destroyed by fire--The rebellion of Volterra, and the cause of
it--Volterra reduced to obedience by force, in accordance with the
advice of Lorenzo de' Medici--Volterra pillaged.

Cesare Petrucci held the office of Provost of Prato for the Florentine
people, at this period. It is customary with governors of towns,
similarly situated, to keep the keys of the gates near their persons;
and whenever, in peaceful times, they are required by any of the
inhabitants, for entrance or exit, they are usually allowed to be taken.
Bernardo was aware of this custom, and about daybreak, presented himself
at the gate which looks toward Pistoia, accompanied by the Palandra and
about one hundred persons, all armed. Their confederates within the town
also armed themselves, and one of them asked the governor for the keys,
alleging, as a pretext, that some one from the country wished to enter.
The governor not entertaining the slightest suspicion, sent a servant
with them. When at a convenient distance, they were taken by the
conspirators, who, opening the gates, introduced Bernardo and his
followers. They divided themselves into two parties, one of which, led
by Salvestro, an inhabitant of Prato, took possession of the citadel;
the other following Bernardo, seized the palace, and placed Cesare with
all his family in the custody of some of their number. They then raised
the cry of liberty, and proceeded through the town. It was now day,
and many of the inhabitants hearing the disturbance, ran to the piazza
where, learning that the fortress and the palace were taken and
the governor with all his people made prisoners, they were utterly
astonished, and could not imagine how it had occurred. The eight
citizens, possessing the supreme authority, assembled in their palace
to consider what was best to be done. In the meantime, Bernardo and his
followers, on going round the town, found no encouragement, and being
told that the Eight had assembled, went and declared the nature of
their enterprise, which he said was to deliver the country from slavery,
reminding them how glorious it would be for those who took arms to
effect such an honorable object, for they would thus obtain permanent
repose and everlasting fame. He called to recollection their ancient
liberty and present condition, and assured them of certain assistance,
if they would only, for a few days, aid in resisting the forces the
Florentines might send against them. He said he had friends