صفحة 49 من 310

Having restored his authority, not to leave it at risk by

trusting either to the French or other outside forces, he had

recourse to his wiles, and he knew so well how to conceal his

mind that, by the mediation of Signor Pagolo-whom the duke did

not fail to secure with all kinds of attention, giving him money,

apparel, and horses-the Orsini were reconciled, so that their

simplicity brought them into his power at Sinigalia.[3] Having

exterminated the leaders, and turned their partisans into his

friends, the duke laid sufficiently good foundations to his

power, having all the Romagna and the Duchy of Urbino; and the

people now beginning to appreciate their prosperity, he gained

them all over to himself. And as this point is worthy of notice,

and to be imitated by others, I am not willing to leave it out.

[3] Sinigalia, 31st December 1502.