Chapter V: M. filius Petru de Medicis.242 (3)

And thus, till about two miles from Colle di Val d’Elsa, we continued singing, joking, and talking. Then we became almost dumb, for nearly all our words migrated into a brother of Antonio del Pela who came to meet us, and conducted us into the tumbledown and ruined village of Colle to the house of the said Antonio. He came forward with such a river and flood of words that he drowned his brother, and us, and all who were near, and showed that he was truly the elder and the better brother. On entering the hall we found about thirty-five members of his family--girls, women, and children. My bore immediately began: “Madonna Clarice, this is my daughter, come forward, kiss the lady’s hand; and this is my granddaughter, come forward, touch her gown. And this one, and this one. And these little ones are all my grandchildren; hold yourselves up, think of your manners; this one is to be a priest, this one a nun, to this one Madonna Lucrezia stood godmother, this one I have just given in marriage, this one makes Venetian fringe, that one lace.” Plague take him. If I had not pulled him away he would have cast a spell on us all. But by asserting how tired Madonna Clarice and we all were I managed to damp his ardour. We arrived about twenty-two or twenty-three of the clock, and after resting we went to see paper made,[318] and returned to fetch Madonna Clarice, who thought it a pretty thing, and was much interested in the machines, the water, the air, &c. Then we went back and supped about one of the clock: a few wafers, cakes, and trebbiano,[319] salad and pickles, boiled fowl, and kid: and then young pigeons roasted, and I know not what preparation of fowl, marzipan, sweets, and comfits, &c.

Before supper the Commune of Colle made an offering to Madonna of corn, marzipan, wine, sweetmeats, &c., presented by eloquent orators, three out of the number. The substance was that as Lorenzo, whom they had expected, had not come, they presented all to her as being a second Lorenzo, with many excuses for the smallness of the gift owing to their poverty, and begged her to commend them and the town to Lorenzo. Madonna, by God, replied well and briefly, saying that they were not friends as they declared, for had they been they would have known that Lorenzo and herself would protect them without expecting gifts, which were rather things pertaining to strangers than to good friends. “On the one hand, you complain and ask me to represent to Lorenzo the poverty and the needs of yourselves and of your town, and then you spend money in these things. I take the will for the deed and give all back to you; for if I kept them I should only give them to the town for the love of God, so I bestow them on you who are poorer than I.” There was a great ado because they steadfastly refused to take the things away, alleging that there were plots against them, &c. Ser Giovanni Antonio and I sent them back by some of our people, keeping four flasks of wine and some marzipan to content them, and to show we wished them well.

We slept right well, and though Pela broke our heads with his idle chatter, I must say he received us with great courtesy and affection: and, after all, a good heart is to be admired more than other things.

In the evening after supper there appeared a certain Messer Ricco, an envoy from Siena, who remained with Madonna Clarice and Messer Giovanni Antonio for half-an-hour, talking about the rising at Siena. He said that Lorenzo had written that he was leaving Bagno with his wife, but did not say where he was going, so he thought to find him here. I know Ser Giovanni Antonio was satisfied with the report given by the envoy so I say no more.

Before leaving in the morning Messer Giovanni Antonio and I paid a visit to the Podestà. Then with a guide we came to Tavernelle and then to Pasignano, where Donnino had preceded us; we reached there about fifteen of the clock. After resting awhile we dined: liver and lights, boiled kid, broad beans, curds and good wine, and then we visited the whole house, the church, and the relics. Madonna Clarice was more pleased than I can say with the house and with her room. There we stayed all day seeing different things. Our supper was salad, an excellent herb pie, fried curds, broad beans and cheese, &c.

In the morning, that is yesterday morning, we left directly after mass, coming by the S. Casciano road. Just under Fabrica a man galloped up, saying: “Your Piero sends me to find out by which road you are coming, for yester evening he came out several miles to meet you, and has now gone with Messer Giovanni and all the others towards S. Maria Impruneta.” We replied that we were bound to S. Casciano. He flew off to bear the message, and at last on this side of S. Casciano, as we were crossing the river, we met Jacopo Salviati and his friend Tommasino de’ Corbinelli, who greeted us with great joy, and rode back with us. Then near the Certosa we met paradise full of festive and joyous angels, that is to say, Messer Giovanni and Piero, and Giuliano and Giulio on pillions, with all their attendants. As soon as they saw their mother they threw themselves from their horses, some without help, others aided by their people, and they ran forward and were lifted into the arms of Madonna Clarice, with such joy and kisses and delight that a hundred letters could not describe it. Even I could not restrain myself but got off my horse, and ere they remounted I embraced them all twice; once for myself and once for Lorenzo. Darling little Giuliano said, with a long O, O, O, “Where is Lorenzo?” We said, “He has gone to Poggio to find you.” Then he: “O no, never,” almost in tears. You never beheld so touching a sight. He and Piero, who has become a beautiful lad, the prettiest thing, by God, you ever saw, somewhat grown, with the profile of an angel, and rather long hair which stands out a little and is charming to see. Giuliano, red and fresh as a rose, smooth, clear, and bright as a mirror, joyous and with those contemplative eyes. Messer Giovanni also looks well, not much colour, but healthy and natural; and Giulio has a brown and healthy complexion.[320] All, in short, were happiness itself. And thus with great joy and delight we went a happy party by Via Maggio, Ponte a S. Trinità, S. Michele Berteldi, S. Maria Maggiore, Canto alla Paglia, Via de’ Martelli, and entered the house, _per infinita asecula aseculorum eselibera nos a malo amen_. I then rode to my own house, and I have not seen them since as I found many things to do. Nothing more.

Luigi left Florence this morning and went to Calcione or Balcione or whatever his place is called, and his wife is in Florence. Tell Francesco di Maestro Antonio,[321] my beloved and beautiful, that he had his letter, was much pleased by it, and says he will reply by word of mouth, as there was nought in it of moment he did not answer, but begs him to forgive him, he will do it better in person. Take note of this.

To my Andrea de’ Medici commend me with all thy might and tell him not to forget my sea-shells. And come back soon for the people can no longer retain their impatience. In haste.--May 12, 1485.

Franco.

I gave thy garter to the man thou toldest me. I quite understand that he has not pleased the person who you said praised him: so that what with this and our conversation in the fields I think it would be an excellent thing to do as we decided. By word of mouth we will settle all. _Vale iterum._

Say to Francesco that I went to his house and told his old woman that he was well and would be at Poggio on Monday, at which she rejoiced. I also went to the house of my Andrea de’ Medici: his womankind were at vespers, but I saw the baby girl who was being fed; the sweetest little fish in the world, she looks like a rose: and I left word that he was well and would return on Monday. Commend me to him.

_Two of Piero’s Sayings_

Returning from the festival at the Carmine together we passed my house, so he came in and had some breakfast, and when we left as he was putting on his _catelano_ [overcoat] I said: “Piero, will you not drink a little more?” When his coat was well on he said: “Yes, just a little so as not to smell of Catelano,”[322] which made us all laugh. The other: Passing near S. Maria Novella the house of that Ser Francesco who kept a school for boys, and seeing that now a carpenter was standing at the door which was open so that we could see wood piled up inside, I said: “Oh dear, Ser Francesco who kept the school must be dead,” and the carpenter answered that he was. I exclaimed: “The devil! I am grieved for him!” Piero said: “Why ‘the devil’? did you wish him to live more years than a life? He must have been eighty.” We laughed all the way to Piazza Madonna. I thought he had heard this and only repeated it, but looking at him I saw by his laughing face that he had said it of himself and on purpose.

Lorenzo declares (and it makes me laugh) that he will not have Piero bothered, &c.; the poor lad cannot go outside the door without all Florence running after him; it is the same at home, they all try to make him shine, though with decorum, on which he insists. But they don’t care. It is of no use; they are all enthusiastic and cannot hold their tongues. When Lorenzo goes out he will have to lock the boy in a cupboard if he does not want to hear questions put to him to answer. I cannot tell you what charm there is about him, so that all who talk for a while with him are captivated.[323]

Lorenzo de’ Medici _to the_ Duke Ercole d’Este

_Illme. Domine mi_,--Your Excellency has in your library a book by an historian named Dione, _de Romanis historiis_, which I have an extreme desire to see, both on account of the consolation I derive from history and also because my son Piero, who has some knowledge of Greek literature, has begged me to get this book for him to read, which I understand is very rare in Italy.[324] Your Excellency can understand how grateful I shall be for the loan of it for a few days, and therefore I beg you to grant my request and with all eagerness I expect the book. I commend myself to Your Excellency.--Florence, February 5, 1485 (1486). Your Excellency’s servant,

Laurentius de Medicis.[325]

Lorenzo not only borrowed but lent books in liberal fashion. Poliziano was his librarian with a certain Meo _cartolaio_ as his assistant, who bound the manuscripts. Poliziano himself, Pico della Mirandola, Messer Demetrio the Greek (Chalcondylas), John Lascaris, and Bernardo Michelozzi, afterwards Bishop of Forlì, were among the most frequent borrowers, and every book taken out of the library, even by Lorenzo or his sons, was noted down in his _Epistolario_. Not only books, but arms, silver dishes, bowls, goblets, salt-cellars, spoons, and forks, were lent to various Podestà and to friends, even the Signoria of Florence occasionally borrowed from him. The silver Lorenzo took with him on hunting excursions or to the various baths he visited was carefully recorded.

Messer Guidone Aldrovandini, _Ambassador to the Republic of Florence from Ferrara, to_ Duke Ercole d’Este

Yesterday evening at one of the night the Magnificent Lorenzo returned and to-day I went to see him. His Magnificence said that during these few days of absence he found that Milan had made observations about the Signoria having despatched Ugolino Baccio, a private gentleman of no official standing, to the Illustrious Duke of Calabria without notifying the fact to the government of Milan; and that it seemed to him that Milan and the Lord Lodovico did not remember that this city called herself the city of liberty, and that she would be indeed in evil plight if she could not send a man wherever she chose without the permission of Milan, particularly when despatched to the Duke of Calabria. Also that this city made no remark when the Lord Lodovico made a treaty with Venice without informing this Signoria ... all these things showed a rancorous and evil disposition.... That if Milan ever needed help from here ... and in desperate need turned to this people ... it would be impossible to persuade them to listen to her request. He said that Villa was of no value to Milan, while to this Signoria the place was of great importance, for if they lose hold of that district and were at war with Genoa, instead of spending ten they would have to spend sixty and even more.... He could not understand whence arose the hatred shown by Milan to this Signoria and the explosion of rage at the acquisition of a place of no importance. This Signoria did not act thus towards Milan, nor towards the Marquis of Mantua, nor towards Your Lordship; they have always aided, and spent much treasure in trying to help all these princes to enrich themselves at the expense of Venice. If this did not succeed it was not the fault of this Signoria, who did all they could to aid in the matter. It therefore seems strange to them that there should be such grumbling about Villa. I then touched upon what Your Excellency wrote to me. That it was not thought that Milan would again demand the restitution of Villa but would wait until this Signoria decided upon attacking Sarzana, when Villa would naturally fall to them.... His Magnificence replied: “I will tell you all openly, only beg Your Lord to keep it secret. This you must know has been thought of, but this city is not inclined to undertake the enterprise of Sarzana during the next few years, but to temporise until our affairs are more prosperous, for we are quite aware that the Lord Lodovico has made an alliance with Genoa, and that we could not count on help from him. The Lord Lodovico shows that he does not understand the spirit that rules this city, which is this: When we have embarked on an enterprise we continue with ardour, when we are at peace it needs a great effort to make us undertake one. Now that the Signoria has sheathed the sword it will not unsheath it, save for very grave reasons. We know that 60,000 ducats would not suffice for an attempt on Sarzana.”... November 4, 1486.[326]

Duke Ercole d’Este _to_ Messer Aldrovandini, _Ambassador of Ferraro to the Republic of Florence_

Messer Aldrovandini,--As soon as you receive this our letter contrive to see the Magnificent Lorenzo _solus cum solo_, and inform him most secretly that we are advised by our ambassador at Venice that a Genoese envoy has arrived there in disguise, with secret instructions from his prince, and his ambassador has asked that Illustrious Signoria to enter into a treaty, and to give counsel and aid against the Magnificent Signoria of Florence. Not desiring to make this public, but on the contrary to keep it secret, they requested the Illustrious Signoria of Venice to let Signor Roberto [San Severino] enter his service, to whom his Commune offers 20,000 men for making war against the Florentines. He complained that the Illustrious Lord Lodovico kept his ambassadors some time in Milan and sent them home without concluding anything, on the pretext that he wanted to reconcile them with the Florentines, towards whom they say he is too tender. It has been determined not to give an immediate answer to this envoy but to keep him amused with hopes until it is known whether the league and friendship which is now being arranged between the Pope and the Signoria is concluded. To accelerate this the Signoria of Venice have sent Antonio Vinciguerra their secretary in all haste to Rome, who passed through here three nights ago on his way to Ravenna, where horses were ready to take him to Rome. With him went a secretary of the Legate, who is at Venice, sent by the Legate, so that by what we see and hear the affair is on the point of being concluded unless steps can be taken to stop it. Of the important results to Italian matters, _et presentim_ to our Illustrious League, I leave the Magnificent Lorenzo to judge. I beg you _ex corde_ to keep this news secret, for if by chance it was known from whence it came, besides the danger our ambassador at Venice would run, you would lose the benefit of being advised of matters which deeply concern that Illustrious Signoria and His Magnificence.--Ferrara, November 18, 1486.[327]

Messer Guidone Aldrovandini, _Ambassador of Ferrara to the Republic of Florence, to the_ Duke Ercole d’Este

This evening about 24 of the clock came the letter of Your Illustrious Lordship. I went at once to the Magnificent Lorenzo and read him the whole letter, entreating him in Your Excellency’s name to keep it absolutely secret. When His Magnificence heard it I assure Your Lordship that he remained for a time without opening his lips from agony and rage, and then said: “I believe all that is evil of this Pope, the more so that to-day I heard from Rome that S. Piero in Vincula is going to Padua on the pretence of fulfilling a vow, but really in order to conclude a league with the Venetians and settle everything.” Then he added: “This ecclesiastical State has always been the ruin of Italy, because being ignorant and not knowing how to govern, the priests put the whole world in peril. If His Majesty puts an end to the Barons, he will then teach the Pope to read.” About the news that Signor Roberto was to lead the Genoese against him, &c., he did not seem to care much, or to hold them in much estimation, saying that they would need other men than the crews of galleys. He then said: “If Signor Roberto is to be the instrument of this it is not serious.” By these words I gathered that His Magnificence did not greatly fear Signor Roberto on account of the friendship existing between them and that he meant, according to my poor judgment, that Signor Roberto would not make war on Florence; though he did not express himself clearly.--Florence, November 20, 1486.[328]

Lorenzo de’ Medici _to_ Ugolino Baccio _in Apulia_

To Baccio.

I have yours of the 18th, 22nd, and 29th, and now answer what is most important. As to the understanding between the Pope and the King I have no fear that it will cause me trouble; for if I thought the King did not understand the difference between one who has seriously offended him and one who has aided him with all his might, I should not have advised this city to help him. The confirmation of the custom we have adopted of making princes of the relatives of Popes displeases me, because I have experienced the evils it gives rise to, and know that the more esteem one shows for others the less is shown to oneself, and that one example entails others. I have come to the conclusion that a union between Milan, ourselves, and the house of Orsini would be to our advantage and to theirs, and anything that indicates greater faith in others than in us weakens this bond. But as the Lord Virginio [Orsini] is of a different opinion I give way, particularly as Messer Gianjacopo [Trivulzio, Sforza’s general], who is as prudent and expert as Papi Tani, is of his way of thinking. I do not however repent of having spoken fully and openly about this, unless the King or the Duke have taken offence, in which case I had rather have bitten my tongue.

As to the other part of your letter in which you say you have heard from Milan that the Duke has been told I am displeased at his seeking to protect himself and obtain a following, it is false, and no man who speaks the truth can say it. Give the Duke to understand that if I believed that the frauds and lies of others would find credence with His Excellency as against my actions, I think I should go and live with the Turk. The proof of what my desire has been is that I always counselled the Duke by letter, and in person at Citerna, to take Colonessi into his service, and persuaded the Lord Virginio that this was the proper thing. It appears to me unnecessary to make excuses, as it might give rise to the idea that I was in fault, of which I am as free as the day I was born. I am I think known as an upright man and loyal, and one to be trusted by the Duke as fully as any man alive for sincerity and a complete lack of prejudice. What I have done to aid him was done without any design of benefiting the State or myself, of my own free will and reason. He will see that I shall not trouble him much or reproach him every hour as will probably be done by others. If I have asked him for anything, as for example San Germano, I can truly say it was rather offered to me than asked for, and whether I get it or not, I shall continue the same line of conduct without any feeling of anger, because I was actuated by higher motives which still affect me. Messer Gianjacopo would do well to send you the Brief which he mentioned to Pier Capponi as having already arrived, and which creates more difficulties; and he would have done still better not to tell the Pope the intentions of others with regard to the negotiations for peace. I had given no authority to any one, and am more than content that love and peace reigns between the King and the Lord Lodovico: for if a good understanding does not exist between us peril and great loss will ensue. I never consider that any good will come to me from harm done to others. Perhaps some day God will open the eyes of all wider. I am glad your expedition meets with the approval of the person you mention, I will arrange that you shall find there any news I can give. But as the Pope appears ill-disposed I have small faith in anything that depends on him.

I am very glad that the Count’s affairs at Citerna have been arranged not only to his satisfaction but in a way honourable to myself. Thank Virginio [Orsini] heartily from me, to whom we owe this. And as I understand he has arranged the affairs and interests of all the family except those of Organtino [Orsini, Clarice’s eldest brother] entreat him particularly also to arrange Organtino’s satisfactorily, making him understand that I regard the affairs of His Holiness as being my own. For the love of God, Baccio, bestir yourself with all your might in this matter, I am most anxious about it, particularly for love of Clarice. I long for peace at home as I see small reason to hope for it abroad.--December 3, 1486.[329]

Messer Guidone Aldrovandini, _Ambassador from Ferrara to the Florentine Republic, to the_ Duke Ercole d’Este

... Milan has written the most amiable letters to this Illustrious Signoria about the affair of Sarzana, saying that they will expose their State and their persons if necessary in the service of Florence. These letters are explained by Milan having heard of the league between the Pope and the Venetians, and finding that she cannot draw the Pope on her side as she thought, she now tries to make friends here. The Illustrious Lodovico has also written a most loving letter to the Magnificent Lorenzo, saying that they have both erred, and suggesting that the past be set aside and a clean page begun, when the Magnificent Lorenzo will see that he will be a true and good brother; and that he will not believe the past has been forgotten unless some great service is demanded of him. These letters have been most acceptable to the Magnificent Lorenzo....--Florence, December 10, 1486.[330]

... Sarzana is being bombarded day and night by the Florentine troops, and it is hoped that S. Francesco will be theirs in two days, when Sarzana must fall. Some soldiers and officers have fled from the town and say the inhabitants are in great straits and have begun to eat the army biscuits, and that Messer Ettore Dal Fiesco, the commissary, is hated for his extreme cruelty. Two of the mortars of this Illustrious Signoria have burst. The Magnificent Lorenzo is at Pisa urging on the capture of Sarzana; he has sent the big mortar from Pisa, and pioneers in haste to the camp, whom he paid in advance as otherwise none would go....--Florence, June 7, 1487.[331]

The Magnificent Lorenzo has gone himself to the camp before Sarzana to push on matters. S. Francesco has fallen....--Florence, June 9, 1487.[332]

The Magnificent Lorenzo arrived here on the vigil of S. Giovanni (23rd June) and was received with more joy and caresses by the people than I can describe, as they say they owe the taking of Sarzana to him more than to others....--Florence, June 26, 1487.

... The Magnificent Lorenzo said bitter words to me about the Illustrious Signor Lodovico (il Moro), particularly as to the withdrawal of his troops _ex abrupto_ from the camp (before Sarzana), saying the Signor Lodovico was so puffed up that he fancied the Genoese would give him Castelletto and Genoa, but that time would teach him better....--Florence, June 28, 1487.[333]

... I again tried to persuade the Magnificent Lorenzo that he would do well and wisely to let Your Highness try and dissipate this misunderstanding between the Illustrious Messer Lodovico and His Magnificence, and that I was sure Your Highness would be able to arrange matters so that they would be greater friends than before. His Magnificence was greatly perturbed and said Your Highness was in a position to know how justified were the complaints of this Signoria against the Signor Lodovico and then turned his back on me. I attempted to ask him what this meant but in vain: he would not answer. I confess I do not know what to infer from this. If Your Excellency understands, so much the better. A friend told me that at home His Magnificence talks like a desperate man, and says that he would like to go for six months to some place where Italian affairs would never be mentioned, and that your Excellency cannot imagine what joy His Magnificence showed at the victory gained by the King of France, and openly said he hoped to see the King master of all Italy. From this one can only conceive that His Magnificence is very irate. God turn his heart to act well....--Florence, July 7, 1487.[334]

... The Magnificent Lorenzo continues to be desperately angry with the Illustrious Messer Lodovico.... He spoke most terrible and desperate words saying that Messer Lodovico was doing all he could to make the Pope and the Florentines throw themselves at the feet of H.M. the King, and that this should be done; that as Messer Lodovico wished Italian affairs to go to the bad His Magnificence would aid and abet him, &c. What will happen I know not, but I do know that if he were to act wisely they would come to some good understanding as did his forefathers, and as Your Highness has told him several times. His Magnificence sent off special messengers yester eve to Rome and to Milan. May God guide this business to a good end, for to me it seems that evil passions are rising here every day....--Florence, July 18, 1487.[335]

Duke Ercole d’Este _to_ Messer Aldrovandini, _Ambassador of Ferrara to the Florentine Republic_

... You are informed that the Illustrious Messer Lodovico [il Moro] is ill; it seems he is afflicted with certain pains in the stomach which give him great suffering. Therefore many friends of his and of ours at Milan who are anxious about his health, have entreated us to beg the Magnificent Lorenzo to send a certain Maestro Pietro Leoni, an excellent doctor who is at Florence, to Milan, a man of great knowledge who may perhaps cure this malady.[336] We therefore desire that as soon as you receive this you go to the Magnificent Lorenzo and in our name beg him as heartily as you can, for love of us and for the interest we believe he takes in the health of the Illustrious Lodovico, to send the said Maestro Pietro immediately to Milan.--Ferrara, August 31, 1487.[337]

Messer Guidone Aldrovandini, _Ambassador of Ferrara to the Republic of Florence, to_ Duke Ercole d’Este

... I hear from a good source that Messer Giovanni Jacopo de’ Trivulzi has been commissioned by the Pope to tell the Magnificent Lorenzo that he only sleeps with the eyes of the said Magnificent Lorenzo, that he must advise him, the Pontiff, wisely and guide him; if he does so the gain and the honour will be his; but if his advice be bad it will lead to the ruin of both. The Pope complains as high as the third heaven of the King’s conduct to him.[338] At the same time Messer Jacopo speaks of the cowardice, misery, and sadness of the Pope, as one speaks about a blackguard, and says that if he be not encouraged and helped to keep up his spirits, he will sink lower than any coward ever sank. To-day comes news that the King has appealed _ad novum Concilium contra Pontificem_ on account of his behaviour to H.M. This will I believe frighten the Pope, for he is a very rabbit....--Florence, September 6, 1487.[339]

... The Pope says the King cannot appeal because at Mantua, when the Diet assembled in the time of Pope Pius, all the Italian princes promised never to appeal _ad futurem Concilium_. _Item_ that H.M. expressly promised Pope Sixtus not to appeal, &c. For these reasons His Sanctity declares that he can proceed against the King. But I think he will be cautious.--Florence, September 12, 1487.[340]

... H.M. the King and the Duke of Calabria[341] declare that neither through the King of Castile, or through Milan or Florence, have they ever given a promise to pay tribute to the Pope. Here this declaration is laughed to scorn as being made by cunning evildoers, _cum sit_ that Milan and Florence made the promise and the agreement was signed with the Pope, so H.M. will have to pay the tribute. However like wise men the Signori of Florence have resolved to ignore the arrogant message of the King and the Duke, and to drink this bitter cup....--Florence, November 7, 1487.[342]

... To-day at 22 of the clock Messer Ascanio with fourteen horsemen passed through here in disguise, riding hard by post to Milan. It appears he has been summoned by the Milanese nobles because the death of Messer Lodovico is expected. The Magnificent Lorenzo and the Milanese ambassador saw His Excellency, but no one else as it was kept secret and he did not enter the city.... Should Messer Lodovico die the Magnificent Lorenzo will aid Messer Ascanio in every way to become Lord of Milan. Some time ago he was of a different mind, but now he will do everything to turn matters in the Pope’s favour and against H.M. the King.... From a friend I learn that the Duke of Lorraine has just been here in disguise and has seen the Magnificent Lorenzo at night, who at once sent him on to the Pope.--Florence, November 18, 1487.[343]

Lorenzo de’ Medici _to_ Innocent VIII.

_Sanctissime, ac Beattissime Pater post Pedum oscula Beatorum Vestorum_,--From our ambassador I hear that Your Holiness has seen fit to suspend the affair of Nantes, and to defer granting the request to the King of France. Although I must acquiesce in every decision of Your Holiness, yet the reasons Your Holiness gives for delay cause me to write again; for if the Most Christian King obtains his desire he will be even more beholden to Your Sanctity, while my condition and reputation will be enhanced. I am sure if Your Holiness knew the help and the utility this would be to me, this business would not be deferred, particularly as the King has in general no need of my services, and such an occasion as the present comes but seldom. If the love Your Holiness bears me is not shown in great matters, it will be ill seen in small. With all humility therefore I beseech Your Holiness to deign to grant me one of the greatest boons I could receive, and to do a pleasure to H.M. the King. A pleasure which will be much esteemed by H.M., and be most honourable and useful to me. There will be no difficulty in it, and it cannot be unbecoming in Your Holiness to satisfy the desire of so great a King, who is so well-deserving _de Ecclesia Dei_, and at the same time to content me, Your humble and devoted servant, who humbly commends himself at Your Holy Feet.--Florence, December 8, 1487. _Humilis servitor_,

Laurentius de’ Medicis.[344]

Messer Aldrovandini, _Ambassador from Ferrara to the Florentine Republic, to_ Duke Ercole d’Este

... The Pope has been much cheered by the assurances of the Venetian envoys, who openly say that their Signoria only hastened to make peace with the Germans, in order to come to the aid of His Sanctity and the honour of the Holy See ... and to force His Majesty the King to keep the promises made to His Sanctity.... Milan has written here that she considers the King ought to be informed that should he fail to arrange matters with the Pope, and the Pope declares war, he is not to expect help from either Florence or Milan.... As yet these Signori have not come to any decision, but I think they will join Milan in this.... As to the Venetians I do not believe they would bother themselves with such an enterprise, unless they saw a chance of gaining something in addition to the hatred they bear the King....--Florence, December 18, 1487.[345]

... The Magnificent Lorenzo is of opinion that the Pope should rather be held back than pushed forward, and that the King should not be irritated, thus His Magnificence thinks we might have peace and quiet, if the contrary is done he fears that disaster will ensue.... The Magnificent Lorenzo is extremely discontented with the Pope’s behaviour, and thinks he shows greater folly every day and every hour, particularly if he insists in launching interdicts against the King.... As to the letters written from Milan, which I mentioned in mine of the 18th, the answer was that as allies they could only applaud the idea of letting the King know that they desired to stand well with the Pope, &c. The reply was airy: they did not desire to be explicit.

From a friend I learn that the Magnificent Lorenzo spoke in different terms to the Milanese ambassador, saying, that as Messer Lodovico’s condition prevents him from attending to business, it seems to him unwise to irritate the King, particularly as H.M. has everything ready and is prepared for war, while the Pope is without troops and with small brains, has bad advisers, and all the Roman Barons against him. The worst of all being that neither the Pope, nor Milan, nor Florence, have any commander if they wished to go to war, &c....--Florence, December 28, 1487.[346]

... The Magnificent Lorenzo is of opinion that the acts of the Pope will be worse than his words. The ambassadors of the League have arranged with His Sanctity that Imola and Forlì should go to the Count’s sons,[347] but the Magnificent Lorenzo believes that from what he hears the children have been poisoned. In this case the Pope has every claim on that State as being Church property and the Lords invested by the Church being dead ... His Magnificence would far rather see Forlì and Imola in private hands than in those of a powerful prince. But if they are to belong to a potentate he had rather it should be Milan than the Church; for Milan has several Baronies, and might bestow the State on some lord, as did Duke Galeazzo, but the Church would never do so, as for some time she has been a sworn enemy to the Barons and the Lords, and whatever she seizes she holds. Also the rule of the Church is so admirable that it does harm to its neighbours! And although I argued with him to see whether these were his real convictions he remained staunch, saying that the time would come when the Church would be more dangerous than the Signoria of Venice, and that this belief more than anything else induced him to favour H.M. the King [of Naples]....--Florence, April 25, 1488.[348]

Agnolo Poliziano _to_ Lorenzo de’ Medici

_Magnifice Domine mi_,--We arrived safely at Acquapendente yester evening at 8 o’clock, I wrote to you also from Montepulciano. To-morrow we leave for Viterbo. We are all in high spirits and find good cheer, and all along the road we pick up new tunes and May songs, which seem to me more original here than elsewhere, _alla Romanesca, vel nota ipsa vel argumento_. I commend myself to Your Magnificence.--Acquapendente, May 2, 1488. Your Magnificence’s servant,

Ang. Politianus.[349]

Poliziano accompanied Piero de’ Medici to Rome to meet his bride Alfonsina Orsini, to whom he had been married by proxy at Naples in February the year before. His mother Clarice, who was very ill, had been in Rome since November hoping, as consumptive people do, that the milder air would cure her. With her had gone her favourite daughter, “the eye of her head,” Maddalena, affianced to the Pope’s illegitimate son Francesco Cibò. Piero and his wife, Clarice and Maddalena, all returned together to Florence, Lorenzo having begged the Pope and Cibò to allow Maddalena to come with her sick mother. With her, when she went to Rome, he had sent Matteo Franco, “one of the dearest creatures of my house,” he calls him, to keep the young girl company, and to look after her. How well the humorous, kindly priest fulfilled his trust, how cordially he disliked both Genoese and Romans, and how he longed for the brilliant society of the Medici palace is shown in the following letter. Cibò, a gambler, ignorant and stupid, had sense enough to recognise how invaluable Franco was, and although he raised no objection to Maddalena’s going with her mother, he refused to part with Franco.

Matteo Franco, _from Stigliano, to_ Ser Piero Dovizi da Bibbiena, _Chancellor to Lorenzo de’ Medici, at Florence_

O revered, sweet, and good brother mine, where art thou at this moment? what art thou doing? art thou well? Hast thou so soon forgotten thy Franco who eating or sleeping only dreams of his dear soul Ser Piero? This I will never believe, far rather would I imagine that thou art hurt because I have written so seldom; that thou art sorry because I am not near thee, thy companions and affairs; and above all that thou art sorry because thou dost not see the expected fruit of thy kind and loving sowing, of thy many heartfelt letters in my favour, of all the kind things said about me to my lord and of thy expectation founded on the esteem and love thou bearest me. All this gladdens and yet distresses me; gladdens me because I rejoice in possessing so good and true a friend; distresses me when I think that all thy trouble has been in vain by no fault of mine. But, sweet Ser Piero, do not lose faith in me, as I do not lose it in thee, good will come of it all.

Thou must know that till now we have come out of all with honour, _id est_ thy Franco, as Franco, towards his masters, towards thee, and towards himself, has done well despite of malignant, venomous and treacherous, envious, &c. I came, and on the road and whilst in Rome, with all the love and economy I was able to employ was so useful to my masters that they showed their appreciation by words and deeds many times; particularly when I stood aloof and they tried others. Of the money received by me for the expenses, my enemies twice carefully dissected, like anatomists, my accounts, shop by shop, day by day, entry by entry; and everything was in such order that calumny had a fall, and they were laughed at and put to shame. Thus my affection, fidelity, and diligence were established and talked of publicly by them as I heard privately, so that I pardon all. When I made up the final balance only twenty-eight lire were missing, which must have been forgotten by the man who buys retail. This would be of small account if I had not lost so much in brains, soul, and body, instead of only twenty-eight lire, in all these devilries and persecutions, &c., so that I even once cursed both thee and Lorenzo who sent me into this hell. But God has helped us, for of a certain Lorenzo, thou, and my own good intentions, could not have a bad ending.

All this, my Ser Piero, must be a comfort to thee as it is to me. Also I cannot describe the kindness and love shown to me by Madonna Clarice, twice or thrice she even said that the Count showed small discretion in taking me from her, exclaiming: “See how I am left, I will not allow any man to have the spending of my money but Franco; and I will eat nothing but what has passed through his hands; we never intended to give Franco to him in order that he might be buried alive in a wood, he would be far more useful to Madonna Maddalena and to his house if he were here at hand, &c.” She talked of this a hundred times and has already sent for me twice since I have been at these baths, and kept me two or three days until his Lordship drove me back to the baths.

It was rumoured that Maddalena was to go to Florence with Alfonsina and a list was drawn up of things she was going to ask of the Count for her journey; among others she desired:

“As chaplain I wish for Franco.

“And some one to write my letters, for this Franco will be good.

“And I should like Your Excellency’s necklace for the time I am in Florence, and such a dress and such footmen, &c., if it please you, &c.” The list was given to my lord in the evening and after reading it he replied: “All thou askest I give thee willingly, save only Franco and my necklace.” The girl replied: “Madonna Clarice desires that he should come.” “And I desire that he should stay. They have nought more to do with Franco once Lorenzo has given him to thee, and I desire that thou leavest him to look after thy interests for the income of the baths I intend for thee. Thou seest how I am robbed by all. He has done more in the fifteen days he has been there than all my other people since I had Cervetri.”

These words were repeated to me by my angel mistress and lady, who has doubtless wept more than once with Madonna Baccia over my coming to stay here, for Madonna Baccia writes that she talks of me and calls me every hour. Were it not for this and for the thought of him there, who is my soul and my heart, of whom I think in all my tribulations so that by the true God, Ser Piero, melancholy then flies from me and my heart is so consoled that my soul is kept in my body. Otherwise I should have died a hundred times. Enough. I might go on and tell that every day I hear how my lord praises me, and I hope from these baths to get great honour, &c., and a hundred other expectations from friends and models made in Rome. But as I do not want to break thy head I skip: enough that I have let off a little bile; I wanted to tell thee something about my life. I have been here at the baths of Stigliano since March 12th, saving the few days Madonna Clarice sent for me as I said; and have already arranged the baths Tuscan fashion. The rooms are disgusting, Bagno a Morba is a Careggi in comparison; the air is accursed, the men are like Turks; everything as bad as can be. Day and night I have to struggle with _bravi_, with soldiers, with swindlers, with venomous dogs, with lepers, with Jews, with madmen, with thieves, and with Romans. Now I run to the cook, now to the baker, then to the tavern, then to clients in the inns; then I argue with the discontented, with the sick in the hospital, then with the pedlar, then with the grocer, then with the chemist; then I go to the washerwoman, then to the grooms, then to the courier, then to the doctor, then to the priest. For I have transported all these people here; there were but bare walls and only half of them standing. In short I have had to bring from the smallest to the largest thing which may be needful for perhaps ten thousand people into this forest, so that every man may have, by paying, every convenience he wants. And I am alone to manage all. During this month of May never a day has passed but there have been a hundred or a hundred and fifty persons; rooms, beds, even the courtyard, all are full, and some days there have been more than three hundred. Most of them stay three days and then go; and I have to receive them all, to see to their food, to provide what they want and have not brought with them, grass, oats, hay, in short, everything. For all this they have to pay me, so I hope to glean more than four hundred ducats for Madonna Maddalena if God gives me health. With cooks, innkeepers, bakers and so on, I have about twenty-five men in my pay; and if you could see your Franco in this tempest and purgatory and whirl, host of this great inn of the devil, by God you would pity him. They comfort me by saying that Christ must wish me well if I escape without a beating, a knife in my ribs, a quarrel, or an illness, for no one has ever returned whole from here, God be praised for His mercies. Yet I am of good cheer and have such faith in my fair dealing that I hope to do myself honour, if it pleases God. Till now I have pocketed about a hundred ducats, and all sorts and conditions of men have come. If I have not gained with the bad ones I have not lost; most went away contented. From those of the better sort, couriers, gentlemen, and the like, I think I have gained affection and esteem, for since they returned to Rome they have written to me and sent me presents. Some day I hope to find a great joy, I even hope in the ---- of Lucifer the Great, serving for the love of God, of Lorenzo and of what is his. _Vale._--May 6, 1488.

Your Franco, fighting at the Baths of Stigliano.[350]

The rejoicings for Piero’s marriage were suddenly turned to mourning. Lorenzo’s second daughter Luisa, betrothed to her cousin Giovanni, of the junior branch of the Medici, died at the age of sixteen, so bride and bridegroom went to Careggi without entering Florence. Early in June, however, a magnificent banquet was given in honour of Alfonsina, to which all the foreign ambassadors and the chief citizens of the city were invited. Soon afterwards arrived Francesco Cibò, and for the first time since the Pazzi conspiracy in 1478 the day of S. Giovanni (24th June) was again celebrated with great magnificence. The peasants flocked into Florence to see the Pope’s son, husband of the gentle Maddalena, and the crowd saluted him with loud cries of “_Cibò e Palle_.” Serdonati’s account of Lorenzo’s home life, apropos of these festivities, is interesting.

“When in 1488 Francesco went to Florence to celebrate his marriage he took many knights and noble persons with him, the flower of the Roman nobility. He was received with great splendour and lodged with all his people right royally. But soon Lorenzo, taking pleasure in seeing his son-in-law familiarly, or perchance thinking to gain still more the Pope’s benevolence, continually invited him to dine at his house without ceremony, or as we say _alla casalinga_. Now it appears that the Florentines are generally held to be chary of spending their money, so he thought that those gentlemen who had accompanied him to honour his wedding might be treated in like manner, and was sore troubled, fearing that the city of Florence and his relations would be held up to ridicule afterwards in Rome. Afraid to hear what he did not wish, he dared not ask how they fared. But one day a Roman gentleman who was intimate with him saw how full of thought he was and asked the reason. He answered that although he knew his father-in-law Lorenzo was a man of great reputation and worth, yet he felt mortified, because on account of the usage of the city or for some other reason his friends were treated in too homely a fashion. He was therefore pained, but it might be remedied by a speedy departure, and in Rome he would indemnify them for any discomforts or annoyances they had undergone. The cavalier, astonished, replied that had the Pope himself been lodged as they were he could not have complained, or been more magnificently entertained, cared for, served and honoured, and that no one could desire more. So delighted was Francesco to hear this that he could not contain himself and recounted all to his father-in-law, who with great urbanity replied that children, among whom he now reckoned Francesco, and strangers and noble persons, such as had accompanied him, were to be treated differently; the latter with all magnificence, partly for their own merits, partly out of respect for him and to do him honour; but that between him and his own children he had made no difference. This gave much pleasure and satisfaction to Francesco and greatly pleased the Pope when he heard of it, and all admired the wisdom and prudence of Lorenzo in all things both public and private.”[351]

Messer Aldrovandini, _Ambassador from Ferrara to the Florentine Republic, to the_ Duke Ercole d’Este

I have seen Pier Filippo Pandolfini twice, who is the heart of Lorenzo in the Council and the first citizen of Florence ... to tell him according to your Excellency’s instructions that we will do anything rather than break with Milan. He replied that they would never commit the error of breaking, but _etiam_ that they would never consent to anything that would dishonour or disgrace this city. Florence, he said, is neither Cremona nor Pavia, which are subject to the State of Milan, and he thought Milan wished to treat the Florentines as though they were her subjects ... and that now this Signoria [Florence] had reconquered Piancaldoli[352] they would never give it up.--Florence, May 15, 1488.[353]