《马基雅维里 君主论英文prince》

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马基雅维里 君主论英文prince- 第20部分


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sea is divided; a cloud has led the way; the rock has poured forth

water; it has rained manna; everything has contributed to your

greatness; you ought to do the rest。 God is not willing to do

everything; and thus take away our free will and that share of glory

which belongs to us。



And it is not to be wondered at if none of the above…named Italians have

been able to acplish all that is expected from your illustrious

house; and if in so many revolutions in Italy; and in so many campaigns;

it has always appeared as if military virtue were exhausted; this has

happened because the old order of things was not good; and none of us

have known how to find a new one。 And nothing honours a man more than to

establish new laws and new ordinances when he himself was newly risen。

Such things when they are well founded and dignified will make him

revered and admired; and in Italy there are not wanting opportunities to

bring such into use in every form。



Here there is great valour in the limbs whilst it fails in the head。

Look attentively at the duels and the hand…to…hand bats; how superior

the Italians are in strength; dexterity; and subtlety。 But when it es

to armies they do not bear parison; and this springs entirely from

the insufficiency of the leaders; since those who are capable are not

obedient; and each one seems to himself to know; there having never been

any one so distinguished above the rest; either by valour or fortune;

that others would yield to him。 Hence it is that for so long a time; and

during so much fighting in the past twenty years; whenever there has

been an army wholly Italian; it has always given a poor account of

itself; as witness Taro; Alessandria; Capua; Genoa; Vaila; Bologna;

Mestre。



If; therefore; your illustrious house wishes to follow those remarkable

men who have redeemed their country; it is necessary before all things;

as a true foundation for every enterprise; to be provided with your own

forces; because there can be no more faithful; truer; or better

soldiers。 And although singly they are good; altogether they will be

much better when they find themselves manded by their prince;

honoured by him; and maintained at his expense。 Therefore it is

necessary to be prepared with such arms; so that you can be defended

against foreigners by Italian valour。



And although Swiss and Spanish infantry may be considered very

formidable; nevertheless there is a defect in both; by reason of which a

third order would not only be able to oppose them; but might be relied

upon to overthrow them。 For the Spaniards cannot resist cavalry; and the

Switzers are afraid of infantry whenever they encounter them in close

bat。 Owing to this; as has been and may again be seen; the Spaniards

are unable to resist French cavalry; and the Switzers are overthrown by

infantry。 And although a plete proof of this latter cannot be shown;

nevertheless there was some evidence of it at the battle of Ravenna;

when the Spanish infantry were confronted by German battalions; who

follow the same tactics as the Swiss; when the Spaniards; by agility of

body and with the aid of their shields; got in under the pikes of the

Germans and stood out of danger; able to attack; while the Germans stood

helpless; and; if the cavalry had not dashed up; all would have been

over with them。 It is possible; therefore; knowing the defects of both

these infantries; to invent a new one; which will resist cavalry and not

be afraid of infantry; this need not create a new order of arms; but a

variation upon the old。 And these are the kind of improvements which

confer reputation and power upon a new prince。



This opportunity; therefore; ought not to be allowed to pass for letting

Italy at last see her liberator appear。 Nor can one express the love

with which he would be received in all those provinces which have

suffered so much from these foreign scourings; with what thirst for

revenge; with what stubborn faith; with what devotion; with what tears。

What door would be closed to him? Who would refuse obedience to him?

What envy would hinder him? What Italian would refuse him homage? To all

of us this barbarous dominion stinks。 Let; therefore; your illustrious

house take up this charge with that courage and hope with which all just

enterprises are undertaken; so that under its standard our native

country may be ennobled; and under its auspices may be verified that

saying of Petrarch:



                Virtu contro al Furore

              Prendera l'arme; e fia il batter corto:

                Che l'antico valore

              Negli italici cuor non e ancor morto。 '1'



1。 Virtue against fury shall advance the fight;

   And it i' th' bat soon shall put to flight;

   For the old Roman; valour is not dead;

   Nor in th' Italians' breasts extinguished。





                               THE END





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