l, should now prove unmerciful, or that you could
cancel the impression of so much merit for so small a fault." Piero
replied: "Your laughing in your present abode is the cause why I do
not weep, for were you to laugh in Florence, I should have to weep at
Naples. I confess you were well disposed toward my father, and you ought
to confess you were well paid for it; and the obligation is so much the
greater on your part than on ours, as deeds are of greater value than
words. Having been recompensed for your good wishes, it ought not to
surprise you that you now receive the due reward of your bad ones.
Neither will a pretense of your patriotism excuse you, for none will
think the city less beloved or benefited by the Medici, than by the
Acciajuoli. It, therefore, seems but just, that you should remain in
dishonor at Naples, since you knew not how to live with honor at home."

Agnolo, hopeless of obtaining pardon, went to Rome, where, joining the
archbishop and other refugees, they used every available means to injure
the commercial credit of the Medici in that city. Their attempts greatly
annoyed Piero; but by his friends' assistance, he was enabled to render
them abortive. Diotisalvi Neroni and Niccolo Soderini strenuously urged
the Venetian senate to make war upon their country, calculating, that
in case of an attack, the government being new and unpopular, would
be unable to resist. At this time there resided at Ferrara, Giovanni
Francesco, son of Palla Strozzi, who, with his father, was banished from
Florence in the changes of 1434. He possessed great influence, and was
considered one of the richest merchants. The newly banished pointed out
to Giovanni Francesco how easily they might return to their country,
if the Venetians were to undertake the enterprise, and that it was most
probable they would do so, if they had pecuniary assistance, but that
otherwise it would be doubtful. Giovanni Francesco, wishing to avenge
his own injuries, at once fell in with their ideas, and promised to
contribute to the success of the attempt all the means in his power.
On this they went to the Doge, and complained of the exile they were
compelled to endure, for no other reason, they said, than for having
wished their country should be subject to equal laws, and that the
magistrates should govern, not a few private individuals; that Piero de'
Medici, with his adherents, who were accustomed to act tyrannically, had
secretly taken up arms, d