The honorable reputation of a souldier with a morall report, of the vertues, offices, and (by abuse) the disgrace of his profession. Drawen out of the liues, documents, and disciplines, of the most renowned Romaine, Grecian, and other famous martialistes. By George Whetstone, Gent.

The honorable reputation of a souldier with a morall report, of the vertues, offices, and (by abuse) the disgrace of his profession. Drawen out of the liues, documents, and disciplines, of the most renowned Romaine, Grecian, and other famous martialistes. By George Whetstone, Gent.

Table of contents

Title page

To the most worthy Gent. Sir William Russell, Knight, accomplishment of his honorable desire.

TO THE RIGHT Valiant Gentlemen & Souldiers, that are, or shalbe Armed vnder the Ensigne of Sainct GEORGE: In recompence of their worthie aduentures, Heauen, and euerlasting honor.

Of the honorable Reputation of a Souldier, with a Morall Report of the Vertues, Offices, and (by abuse) the disgrace of his profession.

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Of the honorable Reputation of a Souldier, with a Morall Report of the Vertues, Offices, and (by abuse) the disgrace of his profession.

AT what time, Reputation of a Soldier. Ambition, the Impe of miscreate Enuy, vpon desire of Soueraigntie, begat Warre: Necessitie, Inuentresse of all Pollicies, Artes, and Mecanicall Craftes, deuised many Engines for Warre: the vse whereof, gaue first reputation vnto the Souldier, who euer since hath beene honorably esteemed. And although, for difference of Aucthorities and Offices, requi [...]it in Martiall gouernment: There is Generall, Lieutenant, Coronell, Captaine, Ensigne, Corporall, &c. Yet the hyest to the lowest, only glorieth in the name of a Souldier. Alexander, Caesar, and the greatest Monarques, vsually cal'de the meanest Souldiers, Companions, Fellowes, & alwayes greeted them by such like familiar salutations: Caesar, would thus vsually incouradge his Souldiers: Companions, & Frēds, saue that (by your Election) I commaund, there is no difference betwene you, and me, and therefore the meanest, that best deserueth, may one day steppe into my place. A highe incouragement, to bee valiant, when valour, by gouernment, is able to raise a man from the Carte, to be a Soueraigne Captaine: And certainly, Millitarie Iustice Millitarie Iustice. in Martiall Gouernment, is more indifferent then Ciuill Iustice: For, the one taketh [Page] knowledge of euery man that is valiaunt: and the other will scarre looke on a number that are vertuous.

And by this Iustice Millitarie, Viriat, Viriat. the renowned Portugall, that in many victories sheathed his sword in the Romains Entrailes, was in his youth a sheepharde, & the sonne of a sheepharde.

Arsases, Arsases. king of the Parthians, was a common beggers sonne: yet in remembrāce of his great vallour and worthinesse, after his decease, they called the kings his successors, Arsasides.

Agatocles, Agatocles▪ the mangnanimous king of Cicile, was the sonne of a Potter: and in remembraunce thereof, among other vessels of golde, hee was alwayes serued with some of earth.

Prolomie, Ptolomie. king of Aegipt, of whome the succeeding Kings were called Ptolomie, was of base parentage.

The Athenian, Isicrates, Isicrates. the most illustrous in the Art Millitarie, whome Artaxerses king of Persia, oftentimes made Lieutenant of his Army, against the AEgiptians, was a Coblers sonne.

Eumenes, Eumenes. one of the most valiant of Alexanders Captaines, was a poore Carters sonne.

And albeit, among humaine kingdomes, none might be compared to the Empire of Rome, yet, by Martiall Iustice, men of most meane rep [...]ation, became Emperours.

Elius Pertinax, Elius Pertinax. Emperour of Rome, was an Artificers sonne.

The Emperour Dioclesian Dioclesian. that illustred Rome, with so many triumphant victories, was a Scriueners [Page] sonne.

Valentian, Valentian. was a Shoomakers sonne.

The Emperour Probus, Probus. was a Gardeners sonne.

The renowned Emperour Aurelius, Aurelius. was of an vnknowne parentage.

Marcus Iulius, Licinius, Marcus Iulius, Licinius, Bonosus. and Bonosus, which occupied both the Empire, the one came from the Carte, and the other from keeping of a schoole.

Many other were Emperous of Rome, whose Auncestors were of no account, which (for breuitie) I omit: so that, descending to kinges, and meaner Princes whome this Iustice aduaunced.

Tarquinius Priscus, Tarquinius priscus. king of Rome, was a Merchants sonne of CORINTHE, and banished his Countrey.

Servius Tullius, the most renowned king of the Romaines, who for his worthy victories triumphed thre times, was the sonne of a poore seruaunt: and therefore was alwayes call'd, Servius.

Lamutius▪ Lamutius: king of the Lombards, was the sonne of a meane Harlot.

The mightie King Tamberlaine, Tamberlaine. was in the beginning, a poore sheephard.

The right noble Romaine, Caius Marius, Caius Marius who for his invincible courage and vertues, was seuen tymes Consull of Roome, came of a base parentage.

The most vertuous and valiant Captaine, the father of Frauncis Sforce, Frauncis Sforce. whose children and issue were of long tyme Dukes of Millan, was a poore labourers sonne.

[Page]Many other by Martiall profession (in which tyme Iustice was truly administred) were in this manner, from the lowest degree aduaunced to the hyest honour. And that the basenes of parentage might be no blemish, to those that deserued wel: nor noble blood,A straight lawe. a preuiledge for those that did amisse: the Gretians, by a lawe, sorbadde him the Tombe of his Ancestors, that added not some glory to their Monuments.

Alexander the Great,Alexanders Iustice. lying vpon his death-bed, being demaunded, who should bee his heire? magnanimously answered:Iustin. Lib. 3 the worthiest: so great was the Iustice of his minde, as hee preuiledged not his sonne Hercules, his brother Arideus, nor the Infant in his wife Roxanaes wombe, before a straunger of better desart. This regard and reward of good deseruinges were the causes of so many Illustruous Captaines in the auncient common Wealthes.

The prudent Romaines founde out the bene [...]ite that proceeded of the rewarding of Souldiers, and therfore they deuised many honours and rewards to recompence their good seruices. When any Captaine had any notable victorie, hee (after thankes giuen to the Gods) presently mounted vppon a Theatre, and generally praised the whole Army: thē calling the Bandes and Squadrons that fought most valiantly, he praysed euery Souldier by his proper name, calling him Companion and friende of his Countrey, and withall gaue to euery one as he deserued, as to some, Crownes: to others gauntlets, and to many Harnesse, with such deuises as no mā might weare, but such as had deserued the like.

[Page]The Consull Papirius, Tie [...]s [...] lib [...]o & 30 with such like ornaments proper to euery mans desarte, for one victorie, rewarded fourteene Centurions, & one whole Squadron of Souldiers.

Scipio, did the like in Spaine, wherein euery mās merite was written: There were many Crownes or Garlandes proper for speciall seruices: as,Crownes or garlandes, giuē for proper seruices. whosoeuer deliuered the Cittie of Rome, or Campe of the Romanies, from any sharpe or dangerous siege, he was recōpenced with the Crowne Obsidionale: Obsidionale. and he and his companie that did this seruice, were honored, as men that had deliuered the Cittie orPli. lib. 16 & Aul. Gel. Lib. 5. Army from death.

Quintus Fabius, for deliuering Roome from the dangerous assault of Haniball, had this Crowne.

AEmilius Scipio, was in this manner Crowned in Affrica: And for the like seruice, Calfurnius & the valiant Lutius Cincinius were crowned. Then, whosoeuer deliuered any Citizen of Rome, and slu [...] one enimie without shrinking from the place of this seruice, he was rewarded with the crown Civique. Civique. This was a recompence of great honour: for the meanest Souldier that obtained this Crowne, in the open feasts and Theaters, was placed next to the Senators, who vpon his entraunce, rose frō their places to do him honor. Many Romaines obtained this Crowne, especially the most valiant Cineinius before named, wonne it fourteene times. These Crownes were of flowers or such like, but yet of more reputatiō then the other of gold. The Crown Murale was of gold,Murale. and was giuen vnto him that first scaled the wall.

[Page] Manlius Capitolin, Quintus Trebelius, and diuers others, gained this Crowne. The Crownes Castreuse and Nauale Castreuse [...]auale. were likewise of Golde: the one was due vnto him that in fight first entred the barriers of his enimies: the other, at Sea, that first entred the enimies ship And of this Crowne, Marcus Varro, Marcus Agrippus, and many other noble Romaines, thought no scorne. There were other Crownes, and speciall honnours giuen vnto the Romaines, which (for breuitie sake) I omit: & which is worthie of regarde. In distrubutiō of these honnours, the noble and the innoble Souldier, by birth was regarded alike. Besides, the Romaines Captaines,Honorable names, giuen vnto the Romaine Captaines. in honour of their victories, had their surnames after the Countries, which they conquered: the one Metellus, for the subduing of Iugurthe: of Numidie, was called Numidique: the other Metellus, for subduing ye king of Macedone, was surnamed Macedonique. Lucius Mummius, was named Aca [...]que, for the [...]ubduing of Acaye, and Corinthe.

Brutus, for ye subiecting of Gaule, was named Galloys. The two noble Scipioes, the one was call'd Afriq [...] [...] Carthagique, for his victories in Affrica & at Carthage. The other was surnamed Asiatique, for the cōquering of Antioche: and for being the first that displaied the Romaine Ensignes in Asia: many othe [...] Romaines had such like honorable surnames, in triumphe of their victories: but these may suffice to showe the honorable reputatiō of a souldier, how he was in the auncient & florishing commō weales reuerenced of the graue Senators, and generally honored of the publique weale, where the gouernmēt [Page] Is Monarchie, Monarchie. the soueraigne & sole Commander, is girded with a sword, and glorieth in the name of a Souldier: where it is Oligarchie, Oligarchie. where a fewe of the best gouerne, the chiefest person hath a charge of the Martiall affaires. The Romaines whē they changed their gouernment, by banishing of their tyrannous kings, imployed their chiefe Cōmander (the Consul) abroad in the warres: In the like reputation, were the Captains in the famous common weales of Athens & Lacidemonia.

Whē Cyrus deliuered the lewes out of the great captiuitie of Babilon, hee sent them home vnder the cōduct of their Captaine Zorobabel: and their chiefe sacrificator Iosue, by which estates they were gouerned, vntill Aristobulus vsurped both the title of king and chiefe sacrificator.

The base segniorie of ye Mecanicall people, called Democratia, wherin the baser sort, as handy craftsmen gouerne in time of warre, are gladly ruled by the worthy Captaine.

The most magnificent Triumphes, first deuised by Dionisius or Dennis, Diodi. Lib. 6. Pli Llib. 2. surnamed the free Father, and imitated by the Carthagenians, by the testimonie of Iustin, onely were dedicared to the honour of the victorious Captaine:Iustin. Lib. 1 [...] But as the Romaines exceeded all nations of the worlde in power, so in this glorious pompe, they tooke awaye all possibilitie, for men to bee more honored: the circumstances, howe euerie estate of the Common wealth did seruice and reuerence vnto the victorious Captaine, howe crowned kings were lead vppe and downe, as his Captiues, howe that no magnificence that [Page] arte or mans wit could deuise, was wanting the hundred part of the glorye whereof sufficed to glut the beholder: All which particularly to reporte, would co [...]aine a greater volume, then is appointed for my [...] purpose: In reformed gouermēts, where excesse of Apparel was defended: as in that of King Ferdinādoes, who erected the Knights of the band, and in the straight Commandement of King Phillip le Bel: and (with your fauour) in the straight lawes and Proclamations of England, Gold, siluer, and al maner of brauery is dispensed within Martial showes: by reason of which apparāce of honor and reputation due, and giuen vnto the Souldier, a number of yongelings aduance their thoughtes, and thirst after the like glory: Of which alluremēt grewe the old saying: Dulce bellum in expertis▪ But if all his daungers, distresses, woundes, and many times, prodigall losse of life, bee ballanced with his glory:The honorable reputation of a Souldier dearily bought. the grauer sorte will iudge his honorable reputatiō to be deserued, or at ye least dearily bought: how that he is bound to march in the depth of winter, and the heate of Sommer, to lye vpon the bare ground: and which is worst, to fetch his meate out of the Canons mouth, or to sterue in the besieged towne: with many deadly dangers, which the toūg of him that hath felt them, can deliuer better, then my pen that haue but heard them. The consideration of all these peri [...]s, iustly moued the graue Senators, with these magnificent Triumphes and honorable rewardes, to arme their Souldiers) with an invincible courage: and yet (w [...]th your patiēce) they durst not put their honour simply vppon their [Page] Souldiers valiācy: how resolute soeuer they were in execution, the wise Senatours were fearefull to direct.

And certainly, the religious Ceremonies that the Romanes vsed before they attempted any war,The religious Ceremonies that the Romains vsed before the attempted warre. reproueth the incōsiderate warres of many Christian Princes, that neyther aske aduise of God, nor seeke satisfaction with quietnesse.

If any man brought the Romaines tydinges of some Prouince reuolted, or of any other iust cause of warre: the Senate first sent to the Offenders, frendly requiring them to returne to their obediēce: & if they continued their contempt, they thē created their Captaines for this expedition: But before any prosecution, they caused their Sacrificators to make praiers vnto the gods: after this, the Senate assembled themselues, and went vnto the Temple of Iupiter, and there solemply swore, that so oftē as the enemy (against whom they moued war) would seeke new conditions, or craue pardō for their offences committed, that their clemēcy should at no time be denyed. This done, the Consull elect for the enterprise, went vnto the Capitoll, and there made a solempne vowe, that if he retourned with victorie, he would offer vnto the Gods some special pretious thing. After this, the Banner of the Eagle (which was the auncient Ensigne of Rome) was displayed in the field called Mars, by which the people were warned, that, during the tyme that the Citizens, & their parents were in the warres, that they should neyther celebrate feasts, or publicke spectacles: finally, a Preest mounted vpō the gate, called Salarie, [Page] caused a Trumpet to be soūded, to sommon the men of warre, and there euery particuler Captaine receiued his ensigne: by this it was publikly known, that they set not forward their Armies, before they had appeased and honored their Gods.

The Athenians, neuer moued warre before the Philosophers and the graue Common-wealthesmen, had aduisedly considered, whether the same were righteous or no.

The Israelites, prosecuted the warre, by derectiō of the Prophets, as appeareth by m [...]nyexāples of the olde Testament: when the Captaines and Souldiers, were thus sacisfied by the Prophetes, & graue common wealthes-men, that they should in the extreamest degree, but sacrifice their bloods, in the seruice of God, the safetie of their Countrey, and their owne immortall honnour: Small is the wounder if they lightly regarded of life, and proudely encountred death:Spes famae, Solet ad virtutem impellere multos. Sole desire of fame, & zeale to do their Contrey seruice, moued many (that had no thought of the immortalitie of the soule) to bee wilfull executioners of their owne liues.

Plutarke, The working of fame. writeth, that in Phrigia, there was a great gaping of ye earth, out of which swelled great waters, that ouerthrewe many houses.

Ancurus, king Midas sonne, hearing that Gods Ire would not be appeased, vntil some one mā leaped into the Gulfe: Desire of fame (which those heathen men reputed an immortall life) hastened Ancurus, to leape into that Gulfe (as hee thought) with the losse of his life, to rid his country from this outragious water. Curtius, the noble Romane did the like vpon the like occasion.

[Page]The two worthy Lacedimonians, Spartius & Bulides, voluntarily bowed their neckes to the gallowes, to make satisfactiō for the offence of the Lacedemoniās, who contrary to the law of all nations (which protecteth euery Ambassadour, both in time of peace & warre) slew king Xerxes Ambassadour.

Themistocles, Mutius Scevola, and many others might bee ioyned with these examples: but especially the acte of Codrus, the last king of Athens, is worthy remēbraūce:Iustin. Lib [...]. it was foretould by the Oracle at Delphos, that if the Athenians would bee victors, their kinge must needs be slaine.

When Codrus vnderstoode that the libertie of his countrie, stood vpon the losse of his life, hee pre [...]ētly in the habit of a slaue, entred the campe of the Pelloponians and Dorians, his enimies, and quarelled vntill he was slaine. Beholde the noble resolution of the auncient Captaines, a nūber feared not death, & almost euery one hated a dishonorable life.

The Souldiers of Caesar, many tymes died desperatly, rather then they would bee the seruile prisoners of their enimies. Among many, ye most hardy attemps that the Iewes made vpon Vespasian, Ioseph Bel. Iude. & his sonne Titus, to bee delinered of the Romane seruitude: this one example of their proude disdaine of life, shewed their litle feare of death. When God, to chasten the greeuous sinnes of the Iewes, suffred them (notwithstanding their invincible courage) to be slaine by the Romanes, & of a number that were slaine there, being but fortie & one left aliue: which few, rather thē the Romanes should haue any glory of their captiuitie, by the drawing of lottes, they [Page] appoincted one to be the executioner of an other.

The Earle of Shreusbury, who in Henry the sixte his time,Hawles Cro. was so feared in Fraunce, as the frenchmē to scarre their Children, as we doe by Robyn good fellow, haue to this day a by-word, Garde le taulbot, being (by the enuious contentions in Englande) left almost succourlesse in Fraunce: In fine, was beset with a great power of french men, beyonde all possibilitie, for his strength to ouercome: and albeit, hee had good meane to escape by flight, yet, hee courageously abode their incounter, and vpon this resolution, he thus sayd vnto his sonne: Sonne (quoth he) thou art yong, and mayst with thy honour flye: But I am old, and haue had my life honored with many victories, all which I should loose, if I should deferre my death (which by course of nature, cannot bee farre of) by a tymerous flight: Therefore, I am bound to staye: What should his sonne doe, but euen which he did? followe the fortune of his father: and so like as they liued,Needelesse desperatnesse not allowed they dyed valiant men. This presice preseruation of honor, neither the deuines, nor many polliticke Martialistes, do allowe: the one absolutely reprouing desperate ende: the other, forbidding a mā wilfully to dye, when by his death, hee neither benefiteth his frend, nor hurteth his enimie: And yet, the greatnes of these mens courages, are to be honored, although not necessary to be followed. But necessitie many tymes approueth resolute bouldnesse, to be honorable, profitable, and necessarie.

As, at the Moūtaine Antilliban, in Arabia, Alexander being a foote,Plut. devit. Alex. farre off his Army, through care that he had of his Tutor Lysimacus, who in a maner [Page] was tyred with trauell: and being bee-nighted, and out of his waye, hee perceaued that his barborous enimies had made diuers fires in the Mountaine, by whome he must passe: and therefore, as his best remedy in that extremitie, he sodenly set vppon one of the cōpanies, slue two of the saluadges, and like a Fury with a firebrand in his hand, he made a passage vntill hee came vnto his Campe: And by this hazard, hee both preserued him selfe, and those that were with him:The dangerous aduenture of Alexder. But his hardiest aduenture was among the Malians, the stoutest people of ye Indians, who hauing scaled the walles of their Cittie, his scaling ladder broke: and seeing that his Enimies assaulted him, sharply with thieir Darts, he sodenly leaped among the thickest of them, who with the noyse and shining of his Armour, so feared his enemies (supposing that a light or sprite, went before him) they fled on euery side: and when in the end they assailed him, hee set his backe to the wall, and fought against the Malians, vntil his Army had broke into the cittie, and both rescued him, and subdued the Malians.

The like aduenture of Caesar, rūning desperatly vppon the fierce Neruij, The successe of Caesars dangerous aduenture▪ saued the remnant of the Romaines, who had that day beene all slaine, if Caesar had not incouraged them with this little care of life. The Senate so honored Caesar for this victorie, because the danger was great: as they ordained, that the Sacrificators should doe sacrifice vnto the Gods, and that there should be solempne procession fifteene dayes together, without intermission, hauing before neuer made the like ordināce at Rome, [Page] for any victorie that euer was obtained. The dangers of war are oftentimes such, as necessity spurreth the valiant Gentleman, to runne vpon the like perils: and therein is true valiancy seene: For, many wilbe [...]orwarde, where the hazard is indifferēt, that haue no legs to follow such exploits: And [...]or y• this seruice is many times required of the worthie Souldier, without execution whereof he can neuer be famous.

The Souldier of all men ought to set the feare of God before his eyes,The feare of god most necessarie for Souldiers. to haue a pure conscience, & to be of good conuersation, least in running vpō the pikes, he falleth into hell fire. His state is like vnto a man that is [...]icke (for death wayteth vpō Mars, as duly as vpon Surfet:) And surely, he that retourneth safe out of the [...]ield, escapeth as great a danger as he that is recouered of a mortall infirmitie: and as men commonly see nothing but holy & good matters among men that are sicke, so, the conuersation of the auncient Romane Souldiers, was purged from dissolute, and vngodly behauiour.

The faith of a Souldier, is at this day a cōmon pr [...]testatiō, but in those dayes, was neuer violated.

Alexander, surnamed Seuerus, had so well a gouerned Army, as his companies were reputed to be rather Philosophers thē Souldiers. The Souldier was in that gouerment pryuiledged as a sick man: The T [...]staement Millitarie, Testament Millitarie. Ioseph de Bel. lude. was allowed.

The Bequeast that Artorius made to his friende Lucius, and his heires (at the stege of Ierusalem) for the inheriting of his lands, Titus commanded to be executed: & as men that ar sicke (dispose their goods [Page] to their children & frendes, so the Romanes by a publique law, enacted, that the sonne of euery Souldier that was slaine (how young soeuer hee were) should inherite the Paye of his father:Pet. Mesi. That this prouision being made for their posteritie, their souldiers might be the lesse affraid of death, into whose power, continuall danger subiected them. The case so standing, that the Souldiers glory is wrought out of hazard, and the benefite of his seruice, proceedeth from the perill of his life: It is (as I haue sayd) requisite, that his conscience & conuersatiō be alwayes holy: and then euery day hee may boldly say as Cra [...]inius, sayd to Caesar: Plut devit. Caesar. I will before night be praised, either aliue or dead. For, in both estates, the vertues and valiant are, and shalbe alwayes commended: and as it is the principall duety of a Souldier to be hardy and resolute in execution:Clemencie, a worthie vertue in a Souldier. so, it a hye vertue in him to be mercifull, after victorie obtained. For as the Iudge deserueth more commendation, that winneth men from stealing, then he that pardoneth no offence: euen so the Captaine is farre more worthie prayse, that with wisedome and linitie, bringeth the enimie to a peace-able obedience, then hee that hardeneth their hartes with cruelties and oppressions. For as the Athenians wrote vnto the Lacedemonians: There be the fruits of warre, the losse of the vanquished is certaine, and the Vanquishor gaineth nothing by his losse. Theaft, murder, &c. are foule vices, yet is the Iudge honorable, that chastiseth thē, & he more honorable y• banisheth thē: euen so, war which is cōposed of these & many other mischiefs, cōmēdeth ye worthy Souldier, that [Page] with his sword dryueth this monster (Warre) foorth of the Cittie gates, and by clemencie, out of the Cittizens harts.

What greater victorie had euer Augustus Caesar, then in pardoning of Lutius Cinna.

This Cinna conspired against Caesar, Clemencie of Augustus. and was found in his Enimies tents, whome Caesar (not onely pardoned) but also highly aduanced: notwithstā ding all this, Cinna practised Caesars death: for, the rootes of Malice, ar seldome plucked vp with kindnesse: Neuerthelesse, the Emperour sent againe for Cinna: When Cinna was come, hee caused a chaire to be set him which done, Th'emperour opened all his benefits towards Cinna, and of Cinnaes ingratitude, in seeking of his life: These circumstaunces abashed Cinna: But Caesar ending his expostulation, thus comforted Cinna. Cinna (quoth hee) I once gaue thee thy life being my enemie, and now I giue it thee being a traitor, and a paracide.

Cinna (being vanquished with this clemencie) became so faithful and assured a friend to Caesar, A difference betweene Tyrannie and Clemencie. as Caesar made him his heire: See here what loue, the obedience that proceedeth of Clemency, breadeth: when the fearefull obedience that is forced by tyranny, awaighteth but a passage for treason.

Augustus, might haue executed Cinna, and so haue beene rid of a dangerous enemie: But in pardoning of him,Caesars Clemency. he purchased a faithfull frend.

Iulius Caesar, had neuer beene so great a Monarke, if hee had not gloried in the forgiuing of his enimies: Yea, hauing ouercome Pompey the great, he entertained all Pompeys frends, with suche clemencye [Page] and curtesie, as many of them honored him with faithful seruice. When he had ended the Ciuil warres, hee shewed such clemency to his enimies, that bore armes against him,A Temple erected in honor of Caesars clemencie. as there was a temple erected in honour of his Clemency. In so much, as when Cicero sawe, that Caesar set vp Pompeys Images, he sayd: Behold, Caesar setteth vp Pompeys Images, that his owne may stande the surer.

And certainly (though Caesar set thē vp of a magnanimous disposition) Cicero spake the trueth in derision: for Clemency setleth loue and good-wil in subiects,The clemencie of Alexander the great. which is the best gard & safety for princes.

Alexander the great, was highly renowned for the Clemencie that he vsed towardes his enimies: Especially, when the stout messadge of Iadus the chiefe Sacrificator, moued him so purpose the destruction of Ierusalem: Neuerthelesse, when Iadus putting on his Garments of preesthood, and accompanied with the people, cloathed all in white, humbled himselfe before this great King, Alexander, gratiously receiued him: and entring peaceably into the cittie, he not onely gaue rich gifts to the Sacrificatour, but shewed great liberalitie towardes all the people.

The courage of these great Monarkes, conquered kingdomes by force: and their clemencie, millions of people with loue.The death of Caesar reuenged by the common p [...]tplc

It is a wonder what a tumult the people made in Rome, whē Caesar was treacherously slaine, they so honored him for this vertue, none of the Senators durst stirre forth of their dores, nor none of the Conspirators abyde the Towne: they slewe all [Page] Caesars suspected enimies, and fyred many of their houses.

On the contrarie part, Tamberlaine, and other cruel Tyrants, were neither beloued a liue, nor moned after death.The vice of incontinency The dissolute and wantō behauior of our modernt Souldiers, which haue ye courage, but not the gouernment of the auncient, greatly slaundreth their profession, and displeaseth God.

When God deliuereth any Cittie or towne into their hands, they (especially) the Spaniard and the Italian) take small compassion of the Inhabitantes afflictions: but to iniurie them in the hyest extreamitie, as the sweetest part of their spoile, they most impiously, and barbarously abuse honest matrones & deflower their daughters: Which vnpardonable and vnsufferable offences, the vengeance of God still followeth: and therfore this Turkish wickednes, that stinketh before god & mā, is to be banished or rather to be punished in euery Christian Army.

The Continencie of Alexander, Scipio, and many other most illustrious Captains,Continency a speciall vertue in a Souldier. at worthy presidents, to brydle the intemperate affections of the multitude of Souldiers.

Alexander, vsed the wife,The Continencie of Alexander. daughters, and mother of the mightie Darius, and other most beautiful Ladies of Persia, with so honorable & chaste a regarde; as he tooke awaye all suspition, that should make them feare to be dishonored or deflowred. He would oftētimes say, that the Ladies of Persia, made mēs eyes sore to beholde them: but notwithstanding, preferring the beautie of his continēcie, before their sweet faces, he did neuer suffer himself to be alured, [Page] yea, he so much hated vnchaste affectiōns, as hearing that Damon & Timotheus vnder Parmenioes charge, had forced two of their fellowe Souldiers wiues: He wrote vnto Parmenio, if they were found giltie, to put them to death, as brute beastes, & destroyers of mankind: yea, so vnspotted was Alexanders fame in this vertue, that Darius Darius prayer. his enemie prayed to the gods, that if the time were come that the kingdome of Persia must needs haue an ende, either by deuine reuenge, or by naturall change of earthly thinges. Then graunt (good Gods, quoth hee) that none but Alexander may sit in Cyrus Throane, to recompence the great honour, that in my misery, hee shewed to those I loued best in the world.

Aulus, Gellius, The Continencie of Scipio. equalleth the continencie of the most noble Romane Captaine Scipio, with the chastitie of ALEXANDER. Scipio, entring by force of Armes into the new Cittie of Carthage (among other captiues) hee was presented with a most faire Damosell, young, and of a most excellent proportion: who, notwithstanding, hee was in the flower of his youth, so vanquished his affections, as he did no dishonest act with the mayde. And afterwards vnderstanding that shee was of a noble house, and betroathed to a great Lord of Spaine, hee sent to seeke him forth, and deliuered the Damosell vnto him, in no point dishonored:Pet. Mes. de Cho. mem. lib. 2 and withall augmented her dower, with the monie that was payd for her fathers raunsome: An acte of great continencie and honour, in a victorious Captaine, towarde his captiue.

[Page]This Scippio was the most illustrious captaine that euer Roome fostered: Hee,Commendation of Scipio for his glorius victories, was surnamed African and Carthage: hee was called Prince of the Senate: which dignitie, was giuen vnto none but such as had obtained the Type of all honour: he vsed such discipline in his Army, as his meanest Souldiers seemed, to bee graue Senators: and as Plutarke sayth,De▪ vitae Scip. among all his other charges, he specially commanded, that the wemen which were taken in the warres, should bee kept from being defiled: Worthy exāples for Generals and other Officers of charge, in Martiall gouernment to imitate, that their wisedomes and examples may bridle the inordinate affections of inferiour Souldiers.

And as companiōs with this beastly sinne,Temperance in dyet, requi [...] in a Souldier. the well gouerned Souldier is forbidden Gluttonnie and drunkenesse, as two mortal enimies of his profession: For the Souldier must many tymes indure hunger, thirste, cold, trauell, and other sharpe miseries, which pampered and delicate bodies cannot indure: Besides, when the body is stuffed with delicates,Ease the spoile of a Souldier. the minde is dull, & desirous of ease, which is the vndoer of a Souldier, who ought to haue his handes or his minde alwayes occupyed: The one, wounding his enimie in the field: the other, working out pollicies to intrappe him as hee lyeth in campe. Alexander the great, to keepe his men in breath,Alexander enemie to Idlenesse. when there was intermission from warre, accustomed himselfe, and his people to take great paines in hunting of wilde beasts: especially, those that were of most fearce natures: & euery man, to [Page] show his agillitie & strength, was inioyned to vā quish (or to bee vanquished by) the beast which hee vndertooke: In so much as Alexander himself fighting one day very dangerously, hand to hand with a Lyon, after the victorie hardly obtained, an Ambassador of La [...]idemon tould him, that it seemed by the egernesse of their fight,He must not bee idle that worketh for a Kingdome. that his grace and the Lyon striued, which of both them should bee king: Yea (quoth Alexander) and he that wilbe the king of kings must alwayes be thus occupied.

He was so temperate of his dyet, as when the Princes Ada, of meere goodwill, sent him many dilicate dishes of meate: He sent her word, he knewe not what to do with them: For his gouernor Lyonides, appointed him for his dinner, to rise before day, and to march in the night: and for his supper, to eat but a little at dinner: A spare dyet for a Prince, yet necessary for him that wrought for the whole world to haue his bodie hardened and prepared for all dangers.

Haniball & Iugurthe, could neuer haue punished the Romanes so oft, if that with wonderfull paines, they had not placed their aduauntages, neither could they haue taken halfe the paines, if their bodies had not beene prepared with a temperate and thinne diet.

The temperaunce of Iulius Caesar, in eating and drinking, is vpon many occasions commended, and it well appeared by the ablenes and exercise of his body, hee vndertooke great matter, and therfore, it behoued him to bestur himselfe: And (sure) dilligence (which ouercommeth the mightiest thinges) dwelled [Page] in hym: when his Souldiours were at rest, hee deuised his worthiest Stratagemes, and yet he so tyred them with such dayly trauels that they cryed out,Plut. devit. Ces. To what ende doth this man hale vs after him, vp and downe the world? Should not Caesar think when hee seeth our blood and woundes, that we are mortall men, and feele the mise [...]ie & paine that other men do? But neuerthelesse, Caesar marched: and they for shame could not tarry behinde.

The Souldiers that carrieth, subduing minds, by regard of these worthy exāples, will (no doubt) dyet their bodies for to indure, paine, as faulkeners do their flying Hawkes: and he that wayeth, what dangers, dishonors, & ouerthrowes, haue followed feastings, drunkennesse, and Idle dalliaunce, will (if he regard his honour) be more affrayd of a wā ton banquet▪ then a bloody battaile.

Wine, and delicate cheere, were the baytes that Cyrus layde to kill Queene Tomyris sonne, and a great part of her Army: That daye that Alexander first delighted in the drunkennesse and effeminate delicasie of the Parsians, he ouerthrew his owne life and glory: For in his drunkennesse, hee put his best Captaines to death: and in reuēge was poysoned himselfe.

The Romaines so hated this drunken and voluptuous exercise, as whē Lucius Pius, had brought the Sarmates vnto a voluntary obedience by his often banquetting, and making of them good cheere, and at his retourne to Rome, demāded to triumphe: The Senate not only denyed him this honour, but in disdaine of his drunken victorie, they put him openly [Page] to death, and for his further reproche, they wrote this Epitaphe vpon his Tombe:

Heere Lucius Pius, Consull lyes,

Who not with Armes in Fielde:

But with Wine, mirth and Table-cheare,

Did make the Sarmates yeelde.

THe Senate not yet content, adnulled all that Lucius had done, and by their letters remitted the Sarmates into their auncient libertie. And certainly,The Romanes punished and hated dishonorable Conquestes. this worthie vertue shined in the Romanes, they refused to make a benefite of any thing that was dishonorable: and for that the president is necessarie for all Souldiers to follow, this one other shorte example, shall not bee impertinent to the purpose.

Fabritius, being encamped before the Citie of Fidena, a Schoolemaister of the Towne, in hope of some great preferment, stole foorth and presented Fabritius with the children of the most worthy Citizens: The Cōsull saw, that this was a good meane to become Lord of the Cittie. Neuertheles, he refused th' aduantage: & for his hyre, he boūd the Scoolemaister, and caused the boies with rods to whippe him into the towne: to recompence which honorable fauour, the Cittizens willingly payed tribute vnto the Romanes.

What would y• heathē Romanes (who were thus precise in matters of honor) iudge of many christiās,damnable pollicie [...]. who seldome refuse offred aduaūtages against the enimies? yea (which is dānable) very oftētimes, hire Athiests, and such earthly Furies, to poison, murder, [Page] and betraye annointed Princes and their soueraignes. Their Censure coulde be no other, but that they them selues feared God: and that such Christians and their instruments followed the Deuill.

But to continue further with Millitarie documents: it is not inough that the Souldier be valiāt in execution, mercifull after victorie, chaste of body, temperate in eating and drinking, and a hater of Plenes:Obedience especially required of a Souldier▪ But obedience, is also specially required of a well gouerned Souldier: A mutinous and disobedient person, is in a campe like a scabbed and rotten sheepe in a fould, an instrument of his owne, and a number of his fellowes destructions.

The Romanes had a speciall regard, in the chastising and purging of this faulte, as worse then a plague in an Army: they, without respect of persōs, punished disobedience, as appeereth by the seuere lentence, that the Consull Titus Manlius gaue vpon his owne only sonne, whose disobedience was both honorable and bene [...]itiall to the Romanes: but they esteemed not of that benefite which nourrished a mischiefe.

The Consull, commaunded that no man should fight, without his direction. [...] seuere example.

Genutins Metius, one of the enimies pricked forth & challenged Manlius sonne. Yong Manlius thought it a foule shame and dishonour to refuse Genutius: and therefore, couragiously set vpō the challenger, ouercame and slewe him, and was of all his fathers Souldiers, highly commended But the Consull vnderstanding of this matter, called for his Sonne: and tould him, that he commaunded that no [Page] man should fight, without his derection: and for as much as he had broke the order which is to be kept in war: by which thitherto Rome had beene aduanced to great honour: and therefore, sonne (quoth he) since the choyse is so hard, that I must either forget the common weale, or else depriue my selfe of thee, in whome I tooke (priuatly) most delight in, I will that the common weale take no hurt: and therevpō he willed the hangman to take his sonne, & to execute on him the punishmēts, due vnto those that by euill example, hurt the discipline & obediēce of souldiers: which was to binde him to a stake, to whipe him, and afterwards to behead him.

The like sentence, Brutus gaue of his Sonnes, for that contrary to a generall Commaundement, shey wrote but letters to call Tarquinius in againe.

If there worthie Captaines, [...]or light Trespasses thus sharply punished their Sonnes, what hope of fauour may the priuate Souldier expect, that rashly & disobediently breaketh the orders of the Leaders? euen the fauour that a Rebell deserueth in a peaceable gouernement.

For,The difference betweene rash and necessary bouldnesse. as bould and carelesse running vpon death, is honorable and meritorious, when in Martiall iudgement such resolutenesse in a fewe, may be the safetie of a number, according to the Italian saying: Beato colui, chi puo far beato altrui: Happy is he, that can make another man happy: Euen so, needelesse and vnprolitable rashnes, by wilfull falling vpon the enimies Sword, is reducul [...]us, daungerous, & very dishonorable: for as there is a saying in Martiall pollicy: Hee that flyeth the field, may retourne [Page]againe, and annoy his Aduersarie: when he that is vnprofitably and rashly slaine, possesseth his enimie with the glory of his death, without feare of reuenge.

As did the vntemperate Capadocians, An intemperat [...] parte. who enuying the victorie of Perdicas, inclosed them selues within their Citie, & with fire consumed the same, ioyntly with them selues, wi [...]es, children, & goods: And by this vnnaturall hardinesse, made Perdicas spoyle (in trueth) to bee small, and their owne after fortune to be nothing: But in the reprehension of rashnes and disobedience, in a Souldier, there is no intent,Cowardlynes reprehended. any way to fauour cowardlines: but rather to reproue the same, as a fault as dangerous, as indis [...]rete bouldnesse.

For the Coward doth not only hurt with his own [...]eare, but by his running awaye, a number are discomforted, and follow for companie,A pollycie to harden a Cowarde many times to the perill of the whole Army: And therefore, Astiadges to make his Cowardes hardy, thrust them in the face of the enimie, and placed approoued Souldiers at their barks, with charge to kill them if they turned their heades.

Titus Liuius & Iulius Frontinus, writeth, that Appius Claudius, and Marcus Anthonius, punished the Cowardly Romanes (which were very few) in this manner: The squadrons and bandes, by whome the enimie had passadge, drewe cuts, and of whome soeuer the lot fell, he presently was put to death.

Damatria, A sharpe example. a woman of Lacedemon, hearing that her sonne had not fought, as became a Lacedemonian, presently at his retourne, shee slewe him with her owne hāds, as one that was sory she had borne [Page] so cowardly a sonne. And surely, hee, that commeth into the fielde, and is a [...]earde to fight, must the rest of his life, looke to liue like an Owle: but small circumstances suffice in this point: For Englishmen, to whom I direct this Treatise, as the learned Sir Thomas Smith writeth,De Rep. Ang. are a people naturally that feareth not death, & by cōsequence, carelesse of their enimie: But on the contrarie part, Englishmen are men of much desart,Enuie a daungerous passion in a Souldier and therefore, Enuie and Emulation raigneth mightely among them: For Enuy, alwaies assaileth worthy men, and these foule passions haue beene the scourges (or more properly, the ouerthrowes) of the most worthy men and Gouernments. The Athenians, had no other remedie against this poison, b [...] to deuise a law, called Ostraci [...]me: The Athenians remedie for Enuie. by which as the lottes fell out, some of their principall men were yeerely banished, and many tymes the lots fell of the best benefactors of the cō mon weale, who were banished by the ingratitude of the common people. Enuy, raigned strongly among the Romanes, but there were to many occasions of aduauncemēt, as their Enuy brought forth honorable effectes: for that vertue, being there the ladder of aduauncement, euery one sought by worthines to clyme the [...]yest degree.

When Porsinaes hoaste,An honorable kinde of Enuie. dangerously besieged Roome, Cocleus was highly honored for a peece of Seruice about a woodden bridge, which the noble Mutius Sceuola so enuyed, as to doe his countrie a greater seruice, he in the habit of a pedler, entred into the Hetruian campe, euen vnto the kinges tent, and there slewe the Kinges Secretary in steede of [Page] the king: Sceuola was taken vpon the fact, & boldly confessed his determinatiō: The king to increase his torment, commanded that hee should be burned to death with a torch: by peace-meales, in his own presence: Sceuola (cōstantly) without change of coū tenance, endured the burning of his hande, which so abashed the king, as hee deliuered Sceuola, & made peace with the Romanes, for feare they would haue many Sceuolaes to endanger him, when hee should lacke Secretaries to doe him the former seruice: This was the Enuy that rained among the Romanes, while vertue iudged mens demerites: but the commō Enuy, wher she hath passadge, is like a swine in a garden, a destroyer without regarde, and in a Campe, a very subuertion.

And for that this is a cōmon fault amōg the greatest, [...], a fault among the gre [...]est. the Generalls of Armies, ought to haue a speciall care thereof, least the miserie bee generall before the mischiefe be suspected.

Moreouer, because it is a passion vncurable. I would to God, the Enuious would Counsell themselues, as the two worthy Enimies. Cretinus Magnesius, and Hermias did.

King Mithridates, being at warre with theie Countrey,A worthy example. Cretinus Magnetius, gaue his cōsent that his great enimie HERMIAS, should be captaine against Mithrida [...]es: and in the meane season, he solemply protested, to banish himselfe his Countrey, least there might some tumult or businesse arise by their factions: But Hermias knowing Cretinus to be the better Captaine of both, for the loue hee bare to his Country gaue that honour to his enimie, & banished [Page] himselfe vntill the warres were at an ende: If euery man would follow this worthy example, that Monster Enuy, might very well take priuate reuenge, but should neuer worke publique distruction, as she doth (for the most) where she cōquereth. A great many duties binde a man to preferre the loue of his Con [...]trey before an enuious desire of reuenge: but I pray god a litle grace bridle y• enuious mās affectiōs: for it is to be [...]eared, if prayer preuēt n [...]t,Disdaine a foule fault [...] a Souldier. coūsell will do litle good against this mischiefe▪

There is another foule common fault, to be hated of a Souldier: which is, in thinking ouer well of himselfe, to di [...]daine another that carrieth not so proude a countenance: For Contenaunce is so great a deceiuer, as it brought foorth this Adage, Fronti nulla fides: but as the slender Grayhound, byteth as sore as the strong Mastife, and ouertaketh sooner: euen so, a weake man may haue more strength in his head, then a mighty in his body.

The prudent Sertorius, made proofe of Catoes graue, saying: (Ingen [...]o pollit, [...] vim natura negauit) by a pretty exāple.A pro [...]itable example. Hee had in his campe: A litle, weake, but yet a pollitick man, and amōg oher Souldiers a great, big, boned, braineles Lubber: he had also two horses, th' one fat, lusty, & with a thick taile th'other a litle leane horse, & almost without a taile: Sertorius, appointed the litle [...]eeble mā to plucke of the great horse tayle: and y• big & sturdy Souldier, to pluck of the few ha [...]res, yt were of the leane horse taile: The weake man, whome good education, had giuen wit & pollicie in the place of strength, pulled by three or iiij. haires at once, & so quickly of a long [Page] tayle, left no taile: The other a good strong yeomās body, tugged at the whole taile, and wrought vntill he sweate: but sty [...]red not a haire: An example of double pro [...]it & instruction: The ackt of the weak man sheweth that a handfull of witte, is worth a horse loade of strength: and the bootles, tugging of the strong man, witnesseth the mightie force of a [...]ewe, that are firmely vnited together: and the diuision of the great tayle, the confusion of a multitude, that are among themselues deuided.

It is then a principall vertue in a Souldier, to intertaine his companion with milde conuersatiō, & a great part of his safetie, to be vnited vnto him, in assured frendship.

This disdaine and proude vpbraiding of men,Originall of disdaine. proceeded first from the Dunghill: And therefore, vnmeete to haue place, in Court or campe, where Gentlemen, & onely men of reputation, should liue.

Disdaine (as I haue sayde) came from the Dunghill: And of such a Gentleman, Claudian thus writeth: Asperius nihil est humili cum surgit in Altum: Then let disdaine bee proper to a Dunghill minde, who hauing no Ornamentes of vertue, holdeth his placeby proude & disdainfull behauiors.

But the Souldier and euery man that thir [...]teth for true honour, must holde this for a principall, that Reputation consisteth in a mans owne wel doing, and not in an-other mans disgrace.

It is a good course then for euery man, to honour himselfe with good indeu [...]urs: and a great blame to dishonour another with infamous wordes: For art hath made no man so perfect, but that hee may [Page] dayly learne: nor nature no man so imperfect, but he may be an instrument of some good purpose.

Asinius, Caesars Barbor, the fearefullest wretch aliue, whose minde was giuen onely to feare & mistrust, by his tymerous suspect, saued Caesars life, in discouering the Treason of Pothinus and Achillas.

Caesar, The seru [...]ce of Caesars [...]arber. had not a veryer wretch, then the Barbor Asinius in his whole Army: nor neuer a Captaine that did him greater seruice.

Euery mā is not mad for all purposes: but his seruice that is any way profitable, is no way to be disdained.

Alexander the great, wrote a booke, which hee called Remembraunces for euery day, Alexanders Boo [...]e of dayly rememberaunces. which contained neither scoffing nor disdainefull vsadge of the simpler sort: but contrary wise, how he helped their Ignoraunces, with good coūsels: Instructed them in pollicies, and appeased euery small contention, before it grew to a quarrell.

He that wilbe worthy, let him looke into worthy mēs doings, & follow the exāples of the worthiest.

No man can haue a greater light, then of the Sunne, nor better instruction, then from the wisest.

To conclude, it is a most honorable vertue, and a necessarie duty in a Souldier,A good Souldier ought to be studious in matters of Pollycie. at leasurable times to be studious in matters of pollicie, and alwayes when his hands are idle to haue a working minde.

Caesar the best Captaine that euer liued, was so addicted to study, as there was a question: whether he were more inclined to the Launce, or to his booke? who being one day in a mortall danger, at Alexandria, to saue himself, he leaped into the water, and [Page] uing a Booke in his hande, he had such care thereof, as he held that hande vpon his head,Pet. Mes. [...]e [...] [...]end. and wrought for his life with the other.

Alexander the great,Plo [...] devit. Cae [...]ar. was so addicted to Homers [...]iades, as he appointed the most magnificēt Iewell boxe of Darius to keepe the same. In the tyme & vnder the reignes of the famous Monarks & Captaines, learning, and learned men most florished.

The reason was, the Leaders of Armies, were great louers of learning.

Antigonus, king of Macedone, to bee instructed in knowledge, by his Letter, thus saluted the Philosopher Zenon.

The king Antigonus, wisheth health to the Philosopher Zenon: I know well that I passe thee in riches and fauours of fortune: But I must confesse that thou farre passest me, in the true felicitie, which consisteth in the knowleadge, discipline, and study of the liberall Sciences: and therefore, I desire the accord, that I may haue thy companie, &c.

Alexander, hearing that Aristotle had written certaine bookes of naturall Philosophie, wrote vnto Aristotle in this maner: Truly, Aristotle, thou dec [...]auest my desire, in publishing of this speculatiue Philophie: which (I thought) should properly, haue honored myselfe: For, know thou, I rather desire to exceede all men in knowledge and learning, then in richesse and dominions.

Caesar wrote his owne Comentaries, & diuers other bookes.

Pirrhus, the most worthy Captaine, king of the Epyro [...]es, (that many times punished the Romanes) wrote diuers bookes: Especially, one of the precepts [Page] of warre.

There were diuers worthy bookes, found in the Tents of Haniball, which he earnestly studied.

I might adde many other examples, of right famous Captaines, that were specially wel learned: and to say trueth, learning is the most pretious Ornament of a Souldier, and the necessariest vertue.

Couradge,Prince Edwardes vict [...] rie. hath obtained great victories: But pollicie hath gottē wonderful & (almost) incredible.

Prince Edward, king Edwarde the thirds sonne, by pollicie ioyned with manhood, only with 8000. men, ouercame king Iohn of France, and his Army of threescore thousand men: In which ouerthrowe, king Iohn, was taken prisoner and sent into England, who seeing the graue Consellers that were attendant of the king: Shooke his head, and sayd These fellowes (quoth hee) were they that brought me into England: attributing his ouerthrow to the graue directions of the kings Counsell.

The victorious king Henry the fift, with lesse then fifteene thousand men, whereof many were sicke and diseased,The Battel of Agincourt is Fraunce. with a pollicie of Iron piked stakes, ouerthrew the whole power and flower of the Nobilitie of Fraunce.

The wonderfull ouerthrowes, that haue beene giuen by politicke stratagemes: which were euermore the directions of the learned and well studied Captaines, doe in a maner commaunde Martiall Professors, to hunt after newe Stratagemes, and deuises to annoy the Enimie.

He that is studious, and occupieth his leasurable times, in working out of aduauntages, is likely [Page] to hurt ye enimie more by his deuises in y• campe, then by fighting in the field.

Cicero, was not naturally giuē to follow Armes, as appeared by his saying: Cedant Arma toge [...] yea [...] for that by his pollicy and wisedome, hee deliuered Rome from the dangerous conspiracie of Cattiline: He (by dispensation) was recompenced with the Crowne Ciuique.

The dangerous and mortall engines of warre, were the ingenious deuises of ye learned Captains.

The Po [...]t Lucretius saith▪ that in the beginning, men only reuen [...]ed their cholor, with scratching & byting: afterwards they fel to throwing of s [...]ones, and to sight with truncheons of woo).

It was long before the hatred and malice of man founde out this pearceing Iron, hid of the intrailes of the earth.

The AEtolians, were the first that brought the Launce into the [...]ie [...]de.

The Lacedimonians deuised the Sword and the Hachet.

The AEgiptians, Pli [...]. lib. 7. cho▪ 16. the Healmet and the shield. Sci [...]us, the sonne of Iupiter, deuised Dartes and Arrowes.

Eusebius writeth that Moyses deuysed many engines of warre.Lib. de prep [...] ratiō Euanget lique.

The Athenians inuented the Scorpion or Arbaliste: but all these were light in respect of Gūpouder, & other Artillery: Which (some saye) were inuented by an Alman, whose name is not knowne: and certainely worthyly, as one vnworthie of memorie.

These, being the engenious Inuētions of men, [Page] there are (no doubt) more [...]idden secrets to annoye the enimie, which the study of the carefull Martialistes, no doubt, may worke out.

And considering, that pollicie neuer so much abounded, and mischiefe and iniquitie exceedeth the same: So that, to ouerthrowe & confounde the enimie, all feare of God and humaine charitie is banished. Therefore, to incoūter such furies, the Souldier that fighteth in a iust quarrell (in my opinion) in the feare of God, and Christian allowance, may doe as the wise Phisitians doe, expell one poyson with an other: and yet, with this Iudgement, that milder courses be first attempted.

As before this most Christian and charitable succour, which her sacred Maiestie (annointed by gods prouidence) to be the comfort of all Christian afflictions, sendeth to relieue the oppressions, of the long aflicted Inhabitants of the Lowe Countries, hath beene effectually desired, and lightly regaded.

And therefore, you worthy Gentlemen, which are armed in Gods and her Maiesties seruice: for that your quarrell is grounded vpon compassion & Iustice, and polliticke iudgement, for the safetie of your owne Countrey, I hope (which thousands desire) you shall returne attired, with your enimies ouerthrowe: Which God graunt, to his glory, and your euerlasting honour. Amen.

FINIS.

§

§

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THE HONORABLE REPVTATION of a Souldier: With a Morall Report, of the Vertues, Offices, and (by abuse) the Disgrace of his profession.

[figure]

Drawen out of the liues, documents, and disciplines, of the most renowned Romaine, Grecian, and other famous Martialistes.

By George Whetstone, Gent. Malgre de Fortune.

Imprinted at London, by Richard Iones: dwelling neere vnto Holburne Bridge. 1585.

To the most worthy Gent. Sir William Russell, Knight, accomplishment of his honorable desire.

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SIR, hauing (I may truly saye) with much labour compiled a booke, Intituled. The English Mirour: the first part setting [...]orth, The Conquests of Enuy: cōtaining, ruine and subuertion of the auncient M [...] narchies and common weales, &c. The second part, shewing Enuy to be conquered by Vertue: publishing the peaceable victories of her Maiestie, to Gods [...]ye glorie and vniuersall wonder. The third part, intituled, A Fortresse against Enuy: wherin euery good cōmon wealthsman, may see the true offices, vertues, and (by abuse) the disgrace of his profession: But because, the booke is of some volume, I cannot haue it speedily printed: and for that occasiō now (at this present) maketh passadge for this Subiet, being a member or si [...]all parcell of the fore-recited booke: Therefore, as a testimonie of the zeale which I beare to your worship, and euery worthy person, whose profession is Martiall, I reuerently submit my trauell, to be censur'd by your able iudgement, which medleth no whit with Millitarie execution, but altogether with Morall goue [...]nmēt, necessarie for a perfect Souldier. For, if I my selfe, which haue béene brought vp among the Muses, in our English (onely) peaceable and happy gouernmēt, should take vppon mee to set forth the order of battailes, th'aduantages of places, the benifits of stratagems, with many other Millitary regards, both offenciue and defenciue, I might for my hyre iustly receaue, the scoffe that Hamball gaue vnto the Philosopher Phormio: who (vpon such an indiscrete discriptiō) [...]ould him [Page] that, The Art millitarie was sooner learned of Souldiers in the brode fields, thē of Philosophers in close scoles. And certainly, Haniball aunswered more like▪ Philosopher, then Phormio reasoned like a Souldier: for, Experiēce is ye true Teacher of all Artes: and therefore (that honorable part of a Souldier, which containeth Martiall execution) I leaue to the report of the well experiēced Captaine: and no doubt, among the worthie English Capt [...]nes, there are some, that can vse both Caesars pen and sword. My trauell (which worketh betweene fire and frost (as I haue saide) onely containeth: The Moral vertues & honorable Reputatiō of a Souldier. And certainly, two of the greatest partes therof, Caesar setteth forth, i [...] that which bee calleth his chiefest glorie, which was: Mamillus, vpō occasiō asked Caesar, what thing hee had done, wherein hee held him selfe most honored? I sweare vnto thee MAMILLVS, by the immortall Gods (sayd CESAR) that I haue done nothing whereof I hould my selfe so much honored and happy: as, for that I haue liberally rewarded those which haue serued mee, and mercifully haue forgiuen such as haue offended me. Words and vertues, beseeming Caesar, and without which, Caesar could neuer haue beene Monarcke of the whole worlde: for the Captaine that lib [...]rally rewardeth his Souldiers, shall haue his souldiers resolute in execution, and who showeth mercy to his Enimie, shal conquer millions with loue.

The Spainiard is so insolent, and outragious where he ouercommeth, as hee is hated to death of those which [...]baye him for f [...]are: I haue séene ample experience therof, both in the Duchy of Millaine, and kingdome of Naples. And (your god fauour and patience desired) I shall show no impertinent example. In the yeare 1580. in which year the Pope and his confederates, hoped to haue had a great day in Englande, whose expectation God alwayes frustrate, my selfe with one other English Gentleman (who in this commendation will haue his name concealed) were at Thurin intertained into the companie of a worthy Gentleman of Picardie, named Monseur Dobart, who was then ready to [Page] trauell into Italy: and being all lodged one night in a Garrison town, in the Duchy of Millain, neare vnto the Riuer of Poo, at the middest of supper, a haughtie proude Spaniard, came and sat him downe by vs. Monseur Dobart (bearing an affectionate zeale vnto her Maiestie, & the state of England, as well for that he was an earnest protestant, as for that his sister and other frends, were honorably vsed in the Court of England, in the former troubles of Fraunce) demaunded of the Spaniard, what might bee the cause, that the King of Spaine had that yeare raised so great an Army? The Spaniard forthwith made this proude & insolent aunswere: Ah Sir, the time nowe draweth neare, that we shall haue the spoile of rich England▪ that we shall embrace their faire wiues, and make hauocke of their lōg gathered riches: And disco [...]ering that there was an Englishman in companie, that tolierated these hie wordes, hee beganne spitefully to bra [...]e him: But on [...]he soden, the spaniard sound the temper of the English-mans fingers: so that shame, to repaire his disgrace, compelled the Spaniard to offer combat: Monseur Dobart very honorably vndertooke that the English-Gentleman, should the next morning by six of the clocke, be ready to crosse the Riuer of Poo, with the spaniard, to commit eithers cause to God, and their swords This was mutually agréed vpon, but by breake of the daye, the spaniards brags vanished like bubbles, & be himselfe slipt away without giuing any bon-giorno, so that the English Gentleman could haue no further reuenge, sauing that in the place of this controuersie, finding this Italian sentēce to be writtē: Le parole son femine, & i fatti son maschi. [...] in dispight, wrote vnderneath: Donques gli spanioli son femine, et gli Inglese son maschi: and truly the h [...]aste of the house, with many dispightful words of the spaniards proude & naughty behauiour, to his perpetual blame, hath faithfully promised, that the subscription should not be rased out, without being secretly new written againe: But the spaniard had reuēge inough by the Gentlemans owne contrymen: for Monseur Dobart (as hee thought to honour him) imparted this accident [Page] to certaine Englishmen at Bologna: among whome, there were that so posted the matter to Rome: as when the poore Gent. arri [...]es there, hee was stayed at the gate, nowe called Porto del populi, and there was kept eight daies, hauing no other bed but the bare ground, and well neare starued for want of foode: In fine, all his other Bollitines and Warrants to trauell being taken away. On the s [...]daine the Stappado was hanged forth, and the Gentleman vpō paine thereof▪ commanded presently to depart: to whome was deliuered a Vollitine for Naples. What violence hee further sustained, his humour will not agree to open it: for I am sure, he hath bene seldome hard to pursue any mās disgrace, and neuer knowne publikely to bem [...]ne his owne hard fortunes, which haue beene many, and violent: And albeit, his name be here concealed, yet if any exceptiō be taken against this report) let me be in all places reproued, if he euery way approue not the same. And albeit Sir, the matter be in some sort perticuler: yet (as I haue sayde) it showeth what hatred the insolencie of the Spaniard eng [...]ndreth where he ruleth, which can establish no gouernment: Besides, by his lauish words, it may be seene what hauock he would make: if hee could execute his prowde desires: But if the Englishman farre frō succour, feareth him not in his owne dores, I hope (I truely prophesie his discomfiture, vppon an euen hande: I leaue the rest to the vewe of your best leasure: and if according to the greatnes of your honorable desire, you may haue libertie to aduenture your person, in this honorable seruice, I beseech God to blesse all your attempts, ioyn [...]tly with all those that shall vndertake the same.

Your Worships by bounden dutie. George Whetstone.

TO THE RIGHT Valiant Gentlemen & Souldiers, that are, or shalbe Armed vnder the Ensigne of Sainct GEORGE: In recompence of their worthie aduentures, Heauen, and euerlasting honor.

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GOD with S. George, Allon, braue Gentlemen,

Set Speares in rest, renew your auncient fame:

Rush on the Pikes, the Cannon do not shen,

Your Ancestors, with passage through the same,

This Prouerbe raisde, among the French, their Foes,

Vous es fi fier, que vn Anglois.

The [...] art as fierce, as is an Englishman,

The French still say, and proofe the same did teach:

Turne you the french into Castillian,

it hath a grace in such a loftie speach:

Your cause is good, and Englishmen you are,

Your foes be men, euen as the french men weare.

The force of death, that raiseth many feares,

In crauin harts, which courage doe dispise:

Long liues the man, that dyes in lusty yeares,

In actions where honour may arise.

And wherein may you honour more expect,

Then wronged men, to succour and protect.

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The Lyon prayes, vpon the stoutest beast,

yet lickes the sheep, the which the wolfe hath woūd:

So worthy mindes, proude lookes, that feareth least,

doth helpe to raise, the wounded from the ground.

Like Lyons then, the Armes of England shield,

Pray on your foes, and pittie those that yeld.

I say no more, but God be your good speede,

And send you (hap) which I did neuer taste:

And if this Booke, you do witsafe to reade,

You cannot thinke, your labour spent in waste,

VVhich doth containe, the Morall rules of those,

That followed Mars, in thickest preace of foes.

George Whetstone.

Information about this book

Title statement

The honorable reputation of a souldier with a morall report, of the vertues, offices, and (by abuse) the disgrace of his profession. Drawen out of the liues, documents, and disciplines, of the most renowned Romaine, Grecian, and other famous martialistes. By George Whetstone, Gent.

Whetstone, George, 1544?-1587?

Edition statement

1585

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2005-10 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A15036

ID [STC]

STC 25339

ID [STC]

ESTC S111682

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

99846965

ID [PROQUEST]

99846965

ID [VID]

11967

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Early English books online.

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(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A15036)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 11967)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 401:3)

Source

— The honorable reputation of a souldier with a morall report, of the vertues, offices, and (by abuse) the disgrace of his profession. Drawen out of the liues, documents, and disciplines, of the most renowned Romaine, Grecian, and other famous martialistes. By George Whetstone, Gent., Whetstone, George, 1544?-1587?.

Extent

[44] p.

By Richard Iones: dwelling neere vnto Holburne Bridge,. Imprinted at London :: 1585.. (Signatures: A-E⁴ F² .) (Reproduction of a photostat of the original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery.) (Title page in pen facsimile.)

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