to comply with the resolution of the council, assembled at Bâle, came
to Venice; but being terrified by the plague then prevailing, it was
resolved to terminate their differences at Florence. The Roman and Greek
prelates having held a conference during several days, in which many
long discussions took place, the Greeks yielded, and agreed to adopt the
ritual of the church of Rome.



CHAPTER IV

New wars in Italy--Niccolo Piccinino, in concert with the duke of
Milan, deceives the pope, and takes many places from the church--Niccolo
attacks the Venetians--Fears and precautions of the Florentines--The
Venetians request assistance of the Florentines and of Sforza--League
against the duke of Milan--The Florentines resolve to send the count to
assist the Venetians--Neri di Gino Capponi at Venice--His discourse to
the senate--Extreme joy of the Venetians.

Peace being restored between the Lucchese and Florentines, and the duke
and the count having become friends, hopes were entertained that the
arms of Italy would be laid aside, although those in the kingdom of
Naples, between René of Anjou and Alfonso of Aragon, could find repose
only by the ruin of one party or the other. And though the pope was
dissatisfied with the loss of so large a portion of his territories,
and the ambition of the duke and the Venetians was obvious, still it was
thought that the pontiff, from necessity, and the others from weariness,
would be advocates of peace. However, a different state of feeling
prevailed, for neither the duke nor the Venetians were satisfied with
their condition; so that hostilities were resumed, and Lombardy and