laws, found a safe refuge within their walls, if
they were able to contribute toward their decoration or completion. The
other citizens, though they did not build like him, were no less violent
or rapacious, so that if Florence were not harassed by external wars,
she was ruined by the wickedness of her own children. During this period
the wars of Naples took place. The pope also commenced hostilities in
Romagna against the Malatesti, from whom he wished to take Rimino and
Cesena, held by them. In these designs, and his intentions of a crusade
against the Turks, was passed the pontificate of Pius II.

Florence continued in disunion and disturbance. The dissensions
continued among the party of Cosmo, in 1455, from the causes already
related, which by his prudence, as we have also before remarked, he was
enabled to tranquilize; but in the year 1464, his illness increased,
and he died. Friends and enemies alike grieved for his loss; for his
political opponents, perceiving the rapacity of the citizens, even
during the life of him who alone restrained them and made their tyranny
supportable, were afraid, lest after his decease, nothing but ruin would
ensue. Nor had they much hope of his son Piero, who though a very good
man, was of infirm health, and new in the government, and they thought
he would be compelled to give way; so that, being unrestrained, their
rapacity would pass all bounds. On these accounts, the regret was
universal. Of all who have left memorials behind them, and who were not
of the military profession, Cosmo was the most illustrious and the most
renowned. He not only surpassed all his contemporaries in wealth and
authority, but also in generosity and prudence; and among the qualities
which contributed to make him prince in his own country, was his
surpassing all others in magnificence and generosity. His liberality
became more obvious after his death, when Piero, his son, wishing
to know what he possessed, it appeared there was no citizen of any
consequence to whom Cosmo had not lent a large sum of money; and often,
when informed of some nobleman being in distress, he relieved him
unasked. His magnificence is evident from the number of public edifices
he erected; for in Florence are the convents and churches of St. Marco
and St. Lorenzo, and the monastery of Santa Verdiana; in the mountains
of Fiesole, the church and abbey of St. Girolamo; and in the Mugello, he
not only restored, but rebuilt from its found