My letters cannot but be acceptable to you, for I only write to give you news of your family. All, by the grace of God, are well; Piero continues to learn to write and will soon be so good a penman that I hope he will relieve me of the trouble of writing _sine argumento_ as I do now to you, so that I am ashamed of myself. But may it please God that I shall always have to write the same words to you, which are that we are all well. Madonna Clarice is much happier and better in health. We keep good guard and watch here, but we are anxious about you. God keep you, for it seems to me that all depends upon that. Have no fear about us, for we are very careful. As far as I am concerned neither care nor goodwill shall be wanting. I know how much I owe to Your Magnificence, and the love I bear to Piero and to your other children is hardly second to your own. If anything unpleasant and unkind does sometimes happen I shall endeavour to bear it for love of you, _cum omnia debeo_. I commend myself to you.--Pistoja, September 20, 1478. Agnolo Poliziano.[240] Piero de’ Medici (_born 1472_) _to his father_ Medici _Magnifice Pater mi_, &c.,--I write this letter to tell you we are well, and although I do not as yet know how to write well, I will do what I can. I shall try hard to do better in the future. I have already learnt many verses of Virgil, and I know nearly the whole of the first book of Theodoro by heart;[241] I think I understand it. The master makes me decline and examines me every day. Giovanni comes to mass sometimes with the master. Madonna Clarice and the others are well. I commend myself to you.--Pistoja, September 21, 1478. V. M. filius Petru de Medicis.[242] [Illustration: _Alinari_ PIERO DI LORENZO DE’ MEDICI. _Detail from the fresco by Domenico Ghirlandaio in the Church of S. Trinità, Florence._] In October or November of 1478 Clarice and the children left Pistoja and went to the great fortress-villa Cafaggiuolo in the Mugello, which in winter must have been terribly cold and dreary. Clarice de’ Medici _to_ Lucrezia _Magnifice Mater honoranda_,--On account of the bad roads and the much rain we have not sent in the carrier for three days. Now either he or another will go to you with this: because I wish to know how you and Lorenzo are, and the others. I beg of you to write and tell me. We, by God’s grace, are all quite well but in the water above our heads. We remain all day in the house, and nothing gladdens us so much as letters and news from you all. I commend myself to you.--Cafaggiuolo, December 16, 1478.[243] Agnolo Poliziano _to_ Lucrezia de’ Medici