Lives of the early Medici : $b As told in their correspondence
History
Lives of the early Medici : $b As told in their correspondence
Florence (Italy) -- History; Medici, Cosimo de', 1389-1464; Medici, House of; Medici, Lorenzo de', 1449-1492; Medici, Piero de', 1416-1469
Poliziano describes the agony of suspense of the small group in the new
sacristy, who thought the church was in the hands of the Pazzi. “Some
feared that the priest’s dagger was poisoned, and Lorenzo’s friend,
Antonio Ridolfi, a most excellent youth, sucked the wound in his neck.
Lorenzo, however, gave no heed to it, continually repeating, ‘Is
Giuliano safe?’ Then came sharp knocks at the door. ‘We are friends,
we are relations. Let Lorenzo come out ere the enemy gains a foothold.’
We were undecided, and shouted, ‘Enemies or friends? Is Giuliano safe?’
No answer was given. Then Sigismondo Della Stufa, devoted to Lorenzo
since his boyhood, climbed up the ladders into the organ loft, looked
down into the church, and saw the dead body of Giuliano. He recognised
those below as friends, and shouted to us to open the door. Closing
around Lorenzo we led him, so that he should not come past the dead
body, to his house.”
How the Archbishop of Pisa, the Pazzi, and Jacopo Bracciolini were
hung from the windows of the Palace of the Signoria, and how the
people hunted their adherents through the streets, shouting, “_Palle!
Palle! down with the traitors_ and cut them to pieces,” is a matter
of history. Montesecco lay in hiding for some days, and before he was
beheaded in the Palazzo del Podestà, dictated and signed the confession
which throws full light on the participation of Sixtus IV. and his
nephew Girolamo Riario in the plot.
On Ascension Day Giuliano was buried in S. Lorenzo, amid the grief
of the people whose darling he was. “He was tall,” writes Poliziano,
“broad-shouldered, wide-chested, with well-developed and strong arms,
a small waist, powerful thighs, and well-made legs; black, sparkling
eyes, a dark complexion, with thick black hair falling on to his
shoulders. A fine rider, jouster, and dancer, an excellent wrestler
and runner, passionately devoted to the chase, submitting patiently
to want of sleep, to hunger, and to thirst, which he often endured
for a whole day. Magnanimous, steady, pious, and without vice, he
delighted in music, painting, and everything connected with art. He
liked poetry, and wrote some good verse in the vulgar tongue. He
spoke well, but was reserved and not quick-witted; yet he enjoyed
a good joke, and sometimes made one. Liars he hated and those who
nursed vengeance. In dress he was not extravagant, but always neat and
well-clothed. Serious, handsome, and dignified, he was most courteous
and kind-hearted. He adored and revered his brother, while his courage
and high spirits endeared him to the people.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account