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XIII.

an opportunity of cementing, by a stricter al- CHAP, liance, a connexion so happily begun.(a) But the letters of the cardinal da Bibbiena, who was at this period, intrusted with the most secret intentions of the Roman court, are of a much more curious nature, and throw such light on the state of public affairs, the situation of the different members of the Medici family, and the ambitious designs which were formed by them, as might render a specimen of them not uninteresting, even if it were not written by the lively pen of the author of the Calandra.

W

8

TO THE MAGNIFICENT GIULIANO DE' ME-
DICI, CAPTAIN OF THE CHURCH.(b)

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"His holiness has expressed great surprise "and dissatisfaction at having heard nothing "respecting you during so many days, and complains grievously of your attendants, "who have been so negligent that since your "arrival at Nice no intelligence has been re"ceived of your proceedings. The blame of "this is chiefly attributed, both by his holiness

"and

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A. D. 1515,

A. Et. 40.

A. Pont. IIL

(a) Appendix, No. CXXIII.

(b) For the letter in the original, v. Appendix, No. - CXXIV.

CHAP.
XIII.

A. D. 1515.
A. Et. 40.

A. Pont. III.

66

"and myself, to M. Latino, (a) whose province
"it was to have written. It is no excuse to
say, that from the remote situation of the
"place he knew not how to forward his letters,
"because the expense would have been well
"laid out in sending a special messenger, who
"might at any time have proceeded either to
"Genoa or Piacenza, to inform the pope of that
"which is dearer to him than any other object;
"the state of your own health and person. If
66 you therefore wish to relieve his holiness
"from this anxiety and afford him real conso-
"lation, take care that he may in future be
"more particularly apprized of
your welfare.

"Not only the pope and your own family, your brother, nephew, and sister,(b) but the "whole court are in the most earnest expecta"tion of receiving news from you and your "illustrious consort; nor do I think that the "arrival of any person in any place was ever expected with an impatience equal to that

"which

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(a) Latino Juvenale, one of the secretaries of Leo X. and frequently employed by him as an envoy to foreign

states.

(b) Francesco Cibò, Lorenzo de' Medici, and his mother Alfonsina Orsino.

66

XIII.

"which she has excited at Rome, as well from CHAP. her own accomplishments, on which account every one is desirous to see and to honour her, as from the great favour with which you are yourself regarded here. You will there"fore inform us, with all possible speed and accuracy, what time will be employed in your journey and when you purpose to arrive "at Rome, that every thing may be prepared for your reception. I shall say no more on this "head, expecting to hear fully from you on "the subject.

66

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66

66

"As I know that M. Pietro Ardinghelli has "continually apprized you of the most important occurrences, I have not for the last ten days troubled you with my letters. I had "before written two long letters to you by way "of Piacenza, which I flatter myself came "safe to your hands. I there mentioned "that Tomaso,(a) on going from home had " left your Baccio(b) to expedite many affairs "of importance. With Ghingerli(c) and with

"him

VOL. III.

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66

C

(a) Leo X.

(b) The cardinal da Bibbiena, writer of the letter.

(c) The king of Spain.

A. D. 15 15.

A. Et. 40.

A. Pont. III.

XIII.

CHAP. « him who wished to be related to Leonardo,(a) (( an intimate friendship and good understanding has been concluded; they being fully "inclined to do the same as the rest whom "Leonardo knows, ifthat which Tomaso wishes

for Leonardo be granted, which it is hoped "will be done.(b) By his letters of the third day "of this month, Ghingerli has informed To"maso that he is willing, besides the other recompense which I mentioned to you, to reLeonardo linquish the place at which my "was formerly so much indisposed, to the person you know.(c) It remains therefore, that ❝he who is to receive this recompense,(d) and "his defenders in the vicinity,(e) should satisfy "themselves

A. D. 1515.
A. Æt. 40.

A. Pont. III.

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(a) By the person who wished to be related to Leonardo, is probably meant the emperor elect Maximilian, and by Leonardo, certainly the Magnificent Giuliano, to whom the letter is addressed.

(b) From this it is to be understood, that the king of Spain and the emperor were willing that the pope should retain the possessions which he held in Lombardy.

(c) Undoubtedly the duchy of Urbino, where Giuliano had passed a great portion of his time during his exile.

(d) Meaning Giuliano himself.

(e) The Roman see.

XIII.

66

66

66

"themselves on this head; it being expected CHAP.
"that they will approve of it.(a) The person
"whom count Hercole resembles(b) has sent
a message to his master to this effect, and has
"requested Ghingerli that he will wholly give
up the other two places which are to belong
"to Tomaso, or, to speak more accurately, to
Leonardo,(c) and it is thought there will not
"be the slightest difficulty. Tomaso is well
disposed to this arrangement, and told me
"this morning repeatedly, that Leonardo
"should also have all the other places of which
"he had formerly spoken,(d) making, how-
ever, as you know, a due recompense to
"those by whose means these favours are re-
"ceived.

66

66

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"Bartolommeo, who has the cypher, is not

"at

C 2

(a) This seems intended to discover the sentiments of Giuliano respecting the attempt upon Urbino, of which from principles of justice and gratitude he always disapproved.

(b) The Spanish ambassador, who probably bore some resemblance in his person to the count Ercole Rangone, a nobleman of the court of Leo X.

(c) The cities of Parma and Piacenza.

(d) Alluding in all probability to the duchy of Ferrara and its dependent states.

A. D. 1515.

A. Et. 40.

A. Pout. II.

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