HOw dearely does the quick and swee ayre ingratiate this place Mille-Toyle: the Northerne winde being broken and mittigated by yonder lofty hils, and Favonius freely strewing it with his delicious buds and aglets?

Why, thence succeeds his appella­tion, nempe à fovendo, of brooding and burnishing; and indeed this precinct of The site of Grayes Inne is originally thus named. Purpoole is one of his cheife Master-pieces; having also the nature, the perpolitenesse of it both demonstrated in the name, and justified (as you say) in the remarke­able [Page 2] tincture, of these severall gemmes and pendants.

I, I, though our citie Flora be familiarly sadded, with a blacke cobweb-lawne of smoake and sea-coale; yet is shee polished here and under a serener zenith, the faire complexion of this obvious Rose will instant it, and behold this Tulip seemes also to be lined with so rich a satin, as imposes an extraordinary estimate.

But may then our serious Mickle-worth, be with this garden hypocrite, this gaudy peice of outside, thus affectionately transported?

Indeed the noblest flowers have both colour, smel and taste; thus the premised Rose, with also the Violet, and Iuli-flower, minister each of them to the smel, the sight, and the palate; yet while yeelding these for such superlatives, the Tulip also cannot be denied his single share, his positive beau­ty.

True Mille-Toyle, the detraction of others must not stagger our justice; besides, who can thinke that nature should prepare so delicate a lodging, without some proportionable incum­bent?

O Sir, excuse me, these supposes hold so little water, that till further information, I for my owne particular, shall rather side with a sage leafe, or a good pot-herbe.

Let each one have his due Penny-wise, and then upon comparison and competition, who but will easily condescend, and preferre pro­fit to pleasure; a bed of Confound and Milfoile [Page 3] before a border of Daffadilies, or the sweetest strewing herbs?

And these, perhaps are but phari­saicall boasters also; may they not be rende­red by some other names more usuall amongst us?

These, Sir, are such as will performe beyond their profession; pay more then they pro­mise: the first (if I be not deceived) is also called Blind-nettle, All-heale, and then Wound­wort, by which name some Masters will especi­ally celebrate it. The second is so denominated from the Latin, and his innumerous leafes, be­ing vulgarly Stratiotes, or folium mi [...]tare as healing all wounds made with yron. Yarrow, or Nose-bleed, and the peculiar plant of Mars. These (I say) are no effeminate delices but truly reall: the balme of wounds; the hope, the helpe of Souldiers.

I conceive you Sir, subscribing like­wise to their efficacy; they may be good leaches for the trespasse of an axe, or a sith; concerning their relation to the Souldier, tis here but little and impertinent, his room being indeed far better then his company.

Yet say (my down-right freind) will you then stock up the fence of our Lands, our lives: oppose the fast-bind fast-finde of our fore­fathers? Why let me tell you, that as the natural body, so does the body politicke consist of dif­ferent humours and complexions, Learning, Mars, and Husbandry, the cheifest; and these, when in their due poise and affectionately plighted, ren­der [Page 4] it faire and flourishing: but if falling into partialities, if the Scholler and Souldier say to the Husbandman, we have no need of thee, or the Farmer and Lawyer to the Souldier, we have no need of thee; the house is divided within it selfe, and cannot long endure.

A grievous curse was it, when God in the fifth of Esay threatned to breake downe the wall of His Vineyard; for what followes in con­clusion, but it must be eaten up? the Boare out of the VVood shall waste it, the Foxes, even the little Foxes spoile it; and who can with such propriety personate this wall as the Souldier; since he it is that animats our strongest peices, which other­wise are but meerly dirt and lumber? Nay, that illustrious Sparta tooke him directly in this sense, to such as demanded for her walls: replying with a grosse of martiall bodyes. And among our mo­derne criticks, Hollinshead, sol. 1371. Mendoza (Spanish leiger here for Philip the second) was likewise of this opini­on; so that considering the facility and open site of our present England, respecting her want of fastnesse, of fortification; what other refuge have we save the Souldiers breast? and how fatall does it protend, when we shall so much decry him, cut him short, what if I say cut him off? Is then ambition and the thirst of Empire, now become extinct, or perhaps transplanted farre away to the Antipodes? Are we not dayly surrounded with a further accesse of power, and more compact then formerly? To speake flat out; must we lie at the [Page 8] devotion of every hungry pretender, not reposing rather upon our owne abilities? whence I say suc­ceeds this confidence? suppose I call it stupidity.

Call it what you will Sir; nay how­soever the coales be stirr'd, yet must I still persist; and the case is plaine, that Ilanders are differently regulated from the continent: Is not the Sea our moate, nor to be filled up with A war-word signifying vir­gulta or fasces, virgarum ramel brush bavin or the like. rjis or rubish? And our Armado such a wall as hitherto has beene invincible?

Thus opinionated were the Suiones in Tacitus; the reason In his annals fol. 207. quia subitos hostium in­cursus prohibet oceanus: yet is this position so fe­sable, that how has our owne Empresse of Ilands beene often harassed, euen how often totally sub­verted? I derogate not the sea-man, let him be the first, and a principall peice of our safety; but to hazard all upon this single string, must be justly sub­ject to construction.

All our enterprises, our overtures, are recommended as they become lesse accidentall: wee say the foot-combatant Edmunds up­on Caesars Com­mentar. lib. 5. sol. 175. has much advantage upon the horseman, because our materials are more compact, and every rider stands ingaged in the defects of his horse: againe the sword we man­age (since more entice) is preferred before the har­quebuse, an engine consisting of many subordinate pieces, of spring, stone, pouder, touch hole, &c. each of which must either readyly take his cue, or frustrate execution. And is our totall confi­dence supplanted then to Sea; where the tide, [Page 6] the wavering wind, and an innumerable tackle, must either continually goe true or else expose us to become the wages of usurpation and hosti­lity? must our maine rest be set up, I say, upon such uncertainties? or is it not rather expedient, when finding our wooden wall so tickle, that our yron one, our infantery be likewise perfected, an imployment requiring the souldier?

Well Sir, but adde we then the rocks, the syrts, the difficulties of our coast; for all these in confederacie, and seconding each other, will prove a cord so tough, so many foldly twist­ed, that what invasion availeable to breake it? Nay, there are other allegations also, so pregnant and familiar; that your joyning issue generally withall, will prevent much circuit of speech, fix­ing us likewise more attentive.

Concerning this perplexednesse of our frontire, as it has by Vide Hay­wards Edward the sixt, sol, 120 forraine circumspection formerly been unridled; thus no doubt but many hollow friends have from our long peace return'd so much experience, that what devious or wey­ward English channel, but they can readily deci­pher; engageing thus our interiour or artificiall aides; disputing it with our sorts and importuni­ties of ordinance; so that how farre forth these may secure us, is now become the point: and up­on mature deliberation, we must conclude negative­ly. For whereas that daring Monarch, King Henry the eight (having provoked almost all the Christi­an world) was very vigilant to perplexe his fron­tire, [Page 7] by scattering such bars and bolts among our openest accesses; yet in the nonage of his succes­sor, the reason of state was otherwise; Haywards Edward the sixt, fol. [...]45. and many of these, rather accounted chargeable then necessarie, were againe demolish'd; because there was no show [...]e, neither needeed there any cloake. A further second sort, though not exe­cuted thus, by any publike processe, is yet with­in compasse of Chap. 34. 13. Esayahs curse, being left (I say) so to nettles, brambles, even so totally neglected; that they have lien a long time drawing Scarborough castle in Qu. Maries dayes see Godwins Hereford, sol. 325. on, and we may justly feare the catastrophe. Concerning such as really survive, being exempted from this indis­position, yet does martiall knowledg either come by nature, or many an important piece may often cry out with the Shunamits sonne, My head, my head. Thus did Haywards Edward the sixt sol. 162. yet M. Cambden in his Annals cleares him by his peeres, condemning Chamberlaine Captaine of the Castle. Calice heretofore, the Lord Wentworth being Governour; and where the un­derstanding is but subordinate to the will, where Vlysses must observe an ignorant Polypheme: a­gaine, where command and knowledge are distra­cted into meum and tuum; where these two pro­perties meet not simul, & semel in eodem subjecto, nor may suddenly determine in ipso nunc; it pre­supposes ill, and even invokes an enemy. To con­clude, though like Absolon, they may from the crowne of the head to the soale of the foot, bee without any blemish; yet Sir Wal. Raligh (whose assertion is mille testes) he I say will tell us, In his History of the world, the fift Booke of the first part sol. 361, and 362. that the Iland of Tercera thus accommodated even in this exquisite trimme, was seized by Saint a Cruce; [Page 5] as likewise Faiall (mauger an obvious parapet, with all the leade it could malevolently powre out) by himselfe; and Master Edmunds in our most elabo­rate tract, even among our Cinque-ports will bee yet so cautious, In his obser­vations upon Caesars Com­ment. sol. 155 that an Army of twelve thou­sand, must here likewise divert the danger; Your selfe therefore being arbiter, whether does this in­ferre the necessity of our train'd-bands, with a pro­portion of Veterans for their better discipli­ning?

And yet why so much confidence before an entire victory? before every rub remo­ved and levell'd: for now the rejoinder is, that we have an active, an experient body in the Netherlands, which if redemanded, will bee of great incussion; may successefully stand in the gap, and proably dispose of fortune, repulsing all hostilities.

But then againe, the Wise Virgins had not their Oyle to fetch, when the Bride-groom came; then I say there must be transportation, and considering our modern politicks, with their many subtile umbrages of state, are wee sure of a true, an opportune Intelligence? has not a wily Ferdi­nand Godwins an­nals. sol. 10. pretended France (b) or (as others tell us) a Warre against the Moores, and yet taken a contra­rie course, usurping upon Navarre? Or else goe to, tis well and timely certified; yet againe shall we be­leeve, that (as the Poets write of Ulysses) our Nether­lander can also captivate the winde in a bagge, im­ploying it at pleasure; even at Flushing, their neerest and most open Port, does the shippingly often bed­rid, [Page 9] and long and vainly have I wooed the wind to be propitious; nay we reade Daniells chronicle fol. 34. and 35. that heretofore when King Canutus and Robert the Freise, had from Denmarke and Flanders ramassed 1600 saile wher­withall to invade us, they were thus opposed two yeeres together, a dash to the designe: and as a moderne example, our relieving Calice a far shorter cut, was also thus diverted according to both Holinshead and Godwin, two sufficient wit­nesses.

Thus Mr. Penny-Wise have you met with wedges for all your severall knots, and now will Mille-Toyle conclude, that since our other na­tural and artificial abilities are so feisable, of such a Punick troth; whether must we retreat for suc­cour, or what stone is yet to be turned over, save that of the selected bands, which will againe in­ferre the veterane? These indeed are our Triarij, our last refuge; by this institution is our triple cord, of the sea, the shoare, and the souldier, fully perfected.

Neither am I so riged Mickle-Worth, but to retract and be perswaded, till I meete with better information; only the necessity being thus dilated, let mee now receive the growth and anti­quity thereof, with what our ancestors might de­termine in this point; reason being then soonest understood, if well seconded by president.

A pertinent request, the fullfilling whereof must still bring you more about; know therefore, that our train'd companies of so re­markable [Page 10] incussion, are likewise very venerable for antiquity, as bearing date even from our Saxon ancesters: For when King Etheldred had beene miserably harassed by the Dane, nor found other­wise to vindicate his soveraignty, then by some new untrodden path; the course he pitch'd upon, was that of Land-rates, and to charg every Knights fee, Daniels chro. fol. 14. the termes of the Law will have it a jacke and sadle. every eight hides of land throughout the Kingdome with a corslet; wee may likewise pre­suppose both men and discipline proportionable, the complexion of such a time will beare it; but how long this was continued, and with what ap­propriate officers, I determine not: if being the proto-type, the first modell, it might likewise bee rough-hewen and momentany; yet in processe of time, our illustrious Henry the second, Daniels chro. fol. 90. found so directly to settle it, that the like practice was soone after obtruded upon France and Flanders; nay King Edward the first The Lord Verulams, Hen­ry the 7. fol. 71 (one of our best Law-givers) proceeded yet more roundly, assessing it by oath, and upon inferiour values; as also col­lating experient officers, The Barons war, and that of Wales had now lasted a­bout 17 yeeres, and being all intestine, had qualified every one with such knowledge that even a High constable knew how to be a Muster­master. annually to prosecute the execution. I might imbroyle your memory with severall other, both old and latter instituti­ons to this purpose; but to conclude in a word, this great action of state has descended upon us deeply consulted, oftentimes revis'd, and through a succession of many severall ages.

Whence, I now become iealous of an engine so remarkable, lest by some negligence, or mis-construction, it may be rebated from the due [Page 11] efficacie: and should occasion require, what think you? is it indeed upright, and currant in all the severall particulars?

This you must rather demand of some such party, as punctually has beene skill'd in the practice of it; tis your province Mille-Toyle, you no doubt may cleare it with sufficient assurance.

An experience of above two Prenti­ships might indeed the rather ingage me for this discovery; neither will I bee mealy-mouth'd, but ingenuously confesse, that though when taken far off, and in the generall bullion, we finde it a very stupendious structure; yet upon dissection, and the particulars being throughly weighed, it replies not in allay. But I must forbeare, a punctuall scru­tinie will both trespasse time, and your patience.

Nay, Mille-Toyle, this daintinesse makes us more importunate; proceed, proceed, you need not feare our gratitude.

Good Sir be satisfied, 'tis a taske not to bee undertaken without much premeditation; and according to that old embleme, who rashly enters the great end of the Horne, may be squeas'd at the tip, issuing there again but a poore snake, and with much difficulty.

Tush man, away with this distrustful­nesse, neither can so much experience bee at any time to seek; proceed, proceed I say, in flat Eng­lish, we must have no denyall.

How, so resolute, nor to bee deflect­ed? well then, if my discourse shall tediously ex­tend [Page 12] it selfe, yet is it yours, not my owne deed. And now to beginne with convenient order, we may generally distinguish our train'd bands into Horse and Foote; your Mounsieur reposes much upon the first, yet is it a brandling, a more casu­all body; while Infantery must bee yeelded for the nave, the strength of an Army: beside, our English Foote have ever beene especially celebra­ted; and since our Princes use also within this co­vert to waite the chance of Warre, I must begin with these, preferring the Kings guard; and con­sidering them by severall circumstances, either re­quisite in the particular persons, or the generall purse: in the persons (whether Officers or Souldi­ers) an account must bee taken, of quality, resi­dence, number, and discipline. Concerning mat­ters of purse, they may bee concluded into Am­munition, and then sold or payment; the first of these being so named à digniore, quasi munitio praeclara, or nutritoria, and among other kinde of martiall equipage, taken also for Armes and Pow­der, two such serious properties, as are like­wise to be weighed and examined with much in­tention; and after our Infantery thus detected in these particulars, I must likewise implead our ca­valry for a bird of the same faulty feather. And thus have you tasted the briefe analysis of what I should discourse: the perplexednesse wherof be­ing considered, with how much it must encroach upon the time, me thinkes I might well be spared from any further inlarging my selfe.

Nay, nay, your duty to the pub­like; or I can narrow this againe, with that to your particular imployment; both these I say, must impose it unavoidably; I pray proceed.

Concerning then the circumstance of persons, our Officers are first to bee singled out, and accounted with (as is premised) touching their quality, residence, number, and discipline; and being now to speake of quality, mee thinkes I heare the Mammonist defining it presently by land­rates; the hot-spurre gallant, meerely by store of fire and audacity; for as where nature is redun­dant, and in her spring-tydes, there ensues a kind of wilde irregular heat, which yet hee wil intitle to place and government; so has the Devill late­ly foysted in, a serious kinde of fury, insomuch that your methodicall duellist, by committing a single combat, does often overtop the meritorious veterane. But these expositions are both beside the marke; and he that having an able stocke of reputation, and experience, can also regulate his heat by piety, such a man will neither vitiate our companies in peace, nor forsake himselfe and a good cause in Warre: such an Officer may pre­sume, I say, both of obedience and a blessing; when one inferiour, how pursie, how precipitate soever, will yet bee dallied with and neglected. Or if any one may pronounce my bolt as wide as quickly shot, I will bee yet more confi­dent; and as our Commanders in Chiefe are very cautiously selected, were further respect had also [Page 14] to the quality of their Lievtenants and Ensignes, our Militia would become more serious, be put forward with more affection, more incussion; and where I must be just to some presently in esse, and assever their knowledge, their ability; they would then indeed all be valuable, even all of them be figures.

That our Officers not raggedly in­dow'd, and rather quadrate in their severall re­quisites, would indeed promise very largely; but wee must consider where the scene is laid, pre­ferring such as a long settled peace can administer; howsoever, the caution is well put in, and worth our welcome, as urging an accurate choice, and that we stil be hitching nearer to perfection; but now for your second particle.

Namely that of non-residents, and let others judge the happynesse: when every coun­try, every countie, may relye upon his own ma­terials: well was it for England, that beginning to reforme the Church, shee joyntly travell'd of another issue; being likewise delivered of her first borne yron ordinance Vide Henry the eight, in Hollinshead, Anno reg. 35. a counterbattery to the Romish Canon: and the print of good Qu. Elizabeth, may be justly listed with a glorious trophy-worke of artillery, since shee it was, who by In Bishop Carletons tract fol. 2. discovering the Keswicke mines, and cala­mint stone, reformed it into brasse. Nay, in her time also our powder (before transported out of Germany) was now wrought at home, the fire en­gine being fully perfected: Tis of maine conse­quence, [Page 15] I say, that every country, every county, have his instruments, his Officers so within dis­tance, that like the good Centurion, it may readily say, to this, Goe, and he goeth; to that Come, and hee commeth; it argues more successe, readier assurance; when who reposes upon for­raigne aides, may with much propinquity be resembled to such a slattering Smith, as often loses his heate, while he seekes his hammer. In a word, since further fetch'd, can neither be had as cheape, nor found as usefull; give mee leave to preferre our innate, our directest residents.

And good leave have you Sir, this error being both familiar, and then as palpable; but since we have wherewithall to mend it, you may▪ perhaps, finde it has been of ignorance, not of will. For the tract of number now successive­ly to be dealt upon, me-thinks, it should bee without exception; and since wee are rather de­ficient in our Discipline, come wee next to this fourth particle, where directly you must enlarge your selfe.

Yet soft and faire, my noble Patriot; for even concerning number also, I find not that Eurithmia, that agreement of parts, which an ex­quisite infantery may require: our select bands are I say, of very ponderous irregular bulke, ra­ther cohorts then According to Polybins a maniple con­sisted of 120. and a cohort of 360. three maniples. maniples; their officers like­wise incompetent, each body being indeed a Po­lypheme, the soule to it but a disproportionable Pigmie; and what other sequell, but as tumultu­ary, [Page 16] slow, and indigent performance? where if they may bee digested lesse, and animated with requisite officers, each having three or foure ser­geants; their being more compactly situate, will argue quicker motion, execution; their proportio­nable scantling, readier disquisition information; and which is a maine peice, they wil engage more dependants of quality for the service.

Now is this likewise very conside­rable; but the notorious neglect of discipline does somuch extenuate our other peccancies, that impute it not, though a preposterous zeale has thus somewhat transported me; and now proceed good Mille-Toyle, tis now the next, according to your own former resolution.

Lastly therfore doest thou glory in thy plume, thy The weapon distinguishing the Lievtenant, from pertuise, francois, which signifies to bore. partesan, in the displaying thy co­lors, in the superfice, the shell of command? yet be sure to legitimate thy selfe with the soule of it, with a support of skill and knowledge: for how darest thou so roundly surrogate a mute for a vow­ell, a blank for a prise? I could justly here enlarg my self, as against a fault unavoidably hindering the successe of our Militia; but the future preven­tion enforces me rather to propound an Antidote, a Soveraigne mixture both of open shame, and as publick reputation; two pathetical motives, and importunate with any generous spirit: for by re­ducing our obsolet troupes into Centuries, with also some accesse of Officers, (before touch'd up­on) what County so penurious, but even of these [Page 17] alone, will have a body competent enough for exercise? which being annually convented, two or three dayes, will even laugh and sing at the happy successe; as not expent in fruitlesse Properly snayles, and from their twirling shels, used metapho­rically in French for winding and casting into rings. Li­macons and Pyrrhicke dances; but so methodical­ly husbanded to the best advantage, that each Leiutenant, Ensigne, every Officer shall afterwards give a good account of his sufficiency. Neither is it strange, if the mannage of this affaire bee com­mitted to his trust, whom improperly we stile the Muster-master; since indeed a threefold respect, of his experience (as having beene qualified in ser­vice;) his place, (as of general privity with the whole shire;) and an injunction of disciplining from above, will thus impose it.

Your proposition must needs be com­mendable, as striking infallibly the right string; and all necessary knowledge may thus descend from units to infinits; nay your primus motor has also beene sufficiently pleaded; onely since you quarrell his denomination, let mee intreat that in­sisting somewhat further, you more precisely yet exhibit him.

Very willingly Sir, and thus howso­ever this Officer has lately beene of so perplexed an estimate and interpretation, he shall at least bee vindicated, perhaps ingratiated againe. Some Cri­ticks therefore will derive his obstreperous name from the Belgicke verbe monsteren, some from muisteren of the Flemings, or confine it else to muster-here Teutonickly; neither indeed doe these [Page 18] Etymons import further than sincerely to list an Army, not passing save warrantable Levies and furniture; nay they will tell us of the Hollands Commissary, and though his name bee large and specious, that yet hee is restrain'd to the view of Armes and bodies: but then againe, is not this in respect of an universall experience, that vast en­gin of their Militia being compleated in qualibet parte? Vpon different circumstances there ensues another proportion, and every able Patriot, ha­ving first accounted with the place, the time, and other particulars, will preferre such a temper, as may fittingest comply with his designe; insomuch that our British Muster-master must succeed rather from the Latine monstrare, which signifies as well to teach as to view; I, wee finde him here in England responsible both for discipline, and am­munition; the Character rather of a Sergeant-Ma­jor: and who I say so fit for these peeces, as one qualified in a real Warre, and able to bestead himselfe with the mysteries of his profession? Ad­ding therefore probity of life, and (as some wil ar­gue) clarity of birth; (for the Younger brothers of an­tient gentrey.▪ Cadets of shires say they are fullest of support and counte­nance) pardon me, if I boldly call this that Del­phicke Sword, which may accommodate all our severall necessities; that Sun which brightly will enlighten the spheare, the circle of his Militia; addressing such influence so to particular Officers, that from thence it shall descend upon our File­leaders; and as Navigable streames are by subor­dinate [Page 19] rivers derived even to petty brookes and rillets, these againe shall dilate it generally, even to the meanest Centinel. I dare freely call it a preposterous course, a haste making waste; which some of the Hollands Serjeants heretofore trans­ported: and to teach by rankes and rings, is but to slubber up; the termini of à quo and ad quem, can never observe each other mutually; when by this methodicall, this successive instillation, their industry shall meete single and undistracted.

I know not Sir how the General may rellish this; but so far has it won upon my par­ticular, that with a necessity of discipline, I must also yeld this officer to bee manifoldly qua­lified.

I, of severall capacities, Penny-wise, that as occasion requires he may redresse and fill up all defects and vacancies; which being thus inserted by the way, proceed we now again with our propounded method.

And this is to be doing with our Le­gionaries, our other Souldiers; concerning there­fore the Bulke, the proportion of their companies, enough has been said already; their residence must bee likewise within distance as that of Officers▪ But then for the quality of these, tis familiarly so neglected, that here I must insist a while; and as an introduction not improper, touch also by the way upon our immitted forraigne leavies, which are so preposterous, that the most sappy crooked peice, will yet make a sufficient souldier; I, in [Page 20] mine own experience, our imprests have been guil­ty of some, which like conny-skins out of season, have been halfe and quarter ones; might be put two or three to a man; nay we likewise imploy as disastrous minds, as hands, which unhappines has made Philopolites disgust himselfe after this manner.

And indeed the precious stocke of our repu­tation, is by this neglecting publicke for private ends, so much decayed and wasted, that even a violent necessity has put me upon this string: nor let any one calumniate what has been said, as if I meant like another Maximus, Daniels chro. fol. 5. by transporting our cheifest strength to disfurnish Britaine, leave­ing [Page 21] it incompetently guarded: no, no, my Plea opposes Such a co­ward as wil cut off his thumb to prevent his service Marcell. Murcus, Minutius, Gusman; levels on­ly at our doe-littles, rogues, stigmaticks, and the like: as for others, The Ro­mans enroul'd him not, only holding him sit for procrea­tion. Proletarius wil passe mus­ter for all his poverty; nay that Sedentarius or Sellularius an Artificer that works sitting. Cushin-cru­sher by some nicer palats how distasted, is yet fit enough for service; and in especiall, our A Souldier made of a Husbandman, and so named of his mole like furrowing up the earth. Tau­pin where conveniently he may bee spared, is so beyond compare; that the cheif of these, the best owners, will be maine Timber in the ponderous frame of our train'd bands. our wealthiest Hus­bandmen are (I say) most sutable for this maine imployment; to repose it upon servants and me­chanicks were disportionable, and alasse they flit up and down, like empty clouds; are of inferior spirit and abilitie, and but uncertaine comforters: whereas, if well weighing this hardy kind of Yeoman, (besides a toughnesse of temper extra­ordinary) his commendable ranke argues more discourse, a deeper touch of reputation; his con­stant residence, inculcation of discipline; and then an inheritable revenue, both prohibits him from giving ground, inables him against many casuall asperites, and preposeth better trim, more com­mendable furniture.

Concerning this middle people, betweene Cottagers and Gentlemen, my Lord of St. Alban In his King Henry the se­venth, fol. 74. has formerly so delivered their institution, multitude and abilities, that the case is plaine enough; and their furniture, their military provision being equivalent, they may ranke with [Page 22] the best Legionaries in Europe; what thinke you therefore of this circumstance? I pray bee free with us.

This is very opportunely moved, enga­ging mee for the next particle, our ammunition; which comprises (as has been specified) the gene­rall Aequipage of a Magazin; so that now our Armes shall have an orderly discussion, or I may call them else our Iewels; for thus does the Pro­phet Esay render the same word in both senses,Chap. 39. v. 2. which (by the way) may schoole us to their higher estimate; our Armes or rather Iewels, are now I say to possesse the stage: and I must consider them according to that old dispartition of defensive and offensive: arraigning some of these in respect of weaknesse; others againe of their weight. To begin with Armes defensive, I must here com­mence my Plea against A copped head peece with an acorn or such like up­on it. Hufkins, An armour allowing in the breast and faces some few riveted joynts for the wearers ease. Almayne Rivets, both evidently guilty; and yet a third sort as blacke in colour, as course and crasie in their constitution: for where our corselet may bee di­stinguished respectively, as it participates either of the hammer, the Grindstone, or the file; these (as of the lowest forme) are meerly beaten, a dan­gerous omen; and may be compact of any spaltest Iron, all flawes and blemishes being dawbed over with an hypocriticall varnish: wherefore caveat emptor they are neither for use, nor ornament; my Vote I say, is onely for russet Armes, a de­gree higher; and neither despicable▪ sumptuous, nor impotent; neither too nice of constituti­on, [Page 23] nor over-rigid; as testifying with the ham­mer, the Grindston also; Those of 24^• participate the rough file only, those of 28. the bastard file also. nay somewhat like­wise of the file: and more proportionable to the safetie, the celsitude, of our illustrious Bri­taine.

I can observe how ready you have been to interrupt him Peny-Wise; the matter of charge without a very pregnant inference is some­what hard to be understood: but having proba­bly quit himselfe, I now distrust not your recon­ciliation; tush man, so triviall is this expence in respect of what it retributes, that we shall but loose a worme to catch a fish.

But this inconstancy, these often alte­rations are generally clamor'd Mille-Toyle, and will runne you still into further construction: bee well advis'd therefore, and rather than to broach this profusion, these novelties, carry a lighter hand; 'twil yeeld a more remarkable returne, reconciling such as wil otherwise be demanding a strict account of all particulars.

Tush tush, as the truth seekes no cor­ners, it likewise feares no colors; and will then our changing for the better, and with sufficient Cards for it, runne the hazard of so high displea­sure? tis true that an inferiour Cottage may bee huddled up in haste, but shal we think the like of Rome or London? is indeed that ponderous structure of our Iron Wal, the work only of a day or two? why even the most important peeces are at first rough-hewen, and but ursae partus, nor to bee per­fected [Page 24] but with much expence experience, and of­ten licking; to demonstrate which and first in our artillery, (an expression of neare alliance and com­ing home in paint▪) thus the violence of Saltpeter and brimstone once discovered, and upon some fur­ther discourse, a body being also found for this soul to worke in, yet all was but dolium ignivomum, and rude enough, taken whether in the name of it, or the nature: nay, when hereafter better po­lish'd, and come to be canna a cane, (whence our appellatives of gunne and cannon,) even then also was our powder susceptile of a third ingredient, namely the this to maintaine and dilate what fire the brimstone gives. coale. neither did invention shut up Her shoppe here, but afterwards the due proportion of these became another quaere: and still upon several intervalls, was it improved, one while with that busie stickler the harquebuse, which (as La Noë has it) was father likewise to the Pistoll: another while with the Both in respect of strength, for vis unita forti­or; of dispacth, for when meale it fals individu­ally in plump cloying the pipe of any flaske; and of thrist, as now rolling downe the piece more entirely, and with lesse interception. kerning of our powder formerly made up in meale; then againe with the musket, so highly boasting of his great incussion; and sundry other specialties might be likewise interwoven. Now since the per­fection has not descended but in these cancelleirs, in a varietie of new editions and improvements; must (I say) our changing stil for the better bee so much detracted? and thy eye become wicked, because mine has been good and single? To rip up antiquity a little further, and return my ham­mer upon the nayle it selfe; thus also A coate­sleeves and gorget of mayle. Lo [...]ico hamata. the Haubert, and that quondam An antient armour of ma­ny joynts and scales, Goliah in the painted cloth is thus armed: perhaps our quondom Brigandine: in French pour poins d'escaille. lorica squammata, [Page 25] how lowdly boasting their innumerous Peeres and Palladines, have long since bin reformed to the Ger­man-Rivet; this also becoming refuse and old yron, our modern corslet is now become the sole true­penny quia corpus celat, because it covers & defends the body with entire plate. Neither is the cor­selet so farre from all exception, but stil (upon further inquiry) wee find that when being white, it dyes with cockering, is quickly burnish'd out: againe if black, is likewise as base, and withal un­searchable. Whence wee may conclude (as was sayd before,) that perfection is not chopp'd into suddenly, comes not at the sowce, or the leape, like a bird, or beast of prey; but after our Savi­ours own rule, of first Mat. 4. 28. the blade, then the eare, then the ripe corne; or like the Pro. 4. 18 light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

Tis yours enough Mille-Toyle, and though Penny-Wise have perhaps been somewhat busie; yet since it does so much advantage, give­ing the better marke to your experience, I hope no matter of offence shall here be harp'd upon, save only our offensive armes; and according to former order, these being next to passe muster, I pray proceed in it, affording us your further information.

Why then, for such offensives as tres­passe likewise in this weaknesse, the Musket, such a masterful Engine, as, when compleat, cuts far before the point; at whose presence both sling, dart, and [Page 26] bow are antiquated; nay, the very Harquebuse faine likewise to quit the field: this Engine para­mount, is yet so palpably full of this imputation, that where none of these should passe without a sufficient proofe-marke to warrantie; we now fa­miliarly go lesse, preferring Jone equally with our Lady; the Black-Smiths marke and a miscellany of many other, indifferently with the Kings: Here should I therefore move for some such generall di­stinction (whether by way of Character upon the This ex­tends from the breech a foott or somewhat more to the moulou [...]es which is a ring of little welts, and channels surrounding the barrel. Chamber of the peece or otherwise; as may suddenly divert all diffidence; warranting at a cur­sory glance, (the scanty limit of a muster-master) what otherwise must bee taken up upon trust; and being throughly put to it, may become either a fast friend, or a false. Neither will it be imper­tinent, that here I likewise mētion the due extent and measure of this tryall: we preferre our owne barrells to those of the Netherlands, even The bread of Linburge is said to be better than bread, the fire hotter than fire, and yron harder than yron. those of iron, harder than iron; and our proofe should consequently be higher, a circumstance which I feare we rathet trespasse in: Nay, what if it prove inferior, of a more scanty constitution?

If this bee manifest, and found to hold Water, it concernes us very much; but here me thinkes the Powder-pactor nestling towards you, replyes with tush Sir, not your slegmaticke quantities, but the peter well refin'd, and as re­spectively imbodied; the matter of quality must chiefly governe us: and herein have wee joyn'd issue with the Hollander long since; a verdict pas­sing [Page 27] for us, and avouching no work to Here at the Bel, is the gun­powder-house. South­warke; not by matter of Bulke, but the huffe, the height; by that of efficacy must it rather bee deci­ded, and then.

Yet softly Swift; for notwithstanding any ceremonious paction, and those familiar vaunts of five, or perhaps In every hundred waight 6. parts being Peter, to one of brim­stone, and one of Cole. six, one and one▪ even his owne peeces are subject also with intention to re­mission; his owne powder availes not habitually to prescribe in the three The marke distinguishing his best pow­der; and im­printed on the top most hoope of the barrel. Crownes, but is of­ten found of an inferiour allay: which variety be­ing also yeelded to the Netherlander, what if the comparison have bin between our hawke and his buzzard? Nay sir, notwithstanding many specious pretences, yet has his imployment been very full of construction; nor may better bee displayed, than by a Fountaine or Conduit-head, distribut­ing it selfe into the Pipe, and the wast: at the Pipe first the King, afterwards has the Country beene to bee served, each at set indifferent rates; which being fully perform'd, both the waste and valuation of it, have (as it seemes) beene his own freely to dispose of; and that the Merchant, the Chandler and others; should not retayle it for no­thing, has beene made sure enough▪ especially Mars being predominant; for then with obstre­perous notes of the Tower and Navie, has hee presently plug'd up all other issues; the Country chiefly being disclaimed with such obstinacy, that either the Pipe must bee very needy, like the un­just Steward paying but fifties for hundreds; [Page 28] (whence the quaere will bee, whether more passa­ges to the Wood may give better satisfaction;) or else the packe very busie, kicking down that milk by conveyance, with which wee should bee nou­rish'd up by contract. Or againe, if these ob­structions rather prove artificiall, and either im­posed to whet on importunity, and skrew his wast up to the higher racke; or least this by-way may becom observable saepèterendo, to feed else some hid­den issue in the City, where it may thus advantage under a pretence of forraigne peter; if I say it should rather prove some matter of umbrage and artifice, my conclusion must bee of necessity, that a Rome of but one necke, ought to bee guarded with all severity; nor only from Nero's sword, but the squinsie likewise of Demosthenes.

'Tis somewhat that you say Mille-Toyle, and I my selfe have also knowne, when a Coun­try-Officer has danc'd so much attendance, of ma­ny journeies, with alwayes a nihil upon his request; that necessity has driven him to the Chandlers at vl. vs. per centum: so that there may bee some pad in the straw, requiring a further scrutiny. But lea­ving this to graver eyes, as also the circumstance of weaknesse and levity; come wee now to that o­ther extreame of weight and burthen.

Sir, you shall freely dispose of mee; only as a corollary to this point, whereas the Coun­try-story must alwayes certainly be ready, yet with little and uncertaine vent, which presages much expence; why might it not every fourth or fifth [Page] yeare become utterable at his waste, his pipe re­payring us againe with an equall proportion in ex­change; the commodity being carefully stowed, will long continue good and staple, bee returned him of sufficient efficacie, even with the proofe­masters re-assurance; and our severall Magazins thus successively re-inforced, become politicke and perpetuall bodies without any deceasing: or how­soever this suggestion may perhaps bee slighted, somewhat would me thinkes bee done to this pur­pose.

And now according to your desire, proceed we with a second sort of armes, as prejudiciall likewise in their excesse, and pondor, as the former in de­ficiency; and even our Bourganet of such a lofty Combe, (I had almost said the Burthenet) is often still obtruded like tares among the Wheat: the reason of warre formerly prescribing these, was to prevent the Halberd, a weapon Teutonically deri­ved of helme, nempe cassida; and bard, which is dolabra; whence ▪it came to be Cassi-dolabrum, of hewing and cleaving the Helme: nay, as Killianus further affirmes, it has in times of yore been flat­ly denominated Helme-Axe; but our Pike having abolished these, and prevented their ancient efficacy, wee now preferre the This lighter kind of head piece seemes to be derived out of Barbary, from the Moores; as the the former from the Bur­gondians; and thus will some derive our Pikes out of Pikardie. Morian, in weight more temperate; yet of combe enough to frustrate the sword. In the next place, must I contest a kinde of Tassets lately broken over proportion, and ha­ving for it the specious pretexts both of ornament and safety; Neither may the deare That part of the belly be­tweene the ribs & privy mem­bers. Abdomen, [Page 30] the feeble The inner rimmo of the belly, inclosing the entrails. Peritonaeum, so repleat with many ten­der curiosites, bee guarded too securely: nay the thigh has likewise certaine little veines so conduce­ing to generation, that Jacob's children came out of his thigh; and againe of (a) eleven speeding places about the body, two of these are couched with­in Captaine Binghams Tac­ticks, fol. 22. the thighes; notwithstanding all which, wee must yet bee cautiously indulgent, not too much suppressing activitie; especially with looser peeces, and so readily to bee rejected. Let the belly and appurtenants (a marke as faire as fesable) bee requisitly gaurded; but the dan­ger of these other parts is prevented much in their tenuitie. 'Twas a fictitious shaft that killed Achilles so precisely in the heele; and though the Tremeli [...]ts and L [...]ius upon Iudges 20. 16. Ben­jamites (no doubt) were very curious markes-men, yet their hitting at a hairs breadth is concluded figurative, and hyperbolicall. the slendernesse (I say) and exiguitie of these peeces inferre so com­petent a safety, that notwithstanding a paire of like mortall muscels in the two armes, our The arming peeces of the shoulders to the elbowes, named so of Es­aule franceis Pouldrons (as cumbersome and inclining to bur­then) are irrecoverably casheir'd: and indeed he that runs a temperate course between the two ex­treames, neither touching too palpably, either up­on weight or weaknesse; but mutually interwea­ving defence and dexteritie together, has a double string to his bow; misdoubts not in respect of his competent safety; and the rather failes not, be­cause of his active expedition. But we have yet greater bugs to deale withall; for so uneven and [Page 31] gowty likewise is the web of our English musket, that as sometime wee may justly suspect it for weakely timber'd: (a defect already resented) Tis oftentimes again as oppressive and immanageable; instead of 14^l. weight, or thereabout; amounting often to 16. nay sometime to 18^l. weight and up­wards. Now, if such pills as these and the for­mer, may perhaps with gayety enough bee swal­lowed, during a city shew, or a countreys mus­ters; yet when the strength of horses wil in a race at hand complain of giving weight; what shal we thinke of a far inferior ability, being to beat it out upon the hoofe, perhaps for many dayes to­gether, each of them stil further sadding and set­ling it; and as the string of a stone-bow comes stiffest neare the nut, the last proving alwayes the worst?

Why, that it must either founder be­neath the burthen; or so reject it, that the work must be done without the tooles.

And then again, what other conse­quence, save a prosperous enemie; and to receive law where we should impose it? but this premo­nition will I hope, worke with us effectually; and still may you deserve better, as your detection shall further extend it selfe.

I might still indeed be doing with o­ther peccancies; our pike does often over-swell his true Diameter; often may the sword be cal­led a sit-fast, being familiarly shackled in his own inordinate length; and as some slubbering farmer [Page 32] may loose a lambe for a little tar; often also do wee hazzard great advantages by the want of lit­tle peeces, even of wormes, scowrers, priming­pins, and the like; but so far better is it rather to mend a gap, then find it; that my next indea­vour shall be to propound some antidote prevent­ing these enormities; and were their but a brevi­ate of all our severall requisits, prescribing their weight, extention and qualitie, with infallible pain­ings upon each transgression; perhaps this exteri­or part of our Militia, might the sooner be per­fected: nay, let me not speake of the shel alone, since these penalties might even availe the soule thereof, and comfort up the lame defective pieces, which have so long so much disabled it. For since the statute though speaking indeed obstre­perously big ad terrorem, is yet calme enough in Among manyfold mis­demeaners, e­ven those of twenty yeeres time, I never knew more then one estret. practice, estreating up but now and then some little quillets: and againe enacted very tenderly, with sundry misdemeanors stil at large▪ were our penalties more generall, upon the faile likewise of full armes; upon armes foule, or bor­rowed; armes privately transplanted against the muster-roule; defects unrepayred; late appearance; disobedience to Officers; subornation; and such o­thers: were, I say, every further offence as yet escaping with indemnity, prosecuted with a pro­portionable penalty; and these (a familiar respect given to information) either dimidiated, or so parcelly derived upon our Militia, that the souldier

[Page 33] himselfe might partake of the sweet also with the sowre; as of correction likewise of incourage­ment; how would such petty casualties availe that unexperienc'd body of our musketeers? how I say, might our milice be hence asisted so with pri­zes, and a sutable proportion of powder; that our trained companies be no longer so named iro­nically, nor our several holy-dayes dispent empti­ly in commessations and good-fellowship; but af­ter an humble celebration of divine duties, in those of military discipline.

Yet take heed Souldier, you may heere perhaps go too neare the wind, and rather must these Paynings keepe infallibly the higher way of estreat so lately mentioned: nay, so dangerous is this diversion, that lo, it overcasts and thickens already, boding some unkindly wea­ther.

No such object Sir I warrant you, or if I must needs suffer for dealing faithfully with my countrey and my conscience, well and good, my crosse shal bee my crown. And concerning these amerciaments (as has been glaunc'd at for­merly,) they trend not alwayes and irrefragably the same course, being often imparted likewise to the plaintiffe; sometime entirely given the pati­ent, as we find it upon detaining payment, coat, and conduct money; and are indeed respectively collated, as they may highest raise the generall profit.

Whence Mille-Toyle, we directly must [Page 34] inferr a prosperous interpretation; beare up there­fore cheerely, and stil inform us further of your military mysteries.

After our armes once regulated, the next care will bee thy perservation, Nec minor est virtus quàm quaerere. Some therefore will to this end argue very strongly, that they should be made all common; others againe incline to have them generally private; and a third sort will hault be­tweene these two opinions, rather preferring the moderne ho [...]th-pocth of both. There be some, I say, that will exprobate our common furniture, as nullius filius; even so much neglected betweene Constable Carelesse, with his successor, and the souldier; that an yron corselet is yet no robe of durance: whereas, if all bee made private, both the souldier and finder, the propriety and tutelage, meet familiarly in eodem subjecto, which presup­poses better husbandry: nay by making all our armes common, there must likewise ensue many particular magazins, which wil imply mutiny and rebellion; since by supprizing these, every hagard Cateline, or scurvy Ket, may lay the foundation of his campe. But now let the tother eare be turn'd, and then in answer to the premises, what though some of inferior quality, though Tray perhaps be commonly both souldier and finder; yet does this faile as often in quater, and were great incon­gruity to demand of siee-cin (que), so that the excep­tions are more general then the rule. Again though rebellion may perhaps surprise an unity, a petty [Page 35] magazin or two; yet how may these contend with infinits, with such an universality [...] accor­ding to that of 2 Sam. 17. 12. 13. Davids Hushai) shall light upon them if in campania, as the dew falleth upon the grasse; if retreated into any city, shall even with ropes draw it into the river. Nay these siders with community proceed yet further, inditing the rule of private armes, for so tender and indulgent; that one of these may sometime bee distracted a­mong three, or perhaps foure severall finders: and then how so many wheels may readily keep touch, and continually hit it, will be the businesse. For example, Sir Sillie Scater-good charg'd with a cor­selet for his mannor of Melt-apace, being compel'd by his diffusion and improvidence, sells it (that he may raise the greater summe) to the severall tenants, as it lyes divided, and in quillets: this they say is now by the common course of Land­rates to be required at many mens hands; and then such a distracted satisfaction must needs bee full of hazard and uncertainty. Now if being jea­lous of unhaunted wayes, we rather fix upon the present miscellanye, still preferring a cast of con­traries; and our common armes, as a more com­pact body, readily to sway, the sudden; those pri­vately disperced, as their unseiesable seconds, and richer of allay: yet againe, (which is a further grievance) the party preferring this old bea­ten course, does oft become both A carrier or conveyer of military furni­ture. Angarius in respect of personall service; One that imploies both person and goods in the Princes service. Perangrius, as performing it with his own armes; and then a­gaine, [Page 36] Ter-angarius, by being also charg'd towards those that are common; a passage which some men do very much hunch at: that every horse should have his loade is proportionable; nay, they are contented (if occasion so require) to beare double; but this treble charge goes much against the haire: yet that old proverbe of many hands make light worke; will conclude it for exiguous enough, and rather one in estimation, than in weight.

For all that Sir, if to find a single armes be so large a stich already with many men, surely, the least addition will make enough be­fore, become the heavier.

True Peny-Wise, but we hope the prompting these heads thus into dicsourse, may produce a milder, a more acceptable temper.

Well, well, if this be reckon'd so harsh a note, and of the sharpest; yet I must now come to straine a little higher, being also to mediat for sold or payment; such a maine and master-sinew as has of late bin shrewdly sprung; and to foment and comfort it againe, will be richly worth our labour; since therefore, who so keeps the 1 Sam. 30. 24, & 25. stuffe must also with Such a soul­dier as has been [...]ht with his ene­my, so playing his scholars prize, aliter Bachcalaurius, as deserving the Bayes. Batalaurius divide the spoile; that our train'd souldiers, by whose ablenesse and reputation, the Wolfe (as they say) is so kept from the doore; that these serious treaders of the corne out, should yet be muzzled; nay still more im­portunately, that many poore substitutes, having at home several barking-bellies to satisfie, should yet [Page 37] return with a nihil upon their expence, must needs be contrary both to charity and justice; neither will I spare yet againe to say, that there is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but so much does it tend to poverty; that although I can affectionat­ly remember, when our discipline was up, at some good intention of alacrity, practice, and emulati­on; yet this stocke of happynesse after a tedious dwindling, is now directly dying; our musters are become dull and heavy, our officers in their edge much rebated, the musketeer disproportionably and deeper charg'd then the pike; in fine, wheras the souldier in close of all (and as the crowne of his perseverance) has formerly been to receive his payment; this metlesome tie being deducted, hee likewise does his work accordingly; often slinking home without either conge, discipline, or scruple at it: the reason because he has but his labour for his paines.

Concerning the discipline, which you seeme to presse somuch, some will reckon it for more indifferent, nor so punctually to be stood upon; that wee have convenient furniture where­withall to answer all alarums, is granted necessa­ry; and if an annual account therof be taken, we cannot at an inch of time, bee navigating many leagues of place, to bee fitted both too late, and at excessiive values: Marry for this matter of ex­ercise, what need so much festination? it enters now improperly, and before the right cue.

Indeed, were invasion as plaine a deal­er, as heretofore in the golden age; nor intended without a harbinger giving defiance, and sufficient warning; there might be more colour for this in­timation: but since our moderne Mars knowes so cunningly to palliat himselfe, and his designes; wee must way-lay, and deterre him with as much as wee can of the foregame; all our other equi­page (as has formerly been insinuated) is but a masse of lumber, onely to bee spirited by men and discipline: and notwithstanding such a body, if we stave off this soule, it induces It was Meddozas ar­gument to whet on inva­sion in 88. Hollinshead. 1374, an under­valuing, which will the sooner instigate hostility; when, if these two may throughly bee consoli­date, the piece becomes of more opinion, is now difficult and formidable; nor to bee contested, but upon importunate reasons, and with uncertain expectation.

But say then, wil not yet your exer­cise detract too forceably from our other occasi­ons? the French will conclude Quiscait mestier▪ ill est renie. a good trade for a rich revenue; the Netherlander proceeding yet further, wil have it The dutch proverb is am­bache schap, groef, schap, an Earldome; but con­tent thee Hans, 'twil be a very poore one; if day­ly check'd so much and interrupted.

Tush Sir, let not Sellularius, not Sti [...]h-ill the tayler object his shop, nor Coridon be jealous of his plough; since our excercise may so respectively be conveighed, as to trench mate­rially upon neither: for better clearing whereof, it ensues necessarily, that after the Quare of our [Page 39] discipline so newly touch'd upon; wee likewise consider the Quando, the circumstance of time, in which it may be doing with least noise and excep­tion; then again the capacity, Quantum, and extent of the same; afterwards the Quomodo, the waies and parties, by which our exercise may bestbe reared and perfected; and lastly the Quid, namely the mi­lice the discipline it self. For the Quando therfore, tis bipartite, of a double nature and situation; the first interim distractedly scattering over al our sum­mer, into such a deale of void and idle roome, as may necessarily require some further imployment: The second though of an individual residence, is yet inferiorly taken up also like the former, but a bagge of counters instead of coyne: for who shall generally survay the yeare, will find that nature when freely ministring her horn of store, and now luxuriantly promising the fork, the sith, and other furniture of Ceres; imparts withall such a kind of relaxtion, that then we practice the prea­chers time of gathering stones, mending thus two gaps with the same bush; and by cleansing our tilt, repayring our high-wayes; and now in this time of dust and double dayes, may we likewise generally summe up, and regulate our matter of armes; which if done in dirt (all accounts be­ing taken) wil spend a noble, where we should take an angel; the musters, and even our disci­pline entire, may be fully repeated (I say) in this season, without any great clashing upon our busi­nesse.

Yet when weighing wel such a throng of difficulties, as the view and laying of armes and persons, with their manifold disputes annexed: like­wise a punctual instillation, first of the several po­stures, then of all other knowledge apertient; 'tis me thinkes a world of worke, nor to be contracted into such a little necke of time, as between Easter terme, and that of Hillary; the thing which so con­fidently you seeme to aime at.

Take me but with you Sir, and then our souldier must not here at the maine of our musters, be taken for an Abecedarius, meerly of the lowest forme; but one before and throughly instructed; the primary roots and rudiments, being to be per­fited upon the bye, and in the first interim, so lately hynted; namely, upon our holy, I had al­most said hollow daies; their number from Shrov-Munday to Michaelmasse (these two inclusively taken) amounts to seventeene, and being thus im­ploy'd, wil magnifie the whole year with strength and reputation. Vpon these we may descend in­to paticular postures, and even the smallest quil­lets; ascending againe as articulately to the seve­rall motions and waies of skirmishing: insomuch that presupposing an aweful hand upon all defects, both of trime and person, with the reducement of our ponderous companies into maniples; and then the sonldier in our holy-dayes interim thus prepared, (all which will prevent both losse of time, and circuit of action) we shall finde also that the Quantum and extent of our Whitson-Vo­cation [Page 33] lately questiond, is yet of sufficient capacity, and the cloth becomes large enough for the Coate. Then for the Quomodo; the meanes and parties fittest to mannage this affaire, and drive the naile home: If the Commissary, Muster-master, or what you please to call him, having a burthen­some extended Province, may perhaps suffer un­der it; not being in his single person, susceptible of such a manifold imployment; yet presupposing severall centuries (both in respect of skirmish and dispatch) daily convented to the same Rende­vous, why may not the cure be wrought by de­putie? and since wee have in every County some such Pensioners, as receiving good exhibi­tion, may bee challeng'd of proportionable ser­vice: since, I say, wee finde of these, so many, either not maimed, or not Souldiers, or per­haps neither; such as feare no poundage, break­ing over into every Pasture, and to the very Teeth of the Statute thus defrauding it; why should we not rather bring these to the test, and letting all baser mettle flie, introduce that of le­gall and preheminent allay, furnishing all our pensions impartially; and then 10l. per annum (which some of these attaine to) will engage and fasten such, as being quadrate with the statute, may likewise bee so serviceable to the Country, that here a wedge may bee provided for every knot; here the Muster-master bee fitted with in­feriour Officers for our holy-dayes exercise; here surrogate Lievtenants, expediting the view of [Page 34] Armes and bodies, his own eye being interimly within distance: here upon any imprests, we may likewise have conductors, well and ready rigg'd for transportation; finally, if at any time we be foreinly attempted, these also, as martial graduates nor subject to the panick feares of Tom Tyro, will execute with confidence, imboldning us to put home the speculations wee continually are train'd in. Neither must wee take a maime in the se­vere literall sence, and for a downe-right, an en­tire disabling; the Law intends it farre other­wise: insomuch, that a bone taken out of the head, nay, the crooking of a finger; or break­ing the fore-teeth, is of this prejudiciall con­struction; yet who knowes not, but a Souldier may performe effectually, notwithstanding these, nay, many rigider disasters: the provision there­fore of such knowing Oblats These ta­ken strictly, were such maymed soul­diers, as had Monks places assigned for their mainte­nance. will manifold­ly bestead us; particularly upon any surcharge, relieve our exercise both with facility and expe­dition. After which survey of requisite circum­stances, we now come at length to the Quid, the Milice it selfe; for this is likewise full of scarres and blemishes: and among sundry smatterers at armes, Lievtenant Outappon't having scambled up some floting superficiall peeces, yet begins likewise preposterously at the wrong end, blun­dering roughly into the mayne of his exercise, without any introduction of rudiments; and then againe is his brother Bragadell affectedly taken with a new pedanticall dialect, such as may best [Page 35] advance his own conundrums, and pirhick daunces, which forsooth he will blanch of with the name of faire overshooting; but tell me bonny Bra­gadell, does not the steed that over-reaches dis­service both himselfe and his master; and why should'st thou thus impertinently buz about the Butt, when to cleave the pin only wins the prize? to speake directly, why doe wee not rather im­pugne these, by provision of some orderly par­ticulars? And since our Scholers will relate via regia and via militaris, for one and the same in­divisible, thus inferring their mutuall interest and dependance; might it please authority to take so pressing a concernment throughly to heart, and by consulting some old experient commanders, to prescribe such a discipline as might square best with the qualitie and situation of our countrie; and precisely presse it upon our observation, with­out giving line to the many late extravagan­cies; we should both fully be directed in all con­venient scruples and punctualities; and what at first was but violent, artificiall, and impos'd; with a continuall inculcation of the same impor­tant pieces, would at length become habituall, even a very through-pace. And now, as a co­rollarie to the generall; since one and the same party, taking him according to this modell, and the constitution of our country, is of such a se­rious, such a manifold imployment; sometime assistant to the Captaine, in his holy-dayes ex­ercise, commanding in chiefe himselfe; some­time [Page 36] descending like a Sergeant to minister the particular postures; in the view of armes and bodies, becomming a Muster-master; and the generall charge of discipline and ammunition, a Sergeant-major: in contemplation I say, of all these severall and important faculties to be de­manded of the same person; and how much a competent number of reall souldiers may bestead us upon invasion; let me here implead all such, as either by hook the mony-bagg; or some croo­ked adulation, intrude upon our Military places: for so familiarly are the keyes even of our fron­tire, by this leger-demaine imbezeled; that one of them has lately beene at a Lawyers girdle, and without incurring any Quare impedit; after whom Mars was yet againe prevented, Vortum­nus The God of merchan­dise, Saunders now the bank­rout. practising with such artifice, that his minister the Merchant, had quickely finger'd it, and his linstock was (no doubt) of as dreadfull a fi­eri facias, as pertinent a randome as his predecessors. I might still proceed in detecting many more of these castle-creepers, of sufficient inexperience to deliver up the coast; but the center of our Bri­taine is likewise so strangely culpable, that I leave the circumference: our Vpland preferments are I say, as familiarly purloyn'd as the former; the heart it selfe being often served with thumbs, in­stead of fingers; with such as breaking over all bounders, all distinctions; will blunder into any fortune at any rate; and where Phylagathus does [Page 37] first examine whether he be in Villicatione sua, and then seeke to manage it, both to the satis­faction of his country and his conscience; if this Captaine Cut-pudding can but with his facility, and implicite obedience, so fasten a party, that he may strike the revenue, abundè satisfecit officio suo. Here therefore must I likewise appeale all these deseisors, roundly soliciting (as we will be true to the good of Britaine) that by stripping off their usurpation, and reducing The first Lawyer that tooke fee. Amnimus Marcellinus lib. 30. cap. 5. Antiphon to his plea, and Ardelio to his shop; the martialist may no longer droope and dwindle out, but a­gain be comforted in the warmeth, the strength, the pitch of his appropriate feathers.

How our great clarkes and politicks may be led, I know not, but with any plaine ca­pacity, your reasons should me-thinks be preva­lent, and hold enough water.

Even so much Penny-Wise, that I dare undersigne their approbation. This officer (according to the former draught) is indeed to quicken many severall wheels, inferring both knowledge, labor, and expence; which should likewise presuppose all incouragement, all his rights inviolable, setting him off whith some re­quisite luster: nay, to raise the point a note higher, our cavallary (a most important piece) is imposed also upon his care and industry; concer­ning which, if Mille-Toyle, you still proceed, dis­cussing also the particulars, it will more affectio­nately confirme us yours, still endeare you farther, [Page 38] into the publike acception.

After this of our infantery, 'tis most true, that I should now come to the brandling wings; for though those elevated hands of Moses and Elijah, are indeed the principall horse-men, chariots of Israel; yet the great Lord of Hosts has also chosen so to worke by meanes and rules, impos'd upon our practice; that a remarkable ca­vallary may well be counted the doore of hope; which infers the reformation, of our own, in ma­ny severall particulars; but see the Sun is now ascended his meridian, and I must dismisse these till some other time.

Nor improperly; since me-thinkes this piercing aire, does eagerly solicit, what the Butler also now determines of; harke, harke, his empty vessells sounds it dinner time.

A motive so considerable, that your French-man will as metonymically professe his food his vivers, as our English will his land his living; howsoever, could the losse, even of the daintiest meale, give continuance to our discourse; I should esteeme it a rich purchase, and at a cheape rate.

Good Sir pardon me, while I was mine own, I was yours; but for this afternoone I have past my selfe to some other freinds.

Mickle-W. Come then, Allons, our horse at the next meeting: I, I, your promise must be payd souldier.

Very willingly Sir; for though among [Page 39] these, there likewise are manifold eye-sores to be specified; so that with the Prophet, I must still become a man of contentions; Ier. 15. 10. yet for the truths sake will I not hold my peace: and indeed me-thinkes the men might endure a naked exa­mination, as well as their furniture; a prescrip­tion also of articulate postures would put their practice out to further profit; Then does the dis­use of rings and drums prejudicate our troopes, for haggard and unready; but especiall since in­cussion is in our fire-ginnes chiefly materiall, I must urge against our pistoll bore, as either de­fective in height, or else in warrant; for if pre­ferring that moderate rate of 36 bullets per pound. we run the hazard of authority; if that of 52 not yet exauthoritated, this againe will weaken violence; both in their severall respects are dan­gerous, and whether wee may better transgresse with custome, or with reason, is now become the quaere. Nay, might our horse-musters be transplanted to the beginning of the yeere, and injoin'd about Easter; they wonld have more of the Sunne and faire weather, wherewithall to hatch our exercise, to guard and guild our fur­niture; then would there be more time for exa­mination, and perfecting of our repaires; then is the stone horse in his chiefest pride; and the gelding in his toughest ability, neither being so foggily distemper'd, as to deflect the training, for feare of being ma [...]'d, by being made; and then should wee be prepared à parte ante, for what­soever [Page 40] the yeere might bring forth; when by de­ferring the service longer, an earely riser may be before hand, and our poverty come suddenly upon us like one that travelleth, our want as powerfully as an armed man Prov. 6. 11..

Yet concerning this translation of our musters, mee-thinkes wee should not be so va­riable, and did the time permit, there might very good cards be urg'd against it; these new projects are so dangerous, that

Tush [...], make not such an idoll of antiquity; if the fathers have eaten sower grapes, yet why should the childrens teeth be set on edge? Desist, I say, and let his conclusion be rather applyed to your owne parti­cuar, hereafter spurring you up into more fore­sight and providence.

In good time Sir, this is a parting blow indeed.

Applying of it rightly, you shall finde it such a balme, as will not breake your head. Souldierfarewell

Adew noble Sir; to you likewise penie-wise