been the greatest foe of our inveterate enemies; if, therefore, to avoid
incensing the Florentines we had excited his anger, we should have lost
our best friend, and rendered our enemy more powerful and more disposed
to oppress us; so that it is far preferable to have this war upon our
hands, and enjoy the favor of the duke, than to be in peace without it.
Besides, we are justified in expecting that he will rescue us from the
dangers into which we are brought on his account, if we only do not
abandon our own cause. You all know how fiercely the Florentines have
frequently assailed us, and with what glory we have maintained our
defense. We have often been deprived of every hope, except in God
and the casualties which time might produce, and both have proved our
friends. And as they have delivered us formerly, why should they not
continue to do so. Then we were forsaken by the whole of Italy; now we
have the duke in our favor; besides we have a right to suppose that the
Venetians will not hastily attack us; for they will not willingly see
the power of Florence increased. On a former occasion the Florentines
were more at liberty; they had greater hope of assistance, and were more
powerful in themselves, while we were in every respect weaker; for then
a tyrant governed us, now we defend ourselves; then the glory of our
defense was another's, now it is our own; then they were in harmony, now
they are disunited, all Italy being filled with their banished citizens.
But were we without the hope which these favorable circumstances
present, our extreme necessity should make us firmly resolved on our
defense. It is reasonable to fear every enemy, for all seek their
own glory and your ruin; above all others, you have to dread the
Florentines, for they would not be satisfied by submission and tribute,
or the dominion of our city, but they would possess our entire substance
and persons, that they might satiate their cruelty with our blood, and
their avarice with our property, so that all ranks ought to dread them.
Therefore do not be troubled at seeing our crops destroyed, our towns