Complete Works of Angelo Poliziano

Decorative initial N with floral/foliate patterns.You have not so much received a gift; rather, you have given one, in that you have deemed me worthy enough that you would even read my trifles. Unless, indeed, it be more of an injustice that a man performing at the Floralia should be watched by a Cato. You say that you have long been on holiday from more refined letters; but for my part, if a man on holiday can write such a letter as that most elegant one you sent recently, I judge that I too ought to take a holiday on every possible occasion. But so it is, in truth: those noble arts, your letters and your philosophies, are not mastered individually until they are all mastered together. Indeed, in our age, you—if not alone, then certainly with few others, that is, with one or two at most—possess them all. But of other matters, another time. I recently saw Galen’s commentaries, which you have made plainly Latin. I augur—and I do not think my augury deceives me—that they will contribute greatly to posterity. For I do not yet dare to hope as much for this our own century, since certain men have become so benighted by perverse habit that they still defend the acorn though grain has been discovered. They seem to me like that Gryllus who disputes with Ulysses in Plutarch, and who cannot be led by any reasons to wish to return from a pig to a man again, after Circe had previously changed him from a man into a pig. Your congratulation on the fact that I have devoted myself entirely to philosophy has added much to my good hope. We shall therefore persevere, especially since what specimen we have given publicly thus far has turned out well, not only in teaching but also in disputing. Our friend Pico here, I believe, gives me courage; for since he has for a long time found no peer for himself in the arena, he uniquely favors me as I contend and labor. And when he happens to shout to me something such as that which the father of Glaucus of Carystus cried out, “the one from the plow,” by my faith, he seems to place the very earth beneath the feet of Antaeus. And would that you also lived with us in the same fellowship; I would believe that all the Muses (if indeed there are any Muses anywhere) would migrate here with their groves and springs—not to mention their own furniture—and that the phalanxes of the unlearned and the barbarians, who hold almost the whole world exulting with their standards planted, would easily be put to flight with you and Pico as leaders. Lorenzo and Piero de' Medici—that is, a most kind father with his most delightful son—love you with emulation, and they desire that an occasion be given to them whereby you may at last perceive a richer and fuller fruit of their benevolence toward you. Farewell.

Decorative initial Q with foliate patterns.Just as I do not bear it with much grief to be reviled by unpraiseworthy men, so I rejoice greatly to be commended by men who can never be praised enough. For even if the former, blinded by hatred or the lividness of envy, detract from everyone, while the latter sometimes grant more to love and benevolence than to truth, I nevertheless judge it to matter not a little whether something is done out of this or that affection. For who would believe a slandering Thersites, who spares no one? But who would not assent to Nestor, from whose mouth speech flows sweeter than honey? For my part, although I know myself to be nothing, yet led by the persuasion and charm of your speech, I judge myself now to possess some name and honor. Nor can I bring myself to believe but that some will approve of your judgment concerning me. If not those who (as you write in your most elegant letter) are already benighted and know not how to break the habit of the acorn, then at least those whom the studies of rectitude delight—few indeed in number, but valor lively in war. Relying on their arms and aid, I shall despise the phalanxes of the barbarians and the assaults and insolence of those who have defected from us to them. Do you only, my Poliziano, show yourself to me as you have always been toward me: that is, a most fierce defender of my honor and dignity. As for Lorenzo and Piero de' Medici—that is, a most kind son with his father—[continued on next page]