in　the　way　stated　above；　and　to　be　oftenrepeated；　will　never　be　attacked　without　great　caution；　for　men　arealways　adverse　to　enterprises　where　difficulties　can　be　seen；　and　itwill　be　seen　not　to　be　an　easy　thing　to　attack　one　who　has　his　town　wellfortified；　and　is　not　hated　by　his　people。The　cities　of　Germany　are　absolutely　free；　they　own　but　little　countryaround　them；　and　they　yield　obedience　to　the　emperor　when　it　suits　them；nor　do　they　fear　this　or　any　other　power　they　may　have　near　them；because　they　are　fortified　in　such　a　way　that　every　one　thinks　thetaking　of　them　by　assault　would　be　tedious　and　difficult；　seeing　theyhave　proper　ditches　and　walls；　they　have　sufficient　artillery；　and　theyalways　keep　in　public　depots　enough　for　one　year's　eating；　drinking；　andfiring。　And　beyond　this；　to　keep　the　people　quiet　and　without　loss　tothe　state；　they　always　have　the　means　of　giving　work　to　the　munity　inthose　labours　that　are　the　life　and　strength　of　the　city；　and　on　thepursuit　of　which　the　people　are　supported；　they　also　hold　militaryexercises　in　repute；　and　moreover　have　many　ordinances　to　uphold　them。Therefore；　a　prince　who　has　a　strong　city；　and　had　not　made　himselfodious；　will　not　be　attacked；　or　if　any　one　should　attack　he　will　onlybe　driven　off　with　disgrace；　again；　because　that　affairs　of　this　worldare　so　changeable；　it　is　almost　impossible　to　keep　an　army　a　whole　yearin　the　field　without　being　interfered　with。　And　whoever　should　reply：　Ifthe　people　have　property　outside　the　city；　and　see　it　burnt；　they　willnot　remain　patient；　and　the　long　siege　and　self…interest　will　make　themforget　their　prince；　to　this　I　answer　that　a　powerful　and　courageousprince　will　overe　all　such　difficulties　by　giving　at　one　time　hope　tohis　subjects　that　the　evil　will　not　be　for　long；　at　anot