one would become his enemy, and the other be rendered
useless; for, if money were provided him, and he were
kept in pay, he would attack the territories held
of the church by the count, who being compelled to
look to his own interests, could not subserve the ambition
of Filippo. The pope giving entire credence to
this representation, on account of its apparent reasonableness,
sent Niccolo five thousand ducats and loaded him with
promises of states for himself and his children.
And though many informed him of the deception, he could
not give credit to them, nor would he endure the conversation
of any who seemed to doubt the integrity of Niccolo’s
professions. The city of Ravenna was held for
the church by Ostasio da Polenta. Niccolo finding
further delay would be detrimental, since his son Francesco
had, to the pope’s great dishonor, pillaged
Spoleto, determined to attack Ravenna, either because
he judged the enterprise easy, or because he had a
secret understanding with Ostasio, for in a few days
after the attack, the place capitulated. He then
took Bologna, Imola, and Furli; and (what is worthy
of remark) of twenty fortresses held in that country
for the pope, not one escaped falling into his hands.
Not satisfied with these injuries inflicted on the
pontiff, he resolved to banter him by his words as
well as ridicule him by his deeds, and wrote, that
he had only done as his holiness deserved, for having
unblushingly attempted to divide two such attached
friends as the duke and himself, and for having dispersed
over Italy letters intimating that he had quitted the
duke to take part with the Venetians. Having
taken possession of Romagna, Niccolo left it under
the charge of his son, Francesco, and with the greater
part of his troops, went into Lombardy, where joining
the remainder of the duke’s forces, he attacked
the country about Brescia, and having soon completely
conquered it, besieged the city itself.
The duke, who desired the Venetians to be left defenseless,
excused himself to the pope, the Florentines, and
the count, saying, that if the doings of Niccolo were
contrary to the terms of the treaty, they were equally
contrary to his wishes, and by secret messengers, assured
them that when an occasion presented itself, he would
give them a convincing proof that they had been performed
in disobedience to his instructions. Neither
the count nor the Florentines believed him, but thought,
with reason, that these enterprises had been carried
on to keep them at bay, till he had subdued the Venetians,
who, being full of pride, and thinking themselves
able alone to resist the duke, had not deigned to
ask for any assistance, but carried on the war under
their captain, Gattamelata.