Of wars and deeds of arms and of princes, soldiers, and peoples annexed among them, with all that is future that depends upon and concurs toward wars.

Wars that have already emerged and broken out against the King of Italy and against the Pontiff, veiled under some end, or signed by purpose, will at last bring forth an end other than what was thought of before: and the labors, turbulences, and agitations will be stronger in the end in many places than had been the great hope of many believing that all things ought to result in a golden age or likeness for themselves: although at present the things themselves ought to appear mild. Many orders also will change after this. And although the things started appear to be proceeding toward a certain great end: we say nevertheless that with many things done and suffered, they will revolve toward another end: and with some things changed afterwards, they will proceed otherwise than many expected before. Great unexpected losses and turbulences will happen after the present: where new orders will be taken beyond the opinion of many on account of the progressions of the states. Further, some will dispose or treat less about certain things and will turn less to their purpose than they believed before: where new things will be ordered thereafter and will be begun for their own sake, veering toward another end with great sorrow in many. Many councils will be changed: nor will all leagues already made last: but some new confederations will be made: or various and great things will be treated secretly. The princes of war, however, will hold a firm mind toward wars with these: but the first ordinations in them will be varied. And also on account of the adverse and turbulent things that will be brought upon their state, they will be somewhat troubled in the things begun: or on account of the great event which will happen from a great prince. Some other great external princes will be angry with certain great princes in Italy and will rage against them.

Afterwards, truly, we say that with many things done and changed with fear and the cause of some alarms, there will be the treating of a certain league by the hands of the powerful: and then peace will be hoped for. But when this matter is moved, it will proceed at last to evil, and the ruin itself will not stand only in one place, but will spread into many: where many who before thought themselves secure and powerful will then fear for themselves: and some other great ones also will be led to repentance: and after the things have revolved, sadness and fear will enter where before there was joy and hope. And [everyone] will fall into great suspicion of the powerful, fearing for the future: when things will be seen to proceed beyond what was believed before: where hopes will be frustrated and revealed, and many things fabricated in the minds of the great will fall. For the heavens are moved by no passion. Pride also, ingratitude, deceit, or duplicity...