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or another they had always been wholly set aside。 He now； to give the
count greater confidence； added deeds to his words； and sent him
thirty thousand florins； which； by the terms of the marriage contract；
he had engaged to pay。
Still the war in Lombardy proceeded with greater vehemence than ever；
the Venetians constantly suffered fresh losses of territory； and the
fleets they equipped upon the rivers were taken by the duke's forces；
the country around Verona and Brescia was entirely occupied； and the
two cities themselves so pressed； that their speedy fall was generally
anticipated。 The marquis of Mantua； who for many years had led the
forces of their republic； quite unexpectedly resigned his command； and
went over to the duke's service。 Thus the course which pride prevented
them from adopting at the commencement of the war； fear compelled them
to take during its progress； for knowing there was no help for them
but in the friendship of the Florentines and the count； they began to
make overtures to obtain it； though with shame and apprehension； for
they were afraid of receiving a reply similar to that which they had
given the Florentines； when the latter applied for assistance in the
enterprise against Lucca and the count's affairs。 However； they found
the Florentines more easily induced to render aid than they expected；
or their conduct deserved； so much more were the former swayed by
hatred of their ancient enemy； than by resentment of the ingratitude
of their old and habitual friends。 Having foreseen the necessity into
which the Venetians must come； they had informed the count that their
ruin must involve his own； that he was deceived if he thought the
duke； while fortune； would esteem him more than if he were in
adversity； that the duke was induced to promise him his daughter by
the fear he entertained of him； that what necessity occasions to be
promised； it also causes to be performed； and it was therefore
desirable to keep the duke in that necessity； which could be done
without supporting the power of the Venetians。 Therefore he might
perceive； that if the Venetians were compelled to abandon their inland
territories； he would not only lose the advantages derivable from
them； but also those to be obtained from such as feared them； and that
if he considered well the powers of Italy； he would see that some were
poor； and others hostile； that the Florentines alone were not； as he
had often said； sufficient for his support； so that on every account
it was best to keep the Venetians powerful by land。 These arguments；
conjoined with the hatred which the count had conceived against
Filippo； by supposing himself duped with regard to the promised
alliance； induced him to consent to a new treaty； but still he would
not consent to cross the Po。 The agreement was concluded in February；
1438； the Venetians agreeing to pay two…thirds of the expense of the
war； the Florentines one…third； and each engaging to defend the states
which the count possessed in La Marca。 Nor were these the only forces
of the league； for the lord of Faenza； the sons of Pandolfo Malatesti
da Rimino and Pietro Giampagolo Orsini also joined them。 They
endeavored； by very liberal offers； to gain over the marquis of
Mantua； but could not prevail against the friendship and stipend of
the duke； and the lord of Faenza； after having entered into compact
with the league； being tempted by more advantageous terms； went over
to him。 This made them despair of being able to effect an early
settlement of the troubles of Romagna。
The affairs of Lombardy were in this condition： Brescia was so closely
besieged by the duke's forces； that constant apprehensions were
entertained of her being compelled by famine to a surrender； while
Verona was so pressed； that a similar fate was expected to await her；
and if one of these cities were lost； all the other preparations for
the war might be considered useless； and the expenses already incurred
as completely wasted。 For this there was no remedy； but to send the
count into Lombardy； and to this measure three obstacles presented
themselves。 The first was； to induce him to cross the Po； and
prosecute the war in whatever locality might be found most advisable；
the second； that the count being at a distance； the Florentines would
be left almost at the mercy of the duke； who； issuing from any of his
fortresses； might with part of his troops keep the count at bay； and
with the rest introduce into Tuscany the Florentine exiles； whom the
existing government already dreaded； the third was； to determine what
route the count should take to arrive safely in the Paduan territory；
and join the Venetian forces。 Of these three difficulties； the second；
which particularly regarded the Florentines； was the most serious；
but； knowing the necessity of the case； and wearied out by the
Venetians； who with unceasing importunity demanded the count；
intimating that without him they should abandon all hope； they
resolved to relieve their allies rather than listen to the suggestions
of their own fears。 There still remained the question about the route
to be taken； for the safety of which they determined the Venetians
should provide； and as they had sent Neri Capponi to treat with the
count and induce him to cross the Po； they determined that the same
person should also proceed to Venice； in order to make the benefit the
more acceptable to the Signory； and see that all possible security
were given to the passage of the forces。
Neri embarked at Cesena and went to Venice； nor was any prince ever
received with so much honor as he was； for upon his arrival； and the
matters which his intervention was to decide and determine； the safety
of the republic seemed to depend。 Being introduced to the senate； and
in presence of the Doge； he said； 〃The Signory of Florence； most
serene prince； has always perceived in the duke's greatness the source
of ruin both to this republic and our own； and that the safety of both
states depends upon their separate strength and mutual confidence。 If
such had been the opinion of this illustrious Signory； we should
ourselves have been in better condition； and your republic would have
been free from the dangers that now threaten it。 But as at the proper
crisis you withheld from us confidence and aid； we could not come to
the relief of your distress； nor could you； being conscious of this；
freely ask us； for neither in your prosperity nor adversity have you
clearly perceived our motives。 You have not observed； that those whose
deeds have once incurred our hatred； can never become entitled to our
regard； nor can those who have once merited our affection ever after
absolutely cancel their claim。 Our attachment to your most serene
Signory is well known to you all； for you have often seen Lombardy
filled with our forces and our money for your assistance。 Our
hereditary enmity to Filippo and his house is universally known； and
it is impossible that love or hatred； strengthened by the growth of
years； can be eradicated from our minds by any recent act either of
kindness or neglect。 We have always thought； and are still of the same
opinion； that we might now remain neutral； greatly to the duke's
satisfaction； and with little hazard to ourselves； for if by your ruin
he were to become lord of Lombardy； we should still have sufficient
influence in Italy in free us from any apprehension on our own
account； for every increase of power and territory augments that
animosity and envy； from which arise wars and the dismemberment of
states。 We are also aware what heavy expenses and imminent perils we
should avoid； by declining to involve ourselves in these disputes； and
how easily the field of battle may be transferred from Lombardy to
Tuscany； by our interference in your behalf。 Yet all these
apprehensions are at once overborne by our ancient affection for the
senate and people of Venice； and we have resolved to come to your
relief with the same zeal with which we should have armed in our own
defense； had we been attacked。 Therefore； the senate of Florence；
judging it primarily necessary to relieve Verona and Brescia； and
thinking this impossible without the count； have sent me； in the first
instance； to persuade him to pass into Lombardy； and carry on the war
wherever it may be most needful； for you are aware he is under no
obligation to cross the Po。 To induce him to do so； I have advanced
such arguments as are suggested by the circumstances themselves； and
which would prevail with us。 He； being invincible in arms； cannot be
surpassed in courtesy； and the liberality he sees the Florentines
exercise toward you； he has resolved to outdo； for he is well aware to
what dangers Tuscany will be exposed after his departure； and since we
have made your affairs our primary consideration； he has also resolved
to make his own subservient to yours。 I come； therefore； to tender his
se