Nannina Rucellai to her mother Lucrezia de’ Medici
To the honoured hands of the Magnificent Lady Lucrezia de’ Medicis at Careggi.
Dearest Mother,—I must tell you that Bernardo has dismissed the tutor to my great sorrow, as I do not know where to send him. At Figline, from whence he comes, the plague is very bad; in his house two of his brothers are dead and his father is ill. Vincenzo has not a farthing, if he had anything he spent it here in clothes, and now we repay him with “Go in peace.” Nothing could be more displeasing to me. Whoso wants to do as they wish should not be born a woman. I should be so glad if you will ask Lorenzo, if not inconvenient, to give him shelter where he would not be in the way for two or three months until the plague has ceased. I do not think he is capable of teaching any save the little ones, whom he might look after and teach. You could not do me a greater pleasure, as it will show that I have some one who is willing to oblige me; there are others who do the reverse. If during this time he should be in need of a little money for his clothes I will provide it from my own pocket, for he seems to me in a bad plight. Here I could give him nothing as I had no money. I should be glad if any small sum comes into your hands or any small living you would help him, for I do not like to repay him with ingratitude. We are all well. I commend myself to you, commend me to Lorenzo and kiss Giulio for me. Christ guard you and see that you guard yourself.—In Casentino, July 12, 1479.
Your Nannina.[261]
Bianca de’ Pazzi to her mother Lucrezia de’ Medici at Careggi
Dearest and most honoured Mother,—I have had a letter from you which has greatly consoled me as I see you are all in good health, particularly you and Lorenzo, I pray God to keep you so for many years. I have not written before as I feared to importune you and also because I have sent often to your house to Marco for malvasy and for the book of St. Margaret, all of which I have received; and from him I heard news of you. I should have sent to you [at Careggi] but thought that on account of the plague you would keep close guard. We have had it near here, but by the grace of God it is now finished. So I did not send as I ought to have done. As I told you in Florence I mean to lie in here for I know you have enough on your hands, and I want for nothing. If I am worse than usual which I do not expect as by the grace of God I am very well, I am in the ninth month now and as I said well, should anything unforeseen happen there is Maestro Giorgio close by who fled here from the plague. So be in no anxiety about me for I feel sure God will assist me as ever, if it so pleases Him. Of the family in the Mugello I hear good news, which rejoices me, and also of Nannina,[262] who they tell me passed along the road going to the Casentino. I am so glad you are all of you well, which is not little to say in such times as these, for I was and I am anxious about you as you said you had to see so many people. I wonder you were not somewhat afraid, but our Lord God will not abandon us entirely. Do persuade Lorenzo to take more care, for I hear he has no fear at all[263] ... on all sides, and also to beware of his enemies. Until this sickness is past he ought to put his pleasures on one side; if he lives he will have more than now, for I trust God will recompense him for the ill he has received. I commend myself to him, as do these children, and Guglielmo commends himself to you and to Lorenzo. By the grace of God we are all well.—Alla Torre, July 15, 1479.
Your Bianca.[264]
Agnolo Poliziano to Lucrezia de’ Medici at Careggi
Magnificent Madonna mine,—By Tommaso I send back your lauds, sonnets, and poems in terza rima, which you lent me when I was with you the other day. All these women were delighted with them and Madonna Lucrezia, or rather Lucrezia, has learnt all the lauds and many sonnets of the Lucrezia by heart.[265] There is also a little white book in manuscript which I beg you to give to your and my good Giovanni Tornabuoni, it contains certain rules his children asked me to give them. I am also writing to Giovanni, to the children, and to their master. I pray you to give him the letters and to commend me to him, for I set great store and count much on the affection he shows me. I have been to see Lorenzo several times and cannot describe how well he received me. Do try and discover what are his intentions with regard to me; it would surprise me if Piero were allowed to lose time, it would be a great pity. I hear that Messer Bernardo, brother of Ser Niccolò, is with him, but I do not know how his teaching will combine with mine.[266] If he is to remain permanently, then of a truth I can assume that the bubble has burst. But I cannot believe it, and therefore beg you to find out what are Lorenzo’s intentions, then I shall know whether I am to arm for a joust only or for war. It will be easy for you and I shall always be at the beck and call of Lorenzo as I am sure he knows better than I, and that he will put me in an honourable position as he always has done and as my fidelity and good services merit. I am working hard. Till now I have not been able to send you the promised book as one copy is at Florence and the other at the binder’s who has kept it a long time. As soon as I have it I will send it. I commend myself to you and I pray you to commend me to Lorenzo.—Fiesole, July 18, 1479. Your Magnificence’s servant,
Angelus Polizianus.[267]