History of Florence and of the Affairs of Italy

by Niccolo Machiavelli

Signory the whole city was aroused. Every case brought before the

  magistrates, however trivial, was made a subject of contention among

  them. Secrets were divulged, good and evil alike became objects of

  favor and opposition, the benevolent and the wicked were alike

  assailed, and no magistrate fulfilled the duties of his office with

  integrity.

  In this state of confusion, Rinaldo, anxious to abate the power of

  Cosmo, and knowing that Bernardo Guadagni was likely to become

  Gonfalonier, paid his arrears of taxes, that he might not, by being

  indebted to the public, be incapacitated for holding the office. The

  drawing soon after took place, and fortune, opposed to our welfare,

  caused Bernardo to be appointed for the months of September and

  October. Rinaldo immediately waited upon him, and intimated how much

  the party of the nobility, and all who wished for repose, rejoiced to

  find he had attained that dignity; that it now rested with him to act

  in such a manner as to realize their pleasing expectations. He then

  enlarged upon the danger of disunion, and endeavored to show that

  there was no means of attaining the blessing of unity but by the

  destruction of Cosmo, for he alone, by the popularity acquired with

  his enormous wealth, kept them depressed; that he was already so

  powerful, that if not hindered, he would soon become prince, and that

  it was the part of a good citizen, in order to prevent such a

  calamity, to assemble the people in the piazza, and restore liberty to

  his country. Rinaldo then reminded the new Gonfalonier how Salvestro

  de' Medici was able, though unjustly, to restrain the power of the

  Guelphs, to whom, by the blood of their ancestors, shed in its cause,

  the government rightly belonged; and argued that what he was able

  unjustly to accomplish against so many, might surely be easily

  performed with justice in its favor against one! He encouraged him

  with the assurance that their friends would be ready in arms to

  support him; that he need not regard the plebeians, who adored Cosmo,

  since their assistance would be of no greater avail than Giorgio Scali

  had found it on a similar occasion; and that with regard to his

  wealth, no apprehension was necessary, for when he was under the power

  of the Signory, his riches would be so too. In conclusion, he averred

  that this course would unite and secure the republic, and crown the

  Gonfalonier with glory. Bernardo briefly replied, that he thought it

  necessary to act exactly as Rinaldo had advised, and that as the time

  was suitable for action, he should provide himself with forces, being

  assured from what Rinaldo had said, he would be supported by his

  colleagues.

  Bernardo entered upon the duties of his office, prepared his

  followers, and having concerted with Rinaldo, summoned Cosmo, who,

  though many friends dissuaded him from it, obeyed the call, trusting

  more to his own innocence than to the mercy of the Signory. As soon as

  he had entered the palace he was arrested. Rinaldo, with a great

  number of armed men, and accompanied by nearly the whole of his party,

  proceeded to the piazza, when the Signory assembled the people, and

  created a Balia of two hundred persons for the reformation of the

  city. With the least possible delay they entered upon the

  consideration of reform, and of the life or death of Cosmo. Many

  wished him to be banished, others to be put to death, and several were

  silent, either from compassion toward him or for fear of the rest, so

  that these differences prevented them from coming to any conclusion.

  There is an apartment in the tower of the palace which occupies the

  whole of one floor, and is called the Alberghettino, in which Cosmo

  was confined, under the charge of Federigo Malavolti. In this place,

  hearing the assembly of the Councils, the noise of arms which

  proceeded from the piazza, and the frequent ringing of the bell to

  assemble the Balia, he was greatly apprehensive for his safety, but

  still more less his private enemies should cause him to be put to

  death in some unusual manner. He scarcely took any food, so that in

  four days he ate only a small quantity of bread, Federigo, observing

  his anxiety, said to him, "Cosmo, you are afraid of being poisoned,

  and are evidently hastening your end with hunger. You wrong me if you

  think I would be a party to such an atrocious act. I do not imagine

  your life to be in much danger, since you have so many friends both

  within the palace and without; but if you should eventually lose it,

  be assured they will use some other medium than myself for that

  purpose, for I will never imbue my hands in the blood of any, still

  less in yours, who never injured me; therefore cheer up, take some

  food, and preserve your life for your friends and your country. And

  that you may do so with greater assurance, I will partake of your

  meals with you." These words were of great relief to Cosmo, who, with

  tears in his eyes, embraced and kissed Federigo, earnestly thanking

  him for so kind and affectionate conduct, and promising, if ever the

  opportunity were given him, he would not be ungrateful.

  CHAPTER VII

  Cosmo is banished to Padua--Rinaldo degli Albizzi attempts to

  restore the nobility--New disturbances occasioned by Rinaldo degli

  Albizzi--Rinaldo takes arms against the Signory--His designs are

  disconcerted--Pope Eugenius in Florence--He endeavors to reconcile

  the parties--Cosmo is recalled--Rinaldo and his party banished--

  Glorious return of Cosmo.

  Cosmo in some degree recovered his spirits, and while the citizens

  were disputing about him, Federigo, by way of recreation, brought an

  acquaintance of the Gonfalonier to take supper with him, an amusing

  and facetious person, whose name was Il Farnagaccio. The repast being

  nearly over, Cosmo, who thought he might turn this visit to advantage,

  for he knew the man very intimately, gave a sign to Federigo to leave

  the apartment, and he, guessing the cause, under pretense of going for

  something that was wanted on the table, left them together. Cosmo,

  after a few friendly expressions addressed to Il Farnagaccio, gave him

  a small slip of paper, and desired him to go to the director of the

  hospital of Santa Maria Nuova, for one thousand one hundred ducats; he

  was to take the hundred for himself, and carry the thousand to the

  Gonfalonier, and beg that he would take some suitable occasion of

  coming to see him. Farnagaccio undertook the commission, the money was

  paid, Bernardo became more humane, and Cosmo was banished to Padua,

  contrary to the wish of Rinaldo, who earnestly desired his death.

  Averardo and many others of the house of Medici were also banished,

  and with them Puccio and Giovanni Pucci. To silence those who were

  dissatisfied with the banishment of Cosmo, they endowed with the power

  of a Balia, the Eight of War and the Capitano of the People. After his

  sentence, Cosmo on the third of October, 1433, came before the

  Signory, by whom the boundary to which he was restricted was

  specified; and they advised him to avoid
passing it, unless he wished

  them to proceed with greater severity both against himself and his

  property. Cosmo received his sentence with a cheerful look, assuring

  the Signory that wherever they determined to send him, he would

  willingly remain. He earnestly begged, that as they had preserved his

  life they would protect it, for he knew there were many in the piazza

  who were desirous to take it; and assured them, that wherever he might

  be, himself and his means were entirely at the service of the city,

  the people, and the Signory. He was respectfully attended by the

  Gonfalonier, who retained him in the palace till night, then conducted

  him to his own house to supper, and caused him to be escorted by a

  strong armed force to his place of banishment. Wherever the cavalcade

  passed, Cosmo was honorably received, and was publicly visited by the

  Venetians, not as an exile, but with all the respect due to one in the

  highest station.

  Florence, widowed of so great a citizen, one so generally beloved,

  seemed to be universally sunk in despondency; victors and the

  vanquished were alike in fear. Rinaldo, as if inspired with a presage

  of his future calamities, in order not to appear deficient to himself

  or his party, assembled many citizens, his friends, and informed them

  that he foresaw their approaching ruin for having allowed themselves

  to be overcome by the prayers, the tears, and the money of their

  enemies; and that they did not seem aware they would soon themselves

  have to entreat and weep, when their prayers would not be listened to,

  or their tears excite compassion; and that of the money received, they

  would have to restore the principal, and pay the interest in tortures,

  exile, and death; that it would have been much better for them to have

  done nothing than to have left Cosmo alive, and his friends in

  Florence; for great offenders ought either to remain untouched, or be

  destroyed; that there was now no remedy but to strengthen themselves

  in the city, so that upon the renewed attempts of their enemies, which

  would soon take place, they might drive them out with arms, since they

  had not sufficient civil authority to expel them. The remedy to be

  adopted, he said, was one that he had long before advocated, which was

  to regain the friendship of the grandees, restoring and conceding to

  them all the honors of the city, and thus make themselves strong with

  that party, since their adversaries had joined the plebeians. That by

  this means they would become the more powerful side, for they would

  possess greater energy, more comprehensive talent and an augmented

  share of influence; and that if this last and only remedy were not

  adopted, he knew not what other means could be made use of to preserve

  the government among so many enemies, or prevent their own ruin and

  that of the city.

  Mariotto Baldovinetti, one of the assembly, was opposed to this plan,

  on account of the pride and insupportable nature of the nobility; and

  said, that it would be folly to place themselves again under such

  inevitable tyranny for the sake of avoiding imaginary dangers from the

  plebeians. Rinaldo, finding his advice unfavorably received, vexed at

  his own misfortune and that of his party, imputed the whole to heaven

  itself, which had resolved upon it, rather than to human ignorance and

  blunders. In this juncture of affairs, no remedial measure being

  attempted, a letter was found written by Agnolo Acciajuoli to Cosmo,

  acquainting him with the disposition of the city in his favor, and

  advising him, if possible, to excite a war, and gain the friendship of

  Neri di Gino; for he imagined the city to be in want of money, and as

  she would not find anyone to serve her, the remembrance of him would

  be revived in the minds of the citizens, and they would desire his

  return; and that if Neri were detached from Rinaldo, the party of the

  latter would be so weakened, as to be unable to defend themselves.

  This letter coming to the hands of the magistrates, Agnolo was taken,

  put to the torture, and sent into exile. This example, however, did

  not at all deter Cosmo's party.

  It was now almost a year since Cosmo had been banished, and the end of

  August, 1434, being come, Niccolo di Cocco was drawn Gonfalonier for

  the two succeeding months, and with him eight signors, all partisans

  of Cosmo. This struck terror into Rinaldo and his party; and as it is

  usual for three days to elapse before the new Signory assume the

  magistracy and the old resign their authority, Rinaldo again called

  together the heads of his party. He endeavored to show them their

  certain and immediate danger, and that their only remedy was to take

  arms, and cause Donato Velluti, who was yet Gonfalonier, to assemble

  the people in the piazza and create a Balia. He would then deprive the

  new Signory of the magistracy, appoint another, burn the present

  balloting purses, and by means of a new Squittini, provide themselves

  with friends. Many thought this course safe and requisite; others,

  that it was too violent, and likely to be attended with great evil.

  Among those who disliked it was Palla Strozzi, a peaceable, gentle,

  and humane person, better adapted for literary pursuits than for

  restraining a party, or opposing civil strife. He said that bold and

  crafty resolutions seem promising at their commencement, but are

  afterward found difficult to execute, and generally pernicious at

  their conclusion; that he thought the fear of external wars (the

  duke's forces being upon the confines of Romagna), would occupy the

  minds of the Signory more than internal dissensions; but, still, if

  any attempt should be made, and it could not take place unnoticed,

  they would have sufficient time to take arms, and adopt whatever

  measures might be found necessary for the common good, which being

  done upon necessity, would occasion less excitement among the people

  and less danger to themselves. It was therefore concluded, that the

  new Signory should come in; that their proceedings should be watched,

  and if they were found attempting anything against the party, each

  should take arms, and meet in the piazza of San Pulinari, situated

  near the palace, and whence they might proceed wherever it was found

  necessary. Having come to this conclusion, Rinaldo's friends

  separated.

  The new Signory entered upon their office, and the Gonfalonier, in

  order to acquire reputation, and deter those who might intend to

  oppose him, sent Donato Velluti, his predecessor, to prison, upon the

  charge of having applied the public money to his own use. He then

  endeavored to sound his colleagues with respect to Cosmo: seeing them

  desirous of his return, he communicated with the leaders of the Medici

  party, and, by their advice, summoned the hostile chiefs, Rinaldo

  degli Albizzi, Ridolfo Peruzzi, and Niccolo Barbadoro. After this

  citation, Rinaldo thought further delay would be dangerous: he

  therefore left his house with a great number of armed men, and was

  soon joined by Ridolfo Peruzzi and Niccolo Barbadoro. The force

/>   accompanying them was composed of several citizens and a great number

  of disbanded soldiers then in Florence: and all assembled according to

  appointment in the piazza of San Pulinari. Palla Strozzi and Giovanni

  Guicciardini, though each had assembled a large number of men, kept in

  their houses; and therefore Rinaldo sent a messenger to request their

  attendance and to reprove their delay. Giovanni replied, that he

  should lend sufficient aid against their enemies, if by remaining at

  home he could prevent his brother Piero from going to the defense of

  the palace. After many messages Palla came to San Pulinari on

  horseback, accompanied by two of his people on foot, and unarmed.

  Rinaldo, on meeting him, sharply reproved him for his negligence,

  declaring that his refusal to come with the others arose either from

  defect of principle or want of courage; both of which charges should

  be avoided by all who wished to preserve such a character as he had

  hitherto possessed; and that if he thought this abominable conduct to

  his party would induce their enemies when victorious to spare him from

  death or exile, he deceived himself; but for himself (Rinaldo)

  whatever might happen, he had the consolation of knowing, that

  previously to the crisis he had never neglected his duty in council,

  and that when it occurred he had used every possible exertion to repel

  it with arms; but that Palla and the others would experience

  aggravated remorse when they considered they had upon three occasions

  betrayed their country; first when they saved Cosmo; next when they

  disregarded his advice; and now the third time by not coming armed in

  her defense according to their engagement. To these reproaches Palla

  made no reply audible to those around, but, muttering something as he

  left them, returned to his house.

  The Signory, knowing Rinaldo and his party had taken arms, finding

  themselves abandoned, caused the palace to be shut up, and having no

  one to consult they knew not what course to adopt. However, Rinaldo,

  by delaying his coming to the piazza, having waited in expectation of

  forces which did not join him, lost the opportunity of victory, gave

  them courage to provide for their defense, and allowed many others to

  join them, who advised that means should be used to induce their

  adversaries to lay down their arms. Thereupon, some of the least

  suspected, went on the part of the Signory to Rinaldo, and said, they

  did not know what occasion they had given his friends for thus

  assembling in arms; that they never had any intention of offending

  him, and if they had spoken of Cosmo, they had no design of recalling

  him; so if their fears were thus occasioned they might at once be

  dispelled, for that if they came to the palace they would be

  graciously received, and all their complaints attended to. These words

  produced no change in Rinaldo's purpose; he bade them provide for

  their safety by resigning their offices, and said that then the

  government of the city would be reorganized, for the mutual benefit of

  all.

  It rarely happens, where authorities are equal and opinions contrary,

  that any good resolution is adopted. Ridolfo Peruzzi, moved by the

  discourse of the citizens, said, that all he desired was to prevent

  the return of Cosmo, and this being granted to them seemed a

  sufficient victory; nor would he, to obtain a greater, fill the city

  with blood; he would therefore obey the Signory; and accordingly went

  with his people to the palace, where he was received with a hearty

  welcome. Thus Rinaldo's delay at San Pulinari, Palla's want of

  courage, and Ridolfo's desertion, deprived their party of all chance

  of success; while the ardor of the citizens abated, and the pope's

  authority did not contribute to its revival.

  Pope Eugenius was at this time at Florence, having been driven from

  Rome by the people. These disturbances coming to his knowledge, he

  thought it a duty suitable to his pastoral office to appease them, and

  sent the patriarch Giovanni Vitelleschi, Rinaldo's most intimate