334 WARS AND POLITICS OF ITALY. PART had contributed nothing to these operations, except ^ — by his diversion on the side of Naples, where he possessed himself without difficulty of the cities allotted to his share. They were the cheapest, and if not the most valuable, were the most permanent acquisitions of the war, being reincorporated in the monarchy of Naples. Resolution Thcu followed the memorable decree, by which of Venice. ' •J Venice released her continental provinces from their allegiance, authorizing them to provide in any way they co«ld for their safety; a measure, which, whether originating in panic or policy, was perfect- ly consonant with the latter. ^^ The confederates, who had remained united during the chase, soon quarrelled over the division of the spoil. Ancient jealousies revived. The republic, with cool and consummate diplomacy, availed herself of this state of feeling. Pope Julius, who had gained all that he had pro- posed, and was satisfied with the humiliation of Venice, now felt all his former antipathies and dis- trust of the French return in full force. The rising flame was diligently fanned by the artful emissaries of the republic, who at length effected a reconcilia- by his more polished son, accom- ^~ Foreign historians impute this panied his master, Louis XII., on measure to the former motive, the his Italian expedition, as his poet Venetians to the latter. The cool chronicler ; and the subject has and deliberate conduct of this gov- elicited occasionally some sparks of ernment, from which ail passion, to poetic fire, though struck out with use the language of the abbe Du a rude hand. The poem is so con- Bos, seems to have been banished, scientious in its facts and dates, may authorize our acquiescence in that it is commended by a French the statement most flattering to the critic, as the most exact record of national vanity. See the discussion the Italian campaign. Ibid. Re- apud Ligue de Cambray, pp. 126 marques, p. 16. et seq.
