按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
Hebrews； more oppressed than the Persians； more scattered than the
Athenians； without head； without order； beaten； despoiled； torn； overrun；
and to have endured every kind of desolation。
Although lately some spark may have been shown by one； which made
us think he was ordained by God for our redemption； nevertheless it was
afterwards seen； in the height of his career； that fortune rejected him； so
that Italy； left as without life； waits for him who shall yet heal her wounds
and put an end to the ravaging and plundering of Lombardy； to the
swindling and taxing of the kingdom and of Tuscany； and cleanse those
sores that for long have festered。 It is seen how she entreats God to send
someone who shall deliver her from these wrongs and barbarous
insolencies。 It is seen also that she is ready and willing to follow a banner
if only someone will raise it。
Nor is there to be seen at present one in whom she can place more
hope than in your illustrious house；＇*＇ with its valour and fortune；
favoured by God and by the Church of which it is now the chief； and
102
… Page 103…
The Prince
which could be made the head of this redemption。 This will not be difficult
if you will recall to yourself the actions and lives of the men I have named。
And although they were great and wonderful men； yet they were men； and
each one of them had no more opportunity than the present offers； for their
enterprises were neither more just nor easier than this； nor was God more
their friend than He is yours。
＇*＇ Giuliano de Medici。 He had just been created a cardinal by Leo X。
In 1523 Giuliano was elected Pope； and took the title of Clement VII。
With us there is great justice； because that war is just which is
necessary； and arms are hallowed when there is no other hope but in them。
Here there is the greatest willingness； and where the willingness is great
the difficulties cannot be great if you will only follow those men to whom
I have directed your attention。 Further than this； how extraordinarily the
ways of God have been manifested beyond example： the sea is divided； a
cloud has led the way； the rock has poured forth water； it has rained manna；
everything has contributed to your greatness； you ought to do the rest。 God
is not willing to do everything； and thus take away our free will and that
share of glory which belongs to us。
And it is not to be wondered at if none of the above…named Italians
have been able to accomplish all that is expected from your illustrious
house； and if in so many revolutions in Italy； and in so many campaigns； it
has always appeared as if military virtue were exhausted； this has
happened because the old order of things was not good； and none of us
have known how to find a new one。 And nothing honours a man more than
to establish new laws and new ordinances when he himself was newly
risen。 Such things when they are well founded and dignified will make
him revered and admired； and in Italy there are not wanting opportunities
to bring such into use in every form。
Here there is great valour in the limbs whilst it fails in the head。 Look
attentively at the duels and the hand…to…hand combats； how superior the
Italians are in strength； dexterity； and subtlety。 But when it comes to
armies they do not bear comparison； and this springs entirely from the
insufficiency of the leaders； since those who are capable are not obedient；
and each one seems to himself to know； there having never been any one
103
… Page 104…
The Prince
so distinguished above the rest； either by valour or fortune； that others
would yield to him。 Hence it is that for so long a time； and during so much
fighting in the past twenty years； whenever there has been an army wholly
Italian； it has always given a poor account of itself； the first witness to this
is Il Taro； afterwards Allesandria； Capua； Genoa； Vaila； Bologna；
Mestri。＇*＇
＇*＇ The battles of Il Taro； 1495； Alessandria； 1499； Capua； 1501；
Genoa； 1507； Vaila； 1509； Bologna； 1511； Mestri； 1513。
If； therefore； your illustrious house wishes to follow these remarkable
men who have redeemed their country； it is necessary before all things； as
a true foundation for every enterprise； to be provided with your own forces；
because there can be no more faithful； truer； or better soldiers。 And
although singly they are good； altogether they will be much better when
they find themselves commanded by their prince； honoured by him； and
maintained at his expense。 Therefore it is necessary to be prepared with
such arms； so that you can be defended against foreigners by Italian
valour。
And although Swiss and Spanish infantry may be considered very
formidable； nevertheless there is a defect in both； by reason of which a
third order would not only be able to oppose them； but might be relied
upon to overthrow them。 For the Spaniards cannot resist cavalry； and the
Switzers are afraid of infantry whenever they encounter them in close
combat。 Owing to this； as has been and may again be seen； the Spaniards
are unable to resist French cavalry； and the Switzers are overthrown by
Spanish infantry。 And although a complete proof of this latter cannot be
shown； nevertheless there was some evidence of it at the battle of Ravenna；
when the Spanish infantry were confronted by German battalions； who
follow the same tactics as the Swiss； when the Spaniards； by agility of
body and with the aid of their shields； got in under the pikes of the
Germans and stood out of danger； able to attack； while the Germans stood
helpless； and； if the cavalry had not dashed up； all would have been over
with them。 It is possible； therefore； knowing the defects of both these
infantries； to invent a new one； which will resist cavalry and not be afraid
of infantry； this need not create a new order of arms； but a variation upon
104
… Page 105…
The Prince
the