emselves
disarmed, without friends, and opposed by the people, who at the corners
of streets insulted them with sarcastic expressions, complaining of the
heavy taxes, and the unnecessary war, and saying, "Oh! they appointed
the ten to frighten the enemy. Have they relieved Furli, and rescued her
from the hands of the duke? No! but their designs have been discovered;
and what had they in view? not the defense of liberty; for they do not
love her; but to aggrandize their own power, which God has very justly
abated. This is not the only enterprise by many a one with which they
have oppressed the city; for the war against King Ladislaus was of a
similar kind. To whom will they flee for assistance now? to Pope Martin,
whom they ridiculed before the face of Braccio; or to Queen Giovanna,
whom they abandoned, and compelled to throw herself under the protection
of the king of Aragon?" To these reproaches was added all that might be
expected from an enraged multitude.

Seeing the discontent so prevalent, the Signory resolved to assemble
a few citizens, and with soft words endeavor to soothe the popular
irritation. On this occasion, Rinaldo degli Albizzi, the eldest son of
Maso, who, by his own talents and the respect he derived from the memory
of his father, aspired to the first offices in the government, spoke at
great length; showing that it is not right to judge of actions merely
by their effects; for it often happens that what has been very maturely
considered is attended with unfavorable results: that if we are to
applaud evil counsels because they are sometimes followed by fortunate
events, we should only encourage men in error which would bring great
mischief upon the republic; because evil counsel is not always attended
with happy consequences. In the same way, it would be wrong to blame
a wise resolution, because if its being attended with an unfavorable
issue; for by so doing, we should destroy the inclination of citizens
to offer advice and speak the truth. He then showed the propriety
of undertaking the war; and that if it had not been commenced by the
Florentines in Romagna the duke would have assailed them in Tuscany. But
since it had pleased God, that the Florentine people should be overcome,
their loss would be still greater if they allowed themselves to be
dejected; but if they set a bold front against adversity, and made good
use of the means within their power, they would not be sensible of their
loss or the d