CHAPTER VIII.

LAST DAYS OF COSIMO DE MEDICI.

Cosimo in Advanced Age—Death of his Brother Lorenzo—His sons Piero and Giovanni—Piero’s Marriage to Lucrezia Tornabuoni—Death of Giovanni—Piero’s Children—Cosimo’s Manner of Life—Cosimo’s Disposition and Character—Cosimo in Outward Demeanour and in Business—Cosimo’s Ecclesiastical Edifices—Churches and Monasteries, Palace and Villas—Buildings and Foundations Abroad—Cosimo’s Last Days at Careggi Villa—Piero’s Letter to his Sons—Death of Cosimo—Marsilio Ficino on Cosimo—Cosimo de’ Medici the Father of his Country 153

SECOND BOOK.

_PIERO DE’ MEDICI. FIRST YEARS OF LORENZO THE MAGNIFICENT._