Meeting of Lorenzo de’ Medici with Federigo d’Aragona, younger Son of King Ferrante of Naples—Florence in relation to the Aragonese and to Sforza—Lorenzo in Upper Italy—The Pulci—Luigi Pulci—Lorenzo in Rome—Pope Paul II.—Death of Francesco Sforza—Piero de’ Medici and the House of Sforza—Galeazzo Maria, Duke of Milan—The Medici Party after the Death of Cosimo—Piero de’ Medici and Diotisalvi Neroni—Diotisalvi’s Designs against the Medici—His connection with Niccolò Soderini and Luca Pitti—Agnolo Acciaiuoli—The Causes of Discord—Niccolò Soderini as Gonfalonier—Neglected Opportunities of Trade—Fruitless Attempt at Compensation—Conspiracy against the Medici—Lorenzo with King Ferrante in Naples—Preparations on both Sides—The Villa of Careggi—Piero’s Illness there—Lorenzo’s Presence of Mind at an Attempt on his Father’s Life—The Medici in the City—Both Factions appeal to Arms—Indecision of the Leaders—Negotiations and Defection—Luca Pitti and the Medici—Failure of the Conspiracy and Banishment of its Leaders—End of Luca Pitti 179 CHAPTER III. FOREIGN AFFAIRS. FRANCE, VENICE, THE ROMAGNA. THE WAR OF COLLEONE. The Medici after the Neroni Conspiracy—King Ferrante to Lorenzo—Louis XI. of France and the Medici—The Florentine Exiles and Venice—The Relations of Venice with Florence—Bartolommeo Colleone—Colleone and the exiled Florentines—State of the Romagna—The Popes and the Dynasties—Relations of the Romagna with Venice and Florence—The Raccomandati of the Romagna—The Este Counts of Montefeltro and Urbino—The Malatesta of Rimini—The Ordelaffi of Forli—The Manfredi, Alidosi, Sforza of Pesaro—Bologna and the Bentivogli—Sante and Giovanni Bentivoglio.—Relations with Florence and the Papacy—Preparations of the Allies against Colleone—Colleone in the Romagna.—Battle at La Molinella—Galeazzo Maria Sforza and Venice—Ineffective Meeting of the Allies—Miserable Condition of the Army—Close of the War—Pope Paul II.—End of Colleone and the Florentine Exiles—Attack on Lucrezia de’ Medici 197 CHAPTER IV. LATTER DAYS OF PIERO DE’ MEDICI. LORENZO’S MARRIAGE. Battle near Rimini—Robert Malatesta—Finances of Florence—Purchase of Sarzano—Gay Life amid Financial Difficulties—Position and Life of Lorenzo de’ Medici—Lucrezia Donati—Lorenzo’s Tournament—Lorenzo’s Engagement—Clarice Orsini and her Relations—Lucrezia de’ Medici in Rome—Intelligence of Clarice Orsini—Conclusion of the Engagement, and Marriage Ceremony in Rome—Marriage Festival in Florence—Lorenzo’s Journey to Milan to the Christening of Gian Galeazzo Sforza—Death of Piero de’ Medici, and his Character—Piero’s Relation to his Party and to the Exiles—King Ferrante and Piero de’ Medici 222 CHAPTER V. EVENTS AT HOME AND ABROAD DURING THE FIRST YEARS OF LORENZO’S SUPREMACY.