ady been made known, and now by the living words of
the sufferers presented before them, excited the compassion of the
magistracy. They ordered the immediate return of Astorre, who being
tried, was found guilty, and admonished. They sought the goods of the
inhabitants of Seravezza; all that could be recovered was restored
to them, and as time and circumstance gave opportunity, they were
compensated for the rest.

Complaints were made against Rinaldo degli Albizzi, that he carried on
the war, not for the advantage of the Florentine people, but his own
private emolument; that as soon as he was appointed commissary, he lost
all desire to take Lucca, for it was sufficient for him to plunder the
country, fill his estates with cattle, and his house with booty; and,
not content with what his own satellites took, he purchased that of the
soldiery, so that instead of a commissary he became a merchant. These
calumnies coming to his ears, disturbed the temper of this proud but
upright man, more than quite became his dignity. He was so exasperated
against the citizens and magistracy, that without waiting for or asking
permission, he returned to Florence, and, presenting himself before the
Council of Ten, he said that he well knew how difficult and dangerous a
thing it was to serve an unruly people and a divided city, for the
one listens to every report, the other pursues improper measures; they
neglect to reward good conduct, and heap censure upon whatever appears
doubtful; so that victory wins no applause, error is accused by all, and
if vanquished, universal condemnation is incurred; from one's own party
through envy, and from enemies through hatred, persecution results. He
confessed that the baseness of the present calumnies had conquered his
patience and changed the temper of his mind; but he would say, he had
never, for fear of a false accusation, avoided doing what appeared to
him beneficial to the city. However, he trusted the magistrates would in
future be more ready to defend their fellow-citizens, so that the latter
might continue anxious to effect the prosperity of their country; that
as it was not customary at Florence to award triumphs for success, they
ought at least to be protected from calumny; and that being citizens
themselves, and at any moment liable to false accusations, they might
easily conceive how painful it is to an upright mind to be oppressed
with slander. The Ten endeavored, as well as circumstances woul