ing this to his friends at Rome, it was thought he desired the
sanction of some greater authority to induce him to adopt their views.
Upon this, the archbishop and the count communicated the whole affair to
Giovanni Batista da Montesecco, a leader of the papal forces, possessing
military reputation, and under obligations to the pope and the count.
To him the affair seemed difficult and dangerous, while the archbishop
endeavored to obviate his objections by showing how much assistance
the pope and the king would lend to the enterprise; the hatred of the
Florentines toward the Medici, the numerous friends the Salviati and
the Pazzi would bring with them, the readiness with which the young men
might be slain, on account of their going about the city unaccompanied
and without suspicion, and the facility with which the government
might then be changed. These things Giovanni Batista did not in
reality believe, for he had heard from many Florentines quite contrary
statements.

While occupied with these deliberations, Carlo, lord of Faenza, was
taken ill, and tears were entertained for his life. This circumstance
seemed to the archbishop and the count to offer an opportunity for
sending Giovanni Batista to Florence, and thence to Romagna, under
pretence of recovering certain territories belonging to the latter,
of which the lord of Faenza had taken possession. The count therefore
commissioned Giovanni Batista to have an interview with Lorenzo de'
Medici, and on his part request his advice how to proceed with respect
to the affair of Romagna; that he should then see Francesco de' Pazzi,
and in conjunction with him endeavor to induce his uncle Jacopo to adopt
their ideas. To render the pope's authority available in their behalf,
Giovanni Batista was ordered, before his departure, to communicate with
the pontiff, who offered every means at his disposal in favor of their
enterprise. Giovanni Batista, having arrived at Florence, obtained an
interview with Lorenzo, by whom he was most graciously received; and
with regard to the advice he was commissioned to ask, obtained a wise
and friendly answer; so that he was astonished at finding him quite a
different character from what he had been represented, and considered
him to possess great sagacity, an affectionate heart, and most amicably
disposed toward the count. He found Francesco de' Pazzi had gone to
Lucca, and spoke to Jacopo, who was at first quite opposed to their
design, but be