and having soon completely conquered it, besieged the city itself.

The duke, who desired the Venetians to be left defenseless, excused
himself to the pope, the Florentines, and the count, saying, that if the
doings of Niccolo were contrary to the terms of the treaty, they were
equally contrary to his wishes, and by secret messengers, assured them
that when an occasion presented itself, he would give them a convincing
proof that they had been performed in disobedience to his instructions.
Neither the count nor the Florentines believed him, but thought, with
reason, that these enterprises had been carried on to keep them at
bay, till he had subdued the Venetians, who, being full of pride, and
thinking themselves able alone to resist the duke, had not deigned to
ask for any assistance, but carried on the war under their captain,
Gattamelata.

Count Francesco would have wished, with the consent of the Florentines,
to go to the assistance of king René, if the events of Romagna and
Lombardy had not hindered him; and the Florentines would willingly have
consented, from their ancient friendship to the French dynasty, but the
duke was entirely in favor of Alfonso. Each being engaged in wars near
home, refrained from distant undertakings. The Florentines, finding
Romagna occupied with the duke's forces, and the Venetians defeated, as
if foreseeing their own ruin in that of others, entreated the count to
come to Tuscany, where they might consider what should be done to resist
Filippo's power, which was now greater than it had ever before been;
assuring him that if his insolence were not in some way curbed, all the
powers of Italy would soon have to submit to him. The count felt the
force of the fears entertained by the Florentines, but his desire to
secure the duke's alliance kept him in suspense; and the duke, aware
of this desire, gave him the greatest assurance that his hopes would