Original subtitles

Towards the end of December that year, three noble brothers, sons of Ercole d

'Este, Duke of Ferrara, came to Rome to conclude the marriage by proxy of their

brother Alfonso to the Lady Lucrezia.

By this happy union, His Holiness hoped to ally his family with one of the

oldest houses in Italy, and further, to strengthen his new friendship with the

King of France.

For King Louis had urged this marriage upon the Duke, believing that in return

the Holy Father might acknowledge the rights of France within the Kingdom of

Naples. Although, and this must be said, his holiness had wisely

avoided making such a promise.

The young men were met upon the road by the Lord Cesare, Duke of Valentinoir,

Lord of the Romagna,

Count of Dewar, and Captain General of the Holy Church, at the head of a

great army, and himself mounted on so fine and right footed a horse that it

seemed to have wings.

Having escorted the young men into the city, and having ordered the salute of

many great guns, which caused some citizens to complain of lingering

he left them in order to consult with the Holy Father.

instructing me to take them to the Sala del Papagallo in the Vatican, where His

Holiness would shortly receive them.

What now?

Excellencies, eminence, a moment only.

Oh, it's waiting.

Like peddlers. Grant every patient. A moment only, Excellency. His Holiness is

at prayers.

The Almighty must be in a jesting humour today.

Eminence, Excellencies, forgive me.

Come on, Midori.

This is insufferable.

That murderer, that braggart murderer welcomes us with an army. You shall be

hated, our father directed.

Now, it is agreed. I speak for us all.

No doubt cardinals take precedence here. Brother, if you wish. Christ forbid.

So, we debate not the marriage, but some of its terms.

And remember,

France or Borgia either could swallow us as a lizard does a gnat.

Continue, Gaspari. No, no, no. Yet there is more.

Oh, it is.

Yes, yes, you have.

We'll go to them shortly.

Gaspari. It is difficult to know which of these two is the more execrable.

The father favors the son because of his own perversity and cruelty.

Hold him there. Go on.

The cardinal hear all and say nothing because they are bored.

They flatter the pope because all live in terror of his fratricidal son.

It's not enough.

Gaspari.

His fratricidal son, who was once a cardinal, but has now become an

He lives in splendor, like the great Turk, surrounded by whores and guarded

soldiers. Upon his order, any man may be killed, his body thrown into the Tiber,

and his property become forfeit to this monster.

I'll fill his gullet with molten lead from his own press.

Do nothing about it.

Nothing.

A lie known is a truth maintained.

Yet a lie maintained may reveal a truth.

Johann.

Your Eminence.

Excellence.

God gives us joy to see you here.

You know who spewed this vomit? Yes, my Lord Duke. A Neapolitan, Manciani.

Find him. Lord, it's holiness.

It's holiness to say nothing to you.

Find him.

There is to be a splendid carnival in honor of the marriage.

Holiness, our father requires me to ask... A race of white balls from the

di Fiori to St. Peter's Steps.

Yes. If I may remind your holiness, we have... Followed by a race of naked

halls. From the Borgo.

Indeed, holiness.

Indeed. But the people expect such things.

More to your taste, perhaps, the Lord Cheddar is to stage a pastoral dialogue

his palace.

Indeed. May I ask your holiness when we may consider... The Lord Cheddar is a

Spanish gentleman.

I have to assault a mock fortress in the piazza of his house. Armed with a sharp

sword. Ha! Bravo!

Yes.

Who is to act as proxy for your brother?

I am your holiness.

Oh. Holiness, may we now consider... For the horse to race? It doesn't. I'll

match any against you. Forgive me! Your holiness!

Three thousand ducats.

Agreed. Why are we wasting time with such idle things?

Thank you, holiness.

Our father requires me to raise certain matters... No! No, no, no.

Tomorrow.

We shall talk with his ambulance. Tomorrow.

With me, holiness? Of course. But, holiness... You will excuse me.

Mother Church has placed...

Heavy burdens upon our shoulders. Chaser, take them to your sister.

You, ma 'am.

Gentlemen.

I shall receive them here.

Below, where they wait.

I have agreed to the marriage. I'll not be part of the carnival. With one

attempt. Your majordomo, Cristobal?

Clementi, no.

A doddering fool, but noble enough in courage.

We're gold.

And yours?

I am a widow.

I'm in mourning.

No, sister.

You are a joyous bride.

Widow and bride. You've made both of me.

Our father commands it. What's he now? An old man?

And afraid of you? We need this alliance with Ferrara. The death -deed hater. I

swallow the hate. When I met those fools with my 4 ,000 horse, the youngest bit

for a finger of his glove in envy.

Exhaust me.

That's it.

Gentle Lucia.

Last night I remembered.

Long ago when you were five.

I brought you a horse.

Black as night.

And a Spanish saddle of red leather.

You remember.

And I would rather forget.

If I could turn the world on its course, I'd direct it wherever you desire.

As in my heart, I truly wish I were no more than a simple knight of St. John.

A poor soldier of Christ.

Will you believe that?

Gladly.

When I know that you believe it yourself.

Will you believe that I can make you do as I wish?

That I believe.

Then go below and show them what you are.

A Borgia.

The brightest jewel in our father's craft.

No, no, my child.

My Lord.

What is it? Can you follow me?

Scribbler, St. Evangelo.

And one other matter, my Lord.

What? Vitelli is in Rome.

The two others.

Who?

Alione and Paolo Rossini.

They ask when they may see you.

Those fools say they have horses which cannot run any in my stable.

Is that true?

I don't know, my lord.

Well, lead to it.

Noble lord, she is exquisite.

Indeed. A most excellent lady. An angel of rare beauty.

Not lame, your eminence.

Not hair -lipped or misshapen.

Where is she now?

On her knees, beside her husband's tomb.

A valediction only. She'll forget him in another man's bed.

Then how will you?

I shall see many dead faces before midsummer.

His I've already forgotten.

You'll take Urbino?

All cities whose revenues you would recover.

All that still dispute my title as Lord of the Romagna.

It's not pretentious, we hope, to remind you that you hold that under us. If you

will remember that it could not be held at all without me.

They will appeal to Venice.

Which will do nothing at the wish of my sister's new father -in -law.

Them pay will be costly.

Vanquished pay.

You move too rightly.

The time obliges me.

A room, partly.

But with justice.

As men do.

Why must you make the military governors of your assassins?

That's... That's Toad Ramiro. Your holiness keeps me from our guests.

I must receive that idiot cardinal in the morning.

I shall return him at daybreak.

Penitent from a night's whoring.

Today.

What a little bit.

Florence. No.

The Borgia dynasty in the Romagna, remember your own words, required the

subjection of the Tuscan Republic of Stolhoff. Not yet. Now.

Finger your beads, Holundus.

Leave campaigning to me.

France has promised 12 ,000 men if you march against them.

You shall not offend King Louis.

Cidre.

We are Pope.

We forbid it.

Then I must promise your holiness that your Captain General will not set foot

Tuscany.

My Lord Duke, I wasn't told, Excellency. It was so early.

A chair, quick, a chair.

Careful, Excellency.

So early, Excellency.

Ah, I see your Excellency has been sporting.

What? The mask, Excellency.

Burn it.

Oh, no, Excellency, forgive me. That wine is of poor quality.

Permit me to set it out. Hold it down.

Eminence, the figure was agreed with your father from Bertolino.

Indeed, holiness, a dowry of 200 ,000 ducats.

100 ,000?

Holiness, may we not call my brother to Gismondo? He'll be able to tell you,

holiness. You look tired, sir.

You better start with the summary so early.

I have no doubt you spent the night upon your knees.

My knees, holiness?

Asking for guidance.

Oh, indeed, holiness.

Devotion lifts the spirit that exhausts the mind.

Rest easy. We shall help you.

The remission of your father's dues to the apostolic sea.

How long?

Do you remember?

Ten years, holiness.

Five, Hippolyto.

Five.

Who paid you for your busy scribbling, Master Marziani?

My friend,

my friend, can you ask for God's help when you've slandered Christ? Tell me,

paid you?

Fetch one of your toys.

You brought the jewels for the lady to wear.

Holiness, my brother Sigismondo advises me that... As an earnest of your

family's good faith.

Holiness, they may be displayed at weddings only. They may not be used.

trust us to return them, Hippolyto. No, Holiness.

Of course, Holiness.

Holiness,

our father wished my brother to speak to... You are a prince of the church,

Hippolyto. It is improper for us to prefer your counsel.

We know.

We know how much a green must be

You're

a man of learning and a student of logic if a few ducats will buy your pen what

price has loyalty

Life and liberty not cheaply bought by a name.

He has a wife.

He lives with a whore, Excellency.

There's a child, a boy.

Polito, would you deprive the mother of her son?

Holiness, my father, my brother, Alfonso.

Holiness.

The child's presence in Ferrara would be an unhappy embarrassment.

Innocent! No.

Children are a joy for old men.

Holiness, my father's ambassador assured him you had agreed.

The lady's son... The lady's son should remain in Rome. If his mother agreed,

then where is that aggrieved burden for our person? But, holiness, he has a

revenue of 15 ,000. What is that?

Nothing.

I have it.

The castles and lands held by his mother, the Lady Lucrezia, must pass to

to pay for his keep under my governorship.

What do you say?

At holiness, were they not to be part of the dowry?

Who will save him from starvation?

Or your woman from the whip?

Give me a name.

Was it Orsini?

This day.

The Florentines.

Name your paymasters. I swear before Christ I'll return you to your family.

Again. Who?

Set him free.

First.

Cut out his tongue, cut off his right hand, and nail both to the door of his

house.

You see?

How easy it is for honest men to reach agreement.

Now, it's all satisfactory.

We congratulate you, Emineth.

Do you still live, my lord?

Asturium Manfredi is held in Sant 'Angelo, is it not?

Lock fast.

When you took Feinstein.

How long?

Six months, eight months.

St. Mark's Day, thereabouts.

Its young lord still lives in that terrible place?

Yes, he lives.

No, Jesus.

His friends paid the scribbler.

Thus they plot against you.

It was nothing. Nothing.

Faenza is in the heart of the Romagna.

If it rises again, it could undo your alliance with Ferrara. The boy was the

heart and mind of its past resistance.

Am I making myself plain to your holiness?

Somewhat noisy.

They could make his relief a rallying cry. I'll not start my campaign with

knife in my back. Centennial is a painful fortress.

Have authority there you will not touch him

So be it

I'll do nothing to spoil your joy at

my sister's wedding

Why

do I not weep or tear my hair

myself from this window.

When they took you from me, first one, then Cesare, then you, each time I

believed I would die for me. But my father got you with child again, and you

were content.

Do not despise me, Lucretia.

When you leave your son in Rome, as you must, I promise you, I will watch over

him. He means nothing to you.

You forget him. Forget him? He was born of the flesh I bore.

I am Borgia.

Blood, bone, and breath.

I am Borgia.

What part of me is you?

That part which will not let you weep. You cannot love me. I am here because I

love you.

You're here upon my father's orders.

He pays you a whore's pension and you do as he commands.

Then so shall a whore's daughter.

Cressia.

We have no...

May I tell His Holiness that you will be happy to leave your son Rodrigo here in

Rome?

I hope I never see either of them again.

So be it.

I understand.

No.

Neither of my sons.

I see my father's face in one.

And in the other, a husband murdered by my brother.

Help me.

Madonna Lucretia,

beautiful lady, by this ring you are now the wife of my brother Alfonso, who

thus becomes the most fortunate of men.

We'll press it.

It's done.

The cat is married to another mouse.

When our Lord Caesaree is sucked into hell, will any of those cattle out there

say a prayer?

Will you, Vitelli?

You serve him as we do. I serve my own.

My ancestors were masters of Teeter -de -Castellar when his were herding goats.

And now you take his pay.

For 16 guns and a conductor of 3 ,000 men.

Soldier's pay, an honest pay.

I do not serve him.

You chop logic, Vitelli.

Orsini and Borgia in harness. That's chop logic.

Bellione?

He is my friend.

Therefore should be watched.

He'll not betray us. Not again.

Not twice.

Isn't that why we're here?

It was agreed.

You'll take his word?

Upon the Holy Cross only.

In Christ.

Name only.

And even then, they still...

Old

friend.

How? My lord.

Very old.

Jean -Paul.

It's good to see you here.

No, yesterday.

Yesterday his holiness told me how greatly he regretted his harshness in

banishing you.

My lord.

Stop.

Now we all campaign together again.

Times are at a change, my lord.

With your help, I shall have the finest army in Italy.

France or Spain, my lord?

You serve me.

Lord of the Romagna.

It's not wholly yours.

Castle here, the town there.

By midsummer, I shall hold all.

For France or Spain, my lord.

Let each knock.

Cap in hand.

Bitters.

Times are at a change.

In the spring.

The people of Arezzo and Pisa will rise against Florence.

Florence?

Again? Again.

You march to the aid of Arezzo, you follow to Pisa.

And where will you be?

In the ducal palace of Urbino, where France, Spain, Florence will shortly

at my feet.

No!

No? Have you forgiven the Florentines for hanging your brother? I forget

nothing, I forgive nothing.

Paolo,

your sinners are pledged to restore their Medici kinsmen to the lordship of

Florence. We did, my lord.

France now stands behind Tuscany.

A king preserve a republic.

It's not so.

Paolo.

My lord, nine months since we offered you Florence on the point of our love.

You can again.

You surrendered it. You deserted us.

That was the Pope's work, not mine.

Vitelli, old friend, do you think that I don't truly choke on that betrayal?

In Christ's name, and upon his holy cross.

I will keep faith with you, as I believe you will with me.

You'll remember all I've told you?

I will remember everything.

And you'll write to me?

As you desire.

I'll come to Ferrara in the spring.

You will surely be with child.

I'll come.

I know we'll be well.

I know we may never see each other again.

Lucia.

All I've done, all I've wished, is to be the good servant of my church

and my family.

You've made both serve you.

As I serve God.

May he forgive you.

But, yeah.

Will you write to Cesare?

On my behalf.

I... asking him that he must listen to me.

It's too late.

He no longer needs you.

He no longer needs God.

And I no longer need you.

At last we're on it.

Here's more.

If my husband is an ape, I shall love him.

Hunchbacked and wall -eyed, I shall love him, because I'm glad to be gone from

you all.

Be a good chair.

Write to me.

Write.

Ask what you will.

You know the artworks and fortifications of Florence?

Your Excellency proposes to besiege that city?

Guile may be more effective than any of your engines.

What of Urbino?

Your Excellency will see that I have devised a system of trench works.

Advancing by stages and slowly approaching... I'm not a leisurely man.

What's this?

A plan for a flying machine, Excellency, whereby a man lying within it, as you

see, raising and lowering his arms.

Flying man? Indeed, Excellency. It was the fanciful notion of winged angels

perplexed my mind.

It's well, there might any sensible man.

Birds fly, Leonardo.

Men walk.

A bird is but an instrument working to certain mathematical laws, and it should

be within the capacity of man. Oh, wicked machinery.

To produce such movements as may lift... Bring me maps of Urbino, Cisena and

Imola, too, as you did of Arezzo, with plans for siege works, close to walls,

where guns may be well placed.

Your Excellency will engage me as your engineer?

Not if you hope to go rich in idleness.

Iron rusts in idleness, Excellency.

Pure water becomes stagnant. When you're poor enough to be greedy, your coat's

in threads.

It is a poor man who craves riches.

Virtue is true wealth.

I'll call you virtuous and pay you nothing.

You'll be rewarded, my friend, if you serve me well.

I serve knowledge, Excellency.

A niggardly employer, to what end?

If God may work miracles through my hands.

You'd make quick images of saints?

Stone I could weep?

Plaster that bleeds?

No, Excellency.

Discoveries that free man's mind from restraint.

And beauty that lifts his imagination from fear.

Bring me the plans I want in five days. I march in seven.

Excellency, may I accompany your army to study the faces of men in combat,

examine cadavers... Bring me the plans I want in five days. We'll talk again.

Ramiro.

Leonardo.

A swordsmith may not direct the blade he makes, nor a groom tell his master

where to writhe.

You stay in Rome when I leave.

May I not ride with you to Urbino?

Wait for letters that Vitelli sends from Arezzo.

Join me when the Pope has gone to Orvieto for the summer.

You understand me, Micheloppe?

My lord?

When the Pope is gone, light a candle for the young lord of Fianza.

Good friends, my lord.

Friends? To bring you relief.

Relief?

I am to be released.

Indeed, my lord.

Your suffering is over.

Oh, sweet Jesus.

Soft living has spoiled your skills.

Welcome to Urbino, my masters.

The Duke is already waiting for you.

That's been a threat.

No.

My Lord Bishop. But we've been two days on the road from Florence. I insist.

You're the one they call Michelotto.

Don Miguel de Correa.

Captain and Governor to my Lord the Duke.

Of course.

Forgive me, Excellency.

And who are they?

Thieves.

Rapists.

A couple or two.

Thanks.

I know... the city of Florence is ill -disposed towards me.

I know what you Florentine think of me. I don't want to hear the pious

vapourings of your council.

You have not kept your promises made to me.

You conspired with France against me.

Give me some security if you've got faith.

Why should this magnificent prince honor his word?

No prudent ruler should do that when times change the circumstances in which

was given.

If all men were good, all princes might be honest.

But since most men are wretched animals who would deceive a prince if they

could, he would be foolish to honor his word.

And no prince need lack good reasons to justify his bad faith.

Master Nicolau.

My Lord Duke.

I amuse you.

Forgive me, my Lord Duke, a cautionary thought no more.

Since it preoccupies you, I should perhaps hear it.

A prudent ruler who gives his word, my Lord, may not argue that when time

changed the circumstances in which it was given, it need no longer be honored.

I have not so argued.

Therefore, when the Council of Florence asks you to remember your assurance that

you would commit no hostile act against... I have not!

I'm in Urbino.

I've not set foot in Tuscany.

Does that not justify my good faith?

Yet Vitelli is in Arezzo.

Am I accountable for that?

Is he not your man?

He is my man.

I swear to you, I know nothing of his business in Arezzo.

Then Your Excellency will recall him.

Don't expect favors from me.

I don't regret the injury Vitelli's done your city.

He's suffered too much from its cruelty, as I have from its pride and insolence.

My Lord Duke, these accusations are unjust.

The council wishes only to have your excellencies assured. Understand me, my

Lord Bishop.

I don't like your council.

I don't trust your council. You'd do well to change it.

I'm not the man to play tyrant, but before God!

I'll destroy any who think to play tyrant over me. You ask for our good

May we not ask that of you?

My Lord Duke, what do you require of us?

Florence must decide what she wants me to be.

A good friend or...

a relentless enemy.

There's the window!

My Lord Duke, four is a point well made.

Would five or six not labor?

Florence has a week to decide.

A month.

And still they have not answered.

Did you truly believe they would be so easily frightened?

The game is not yet done.

We have a new player.

Louis of France has arrived in Milan.

I sent you word of that myself.

And he has asked me to restrain you.

And Tanya?

The taking of Urbino has outraged the world. You had no objection when I

proposed it? You've blundered foolishly.

Kings and princes will turn against you.

That pleases you.

If I fall, so will you.

Giuliano Rovery is with Louis, as eager to wear your crown as he was ten years

ago. That's...

It's no moment to offend France.

Leave this matter to me.

To you.

Your throne rests upon the point of my sword.

My feet are stained with bloody sheds.

When it profits you, you dip your fingers in blood and call it holy water.

May Christ forgive you.

And the devil take us both if I falter now.

You challenge disaster.

Louis is angered by your treatment of Florence.

By what your condottieri have done in Tuscany.

Declare for him against Spain in Naples and he will embrace me.

You know I may not.

Spanish Pope.

For neither or for both.

But not for one against the other. Then I shall.

I'll write him a land.

No. And if my condottieri still trouble him, I'll throw him a bone to gnaw upon

him. I forbid you to go.

I shall prevent it.

All you've ever done has been with intent to diminish me and raise

You bought the loyalty of the cardinals with false promises of boys and women.

You destroyed the laws of the Romagna so that I or my successors may not use

them against you.

You... You murdered...

One brother and depraved another.

You would have corrupted your sister.

Why have you done so first?

God, church, and family.

He would leave me with nothing.

Go to Louie ask don't command me

I

Ask

it I'll go to my camp at Sermoniano and hunt boss

Your sister is with child

It's the way of women.

I miss her sweet presence.

Cesare.

What now?

Am I wrong?

I've told your brother to recall his wife to Rome.

He should never have banished her.

Am I wrong?

Sanchez's smile will cheer my loneliness.

Spare to whom you please.

But you can no longer expect them to smile.

When I'm gone,

they'll all soon tear you to pieces.

When you're gone, Holy Father, I'll look into the face of the sun.

I thought it wise to tend to you, my lord.

The boat was poor.

That beast is useless.

Sell it or kill it.

Camelot? With 20 riders.

But no other captain.

You came with speed, little lotso.

I met your messenger on the road. I was coming at my own prompting.

Why?

I smelt betrayal.

Again?

You're too sensitive a nose.

I took a rezzo in your name. And proclaimed it publicly.

You didn't forbid it. I didn't command it. Don't play with words.

Well, you've learned how to use them, my friend. I've used one here that begs an

answer. Betrayal.

You doubt my good faith. I doubt everything that doesn't come within the

of my hand and my sword.

I would encompass all your wits.

You told the Florentines you knew nothing of Arezzo. What did I know? You

upon the cross to keep faith with us.

So long as you kept faith with me. That I've done. By displaying my badge and

shouting my name in Arezzo. As your condottiere.

You had me from my service to avenge your brother. By what? By what? By what?

Why did you involve me in that?

Too much at odds.

I'll return later. Say! An answer.

By what right?

If you are set on provoking me, my lord, remember I am not without power.

Your guns make little noise, Vittle Lotso.

Loud enough to be heard in Rome.

You threaten me.

I've done with you. Withdrawn from the Red Sox!

towns and reduce them stone by stone.

I'll leave nothing but dust and grieving women.

Michelotto.

Alone.

You went alone.

Except for two other gentlemen, Holy Father.

All dressed as the Knights of St. John.

Holiness.

He wrote to the French king first to say he was coming.

Madness.

Madness.

Holiness?

Holiness, I am to tell you, he would not write it.

He will give the king your promise of 500 men at arms and free passage for the

French army in its advance upon Naples.

Holiness?

Hold in it.

Hold in it.

Sweet child.

Sweet child.

I've longed to see your face again.

And I yours.

Thank you for recalling me to Rome.

Now I may tell you... No, don't touch me.

I may not embrace you. A nonsense child.

I would rather swallow a toad. What?

It's you.

You are the vicar of hell.

No. The antichrist. No, stop, stop. A beast.

Like an incarnate. And a man of blood.

It's done. Take me away.

What is it?

What? Murderer.

My brother's murderer.

No, no, no. Not I, no. A taser, eh? In your name.

Be silent, girl.

Christ curse you.

All of you.

Go.

Go.

Take that bitch away.

Bury her.

Bury her in Sant 'Angelo.