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
In the morning, that is yesterday morning, we left directly after
mass, coming by the S. Casciano road. Just under Fabrica a man
galloped up, saying: “Your Piero sends me to find out by which road
you are coming, for yester evening he came out several miles to meet
you, and has now gone with Messer Giovanni and all the others towards
S. Maria Impruneta.” We replied that we were bound to S. Casciano. He
flew off to bear the message, and at last on this side of S. Casciano,
as we were crossing the river, we met Jacopo Salviati and his friend
Tommasino de’ Corbinelli, who greeted us with great joy, and rode back
with us. Then near the Certosa we met paradise full of festive and
joyous angels, that is to say, Messer Giovanni and Piero, and Giuliano
and Giulio on pillions, with all their attendants. As soon as they saw
their mother they threw themselves from their horses, some without
help, others aided by their people, and they ran forward and were
lifted into the arms of Madonna Clarice, with such joy and kisses and
delight that a hundred letters could not describe it. Even I could
not restrain myself but got off my horse, and ere they remounted I
embraced them all twice; once for myself and once for Lorenzo. Darling
little Giuliano said, with a long O, O, O, “Where is Lorenzo?” We
said, “He has gone to Poggio to find you.” Then he: “O no, never,”
almost in tears. You never beheld so touching a sight. He and Piero,
who has become a beautiful lad, the prettiest thing, by God, you ever
saw, somewhat grown, with the profile of an angel, and rather long
hair which stands out a little and is charming to see. Giuliano, red
and fresh as a rose, smooth, clear, and bright as a mirror, joyous
and with those contemplative eyes. Messer Giovanni also looks well,
not much colour, but healthy and natural; and Giulio has a brown and
healthy complexion.[320] All, in short, were happiness itself. And
thus with great joy and delight we went a happy party by Via Maggio,
Ponte a S. Trinità, S. Michele Berteldi, S. Maria Maggiore, Canto alla
Paglia, Via de’ Martelli, and entered the house, _per infinita asecula
aseculorum eselibera nos a malo amen_. I then rode to my own house,
and I have not seen them since as I found many things to do. Nothing
more.
Luigi left Florence this morning and went to Calcione or Balcione
or whatever his place is called, and his wife is in Florence. Tell
Francesco di Maestro Antonio,[321] my beloved and beautiful, that he
had his letter, was much pleased by it, and says he will reply by word
of mouth, as there was nought in it of moment he did not answer, but
begs him to forgive him, he will do it better in person. Take note of
this.
To my Andrea de’ Medici commend me with all thy might and tell him not
to forget my sea-shells. And come back soon for the people can no
longer retain their impatience. In haste.--May 12, 1485.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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