As the ?ood rolled nearer, the excited Florentines became tumultuous in discontent against Piero. Piero suddenly resolved to visit the French krng and make terms. He conceded all that was asked, gave up Important fortresses within the territory of Florence, but when he 'went baelz to tell the Signory what he had done, he was pronounced a rebel and an outlaw, and the Medici were cast out of the city. Then follow ed eighteen years during which the Republic was restored, and of this republrc Machiavellr was a loyal servant for fourteen years and five months before the return of the Medici In 1512. It was a Signory of this Republic that, on the 2 ord of May, 1498, burnt Savonarola, and.'2 scattered his ashes from the Ponte Vecchio into the Arno, a few weeks after young Machiavelli had first entered the service of the State. Head of the Church In those days was Alexander VI, a Borgia who exulted In the pro?igacy of hrs life, father of Cesar Borgia and Lucrezia. After a little service in another department of the State, on the 14th of July, 1498, Machiavelli was made Secretary to the office of the Ten Magistrates of Liberty and Peace — that is to say, chief Secretary to the Government of the Republic. He had charge of the political corre spondence, home and foreign, and the drafting of treaties. His rare ability caused him to be sent twenty -three times on embassies, and to represent the Republic on many commissions to dependent towns.
