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laws； by misapplication； have lost the power to correct。 Hence arises
the avarice so observable among the citizens； and that greediness； not
for true glory； but for unworthy honors； from which follow hatred；
animosities； quarrels； and factions； resulting in deaths； banishments；
affliction to all good men； and the advancement of the most
unprincipled； for the good； confiding in their innocence； seek neither
safety nor advancement by illegal methods as the wicked do； and thus
unhonored and undefended they sink into oblivion。
〃From proceedings such as these； arise at once the attachment for and
influence of parties； bad men follow them through ambition and
avarice； and necessity compels the good to pursue the same course。 And
most lamentable is it to observe how the leaders and movers of parties
sanctify their base designs with words that are all piety and virtue；
they have the name of liberty constantly in their mouths； though their
actions prove them her greatest enemies。 The reward which they desire
from victory is not the glory of having given liberty to the city； but
the satisfaction of having vanquished others； and of making themselves
rulers； and to attain their end； there is nothing too unjust； too
cruel； too avaricious for them to attempt。 Thus laws and ordinances；
peace； wars； and treaties are adopted and pursued； not for the public
good； not for the common glory of the state； but for the convenience
or advantage of a few individuals。
〃And if other cities abound in these disorders； ours is more than any
infected with them； for her laws； statutes； and civil ordinances are
not； nor have they ever been； established for the benefit of men in a
state of freedom； but according to the wish of the faction that has
been uppermost at the time。 Hence it follows that； when one party is
expelled； or faction extinguished； another immediately arises； for； in
a city that is governed by parties rather than by laws； as soon as one
becomes dominant and unopposed； it must of necessity soon divide
against itself； for the private methods at first adapted for its
defense will now no longer keep it united。 The truth of this； both the
ancient and modern dissensions of our city prove。 Everyone thought
that when the Ghibellines were destroyed； the Guelphs would long
continue happy and honored； yet after a short time they divided into
the Bianchi and Neri； the black faction and the white。 When the
Bianchi were overcome； the city was not long free from factions； for
either； in favor of the emigrants； or on account of the animosity
between the nobility and the people； we were still constantly at war。
And as if resolved to give up to others； what in mutual harmony we
either would not or were unable to retain； we confided the care of our
precious liberty first to King Robert； then to his brother； next to
his son； and at last to the duke of Athens。 Still we have never in any
condition found repose； but seem like men who can neither agree to
live in freedom nor be content with slavery。 Nor did we hesitate （so
greatly does the nature of our ordinances dispose us to division）；
while yet under allegiance to the king； to substitute for his majesty；
one of the vilest of men born at Agobbio。
〃For the credit of the city； the name of the duke of Athens ought to
be consigned to oblivion。 His cruel and tyrannical disposition；
however； might have taught us wisdom and instructed us how to live；
but no sooner was he expelled than we handled our arms； and fought
with more hatred； and greater fury than we had ever done on any former
occasion； so that the ancient nobility were vanquished the city was
left at the disposal of the people。 It was generally supposed that no
further occasion of quarrel or of party animosity could arise； since
those whose pride and insupportable ambition had been regarded as the
causes of them were depressed； however； experience proves how liable
human judgment is to error； and what false impressions men imbibe；
even in regard to the things that most intimately concern them； for we
find the pride and ambition of the nobility are not extinct； but only
transferred from them to the people who at this moment； according to
the usual practice of ambitious men； are endeavoring to render
themselves masters of the republic； and knowing they have no chance of
success but what is offered by discord； they have again divided the
city； and the names of Guelph and Ghibelline； which were beginning to
be forgotten （and it would have been well if they had never been heard
among us）； are repeated anew in our ears。
〃It seems almost necessarily ordained； in order that in human affairs
there may be nothing either settled or permanent； that in all
republics there are what may be called fatal families； born for the
ruin of their country。 Of this kind of pest our city has produced a
more copious brood than any other； for not one but many have disturbed
and harassed her： first the Buondelmonti and the Uberti； then the
Donati and the Cerchi； and now； oh ridiculous！ oh disgraceful thought！
the Ricci and the Albizzi have caused a division of her citizens。
〃We have not dwelt upon our corrupt habits or our old and continual
dissensions to occasion you alarm； but to remind you of their causes；
to show that as you doubtless are aware of them； we also keep them in
view； and to remind you that their results ought not to make you
diffident of your power to repress the disorders of the present time。
The ancient families possessed so much influence； and were held in
such high esteem； that civil force was insufficient to restrain them；
but now； when the empire has lost its ascendancy； the pope is no
longer formidable； and the whole of Italy is reduced to a state of the
most complete equality； there can be no difficulty。 Our republic might
more especially than any other （although at first our former practices
seem to present a reason to the contrary）； not only keep itself united
but be improved by good laws and civil regulations； if you； the
Signory； would once resolve to undertake the matter； and to this we；
induced by no other motive than the love of our country； would most
strongly urge you。 It is true the corruption of the country is great；
and much discretion will be requisite to correct it； but do not impute
the past disorders to the nature of the men； but to the times； which；
being changed； give reasonable ground to hope that； with better
government； our city will be attended with better fortune； for the
malignity of the people will be overcome by restraining the ambition
and annulling the ordinances of those who have encouraged faction； and
adopting in their stead only such principles as are conformable to
true civil liberty。 And be assured； that these desirable ends will be
more certainly attained by the benign influence of the laws； than by a
delay which will compel the people to effect them by force and arms。〃
The Signory； induced by the necessity of the case； of which they were
previously aware； and further encouraged by the advice of those who
now addressed them； gave authority to fifty…six citizens to provide
for the safety of the republic。 It is usually found that most men are
better adapted to pursue a good course already begun； than to discover
one applicable to immediate circumstances。 These citizens thought
rather of extinguishing existing factions than of preventing the
formation of new ones； and effected neither of these objects。 The
facilities for the establishment of new parties were not removed； and
out of those which they guarded against； another more powerful arose；
which brought the republic into still greater danger。 They； however；
deprived three of the family of the Albizzi； and three of that of the
Ricci； of all the offices of government； except those of the Guelphic
party； for three years； and among the deprived were Piero degli
Albizzi and Uguccione de' Ricci。 They forbade the citizens to assemble
in the palace； except during the sittings of the Signory。 They
provided that if any one were beaten； or possession of his property
detained from him； he might bring his case before the council and
denounce the offender； even if he were one of the nobility； and that
if it were proved； the accused should be subject to the usual
penalties。 This provision abated the boldness of the Ricci； and
increased that of the Albizzi； since； although it applied equally to
both； the Ricci suffered from it by far the most； for if Piero was
excluded from the palace of the Signory； the chamber of the Guelphs；
in which he possessed the greatest authority； remained open to him；
and if he and his followers had previously been ready to ADMONISH；
they became after this injury； doubly so。 To this pre…disposition for
evil； new excitements were added。
CHAPTER II
The war of the Florentines against the pope's legate； and the
causes of itLeague against the popeThe c