SAVONAROLA. 221 In the sermons on Exodus preached during this Lent — the last which he had the opportunity of uttering — Savonarola was more violent than ever. His position was such that he could only justify himself by proving that the papal anathema was worthless, and this he did in terms which excited the liveliest indignation in Rome. A brief was despatched to the Signoria, February 26, commanding them, under pain of interdict, to send Savonarola as a prisoner to Rome. This received no attention, but at the same time another letter was sent to the canons of the Duomo ordering them to close their church to him, and March 1 he appeared there to say that he would preach at San Marco, whither the crowded audience fol- lowed him. His fate, however, was sealed the same day by the advent to power of a government composed of a majority of Ar- rabbiati, with one of his bitterest enemies, Pier Popoleschi, at its head as Gonfaloniero di Giustizia. Yet he was too powerful with the people to be openly attacked, and occasion for his ruin had to be awaited.* The first act of the new Signoria was an appeal to the pope, March 4, excusing themselves for not obeying his orders and ask- ing for clemency towards Savonarola, whose labors had been so fruitful, and whom the people of Florence believed to be more than man. Possibly this may have been insidiously intended to kindle afresh the papal anger ; at all events, Alexander's reply shows that he recognized fully the advantage of the situation. Savonarola is "that miserable worm" who in a sermon recently printed had adjured God to deliver him to hell if he should apply for absolution. The pope will waste no more time in letters ; he wants no more words from them, but acts. They must either send their monstrous idol to Rome, or segregate him from all human society, if they wish to escape the interdict which will last until they submit. Yet Savonarola is not to be perpetually silenced, but, after due humiliation, his mouth shall be again opened.f This reached Florence March 13 and excited a violent discus- sion. We have seen that an interdict inflicted by the pope might
- Landucci, p. 164.— Perrens, p. 231.— Villari, II. App. lxvi.
+ Perrens, pp. 232-5, 365-72. Cf. Villari, II. 115. The obnoxious appeal to God had really been made by Savonarola in his ser- mon of February 11 (Villari, II. 88).
