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.