The serious side to his character and his, studious disposition gained for him the gentle title of “Il Pensieroso.”  His mother’s fond hope was that he should be named a Cardinal, not merely a Papal princeling, nor of course a religious reprobate—­as, alas, most of the Cardinals were—­but a devout wearer of the scarlet hat, and that one day he might even assume the triple tiara!

Anyhow Giuliano’s youth was as spotless as it might be amid unchaste surroundings.  His passion for the bewitching Simonetta, “The Star of Genoa,” seems to have been the only serious romance of his life, and therein he never aroused Marco de’ Vespucci’s jealousy by his attentions to his young wife.  Indeed the loves of “Il bel Giulio” and “La bella Simonetta” were the talk and the admiration of the whole city:—­the Apollo or the Mercury of the New Athens with his Venus—­Venus de’ Medici!

The magnificent Giostra, or Tournament, which Lorenzo celebrated a year before his accession to the Headship of the Republic was but the prelude to the exhibition of lavish hospitality such as Florentines, and the strangers within their gates, had never witnessed.  Banquets, ballets and pageants succeeded one another in rapid succession.  Church and national festivals gained splendour and circumstance unrivalled in any other city.  Indeed the citizens, from the highest to the meanest, lived in a whirl of festivities—­and they liked it well!

The visits of friendly princes and other distinguished personages were hailed with enthusiasm.  Apparently there was no bottom to the Medici purse; but actually the Capo della Repubblica was playing rather fast and loose with his opulent patrimony.  There came a day when the strain grew excessive, and Lorenzo was unable, had he been willing, to make advances to princely suitors, and he lived to repent his prodigality.

The first notable visitors were Duke Galeazzo Maria Sforza of Milan and his Duchess Bona, Princess of Savoy.  The retinue which accompanied the sovereigns was gorgeous, and filled the people of Florence with amazement; but their wonder was tenfold greater when Lorenzo displayed still greater magnificence in their reception.  Macchiavelli has attributed the vast increase in the luxurious habits of the citizens to this splendid hospitality.

Another remarkable demonstration was that which was made in 1471 upon the occasion of the succession of Cardinal Francesco delle Rovere to the Papal throne as Sixtus IV.  Lorenzo, in person, headed the special embassy which was despatched from Florence to congratulate the new pontiff.  The other principal members were Domenico de’ Martelli, Agnolo della Stufa, Bongianio de’ Gianfigliazzi, and Donato de’ Acciaiuolo.  Whilst the mission and its wealth of offerings were received graciously by the Roman Court, Sixtus by no means extended a cordial welcome to Lorenzo.  The request which he made for the bestowal of a Cardinal’s hat upon his brother, Giuliano, was refused somewhat brusquely, although, to be sure, the Pope did agree to the transfer of the custody of the finances of the Curia to the Medici bank, through the intervention of Messer Giovanni de’ Tornabuoni—­Lorenzo’s uncle, a resident in Rome.