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blame； who； by their evil deeds； had given rise to the war； and
inflamed it by still worse actions； it having been terminated by the
kindness of others rather than by any merit of their own。 The formula
of agreement and benediction was then read； and； in addition to what
had already been considered and agreed upon between the parties； the
pope said； that if the Florentines wished to enjoy the fruit of his
forgiveness； they must maintain fifteen galleys； armed； and equipped；
at their own expense； as long as the Turks should make war upon the
kingdom of Naples。 The ambassadors complained much of this burden in
addition to the arrangement already made； but were unable to obtain
any alleviation。 However； after their return to Florence； the Signory
sent； as ambassador to the pope； Guidantonio Vespucci； who had
recently returned from France； and who by his prudence brought
everything to an amicable conclusion； obtained many favors from the
pontiff； which were considered as presages of a closer reconciliation。
Having settled their affairs with the pope； Sienna being free；
themselves released from the fear of the king； by the departure of the
duke of Calabria from Tuscany； and the war with the Turks still
continuing； the Florentines pressed the king to restore their
fortresses； which the duke of Calabria； upon quitting the country； had
left in the hands of the Siennese。 Ferrando； apprehensive that if he
refused； they would withdraw from the alliance with him； and by new
wars with the Siennese deprive him of the assistance he hoped to
obtain from the pope and other Italian powers； consented that they
should be given up； and by new favors endeavored to attach the
Florentines to his interests。 It is thus evident； that force and
necessity； not deeds and obligations； induce princes to keep faith。
The castles being restored； and this new alliance established； Lorenzo
de' Medici recovered the reputation which first the war and then the
peace； when the king's designs were doubtful； had deprived him of； for
at this period there was no lack of those who openly slandered him
with having sold his country to save himself； and said； that in war
they had lost their territories； and in peace their liberty。 But the
fortresses being recovered； an honorable treaty ratified with the
king； and the city restored to her former influence； the spirit of
public discourse entirely changed in Florence； a place greatly
addicted to gossip； and in which actions are judged by the success
attending them； rather than by the intelligence employed in their
direction； therefore； the citizens praised Lorenzo extravagantly；
declaring that by his prudence he had recovered in peace； what
unfavorable circumstances had taken from them in war； and that by his
discretion and judgment he had done more than the enemy with all the
force of their arms。
CHAPTER V
New occasions of war in ItalyDifferences between the marquis of
Ferrara； and the VenetiansThe king of Naples and the Florentines
attack the papal statesThe pope's defensive arrangementsThe
Neapolitan army routed by the papal forcesProgress of the
Venetians against the marquis of FerraraThe pope makes peace；
and enters into a league against the VenetiansOperations of the
League against the VenetiansThe Venetians routed at Bondeno
Their lossesDisunion among the LeagueLodovico Sforza makes
peace with the VenetiansRatified by the other parties。
The invasion of the Turks had deferred the war which was about to
break forth from the anger of the pope and the Venetians at the peace
between the Florentines and the king。 But as the beginning of that
invasion was unexpected and beneficial； its conclusion was equally
unlooked for and injurious； for Mahomet dying suddenly； dissensions
arose among his sons； and the forces which were in Puglia being
abandoned by their commander； surrendered Otranto to the king。 The
fears which restrained the pope and the Venetians being thus removed；
everyone became apprehensive of new troubles。 On the one hand； was the
league of the pope and the Venetians； and with them the Genoese；
Siennese； and other minor powers； on the other； the Florentines； the
king； and the duke； with whom were the Bolognese and many princes。 The
Venetians wished to become lords of Ferrara； and thought they were
justified by circumstances in making the attempt； and hoping for a
favorable result。 Their differences arose thus： the marquis of Ferrara
affirmed he was under no obligation to take salt from the Venetians；
or to admit their governor； the terms of convention between them
declaring； that after seventy years； the city was to be free from both
impositions。 The Venetians replied； that so long as he held the
Polesine； he was bound to receive their salt and their governor。 The
marquis refusing his consent； the Venetians considered themselves
justified in taking arms； and that the present moment offered a
suitable opportunity； for the pope was indignant against the
Florentines and the king； and to attach the pope still further； the
Count Girolamo； who was then at Venice； was received with all possible
respect； first admitted to the privileges of a citizen； and then
raised to the rank of a senator； the highest distinctions the Venetian
senate can confer。 To prepare for the war； they levied new taxes； and
appointed to the command of the forces； Roberto da San Severino； who
being offended with Lodovico； governor of Milan； fled to Tortona；
whence； after occasioning some disturbances； he went to Genoa； and
while there； was sent for by the Venetians； and placed at the head of
their troops。
These circumstances becoming known to the opposite league； induced it
also to provide for war。 The duke of Milan appointed as his general；
Federigo d'Urbino； the Florentines engaged Costanzo； lord of Pesaro；
and to sound the disposition of the pope； and know whether the
Venetians made war against Ferrara with his consent or not； King
Ferrando sent Alfonso； duke of Calabria； with his army across the
Tronto； and asked the pontiff's permission to pass into Lombardy to
assist the marquis； which was refused in the most peremptory manner。
The Florentines and the king； no longer doubtful about the pope's
intentions； determined to harass him； and thus either compel him to
take part with them； or throw such obstacles in his way； as would
prevent him from helping the Venetians； who had already taken the
field； attacked the marquis； overran his territory； and encamped
before Figaruolo； a fortress of the greatest importance。 In pursuance
of the design of the Florentines and the king； the duke of Calabria；
by the assistance of the Colonna family （the Orsini had joined the
pope）； plundered the country about Rome and committed great
devastation； while the Florentines； with Niccolo Vitelli； besieged and
took Citta di Castello； expelling Lorenzo Vitelli； who held it for the
pope； and placing Niccolo in it as prince。
The pope now found himself in very great straits； for the city of Rome
was disturbed by factions and the country covered with enemies。 But
acting with courage and resolution； he appointed Roberto da Rimino to
take the command of his forces； and having sent for him to Rome； where
his troops were assembled； told him how great would be the honor； if
he could deliver the church from the king's forces； and the troubles
in which it was involved； how greatly indebted； not only himself； but
all his successors would be； and； that not mankind merely； but God
himself would be under obligations to him。 The magnificent Roberto；
having considered the forces and preparations already made； advised
the pope to raise as numerous a body of infantry as possible； which
was done without delay。 The duke of Calabria was at hand； and
constantly harassed the country up to the very gates of Rome； which so
roused the indignation of the citizens； that many offered their
assistance to Roberto； and all were thankfully received。 The duke；
hearing of these preparations； withdrew a short distance from the
city； that in the belief of finding him gone； the magnificent Roberto
would not pursue him； and also in expectation of his brother Federigo；
whom their father had sent to him with additional forces。 But Roberto；
finding himself nearly equal to the duke in cavalry； and superior in
infantry； marched boldly out of Rome and took a position within two
miles of the enemy。 The duke； seeing his adversaries close upon him；
found he must either fight or disgracefully retire。 To avoid a retreat
unbecoming a king's son； he resolved to face the enemy； and a battle
ensued which continued from morning till midday。 In this engagement；
greater valor was exhibited on both sides than had been shown in any
other during the last fifty years； upward of a thousand dead being
left upon the field。 The troops of the church were at length
victorious； for her numerous infantry s