having filled the piazza, and compelled
them to assent to a measure to which he knew them to be averse. Having
recovered power, created a new balia, and filled the principal offices
according to the pleasure of a few individuals, in order to commence
that government with terror which they had obtained by force, they
banished Girolamo Machiavelli, with some others, and deprived many of
the honors of government. Girolamo, having transgressed the confines to
which he was limited, was declared a rebel. Traveling about Italy, with
the design of exciting the princes against his country, he was betrayed
while at Lunigiana, and, being brought to Florence, was put to death in
prison.

This government, during the eight years it continued, was violent and
insupportable; for Cosmo, being now old, and through ill health unable
to attend to public affairs as formerly, Florence became a prey to a
small number of her own citizens. Luca Pitti, in return for the services
he had performed for the republic, as made a knight, and to be no less
grateful than those who had conferred the dignity upon him, he ordered
that the priors, who had hitherto been called priors of the trades,
should also have a name to which they had no kind of claim, and
therefore called them priors of liberty. He also ordered, that as it
had been customary for the gonfalonier to sit upon the right hand of
the rectors, he should in future take his seat in the midst of them. And
that the Deity might appear to participate in what had been done, public
processions were made and solemn services performed, to thank him for
the recovery of the government. The Signory and Cosmo made Luca Pitti
rich presents, and all the citizens were emulous in imitation of them;
so that the money given amounted to no less a sum than twenty thousand
ducats. He thus attained such influence, that not Cosmo but himself now
governed the city; and his pride so increased, that he commenced two
superb buildings, one in Florence, the other at Ruciano, about a mile
distant, both in a style of royal magnificence; that in the city, being
larger than any hitherto built by a private person. To complete them, he
had recourse to the most extraordinary means; for not only citizens and
private individuals made him presents and supplied materials, but the
mass of people, of every grade, also contributed. Besides this, any
exiles who had committed murders, thefts, or other crimes which made
them amenable to the