y
their own Prince. Wherefore it is necessary to provide for those armes,
whereby to be able with the Italian valor to make a defence against
forreiners. And however the Swisse infantry and Spanish be accounted
terrible; yet is there defect in both of them, by which a third order
might not only oppose them, but may be confident to vanquish them: for
the Spaniards are not able to indure the Horse, and the Swisse are to
feare the foot, when they incounter with them, as resolute in the fight
as they; whereupon it hath been seen, and upon experience shall be
certain, that the Spaniards are not able to beare up against the French
Cavalery, and the Swisses have been routed by the Spanish Foot. And
though touching this last, there hath not been any entire experience
had, yet was there some proof thereof given in the battel of Ravenna,
when the Spanish Foot affronted the Dutch battalions, which keep the
same rank the Swisses do, where the Spaniards with their nimbleness of
body, and the help of their targets entred in under their Pikes, and
there stood safe to offend them, the Dutch men having no remedy: and had
it not been for the Cavalery that rusht in upon them, they had quite
defeated them. There may then (the defect of the one and other of these
two infantries being discoverd) another kind of them be anew ordained,
which may be able to make resistance against the Horse, and not fear the
Foot, which shall not be a new sort of armes, but change of orders. And
these are some of those things which ordained a new, gain reputation and
greatness to a new Prince. Therefore this occasion should not be let
pass, to the end that Italy after so long a time may see some one
redeemer of hers appear. Nor can I express with what dearness of
affection he would be received in all those countreys which have
suffered by those forrein scums, with what thirst of revenge, with what
resolution of fidelity, with what piety, with what tears. Would any
gates be shut again him? Any people deny him obedience? Any envy oppose
him? Would not every Italian fully consent with him? This government of
the Barbarians stinks in every ones nostrils. Let your Illustrious
Family then undertake this worthy exployt with that courage and those
hopes wherewith such just actions are to be attempted; to the end that
under your colours, this countrey may be enabled, and under the
protection of your fortune that saying of Petrarch be verifyed.

_Virtu contr' al fuore