By the bearer we send you seventeen partridges which your falconers took to-day. I should have been glad had you come to enjoy them with us; we have expected you until the third hour [an hour before sunset] for the last three evenings. I was astonished you did not come and fear something extraordinary must have happened to keep you. I beg that if it is so you will let me know, for surely it is in any case better we should be together than one in France and the other in Lombardy. I expect you at all events to-morrow and pray if it is possible that we should not await you in vain. The children are well and so are all the rest of the family. I commend myself to you, and beg you to come and to bring Madonna Lucrezia.--Cafaggiuolo, August 20, 1476. Lucrezia de’ Medici, _from Bagno a Morba, to her son_ Lorenzo By the grace of God we have arrived safely and well at Bagno a Morba, I trust He will keep you the same. Of the riding horses we have kept here the ambling palfrey and the chestnut as best suited to this place. So have patience if we have not sent back the palfrey as you desired: none of the others stood the journey well, and it seemed best to me to keep these so that should anything happen we should not be forced to go afoot. But if you want him, tell me, and send us another horse instead. They shall be well looked after here. Of the honours paid us and the amusing things that have happened you shall hear in my next, as the bearer of this has one foot in the stirrup. To begin with, the rooms are like those of an alchemist [_i.e._ small, dark, and hot] and the bugs are as big as capons. Lionardo and Sano can testify to this, they were the first to begin the hunt. _Valete._ In haste.--On the 10th day of May 1477. L. de Medicis, at Bagno a Morba.[200] This letter was dictated to some secretary, and the handwriting is plain enough. Whenever Lucrezia dictates evidently the writer did not think it respectful to use _thou_, which she always uses when writing with her own hand. Lucrezia de’ Medici, _from Bagno a Morba, to her son_ Lorenzo _at Pisa_ _Salutem_, &c. I send you sixteen flasks of good old Greek wine: eight of Poggibonsi, marked with ink: and eight of Colle. To us they seem good, you must however choose, and four _torte besse_ (cakes made at Siena). I do this because I think that with the arrival of the Madama[201] you may need them, although I doubt not you have made every provision. Yet as I had these and they seemed to me good I send them, for I think they may please you. Do not let the carrier return here empty. Oranges, biscuits, and _marino_[202] would be met with banners flying. No more at present. I am well and hope for good results from the baths. God be thanked, may He keep you well. In haste.--On the 23rd day of May 1477.