Agnolo Pol.[239]
Agnolo Poliziano at Pistoja to Lorenzo de’ Medici
My letters cannot but be acceptable to you, for I only write to give you news of your family. All, by the grace of God, are well; Piero continues to learn to write and will soon be so good a penman that I hope he will relieve me of the trouble of writing sine argumento as I do now to you, so that I am ashamed of myself. But may it please God that I shall always have to write the same words to you, which are that we are all well. Madonna Clarice is much happier and better in health. We keep good guard and watch here, but we are anxious about you. God keep you, for it seems to me that all depends upon that. Have no fear about us, for we are very careful. As far as I am concerned neither care nor goodwill shall be wanting. I know how much I owe to Your Magnificence, and the love I bear to Piero and to your other children is hardly second to your own. If anything unpleasant and unkind does sometimes happen I shall endeavour to bear it for love of you, cum omnia debeo. I commend myself to you.—Pistoja, September 20, 1478.
Agnolo Poliziano.[240]
Piero de’ Medici (born 1472) to his father Medici
Magnifice Pater mi, &c.,—I write this letter to tell you we are well, and although I do not as yet know how to write well, I will do what I can. I shall try hard to do better in the future. I have already learnt many verses of Virgil, and I know nearly the whole of the first book of Theodoro by heart;[241] I think I understand it. The master makes me decline and examines me every day. Giovanni comes to mass sometimes with the master. Madonna Clarice and the others are well. I commend myself to you.—Pistoja, September 21, 1478.
V. M. filius Petru de Medicis.[242]
Alinari
PIERO DI LORENZO DE’ MEDICI.