eceitfully induced them to lay their own aside,
and thus, by fraud, expelled them from their country; that, not content
with this, they made the Almighty himself a means of oppression to
several, who, trusting to their promises, had remained in the city
and were there betrayed; for, during public worship and solemn
supplications, that the Deity might seem to participate in their
treachery, many citizens had been seized, imprisoned, tortured, and put
to death; thus affording to the world a horrible and impious precedent.
To avenge themselves for these injuries, they knew not where to turn
with so much hope of success as to the senate, which, having always
enjoyed their liberty, ought to compassionate those who had lost it.
They therefore called upon them as free men to assist them against
tyrants; as pious, against the wicked; and would remind the Venetians,
that it was the family of the Medici who had robbed them of their
dominions in Lombardy, contrary to the wish of the other citizens,
and who, in opposition to the interests of the senate, had favored and
supported Francesco, so, that if the exiles' distresses could not induce
them to undertake the war, the just indignation of the people of Venice,
and their desire of vengeance ought to prevail.

CHAPTER IV

War between the Venetians and the Florentines--Peace
re-established--Death of Niccolo Soderini--His character--Excesses in
Florence--Various external events from 1468 to 1471--Accession of Sixtus
IV.--His character--Grief of Piero de' Medici for the violence committed
in Florence--His speech to the principal citizens--Plans of Piero de'
Medici for the restoration of order--His death and character--Tommaso
Soderini, a citizen of great reputation, declares himself in favor of
the Medici--Disturbances at Prato occasioned by Bernardo Nardi.

The concluding words of the Florentine exiles produced the utmost
excitement among the Venetian senators, and they resolved to send
Bernardo Coglione, their general, to attack the Florentine territory.
The troops were assembled, and joined by Ercole da Esti, who had been
sent by Borgo, marquis of Ferrara. At the commencement of hostilities,
the Florentines not being prepared, their enemies burned the Borgo of
Dovadola, and plundered the surrounding country. But having expelled the
enemies of Piero, renewed their league with Galeazzo, duke of Milan, and
Ferrando, king of Naples, they appointed to the command of their forces