life, they would soon afterward find their very
existence endangered, for both would join Filippo and divide Italy
among them. The Florentines and Venetians hesitated for a time, both to
consider the propriety of drawing upon themselves the enmity of the pope
and the king, and because they were then engaged in the affairs of the
Bolognese. Annibale Bentivoglio had driven Francesco Piccinino from
Bologna, and for defense against the duke, who favored Francesco, he
demanded and received assistance of the Venetians and Florentines; so
that, being occupied with these matters they could not resolve to assist
the count, but Annibale, having routed Francesco Piccinino, and those
affairs seeming to be settled, they resolved to support him. Designing
however to make sure of the duke, they offered to renew the league with
him, to which he was not averse; for, although he consented that war
should be made against the count, while King Rene was in arms, yet
finding him now conquered, and deprived of the whole kingdom, he was
not willing that the count should be despoiled of his territories; and
therefore, not only consented that assistance should be given him,
but wrote to Alfonso to be good enough to retire to his kingdom, and
discontinue hostilities against the count; and although reluctantly, yet
in acknowledgment of his obligations to the duke, Alfonso determined to
satisfy him, and withdrew with his forces beyond the Tronto.

CHAPTER II

Discords of Florence--Jealousy excited against Neri di Gino
Capponi--Baldaccio d'Anghiari murdered--Reform of government in favor
of the Medici--Enterprises of Sforza and Piccinino--Death of Niccolo
Piccinino--End of the war--Disturbances in Bologna--Annibale Bentivoglio
slain by Battista Canneschi, and the latter by the people--Santi,
supposed to be the son of Ercole Bentivoglio, is called to govern
the city of Bologna--Discourse of Cosmo de' Medici to him--Perfidious
designs of the duke of Milan against Sforza--General war in
Italy--Losses of the duke of Milan--The duke has recourse to the count,
who makes peace with him--Offers of the duke and the Venetians to the
count--The Venetians furtively deprive the count of Cremona.

While the affairs of Romagna proceeded thus, the city of Florence
was not tranquil. Among the citizens of highest reputation in the
government, was Neri di Gino Capponi, of whose influence Cosmo de'
Medici had more apprehension than any other; for to the great aut