the _Signoria_, but when its tenor was conveyed to the
concourse of citizens, outside the Palazzo Vecchio, cries of
"_Liberta!_" "_Liberta!_" rent the air.

When Piero rode out of the Piazza, accompanied by an armed escort, he
was met by an exasperated mob who assailed him with missiles and stones.
The big bell, up in the Campanile, began to speak its ominous summons,
and, in reply to faint cries of "_Palle!_" "_Palle!_" renewed shouts of
"_Liberta!_" "_Liberta!_" proclaimed the abdication of the Medici.

A Parliament was convened and five ambassadors were appointed to treat
with Charles and revoke Piero's surrender. One of them, speaking for the
rest, denounced him as "No longer fit to rule the State"--it was Piero
de' Capponi. The _Signoria_ passed a sentence of expulsion upon Piero
and his brothers, and placed a reward of two thousand gold florins upon
his head, and five thousand more, if he and Giovanni, his Cardinal
brother, were captured together.

Needless to say, before the decree was promulgated Piero and Giovanni
flew precipitately through the Porta San Gallo, upon their way to
Bologna, at the head of a few mercenaries, and with them went Piero's
chancellor.

An enraged mob of citizens rushed pell-mell into the Via Larga, sacked
the Palazzo Medici, and scattered the treasures which Piero and Lorenzo
had gathered together. The streets were strewn with costly furniture,
carpets and tapestry, and priceless works of art were either burnt or
broken in pieces. It was not a question of looting but of destruction,
and for eighteen years the building was a mark for obscenities and
imprecations.

The French army marched through the humiliated city, and terror filled
the hearts of the people. Charles occupied a portion of the palace,
which the _Signoria_ hastily put into some sort of order, borrowing or
buying furniture and other articles for his use.

On their knees, an entirely new experience for the proud Florentines,
the _Signoria_ besought the Emperor's clemency. He took a high hand with
them, demanding a huge indemnity and threatening to command his trumpets
to sound for pillage. One man alone asserted his liberty, a man who
throughout Piero's short government had voiced the public
discontent--Piero de' Capponi--the most capable soldier Florence
possessed. Boldly and alone he faced the Conqueror and denounced his
demands. He tore in pieces the fatal document of Piero's capitulation,
flung the pieces in Charl