never took place:  but many Dominican Churches used a special office with his name and in his honor.[1] A legend similar to that of S. Francis in its wealth of mythical details embalmed the memory of even the smallest details of his life.  But, above all, he lived in the hearts of the Florentines.  For many years to come his name was the watchword of their freedom; his prophecies sustained their spirit during the siege of 1528;[2] and it was only by returning to his policy that Niccolo Capponi and Francesco Carducci ruled the people through those troublous times.  The political action of Savonarola forms but a short episode in the history of Florence.  His moral revival belongs to the history of popular enthusiasm.  His philosophical and theological writings are chiefly interesting to the student of post-medaeival scholasticism.  His attitude as a monastic leader of the populace, attempting to play the old game whereby the factious warfare of a previous age had been suspended by appeals to piety, and politicians had looked for aid outside the nation, was anachronistic.  But his prophecy, his insight into the coming of a new era for the Church and for Italy, is a main fact in the psychology of the Renaissance.

    [1] Officio del Savonarola, with preface by Cesare Guasti. 
    Firenze, 1863.

[2] Guicciardini, in his Ricordt, No. i., refers the incredible obstinacy of the Florentines at this period in hoping against all hope and reason to Savonarola:  ’questa ostinazione ha causata in gran parte a fede di non potere perire, secondo le predicazioni di Fra Jeronirno da Ferrara.’

CHAPTER X.

CHARLES VIII.

The Italian States confront the Great Nations of Europe—­Policy of Louis XI. of France—­Character of Charles VIII.—­Preparations for the Invasion of Italy—­Position of Lodovico Sforza—­Diplomatic Difficulties in Italy after the Death of Lorenzo de’ Medici—­Weakness of the Republics—­II Moro—­The year 1494—­Alfonso of Naples—­Inefficiency of the Allies to cope with France—­Charles at Lyons is stirred up to the Invasion of Italy by Giuliano della Rovere—­Charles at Asti and Pavia—­Murder of Gian Galeazzo Sforza—­Mistrust in the French Army—­Rapallo and Fivizzano—­The Entrance into Tuscany—­Part played by Piero de’ Medici—­Charles at Pisa—­His Entrance into Florence—­Piero Capponi—­The March on Rome—­Entry into Rome—­Panic of Alexander VI.—­The March on Naples—­The Spanish Dynasty:  Alfonso and Ferdinand—­Alfonso II. escapes to Sicily—­Ferdinand II. takes Refuge in Ischia—­Charles at Naples—­The League against the French—­De Comines at Venice—­Charles makes his Retreat by Rome, Siena, Pisa, and Pontremoli—­The Battle of Fornovo—­Charles reaches Asti and returns to France—­Italy becomes the Prize to be fought for by France, Spain, and Germany—­Importance of the Expedition of Charles VIII.