THE LIFE OF GIOVANNI PICO OF MIRANDOLA

In which year of his life he died

...he was hurrying the publication of those works which he had begun. But in the year of our redemption 1494, while he was completing his thirty-second year of age and staying in Florence, he was seized by a most treacherous fever. This illness raged so fiercely through his humors and vitals that he disregarded every kind of medicine, and it forced him to satisfy the debt of nature within thirteen days.

How he conducted himself in his illness

Although I was far from him at that time, I shall not cease to relate what I have received from very serious witnesses who were present. How remarkable was it when, after receiving the sacrament of the Eucharist, the image of the crucified Christ was offered to him! From it, he could drink full draughts of love in memory of that ineffable passion suffered for the sake of our salvation, so that before he breathed out his soul, he might take up a most strong defense against any adversity and a most powerful rampart against wicked demons.

The praiseworthy end of a Christian man is related

Soon after, he was asked by an elder whether he firmly believed that image to be of the true God and true man: who, as He is God before time and eternity, was begotten by the Father (to whom He is equal in all things), and from the Holy Spirit (who is also God), and from the Father—these three are one, remaining co-eternal.

The image of God

And that He was conceived in time in the womb of Mary, ever virgin; that He suffered hunger, thirst, labors, heat, and vigils; and finally, to wash away our filth contracted from the seed of Adam, and to throw open the great gate of heaven, embracing the human race with charity, He had poured out His most precious blood both voluntarily and most willingly on the altar of the cross; and other things of that kind which are usually recounted.

Albertus Pius, Alexander of Aphrodisias, Themistius, Averroes

He replied that he not only believed but was certain of it. He also spoke with Alberto Pio Pico's nephew, the Prince of Carpi, a notable Renaissance diplomat and scholar., his sister's son, whom we mentioned at the beginning of this life's journey—a young man distinguished for his talent, his study of the liberal arts, and his character. Pico used the same reasoning as Alexander of Aphrodisias and Themistius in the preface of their books on Auscultation original: "auscultatorioꝝ libroꝝ"; referring to Aristotle’s Physics, often titled Physical Auscultation., declaring that fortitude against the fear of death is drawn from physical contemplations—a sentiment which Averroes soon adopted. Attempting to make the boundaries of death more peaceful for Alberto, he expressed it in this way: that the soul is not pacified by that reason alone, nor is an end put to the torments of death, but most of all by the fact that a limit was now placed on his offenses against his God; for he did not consider his short span of life to be content with even more frequent offenses against God.

The Queen of Heaven visited the sick man at night

Furthermore, he revealed this to several most proven witnesses from the college of preachers and to the aforementioned Alberto: that the Queen of Heaven had come to him at night, fragrant with a wonderful scent, and had refreshed all his limbs bruised and contracted by that fever, promising that he would not yield entirely to death. He was found lying in bed with a cheerful and peaceful face while he was ill. And amidst the stings of death which he endured, he was accustomed to speak as if he saw the heavens opened to him. He greeted everyone, and when they offered their help—as is the custom—he received and kissed them with the most charming speech. We were also informed that he asked forgiveness from all his servants if he had perhaps been troublesome to any of them. A year earlier, he had provided for them in his will: that food be given to some and clothing to others while he lived, and money paid to others according to their merits. He appointed the poor of the Florentine Xenodochium The Hospital of Santa Maria Nuova in Florence. as his heirs for those things which could not be moved, but for his movable goods, his brother Antonio Maria.

His death caused distress to all ranks of men

How much distress his death caused to the lowest and highest ranks of all, the princes, cities, and peoples of Italy are witnesses. These kings whom we mentioned above are witnesses. Also, the kindness and grace of Charles [VIII], King of the Gauls, must not be passed over in silence. When he was arriving in Florence—intending to seek Rome and conquer the Kingdom of Naples—and it was announced that Pico was suffering from a grave illness, he immediately sent two doctors (who were then performing the duty of legates) to visit and help him. He gave letters which we have both seen and read, written by his own hand, full of both humanity and those promises which...