Then and Now Read Online Free PDF Page B

can throw. Be sensible, Secretary. With Urbino in my hands I command Central Italy. Guidobaldo di Montefeltro was my friend, and the Pope intended to give his niece Angela Borgia in marriage to Guidobaldo's nephew and heir. I would never have attacked him unless I had seen the strategic importance of his state. I had to have it in order to carry out my plans, and I could not allow sentiment to interfere with policy. I can offer you security from your enemies. If we were to act together, I with my armies, you with your rich lands and your wealth, and with the spiritual authority of the Pope to support us, we should be the strongest power in Italy. Instead of having to pay hard cash for the favours of the French, they would have to treat with us as equals. The moment has come for you to conclude an alliance with me.'
    Machiavelli was startled, but he answered with easy amiability.
    'I see the force of your Excellency's arguments. No one could have put them more clearly or more convincingly. It is rare to find a man of action, and a great general such as Your Excellency has shown himself, who possesses so logical a mind and such a gift of expression.'
    The Duke with a slight smile made a modest gesture of protest. Machiavelli, his heart in his mouth, for he knew that what he had to say was not what the Duke wanted, went on blandly.
    'I will write to the Signory and tell the gentlemen what you have said.'
    'What do you mean?' cried Il Valentino. 'The matter is urgent and must be settled at once.'
    'I have no power to make an agreement.'
    The Duke sprang to his feet.
    'Then what have you come here for?'
    At that instant the door was opened; it was only Agap-ito da Amalia coming in after attending to the Duke's order, but it had a startling effect. Machiavelli was not a nervous man, but it shook him strangely.
    'I have come because Your Excellency requested my government to send an envoy to treat with him.'
    'But an envoy with full powers to treat.'
    Until now the Duke had treated Machiavelli with tolerable courtesy, but now, his eyes blazing, he strode up to him. Machiavelli rose and the two men faced one another.
    'The Signory is fooling me. They sent you precisely because you have no power to decide anything. Their eternal shilly-shallying exasperates me beyond endurance. How long do they think they can continue to try my patience?'
    The Cardinal, who had sat in silence, put in a word to calm the storm, but the Duke harshly told him to hold his tongue. He began to pace up and down the room, storming; he was bitter, brutal and sarcastic; he seemed to have lost all control over himself. Machiavelli, unmoved and far from frightened, watched him with curiosity. At last the Duke flung himself back into his chair.
    'Tell your government that I am deeply affronted.'
    'The last thing my government would wish is to affront Your Excellency. They instructed me to inform you that the rebels had requested their aid and they had refused.'
    'Waiting as usual, I suppose, to see which way the cat would jump.'
    There was more truth in this than was pleasant for Machiavelli to hear. His face remained impassive.
    'They have no love for the Orsini or for Vitellozzo. They are anxious to be on friendly terms with Your Excellency, and I must press you to be more definite. It is at least necessary that I should be able to tell the Signory precisely what sort of an agreement it is that you desire.'
    'The discussion is ended. You force me to come to terms with the rebels. I can reduce them to submission tomorrow by agreeing to the proposal of the Orsini to attack Florence.'
    'Florence is under the protection of the King of France,' answered Machiavelli sharply. 'He has promised us four hundred lancers and an ample force of infantry whenever we need them.'
    'The French promise much in return for the money they continually demand, but when they have received it seldom keep their promises.'
    Machiavelli knew that was true. The Florentines had suffered much