To the Signoria of Florence, from Lorenzo de’ Medici
Most Illustrious my Lords,—It is not from presumption that I did not notify the reason of my departure to Your Illustrious Excellencies, but because it seemed to me that the agitated and disturbed condition of our city demands acts and not words. I conceive that she desires, and indeed has extreme need of peace. Seeing that all other endeavours have been fruitless, I have determined to run some peril in my own person rather than expose the city to disaster. Therefore, with the permission of Your Excellencies of the Signoria, I have decided to go openly to Naples. Being the one most hated and persecuted by our enemies I may by placing myself in their hands be the means of restoring peace to our city. One of two things is certain, either His Majesty the King loves our city as he has asserted and some have believed, and is attempting to gain our friendship by affronting us rather than by despoiling us of liberty; or His Majesty really desires the ruin of this Republic. If his intentions are good there is no better way of testing them than by placing myself voluntarily in his power, and I make bold to say that this is the only way to make peace and to render the condition of our city stable. If His Majesty the King intends to attack our liberty it seems to me well to know the worst quickly, and that one should be injured rather than the many. I am most glad to be that one, for two reasons: first, because being the principal object of our enemies’ hatred I can more easily and better explain all to the King, as it may be that our enemies only seek to injure me. The other reason is that having a greater position and larger stake in our city, not only than I deserve but probably than any citizen in our days, I am more bound than any other man to give up all to my country, even my life. These are the feelings with which I go, for perchance our Lord God desires that this war, which began with the blood of my brother and my own, should be put an end to by me. My ardent wish is that either my life or my death, my misfortunes or my well-being, should contribute to the good of our city. I shall therefore carry out my idea. If it succeeds according to my wishes and hopes I shall be most glad to benefit my country at the risk of my life and at the same time to save myself. Should evil befall me I shall not complain if it benefits our city, as it certainly must; for if our adversaries only aim at me, they will have me in their hands: if they want aught else it will be patent to all. I am certain that our citizens will unite to protect their liberty, so that by the grace of God it will be defended as was always done by our fathers. I go full of hope, and with no other object than the good of the city, and I pray God to give me grace to perform what is the duty of every man towards his country. I commend myself humbly to Your Excellencies of the Signoria.—From San Miniato on the 7th day of December 1479. Your Excellencies’ Servant,
Laurentius de Medicis.[272]
Lorenzo de’ Medici to Antonio Montecatino, Ambassador to Florence of the Duke of Ferrara
Magnifice tanquam Pater,—From S. Miniato I wrote to tell you the reason of my departure, but as a note from you does not mention my letter, perhaps you will have had it later.
Anyhow I reply briefly to assure you that your affairs and those of your and my Illustrious Lord are most dear to me, and that at present and in the future they are and ever will be more so. I know my obligations towards His Excellency, and know what is my duty, which I shall perform. Wherever Lorenzo de’ Medici intervenes Your Lordship may be sure that there is one of your most faithful servants. His Excellency will know this from the effects if I succeed in doing what I wish. Meanwhile this is to inform Your Magnificence that I hope to leave here to-night and to join the galleys, which arrived this evening, at dawn. On board is Ser Giantommaso Caraffa, son of the Count di Matalone, and Prinzivalle di Gennaro, whose position at the court of the Duke of Calabria I think you are aware of. They have come to bear me company, though a far greater man than I am would be much honoured by their companionship. I pray God may lead me there and bring me back in safety, having accomplished something. I beg you to let Your Illustrious Lords and Madonna know what I have written, and I commend myself to their Excellencies and to you.—Pisa, the 10th day of December 1479.
Filius Laurentius de Medicis.[273]
Bartolommeo Scala, Secretary of the Florentine Republic, to Lorenzo de’ Medici at Naples
Magnifice Pater mi,—I send herewith a duplicate of the mandate in case the first has not reached you, your primary instructions and the letter of credit. I think however that you will have received them as Poccia had a safe-conduct from the Duke.
As you are to use them I hope they are according to your wishes. If anything is wanting I beg you to send me the formula you desire and it shall be sent.