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After touching on the sack of Prato and the consternation which ensued in Florence, Vettori describes the return of the Medici in 1512. Giuliano, the son of Lorenzo, was the first to appear: after him came the Cardinal Giovanni, and Giuliano's son Giulio. The elder among their partisans persuaded them to call a Parlamento and assume the government in earnest.
And if there be no such right, then the Controuler of Lawes is not Parlamentum, but Rex In Parlamento. And where a Parlament is Soveraign, if it should assemble never so many, or so wise men, from the Countries subject to them, for whatsoever cause; yet there is no man will believe, that such an Assembly hath thereby acquired to themselves a Legislative Power.
The instrument for their accomplishment lay ready to the hands of the Medicean party in the pernicious system of the Parlamento and Balia, by means of which the people, assembled from time to time in the public square, and intimidated by the reigning faction, intrusted full powers to a select committee nominated in private by the chiefs of the great house.
The councils which he superseded at this date were the Consiglio del Popolo and the Consiglio del Comune, about which see Nardi, lib i. cap. 4. For the operation of the Parlamento and Balia, see Varchi, vol. ii. p. 372; Segni, p. 199; Nardi, lib. vi. cap. 4. Segni says: 'The Parlamento is a meeting of the Florentine people on the Piazza of the Signory.
When the answer, yes, prompted partly by inclination and partly by compulsion, is returned, the Signory immediately retires into the palace. It is well known how hostile Savonarola was to an institution which had lent itself so easily to despotism. This couplet he inscribed on the walls of the Council Chamber, in 1495: 'E sappi che chi vuol parlamento Vuol torti dalle mani il reggimento.
There is the Parlamento, in which the inhabitants meet together to hear the decisions of the Bishop and the Popolo, or to take measures in extreme cases that affect the city as a whole; the Gran Consiglio, which is only open to duly qualified members of the Popolo; and the Credenza, or privy council of specially delegated burghers, who debate on matters demanding secrecy and diplomacy.
Savonarola inscribed this octave stanza on the wall of the Consiglio Grande: 'Se questo popolar consiglio e certo Governo, popol, de la tua cittate Conservi, che da Dio t'e stato offerto, In pace starai sempre e libertate: Tien dunque l'occhio della mente aperto, Chè molte insidie ognor ti fien parate; E sappi che chi vuol far parlamento Vuol tórti dalle mani il reggimento.
For the mode of working the Parlamento and Balia, see Segni, p. 199; Nardi, lib. vi. cap. 4; Varchi, vol. ii. p. 372.
The different Physiognomies of the Italian Republics The Similarity of their Character as Municipalities The Rights of Citizenship Causes of Disturbance in the Commonwealths Belief in the Plasticity of Constitutions Example of Genoa Savonarola's Constitution Machiavelli's Discourse to Leo X. Complexity of Interests and Factions Example of Siena Small Size of Italian Cities Mutual Mistrust and Jealousy of the Commonwealths The notable Exception of Venice Constitution of Venice Her wise System of Government Contrast of Florentine Vicissitudes The Magistracies of Florence Balia and Parlamento The Arts of the Medici Comparison of Venice and Florence in respect to Intellectual Activity and Mobility Parallels between Greece and Italy Essential Differences The Mercantile Character of Italian Burghs The 'Trattato del Governo della Famiglia' The Bourgeois Tone of Florence, and the Ideal of a Burgher Mercenary Arms.
Compare the proverb, 'Chi disse parlamento disse guastamento.
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