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greatest expectation； for it being generally understood that the war
was undertaken for the sole purpose of effecting his destruction； the
power of his enemies invested his name with additional lustre。 Being
admitted to the king's presence； he spoke with so much propriety upon
the affairs of Italy； the disposition of her princes and people； his
hopes from peace； his fears of the results of war； that Ferrando was
more astonished at the greatness of his mind； the promptitude of his
genius； his gravity and wisdom； than he had previously been at his
power。 He consequently treated him with redoubled honor； and began to
feel compelled rather to part with him as a friend； than detain him as
an enemy。 However； under various pretexts he kept Lorenzo from
December till March； not only to gain the most perfect knowledge of
his own views； but of those of his city； for he was not without
enemies； who would have wished the king to detain and treat him in the
same manner as Jacopo Piccinino； and； with the ostensible view of
sympathizing for him； pointed out all that would； or rather that they
wished should； result from such a course； at the same time opposing in
the council every proposition at all likely to favor him。 By such
means as these the opinion gained ground； that if he were detained at
Naples much longer； the government of Florence would be changed。 This
caused the king to postpone their separation more than he would have
otherwise done； to see if any disturbance were likely to arise。 But
finding everything go quietly on； Ferrando allowed him to depart on
the sixth of March； 1479； having； with every kind of attention and
token of regard； endeavored to gain his affection； and formed with him
a perpetual alliance for their mutual defense。 Lorenzo returned to
Florence； and upon presenting himself before the citizens； the
impressions he had created in the popular mind surrounded him with a
halo of majesty brighter than before。 He was received with all the joy
merited by his extraordinary qualities and recent services； in having
exposed his own life to the most imminent peril； in order to restore
peace to his country。 Two days after his return； the treaty between
the republic of Florence and the king； by which each party bound
itself to defend the other's territories； was published。 The places
taken from the Florentines during the war were to be taken up at the
discretion of the king； the Pazzi confined in the tower of Volterra
were to be set at liberty； and a certain sum of money； for a limited
period； was to be paid to the duke of Calabria。
As soon as this peace was publicly known； the pope and the Venetians
were transported with rage； the pope thought himself neglected by the
king； the Venetians entertained similar ideas with regard to the
Florentines； and complained that； having been companions in the war；
they were not allowed to participate in the peace。 Reports of this
description being spread abroad； and received with entire credence at
Florence； caused a general fear that the peace thus made would give
rise to greater wars； and therefore the leading members of the
government determined to confine the consideration of the most
important affairs to a smaller number； and formed a council of seventy
citizens； in whom the principal authority was invested。 This new
regulation calmed the minds of those desirous of change； by convincing
them of the futility of their efforts。 To establish their authority；
they in the first place ratified the treaty of peace with the king；
and sent as ambassadors to the pope Antonio Ridolfi and Piero Nasi。
But； notwithstanding the peace； Alfonso； duke of Calabria； still
remained at Sienna with his forces； pretending to be detained by
discords among the citizens； which； he said； had risen so high； that
while he resided outside the city they had compelled him to enter and
assume the office of arbitrator between them。 He took occasion to draw
large sums of money from the wealthiest citizens by way of fines；
imprisoned many； banished others； and put some to death； he thus
became suspected； not only by the Siennese but by the Florentines； of
a design to usurp the sovereignty of Sienna； nor was any remedy then
available； for the republic had formed a new alliance with the king；
and were at enmity with the pope and the Venetians。 This suspicion was
entertained not only by the great body of the Florentine people； who
were subtle interpreters of appearances； but by the principal members
of the government； and it was agreed； on all hands； that the city
never was in so much danger of losing her liberty。 But God； who in
similar extremities has always been her preserver； caused an unhoped…
for event to take place； which gave the pope； the king； and the
Venetians other matters to think of than those in Tuscany。
The Turkish emperor； Mahomet II。 had gone with a large army to the
siege of Rhodes； and continued it for several months； but though his
forces were numerous； and his courage indomitable； he found them more
than equalled by those of the besieged； who resisted his attack with
such obstinate valor； that he was at last compelled to retire in
disgrace。 Having left Rhodes； part of his army； under the Pasha
Achmet； approached Velona； and； either from observing the facility of
the enterprise； or in obedience to his sovereign's commands； coasting
along the Italian shores； he suddenly landed four thousand soldiers；
and attacked the city of Otranto； which he easily took； plundered； and
put all the inhabitants to the sword。 He then fortified the city and
port； and having assembled a large body of cavalry； pillaged the
surrounding country。 The king； learning this； and aware of the
redoubtable character of his assailant； immediately sent messengers to
all the surrounding powers； to request assistance against the common
enemy； and ordered the immediate return of the duke of Calabria with
the forces at Sienna。
This attack； however it might annoy the duke and the rest of Italy；
occasioned the utmost joy at Florence and Sienna； the latter thinking
it had recovered its liberty； and the former that she had escaped a
storm which threatened her with destruction。 These impressions； which
were not unknown to the duke； increased the regret he felt at his
departure from Sienna； and he accused fortune of having； by an
unexpected and unaccountable accident； deprived him of the sovereignty
of Tuscany。 The same circumstance changed the disposition of the pope；
for although he had previously refused to receive any ambassador from
Florence； he was now so mollified as to be anxious to listen to any
overtures of peace； and it was intimated to the Florentines； that if
they would condescend to ask the pope's pardon； they would be sure of
obtaining it。 Thinking it advisable to seize the opportunity； they
sent twelve ambassadors to the pontiff； who； on their arrival；
detained them under different pretexts before he would admit them to
an audience。 However； terms were at length settled； and what should be
contributed by each in peace or war。 The messengers were then admitted
to the feet of the pontiff； who； with the utmost pomp； received them
in the midst of his cardinals。 They apologized for past occurrences；
first showing they had been compelled by necessity； then blaming the
malignity of others； or the rage of the populace； and their just
indignation； and enlarging on the unfortunate condition of those who
are compelled either to fight or die； saying； that since every
extremity is endured in order to avoid death； they had suffered war；
interdicts； and other inconveniences； brought upon them by recent
events； that their republic might escape slavery； which is the death
of free cities。 However； if in their necessities they had committed
any offense； they were desirous to make atonement； and trusted in his
clemency； who； after the example of the blessed Redeemer； would
receive them into his compassionate arms。
The pope's reply was indignant and haughty。 After reiterating all the
offenses against the church during the late transactions； he said
that； to comply with the precepts of God； he would grant the pardon
they asked； but would have them understand； that it was their duty to
obey； and that upon the next instance of their disobedience； they
would inevitably forfeit； and that most deservedly； the liberty which
they had just been upon the point of losing； for those merit freedom
who exercise themselves in good works and avoid evil； that liberty；
improperly used； injures itself and others； that to think little of
God； and less of his church； is not the part of a free man； but a
fool； and one disposed to evil rather than good； and to effect whose
correction is the duty not only of princes but of every Christian； so
that in respect of the recent events； they had only themselves to
blame； who； by their evil deeds； had given rise to the war； and
inflamed it by