imself by flight. He therefore drew together a good number
of citizens (for many began to see their error), mounted on horseback,
and followed by crowds of armed men, proceeded to Santa Maria Novella,
to encounter his adversaries. The plebeians, who as before observed
were influenced by a similar desire, had set out about the same time as
Michael, and it happened that as each took a different route, they did
not meet in their way, and Michael, upon his return, found the piazza in
their possession. The contest was now for the palace, and joining in the
fight, he soon vanquished them, drove part of them out of the city,
and compelled the rest to throw down their arms and escape or conceal
themselves, as well as they could. Having thus gained the victory, the
tumults were composed, solely by the talents of the Gonfalonier, who in
courage, prudence, and generosity surpassed every other citizen of his
time, and deserves to be enumerated among the glorious few who have
greatly benefited their country; for had he possessed either malice or
ambition, the republic would have been completely ruined, and the city
must have fallen under greater tyranny than that of the duke of Athens.
But his goodness never allowed a thought to enter his mind opposed to
the universal welfare: his prudence enabled him to conduct affairs in
such a manner, that a great majority of his own faction reposed the most
entire confidence in him; and he kept the rest in awe by the influence
of his authority. These qualities subdued the plebeians, and opened the
eyes of the superior artificers, who considered how great must be the
folly of those, who having overcome the pride of the nobility, could
endure to submit to the nauseous rule of the rabble.

CHAPTER V

New regulations for the elections of the Signory--Confusion in the
City--Piero degli Albizzi and other citizens condemned to death--The
Florentines alarmed by the approach of Charles of Durazzo--The
measures adopted in consequence thereof--Insolent Conduct of Giorgio
Scali--Benedetto Alberti--Giorgio Scali beheaded.

By the time Michael di Lando had subdued the plebeians, the new Signory
was drawn, and among those who composed it, were two persons of such
base and mean condition, that the desire increased in the minds of the
people to be freed from the ignominy into which they had fallen; and
when, upon the first of September, the new Signory entered office and
the retiring members were still in