CH. IX.

TEMPTATION RESISTED.

261

ingly, in pursuance of the Dominican bishop's advice before mentioned, Fra Ludovico arrives in Florence, and seeks the cell of Savonarola.

Kindly the submissive monk receives the pontiff's messenger, becomes his host, and for three days listens to his arguments; but remains unconvinced. As the crowning proof, the cardinalate is proffered. 'Come,' said Savonarola, 'to my sermon to-morrow morning, and you shall hear my answer.'

Thus invited, the guest attends the church at the time appointed. What is his wonder when, instead of any intimation whereby he might suppose that the splendid offer of the pope was welcome to the speaker, he heard more violent denunciations than ever fulminated from the pulpit of San Marco? No other red hat,' exclaims the preacher, will I have than that of martyrdom, coloured with my own blood.'

'Verily,' said Ludovico, this is a true servant of God;' and returned to Rome.

CHAPTER X.

SECOND CITATION.

Political changes-Emperor Maximilian-Alexander VI.An individual Pope fallible-Savonarola sarcastic-Cited a second time to Rome-Papal brief-Savonarola's defensive epistle-Addresses the people by command of the Signory-Increased extravagances at the carnival of 1497 -Spiritual dances-Signs and wonders.

It is related, that, when at his first preaching, in the year 1489, under the Damascus roses in the garden of San Marco, the laity became urgent for freer access; Savonarola, one Sunday evening, in answer to repeated applications, directed his audience to pray until the next for direction from Heaven, when they would know what ought to be done. On the following Sunday, they demanded the response. is,' replied Savonarola, the will of God that I should for the future expound in the Church, and that I shall continue to do so for eight years.'

'It

Seven of these eight years have now almost passed, and much anxiety is naturally felt for the verification of this prediction. The aspects of things have already suffered considerable alteration. Till the beginning of the year 1496, the respectability of the popular party in Florence had increased, and had, as it ap

CH. X.

EMPEROR MAXIMILIAN.

263

pears, attained its highest point, when Francesco Valori was named Gonfaloniere for the months of January and February in this year. Among the institutions and regulations which were made at this period for the security of the republic from without, as for the strengthening of it within, a law was made, according to which, all young men of twenty-four years of age should be admitted to the Great Council, while formerly the requisite age was fixed at thirty years. They hoped thus, by the greater number of members, to meet in the best manner all the party divisions against the interest of the Great Council. But the result showed how much they had miscalculated. Long ago, in particular, a large proportion of the young men had already come forward inopen hostility to the adherents of Savonarola, more from opposition to their moral severity than their political principles. By this law, the young men had now the fullest opportunity of thwarting the spiritual reforms, by which they had been so much annoyed. Bernardo del Nero, a decided adherent of the Medicean party, was consequently named to succeed Francesco Valori, as Gonfaloniere, and ever after there also remained to this party so decided an influence in the Great Council, that the most zealous of them began privately to cherish hopes of bringing back Pietro de' Medici to Florence.

Meanwhile, the Emperor Maximilian, induced by Ludovico Sforza of Milan, in secret collusion with Venice, had passed the Alps, to form commercial relations in Upper Italy, and to draw the lesser princes, as well as Florence, from their alliance with France. As soon as the latter had heard of the arrival of the Emperor, orders were immediately given for making of the haven of Livorno, in spite of all impediments, and the continued war with Pisa, since they were determined, as much from distrust of

264

POPULAR MUTABILITY.

B. 111.

Milan and Venice, as in consequence of Savonarola's warnings, to remain true to the alliance with France. From Pisa, whither the Emperor had gone as feudal lord, there came ambassadors to Florence with the royal intimation, that they should lay aside their mutual enmities until the matter was brought before the proper tribunal, where it would be decided with the greatest justice. Though Florence was in such difficulties, standing by itself against so many enemies, yet the answer given to the Emperor signified that they would only concede his former demands, on condition that the city should be re-instated in its rightful possessions, which they might confidently expect from the Emperor's justice. He, on the other hand, had reckoned on unconditional submission to his decision, and determined thereon to exert force of arms, and attack Livorno by land and water. Although they had little to fear from the Emperor's scanty military powers, this was nevertheless occasion enough for the enemies of the ruling party to publish the most unfavourable and exciting rumours, as at the same time a great dearness prevailed, and the desired supplies from France were longer in arriving than they expected. Of the latter circumstance, advantage was taken to prejudice public opinion against Savonarola, who, it was now clear, said his enemies, had beguiled the people. At last there came some French vessels, which, besides provisions, brought a supply of men; and, with a favourable wind, which held back the Imperial ships from preventing them, ran into the harbour of Livorno. The news of this was heard with joy in Florence. They saw therein at once a sign of Divine aid, when all human support failed, and at the same a confirmation of Savonarola's sayings, which before they had been taught to suspect. During these anxieties, he had indeed consoled the people with great promises; but the joy

CH. X.

UNCONSCIOUS SUPERSTITION.

265

was still further increased, when a violent storm so injured his ships, that the Emperor was compelled to break up the blockade.

In spite of persecution and opposition, and notwithstanding his recent illness, Savonarola was now in the flower of his activity. Not only had his attractive eloquence procured for him a crowd of admiring hearers, but he had scattered abroad the genuine and vigorous seed of everlasting life; and thereby exerted such influence, that its effects are almost incredible. But they are well attested by contemporary witnesses, and acquire, besides, probability from the nature and character of the eloquence itself. Words have an incalculable power, and such words as his, so full of confidence, uttered without dread or doubt, had a vital and generative energy, and fell on the undisciplined mind, like dew on thirsty and arid land, which eagerly sucks in the heavendescended blessing. His contemporary, Nardi, says wisely, 'The severe times which Italy then suffered, inclined men to faith; and the monstrous crimes that prevailed, especially in the Court of Rome, formed the best commentary on the prophecies of Savonarola. This was the reason why his fame from day to day increased. Many foreigners and illustrious persons came from afar, either to hear or see him, partly from devotion, partly from curiosity... The consequences of his preaching were extraordinary, and the hearers were affected according to their different mental conditions. Ordinances and laws were made for restraining vice and promoting morals, so that at his suggestion, men in Florence then lived, whether from the fear of God or of the laws, like Christians indeed, if compared with earlier times, or those that next succeeded.'

That there was much that must be declared unconscious superstition mixed up with this religious

A a