Pagina 3 di 310

For these reasons Louis the Twelfth, King of France, quickly

occupied Milan, and as quickly lost it; and to turn him out the

first time it only needed Lodovico's own forces; because those

who had opened the gates to him, finding themselves deceived in

their hopes of future benefit, would not endure the ill-treatment

of the new prince. It is very true that, after acquiring

rebellious provinces a second time, they are not so lightly lost

afterwards, because the prince, with little reluctance, takes the

opportunity of the rebellion to punish the delinquents, to clear

out the suspects, and to strengthen himself in the weakest

places. Thus to cause France to lose Milan the first time it was

enough for the Duke Lodovico[1] to raise insurrections on the

borders; but to cause him to lose it a second time it was

necessary to bring the whole world against him, and that his

armies should be defeated and driven out of Italy; which followed

from the causes above mentioned.