Page:The Prince (translated by William K. Marriott).djvu/287

Rh of more than 30,000 infantry and 10,000 cavalry—having called to their aid every Guelph there was in Italy. They consulted whether they should attack Pistoia or Pisa first, and decided that it would be better to march on the latter—a course, owing to the recent conspiracy, more likely to succeed, and of more advantage to them, because they believed that the surrender of Pistoia would follow the acquisition of Pisa.

In the early part of May, 1328, the Florentines put in motion this army and quickly occupied Lastra, Signa, Monteupo, and Empoli, passing from thence on to San Miniato. When Castruccio heard of the enormous army which the Florentines were sending against him, he was in no degree alarmed, believing that the time had now arrived when Fortune would deliver the empire of Tuscany into his hands, for he had no reason to think that his enemy would make a better fight, or had better prospects of success, than at Pisa or Serravalle. He assembled 20,000 foot soldiers and 4000 horsemen, and with this army went to Fucecchio, whilst he sent Pagolo Guinigi to Pisa with 5000 infantry. Fucecchio has a stronger position than any other town in the Pisan district, owing to its situation between the rivers Amo and Gusciana and its slight elevation above the surrounding plain. Moreover, the enemy could not hinder its being victualled unless they divided their forces, nor