se of which all the cost would be
his, and all the possible profit their own.

The duke would certainly have obeyed and avoided Tuscany, but
that--precisely as the shrewd Pope had feared--Vitelli and Orsini
implored him to march through Florentine territory. Vitelli, indeed,
flung himself on his knees before Cesare in the vehemence of his
supplications, urging that his only motive was to effect the deliverance
from his unjust imprisonment of Cerbone, who had been his executed
brother's chancellor. Beyond that, he swore he would make no demands
upon Florence, that he would not attempt to mix himself in the affairs
of the Medici, and that he would do no violence to town or country.

Thus implored, Cesare gave way. Probably he remembered the very
circumstances under which Vitelli had joined his banner, and considered
that he could not now oppose a request backed by a promise of so much
moderation; so on May 7 he sent his envoys to the Signory to crave leave
of passage for his troops through Florentine territory.

Whilst still in the Bolognese he was sought out by Giuliano de'Medici,
who begged to be allowed to accompany him, a request which Cesare
instantly refused, as being contrary to that to which he had engaged
himself, and he caused Giuliano to fall behind at Lojano. Nor would he
so much as receive in audience Piero de'Medici, who likewise sought to
join him in Siennese territory, as soon as he perceived what was toward.
Yet, however much the duke protested that he had no intention to make
any change in the State of Florence, there were few who believed him.
Florence, weary and sorely reduced by the long struggle of the Pisan
war, was an easy prey. Conscious of this, great was her anxiety and
alarm at Cesare's request for passage. The Signory replied granting him
the permission sought, but imposing the condition that he should keep to
the country, refraining from entering any town, nor bring with him into
Florentine territory Vitelli, Orsini, or any other enemy of the existing
government. It happened, however, that when the Florentine ambassador
reached him with this reply the duke was already over the frontier of
Tuscany with the excluded condottieri in his train.

It was incumbent upon him, as a consequence, to vindicate this
high-handed anticipation of the unqualified Florentine permission which
had not arrived. So he declared that he had been offended last year by
Florence in the matter of Forli, and again this