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history of florence-第95部分

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The whole winter was consumed in negotiations between the Florentines

and Genoese; which; by the pope's intervention; were carried on at

Rome; but not being concluded upon the return of spring; the

Florentines would have attacked Serezana had they not been prevented

by the illness of Lorenzo de' Medici; and the war between the pope and

King Ferrando; for Lorenzo was afflicted not only by the gout; which

seemed hereditary in his family; but also by violent pains in the

stomach; and was compelled to go the baths for relief。



The more important reason was furnished by the war; of which this was

the origin。 The city of L'Aquila; though subject to the kingdom of

Naples; was in a manner free; and the Count di Montorio possessed

great influence over it。 The duke of Calabria was upon the banks of

the Tronto with his men…at…arms; under pretense of appeasing some

disturbances among the peasantry; but really with a design of reducing

L'Aquila entirely under the king's authority; and sent for the Count

di Montorio; as if to consult him upon the business he pretended then

to have in hand。 The count obeyed without the least suspicion; and on

his arrival was made prisoner by the duke and sent to Naples。 When

this circumstance became known at L'Aquila; the anger of the

inhabitants arose to the highest pitch; taking arms they killed

Antonio Cencinello; commissary for the king; and with him some

inhabitants known partisans of his majesty。 The L'Aquilani; in order

to have a defender in their rebellion; raised the banner of the

church; and sent envoys to the pope; to submit their city and

themselves to him; beseeching that he would defend them as his own

subjects against the tyranny of the king。 The pontiff gladly undertook

their defense; for he had both public and private reasons for hating

that monarch; and Signor Roberto of San Severino; an enemy of the duke

of Milan; being disengaged; was appointed to take the command of his

forces; and sent for with all speed to Rome。 He entreated the friends

and relatives of the Count di Montorio to withdraw their allegiance

from the king; and induced the princes of Altimura; Salerno; and

Bisignano to take arms against him。 The king; finding himself so

suddenly involved in war; had recourse to the Florentines and the duke

of Milan for assistance。 The Florentines hesitated with regard to

their own conduct; for they felt all the inconvenience of neglecting

their own affairs to attend to those of others; and hostilities

against the church seemed likely to involve much risk。 However; being

under the obligation of a League; they preferred their honor to

convenience or security; engaged the Orsini; and sent all their own

forces under the Count di Pitigliano toward Rome; to the assistance of

the king。 The latter divided his forces into two parts; one; under the

duke of Calabria; he sent toward Rome; which; being joined by the

Florentines; opposed the army of the church; with the other; under his

own command; he attacked the barons; and the war was prosecuted with

various success on both sides。 At length; the king; being universally

victorious; peace was concluded by the intervention of the ambassadors

of the king of Spain; in August; 1486; to which the pope consented;

for having found fortune opposed to him he was not disposed to tempt

it further。 In this treaty all the powers of Italy were united; except

the Genoese; who were omitted as rebels against the republic of Milan;

and unjust occupiers of territories belonging to the Florentines。 Upon

the peace being ratified; Roberto da San Severino; having been during

the war a treacherous ally of the church; and by no means formidable

to her enemies; left Rome; being followed by the forces of the duke

and the Florentines; after passing Cesena; found them near him; and

urging his flight reached Ravenna with less than a hundred horse。 Of

his forces; part were received into the duke's service; and part were

plundered by the peasantry。 The king; being reconciled with his

barons; put to death Jacopo Coppola and Antonello d'Aversa and their

sons; for having; during the war; betrayed his secrets to the pope。







CHAPTER VII



  The pope becomes attached to the FlorentinesThe Genoese seize

  SerezanelloThey are routed by the FlorentinesSerezana

  surrendersGenoa submits to the duke of MilanWar between the

  Venetians and the DutchOsimo revolts from the churchCount

  Girolamo Riario; lord of Furli; slain by a conspiracyGaleotto;

  lord of Faenza; is murdered by the treachery of his wifeThe

  government of the city offered to the FlorentinesDisturbances in

  SiennaDeath of Lorenzo de' MediciHis eulogyEstablishment of

  his familyEstates bought by LorenzoHis anxiety for the defense

  of FlorenceHis taste for arts and literatureThe university of

  PisaThe estimation of Lorenzo by other princes。



The pope having observed in the course of the war; how promptly and

earnestly the Florentines adhered to their alliances; although he had

previously been opposed to them from his attachment to the Genoese;

and the assistance they had rendered to the king; now evinced a more

amicable disposition; and received their ambassadors with greater

favor than previously。 Lorenzo de' Medici; being made acquainted with

this change of feeling; encouraged it with the utmost solicitude; for

he thought it would be of great advantage; if to the friendship of the

king he could add that of the pontiff。 The pope had a son named

Francesco; upon whom designing to bestow states and attach friends who

might be useful to him after his own death; saw no safer connection in

Italy than Lorenzo's; and therefore induced the latter to give him one

of his daughters in marriage。 Having formed this alliance; the pope

desired the Genoese to concede Serezana to the Florentines; insisting

that they had no right to detain what Agostino had sold; nor was

Agostino justified in making over to the Bank of San Giorgio what was

not his own。 However; his holiness did not succeed with them; for the

Genoese; during these transactions at Rome; armed several vessels;

and; unknown to the Florentines; landed three thousand foot; attacked

Serezanello; situated above Serezana; plundered and burnt the town

near it; and then; directing their artillery against the fortress;

fired upon it with their utmost energy。 This assault was new and

unexpected by the Florentines; who immediately assembled their forces

under Virginio Orsino; at Pisa; and complained to the pope; that while

he was endeavoring to establish peace; the Genoese had renewed their

attack upon them。 They then sent Piero Corsini to Lucca; that by his

presence he might keep the city faithful; and Pagolantonio Soderini to

Venice; to learn how that republic was disposed。 They demanded

assistance of the king and of Signor Lodovico; but obtained it from

neither; for the king expressed apprehensions of the Turkish fleet;

and Lodovico made excuses; but sent no aid。 Thus the Florentines in

their own wars are almost always obliged to stand alone; and find no

friends to assist them with the same readiness they practice toward

others。 Nor did they; on this desertion of their allies (it being

nothing new to them) give way to despondency; for having assembled a

large army under Jacopo Guicciardini and Pietro Vettori; they sent it

against the enemy; who had encamped upon the river Magra; at the same

time pressing Serezanello with mines and every species of attack。 The

commissaries being resolved to relieve the place; an engagement

ensued; when the Genoese were routed; and Lodovico dal Fiesco; with

several other principal men; made prisoners。 The Serezanesi were not

so depressed at their defeat as to be willing to surrender; but

obstinately prepared for their defense; while the Florentine

commissaries proceeded with their operations; and instances of valor

occurred on both sides。 The siege being protracted by a variety of

fortune; Lorenzo de' Medici resolved to go to the camp; and on his

arrival the troops acquired fresh courage; while that of the enemy

seemed to fail; for perceiving the obstinacy of the Florentines'

attack; and the delay of the Genoese in coming to their relief; they

surrendered to Lorenzo; without asking conditions; and none were

treated with severity except two or three who were leaders of the

rebellion。 During the siege; Lodovico had sent troops to Pontremoli;

as if with an intention of assisting the Florentines; but having

secret correspondence in Genoa; a party was raised there; who; by the

aid of these forces; gave the city to the duke of Milan。



At this time the Dutch made war upon the Venetians; and Boccolino of

Osimo; in the Marca; caused that place to revolt from the pope; and

assumed the sovereignty。 After a variety of fortune; he was induced to

restore the city to the pontiff and come to Florence; where; under the

protection of Lorenzo de' Medici; by whose advice he had been

prevailed upon to submit; he lived long and respected。 He afterward

went to Milan; but did not experience such generous treatment; for

Lodovico caused him to be put to death。 The Venetians were routed by

the Dutch; near the city of Trento; and Roberto da S。 Severino; their

captain; was slain。 After this defeat; the Venetians; with their usual

good fortune; made peace with the Dutch; not as vanquished; but as

conquerors; so honorable were the terms they obtained。



About this time; there arose serious troubles in Romagna。 Francesco

d'Orso; of Furli; was a man of great authority in that city; and

became suspected by the count Girolamo; who often threatened him。 He

consequently; living under great apprehensions; was advised by his

friends to provide for his own safety; by the immediate adoption of

such a course as would relieve him from all further fear of the count。

Having considered the matter and resolved to attempt it; they fixed

upon the market day; at

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