"Chelsea Quinn Yarbro - St Germain 2 - The Palace" - читать интересную книгу автора (Yarbro Chelsea Quinn)

the works of Plato, sometimes new tales. It has become his habit to spend his
evenings thus. Yet his mind is keen, and he is, as always, seeking out gifted artists.
That young student of Ghirlandajo is part of the Medici household now, and for all
your loathing of marble sculpture, you would admit that young Buonarroti has talent.
Laurenzo is pleased with his progress, which, considering his youth, is remarkable. I
think that Magnifico would prefer it if his own sons showed the promise of
Michelangelo Buonarroti. Giovanni is for the Church, of course, and his mind is as
tenacious as it is agile. But Piero is another matter. Piero has done little but indulge
himself since he was old enough to ask his father for favors. He has not changed
since you knew him—he is as capricious as a child, forever making demands.
Yet all is not bleak here. There was a great festival on Ascension Day, and all
Fiorenza went into the fields to catch grasshoppers and to sport. There was a special
Requiem Mass that day, at San Lorenzo, in memory of Giuliano. That deed will
forever be a stain on the house of Pazzi, who would appear to be well-named, so
insane was that act.
We have heard that you are still in the habit of buying birds in the market and
setting them free. A friend of that alchemist I already mentioned has recently come
from Venezia, and made a stop in Milano while the city was still talking about your
most recent escapade. Leonardo, amico, you will not save the birds. They will only
be caught again and someone else will eat them. How is it that you can invent such
terrible weapons of war, and think nothing of examining the bodies of the dead most
thoroughly, but balk at eating songbirds?
In reference to your love of machines, you would be delighted at the new palazzo
that Ragoczy, the alchemist, is building. It is in the Genovese style, and he has added
every innovation imaginable. The builders all gossip about it. He has modified his
bath, and made a special chamber for storing and heating water, instead of making a
holocaust. The chamber is about the size of two traveling chests, and adjoins the
bath closely. It is tarred and lacquered so that it cannot leak, and the water is fed to
the bath through a pipe with a spigot. He has also invented a new sort of oven for his
cooks, one made of metal, which he claims is more efficient (though why he should
want cooks when he never dines, I cannot conceive). Many of the cooks in the city
have said they would have nothing to do with such an instrument. I understand that
he has a very simple, hard bed, but that everything else is wholly magnificent. If you
do not want Laurenzo for a patron, then consider Ragoczy. He has a great deal of
wealth and loves beautiful things almost as much as the Medicis. When I told him of
your silver lute, the one you fashioned in the shape of a horse's head, he was
delighted. You need not fear his generosity—he is quite wealthy and completely
honorable. I have myself seen some of his jewels, and their size and beauty would
stagger even you. At Christmas he presented Laurenzo with an emerald as large as
the pietra dura bowl of Laurenzo's silver cup. He, Ragoczy, knows many secret
processes with metals. You would enjoy his conversation as well, Leonardo, for he
is an erudite conversationalist and his range of interests is broad.
I pray you will consider coming once again to Fiorenza. We all here miss you. We
miss your songs as much as your excellent work, for all you say you never finish
anything. Whatever Milano offers you, Fiorenza can give you. Remember that you
are loved here, and that the blessings of your friends follow you wherever you go,
even home.
My cousin Estasia calls me to table, so I must end this. With the hope that our
next greeting will be face to face, this brings you the affection of your friend
Sandro