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
To conclude, this election is attributed entirely to Monsignore di
Visconti and I think you ought to write to him that he should help us
when I have need of aid in your affairs. Also send a proper letter to
S. Pietro in Vincula for he is the only one I have any fear of in
the business of Fonte Dolce,[310] he is the Pope, _et plusquam Papa_.
Believe me that Monsignori Aragona and Visconti will plunder this
court at every election, they are the two biggest scoundrels in the
world.
In a few days I shall begin to adjust your affairs and shall succeed,
as in the beginning these princes and popes are usually very gracious,
and His Holiness is well disposed towards you and has always been very
friendly to me. Remember before the new Signori are named to have my
leave arranged as I want to be at home during September, and I hope
you will grant my desire that my Simone should be made one of the
Eight.--Roma, August 29, 1484. Remember also to push on the enterprise
of Sarzana, afterwards there might be danger.[311]
According to custom the Republic of Florence sent an embassy to
congratulate Innocent VIII. on his nomination. With them went Lorenzo’s
eldest son, Piero, then fourteen years of age, to whom his father wrote
the following letter containing minute instructions as to his speech
and conduct. From Lorenzo’s remark, “Though thou art my son, thou art
but a citizen of Florence,” and his impressing upon him to be polite
and not to take precedence of his elders, one sees he was already
anxious about the boy’s overbearing, turbulent temper.
Lorenzo de’ Medici _to his son_ Piero _in Rome, November 26, 1484_
Thou wilt have only four letters of introduction for Siena, one to
Messer Paulo di Gherardo, one to Messer Cristofano di Guido, and
one to Messer Andrea Piccolomini, whom thou art to visit at their
houses and there deliver the letters to them. Commend me to Their
Magnificences, using the same words to all, thus: that passing through
Siena on thy way to Rome with these ambassadors I charged thee to
visit Their Magnificences whom I love and revere as fathers; that I
hope they will regard thee as a son, command thee at any time or in
any place, as I do, and that thou wilt obey them; and that as they
can dispose of my property, State, and children, of whom thou art
one, thou presentest thyself to them as being theirs to dispose of
according to their pleasure. Use proper words to this effect without
affectation or constraint, and do not try to appear learned with them
or with others, but speak graciously, pleasantly, and seriously.
Thou wilt have a list of Sienese citizens to whom, if there is time,
thou art to pay visits, using the same words I have already indicated
and offering me to them, as well as to the three above-named, for the
protection of their State, all the more that our city is of this mind.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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