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Florence； gave general offense； however； they set Giovanni and his
daughter at liberty； and by the universal desire of the people； took
the city and Astorre under their protection。 Besides these； after the
principal differences of the greater powers were composed； during
several years tumults prevailed in Romagna； the Marca； and Sienna；
which； as they are unimportant； it will be needless to recount。 When
the duke of Calabria； after the war of 1478； had left the country； the
distractions of Sienna became more frequent； and after many changes；
in which； first the plebeians； and then the nobility； were victorious；
the latter and length maintained the superiority； and among them
Pandolfo and Jacopo Petrucci obtained the greatest influence； so that
the former being distinguished for prudence and the latter for
resolution； they became almost princes in the city。
The Florentines after the war of Serezana； lived in great prosperity
until 1492； when Lorenzo de' Medici died； for he having put a stop to
the internal wars of Italy； and by his wisdom and authority
established peace； turned his thoughts to the advancement of his own
and the city's interests； and married Piero； his eldest son； to
Alfonsina； daughter of the Cavaliere Orsino。 He caused Giovanni； his
second son； to be raised to the dignity of cardinal。 This was the more
remarkable from its being unprecedented； for he was only fourteen
years of age when admitted to the college； and became the medium by
which his family attained to the highest earthly glory。 He was unable
to make any particular provision for Guiliano； his third son； on
account of his tender years； and the shortness of his own life。 Of his
daughters； one married Jacopo Salviati； another； Francesco Cibo； the
third； Piero Ridolfi； and the fourth； whom； in order to keep his house
united； he had married to Giovanni de' Medici； died。 In his commercial
affairs he was very unfortunate； from the improper conduct of his
agents； who in all their proceedings assumed the deportment of princes
rather than of private persons； so that in many places； much of his
property was wasted； and he had to be relieved by his country with
large sums of money。 To avoid similar inconvenience； he withdrew from
mercantile pursuits； and invested his property in land and houses； as
being less liable to vicissitude。 In the districts of Prato； Pisa； and
the Val di Pesa； he purchased extensively； and erected buildings；
which for magnificence and utility； were quite of regal character。 He
next undertook the improvement of the city； and as many parts were
unoccupied by buildings； he caused new streets to be erected in them；
of great beauty； and thus enlarged the accommodation of the
inhabitants。 To enjoy his power in security and repose； and conquer or
resist his enemies at a distance； in the direction of Bologna he
fortified the castle of Firenzuola； situated in the midst of the
Appennines； toward Sienna he commenced the restoration and
fortification of the Poggio Imperiale； and he shut out the enemy in
the direction of Genoa； by the acquisition of Pietra Santa and
Serezana。 For the greater safety of the city； he kept in pay the
Baglioni； at Perugia； and the Vitelli； at Citta di Castello； and held
the government of Faenza wholly in his own power； all which greatly
contributed to the repose and prosperity of Florence。 In peaceful
times； he frequently entertained the people with feasts； and
exhibitions of various events and triumphs of antiquity； his object
being to keep the city abundantly supplied； the people united； and the
nobility honored。 He was a great admirer of excellence in the arts；
and a patron of literary men； of which Agnolo da Montepulciano；
Cristofero Landini； and Demetrius Chalcondylas； a Greek； may afford
sufficient proofs。 On this account； Count Giovanni della Mirandola； a
man of almost supernatural genius； after visiting every court of
Europe； induced by the munificence of Lorenzo； established his abode
at Florence。 He took great delight in architecture； music； and poetry；
many of his comments and poetical compositions still remaining。 To
facilitate the study of literature to the youth of Florence； he opened
a university at Pisa； which was conducted by the most distinguished
men in Italy。 For Mariano da Chinazano； a friar of the order of St。
Augustine； and an excellent preacher； he built a monastery in the
neighborhood of Florence。 He enjoyed much favor both from fortune and
from the Almighty； all his enterprises were brought to a prosperous
termination； while his enemies were unfortunate； for； besides the
conspiracy of the Pazzi； an attempt was made to murder him in the
Carmine； by Batista Frescobaldi； and a similar one by Baldinetto da
Pistoja； at his villa； but these persons； with their confederates；
came to the end their crimes deserved。 His skill； prudence； and
fortune； were acknowledged with admiration； not only by the princes of
Italy； but by those of distant countries； for Matthias； king of
Hungary； gave him many proofs of his regard； the sultan sent
ambassadors to him with valuable presents； and the Turkish emperor
placed in his hands Bernardo Bandini； the murderer of his brother。
These circumstances raised his fame throughout Italy； and his
reputation for prudence constantly increased； for in council he was
eloquent and acute； wise in determination； and prompt and resolute in
execution。 Nor can vices be alleged against him to sully so many
virtues； though he was fond of women； pleased with the company of
facetious and satirical men； and amused with the games of the nursery；
more than seemed consistent with so great a character； for he was
frequently seen playing with his children； and partaking of their
infantine sports； so that whoever considers this gravity and
cheerfulness； will find united in him dispositions which seem almost
incompatible with each other。 In his later years； he was greatly
afflicted； besides the gout； he was troubled with excruciating pains
in the stomach； of which he died in April； 1492； in the forty…fourth
year of his age； nor was there ever in Florence； or even in Italy； one
so celebrated for wisdom； or for whose loss such universal regret was
felt。 As from his death the greatest devastation would shortly ensue；
the heavens gave many evident tokens of its approach； among other
signs； the highest pinnacle of the church of Santa Reparata was struck
with lightning； and great part of it thrown down； to the terror and
amazement of everyone。 The citizens and all the princes of Italy
mourned for him； and sent their ambassadors to Florence； to condole
with the city on the occasion； and the justness of their grief was
shortly after apparent； for being deprived of his counsel； his
survivors were unable either to satisfy or restrain the ambition of
Lodovico Sforza； tutor to the duke of Milan； and hence； soon after the
death of Lorenzo； those evil plants began to germinate； which in a
little time ruined Italy； and continue to keep her in desolation。
End