I ragguagli di Parnasso, or, Advertisements from Parnassus in two centuries : with the politick touch-stone / written originally in Italian by that famous Roman Trajano Bocalini ; and now put into English by the Right Honourable Henry, Earl of Monmouth.

The Spaniards endeavour the getting of Savioveda, but in vain.

SInce the ill advised Princes of Italy made use of the Spanish Pickax, to take the French nail out, which was fixt in the Table of Millan, which Ax entred so far into the Table it self, as it was never able to be got out by any whatsoever Pincers; all the Potentates of Europe, and more particularly the Princes of Italy, who were aware, that the Spani∣ards, after having inslaved Millan, did openly aspire to get the absolute Dominion of all Italy; to the end that they might secure the remaining Liberty that was left them; they made an agreement amongst themselves, that once every five and twenty year, the Chain which the Spaniards forged for the Italian slavery, should be exactly measured by people pur∣posely deputed thereunto. And coming not many daies ago to the act of measuring, the Italian Princes found much to their amazement, that the so hateful Chain was increased by five prejudicial Links: The poli∣tick Smiths were immediately sent for, who very diligently took test, or say of the Iron which was added to the Chain, and they found that the first Link was made at Piombine, the second at Finale, the third at Correg∣gio, the fourth at Portolungone, and the last at Monaco. The Princes wondred exceedingly hereat, and many of them were ashamed of them∣selves, to find that by their supine blockheadishn•…•…s, the Spaniards had in∣creased the Chain of the Italian slavery much more in time of peace, then they would have done with four Armies in time of War. They were therefore so incens'd against the Spaniards for these exorbitant novelties, as they freely told them, that if they would not keep themselves within the bounds of honesty and modesty, in case the Italian Files were not sufficient to reduce that woful Chain to its due measure, they would make use of those of France; and if they could not thereby compass their ends, they would bring enough from Germany and England; and that if put to despair, they would provide themselves of those excellent damask blades which are made in Turkey.

Whilst the Italian Princes were in this dispute, a Post came to them dis∣patcht in all hast from Italy, advertising them that the Spaniards were hammering another Link in Savioneda, to add unto the Chain of their slavery. At the news whereof the State of Venice straight waies threw open her Arsenal, and all the Princes of Italy hasted to take up arms: The

Warlike French Nation commanded her Nobility to get on horseback; the Germans put themselves in order to pass over the Mountains; nume∣rous Fleets of English, Hollanders, and Zealanders, hasted towards the Straits of Gebraltar; when just as the whole world was up in arms, a new Post came with the joyful and certain news, that the Spaniards had done their utmost endeavour to make the important Link of Sabioneda; but that they had lost their labour; for as they were sodering it, it knapt in two.