peter rietbergen

I feel that, perhaps, we should have been told more about the intimacy that, apparently, has developed between L and M. Or have I missed something? N For me, now, it is a rather sudden "given". I would assume that over time - how much is not clear - it (also) must have influenced Matteo's perceptions of himself and his choices, actions.

Maybe acknowledging the limitations and, indeed, limits of their choices will bring the two together again - at least as friends, sadder and wiser?

Excellent. The quiet despair of the waiting room scène was moving. So was/is the end of this tale, sentimental though it is. But the short paragraph that defines love is a gem Do we need a sequel? As for me, now: I think not. Some things should be left as they are : the memory of s remarkable story.

A cliffhanger? Yes. Do we need a happy end? Yes. Is it inevitable, given the story and its author? Yes, or... no. Would a death create new life? Yes.

I think all of us will gladly let you cogitate. Whatever you come up with, the story - especially its many ethical conundrums - is thought-provoking, and moreover: it is very well-told.

The main question, I think, is not whether the end of this tale satisfies the protagonists but whether we, the readers, are satisfied with their respective changes, conversions, et cetera. The author has set himself quite a task....

The young boy but did what M and G did, too. I must confess I cannot see how G could sit in silent judgment and square his own actions with his conscience. Actually, I doubt that, if denounced/betrayed, even M and G would escape the friars' decision to judge and punish - few people (especially of the upper class) were powerful enough to be allowed to practice buggery, however secretive. If only therefore I do not think M and G would have spent the night together. If one of them were a patrician and the other a low-born page, it might be different...

That IS a pity. Why not a short solo cantata: Iphigeneia (for a deep female voice, like A's friend...) and cimbalon/zyther....

Get Neil into the crowd....and, far more interestingly: let us hear a cimbalon piece by the "real" Hugill.

An ongoing experiment - open source. How very apt. The Cheetham scène was pure fun.

One can but hope that those of us who choose, or are, by our conscience, compelled to serve a system - because we always need a system - yet will know when the system has lost its first purpose: to serve the people. Then we'll have to decide whether or not to continue serving it, or start to change it, demolish it, even. And yes, then the ones who have chosen to serve as the system's symbols of power without ever asking if its moral foundations are still solid may have to go, too.

Fascinating. As well as unsettling, ethically, morally. Rereading this chapter I realise that It'll always try to be the useful one, because it forces me to make choices, be human. The pious seldom make choices, seldom show mercy...they are, indeed, seldom human.

Oh, this was absolutely hilarious. I simply loved the turning of the table, though the process still is partial and, perhaps temporary. But to a sentimental sucker - yes: I am he - this is delightful.

If you add strawberries to the limoncello I'm your man.

Sixtus iv certainly wasn't a saint. But let's not idolise Lorenzo de'Medici and his family...Power and greed dictated policy on both sides.