“I am agitated,” he says, “in sending this epistle, when I think from whom it comes, and to whom it is addressed.  Placed as I am, in obscurity, I am dazzled by the splendour of your name; but love has banished fear:  this letter will at least make known to you my fidelity, and my zeal.  Read it, I conjure you!  You will not find in it the insipid adulation which is the plague of monarchs.  Flattery is an art unknown to me.  I have to offer you only complaints and regrets.  You have forgotten us.  I say more—­you have forgotten yourself in neglecting Italy.  We had high hopes that Heaven had sent you to restore us our liberty; but it seems that you refuse this mission, and, whilst the time should be spent in acting, you lose it in deliberating.

“You see, Caesar, with what confidence an obscure man addresses you, a man who has not even the advantage of being known to you.  But, far from being offended with the liberty I take, you ought rather to thank your own character, which inspires me with such confidence.  To return to my subject—­wherefore do you lose time in consultation?  To all appearance, you are sure of the future, if you will avail yourself of the present.  You cannot be ignorant that the success of great affairs often hangs upon an instant, and that a day has been frequently sufficient to consummate what it required ages to undo.  Believe me, your glory and the safety of the commonwealth, your own interests, as well as ours, require that there be no delay.  You are still young, but time is flying; and old age will come and take you by surprise when you are at least expecting it.  Are you afraid of too soon commencing an enterprise for which a long life would scarcely suffice?

“The Roman empire, shaken by a thousand storms, and as often deceived by fallacious calms, places at last its whole hopes in you.  It recovers a little breath even under the shelter of your name; but hope alone will not support it.  In proportion as you know the grandeur of the undertaking, consummate it the sooner.  Let not the love of your Transalpine dominions detain you longer.  In beholding Germany, think of Italy.  If the one has given you birth, the other has given you greatness.  If you are king of the one, you are king and emperor of the other.  Let me say, without meaning offence to other nations, that here is the head of your monarchy.  Everywhere else you will find only its members.  What a glorious project to unite those members to their head!

“I am aware that you dislike all innovation; but what I propose would be no innovation on your part.  Italy is as well known to you as Germany.  Brought hither in your youth by your illustrious sire, he made you acquainted with our cities and our manners, and taught you here the first lessons of war.  In the bloom of your youth, you have obtained great victories.  Can you fear at present to enter a country where you have triumphed since your childhood?