who confined the enemy to the coast.

CHAPTER VI

Conspiracy of Stefano Porcari against the papal government--The
conspirators discovered and punished--The Florentines recover the places
they had lost--Gherardo Gambacorti, lord of Val di Bagno, endeavors
to transfer his territories to the king of Naples--Gallant conduct of
Antonio Gualandi, who counteracts the design of Gambacorti--Rene
of Anjou is called into Italy by the Florentines--Rene returns to
France--The pope endeavors to restore peace--Peace proclaimed--Jacopo
Piccinino attacks the Siennese.

The pontiff did not interfere in these affairs further than to endeavor
to bring the parties to a mutual accommodation; but while he refrained
from external wars he incurred the danger of more serious troubles at
home. Stefano Porcari was a Roman citizen, equally distinguished
for nobility of birth and extent of learning, but still more by the
excellence of his character. Like all who are in pursuit of glory, he
resolved either to perform or to attempt something worthy of memory, and
thought he could not do better than deliver his country from the hands
of the prelates, and restore the ancient form of government; hoping, in
the event of success, to be considered a new founder or second father of
the city. The dissolute manners of the priesthood, and the discontent
of the Roman barons and people, encouraged him to look for a happy
termination of his enterprise; but he derived his greatest confidence
from those verses of Petrarch in the canzone which begins, "Spirto
gentil che quelle membra reggi," where he says,--

"Sopra il Monte Tarpejo canzon vedra, Un cavalier, ch' Italia tutta
onora, Pensoso piu d'altrui, che di se stesso."

Stefano, believing poets are sometimes endowed with a divine and
prophetic spirit, thought the event must take place which Petrarch in
this canzone seemed to foretell, and that he was destined to effect the
glorious task; considering himself in learning, eloquence, friends, and
influence, superior to any other citizen of Rome. Having taken these
impressions, he had not sufficient prudence to avoid discovering his
design by his discourse, demeanor, and mode of living; so that the pope
becoming acquainted with it, in order to prevent the commission of some
rash act, banished him to Bologna and charged the governor of the city
to compel his appearance before him once every day. Stefano was
not daunted by this first check, but with even great