demanded fifty thousand florins, and the possession of Piombino. When
the terms were under consideration, many citizens, desirous of peace,
would have accepted them, declaring there was no hope of bringing to a
favorable conclusion a war which required so much money to carry it on.
But Neri Capponi going to Florence, placed the matter in a more correct
light, and it was then unanimously determined to reject the proposal,
and take the lord of Piombino under their protection, with an alliance
offensive and defensive, provided he did not abandon them, but assist in
their defense as hitherto. The king being informed of this resolution,
saw that, with his reduced army, he could not gain the place, and
withdrew in the same condition as if completely routed, leaving behind
him two thousand dead. With the remainder of his sick troops he retired
to the Siennese territory, and thence to his kingdom, incensed against
the Florentines, and threatening them with new wars upon the return of
spring.

While these events were proceeding in Tuscany the Count Sforza, having
become leader of the Milanese forces, strenuously endeavored to secure
the friendship of Francesco Piccinino, who was also in their service,
that he might support him in his enterprises, or be less disposed to do
him injury. He then took the field with his army, upon which the people
of Pavia, conscious of their inability to resist him, and unwilling to
obey the Milanese, offered to submit themselves to his authority, on
condition that he should not subject them to the power of Milan. The
count desired the possession of Pavia, and considered the circumstance
a happy omen, as it would enable him to give a color to his designs. He
was not restrained from treachery either by fear or shame; for great men
consider failure disgraceful,--a fraudulent success the contrary. But
he was apprehensive that his possession of the city would excite the
animosity of the Milanese, and perhaps induce them to throw themselves