bridge which crosses the Arno, close to Poppi, he turned to Neri in
great distress, and said, "Had I well considered my own position and
the power of the Florentines, I should now have been a friend of the
republic and congratulating you on your victory, not an enemy compelled
to supplicate some alleviation of my woe. The recent events which to you
bring glory and joy, to me are full of wretchedness and sorrow. Once
I possessed horses, arms, subjects, grandeur and wealth: can it be
surprising that I part with them reluctantly? But as you possess both
the power and the inclination to command the whole of Tuscany, we must
of necessity obey you; and had I not committed this error, my misfortune
would not have occurred, and your liberality could not have been
exercised; so, that if you were to rescue me from entire ruin, you would
give the world a lasting proof of your clemency. Therefore, let your
pity pass by my fault, and allow me to retain this single house to
leave to the descendants of those from whom your fathers have received
innumerable benefits." To this Neri replied: "That his having expected
great results from men who were capable of doing only very little, had
led him to commit so great a fault against the republic of Florence;
that, every circumstance considered, he must surrender all those places
to the Florentines, as an enemy, which he was unwilling to hold as a
friend: that he had set such an example, as it would be most highly
impolitic to encourage; for, upon a change of fortune, it might injure
the republic, and it was not himself they feared, but his power while
lord of the Casentino. If, however, he could live as a prince in
Germany, the citizens would be very much gratified; and out of love
to those ancestors of whom he had spoken, they would be glad to assist
him." To this, the count, in great anger, replied: "He wished the
Florentines at a much greater distance." Attempting no longer to
preserve the least urbanity of demeanor, he ceded the place and all
its dependencies to the Florentines, and with his treasure, wife, and