CAptaine Skill , and although in a late conference had betwéene vs , I vndertooke to speake of Robin Hood , when indeede I had neuer shot in his vowe , and presumed to dispute of martiall matters , before I had séene an enemies Tent : yet now hauing a little bottered my experience by some few yeares trayning in the warres , and haue had continuance in sauerall seruices , as well offensiue as defensiue , being now thus happily encountered , and time with opportunitie so well be fitting the purpose , let me obtaine that by a kinde intreaty , that I know I cannot merit by any desert , I come not to contend , nor to maintaine any eauiles , my desires is to learne , and although before I knew how to buskle on an Armour , I presumed of as much skill as might haue beséemed the great Captaine of Cartliage , yet now experience hath taught me to know , that indeed : I knowe nothing . And by this 〈◊〉 continuance that I haue had in the Can●pe , I haue noted those absurdisies in the Militia of these times , that I thinke may be easily spoken of , but not so quickly amended : giue me leaue to relate them as they shall hit into my memorie , and let me intreate your opinion what you allowe , and what you mislike .

Captaine Pill , the time that you tell me you haue spent in the campe , hath not bene ill imployed , for that I perceius you haue profited much : I sée it hath inlightened your vnderstanding to know your owne imperfections , and there cannot be a more learned ignorance , then for a man to confesse his owne ignorance : now for the Militia of these times which you say is so confounded with absurdities , I beleeue it to be true , but he that should thinke to amend it by finding faulte , might do as Apelles prentise , who drawing of a picture , séeking to mende the nose , marred the chéeke : you and I may talke of many abuses , as it were by the way of communication , but I dare not attribut any such singularity to my self as to giue any censure , yet vpon the request you haue made , of any thing it shall like you to demaunde , I am contented to aduenture my opinion , but not to set-downe precepts .

Why then Captaine Skill I will procéede : but here now I should kéepe a gods Decorum , especially in Method , but that is looked for from Schollers , and not from Soldiers , and I haue learned the further off from art , the more Souldierlike : then mount you vp my thoughts , yet raise your selues with reuerence , so as you neither do Minerua wrong , nor care what Momus can obiect .

Now before I speake of defects , I will first beginne with warre it selfe , that I thinke cannot be managed but with disorder , whose best fruites are so inormious , that it hath béene had inquestion , and many times disputed on , whether warre may be approued to be either good or lawfull , before the seats and Maiestie of God ?

I take those men that wil moue such doubts , to be vtterly ignorant aswell in the history of the Scriptures , as in the state of a happy Common-wealth , for he that taught Dauid to sing , Blossed be the Lord my strength , which teacheth my hands to make warre , and my fingers to fight , had 〈◊〉 willed Moyses long before to make warre vpon the Medianites , & that by an expresse commandement , and Abraham the father of the faithful , made no scruple to enter into armes himselfe and his houshold to recouer his brother Lot .

But some will say the ruines and spoiles committed in the warres are to be lamented , and the cities that are sackt , spoyld , and left desolate , can best witnesse the fruite .

Sée Saul , first annointed King , appointed to leade the children of Israel , the spirite of God commeth vpon him , he Prophesieth amongst the S●●ars , and after all this , behold him againe vtterly forsaken of God , but for reseruing a part of the praye that he had taken from the Amalichites .

But what excuse for the great effusion of bloud ? or is it not a horrour to thinke of the murthers & slaughters made by men vpon men in the furie and heat of warre ?

I will referre this to the noble Iosua , who being in the pursuite of his enemies , and fearing that the day had bene too short , commaunded the Sunne to neglect his accustomed course , and to stay her selfe in the middle of the heauen , till he had performed his slaughter to the full .

Why then to spoile and kill an enemy we sée the warrant is good , but there be some that will make difficulties , and then they will distinguish betwéene ambitious warre , & warre that is but defensiue , and almost they will admit of no warre at all to be lawfull .

Warre is to be vndertaken but to the end to haue peace , and for matters in clayme , in defence of libertie , and such other like , aswell the lawes of nature as the lawes of nations doth admit it .

For these distinctions I will leaue them to Diuines , but warre is euermore attended on by Sword , Fyre , Famine , and Murther : the sinnes of the people is it that giueth the first Allarum , and vnsheatheth the souldiers sword , and warre hauing once displayed his Banner , it is the iustice of the cause that approoueth it eyther to be good or bad .

But yet the obtaining of a victory is not a sure confirmation of this right & equity , for when the children of Israel were gathered together in Silo , to punish the shamefull sodometry of the tribe of Beniamin , they lost in two seueral battells 40000. men : notwithstanding they had a iust cause , and fought both the times by the appointment and commaundement of God .

By warre to subdue a forraine foe , the conquest is glorious , but in ciuill warre there is nothing more miserable then victorie .

The practise and knowledge of Armes , hath euer béene carefully indeuoured in all ages , and in euery well gouerned Common-wealth , when by it Empires haue béene attained , Kingdomes inlarged , the straights of Pontus hath béene opened , and the inclosures of the Alpes broken vp .

By it Princes are protected , Iustice is maintained , good lawes preserued , and the Common-wealth defended .

Great is the knowledge of Armes therefore , and there is nothing more necessary , immediatly after the knowledge of God , then to knowe how to mannage our martiall causes , and as in euery action it is odious is erre , so in warres it is most daungerous of all other , because that one mistaking is ynough to ouerthrowe a whole Armie , whereon might depend the wracke of a Common-wealth , and the losse of a Princes Crowne .

Warre and the Soule communicates in this , that both of them are in their simple natures hardly found out , but are duly defined by their effects .

Nothing waxeth young in this world but warre , neyther hath arte euer sought out a subiect more ambiguous , for with the Camelion it changeth according to the obiect , and like an impossible infinit in nature , carrieth his euents beyond the reache of coniecture .

In the heauens it worketh harmony , on the earth peace , it is the hand of desteny to inforce chaunge , the scourge of God to punish sinnes , the true adamant that draweth courage vnto it , and a Basilique to feare that dyes to behold it : It is oyle in the stomacke that hath disgested poyson , as a medecine to a body that is choaked vp with corrupt humours , as a Fyre to the mettall that wants refining , as exercise to the body growne pursie with ydlenesse , it is the Theater wheron Nobilitie was borne to shew himselfe , a glasse wherein policie espieth his infirmities , the worst and best that euer Fortune could promise her fauourites .

The surfits of peace first quickened it , and tyrany that gaue it sucke , perished in cherishing it .

It began in heauen , in the rebellion of Lucifer , it presumed vpon Paradise , betwéene the first man , and the Angell , in Shinare ambition made Nymrod embrace it : Neare Sodom affection caused Abraham to entertaine it : Sithens in the world it hath béene the Key of alterations , the disposer and spoyler of Monarchies , the founder of obscurities , the worker of miracles .

There is nothing so intire , that it hath not separated , neither so dissolued that it could not reconcile .

Peace vnto it , is as Castor and Pollax in a storme , a hope of safetie , warre vnto peace , as a motion to rest , the meanes to produce it .

It fauoureth not the multitude of men , but respects the value , and suffers valour sometimes to perish in the armes of a fearefull multitude : it is the scourge of securitie , the plague of timerites , the end of hatreds , and the beginning of discontents .

It fauoureth iniustice , and oppresseth innocents , it strikes as God willes , workes as sinne warpes it : briefly , a miserable necessitie in nature , and a necessary corrector of times infirmitie .

Why , then by this description and by the rest , what I haue noted , I perceiue that it is good to be a skilfull warriour , but ill againe to bée a great warre louer . Well Menelanus , I may commend thy valour , but neuer thy wit , that wouldst make a continuance often yeares warre , but to recouer a strumpet .

Ten yéeres war could not be continued but with ten yeres woe , yet this blessednes of peace that is so much desired , doth especially consist in the knowledge of warre .

Why , then the feates of warre are not to be neglected , though in the midst of the most happie peace .

I can tell you Captaine Skill , this doctrine will be reputed flat heresie : what in the time of peace to prouide for warre , & to spend money when they see no danger ? I can tell you our peace-mongers cannot abide it , nay they will not heare the name of warre so much as spoken of , till they haue newes that the Beacons be on fire about their eares .

I might spend a long time in deliuering presidents , how manie inconueniences haue bene incurr'd where they haue neglected this preparation , and omitting all the rest , let Salomon giue vs light , who though he were promised a peaceable gouernment by God himselfe , and had this addition to be called Rex pacificus , yet he furnished his Garrisons with more warlike prouisions then euer his father Dauid had done before him , notwithstanding he was still turmoyled and euery day bu●●ed in the warres , for if preparation be neglected till the warres begin , either it commeth too late and out of season , or it heapeth together such confusion with making haste , as it prooueth vnprofitable , and the proceedings will be but flowe , the execution slender , and the wants intollerable .

Preparation then is alwayes to be in readinesse , but doth not this readines consist aswell in training men , & making them skilfull & ready in Military knowledgs , as in preparing all other habiliments & necessaries appertaining to the wars ?

Yong souldiors vnprouided and sleightly trayned , are not to be drawen into the field against an Armie exercized and beaten with long practise , for vnexperimented men are fitter to furnish a funeral then to sight a fielde : as little safetie is to be hoped for in small and vnequall numbers , which do rather séed then end the warres , & do rather increase charge then win Honor : small companies are shut vp without doing good to themselues or hurt to their enemies , & as they are little feared of their enemies , so they are lesse esteemed by their friends .

Where there is a mighty Army in the field , what City or Towne , Country or Prouince , wil not be glad to curry fauor , and willing to redeeme their good will ?

To conclude , a féeble Armie is euer despised aswell by friends as fues , but an able Army that is prepared and managed as it ought , will soone bring an enemie to yeelde eyther by victorie or composition .

Then they are a little mistaken that doo thinke because they are able on the sodaine to furnish a Muster rowle with infinite numbers of names , that therefore they can as quickly supplie the field with an able company of Soldiours : and there must be a like preparation of mony as of men , for monie is tearmed to be the sinewes of warre , and is of such importance in the Campe , that though a man haue plentie of Souldiers to follow him , and store of Munition to serue him , yet waiting mony to make paye , a man may say as Flaminius did by Philopomines , that he had the handes and legge of warre , but he wanted the belly .

The Prince therfore that will leuie an Army , must learne with Theseus not to enter the Labyrinthe without a Clue , he must be prouided with sufficient Treasure , for the want wherof many Armies haue bene forced to dissolue .

And there is no preparation exactly to be set downe what might suffice , for warres haue neyther stint nor set boundes .

And the preparation is not so vncertaine , but it is as hard to be attained vnto , for though Arithmetick can quickly cypher downe a whole myllion of Treasure , yet all the rest of the Liberall Sciences are not so prodigall to bring it in together .

And yet I thinke there is more disorder in the issuing of the treasure when it is prepared , then there is trauell in the aftaining to it , and that if there were a good order executed in the expending , neither the charge would be so great , nor the expences so burthensome , as I know they haue beene .

It would bee a tedious matter to set downe the means that hath bin practised more then ordinary ) how to get mony onely for the supplie of warres , for besides Rents , Reuenues , Impositions , Taxes , Subsidies , penalties , Lones , Confl●cations & such other like , there hath bene great summe● raysed for the pryde and excesse both of men and women , from their garded garments , their coloured silkes , their gold & siluer lace , their Plate more then necessarie , their Iewells , their Coaches , and such other superfluities .

The fraudulent dealing of Officers hath bene sometimes examined and brought in question , & infinite summes hath bene by that meanes gathered together , & brought to the treasurie .

He that should aduise these presidents to be followed here in England , perhaps might offend more than a good many , and yet me thinks there were some reason to induce , that those that haue robbed others of theyr money by fra●●ulent and deceitfull meanes , should be vsed like Sponges , that when they haue drunke theyr fill , are then fit to be pressed .

But now whilest I thinke of it , I will tell you what aduise a plaine country fellow did sometimes giue to Gentleman of good sorte , and one that had a great & a gainefull office fréely giuen him by a gratious Prince , which gentleman being appointed to borow mony for his Soueraigne vpon priuy seales , comming into a part of the country where the men of best abilitie in the shire ( by a former appointment were repayred vnto him , to whom this gentleman in a briefe discourse told them how many occasions their Soueraigne had to imploy mony , and was therfore driuen so make bolde amongst his good subiects to borow for a time till it might be repayed againe .

One amongst the rest ( being no lesse plaine then wealthy ) answered againe after this sort , if not directly in the same maner , yet I am sure not farre from the matter .

I pray God blesse our Soueraigne ( said he , ) and séeing there is such néede of money as your maistership hath spoken of : for my part I am not onely willing to lend this proportion that is demaunded , but if his Maiestie would follow my further aduice , I could teach him such a tricke , that he should haue money comming in euery day , little or much , and it would come trowling in such sort , as I warrant there would not be so great neede to borrowe of subiects , as now of late time there hath beene .

If you haue such a tricke ( answered the Gentleman ) you might merit much ; and there is no doubt , but it would be very grariously taken by your Soueraigne , in making it knowne .

I can do it ( said the other ) and I will tell you what it is : and if his Highnesse could but make shift to buy your Maisterships office , and thrée or foure others that I could name , and keepe them in his owne hands , your worship knowes he néeded to want no money , but it would still be comming in , his cofers I warrant would neuer be emptie .

The conclusion was , I thinke this honest meaning man had but small thankes for his counsell , for those were no times for men to iest with Officers .

Besides money , there are many other prouisions to be cared for : as Armour , Weapon , Munition , and infinite of other furnitures , that are all to bee prouided afore hand .

But the necessitie of victuall ( in the time of seruice ) are of no lesse importance then the necessitie of money , without the meanes of which , there is neither meane to conquer , nor hope to liue .

Ualiant mindes , wil oppose themselues against the Pike , will aduenture vpon the Musquet-shot , or runne vpon the Cannon , but I did neuer know any man so hardy , that would yeeld himselfe to encounter with Famine .

Where victuals therefore are not conueniently prouided for , the greatest mindes are terrified and ouercome without stroke : and a hungry Army can neither obserue Discipline , nor performe any great enterprise .

I haue knowne especiall seruices neglected , yea , and ouerthrowne , & but onely for this want of victuall , but I will not speake of particulars , because in finding a fault , I know not whome I should offend , whether those of superiour authoritie , that might haue commanded , or those that were but inferiour Officers that should haue prouided : but this is to be considered , that for the expedition of war , such Commanders , & Officers should be made choice of that had iudgement aswel to consider of the pursuit of an enterprise , as to looke into the beginning .

For the expedition of warre , it will neuer be accomplished with any hope of good successe , but by the vse of two instruments , Election and Discipline , the one in chusing , the other in framing when they are chosen .

But there is great error in Election , and it is committed in two maners , either thinking that he which is noble shuld likewise be vertuous , or for particular affection , perhaps in the behalfe of some one from whom the party would expect the like fauour againe : now if wars were to be waged against enemies , which would not take aduantage of errors and negligences , a Prince might chuse more for fauour than for néede .

And for Election that was w●●nt to be frée , and of an byright iudgement , it is now become a slaue to opinion , to that opinion that is both blind , lame , particular , and selfe conceited , and yet hath preuailed so farre , that we want but one other Erasmus to dyefie opinion , as one hath already writ in the prayse of Folly .

Where opinion beareth sway , she ruleth like a God , she maketh fooles to bée reputed wise , Cowardes to bée calle● couragious , and silly ignorant asses , to be admired for the●● martiall skill .

She sendeth Captaines to conduct , Officers to direct , that are fitter themselues to be trained , then to haue commaund .

Opinion sendeth men to the warre corrupted with vices , where they oppose themselues against all order & Disciplin , they robbe , they spoyle , they sweare , they ●wagger , they quarrell , they eate , they drinke , they fight , they saint , they flye , they are couragious in spoyle , and cowardes in fight , they are curious in spéech , and carelesse of reputation , there is neither glory in their victory , nor dishonour in their flight .

This election which you do here speake of ( as I perceiue ) doth not so much concerne the ordinary Souldiour , as it doth respect the appointment of Generals , Captains , Commanders , and all other Offices that are to direct and mannage the warre , in whole worth and vertue it consisteth either to make the Souldier more or lesse profitable for seruice , and it belongeth to their prouidence and care to make him able or disable to serue .

This well chusing of Officers is the most especial thing to be obserued by those that are desirous to accomplish by warre : Amongst the rest , the place of the Generall hauing the first superioritie , if in his election there be not the like regard and circumspection had to his skill and worthinesse , there may be chosen an instrument of all disorder , when by his vnskilfulnesse in martiall gouernment , there may arise so many euils , so many mischiefs , destructions , and confusions , as it may be called a much greater plague , then that which ariseth by the most infected ayre .

The olde prouerbe is , Such Carpenters , such chips , such Saints , such Relikes : and I beléeue ( indéed ) where a Generall is chosen vnskilfull , he lightly draweth about him Captaines and other Officers , as vnskilfull as himselfe , and then where the blind leades the blind , if they should performe any great enterprise , it might well be registred amongst other miracles of wonder . But I will not take vpon me in this place , to say how many abuses hath béene committed in the election of Captaines , and other Officers of the warre , I will leaue them till another occasion , and will here first speake of the choyce of the Generall himselfe , on whose skill and worthines ( immediatly after the permission of God ) the warre may bée said to be happy , or infortunate .

Since then the hope of winning or loosing doth so much depend in the Generall , by doing , or not doing his dutie , mée thinkes an Armie would bée much better mannaged vnder the conduct of two or thrée Generalls , and the Prince might hope of better successe in those seruices where he had seuerall to commaund , and not to trust ouermuch to one .

I will alwaies preferre the gouernment of one , because it is a gouernment most agréeable to nature : and if without presumption we may compare small marters with infinite , it is most agréeing to the example of the Almightie himselfe , who being but one God alone , gouerneth and ruleth vniuersally altogether : From hence it like wise séemeth meete , that the people of one Nation , should bee gouerned by one Prince .

But it happeneth many times , that in matters of doubt , there is not so much safetie in the opinion of one , as in the aduisement of many , because affection , or passion , either through anger , or through spight , or through lust , or by some other turbulent occasion , sooner entereth into the minde of one alone , then into a multitude .

But I say againe it is an easier matter to finde one alone to be good and wise , then to finde a great many : I could inferre presidents , but by former experience it hath bene found , that it is better for those that be good and honest , to liue vnder the gouernment of one Prince , though he should be seuere and halfe a tyrant , then to liue in those regiments where there are as many Kings , as there be Officers in authoritie : where there is more daunger in displeasing of a great man , then there is safetie in seruing of a Soueraigne .

Blessed say I , is that Regiment where the mightie oppressors are gouerned by one vertuous Prince , and not where the vertuous Prince is ouerruled by many great oppressors .

And as there is nothing more noysome so good subiects , then to haue many Kings in one dominion , so there is nothing more pernitious for a Prince , then to make seuerall Generals in one Army of equall principalitie : For where there are seuerall Commaunders of equall power and authoritie , if there be not contention for preheminence and superioritie , yet bée ●●re that the desire of glory will breake the necke of amitie betwéen them : & wher honor is to be atchieued , the valorous mind cannot endure to haue any sharers that shall diuide or participate with him in that glorious bootie .

But these contentions are euermore incident amongst the ambitious , and ambition is commonly an attendant to those great persons that are descended of Honorable linages : but Nobilitie in these dayes ( for the most parte ) haue layed aside the practise of Armes , she endeuoureth not ( as she hath done ) the déedes of Chiualry , wherby she is growen vtterly vnable to serue her Country , as in times past she hath bene : our ancestors made themselues noble by their Uertues , but now Nobilitie is best knowen by hir scu●●hins , she is become a seruant to pleasure , and hath geuen her self to idlenesse . Nobility in times past hath bene followed by Souldiers , but now she is haunted by flatterers : she hath countenaneed wise men , but now she suffereth her selfe to be seduced by those of little witte .

The wings of true Nobility to make her flie high , are the déedes of Chiualry , and being inlightened by martiall skill , maketh her to shine more cléere and light .

I know not any thing so certaine that carryeth with it a greater Maiestie , then for Nobilitie to make noble defence against such as compound the miseries of Ciuill warres , and to be great leaders against forraine Inuaders .

True Nobilite loueth glory , abiect Nobility loueth wealth : true Nobilitie scorneth that fortune that is vnaccompanied with Uertue , and seeketh out that danger which is attended by Honour : she desireth not to séeme but to be Noble , and rather to be a Lion amongst Hartes , then to be a Hart amongst Lions .

Nobilitie consisteth not in titles borowed from our progenitors , but is extinguished in him that onely hath wit to kéep mony , and no hart to win Honor : it is a title to a good man of great excellencie , but not to a wicked man of great infamie .

To conclude , true Honour onely leaneth to this , to deserue by noble deedes , to endeuour for her Countries good , to cherish the well deseruing of the Ualiant , to banish Fooles and Flatterers , to liue an excellent life , and not to shame nor shunne an honourable death .

Then who so fit to commaund an Army , as he that is Noble ? and the Art military is the principall profession for Nobilitie : as for all other qualities , they are but as ornaments to garnish the first : no not the studie of Sciences and learning it self , are but as complements to this glorious study of armes : As one demaunding of his friend whether he would rather wish to be Achylles or Homer , was answered ; Tell me thou thy selfe whether thou wouldest rather to be a Captaine or a Trumpeter ? but for him that is Noble , what tytle so honourable as to be called a great Souldier , vnlesse we care not to shewe our selues like vnto those that in learning will seeme to be men of warre amongst the ignorant , but amongst Souldiers , can but shewe themselues to be learned .

But where Nobilitie by her owne contemning this honorable profession , haue thereby made her selfe vnable to command , is not he then to be reputed noble & honorable both , who for the good of his country refuseth no danger , but is contented to hazard himself to the death , only to attain experience ?

What are we to looke after birth or parentage , when we see many times , persons that are but of a base degree , to be yet inuested with most high & noble gifts of Nature ?

These are to be commended and so receiue their reward , but vnfitting yet to beare this rule of an absolute Commander : for where Noblemen are inflamed with the desire of glory and renowne , those of meaner parentage do more desire to exceed in wealth then in worship ; for they haue neither true taste nor feeling of honor & renowne , but are rather inclined to a couetous humor ( which is the roote of all Impietie ) and leadeth them many times to neglect golden glory for gripple gain .

Then who is so dull of vnderstanding , but would be enflamed with the loue of Vertue , and would thinke himselfe most happy & blessed , to be gouerned by the wisdome & vertue of noble personages , whose desire is to haue the rule & gouernment of others , only for this consideration , that they might in their Office & gouernment , shew forth magnificent bountifulnesse , & impact such vertues vnto others , as with which their owne mindes are fraught & singularly furnished .

Yet Noblenesse hath euer bene honored by all men , because it standeth with reason that good should spring of good , and Vertue is most often succeeding in Noble blood : and the worthinesse of honorable ancestors craueth a reuerend regard to be had in their posteritie , where he that is but of meane or simple parentage , must endure much to aduance his reputation , and cannot raise his estimation but with that tediousnesse of time , which the Noble by birth shall attaine vnto in a moment : and the innovle may be sometimes inticed to Vertue , but not by the allurement of Vertue it selfe , but are rather prouoked vnto it by dread , or by compulsion , or sometimes perhaps in hope of preferment : and where Vertue is thus darkened with a wauering hope & a faint courage , it is brought low , and but créepeth by the ground , where the vertue of true Noblenesse ( indeed ) being pure and vndefiled , doth swiftly raise it selfe on high , and doth with confidence mount vp to the highest heauens .

I acknowledge that Nobilitie which as on a chiefe pillar is staied vpon Vertue : but where that pillar of Vertue is shaken and ouerthrowne , there Nobilitie it selfe must likewise fall to the ground : And I do further truly confesse , that he can do nothing gallantly , valiantly , or forceably , whose minde is not kindeled and inflamed with honourable desire .

Thus giuing Nobilitie her due , I preferre the Noble to be most worthy of this great commaund , knowing that the bare tytle is more effectuall to draw a reuerent regard , and to enforce a more dutifull obedience in an Army , then the largest Commission . A Prince may deuise to graunt to him that is but newly crept vp from a meane reputation or a slender account : And because I haue here spoken of a Commission , here now ariseth a doubt , whether it be behouefull for a Prince , for the benefit of his owne seruice , to prescribe a Commission to his Lieutenant or Generall , so tying him within certaine limits , that he may not passe the bounds of his commandment , whatsoeuer occasion might be taken for the benefit of seruice .