ONOSANDRO PLAtonico, of the General Captaine, and of his offyce, vnto Quintus Veranius, a Romaine.

THe Arte and maner of rydinge, of huntynge, of fyſhing, and finally of tillynge the fieldes, I iudge ought to be written to thoſe, which in ſuch ſtudies are wont ineſpecially to delyght. But the waye to come to conſider the office of a General Captaine, I ſuppoſe (O Quintus Ʋeranius) that aboue al other, is moſte conuenyent to the Romaynes: and chyeflye to thoſe, which of reputacion, and Senate authority, be ſuperiours to others. And lykewyſe it is meete for ſuche, as by the iudgement of Auguſtus Ceſar, and for the true knowledge that they haue of ſuch an office, and for the ſinguler experience of thinfinyte & moſte weighty affaires, and alſo for the dignitye and worthynes of their predeceſſours, haue had fortune to ſuccede the honourable degrees, aſwel of conſuls, as of Captaynes: Therefore I iudge, that to ſuche maner of menne, ought to be dedicated like worke: but not after ſuche ſort, as thoughe they knewe not howe to rule and gouerne Armyes: For in dede the cauſe whye I am moued to write, is ſpecially for this reſpecte, ſeynge that many, the more they be ignoraunt, and leſſe expert of things, making of other mens doynges ſeldome iuſt iudgement, ſo muche the more preſumptuouſly, they continuallye perceuer, both to reprebend and to ſlaunder good captaines: Where thoſe truly that haue experience and knowledge of thinges, with good reſpect, beholdinge the worthye & honorable enterpriſes of other, haue wyth high prayſe, commended them. Wherefore although I knowe that ye matter which I haue purpoſed to wrie may ſeme to many to haue ben a great while agon heretofore thought vpon & fully knowen: yet for all that, I wil not leaue of to bring to an end my determination: but rather more prōptly I ſhal perſeuer to proced forwards, as he that not only may ſeme to geue inſtructions profytable to Captaynes, but alſo as one that knoweth after what ſort thei ought to cōmaund. And I ſhall worthely repute my ſelfe happy, yf I be thought mete to manifeſt with words, thoſe thynges, which the Romaynes by meanes of their vertue and of their induſtry, moſt valiantlye brought to paſſe. For the which thing if I maye vnderſtande that this my paines are commended and approued of like men: I ſhall then be able to ſay that in this preſent worke, is contayned the counſels of renowmed Capitains in this happy time of peace. For which cauſe, if no other thinge, at leſt wiſe the ſame may principally aduertiſe and learne you, for what occaſion hath happened vnto ſome, often times moſt vnfortunately to fayght, and to fall into miſery, and howe other hauing brought to good effecte their affayres, haue got illuſtrious fame and immortall glorye. As in the ende the ſame ſinguler ercellencye of the Romaines, hath clerelye made manifeſt: for that neuer Kynge, nor Citye, nor yet, neuer Nation, coulde not come to obtayne greater, nor to the lyke equall greatneſſe of their Empire. After ſuche ſorte, that nowe ſo longe time ſemes, that continuall ſo great largenes of dominion, they haue kept moſt conſtantlye, ſtedfaſtlye, and ſure. Nor I cannot with any maner of reaſon perſwade my ſelfe, that it hath hapned eyther by chaunce, or fortune, that ouer paſſynge the confines of Italye, the name and Empire myght haue bene extended, to the vttermoſte partes of the worlde: but that rather it hath come to paſſe, by prudence by counſell, and by the feates of war, and alſo by the famouſnes, and by the glory of actes moſt valiauntly done. And in dede, where as we ought to deſire to haue fortune fauourable to our enterpriſes, notwithſtanding it is not to be iudged, that ſhe hath rule ouer euery thinge, and that ſhe is Lady in all matters. And as they that attribute all infelicitye onelye to fortune, and not vnto the negligence & error of Captaines, be fooles and ignorantes, ſo likewiſe be thoſe, whiche thinges directly and with order done, aſſigne it only vnto fortune, and nothinge at al vnto vertue, and to the diligence of the Captayne. And ſurely it is a token of a malicious, and vniuſt man, either altogether to clere him from euery faulte that hath euill miniſtred the publyke affaires, imputinge it to fortune, or to depriue him from deſerued praiſe, the which valiantly & with induſtry, hath ouercome and brought to good paſſe his deſire, iudging that the glory of the enterpriſe well and valiauntly executed, ought to be attributed onlye vnto fortune. But almoſt euery man, being inclined to geue confidence to them that declare or wryte thoſe thinges, of the which they be erpert, albeit that it ſeme they rehearſe thinges high and difficult to be done, and on the contrarye part, cannot be brought to geue credit to thoſe that ſhewe them any thinge, in the whiche they haue not ben exerciſed, although it be neyther difficulte, nor incredible: Therfore I ſuppoſe it ſhalbe neceſſary for me, firſt to tell you, that what ſo euer in thys booke I haue to wryte of the Captayne, and of the aduertyſementes of warre, hath bene approued with moſt manifeſt experience of thinges, and in eſpecially of thoſe, whiche were patrons, & Princes, of the name of the Romaines, whoſe excellent vertue without doubt, amongſt all nacions, by the conſent of all menne, euen to this tyme, hath obtayned hygheſt dignity. Then in this my litle booke, there is not to be comprehended any thinge done vnaduiſedly, in haſte, at all aduentures, nor raſhelye: but that which in varietie of thinges, the Romaynes with ſage and firme counſell egregiouſlye wrought and approued. The which not only had true knoweledge of that ye was to be don againſt the enemy: but grauely did forſee that they might not in anye maner of wyſe take harme. Nor it ſhall neuer bee found, that they haue vſed other then a ſure order, & iuſt occaſion to faight. I haue therfore gathered frō theſe fountaines euery thing ye I haue written: Albeit that I am fully perſwaded, that many would deſire, that al that which of thē might be ſpoken about ſuch matter, ſhuld be eſtemed rather their own proper inuention, then taken of other: as they, who beleue they ſhoulde attayne to greater prayſe, where ſhould appeare that of theym ſuche thinges hath bene firſte found and publyſhed: then if openly they ſhould confeſſe it, not to be theirs, and to haue n • de of other Authours to attribute it. Notwithſtanding for this ſelfe ſame occaſion, I doe thinke to get prayſe & commendacion: for as much as lyke as he the whiche peraduenture went to the warres, where he hathe wrytten the valiaunt Actes of other, ought not to be depriued of glory, he hauynge lefte written vnto the poſteritye, not thoſe thinges, that with his proper force he had founde & executed, but that which other had done, euen ſo I ſuppoſe not to be a little prayſed, and commended plainlye confeſſyng theſe thynges not to be inuented by me: yea by ſuche occaſion I maye ſeeme not vniuſtlye to goe about to excell all other, where I ought to report the prayſe of other men without enuy, and trueth, without diſprayſe, and withoute anye maner of blame.

Of electynge a Capytayne.

I Say then, that a Generall captaine ought to be choſen without hauynge anye reſpect vnto his ſtock, or vnto his prediceſſors, or vnto goods of fortune: the one of the whyche thynges is the euſtome obſerued in the chooſynge of Prieſtes, the other in creating the preſidents of plaies, and publike feaſtes. But ſuche a manne is to bee ſought, who is temperate, continente, ſobre, abſtinent, and not exceſſiue in eating and drynking, pacient in trauaile, of witte prompt, not couetous, neyther yong, nor olde, and that he haue children, if ſuche a one may be had, and to be a faire ſpeaker, of good name and ſame, and of muche reputacion. The cauſe why he ought to be temperate, is, leſt being inlured & geuen to pleaſure, he doe forſake the care of thinges, that be of moſt great importance. Continent it behoueth him to be, the which hath bene preferred to ye gouerninge of ſo muche importaunce: for that yf the vyolence of an vnbrideled minde, chaunſe to haue power and lybertie to doe what ſo euer ſhall pleaſe him, it is after ſuche ſorte with wilfulneſſe ouerwhelmed, that it cannot eaſely be refrayned. I woulde haue hym alſo to be ſobre, to the ende that more commodiouſly, he might be vigilant in ye affayres of ſo great waight. For that in the time of night, by quietnes of mind, the counſels of captaines exammed, more perfectly may thē be confirmed. The cauſe that he ought to be abſtinent & content with ſimple fare: is, for aſmuch as the preparyng of diiſhes ful of delicatenes, & the too muche diligence and thought aboute meates, corrupteth and drowneth the minde after ſuch ſorte, that the tyme which ought to haue bene ſpent in the buſines that is to be done, by the dilicatenes of the capitaines, moſt vainly is conſumed. The cauſe why he ought to be moſt painful, is, for that principallye it doth apperteine to the Captaine, that he in the turmoyles of the war, maye be the laſt to be werye.

He ought to be quicke witted, for as muche as it behoueth him to be ſwift, and (as Homer ſaith) flyinge, to thend that with his thought, he maye moſt quicklye diſcurſe euerye thinge, and with his minde make iudgement, and as it were deuine, & a far of, forſee that which is to come. Leaſt whiles there happen accidentes, neyther foreſeene nor looked for, the Captaine be conſtrayned ſodenly, and vnprouided for, to take counſell, and the ſafegarde of thinges to commit moſt fearefully, to the diſcretion of fortune. It behoueth him not to be couerous nor deſireful of gaine. For ſurely of this vice he ought moſte principallye to take heve. For aſmuche as, he that is not geuen to paſſe muche of gyftes, of Syluer, and golde, maye moſt honorably haue the charge of ſuche doinges. And oute of doubt, there be ſome the which without anye whit fearing, for highe courage and luſtynes of body, were apte to wythſtand the armyes and power of enemies: notwithſtanding (they become moſte vyle) whileſt they be drawen with the vnſaciablenes of golde, the whyche is a weapon of ſo muche mighte to take, and as it were wyth lyuely force, to pul the victorye out of ſuche mens handes, and to gyue it to other. I haue ſayde that the Capitain muſt be neither old nor yong, for that the one, is to muche obſtinate not to beleue, the other is weake in doinges, and neyther the one, nor the other is mete for the rule of thinges. Wherefore, me thinks, that the yong man is to be refuſed, to thende that by euill chaunce vndeſcretelye through he ouermuch boldnes he happen not to commit error. On the contrarye, it is not fitte to admit the olde manne, leaſt he for his natural weakenes, be not ſufficient. For the whiche cauſe, let vs iudge it beſt that age, that is in the middes betwene the one, and the other: becauſe that then, there is force and ſtrength, the which is not as yet ſpent nor conſumed with age: & prudence is founde in him, that is not very yonge. And ſurely if any manne in this thinge will approue the luſtines and ſtrength of the body, without the prudence of the minde: or lykewiſe the witte without ſtrength. I am certayn he ſhall doe nothing that ſhalbe well: for aſmuche as lyke as the bodye, that lacketh prudence, is lyttle worth to counſel, euen ſo the mind of ye ſtrength of body, as from miniſters abandoned cannot commodiuſly take in hande to do any attempt, nor with profit bring it to effecte. But he that hath bothe theſe qualities, ſhalbe mete to execute euery enterpriſe. For that to him, as frely beloued of all men, both with inteere affection of minde, when he ſhal commaunde, moſt redely they will obey, geuinge full truſte vnto his wordes, and to what ſoeuer perill he ſhall put them, the one in trial of the other, will all be ready to helpe.

We haue thoughte good that he ought to be choſen captain, that hath children, but for all that he ought not to be refuſed that hath none, ſo that otherwiſe he be ſtronge and prudent. If he haue children that be as yet but of tender yeares, they retayne altogether bounde the mynde of the father, and as oſtages geuen to his coū try, haue force to kindle in their father a marueylous fayth and beneuolence towardes it, & as it were with ſharpe ſpurres to pricke him, and to inflame his minde againſt the enemies: and if hys children be nowe come to fuller age, with weapons, with fidelitie, with counſell, with diligence, accompaniyng him in the trauayles and gouernment, and faythfully ſeruinge in ſecret thinges, they may vnto a common welth bringe muche profit.

Why he ought to be a goodly ſpeaker, is for that of this, concerning the thinges that is to be entreated in the affayres of warre, we iudge there wyl followe muche vtilitie. Conſideringe that eyther hauynge occaſion to ſette men in araye to the battaile, the Captaine with faire wordes comfortinge the Souldiers, eaſelye may perſwade euery one of them to deſpiſe al perils, and to attende to the glorious enterpriſe: nor the ſounde of the trumpet, canne ſo muche inflame the mindes of men to take their weapons, and conſtraine them moſt valiantly to faight, as the conuenyent, and accordinge to the time, the ſugred talke of the Captaine maye moue theym, bothe vnto great actes for the loue of vertue, and incorage them for the deſire of glorye, or ells if neede be, to comeforte the mindes afflicted for ſome ouerthrowe had, his wordes ſhalbe as a medicine. Wherfore, for the benefit of the Hoſt, for to lighten the heauineſſe of accydentes, the Acomodate ſpeakinge of the Captaine, by moſt reaſon, is more to be deſired then the induſtrie of ſurgeons, which folow the campe, onelye to thende to heale woundes: for that they take no charge, but to cure the hurts: But he with ſwete and curteis maner of ſpeakinge, comforteth and moſte highly maketh glad the mindes of the weake and afflicted. Beſides al this, he confermeth the minds of them that be whole, and retaines them that be boldened. Then how much more difficulte it is to heale the infirmities that is hydde, then thoſe whiche maye be bothe felte and ſeene, euery manne knoweth. And like as no Citye will neuer make armye, nor ſende theym without a Captaine, and determined gouernement, euen ſo neyther oughte the Captaine to be choſen ſuch a one, that knoweth not, nor hath not the grace in ſpeakinge, and that lacketh the faceletie and vtteraunce of ſpeach.

Laſt of all we ſaid that it behoueth to choſe the Captaine, that is eſtemed and of reputacion: for as muche as the common people, haue a cuſtome il willinglye to ſuffer to be ſubiect to them who be of baſe condicion, & that haue neuer gotten neither honor nor glory. And truly there is none, if by compulſion he be not made, that will be content to folow that Captaine, who he knoweth to be of leſſe worthines then himſelfe. Neceſſary it is therfore, that he be famous and noble, and by the opinion of al men to be iudged valiant. And ſuch a man of vertue, of ſtomake, and of maners, as we aboue haue declared he ought to be.

But as I holde oppinion, that no Captaine is to be elected, hauing any reſpect to riches: euen ſo I iudge the poore man is not to be refuſed, ſo that he be a good man, and a valiaunt. For in dede, I ſuppoſe not that any manne for the defaulte of fortune, whether he be poore or rich, deſerues eyther to be praiſed or diſpraiſed. And ſurely euery man that is of abillitie and riche, and beſides that adourned with bountifulneſſe, ſo muche differeth from the pore, as an armor garneſhed with ſiluer, and trimmed with gold, excelleth that which is made of iron and braſſe, and that lacketh ſuch kinde of ſettyng forth. And ſure it is, that the one and the other, may couer and lykewiſe defende the Souldier: but the one ſemes to be more excellente then the other, onelye for the giltinge and ornament that outward is adioyned.

It is nedefull likewiſe, to haue aduertiſement not to choſe any, the whiche attends to gather money, and continuallye hath his minde vpon luker, and altogether is ſubiect to gayne, albeit he ſeme aboue all other neuer ſo aboundant and riche, as doeth euerye ſort of marchaunts, banckers and ſuch of lyke profeſſion: for as muche as neceſſarily, they be death, and of litle ſtomacke, as thoſe that with al their ſtudye attende to euery ſmall gayne, and gyues themſelues in praye to money. Wherby it hapneth that there can neuer growe in them, deſire of any honorable, illuſtreous, or noble enterpriſe.

Surely in a Captaine, I iudge that it is to be made accompte of, the reputacion and Nobilitie of hys predeceſſors, if that chaunce in him to he foūd, but where no ſuch thinge is, it ought not to be greatly paſſed vpon: neyther for ſuch cauſe, no man is to be reputed worthy to gouerne. And as in horſe we will conſider their readines, and not that which appeareth outwardly, ſo I am of opinion, that iudgement is to be made of the nobilitye of men. It is verely, a fooliſh and ſtraunge thing not to conſider who & what they be, vnto the which muſt be geuen commiſſion to defende and to kepe oure Eſtate, and yet to beholde what they haue bene, and what their predeceſſours haue done: as if they which now ſo long agon are dead, might both defende and ſaue vs. Moreouer, it is a thinge altogether vniuſt, and that in no maner of wife is conuenient, by order or lawe of Armes, to determine, that to them, the whiche haue in ſome affaires acquited them ſelues valiant he geuen rewards and honors, not for being borne of moſt noble parentage: and to iudge afterwarde, that for a Captayne he ought to be choſen, the which only hath his originall of valiaunt and noble progenitours, and not he that doth truſt in his owne proper vertue, wherin he excelleth, although he lacke the glory and brauenes of his Aunceſtry and ſtocke. The which thinges ioined vnto vertue, ſuch a captain I ſuppoſe verelye, ſhoulde be ſo muche the more aduenturous: but where lacketh his proper vertue, I eſteme him without any doubt, to be altogether vaine and vnprofitable: yea, and by moſt reaſon it is to be thought, that they will become better Captaynes, the whyche of illuſtrious and famous bloud, cannot muche boaſte, for as muche as they, whome in the worthines of their forefathers, doe truſt, thinke for the ſelfe ſome renowme of theim, to be honoured, if ſometime in their offyce, they cōmit any fault: ſuch confidence they haue in the reputacion and name of their Anſetry: wherby it hapneth, that oftentimes they more negligently gouerne. But theſe that haue no maner of hope in the glory of their Aunſeters, & to whō hath not decended any ſparke of worthines, from their forefathers, whileſt wt their own proper ſolicitatenes and induſtry, they deſire vnto the contrarye of their vnknownes, to put in light, their owne proper actes, more warelye they procure thinges, & in the ende with more prompt and glad minde diſpoſe them ſelues to euery perill. And like as they that by inheritance haue not had lefte theim great aboundaunce, nor riche patrimonie, more circumſpectlye will kepe their goodes, then the richer or welthier wil do, for aſmuch as they with all diligence and labour, wil inforce theim ſelues to increaſe always: euen ſo thoſe, whiche can not ſerue them ſelues of the fame and glorye of their fathers, as a thing of inheritāce: by all maner of wayes, ſeke to attaine reputacion, whiche ſhall be of their owne proper indeuor.

We ought therfore to choſe the captaine, valiaunte, of noble bloude, aduenturus, ryche, but yet neuertheles the poore is not to be deſpiſed and refuſed, ſo that he, althoughe he be not borne of illuſtrious progenitours be famous, and eſtemed, for his own proper vertue. And after that he is elected and confirmed in ſuche degre, be pleaſant, gentle, and chereful to them that will come to his preſence: notwithſtandinge he ought not in euery place to euery man ſhew him ſelf ſo benigne and gentell: leaſt he happen to be deſpiſed, neyther ſo proude, and ſtoute, that he moue other to beare hym hatred. And that he doe this to thintent that with to muche licence and benignitye, he cauſe not the Armye to be diſſolute, or with ſharpenes and ſeueritie, make them alianate theyr mindes, and to become enemies.

Of chuſynge the heades of the Souldiers.

THE Capytayne muſt elect and ordein the Decurians, A Decurian is a 〈◊〉 captaine of ten men A Centurian is a captaine of a C. mā the Centurians, and ordinatelye the other heades of Souldyers, accordynge as the thinge ſhall require, and as he ſhall thynke to be nedefull. And of theſe to take and choſe thoſe, whoſe vertue is wel knowen: and that be lykewiſe ſtronge and bolde, and faythfull to their countrie. And in makinge ſuche election, it makes no matter to take both noble & rich, (for aſmuch as there is not to be choſen only, one or two) that amongeſt a fewe, and thoſe that be of good and honeſte maners, the election may be the eaſier. When ſpecially in diſtributinge with order, and laſtely the number of the Decurians, of the Centurians, and finallye of the other heades, the richeſt, and the moſt noble, are moſt nedeful. And ſurely it is of much vtility to a common welth to ſet forward ye nobility at ſuch time when an enterpriſe is to be taken in hand, in the doyng wherof is required ſeleretie. Likewiſe alſo, the commoditie of money is greatlye to be deſired, when it is neceſſarye to geue ſome thing to the Souldiers, & to ſpende liberallye. For that the liberalitie of Princes and leaders, althoughe it be but a litle, if with benignitie, liberally, and at time conuentent, it be vſed, it may get moſte great beneuolence of the multitude: and from thenceforth the moſt aſſured fidelitie of the Souldiers gottē, it doth ad vnto it ſecurety and conſtantenes in the enterpriſe, ſeing in dede euery man hopes to obtain greater thinges, bearinge them ſelues valiantlye in fayghtinge, whan they knowe that in litle thinges, the liberalitie of the Captaine cōmeth of the proper benignitye of his owne minde.

Of Counſellers.

BEſydes all thys, it is neceſſarye that the Captain haue with him ſome Counſellours and companions, with whō he may deliberate vpon euery matter. And they being made partakers of the counſelles, muſte in time and place tell their iudgementes. And let him choſe theym eyther before he purpoſe to do any thyng, that they may folow him, and the army for to doe their office, or els after that he ſhalbe ſet forward, to cal before the day of battaile, of the moſt nobleſt, & of greateſt grauitye, and to cauſe them to come vnto him, the whyche together wyth him, ought of euerye thynge to debate. For as much as al thoſe thinges, that anye man of hym ſelfe hath founde, he may alone by him ſelfe with ſtudy examine, but he oughte not ſtrayght wayes to approue and confirme it: for that our thoughts and Councels, as a thing vnto the which we haue a natural affectiō, if of others faythful coūſel it be not holpen, eaſely it may beguile vs, and many times it is founde to be full of errorres: contrarywyſe, thoſe thinges, that by iudgement and opynion of other be aproued, dothe aſſure the mynde, and kepeth thynges ſtable and ſure. Notwithſtanding, no man oughte ſo little to truſte on hym ſelfe, that alwayes he be of opinyon weake and doubtfull, nor of him ſelfe ſo much to preſume, that he thinke other cannot fynd councell better then his. For that it ſhalbe neceſſary, that he, whiche is alwayes ſubiecte to the councell of other, hauing altogether diſtruſte of him ſelfe, come to chaunge infinite thinges, wherby in waightye matters, both hurt & incomoditie doth folowe, as lykewyſe he muſt nedes, either alwayes or often tymes commit errorre, that not hearing the aduiſe of other, euerye thinge doth atribute to him ſelfe alone.

Of the warre that is to be taken in hande.

I Iudge that the warre ought to be begun cyrcumſpectly & with prudence, as a ſure foundation of thinges, wherby to all menne, may as it were moſte clearely appeare, to be for good cauſe taken in hande. That for the ſame they may hope that God wil be gracious and fanourable. And then, the ſouldiers with boldnes more gladlier and more redier will go whether ſo euer thou liſte to execute thy commaundementes: as they the whiche doth well knowe, that they ought to do iniurye to no man of their owne wil & deſire, but when they are prouoked and conſtrayned, to take them to their Armor. For the whiche thing with al their force, and 〈…〉 ſtomackes, they wyll 〈…〉 forwarde 〈…〉 haue to 〈…〉 , thoſe that thinke peraduenture vniuſtly to haue begonne the warre, will haue ſuſpitiō that god wilbe againſt them diſpleaſed and contrary, for which only opiniō although there happen not any thing vnfortunatelye, yet they will ſtande with feare and terrorre. Wherefore vnto a Captaine it is conuenient that of thoſe thinges, the whiche he eyther requireth, or beinge of other required, that he do not graunt theym, firſt by mouth, and afterwarde by waye of Ambaſſadours to intreate thereof: to thintent that eyther demaunding iuſt thinges, or denying the vniuſt, he may ſeme to be prouoked to riſe in armes. Finally it is good to cal to witnes god and men, that he hath not vndertaken to make warre for deſpite, and vnaduiſedlye, as though to him there could not happen thoſe thinges, which often tymes are wonte to chaunce to them, that make warre: nor alſo for that he for an obſtinate mynde couereth to do harms and to ruinate the people. And in dede where not onelye in the buyldinge of houſes and walles, it is mete to caſt 〈◊〉 foundation, to the ende 〈…〉 weake beginninges, that 〈…〉 thou ••… ſt edefie 〈…〉 , wyſe wyth muche more dilygence and aduertiſement, greater ſurenes, & eſtabliſhmēt, is to be vſed in the beginnings of warre, before men be cōducted abrode, & an Armie leuied. For as muche as the weake beginninges of thinges, cannot ſuſtain ye waight that is laide vpon them, but eaſely oppreſſed, & of euery accedent beatē, they wil fall, & altogether go to ruin. And therfore it is nedefull to take inſample by the ſkilfull maiſter of the ſhippe, who before he go out of the hauen to enter into the ſea, doth furniſhe the ſhip, of all manner of thynges neceſſarye, and as much as he can poſſible, doth arme and decke it, & afterwardes ſettes him ſelfe to ſailing. Becaufe it is a thing reprochfull and perilous, to make a ſhew of mouing warre after ſuch ſort, for which by ſea and by land, men are conducted, and afterward in a momēt in the preparation thereof to ſtay, and in the middeſt of the courſe, & alſo in the force it ſelfe, to turne (as the common ſaiyng is) the taile, and moſt ſhamefully to retire, or els foliſhly to put in peril the ſtate of al things, & to be of euery man mocked, not only for lightnes, but alſo being deſpiſed, for that ye people will repute thee of ſmall worthines, thou ſhalt be eſteamed ſubiect to al kinde of iniury. After which wil folow yt thy enemyes (albeit they haue not ſuffred any harme, thou minding to haue hurt theym, but hauing not bene able, both for vilenes, and for lacke of wiſedome) wyll beare vnto thee, cruell and mortall hatred.

Of conducting foorth the Army

HAuing firſt purged euery publike blot & faulte, and made cleane euery priuat error & viciouſnes, & ſuch purgation of ſinnes being done with praiers and ſacrifices, as by way of religiō the holy law hath cōmaunded, or as it is ordeined of the prieſts themſelfes, the army may then be conducted out, which alwayes muſt be led in battel ray, although it haue not as yet to come to the hāds with thenemies: & in like maner when it hathe occaſion to paſſe through Countreis which are of lēgth many daies iorney, albeit that they be quiet and peaſable. For as much as, after this ſorte, the ſouldiers will accuſtome them ſelues to obſerue the aray, & ſpecially euery man will learne to ſtand in his place, & to follow theyr leaders & Cōſtables. The which thing much more carefully muſt be obſerued when it ſhall be neceſſarye to marche through the dominions of the enemyes, to the end that by ſodaine aſſaults, thy ſouldiers be not conſtrained at euery ſtep, to riſe in a rumor, and confuſedlye to run here and there; & the one to go contrary to the other, and finally coming about thee, in diuers maners, not to be able to do any thing of anye profite. For which cauſe, through euery place, thou oughteſt to march with the army in battaile ray, whereby the ſouldiers may be made more apt and ſpedy to make a voyage, & quicke & redy to reſiſt if nede ſhalbe: they hauing learned to folow yt anſignes, to attend to cōmaūdemēts, & to behaue thēſelfes valiantly, according to theyr place & order. If thou lead thy army by ſuche places, thou oughteſt to bring thē cloſe together, & retire them in litle ſpace, ſo that by the ſtraightnes, & by ye facilitye of inlarging, thou be not cōſtrained to extende thy ſelfe into too much length. Which faſhiō of marching ſemes to geue power to the ennemye, to aſſault cōmodiouſly their aduerſaries & according to the occaſiō to hurt thē, he knowing to be taken frō them the commoditie to defend their ſelues. For aſmuch as, either with more large order, coming againſt thee, the which is wont to hapen (both the hornes being compaſſed) it is like that he ſhall eaſly diſorder thee, & put the to flight: or els geuing yt charge on ye flank, in ye midſt of ye ſquadrō, hauīg alredy brokē ye order, ſodenly ſtop thy men from being able to go forward, being cloſed in the arays of theyr enemies. Wherfore minding to retire into a main battel, & to turne to reſiſt, they ſhalbe able to do litle good, as thoſe that haue vſed ſuch a maine battel, which for hauing not any thickenes, is nothing ſtrong, but rather altogether weake. Finally if the enemy geue the aſſault behinde on ye laſt bande, thou ſhalt be brought to the very ſame neceſſitye, after ſuch ſort, that not onlye it ſhalbe ſeen that he may be able to take awaye the power to reſiſt, but alſo be able to geue thee moſt manifeſt ouerthrowe. But yf thou tourning backward, haue ſtomacke to faight, thou ſhal be oppreſſed of the ſelfe ſame difficulty, whiche we ſhewed, might be impedimēt to them that be placed in the front, for as muche as thou mayſt be ſodenly cōpaſſed about and taken. Moreouer, it is wont to happen whileſt the thing goeth not euen, that thou canſt not eaſelye geue ſuccour to that part of thy men which are beaten and wery. For aſmuch as if thou call the firſt, to ſuccour the laſt, or els contrariwiſe cal the laſt to geue helpe to them that be in the fronte, it ſemes that theſame, vncomodiouſly, & to late, may be brought to effect, hauing nede both to theſe, and to thoſe, to run vp and downe by a long ſpace, and diſtaunce of ground. For the whiche thing, it is alwayes better, and more ſure, and more eaſye to gouerne the bandes that march cloſe & ſquare, then thin and long: ineſpecially for as much as, to an armye that marcheth with the bandes long, often times is wont to happen, that of ſomthing ſeen doubtful & vncertaine, there groweth ſodenly feare and terror. Becauſe ſomtime it hath chaūſed, ye men decending from high places & hilly, in the plain, to places expedite & open, & the formoſt ſeing the laſt of the ſelfe ſame band, by a very great diſtāce to come after, ſuppoſing them ſelues to be aſſauted of ſome ambuſhe of enemies, it hath ben ſene that they haue ſodenly turned to faight, and afterwardes: no otherwiſe then as with enemies, haue with their owne fellowes gone together by the eares. The victuailes, the caryages, & al the remnant of prouiſion of thinſtrumentes of war, I iudge ſhould be placed in the midſt of the army: except the places that are left behinde, be ſo ſafe, that without daunger ſuch thinges may be caried and conducted after the army: but if it ſhall be otherwiſe, the hindemoſt part wold be garded & defended of the moſt valiant ſoldiers, as alſo is to be don in ye formoſt becauſe ye vnawares may happē many thinges. Likewiſe there ought to be ſent afore, certain men on horſbacke, ye which ſhould go inueſtigating, & ſpiing where they may paſſe, ineſpecially hauing occaſion to make voyages by moūtains, by woods, by places incloſed wt hils, & by moſt great deſerts. Becauſe that many rymes, ye enemye hauing oportunity to laye an ambuſh priuſly by ye paſſage, & to aſſault his aduerſaries, which litle therof toke hede hath eaſily broken & altogether ruinated them. The which ambuſhes if our Captaine by way of explorators ſhall forſee, with a litle paine hauing preuented ye councel of the enemy, he may attain a moſt great name of prudence and likewiſe ſaue his army. But the open plaines, which becauſe they may be eſely ſene without ſending afore any ſpy, thou with thine own eies, may take hede. For as much as in the day, duſt moued and lifted vp in the ayre, doeth ſhewe the ſtirring of ennemies, and in the night, the fires & the flame, ſignifieth their campe to be neare.

When thy men are to be conducted to make a voyage, & not for to faight, thou oughteſt to remoue by day, if peraduēture ſome thing do not conſtraine thee, for the which thou thinkeſt good to go in haſt, to come before thenemy, where in dede for ſuch occaſion, thou maieſt remoue by night, ſo that thou know, that ſafelye it may be done.

Whē thou comeſt in place where thou art conſtrained ſtraight way to come to the handes with thy enemy, and to faight, lead thy men not in haſte, but ſoftly, & inforce theim not to make to long a iorney: foraſmuche as, labour taken before men come to faight, is ſene moſt often times, vainely to conſume the force and ſtrengthe of their bodies. But yf thou muſte marche wyth thy menne in the Countrye of thy fryendes, it is nedefull that thou commaund thy Souldiers, that in no maner of wyſe, they touche or marre any thing, but rather altogether to refrayne: conſyderyng that Souldiers truſtyng in their weapons, & hauing liberty to do what ſhall pleaſe them, wyll fauour nothyng; ineſpecially for that the ſighte of thinges that pleaſe men, out of doubt are wont moſt daū gerouſly to leade ignoraunt, and vnwareful men, to deſire them, and with the ſweteneſſe of robbing, to entice them to do al maner of miſchiefe.

Whereunto yf thou prouydeſt not, thy frendes and confederates, for euery ſmal occaſion wil become enemies. Notwythſtandyng, the country of thy aduerſaryes, thou ſhalt ſuffer thy ſoul diers opēly to ruinate, deſtroy, burne, and conſume, becauſe by the dearth of victualles, and lack of money, warres are wonte to diminyſhe, and to be extinguiſhed: and contrariwiſe, through abundance and riches, they are nouriſhed and maintained.

But firſte before thou ſuffereſt thy enemies countrie to be deſtroyed, thou ſhouldeſt geue aduice to thy enemies, threatning them, what thou wilte do, yf they wil not yelde vnto thee: for that the perill of the miſery prepared, and the feare of the ruine loked for, often tymes conſtraines men to graunt many thinges, the whiche at the firſt, by no maner of meane had bene poſſible to haue brought them to do.

But after that they haue once receyued the hurte, they will make litle accompte of thee, and deſpyſe al other thynges, as though thou couldeſt doe them no more harme.

Albeit, if thou knoweſt ſurely, that in the countrey of thy ennemies, thou muſt tary lōg with thy army, ſuffer to be taken, & ſpoiled only thoſe things, which thou ſeeſt not to be greatly prsfitable vnto thee: but the ſame which is to be thought, may be preſerued for thy commodity, commaund openly vnto thy Souldiers, that they forbeare.

Hauyng made readye, and ſette in order thy men, tarrye not long in thy owne countrye, nor yet in the ſame of thy confiderates: leſt that conſuming al thy prouiſion, it ſeme not that thou be of greater hurt to thy frendes, then to thy ennemyes: but rather conducte quickly thine army, into the aduerſaries countrey, wherby if it be fertyle & abundant, there may be taken at thy nede, moſt plenteouſlye thoſe thinges that thou liſt. But if it be otherwiſe, thou ſhalt cauſe to be knowen, that ye ſekeſt to prouyde moſt louinglie, both for the wealth & profit of thy frendes. And where the Countrey of the enemies is fertyle, and aboundaunt, there may be taken thereof much commoditye, and great profite.

Beſides this, thou oughteſt to care wyth all diligence, that in thy campe, both by Sea, and Land, victuall maye be ſafelye broughte, for aſmuche as by ſuche meanes, the Marchauntes will endeuour wyth all dilygence, to bring all thoſe thinges, which for the vſe of an Army ſhalbe neceſſarye.

Moreouer, when thou muſt paſſe throughe ſtraight places, or muſte cauſe the Armye to marche throughe rough and hilly wayes, then it is conuenient principallye for the preſeruation of thy things, to ſend before ſome to take and keepe the higheſt places, the rockes, the foordes, and other encloſed wayes, to thende, leaſte the enemyes goinge before thee, come not to take them, and ſo eaſelye to keepe the paſſage from thee. The contrarye thou oughteſt to enforce thy ſelf to do, when thou vnderſtandeſt that thy enemye muſt paſſe through ſuch roughe, & ſtraight places. Seing that not only, thou haſt to take hede not to receiue any harme, but alſo to enforce thy ſelfe to turne againſt the enemye the verye ſame deceites, whereby he thinkes to deceiue thee withal. And like as when thou purpoſeſt to go againſt him, it is requiſite to ſolicitate the matter, to be able to be afore him, and at vnawares to oppreſſe hym, euen ſo with all dyligence, thou oughteſt to prouide to let him euery way, if thou vnderſtandeſt that he entendes to come againſt thee.

Of lying in the field.

THy tentes being pitched in the coūtry of the enemies, althoughe thou haue not delyberated longe to tarye in the ſame place, yet there muſt be out of hand made the diches & the trēch. Foraſmuche as after this ſort, thou ſhalte ſtand more fortefied. Whereby the ſodaine inuaſions and craftye aſſaultes of the enemyes, maye more ſafelye be withſtode.

And moreouer, thou maiſt chuſe ſouldiers, to whom charge muſt be geuen, that night and day, they kepe watch & warde in the Campe, albeit that it be knowen that the enemye be farre of.

But if thou be not letted of the enemyes: and purpoſeſt longer in the ſame place to kepe the Campe, eyther to geue the ſpoile to their Countrey, or to watche a more comodious oportunetie, to take occaſion to hurte them, then chuſe thoſe places where thou intendeſt to pitche the campe, that it be not durty, nor through other ocaſiō vnbolſome, for that the nature & the ſituation of ſuche places, through the corrupt vapours, and through the ſtinke that they ſende forth, diuers infirmyties and peſtilence, is wont to be induced, and ingendred: whereby who ſo euer is infected, is greuouſly afflicted, and manye maye happen to dye, after ſuch ſort, that dying alwayes a greate ſort, not only euery day the Army wil diminiſh, but alſo through the debelity & melancoly which they haue, that remaine aliue, they wil fall ſick & languiſh beyond meaſure.

And therefore holeſome and profitable it is, not to kepe the armye to long in one place. Excepte it be that thou arte conſtrayned to remayne, for occaſion to winter, and to aunyde the colde and the ſharpenes of the ayre. Furthermore, moſte greate care is to be hadde, that the Tentes and the Pauilions, be pitched in order, after ſuche ſorte, that thou maiſte bee thought to inhabits a place lyke vnto a litle Citye. Foraſmuch as otherwyſe, the euacuaſions of bodyes, that long is made in one place, ſende forth corrupte vapours, the contagiouſneſſe of whiche diſperſed, cometh to infecte the ayre nere about, and lightly tourneth it, into a naughtie vnholeſome qualitie, by whiche continuall vſe, and neceſſary cuſtome, we take diuers and perilous infirmities.

Of exerciſynge the Souldiers.

WHen the Souldyers in the wynter be at home, they ought to be excerciſed, & with diuers maſteris be made apte to fayght: ſo that neyther ydlenes nor ſluggiſhnes, haue at no tyme any place. Surely the ſtanding in ydlenes & in ſlugguiſhnes, maketh the bodies to become weake and languiſhed, and it yeldes the mindes altogether vile and feareful. For that alſo the mindes of them, that be moſte ſtoute, do therby become feble, whileſt they be taken by the flattery of pleaſures, & of continual vſe of delicatnes. For whiche thing, menne ought not much to abſent them ſelues from actiuity, & from laboure: Becauſe, if after idlenes thou wouldeſt conſtraine anye to labour, they wyl not go to the ſame very willingly, and going, they will not continue, as thoſe which inured wt long ſlothfulnes, feare labour, and flie euery ſafe enterpriſe, not as yet made, and finally if to any place, they wil go to attempt ſome act, ſodainly they wil depart, & altogether diſtruſting thēſelues, cannot & will not ſuſtain labour. And therfore it is the offyce of a wyſe Captaine, to ordaine quietly, & cōmodiouſly to make ready thoſe thinges, which he knoweth to be profitable for theym, whileſt he is not compelled of any neceſſity to faight, & whē it ſemes that they ſtand in no maner of perill, nor anye impediment happen theym that maye let him to comaunde hys ſouldiers, to do thoſe things for the exerciſe of their bodies, which thē is not nedefull to ſerue againſt the ennemy. Finally, euery thing without perill that is cōmitted to the ſouldiers to do, as the ſame that inſtructeth, teacheth & maketh them apt to the true maner of faighting, may ſeme to haue many cō uenient diſports, & recreations, yea & to them which with wearines be greued.

Souldiers be kept in exerciſe, in this maner: let ſome of them be choſen, & to euerye one be geuen the weapons, for ſuche a thing conuenient, & armed, accuſtome them to keepe the order, and learne neuer to forſake their owne place, & beſides that, with taking hede the one to the other, & calling them often, & with familiar practiſe together to vnite & to draw together thē ſelues, after ſuch ſorte, that euery man maye learne & know in what place & ranke, euery one is placed, & to ſtande ready to obey without delay, their captaines cōmaundementes. Beſides this, ye ſoldiers according as they ſhalbe taught, muſt be inſtructed in knowing how to deſtend & bring together the bandes, & on the right hand, & on the left hande, to turne them. Make them learne alſo according to the order, the trāſferring of the ſqadrō from place to place, & the mouing thē ſelues without confuſiō, & the way to inlarge & draw together ye rankes, & finally the going forth, & the returning nowe ye one, now the other, and the deuiſions and compartiments made by the Decurians: & the maner alſo to ingroſe the bāds in largenes, & to extend them in length, & to faight, of the one ſide, and of the other, with battel deuided in .ii. partes, ineſpecially when the laſt and reſcuing ſouldiers, tourning theym about, do reſiſt the ennemyes, who ſeeke to compaſſe them. Laſte of all, it is needefull, to admonyſhe the ſouldiers, that they ſtande attentyue to vnderſtande the ſignes, which by commaundement of the Captaine, ſhal be geuen whileſt they faight: and whan the Trompette ſoundes to retire, that with good order they doe gather together, and a litle and a litle, withdrawe them from the batraile. And verily to them, whiche beginne to indeuour theym ſelues to learne muſicke, it is wont to chaunce, that at the firſte where they ſhoulde ſet their fingers in the holes of the inſtrumentes of flutes, or in the ſtops of inſtrumentes with ſtringes, they ſet them cleane contrary, and vſe them without arte, ſo that they make no Armonie: and lykewyſe ſcant extend them, and ſlowly moue them. But they that by practiſe, exerciſe and reaſon, be expert in ſuch ſcience, without any paine, eyther when it is nedefull to gyue a little or muche winde, or els with the finger to ſtop the ſtringes, conueniently, & wyth commoditye, geue and withholde the breath, & with meaſure and quicknes moue the hande, heretofore accuſtomed.

The very ſame happeneth to theym that be rude, and that hath not the experience of the feares of warre. In the begining it ſemes that with trauaile and difficultie, through manye errors and long ſpace of time it is before they maye be inſtructed and kept in battel raye. But ſo ſone as they be taught and made perfecte, of them ſelues they will ſette them to the place, vnto the order, & to the thing that they haue to do, euery one of them wonderfully inforſinge them accordinge to their power, to make a faire and in al pointes a well ordered muſter.

The Armye beinge learned and ordeined after this maner: I woulde deuide them in two partes, & then without weapon bring them cloſe together to fayght, diſtributinge the light dartes, and the ſlite parteſans: and if paraduenture there ſhalbe nere ſome plowed fielde, lette theym faight wyth the cloddes of earth, and let the ſouldiers vſe harnes of Bulles lether, yf they may haue it. But if there were litle hilles or places, ſomwhat rougher then plaine, and lykewiſe pendent, by commaundement of the Captaine, let there be appointed one parte of Souldiers, to euerye one of which, let there be geuen ſuch ſort of weapon as is mete, and geuynge theim ſelues to run, take thoſe plates: and to the contrary, let there be choſen of the other, to whome be geuen charge, that with like weapons they inforce them ſelues from ſuch places to driue away thoſe, that kepe the highe grounde, and to enter their ſelues. Finally, the fayght finiſhed, let the Captaine praiſe thoſe the which without euer being moued, haue their places to them appointed, euen to the laſte defended: or els to praiſe them which hauing driuē away the other, haue entred their ſelues. With this maner of faighting, finally with this emulacion, and with this diligence, the army is conſerued, and the bodies of ſouldiers purged, and refreſhed after ſuche ſort, that euery one of them willingly wil vſe euery ſorte of meates, and ſwetelye take euerye drinkinge, not caringe, anye further, to ſeeke thinges neither greatly fine, or delicate, nor muche exquiſite. Conſidering ye bunger the which comes vpon men throughe the trauaile of labour, and the drines that commeth to them that through labouring ſwete, howe ſymple ſo euer the meate and drinke be, it wilbe thought to be a delicate diſhe, and a ſweete drinkinge. Whereby the bodies of Souldiers become more luſty and nimble. For that thoſe which be wont to labor in heate and cold in the open aire, as men glad and readye, do ſubmit them ſelues to trauell, and alſo luſtely ſuſtayne it.

In the very ſame maner, ſhoulde be exerciſed the horſmen. In the preſence of the Capytaine to be ordeined the running in triall the one of the other, the purſuing after, the flyinge, the incountringe, the charginge of their ſtaues, ſpeciallye in places playne and large, or els at the foot of hilles, as far as the borſes may go for the ſtepe and ſtony places: for in deede they ought not to be inforced to runne there, where it is to highe and pending, or to muche ſtepe and downeright.

Of makyng the ſpoyle.

THE ſpoyle ought moderatelye to be made, and it is not to be borne withall, that the Souldiers be ſuffered preſumtuouſlye to goe to rauin and to ſpoyle: nor to lette them goe to much wandering, in the Countrey of the enemyes, ineſpecially if it be riche and aboundaunte, bycauſe by ſuch lyberty, often tymes moſt great hurtes hath bene ſene to inſue. Where the enemy findinge ſuche occaſion, and ſetting in order his people, aſſaulting the Souldiers diſordered and ſtraggled for the ſweeteneſſe of the praye, or els of the ſame laden and letted, hath eaſely bene of power to put them to flighte, & to breake and to oppreſſe them, they being not able commodiouſlye to vſe their weapons, nor to geue ſuccour the one to the other. For whiche thing, thoſe that without commiſſion of the Captaine, do geue them ſelues to ſpoyle diſperſed, lette them be puniſhed with moſt greuous puniſhment, and ſhamed with notable reproche of infamye.

But when thou determineſt to ſend of thy men to get booties, thou muſt togethers with thoſe that ſhal go diſarmed, ſende alſo horſemen and footmen expert and valiant, whom maye not a whit be occupied in the praye, but ſtanding continually in araye, be alwayes ready to ſuccor the ſpoylers, after ſuch ſort, that ſafely out of daū ger they may returne.

And if perauēture ſomtime thy enemies ſpies happen to be taken, thou muſt not vſe towardes them all, one maner of ſentence. If thou knowe certainly, that thy men, and all thy preparation, be leſſe then the ſame of thy enemy, then commaund that ſtraight way they may be killed. But if thy armye of men be of a great multitude, & of weapons better furniſhed, and ſoldiers more valtaunt, and more obedient, and hauing leaders more expert, and more famous, then all thy Hoſte being ſet in good order, and as it were to muſter, commaunde that the ſpyes be led throughe out all, and that they haue libertie to beholde euerye thing diligently, and in thende, let them departe without anye maner of puniſhment: for that they, reporting the excellency of thy thinges, the puiſaunce and greate number of people, eaſelye will put in feare the enemies: like as the ſcarſitie of thinges, and dearth, is wont to bolden & to geue them hope.

Of watch and warde by night.

IN the tyme of nyght, there ought to be ordeined many watchemen: of the whiche, ſome muſt watch, and ſome other be apointed in ye places for the wardes, & the houres of the night deuided, the one after the other, may ſlepe & repoſe them ſelues: for as muche as the ſouldiers ſhould not be conſtrained to make their warde watchinge, more then that whiche nature is able to ſuſtain, although they promiſe to ſtande in watche al the night. Where ſurely ye ſweetnes of ſlepe, may cauſe a man to forget him ſelf againſt his will, and not to haue any care for his owne perſon, nature it ſelfe, conſentinge therunto. Therefore, let euery man ſtande on his feete to watche: for as muche as, ſitting ſtretched out, doth take a waye a little and a litle, the ſtrengthe, and maketh weake and languiſheth the body, wherby the ſlepe lightly ouercomes. On the contrarye, the ſtandinge vpright and on the fete, kepeth the minde otherwiſe wakeful.

Thoſe, whiche ſhalbe appointed to make the ward, let them go before the Campe, or els ſomewhat farther of, and make fyres after ſuche ſorte, that they maye ſee thoſe farre of, whiche peraduenture ſhal go in thoſe partes, where the fier ſhyneth, and of whome they can not be ſene, being ſet in dark places, and hauinge the light againſt them: by whiche way the enemies vnawares maye come to the handes of the watche.

Of remouing the Armye ſecretely.

YF at anye tyme thou haue determined to moue the campe ſecretly ſo ye the enemies ſhal not knowe it, thou hauing neede to take ſome place, or els ſome of thine being taken in goinge to defende the ſame, or finallye to auoide the neceſſitye to come to the deede of Armes, fyrſte of all, commaunde that there be kindled, moſt great fyres, and after cauſe the armie to remoue. For aſmuche as the fyres beinge ſeene, the ennemies thinkinge that thou reniemayneſt ſtil in the accuſtomed place, wil be ſtill and quiet. But if the fyres goe oute in the darknes of the night, and thou make thee ready to depart, the ennemies ſuſpecting that thou prepareſt to fly, will vſe diligence and ſpede, to let thee the paſſage, & layinge Ambuſhes according to the occaſion, moſt ſharplye will purſue thee.

Of coming to communicacion with the Captaine of thenemies.

IF it happen that thou muſte come to communycacyon wyth the Captayne of the ennemies hoſte, and wyth hym, (as oftentimes happeneth) to intreate of ſome matter, thou ſhalt take with thee the valianteſt & moſt noble men of thine Armye, the whiche be in the flower of their age, tall and luſty, and of goodly perſonage, & be alſo of faire and bright armour furniſhed. Becauſe many times it chaunceth, that the ennemy by ſeinge of ſuche men as commeth with the Captaine, hath iudged the remnaunt accordingly. And euery manne ſhalbe ſooner moued and drawen of thoſe things that he hath ſene, then of thoſe whiche by report he hath vnderſtode.

Of Fugetiues.

YF peraduenture, any fugetiues, from the Campe of thenemies, being ſcaped ſhal come into thine, for to geue thee aduyſe of their power, or els of ſome counſell, or if they ſhall offer to guide thee, to thend that thou mayſt aſſault thy enemyes at vnawares, cauſe that they be kept in cuſtodye, ſo that they may vnderſtande to haue no libertye to goe where they liſte: but rather let it be to them manifeſt, that if thou truſtyng vpon them, with thy army ſhall ſafely obtain ye victory: they ſhal haue for their rewardes moſt great plentye of gyftes, and moſt gentely being intreated, ſhall go free where they wil. But if it ſhall be perceaued that deliberately they be come to betraye thy Army with deceipt, make them know that in the ſelf ſame peril of the thing, without any doubt they ſhall haue to end their lifes. And it is not to geue credit otherwiſe to fugetiues, but whē they know that they be not maſters of themſelues, but thou the whiche in their counſels aſſured doeſt ſee thy ſelfe, mayſt do therafter.

Of conſidering the campe of the enemies.

THe wyſe Capytaine ought with al dilygence, to vew the Campe of the enemies: nor with leſſe forſeinge he hath to conſider the ſituation of the ſame. For aſmuch as, if ſomtime it be pitched in the plaine, in a rounde facion, we oughte not for all that to thinke, that therein be but fewe, becauſe they are ſhut vp in a litle circuit of grounde, for that the circular fygure, is wonte to ſeme leſſe in beholding it, then with the minde maye be comprehended by proportioning the meaſure of a maſſiue thing. Likewiſe the largenes, the whych is drawen in compaſſe, is in effect of more capacity, then anye man beholding it, is able to iudge. To the contrary, if the ſides of the diſtaunce do extend in length, and in ſome place eyther crooked, or els in manye angles tourned, doeth incloſe vp, you haue not for that cauſe to ſuppoſe, that therein be great multitude of men, ſeinge that ſuche facion of incampinge, ſheweth a certaine reſemblaunce of greatneſſe, and notwithſtandinge, doeth not containe in it ſo manie menne as might be within a ſpace made circularwiſe. But the campes lying vppon mountaines and hils, if in al places, they be not cloſed & ioyned together, they may ſeme bigger, then yf they were in the playne, and yet contayne leſſe number of men, then that whiche ſome man onlye beholdinge may throughly iudge. For as muche as they do leue manye places void & forſaken: as thoſe places be, that haue ſome partes ful of diches and caues, or els roughe and ſtonye, wherby they be deſart, and of no man may be in any maner of wiſe inhabyted. But of neceſſitye it hapneth that the Campes are alwaies made after ſuch maner, and the diſtaunce in lyke length are extended, accordinge to the nūber of people. Wherfore when thou ſeeſt the Campe of the ennemies, ſhut vp in a litle circuite, hauing conſideration of the place, and of the facion, do not eſteme it a litle, but being deſtended in lengthe, let it not make thee afraid: for as much as this aforeſayde knowen, truſte thou in the aduertiſmentes of war, and when occaſyon ſerues, attempt to execute ſome high and honorable enterpriſe.

Of incamping.

WHan thou muſte incampe thee, it is requiſite that thou bring together thy men, and in a litle ſpace of groūd to drawe theym together. If the enemies do prouoke thee, take hede not to conduct them foorth, but rather moſt cloſely retayne within the trenche thy Souldiers cloſe together, after ſuche ſorte, that it ſeme, that which thou doeſt, to be cōſtrained of feare. For as much as, many times the enemy, whiche lacketh experience of thinges, conſidereth not the facte, with that prudence, as is conuenient in the affaires of warre: but hauinge one onelye time, dued the Campe, and finally eſteaminge the aduerſaries to be but fewe, and they for beinge afraide to refuſe altogether to faight, he beginneth to make of theym litle counte, and to ſtand negligently, and in the end being come oute of his lodgings, and out of his fortification, goeth euery where without any hede taking, as thoughe that no man were able to incountre him.

Then he hauing occaſion to aſſault the enemy in his lodgings, boldly goeth to beſege him, not coſidering what great nūber of men may iſſue out. For ye which confidence waxing proude, as though no thing contrary might happē him, he becometh altogether ſlothfull and retcheleſſe, hauing not anye maner of care of chaunces to come.

The which occaſion if thou determin prudently to rake, thy men being put in order, and they in a ſodaine takyng vppe a moſt great crie, thou ſhalt ſend them furthe, by the backeſide of thy Campe, and by other diuers goyng foorthes, and in ſundrie maners, running on the backe of the enemy, thou mayeſt aſſaulte and faighte with him moſt valiantlye. And in dede, if wyth lyke policy and forcaſtinge, thou ſhalt know howe to guide thy men, lightly thou maiſt perceiue if ye enemy be like for to vſe againſt thee, ſuche deceites. And not only thou oughteſt to knowe that which thou haſt to do againſt the enemy, but alſo that there come not vpon thee ſome cōtrary accident. For as much as, with thoſe wayes that thou maiſt beguile thenemy, with the very ſame, thou muſt beware, not to be deceiued. For the way of vnderſtanding howe to beguile other men, may be vnto thee, a guide to be able eaſely for to inueſtygate, yf they in thy preiudis, do worke any thing.

How Councels are not to be diſcloſed.

IF ſometyme eyther daye or night, thou determine to remoue thy Armie, or take ſome Citye, fortreſſe, or Caſtell, or els to get ſome paſſage, or for to do ſecretlye ſome other enterpriſe with celeritie, that the enemies knowe not therof, doe not diſcloſe to anye thy ſecrete, nor reuele not where thou intendeſt to conduct thy men, neyther that whiche thou haſt to doe, ineſpecially, if it were not peraduenture, a profitable thinge, the communicating it with ſome of the principals. But whan thou arte ariued, where thou knoweſt that it is nedefull quicklye to come to the dedes, commaunde that, whiche euery man hath to doe accordinge to the occaſion, and geue order and withoute anye delaye of time, openlye admonyſhe the conducters, and ſouldiers, and ſhew them to what ende the thinge goeth: and afterward with all ſpede, goe forwarde with the enterpriſe. For ſurelye it is a token of a foolyſhe man, and vndiſcrete, raſhly to euery one to manifeſt his councell, and to no purpoſe to diſcloſe the ſecretes vnto the multitude. For as muche as, the euil diſpoſed perſons, and thoſe that haue a naughty minde towardes the common weale, attende lyke occaſions, whiche when they maye take, they fly ſodenlie to the enemies, for to geue ſuche aduiſe, wherby they beleue to attaine rewardes and honors. Nor there hath neuer bene anie Army, but that out of the ſame, for many cauſes as well free men as ſeruauntes, hath paſſed to the campe of the ennemies, ſpecially when they vnderſtande that ſome ſecret, or matter of importaunce is intreated of, or els doe knowe that the time aprocheth, to come to handes to do the feates of armes.

How that before the armie is conducted forth, Sacrifice ought to be done.

VErely thou oughteſt not to conduct forthe men, nor put them in aray to faight, if firſte accordinge as cuſtome requires, thou haue not made the ſacrifices: and therefore it is needefull, to haue the Aruſpici, & the deuiners, the which ſhoulde folowe the Army. But it ſhoulde be verye well done, and a thing to be muche deſired, if thou thy ſelf couldeſt know the reaſon to conſider the interiors, & to do the ſacrifice, with thoſe ceremonies, that is requiſite, ſo that thou thy ſelfe maye well & conueniently forſee thy thinges, ineſpecially, being able with facilety to haue knowledge thereof. But hauing done ſacrifice, if thou haue learned thy deſire, and ſhalte knowe that the holye thinges be fauourable to thee, with couragious mind, thou ſhouldeſt goe to thenterpriſe. For as muche as, the conducters will geue knowledge vnto the other, of all that whiche the holy things declare, and wil put them in good hope, and wyll geue theym good courage, when they ſhall vnderſtande, that beinge guided by the will of the Gods immortall, goe to faight. For the whiche opinyon, the Souldiers altogether takinge hart, cherefullye vnto euery perill, wyll put theym ſelues, as they which haue hope to obtaine the vyctorie, and al the ſignes, & euery voyce, and euery thing diligent lye wyl obſerue. Whereby happeneth that this worthye C • remonie of publike ſacrifices, with peticions & vowes maye maruelouſly comfort, and cauſe better hope to increaſe in ye mindes of them, which priuately moued wt feare of religiō, be made ſorowful for things aduerſe and abhominable. But if peraduenture after offeryng of the oſte thy vowes happen not to be fulfylled, and the Sacrifices not to goe proſperouſlye: thou oughteſt to remaine in the ſelfe ſame place, and not to moue thee, althoughe that other occaſion ſeme to conſtrain thee neuer ſo much. For what thing maye happen thee woorſe, then thoſe that fortune, and the ſacrifices do ſhewe thee? ſo that if that whiche is to come, might luckely ſuccede, thou ſhouldeſt by ſacrificing, haue had it graunted thee. For ye whiche thing, cauſinge more oſtes to be kylled, in the ſelfe ſame daye, thou muſte ſacrifyce them, and renewe the ſacrifices done: for euery litle moment of tyme, is of great importaunce, and eaſelye may both hurte and helpe, eyther taking, or altogether leauing the commodious occaſion of thinges.

Surelye to me it ſeemes, that the Arte of the Aruſpici, by meane of the beaſtes, and their interiours, by a certayne manner ſhewed, and reaſon to conſider, geueth knowledge, and declareth ye mouings of the celeſtiall ſtars, & their riſing vp, & their going downe and finally the inclinations of the figures of the triangles of quadratures and of the meaſures. For as much as, ſome of their litle minutes, differēce, vertue, and way to deuine, in the very ſame daye, yea in the ſelfe ſame howre haue cauſed oftētimes, that ſome haue obtained kingdoms, or els being vanquiſhed and taken, haue bene put in priſon. Seing then, that at a time it happeneth that to ſome, doing ſacryfice, is ſhewed that concerning taking in hande the faight, the thing ſhall procede well, and yet after the faight hath folowed the conflicte and ouerthrow: therfore I haue thought it neceſſarye to ſpeake ſomewhat of thys matter.

How it is nedeful to haue knovvledge of places.

BEyng (as it apeareth manifeſtly) both many & ſundry countries of the world & the ſituaſion of places, and the facion of prouinces of the land, of diuers maners, it hapneth thereby, that for the moſt part, a man may ſtande in doubt, and knowe not howe to determine in what places the fieldes is beſte to be pitched, and howe to ſette the battail to faight. There be ſome ſurely that haue knowledge of their owne countrie, but of others, they be ignoraunt and nothing ſkilful. Wherby it chaunceth, that the enemies being diſtaunt, the ſpace of a dayes iourney, and craftely faining to be afraide, and not to haue ſtomacke to abyde the coming of the aduerſaries, and making as though they would fly, cauſeth the capitayn litle expert of things, to purſew him no otherwiſe but as if he fled in good earneſt, & more boldly to moleſt & folow him in chaſe. But whē he hauinge bene drawen through the furie of purſuinge, and by vaine hope to oppreſſe the enemy, doth ſee him ſelfe to be brought to difficulte paſſages, and into places incloſed with mountaines, ſurely in the ende, he perceaneth too late, to be compaſſed aboute with enemies on euery ſide, and as it were ſhut vp in a Cage, the higheſt places, the ſtraightes, and the wayes, whereby myght haue been ſome paſſage to flye being now poſſeſſed of the enemy. Then beholding all aboute howe he hath been mocked, and ſeing all his armie diſperſed to be by the aduerſary aſſaulted, doth know hym ſelf to be brought headling into extreame cōfuſion, being by the propertie of the place depriued for being able to faight or to withſtande. And for to auoyde the ſhame of yeldinge, eſtemeth to bee better, and a more worthy thyng to dye of famine: or els being conſtrayned to ſubmit him ſelfe, geueth libertie vnto the enemies, to doe by hym whatſoeuer ſhalbe their pleaſure. For whiche thing, the retiring that the enemy maketh whiche hath reſemblace of flying, is alwayes to be had in ſuſpicion. Nor it ought not boldely to be folowed, but rather regarde ſhould be firſt had to the places, and theire nature diligently conſidered.

Therfore in conducting foorth the men of Armes, it is ſpecially to be conſidered, that by the ſelfe ſame waye, that thou entereſt, the paſſage maye be opē for thee to returne, or els to leaue of to enter, if thy returne may be letted, or being entred to vſe meanes to bee able to come foorth. Whiche maye be done in this maner: if the moſt iminēt and broken places and wayes in the toppes of the mountaynes, be kepte with thy ſoldiers, wherby the paſſage whyleſt the returne ſhalbe neadefull, maye be open to thee. Theſe thinges be ſayde, not onely to thintent that thou of councell may ercell the ennemy: but alſo, that with all diligence thou mayeſt ſeeke and forſee, not to be at vnawares of him oppreſſed. For as muche as a fayre thing it is, to knowe with pollicie how to oppreſſe the enemy, but it is good and neceſſary to beware of being deceiued by him.

¶ Hovve no litle accoumpte is to be made of him that hath brought aduiſes.

WHo ſo euer that ſhall require to come to ſpeake wt thee, to geue aduiſe of ſome thyng, whether he bee free or bonde, commynge by day or night, let him be gētly receiued and not only be brought into thy pauilion: but alſo if peraduenture in the voyage he ſhall come to mete with the, or in what ſo euer maner whether it be either in time when thou takeſt reſt, or eateſt or waſheſt, let his comming neuer be prohibited. For as muche as, in like matters, the delaying, & taking away the commoditye of men for comming to ſpeake with thee, or hauing ſeruauntes to whom is lawefull to let them, whiche woulde come to ſpeake with thee, is no other, but to leaſe the occaſion of moſte greateſt importaunce, and is likewiſe loſſe of time, whiche is deareſt aboue al other thinges: and finallye by ſuche neglygence to no purpoſe, to put thy thinges in ruine. For vndoubtedly, where the Captaynes bee admonyſhed and taught by ſuche meſſengers, it bath bene ſene, that ſhortly after they haue ben able, to come to do thinges, which haue bene thought to haue bene of moſt great helpe to the whole ſtate

Of the time vvhen the Souldiers ought to eate their meate.

YF peraduenture thou muſt needes lodge thy menne ouer againſt the campe of thenemies, giue order, that the ſouldiers in the breake of day, do eat their meate. For as muche as, if thou perceiue that it is in thy libertie, to be able as ſhal pleaſe thee, and when thou liſt, to put theym in araye, and bringe them to faight, then according as ſhal be moſt commodious for thee, thou mayeſt commaund euery manne, that they eate meate. But if thou happen to be brought to ſuche extremity, that eyther throughe the ſituacion of the place, or through the weakenes of the trenches and diches, or els for ſome other cauſe, wherby it lieth in adbetriment of the enemies to inforce thee to yſſue forth of thy fortificatiōs, & to thy loſſe to bring out thy bands, & to driue thee both to take thee to thy weapons and to faight. Surely it is a thing not litle to be regarded: but all diligence is to be vſed, that a ſigne, beinge geuen in the breake of daye, thy ſouldiours dee with meate comforte their ſtrengthe, leſte that being peraduenture aſſaulted, they be not conſtrained to arme them ſelues and to faight faſting. For the ſouldiours vndoubtedly being refreſſhed with a litle meate, & not thereby full ſatiſfied and filde, be come in fayghte, bothe more luſtier, & muche ſtronger. Of the whiche thing, making no coumpt, hath happened often times, that vnfortuna • ly menne through famin, and lacke of meate being cleane without ſtrength, haue ben ouercome: and ſpeciallye when they come to the battaile that is no lyghte ſkirmiſhe, but that cōtinueth a whole daye.

¶ Of comforting the Armie.

IF at a time ſome malincoly bappē to grow as is wonte to chaunce through ſome feare that appeareth to haue occupied the mindes of fouldiours, or els through ſome ſocours come to the enemies, or through ſome other cauſe where by the power of the aduerſaries might be thought ſuperiour to theirs, then ſpecially to a Captaine it is requiſet, to ſhewe him ſelfe cherefull, & pleaſant. Conſidering that the countinance & loke of the Captaine, is wont to make the mindes of the ſouldiours conformable, for that altogether with his ſemblaunce, they are moued. Becauſe he being cherefull, ſodainly the ſouldiours take a good harte, iudging that nothing contrary nor porilous, maye fortune. So contrariwiſe, if it ſeeme that he be afraide or ſad, all by and by lacke harte, no otherwiſe, then if there appeared ſome great cuyne at hande. Wherfore ſurely it is better, & doth more agree with the wiſdom of a Captaine, with the ſemblaunce of the face, to fayne cherefulneſſe vnto men, and with his merines, to make them glad, then with wordes and orations to comforte them, whyleſt they be afflicted with malincoly. For as muche as vnto wordes, often tymes they doe not geue credite.

whiche accordinge as the condicion of the time requireth, maye moſte ſtudiouſly be fayned: but euery man ſpecially beholdeth the countenance, and the boldnes that appeareth in the face, & eſteaming that there is no faynednes, al feare ſet aſide, they aſſure them ſelues in their minde. And out of doubt in a Captaine, it is to be deſired to haue the one and the other, that is to know, when nede is, to vſe to good purpoſe the facultye of ſpeache, and to ſhewe himſelfe ſuch a manne, as the tyme, and occaſion ſeemes to reguire.

VVhen it is meete to put the armie in feare and terrour.

LIke as it auayleth much with wordes and with chereful looke to gyue courage, and to fill with hope, the army in which is entred ſome fearfulnes, euē ſo it is not of ſmal vtility, at a time to put them in feare, when they be geuen to idelnes and ſlouthfulnes, litle eſteaminge the Generall Captaine, and the other Captaines, rendryng not obedience. Therfore then, with remembringe of perilles, and making alſo mention of the diligence of the enemies, it is fit to kepe them in feare, wherby thou ſhalt make thy ſouldiers not fearefull, but warefull. And like as the ſicke minde afflicted with malincolie, is to be releued and holpen, with putting the ſame in good hope, euen ſo laſiuious menne, throughe ſlouth vnrulye, ought with terror to be refained and chaſtiſed. By which meane oftentimes chaunceth, that the Cowardes and Daſtardes, ſettyng aſide feare, become valiant, & contrary wyſe, the bolde and couragious, is made prudent and politike. And bothe the one and the other, of theſe two thinges may happen, eyther that thy ſouldiers, after ſuch ſort doe feare ye enemies that they haue no ſtomack to take in hand to do any thing, or els to deſpiſe thē ſo, & paſſe ſo litle of them that they thynke not that they ſhould take anye heede. And therfore to euerye one of theſe two thynges, thou oughteſt circumſpectlye to frame thy ſelfe, and to haue regarde to the affaires, and to the times, ſo that when nede ſhall require, bothe with wordes and with looke, to ſhew thy ſelfe to haue feare, and to forſee that whiche is to come: or els to ſeme bolde and hardye, when thou ſhalte know the ſame to be lyke to helpe thee.

Howe Souldiers maye be incouraged vvith priſoners of the enemies.

ALitle before that they come to the poincte to faighte, ineſpeciallye when the vncertaine end of the day of battail that is to be made, cauſeth the Souldiers to be doubtfull and full of thoughtes, all diligence and policy is to be vſed, eyther with ſuddein aſſaultes, or with ambuſhes, or elles with ſome light ſkirmiſhe, to take ſome of the ennemies, of theym chiefelie, that haue lefte their places, appointed to the warde, which vſe ſomwhat abrode in the fieldes to ſtraggle, who, if thou ſhalt perceaue to be luſty & bold, cauſe them to be put to death by and by, or els geue them bounde in cuſtady to thoſe that haue the charge of priſoners, that they be diligently kept, & commaund that no man be ſuffered to go to ſpeake with them. But if thou know that they be afraid, and altogether vyle, geue commaundement then that quickly they may be brought vnto thy lodging, and looking on theim ſcornefully, and with ſeuere and troubled countenance, and alſo with thretninges, after ſuch ſorte to bring them more in feare, and to make theym humbly to beſech thee with wepyng, and for doubt of their liues to be good vnto them, thou ſhalt cauſe them to be brought in the fight of thy Army, and ſhalt ſpeak vnto thy Souldiers, ſhewyng them howe ſimple, vyle, fearfull, and of no worthynes the enemies be with whom they haue to faight, as theſe whiche feare ſo muche the ſtroke of death, and ſo muche diſtruſt them ſelues, that fallynge downe on their knees, with ſo muche vylenes, and ſo ſhamefully do pray to avoide the peril thereof, and to aſke mercy of their aduerſaries. Therfore a moſt likly thing it is, that therby, the Souldiers will take hart, and of the vituperus ſpectacle of ſuch made priſoners, will iudge of the vilenes, and delicatenes of the enemies. And ſurely, if a manne who hath not as yet ſene, doeth notwythſtanding hope, how much more ought he to be moued by the thinge in dede, and with the recompence of hope, whereby lightlye is taken awaye feare and difficultye.

How men ought to be ſet in araye.

BEing many and ſūdry waies of ordering mē in battel ray, which chaūſeth through varietie of weapons, and after the maner as the Souldiours are taught and accuſtomed, and according to the ſituation of the place, and the qualitye of the enemies: it is nedefull that the Captaine haue ſuch knoweledge, that he maye vſe euerye one of them, when occaſion ſhall require.

But I will brieflye declare thoſe thinges, that maye be conuenient to the diuers ſortes of weapons, at the pitchynge of the fielde, beſides thoſe thynges that maye be founde in the ſame neceſſitye of time.

Ordaine then thy horſemen, not according to thy deſire, but as the time and the condicion of things ſhal conſtrain thee. Thou ſhalt put in aray thy horſemen againſt thoſe of thy enemies: but as muche as maye be poſſible, ſet them in facion as they are wonte to ordeine ye battailes with .ii. hornes, ſo that both on the fronte, and on the ſides, by the commodity of the largenes of the place, they maye more ſpedely ride and manege their horſes, and not to put other behinde theym, that maye let them. In the mayne battaile place among the firſte, the Velitie, the whorlers of darts, and the croſbowes: finally the ſhooters in longe bowes, and the ſlingers. For that if ſuch kind of menne ſhoulde be placed hyndermoſt, they ſhould hurt more their fellowes, then any of thenemies. And yf they be placed in the middeſt, their maner of faighting ſhoulde bee to no pourpoſe, for that they can not retire backewarde for the lengthe of theyr dartes and of their ſhotte, nor yet can not with their bodies moue them ſelues to whorle, beyng let of them that go before. And muche leſſe the ſlingers can wild their ſlinges or throw: being hindered of the Souldiers that ſtande aboute them, in the which, the ſwinge of ye ſling hurting men, ſhalbe of more damage to their felowes then to ye aduerſaries. Likwiſe the ſhooters if they ſhall be before the other, they wil hit almoſt in one marke, directly in the bodies of the ennemies, but if they ſtande in the laſt ranke, or in the midſt, they ſhalbe conſtrained to ſhoot aloft: in the which maner, the arowes flying compaſſe, their violence muſte nedes conſume in vaine: and while they fall downe, vppon the heades of the enemyes, the blowe hauing nowe loſt hys force, can ſcarſe do any maner of harme.

If it happen that thou muſt fayght, in places where one partte is plaine and lowe, and the other by meane of lytle hylles, hygher then the playne, then ſpeciallye place thy Souldiers, that are lyghte armed, on the moſt rough and hyllye grounde. But yf thou be in the playne, and the enemye on the hilles, conduct the lyght armed Souldiers, as they whiche moſt eaſely canne throwe their dartes, and retire theim ſelues, and in runnyng apaſe & ſpedilye go vppe in the roughe and ſtepe places, leauing in anye wyſe betwene the bandes ſome diſtaunce: ſo that if peraduenture the ennemyes abyding to incounter thee, and to come to the faight, when thy Souldyers haue nowe throwen their dartes, and conſumed al their other kynde of ſhot, tourninge backe thoſe bandes wyth order, and withoute diſturbaunce, cauſe that they may retire theym ſelues for ſuccour in the hindermoſt partes of the Army. For vndoubtedlye, to go aboute with the Armye, and to turne it vpon a corner, is a thing that by no maner of meanes is ſure. For as muche as the enemies, may go before them, and before they be ioyned wyth the other part of the armye, by force maye breake them. Contrariwiſe, the paſſing ſtraightlye betwene the bandes cloſed together, being thicke, and as it were to fall vpon the weapons, may cauſe confuſion, and put in diſorder the rankes. But if the Velity aſſaulte the ennemyes by a wyng, they maye then doe exceading great harme, as thoſe that maye ouertwhart whorle, and throw their dartes, and conſequentlye hurt the naked partes of the enemies. Finally, the ſunges be more perniſius, then al the weapons that the Velity are wont to occupye. For that the colour of lead is like the colour of the aire, whereby whileſt ſuche bullettes of leade flie in the ayre, it is not ſene before it woundeth the enemy at a ſudden: & through the force of the whirle, and ſwinge, & violent mouinge thereof, as it were burninge, and fired, doth wound greuouſlye, and penitrateth inwardlye, nor it cannot be deſerued: for the lips of the wounde ſodeinly cloſeth, as one which making a ſigne with his eyes, ſhutteth them not fully.

But if thou lacke ſuche ſort of weapon, and the aides of Velitie, and that the enemy be aboundantlye furniſhed of them, commaund that the foremoſt of thy battaile, goe forwarde thicke and cloſe together, bearing great ſhieldes, with whiche, they maye couer all their bodyes, and the other that folow after them in araye, euen to the laſte, holding vp their targettes, ouer their heades, muſte paſſe ſo muche forward after this ſort, tyll they come within the whorle of the dartes. For as much as, beinge couered after thys maner, they can not be hurte in anye part by the ſhotte. But if the one and the other army haue plenty of Velitie: then cauſe thyne to be the firſte, to hurt the enemy, before they come nere to the handes, or els after the battaile is begon, geuinge the aſſaulte ouertwhart to do then what they can to hurte the enemyes, the which ſhalbe inforced to preſe together, and to bring them ſelues into a litle ſpace, and moleſted of the weapons whorlde from farre of, ſhalbe conſtrayned to diſorder theym ſelues.

If thou wylt auoyde that the enemyes compaſſe thee not aboute, make not thy rankes longe, after ſuche ſorte, that altogether they become weake, that the ennemye maye caſely breake theym, and thereby attayne the paſſage, and that he nede not foorther to ſeeke longer waye to gette to compaſſe thee, for as muche as, waye beyng geuen, and the order of thyne broken, he maye gene the charge vppon thy mennes backes, the which not only thou haſt to take bede of, that it chaunce thee not, but thou oughteſt to vſe meanes to do the lyke agaynſt the enemy.

If ſometyme thou ſeeſt the order of thy men to be weake, do not retire nor drawe them together, after ſuch ſort, that the enemy maye compaſſe them, and ſhutte theym vppe rounde about, onely it is nedefull for thee, to maintayne ſtrong the hyndermoſte partes, no leſſe, then thoſe, that fyrſte he placed in the heade, or in the ſydes. For as muche as the laſt and the reſcuyng Souldiers, may ſtoppe the enemyes ſuche waye, lyke as alſo maye they, whyche ſtande in the winges, and in the hornes, ſo that thou be attentiue to forſee for thynges to come, and inlargyng the hindermoſte parte of the battayle, and deſtending bothe the flankes, ſette thy Souldyers turned agaynſt the battaile of the ennemyes, and commaunde thoſe that nowe of the ennemyes bee compaſſed aboute, that they tourne theyr backes, to the backes of them whyche go before them, and ſo to faight on euery ſyde.

It appertayneth to a circumſpecte and prudent Captayne, when he ſhall know to haue to fayght wyth a fewe menne agaynſte a greate multytude, to vſe eyther dylygence to chuſe ſuche fytte places, whyche bee eyther neare Rockes of Ryuers, or elles vnder Mountaynes, and vppon all other thinges, where thou mayſte put in aray thy battailes, and by the qualitie of the place, be able to let the ennemies, that they neither compaſſe thee about, nor incloſe thee. For as muche as a fewe, the whiche haue to occupy the highe and craggy places, maye eaſelye withſtande the power of the enemies, that ſhoulde with multitude attempt to compaſſe thee. In the whiche thing, it is not only nedefull the councel and prudence of the Captaine, but it requireth a greate deale more good fortune. Becauſe that often times peraduenture chaunceth, that an Army happeneth vpon ſuche fitte places, and notwithſtanding the captaine is ignoraunt how to chuſe what ſituacion of grounde is beſt for him. But of thoſe that are preſent to chuſe the beſt, and to foreſee whiche to him is lykeſt to be moſt profitable, is ſurely a ſigne of a wiſe Captaine.

Some of a cuſtome when they go to faighte, truſting to the great number of men: haue ſet them in araye after the maner of a half circull, ſuppoſyng to be able to intiſe the enemies after ſuch ſort, as though they ſhould come to fayght man for manne, in the whiche maner mouing them ſelues, they thinke by a litle and a litle bending the corners of the halfe circle of their battel, ioyning them together in a circle, to incloſe in the ſame their aduerſaries. Againſt whome, it is not mete to goe with like facion of battaile: but deuiding thy men in thre partes, with the two, the charge may be geuen vppon the one and the other wing of the ennemies: the thirde thou ſhalte ſet againſt the halfe circle, whiche ſtande ſtil, and go not forward, and if the ennemies wil ſtand ſtil in the facion of a ſemicircle: thoſe ineſpecially that are in the midſt, ſhall do no harme: where in dede is taken from them all way to be able to doe any thing. But if they begin to moue, whileſt they would frō the bottome of the halfe circle, reduce them ſelues by right line, preſſing the one the other, they ſhall breake theyr aray. For as much as, ſtanding ſtill, the order of them, that be placed by the flankes bowed like a horne, and they faighting, the halfe circle by no manner of waye maye be reduced in righte order. The araye then broken, and mouing theym ſelues, from the halfe Circle confuſedlye, thou oughteſt with that thyrde part, to aſſaulte them ſo diſordered. But if the enemies ſtand ſtill in the ſemicircle, ſet againſt them, lyght armed Souldiours, and alſo whorlers of Dartes, whiche may opreſſe them with multitude of darts, and with other weapons that may be ſhotte or whorled from farre of. All be it, if with all theſe force of bothe thy bandes thou aſſaulte the enemies on the ſyde, and ſo go againſte this order of halfe circle, thou doeſt not erre ther in one whitt. For as much as they being not able to come to fayght againſt thee with all their men, wyll deuyde them ſelues, and only they that were ſette on the ſydes, ſhalbe conſtrayned to be the firſt to come to the faighte, for conſideration of the aſſault, which thy men haue gyuē them on the ſides. But peraduenture it wyll not bee a thynge of litle vtilitie, that ſome time putting firſt men in araye, no other wyſe then if thou wouldeſt fayghte, and after as it were for feare retiring backe and keping the raye, thou fayne a retire like to a running awaye, and then turning thee to come to affronte thoſe which folowe thee. For as much as ſome tyme, the enemies thinkinge that the armie of the aduerſaries for feare be put in flight, through vnmeſurable gladnes, breaking their order will geue the onſet, & euery man will ſtriue and inforce him ſelfe to get before his felow. Againſt whome by that meanes, thou mayeſt faight without peril, and through the boldenes of thy ſtaying, contrary to the opinion of the enemies, thou maieſt eaſely diſconfite them, now being become fearefull, & ſchattered here & there, although they had before ſo proudly perſued thee.

Beſides all this, there would be in a readines certaine Souldiours elected, which ſtanding in aray out of the battell as Triarii, ſhould geue ſuccor to that parte of thine, whiche are werye and repulſed, and of whome when nede requires, thou maieſt eaſely haue helpe. Conſidering that it is the greateſt ayde that may be, to ioyne vnto wery men, thoſe whiche are luſtie, ſeing that they commodiouſly may ſuccour their fellowes nowe wery: and freſhe and vigorouſly aſſault ſtrongly the enemies deſpearſed and becommen weake.

And it is not only to good purpoſe, but rather a thing of great benefite, if ſome men of thyne be apoincted to lay them ſelues ſecretlye in ambuſſhe in ſome place ſo farre of, as maye bes thought mete: to whome commaunde, whyleſt with thy battaill ſet in array, thou ſhalt bee comen to hande ſtrokes, ſo ſoone as the ſigne is geuē, that they diſcouering them ſelues, do quickly come vnto thee. Whiche then is to be done: when ſuccor looked for, ſemes not to come at a due tyme. For that the aduerſaries, ſuppoſing thoſe, to be the ſame men, that thou lokedſt ſhuld haue comen in thy ſuccour, perauenture whyleſt they as yet march, before they be ready to ioyne with the reſt of thy Armie, wyl be afraide & put them ſelues in flight, thinking them to bee no ſuche nomber, as in dede they be, but a great deale bigger, and ſpecially if it be done at a ſudden, whē they are about ye feates of Armes. For as much as ſuche chaunce, is wonte to make a frayde the myndes of them, whiche haue not experience of thinges, doubting leſte there happen them not ſome worſe thing, and therefore with feare they abide the ende of the matter.

The aſſaulting the enemies behind at vnawares, bringes them in exceadynge great terrour, and aboue all thinges is of vncredible profit. For which thing, if it were poſſible to do, there ſhould be ſent by nyght a bande of Souldiers, that trauerſing ye waye, might paſſe beyonde the enemies, and behind them, place them ſelues in ambuſſhe: And when bothe the armies were affroonted, and nowe comen to the faighte, they quickelye marching out of the wayte, ſhoulde aſſalte the hyndermoſte bande of the enemies: whom compaſſed about on euery ſide, although that there were lefte them ſome hope to ſaue them ſelues: they ſhall not haue ſtomacke to goe about to flye, but to yelde, as they who are not able to retire backe, nor commodiouſly goe forwarde, beynge of euerye ſyde ouertaken.

Whyleſt the faighte continuallye doth increaſe, and that of neither part they beare not theym ſelues valiauntly, thou rydinge rounde aboute, ſhalt comtorte thy men, and being on the ryght wynge: ſhalt crye, that the lefte is victorious, and that the enemies nowe are ouercome. If thou be on the lefte wyng, declare that the bande of the ryght wyng of thy men hath obtained the victory, not paſſing whether it be true or falſe. For that it is not much amiſſe, nor of ſmall commoditie to vſe a ly, when the fayghte is greatly moued. Moreouer if the Capitain or king of the enemies, be ſomwhat farre from thee, or in the other wyng, or els in the middeſt of the battaile, thou muſt crie with a loude voice (ſo that of the enemies thou be alſo hearde) that he is ſlaine. The whiche being openly vnderſtodde, thy menne more cherefully wil double their worthines to faight, and the enemies will lacke hart, and altogether for deſperation will put them ſelues to flighte. This pollicie hath been often times profitable, where at one time, is begiled the enemies & thine own men, to theſe ſhewing things of ſauegarde, and to the other hurtefull and dolorous.

Lykewyſe, it is the office of a wyſe Capitaine, in the arayes, to place together the brothers with brothers, & frendes with frendes. For that whyleſt we ſee that he is brought in peril, to whome we beare good will, of loue inforced, fearing no manner of daunger, more valiauntly we put forward our ſelues to defende him. And he ſeing him ſelfe ſo louinglye defenved, will be aſhamed, and doubte, that yelding not the like kyndnes, may ſeeme to be negligente wyllingly, and therfore he wyll thinke it a great reproche vnto him, to forſake his frende that ſo redely hathe done for him, & ſhamefully to geue hym ſelfe to flye.

Of commaundementes, wauinges, and Signes.

THe commaundements, wauinges, and ſignes, ought likewyſe firſt to be geuen to the heads & leaders of mē, for as much as to go to finde euery mā and cōmaund them lyke things, ſhuld be a manifeſt token of a Captain very ſimple & vnexpert: ſeing that whyleſt to enery one ſeperatly ye cōmendemēts at geuē, time cōſumeth & great rumor therby is made, al aſking him at hād, and ſekinge euery one to know what the commaundementes are. There happeneth beſides this, that certaine menne to the commaundementes, wil adde ſome thing, or els through ignoraunce, diminiſhe them. Wherfore it is meete that the cōmaundements, be geuen firſt to the heades and rulers, & after they to refer them to thoſe that are vnder them, and thoſe likewiſe to doe the ſame from hand to hand, to al the other. And in this manner, the ſignes and commaundementes maye go from one to another euen to ye laſt. For that not ſo ſoone as they are geuen, but alſo without noyſe, and with order euery one ſhall come to knoweledge therof. The which likewiſe in geuing tokens with fire, is wonte to be obſerued, where the firſt litle firebrande is lifted vp, the ſecond hauing receaued the brande, geueth it to the thirde: the thirde to the fourth, which geueth it to the fifte, the fyfte to the ſixt, & ſo forth, the one after the other, after ſuch ſort, that in ſhort time from a moſt great diſtaunce, the ſigne had of the firſt, ſhall come euen to the laſt ordinarilye and without diſturbance. Likwiſe that ſigne which ought to be geuen the third, after the commaūdements, ſhould not be geuen with any thing doone by the voyce, but either with ieſture of bodye, or by ſigne of the head, or with mouing of the hande, or with ſtriking together the armes, or with turning of the Spear, or els with glittering of the ſwerde: ſo that peraduenture making tumulte not onelye the Souldiours oughte to ſtande attentiue to take the wauing, but alſo the ſigne. For as much as the enemies might vnderſtande the meaning of the wauing, whiche they may oftentimes ſee to be geuen. But the ſigne whiche beſides may ſecretly bee geuen, after ſuche ſorte that it cannot be knowen of the enemies, ſemes alſo to be very conuenient and c • mmodious, for the ſtraunge Souldiours to knowe: whome although they vſe diuerſe languages, notwithſtanding they being confederates and ſeruing together with you: and being not able to ſpeake as they maye bee vnderſtode, nor vnderſtande other, which in other language ſpeake, by making ſignes, the fredes by frendes, may by ſuch meane deſerne their meaning. The which ſignes oughte to be geuen and diſtributed not at ſuch time whē they muſt faight, and make noyſe with vncertain voyces amōg the handes, that are to be ſet in araye, but long before when quietly they remayn at leyſure.

Of the order that is to be obſerued.

BEſides all this commaunde thy Souldiours to go forward, and turne backwarde with good order: wherby being repulſed, and retyring, they maye be leſſe hurte, as thoſe whom the enemy one by one, can not oppreſſe, being not here and there ſcattred, and diſorderlye wandering: or if they being conquerers, ſhall purſue the enemyes out of order, and put to flyghte, they ſhall ouerthrowe them eaſely, & more ſtrōgly oppreſſe them, and with more ſafegarde, if in the chaſe vnited together, and in araye they proceade. For vndoubtedly many times, when the enemy fliyng, ſeeth his aduerſaries, come vpon him without anye order, he bryngyng agayne his menne in araye, & turning backwarde withſtanding them with violēce, crusly ouercometh them. Wherfore men muſt thinke that nothing is better, nothing more ſafer, nothing more ſurer, then obſeruing the order, to ſtande ſtill in their place appointed: & to the cōtrary nothing is more perillous, nor more hurtfull, then to breake the order, & to forſake the ſame place.

Of making ready and ſetting foorth the armie to faight the fielde.

Haue care to bring thy Armie to the fielde with bright and ſhining armor. which eaſly may be done by cōforting thy ſoldiours to make clean their ſwerds, headpeſes, corcelettes, & euerye other peeſe of Armor, for as muche as the cleanes and brightnes therof, maketh the Armie ſeeme terrible, and putteth feare & trauaile in the myndes of the enemies. Moreouer cauſe thy handes to go forwarde with rumors, & ſhowtinges, and ſometime running with violence, for as muche as the ſemblāce of ſuch thinges, the cryinges & noyſeof barnes, and the ſoundes of trompets, wōderfully troubleth and feareth the hartes of the aduerſaries.

When thou ſhalt come to the point to ioyne battell with the enemy, cauſe thy ſouldiers ſomewhat before, to floriſhe ofte their naked ſwerdes againſt the ſunne. For yt the gliſtering ſwerds and their ſhining poinctes, through the brightnes, now of the one, & nowe of the other, againſt the reſplending beames of the ſunne, doth ſhew a certaine horrible terror of warre. The which thing, if as well of the enemye ſhall likewiſe be doone, aunſwering thee with the verye ſame, thou haſte cauſe to be afrayd: & if he doe not that, it is to be thought that thou in anye wyſe muſt nedes thereby put him in drede. Being ſet in aray, & as well of the one as of the other parte, the men being made redy to faight, thou oughteſt not ſodenly to moue thee, being drawen wt deſire to be the firſt to geue the onſet, but ſtay thee nere thy trēch, till that thou ſeeſt thy ſelf the redines of the enemies, that is how manye, of what cōdition, & finally in what place they be diſpoſed to faight, ſeing that after this maner, thou mayſt more cō modiouſly forſee to thy affaires, conſidering which of thine thou haſt to ſet againſt thoſe of the enemy, & in what maner thy men is to be placed & ordeined, doing in like ſort as is cōuenient for a good Phiſition to do, the which conſidering firſt, & knowing the infirmity, cometh after to giue ye remedies. Ordeine thy menne accordyndyng as thou perceiueſt to turne moſt vtilitie to thy buſines. For as much as the captaine oftentimes hauing ſeen the preparation of thenemies, is conſtrayned to accomodate, & to ordein his ſoldiers according to the Army, the men, & maners of thē. If the enemy be more puiſaunt of horſemen, & that thou peraduētur haue cōmoditie, chuſe yt ſtraight and difficulte places, or at the foote of mountaines, & where the horſes cānot eaſely go: but if thou haue not cōmoditie ſo to do, proceade ſo much forward faighting, till thou finde places mete and conuenient for thy neceſſitie. But within the trenche, leaue the warde, for defence of the lodgings & of the cariages, leſt that the enemy vnderſtanding the place to be forſakē, ſende his ſouldiers to take thy campe, left with out defence, & to ſpoile al thy cariages.

Some captaines deſtroy their owne lodginges, or elles paſſe Riuers, or deliberately do leue behinde thē hilles and depe places, to the ende that the Souldiours ſtanding conſtantly, may ouercom the aduerſaries, & attaine the victorie, or otherwiſe altogether to periſhe. For that if they thinke to ſaue them ſelues by running awaye, they ſhall ſee that by al maner of wayes to be taken from them, the poſſibilitie to ſcape. Theſe maner of men ſurely I of the one part can not prayſe much, nor yet of the other parte diſprayſe: for as muche as deliberately to purpoſe to do thinges with peryll, is rather reputed fooliſh hardines then prudence, and vnto fortune, there is more to bee attributed then to good iudgemēt. For as muche as where thou arte cōſtrained to do the one of theſe two thinges either with all thy power faighting, to attain the victory, or els being ouer come, euery thing to goe to ruyn, in what maner may I the victory vnto prudence, or els the ruine & vniuerſall conflict vnto the election and to iudge mēt aſcribe? Yet ſurely, I ſuppoſe that ſometime to ſome ſouldiers, it ought to be permitted that for deſire of honor & glory, periluſly they may faight: when the care is ſuch, that if they bearing thē ſelues valiantly, ſhal get vnto the cōmon weale no ſmal vtilitie, & if they vnfortunatly faight, that it can not turne to much hurt. But fortune being doubtful & vncertain, & doubtful the ſucces of the battel, I praiſe not in any maner of wyſe, yt haſarding with all thy men, in the handes of chaunce. And me thinkes they erre exceadingly which will faight after ſuch ſort, that if they ſhal haue ouercome, it ſeemeth them to haue litle hurt ye enemies: but if they ſhalbe ouerthrowen & vanquiſhed, to be like to be of moſt great hurt to the cōmon weale: and yet they leue not to vſe like policies of warre. But if now it be ſeen plainly, and may be taken for a moſte certaine thing, that great diſcomfiture is like to folow, if yu doe not faight, although it be with perrill, & that if the enemy ſhal once be ouercom, he is like altogether to periſh, then me thinkes, that thoſe captaines do not amiſſe, which againſt their ſoul diers ſhould ſtoppe the waye for being able to flie. For that in a thing vncertain, it is better with mālenes, not only to auoyde the miſchief, but rather to ſeke to offend ye enemy, thē to ſtand in idelnes, & to behaue thy ſelfe vyle, when thou mayſt be ſure, that daring to do nothing, thy buſines are like altogether to go to naught.

But not only in like places, where flying hath no certainty of ſafegarde, but in euery place, and in condicions of faightynge, thou oughteſt to admoniſhe thy Souldiers, and with all reaſon to ſhewe theym, that to thoſe that flie, doeth followe nothing but death manifeſt and certaine: becauſe the enemies haue libertye to perceuer and purſue them, & being not letted of anye, maye eaſely offende their aduerſaries, ſcattered and put in flight, and that to them who faighting, ſtand ſtil and do defend, there death is doubtful and the perill vncertaine. And if thou perſwadeſt them, that in the battaile which is to be fought, thoſe that geue them ſelues to flye, wythout faile ſhal moſt ſhamefullye periſhe, and he that ſtandeth ſtedfaſte, in the ende if the worſt fall, ſhall die moſt gloriouſlye: and that to them whiche forſake their place, and not to thoſe whiche keepe araye, ſhall inſue the hurte, thou ſhalt perceiue to haue them in the ſelf ſame perils, both bolde and valiant. Therefore deſire to haue thy Souldiers perſwaded and diſpoſed after this maner. For as muche as thoſe that be of thys minde, and of ſuche affection, eyther they attaine the vyctorye fullye, or els ſuffer litle harme.

Surely the Councels founde in the inſtaunt perill while they are a faighting & the for caſts for to put at a ſudden againſt the deuiſe of the enemies, haue without doubt to the Captaines and to them that well vnderſtand the feates of warre, brought foorth more excellent glory, & greater maruel, then thoſe haue d • n that a man wold haue thought, & by coniecture ſuppoſed to haue bene exceading good before that men come to the trial, whiche thing, to ſhew one by one, and to euery man to geue ſeuerall inſtructions, is verye difficult. For like as ye maſters of ſhips hauing prepared & diſpoſed by order al things that ye ſiēce of nauigation requires, after departing out of the hauen, do put themſelues to the mayne ſea: but if peraduenture there happen to riſe ſome tempeſt: they doe not that they deſire, but the ſame whiche they are driuen to doe, and they doe manye thinges boldly, and beynge rounde aboute ouercome with perylles, wyth ſtoute mynde, they reſiſte with theyr prouiſions, vſyng not ſo muche the memorye and the ſcience of ſailying, as the occaſion, whiche vnlooked for, appeareth before theym: Euen ſo the Captains muſt doe: Put in order his men, and indeuor theym, and diſpoſe them in that manner, which he thinketh to tourne commodious and profitable to him, and to his affaires: but when the tempeſte ouertaketh him, and the waightenes of the battayle, for as much as, many thinges by force is wont to chaunge and breake, and greate varietie to fall, then according to the ſtate of thinges preſent, and that is ſeene before the eyes, he muſte fynde at a ſudden, according to occaſion, the forecaſt and councels, more rather as neceſſitie of fortune, then as the arte and witte it ſelfe, ſhall haue offred him.

Of the Captaynes office, vvhileſt the battayle is a faightyng.

VNto the captain it is mete rather circomſpectly & with wiſdome, then boldly to faight, or to refrayne altogether from the faight: Becauſe that faighting cannot ſo much benefite the common weale, although he ſhoulde ſhew force inuincible, as loſing his lyfe not a litle ſhould indamage the ſame.

Wherefore, he ought to be much valianter with prudence of mynde, then with the force and luſtines of bodye. For as muche as, with the worthines and ſtrength of bodye, the Souldiers may doe ſome greate attempt, but the vſing of prudence and to foreſee thynges, and deliberating in tymes conuenient to councel the common weal, principally to the Captaine, and to no other is requiſite. For that lyke as if the Mayſter of a ſhyppe leauyng the ſterne, & forſaking the gouerning, wil do thoſe things that appertaine to the other mariners, ſhall without doubt geue occaſion to drown the ſhyp, euen ſo the very ſame errour the Captayne ſhoulde commit, who ſetting a parte his offyce of Councellyng, for prouyding euery thing, ſhuld defend ſo low to take ye charge which is mete for ſoldiers. And ſurely the preſumtious necligence of ye greater & ſuperiors in dignity, maketh to become vaine all aid, wherin neceſſarily is commytted the conſeruacyon of wayghtye affaires. The like I repute ought to be though of that Captaine without anye difference, the which when he ſhalbe dead, the common weale to bee in haſard to fall in decaye, nor beyng not deade, no other then he ought to take thoughte for the ſafegard of the ſame. And ſuch a one by more reaſon is to be blamed as a ſimple captaine, then to be prayſed as ſtoute. And ſurely he that hath done the duetye of a Captaine, wyth counſel, and with diſcretion, hauyng atchiued felicity, by mean of foreſight wt reaſon he may lawfully glory. But contrariwyſe, he that is ſo arrogant & couetous, that beleueth not to be able to doe anye thing honorable, if he him ſelfe go not to faighte with the ennemye, not onelye is not to be thought valiant, but rather preſumpteous and foolyſhe hardie. And that he ſo dothe to get him ſelfe a name of the multitude, not to eſteme any peril, for to incourage his Souldiers, both to make them redy & glad, to ieopard them ſelues in an enterpriſe. But let him that wil do wel, faight warely, & not feare death, & chuſe ſooner to remain depriued of his lyfe, then hauing any ouerthrowe, to liue with ſhame. But the thing being ſafe, and the army in ſafegard, he ought to haue regard to his lyfe. For ſurely where the death of the Captayne chaunceth, there manye tymes, the reputacion of the happy ſucceſſe is diminyſhed. For as muche as, they, who haue vnfortunatly fought, hauing vnderſtoode that the enemyes are lefte depriued of their Captayne, taking hearte agayne, haue aſſaulted them, & theſe of the other part afflycted with malincolye, haue lacked ſtomacke, that althoughe they haue fortunately fought before, notwythſtanding for the death of the Captain, they haue then put them ſelues in diſpaire.

Ʋnto the captain it likewiſe appertaineth whileſt his men faight, to go riding about the battel, to ſhew hym ſelfe to the faighters, to prayſe thoſe which valiauntly haue behaued them ſelues, to threaten the fearful, to comfort thoſe that be doubtful & ſlowe, to geue ſuccor to them that are repulſed, to ſupply the lackes, & if it ſhalbe nede ful, to lead men from one place to another, to obſerue tymes, to take occaſions, to make coniecture of thinges to come, and to commaund when nede is that there be geuen the ſigne to retire

Of that vvhich is to be done after the deede of Armes.

AFter that he hath reuoked the Souldyers from the faighte, let him do ſacrifice, & geue order that thanks may be rendred to the immortall Gods, with ſolemne pompe, as muche as in that time maye be done, promyſing with gratefull minde, to make ſatiſfaction in thoſe thynges, ſo ſoone as the war is ended, and the victory obtained, accordyng to the conuenyent cuſtome of ſatiſfying. After warde let him geue honours and rewardes to them, whyche he ſhall vnderſtande haue behaued them ſelues valiauntlye in the dede of Armes, and according to the cuſtome, to be towardes them benigne, and liberall. But thoſe whiche haue bene ſlacke and fearefull, let him punnyſhe moſt ſhamefully. Vnto valiaunt men let him graunt thoſe honours which according to the vſe of the countrie are lowed. The gyfies which the Captain ought to geue, be theſe: armours, Anſignes, ſpoiles, the offices of Decurians, Centuriaus, prouoſtes, conducters and other lyke offices. But to the moſt valiant, & to thoſe that are already in authority, there would be greater honors diſtrybuted, and to the priuate Souldiers, to be geuen the leſſe. Although theſe thinges haue bene accuſtomed to bee geuen liberallye, and with gentelnes, according to the deſeruinges of euery man, neuertheleſſe it doth prouoke moreouer other vnto vertue, whiche of lyke honours are deſirous.

And without doubt, when rewards are geuen to the good, for their merites, and the yll not ſcaping withoute puniſhment, of neceſſitye the armie is put in moſte excellent good hope. For that ſome for feare of puniſhment, do abſtaine from doing yl, and other ſome drawen with the deſire of honoures, imbrace vertue.

Of the Victorie.

HAuing obtained ſome victorie, thou ough teſt not onely to euerye Souldiour particularly • o geue rewardes for the acte well executed, but alſo to all the Armie, thou oughteſt benignely to geue ſome generall rewarde for their labours. Thou ſhalt graunte licence to thy Souldiours, to putte to ſacke the lodginges of the enemies, the cariages, and the Caſtels, if any by reaſon of warre happen to come into thy poſſeſſion, and finally alſo the citie: ſauing that if peraduenture of the ſame there ſhould not be had more conſideratiō of deliberting ſome th • ng. For that this to al ſuch affaires, is of much vtilitie, in eſpecially, when the warre is not as yet finiſhed. Becauſe the ſoul diours by ſuch profite and gaine allured, will ſhe we them ſelues much teddier & more couragious in other occaſions: if thou be not of opinion that it is proffitable for the hunters with the bloude and interiours of the wilde beaſtes whiche they haue kylled, to teach their hounds to hunt, but think it hurtful to geue in pray to the victoryous Souldiers the goods of theym whiche haue bene ouercome.

Of putting thynges to ſacke.

GRaunte not lycence to thy Souldiers neyther alwayes, nor in euery place, nor al to put to ſacke: & permit not thē to come to lead alway the people: whō thou maiſt cauſe to be ſolde (if nede require) for the common profite, and to maintain great expences. In whiche cace, thou ſhouldeſt commaund openly that al the goods be brought and conueyed vnto thee: Becauſe moſt excellentlye well, thou mayeſt deliberate thereof, hauing regarde to the time, & to the ſtate of thinges, whether thou haſt nede to retayne all the praye, or part of yt ſame, or els none at al. And it is not conuenient, that making war the common treaſure be left wythout money, for Souldiers being depriued of the gaynes, which from day to day they make, eſpeciallye when by the abundant riches of them who are ouercome, & by the fertelity of the places, the gaynes more amply, or largelye, and with more benignity may be deſtributed to them.

Of priſoners.

SO longe as the warre cōtinueth, kyl not thy pryſoners, and ineſpecially thoſe, againſte whome the war is made at the firſt, althoughe it happen that the confederates ſhall haue opiniō to cauſe them to be put to death. But aboue al things thou ough teſt not to put them to death, which about ye enemyes be of great aucthority & of fame well knowen, & notable, remembryng that fortune is vncertaine and doubtfull, and chaunce variable and mutable: the whiche moſte oftentymes loueth greatlye to beare enuy to the happye ſucceſſes, and to miniſter ſhame to glory attained. But ſeeke to exchaunge theym, or by rendring them, to get ſome Caſtel, or els to redeme thy frendes taken priſoners whom thou deſyreſt greatlye to haue againe, but if the ennemyes ſhall refuſe ſuch permutacion, then lykewiſe with reaſon thou mayeſt make reuengement of their iniury.

Of feastes, and triumphes, after the victorye.

DAungers being paſt and ouercome, and wyth greate trauayles hauing gotten the victorye, lette thers be for thy Souldiers, made readye ſolemne feaſtes, and the places with good order to be appointed, and geue ſuch order, that playes & triumphes be made, ſo that hauing now the certaine ende of the victorie accompliſſhed, and the Souldiours knowyng thoſe thinges, whiche after the victory they haue to inioye, may for ſuche cauſe, learne to ſuſtain at another tyme, the difficultie of the turmoyles of warre.

Of buriyng them whiche in the battayle haue been ſlayne.

THou muſt after prouide, & with great diligence procure, that ye obſequies be made moſt worſhypfullye to theim whiche haue been ſlayne in the deede of Armes, nor thou ſhouldeſt make excuſe, neither of tyme nor of howre, nor of place, nor of perrill, whether thou ouercome, or be ouercomed. For that like as it is a godly thing, to performe the obſequies, & according to ye ryghts to doe ſacrifice for the dead, euen ſo it is very profitable for thē that remaine aliue, and rather altogether neceſſary to ſhewe to the lyuing, this thy pitie to wardes the dead. For ſurely, when euery man ſeeth the dead bodies, as it wtere for outragiouſnes and deſpite of the Captaine, not to be buried, they iudge and preſuppoſe the very ſame of them ſelues, & take diſpleaſure of ſuch thynges, knowyng that if they faighting for their countrie, happen to be killed, are lyke not to be buried.

Of reuenging the ouerthrowe.

YF in fayghting, thou happen to receiue ſome ouerthrowe, meſte diligētly thou ſhouldeſt geue attendaūce, to find occaſion to make reuengement, and to take awaye the ſhame receiued, hauing nede after this manner, to comforte thy Souldiers, which ſhalbe lefte thee ſafe. And ſurely moſte often times, thoſe that newly haue obtayned the victory, are wont here and there to ſtraggell negligently, and to kepe their thyngs without forecaſt or any warde. And he that paſſeth lytle on yt enemy, becometh with al, ſlouth full and recheles. For the which thing many tymes, the happy ſucceſſe of the Acte, hath been of greater harme then the receiued ruin. For that whoſoeuer hath once been beaten with contrarye fortune, by the ſucceſſe of the thing being taught and admonyſhed of his error, from that tyme forwarde, more warely doth gonerne him ſelfe. And contrariwyſe, he that hath not made proofe of aduerſity, rānot vprightly in proſperous affaires maintein himſelf. And if he be a cōqueror, as one that is become proud, he paſſeth litle of other nor vſeth not diſcreſſion after ſuche ſort, that no maner of hurte be taken, the which he ſhould haue vſch for to offende the vnwarefull and idell enemies. For ſurely to feare where is nedefull, and where the tyme requires, is token of a man, whiche wyſely prouideth for his buſines. But without good conſideration, to deſpyſe & make litle accompt of euery thyng, is the ſigne vndoubtely of an arrogant man, and therfore ſuch a one, becommeth ſubiect to euery ſort of perill.

Of Truce.

YF thou haſt made truce, doe not in anye wyſe all that tyme, aſſault the enemy, nor yet ſtande vnprouided. Although towardes hym thou ſhouldeſt be in quiet, no otherwyſe then as yf thou haddeſt peace. But in as muche as appertayneth to thee, beware after ſuche maner as if thou madeſt warre, that there happen thee not any thing contrarie.

And vndoubtedlye, it is a conuenient thyng in tyme of Truce, that thou fyrſt moue not agaynſt the enemye, further then honeſtie and reaſonablenes, nor to ſtande altogether without order and diſarmed, but rather ſhewe thy ſelfe to take heade, and to haue ſuſpition of hydden hatred, and of the deceytes of the aduerſaries.

Foraſmuch as ye mindes of thē wt whō thou haſte made truce, be ſecrete and vncertaine: for the whiche thing thou ſhouldeſt ſtedfaſtly obſerue, not to doe anye inturie, for the othe that thou haſte made in the couenauntes: but for feare of vntrueth, truſt not vppon the enemies, wherein declare thy ſelfe withall, heedefull and prudent, not breaking the agreement, and leauinge not occaſion to be aſſaulted.

Surely thoſe, whiche of the iniurye that peraduenture they are lyke to receiue, do remytte the reuenge to the immortall Gods, although they be of a godlye oppinion, notwithſtanding me thinkes, they put not their things in ſafegard, where it is very ſtraunge and a foolyſhe thinge, not to defende thy ſelfe from perilles, & to take no heede, becauſe thou haſte hope, that for their falſeheade, and breakynge of faith they are to be puniſhed, which vnmercifully haue offended and indamaged thee, as thoughe it were lyke to turne thee to profite and ſafetye, ſo ſoone as the enemies ſhall haue ſuffered paine for the ſame, ſpecially when with ſafegarde of thy thynges, it is lawful for thee, to make proofe, and to come to knowledge of the impietye of the ennemyes. In whiche manner thou being falſelye and trayterouſlye aſſaulted, ſhalte not be hurte, and the enemy ſhal ſhew himſelfe to be diſleal, which hadde thought to haue hurt thee, if he hadde bene able.

How the Captayne ſhoulde behaue him ſelfe, to cauſe Cities to yelde.

VSyng benignity and gentelnes towardes thoſe Cities, whiche of their owne minde, haue yelded them-ſelues vnto thee, and by couenaunts being rendred-ſhall come into thy poſſeſſion, thou ſhalt therby incline other ſo to do. For ye they intiſed of hope to attaine the verye ſame that the other haue, will eaſely yeld. And ſurely that manne, which ſo ſoone as he hath obtained a City, ſheweth himſelfe ſharp and cruell, putting it to ſacke, tearing and cuttyng to peces al thinges, geueth occaſion to other Cities, to alienate their good willes, and to take vpon them ſelues the warre, and the difficulte victorye. For as muche as, euery man which is aſſured, that the conquerour is vnmercifull and cruell towardes them whome he hath ouercome, doth chuſe muche rather to doe and to ſuffer all extremitye, then willinglye to yelde. And queſtionles, no one thyng filleth ſo much the mind with valiauntneſſe, as feare of the imminent perill, whiche euery man knoweth to ſuffer when ſo euer they yeld. And the feare to ſuffer miſery, is wont to put in the mindes of men great deſire bothe to make reſiſtaunce and to faight. And all proofe whiche is made againſt deſperates, is difficult and perillous. And they who yelding theym ſelues cannot hope to be intrered more gentlye, nor to haue vſed towardes them more benignity then as if faighting, they were ouercome, much rather making reſiſtence, wil ſuffer all miſchiefe. Whereby the vnwiſe and cruell Captaynes, geueth occaſyon that the ſiege of a Citie is prolonged, and ſome alſo to become vayne, and are neuer brought to good end, and be likewiſe daungerous and perillous.

Of keping promiſe with Traitours

VNto them which at thy requeſt, ſhall haue committed ſome treaſon, thou oughteſt to obſerue the faithe and promiſes made theym, not ſo muche for their cauſe, as for the time to come, wherby other maye vnderſtande, that thoſe whiche wil folowe thy part, ſhalbe rewarded, and ſo the eaſelier they will be brought to ſuche ſeruices. For queſtionleſſe he that geueth to tratours, may thereby receyue great benefittes. Wherefore be ready to geue thankes to ſuch ſort of men: conlideryng, that thou arte not choſen reuenger of the betraide city, but Captain of thy countrye.

Of treaſons by nyght, and of vnderſtanding the courſe of the Starres.

FOr to giue an aſſaulte, and to take occaſion to oppreſſe the enemies by nyghte through treaſon, it is neadefull, that yu haue ſome knoweledge of the courſe, and mouinges of the Starres, ſeing that through the ignorance of ſuche thinges, the determination of them, which would commit treaſon, moſte oftentymes becommeth vayne: where the Traytour hauing ſometime appoincted with thee, the thyrde or the fourthe, or what ſo euer other howre thou lyſte, the whiche he hath thought to haue been fytte, either to open the gate, or to kill ſome of the warde of the Citie, or finally to oppreſſe at a ſudden ſome ambuſhe of the enemies, not knowyng the determinate bowre, of neceſſitie it is lyke in one of theſe two thynges to committe error, eyther goyng ſooner then is nedefull, and before the Traytour hath procured the thyng, wherby thou mayeſt be taken of the enemy, or be hindred to bryng to effect yt, which thou haſt determined vpon, or els going latter, then the tyme apoincted, giue occaſion that the Traytour bee caught and kylled, and ſo be an impediment to thy ſelfe, to bryng to paſſe the thing that yu goeſt about. Wherefore it is requiſite with iudgement, to make conſecture, and diligently conſider, in what ſpace of tyme, how many voiages thou haſt to make: and then conſideryng the courſes of the ſtarres, thou muſt with thy ſelfe, moſte diligently remember how farre thou haſt gone, and howe muche there is to go: ſo that thou aryue not ſooner nor later, then the hower of the tyme appointed, and that thou bee within the wal, before the enemy vnderſtande of thy commyng.

Of takyng by daye, a Citie or Caſtell by treaſon.

BUt if thou muſt nedes by daye go to take with treaſon a Citie or Caſtel, whyleſt thou art a marching, ſende before a parte of thy horſemenne, to take all thoſe which be founde by the waye, to the ende, that none ſtirring from the fielde, doe runne to the Citie, to geue aduyſe that thy men come to aſſaulte thē: but rather make that in a momēt at a ſudden, thou be preſent with the enemy with thy armie in good araye. But after that ſuddēly, yu haſt aſſalted hym, he hauing not thereof any whit of ſuſpitiō, if it be not good, the thing to be done by treaſon, commaunde thy men to faight without further delay, withall force, and to goe with moſt ſpedy celeretie, to the intent to preuēt the enemie, thou hauing occaſion to approche eyther to a Caſtell or to a forte, or finallye to a Citie, and this ineſpecially, when thou ſhalt haue fewe men, and inferior to thoſe of the enemy. And in dede, where the ſudden brunt and vnloked for, cometh vppon them, contrary to their opinion, it is wonte greuouſly to trouble the enemy, although he be of greater power. But if he ſeing the men that aſſaulte hym, haue leaſure to deliberate, taking harte agayne, he wyl then begin to paſſe littell, and more boldely wyll faight: whereby it chaunceth moſt often tymes, that the firſt ſalies, and the beginninges of the enterpryſe, are wonte to ſeeme more fearfull, then when ſlowely & with delay they proceade. For the which thyng, to manye it hath chaunced, that with a ſudden larum, the enemy nowe aſtonied and made afrayd, they haue with litle labour conſtrayned to ſubmit him ſelfe of his own mynde or els againſt his will, to render obedience.

Of beſieging a Citye.

IN layng the ſiege to a Citie, aboue al thinges, the vertue of the captaine, is nedeful, and the policies of warre like wiſe is to be required, & the preparation of ordinaunce. Where alſo ought to be foreſeen and taken hede of, that thoſe, whiche thou kepeſt beſieged, in no place at a ſudden offende thee. Becauſe that they who ſee theym ſelues to be beſieged knowe, if they ſhall be negligent, what greuous hurtes, will come vppon them, for whiche cauſe, more circumſpectlye they take heede, and obſerue by what waye, they may indamage the ennemye that beſiegeth them. And ſurely, he that thinkes to be in no peril, deth ſome of thoſe thinges, which he hath determined, when it pleaſeth him: but withoute doubt, who ſo euer conſidereth him ſelfe to be in daunger, ſeketh euerye occaſion, whiche founde, inforceth him ſelfe to take it, & to vſe it againſt his aduerſary. wherfore he that doth beſiege muſt fortifie his campe with ſtakes, with trenches, and with watches & wardes. For as much as the enemy a far of, ſeeth that which yu prepareſt, & the ſame whiche thou arte about to do: agaynſt which, thoſe whome thou kepeſt beſieged, being couered of ye wal, at times iſſuing out at vnawares, & out of the gates running abroade, may burne al thy artifices, & Ingins, & oppreſſe thy ſouldſers, & ruinate whatſoeuer ſhall come to their hādes. The which thing they will not attempt to doe, if nere to the gates, as well to the great, as to the littell, where appeareth, that they may iſſue out of the Citie, thou haue placed for watche, ſome hande of thy Souldiours, who maye lette ſuch ſudden ſalies & incurſions: otherwiſe, the enemies iſſuing out ſecretly, may many tymes, be able to doe lyke thinges.

Very comodious and profitable it ſhal turne thee, if the enterpriſe which thou woldeſt do, ſhalbe done by night. And verely if the thyng bee doone by night, conſidering the darkenes to thē which be aſſaulted, it is wont to ſeme more terrible, for that they can not diſerne, what is done. Wherby it happeneth, peneth, that the ſuſpition is more greuous, and in the myndes increaſeth greater ferae, then if the thyng myght be ſeen. Whereof doth ryſe, ſuche vproares and tumultes, that there is no man, which is not at his wittes end. Yea & they will ſaye, that the enemy doth many thynges, which in dede he doth not, ſeing that for reſpect of the nyghte, it can not wel be vnderſtand, of what part the aſſaulte is geuē with the ladders, and that which is done. Moreouer through all the Citie, they wil run vp and downe here and there, and in euery place rayſe rumors and feare, and terrible brutes or tales, for as muche as falſe feare, deuines of thinges to come, and eſtemeth it to be ye ſame whiche ſuſpition imagineth.

And euery thyng that thou doeſt by night, although it be but litle, to them which thou kepeſt beſeged, may ſeeme horrible and fearfull. For as much as none telleth that which he ſeeth: but euery man, particularly rehearſeth that, whyche in the darke he hathe hearde. And if it be vnderſtoode that of ſome part, one or twoo of the enemies, haue got vppon the wall, thynkyng thoſe to bee all the menne, puttyng them ſelues to flyghte, leauyng their defence, and forſaking their fortifications, they will departe.

If thou wylt that ſpeadelye ſome woorke be diſpatched and doone, ſee thou be the fyrſt to put to thy hande to the ſame woorke. Becauſe the multitude, not ſo much with threatnynges, is inforced to do that which thou woldeſt, as they are moued by ſhame, and of the reuerence of their ſuperiours. And vndoubtedly when euery manne ſhall ſee the Captayne before any other, putte his hande, to the worke, and to trauayle hym ſelfe therin, then they know the thyng to haue uede of ſpedenes, and they be aſhamed not to labour, and feare to drawe backward, and nowe not as ſeruauntes and ſouldiers ſubiect to the commaundemet of other, and of an ill wyll, but driuen of ſhame, they wyl come, and (as well as though they were called) offer theim ſelues to beare equally the burden of the labour.

Although there be many and ſundrye inſtrumentes of warre, and dyuers the inuentions to batter and to ruinate a eitie, notwithſtanding thou nedeſt not vſe them all, but only thoſe which thou mayſt commodiouſly. And without doubt, if I ſhoulde vndertake to teach thee, I were not able to name all thoſe, which are to be occupied, I meane the Aries, the Teſtudini the Vinie, the Baliſtes, the Bridges, and ſuch lyke woorke and Ingins: for as much as ſuche thinges, appertaine to the riches and power of theim that make the warre, and alſo to the wittines of the Architecturres, and Artificers, and vnto the cunning and ſubtilnes in artificially making them. But that whiche aboue all thing, agreeth wyth the prudence of a Captaine, me thinkes is ſpecially to choſe ſome parte of the citie, or caſtell, where like workes & ordinaunce may be brought vnto. For that thou canſt not caſelye compas all the citie about, and aſſault all partes thereof, with woorkes and Ingins, except the caſtell were very ſmal and litle. Then hauing deuided thy men into ſundry partes, and diſpoſed them by order, thou ſhalt commaūd that larums be geuen to ye other places of the citie, & that ſchaling ladders be alſo brought to the wall, ſo that the citezins maye knowe to bee oppreſſed on euery ſde, & through ſuch difficultie to be conſtrayned, that they can not well deliberate to what parte of the Citie they ought to geue ſuccour. Seyng that if the other partes be abā doned and that they ſhall attende to the ſame, whereunto the Ingins are planted, the Souldiours beyng made ready to the ſchallyng, not letted of any man, with facelety may get vpon the wall: or els if the townes men deuiding them ſelues through al places, wyll euery one according to his ſtrengthe, do the beſt they can to defende: thoſe which ſhalbe placed againſt the violence of the Ingins, and inſtrumentes of warre, can not being but a fewe, ſuſteine the wayghtines of the fayghte, nor repulſe the fury of ſo hote and terrible aſſault.

Wherfore it ſhalbe to very good purpoſe & profitable, to make as though in diuers places thou wouldeſt aſſault the city, ſo that through the ſūdry preparations, and for the dyuers maners to ouercome it, thou deuide in manye partes the force, and the Counrels of the Citezins, and keepe their myndes troubled, and here and there to drawe and retyre them. Whereby thou in this mean while, of that part, which with all thy power ſhalt ſtande intentiue to faight, more eaſely mayſt oppreſſe the Citie, and take it, as it were a certayne body.

But if thu makeſt haſte, and inforceſt thy ſelfe ſpeadely to wynne ſome Caſtel or Citie, or els ſome Forte, and that thou ſeeſt nowe thy Souldiours through labour to be weery, and that it ſhoulde not tourne thee well to deferre the enterpryſe, nor to remoue the Souldiours from the fayght, then it is nedefull for thee, to deuyde thy men into ſundrye orders, hauyng reſpecte to the number of them, and to the greatnes of the Citie.

And beginning in the fyrſt watche of the nyght, the tyme to fayght being equally deuided betwene them, the ſquadrons with equal ſpace put in order, boldlye vndertake the enterpryſe. And after the firſt warde, cauſe the ſeconde, to ſuccede, and the thyrde next the ſame, and the fourth, and the fifte alſo, if ſo many ſhall nede: relyuing nowe the one, & nowe the other. So that whiles ye one ſquadron faighteth, the other may ordinarely repoſe them ſelues & ſlepe. Finally the night ended, in the beginning of the daye, returne the very ſame order: & ſo returning from time to time, continue the enterpriſe, diſtributing the handes & deuidyng them, courſe by courſe. In which maner, ſhal happē two things, which is, that day and night without any delay of time, they ſhall faighte, & thoſe which are wery, ſhalbe reliued of the luſty, refreſhed throughe reſt, which by their tourne they haue takē. Nor let no mā thinke, that citizens beſieged, can vſe the ſelfe ſame councell, and that diſpoſed with the ſame order, although thei be many, may with like maner & wt exchaūging now the one, now the other, without diſturbance & moſt great labour, defende thē ſelues. For as much as euery man, which remembreth to ſtande in perill, albeit he ſuppoſeth that the cōmoditie is geuen him to ſlepe, neuertheleſſe he can take no reſt. For that conſidering the daū ger that ſtandeth him vpon, he is conſtrained to watche, as though the Citie wers like to go in ruin in ye meane time that he ſlepeth & repoſeth himſelf

But peraduenture ſome wyll ſaye, what? thynkeſt thou that the Captaine is made of a Diamant, or elles of Steale? Whyche in all thoſe thynges, that by the ſpace of courſe be to all the armie deuyded, he onelye continually ought to ſtand vigilant, & neuer him ſelfe to take reſt. Surely I do not ſeke this of him, nor forbidde not that at a time he geue himſelfe to quietnes & to ſlepe, ſo that he do it moderately, and that the ſlepe be ſhort: & in that while, do chuſe ſome faithfull and valiaunt manne, which for reputacion and authoritye, hath the ſecond place, after the Captain, and the charge of gouerning to be geuen him.

Sometime thoſe partes of the Citie which be of ſome high rocke, & daūgerouſnes, or els otherwiſe fortified of nature, hath ben ſeen to haue geuen to thoſe who haue ouercome them, greater occaſion to take and win the citie, then ſuche walles haue done, whyche wyth arte, and with hands haue bene made ſure and ſtrong, & therefore they are reputed, to be more weake. And in dede thoſe places that be fortified by nature, are wont to be kept more negligētly, with none, or but with a ſmal gariſon of Souldiers: And in this caſe the wiſe and wittie Captaine truſting in ſuche occaſion, maye ſtudy and find out, that whiche is to be done: and wyth rewardes and wyth promiſes, ſeke to induſe ſome of his men which are moſt bolde, that they inforce them ſelues eyther with ladders, or otherwiſe, to get vp on that parte, where is moſt adoe to clime. And yf peraduenture they ſhalbe gotten vp, and ſecretlye entered within the wall. Let them take ſome gate of the Citie, whether it be great or litle: and inforce theym ſelues to open it, and to kepe it open. And to this thing ſhalbe of moſt great helpe, if in ſome maner, they ſhal from without, draw vppe to the wall, ſome trumpet, the which in a ſudden ſhould begin to ſounde. For that the enemyes hearing the trumpet from the wal, and ineſpecially by night, it ſhall put great feare in the myndes of the Citizens, thinking now ye city to be takē, & them ſelues altogether to be ouercom: wherby being made afraide, they wil forſake the gates, and the places of watche and warde, and take theim to their heles, that way, which they ſhal thinke moſt mete. Wherfore to thy other Souldiers, whiche looke for the ende of the thyng, it wylbe eaſye, hauing no manner of incounter, eyther the gates being broken to enter, or els with ladders to get vppon the wall. In this maner with one trumpet, and the ſame vnarmed, thou mayeſt take and wynne a Citie.

Of the Citie taken.

YF thou take a city which for the number & worthines of ye citizēs, are thought puiſaunt, whereby is to bee feared, leaſt they drawing together with often turning backe, ſetting them ſelues againſt thy menne, do make reſiſtaunce, or els keping the higheſt places, and afterwarde from thence ſore hurt thy Souldiers, or els at the ende retire in ſome hold, from whenſe after accordyng to occaſyon they may yſſue out to geue thee the aſſault, whileſt the thing ſhalbe in ſuch caſe, thou muſt openly cauſe to be vnderſtoode, that who ſo euer ſhal lay downe their weapons, and willyngly vnarm them ſelues, by no manner of wife ſhall be killed of thy ſouldiers. Becauſe euery man ſekes firſte to do to other that, which he thinkes, ſhal happen to him ſelf, when ſo euer he is taken, & therin he doth inforce him ſelfe, to preuent other. Whereby hath happened, that ſome often tymes by force, haue dryuen out the ennemies nowe diſperſed in the taken Citie, or els, if they were not able ſo to doe, they haue retyred in ſome exceading ſtrong Rocke, ſo that a new they haue hadde power to geue trauaile and labour to their enemyes, after ſuche ſort, that the aduerſaries haue been driuen to a new ſiege, and ſomtime much longer & more difficult then ye firſt, paſſing through many perils. And maye chaunce, by publiſhing thy decree in euery place, al or at leſt wiſe ye greater part, wil caſt doun their weapōs. For ye thoſe which are ſo dyſdainfull againſt the enemy, that they deſire with force of armes to attempt fortune, hauyng ſuſpicyon whether the other Citizens be of the ſame diſpoſition or not, will come alſo to laye downe their weapons. And by this it happeneth, that albeit that euery one of them would vſe their weapons, and trie their ſtrengthes, notwithſtanding particularly, the one hauing ſuſpition of the other, they wyll all make haſte to lay down their weapons, euery man douting to remain himſelf only armed ſeyng that the ſhortnes of tyme, and of thinges doth not permit that they may manifeſt a newe their myndes, and then to take councell. Neuertheleſſe, thoſe whiche haue deſire to ſaue theym ſelues, and that all manner of wayes do attende to their owne ſafegard, tyll ſuche time as ſome hope of the ſame be offred and ſhewed theim, althoughe with veruent minde for their ſafety they would yelde, yet conſtrained of verye neceſſitye, they reſiſte thoſe that come to hurt them. Albeit when they fynde but litle hope of ſafegarde, then of proud enemyes, becomming humble with prayers, they wilbe gladde to ſeke thee. Whereby with like decree thou ſhalt induce alſo to laye downe their weapons, thoſe whiche by force of armes haue determined to defende themſelues.

Of ſtaying the reuenge against thoſe which are ouercome.

THe death which chaunſeth to ſouldiers faighting, in no maner of wiſe hath nede, neither of comfort, nor of cōpaſſion, as the ſame which hath hapned through loue of vertue & for deſire to ouercom. But after ye obtained victory, hauing nowe wonne and taken the citie, the kylling in euery place the ouercommed, is to cōquerours a thing moſte miſerable, and rather then vertue, a teſtimony of crueltie and fooliſhnes. And although thou be angered & made cruel againſt the ouercommed & ſubdued, yu muſt not therefore thynke, to ſuffer harme, either of thy reputation, or of thy affayres, if the enemies ſo ſone as they are oppreſſed, haue not been ſiayne. For that leyſurely at thy commoditie, all perril of faighting taken awaye, thou mayeſt deliberate, what thou wilt do with the ennemie that thou haſt conquered.

Of the Citie whiche by force of Armes can not be ouercome.

IF thou haue not hope to be able to ouercome and take by force of Armes, the ſame Citie that thou haſte beſieged, and that for ſuch occaſion, thou muſte prolong the ſiege, and that neuertheleſſe it is to be iudged, that by length of time, & by famine thou maiſt get ſuch a Citie, thou ſhalt cauſe to be taken in ye Countrie, and in the fieldes, as manye as thou findeſt, and of theſe chuſe theym, whyche for valiauntnes of minde, for iuſtines of bodye, and for floriſhingnes of age, ſhal ſeme vnto thee apt for the war, whom thou mayſt vſe where ſhall tourne thee to commoditie, and when thou knoweſt them to be profytable in thy affaires. But the women, the chyldren, the olde folke, and thoſe which by other occaſion be weak, and not mere to faight, thou ſhalt inforce to enter into the Citye, as thoſe whyche can not woorke, nor helpe in anye thing the ſame, which for the defence of a City is deſired, ſo that they much ſoner conſuming the vittailes, may be of ſo great harme to the beſieged citizens, that they may be reputed a great deale ſooner ennemies, then frendes, or neyboures.

Of the behauiour, vvhych the Captaine ought to vſe, after the VVarre is ended.

AFter that the affayres of warre, vnder thy gouernment is done and ended, ſo that, the ſame acclompliſhed, thou haue lybertie to make an ende of all thinges, ſhew not thy ſelfe proud and ſeuere, but rather humble, pleaſant, & gentle, and conſequently, louing to almen. For as muche as the firſte thinges, bredes enuye, and the other induceth emulacion and affection. Enuye, is the hauing griefe & ſorowe at the proſperitie of other: and emulacion is the deſire to folow the vertue of other. But they be betwene theym ſo contrarye, that he whych hath enuy, deſireth that none haue any good. And he that hath emulacion, hath deſyre to bryng to paſſe in lyke maner, ſuche thynges, as other by them ſelues haue honorably attained.

Then a man of a good minde ſhall not onelye be a good guyde of armed men: and of a countrye, but alſo a wiſe Captayne, a diligente preſeruer and gouernor, in augmenting his honor and in conſeruing the ſame perpetuallye withoute any perill.