e people of thiscountry； it appears to me that so many things concur to favour a newprince that I never knew a time more fit than the present。And if； as I said； it was necessary that the people of Israel should becaptive so as to make manifest the ability of Moses； that the Persiansshould be oppressed by the Medes so as to discover the greatness of thesoul of Cyrus； and that the Athenians should be dispersed to illustratethe capabilities of Theseus： then at the present time； in order todiscover the virtue of an Italian spirit； it was necessary that Italyshould be reduced to the extremity she is now in； that she should bemore enslaved than the Hebrews； more oppressed than the Persians； morescattered than the Athenians； without head； without order； beaten；despoiled； torn； overrun； and to have endured every kind of desolation。Although lately some spark may have been shown by one； which made usthink he was ordained by God for our redemption； nevertheless it wasafterwards seen； in the height of his career； that fortune rejected him；so that Italy； left as without life； waits for him who shall yet healher wounds and put an end to the ravaging and plundering of Lombardy； tothe swindling and taxing of the kingdom and of Tuscany； and cleansethose sores that for long have festered。 It is seen how she entreats Godto send someone who shall deliver her from these wrongs and barbarousinsolencies。 It is seen also that she is ready and willing to follow abanner if only someone will raise it。Nor is there to be seen at present one in whom she can place more hopethan in your illustrious house； with its valour and fortune； favoured byGod and by the Church of which it is now the chief； and which could bemade the head of this redemption。 This will not be difficult if you willrecall to yoursel