I don't want to take the women into the city until I know how things stand.' ' I'll tell you precisely how they stand,' Nicolo bitterly replied. 'The absolute ruler of this city is a Medici. The Pope is a Medici. People round here say that probably God is a Medici and as for the Devil, he's definitely one, beyond any doubt.
In Salman Rushdie's "The Enchantress of Florence," a character expresses hesitation about bringing women into the city due to uncertainty about the political situation. He seeks reassurance before making such a decision, highlighting concerns about safety and stability in a volatile environment.
Nicolo responds with bitter sarcasm, emphasizing the overwhelming influence of the Medici family in the city. He critiques their dominance by suggesting that not only is the ruler a Medici, but even higher powers like God and lower beings like the Devil are implicated in this family's control, illustrating the deep-seated corruption and pervasive reach of the Medici dynasty.
