The conspiracy of the Pazzi against Lorenzo and Giuliano de’ Medici is well known.  The scheme agreed on was to give a banquet to the Cardinal S. Giorgio, at which the brothers should be put to death.  To each of the conspirators a part was assigned:  to one the murder, to another the seizure of the palace, while a third was to ride through the streets and call on the people to free themselves.  But it so chanced that at a time when the Pazzi, the Medici, and the Cardinal were all assembled in the cathedral church of Florence to hear High Mass, it became known that Giuliano would not be present at the banquet; whereupon the conspirators, laying their heads together, resolved to do in church what they were to have done elsewhere.  This, however, deranged the whole scheme.  For Giovambattista of Montesecco, would have no hand in the murder if it was to be done in a church; and the whole distribution of parts had in consequence to be changed; when, as those to whom the new parts were assigned had no time allowed them to nerve their minds to their new tasks, they managed matters so badly that they were overpowered in their attempt.

Courage fails a conspirator either from his own poorness of spirit, or from his being overcome by some feeling of reverence.  For such majesty and awe attend the person of a prince, that it may well happen that he softens or dismays his executioners.  When Caius Marius was taken by the people of Minturnum, the slave sent in to slay him, overawed by the bearing of the man, and by the memories which his name called up, became unnerved, and powerless to perform his office.  And if this influence was exercised by one who was a prisoner, and in chains, and overwhelmed by adverse fortune, how much more must reverence be inspired by a prince who is free and uncontrolled, surrounded by his retinue and by all the pomp and splendour of his station; whose dignity confounds, and whose graciousness conciliates.

Certain persons conspiring against Sitalces, king of Thrace, fixed a day for his murder, and assembled at the place appointed, whither the king had already come.  Yet none of them raised a hand to harm him, and all departed without attempting anything against him or knowing why they refrained; each blaming the others.  And more than once the same folly was repeated, until the plot getting wind, they were taken and punished for what they might have done, yet durst not do.

Two brothers of Alfonso, Duke of Ferrara, conspired against him, employing as their tool a certain priest named Giennes, a singing-man in the service of the Duke.  He, at their request, repeatedly brought the Duke into their company, so that they had full opportunity to make away with him.  Yet neither of them ever ventured to strike the blow; till at last, their scheme being discovered, they paid the penalty of their combined cowardice and temerity.  Such irresolution can only have arisen from their being overawed by the majesty of the prince, or touched by his graciousness.