with greater audacity than ever, and
the house of the Albizzi became powerful as the head of this faction.

On the other hand, the Ricci made the most strenuous exertions against
their designs; so that anxiety universally prevailed, and ruin was
apprehended alike from both parties. In consequence of this a great
number of citizens, out of love to their country, assembled in the
church of St. Piero Scarraggio, and after a long consideration of the
existing disorders, presented themselves before the Signors, whom one of
the principal among them addressed in the following terms:--

"Many of us, magnificent Signors! were afraid of meeting even for
consideration of public business, without being publicly called
together, lest we should be noted as presumptuous or condemned as
ambitious. But seeing that so many citizens daily assemble in the lodges
and halls of the palace, not for any public utility, but only for the
gratification of their own ambition, we have thought that as those who
assemble for the ruin of the republic are fearless, so still less ought
they to be apprehensive who meet together only for its advantage; nor
ought we to be anxious respecting the opinion they may form of our
assembling, since they are so utterly indifferent to the opinion of
others. Our affection for our country, magnificent Signors! caused us
to assemble first, and now brings us before you, to speak of grievances
already great and daily increasing in our republic, and to offer our
assistance for their removal: and we doubt not that, though a difficult
undertaking, it will still be attended with success, if you will lay
aside all private regards, and authoritatively use the public force.

"The common corruption of all the cities of Italy, magnificent Signors!
has infested and still vitiates your own; for when this province had
shaken off the imperial yoke, her cities not being subject to any
powerful influence that might restrain them, administered affairs, not
as free men do, but as a factious populace; and hence have arisen all
the other evils and disorders that have appeared. In the first place,
there cannot be found among the citizens either unity or friendship,
except with those whose common guilt, either against their country or
against private individuals, is a bond of union. And as the knowledge
of religion and the fear of God seem to be alike extinct, oaths and
promises have lost their validity, and are kept as long as it is found