《君主论·第十二章·军队有多少种·论雇佣军》第3节
“With chalk in hand,” “col gesso.” This is one of the bons mots of Alexander VI, and refers to the ease with which Charles VIII seized Italy, implying that it was only necessary for him to send his quartermasters to chalk up the billets for his soldiers to conquer the country. Cf. “The History of Henry VII,” by Lord Bacon: “King Charles had conquered the realm of Naples, and lost it again, in a kind of a felicity of a dream. He passed the whole length of Italy without resistance: so that it was true what Pope Alexander was wont to say: That the Frenchmen came into Italy with chalk in their hands, to mark up their lodgings, rather than with swords to fight.” I wish to demonstrate further the infelicity of these arms. The mercenary captains are either capable men or they are not; if they are, you cannot trust them, because they always aspire to their own greatness, either by oppressing you, who are their master, or others contrary to your intentions; but if the captain is not skilful, you are ruined in the usual way.
注释摘要
这段文字中那句著名的俏皮话，出自教皇亚历山大六世之口。这位出身博尔贾家族的教皇以玩世不恭的机智著称，他说法王查理八世的军队“拿着粉笔”进入意大利，指的是法军只需用粉笔在沿途房屋上画标记、分配士兵的住处，就轻松占领了这片土地，根本不需要动用刀剑。他所讽刺的，正是意大利各邦国在军事上的极度虚弱。查理八世1494年率军南下，从那不勒斯王国一路北上至米兰，几乎没有…