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CHAPTER XXVI
AN EXHORTATION TO LIBERATE ITALY FROM THE BARBARIANS
HAVING carefully considered the subject of the above discourses； and
wondering within myself whether the present times were propitious to a
new prince； and whether there were the elements that would give an
opportunity to a wise and virtuous one to introduce a new order of
things which would do honour to him and good to the people of this
country； it appears to me that so many things concur to favour a new
prince that I never knew a time more fit than the present。
And if； as I said； it was necessary that the people of Israel should be
captive so as to make manifest the ability of Moses； that the Persians
should be oppressed by the Medes so as to discover the greatness of the
soul of Cyrus； and that the Athenians should be dispersed to illustrate
the capabilities of Theseus： then at the present time； in order to
discover the virtue of an Italian spirit； it was necessary that Italy
should be reduced to the extremity she is now in； that she should be
more enslaved than the 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 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。
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 acplish 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 bats； how superior
the Italians are in strength； dexterity； and subtlety。 But when it es
to armies they do not bear parison； 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 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； as witness Taro； Alessandria； Capua； Genoa； Vaila； Bologna；
Mestre。
If； therefore； your illustrious house wishes to follow those 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 manded 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
bat。 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
infantry。 And although a plete 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 the old。 And these are the kind of improvements which
confer reputation and power upon a new prince。
This opportunity； therefore； ought not to be allowed to pass for letting
Italy at last see her liberator appear。 Nor can one express the love
with which he would be received in all those provinces which have
suffered so much from these foreign scourings； with what thirst for
revenge； with what stubborn faith； with what devotion； with what tears。
Wha