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and the republic ofcitizens unaccustomed to arms; both menced to enlist foreigners。The first who gave renown to this soldiery was Alberigo da Conio; anative of the Romagna。 From the school of this man sprang; among others;Braccio and Sforza; who in their time were the arbiters of Italy。 Afterthese came all the other captains who till now have directed the arms ofItaly; and the end of all their valour has been; that she has beenoverrun by Charles; robbed by Louis; ravaged by Ferdinand; and insultedby the Switzers。 The principle that has guided them has been; first; tolower the credit of infantry so that they might increase their own。 Theydid this because; subsisting on their pay and without territory; theywere unable to support many soldiers; and a few infantry did not givethem any authority; so they were led to employ cavalry; with a moderateforce of which they were maintained and honoured; and affairs werebrought to such a pass that; in an army of twenty thousand soldiers;there were not to be found two thousand foot soldiers。 They had; besidesthis; used every art to lessen fatigue and danger to themselves andtheir soldiers; not killing in the fray; but taking prisoners andliberating without ransom。 They did not attack towns at night; nor didthe garrisons of the towns attack encampments at night; they did notsurround the camp either with stockade or ditch; nor did they campaignin the winter。 All these things were permitted by their military rules;and devised by them to av