164 ITALIAN WARS. II. PART versarj should be thrown off his guard, collected all — his strength for a decisive blow, by which to termi- nate the action. Such was the history of those memorable campaigns, which closed with the bril- liant victories of Cerignola and the Garigliano. In a review of his military conduct, we must not overlook his politic deportment towards the Italians, altogether the reverse of the careless and insolent bearing of the French. He availed himself liberally of their superior science, showing great deference, and confiding the most important trusts, to their officers. ^^ Far from the reserve usually shown to foreigners, he appeared insensible to national dis- tinctions, and ardently embraced them as compan- ions in arms, embarked in a common cause with himself. In their tourney with the French before Barleta, to which the whole nation attached such importance as a vindication of national honor, they were entirely supported by Gonsalvo, who furnished them with arms, secured a fair field of fight, and shared the trium})h of the victors as that of his own countrymen, — P^iyi^g those delicate attentions, which cost far less, indeed, but to an honorable mind are of greater value, than more substantial benefits. He conciliated the good-will of the Italian states by various important services ; of the Vene- tians, by his gallant defence of their possessions in the Levant ; of the people of Rome, by delivering 29 Two of the mostdislinguislied tary on the military reputation of of these wore the Colonnas, Pros- the latter, is the fact, that he is pero and Fnlirizio, of wlioni fre- selected by MacliiavcUi as the prin- quent mention lias l)een made in cipal interlocutor in his Dialogues dur narrative. The best commen- on the Art of War.
