Your Lucrezia de’ Medici
at Bagno a Morba.[203]
Lucrezia de’ Medici (Lorenzo’s daughter, born 1470) to her grandmother Lucrezia at Bagno a Morba
Magnificent Grandmother mine,—Let me know how you are and when you began your baths. It seems to me a thousand years since you left, and every day I say a Pater noster and an Ave Maria for your return well and happy. Send me that basket of roses you promised. We are all well here, all we children with Mona Clarice. Mona Bartolomea and all her family are here too, tell Leonardo that they are well and commend me to him. We often go up to your little spring, and there we talk of you. Lorenzo has gone to Pisa, may God accompany him, he will come back to us soon.
I pray you to be careful and of good cheer for love of me, so that you may return well and bright, it seems a thousand years to me. If I can do aught for you here, command me.—Written on May 24, 1477. No more. May Christ guard you.
Your Lucrezia de’ Medici, Careggi.[204]
Agnolo Poliziano to Lucrezia de’ Medici at Bagno a Morba
Magnifica Domina mea honoranda,—the family are all well. Lorenzo has informed us of the honours paid to Madama of Ferrara at Pisa, so I do not repeat what no doubt you have heard from others. She left evidently well pleased.
There is again talk about the affairs at Milan and the Lord Ruberto [Count of San Severino]. You will have heard how he went to Milan with Messer Obietto, and it appears the Illustrious Madonna Duchess heard of some understanding between them. Donato del Conte, who was also in the secret, was sent for and imprisoned. Upon which it seems the Lord Ruberto took arms with his followers and attempted to raise the city together with some of the Duke’s brothers. Then seeing there was no hope he fled, and with him went Messer Obietto, who they say to-day has been taken; of the Lord Ruberto there is as yet no news. The Duke’s brothers have implored the Duchess to forgive them, alleging as an excuse that they feared for their lives. The Lord Ottaviano is reported to have been drowned while flying from his pursuers. There is also the affair of Messer Antonio Ridolfo, who was attacked by some soldiers of Pietra Santa and Melia on his way from the Riviera of Genoa. After a skirmish of several miles his mounted crossbow-men showed good fight and wounded and killed those soldiers with great honour to themselves, and Messer Antonio arrived here safe and sound.
Your Piero and Lucrezia and the other children are well and commend themselves to Your Magnificence. I have not been able to write to you because I am at Careggi, and therefore have no means of sending letters. Madonna Clarice, Bianca and Nannina, and all our people are well. I commend myself to Your Magnificence.—Florence, the last day of May 1477. Your Magnificence’s servant,
Angelus Pol.[205]