The Tyrant of Florence

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The excesses of which the tyrannical rules of bygone days were capable are scarcely credible in these times, yet incidents such as that which forms the subject of this interesting film were not uncommon. The Podesta of Florence, full of a sense of his own dignity and importance, issues an edict that everyone must salute his hat on pain of death. The headgear is placed in a prominent position, and the edict posted up beneath, quite oblivious of the fact that in those illiterate days very few people could read. Lazaro and his family transgress the edict, of which they have not heard. They are arrested and brought before the Podesta. Husband and wife are sentenced to death, the daughter, with the irresponsibility of tyrants, is reprieved. She becomes in due course a great singer, and is summoned before the Podesta. Infatuated, he entertains her, and she seems to encourage him. Her purpose is to introduce poison into his cup and so avenge the cruel sentence on her parents.