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concluded with so much solemnity； to enter into league with those who
have rebelled against you； so that if our cause is insufficient to
excite you against them； let your own just indignation do so； and the
more so； seeing the facility of the undertaking。 You need be under no
apprehension from the memory of the past； in which you may have
observed the power of that people and their pertinency in self…
defense； though these might reasonably excite fear； if they were still
animated by the valor of former times。 But now； all is entirely the
reverse； for what power can be expected in a city that has recently
expelled the greatest part of her wealth and industry？ What
indomitable resolution need be apprehended from the people whom so
many and such recent enmities have disunited？ The disunion which still
prevails will prevent wealthy citizens advancing money as they used to
do on former occasions； for though men willingly contribute according
to their means； when they see their own credit； glory； and private
advantage dependent upon it； or when there is a hope of regaining in
peace what has been spent in war； but not when equally oppressed under
all circumstances； when in war they suffer the injuries of the enemy；
and in peace； the insolence of those who govern them。 Besides this；
the people feel more deeply the avarice of their rulers； than the
rapacity of the enemy； for there is hope of being ultimately relieved
from the latter evil； but none from the former。 Thus； in the last war；
you had to contend with the whole city； but now with only a small
portion。 You attempted to take the government from many good citizens；
but now you oppose only a few bad ones。 You then endeavored to deprive
a city of her liberty； now you come to restore it。 As it is
unreasonable to suppose that under such disparity of circumstances；
the result should be the same； you have now every reason to anticipate
an easy victory； and how much it will strengthen your own government；
you may easily judge； having Tuscany friendly； and bound by so
powerful an obligation； in your enterprises； she will be even of more
service to you than Milan。 And； although； on former occasions； such an
acquisition might be looked upon as ambitious and unwarrantable； it
will now be considered merciful and just。 Then do not let this
opportunity escape； and be assured； that although your attempts
against the city have been attended with difficulty； expense； and
disgrace； this will with facility procure you incalculable advantage
and an honorable renown。〃
Many words were not requisite to induce the duke to hostilities
against the Florentines； for he was incited to it by hereditary hatred
and blind ambition； and still more； by the fresh injuries which the
league with the Genoese involved； yet his past expenses； the dangerous
measures necessary； the remembrance of his recent losses； and the vain
hopes of the exiles； alarmed him。 As soon as he had learned the revolt
of Genoa； he ordered Niccolo Piccinino to proceed thither with all his
cavalry and whatever infantry he could raise； for the purpose of
recovering her； before the citizens had time to become settled and
establish a government； for he trusted greatly in the fortress within
the city； which was held for him。 And although Niccolo drove the
Genoese from the mountains； took from them the valley of Pozeveri；
where they had entrenched themselves； and obliged them to seek refuge
within the walls of the city； he still found such an insurmountable
obstacle in the resolute defense of the citizens； that he was
compelled to withdraw。 On this； at the suggestion of the Florentine
exiles； he commanded Niccolo to attack them on the eastern side； upon
the confines of Pisa in the Genoese territory； and to push the war
with his utmost vigor； thinking this plan would manifest and develop
the course best to be adopted。 Niccolo therefore besieged and took
Serezana； and having committed great ravages； by way of further
alarming the Florentines he proceeded to Lucca； spreading a report
that it was his intention to go to Naples to render assistance to the
king of Aragon。 Upon these new events Pope Eugenius left Florence and
proceeded to Bologna； where he endeavored to effect an amicable
arrangement between the league and the duke； intimating to the latter；
that if he would not consent to some treaty； the pontiff must send
Francesco Sforza to assist the league； for the latter was now his
confederate； and served in his pay。 Although the pope greatly exerted
himself in this affair； his endeavors were unavailing； for the duke
would not listen to any proposal that did not leave him the possession
of Genoa； and the league had resolved that she should remain free；
and； therefore； each party； having no other resource； prepared to
continue the war。
In the meantime Niccolo Piccinino arrived at Lucca； and the
Florentines； being doubtful what course to adopt； ordered Neri di Gino
to lead their forces into the Pisan territory； induced the pontiff to
allow Count Francesco to join him； and with their forces they halted
at San Gonda。 Piccinino then demanded admission into the kingdom of
Naples； and this being refused； he threatened to force a passage。 The
armies were equal； both in regard of numbers and the capacity of their
leaders； and unwilling to tempt fortune during the bad weather； it
being the month of December； they remained several days without
attacking each other。 The first movement was made by Niccolo
Piccinino； who being informed that if he attacked Vico Pisano by
night； he could easily take possession of the place； made the attempt；
and having failed； ravaged the surrounding country； and then burned
and plundered the town of San Giovanni alla Vena。 This enterprise；
though of little consequence； excited him to make further attempts；
the more so from being assured that the count and Neri were yet in
their quarters； and he attacked Santa Maria in Castello and Filetto；
both which places he took。 Still the Florentine forces would not stir；
not that the count entertained any fear； but because； out of regard to
the pope； who still labored to effect an accommodation； the government
of Florence had deferred giving their final consent to the war。 This
course； which the Florentines adopted from prudence； was considered by
the enemy to be only the result of timidity； and with increased
boldness they led their forces up to Barga； which they resolved to
besiege。 This new attack made the Florentines set aside all other
considerations； and resolve not only to relieve Barga； but to invade
the Lucchese territory。 Accordingly the count proceeded in pursuit of
Niccolo； and coming up with him before Barga； an engagement took
place； in which Piccinino was overcome； and compelled to raise the
siege。
The Venetians considering the duke to have broken the peace； send
Giovan Francesco da Gonzaga； their captain； to Ghiaradadda； who； by
severely wasting the duke's territories； induced him to recall Niccolo
Piccinino from Tuscany。 This circumstance； together with the victory
obtained over Niccolo； emboldened the Florentines to attempt the
recovery of Lucca； since the duke； whom alone they feared； was engaged
with the Venetians； and the Lucchese having received the enemy into
their city； and allowed him to attack them； would have no ground of
complaint。
CHAPTER III
The Florentines go to war with LuccaDiscourse of a citizen of
Lucca to animate the plebeians against the FlorentinesThe
Lucchese resolve to defend themselvesThey are assisted by the
duke of MilanTreaty between the Florentines and the Venetians
Francesco Sforza； captain of the league； refuses to cross the Po
in the service of the Venetians and returns to TuscanyThe bad
faith of the Venetians toward the FlorentinesCosmo de' Medici at
VenicePeace between the Florentines and the LuccheseThe
Florentines effect a reconciliation between the pope and the Count
di PoppiThe pope consecrates the church of Santa Reparata
Council of Florence。
The count commenced operations against Lucca in April； 1437； and the
Florentines； desirous of recovering what they had themselves lost
before they attacked others； retook Santa Maria in Castello； and all
the places which Piccinino had occupied。 Then； entering the Lucchese
territory； they besieged Camaiore； the inhabitants of which； although
faithful to their rulers； being influenced more by immediate danger
than by attachment to their distant friends； surrendered。 In the same
manner； they obtained Massa and Serezana。 Toward the end of May they
proceeded in the direction of Lucca； burning the towns； destroying the
growing crops； grain； trees； and vines； driving away the cattle； and
leaving nothing undone to injure the enemy。 The Lucchese； finding
themselves abandoned by the duke； and hopeless of defending the open
country； forsook it； entrenched and fortified th