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But Alexander died five years after he had first drawn the sword.

He left the duke with the state of Romagna alone consolidated,

with the rest in the air, between two most powerful hostile

armies, and sick unto death. Yet there were in the duke such

boldness and ability, and he knew so well how men are to be won

or lost, and so firm were the foundations which in so short a

time he had laid, that if he had not had those armies on his

back, or if he had been in good health, he would have overcome

all difficulties. And it is seen that his foundations were good,

for the Romagna awaited him for more than a month. In Rome,

although but half alive, he remained secure; and whilst the

Baglioni, the Vitelli, and the Orsini might come to Rome, they

could not effect anything against him. If he could not have made

Pope him whom he wished, at least the one whom he did not wish

would not have been elected.