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safety。 After this； many things were discussed； but nothing
determined； excepting generally； that it was necessary to reform the
administration of the city and government。
The Gonfalon of Justice was then in the hands of Bernardo Lotti； a man
not in the confidence of Piero； who was therefore disinclined to
attempt aught while he was in office； but no inconvenience would
result from the delay； as his magistracy was on the point of expiring。
Upon the election of Signors for the months of September and October；
1466； Roberto Lioni was appointed to the supreme magistracy； and as
soon as he assumed its duties； every requisite arrangement having been
previously made； the people were called to the piazza； and a new Balia
created； wholly in favor of Piero； who soon afterward filled all the
offices of government according to his own pleasure。 These
transactions alarmed the leaders of the opposite faction； and Agnolo
Acciajuoli fled to Naples； Diotisalvi Neroni and Niccolo Soderini to
Venice。 Luca Pitti remained in Florence； trusting to his new
relationship and the promises of Piero。 The refugees were declared
rebels； and all the family of the Neroni were dispersed。 Giovanni di
Neroni； then archbishop of Florence； to avoid a greater evil； became a
voluntary exile at Rome； and to many other citizens who fled； various
places of banishment were appointed。 Nor was this considered
sufficient； for it was ordered that the citizens should go in solemn
procession to thank God for the preservation of the government and the
reunion of the city； during the performance of which； some were taken
and tortured； and part of them afterward put to death and exiled。 In
this great vicissitude of affairs； there was not a more remarkable
instance of the uncertainty of fortune than Luca Pitti； who soon found
the difference between victory and defeat； honor and disgrace。 His
house now presented only a vast solitude； where previously crowds of
citizens had assembled。 In the streets； his friends and relatives；
instead of accompanying； were afraid even to salute him。 Some of them
were deprived of the honors of government； others of their property；
and all alike threatened。 The superb edifices he had commenced were
abandoned by the builders； the benefits that had been conferred upon
him； where now exchanged for injuries； the honors for disgrace。 Hence
many of those who had presented him with articles of value now
demanded them back again； as being only lent； and those who had been
in the habit of extolling him as a man of surpassing excellence； now
termed him violent and ungrateful。 So that； when too late； he
regretted not having taken the advice of Niccolo Soderini； and
preferred an honorable death in battle； than to a life of ignominy
among his victorious enemies。
The exiles now began to consider various means of recovering that
citizenship which they had not been able to preserve。 However； Agnolo
Acciajuoli being at Naples； before he attempted anything else；
resolved to sound Piero； and try if he could effect a reconciliation。
For this purpose； he wrote to him in the following terms： 〃I cannot
help laughing at the freaks of fortune； perceiving how； at her
pleasure； she converts friends into enemies； and enemies into friends。
You may remember that during your father's exile； regarding more the
injury done to him than my own misfortunes； I was banished； and in
danger of death； and never during Cosmo's life failed to honor and
support your family； neither have I since his death ever entertained a
wish to injure you。 True； it is； that your own sickness； and the
tender years of your sons； so alarmed me； that I judged it desirable
to give such a form to the government； that after your death our
country might not be ruined； and hence； the proceedings； which not
against you； but for the safety of the state； have been adopted；
which； if mistaken； will surely obtain forgiveness； both for the good
design in view； and on account of my former services。 Neither can I
apprehend； that your house； having found me so long faithful； should
now prove unmerciful； or that you could cancel the impression of so
much merit for so small a fault。〃 Piero replied： 〃Your laughing in
your present abode is the cause why I do not weep； for were you to
laugh in Florence； I should have to weep at Naples。 I confess you were
well disposed toward my father； and you ought to confess you were well
paid for it； and the obligation is so much the greater on your part
than on ours； as deeds are of greater value than words。 Having been
recompensed for your good wishes； it ought not to surprise you that
you now receive the due reward of your bad ones。 Neither will a
pretense of your patriotism excuse you； for none will think the city
less beloved or benefited by the Medici； than by the Acciajuoli。 It；
therefore； seems but just； that you should remain in dishonor at
Naples； since you knew not how to live with honor at home。〃
Agnolo； hopeless of obtaining pardon； went to Rome； where； joining the
archbishop and other refugees； they used every available means to
injure the commercial credit of the Medici in that city。 Their
attempts greatly annoyed Piero； but by his friends' assistance； he was
enabled to render them abortive。 Diotisalvi Neroni and Niccolo
Soderini strenuously urged the Venetian senate to make war upon their
country； calculating； that in case of an attack； the government being
new and unpopular； would be unable to resist。 At this time there
resided at Ferrara； Giovanni Francesco； son of Palla Strozzi； who；
with his father； was banished from Florence in the changes of 1434。 He
possessed great influence； and was considered one of the richest
merchants。 The newly banished pointed out to Giovanni Francesco how
easily they might return to their country； if the Venetians were to
undertake the enterprise； and that it was most probable they would do
so； if they had pecuniary assistance； but that otherwise it would be
doubtful。 Giovanni Francesco； wishing to avenge his own injuries； at
once fell in with their ideas； and promised to contribute to the
success of the attempt all the means in his power。 On this they went
to the Doge； and complained of the exile they were compelled to
endure； for no other reason； they said； than for having wished their
country should be subject to equal laws； and that the magistrates
should govern； not a few private individuals； that Piero de' Medici；
with his adherents； who were accustomed to act tyrannically； had
secretly taken up arms； deceitfully induced them to lay their own
aside； and thus； by fraud； expelled them from their country； that； not
content with this； they made the Almighty himself a means of
oppression to several； who； trusting to their promises； had remained
in the city and were there betrayed； for； during public worship and
solemn supplications； that the Deity might seem to participate in
their treachery； many citizens had been seized； imprisoned； tortured；
and put to death； thus affording to the world a horrible and impious
precedent。 To avenge themselves for these injuries； they knew not
where to turn with so much hope of success as to the senate； which；
having always enjoyed their liberty； ought to compassionate those who
had lost it。 They therefore called upon them as free men to assist
them against tyrants； as pious； against the wicked； and would remind
the Venetians； that it was the family of the Medici who had robbed
them of their dominions in Lombardy； contrary to the wish of the other
citizens； and who； in opposition to the interests of the senate； had
favored and supported Francesco； so； that if the exiles' distresses
could not induce them to undertake the war； the just indignation of
the people of Venice； and their desire of vengeance ought to prevail。
CHAPTER IV
War between the Venetians and the FlorentinesPeace
re…establishedDeath of Niccolo SoderiniHis characterExcesses
in FlorenceVarious external events from 1468 to 1471Accession
of Sixtus IV。His characterGrief of Piero de' Medici for the
violence committed in FlorenceHis speech to the principal
citizensPlans of Piero de' Medici for the restoration of order
His death and characterTommaso Soderini； a citizen of great
reputation； declares himself in favor of the MediciDisturbances
at Prato occasioned by Bernardo Nardi。
The concluding words of the Florentine exiles produced the utmost
excitement among the Venetian senators； and they resolved to send
Bernardo Coglione； their general； to attack the Florentine territory。
The troops were assembled； and joined by Ercole da Esti； who had been
sent by Borgo； marquis of Ferrara。 At the commencement of hostilities；
the Florentines not being prepared； their enemies burned the Borgo of
Dovadola； and plundered the surrounding country。 But having expelled
the enemies of Piero； renewed their league with Galeazzo； duke of
Mil