CHAPTER IV.

LATTER DAYS OF PIERO DE’ MEDICI. LORENZO’S MARRIAGE.

Battle near Rimini—Robert Malatesta—Finances of Florence—Purchase of Sarzano—Gay Life amid Financial Difficulties—Position and Life of Lorenzo de’ Medici—Lucrezia Donati—Lorenzo’s Tournament—Lorenzo’s Engagement—Clarice Orsini and her Relations—Lucrezia de’ Medici in Rome—Intelligence of Clarice Orsini—Conclusion of the Engagement, and Marriage Ceremony in Rome—Marriage Festival in Florence—Lorenzo’s Journey to Milan to the Christening of Gian Galeazzo Sforza—Death of Piero de’ Medici, and his Character—Piero’s Relation to his Party and to the Exiles—King Ferrante and Piero de’ Medici 222