France lose Milan the first time, it was enough for
Duke Lodwick to make some small stir only upon the
confines; yet afterwards, before they could make him
lose it the second time, they had need of the whole
world together against him, and that all his armies
should be wasted and driven out of Italy; which proceeded
from the forenamed causes: however though both
the first and second time it was taken from him.
The generall causes of the first we have treated of;
it remains now that we see those of the second; and
set down the remedies that he had, or any one else
can have that should chance to be in those termes he
was, whereby he might be able to maintain himself
better in his conquest than the King of France did.
I say therefore, that these States which by Conquest
are annexed to the ancient states of their conqueror,
are either of the same province and the same language,
or otherwise; and when they are, it is very easy to
hold them, especially when they are not used to live
free; and to enjoy them securely, it is enough to have
extinguished the Princes line who ruled over them:
For in other matters, allowing them their ancient
conditions, and there being not much difference of
manners betwixt them, men ordinarily live quiet enough;
as we have seen that Burgundy did, Britany, Gascony,
and Normandy, which so long time continued with France:
for however there be some difference of language between
them, yet can they easily comport one with another;
and whosoever makes the conquest of them, meaning
to hold them, must have two regards; the first, that
the race of their former Prince be quite extinguished;
the other, that he change nothing, neither in their
lawes nor taxes, so that in a very short time they
become one entire body with their ancient Principality.
But when any States are gaind in a Province disagreeing
in language, manners, and orders, here are the difficulties,
and here is there need of good fortune, and great industry
to maintain them; and it would be one of the best
and livelyest remedies, for the Conqueror to goe in
person and dwell there; this would make the possession
hereof more secure and durable; as the Turk hath done
in Greece, who among all the other courses taken by
him for to hold that State, had he not gone thither
himself in person to dwell, it had never been possible
for him to have kept it: for abiding there, he
sees the disorders growing in their beginnings, and
forthwith can remedy them; whereas being not there
present, they are heard of when they are grown to
some height, and then is there no help for them.
Moreover, the Province is not pillaged by the officers
thou sendest thither: the subjects are much satisfied
of having recourse to the Prince near at hand, whereupon
have they more reason to love him, if they mean to
be good; and intending to do otherwise, to fear him:
and forrein Princes will be well aware how they invade
that State; insomuch, that making his abode there,
he can very hardly lose it. Another remedy, which