e nobility, and all who wished for repose, rejoiced to find he
had attained that dignity; that it now rested with him to act in such a
manner as to realize their pleasing expectations. He then enlarged upon
the danger of disunion, and endeavored to show that there was no means
of attaining the blessing of unity but by the destruction of Cosmo, for
he alone, by the popularity acquired with his enormous wealth, kept them
depressed; that he was already so powerful, that if not hindered, he
would soon become prince, and that it was the part of a good citizen, in
order to prevent such a calamity, to assemble the people in the piazza,
and restore liberty to his country. Rinaldo then reminded the new
Gonfalonier how Salvestro de' Medici was able, though unjustly, to
restrain the power of the Guelphs, to whom, by the blood of their
ancestors, shed in its cause, the government rightly belonged; and
argued that what he was able unjustly to accomplish against so many,
might surely be easily performed with justice in its favor against one!
He encouraged him with the assurance that their friends would be ready
in arms to support him; that he need not regard the plebeians, who
adored Cosmo, since their assistance would be of no greater avail than
Giorgio Scali had found it on a similar occasion; and that with regard
to his wealth, no apprehension was necessary, for when he was under
the power of the Signory, his riches would be so too. In conclusion, he
averred that this course would unite and secure the republic, and crown
the Gonfalonier with glory. Bernardo briefly replied, that he thought
it necessary to act exactly as Rinaldo had advised, and that as the time
was suitable for action, he should provide himself with forces, being
assured from what Rinaldo had said, he would be supported by his
colleagues.

Bernardo entered upon the duties of his office, prepared his followers,
and having concerted with Rinaldo, summoned Cosmo, who, though many
friends dissuaded him from it, obeyed the call, trusting more to his own
innocence than to the mercy of the Signory. As soon as he had entered
the palace he was arrested. Rinaldo, with a great number of armed men,
and accompanied by nearly the whole of his party, proceeded to the
piazza, when the Signory assembled the people, and created a Balia of
two hundred persons for the reformation of the city. With the least
possible delay they entered upon the consideration of reform, and of the
life