Strona 93 z 310

[1] "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."