great example to those citizens which are to come, to
beware of desiring to be lords over their fellow-citizens or too
ambitious; but to be content with the common citizenship. For the very
men which had aided him to rise, through envy betrayed him and plotted
to abase him; and it has been seen and experienced truly in Florence
in ancient and modern times, that whosoever has become leader of the
people and of the masses has been cast down; forasmuch as the
ungrateful people never give men their due reward. From this event
arose great disturbance and change amongst the people and in the city
of Florence, and from that time forward the artificers and common
people possessed little power in the commonwealth, but the government
remained in the hands of the powerful popolani grassi.

[Sidenote: 1294 A.D.]

Sec. 9.--_When the building of the great church of Santa Reparata was
begun._

Sec. 10.--_How M. Gianni di Celona came into Tuscany as Imperial Vicar._

* * * * *

[Sidenote: 1294 A.D.]

[Sidenote: Inf. xv. 23-120.]

[Sidenote: Inf. xv. 119, 120.]

In the said year 1294 there died in Florence a worthy citizen whose
name was M. Brunetto Latini, who was a great philosopher, and was a
perfect master in rhetoric, understanding both how to speak well and
how to write well. And he it was which commented upon the rhetoric of
Tully, and made the good and useful book called "The Treasure," and
"The Little Treasure," and "The Key to the Treasure," and many other
books in philosophy, and concerning vices and virtues. And he was
secretary of our commonwealth. He was a worldly man, but we have made
mention of him because it was he who was the beginner and master in
refining the Florentines and in teaching them how to speak well, and
how to guide and rule our republic according to policy.

[Sidenote: 1294 A.D.]

Sec. 11.--_How S. Louis, king that was of France, was canonised._

Sec. 12.--_How the magnates of Florence raised a tumult in the city to
break up the Popolo._

[Sidenote: 1295 A.D.]

On the 6th day of the month of July of the year 1295, the magnates and
great men of the city of Florence, seeing themselves mightily
oppressed by the new Ordinances of Justice made by the people--and
especially by that ordinance which declares that one kinsman is to be
held to account for another, and that two witnesses establish public
report--having their own friends in the priorate, gave themselv