fore induced the latter to give him one of his
daughters in marriage. Having formed this alliance, the pope desired the
Genoese to concede Serezana to the Florentines, insisting that they had
no right to detain what Agostino had sold, nor was Agostino justified
in making over to the Bank of San Giorgio what was not his own. However,
his holiness did not succeed with them; for the Genoese, during these
transactions at Rome, armed several vessels, and, unknown to the
Florentines, landed three thousand foot, attacked Serezanello, situated
above Serezana, plundered and burnt the town near it, and then,
directing their artillery against the fortress, fired upon it with their
utmost energy. This assault was new and unexpected by the Florentines,
who immediately assembled their forces under Virginio Orsino, at Pisa,
and complained to the pope, that while he was endeavoring to establish
peace, the Genoese had renewed their attack upon them. They then sent
Piero Corsini to Lucca, that by his presence he might keep the city
faithful; and Pagolantonio Soderini to Venice, to learn how that
republic was disposed. They demanded assistance of the king and of
Signor Lodovico, but obtained it from neither; for the king expressed
apprehensions of the Turkish fleet, and Lodovico made excuses, but sent
no aid. Thus the Florentines in their own wars are almost always
obliged to stand alone, and find no friends to assist them with the same
readiness they practice toward others. Nor did they, on this desertion
of their allies (it being nothing new to them) give way to despondency;
for having assembled a large army under Jacopo Guicciardini and Pietro
Vettori, they sent it against the enemy, who had encamped upon the
river Magra, at the same time pressing Serezanello with mines and every
species of attack. The commissaries being resolved to relieve the place,
an engagement ensued, when the Genoese were routed, and Lodovico dal
Fiesco, with several other principal men, made prisoners. The Serezanesi
were not so depressed at their defeat as to be willing to surrender,
but obstinately prepared for their defense, while the Florentine
commissaries proceeded with their operations, and instances of valor
occurred on both sides. The siege being protracted by a variety of
fortune, Lorenzo de' Medici resolved to go to the camp, and on his
arrival the troops acquired fresh courage, while that of the enemy
seemed to fail; for perceiving the obstinacy of the