The Life of Lorenzo de'Medici; Called the Magnificent (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1862. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... as to have been the frequent subject of panegyric.* His manner was grave and complacent, but upon many occasions he gave sufficient proofs that this did not arise from a want of talents for sarcasm; and the fidelity of the Florentine historians has preserved many of his shrewd observations and remarks-f When Rinaldo de' Albizi, who was then in exile, and meditated an attack upon his native place, sent a message to Cosmo, importing that the hen would shortly hatch, he replied, Ske will hatch with an ill grace out of her oir.n next. On another occasion, when his adversaries gave him to understand that they were not sleeping, / believe it, said Cosmo, I have spoiled their sleep.-- Of what colour is my liair? said Cosmo, uncovering his head, to the ambassadors of Venice who came with a complaint against the Florentines. White, they replied. It will not be long, said Cosmo, before that of your senators will be so too. Shortly before his d'.tath, his wife inquiring why he closed his eyes, That I may accustom them to it, was his reply. If, from considering the private character of Cosmo, we attend to his conduct as the moderator and director of the Florentine republic, our admiration of his abilities will increase with the extent of the theatre upon which he had to act. So important were his mercantile concerns, that they often influenced in a very remarkable degree the politics of Italy. When Alfonso, king of Naples, leagued with the Venetians, A against Florence, Cosmo called in such immense debts from those places, as deprived them of resources for carrying on the war. J During the contest between the Houses of York and Lancaster, one of his agents in England was resorted to by Edward IV. for a sum of money, which was accordingly furnished, to such an extra...