This morning the Illustrious Eight sent for me to announce that the citadel of Faenza had been given up by the governor and _etiam_ the departure of Madonna Francesca.--Florence, June 9, 1488.[357] ... After the Magnificent Lorenzo had seen Messer Giovanni [Bentivoglio], who had been set at liberty and was in Florence, I went to hear what had passed between them. His Magnificence told me there had been much talk and that all the linen had been washed clean. It seemed to him that Messer Giovanni was quite satisfied and bore no rancour against this city or against himself, and had promised to represent matters to Milan so that nothing more would be said about Faenza.... At daylight the Magnificent Lorenzo left to take the baths at Villa (Filetta). His wife is very ill,[358] and there is no hope of her recovery.--Florence, July 21, 1488....[359] Lorenzo de’ Medici _to_ Pope Innocent VIII. _Sanctissime ac Beatissime Pater post Pedum oscula Beatorum Vestrorum_,--Too often am I obliged to trouble and worry Your Beatitude with accidents sent by fortune and divine interposition, which as they are not to be resisted must be borne with patience. But the death of Clarice, which has just occurred, my most dear and beloved wife, has been and is so prejudicial, so great a loss, and such a grief to me for many reasons, that it has exhausted my patience and my power of enduring anguish, and the persecution of fortune, which I did not think would have made me suffer thus. The deprivation of such habitual and such sweet company has filled my cup and has made me so miserable that I can find no peace. Nought is left but to pray God that He may give me peace, and I have faith that in His infinite love He will alleviate my sorrow and not overwhelm me with so many disasters as I have endured during these last years. I humbly beg Your Beatitude with all my heart to pray for me as I know how efficacious are such prayers. I commend myself and place myself at Your Holy Feet.--Filetta, July 31, 1488. Your devoted servant, Laurentius de Medicis.[360] Messer Aldrovandini, _Ambassador to the Republic of Florence, to the_ Duke Ercole d’Este