Prince of Foxes Page #3

Then you enjoy it!

You are not welcome here,

Messer Orsini.

I advise you to leave

as quickly as possible.

Guards, back to your posts.

- As for you-

- Messer Belli comes with me...

and is also under the protection

of Cesare Borgia.

Do not try my patience too far.

It's always best to do

as my lord father commands.

I beg a moment, my lord.

- I have long looked forward to this meeting.

- Why?

As a soldier to bow

before Your Lordship's genius.

Your Grace is a man of fame.

The whole world waits with anxious wonder

for your next invention.

From highest castle to humblest hut,

the question is ever the same:

What new type of cannon will

the genius Alfonso d'Este next devise?

Why? Because upon cannon

depends the future of war.

And upon war depends

the future ofhistory.

Who then can deny that history

may well nominate Alfonso d'Este...

as the reatest man ofhis ae?

You're a man of intelligence.

I'll show you something

that'll make your blood run cold.

Then I'll show you something

that'll make yours run hot.

Who builds this first

may well own the world.

Each of those tubes, a gun.

In each gun, a shot.

All to be sent against

the enemy in rapid fire.

It is absolutely irresistible.

Ne hundred thousand ducats,

and that's not all.

There's steel as well as gold in this dowry-

the lances of Duke Cesare-

enough to protect the rights

of Ferrara against any state.

But the supreme dowry

is herself.

Her beauty and the love

she bears Your Excellence.

What love?

She's only seen me once...

and then she was little

more than an infant.

Childhood impressions

are the most lasting...

especially when they are fed

to maturity by constant curiosity.

You are her first

and only love.

I, um- I risk my life

when I tell you this.

But it was she who said to me

one day, and I quote...

"It might very well be that Alfonso d'Este

with his brilliant mind...

fits the role of Italy's supreme ruler

better than my brother Cesare. "

One stroke of the pen, my lord...

and you have brought glory

to Ferrara and joy to your bed.

Two hundred thousand.

Amend the document

and sign, my lord.

And I'll wager that your noble father

is as unable to resist that heroic figure...

as the beautiful Lucrezia

is unable to resist yours.

[Band Playin

I am very, very pleased

with myself, Andrea.

I'm a man of

extraordinarily fine judgment.

Shall I tell you

how I know this?

Because I chose you

to go to Ferrara.

And you did well-

remarkably well.

I congratulate myself.

This new problem...

it will be more profitable

for you and more amusing.

What you win is yours,

subject to my control, of course.

And it includes a rare jewel.

[Continues

- My lord.

- My garden is filled with beautiful women...

and you stand here

like a brooding nemesis.

- I was thinking.

- Good. Practice makes perfect.

You should listen though.

You might learn something. Come along.

- [Ends

- [Applause

The obvious is always a deceitful temptation

in the world of practical affairs.

For example, the obvious solution to

the problems I am about to present to you...

might be an assassin's blade...

in the back of that

gentle old man.

As a matter of fact, your ood friend

Don Esteban has already suested it.

- Then I question its wisdom.

- Oh, it has value...

except that it's premature.

Now, there's thejewel.

Imagine all that beauty wasted on a husband

old enough to be her grandfather.

- That one?

- Mm-hmm.

Sprin in the lap of winter.

But you're the man

to correct that.

However, you will have

to climb high to get to her.

Their duchy is an eagle's nest

sitting atop a mountain.

- Citt del Monte.

- Is there anything about which you're uninformed?

- Your plans for Citt del Monte.

- Very simple.

I want it by next spring.

Your Lordship plans to invade

the Marches in the summer.

You see, Captain,

what a quick mind he has?

Now, where do we start

our conquest of Citt del Monte, hmm?

The husband.

An old wall is more easily breached.

Our illustrious hostess designated

the noble Messer Orsini...

to be our guide and mentor

while we're in Rome.

From what I know

of the noble Messer Orsini...

there should be no one more

competent to guard us from evil than he.

You've met before, Madonna?

Have we, Messer Orsini?

An unfair question, Madonna.

I could play the gallant

and answer...

"Yes, a thousand times,

each time I've looked on beauty. "

R I could be cautious

and sly and say that...

"Madonna's memory

will guide my answer. "

You would not be easy to forget.

A man's ego demands that he

be completely remembered if ever met.

Therefore, in self-defense,

I must assume...

Madonna means that

we have never met.

There you have a perfect illustration

of the language of diplomacy.

If somebody asked me now

if these two have ever met...

and I assure you,

I couldn't answer yes or no.

- Does it really matter, my lord husband?

- Of course not.

Begging Messer Orsini's pardon...

one meets and forgets thousands

of people in the course of a lifetime.

It is my pleasure

as well as my duty...

to make our association

in Rome a memorable one.

We came to Rome for our souls' sake

and in God's keeping...

and we ask for

no better protection.

Nevertheless, it is gratifying to know that

we have Your Excellency's protection as well...

if only against those who think

themselves beyond God's will.

But there's been no link between us

to create friendship and trust.

We must correct that.

We must exchange ambassadors.

- Well-

- It's the only solution.

I will appoint an ambassador

before Your Lordship leaves Rome.

As a matter of fact, I appoint him now-

Messer Andrea Orsini...

one of the most amiable

of all my youn men.

We shall welcome you to our court

as a friend, Messer Orsini.

I am dedicated to Your Signore's service

from this moment on.

The journey has been fatiguing.

May we have Your Lordship's

permission to retire?

- The problem suits you?

- Uniquely.

It will not be easy, eh?

I will deliver to Your Magnificence

Citt del Monte...

and the loyalty

of its people by spring.

To be taken

by romantic conquest.

We Borgias are not sentimentalists.

First, Citt del Monte,

then your marriage.

With Madonna Camilla

somewhere in between.

We'll worry about her

when the time comes.

You promised we would be married

on his return from Ferrara.

Marriage is a formality

which can be accomplished at any time.

Problems of state come first.

- Is this agreeable to you?

- My lord commands. I obey.

I'll reason with her. Once you've made

the old man's wife love you...

it ought not to be too difficult for your ensign,

Belli, to make a widow of her.

I'm told he's quite

a subtle rascal.

- Messer Andrea.

- Your Excellency.

Women are the gauge

of a man's weakness.

You are an artist, Belli.

You have the touch of the courtier.

The breeding of a gentleman.

You were born for great enterprise.

- Why-

- Sit, my friend.

You-You overrate me

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