If Italian armies have always been defeated in the field during the past twenty years, it is not due so much to their defective courage as to the weakness of their commanders.

Lorenzo will have to raise a force capable of coping with the Swiss, the Spanish, and the French.

The respect with which Machiavelli speaks at this supreme moment of these foreign troops, proves how great was their prestige in Italy; yet he ventures to point out that there are faults peculiar to each of them: the Spanish infantry cannot stand a cavalry charge, and the Switzers are liable to be disconcerted by the rapid attack of the wiry infantry of Spain.

It is therefore necessary to train troops capable of resisting cavalry, and not afraid of facing any foot soldiers in the world.

'This opportunity, therefore, must not be suffered to slip by; in order that Italy may after so long a time at last behold her saviour.