Therefore they took mercenary troops into their pay.

The companies of the Sforzeschi and Bracceschi were formed; and 'after these came all those others who have ruled this sort of warfare down to our own days.

The consequence of their valor is that Italy has been harried by Charles, plundered by Louis, forced by Ferdinand, insulted by the Swiss.

Their method has been to enhance the reputation of their cavalry by depressing the infantry.

Being without dominion of their own, and making war their commerce, a few foot soldiers brought them no repute, while they were unable to support many.
Therefore they confined themselves to cavalry, until in a force of 20,000 men you could not number 2,000 infantry.