Ferdinando de'Medici 'fell in love with him as a man may with a fine woman,' says his son Alessandro in one of his apologetic writings.

This, however, meant but little; for compliments passed freely between princes and their courtiers; which, when affairs of purse or honor were at stake, soon turned to discontent and hatred.

So it fared with Guarini at Florence.

His son, Guarino, made a marriage of which he disapproved, but which the Grand Duke countenanced.

So slight a disagreement snapped the ties of friendship, and the restless poet removed to the Court of Urbino.