CHAP. means in his power. His own intimate acquaintVIII. ance with the tenets of the ancient philosophers, and his acute and versatile genius, enabled him to propose to their discussion subjects of the most interesting nature, and either to take a chief part in the conversation, or to avail himself of such observations as it might occasion. It appears also, that at some times he amused himself with offering to their consideration such topicks as he well knew would elude their researches, although they might exercise their powers; as men try their strength by shooting arrows towards the sky. Of this we have an instance in the sonnet addressed by him to Salviati. "When the mind," says he, "escapes "from the storms of life, to the calm haven of "reflection, Lo spirito talora a se ridutto, E dal mar tempestoso e travagliato Ch' a riceverla è volto e ben disposto, "reflection, doubts arise which require solution. CHA P. "If no one can effectually exert himself to VIII. "obtain eternal happiness, without the special "favour of God, and if that favour be only granted to those who are well disposed "towards its reception, I wish to know whether "the grace of God, or the good disposition, "first commences ?" The learned theologian to whom this captious question was addressed, took it into his serious consideration, and after dividing it into seven parts, attempted its solution in a Latin treatise of considerable extent, which is yet preserved in the Laurentian Libraryc. Madonna Lorenzo was not however destined long to Death of enjoy that tranquillity which he had so assidu- Clarice. ously laboured to secure. His life had scarcely reached its meridian, when the prospect was overhung with dark and lowering clouds. The death of his wife Clarice, which happened in the month of August 1488, was a severe shock to his domestick happiness. He was then absent from Florence, and did not arrive in time to see her before she died, which it seems gave rise c Georgii Benigni Salviati, in Rhythmum acutissimum magni Laurentii Medicis Quaestiones septem. &c. PLUT. lxxxiii. Cod. 18. CHAP. rise to insinuations that his conjugal affection VIII. was not very ardent; but the infirm state of his own health at this time had rendered it necessary for him to visit the warm baths, where he received an account of her death before he was apprized of the danger of her situation. From his youth he had been afflicted with a disorder which occasioned extreme pain in his stomach and limbs. This complaint was probably of a gouty tendency; but the defective state of medicine at that time rendered it impossible for him to obtain any just information respecting it. The most eminent physicians in Italy were consulted, and numerous remedies were prescribed, without producing any beneficial effect. By frequenting the tepid baths of Italy, d Piero da Bibbiena, the secretary of Lorenzo, writes thus to the Florentine ambassadour at Rome; Prid. Kat, Sextil. 1488; A hore 14 morì la Clarice. Se voi sentissi che Lorenzo fosse biasimato di costà per non essersi trovato alla morte delle moglie, scusatelo. Parve al Leoni necessario, che andasse a prender l'acque della Villa, e poi non si credeva che morisse si presto. Fabr. v. ii. p. 384. e Some of these remedies are of a singular nature. Pietro Bono Avogradi, in a letter dated the eleventh of February 1488, advises Lorenzo, as a sure method of preventing a return of the dolore di zonture, or arthritick pains, Italy, he obtained a temporary alleviation of CHAP. his sufferings; but, notwithstanding all the VIII. assistance he could procure, his complaints rather increased than diminished, and for some time before his death he had reconciled his mind to an event which he knew could not be far distant. When his son Giovanni took his departure for Rome, to appear in the character of cardinal, Lorenzo with great affection recommended him to the care of Filippo Valori and Andrea Cambino, who were appointed to accompany him on his journey; at the same time expressing his apprehensions, which the event but too well justified, that he should see them no moref. tion of Giro In the year 1488, Girolamo Riario, whose Assassinamachinations had deprived Lorenzo of a bro- lamo Riario. ther, pains, with which he was afflicted, to make use of a stone called an heliotrope, which being set in gold, and worn on the finger so as to touch the skin, would produce the desired effect. "This," says he, " is a certain "preservative against both gout and rheumatism; I "have tried it myself, and found that its properties are "divine and miraculous." With the same letter he transmits to Lorenzo his prognosticks for the year 1488. App. No. LXX. f Valor. in vitâ Laur. p. 65. CHAP. ther, and had nearly involved Lorenzo himself in the same destruction, fell a victim to his accumulated crimes. By the assistance of Sixtus IV. he had possessed himself of a considerable territory in the vicinity of the papal state, and particularly of the cities of Imola and Forli, at the latter of which he had fixed his residence, and supported the rank of an independent prince. In order to strengthen his interest in Italy, he had connected himself with the powerful family of the Sforza, by a marriage with Caterina, sister of Galeazzo Sforza, duke of Milan, whose unhappy fate has already been related. The general tenour of the life of Riario seems to have corresponded with the specimen before exhibited. By a long course of oppression he had drawn upon himself the hatred and resentment of his subjects, whom he had reduced to the utmost extreme of indigence and distress. Stimulated by repeated acts of barbarity, three of them resolved to assassinate him, and to trust for their safety, after the perpetration of the deed, to the opinion and support of their fellow-citizens. Although Riario was constantly attended by a band of soldiers, these men found means to enter his chamber Vol. I. p. 233. |