436 OF THE STATE OF EUROPE. 



between Spain and France, being neighbour to them 

 both, unless some accident do counsel him to declare 

 himself in behalf of either. Therefore both those 

 princes go about by marriage to have him nearer 

 allied to them. His mother was sister to King 

 Francis the Great; his father being expulsed his 

 dominions by the French, was restored by the King 

 of Spain, with whom while he lived he had strait 

 intelligence. As yet his inclination doth not appear, 

 he retaineth his father s alliances with Venice, espe 

 cially in Italy, and with the emperor. With Florence 

 he hath question for pre-eminence. 



His revenues are judged to a million of crowns 

 yearly ; now he is in arms against Geneva, and 

 guarded against Bern. 



Of free estates, Lucca the least, is under the 

 protection of the King of Spain : small in territory : 

 the city itself well fortified and provided, because of 

 the doubt they have of the Duke of Florence. 



Genoa is recommended to the King of Spain, 

 their galleys serve under him, and the chiefest of 

 their city are at his devotion. Though there is a 

 faction for the French, whereto he doth hearken so 

 weakly, that the Spaniard is there all in all ; by 

 whom that state in few years hath made a marvellous 

 gain. And the King of Spain hath great need of 

 their friendship for their ports, where embark and 

 land all men, and whatsoever is sent between Spain 

 and Milan. 



They hold Corsica an island, and Savona a fair 



