Heroes of Modern Europe

								

barricaded streets if such an alarm were given, and wisely refrained
from further provocation.  He passed on his way after "looting" the
palace in which he had been lodged.  The Medicean treasures were the
trophies of his visit.
In spite of himself, the monk had to turn politician after the French
army had gone southward.  He was said to have saved the State, and was
implored to assume control now that the tyranny was at an end.  There
was a vision before him of Florence as a free Republic in the truest
sense.  He took up his work gladly for the cause of liberty.  The
Parliamento, a foolish assembly of the people which was summoned
hastily to do the will of any faction that could overawe it, was
replaced by the Great Council formed on a Venetian model.  In this sat
the benefiziati--those who had held some civic office, and the
immediate descendants of officials.  Florence was not to have a really
democratic government.
After the cares of government, Savonarola felt weary in mind and body;
he had never failed to preach incessantly in the cathedral, where he
expounded his schemes for reform without abandoning his work as
prophet.  He broke down, but again took up his burden {47} bravely.
Florence was a changed city under his rule.  Women clothed themselves
in the simplest garb and forsook such vanities as wigs and rouge-pots.
Bankers, repenting of greed, hastened to restore the wealth they had
wrongly appropriated.  Tradesmen read their Bibles in their shops in
the intervals of business, and were no longer to be found rioting in
the streets.  The Florentine youths, once mischievous to the last
degree, attended the friar daily, and actually gave up their
stone-throwing.  "Piagnoni" (Snivellers) was the name given to these
enthusiasts, for the godly were not without opponents.
Savonarola had to meet the danger of an attempt to restore the
authority of Piero dei Medici.  He mustered eleven thousand men and
boys, when a report came that the tyrant had sought the help of Charles
VIII against Florence.  The Pope, also, wished to restore Piero for his
own ends.  In haste the citizens barred their gates and then assembled
in the cathedral to hearken to their leader.
Savonarola passed a stern resolution that any man should be put to
death who endeavoured to destroy the hard-won freedom of his city.
"One must treat these men," he declared, "as the Romans treated those
who sought the recall of Tarquinius."  His fiery spirit inflamed the
Florentines with such zeal that they offered four thousand gold florins
for the head of Piero dei Medici.
The attempt to force the gates of Florence proved a failure.  Piero had
to fly to Rome and the Prior's enemies were obliged to seek a fresh
excuse for attacking his position.  The Pope was persuaded to send for
him that he might answer a charge of disseminating false doctrines.
The preacher defended himself vigorously, {48} and seemed to satisfy