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sovereign of the whole country。 But so contrary are the views of men；
that he took a directly opposite course。 Alfonso was a man of great
sagacity； and as soon as an opportunity presented itself of
communicating with Filippo； he proved to him how completely he
contravened his own interests； by favoring Ren？and opposing himself；
for it would be the business of the former； on becoming king of
Naples； to introduce the French into Milan； that in an emergency he
might have assistance at hand； without the necessity of having to
solicit a passage for his friends。 But he could not possibly secure
this advantage without effecting the ruin of the duke； and making his
dominions a French province； and that the contrary of all this would
result from himself becoming lord of Naples； for having only the
French to fear； he would be compelled to love and caress； nay even to
obey those who had it in their power to open a passage for his
enemies。 That thus the title of king of king of Naples would be with
himself （Alfonso）； but the power and authority with Filippo； so that
it was much more the duke's business than his own to consider the
danger of one course and the advantage of the other； unless he rather
wished to gratify his private prejudices than to give security to his
dominions。 In the one case he would be a free prince； in the other；
placed between two powerful sovereigns； he would either be robbed of
his territories or live in constant fear； and have to obey them like a
slave。 These arguments so greatly influenced the duke； that； changing
his design； he set Alfonso at liberty； sent him honorably to Genoa and
then to Naples。 From thence the king went to Gaeta； which as soon as
his liberation had become known； was taken possession of by some
nobles of his party。
The Genoese； seeing that the duke； without the least regard for them；
had liberated the king； and gained credit to himself through the
dangers and expense which they had incurred； that he enjoyed all the
honor of the liberation； and they were themselves exposed to the odium
of the capture； and the injuries consequent upon the king's defeat；
were greatly exasperated。 In the city of Genoa； while in the enjoyment
of her liberty； a magistrate is created with the consent of the
people； whom they call the Doge； not that he is absolutely a prince；
or that he alone has the power of determining matters of government；
but that； as the head of the state； he proposes those questions or
subjects which have to be considered and determined by the magistrates
and the councils。 In that city are many noble families so powerful；
that they are with great difficulty induced to submit to the authority
of the law。 Of these； the most powerful are the Fregosa and the
Adorna； from whom arise the dissensions of the city； and the impotence
of her civil regulations； for the possession of this high office being
contested by means inadmissible in well…regulated communities； and
most commonly with arms in their hands； it always occurs that one
party is oppressed and the other triumphant； and sometimes those who
fail in the pursuit have recourse to the arms of strangers； and the
country they are not allowed to rule they subject to foreign
authority。 Hence it happens； that those who govern in Lombardy most
commonly command in Genoa； as occurred at the time Alfonso of Aragon
was made prisoner。 Among the leading Genoese who had been instrumental
in subjecting the republic to Filippo； was Francesco Spinola； who；
soon after he had reduced his country to bondage； as always happens in
such cases； became suspected by the duke。 Indignant at this； he
withdrew to a sort of voluntary exile at Gaeta； and being there when
the naval expedition was in preparation； and having conducted himself
with great bravery in the action； he thought he had again merited so
much of the duke's confidence as would obtain for him permission to
remain undisturbed at Genoa。 But the duke still retained his
suspicions； for he could not believe that a vacillating defender of
his own country's liberty would be faithful to himself； and Francesco
Spinola resolved again to try his fortune； and if possible restore
freedom to his country； and honorable safety for himself； for he was
there was no probability of regaining the forfeited affection of his
fellow…citizens； but by resolving at his own peril to remedy the
misfortunes which he had been so instrumental in producing。 Finding
the indignation against the duke universal； on account of the
liberation of the king； he thought the moment propitious for the
execution of his design。 He communicated his ideas to some whom he
knew to be similarly inclined； and his arguments ensured their
co…operation。
The great festival of St。 John the Baptist being come； when Arismeno；
the new governor sent by the duke； was to enter Genoa； and he being
already arrived； accompanied by Opicino； the former governor； and many
Genoese citizens； Francesco Spinola thought further delay improper；
and； issuing from his house with those acquainted with his design； all
armed； they raised the cry of liberty。 It was wonderful to see how
eagerly the citizens and people assembled at the word； so that those
who for any reason might be favorable to Filippo； not only had no time
to arm； but scarcely to consider the means of escape。 Arismeno； with
some Genoese； fled to the fortress which was held for the duke；
Opicino； thinking that if he could reach the palace； where two
thousand men were in arms； and at his command； he might be able either
to effect his own safety； or induce his friends to defend themselves；
took that direction； but before he arrived at the piazza he was slain；
his body divided into many pieces and scattered about the city。 The
Genoese having placed the government in the hands of free magistrates；
in a few days recovered the castle； and the other strongholds
possessed by the duke； and delivered themselves entirely from his
yoke。
These transactions； though at first they had alarmed the princes of
Italy with the apprehension that the duke would become too powerful；
now gave them hope； seeing the turn they had taken； of being able to
restrain him； and； notwithstanding the recent league； the Florentines
and Venetians entered into alliance with the Genoese。 Rinaldo degli
Albizzi and the other leading Florentine exiles； observing the altered
aspect of affairs； conceived hopes of being able to induce the duke to
make war against Florence； and having arrived at Milan； Rinaldo
addressed him in the following manner： 〃If we； who were once your
enemies； come now confidently to supplicate your assistance to enable
us to return to our country； neither you； nor anyone； who considers
the course and vicissitudes of human affairs； can be at all surprised；
for of our past conduct toward yourself and our present intentions
toward our country； we can adduce palpable and abundant reasons。 No
good man will ever reproach another who endeavors to defend his
country； whatever be his mode of doing so； neither have we had any
design of injuring you； but only to preserve our country from
detriment； and we appeal to yourself； whether； during the greatest
victories of our league； when you were really desirous of peace； we
were not even more anxious for it than yourself； so that we do not
think we have done aught to make us despair altogether of favor from
you。 Nor can our country itself complain that we now exhort you to use
those arms against her； from which we have so pertinaciously defended
her； for that state alone merits the love of all her citizens； which
cares with equal affection for all； not one that favors a few； and
casts from her the great mass of her children。 Nor are the arms that
men use against their country to be universally condemned； for
communities； although composed of many； resemble individual bodies；
and as in these； many infirmities arise which cannot be cured without
the application of fire or of steel； so in the former； there often
occur such numerous and great evils； that a good and merciful citizen；
when there is a necessity for the sword； would be much more to blame
in leaving her uncured； than by using this remedy for her
preservation。 What greater disease can afflict a republic than
slavery？ and what remedy is more desirable for adoption than the one
by which alone it can be effectually removed？ No wars are just but
those that are necessary； and force is merciful when it presents the
only hope of relief。 I know not what necessity can be greater than
ours； or what compassion can exceed that which rescues our country
from slavery。 Our cause is therefore just； and our purpose merciful；
as both yourself and we may be easily convinced。 The amplest justice
is on your side； for the Florentines have not hesitated； after a peace
concluded with so much solemnity； to enter into league with those who
have rebelled against you； so that if our cau