Original subtitles

[theme song playing]

♪Though the dust of you is gone ♪

♪ And the world of what is done ♪

♪ Fate reclaims the throne ♪

♪ Of revolution's bones ♪

♪ Come with me ♪

♪ Drink away on her beauty ♪

♪ We can fight them ♪

♪ I can say that I can change the world ♪

♪ But if you let me ♪

♪ I can change the world for us ♪

♪ Come with me and... ♪

[water splashing]

[water splashing]

Maybe your uncle will let you live with us, Francesco.

Of course he won't.

[Jacopo] Francesco!

Francesco, Guglielmo!

Here now, come.

You are my wards now.

Jacopo, their parents were just buried. Let them spend a while with their friends.

I'm calling off the engagement between Guglielmo

and your granddaughter, Ma donna.

They are pledged to one another.

Not by me, and not anymore.

Guglielmo's late father wished peace between our families.

This union would ensure it.

Peace? Peace?

There will never be peace between the families, Ma donna.

Come, Francesco.

Stay where you are.

Don't touch him.

Get out of my way.

Or you feel the force of my hand, too.

Not in this house, Messer Pazzi.

Lorenzo.

Come.

Come! Come!

[door slams]

You are loyal to a friend.

The sign of a good heart, Lorenzo.

But never pick a fight you can't win.

It only strengthens your enemies.

[woman] You look more anxious about Bianca's wedding than your own.

Marriage to the Pazzi.

A new treaty ratified with Milan.

You're ascendant, Lorenzo.

-Hmm. -What do you have to be worried about?

Our bank's finances are precarious.

And this wedding...

will only deepen Jacopo Pazzi's desire to destroy us.

[Ardinghelli] But he's old. And you are more than his equal.

And burdened by conscience.

[church bell ringing at a distance]

Which puts me in a disadvantage.

How is conscience...

a disadvantage?

There are moral lines

that I won't cross.

And he has none of those.

There is strength in goodness.

And I believe in you. [sighs]

[footsteps approaching]

Clarice will be waiting.

I should go.

Perhaps she can wait a little bit longer.

Hmm?

-Perhaps. -[chuckles]

[indistinct conversation]

[Sandro] ...certainly does not glorify God.

[conversation continues indistinctly]

[Lucrezia] Clarice.

Clarice!

-...and you and your philosophy... -I'm sure Lorenzo will be here soon.

[Sandro] All I'm saying is the art of the ancients remains unsurpassed.

[man] I've studied the art of the ancients and their philosophy.

Ah, here he is, you see.

-[man] ...painting the same subject... -Sorry for being late.

You were supposed to be back hours ago.

Business, I'm afraid.

Couldn't be helped.

Can you forgive me?

Pardon me, Messer Medici.

Messer Maffei is here.

Unannounced, all the way from Volterra?

-Stefano. -Lorenzo.

[laughs]

Giuliano.

Ma donna Medici, another wedding in the family?

My deepest congratulations.

Thank you, Messer Maffei.

Surely you haven't traveled all this way to congratulate us.

Some... crystals.

Not just ordinary crystals.

Processed alum.

Uh... to the textile industry, this is more precious than gold.

It makes color adhere to cloth.

And there are lots more where that came from.

A shepherd found a mine on his land.

Well, then the people of Volterra are about to become very rich indeed.

Except, that the textile makers from across Europe buy from the Pope suppliers.

He cannot afford to be undercut.

We are a small city.

We could offer little defense

should the Pope decide to invade.

Volterra is under Florentine protection. He wouldn't dare.

No. The Holy Father needs that revenue to sustain his good works.

He might have no choice.

Then there will be war...

between us and the Pope.

What shall we do?

You must be very tired after your journey, Stefano.

Come.

Let's have a drink.

Clarice will be very happy to see you again.

[Stefano] Thank you. Thank you.

[Giuliano] Well, brother,

what are you going to do?

I will ride with Messer Maffei back to Volterra,

first thing tomorrow morning.

[hooves thundering]

[Stefano] You do remember my son Antonio?

Have the Priori gathered?

They have, as your messenger instructed.

But I am afraid their mood is not welcoming.

Is that so?

[Stefano] Gentleman, gentleman.

I am returned from Florence with Lorenzo de' Medici.

Well, you can send him right back to Florence.

The Priori of Volterra will make its own decisions.

-You are Messer... -Vaccari.

Mr. Vaccari is quite right.

The people of Volterra must make their own decisions.

I had hoped that I might be able to...

first suggest the way that the people of Volterra might...

protect themselves.

Well, we are about to become wealthy.

And wealth buys protection.

-Yes, it does. -Hmm.

What happens when the price drops?

Drops?

[scoffs] Why should it drop?

The supply of alum is limited.

If Volterra floods the market then...

well, the prices will drop.

And if your prices drop, well, then, so will the Pope's.

Then the church will be forced...

to cease your supplies in Volterra.

Then Volterra will be left unprotected.

Tell them your offer, Messer.

[restless chatter]

My bank...

will sell your alum at three ducats per load.

When we could get five!

Neither more nor less than the Pope receives.

The market remains stable.

Volterra is protected.

It's a fair offer...

with peace and stability for all.

[crowd applauds]

[Jacopo] With control of the alum in Volterra, the advantages for the Medici will be enormous.

You must implore the Pope to stop this outrage.

Volterra has its own bishop, who has spoken to the Holy Father.

As long as the price of alum does not fall,

the Pope will not act.

Would you excuse us a moment?

Jacopo, I hate the Medici just as much as you,

-but my hands are tied. -Tied?

Why then, did I pay to educate you,

place you in the Curia, and obtain this exalted position?

Not for the love of an orphan child, or loyalty to your kin, obviously.

[scoffs]

I'm sorry, cousin,

but the facts are not on our side.

Facts? What are facts,

if the truth does not point in our direction,

then bend it so it does.

[church bell tolls]

[Lucrezia sighs] Just like that.

[Bianca] It feels so wrong to be so happy, Mama.

-I'm scared it will be snatched away. -Ah!

Every bride has nerves.

I certainly did.

You and my son, are you happy?

Of course.

[Lucrezia] He has great respect for you.

Lucrezia Ardinghelli is very beautiful.

Lorenzo is young and privileged.

He's not accustomed to being denied the things he enjoys.

When we met, he said that...

if I gave him my heart,

he would promise before God to take care of it.

You are very lovely

and more than worthy of his affections.

Give my son time

and he'll learn to deny himself his youthful pleasures.

Not out of obligation,

but love.

[knock on the door]

Ma donna, there are visitors.

Signor Foscari.

-Ma donna Medici. -Welcome to Florence.

You remember my daughter, Novella?

Bianca is delighted that you could attend her wedding.

She's heard a lot about you.

My son is expecting you.

[hawk cries]

[Lorenzo] I appreciate you coming, Messer Foscari.

You know that hawks must be kept apart.

Close enough that they might fly together.

And if they choose a mate, then it's for life.

Like humans.

You didn't invite me here to talk about hawks, Messer Medici.

I wish to propose an alliance.

But you've already chosen your mate.

Florence has just negotiated a new treaty with Milan.

And now I propose one with Venice.

Well, surely you can see what shared benefits

peace and stability brings on.

You are young, Lorenzo, and idealistic.

Take my proposal to the doge.

And I'd prepared to offer something in return.

Such as?

[hawk screeching]

A husband for my daughter? I might.

Let's talk again after my sister's wedding.

[priest speaking Italian]

[responding in Italian]

[priest continues speaking Italian]

[responding in Italian]

[people speaking indistinctly]

[armor tumbling]

[tumbling continues]

Here, let me help you.

[Novella] I'm sorry.

I'm so clumsy.

No apology necessary.

Who are you?

A friend of Bianca's. And you?

Brother of the groom.

Then you should be celebrating with him.

Not here.

Taking a bride... is a dangerous game.

Either you further your family interest by marrying a stranger,

or marry a girl you love

and risk your family's honor.

Myself, I'd...

rather stay out of the game altogether.

As a woman, I have no choice but to play. But what kind of bride will I be?

Uh... Be careful with that.

A danger to myself...

or to some as yet unknown man?

Very amusing.

[Foscari] Novella.

Novella!

Novella.

Come along.

[people speaking indistinctly]

Shot from Cupid's bow.

Just missed me.

I think.

Oh, I hope this marriage doesn't just end the feud between our families...

but begins a partnership.

Business, politics. You are aware that

Volterra has found alum.

Yes, and that the Medici bank will sell it.

There are countries

where the Pazzi bank is more established.

So... you want us to sell it for you.

With us.

It's a joint venture. Mutual benefit.

I cannot do this.

Unless... Jacopo agrees.

And he won't do that.

Which is why I'm relying on your support.

For the good of the Medici bank.

For the good of Florence.

[music playing]

I didn't think you were celebrating.

Uh... change of heart.

[music continues] Everything is going smoothly.

You're worried for nothing.

[Lorenzo] Medici and Pazzi united.

Only my grandfather could have seen it.

[chuckles]

Well, now all you have to do...

is to bring peace to the other states.

I'm surprised Bianca invited Lucrezia Donati.

She didn't. I did.

Her husband's an important ally.

By all accounts, it is your alliance with her

and not to her husband that is important to you.

It's idle gossip, Clarice.

Family meeting?

[door closes]

Ominous.

The girl, Novella.

What do you think of her?

She is pretty enough. Why?

I need Foscari to lobby the doge.

He wants a husband for his daughter.

Me?

You must be joking.

Lorenzo wouldn't ask this of you if it wasn't important to Florence.

How can you ask?

You've seen how miserable your own wife is?

Hmm.

Not a chance.

I'll love who I wish.

Thought you said you didn't believe in love.

[door opens]

[door closes]

There you are.

Since when do you discuss our affairs with Lorenzo?

The offer benefits our bank.

This is my bank.

My brother and I hold my father's shares.

And if your father were here now,

he would tell you the same thing.

But he's not.

And we are.

And together, we hold the controlling interest.

Young Medici throws scraps off his table.

You lap them up and pronounce yourself satisfied.

This is not about the bank.

This is about power! We will not compromise.

We will not negotiate. We will wipe them out!

And we will take our rightful place

as Masters of Florence once and for all!

[church bell rings]

[people speaking indistinctly]

[church bell chimes at a distance] [inaudible chatter]

Ma donna, Ardinghelli.

[exhales] Ma donna, Medici.

Ardinghelli.

That is your husband's name, is it not?

Yes, indeed.

Not yet had the pleasure of meeting him.

Well, unfortunately, he's obliged to travel a lot to the east

for business reasons.

Is that why you maintain a relationship with my husband?

You should discuss your husband's relationships with him.

What I discuss with Lorenzo is none of your business.

You're very beautiful.

Far more...

sophisticated than I am. I understand why he is so captivated by you.

Do you love him?

My feelings are none of your business.

If you love him, let him go.

Lorenzo does not have a crown, but he is king.

A childless king, however, is weak. His enemies...

need only kill him to destroy his kingdom.

Only I can give him a legitimate heir.

Only I can protect him. So I implore you, if you love him, let him go.

There is another thing that makes a king weak.

Loneliness.

I have loved Lorenzo since he was 16.

He was only a boy but I could already see in him the man that he's becoming.

Only I know him.

Only I am close to him.

Pushing him out of my bed...

will not be enough to bring him close to yours.

Ma donna Medici.

[sobbing]

[continues to sob]

[knocks on door]

You all right?

It's nothing, a cold. That's all.

Well, if it's any consolation,

it seems my brother wishes unhappy marriages on both of us.

Novella Foscari

must marry the son of a Florentine banking family.

You.

Things were much simple back when my family were still wool merchants.

Speak to him.

I dare not.

[sobbing]

My brother is...

many things.

But he isn't heartless.

[door closes]

[Sandro] So as you can see,

the shading is very flattering.

Here the...

Capitoline Venus...

The Venus,

of Apollodorus.

They are naked.

My husband...

-I could not-- -Of course,

of course. These were merely ideas.

You can be clothed. Anything.

You're attempting to challenge yourself.

Yes.

[door opens]

[Giuliano sighs]

Where have you been?

Better late than never.

A matter of opinion.

Giuliano, you will be Mars.

In the scene Ovid describes, he rests.

Beauty...

has led him to love,

which in turn has brought him peace.

Now he's free to contemplate God.

What do you think you're doing?

The Gods don't wear clothes, do they?

You made a promise before God.

You're asking me to stop seeing Lucrezia. [Clarice] I have asked nothing of you.

But I do not deserve to be humiliated before your servants,

your family, and all of Florence.

-Clarice, that was not my intention-- -Though that is the result.

I can forego love but not respect. Till I have that, I will behave as the model wife,

but my heart will remain closed

so long as I have to share you with that woman.

[birds chirping]

Cla-

Clarice.

From the moment we met, you had my respect.

[hawk chirping]

[Giuliano] Lorenzo.

Mother's with Luca Soderini at the Priori. There's a problem.

-What is it? What's happening? -Show him.

Receipts. Showing Volterrian alum selling in Venice for two ducats per load.

[Lucrezia] They're deliberately undercutting

the price the pope sells his alum.

These, these don't show the name of the merchant who's selling them.

If the pope finds out about this, he'll be forced to invade.

Oh, Jacopo will make sure that he finds out.

When did you get these?

Jacopo's showing them to members of the Priori.

He's insisting that the Medici

be no longer allowed to sell alum for Volterra.

Right. Right.

Someone in Volterra is striking deals over more than one table.

I will ask Maffei to root him out.

No, there's no time for that.

We must scare the Volterrians into respecting their agreement.

-With whose army? -Sforza...

will provide us with his.

I promised the people of Volterra that I'd protect them,

not threaten them, Giuliano.

Look, how far that's gotten you.

I will ask Maffei to root the traitor out.

What if he can't find him?

He must.

Whatever you say.

I have an appointment.

Have you thought more about the marriage to Novella Foscari?

You have my answer, Brother.

Mother.

I still taste your kiss. It was a mistake.

You can't look at me, can you?

Go on. I dare you.

See.

I've seen quite enough. Thank you.

Giuliano, Lie back.

Contemplate God.

Giuliano, eyes, close them.

-Really? -Search within yourself.

No looking.

I'd rather watch my husband count his coins.

Not looking at his chest.

Above him.

Your sister's wedding is over, Messer Medici.

I apologize, Messer Foscari.

I had hoped to persuade my brother to accept the match, but...

he refuses.

Then you have wasted my time.

B-but perhaps there is something else that I can do for you.

I regret that I must strongly discourage the doge

from entering into any alliance with Florence.

I'm sorry to interrupt, but Messer Maffei is in the study with your mother.

She said it's very important.

You clearly have more pressing matters to attend to. Good day.

Messer Foscari.

Stefano, you bring news?

The Priori of Volterra have ousted me and elected Vaccari.

They even rescinded the agreement with your bank

and made a deal with another merchant on more favorable terms.

The Pazzi are behind this.

We must prove that that merchant is being manipulated by Jacopo.

There is no time.

You must send in Sforza's army and take the alum.

No, no, no. I will not shed blood.

There has to be another way.

If you do not act now, far more blood will be shed

when the Pope is forced to send in his soldiers to take Volterra by force.

Volterra remains under our protection.

No alum is to leave that city

until Jacopo treachery has been proven, you understand?

Antonio and I shall ride back to Volterra and inform them at once.

[horse neighing]

[indistinct chatter]

[horse trotting]

[man] The Medici assume direct rule of our city.

What now, Vaccari?

[horse trotting]

[footsteps approaching]

What are you doing here?

Do you remember the day that your uncle came to fetch you and Guglielmo?

I can never forget it.

It felt like the sun would never shine again.

And yet all these years later it has.

Your brother, my sister married. [chuckles]

Just as your parents would have wished.

I need your help, Francesco.

Find proof that your uncle is paying someone to undercut me in Volterra.

He raised me. He's my family.

Now, I'm your family, too.

It feels like a betrayal, I know.

I know.

But together we can, we can prevent a war.

And save untold lives, Francesco.

[bells tolling]

She has talked to you also.

You know my feelings for you.

But she's my wife.

Would you really deny me?

Messer Foscari, thank you for coming.

I wish to speak to you about your daughter.

Tell your husband the politics of Florence are not my concern.

-We leave for Venice in the morning. -I do not speak for Lorenzo.

Or for politics.

I know a little of unhappiness and I would spare your daughter the same.

There is another son of a Florentine banking family

who would have your daughter's hand. Lorenzo.

Do you have it?

The last name, he's the one selling alum on my uncle's orders.

Thank you, Francesco.

Tell me it will do some good.

Yes, if we can get him to testify against Jacopo.

[crickets chirping]

Go on inside. Wash up, son. I'll be right there.

[clanging]

[door jammed]

[knocks rapidly on door]

[groans]

Tell Lorenzo de' Medici Volterra does not take orders from him.

Father, no.

Maffei is murdered.

-What? -After posting your declaration.

What should we do?

[bell tolling]

-[Jacopo] War! -[all agreeing]

The killings must end.

If we do not react,

every city will feel free to butcher Florence's friends.

Volterra must be punished!

[all] Yes!

[men shouting indistinctly]

[Lorenzo] Gentlemen, please!

Please, please!

No one grieves more than I do for Maffei's death.

But more death is not the answer here.

Will you listen to the man who brought us to this?

Why is he so desperate to avoid war? -Are you scared, Lorenzo-- -Volterra was cheated, gentlemen.

Strong words, young Medici. Where is your proof?

You give me time and I'll have it.

And what if Maffei, his blood is on your hands?

Will you now deny him justice?

Who's for war?

[all cheering]

Let us call upon the services of the great condottieri Montefeltro

and wash blood away with blood!

-A vote! -Gentlemen.

[clamoring]

[Lorenzo] The only way we can stop this war

is if you two find the merchant that Jacopo paid.

We need him to testify.

Where are you going?

Travel with the army, make sure they stay their weapons.

You'll do no such thing.

The only way to save our bank is if you get that evidence against Jacopo.

I'll ride with the army.

Giuliano...

God bless and protect you.

Messer Pazzi, someone has been through our books.

How do you know?

This volume was not in the same place where I left it last night.

Let me see that.

Thank you.

-I need you to do something for me. -[inaudible]

-Time to begin the attack. -Why the haste?

With your army, reputation, a few days' siege,

they'll surrender.

These men came here to fight.

I keep them waiting then they'll either desert

or start murdering each other.

[man] Come on, men, in formation.

Move it. Quickly!

[cart rattling]

[horse snorting]

[screams and grunts]

-[Francesco] Unprocessed alum. -From Volterra, no doubt.

[grunts]

[calling out indistinctly]

[continues calling out]

We're too late.

Your uncle must have known he couldn't risk exposure.

Then we have failed.

We have to ride to Volterra, now.

[horse neighing]

[horses galloping]

Oh, God, no.

[clicks tongue]

[horses galloping]

[horse neighing]

Giuliano!

[sword scraping in the distance]

[clanking]

[Giuliano] We are victorious.

It was a slaughter.

[crowd cheering]

[applause and cheering]

I haven't the stomach for this.

Giuliano! Giuliano!

[horse neighing]

Thank God.

[sighs]

Francesco.

Forgive me, Guglielmo. I'm weary.

Humor me.

Andrea Foscari.

Your brother and I have been discussing a union between our families.

[horse trotting]

Welcome back, Messer.

[door creaking]

You should be with the others celebrating.

I wish to be with you.

I saw a messenger leaving.

Yes.

It was a letter from Francesco Pazzi. Thanking me.

For what?

He is to marry Novella Foscari.

I suggested it to her father.

You?

I see how taken they were with each other

and how important Foscari's support was to you.

I failed, Clarice, I failed.

By trying to seek peace, I brought war.

By trying to save lives, I lost them.

There's... There's blood on my hands.

You sought peace.

Doesn't matter what I sought.

You surprise me, Lorenzo.

With all your education, your fine books and philosophy.

God does not judge us by the outcome of our actions.

He judges us by what is in our hearts.

Your heart was, and...

and remains pure.

-It doesn't change what happened. -Nothing can ever change what happened.

We must mourn and...

honor those whose lives were lost.

If God forgives you, Lorenzo, then you must forgive yourself.

I've been a fool.

I'm privileged to call you my wife.

[chirps]

[hawk screeching]

[Paolo Buonvino & Skin's "Renaissance" playing]

♪ I am here for all to see ♪

♪ In my bones there's dignity ♪

♪ I will fight them ♪

♪ I can say that I can change the world ♪

♪ But if you let me ♪

♪ I can change the world for us ♪

♪ Come with me and ♪

♪ Make this vision all brand new ♪

♪ We can fight them ♪

♪ I can say that I can win it all ♪

♪ Come with me and ♪

♪ I will make my worst untold ♪

♪ Let me do this ♪

♪ I am here ♪

♪ To rejoice ♪

♪ To revenge ♪

♪ To resolve ♪

♪ To be longed for ♪

♪ To be longed for ♪

♪ I am here ♪

♪ To rejoice ♪

♪ To revenge ♪

♪ To resolve ♪

♪ To be longed for ♪

♪ To be longed for ♪

♪ I am here ♪

♪ I am here ♪

♪ Sometimes I justify the words I spill ♪

♪ Like secret angels they test your will ♪

♪ Outside my troubles are over ♪