isneckandthedressofdarkredvelvetwithanembroideredcollar.Hisfeatureswereuglyalarge,coarsenose,aheavy,sensualmouth,smalleyes,butverysharpandglitteringthehairthinandshort,theskinmuddy,yellow,wrinkled—Lorenzode'Medici!
AsIenteredtheroom,heinterruptedhimselfandspoketomeinaharsh,disagreeablevoice.
'MesserFilippoBrandolini,Ithink.Youareverywelcome.'
'IamafraidIinterruptyou,'Isaid,lookingattheyouthwiththemelancholyeyes.
'Ohno,'answeredLorenzo,gaily.'WeweretalkingofPlato.Ireallyoughttohavebeenattendingtoverymuchmoreseriousmatters,butInevercanresistPico.'
ThenthatwasthefamousPicodellaMirandola.Ilookedathimagainandfeltenviousthatonepersonshouldbepossessedofsuchgeniusandsuchbeauty.ItwashardlyfaironNature'spart.
'ItismorethesubjectthanIthatisirresistible.'
'Ah,thebanquet!'saidLorenzo,claspinghishands.'Whataninexhaustiblematter!Icouldgoontalkingaboutitalldayandallnightforayear,andthenfindIhadleftunsaidhalfwhatIhadinmymind.'
'Youhavesovastanexperienceinthesubjecttreatedof,'saidPico,laughing'youcouldgiveachapterofcommenttoeverysentenceofPlato.'
'Yourascal,Pico!'answeredLorenzo,alsolaughing.'Andwhatisyouropinionoflove,Messer?'headded,turningtome.
Ianswered,smiling,—
'Contuapromesse,ettuafalseparole,
Confalsirisi,etconvagosembiante,
Donna,menatohaiiltuofideleamante.'
..........
Thosepromisesofthine,andthosefalsewords,
Thosetraitorsmiles,andthatinconstantseeming,
Lady,withthesethou'stledastraythyfaithfullover.
TheywereLorenzo'sownlines,andhewasdelightedthatIshouldquotethem,butstillthepleasurewasnottoogreat,andIsawthatitmustbesubtleflatteryindeedthatshouldturnhishead.
'Youhavethespiritofacourtier,MesserFilippo,'hesaidinreplytomyquotation.'Youarewastedonliberty!'