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.

CHAP. XLIV.

Confidence and boldness does many times obtain that which would never be compassed by ordinary means.

THe Samnites were invaded by the Romans, and their Army so weak, it durst not meet them in the field: whereupon it was resolved, That all their Garisons should be reinforced, and with the rest of their Troops they should pass into Tuscany (which was then at peace with the Romans) and try if they could tempt them to take up Arms, and break their Peace; and in the Harangue which was made by the Samnites to the Tuscans to remonstrate upon what occasion they had taken up Arms themselves, they had this expres∣sion, Rebellasse quod pax servientibus gravior, quam liberis bellum. They had rebelled, because Peace was more insupportable in servitude, than War to men that are free. And so partly by persuasions, and partly by the presence of their Army, they prevailed with them to take Arms against the Romans, which they had refused to their Embassadors before. From whence it is to be observed, that when a Prince desires to obtain any thing of another (if occasion permits) he ought not to give him time to consider, but is to act so as he may see a necessity upon him of resolving immediately; and this is done when the person to whom the demand is made sees that in either denying it absolutely, or delaying his answer, he runs a manifest danger. This way was used very handsomely in our days by Pope Iu∣lius with the French; and Monsieur de Foix (the King of France's General) against the Marquess of Mantoua. Pope Iulius resolving to drive the Family of the Bentivogli out of Bolonia; and judging that to do it, he should have need of the assistance of the French, and that it would be convenient the Venetians should stand Neuter; To this purpose he sent Embassadors to them both, but could get nothing but uncertain and ambiguous an∣swers; wherefore to surprize them, and bring them that way to his lure whether they would or no, he got what Forces he could together, and marching directly to Bolonia, sent to the Venetians to let them know he expected they should stand Neuter; and to the French to send him Supplies: Both of them finding themselves under a necessity of answering immediately, and that there was no time allowed to consider, fearing the displeasure and indignation of his Holiness, they both of them complyed; the Venetian did not meddle; and the French sent him assistance. Monsieur de Foix being another time with his Army in Bolonia, and understanding the defection of Brescia, he resolved to go immediately and

endeavour to reduce it. There were but two ways that he could possibly pass; one was thorow the Dominions of his Master, but that was tedious and about; the other was a shorter cut, thorow the Territories of the Marquess of Mantoua; but then he was not only to force his way thorow that Country, but, he was to pass certain Sluces betwixt Fens and Lakes (with which that Country abounds) and that was not to be done without great difficulty, in respect of several Forts which were upon them, and all well guarded by the Marquess: However de Foiz resolved upon the shortest, in spite of the difficulty; and that the Marquess might have no time to deliberate, he marched with his Army, and at the same moment sent a Messenger to the Marquess for the Keys of such Castles as stood in his passage; and the Marquess surprized with the suddenness and confidence of the demand, sent them immediately, which he would never have done had they been more modestly de∣sired; the Marquess being in League with the Venetian and Pope, in whose hands he had likewise a Son at that time; all which, had he had time to have considered, would have been very laudable reasons to have denyed it: But being press'd of a sudden, he sent them (as is said before:) Just so it was betwixt the Tuscans, and the Samnites; the presence of the Samnian Army having forced them to take Arms, which they had refused before, and had scarcely done then, had they had liberty to have advis'd.