“Empoli, 26 Oct.
“Piero de’ Medici to Bibbiena.
“Comfort, dear Bibbiena, my little household troop till I return; and, above all things, be good to Alfonsina and to poor little[little] Lorenzio[[116]] who has none of the blame to bear. All of you, pray to God for me and for the city.”
“Pisa, 27 Oct., 1494.
“Piero de’ Medici to Bibbiena.
“I arrived in Pisa this evening, very weary with the road, with my own thoughts, with the rain that has rained the live-long day, and with the uncomfortable bed I had last night.... ’Tis but a line I send you, only that you may assure my magnificent Messer Marino (the Neapolitan Ambassador) of the complete devotion that I bear his master... A devotion which to day traho ad immolandum! Perchance it is my fault I did not earlier discover the desertion of the Florentines, the want of money, arms, and credit that I had; but ’tis so difficult to doubt in such a city as our Florence. Let me be excused before His Majesty, since I am not the first sick man who has gone to death’s door before he has discovered he was mortal. In short, tell him this, that even unto hell I will keep my faith to His Majesty King Alfonso (insino all’ Inferno conserveró la fede mia al Signor Re Alfonso). And perhaps in my present low and humble state, I may serve him better as a private gentleman in the camp of France than I served him as the first in Florence.”
“Pietra Santa, 29 Oct.