Julia Farnese quotes from The Borgias

Julia Farnese

We should give thanks.

Cesare Borgia

Whom should we thank?

(holding his newborn grandson) God. (he hands the baby to Lucrezia as everyone gathers around her bed) We should thank God for all the blessings he has visited upon this- our family.

Julia Farnese

(dressed as Minnerva at a Roman masquerade) Juno.

Vanozza Cattaneo

(dressed as Juno) Well spotted, Julia Farnese. (they dance) And, you are?...

Julia Farnese

You may call me Minnerva.

Vanozza Cattaneo

(smirks slightly) Oh, and to think- you were Venus, once.

Julia Farnese

And, I soon may be a vestal virgin. (Vanozza chuckles)

Vanozza Cattaneo

You fear for the constancy of your lover's affections?

Julia Farnese

And, if I may be so bold... I would ask for your advice.

Vanozza Cattaneo

When his eye wanders, as it did from me to you?

Julia Farnese

You must hate me.

Vanozza Cattaneo

No. And, if you would take my advice... don't do as I did; rage, remonstrate, play the wounded wife.

Julia Farnese

No? So, what is the goddess Juno's advice?

Vanozza Cattaneo

He is Janus tonight, is he not? He looks both ways. Allow him his fancy- let him look both ways. But, be sure one of those gazes falls on you.

Cardinal Versucci

Your Holiness. (they sit)

(smiles) You have been in charge of the Office of Public Works for how many years?

(smiles) Oh, for as long as I have been a Cardinal, Your Holiness.

Mmm-two decades? (Versucci nods, chuckles) After which time the orphans of Rome find themselves destitute. (Versucci's smile vanishes) And, the Cardinal has built himself how many palaces?

... Three.

You see the irony there?

... The poor will always be with us, Your Holiness.

(scoffs) The poor- like the pigeons! (storms down the hall, Versucci hastily follows)

I- I beg your pardon, Your Holiness-

Does the Cardinal believe the pigeons will always be with us?!

Is this a riddle? (the Pope whirls around and points at him)

We will have curatorial funds used for their declared purposes! Money destined for the poor should GO to the poor! (walks on into the next room, where Julia Farnese is sitting at a desk) So, we will have you go through the last two decades of your accounts, with one we have designated to supervise them: the Lady Julia Farnese. (puts his hand on Julia's shoulder)

(offended) What Your Holiness proposes is unthinkable!

What- that moneys destined for the poor should go to the poor?

That a woman should have access to curatorial accounts. (Rodrigo looks expectantly at Julia)

Julia Farnese

(mockingly, looking away from Versucci) Can a woman not count? Add, subtract?

Count her children, perhaps. (Julia spins around and glares at him)

Julia Farnese

(coldly) There's a new method, Cardinal. Devised by the Florentine bankers. (Versucci scoffs, Julia gets up and approaches him) It is called double-entry bookkeeping... and it proves a valuable tool in tracing all missing funds.

So, the Cardinal shall help you in your efforts to source those missing funds- while we shall attend to another matter of worrisome import. (leaves)

(bows, seething) Your Holiness.

Lucrezia Borgia

(observing the poor as she and Julia Farnese walk through Rome) These children need an orphanage!

Julia Farnese

Indeed, they do. But, the nunneries that used to care for them are starved of funds- and the orphanage on Piazzo Naverna is now a Cardinal's palace. Here, once stood a statue of the goddess Selas Minnerva- and here flowed crystal springwater from the Alban Hills.

Lucrezia Borgia

Statues are easily restored; water is not.

Julia Farnese

(looks directly at her) So- I would use my wit, and yours, to outwit those who divert funds, and water, from poor houses and palaces.

Lucrezia Borgia

(nods) Cardinals- and the Curia.

Julia Farnese

You are far too clever. (takes her arm and leads her away)

Lucrezia Borgia

(smiles) It would be fun, to outwit a brace of Cardinals.

Julia Farnese

More than fun- it would save lives. And, there is one more brain I would engage in our cause: your mother's.

Lucrezia Borgia

(chuckles) My mother? But, she-

Julia Farnese

You must admit, three minds would be better than two. And, your mother and I are far beyond such enmities.