Nevves from Pernassus The politicall touchstone, taken from Mount Pernassus: whereon the governments of the greatest monarchies of the world are touched.

CHAP. 16. The Spaniards attempt the acqui∣sition of Savoy, but doe not pre∣vaile. (Book 16)

SEeing that for to draw the French naile out of the table of Milan, vvhere it vvas fixed, the ill-advised Italian Princes had made vse of the Spanish pickaxe, which entred in such manner into the very table it selfe, that it was neuer possible since to draw it forth with any kinde of pincers whatsoever, all the Potentates of Europe, and especially the Italian Princes, which perceived, that the Spanyards after the servitude of the Milanesi, openly aspired to the absolute Dominion of all Italy, to the end they might secure that remainder of libertie, which is yet resting in her, agreed amongst themselves, that eve∣ry five and twentieth yeare, the Chaine vvhich the Spanyards haue forged for the Italian servitude, should vvith exact diligence be measured by persons thereunto deputed. And comming (a few daies since) accordingly to measure it, the Italian Princes to their infinit amaze∣ment found, that so odious a Chaine vvas encreased vvith fiue most prejudiciall linkes; presently whereupon the Politicall Smithes were called, who very carefully made an aslay of the yron added to the Chaine, and they found that the first linke vvas forged at Piombino, the

other at Finale, the third at Correggio, the fourth at Porto Lungone, and the last at Monaco. Greatly did the Princes marvaile at the strangenesse of this accident, and many of them were ashamed, tht thorough their carelesse simplicitie the Spanyards had encreased the Chaine of the Italian servitude, much more in peace, then they could haue done in warre with foure Armies. With these strange exorbitances, the Italian Princes were so incensed against the Spanyards, that they told them freely, how if they did not containe themselues within the bounds of honestie, and modestie; if the Italian files would not suf∣fise to reduce that miserable Chaine to his due measure, they would make vse of the French; and if with them neither they could obtaine their intent, they would pro∣cure enough from England, and Germany; yea, and in case of desperation they would not sticke to furnish them∣selues with those excellent damasked ones, that are made in Turkie. Whilst the Italian Princes were in this contestation, there arrived a Poste, which in all hast had beene dispatched out of Italy vnto them with this cer∣taine aduertisement, That the Spaniards were forging another linke in Savoy, to be added vnto the Chaine of their servitude: in regard of which newes, the renow∣ned Venetian Libertie instantly opened her famous Arse∣nall, and all the Princes of Italy ranne to arme them∣selues; the warlike French Monarchy cōmanded her No∣bilitie to horse, all Germany put themselves in order to passe the mountaines, and the numerous Fleetes of the English, and Hollanders, set saile towards the streights of Gibraltar; when just in the nicke, even as all the World was in Armes, a new Poste arrived, vvho pa∣cified

the minds of men with this intelligence, that indeed it was true, how the Spanyards had labou∣red vvith all possible industry to forge that most important Linke of Savoy, but that they had sweat in vaine, because in the soldering, it broke.