A Florentine has told me that you have been spoken to about a daughter of the Ginori family, and that she pleases you. I do not care for you to take as a wife a girl whose father would not give her to you if he had sufficient to settle a suitable dowry upon her. I desire that he who gives you a wife gives her to you and not to your fortune. … All you have got to take into consideration is the health of her soul and body, the quality of her blood and morals, and, in addition, who her parents are, for that is of great importance. … Take the trouble to find a woman who will not be ashamed of washing the dishes, in case of necessity, and of looking after household matters. … As to beauty, since you are not exactly the handsomest young man in Florence, do not trouble yourself about it, provided that she is not a cripple, or repulsive. …"[1]
After much searching, it looked as though they had found the rara avis. But at the last moment the lady was found to have a redhibitory defect.
"I learn that she is short-sighted, which appears to me to be no small defect. Consequently I have promised nothing yet. Since you also have promised nothing, my advice is: liberate yourself, if you are certain of the thing."[2]
Leonardo grew discouraged. He expressed astonish-
- ↑ "… 'Storpiata o schifa' …" ("Letters," 1547-1552).
- ↑ "Letters," December 19. 1551.
only for goodness and a good name.… You need a wife who will remain with you, and whom you can command—a woman who does not cause trouble and spends all her time at rejoicings and feasts, for where court is paid it is easy to become debauched ('diventar puttana'), especially when women are without children …" ("Letters," February 1, 1549).
