History of Florence and of the Affairs of Italy: From the Earliest Times to the Death of Lorenzo the Magnificent — Niccolo Machiavelli — John Shaqi
History of Florence and of the Affairs of Italy: From the Earliest Times to the Death of Lorenzo the Magnificent
Niccolo Machiavelli · en
Among the conspirators was Niccolo Fedini, who had acted as president of
their assemblies. He, being induced by most certain hopes, disclosed the
whole affair to Piero, and gave him a list of those who had subscribed
their names, and also of the conspirators. Piero was alarmed on
discovering the number and quality of those who were opposed to him; and
by the advice of his friends he resolved to take the signatures of those
who were inclined to favor him. Having employed one of his most
trusty confidants to carry his design into effect, he found so great a
disposition to change and instability, that many who had previously set
down their names among the number of his enemies, now subscribed them in
his favor.
CHAPTER III
Niccolo Soderini drawn Gonfalonier of Justice--Great hopes excited in
consequence--The two parties take arms--The fears of the Signory--Their
conduct with regard to Piero--Piero's reply to the Signory--Reform of
government in favor of Piero de' Medici--Dispersion of his enemies--Fall
of Lucca Pitti--Letter of Agnolo Acciajuoli to Piero de' Medici--Piero's
answer--Designs of the Florentine exiles--They induce the Venetians to
make war on Florence.
In the midst of these events, the time arrived for the renewal of
the supreme magistracy; and Niccolo Soderini was drawn Gonfalonier
of Justice. It was surprising to see by what a concourse, not only of
distinguished citizens, but also of the populace, he was accompanied to
the palace; and while on the way thither an olive wreath was placed upon
his head, to signify that upon him depended the safety and liberty
of the city. This, among many similar instances, serves to prove how
undesirable it is to enter upon office or power exciting inordinate
expectations; for, being unable to fulfil them (many looking for more
than it is possible to perform), shame and disappointment are the
ordinary results. Tommaso and Niccolo Soderini were brothers. Niccolo
was the more ardent and spirited, Tommaso the wiser man; who, being very
much the friend of Piero, and knowing that his brother desired nothing
but the liberty of the city, and the stability of the republic, without
injury to any, advised him to make new Squittini, by which means the
election purses might be filled with the names of those favorable to his
design. Niccolo took his brother's advice, and thus wasted the period
of his magistracy in vain hopes, which his friends, the leading
conspirators, allowed him to do from motives of envy; for they were
unwilling that the government should be reformed by the authority
of Niccolo, and thought they would be in time enough to effect their
purpose under another gonfalonier. Thus the magistracy of Niccolo
expired; and having commenced many things without completing aught, he
retired from office with much less credit than when he had entered upon
it.