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Carlo had not been secretly supported he could not have made war upon
them with such perfect security。 The Florentines denied all
participation in the proceedings of Carlo； expressed their most
earnest wish to do everything in their power to put a stop to them；
and allowed the ambassadors to use whatever terms they pleased in the
name of the Signory； to command him to desist。 Carlo complained that
the Florentines； by their unwillingness to support him； had deprived
themselves of a most valuable acquisition and him of great glory； for
he could have insured them the possession of the whole territory in a
short time； from the want of courage in the people and the ineffectual
provision they had made for their defense。 He then withdrew to his
engagement under the Venetians； but the Siennese； although delivered
from such imminent peril by the Florentines； were still very indignant
against them； considering themselves under no obligation to those who
had delivered them from an evil to which they had first exposed them。
While the transactions between the king and the pope were in progress；
and those in Tuscany in the manner we have related； an event of
greater importance occurred in Lombardy。 Cola Montano； a learned and
ambitious man； taught the Latin language to the youth of the principal
families in Milan。 Either out of hatred to the character and manners
of the duke； or from some other cause； he constantly deprecated the
condition of those who live under a bad prince； calling those glorious
and happy who had the good fortune to be born and live in a republic。
He endeavored to show that the most celebrated men had been produced
in republics； and not reared under princes； that the former cherish
virtue； while the latter destroy it； the one deriving advantage from
virtuous men； while the latter naturally fear them。 The youths with
whom he was most intimate were Giovanni Andrea Lampognano； Carlo
Visconti； and Girolamo Ogliato。 He frequently discussed with them the
faults of their prince； and the wretched condition of those who were
subject to him； and by constantly inculcating his principles； acquired
such an ascendancy over their minds as to induce them to bind
themselves by oath to effect the duke's destruction； as soon as they
became old enough to attempt it。 Their minds being fully occupied with
this design； which grew with their years； the duke's conduct and their
own private injuries served to hasten its execution。 Galeazzo was
licentious and cruel； of both which vices he had given such repeated
proofs； that he became odious to all。 Not content with corrupting the
wives of the nobility； he also took pleasure in making it notorious；
nor was he satisfied with murdering individuals unless he effected
their deaths by some unusual cruelty。 He was suspected of having
destroyed his own mother； for； not considering himself prince while
she was present； he conducted himself in such a manner as induced her
to withdraw from his court； and； travelling toward Cremona； which she
obtained as part of her marriage portion； she was seized with a sudden
illness； and died upon the road； which made many think her son had
caused her death。 The duke had dishonored both Carlo and Girolamo in
respect to their wives or other female relatives； and had refused to
concede to Giovanandrea possession of the monastery of Miramondo； of
which he had obtained a grant from the pope for a near relative。 These
private injuries increased the young men's desire for vengeance； and
the deliverance of their country from so many evils； trusting that
whenever they should succeed in destroying the duke； many of the
nobility and all the people would rise in their defense。 Being
resolved upon their undertaking； they were often together； which； on
account of their long intimacy； did not excite any suspicion。 They
frequently discussed the subject； and in order to familiarize their
minds with the deed itself； they practiced striking each other in the
breast and in the side with the sheathed daggers intended to be used
for the purpose。 On considering the most suitable time and place； the
castle seemed insecure； during the chase； uncertain and dangerous；
while going about the city for his own amusement； difficult if not
impracticable； and； at a banquet； of doubtful result。 They； therefore；
determined to kill him upon the occasion of some procession or public
festivity when there would be no doubt of his presence； and where they
might； under various pretexts； assemble their friends。 It was also
resolved that if one of their number were prevented from attending； on
any account whatever； the rest should put him to death in the midst of
their armed enemies。
It was now the close of the year 1476； near Christmas； and as it was
customary for the duke to go upon St。 Stephen's day； in great
solemnity； to the church of that martyr； they considered this the most
suitable opportunity for the execution of their design。 Upon the
morning of that day they ordered some of their most trusty friends and
servants to arm； telling them they wished to go to the assistance of
Giovanandrea； who； contrary to the wish of some of his neighbors；
intended to turn a watercourse into his estate； but that before they
went they wished to take leave of the prince。 They also assembled；
under various pretenses； other friends and relatives； trusting that
when the deed was accomplished； everyone would join them in the
completion of their enterprise。 It was their intention； after the
duke's death； to collect their followers together and proceed to those
parts of the city where they imagined the plebeians would be most
disposed to take arms against the duchess and the principal ministers
of state； and they thought the people； on account of the famine which
then prevailed； would easily be induced to follow them； for it was
their design to give up the houses of Cecco Simonetta； Giovanni Botti；
and Francesco Lucani； all leading men in the government； to be
plundered； and by this means gain over the populace and restore
liberty to the community。 With these ideas； and with minds resolved
upon their execution； Giovanandrea； together with the rest； were early
at the church； and heard mass together； after which； Giovanandrea；
turning to a statue of St。 Ambrose； said； 〃O patron of our city！ thou
knowest our intention； and the end we would attain； by so many
dangers； favor our enterprise； and prove； by protecting the oppressed；
that tyranny is offensive to thee。〃 To the duke； on the other hand；
when intending to go to the church； many omens occurred of his
approaching death； for in the morning； having put on a cuirass； as was
his frequent custom； he immediately took it off again； either because
it inconvenienced him； or that he did not like its appearance。 He then
wished to hear mass in the castle； and found that the priest who
officiated in the chapel had gone to St。 Stephen's； and had taken with
him the sacred utensils。 On this he desired the service to be
performed by the bishop of Como； who acquainted him with preventing
circumstances。 Thus； almost compelled； he determined to go to the
church； but before his departure； caused his sons； Giovan Galeazzo and
Ermes； to be brought to him； whom he embraced and kissed several
times； seeming reluctant to part with them。 He then left the castle；
and； with the ambassadors of Ferrara and Mantua on either hand；
proceeded to St。 Stephen's。 The conspirators； to avoid exciting
suspicion； and to escape the cold； which was very severe； had
withdrawn to an apartment of the archpriest； who was a friend of
theirs； but hearing the duke's approach； they came into the church；
Giovanandrea and Girolamo placing themselves upon the right hand of
the entrance； and Carlo on the left。 Those who led the procession had
already entered； and were followed by the duke； surrounded by such a
multitude as is usual on similar occasions。 The first attack was made
by Lampognano and Girolamo； who； pretending to clear the way for the
prince； came close to him； and grasping their daggers； which； being
short and sharp； were concealed in the sleeves of their vests； struck
at him。 Lampognano gave him two wounds； one in the belly； the other in
the throat。 Girolamo struck him in the throat and breast。 Carlo
Visconti； being nearer the door； and the duke having passed； could not
wound him in front： but with two strokes； transpierced his shoulder
and spine。 These six wounds were inflicted so instantaneously； that
the duke had fallen before anyone was aware of what had happened； and
he expired； having only once ejaculated the name of the Virgin； as if
imploring her assistance。 A great tumult immediately ensued； several
swords were drawn； and as often happens in sudden emergencies； some
fled from the church； and others ran toward the scene of tumult； both
without any definite motive or knowledge of what had occurred。 Those；
however； who were near