o say, this romantic attachment stirred the jealousy of a very
prominent citizen, no less a personage than Messer Francesco de' Pazzi.
He and his brothers declined the invitation to the _Giostra_, and
abstained from participation in the general festivities. It was a case
of race rivalry and of personal jealousy, but it meant much in the
relations of the two families.

The efforts which Lorenzo continually made "to gain a firm footing in
Florence"--as Francesco de' Guicciardini has recorded--quite naturally
were productive of opposition and animosity. The men who had placed him
in power were again in two camps--those who were content with the
_status quo_, and those who were not. The latter made less and less
effort to conceal their real sentiments, and at length set about to
question Lorenzo's motives, and defeat his projects. He was a
_beau-ideal_ citizen, for, with all his love of show and circumstance,
even in the fulness of his dignity and dominion, he knew how to retain
and exhibit certain homely and simple traits, which were quite after the
Florentine manner.

He met criticisms and oppositions with the very characteristic
statement: "I will," said he, "allow no man to put his foot on my
throat!" This threat--for so it was accounted by those who wished to
discredit him--was like a red gauntlet thrown down, and, later on, a
hand--if not a foot--and a dagger, were at Lorenzo's throat!

The overstrain of desire, the feverishness of acquisitiveness, and the
lust for power, often in their intensity defeat the purpose sought. The
personality of Lorenzo waxed greater and mightier day by day in the
nervously articulated constitution of Florence. The greatest genius of
his age, he was not only the master of the Government, but the
acknowledged chief of the Platonic Academy, the first of living poets, a
most distinguished classical scholar, and the greatest benefactor the
city had ever known. Everything was within his grasp and everyone had to
bow to his will; his aim was to be autocratic Prince of Tuscany.

It was the mark of a "perfect gentleman" to unbend to plainer folk, and
to mingle with them in moments of relaxation. As a youth he had, with
Giuliano, frequented the village fairs in the Mugello, for amusement and
good fellowship: indeed they brought him inspiration and popularity as
well. When in residence in the Medici Palace he was wont to take his
walks abroad quite freely, and to sit and chat with the habitues o