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.

THE EPISTLE TO CLEMENT, VII

BEing commanded by your Holiness (whilst in a private condition) to writ the Histo∣ry of Florence, I addressed my self to it with all the art and diligence wherewith nature and experience had enduced me. Having deduc'd it to the times, in which, upon the death of Mag∣nifico Lorenzo de Medici, the whole form and mo∣del of Italy was altered; and being to describe the height and importance of what followed in a loftier and more vigorous stile, I judged it best to reduce what I had written till those times into one Volume, and present it to your Holi∣ness, that you might at least have a taste of the fruit you had sown your self, and of my labour and cultivation. In the perusal of this work your Holiness will see first, to what ruine and convulsions our Country was exposed for ma∣ny ages by the variations of Governments, af∣ter the declension of the Roman Empire in the

West. You will see how your Predecessors, the Venetians, the Kingdom of Naples, and the Duke∣dom of Milan took their turns of Empire and Soveraignty in this Province. You will see your own Country refusing obedience to the Emperors, by reason of the divisions, and those divisions continuing till under the protection of your Family, it began to settle into a Govern∣ment. And because it was your Holiness parti∣cular command, that in my character of your Ancestors, I should avoid all kind of flattery, truepraise not being morepleasing to you, than counterfeit is ungrateful; fearing in my de∣scription of the bounty of Giovanni, the wisdom of Cosimo, the courtesie of Piero, the magnificence and solidity of Lorenzo, I may seem to have trans∣gressed your holiness direction, I do most hum∣bly excuse my self, both in that, and whatever else in my descriptions may appear unfaithful to your holiness dissatisfaction; for finding the memoirs and relations of those who in sundry Ages made any mention of them, full of their commendations, I must either present them as I found them, or pass them by as if I envied them. And if (as some write) under their great and egregious exploits there was always some latent and ambitious design, contrary to the in∣terest and liberty of the publick. I know no∣thing of it, and am not bound to relate it: for in all my narrations I never desired to cloak or pal∣liate a dishonourable action, with an honoura∣ble pretence; nor to traduce a good action, tho to a contrary end. But how far I am from flatte∣ry,

is to be seen in the whole course of my Hi∣story, especially in my speeches, and private dis∣courses, which do plainly, and without reserva∣tion, describe with the sentences, and order of their language, the dignity and humour of the persons. I avoid likewise in all places such words as are impertinent to the verity, or reputation of history, so that no man who considers my writings impartially, can charge me with adu∣lation; especially if he observes how little or no∣thing I have said of your holiness own Father, whose life was too short to discover him to the world, & I too downright to expatiate upon it. Nevertheless had he done nothing more but given your holiness to the world, that very thing outweighs all the actions of his Ancestors & shall leave more ages of honour to his family, than his malevolent fortune took years from his life. I have endeavored, (Most Holy Sir) as far as might be done without blemish to the truth, to please all people, and it may so fall out I have pleased no body. If it should, I should not wond∣der, seeing in my judgment it is impossible to write any thing of our own times, without of∣fence to several. Yet I come forth cheerfully in∣to to the field, hoping that as I am honoured and employed by your holiness goodness I shall be defended by your holiness judgment; and then with the same confidence & courage as I have writ now; I shall pursue my engagements if my life lasts, & your holiness continues amongst us.