a Mauroceno, their
messenger on this occasion, each charging the other with arrogance
and treachery: after many protestations, the one of being under no
obligation to perform that service, and the other of not being bound to
any payment, they parted, the count to return to Tuscany, the other to
Venice.

The Florentines had sent the count to encamp in the Pisan territory, and
were in hopes of inducing him to renew the war against the Lucchese, but
found him indisposed to do so, for the duke, having been informed that
out of regard to him he had refused to cross the Po, thought that by
this means he might also save the Lucchese, and begged the count to
endeavor to effect an accommodation between the Florentines and the
Lucchese, including himself in it, if he were able, declaring, at
the same time, the promised marriage should be solemnized whenever he
thought proper. The prospect of this connection had great influence with
the count, for, as the duke had no sons, it gave him hope of becoming
sovereign of Milan. For this reason he gradually abated his exertions
in the war, declared he would not proceed unless the Venetians fulfilled
their engagement as to the payment, and also retained him in the
command; that the discharge of the debt would not alone be sufficient,
for desiring to live peaceably in his own dominions, he needed some
alliance other than that of the Florentines, and that he must regard his
own interests, shrewdly hinting that if abandoned by the Venetians, he
would come to terms with the duke.

These indirect and crafty methods of procedure were highly offensive
to the Florentines, for they found their expedition against Lucca
frustrated, and trembled for the safety of their own territories if ever
the count and the duke should enter into a mutual alliance. To induce
the Venetians to retain the count in the command, Cosmo de' Medici went
to Venice, hoping his influence would prevail with them, and discussed
the subject at great length before the senate, pointing out the
condition of the Italian states, the disposition of their armies, and
the great preponderance possessed by the duke. He concluded by saying,
that if the count and the duke were to unite their forces, they (the
Venetians) might return to the sea, and the Florentines would have to
fight for their liberty. To this the Venetians replied, that they were
acquainted with their own strength and that of the Italians, and thought
themselves able at