complete armor he was slain, his body dragged about the streets, and
afterward burned. Thus the duke's authority was sufficient to prompt the
enterprise, but his force was not at hand to support it.

The tumults being settled by the death of Battista, and the flight of
the Canneschi, Bologna still remained in the greatest confusion. There
not being one of the house of Bentivogli of age to govern, Annibale
having left but one son whose name was Giovanni, only six years old,
it was apprehended that disunion would ensue among the Bentivogli,
and cause the return of the Cannecshi, and the ruin both of their own
country and party. While in this state of apprehension, Francesco,
sometime Count di Poppi, being at Bologna, informed the rulers of
the city, that if they wished to be governed by one of the blood of
Annibale, he could tell them of one; and related that about twenty years
ago, Ercole, cousin of Annibale, being at Poppi, became acquainted with
a girl of the castle, of whom was born a son named Santi, whom Ercole,
on many occasions acknowledged to be his own, nor could he deny it,
for whoever knew him and saw the boy, could not fail to observe the
strongest resemblance. The citizens gave credit to the tale, and
immediately sent to Florence to see the young man, and procure of Cosmo
and Neri permission to return with him to Bologna. The reputed father
of Santi was dead, and he lived under the protection of his uncle, whose
name was Antonio da Cascese. Antonio was rich, childless, and a friend
of Neri, to whom the matter becoming known, he thought it ought neither
to be despised nor too hastily accepted; and that it would be best
for Santi and those who had been sent from Bologna, to confer in the
presence of Cosmo. They were accordingly introduced, and Santi was not
merely honored but adored by them, so greatly were they influenced by
the spirit of party. However, nothing was done at the time, except that
Cosmo, taking Santi apart, spoke to him thus: "No one can better advise