talke deserved no other question: nor I desired other: and albeit that I
could save my self with an easie excuse, not withstandyng for my more
contentacion, and yours, seyng that the season beareth it, I will enter
in moche longer reasoning. Those men, whiche will enterprise any thyng,
ought firste with all diligence to prepare theim selves, to be ready and
apte when occasion serveth, to accomplish that, which thei have
determined to worke: and for that when the preparacions are made
craftely, thei are not knowen, there cannot be accused any man of any
negligence, if firste it be not disclosed by thoccasion: in the which
working not, is after seen, either that there is not prepared so moche
as suffiseth, or that there hath not been of any part therof thought
upon. And for as moche as to me there is not come any occasion to be
able, to shewe the preparacions made of me, to reduce the servise of
warre into his auncient orders, if I have not reduced it, I cannot be of
you, nor of other blamed: I beleve this excuse shuld suffise for answere
to your accusement.

COSIMO. It should suffice, when I wer certain, that thoccasion were not
come.

FABRICIO. But for that I know, that you maie doubt whether this occasion
hath been cum, or no, I will largely (when you with pacience will heare
me) discourse what preparacions are necessary first to make, what
occasion muste growe, what difficultie doeth let, that the preparacions
help not, and why thoccasion cannot come, and how these things at ones,
which some contrary endes, is most difficill, and most easie to do.

COSIMO. You cannot do bothe to me, and unto these other, a thing more
thankfull then this. And if to you it shall not be tedious to speake,
unto us it shal never be grevous to heare: but for asmoch as this