First, the relation;
then, the relating to the relation—
fra Girolamo, I am with you
in contempt, in Ferrara,
of Firenze and the plastic arts.
Before the Piagnoni and the weeping
at the bonfire of the vanities,
before the aping of San Bernardino
and the destitution of Sig. Botticelli,
there is an aesthetic sense, that is,
a sin or a tempting to—
fra Girolamo, your revolution
must fail: it is an excess,
a blush. Your Papa in Rome
knows it. Yes, Holy Borja
Alexander, heir to St. Peter,
bright jewel of Valencia,
is having himself a good
laugh at your expense.
Leave the pontificating to
the Holy Father, they’ve said—
fra Girolamo, your habit is soiled
and your speech is too coarse
for Florentine ears.
πολυφλοίσβοιος 