that they had tried to curtail liberty and change the government which depended upon Lorenzo; so it was declared that whoever attacked Lorenzo commits _crimen lesæ maiestatis_, thus giving to him great honour. Some say this will rather injure than benefit him, because the more he is elevated above others the more enemies he will have.... June 9, 1481.[293] Lorenzo de’ Medici _to the_ Duchess Eleonora d’Aragona d’Este _at Ferrara_ _Illma. Domina mea_,--The duty I owe Your Excellency compels me to communicate to you the terrible and disastrous blow that has to-day befallen me through the death of my most beloved mother Madonna Lucrezia. This leaves me utterly desolate as Your Excellency can think, for I have lost, not only a mother, but the only person I could turn to in many vexations and who aided me in many troubles. It is true that we ought to submit patiently to the will of God, but in this case my heart refuses to be comforted. I pray He may perhaps send me patience and comfort, and grant her peace and happiness. Your Excellency to whom I thus pour out my grief for such a loss, and to whom I turn for comfort in such sorrow, will understand the state in which your attached servant, who commends himself to you with all his heart, finds himself.--Florence, March 25, 1482. Your Excellency’s Servant, Laurentius de Medicis.[294] Lorenzo de’ Medici _to the_ Duke Ercole d’Este _Illme. Domine mi_,--Although in tears and in great grief I cannot but inform Your Excellency of the terrible loss I have sustained by the death of my most dear mother Madonna Lucrezia; who to-day quitted this life. I am more full of sorrow than I can say, as besides losing a mother, at the mere thought of whom my heart breaks, I have lost the counsellor who took many a burden from off me. It has pleased God that this should be and we neither can nor ought to contest His will. Much I grieve that I have not the necessary constancy nor strength of mind, but I pray our Lord God to grant me patience and to her soul peace, as I firmly hope He will on account of her upright life. I write in order that Your Excellency may know the condition in which is one of his good servants who commends himself to you with all his heart.--Florence, March 25, 1482. Your Excellency’s Servant, Laurentius de Medicis.[295]