Charges of opposition to the policy of the Pope were freely thrown in
the teeth of Lorenzo, and some of them were true, for the actions of
the Pope led all observant men to the conclusion that he proposed to
assume the rôle of arbiter in the affairs of all the Italian States. On
the other hand, Lorenzo's policy was peaceful, his aim being the
consolidation of Medicean domination in the affairs of the Republic.

Causes such as these brought about the initiation of the dastardly plot
known in history as "The Pazzi Conspiracy." The name is somewhat open to
criticism, for, although the Pazzi were the chief instruments employed,
and exceeded all others in detestation of the Medici, the "forefront and
head of the offending" was no less a personage than Pope Sixtus IV.

"His Holiness hates Lorenzo," said Count Girolamo de' Riari; this was
the cue to all that followed. Doubtless the Pope was much in the power
of sycophants and adventurers--all immoral rulers are. Each knew his man
and held him in the palm of his left hand; and none were backward in
impressing this knowledge upon him.

"We can always make our lord the Pope do as we please," was Archbishop
Salviati's very apposite declaration! It was re-echoed by Francesco de'
Pazzi, who added significantly, "and we mean to rid Florence of the
Medici."

* * * * *

All through the year 1477 the three arch-conspirators were elaborating
their plan of action. Possibly Sixtus--and we may give the miscreant
the favour of the doubt--at first merely wished to upset the Government