arms. He
therefore intimated that he had received a letter from Giovanni
Bentivogli, prince of Bologna, which informed him that the marquis of
Ferrara was upon the river Albo, at the head of a considerable force,
with the avowed intention of leading it to Florence; that upon this
advice he had taken up arms; after which, in the midst of a strong
force, he came to the city, when all who were disposed to support him,
armed themselves also. The adverse party did the same, but not in such
good order, being unprepared. The residence of Diotisalvi being near
that of Piero, he did not think himself safe in it, but first went to
the palace and begged the Signory would endeavor to induce Piero to lay
down his arms, and thence to Luca Pitti, to keep him faithful in their
cause. Niccolo Soderini displayed the most activity; for taking arms,
and being followed by nearly all the plebeians in his vicinity, he
proceeded to the house of Luca, and begged that he would mount his
horse, and come to the piazza in support of the Signory, who were, he
said, favorable, and that the victory would, undoubtedly, be on their
side; that he should not stay in the house to be basely slain by their
armed enemies, or ignominiously deceived by those who were unarmed; for,
in that case, he would soon repent of having neglected an opportunity
irrecoverably lost; that if he desired the forcible ruin of Piero, he
might easily effect it; and that if he were anxious for peace, it would
be far better to be in a condition to propose terms than to be compelled
to accept any that might be offered. These words produced no effect upon
Luca, whose mind was now quite made up; he had been induced to desert
his party by new conditions and promises of alliance from Piero; for one
of his nieces had been married to Giovanni Tornabuoni. He, therefore,
advised Niccolo to dismiss his followers and return home, telling him
he ought to be satisfied, if the city were governed by the magistrates,
which would certainly be the case, and that all ought to lay aside their
weapons; for the Signory, most of whom were friendly, would decide their
differences. Niccolo, finding him impracticable, returned home; but
before he left, he said, "I can do the city no good alone, but I can
easily foresee the evils that will befall her. This resolution of yours
will rob our country of her liberty; you will lose the government, I
shall lose my property, and the rest will be exiled."

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