2 ¶ To chose the capitayne.

Chose such one to be captane of thyne Armye whyche is borne of a noble and valyaunte stocke, and fearyng nothynge more then shame and reproche, and is w^t oute all euyll doynges. For he that shall rule other, conuenient it is that he know to master hym selfe. For where affection surmounteth, reasō is vndertroden and gyueth place, without which men be mē apparent, and not in dede. And therew^t comely it is, the captayne not to be defa­med wyth lecherye and coueytousnesse, which be vyces chefelye to be eschued & abandoned. For these two detestable vy­ces bryng forth diuers effecteis. Lechery forsoth doth shame the good fame of the capitaynes, to runne in disdayne of frēde and foe, and therwith causeth the whole Armye, (whiche is moche worse) to fo­lowe hys fleshlye vnclennesse, throughe [Page] whych the whole Armye wyth the capttayne is vnapte to battayle, and faynte strengthed. And when they doo applye suche wanton pleasures, and gyue them to Venus daliaūce, then they forsake the feates of Armes, and despyce the man­lye wrestlynges of Mars. For hys god­das doth destroy the courage of y^e minde and wasteth the strength of the bodye, & brefely where luxurye raygneth, no ver­tue wyll appeare. Suche enimitie, suche hatefull spyte is betwyxt vertue and vncleane lecherie, that no loueday, no hope of peace is at any tyme amonge them.

But that captayne which is couetous causeth hys souldyours, whyche bene of them selues bolde and ready, agaynst al daungers, to gyue backe, loth & straūge, to put them in ieopardye, or go vpō any perylles, eyther for the prayse of theyr capitayne, (whyche is hatefull for hys ny­gardnesse) or els to get the victory when they perceyue theyr labour to be spente in vayne, trustyng no rewarde for theyr paynes and daungerfull attemptes.

But what shall it nede to speake of all, when these two vyces be the spryngwel [Page] and heed of al myschefe. Moreouer chose the suche a capitayne whyche is luckye. For some be so vnhappye throughe vn­kynde fortune, that theyr chaunce is to be vanquysshed, althoughe they haue a great nombre of souldyours, and power of men. Therfore luckynesse is to be wis­shed in a good capitayne, whiche frō hys youth hath ben in warfare, vnder a good capitayne, and praysed for kepynge hys araye, alwayes hyghly taken and regarded of the whole Army. The which also hath shewed many tokens of wyttynesse and in the feactes of Armes prest and redye to trye mastryes, felowlyke in appa­rell, whose affayres haue alwayes bene guyded by reason, whyche hath not also assayed any thynges rashly. I was pur­posed to haue wrytten more of thoffyce of a capitayne, but at large in the other two bookes I am mynded to wryte therof. And in many Chapters ensuynge, I wyll note and shewe the maners and cō dycyons of capitaynes.

3. ¶ Of sufferaunce in warre.

Manye thynges are to be suffered in warre, which were to be loked on, in the [Page] pleasaunt tyme of peace. For it is not expedient out of hande to reuenge all iniu­ryes and displeasures. But to differ the punyshment to the ende of the battayle, dissemblyng suche iniurious dedes, left at that tyme we purchase so many our e­nemyes, y^t we be not able to beare theyr malyce and force. For it is a lyght thyng to styrre vp battayl, but to leaue of with glorye and renoume, is an harde thyng. And lytle sparkes (whych nothynge we regarde) somtyme kendle a great fyre.

4. ¶ Of the stoute and valiaunt mynde of the captayne.

A prouidēt capitayne and expert in the knowledge of warre, wyll neuer rest neyther in hys victorye ne yet subdued, but in all states, wyll beare hym selfe moost stoutly, by whych meanes his enemyes shall dreade hym, whether he haue y^e vp­per hande, or vanquished, and shal think hym both there and away, to worke and imagine theyr discomfiture. Whereby it shall chaunce, suche a valiaunt captayne eyther to purchase honest couenauntes, of peace, or elles prayseable victoryes of hys enemyes.

5. ¶ Of the siege and assaulte of a cytye.

All cyties and townes for the mooste parte be more wynable on the one syde, then on the other. Wherfore cause all y^e trompettes to blowe vp on y^t side which is better defenced, whereby thyne ene­myes called vp, and feared by the noyse of the trompettes, maye runne thyther, leauyng the other syde of the citie which is vndefenced, and so the assaulte shal be the hygher. For vndoubtedly wyth lytle slaughter we may scale and clymbe vpō the walles, where fewe be leafte to de­fende, and leest hede is taken. Also a ly­tle nombre, is despysed of many, & short­ly ouercomen. But thyne enemyes glad­ly wyll leaue the parte defenced, yf that they se the weaker and vndefenced parte to be assaulted. Wherfore my counsayle is to take the strongest parte of thyne at mye and assaulte the syde of the cytye defenced, and so leest doubted, although y^e captayne maye vse his owne aduyse ac­cording to the situation of the place, and nombre of hys enemyes.

6. ¶ Of a great army of our enemies

[Page] When the nombre of thyne enemyes is great, then my aduyse is, to encrease thyne Armye, with maryners and shyp­men: yf thy Nauye be nere at hande, or els shortly to pike some newe bande and garison of men, to match thyne enemies both in power & nōbre of soldyours. For many ben a greate feare to fewe, and the multitude of enemies, wil dismay a litle armye. But when sodeynly they shall se thyne Armye renewed, and well furnys­shed, theyr braggyng courage shall fall, and they wyll not matche ne auaunce forwarde, wyth suche gladnesse, as they wolde haue done, yf thy nombre had contynued the same: Wherfore an experte capitayne wyll remembre, (sparyng for no costes) sodeynlye and at a tryse, to re­nue hys Armye. Wherby he may be ey­ther egall, or exceade hys ennemyes in strength and nombre of souldyours.

7 ¶ Of the reproche of the capitayne that houseth his Armye in the somertyme.

That capytayne is worthye greate blame and sclaundre, which lodgeth hys Armye in houses in somer tyme, when y^e [Page] feates of Armes and martiall affayers, are chefely to be put in vre. And what o­ther thyng is it (I sweare by Hercules) when your soldyours take vp theyr lod­gyng and abyde in wynter tyme, then to make them vnmete to battayle, and vn­sufferable of all labour. Therfore let the capitayne diligentlye prouyde, that hys Armye do not sloudge in slouthfull ydle­nesse, but wonte themselues to dayly la­bour, wherby they shal take all the tyme of warfare, to be a game and sporte. For what is more then custome, whych cau­seth al intollerable and harde paynes, to seme lyght, easye and gentle.

8. ¶ To spye and searche a place to fight in

The capitayne, before that he ioyne in battayle, or fall in handegrypes wyth hys enemyes, ought to viewe wyth hys eyes (whyche be sure and faythfull iud­ges) the place where the fyght shalbe, & therby shortly he shall perceyue, what is profytable for hym, and what no, & how to set his men in aray, and ordre his bat­tayle, and how to worke by pollicye and craft, & whether hys enemyes can worke any wyles or craftye sleyghtes agaynst [Page] hym. But a wyse captayne wyll remem­bre, that he do not cary hys hooste to the felde, before that hys spyes and scoute­watches haue surelye knowen, that hys enemyes do not lye in wayte, but that all thynges be sure and faulfe.

9. ¶ Of the apparell of the capitayne.

The capitayne ought to be felowlyke in hys garmentes, wherby he shall pur­chase the fauour of the cōmons. And de­clare hys humblenesse, auoydynge the name of arrogancie. But in his vertues let hym surmount all other. For it becō ­meth hym that coueyteth to beare rule, euen as he is hygher in dignitie and ho­nour, so to blemysshe all other wyth hys vertues & gentle behauyou. Otherwyse he is vnworthy to be called a capitayne whych is more blameworthye then his souldiours, and whose doinges be moch worse.

10. ¶ To knowe the maner and cōdiciōs of thyne enemies before thou make battayl

To fyght hande to hande w^t thyne ene­mies, except thou surely know theyr maners before is very daungerfull: & great damage therby may chaūce to thy army. [Page] For a captayne experte in the knowlege of warre wyll neuer make battayle, be­fore he knowe the maners of hys enemi­es. For howe manye dyuerse countryes there be, so many dyuerse sortes of fygh­tyng there be. And agaynste euerychone dyuersely we must set our arraye, and be stowe our strokes. And so a prudēt capi­tayne wyll aduyse and hede wyth hym selfe, the harneys, horsemen, and fotemē of hys enemyes, and besyde that wyl re­kon wyth hymselfe what is to be done, and what thynges ben expedient.

11. ¶ Of the Germaynes and Frenchemen.

When thou hast battayle wyth the Germaynes and Frenchemen, prolonge the tyme, before thou come to handestry­pes. For theyr bodyes be nesshe, and vn­paynefull, & by hungre and thyrst moche weakened, that for werynesse, they can neyther stryke other men, ne yet defende themselues. And thus whom by strēgth thou canst not ouercome, by pollicye and crafte, thou shalte subdue. And by thys sleygth, the soldyours of the East parte shall vanquyshe and destroye, the Itali­ous [Page] men, both strong and better harnes­sed then they be.

12. ¶ Of sedicion to be appeased amonge an Armye.

When any trouble or sedicion is in thyne Armye, the captayne ought wyth gētle and fayre wordes to mitigate and aswage the fierce hertes of the soldiours And when the contention is ones appeated, to punysh the authours of that facti­ous sedicion, or els to sēde them on some busynesse, that the correction of a fewe, maye be an example to manye, wherby (other therby feared) wyll not be bolde to styre vp and nourysh suche tumultu­ous sedicion, lest they haue lyke punysh­ment.

13. ¶ Howe to viewe the Armye of thyne enemyes.

A capitayne whiche wolde viewe the campe of hys enemyes, must feyne and desyre peace. And vnder that pretence, sende some of hys souldyours experte in warres, to searche and aduise the campe of hys enemyes, the wayes to theyr pa­uylyons, and in what parte euery capi­tayne doth lodge, and howe greate theyr [Page] power is. Then by nyght he maye sette vpon them, and easely gyue a noble vy­ctorye. For it is a lyght thynge to put to flyght and slee men vnwares, and halfe deed in wyne and slepe.

14 ¶ Of peace to be p̄ferred before battayl

A wyse captayne wyll not forsake a­ny couenauntes and conditions of peace whych maye turne to hys honoure and profyte, although the mastrye be in hys handes. Lest fortune which now appeareth gentle and fauourable, hereafter shewe her selfe vnkynde and straunge, & he y^t euē now reioyseth as victour, shortly after vanquished, may wayle & sorow

15. ¶ Of trompettes and other cla­mours in an hoste.

When the hoste of thyne enemyes is nere, good it is, to cōmaunde al the few­ellers to buylde theyr fyres, the trōpets blowe vp alarum, al the host to make an outcrye, and brefelye to fyll heauen and earth wyth the noyse and sounde of trō ­pettes, and make all on a rore, wherwith thyne enemyes may be afrayed; & thy frē des gladdened, takyng exāple of Pōpe­iꝰ, y^t through ignoraunce, warned al his [Page] soldiours pryuily to go w^tout any brute or noyse makyng: which thyng was the destruction of all hys hoste.

16. ¶ Of the rerewarde.

Let the capitayne set in the last warde good & strong men. For yf that parte be kept hole and saulfe, y^e rest of the Armye may be defended: yea oftentymes the vi­ctorie by that warde, is atcheued & gottē bycause when other wardes do faynt & waxe feble in fyghtynge, this fresh & de­syrous to graple w^t their enemies, fierse­lye wyll fyght, and as souldiours pyked out of y^e whole host, wyll renewe y^e bat­tayl more gredely, then the other before them, & be like to ouercom their enemies weried w^t longe trauayl & cōtinuaūce of fyght.

17. ¶ Of great cyties.

Great, ryche and welthy cities cā not stande long among them selues in peace excepte they haue some outwarde ene­myes. Wherfore suche cities whyche be enryched wyth greate lordshyppes, and haue yerely newe maiestrates, do ꝓuyde to haue some outwarde enemyes, leste in longe reste and ydlenesse, they growe to great, rychesse and houge possessyons: [Page] wherof all thynges that bene yll yssue and spryng. When Carthage dyd with stande the people of Rome, then them­pyre dyd florysshe. But when that Car­thage was onerthrowen, Rome wythered, and fell to al kynde of noughtye ly­uynge. Wherfore what profyte is in outwarde feare, the thinge doth shewe hymselfe.

18. ¶ In campyng thyne Armye what is to be done.

When the campe is measured, the ca­pitayne ought to kepe the stronger parte of hys men in harneys, vntyl all the for­tresses and fences be finyshed. For it happeneth oftentymes, when thyne Armye disordrely doeth wandre, in measurynge of the campe, thā to be ouercome of their enemyes, and vtterlye destroyed. For what greate mastrye is it for an hooste harnessed and prepared to fyght, to en­countre wyth thy men which ben vnharnessed, and bent to the measuryng of the campe, and to chase them awaye, wyth moost bloodssaughter. The which thing euydentlye doeth appeare by the slaugh­ter of the Trentes done by y^e Venetians

19. ¶ To kepe thy frendes.

When the capytayne neadye and poore can not be beneficiall, and gyue rewardes to hys frendes, yet at the leest let hym take punyshment of theyr aduersaryes, wyth whome they bene agreed, for that shall be a greate example and paterne, that other wyll abyde faythfull and frendly, and therwyth wyll gladly wythstande the wron­ges of hys enemyes.

20 ¶ Of quycknesse in battayle.

Castels and cytyes, with fortresses wel defenced, ben oftentymes cast downe to y^e grounde by spedy quyknesse. Wherfore after rype and quycke counsayle takynge, it is profytable to vse all spedynesse. For what goodnesse doeth ensue of forward­nesse, experience doth shewe, and men may playnlyse.

21. ¶ Of the arraye to be kepte.

The nerest way to atchyue y^e victory is to kepe the souldiours in array: wherfore the capitayne must warne his souldiours, vnder great penalties, not to breake theyr arraye, chefely when we make battayle a­gaynst the east country souldyours. Who dylygently kepe theyr arraye, & not straye [Page] out of ordre, yf they be guyded by some expert warryour, and others that be practysed in such warly feates. For such men wyll be no lesse carefull to loke on all thi­ges, then the graunde capitaynes, & wyll recouer of fresh the battayle agayne, bringynge into arraye the whole hoste, spar­pled and disseuered abrode.

22 ¶ Of a lytle multitude in a cytye.

Where a lytle bande and company of men is in the cytye, my counsayle is, to cō passe and inuiron̄e them about garland­wyse, and holde them in fyght both daye and nyght, incessauntly besiegyng them, that through werynesse, they shall be en­forced to gyue vp. For who is so lustye & stronge, that long can lyue without qui­ete and rest, yea that is able to stande in fyght. Wherfore the capitaynes in the assiege of cyties, must aduysedlye searche, what company of men be wythin the cy­tie, and whether they ben able to defende the cytye, daye and nyght, yf he purpose to vanquysh them.

23 ¶ Of the hope and trust of sedicion.

[Page] When there is any semblaūce or hope of any sedicion to be in that cytye, whych we purpose to besiege, my counsayl is, to leaue of and differ thassaulte for a tyme. For in suche sedicion the cytye is lyke to be taken, wyth lytle laboure, and greate prayse. Therfore lette the capitayne be watchfull, to foresee euery occation, leste by hys vnwarynesse, some mischaunce & damage do ensue, euer obseruynge thys, not at any tyme to gyue battayle, yf any hope or lykelyhode be, that wrathfull se­dicion is rysen amonge the cytizins.

24 What is to be done in tyme of peace.

When the warres do surceasse, suffre not thy souldiours, to dispende theyr lyfe in ydlenesse, but occupy them in husban­drye, that by the profyte and fructe ther­of, thou mayest both nourysh thyne army wyth wages and vytayles, and by suche exercyse, to kepe theyr bodyes strong and durable. Also it shal not be vnprofytable at suche tyme to ouercome and fence the cytyes with trenches and bulworkes.

25. ¶ Of fayned rumours.

[Page] Fayned rumours in tyme of battayle, bene both profytable and lykewyse hurt­full. For whych cause a capitayne, whych forecasteth manye thynges, wyll cause false tales and vayne rumours to be spat pled abrode, in the stede and place of true tydynges: aswell amonge hys enemyes, as in hys Armye. For experyence doeth teache, fayned rumours sometyme to do moche profyte.

26. ¶ Of the offyce of the capitayne.

Let neuer the capitayne commaunde any greater thynge, then he hym selfe first wyll take in hande. But let hym at thys tyme shewe hymselfe afrayed, & at other tymes dissemble, to gyue backe and flye. Through which sleygth the victory doth chaunce.

27 ¶ To knowe whether a cytie is thy frende or no.

When the capitayne doth suspect any cytye to be hys frende (me counsayle is) to desyre and aske some great request, which wolde not be graunted, but of a frendlye cytye. And by thys meane he shal playnly knowe theyre mynde and herte towarde hym. And this counsayle shall so turne to [Page] hys aduauntage and greate profyte.

28 ¶ Of confidence and assured hope in battayle.

Although the warres be very greate, yet must not the capitayne dispayre. For the chaunce of battayle is doubtfull and vncertayne, whose ende doth not answer to the begynnynge. And in that tyme la­dye fortune, nowe doth shewe her selfe gē tle and bonaire, now cruell and churlish, sometyme fauourynge thys parte, efte that parte, after her owne pleasure.

29 ¶ Of the situacion of the cytie to be searched and knowen by the ca­pitayne hym selfe.

A capitayne ought to beholde with his owne eyes the situacion of the place, be­fore he come with hys hoste to besiege it, or make any assault therto. For more ease it is to assaulte the cytye on one part, then on an other. Wherfore a witty capitayne wyll viewe and marke the situacion in e­uerye parte, and thereby knowe whyche parte of the cytye maye moost easelye be besieged.

30. ¶ Of lybertie to be kept and en­creased of all men.

[Page] A wyse capitayne wyll not chaunge the libertie of townes whych he hath subdued, but rather encrease and kepe them saulfe. For nothynge there is, that soner shall entyse and allure the captyues, to loue the, and forget theyr olde lorde, then to se theyr libertyes and priuyleges vn­touched, in whych men set all theyr felici­tye, and for whyche no reasonable man wolde forsake to suffre mooste cruell and fearefull death.

31. ¶ Of the doubtfull cōmyng of thyne enemyes.

When we be in doubt, on what partie our enemyes wyll set vpon vs, and so we knowe not howe to ordre our armie, and sette our arraye, best it is to set our araye foursquare. For in that sleyght is moost sauftye and syckernesse, and so no parte shalbe vndefenced, wherby oure enemies shalbe disceyued, which thought to haue commen vpon vs on the backe syde. By which pollicie eyther our enemies shalbe put to flyght, or at the leest thyne armye shalbe saulfe and harmelesse.

32. ¶ When the arraye of thyne enemyes is troubled and out of ordre.

[Page] When the arraye of thyne enemyes is broken, and they in great feare, the capy­tayne must pursue with hys moost valy­aūt warryours, before they recouer theyr selues, and be delyuered from that feare. For yf they take herte agayne, harde it shalbe wythout a great nombre and pui­saunce of men to vanquysh them.

33. ¶ How to make thyne armye stronge and lustye.

Kepe thyne armye in rough and moū ­tayne places, to make theyr bodyes styffe and strong. For pleasaūt places, do cause weakenesse: wherfore souldyours whe­ther they be springalles, or auncient warryours, that longe haue sludged in ydle­nesse, neades must be exercysed in rough places, that their bodies may be strong & more durable, throughe theyr exercyse in suche rough and hyllye places. For accordyng to theyr exercyse, so shall they be in strength and valyauntnesse. And this is the onely meane to make our army strōg and lustye. The capitayne may somtyme for theyr exercyse, deuyde his souldyours and ordre them in forme and lykenesse of a battayle. [Page] But he must beware of bloodsheddyng, lest some discorde and quarellyng, therof do ryse, whyche is the destruction of an hole hoste.

34. ¶ A policie to be vsed when thy men do forsake the.

Yf any company of thy souldyours, of any euyll mynde and wycked purpose, do forsake the, and goo to thyne enemyes, in tyme of battayle, to the entent that other of thy host be not amased wyth theyr so­deyne departure: The capitayne must publysh and noyse, that thyng to be done by hys aduyse and counsayle. Therby to delyuer hys cōpany out of feare, and make them more redye to fyght, trustynge the departure of theyr felowes aduysedly to be done.

35. ¶ To searche and boulte out the counsayle of thyne enemyes.

Sende those that be wyttye, and ther wyth experte warryours, whiche vnder colour that they haue forsaken theyr company maye spye and searche all the doin­ges, endeuours, and counsayl of thyne e­nemyes, and the same to recounte to the [Page] capitayne, whych after that all thynge is delated, and discussed, wyth the wyttyer sorte of his souldiours wyth hastye and quycke expedition wyll folowe the same.

36. ¶ Of them that be besieged.

They that be besieged, and set aboute wyth theyr enemyes, that they can not yssue out of the place where they be, must shewe some token and agrement, y^t they haue plentye of vytayles, and other thin ges necessary, to contynue thassaulte.

Wherby theyr enemies hauyng no hope to wynne the cytye, maye leaue of and re­tyre homewarde. For by this pollicy and sleyght many haue ben disceyued.

37. ¶ What is to be done when two hostes do vexe and pursue the.

Yf thyne enemye haue two Armyes of men, and thou also other two, to wyth stande his force (my counsayle is) to pyke the chefest men that thou hast of the one partie of thyne armye, and then wyth al spede to set vpon the one hooste of thyne enemyes, before they bothe come & ioyne togyther. By this pollicye Hasdrubal of Carthage was lost wyth all his hole host yea then Carthage was destroyed for e­uer. [Page] And the Romaynes empyre dyd flo­rysh and stande.

38. ¶ A crafte and pollicye to take a cytye.

Yf thou be not able to take the cytie by strength, and the siege semeth longe (my counsayl is) to departe for a tyme, & stray this waye and that waye, somtyme nye, and somtyme aloofe. And then sodeynly come vppon them. For by suche ofte styt­tyng and remouyng of thyne army, thou shalt dismay them, and so to take the citie

39. ¶ A place to encrease thyne armye wythout great charges.

Yf when thou art farre from thy coū ­trye, thou must set forth mo men, my coū sayle is to call togyther all the most worshypfull and rychest citezins, there aboute dwellynge, and commaunde them bothe well horsed and harnessed, to be ready at a certayne daye. And when all shalbe assē bled, wyll them to prepare them selues readye, or elles to appoynt some in theyr stede, whych are stronge and lusty. Thys pollicie Scipio Africanus vsed, when he made most cruell battayle agaynst Car­thage.

40. ¶ Of an holsome lawe to be made in the citie.

Establysh and ordeyne lawe in the cy­tye, that the capitayne shalbe beheeded, and lose hys polle, yf hys armye be ouer comen. So eyther shall he wynne the vi­ctorye, or els valyauntly fyghtynge shall dye, deseruyng immortall prayse. Also he wyll be more carefull to foresee all thyn­ges, then yf no suche lawe hadde bene de­creed, ne yet wyll he suffre hys armye y­delly to sludge, but he wyll kepe them occupyed in daylye exercise, oftentymes ad­monyshyng them to remembre theyr coū trye lawe, whyche is eyther to kylle, or to be kylled: to slee or to be slayne, therwyth warnynge them, nothynge to be more prayseworthy, in a good warryour, then manlye fyghtynge and for to obtaynethe victorie fearynge not to dye.

41. ¶ Of excesse to be eschued.

Excesse in apparel, meate and drynke doth make feble the vertue of thy mynde and causeth the strength of the bodye to decaye. Wherfore wyse men haue purposed, to flye mistemperaunce, as a pestite­rous and deedly disease.

42. ¶ Of wantonnesse, to be cast of in wealth.

Let not the capitayne be wanton and proude in good chaunce and luckynesse, but rather beware and remēbre, that in suche luckynesse men falle to ryot, to their great reproche, and the vtter damage of y^e whole hoste. Therfore lette not the capy­tayne swell and waxe proude in happy­nesse, ne yet yelde and be discouraged in aduersitie but for y^e time in both fortunes kepe ane gall & vniforme state of mynde.

43 ¶ To throwe downe villages and castels vndefenced.

In countryes be many vyllages and castelles, whyche be not defenced at all. Wherfore my counsayl is, to throwe thē downe, and sette them on fyre, that thyne enemyes may haue there no vytayles, neother thynges necessary, to succour them selues and theyr horses. Fyrste, yf we do leaue them standynge, we gyue to our e­nemyes a greate occation to trouble vs, by warre. Also it is expedyent to waste all the fodder, and corrupte the fountay­nes of waters (yf there be many) so that theyr commynge towarde vs, shall be to [Page] theyr great charges and anoyaūce to the whole armye. For a garison of men, can not longe soiourne and tary in one coun­trye wythoute vytayles, and other thyn­ges necessary for theyr lyuyng.

44. ¶ How to purchase frendes, and to kepe the same.

Euerye wyttye capitayne ought ear­nestly to trauayle, to labour, fyrst to gette frendes, and longe to retayne the same. For by frendes realmes be mayntayned and preserued, and great succour stādeth in them, yf they be true. Suche vertue & force is in frendshyppe, which is the only nourysher of mankynde, and releue of so­rowe. Wherfore worse it is for a capy­tayne, to be wythoute frendes, then to lacke treasure.

45. ¶ To abydesiege.

All thynges (yea, be they neuer so gre­uous) are to be suffered in a sore siege before we yelde ourselues to our enemyes. For nothyng is so prayse worthy in men, as vnfayned fayth, the whyche ones be­ing defyled, what is in those men prayse­able? Wherfore honest it is, for thē that are besieged, to kepe theyr foretresses, to [Page] the ende and extremitie of theyr lyues, & neuer to put theyr bodyes to moost harde paynes. For fortune manye tymes doeth lyft vp men vnwares. Therfore do they abyde in one mynde and fayth, that be besieged, and gyue theyr bodyes for the saulfetie of theyr lorde. For a valyaunte man can do nothyng more worthy euer­lastyng renoum: then to fynishe hys lyfe by kepyng his fayth, and boundē dutye.

46 ¶ when it is mete to fyght by eruption.

It happeneth oftentymes for y^e greate assaulte of our enemyes, to appoynt our selues sodeynly to burst out. In whyche case, let euery valyaunt capitayne know y^t it is not good to fight by eruptiō, but in extreme nede. For y^t kynde of fyght is to be refused, but in great ieopardy & at low downefall, and when no hope is leaft to defende our tentes: or when our souldy­ours be whole weryed in battayle. The same thyng is to be marked in thassault of cytyes.

47 ¶ To enterclude the passage of our enemyes by fyre.

[Page] Fyre is a great succour and ayde to an hoste. For when our enemyes ben at hād that wythout great daunger we can not leaue the tentes (my counsayle is) to con­ueye woodde betwene both the hoostes, and to sette it on fyre, and then wyth all haste to departe into some other places, better defenced. For the flame and smoke wyll let the prospecte and foreseinge of our enemyes, that they can not sykerlye pursue and folowe vs: wherfore before that the fyre be vtterly quenched, the ca­pitayne maye haue space to goo farre of, wyth hys Armye.

48. ¶ A pollicie to stoppe the flying of thyne enemyes.

When thyne enemyes do faster flye, then thou canst well folowe wyth thyne Armye, then sende forth thy horsemen, to let theyr flyght, whych may snatch vp and trouble the laste warde, vntyll the fotemen shall approche. For then the battayle more sykerly and egallye, shall be foughten and tryed on bothe sydes, and the victorie more easelye shall be gotten, withoute greate losse and slaughter of men.

49 ¶ How siege is to be layed to cy­tyes and castels, and of them that be besieged.

My counsayle is, when thou doest be liege any cytye or castell, to caste fyrste a trenche, then bulworkes, and aboue that buylde many turrettes, that no man can come out of the cyty, ne yet any man may haue free passage into the cytie.

Other wayes you shall neuer take any ci­tye or castell whych is wel fortifyed. For elles they maye cal vnto them outwarde ayde and succour, and therwith may cer­tify and admonysh theyr lordes and princes, in what estate they be, what vytay­les be in the cytye, and howe longe they maye abyde and contynue thassaulte.

And yf thyne enemyes obstynatlye do defende the cytye, my counsayle is, when the cytye is ones taken eyther by sleygth or rendrevp, cutte of the handes of them that kepte the citye, so toughly that theyr greuous punyshment, maye be an exam­ple to other, not so frowardlye to stande in theyr owne conceyte, and contynue theyr assaultes.

50. ¶ To auoyde and escape traynes.

Traynes and wyles maye be eschued aswell by chaungynge of the place, as by appoyntynge of capitaynes. For in tyme of rest men haue oportunitie, to inuente wycked counsayle, and the same imme­dyatly to put in execution.

51. ¶ Of hostages and pledges rather to be taken, then to fyght in open battayle.

Better it is, and more for thy saulfe­garde, to take hostages of noble mē, and so to haue thyne enemyes to yelde, and rendre vp all theyr landes, then in cruell fyght to proue the doubtfull chaunce of battayle: whych oftentymes is varyable and wauering, and causeth them to haue the vpper hande, whome ye wolde haue iudged, to haue bene subdued. And then tyme it is, to take hede, whē that fortune doeth flatter vs. For she is false and de­ceytfull. Wherfore let vs folowe this cō ­mune saying. Assured peace is worthy to be preferred, before doubtfull and hoped victorye.

52. ¶ To stoppe our hauen.

[Page] Yf thou wylt stoppe an hauen (my cost sayle is) to fyll a shyppe full of greate sto­nes, and then to drowne the same shyp, ouerth warte in the hauen: wherby other shyppes can not well arryue at anye strounde, ne yet go out of the hauen.

53. ¶ To make hydde and false dytches to betray thyne enemyes.

They that ccueyte to conueye & leade theyr enemyes into couerte and hyd dyt­ches, my counsayle is, to sette a bande of men nye vnto them in harneys, whyche softely and priuily maye conuey them selues into dytches.

54. ¶ To passe ouer a water with an Armye.

Yf thou wylt passe ouer a water, that can not be waded, my coūsayl is, to driue an houge nombre of cattel into the vpper parte of the streame, by whyche meane, the streame beneth wyl ronne more gent­ly and styll, and thyne armye maye haue the more free passage.

55. ¶ To knowe yf thyne enemyes be afrayed.

[Page] Yf we perceyue the stomakes of our e­nemyes to quayle and waxe faynte, it is good, gredelye to pursue them, that we maye eyther put them to flyght, or elles vtterly slee thē before they recouer theyr strength. It is the offyce of an experte warryour to knowe when hys enemyes ben afrayed. But the better to learne the same, take this one lesson of me. Yf thyne enemyes ofte chaunge and pytche theyr tentes, it is a sygne and token of feare.

Wherfore a wyse capitaynes parte, is to assayle them wyth bikerynges and rodes to knowe yf they dissemble, or els wolde trayne vs in theyr trappes.

56. ¶ To constrayne thyne enemyes to fyght in open battayle, and come to hande strypes.

Yf thou wylte constrayne thyne ene­myes, to stande in fyght agaynste the, al­though the place be vnegal and inconue­nyent, my counsayle is, to conueye thyne armye to some of theyr cytyes or townes And so either wil they suffre to take their cytye, or els they wyl fyght with the, and deale strypes.

57 ¶ A pollicye to stye.

Best it is for an host, that purposeth to stye, to kyndle and buylde many fyres, to fasten manye helmettes, on stakes in the toppe of theyr tentes. And thus thyne e­nemies being scorned, and brought into a double, thou mayest conuey thyne armie far of, before that it be knowen whether thou be in thy tentes, or fledde awaye.

58. ¶ When thyne enemyes snatche vp and destroye the last warde.

When thy men be snatched and discō ­fyted in the last warde, my counsayle is, to sette there the strongest men and best warryours. Otherwyse thyne army shal haue moche harme, throughe the destru­ction of that warde. Also that warde is not able to withstande the force of thyne enemyes, except it be somtyme renued w^t good warryours. And by this meane thy hoste maye frely passe on voyage.

59. ¶ Of the notable falsehode of the barbarous people.

A circumspect capitayne wyll none af fiaunce or trust to the cruel barbarous a­liaūtes. For many due profes of antiqui­tye, do playnly shewe, not without expe­ryence [Page] of the same, that no fayth ne loyaltie is in them. Whych examples I wyll ouerskyppe, desyryng to be shorte. They be men in shappe, but brutall beastes in fearcenesse and crueltye, subtyl, and craf­tye, desyrous and thyrstyng mans blood in that one thynge, passynge all kynde of wylde and sauage beastes. Wherfore a wyse capitayne wyll beware of theyr di­sloyaltie, and villanye, and wyll thynke him selfe neuer in saulfegarde, from their falsehode and engynnes. I speake of thē that be not Chrystians.

60. ¶ When fewe must make bat­tayle wyth many.

Best it is for a lytle hoste, whych by necessitye must fyght and make battayle w^t a stronger Armye, to set vpon the chiefe capitayne, and wyth all violence to seke meanes to kyll hym: whych beinge ones slayne, thyne Armye eyther shall atchyue the victorie, or els depart w^t egall prayse of that bickeryng. For the heed being cut of, what strength is in the other mem­bres.

61. ¶ Thoffyce of the capitayne.

The capitayne wyllyngly must heare [Page] the complayntes of the souldyours, and theyr guydes. But yfhe be dryuen and enforced therunto, let hym shewe hym selfe to take the thynge in hande agaynst hys wyll. And by that meanes he shall purchase theyr fauours, and be taken as a father, rather then a capitayne, whome the souldyours wyll haue in great reuerence wythout any feare or dreade.

62 ¶ To forbeare holye thynges.

The capitayne ought to commaunde hys men, to refrayne and forbeare from holy thynges, vnder a greate penaltye. Lest other his affaiers (the more vnluckelye for suche thynges) do chaunce, & God be enuyfull to vs aswell as man.

63 ¶ Of the capitaynes liberalitie when the battayle. is wonne.

The capitayne ought bountifully and wyth a pleasaunte countenaunce, to rewarde hys whole host, after that the vyctorye is atchyued. That his souldyours by such rewardes enlarged to them, may henceforth be more redye and glad, to enterprise [Page] mooste peryllous daungers. For a faythfull armye wyll swallowe vp all parylles, before that so lyberall a capytayne, shuld haue any shame or reproche. Therfore y^t capitaynes must in such case shewe them selues large in rewardes, w^t which not only mē, tut gods also be wō derfully reconcyled. Also let the capitayrs remembre to setforth the doinges of hys souldiours with hyghest prayse, vsynge some oration, eftsones gyuing thē immortall thankes for theyr manfull valiauntnesse in that battayl: declaring al thinges to be done according to theyr loyall duty and allegeaunce.

64 ¶ Of reproche to be eschued.

A wyse capitayne ought to warne his souldiours, to regarde and wey nothyng somoche as theyr good fame. For who wolde desyre the fruition of this lyfe, but rather miserable death, to haue his name stayned w^t cowardyse. Therfore the capitayne ought to enforme his whole army that they regarde theyr name, before al other thinges. By this meane he shal haue his cōpany fearig nothig more thā shame very desyrous of prayse, and readye in all [Page] perylles, so that he shall take none enter­pryse, ne hygh affayre in hande, whyche shall not chaunce to hys mynde and wyl.

65. ¶ Of the capitaynes offyce in ioynynge of the battayle.

The dutye and offyce of a good capy­tayne, is to come into the forewarde and fronte of the battayle, in the ioynynge of the hostes, to succour these companyes y^t begynne to stagger and faynte, and fur­nysh them agayne that be discomfyted. It is fearefull to hys enemyes to set the capitayne in the foreward at the fyrst ioynyng, and to hys owne men an hartyng and boldnesse. But let not hym longe ta­rye there, but returne to the other war­des, and knowe what thynges they lack, and what maye be profytable to them, & what noysome, euer bryngyng fresh and newe men, for them that be wounded, therwyth strengthenyng the forewarde, wyth pyked champyons, which be most valyaunte and best practysed in trauay­les and feates of warre.

66. ¶ How to entreate thyne enemyes, the vyctorie obtayned.

[Page] The dutye and offyce of a polityke ca­pitayne is, after that the battayle is won and the vyctorie ones atchyued, to saue theyr lyues that haue not ben very cruel, and ouer stubburne. For what can be thought more vngentle, yea more like to the cruell and fierce brutall beastes, then wythout anye mercye and mekenesse, to handle thyne enemyes. A capitayne vn­doubtedly of suche conditions, shall ken­dle the myndes of all men agaynste hym, that they had leauer to suffre all thynges then to be vnder his rule and gouernaūce and proue the chaunce of battayl, then to yelde them selues to suche a cruell mon­ster. Wherfore let euery capitayne be gē ­tle to hys souldyours, vsyng all meanes to kepe them bounden to hym, partly by praysynge theyr valyaunt deades, some­tyme rewardyng them lyberally, remem­bryng this, where leest ieopardy is, there to vse hys power wyth lyke descretion, lest he be mocked, that in suche a lytle bu­synesse, he doth vse hys mayneforce and puisaunce. For that capitayne is iudged rather to be foolysshe, then wyse, that v­seth more fiercenesse, then is nedefull. [Page] Therfore a wyse capitayne wyll considre the tyme and cause, and not folowe hys angre, the compagnion and marowe of cruelnesse.

67 ¶ To kepe leage and promysse of peace with our enemyes.

Whatsoeuer leage of peace the capy­tayne shall make with any cytye, kyng or prince, honest it is that he kepe the same stedfastly, and that he do not slyppe from it, or shewe hym selfe disloyal, for any displeasure done to hym of his enemyes. For howe moche is that capitayne wor­thy to be regarded, whose fayth is attaynted, and whose falsehode, is disdaynfull to euery man? wherfore not onely to our frendes, but also to our enemies, fayth is to be kept, and promyses are surely to be perfourmed All wyse capitaynes haue done this. Yea Scipio Africanus, in the tyme of truce, wyth the cytizins of Car­thage, moued dyuerse wayes, and suffe­ryng many rebukes, successed to reuenge his wronges, both for the dignitie of the Romayne people, and also for hys owne honoure, wyllynge to kepe hys faythe of peace, otherwyse then the citizins of Carthage, [Page] men notable for theyr falsehode, dyd perfourme towarde hym, knowynge traynes and deceiptes to come rather of a seruyle nature, then of honest mynde and noble herte.

68. ¶ Of the captaynes offyce in ac­complyshyng al thynges.

The offyce of a carefull capitayne, is to watche, to be spedye, to go about al thyn­ges: not plucked awaye for anye sleape, paynes, or other pleasures, therwyth re­dye daye and nyght, to seke all occations to noye hys enemyes, and to reliefe hys frendes, whych must spare for no money to knowe the endeuours of hys enemyes dayly, yea yf he can euery houre. By faith full spyes, shortly he shall knowe that, yf he wyll frely rewarde them, at the begynnyng, and then after lode them wyth greter promysses. Thys is the nerest meane to auoyd hynderaunce, and discomfiture of our men, and the best pollicye to gette the mastrye.

66. ¶ When thyne enemyes armye prepareth passage ouer any water.

[Page] Yf thou haue pytched thy tentes nygh to anye ryuers syde, and thyne ennemyes wolde haue passage that waye, suffre thē frely to passe by, dissemblynge feare and flyght, and when parte of theyr armye is passed ouer, then set vpon them, wyth all thy puisaunce. For at suche tymes, the victorye is moost easely gotten, when thou doest fyght agaynst parte, and not wyth the whole Armye. But spare not to dys­comfyte them that be passed ouer, and also to stoppe and kepe backe those that be on the other syde.

70. ¶ When thy souldyours ben astonyshed and fearefull.

A capitayne that is redye to fyght, & perceyueth hys Armye fearfull and astonyshed, ought to refrayne for that tyme, feynyng one cause or other, that hys pur­pose is so shortly chaunged. For feare is the readye waye to lose the victorye, whē on the other part boldnesse and sure trust to ouer throwe all, do cause worth ye vy­ctories. Feare also causeth moche staughter, of thy men. Therfore a wyse capitayn wyll not yssue, wyth hys Armye toward hys enemyes, for feare of discomfyture, [Page] when his men be so hertelesse & coward­like, but wyl forbeare for that tyme, & vse all meanes to plucke y^t feare out of theyr mindes, finishing his orations with this conclusion: That the vyctorye is in theyr handes, yf wythout feare they wyl bol­den themselues to matche and encountre wyth theyr enemyes.

71. ¶ When scarcetie of vytayles is amonge our enemyes.

When our enemyes lacke vytayles, & suffre great scarcitie of all thynges, best it is, to withdrawe ourselues, and vtter­ly refrayne from battayle, that by famyn our enemyes maye sterue: And then we shall get a noble victorye, without blood sheddyng of our souldyours. For an Ar­mye besieged wyll attempt all thynges, rather then to be famyshed. But a payne­full capitayne, in al thynges consydryng the cōmoditie of hys hooste, in suche case wyll not gyue open battayle, neyther for iniuryes of hys enemyes, ne yet for the lauash wordes of his owne companye. Not consydryng and weyinge before, the ende of the matter, as it becommeth a wyse man.

72 ¶ Battayle is not to be begone but of necessitie and constraynte.

Battayle is neuer good to be begone, but eyther of vrgent necessitie, or elles of great oportunitie. Although some pryn­ces shortly ben entysed to make battayle, when any lyght occation shall serue, and yet they be not trauayled in knowledge of warre, ne do perceyue the slyppernesse of fortune, which for this tyme bryngeth herselfe very fauourable. To thintēt she maye ouerthrowe and cast into myseryr all her adherentes: whyich thyng Mariꝰ the Romayne emperour dyd wel knowe whiche after he had twyse dryuen kynge Bocchus to flight, and done moch slaughter, vppon his men, yet he denyed not to stryke truce wyth hym, although manye of hys petycapitaynes earnestlye bralled and grudged agaynst that dede of Mariꝰ whiche dyd remembre the bryckelnesse of fortune, that at her pleasure, lifteth vp the oppressed, and treadeth vnder y^e victours

73. ¶ To refrayne from battayle before that we haue deuysed and layed our traynes.

[Page] A watchfull capitayne wyl beware to make battayl, before that he haue layed & couertly conueyed his traynes, whych be the chefest cause of the victorie: wythout whiche (for the moost parte) Annibal ne­uer gat any famous victorye. For when the Romaynes and the Carthaginenses dyd ioyne togyther in battayle, in open & playne felde, the Romaynes euer preuayled, and gat the vpperhande, wherfore a wylye capitayne wyll chose a place, to in trappe and betraye his enemyes. For by suche traynes he shall conquere them ea­sely, and otherwayes perchaunce he shal be shamefully discomfited and oppressed.

74 ¶ What is to be done, that our enemies may be perswaded, their capitayne to be slayne.

When the hostes be ioyned togyther, and god Mars guydeth al, then vse this pollicye, to cast thyne enemyes in feare. Sende some souldiour, cōmyng in theyr language, which may sowne and crye w^t a loude voyce, that they do fyght in vayn for theyr chefe capitayne is slayne. Thys must be done in that parte, where the ca­pytayne is not. [Page] For there the souldyours wyll be more lyght of credence, and soner in feare. Yea, and for this cause chefelye, that battayle bryngeth this yll with hym, that noman is there borne, or waxeth to any stature, but many be slayne, yea the strōgest and moost delyuer men of all. By this meane therfore sone they do beleue the rumour, and be put in feare, which if it abyde, causeth the puisaunce both of the mynde, & the bodye, to fal and faynte. And they be ready to retrace, offeryng them selues to be slayne, lyke beastes.

75 ¶ To kepe whole and saulfe territories and townes.

A foreseing capitayne ought (yea prouoked to many iniuries) to refrayne, and not to wast such townes and territories as he purposeth to haue vnder his dominyon and rule. For by that meane he shal purchase the fauour of the countreymen and by suche gentlenesse, he shall escape the name of crueltie. For certes the men of that prouynce, wyll thynke that that chiefe capitayne doth fauour them: whē he doth forbeare to dispeople and waste theyr townes and fieldes, and doeth not [Page] appeare, to stryue for theyr goodes and rychesse, but for the empyre and lordshyppes. For no man doeth doubte that real­mes be mayntayned and nouryshed by y^e only loue and obeysaunce of the subiects, and not by any Armes of men, or ryche treasures. Therfore let the capitayne cō ­maund all hys souldiours to vse no fiercenesse in that prouyng, whiche entendeth to subdue, but to dismisse the noble men and citizins that be taken captyues fre­ly, and with great gyftes, vsyng all meanes to crepe into theyr fauour.

76 ¶ That thyne Armye is to be lodged and kept in the marches of thyne enemyes.

Kepe thy hoste in the borders or pale of thyne enemyes, for any thynge, & there puruey vytayles for them wyth all dyli­gence, sparynge thy frendes. For when thou dost lodge thyne army, in theyr coū ­tryes, or nye to theyr campe, thou doest breake theyr herte, and moch discourage them: eftsones auauncyng and encoura­gyng the stomakes of thy frendes. In ex­ample wherof, Annibal the chiefe capy­tayne of the Carthaginenses, doth teache [Page] what profite it is to lodge our host in the campe of our enemyes, whych conducted and conueyed hys armye from Hispayne by many ieopersome trauayles, into Italye, whych wholy almoost he dyd waste, by fyre and sworde, & conquered a great part therof. Scipio also knowing y^e same pollicie, brought forthe hys Armye into Afryke, and gat Carthage by rendre and vpgyuynge.

77. ¶ What is to be done, when in wynter we must fyght.

Best it is in colde wynter, to take mete before we go to fyght. For good meate & drynke, be the nerest remedyes, to refresh vs, and put awaye colde. The proffe of which thing, by y^e slaughter of the romaynes at the stoude called Trebea, is playuly shewed where the romain power was almoost lost and destroyed, y^e cause wher of was, that the capitayne brought forth his souldiours whych were wyllynge to fyght, fastyng and vndyned: wherby the mooste parte of them clunged for colde, was rather by starknesse of meat, thā by y^e violence of theyr enemies shame. Therfore the capitayne must warely foresee, y^t [Page] in wynter tyme he do not issue forth with hys men before they be refreshed w^t hote meates and drynkes. By thys meane he shall ouergo and subdue hys ennemyes, whych by longe fyghtyng shall faut and fall downe for hungre, when men refres­shed wyth hote meates, bene hable to su­steyne battayle an whole daye.

79 ¶ Of pleasures to be eschued of the capitayne, and the hoste.

The inuincible Armye of Annibal, doth planly setforth before our eyes, that the pleasures of the bodye be hurtfull to an hooste of men, to berefte them of theyr wytte, fierse and fell courage, which win teryng in Capua, lost theyr strengthes.

For Capua is the mother cytie of wan­ton pleasures, so that Anniball dyd often embrayde his men, saying: that that host was not hys, whych he had before. The cause wherof was the pleasure of Capua wherby the lustye myndes of the souldy­ours were nesshed and made womanlike Therfore the capitaynes ought to be carefull, that theyr men be not vanquysshed soner of pleasures, then of theyr enemies [Page] Whyche thynge were shamefull and re­procheable. The cytye called Spartana dyd turne the eyes of theyr cytizins from Asia, bycause from thence dydde come all thynges pleasaunt, which be the deedlye poyson of the mynde, and of the bodye. They also did wel knowe, and were assu­red that men soner do fall to wantōnesse from vertue, then they do forsake pleasu­res, and embrace vertue.

79. ¶ To chose a place to fyght in, whē the sunne and the dust maye be noysome to thyne enemyes and in theyr eyes.

The capitayne ought to chose a place, mete and cōmodious to fyght in, prouy­dyng that the sunne may be in the face of his enemyes. And yf the place be sandye or drye, for the heate of sommer, let hym tarye the tyme, that the wynde blowe in the face of his enemyes, and on his soul­dyours backes. For the coursynge of hor­ses wyll rayse vp a great dust, which the wynde wyll carye into the faces of thyne enemyes, and blynde theyr eye syght.

And this was the chefe cause of the Ro­mayne slaughter at y^e towne called Cāne

80. ¶ Of tyme not to be lost, or vaynely spent.

Nothyng ought to be more regarded, of a pollityk capitayne, then tyme, which entendeth to enterpryse greate thynges, worthye euerlyu yng renoume. For slug­geshnesse causeth bothe losse and shame. Wherfore he must endeuoure, to fynysh all thynges wyth care and spedynesse, after the example of Annibal of Carthage whyche by greate rewardes, purchased passage into Ytaly, y^t thesoner he mought finysh hys iourney, and ende his voyage. The same thyng also was done by the romayne capitayne, which embraided and rebuked of his frendes, that he boughte his passage derelye, made this answere. I regarde not my costly iourneye, when I haue redemed the tyme, mooste dere to them that trauayle and employe theyr wytte about thynges weyghtye, and of greate importaunce.

81. ¶ Of good and euyl doinges semblable to be rewarded as punyshed.

Yfthy men do any faulte in thyne Ar­mye, be slowe in theyr punyshmentes. [Page] But bountyfull in gyuynge rewardes, yf thou haue knowledge, y^t they haue done any thing galauntly and well, that other maye be prouoked and styrred vp, at that example to be redye at hande. For valyaunt and lusty warryours be more slow when theyr welldoinges dye wythout rewardes, or thankes. Therfore let the ca­pitayne auaunce and setforth hymselfe, by largesse the onelye vertue laudable, to knytte and lyme hys men in sure loue, & the causer of all good chaunces, without whych all other thynges decaye, as it ap peareth by the ryche kyng Perses, which nygardly gapynge after treasures, was berefte by the Romaynes, bothe of hys kyngdome, and richesse, with most shame and sclaundre.

82. ¶ What is to be done when thy men be lyght and spedye.

He that hath a lyght Armye must pursue, and wyth spede trace after hys ene­myes, whych be loden wythe harneys, & trouble them daye and nyght, wyth contynuall assaultes, not sufferyng them quy etly to take theyr meate and drynke, but brynge them into extreme dispayre. The [Page] whych thynge was well knowen of Sertorius, an expert warryour and wyse ca­pitayne, whych dyd so disquyet Pompei, wyth hys lyghte harnessed men, that he brought hym into vttermoost distruste & discomforte. Wherfore it is a greate pol­licy to haue light harnessed men in thyne Armye. For so thou mayeste discomfyte thyne ennemyes, and they not lyke wyse the. Yf therfore an Armye laden with harneys pursue the, thou doest not nede gretly to care, that thy men shall be oppressed by them, when on the other partye, thou mayest nowe and then assaulte, and kylle them, when they be weryed, & yet quycklye thou mayest retrace backe, and skape. It is therfore profytable for the Italyons to fetche manye horses oute of the east partye, whych be to them a great helpe to destroye theyr enemyes.

83. ¶ That examples do helpe to encourage soul­dyours.

Howe moche examples do moue and encourage souldiours, Sertorius cōmen of the stocke of Senatours, & a valiaunt [Page] capitayne doth wytnesse, which when he was not able to brydle and rule the fierce violēce of the barbarous aliens (whome then he dyd leade in battayle) after that many of them were slayne of the Romaines, and mo wounded, endeuourynge to comfort theyr sorowfull and heauye her­tes, and restore theyr olde strength, cau­sed two horses to be brought into the opē fielde of the whole armye, of whyche the one was leane and the other was fatte & lustye, commaundyng also a stronge mā to plucke of the tayle of the leane horse, & a weake man to plucke of the tayle of the fatte horse. But the stronge man went a­boute to plucke the whole tayle awaye at one plucke, and yt nothinge auayled. And the weake man that laboured to plucke awaye heere by heere, made all bare to y^e stompe. Then the army which dyd not knowe, what that example dyd meane, had the thynge declared to them of theyr capitayne. And so by that wyttye exam­ple he had them euer after buxome, and obedient at his commaundement.

84. ¶ That nothyng be done agaynst the capitaynes commaundement.

[Page] In the Armye, neyther meate ne drynke ought to be taken, without the cō sente of the capitayne. But all thynges must be done by his aduertysemente. By thys waye theyr busynesse shal more happely come to passe.

85. ¶ To refrayne thy souldyours sometyme.

It is a poynte of wysdome, somtyme to holde backe thy souldyours from bat­tayle, whyche pollicye is not vnprofyta­ble. For afterwarde they wolde be more gladde to fyght, and more fiercelye wyll go vpon theyr enemyes.

86. ¶ It is not tyme to fight when thyne enemyes do dispayre, and be carelesse of theyr lyues.

When we perceyue our enemyes, no­thyng to regarde the pleasure of theyr ly­ues, but lyke brute beastes headlynge, to come vpon vs. It shalbe profytable som­what to gyue place to theyr woodnesse. Yea although we be able to ouermatche them in nombre and force of men. Also yf they were closed and enuyroned on euery syde, best it were to open way, and make [Page] a glade for them. For nothing is more fo­lysh and vayne, then to fyght with them that wyllyngly wolde dye.

87. ¶ What is to be done when we mi­strust our souldyours to be a­frayed of the sowne of gūnes and noyse of them y^t wayle.

Yf any lykenesse be, or mistrust that thy souldyours bene afrayed of the gunshote and otherwyse, whereby theyr hertes be lyke to fayle, it is a good pollicye, to stop their eares with some thing, and so with out feare they shall fyght, neyther hea­ryng the wofull waylynges of them that be wounded, ne yet the noyse of gunnes. Whych pollicye wyl serue at these dayes agaynst the Almaynes that vse a greate nombre of gunnes in theyr armyes.

88. ¶ What is to be done when thyne enemyes be moost parte archers.

When our enemyes be for the mooste part archers, then set aganyst them, men fenced with tergates, whych sort of soul­dyours be sometyme in the hostes of the East partie. And by this pollicie thyne army shalbe out of theyr daunger.

89. ¶ What is to be done before the siege of a cytye.

Before we begynne to lay siege to any cytie (my counsayle is) fyrst gently to fall into some entreatie with them, and ther­wyth to prouoke and entyse them, to rendre vp theyr cytie by large gyftes, & fayre promysses, chiefelye yf that people be na­turallye desyrous of ryches. For the re­noume of that capitayne whych without bloodsneddyng doth atchyue the victorye is vnmatche able, besyde that hys men wyth fierce stomakes wyl auenture their lyues for hys sake.

09. ¶ Of rashnesse to be eschued of a capitayne.

It is a thynge vnsittyng to se a capy­tayne or an armye trauayled in warres, to vse any violence, or vnaduysed heedy­nesse. Suche a braynsyke and hopeloste capitayne, is worthye to be forsaken, lest that by hys follye the whole hoste be de­stroyed of theyr enemyes lyke shepe.

91. ¶ A pollicye to take the fotemen.

[Page] Yf thou purpose to brynge forthe the fotemen of thyne enemies, then cause thy horsemen to retreate and gyue backe, by lytle and lytle, dissemblyng feare & flyght that therby the fotemen maye be entysed to raunge and runne abrode, which kepe them selues in strayte, hyllye, and roughe couertes, where the horsemen can haue no easye entrie to them. By which meane the fotemen shall be taken and slayne.

92 ¶ A pollicie to diffeate and dis­poynt the gunners, that they stande in no stede and vse.

The Frenchemen and Almaynes, at these dayes haue in thēyr armies a great nombre of gunners, which sore trouble & hyndre theyr enemies. Wherfore my coū sayle is, that armye (which hath no suche souldyours) to sette vpon them in mooste raynye wether. For at those tymes they be vnseruyable, and can do no good.

93. ¶ Of the offyce of the capitayne in orderyng the affayers of hys armye.

The graund capitayne ought discrete ly to deuyde and poynt in good ordre, the [Page] busynesse of his army among his peticapi taynes. Wherby he may be dispatched & depeched of al other businesse, but only to searche the counsayle and attemptates of hys enemyes, and therewyth he maye ouerse, that enery man attentyuelye per­fourme hys worke and taske.

94. ¶ To refrayne aswel from the empyre as from the treasu­res after the victorie.

Our auncestours noble men, of god­lye lyuynge, thought it ynoughe to ouer­throwe theyr enemyes, and only content with the conquest, dyd earnestly refrayne from the empyre, lest they shoulde be iud­ged rather to fyght for vayne rychesse, which be the very cause of deathfull bat­tayle, then for euerlyuyng renoume.

These were men, whose doinges ar worthye to be fresshe and flouryshynge in the memorie of man, whose names are wor­thye to be spred immortall, in euery age, whose fame shoulde not be shutte vp, or hydde in any posteritie. These maye be a patent and president, to all other, and the shynyng ymage of vertue, whom al men may beholde and loke for the enforcemēt [Page] of theyr prowesse, in suche lyke affayers. But alas the chrystian princes and kyn­ges, of this age, be of an other sort and cō dition (the whyth thing vnneth I can re­hearce without teares) whyche ought to cast downe theyr eyes, with blushing coū tenaunce, when they reade or heare the Ethnike princes so farre to passe them, in theyr doinges, and in all other kyndes of vertue.

95. ¶ To constrayne thy souldy­ours to fyght.

When thou doest mistrust that thy soldyours wyll gyue backe and flye, my coū sayle is, to sette at theyr backe a stronge garryson of men, whiche maye receyue & take them at theyr retreate, and without mercye kyll them, in the sight of the other And therfore make this crye and procla­mation amonge thy men, that they fyght manfully, puttyng no trust in runnynge awaye. Whiche opinion of desparation is the onely remedye for suche towardes.

96 ¶ To tame fierce people.

Yf there be any sorte of people, that be [Page] fierce and noysome to thy men: Best it is to take from them theyr horses, harneyes and weapons. For what can theyr haulte frowarde, and churlysfhe stomakes pre­uayle, without theyr weapons. And this pollicie the machomete byshop, which is called the Soldane, doeth vse. Or els he coulde neuer kepe vnder and tame, so ma­ny people with so fewe guydes, and vyle souldiours, except he had forbydden them the vse of theyr horses, harneis and other thynges.

97 ¶ To dissemble retreate.

Profytable it is somtyme, to leaue to thyne enemyes, thy pauilions furnyshed and replenysshed with good wynes, and dayntye meates, and to dissemble to flye, wyth thy hoste. And after at mydnyght vnloked for, to assayle them, when they be fylled and engorged excessiuelye wyth wyne and meates. For certes then thou shalte fynde them dronken, and as deed, wyth suche intemperaunce, that it shalbe easye, withoute manslaughter to subdue them. And this pollicye is worthye to be remembred.

98 ¶ To pyke out for souldyours those whych be paynfull.

When thou doest master thy men, thā best it is to chose for souldyours, those y^t be hardye, stronge and paynfull. For da­stardes and nesh felowes ben vnfytte for warres, when paynfull and bourlye felo­wes wyll become good warryours.

99. ¶ Of exercyse.

The Romayne people (lordes ouer all the worlde) haue taught vs by theyr do­inges, to knowe what profyte doth come of exercyse, whyche as well in tyme of peace, as in warre, dyd occupy theyr chy­ualerous men, in the feates of warre.

They of ryght were called lordes. For what science is that whyche can be kepte flouryshyng without exercyse, when ex­ercyse doeth passe and ouercome nature, & also causeth women vnmanly, to be war­lyke and bolde? As appeareth by the wo­men called Amazones: which practisyng theyr selues in martiall labours, became princesses and empresses.

Therfore a skylfulle capytayne ought to dryue hys men to some kynde of exercyse, lest they be astonyshed, whē tyme is that [Page] they must fyght. For this word (exercitꝰ) an hoste, hath hys name of exercyse.

100. ¶ What is to be done, when our enemyes be con­quered.

Yf it shall be thy chaunce to ouercome thyne enemyes, it shall be not vnprofyta­ble, to put on theyr armature and appa­rell, and then wyth all spede, to goo and assayle theyr cytyes. For peraduenture they being deceyued through the fashyon of the armatour, and apparell, soner may be taken, and also dismayed with the so­dayne chaunce, and being bare of al counsayle, wyll yelde vp theyr cytye, and theyr selues.

101. ¶ When fewe must fyght a­gaynst many.

Oftentymes it chaunceth, that a lytle nombre shalbe enforced to fyght agaynst a great power. Wherfore this is my coū sayle, in suche a case, that thou sette vpon thyne enemyes by nyght, whych contemnyng so small and weake a nombre, wyll neglygently kepe watche and warde, at whyche tyme by fortune beinge ladye of warres, which fortune is gentle to them [Page] that beseche and ensue her helpe, and fa­uoureth them, that do lose theyr owne demayns, and after rauen other mens pos­sessyon, thou mayeste dyscomfyte, and ouerthrowe them. By thys pollycye, the fierse Carthaginenses, hauynge thre mayne hostes, reioysynge at the death of the Scipions, and at the discomfiture of the mooste parte of the Romayne hooste, were in one nyght in Spayne scattered, dryuen to flyght, and slayne wyth y^e Ro­maynes, that remayned alyue, whyche were a very fewe. Whyche destruction of the citizyns of Carthage, was the chiefe cause that the Romaynes kept styll Hys­payne, after the vnluckye death of y^e Sci­pions. Therfore this pollicie maye be v­sed in greate nede and peryllous daun­ger.

102. ¶ when the souldyours must sleape.

Accustome thy souldiours to slepe with out strawe, that by vsage they maye do that wyllyngly, to the whiche necessitye shall sometyme compell them. And what doth more in all thynges, then custome, whyche is the ladymastresse to putte all [Page] thinges in vre. For nothig can be thought sharpe or paynefull, to them that wonte theyr selues to hardynesse. Therfore let men vse sufferaunce, in newe and straūge enterpryses, whych doth brynge al thyn­ges to a perfection.

103. ¶ To brynge suspicion of treason amonge thyne enemyes.

Yf any of thyne enemyes whiche hath good skyll in warlye busynesse, do disap­poynte the of those thynges y^t thou doest attempt: It shall be profytable for the, to brynge hym in suspicion of treason, wyth his prince, or hys citizyns, by some crafty deceipt. As in these two examples I shal teache the. The one is, when thou doest waste other mens fieldes, that then thou forbeare purposely, from his, whom thou doest couette to brynge into suspition of treason. Whych pollicie Annibal of Car­thage vsed agaynst Quintus fabius ma­ximus the Emperour of Rome, yea ra­ther the conseruatour.

The other pollicie is, to sende some of thy seruauntes that be trusty & subtile to him whome thou woldest bryng in a ielousye [Page] of treason, to cōmune and talke with him as with his frendes, which thynge shall brynge hym both in hatred and suspition of treatorie, agaynst hys kynge, and city­zins. The which feate the Romaynes v­sed agaynst Annibal. Or els the capitayn maye inuent, besyde these wayes, some o­ther craft consydryng the tyme and place as to fayne letters, in which some matter of treason, is conteyned and entreated of betwene them, and prouyde that those letters maye be conueyed to the handes of the Emperour. But this stratageme neyther I approue, ne yet greatly prayse excepte it were agreed of the hole destru­xtion of thempyre.

104. ¶ Of outwarde helpe that he suspicious warely to be receyued.

They that make battayle, are wont to requyre ayde from theyr confederates, & from theyr tributaries, or elles to hyre straunge souldyours, which thyng often tymes is the falle and destruction, of an whole Armye. For when they haue anye affyaunce, in theyr hyred men, sharpelye begynnynge to fyght, and reioyse as vy­ctours, [Page] eyther shortelye the hyred souldy­ours, do stagger, and stande at a staye, to turne theyr face, or elles the capitayne is dryuen to fyght agaynste them wyth hys mē. Wherfore do thou not requyre moch outwarde helpe, but of such whose faith thou doest not suspecte. These hyred and straunge souldyours were the destructiō of the Scipions in Hispayne. For when they trusted and affyed the Spaynyar­des, the two brethren deuyded theyr Ar­mye, which being kepet togyther, coulde not haue bene subdued. And shortly after through theyr false helpers, bothe were slayne, and all theyr men for the mooste parte maymed or kylled.

105. ¶ Of discention to be swa­ged and appeased.

Yf any heynous discention be styred a­monge thy souldyours, whyche oftenty­mes may happen, for diuisions rysyng a­mōg thē, my coūsayl is, to set all thynges in quyet staye, and brynge them agayne to concorde, cōstrayne them by othes makynge, to forget suche wronges, and be­come good frendes, and felowes agayne cōmaundyng also that from thenceforth, [Page] they do not shewe anye token or remem­braunce of that varyaunce, in deede ne worde.

106. ¶ what tyme townes and cities maye be despoyled and taken.

That capitayne is worthie to be hyghly praysed of hys owne men, and greatly feared of his enemyes, that by his wytte and conueyaunce goth about to take and despoyle townes, without bloodsheddig of hys armye, and endeuoureth by polli­cie to conquere countries. That capitayn shall euer haue his souldyours redye and at hande, to ieoparde on thynges harde & daungerous: wherfore it becommeth a prouident capitayne, to proue and assaye all thynges, rather by conueyaunce and pollici, then by force of armes. For grea­ter victoryes be wonne and gotten by pollicye, then strength. Therfore by nyght, & when rayne falleth, cytyes and townes are to be taken and despoyled.

107 ¶ Howe moche the presence of the graunde capi­tayne doeth profyte.

[Page] How necessary the presence of y^e graūd capitayn is in the battayl, al men (whose wyttes be not on batfoulyng) may clere­lye perceyue and se. For the souldyours, yea and theyr capitaynes, aswel for feare of shame, as specyallye for the presence of the graunde capitayne, wyll bestyrre thē selues moost valyauntly. Manye also for trust of rewarde, and chefely to purchasse the Emperours fauour attentyuely wyll exploite and furnysh all thynges. Often­tymes also the battayle slowlye and co­wardly foughten, is renued and restored, manfully by the presence of the graund capityne, whych doeth not leaue anye feate or trayne vnprouyded, encouragyng hys men now with me nacies, and now with gentle and comfortable wordes. By whyche meane the souldyours wyll con­tende one to passe an other in prowesse, so that in the Emperours syght, they maye do some thynge notable and prayse wor­thye. Therfore nothynge worthie perpe­tuall memorie can be done, yf the Empe­rour or graund capitayne be not at hand.

108. ¶ Of the multitude of enemyes.

[Page] Yf it chaunce, any great prince to be besette on euery parte wyth many enemies, so that he is not able to beare theyr force and vyolence, myne aduyse is, that wyth some he do make a leage of frendshyppe, and wyth other he do entreate of peace, And so he shall escape and auoyde y^e daungerfull destruction of his countrye. For when so many go about to get thy kyng­dome, it is a lyght thyng, to put of some of them, eyther with great promyses, or w^t money, & chefely in this tyme, whē mē do not stryue somoche for renoume, as they do for ryches, and all the world doth gape for golde and syluer.

109. ¶ Of enemyes that be humble and treatable.

Somtyme for a lyght cause, greate battayles be begonne amonge men: wherfore yf they agaynste whome we make our preparaūce, shewe them selues gētle and tractable, it were not honeste on the other partye to shewe our selues vnmer­cyful. For what can chaunce more shame full to any man in hys lyfe, then to be no­ted and attached wyth tyrrāny. What cā make vs more worthye to be lykened to [Page] the wylde beastes, and also more doeth hurte the aduauncement of our renoume the encrease of our honour, and the wele publike of our realmes, then horryble tyrannie. Wherfore suche crueltie ought to be eschued, no lesse then the wylde bea­stes.

109 ¶ Of daungerfull and peryl­lous battayles.

Greuous and daungerfull battayles, do chaunce oftentymes amonge men.

For whych cause a sage capitayne ought to prouyde for all thynges, with ernest labours, and cheifely that he haue olde and beaten souldyours. For they knowynge the vse of battayle, doo not feare naked swordes, ne yet for strypes, no although they take many depe woundes, they styf­ly wyl abyde and stande to all ieopardies for the kepyng of theyr old men. Also they being practysed in warly knowledge, can discerne what is profytable and what is not, euer decreing this with them selues, eyther to conquere and ouercome theyr enemyes, or els manfullye to dye, whyche is the trne token and argument of a noble herte and lustye blood.

111 ¶ It is mete for yonge men in theyr youth to practyse martiall feates.

They whyche wyll become good and experte warriours, ought in theyr youth dilygently to applye and folowe y^e same. For yf a yongeman wonte hym self quye­ly to bestryde and mount vpon his horse, and lykewyse to lyght downe, to takevp his horse with the spurres, that he maye praunse, trauerse, and flyng wyth the he­les, then surelye he shall become a good warryour. Let hym also practise to shote in hande gunnes, and crossebowes, to cast dartes, and chargegunnes, to cary swerd and tergate, and somtyme with his mar­rowes to raunge lyke a man of armes, to resemble a battayle: ✚ that when he commeth ¶ The youth of Englāde doth vse in theyre playīges a warre­like sport and rese­ble of bat tayl, whiche is called Eng­land and Scotlās to mans stature, greate experyence shall shyne and appeare in hym. To such one all labours, whyche be to other men intollerable, be lyght & easye, as to lodge on the earth, to suffre famyne, and abyde all other mooste sowre and trauaylous paynes. Wherfore it is greate profyte to brynge vp youth in suche exercyse, to har­den them in greater thynges.

112 ¶ To encrease the nombre of thyne enemyes by a rumour.

When a rumoure is sparpled, that a myghtye hoste of men commeth agaynst the, augment the same rumoure amonge thy souldyours, affyrmynge the same to be true, by the reporte and acknowledgig of thyne outryders. Therby thou mayest be assured with what stomacke and herte they wyll buckle and bende them selues, to withstande and receyue such an huge nombre of enemyes, yf the nombre were so great in dede. When they shal come to fyght, and se the shewe to be abated, and diminisshed, forthwyth they wyll gather theyr hertes, with moche more force and vyolence, whych before doubtyng of the victorye, now as victours wyll boldelye fyght, steppynge forwarde, wyth chere­full courage, to whome nothynge is ieo­perdsome, agaynste theyr conceipt and o­pinion of the victorie.

113 ¶ To preuent the wylies and traynes of a nobler prince.

[Page] When thou doest feare (and not wyth­out a cause) the trappes and deceiptes, of some noble man, leste that he wyll come vpō the sodaynly, and bereft y^e of thy kyn­gdome, dispoyle thy cyties and townes, and thruste thy lyue: It is not the worste, in preuentynge hym, to waste hys kyng­dome spoyle hys cyties, and ymagyn his death. And so suche traynes which were prouyded for the, thou shalte vse to ouer­throwe and disceyue hym, and shalt catch hym in the same nettes and snares, that were layde and sette for the. For God his lawes, the lawe of man and nature, suffre well this, that a man maye turne that to the vndoinge of other men, whyche they layed for hym.

114. ¶ Of them that haue longe heere and longe beerdes.

Men in some countryes vse longe ber­des and longe heere, whyche in battayle be troublesome and vnprofytable. For they be good stayes, to holde a man hard and fast. Wherfore it shalbe good to clap them shorte. For lytle thynges somtymes do moche hurte. And in suche case al thynges whyche be hurtfull to vs, and profy­table [Page] to our faes, are to be put awaye and not vsed.

115. ¶ Before we laye siege to cy­tyes, good it is to possesse the vplande fieldes.

It is not best to laye siege to any cyties before that we haue brought the whole demeanes of the cytye, into our handes. For yf the citizins kepe parte of theyr fel­des in theyr possessyon, harde it shalbe to get them without the great losse of tyme. When other cyties in that tyme mought haue ben subdued. Whych pollicie y^e wo­men called Amazones, being of a manlye spyrite and bolde stomake, dyd put in vre: whych wolde neuer assaulte any citie, be­fore that the y had taken the vplande vil­lages.

116. ¶ Of men wounded and kylled to be conueyed priuily out of the waye.

Men wounded and kylled, do moche bolden thyne enemyes, and therwith cast downe the hertes of thyne owne men. Wherfore the capitayne must diligentlye prouyde, that he conuey away, and sente hys flayne men, with those that be wounded [Page] to some out place (aswell vnwares to hys enemyes, as also to hys owne host) For Philip of Macedon was moch hyndred therby, whē he left y^e slayne men in y^e sight of his owne army, and ther w^t plainly to be viewed of the outryders of y^e Ro­maynes, wherby the host conceyued suche a feare, when they sawe the wyde dennes and deyntes of the woundes of theyr fe­lowes, that they had rather suffre anye distresse, thā to haue any mo bickerynges wyth the Romaynes. In this thynge the kynge was blamed for hys ygnoraunce, whyche after he dyd acknowledge. The Turkes that bē in these dayes, men most expert in warre, know this pollicy which do burne theyr slayne men, lest their own men shulde haue any discomforte, or their enemyes any courage therof.

117 ¶ Of the requestes of lowe and humble perona­ges to be herd.

A mercyfull capitayne ought not to dis dayne the prayers and peticions of hūble personages, but gentlye to hearken theyr [Page] behestes and desires. For what is somoch prayse worthye in a capitayne, as lowly­nesse and humanitie: wherby he shal pur­chase both the fauour of hys owne men, and also of hys enemyes. Scipio Afri­canus warryng in Spayne agaynst the Carthaginenses, subdued more by hys vnspekeable hūblenesse, then by y^e sworde Also the vnprocheable humanitie of Ce­sar dyd moche more lyfte vp and auaunce hys renoume, then all his noble actes, & dyd make hym wonderfull, and meruey­led at, of all the worlde. Embrace ther­fore and folowe gentlenesse, which is the lodge of manhode.

118 ¶ To vse cruelnesse in the be­gynnyng of the warres.

It is not vnhonest in the begynnyng of thy warres, to vse crueltie, whyche is the verye cause that cytyes and townes well defenced, many tymes be yelded vp: whych yf they had not feared suche cruel­tye, wolde haue taryed & tryed the doubt full chaunce of warre, whereby moche hinderaunce mought haue chaunced and ensued to the capitayne and his Armye. [Page] This pollicye the wyse Romayne capy­tayn Metellus vsed agaynst Iugurth, in Numidia. But why speake I of Metellꝰ when all wyse capitaynes vsed this pol­licye, and wyll vse it so longe, as they be in deedly warres.

119. ¶ How to kepe thy kyngdome by boldnesse and coura­gyousnesse.

Brefelye we haue tolde in our boke of the gouernement of an empyre, howe kyngdomes ought to be guyded. But now I wyll recyte one reason, not vnprofytable, bycause it happeneth oftentymes kyngdome to be ruled by lineall discent of heyres, and bycause yongemen which be tendre of age, sometyme doo possesse the royall authoritie, and themperiall estate whych for theyr youth sake ben assaulted of theyr neyghbours, nygh ioynyng and borderynge on them. Therfore my coun­sayle is, at the begynnyng of theyr gouernaunce, to shewe them selues sterne and stoute of mynde, therby to encourage the hertes of theyr subiectes, and put theyr enemyes in feare. That thyng was well perceyued of Alexandre of Macedon conquerour [Page] of all the worlde, which beynge yonge and tendre of age, takynge the em­pyre of Philip, kept it agaynst them that rebelled, by hys lusty courage, braggyng porte and greatnesse of mynde, although he was otherwayes enfourmed of hys counsaylours.

120. ¶ Of chastitie in warre.

Chastitie of all wysemen is hyghlye praysed, without whych no man is wor­thye to be called, or to haue the name of a capitayne. For how can he well guyde o­ther men, that is ruled and led by pleasu­res and lustes, which be to man moost enuyfull foes. Therfore lette suche capitay­nes folowe Alexander the moost dradde kynge of Macedon, whych not onlye ab­stayned from the steshlye pleasure of the beautyfull doughters of the kyng of Persia, but also from the syght of them. Also Scipio Africanus the luckie Emperour of the Romaynes, for his moost passyng chastitie deserued euerlyuing name. And also this worde (Castra) whiche we call an armye, hath his signification, bycause men there shoulde lyue chaste. I wyll not speake of the sclaundre whyche therby ca­pitaynes [Page] do gette, but do you loke on the profytes. Doeth not lecherye make feble and weaken the strength, murther the wytte, hurte the memorie, dasel & blynde the syght, and perysh the hearyng? which all howe necessarye they be in battayle, and els where iudge you.

121 ¶ Of cauillations to be expe­riensed in ieopardyes by capitaynes.

Wyse capitaynes are wonte in great ieopardyes to vse cauillations, to dely­uer theyr souldyours out of care. For in so doinge, they appeare lytle to regarde that thynge, whyche theyr men chefelye feare. Wherfore the souldyours in suche case, cast away al feare, through the brag and confidence of the capitayne, & plucke vp theyr herte and courage. Anniball of Carthage, what tyme he rose in battayle, agaynst the Romaynes in Italie vsed cauellations. Alexandre of Macedon vsed also suche tryfelynges, in the greate bat­tayles, with the king of Persia. For whē his frende asked of him why in so ieoperd some a battayle, he went to slepe, he gaue hym this answere merely. Dost thou not [Page] know y^t we haue ouercōmē our enemies, whych saying was blowen throughoute all the host, wherby they conceyued sure trust of the victorie.

123. ¶ Of souldyours that do saye yll by theyr capitayne.

It chaunceth oftentymes, the souldy­ours, yea those that be valyaunte warry­ours, to speake yll and backbyte theyr capytayne, when they be not taken and re­warded as they deserue by their doinges But yet the capitayne must take no dys­pleasure therwyth, but rather shewe hym selfe liberall and gentle, that afterwarde they maye the more wyllynglye, followe hym at nede, then any other. Yea & gladly to runne through fyre and water, wyth hym, yf the cause shall requyre. Therfore a forecastynge capytayne wyll not cast of hys stronge souldyours for lyghte cau­ses and tryffelles, but rather by all mea­nes he wolde entertayne and entreate them gentlye.

123. ¶ Wyth what thynges thy souldyours ar to be encouraged.

[Page] Marius the happye capitayne of the Romayne people, doth shewe hym selfe a paterne and example, that souldyours ar to be encouraged by y^e doinges of the capitayne, and not by vyolence. Which Ma­rius dyd swete in all sorte of labours and toke great paynes, trauaylyng therby, rather then by violence, to call vp, and quyc­ken the courage of his men. For whē they sawe theyr capitayne, to take on him such intollerable paynes, they were ashamed, that they dydde not abyde suche lyke la­bours, yea and moche more vnsufferable. Whych doing of Marius, was worthye to be praysed. For how can a capitayne y^t gyueth hym selfe to gluttonye and slepe, kendle agd styrre vp the dulnesse of hys men, to any bolde enterprise to watching or suche lyke thynges. The souldyours wyl also scorne suche a capitayne, that rebuketh other men of such faultes as che­felye appeare in hym worthye to be bla­med. That capitayne therfore that wyll guyde & gouerne other men, must learne to master his owne affections, whych yf he do, no doubt there is, but that the hole armye with glad mynde wyl folowe his [Page] instructions, and obeye hys decrees.

124. ¶ To purchace the fauour of a straunge countrye.

The capitayne that weareth the apparell, and vseth the maners of the coūtrye, where he is, wonderfullye shall come in theyr fauour, when he shall appeare as a countryeman there borne and of the same people. Which policie Alexandre of Macedon vsed after he had subdued the king of Persia, and obtayned the empyre. For he dyd inure and accustome hym selfe to theyr maners and fashyons. And so he by wearynge theyr kynde of rayment, and by kepynge theyr vsuall customes, dydde bynde as true liege men, whom before he had conquered in battayle.

125. ¶ A capitayne must be liberal, and therwith praysynge the stoutnesse of hys men.

A capitayne ought to be liberal to hys men accordyng to theyr desertes, & ther­wyth to gyue them hye thankes, for their famous enterprices. And when they setheyr actes well rewarded and taken, thā all labours seme to them easy and lyght, [Page] and that they may please theyr capitayne they wyll not feare to shedde and spende theyr blood. Therfore nothynge doth so­ner purchase the fauour and true hertes, of thy souldyours, then liberalite & than­kesgyuyng, which two be nouryshers of valyauntnesse. For whych purpose a boū ­tyfull capitayne wyll not spare for anye cost, to ioyne the hertes of hys souldiours that thereby he maye haue them readye, and forwarde in all ieopardyes.

126. ¶ what is to be done when e­ruption is feared.

When we be afrayed of eruption, ey­ther of our enemyes, or oute of any cytye, best it is to cast bulworkes, wyth turrettes of wood, that our armye maye be de­fenced and kept in saufetye on euery syde. For sodayne outbrastes do moche discom fyte and trouble oure armye, when our e­nemyes vnloked for do sette vpon vs.

Suche is the violence of sodayne eruptiō which maketh the downeman to become vyctour, and gyueth the victorye to hym that is vnlyke and nye subdued.

127. ¶ what is to be done of the ca­pitayne, [Page] when hys arme is in extreme peryl and daunger.

A venturous capitayne in thextreme distresse & ieopardy of his mē, must neglect his owne safetie, casting hym selfe in ieo­pardye, and put hys lyfe in hasarde. For the souldyours seing the great and daungerous peryll of theyr capitayne, wyl be imboldened to pluck vp theyr force afresh contemning theyr priuate lyfe. For what comforte can they haue, when theyr capitayne is loste and slayne. Wherfore they then past hope, wyll fyght in hope, and destitute of all hope, wyll moost desperatlye, and lyke hopelostes, runne on theyr enemyes: whych is sometyme the recouerye of an whole hoste.

128 ¶ Wyth what thynge the mynde of the cōmunaltie is gotten.

The hertes and good wyll of the rude people is chefelye gotten by bankettynge and rewardes, wherwyth they be moche pleased, iudgyng theyr selues, not to be regarded ne yet sethy, excepte they be called to deyntye feastes and bankettes. For the cōmeners do not seke, what is honest, but [Page] what is profytable, and yf no profyte do ensue, theyr frendshyp and good wyll de­cayeth. Which thynge was not folowed of Salust, that dyd bestowe and employ hys labour, rather to wryte the historyes of the Romaynes, then to seke and hunt for theyr fauour by feastmakyng and ban kettynge.

129. ¶ Of the fashyon to sende letters.

Letters maye be conueyed to thy fren­des in cyties, campes, or elles where, by byndynge them to arrowes.

130. ¶ To allure thyne enemyes to slyppe awaye, and fayle theyr capitaynes.

A wytfull capitayne wyll sende some of hys souldyours that be subtyle & wyt­tye, to proue and tempt the mynde of his enemies, and by al meanes to allure some of the capitaynes, or experte warryours, to forsake and fayle theyr master in tyme of nede, promysyng to them great rewar­des, makyng large profers, and therwith settyngforth and practisyng thaffabilitie and lowlynesse of theyr capitayne, cessing not to graunt any demaunde, and also to promysse what thyng soeuer shalbe plea­saunt [Page] or acceptable to them.

131. ¶ Of the badgies of the souldyours.

All the souldyours ought to be knowē by some badge, that the better they maye be discerned from thyne enemyes, lest in­differentlye they beate downe and stryke theyr frēdes as foes. Whych may chaūce where there is no difference of armature and where thy men can not be distinctlye knowen from theyr enemyes, by theyr apparell and cognisaunce.

132. ¶ Of kynges and other princes that kepe not theyr feyth.

Kynges and other princes, do somty­mes abuse the conditiōs of the lawes of warre and peace, to theyr owne commo­ditie. Yea rather to theyr priuate lust and pleasure, and haue not theyr eyes vpō iu­stice, which only they ought to haue in reuerence, and also worshyppe. For what kynge or prince is there now on dayes, so iust and vncorrupted, whyche wolde not seuen tymes in the day, breake the leage of peace (whyche ought to be vndefyled) surely trustyng therby to occupy and en­ioye the demaynes of hys enemyes, or at [Page] the lest the best parte of hys lordshyppes, wherfore euer haue thy frendes as well as thy foes suspected, & chefely when thy kingdom is in stryfe. For no man is soner deceyued then he whych hath affyaunce in all men. Wherfore that prince, which is wyse, wyll not commyt hys secretes to an other prince, but only for his safegard The priuities in the herte can not be sear­ched. Also he wyll not suffre anye other prince, to entre into his castelles and hol­des, whych he hath fenced, that they may viewe and marke them.

133 ¶ Of the condicion of the common people.

The conditions of the common people be very hatefull, whyche couet alwaye to resorte to them, where they trust to haue mooste aduauntage, whych do not set by ne regarde any man for his excellent and hygh vertues, yf there be no hope of pro­fyte, to ryse by hym. Whyche thynge is shamefull to be spoken of, but chefelye to be done. But therfore we must applye vs to y^e inconstaunt nature of such people al­luryng and hailyng them, to folowe vs, by feastyng and bankettes. As the fysshe [Page] is takē with the bayte. Wherfore a wyse capitayne wyll vse no lesse wysdome, to mayntayne the state of hys kyngdome, then he dyd in gettynge it. By this waye he shall kepe vpryght and establysshe all thynges. Otherwyse, he shall brynge all to nought, and a wyser prince shal possesse, and enioye his kyngdome.

135 ¶ Of a certayne kynde of defence.

Charrettes set in the earth, before the campe, wyth the wheles dygged depe, & cheyned fast togyther, be a great defence. And this was chefely vsed among many of the auncient souldyours for theyr spe­dynesse, whych were wonte to cary with them a great nombre of charettes.

135 ¶ Of the swetnesse of ad­uauntage.

Aduauntage maketh those that be co­wardes, for the moost party redye to bat­tayle. Wherfore a wyse capitayne ought moche to crake of the spoyle and pillage, whych wylbe great after y^e victorie, with such riches, that pouertie shal neuer pinch thē after, if they bestow thēself valiaūtly, [Page] in this one battayle, and beare them lyke men, thys one daye, the laste daye of all theyr myserye and labour. Wherfore it is the capitaynes dutye, with suche lyke o­rations to comforte and encourage hys men to be forewarde, fiercelye to fyght, and boldly to stande to it.

136. ¶ Of a troublesome and vn­rulye multitude.

A greate multitude of souldyours whyche be barbarous and rude, must be caryed to longe warres, for feare that some sedition do growe amonge them, whyche manye tymes doeth ouerthrowe whole countries. Wherfore the capitayn hedely must foresee, that all causes of se­dicion be taken awaye and plucked vp by the rotes. For yf sedition be ones kendled the cytie is lyke to be burned, and all the citizins vtterly confounded.

137 ¶ Of the dutye of a good capytayne.

A valyaunte capitayne wyll be asha­med to be sene alyue, and all his mē slayn For with what countenaunce, dare he be bolde to shewe his face, or to prease into the cōpany of valyaunt capitaynes, whē [Page] he doth suruyue his men being slayne. yf the battayle was yll fought, who shal be blamed but the capitayne? whiche ey­ther in an vnegal and inconuenient place dyd pytche his fielde, or elles with a lytle power, rashly gaue battayle agaynst his enemies, which were both mo in nombre and more expert in warres, whych thing is not to be done, but in a great strayte, & vrgent necessitie.

138. ¶ In a newe rendre.

When any prouince or citye haue new­ly yelded them selues to the capitayne, he shall doo well to pardone all burthens, and charges of the cytye, as to open pry­sons for them that be in duraunce, and burne bokes of condēnations, and brefe­ly no kynde of humanitie, ne yet of boun­tyfulnesse is to be forgotten. Wherby the capytaynes gentlenesse and good wyll, maye be knowen, and appeare.

139. ¶ Of the punishment of the ca­pitayne whych forsaketh hys men.

The capitayne that forsaketh his host, and flyeth away, is worthye to be behee­ded, in exāple of al other. For more prayse [Page] worthye, it is to dye in battayle valyauntly fyghtynge wyth greate glorye and re­noume, then after for his cowardise with shame, and reproche to lose hys lyfe.

140. ¶ To abstayne from robbyng of temples.

Commaunde your souldyours, that they shunne to spoyle and robbe temples, lest God be offended therwyth. For great hurte and damage chaunceth to an army by suche vnreuerent spoyle of churches, whych for suche mischeuous doinges ne­uer skaped vnpunysshed, neyther in oure dayes, ne yet in any tyme out of our mind Therfore commaunde your menne to ab­stayne from the robbyng of temples. For no battayle is so harde to be skaped from as the battayle of God.

141. ¶ To pursue thyne enemyes in the chase.

When thyne enemyes do turne theyr face and stye, then pursue and chase them gredelye, yf there be no suspition of tray­nes. Do thou not deferre ne yet be slacke, lest they recouer them selues, and asha­med of theyr cowardlye flyght tourne a­gayne [Page] and cause the to recule, recoueryng the battayle, whyche nowe before was loste. For experyence doeth shewe howe vnprofytable it is, not to take tyme, whē tyme doth serue.

142. ¶ To dissemble retreate and feare.

Yf the capitayne shall perceyue anye place conuenyente and mete for the discō ­fiture of hys enemies, it shalbe not vnpro fytable, to dissemble retreate and feare, vntyll he haue trayned and ledde his ene­myes thyther. And then let hym set vpon them, on the foreparte, on the backe, and on bothe wynges. Therfore the mooste parte be brought into suche traynes that tarye in holdes, and abyde thassaultes of theyr enemyes, and at the last ben enfor­ced for famine, to pyght fielde in open chā pyon grounde.

143. ¶ what is to be done when great ieopardyes are to be vndertaken.

When great ieopardies ben at hande, which we must by some meane auoyd, thē mete it is, to chose souldyours, whyche [Page] ben vnfearfull and couragious to encoū ­tre wyth theyr enemyes, when we muste imbolden wyth rewardes, and fayre promysses, that gladly they wyll marche for­warde, and not to steppe backe for anye ieopardyes. Also they are to be admony­shed, what prayse and rychesse they shall gette of that vyctorie. Besydes that we must earnestly affirme, that the only trust and hope of the victorie standeth in them. Wherfore they debatyng all these thyn­ges wyth themselues, and myndefull of theyr former doinges, wyl purpose wyth them selues, to atchyue the vyctorye, and wynne theyr spurres.

144 ¶ To abstayne from treason.

You capitaynes and souldyours which loke and clymbe for honour, and wyl not indamage and impayre youre name, be­ware of treason: which is moost cursed & hatefull. For fyrste you shall haue them, whom you do betraye your deedly foes, and extreme enemies, and they for whom you worke that treason, shall feare and suspect you. Yea and at the laste hate and abhorre the deed, and euer doubtyng, lest you practyse suche traytorus wylyes a­gaynst [Page] them, which you haue vsed for thē Wherfore yfsuche men wyll rebelle, and departe from theyr capitayne, lette them yet beware, to cōmyt so heynous a fault, whych in all ages is moost abhominable for great hatred is gathered of treason, whych faulte is abhorred of all men. The traytour also is hated, boked at with fyn­ges, and defamed both alyue and deed. Therfore you maye se the frutes of trea­son.

120. ¶ Of the sagenesse and eloquence of the capitayne in his orations.

The oration of the capitayne, setforth and spoken, wyth weyghtye sentences, & apte wordes, is moche cōmendable, and verye requisyte. For weyghtye and fete wordes shal make hym praysed of al men and taken as the very ymage of vertue, & wysdome. Therfore the capitaynes must not in the face of al men, folowe theyr merye conceiptes, and vnaduysedlye speake, but amonge theyr familyers and nyghe frendes: Yea and then not wantonly and foolyshlye. But theyr wordes oughte to be seasoued wyth sagenesse and grauitie, [Page] and estemed as the oracles of the goddes.

146. ¶ To refrayne from spoyle and pillage before thyne enemies be wholye subdued.

Do thou gyue to thyne hooste a gene­rall commaundement, that they refrayne from spoyle and robberye, vntyll thyne e­nemyes be cōquered, and wholy brought vnder, and a greate penaltie must be sette to the contrarye. For when thy men fall to spoyle, and be gyuen to vaūtage, thyne enemyes maye recouer and restore theyr strength, and euen now subdued, and lost men ryght agayne, become vyctours. Wherfore so longe as one lyueth, and a­ny parte of theyr strength remayneth, for bydde thy men to gape after praye, leste the myrth of the vyctorie be turned to an heuye and sodayne sorowe.

147 ¶ To refrayne from burnyng.

After that the cities be taken, and thyne enemyes vanquyshed and slayne, it were vnprofytable to burne and waste all. For thou mayest leaue those cyties to be inhabyted and kept of thy frendes, and hereafter they wil be a great refuge and succour to the. Althoughe the capitayne consyde­ryng [Page] the tyme and place, may folowe the aduertysement and rede of hys frendes.

148 ¶ Of ayde and succour to be sent to thy neyghbours abbor­derynge on the.

Yf thy neyghbours be vexed and tour­moyled on euery syde with warres, it is conuenyent and honest to sende them ayd y^t the sorowful war may rather be bewayled of them, then of the. For to quenche y^e fyre of thy neyghbours house, is the safe­garde of thyne owne. Therfore mete it is neyghbours to be frēdes, when outward warres do noie them, lest thy neighbours hurte and damage lyght also vpon the.

149 ¶ what it is to do some valiaunt acte in the syght and face of thyne enemyes.

To shewe some token of puisauncie, and do some valyaunt acte in the eyes of thyne enemies, is a great helpe, and moch vayleable, to the gettyng of the victorye, whether it be done by the capitayne or a­ny other souldiours, and also the enuy of hym shall enflame & prouoke other of thy men to enterprice lyke thynges, & the cou­rage of thyne enemies therby shalbe sha­ked and abated. [Page] And so a fewe valyaunt men, oftentymes haue ben the cause of all victories. Ther­fore let the capitaine be sure to haue some man vaileable in feates and strength. Whych in siguler stryfe, and man to mā is bolde, valiaunt, and couragious.

150. ¶ Of lytle power not to be contemned.

A wyse capitayne wyll not be care­lesse, and despyse a lytle armye, although it be but weake, and a small power, whē of a lytle sparke (whyche he wolde not thynke) a great fyre doeth kendle. Wher­fore the fyre must be quenched before the flame flasshe out, and all be set on fyre. And lykewyse we muste quenche and o­uercome, that litle strength and puisaūce of our enemyes wyth all our endeuoure, lest it waxe and growe bygger, and then without more ieopardye, it can not be w^t ­stande. Wherfore it is great follie to ne­glecte suche thynges, and not in tyme to mete wyth lytle powers, and vtterlye to discomfyte them.

151. ¶ Of slouthfulnesse to be eschued of the capitayne and all other.

[Page] All capitaynes, souldyours, and other oughte to flye from ydlenesse, euen as frō the pestylence: yea and rather more. For ydlenesse doth destroye the body and the mynde, whych is moost hyest of al thyn­ges, and drowneth the renoume of men, when the pestilence destroyeth onelye the bodye: wherfore all capitaynes and soul­dyours, do you cast of that sluggyshnesse both in tyme of peace and warre, and stye from it, as from a wylde beast, when she setteth on you in tyme of prosperitie, gy­uyng moost deedlye battayle. For cytyes whych neuer coulde haue bene ouerthro­wen in tyme of warre, haue bē destroyed, by slougthfulnesse in time of peace, which bringeth with her this mischefe, that not only fooles, but also wyse men be choked vp wyth the stynkyng canells of that vice

152. ¶ To viewe and know the coun­tryes, before thou cary thyne Armye thyther.

A good capitayne wyll be sure diligētly to vewe wyth hys owne eyes, the coū ­tryes rounde aboute, before that he carye hys armye thyther, and he wyll surelye knowe what waye his men may iourney [Page] mooste saufelye, and where that his ene­myes may lye in wayte for hym, or els he for them, and what cyties and townes to destroye by the waye, it shalbe profytable and expedient for him, lest he be deceyued sometyme by espyes, sometyme by igno­raunce, sometyme trapped in theyr tray­nes and snares.

153 ¶ Of the encrease of thyne empyre.

The dutye of a soueraygne emperour is, in tyme of blysfull peace, to augment and fence his empyre, with the procure­ment of newe frendes. Asdrebal the wyse kyng of the people of Carthage, was not vnknowen of this. For after the fyrst bat­tayle that he had in Affrike, he enlarged and encreased, the power of Carthage, when he hooked in those that dyd bordre on hym, and purchased theyr fauoure. Whych thynge all wyse Emperours be­fore this tyme, and in this time also, haue done and do.

154 ¶ The conditions of the capitayne.

The capitayne ought to be bolde in aduentures, and therewyth wyttye, and of moche counsayle. For what cōmoditye is [Page] it to haue a capitayne bolde, and the same foolysh and without counsayle, whē they both do ioyne and iumpe so nere togyther And also the one nedeth so the helpe of y^e other, that for the defaulte of the one, no man is worthye to be called a capitayne, but a verye loute and a lobre, and vnwor­thye that honourable name, whyche also is lyker to haue a master, then to be a master.

155 ¶ What is to be done in the besiege of cyties.

It is very profitable in the assiege and beatynge downe of cyties, to make thys proclamation amonge the mayne hooste, by the commaundement of the graunde capitayne, that all the pillage and prayes shalbe due to the souldyours. Then they allured and enflamed wyth the swete de­syre of vauntage, and strengthened with the hope of ryches, wyll not be put backe for anye violence, thoughe it be neuer so great, but they wyl surely take and beate downe the cytie. Suche desyre and vnsaciable coueytosnes of vauntage raygneth amonge men.

156. ¶ A pollicie to knowe yf thy soldy­ours be faythfull.

[Page] Yf thy souldyous gently folowe the, from place to place, it is a greattoken and argumente of theyr faythfulnesse.

157. ¶ Of the great and huge coue­tousnesse of the barba­rous people.

As the fyshes be taken wyth swete baytes, so the barbarous aliens be pluc­ked and hailed wyth golde, yea & moche soner. For they esteme golde and syluer, moche more then any prayse or renoume, so that the Italions haue great hope to o­uercome them for theyr gredye desyre of treasure, although the commyng of war­fare and prayse therof, hath euer florished and yet doth amonge the same Italions.

158 ¶ How to cary an armye ouer a water thyne enemyes restynge.

It happeneth oftentymes, that algates thou muste carye thyne armye ouer some ryuer, where thyne enemies do resist and withstande thy passage, in whyche case thou muste gette bootes, yf matter and tyme want to make a brydge. But before that tyme farre from the campe of thyne [Page] enemyes, aboue or beneth thou muste lye in embushment, a bande of good warry­ours, couertly, which must come on thyne enemyes priuilye at theyr backes, and lo­kyng for no suche thyng, when they go a­bout to stoppe and lette thy passage. And this is the best pollicye to carye thyne ar­mye ouer any water.

159. ¶ The comfortable wordes of the capitayne, when hys souldy­ours be in dispayre.

when thy souldyonrs do despayre, ey­ther of the victorie, or of theyr iourneye: A stoute capitayne wyll not ceasse dyly­gētly to cōfort them, wherby y^t heuynesse and feare maye be plucked oute of theyr myndes, and they more prest and readye, eyther to fyght or to go on theyr iourney.

160 ¶ Of thy souldiours, worshyp­fully to be buryed.

Yf it happen thy souldyours, to be slayne, thou shalt swage and appeace the angrye hertes of the rest, yf the deed bo­dyes, be brought worshipfully to burying whereby they shall se by the funeralles, that thou purpossed not theyr death, and destruction, but y^e prayse of that battayle [Page] and victorie, wherby they can not but loue and honour so gentle and mercyfull a ca­pitayne that is of suche pytie, then which nothynge is more prayse worthye, ne yet draweth soner the myndes of men, moost marueylously and enterelye to loue hym.

161 ¶ When the power of thyne enemyes is moche stron­ger, what thynge is to be done.

Yf thyne enemyes preuayle both in nō bre and puisaunce of men, by no meanes do thou come to hande grypes, ne yet ap­poynt the to fyght hande to hande, ne yet do thou gyue battayle in pyght fielde.

Neuerthelesse do thou not suffre them to lye quyet, but nyght and daye assayle thē busyly, wyth some pyked souldyours, makynge roodes and assaultes, vnto theyr pale, continually renewyng skyrmyshies wyth them, euer shonnynge ioyned bat­tayle. Myne aduyse also is, when thyne enmyes be very many on the lande, then to take the see, where thou shalte eyther gette the better, or els lose nothynge.

162. ¶ Of hostages.

Receyue hostages and pledges of great [Page] men from any countrie or cytie, which ey­ther be sent frelye, or by constraynte, and chefelye where there is any feare of false dealyng and vntrustynesse, whyche be the surest and moost fast bande of theyr loy­altie and faith. For the great loue, which they haue to the pledges, wyl make them to stande to theyr promysse.

163. ¶ To stynt the weapynges and skrykes of women.

The sorowful weapynges of women within the cytie, wyth diligence are to be stopped and stylled. For suche owtecryes and waylefull lamentation of women, lette the souldiours that they cannot take anye counsayle of thynges to be doone in suche vprore and wepynges.

164. ¶ To hyde and couer the slaughter.

A skylful capitayn wyl beare in minde to kepe close and layne (to his power) frō the reste of hys Armye, the slaughter of hys men, and tourne all to the best, wyth gentle wordes, burnynge them in the night priuyly and vnwares to his army [Page] therwyth sendyng those that be wounded and maymed, to the cyties thereby which be frendfull to hym, sparyng nothynge, y^t they maye be healed, and may haue theyr strength restored. And those men whych be nowe hardened, he shall haue in other battayles forwarde, and redye to ieoperd them selues moost boldlye, at the request of so gentle a capitayne.

165. ¶ To pacify a stronge and valiaunt warryour which is displeased.

If it chaunce any of thy valiaunt soul­dyours to be wrongfully vsed, or suffre a­ny rebukefull reproche, and therwyth to be displeased, it is expedyent wyth fayre wordes, to asswage hys angre, lest as he hath ben valiaunt and wytty on thy part so styrred by displeasure and vnkyndnes worke moche hurte and harme agaynste the.

166. ¶ Wagies are not to be craued when the treasures be spent and wasted.

The dutie of a faythfull capitayne is, and also of the souldyours, when they shall perceyue the treasure to be wasted, to surcesse, and not to desyre theyr wages [Page] For so doing they go about and endeuour them selues to betraye theyr lorde. Wher fore they must leaue for a tyme to call for theyr moneye, yf they couette and hunte to haue the fauour of theyr prince.

167. ¶ To passe by lytle thynges that be harde.

Lytle thynges, euen as great thynges whyche be harde, are to be passed by. For the charges be lyke, the praye vnlyke wherfore good it is, to passe by such pla­ces, where great labours with expenses must of necessitie be taken, and the profyt therof is lytle or none.

168. ¶ what is to be done of the chiefe capitaynes.

Many thynges there be, whiche are not to be taken in hande, but after that y^e enterpryse is begon, and the assiege attempted, by no meanes they must be leafte of. The profe of whiche thynge is playne by the wyse Romaine Emperours, whyche besieged the cytie Capua, and ouercame it, tarying there so toughly, that they left the defence of theyr owne countrye, to de­stroye and vanquish it. Also the huge host of Annibal coulde not plucke them away [Page] although they wer brought to vttermost despayre, yet nothynge doubtyng ne we­ryed wyth any labours, wolde not gyue ouer thassaulte, but constauntly continu­yng, dyd brynge home a famous victorie with immortall renoume.

169. ¶ To kepe the possessyon of the thyng ones gotten.

Yf thou haue gotten cities or countries, by any meanes do not leue, ne giue them ouer, but kepe them with all diligence. For greater reproch it is, to lose lytle thin ges, then at all not tohaue wonne them. Also harde it is, to wynne and destroye countryes. Wherfore it were no poynt of wyttynesse vnaduysedly to redelyuer vp, that whiche wyth so greate labours and charges was gotten.

170. ¶ Of the nature and condition of the common people.

The condition of the base and rude people, is piuysh and mutable, eyther wi­lye and boundely to serue, or elles after a proude and haulte demeanours, to be are rule. Wherfore the multitude neuer iust­ly ne egally can beare rule and offyce tho­rough theyr arrogaunte, stubburne, and [Page] stately conditions, whyche vse all kynde of crueltie, temperyng and measuryng all thynges by theyr fancye, and not by rea­son. Therfore no kyngdome longe can stande, guyded and gouerned by the commeners and vnskylfull people.

171 ¶ Of a multitude of gunners and crossebowe shoters.

When for the multitude of gunners, and other shoters in crossebowes, the soul dyours can not stande saulfely on y^e wal­les, myne aduyse is, to make holes, and so disturbe thyne enemyes with arrowes and dartes.

172 ¶ What is to be done when the walles be bea­ten downe.

It happeneth oftentymes, the walles of cyties, to be shaken and beaten downe wyth gunnes (that deuilysh instrument) then bulworkes wyth all spede, to kepe backe our enemyes must be made, wyth turrettes of wood, and ouerthwarde trenches fylled vp with sharpe pyles, wherby thassiege on that part may be more harde through the stronge munimentes, then it was before.

173. ¶ What is to be done in the slackyng of cities.

When the citie begynneth to slacke, it must be vanquyshed with the sworde.

174. ¶ To set vpon the campe of thyne enemyes not warely kepte.

Best it is, thyne enemyes negligentlye kepynge watche and warde, not by daye tyme but by nyght to set vpon and inuade them. For then without questiō the fyght shall not be harde, when thyne enemyes ouerthrowen and halfe deed with sleape and wyne, whyther to go or what to do, sodaynlye wakened, shall not knowe, ne yet shall perceyue the cause of that brute and disturbaunce, before they be strycken downe, taken, and slayne.

175 ¶ what is to be done in slowe and slacke siege.

When thy souldyours cowardly and wyth hollowe hertes, nothynge freshlye fyght, plucke the standart from the stan­dart bearer, and flynge it amonge thyne enemyes, then after exhorte and desyre them, not to suffre suche a shame and re­proche, that theyr enemies shal kepe thier standart. Then take thou a weapon, and [Page] commaunde the best warryours to folow the to wynne agayne theyr standarte, ma kyng a lane wyth moche violence.

176 ¶ Of lytle thynges not to be despysed.

Nothyng is of so lytle valewe, which in warre wyll not do some seruyce. Therfore an expert capitayne wyll contempne nothyng, although it be lytle worth.

177. ¶ Of warre on the see.

In warre on the see, the full wynde is the great parte of the victorie.

178 ¶ Of great perylles scaped and auoy­ded by rashnesse and foolehardynesse.

It sometome chaunceth, thyne armye to be in greate ieopardye, and so enclosed and set aboute, y^t vnpossible it is to scape away. Then the capitayne must vse some sodayne and vnaduysed meane, that by rashnesse the victorye may be ieoparded, whē wittinesse can not helpe, whichthing hath luckely chaunced to many capitayns discōfited with vttermost perilles. Such force is in rashnesse.

179. ¶ Of a certayne kynde of defence.

When thy campe can not be wel defē ­ded for the open barenesse of y^e place, mine aduise is, to make the fortresses of fardels [Page] whyche kynde of defence, although it be not good, yet it maketh a face and shewe. wherby thyne enemyes for a tyme feared wyth the noueltie of the thynge, wyll re­cule, and not hastelye marche forewarde.

180 ¶ where thyne enemyes preua yle in horsemen.

Yf thyne enemyes be wel horsed, and thou woldest gladlye make a fraye wyth them moued eyther by some profyte, or elles constrayned by nede, this is my best counsayle, that eche of the horsemen, haue wyth them swyfte and nymble fote men, which quycklye, can mount vpon an horse, and so lyuerly lyght downe, so that whych to other men appeareth harde, is to them through custome; lyght and but a tryffle. This kynde of fyght was be­gonne at the siege of Capua.

181. ¶ To rayse the siege of any cytye.

Yf thou purpose to rayse and moue the siege from thyne owne cytyes, then fierselye laye siege to some cytie of thyne enemye. For when they endeuour to suc­coure and rescue theyr owne cytye, they [Page] wyl sone departe from thyne. And so they then that be not able to kepe & ayde theyr owne cytyes, by strength, do saue them well, by siege made to the cytyes, of theyr enemyes.

182 ¶ Of cyties yeldynge them selues.

Those cyties whych wyllyngly yelde, and gyue vp thēselues vnto vs, although we be not able to defende them, it is not conuenyent to spoyle and pylle them, or to vexe them with any wronges, but ra­ther with bountyfulnesse and humanitie, to entreate and vse them, that althoughe that great gentlenesse shall not moue and tendre theyr stomake, yet that deede wor­thye the memorie of men, shall be further knowen. By whyche other cyties moued hereafter, wyll yelde the soner.

183. ¶ How necessarye warly connyng is to souldyours.

The knowledge of martial feates doth moche imboldē and encourage both soul­dyours and their capitaynes. For suche men do knowe to helpe theyrselues, and can take tyme to strycke theyr ennemyes, wythoute hurte. [Page] And except theyr enemyes be skylfull and experte, as they be (the battayle not ioy­ned) they be assured of the vyctorye, in whose bolde hertes, strength so moche encreaseth, and they styfly stande in fight to obtayne the victorie. But this science as it is gotten and assured by exercyse, so is it lost by negligence.

184 ¶ Great victories ben eschued with fewe and expert souldiours.

Yf thou endeuoure thy selfe to do fa­mous and valiaunte actes, take to the a fewe, and those pyked souldyours, wel exercised in warre, and hardened in laboure with whome thou mayest discomfyte, at thy pleasure, the vnskylfull multitude of thyne enemyes. But yf thou trust to do y^e same thyng with an huge garrisō, which be rude, and hauing no skyll, thou shalt be trapped of thy purpose, and shamefullye destroyed, and therewith taken in thyne owne trayne.

185 ¶ Of yonge men to be chosen.

Yonge men ought to be chosen for sol­dyours which be tall and stronge, whych can suffre hungre, thyrste, and lye on the grounde, whiche also haue a pleasure, to [Page] handle weapons, to fyght, takyng it for a sporte and game. Suche fellowes lustye and stronge, be lyke to become valiaunte and expert warryours, whose helpe thou mayest be assured to vse in great ieopar­dyes, and all thynges shal chaunce to thy desyre and mynde. Therfore diligent care and wysedome is requyred in chosynge & takyng vp souldyours.

186. ¶ What men they shoulde be to whome the kepynge of countries and cities is commytted.

We must warely foresee to what men we cōmyt the kepyng of prouinces, and cityes, and whome we make our lieufete­nauntes, and that they be ryche and aun­cyent cytizins, of our owne cytie, hauyng chyldren thryfty and disposed to vertues For such men vndoubtedly wold be fayth full and loyall, in whome no suspition of treason is to be feared, which wolde be reprocheable and shamefull to them, and theyr posteritie, ne yet any falsehode is to be demed or mistrust in them.

187. ¶ Of the maner of fyghtynge.

Cause thy souldyours to foyne conty­nually, and not lay on downryght, which [Page] force of fyghtynge is moche dreaded of thyne enemyes, cheifelye yf the foynes be cast at the face. These woundes ben vncu­rable, and the wounded haue more nede of a preeste then of a surgyon. But yf thy men haue bastarde swordes, or twohan­ded swordes, vsed in the ast partyes, lette them gyue downryght strokes. For those swordes be so deedlye, that lyghtlye they wyll stryke of the heed, cleaue the bodye, and dismembre all partes.

188. ¶ In what place best it is to lodge thyne armye.

Campe thy souldyours so nere as thou canst, in places where fodder, water, and fewel is abundaunt, that thy souldiours maye haue plentye, withoute any stop or entercourse of theyr enemyes. Beware al so to pitche thy pauilyons and tentes vn­der an hyll, lest thyne enemyes (vnwares to the) take and occupye the hylle, to thy greate discomfyture. Do thou also forsee that thyne armye, be not lodged in places whyche wyth raynes and brookes wyll be shortly ouerflowed, or where the ban­kes maye be cutout to drowne thyne ar­mye, or at the leest thy catall and other vi­tayles. [Page] Prouyde therwyth not to tarye, and kepe the hoste, there where is al play­nes, and champion grounde, for the daū ­ger of gūnes. But to be brieue I can gyue no sure rule where to lodge thyne armye. For the place and tyme must chaūge thy purpose, in which case the wittynesse of y^e capitayn, & knowledge, is moch requyred

189. ¶ How to make stronge the campe with fortresses, thyne enemyes assaultynge the.

Yf thyne enemyes ben at hande, and ne­des the cāpe must be fortifyed, set abrode a fewe horsemen, and a greater garryson of fotemen readye to withstande & dryue awaye thyne enemyes, vntyll thy fences & fortresses be wholy done, and then conuey them by lytle and litle into thy campe By whych meane thyne enemyes shal be mocked, and thy mē shal afterward more sykerly raunge forth, and thyne enemyes whyche euen now reioysed as victours, shalbe dryuen awaye with shame.

190 ¶ To take our subiectes rather then straungers for souldyours.

Mete it is rather to rayse and assēble an army of thyne owne mē thā of straūgers, [Page] whome thou shalt haue faythfull and re­dye in all peryls, which hauyng theyr coū trye, parentes, chyldren, kynsemen & fren­des, in remembraunce, wyl not gyue back ten tymes in the daye to daunger theyr lyues. In whiche mynde all kynges & prin­ces be (excepte the wyse and ryche Vene­tians) that they wolde rather take theyr owne men, then outpeople and aliens.

191. ¶ What is to be done in thassemble and takyng vp of souldyours.

When we purpose to make battayle, expedyeut it is to foresee and surely know in what places the thyng is to be done.

For yf we muste trauayle in hyllye and rough places, our armye must be garnys­shed, moche more with fotemen, thā horse men. And the horsemē also must be lyght harnessed, that wyth more ease they maye clymbe vp, and lykewise come downe the hylles, yf neade be to fyght on fote. But yf we must warre in playne and champyon countryes, then horsemen be moost neces­sarye. For fotemen wyll stande in lytle steade and vse. These thynges be spoken, not without some cōsyderation, whē in y^e assemblie of an armie kynges and princes [Page] ben at great charges, & somyme in vayne.

192 ¶ To kepe thyne armye healthfull.

The health of thyne Armye is mayn­tayned by exercyse, by healthsome coun­trie and swete ayers: but chefelye where is plentye and abundaunce of vytayles.

For of famyne the plage sometyme doeth come, when men for wante and defaulte of vytayles, be dryuen to eate vnhealth­some and corrupted meates.

193. ¶ what is to be done when waters can not be waded ouer.

Where the water is so depe, that ney­ther fotemen ne yet horsemen dare ven­ture ouer: best it is to turne the water in­to dyches out of the wont course, & great streame, by whyche meane the water be­inge fallen, thyne armye maye wade and passe ouer.

194 ¶ To chastice and agrieue thyne enemyes hoste.

It is a good pollicie by hungre, rather then by weapon and incurtions, to van­quysshe thyne enemyes. For nothynge is more profytable, ne yet more prayse wor­thye, then by vnbloudye battayle to ioyne the mastrye. But take hede lest thyne ene­myes, [Page] thus sterued, and tamed, with hō ­ger: do prouoke them by some dyspleasu­res to battayle. But then lye stylle, wyth thyne armye, and refrayne from anye as­saultes, or bykerynges, vntyl theyr vitayles be whollye spent.

195. ¶ To knowe yf any spyes lurke among thy souldiours.

Although it be verye hard in a greate armie, to knowe the lurkyng spies, yet I wylle shewe some wayes, not vnprofita­ble, of whych this shalbe one. Oftētymes to serche and viewe thy registre, & if there be any not registred, and wrytten, it is a great token, those to be spyes. And also yf any of them that be regestred, do carye ty dynges & thy endeuours to thother part, then nedefulle it is, to stoppe and besette wayes, passages, and woodes, by nyght and daye, to take and to carye them to the capitayne there to be racked, yea and yf any do wander owte of the campe, the capitayne not commaundyuge, they shal be taken gyltye of petitreason. It shall be therefore, the offyce of a capitayne dayly to beholde aboute hys armie, bothe by hym selfe and other trustye and beleuea­ble [Page] souldyers, and marke men by theyre face, by whych policye he shall knowe the tyme yf any of hys souldyours abode.

The capitayne also muste commaund al men to take theyre lodgyng by day lyght, and to be in theyre tentes, and yf any shal be suspect, than take and imprison them, by torment also constraynyng them to tel theyr intentes, cōmandes, and charges.

196. ¶ To kepe close theyr counsayles.

Let the capitayne debate and discusse, wyth the wytty and experte warryours, nowe and agayne, what is to be done. But what he wyll do, let hym disclose, & to discouer that to fewe, depelye wayeng the thynge, wyth hym selfe, by whych policie he shal neuer attēpte, ne enterpryse, anye matter voydelye, whan hys ende­uours, and affayres be vnknowen, and conceled: but by all wayes he shall haue hys owne desyre.

197. ¶ The oration of the capy­tayne to hys hoste whā they be marchīg­forthe to fyght.

[Page] The hoste vauncyng towarde battayl, the capitayne ought to speake these wor­des: that wyllynglye he wyll seke hys owne death, excepte he brynge with hym the victorie, which wordes wonderfully wyll moue and arrayse theyr hertes, and chiefely yf they loue and haue hym in any reuerence, so that for his wont gentlenes and largesse, they wyll put theyr lyues in daūger to gette hym the glory & renoume coueytynge theyr death wyth hys death. Wherfore lette the capitayne shewe and persuade to hys companye, that hys lyfe, death, and renoume, doo stande in theyr manlynesse and handes.

198. ¶ To take thyne enemyes by wyles.

Myne aduyse is, to sende forth thyne vnable souldyours, sorye felowes & most vnprofytable, to be as a bayte, praye, and vntysement to thyne enemyes, which prouoked and allured to take them prisoners or elles vtterlye to slee them, ryght waye maye be catched and trayned in snares. For they then gladsom of the lytle mastry disordrelye wyll (as victours) folowe the pursute and chase farreof, kepynge none [Page] arraye. By which couyne and trayne, ma­nye haue bene deceyued: whyche pollicye was not vnknowen of the Easte souldy­ours, whych dyd let loose theyr horses to straye amonge theyr enemyes, and they coueytyng to steale the horses, were takē and slayne.

199. ¶ What is to be done wyth capty­ues and prisoners.

It is not good to kylle the captyues, and prisoners, but to kepe them to tillage and those chefelye that be burlye, carter­lyke, and fytte thereto. For what profyte can come of theyr death, when yf they be kepte on lyue, we maye vse them in hus­bandrye: and of theyr labours get greate encrease and aduauntage. Which thyng hath bene done of many kynges and princes. And the Turke doeth at this tyme in drugerye and mooste vyle occupations, kepe as slaues and bondmen, a great nō ­bre of chrysten men (Alas to the reproche and shame of Chrysten princes) knowing hys armye can not be nourysshed, wyth­out the frutes of the grounde whyche be­inge soulde, hys souldyours therby haue and receyue theyr wagies, knowyng also [Page] famyne to be noyouse, and worse then a plage, to hys hoste: whyche desstroyeth cities, countreyes, and townes.

1000. ¶ To fynde swete water and fresshe.

Abowte the sea bankes, fresshe water is founde, also in the mydde lande, and places farre from the sea, wher shrubbes do growe. Mete it is, the capytayne to haue knowledge of these thynges.

1001. ¶ Of nyght battayle.

If thou fyghte, in the nyghte tyme: profytable it is to haue the moone, on thy backe. For soo thyne enemyes, shall not well warde, ne escape the strokes, of thy men. For the lyghte, and also for the false vmbrage, whych the Moone doth shewe fourthe.

1002. ¶ Of the dewetye of the capitayne in excersy­syng hys soul­dyours.

Nedefulle it is, for a capytayne to knowe, before he come to battayle, that bothe hys horsemen, and also hys foote men, rude in the cunnyng of warre, must [Page] be daylye exercysed. For theyr vnskylful­nesse is the great destructiō, of the whole hoste, when they knowe not howe for to kepe theyr arraye, nae yet what to do, but lyke men astonysshed, voyde of all war­lye knowledge, and nowe to learne the feates of warre, in whose hand the chyfe parte of the battayle doth stand, begynne to staye and proffer theyr backes.

1003. ¶ Of the dewtye of the graunde capy­taynes in battel.

Kynges and prynces, (the counsayle lours of the weale publyke, for the tyme dismissed) muste calle vnto them, actyfe, and experte warryoures, and vse theyr counsayles, in warlye affayres, not do­ynge anye thynge, rashlye, agaynst theyr aduertisement, of whyche thynge Pom­peyus maye be an example, that for hys knowlege of warre, deserued to be called (magnus) great or noble, which whē he warred agaynste Cesar, was costrayned by the Senate, to chaunge hys pourpose [Page] and to vse an other waye, then he wyth hym selfe had decreed, or elles the com­myng of warre requyred: wherby it chaū ced that he was vanquysshed wyth hys frendes moost shamefullye.

1004. ¶ Of the fotemen, and sygne of bat­tayle.

The tentes redde, beforetokens of battayle to come, and sygnes of the vy­ctorye, wyth the bloodsheddyng of thyne enemyes.

¶ The Proheme of the seconde boke, vnto the lawes of warre.

IT nowe remayneth, that in fewe wordes we playnelye shewe and opē what lawes, the graunde capitaynes and also y^e peticapitaynes ought to vse agaynst the defaultes of their soul­dyours, not onelye in tyme of warre, but also of peace. For without mans iustice and equitie, not armyes onelye, kyngdo­mes and lordshyppes, but also lytle countryes can not longe contynue, and kepe theyr egall estate, suche strength and vertue is in iustice and equitie. Therefore it shall not be moche vnprofytable, here shortly to shewe, what I haue founde in the Romayne lawes, and also what thinges ben obserued and vsed nowe in these dayes, in the punyshment of souldiours, whyche maye be taken for a lawe, so that [Page] there shalbe none in the whole army, that can saye the capitayne to haue wronged and iniured hym.

2. ¶ Of them that yelde theyr selues to theyr enemyes.

Yf any yelde theyr selues to thyne ene­myes, hauynge no iust and vrgent cause, the hygher he is in hys degree, the sorer let hym be punysshed. And for this cause that the other souldyours and theyr capi­taynes take none example of hym (the chaunce of the battayle not tryed) to yeld themselues to theyr enemyes.

3. ¶ Of an outstrayer.

He that leaueth and strayeth from his owne companye, muste be punysshed by the purse, or els lose hys place, or be sende forth abrode lyke a slaue, that he maye be an example to other, not to straye oute of ordre.

4. ¶ Of a spye or outryder.

A spye whyche wyll be entysed, at the request of hys enemyes, and so leaue hys capitayne, is worthy to be beheeded, and that iustlye. For the saulfetye and destru­ction of the whole hoste doeth lye in hym. [Page] Wherfore hys punyshment muste be the greater.

5. ¶ Of ronneawayes and landeleapers.

They that ronne to theyr enemyes, & then after returne, must be hanged. He also that is purposed to flye, and in y^e meane tyme intertaken, is worthye to be behee­ded. Whiche lawe amonge oure souldy­ours now on dayes is put in vre, but not afore.

6. ¶ Of them that lose theyr harneys.

He that loseth his harneys in battayl or shall alienate them, must chaunge hys place, but he that stealeth others, must be put out of his souldyourshyppe.

7. ¶ Of them that do thynges prohy­bited, and kepe not the lawes and decrees proclaymed.

He that shal do any thyng forbydden of the capitayne, and therwyth doeth not kepe hys commaundementes, must be be heeded: although the thynge be not well done. Also yf he steale into the campe, by walles or ditches, dryuē by no great feare he is worthye the same punyshment.

8. ¶ Of them that raysevp sedicion.

[Page] They that styre vp anye sedition, are moost worthye to be beheeded, but yf the sedicion shal come of some light cōplaynt then put them out of theyr place of soul­dyourshyppe, whych fyrst dyd moue that busynesse.

9. ¶ Of a legion reculynge.

Yf any legion gyue backe, let them lose the name of chiualrye for euer.

10 ¶ Of banyshed personage.

Banyshed personnes intromyttynge theyr selues to be taken vp as souldiours must be beheaded for the dignitie of chy­ualrye.

11. ¶ Of hym that is sentforth lyke a slaue.

He that is sente awaye lyke a drudge, for the glorye of chiualry, must not be re­ceyued as a souldyour agayne, that the renoume of chiualry therby be not impai­red.

12. ¶ Of them that be iudged to dye.

They that be iudged to dye, for y^e sclaū der that runneth on them, must not be taken in and receyued.

13. Of them that steale y^e youth of chiualrie

He that shall steale yonge scholers in y^e feates of warre, in tyme of warre, muste [Page] be exyled, and lose parte of hys goodes in tyme of peace, he must be beaten with stanes or kytgels.

14. ¶ Of hym that maymeth a yonge souldyour.

He that maymeth a yonge souldyour of chiualrie, is worthye banyshment.

15. ¶ Of hym that leaueth hys compagnie.

An horseman that leaueth hys compa­nye in tyme of warre, deserueth heedyng and in tyme of peace to lose his roume.

16. ¶ Of them that rebell.

He that doeth offre violent handes to any of the capitaynes, is worthy heeding and that fault is augmented by the state and honour of the capitayne.

17. ¶ Of disobedience and sturdynesse.

Disobedience agaynst the graunde ca­pitayne, or peticapitayne, is worthy hee­dynge.

18. ¶ Of hym that flyeth.

He that fyrste tourneth his face in the battayle to the example of other, deser­ueth heedyng. For by suche cowardly and holloweherted felowes, thyne enemyes be comforted and encouraged, and thyne [Page] owne men discouraged and afrayed.

Wherby it happeneth oftentymes, thyne armye retreatynge to be dryuen downe & slayne: wherfore this penaltie is iustlye ordeyned for suche heauye hertes.

19. ¶ Of spyes and scoutwatches.

Espials whych reuele and open thy se­cretes to thyne enemyes, be ranke & hygh traytours. Wherfore to haue theyr heed chopped of, is theyr mete punyshment. Also those whyche dissemble syknesse, for anye feare, be worthye the same punysh­ment.

20. ¶ Of hym that woundeth hys felowe.

Choppe of hys heed that woundeth his felowe with a sworde, and thrust him out of hys roume, that hurleth a stone at hys felowe: lest of suche braulynges some sedicion do ryse.

21. ¶ Of runneawayes and traytours.

Cause ronneawayes and traytours to be racked, before they suffre heedynge, to knowe yf they haue not other felowes, priuye and alied to the same conspiracie.

22. ¶ In what places thy souldyours [Page] shalbe forbydden to bye thy bytayles.

Forbydde and restrayne, thy souldy­ours to bye theyr vitayles, in those places where they kepe warre, lest the countrye men be constrayned rather for feare, then for a iust price, to sel theyr wares, and lest that by dayntye fare, thy sould yours be flacke in theyr feates of chiualrye.

23. ¶ Of them that leaue nyghtwatche.

Beheede them that leaue the nyght­watche, whiche punyshment is nedefull, when not only the capitayne, but also the whole armye deepely and soundly sleape, in the eyes of the watche, and the diligēce of the watche, is the foretresse and defēce of thyne armye. What thyng therfore is more shamefull and cruell then to betray and slee the whole army slepynge, and ta­kyng theyr rest after theyr werye trauay­les and busynesse.

24. ¶ Of them that scape out of prison.

He that scapeth oute of pryson, is not lykened to ronneawayes. For that was done to saue hys lyfe, which thyng nature hath graunted to all beastes.

25. ¶ Of a ronneagate or strydlande.

[Page] A ronnegate brought agayne, by hys father, is to be punyshed more gently, thā by the heed.

26. ¶ Of the tyme appoynted by the capitayne.

He that doeth not repayre to hys com­panye by the tyme appoynted, without a lawfull excuse, is to be taken and accom­pted a ronnegate.

27. ¶ Of a disturber of the peace.

Punysshe by heedyng that souldyour, which bringeth thyne army in an vprore

28. ¶ When thy souldiours be in theyr iourneye.

Souldiours which be taken vn wares and sodaynly (theyr former lyfe wel kno­wen) are worthye pardone.

29. ¶ Of them that scatre out of the cōpany.

They that wandre from theyr compa­ny are worthy to be kidgelled or lose their place.

30. ¶ Of a captyue.

Yf any of thy men that is taken priso­ner wolde not returne when he mought, decken hym for a ronneawaye, but yf he returne, receyue hym: yf it be sure that he was taken agaynst hys wyll, and ranne not thyther.

31. ¶ Of them that forsake the capytayne.

He that doth not helpe and defend hys capytayne, whan he maye, or leaueth hym whan he is enuironed & set abowte wyth enemyes, is worthye to be hanged on a payre of gallowes.

32. ¶ Of gonners on horse­backe.

It shal not be vnprofitable to acquaynten and wount your horses, as the duch­men do, to suffer the sytter whyche is a gunner and not to be affrayed therof. For no sorte of souldyers, is more profytable thā they nor yet doth more myschife and hurte. For no man is so well harnaysed, that can be saulfe from them: such a vyolence is in that warlye instrumente.

33. Of gunnes called serpētines wyth other.

It shall be very profitable to haue many wagons & charettes laden with gons For there is none armye so strong, whom they wyll not destroye, so that horses & men far of be slayne, wyth them. Also the great sounde shal so feare men, that their strength and courage shal fal and decay.

34. ¶ Of a profitable defence of the campe.

A greate defeuce for thy campe, shalbe to haue manye wagons and carres, shod wyth yron, and aboue those turrettes of wood fylled wyth serpentines and other kyndes of gonnes, whyche is the sureste defence for thy campe.

35. ¶ To gyue thankes and prayse to god after the victorye.

Because we be pourpossed to leaue no­thynge in this booke vnto wched, whych is to be requyred, in warlye knowlege, & eke in the connynge of chyualdrie. Therefore comelye it is the head leader of the armye, (the victory ones atchyued and got­ten) humblye to rendre and gyue prayse, euerlastynge, wyth hys whole hoste, to the lyuynge lorde, that he of his vnspeke able and omnisufficient mercye, in other battayles, wolde be mercyful, and good vnto them, for wythout the helpe succour and strength of the Lorde, mans power is vnable and nothyng. And yf the lyuing god, shalbe wyth vs, & fyght on our syde, what can the swordes of oure ennemyes hurte or harme vs. Therefore the chyefe­tayne [Page] or graunde capytayne, (no tyme let passe, ne no tariaunce made) & his whole armye, wyth a pure sincere and vnfained herte ought to gyue thankes to the Lord offerynge vp wyth a faythefulle mynde, wherwyth god is pleased.

36. ¶ Whether it be lawful for christen men to make and styr vppe battayle.

Leaste that some men, readynge thys my booke, shoulde doubte whether it be lawful for christen men to styrvp battayl whan that man slaughter, captiuitye, ra­uyne, deflowrynge of maydēs, and take demaynes, do folowe thereof. To plucke thys fansie oute of theyr mynde, let them knowe in fewe woordes that warfare is no syn, but he that kepeth batayle, highly pleaseth the Lorde, whyche thynge doth playnlye apere by holy George, and Da­uid the electe prophete of god, and by the battayle & turnamēt of Centurio. I leue of the testimonies of saynt Gregory, & o­ther sayntes, which do say & affirme, that god is not displesed w^t warre. But what shal I saye of the vndowted, & vnfallible sayenge of Chryste, which commaundeth [Page] tribute to be payde to Cesar, that he may haue to bestowe on hys souldyers, and so to kepe the worlde in peace and quyet, the whyche peace, god the rewarder of all faythefull hath lefte here behynde hym, the onlye pawne, and pledge of hys mer­cyfull goodnes. Shall we therfore dys­proue chrysten warrefare, of whyche we haue suche a commoditye? The souldy­ours also ought to be content, wyth their wages, and not to craue more than their duetye is. But that suche menne, maye wyth greate prayse and glorye, kepe bat­tayle, mete it is these qualityes and vertues, to appere and shyne in them.

¶ Fyrste that he be a temporall man, ac­tyue and valiante. For the defence of hys contreye, and iustyce, castynge no peryls, expert and cunnynge in warlye feates, so ber and temperate in lyuynge, prompte to do all thynges, reasonable, sowthefast and faythfull, wyttye, mercyfull: and of good hope. If these thynges shalbe in the capitaynes, and rulers, what can be bla­med in them? be they not then acceptable vnto god.

37. They that go on warfare, do leaue theyr iewels behynde at home.

When we go forth to battayle, good it is to carye nothyuge wyth vs, that is of any valewe, excepte oure horses, and harnays, no ne yet to leaue any thynge in the campe, and tentes, least oure enemies be thereby strengthed and encouraged to fyghte for the hope & desyre of that pray. For all men be endewed wyth thys of nature, that for ryches and vauntage sake, they thynke all perylles lyght and easye, all labours a playe and sporte. Therfore do we leaue our ryches at home, least vn­wyllynge we gyue mattyer and occasyon to our enemyes to fyght, and so of daster­des, make them bolde: of cowardes, co­ragyouse.

38. ¶ To make the water noysome and vnhealthsome to thyne enemies.

If we couet to make the water poison full to oure enemyes, it shall not be vnprofytable, to cast a great quantity of wood, broken and brused a sonder, in the vpper [Page] parte of the streame, whereby the water shall be bytter to the tast, that neyther mē ne horses maye drynke of it.

39. ¶ In what place the battayle is to be fought.

The chyeftayne muste forsee and pro­uyde, that hys men maye haue a water behynde theyr backes, to refreshe and water theyr horses, and hys ennemies none, by whyche meane forsothe, he shall carye away the maystry, whan hys enemies, & theyr horses weryed by longe trauayle, and fyght, can haue no refreshment.

40. ¶ To kepe the citie besyeged in faythe and constancie.

Oftētymes it chaunceth, cities to be be syeged, and therwyth to suffer greate fa­myne and honger (thonly tamer of men) ouer theyr huge & paynfull watchynges in the same syege, whyche al do cause the cities rather and ryght waye to gyue vp, and yelde, except the capitayne by his policie, wyth fayre woordes and exhortaci­ons, do kepe the citizens in sure fayth and cōstancie dissemblynge & faynyng manye thynges. In example and profe whereof I wyll note some thynges hereafter that [Page] capitaynes instructed wyth my lessons, maye serche mo wayes, to kepe the citie, to theyr kynge or prince, obeysaūt & fayth full. Wherfore fyrst the capitayne, ought to feyne letters, sente from hys lord wher in he is promysed, in shorte space to haue more ayde and succoure. And yf he shall perceyue them waueryuge, and bente to yelde vp, he muste go abowte at some ty­mes, to perswade them, by orations dec­ked & garnyshed w^t art, and pyked reasōs to plucke them from such a myschyfe, pro­mysyng them all libertye. Than after let hym also laboure, that letters fastened to shaftes, maye be cōueyed by nyght, to the batelyng of towres in whyche some city­zen is admonyshed by some good frend of hys, in the armye of theyr enemies, not to yelde and gyue vp the citye. For theyr ca­pitayne is disceyptefull, and worketh all by couyne and craft whych (although his promises be fayre) is mynded wyth fiere and swoorde, to destroye the whole citie. And suche other thynges are to be fey­ned, whyche appere trouthlyke, that the countenaunce of the syege, maye not be grenous to the citizens.

41. ¶ To scape oute of a narrowe place.

It chaunceth of tentymes, thyne army wanderynge in hyllye countryes, to en­tre into some narrowe and strayte place, besette couertlye, with thyne enemyes. Where, what to do, or whyther to turne, thy men doe not well knowe: wherfore a skylful capytayne, must thus prouyde, y^t yf he be not of power to dryue hys enemi­es, from thense by strength, let hym daye and nyghte seche, when they be wythout watch, and then sodaynlye, and vnloked for, rushe vppon them. At other tymes, let hym fayne despeyre, and retrace backe in many skyrmysshes, layenge some pyked and actyue warryours, in couerte embus­shemente.

42. ¶ Of bowes.

Fotemen with bowes, whych englysh men vse: do greate seruyce in an host. For there is no breste plate, whyche is able to wythstand, and holde owte the stroke of the arrowes, suche force and vyolence is in bowes.

43. ¶ Of the owtragyouse assault of thyne enemyes.

[Page] Yf thyne enemyes that be horsemen, be within a myle, and do come towarde the outragiously (the reynes of theyr horses beinge let slacke) staye there. And yf they be fotemen and be within halfe a myle, stande styll, and gredelye receyue them, pantyng for werynesse, hertynge thy men boldly to fyght, and to gyue manye a sore stroke, which thyng maye be done, when thyne enemyes be weryed.

44. ¶ To foresee the place rounde a­bout, where the battayle shall be.

Beware to gyue battayle, except thou haue before diligently viewed, by thy self and thyne espyals, yf there be any ieoper dye of traynes and gyles, lest thou ouer­throwe thy selfe. When thyne enemyes at what tyme thou arte moost earnestlye set to fyght, shall oppresse the sodaynlye, eyther on thy backe, or elles on thy syde: where thou shalt yelde thy selfe vanquy­shed and taken, bycause the defaulte can not be escaped ne holpen, and al through thyne vnwarenesse.

45. ¶ To set vpon thyne enemyes in theyr iourneye.

[Page] Yf we can knowe what waye out enemyes wyll take theyr voyage and iour­neye, it shall not be vnprofytable, spede­lye to preuent them, and gettynge a place conuenyent to lye in wayte, and set vpon them vnwares, lokyng for no such thing For then vndoubtedly, easye it is to ouer­matche and conquere thyne enemyes.

46. ¶ What is to be done when our enemyes ouermatche vs in force.

It chaunceth to haue suche men, oure enemyes whose force and strength vneth or not at all we ben able to susteyne: wherfore myne aduyse is to entreate the force of our enemyes, and beseche ayde & suc­cour at theyr handes, or to seke for helpe of them that bordre on vs, and bene oure neyghbours, warnyng them dyuers wa­yes of the ieopardye that is at hande of theyr lordshyppes, and yf the soner they do not aide and releue them, they can not but yelde and submyt theyr selues, which thyng shalbe also great damage to them For the downefall and burnynge of thys house, is the fyrematche of the nexte.

47. ¶ what is to be done when we do fyght in straites.

Yf bothe the hostes mete and ioyne in strayte places, and neythet wyll recule, one fote, but styfly endure the fyght, then myne aduyse is, the cheftayne (takynge a certayne of hys stronge and weyghtye souldyours) to assayle hys enemyes com­myng on theyr backe, or one the one wing although the passage be daūgerous and longe: whereby certes he shall attayne a prayseworthye victorie, wyth lytle losse or none, of his men.

48. ¶ Of ouermoche confidence.

Yf we haue gotten thupper hande, of parte of our enemyes, it is not good to tō tinue the battayle, trustynge in our puis­saunce, and so hope on a greater victorye, lest we put in hasarde what we haue got­ten, encountrynge with the whole hoste, whych were fondely and rashly done.

49. ¶ Of the capitaynes cōmaunde­ment that no man take any prisoner.

Yf we purpose and trauayle to gette a notable conquest of our enemyes, the ca­pytayne oughte to commaunde, vnder [Page] a greate penaltye, to hys men, that they take no prisoner, ne captyue, vntyl he shal gyue some token of the same, which pol­licie is not the worst. For the souldyours shall then lose no tyme, about captyues, but shall wyth al theyr force put to flight beate downe, and kylle theyr ennemyes. Whyche done, hereafter the capytayne maye gyue the sygne of praycatchynge.

50. ¶ Not to departe from the place appoynted.

Peticapitaynes be wonte oftentymes, bycause they wolde be iudged valyaunte and skylfull, to departe from the place appoynted, in hope of some praye, and pyl­lage: whyche thyng hath ben the cause of great slaughter, in many battayles, and the losse of victorie: wherfore the peticapi taynes must learne to be obeysaunt to the commaundement of theyr capitaynes, & not to seme more wytfull then they be.

51. ¶ That the tentes be not leafte vndefenced.

When the capitayne shal displaye and aduaunce his baners to battayl, let hym beware that he leaue not his campe vn­defenced, [Page] and vnmaymed lest when he is mooste enforced to fyght, his vytayles be despoyled, his campe set on fyre, (as it is lyke to be) and after he shall haue no such place so defenced, vnto his great damage and hynderaunce.

52. ¶ Of thyne enemyes fallyng in varyaunce and stryfe.

Yf the capitaynes of thyne enemyes do not well agree, it is then expedyent, be­fore they fall to an onement and concorde intermyttyng no tyme to assaulte them. For the maystrye then wyll be lyghtlye wonne, when not one, of a stubburne sto­make wyll consent and agree to thothers aduertysement. But had leauer to be sub­dued of his enemyes, then cōquere by the pollicie of hys fooe.

53. ¶ Let thy men be redye in harneys, thyne enemyes lying at hande.

Yf the campe of thyne enemyes be pyt­ched nygh vnto the, suffre by no meanes, not for anye fayre woordes of thyne ene­myes, nor promysse of truce and alience, that thy men ben out of harneys (chiefely the best part ne yet y^t thy souldours, neg­lect watche and warde. For not seldome [Page] tymes, it chaunceth in leage of peace, thy men to be beaten downe, slayne and con­quered, by traynes and wyles, whom ꝓ­wesse and manlynesse coulde neuer haue subdued.

54. ¶ Of the besiegyng of cyties.

Let not thyne armye doubt to setvpon cytis warded with all kyndes of defences yf they shall perceyue dastardes, and vn­scylfull fellowes to kepe the defence. For hygh towres, stronge double walles, can not defende those that be cowardes, cay­tyfes, and rude of all warlye knowledge. Feare doth stoppe theyr eares, and dasyll theyr syght. Wherfore without taryaūce when thou shalt come to suche cytyes, set vpon them rounde about, thonderyng as heauen, with noyse and outeryes, whom it shall be easye to vanqnysshe, wythoute moche blooudsheddynge. But beware, thou slacke not and abate thyne assaulte, vntyll thou haue wonne the cytie, leste theyr courages and force by sufferaunce, encrease, and so the siege shall be daylye more paynefull and harde.

55. ¶ To make brydges wyth ropes.

[Page] Auncient capitaynes were wonte to ca­ryouer theyr armye (bycause bootes and queres were scante & daungerous) wyth ioyned brydges made of wood. But by­cause stuffe doth somtyme want to make suche brydges, and longe it is yer they cā be done, mynd aduyse is to make brydges wyth stronge ropes, cast ouer the water, knytte fast to pyles and stakes of woodde and in the myddes of the streame, vnder­set with proppes and beames to make them styffe. For the easye passage of thy men. And suche ropes the armye maye al­wayes carye with them, that they be not stopped at any water.

56. ¶ To reuenge our enemyes with lyke anoyaunce.

It chaunceth oft tymes, eyther for va­lyaunt prowesse of our enemyes, or y^e multitude of them that thy men doo sultayne great losse and dammage: whych is to be reuenged moost fiersely, with suche an o­ther lyke, and not to be forgotten and vn payed. For by suche displeasures or vyo­lence shoulde ben enflamed to vengeaūce, whereby we shall kepe oure dygnytye, and purchasse the good opynyon of oure [Page] souldyours, and also of the communaltie, which shalbe a stay to kepe the same faith full and sothfast.

57 ¶ How to conueye the battayl from one place to an other.

Yf it be more daungerous and noyous vnto the, to gyue battayle in thys place, than in that, vse thys remeadye. Carye thyne armye vnto the other countryes of thyne ennemyes, besyegynge theyr cities, burnynge the villages, spoylyng and wastynge the fyeldes, and so cause them ra­ther to followe the, then thou to followe them. But for all that, do not leaue thyne owne countryes vndefensed, desyryng to waste and destroye others.

58. ¶ To relyeue the scarcenes of water.

If cities and townes besyeged, haue scarsitye of water, thys remeadye is next Fyrste to sende out the base people, we [...]n and vnprofitable, and then to kyll all the cattell, and laye them in salte for theyr sustenaunce, that the water whych was so wasted by them, may be kepte, by whych meane, they shal be able to contynue longer assaulte.

59. ¶ To recouer cities and. townes loste.

If we haue loste in sommer tyme (op­pressed wyth the multitude of enemies, deceyued by the defaulte of oure men, or vndermyned wyth some trecherye) our cities or townes, lette vs endeuour to rest­aure in winter tyme the same cities, that the thynges lost by the slowthefulnes, of oure souldyours, in sommer tyme, maye be recouered wyth spedynes, and diligēs in wynter, and that we wynne agayne & restore the fame of chiualdrye, by the a­gayne gettynge of oure losses. For good fortune, sometymes doeth ensue, by the chaunge of tyme.

60. ¶ What is to be done whan thou art ouermatched.

Yf thyne enemies gredely pursue the, ne yet then thow arte not able to defende and wythstande theyr vyolence: best it is to carye thyne armye, to some cyties nigh vnto the sea, bothe for the plentye and a­boundance of vytayle, and also to refresh theyr broken strengthe, and wangled bo­dyes, and chyefty to furnysshe thy num­bre, that thou mayste matche thyne enne­nyes, [Page] aswell in noumbre of men, as also in valyantnes.

91. ¶ To set fyere on thyne ennemies pauylions

If thyne enemyes pauilions be rered vp, and made of dry stuffe, trauayle with all, haste, to sette them on fyre, and cheefe lye the wynde blowyng harde. By which policie they shall be despoyled, bothe of theyr cattayle, and other necessary imple­mentes. For the fyer taken w^t the wynde sodaynlye wyll ouerburne all the pauili­ons. And than also thowe mayste haue a good tyme, to sette vppon them. For whā they be doubtful, what is to be done whether to resiste thy force, or to saue theyr ryches, (whyche they set more by than their lyfe) they maye easelye be put to flyghte, and be slayne, and so then shall atchyue the victory wythout much bloodshedyng

62. ¶ What is to be done when we can not atcheue out of a place wyth our armye.

¶ We come somtymes by chaunce, w^t our armye, into suche places, where ney­ther long we can abyde, ne yet saufely departe, or yet retreate wythout great daunger, [Page] than what is to be done in such trouble and vttermost discumfyture, wyth all spede we muste take counsayle, whā that one waye of our sauftye dothe remayne, that we take truce wyth them for a tyme and Promysse sure couenauntes of peace by wytfull ābassadours. Wherby it shall be sure, that thyne enemyes more negly­gentlye, wyl kepe watche and ward. And thy tyme spyed, it shalbe lyght to passe by and escape eyther by nyght, or els by day, owt of that daungerous place. But somtyme perforce thou must open a lane, and make a waye, by harde strokes and man­full fyghtynge.

63. ¶ To make an assemble and shewe of horsemen in the face of thyne enemyes.

¶ Myne aduise is, that the numbre of our souldyours maye appere greate and huge, to harneys the lacqueis of our horsmen, and apoynte them, to stande farre of lyke a garrison of men, wyth the poyntes of theyr speres vpryght. For so thyne en­nemyes wyll iudge a bande of horsemen there to appere, whyche shall moche af­fraye theym, that we haue yet so greate [Page] a noumbre of souldyers at hande, to suc­cour and ayde vs yf nede requyre.

64. ¶ To refrayne frō the besiege of suche cities whych haue daylye newe succour.

Best it is to wythdrawe and leaue of the syege of suche cities, whych fetch vn­to them (maugrye our teth and in spyte of our hertes) daylye newe succour. For the assaulte through theyr new ayde, is hard yea almoste vnpossible, when lustye and stronge men, occupy the rowmes of them that be woūded, and theyr vytayles be so plentye, that they fele no lacke nor skarsi­tye. Wherfore we must all wayes fyght wyth fresshe men, newe strengthes, and plentye of vytayles. But yet sodaynly to breke owte, and besyege suche cities I do not muche dysalowe.

65. ¶ What is moste expedient for the chyfe capitayne to do at the fyrst entrye in to countreyes.

If we make entries in to any countrey wyth an armye, myne aduise is, bycause it were paynful, & harde, to lay syege to euery towne, and assaulte euery citie, to [Page] sende sage and honest personages, to pro­misse, for a long tyme, the release of their rentes, and affyrme the same wyth fayth and many othes. Yf wyllyngly they wyl yelde and become hys lyeges, and trewe subiectes.

66. ¶ What is to be done in y^e syege of bygge cities.

In the syege of greate cities, takyng a bygge compasse rounde abowte, we must wyth all laboure: make and intercut not farre of the citte, brode and depe trenches defensed wyth turrettes of woodde, for feare of sodayne eruption, owte of the citye, whyche is the cause of many incom­modities, than brode wayes must be cast that thone parte of the hoste, maye haue course and recourse to helpe the other yf nede be.

67. ¶ What is to be done whā oure enemyes spyes are taken.

Yf the spyes of oure enemyes chaunce into our handes, myne aduisement is, to graunt them lyfe, and gyue to them gret summes of money, therby to knowe the counsayle of oure enemyes, and their purpose, [Page] and semblable to tell to them what thynges be mooste profytable, for vs to knowe. For nothynge is more necessary, than to knowe the endeuours, of our en­nemyes, whan lytle or nothyng they can hynder what we do pourpose. But yf we shal sende theym awaye liberallye, rewarded, demaundynge nothynge of thaffay­res, of our enemies, it shalbe a great ar­gument of confydence & assured boldnes in vs, to the great feae of orur enemyes, But the capitayne may take counsayle of thinges, & performe what he shal thinke necessarie.

68. ¶ Not to haue one espye alwayes.

Do we remembre thys, that it is not conuenient ne yet necessarye to vse one es­pye styll. For they allured and enuegled, with y^e hope of great rewardes, do bring oure conueyaunces and affayres, to the eares of our enemyes, and recount to vs suche thynges, as be false and nothynge necessarye, wyth many false lyes, wherefore we muste diligentlye forsee, that neyther of the scoute watches, the one know the other, for feare of crafte and trechery whyche thyng ones knowen, to hang thē is nexte remedye.

69. ¶ To knowe the feare and co­wardise of thyne ennemies.

Whan the hostes bene at ioynynge, yf we perceyue the speres of our ennemyes, to mooue and beate to gyther, that is a great sygne of theyr waueryng, and hollowe hertes. And it is good somtyme to know suche tokens of cowardnes.

70. Of the duetye of bolde and stoute fellowes.

It becommeth not those that be baly­aunt, to feare any ieoperdye, or to be broken wyth the doubtefull chaunge of for­tune, when nothynge is so vnweldable, that by manlye prowes, and sufferaunce, maye not be conquered and vndertroden.

71. ¶ To recouer the health of thy souldyers.

If thyne armye be troubled wyth any dysease, & y^u doest couet to recouer theyre wounte healthe, it shall be the best, to ca­rye them to open and hyllye places.

72. ¶ A policie to disceyue and de­fraude our enemyes.

Easy it is to trifle wyth our enemyes, and make them beleue that we be vnhar­neysed [Page] yf we couer oure harueys, wyth some kynde of rayment, vnder whych coloure and gyle, they wyll come hedlynge to fyght, and wyth fewe rashlye, wyl set vppon vs.

73. ¶ To gette the fauour of oure souldyers.

If the capytayne be dyligente to heale them that be wounded, and also cherysshe the sycke folke, shortleye he shall wynne the fauoure of hys souldiours, so that for the encrease of his renowme, they wyll not shrynke: to bestowe and spende theyr lyfe.

74. ¶ To haue fyere to burne in water.

It shalbe very profitable ī warres on the sea, to haue an artificiall fyer, whych wyth water canne not be queanched, by whyche policie, the nauye of Sarracena, was destroyed at Constantinople, and the kynge therby payd yerelye a hundred poundes of golde for tribute.

75. ¶ What is to be done whan capytaynes do not a gree in one sentence.

[Page] It chaūceth oft times y^t mindes of y^t capitaynes to be diuerse & variable, about the besiege of cities, where best it is fyrste to begyn, and there chefely where the armie is furnyshed wyth lyke power of dyuers capitaynes. But what is to be doone in suche a chaunge of myndes, shortlye shall you knowe. Wryte the names of the cytie and cast them into a potte, and the cytye whych shal fyrst by chaunce be taken out set vpon that wholye togyther, wyth one force and power, whiche aduertysement is not the worste. For through suche dys­corde, the death of an whole armye maye ryse and come.

76. ¶ Of false hode to be reuenged.

Although other iniuryes maye be suf­fered, and to forget them is a token of a noble mynde, yet dissoyaltye by all mea­nes is to be reuenged and acquyted.

77. ¶ A waye to laye siege to cytyes on the see syde.

When we may arryue and cast anker by the walles of the cytye, myne aduyse is, to dryue thyne enemyes of the walles is this. Fyrst hard & fast, to bynde the ma­stes of the shyppes togyther with the ga­ble [Page] ropes nye some shore, and so to make a brydge, that the gunnes maye stande to beate thyne ennemyes from the walles, whych ones dryuen away, it shall be easy on that syde to sette ladders, and scale the walles to the wynnyng of the cytie.

78 ¶ Where we haue onely welle water.

Yf for the greate scarcitie of water, we ben enforced to occupye wel water, great hede is it to be taken, that suche welles be not poysoned, by some crafte: to the vtter destruction of theyr whole hoste, whyche sone maye chaunce, yf we take not moost dyligent care and hede.

79. ¶ To chose a place to fyght in.

When our enemyes doo preuayle in force and nombre of men, and we can not auoyd but gyue battayl, best it is to chose a narrowe and strayte place, lest our ene­myes enclose and compasse vs rounde a­bout, wherby we shalbe sone vanquyshed and ouercomen.

78. ¶ To mocke our enemyes.

Yf we be dryuen to flyght on the hye see, [Page] for that we be not able to matche our enemyes, and they make sayle after vs verye swyftly, and ben euen in our tayle, it shal­be good to mocke them thus. Fyrste to cause our nauye to stryke sayle, and make a bragge as we wolde fyght, that done, wyll the maryners (at a sygne gyuen) to hoyse vp the sayles, to be readye to flye a­gayne, the whych thynge when thyne e­nemyes shall perceyue, shortly wyll they shyppe theyr ores, and take them to theyr harneys, couerynge theyr heedes wyth theyr sallettes, and brefely prouydyng all thynges whych shall be thought necessa­ry for battayle. Thē when we shal se our enemyes harnessed, and readye to fyght, (the sygne gyuen) our nauye maye make awaye with all haste, and flye. And they loden wyth harneys, shall not recouer to ouertake vs.

81. ¶ When thyne hoste is in great ieopardye.

When thyne armie is in great ieoperdie, my coūsayl is y^t chiefe capitayne, yea & al y^t capitaynes, to lyght downe from theyr horses, therby to encourage the hertes of their souldiours by their bold aduēture & [Page] lyke daunger, and that more stoutlye and gredely they maye fyght, seing theyr capitaynes beinge in lyke peryll, and fierselye encountrynge wyth theyr ennemyes, and so the souldyours castynge of all hope to flye, may cousydre this with them selues eyther to vanquysh theyr enemyes, or els to dye with glorye and prayse.

82 ¶ what is to be done when thyne enemyes ben at hande.

When the hostes ben in ioynynge, and both partes redye to fyght, it is the parte of a pollityke and wyttie capitayne, to p­messe greate rewardes vnto hys men, yf they beatdowne and subdue his enemies wyth whyche hope they greatly gladde­ned, wyll be more prest to set vpon theyr enemyes and purpose wyth them selfe neuer to gyue ouer, ne turne theyr faces, vn­tyll they haue atchyeued the vyctorye, whych assured opynyon hath ben y^e cause of many victoryes.

83. ¶ To prouyde that thyne armye maye haue suffysaunce of vytayle.

The dutye of a carefull capitayne is to foresee that hys armye haue suffycyent [Page] vytayles. For yf they be sterued for hūgre, vnpossible it is that they shoulde do anye thynge vyliauntly, when not onlye men, but also horses famysshed, doo lose theyr strength and lustynesse, whereby they be not able to stryke theyr enemye, ne yet to defende theyr selues.

85. ¶ To prouoke thyne enemyes to fyght in ioyned battayle.

Yf thou desyre to ioyne in battayl wyth thyne enemyes, and to come to handstro­kes, eyther for the greate commoditie of thyne armie, or for some great nede, myne aduyse is to dispeople the countries, wast and destroye the fieldes rounde about, to cause thyne outryders to raunge, harde to the pale of thyne enemyes, or vse some other kynde of displeasure, wherhy they prouoked, rashly wyll gyue battayle, and so accordyng to thy desyre, thyne enemies shall come forth. But yet remembre neuer to ioyne in battayle, except thou haue be­fore vsed some pollicie, or layed thy tray­nes, to entrappe thyne enemyes, or doo preuayle in an excedyng nombre of men, and force of souldyours whiche be bothe act yue and puissaunt. Then vndoubted­lye [Page] wythoute anye sleyghtes in playne fielde saufely thou mayest encountre and ioyne in battayle with them.