ABSTRACT
The Murder of Francesco Maria I, Duke of Urbino 173 sprung from you. Of course I am not a judge in such a case. I t could however, well be, that on hearing of the sad fate of the great Francesco Maria, there fell from my mouth some words against so cruel an excess; for the effect of terrible things presents itself with so horrible an aspect that in that moment the heart does not know how to preserve its customary caution. On the contrary, overwhelmed by the iniquity of the deed, the mind grows dark in the same way as when thunder shakes the soul. It is very true, also, that just as we laugh at a rumour which makes us fear, so we repent of the falsity that makes us talk scandal. As to prejudicing you, however, my tongue is innocent; nor would I injure the sincerity of your nature with so malign a presumption.
