imate were Giovanni Andrea Lampognano, Carlo Visconti, and Girolamo
Ogliato. He frequently discussed with them the faults of their prince,
and the wretched condition of those who were subject to him; and by
constantly inculcating his principles, acquired such an ascendancy over
their minds as to induce them to bind themselves by oath to effect the
duke's destruction, as soon as they became old enough to attempt it.
Their minds being fully occupied with this design, which grew with
their years, the duke's conduct and their own private injuries served to
hasten its execution. Galeazzo was licentious and cruel, of both which
vices he had given such repeated proofs, that he became odious to all.
Not content with corrupting the wives of the nobility, he also took
pleasure in making it notorious; nor was he satisfied with murdering
individuals unless he effected their deaths by some unusual cruelty. He
was suspected of having destroyed his own mother; for, not considering
himself prince while she was present, he conducted himself in such a
manner as induced her to withdraw from his court, and, travelling toward
Cremona, which she obtained as part of her marriage portion, she was
seized with a sudden illness, and died upon the road; which made many
think her son had caused her death. The duke had dishonored both Carlo
and Girolamo in respect to their wives or other female relatives, and
had refused to concede to Giovanandrea possession of the monastery of
Miramondo, of which he had obtained a grant from the pope for a near
relative. These private injuries increased the young men's desire for
vengeance, and the deliverance of their country from so many evils;
trusting that whenever they should succeed in destroying the duke, many
of the nobility and all the people would rise in their defense. Being
resolved upon their undertaking, they were often together, which, on
account of their long intimacy, did not excite any suspicion. They
frequently discussed the subject; and in order to familiarize their
minds with the deed itself, they practiced striking each other in the
breast and in the side with the sheathed daggers intended to be used for
the purpose. On considering the most suitable time and place, the castle
seemed insecure; during the chase, uncertain and dangerous; while going
about the city for his own amusement, difficult if not impracticable;
and, at a banquet, of doubtful result. They, therefore, determined to
kill him up