another letter from you with the answer of the Signoria [of Venice],
but from various sources I have heard that the forces of the King and
the Pope are marching to attack us, and so I write at once in order
that you may hasten any aid we can get from Venice. Our ambassador
there will I think send our opinion _in scriptis_ to the Signoria,
who will have to consult with him. We have need of more men than
those who are on this side of the Po. If the Signoria approve of our
plan of attacking Imola in case war is declared against us, we should
prefer that the above-mentioned men should be employed there. If they
do not approve, then it is imperative that the men be sent with all
haste to guard our territory, and we will give orders that they are
to be allowed to cross our frontier. We are most anxious about this,
not on account of the number of men, but in order to prove to our
adversaries that we are united, for they count much on our disunion.
Try therefore to settle this one way or the other and reply quickly,
for the affair is _in fieri_, and at any moment some impediment might
arise. The Signoria of Venice intimated that they did not believe the
Pope and the King intend to advance; now I conceive they understand it
is true. We have set the Cardinal at liberty, but the Pope has shown
no sign of taking off the excommunications or the interdicts; on the
contrary he maintains them and encourages troops to attack us. So this
is no time for loitering. It would be most harmful to us if their
ambassador left here before his successor was appointed. We wish this
also to be seen to at once. I will have a copy of the deliberations of
the last council sent to you in order that you may press these matters
with all the tact demanded by the customs there and by the questions
themselves.
I wrote thus far yesterday evening. Afterwards we of the _Pratica_
met, and it was decided not to send our opinions _in scriptis_, but
to await the reply to those we have sent. More particularly as our
opinion is as follows. On all sides we perceive signs of incertitude
and hesitation in spite of our solicitations to grant us what they
can. If this was cleared up we might hope. If the Venetians will only
make a demonstration in our favour, with small cost to themselves
they would do us a great service, because, as I have already said,
our adversaries believe we are not unanimous in our desire to defend
ourselves, and this makes them more enterprising. We thought at
least that we should receive help which cost little, as for example
in the affair of submission [to the Pope], particularly as these
ecclesiastical censures still continue, and so that the Signoria must
either incur the same interdict if they help us, or break faith with
us, which however would be absolved by the Bull of the interdict. As I
said before, discover what we can hope for from there, in order that
I may not be again deceived. Present these questions skilfully so as
not to cause any friction; rather leave a part unsaid, for our great
object is to maintain the union of our League in appearance and in
reality.
I am writing to our envoy [Tommaso Soderini], who I do not think
can have arrived. If he has, lay everything before him.--June 10,
1478.[220]
Lorenzo de’ Medici _to_ Louis XI., _King of France_
Most Serene King and especially my Lord,--The letter Your Majesty has
deigned to write about our unhappy case, replete with great love and
paternal benevolence, shows me how keenly you felt our misfortune,
and how kindly disposed you are towards me. Should I even attempt to
return adequate thanks to Your Majesty I should deserve to be called
utterly unfit to understand so great a benefit, because words so full
of love and benevolence coming from Your Majesty to a humble servant
cannot be repaid by any act or word. I can therefore only beg Your
Majesty specially to accept my heartfelt declaration of loyalty as a
token and a pledge of my gratitude, trusting that God will repay to
Your Majesty the rest of my debt. As to Your Majesty’s wise counsels
to bear this calamity with fortitude, you may rest assured that I do
not so much deplore what has happened to myself as the grave affront
to the Christian name; because where I hoped, in such bitter trouble,
to receive help, I found instead the fountain-head and instigator
of all ill. For he, in the presence of many, dared to confess
spontaneously that this crime was caused by him, and promulgated
against me, my children, successors, intimates, and well-wishers, an
iniquitous sentence of excommunication. Not satisfied with that, he is
arming against this Republic, has instigated King Ferdinand against
us, and has urged the King’s eldest son to march against us with a
formidable army in order with violence and arms to destroy him he
could not succeed in utterly ruining by deceit and fraud. For I well
know, and God is my witness, that I have committed no crime against
the Pope, save that I am alive, and having been protected by the grace
of Almighty God have not allowed myself to be murdered. This is my
sin, for this alone have I been excommunicated and massacred. But I
believe that God, scrutiniser of hearts and most just Judge, who knows
my innocence, will not permit this and will defend me, whom He saved
from those sacrilegious hands in front of His Body, from such unjust
calumny. On our side we have Canon Law, on our side laws natural and
political, on our side truth and innocence, on our side God and men.
He has violated all these at once, and now desires to annihilate us. I
write these things to Your Majesty as to a compassionate father, and
from you, on account of your goodness, piety, and greatness of soul,
I have no doubt I shall receive much help, favour, and military aid,
if required. For we cannot believe that any good man can tolerate that
he, who wilfully precipitates himself into such an abyss of crime,
should drag with him the Christian name. May Your Majesty keep well,
to whom I humbly commend myself--Florence, June 19, 1478.[221]
Lorenzo de’ Medici _to_ Sforza de’ Bettini
Sforzie de Bettinis,--I wrote to you this morning. Later I received
yours of the 28th, with news of the arrival of the Duke of Calabria
and the others at Todi. We wrote at once to all our troops, save to
those who are already there, to unite and join those of the Duchess
[of Milan] with all speed, part are in the Pisan territory, the others
are on the march; to Giovanni Conti [one of the Milanese generals],
telling him to advance into the territory of Bologna; to the Venetian
contingent to come into that of Faenza. All the others are to march
on Todi. We have asked for two hundred additional men-at-arms from
Milan besides those that are in readiness, and said that these two
hundred are to be placed at once in our pay. With this letter is sent
the number of men and the names of the places where they are, so that
you can direct them wherever you think best. We have thus done all we
can for the moment. You must try and obtain more certain information
whether what you have written is true or not. If not, you ought not
to lack means to discover the dealings and intentions of the enemy. I
think that among them are several who would willingly do us a service.
If you can contrive to interview the Cavaliere I think you might learn
something. Make every effort, for I cannot believe that you are unable
to defend so just a cause.
I understand that the Lord Giovanfrancesco has given orders that the
troops he is to send are to be paid, which will be so much more money.
I am astonished that the Lord Virginio [Orsini, Clarice’s brother]
should give them an escort after replying as he did to that trumpeter,
however I do not think, as I said this morning, that we need despair.
I have no more to add save that you must send us frequent news, and
as true news as you can, and use every means to discover as much as
possible of the movements and intentions of our adversaries. If this
arrival of the Duke of Calabria is true it will probably alter the
plans about which we wrote this morning, and we think it will be
necessary to concentrate our forces as you suggested. Farewell--June
25, 1478.[222]
Messer Ceccho, _from Milan, to_ Lorenzo de’ Medici
_Magnifice tanquam Pater honorande_,--To yours of the 28th of last
month in reply to mine of the 22nd, I will only refer by thanking Your
Magnificence for accepting my letter in good part.
As to the Lord of Forli it would seem to me wise to make every effort
to draw him to our side for the honour, advantage, and reputation of
our League; the said Lord is clever, and I think, as Your Magnificence
says, he will attempt to get as much money as he can from the Pope,
and then _cum sua justificatione_ withdraw: I have lived for many
years with these lords of Romagna and know their nature, but one
cannot count on this, and we must do all we can to get him on our side.
Monsignore de Chiaromonte (Clermont), ambassador of the King of
France,[223] has been here, my Illustrious Masters showed him
great honour, and this morning he left: the Illustrious Madonna
and we counsellors spoke to him with much openness, and gave him
to understand that in favour of that Republic and of Yourself my
Illustrious Masters will give all the aid this State can _usque ad
vitam_, and we spoke thus as freely as possible, in order that he
might understand that this State was _unum velle et unum nolle_ with
yours. He seemed to me a worthy man, and one to be cultivated; this I
advise you to do, and to send to meet him without delay at Bologna,
and do what my Masters have written to their ambassador there and this
quickly, so that you may be in time.
It seems to me useless to enlarge on other things, only I beg Your
Magnificence to take heed of your person and to be of good cheer,
because I think there is every indication that things are going well,
and that the Republic, our League, and Your Magnificence, will gain in
reputation; on this side we shall leave nothing undone.
I beg Your Magnificence not to allow the letters my Illustrious
Masters have written, or mine about affairs with the King of France,
go into any other hands, but to deliver them there to Monsignore
d’Argenton,[224] with the circumspection and prudence that I know
Your Magnificence possesses, and thus we shall arrive at obtaining,
between my Masters and H.M. the King of France, the essence of what
is contained in those letters, which will redound to your honour,
reputation, and advantage, because our League being strong and united,
and helped by the friendship and reputation of France, things cannot
but go well.
Yesterday morning I obtained possession of some letters from France
written by one Lancilotto of Macedonia to King Ferrante. We find that
King Ferrante has at present four of his people at the French court,
this same Lancilotto, Zohan Copula of Salerno, Tommaso Tarquino, who
resides there, and a Messer Antonio de Alexandro, only just arrived
by the route of Catalonia with instructions and mandates of divers
intrigues and plots. I have informed Hieronimo Morelli, ambassador of
their excellencies the Signoria [of Florence] of all, so that he may
write to Your Magnificence, and I am sure he will have done so. I do
not enlarge on this point, because I am sure you will understand and
form a better judgment than I can. I entreat of you to keep my letters
in your own custody and in that of no other man, for I would on no
account that our ambassadors or others should see them for certain
reasons, which are legitimate, to avoid rancour, envy, and calumny,
&c.--Milan, July 3, 1478.[225]
Lorenzo de’ Medici _to_ Messer Giovanni di Bentivoglio _at Milan_
_Magnifice vir_,--By your letter of the 1st I see what the Lord of
Forlì has answered. I cannot understand how this difficulty has
arisen, and it is unreasonable. His stipend at present is 8000 ducats,
so he ought to be satisfied with 20,000. Perhaps he does not wish to
serve and tries to throw the blame on us. If this is so I do not see
what his object is in behaving thus. We will not give more than 20,000
ducats with the title of governor of the camp, and the protection of
our League. I have sent again to offer him this, as I had a hint that
he would accept. If he does it will be well, if not I shall cut short
the negotiation, and we will not mention the matter again.
I understand from letters from the Illustrious Lords of Milan that
they encourage Your Magnificence to take steps to obtain the recall of
the Legate. This seems to me perfectly justifiable, our League being
no longer in any way bound to obey the Pope. His presence can only
be harmful and a cause of suspicion. As I am writing I must say that
I heartily approve the advice of those Illustrious Princes and think
Your Magnificence would do well to get rid of the Legate for your own
good and for your reputation, and in order not to appear reluctant in
following the advice of those Illustrious Lords and the wishes of our
Illustrious League. You will gain in credit and security. I commend
myself, &c.--July 4, 1478.[226]
Lorenzo de’ Medici _to_ Girolamo Morelli, _Florentine Ambassador at
Milan_
_Magnifice orator tanquam Pater_,--Your letter of the 11th tells me
many things to which I now reply. First, if you do not receive news
day by day the only reason is that I have so much to do that it is
difficult for me to be exact, not to speak of my own dilatory nature.
But I will make every effort to inform you of essential matters every
day. I will do all I can and even a little more.
I understand what the Magnificent Messer Ceccho and Orfeo told you,
and with regard to the affair of Messer Ruberto am exceedingly sorry
that by no fault of mine they and I have such perpetual annoyance
and vexation. Your answer was wise and true. In this business I have
never thought or done anything without first referring to them.
Whether these ambassadors, who have written what I never charged
them to write, have stated the truth I know not. As soon as I heard
the news, and that at Bologna they doubted whether Signor Ruberto’s
father-in-law would give this money, I wrote to Messer Giovanni and
sent you the copy, and I showed these ambassadors the admirable reply
made by Signor Giovanni. Thus those Illustrious Lords will see that
from that moment, for this and many other reasons, Signor Ruberto was
the enemy of those Illustrious Lords, as he was mine. I desire to
clear this matter up once for all and to settle it, for added to all
my other worries it is too much for me to bear.
As to Signor Taddeo we are quite willing to do as you say, but as yet
we have not settled with the Lord of Forlì, as he demands more than we
can well give. We were willing to pay him 25,000 ducats and to give
him the title of Captain-General of our forces. Now he wants double
in time of war, besides making many other dishonest demands. We are
willing to grant anything he asks when he is employed in fighting
outside of Romagna, but not otherwise, and are expecting his answer.
If he does not accept we shall break off negotiations, as we should
lose in money and in reputation. Once this is settled we can treat
with Signor Taddeo, to whom I will write in the meanwhile and find out
what he wants. He is now secretly in Bologna.
We have replied in general terms to King René’s mandate, as he wrote
to us. But privately we have given him to understand that events may
take a course favourable to his designs. I am sure that if the League
decides to undertake anything in that quarter what we have done here
concerning his mandate will be of service to him. I think he intends
to return by Milan in order to see Messer Ceccho, at least so he
wrote to me, and I advised him to do so. From what we hear from the
camp the enemy makes no sign of life. If they do not receive strong
reinforcements, or hopes of some treaty, I think they will do us
little harm. But you had better hurry our contingent there, for whom
you have the money, and see that they are ready and fit to march;
though we hope even without them soon to be as strong as the enemy
is at present. Let us know if our contingent from Brescia has passed
through, they ought to arrive soon.
We had told Signor Giovanni Conte to come here; but he probably left
this morning for the camp as Giovanni di Sapone and Messer Alberto
Visconti are both ill, so he was wanted. His men are following to join
the others. When necessary to send all to him we can do it from here
...[227] meanwhile those who are ill may recover. But it is absolutely
essential to arrange about a Captain-General who is much needed,
although until now there is perfect order and unity in the camp.
You already know from others my desire about Genoese affairs, and that
I do not think other matters should be imperilled for them. I know
it was unnecessary, but I cannot have done wrong in saying what I
thought. I am still of the same opinion that other people should not
be placed in a dangerous position unless one is sure of success.
The Office has I believe written to you as to the affairs of the camp
and of Montepulciano, as well as about a Brief from the Pope and the
answer to it, so I say no more. I commend myself to you.--Florence,
July 15, 1478.
Laurentius de Medicis.[228]
Sixtus IV. _to the_ Duke Federigo _of Urbino_
_Carissime fili noster at affinis salutem et Apostolicam
benedictionem_,--We have received your letter written _manu propria_
and were rejoiced to hear your health was good, which is what I
desire above all things and for which I pray to God, for nothing is
more desirable to us. The letter written by the Florentines, full of
contempt of Christ and of His unworthy Vicar does not alarm us, but
causes us to think that God has destroyed their intellect and their
judgment as a punishment for their sins. We trust that God, whose
honour and glory is at stake, will grant you victory in everything,
especially as our intentions are straightforward and just. For we
make war on no one save on that ungrateful, excommunicated, and
heretical Lorenzo de’ Medici; and we pray to God to punish him for his
iniquitous acts, and to you as God’s minister deputed to avenge the
wrongs he has iniquitously and without cause committed against God and
His Church, with such ingratitude that the fountain of infinite love
has been dried up.
To the Venetians we have replied in proper terms that if they act
unjustly God is above all, and will requite every one according to his
acts.
We have sent many Nuncios with our justification to the King of France
and to other princes, such as the Emperor, the Kings of Hungary and
Spain, and all the others.
Moreover our Bull which has been printed and published to the whole
world will justify us; but allowing that everything goes wrong we
shall rejoice in dying as a martyr and hear every persecution for
love of the Church of God of which we are the unworthy head. We are
sure that when you reflect on what merit you will acquire before God
for defending His Church you will act as a true Christian Prince, and
that my son the Duke of Calabria, together with yourself, will obtain
glory with God and men; the Church will support you who support a just
cause, &c. I am told that some, from ignorance or malignity, depict
me as of hell; this I do not refute, but only despise their words,
confiding in thy fidelity who wilt not abandon God and me, who trust
in thee, so I let who will talk.
These French ambassadors are, they say, coming to us, let us hope that
God may inspire us with suitable answers, all which shall be notified
to you. Salute my illustrious son the Duke of Calabria cordially from
me. For him, as for you, we pray continually to God. I wish thee good
health, most beloved cousin.--July 25, 1478.
They threaten schism and disobedience. God’s will be done: but it
might be desirable that you write to the King of England, and that
King Ferdinand should write to his colleagues and to the King of
France, as he in his prudence will know how to do in proper terms.[229]
Per avisi ho da Napoli il Re persevera pure in molestare assai le
cose mie et in non mi lasciare riscuotere et volere che io paghi
dubito ancora che subito che ’l papa intenderà questi cenni di levare
la obedienza non faccia qualche novità alle mie cose a Roma nelle
quali benchè mi paia avere passato il pericolo maggiore pure havendo
grandissima fidanza costì per ogni mio bisogno vorrei che con ogni
cautela e buono modo et segretamente che non lo intendessi altri che
Messer Cecho intendessi se a qualche mio bisogno mi porrei valere di
costì di XXXm o XLm ducati per VI overo VIIj mesi benchè non credo
haverne bisogno perchè come dico mi pare in questa parte havere avuto
il male ch’io possi et insino a hora ho proveduto francamente pure
a mia satisfactione vorrei intendessi questo benche mi pare essere
certo non mi habbi a essere dinegato fate d’intenderlo et avisatemene
subito governandola con quella cautela et segreto che merita il caso e
la fede che ho in voi ho costì Antonio e cotesti portinari et niente
di meno non do questo aviso se non a voi solo et ho scritta questa
di mia mano per non mi fidare d’altri, vorrei come dico intendessi
questa parte da messer Cecho sanza che o voi o lui he conferissi con
altri havendo tante diverse persecutioni harò tanto maggiore animo
a resistere gagliardamente quando sarò certo questo favore non mi
habbi a manchare costì bisognandomi aoperarli farò quelle cautioni et
obligationi che saranno di bisogno. In Firenze a dì XXV di luglio 1478.
Vostro Lorenzo de’ Medici.[230]
[Illustration]
Lorenzo de’ Medici _to_ Girolamo Morelli, _Florentine Ambassador at
Milan_
I hear from Naples that the King continues to molest me and my affairs
as much as he can by not allowing me to encash and desiring me to pay.
I fear that as soon as the Pope hears of these attempts to provoke
disobedience he will make some move against my affairs at Rome.
Although I think the imminent peril has passed over as I have very
considerable credit there, yet I wish that with the utmost caution
and care, and so secretly that none but Messer Ceccho should know,
you would find out whether I can count upon 30,000 or 40,000 ducats
for six or seven months in case of need. I do not expect they will be
wanted because, as I said, I think all the ill that could be done to
me there has been done, and till now I have been able to provide for
everything. Yet, for my own tranquillity I should like to know this,
and I have not the least fear that it will be refused. See that you
find out at once and let me know, acting with all the caution and
secrecy necessary in such business. I have in Rome Antonio and the
Portinari, nevertheless I confide this to you alone, and have written
with my own hand in order that none should know. I wish, as I said,
that you should arrange this with Messer Ceccho without either he or
you conferring with others. I shall be able to face the many troubles
I have with much more courage if I know that I can count on this help.
If I do need it I will give every obligation and bond.--In Florence on
the 25th July 1478.
Your Lorenzo de’ Medici.[231]
In 1478, after the Pazzi conspiracy, when the Pope was stirring up war
against the Medici he hated, Lorenzo sent his wife and children to
Pistoja, where they were the guests of the Panciaticchi, for safety.
With them went Angelo Poliziano as tutor to Piero the eldest boy,
then about six years of age. The stiff, proud Roman, Madonna Clarice,
had never known how to gain her husband’s love, and did not get on
well with his brilliant, sarcastic, rather Bohemian friends. She
particularly disliked Poliziano’s growing influence over Piero, and
at the end of the year there was an open rupture, when she dismissed
him with scant courtesy. One pities them both. Clarice, already far
gone in consumption, was irritable and anxious about her husband,
whose attitude towards the Holy See she, with her education, could not
approve; while Poliziano, used to the brilliant talk in the Medici
palace, where he measured his wit with Luigi Pulci, Matteo Franco,
Marsilio Ficino, Pico della Mirandola, &c., and Lorenzo himself, was
bored to death and always longing to be back in Florence. The letters
from the little boy to his father show how simple was the family life
of the Magnificent Lorenzo, indeed he is blamed by Machiavelli for
joining in childish games with his children and for being seen playing
with them.
Agnolo Poliziano _at Pistoja to_ Lorenzo de’ Medici _in Florence_
_Magnifice mi patrone_,--I hope and trust Your Magnificence has not
been disturbed by my letter written this morning under the influence
of anger; the want of patience is my great fault. I hope in _bonam
partem acceperis rebusque nostris prospectum curabis_.