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of Milan。 The count desired the possession of Pavia； and considered
the circumstance a happy omen； as it would enable him to give a color
to his designs。 He was not restrained from treachery either by fear or
shame； for great men consider failure disgraceful；a fraudulent
success the contrary。 But he was apprehensive that his possession of
the city would excite the animosity of the Milanese； and perhaps
induce them to throw themselves under the power of the Venetians。 If
he refused to accept the offer； he would have occasion to fear the
duke of Savoy； to whom many citizens were inclined to submit
themselves； and either alternative would deprive him of the
sovereignty of Lombardy。 Concluding there was less danger in taking
possession of the city than in allowing another to have it； he
determined to accept the proposal of the people of Pavia； trusting he
would be able to satisfy the Milanese； to whom he pointed out the
danger they must have incurred had he not complied with it； for her
citizens would have surrendered themselves to the Venetians or to the
duke of Savoy； so that in either case they would have been deprived of
the government； and therefore they ought to be more willing to have
himself as their neighbor and friend； than a hostile power such as
either of the others； and their enemy。 The Milanese were upon this
occasion greatly perplexed； imagining they had discovered the count's
ambition； and the end he had in view； but they thought it desirable to
conceal their fears； for they did not know； if the count were to
desert them； to whom they could have recourse except the Venetians；
whose pride and tyranny they naturally dreaded。 They therefore
resolved not to break with the count； but by his assistance remedy the
evils with which they were threatened； hoping that when freed from
them they might rescue themselves from him also； for at that time they
were assailed not only by the Venetians but by the Genoese and the
duke of Savoy； in the name of Charles of Orleans； the son of a sister
of Filippo； but whom the count easily vanquished。 Thus their only
remaining enemies were the Venetians； who； with a powerful army；
determined to occupy their territories； and had already taken
possession of Lodi and Piacenza； before which latter place the count
encamped； and； after a long siege； took and pillaged the city。 Winter
being set in； he led his forces into quarters； and then withdrew to
Cremona； where； during the cold season； he remained in repose with his
wife。
In the spring； the Venetian and Milanese armies again took the field。
It was the design of the Milanese； first to recover Lodi and then to
come to terms with the Venetians； for the expenses of the war had
become very great； and they were doubtful of their general's
sincerity； so that they were anxious alike for the repose of peace；
and for security against the count。 They therefore resolved that the
army should march to the siege of Carravaggio； hoping that Lodi would
surrender； on that fortress being wrested from the enemy's hands。 The
count obeyed； though he would have preferred crossing the Adda and
attacking the Brescian territory。 Having encamped before Caravaggio；
he so strongly entrenched himself； that if the enemy attempted to
relieve the place； they would have to attack him at a great
disadvantage。 The Venetian army； led by Micheletto； approached within
two bowshots of the enemy's camp； and many skirmishes ensued。 The
count continued to press the fortress； and reduced it to the very last
extremity； which greatly distressed the Venetians； since they knew the
loss of it would involve the total failure of their expedition。 Very
different views were entertained by their military officers respecting
the best mode of relieving the place； but they saw no course open
except to attack the enemy in his trenches； in spite of all obstacles。
The castle was； however； considered of such paramount importance； that
the Venetian senate； though naturally timid； and averse to all
hazardous undertakings； chose rather to risk everything than allow it
to fall into the hands of the enemy。
They therefore resolved to attack the count at all events； and early
the next morning commenced their assault upon a point which was least
defended。 At the first charge； as commonly happens in a surprise；
Francesco's whole army was thrown into dismay。 Order； however； was
soon so completely restored by the count； that the enemy； after
various efforts to gain the outworks； were repulsed and put to flight；
and so entirely routed； that of twelve thousand horse only one
thousand escaped the hands of the Milanese； who took possession of all
the carriages and military stores； nor had the Venetians ever before
suffered such a thorough rout and overthrow。 Among the plunder and
prisoners； crouching down； as if to escape observation； was found a
Venetian commissary； who； in the course of the war and before the
fight； had spoken contemptuously of the count； calling him 〃bastard；〃
and 〃base…born。〃 Being made prisoner； he remembered his faults； and
fearing punishment； being taken before the count； was agonized with
terror； and； as is usual with mean minds （in prosperity insolent； in
adversity abject and cringing）； prostrated himself； weeping and
begging pardon for the offenses he had committed。 The count； taking
him by the arm； raised him up； and encouraged him to hope for the
best。 He then said he wondered how a man so prudent and respectable as
himself； could so far err as to speak disparagingly of those who did
not merit it； and as regarded the insinuations which he had made
against him； he really did not know how Sforza his father； and Madonna
Lucia his mother； had proceeded together； not having been there； and
having no opportunity of interfering in the matter； so that he was not
liable either to blame or praise。 However； he knew very well； that in
regard to his own actions he had conducted himself so that no one
could blame him； and in proof of this he would refer both the Venetian
senate and himself to what had happened that day。 He then advised him
in future to be more respectful in speaking of others； and more
cautious in regard to his own proceedings。
CHAPTER IV
The count's successesThe Venetians come to terms with himViews
of the VenetiansIndignation of the Milanese against the count
Their ambassador's address to himThe count's moderation and
replyThe count and the Milanese prepare for warMilanese
ambassadors at VeniceLeague of the Venetians and MilaneseThe
count dupes the Venetians and MilaneseHe applies for assistance
to the FlorentinesDiversity of opinions in Florence on the
subjectNeri di Gino Capponi averse to assisting the countCosmo
de' Medici disposed to do soThe Florentines sent ambassadors to
the count。
After this victory； the count marched into the Brescian territory；
occupied the whole country； and then pitched his camp within two miles
of the city。 The Venetians； having well…grounded fears that Brescia
would be next attacked； provided the best defense in their power。 They
then collected the relics of their army； and； by virtue of the treaty；
demanded assistance of the Florentines； who； being relieved from the
war with Alfonso； sent them one thousand foot and two thousand horse；
by whose aid the Venetians were in a condition to treat for peace。 At
one time it seemed the fate of their republic to lose by war and win
by negotiation； for what was taken from them in battle was frequently
restored twofold on the restoration of peace。 They knew the Milanese
were jealous of the count； and that he wished to be not their captain
merely； but their sovereign； and as it was in their power to make
peace with either of the two （the one desiring it from ambition； the
other from fear）； they determined to make choice of the count； and
offer him assistance to effect his design； persuading themselves； that
as the Milanese would perceive they had been duped by him； they would
in revenge place themselves in the power of any one rather than in
his； and that； becoming unable either to defend themselves or trust
the count； they would be compelled； having no other resource； to fall
into their hands。 Having taken this resolution； they sounded the
count； and found him quite disposed for peace； evidently desirous that
the honor and advantage of the victory at Caravaggio should be his
own； and not accrue to the Milanese。 The parties therefore entered
into an agreement； in which the Venetians undertook to pay the count
thirteen thousand florins per month； till he should obtain Milan； and
to furnish him； during the continuance of the war； four thousand horse
and two thousand foot。 The count engaged to restore to the Venetians
the towns； prisoners； and whatever else had been taken by him during
the late campaigns； and content himself with those territories which
the duke possessed at the time of