circumstances, the result should be the same, you have now every reason
to anticipate an easy victory; and how much it will strengthen your own
government, you may easily judge; having Tuscany friendly, and bound by
so powerful an obligation, in your enterprises, she will be even of more
service to you than Milan. And, although, on former occasions, such an
acquisition might be looked upon as ambitious and unwarrantable, it will
now be considered merciful and just. Then do not let this opportunity
escape, and be assured, that although your attempts against the city
have been attended with difficulty, expense, and disgrace, this will
with facility procure you incalculable advantage and an honorable
renown."

Many words were not requisite to induce the duke to hostilities against
the Florentines, for he was incited to it by hereditary hatred and blind
ambition, and still more, by the fresh injuries which the league with
the Genoese involved; yet his past expenses, the dangerous measures
necessary, the remembrance of his recent losses, and the vain hopes of
the exiles, alarmed him. As soon as he had learned the revolt of Genoa,
he ordered Niccolo Piccinino to proceed thither with all his cavalry
and whatever infantry he could raise, for the purpose of recovering
her, before the citizens had time to become settled and establish a
government; for he trusted greatly in the fortress within the city,
which was held for him. And although Niccolo drove the Genoese from
the mountains, took from them the valley of Pozeveri, where they had
entrenched themselves, and obliged them to seek refuge within the walls
of the city, he still found such an insurmountable obstacle in the
resolute defense of the citizens, that he was compelled to withdraw. On
this, at the suggestion of the Florentine exiles, he commanded Niccolo
to attack them on the eastern side, upon the confines of Pisa in the
Genoese territory, and to push the war with his utmost vigor, thinking