The author had served in his native  Florence for 14 years as a diplomat, staunchly defending its elected  republican government against would-be monarchs.
Автор 14 лет служил родной Флоренции, состоя на дипломатической службе и будучи ярым приверженцем избранной в стране республиканской власти вопреки потенциальным монархам.