Book II.] RE-IMPORTED BY HENRY VIII. 73 



some hobbies, and three couples of staunch hounds." 

 Having put " the bright bay " through his paces again, 

 he presented a scimitar to the king, who was much 

 pleased with that " specimen of oriental workmanship." 



Henry was delighted with these animals, "saying 

 that he had never ridden better trained horses, and 

 that for years he had not received a more agreeable 

 present."'" These celebrated barbs were not name- 

 less, as we learn that " during four or six days the 

 king rode both Altobello and Governatore, and liked 

 them much, but preferred Governatore." f His 

 Majesty assured Ratto that in all his days he had 

 never ridden a horse that pleased him more than 

 Governatore, and directed his Italian secretary to 

 inform the marquis of his gratification with the noble 

 present, " as the horses were not only very beautiful, 

 but of surpassing excellence." 



As to what the " Italian secretary " wrote we have 

 not been able to discover, but soon after the king 

 himself sent the following interesting letter to the 

 marquis relative to those racers, which he terms, 

 " pulcherimis, parterq' genecosissimus, acprestantissimis 

 uris equis." | 



Henry, by the grace of God King of England and France, 

 and Lord of Ireland, etc., to the excellent Lord Prince, 

 Francis, Marquis of Mantua, standard-bearer of the Holy 

 Roman Empire, our very dear friend, greeting. 



We have learnt from our intimate friend, Thomas Cene, 

 with what affection, magnificence, and expression of singular 



* Ratto to the Marquis of Mantua. Lend., June 27, 15 14. 

 t Ratto to Mantua. Lond., June 30, 15 14. 



% Harl. MS., 3462, fo. 147 (123). Translated from the Latin of 

 the MS. 



