صفحة 10 من 1118

As early as the 8th of April, 1583, the most illustrious and most

excellent lord Don Charles of Arragon, Prince of Castelvetrano,

Duke of Terranova, Marquis of Avola, Count of Burgeto, High

Admiral and High Constable of Sicily, Governor of Milan, and

Captain General of His Catholic Majesty in Italy, "fully informed

of the intolerable misery which the city of Milan has endured,

and still endures, by reason of bravoes and vagabonds," publishes

his decree against them, "declares and designates all those

comprehended in this proclamation to be regarded as bravoes and

vagabonds,--who, whether foreigners or natives, have no calling,

or, having one, do not follow it,--but, either with or without

wages, attach themselves to any knight, gentleman, officer, or

merchant,--to uphold or favour him, or in any manner to molest

others." All such he commands, within the space of six days, to

leave the country; threatens the refractory with the galleys, and

grants to all officers of justice the most ample and unlimited

powers for the execution of his commands.