In this same year was held Giuliano de’ Medici’s magnificent and costly tournament, which would however be forgotten had not Poliziano written his immortal _Stanze per la Giostra del Magnifico Giuliano di Piero de’ Medici_, “a masterpiece,” writes Symonds, “which blent the ancient and the modern world in a work of art glowing with Italian fancy.... Each stanza of _La Giostra_ is a mimic world of beauty, art, and scholarship; a painting where the object stands before us modelled with relief of light and shade in finely modulated lines....”[195] Agnolo Poliziano _at Pisa to_ Clarice de’ Medici _Magnifica Domina mea_,--I did not write yesterday to Your Magnificence because Lorenzo sent me to Lucca. I have just come back and take up my pen to keep faith with you. Lorenzo is well and in good spirits. Yesterday as there was but little wind he went hawking; but they had not much luck because the young falcon belonging to Pilato, called the Mantuan, was lost. This morning they went out again, but the wind was not favourable, nevertheless we saw some fine flights, and Maestro Giorgio flew his Peregrine falcon which came back to the lure most obediently.[196] Lorenzo is quite in love with it. Of a truth he is not wrong, for Maestro Giorgio says he never saw a handsomer or a better, and declares he will make of him the finest falcon in the world. While we were in the fields Pilato came back from the river with his lost falcon, so Lorenzo was doubly pleased. If I knew what to write I should be glad: but I can only give you news of his hawking as we do nought else in the fore- and the afternoon. This evening I hear that on Monday Lorenzo intends to hunt roe deer and then to return at once to Florence. Please God we may find you well and with a boy in your arms.[197] I commend myself to Your Magnificence.--In Pisa, December 1, 1475. Make my excuses to Madonna Lucrezia if I have not written to her, but I have nought to say save what I write to you. Commend me to her. Your servant, Agnolo da Montepulciano.[198] Agnolo Poliziano _to_ Clarice de’ Medici _Magnifica Domina mea_,--Yesterday after leaving Florence we came as far as San Miniato [al Tedesco], singing all the way, and occasionally talking of holy things so as not to forget Lent. At Lastra [a Signa] we drank _zappolino_, which tasted much better than I had been told. Lorenzo is brilliant and makes the whole company gay: yesterday I counted twenty-six horses of those who are with him. When we reached San Miniato yester evening we began to read a little of S. Augustine, then the reading resolved itself into music, and looking at and instructing a certain well-known dancer who is here. Lorenzo is just going to Mass. I will finish another time.--At San Miniato, April 8 (1476). Servitor. Your Agnolo.[199] Clarice de’ Medici _to her husband_ Lorenzo _at Florence_