CHAPTER XVII

1499. Valentino's schemes upon Romagna 379

" Its condition, as detailed by Sismondi 379

" Strictures upon his views 383

" Valentino marches upon Imola 384

" Our last notice of Caterina Riario Sforza 384

" Dec. 31. He takes that town, and goes to Rome 385

1500. Ludovico il Moro carried captive to France 385

" The prodigality of the Borgia 386

" Supplied by sacrilege and simony 387

" Oct. 27. Cesare, supported by the French, seizes Pesaro 388

1501. April 22. And Faenza; murder of its princes 389

" He is made Duke of Romagna 389

" Sismondi's eulogy on his administration 389

" Imitating Machiavelli and Filosseno 390

" But contradicted by Sanuto 391

" The true spirit of his government 392

" Arrested in his designs upon Bologna and Florence 392

" Sept. 3. Seizes upon Piombino 393

" Louis invades Naples 393

" Its partition betwixt France and Spain 394

" Abdication of Federigo of Naples; he retires to France, where he died in 1504 394

1503. His kingdom passes to Spain 394

1501. New crimes and intrigues of the Borgia 395

" Lucrezia's fourth marriage to the Prince of Ferraro 396

1502. Jan. 18. She visits Urbino on her way home 397

" Her reformed life 397

1519. June. Letter of condolence on her death 397