hey would prepare for hostilities, and, finding him
young, new in the government, and without friends, they would, either
by force or fraud, compel him to join them; in which case ruin of the
republic would be inevitable.

The arguments of Piero were without effect, and the animosity of the
parties began to be openly manifested in their nocturnal assemblies; the
friends of the Medici meeting in the Crocetta, and their adversaries in
the Pieta. The latter being anxious for Piero's ruin, had induced many
citizens to subscribe their names as favorable to the undertaking. Upon
one occasion, particularly when considering the course to be adopted,
although all agreed that the power of the Medici ought to be reduced,
different opinions were given concerning the means by which it should be
effected; one party, the most temperate and reasonable, held that as the
authority of the balia had ceased, they must take care to prevent
its renewal; it would then be found to be the universal wish that the
magistrates and councils should govern the city, and in a short time
Piero's power would be visibly diminished, and, as a consequence of his
loss of influence in the government, his commercial credit would also
fail; for his affairs were in such a state, that if they could prevent
him from using the public money his ruin must ensue. They would thus
be in no further danger from him, and would succeed in the recovery of
their liberty, without the death or exile of any individual; but if
they attempted violence they would incur great dangers; for mankind
are willing to allow one who falls of himself to meet his fate, but if
pushed down they would hasten to his relief; so that if they adopted no
extraordinary measures against him, he will have no reason for defense
or aid; and if he were to seek them it would be greatly to his own
injury, by creating such a general suspicion as would accelerate his
ruin, and justify whatever course they might think proper to adopt. Many
of the assembly were dissatisfied with this tardy method of proceeding;
they thought delay would be favorable to him and injurious to
themselves; for if they allowed matters to take their ordinary course,
Piero would be in no danger whatever, while they themselves would incur
many; for the magistrates who were opposed to him would allow him to
rule the city, and his friends would make him a prince, and their own
ruin would be inevitable, as happened in 1458; and though the adv