How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #1
Flattered by futile error,
little you see, thinking you see so much,
for you seek love and trust in venal hearts—
he with more followers
is more surrounded by his enemies. (23-27)
Petrarch addresses the nobility responsible for inviting the mercenary soldiers into a tumultuous Italy. Basically he's saying, "What can you be thinking?! These guys are only out for the money!"
Quote #2
If by our very hands
this has been done, then who will rescue us? (31-32)
It's a good question for the poet to ask. Since Italian nobility has asked foreign mercenaries to carry out the dirty work of in-house fighting, there's no easy way to ask them to leave. Also, what country or power will intervene to stop the madness, especially if they don't want to be targeted next? It's just not well thought out, at all.
Quote #3
Nature provided well for our condition
when she raised up the screen
of Alps between us and the German rage;
but blind desire fighting its own good
then managed to contrive
a way to make this healthy body sick. (33-38)
So Nature was wise enough to protect Italy from foreign forces, but Italians themselves were not smart enough to take advantage of this by not inviting them in. Petrarch is calling out the nobility for their greed and anger, telling them that their own agendas are destroying the body politic.