[Footnote 79: CIBRARIO, _Economia Politica del Medio Evo_.] This description might be justly applied to the Montefeltrian holdings under most of their early counts, but a brighter day dawned upon the duchy with Federigo's accession, and Urbino had the singular fortune during the next hundred and ninety years, and under the sway of two dynasties numbering five sovereigns, to be equally exempt from oppression and disorder, from domestic broils and disputed successions; to be governed by princes not less beloved at home than respected abroad, whose brows might be graced by olive or laurel, according to the spirit or the exigencies of the time, but who ever entwined with it the myrtle wreath. The policy and manners of Federigo, equally prudent and conciliatory, confirmed the favourable anticipations previously formed, and are thus depicted by his contemporary Sanzi:-- "His flower of youth was bursting into bloom; Mild beyond measure, merciful and just, Fervent in piety, in counsel sage; Heedless of thirst or hunger, cold or heat; Unworn by watching, vigorous his frame, Gladsome his gentle mien; prompt to obey, Or play the master as the case may be, Or to persuade: rare gifts in warrior bold! Wary and watchful in his generalship, The hearts of e'en his foes he knew to win By kind forbearance in the battle field. From anger, pride, and avarice exempt, But courteous, liberal, eloquent, and true, In him each lofty grace spontaneous grew."