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עז

A. D. 1527-REVOLT OF FLORENCE.

69

682. And in the twenty-eighth day of the month of April, in the year one thousand five hundred and twenty-seven, the inhabitants of Florence arose, all the people of every quarter, and took the castle, and shook the yoke of the Medici from off them: and the host of Bourbon was very near to them. And Hippolito di Medici, and the Cardinal Cortona, returned from visiting the chief captains of the confederate armies, that were encamped in the suburbs of the city round about; and they went into the castle, and sware not to stretch forth their hand against the rebels; and they gave the castle into their hands. And Bourbon refused to go thither, because of the host of the confederates which was near him. And he removed from the mountain of Vargio*, and marched; and in four days he entered the gates of Rome, and he knew not that there were giants† there.

683. And the commanders of the confederate armies went after him by another way, but without success; and Bourbon passed before them, and encamped against the city round about. And he arrayed his host in Belvideret; and he spake kindly to the men of war, and said to them, "It has been certainly announced to me,

.מהב וארגיאו *

Bourbon knew not the valor of,ולא ידע כי רפאים שם + .בילוידיר !

Comp. Gen. vi. 4.

the Roman Garrison.

עז

68

DORIA DEFEATS THE SPANIARDS.

the viceroy went to Florence, and they did according to all he had written; and he turned from them and went his way.

680. Now the host of Bourbon went on their journey, and passed over the mountains; and the spirit of the people became weary on the road; and they went to Arezzo*, which is in Tuscany, and encamped there. And they met the host of the viceroy which came from Rome, and he honored him much, and saved his life from destruction; for his men arose against him, and Bourbon saved him from their hand at that time. And they assembled together, and the viceroy went unto the borders of Sienna†, and remained there several days.

And

681. And twenty-two great ships came from Spain, and in them were many troops. the men of Genoa prepared ships to ships to meet them. And it came to pass, on a day, that they came against Genoa, when the ships of the confederates were arrayed against it; and Andrea Doria went out to them with his six ships, and they fired guns upon them. And one of them went down into the deep like a stone; and the rest fled, for they were confounded before them. And the famine was sore in Genoa at that time.

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עז

A. D. 1527-REVOLT OF FLORENCE.

69

682. And in the twenty-eighth day of the month of April, in the year one thousand five hundred and twenty-seven, the inhabitants of Florence arose, all the people of every quarter, and took the castle, and shook the yoke of the Medici from off them: and the host of Bourbon was very near to them. And Hippolito di Medici, and the Cardinal Cortona, returned from visiting the chief captains of the confederate armies, that were encamped in the suburbs of the city round about; and they went into the castle, and sware not to stretch forth their hand against the rebels; and they gave the castle into their hands. And Bourbon refused to go thither, because of the host of the confederates which was near him. And he removed from the mountain of Vargio*, and marched; and in four days he entered the gates of Rome, and he knew not that there were giants there.

683. And the commanders of the confederate armies went after him by another way, but without success; and Bourbon passed before them, and encamped against the city round about. And he arrayed his host in Belvideret; and he spake kindly to the men of war, and said to them, "It has been certainly announced to me,

.מהב וארגיאו

Bourbon knew not the valor of,ולא ידע כי רפאים שם + .בילווידיר !

the Roman Garrison. Comp. Gen. vi. 4.

70

A. D. 1527-BOURBON KILLED.

עז

that I must die when I war against this populous city, and who knoweth but at this time I have reached thither; it is the will of God, who doeth whatever is pleasing [] in his sight; for when the body goeth down into the dust, the soul returneth to God who gave it; and there shall remain of it an everlasting name which shall never be cut off." So they abode there that night, and his sleep left his eyes all the night until perfect day, and he went to review his armies; for his heart was like unto the heart of a lion.

684. And it came to pass, on the first day of Pentecost, in the year two hundred and eightyseven, of the small number, which is the sixth day of the month of May in the year one thousand five hundred and twenty-seven, that Bourbon approached the city, clothed in a scaly coat of mail, to view the walls; and the artillerymen shot, and wounded him in his side, and he fell to the ground. And he commanded his servants, saying, "Take me away out of the road, and throw a garment over me, lest the courage of those who come to me be softened, so that they stop." And his servants did to him according as he had commanded them; and he died. And when he was taken out of the road, all the people of the host passed and approached the city, and warred against it with a mighty hand; and it was dark,

עח

ASSAULT ON ROME.

71

cloudy, and misty, at that time; and they who were in the midst of it warred, and filled their hand, and the earth shook at the noise of the cannons. And the commanders of the emperor's hosts shouted aloud and spake kindly to the men of war; and they warred round about the city, and the groanings of the sons of death were heard from afar, and much people died at that time. And they blew with trumpets and tabrets; and the earth was rent at their noise. And they cast down the walls; and the Germans came into the city. And many princes and honorable men of the land fell at that time; and the Spaniards came, and shouted out with a loud voice, "Sword! Sword!" And the Romans fled before them, and fell in the streets, and they trampled upon them with horses so that they died. And they raised the draw-bridges of the fortress at that time, and much people died there. And men exercised in war gathered themselves in Ponte Sisto to watch, lest the Spaniards should pass. And there were about two hundred men riding on horses. And they slew many of the Spaniards, and many fell slain to the ground, and the city became desolate; and Monte Giordano†, and part of Monte Fiore‡ they set on fire, and

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