Agnolo Poliziano at Pistoja to Lorenzo de’ Medici
Magnifice mi Domine, &c.,—Madonna Clarice is well and so are all the others. Here we knew nothing of the tumult until the bearer of this gave me Franco’s[235] letter and calmed our fears which were aroused by his former one; Madonna Clarice suspected that things were more serious and that you de industria made light of them. So now she is comforted et acquievit. We want for nothing; only we grieve sorely over your worries, which are of a truth great. God will help us. Spes enim in vivis est, desperatis mortui.
If you have not absolute need of Giovanni Tornabuoni Madonna Clarice wishes you would send him here, she is lonely without him, and for many reasons she thinks it would be well if he came.
I look after Piero and incite him to write; in a few days I think he will write to you in a fashion that will astonish you, we have here a master that teaches writing in fifteen days, he is excellent at his trade. The children play about more than usual and are in splendid health. God help them and you. Piero never leaves me or I him. I wish I had to serve you in some greater thing, but as this has fallen to my lot I do it willingly. Rogo tamen, ut aliquid aut literarum aut nuntii huc perlatum ivi cures, desque operam, ne quidquid est in me auctoritatis, patriaris exolescere, quo et puerum facilius in officio teneam, et meo munere, ut par est defungar. Sed hæc si commodum; fin minus, quod fors feret, feremus æquo animo. Be of good cheer and take courage, for great men are formed by adversity. Durate, et vosmet rebus servate secundis. I commend myself to you.—Pistoja, August 26, 1478. Your servant,
Ang. Pol.[236]
Agnolo Poliziano at Pistoja to Lorenzo de’ Medici
Magnifice mi Domine,—All the family here are well. Piero studies but little, every day we go out enjoying the country. We visit the gardens of which the town is full, and sometimes the library of Maestro Zambino, in which I have found several good things, both in Greek and in Latin. Giovanni is on his pony all the day, and all the people run after him. Mona Clarice is very well; but takes little pleasure in aught save any good news we get from Florence. She rarely goes out. We want for nothing. Presents we refuse, save salad, figs, and a few flasks of wine, some beccafichi or things of that sort. These citizens would bring us water in their ears. From Andrea Panciaticchi we have received so much kindness that we are all indebted to him. We keep good watch and have begun to put a guard at the gates. Be of good cheer and conquer; and when you have time come and see your family who expect you with open arms. I commend myself to Your Magnificence.—Pistoja, August 31, 1478.[237]
Agnolo Poliziano at Pistoja to Lorenzo de’ Medici at Florence
Magnifice Domine mi,—Madonna Clarice has not felt very well since yesterday evening.... Piero went out to meet the Lord[238] this morning, and was the first to greet him. He spoke a few words of the sentence you wrote for him very well, and the Lord set him on his horse before him and thus entered Pistoja. Mona Clarice sent him a fine bunch of partridges, and this evening we all go to visit him at twenty-two of the clock, it being now nineteen. Giovanni Tornabuoni was with Piero and finished his little speech. Judging from what his people say, the Illustrious Lord is most anxious to do himself honour and to satisfy the Most Excellent Signoria and especially Your Magnificence.
Clarice sends you I know not how many partridges of those given to her to present to this Lord. I shall see how things go and as in duty bound shall inform Your Magnificence, whom God preserve. I commend myself to you.—Pistoja, September 7, 1478.