_Illme. Domine mi_,--Your Excellency has in your library a book by an historian named Dione, _de Romanis historiis_, which I have an extreme desire to see, both on account of the consolation I derive from history and also because my son Piero, who has some knowledge of Greek literature, has begged me to get this book for him to read, which I understand is very rare in Italy.[324] Your Excellency can understand how grateful I shall be for the loan of it for a few days, and therefore I beg you to grant my request and with all eagerness I expect the book. I commend myself to Your Excellency.--Florence, February 5, 1485 (1486). Your Excellency’s servant, Laurentius de Medicis.[325] Lorenzo not only borrowed but lent books in liberal fashion. Poliziano was his librarian with a certain Meo _cartolaio_ as his assistant, who bound the manuscripts. Poliziano himself, Pico della Mirandola, Messer Demetrio the Greek (Chalcondylas), John Lascaris, and Bernardo Michelozzi, afterwards Bishop of Forlì, were among the most frequent borrowers, and every book taken out of the library, even by Lorenzo or his sons, was noted down in his _Epistolario_. Not only books, but arms, silver dishes, bowls, goblets, salt-cellars, spoons, and forks, were lent to various Podestà and to friends, even the Signoria of Florence occasionally borrowed from him. The silver Lorenzo took with him on hunting excursions or to the various baths he visited was carefully recorded. Messer Guidone Aldrovandini, _Ambassador to the Republic of Florence from Ferrara, to_ Duke Ercole d’Este