tion with the civil authority. Thus being free
from apprehension for their personal safety both affected to be on
friendly terms with them. The murderers being ready, each in his
appointed station, which they could retain without suspicion, on account
of the vast numbers assembled in the church, the preconcerted moment
arrived, and Bernardo Bandini, with a short dagger provided for the
purpose, struck Giuliano in the breast, who, after a few steps, fell to
the earth. Francesco de' Pazzi threw himself upon the body and covered
him with wounds; while, as if blinded by rage, he inflicted a deep
incision upon his own leg. Antonio and Stefano, the priest, attacked
Lorenzo, and after dealing many blows, effected only a slight incision
in the throat; for either their want of resolution, the activity
of Lorenzo, who, finding himself attacked, used his arms in his own
defense, or the assistance of those by whom he was surrounded, rendered
all attempts futile. They fled and concealed themselves, but being
subsequently discovered, were put to death in the most ignominious
manner, and their bodies dragged about the city. Lorenzo, with the
friends he had about him, took refuge in the sacristy of the church.
Bernardo Bandini, after Giuliano's death, also slew Francesco Nori, a
most intimate friend of the Medici, either from some previous hatred or
for having endeavored to render assistance to Giuliano; and not content
with these murders, he ran in pursuit of Lorenzo, intending, by his own
promptitude, to make up for the weakness and inefficiency of the others;
but finding he had taken refuge in the vestry, he was prevented.

In the midst of these violent and fearful deeds, during which the uproar
was so terrible, that it seemed almost sufficient to bring the church
down upon its inmates, the cardinal Riario remained close to the altar,
where he was with difficulty kept in safety by the priests, until the
Signory, upon the abatement of the disturbance, could conduct him to
their palace, where he remained in the utmost terror till he was set at
liberty.

There were at this time in Florence some people of Perugia, whom party
feuds had compelled to leave their homes; and the Pazzi, by promising to
restore them to their country, obtained their assistance. The Archbishop
de' Salviati, going to seize the palace, together with Jacopo di Poggio,
and the Salviati, his friends, took these Perugini with him. Having
arrived, he left part of his