The Tragedies of the Medici

-"Il Car

DRO-"Il

O-"Il Te

st Tyra

stards, or I will be the fir

ate words of the proud

the great name of Medi

gnifico," and wife of F

rimo Gentiluo

s old respectively, who shrank with terror at the aspect and the vehemence of their contemner. Clarice was a virago, both in the Florentine sense of

orenzo de' Medici, Duke of Urbino, the virtual ruler of Florence. The lads were not alone in their exposure to the wrath of Madonna Clarice, f

ardinal had taken his charges right

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Magi laid his body in the sacristy of San Lorenzo, and the next day the funeral obsequies were held without pomp-as is the custom of the Signori-but

h of Lorenzo il Magnific

s one of the most memor

rica; Roderigo Borgia w

prominent political fi

ence had reac

d of the Tuscan League a

first of modern state

ical prowess of the Roma

forth the renascence o

nd of t

nimpaired its eminence by his urbanity and good sense. To Lorenzo, however, was reserved the distinction of placing upon that mighty column its magnificen

Piero, came the great inheritance of his father's place and power, and no man ever entered into a greater possession,-a posses

th of twenty-one years of age-the exact age of his father on his succession to the Headship of the State. Physically the young

Whilst he lightly handed over to Piero Dorizzi di Bibbiena, his Chancellor, the conduct of public affairs, he listened to the proud persuasions of his mother, to whom anyt

the proud, and as ignorant and prejudiced as she was haughty. Her son could only wed a Roman princess, and, by preference, a daughter of the Orsini; consequently Alf

wever, a prince of his conspicuous and, in many ways, unique ability, was better mated with an unsympathetic spouse than with a woman who could, from

y for our habits of life." The prince gave up most of his time to pleasure and amusement with the young nobles of his court, and encouraged the aims and ambitions of the self-seeking s

take. The three had quarrelled about Lorenzo il Magnifico's pretty daughter, Luigia, but it was a baseless ru

coming to Florence as "God's Captain of Chastisement," politicians of all parties looked to Piero

nello and Pietra Santa. The news sobered the headstrong, self-indulgent prince for the moment, and then craven fear seized his undiscip

manded the cession absolutely of the three fortresses, with the cities of Pisa and Livorno, and with them the "loan" of 200,000 gold florins! Piero's report was listened t

im with missiles and stones. The big bell, up in the Campanile, began to speak its ominous summons, and, in reply

enounced him as "No longer fit to rule the State"-it was Piero de' Capponi. The Signoria passed a sentence of expulsion upon Piero and his brothers, an

ew precipitately through the Porta San Gallo, upon their way to Bologna,

ad gathered together. The streets were strewn with costly furniture, carpets and tapestry, and priceless works of art were either burnt or broke

the people. Charles occupied a portion of the palace, which the Signoria hastily put

ound for pillage. One man alone asserted his liberty, a man who throughout Piero's short government had voiced the public discontent-Piero de' Capponi-the most capable soldier Florence possessed. Boldly and alone he fa

ce, and left the city, after a stormy scene with Savonarola. "Take heed," the l

d the service of the King of France, the enemy of his country, against the Spanish conquerors of the kingdom of Naples. The French were worsted and took to their ships at Gaeta. Piero escaped, but his death followed shortly, for the boat in which he was cros

and commander, who made it a condition of his evacuation of Tuscany, that the Medici should be recalled as private citizens, and be granted permission to purchase back their forfeited property. On 12th September of the same year, Giuliano, the third son of Lorenzo il Magnifico, with his young nephew, Lorenzo, Piero's son, entered Florence, attended by a small following. He was one of the noblest of his race, but he was

considerable number of ambitious Signori, and intrigue and plots to upset the rising fortunes of the Medici were rife. The very next day after the death of Pope Julius II., Bernardo de' Capponi and Pietro Papolo de' Boscoli were condemned to be hung within

ir bids for power. Giulio was preconised Cardinal, Giuliano appointed Gonfaloniere of the Papal army, and Lorenzo became the virtual Head of the Florentine Republic. Giuliano

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affairs. Possibly he was regarded in the light of Regent for Lorenzo's only legitimate child, Caterina. He had undoubtedly personal fitness for the post of Chie

imself with either party. Recalled to Rome on the death of Leo X., he left Cardinal Silvio Passerini of Cortona his deputy: a man useful as a too

VII. In the Vatican, that "refuge for bastards and foundlings," room was found for two boys, cousins, each the offspring of a Medici father,

mitted her child to be exposed in the streets, in a basket, where he was rescued, and taken into the foundling ward of the Confraternity of Santa Maria di Piano d'Ur

visit, which Pope Leo paid to the convent, he noticed the young boy, and as he smiled and tried to get at his Holiness, Leo was struck with his good looks and made enquiri

er was a woman of colour, a Tartar slave-girl, who passed for the wife of a vetterale or courier, in the pay of the Duke. He was a native of Colle Vecchio, near Riete, in Umbria, and went by the name of Bizio da Collo, whilst the girl was

ys could be. Ippolito, as the child of gentle parents, had an aristocratic bearing. He was a clever lad and excelled especially in classical learn

unrefined. He had none of Ippolito's gentleness and attractiveness, but in disposition he was morose, passionate, and cruel. His manners were marked by abruptness and vulgarity. He was no genius, and

the cousins fell out, as they did many times a day, the interference of their uncle brought peace, but for Ippolito dissatisfaction, as he was usually ruled to be in the

with no judicious, kindly, or formative influences around them. It was said that each boy threw in the other's face the fact of his illegitimacy, which fawning dependants had revealed to them. Their environment and associates were most undesirab

Duke of Urbino and his wife Maddalena, daughter of Jean de la Tour d'Auvergne et de Bourbon. Married in 1518, the delicate young mo

nt of Santa Caterina di Siena, back to the nuns of Santa Lucia once more, and then handed over to the charge of the noble convent of S. Annunziata de

ommanded the young girl, just eleven years old, to Rome. Apartments were provided for her and her suite in the Palazzo Medi

, and rivals for her hand and fortune. And truly the last legitimate descendant, as she was, of the great Cosimo, was a prize in the matrimonial market-if not for her beauty and her virtues, at all events for her wealth and rank. Indeed, th

f not more, lost their heads over the young girl's destiny-Battista Cei, for proposing that she should be placed in the lions' den, a

r, his language appalled her; probably she was not long before she knew the story of his birth. On no account would sh

s Government: "We have here a little Medici princess, Caterina, the only child of the late Lorenzo, Duke of Urbino. She and Don Ippolito, the bastard son of Duke Giuliano, are inseparable companions. The boy is very fond of

ited representatives of the family were required to be in residence there for the maintenance of Medici supremacy. Alas, legitimate male heirs of the senior branch from Cosimo, "

youths, who passed for Medici, and who were "as dear to him as sons"-Ippolito and Alessandro. In compliment to the Pope, and certainly not from conviction, the fourte

s of good birth who were favourites of the Pope, Alessandro de' Pucci, Pietro de' Ridolfi, Luigi della Stufa, and Palla de' Rucellai. The cortege was received in Florence without demonstrations of any kind; but certainly Ippolito made a very favourable impression by his good looks and ga

Florentine character nor the judgment to manage it, had he understood it." Ippolito assumed at once the style of "Il Magnifico," and began to display a lust for power an

his protégés successful

Clement despatched Aless

of his most trustworthy

They were instructed

d then without delay t

o a C

urally to the creation of rival parties and rival courts, each of which acclaimed their respective young leaders as Il Capo della Repubblica and "Il Signore di Firenze." Better far as matters turned out, had it been d

ence. Niccolo de' Soderini, Francesco de' Guicciardini and Pietro de' Salviati took up a strong position as leaders of a popular party, and

posted off to Florence, and whilst Filippo temporised with the Cardinal and with the par

ardinal the following day. Dressed superbly, wearing the family jewels, and conveyed in a State sedan-chair, she proceeded to the Palazzo Medici-the house o

ass has my family sunk. Do you think that any of my great ancestors would have borne you so long. Alas! that my race has none but female legitimate offspring."

he enraged woman, but to no avail, she went on vehem

of you, nor your patron, Clement-wrongfully Pope and now justly a prisoner in Sant Angelo-have any legitimate cl

s quaint as it was effective. "Had she not been," said he, "a woman and a Medici, he would have administered to her such a public chastisement as would have gone bad with her!" He, nevertheless, strongl

po, rode out to Poggio a Caiano, amid the execrations of the populace. Thence they departed for Rome, wh

*

's superiority of ap

made no concealment

him Duke of Citta di

d that the riches and g

tinued in Alessandro

at being older, a nearer relation to the Pope, and better endowed by nature, so rich an inheritance sho

ea of seizing the executive power. Clement despatched Baccio Valori after him, with entreaties and p

im in his extravagant tastes by liberally endowing his Cardinalate. A Brief "In commendam" was bestowed upon him, whereby the revenue of all vacant benefices and Papal dignities, for six months, were transferred to his account. Moreover, in 1529, he was appointed Archbishop of Avignon, Legate of Perugia,

arles V. to invite him on his way from Flanders, whither he had travelled to avoid disputes with Ippolito, to visit the Imper

et, Charles' illegitimate daughter, and that Clement should create Florence a Dukedom in favour of Alessandro. At the same time the Em

he injunction of Clement, countersigned by Charles, which established him as Duke of Florence. The office of Gonfaloniere di Giustizia was abolished, and the Signoria restricted in the

the most illustrious Duke Alessandro de' Medici, son of the late Magnificent Lorenzo, Duke of Urbino; and in recognition of the man

nd decency at defiance. The Florentines abashed by the pass in which they found themselves, seemed powerless to oppose the Duke's aggression

l over Tuscany. He applied it quite autocratically by disarming the citizens, building fortresses, banishing

e, bribery and corruption of all kinds ruled the State, and there appeared to be no l

were openly ravished in the streets, the inmates of convents were not spared, men were wronged and removed suspiciously, the

who, with grim satisfaction, received at his palace in Rome all disaffected refugees. Meetings were held at Filippo negli Strozzi's house, and a movement was set on foot for the overthrow of Alessandro and his dissolute government. A deputation was sent t

engaged in military and diplomatic duties away from Italy. Knowing his predilection for soldiering, he was despatched, at the head of eight thousand horsemen, to the assistance of the Emperor against the Turk

ral and disreputable persons. The Pope sought to redress the disorder: he owed much to Ippolito at the time of his election to the Papacy, which was in a gr

from Rome to Naples, was living, in strict retirement, a girl greatly beloved by the Cardinal. Giulia Gonzaga, such was her name, was the attractive and clever daughter o

c; but, in her case, the betrothal was all but effected, and with the approval of Pope Clement, whose conscience smote h

lly guarded. Pope Paul, it appears, did not relax the imprisonment of the unfortunate girl, as he su

just one interview with Ippolito before she died. Reluctantly permission was given by the Pope, and Ippolito, after the completion of his diplomatic duties in Naples, sought the

e Vatican. Him Alessandro persuaded, by means of a heavy bribe and the promise of efficient protection, to undertake the removal of Ippolito. Whilst d

spite of its bitter taste he partook largely, but during the night he was attacked with immoderate sickness. Before morning dawn the brill

action. "Now," said he, "the vile wasp is crushed at last!" The dead body of his victim was buried hurriedly at Itri, but, by Pope Paul's direction, it was exhumed and given honourable

ith indiscriminating liberality. Very fittingly it was remarked that he bore as his motto "Inter omnes." He had all the making of a great man, but fickleness, incons

his mistress, Asdrubale, who becam

d self-interests usually exclude any other. True, Charles wrote to the Duke and questioned him about the death of Ippolito,

ally entertained by Alessandro, but he made no friends among the nobles, and departed without bestowing the usual honour

o. The nuptial Mass was sung at San Lorenzo, and then the whole city was given over to feasting and debauchery. "The young Duchess was serenely happy, for the Duke paid her gr

infant, but his mother, Maria de' Soderini-a woman possessed of all the prudence and culture of her family-devoted herself to his rearing and education. Just twenty-three years old, he was small of stature and sligh

ength dismissed him in disgrace. Lorenzo retired to Florence, where he was welcomed and entertained by Alessandro. In return for favours Lorenzo, nicknamed in Florence "Lorenzino," "Lorenzo the Little," became useful to the Duke and appointed himself spy-in-chief of the Florentine exiles. His studious character and his literary talent endowed him wit

ashion in Florence, which degraded her men and women. They habitually made lewd jokes of everything human and divine, and were noted for their cruelty to animals. If Alessandro became execra

*

d to be corrected, and into his mind came once more the inspiration of classical heroes of liberty and foes of oppression. Why should he not be a Florentine "Bru

more intimately than ever. The Carnival of 1536 saw the maddest of all mad scenes, and everything and everybody ran wild riot. Disguised as country minstrels and mounted upon broken-

ey supped together at the Palazzo Medici, and then

replied Alessandro,

" whispere

y and said, "Lead on, L

hat shall I put on?" Giustiniano handed him a crimson silk dressing-gown, and asked him whether he would we

s me over my lovers' gloves,

lessandro left the palace by the garden wicket, followed by his valet and tw

dier possessed of a splendid physique, combining the soft contour of Apollo and the brute force of Hercules. His comrades c

"I want you to kill the ma

the name of the fellow who has wronged you and I will kill hi

or you presently," said Lorenzino, goi

In Lorenzino's chamber was a good fire, and Alessandro, complaining of the heat, loosened his attire and removed

inquired the Duke.

the reply, "and only await

delay not!" cr

without, and putting

hastened t

ri-a disreputable spendthrift and gambler, who fled to Naples to escape his creditors-she attracted the notice of Duke Alessandro. She was as accomplished as she was beautiful and very commandi

," he said, "the moment has arrived. I have locked my enemy in my room.

on side by side. "Strike hard, and if the man should se

d, were the man to swea

s not. Strike I

on the bed, with his face to the wall. Coward, as he was wont to call himself, he no longer feared to slay the "Tyrant o

aitor! assassin!" he screamed. Then, turning his eyes full

h the red blood gushing from his back, he threw hims

to staunch his wound. "At him," cried the madman, and Michaele struck at him with his sword, cutting off his right cheek and his nose, and then he got his dagger at his throat, and turned it round in the gaping wound, until he nearly decapitated his unhappy victim. Again Lorenzino heave

looked out upon the Via Larga, to see if anybody was about. Not a soul was there. It was early morning, and by the new light of day he tore off a p

with the money and jewels he possessed, they picked up their cloaks and hats, and, locking the door behind them, departed. In the b

ng to the servant Alessandro's signet-ring, which he had pulled off his victim's finger. The Bishop made no demur, being well accustomed to the erratic ways of t

m his slumbers, embraced him with emotion, and said: "See, this is the key of the chamber where lies the body of Alessandro. I have s

y believe the glad ti

oot. Lorenzino, noting

crying, "Here is Scoron

zaccio the

ith tears running down his cheeks. "Tarry awhile, till I can s

red. No one knew where he had gone. Lorenzino was gone too, at least he did not make his usual early morning call. All the houses of their mistresses and other boon-companions w

her, but it was not an unusual occurrence. Lorenzino had, in his villainous scheme, devised a cunning decoy to accustom neighbours and passers-by to noisy behaviour. He had repe

missing and the door was locked! The man sought an interview with Cardinal Cibo, then in Florence, and his former mast

ed the game of "Saracino" to be played in the Piazza close by, to remove the fears of a fast gathering crowd of citizens. When asked if he knew where the Duke was, he replied quite casu

ened the Council of Forty-eight to discuss the situation. To him full powers were accorded to administer the government for th

of Giovanni "delle Bande Nere," rode into the city, accompanied by a few of his frie

t and fortified. With her went three young children-not her own indeed, for she had proved to be barren,-but children she found in he

uicciardini, however, says she was the Marchesa da Massa, a noble lady, one of Alessandro's chief favourites. Giulio, some five years old, became a sold

years of age, and, a second time, being left a widow, she espoused the Duke of Parma,

e in the street, and cried out, so that all might hear: "Alessandro, Duke of Florence, thou shall be slain

en, and openly the majority, praised his act-there was a party whose members were sworn to avenge

craven, stalking coward. At length retribution overtook him, for two soldiers, devoted to Alessandro's memory, hunted him down in the waterways of Venice, to which he had returned. One day, in

s tossed by his assassins into the Grand Canal, and being washed out into th

his head, that his effigy was burnt with every mark of opprobrium in the Piazza