Medici
While you may still enter it for the Competition. The judges—er—may hear that Damiano di Medici has bought it for his new Palazzo—and—judge—accordingly.
Paulo
(Low.) The gold, the blue, the scarlet you desire—I mean, suggest—are not in my scheme.
Medici
Yet they would add the perfect touch now lacking—in my judgment, Signor. Come, now, I will go further. I have sworn that my Palazzo shall surpass even that of Cosimo, my ambitious brother, in Florence. I will have a Gorgione for his Lippo Lippi, and—if you will—a Salviati for his da Vinci. I offer you, further, the painting of my ceilings, Signor—seven years’ inspired and happy labour.
Paulo
Seven years of bondage to another’s taste and purse.
Lucia
(To Paulo.) You could do your own work too.