Thus the Kyng hauing gotten the space of the whole nexte daye , and tymely ouertaking the vauntgard , encamped at Foronouo . Betwéene the two Campes ranne the riuer of Tarro , whyche falling down violently from the stiepe Appenine Mountaynes into the enclosed valleys beneath , with a rocky and vnequall Channell , at length hauing gotten the open fields , runneth into the Po. The Venetians encamped on the left side on the broader banke of the Riuer , not farre from the Village Appiano , in the lower grounde : but the Frenchmen on the right , hauing on their lefte hande the Towne Medesano , and being on the higher hylles , they myghte easely see the Camp of their enimies , which by reason of the great number of tentes pitched round about , gaue a shew vnto the eyes of the wondering Frenchmen of a very great army .

When the King saw himselfe and his army brought into suche a place , as out whereof there was no hope left to escape , vnlesse victorie ▪ became his guide : to assay the intents and mindes of the Prouiditori , he sente an Herald to request of them truce for certaine dayes . For Hercules the Duke of Ferrara , fauoring the engrafted lingering of the Prouiditori , had a little before written for a most certaynetie , ( thereby to stay the stomackes of the King , and the French Captaynes all dismayde with that vnlooked for martiall prouision and furniture of their enimies ) that neyther the Prouiditori , nor his sonne in lawe the Marques , had any authoritie or commission from the Senate to fyghte a generall battell . The Herald being brought vnto the Prouiditori and Captaines , saide , that his maister did greately wonder , that the Venetians , whome he had not prouoked by any iniurie , were come with suche a power of warlike menne to impeache his returne into France , that his Maiestie did request , according vnto the iust lawe of nations , that with truce they would help his army , as it trauayled , with victuals for money , and suffer them with quiet iourney to passe into France : if they would thus doe , then his maiestie was to giue greate thankes vnto the Seigniorie of Venice and their Captaynes , but if they would not , then the French Souldiours would not onely open a way for themselues by true prowesse , but also make a causey for theyr King wyth the slayne carcasses of the withstanders . To whome aunswere was made in fewe words , if that Kyng Charles woulde abandon hys counsels and purposes of conquering Italy , and withdrawe his garrisons out of Ostia ( the Hauen of Rome ) and Nouara , and marche without doyng of anye hurte , he should haue frée passage to goe his way , but if he neglected so to do , then also the Venetians woulde not neglect the iniuries done vnto theyr alies , and as they were bounde by the league , pursue wyth sword the publike enimie of all Italy . The Heralde who had curiously viewed almost all things in the Italian Camp , being returned vnto the King , tolde many thyngs wofully and fearefully of the scituation and munition of their Camp , of the number , the furniture , and chéerefulnesse of the Italian Souldyers : in somuch that the Kyng hymselfe , and manye of the Captaynes , as men attached with a supreme care , séemed to doubt of the safetie of themselues , and of all the armie , for in discoursing and consulting , some were of the minde , that it were best to returne backe vnto Pisa , and being ioyned with the Florentines , chose the seate for the warres in Toscan : Other hauing no regard of dishonor , counselled spéedely to crosse the vales of the Appenine , and hast to Asti , leauing behinde them both cariages and ordinance : the rest willed no consideration to bée hadde of the Duke of Orleans , but the King to compounde with the enimie , who dyd ouermatche them in all thyngs , so that they myghte thereby assuredly prouide for the safetie of the Kyng and hys whole army . Finally there were fewe , who thought that the life and libertie of the King was rashly to be putte into the daunger of vnequall fyghte , when there was no man founde that béeyng more wofull for the Kings safetie , than for his owne , was not of the opinion , that the euent of the battell woulde bée farre worse than all other things : in somuch that they séemed vnable eyther to fynde ende to theyr aduices , or assured meane to saue the armye in that daunger . But then they reporte that Trivulzi , on whome specially all mens eyes were cast , dyd wyth the great expectation of all menne speake in this manner . They that doe consulte of the doubtfull chaunces of warfare at suche tyme as perill is present , ought to fetche that one way and meane , both of safetie and also of victorie , which is only lest from stoutenesse of courage , & fearelesse hearte , for when force doth most vrge in a matter , and there is most néede both of stoute aduice and couragious aduenture , there a man to abate his stomacke , & dismisse his minde , and to be attainted wyth feare , is both shameful , and also most times pernicious : but yet the same séemeth to be muche more dishonorable & vntimely , when that by ouer wofully weighing and pondering the perils , we do make and imagine them to be greater & worse than they are indéede . Diuers that haue spoken before me , graue men , and ( whych byndeth greater credite vnto their words ) very couragious and valiaunt warriours , haue doubted , and that too very vehemently , of the safetie of you , most inuincible Soueraigne , and of your whole army : that is to witte , by rehearsing what penurie of thyngs and famine do hang ouer both men and Horses , what asperities of places , what streightes doe hinder our iourney , and pull from valiant men the vse of prowesse : and finally what kinde , and how great an armye of oure enimies do foreshutte and stoppe the wayes agaynste vs , béeyng fewe in number , and wéeryed with the toyle of so great a iourney , that we may not by any meanes escape , so that it is better to trye all other wayes , than wyth despayred victorie by contending with force , to hazard the whole , as though ( as it liketh some , ) that to the ende we may escape vnto the safe Alpes , the most noble and alwayes victorious King should take a most dishonorable and lamentable iourney ouer the Mountaynes of Liguria , ( all the baggage of the army , and the great ordinance being by secrete and shamefull flighte lest behinde for oure enimies : ) or else that we turne oure backes towards them , and returne againe vnto Pisa , that anone after our enimies enuironing vs both by sea & land , we being tamed by famine and yéelded , may be a laughing stocke vnto that whole world . Neither also do I like of the aduice that your Maiestie should by a shamefull composition obteine of your armed enimies a safe returne into France . For by what other faith shall we assure ourselues all things to be peaceable , than by the selfesame whereby euen now they so impudently brake the late leagues ? But in this let vs credite the perfidious , for they also do somtime vse to kéepe their faith giuen , that they may afterward deceiue more timely , & with greater gaine . By this vnhappie couenanting are not so many valiaunt men that do nobly defende the kingdome of Naples , beyng destitute of all hope of help , forsaken , and also betrayed vnto their most cruell enimies ? and if the garrison be withdrawen out of Nouara , shal not the course that is begun to a more ample victorie be vtterly interrupted and cut off ? Doubtlesse I see , that the same one only counsell is both safe and honorable , whiche dothe séeme vnto other most hard and daungerous , namely , that abandoning all thought of peace or flighte , wée make vs a way with our swords : Neither bycause that I do promise that in the successe all things will be easie for you , nor do despaire of the victorie , would I séeme to foresée in mind more than the rest , and more arrogantly to forefeele the whole euent of thys instante matter , for this may be graunted not vnto my witte , but vnto my practise in warfare , and experience of Italian affayres , sith that for the space of these many yeares , I haue bin presente in all the warres of Italy , whereby it was not hard for me aboundantly to learne the counsels , mindes , artes , and the verye discipline , both of the Princes , and also the Captaines and souldyers thereof : all which things haue at the length with my often not obscure perils , so taught and instructed me , that they haue made mée neyther , foolishe-hardie , nor altogither fearefull . First of all wyll not I beléeue that whiche doth so vehemently feare their hartes , that are moued with the greatenesse of the daunger , that is , that the Venetians will of their owne accorde bidde vs battell , for besides that ye vnderstand by the letters of certaine , that the Lieutenantes and Captaynes haue no commission from the Senate to fight , who will beléeue that a people of nature giuen long to linger and draw forth warres , will for an other mans cause ; without any their necessitie , hazard all their power in a pitched fielde : for it is too too foolishe for a common wealth that doth flourish in euerlasting wyse Counsellours , and ryches that cannot bee consumed , to couet gay triumphes by a doubtfull and bloudy battell , when they may , and not rashly looke for the mature and certayn victorie of the vniuersall warres , that are not feared with the great charges of them . Neyther indéede do I thinke that Lewes Sforza , a man of nature fearefull , suspitious , and very wary , dothe earnestly labour by his secret counsel , to haue the french power quite destroyed by the Venetians . For what other ende will there come of that victorie ( which God forfende ) than that the Duchie of Milan become a bootie vnto the Venetian victor , which they by inuading and tearing with impotent armes , haue alwayes with singular couetousnesse desired ? But admitte that Lewes will do nothing to day as a wise and wary man , and that the Venetians by a new and suddayne counsell wil committe the Empire of Italy to the arbitrement of doubtfull Mars : is there any doubt therefore ( couragious Soueraigne Charles ) to be made of the victorie ? let vayne feares departe from valiant heartes , séeyng that all things that euery good Chiefetaine doth wish to haue when he shall fight , do promise vnto vs vndoubted hope of good successe . Firste of all , a cause passing good , faithfull and olde Souldyers , greate store of ordinance , a very indifferents place , and finally regarde of none other thing , but common safetie and glory . The prowesse of the Italian Souldyers héere to day neyther do I debase nor extoll , for I should do loudly or impudently , if I should vtter my iudgement thereof , so that kéeping still my shamefastnesse vnuiolated , I doubt not to confesse and affirme this one thing , that we shal deale with an army of fresh water Souldiers , and of Omnigatherum : for the greatest part of those Horsemen whom we sée glistering in their crestes and armoure , haue neuer put on armour before , but at a pomp , when that armes were mustered , and in sporting fightes and shewes : nor euer heard sound of Trumpet : for indéede , there haue bin no warres in Italy these many yeares , nor no iust and bloudy battell foughten : but the footemen will not only not susteyne the force of the Almayne Esquadron , but being inferiour both in armour , weapons , and courage , will not abide so much as the sight of them , comming vpon them with so great order and array . Then there remayneth that we do greately feare the artes and suttle policies of some olde beaten Chiefetaine . Alas what ambushe will he lay , or with what array will he bring forth his army through the incommondious fordes of the rough riuer , to inuade vs marching in array of battell ? a springall Chiefetayne that neuer sawe Campe of Souldyers besydes this of hys owne , wherevnto he is preferred rather for the title of his name , than for merite of tryed prowesse ? Therefore mine opinion is ( inuincible Kyng ) that we marche on still forwarde as we haue begun , and your maiestie shall doe well , if that you do adhort the Souldyers not to doubt of the euent of the battell , and to contemne their enimies . The baggage of the army being sente away a little distance from the armed rankes on the left hande towards the hilles , woulde I purposely obiect to be ryfled by the enimie , who is more gréedy of pillage than of fight . On the ryghte hande towardes the ryuer , let the greate ordinance be placed agaynst the enimies . I with my college Gien will leade the fore warde ; and the way , and béeyng néerest to daunger , wyll valiantly endeuour , that it nothing repent youre hyghnesse to haue followed this counsell : the rest of the martiall charges lette the Captaynes ( and specially the auntient ) parte amongst them , and lette them marche forward vnto victorie with the armye prepared for both chaunces of battell and trauayle : for neyther their wonted vertue , nor youre fortune shall fayle them , who being made noble by perpetuall victories , haue learned to fight valiantly , yea , and if it were but for only glory .

After that Trivulzi had pronounced this Oration , with a countenance full of confidence , no man almost séemed ( although in some of their heartes feare were fettled ) which did not chéerefully assent to his sentence , and swore that they woulde not departe the fielde but victors . Then Charles disposing hys Horsemen , to represse from all partes the Greekes , who almost euery houre with great cryes , stirred vp sundry tumultes in his Camp , and watching almost the whole night , the next morrow as soone as it was fayre day , brake his fast , and commaunded the Souldyers to doe the same , and to prepare both their bodyes and hartes as well to fight , as to march forward : and not long after he béeing cladde rather in strong , than fayre armoure , mounted on Horsebacke , enuironed with seauen yong Gentlemen of approued fidelitie and prowes , armed , apointed , and trimmed in all poyntes like vnto him selfe . As hée set forward , the Souldyers saluted him with so chéerefull voices and gesture , that they interrupted him when he began to encourage them : besieching hym to haue no doubt of the victorie , whiche they had now in their hands . For when he was on Horsebacke , he séemed to be taller and more liuely than he was indéede : for of nature he was a very little man , and by reason of his olde disease , weake , and not strong legged to goe on foote , but then he looked lyke vnto a valiant and fearelesse Souldioure , for his face , eyes , and specially hys hawkes beked nose . There guarded him on both sides two companies of noble Horsemenne , with whome were intermingled the guard of Scottes . Moreouer , Mathew the bastard of Burbon , in whom the Kyng reposed very greate trust , and Robinet Framesell , the valiant conductor of the Duke of Orleans his men of armes , enuironed him with theyr companyes of Horsemen , one on the right side , and the other on the left . There followed aboute a two furlongs behinde them , the thirde and the last battell , the conduct whereof had Foix , a noble man of Guien , and Seignieur de Trimouille , who afterward for his great actes , became a renowmed Chiefetayne . With them was a great power of excellent Horsemen . But in the vantgarde were séene the Esquadrons of the Switzers and Almaynes , their chiefest hope and strength , and the great ordinance . The Marshall Gien and Trivulzi marched before with a companie of light Horsemen , to shew the way vnto them that followed . An arrow shot behinde them followed the Switzers and Almaynes , to whome their Colonels Gilbert of Cleue , and Antony Bassey , men skilfull of their tungs , had promised in the Kings name treble pay , if that they saued the King by their faithfull and valiant handes .

Wyth them on the left hand were ioyned the Gascoignes , Archibalistes , and almost thrée hundred archers of the guarde , who thorough vnlucky counsell , had sent away theyr Horses , and marched on foote , that they might shoote the more strongly . But the greate ordinance béeyng drawen with equall pace close to the batallion of the footemen , were placed againste the riuer , and the battels of their enimies . The drudges of the army , and all the rascall rable marched with the ●uggage towards the hylles on the left hande : but the Marques who hadde determined if the Frenchmen hadde bent● on the ●este hande towardes Medesano , which was the way vnto Dertono , to pursue them on the backe wyth all hys power : when he sawe them come downe from Foronouo in array of battell , thinking it not good any longer to stay , vsing the counsell of olde Souldyers , araunged his battels in this order .

All his whole host was deuided into nine battels , the number of his men were aboue two thousand four hundred men of armes , a few lesse than two thousand lighte Horsemen , and about twelue thousand footemen .

In the first battell was Peter Dodo a Venetian with sixe hundred Gréeke Horsemen , and Alesso Beicacuto with almost so many Archers on Horsebacke , who did not vse bowes of woode as did the Frenchmen , but crossebowes of yron . To them it was enioyned to compasse the hylles on the backe of their enimies , and to charge the left side of the vantgard , and by skirmishing , to stay the marching Frenchmen from their intended iourney .

In the seconde battell was the Earle of Giazza with the power of Milan for this consideration , that as soone as Trivulzi and Gien were encountring with the lighte Horsemen , he vppon the ryghte side should set vpon them , being then occupyed and troubled . That battell consisted of syxe hundred men of armes , and thrée thousand Almaine and Italian footemen . The Generall hymselfe callyng to him his Vncle Radulph , and Ranuccio Farnesi , with aboute fyue hundreth men of armes , & so many archers , & foure thousand footemen , took vpon him the charge to encounter the midle battel , wherin was the Kyng . But the fourth battell to charge the rerewarde , was assigned vnto Fortebraccio de Montoni . Also thrée battels of succoure were appoynted with very good order indéede , but with a very shamefull euent , so that Antonie de Feltri the bastard of Vrbine , should timely ayde the Generall , when the signall shoulde bée giuen : Aniball Bentiuogli , & Galeazzo Palla●icini when néede required , should follow the Earle of Giazza , and finally Lewes Aduocato , and Fraunces Gambara , Bress●ns , and Soneino Beazono a Gremenese , should attend vpon Montoni . The reason why these battels of succour were ordeined was this : that when euery battell of the Frenchmen béeing entangled with their owne peril , could not succour the nexte being in distresse , they shoulde all of them be at one time beaten downe almost from all partes .

The eyght and ninth battell were placed a little father off , for as ayde against all vncertaine chances . But Taliano Pio , & Charles Meliteo were left with the rest of the armye to guard the Campe . Moreouer , the maisters of the great ordinance were commaunded to plant their ordinance in a long ranke on the banke of the Riuer of Tarro , in as commodious places as coulde be prouided by martiall arte .

When the battels were thus sette in aray , the Marques returned vnto the Prouiditori , who albeit they being suspended with very weightie care , iudged it contrarie vnto the reason and trade of their common wealth , to dareyne battell , yet suche was the chéerefulnesse of the host , singularly well arraunged , and appoynted to fighte , that nowe it repented them of their ouerwary counsell , and were throughly filled both with ioy , and assured hope of victorie . Neither was ther any man honourable , either for his age , or martiall dignitie , that then durst consult with cunctation and suspense , whether the battell were to be aduentured , or openly to make any doubt of obteyning the victorie : for most of the fresh water Souldiers béeyng lifted vp by a certaine hote desire to fight , and a trust reposed in their strength , were so lustie , that if they hearde anye men speake somewhat warely , or considerately in that daunger of the whole state , they openly rayled vppon him with manye reprochful wordes , and called them drawe backes , and feareful dastardes . And it happened , that when Radulph Gonzago sayd , that hée thought the place would be incommodious for them to fighte in , and therefore would haue had it first made euen and leuell , he was streight wayes malapertly scoffed at by Mario Caluisano a goodlye lustie youth , and one in greate fauoure with the Marques : for hée tolde him with vnreuerend spéeche , that they which were so greatly afrayde of their skinne , might do well immediately to get them thence , and shrowde themselues warely within the walles of Parma . I pray God ( quoth Radulph then ) that these foolishe hardie kil●owe princoxes , do valiantly follow me , piercing into the middes of the enimies , for they shall receyue the strokes not of painted and trilling vain stanes , as they do at games , but féele of the strong and sturdy stéele . God graunte we maye embrue these braue cas●●●kes and coates , rather with our enimies , than with oure owne bloud . Radulph indéede was the true and the best Iudge and valure of forraigne warfare : for from his childhoode he had bin one of the Henchmen of Charles the Duke of Burgoigne , and was present at those thrée last battels , in whiche he béeyng at length vanquished , lost hys martiall power , whyche before was feared of all men , and hys Duchie , togyther wyth hys life .

In the meane tyme , when the Frenchmen now drewe néere , and the Souldyers were excited vnto the battell by the often thunder of the great ordinance , the Marques turning hymselfe vnto the Lieutenantes , sayde : If you thynke it for the behoofe of the common weale , that we doe valiantly bridle the foolishe hardinesse of the Frenchmenne , whiche wyth barbarous vanitie doe promise themselues the Empyre of all Italy : we must not long consulte , but nowe when the Fyffe and Trumpettes of oure enimies do call vs , we must out of hande bende oure heartes to fyghte : for if by lingering we shall lette oure enimies escape out of our handes , wée shall not fynde héereafter so good an occasion to oppresse him , and shall in vayne pursue hym béeyng lyght and vncumbred , and wyth wasting all the Countrey hasting through the paineful and blinde pathes to succoure his people at Nouara : I for my part if yée shall commaunde it , will lette the Seigniorie of Venice to vnderstande my seruice , and will stretche all my strength of body and minde , to shewe that the auntient honor is not taken from the Italian Souldiour by forraigne nations , and that thorough oure valiaunce , a most renowmed victorie may be gotten of the prowde enimie for you Venetians , the true and assured setters at libertie of the dignitie of Italy . Therevnto , ( hys college also assentyng ) thus aunswered Triuisano : Go to ( most valiant Generall ) séeyng that you doe testifye wyth surpassing courage , so singular a good wyll towardes the Venetian name , and that the honor of sauing Italy doth instantie you to winne the fruite of euerlasting prayse , commaunde the battell to be sounded ( the whyche I pray God may bée good and fortunate vnto the Seigniorie of Venice , and their confederated felowes ) turne the araunged battels against the enimies , and endeuour by vanquishing valiauntly , that youre house renowned for the perpetuall glistering of auntiente glorye , maye bée made to shyne 〈◊〉 brighte through the honorable title of a newe victorie . And without anye more tarriance at one tyme , the Drummes , Trumpettes and greate ordinance beganne to sounde , and the battels arraunged in suche order as we haue declared , made towarde the enimie thorough the Riuer in thrée places , but they ranne foorth so rashly and vnluckily , that they , who were carried wyth so greate couragiousnesse , were troubled and halfe ouercome by the greate iniquitie of the places , before they coulde come vnto theyr enimies : for the Chanell of Tarro was very yll to passe ouer , full of turnings and windings , and verye muche cumbered wyth Willowes growyng therein , and also the brimmes of both the bankes were very hard both to goe vp and downe . And moreouer , manye quagge myres , and blinde gulfes were made by the greate rayne that fell the daye before . And finally , the Fordes of the Ryuer were euery where stony and vncertayne , through whyche difficultyes ( as it must néedes happen ) the course and force of the passenge●s was greately hyndered . And albeit they were sore annoyed with , these incommodityes , and the greatest parte of them coulde hardly gette out themselues , nor ouertake them whyche marched before , yet they valiantly charged their enimyes , and ranne togyther with Speares and Swordes , and in thrée places attached a hote and variable fight , nowe fortunate to one , and now to the other :

The Frenchmenne hadde stoode still in a place very safe , the whyche on that syde whyche the Italians came , was very vneuen , and cumbered wyth many trées , so that when the Italians clambered vppe the hyll , they foughte ( dispersed with the thicke battels of theyr enimies ) wyth greater force , than arte , and in the ende with aduerse fortune . On the contrary syde , the Frenchemenne makyng theyr battelles thicke and close togyther , and not vnaduisedly stirring out of theyr place , receyued them that charged them , and that done , enuironed them rounde aboute , and wyth theyr shorte Swordes assaying where the blade myghte best enter into the body , did thrust them in , and beate them downe . In the meane tyme , the Gréeke Horsemenne that had inuaded the fore ward , béeyng repelled on all partes by the menne of armes , and their hote spurre Captaynes Annonio and Busichio departed out of the battell wounded , suddainely turning theyr Horses , flewe togyther to rifle the baggage , whiche by the counsell of Trivulzi had bin obiected vnto the enimies , that they béeing occupyed about the spoyle , a more readie and easie passage might be made for the King . There the Lackeys , drudges , Women , straglers , and moyletters were fowly tossed among the beastes , and falling packes , and when they repugned , or sought to saue the goodes , being slayne among them , almost all the baggage was taken and rifled . This tumult caused all the field to ring of the dissonant outcryes of so many nations , by reason whereof , thither ranne al the bandes of footemen that were néere , who béeyng also gréedy of pillage , without shame brake their aray . But then arose there a very bloudy and miserable fight among the ri●●ers themselues , euery man pulling one from another the Kyngs baggage , and the weaker still oppressed by the stronger , were slayne with the pillage in theyr a●mes .

This thing by the consent of all men , brought safetie vnto the frenchmen , for their fore ward when the Greekes once enclined vnto the spoyle , valiantly receyued the charge that the Earle of Gi●zza gaue ouerthwart them , and succoured the second battell that was in distresse , and also the seconde being augmented with strength and courage , repelled the Marques of Mantoa with great slaughter , and ayded the third , which Montoni had disordred . At the last , when the two battels of the Marshall and the Kyng vehemently pressed the Italians on both sides at one time , Radulph and Ranuccio béeyng circumuented in the middes of their enimies were slayne , and also almost all the whole bande of the familiars of the Marques , among whome were many noble menne . There fell also before the Generals eyes Caluisiano , & the band of an C. singular good Souldyers footemen , that had bin chosen to guard the Marques , were slayne , and troden downe . The Marques himselfe ( who with wonderfull prowes had pierced through the middes of the Horsemen , euen vnto the ordinance , and the maisters of them , and the Horses by whome they were drawen , being slaine , had ouerwhelmed with a tempest of Horsemen a bande of Gascoignes appoynted to guarde the ordinance , and also the archers of the Kings guard ) with much adoe got himselfe out of the middes of his enimies , his Horse béeyng gréeuously wounded . For all men did auye , strike at , and pursue him fléeyng throughout the whole battell with a spire of silk in the crest of his helmet .

The same fortune also felte the Italian footemen that were in the Earle of Giazza his battell , for when the formost rankes of them did ( as the manner was then ) shake from the grounde theyr long forkes , stayed vp with their left arme , but the nexte rankes of Souldyers defensed with Targets , hurled Iauelins with broade heads , and the rest after them shotte quarrels out of crossebowes : they were receyued of the Switzers , not only without any feare , but also with slaughter : for they beyng verye skilfully cast into a close Esquadron , dyd lightly contemne that fonde kinde of weapons , and manner of fight , for as soone as euer they approched , almost thrée hundred extraordinarie yong men , who for commendation gotten by extreame perill , are called the Desperates , the Forlorne hopen , leaped for the from both sydes of the Esquadron , and with myghty two hande swordes , beganne to cut off those vnruly pykes , with whose hardinesse almost all the Italians beyng feared , before they expected the impression of the Esquadron , turned theyr backes . In that place one bande of Almaynes , whiche had with great hardinesse inuaded the French Ordinance , and hadde stoutely resisted , was slayne by the furious charge of the Switzers . And withall , a very suddayne showre of rayne , mixed wyth Hayle , thunder , and lightning , did in so apt a time afflicte them béeing foyled , and nowe readye to flée , that God hymselfe séemed to fyghte for the Frenchmen : for the Riuer of Tarro ( whiche a little before ranne as though it had bin dryed vp ) was nowe growen so greate through falles of waters from the Mountaynes and dytches , that neyther they whiche reposed hope of safetie in flyghte , could safely escape , neyther durst the vntouched battels that longed to goe succoure their discomfited fellowes , once passe the Riuer , whiche with swift and violent streame caryed away menne , Horses , armour , weapons and all . Neyther in the meane time did the ordinance ceasse on eyther side , although with doubtfull , but vayne perill , they were often shotte off euen amongst the blended battels . In all this so hard state of things , the Marques forsaketh not himselfe , although he were attached with incredible sorrowe , séeing so many valiant Gentlemen that had come thither onely for good will towardes him , yea and his vncle , enuironed by their enimies , and no succoure to be hoped for . There was on the left hand a déepe ditch of water that ranne downe to certayue corne Milles , into this ditch were both footemen and Horsemen carried by hedlong flight , fowly strugling and striuing togither . The which when the Marques sawe , he changing his Horse , came thither , and rebuking the flight , and staying the ensignes of diuers troupes , he gathered togither one strong band , who although they were sore wéeryed by the sundry incommodities of fight , flight , & finally of raine , yet valiantly renewed the fight , & with slaughter repelled the Frenchmen that pursued them amaine . There Seigneur de Mioll , and the Bastard of Burbon , being wounded by Alesso Beicacuto in the neck , were taken not farre from the King , & diuers renowmed Horsemen of the french side slaine : But the comming of the Erle of Pen●a was a great stay , that they which had first attached the fight , were not quite destroyed , for he being brought prisoner out of Naples , nowe when his kéepers were busied in that daunger of the battell , hadde escaped in the middes of the tumulte vnto the Venetians , and what by telling that the Frenchmen were vanquished and put to flight , and also by cohorting them not to let goe assured victorie out of their handes , he restored vnto the fearefull and fléeyng suche courage , that with the auctoritie of his name , he caused all that he met with , to returne into the battell . But the Frenchmen pursuing the Italians being discomfited and broken by the first and second battels , were empeached by the swollen riuer from winning of an entier victorie , euen as a little before , the rising of the riuer had bin a lette vnto the rerewardes of the Venetians , for following & succoring their disordred formost battels . But this is well knowen , that the Marshall Guien , although Trivulzi and Frances Sicco , the Captaine of the Florentines , vehemently obtesting hym not to suffer an occasion of destroying their enimie to be lost , would not pursue them when they fledde , or goe one foote forth , for that he thought he ought not rashly to depart out of the sight of the Kings battell , the euent of the fight being as yet vncertaine , & the K. being circumuented from all partes by diuers , although vtterly scattered troupes of the enimies . Not long after , many of the Captaines gathering togither about the King , caused the retreate to be sounded , that with ioyned bandes and battels agayne araunged , they mighte expecte what their enimies would do : for they not only sawe fresh & whole battels of them on the farther banke of the riuer ready to receyue the encounter , but might perceiue both their owne Horses and men wholly wéeried , and therefore thought it best rather to rest , than pursue their scattered enimies , as they which were contented with that victorie , the which considering the perill appeared greater than it selfe , bycause they had by armes and prowesse made themselues a way , not only in spite of their enimies , but also with their foyle & discomfiture . The Marques also after he hadde in vaine loked for ayde ( bycause the rest of the battels feared with the discomfiture of their fellowes , & the hardnesse of passing ouer the risen riuer , had detracted to fight ) wound himselfe out from the hindermost tayle of the departing Frenchmen , & passing ouer the riuer in a better forde , returned into the Camp vnto the Prouiditori ▪ There perished in that battel of the Venetians & Milanese aboue foure M. among whom were besides Radalph and Ranuccio , Iohn Picinnino , nephew vnto the famous Captain Nicholas , Galeazo Correggi , Robert Strozza , and Alexander Beraldo , Captaines of Cornets of Horsemen , and Vincent Sorso , who ledde a regiment of footemen , and Malfacto and Gabanello , who being of the guard , had whereas at other times , than specially in the battel , gotten the prayse of singular prowesse , when with theyr weapons they made a way through the mids of the enimies for the Marques to escape . But on the french part beside the multitude of the rask all rable , whiche made the slaughter greater and fouler , there were lost about a thousande Souldioures : and also Iulian and Dason Lieutenauntes of companyes of Horsemenne , and Vardey the Captayne of the Archers on Horsebacke , and the Captayne of the troupe that guarded the Kyng , and also noble menne called by the names of theyr Townes Torsy , Semple , and Ambrun . But the Kyng selfe in déede a notable losse wyth greate griefe , when hée vnderstoode that almoste all the Archers of hys guard were slayne ( who as is sayd before ) sending away their Horses , fought on foote . And the reporte is , that hymselfe was in no small daunger of life , when the Marques breaking thorough hys battell , and disordering the whole wardes , he being almost lefte alone , made hedde , and drew his Sword , and confessed that he was doubtlesse saued by the inuincible strength of his fierce fightyng Horse , which was a cleane cole blacke , with one eye . The Frenchmen lodged that night vpon the next hyll beside Tarro , hauing lost all their baggage and tentes , and brought to extreame lacke of victuals , who although they had vndoubtedly gotten the victorie , and were very ioyfull , yet did they greately feare theyr small companie , and had a speciall care for the sauing and carying away of the number of the wounded , whiche was thought woulde be a verye hard thing , by reason of the yll and troublesome iourney that they had to goe : for they sawe that their enimies had a greate number of light Horsemen , thorough whose vnwéeried diligence and swiftnesse , they myghte cut off victuals , stoppe the wayes , and by pursuing and hagling on the hindermost , much endamage them , and specially the heauie armed Switzers . But the Captaynes being busied with this feare and care , and very wéerie : the Almaynes and Switzers , when the King had with liberall hand deuided among them a thousand Crownes for a rewarde , tooke vppon them wyth great noyses of Drummes , the charge of kéeping the Camp that night . On the other side in the Venetian Camp were they diuersly affected , for almost in euery cabine were some attached with sorrowe , and other with ioy , as euery mans happe had bin eyther to haue lost his fellow and friende , or to haue gotten rich pillage : for all the Kings furniture , plate of siluer and golde , riche apparell , hangings of all sortes , and sacred furniture sette with pretious stones . Finally the riches of the Kings of Naples , which were now in carrying into France to garnish the triumph , was taken by the basest of the Souldyers and the Gréekes . But when all the Captaynes with the Lieutenantes were assembled togyther , euerye man spake according to his humor : for some ( and they farre the greatest number ) who séemed to be oppressed with feare , thoughts it good to dislodge , and to saue their army , in whose safetie consisted the safetie of Jtaly . Other that hadde but in the battell ; and hadde thereby taken to them greater courage than they had before , would haue the enimie inuaded agayne , and béeyng weakened with woundes , and amazed with feare vtterly destroyed , saying , that they had not bin ouercome by the prowesse of the Frenchmen , but by the iniquitie of the place . But then the Marques of Manto● spake in this manner : If that with equall consente we had bin all to day eyther hardie or fearefull , we had not bin nowe to consulte whyther we shoulde forsake oure lodging , or inuade our enimies : for eyther we shoulde haue supped more mery with the epptyue King in our enimies Camp , or certes haue bin held in thi● moste safe trench , with strength and courage not lessened : but whereas extreame counsels in dissenting heads doe alwayes hurt , but the meane generally do good , neyther will I suffer the fearefull to flée backe , neither permitte that the valiant agayne hazard the fortune of fight : for as though our rashnesse were not yet sufficiently chastised , to set vpon oure enimies in an vnhappie place , and of greate disaduantage , what else is it , than to téese wilde beasts , and to prouoke them , being made madde with the extreame danger of death ? for extreame necessitie turneth into rage , and most times maketh them that do vtterly despaire of life , of cowards most valiant men . But whereas some do counsell that we remoue our Camp farther from the enimie , God forbidde that men shoulde be of the mynde , that the shame whiche we haue receiued to day through the cowardise and flight of a fewe , we should heape vp higher by fondly dislodging , as it were with vtter dishonoure . For what will thys suddayne dislodging signifie vnto our néere enimies , than a grieuous wound gotten , extreame feare , and finally a most shamefull flight ? therefore we must tarrie in this lodging , and valiantly endeuoure , that the incomm●ditie that hathe bin taken , may be repayred thorough my more wary counsell , and youre more happie prowesse . First of all we will commaund the hurt men to be carried to Par●●● , and there cause them to be cured , and the bandes that haue not fought , shall haue the charge of the Camp , that the wéeried maye take some rest . I will go about the watch my selfe , and will strengthen with sure garrisons all wayes and entrances , and this will I to the vttermost , endeuoure that we may lye in safetie from the violence of our enimies . Tomorrow will more manifestly shewe vs the motion and mindes of our enimies , and will open a safer way to our counsels . The Prouiditori lightly assented to this opinion : for although the Marques séemed to haue performed rather the duetie of a valiant Horseman , than of a prudente Generall , yet they were so farre from reprehending him of rashnesse , for that vnluckie euent of the battell , that they had him in admiration , as made more renowmed through this newe glory of approued prowesse and inuincible courage : for although the aged menne were of themselues men of great honor , and such as had borne great dignities at home , yet did they reioyce for that augmentation of martiall prayse as most honorable , and dyd thinke that the most glorious triumph of almost taking so great a King prisoner , and of the victorie wel néere gotten , thorough the hardie attempte of the Marques , was taken from them thorough the vnskilfulnesse or cowardise of a fewe .