Page:Readings in European History Vol 2.djvu/51

 Europe at the Opening of the Sixteenth Century 1 3 their subjects, — which gave them more cause for division than for union, so that the country was overrun with rob- bery, tumult, and every kind of outrage, — he judged it necessary, with a view to rendering it peaceful, and obedient to his authority, to provide it with a good government. Accordingly he set over it Messer Remiro d' Oreo, a stern and prompt ruler, who, being intrusted with the fullest powers, in a very short time, and with much credit to him- self, restored it to tranquillity and order. But afterwards the duke, apprehending that such unlimited authority might become odious, decided that it was no longer needed, and established in the center of the province a civil tribunal, with an excellent president, in which every town was repre- sented by its advocate. And knowing that past severities had generated ill feeling against himself, in order to purge the minds of the people and gain their good will, he sought to show them that any cruelty which had been done had not originated with him, but in the harsh disposition of his min- ister. Availing himself of the pretext which this afforded, he one morning caused Remiro to be beheaded, and exposed in the market place of Cesena with a block and bloody ax by his side. The barbarity of this spectacle at once astounded and satisfied the populace. But Machiavelli hated the "barbarians," — the French, Germans, and Spaniards, — and in the last chapter of his Prince he called upon the nephew of Leo X to free Italy from the foreign invaders and, by putting in prac- tice the principles of conduct previously described, to establish a strong government and bring peace once more to his distracted country. Turning over in my mind all the matters which have been considered above, and debating with myself whether in Italy at the present hour the times are such as might serve to confer honor on a new prince, and whether a fit opportunity now offers for a prudent and valiant leader to bring about Caesar's proof of his gentle disposition. 232c. Mach- iavelli calls upon the house of Medici to drive out the " bar- barians."