zano, in order that the Lucchese,
being pressed on all sides, might despair of assistance, and be
compelled to submission by famine. The fortress was very strong, and
defended by a numerous garrison, so that its capture would be by no
means an easy undertaking. The Lucchese, as might be expected, seeing
the imminent peril of their situation, had recourse to the duke, and
employed prayers and remonstrances to induce him to render them aid.
They enlarged upon their own merits and the offenses of the Florentines;
and showed how greatly it would attach the duke's friends to him to
find they were defended, and how much disaffection it would spread among
them, if they were left to be overwhelmed by the enemy; that if they
lost their liberties and their lives, he would lose his honor and his
friends, and forfeit the confidence of all who from affection might be
induced to incur dangers in his behalf; and added tears to entreaties,
so that if he were unmoved by gratitude to them, he might be induced
to their defense by motives of compassion. The duke, influenced by his
inveterate hostility against the Florentines, his new obligation to
the Lucchese, and, above all, by his desire to prevent so great
an acquisition from falling into the hands of his ancient enemies,
determined either to send a strong force into Tuscany, or vigorously to
assail the Venetians, so as to compel the Florentines to give up their
enterprise and go to their relief.

It was soon known in Florence that the duke was preparing to send forces
into Tuscany. This made the Florentines apprehensive for the success
of their enterprise; and in order to retain the duke in Lombardy, they
requested the Venetians to press him with their utmost strength. But
they also were alarmed, the marquis of Mantua having abandoned them and
gone over to the duke; and thus, finding themselves almost defenseless,
they replied, "that instead of increasing their responsibilities, they
should be unable to perform their part in the war, unless the Count
Francesco were sent to them to take the command of the army, and with
the special understanding that he should engage to cross the Po in
person. They declined to fulfil their former engagements unless he were
bound to do so; for they could not carry on the war without a leader,
or repose confidence in any except the count; and he himself would be
useless to them, unless he came under an obligation to carry on the
war whenever they might t