登陆注册
4699000000092

第92章

CHAPTER I

The vicissitudes of empires--The state of Italy--The military factions of Sforza and Braccio--The Bracceschi and the Sforzeschi attack the pope, who is expelled by the Romans--War between the pope and the duke of Milan--The Florentines and the Venetians assist the pope--Peace between the pope and the duke of Milan--Tyranny practiced by the party favorable to the Medici.

It may be observed, that provinces amid the vicissitudes to which they are subject, pass from order into confusion, and afterward recur to a state of order again; for the nature of mundane affairs not allowing them to continue in an even course, when they have arrived at their greatest perfection, they soon begin to decline. In the same manner, having been reduced by disorder, and sunk to their utmost state of depression, unable to descend lower, they, of necessity, reascend; and thus from good they gradually decline to evil, and from evil again return to good. The reason is, that valor produces peace; peace, repose; repose, disorder; disorder, ruin; so from disorder order springs; from order virtue, and from this, glory and good fortune.

Hence, wise men have observed, that the age of literary excellence is subsequent to that of distinction in arms; and that in cities and provinces, great warriors are produced before philosophers. Arms having secured victory, and victory peace, the buoyant vigor of the martial mind cannot be enfeebled by a more excusable indulgence than that of letters; nor can indolence, with any greater or more dangerous deceit, enter a well regulated community. Cato was aware of this when the philosophers, Diogenes and Carneades, were sent ambassadors to the senate by the Athenians; for perceiving with what earnest admiration the Roman youth began to follow them, and knowing the evils that might result to his country from this specious idleness, he enacted that no philosopher should be allowed to enter Rome. Provinces by this means sink to ruin, from which, men's sufferings having made them wiser, they again recur to order, if they be not overwhelmed by some extraordinary force. These causes made Italy, first under the ancient Tuscans, and afterward under the Romans, by turns happy and unhappy;and although nothing has subsequently arisen from the ruins of Rome at all corresponding to her ancient greatness (which under a well-organized monarchy might have been gloriously effected), still there was so much bravery and intelligence in some of the new cities and governments that afterward sprang up, that although none ever acquired dominion over the rest, they were, nevertheless, so balanced and regulated among themselves, as to enable them to live in freedom, and defend their country from the barbarians.

Among these governments, the Florentines, although they possessed a smaller extent of territory, were not inferior to any in power and authority; for being situated in the middle of Italy, wealthy, and prepared for action, they either defended themselves against such as thought proper to assail them, or decided victory in favor of those to whom they became allies. From the valor, therefore, of these new governments, if no seasons occurred of long-continued peace, neither were any exposed to the calamities of war; for that cannot be called peace in which states frequently assail each other with arms, nor can those be considered wars in which no men are slain, cities plundered, or sovereignties overthrown; for the practice of arms fell into such a state of decay, that wars were commenced without fear, continued without danger, and concluded without loss. Thus the military energy which is in other countries exhausted by a long peace, was wasted in Italy by the contemptible manner in which hostilities were carried on, as will be clearly seen in the events to be described from 1434 to 1494, from which it will appear how the barbarians were again admitted into Italy, and she again sunk under subjection to them. Although the transactions of our princes at home and abroad will not be viewed with admiration of their virtue and greatness like those of the ancients, perhaps they may on other accounts be regarded with no less interest, seeing what masses of high spirited people were kept in restraint by such weak and disorderly forces. And if, in detailing the events which took place in this wasted world, we shall not have to record the bravery of the soldier, the prudence of the general, or the patriotism of the citizen, it will be seen with what artifice, deceit, and cunning, princes, warriors, and leaders of republics conducted themselves, to support a reputation they never deserved. This, perhaps, will not be less useful than a knowledge of ancient history;for, if the latter excites the liberal mind to imitation, the former will show what ought to be avoided and decried.

Italy was reduced to such a condition by her rulers, that when, by consent of her princes, peace was restored, it was soon disturbed by those who retained their armies, so that glory was not gained by war nor repose by peace. Thus when the league and the duke of Milan agreed to lay aside their arms in 1433, the soldiers, resolved upon war, directed their efforts against the church. There were at this time two factions or armed parties in Italy, the Sforzesca and the Braccesca.

同类推荐
  • 等集众德三昧经

    等集众德三昧经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 金刚般若波罗蜜经注解

    金刚般若波罗蜜经注解

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • Seraphita

    Seraphita

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 佛说长者施报经

    佛说长者施报经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 神应经

    神应经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 妖异沙洲情

    妖异沙洲情

    【恶搞版】女主腹黑无界限;男主冷峻无极限;男配风骚无下限;三无之人会擦出怎样诡异的火花。依旧是最狗血的套路,但是情节就等你来跳坑啦。相信黑米,相信这个故事,23333333333333【普通版】女主:鄯月(楼兰九公主,因为一道莫名其妙的神谕受尽折磨,此生发了誓言,一定要出人头地,捣了楼兰,灭了四国,问鼎中原,成为神谕上所指示的铁血女帝)腹黑狡诈,本来是被送往北朝联姻的楼兰九公主,但是在途径沙漠的时候,遭到狼群的袭击,被凌绝尘所救,一见倾心,一见注定。刚开始的利用,一直的爱恋,却终没有得到回应。男主:凌绝尘(沙漠之鹰)自小生长在沙漠,性格冷淡。武功超绝,后随女主征战整个天下。并不是初遇时的惊艳,也不是被死缠烂打所打动,理由很简单,这个女子太过于烦躁。楼兰政变,铁血手腕,坐拥王国,他看到不是得意的神色,反而是一种释然和空洞的神色。灭四国,问鼎中原,最终登上那孤冷寒寂的高塔,他看见了那本该是属于少女的柔弱在这一刹那释放。最后平定契律,他转身拂袖的那一瞬间,却看到了她眼中那晶莹的泪珠。她一统山河,坐拥千古大帝这个名号;他功成身退,重新回归沙漠安然养生。男配:神音一座高耸入云的神塔,所有人心目中的神圣之塔。神塔的祭司,医术超绝。神塔上的一夜颠倒阴阳,无关乎爱情,只关乎彼此的利益。————“帮我。”“……”“我可以牺牲我自己。”一声布料撕碎的声音。“……”“绝尘,这是我亲手抓和烤的鱼,你吃吃看。”“……”“天冷,我来陪你睡觉了。”“……”“绝尘,作为一个武林高手,怎么能没有侍女呢,你就放心大胆的用我吧。”“……”重新回归沙漠之后,四处都是她的声音和身形。————【文艺版】及笄时、远嫁异国他乡;初芒露、威震沙漠之狼;此心倾、换来一生执守;楼兰变、喋血谁与争锋;灭四国、终临高塔远眺;以身换、颠倒阴阳不悔;一统千秋、天下之人均俯首称臣;万古寂寥、独守宫玉向绿洲沙漠。————如无特殊情况,每天晚上八点钟日更3000+
  • 邪羽罗(生存者2)

    邪羽罗(生存者2)

    亲手杀死挚友,小破接受命运成为暗黑三界新一代的统治者达旦。亲眼看着儿子死在眼前,那个沉静的男子安化身为妖,成为灵魂劫掠者。一晃十载,王者阿旦携审判之主羽罗重返人界,毁灭还是守护?
  • 水晶瓶塞的秘密

    水晶瓶塞的秘密

    选取了亚森?罗宾探案故事中的精彩篇目,分为瓶塞初现、悬崖上的古堡、危机四伏、密约等4个章节。在本书中,主人公侠盗罗宾遭遇强大对手,不仅自己的一举一动尽在对方的掌握之中,甚至就连对手是谁也搞不清楚。神秘的水晶瓶塞中藏着惊天的秘密,一旦公之于众,法国的整个上流社会将毁于一旦。为了维护贵族的荣耀,罗宾决定挺身而出。
  • 绝无笙

    绝无笙

    1.“呜呜…大哥,您不做什么是做什么啊?要钱我没钱,要色我还没您旁边的这位美女有料,您究竟是为了啥啊?…”洛无笙无厘头的哀嚎着。“因为你是女人!”白衣男轻飘飘的一句话差点儿没再次噎死洛无笙。2.夜清绝的话语声刚落,洛无笙啪的一下拍石桌而起,“靠,夜清绝,你丫的是咸菜叶子吃多了,闲的没事来故意找茬想噎死我吗?”夜清绝抬起他那似笑非笑的脸,洛无笙瞬间觉得这张脸真的很欠扁。3.“那我求你亲我。”“…”“怎么不亲呢?”“你以为我是送子观音吗?你求我就得给吗?”,随后又很傲娇的哼了一下,嘴巴不经意的微微嘟起。“你当然不是送子观音,你是我孩子他娘。”
  • The Master and Margarita
  • 妃欠管教:本妃卖夫求荣

    妃欠管教:本妃卖夫求荣

    当闷骚王爷千方百计成婚,对方却是贪财王妃,容锦真想自插双眼!新婚之夜:王妃为何嫁我?蔻蔻答曰:你有钱。王爷嘴角抽搐,新婚二日:王妃为何卖本王妻妾?蔻蔻奸笑:可卖钱。王爷风中凌乱,新婚N日:爱妃为何扒?蔻蔻认真:俺娘说了财产要想抢,上位必有种!成交!
  • 让灵魂躲躲雨

    让灵魂躲躲雨

    一杯清茶,一缕光线,一本好书……轻轻抚慰,阅读是一种生命的享受。智慧、美丽、梦幻、快乐……慢慢品味,人生永远在书香里跳跃。
  • 豪门暖婚:总裁的契约娇妻

    豪门暖婚:总裁的契约娇妻

    高档KTV的豪华包间内,浓郁酒精味道弥散在整个房间的空气中,带着些许奢靡。真皮的长沙发……
  • 英雄学院之三色霸气

    英雄学院之三色霸气

    穿越到我的英雄世界,觉醒的个性竟然是海贼世界里的三色霸气,还带着海军六式的修炼方法。来都来了,总要折腾点什么才是。群:763967464
  • 爆笑之媒婆很忙

    爆笑之媒婆很忙

    男女主身心干净,全文无虐。————她是无良媒婆,遇美男必垂涎之。他是腹黑馆主,时男时女难辨之。他是冷魅王爷,对女人敬而远之。他是第一庄主,弹指令敌毙命也。他是暗黑魔君,扮萌伪善任欺也。他是邪魅太子,妖孽摄心又勾魂。当他们遭遇她,才深知,有理说不清。——招蜂引蝶——“小哥,长的不错,娶妻了没?”某男厌恶皱眉。“我不是坏人,这是我的媒婆资格证。”某男松气,“不需要。”“小哥,我看你面色蜡黄,精神萎靡不振,是长久压抑的所造成,还是极早抒发的好。”某男青筋暴露,“滚……”——愿者上钩——;——吾凰万岁——;某女:这皇位你要还是不要?某男笃定:不要。某女喜上眉梢:那我要了!万臣朝拜:吾凰万岁万岁万万岁!——桃花满园——某公公:凰上,下月初八是选秀的日子了。某女:下月初八?免了……身旁众男欣喜。某女:改为本月十八。众男狂汗:凰上,后宫满了……——碎碎念——乔乔的书名和简介不是强项,所以文文好不好看点进去了才知道,全文无虐,男女主均身心干净,男女腹黑,你强我强大家强。