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envy。 Let them direct their enmity against their own ancestors； who；
by their pride and avarice； lost the reputation which ours； by very
opposite conduct； were enabled to acquire。 But let it be granted we
have greatly injured them； and that they are justified in seeking our
ruin； why do they come and take possession of the palace？ Why enter
into league with the pope and the king； against the liberties of this
republic？ Why break the long…continued peace of Italy？ They have no
excuse for this； they ought to confine their vengeance to those who do
them wrong； and not confound private animosities with public
grievances。 Hence it is that since their defeat our misfortune is the
greater； for on their account the pope and the king make war upon us；
and this war； they say； is directed against my family and myself。 And
would to God that this were true； then the remedy would be sure and
unfailing； for I would not be so base a citizen as to prefer my own
safety to yours； I would at once resolve to ensure your security； even
though my own destruction were the immediate and inevitable
consequence。 But as the wrongs committed by princes are usually
concealed under some less offensive covering； they have adopted this
plea to hide their more abominable purpose。 If； however； you think
otherwise； I am in your hands； it is with you to do with me what you
please。 You are my fathers； my protectors； and whatever you command me
to do I will perform most willingly； nor will I ever refuse； when you
find occasion to require it； to close the war with my own blood which
was commenced with that of my brother。〃 While Lorenzo spoke； the
citizens were unable to refrain from tears； and the sympathy with
which he had been heard was extended to their reply； delivered by one
of them in the name of the rest； who said that the city acknowledged
many advantages derived from the good qualities of himself and his
family； and encouraged them to hope that with as much promptitude as
they had used in his defense； and in avenging his brother's death；
they would secure to him his influence in the government； which he
should never lose while they retained possession of the country。 And
that their deeds might correspond with their words； they immediately
appointed a number of armed men； as a guard for the security of his
person against domestic enemies。
CHAPTER III
The Florentines prepare for war against the popeThey appeal to a
future councilPapal and Neapolitan movements against the
FlorentinesThe Venetians refuse to assist the Florentines
Disturbances in MilanGenoa revolts from the dukeFutile
endeavors to effect peace with the popeThe Florentines repulse
their enemies from the territory of PisaThey attack the papal
statesThe papal forces routed upon the borders of the Lake of
Perugia。
The Florentines now prepared for war； by raising money and collecting
as large a force as possible。 Being in league with the duke of Milan
and the Venetians； they applied to both for assistance。 As the pope
had proved himself a wolf rather than a shepherd； to avoid being
devoured under false accusations； they justified their cause with all
available arguments； and filled Italy with accounts of the treachery
practiced against their government； exposing the impiety and injustice
of the pontiff； and assured the world that the pontificate which he
had wickedly attained； he would as impiously fill； for he had sent
those whom he had advanced to the highest order of prelacy； in the
company of traitors and parricides； to commit the most horrid
treachery in the church in the midst of divine service and during the
celebration of the holy sacrament； and that then； having failed to
murder the citizens； change the government； and plunder the city；
according to his intention； he had suspended the performance of all
religious offices； and injuriously menaced and injured the republic
with pontifical maledictions。 But if God was just； and violence was
offensive to him； he would be displeased with that of his viceregent；
and allow his injured people who were not admitted to communion with
the latter； to offer up their prayers to himself。 The Florentines；
therefore； instead of receiving or obeying the interdict； compelled
the priests to perform divine service； assembled a council in Florence
of all the Tuscan prelates under their jurisdiction； and appealed
against the injuries suffered from the pontiff to a future general
council。
The pope did not neglect to assign reasons in his own justification；
and maintained it was the duty of a pontiff to suppress tyranny；
depress the wicked； and exalt the good； and that this ought to be done
by every available means； but that secular princes had no right to
detain cardinals； hang bishops； murder； mangle； and drag about the
bodies of priests； destroying without distinction the innocent with
the guilty。
Notwithstanding these complaints and accusations； the Florentines
restored to the pope the cardinal whom they had detained； in return
for which he immediately assailed them with his own forces and those
of the king。 The two armies； under the command of Alfonso； eldest son
of Ferrando； and duke of Calabria； who had as his general； Federigo；
count of Urbino； entered the Chianti； by permission of the Siennese；
who sided with the enemy； occupied Radda with many other fortresses；
and having plundered the country； besieged the Castellina。 The
Florentines were greatly alarmed at these attacks； being almost
destitute of forces； and finding their friends slow to assist； for
though the duke sent them aid； the Venetians denied all obligation to
support the Florentines in their private quarrels； since the
animosities of individuals were not to be defended at the public
expense。 The Florentines； in order to induce the Venetians to take a
more correct view of the case； sent Tommaso Soderini as their
ambassador to the senate； and； in the meantime； engaged forces； and
appointed Ercole； marquis of Ferrara； to the command of their army。
While these preparations were being made； the Castellina was so hard
pressed by the enemy； that the inhabitants； despairing of relief；
surrendered； after having sustained a siege of forty…two days。 The
enemy then directed their course toward Arezzo； and encamped before
San Savino。 The Florentine army being now in order； went to meet them；
and having approached within three miles； caused such annoyance； that
Federigo d'Urbino demanded a truce for a few days； which was granted；
but proved so disadvantageous to the Florentines； that those who had
made the request were astonished at having obtained it； for； had it
been refused； they would have been compelled to retire in disgrace。
Having gained these few days to recruit themselves； as soon as they
were expired； they took the castle in the presence of their enemies。
Winter being now come； the forces of the pope and king retired for
convenient quarters to the Siennese territory。 The Florentines also
withdrew to a more commodious situation； and the marquis of Ferrara；
having done little for himself and less for others； returned to his
own territories。
At this time； Genoa withdrew from the dominion of Milan； under the
following circumstances。 Galeazzo； at his death； left a son； Giovan
Galeazzo； who being too young to undertake the government； dissensions
arose between Sforza； Lodovico； Ottaviano； and Ascanio； his uncles；
and the lady Bona； his mother； each of whom desired the guardianship
of the young duke。 By the advice and mediation of Tommaso Soderini；
who was then Florentine ambassador at the court of Milan； and of Cecco
Simonetta； who had been secretary to Galeazzo； the lady Bona
prevailed。 The uncles fled； Ottaviano was drowned in crossing the
Adda； the rest were banished to various places； together with Roberto
da San Severino； who in these disputes had deserted the duchess and
joined the uncles of the duke。 The troubles in Tuscany； which
immediately followed； gave these princes hope that the new state of
things would present opportunities for their advantage； they therefore
quitted the places to which their exile limited them； and each
endeavored to return home。 King Ferrando； finding the Florentines had
obtained assistance from none but the Milanese； took occasion to give
the duchess so much occupation in her own government； as to render her
unable to contribute to their assistance。 By means of Prospero Adorno；
the Signor Roberto； and the rebellious uncles of the duke； he caused
Genoa to throw off the Milanese yoke。 The Castelletto was the only
place left； confiding in which； the duchess sent a strong force to
recover the city； but it was routed by the enemy； and perceiving the
danger which might arise to her son and herself if the war were
continued； Tuscany being in confusion； and the Florentines； in whom
alone she had hope； themselves in trouble； she determined； as