'Did he make up his mind to sit still and wait till Girolamo found means
to carry his threats into effect?'
I was rather at a loss for an answer. Lorenzo's eyes were fixed keenly
upon me; they seemed to be trying to read my brain.
'It was suggested to him that it would be unwise,' I replied slowly.
'And what did he answer to that?'
'He recalled the ill results of certain recent--events.'
'Ah!'
He took his eyes off me, as if he had suddenly seen the meaning behind
my words, and was now quite sure of everything he wanted to know. He
walked up and down the room, thinking; then he said to me,--
'Tell Checco that Girolamo's position is very insecure. The Pope is
against him, though he pretends to uphold him. You remember that when
the Zampeschi seized his castle of San Marco, Girolamo thought they had
the tacit consent of the Pope, and dared make no reprisal. Lodovico
Sforza would doubtless come to the assistance of his half-sister, but he
is occupied with the Venetians--and if the people of Forli hate the
Count!'
'Then you advise--'
'I advise nothing. But let Checco know that it is only the fool who
proposes to himself an end when he cannot or will not attain it; but the
man who deserves the name of man, marches straight to the goal with
clearness of mind and strength of will. He looks at things as they are
and puts aside all vain appearances; and when his intelligence has shown
him the means to his end, he is a fool if he refuses them, and he is a
wise man if he uses them steadily and unhesitatingly. Tell that to
Checco!'
He threw himself into his chair with a little cry of relief.
'Now we can talk of other things. Pico!'
A servant came in to say that Pico had gone away.
'The villain!' cried Lorenzo. 'But I daresay you will want to go away
too, Messer Brandolini. But you must come to-morrow; we are going to act
the Menacchini of Plautus; and besides the wit of the Latin you will
see all the youth and beauty of Florence.'