Ciuill considerations vpon many and sundrie histories, as well ancient as moderne, and principallie vpon those of Guicciardin. Containing sundry rules and precepts for princes, common-wealths, captaines, coronels, ambassadours and others, agents and seruants of princes, with sundry aduertisements and counsels concerning a ciuill life, gathered out of the examples of the greatest princes and common-wealths in Christendome. Handled after the manner of a discourse, by the Lord Remy of Florence, and done into French by Gabriel Chappuys, Tourangeau, and out of French into English, by W.T.

〈2 pages missing〉〈2 pages missing〉••••¦crets, than he which gouerned that Common-wealth. Don Diego of [ E] Mendozza was gouernour of Siena, in the name of, and for the Emperour Charles the fift, and this Gouernour with his garrison of Spaniards, which hee had with him, bare himselfe in such sort, that the Sienois vnable any longer to endure their insolencie, resol∣ued to chase them from thence, and yeeld themselues subiects to the King of France, Henry the second of that name: and this mat∣ter was hotly managed and pursued by such men as were most affected to the French. This, notwithstanding that it was carried very secretly, came to the knowledge of the Duke of Florence, as to him who tooke carefull heede, and vigilant care, for his owne [ F] estate, and the Emperours, which was his neighbour: and gaue aduertisement thereof to Don Diego, who either for his boasting vaine-glorie, or for that hee esteeming himselfe more, then indeed hee was, made no account of this aduertisement, neither gaue credit thereto, but very proudly answered him, that the Empe∣rour had giuen him the charge and gouernment of the state of Siena, and that hee well knew how to gouerne it without his ayde or counsell: and therefore that hee should take care for his owne estate of Florence. Mendozza making no reckoning of the kinde and louing aduertisement of the Duke, [ G] applied himselfe with his Spaniards to liue, after the accustomed man∣ner, daily gaulling the hearts of the Sienois, which taking oc∣casion through the absence of Don Diego, who, about certaine his busines and affaires, was gone to Rome, executing their des∣seignes, slewe sundrie of the Spaniards, and shut vp the rest, perforce within their Fortresse, and displayed the Ensignes of France. The reuolt of Siena was signified to Don Diego beeing at Rome, who came presentlie in post to Florence, to de∣sire counsell and ayde of the Duke: But Cosmo perceiuing that hee should procure warre for himselfe, if hee should shew him∣selfe [ H] an enemie to France, and remembring with what pride Mendozza had despised his aduertisement, answered him very wisely, that hee would now follow his Counsell; and bee carefull and vigilant to rule and gouerne his owne estate of Florence, without otherwise in any sort, to trouble himselfe about the af∣faires of Siena, whereof the Emperour had giuen him the charge and gouernment. Doe not mocke then at the aduertisements of great Princes, for it may possiblie be that they knowe that which others knowe not, and it is better to seeme to regarde it, than

[ A] foolishly, and proudelie to despise it. For if Mendozza had well noted the aduertisements of Duke Cosmo, hee might haue found remedie sufficient for the reuolt, and to haue incountred with that which followed: and though that hee could not haue letted the conspiracie; yet hee might haue beene able to haue resisted the force thereof, with the helpe of the succours neere at hand. And finallie, the vaine boasting of Mendozza was well knowne, and that hee alone was not a man to resist so great an inconue∣nience, as afterwards followed in the Citie of Siena; and a man [ B] may see how great hurt hee did, in that hee esteemed not the aduise of so wise a Prince, and so well affected to the Emperours proceedings.

Notes

• Don Diego de Mendozza made no ac∣count of the Duke of Flo∣rence, when he gaue him to vnderstand of the rebellion and reuolt of the Citie of Siena.
• The subtill an∣swere of the Duke of Flo∣rence, to Don Diego de Mendo••za, Gouernour of Siena.