adopted it for the purpose of pleasing him; and this caused the ruin
of both. It seldom happens, that the gratification of private feelings,
fails to be injurious to the general convenience.

Niccolo, pursuing his good fortune, took Rassina and Chiusi. The Count
di Poppi advised him to halt in these parts, arguing that he might
divide his people between Chiusi, Caprese, and the Pieve, render himself
master of this branch of the Apennines, and descend at pleasure into the
Casentino, the Val d'Arno, the Val di Chiane, or the Val di Tavere,
as well as be prepared for every movement of the enemy. But Niccolo,
considering the sterility of these places, told him, "his horses could
not eat stones," and went to the Borgo San Sepolcro, where he was
amicably received, but found that the people of Citta di Castello, who
were friendly to the Florentines, could not be induced to yield to his
overtures. Wishing to have Perugia at his disposal, he proceeded
thither with forty horse, and being one of her citizens, met with a kind
reception. But in a few days he became suspected, and having attempted
unsuccessfully to tamper with the legate and people of Perugia, he took
eight thousand ducats from them, and returned to his army. He then set
on foot secret measures, to seduce Cortona from the Florentines, but
the affair being discovered, his attempts were fruitless. Among the
principal citizens was Bartolomeo di Senso, who being appointed to the
evening watch of one of the gates, a countryman, his friend, told him,
that if he went he would be slain. Bartolomeo, requesting to know what
was meant, he became acquainted with the whole affair, and revealed it
to the governor of the place, who, having secured the leaders of the
conspiracy, and doubled the guards at the gates, waited till the time
appointed for the coming of Niccolo, who finding his purpose discovered,
returned to his encampment.

CHAPTER VII

Brescia relieved by Sforza--His other victories--Piccinino is
recalled into Lombardy--He endeavors to bring the Florentines to an
engagement--He is routed before Anghiari--Serious disorders in the
camp of the Florentines after the victory--Death of Rinaldo degli
Albizzi--His character--Neri Capponi goes to recover the Casentino--The
Count di Poppi surrenders--His discourse upon quitting his possessions.

While these events were taking place in Tuscany, so little to the
advantage of the duke, his affairs in Lombardy were in a still