"Pleased?" " Of course!" "It's Cellini's work!" "Now, I must carve out Lorenzino's motto in the center." "Nevertheless, I had better luck in sculpting the profile." "The spitting image!" "It's like Duke Alessandro in person." "Evidently, I know my devils better than my saints." "Let's hope that wretch will be pleased." "Otherwise, you're sunk." "Nobody likes ten lashes of rope." " And it wouldn't take much.." "Poor Florence, how low you have sunk!" "All is misery and weakness." "# Your beautiful eyes, # have stolen my heart." "But Duke Alessandro will never succeed in destroying it." "Florence will be resplendent through the ages due to its art." "Look, Landino!" "And tell me, if there is a spectacle more spectacular in the world." "Notice?" "Always at the same time." "Good day, Lady Bianca." "Good day, Sir Lorenzo." "Have you been to church again this morning?" "Only to beg forgiveness for my sins." "I don't think you have need." "Angels don't sin." "Even Dante says, "A heavenly soul can never belie itself."" "Oh, Lorenzo!" "I'm a poor creature like everybody else." "Then how can you explain that I admire you more than anybody else?" "Stay a little longer, my lord!" "Don't tempt me." "You're lovely, I like you but it's day and I must be at the palace." "Goodbye, Lady Bianca." "Goodbye, Sir Lorenzo." "Lorenzino!" "My lord!" " Help me take this off my shoulder." "Infernal vest!" "It got tight on me." "And you are?" "Oh, Giacomo, if his lordship the Duke keeps visiting his dear cousin every night, goodbye my wineshop!" " Are we to blame?" "His Lordship makes us wait for him." "Well said, Unghero!" "You're right." "The Duke amuses himself in his way and we in ours." "That makes sense." "Except to my masters." " Come, it will for him too." "I don't believe he procures women for his lordship for nothing." "Besides, he even provides the bed!" "That Sir Lorenzo is clever." "There, my lord." "Now you look just like a picture." "But you need to repair this coat of mail." "There's a hole." "I'd like to know what metal was in that poniard that pierced my coat of mail." "It must have been forged in the devil's workshop." "Lucky for you, it was just that, my lord." "It could've been much worse." "What do you think could've happened?" "With this thing, there's nothing to fear." "I know." "Just the same, I advise you to be more prudent." "Prudent?" " Certainly." "The Florentines are not all like me." "Some of them love you and some love you a little less." "You mean some hate me and that's the truth." " Yes." "And unfortunately there exists a weapon which pierces the finest armor:" "poison." "Bravo!" "But I shall guard against that by only eating food prepared by you." "And if anybody has lost his senses, the executioner'll bring it back for him." "Will you talk?" "Why did you attempt the Duke's life?" "I'll await you at the palace." " Yes, your lordship." "Who armed your hand?" " Nobody." "Ten more!" " No!" "Then.. speak." "Nobody armed me." "I acted on my own." "Lord Strozzi is to re-enter Florence.." " With whom?" "Many, with Strozzi.." "You were saying?" " Yes.." "Perhaps.." "he's already here.." "Oh, daddy!" "My daddy!" "Bianca!" "My Bianca!" "Strozzi!" " Hah!" "It's unheard of." "He has dared to return to Florence." "Nothing holds him back, not even the 1000 florins placed on his head." "But I'll set my men for him from everywhere and this time, he'll not escape!" "What are you thinking about, Mr. Guicciardini?" " The accomplices." "Then you think.." " I'm sure of it." "I know Filippo Strozzi, and I know he's not a man to take foolish risks." "Too many people have fled Florence and banded together." "You can't put your faith in anybody anymore." "In fact, I don't trust anybody but myself." "What is your opinion of Lorenzo?" "A melancholy fool." " Right." "But there is something impenetrable about his infernal mind." "And that's the exact place where melancholy and foolishness meet." "Florence is full of spies, you'll be caught." " No one'll see me." "Sir Bardi's house is safe and I won't show myself elsewhere." "I only want to talk to Lorenzo, to come to an understanding with him." "Then he'll have to be told." "Yes, my lady, you must see to it yourself." "Go to him at once." "Yes, at once." "Daddy.." "He has become a courtier, that dog!" "He was with us once." "He has betrayed us." "I couldn't imagine that you'd bring me such news." "More than the news, is the enormity of the fault which worries me." "He must speak to you." " It's folly to defy the executioner." "And how did he dare present himself at your house?" "He wanted to embrace his daughter." "He knows we are bound to him by an infinite debt of gratitude." "Gratitude does not require that you approve his misdeeds." "I can imagine there's something he'd like to say." "Lorenzo, I can't answer you." "I don't understand these things." "Fine." "I'll see you tonight." "Now go." "I must rejoin the Duke.. in there." "Lorenzo.." "don't let a word escape you." "Go on, mama, go on." "Tell me again, how many mornings did you follow her?" "Since the day your Highness gave me the order." "And she never saw you?" " Never." "I was always dressed in different guises." "And she goes to church?" " Always at the same hour and same door." "It's a convenient hour, the streets are deserted." "Have you kept it secret?" " Only I and Raffo know." "Go." "If anything reaches Lorenzo's ears," "I'll have your head cut off." "Make way!" "Make way!" "Get away!" "Let me pass!" "My lord!" "My lord!" "My lord!" "What do all these people want?" " There's an audience today." "My lord!" "Intercede in our favor, my lord!" "My lord, we're in your hands!" "My lord, help us!" "Be generous!" "Silence!" "In your places!" "On your feet!" "You, on your feet!" "Go!" "Go!" "Over there!" "Hurry!" "Come, on your feet!" "On your feet!" "His Most Excellent Duke Alessandro." "Come on, let's start." "You begin." "I said him, not you!" "Our cause is the same." "We should argue together." " Go then." "Silence!" "Look at them:" "They're bobbing up and down like owls." "My lord.." "Be quick!" "What is it?" "What's your grievance?" "I own a garden, my lord.." "Bravo!" "I'm thrilled." "And so?" "There's a fig-tree in this garden which reaches over the wall and spreads out over the garden.." " Into mine!" "Now, I maintain that the figs which project over the wall are my property." "I say they are mine." "Who is right?" "It's a very serious matter." "It's a question of figs." "And you assert.." "that the figs which hang over your side of the wall, belong to you?" "I maintain that.." " Answer me, do you have a wife?" "Yes." "And is there perchance a balcony in your house?" "Yes." "There's a balcony." "Doesn't she ever look out the window?" "Yes, sometimes." " Then tell me, when she's at the window, does she ever lean toward the street?" "What would you say if somebody passing by underneath decided to go up and possess her?" "I'd say he was a rogue." "That's my wife!" "There, you've sentenced yourself." "The figs are his." "Go!" "Next." "Your Excellency!" "Rise!" "What happened to you?" "Oh, I'm so ashamed!" "Don't be ashamed, explain the case." "I was deceived?" " By whom?" "A young man!" "That young man was very brave, he deserves a reward." "I see." "And now he doesn't want to marry you." "Is that so?" "That's right, my lord." " What's his name?" "Iacopo Della Fretta, an oarmaker." " An oarmaker?" "And why did you yield?" " I didn't, he tricked me." "Do such things happen under my government?" "It seems that someone is setting an example, my lord." "Shut your mouth!" "By the way, did you remember that Nella?" "Yes, my lord." "Oh, Nella!" " Michele!" "Nella, dear!" "Give orders to Giacomo and Ughero." " Fine." "You may go." "Your young man will get the punishment he deserves:" "He'll marry you." "In two more months, you'll be my wife." " I understand, but.." "Already the "but"?" " Yes, you spend too much money at the tavern" "I don't want that." "Why?" "On account of the money or fear that it'll ruin me?" "For both reasons." " As for money, don't worry, we'll have more than enough." "I doubt that." " You must believe me." "I'm about to do the Duke a big favor." "A very secret mission and I shall surely get 50 florins!" " Behave!" "Someone might see." " Who do you think can see us?" "There's nobody here." "Sir Francesco Guicciardini." "Leave!" "Everybody leave." "Clear out, clear out!" "You've arrived at an opportune time, Sir Guicciardini." "I thank you." "All these people are good but they've one great fault: they never bathe." "My lord, I have something of grave importance to tell you." "Let's go over there." "Dismiss Lorenzo, my lord." " What for?" "I have no secrets from him." "Come here, Lorenzino." "You must hear this." "Now then, what's all this about?" "Maybe Charles the fifth.." " It's not about Charles the Fifth, but about you and your safety." "My own safety?" "Lorenzo!" "You hear this?" "I'm in danger!" " Grave danger!" "What?" "You laugh?" " I laugh because I know." "I know what Mr. Guicciardini wants to say to you." "That's impossible, it's strictly secret news." "Maybe you mean something else." "How much danger am I in?" " None, my lord." "Wait, don't say it." "Last night, re-entering Florence secretly was.." " Filippo Strozzi!" "Filippo Strozzi!" "What?" "You knew Strozzi was in Florence and didn't say a word?" "I was waiting for better information." "I wanted to find his hiding place, unless Sir Guicciardini can tell us.." "No!" "It's not known yet, not exactly." "You see?" "So why get upset for nothing?" "When I discover his hiding place," "I will deliver the traitor up into your hands." "Oh, I get it!" "You're tempted by the 10,000 florins on his head!" " I am poor.." "You have my friendship." "The Duke's friendship is worth gold." "Thank you, my lord." "I'll always try to requite it the best I can as it deserves." "And now I ask to be excused." "I understand that Mr. Guicciardini wants me to leave so as to not to hear secrets." "Go on." "Enough of that." "He's the devil in flesh, that philosopher!" " I wouldn't trust the devil!" "No, he's faithful." "He's just a bit crazy." " Still, sometimes he tries to bite." "He has the teeth of a puppy and can't bite too deep." "Now we come to us." "Damn Strozzi!" "Dead or alive!" "Dead or alive!" "It's up to you!" "Your age and many, many years of experience are useless to you now." "You're like a blind man, who doesn't want to see!" "You forget that I didn't come to Florence for your approval much less your advice!" "Answer my question." "What part are you playing?" "Why did you abandon us?" " All will be explained in time." "From beneath the mask, a man will emerge!" "Careful that this mask won't stick so tightly to your face that you won't be able to take it off!" " At the right moment, it will fall." "Have no doubts." "But who can believe you?" "You've become the accomplice, the servant of that bastard, you're covered in such leprosy that even the stones shriek as you pass!" "DEATH TO LORENZO, THE WICKED COURTIER" "Then why don't you come over to our side?" "This is how you love your country!" "There's not a day in which the courts don't wade in Florentine blood!" "What are you waiting for?" " What you nor anybody else, can ever understand." "You can judge me later." "At the gates of the city, there are more than 200 armed men who await our signal to depose the Duke." "Postpone it!" " Everything is now ready!" "You're not ready enough." "Listen to me, go back to Montemaggiore." "It's in your interest." "I'll give you some valuable information." "The Duke knows you're in Florence." " No!" " He knows!" "It was you who told him." "Me?" "What a misfortune!" "And who entered Florence with you?" "Don't fear, you won't be betrayed!" "Silvatro Dobrandini," "Bernardo Corsini, Palla Ruccellai, and Almanno Salviati." " And where do you meet?" "At Renali's." "I'll come along too." "Maybe they will understand me." "No, we must give battle." "We must capture him!" " He's stronger than you, beware!" "There's something still stronger:" "the spirit of our hopes." "As you wish." "Goodbye, Mr. Filippo." "Bianca!" "You!" "Yes, I came to speak to you, Lorenzo." " Thank you." "I'm very afraid for my father.." "and also for you." "What will happen?" "Who can know?" "Tell me something to give me peace." "Me?" "Would you believe me?" "Yes." "I would." "I can read it in your face." "Even.." "with this on?" "Lorenzo!" "Go inside." "Go inside." "# O bride, the first veil, # fly above to the sky, may there be peace in your heart." "She's above." "Let's be quick then." "Come now, rest, Mama." "When Michele marries me, your worries will be over, right?" " Let's hope so." "Help!" "Nella!" "Help!" "Mama!" "Shut up!" "Don't be scared!" "This will make your fortune!" "You'll see things you never seen!" "# Banished be the sad air, # the child of care." "# Always be aware # so death shall never ye snare." "# Let there be light in this shadow," "# Never in this shadow, # never in this shadow." " Go to the devil!" "Whose death are you babbling about?" " Mine, my lord, certainly not yours." "It's a conceit from Aristotle." "You know how weak I am." "I have low stamina." "Then take of yourself, I say!" "We are all big eaters and Florentines!" "Seeking to find good flesh, through love or through money!" "Wine is better than the philosophy of Aristotle." "You read too much and the books even ruin your stomach." " Yes, my lord." "Mr. Benevenuto!" "I don't have to give you any such advice, you have no need of it." "Indeed, not me." "Wine inspires me!" "By the way, did you prepare me that famous motto?" " What motto, my lord?" "We spoke of it the other day." "The motto to be carved on the back of my medal." "No, I haven't prepared it yet, but I'll do it right away." "And I hope to do something that will astound the world." " I'll be grateful." "While you're at it, make one for her." "And this time, I'll make the motto." "Don't be offended, but I can do better tonight." "By the way, Lorenzo, isn't it time to bring me that fresh bud.." "Yes, my lord." "But first, let's get rid of.." "Send him away?" "Why?" "I'm doing him an honor." "Unghero!" "Go on." "I don't want to!" "Where are you bringing me?" "No!" "Help me, my lord!" "Let go of me!" "Come, come here, my girl." "Don't be afraid." "Bastard!" "Shall I finish him?" "Oh, no!" "Why bloodshed tonight?" "Leave him to the executioner." "Take him away!" "Let go of me!" "You would have been worthy of a Raphael." "What the devil are you doing?" "Practicing the use of arms, my lord." " With that?" "You couldn't stab a sparrow with that!" "Observe carefully, my lord." "Not bad." "If I may." "Watch this!" "Bravo!" "A nice strike!" "I still must do it better." "I have an enemy to kill." "A man to kill!" "That would be funny!" " It would be funny." "# Hail to the dawn.." "Hark!" "And they say I make the Florentines suffer!" "They even sing at dawn!" "And in the stocks, my lord." "# Hail to the morning breeze, tra la la la la la." "Eh?" "You hear it?" "I'm sleepy, Lorenzo." "Accompany me." "Remember, you promised me news of Strozzi!" " You shall have it." "Good night." " Sweet dreams, my lord." "I want to give you some advice." "If on the way home, you meet that enemy of yours.., keep out of his way!" "Who are you?" " I'm Michele del Tavolaccino." "Escaped?" " Yes, hide me quickly, I beg you!" "But you're crazy!" " For heaven's sake, let me in!" "A secret for a secret, Sir Lorenzo." "You've saved my life." "And I can give you important information." " What are you talking about?" "Let me enter and you'll know." "Get in." "Now speak." " You love Bianca Strozzi, don't you?" "What's swirling in that head of yours?" " I know you love her;" "I want to repay you." "Duke Alessandro is planning to kidnap her." " You're insane!" "I was chosen to spy on her myself." "He'll do to you what he did to me." " Take care!" "You'll get.." " You can hand me over to the executioner." "Sir!" " What do you want?" " There's a young lady asking for you." "Who is she?" "Do you know her?" "Lady Bianca." "Let her in." "Go." "Hide!" "You in my home!" "What an indiscretion you've committed." "It was necessary, Lorenzo." "Terrible things are going to happen." " I know, I know." "What?" "You know that my father's hiding place has been discovered?" "Your father's hiding place?" "No, it's not possible." "I just left the Duke, and he didn't mention it." " Yet, it is discovered, I'm sure!" "Wait." "Why do you believe it's so?" "The strange things that are happening to me." "Every morning when I go to church, someone always follow me." "They want to get to him through me." "It isn't your father they want, rest assured." "There's another danger." "Another?" "What?" "What one?" "I can't say." " Why?" "I can't." "Lorenzo, I have much faith in you, but now I'm more worried than before." "Bianca!" "Bianca!" "Look at me." "You know my secret." "You have never doubted me." " Yes, Lorenzo.." "Then, in the name of this secret, don't ask me any questions." "An abyss has opened up." "We must pray to not fall in." "Lorenzo!" "Go now!" "Go!" "Brabante!" "Accompany Lady Bianca home, but not alone, eh?" "Have Griffo and Rosso follow you, well armed." "Pull down your veil and rest assured, your father is not in any danger." " But.." " Trust me." "# Your beautiful eyes, have stolen my heart." "# Paradise is amongst us forever." "Will you be faithful to me?" " My life is yours, your lordship." "Beware, I may need it." " I'm entirely at your service." "Fine then." "Leave safely." "You play at conspiracies like you play at dice." "Your behavior is rather worse than our supposed naivete." "If that bastard weren't born.." " He's a butcher!" "He sleeps with our daughters and robs us." " And oppresses us!" " Words." "Strength only conquers with strength." "An avalanche sometimes starts with the rolling of a stone no bigger than a pea." "If your soul was not so corrupt.." " This from you!" "What do you know of my soul?" "In my veins, flows the blood of Cosimo, father of this country!" "And it is for a sublime end, that I've chosen an abject mask." "These are no more than words, Sir Lorenzo." "Then, let me remind you, thanks to you, that a bastard was able to become Duke and it took years before you opened your eyes to the mistake you made." "Not me!" "I realized it right away." "Yes, you realized it so well, you couldn't wait to become his servant!" "I don't wish for another." "Then why aren't you with us?" "Why don't you throw off the mask?" "An insurrection?" "Impossible at this time." "And who would follow you?" "No, you would betray us!" " I'm the only one looks ahead." "You don't love Florence!" " Your love?" "I think not." "It's more harmful than them." "Then we'll act on our own!" "And all of you will wind up in the claws of the executioner." "Gentlemen, it's almost dawn." "One last time, Lorenzo:" "Will you be with us?" "I'll forget all and forgive you." " No!" "Well then we will fulfill our destiny." "Whatever happens, we're still sure it won't be worse than what we have now." "I leave you to your illusions." "No!" "No!" "No, no, no, I can't die!" "I don't want to die!" "Bring me to Sir Maurizio!" "I'll speak!" "I'll speak!" "Because I want to live!" "Yes, your life will be spared if you talk." "Where is Filippo Strozzi?" "Who is with him?" "Who has sheltered him in Florence?" "Palla Ruccellai, Bernardo Corsini," "Almanno Salviato." " And where do they meet?" "They meet at night at the house of Mr. Bardi at Denari." "I don't know." "I heard footsteps." "No.. no, Mr. Barbini!" "The plan presents no grave difficulties." "We'll go to Bardi's house and we have Strozzi in our hands, the others will fall into our net." " Good." "And in this way, it will be possible to unmask Lorenzo as well." "You still suspect him?" " Always." "How else did he know Strozzi was here?" "You like it?" " It's a magnificent blade." "Take it, it's yours." "Eat well." "You don't understand, Bianca." "That boy torments my soul." "He's become the laughingstock of Florence." "Why do you insist in believing that Lorenzo's heart is not befitting a Medici?" "If you only knew what it's like to hear voices always crying," ""You are the mother of our misfortune!"" "Because all think the Duke would've been better if Lorenzo wasn't around." "He's always black as the night." "Where are you bringing that falcon?" " To sell, Sir." " Come here." "Why do you take advantage.." "and imprison this poor creature?" "I don't take advantage, I'm trying to make a living." " How much do you want?" "You be the judge." "He's tame." "With such a falcon, anybody can catch many birds." "Unchain it and give it to me." " Beware, he may fly away." "Don't worry, loosen it." "Here, Sir." "Why are you so surprised?" "It was born to fly." "Not to suffer in chains." "Would you like to see this amethyst, Highness?" "Behold the colors of a mountain at sunset." "No." " Or maybe these diamonds?" "They hold a ray of sunshine." "Or these pearls, like tears?" " No, pearls are unlucky." "Not them." "Then these beautiful earrings?" "These topazes or rubies?" "Here is an emerald greener than the sea." "Jewels that reflect the sky?" "This topaze which shines like the stars?" "You want to know the truth?" "There's nothing that pleases me." "His gracious majesty Charles the fifth found to his liking a cross that was similar to this one." "It's the best ornament for a female bosom." "I've too many cavalries at my disposition and if I were to place a cross on each of them, I'd be ruined!" "Oh, Lorenzino!" "Morning, your Highness, are you buying jewels?" "Just seeing if there was something I'd like." "This cross, Highness?" " No!" "I already told you." " A shame, it's so beautiful." "Beautiful." "Beautiful, indeed." "What are you thinking?" "Of making it a gift." "There are seven topazes, my lord." "Each one more marvelous than the other." "And the workmanship!" "The workmanship is authentic filigree." "You like it?" " Very much." "It was just what I was looking for." "And I'll give it to you." "It's mine." "Go." "Whom are you giving it to?" "Hey, don't you trust your Duke?" " My lord!" "Well then.." "Speak!" "To the most beautiful lady in Florence." "But I say.." "do I know her?" "Yes, my lord, yes." " Who?" "Bianca.." "Bianca Strozzi!" "Bianca Strozzi?" "How long has this been going on?" " Not yet." "Why didn't you ever tell me?" "To avoid putting straw near fire." "Careful, don't trifle with me, Lorenzino." "I knew you were thinking of Bianca." "I am your servant." "It's enough for me, you're my friend." "A true one that is." "Very well." "Take it." "But give it to someone else." "I hope I make myself clear." " I have one regret, my lord:" "not to have foreseen this, like I usually do." "If you hadn't mentioned it.." " No matter!" "Come, tell me." "Would she have been willing to return the favor?" "I don't know." "She was leading me on." "Was it love or just a caprice?" "How could you believe that your teaching has made me a lover?" "I'm like a wolf: one bite.." "and I'm done!" "In that case, caprice for caprice, I'm the Duke!" "Are you Giuseppi Bardi?" " Yes, what is it?" "You're sheltering Filippo Strozzi!" " Me?" "No!" "No!" "I don't know anything." "I had her constantly followed because.." "I like her!" "I know her habits and I can have her kidnapped anytime I want to." "I must disagree with you, my lord." "Bianca Strozzi is not a common girl like Nella." "A kidnapping would cause talk." "I would advise a different method." "How?" " I could invite her to my house." "And you could take my place." "It would be a quicker way." "Good." " Then, leave it to me!" "She's yours already." "Lorenzo, you're magnificent!" "Good day to you, Mr. Guicciardini." "Good day, Sir Lorenzo." "I left my lord just this moment." "You'll find him in an excellent humor." "Maybe you revealed to him Filippo Strozzi's hiding place?" "No." "Not yet." "And when do you intend to give him this new proof of your loyalty?" "You have promised him." "Soon, Sir, soon." " Good." "You'll gain even further in his esteem." "Oh, Mr. Guicciardini!" "Come in." "I was just in need of your brilliant perspicacity." "And I have good news for your Highness." "Then first the news, let's hear it." "An hour ago, Filippo Strozzi became your prisoner." "This is a service that I shall never be able to repay." "But tell me, did he try to resist?" "Was he violent?" "No, my lord." "Indeed, he showed a spirit very serene and very fierce." "Oh, I know him." "Hard headed!" "Yes, but he took a terrible chance coming out." "I want to question him myself!" "I want to look him in the face, this Filippo Strozzi!" "I thought you would have the executioner question me, but I see I'm mistaken." "Duke Alessandro himself comes to play the part of bailiff." "You think it's nothing to meet your enemy face to face?" "You know your hours are numbered." "I'm already beyond time and space." "Your threats don't reach me." "Oh, no?" " You have crushed a city, you can crush a man easily." "Always insolent!" "Avoid this painful confrontation, my lord." "No!" "I'm having fun." "I'll have your head cut off, Strozzi!" " You can do more:" "Make a fine meal out of my blood and feed." "It's a noble blood." "Take heart, Bianca," "Your father will save himself." "No." "No." "It's over for him." "You wanted to play a terrible game, whose penalty was death," "You won Strozzi.. a casket!" "Take him away." "Take him away." "Mr. Guicciardini, what are you thinking?" "Just reflecting." " On what?" "No, it wouldn't do to kill Strozzi." "He still has a large noble following." "Even Francois the First, might resent it." "What do I care about the King of France?" "I have the Pope and Charles the Fifth." "Besides, you tried to while he was a prisoner." "Prison is one thing and torture is another." "It'd be sufficient to lock him up in the tower." "So he can escape again?" "No." "Finally, I have this head of the Guelphs in my hand, and I won't let him get away!" "No one knows how many new enemies will spring up around you." "He will be brought to justice!" "No, I know that they hate me." "Woe to those who cross my path." "And yet if you wanted.." " What!" "Now, you've captured the head of the conspiracy." "Soon you'll have the others." "Spare his life." "It won't be long before you have the nation at peace." "And above all, get rid of Lorenzo." "Lorenzo is my friend." "Who's against him is against me." "I only speak in your interest." " Thank you!" "But I must refuse your advice, whatever the consequences may be." "Alessandro can take of himself." "Long live Duke Alessandro!" "THE PRINCE BY NICCOLÒ MACHIAVELLI" ""Well deserving can be called those cruelties committed only once,"" ""for which the subjects may derive benefit."" "Leave me alone." "Sir, it's your mother and Lady Bianca." "Have them come in." "Unghero, go call Sir Lorenzo." "Tell him to come here immediately." "How is this possible?" "I don't know." "I don't know." "Simon De' Bartoli's daughter told me, that's how I found out." "He too has been brought to prison." "You mustn't mix yourself up in this." "Lorenzo, it was you who told!" " Me?" "Mama!" "What horrors.." "do you think me capable of?" "Let the vileness of man poison the bread I eat, cover me with mud." "It would be the price.." "of my terrible dream.." "and it wouldn't matter if I paid it." "But not you!" "Bianca.." "Not me!" " Your heart is too much a mixture.." "of vice and virtue." " Don't utter another word!" "You may regret it." "A single light has illuminated the darkness into which I am plunged:" "you, Bianca!" "You." "If I could reveal my secret, you'd understand.." "the injustice of your suspicion." "Brabante!" "That you, Unghero?" "Ah, it's you, Sir Lorenzo." "The Duke awaits you at the palace immediately." "Very well." "Lorenzo.." "Bianca!" "Maybe, Destiny is mysteriously favoring my plans." "But I ask you to believe me." "I swear that I'll save your father." "You?" " Yes, me." "I'll make with my own hands, a knot, stronger than Alessandro's sword." "There is only one condition:" "At the right moment, you obey me." "What plot are you hatching?" "The last, Mama, the last!" "And perhaps the most subtle one." "But don't fear." "My game is a sure one." "His Eminence the Cardinal Legate." "A pleasure to see you, your Eminence and to offer to your Eminence all my devout submission to your Holiness." "I can assure you, my sentiments towards your Highness, are the same." "To what do I owe the pleasure of this agreeable visit?" "To an order I received from Rome to deliver to your Highness this Pontifical disposition." "What?" "The "debaucheries" of my court have reached Paulo the Third?" "And Lorenzo has been titled the champion.." "of Florentine indecency." "His Most Excellent Duke Alessandro is in conference with the Papal Legate." "I don't think I deserve the reproaches directed at me." "I don't think it's a crime to help a cousin, even if he's a little crazy." "In any case," "I bow to the wishes of the Pontiff." "It's clearer than the light of day." "His Eminence asks you to banish me from Florence." "You see yourself." " When must I leave?" "Tomorrow, poor Lorenzino." " Isn't there a way to delay it?" "How can I?" "The order is peremptory." "It would please me to finish something I had started." " I understand, but.." "I promised." " Well then.." "let the will of Paolo the Third be done." "Where do you propose to spend tonight, my cousin?" "I haven't decided anything yet, but a feast of beautiful love." "I want to enjoy myself." "Why do you ask me that question?" " To render you a last service." "Tell me!" "Bianca!" "By the way, I haven't yet told you." "It happened so suddenly." "Filippo Strozzi.. since this morning is in the hands of the executioner!" " I know." "Don't you think Bianca would be more willing.." "I'm way ahead of you, my lord." "Just come to my house." "That will be really too much!" "Both the father and the daughter!" "It's the least you deserve." "Know that I don't want to play the part of consoler." "That's not for me!" "And I don't want to waste my time trying to persuade her.." " Leave it to me." "You courtier!" "We want one from De Lapo!" " No, Del Guci!" " No, a stanza from Bandello!" "I'll recite Lorenzo the Magnificent!" "# How beautiful is youth, that is forever slipping away," "# Whoever wants to be happy, be so!" "Landino!" "Give me something to drink." "It's a shame, I must work, while others are having fun." "I have to work too." " Right." "I must carve out the motto that Lorenzo gave me." "Hey, listen!" ""There is no glory without danger."" "Reflects little on who wrote it, and even less to whom it's directed to." "My lord!" "All is ready." "I wanted it to be me who selected your ermine robe and perfume." "Cousin, what will you do tomorrow without me?" "Don't speak of melancholy things." "I want to be happy." "Do you think Bianca will go to your house?" " Of course." "And you told her.." " No, not yet." "At at an opportune moment.." " Do me a favor, divert her thoughts away from her father and tell her not to babble too much." "As soon as she arrives, I advise you send your men away." "They might understand and it won't do you any good." "She's the daughter of Strozzi." "You think of everything!" " That's my fidelity." "You are truly faithful to me." " Unto the death!" "Now go on. "Mercy!"" ""Why did you abandon us?" "Oh!" "You are truly faithful to me." "Both father and daughter!" "Lorenzo"" ""Wicked Lorenzo"" "Where's my coat of mail?" "I'm looking for it, my lord." "I can't find it." "You can't find it?" " Yet it was here!" "Why did you ask me to come here tonight?" "Why?" "Bianca.." "we two are on the threshold of an infinite deliverance." "I ask you to do violence to your feelings:" "to dry your tears, to smile.." "Yes!" "To smile as if your father returned." "Is he already here?" " No." "But soon someone will come who will allow me to open the gates of his prison." "# Your eye, shining like a star, # will one day seal my fate." "# I want to kiss # this beautiful mouth." "# And on my heart, I want to hear your heartbeat." "Sir.." "I understand." "Wait for me." "I just came from crossing the streets and nobody recognized me." " Come." "Allow me, my lord." "How I admire you!" "You're a shining star!" "Go on.." " Magnificent!" "Such an exquisite perfume!" "It truly astounds me!" "You know, I don't have my coat of mail?" "They've lost it." "You won't need it tonight." "You're safe here." "She's in there, my lord." "Look.." "She's even more beautiful when sad." "And you thought you could go first?" "Oh, Lorenzino, if you had done that.." " Don't reproach me, my lord!" "I didn't know." "But now that I do, I run to my goal." "Go, call her." "You spoke to her?" " Of course." "But.." "on one condition." " What condition?" " To free her father." "What?" "Are you crazy?" " I've never been saner in my life." "What are you proposing?" "Just an artifice, my lord!" "You'll sign a pardon, a fake pardon." "Oh.. a comedy." "If it's only that, you could've told me sooner." ""I order that Filippo Strozzi.."" ""be freed immediately.."" ""and entrusted to.."" ""to Sir Lorenzo."" "Here it is, satisfied in full with the law." " And now you may go in there." "One moment, my cousin." "She'll come to you." "Whatever happens, don't move, don't speak!" "It's to save your father.." "and Florence!" "Michele!" "Are you ready?" " Yes." "But who is it?" "You'll know soon." "Don't move!" "Give it to me, my cousin." "Say, is she resigned now that I've pardoned her father?" " She's overjoyed." "What are you doing?" "Too much light." "It might offend her modesty." "There." "And now I'll send her in." "Who is it, my lord?" "Tell me who it is." "You remember the dishonor done to your Nella?" "It's her assaulter." " The Duke!" "Flee!" "Go!" "What have you done, Lorenzo?" "What have you done?" "I told you that both of us were on the threshold of deliverance." "We have more than passed it now." "What will happen to us?" "What will happen to us?" ""Whoever arrests Lorenzo, the traitor, shall receive 2000 gold florins."" ""He'll be exempt from taxes forever and receive an annual income of 200 florins."" ""Every citizen is requested to search for the fugitive."" "I wanted to realize my dream, instead, I realized my love." "Even love, Lorenzo, is a dream." "English subtitles by sineintegral@KG."