y fame eternal, the memory of the deed
will last for aye.' He was only twenty-two years of age.[1] There is an
antique grandeur about the outlines of this story, strangely mingled
with mediaeval Catholicism in the details, which makes it typical of the
Renaissance. Conspiracies against rulers were common at the time in
Italy; but none were so pure and honorable as this. Of the Pazzi
Conjuration (1478) which Sixtus IV. directed to his everlasting infamy
against the Medici, I shall have to speak in another place. It is enough
to mention here in passing the patriotic attempt of Girolamo Gentile
against Galeazzo Sforza at Genoa in 1476, and the more selfish plot of
Nicolo d' Este, in the same year, against his uncle Ercole, who held the
Marquisate of Ferrara to the prejudice of his own claim. The latter
tragedy was rendered memorable by the vengeance taken by Ercole. He
beheaded Nicolo and his cousin Azzo together with twenty-five of his
comrades, effectually preventing by this bloodshed any future attempt to
set aside his title. Falling as these four conspiracies do within the
space of two years, and displaying varied features of antique heroism,
simple patriotism, dynastic dissension, and ecclesiastical perfidy, they
present examples of the different forms and causes of political
tragedies with a noteworthy and significant conciseness.[2]

[1] The whole story may be read in Ripamonti, under the head of
'Confessio Olgiati;' in Corio, who was a page of the Duke's and an
eye-witness of the murder; and in the seventh book of Machiavelli's
'History.' Sismondi's summary and references, vol. vii. pp. 86-90,
are very full.

[2] It is worthy of notice that very many tyrannicides took
place in Church--for example, the murders of Francesco Vico dei
Prefetti, of the Varani, the Chiavelli, Giuliano de' Medici,
and Galeazzo Maria Sforza. The choice of public service, as the
best occasion for the commission of these crimes, points to the
guarded watchfulness maintained by tyrants in their palaces and
on the streets. Banquets and festivities offered another kind
of opportunity; and it was on such occasions that domestic
tragedies, like Oliverotto's murder of his uncle and Grifonetto
Baglioni's treason, were accomplished.

Such was the actual condition of Italy at the end of the fifteenth
century. Neither public nor private morality in our sense of the word
existed. The crimes