Savelli, Conti, and Colonna, thou wilt make use of more familiar
language than to the others, saying that besides other obligations
I have towards them, we are, by the grace of God, related to their
noble families, which I consider as one of the chief ornaments of
our house. To Monsignore our Archbishop of Florence thou art to show
all these instructions before making any visits, which on account of
thine age may be very short ones. I hope that His Lordship, being
better informed and more prudent, will add anything needful, assuring
him that what I say is not merely formal but the truth, and do either
more or less than his Lordship directs, as though it was I who told
thee. At all events thou art to visit all the Orsini who are in Rome,
speaking with due reverence, commending me to Their Lordships and
offering thyself as their son and servant, they having deigned to
become our relations by which thou art the chief gainer as being of
higher birth, and therefore it is but right thou shouldst strive to
repay them. I send thee with Giovanni Tornabuoni, whom thou art to
obey in all things and not to presume to do aught without him. Be
modest and kindly in manner towards him and every one, and strive to
bear thyself with sedateness, all the more that sedateness is not a
youthful virtue. The honours and flatteries that will be bestowed upon
thee will be a great danger if thou art not discreet and rememberest
who thou art. If Gugliemo [de’ Pazzi] or his sons or grandsons come
to see thee receive them kindly, but quietly, showing sorrow for
their condition and encouraging them to act well and to hope for
better things by so doing. Should Monsignore our Archbishop think it
right for thee to go to any place outside Rome to visit any of the
Orsini, thou canst do so; obey His Lordship in this and in everything,
as I have already said, as thou wouldst obey me. Tell Gugliemo that
Bianca[312] having written in my name, and in that of Bernardo
Rucellai, to ask him to give up the Canonry of Pisa to her for a
certain exchange she wishes to make, he ought to do it, particularly
as Bernardo offers to serve him and to help him in whatever way he
thinks best. Impress this upon him.
Niccolò Michelozzi _to_ Lorenzo de’ Medici _at Morba_
I send this horseman, not because the enclosed letters are of any
great importance, but because all your people, both those of your
house and your friends, wish to have news of you: though in all hope
is great, yet the desire will only be appeased by news of you and
of good results [from the baths]. Give orders therefore that your
secretaries write often.
Antonio Tornabuoni informs me that this morning the Captain of
infantry was sent to Romagna, we think he will do well what is
necessary, and at Pietrasanta ...[313] to fly from peril.
The Doge of Genoa writes that a safe-conduct for eight days has been
given to Francesco Centurione, principally because some persons have
an idea that he comes for a purpose and is not merely passing through.
You will be the first to know whether he is the bearer of anything.
Sassetto tells me he has, by your orders, replied to the letter from
Amaretto in Venice to you, and has told him to come here.
From the letters from Rome you will understand about the Pope, who has
been trying to trick us.
Pier Filippo tells me that they intend to send a Commissary to Pisa
who can if necessary also act at Leghorn and at Pietrasanta, a man of
resolution. They think of sending Piero di Lutozzo and of recalling
Piero Capponi and Piero Vettori, who have both asked to be recalled,
particularly Pier Capponi because Gino is not well; if you have any
one else to suggest send word, for there is still time.
Alberghetto says he is ready to make those four small cannon for you
if you will give him the materials; thus he will not lose his time
on public things, in which he has been very ill-treated; they don’t
pay him, they give him no work, and they drive him to despair. I have
helped him and shall do all I can for him.
Tell Madonna Clarice that Piero and all the other children are as
well as ever I saw them, and I hope they will continue so. Do your
best to recover and return soon quite cured and in good health, then
everything else will go well.
On ’Change money is abundant for everywhere, save Lyons, for which
place all the merchants are buyers, particularly those who used to be
sellers. I think some one must be working to send supplies by some
other channel. But I do not understand these things, or know whether
it is true, still I think you ought to be informed of everything:
if my news bores you, either tell me, or tell Ser Piero to open my
letters and not to show them to you.
Do order them to write often to us. I commend myself to you.--In
Florence the last day of the year 1484 (24th March 1485).
Ser Francesco sends you an abstract of what little there is of public
matters.
Niccolò Michelozzi.[314]
Matteo Franco _to_ Ser Piero Dovizi Da Bibbiena, _Chancellor of Lorenzo
de’ Medici, wherever he may be_
_Salve, o alter ego._
Good-bye Ser Piero, good-bye Franco, good-bye Lorenzo, Butti,
Franceschi, good-bye, good-bye, &c. We parted at Capitulo near Bagno
a Morba. Florence having quitted Pisa,[315] we came gaily singing
and joking to the mill on this side of Monte Castelli, where we
found twenty-five soldiers with shields and spears whom we had seen
from above, when we said to one another, “Who are those fellows down
there?” and we all shouted “_Palle, Palle_”; they replied, “_Palle,
Palle e Orso, Orso_,” and as we came nearer the shouts of _Palle_
and _Orso_ redoubled. We then saw they were men sent from Monte
Castelli to escort us, &c. They wanted us to enter the townlet, but we
declined, so they came with us down into the plain where was a crowd
of women with faces as wrinkled as chestnut cakes, but all very merry
and happy with tables spread out with wine, puff pastry, &c. We drank
in haste, and keeping one of the soldiers as a guide discharged the
others, and went on our journey singing and chatting gaily. Passing by
deserted Monte Guidi, half-way down the hill we met a priest with his
frock tucked up and so out of breath he might have come from Assisi,
who said he was a friend of Donnino,[316] and implored us to dismount
at his church and house, he was so exhausted and ran up and down so
incessantly, that if he did not go and be bled I fear that by this
time he is no more. God help him. We left, or rather we did not stop,
and passed down below Casoli without entering, and about four miles
this side of the village Martino Ghezo and Martino Moro caught us up,
not having been able to keep up with us as we rode fast. They told
us that on the other side of Casoli they met the so-much-longed-for
Nannina[317] in a carriage, and that she asked about Lorenzo and
Madonna Clarice. Hearing that Madonna Clarice had passed, and that
Lorenzo had gone to Pisa, she was, they said, in despair, and showed
great sorrow at not having seen Lorenzo, or even having been able to
talk to Madonna Clarice. When Madonna heard this she several times
lamented the bad luck of their missing each other, &c.
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