Thepeoplereorganizedthegovernment，andlessenedthenumberofitsofficers，towhichmeasuretheywereinducedbyfindingthattheSignorsappointedfromthefamilies，ofwhichthefollowingweretheheads，hadbeenfavorabletothenobility，viz。:theMancini，Magalotti，Altoviti，Peruzzi，andCerretani。Havingsettledthegovernment，forthegreatermagnificenceandsecurityoftheSignory，theylaidthefoundationoftheirpalace；andtomakespaceforthepiazza，removedthehousesthathadbelongedtotheUberti；theyalsoatthesameperiodcommencedthepublicprisons。Thesebuildingswerecompletedinafewyears；nordidourcityeverenjoyagreaterstateofprosperitythaninthosetimes:filledwithmenofgreatwealthandreputation；possessingwithinherwalls30，000mencapableofbearingarms，andinthecountry70，000，whilethewholeofTuscany，eitherassubjectsorfriends，owedobediencetoFlorence。Andalthoughtheremightbesomeindignationandjealousybetweenthenobilityandthepeople，theydidnotproduceanyevileffect，butalllivedtogetherinunityandpeace。Andifthispeacehadnotbeendisturbedbyinternalenmitiestherewouldhavebeennocauseofapprehensionwhatever，forthecityhadnothingtofeareitherfromtheempireorfromthosecitizenswhompoliticalreasonskeptfromtheirhomes，andwasinconditiontomeetallthestatesofItalywithherownforces。

Theevil，however，whichexternalpowerscouldnoteffect，wasbroughtaboutbythosewithin。

CHAPTERIV

TheCerchiandtheDonati——OriginoftheBiancaandNerafactionsinPistoia——TheycometoFlorence——OpenenmityoftheDonatiandtheCerchi——Theirfirstconflict——TheCerchiheadtheBiancafaction——TheDonatitakepartwiththeNera——Thepope'slegateatFlorenceincreasestheconfusionwithaninterdict——NewaffraybetweentheCerchiandtheDonati——TheDonatiandothersoftheNerafactionbanishedbytheadviceofDanteAlighieri——CharlesofValoissentbythepopetoFlorence——TheFlorentinessuspecthim——

CorsoDonatiandtherestoftheNerapartyreturntoFlorence——

VeriCerchiflies——Thepope'slegateagaininFlorence——Thecityagaininterdicted——Newdisturbances——TheBianchibanished——Dantebanished——CorsoDonatiexcitesfreshtroubles——Thepope'slegateendeavorstorestoretheemigrantsbutdoesnotsucceed——GreatfireinFlorence。

TheCerchiandtheDonatiwere，forriches，nobility，andthenumberandinfluenceoftheirfollowers，perhapsthetwomostdistinguishedfamiliesinFlorence。Beingneighbors，bothinthecityandthecountry，therehadarisenbetweenthemsomeslightdispleasure，which，however，hadnotoccasionedanopenquarrel，andperhapsneverwouldhaveproducedanyseriouseffectifthemalignanthumorshadnotbeenincreasedbynewcauses。AmongthefirstfamiliesofPistoiawastheCancellieri。IthappenedthatLore，sonofGulielmo，andGeri，sonofBertacca，bothofthisfamily，playingtogether，andcomingtowords，GeriwasslightlywoundedbyLore。ThisdispleasedGulielmo；and，designingbyasuitableapologytoremoveallcauseoffurtheranimosity，heorderedhissontogotothehouseofthefatheroftheyouthwhomhehadwoundedandaskpardon。Loreobeyedhisfather；butthisactofvirtuefailedtosoftenthecruelmindofBertacca，andhavingcausedLoretobeseized，inordertoaddthegreatestindignitytohisbrutalact，heorderedhisservantstochopofftheyouth'shanduponablockusedforcuttingmeatupon，andthensaidtohim，"Gotothyfather，andtellhimthatswordwoundsarecuredwithironandnotwithwords。"

TheunfeelingbarbarityofthisactsogreatlyexasperatedGulielmothatheorderedhispeopletotakearmsforhisrevenge。Bertaccapreparedforhisdefense，andnotonlythatfamily，butthewholecityofPistoia，becamedivided。AndastheCancellieriweredescendedfromaCancellierewhohadhadtwowives，ofwhomonewascalledBianca(white)，onepartywasnamedbythosewhoweredescendedfromherBIANCA；andtheother，bywayofgreaterdistinction，wascalledNERA

(black)。Muchandlong-continuedstrifetookplacebetweenthetwo，attendedwiththedeathofmanymenandthedestructionofmuchproperty；andnotbeingabletoeffectaunionamongthemselves，butwearyoftheevil，andanxiouseithertobringittoanend，or，byengagingothersintheirquarrel，increaseit，theycametoFlorence，wheretheNeri，onaccountoftheirfamiliaritywiththeDonati，werefavoredbyCorso，theheadofthatfamily；andonthisaccounttheBianchi，thattheymighthaveapowerfulheadtodefendthemagainsttheDonati，hadrecoursetoVerideCerchi，amaninnorespectinferiortoCorso。

Thisquarrel，andthepartiesinit，broughtfromPistoia，increasedtheoldanimositybetweentheCerchiandtheDonati，anditwasalreadysomanifest，thatthePriorsandallwell-disposedmenwereinhourlyapprehensionofitsbreakingout，andcausingadivisionofthewholecity。Theythereforeappliedtothepontiff，prayingthathewouldinterposehisauthoritybetweentheseturbulentparties，andprovidetheremedywhichtheyfoundthemselvesunabletofurnish。ThepopesentforVeri，andchargedhimtomakepeacewiththeDonati，atwhichVeriexhibitedgreatastonishment，sayingthathehadnoenmityagainstthem，andthataspacificationpresupposeswar，hedidnotknow，therebeingnowarbetweenthem，howpeacemakingcouldbenecessary。VerihavingreturnedfromRomewithoutanythingbeingeffected，therageofthepartiesincreasedtosuchadegree，thatanytrivialaccidentseemedsufficienttomakeitburstforth，asindeedpresentlyhappened。

ItwasinthemonthofMay，duringwhich，anduponholidays，itisthecustomofFlorencetoholdfestivalsandpublicrejoicingsthroughoutthecity。SomeyouthsoftheDonatifamily，withtheirfriends，uponhorseback，werestandingnearthechurchoftheHolyTrinitytolookatapartyofladieswhoweredancing；thitheralsocamesomeoftheCerchi，liketheDonati，accompaniedwithmanyofthenobility，and，notknowingthattheDonatiwerebeforethem，pushedtheirhorsesandjostledthem；thereupontheDonati，thinkingthemselvesinsulted，drewtheirswords，norweretheCerchiatallbackwardtodothesame，andnottillaftertheinterchangeofmanywounds，theyseparated。Thisdisturbancewasthebeginningofgreatevils；forthewholecitybecamedivided，thepeopleaswellasthenobility，andthepartiestookthenamesoftheBianchiandtheNeri。TheCerchiwereattheheadoftheBianchifaction，towhichadheredtheAdimari，theAbati，apartoftheTosinghi，oftheBardi，oftheRossi，oftheFrescobaldi，oftheNerli，andoftheManelli；alltheMozzi，theScali，Gherardini，Cavalcanti，Malespini，Bostichi，Giandonati，Vecchietti，andArrigucci。Tothesewerejoinedmanyfamiliesofthepeople，andalltheGhibellinestheninFlorence，sothattheirgreatnumbersgavethemalmosttheentiregovernmentofthecity。

TheDonati，attheheadofwhomwasCorso，joinedtheNeraparty，towhichalsoadheredthosemembersoftheabove-namedfamilieswhodidnottakepartwiththeBianchi；andbesidesthese，thewholeofthePazzi，theBisdomini，Manieri，Bagnesi，Tornaquinci，Spini，Buondelmonti，Gianfigliazzi，andtheBrunelleschi。Nordidtheevilconfineitselftothecityalone，forthewholecountrywasdivideduponit，sothattheCaptainsoftheSixParts，andwhoeverwereattachedtotheGuelphicpartyorthewell-beingoftherepublic，wereverymuchafraidthatthisnewdivisionwouldoccasionthedestructionofthecity，andgivenewlifetotheGhibellinefaction。They，therefore，sentagaintoPopeBoniface，desiringthat，unlesshewishedthatcitywhichhadalwaysbeentheshieldofthechurchshouldeitherberuinedorbecomeGhibelline，hewouldconsidersomemeansforherrelief。ThepontiffthereuponsenttoFlorence，ashislegate，CardinalMatteod'Acquasparta，aPortuguese，who，findingtheBianchi，asthemostpowerful，theleastinfear，notquitesubmissivetohim，heinterdictedthecity，andleftitinanger，sothatgreaterconfusionnowprevailedthanhaddonepreviouslytohiscoming。

Themindsofmenbeingingreatexcitement，ithappenedthatatafuneralwhichmanyoftheDonatiandtheCerchiattended，theyfirstcametowordsandthentoarms，fromwhich，however，nothingbutmerelytumultresultedatthemoment。However，havingeachretiredtotheirhouses，theCerchideterminedtoattacktheDonati，but，bythevalorofCorso，theywererepulsedandgreatnumbersofthemwounded。

Thecitywasinarms。ThelawsandtheSignoryweresetatnoughtbytherageofthenobility，andthebestandwisestcitizenswerefullofapprehension。TheDonatiandtheirfollowers，beingtheleastpowerful，wereinthegreatestfear，andtoprovidefortheirsafetytheycalledtogetherCorso，theCaptainsoftheParts，andtheotherleadersoftheNeri，andresolvedtoapplytothepopetoappointsomepersonageofroyalblood，thathemightreformFlorence；thinkingbythismeanstoovercometheBianchi。TheirmeetinganddeterminationbecameknowntothePriors，andtheadversepartyrepresenteditasaconspiracyagainstthelibertiesoftherepublic。Bothpartiesbeinginarms，theSignory，oneofwhomatthattimewasthepoetDante，tookcourage，andfromhisadviceandprudence，causedthepeopletoriseforthepreservationoforder，andbeingjoinedbymanyfromthecountry，theycompelledtheleadersofbothpartiestolayasidetheirarms，andbanishedCorso，withmanyoftheNeri。Andasanevidenceoftheimpartialityoftheirmotives，theyalsobanishedmanyoftheBianchi，who，however，soonafterward，underpretenseofsomejustifiablecause，returned。

Corsoandhisfriends，thinkingthepopefavorabletotheirparty，wenttoRomeandlaidtheirgrievancesbeforehim，havingpreviouslyforwardedastatementoftheminwriting。CharlesofValois，brotherofthekingofFrance，wasthenatthepapalcourt，havingbeencalledintoItalybythekingofNaples，togooverintoSicily。Thepope，therefore，attheearnestprayersofthebanishedFlorentines，consentedtosendCharlestoFlorence，tilltheseasonsuitableforhisgoingtoSicilyshouldarrive。Hethereforecame，andalthoughtheBianchi，whothengoverned，wereveryapprehensive，still，astheheadoftheGuelphs，andappointedbythepope，theydidnotdaretoopposehim，andinordertosecurehisfriendship，theygavehimauthoritytodisposeofthecityashethoughtproper。

Thusauthorized，Charlesarmedallhisfriendsandfollowers，whichstepgavethepeoplesostrongasuspicionthathedesignedtorobthemoftheirliberty，thateachtookarms，andkeptathisownhouse，inordertobeready，ifCharlesshouldmakeanysuchattempt。TheCerchiandtheleadersoftheBianchifactionhadacquireduniversalhatredbyhaving，whileattheheadoftherepublic，conductedthemselveswithunbecomingpride；andthisinducedCorsoandthebanishedoftheNeripartytoreturntoFlorence，knowingwellthatCharlesandtheCaptainsofthePartswerefavorabletothem。Andwhilethecitizens，forfearofCharles，keptthemselvesinarms，Corso，withallthebanished，andfollowedbymanyothers，enteredFlorencewithouttheleastimpediment。AndalthoughVerideCerchiwasadvisedtoopposehim，herefusedtodoso，sayingthathewishedthepeopleofFlorence，againstwhomhecame，shouldpunishhim。However，thecontraryhappened，forhewaswelcomed，notpunishedbythem；anditbehoovedVeritosavehimselfbyflight。

Corso，havingforcedthePintiGate，assembledhispartyatSanPietroMaggiore，nearhisownhouse，where，havingdrawntogetheragreatnumberoffriendsandpeopledesirousofchange，hesetatlibertyallwhohadbeenimprisonedforoffenses，whetheragainstthestateoragainstindividuals。HecompelledtheexistingSignorytowithdrawprivatelytotheirownhouses，electedanewonefromthepeopleoftheNeriparty，andforfivedaysplunderedtheleadersoftheBianchi。TheCerchi，andtheotherheadsoftheirfaction，findingCharlesopposedtothem，withdrewfromthecity，andretiredtotheirstrongholds。Andalthoughatfirsttheywouldnotlistentotheadviceofthepope，theywerenowcompelledtoturntohimforassistance，declaringthatinsteadofunitingthecity，Charleshadcausedgreaterdisunionthanbefore。ThepopeagainsentMatteod'Acquasparta，hislegate，whomadepeacebetweentheCerchiandtheDonati，andstrengtheneditwithmarriagesandnewbetrothals。ButwishingthattheBianchishouldparticipateintheemploymentsofthegovernment，towhichtheNeriwhowerethenattheheadofitwouldnotconsent，hewithdrew，withnomoresatisfactionnorlessenragedthanontheformeroccasion，andleftthecityinterdictedfordisobedience。

BothpartiesremainedinFlorence，andequallydiscontented；theNerifromseeingtheirenemiesathand，andapprehendingthelossoftheirpower，andtheBianchifromfindingthemselveswithouteitherhonororauthority；andtothesenaturalcausesofanimositynewinjurieswereadded。Niccolode'Cerchi，withmanyofhisfriends，wenttohisestates，andbeingarrivedatthebridgeofAffrico，wasattackedbySimone，sonofCorsoDonati。Thecontestwasobstinate，andoneeachsidehadasorrowfulconclusion；forNiccolowasslain，andSimonewassoseverelywoundedthathediedonthefollowingnight。

Thiseventagaindisturbedtheentirecity；andalthoughtheNeriweremosttoblame，theyweredefendedbythosewhowereattheheadofaffairs；andbeforesentencewasdelivered，aconspiracyoftheBianchiwithPieroFerrante，oneofthebaronswhohadaccompaniedCharles，wasdiscovered，bywhoseassistancetheysoughttobereplacedinthegovernment。ThematterbecameknownfromlettersaddressedtohimbytheCerchi，althoughsomewereofopinionthattheywerenotgenuine，butwrittenandpretendedtobefound，bytheDonati，toabatetheinfamywhichtheirpartyhadacquiredbythedeathofNiccolo。ThewholeoftheCerchiwere，however，banished，——

withtheirfollowersoftheBianchiparty，ofwhomwasDantethepoet，——theirpropertyconfiscated，andtheirhousespulleddown。Theysoughtrefuge，withagreatnumberofGhibellineswhohadjoinedthem，inmanyplaces，seekingfreshfortunesinnewundertakings。Charles，havingeffectedthepurposeofhiscoming，leftthecity，andreturnedtothepopetopursuehisenterpriseagainstSicily，inwhichhewasneitherwisernormorefortunatethanhehadbeenatFlorence；sothatwithdisgraceandthelossofmanyofhisfollowers，hewithdrewtoFrance。

AfterthedepartureofCharles，Florenceremainedquiet。Corsoalonewasrestless，thinkinghedidnotpossessthatsortofauthorityinthecitywhichwasduetohisrank；forthegovernmentbeinginthehandsofthepeople，hesawtheofficesoftherepublicadministeredbymanyinferiortohimself。Movedbypassionsofthiskind，heendeavored，underthepretenseofanhonorabledesign，tojustifyhisowndishonorablepurposes，andaccusedmanycitizenswhohadthemanagementofthepublicmoney，ofapplyingittotheirprivateuses，andrecommendedthattheyshouldbebroughttojusticeandpunished。

Thisopinionwasadoptedbymanywhohadthesameviewsashimself；

andmanyinignorancejoinedthem，thinkingCorsoactuatedonlybypurepatriotism。Ontheotherhand，theaccusedcitizens，enjoyingthepopularfavor，defendedthemselves，andthisdifferencearosetosuchaheight，that，aftercivilmeans，theyhadrecoursetoarms。OftheonepartywereCorsoandLottieri，bishopofFlorence，withmanyofthenobilityandsomeofthepeople；ontheothersideweretheSignory，withthegreaterpartofthepeople；sothatskirmishestookplaceinmanypartsofthecity。TheSignory，seeingtheirdangergreat，sentforaidtotheLucchese，andpresentlyallthepeopleofLuccawereinFlorence。Withtheirassistancethedisturbancesweresettledforthemoment，andthepeopleretainedthegovernmentandtheirliberty，withoutattemptingbyanyothermeanstopunishthemoversofthedisorder。

ThepopehadheardofthetumultsatFlorence，andsenthislegate，NiccolodaPrato，tosettlethem，who，beinginhighreputationbothforhisquality，learning，andmodeoflife，presentlyacquiredsomuchofthepeople'sconfidence，thatauthoritywasgivenhimtoestablishsuchagovernmentasheshouldthinkproper。AshewasofGhibellineorigin，hedeterminedtorecallthebanished；butdesigningfirsttogaintheaffectionsofthelowerorders，herenewedtheancientcompaniesofthepeople，whichincreasedthepopularpowerandreducedthatofthenobility。Thelegate，thinkingthemultitudeonhisside，nowendeavoredtorecallthebanished，and，afterattemptinginmanyways，noneofwhichsucceeded，hefellsocompletelyunderthesuspicionofthegovernment，thathewascompelledtoquitthecity，andreturnedtothepopeingreatwrath，leavingFlorencefullofconfusionandsufferingunderaninterdict。Neitherwasthecitydisturbedwithonedivisionalone，butbymany；firsttheenmitybetweenthepeopleandthenobility，thenthatoftheGhibellinesandtheGuelphs，andlastly，oftheBianchiandtheNeri。Allthecitizenswere，therefore，inarms，formanyweredissatisfiedwiththedepartureofthelegate，andwishedforthereturnofthebanished。

ThefirstwhosetthisdisturbanceonfootweretheMediciandtheGuinigi，who，withthelegate，haddiscoveredthemselvesinfavoroftherebels；andthusskirmishestookplaceinmanypartsofthecity。

Inadditiontotheseevilsafireoccurred，whichfirstbrokeoutatthegardenofSt。Michael，inthehousesoftheAbati；itthenceextendedtothoseoftheCapoinsacchi，andconsumedthem，withthoseoftheMacci，Amieri，Toschi，Cipriani，Lamberti，Cavalcanti，andthewholeoftheNewMarket；fromthenceitspreadtothegateofSt。

Maria，andburnedittotheground；turningfromtheoldbridge，itdestroyedthehousesoftheGherardini，Pulci，Amidei，andLucardesi，andwiththesesomanyothersthatthenumberamountedtoseventeenhundred。Itwastheopinionofmanythatthisfireoccurredbyaccidentduringtheheatofthedisturbances。OthersaffirmthatitwasbegunwillfullybyNeriAbati，priorofSt。PietroScarragio，adissolutecharacter，fondofmischief，who，seeingthepeopleoccupiedwiththecombat，tooktheopportunityofcommittingawickedact，forwhichthecitizens，beingthusemployed，couldoffernoremedy。Andtoinsurehissuccess，hesetfiretothehouseofhisownbrotherhood，wherehehadthebestopportunityofdoingit。Thiswasintheyear1304，Florencebeingafflictedbothwithfireandthesword。CorsoDonatialoneremainedunarmedinsomanytumults；forhethoughthewouldmoreeasilybecomethearbitratorbetweenthecontendingpartieswhen，wearyofstrife，theyshouldbeinclinedtoaccommodation。Theylaiddowntheirarms，however，ratherfromsatietyofevilthanfromanydesireofunion；andtheonlyconsequencewas，thatthebanishedwerenotrecalled，andthepartywhichfavoredthemremainedinferior。

CHAPTERV

Theemigrantsattempttore-enterFlorence，butarenotallowedtodoso——Thecompaniesofthepeoplerestored——RestlessconductofCorsoDonati——TheruinofCorsoDonati——CorsoDonatiaccusedandcondemned——RiotatthehouseofCorso——DeathofCorso——Hischaracter——FruitlessattemptoftheEmperorHenryagainsttheFlorentines——Theemigrantsarerestoredtothecity——ThecitizensplacethemselvesunderthekingofNaplesforfiveyears——WarwithUguccionedellaFaggiuola——TheFlorentinesrouted——FlorencewithdrawsherselffromsubjectiontoKingRobert，andexpelstheCountNovello——Landod'Agobbio——Histyranny——Hisdeparture。

ThelegatebeingreturnedtoRome，andhearingofthenewdisturbancewhichhadoccurred，persuadedthepopethatifhewishedtounitetheFlorentines，itwouldbenecessarytohavetwelveofthefirstcitizensappearbeforehim，andhavingthusremovedtheprincipalcausesofdisunion，hemighteasilyputastoptoit。Thepontifftookthisadvice，andthecitizens，amongwhomwasCorsoDonati，obeyedthesummons。Thesehavingleftthecity，thelegatetoldtheexilesthatnow，whenthecitywasdeprivedofherleaders，wasthetimeforthemtoreturn。They，therefore，havingassembled，cametoFlorence，andenteringbyapartofthewallnotyetcompleted，proceededtothepiazzaofSt。Giovanni。Itisworthyofremark，thatthosewho，ashorttimepreviously，whentheycameunarmedandbeggedtoberestoredtotheircountry，hadfoughtfortheirreturn，now，whentheysawtheminarmsandresolvedtoenterbyforce，tookarmstoopposethem(somuchmorewasthecommongoodesteemedthanprivatefriendship)，andbeingjoinedbytherestofthecitizens，compelledthemtoreturntotheplaceswhencetheyhadcome。TheyfailedintheirundertakingbyhavingleftpartoftheirforceatLastra，andbynothavingwaitedthearrivalofTolosettoUberti，whohadtocomefromPistoiawiththreehundredhorse；fortheythoughtcelerityratherthannumberswouldgivethemthevictory；anditoftenhappens，insimilarenterprises，thatdelayrobsusoftheoccasion，andtoogreatanxietytobeforwardpreventsusofthepower，ormakesusactbeforeweareproperlyprepared。

Thebanishedhavingretired，Florenceagainreturnedtoherolddivisions；andinordertodeprivetheCavalcantioftheirauthority，thepeopletookfromthemtheStinche，acastlesituatedintheValdiGreve，andancientlybelongingtothefamily。Andasthosewhoweretakeninitwerethefirstwhowereputintothenewprisons，thelatterwere，andstillcontinue，namedafterit，——theStinche。Theleadersoftherepublicalsore-establishedthecompaniesofthepeople，andgavethemtheensignsthatwerefirstusedbythecompaniesoftheArts；theheadsofwhichwerecalledGonfaloniersofthecompaniesandcolleaguesoftheSignory；andordered，thatwhenanydisturbancearosetheyshouldassisttheSignorywitharms，andinpeacewithcounsel。Tothetwoancientrectorstheyaddedanexecutor，orsheriff，who，withtheGonfaloniers，wastoaidinrepressingtheinsolenceofthenobility。

Inthemeantimethepopedied。Corso，withtheothercitizens，returnedfromRome；andallwouldhavebeenwellifhisrestlessmindhadnotoccasionednewtroubles。Itwashiscommonpracticetobeofacontraryopiniontothemostpowerfulmeninthecity；andwhateverhesawthepeopleinclinedtodo，heexercisedhisutmostinfluencetoeffect，inordertoattachthemtohimself；sothathewasaleaderinalldifferences，attheheadofeverynewscheme，andwhoeverwishedtoobtainanythingextraordinaryhadrecoursetohim。Thisconductcausedhimtobehatedbymanyofthehighestdistinction；andtheirhatredincreasedtosuchadegreethattheNerifactiontowhichhebelonged，becamecompletelydivided；forCorso，toattainhisends，hadavailedhimselfofprivateforceandauthority，andoftheenemiesofthestate。Butsogreatwastheinfluenceattachedtohisperson，thateveryonefearedhim。Nevertheless，inordertostriphimofthepopularfavor(whichbythismeansmayeasilybedone)，areportwassetonfootthatheintendedtomakehimselfprinceofthecity；andtothedesignhisconductgavegreatappearanceofprobability，forhiswayoflivingquiteexceededallcivilbounds；andtheopiniongainedfurtherstrength，uponhistakingtowifeadaughterofUguccionedellaFaggiuola，headoftheGhibellineandBianchifaction，andoneofthemostpowerfulmeninTuscany。

Whenthismarriagebecameknownitgavecouragetohisadversaries，andtheytookarmsagainsthim；forthesamereasonthepeopleceasedtodefendhim，andthegreaterpartofthemjoinedtheranksofhisenemies，theleadersofwhomwereRossodellaTosa，PazinodeiPazzi，GeriSpini，andBertoBrunelleschi。These，withtheirfollowers，andthegreaterpartofthepeople，assembledbeforethepalaceoftheSignory，bywhosecommandachargewasmadebeforePieroBranca，captainofthepeople，againstCorso，ofintending，withtheaidofUguccione，tousurpthegovernment。Hewasthensummoned，andfordisobedience，declaredarebel；nordidtwohourspassoverbetweentheaccusationandthesentence。Thejudgmentbeinggiven，theSignory，withthecompaniesofthepeopleundertheirensigns，wentinsearchofhim，who，althoughseeinghimselfabandonedbymanyofhisfollowers，awareofthesentenceagainsthim，thepoweroftheSignory，andthemultitudeofhisenemies，remainedundaunted，andfortifiedhishouses，inthehopeofdefendingthemtillUguccione，forwhomhehadsent，shouldcometohisRelief。Hisresidences，andthestreetsapproachingthem，werebarricadedandtakenpossessionofbyhispartisans，whodefendedthemsobravelythattheenemy，althoughingreatnumbers，couldnotforcethem，andthebattlebecameoneofthehottest，withwoundsanddeathonallsides。Butthepeople，findingtheycouldnotdrivethemfromtheirground，tookpossessionoftheadjoininghouses，andbyunobservedpassagesobtainedentry。Corso，thusfindinghimselfsurroundedbyhisfoes，nolongerretaininganyhopeofassistancefromUguccione，andwithoutachanceofvictory，thoughtonlyofeffectinghispersonalsafety，andwithGherardoBordoni，andsomeofhisbravestandmosttrustedfriends，foughtapassagethroughthethickestoftheirenemies，andeffectedtheirescapefromthecitybytheGateoftheCross。Theywere，however，pursuedbyvastnumbers，andGherardowasslainuponthebridgeofAffricobyBoccaccioCavicciulli。CorsowasovertakenandmadeprisonerbyapartyofCatalanhorse，intheserviceoftheSignory，atRovezzano。ButwhenapproachingFlorence，thathemightavoidbeingseenandtorntopiecesbyhisvictoriousenemies，heallowedhimselftofallfromhorseback，andbeingdown，oneofthosewhoconductedhimcuthisthroat。ThebodywasfoundbythemonksofSanSalvi，andburiedwithoutanyceremonyduetohisrank。SuchwastheendofCorso，towhomhiscountryandtheNerifactionwereindebtedformuchbothofgoodandevil；andifhehadpossessedacoolerspirithewouldhaveleftbehindhimamorehappymemory。

Nevertheless，hedeservestobeenumeratedamongthemostdistinguishedmenourcityhasproduced。Trueitis，thathisrestlessconductmadebothhiscountryandhispartyforgetfuloftheirobligationtohim。Thesamecausealsoproducedhismiserableend，andbroughtmanytroublesuponbothhisfriendsandhiscountry。

Uguccione，comingtotheassistanceofhisrelative，learnedatRemolithatCorsohadbeenovercomebythepeople，andfindingthathecouldnotrenderhimanyassistance，inordertoavoidbringingeviluponhimselfwithoutoccasion，hereturnedhome。

AfterthedeathofCorso，whichoccurredintheyear1308，thedisturbanceswereappeased，andthepeoplelivedquietlytillitwasreportedthattheEmperorHenrywascomingintoItaly，andwithhimalltheFlorentineemigrants，towhomhehadpromisedrestorationtotheircountry。Theleadersofthegovernmentthought，thatinordertolessenthenumberoftheirenemies，itwouldbewelltorecall，oftheirownwill，allwhohadbeenexpelled，exceptingsuchasthelawhadexpresslyforbiddentoreturn。Ofthenumbernotadmitted，werethegreaterpartoftheGhibellines，andsomeofthoseoftheBianchifaction，amongwhomwereDanteAlighieri，thesonsofVeride'CerchiandofGianodellaBella。BesidesthistheysentforaidtoRobert，kingofNaples，andnotbeingabletoobtainitofhimasfriends，theygavetheircitytohimforfiveyears，thathemightdefendthemashisownpeople。TheemperorenteredItalybythewayofPisa，andproceededbythemarshestoRome，wherehewascrownedintheyear1312。Then，havingdeterminedtosubduetheFlorentines，heapproachedtheircitybythewayofPerugiaandArezzo，andhaltedwithhisarmyatthemonasteryofSanSalvi，aboutamilefromFlorence，whereheremainedfiftydayswithouteffectinganything。DespairingofsuccessagainstFlorence，hereturnedtoPisa，whereheenteredintoanagreementwithFrederick，kingofSicily，toundertaketheconquestofNaples，andproceededwithhispeopleaccordingly；butwhilefilledwiththehopeofvictory，andcarryingdismayintotheheartofKingRobert，havingreachedBuonconvento，hedied。

Shortlyafterthis，UguccionedellaFaggiuola，havingbymeansoftheGhibellinepartybecomelordofPisaandofLucca，caused，withtheassistanceofthesecities，veryseriousannoyancetotheneighbouringplaces。InordertoeffecttheirrelieftheFlorentinesrequestedKingRobertwouldallowhisbrotherPierototakethecommandoftheirarmies。Ontheotherhand，Uguccionecontinuedtoincreasehispower；

andeitherbyforceorfraudobtainedpossessionofmanycastlesintheVald'ArnoandtheValdiNievole；andhavingbesiegedMonteCataini，theFlorentinesfounditwouldbenecessarytosendtoitsrelief，thattheymightnotseehimburnanddestroytheirwholeterritory。Havingdrawntogetheralargearmy，theyenteredtheValdiNievolewheretheycameupwithUguccione，andwereroutedafteraseverebattleinwhichPierotheking'sbrotherand2，000menwereslain；butthebodyofthePrincewasneverfound。NeitherwasthevictoryajoyfulonetoUguccione；foroneofhissons，andmanyoftheleadersofhisarmy，fellinthestrife。

TheFlorentinesafterthisdefeatfortifiedtheirterritory，andKingRobertsentthem，forcommanderoftheirforces，theCountd'Andria，usuallycalledCountNovello，bywhosedeportment，orbecauseitisnaturaltotheFlorentinestofindeverystatetedious，thecity，notwithstandingthewarwithUguccione，becamedividedintofriendsandenemiesoftheking。SimondellaTosa，theMagalotti，andcertainothersofthepeoplewhohadattainedgreaterinfluenceinthegovernmentthantherest，wereleadersofthepartyagainsttheking。

BythesemeansmessengersweresenttoFrance，andafterwardintoGermany，tosolicitleadersandforcesthattheymightdriveoutthecount，whomthekinghadappointedgovernor；buttheyfailedofobtainingany。Neverthelesstheydidnotabandontheirundertaking，butstilldesirousofonewhomtheymightworship，afteranunavailingsearchinFranceandGermany，theydiscoveredhimatAgobbio，andhavingexpelledtheCountNovello，causedLandod'AgobbiotobebroughtintothecityasBargellosheriff)，andgavehimthemostunlimitedpowerofthecitizens。Thismanwascruelandrapacious；andgoingthroughthecountryaccompaniedwithanarmedforce，heputmanytodeathatthemereinstigationofthosewhohadendowedhimwithauthority。Hisinsolencerosetosuchaheight，thathestampedbasemetalwiththeimpressionuseduponthemoneyofthestate，andnoonehadsufficientcouragetoopposehim，sopowerfulhadhebecomebythediscordsofFlorence。Great，certainly，butunhappycity！whichneitherthememoryofpastdivisions，thefearofherenemies，noraking'sauthority，coulduniteforherownadvantage；sothatshefoundherselfinastateoftheutmostwretchedness，harassedwithoutbyUguccione，andplunderedwithinbyLandod'Agobbio。

ThefriendsofthekingandthosewhoopposedLandoandhisfollowers，wereeitherofnoblefamiliesorthehighestofthepeople，andallGuelphs；buttheiradversariesbeinginpowertheycouldnotdiscovertheirmindswithoutincurringthegreatestdanger。Being，however，determinedtodeliverthemselvesfromsuchdisgracefultyranny，theysecretlywrotetoKingRobert，requestinghimtoappointforhisvicarinFlorenceCountGuidodaBattifolle。Thekingcomplied；andtheoppositeparty，althoughtheSignorywereopposedtotheking，onaccountofthegoodqualityofthecount，didnotdaretoresisthim。

Stillhisauthoritywasnotgreat，becausetheSignoryandGonfaloniersofthecompanieswereinfavorofLandoandhisparty。

Duringthesetroubles，thedaughterofKingAlbertofBohemiapassedthroughFlorence，insearchofherhusband，Charles，thesonofKingRobert，andwasreceivedwiththegreatestrespectbythefriendsoftheking，whocomplainedtoheroftheunhappystateofthecity，andofthetyrannyofLandoandhispartisans；sothatthroughherinfluenceandtheexertionsoftheking'sfriends，thecitizenswereagainunited，andbeforeherdeparture，LandowasstrippedofallauthorityandsendbacktoAgobbio，ladenwithbloodandplunder。Inreformingthegovernment，thesovereigntyofthecitywascontinuedtothekingforanotherthreeyears，andasthereweretheninofficesevenSignorsofthepartyofLando，sixmorewereappointedoftheking'sfriends，andsomemagistracieswerecomposedofthirteenSignors；butnotlongafterwardthenumberwasreducedtosevenaccordingtoancientcustom。

CHAPTERVI

WarwithCastruccio——CastrucciomarchesagainstPratoandretireswithoutmakinganyattempt——Theemigrantsnotbeingallowedtoreturn，endeavortoenterthecitybyforce，andarerepulsed——

Changeinthemodeofelectingthegreatofficersofstate——TheSquittiniestablished——TheFlorentinesunderRaymondofCardonaareroutedbyCastruccioatAltopascio——TreacherousdesignsofRaymond——TheFlorentinesgivethesovereigntyofthecitytoCharlesdukeofCambria，whoappointsthedukeofAthensforhisvicar——ThedukeofCalabriacomestoFlorence——TheEmperorLouisofBavariavisitsItaly——Theexcitementheproduces——DeathofCastruccioandofCharlesdukeofCalabria——Reformofgovernment。

Aboutthesametime，UguccionelostthesovereigntyofLuccaandofPisa，andCastruccioCastracani，acitizenofLucca，becamelordofthem，who，beingayoungman，boldandfierce，andfortunateinhisenterprises，inashorttimebecametheheadoftheGhibellinesinTuscany。OnthisaccountthediscordsamongtheFlorentineswerelaidasideforsomeyears，atfirsttoabatetheincreasingpowerofCastruccio，andafterwardtounitetheirmeansformutualdefenseagainsthim。Andinordertogiveincreasedstrengthandefficacytotheircounsels，theSignoryappointedtwelvecitizenswhomtheycalledBuonomini，orgoodmen，withoutwhoseadviceandconsentnothingofanyimportancecouldbecarriedintoeffect。TheconclusionofthesovereigntyofKingRobertbeingcome，thecitizenstookthegovernmentintotheirownhands，reappointedtheusualrectorsandmagistracies，andwerekeptunitedbythedreadofCastruccio，who，aftermanyeffortsagainstthelordsofLunigiano，attackedPrato，tothereliefofwhichtheFlorentineshavingresolvedtogo，shutuptheirshopsandhouses，andproceededthitherinabody，amountingtotwentythousandfootandonethousandfivehundredhorse。AndinordertoreducethenumberofCastruccio'sfriendsandaugmenttheirown，theSignorydeclaredthateveryrebeloftheGuelphicpartywhoshouldcometothereliefofPratowouldberestoredtohiscountry；theythusincreasedtheirarmywithanadditionoffourthousandmen。ThisgreatforcebeingquicklybroughttoPrato，alarmedCastrucciosomuch，thatwithouttryingthefortuneofbattle，heretiredtowardLucca。Uponthis，disturbancesaroseintheFlorentinecampbetweenthenobilityandthepeople，thelatterofwhomwishedtopursuethefoeanddestroyhim；theformerwereforreturninghome，sayingtheyhaddoneenoughforPratoinhazardingthesafetyofFlorenceonitsaccount，whichtheydidnotregretunderthecircumstances，butnow，thatnecessitynolongerexisting，theproprietyoffurtherriskceasedalso，astherewaslittletobegainedandmuchtolose。

Notbeingabletoagree，thequestionwasreferredtotheSignory，amongwhomthedifferenceofopinionwasequallygreat；andasthematterspreadthroughoutthecity，thepeopledrewtogether，andusedsuchthreateninglanguageagainstthenobilitythatthey，beingapprehensivefortheirsafety，yielded；buttheresolutionbeingadoptedtoolate，andbymanyunwillingly，gavetheenemytimetowithdrawinsafetytoLucca。

ThisunfortunatecircumstancemadethepeoplesoindignantagainstthegreatthattheSignoryrefusedtoperformthepromisemadetotheexiles，andthelatter，anticipatingthefact，determinedtobebeforehand，andwereatthegatesofFlorencetogainadmittanceintothecitybeforetherestoftheforces；buttheirdesigndidnottakeeffect，fortheirpurposebeingforeseen，theywererepulsedbythosewhohadremainedathome。Theythenendeavoredtoacquirebyentreatywhattheyhadfailedtoobtainbyforce；andsenteightmenasambassadorstotheSignory，toremindthemofthepromisegiven，andofthedangerstheyhadundergone，inhopeoftherewardwhichhadbeenheldouttothem。Andalthoughthenobility，whofelttheobligationonaccountoftheirhavingparticularlyundertakentofulfillthepromiseforwhichtheSignoryhadboundthemselves，usedtheirutmostexertioninfavoroftheexiles，sogreatwastheangerofthemultitudeonaccountoftheironlypartialsuccessagainstCastruccio，thattheycouldnotobtaintheiradmission。Thisoccasionedcostanddishonortothecity；formanyofthenobility，takingoffenseatthisproceeding，endeavoredtoobtainbyarmsthatwhichhadbeenrefusedtotheirprayers，andagreedwiththeexilesthattheyshouldcomearmedtothecity，andthatthosewithinwouldarmthemselvesintheirdefense。Buttheaffairwasdiscoveredbeforetheappointeddayarrived，sothatthosewithoutfoundthecityinarms，andpreparedtoresistthem。Socompletelysubduedwerethosewithin，thatnonedaredtotakearms；andthustheundertakingwasabandoned，withoutanyadvantagehavingbeenobtainedbytheparty。

Afterthedepartureoftheexilesitwasdeterminedtopunishthosewhohadbeeninstrumentalinbringingthemtothecity；but，althougheveryoneknewwhowerethedelinquents，noneventuredtonameandstilllesstoaccusethem。Itwas，therefore，resolvedthatinordertocomeatthetruth，everyoneshouldwritethenamesofthosehebelievedtobeguilty，andpresentthewritingsecretlytotheCapitano。Bythismeans，AmerigoDonati，Teghiajo，Frescobaldi，andLotteringoGherardiniwereaccused；but，thejudgesbeingmorefavorablydisposedtothemthan，perhaps，theirmisdeedsdeserved，eachescapedbypayingafine。

ThetumultswhicharoseinFlorencefromthecomingoftherebelstothegates，showedthatoneleaderwasinsufficientforthecompaniesofthepeople；they，therefore，determinedthatinfutureeachshouldhavethreeorfour；andtoeveryGonfaloniertwoorthreePennonieri(pennonbearers)wereadded，sothatifthewholebodywerenotdrawnout，apartmightoperateunderoneofthem。Andashappensinrepublics，afteranydisturbance，someoldlawsareannulledandothersrenewed，soonthisoccasion，asithadbeenpreviouslycustomarytoappointtheSignoryforatimeonly，thethenexistingSignorsandtheColleagues，feelingthemselvespossessedofsufficientpower，assumedtheauthoritytofixupontheSignorsthatwouldhavetositduringthenextfortymonths，byputtingtheirnamesintoabagorpurse，anddrawingthemeverytwomonths。But，beforetheexpirationofthefortymonths，manycitizenswerejealousthattheirnameshadnotbeendepositedamongtherest，andanewemborsationwasmade。Fromthisbeginningarosethecustomofemborsingorenclosingthenamesofallwhoshouldtakeofficeinanyofthemagistraciesforalongtimetocome，aswellthosewhoseofficesemployedthemwithinthecityasthoseabroad，thoughpreviouslythecouncilsoftheretiringmagistrateshadelectedthosewhoweretosucceedthem。TheseemborsationswereafterwardcalledSquittini，orpollings，——anditwasthoughttheywouldpreventmuchtroubletothecity，andremovethecauseofthosetumultswhicheverythree，oratmostfive，years，tookplaceuponthecreationofmagistrates，fromthenumberofcandidatesforoffice。Andnotbeingabletoadoptabetterexpedient，theymadeuseofthis，butdidnotobservethedefectswhichlayconcealedundersuchatrivialaccommodation。

In1325，Castruccio，havingtakenpossessionofPistoia，becamesopowerfulthattheFlorentines，fearinghisgreatness，resolved，beforeheshouldgethimselffirmlyseatedinhisnewconquest，toattackhimandwithdrawitfromhisauthority。Oftheircitizensandfriendstheymusteredanarmyamountingto20，000footand3，000horse，andwiththisbodyencampedbeforeAltopascio，withtheintentionoftakingtheplaceandthuspreventingitfromrelievingPistoia。Beingsuccessfulinthefirstpartoftheirdesign，theymarchedtowardLucca，andlaidthecountrywasteintheirprogress；butfromthelittleprudenceandlessintegrityoftheirleader，RamondodiCardona，theymadebutsmallprogress；forhe，havingobservedthemuponformeroccasionsveryprodigaloftheirliberty，placingitsometimesinthehandsofaking，atothersinthoseofalegate，orpersonsofeveninferiorquality，thought，ifhecouldbringthemintosomedifficulty，itmighteasilyhappenthattheywouldmakehimtheirprince。Nordidhefailfrequentlytomentionthesematters，andrequiredtohavethatauthorityinthecitywhichhadbeengivenhimoverthearmy，endeavoringtoshowthatotherwisehecouldnotenforcetheobediencerequisitetoaleader。AstheFlorentinesdidnotconsenttothis，hewastedtime，andallowedCastrucciotoobtaintheassistancewhichtheViscontiandothertyrantsofLombardyhadpromisedhim，andthusbecomeverystrong。Ramondo，havingwillfullylettheopportunityofvictorypassaway，nowfoundhimselfunabletoescape；forCastrucciocomingupwithhimatAltopascio，agreatbattleensuedinwhichmanycitizenswereslainandtakenprisoners，andamongtheformerfellRamondo，whoreceivedfromfortunethatrewardofbadfaithandmischievouscounselswhichhehadrichlydeservedfromtheFlorentines。TheinjurytheysufferedfromCastruccio，afterthebattle，inplunder，prisoners，destruction，andburningofproperty，isquiteindescribable；for，withoutanyopposition，duringmanymonths，heledhispredatoryforceswhereverhethoughtproper，anditseemedsufficienttotheFlorentinesif，aftersuchaterribleevent，theycouldsavetheircity。

Stilltheywerenotsoabsolutelycastdownastopreventthemfromraisinggreatsumsofmoney，hiringtroops，andsendingtotheirfriendsforassistance；butalltheycoulddowasinsufficienttorestrainsuchapowerfulenemy；sothattheywereobligedtoofferthesovereigntytoCharlesdukeofCalabria，sonofKingRobert，iftheycouldinducehimtocometotheirdefense；fortheseprinces，beingaccustomedtoruleFlorence，preferredherobediencetoherfriendship。ButCharles，beingengagedinthewarsofSicily，andthereforeunabletoundertakethesovereigntyofthecity，sentinhissteadWalter，bybirthaFrenchman，anddukeofAthens。He，asviceroy，tookpossessionofthecity，andappointedthemagistraciesaccordingtohisownpleasure；buthismodeofproceedingwasquitecorrect，andsocompletelycontrarytohisrealnature，thateveryonerespectedhim。

TheaffairsofSicilybeingcomposed，CharlescametoFlorencewithathousandhorse。HemadehisentryintothecityinJuly，1326，andhiscomingpreventedfurtherpillageoftheFlorentineterritorybyCastruccio。However，theinfluencewhichtheyacquiredwithoutthecitywaslostwithinherwalls，andtheevilswhichtheydidnotsufferfromtheirenemieswerebroughtuponthembytheirfriends；fortheSignorycouldnotdoanythingwithouttheconsentofthedukeofCalabria，who，inthecourseofoneyear，drewfromthepeople400，000

florins，althoughbytheagreemententeredintowithhim，thesumwasnottoexceed200，000；sogreatweretheburdenswithwhicheitherhimselforhisfatherconstantlyoppressedthem。

Tothesetroubleswereaddednewjealousiesandnewenemies；fortheGhibellinesofLombardybecamesoalarmeduponthearrivalofCharlesinTuscany，thatGaleazzoViscontiandtheotherLombardtyrants，bymoneyandpromises，inducedLouisofBavaria，whohadlatelybeenelectedemperorcontrarytothewishofthepope，tocomeintoItaly。

AfterpassingthroughLombardyheenteredTuscany，andwiththeassistanceofCastruccio，madehimselfmasterofPisa，fromwhence，havingbeenpacifiedwithsumsofmoney，hedirectedhiscoursetowardsRome。ThiscausedthedukeofCalabriatobeapprehensiveforthesafetyofNaples；hethereforeleftFlorence，andappointedashisviceroyFilippodaSaggineto。

Afterthedepartureoftheemperor，CastrucciomadehimselfmasterofPisa，buttheFlorentines，byatreatywithPistoia，withdrewherfromobediencetohim。CastrucciothenbesiegedPistoia，andperseveredwithsomuchvigorandresolution，thatalthoughtheFlorentinesoftenattemptedtorelieveher，byattackingfirsthisarmyandthenhiscountry，theywereunableeitherbyforceorpolicytoremovehim；soanxiouswashetopunishthePistolesiandsubduetheFlorentines。AtlengththepeopleofPistoiawerecompelledtoreceivehimfortheirsovereign；butthisevent，althoughgreatlytohisglory，provedbutlittletohisadvantage，foruponhisreturntoLuccahedied。Andasoneeventeitherofgoodorevilseldomcomesalone，atNaplesalsodiedCharlesdukeofCalabriaandlordofFlorence，sothatinashorttime，beyondtheexpectationoftheirmostsanguinehopes，theFlorentinesfoundthemselvesdeliveredfromthedominationoftheoneandthefearoftheother。Beingagainfree，theysetaboutthereformationofthecity，annulledalltheoldcouncils，andcreatedtwonewones，theonecomposedof300citizensfromtheclassofthepeople，theotherof250fromthenobilityandthepeople。

ThefirstwascalledtheCouncilofthePeople，theothertheCounciloftheCommune。

CHAPTERVII

TheEmperoratRome——TheFlorentinesrefusetopurchaseLucca，andrepentofit——EnterprisesoftheFlorentines——ConspiracyoftheBardiandtheFrescobaldi——Theconspiracydiscoveredandchecked——

MaffeodaMarradiappeasesthetumult——LuccaispurchasedbytheFlorentinesandtakenbythePisans——ThedukeofAthensatFlorence——Thenobilitydeterminetomakehimprinceofthecity。

Theemperor，beingarrivedatRome，createdananti-pope，didmanythingsinoppositiontothechurch，andattemptedmanyothers，butwithouteffect，sothatatlastheretiredwithdisgrace，andwenttoPisa，where，eitherbecausetheywerenotpaid，orfromdisaffection，about800Germanhorsemutinied，andfortifiedthemselvesatMontechiaroupontheCeruglio；andwhentheemperorhadleftPisatogointoLombardy，theytookpossessionofLuccaanddroveoutFrancescoCastracani，whomhehadleftthere。Designingtoturntheirconquesttoaccount，theyofferedittotheFlorentinesfor80，000

florins，which，bytheadviceofSimonedellaTosa，wasrefused。Thisresolution，iftheyhadremainedinit，wouldhavebeenofthegreatestutilitytotheFlorentines；butastheyshortlyafterwardchangedtheirminds，itbecamemostpernicious；foralthoughatthetimetheymighthaveobtainedpeacefulpossessionofherforasmallsumandwouldnot，theyafterwardwishedtohaveherandcouldnot，evenforamuchlargeramount；whichcausedmanyandmosthurtfulchangestotakeplaceinFlorence。Lucca，beingrefusedbytheFlorentines，waspurchasedbyGherardinoSpinoli，aGenoese，for30，000florins。Andasmenareoftenlessanxioustotakewhatisintheirpowerthandesirousofthatwhichtheycannotattain，assoonasthepurchaseofGherardinobecameknown，andforhowsmallasumithadbeenbought，thepeopleofFlorencewereseizedwithanextremedesiretohaveit，blamingthemselvesandthosebywhoseadvicetheyhadbeeninducedtorejecttheoffermadetothem。Andinordertoobtainbyforcewhattheyhadrefusedtopurchase，theysenttroopstoplunderandoverrunthecountryoftheLucchese。

AboutthistimetheemperorleftItaly。Theanti-pope，bymeansofthePisans，becameaprisonerinFrance；andtheFlorentinesfromthedeathofCastruccio，whichoccurredin1328，remainedindomesticpeacetill1340，andgavetheirundividedattentiontoexternalaffairs，whilemanywarswerecarriedoninLombardy，occasionedbythecomingofJohnkingofBohemia，andinTuscany，onaccountofLucca。DuringthisperiodFlorencewasornamentedwithmanynewbuildings，andbytheadviceofGiotto，themostdistinguishedpainterofhistime，theybuiltthetowerofSantaReparata。Besidesthis，thewatersoftheArnohaving，in1333，risentwelvefeetabovetheirordinarylevel，destroyedsomeofthebridgesandmanybuildings，allwhichwererestoredwithgreatcareandexpense。

Intheyear1340，newsourcesofdisagreementarose。Thegreathadtwowaysofincreasingorpreservingtheirpower；theone，sotorestraintheemborsationofmagistrates，thatthelotalwaysfelluponthemselvesortheirfriends；theother，thathavingtheelectionoftherectors，theywerealwaysfavorabletotheirparty。Thissecondmodetheyconsideredofsogreatimportance，thattheordinaryrectorsnotbeingsufficientforthem，theyonsomeoccasionselectedathird，andatthistimetheyhadmadeanextraordinaryappointment，underthetitleofcaptainoftheguard，ofJacopoGabrielliofAgobbio，andendowedhimwithunlimitedauthorityoverthecitizens。Thisman，underthesanctionofthosewhogoverned，committedconstantoutrages；

andamongthosewhomheinjuredwerePierode'BardiandBardoFrescobaldi。Thesebeingofthenobility，andnaturallyproud，couldnotendurethatastranger，supportedbyafewpowerfulmen，shouldwithoutcauseinjurethemwithimpunity，andconsequentlyenteredintoaconspiracyagainsthimandthosebywhomhewassupported。Theywerejoinedbymanynoblefamilies，andsomeofthepeople，whowereoffendedwiththetyrannyofthoseinpower。Theirplanwas，thateachshouldbringintohishouseanumberofarmedmen，andonthemorningafterthedayofAllSaints，whenalmostallwouldbeinthetemplesprayingfortheirdead，theyshouldtakearms，killtheCapitanoandthosewhowereattheheadofaffairs，andthen，withanewSignoryandnewordinances，reformthegovernment。

But，asthemoreadangerousbusinessisconsidered，thelesswillinglyitisundertaken，itcommonlyhappens，whenthereisanytimeallowedbetweenthedetermininguponaperilousenterpriseanditsexecution，thattheconspiracybyonemeansoranotherbecomesknown。Andreade'Bardiwasoneoftheconspirators，anduponreconsiderationofthematter，thefearofthepunishmentoperatedmorepowerfullyuponhimthanthedesireofrevenge，andhedisclosedtheaffairtoJacopoAlberti，hisbrother-in-law。JacopoacquaintedthePriors，andtheyinformedthegovernment。Andasthedangerwasnear，AllSaints'daybeingjustathand，manycitizensmettogetherinthepalace；andthinkingtheirperilincreasedbydelay，theyinsistedthattheSignoryshouldorderthealarmtoberung，andcalledthepeopletogetherinarms。TaldoValoriwasatthistimeGonfalonier，andFrancescoSalviationeoftheSignory，who，beingrelativesoftheBardi，wereunwillingtosummonthepeoplewiththebell，allegingasareasonthatitisbynomeanswelltoassembletheminarmsuponeveryslightoccasion，forpowerputintothehandsofanunrestrainedmultitudewasneverbeneficial；thatitisaneasymattertoexcitethemtoviolence，butadifficultthingtorestrainthem；andthat，therefore，itwouldbetakingamoreprudentcourseiftheyweretoinquireintothetruthoftheaffair，andpunishthedelinquentsbythecivilauthority，thantoattempt，uponasimpleinformation，tocorrectitbysuchatumultuousmeans，andthushazardthesafetyofthecity。Nonewouldlistentotheseremarks；theSignorywereassailedwithinsolentbehaviorandindecentexpressions，andcompelledtosoundthealarm，uponwhichthepeoplepresentlyassembledinarms。Ontheotherhand，theBardiandtheFrescobaldi，findingthemselvesdiscovered，thattheymightconquerwithgloryordiewithoutshame，armedthemselves，inthehopethattheywouldbeabletodefendthatpartofthecitybeyondtheriver，wheretheirhousesweresituated；andtheyfortifiedthebridgeinexpectationofassistance，whichtheyexpectedfromthenoblesandtheirfriendsinthecountry。Theirdesignwasfrustratedbythepeoplewho，incommonwiththemselves，occupiedthispartofthecity；forthesetookarmsinfavoroftheSignory，sothat，seeingthemselvesthuscircumstanced，theyabandonedthebridges，andbetookthemselvestothestreetinwhichtheBardiresided，asbeingastrongersituationthananyother；andthistheydefendedwithgreatbravery。

Jacopod'Agobbio，knowingthewholeconspiracywasdirectedagainsthimself，infearofdeath，terrifiedandvanquished，kepthimselfsurroundedwithforcesnearthepalaceoftheSignory；buttheotherrectors，whoweremuchlessblamable，discoveredgreatercourage，andespeciallythepodestaorprovost，whosenamewasMaffeodaMarradi。

Hepresentedhimselfamongthecombatantswithoutanyfear，andpassingthebridgeoftheRubaconteamidtheswordsoftheBardi，madeasignthathewishedtospeaktothem。Uponthis，theirreverencefortheman，hisnobledemeanor，andtheexcellentqualitieshewasknowntopossess，causedanimmediatecessationofthecombat，andinducedthemtolistentohimpatiently。Heverygravely，butwithouttheuseofanybitteroraggravatingexpressions，blamedtheirconspiracy，showedthedangertheywouldincuriftheystillcontendedagainstthepopularfeeling，gavethemreasontohopetheircomplaintswouldbeheardandmercifullyconsidered，andpromisedthathehimselfwouldusehisendeavorsintheirbehalf。HethenreturnedtotheSignory，andimploredthemtosparethebloodofthecitizens，showingtheimproprietyofjudgingthemunheard，andatlengthinducedthemtoconsentthattheBardiandtheFrescobaldi，withtheirfriends，shouldleavethecity，andwithoutimpedimentbeallowedtoretiretotheircastles。Upontheirdeparturethepeoplebeingagaindisarmed，theSignoryproceededagainstthoseonlyoftheBardiandFrescobaldifamilieswhohadtakenarms。Tolessentheirpower，theyboughtoftheBardithecastleofMangonaandthatofVernia；andenactedalawwhichprovidedthatnocitizenshouldbeallowedtopossessacastleorfortifiedplacewithintwentymilesofFlorence。

Afterafewmonths，StiattaFrescobaldiwasbeheaded，andmanyofhisfamilybanished。Thosewhogoverned，notsatisfiedwithhavingsubduedtheBardiandtheFrescobaldi，asismostcommonlythecase，themoreauthoritytheypossessedtheworseusetheymadeofitandthemoreinsolenttheybecame。Astheyhadhithertohadonecaptainoftheguardwhoafflictedthecity，theynowappointedanotherforthecountry，withunlimitedauthority，totheendthatthosewhomtheysuspectedmightabideneitherwithinnorwithout。Andtheyexcitedthemtosuchexcessesagainstthewholeofthenobility，thattheseweredriventodesperation，andreadytosellboththemselvesandthecitytoobtainrevenge。Theoccasionatlengthcame，andtheydidnotfailtouseit。

ThetroublesofTuscanyandLombardyhadbroughtthecityofLuccaundertheruleofMastinodellaScala，lordofVerona，who，thoughboundbycontracttoassignhertotheFlorentines，hadrefusedtodoso；for，beinglordofParma，hethoughtheshouldbeabletoretainher，anddidnottroublehimselfabouthisbreachoffaith。UponthistheFlorentinesjoinedtheVenetians，andwiththeirassistancebroughtMastinotothebrinkofruin。Theydidnot，however，deriveanybenefitfromthisbeyondtheslightsatisfactionofhavingconqueredhim；fortheVenetians，likeallwhoenterintoleaguewithlesspowerfulstatesthanthemselves，havingacquiredTrevigiandVicenza，madepeacewithMastinowithouttheleastregardfortheFlorentines。Shortlyafterthis，theVisconti，lordsofMilan，havingtakenParmafromMastino，hefoundhimselfunabletoretainLucca，andthereforedeterminedtosellit。ThecompetitorsforthepurchaseweretheFlorentinesandthePisans；andinthecourseofthetreatythePisans，findingthattheFlorentines，beingthericherpeople，wereabouttoobtainit，hadrecoursetoarms，and，withtheassistanceoftheVisconti，marchedagainstLucca。TheFlorentinesdidnot，onthataccount，withdrawfromthepurchase，buthavingagreeduponthetermswithMastino，paidpartofthemoney，gavesecurityfortheremainder，andsentNaddoRucellai，GiovannidiBernadinode'Medici，andRossodiRicciardode'Ricci，totakepossession，whoenteredLuccabyforce，andMastino'speopledeliveredthecitytothem。Nevertheless，thePisanscontinuedthesiege，andtheFlorentinesusedtheirutmostendeavorstorelieveher；butafteralongwar，lossofmoney，andaccumulationofdisgrace，theywerecompelledtoretire，andthePisansbecamelordsofLucca。

Thelossofthiscity，asinlikecasescommonlyhappens，exasperatedthepeopleofFlorenceagainstthemembersofthegovernment；ateverystreetcornerandpublicplacetheywereopenlycensured，andtheentiremisfortunewaslaidtothechargeoftheirgreedinessandmismanagement。Atthebeginningofthewar，twentycitizenshadbeenappointedtoundertakethedirectionofit，whoappointedMalatestadaRiminitothecommandoftheforces。Hehavingexhibitedlittlezealandlessprudence，theyrequestedassistancefromRobertkingofNaples，andhesentthemWalterdukeofAthens，who，asProvidencewouldhaveit，tobringabouttheapproachingevils，arrivedatFlorencejustatthemomentwhentheundertakingagainstLuccahadentirelyfailed。UponthistheTwenty，seeingtheangerofthepeople，thoughttoinspirethemwithfreshhopesbytheappointmentofanewleader，andthusremove，oratleastabate，thecausesofcalumnyagainstthemselves。Astherewasmuchtobefeared，andthatthedukeofAthensmighthavegreaterauthoritytodefendthem，theyfirstchosehimfortheircoadjutor，andthenappointedhimtothecommandofthearmy。Thenobility，whowerediscontentedfromthecausesabovementioned，havingmanyofthembeenacquaintedwithWalter，whenuponaformeroccasionhehadgovernedFlorenceforthedukeofCalabria，thoughttheyhadnowanopportunity，thoughwiththeruinofthecity，ofsubduingtheirenemies；fortherewasnomeansofprevailingagainstthosewhohadoppressedthembutofsubmittingtotheauthorityofaprincewho，beingacquaintedwiththeworthofonepartyandtheinsolenceoftheother，wouldrestrainthelatterandrewardtheformer。Tothistheyaddedahopeofthebenefitstheymightderivefromhimwhenhehadacquiredtheprincipalitybytheirmeans。They，therefore，tookseveraloccasionsofbeingwithhimsecretly，andentreatedhewouldtakethecommandwhollyuponhimself，offeringhimtheutmostassistanceintheirpower。Totheirinfluenceandentreatywerealsoaddedthoseofsomefamiliesofthepeople；

thesewerethePeruzzi，Acciajuoli，Antellesi，andBuonaccorsi，who，beingoverwhelmedwithdebts，andwithoutmeansoftheirown，wishedforthoseofotherstoliquidatethem，and，bytheslaveryoftheircountry，todeliverthemselvesfromtheirservitudetotheircreditors。Thesedemonstrationsexcitedtheambitiousmindoftheduketogreaterdesireofdominion，andinordertogainhimselfthereputationofstrictequityandjustice，andthusincreasehisfavorwiththeplebeians，heprosecutedthosewhohadconductedthewaragainstLucca，condemnedmanytopayfines，otherstoexile，andputtodeathGiovannide'Medici，NaddoRucellai，andGuglielmoAltoviti。

CHAPTERVIII

TheDukeofAthensrequirestobemadeprinceofFlorence——TheSignoryaddressthedukeuponthesubject——TheplebeiansproclaimhimprinceofFlorenceforlife——Tyrannicalproceedingsoftheduke——Thecitydisgustedwithhim——Conspiraciesagainsttheduke——

Thedukediscoverstheconspiracies，andbecomesterrified——Thecityrisesagainsthim——Heisbesiegedinthepalace——Measuresadoptedbythecitizensforreformofthegovernment——Thedukeiscompelledtowithdrawfromthecity——MiserabledeathsofGuglielmodaScesiandhisson——DepartureofthedukeofAthens——Hischaracter。

Theseexecutionsgreatlyterrifiedthemiddleclassofcitizens，butgavesatisfactiontothegreatandtotheplebeians；——tothelatter，becauseitistheirnaturetodelightinevil；andtotheformer，bythusseeingthemselvesavengedofthemanywrongstheyhadsufferedfromthepeople。Whenthedukepassedalongthestreetshewashailedwithloudcheers，theboldnessofhisproceedingswaspraised，andbothpartiesjoinedinopenentreatiesthathewouldsearchoutthefaultsofthecitizens，andpunishthem。

TheofficeoftheTwentybegantofallintodisuse，whilethepowerofthedukebecamegreat，andtheinfluenceoffearexcessive；sothateveryone，inordertoappearfriendlytohim，causedhisarmstobepaintedovertheirhouses，andthenamealonewasallheneededtobeabsolutelyprince。Thinkinghimselfuponsuchafootingthathemightsafelyattemptanything，hegavetheSignorytounderstandthathejudgeditnecessaryforthegoodofthecity，thatthesovereigntyshouldbefreelygiventohim，andthatastherestofthecitizenswerewillingthatitshouldbeso，hedesiredtheywouldalsoconsent。

TheSignory，notwithstandingmanyhadforeseentheruinoftheircountry，weremuchdisturbedatthisdemand；andalthoughtheywereawareofthedangerouspositioninwhichtheystood，thattheymightnotbewantingintheirduty，resolutelyrefusedtocomply。Thedukehad，inordertoassumeagreaterappearanceofreligionandhumanity，chosenforhisresidencetheconventoftheMinorCanonsofSt。Croce，andinordertocarryhisevildesignsintoeffect，proclaimedthatallthepeopleshould，onthefollowingmorning，presentthemselvesbeforehiminthepiazzaoftheconvent。ThiscommandalarmedtheSignorymuchmorethanhisdiscoursetothemhaddone，andtheyconsultedwiththosecitizenswhomtheythoughtmostattachedtotheircountryandtoliberty；buttheycouldnotdeviseanybetterplan，knowingthepowerofwhichthedukewaspossessed，thantoendeavorbyentreatytoinducehimeithertoforegohisdesignortomakehisgovernmentlessintolerable。Apartyofthemwas，therefore，appointedtowaituponhim，oneofwhomaddressedhiminthefollowingmanner:——

"Weappearbeforeyou，mylord，inducedfirstbythedemandwhichyouhavemade，andthenbytheordersyouhavegivenforameetingofthepeople；foritappearstousveryclearly，thatitisyourintentiontoeffectbyextraordinarymeansthedesignfromwhichwehavehithertowithheldourconsent。Itisnot，however，ourintentiontoopposeyouwithforce，butonlytoshowwhataheavychargeyoutakeuponyourself，andthedangerouscourseyouadopt；totheendthatyoumayrememberouradviceandthatofthosewho，notbyconsiderationofwhatisbeneficialforyou，butforthegratificationoftheirownunreasonablewishes，haveadvisedyoudifferently。Youareendeavoringtoreducetoslaveryacitythathasalwaysexistedinfreedom；fortheauthoritywhichwehaveattimesconcededtothekingsofNapleswascompanionshipandnotservitude。Haveyouconsideredthemightythingswhichthenameoflibertyimpliestosuchacityasthis，andhowdelightfulitistothosewhohearit？Ithasapowerwhichnothingcansubdue，timecannotwearaway，norcananydegreeofmeritinaprincecountervailthelossofit。Consider，mylord，howgreattheforcemustbethatcankeepacitylikethisinsubjection，noforeignaidwouldenableyoutodoit；neithercanyouconfideinthoseathome；fortheywhoareatpresentyourfriends，andadviseyoutoadoptthecourseyounowpursue，assoonaswithyourassistancetheyhaveovercometheirenemies，willatonceturntheirthoughtstowardeffectingyourdestruction，andthentakethegovernmentuponthemselves。Theplebeians，inwhomyouconfide，willchangeuponanyaccident，howevertrivial；sothatinaveryshorttimeyoumayexpecttoseethewholecityopposedtoyou，whichwillproduceboththeirruinandyourown。Norwillyoubeabletofindanyremedyforthis；forprinceswhohavebutfewenemiesmaymaketheirgovernmentverysecurebythedeathorbanishmentofthosewhoareopposedtothem；butwhenthehatredisuniversal，nosecuritywhatevercanbefound，foryoucannottellfromwhatdirectiontheevilmaycommence；andhewhohastoapprehendeverymanhisenemycannotmakehimselfassuredofanyone。Andifyoushouldattempttosecureafriendortwo，youwouldonlyincreasethedangersofyoursituation；forthehatredoftherestwouldbeincreasedbyyoursuccess，andtheywouldbecomemoreresolutelydisposedtovengeance。

"Thattimecanneitherdestroynorabatethedesireforfreedomismostcertain；forithasbeenoftenobserved，thatthosehavereassumedtheirlibertywhointheirownpersonshadnevertastedofitscharms，andloveitonlyfromremembranceofwhattheyhaveheardtheirfathersrelate；and，therefore，whenrecovered，havepreserveditwithindomitableresolutionandateveryhazard。Andevenwhentheirfatherscouldnotrememberit，thepublicbuildings，thehallsofthemagistracy，andtheinsigniaoffreeinstitutions，remindthemofit；andthesethingscannotfailtobeknownandgreatlydesiredbyeveryclassofcitizens。

"Whatisityouimagineyoucando，thatwouldbeanequivalentforthesweetsofliberty，ormakemenlosethedesireoftheirpresentconditions？No；ifyouweretojointhewholeofTuscanytotheFlorentinerule，ifyouweretoreturntothecitydailyintriumphoverherenemies，whatcoulditavail？Theglorywouldnotbeours，butyours。Weshouldnotacquirefellow-citizens，butpartakersofourbondage，whowouldservetosinkusstilldeeperinignominy。Andifyourconductwereineveryrespectupright，yourdemeanoramiable，andyourjudgmentsequitable，allthesewouldbeinsufficienttomakeyoubeloved。Ifyouimagineotherwise，youdeceiveyourself；for，tooneaccustomedtotheenjoymentofliberty，theslightestchainsfeelheavy，andeverytieuponhisfreesouloppresseshim。Besides，itisimpossibletofindaviolentpeopleassociatedwithagoodprince，forofnecessitytheymustsoonbecomealike，ortheirdifferenceproducetheruinofoneofthem。Youmay，therefore，beassured，thatyouwilleitherhavetoholdthiscitybyforce，toeffectwhich，guards，castles，andexternalaidhaveoftbeenfoundinsufficient，orbecontentwiththeauthoritywehaveconferred；andthiswewouldadvise，remindingyouthatnodominioncanbedurabletowhichthegoverneddonotconsent；andwehavenowishtoleadyou，blindedbyambition，tosuchapointthat，unableeithertostandoradvance，youmust，tothegreatinjuryofboth，ofnecessityfall。"

Thisdiscoursedidnotintheslightestdegreesoftentheobduratemindoftheduke，whorepliedthatitwasnothisintentiontorobthecityofherliberty，buttorestoreittoher；forthosecitiesaloneareinslaverythataredisunited，whiletheunitedarefree。AsFlorence，byherfactionsandambition，haddeprivedherselfofliberty，heshouldrestore，nottakeitfromher；andashehadbeeninducedtotakethischargeuponhimself，notfromhisownambition，butattheentreatyofagreatnumberofcitizens，theywoulddowelltobesatisfiedwiththatwhichproducedcontentmentamongtherest。

Withregardtothedangerhemightincur，hethoughtnothingofit；

foritwasnotthepartofagoodmantoavoiddoinggoodfromhisapprehensionofevil，anditwasthepartofacowardtoshunagloriousundertakingbecausesomeuncertaintyattendedthesuccessoftheattempt；andheknewheshouldsoconducthimself，thattheywouldsoonseetheyhadentertainedgreatapprehensionsandbeeninlittledanger。

TheSignorythenagreed，findingtheycouldnotdobetter，thatonthefollowingmorningthepeopleshouldbeassembledintheiraccustomedplaceofmeeting，andwiththeirconsenttheSignoryshouldconferuponthedukethesovereigntyofthecityforoneyear，onthesameconditionsasithadbeenintrustedtothedukeofCalabria。Itwasuponthe8thofNovember，1342，whentheduke，accompaniedbyGiovannidellaTosaandallhisconfederates，withmanyothercitizens，cametothepiazzaorcourtofthepalace，andhaving，withtheSignorymountedupontheringhiera，orrostrum(astheFlorentinescallthosestepswhichleadtothepalace)，theagreementwhichhadbeenenteredintobetweentheSignoryandhimselfwasread。Whentheyhadcometothepassagewhichgavethegovernmenttohimforoneyear，thepeopleshouted，"FORLIFE。"Uponthis，FrancescoRustichelli，oneoftheSignory，arosetospeak，andendeavoredtoabatethetumultandprocureahearing；butthemob，withtheirhootings，preventedhimfrombeingheardbyanyone；sothatwiththeconsentofthepeoplethedukewaselected，notforoneyearmerely，butforlife。Hewasthenbornethroughthepiazzabythecrowd，shoutinghisnameastheyproceeded。

Itisthecustomthathewhoisappointedtotheguardofthepalaceshall，intheabsenceoftheSignory，remainlockedwithin。ThisofficewasatthattimeheldbyRinieridiGiotto，who，bribedbythefriendsoftheduke，withoutwaitingforanyforce，admittedhimimmediately。TheSignory，terrifiedanddishonored，retiredtotheirownhouses；thepalacewasplunderedbythefollowersoftheduke，theGonfalonofthepeopletorntopieces，andthearmsofthedukeplacedoverthepalace。Allthishappenedtotheindescribablesorrowofgoodmen，thoughtothesatisfactionofthosewho，eitherfromignoranceormalignity，wereconsentingparties。

Theduke，havingacquiredthesovereigntyofthecity，inordertostripthoseofallauthoritywhohadbeendefendersofherliberty，forbadetheSignorytoassembleinthepalace，andappointedaprivatedwellingfortheiruse。HetooktheircolorsfromtheGonfaloniersofthecompaniesofthepeople；abolishedtheordinancesmadefortherestraintofthegreat；setatlibertythosewhowereimprisoned；

recalledtheBardiandtheFrescobaldifromexile，andforbadeeveryonefromcarryingarmsabouthisperson。Inorderthebettertodefendhimselfagainstthosewithinthecity，hemadefriendsofallhecouldaroundit，andthereforeconferredgreatbenefitsupontheAretiniandothersubjectsoftheFlorentines。HemadepeacewiththePisans，althoughraisedtopowerinorderthathemightcarryonwaragainstthem；ceasedpayinginteresttothosemerchantswho，duringthewaragainstLucca，hadlentmoneytotherepublic；increasedtheoldtaxes，leviednewones，andtookfromtheSignoryallauthority。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读