按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
measures might be found necessary for the common good； which being
done upon necessity； would occasion less excitement among the people
and less danger to themselves。 It was therefore concluded； that the
new Signory should come in； that their proceedings should be watched；
and if they were found attempting anything against the party； each
should take arms； and meet in the piazza of San Pulinari； situated
near the palace； and whence they might proceed wherever it was found
necessary。 Having come to this conclusion； Rinaldo's friends
separated。
The new Signory entered upon their office； and the Gonfalonier； in
order to acquire reputation； and deter those who might intend to
oppose him； sent Donato Velluti； his predecessor； to prison； upon the
charge of having applied the public money to his own use。 He then
endeavored to sound his colleagues with respect to Cosmo： seeing them
desirous of his return； he communicated with the leaders of the Medici
party； and； by their advice； summoned the hostile chiefs； Rinaldo
degli Albizzi； Ridolfo Peruzzi； and Niccolo Barbadoro。 After this
citation； Rinaldo thought further delay would be dangerous： he
therefore left his house with a great number of armed men； and was
soon joined by Ridolfo Peruzzi and Niccolo Barbadoro。 The force
accompanying them was composed of several citizens and a great number
of disbanded soldiers then in Florence： and all assembled according to
appointment in the piazza of San Pulinari。 Palla Strozzi and Giovanni
Guicciardini； though each had assembled a large number of men； kept in
their houses； and therefore Rinaldo sent a messenger to request their
attendance and to reprove their delay。 Giovanni replied； that he
should lend sufficient aid against their enemies； if by remaining at
home he could prevent his brother Piero from going to the defense of
the palace。 After many messages Palla came to San Pulinari on
horseback； accompanied by two of his people on foot； and unarmed。
Rinaldo； on meeting him； sharply reproved him for his negligence；
declaring that his refusal to come with the others arose either from
defect of principle or want of courage； both of which charges should
be avoided by all who wished to preserve such a character as he had
hitherto possessed； and that if he thought this abominable conduct to
his party would induce their enemies when victorious to spare him from
death or exile； he deceived himself； but for himself （Rinaldo）
whatever might happen； he had the consolation of knowing； that
previously to the crisis he had never neglected his duty in council；
and that when it occurred he had used every possible exertion to repel
it with arms； but that Palla and the others would experience
aggravated remorse when they considered they had upon three occasions
betrayed their country； first when they saved Cosmo； next when they
disregarded his advice； and now the third time by not coming armed in
her defense according to their engagement。 To these reproaches Palla
made no reply audible to those around； but； muttering something as he
left them； returned to his house。
The Signory； knowing Rinaldo and his party had taken arms； finding
themselves abandoned； caused the palace to be shut up； and having no
one to consult they knew not what course to adopt。 However； Rinaldo；
by delaying his coming to the piazza； having waited in expectation of
forces which did not join him； lost the opportunity of victory； gave
them courage to provide for their defense； and allowed many others to
join them； who advised that means should be used to induce their
adversaries to lay down their arms。 Thereupon； some of the least
suspected； went on the part of the Signory to Rinaldo； and said； they
did not know what occasion they had given his friends for thus
assembling in arms； that they never had any intention of offending
him； and if they had spoken of Cosmo； they had no design of recalling
him； so if their fears were thus occasioned they might at once be
dispelled； for that if they came to the palace they would be
graciously received； and all their complaints attended to。 These words
produced no change in Rinaldo's purpose； he bade them provide for
their safety by resigning their offices； and said that then the
government of the city would be reorganized； for the mutual benefit of
all。
It rarely happens； where authorities are equal and opinions contrary；
that any good resolution is adopted。 Ridolfo Peruzzi； moved by the
discourse of the citizens； said； that all he desired was to prevent
the return of Cosmo； and this being granted to them seemed a
sufficient victory； nor would he； to obtain a greater； fill the city
with blood； he would therefore obey the Signory； and accordingly went
with his people to the palace； where he was received with a hearty
welcome。 Thus Rinaldo's delay at San Pulinari； Palla's want of
courage； and Ridolfo's desertion； deprived their party of all chance
of success； while the ardor of the citizens abated； and the pope's
authority did not contribute to its revival。
Pope Eugenius was at this time at Florence； having been driven from
Rome by the people。 These disturbances coming to his knowledge； he
thought it a duty suitable to his pastoral office to appease them； and
sent the patriarch Giovanni Vitelleschi； Rinaldo's most intimate
friend； to entreat the latter to come to an interview with him； as he
trusted he had sufficient influence with the Signory to insure his
safety and satisfaction； without injury or bloodshed to the citizens。
By his friend's persuasion； Rinaldo proceeded with all his followers
to Santa Maria Nuova； where the pope resided。 Eugenius gave him to
understand； that the Signory had empowered him to settle the
differences between them； and that all would be arranged to his
satisfaction； if he laid down his arms。 Rinaldo； having witnessed
Palla's want of zeal； and the fickleness of Ridolfo Peruzzi； and no
better course being open to him； placed himself in the pope's hands；
thinking that at all events the authority of his holiness would insure
his safety。 Eugenius then sent word to Niccolo Barbadoro； and the rest
who remained without； that they were to lay down their arms； for
Rinaldo was remaining with the pontiff； to arrange terms of agreement
with the signors； upon which they immediately dispersed； and laid
aside their weapons。
The Signory； seeing their adversaries disarmed； continued to negotiate
an arrangement by means of the pope； but at the same time sent
secretly to the mountains of Pistoia for infantry； which； with what
other forces they could collect； were brought into Florence by night。
Having taken possession of all the strong positions in the city； they
assembled the people in the piazza and created a new balia； which；
without delay； restored Cosmo and those who had been exiled with him
to their country； and banished； of the opposite party； Rinaldo degli
Albizzi； Ridolfo Peruzzi； Niccolo Barbadoro； and Palla Strozzi； with
so many other citizens； that there were few places in Italy which did
not contain some； and many others beyond her limits were full of them。
By this and similar occurrences； Florence was deprived of men of
worth； and of much wealth and industry。
The pope； seeing such misfortunes befall those who by his entreaties
were induced to lay down their arms； was greatly dissatisfied； and
condoled with Rinaldo on the injuries he had received through his
confidence in him； but advised him to be patient； and hope for some
favorable turn of fortune。 Rinaldo replied； 〃The want of confidence in
those who ought to have trusted me； and the great trust I have reposed
in you； have ruined both me and my party。 But I blame myself
principally for having thought that you； who were expelled from your
own country； could preserve me in mine。 I have had sufficient
experience of the freaks of fortune； and as I have never trusted
greatly to prosperity； I shall suffer less inconvenience from
adversity； and I know that when she pleases she can become more
favorable。 But if she should never change； I shall not be very
desirous of living in a city in which individuals are more powerful
than the laws； for that country alone is desirable in which property
and friends may be safely enjoyed； not one where they may easily be
taken from us； and where friends； from fear of losing their property；
are compelled to abandon each other in their greatest need。 Besides；
it has always been less painful to good men to hear of the misfortunes
of their country than to witness them； and an honorable exile is
always held in greater esteem than slavery at home。〃 He then left the
pope； and； full of indignation； blaming himself； his own measures； and
the coldness of his friends； went into exile。
Cosmo； on the other hand； being informed of his recall； returned to
Florence； and it has seldom occurred that any citizen； coming home
triumphant from victory； was re