It has been said of the Italians of the Renaissance that with so much of unfairness in their policy, there was an extraordinary degree of fairness in their intellects. They were as direct in thought as they were tortuous in action and could see no wickedness in deceiving a man whom they intended to destroy. To such a charge--if charge it be--Machiavelli would have willingly owned himself answerable. He observed, in order to know, and he wished to use his knowledge for the advancement of good. To him the means were indifferent, provided only that they were always apt and moderate in accordance with necessity, A surgeon has no room for sentiment: in such an operator pity were a crime. It is his to examine, to probe, to diagnose, flinching at no ulcer, sparing neither to himself or to his patient. And if he may not act, he is to lay down very clearly the reasons which led to his conclusions and to state the mode by which life itself may be saved, cost what amputation and agony it may. This was Machiavelli's business, and he applied his eye, his brains, and his knife with a relentless persistence, which, only because it was so faithful, was not called heroic. And we know that he suffered in the doing of it and that his heart was sore for his patient. But there was no other way. His record is clear and shining. He has been accused of no treachery, of no evil action. His patriotism for Italy as a fatherland, a dream undreamt by any other, never glowed more brightly than when Italy lay low in shame, and ruin, and despair. His faith never faltered, his spirit never shrank. And the Italy that he saw, through dark bursts of storm, broken and sinking, we see to-day riding in the sunny haven where he would have her to be. HENRY CUST. CONTENTS PAGE THE ARTE OF WARRE 1 THE PRINCE 251 THE ARTE OF WARRE WRITTEN FIRST IN ITALIAN BY NICHOLAS MACHIAVELL AND SET FORTHE IN ENGLISHE BY PETER WHITEHORNE STUDIENT AT GRAIES INNE WITH AN ADDICION OF OTHER LIKE MARCIALLE FEATES AND EXPERIMENTES AS IN A TABLE IN THE ENDE OF THE BOOKE MAIE APPERE 1560 _Menfss. Iulij_. TO THE MOSTE HIGHE, AND EXCELLENT PRINCES, ELIZABETH, by the Grace of God, Quene of Englande, Fraunce, and Irelande, defender of the faithe, and of the Churche of Englande, and Irelande, on yearth next under God, the supreme Governour.