A cardinal!

A cardinal, we cannot yet release him

From vows—your ear!—he holds detestable.

My second son, where were his livelihood

Without the Church’s revenue? All prudence

Must hold him to the priesthood for a while.

Betroth him to the daughter of your king—

Your king and I, at leisure, will provide

Some principality for Cesare

To match his sees and yielded cardinalate.

Make it God’s law your Cardinal may wed,

And then, his scarlet hat within his hand,

My lord the king would take him as a son.

Now, the proposals of your Holiness

Are but—poetic.

No, no! The royal princess

Carlotta—is her bent our way?

She flat refuses the lord Cardinal.

She has not seen him, blond and beautiful.

A churchman! You may look with candlelight

To find his tonsure. Even my dear Giovanni

Is only half a prince, his brother by,

Although a rare one in his splendid right.

And as for mode and elegance all know

Our youthful Cardinal is just a gallant