Page:The Prince.djvu/267

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152
THE PRINCE.

that Italy should see her chains broken. With what demonstrations of joy and gratițude would not those unfortunate provinces, who have so long groaned under an odious yoke, receive their deliverer! What city would shut their gates against him, and what people would be so blind as to refuse to obey him? What rivals would he have to dread ? Is there one Italian who would not hasten to pay him homage? All are weary of the tyranny of these barbarians. May your illustrious house, strong in al the hopes which justice gives our cause, deign to form so noble an enterprise, so that, marching under your standards, our nation may resume its ancient splendor, and that, under your Kuspices, she may sing with Petrarch:

Virtu contr'al furore
Prendera l'arme et sia il combatter corto
Che l'antico valore
Ne gl' Italici vuor non è ancor morto.