Quotes

The Poisoned Chalice [1.01]

Giovanni Cybo/Innocent VIII: (to the Cardinals, as he is dying) You are afraid to enter, but you must. (they enter) I am about to meet my maker, and I have confessed. And, I confess... I am very afraid. (acknowledges several of them, and they bow) Corlona. Sforza. Orsini. Borgia. Rodrigo Borgia: (bows) Your Holiness. Giovanni Cybo/Innocent VIII: ...Della Rovere. (Della Rovere bows) You will fight, like dogs... over this corpse I leave...for this throne, of St. Peter's. (Della Rovere crosses himself) But, it was pure, once. We have all sullied it, with our greed and... lechery. (Borgia and Della Rovere meet each other's eyes) Which of you... will wash it clean?! (Della Rovere seems about to speak, but Borgia speaks first) Rodrigo Borgia: It shall be cleansed, Your Holiness- with the tears we shed for you. I swear, before the living God. Orsino Orsini: (sneering) You swear thus- a Spanish burano, a white Moor?! Rodrigo Borgia: (firmly) As Vice-Chancellor, I swear, before the living God.

The Assassin [1.02]

Cesare Borgia: (observing the bodies) You planned this massacre thoroughly. Micheletto Corella: If I had planned it, my Lord, believe me, we would not be having this conversation. Cesare Borgia: You're that meticulous? Micheletto Corella: Always. (removes a dagger from a body and throws it aside) Cesare Borgia: And who planned it? Micheletto Corella: Cardinal Orsini. Cesare Borgia: And Della Rovere? Micheletto Corella: I know nothing of him. In this affair, I had but one master. (leans against the wall to catch his breath) Cesare Borgia: And now?... Micheletto Corella: And now, I am like a stray dog- masterless. (glances at Cesare) Unless your kind offer still stands. Cesare Borgia: You could've... let things take their course, betrayed me. Most of your kind do. Micheletto Corella: My kind? (pause) I do not have a "kind". (glances at his bloody hands, then back to Cesare) And, I suspect, neither do you. Cesare Borgia: (sheathes his dagger, approaches) Your name, sweet assassin? Michele

Lucrezia's Wedding [1.04]

Guiliano Della Rovere: (dining in the House of Medici) The wealth of Florence astounds me, Don de Medici. Piero de Medici: Banking. The Medici family are bankers to the world- to the Vatican itself. Niccolo Machiavelli: Father Savanarola calls it "usury". Piero de Medici: And what do you call it? Niccolo Machiavelli: "Interest." Guiliano Della Rovere: He may be wrong about the Medici bank, but he's right about the Borgia Pope. Alexander's great game is the investiture of Naples. He knows France has claims upon it; he knows Spain has claims upon it. He will play them both against each other, like a spider with two flies- Piero de Medici: (impatiently) And you? What is your game? Guiliano Della Rovere: (smiles) I have no game- but, if I am forced to play... I will head to France, and ask the French King to invade our beautiful Italy. (Medici looks alarmed) Niccolo Machiavelli: (pretends to look bewildered) "Italy?" Is there such an entity? Guiliano Della Rovere: There is a land, Signor M

The Borgias in Love [1.05]

Rodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI: (to his doctor) Go away! (to Cardinal Sforza) Do nightmares ever plague the Vice-Chancellor? Ascanio Sforza: The very office is a nightmare, Your Holiness. Plots, petty intrigues and petitions... which I do my utmost to keep from your presence. Rodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI: (nods slowly) I need your assurance... of the welfare of my daughter- in the castle of your cousin, Giovanni Sforza. Ascanio Sforza: You suspect she's ill-used? Rodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI: (sighs worriedly) Our nightmares tell us so. Ascanio Sforza: He will be... putty in her soft hands, Your Holiness. Yes, he inherited the Sforza name, the Sforza wealth- but none of its' vigor. Rodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI: And the Sforza appetite for intrigue? Ascanio Sforza: (shrugs) Yes, well...yes, that he did inherit. But... intrigue is no match for Borgia intelligence, as all Rome has discovered. Rodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI: So... I need your further assurance that... he, and another cousin, the Du

The French King [1.06]

Neapolitan Ambassador: King Ferrante of Naples sends his humble regards- Juan Borgia: (smirks) King Ferrante of Naples can neither hear nor see, I believe. (Alexander swats him on the shoulder) Rodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI: Son. Neapolitan Ambassador: He nevertheless sends his every good wish. And, in the face of all the spurious claims upon his Kingdom- from Spain, from France, from the Duchy of Milan- he would remind Your Holiness of the justice of the independent claims of Naples. An independent Naples can only be to Rome's... benefit. (Cesare glances at the Pope) And I, as his Ambassador, am proud to present a suit for your consideration, of his last unmarried daughter, Sancha, Duchessa of Squillace. (reaches for the cloth cover to Sancha's portrait) Juan Borgia: Where is Squillace? Neapolitan Ambassador: (annoyed) In the Kingdom of Naples. (reveals the portrait; Alexander looks approving, while Juan is clearly drawn to Sancha's face; he stands up and takes a closer look) Juan Borgi

Death on a Pale Horse [1.07]

French General: Tell me, Cardinal- what is the Italian word for "cannon"? Guiliano Della Rovere: We have no such word, General. French General: For... gunpowder? Recoil, battery, cannonball, ordinance? Guiliano Della Rovere: ... I'm at a loss. French General: (grins) You will need a new language, then. Your Italy will soon be deafened by the sound of cannon. (Della Rovere looks uneasy) Lucrezia Borgia: I must return to my husband in the morning. Cesare Borgia: Why? Lucrezia Borgia: Because he is my husband. Because our father needs his allegiance. Cesare Borgia: I should keep you here in chains- I suspect you would be happier. Lucrezia Borgia: (looks sharply at him) Why do you question my happiness? Cesare Borgia: Because something happened. I know it. Lucrezia Borgia: What do you know? Cesare Borgia: Your eyes. (Lucrezia turns away) You no longer walk on air. (she walks away, he follows her) Where is my young sister hiding? Lucrezia Borgia: I am the Lord Sforza's wife, Brother. Cesare

The Art of War [1.08]

Rodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI: (angrily) We granted your King Ferdinand and your Queen Isabella the title of "most Catholic Majesties." We delivered a solemn Papal bull granting them everlasting rights over that vast new continent- Spanish Ambassador: But, with respect, Holy Father, what you ask is impossible! Rodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI: (more quietly) The involvement of Spanish forces, in the protection of St. Peter's and the Head of Christendom- (gestures to himself) Spanish Ambassador: (cuts him off) Would amount to a declaration of war between France and Spain. Rodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI: (wags a finger at him) Then I warn you, Ambassador, favors granted can be rescinded! Spanish Ambassador: (raises his hands helplessly) And I would beg Your Holiness' forgiveness that I cannot meet his full demands! Rodrigo Borgia/Alexaner VI: (sighs in despair and goes to the window) Must we face this... French apocalypse alone? The populace is already fleeing Rome. (observes the civilians leaving

Nessuno (Nobody) [1.09]

Charles VIII: (enters St. Peter's Basilica and moves towards the altar, looking all about) Holiness? (pause) Your Holiness? (he comes upon Alexander praying in the garb of a simple monk before the altar, and mistakes him for a common priest) Forgive me, Friar- I am seeking an audience with the Pope. (the Pope rises, his back still turned to the King) You have been interrupted at prayer- Rodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI: (shakes his head) Our prayers are ended. (turns around and pulls back his hood) And, perhaps... they will be answered. Charles VIII: (stares at him in astonishment)...Can this really be the Pope of Rome? Pope Alexander? Rodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI: Sextus- at your service, my Lord. (comes forward and offers his ring; Charles kneels and kisses it) And you, my Lord, are?... Charles VIII: King Charles, of France. (Alexander bows slightly to him, Charles gestures at the Pope's sackcloth robe) It is not as we expected... Rodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI: Does the Pope of Rome disappoi

The Borgia Bull [2.01]

Cesare Borgia: (to the nuns tending to Della Rovere) You may leave us, Sisters. Nun: But, Cardinal- Cesare Borgia: There is no need for last rights, but your prayers will be welcomed. (they start to leave, Della Rovere tries to speak) Hush, Cardinal- I will attend you. Nun: Cardinal- (Cesare shuts the door in their faces) Cesare Borgia: And you, Sisters, let us hear your prayers. (kneels next to Della Rovere as the latter watches him) Don't worry- if you're not dead by now, you will live. Your tongue will be swollen for days- no talking, I'm afraid. All of your prayers must be silent ones. (he bathes Della Rovere's brow) Altar boys and cantarella- neither can be trusted. But, you must know by now, Cardinal, there is no hiding place. Even here, in the depths of the Umbrian olive groves, we will find you. (pause) The French army is ensnared in Naples, the French King is ill with the Neapolitan disease, God is in His Heaven- and the Pope on his seat, in Rome. And, my plea to you, Cardinal

Paolo [2.02]

Rodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI: (finds Vittoria back in her disguise, restoring the ancient Roman art works) Do you never rest? (Vittoria smiles) Where do you sleep? Vittoria: (grins) Under silk covers, last night. Rodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI: (chuckles, shakes his head) On a normal night. Vittoria: On a straw bed, on a studio floor. Rodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI: (crouches next to her) So, you know the streets of Rome- the slums, the tennants- you live among the common people. Vittoria: I am one of them, Your Holiness. Rodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI: (strokes her ear) Hmm- not for long, I would hazard, knowing your talents. Vittoria: ... Does the Pope of Rome not know his flock? Rodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI: (sighs and looks around)... You see the gilded cage we live in. We meet with princes and pergunters and prelates, and... very few of the common people. (pause, kisses her head) We might... need your assistance. (Cardinal Sforza appears behind them and clears his throat, the Pope stands up)

The Beautiful Deception [2.03]

Rodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI: (trying to console Lucrezia, who is in deep mourning after Paolo's "suicide" and is refusing to nurse her crying son) Please talk to me, my love. You are the light of my life... the light of this family's life. If that light goes... (clutches her hand, worried) Lucrezia Borgia: ... I would ask just one thing of you, Father. Rodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI: Anything. Lucrezia Borgia: (looks him straight in the eye) Permit my Paolo a Christian burial. Rodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI: (closes his eyes quickly) He is a suicide- it is impossible. (Lucrezia sits up, holding a scrap of paper) Lucrezia Borgia: This note was pinned to his sleeve. (Alexander takes it and examines it) Rodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI: Yes. A suicide note- Lucrezia Borgia: (angrily) But he could not read or write Father! (Alexander looks up at her, startled) My Paolo could not even pen his own name. (long pause) Rodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI: ... So, it was murder. (pause) Where is the murderer? Lucr

Stray Dogs [2.04]

Micheletto Corella: You should spare yourself this, Your Eminence. Cesare Borgia: Why? Why should I spare myself? (he walks through the burned-out nunnery, Micheletto follows with a torch) I should've foreseen this. (he looks up at the fresco he commissioned, with Ursula Bonadeo's face) Micheletto Corella: ... Your Eminence. (Cesare enters the next room to find Micheletto standing over the body of Ursula, with her ears cut off) Cesare Borgia: ...Ursula. (he kneels next to her and touches her bloodstained face) She chose God, Micheletto... and God repaid her with mutilation. Micheletto Corella: I know little of God, Your Eminence. Cesare Borgia: (full of grief and rage) God is deaf, God is blind- God is pitiless. (pause) She has released my heart... of all emotions, but one. (looks up at Micheletto) Vengeance. Micheletto Corella: (nods) Vengeance is sweet. Cesare Borgia: So, who did this, my friend? Micheletto Corella: The French. (picks up the remnants of a banner and examines it) This

The Choice [2.05]

Guiliano Della Rovere: Friar. Girolamo Savanarola: (lighting candles) Are you the cleric in red? Guiliano Della Rovere: I find the robes of your Order suit me better, at this... pitiful juncture. Girolamo Savanarola: Have you taken our vows? Guiliano Della Rovere: I can no longer serve the Pope of Rome. Girolamo Savanarola: Ah, yes. I heard of your plans for his deposition. Your plans failed. Miserably. Guiliano Della Rovere: ...Indeed. I must confess to failure. Girolamo Savanarola: Oh, so have you come here to make a confession of your failure? Guiliano Della Rovere: No. I'm here to propose a solution to the sickness in our Holy Mother Church. Girolamo Savanarola: (smirks) A solution? Guiliano Della Rovere: We must remove him. Girolamo Savanarola: From the Chair of St. Peter's? Guiliano Della Rovere: From the Chair of St. Peter's- Girolamo Savanarola: But you tried that already. Guiliano Della Rovere: From the Chair of St. Peter's- and, from this world. (Savanarola pauses) Girolamo S

Day of Ashes [2.06]

Ascanio Sforza: From our Holy Father. (Savanarola rises and turns around) Christ's vicar on Earth, the Bishop of Rome and the heir to St. Peter: a greeting and apostolic benediction to his most beloved son... Girolamo Savanarola. I am Cardinal Ascanio Sforza. Girolamo Savanarola: The Vice-Chancellor. Ascanio Sforza: Indeed. Girolamo Savanarola: Then, you know all there is to know about corruption. Ascanio Sforza: ... His Holiness hears you are a zealous worker in God's service, at which he rejoices (Savanarola looks away in disgust)... and is intrigued to hear that you proclaim that your prophecies proceed directly from God. (Savanarola looks back at him) Is this so? Girolamo Savanarola: God speaks through me. I hear his voice. Of this, there is no doubt. Ascanio Sforza: As befits your vows of obedience, His Holiness would have you journey to Rome to discourse further with him on this matter- Girolamo Savanarola: Has the Good Lord's lightning not yet silenced this...Borgia Pope? But, t

The Siege at Forli [2.07]

Children: Vanities! Your gold, your silver- Niccolo Machiavelli: Wait- before you speak! (the boys silence) I would have you cease marking chalk crosses on my door. (nods to the lead boy) You may continue. 1st Child-Acolyte: Vanities! Your gold, your silver, your trinkets, your books. Give up your vanities! Niccolo Machiavelli: (coldly) I have no vanities. I have only my intellect, which I am reluctant to relinquish- and, as you can see, with these looks, I have no vanity. 1st Child-Acolyte: (obviously parrotting Savanarola) An Eternity in Heaven or an Eternity in Hell! What will it be?! Niccolo Machiavelli: (unimpressed) Hell.. is here, in this city! (gestures around them, steps forward, forcing the boy back) Heaven has, of late, been removed to another place! 2nd Child-Acolyte: Are you a sinner? 1st Child-Acolyte: The Son of Man will return in his Glory! And he will judge both the quick- and the dead! Give up your vanities, or face the Wroth of God! Children: Give up your vanities! G

World of Wonders [2.09]

Rodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI: (storming into Vanozza's villa) Vanozza!... Vanozza!...Vanozza! (Vanozza enters the dining room at the same time as him) Did you know of this? Vanozza Cattaneo: Of what? Rodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI: That our daughter, betrothed to one, gives herself to the brother?! Vanozza Cattaneo: (sarcastically) Lucrezia? It's not possible- how could she be so foolish? Rodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI: (impatient) With the help of those around her, perhaps? What advice did you give her, hmm? Vanozza Cattaneo: (sits down) I merely said, that if she married to please you, she may yet love to please herself. Rodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI: (sighs in exasperation) And you thought that wise?! Vanozza Cattaneo: (curtly) I married one of your choosing, to be free to love you. Rodrigo Borgia/Alexander VI: But you are not the Pope's daughter! Vanozza Cattaneo: Rodrigo, she will love whom she chooses- she is a Borgia. (Lucrezia enters, Rodrigo angrily turns on her) Lucrezia Borgia: I hea

The Confession [2.10]

Lucrezia Borgia: Stop!... Who are you? Alfonso of Aragon: (smiles pleasantly) I'm Prince Alfonso D'Aragona, Duke of Bisceglie and Prince of Salerno. Lucrezia Borgia: What are you doing here? Alfonso of Aragon: (not realizing who she is) I'm suitor to the Lady Lucrezia, daughter of His Holiness Alexander VI, Pope of Rome. Lucrezia Borgia: (annoyed) Indeed. Lucrezia Borgia? (Alfonso nods, she decides to toy with him)...Poor boy. Come! I will take you to her. (she leads him away from his entourage into her apartments) So, you are suitor to the Lady Lucrezia? Alfonso of Aragon: I am. Lucrezia Borgia: A great responsibility for one so young. Take off your cloak. (Alfonso looks puzzled then smiles slightly) Alfonso of Aragon: If I remove my cloak, what will you remove in return? Lucrezia Borgia: You'll see. (gestures for him to take off the cloak) The Lady Lucrezia has a great many suitors. Some are wheat... some are chaff. And it falls to me, to separate the one from the other. (Alfonso smi