The History of Italy (Volume 8); From the Year 1490 to 1532 (Paperback)

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1755. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... (i We may repeat this Day, with no less, Anguish of Mind, the fame Words that Morone-% "were pronounced by our Saviour in big Speech to Agony 'The Spirit indeed is ready, but the/a*J DEGREES" Flesh is weak.' You are in the fame Disposition as ever to live under the Government of your Duke Francesco Sforza, and his Heart is equally oppressed for the Miseries and Dangers of his beloved People j he is willing and ready to lay down his Life for your Safety, and you are as much desirous to expose your Persons for his Support as you have done on former Occasions. But your Strength is no ways equal to your good Will, for the City is almost void of Inhabitants, we are straitened for Provisions and Want of Money, and your Fortifications are in so bad a Condition, that it is impossible to prevent the Enemy's Entrance. It is Death to the Duke to be obliged to desert you, but it would be worse than Death, if, undertaking your Defence, he should prove the Cause of your utter Destruction, which would in DEGREES fallibly be the Event. In such dangerous Cases that Person is reckoned prudent, who d. i>. who ehuses the lesser Evil, and does not at Ji DEGREESj once with one desperate Resolution deprive himself of all Hope. It is on this Principle that the Duke advises you to submit to the present. Necessity, and obey the King of France DEGREES till the Return of better Times, which we have very good Reason to expect very soon. The Duke at present will take Care of himself, but afterwards your Concerns will be his chief Attention. Casar's Power is very great, his good Fortune not to be described, the Cause is very just, our Enemies the fame we have so often conquered. God will be pleased with your Loyalty to the Duke, and with the Duke's Attentiov to his Country, and we ought to assure ourselves that it...