Read The Palace for Free Online Page B

Magnifico, it is not Greek. Or Russian." He contemplated the black disk with
erect wings above it displayed against a silver field.
    "But what does it say?" Laurenzo had stepped back and was slapping some dust
away from his buff-colored belted riding mantle. "For some reason I find it…
disquieting. The device is elegant, caro mio, much more than my red balls, but
there is something almost frightening about it. What does the motto say?"
    Ragoczy narrowed his eyes. "It is not easily said in your language, Magnifico.
But I will try to tell you. Roughly, then, it is 'From the greatest darkness
eternally reborn.' The device is the eclipse, of course. The arms are old." He
looked away. "Very old."
    "And very striking," Laurenzo said. He had pulled off his mazzocchio, though
it was not customary to remove hats in or out of doors. "It's warm for May."
    There was a tap of hard-soled shoes in the far hall which connected the
courtyard with the loggia at the front of the house. A figure could be seen
moving toward them, and very shortly Ragoczy's servant stepped into the warm
golden light. He was a slender man of slightly more than middle age. His
weathered face was beardless and he wore a houseman's gown of belted linen. He
paused and bowed with great dignity.
    "Ruggiero, this man"—he indicated Agnolo Poliziano, who stood with one foot
on a joiner's bench—"has done me the honor of being the first to accept my
hospitality in this palazzo. Bring him wine, and some of the Persian sweets."
    "As you wish, master."
    "And, Ruggiero, bring a cup of almond milk to the upper gallery after you
have served Signor Poliziano." He sketched a nod in Agnolo's direction, then
turned to Laurenzo. "I am right, am I not, Magnifico? You do like almond milk?"
    The stern set of Laurenzo's mouth relaxed and he grinned reluctantly. "Well
done. You surprised me."
    "I?" Ragoczy gave Ruggiero a sign of dismissal, then crossed the mosaic
pavement to a shallow pit where a fountain would be in another month. "Surely
you did not think that I would not offer you anything that might suit your
fancy. Do you want more than almond milk? I have fruit, I think, and there must
be some bread in the kitchen."
    Laurenzo, too, crossed the mosaics. "No, food is all one to me. Almond milk
will refresh me." He looked down at the mosaics. "What made you choose these
intricate designs? They're classical enough to be old Roman."
    Ragoczy was tempted to say that the mosaic designs were exactly the same as
certain of those in imperial Roma, but he bit back the words. Instead, he
smiled. "Thank you, Magnifico. I confess it was the effect I hoped for."
    "Then you have succeeded." Laurenzo looked back toward Agnolo. "Are you sure
you will not change your mind, Poliziano, and come with us?"
    "When wine and sweets are being brought?" His small eyes brightened. "Enjoy
yourself, Laurenzo. For I will be quite happy on my own."
    Laurenzo's response was resigned. "Then I will not concern myself." He
lengthened his stride and joined Ragoczy in the shadow beneath the gallery. "I
like these columns. Are they continued above?"
    "Yes. And I am planning murals on the walls there to complement the mosaics.
Will you recommend someone for this? I know that Sandro is too busy, but there
might be others? Perhaps young Buonarroti?"
    "Perhaps. Let me think on it." They had now entered the hall through which
the servant Ruggiero had come. "I like your arrangement for lanterns," Laurenzo
said.
    Ragoczy went along with the turn in conversation. "Yes, they give excellent
light."
    "But if you had a mirror behind them, you would have even more light."
Laurenzo stopped and pointed out the mountings. "It would be a simple matter to
add mirrors. Then this hall would be wonderfully bright."
    "I see." Ragoczy nodded, knowing that Laurenzo was used to having his advice
followed. He studied the arrangement as if it were new to him, and then said,
"Of course. You are right. I