“The first task may be impossible, for it is extremely difficult to decide what the dukes have rightly inherited and what they have usurped.”
“In such cases we shall have to prevent any further increase of their power,—the remedy which Henry attempted to apply. The great cities with their industries and commerce, where the arts and sciences are cultivated more assiduously than in many knightly castles, must employ their wealth and power to curb insolence and punish offences against the laws. This will enable them to help each other and manage their own affairs. They certainly should know better what is for their welfare than those at a distance, who are ignorant of their circumstances.”
“That will exercise an important influence upon the general welfare.”
“True. The Emperor will find in every city a power already organized with which to punish those who now violate the law with impunity; because the law-enforcing power is so distant they can escape with their plunder behind protecting walls.”
“But how about the people in the open country?”
“They, too, must have the protection of the law, and their actions must not be arbitrarily controlled.”
“Excuse me, noble sire. The Italian cities manage their own affairs. The possessions claimed by the nobles were inherited from their ancestors. They associate freely with the common people, also, and yet these cities do not enjoy the blessings of freedom.”
“That is true, but they mistake their real position and welfare. They dream of the glorious fame of ancient Rome, but they have not the slightest comprehension of its exalted virtues. Where will you find a Mucius, a Fabricius, or a Cincinnatus? But at every step you will find a Catiline, a Nero, or a Heliogabalus. ‘Freedom for us, but none for others,’ is the motto of the Lombardian cities, as it is of Rome. That is the cause of their decadence.”
“And do you expect to maintain a powerful authority there?”
“With God’s help, yes. I will curb their audacity, but will concede to them all their chartered rights. By demanding only what belongs to the sovereign, protecting the weak against the strong, and firmly and judiciously administering the government, there may be a successful result.”