OnthereturnoftheMedici, Machiavelli, whoforafewweekshadvainlyhopedtoretainhisofficeunderthenewmastersofFlorence, , imprisoned, , LeoX, procuredhisrelease, andheretiredtohissmallpropertyatSanCasciano, nearFlorence, , dated13thDecember1513, hehasleftaveryinterestingdescriptionofhislifeatthisperiod, whichelucidateshismethodsandhismotivesinwriting "ThePrince." Afterdescribinghisdailyoccupationswithhisfamilyandneighbours, hewrites: "Theeveningbeingcome, Ireturnhomeandgotomystudy; attheentranceIpulloffmypeasant-clothes, coveredwithdustanddirt, andputonmynoblecourtdress, andthusbecominglyre-clothedIpassintotheancientcourtsofthemenofold, where, beinglovinglyreceivedbythem, Iamfedwiththatfoodwhichisminealone; whereIdonothesitatetospeakwiththem, andtoaskforthereasonoftheiractions, andtheyintheirbenignityanswerme; andforfourhoursIfeelnoweariness, Iforgeteverytrouble, povertydoesnotdismay, deathdoesnotterrifyme; :
Knowledgedothcomeoflearningwellretained, Unfruitfulelse,
IhavenoteddownwhatIhavegainedfromtheirconversation, andhavecomposedasmallworkon 'Principalities,' whereIpourmyselfoutasfullyasIcaninmeditationonthesubject, discussingwhataprincipalityis, whatkindsthereare, howtheycanbeacquired, howtheycanbekept, whytheyarelost: andifanyofmyfancieseverpleasedyou, thisoughtnottodispleaseyou: andtoaprince, especiallytoanewone, itshouldbewelcome: ; hewillbeabletotellyouwhatisinit, andofthediscoursesIhavehadwithhim; nevertheless, Iamstillenrichingandpolishingit."
