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throughout all Italy； so many and such shocking examples of violence
and avarice as in this city。 Has our country fostered us only to be
her destroyer？ Have we been victorious only to effect her ruin？ Has
she honored us that we may overwhelm her with disgrace？ Now； by that
faith which is binding upon all good men； I promise you； that if you
still conduct yourselves so as to make me regret my victory； I will
adopt such measures as shall cause you bitterly to repent of having
misused it。〃 The reply of the citizens accorded with the time and
circumstances； but they did not forego their evil practices； so that；
in consequence； Piero sent for Agnolo Acciajuoli to come secretly to
Cafaggiolo； and discussed with him at great length the condition of
the city； and doubtless； had he not been prevented by death； he would
have called home the exiles as a check upon the rapine of the opposite
party。 But these honorable designs were frustrated； for； sinking under
bodily infirmities and mental anguish； he expired in the fifty…third
year of his age。 His goodness and virtue were not duly appreciated by
his country； principally from his having； until almost the close of
his life； been associated with Cosmo； and the few years he survived
being spent in civil discord and constant debility。 Piero was buried
in the church of St。 Lorenzo； near his father； and his obsequies were
performed with all the pomp and solemnity due to his exalted station。
He left two sons； Lorenzo and Guiliano； whose extreme youth excited
alarm in the minds of thinking men； though each gave hopes of future
usefulness to the republic。
Among the principal citizens in the government of Florence； and very
superior to the rest； was Tommaso Soderini； whose prudence and
authority were well known not only at home； but throughout Italy。
After Piero's death； the whole city looked up to him； many citizens
waited upon him at his own house； as the head of the government； and
several princes addressed him by letter； but he； impartially
estimating his own fortune and that of the house of Medici； made no
reply to the princes' communications； and told the citizens； it was
not his house； but that of the Medici they ought to visit。 To
demonstrate by his actions the sincerity and integrity of his advice
he assembled all the heads of noble families in the convent of St。
Antonio； whither he also brought Lorenzo and Guiliano de' Medici； and
in a long and serious speech upon the state of the city； the condition
of Italy； and the views of her princes； he assured them； that if they
wished to live in peace and unity in Florence； free both from internal
dissensions and foreign wars； it would be necessary to respect the
sons of Piero and support the reputation of their house； for men never
regret their continuance in a course sanctioned by custom while new
methods are soon adopted and as speedily set aside； and it has always
been found easier to maintain a power which by its continuance has
outlived envy； than to raise a new one； which innumerable unforeseen
causes may overthrow。 When Tommaso had concluded； Lorenzo spoke； and；
though young； with such modesty and discretion that all present felt a
presentiment of his becoming what he afterward proved to be； and
before the citizens departed they swore to regard the youths as their
sons； and the brothers promised to look upon them as their parents。
After this； Lorenzo and Guiliano were honored as princes； and resolved
to be guided by the advice of Tommaso Soderini。
While profound tranquillity prevailed both at home and abroad； no wars
disturbing the general repose； there arose an unexpected disturbance；
which came like a presage of future evils。 Among the ruined families
of the party of Luca Pitti； was that of the Nardi； for Salvestro and
his brothers； the heads of the house； were banished and afterward
declared rebels for having taken part in the war under Bartolommeo
Coglione。 Bernardo； the brother of Salvestro； was young； prompt； and
bold； and on account of his poverty being unable to alleviate the
sorrows of exile； while the peace extinguished all hopes of his return
to the city； he determined to attempt some means of rekindling the
war； for a trifling commencement often produces great results； and men
more readily prosecute what is already begun than originate new
enterprises。 Bernardo had many acquaintances at Prato； and still more
in the district of Pistoia； particularly among the Palandra； a family
which； though rustic； was very numerous； and； like the rest of the
Pistolesi； brought up to slaughter and war。 These he knew to be
discontented； on account of the Florentine magistrates having
endeavored； perhaps too severely； to check their partiality for
inveterate feuds and consequence bloodshed。 He was also aware that the
people of Prato considered themselves injured by the pride and avarice
of their governors； and that some were ill disposed toward Florence；
therefore all things considered； he hoped to be able to kindle a fire
in Tuscany （should Prato rebel） which would be fostered by so many；
that those who might wish to extinguish it would fail in the attempt。
He communicated his ideas to Diotisalvi Neroni； and asked him； in case
they should succeed in taking possession of Prato； what assistance
might be expected from the princes of Italy； by his means？ Diotisalvi
considered the enterprise as imminently dangerous； and almost
impracticable； but since it presented a fresh chance of attaining his
object； at the risk of others； he advised him to proceed； and promised
certain assistance from Bologna and Ferrara； if he could retain Prato
not less than fifteen days。 Bernardo； whom this promise inspired with
a lively hope of success； proceeded secretly to Prato； and
communicated with those most disposed to favor him； among whom were
the Palandra； and having arranged the time and plan； informed
Diotisalvi of what had been done。
CHAPTER V
Bernardo takes possession of Prato； but is not assisted by the
inhabitantsHe is taken； and the tumult appeasedCorruption of
FlorenceThe duke of Milan in FlorenceThe church of Santo
Spirito destroyed by fireThe rebellion of Volterra； and the
cause of itVolterra reduced to obedience by force； in accordance
with the advice of Lorenzo de' MediciVolterra pillaged。
Cesare Petrucci held the office of Provost of Prato for the Florentine
people； at this period。 It is customary with governors of towns；
similarly situated； to keep the keys of the gates near their persons；
and whenever； in peaceful times； they are required by any of the
inhabitants； for entrance or exit； they are usually allowed to be
taken。 Bernardo was aware of this custom； and about daybreak；
presented himself at the gate which looks toward Pistoia； accompanied
by the Palandra and about one hundred persons； all armed。 Their
confederates within the town also armed themselves； and one of them
asked the governor for the keys； alleging； as a pretext； that some one
from the country wished to enter。 The governor not entertaining the
slightest suspicion； sent a servant with them。 When at a convenient
distance； they were taken by the conspirators； who； opening the gates；
introduced Bernardo and his followers。 They divided themselves into
two parties； one of which； led by Salvestro； an inhabitant of Prato；
took possession of the citadel； the other following Bernardo； seized
the palace； and placed Cesare with all his family in the custody of
some of their number。 They then raised the cry of liberty； and
proceeded through the town。 It was now day； and many of the
inhabitants hearing the disturbance； ran to the piazza where； learning
that the fortress and the palace were taken and the governor with all
his people made prisoners； they were utterly astonished； and could not
imagine how it had occurred。 The eight citizens； possessing the
supreme authority； assembled in their palace to consider what was best
to be done。 In the meantime； Bernardo and his followers； on going
round the town； found no encouragement； and being told that the Eight
had assembled； went and declared the nature of their enterprise； which
he said was to deliver the country from slavery； reminding them how
glorious it would be for those who took arms to effect such an
honorable object； for they would thus obtain permanent repose and
everlasting fame。 He called to recollection their ancient liberty and
present condition； and assured them of certain assistance； if they
would only； for a few days； aid in resisting the forces the
Florentines might send against them。 He said he had friends in
Florence who would join them as soon as they found the inhabitants
resolved to support him。 His speech did not produce the desired effect
upon the Eight； who replied that they knew not whether Florence was
free or enslaved； for that was a matter which they were not called
upon to decide； but this they kne