Yet here, as in the 'Asolani' of Bembo, the
culture of the time shows itself in the delicacy with which this
sentiment is represented and analyzed. It is true that these writers
are not in all cases to be taken literally; but that the discourses
they give us were actually frequent in good society, cannot be doubted,
and that it was an affectation, but genuine passion, which appeared in
this dress, we shall see further on.
Among outward accomplishments, the so-called knightly exercises were
expected in thorough perfection from the courtier, and besides these
much that could only exist at courts highly organized and based on
personal emulation, such as were not to be found out of Italy. Other
points obviously rest on an abstract notion of individual perfection.
The courtier must be at home in all noble sports, among them running,
leaping, swimming and wrestling; he must, above all things, be a good
dancer and, as a matter of course, an accomplished rider. He must be
master of several languages, at all events of Latin and Italian; he
must be familiar with literature and have some knowledge of the fine
arts. In music a certain practical skill was expected of him, which he
was bound, nevertheless, to keep as secret as possible. All this is not
to be taken too seriously, except what relates to the use of arms.
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