g then a boy, have maintained the
position of my house except by your favor and advice. Nor should we
ever be able to conduct the affairs of this republic, if you did not
contribute to our support. Therefore, I know not the reason of their
hatred toward us, or what just cause they have of envy. Let them direct
their enmity against their own ancestors, who, by their pride and
avarice, lost the reputation which ours, by very opposite conduct, were
enabled to acquire. But let it be granted we have greatly injured them,
and that they are justified in seeking our ruin; why do they come and
take possession of the palace? Why enter into league with the pope
and the king, against the liberties of this republic? Why break the
long-continued peace of Italy? They have no excuse for this; they ought
to confine their vengeance to those who do them wrong, and not confound
private animosities with public grievances. Hence it is that since their
defeat our misfortune is the greater; for on their account the pope and
the king make war upon us, and this war, they say, is directed against
my family and myself. And would to God that this were true; then the
remedy would be sure and unfailing, for I would not be so base a citizen
as to prefer my own safety to yours; I would at once resolve to ensure
your security, even though my own destruction were the immediate and
inevitable consequence. But as the wrongs committed by princes are
usually concealed under some less offensive covering, they have adopted
this plea to hide their more abominable purpose. If, however, you think
otherwise, I am in your hands; it is with you to do with me what you
please. You are my fathers, my protectors, and whatever you command me
to do I will perform most willingly; nor will I ever refuse, when you
find occasion to require it, to close the war with my own blood which
was commenced with that of my brother." While Lorenzo spoke, the
citizens were unable to refrain from tears, and the sympathy with which
he had been heard was extended to their reply, delivered by one of
them in the name of the rest, who said that the city acknowledged many
advantages derived from the good qualities of himself and his family;
and encouraged them to hope that with as much promptitude as they had
used in his defense, and in avenging his brother's death, they would
secure to him his influence in the government, which he should never
lose while they retained possession of the country.