
purposely done and devised： which hee delivered in such excellent
manner； the voice and Instrument concording so extraordinary pleasing；
that all the persons then in the Presence； seemed rather Statues； then
living men； so strangely they were wrapt with admiration； and the King
himselfe farre beyond all the rest； transported with a rare kinde of
alteration。
When Manutio had ended the Song； the King demanded of him； whence
this Song came； because he had never heard it before？ My gracious
Lord； answered Manutio； it must needes seeme straunge to your Majesty；
because it is not fully three dayes； since it was invented； made；
and set to the note。 Then the King asked； whom it concerned？ Sir
（quoth Manutio） I dare not disclose that to any but onely your
selfe。 Which answer made the King much more desirous； and being
risen from the Table； he tooke him into his Bedchamber； where
Manutio related all at large to him； according to the trust reposed in
him。 Wherwith the King was wonderfully well pleased； greatly
commending the courage of the Maide； and said； that a Virgin of such a
valiant spirit； did well deserve to have her case commiserated： and
commanded him also； to goe （as sent from him） and comfort her； with
promise； that the very same day； in the evening； he would not faile to
come and see her。
Manutio； more then contented； to carry