d Niccolo Soderini were brothers. Niccolo
was the more ardent and spirited, Tommaso the wiser man; who, being very
much the friend of Piero, and knowing that his brother desired nothing
but the liberty of the city, and the stability of the republic, without
injury to any, advised him to make new Squittini, by which means the
election purses might be filled with the names of those favorable to his
design. Niccolo took his brother's advice, and thus wasted the period
of his magistracy in vain hopes, which his friends, the leading
conspirators, allowed him to do from motives of envy; for they were
unwilling that the government should be reformed by the authority
of Niccolo, and thought they would be in time enough to effect their
purpose under another gonfalonier. Thus the magistracy of Niccolo
expired; and having commenced many things without completing aught, he
retired from office with much less credit than when he had entered upon
it.

This circumstance caused the aggrandizement of Piero's party, whose
friends entertained stronger hopes, while those who had been neutral or
wavering became his adherents; so that both sides being balanced,
many months elapsed without any open demonstration of their particular
designs. Piero's party continuing to gather strength, his enemies'
indignation increased in proportion; and they now determined to effect
by force what they either could not accomplish, or were unwilling to
attempt by the medium of the magistrates, which was assassination of
Piero, who lay sick at Careggi, and to this end order the marquis of
Ferrara nearer to the city with his forces, that after Piero's death he
might lead them into the piazza, and thus compel the Signory to form a
government according to their own wishes; for though all might not be
friendly, they trusted they would be able to induce those to submit by
fear who might be opposed to them from principle.

Diotisalvi, the better to conceal his design, frequently visited Piero,
conversed with him respecting the union of the city, and advised him to
effect it. The conspirators' designs had already been fully disclosed to
Piero; besides this, Domenico Martelli had informed him, that Francesco
Neroni, the brother of Diotisalvi, had endeavored to induce him to join
them, assuring him the victory was certain, and their object all but
attained. Upon this, Piero resolved to take advantage of his enemies'
tampering with the marquis of Ferrara, and be first in