Machivael's [sic] discourses upon the first decade of T. Livius, translated out of the Italian. To which is added his Prince. With some marginal animadversions noting and taxing his errors. By E.D.

CHAP. XLIV.

By sudden; surprisall and boldness many times more is obtained, then by ordinary means can be gotten.

THe Samnites being invaded by the Romans, and their army unable to stand in the field against them, determin'd having left their Towns well guarded in Samnium, to pass with their whole Army into Tuscany, which then had made truce with the Romans, to try with that passage, if by the presence of their Army they could induce the Tuscans to take armes again: which they had denied to their Ambassadors; and in the parly the Samnites had with the Tus∣cans (shewing what principally moved them to take armes) they used a notable terme, where they said, They had rebelled, be∣cause peace was more grievous to * 1.1 these in subjection, then was war to them that enjoy their liberty. And so partly by perswasions, partly by the presence of their army, they wrought them to take armes. Where it is to be noted, that when any Prince desires to obtain any thing of ano∣ther, he ought (if the occasion will bear it) never give him time to advise himself, but car∣ry the matter so, that he may see the necessi∣ty of his sudden resolution, which is, when he that is required, perceives that by his deni∣all, or delay, there may arise a sudden and dan∣gerous distaste. These termes were seen to have been well used by Pope Julius with the

French, and by De Fois the French Kings General with the Marquess of Mantua: for Pope Julius having a mind to expell the Benti∣volij out of Bolonia; and to this purpose think∣ing he had need of the French forces, and that the Venetians should stand Newtralls; and having sollicited the one and the other to this intent, but receiv'd from them a doubtful and various answer, resolv'd by not giving them leisure to bring them both to his bent. Whereupon parting from Rome with those forces he could put together, he went thence towards Bolonia, and to the Venetians he sent that they should continue Newters, and to the King that he should send him forces; so that they all being restrain'd by the small time they had, and considering that the Pope might with reason take an open distast at either their delay or refusal, gave way to his will, and the King sent him aid, and the Venetians remain'd newters. De Fois also be∣ing with his Army in Bolonia, and having had notice of the rebellion of Bressia, and being desirous to go to recover it, had two ways, the one through the Kings own domi∣nions long and tedious, the other short through the dominion of Mantua; and not only was he necessitated to pass through the domi∣nions of that Marquess, but of force was to pass by certain sluces between marish grounds and lakes, whereof that country is full, which with fortresses & other means were shut up, and guarded by him: whereupon De Fois having resolv'd to take the shorter passage, to overcome all difficulties, & give no time to the Marquess to deliberate, at the same instant brought his souldiers on that way, and signified to the Mar∣quess

that he should send him the keys of the passage. So that the Marquess surprised by this sudden resolution, sent him the keys, which he would never have done, if De Fois had carried himself more cooly in the matter, that Marquess being in league with the Pope and the Veneti∣ans, and having a son of his in the Popes hands, which things gave him many fair colours to de∣ny him. But being assailed by the sudden course taken (upon the reasons already alledged) yeelded. So did the Tuscans with the Samnites, having upon the presence of that Army of Sam∣nium taken arms, which they had otherwise denyed them.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Rebellasse quod pax servientibus gravior quam liberis bellum esset.