(dining in the House of Medici) The wealth of Florence astounds me, Don de Medici.
PDPiero de Medici
Banking. The Medici family are bankers to the world- to the Vatican itself.
Niccolo MachiavelliFather Savanarola calls it "usury".
PDPiero de Medici
And what do you call it?
Niccolo Machiavelli
"Interest."
He may be wrong about the Medici bank, but he's right about the Borgia Pope. Alexander's great game is the investiture of Naples. He knows France has claims upon it; he knows Spain has claims upon it. He will play them both against each other, like a spider with two flies-
PDPiero de Medici
(impatiently) And you? What is your game?
(smiles) I have no game- but, if I am forced to play... I will head to France, and ask the French King to invade our beautiful Italy. (Medici looks alarmed)
Niccolo Machiavelli
(pretends to look bewildered) "Italy?" Is there such an entity?
There is a land, Signor Machiavelli, made up of many principalities. The Duchy of Milan, the Republic of your wondrous Florence, the Dukedoms of the Romagna, the Papal States-
Niccolo Machiavelli
And to their south, Naples.
Borgia has betrothed his daughter to a Sforza. He will marry his son to a Spaniard or a Venetian, his younger son to a Florentine or a Neapolitan. (to Medici) He will weave a web around this Italy that may not exist- he will swallow your Florence, your Venice, your Milan- and Italy then will exist, my Liege. Under him.
Niccolo Machiavelli
(sarcastically) Hmm- prophetic words. Are you... cousin to Savanarola?
No. But, I would meet with him- I've seen him preach.
PDPiero de Medici
Can you explain to me, Cardinal, why the King of France would muster an army and invade his neighbors?
Niccolo Machiavelli
So,you give France Naples, France gives you... Rome.
(folds his hands together)... I don't want Rome. I want to restore the glory of her Holy Church.
Niccolo Machiavelli
Mmm- as Pope.
(smiles uneasily) As her humble servant.
Niccolo Machiavelli
(smiles thinly) Indeed. And... what do you want of Florence?
Niccolo Machiavelli
(chuckles) Well, then we will charge you nothing!
You misunderstand. I ask that Florence do... nothing.
Niccolo Machiavelli
... Ah. We, let those French... barbarians march through our Principality, and do...
Nothing. (Medici glances between them)
Niccolo Machiavelli
(coldly)... That's a different kind of nothing. That will cost you something.
Niccolo Machiavelli
I have heard a whisper of your excommunication, Cardinal.
Indeed? I've heard the same of yours. (Machiavelli glances at him)
Niccolo Machiavelli
Mine?
I've heard rumors the whole of Florence could be excommunicated, if this city is surrendered to French arms. (they glance back at Charles VIII at the head of his troops, who have almost reached the gates)
Niccolo Machiavelli
Well, then- perhaps that depends on one's definition of surrender. (he rides forward to intercept the King) I bid His Royal Highness and the Armies of France welcome, to the fair city of Florence. (Charles eyes him suspiciously) But, it would be politic, Your Highness, if you would ride through our gracious city with your lance at rest.
(glances at his spear, held in offensive position) At rest?
Niccolo Machiavelli
(smiles) Your lance at point is a symbol of conquest- and our gracious Florence has not been conquered. On the contrary- we welcome you with open arms.
Signor Machiavelli? (Machiavelli turns around)
Niccolo Machiavelli
Your Highness?
Our lance at rest prevents our entry to your "fair city."
Niccolo Machiavelli
(shrugs) Perhaps, Your Highness, if it were to be angled backwards?
(irritated) And of what would that be a symbol?
Niccolo Machiavelli
(smirks) Of Your Highness' infinite... resourcefulness.
PDPiero de Medici
We live in a fortress, now. Barricaded against the sea of zealots in the streets outside.
RBRodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI
Hmm- "zealots".
PDPiero de Medici
Their fervor for the Friar's visions increases daily. They would ban all art and ornament, and they have set their sights on the coin of the Realm itself!
RBRodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI
Money? Dear God...
PDPiero de Medici
They see gold and silver coin as part of the fallen world. They would reduce all exchange to a state of barter only possible in the Garden of Eden!
RBRodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI
(pretending to examine a sculpture) Hmmm- and what of banking?
PDPiero de Medici
(scoffs, imitates Savanarola) "Did Adam need gold coin?! Did Eve need a bank?! Did Cain charge interest to Abel?!" (Machiavelli smiles briefly, Cardinal Sforza and Medici chuckle)
And what of the Church's deposits in your banks?
PDPiero de Medici
They would scatter them like chaff. (he starts to sit. Machiavelli clears his throat, and Medici hastily stands up again) And, if they knew, Holy Father, of your personal accounts, they would burn the bank to the ground.
RBRodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI
Well, then- perhaps we had better have our wealth brought back to Rome. (Machiavelli frowns)
PDPiero de Medici
How? The Friar has his spies everywhere.
RBRodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI
(shrugs) Well, perhaps the good Friar could be bought.
PDPiero de Medici
With money?
RBRodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI
No- a Bishopric. Generalship of the Dominican Order. (sits)
PDPiero de Medici
(also sits) The Dominican Order already does his bidding.
Niccolo Machiavelli
And, how can you buy one who would outlaw trade itself?
RBRodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI
You offer him something that money cannot buy. Heaven itself.
(sees Machiavelli walking through Rome at night) Signor Machiavelli. (Machiavelli joins him, they walk into an ally) Welcome... to Rome.
Niccolo Machiavelli
(sarcastically) I appreciate the informality of your welcome.
What is the news from Florence?
Niccolo Machiavelli
Ah- Officially, I am here to open the shutters on the Villa Medici for my master, Piero de Medici. Stones have been thrown at his house in Florence- large stones. He believes he will be safer here in Rome.
Not without our protection.
Niccolo Machiavelli
(nods) The Medici have made many enemies, that cannot be contested.
What of the Medici bank? Is it a sinking ship?
Niccolo Machiavelli
Oh, I am not a banker, but... it may have already sunk.
You may not be a banker, but you are the Medici's Ambassador. You... know these things.
Niccolo Machiavelli
(shrugs) True, I have been privy to sensitive negotiations. Signor de Medici values my opinion- especially as he does not... have one of his own. But, I am really nothing more than a nuncio- a messenger boy. (they walk on)
And what message does the boy bring? What of the Vatican funds?
Niccolo Machiavelli
(flatly) Every penny could be lost. (Cesare stares at him in disbelief) That is the sad truth of it.
... Where has the money gone?
Niccolo Machiavelli
That is the golden question- you are not alone in wanting an answer. There are funds; the question is, where might they be?
Niccolo Machiavelli
I am told that what remains is on the move. Some here, some there... although, not on its' way to whom it belongs.
Niccolo Machiavelli
That, I do not know. Not yet. Until such time, it is as I told you: I am here to open the shutters of the Villa Medici.
(gritting his teeth) Signor Machiavelli, a more... specific insight into this matter would be much appreciated. (he and Machiavelli bow to each other and depart)
CChildren
Vanities! Your gold, your silver-
Niccolo Machiavelli
Wait- before you speak! (the boys silence) I would have you cease marking chalk crosses on my door. (nods to the lead boy) You may continue.
1C1st Child-Acolyte
Vanities! Your gold, your silver, your trinkets, your books. Give up your vanities!
Niccolo Machiavelli
(coldly) I have no vanities. I have only my intellect, which I am reluctant to relinquish- and, as you can see, with these looks, I have no vanity.
1C1st Child-Acolyte
(obviously parrotting Savanarola) An Eternity in Heaven or an Eternity in Hell! What will it be?!
Niccolo Machiavelli
(unimpressed) Hell.. is here, in this city! (gestures around them, steps forward, forcing the boy back) Heaven has, of late, been removed to another place!
2C2nd Child-Acolyte
Are you a sinner?
1C1st Child-Acolyte
The Son of Man will return in his Glory! And he will judge both the quick- and the dead! Give up your vanities, or face the Wroth of God!
CChildren
Give up your vanities! Give 'em up- give up your vanities!
2C2nd Child-Acolyte
Would you have us break your windows?
Niccolo Machiavelli
(contemptuously) So... God is now reduced to breaking windows. Wait- one moment. (closes the door. After a moment, he re-opens it, and- much to the bewilderment of the boys, offers them a glass case containing a stuffed eagle-owl) Here! (the lead boy takes it)
1C1st Child-Acolyte
Come to the square- (Machiavelli shuts the door in his face)
Niccolo Machiavelli
These people trust their fates- their fortunes- to the power of spells. Come. (they follow the growing crowd) Savanarola understands that what haunts a man's mind in the night, is what rules him. He trades in the fear of Hell.
WWoman
Untie me! Untie me! Please, I've done nothing!
Niccolo Machiavelli
(grimly)... Here is a different kind of bonfire.
WWoman
God will punish you!
(sickened)... What is her crime?
Niccolo Machiavelli
(shrugs, pretending it is obvious) She is a witch. People believe she has the power to cast them into Hell.
Niccolo Machiavelli
Fear of damnation. And, the hope of a better life in the next world. (they observe as the stake is affixed to the ground and wood piled around the shrieking woman) That is what Savanarola promises- he trades in miracles. Show him to be wrong... the man will burn. Just like the witch.
Niccolo Machiavelli
If Angels can fall, from Heaven into Hell... then, so can we all. The Demon waits to devour us.
... Then we must go wrestle with the Demon.
The Borgias · 70 quotes
