Causes such as these brought about the initiation of the dastardly plot known in history as “The Pazzi Conspiracy.”  The name is somewhat open to criticism, for, although the Pazzi were the chief instruments employed, and exceeded all others in detestation of the Medici, the “forefront and head of the offending” was no less a personage than Pope Sixtus IV.

“His Holiness hates Lorenzo,” said Count Girolamo de’ Riari; this was the cue to all that followed.  Doubtless the Pope was much in the power of sycophants and adventurers—­all immoral rulers are.  Each knew his man and held him in the palm of his left hand; and none were backward in impressing this knowledge upon him.

“We can always make our lord the Pope do as we please,” was Archbishop Salviati’s very apposite declaration!  It was re-echoed by Francesco de’ Pazzi, who added significantly, “and we mean to rid Florence of the Medici.”

* * * * *

All through the year 1477 the three arch-conspirators were elaborating their plan of action.  Possibly Sixtus—­and we may give the miscreant the favour of the doubt—­at first merely wished to upset the Government of Florence and banish Lorenzo and Giuliano by direct means.  When, however, it was borne in upon him that the immense popularity of the Medici would, in the event of their supersession, only lead to their triumphant recall, he agreed that there was nothing for it but the removal of the two brothers in a more summary manner.

This association of Giuliano with Lorenzo was a miserable exhibition of personal spite.  He had refused him the Cardinalate simply because he foresaw the succession of a Medici to the Papal throne, whilst he purposed handing over the triple tiara to his son, Cardinal Piero de’ Riari.  Nevertheless, there was some idea in the mind of Sixtus, which he conveyed to his fellow-conspirators, of making an agreement with Giuliano, that if he would condone the exile of his brother, then his should be the reversion of the Popedom after Cardinal de’ Riari!

Some authorities say Giuliano lent a not unwilling ear to those overtures, but a saner view is that expressed by Agnolo Poliziano in an epigram:—­

“Lorenzo—­Giuliano—­one spirit, love, and aim Animate you both—­this, truly, I, your friend, proclaim.”

Giuliano’s love for Lorenzo was, like that of David and Jonathan, “a love surpassing that of women.”  He consistently submitted his own ambitions to the exaltation of his brother’s magnificence.

The cogitations of the leaders of the conspiracy were disturbed by the fact that, however excellent their schemes might be, there was absolute necessity for the co-operation of other influences.  Rome unaided could not cope with Florence, backed as she was by France, Venice, Milan, Ferrara, and Mantua.  Sixtus consequently broached the subject of the suppression of the Medici to the King of Naples and to the Duke of Urbino—­the support of Siena was always assured in any attack on her great rival.