The works of the famous Nicholas Machiavel, citizen and secretary of Florence written originally in Italian, and from thence newly and faithfully translated into English.

A Narrative of the Murther of Vitellozzo Vitelli, Oliveretto da Fermo, Signor Pagolo, and the Duke de Gravina, (all of the Family of the Ursini) the one committed by Duke Valentine, and the other composed by Nicolo Machiavelli.

DUke Valentine was returned from Lombardy, whither he had gone to excuse him∣self in relation to certain Calumnies objected against him by the Florentines a∣bout the revolt of Arezzo, and other Towns in the Vale de Chiana, and being come to Imola, upon consultation with his Friends, he concluded upon his expedi∣tion against Giovanni Bentivogli Sovereign of Bolonia, because Duke Valentine had a mind to reduce that City, and make it chief of his Dutchy of Romagna; of which the Vitelli, Orsini, and their followers having notice, it appeared to them all, that the said Duke Valentine grew too potent, and that upon the taking Bolog••••, it was to be feared, he would endea∣vour to exterminate them, and make himself the only great man in Italy. Hereupon a Dyet was held at Magione in Perugia, where the••e met the Cardinal Pagolo, the Duke de Gra∣vina Orsini, Vitellozzo Vitelli, Oliveretto da Fermo, Gianpagolo Baglioni, Sovereign of Peru∣gia, and Antonio da Venafro sent from Pandolfo Petrucci, as head of Sienna. Upon serious deliberation about the greatness and disposition of the Duke, it was concluded very neces∣sary to restrain him in time; otherwise there was great danger of a General destruction. Resolving therefore to desire aid of the Florentines, and to continue their amity with the Bentivogli, they sent Embassadors to both; promising their assistance to the one, and beg∣ging the assistance of the other against the Common Enemy. This Dyet was quickly nois'd all over Italy, and such of Duke Valentine's Subjects as were discontented (among whom were the Urbinati) began to hold up their heads, and hope for a revolution. While the people were in this suspence, certain of the Inhabitants of Urbino, laid a plot to suprize the Castle of San. Leo, which at that time was kept for the Duke, and the manner was thus; The Governor of the Castle was busie in repairing it, and mending the fortifications, to which purpose having commanded great quantities of Timber to be brought in, the Conspirators contrived that certain of the biggest pieces should be laid (as by accident) upon the bridge, which they knew could not be cran'd up without a great deal of difficulty; whil'st the Guards were employed in hoysting the Timber, they took their opportunity, seized upon the Bridge, and then upon the Castle, which was no sooner known to be taken, but the whole Country revolted and called in their old Duke; yet, not so much upon the surprize of that Castle, as their expectations from the Dyet at Magione, by means of which they did not question to be protected. The Dyet understanding the revolt of Urbino, concluded no time was to be lost, and having drawn their Forces together, they advanced, if any Town was remaining to the Duke, to reduce it immediately. They sent a new Embassy to the Florentines to solicite their Concurrence against the common Enemy; to remonstrate their success, and to convince them that such an opportunity being lost, was not to be expected again. But the Florentines had an old pique to the Vitelli and Ursini upon several accompts, so that they did not only not joyn with them, but they sent their Secretary Nicolo Machia∣velli to the Duke to offer him reception of assistance which he pleased to Elect. The Duke was at Imola at that time in great consternation; for unexpectedly on a sudden, when he dream'd nothing of it, his Soldiers revolted, and left him with a War at his Doors, and no force to repel it: But taking heart upon the Florentine Complement, he resolved with the few Forces he had left, to protract, and spin out the War, and by propositions and pra∣ctices of agreement, gain time till he could provide himself better, which he did two ways, by sending to the King of France, and by giving advance Mony to all Men at Arms and Cavalry that would come in. Notwithstanding all this, the Ursini proceeded, and marched on towards Fossombrone, where being faced by a party of the Dukes, they charged them,

and beat them: The news of that defeat, put the Duke upon new Counsels, to try if he could stop that humour by any practice of accord; and being excellent at dissembling, he omitted nothing that might persuade them that they were the Aggressors and had taken up Arms first against him: That what was in his hands, he would willingly surrender; that the Name of Prince was enough for him, and if they pleased, the Principality should be theirs; and he deluded them so far, that they sent Signor Pagolo to him to treat about a Peace, and in the mean time granted a Cessation of Arms: However the Duke put no stop to his recruits, but reinforced himself daily with all possible diligence; and that his sup∣plies might not be discovered, he dispers'd them as they came, all over Romagna: Whil'st these things were in transaction, a supply of 500 Lances arrived to him from France; and though by their help he found himself strong enough to confront his Enemy in the field, yet he judged it more secure and profitable to go on with the cheat, and not break off the Capitulation that then was on foot: And he acted it so well, that a Peace was concluded; their old Pensions confirmed, 4000 Duckats paid down, a solemn engagement given not to disturb the Bentivogli; He made an alliance with Giovanni, and declared that he could not, and had no power to constrain any of them to come personally to him, unless they pleased to do it themselves. They promised on their part to restore the Dutchy of Urbino, and whatever else they had taken from him; to serve him in all his Enterprizes: not to make War without his leave; nor hire themselves to any body else. These Articles being sign'd, Guid' Ubaldo Duke of Urbin fled again to Venice, having dismantled all the Castles and strong holds in his Dutchy before he departed; for having a confidence in the people, he would not that those places which he could not defend himself, should be possessed by the Enemy, and made use of to keep his friends in subjection.

But Duke Valentine having finished the agreement, and disposed his Army into quarters all over Romagna, about the end of November, removed from Imola to Cesena, where he continued several days in consultation with certain Commissioners sent from the Vitelli, and Ursini (who were then with their Troops in the Dutchy of Urbino) about what new Enter∣prize they were next to undertake; and because nothing was concluded, Oliverotto da Ferno was sent to propose to him, if he thought good, an expedition into Tuscany; if not, that they might joyn, and set down before Sinigaglia. The Duke replyed, That the Floren∣tines were his Friends, and he could not with honour carry the War into Tuscany, but their proposal for Sinigaglia, he embraced very willingly. Having beleaguer'd the Town, it was not long before they had News it was taken, but the Castle held out; for the Governor refused to surrender to any body but the Duke, whereupon they intreated him to come. The Duke thought this a fair opportunity, and the better because he went not of himself, but upon their invitation; and to make them the more secure; he dismissed his French, and sent them back into Lombardy (only he retained a hundred Lances under the Com∣mand of his Kinsman Monsieur de Candale.) Departing about the end of December from Cesena, he went to Fano, where with all the cunning and artifice he could use, he persua∣ded the Vitelli and Ursini to stay with the Army till he came; remonstrating to them that such jealousies and suspicions as those, must needs weaken their alliance, and render it undurable; and that for his part he was a man who desired to make use as well of the Counsels, as the Arms of his Friends. And though Vitellozzo opposed it very much, (for by the death of his Brother he had been taught how unwise it was to offend a Prince first, and then put himself into his hands) nevertheless persuaded by Paulo Ursino (who un∣derhand was corrupted by presents and promises from the Duke) he consented to stay. Here∣upon the Duke upon his departure the 30th of Decemb. 1502. imparted his design to Eight of his principal intimates (amongst whom Don Michael, and Monsignor d' Euna were two) and appointed, that when Vitellozzo, Pagolo Ursini, the Duke de Gravina, and Oliverotto should come to meet him, two of his Favourites should be sure to order it so, as to get one of the Ursini betwixt them, (assigning every couple his man) and entertain them till they came to Sinigaglia; with express injunction not to part with them upon any terms till they were brought to the Dukes Lodgings, and taken into Custody. After this he ordered his whole Army, Horse and Foot (which consisted of 2000 of the first, and 10000 of the latter) to be ready drawn up, upon the banks of the Metauro, about five miles distant from Fano, and to expect his arrival. Being come up to them upon the Metauro, he commanded out two hundred Horse as a Forlorn, and then causing the Foot to march, he brought up the Reer himself with the remainder.

Fano, and Sinigaglia, are two Cities in la Marca, seated upon the bank of the Adriatick Sea, distant one from the other about 15 miles; so that travelling up towards Sinigaglia, the bottom of the Mountains on the right hand are so near the Sea, they are almost wash'd by the water, & at the greatest distance they are not above two miles. The City of Sinigaglia

from these Mountains is not above a flight shot, and the Tide comes up within less than a Mile. By the side of this Town there is a little River, which runs close by the wall next Fano, and is in sight of the Road: So that he who comes to Sinigaglia, passes a long way under the Mountains, and being come to the River which runs by Sinigaglia, turns on the left hand upon the bank, which within a bow shot, brings him to a Bridge over the said River, almost right against the Gate: before the Gate there is a little Bourg with a Market-place, one side of which, is shouldred up by the bank of the River. The Vitelli, and Ursini, having concluded to attend the Duke themselves, and to pay their personal respects, to make room for his Men had drawn off their own, and disposed them into certain Castles at the distance of six miles, only they had left in Sinigaglia, Oliveretto with a party of about 1000 Foot, and 150 Horse which were quartered in the said Bourg. Things being in this order, Duke Valentine approached, but when his Horse in the Van came up to the Bridge, they did not pass, but opening to the right and left, and wheeling away, they made room for the Foot, who marched immediately into the Town. Vitellozzo, Pagolo, and the Duke de Gra∣vina, advanced upon their Mules to wait upon Duke Valentine; Vitellozzo was unarm'd in a Cap lin'd with green, very sad and melancholy, as if he had had some foresight of his desti∣ny, which considering his former courage and exploits, was admired by every body: And it is said, that when he came from his house, in order to meeting Duke Valentine at Siniga∣glia, he took his last leave very solemnly of every body. He recommended his Family and its fortunes, to the chief of his Officers, and admonished his Grand-children, not so much to commemorate the fortune, as the magnanimity of their Ancestors. These three Princes being arrived in the presence of Duke Valentine, saluted him with great civility, and were as civilly received; and each of them, (as soon as they were well observed by the persons appointed to secure them) were singled, and disposed betwixt two of them. But the Duke perceiving that Oliveretto was wanting (who was left behind with his Regiment, and had drawn it up in the Market-place for the greater formality,) he wink'd upon Don Michael (to whom the care of Oliveretto was assign'd) that he should be sure to provide he might not escape. Upon this intimation, Don Michael clap'd spurs to his Horse, and rid before, and being come up to Oliveretto, he told him it was inconvenient to keep his Men to their Arms, for unless they were sent presently to their quarters, they would be taken up for the Dukes; where∣fore he persuaded him to dismiss them, and go with him to the Duke. Oliveretto following his Counsel, went along with him to the Duke, who no sooner saw him, but he call'd him to him, and Oliveretto having paid his Ceremony fell in with the rest. Being come into the Town, and come up to the Duke's Quarters, they all dismounted, and attended him up, where being carried by him into a private Chamber, they were instantly Arrested and made Prisoners. The Duke immediately mounted, and commanded their Soldiers should be all of them disarmed; Oliveretto's Regiment being so near at hand, were plundered into the bargain. The Brigades which belong'd to Vitelli, and Ursini being at greater distance, and having notice of what had hapned to their Generals, had time to unite, and remem∣bring the Discipline and Courage of their Masters, they kept close together, and marched away in spight both of the Country people, and their Enemies. But Duke Valentine's Sol∣diers, not content with the pillage of Oliveretto's Soldiers, fell foul upon the Town, and had not the Duke by the death of several of them, repressed their insolence, Sinigaglia had been ruined. The night coming on, and the tumults appeased, the Duke began to think of his Prisoners, resolved Vitellozzo, and Oliveretto should die, and having caused them to be guarded into a convenient place, he commanded they should be strangled; but they said nothing at their deaths, that was answerable to their lives; for Vitellozzo begged only that the Pope might be supplicated in his behalf, for a plenary indulgence. Oliveretto impeached Vitellozzo, and lay'd all upon his back. Pagolo and the Duke de Gravina were continued alive, till the Duke had information that his Holiness at Rome had seized upon the Cardinal Orsino, the Arch-bishop of Florence, and Messer Iacopo da Santa Croce; upon which News, on the 18th of Ianuary, they also were both strangled in the Castle of Piene after the same manner.