rtress which would not surrender
and the imperial army which was coming to relieve it. Things, however,
remained stationary for three weeks. Francis I. intrenched himself
strongly in his camp, which the Imperialists could not attack without
great risk of unsuccess. "Pavia is doomed to fall," wrote Francis to his
mother the regent on the 3d of February, "if they do not reenforce it
somehow; and they are beating about to make it hold on to the last gasp,
which, I think, will not be long now, for it is more than a month since
those inside have had no wine to drink and neither meat nor cheese to
eat; they are short of powder even." Antony de Leyva gave notice to the
Imperialists that the town was not in a condition for further resistance.
On the other hand, if the imperial army put off fighting, they could not
help breaking up; they had exhausted their victuals, and the leaders
their money; they were keeping the field without receiving pay, and were
subsisting, so to speak, without resources. The prudent Marquis of
Pescara himself was for bringing on a battle, which was indispensable.
"A hundred years in the field," said he, in the words of an old Italian
proverb, "are better than one day of fighting, for one may lose in a
doubtful melley what one was certain of winning by skilful manoeuvres;
but when one can no longer keep the field, one must risk a battle, so as
not to give the enemy the victory without a fight." The same question
was being discussed in the French camp. The veteran captains, La
Tremoille and Chabannes, were of opinion that by remaining in the strong
position in which they were encamped they would conquer without fighting.
Bonnivet and De Montmorency were of the contrary opinion. "We French,"
said Bonnivet, "have not been wont to make war by means of military
artifices, but handsomely and openly, especially when we have at our head
a valiant king, who is enough to make the veriest dastards fight. Our
kings bring victory with them, as our little king Charles VIII. did at
the Taro, our king Louis XII. at Agnadello, and our king who is here
present at Melegnano." Francis I. was not the man to hold out against
such sentiments and such precedents; and he decided to accept battle as
soon as it should be offered him. The imperial leaders, at a council
held on the 23d of February, determined to offer it next day. Bourbon
vigorously supported the opinion of Pescara.

Antony de Leyva was notified the same