THAT love of leisure which is inseparable from a mind conscious of its own resources, and the consideration of his declining state of health, were probably the motives that induced Lorenzo de' Medici to aim at introducing his two elder sons into public life, at so early and almost premature an age. The infirmities under which he laboured, not only disqualified him at times from attending with his accustomed vigilance to the affairs of the republic, but rendered it also necessary for him often to absent himself from Florence, and to pass some portion of his time at the warm baths in various parts of Italy, of which those of Siena and Porrettana afforded him the most effectual relief. At those seasons which were not embittered by sickness, he appears to have flattered himself with the ex

pectation

pectation of enjoying the reward of his public labours, and partaking of the general happiness which he had so essentially contributed to promote, in a peaceful and dignified retirement, enlivened by social amusements, by philosophic studies, and literary pursuits. These expectations were built upon the most substantial foundation, the consciousness that he had discharged his more immediate duties and engagements; but his feelings on this occasion are best expressed in his own words (a). What," says he,

66

66

66

can be more desirable to a well regulated mind, than "the enjoyment of leisure with dignity? This is what "all good men wish to obtain, but which great men a"lone accomplish. In the midst of public affairs we may "indeed be allowed to look forwards to a day of rest, but no rest should totally seclude us from an attention to "the concerns of our country. I cannot deny that the path which it has been my lot to tread, has been ardu"ous and rugged, full of dangers, and beset with trea"chery; but I console myself in having contributed to "the welfare of my country, the prosperity of which

66

66

may

now rival that of any other state, however flourishing. "Nor have I been inattentive to the interests and advance"ment of my own family, having always proposed to

66

my imitation the example of my grandfather Cosmo, "who watched over his public and private concerns with "equal vigilance. Having now obtained the object of my 66 cares, I trust I may be allowed to enjoy the sweets of "leisure, to share the reputation of my fellow citizens,

" and

(a) Ap. Fabr. in vitá Laur. v. I. p. 196.

"and to exult in the glory of my native place." His intentions were more explicitly made known to his faithful companion Politiano, who relates, that sitting with him in his chamber a few days before his death, conversing on subjects of letters and philosophy, he then told him that he meant to withdraw himself as much as possible from the tumult of the city, and to devote the remainder of his days to the society of his learned friends; at the same time expressing his confidence in the abilities of his son Piero, on whom it was his intention that the conduct of the affairs of the republic should principally devolve. (a)

This prospect of relaxation and happiness he was not however destined to realize. Early in the year 1492, the complaint under which he laboured, attacked him with additional violence, and whilst the attention of his physicians was employed in administering relief, he contracted a slow fever, which escaped their observation, or eluded their skill, until it was too late effectually to oppose its progress. The last illness of Lorenzo de' Medici, like that of most other great men, is represented as being extraordinary in its nature. Politiano describes his disorder as a fever of all others the most insidious, proceeding by insensible degrees, not like other fevers, by the veins or arteries, but attacking the limbs, the intestines, the nerves, and destroying the very principle of life. On the first approach of this dangerous complaint he had removed from Florence

VOL. II.

G G

(a) Polit. Ep. lib. iv. Ep. 2. But Guicciardini informs us that Lorenzo was well aware of the real character of his son, "e si era spesso lamentato, con "li amici più intimi, che l'imprudenza ed arroganza del figliuolo, partorirebbe "la rovina della sua casa." Guic. Hist. lib. i.

Lorenzo is taken sick, and removes to Ca

reggi.

His conduct in

The

Florence to his house at Careggi, where his moments were enlivened by the society of his friends, and the respectful attentions of his fellow citizens. For medical assistance his chief reliance was upon the celebrated Pier Leoni, of Spoleto, whom he had frequently consulted on the state of his health; but as the disorder increased, further assistance was sought for, and Lazaro da Ticino, another physician, arrived at Careggi. It seems to have been the opinion of Politiano that the advice of Lazaro was too late resorted to; but if we may judge from the nature of the medicines employed by him, he rather contributed to accelerate than to avert the fatal moment. mixture of amalgamated pearls and jewels, with the most expensive potions, might indeed serve to astonish the attendants, and to screen the ignorance of the physician, but were not likely to be attended with any beneficial effect on the patient. Whether it was in consequence of this treatment, or from the nature of the disorder itself, a sudden and unexpected alteration soon took place, and whilst his friends relied with confidence on the exertions made in his behalf, he sunk at once into such a state of debility, as totally precluded all hopes of his recovery, and left him only the care of preparing to meet his doom in a manner consistent with the eminence of his character, and the general tenor of his life.

Notwithstanding the diversity of occupations which had successively engaged his attention, and the levity, not his last sick- to say licentiousness, of some of his writings, the mind of Lorenzo had always been deeply susceptible of religious impressions. This appears not only from his attention to the

ness.

establishment