In the 15th century, Matteo Maria Boiardo published his ten Latin eclogues, which wove together pastoral love poetry and courtly encomia. This book shows how Boiardo's eclogues, which seem to be purely a literary exercise, are infused with life; how his pastoral poetry masks serious political themes; and how the young Boiardo assumed risks by deploying his eclogues in a political struggle with the dukedom of Ferrara.