he benefit they had conferred upon the other; so that
whoever was the author of the proposition, he would gain few friends and
make many enemies, and that the latter would be more resolutely bent
on injuring him than the former would be zealous for his defense, for
mankind are naturally more disposed to revenge than to gratitude, as
if the latter could only be exercised with some inconvenience to
themselves, while the former brings alike gratification and profit.
Then, directing his discourse more particularly to Rinaldo, he said,
"And you, if you could call to mind past events, and knew how craftily
affairs are conducted in this city, would not be so eager in this
pursuit; for he who advises it, when by your aid he has wrested the
power from the people, will, with the people's assistance, who will have
become your enemies, deprive you of it. And it will happen to you as
to Benedetto Alberti, who, at the persuasion of those who were not his
friends, consented to the ruin of Giorgio Scali and Tommaso Strozzi, and
shortly afterward was himself sent into exile by the very same men." He
therefore advised Rinaldo to think more maturely of these things, and
endeavor to imitate his father, who, to obtain the benevolence of all,
reduced the price of salt, provided that whoever owed taxes under half
a florin should be at liberty to pay them or not, as he thought proper,
and that at the meeting of the Councils every one should be free from
the importunities of his creditors. He concluded by saying, that as
regarded himself, he was disposed to let the government of the city
remain as it was.

CHAPTER III

Giovanni de' Medici acquires the favor of the people--Bravery of Biaggio
del Melano--Baseness of Zanobi del Pino--The Florentines obtain the
friendship of the lord of Faenza--League of the Florentines with the
Venetians--Origin of the Catasto--The rich citizens discontented with
it--Peace with the duke of Milan--New disturbances on account of the
Catasto.

These events, and the circumstances attending them, becoming known to
the people, contributed greatly to increase the reputation of Giovanni,
and brought odium on those who had made the proposals; but he assumed an
appearance of indifference, in order to give less encouragement to
those who by his influence were desirous of change. In his discourse he
intimated to every one that it is not desirable to promote factions, but
rather to extinguish them; and that whatever mig