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never entered on a more unjust or more dangerous project； or one more
pregnant with evil； than this。 In the first place they were going to
attack a Guelphic city； that had always been friendly to the
Florentine people； and had frequently； at great hazard； received the
Guelphs into her bosom when they were expelled from their own country。
That in the history of the past there was not an instance； while Lucca
was free； of her having done an injury to the Florentines； and that if
they had been injured by her enslavers； as formerly by Castruccio； and
now by the present governor； the fault was not in the city； but in her
tyrant。 That if they could assail the latter without detriment to the
people； he should have less scruple； but as this was impossible； he
could not consent that a city which had been friendly to Florence
should be plundered of her wealth。 However； as it was usual at present
to pay little or no regard either to equity or injustice； he would
consider the matter solely with reference to the advantage of
Florence。 He thought that what could not easily be attended by
pernicious consequences might be esteemed useful； but he could not
imagine how an enterprise should be called advantageous in which the
evils were certain and the utility doubtful。 The certain evils were
the expenses with which it would be attended； and these； he foresaw；
would be sufficiently great to alarm even a people that had long been
in repose； much more one wearied； as they were； by a tedious and
expensive war。 The advantage that might be gained was the acquisition
of Lucca； which he acknowledged to be great； but the hazards were so
enormous and immeasurable； as in his opinion to render the conquest
quite impossible。 He could not induce himself to believe that the
Venetians； or Filippo； would willingly allow them to make the
acquisition； for the former only consented in appearance； in order to
avoid the semblance of ingratitude； having so lately； with Florentine
money； acquired such an extent of dominion。 That as regarded the duke；
it would greatly gratify him to see them involved in new wars and
expenses； for； being exhausted and defeated on all sides； he might
again assail them； and that if； after having undertaken it； their
enterprise against Lucca were to prove successful； and offer them the
fullest hope of victory； the duke would not want an opportunity of
frustrating their labors； either by assisting the Lucchese secretly
with money； or by apparently disbanding his own troops； and then
sending them； as if they were soldiers of fortune； to their relief。 He
therefore advised that they should give up the idea； and behave toward
the tyrant in such a way as to create him as many enemies as possible；
for there was no better method of reducing Lucca than to let them live
under the tyrant； oppressed and exhausted by him； for； if prudently
managed； that city would soon get into such a condition that he could
not retain it； and being ignorant or unable to govern itself； it must
of necessity fall into their power。 But he saw that his discourse did
not please them； and that his words were unheeded； he would； however；
predict this to them； that they were about to commence a war in which
they would expend vast sums； incur great domestic dangers； and instead
of becoming masters of Lucca； they would deliver her from her tyrant；
and of a friendly city； feeble and oppressed； they would make one free
and hostile； and that in time she would become an obstacle to the
greatness of their own republic。
The question having been debated on both sides； they proceeded to
vote； as usual； and of the citizens present only ninety…eight were
against the enterprise。 Thus determined in favor of war； they
appointed a Council of Ten for its management； and hired forces； both
horse and foot。 Astorre Gianni and Rinaldo degli Albizzi were
appointed commissaries； and Niccolo Fortebraccio； on agreeing to give
up to the Florentines the places he had taken； was engaged to conduct
the enterprise as their captain。 The commissaries having arrived with
the army in the country of the Lucchese； divided their forces； one
part of which； under Astorre； extended itself along the plain； toward
Camaiore and Pietrasanta； while Rinaldo； with the other division； took
the direction of the hills； presuming that when the citizens found
themselves deprived of the surrounding country； they would easily
submit。 The proceedings of the commissaries were unfortunate； not that
they failed to occupy many places； but from the complaints made
against them of mismanaging the operations of the war； and Astorre
Gianni had certainly given very sufficient cause for the charges
against him。
There is a fertile and populous valley near Pietrasanta； called
Seravezza； whose inhabitants； on learning the arrival of the
commissary； presented themselves before him and begged he would
receive them as faithful subjects of the Florentine republic。 Astorre
pretended to accept their proposal； but immediately ordered his forces
to take possession of all the passes and strong positions of the
valley； assembled the men in the principal church； took them all
prisoners； and then caused his people to plunder and destroy the whole
country； with the greatest avarice and cruelty； making no distinction
in favor of consecrated places； and violating the women； both married
and single。 These things being known in Florence； displeased not only
the magistracy； but the whole city。
CHAPTER V
The inhabitants of Seravezza appeal to the SignoryComplaints
against Rinaldo degli AlbizziThe commissaries changedFilippo
Brunelleschi proposes to submerge the country about LuccaPagolo
Guinigi asks assistance of the duke of MilanThe duke sends
Francesco SforzaPagolo Guinigi expelledThe Florentines routed
by the forces of the dukeThe acquisitions of the Lucchese after
the victoryConclusion of the war。
A few of the inhabitants of the valley of Seravezza； having escaped
the hands of the commissary； came to Florence and acquainted every one
in the streets with their miserable situation； and by the advice of
those who； either through indignation at his wickedness or from being
of the opposite party； wished to punish the commissary； they went to
the Council of Ten； and requested an audience。 This being granted； one
of them spoke to the following effect： 〃We feel assured； magnificent
lords； that we shall find credit and compassion from the Signory； when
you learn how your commissary has taken possession of our country； and
in what manner he has treated us。 Our valley； as the memorials of your
ancient houses abundantly testify； was always Guelphic； and has often
proved a secure retreat to your citizens when persecuted by the
Ghibellines。 Our forefathers； and ourselves too； have always revered
the name of this noble republic as the leader and head of their party。
While the Lucchese were Guelphs we willingly submitted to their
government； but when enslaved by the tyrant； who forsook his old
friends to join the Ghibelline faction； we have obeyed him more
through force than good will。 And God knows how often we have prayed；
that we might have an opportunity of showing our attachment to our
ancient party。 But how blind are mankind in their wishes！ That which
we desired for our safety has proved our destruction。 As soon as we
learned that your ensigns were approaching； we hastened to meet your
commissary； not as an enemy； but as the representative of our ancient
lords； placed our valley； our persons； and our fortunes in his hands；
and commended them to his good faith； believing him to possess the
soul； if not of a Florentine； at least of a man。 Your lordships will
forgive us； for； unable to support his cruelties； we are compelled to
speak。 Your commissary has nothing of the man but the shape； nor of a
Florentine but the name； a more deadly pest； a more savage beast； a
more horrid monster never was imagined in the human mind； for； having
assembled us in our church under pretense of wishing to speak with us；
he made us prisoners。 He then burned and destroyed the whole valley；
carried off our property； ravaged every place； destroyed everything；
violated the women； dishonored the virgins； and dragging them from the
arms of their mothers； gave them up to the brutality of his soldiery。
If by any injury to the Florentine people we merited such treatment；
or if he had vanquished us armed in our defense； we should have less
reason for complaint； we should have accused ourselves； and thought
that either our mismanagement or our arrogance had deservedly brought
the calamity upon us； but after having freely presented ourselves to
him unarmed； to be robbed and plundered with such unfeeling barbarity；
is more than we can bear。 And though we might have filled Lombardy
with complaints and charges against this city； and spread the story of
our misfortunes over the whol