صفحة 50 من 310

When the duke occupied the Romagna he found it under the rule of

weak masters, who rather plundered their subjects than ruled

them, and gave them more cause for disunion than for union, so

that the country was full of robbery, quarrels, and every kind of

violence; and so, wishing to bring back peace and obedience to

authority, he considered it necessary to give it a good governor.

Thereupon he promoted Messer Ramiro d'Orco,[4] a swift and cruel

man, to whom he gave the fullest power. This man in a short time

restored peace and unity with the greatest success. Afterwards

the duke considered that it was not advisable to confer such

excessive authority, for he had no doubt but that he would become

odious, so he set up a court of judgment in the country, under a

most excellent president, wherein all cities had their advocates.