After the election of Leo X,
in the year 1513 a whole association of these men, twelve Franciscan
monks in all, journeyed through the various districts of Italy, of
which one or other was assigned to each preacher. The one who appeared
in Florence, fra Francesco da Montepulcian, struck terror into the
whole people. The alarm was not diminished by the exaggerated reports
of his prophecies which reached those who were too far off to hear him.
After one of his sermons he suddenly died 'of pain in the chest.' The
people thronged in such numbers to kiss the feet of the corpse that it
had to be secretly buried in the night. But the newly awakened spirit
of prophecy, which seized upon even women and peasants, could not be
controlled without great difficulty. 'In order to restore to the people
their cheerful humour, the Medici--Giuliano, Leo's brother, and
Lorenzo--gave on St. John's Day, 1514, those splendid festivals,
tournaments, processions, and hunting-parties, which were attended by
many distinguished persons from Rome, and among them, though disguised,
no less than six cardinals.'
But the greatest of the prophets and apostles had already been burnt in
Florence in the year 1498--Fra Girolamo Savonarola of Ferrara. We must
content ourselves with saying a few words respecting him.
The instrument by means of which he transformed and ruled the city of
Florence (1494-8) was his eloquence.
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