to the Florentines; but their offer was declined,
and while negotiations were pending, the pope's legate imagined the
commissaries designed to take it from the church. Hard words were
exchanged and hostilities might have ensued between the Florentine
and ecclesiastical forces, if the misunderstanding had continued much
longer; but as it was brought to the conclusion desired by the legate,
peace was restored.

While the affair of the Borgo San Sepolcro was in progress, Niccolo
Piccinino was supposed to have marched toward Rome; other accounts
said La Marca, and hence the legate and the count's forces moved toward
Perugia to relieve La Marca or Rome, as the case might be, and Bernardo
de Medici accompanied them. Neri led the Florentine forces to recover
the Casentino, and pitched his camp before Rassina, which he took,
together with Bibbiena, Prato Vecchio, and Romena. From thence he
proceeded to Poppi and invested it on two sides with his forces, in one
direction toward the plain of Certomondo, in the other upon the hill
extending to Fronzole. The count finding himself abandoned to his fate,
had shut himself up in Poppi, not with any hope of assistance, but with
a view to make the best terms he could. Neri pressing him, he offered
to capitulate, and obtained reasonable conditions, namely, security for
himself and family, with leave to take whatever he could carry away, on
condition of ceding his territories and government to the Florentines.
When he perceived the full extent of his misfortune, standing upon the
bridge which crosses the Arno, close to Poppi, he turned to Neri in
great distress, and said, "Had I well considered my own position and
the power of the Florentines, I should now have been a friend of the
republic and congratulating you on your victory, not an enemy compelled
to supplicate some alleviation of my woe. The recent events which to you
bring glory and joy, to me are full of wretchedness and sorrow. Once
I possessed horses, arms, subjects, grandeur and wealth: can it be
surprising that I part with them reluctantly? But as you possess both
the power and the inclination to command the whole of Tuscany, we must
of necessity obey you; and had I not committed this error, my misfortune
would not have occurred, and your liberality could not have been
exercised; so, that if you were to rescue me from entire ruin, you would
give the world a lasting proof of your clemency. Therefore, let your
pity pass by my fa