FIVE DECADES OF EPISTLES OF WAR.  
BY FRANCIS MARKHAM.  
〈…〉  
LONDON, Printed by Augustine Matthewes. Anno 1622.   

TO THE PRINCE.  
WHen I consider (Greatest of Princes and my most gracious Prince) that all men which pass their days in this World, with lose and untied Ends; (neither binding them to the King's Service, their Country's Profit, nor their own particular advancement) do but wander and go astray like weary Travellers lost on some wild and untract wilderness, and cannot be said to journey but to Toil. And when I see that an idle man is nothing else but the Devil's cushion, on which wickedness sits, whilst Sloth sleeps on his bosom, I could not then choose but rouse up my spirits to undertake some labour, which might both deliver me from this error, and (by calling back the account of my first times) show that there is something in me in the present which with a constant faithfulness desires to do your Highness and my Country service.  
War (gracious Sir) hath been ever my Mistress, and though I could not get so near her as I wished, yet I have ever loved her as I ought: and though I have not been worthy to participate with her Glory, yet she hath been pleased to deign me her bloody favours, and to fix them so sure, that (whilst I am) the Scars will never part from my body. Hence it comes, that I bring this sacrifice to her Altar, and only desire I may offer it up before your Goodness, making you (as you are) the great Captain of this honourable Band, which howsoever I here have ranked their Names, yet doubtless in their hearts will continually be a noble emulation who shall approach you nearest in the fervency of true Love, or the height of a worthy Admiration. The Subject (though peradventure darkened by my blunt Language) is worthy your most Princely attention: for War is only proper to Princes, since they (and none but they) may (under God) defend their own by the Sword, relieve their oppressed neighbours with the Sword, cut down all traitorous and rebellious weeds under the Sword: and lastly, acquire great Conquests, & enjoy true Fame through the Sword; for indeed but they for themselves, and others by their Authority, none else may draw the Sword.  
It is true (mighty Sir) that your thrice worthy Father my dread Sovereign hath sheathed his Sword, and by his sacred Wisdom saved the blood of many Christians, all his levels (as by his own unimitable pen is protested) are at true Piety, and God which is best pleased with Peace, hath crowned his days with such Peace, that War could not bring any of his progenitors the midway to his glory: his Peace and Patience (in the days of our admired Elizabeth) made his passage smooth & easy to his lawful Inheritance, & he entered the Throne with such an universal joy, and applause of his people, that the admiring French cried out in amazement, What without a Blow, O wonder! But this was God, and by him hath his Majesty shut up every back door that could let in Division: yet how long this Peace shall continue God in his wisdom (not man) is able to reckon. I know though Lycurgus made his Laws constant by War, yet Numa made his more happy by Peace, & though the first may endure yet the later shallbe more eternal, and both of necessity must still lodge near to remembrance. It was josephs' counsel, In plenty to provide for dearth, and in peaceable times to secure Arms is no needles consideration. It is not doubted but a wise Prince may govern the world with an Olive Branch (for so did the Romans) yet when the sword comes, the bough must yield; for the leaf can but persuade, 'tis the Steel which must enforce, and where both are united, there ever is Tranquillity most fair & most flourishing; Your Highness is an Heir of many kingdoms, and may justly have occasion to command many swords, either to recover your right in foreign parts, or relieve your friends in other parts; and though we enjoy the sweetness of Peace, and pray continually for the preservation of the same peace, yet must not War be made altogether a stranger: but as it is said of Death, To prepare for it, gives no approach unto it: so to prepare & be ready at all times for war, is no frost that can nip the pleasant blossoms of peace, for both are the handmaids of Kings, the one bears his Commandments, the other his Love, the one makes him powerful amongst his neighbours, the other rich amongst his own people: So that taking the true poise of this Subject, to whom can I better offer this Tribute, then to your gracious self (not as an addition to your knowledge (fare be such arrogance) but as an Advocate to plead my duty) in whom all perfections flow to so entire an excellence, that Art and Nature have left in themselves no power to promise any thing beyond you: Be therefore (Gracious Sir) pleased to protect this poor endeavour of your plain Soldier, and how ever it comes (like Truth) naked into the world, yet let it find shelter in the Shadow of your Royal Countenance; First in respect you are the undoubted Heir of my dread King, and so I your vassal own you all my Goodness; next, in regard War is my subject, whose Triumphs I hope shall evermore attend you; and lasty, for your own dear virtue's sake which is the Food, Life and Soul of every Soldier. To this and only this great Senate of your divine perfections I humbly submit my Labours, beseeching the God of Heaven and Earth to bless your Highness with all true and perfect happiness to the Glory of his great name, the good of his Church, and the unspeakable Comfort of the King, and us that are his People.  
Ever vowed to your Highness in all dutiful service. FRANCIS MARKHAM.   

THE PREFACE  
Works of this Nature (in different Sir what ever you be) as they are not without many difficulties, so they seldom or never pass without many differing Censures, and those always led according to the Opinions of such as govern them; some being full of merciful Interpretation, some of scornful Pity, and some of Severity, which it is no Injustice to call Tyranny. Any or all which since I have made myself liable unto them by this Publication, blame me not if I seek to reduce them to their noblest and best Countenances by my just and unfeigned excuses.  
It is true that I never had a daring to think there was an absolute perfection in any of my labours; for I knew mine own Strength, and the many Precipices, which lay before me, into some of which I must necessarily fall, though not through the rudeness of Ignorance, yet for some especial ends to which I had tied myself almost by a Legal condition: and therefore having no refuge but this PREFACE, let me be held excusable, if I make it yield Reasons for such escapes, as those which are not familiar with my Bosom, may take for Mistake.  
And of these the first which I think will be called unto memory, is some Misplacing or Errors in my Range, as namely, the omission of that Noble and Virtuous Lady, the Lady Dispenser, who although she may truly challenge the first place in this Roll of Nobility, and that both her own Goodness, and her Sons most noble parts, together with a strong Bond of Blood by which I am bound, ties me rather to hunt and find out any thing that might add to their Greatness, then lose or let pass the least tittle belonging to their true Honour; yet in as much as the tenderness of her sex, and the unfit proportions which are betwixt her and a Subject of this harsh, rough, and unpleasant nature, tells me how unproper such applications have ever been held both in all times past, and in these which are now present amongst us, I could not but imagine such an omission rather an ornament to Order, than an abatement of any due which is proper to virtue.  
Next this, the Ranging of the Earl of CASTLE-HAVEN, the Viscounts of COLCHESTER and ROCHFORT, as also the two noble Heirs of WORCESTER and SUFFOLK, may draw on some curious exception, because I have ranked them but as Barons, and as they sit in Parliament, whereas their places contain an higher estimation. To these exceptions I have Appologized in the Proems of their Epistles; but for a further satisfaction: true it is, that these Epistles (though but now published) yet were written long before, and at such time as the Range was proper (to most of them) without any serious exception. Besides, I must confess I have written another Semi Centurie of Epistles appertaining only to Honour, which I consecrate to the greater Nobility, and in them already have ranged the Greatest; therefore to have omitted these (being men of such noble worth and antiquity) how ever mine error now be pardonable, it had then been past excuse. Hence it is, I have rather made choice to be too bold with some, then to neglect others, and howsoever in some places I may be thought to skip or take too large strides, leaping over some, to attain others, yet it is neither partiality, nor singularity in affection; but rather a compelled Method which I must pursue out of the duty I own to the greatness of Place and Virtue. Besides, having confined myself to the true proportion of Decades, & those Decades iumping into a just Semi-Centurie of Epistles, whose number is fifty two and no more, I must either break the whole frame of mine intended Building, or else leave some names to an after-remembrance, at which if any repine, saying mine own liberty might have bestowed on me a limit of more largeness: to that I must ingeniously confess, that howsoever I might have assumed more labour, yet I could have hardly (in this subject) found out more fit matter: for having made my Mounture as high as the General, it was not in me to seek to ascend above it, least stepping but one hairs breadth beyond my knowledge, I might so have fallen back with disgrace, and ruin'd my whole labour.  
Some peradventure (yet but the ignorant) may condemn, or at least question why I elected this manner of writing in Epistles, rather than other Forms, which are now more frequent amongst us, to which I answer, That I took this way for the most ancient, best, and noblest Precedent: and having in myself a freedom of choice, I held that Ambition, an honest and praiseworthy Desire, which conducted me to follow those Steps which so many renowned and famous men have not only pursued, but also left unto the world as a rule worthy our Imitation: for thus in Epistles write many of the excellentest Philosophers, as Tully, Seneca, and a world of others: Thus writ the best Poets, as Ovid, Horace, Marshal, and the like: thus have Kings written, as Dionysius: thus have Emperors written, as Aurelius: thus have Popes written, thus have Bishops; nay, thus have the sacred Fathers of the Church written: and thus have writ the most blessed Apostles.  
Lastly, (for every small Moat appears a Beam to the eye of Curiosity) some may except against some little literal, and indeed no faults escaped in the Printing: to which I can but say, that if our Language (which questionless is now as perfect, as significant, and as glorious as any other) stood upon its own groundwork without the Bases of other Dialects, than there might be one ready, certain, and high way in which to walk and find out true Orthography, but the French will challenge multiplicity of Letters, the Italian gloriousness in sound, the Dutch a filling of the mouth, the Latin his purity, and the Greek his mystery: so that indeed to satisfy all, is more than many men's labours; and I must beg, if any small escapes happen to encounter with your eyesight, let a favourable mercy cure it, and I shall not only be thankful, but praise a nature which is accompanied with so honest a patience.  
F. M.   

A Table containing all the principal heads and Arguments handled in this Book.  

THE FIRST DECAD.  
THe motives to this Worke. 1  
The Necessity of War. 5  
The glory of a Soldier. 9  
The Honour of a Soldier. 13  
The Virtues of a Soldier. 17  
The Reward due to Soldiers. 21  
Voluntaries. 25  
Levying of Soldiers. 29  
Arming of Shot. 33  
Arming Pikes. 37   

THE SECOND DECAD.  
THe Oath of a Soldier and Distribution. 41  
Sentinels. 45  
Rounders. 49  
Clerks and Harbingers. 53  
Dummes and Phiphes. 57  
Lanspesadoes. 61  
Corporals. 65  
Sergeants. 69  
Ensign. 73  
Lieutenant. 77   

THE THIRD DECAD.  
OFficers of cavalry. 81  
Master Gunner 85  
Trenchmaster. 89  
Waggon-master. 93  
Forrage-master. 97  
Victuall-master. 101  
Provost-marshall. 105  
judge-marshall. 109  
Scout-master. 113  
Lieutenant of the Ordnance. 117   

THE FOURTH DECAD.  
MVster-Master 121  
Quartermaster. 125  
Captain of pioneers. 129  
Captain of Foot. 133  
Captain of Horse. 137  
Sergeant-major of a Regiment 141  
Lieutenant Colonel of Foot. 145  
Lieutenant Colonel of Horse. 149  
Four Corporals of the Field. 153  
Counsel of War. 157   

THE FIFTH DECAD.  
Colonel of Foot. 161  
Colonel of Horse. 165  
Sergeant-major General. 169  
Colonell-Generall 173  
Lieutenant General of Horse. 177  
Treasurer. 181  
Master of the Ordinance 185  
Marshal. 189  
Lieutenant General. 193  
General. 197    


TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE AND NOW FIRST BARON EDWARD NEVIL Lord Aburgavennie.  
THE ARGUMENT. The Motives to this Worke.  
WHen (my good Lord) I intended this work, and had fixed with myself a resolution to range in this Battalion, the noble Troop of all our surviving English Barons, in such sort as I had formerly seen in some other Precedents; Me thought the leading of the Right hand File did properly point at your Lordship, both in respect the Subject is much too rough and unpleasant for the well tuned ears of fearful and modest Ladies, as also that the clangor and shrill noise of the trumpet and drum, are rather full of affright than pleasure, & do sooner astonish than delight the tender softness of a sweet Lady: so that under your Lordship's name I must cover both your kinswoman and your own greatness; and to you in this Epistle give a brief account of those especial Motives which have stirred me up to undertake and perform this labour, in such sort as it is here (though bluntly and plainly) yet with all truth and care faithfully effected.  
I must confess, I neither expect nor wish for greater privilege than others have found which have run before me in Tracts of the like nature, but ever stand ready to receive the Battery of Censure and Opinion, only from the daring ignorant, pray hearty for some help and assistance; for they never hold fair quarter, but still carry poison in their weapons, whereas judgement and Learning are ever noble and like Achilles, if they hurt yet cure again in the same instant. Me thinks I hear one question how a man unlearned, and having spent so long a time in the wars, could find leisure to arm himself for others instruction, or how where few or no Books are, yet Books should thus be daily created; another objects, how I (having attained no greater place than the Title of private Captain) can find out Rules by which to direct and govern more public and powerful Officers, and the last (though not the least in the bundle of Envy) demands how I dare profess this Trade of making Booke-Souldiors, as if the Art of War were not better attained by Practice than Contemplation; to all which I must return this one joint and entire answer; first, it is not unknown to those which best know me, that I was ever a lover of the Muses, and as I spent my Summer Progress in the wars, so I consumed my Winter's quiet in the wholesome delights of foreign Academies; and if I be any way short in Scholarlike perfection, questionless the defect proceeds much rather from mine own dulness, than desire to rest at that point which might in some sort express me a Scholar. Thirty and odd years I have spent abroad in these employments; and sure the Prenticeship is so sufficient, that a very dull Mechanic might in that space have writ himself Master of his occupation, and the greatest truant (much sooner a willing mind) might without wonder in that time attain to the highest degree in the gravest Study: and questionless this I must say for the Wars, that even in Garrisons and Camps, I have profited more by conference with noble Spirits, than by any private Meditation, though penned with the greatest lustre: so that joining together Practice and Observation, had I been duller than Malice could wish me, yet I could not but have made much use of my deservings, and finding it Honestum, Vtile, Delectabile, how could mine Admiration choose but still search to find out the perfection? For this Ne Suitor ultra, I have seen so many undertake (of men which never saw the Wars) pass with that applause and reverence, that I imagined, although my Survey was never so little, yet I might more freely labour in this work, and make mine experience of greater force, both for mine own knowledge, and others satisfaction. Again, howsoever my Fortune hath stayed in the middle way or half path to Greatness, yet hath both my Blood and it made me worthy to commerce and confer with great persons, and to observe the greatest Actions: so that marrying to mine own Readins the manage of their approved wisdoms, I could not be so weakly fortified, as to make doubt of mine own strength, or to suppose it is not able to bear me a much higher pitch than at this time mine Ambition will give me leave to presume. Lastly, for the title of a Booke-Souldier (than which there is not a more distasteful sound to the ear of a military Professor) I confess a mere Phormio is unfit to tutor Hannibal, and a mere Aiax (which hath nothing but his anger) is less fit than Ulysses to wear Achilles' armour; but there must ever be such a perfect mixture in the composition which is made between them, that the Soldier must never be without one cup of the Muses Nepenthe, nor the Scholar so unnimble, but that at any command he may be able to dance a Lavolta to the tune of the Cannon, Caesar must be able to write his Commentaries, and Tully know how to put on his Armour when Rome is ready to be fired.  
That the Subject itself must lie at the mercy of Censure, the very Times do allow it: for Peace hath made up her garland with such sweet Flowers, that the bitterness of Laurel is not to be digested, and every one can say to his companion, Take down your harps again, and hang up your Arms on the willows: break no sleeps with your drums, nor let the barbed Steed either spurn the earth, or chide the bit which restrains him: let Soldiers now turn Tradesmen; for Minerva hath cast away her lance, & the Book of the seven Arts is become both her play-mate and pillow. Is not janus' temple now closed, and yet shall War speak loud to affright us? hath not this land been harrowed many years with Romans, Saxons, Danes and Normans? have not ourselves within ourselves in the Baron's wars, and in the mighty divisions of York and Lancanster spent blood enough? hath not the injuries of France, the revenge of Spain, and the falsehood of Ireland opened wounds enough, but that now when God hath sent us a peaceable Prince, a hopeful Issue, happy Union, and a general calmness with all that dwell fare or near about us, shall we now sing of war, or let the sound of the drum thunder amazement amongst us? O no 'tis a labour needless, and a service thankless. Well, all this I confess, and more than this will solemnly affirm, that Peace is the sweetest tune which ever warbled in a Christians ear, even sacred from heaven: for it is said, I will leave my Peace with you; most desired of good men, and such a blessing to us that enjoy it, as searching amongst all the Treasures both of heaven and earth, none is found to mankind more dear or precious; so that we are infinitely bound to praise God, and pray for the King, by whose mercy and wisdom we have found so gracious a possession.  
But because Peace is to be desired, shall War be utterly neglected; because we enjoy the sweet taste of Tranquillity, shall we cast away the wholesome bitterness of War, or because the Summer quarter hangs upon us, shall we think Winter will rot on the Sky, and stand in need of no provision, God forbidden: the world and her projects tells us the contrary; nay, the Saviour of the world hath prophesied to the contrary, affirming that At the end of the world there shall be wars and rumours of wars, and therefore howsoever we are now blest with an heavenly possession of Peace, yet we are but Tenants at will, and these secure times best fit martial meditations. War is the teeming mother, and doth in as much abundance bring forth Soldiers, as Peace doth decay them; and questionless since both are alike incertain to our apprehensions, it is needful we be equally provided for either's entertainment, and to understand that as Piety, Poverty, Humility, Love and Unity breed Peace, so from her may descend Plenty, Pride, Contempt and Discord, the foster children of War and Distemper: for there must ever be vicissitudes and changes amongst men which are mortal: so that I conclude, In these quiet times there cannot be a more necessary watchword than Arma virumque cano, nor in the heat of fury a sweeter salutation than Pax vobis: the motto of life is Memento mori, the sound of death, Arise to judgement: He that will live, must learn how to die; and he that will die, must learn how to live eternally. These considerations have set an edge on my desires, and so fortified my Resolution, that it is not able to sink under any other persuasion, or if it would, yet are there many other inducements and motives, which would still keep life in my first opinion, as my duty to God, my service to my Prince and Country, and mine endeared affection to my private friends and companions, to all which as I am bound by several engagements; so to them all I must give several accounts of the several rights, their merits and worths may truly challenge from me. God himself hath professed an exacting the account of Talents, and that strictly; My Prince (by whose sacred providence we enjoy our tranquillity, every man resting under his own Vine in safety, and feeding on his Figtree with delight and pleasure) will expect that we (in our lower callings) show both obedience and will to preserve the Peace his wisdom hath planted; my Country from her Natives cannot demand a less rend than their endeavours; and my friends to whom I am bound for civil commercement, must either taste the benefit of my wel-taken pains, or hold me ingrateful. These are the motives which have fixed me to this labour, and hence I have assumed this Method of writing these short Essays or Epistles, being a form both exact and ancient, found out by the gravest Fathers, followed by the rarest Orators, allowed by all Modern Writers, and left as a Precedent unto us by the best Authors: So that being cleansed both from Innovation and ostentation, having in it a general profit, and a particular end to goodness, being all men's aim, all men's advancement; I doubt not but it will appear fair to your Lordship and to your noble Rank, having this Maxim still to keep my hope in safety, that Bonum est quod omnes appetunt.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE AND GENEROUS MERVIN TOUCHET Lord Audley now Earl of CASTLE-HAVEN.  
The Argument. The necessity of War.  
I Go not about (my Lord) in this Epistle, either to awake your courage, or instruct your knowledge, but rather to recount unto you those Rules and Arguments, to which both your own and your Ancestors actions may give most true and lively examples: Therefore howsoever I shall be forced like the Dogs on the banks of Nilus to feed running and but catch here and there at these dangerous waters, yet if your Lordship shall be pleased to take them to a constant consideration, I doubt not but they shall deliver you matter worthy both of your delight and study.  
It is true, that in my former Epistle I have slightly pointed at the necessary care which belongs to this military Art, even in the quietest and most secured times. It behoves me now to show the necessity both of the Art and thing itself not only at other times, but all times, for it is a profession Sine qua non, and is as old as the world: for as Perfection entered, Flattery followed, and Force drove both out of that blessed habitation. When the world was so poor, that it had but three men only, yet one of them then slew his brother, and as the world grew riper, so force increased, and (as some of the first Rabbins affirm) ambitious Lamech slew his grandsire Cain with an arrow, which was ever accounted a military weapon: and although this prove not a lawful necessity, yet it infers that when the sword is in the hand of a wicked possessor, than violence and outrage follow and pursue one another, till noble War, and his best friend Fortitude either restrain their fury, or punish their trespass: for this is war needful, and hence it comes that the ruling Sword ought ever to be swayed by justice arm, for it is the power of the Law which doth reason to all men, and the measure of Right which shares out things by a just and equal proportion. I confess it were a note of excellent modesty, if (as Tully persuaded) the Sword would give place to the Gown, and it might well be assumed, as greater Hosts (in their own houses) give precedency to meaner Guests, or as we say of doting parents, that they are content to be made Fools by the wit of their children. But to ascribe it as a due or right, is not right: for the Gown can but meditate and say, In justice this aught to be done, when the Sword saith, For justice sake this is done.  
It is not to be argued but a mere Scholar deserves much better than a mere Soldier, in as much as the head is a wealthier member than the Arm, but the compounded man which consisteth of equal and excellent parts, is fare above them both; for he sees and doth, knows and can execute; An head armless, or an Arm headless, makes but up a lame Commander; Isadas rashness finds shame instead of Laurel, and Xerxes' Cowardice (though it know how to  the Ocean with Ships) runs from the Persians with reproach and dishonour; It is true that the Orators in Rome (by the name of Senators) did long time sway that Infinite Empire, giving Laws to Peace, and Rules to War, Kings governed as they commanded, and Generals fought as they directed. But when Caesar returned to Rome, and was adorned both with knowledge and action, who then durst withstand him? nay though he affected the Diadem, (an ambition of all others most hateful to their natures) yet who but obeyed him? did Brutus? did Cassius? did Tully? did Cato? did any in the large Beadrole of his fatal Conspirators, by eloquence reclaim him? no, 'twas with Poniards, force evermore must master force, and it is the violent stroke of one nail which evermore must drive out the other, Caesar was a Cedar, not a Willow, he that would bring him down must lay the Axe to his root, not bend his top with an Engine; It is certain the Romans used all the art of practice, all secrecy in Treason, and all the shame in Libels; they had cunning enough to let the people know Caesar's faults and their own losses, they could put Freedom in his best Garments, and make Profit appear as glorious as an Angel, yet all was but as dust scattered in the wind, and 'twas only the Stab, and nothing but it alone that prevailed, To descend nearer to our own familiar knowledge, what Senator is there which ever lived, or what Orator that ever pleaded, who giving Sentence on a delinquent, could by force of his eloquence persuade the wretch to run himself to the Gallows, put on the noose and leap from the Ladder with Dulce quia sponte, no; life is a dearer companion to man's nature, and when that is forfeit, the Sheriff (which is his country's Soldier) must with his armed Band, compel him to the bloody Altar▪ and as in this, so in all cases whatsoever, that are allied to Compulsion, whether it be the execution of writs, obedience to laws, the settling of Estates and Manners; where the conscience will not be persuaded, there the Sword must enforce and use his commandment; Should foreign enemies upon false suggested Titles invad us, our swords (under God) must defend us? should our Sovereign's lose any part of their lawful Rights, our Swords are bound to regain them? should Traitors like Hydra's, increase by killing, yet must the Sword suppress them? should Rebels spring like the growth of the Dragon's teeth, yet must the Sword consume them? and should our Neighbours or allies be oppressed, or true religion suppressed, yet must our Swords maintain them? so that we may conclude in all cases whatsoever, whether Fas or Nefas, either to strengthen justice, or weaken injury, to guard Virtue, or to combat Vice: yet there is a strong necessity why the Sword should still be required.  
Let us therefore give the Sword his due, and say it is the eldest son of Honour, and let us give that Royal Commander his deserved admiration, who though he have sheathed his own, and almost all the Swords in Christendom, yet still stands fortified with so powerful a preparation; that with them of Colen, the whole world may cry out, it is a madness to think to resist a Prince so good, so wise, and so fortunate; War never had so many Schools in the time of Troubles, as his Peace hath Academies to express the depth of Martial discipline; every man now is more than a master in that brave Art, and Infants and Children as they are going to the school, can teach one another the use of Weapon, March, Motion and Posture; so that strangers and foreign Nations have been heard to say, What will the English do? if this continue, every child like Hercules will be able to kill a Serpent in his Cradle.  
But to proceed again to the necessity of this design, and to show that Peace should be nothing else but a foster Nurse unto Soldiers, take a Survey of all Governments, whether Assyrians, Persians, Greeks' or Romans, and we shall see that the Peace which they enjoyed at home, ever brought them forth those Soldiers which conquered abroad, for War is a devourer, and only desires action, gives little leisure to meditation. Or to come a little nearer to ourselves, let us look into the deeds of great Henry of France, and we shall see that though the Arsenal of Paris, had in five and twenty years seen four mighty preparations yet was the last (which had enjoyed the longest peace) the greatest and most transendent, being (as the Duke of Suylly reported) of that infinite space and largeness, that the first day it was knit together, it seemed both to promise victory, and to sing the triumph, and the Terror was so great, that it struck jealousy into all the King's friends, and fear amongst his enemies, for the Sword was drawn that might command; but no man knew to whom it would speak; power and valour, like thunder in the hand of jupiter, was ready to fall in a twinkling, yet was no enemy seen, no peace broken, no war proclaimed. This was the ability of a right peace, and by these helpful provisions, he became both feared, beloved and admired: what shall we say of the peace in the Netherlands, but that every day it hath almost begot them a new army, and every night enticed to the Seas an invincible Navy; So that through providence they are becomed so infinitely rich, both in the one and the other provision, that of them may be said, as was said of the Secular Triumphs, Come and see that which was never seen, and which no man living ever thought to see; a Nation that stood in need of all, now needed of all, and she that was taught of all, now teaching all others; this wonder hath peace wrought, and this profit have they gained by exercising peace with a hurtless Matiall employment; I could infer as much for Spain, and say that her peace at home, bred her Soldiers to guard her get abroad, and that neither the unwholesomeness of the Equinoctial line, nor the uninhabited Tropycks (so much feared of our forefathers) hath had so much power to consume men; as martial discipline (in times of calmness) hath had strength to revive them, and like the best Alchemy to make infinites grow from a single seed or projection.  
To conclude then, (for the necessity of War was never accounted a Paradox) Armes and soldiery are the Chronicles of Princes, the hazards of Battles their theatres, and the justice of their warlike cause their Honour, Perfection and Triumph; so that he which will live long in men's memory, must build this Pyramed whereon his name must stand, strong, upright and even; he that will fill his Theatre with shouts and plaudyties, must grapple with Lions and Tigers, and he that will triumph in perfection, must have all the four virtues chained to himself, not to his Chariot, so shall his arms be lawful and needful; and howsoever the curious may account him a mean Captain, yet shall not the whole world produce the Character of a better, a more needful or a more renowned Soldier.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE AND GRAVE COUNSELLOR EDWARD Lord ZOUCH, Lord Warden of the Cinque ports, etc.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the Glory of a Soldier.  
SInce in the Time passed we have no interest at all, and in that of the present we can challenge no more but an Instant, how behooveful is it (noble Sir) for every man to be careful to what ends his Employments aim, that the expense thereof may return both an acceptable rent to such as may challenge his Service, and also some glory to himself, by leaving behind those parcels which may give others cause of honest Imitation. This (my Lord) hath directed me into this path which now (with all earnestness) I follow, and this emboldeneth me to send this Epistle to your Lordship, to give you a just account of my Time, Study, and Service, which as it is not altogether a Stranger, so I hope it may a little revive again those thoughts, which howsoever you may be pleased to lay by, yet I know you will never utterly forsake or abandon.  
I have in the former Epistle shown the necessary use both of War, and the Soldier, and that as the main Columbe of a Commonwealth, it keeps all estates upright and even. Now I am to ascend to the Glory thereof, than which there is not any flame of profession whatsoever that can aspire beyond it, or of the goodness of his fires make a Star more fixed and enduring: for as all Arts are sooner attained then this, by quiet study, warm ease, and sound rest, neither perplexing the mind, nor putting the body in danger: so the Soldier (whose ends are ever high and great) finds difficulty in all his designs, dangers in his attempts, and death both the Crown and Song of his Conquest and Triumph: nor are they suitable to any particular proportion, but even married and allied to every warlike action; as, whether with Alexander he seek the conquest of the world, or with Hannibal strive but to defend a particular city: for Soldiers cannot march fare sitting still, nor compass much with poor endeavours, as their aims are great, so must be their actions and as their desires are infinite, such must be their dangers: which considered, it must necessarily follow, that their glory ought fare to exceed all others. Soldiers are for the most part men of great and incomparable Spirits, which is such a glorious Garment, and so precious a jewel wherewith to adorn Virtue, that it sets her forth in the highest degree of all excellency and perfection, where on the contrary, base, low, little and strait minds, who have nothing of price in them but life, not any thing wise but their fears, nor any Bounty more than a continual affection to worldly riches. These are in no sort fit for employments of this Marshal and high nature. The true Soldier takes Scipio for his example, and is like him, spare of speech and ever musing; looks upon Sallust, and with him is secret in his counsels, but open in his actions; and admires Furius Camillus, with whom he is neither puffed up by any success in Fortune, nor yet abashed or dejected, though his designs run never so desperately to ruin and disorder. Hence it comes, that the greatest Princes style all men of War their Fellow-soldiers; and the meanest amongst them (in the way of Vassalage) disdain to serve the greatest persons, well may they serve under them, but cannot be truly said to serve them: their hands they may command to use the Sword, not to carry a Trencher; their minds they may inflame with courage, not quench with flattery; and their bodies they may sacrifice to Glory, but not offer up either to their Lusts, Pride, or Ambitions.  
All Wars are either Offensive or Defensive, to invade others, or preserve themselves, either of which no man ought to undertake but for a glorious purpose. To God belongeth our actions, to him therefore and his Glory ought all War to be dedicated: For Wars offensive or Invading, they must ever be either to plant God's Name and Christian Religion amongst us, or else to regain those Rights and Dominions, which (formerly being given from God) have been injuriously taken and withheld from the true and lawful owners: and of this we have plentiful examples in holy Writ, both in the Stories of Moses, josua, David, and the Maccabees, of which (if we should speak particularly) some have been commanded by Gods own mouth to make wars, to destroy, yea to take no Truce, but to kill every living Soul: others have themselves assumed Arms, to these ends, and by these examples; and some have regained their unjust losses by a lawful War, under a divine authority. As these, so other great minds (though much less in true holy knowledge, and with a much scanter Warrant) furnished with great success, have embarked themselves into great actions, and preposing humane ends, as Scales to their high Thoughts, have become gloriously victorious in the world; as Ninus in the first age, Cyrus in the second, Alexander in the third, and Caesar in the fourth: all these have had glorious ends, and famous Names, and their memory will continue whilst Time hath continuance. But when I fix them against the Sunshine of Christian and godly Captains, such as was our first Richard in the Holy land, Bourbon before Rome, Great Henry of France against the League, or our renowned Henry's of England pulling their Birthrights from such as usurped them: then me thinks like new Stars they are either lost at their first finding, or like eclipsed lights have in themselves no beauty but such as is borrowed.  
The Glory which appertains to a perfect Soldier is of a twofold Nature, the one Terrestrial, the other Celestial: of the first no doubt every Heathen Conqueror will be a glorious partaker, and memory shall keep their memories, as long as Marble, Brass, or the leaves of Books shall endure: But the Champions of the Almighty shall be glorified for ever and ever, both here in the world, and after beyond all worlds. First therefore let Gods Battles be fought, for that is the Tithe of our duties: Next, our Princes, for that is the Rent of our Service: and lastly, our Countries, for that is the Fee due from our Gratitude: and in these two latter obligations there ought to be such a correspondence with Goodness, that Princes ought not to engage themselves in any action without God, because God will not command us any employment but by the Prince, whom he hath assigned his Deputy, forbidding us War but for the King, and not to dare (in any semblance whatsoever) to levy or raise Arms, but by and at the especial commandment of the King: for so glorious is the profession of a Soldier, that it is only to be raised for God by the King. Subjects in other things have great Privileges, in this they are confined, for War is God's great business, and whosoever leads, he still should be General.  
Now for wars Defensive (which questionless are more warranted) they have likewise most glorious ends: For when God hath given to a people a Prince either by just Conquest, or lawful Succession, if then the violence of Tyranny, the falsehood of Treason, or the greediness of Ambition, seek to subvert and dispossess what God hath planted: O how justly then are Arms assumed, and how infinite is the Glory which depends on so noble a Reformation! Slaughter (a thing most odious to God and Nature) in this case Heaven doth not only permit it, but command it; and men-killers in this service shall be crowned not alone with Oak, but with Laurel; nay to such perfection they attain, that men dying with wounds of this virtuous nature, like so many Martyrs (with their last gasp) they are borne triumphantly into heaven: I mean not those wicked Darers, which make the Wars their whore, on whom they vent the pollutions of their swaggering Natures, making Rapine, Riot, and Disorder the three cornered cap to cover the head of their purpose. But such as undergo the cause of Conscience, whose Warrant is from God, and whose actions are moved by a solid and steadfast duty fixed on their Prince and Country. These doubtless (how great soever the stream of Blood be which they spill) shall shine with Martyrs at the last day; yea, though accompanied with weaknesses of more than a tolerable proportion, yet is the cause so good, that their hope cannot choose but ascend to an infinite measure.  
To conclude then mine Epistle; if both in wars Offensive and Defensive the cause be so good, and the action so full of Splendour, how much Glory ought to be ascribed unto them: as the glory of apparel and ornaments of person, Crowns and Plumes, Scarves and Garlands, Glory of the living (as great men's praises, and mean men's admirations,) and Glory of the dead (as Tombs and Colosses, Achivements, Hearses, Temples, Trophies, and eternal Epitaphs) this they purchase with Blood, this they deserve by Virtue; this makes them beloved at home, and redoubted abroad; this makes good Princes seek them, and bad Princes fear them; and this who not affords them, must to himself afford, He is not virtuous.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE AND MARTIAL ROBERT BARTVE Lord Willoughby of Eresbie.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the true Honour of a Soldier.  
Howsoever your Lordships own experience being apparelled in all the richest garments belonging to the noble art of War, (as Observation in executions, Consideration in Counsels, and wisdom in the election of the one or the others advantage) may make mine Epistle appear naked, or at least but thinnly clad in respect of your greater knowledge; yet when I see how the greatest Captains have been inflamed with their Soldier's actions, and that Alexander from a silent muse, would run into a martial distraction at the warlike sound of the Ionian music, how ever strooke by the hand of a mean musician; I could not but add courage to my labour, and rather enlarge my desires then abate them, knowing that who sings to the skilful, shall ever reap praise or instruction, but to play to the rude and not knowing, Scorn is his portion, for betwixt ignorance and art, no virtue yet could make a perfect reconcilement. To you then (my Lord) that are a Soldier, to you that know a Soldier, and to you that love a Soldier I send this Soldierly salutation, which howsoever the weakness of words may deface; yet your Lordship shall fiind it hath an honest aim, and though it hit not the Bird in the eye, yet I doubt not but it will be so direct it will shed some of her feathers.  
If any Range of persons in the world deserve true honour, it must needs be the Soldier; for as his disposition holdeth the nearest alliance to it, so doth his merits by an infallible Interest, justly and truly claim it; for the very Basse or Ground whereon all his actions are built, must be nothing else but goodly pieces of honourable and noble perfection. The protection of Ladies, the defence of Orphans, the relief of Widows, to help the good, to ease the grieved, and to make strong the weak; all these are noble designments, and to these all soldiers are tied by a thousand chains of virtues making; Nay, if the weak contend with him, he is bound (as the servant of Honour) either to yield, or at least (though with loss) to come to a fair composition; Flint striketh not fire out of wool but out of Steel, nor must the Soldier dart his flames down on the Rivers, but send them up to reflect on the mountains, his heart must be undaunted when he meets with power; but soft and vulnerable when it grapples with disability, this made Numa appease jupiter with heads of garlic, not heads of men; and this made Alexander execute the rigour of his vow rather on the Ass then on his keeper, and hence came that heroic and memorable saying that Mercy pardoneth those who have not deserved it, and the juster that wrath is, the more commendable is Mercy; all the quarrels of Soldiers must be Just, for no occasion must enforce him to undertake an unworthy thing, he must war for God, his Prince and Country oppressed; not for envy, displeasure, or to make his bounds without limit, he must be moved for goodness self, not gain (which moves every merchant or peasant) and when all the virtues of a soldier have brought him to the top of felicity, yet must not the prosperity of his affairs, any thing withdraw his mind from the love of peace and a laudable friendship, and to this the very heathens may give rules to our christian Nations, for thus warred Scipeo in Affirica, Scylla in Spain, and Caesar amongst the Gaulls, by this Augustus closed up the Temple of janus, and for this Tiberius sent Drasus to see the wars in Illyricum; and to conclude these noble entendments made Henry the great of France, to saue Paris when he might have spoilt it, & at Longevall when the desolation of all the stranger's army was in his power; and that with one breath he might have hewed them in pieces, even than he puts down his Pystoll and saved them saying, He would not let them suffer harm, which were not in case to do any.  
As thus there Actions ought to be honourable, so likewise must be their words and speeches, maintaining that Truth and justice in their language, as once being engaged under the faith of a Soldier; no danger or extremity whatsoever may have the least show or suspicion, either to change or abate it, this made Fabritius say that he which took away his enemy otherwise then by justice, or the event of war was a coward, and seemed to fear that which he should contemn; and this made Tiberius tell a Prince of the Celies, that Rome had a sword to kill with, not an apothecary's shop; this was it which ever made Marcellus invoke the Sun to gaze on his actions, and the contrary to this made the King of Bithynia a by word to all Nations, and an example of falsehood and the breach of hospitality.  
As the Actions and words of Soldiers must thus be compannioned with honour, so must also their thoughts and inward intentions; making their minds nothing else but neat and curious vessels wherein to carry the sacred liquor of care and precious Honour; nay their very affections and passions must be governed and swayed by honourable motions, they must love for honour, hate for honour, desire nothing but honour, and dare any thing for the defence of honour; If honour suffer or hang in the balance ready to be overswayed with the poise of injury, then must the soldier march through thick and thin, through fire, frost; floods and Seas: through shot, wounds, blood; nay even into the very jaws and devouring teeth of eminent and certain hazard, all for the reprieve of so dear a thing as innocent honour. And on the contrary part, if honour forbidden any attempt (how glorious and gracious soever in humane apprehension) yet must not then the noble Soldier dare to touch it, no not so much as bend a thought against it, were all the crowns and garlands in the world stackt down for his recompense; no lucre must entice him, no pleasure seduce him, nor any glory inchaunt him. Honour is the Soldier's Mistress, and her commandments are so sacred that it were high Treason to God, to nature and good manners to violate her least Statute; Besides he is so curious of disgrace, and so jealous of any imaginary imputation, that whosoever will enjoy her must be as careful and fearful to preserve her unspotted, Oh Sacred Honour thy knot is inviolable, and betwixt thee and virtue is such a faithful conjunction that no wisdom will, no Charm can, and no good Sword dare ever seek to divide you.  
But pause a little, for me thinks I hear some objections thundered against me? what? do all Soldiers enjoy Honour? no: nor do all deserve her? excellent were that Edict, if all that deserve her might enjoy her; what? is she then incertain? no neither; only she is coy in her wooing, and comes to her lovers after a sundry fashion; yet let no Soldier be discouraged, for whosoever truly doth deserve her; shall be sure to enjoy her, either here, or in a place of better residing; for there is no maxim truer than this, that men are full of blindness, and such as often have the distribution of Honour do sometimes mistake their mark, and hit a contrary object, yet notwithstanding whosoever truly deserveth; let him thus fare assure himself; he shall either find honour, in this world; or in the present, or in the future time, or (which is best of all) in another world, even to the uttermost length of the longest eternity.  
But doth the honour of a Soldier here take up its Inn and rest; hath it no other harbour but his Actions, Words and Thoughts? yes, the very gestures, shows and outward fashions of a Soldier must also be honourable, no look, no behaviour, no countenance whatsoever but like Achilles' Spear must both wound and heal, to his friends he must be amiable and cheerful, and throwing his beams of love into their bosoms, like Romulus' dart they must have the virtue to take root, and by no other strength be able to be removed, thus shall his sweetness draw and fix Souls inseparably unto him, and thus shall a noble popularity arm him with a love which no violence can conquer; to this sweetness of countenance, he must add the cheerfulness of his valour and by the examples of his person draw all hands to assist him, he must be the first in assaults and last in retraites, in all keeping such a composed harmony of distinct and noble parts, that from the characters of his well framed graces, all his followers may draw, Courage, Care or Controlment; On the contrary part, his countenance to his Enemy must be terrible, his blows heavy and frequent, his advantages so soon gained, and his disadvantages so soon perceived that the world in the least of these perfect things may know how to shape or model forth all the sundry parts of Honour, in the most compleatest perfection.  
To conclude this Epistle, he that shall thus link every faculty in him to Honour; shall be able in any assault of fortune whatsoever to express these three noble duties: first that of a King (showing authority and good fortune) then that of a Captain (ordering things speedily, wisely, without disorder, without danger) and last that of a Soldier making good every place where hazards are most liberally bestowed; this is a Soldier's Honour, and this is most excellent.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE AND HOPEFUL YOUNG GENtleman, HENRY WEST, Lord La-Ware.  
THE ARGUMENT. The Virtues of a Soldier.  
SInce (my good Lord) the Profession of a Soldier is necessary, his ends glorious, and his quality honourable, let us now enter into consideration what kind of person is fittest to undergo this excellent calling: and in this might be held an infinite disputation; but the rules of Symmetry lose here their proportion, I must therefore conclude that the fittest man to make a Soldier, is a perfect Gentleman: for generous Spirits are ever aptest for great designs; yet in respect multitudes compound armies, and that Gentlemen are not of that infinite increase in all parts to supply them; I must this affirm in the right of all Soldiers, that whose great mind soever willingly carrieth him to the embracing of this noble Profession, whatsoever his Birth be, his mind is generous; and although his employment may rest at the lowest degree of Fortune; yet upon the first apprehension of Virtue, equal justice should allow him the Style and Reward of a Gentleman of the Company. Next Birth, his Education should be liberal and free; neither in the servitude of Apprentices, nor baseness of Slaves, for both are badges of unworthiness. The earliest age to pass Musters, is at seventeen: for before the body is weak in performance, and after it will daily grow more mature till it attain to perfection. Loss of time is offensive, and as Hypocrates saith of Physic, so shall a Soldier find of the Wars, that it is Ars longa, Vita brevis. For his Size or Proportion, he would be wished generally, Strong, Active, Comely, and Perfect; and though of these all cannot be found to fill up all places, yet the more the better and fit for this purpose. The Wars (no doubt) can produce men which have weak Senses, and worse Limbs, yet commonly they are such on whom wounds in Service have bestowed those favours, and so are accounted no Scars but Glories; for Honour ever sets her Seal deep on her valiantest servants, and those which thus carry the stamp of great actions, are (for the most part) men of experience, and though fit for direction then execution, yet so behooveful for both, that without them sometimes the whole Body of Arms would reel and waver: But when I come to think of a mind befitting a Soldier, I can only say this, That how curious, costly, plain or deformed soever the Cabinet be, yet must it necessarily be filled with all manner of Virtues; Vice must be as that deadly foe with whom he will never make Truce, or ever capitulate; and the Bulwark to withstand her assaults, must be his Piety and Religion; under the guard of these he must find his security: for he who every day comes to hazard his life, had need be prepared for a good passage; he must be valiant (for that is a Soldiers proper virtue) valiant to conquer his Country's foes, and valiant to overthrow his own passions. What great attempt is done but by daring? Alexander that had swom over the arms of the Sea Helisponte, will not be stayed at the passage of the River Granicke; Caesar will be seen at Pharsalia, Augustus at Philippi, and Varro in Spain. To conclude, all the perfection of Fortitude in one Christian Soldier, Henry the great of France, will be seen to take Eaux, with but eight men in his company, and when a slave clapped his Harquebus to his bosom, saying, (Now I could) the King strooke it away with his Pistol, and replied, (But do what God will let thee.) At the taking of Cahors, the next unto him was slain, and when men's courages began to faint, it is said that his valour did like liquid Bitumen, set all on fire that were about him. At Nerac with ten horse he received the charge of three hundred; made good his ground, and recovered his safety with such warlike discretion, that the Marshal Marignon blushing, cried out His Fortune was infinite. Infinite others I could recite, but this is is enough to show that a Soldier's valour linked with discretion, is seldom or never forsaken of good Fortune.  
To this Valour then, Wisdom must needs be joined; for if in any condition of men true judgement be requisite, it must be in a Soldier, for to him belongs the discerning eye which separates God from Evil, right from wrong, and fair play from Injury, both in grave consultations, where the State and Prince are engaged, as also in cases of Religion, where God and man's Conscience have an equal partaking. Also upon present occasion, when Battering, Assaulting, Mining, sometimes fight hand to hand, giving and receiving advantage according unto times and seasons are in the Solstice of their Greatness, what judgement is then to be applied, who is so simple as hath not a sense to imagine. To this Wisdom must justice be annexed, and as our Soldier himself must be Just, so Just must be is quarrel, and as Just the use and manage of his weapon; his lawful Prince must employ him, not the heat of his own Blood or desire of Action; his Allegiance must move him, not hope of Advancement; and his Conscience must tie him, not Spoil or Boothaling. The Sword that is embrued in Christian blood, must have a strong acquittance, or the Soul that ruled it must answer for Blood; therefore let rather the commandment of him that hath power constrain thee, than thine own ambition lead thee, and being constrained, make not all fish which comes to thy net, take not all thou canst catch, nor force not all thou canst subdue: remember the loss of Blood is dangerous, if Nature doth not consent unto it, nor the Physician allow it. Know it is so necessary for the preservation of man's body, that from what part soever it goes, we must seek to stay it; and to that purpose Numa made a Law, and Lycurgus observed a Law; therefore in all thine attempts, spare blood as much as conveniently thou canst: Raze no Temples, deface no Monuments, nor defile Virgins: hold that Maxim amongst Soldiers for a Paradox, which affirms, That when men enter by assault, it is lawful to use all manner of outrage and violence. justice hath an evener Scale, by which to measure men's actions, and for mine one part I am of opinion, that howsoever it be a Military Position grounded on two causes: the one, to deter the enemy from standing to the last minute; the other, to encourage those whose ends are spoil and revengement, yet there is a fairer path unto Conquest, and the cruelest Princes that ever breathed have stayed themselves in this career, where by the examples of other sufferings, they have looked into their own frailties, and seeing they were but men, have acknowledged that somewhat might happen in an instant, which might make them no more what they were, or send them somewhere else, or leave them not to be at all; and indeed I have seen worthy Commanders most strictly forbid it.  
Lastly, our Soldier must both in himself and in all things be exceeding Temperate, commanding himself in all passions, without Anger, Fear, Hate, or Lust, in such sort as he may ever stand upon himself, and be to himself the self Supporter. To his enemies he must bequeath his Anger; to God, his Fear; to vice, his hate; and if he lust at all, it must be ever after Virtue. He must be Temperate in diet; for Soldiers are ever subject to excess: which I rather gather to proceed from their wants at other times, then from the natural inclination of an unrestrained fancy; for as our Feasts commonly succeed our Fasts: so when Soldiers have been gripped with hunger, and then come to the overflow of abundance, Moderation leaves them, and desire finds no curb by which to be restrained. But because such as will do much, must of necessity suffer much, let our Soldier in this place arm himself with all the strength of endurance, let him make companions of long Marches, sharp Abstinence, painful watchings, early wake, and hard lodgings: let him take Silence by the tongue, and Secrecy by the bosom; let him woo all distemperatures, and stieke them as favours about him, the malice of the air, of heat, of cold, of drought, and of moisture; let no step want Care, nor any motion its Vigilance; every Bush may yield a Bullet, every Foard a Skirmish, and every By-path a danger, Bridges may be broken, Passages barricadoed, men may become Spies, and the air itself may be made unwholesome. This let him learn to know, this let him learn to endure, and this will make all hazards familiar. To conclude, as to this life of a Soldier doth belong all the miseries that can be conceived: so to the same must be fixed as an Armour, the greatest Patience that ever was professed: so shall our Soldier be victorious every way, and all the vices of Baseness, Rashness, Murder, Robbery, Ravishment, Folly, Dullness, Riot, Deceit, Pride and Covetousness, which like so many infections lurk about Armies, shall as dispersed clouds fly from his presence, and leave him to the world beloved and admired.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE AND NOBLE GEORGE BARKLEY, Lord BARKLEY of Barkley Castle.  
THE ARGUMENT. The Reward of a Soldier.  
Having Embarked myself into this Ocean of Military profession, there is no remedy (my very good Lord) But however crazy or untight my poor Vessel be, it must still put forth into the Sea; & (though storms speak never so loud) wrestle among them, being now too late either to fouled up Sail or cast Anchor; since shame is a nearer Neighbour to the Retreat, then hope or glory could be to the Onset: Be it then your Lordship's noble favour to save this poor Epistle from the wrack of Envy, and when it shall arrive at your presence, be pleased to hear the Message it shall deliver, and I doubt not but though it can bring little to fortify or augment your knowledge, yet it shall leave behind something worthy to be retained in your best Memory.  
I have (my Lord) in the foregoing Epistles discoursed how Necessary, Glorious, Honourable, and Virtuous the profession of a Soldier is; It resteth now that I proceed to the Reward or Merit due to so excellent a calling; for there can be no capacity so absurd or ungrateful as to deny a duty so fit and absolutely belonging, and which indeed ought neither by Covetousness to be made less, nor by any usurpation to be conferred or passed over to a Subject of a lower Station, how gaudy or glorious soever in common or particular apprehension.  
The Reward of a Soldier is no new thing, neither is it derived from any weak circumstances; for it hath Gratitude as a guide to lead it, and Good-Example as a sweet companion with which it holdeth continual Fellowship, so that when at any time this duty of Reward is neglected by them in whom this Office of distribution consisteth; there not only happeneth an imputation of forgotten thankfulness, (which is a great breach to all humane society, but also a violent suppressing or keeping down of virtue, by depriving the world of those precedents which should inflame and stir others to noble achivements (which is the utter ecay and loss of Courage,) for all Merit hath its Reward, and every Reward begeteth a new Merit from the bravery of the example; It is no new thing, for it began in the first world, even in that which was most golden, for do but search over the Sacred Scriptures & you shall find them exceeding plentiful both of examples and Commandments which may be suited to this purpose; as first in Moses who having authority from God himself to go before the Israelites and to lead them unto war, he that was God's greatest General, and the greatest Governor of the greatest Army, he that commanded all and was obeyed of all, that made Colonels over Tribes, and Captains over companies, that being ordered himself by God, ordered all his martial affairs according to God's appointment; was not he that thus pleased God, of God singularly rewarded? yes doubtless, & that in an infinite measure, for besides his eminent command and greatness, God vouchsafed to speak with him face to face, to direct him in all his designs, to give blessings to all his proceed, & (which never any but himself could boast off) to discover unto him so much of his Heavenly Essence as mortality was able to behold, or man's nature reach to in the height of admiration; God Created him a Duke over Israel, victorious in many Battles, and hath spread his fame so universally over the face of the whole world, that it cannot decay or perish, but shall continue to the end of the world; neither was this Reward of martial excellence bounded only upon Moses and no other, but dilated and extended fourth itself, even to the lowest Soldier in his Camp & meanest well deserver; for in recompense of their prowess he gave them that land which flowed with milk & honey.  
To josua (who was apppointed Moses successor) God gave the like honours, the like Reward, and the like admiration; nay he made the Sun attend his Battles, and wheresoever he set down his foot, there fortunate Conquest ever stood by him. What shall I speak of David (who for his Conquest got both a Crown and the King's daughter) and a world of others: of which examples the Scriptures are infinite rich, for even our Saviour Christ himself doth not only allow the Soldier his pay, but also in many places speaketh of the greatness of the Centurions and their worthy advancements; which proofs, since they are above all poofes, it is needles to wade further into humane examples; But let every one in whom the power of rewarding of Soldiers doth consist, apply himself to do as his Master hath done before him; who although for his excellency and perfection he be altogether unimitable, yet in as much as he accepteth this Quantum in Nobis; let them strive to do the uttermost of their endeavours, and know that God accepteth a willing attempt, though it be done never so weakly.  
But the question (in this place) resteth what the Reward is, which Soldiers may most propperly challenge: to which I reply, that there are in this world three most especial things, which as honorary and Hereditary rights depend and belong to every well deserving Soldier; that is to say Fame, Honour and Wealth, for without these he can hardly subsist, because they are the matter or Cement which glueth or bindeth him and his virtue inseparably together.  
To speak then of the first, there is nothing which a Soldier ought to desire in this world before a good Fame, for it is the food of his reputation and nourisheth Honour with such sweet milk, that it grows so able and strong as no disaster or mischance of Fortune can move or shake it, much less abase or subvert it, neither ought he to thirst after any thing with a more greedy appetite then after good Fame, because it quencheth all the flames of evil report, and maketh Slander so dumb & toungtyed, that it dare not suffer bad words to have any alliance with murmuring, nor false bruits with rash judgements of public actions, neither dare acknowledge any virtue to be greater than that of obedience; Now as this must be a good Fame, so it must be a true Fame not a false shadow, either suborned from the vulgar by deceit, or arrogated by power from other men's bloody sweats or dangerous achivements, it must not be politic vices daubed over with virtuous habits, as Cruelty with justice, Baseness, with Humility, Prodigality with Bounty, or Avarice with Thrift; for all these are piebald counterfeit reproaches and no true Fame; that which is good Report indeed like gold can neither rot nor be changed into any other metal; it will endure the teste of the strongest Envy, and abide the touch of the purest wisdom or judgement; It is not so light or insubstanciall to be carried about the air with every whirlwind, neither yet so dull and leaden heeled, but upon any noble and worthy occasion it can fly to the uttermost corners of the earth, and like a curtain, cloth all the Air from one side to another; This is that which a Soldier may pursue without disgrace, and possess without malice, yet when he is come within distance (and that like an eager Falcon it stoops to his lure) let him rather receive it then assume it, for it is a coy Mistress at which a man may reach but not snatch, yet if any injuriously should seek to ravish it, or deprive the deserving owner of it, I am of this opinion; that if in any case a Duel might be admitted, than this is the precedent,  
The second reward belonging to a Soldier is Honour, which as men must endeavour to deserve, so Princes must vouchsafe to bestow; neither ought they to hoodwink their eyes in these occasions, but Lion like to see into Deserts both sleeping & waking, for as Soldiers must scatter & lose their actions, so Princes must find them and  them with a merit due to their goodness, for it is no part of the nature of a good Soldier to hunt after Honour, or like a ravenous Beast to make prey his object; much less to buy it with bribes, or make it his whore with which to fornicate, 'tis blood, not gold which hath ever been the price of Honour, and howsoever base people are commonly the best hoarders of gold, & so with that witchcraft inchaunt many times undeserved Honour unto them, yet let the true Soldier lose that imperfection (for the act is unworthy) & let it suffice him to deserve it though others enjoy it; It is not questionable but every man in his due place (by the mediation of his virtue) should receive Honour according to his Range, as the General of an Army Royal may well deserve to rank with a Duke (for from thence I boubt not but Dux first took his original) a Lieutenant general with an Earl, the Marshal of the Field with a Viscount, the principal Colonels with Barons; and the inferior Commanders with inferior places, according to the pleasure of the Prince, and worthiness of his virtue, for as Honour is only the Princes by right, so in the distribution thereof he ought to perform all rights; All whatsoever the Soldier can say is his; in that hath the Prince the greater interest, which finding to be employed only in his commandments, how is he bond both unto Truth & Care that the distribution of Honour be justly performed, in which whensoever he swerveth from the right path he not only endangers his virtue, but makes a pitiful hazard of his own Honour and Safety.  
The last but least Reward of a Soldier is Wealth or temporal Goods; which howsoever in some measure they may be despised, yet are they so necessary for our frailty; & such a defence against the tempests of War, that without them a Soldier can neither perform nor continue the duties of his Calling, and therefore the bestowing or use thereof admits great consideration, for they are to be accommodated both to the quality of the person, and nature of the place in which the Soldier is employed; fitting the proportion of the Soldier's entertainment to the greatness or smalenes of his rank and advancement, neither should the limitation of this entertainment be circumscribed within the bounds of the Wars only; but howsoever they wane or decrease yet should the well deserving Soldier at no time be neglected, and herein the King of Spain observeth a most noble course, who to all Officers of what Range soever, continually doth allow pensions for life suitable to their degrees, how ever either the sessation of war, or Imbecility of person makes them unfite for employment: Competency is a convenient Bounty, and though to nourish Armies weaken the powers of the richest Princes, yet to relieve Officers & men of eminent & high virtue, is an obligation to which they are bound by a rule in Contience; for to this purpose Constantine built the great College of Saint john's near jerusalem; Spain boasts the great revenues due to the order of Calatrava; and we here in England keep the memory of Master Suttons famous foundation. The Romans did study many other rewards for Soldiers as Triumphs, orders of Knighthood, Rings, Funeral orations, Crowns, Garlands, Robes & a world of other devices; all which were as Spurs to set them forward in the Career to virtue through all dangers whatsoever, that doing almost Actions impossible, they not only brought the greatest but the best part of the world under their subjection; And doubtless there is nothing in the world that can so soon summon up a man's spirits to virtue as the hope of reward, for it is the Adamant which draweth the Iron heart aloft, making it soar into the clouds & to be insensible of those pains, which without this matter of prize would make things (feasible & easy) seem inaccessible, difficult & not to be endured; let no man then rob Honour's workman of his higher; but rather add & fill up his measure to the highest continent, so shall he give the Angel's cause to rejoice, fill the world with praise, & make the hearts of men a sacrifice to his goodness.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE AND MOST AUSPICIOUS LORD WILLIAM PARKER, Lord MORLEY and MOUNT-EAGLE my very good Lord.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of Voluntaries.  
THe Range of this Epistle did no sooner point me to your Lordship, when presently there arose in my remembrance a thousand figures of those favours and delights which in the first Spring of mine age I had gathered from your noble Goodness, all which did not only invite, but constrain me to a serious consideration how I might beautify & adorn this sacrifice of my pen, to make it appear unto you like my heart, both faithful and unchanging. But when I looked into the bluntness of mine own nature, the unfitness of Curiosity in so rough a subject, and the little value of words, if Sense do not compound the Music, I presently concluded that the nearest way to my purpose was to be farthest off from affectation, and that your Lordship would then soon believe there was no spark of my first affection quenched or concealed, when you saw I sought still to serve you with the same plainness and Truth which I had ever professed.  
The matter which I am to discourse in this Epistle is the dignity and use of those Soldiers, which we call by the name of Voluntaries, being a rank of men which voluntarily, and of their own mere motion, without any constraint at all, do betake themselves unto the Wars, grounding the strength of their desires thereunto, upon some virtuous and honest purpose, and of these there are diverse kinds, as some Noblemen, some Gentlemen, and some Yeomen, all Freemen, Good men, Able men, and these have diverse inducements to draw them to this purpose, as either some especial obligation of service to the General, or some other great person then commanding in the wars, or else an inflammation of courage, kindling a desire to behold the wars, and to learn the mysteries thereof, either they are stirred up with the goodness of the quarrel, or else admonished thereunto by a virtuous, emulation in beholding the glory of other men's advancement: for thus was Hannibal sent to the wars, and brought up in his father's pavilion: thus Tiberius made Drusus a Soldier; and thus went jugurth to Africa, that he might become Scipio's Scholar: this made Henry the great of France, a General at ten years of age: this made the Duke of Austria to be styled the son of Fortune; and this makes the Prince of Orange (that now liveth) the admiration of all Soldiers, and questionless in a noble Spirit nothing appeareth of greater lustre: for it is a rule, that whosoever will endeavour to command, he must first learn to obey; and he that will hereafter be imitated, must himself have the practice of others imitations.  
These Voluntaries for the most part arm themselves according to their own pleasures; for they are both intended to be men of wealth and ability, and also a great ease to the public purse, in as much as they ought to live on their own charge, without the Princes pay, or the wars exhibition: it is also lawful in them to make election in what manner they will serve, whether on horseback or on foot, or on both, as the occasion of present service shall administer unto them: for having both horse and attendants to accommodate them in every necessity, they need not be absent in any Service, but may be witnesses of whatsoever is done, be it either after the one, or the other manner. These as they receive no pay, so they pass no Musters, neither are they tied to any strictness of any particular duty, but as free and noble Gentlemen may bestow their hours in any honourable fashion: They may only claim the benefit of the General's Table, and a principal respect both from the greatest and the lesser Commanders: for thereby there is not only brought a sweetness both to their expense and hazards, but also it giveth a notable encouragement to others to pursue the like course, and so become more enabled to perform excellent things, when either their King or Country shall have cause to employ them. And for mine own part I have seen, when in the necessity of affairs, and when the approach of the enemy hath awakened a double Regard to prevent danger, that these voluntary Gentlemen have been more diligent in Watches, and more severe in performing all manner of duties than any mercenary Soldier whatsoever; in which they have showed both a singular affection to the profession they had undertaken, made themselves a great deal more able and perfect: and lastly breed both a delight in the well deserving, and a shame and reproach to those Sluggards whose Cowardice and Sloth hath to the bystanders administered any evil examples.  
Voluntaries may challenge in all Marches the most honourable and principal places of the Battle (which are under commandment) as in the morning upon the point or head of the Vanguard, and at night (upon retreat) at the foot or last part of the Rear. If it be in private Companies, they ought (in courtesy) to have the leading of the principal Files, to be in the Rear, or amongst the Middle men and Subdivision at their own election, for wheresoever they march, they are ever a grace to the Battalia, and both by their courage and example make even the dullest, apt for to follow their imitation.  
Voluntaries were wont to be but some few especial persons in an Army, and were accounted Rara Auis in terris: but in these our latter succeeding times, when Generals have (out of popularity) been less sparing of Honour, and more prodigal (than their forefathers) in bestowing all manner of martial Bounties, what through the enticement of Love, the hope of Advancement, and the incantation of Knighthood, the number of them hath been infinitely increased: so that the mixture being wonderfully unproper, and the Privileges which they assumed needless, and without distinction, they have bred such a confusion, that in Marching, Fight, Lodging, nay not so much but in Victualling they have rather brought forth the fruits of Trouble and disorder, than either ease or perfection to any part of the Army: and of this both France and England have tasted in a very large measure; the first enforcing the King to erect his Blanch-Cornet, the other seeing embarked both for Cadiz and the Islands a Regiment of Voluntaries, fare surmounting any other through the whole Army; some led by their own ambition, some by their wives, and some (as they say dogs go to Church) only for company, without either noble end, or almost a tolerable purpose: for as they were led on by vain glory, so commonly they were followed by want, and finished with disgrace and dishonour: for their pride (for the most part) made them foes to Discipline, and their fears and follies kept them in such an extravagant course, that as well might a man rule a herd of wild Bulls as a Band of such unruly Colts, in whom was neither wisdom, order, nor discretion: And to make this good, I dare affirm, that in one service, I saw a whole afternoon spent (by excellent Commanders) in putting two hundred Voluntaries into order, and yet all labour lost, nor was at any time seen to the number of fifty that stood in their true places. I have seen them also when they have been to march into the field, so puzzled for want of knowledge where to place themselves or their vassals, and so offensive to the General, by an undecent crowding and thronging about him, that the particular Officers of the field, as the Scout-masters and Corporals of the field were neither able to approach to receive direction, nor yet able to pass into the army, to deliver advertisements, where had the company of Voluntaries been competent and orderly, they might then have been instructed, that the best places had been nearest to the best persons; and in cases of attempts the likeliest to encounter and meet with the enemy. But how these may truly be called Voluntaries, I know not: for every one that is able to suit his body in rich clothes, unless he likewise apparel his mind in an obedient and formable fashion, in neither worthy the name, privileges, nor respects which are due to men of this supposed Virtue. It is therefore to be understood, that the noble Voluntary indeed ought to be a man of Virtue and judgement, Noble in his carriage, and ready to give all manner of good examples: he ought to keep a table at his own charge, both for the entertainment of such by whose discourse he might reap profit, and also for an ease to the General, whose bounty might otherwise be stretched unto too high a reckoning: and to conclude, they ought to be but few in number, and those of principal regard and estimation; for this flux is a torrent which drowneth and overwhelmeth both Discipline and Order, and from hence it hath come to pass, that I have known diverse discreet Generals, which have both proclaimed and inserted in their Articles, that no man (of what condition soever) without his special licence, but upon pain of death within such a limitation of time should either enrol himself under some one or other Captain's colours, or else to departed from the Army: by which means the multitude of Voluntaries were lessened, and none allowed but such as were of the Generals own election; a course questionless full of great providence, for by that means many weak Troops and Companies were made strong, much disorder was prevented, and a general beauty & grace was spread through the whole army, no man hath received loss in his entertainment, unnecessary checks have been taken away, and the benefit of the Voluntaries bounty hath done good through the whole army, where as to have erected whole Troops or new Companies only of Voluntaries. if the State should take exceptions thereat, and deny the entertainment, then must the Captains undergo either check and loss, or others means must be shortened to draw his within compass.  
Thus I have showed the Nature, the Honour, the Use, the Benefit, and the Offence of Voluntaries, of which I know your Lordship in your own noble Experience have had a sufficient trial, so that to detain you with any longer Relation, were but to overdo what I only strive to do in the best perfection: and therefore I will here knit up mine Epistle with this Protestation, That if in it you will be pleased to discern my love, in that love your Lordship shall ever find an honest and faithful Service.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE AND WELL DISPOSED LORD RICHARD LEONARD Lord Dacres of Hurst-monciaux.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of Levying of Soldiers.  
THere is hardly a greater action, or of more importance in a Common wealth (my noble Lord) then that of Levying of Soldiers, because Armies are the Strengths of Nations, the Safety of Kings, and the Scourge of oppressors, for by them we take possession of our rights, with them we trample and tread upon injury, and through them we find the ready path which leads to peace and Tranquillity, so that in levying & making of these Infinite Bodies; (if a true care and proportion be not held in every member) there will grow disorder and deformity in the shape and so consequently weakness, by which there will be wanting both ability to perform, and fortunate success which is the Crown and glory of every Conquest.  
It is to be understood therefore that all levies whatsoever (of Soldiers are directly from the Kings, and what Subject soever shall dare to levy men for any warlike purpose without his especial authority, runs not only into the danger of life, but the loss both of his goods and honour; whence it comes that the Prince being moved to these martial occasions; gives his power either to the Lords of his privy Counsel, to his Viceroys & Precedents, to his Lords Lieutenants, or other commissioners (such as shall seem best in his wisdom) to levy such Colonies, Bands or companies as shall be meet for his use and service, and herein from him only (as the principal fountain) must first of all be derived the strength of their authority, and after according to the letter of their Commission; they may substitute and appoint such ministers under them for this purpose as shall seem best in their discretions, (enlarging and restraining according to the limitation of the Grant which was first received from his Majesty) whether it be to the Captains themselves, (who are to receive the men levied) to their Officers, or other especial commissioners according to Custom and order, In all which there ought to be great faithfulness and diligence used, and honest men, able men and (as near as may be) valiant men should be chosen and that without partiality, malice, injury or distemperance.  
Now for the manner of levying of Soldiers with us here in England it is done two manner of ways, that is to say, either by the sound of the Drum or by press; If it be by the sound of the Drum than it is a Commission granted for all such as will voluntarily of their own free wills thr●st themselves under such a Captain's command and so receiving his press money he is as firmly under his commandment as if he had been pressed by any stricter Commission, and this way of levying of Soldiers is generally used over the most parts of Christendom; But if it be any especial press, than there cometh a Commission from the Lords of the Counsel to the Lords Lieutenants, Deputy Lieutenants or other nominated Commissioners for musters, which declaring the number of men, manner of levy, and place of Rendezvous, they presently direct their warrants to the chief Constables of hundreds, and the chief Constables their warrants to the petty Constables of Towns and hamlets, which petty Constables do at the day appointed bring before the Commissioners so many able and sufficient men as they were charged within their warrants, & from them, the Lord Lieutenant, his Deputy or other Commissioners choose and press out, (by giving to every man twelve pence in currant money) so many as shall make up the number contained in his Commission, & these men so pressed he delivereth over either to the Captain or his Officers, or to some other Conductor to be brought to the Rendezvous at the time perfixed; together with conduct money at the rate of eight pence a day for their charges, and either Clad, Armed, or unarmed according to the words of the Commission.  
This hath been the ancient manner of levying and raising Soldiers in our Kingdom, nor do I think that any wisdom can find out another way which can promise more equity or fair dealing, especially as long as the execution of these Commissions are performed by the Lieutenants themselves who generally are great Princes, and men of that singular virtue and goodness that both the love they bear their Countries and the care they have of their own honours, makes them scorn to exprsse either Spleen or Revenge in so poor a business, But when these Commissions come out of their fingers and are dispersed unto many, and amongst them factions and dissensions do arise, than one strives to defend one part, another another; one will show his malice in thrusting forward, another his power in detaining back, one will have his revenge satisfied, another will have his pity admired; that to conclude little equity can be perceived in their proceed, and less virtue arises from the fruits of their elections, for many times the decrepit and unfit are pacted to the wars & the able are kept at home, who laughing in their sleeves pray for continuance of those larrs by which he sits at home and sleeps out vexations; here might a man find out many other grievances, as the protections of liveries, the friendship of bribes, and the suit of Bystanders, all which do often make the King ill served, and believe it in cases of great consequence these particular humours cross great designs; O how excellent were it, if in these common businesses men would set a part all private affections and but only regard the King and his service and study (as they ought) only the advancement thereof, then should we see (as Virgil saith) Pollio's return and the golden Age would be restored again to us and our Children; But this is O utinam, a wish that vanisheth as soon as it is breathed, and therefore I could wish that in these Inferior Commissions which go to a generality; their might be a mixed power, that is to say; to the Commissioners and Captains, and that jointly they would set a part all partiality, for the Commissioners which are Governors of the Country best know the estate thereof, and what is most wholesome for the general Body, (though of what belongs to the wars many of them are utterly ignorant) and so the Captain which best knows what belongs to the wars and must with the hazard of his life lead those men even unto the face of the enemy, he likewise may be unskilful in the wants of the Country; so that compounding an honest Body of them both there can be neither knowledge nor perfection wanting.  
Experience hath long time since taught me this, that when the Captain is not in Commission he may say and inform what he pleaseth, but the Commissioners will perform what they list, for they have voices which will drown him, and a deafness which he cannot open; whereas bearing with them an equal authority, than his thunder must be as loud, and being an honest man no levy but will be performed without wrong or disparagement, and herein by all means these Captains must not think too well of themselves, (scorning as it were) to receive their men, but sending down their inferior Officers, stay themselves either at the Court to pursue some new hope, or in the City to provide new . Now that any other should be mixed with the Commissioners it is not fit nor is there any precedent; for though the Inferior Officers may be discreet and honest, yet it is the Captain (which is chosen by the Lords of the King's Council) which is probably sufficient.  
Touching the levies of Soldiers which are made in the Countries and sent away by Conductors, (which indeed ought to be men that know the wars and live with good fame and Reputation in their Countries) I have amongst them observed much foul dealing, as first how they have skimmed the Country of all the frothy, base and deboysed Creatures which have lived therein, then how they have packed away all their worst Arms, & last how those Conductors have under the pretence of Sickness & infirmity for small Bribes made sale of the best of that lamentable Company; as if it had been a kind of deadly sin to have brought any man with a good countenance in view of the Army; Nay believe it so pitiful have I beheld the Regiments which they have brought over, that like Pharaohs lean Kine they have looked as if they would devour all the fat in the Army; and surely had that Preacher seen them which preached in Kent before the Generals of the Portugal action; he would again & again thanked these Conductors, for carring away all the despised and base Rascals of the Nation.  
To conclude howsoever these errors & corruptions have crept in at some backedore (which humour or Covetousness hath set open) yet it is no fixed evil nor any general infection, but like a Bat flies far from the light of virtue, lurking in the dark corners of those hearts where Anger and Revenge had first gotten possession, & from thence no doubt it will soon departed when Truth (the Herald of a good Conscience) shall once declare unto them the foulness of their offence, & what injury they do both to God, their King and Country, when in the least partickle or imagined point that can be (which hath reference to the levying or raising of a royal Army) they swerve or go awry from that path which leads to the fullness of all Integrity & justice; let them be pleased but to look into the Histories of the World, whether the Asyrians, Persians, Greeks' or Romans and they shall see how they ever striven to levy for the wars, Young men, Strong men, Able men, Good men, Rich-men, Gentlemen, they shall in no place find a precedent for excuse, nor by any Imprecation of Mother, tears of the Wife, or sighs of the Widow, learn to make a weeping Oration how to save or keep back their Sons, Husbands or Kinsfolk from going to the wars or coveting to take their last sleeps (and the sweetest) on the Bed of Honour; They knew the glory of the great Goal, and what Crowns were preserved for a Military Martyr, and therefore they rejoiced at their entrance thereunto, and thought no Music had a sweeter sound than that which rang in their Ears the Levye of a Royal Army to defend a cause that was Noble, Honest, and Religious.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE AND HIGH-BORN EDWARD STAFFORD Lord STAFFORD of Stafford-castle.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the Arming of Shot.  
Having proceeded (my Lord) thus fare in my range of Military Intendments, and brought it past the levy of men's persons; which persons as they compound companies, so of those Companies arise Regiments, & of those Regiments are made the whole and entire body of the Army. It remaineth now that we come to a certain distribution or division of these persons, of which able I shall have a more large occasion to speak in the next Decade; yet since here it falls so fit to my purpose, I will only divide the Soldiers which have been formerly levied into two sorts, the one Shot, the other Pikes; and of the Shot we will suppose them to be either all, or (at least) most part of them Muskets, and the rest Bastard Muskets, for harquebuses I cannot allow in this place, because they are grown out of use, and can by no means make their encounter good where the Musket is opposed against them: for the one killing at twenty score, the other hardly at six, how is it possible he should come to play within his distance, before all or the most part of the body be overthrown and destroyed?  
Now for the election of the Bodies which are fittest to carry the Musket they must be such as are strong, square, and of a good, solid, & well knit constitution: and for such as are more weak, little, and nimble, to them the Bastard-Musquet may be put, for with a little use, and skilful instruction they will be brought to order and manage that piece with as great ease as either arquebus or Pistol.  
When thus a choice is made both of the man & weapon, you shall then arm him after this manner, that is to say, upon his head he shall wear a good and sufficient Spanish Morian well lined in the head with a quilted cap of strong linen, and bound down with lined eare-plates underneath his chin; about his body Bautricke-wise, from the left shoulder and under the right arm he shall carry a Bandiliere of broad Leather, or other richer stuff (well stiffened) according to his ability, or the pleasure of his Captain; and to this Bandiliere shall be fastened by long double strings (at least a quarter of a yard in length a piece, that they may with more ease be brought to the mouth of the Musket) one large priming charge made small at the upper end, and at least twelve other charges, all made of some tough light wood, or else of horn, and covered with leather, but not of plate or leather entirely, for they are subject to crushing & bruising, and being once out of fashion, they are hardly recovered, neither will they contain the powder in such ample manner as formerly they did, of which the Soldier must be exceeding careful: for every charge must be made fit to contain so much powder as will give the piece her full lading, and neither more nor less: for as overcharging hazards the breaking of the Musket, so undercharging makes her not able to carry to the full random. He shall also have by his left side a good and sufficient Sword with a basket hilt of a nimble and round proportion after the manner of the Irish; strong Scabards of liquored or well rosend leather, Chapes of iron, and Girdles and Hangers suitable to the same; as for the Blade, it should be broad, strong, and somewhat massy, of which the Turkey, or Bilbo are the best: at his girdle he shall also carry his Bullet bag: in which he shall bear his Moulds to cast his Bullets: also his Worms with which he shall clear his piece when at any time it is cloyed either by mischance or ignorance, and his Screwes with which he shall unloose every vice-pinne or engine about the Musket, when he either intends to take it in pieces, or else to scowie it, to mend any thing that is out of frame, or otherwise to unbreech it; and lastly, he shall carry in it his priming iron, being a small artificial wiar, with which he shall cleanse and keep open the touchhole of his piece, so as the priming powder may enter in and make the piece go off upon the first touch of any spark with which it encounters; all this perfitted, he shall be armed with a good and very sufficient musket, being of as neat and nimble a cast as can be made, provided it be strong, clean wrought, and of a good temper of iron, the Barrel must be in length four foot and a half, and the bore according to the size of a full Musket, and tried by the gage or allowance of the Tower of London, the Stock must be strait, clean and smooth wrought, without knots or flaws in any part, but especially towards the lower end, the extremest part at the neither end below the breech, should be at least eight inches in depth, flat and smooth, so as if the piece happen a little to recoil, yet it may not offend the Soldier's body, and the wood of which these Stocks are made, would be either good Wallnuttree, good Peartree, or some other fast, firm, and smooth light wood, which is neither apt, through the shortness of the grain quickly to break, nor yet through the largeness to split or rive in sunder: you must have regard that the barrel be smooth, even, and not galled within, that it carry the full bore equally clean throughout, and not carry Musket bore at the top, and hardly arquebus in the bottom? for it is an abuse too frequent amongst our Gunmakers, and the effect is nothing else but deceit, and the piece of such a boar is hardly so good as a Pistol▪ see that the pan be tied, and the touchhole unworn; for if it be otherwise, the one will scatter and lose the powder, the other will blow back in the Soldier's face, or else recoil and do greater mischief and on the contrary part, if the hole be too little, the powder will want passage, and the piece will hardly go off, without much toil and great loss of labour: see that the breech be strong and close, all the screws and pins about it fast and sure, the scouring stick strait, round, smooth, and headed with a rammer of iron suitable to the bore of the piece: let the Cocks and Trickers be nimble to go and come; for as concerning Seares they are utterly out of date, and the Inconveniences are found in our daily experience: for upon every motion or touch of the Soldier's garments, they are apt to make the piece fly off before there is occasion, killing sometimes him that marcheth behind, sometimes him that is before, sometimes sets fire on him that bears it, and sometimes wounds his Officer that comes to give him direction; so that for these and the like mischiefs they are utterly forbidden, neither is the charge of a Tricker greater than that of a Seare; and whosoever shall be drawn to reformation, there will be found little or no odds at all in the bargain, only the stupidity and blockishness of our ignorant & wilful Plebeians is so great, that but with huge difficulty they can never be brought to relish any alteration, especially if there be but the value of one penny betwixt them and their first custom, or that any debauched fellow, who hath either run from his Colours, been an under-slave to a Sutler's boy, and now for his last refuge keeps a Tippling house in the Country for men of his equal quality: If he (I say) will but affirm what they surmise, it is not the wisdom of Nestor, nor the experience of Caesar, no not Apollo's Oracle which is able to change any part of their resolution: to this I have been a pregnant witness, and at this I have often smiled, chief when I have seen some of more eminent condition, how well they could be pleased to be flattered in their own, yet a false opinion: But to return again to the arming of this Soldier, he shall have for his right hand a handsome Rest of Ash or other light wood, with an iron pike in the neither end, and an half hoop of iron above to lay the Musket in when he rests it, and double strong strings shall be fastened near thereunto to put over the left arm, when at any time the Soldier shall have occasion to trail the same. Now as touching the length of these Rests, there is not any certain quantity thereof; for howsoever generally they are four foot and upward, yet they should be according to the stature of the party which bears them, carrying the Musket so even, that he may in a comely manner discharge at a level without very much bending either of his shoulders or body. Lastly, if about his neck he have a piece of Buff or quilted leather, cut in the proportion of a large Gorget, and extending to the uttermost points of his shoulders, he shall find both profit and ease thereby: for it will both save his garments from wearing with the Musket, and also make the burden less and more easy.  
To conclude then, for the Bastard Musket (which differeth nothing from the full Musket, but in the bore only, and the charges which must be made suitable to the bore) they are of excellent use, for they carry as fare as the full Musket, and pierce as deep (though their boar be less) and their lightness and nimbleness to those which are weaker, and of much less abler bodies, is such an ease and comfort, that they are able both to hold out in Marches and in Service with any man how strong or potent soever. Now for their arming, it is in all points like that of the full Musket without any difference: for as their Service is alike, so alike are their Accoutrements, and what adorns the one, is as seemly and becoming for the other, so that it shall be needless to wade further in this Discourse, but leave the rest to the discretion of the Captain in whose power it is to alter and dispose of his Arms according to his own will and the rule of his judgement.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE AND JUDICIOUS EMANVELL SCROOP Lord SCROOP of Bolton and Lo: Precedent of the North.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the Arming of Pikes.  
SInce (my Lord) you are by his Majesty's favour the Viceroy or Precedent of your Country, on whom all these Military actions depend, I cannot be persuaded but any thing which comes clothed with this Title (and carrying the Badge of experimented Truth) shall find from you a noble respect; for I know not any to reward virtue but virtue; nor any in these secure times that will look on a Soldier but he that hath a daily use of his knowledge; if such you Lordship look for; this questionless will not hurt you, and how ever it want something that you desire, yet in the volume you shall find enough to give an honest satisfaction.  
The course to which I am drawn in this Epistle is the manner of arming the Pike, which being the first and most principal weapon which guardeth an Army, may challenge from every Commander the sevearest respect in adorning thereof; I do not mean the greater & more eminent sort of persons which serve with this weapon, but only the private and common Soldier, such as make not up one File or one Rank, but fashion whole Bodies and Grosses of what quantity soever.  
The persons for this weapon are to be chosen out of the better sort of men, such as are tall, comely, active and valiant, yet in this choice you are not so constantly to stand upon proportion and outside as discreetly to consider the settled inclination of every Soldier and to what arms by his own nature he is principally addicted; In which Inquisition, that you may be sure not to fail, it is not amiss for every Captain to apply his men unto sundry weapons and to that which he seethe him approach with the greatest facility and delight, in that to stay him and encourage him; for so shall the Commander be best served and the Soldier grow skilful with the least amaze and trouble. When therefore you have attained a body answerable to the use and virtue of this weapon, you shall then arm him after this manner; upon his head he shall wear a good and sufficient Spanish Morian well lined within with a quilted Cap, of strong huswives linen, for Buckram which is the usual lining is too course and galleth the Soldier's head, as also it is too stiff and unplyable, by which means it will not quilt like the other; the ear plaits shall be lined also, and with a string be made fast under his neither chap, which will keep the Morian constantly upon his head and breed less trouble to the Soldier in the hear of encounters; The ancient custom of arming the Pikemans' head hath been with a Burgonet, but the inconvenience, thereof hath been found, for when the Burgonet is made fast unto the head, if in a charge the Enemy hit upon the hie, broad Crest which goeth thwart the crown of the head (with the push of his Pike) than it is ten to one but he either breaketh the Soldier's neck or at least overthroweth him to the ground, or if to save the hazard the Burgonet be lose or the string under the chap break, than he disarmeth his head and so leaveth him in great danger at every encounter; And hence it is that all Burgonets are disallowed and only the Morian or close round cap of steel with a small welt on the top thought meet for the use of this Soldier.  
About his neck he shall have a large, easy and well compassed Gorget arming as close to his doublet as is possible (provided it pinch not) and over this Gordget upon his body he shall cast a pair of Cuirasses, that is to say the breast plate and back part; which Cuirasses shall be of a nimble and good mould, and fashioned according to the nearest, easiest, and fittest apparel which is for a man's body, for though the variation of our apparel be Infinite and without either reason, measure or order, yet it is not meet that arms should be so changeable, but that rather a man should frame his apparel to his Arms, than his Arms to his apparel for needle and third will do the one, but fire and the hammer is required to the other; these Cuirasses must be at least hie Pike proof for that is the allowance of our Nation; to be greater  but burdenous to the Soldier and bringeth neither ease nor profit; as for the leathers and Buckles with which informer times this Armour was fastened about the Soldier, they shall now be neglected, and instead thereof every several member of the Armour shall be made fast about them with Clasps of Iron, hooked or pinned together either with hooks or cloven pins of Brass or Iron; for the leathers at every encounter are soon cut in pieces, but these never, at the neither part of his Breastplate he shall have a pair of fair large Taces; revited in sundry joints and made in such true compass that they may arm close all the Belly and forepart of the Soldier even down to his mid thigh; upon his shoulders he shall have a large pair of well moulded Pouldrons which shall arm him from the top of the Shoulder down to the Elbow. But as, touching the Vantbrace (which armeth from the elbow to the hand) they are not greatly material in this case, neither are they respected or required in our Musters. It is true that the Pouldrons and Taces are many times likewise neglected, the first because it hindereth a little the use of the arm, the latter because of the burden and some hiderances in swift marches, but in as much as they are still required by all our supreme Commanders and that the benefit fare exceedeth the trouble, therefore in this discourse I must give them all possible allowance; Lastly all these several parts of Armour is rather to be of a Russet or black colour than miled, for they are least perceived in the night, are fittest for secret Ambuscadoes and preserveth itself the longest time from Rust and putrefaction.  
In his right hand he shall have a strong, strait, yet nimble Pike made of a well grown Ash, and headed with a Pike of steel, being also armed with plates of Iron downward from the head at least four or six foot deep upon the staff: the Pike shall be in length full fifteen foot besides the head, It hath been an ancient Custom to arm Pikes in the midst (Just in that place where the Soldier shall carry it when he either marcheth or shouldereth it) either with cloth, velvet, silk or other stuff (either according to fancy or in observation of the Captain's Colours) for the space of eighteen Inches or thereabouts, but by reason of some suggestions against it, as nourishing of the worm, fretting the Pike with dust and such like; it is now not so much respected, yet in that I know it is comely to the eye, and some help to the young Soldier in showing him the true place where he shall carry his Pike in Marching, Shouldering, sloping and the like, I will therefore leave it to the discretion of every Commander, assuring myself that howsoever curiossity may repine, yet notwithstanding judgement may make it tolerable.  
The Pikeman shall have by his left side a good, sharp and broad Sword, (of which the Turkey or Bilbo are the best) the length of the blade being a full yard and one inch, the hilt of Basket fashion, round and well compassed, the scabbard of strong leather, chapped with Iron, and to carry his Sword either Girdle & Hangers of strong leather, or broad Bautrickes of the same substance, but Hangers are the best if they be side and large, especially when he shall come to receive the encounter or charge of Horse, where couching his body down low with the bending of his Pike, the Bautrick girdle (being lose) is apt to fall (by the poise of the Sword) in a troublesome manner before him, so as he shall neither readily draw it out, nor nimbly use his Pike by reason that his Sword will hang dangling before him. There be some that except against the perfixed and certain length of the Sword, alleging that all weapons should be accommodated to the fitness of the person, (allowing the shorter arm the longer Sword and the longer arm the shorter weapon) and not be bound to a general disadvantage: but however there doth appear some reason herein, yet is the distinction somewhat too nice, for if the short arm be allowed the long sword, will not the long arm (who hath equal choice) be owner of the like weapon; where is then the short arms advantage? and so again by arguing from the contrary you shall find, that no difference in body ought to make a difference in weapons, but there should ever remain a constant precedent, although now and then it may be varied at the Commander's discretion, and sure, than that size formerly expressed, there cannot be a better limit.  
Lastly if to the Pikemans' Morion be fastened a strong ring of iron, and to the right side of his backepiece below his girdle, an iron hook to hang the Morion upon, it will be a great ease for the Soldier, and a nimble Carriage in the time of long Marches; for there is not any thing more grievous to a man then over heating of his head, neither have I at any time found a quicker cause for sickness and distemper. Thus I have delivered the most substantial and perfectest way of armeing an ordinary Pikeman or common Soldier, such as may pass borh ours or any other indifferent Muster. And though busy Apprehensions might find out many other curiossities and niceties to add to this relation, yet in as much as I know they will but rather offend Patience, then better Knowledge I am willing to let them remain still in the bottom of their own Ocean, and if any man will find them let him sound for them, for mine own part I only serve Truth, and to her I dare bring no Sacrifice but a constant Experience.   
The end of the first Decad.   


TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE HIS GOOD LORD EDWARD SUTTON LORD DUDLEY of Dudley-castle.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the Soldier's Oath and Distribution.  
I Have (my Lord) in the former Decad entreated of the choice and election of the common Soldier belonging to the infantry or foot Companies, and how to arm both the Musket and Pike, which are all the weapons generally used in our Modern wars, and of which indeed he is only capable: for to other weapons do belong other Ceremonies, and they are either put into the hands of inferior Officers, or else unto Gentlemen of Companies, as the Partisan, the Halberd, the Target, and the like. It now resteth that I proceed to the other duties of a common Soldier, of which none is more eminent and necessary than his Oath; for it not only bindeth him to Obedience, which is the principal link in all martial Discipline; but is also such a pledge betwixt God and his Conscience, that whensoever the devil or malice assaults him, it like a strong Bulwark stands between, and beats the battery back even to the seducers destruction.  
When therefore an Army is raised, it than resteth that an Oath be administered to the common Soldier for his fidelity, which the Ancients found exceeding necessary in diverse respects, for although the severity of the Laws were a Bit sharp enough & strong enough to curb and restrain the fury of any wild or untamed spirit, either from Disloyalty, Disobedience, or any treacherous Practice whatsoever: yet hath experience found out that the Soldier who by a continual familiarity with affright and dangers, is grown adventurous, hardy, and valiant, and by gazing death in the face at every hour and season, and almost in every attempt which he either doth or suffers, so that he reputes him no more but a word, a toy, or an idle shadow, and will many times with as great alacrity dance and run post to the gallows, as Virtue would fly to a glorious action, that therefore another chain must be found out, whose links being smother, smaller, and more cunningly and closely compact together, though they do not bruise, hurt, or nip, yet they should bind faster, stronger, and with greater assurance, than any terror of death or bodily torment whatsoever; and this was an Oath, which calling God to be a witness of his Loyalty and Faith, doth so knit and make fast his Conscience to an honest meaning, that having any true spark of Christianity within him, no motion can arise to infringe or violate the same, but presently his Conscience hath Arguments to suppress it, and his Resolution as a most valiant Chief, tramples and treads it down as a thing pestilent and noisome to his Fame and Honour, for howsoever a Soldier fears not death, yet he expects joy after death, and whatsoever thrusts betwixt him and that hope, is his mortal enemy.  
The words of this Oath are various and incertain, nor is there any constant Precedent thereof, but it hath its limitation, according to the purposes of the General, and the necessity or occasions of the action, being contained in a certain Book or Schedule of Articles which express all the Soldier's duties in the War both towards God, his King, the General, and every other Officer or Chief, commanding within the Army, all which (when the Soldiers are mustered, and gathered together) shall in solemn wise be openly read unto them by the public Notary of the Army, which finished he shall speak unto them thus, or to the like purpose.  BRethren, and Companions in Arms, you have heard the Commandments of our King, containing the principal Laws of the Field, and the Oath which every Soldier should take; All you that intent faithfully to fulfil the same, let him now either openly refuse to be a Soldier, or else hold up his hand, and say after me: All these Articles which have been read, we hold sacred and good, and will valiantly and truly fulfil the same. So help us God, and his divine Word. Amen. 
This is the effect and manner of the Soldier's oath, and it ought to be performed with the greatest Solemnity that may be, and in the presence of the General, the Lieutenant General, or the Master de Campo, at the least. This oath hath sometimes been delivered without any repetition of the latter words by the Soldiers, but only by holding up of their hands▪ which is as much and as forcible: as if they should lay their hands on a Book, for it is the consent which maketh strong the obligation, and bindeth the Conscience both before God and man.  
The Soldier being thus sworn, it remaineth then to make a true distribution or use of them; In which it is to be understood, that all Soldiers are of two sorts, as either of the cavalry, which is serving on horseback, or of the jufantery, which is serving on foot, and between these there hath been held a tedious difference touching priority of place, and precedency in estimation, some allowing it to the Horsman, saying He is more worthy, more puissant, more swift, more dexter, and more serviceable, that a Horseman may at his pleasure be a footman, but a Footman not (A converso) at his pleasure be a Horseman, that the Horseman is more fit for all sorts of employments, that he discovereth things a fare off, and subdueth whatsoever is near at hand, that he performeth three duties at one instant, namely that of the Lance, that of the Sword, and that of the Fire, which no Footman can do, that he hath always a Gentleman's place, and a Gentleman's entertainment, that for the most part he hath ever some one or other attendant, man or boy, to wait upon him, and to conclude, that no Footman whatsoever but holdeth it a degree of Advancement to be made an Horseman. Now there are others which affirm, that the Footman is more noble, saying, that he is as nimble as the other is puissant; that he can with less difficulty answer an Alarm or a charge, that he marches as surely (though not as speedily) that he is able either to make good or assail all Assaults and Breaches, that he can scale walls and Towers, beat Trenches, Mines and Ditches, and indeed set his foot and conquer where no Horse is able to approach; that he first possesseth Towns, Cities and strong holds, and only from his bounty giveth to the Horsman the benefit of his Quarter; that howsoever the Horseman be much swifter than he, yet when they come into any Straits, as Paces, Lanes, Mountains, or the like, that then the Horseman is in a fatal and desperate danger, if the Footman make not his passage good; that the Footman in his travail, though he cannot boast of the Horsemans' ease, yet when he comes to his journey's end, he wants all the Horsemans' trouble, for he hath no Forage to seek out, no Stable room to provide, nor no horse to dress, he saith, that multiplicity of attendants, are multiplicity of charges, and when he draws any such thing unto him, it is for his pleasure, not necessity: and to conclude, the charge of a Horseman is so great, that it containeth the value of ten Foot, yet one Foot according to the computation of all manner of employments is as available and necessary as any Horseman. Thus they argue one against the other; but the resolution of the doubt is, that the greatest number or principal strength whereof the army doth consist, that to it the priority of place is to be given: and hence it comes, that with us here in England, both in the old & first times, when our Brown-bill men and Archers made up the Body, strength and perfection of the army, and that the Horse were but small handfuls, and now in these present days when the Pike and Musket are the very matter on which our Armies do consist, the Footmen hath the chiefest honour and glory of our Conquests, and the first place or rank is so duly his, that our Kings and Generals in the ancient battles have been seen (when the Armies have joined) too alight from their horses, and put themselves into the midst of the main battle of Foot: But on the contrary part, in France, where the people are much more nice and delicate, and not so able as ours to endure long and tedious Marches, they do for the most part all mount themselves on horseback: so that their Armies have and do ever most consist of Horse, and the Horseman is he that hath the greatest pre-eminence amongst them.  
Having thus reconciled this disputation between the cavalry and infantry, it is the great Soldier's Office to distribute his men into these divisions according to the necessity of his affairs, and the ability of men's persons, appointing some to be Horsemen, and some to be footmen: which done, he shall subdevide his Horsemen according to his ability in Arms, the custom of Countries, and the accommodation of the place wherein they are to serve, making some Launciers, and some Pistollers, some Light-Horsemen, and some Carbines, for all these are necessary in an Army, having their distinct and several places, several Service, and several times and seasons, as shall be showed more largely when I come to entreat of their several subjects.  
The Footmen likewise shall also be subdivided according to their tallness in stature, their strength of body, and nimbleness in action, making some Pike-men, some Halberdiers, and some Targeteers, some Muskets, some Bastard-Musquets, and some harquebuses, according as your ability of Arms are able to provide, for although it were to be wished that all the shot of the Infantry might be full Muskets, yet if the quantity be wanting, you must then supply it as near the quality as can be, and rather than leave a man vnfurnished, let him have Bastard-Musquet, arquebus, nay the old Englishmans lost weapon, a good strong Bow and Arrows.  
Thus I have showed your Lordship in this brief Epistle the effect and manner of the Soldier's Oath, and the general distribution of his person, wherein if I have not handled every point with that exact fullness which a diligent capacity would require, it must be conceived that my journey is long and intricate, and I shall touch at one and the same thing in diverse places; so that whatsoever is dark or obscure here, shall receive sufficient light in another Epistle: Be your Lordship then pleased (in whom I have ever found an honourable respect, and to whom I have ever been bound for many noble favours) to look over these rude-disgested lines; and when they have spoken as much as belongs to their message, think they would only intimate this more, that the Writer love's you, and that love shall ever make him ready to serve you.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, EDWARD LORD STURTON.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the Sentinel or Centinel.  
Having (my Lord) in my former Epistles passed over the Important Circomstances depending upon a Military professor, even to the distribution and devission of the Army, I will now descend to the several Offices, Ranks and places depending on the same, of which the meanest and lowest in all the Bundle of Common Soldiers (though exceeding necessary and important) is the Sentinel or outmost watchman of the Army, who indeed is called the wall of the Camp, for in the Carefulness of his Eye and Understanding consisteth much of the general safety, he is bound unto the lowest services, and to the performance of all inferior and under duties, and although he be of the greatest number, yet is he of the least regard, and receives the least entertainment, neither doth any ignorance excuse him, but even the first hour he cometh either into the Field or into Garrison he is liable to this Office and duty, which to expound in brief words is this.  
After the Corpse de guard (which is a Squadron of some five and twenty or thirty persons) is drawn fourth (whether it be in Camp or in Garrison) & placed where the Enemy is aptest to make his approaches, presently the Sergeant, Corporall, or other Officer which hath Command of the Corpse de guard shall out of the common Soldiers draw his Sentinel, & conduct him thirty or forty paces from the Corpse de guard into that passage or way by which the enemy or others are likely to come, and there he shall place him with his Piece charged (for it is intended that Sentinels for the most part should be all Shot) his Rest fixed, the Musqet leveled, the Match cocked and the Pan guarded, commanding him not to suffer any Creature whatsoever to pass by, but with a cunning and diligent eye to look about, and if any come within his view or knowledge, first to call with a loud voice Qui va la or who goes there? then if the other reply A Friend or the like, the Sentinel shall presently command him to stand without approaching a foot farther, which if he refuse to obey the Sentinel may then shoot and kill him, but if he stand, then shall the Sentinel call aloud Corporal, Corporal; to which the Corporal shall reply Holla, and so presently come away and with his Sword drawn receive the word from the passenger whatsoever he be: thus shall the Sentinel with all careful diligence watch and not suffer any man pass by him or to come within such a distance as the party may assail the Sentinel or take advantage either of his weapon or person, upon pain of most grievous punishment; neither shall he slack any duty or quit his placetill either his Corporal come and relieve him (which according to the danger of the place or the strength of the Company is a longer or a lesser time) or else that by some apparent danger he shooteth off his Piece and so giveth to the rest an alarm. The Sentinel is a man of so mean trust that in our Armies he is not credited with the watchword, but only like the Roman Goose must cry out and exclaim when the Capital is in danger, he is a man that must wrestle and outfacce any extremity, not respecting the cruelty of any season, nor leaveing hit Station either for Frost, Snow, Hail, Thunder or Tempest.  
These Sentinels in case of ordinary attendance as in quiet Garrisons or where the Enemy is fare off removed, there they may stand single and alone, but if it be in a Siege, or in Camps where the Enemy lies near one to another, there by all means they shall stand double, that is to say two, one a little distance from the other, yet in such sort that they may discern one another, and be assisting each to other, using all the diligence that may be both of Eyes and Eeares, and being both as silent as the dead of night itself. If the weather be violently cold and piercing, one of them may walk whilst the other doth watch: if it be extreme dark one of them may with his ear lie & listen to the ground whilst the other looks about to see if any thing do approach him, and thus one may help the other, so that nothing can pass without the verge of their knowledge. Now if it happen (as many times it doth) that there be Sentinel beyond Sentinel one standing at least thirty or forty paces nearer to the Enemy than the other; then shall that which standeth nearest to the Enemy be a single Sentinel, the other shall be double, and when the single Sentinel perceiveth any approach of troops or companies than shall he retire to the double to declare his discovery; and when all three perceiveth it then they may give the alarm. And herein is to be noted that all Settinels in general whatsoever they be, ought not in any wise to acknowledge any man of what degree or quality soever the be: were it his Captain or any other Officer of the Camp, but to keep him out at a full distance till the word be received.  
If upon mine assertion of the low estate & mean quality of an ordinary Sentinel it be demanded whether all Gentlemen of Companies be utterly excluded from this place and duty, I answer no: for in some cases it is a matter of so great consequence that indeed none but Gentlemen ought to be made Sentinels as when it is upon the face of the enemy, or when Camps, Trenches, or Mines join so near one to another, that contrary factions may (as it were) discourse and talk one unto another, each striving to circumvent and cut off the Sentinels and Guards which belong to each other, in this case both for the enabling of their judgements and knowledge, to show their obedience & willingness to prevent all mischiefs that might threaten or disturb the Army, and to give unto the world a just & due proof of their magnanimity and valour, they not only obtrud and thrust forward themselves to this service, but also make earnest and great suit to attain it, knowing that the action itself deserves infinite praise, & the danger requires all the absolute parts of a Soldier; as wisdom, courage, foresight, care and prevention: these Sentinels are called of some, Perdues or lost Sentinels, of others Forlorn or Desperate Sentinels, and they stand sometimes on horseback and sometimes on foot as the convenientnes of the place & fitness of the ground will allow, & he must carry himself with that secrecy & discretion that neither eye nor ear may challenge his abode, for should the enemy have any inkling or perseverance of his standing, it were an action almost impossible either to save his own life or make his retreat with safety, for thus was the Spanish Captain Salazer cut off by the troops of Francis the French King the night before he retired from the Town of Landresic; and thus have diverse in like case perished when Indiscretion hath ruled them; the most memorable things which these forlorn Sentinels are to attend, is the affairs of the enemy, what preparation he maketh for secret sallies, In what manner his Troops lodge, and whether he intendeth any secret remove or goeth about to dislodge his Army. This Sentinel may not in any wise have the word, because of the great peril in which he standeth of surprising & being taken Prisoner, whereby the word may be enforced from him and his whole party brought within the compass of most certain destruction, yet notwithstanding although the word be detained from him, it is very convenient that he have a different countersigne by which he may be known and received when at any time he happeneth to return, and again if he do happen to come off with safety, he must be wondrous careful that all his relations and informations be most certain & true, for to be either so far transported with fear that he cannot distinguish sounds; or so dull with amazement that his eyes cannot deserve constant and clear objects, by which means he gives a confused Intelligence, there is nothing but dishonour which will redound to himself, and loss & hindrance to those unto whom he would tender all his best endeavours, & like Considius who (employed in these affairs) by a mistake of his eyes and bringing unto Caesar a false and contrary message, made in one moment a shipwreck of that Fame and Reputation, which he had been thirty years in gaining both under Sylla and Crassus: for all other ordinary Sentinels of which I spoke in the former part of this Epistle, being thus but in the first degree of a common Soldier; there is from them expected no more but common duties, neither is there any more trust or affiance in them then necessity enforceth, but if he be a man of valour, wisdom, apprehension, care & observation, showing in himself an ability both to do and endure, there is no doubt but his Captain (except he be too much unthankful) will take notice of his virtues and quickly advance him to better estimation. The Sentinel and whole Corpse de guard shall march to their place of watch armed at all parts according to the right belonging to the weapon he carrieth, and their relieving those which had the watch before them, shall perform their duties withal secrecy and silence. Of these Sentinels there would be at least twenty in every Squadron: for upon many occasions many are set forth, and being but relieved three or four times in a night, yet every one will have work enough and no man's hand shall be empty. It hath been an argument with some that the Rounder passing within eight or ten paces of the Sentinel, that he may pass by with a Salute only, without giving the word, & that the Sentinel may permit and suffer the same, but it is an erroneous opinion and doth not agree with good discipline, for he that is one of the eyes of the Army and utterly forbidden during his time of watch to acknowledge any creature whatsoever, whether he come from the Camp or from the Town, from the friend or from the enemy, for ways & passages in the night do not distinguish persons, he that stands to guard stands to suspect, and the toleration of one escape may draw on a million.  
If the foremost single Sentinel shall stay any passenger, he shall neither call his Corporal nor demand of him the word, but having stayed him, he shall bring him to the double Sentinel and they shall call the Corporal who shall receive it. To conclude this Epistle, it hath been the manner of the Spanish discipline in their wars to let the Sentinel have the word, so that he doth receive it both of the Rounders and other passengers; but how dangerous & hurtful it hath been unto them, that exploit of Sir Roger Williams (of noble memory) and Sir Martin Skinke (when they attempted their passage to Venlow) will most worthily witness, where in stead of giving the word they took the word and slew the Sentinels, and made their passage good even to the Tent of the General (the noble Duke of Parma) whom they made fly out of his bed in his shirt, and had they not had other ends which did guide them, it was supposed at that instant they might have taken him prisoner; This I show that to this inferior place should be attributed no greater privilege than is convenient, for being the meanest amongst the meanest, it is enough if their eyes and ears do their duties, for their tongues it is too nimble an engine, and should be laden with no more poise than it might bear without either trouble or danger.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE HENRY SUMMERSAULT LORD HERBERT of Chepstow, Heir Apparent to the Earldom of Worcester.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the Rounder.  
MOst honoured and worthy Lord, so great is the renown of your thrice noble father, and so precious unto me the consideration of that ancient, excellent and happy stock from whence you take your derivation, that were there nothing in me but Dullness & Lead; yet I could not but kindle in my heart some sparks of admiration, and willing flames of affectionate love to your service, so oft as I read the story of your forefathers excellencies in the goodly Table of your own living virtues. Be pleased then noble Sir (to whose blood I am not utterly a stranger) to cast your eye over this my rough weak labour, & though it be a descant set to the Drum, and not to the Viol, yet I hope it shall beat so tuneably into every right and perfect courage, that by the working effects thereof many shall be drawn from their neglect of martial Intendments, and myself both revived and rewarded when I shall give my heart some hope that I have expressed the love and duty I bear to your Name and Honour.  
The word Ronda, which both in Spanish and Italian doth signify a Rounder, is taken in the plural number for a certain select company of Gentlemen, or well deserving Soldiers, who for the merit of their Service (expressed in their valour and obedience, and the honest and faithful performance of those inferior duties which are liable to the first entrance of every common Soldier) have been advanced by their Captain from the title of a common man to be a Gentleman of a Company, the privilege whereof doth not only free and discharge him from the humble and meaner duties, as that of the Sentinel, and the like, but doth also exhausted and raise up his entertainment, therein making a difference between them and the vulgar persons, and these be called Gentlemen Rounders, or Gentlemen of the Round, whose duty and office is to visit the Corpse du guards, the sentines, Scouts & Watches at sundry hours in the night, to cause them to observe the laws, statutes, and ordinances of the army, and to see whether they be vigilant and ready so as no surprise, Sally, private Injury, or other secret Stratagem be wrought or performed against the body of the Army; and for this cause they walk continually round about from Sentinel to Sentinel, and from Guard to Guard. If it be in a Garrison round about the walls of the town, and if in a Camp, then round about the fortification thereof either within or without, and through every passage which approacheth to the same, by means of which circular course or round walk which they undertake, they have the name of Rounders, or a Gentleman of the Round.  
These are in the immediate next degree before the Sentinel, and howsoever the Captain hath power in his own company to dispense with places and duties of this nature; yet in true & severe discipline this place was first allotted for young Gentlemen of good Blood and descent, who desirous to advance their fortunes in the wars, have (for pay) thrust themselves under the commands of sundry Captains, for whose encouragement and respect both this place and duty, and an advancement of some greater pay (then that to a common Soldier) was instituted and ordained; and questionless there is great reason there should be some distinction between them and the vulgar: And although for knowledge sake it is sometimes a glory unto them to stand Sentinel, yet it must be out of their voluntary motion: for no constraint ought to enforce them thereunto. These Gentlemen as they are Rounders are trusted with the Word, which no Sentinel may be; they are the leaders or Captains of Files in the company wherein they serve, and may challenge the most honourable places in all Marches, & such as are the most likely to come to the first encounter of the enemy; they may challenge now and then entertainment at the Captains own table, and being without disparagement, of clear blood and virtue, even the General himself should not contemn them; and doubtless, these extraordinary graces do infinitely oblige thankful minds; and in cases of Mutiny or any other private disorder, do much strengthen the Commander, for being right Gentlemen, & of sweet conversation, they will ever have in the company some to depend upon them, so that howsoever mischiefs run, they will commonly have the greater, assuredly the better part to adhere unto them; and indeed it ought to be their study, that as they are respected above the vulgar, so they should excel the vulgar in the virtues of Fidelity, Valour, Secrecy, Patience, Abstinence and Continence, and as others serve for gain, so they must serve for Glory and advancement.  
Now to descend to the particular duty of the Rounder, he ought first to set the watch either in company or in squadron, whether it be in Garrison or in the field, & to march with his fellows in Arms to the place where the Corpse du guard is appointed, and there to place himself in a comely and silent manner till the Corporal have set out all his Sentinels, and that the first round is gone about, which ought to be performed by the Captain of the Watch himself or some other supreme Officer, then after some small pause, the Captain, Lieutenant, Sergeant, or Corporall which hath the charge of the Corpse du guard, shall call forth two Gentlemen Rounders (for it is to be understood that they ought ever for the most part to go double and not single) and to these in very silent manner he shall deliver the Word, giving them great charge of care and secrecy therein, and so forthwith they shall pass away upon the Round, with such ordinary Arms as they usually carry, which for the most part is the Pike, for that is accounted the Gentleman's weapon. Now being on upon the Round, they must with a very curious eye, and a quick ear observe any cause of danger be it never so light, they must take a survey of all Rampires, bulwarks, trenches & mines whatsoever they encounter with, and behold if they can perceive any thing dangerous about them, & according to the brightness or obscurnes of the air, so must their vigilance be augmented; for if it be clear & light, then must their eyes be their best Intelligencers; if it be cloudy, dark & unperceivable, then must their ears inform them, and they must diverse times stand still and listen whether they can hear any speech or conference, and observe of what consequence & value the words are; also if they can hear any trampling of horses fect, any clashing of armours, or if they can discern any glimpse of fire or sparklings of Marches, and the like: any of which when they perceive, they shall either conceal themselves till it approach them that they may discover it, or else draw as near unto it as they can with convenience, and if they find eminent danger, either retire and give notice, or else raise the alarm, but if it be in case of equality, then by calling & receiving the Word, give passage, or otherwise for want thereof take them prisoners, & bring them to the Guard; but upon any resistance, than it is lawful to kill as being an enemy, but not otherwise. Thus passing along upon the Round, when they come unto the Sentinels, they must make their approaches with all the art and cunning that can be devised, and with all silence stealing near unto them, watch whether they be asleep, or whether they stand carelessly out of order, & not upon their guard: they shall by persuasion, enticement or insinuation try if they can come within them, if they can take their weapons from them, or if they will admit them to pass by without calling their Corporall (as knowing that they are Gentlemen of their Company, and of their familiar acquaintance) or the like careless escapes, which they shall put to the uttermost trial, than they shall presently call the Corporal, to whom declaring their negligence and offence, another Sentinel shall be forthwith placed, and the offending one carried to the Guard shall by his superior officer receive severe & condign punishment. The reasons of every which attempt I forbear to set down, because they would but overburden so short an Epistle; and no man (I hope) that shall happen upon this discourse, will have so shallow an understanding as not to conceive how dangerous the least of these escapes may prove to the body of an Army. It hath been a question whether the Gentlemen Rounders may wink at these offences, and only by giving sharp admonishment to the Sentinel, or peradventure a dry blow or two conceal it from his superior officer: but it is most certain that they may not, but in duty ought truly to reveal unto him all material things whatsoever which hath happened unto them in going of the Round: But if in the Round they find all things well, and to their contentment, and that the Sentinels are vigilant and careful, so as nothing can escape or pass by them, than when the Sentinel shall say Quiva lafoy, or Who goes there? the Rounder shall reply, A Friend: when the Seutinell shall say Stand, the Rounder shall answer, Call your Corporall; then when the Corporal approacheth, the Rounder shall in his ear deliver the word with all secrecy, which being true, the Corporal shall say, Pass along; and so the Rounder shall departed to the next Sentinel, and in that manner from Sentinel to Sentinel till he have gone round about, and be come to his own Corpse du guard again.  
If the Rounders in passing the Round shall encounter with other Rounders, than they which first discover, shall first call, and first challenge the word, but if both discover at one instant, & as it were call in one moment, than they shall interchangeably both give and receive the word, that is to say, that Rounder which receiveth the word, his companion to the contrary party shall give the word, so that on both sides the word shallbe both given and taken, one of each party having the swords point at his bosom, for whosoever receiveth the word, must draw his sword, and he that delivereth it, must tender against it his bosom; for the manner of the encounter it is thus; the first discoverer calleth Quivala, the other reply The Round; the first answereth the Round also: then they meet a little distance asunder, and he that first discovered, receives the word, and his Companion gives it, and so à converso. Now if the Rounders be sent out so early in the night that they meet the Captain of the watch (who should go the first Round) then of him they must take notice, & both one after another deliver him the word, and so doing reverence, pass along. To conclude and finish up this duty of the Rounder, if they shall in their round meet either with the General of the Army, or the Governor of the garrison undisguised and like himself in all parts both of person and attendants, so that without excuse they must know him, then to him they shall give the word also, but to no other whatsoever (more than such as are before specified) no not to his own Captain, nor to the Captain of the watch, after the first Round is performed: and of these Rounders there must be at least two or more in every Squadron, who performing this duty twice or thrice every night, or as necessity shall require, will no doubt both keep the Watches in good order, & bring much safety to the Army. In some places they have Round houses, where the Captain of the watch and all the Rounders together remain all night, who setteth out his Rounders each half hour or hour, according to the space of the Round.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, JOHN LORD DARCY OF the North, his very good LORD.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the Clerk and Harbinger.  
THe great Respects which many Ties both of Blood and Favour have bound me daily to acknowledge to your Lordship, are as so many alarumes to awaken me (in the depth of my Meditation) and to pronounce unto me how unworthy I were if in this Cattalogue of Martial designs I should omit the memory of your name and Honour, I do know the Study you affect, and when it shall please either God or the Kingdom to call you to the practice, I doubt not but there will be found in you such a Readiness of Will, and such an ability both of Person and Courage, that all the lost or consumed Epitaphs of your noble Progenitors shall as new Texted Records be read a fare off in your Honourable disposition, till when I beseech your lordship Anchor one hour upon this Epistle; and howsoever the words be roughly and plainly thrust together, yet shall the matter give you content, for it brings with it a witness of certain knowledge, and the mind of a writer which without flattery will ever honour and love you.  
The Clerk of a Band in a Company of well disciplined Soldiers (being a man worthily worthy of the place and Office which he holdeth) I cannot foe fitly compare to any thing as to an honest Steward of a noble and well governed Family, for their faithful cares and services are knit and made up almost of one and the same Members; each being drawn by his Industry, foresight and providence to have a care of his Commander's honour and profit, and of the weal and good estate of all those which have any dependence upon them.  
It is true that in the Clerk of a Band is not required much Soldiery or Martial understanding, for he is rather to be a penman then a Swordman, yet by all means no Coward, for that slavish fear is a great weakener of honesty and a discoverer of deceitful paths (which he must by all means avoid) it teacheth him how to flatter the world, to disesteem all the laws of true friendship, to addulterate only with his own pleasures; and to make of himself, (to himself) both a Mistress and a prodigal Servant, he that fears to die can never be Master of a good Conscienee, and when that is hackneyd upon either by Covetousness, or Pride, there is no respect of persons but all things are sweet which bring him gain, though in the vildest manner that may be. Let the Clerk of the Band then by all means be chosen a man of great honesty and Integrity, discreet and civil in his behaviour; of temperate quality and modest countenance, having in him a certain Gravity, or face of authority which may even challenge and as it were command both love and respect from the Soldier; he must of necessity be a good penman, writing a swift, legible and ready hand; he ought to have good skill in Arithmetic and the knowledge both of whole and broken Numbers; at the worst he must be prefit in casting all manner of accounts and able in Merchantlike manner to keep the account between debtor and creditor; If he have the Latin tongue he is a Treasure, but if to it also the understanding of other Languages he is an inestimable jewel, for so he shall be able to truck with strangers for the benefit of the Company, and also to Interpret and take charge of Prisoners when any are taken.  
It is the Office and duty of this Clerk to keep the Rolls and muster Books containing the names and surnames of the whole Company, and these he shall have in sundry and diverse manners, as in one Book or Roll according to the Arms and weapons which they carry, sorting every several Arms by themselves, as first all the Officers in their true Ranks, than all the Pikes and short weapons, than the Muskets and harquebuses or bastard Muskets if there be any.  
In another Book or roll all their names according to their Squadrons having the Officers of every Squadron first, than the Gentlemen, and lastly the common Soldier, and in the third Book or roll all their names as they March in their own particular Battalia and according to the dignity of their places; so that when the Muster-master or Captain shall come to make a general call of the Campany, he may deliver them the first Book; If it be to go to the watch and to reckon any one Squadron he may deliver the second Book; and if it be to question or find out any one particular man as he stands in the Gross, whether he have quit his place or remain according to duty, that then he may use the third and last Book, and of these he shall never be without sundry Copies, of which first Book he may tender one to the Muster-master when he is commanded, another to his Captain, a third to his Lieutenant, and a fourth for himself, which he ought to keep as a precedent, for in it he shall enroll all Soldiers as they are entertained, carefully keep their Enteries, their Deaths and Discharges; and this first Book shall be written at large and in Folio, not having above seven names at most upon a page, that he may the better insert any exchange, defect, absence, death, or other faults which may procure a check, that so an even reckoning may be kept between the Captain and the Soldier: Out of the second Book he shall give a Copy to every Corporal of his own true Squadron, so that when he is to go to his watch or to do any other necessary duty, he may by it call them together and see that no man be wanting, and this book must be written like the former because of Casualties, Death, or Alteration; Out of the last Book which is according to March or Dignity of places, he shall take Copies and give them to the Sergeants fixing to every name the figure of the place in which he marcheth, as to the name which leadeth the right hand File the figure 1. to the name that leadeth the lefthand File the figure of 2. to the name of the bringer up of the right-hand File or first in the Rear the figure 3. and to the name of the bringer up of the lefthand File or second in the Rear the figure 4. and so fourth of all the rest according to martial discipline and as shall be showed more lardgely in the Office of the Sergeant, so that if any man shall quit his place either in March or other exercise, the Sergeant may immediately find his name and see due punishment extented, and this may either be written in a book or in a large Table at the discretion of the Clerk and Sergeant.  
The Clerk shall (as convenient leisure will suffer him) once in a week read to the whole Company the Laws and Articles of the Army; and if there be no Minister or Preacher about them, he shall at convenient times, (as at the setting of the watch or breaking up of the same) read divine prayers unto them.  
He shall receive from the Treasurer or under-treasurer, all the pay belonging to the Captain and Soldiers, and see faithfully and truly distributed to every man his due according to the Captain's directions, and he shall keep a faithful Audit between the Captain and all others, clearing every reckoning without doubt or disorder, he is to receive from the victualler all proportions of victuals, & to keep a due account of the prizes thereof, he is to receive all Provaunt Apparel, with the value of the same, and he is to receive all manner of Munition and Arms which is necessary for the whole Company, and of all these he shall keep true records, fetch out the Certificates and keep all reckonings even between his Captain and all Officers. This Clerk is he which ought to be both the Companies Physician and the Companies Merchant, for he ought by Information to the Captain and by his directions to provide all things necessary for them, both in sickness and in health, defaulking the same out of their wages or other allowance of the Captains: If any man shall happen to be slain, or otherwise to departed out of this life, the Clerk of the Band shall administer upon his goods, and making a true Inventory or praysure thereof, (after his debts and defaulcations are paid) shall be answerable for the rest to his next of blood, or else such on whom by Will he had formerly bestowed it. He shall also keep a true note of the time of his death, whereby a Certificate may be made to the Muster-master, and so that neither the Prince may be deceived in his pay, nor yet the victuallers over reckon the Captain in the multiplicity of their victuals; He is to see that such as are wounded be duly dressed by the Surgeons, and if that any be taken Prisoner, he is to awaken his Captain's memory touching their Ransom.  
To conclude if he be a good Clerk he is an excellent member both for Captain and Soldier, for it is impossible that any Captain should thrive if he have an evil and unconscionable Clerk, for the ways are so infinite by which he may deceive him, that not all the eyes and tongues which are upon Rumour's outside, can either deserve or unfold them till the mischief be so rotten that no medicine can cure it; and on the other side if he be all for the Captain and have no honest respect towards the Soldier, then unless the Captain be a Saint, the mischief is much more heinous, for all being fish that comes to his net, he will devour up the Company ten times worse than the Enemy; and therefore a most especial care would be had to the election of this Officer, for having the distribution of all the Captain's waters, it is in his power either to kill or comfort at his pleasure.  
There is another Officer depending upon a foot Company, which in some small parts resembleth this, and is called in the wars a Furrier or Harbinger, one that in marching and watching hath no command at all; But when the Company is drawn into Garrison, than he taketh upon him the effect of his authority, which is from the Sergeant Maior (or other Officer his Deputy) to receive all Billets due for the Company, and to distribute them to the Company so as every man may be acommodated according to the ability of the place and necessity of the times, he is also upon the placing of a Camp to attend the Quartermaster general, and having received his proportion of ground and description of Streets, he is to quarter his own Company and to allot to every man the ground whereon to place his . Every judicious Captain may out of his Company soon pick out a man fit for this purpose, for the art is easy and if at any time he should doubt, he might behold example enough round about him. These, although they have a certain power, yet are but common Soldiers, neither can they well be Ranked with the Officers of a Company, for in these is only but a kind of Trust, in the Officers is both a Trust and Commandment, as the discourse already hath showed to your Lordship, which if it be either briefer than you wish, or longer than your leisure in the reading could assign it: Remember my (Lord) that Soldiers howsoever they love swiftness in their Actions, yet they cannot endure to have their Tales broken.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE WILLIAM LORD SANDS OF THE VINE.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of Drums and Phiphes.  
IT is (Noble Sir) your honoured place and Birth which makes me fix your name to this Epistle, and it must be your Virtue and love to the Soldier, which must make me appear blameless in your opinion: for I must confess, I have nothing to rise up between myself and your good thoughts, but only this, That howsoever now we are spectators and beholders of our neighbour's troubles, yet we have been ourselves upon the Stage, and may be again when God shall take his Protection from us, and therefore this Art of War is neither to be contemned nor forgotten.  
To proceed then in my Range of Martial dependants, the next which doth precede those which I have overpassed, are the Drum and Phip, which for as much as like the former they are Officers of power, and not of command, therefore I may in no wise give them place before the Commanders, only I will allow them according to their place in March, and their greatness in entertainment to be the best of private Soldiers; and as they are Instruments of direction and encouragement to others: so are they by superior Officers to be directed themselves. Now albe I do join these two Officers together, and that in Rank and pay they are all one, yet it is to be understood, that the Phip is but only an Instrument of pleasure, not of necessity, and it is to the voice of the Drum the Soldier should wholly attend, and not to the air of the whistle; for the one (which is the Drum) speaks plainly and distinctly, the other speaks loud and shrill, but yet curiously and confusedly, and therefore the Drum being the very tongue and voice of the Commander, he is to have an exceeding careful and diligent ear unto all the words of directions (and are called our Vocabula Artis) which shall proceed from the Captain, and accordingly to perform and speak it in his beat; for to mistake and do contrary, as to beat a Retreat when he is commanded to Charge, or to beat a Charge when men are to retire, were a thing of that danger, that the army might perish by the action. Therefore as it is behooveful that every Drum take heed to his directions, so it is as necessary, that every Soldier be diligent to learn and understand all the useful beat of the Drum, and that the Drum himself be willing and pliable to instruct and inform whosoever of his company that is desirous to be informed in the same; and to make plain unto them the alteration of notes, and how they differ in their significations, and which way (with the most ease) they may apprehend the same. Of which Beat of the Drum, these are the most behooveful & useful for every raw Soldier to learn. First, in the morning the discharge or breaking up of the Watch, than a preparation or Summons to make them repair to their Colours; then a beating away before they begin to march; after that a March according to the nature & custom of the country (for diverse countries have diverse Marches) than a Charge, than a Retreat, than a Troop, and lastly a Battalion, and a Battery, besides other sounds which depending on the phantasttikenes of foreign nations are not so useful: for according to the opinion of Sir Roger Williams, Drums are but only to direct, it is the man which must fight: Neither aught a man to be (like Captain Hindar) so nice or curious in the beat of the Drum, proportioning the body, legs, head, hands and every motion so exactly to every stroke or doubling of the Drum, as if it were almost a treason in Nature to walk without that Instruments assistance. These superstitious curiosities in matters of so weak importance, are disparagements to wise men's reputations; and when they take upon them to frame a Custom of almost impossible actions, they so lose themselves in the fondness of their designs; that many excellent virtues wherewith they stand possessed, neither can nor will be discerned through these black clouds of fantastic resolution: For thus Hindar taking upon him to write a Book of this unnecessary subject (though he had many rare knowledges in him) yet had them so cast out of men's memories, that the more he laboured to get belief, the more he lost the credit of his estimation. And yet this I must say for him, that it is supposed by many well judging Soldiers, that he was one of the first which gave light to our late Postures, and formable motions, and albe not in that perfection in which they now are, yet questionless, he found out the Grounds and Bases whereon others did erect their goodlier buildings: Let therefore the Drum study Art and plainness, for that is the best to draw a dull mind to apprehension; and when his duties in the Field are finished, if then being retired into the Tent, he have then other artificial and Musical strains, wherewith to steal away the minds and ears of his hearers, it will be a great honour unto him; neither for mine own part have I heard more sweet or more solemn melody, then that which the Drum and Flute hath afforded.  
It is the Office of the Drum to make all Proclamations, and with an audible voice to declare all the commandments of the General or Captain: they are to call and summon the Soldiers together to perform all manner of duties, and when any dies, the Drum with a sad solemnity must bring him to his grave, for it is the only mourner for the lost, and the greatest honour of Funerals: whence it comes that any man dying (above the degree of a common Soldier) the Drum performing the last duty, may for his fee challenge the Sword of the deceased.  
It is the Office of the Drum to summon all Towns before they be besieged, and to carry the General's Defiances or Braves to the enemy, accordingly as he shall be directed; he is the ordinary Messenger to carry all messages to and fro between the General & the enemy, and between Commander and Commander, but especially at such time as fair Quarter is holden: At night when the watch is to be set, the Drum▪ Mayor beginneth first to beat it, and then after him all the rest in their order through the whole Army or Garrison, and then after prayers are said, they conduct their Squadron to their Corpse du guard, & so attend to give seconds to every Alarm. A Drum (though martial in every part of his calling) is yet rather a man of Peace then of the sword, and it is most dishonourable in any man (wittingly and out of his knowledge) to strike him or wound him: and yet questionless many of them are exceeding valiant, and indeed no less they ought to be: for valour and courage is necessary in all their employments, for his place is ever at his Captain's heels, it is he that brings the Battles to join, he stands in the midst when Swords fly on all sides; he brings them to pell, mell, and the fury of execution; and it is he that brings them both on and off, when they are either fortunate, or abandoned and forsaken.  
The Drum that will be accounted absolute, and every way fitting for his place, must beside the exquisiteness and skilfulness in his Art and Instrument, and the Rudiments of Martial Discipline, be also a good Linguist, and well seen in foreign Languages: for by the carrying of Messages, he must commerce and have to do with people of sundry Nations, which (for want of knowledge being discharged by any second person, it is a great disparagement to the Drum, and his Ignorance makes him a servant which otherwise might be a Master. It is also the Office and duty of the Drum to carry Ransoms, and pay the agreements between his side and the enemy: It is he that must truck and compound for Prisoners; he must bring them home when they are redeemed, and place them in safety; and it is he that must conduct Pledges, carry them and recarry them, and lead to the enemy and his own Tents such Hostages and Prisoners as shall be exchanged: he may upon toleration from the General, carry Challenges and Defiances from one enemy to another, and either for Honour or Ladies love's make composition for single Encounters, provided it be upon foot, as with the Push of the Pike, the Locking of Halberds, the joining of Partisans, the Crossing of Swords, or else the Exchanging of Bullets: but if it be upon Horseback, than it is the office of the Trumpet, and the Drum hath no interest in it.  
To conclude therefore mine Epistle (for I fear I have been tedious to your Lordship, and like a weary Traveller am loath to go out of the beaten path wherein I take delight) it is most necessary that the Drum and Phip be men of very able and praiseworthy qualities, and of comely and well shaped proportions, and endued with all these especial Virtues which should adorn a perfect Soldier, as Obedience, Silence, Secrecy, Sobriety, Valour, and Loyalty, that so they may be the great Examples of duty to those which shall live about them: close in all Counsels, Temperate in delivering Messages, Stout in performing the will of their Commanders, and faithful in all their undertake: all which will be as so many Crowns and Garlands to adorn their good deeds; and by that means Virtue will never forsake them, nor will true Reward and Merit lose a Purchase it hath got with so much Honour.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EDWARD LORD VAULX of HARODON.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the Lanspesado.  
Being curious (my noble Lord) not to let pass any thing that may challenge dependence upon this discourse which I have taken in hand (though of never so small and unrespected consequence) I thought meet to rest in this Epistle upon the Office of the Lanspesado, which notwithstanding, it be the meanest and lowest of all Offices of commandment and indeed but the very shadow or apparition of another Inferior place; yet in respect it is the first and of equal antiquity with many: I will not stick to bestow two hours' Meditation upon the same. And therefore to begin first of all with the name of this Officer, it is to be understood that Lanspesado (which is the first and meanest Officer in an Army that hath any Commandment) is the same whom the Romans called Decario, others Cabo-de-Camarado, Cabo-de-Camara or Lanse-spezzate, any or all which signify a Deputy Corporal, and was indeed in the ancient discipline a Commander of ten persons, for when companies were first compounded, they were then divided into Squadrons, and the Squadrons into Files, and the Files into fellowships or Camarados, & over these fellowships were made Leaders or Chiefs which they called Lanspesadoes being (as it were) the principal man of eleven, but in our modern wars it a little varieth, for now when companies are divided into Squadrons, over this Squadron is appointed a Corporal, and under the Corporal a Lanspesado, who as his Deputy and in his absence (whether it be upon a Guard, Watch or otherwise) is to perform all his duties and Office; but in the presence of the Corporal, he is only the leader of a File, and hath the charge or overlooking of half a Squadron, otherwise of this officer is little more required then of every other ordinary and common Soldier.  
These aught to be elected out of the most sufficientest of all the meaner Rank of persons, and to be of a careful, obedient, and active spirit, of a subtle & wise disposition, they ought to be the best experimented of that Rank and to be void of turbulent qualities, lovers of concord and enemies of mutiny and sedition; if they be old & experienced Soudiers; everry man almost is able with sufficiency to discharge this place, but if they be sluggish, Base and debauched fellows, there is no Practice, Experience, nor Instruction whatsoever which can make them capable of ruling of other. Again if they be new levied Soldiers, and have never seen the wars, than there will be some difficulty in the election, and a man can hardly discharge what he doth not know. But questionless, it is hard if in the number of five and twenty men, two may not be found which have either seen or had some small taste of the wars; yet suppose they have not, it than behoveth the Captain to look into their natural Inclinations and their aptness, willingness & love unto martial exercise, and from thence to choose out such as he finds quickest of apprehension, fullest of care, vigilance, valour and observation, who by the help and assistance of his other Officers (whose advice in this election he ought to require) may be made worthy and fit to take upon them this commandment. But beware by all means of making choice of a Drunkard, Ruffian, or Profane person, for they are most pernicious in these places, yet if any small fault happen, seek by admonition to reclaim it, or else by threatening to displace him, for in the wars there is not any thing more disgraceful, or grievous to a Soldier, then to be pulled back or cast from authority, since all men stand at the ladder foot, and only endeavour to arise and get up upon the Scale of advancement. So that I conclude if any of these Inferior Officers be subject to some crimes, yet the very shame of dishonour and falling, will so afflict & torment him, that it will enforce him to endeavour amendment; but if the wound be desperate, it is no matter though he perish, and the change is wholesome; for we must suppose that at the first levying or raising of men, their humours cannot be known, neither is it fit to give Rule (though never so mean) to an unruly person. Thus much I thought to write touching his election, & have the longer Insisted thereon, because being elected there is some difficulty & trouble in the remove. It now remaineth that I proceed to his aptness or fitness for the same; for which there are many strong reasons, as first that there is no increase of pay or peculiar charge to the State, neither is there any thing in it to woo his continuance thereunto, more than a little hope of glory, for his reward is only Superiority of place and hope of advancement, which is from that place to a Corporal, thence to a Sergeant, and thence successively according to his merit & fortune, which hope makes him strong in his diligence, and careful in all his duties, striving in all things to outshine his companions, and as he is in a place above them, so in the merit thereof to exceed them, and both in Marches, Skirmishes, and every other occurrent of war, to be unto them an example and precedent.  
Touching the particular duty of this Lanspesado and what he is to exercise in his place; first it is to be understood that he is the Captain or Leader of that File which is next in true degree below his Corporal (of whose Squadron he holdeth his place) and is to give them all examples of good, ready and perfect service, leading them on upon the enemy (in such sort as he is commanded) withal courage, counning and dexterity, and bringing them off with equal care, good order, and discretion; He is to look that every Soldier within his Command or Division, have his arms neat, clean, and well scoured, that he be furnished with all Implements and accoutrements belonging unto the weapon wherewith he serveth; as Powder, Match, Bullet, Arms, and all things else whatsoever which belongeth either to the Musket or any other weapon, he is to give the Soldier's encouragement, and to make any thing facile and easy unto them, which shall trouble their minds or seem hard and doubtful, as also to hold them in the perseverance of good actions, and to declare the honour and worth that is in Diligence and Obedience; he is to advertise and give notice unto his Commander if he understand of any malcontents, or men whose spirits are apt to mutiny and sedition, or whose speech and language tendeth thereunto; he is also to discover all manner of thefts or purloynings (whether of victuals or other matter) and any Injury whatsoever which shall be done between peason and person, for he being within the Cammarade or fellowship, and a man of equal quality and rank (more than the name and shadow of his place) and feeding and lodging continually amongst them. It is intended (considering the freeness of such men's thoughts, & how unapt they are to conceal what they imagine) that nothing can be done or pretended to which he shall not be privy (of what nature soever the mischief be) if he be discreet & honest: he shall be watchful and diligent to listen after all alarms, and when he heareth any, to awaken and rouse up those of his Division and to see that they issue not rudely or unprovided, but with their arms about them in a decent and necessary fashion; and to his uttermost power do all things that may bring on or further the service. In their watch they are Deputy Corporals, and when the Corporal is absent the Lanspesado shall take his place; command the Guard, appoint, set forth & relieve Sentinels, he shall take the word, receive Prisoners taken in the watch, deliver them over unto his Superior Officer, & indeed do all things whatsoever which belongs to the Corporal, and to this end, as in his own place, so in the Corporals also he shall be pregnant and ready, (the substance whereof followeth in the next ensuing Epistle) lastly it is his duty to instruct his Division in all the rudiments which belongs to their places as well in the manage of their Arms, as in the comely and well keeping of the same, and to that end he shall show them how to keep their Armours & weapons from Rust, & with what Ingredience, how to take their Pieces asunder and to make them clean, and when need is how to unbreech them; he shall (if need be) cast their Bullets for them, dry their powder, and have always spare match in a readiness, or at least instruct them how to do it themselves, for that shall be to him some ease and to them a greater profit.  
Thus having showed the duty of this Officer I will now return to his use, which though it consist in many things and all without any extraordinary charge, yet the greatest use of all, is when Battalions are divided or subdivided into many petty fractions, than this Inferior Officer (who in a greater Body would be Ignorant) in this lesser Body will be as knowing as any Officer can be. And superior Officers who command Battalions, Regiments, Companies and Squadrons, having many under their commands, cannot attend to revisit and look into Files and half Squadrons, or see (being fare removed) whether they stand in their true and perfect distance, in this case this Officer is as helpful as any (to them which command in chief) and observes all proportions, qualities and motions both of such as follow or such as front with him; for indeed, the motions in Files I can compare to nothing more fitly then to the dancing of the old measures, in which if there be a good Leader, that by his ear can truly distinguish the sound of the Instrument, and knows when to double or single, forward, backward, sideway and on either hand, or when to begin and when to end, that then it much skills not what the followers counning be. So in Files if there be a perfect Leader & but tractable observers, hardly can any Ignorance do hurt in the motion, but here me thinks an old Soldier that love's not book knowledge, pulls me by the ear, and says: what? have all wars these distinctions? or have these places been from the beginning? believe it, I have been in services where if you should speak of Decario or Lanspesado, they would take it for some heathen Greek, or a more dangerous language: to which I answer, that indeed they are not used in all wars, much less in every company, but I dare with constancy affirm that the best understanders in Martial Discipline, do with all severity both use them and apply themselves unto them, finding them so necessary and behooveful, that where there is a neglect or disdain thereof, there without all question the company hath a wound, and the whole Army wants (if not more) yet one feature of an excellent beauty.  
Some latter writers have given this name a fare different interpretation, calling them voluntary Lieutenants or Knights of Saint George's Squadron, and applying them to the duties of a Gentleman of the company or a Rounder; but it is only a fancy, and I have already showed what they are and what depends upon them: therefore in mine Epistle I will avoid disputation and only conclude, that what I have writ, mine experience hath seen, and what I affirm, all readings will allow to have the best authority.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THOMAS LORD WINDSOR OF BRADNAM.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the Corporal.  
LEt it not (my Lord) be offensive, if for an hour or less I beg you from your more serious thoughts, to vouchsafe the reading of this blunt Epistle: for believe it (noble Sir) there must be an Affection to your Goodness to move me, and some hope in the labour that this service will Inn the time you spend in the traffic, or else questionless I should wish myself half lost, and the papers consumed: howsoever, it is War (which is the Garland of Nobility) and though time be never so precious, yet none can be said to be lost that is bestowed on so worthy a Subject.  
The Corporal (to whom now my discourse leads me) is he whom the Spaniard calls Cabo de Esquadra, and being a degree above the Lanspesado, is the Commander of a whole Squadron, which Squadron is commonly the fourth part of a Company that is compounded of one hundred; and it is divided into two Camarados or fellowships, each containing twelve persons, that is to say, ten Sentinels, one Gentleman, and a Lanspesado, so that the whole Squadron is twenty four men besides the Corporal, which makes up a full square of five (which is the least Battalion.) Now though I here set down this certain number, to express an uncertain quantity, yet know it is in the Captain's power to make his Squadrons bigger or less at his own pleasure; yet this proportion is most fit (though not always constant) and therefore most necessary, yea the old Soldiers do, and the good Soldiers will find it most best.  
This Corporal aught to be a man carefully chosen out, and endued with Valour, Virtue, Diligence and Experience; he ought to be of reverend and grave years, thereby to draw on respect, but withal of a sound judgement: for experience without it, is but like a jewel in the bottom of the sea, which neither adorns itself nor others; he must be a cherisher of virtue, and a lover of concord, for he is said to be the father of his squadron, and must therefore love them and provide for them as for his natural children.  
Touching the quality of his place, he is first to oversee the Lanspesado, that he do his duty in all occasions, & that the Arms of his Squadron be kept neat and clean, as hath been formerly showed, that every man have such munition as belongs to his place, that he keep it safe, and make no waste thereof, but upon needful occasions: he shall stir them up to go neat in their apparel, and reprove them for any thing that is contrary to the articles of the Army: he shall see them ready to perform any duty when they are commanded; and he shall call them often to the exercise of their Arms, and according to his skill, be ready to instruct them: he shall at the setting of the watch bring forth his Squadron in a decent and comely manner, and having (from the Sergeant or other superior Officer) received the Word (in a secret and reverend sort) he shall then draw them to the Corpse du guard, where it is his place to provide coal, wood, or other fuel to keep a continual fire, both for the saving of Match, lighting of Cressets, or for other commodities: then he shall draw forth his Sentinels, and place them (according to the necessity of the times) either Single or double, Perdues or otherwise, and he shall give them their charge and directions, and place them in their Sentinel posture; then upon his return he shall call forth the Gentlemen Rounders, and send them abroad to make a search of the watch, and to see that every Sentinel do his duty, which to perform he shall give them the Word in their ears severally: then he shall place himself upon the Corpse du guard, and both sit silently himself, and cause others to do the same, that he may the better apprehend any call whatsoever: Assoon as the Sentinel calleth, he shall answer Holla, and immediately go either himself single, with his sword drawn, or (in especial cases where the enemy lodgeth near) with a guard of two at least (being a Pike and a Shot) unto the Sentinel, and making his Guard stand upon their guard, he shall place the point of his Sword to the left breast of him that is to give the Word (whether he be Rounder or other private messenger, & so fixing his point to his breast with his left thumb (laying his ear to his mouth very closely) receive the Word, which if it be right, he shall give the party passage, if otherwise, he shall take him prisoner, and disarm him, then lead him to his guard, and there keep him till it be morning, or else deliver him to his superior officer: but if any resistance be offered, than it shallbe lawful for the Corporal to kill him: thus he shall continue his watch till it be day, or that other companies come to relieve him; and he shall according to the season of the weather, the danger of the place, & the strength of his Squadron, change and relieve the Sentinels so oft as he pleaseth, and always provided that in the first Round, if the Captain of the watch come himself, or the General undisguised, that then the Corporal shall take notice thereof, and not receive the Word but give it: and that all these things may with more readiness be performed, it is meet that the Corporal have in perfect memory both the names and surnames of all in his Squadron; also if it be upon a new encampment, or upon the first sitting down of a siege, he shall then take his directions for placing the Sentinel, either from the Scout-master, or some other of his own superior officers; and where the dangers are eminent, or (in common opinion) desperate, there the Corporal shall place for Sentinels, the oldest Soldiers he hath, men of greatest importance, or Gentlemen of special rank and virtue: and lastly, he shall have an especial care not to give the word to any new or raw Soldiers, but to such as are of knowledge and experience, for any small mistake or omission might breed a disturbance over all the Army.  
It is also the Office of the Corporal, when the Company liveth upon Provant victuals, to receive from the Clerk, Sergeant or other Offficer, all the provant-victuals which do appertain to his Squadron, and to see the same weighed and truly shared amongst them with all indifferency and equality, without any respect of persons, or hope of lucre and commodity, and shall see, that in their Cabins and lodgings they do so accommodate themselves, that they may live together like lovers & companions, neither pestering themselves so together that they may breed infection or sickness, nor yet like melancholy Hares, live so alone and retired, that men may imagine their muse to be nothing else but dreams and plots of future mischief: and truly it is held for a maxim (amongst understanding Soldiers) that a busy mind in an idle or retired body, is like an unruly and tempestuous wind, which being long restrained, and breaking out with all his strength and malice about it, overturnes and tears up by the roots whatsoever withstands it, Nay even in Princes themselves it is mightily disallowed, and they are said, when they do affect too much solitariness, to be like caged up Lions, which never walk abroad, but either to affright or hurt; and hence it comes, that Caesar never suspected Brutus' alacrity, but ever feared Cassius melancholy, and therefore let the Corporal be careful to keep his Squadron from these extremities.  
When the Corporals Squadron goes forth to serve upon the face of the enemy, he shall himself lead the principal File, and by his example both make them come on with all bravery, and by his observations make them most diligently observe all the commands of their Superiors: he must not allow any to set his foot before him, or to outstrip him in courage (provided he exceed not the bounds of discretion) neither must any express the knowledge of command more than himself; for he must equally understand both how to obey, & how to command, & therewithal it must be mixed with such a temperance, that he must neither overdo nor underdoe, lest he utterly undo; for the one shows Rashness, and the other Baseness, both which are faults of that extremity, as they never have power to issue forth, but still punishment overtakes them. It is likewise a part of his duty (if he be a Shot) to observe that none of his Squadron discharge too soon or amazedly without advice, for than they seldom hit, and men are naturally so prone to come to an end of their fear and trouble, that the fault of leisure is seldom perceived: beside, when they discharge before the enemy be come within the distance of point-blank, they not only lose their labour, but give the enemy leave to approach without danger, and so are either put to rout, or else perform some greater inconvenience: for this manner of too early discharging discovers an unnatural fear, and where that is, neither can Advice nor true Level be taken, but as it is the child of Confusion, so confused are all things which either mix or come near it. To conclude, when men discharge their shot with leisure and discretion, and that the volley goes wholly and entirely together, when level is truly taken, and the Object not supposed, but constantly perceived, then doth ten Shot more good than an hundred, and the example and wounds which proceed from so strong a Resolution, more shakes the hearts of the enemy, than all the fires, affrights or noises that Gunns, Arts, or men's voices can utter; and that this may be performed with better perfection, the Corporal shall teach his Squadron how to give their pieces their full lading, and how to ram in their Bullets to the best advantage of the blow: so that all things concurring in a decent and artificial form together, the Discipline may be so absolute, that no new Curiosity or Invention can start up to amend it.  
Infinite much might a knowing Experience write of this man's Place and Office, and of the variation of opinions touching the same, but my desire is to draw as near as I can to our best modern Practice, and to that discipline which is most frequent in our Nation, that whosoever shall come to apparel his mind in these Instructions, may not walk forth py-bald and Antiquely suited, but in such an habit as all his Countrymen may know him, allow him, and indeed imitate him; all other I account but gaudy Boskage, or idle Crotesco work, on which whensoever a man fixes his eye, though he find Art and Proportion in the knots, trails and devices, yet if he gaze on the Faces and Figures, he shall find them ghastly, ugly, half maimed, and out of all comely proportion.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THOMAS LORD WENTWORTH of Nettlesteed.  
THE ARGUMENT. The Office of a Sergeant.  
I Can wish (my good Lord) that this Epistle which I dedicate to the name and honour of your noble House, had in it as great a hope of eternity as your virtues, for than I know, not so much as envy would rise up against it, but it would last beyond all Times & find no end or period, either in Age, Rust, or the world's Consumption: but all humane writings are mortal, & mine I know is borne weak and sickly, therefore since it cannot live as it would, yet shall it last as long as it can, and even to the last gasp affirm, that your own worth hath called me; and the honour of your house bound me to the dedication of this service.  
To describe then the Office of an ordinary Sergeant of a Band, it is to be allowed that he is one of the most needful, and aught to be one of the most heedful instruments in the whole Army, and indeed his name Importeth no less which I take to be servians. He hath in the body of the company no Range at all, but is extravagant and going up and down to oversee all Ranges, his command (how ever it be generally disposed) would in particular consist of two Squadrons, which are fifty men or more at discretion, and may propperly be called a Serieancie, which though it be a new term yet it is not unfit. They ought for their election and qualities of mind to be valiant, expert, vigilant and diligent; For his arms howsoever some allow him a Corslet & the appurtenances, yet with us (except in assaults a Scalados) he hath only a good Sword and a fair Halberd, which is a short and ready weapon, apt for him to manage and handle in any place of straitenes or other inconvenience: with it he keepeth all the Band in order and maketh them in Marching, Standing, and all motions to keep their Ranks and Files in an even comely and true proportion, and if any be so incorrigible or absurd that admonition will not reclaim him, then with that weapon he may enforce him; and by turning the blunt end towards him show he might strike, yet forbears: for but in fatal cases should a Soldier be stricken, as in the face of the enemy when one man's disorder might hazard the whole Battle, in that case the Sergeant may kill him, for one may put in Rout ten, ten an hundred, and an hundred ten thousand; he is when the the Drums beat, the Colours fly, & the Soldiers are gathered together, to see every man ranged in his true place according to the nature of his weapon, drawing up the Files and placing them in square or other proportion according to the direction of his Captain. If any lose Files of shot go forth to serve, the Sergeant is to be their leader, except (by an especial commandment) a superior Officer be appointed; He is the Herald or Pursuivant belonging to the Captain for he carrieth all his messages, directions and commandments to the company and as soon as the word is given, sees it effected and performed; he must carry of and on (in all Skirmishes according to directions) men that are spent or hurt and he bringeth in new supplies to relieve them. He must be Hic et ubique ready upon any matter of consequence to go even to the General, and to declare unto him all proceed, and he ought to have that understanding to give a good account upon demand of perticultars; he is to fetch the watchword from the Sergeant Maior or other supreme Officer and to carry it to the Captain; he is also to deliver it to the Corporals and that with all carefulness and secrecy, for by Martial Law it is death to discover it contrary to appointment. If any mutiny happen in the company the Sergeant upon commitment shall guard them till they be delivered over to the Provost; he ought to be a punnisher of all sin, and an encourager to virtue: In the absence to the superior Officers he commands as much as the Captain, he divides every Squadron to the places which are most fitting, conducts them to their watches, directs both the Corporals and Soldiers what they are to do, and appoints how all the Sentinels must be placed to the best advantage. To be short it is one of the main and principal points of his Office (as conveniency will give him leave) to draw forth the short and to teach them the manage and true use of the Piece, and how in the comeliest and bravest manner that may be to conform both the weapon and their bodies to the most excellentest Postures: as first by laying a Musquetiers Arms confusedly before him, to command him to Take up his Arms, that is to say (having his Morian on his head, and his Sword by his side) he shall first take up his Bandeliers with his right hand, and put them on with the same, then take up his Match and put one end between his little finger and his Ring finger of the left hand, and the other end between the Ring finger and the great finger, of the same hand, then take up his Rest and put it into his left hand, then stepping forward with his right Leg, take up the Musket within a hand full of the upper end ank so raise it upright, then letting his hand sink, let him jert it up without sloping and so catch it by the breech and then laying the Rest to it let him shoulder it, than the Sergeant shall command him to Prepare for Skirmish; that is to say, he shall light his Match at both ends, put Bullets in his mouth and change his Rest if it be in his right hand into his left: Then the Sergeant shall teach the Soldier to Rest his Musket, than The Sentinel Posture, than the Saluting Postures and all these Postures are to be done standing still.  
After this he shall teach him the Postures which are to be performed in marching, as Shoulder your Musket, and carry your Rest in your right hand, Level your Musket, and Slope your Musket.  
Then the Postures which are to be performed in charging as, Clear your Pan: Prime your Pan: Shut your pan: Cast off your lose powder: Blow your pan: Cast about your Musket with both your hands and trail your Rest: Open your charges: Charge your Musket with powder: Draw your scouring Stick: Shorten your Stick: Rame in your powder: Draw out your Stick: Charge with Bullet: Rame in your Bullet: Draw out your Stick: Shorten your Stick and put it up: Bring your Musket forward with the left hand: Hold it up in your right hand and recover your Rest.  
And lastly he shall teach him the Postures which are to be performed in discharging, as Carry the Rest in the left hand preparing to give fire: Slope your Musket and let the Rest sink: In the right hand poise the Musket: In the left hand carry the Musket with the Rest: In the right hand take your Match between the second finger and the thumb: Hold the match fast and blow it: Cock your Match: Try your Match: Guard your pan and blow your match: Open your pan: Present your Musket: Give fire: Dismount your musket and carry it with the Rest: Vncocke your match and put it up between your fingers.  
Now as soon as your Sergeant hath taught all these Postures perfectly and that the Soldier can do them readily, nimbly and exactly, with a comely grace and a brave presence, he shall then instruct the Soldier how to reduce and bring all this great number of Postures (as namely) the five which are done standing, the three marching, the eighteen charging, and the fourteen discharging (which are only for Military Instruction) into three only and no more, and which three he shall only use in service or before the face of the enemy and no other, and they are thus pronounced.  
Make ready which contains all the Postures which are done either standing still or marching; the next, Present, which contains all the Postures in Charging; and lastly, Give Fire, which contains all the Postures in Discharging. Besides these he shall also teach them how to give their volleys with those in their Rank, as when the first Rank have given their volley (if the Battalia march) than that first Rank to stand still and the second to pass through it and so give their volley and then to stand, and the third to advance up and so consequently all the Ranks, but if the Battalia stand, the first Rank having given their volley shall fall back to the Rear either in wheel or in countermarch, and the second Rank shall come into their places and give their volley and so consequently all the rest; but if the Battalia fall back or Retire, then shall all the shot stand still and no man advance a foot of ground, but the first Rank shall give their volley and then fall back to the Rear, so likewise the second Rank, and fall back in like manner, and so all the rest till they have lost so much ground as to the Commander shall seem sufficient, so shall the volley still be continued and the enemy never free from annoyance.  
To conclude, a good Sergeant is an admirable benefit, and if he live and execute his place well any long time, no man deserveth advancement before him, for besides all that hath been spoken of him, he is of wonderful use in all Scalados, Assaults, Mines, or things of that Nature; and if to beautify all the precedent virtues, he likewise be enriched with any small proportion of learning, especially in the Art of Arithmetic, whereby he may judge of the alteration and proportion of sundry bodies and how to divide and subdevide numbers at his pleasure, than I dare affirm he is an absolute Sergeant, nor can his Captain wish or desire a rarer or better jewel to depend upon his person.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, JOHN LORD MORDANT OF TURVY.  
THE ARGUMENT. The Office of the Ensign.  
THe Ensign or Alferes (as the Spaniard calls him) is (my good Lord) the first great Officer of a private Company: for all the former (howsoever necessary) are but petty and low places, this only the first of Eminence and Account; and therefore in his election great consideration is to be had, and to the making up of his perfection many great virtues are required, as Valour, Wisdom, Fidelity, and Honesty: he hath the guard of his Captain's Colours, and therein is trusted with his Honour and Reputation, and if he be comely of person, strong and amiable, he is a greater glory to his place, and more becoming in Service: but because in the Wars, Officers expect to be advanced by Succession, as a Lieutenant to rise to be a Captain; an Ensign, a Lieutenant; the eldest Sergeant, an Ensign; the Corporal, a Sergeant; and the Lanspesado, a Corporal: I will leave to argue more of his choice, and only affirm, it is enough if he be virtuous, for that makes him worthy.  
This Ensign we corruptly call Ancient, and I have seen it written Antefigne, but for mine own part I rather take it to come of Insignia, because in the first times men carried therein their Arms or Coat-Armour. God himself did first appoint Ensigns for the children of Israel in their several Tribes, & by that Imitation it succeeded to the Grecians, Romans, and all sorts of warlike Nations. They were in the first ages or wondrous great consequence: for those which won them did bear them and carry them as their own, neither might the loser ever bear any after, except he won them in the field: but when the inconvenience of this was found, and it proved grievous that one Christian should thus dishonour another, than men began to forbear the carrying of Arms, and only fixed therein a Devise or Empresa, and some but the only variation of two several colours (and so are called Colours) as we do now at this present; therefore to proceed to the accoutrements of our Ensign; He shall be armed at all pieces from the mid-thigh upward with a fair Sword by his side, and his Captain's Colours or Ensign in his hand, which Colours if they belong to a private Captain ought to be mixed equally of two several colours, that is to say (according to the rules of Heraldry) of Colour and Mettle, and not colour on colour, as Green and Red, or Black and Blue, or such like, nor yet mettle on mettle as White and Yellow, or Orangetawny and White: for colours so borne, show Bastardy, peasantry, or dishonour. Now in the corner which is next to the upper part of the Staff, he shall carry in a fair large square or Canton (containing a sixth part of the Colours) a plain Red cross in a white field (called Saint George's cross) which is the Ensign of our kingdom of England. If the colours do belong to a Colonel, they shall then be all of one entire colour, or one entire mettle, only the Red cross or Ensign of the kingdom shall be in his due place as aforesaid. If they belong to a Colonel general, to the Lord Martial of the field, or any such superior Officer, than they shall be all of one entire colour or mettle, and the Red cross or Ensign of the kingdom shall be in a very little square or canton, as in an eight part of the field, or less if it please them; But if they belong to the General of the field, than they shall be of one entire colour or mettle without any Red cross at all. Now for as much as I have seen here at home, and also in foreign nations (in the carriage of colours) as gross absurdities as any malice could wish to behold in the folly of his enemy, and that doubtless it proceeds from ignorance (since no master of Reason would be guilty of his own Injury) I will therefore here a little make bold to amplify the same.  
It is then to be understood, that every Gentleman of Coat-armor (being capable to bear Colors, aught to carry them compounded of those two principal colours which are contained in his Coat-armour, being the field and the chief charge thereof, which that no Ignorance may be busy to find out, they are evermore contained in the Band-role upon which his Crest standeth, being indeed a true type or figure of his colours wreathed together as the support of his honour.  
Now in as much as Captains are not all Gentlemen of Coat-armor, and so take unto themselves (in these days) a more particular freedom, and say, that Honour is not buckled to them, but to their virtues, and that virtue consists not in the fames of Ancestors, but in their own actions, and defences of the Church, their Country, King, and the oppressed, and so may suit or elect their colours according to their hopes and imaginanations, taking (as it were) Honour from any object they fancy: I will here therefore first show you the nature and signification of colours, and then some particular offences: in which an indifferent mixture being made, the composition must needs be Noble and wholesome.  
There be in military Honour nine several complexions, and are distinguished by two names, the one Mettle, & the other Colour. Of Metals there be two, as Yellow and White (figuring Gold & Silver) and of colours there be seven, as Black, Blue, Red, Greene, Purple, Tawny and Ermine, the dignity of all which being compared to Virtues, Heavenly bodies, and Precious stones, is a labour too great to discourse in so short an Epistle.  
For the signification of these colours, Yellow betokeneth Honour, or height of Spirit, which being never separate from virtue in all things is most jealous of disgrace, and may not endure the least shadow of imputation.  
White signifieth Innocence, or purity of Conscience, Truth, and an upright Integrity without blemish.  
Black signifieth Wisdom and Sobriety, together with a severe correction of too much Ambition being mixed with Yellow, or too much belief and levity being joined with White.  
Blue signifieth Faith, Constancy, Truth in affection, or honourable love.  
Red signifieth justice, or noble and worthy Anger in defence of Religion or the oppressed.  
Greene signifieth Good Hope, or the accomplishment of holy or honourable actions.  
Purple or Purpure signifieth Fortitude with discretion, or a most true discharge of any trust reposed.  
Tawny or Tunnis, signifieth Merit or desert, & is a foe to Ingratitude.  
Ermine signifieth Religion or Holiness, and that all aims are at divine Objects.  
Now from these Colours and their mixtures, are derived many Bastard and dishonourable colours, as Carnation, Orangetawnie, Popeniay, and the like, all which have Bastardly significations, as Craft, Pride, Wantonness, and such like, of which who so is desirous to understand, let him look into the French Authors, and he shall gain satisfaction; for mine own part, since they appertain not unto Honour, I will here omit them, and to those free Spirits which have gained (deservedly) these noble places from these considerations, leave them to their own elections, with these few advertisements following.  
First, he that in his Colours shall carry Coat-armour, doth indiscreetly, for he puts that honour to hazard, which he may with more honour keep in safety, and enticeth his enemy by such ostentation to dare beyond his own nature.  
He that in his Colours beareth any one black spot and no more, if it be round, square, or of any equal proportion, it shows some blemish in the owner, and that his life is not void of some notorious Scandal. But if the spot be of unequal proportion, that is longer or broader one way then another, it signifieth Funeral or deadly revenge, for such a spot is called an Heirse.  
He that carrieth a Word or Motto in his Colours without a Devise, carrieth a Soul without a Body: he that carrieth a Devise without a Word, carrieth a Body without a Soul: he that carrieth both Word and Devise, carrieth Soul and Body; yet if the Devise carry any humane shape, it is a gross body: and if the Word contain above three or four words at the most (except it be the latter end or beginning of some Latin verse) it is an imperfect Soul: but if both Word and Devise be complete, and that it is Empresa and not Emblem, yet they are much fit for Masks, Triumphs, & Pageants then the field or honourable action; for the true mixture of Colours is devise enough for every Soldier. Lastly, he that cacarieth more colours than two, (except it be some small dash for an especial note, or the Ensign of several kingdoms) carrieth a surcharge, and it is esteemed the Ensign of Folly.  
To conclude then with the Office of this Ensign-bearer, he is to take charge of his Captain's Colours, to keep them safely, to attend them duly at all commandments of his Superiors, and to defend them with the uttermost of his life in all dangers whatsoever; he shall carry them in such place as his Superiors appoint, and according to his Captain's rank and antiquity: he shall never lodge nor dislodge them but with a Guard, nor at any time shall leave them abandoned or forsaken: he may in Garrison challenge the first and principal lodging, & that the Soldiers may know it (to repair thither) he shall hang the Colours out in some convenient place for a notice: he is to choose unto him four or five especial Gentlemen, who as his mates and companions in all services, shall march about him to guard them: if he enter any Town wall or Breach, he shall plant his Colours on the same: the more tattered and ragged they are, the more noble they are; and when any of his Company die, he shall at the burial trail his Colours after the body to do honour to the Funeral, but when the body is in the ground, he shall then toss them up and display them. In the absence of the Captain and Lieutenant, he commands as absolute Captain, but in their presence is bound to obey them. Amongst the Spaniards he is of greater account than the lieutenant; but with us it is not so, only he is a Gentleman of high worth; and if the dignity of his virtue answer the worthiness of his place, there is nothing but Time and the hand of God that can be able to stay him from being raised to a Captain.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THOMAS LORD CROMWELL of OKEHAM.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the Lieutenant.  
I Assure myself (my worthy Lord) that no tune in music whatsoever can be so pleasant and delightful in your ears as this song of war, since even from your Infancy you have been rocked and brought a sleep with her ditties; your noble and valiant Father having no other lullaby to still you, nor no other discourse to inchaunt you, than the repetition of those deeds which by his noble assistance brought Peace to a miserable, unnatural and half lost Country. I cannot think; but before you had strength fully to think, you took delight to behold him armed, and when his arms have circled you with steel, doubtless you have smiled at so glittering an Embracement; what should then make me hold back this Dedication? questionless nothing, for since you were borne a Soldier, bred a Soldier, and live a Soldier, there is a necessary dependence, that in the rules of charity you must sometimes listen to old Soldiers discourses.  
The Subject I am to Entreat of, is the nature and Office of a Lieutenant of a foot Company, who (next the Captain) is the greatest Officer in the Band and commandeth the Ensign and all other Officers below him; the Captain he only obeyeth, all others obey him, all the virtues that are required in all that we have passed over, aught in this Officer to be full summed & knit firmly together, & if he be truly capable of his place, he ought to have passed himself through all the former Offices, for without their distinct knowledges he cannot aspire to perfection: nay he ought to have the virtue & skill of the Captain, since in his absence the entire command is pressed down upon his shoulders: his duty is to oversee both the Officers and whole Band, & that their duties be duly performed, and by his own examples of patience and diligence, animate all to persever in the way of well doing, his arms are as the Ensigns: only his weapon is a guilt partezan, his place of command (in the Captain's presence and marching into the field) is in the Rear, but in returning home or after service, then in the head of the Battle, but in his Captain's absence, than he is as the Captain, and the eldest Sergeant supplies his place; he hath power to commit any man under the degree of an Officer, and the Officers in the absence of the Captain; the Lieutenants of Colonels and the greater Officers Lieutenants, are in courtesy called Captains, and as the youngest Captains of their Regiments may sit in Martial Courts and speak their opinions, but have no voices. Lieutenants are Captains of the Watch when it comes to their course, and shall that night have a double Squadron of his own Company, for as two Squadrons make a Serieancie, so two Serieancies make a Livetenancie: and indeed the best composition of a Captain's Company is two hundred Soldiers, a Captain, a Lieutenant, an Ensine: four Sergeants and eight Corporals, what other lesser commands have crept in amongst us, hath been either the necessity of greatness to content their followers, or the Ambition of Ignorance to carry the title of Captains; and truly a greater number are cumbersome, so that knowing what is convenient, there the Anchor should be fixed.  
Next, to the orderly Government of the Company, and providing of all things necessary for their best accommodation; it is the Office of the Lieutenant to Train and Drill his men, according to the art and skill of a good Soldier. In which action, that form of training is only to be followed which shall be soon and easiest learned, that agrees with the present discipline of the times, and is of most use for all kind of service: As first, to draw his company File after File into a square Battalion, consisting of Ranks and Files, placing the Pikes in the midst, and the Shot equally divided on either side. He shall then let them understand that a Rank, is a row of men placed pouldron to pouldron, their faces being directed all one way, and a File is a sequence of men standing one behind another, back to belly, and extending from the first to the last man, it is taken from the French word La file, which signifies a thread, because men stand longwise and strait like a thread, and these consist of single men downward, as Ranks consist of single men overthwart. A Rank may consist of as many men as you please, but a File (how ever the Spaniards and Italians use it uncertain) ought never to be above ten persons deep (except it be in marching, or especial service where advantage of the ground requireth the contrary) for the first man having discharged his Piece may in the space that nine other men shall discharge their Pieces one after another, be again in readiness and make his first place good, there to discharge his Piece again; beside, it is the readiest and best way for the drawing of Groses and great numbers into any form whatsoever.  
Next he shall teach them the carriage and use of their arms, especially the Pike, (for the Musket is in the Office of the Sergeant) the manage whereof he shall divide into these Postures; first three standing, that is, Lay down your Pike: Take up your pike: Order your pike: Then six marching, as, Advance your pike: Shoulder your pike: Level your pike: Slope your Pike: Check your pike: and Trail your pike: and lastly, seven charging, as, Port over hand: Port under hand: Charge over hand: Charge under hand: Coutch over hand: Couch under hand: Charge against the right foot and draw your Sword over arm.  
When these are perfect he shall teach them distance of place in Files and Ranks, as when he would have the Files to march Closest, than the distance is pouldron to pouldron, or shoulder to shoulder; if but Close, than the distance is a foot and a half man from man: If at their Order, than the distance is three foot between man and man: and if at Open-Order then the distance six foot between man and man: so likewise in Ranks Closest is at the Sword's point: Close is at three foot, Order at six foot and Open-Order at twelve foot. Now there be some that vary in the terms but not in the distance, for they will have Close, Order, Open-Order and Double Distance and not the word Closest, at all; but the scruple is small and may be left to every Commander's discretion.  
After this he shall teach them March and Motions: In the first whereof is little art more than in observing truly their Ranks and Files, and distance in places: For Motions they vary diversely and some are no Marches, as when The Soldier turns but his face on one hand or other or about: Some Motions change place, yet no more than a removing from one rank to another, or from one File to another, in which, though some remove yet others stand still, as in doubling of Ranks or doubling of Files: and in this Motion is to be observed that Ranks when they double to the right hand, must ever turn on the left to come to their place again: and if they be doubled to the left hand they must turn on the right hand to come to their pltces again; so likewise Files when they are doubled to any hand, by the doubling of Ranks to the contrary hand they are brought to their first place again, and so of Ranks in the same nature.  
To conclude, there is another Motion to be taught in which all do move and yet none do March, and that is the opening or closing either of Ranks or Files & is of great use when one Rank should pass through another, or the whole body of the Battalion make a Countermarch, or when the Battle should be drawn speedily more of one hand or another.  
Lastly, the Lieutenant shall teach his Soldier how to know all the sounds or beat of the Drum, in which he shall make him observe not only what the Drum doth beat, but also what time and measure he keepeth, and according to that time and measure so to march slower or faster, to charge with greater violence, or to come of with more speed, also he shall teach them to know when by the Drum to attend the Captain's directions, when to repair to their Colours and when to do other duties, and as thus by the Drum in service, so by his voice and the words of directions, in training he shall make them do whatsoever he pleaseth, and therefore the Lieutenant shall have perfecttly in his memory all the words of directions which are accustomably spoken: As, Close your Files, To the right hand: To the left hand: and all these shall be done either Closest, Close, to Order or open Order: Then Open your Files, to the right hand: To the left hand, and these to any order. And thus to open or close Ranks and to any Order, with this observation, that Ranks when they open aught to turn to the Rear and open downward, and when they close to close upward; then Files and Rrankes close: Files and Ranks open and these to any order also: then Double your Files: To the right hand: To the left: Advance your Files, to the right hand: to the left: Advance by division, to right hand or left: Files rank by conversion, to the right hand, to the left: Files rank, 3. 5. 7. etc. Shorten your Files to 5. 8. etc. Lengthen your Files to 10. 12. 16. etc. Files countermarch, to the right hand: to the left: Double your Ranks, to the right hand, to the left: Ranks file by conversion: to the right hand, to the left: Ranks rank 5. 7. etc. Middle men double your front: to the right hand, to the left: Double to both by division: Ranks countermarch etc. as in Files. Then faces to the right hand, to the left: to both by division: Faces about: Wheel by conversion to the right hand, to the left: to both by division. Charge to the right hand, to the left: to both by division. Charge to the Front: Charge to the Rear. Charge to both by division: then to reduce any of these words to the same Order or Station in which the Soldier stood before they were spoken, the word is, As you were: And herein is to be observed that in Charging with Pikes half the Ranks are but to Charge and the other half to carry them advanced or ported, so near the heads of the foremost as they may do them no annoyance, either in Charging or Retiring, and they must also observe when they do Charge standing to fall back with the right foot, and marching to step forward with the left.  
Thus I have showed in a brief Epistle the large extent of the Lieutenants Office, in which if I be either obscure by reason of the compendiousness thereof, or a little confused in snatching here and there at his duties without settling constantly upon any one; I hope your Lordship will call to mind it is an Epistle, the laws whereof allows me the liberty of familiar speech, not of subtle argument, and for mine own part I had rather leave many nice wits unsatisfied, than your mind cloyed or tired,   
The end of the Second Decad.   


TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, WILLIAM LORD EVERS.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the Officers of Cavalarie.  
IF I could love Fortune in any thing (my worthy Lord) I should surely love her in this, that your noble Name & this noble Subject have the chance to meet together, and embrace in this short Epistle: for it is not only War (which your Honour I know will both love and allow) but it is the best and noblest kind of war with which now I must crown this third Decad, War on Horseback, War which is compounded of two most excellent Ingredians, Man which is the nearest to God in his Image, and the Horse which is the nearest to man of all sensible creatures in understanding: the one I know you must love for himself, the other I know you will love for the goodness of his use, and both being dedicated to the Service of their King and Country cannot but draw a respect of greater value: If it be so, what can take my pen from the paper, or but draw the shadow of an affright before mine Epistle; trust me, I think nothing: for being armed with a purpose which hath no end but virtue, I know I shall encounter with a favourable Interpretation, and that's to me beyond all merit, all profit.  
I have (my Lord) in the former Decades, briefly run over all the Inferior or lower Officers of the Infantry, in which I have touched their Elections, Virtues, Uses, Duties, it remaineth now that I likewise ascend as many steps in the cavalry, or Horse-Cornets, and though not in so many and so large discourses (for that were to make infinite gates to little cities) yet will I so link and chain them together; that one shall not peep (with an half face) over the others shoulder, but stand open and plain, that each may be known by his own true and natural complexion.  
All Horse-Troups commonly do consist of common Soldiers, Corporals, a Quartermaster, a Trumpet, a Clerk, a Cornet, and a Lieutenant. These Troops are also of sundry sorts, as Men at Arms, or Launciers, the armed French Pistoleirs, the Carbines, and the Light-horse. The first of these are armed at all pieces from the head to the knee, with a close Cask and Cuirasses of Pistol-proof, a Lance in his right hand, a Sword by his left side, and a case of Pistols at the forepart of his Saddle: the Horse is caparisoned with strong Leather, a Headstall, Noseband, and Raynes, with a fair Bit in his mouth, a Saddle plated before and behind with Steel, Breastplate or Petterell, Crupper, Trappings, and Saker. The Horse himself should be of the proudest and best generation, of the largest Size, his pace trotting, for the most part stoned (though lusty, strong and large geldings may be tolerable) and exceeding well ridden and managed for the Wars, being quick and nimble to start into a swift career, easy to stop, and ready to turn on both hands without any disorder or knavish quality: the use of these are to charge upon Pikes, to break their Battalions, and to put them into rout and disorder.  
The second sort, which are armed Pistolleirs, are in all points to be accoutred like the former Launciers, without any difference, only instead of the Lance and short Pistol, he shall have a case of long French Pistols of full two foot barrel, but not with French locks (for they are oft out of temper, nor knows every simple and raw Soldier how to handle them) but with good strong Snaphaunces or firelocks: they serve for the same use which the former do, only they do not charge fully so fare home, but having let sly their Pistols, wheel, charge and come on again, they are of admirable benefit, and do soon disorder a battle, and being disordered, they are great executioners.  
The third sort which are Carbines, are armed Petronels, they have for Arms a fair Burgonet or Morian on his head, a Gorget, Cuirasses of proof, and Pouldrons to the elbow, but no more: they have Swords by their sides, and at their Saddles fair Petronels, with Flax, Touchbox, Bullet-bagge, and other necessaries: the Horse should be a strong, nimble tall Gelding, swift, courageous, and well ridden; he should have a Headstall, Raynes and Bit, a Petrell, Cropper, and a fair Buff Saddle of the Morocco fashion: the use of them is as Muskets amongst Pikes, for they wing the Lances or Pistolleirs, and deliver their volleys further off, and when Battles are broken, they are great executioners.  
The last sort are the Light-horse, whose Arms are a Morian or Steel cap for his head, a Gorget, and a light pair of Cuirasses only, or else a jack, a Plate coat, or a Shirt of Male, in his right hand a slender Chase staff, and at his Saddle pommel a case of short Pistols: his horse should be of a fine light, nimble, trotting Gelding of a middle size, and well ridden, his furniture a small Headstall, Raynes and Snaffle, a light Scotch Saddle, a Petterell, and a Crupper: their use is to gallop forth and to discover, to charge upon lose wings of Shot, to search and find out unknown passages, and when Battles are broken, to pursue the chase, and to finish up the execution.  
To these the Low-countries have produced another sort of Horsemen, which their experience there have found out to be of notable use, and they call them Dragoons, which I know not whether I may term them Foot-Horse-men, or Horse-Footmen: for they are Musquetiers on horseback, and are employed for the taking and maintaining, or at least for preventing the enemy from taking of Passages or Fords which lead over Rivers: These mounted Musquetiers are ever eleven in a range, and when they come to the Passage, ten of them do alight, and the eleventh holdeth the Horses, which threading their bridles one into another, is very orderly done, and with great speed; and when they come to remount again, they find their horses in readiness for them. The Bodies or whole companies ever consist of one hundred & ten men, that is to say, an hundred for Service, & ten to take charge of the Horses.  
In Horse-Troupes the common Soldier is Sentinel as in the Foot-company, neither is there any difference (more than the Horse) between them and the foot Sentinels, either in order or duty: they have also their Companies divided into Camarados or Fellowships, which march, cabin, and feed together; two Camarados make a Squadron, which Squadron is ever commanded by a Corporal, and the Office of the Corporal of Horse containeth in all points the full duties of both the Corporal and Sergeant of foot. The Quartermaster of Horse is the same which the Harbinger or Furrier of the Foot is: the Trumpet the same which the Drum & Phip is, only differing in the terms and sounds of the Instrument: for the first point of war is Butte sella, Clap on your saddles; Mount Cavallo, mount on horseback; Tucquet, march; Carga, carga, an Alarm to charge; Ala Standardo, a retreat, or retire to your Colours; Auquet, to the watch, or a discharge for the watch, besides diverse other points, as Proclamations, Calls, Summons, all which are most necessary for every Soldier both to know and obey.  
The Clerk of the Troop is the same that the Clerk of a Band of Foot is, and the Cornet or Guydon is the same that the Ensign on foot is, and he ought ever to have two or three faithful & valiant friends in his Range, which in all charges will have an extraordinary care of his Colours, which is the Captain's honour, and the Companies safety. Now to speak a little of the Guidon or Colours themselves, howsoever in our latter times either by pride or ignorance they have been infinitely abused (every man taking upon him to carry what he pleaseth, & in what form he pleaseth) yet it is most certain that no man under the degree of a Banneret may carry them square, but they must be of Damask, either with Devise or without, three foot deep at the top, and so narrower to the neither end, which must be with two corners or peakes, which whensoever he is made a Baron, or Knight Banneret, those corners are cut away, & the Guidon is made square: these Colours are carried upon a Lance, and are in length full two yards or better: this Gentleman which carrieth this Cornet hath all the Privileges which an Ensign of Foot hath, and in his Captain and Lieutenants absence commandeth the Company, and by either of their deaths ought in right to be advanced into their places. In the Quarter he is lodged as well as his Captain, and in all Marches hath the leading of the middle File, & followeth next after his Captain.  
A Lieutenant of a Troop of Horse suiteth in all things with a Lieutenant of Foot, and in the absence of the Captain commandeth with absolute power, and hath the principal place in all Marches, but in the presence of his Captain he hath then but the second place; and as his Captain marcheth on the Head, so he marcheth at the Rear going on upon Service; but in returning back from Service, the Captain marcheth at the Rear, and the Lieutenant on the Head: for the most honourablest place is always that which is nearest to the enemy, and where he is most likeliest to charge; which being proper and most peculiar to the Captain, the second place must needs consequently follow to be the right of the Lieutenant.  
A Horseman (not having leave to assault) hath no part in the sack or pillage of a town, for it is a service to which his Horse cannot approach, and if for the greediness of gain he forsake his Mounture without leave, than he deserveth no booty but punishment: yet if his horse shall happen to be slain (or any other honourable means set him on foot) he may then put himself into a Foot band, and by a lawful authority both proceed to the Assault, and also by good right receive what benefit soever shall redound to his fortune. Many other circumstances and ceremonies there be, which because I shall have occasion to touch more amply in other places, therefore I will omit them in this Epistle, and only conclude with these inferior Offices of the Cavalerie, which although I have but pointed at, yet being duly weighed with those of the Foot, which are more largely discoursed, I hope there will little or nothing be found wanting which may give to any reasonable mind a sufficient satisfaction.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, PHILLIPPE LORD WHARTON.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the Master Gunner.  
MEn and money (my good Lord) are the Sinews, Nerves and Strength of the wars, but Munition, Shot and Powder are the fuel, Food, nourisher and maintenance of the wars, wherefore having entreated of all the Inferior Officers belonging to the bodies of men, and how and in what sort they ought to be employed; I will now enter into the discourse of some Inferior Officers belonging to the munition or matter of Ordinance, and in it I will first begin with the Office or Charge of the Master Gunner who is a principal and Important Officer depending and belonging to the Master of the Ordnance, and is a kind of middle or needful Officer to take away many troubles and vexations from the Master of the Ordnance, and to command all the Inferior Gunners, Clerks, Harbingers, Maiorals, Gill-Masters and other depending upon the Ordnance, to be careful in their several places, and to see that all things expected at their hands be performed without neglect, Sloth or Remissness, especially all the Inferior Gunners whom he shall survey very strictly, and see that they be skilful, ready, and careful in Charging, Discharging, Levelling, Mounting, and Guarding their Pieces; and he shall also see that all necessary provisions which are needful, or any way behooveful to the manage or true use of the same be in no sort wanting; as all kind of Bullets, of all sizes for all Pieces, of all proportions, Powder of all kinds both Serpentine and corn powder: Sponge, Cotton, Match, Linstocks, Priming-Irons, Instruments, Quadrats and Rules by which to take the level and lay the Piece in his true mounture, Taladres and other Engines by which to mount or dismount any Piece, to take it up and down, or to lay it, toss it, or turn it at his will and pleasure, he shall have also all manner of Cartages both of great and lesser form, all sorts of Coffers, Trunks, and Boxes for the handsome and necessary carriage of all needful implements whatsoever depending on his Office, with their several characters and marks by which readily to find out any thing which he shall have occasion to use in any sudden service. It is his Office also to see sufficient provision made of all sorts of Carriages either for the Field or Fleet, and that they be of right shape, strength and fast binding; He shall cause provision to be made for great store of good and sound Axletrees, of which the best are those of Yengh, the second best, those of Elm, and those which are tolerable are of Ash; there must be choice of Wheels well lined with iron and double bound with iron, and strong Nails whose heads are square, thick and high, and unto all these he shall have good store of Ladles of several quantities and several lengths, Ramers suitable to the boars of all manner of Pieces, and Coins with which to raise up the breech of the Piece higher or lower as either his will or occasion shall direct and lead him; and besides all these, it is his Office to see provided great store of iron Crows, Shovels, Mattocks, Spades, Levers, Gabions, Baskets, Ropes, and Cordage of all size, Chains, old Iron, Nailes, Flints, and what else is proper for the charging of murdering Pieces.  
This Officer is to have an especial care and vigilant respect to any casualty or danger which may happen by fire, (for they are much Incident and liable thereto) and many miserable and tragical issues have proceeded from a careless looking to the same, therefore the prevention thereof must not alone rest in his own bosom, but in his diligence and watchfulness over others, and to see that they place every thing so safely and under so sure a Guard, that all such mischeives (by probability) may be prevented, and every Canoniere so ready in his duty, that through his good examples and necessary provisions nothing may happen to breed an after repentance; and wheresover these provisions shall either march or abide, he shall be sure to have a guard of expert Soldiers ever about them, both to repulse the enemy and keep others off from offering any annoyance unto them. It is his Office to look to the goodness and soundness of every Piece and that they be free from cracks, galls or flaws, whereby the Piece may be in danger to break, since no such accident can happen without the eminent peril and destruction of many men which are about it; and questionless in mine own experience I have known many lamentable and Tragic disasters which have chanced through such escapes, as once I knew a drunken Canoniere who upon the discharge of a Piece throwing his Linstocke into a barrel of powder which stood behind him, blew up both himself, the whole poop of the Ship, and diverse others which were about him: Also I knew a another Ship not far from Ramekins in Zealand, which by the breaking of a Piece was sunk in the Sea, and lost both men and goods to a wonderful great value, the like happened at the besieging of the Fort at Breast in Britain and diverse brave Gentlemen were burnt and spoilt, so that I conclude these accidents being so ordinary and incident to happen, it is very behooveful for the Master Gunner so far forth as lies in his power to have a watchful and careful eye to the prevention of the same.  
In some armies and some disciplines the, Fire-master and the Master-Gunner are all one without any difference or alteration either in authority or duty, but generally through all armies it is not so, but they are divided and made two several and distinct places, the Fier-Master being he that hath the art how to make and compound all manner of Fireworks, and hath the charge for the use and employment of the same, and the Master-Gunner only meddleth with the Ordnance and the other Engines which I have already rehearsed; but these latter times in which men have more greedy and free spirits then in the former times, producing men which had a sufficient understanding in both the mysteries or arts: they have for the saving of double fees and double wages, brought these two Officers into one, and comprehended them under the greater Title, which is the Master-Gunner.  
The Fire-master then (as I said) is an Officer which hath Intermeddling and to do only with the making, mixing and compounding of all manner of fireworks or wild-fiers, which both in Land-fights, but especially in Sea fights are of wonderful great importance, as in all assaults and joining of Battles, in Mines, in Trenches, and in the firing of Towns and Pavilions, in the grappling of Ships, Boordings, or setting fire on the Sails, Tackles, or any part which it toucheth, so that as the Fier-Master maketh and compoundeth these wild-fiers, so also he hath the ordering and disposing of them; giving commandment when, where, and in what manner to use them, for, then wildfire there is nothing in the wars of more especial use, neither is there any thing found of greater violence either to destroy or breed affright and amazement in the enemy, for it is a fire not to be quenched, and burneth with that most Implacable fury, that being once fixed, it never leaveth till all be consumed that is round about it; it is sometimes fixed unto Arrows & so shot into towns, amongst Tents or where any occasions are offered: It is sometimes made up in balls and cast amongst the assaults either at a breach, the entrance of a gate, or where any press or throng are gathered together, and sometimes it is cast abroad and at large in a confused manner, when men will scour a Trench or Ditch, or drive men out of a strength which is open and weakly guarded; and for this purpose the Fier-master must not be without very great store of Arrows, Balls, and Boxes of Iron, which being-full of sharp bearded Pikes may catch hold and stick in whatsoever it toucheth, whereby the fire once catching hold, will not after be put out or extinct till all things near it be consumed.  
Now that there may be no spare or want of this matter, but that all things may be plentiful and in great perfection; It is the Fier-masters charge to provide that he have always in his Office great store of Pitch, Tar, Aquanitae, Arsenic, Mercury, Brimstone, Cole of young hassel; Salt-peter, Salt-niter, Rossin, Wax, Camphire, Tutia, Calc: viva, Salgemma, Terpentine, Vinegar, Alexandrina non preparata, Rasapina, beaten Glass, Bay-Salt, unslact Lime, Bowl Armonicke, the fillings of Iron, Sarcacolla, Aspaltum judaicum, the powder of pigeons dung, the powder of Bay-tree stalks, and diverse Oils, as Hog's grease, Linsed Oil, common Lamp Oil, Oil of juniper, Oil of Eegges, and the Oil of Salt peter: and these shall be accommodated in several bags, Bottles and Glasses according to their several natures, also he shall have under his charge, barrels of peeble-stones, mortar-pieces and other Engines of like nature, and with these ingredients, he shall make his fireworks according to art, casting some in one form and some in another, of which there are a world of precedents; and Time every day (according to the wit of man) bringeth forth new and nottable Inventions: for indeed it is a subject of that bewitching nature, that the more a man looketh and laboureth into it, the more and more greater mischeives he shall still find to flow and arise from it.  
To conclude, these Officers (whether they be joint or separate, whether they be two, or but one, yet they ought to be exceeding Ingenious, very careful, daring and faithful, for they have much to do with Invention, more with mischances, and most of all with perils and dangers: As for their Trust it is so great that the very health and safety of Armies lie continually in their fingers.  
Both these Officers have their dependence upon the Master of the Ordnance, and are to attend his directions in all occurrents and occasions whatsoever, therefore it is fit they be still near unto his person, and that whatsoever proceedeth from him they see presently performed with faithfulness and diligence.  
Here I might amplify my discourse and enter into the discovery of other arts belonging to this Office, as the mounting of Artillery, the taking of a true level, & the weights and proportions both of the powder and Bullet, with many other secrets which rely upon that knowledge, but I reserve that for a more fit and convenient place, knowing it will suit much better and more propperly agree with another Epistle.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE FRANCIS LORD WILLOVGHBYE OF PARHAM.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the Trenchmaster.  
THough (sweet Lord) the tenderness of your years might challenge a more mild and softer Subject than this harsh and rough clangor of affrightful War, and deep-amazing Alarms, yet when I call to mind the excellency of your Noble Blood, and see how it springs out of the two heroic Fountains of Rutland and Willoughby, (the first whereof Nature and duty commands me to honour, the other the goodness of their own virtues) me thinks I see that strong promise of great Spirit within you, that it seems to say, If the great Henry of France playing amongst the Boys of Pau was at ten years old chosen for a General, why not you (at as young) be fit for Soldierly cogitations, doubtless you are, doubtless you will be, and in that assurance I am bold to knock at your ear with this short and plain Epistle, which when you have pleased to read, if you find nothing in it for your present use, then lay it by, 'tis ten to one but ere an age or less be consumed, you shall find occasion to review it; and though you find nothing absolute and rare, yet something there may be in it worthy your observation and knowledge.  
The next degree or Station above the two Officers last named, and who also is a dependant upon the Master of the Ordnance, taking from him most of his commands and directions, is the Trenchmaster, who by some (and not unproperly) is called the Engine-master, the quality of whose Office consisteth generally in matter of Fortifications, Immuring, and ●ntrenchments, for he is both to fortify the Camp, and also to make the approaches. It is he that must communicate and mix Art and Nature so well together, that lending to either the perfections which it wanteth, 〈◊〉 ●…kes the universal Body of his work absolute and impregnable, for as Nature in some places may be a great assistance unto him for the perfecting of his work, so Art in other places must either take all authority upon her, or the whole work be left naked and weak to any approach or assault of the enemy: so that in this Officer or Trenchmaster must be a knowledge (at the first apprehension or viewing) how much Nature can any way help him in his work, and how much Art is necessary to the bringing of Nature to the fullness of perfection: for it is to be understood that Nature is a good housewife, and saveth much charges in all Fortifications, when Art is a prodigal, and lavisheth out both coin and men's labours, therefore in this man's Office is required a good husbanding of both their conditions, and a finishing of the purpose he goeth about at as easy and small a charge as may be.  
He is an Officer at whose hands are required a two fold duty, the one of Safety, the other of Hurt or Annoyance: for to his friends he must be a strength and safeguard, and to his enemies a plague and mischief. It is requisite that in his election he be chosen a man of learning and experience, especially skilful in the Mathematics, and all Geometrical rules and proportions, and that he have the authority of long practice & sound knowledge to countenance and defend whatsoever he undertaketh, for in his Brain and Breast, and the strength of his profession consisteth the safety of the whole Army which is lodged within the compass of his intrenchments, for his Art must be their wall of defence, and by the square of his judgement is their security lost or made perfect.  
When therefore the plot of Ground for emcamping is appointed and chosen out by the Lord Martial, and that the Quartermaster hath divided it into sundry large quarters for the general receipt of the whole Army, then shall the Trenchmaster forthwith stake out the uttermost verge and extremest part thereof for the best advantage of the Camp, and the greatest hurt and annoyance that can be to the enemy, which done, according to the best proportions which will agree with the nature of the ground, and those forms into which the Marshal and Quarter-masters have form the Camp, he shall draw his Intrenchments and Fortifications, girdling and surrounding the same in such manner about, that the enemy may in no wise make any attempt thereupon without his certain loss and hindrance, and making all his approaches and entrances to the Camp with such intricate Art, and under such Guards and defences of its own strength, that the enemy may neither have hope nor ability at any time to give upon the same, but when he shall return back repulsed and laden both with shame and dishonour.  
I have in mine own experience known some principal great Commanders, as namely Sir William Pelham (a noble and renowned Soldier) who was Lord Martial in my Lord of Leicester's time in the Low countries and after him Sir Francis Vere, who both by experience and observation were wonderfully skilful in this kind; and notwithstanding both of them had most excellent Officers under them, and men of exceeding rare knowledge in these practices, yet in these great & important affairs of Fortifications and Assurances in guarding of the Camp, they still performed all things by their own proper Command and directions, neither could any danger (how eminent or certain soever) either in the views, approaches, or discovery of places fit to be fortified, deter or keep them back, but notwithstanding they both received many great, and almost deadly wounds, yet still they performed those services in their own persons. But this was the perfection of their knowledge and the absolute rareness of their courage (which is not always found out in men of their high place and commandment) therefore it is expedient that in every Army there should be this distinct and especial officer, both for the general safety of the Soldier, that he may march without hazard to the approaches & outward skirts of the camp, which (as it were) outfaceth the enemy, and also being there, may be defended against any Sallies, Stratagems, or other annoyances, as also to have a freedom of power to mount their Ordnance at pleasure, and to make Mounts to receive the Artillery; also to raise Cavaliers, to dig Mines under earth or running Trenches to any Curtain or Bulwark, whereby either the whole frame, or at least the Or●chion, Tronera, or Pendent may be molested or destroyed, beside a world of other new devices, both to secure the camp, and repulse the enemy, when he shall undertake any attempt against it.  
This officer must have a ready and pregnant skill in casting out the true proportion of all manner of Trenches, forming the depths and breadths thereof according to Art and the employment for which they were first framed. It behoves him to know how to form and model out all sorts of Bulwarks, making them large and massy, how to make election of his earth for toughness and firmness, how to ram it, pile it, and in case the mould be light and subtle, then in what sort to temper and mix it, and to bring it to a body that shall be tough, close, and solid; then how to cast his ditches both about and between each several Bulwark, how to frame his Gabions, Parapets, Tenazas, Tyzeras, Dients, and Casamats, how to make his Ports or Gates, and in what sort to fortify them with Draw-bridges, Rastels, Senacenescas, or Portcluyses; then where to make his Terraplene or places of Retreat; and lastly how to model and smooth out the Campania raza or plain Champain without all the works beforesaid, by which the enemy may have no ground of advantage whereby to disturb the Camp, Town, Fort, or other place which he hath fortified.  
To conclude, it is the office of this Trench or Engine-master to be skilful and experienced in all manner of Plots and Platforms whatsoever, and that he is able by his own understanding and industry to accommodate & apply himself to any kind of Situation or piece of ground whatsoever, knowing how either to fortify or supplant it upon the first view, being thereto called either by his place or any especial commandment.  
In France two Noblemen of great and good Blood, the one called Count Pedro of Normandy, and the other the Lord of Brey, have been exceeding famous, & much commended for the singularity of their knowledge in this excellent Art, and in our Nation I doubt not but those two I first spoke of, namely, General Vere, and Marshal Pelham, are notable Precedents to all ages that shall follow, of the rare and hidden perfection which is contained in the same: or should the dulness of our last times grow so blockish or stupid, as to forget men of their Fame and Merit, yet to do this Island honour, I could revive the names of two others, who in this Art have not been overrun by any strangers, that is to say, the two honourable Knights, Sir Richard Hansard, and Sir josias Bodley, being both famous Scholars, expert Soldiers, and rare Mathematicians; and indeed having had that exquisite benefit by Travel, that few in their days could outstrip them, especially Sir Richard Hansard, who in the wars of Hungary, Poland, & Transyluania, had reaped that knowledge and experience which brought back to his King and Country a large and plentiful tribute, and to himself a most worthy and fit employment. Neither was the other much inferior, who in all the wars of his time was never out of action, but so joined his study with practice and experience, that he bond his Country infinitely unto him; and howsoever respected, yet questionless none ever yet better deserved.  
I could here enter into a very large field, and find a world of excellent plants, which grew and flourished in this Art, as namely, Dexter, Diggs, Smith, and many others who were good Scholars, most excellent Mathematicians, and rare Enginiers, but the discourse of their works would ask rather a whole Volume than the last part of this short Epistle. Let it then suffice, that the Trenchmaster or Engineer (of whom I have entreated) having the perfections already recited, and to them added a special circumspction, to regard both the outward and inward situation of places, and how to provide remedies against every annoyance, whether it consist in Altitudes, Longitudes, or Latitudes, or in any other frame or form whatsoever, that then without all question he is a man of skill: and whensoever he is called upon by any especial commandment, he may without amazement take upon him the Protection of the Army.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EDMOND LORD SHEFFIELD OF BUTTERWICK.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the Wagon-Master.  
THe wars (my much honoured Lord) hath long since both by Sea and Land challenged you for a noble Master, neither hath Peace at any time made you forget either her Goodness or Necessity, for in your worthy Viceroyshipe when nothing but Olives were planted about every man's habitation: yet than you kept the Laurel in remembrance, and by errecting a School of war in your Government shown Peace how excellent a thing it was still to keep War as her most trustiest servant. This (noble Sir) hath encouraged me to dispatch this Epistle unto you, and to entreat you when it shall bring a blunt Soldier's salutation, to conceive that notwithstanding the Barbarous opinion of the contrariety of Arms and Learning, (making it almost a work of Impossibility to lodge them both together in one person) yet it is but an unreasonable Paradox, and rather taken from those which know Fury, than such as would understand Courage, to which, though your honoured self be to yourself the best witness (being a possessor both of the one and the other virtue) yet will I labour to approve in this volume, that as Mars and Mercury; there cannot live together two more faithful or fairer Companions.  
The succeeding Office to which this Epistle directs me, is that of the Waggon-master or Carriage-Master being an Inferior Officer belonging to the Lieutenant General of the Horse, of whose election there ought to be a great and especial care, for he ought to be a man of exceeding good Consideration and Trust; well stayed in manners and discreet in all his actions, for to his charge is delivered the conduct and guard of all the Baggage and Necessaries belonging to the whole Army, which being either purloined by Knaves, sacked by the Enemy, or any ways dismembered and lost by negligence of his eye or care of well looking unto, the Soldier is spoilt both of his food and eternal comforts, and being made a prey to all extremity, his life is in a manner forfeited and the army weakened, to the great loss of their affairs & the dishonour of the General under whose conduct they remained; whence it comes that this Officer ought to be chosen with a more than ordinary strictness and the care to be used therein should weigh an equal balance with any Officer of his nature and condition: nay, in some cases more or less, according to the consequence of his affairs and occasions, for in long and tedious marches in an enemy's Country that is poor and wasted or barren and depopulate, (so that there is neither hope of supply nor assurance of any Food or Comfort) there is this Officer of great import and without the assistance of his place, the army can but a little while continue either in strength or ability, for it is his partage and charge that must calm all rough and unwholesome Seasons, must make barren places fruitful, and indeed must find furniture and relief for all the adversities either of Time or Fortune. But in good and plentiful Countries, where the seasons are mild and pleasant, the Harvest ripe and swelling, Towns peopled, and every corner (as it were) a Storehouse of wholesome Food and Raiment, there the Soldier may be more bold, and though this Officer be wanting, yet may the Soldier still be his own puruior, and day by day replenish both his body and knapsack with all matters necessary for his own accommodation; beside, in these plentiful and well peopled places, where there is no want of any thing but that which should make abundance infinite, there the Army shall ever have great resort of Victuallers, Vianders, Sutler's and all occupations to relieve every want before it be complained of; so that using them with any proportion of affection or moderation, though this Officer be wanting yet shall the Army not feel any sufferance under the hand of Necessity.  
To come then to the particular charge and nature of his Office he hath (as before I said) the Charge and Commandmend of all Horses, Mules, Garrons, Wagons, Carts, Sleads and other implements whatsoever, to carry & convey all the needful Baggage either of Meat, Drink, or Apparel which any way dependeth upon the Army: and not only appointeth under him all such ministers as shall see the same mounted and laden out of every several quarter, but also being so furnished, placeth them in array and Ranks as he purposeth they shall March, designeing every man to his place and order, which no man shall dare or presume to break, upon pain of either having so much money defaulted and taken from his wages, or else some other bodily punishment at the discretion of the Waggonmaster. And that these Necessaries or Baggage of the Army may be conveyed with greater safety, the Officers of the Horse and Commanders of infantry, are to allow unto the Waggonmaster a good and sufficient Guard both of Horse and Foot to secure the Luggage and to bring it safe to the Rendivous, where it is to be unladen in the several Quarters. With this Baggage doth march all women of what quality soever, whether they be Wives, Laundresses, or Servants: all Boys belonging to Horse or Foot, and all base and idle persons being generally comprehended under the title of Baggage people, (how necessary or useful soever) and indeed they are Creatures of a most base and unhappy condition; none under heaven enduring greater slavery or contempt; especially the Horse Boys, who are up early and down late, that eat little and labour much, that find no end of their travel nor beginning of their rest, to whom the day is too short for their journeing, and the night not long enough to find out their Master's provisions; Forage being fare to seek, Straw hard to get, Boughs for their Cabins ill to come by: many times in danger of Bullets with ranging; wants drawing on slothful sicknesses, slothful sicknesses speedy death, and indeed but in death I know little they have to call their comfort, so that to conclude of a thousand; what with the Bullet, Sickness, Sword, Famine, Gallows and other mischances (except their Masters be much the honester men) scarce one lives to boast he is as old as the horse he keepeth. Only some black Swan amongst the rest (who hath been by God strangely preserved) I have observed to come to advancement, and from Soldier's Horse-boyes prove valiant and brave Captains, but it hath been like Winter's Thunder, hardly above one Crack in a man's remembrance, and therefore they may well be accounted amongst the Baggage, for in the world are not found creatures of a more Baggage nature; their education in the wars and their continual early exercise in body, so steelling their dispositions, that if they live to come to any mature age, some prove Freebooters (between whom and the Devil hardly goes the shears) some Fugitives, and some (whom God endueth with more special grace) Soldiers, yet of them the least and hardest to be found out in the compass of man's memory.  
Now for the  place wherein this Officer is to march with all his Baggage and provisions, (although the Range and Marshalling of the unruly company be in the discretion of the Waggon-master) yet is his own place at the appointment of the Sergeant Maior, who is to consider in the marching of the Army, upon what point thereof the enemy is most likely to assail; as if it be upon the head or vanguard, than all the Baggage shall march in the Rear; and if it be on the Rear, then shall the Baggage take their place in the Van, for where the greatest safety is, there this necessary-weakenesse should ever find their security: so likewise if the ememie should give upon the right side of the Battle, then must the Baggage pass unto the left, and if upon the left side, then must it likewise pass unto the right: thus shall the Battle still become a wall to their goods, and where the strength and ability thereof consisteth, there shall their goods and weaker persons remain as in a mansion meetest of all for their safety, neither can this luggage, munition nor despised persons (upon any assault or joining with the enemy) be any hindrance to the army, but they shall have full liberty to exercise their arms without being annoyed or falling foul upon the Wagons.  
The Horsemen which are to guard the Baggage ought to be either light horse or else Carbines, or if it might be a company of such Dragons as were but lately produced, which are certain Horsemen lightly armed, carrying short snaphance Pieces whose barrels are no more but just sixteen inches long, and board at full Musket boar: which taking a Musket charge, will carry (as all proof can witness) directly twelve score pointblank.  
These Shot shall scour before the baggage, that if any of the enemy's straggling Horse shall offer to make Incurssions upon them, they may instantly resist them and beat them back to their main bodies: But if it be so that the army march in a place of safety and where there is no danger of the enemy, then shall the luggage have their place in the midst of the vanguard always, with a strong guard of pikes and shot continually about it, and the Waggon-master in the head thereof to give directions upon any alteration, which will be very commodious for the Soldier, who by this forwardness of the Baggage shall not stand to wait and expect, but find his Tent pitched as soon as he cometh, and all things which can accommodate his weariness to be ready and prepared; Lastly it is the Office of the Waggon-master to look to the goodness and sufficiency of all the Wagons and other carriages which he hath in his charge, to see that the bodies be whole and tight, the wheels strong and well bound, the axletrees unstrained and well clouted, and all the harness and implements belonging to the cattles for draught that it be firm, new and untatterd; and to this end he shall ever have near and about him men of these trades, as Codders, or Knackers, Cartwrights', Smiths and the like, with whatsoever is needful for their use (which he shall receive by appointment from the master of the Ordnance,) and so he shall keep every thing perfect and in good order, both to the General's good, the Soldier's profit, and his own reputation, for howsoever some other smaller things depend upon his knowledge; yet these I have already showed, are the main substance of his cares, and the full duties which are expected in his Office.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, WILLIAM LORD PAGET OF BEAUDESERT.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the Forrage-Master.  
SO little am I known to your Lordship, that much I dare not presume from you, only that honest purpose which dare guide me, will I hope (seconded by your virtue) inform you, that nothing either in this Epistle I offer, or in the end that I assume, will, or deserve your contempt or amazement. Caesar (though in a goodlier Table) was content to express himself by the like figure; and if I, labouring to be his Scholar, repeat what lessons I have learned in our latter contentions, be it your goodness to vouchsafe me hearing, and though the Map be much too scant to express the great world I would decipher, yet may your noble acceptation make unto it so perfect a Scale, that without any intricacy or hardness you may take the uttermost measure of all my purpose.  
I am conducted in this Epistle to the Office and duty of the Forrage-master, or Providador de la Cavallo, being another great officer depending upon the lieutenant-general of the Horse, and from him is to receive a competent Guard of Light-horsemen or Dragoones mixed with some certain Foot-Pike and Shot, which may protect and defend his Foragers when they go forth to seek and provide all things necessary for the relief and accommodation of the Horse-quarter.  
The especial duty of this Forrage-master is (after he hath his Guard in readiness) by the sound of a Trumpet, to call together all his Foragers or servants, which are to be employed in this labour, being a compound Rabble of all manner of mean & inferior servants, as Horseman's Boys, Footman's Boys, Boors, common Lackeys, and the like; and for such Horsemen as have no boys, they must Alternis vicibus (being of one Comrade) serve themselves, some at one time, some at another, till every man have done his perfect duty. When these are thus gathered together, they shall be armed both for defence & service, with Sythes, Sickles, Hooks, Axes, Brown bills (if the Army have any such weapon) or else with old Halberds, or the like necessary tools, as also good Swords and other engines, some to mow and cut down Hay, Straw, young Corn, Pulse, Grass, or the like, some to hue down boughs and young watlings to make Cabins, and some to force doors and windows, or to tear and pull down whatsoever withstands them. Being thus accoutred, the Forrage-master shall mix with them a convenient number of Carriages, Sleads, Tumbrels, and horses of burden, to bring home such provisions as he shall get, and then putting them into the heart or centre of his Guard; he as their chief leader shall conduct them forth to such convenient places as he knoweth will afford him those necessary commodities which he seeketh, and herein he shall have a great respect to the time and season of the year, as if it be in the Spring, than he shall seek for the earliest grass, the tender young blades of Wheat, Rye, or any thing that hath been preserved green all the Winter, as the leaves of Coleworts or Cabbages, the roots and branches of Carats, or any other sweet root that is pleasant and not sharp or biting: for of these horses will feed, grow fat, and the more they labour, the more wholesome it is for their bodies. If it be in the Summer, he shall seek out for young Hay or Grass ready to be mown, for Corn of all kinds which is half ripe, & for any Pulse that is sprung up although it be not codded. If it be in the Harvest, than he shall seek forth all kind of ripe corn or pulse, especially Oats, Wheat and Barley: for the ears will feed the horse, and the straw will serve for litter; for ripe Rye it will make a horse scour and shoot, and the less he eateth, the better it will be both for his body and service. Lastly, if it be in the Winter, then shall the Forrage-master seek into Barns and houses, and no grain, come, hay or straw cometh amiss whatsoever, so that as soon as he hath gotten a proportion suitable to his desire, he shall then cause it to be trust up and laid into the Carriages, and so being brought home to the Camp, it is the Forrage-masters office to see it equally divided into every several Horse-quarter. But if this cessement or taxation of horse-forrage be drawn from the friend, than it is the office of the Forrage-master to Rate the Boors, and both to set prizes of their grain, and all other horse-provisions, and also appoint in what manner it shall be brought to the Camp, and then how to be distributed to every quarter, without partiality or extortion.  
The Foragers are to attend upon the Forrage-master, in all these marches after a decent and comely sort, that is to say, they shall all go out together, and not straggling or dispersed one from another; for if the enemy do lie any thing near at hand, it is the principal advantage he looketh for to cut off such lose desperates; and therefore at the sound of the Trumpet they shall all march together (guarded as aforesaid) and so continue till their labour and service be finished without any separation, for fear of sudden slaughter or surprise, than which there is not an action of greater danger: for if any of these lose fellows should happen to be taken prisoners, and so the enemy wrest from them some secret matter depending on the Army, it might be a mischief to which a thousand of their lives were not able to make a convenient recompense, & the advantage which the foe might gain thereby, doth so fare outweigh all the benefits of their future service, that they have nothing but curses and disdain to live with them ever after.  
As thus the Forrage-master is to see them march forth together and likewise keep together, without disordering the body by any quitting or stealing out of their Ranks; so is he likewise to have care that they all come home together, for these Foragers have many times that wickedness of disposition within them, that if the eye of the chief Officer once neglect them (so as they can make escape from the Company) presently they hide themselves in passages and obscure ways, disguising their faces with Scarves or close Casks, and so lie in wait to rob and spoil their own fellows, who being newly arrived at their quarter, and enticed by the pleasantness of the air to walk abroad and view the bounds or borders of the Country adjacent, are presently by an advantageous blow, or an undreampt of bullet on the sudden knocked down to the earth, and so by our own stragglers despoiled, rob, and sometimes murdered; which to prevent, there is nothing so available as the diligent care and vigilance of the Forrage-master, whose eye is the only salve which can cure these mischiefs: for by looking to their escapes, and most severely punishing all those which shall first attempt to offend in this nature, they will quickly be reduced to order, and fear, which is the terror of every base and undervalved courage, will like a sharp Bit rain them in, & keep mischief in despite of his own will from running into disorder.  
It is also the office of this Forrage-master, when he approacheth any of those places where he findeth (in part or whole) the commodities he seeketh, to have a circumspect regard to the situation of the place, and in what manner those commodities grow there, as also what advantage the ground or any place neighbouring near unto the same, may have for the placing and concealing of any ambush or other stratagem which may put himself and his company in danger, and finding any suspicion or doubt thereof; it is his part presently to collect what ground of advantage may again relieve himself if any such unlooked for accident should happen; and having armed himself against the worst of all disastrous suppositions, he shall yet notwithstanding dare to engage either himself or his company further than he hath a safe and assured retreat, whereby to bring them off in despite of all the politic engines which the subtlety of the enemy can device.  
Lastly, when the Forrage-master bringeth hom his Booty (which is all necessary provisions belonging to the Horse-troupes) he shall (before it be shared) make in his own account a true value and estimation thereof, and if he find it be in any great measure or large quantity, so that the abundance amounteth to a very plentiful overplus, then shall he first of all deduct out of the whole Gross a competent proportion to serve all the Troops of horse for the present, and then (the necessity of their occasions, and the profit of the Army desiring such frugality) he shall cause the rest to be stored and laid up in some convenient provision house, and thence weekly (by his inferior Officers) have it delivered out to the Clerks of the Troops without any lavish expense, or unthrifty consumption of the same: and questionless a better care cannot be preserved, for I have known in mine own experience, when at our first sitting down before a place besieged, coming unexpected and before such provisions could be taken from our possessions, we have found wondrous great plenty of all sorts of these accommodations, yet having carelessly wasted and consumed the same, without remembering any necessities that might arise from future times; and being by the stubbornness of the enemy fixed to the continuance of a lingering Siege, we have undergone such penury and want, that it hath been questionable whether the Besieger or the Besieged have sustained at the hand of Fortune the greater calamity, whereas the smallest spark of Care in the beginning, had fixed such a sure nail in the wheel of Fate, that nothing would have troubled us which had the least shadow or shape of Necessity.  
Many other complemental Observations might be added to the nature of this office, but being partly immaterial to my purpose, and partly such near dependants to the things already discussed, that the one is no more but an exposition of the other, I will neither be tedious to your Lordship, nor a breaker of order in the method I have undertaken, but shut up mine Epistle with this Conclusion, That whosoever doth as much in this Office as is already delivered, albe he do not all that can be imagined, yet he shall do as much as any necessary Reason can be expected.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THOMAS LORD DARCY OF THE SOUTH, NOW Viscount COLCHESTER.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the Victuall-Master.  
FOr me to Coin unto your Lordship any new compliment whereby to insinuate more than mine Ignorance understands, were a thing stranger than my strangeness unto you; Therefore I only take by the hand (in this place) the necessity of your noble Range (to which I am bound) and the goodness of your honourable mind (which I know will give allowance to every worthy study) these I hope shall excuse me; and for these I know you will so fare know me, as (in reading this Epistle) you shall find me worthy your notice, more I will not beg; less I dare not desire, and this I hope I shall ever reap from your noble virtue.  
The next Officer ascending in this warlike legend (and with which I am to account in this Epistle) is that of the Victuall-Master, Provant-master or Purveyor of victuals for the whole Body of the Army, and is indeed a principal and eminent person holding a place both of great Trust, Care and Estimation; his general dependence is upon the Army and the General's especial Commandments, but the particular looketh most at the Treasurer; for he supplieth all those necessities which he is not able to furnish.  
The election of this man ought to be out of the best sort of Gentlemen, having in him both the dignity of Blood and the glory of virtue, with the one to feel and pity men's wants and extremities, and with the other to give a speedy, honest and an wholesome remedy: he ought to be endued with three especial virtues, as first Wisdom (which he is to exercise in making his provisions,) than Temperance, (which is to govern him in the expense of his commodities according to order) and last Frugality, (by which to increase and keep good his store in an honest, profitable, and thrifty manner) he should be a man of years and great experience both in the natures of men, the necessities of the wars, and the proportioning of allowances; but especially he must be a man notably well seen in all manner of household provisions, knowing both the Rates of all manner of victuals, the places where best to find them, and the safest and wholesomest way how to keep and preserve them, he must not in any wise be a Beggar, for he that hath neglected to feed himself, will either little regard how he feedeth others, or else so extremely feed himself first, that other men will starve whilst he is in surfeiting. To conclude, he must in no wise be a hard hearted or covetous person, for Covetousness is the mother of many vices, and if this Officer, either to gain at cheap Rates by unsound and insufficient victuals, or to keep them (till the extremity of times do compel the Soldier to accept them) store them till they rot and turn to putrefaction, and then force them on those where denial can not be heard nor relieved; then believe it, this man doth his Prince and Country most wicked service; hath the curse of the living and the blood of many slaughtered Souls hanging at his elbow, for from this ground (above others) do mutinies and devisions amongst Soldiers arise, which is seldom appeased but with death; and from hence in mine own experience I have observed two such insurrections, that they started the whole Army with amazement.  
Touching the nature and quality of this Officer, he is to make provision for the Army of all kind of victuals whatsoever, carefully and faithfuly, and for that purpose is to have at every Rendivous or place of Garrisson, a fit and convenient Store-House, in which to pile up and accommodate the same, whether it be Bread, Biscuit, Cheese, Butter, Fish, Beef, Bacon, Meal, Pease or any other provision; which according to warrants from the Superior Officers, (nominating the number of men in list of every company) he shall deliver out proportionably according to such a rate for every man Per diem, and being still assured to keep his proportions within the compass of the Soldiers common allowance of ordinary lend, as for example; If the Soldiers lend be after the Rate of Three Shillings by the week, then shall the victuall-master allow him victuals at the rate of four pence by the day and a penny for drink, which amounts to two shillings and eleven pence the week, the remainder when the Captain cometh to reckon with the Treasurer, by the Victuallers certificates shall (or at least should) be an arrearage due to the Soldier; and thus according to the proportion of any wages, and in this expending of victuals it is to be supposed that every Victuall-Master ought to accommodate his victuals unto the place in which they are spent; as if it be in Garrison or settled Camp, than he shall spend those victuals which are worst for carriage and most troublesome for the Soldier to dress; as Butter, Bread, Fish or the like, except his plenty be great, and then he may let them have two day's flesh, as either Beef or Bacon, for Sundays and Thursdays; two days Butter as on Monday & Tuesday; one day Cheese as Wednesday; and two days Fish as Friday and Saturday.  
But if it be in Marching or journeying, than he shall give them the victuals which is most easy for carriage, and the longest lasting, as Biscuit, Beef ready boiled, Cheese, or the like. Now for the proportions how much conveniently may sustain a man a day (though they must be rated according to the plenty of the store and the prizes by which they are attained) yet for example sake, and according to the experience of those wars which I have seen, half a pound of Biscuit, and half a pound of Butter hath been at fit days proportion for one man, or a pound of Bread and half a pound of Beef or else Bacon; a full day's proportion, or otherwise half a pound of Biscuit and a pound of Cheese; likewise a pound of Biscuit and a Poore-Iohn between two men for one day, or two pound of Biscuit and a Gaberdine between four men for one day is a great proportion, half a pound of Biscuit and four herrings is one man's allowance for one day, and so is a quart of Pease boiled, or a pint of Rice with the ordinary allowance of Biscuit.  
The Victuall-Master, whilst he is in the friend Country may send forth his warrants or potents for the bringing in of all manner of victuals at their ordinary prizes, and in such manner (if the Soldier receive his wages in money) he shall retail it back without advantage; for no exaction in any wise should be taken on the Soldier, especially in case of food, for it is the nourisher of his strength and courage, and that being abated he can neither march well nor fight well; as thus victuals are brought in by the Friend, so being in the enemy's Land, it is the Office of the Victuler to consider the quality and season of the place, for if the Country itself be rich and well furnished, and therewithal suddenly Invaded; no doubt but great plenty of provisions will be found, upon which it is his Office to cease, and withal care to see it ordered and preserved for the best benefit and use of the Army, and to that end he is continually to have attending on him in good pay at least six Substitutes or under Officers to keep accounts and deliver out provisions, besides good and sufficient Bakers, Butchers, Fishmongers, Huckster's and Cooper's, besides Porters and luggage Carriers, to rummage and order things according to his directions, and doubtless it is found in the wars that there is greater husbandry in preserving things then in providing, since plenty and scarcity are these two extremes which oftest do make Soldiers Wasteful; For in Abundance it is the nature of course bred creatures to imagine that the spring hath no bottom, and in the time of penury as soon as the cheerfulness of relief but once shines upon them, presently the greediness of their natures falls into such excess, that nothing but Riot and Drunkenness is made the Steward of their expenses.  
This only is to be cured by this worthy Officer, for his fit distribution makes the one moderate, and his skilful preservations makes the other discreet. And indeed to speak the truth, a wise and judicious Victuall-Master which knows by Powdering, Turning, Cleansing and Drying, how to keep his victuals sound and sweet, from Moulding, Sowering, Rotting or Stinking, is the Soldier's best Physician, and gives him nothing but what brings health to his body, pleasure to his taste, and contentment to his mind.  
This Officer must be both for himself and others, a skilful and cunning Auditor, keeping his Books and Reckon faithfully and justly both between himself and the Treasurer for general and great receipts, between all such as shall bring in provisions, and his under victuallers, but above all between his own conscience and the Soldier's wants, whom (under so many Colours) he may wring; that unless his own soul speak unto him, there is no other Argus that can spy out his mischiefs: Therefore for the prevention of all wrongs, and that no cunning may walk in Truth's uppermost Garment; there is strictly required at this Officers hands a solemn and religious Oath, by which he is bound to serve justly, uprightly, and truly in his place, having always his Books of account in a readiness, that whensoever he shall be called upon, either by the General or Treasurer, he may with all diligence make known the uttermost depth of his actions, and declare his faithfulness and integrity both to his Prince, his Country and the Army in which he serveth: neither shall he be more careful of himself then of his Clerks and Inferior ministers; providing that they as himself do justly in all things, and that Injury and Extortion lie not Bed rid or sick in his Office: which if he perform as he ought, then is he a noble and renowned Officer, and howsoever his mortal part dye, yet shall the memory of his Immortal Goodness survive as long as any Soldier holds his remembrance.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE DUDLEY LORD NORTH his very good Lord.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the Provost-marshall.  
I Bring to you (my dear Lord) in the tribute of this short Epistle, two great Homages which I own, the one to the memory of your noble Grandfather (to whose honourable favours I was infinitely bound in my Service to the late Queen Elizabeth of blessed memory) and the other to your worthy self (from whom I have ever received that respect, which not to acknowledge, would hang as a Sereine or rotting Mildew upon any thankful nature) be pleased then to hear it speak at your best leisure, and though it have never so rude an utterance, yet you shall find it bears a worthy affection both to your Name and Honor.  
The Office upon which I touch in this place (my best Lord) is that of the Provost-marshall, which howsoever the General (through his greatness and priority of place) hath power to confirm and appoint, yet commonly the Gentleman which is designed thereunto, is always nominated and recommended by the Lord Martial of the field, being his under Officer, and one unto whom is delivered the charge and keeping of all Delinquents and criminal offenders whatsoever.  
This Office I have seen in mine experience to carry a double and twofold estimation (yet rather out of corruption then true ground) men judging of the good or evil thereof according to the worthiness or unworthiness of the party which held it, the honest, wise, & understanding man swaying it with Reputation and Renown. The foolish, base, and contemptible person ordering it with a regard of as much or more Imputation: But all this is fault in Election, not in Place; for it is certain, the Office in itself is both worthy, necessary and good, a calling fit for a Gentleman of Blood and quality, and a degree wherein a man may express any virtue to the life, both with applause and admiration. It is also of great profit and advauncement (which infers Merit) and there is knit unto it a singular Trust, which must ever allow of much Faith and Wisdom: I cannot compare it in our civil government to any office nearer than that of our Vnder-Sherifes, which howsoever the proverb is, Twice an Vnder-Sherise, ever a Knave: yet it is but corruption that makes good the Adage; for I know many honest men that many years have had the place, yet many times better than a world of those which contemn it. But to proceed, the Gentleman which should be elected to this place of Provost-marshall, would be a man of great judgement and Experience in all Martial Discipline, well seen in the laws and ordinances of the Camp, and such a one as knew well the use, benefit and necessity of all things belonging either unto Food or Raiment, he should be a lover of justice, impartial in his dealings, and free from the transportation of Passions: he should have an ear that contemptuously could beat back, not furiously drink in Slander and railing language: he should have an eye that could gaze on all objects without winking, and an heart full of discreet compassion, but not touched with foolish or melting pity. In brief, he ought to be only the Law's servant, and indeed to challenge no more in himself, than so much as expressed to her his obedience.  
For the nature of his Office, he is first the great and principal Gaoler of the Army, having power to detain and keep prisoner whosoever shallbe committed unto him by lawful authority; and though some contemptuously have called him the Hangman, or executioner of the Army, yet it is not so, but as our Sheriffs of Counties are bound to find slaves for such needful uses: so he by his place is obliged to find men and other implements for all such occasions, and to that end hath allowance for many attendants of all sorts and conditions, and many Substitutes, which are called under-Provosts, who have likewise allowance of attendants to dispatch any execution how suddenly soever commanded, and to that end it is not lawful for the under-Provosts to go at any time without Halters, Withs, or strangling cords of Match, ever about them. The Pruoust-Marshall hath the charge of all manner of tortures, as Gyves, Shackles, Bolts, Chains, Bilbowes, Manacles, Whips, and the like, and may by his Ministers use them, either in case of judgement or Commandment from a Marshal Court, or otherwise upon unruliness at his own discretion: he is by his officers to see all places of Execution prepared and furnished with Engines fitting to the judgement, whether it be Gallows, Gybbets, Scaffolds, Pillories, Stocks or Strappadoes, or any other Engine which is set up for terror and affright to such as behold it.  
This Officer hath the guard and keeping of all such Prisoners as are taken in the wars, till they be either ransomed, exchanged, or by the General otherwise disposed; & in this case the nobler his usage is, the greater will the praise be of his humanity & virtue. If any Drums or Trumpets shall happen to come from the enemy, they are by the Provest marshal to be entertained, accommodated and provided, unless it shall please the Lord Martial himself otherwise to dispose of them. And that all these duties before said may with more efficacy and lustre be performed, he shall have his Quarter in the strongest and most securest part of all the Army; and in all Marches he is also to have the place of greatest safety, for the assurance of his Prisoners.  
Moreover, it is the Office of the Provost-marshall, by authority of the Lord Marshal, to guard with a good Convoy of men, both to the camp, in the camp, and from the camp, all manner of Victuallers, Vianders, Merchants and others which bring any provisions to the camp, and as soon as they are entered, he shall rate and set prize (in a reasonable & indifferent manner) upon all their goods, and secures them from the insolence of the Soldier, providing that no man take any thing from them without payment: he also looks to the proportions of true Weights and Measures, and reconciles any difference in buying and selling, for which labour he hath of the Providadors or Merchants, the Hides and Tongues of all manner of cattles that are killed, and every week sixpence a piece in money numbered for their stalls, which sixpence a week he is accountable for unto the Lord Martial, for to him that fee is belonging.  
It is likewise the Office of the Provost-marshall, to see that the Marketplace of the Camp be once in two days swept and kept sweet and clean, that all garbage and filthiness be burnt and consumed, that no man do the office of nature but in places convenient, and that in the whole Camp or Garrison there may not be any thing which may turn to a general annoyance.  
The Provost-marshall must have an especial care to the keeping of the peace, and to apprehend the least occasion which may tend to the breach of the same, he must prevent all Mutinies, Quarrels, and disorders, and that no such uncivil dissension may have strength to outface or withstand the power of his command: he shall ever have attending about him a guard of his under Provosts and servants, who with short truncheons in their hands, according unto Military form, shall enforce obedience to any lawful commandment which proceedeth from him, and having taken them in their actual transgressions, to commit them to Prison, or the Bolts, as the nature or evil example of the crime deserveth; for it is a duty expected at this Officers hands, to be a ready suppressor of all vice and disorder, and to be a maintenance and advancer of all those which have any semblance or likeness with an honest, sober and civil inclination; whence it behooveth him to have a ready and quick judging eye between the good and bad, so that he may in an early hour restrain all immoderate and unlawful Gain, and rather compel the Cutthroat to kill himself with envy, then to consume others with the rust and canker of his unsatisfied Covetousness. It is also a main point in this Officers duty, to discover the lurking subtleties of treacherous Spies, and by learning the true interpretation of men's Words, looks, manners, forms, and habits of apparel, to be able to turn the inside of their hearts outward, and to pull out that little devil of malicious deceit, though he lie hid in never so dark a corner; and truly a better service cannot be done, nor is there any Art sooner learned if a man will apply his knowledge but seriously thereunto.  
To conclude, the last duty of the Provost-mashall, is (after the Watch is set at night) to survey the Army, and see if it remain calm and still, and that no disorderly noises or tumults keep any part of it awake and not silent; and in this survey, if he encounter with any immoderate fires, or superfluous candle-lights, he shall cause them to be put out and extinguished; or if he hear in Sutler's cabins or other harbours any Drunkards, Tobacco takers, or other unruly persons, whose noise is both offensive to the Camp, and giveth to others an evil example, he shall presently suppress them, and make them departed, or else upon grosser disorder, commit them: for besides the undecency and unfitness of the action, such clamours and noises are more than hurtful in a Camp, epecially being any thing near where the Sentinel standeth: for it is an interruption and hindrance through which he cannot possibly discharge his duty.  
Thus I have briefly run over all the main points in which the duty of this Officer doth consist, and though not with those amplifications and inlargements, which might be required in a greater and more spacious Volume (to which no law in this Art of writing will allow me) yet I know (like a reasonable handsome picture) your Lordship may (if you please) judge by it of every feature in the living proportion, which if nobly you vouchsafe to do, you pay me the greatest Interest my love can wish, and I will study more and more to be your servant.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE GEORGE BRIDGES LORD CHANDOIS.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the Judge-Marshall.  
You are (my noble and worthy Lord) happy in your own growing fruitfulness to all goodness, happy in your descent from your Parents noble virtues, and happy in the hopes of all that do or shall depend upon you, whence I make bold to send you this poor Epistle as an acknowledgement of my service, not to plead merit, but to signify my wishes to the prosperity of your Spring and flourishing beginning. If you please to read it you shall find nothing in it that is uncomely, if you neglect it, yet is it the figure of such an affection as wished it for your service; how ever I know your goodness, and dare boldly knock thereat, for I know it is a Gate that must not be shut against any honest or worthy endeavour.  
The Subject whereof I intent to entreat in this Epistle, is of the judge-marshall, or as some call him (by the old Roman name) the Praetor, or judge in all Martial causes. This is a renowned and reverend Officer (as some suppose) attendant; but as I confidently imagine rather an assistant to the Lord Martial, for he is not always designed, nominated, and appointed by the General or Lord Martial, but oftener by the King himself and his Regal authority, which greatness in election proves the dignity and worthiness of his place, for it is a rule in all the Titles of Honour whatsoever, that as that is the greatest, which riseth immediately from God and not from the King, so those are the next best which rise immediately from the King; and not by a second from the King's Commission: but letting pass the curiossity in his appointment, let it suffice us that his place is of great Reverence and respect, and the man which ought to be elected thereunto, should be a person of sincere and holy life, Learned, Religious, and of a sound and approved knowledge in matters of justice and Equity, he should have a conscience like an Innocent and spotless Virgin, delicate, quick and tender, yet fit to receive no impression or stamp but that of goodness, for he hath to do with the bloods and lives of men, and no addulterate censure committed against them, but pulls with incessant cries vengeance from heaven to consume the Author; I have known (in mine own experience) called to to this place both reverend and famous Divines, and sometimes learned and worthy Civilians, either of which have discharged the place withal contentment and admiration, managing all their actions, both with a Religious fear of God's Judgements, and a careful duty to the preservation of justice; but yet if a man had liberty to wish in this place the fullness of perfection, me thinks a man that had the mixture of both these excellent qualities were sure of the best composition, and would fare exceed the single Ingredient; that is to say, either Divine Civilian, or a Civill-divine would fare surpass a smple Divine or simple Civilian.  
It cannot be denied but in as much as the Civil Law hath the greatest sway in all marshal crimes & controversies, therefore it is necessary the judge of these errors should be learned in that profession; so on the other side, since there is no constant path but it may walk whither soever the Conscience please to giude it, there is a strong necessity that Religion and Divine knowledge come in for an assistance, lest by a small mistake the flattered Conscience may go awry, and then there is no fall but into a Precipice.  
divers I confess have written Military and Marshal laws, and of all those not any with a more worthy or memorable approbation than our Reverend and learned Doctor Sutolife, (whom I long knew in the wars and much reverenced for his infinite virtues) being a man so able and uncontrollable through the merit of his own rare experience that few comes near, none equals him: yet he I know will modestly confess that those laws cannot always be certain in all places; for Generals themselves continually taking upon them to make new laws aptest and fittest for the present Times, find sometimes those things which were imagined most fit, at other times to be held the most inconvenient, and what was at one time most dangerous, at another time is most sufferable and wholesome; so that still there must be a Quere left (as our Common Lawyers term it) and there is no constant Law (but the judge's Conscience) for all manner of occasions, main Trespasses only excepted, as Treasons, Conspiracies, Contempt of Officers, Cowardice, Theft, and the like: all which by settled rules are evermore most sevearely punished: so that to a well mixed Law to have a judge of a better mixed temper, is the best election that can be found out by any noble and well tried judgement.  
Times in the Wars makes the nature of Offences differ, for I have seen a man who for stealing of a Hat or such a trifle, nay for going but out of his Quarter or breaking his array, hath been killed or hanged up immediately, when at another time great felonies have been committed but yet escaped, horrible offences pardoned, and gross Injuries highly praised; this hath been the working of Times and the Conscience of the judge, neither will I stand in this place to argue either the one or the others greater goodness.  
The Praetor or judge-marshall being thus chosen, his place and Office is the same almost in effect and quality which they carry in our civil Cities and Towns, whom we call by the names of Recorders, for as those are the Mouths, judgements and Censures of the Supreme Magistrate which we call Mayor, Baily or Alderman, condemning or acquitting all such as are brought before them for any criminal offence, of what nature or condition soever, because it is supposed the higher Magistrate is not learned in the Mystery and Science of the Laws: So is this Praetor or judge-marshall the voice, Censure and opinion of the Lord Martial of the Army, having full power and authority to draw up, Engross and pronounce all Sentences and Processes drawn & agreed upon in a Marshal Court against any Delinquent or Capital offender whatsoever; and for that cause he hath his seat and place in all Marshal Courts next under the Lord-marshall, where he sitteth and heareth all complaints, evidences and proofs which are brought in against any criminal offendor; taking ample notes thereof and reducing them into heads both for his own and all the other Captain's helps which are judges in the same Court; which being heard at large and upon solemn oath; he than calleth in the offendor and against him layeth all the Inferences, Accusations, and Imputations which had formerly been alleged, together with the proofs and assertions, receiving the Delinquents ample and full answer to the same, with all those testimonies and excuses which he can produce: which done and the offending party withdrawn, the Praetor discourseth to all the Court his opinion of all he hath heard, what agreeth with the laws, and what standeth against them, discussing all doubtful questions, and truly and sincearely declaring how far the nature of the Offence extendeth; of which, when his speech is ended he craveth their judgement.  
Then the puny Captain first, and so successively all the rest one after another give their opinions of the nature of the offence, and what punishment it deserveth; then in conclusion the Lord marshal himself (if he be present) giveth the final sentence; which finished, the Praetor causeth the sentence to be drawn, which being read by him to the whole Table, (to that effect which the Lord-marshall pronounced) immediately the Prisoner is called for again, unto whom after the Praetor in a solemn and learned Oration hath ripped up the quality and pernitiousnes of his sin and the excellency of the Laws in cutting off the cruelty of such sins, and then sawdering up the wounds of a torn and declacerat Conscience with divine and wholesome counsel, forthwith he shall read unto him the full tenor of his sentence, in such sort as it is there written; and then deliver it into the hands of the Provost-marshall to see it put in execution. And in this manner he shall deal with all other controversies whatsoever; observing still to keep in affair and large Book, handsomely engrossed up, all Complaints, Proceed, and Sentences whatsoever which shall pass before him, as well for his own discharge, as the honour of the Court, and satisfaction of all such as shall have occasion upon any controversy or question to search or overlook the same.  
And this is the greatest part and effect of the judge-marshalls Office in our Courts of war, though in other Countries they have further employments; as the answering of foreign Messengers, the drawing of Proclamations, control of victuallers and the like; yet since for these we have other particular and distinct Officers, I will impose no more upon this then his due place challengeth, but only conclude thus. That if he discharge his place rightly in manner and form as it is described, he shall questionless do to himself a great honour, and perform a most acceptable work both to God, the world, and all good Christians.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, HENRY CARRY LORD HUNSDON, now VISCOUNT ROCHFORT.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the Scout-Master.  
THough I am (my Lord) a stranger to your person, yet in as much as you are descended from the blood of the Ancient, Great, and Noble Somerset, to that I may draw near for shelter, It hath many times shadowed our House; and though the Frosts of Time and Fortune bite never so cruelly, yet will not all the leaves (I hope) shed. Be then pleased (Sir) that I may solicit you to read this Epistle, the tale is plain (for it comes from a Soldier) It is true (for I have Experience to bear me witness) and that it is modest, fear not (for a Gentleman sent it.)  
Concerning this Office of the Scout-master, or Captain of the Vant-currers, there have been many variable disputations touching his dependency, nor is the reconcilement settled or made perfect in all men's opinions, some fixing him upon the Lord Martial, some on the General of the Horse, and some on the Lieutenant General of the Horse, and indeed some on none, but as a public Officer of great and eminent importance to subsist only of himself. True it is that the last opinion is most strong, if we draw into consideration the variety and change of his duties, for they are so many and so diverse, that indeed he cannot be said to depend of any one, but of all, and may be truly called The Camps general Servant: yet if we come to particulars, and put those many duties into several Balances, we shall find that the weightiest of all belongs to the Lord Martial. It is certain he is beholden to the superior Officers of the Horse for his Guard, so are they likewise to him for his Discoveries; but the most important matters and secrets of his knowledge, that is the Lord Marshals, & if on any, then on him he must fix his dependence.  
Touching the election of this Officer, he ought to be a man of infinite great Valour and judgement, very skilful in the knowledge of the Country wherein he serveth, a good Cosmographer, and describer of the situations of places, and such a one as by his eye can suddenly frame unto himself a Map of whatsoever he discovereth. Two things he must especially beware of, Rashness and Credulity: for the first with many dangers will continually make spoil of his labours, the other with too light trust will make him liable to untruths, which is an everlasting imputation.  
The two principal parts of his Office consist, the one in Discovering, the other in Guarding: his duty in Discovering, is for the most part exercised when the Army marcheth, at which time he is to receive from the Lieutenant General of the Horse (or some other by his appointment) a competent Guard or troop of Horsemen, being for the most part all Light-horsemen or Dragoones, and with these the Scout-master shall ride before the Army, and scour all the ways and passages through which it shall march, and this he shall do with all silence and swiftness, taking still into his consideration the nature, ease, and dangers of all Passages, Rivers, and Bridges: he shall gauge and sound the depths of all Foards, try their bredths, and how many may march over in breast, see whether the Shallow go over strait, and in a direct line or crooked, and whether the Channel be hard, muddy, or oppressed with great stones, blocks, bushes or the like, he shall likewise observe all Hills, Valleys, Straits, Woods, Bogs, and all advantages or disadvantages whatsoever: For howsoever it may be presumed that the General, either by his friends, by the employment of Spies, by Traitors or some other advisoes, nay by his own knowledge may have some Notion or assurance of his passages, yet in respect of the present mutability of times, and the stratagems of the enemy (which can never be idle in these busy affairs:) this Officers can in no wise be wanting; for by common experience we see, what was yesterday; nay, within this hour passable, may at this instant be possessed by the enemy, or by his devices impeached: Foards are soon choked up with Calthropes, Bridges are soon broken, concealed Ditches easily cast, Pitfalls & Mines in straight ways quickly digged, and an infinite world of other impediments to hinder an Army; all which it is the Office of this Scout-master to discover: yet with such care and circumspection, that still he be sure to provide for himself and his company a good and a safe Retreat, for howsoever (in places of danger) he be not bound to engage himself so fare, that the enemy might cut between him and the Army, yet is he not upon a small apprehension to cut his course so short, as thereby the Army might be touched with the least hazard. It is his part therefore to mount up to the highest ground of advantage, and where he may view the greatest Hemisphere or Horizon that is about him, and thence look and observe the Country every way, and if any difficulty of places be in his eye to discover, he shall send forth certain Vantcurriers before him, being men of knowledge, valour & judgement, who shall make plain whatsoever to his eye remaineth doubtful; and if in this service their valours shall transport them further than his directions, and so they become engaged (which is a fault of an unexcusable nature) yet shall he second them, and bring them off, if there be any possibility in the hazard. Nor shall he thus alone clear the way which is directly before, but also he shall send forth his Vantcurriers on every side, and clear the way round about him, & what impediments soever he shall encounter withal; if out of his own power he cannot relieve them, he shall immediately retire, and inform the Lord-marshall, and from him receive either assistance, or some new directions.  
When the Quartermaster shall attend the Lord-marshall about the Alodgement and Quartering of the Army, it in then the Office of the Scout-master to attend him also, and with his best judgement and knowledge to take a serious and judicial survey of the ground, and from the situation thereof to observe all advantages and disadvantages which may be either with, or against them, and with a modest freedom to deliver his opinion, and the reasons thereof unto the Lord-marshall.  
Again, when the Marshal's Trumpet shall set the Watch, instantly the Scout-master shall have his Guard of Horsemen assigned unto him either by the General or the Licutenant-Generall of the Horse. If there be not (as in most disciplines there are) a certain course or rule who continually shall guard him; and these being mounted, he leadeth without the camp, who watch and guard the same all that night, and are indeed truly those whom we call sentines Perdues; for there he placeth them in their several places Sentinell-wise round about the Camp, giving them strict charge upon pain of death not to stir until they be relieved. As for the Marshalling of them, it is according to his own judgement, or near, or fare off, as time and the dangers require: for if the Camp be small, and the number great, than he placeth them thicker, and relieveth oftener; but if the Camp be wide, and the number small, than they are thinner, and their duties longer. When the Watch is relieved, the Scout-master relieveth his Sentinels and Scouts, and the Camp not removing he continueth his Ward for the day also, but in no wise after the same manner as he did his Watch, but according to his discretion and judgement he shall alter his ground and place of Scouting: for he ought to understand that all his endeavours are to discover the enemy, but yet to keep himself close and concealed, and therefore (as near as he can) in watching he shall seek to plant his Scouts in valleys and descending grounds, where their eyes may take the best prospect between the light and the earth; but in the day time he shall make his Guard upon the hills, whence his eyes may fetch the largest distance: In the seasons which are tempestuous and bitter, than he ought to relieve often, but if calm and gentle, he may suit his troubles according. Assoon as the Army riseth, it is his place to pass on before to the purposes already rehearsed: and if he make no speedy return back again, it argues a clear coast, yet must he not be too long absent, but in some convenient space of time now and then present himself to the Army, lest they suspecting his interception, might be drawn into some puzzle or amazement.  
This in effect is the whole substance of the Scout-masters Office, which though in some particular points it differ from the ancient Roman discipline, who never at any time would vouchsafe to place lost Sentinels near the Camp, or desperate Scouts fare off, and removed from the Camp: and notwithstanding that Florus, Bellay, and many brave Historians do wondrously approve of their disallowance thereof, and condemning our discipline as somewhat too tyrannous therein, alleging it either opens a way whereby the outward Sentinel may more easily be corrupted, or the inward Sentinel made a great deal more negligent and careless, by relying their trust on those which are without; yet did not modesty and good manners detain me from arguing against so great, so ancient, and so well approved Masters: doubtless I could hold a strong, a long, and almost an unrefellable disputation therein: but it shall suffice, my silence shall plead me guilty of yielding unto them, and I must and will ever confess, that the Romans were great Soldiers, and accomplished mighty and heroical Actions, yet with this Protestation I will undauntedly conclude mine Epistle, That at this day the Art and Discipline of War is as absolute and perfect amongst us, as ever it was amongst the old Romans.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE OLIVER LORD SAINT-IOHN OF BLETSOE.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the Lieutenant of the Ordnance.  
HE that shall ship himself (my Lord) upon so great a discovery as (in this work) I have undertaken, and stands bound to satisfy so many noble persons as I have made mine Adventures, must (though he borrow much from Knowledge) yet beg a great deal more from Hope; and as he passes some great Seas with Assurance, so he must pass others by Chance; In the latter whereof, though he be ever accompanied with fear and doubt, yet being happily passed and finding some end of his purpose. It, he makes a jewel to crown his voyage; your Lordship is an Ocean and I must adventure to sail upon your patience with this Epistle: If I pass clear, as I doubt not (for fame reports you learned) you shall make me much happier than I am by your knowledge, and yourself a little richer by one poor man's affection.  
This Office and Officer (of whose nature I am to discourse to your Lordship) we call the Lieutenant of the Ordnance or under Captain of the Artillery, and is indeed no less than the Substitute, or immediate next in command and authority to the Master of the Ordnance or Great Captain of the Artillery: a man which for his election ought to have many singular good parts, as Learning, Wisdom, Valour, Temperance and all the spacious degrees of an honest and worthy frugality. He ought to be a Soldier from his Cradle, for he can have no experience to old, nor indeed is there any experience either young or old which (once in his life) will not come within the compass of his necessity; he had need be more than a Freeman, for though they may deal with any Trade, yet he must deal with all Trades, and therefore above all studies the Mathematics are fittest for his reading; to conclude, if he be but Industrious and honest, the one will show him skill, the other use, and both together will make him a subject fit for these undertake.  
The Office of the Ordnance is of that great and singular importance that few in the army exceed it, and indeed so weighty as with great difficulty any one man is able to pass through and fully to discharge it: whence it comes that there are allowed unto him many assistants, especially one above the rest; who being next to himself, we call by the name of his Lieutenant, and in truth whatsoever may belong to the care of the Master, all that is ever within the compass of his authority also; for not only in his absence doth he carry the general care of all proceed within that particular affair, but also in his presence hath a particular reference to the ordering of many duties which as burdens too gross and heavy, are removed from the Master to the Lieutenants shoulders: and therefore it is requisite that wheresoever the Master of the Ordnance is absent, there the Lieutenant be ever present, as if the Master be in the Camp, then must the Lieutenant be at the Breach or Curtain, if thee Master be at the Breach, than the Lieutenant at the Storehouse, the mine or some other place of necessary Employment, and indeed the Offices do so necessarily depend one upon another, that the perfection of this man's duty can hardly be discerned, till with the other (which is the greater) it be artificially compared, and therefore in the Office of the Master of the Ordnance, this Office of the Lieutenant shall be made more plain and easy. But to proceed, this Officer hath under him many Inferior Officers, as Master-Gunners, Canoniers, Waggon-master, the Furrier and divers Clerks, besides Gunmakers, and Carriage makers, and others of meaner dependence; so that he is as a middle man between the Master of the Ordnance and his Inferior Officers, giving an account to one, and taking account from others, and by reason of his more general commercement with those men (who have their only dependence on him, and find all their necessities relieved by him) he hath a more liberal and free power both to hear from them, and see in them many negligences and escapes which the Master can in no wise behold, and which, it is his duty and place to see reform, either by his own power, or by complaint to the Master, who is not to dispute or crave Testimony in any thing which the Lieutenant shall declare unto him.  
It is the Office of this Lieutenant to see that both the Master Gunner and all his under Gunners do their duties in observing and mannageing their Pieces, in mounting, dismounting, in their diligence in charging and discharging; lading, levelling and whatsoever else belongs to their art and cunning, and to the end that his eye may be of more force, both in the finding out and mending of all errors which shall come within the compass of his knowledge; it is very convenient that he himself be skilful and expert in the same knowledge, so as upon every error or fault discerned, he may be able not only to correct and control, but also to instruct and teach the Ignorant how and in what manner to amend any escape in what sort soever committed.  
It is his especial duty to see that his Storehouse or place of change be continually furnished withal manner of provisions both for Artillery, Munision and all sorts of Arms, both offensive and defensive; as Ordnance ready mounted with all their cooplements, Ornaments, Tires, and necessaries which belong unto the same, as Cannons for Battery, from the least to the greatest size; as from six to ten inches in board or height, and carrying bullet from forty four to seaventy pound weight; demie-Cannons which carry bullet from twenty four to thirty pound weight; Culluerins from sixteen to twenty pound, Demie-Culluerines, Falcons, Faulconets and Sakers; quintals of Cannon-powder and other powder, and Ox hides to cover and defend the same; Shot of Iron, Lead, and stone in great quantity and for all manner of Pieces, Match in great abundance, Iron shovels, Mattocks, Pickaxes, Axes, Hatchets, Hooks, Planks, Board's, Mands, Baskets, Nails for Tire, and all other purposes, Saws Sledges, Iron bars, Crows, Augers, Engines for all purposes; Chargers, Ladles, Rammers, Sponges, Chains, Cart-clouts, Weights, all sorts of Smith's tools, Horse-shoos and Nails, Cordage, Coffers, Candles, Lanterns, Ceare-cloathes, Soap, Tar, soft Grease, Scalling ladders, beside a world of other things which are needless to recite and yet depend on the Ordnance; He shall have also in store all manner of small shot as Muskets, Dragoones, Pistols and the like; with all manner of Implements belonging unto them either for Horse or Foot; also all sorts of Lances, Pikes, Morions, Corslets, Swords, Daggers, Girdles, Hangers, Bandeleers, Bulletbagges, Flasks and Touchboxes for Horsemen, Carbines or petronels, and indeed generally all manner of Arms whatsoever; for it were an infinite thing in this short Epistle to reckon up all which appertains to this great Office: Now as this Store house is to be furnished with all these several provisions, so likewise it is to be accommodated with men of all the several Trades belonging to such provisions as Mine-masters, Smiths, Founders, Cooper's, Carpenters, Wheelewrights and the like; all which as they are under the Guard of the Lieutenant of the Ordnance, so it is his Office to see them provided of all manner of necessaries belonging to their Trades, which by virtue of his warrants or potents he shall raise from any man that is owner thereof (being a friend) at such Rates and Prizes as by the Master of the Ordnance shall be appointed, and also he shall call upon the paymaster of the Artillery (if any defect shall be in that behalf) for the true payment of all wages to all these or any other which are under his commandment, and if the defect be in the Treasurer, he shall then inform the Master of the Ordnance and from him receive order for the redress of the same, and then he shall also oversee that the Clerk of the Ordnance do truly and faithfully keep an account both of the pays and all other charges belonging to the Office by Libranzas, or Tickets sent either from the Master of the Ordnance himself, or else from his Lieutenant; and lastly he shall see that the Puruior general (which some call the Committie of the Ordnance) do make all his provisions (whether it be of Bastiments or other necessaries depending either upon the Office, or the people appeteining unto the Office) in a good and sufficient manner, without either Cruelty or remissness; neither offending the Friend from whom he raiseth these profits by any unjust and unlawful exactions, nor yet wronging the place by want of such necessary commodities, either through his slackness in duty, Bribery or any other soft-hearted or pratiall forbearance.  
To conclude this Epistle (because I shall have occasion to amplify it a great deal more in the office of the Master of the Ordnance) it is the Office of the Lieutenant of the Ordnance to deliver unto every Captain or his Officer whom he shall appoint for that purpose (upon Just and approved defects, or upon warrant from the Master of the Ordnance; all manner of supplies of Arms and Munition whatsoever, whether belonging to the Pike, Musket or any other weapon whatsoever as also Powder, Match, Bullet or Lead, (according to the nature of his provisions) and the same so delivered shall defalk out of the Captain's Count, & reckoning by the return of his certificate into the hands of the Treasurer, under Treasurer or their deputies. Many other things depend upon this Office, but these are the most material, and from them (by an easy exposition) may be reduced all the rest, so that I may very well cast Anchor here and rest till by the course of Time and my purpose in these proceed I be enforced to sail into a much larger Ocean.   
The end of the third Decad.   


TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD THEOPHILUS HOWARD of WALDEN, Heir apparent to the Earldom of Suffolk.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the Muster-Master in War.  
I Know (my Lord) that to express you as you are in the true dignity of your place, were to set you fare before the first in this great Range: for as you are the Son of an Earl, so you stand upon an higher Scale, and by the courtesy of our Land, move where you may behold these move below you. But when I consider how I have formerly made bold with a noble Peer of your own Rank (I mean the Heir of the Noble house of Worcester) and find that as you are Earls sons, and so walk before in Courtesy, so you are Barons, and by that true right sit in the Upper House of Parliament (which other Earls sons cannot do) I could not but conceive that this smaller lamp gave the clearer light, and that by placing you in this Range, I darkened not, but did much rather add to your splendour, by showing that as you may march amongst the sons of Earls, in case of Triumph, so you may sit amongst the Peers of the land in matter of justice. It is fare from me to dream of any abatement in your Greatness; for so fare have I been bound to the noble goodness of your thrice worthy Father, that I must protest from the plain truth of an unspotted affection, if I were able to add or bring one spark of glory to the Altar of your great Name, I would do it with all fullness, all swiftness, though the malice of the whole world as a greedy torrent lay ready to overwhelm me.  
But to proceed to the discourse at which mine occasion now pointeth; It is the Office of the Muster-master, of which there are two kinds, the one in War, the other in Peace; and howsoever they agree in name, yet in nature they have little coherence: but since it is of the first (as namely the Muster-master in War) upon whom now I must discourse: I will omit all circumstance and disputation, and plainly fall to the discussing of his Office.  
First, touching the nature of the person himselse, it is certain, that (for the most part) Muster-masters in the wars are very odious unto Captains; for in serving of his Prince truly, and in mustering strictly he wipeth much undue profit from the Captain, and spoileth him of those pays, which it may be he had hoped should have relieved many of his necessities: on the other side, if the Muster-master do connive & blance at faults either for affection, or profit, then must he necessarily be an evil servant to the State, and the end of all his work can be nothing but disgrace and reprehension: so that I conclude, it is the honest Muster-master and the honest Captain which must agree and live in a wholesome concord together; the Captain being careful (as near as in him lies) to keep his Company strong and according to covenant; and the Muster-master abiding a considerate man, free from corruption, neither standing too punctually on small trifles, nor yet so wilfully blind as not to see errors that are gross and palpable; let uprightness therefore be done on all sides (for to discourse of Injuries might instruct or open a way unto Injury) so shall the Prince be well served, the Captain better paid, and the Muster-master best of all reputed.  
Touching the election of a Muster-master for the wars, he would be a man of good reckoning and account, a man honest, discreet, upright, and one that feareth God: he should be an able man both in Person, Knowledge, and Substance, and indeed aught to see all equity and justice performed between the Prince, the Captain, and the Soldier; he ought to have the two best parts of a Gentleman, Valour, and Temperance, for howsoever there have been a false position held a 'mongst Soldiers, that Muster-masters must be Penmen, and not men of the Sword, yet there is error in the conceit, for I have in mine own experience known Captains and Muster-masters equally to exchange and alter their conditions, Muster-masters becoming Captains, and Captains Muster-masters, and indeed not without great reason; for believe it, this place ever deserveth a full Captain's experience. Again, whereas in the old & less orderly times it was not lawful for the Muster-master to take Musters without the presence of the Treasurer, the rude Soldier taking upon him an ill liberty to bend his Pike upon him unless he came under that protection; yet it is now otherwise, and the Muster-master may take his view or musters of the Soldiers when he please, where he please, and in what manner he please, provided it be done with an honest uprightness, without any envious cruelty against the Captain, or by withdrawing from the Soldier his full means and due reckoning.  
As concerning the principal parts of his office and duty, they consist chief in the taking of Musters, that is to say, in the taking of a full and perfect view of all the several Soldiers of every Band and Troupe, as well the officers from the first to the lowest, as the others which are inferior, collecting into a Book the names and surnames of every person, their ages, hairs, complexions, and other especial marks as also their Arms and Weapons of every several kind; their Horses, Furnitures, and other especial marks to them belonging, with whatsoever else may avail and help his knowledge hereafter when he shall have a cause to take a review of the same. And that this may be done more effectually, and for the discharge of those greater officers (as our Lord Lieutenants or their deputies) by whom armies are first raised; every Captain (at his arrival at the main Rendivous) shall (when he bringeth his Soldiers before the Muster master to be first viewed and received into pay) deliver to the Muster-master the Indenture which passed between him and the Lord Lieutenant, or his Deputy, at whose hands he received his men, and by that, the Muster-master shall call & view every man and his several Arms particularly by themselves, which found just and according to the Indenture and the Instructions of the General, presently the Muster-master shall give unto the Captain a Warrant of Entery containing the Captains and his officers names, together with the full number of Soldiers as they are allowed in list, with their several pays and entertainments, & the day from whence such pay shall enure or begin, which Warrant signed under the Muster-masters hand and seal, the Captain shall deliver to the Treasurer or under-treasurer, and from thenceforth receive his pay accordingly.  
The second taking of Musters, is when the Soldiers are to departed into the field, or go upon any present or great service, at which time the Muster-master shall (by a Book received from the Captain or his Clerk, and compared with his own first Book) take a view of all the Soldiers and Arms, & finding them strong and sufficient give them (by a bill under his hand) full allowance for their means as was before showed.  
Now the third taking of Musters is after service performed, or when there is supposed to be any loss or decay in the Army; and this Muster he shall take by the first & second book jointly compared together and recording down all such as shallbe lost either by the Sword, by sickness, or by any other casualty; also to take special notice of the exchange or alteration of any Soldier, or when any new man is entered, that an honest and true account may be kept between him, the Captain and the Soldier for full count and reckoning, and in this muster (or any other) if he shall find the company not to be full or in strength according to the list, then shall he defalk and make check upon the same; and in his certificate unto the Treasurer shall set down the true and full number which shall be paid, and no more.  
As thus at these three especial times he shall take these several views, so shall he also do at any other time when the General shall appoint, or upon the suit of any Captain (who having been checked and hath again made up his Company strong as before) desireth to have it again reviewed, that he may receive certificate for his full entertainment. And in this taking of Musters or views, it is a great caution which every Muster-master ought to observe, that by all means as he makes several distinctions of names and Arms, so he must also distinguish nations & persons, and not suffer the French to pass under the name of English, nor Italian under the Dutch; for it is a matter of great consequence, & such undistinguished mixtures have bred many confussions in the greatest armies, and therefore after the first warning they are to be checked and punished severely. If the Army live upon lend, then at every six months end there is a count and reckoning to be had between the Prince and every Soldier which hath survived and lived in the army the full space of six months and upward, as thus for example: the full pay of every common Soldier is eight pence per diem, which amounteth to four shillings eight pence the week: so that having but three shillings a week lend, there remaineth twenty pence a week to reckon for at the six months end, which cometh to betwixt forty shillings or seven nobles a man, which commonly is paid in provant apparel. It therefore appertaineth to the Muster-master by comparing his several Books together, and noting the deaths and exchanges of men, to make out his certificate to the Provant-masters or Treasurer, what apparel or money shall be delivered to every Captain. This duty I have known performed by an officer called the Controller of Musters, which because it stands upon no old foundation, but by him that evilly found it out, was as evilly put in execution, I would be loath therefore either to give it allowance or precedent. And therefore to conclude this Epistle, it is to be understood, that for as much as armies are large, and extend into many parts, so as it is impossible for any one man to exercise all these duties in his own person, and in every place; therefore every Muster-master hath allowed under him diverse Deputies or Substitues, which are called the Commisaries of Musters, who have the full powers of Muster-masters, and may perform all things in such sort as hath been formerly declared, and have for the same competent allowances, beside commonly the dead pay of one private Soldier from every Captain that is within his Muster. Little more than what I have declared doth depend upon this Officer, and all that is said if he discharge with an upright and unpartial conscience, I dare be bold to affirm before your Lordship, that a better member (of his rank and place) is hardly to be found in the Army.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, EDWARD, LORD WOTTON of BREAKING MALHIEARD.  
THE ARGUMENT. The Office of the Quartermaster General.  
WHen (my good Lord) I call to mind the Nobility and Antiquity of your honoured Name (which I ever loved) and the excellency of your disposition (which I cannot choose but admire) presently me thinks all my haste is but slow which draws me to this duty. But when I bring into my consideration your learning, wisdom and experience, then me thinks mistrust in mine own strength, makes every thing too nimble, and I fear I fly unto you with those errors upon my wings, which reason tells me I might better have concealed. But you are good, you are noble, and they have long since told me the vanity of my fears, since what I writ being clothed in a known Truth and public Benefit, (to which you have ever been a support, ever a maintenance) nothing can come to your hands which shall not return crowned with your favours. In this hope armed I send forth my weak Epistle, and howseover strictness of opinion may search out how to find some naked places by which to assault it, yet (great Lord) let it but find the shadow of your favour; and believe it, than I will not fear the greatest envy which can rise against it.  
The Office (my Lord) of a quarter-master-general in an Army is of no small Importance, but aught to carry Greatness in himself, greatness in his place and greatness in the least shadow of his smallest duty, and howsoever he hath much correspondence and as it were adhering to a kind of dependence upon the Lord Martial and the Sergeant Maior-Generall of the Field; yet is he of an absolute and powerful authority, and howsoever he receive from them matter whereupon to work, yet are the duties of his place absosute in himself and rather subject to advice and assistance then to any controlment.  
He ought in his election to be a man of great respect and reverence in the Army, full of sound knowledge in Marshal Discipline, and excellently well read in diverse of the liberal Sciences, especially, Arithmetic, Geometry, and Astronomy, besides a pregnant understanding in the Art of Survey or the measuring of Grounds and drawing them into sundry partitions, being able upon view to take the best advantage thereof for any singular purpose, especially for the allodgement or accommodation of men in the easiest and safest manner that may be.  
The first main part of his duty is (when the Lord-Marshall goeth forth to make election of the ground whereon to encamp the Army) to summon together all the Inferior Quarter-Masters belonging to every several Regiment, and those Quarter-Masters to call together every Furrier or Harbinger belonging to each several Band or Company, and being attended on by these (in as comely an equipage as may be) to attend upon the Lord-Marshall to the place where he intendeth to place the Camp; and after the ground is a little superficially surveyed, and as it were pointed out by the Marshals eye, the Quarter-Master-generall then with the assistance of the Scout-Master shall ride about that piece of ground which the Marshal had first appointed out, and surveying every advantage and situation of the same, finding out where the approaches are fittest to be made, and where the fortyfications are most necessary to be raised; He is first to deliver his opinion thereof to the Lord-Marshall, together with all the commodities and discommodities which he shall perceive to depend upon the place, so that after due consultation had thereof by the Lord Martial and his assistants, presently the form of the entrenchment shall be staked out, the limits of the Marketplace appointed, and the Site of the General's Tent measured forth and laid according to the best commodity of the place, which performed, the Quarter-master-generall shall divide the whole ground into as many large bodies and great main streets as there are several Regiments contained in the Army, and according to the dignity of their places allot out quarters for every Regiment whither they be Horse or Foot, and in such places as are most convenient for the ease, strength, sweetness, and safeguard of the Army, and knowing by the number of men contained in every Regiment, how much ground will serve to receive them without pestering or annoying one another, and so as their lodgings may receive them and their Arms with all conveniency, each man shall have sufficiency and no man too much; and in this manner of quartering he shall first assign the place for the General's pavilion and place of assembly, than the market place and place for munition, than all the horse and foot in their several Regiments, than the victulers, the wagons and all manner of Baggage; giving to each their distinct places, and deuiding one quarter from another by convenient and large streets; which as soon as he hath done, than the inferior Quarter-masters of the particular Regiments shall divide those large quarters which were allotted them by the Quarter-master-generall into lesser streets, and in them shall lodge every company by itself, giving to the Colonel of the Regiment the first and especial place, to the Lieutenant Colonel the second, the Sergeant Maior of the Regiment the third, and so to every Captain afterward according to his antiquity; so that when every man is acomodated and hath his Tent or Cabin pitched up, the whole Camp may be like an uniform and handsome built City, without any confusion or disorder, and the Streets passing in such wise one into another that one company may come unto another, and one Regiment pass by another; and all approach into the Marketplace, or place of general assembly, either upon an Alarm or other commandment, without disturbance, trouble or amazement one to another; and again, in quartering thus of the Army, the quarter-master-general shall seriously observe to quarter the Munition ever in the strongest and securest place of the whole Army, as also the place of assembly (which is to answer all alarms and is the Rendezvous upon every amazement of the entire Army) it shall both have as much strength as the nature of the place can afford it, and also some other artificial guard whereby to rebate and drive back the fury of the enemy. Again, if the Army be compounded of many several Nations, it is the care and duty of the Quarter master General to quarter every Nation by itself, and to deal so equally and indifferently between one nation and another, suiting their accommodations with such an even and well proportioned hand, that no exception or dislike may be taken of any part, but all men receiving their Indifferent content, there may arise no cause of Mutiny or Emulation; which ever is most aptest to spring from these or the like grounds, as I could recite a world of Instances would either leisure or the limits of my paper allow it.  
It is true that all grounds do not give equal strength, and therefore as soon as the Lord Martial hath appointed out the most commodious place whereon to fix the Camp, it is then the Quarter-masters-general duty to share and divide it into the several particulars as hath been before showed, and in those devisions he shall (as ne'er as conveniently he can) divide all those natural strengths in such wise that every Supreme Offcer may participate something thereof, and what is wanting in the work of nature, to leave it to be supplied by art through the diligence of the Trenchmaster or Engne-master to whose charge it appertaineth  
Now for the general Marshalling or Quartering of a Camp; that I may give a little taste or essay thereof, it is to be undrestood that in the Centre or mid point of the Camp shall be first lodged the General's Sanderd, and ne'er unto it his Pavilion; from whence shall be derived two main great streets each crossing the other, then upon one side of the General shall be quartered the Lord Martial, on the other side the Treasurer with extraordinary Gentlemen of high Rank, whether Ambassadors or others; on the third side shall be quartered the Munition, and on the fourth shall lie the Marketplace; and these four streets shall butt on the four corners as South North, East and West, In a Street behind the General shall be quartered the Lieutenant General of the Horse, behind the Lord Martial the Lieutenant General of the Foot, and behind the Munition the Master of the Ordnance and the Sergeant Maior of the Horse and Foot, according to their Rank and antiquity of Commandments; behind them the Victuallers, Butchers Cooks, Bakers and the like; behind them carriage horses, draught Oxen and Cattles for the Camp, and behind them the Wagons, Waggoners, Carters, Laborers and pioneers, and in a Quarter opposite against them the Gunners and Officers of the Ordnance, all the Carpenters, Wheelewrights, Smiths and Labourers: and in another quarter opposite to them are quartered all the Armourers, Cutlers and other Tradesmen belonging to the Store, as also Tailors, Shoemakers and the like; then lastly about the outmost verge or outer Ring of the Camp, (yet within the fortification) is (as a guard) placed all the great Ordnance, upon a Vaamure of earth artificially cast up before them; then the general Entrenchment of the Camp shall be about threescore or fourscore paces without the Ordnance, which shall not be drawn into any even line, but into as many angles as may be. And thus your Lordship hath a brief Fac simile of the Quarter-Masters Office, which though it be not so exact in every Geometrical proportion as Art could wish it, yet is it (I hope) drawn into so nea●e a resemblance, that no eye but may judge of that which is perfect when his reading or experience shall at any time encounter with it.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE FRANCIS LORD RUSSELL of THORNHAUGH.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the Captain of the pioneers.  
THe infinite bond (my dear respected Lord) in which I stood ever bound to your thrice noble father, and the happy memory of your hardly to be equalled grandfather (who in his life time was one of the greatest pillars which supported our poor House) are inducements so strong to call up my service to attend you, that besides the general Obligation of the work, yet in mine own nature I could not suffer this Epistle to escape you, but as it necessarily falls upon your noble Range, so I must earnestly beseech your Lordship to imagine, that howsoever it lisp or stammer out a plain and homely salutation, yet it wishes you as many true and worthy felicities as the best Art can number, or the smoothest tongue with the delicatest Rhetoric can declare.  
The Office on which mine Anchor in this place taketh hold, is (my good Lord) that which we call in the wars, the Captain or chief commander of the pioneers, who of himself is a man of good regard and esteem, and one in whom there ought to be all the gentlemanly & best parts of a good Soldier; for by how much his command is over a rascally, rude, ragged, and uncivil regiment of barbarous and ill-taught people, by so much should his Temperance & virtue more exceed, that he might tame and frame their minds to a civil obedience, than which no labour can be more thankful unto God, nor pleasing unto men, being the only testimony of a sound judgement, and the work of the best desired examples. It is true, that these pioneers are a confused mass of labouring people, brought up only to dig and delve the earth, without any civil nurture, or indeed decent humanity, and therefore are not reckoned Soldiers, neither come near by many degrees either to that list or reputation, but are so fare contrary to all things which have any show of honour, that it is one amongst the punishments of criminals, when any common Soldier shall commit a sleight offence, savouring either of carelessness, slothfulness, or baseness, then presently to take away his Sword, and make him a Pioneer, which in times past I have known so hateful and intolerable to every quick and understanding spirit, that they would with more alacrity have run to the Rack, the Bolts or Strappado, nay even to death itself rather then to this mortal (as they supposed it) degradation: such contempt was the poor Pioneer in, and so disgraceful appeared that change to the Soldier; yet questionless this I must affirm, that at all approaches, mounts, trenches, and undermine, the poor Pioneer is in as great danger, as often slain, and both comes on upon his work, and goes off from his work with as doubtful and as great hazards as any man in the Army of what place or rank soever; only it is the bare opinion (without ground) which makes it vile, & the meanness of their condition: for the service itself is both noble and necessary, nor can an Army be or subsist without them. And hence it hath come to pass that in these our latter wars (especially in the Low countries, and under the command of the most excellent Prince of Orange) to take away this ill grounded opinion of the baseness of pioneers, and to save an infinite matter of expense (which otherwise must have been disbursed upon these particular provisions) they have caused all their common soldiers in general to turn pioneers, making them wear both Swords & Spades, which questionless at first they drew on by gentle, politic, and smooth degrees, as in some great case of necessity, where present assurance would allow no stay, but that all men must be employed: and to this doubtless some great Commander (with his own hand) gave the first example; or else they were enticed by the promise of some extraordinary allowance (as what is it with which profit will not make most men dispense) so that in the end finding many of these oceasions, and feigning some, at last it grew to a custom, and what at first with some difficulty they entreated, now they began boldly to command; so that collecting the infinite charge which was saved, and the great expedition and also exactness with which their works are performed, they began to make it penal in any man which should refuse this (late but despised) undertake. To which some of our English Commanders, more willing (for their own ends) to gratify the Dutch, then to provide for their own Countrymen's ease and safety, gave so fare way, that now it is a thing utterly unrecoverable amongst them; for mine own part I do know, and must ever acknowledge that it is the duty of every brave and generous Spirit (in cases of great necessity) to imagine that no danger, toil or baseness can be too much, where either the glory of God, the service of his Prince, or the safety of his Country is engaged: but in all occasions, and at all times to make the well-deserving Soldier an ordinary packhorse, I cannot but think the discipline too strict, and that it doth as it were give a wound of discouragement to every generous breast, making the sweet delight of the wars turn irksome and unpleasing. Besides it was never yet disputable in any discipline of war, but that pioneers were ever necessary, both for the making of Mines, Trenches, & Passages, for the carrying and recarying of all manner of Engines, for placing bridges, loading and unloading of all kind of munition, and many other works of importance, for which ends they are ever armed with Spades, Crows of iron, Levers, Pickaxes, Baskets, and wheelbarrows, to which whosoever shall employ the necessary Soldier, shall be sure ever to want his hand in a more needful labour.  
Now for the especial duty of the Captain General of this Regiment, he is first to look to the keeping of them in good order, concord and obedience, to see that they have their pay and entertainment (according to their rates) in as due and fit manner as any other common Soldiers; that they keep safely, and make not away any of the tools or instruments wherewith they are armed, and that they be continually in readiness upon every call for any employment.  
If the Lord-Marshall, the Sergeant-major, or the Trenchmaster shall draw the platform of any Trench, whether it be for the fortification of the Camp, or for the assailing of any besieged Town, whether it be to bring men to the assault, or else to throw up and countermine any work of the enemies, presently upon the first summons given to the Captain of the pioneers, he shall raise so many of his men as shall be commanded by the Lord Martial or other superior Officer, and with them (armed with all tools convenient for the service) shall march to the head or beginning of the Trench, and having received directions, together with the form and figure of the work which is to be made, he shall forthwith take a spade, and himself dig up the first turf, and then all the pioneers by that example shall instantly fall to their labour, and dig the Trench according to directions, during which time he shall be ever with them, giving them all manner of encouragement, and providing that every man do his duty without slackness, neglect, or any slothful action: If he find that the labour be sore and difficult, he shall then at his discretion relieve them, by bringing new supplies, and sending away those that are overwearied, that they may be again refreshed; and thus he shall without ceasing cause the work to be continued, till every thing be finished according to the will of the superior Commander. And in this work is to be observed, that if it be to be done in the face of the enemy, and where their shot may freely play upon them, that then ere the pioneers begin to dig, they shall plant barrels and great vessels filled with earth and placed in double rows before them, under whose guard, or the guard of some other wall, hill, mount or gabion they shall begin to dig, till they have covered themselves in the earth, & then they are past peril, and may proceed to work at their pleasures; and whensoever they either come from their work, or go unto their work, still their Colours must fly before them; for the Captain of pioneers is as capable of Colours as any other Captain whatsoever, and may bear them mixed with the Ensign of the kingdom in what manner himself pleaseth. As thus he bringeth them to the digging of Trenches & Mines, so also it is his duty to bring them to the making of Bulwarks or Mounts placed upon Angles, some lading & carrying the earth in barrels, baskets, and wheele-barrows, by which are framed the Travesses or flankers of the Bulwark, the Orechion which is the guard or shoulder of the Bulwark, the Curtain which is the Front, the Counterfront, which are the Spurs, the Pestils or Parapets, the entrance in & out, and the place for the Artillery, some ramming, some knocking in piles to fasten the earth, and some cutting up turf & sods with which to assure the groundwork; and as in these, so in all other matters of Fortifications, these pioneers are of very necessary use, and the Captain shallbe sure to have them ever ready upon any moment of warning, as either when any new works are to be framed, or any old repaired: for albe these Fortifications of earth are better resisters of the Cannon than those of stone work, and both make less ruins and also are less assailable, yet they are but of short continuance, and will quickly decay by reason of the looseness of the mould, if they be not continually visited with careful eyes, and presently mended by artificial & good workmen. To conclude, it is the office of the Captain of the pioneers to see his Regiment ever quartered as near unto the munition as is possible, both because they are properly appertaining thereunto (being the men to carry and recarry, to load and unload the same) as also because all the necessary tools and Engines wherewith they work, and which they must daily alter according to the alteration of their labours, are stored and preserved in the same.  
This is the substance and effect of this office, the which howsoever a greater knowledge may  in a great number of more words, yet I dare assure your Lordship, they will still but arrive at the same end, and though the Garment may be somewhat better to look on, yet it will be little more easy, more in fashion, or longer lasting.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE HIS SINGULAR GOOD LORD, HENRY LORD GREY of GROOBY.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the Captain of Foot.  
EVery one (my Lord) is so great a lover of his own designs, that he is easy to be flattered with any hope that can lend beauty to the same, yet I hope it shall not so far with me in this Epistle, for since you have with all felicity linked in Marriage with that sweetest Goodness, to whose Noble Father I stand bound for almost all the strengths of my present fortunes, I doubt not but my hopes will convert to assurances in your favour, and howsoever this Epistle challenge your attention for at least a couple of minutes, yet in as much as it shall bring you a plain tale from an honest breast, and a willing service from a faithful heart, I fear not but you will vouchsafe to accept it. Believe it (honoured Sir) there is no flattery in it, for neither are you a subject on whom I durst vent such folly, nor have I a soul (I hope) guilty of so base a condition.  
A Captain of Foot or of the infantry, is the highest of all private Commanders and yet the lowest of all that command in chief, and howsoever there is ability in a Captain to create Inferior Officers; yet cannot a Captain by any means make a Captain, but he is evermore derived from the King himself, or from his especial authority granted to Generals of Armies. The Lords of his Privy counsel, the Governors of Garrisons, Viceroys or Precedents of Countries, or else to the Lords Lieutenants of particular Shiers: so that hence we may collect, that none but men of true merit ought to aspire to these places of Renown and Honour; but there are three main Torrents (as namely Fraud, Flattery and Bribes) which oftentimes blows the Bias of this Bowl the contrary way.  
To speak then briefly what a Captain of Foot should be, (not what he is) they ought first for their election to be Gentlemen both of Blood and Quality, who having Haniball-like been trained up in the wars even from their Infancy, and passing through all the Inferior places of Command, Anchor now with good opinion at that of the Lieutenant; whence for his experience he is worthy to be advanced to a Captain, (for it is an heartbreake to an expert Soldier to be commanded by an ignorant Cheiftaine) let our Captain then in brief be a man that fears God, skilful in his profession, (as having passed through all the Inferior Offices below him) virtuous in his examples, wise in his actions, politic in his affairs, valiant in troubles, careful in dangers and vigilant in all occasion.  
For matter of his duty he shall be wonderful circumspect in the election of his Inferior Officers, providing such as are fit to govern, not such as he must be compelled to instruct, and herein he shall give the first taste or season of his perfection, for in choosing those which are worthy, he showeth the worthiness of his own knowledge, and in choosing those which are unfit, he expresseth the weakness of an ill judging Nature.  
The company fit for a Captain to command, are full two hundred be beside the great Officers, for a less number is Insufficient, & a greater full of trouble, it would be divided into two equal parts, of which one would be all Pikes, & the other all Muskets, & over both his Lieutenant shall govern absolute in his absence, and as the second in command whensoever the Captain is present. He shall have an Ensign who shall carry his Colours or Honour, (being of noble and no base mixture) He shall have a Surgeon to whom every Soldier shall allow one weeks pay towards the levying of his Chest of Salves and Instruments: He shall have two Drums and two Fifes, four Sergeants each commanding fifty Soldiers, eight Corporals each commanding four and twenty, and sixteen Lanspesadoes each commanding eleven; and out of all these he shall ellect one of the best understanding, whom he shall make the Furrier or Harbinger for the appointing out of the allodgments for the whole Company.  
Touching the four Squadrons into which the whole Body of the Company is divided, the first (which shall be compounded of the most expertest and principal men of the company) shall appertain to the Captain himself, and be called his Squadron (for in it the greatest commander in the Army may trail a Pike and serve without disparagement) the second shall belong to the Lieutenant: the third to the Ensign, and the fourth to the eldest Sergeant; this done he shall first by examples and persuasions incite all his Soldiers to the service of God, which consisteth in Timor and Amor, then to obedience towards their Commanders abiding in Reverentia exhibenda, In mandato suscipiendo and In judicio subeunda; and lastly to a true performonce of their duties in all the actions of Military Discipline, and may be briefly drawn into these few heads, sound of the Drum, Posture, Distance and Motion.  
It is the Captain's duty to look to the appeasing of all debates, and so to root out the seeds of sedition that no Mutiny may spring up amongst his Soldiers; He shall suppress (as much as in him lies) all evil livers, & where Instruction works no cure, there let sharp examples make others fearful; He shall boldly and bravely lead them on to all encounters of the enemy, charge before them and with them, and bring them off with care and discretion: He shall not at any time suffer them to break their Array or March out of order, for such disorder is the overthrow of an Army, and from the toleration of one evil, will in an Instant springe a thousand more Inconveniences; and therefore it is the duty of a good Captain, not to give way to any licentious attempt, but rather by the constancy of his severity to take away all hope from Incorrigible and wilful offenders.  
The weapon with which the Captain shall serve in his own person is very much disputable in these days amongst the best Soldiers, some for bravery will carry nothing but a rich Feather-staffe, all wrought, guilt and curiously tasselled, but this everyone knows is not fit to fight withal, for neither is it of ability to wound deep, nor of length or substance to encounter either with Pike, Partisan, Halberd, nor with a good Sword and Target. Others will serve with a Pike, but that is found much too unnimble and troublesome for his place, for having once brought his men up to the push, he can have no more use of that weapon, their pressing upon him, taking from him all means above once to charge it. And some will serve with a Sword and guilt Target, but that is found as much too short, and ere he can get within the enemy's Pike his life will be in great hazard: so that in conclusson (according to the opinions of the best Soldiers) the only weapons for a Captain, are a fair Feather-staffe in the time of Peace or for glory in a Garrison, but in the time of service and in the face of the enemy, than a fair guit Partisan richly trimmed, being not above twelve inches of blade, sharp and well steeled, for it is able to encounter against any manner of weapon; as for the Spanish privilege to serve sometimes with the Harquebus, and sometimes the Musket; neither are the weapons suiting for his place, neither can a Captain apply himself to their execution without an utter wound to all his directions.  
If the Captain be commanded to any piece of service (of what nature soever) he shall go to it willingly and cheerfully, making good all his superiors directions to the uttermost commandment, but not exceeding the limits (though enticed with never so great hopes) for it is not lawful for him to take upon him a knowledge, which his superior hath concealed from him. When his turn cometh to the Captain of the Watch or Guard, he shall send his Sergeant to the Sergeant Maior to fetch the Word, or to some other that hath order for the same, and by that Word (at night) he shall direct all his Sentinels and Corpses de Guards, and himself in person shall go the first Round, yet receuing the Word not giving it; but when he pleaseth the to search Sentinels or Rounds, out of a voluntary disposition, than he shall give the Word and not receive it; He shall be obedient to all the Supreme Officers of the Field, to his own Colonel, the Lieutenant Colonel and Sergeant Maior of his own Regiment: He shall provide for all necessaries belonging to his company; as Money, Meat, and Munition: He shall ever lodge and have his Tent amongst them, feed with them, and give them all the examples of hardness and frugality.  
To conclude and finish up this Epistle, he shall be of a sweet and temperate disposition amongst them, entreating, advising, instructing and commanding them with all the noble & pleasing Language that Nature, Art or study can produce, and not as men teach Dogs, or Bear-wards Apes with Bits and Blows, for it is an unmanly and absurd cruelty, neither begetting love nor respect, but Engendering hate and discontentment, whereas if he did rightly look into the true nature of his condition, the Father should be no more tender over his Children then the noble Captain over his well deserving Soldier, for that will link and join them together as men made of one piece, and as having but one head to contrive, one heart to encourage, one hand to execute, and but one soul to fly to Eternity.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, WILLIAM LORD PETER of WRITTLE.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the Captain of Horse.  
Howsoever (my Lord) the question hath been disputable amongst all the greatest Masters of this Military Science, whether the Captain of Foot or the Captain of Horse should take the prior Precedency, yet I notwithstanding all the Arguments (doubtfully discussed on either part, and of which I have also treated in a former Epistle) will be contented to submit myself to the common and most general received opinion; which is, that the Horseman (though not in particular, yet in the ordinary use) ought to receive the upper hand in dignity: for in France amongst their Gentlemen at Arms, and also amongst the Reisters, the Lieutenants, albe they have not place nor voices in Marshal Courts, yet hold themselves in all Ranks equal with Captains of Foot, yet not every Lieutenant of Horse, but some of an especial order, for it is to be conceived, that in Horse troops all are not of one lineage (as Foot-Companies are) but differ in dignity, order, and estimation, according to the worthiness of the Arms which the Horseman beareth: for in the first times when Horsemen were in the height of their glories, the Lieutenant to a Troop of Gentlemen at Arms, was accounted better than a Captain of an hundred Foot; a Lieutenant of Launciers his equal; and a Lieutenant of Light-horse his next and immediate younger brother, and before all Lieutenants of Foot whatsoever: so in like manner in these our present times, a Lieutenant of a Troop of complete armed French Pistoliers, is reputed better in degree then a Captain of an hundred Foot, a Lieutenant of the late invented Dragoones (being not above sixteen inch Barrel, and full Musket bore) the Foot-Captaines equal, and the Lieutenant of a Troop of Harquebussiers or Carbines his immediate younger Brother. Again, Horsemen challenge the dignity of their places according to the numbers which they hold in list, and according to the manner and form of raising those numbers; for a Captain of a hundred Horse (notwithstanding any former Antiquity) is better than a Captain of fifty; A Captain of an hundred and fifty, will ever take place of a Captain of one hundred and a Captain of two hundred Horse carry on his left hand a Captain of an hundred and fifty Horse; and so contrariwise ranking with the Foot fifty Horse, precedes an hundred Foot; an hundred horse, two hundred foot, and so of all numbers whatsoever: and to this the Horsemen do add sundry Reasons, saying, that a man may as easily raise five hundred Foot, as fifty Horse; and a thousand Foot, as one hundred Horse: now if the Captain raise this Troop of his own charges, it must needs argue that he is of greater estate, and hath made himself liable to a greater charge than any Footman can do, and so consequently deserveth a greater respect from the Magistrate, and more serious reverence from the common people. But if the Prince raise the Companies, than it includes, that he infers upon the Horseman the greater Trust, and so of necessity the greater honour. Lastly, there is required from the Captain of Horse a greater understanding, and a much deeper Consultation in the manage of his affairs then from the Footman, which greater Virtue must carry with it the greater Place, or else there will be partiality, and not uprightness in the judgement.  
Touching his Election, the Horse-Captaine must have all those virtuous parts which are acquired in the Foot-Captaine, and that with a more larger and fuller measure of perfection, in as much as he hath not only to do with Man, but with Beasts also, and must by the excellency of his own government tame and bring to obedience both wild Man, wild Horse, and sometimes Boys wilder than either the one or the other creature. And to this Fasickle or bundle of virtues (which are needless again to repeat) he must have one other excellency added, which is as good, as great, as necessary, and as glorious as any of the other, and that is, he must be a perfect and absolute Horseman, not knowing (like one of our Signe-Saint George's) only how to bestride and sit upon a horse fair armed without motion, but how and in what manner both to move himself and the horse, making an unreasonable Beast do reason to all his commandments, and by the motions of his hand, leg, or body, to understand as from a sensible language to perform all things belonging to the man's reasonable pleasure. In plainness he shall not only be a good Horseman himself, but also shall with diligence labour to make his whole Troop good Horsemen, teaching them first how to sit upon their horses in a fair and comely pasture, carrying their bodies strait and upright, the right hand bearing his Lance, or Pistol couched upon his thigh, the left hand (with the Bridle rain) under the guard of the pommel of the Saddle, and the legs close and strait by the horse's side, with the Toes turned a little inward, and the horse standing constantly and firm without rage or distemperance, yet in all his beauty and glory, his lip alone playing upon the Curb, his Neck bended, his Head couched, and the Rains of the Bridle unstrained, which are all the Postures to be used in standing still: then how to put him forth either by yielding of the body, or thrusting forward of the man's legs into a short or large trot (with all the Postures beforesaid) which is as much as is required in marching; then how by the even stroke of both the Spurs to pass into a swift career, and first to dismount the Lance from the thigh; secondly, to gather in the arm, and to lay open the right elbow, bringing the Lance towards the Rest, and lastly, to lay it upon the Rest, and turn the point inward to make good the breach or encounter, which three Postures are all that belong to charging: then how to gallop the field, either in large Rings, middle or less Rings, either on the one or the other hand, carrying his body even and strait, without bending forward or backward, or declining more to one hand then the other; and then his Lance being broken, to draw forth his Pistol, with the right hand to raise the cock, and either to charge it (if it have been discharged) or to prepare it for a discharge on a second encounter; and this is as much as is required in falling off, and coming on again. Then how to manage; that is, upon a gentle gallop to pass forthright in an even line, & to encounter either with the sword or the Battle-axe, in which he is to observe, first his Posture of setting forward and drawing his Sword over his Bridle arm, than the raising of his arm, and carrying it close by the side of his body, than (at the encounter) the discharging it upon the Helmet of the enemy, then passing by, and having broken it, to stop gently and upon the half stop to turn swiftly and roundly, and then upon the turn Terra, Terra, to enter into single combat: then lastly, how to retire back, or to make the horse fly sideways either on the one side or on the other, according as the advantage of fight shall give him occasion, and in all these to use the posture of upright and constant carriage, both of body and weapon, which no words but practice, is able to deliver to an ignorant understander.  
For the general parts of this Captain's duty (as much as concerneth the civil government of his company) they are all those which belong to the Captain of Foot, only with an augmentation of care, in as much as he hath to provide both for Man and Beast: and therefore it is his Office after the wholesome accommodation of his men, to look to the best provisions which may be had for his horse, according to the nature and necessity of the place in which he liveth, as if it be grass, hay, straw, forage, dry corn, raw corn, pulse, or the like, and of these to know which is most wholesome, which unwholesome, and accordingly to moderate and temperate the diet of his horses. As if he have good dry hay, wholesome grass, or dry corn, he may then suffer his horses to feed liberally, to rest from travel if occasion be, and to water as oft as he please; but if he have nothing for his horse, but Forage, raw corn, or pulse, he shall then let them feed sparingly, give much exercise, and water not above once in a day: it is also meet that he know the nature of all horse foods to prevent surfeit and diseases in his horses; as that sweet Hay is nourishing; Straw, extreme binding; and Forage, cooling and loosening; Wheat nourisheth much, but soon cloyeth a horse; dry Barley or old Malt breedeth the heartburning in a horse, and will (if he eat much) make him subject to tiring; Rye will force him to shoot, scour, and indeed makes a horse weak and sick: but Beanes, Pease, and Oats (so they be sweet and dry) are the most wholesome and natural for a horse: but if otherwise, they breed the belly-ache, Bots, and other foul diseases, and therefore to prevent all mischiefs, be sure (if you can) to give them rather unthrasht then thrashed, for the straw will correct many evils which would else follow.  
To conclude, for all private duties belonging to this Captain, as for his Enrolling, Mustering, receipt of Pay, distribution of Victuals, Quartering, taking of his true Range and Place, obedience to his supreme Officers, and all things else whatsoever belongeth to his particular person; they are the same (quantities only excepted) which belong to the Captain of Foot, and in that Epistle may be read and understood by any diligent or skilful Interpretation.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, AND HIS NOBLE LORD HENRY, LORD DANVERS of DANTSEY.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the Sergeant Maior of a Regiment.  
WHen (my Lord) I saw you in the wars fight and bleeding, your noble courage commanded my tongue to praise you, but when (wounded myself) I felt your bounty and favour, you then compelled my heart to love you. O let me to these two bring you a third (though plain) yet an honest and faithful Servant, and that is this short Epistle, which if you shall please to read, then shall you nobly bind my Tongue, my heart, and pen ever to serve you; The Sacrifice I send you is War (in it I know you have been well pleased) the Altar from whence it arises is mine Affection (Honour should not despise it) and the Place to which I would have it arrive is your good Opinion; where if it find harbour like a plummet cast into a fair calm Sea; from one poor prick it shall drive many large and plentiful Circkles.  
The course into which (by this warlike range) I am now conducted, brings me (in this place) to fix upon the Office of the Sergeant-major of a Regiment, or Squadron of men compounded of sundry Companies, being as it were a little diminutive Battle or Colony, over which the Colonel is as General, the Lieutenant Colonel as Lieutenant General, the Sergeant-major as Marshal, and the rest of the Captains as the Inferior Commanders.  
The Sergeant-major of a Regiment is ever some especial Captain of most approved and noble desert (as it were) outstriping and running before the rest, either in Experience, Understanding, Valour, or else (which is least accountable) in the Colonels particular affection, and so hath given unto him this place of precedency and commandment before the rest of the Inferior Captains. It is true that he ought very carefully to be chosen, both in respect of his Wisdom and Temperance, but especially for his skill and experience, for there is much more required from him then from an ordinary Captain, and touching the reverence of his place, he ought to be a man of eminent note both beloved and feared, for there is in him a general power of controlment, so that should the least want of perfection draw him into contempt, it were an utter loss to his Reputation, and an infinite great weakening to the whole Service. It is then to be understood, that if the Regiment or Battalion consist (which I wish, and whereto all approved Soldiers both ancient and modern give allowance) of one thousand men divided into five several Companies, and each Company holding the contents of two hundred men a piece, that then the Sergeant-major hath his range just in the midst, two marching before him (that is to say the Colonel and the Livetenant-colonell) and two marching behind him (which are the two youngest and Inferior Companies) so that two command him, and two are commanded by him; yet in the absence of the Colonel and Livetenant-colonell, he than commandeth all the five Companies, and hath superior command above all Captains and Inferior Officers whatsoever, being as the Colonel himself.  
The Sergeant-major of a Regiment is the immediate next degree above an ordinary Captain, and reputed in all places to precead them as being their elder Brother. Now touching the effects of his duty and Office in the Regiment, he is (as before I said) the Marshal of the whole Battalion or Squadron, and as the one ruleth and formeth what proportions soever he pleaseth of the whole Army, so this man deuideth, subdevideth, and fashioneth what figures and forms he pleaseth of his own Regiment, and as the Sergeant-major of the Army bringeth up, (by the appointment of the Marshal) great Grosses compounded of sundry Regiments to make up the form and figure of the Battle he intendeth: so doth this Sergeant-major of a Regiment bring up unto the Sergeant-major of the Army, either all or part of his Regiment, (in such form as he shall be appointed) to the making up of the Gross and greater Body; wherein is to be noted that as Sergeants of Bands are assistant to the sergeant-majors of Regiments for deuiding of particular Spuadrons, Files or half Files, for the making up of any Body whether it consist of odd, even, broken or whole numbers (according to directions) so the sergeant-majors, of Regiments are assistant to the Sergeant-major of the Army, in bringing up to him what Devisions or Bodies soever shall be called for, whether they consist of odds, evens or any other certain or uncertain number, for it is a thing impossible either for Lord-Marshall or the Sergeant-major of an Army, to take upon him the manage of every man's particular company, or to do those great and powerful duties which are expected at their hands without some strong & sufficient assistance, whence it comes that the private Captains, by the assistance of the ordinary Sergeants keeping their companies or order, the sergeant-majors of Regiments by the care of the private Captains keeping the Regiments in true form, and the Sergeant-major of the Army by the skill of the sergeant-majors of Regiments being able to form Gross Bodies into what figure he thinks convenient, the Lord- Marshal of the Field may in a trice and upon the Instant of any word given, Form, unforme, change or alter any Battle according as either the advantage of the ground, the manner of the enemies marching or any other particular occurrent shall administer occasion. And that this duty may be performed with all careful severity, every Sergeant-major of a Regiment (either in long marches or otherwise) is allowed his hackney to ride on from company to company, and to look that as the Captains do range their Companies in an orderly and true form, that so likewise the whole Regiment consist of an even, just and beautiful proportion, and not suffering any man (of what degree soever) either through Pride, Stubborness, Neglect, Covetousness of pillage, or any other dilitory & weak excuse, to break or go out of his Rank, or to disproportion any part of the main Body by any rude or uncomely Posture, but upon the first apprehension thereof, sevearely to rebuke the same and compel a speedy reformation: for it is a customary thing in the wars that men of great Birth and quality do usually trail Pikes, and what through the guard of their Captain's favour, the rashness of their own youthful wills, the presumption of other men's examples, and the assuming of an unnecessary freedom from some other particular behold, they grow oft times disorderly and unruly and will not be commanded by the ordinary Sergeants, or at least the Sergeant dare not command, where he knows admonition will but bring back contempt to breed a much worse example; in this case the Sergeant-major is presently to arm himself with his own power and to let such offenders know, that Blood hath no privilege if once it rebel against Obedience, and that Gentlemen do run back from their virtue into the Bassenes of every earthtie condition, when they forget that their Commanders have a Goodness worthy their Obodience, an Authority fit to exercise their Patience, and a Knowledge to which they ought to tie their uttermost Diligence; Nay, it is certain that a Gentleman cannot express Love in any thing more than in Reverence, Duty in nothing like Obedience, nor Modesty but when he admires his Commander's Excellence. Our Sergeant-major then being a Captain and a principal Commander, is to root out enormities and to plant these virtues in every Soldier's bosom, neither will the blood of hot and untamed Spirits be so apt to boil over and exceed the Bounds of Rreason when they are commanded by a greater than themselves, as they are when an Inferior (in their own opinion) seeks to restrain them; And therefore it behoves the Sergeant-major in these reprehentions, not only to show his own but also all other Officers authorities that are below him, limming and painting them out in such lively (but dreadful Colours) that he may strike a terror and fear into all offenders.  
The Sergeant Maior of a Regiment upon all encampments or allodgements of the Army is to attend the Sergeant-major of the Field, & when the Camp is divided out into Regiments, he with his Quartermaster shall take the Regiment belonging to his Colonel according to his Colonel's antiquity or greatness of place, and first shall demonstrate to the Quartermaster which way to contrive and cast his main streets according to the greatness or littleness of the ground and the best convenience for passing in and out; then where to place the Colonels Tent and Colours, where the Lieutenant Colonels, and where his own, and for the rest they are to be referred to the Quarter-Masters discretion.  
If the Regiment shall be removed far from the Army, either placed in Garrison, or to defend or offend some other place, then shall the Sergeant-major both in the Field or otherwise perform both the Office of the Sergeant-major and of the Marshal, shall summon Courts of War with the assistance of his fellow Captains and proceed to trial against offenders, shall proportion out all Allodgments and Encamp, and with his best Skill fortify the same, shall upon any fight draw the Battle into order, give to every man his place according to lot or Antiquity and (taking his directions from the Colonel) shall either Charge, Second, or bring off according to his discretion, with many other Circumstances as Time and occasion shall administer in the managing of affairs,  
Lastly it is the Office of the Sergeant-major to take care of all the Guards and Watches which are about the Regiment, and if there be no greater Officer than himself, there to give the Word and to appoint the Corpse de Guard and Sentinels, if there be a more Superior, then from him the Sergeant-major shall receive it and so give it to the Captains and such Inferior Officers as have the Guard for that instant; Many other slighter ceremonies there are which belong to the Serieant-maiors of Regiments, but either inclusively or plainly they are contained in some one or other of the heads we have already argued, and therefore I will conclude mine Epistle with this admonition, that if the Sergeant-major be as he is intended, a man Valiant, Learned, Quickwitted, Wise, Experienced, and most dutiful to all his Superiors by whom he is to be directed, then questionless here he shall find sufficient either to enlarge, or at least to give his knowledge a moderate understanding.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE GILBERT LORD GERRARD of BROMLEY.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the lieutenant-colonel of Foot.  
IT is not much material (my Lord) whether I trouble you with many reasons for my writing, since the whole scope of mine intent is amply enough set forth in the first Epistle, nor is it greatly necessary that I plead any serious excuses, since the little knowledge I have of your Lordship can expect no more mercy than what proceeds from your own judgement. It sufficeth me to have a greediness of desire to preserve to the last of time a perpetuity of that noble Range wherein GOD and the KING hath placed you, that howsoever Death, Mischance, or barrenness (which ever labours to lock great Names in Oblivion) struggle to make some forgotten, yet to all succeeding ages it shall be known that once they were, and Time hath no  to cut down or consume them. This (my Lord) may be an Emblem of some love, and that rather craves acceptation then pardon, and the subject itself may work to the bettering of your knowledge, and sure in such goodness there is no presumption, so that I must conclude my compliment with this Maxim, That Affection is a Present which few noble Spirits have ever despised.  
The Office of which I am to argue to your Lordship, is that of the Lieutenant Colonel of a Foot Regiment, the Etymology of whose Name, Foundation, and Invention I will not here insist on, because I shall have a stronger occasion to discuss it in another Epistle, let it suffice me only in this place to say that the Lieutenant Colonel of Foot is the second Captain or principal Commander over a Regiment, and had his beginning or first frame from many necessary occasions; as first in respect that the Colonel himself, who is the first Mover and giver of life to the whole Regiment, having but one Body (how ever by secondary means it causeth motion in many places) yet of itself it hath ever but abiding in one place at one time, nor can but with difficulty and trouble discharge diverse things in diverse places, as also in that the Colonel is capable of more great places then one, as namely, to be a Colonel, and also one of the Counsel of War, that he may sometimes have especial dependence upon the General (when peradventure his Regiment is removed and fare distant) as also that he may be absent, sick, or hurt, under any of which the Army must in no wise suffer injury: therefore it is ordained, that every Colonel shall have his lieutenant-colonel, who in his absence shall with a full and absolute authority sway and govern the whole Regiment, command the Sergeant-major, and all other inferior Captains, and according to the sway of true Equity and justice (observing the Laws and Ordinances of Marshal proceed) shall preserve an harmonious concord clean throughout the body of his whole commandment.  
The election of this lieutenant-colonel ought to be in the Colonel himself: for where there is not a mutual agreement and concord amongst and between all the superior Officers, but either emulation, distrust, or a struggling to tread down new raised advancement, riseth against one another, there without all question shall neither true discipline be pursued, nor yet prosperity busy to attend any part of their actions: but yet notwithstanding it many times falls out that the General preserveth to himself the election of these Officers, and either by the covenant of power, or the consent of the Colonel establiseth such as he thinketh to be most meet for these places▪ but howsoever or whosoever maketh the election, it is meet it be done with great consideration and judgement, and that every man should be ranged according to his desert and merit, and that neither Affection, Ostentation, nor Garments should carry away these eminent places, but that as men choose Wines by their strengths and goodness, so they should elect these by their virtues and noble endeavours, placing them there where no particular envy should shake them, and weighing them in so true and even a Balance, that no subtle jerk either of a covetous hand, or blind love, may make that seem heavy which indeed is but light air, or of less substance, so shall the King be well served, the kingdom better preserved, and honest men the best of all pleased: then upon every accident of death, or change of advancement, men should not like virginal lacks be skipping up here and there, and in every corner, but take a modest, due, & lawful remooue after the Schoolman's rule, who ever did couple Antiquity and Desert with Preferment, and not men's seduced opinions, yet with this one general exception, that if any man by an extraordinary valour (testified in some noble and heroical exploit) should merit fare beyond the compass of other men's deservings, that then it might be lawful for such a man to aspire without envy, and either to pass cheek by jowl, or precede his forerunners; as also if any man through his extraordinary Wisdom, judgement, and experience, by his laborious study, or painful endeavours, should better enable himself for the discharge of some places than others of his rank, it were Injustice not to let him go before them; for both the whole body of the Army by (such a strictness) might want the use of a notable member, and the loss of encouragement, by omitting so worthy an example, might breed a dulness in other excellent spirits to desist from the like perfection, when they saw there was no Garland preserved for them, but that which was of the lowest and meanest condition. And as thus the extraordinary deserver should take large and wide strides, so on the contrary part, men that are slaves to Sloth, Cowardice, Ignorance, and Baseness, they should have manakled hands and fettered feet, that they might neither reach nor overtake Virtue, but at the pleasures of their Chieftains be changed, removed, or lost from remembrance.  
For the particular duty of this great Officer, it will appear more fully in the discussion of the Office of the Colonel himself, in as much as whatsoever doth belong to him, doth in his absence appertain to his Lieutenant, and he shall with as great care and ample authority look to the healthful estate of the whole Regiment as the Colonel himself, give directions to his Sergeant-major, see performed all commandments which shall come from the General, or the Lord-marshall, & at no time be absent from any Court of War, or other serious consultation: he shall see that all the Captains do faithfully obey the Colonel, the inferior Officers, the Captains, and the common Soldiers, all that have any shadow of commandment. He is to examine all controversies whatsoever which shall arise between Soldiers and their Officers, or Officers and their Captains; and if the Colonel be absent, he shall not only hear, but determime them (unless they appear Capital, and then he shall refer them to a Marshal court) but if the Colonel be present, than he shall deliver him a true relation thereof, and according to his directions (and taking the assistance of those Captains which are not in question) proceed to a censure.  
The lieutenant-colonel shall be a faithful Advocate in all causes between the Colonel and his Captains, for all manner of accommodations and provisions, whether it be neglect of Pay, Provant, or other necessaries, and to that end shall go to the greater Commanders (in whose power it is) for a speedy redress of whatsoever shall molest them, he shall be conversant and familiar not only with all the Captains, Lieutenants, and Ensigns within his Regiment, but also with all the Sergeants, and lower Officers, most Gentlemen of Companies, and the greatest part of the best reputed and most experienced Soldiers, being able to call most of them by their names and surnames: for believe it, in the pinch and extremity of sharp war, this sweetness of a particular knowledge, will work infinitely in men's minds, and make them both stand, when fear doth affright them, and also turn back again, when the fury of despair doth chase them. It is his Office to have a careful and severe eye over all the Sutler's, Vianders, and Victual masters within his Regiment causing the Sergeants & other Officers to look that they Skance not nor exact upon the common Soldiers, but to sell their provisions at such rates and acessements as shall be agreed and set down by the superior Officers of the Army, without cousinage in weights, measures, or any unwholesome and unmarkeable wares, of which offences when any shall be convicted; instantly to see the same severely punished, to the public and fearful example of all such as shall be apt to run into the same hazard. But if they exercise their Trades orderly and decently in a civil manner, than the lieutenant-colonel shall see them with a sufficient guard of Soldiers defended from all outrages and inconveniences, paying weekly such imposts and taxes therefore as shall be imposed upon them either by the lieutenant-colonel or the Sergeant-major.  
This in effect is the full continent of all those duties which depend upon this Officer, which if any desire to have more largely expounded, let them be pleased to look into the Office of the Colonel himself, and from it he shall gain a more large Exposition.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, ROBERT LORD SPENSER OF WORMELAIGHTON.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the lieutenant-colonel of Horse.  
I Was never (my Lord) more desirous to gather a general knowledge, then willing to Impart it for a general Benefit; wherein howsoever I may seem like an empty vessel (amongst many full ones) to sound the loudest upon the slightest knockin, yet it is a pardonable fault, in as much as I hurt no man but myself, uttering that treasure which I should lay up, & giving away in a moment all I have been gathering in the whole course of my life. Be it then as the world shall censure & let the full handed man be still most sparing: for mine part I shall ever hold this proposition, that in seeking to do less good to myself, that I may do more to my weak neighbours, I shall neither offend the divine Majesty (whose glory I would advance in all my labours) nor tire your Lordship to whom (in this Epistle I covet to give Satisfaction.  
That point of place upon which I am to touch in this discourse is the Office of the Lieutenant Colonel of a Horse-Regiment, who (as I said in a former Epistle) touching his election, virtuous disposition, and all civil governments within or concerning his Regiment, differeth in no point from that of the Lieutenant Colonel of a Foot Regiment, being ever the second Captain and having the second commandment over the whole Regiment; Acting either in person or by commandment whatsoever he shall be appointed unto by his Colonel; But if the Colonel be absent, than he hath the first and principal authority in the Regiment carrying not only his person but voice in every direction.  
For the composition of a Colony of Horse; It consisteth sometimes of three Companies or Troops of Horse, sometimes of four, but seldom of five, except it be in case of great favour or especial advancement, and these Companies or Troops are for the most part not above one hundred men apiece, sometimes one hundred and fifty, seldom two hundred, except for the like occasions; and the dignity of this place excelleth according to the greatness or littleness of the Commandment, Honour being herein swayed by the number of the persons, and also by the nobilltie of the weapon; Gentlemen at arms outshining Launceirs or Pistoleirs, Pistoleirs of more respect than Petronels or Carbines, and Carbines than Dragoons or Light-Horsemen, for of all these are compounded several Colonies, and over every Colony several Commanders, as the Colonel, the Livetenant-colonell, the Sergeant-major a Quartermaster and a Provost, which general command is answered in every particular Command, by a Captain, a Lieutenant, an Ensign; if it be to Gentlemen at Arms, a Cornet, if it be to Launciers, and a Guidon if it be to Dragoones or Light-Horsemen, two or more Corporals and a Harbinger, with Inferiors not worthy any especial note or mention in this Treatise.  
The particular duties which (above others) do most concern this Officer are first to look that the whole Regiment be well armed according to the nature and quality of the Colony, as if they be of the two better sorts which are to encounter Horse against Horse or Horse against Pike; then to be complete and full armed (as hath been before declared) or else if they be of the two inferior sorts which are to discover, to spoil Foragers, to Watch, to Ward, to Scout, to serve for great Cavalgadas or ambuscadoes and to Skirmish, then to be light Armed and most nimbly mounted (according to a former instruction,) and if to both these and the former be allowed (for every two men) a light boy mounted on a small Hackney to attend them, it will not only bring a benefit to the Colony but also make the service to be better performed, and where the Lieutenant Colonel findeth any defect in these armings he is out of his own particular authority to see there be a speedy Reformation.  
It is his Office to see that his Colonel's Regiment do not at any time lose the true dignity of their places, but in as much as it is a Rule in Arms that in all marches the General's Regiment shall ever have the Vanguard, and the rest alternately by turns, that is to say, he that this day hath the Vanguard the next day shall have the Rear; he shall therefore carefully look to those changes and when his Colonel's turn cometh; he shall challenge the same and not suffer any man to step in between him and his Honour; and likewise in what place of the Army soever his Regiment doth march; he shall observe that the Colonel's company continually do take their place upon the left wing of his own Regiment; also he shall see (that in true Marshalling of the Regiment) the Colonels, Cornet or Guiddon do march ever upon the head, the Lieutenant Colonels and the sergeant-majors Cornets one Rank behind the Colonels, and the Inferior Captains, one Rank behind the Lieutenant Colonels and the sergeant-majors. Also he shall have a special respect to the marching of every Officer, and that they keep their due places in due form (that is to say) that the Captain and the other Officers do each of them march upon the head of his own Squadron, the Lieutenant only excepted who shall march in the Rear accompanied with the Quartermaster, and the eldest Corporal shall march upon the head of the Lieutenants Squadron, for it is the privilege of his place and a due which he may require in all Armies. Again the Lieutenant Colonel shall look to the orderly separation and deuiding of all his Regiment, seeing them cast into Ranks and Files according to true marshal discipline, providing that the Files be never above five men deep; for it is impossible to bring in depth more hands to fight at one instant; he shall also see that when they march in Battalia than they shock close together and as it were join Cush to Cush; But if it be to perform any evolution or alteration of figure whether of greater or lesser quantity, than he shall see that they observe at least six foot distance (which is supposed to be a full Horse length) between one horseman and another; lastly when Regiments come to be drawn together and joined one with another in their several Battalias, then shall the Lieutenant Colonel see that there be a double distance held (which is five and twenty Foot) between every several company in his Regiment, and a double, double distance (which is fifty Foot) between his Regiment and any other, so that in all motions on Horseback there is only to be observed but these four certain distances, the first Close (as Cush to Cush) the second Open (which is six foot) the third Double-Distance (which is five and twenty foot) and the last Double, Double Distance (which is fifty foot) & of these but two of them are to be used in discipline, as either in service upon the face of the enemy, or in drilling and exercising the Troops to make them perfect for service, & those are the first two, Close and Open, wherein the Lieutenant Colonel is to observe that when at any time he causeth the Squadrons to open entirely, that then he must first open the Ranks and after the Files, and in closing of the Battalia, he must first close Files and then Ranks, and in both these he must use only but the two first Distances, as if he close Files it must be Close, that is Cush to Cush, leaving no street at all, & if he open Files there must ever be six foot distance between one File & another; so likewise in Ranks, if he close them it must be to the Horse buttock without leaving any street at all, and if he open them it must be six foot between the buttock of the former horse and the head of his follower; also in marches the Ranks must never open above six foot neither in any other Motion whatsoever. Now that the Troops may march orderly and keep their true distances in a direct and Soldierlike manner; He shall observe that wheresoever his Regiment moveth, that then all move together in one Instant and as soon as the head or Vanguard beginneth, that in the same time the Rear be ready to follow, so shall they still keep their proportion Just, neither shall any error be found in their proceed. No less necessary than these Rules already declared, are the words of Command by which every Troop or Regiment is governed and directed, and therefore it is the Lieutenant Colonels charge to provide that not any Captain in his Regiment use any frivolous, or new words of his own Invention, but only such as shall be generally received through the whole Army, for an unknown language is such a Babylonian confusion in the ears of an ignorant Soldier, that nothing but amazement and error accompany such speeches; Therefore the words which are continually in use are to be commended to every Officers memory, which because they differ in nothing from those which command the foot, I will therefore refer you to that former Epistle in which all the general words of directions are at large declared.  
For all other particularities which shall necessarily depend upon this great Officers duty, you must have patience to behold them in the Office of the Colonel himself; to whom since he is the Immediate second and chief Substitute, it is therefore to be imagined that whatsoever the Colonel is liable to perform, that (in his absence) the Lieutenant Colonel must see effected after the best and most respective manner that may be, for any remissness or slackness in him carrieth with it a double Injury; one to himself and another to his Colonel's reputation, and in the wars every small omission is dangerous, for a man ought not to err twice. I could wander infinitely in this maze and make one occasion beget another, but I should then both break promise with your Lordship and myself, and instead of an Epistle send you a troublesome paper, but I will be faithful to my first purpose, and only knit up mine Epistle with this; That if the Lieutenant Colonel do contain himself within the Bounds already prescribed, howsoever a greater debt may be challenged, yet without doubt little more can well be proved.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, WILLIAM FINES LORD SAY and SEAL.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the four Corporals of the Field.  
THe weakest knowledge (my Lord) that one man can get of another, is that of the Eye, for it is shallow, and can sink no deeper than the utmost skin, uncertain and apt to change with every infirmity, and imperfect being swayed by the violence and fury of passion, the Ear is a much better Intelligencer, and doth more truly declare our minds to others, and others to ourselves: so that being the principal Sense both of Instruction and Friendship, we ought in all our designs to labour for its greatest satisfaction. I am (my Lord) a stranger to your Eye, with your Ear I would fain Insinuate, and though I can bring you but a plain and dull sound, yet questionless (if you please to examine the notes aright) how ever you find little Music, yet you shall relish a great deal of concord, of which the latter is more sweet, though the other be more cunning: but whatsoever it be, yours it must now be, for so my vow hath made it, so doth the Range and Rank of your noble place command it.  
The next great Officers preceding the former, and upon whose Range I am in this place happened, are the Four Corporals of the Field, who have their dependence only upon the Sergeant-major, and are called his Coadjutors, or Assistants, being (according to the manner & custom of our late modern wars in number but four and no more, who for their election ought to be Gentlemen of great Dexterity, Knowledge, and judgement, such as have at least been Captains in other times, and for their preferments are advanced to these places, wherein they have no particular commands of any particular Companies, which do peculiarly belong to themselves, but have a general charge and care of the whole Army: they ought to be men of great respect and estimation, having gotten that authority of Trust and Belief amongst the common Soldiers, through the prosperity of their affairs, that whatsoever they command or direct, may be performed with a kind of religious severity, as matters of high worth and importance; for in an Army there cannot be a greater blemish, then when these men shall come within the compass of contempt or misdoubting. Besides, if these noble parts should be absent which are required in men of this high place and quality, the disrepute not only seizeth upon them, but upon the Sergeant-major also; whence it cometh, that although the General himself doth many times take upon him the nomination and election of these Officers, yet particularly they do belong only to the Sergeant-major: for as the whole Army is to him but one entire and full Company, so are these Corporals his inferior Officers, by whose skill and conduct he governeth and disposeth of the whole Body.  
Touching the particular duties belonging to their place, they are continually in all occasions of Action to accompany and attend upon the Sergeant-major, who being a man of infinite employment, as having a body that must be almost in all places, and that at one instant, and a voice which like thunder, must be heard near, fare off, and indeed through every corner; yet for as much as his material body cannot be so transported, therefore he hath these four Gentlemen his Coadjutors or Substitutes, who being dispersed at the four corners of the Army, do (as the four winds over the world) carry and convey his directions over all the Army; which that it may be done with more fullness of perfection, the Sergeant mayor shall with these four Corporals of the field from time to time continually consult & communicate both his proper Authority, and also the greatness of his affairs, and making them as his especial Counsellors, by whose experience and skill all his endeavours are to be assisted: neither shall he alone do them this particular honour in himself, but also make all Captains and inferior Officers in the Army both to hold their persons in reverence, and also to perform their commandments with care, respect, and diligence.  
These Corporals of the field then (being known Officers of this eminence in the filled) are to carry the directions of the Sergeant-major overall the Army, and whether it march, stand still, or fight, they are to pass from place to place, and see performed whatsoever shall proceed either from him or the Lord Martial, sometimes bringing up Regiments, and joining them into greater bodies, sometimes deuiding and lessening them into smaller parts, sometimes sorting and drawing one weapon from another, disposing the Pikes one way, and the Shot another, sometimes culling out special Bands for special purposes, either for Wings, Forlornes, or else to entertain or relieve Skirmishes, and sometimes disposing of Guards for the safety of the Munition and Baggage; all which as they are to perform them only by directions, and not the authority of their own judgements, so likewise they shall do them speedily, faithfully, and valiantly. And as thus they are upon the days of battle (or when any necessary preparation is to be made) continual drums in the ears of the Foot-companies: so upon commandment (likewise) they must be shrill Trumpets to sound to the Horse-troups also, drawing them either one way or other, according as they shall be commanded, whether it be in framing any great Body or battle, or in separating Regiments, sending some to guard the great Ordnance, some to answer the enemy's Horsemen, some to charge upon the Pikes, and some to scour off & on round about the field, to spy all advantages, and see in what part the enemy is most weakened. And that all these things may be done almost as soon as spoken, it is meet that all these four Corporals of the Field be exceeding well mounted of most nimble, swift, tough, and well wound horses, by the assistance of which, in a trice they may pass from one place to another, seeing every one of their commandments put in execution before they pass to another direction: and herein is to be observed that these four Corporals are to be obeyed in all their commandments with as great fervency and respect as any other superior Officer whatsoever: for indeed they are no other than their voices, nay sometimes the voice of the General or the King himself.  
These Corporals have the ranging of Battles, and the shaping or proportioning of the figure according to the Serieant-maiors demonstration, distributing themselves (as it shall please the Sergeant-major, or Lord Martial to appoint) to sundry weapons, one bringing up Pikes, another Shot, a third the great Ordnance, and the fourth the pioneers or Miners: one shall send the Men at Arms one way, another shall send the Pistoliers another way, a third shall give directions to the Carbines, and a fourth shall place the Dragoones where their service may be most convenient. Thus shall every man have his hands full, the enemy continually be assailed and offended, and Order at no time either shaken or broken. Neither shall these Officers alone (in the action and heat of Battle) have only regard to the managing and disposing of their own Troops & Bands, but also shall keep a vigilant eye upon the orders and disorders of the enemy's Battles; and upon Information thereof unto the Sergeant-major (and receiving new Instructions) with all Valour, Readiness, and skill to alter and frame his own Bands anew, in such wise as may best answer those advantages which they have already taken: neither in these actions and alterations shall they perform them with a silence or dumbness (as if they were afraid to awaken the Soldier) nor yet with such an hastiness or rashness, as if the loss of a minute were the loss of the whole Army, nor yet expressing fear in their amazement, or tyranny in the cruelty of their Language: they shall not drive men before them like herds with shouts and blows, neither shall they let them behold more sharpness in their frowns, then can be on their enemy's swords, but every action which proceedeth from them, shall be accompanied with honourable and courageous words, whereby the Soldier may still be more and more inflamed with the love of danger and virtue. It is also a part of their office, that if any Captains, Officers of Foot-bands, or other foot Soldiers, to whom for some respects of sickness or infirmity, may be (by their Superiors) Hackneys allowed to ride upon, that yet notwithstanding all such (when they come within one mile of their allodgement) shall by the appointment of the four Corporals of the field alight from their horses, and put themselves into their due and proper places, and so march to the place of encamping, which it is presupposed the Sergeant-major and these four Corporals of the field with other Officers hath already viewed and made convenient for their entertainment; neither being arrived at the place of encampment, shall any Company offer to lodge or disband itself, till they have received licence and directions so to do from one of the four Corporals of the field.  
Many other by-authorities are transferred upon these Officers, as distribution of victuals taken from the enemy, provision of fuel, lights, and other necessaries belonging to the night watchings, and indeed almost any thing which hath a general dependence on the whole Army before the face of the enemy; yet in as much as they are rather intruded and thrust upon them by greater authority then rightly to be challenged, I will not here deign a recapitulation of the same, but finish up mine Epistle with this assurance, that whosoever shall perform faithfully what hath already been declared, need not fear the debt of any greater duty which can be demanded.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EDWARD LORD DENNY OF WALTHAM.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the Counsel of War.  
IT is (my Lord) God which hath called you to Honour, and it is that Honour which enforceth me unto this dedication; to omit any, were to break a link in that golden Chain which with all my skill I study to polish; and to add any other besides yourselves, were to put disagreeing Metals together, which not fixing according to Art, would shame both me and my labours; pardon me therefore though I be bold in this short Epistle to call upon your noble name, you see the motives which inflame me and the Subject which I covet to advance, to the first I would bring eternity, to the latter love; and to both an immortal lodging within the house of Memory. The world speaks you noble and I am bound to believe her, yet if you shall please to express yourself further in the protection of this poor labour, you shall tie me in two Bonds more, the one of Service the other of Admiration.  
It is certain (my good Lord) that as no great matter (of what nature or kind soever it consist) can be well effected or brought to pass, without a serious deliberation and grave advice, painfully expostulated amongst men of sound and approved judgements, so above all other marshal men (which have the command and charge of great Armies) ought still to be accommodated with men of infinite Skill, Wisdom and Virtue, who communicating amongst them their affairs, and disputing the reasons and occasions of every occurrent, may (as from noble Oracles receive an happy discussion of all the doubts and hazards whatsoever, and the rather since the manage of their designs dependeth upon so great and weighty a consequence as men's lives, Estates, and Fortunes, the revolution of Kingdoms, the destruction of Laws both Divine and Civil, and many times the utter Ruin and subversion of all Piety and Religion; any or all which are brought as wealthy prizes and laid down at the stake to be won and lost upon every chance of Fortune; hence it comes that it is thought convenient a General of the wars (above many other Princes) should be carefully armed with a sound, Wise and Religious Council; First to prove the action of his understanding to be lawful, Just and agreeing both with divine and humane Virtue; next that he may be furnished with all the Nerves, Health and Strength of the Wars, as Money, Munition, Victual, Able men and Foreign Confederates; and lastly that he may have an easy, frequent & safe passage thereunto, both for the transportation and relief of Seconds, as also for the necessity of a sure and quiet Rendezvous when any cross mischance shall check or seem to thwart the success of his proceed.  
When therefore a General is engaged in these great Businesses of the Wars, and hath for the happy ruling of his affairs appointed all his Superior Officers, he is then out the whole and entire number to select an especial company of the most Religious, Stoutest and Wisest men to be of his Council; wherein although in some Camps there be some particular men, which by the dignities of their place and Office do challenge a privilege to be of his Counsel, as namely all Colonels and their equals, yet it is to be understood, that from hence hath grown a disstinguishment of Counsels and according to the variation of Marshal Courts, so they have altered both in eminence and application; some being general as in the trial and judging of criminal offenders, and to this all Captains enrouled within the General's List may freely and by their own right be admitted; others are more especial, as where the debatement of provisions, the raising of Taxes, and the ordering of the public affairs of the Camp are handled, and to these all Colonels and Officers within their range are admitted, and do consult and conclude with the General for all the prosperities and benefits which do appertain unto the Army; but the last Counsel of all is a great deal more private, and the matters which are handled therein are of that consequence for secrecy and effect, that it were unfit and not allowable so many should be drawn thereunto, or that all sorts of men should partake of every State negotiation, or those powerful stratagems which indeed should lodge in the strongest and safest Bosoms, for norwithstanding men of great experience and valour, or men of high Birth and Rank, may in a short space of time asscend to command a Colonel's place in the Field, yet may Learning, judgement, Secrecy and diverse other virtues (without which a Previe Counsellor cannot subsist) be so fare removed and distant from his nature, that it were a sin against Safety to admit such trust to his Bosom; so on the other side men of meaner and lower advancement, who are not capable of those high places in the Armies, may yet be much apt to advice and have a better and stronger Fort wherein to keep secrets from perishing, than those of an higher calling, and therefore (not without good warrant) are many times chosen; and admitted to this noble place of Trust and preferment. But in consideration that the Army consisteth of so many several great Commanders; their is no likelihood but in so frequent and plentiful a choice a man may find enough to supply this Room without disparagement, wrong or exception; neither need it be intended that any such shall be without an eminent place, since men of Godly, virtuous and experienced understandings, who are True, Secret, Liberal and of Free minds are ever aptest for the best places of what nature soever. Thus Alexander took Parmenio, Clitus and all the oldest of his Father Phillip's Commanders to advice and strengthen him in all his warlike occasions; thus Caesar held Cato that by his advice he might ruin Pompey; thus Anthony prevailed during the life of Publicola; & thus Augustus held himself fortunate in the counsels of Dollobella; but what need I stand on these foreign Instances, we see enough to point at within our own remembrance, did not Philip the second of Spain give to Don john Duke of Austria, that brave Soldier Don Lewis de Zuniga to counsel him in all Marshal occasions? and did not our Edward the third do the like for his Son the Black Prince, when he chose for his Councillors the Earls of Warwick, Suffolk, Salisbury and Oxford by the strength of whose advice in the Battle of Poyteirs, he not only overthrew all the flowers of France, but also took john their King and Philip his son Prisoners; Infinite are the Examples to prove the necessity and excellency of a grave and advised Council, and as abundant the Rcords of their perishing who despising Council have run rashly and headlong on, guided by nothing but their own opinions, for so did Crassus when he brought himself & eleven Legions to be sacrificed in Parthia, thus did Tiberius Gracchus when he had his brains dashed out in the Capitol; and thus did Caius Gracchus who was made a bloody sacrifice on the top of mount Aventine for the much advised tempting of his fortune.  
To conclude this point then there is nothing more necessary than a sufficient Council of War; for they are more available in Marshal Discipline then either Armour or weapons, & more brave exploits have been acheived by wisdom and policy then ever could be brought under by violence and daring.  
To speak then generally of this especial and private Council of War, and who in common Intendment are (according to the general custom of Nations) supposed meetest to succeed and Rise unto the same; they are these especial Officers following, who by virtue of their first places are ever capable of this second: because none of less merit and desert, may or aught to assume unto the sway and command of the first dignity. Of these Privy Counsellors the Lieutenant General of the Horse hath the first place; the Lord Martial hath the second; the Master of the Ordnance the third; the Treasurer of the Wars the fourth, and the Master de Campo who is the eldest Colonel in the Field) the fift: but if the number of Councillors arise to any greater extent, than they are chosen out of other great personages of eminence and worth at the discretion of the General; as for the Colonels of the infantry they are (as before I said) of a Counsel extravagant concerning matter domestic, but for such as are either foreign or private, they have no meddling at all; This privy Counsel of War are to deal in matters that are profound, dangerous, and difficult, and are to argue and dispute them with sound understandings and clear judgements, whence it comes that men of mean capassites & under valued Thoughts are excluded from these approaches; and none licensed to ascend thereunto; but such as have high spirits, unrestrained thoughts and Princely cogitations, which virtues in what Cabinet soever they be found, though the outside be never so plain and simple, yet is the jewel so rare and precious, that Kings disdain not to wear them; neither ought men to fail in bestowing of them their due Praise and Reverence.   
The end of the fourth Decad.   


TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, CHARLES LORD STANHOP of HARINGTON.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the Colonel of Foot.  
Travel (my Lord) as a famous Divine of our Church affirms, perfecteth Wisdom, and Observation is the perfection of Travel, either of which when they are neglected or despised, a man may return home to his Country like a stall-fed ox to the Market, with a thick rib, but a lean forehead, and how ever his body may be covered with fat and fair clothing, yet will his mind be empty, thin, and naked. That I may not be guilty of this carelessness, I have in this Epistle presumed to call your Lordship to be a witness of some part of my Observations, wherein if brevity make me appear more sleight than the gravity of the Subject would require, my hope is you will be pleased to conceive that it is only an Epistle, no serious discourse, to which I stand engaged.  
The matter at which my Pen in this place arriveth, is the Office of the Colonel of a Foot Regiment, who amongst the old Romans was called the Tribune, or Ruler of the common people, and commanded a Tertio, or Regiment: the name Colonel is but modern and new, and little longer than since the days of Charles the fift, Francis the French King, and our Henry the eight of England, who called those Colonels whom the old Spaniards called Mistress de campo, and were such as had the commandment of two, three, or more Captains under them, yet in the first times it was not so, but these whom we call Colonels were then called Dux or Deuces, which signifieth Leaders or Directors, and of these amongst the Romans there were three several kinds, as first Deuces Militares, and were ordinarily those which continually marched with the Armies, and had the charge of one thousand men; the second Deuces Provinciales, who commanded all the Soldiers within one province, and the third were Deuces Limitanei, who had the commandment of all those Soldiers, who lived upon the Marches or Frontiers of Countries bordering upon the enemy, and were to withstand all manner of assaults and foreign Incursions.  
For the Regiment or full number of men which every Colonel should command, they are exceeding diverse and uncertain, at no time holding any just rule or quantity: for they sometimes contain five hundred men, sometimes a thousand, now fifteen hundred, than two thousand; nay, three, four, and sometimes five thousand, and to these numbers of Foot have also been added some Horse, but the Precedent is not usual: and for mine own part as I said in a former Epistle, I hold it best agreeing with good discipline, that no Regiment should exceed the number of one thousand, and those divided into five Companies, and every Company to contain two hundred.  
For the election of this Colonel of the Infantry, or Foot-companies, he is principally to be chosen by the King and Prince himself, and not by the General, without some especial Commission, as also by the assistance of the Counsel of War, and some other deliberation. This Officer ought to be a man of wonderful experience and knowledge in the Wars, and one so fare transcending all others which are of any Rank below him, that as a pharoh's Tower, he should be a Lantern to guide every wand'ring Soldier to the perfection of his duty; nay so great an extent he hath for the use of his virtue, that being alone with his Regiment in any place removed from the rest of the Army, he ought to have all the perfections of Authority, Prudence, and Valour, which belong even unto the General himself, for his power is as absolute, and his command reacheth to as large and spacious limits.  
For the particular parts of his office, he is first of all the absolute Commander & director of all the Captains & other Officers which are within his Regiment, & doth at his will & pleasure dispose them whether it be in quiet garrison, in the field, or in the face of the enemy; and as they are thus to be obedient to him, so is he likewise to obey all the hests & commandments of the Lord General, and to do all his appointments, of what nature soever, as whether he be commanded to the Siege, Battery, or Assault of any City, Fort, or Castle, whether to defend towns, trenches, and ditches, or otherwise to encounter the enemy hand to hand, upon the Champains or places of much less advantage, whether it be to give Battle, to make Incursions, to Retire, to carry and convey Bridges, to guard the Ordnance, or to perform any other warlike evolution, all must be performed by him with that cheerfulness and alacrity of spirit, that he may appear rather to fly to those encounters, then by calling doubts into his consideration, to stand amazedly fearful like one that were drawing the picture of cowardice without any Copy more than his own Imagination.  
The Colonel in times past hath had the power to elect, or at least to nominate all his own Captains, but since it hath been assumed and taken from him by the power of the General, so that now though he command all in his Regiment, yet he electeth none but his own Lieutenant (who in courtesy hath the title of a Captain, and in all meetings may take his place as the puny Captain of that Regiment) his Ensign, his Sergeants and the other inferior Officers of his own Band. This Company belonging to the Colonel, shall take precedency of place before all other Captains of the Regiment, and his Colours shall fly at least a rank or two before any other. Now that he may the better know how to rule and govern all the Officers within his Regiment, it is necessary, that he endeavour himself to learn all that belongs to every man's particular duty, even from the La●nspesado to the Office of the Sergeant-major, and to see that every duty be justly and Soldierlike performed.  
The Colonel ought to have his Company compounded of some certain number of men more skilful and better experienced then any of the rest, with whom as well as with the Captains, he ought to consult, and take advice in every doubtful business: for it hath been found many times by experience, that the private Soldier who hath served in the Wars both a Apprentice and a journeyman, will yield more solid and substantial reasons for any undertaking, than many more glorious outsides, whose traffic with the Wars hath been more pleasant and easy: and therefore these plain (but wellunderstanding) men shall have their pays and means advanced above the rate of other men, that those which behold it may see, that virtue wheresoever she lodgeth, will still be found out and rewarded.  
The Colonel is to provide that all Martial discipline be duly observed, that the Guards and Watches be augmented or diminished, according as occasion shall administer, that the lieutenant-colonel and the Sergeant-major receive their directions in a due and convenient time, and that in the administration of justice he carry an upright and even Balance, neither swerving to one hand nor the other, but governing all things with such wisdom and discretion, that the Soldiers may both love and fear him, the Captains grow proud to become his Imitators, and the General himself rest indebted to him for the benefit of his good and commendable examples.  
In this Colonel's power is the punishment of all sorts of offences, even to the uttermost of life and death; it is he that may both make and repeal Laws and Edicts at his pleasure, and he is the civil judge in all causes and controversies, whether it touch honour, person, goods, or private dissension; it is he that must provide Victuals, Money, and Apparel for his Soldiers; and when any slackness is found in other superior Officers, it is he that must appeal to the General, and seek reformation. No Captain within his Regiment ought to entertain any new Soldier but by his privity and consent, and especially if he be of any foreign Nation.  
To conclude, the Colonel is to be armed at all points like the Captain, only his Leading weapon, and Feather-staffe is of a much less proportion; and albe he is a Commander of Foot, yet he hath his Hackney allowed him, and aught ever to be found for the most part on horseback; only when his Regiment shall be commanded to sally forth, and serve upon the enemy, than (all his Captains having their several places assigned them) he shall alight from his Horse, and lead forth his Regiment in his own person. These are the principal parts of the Colonel's Office, to which if he shall please to join Experience in things to be done; Knowledge by Histories, of things which have been done; if he have an unspotted Fame, an undaunted Heart, and a beloved disposition; if Goodness guard him, and Fortune serve him, let Envy burst her gall, yet shall he be sure the Bitterness shall never touch him.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE GEORGE CAREW LORD OF CLOPTON, General of his Majesty's Ordnance, and of his Majesty's most honourable Privie-councell.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the Colonel of Horse.  
WHerefore (my noble Lord) serves the tongue of the Learned, if not to speak words in a fit and convenient Season? and what should a pen do in the hand of Experience, if Niggard like he will not vouchsafe to spare us any of his Beneficial observations? for mine own part if either of these would have risen up in our Theatre, I would have thought myself happy to have sitten a dumb (but admiring) Auditor; yet to the first which is Learning (whom I ever courted but could never attain) since I am a Stranger; with the other (which is Experience) I will make bold; for she hath been my Guide in Travel by Land, my Pilot upon the Seas, and my Schoolmaster in the wars; Sir, I know to whom I writ, to a Noble man that is Learned, to a Noble man that is an Experienced and an approved Soldier: believe me I am not so ambitious to imagine I can send you any thing new, any thing worthy your Study; no, mine imperfect Offers come to serve you, not to Instruct you, and therefore I beseech you accept them as cool water which may refresh a Thirsty, Weary, and Ignorant Knowledge, not milk to delight and nourish a Knowing Understanding; so shall you give strength to my hopes, and add to the check-role of your servants another faithful Observer.  
The Office upon which I pitch in this Epistle, is that of the Colonel of Horse, which is a Noble and Honourable place, and so much the more Noble as it excelleth in the dignity and worthiness of the weapon which he commandeth; The name hath no larger extent or signification then the Colonel of the infantry, only the dignity of the person thus far excelleth; that of what sort of weapon soever his Colony be compounded; yet in himself he is ever a man at Arms, and though his Regiment be but of Dragoones yet loseth he no Honour either in his place or person: but sitteth amongst the greatest Colonels according to his degree an equal Brother and Companion; only contenting himself to be an elder or younger according to his antiquity in command, and the honour of the weapon by him commanded.  
I need not insist much upon his election since I have already named the place Noble, which inferreth as great and as singular virtues as can by any tongue be named, by any pen described, by any heart conceived, neither need I make my way long and tedious in coming unto the general parts of his duty, especially so much as concerneth the ordinary commonwealth and wholesome government of his Regiment, in Health, in Concord, in Plenty, and in the performance of true Marshal Discipline, since indeed he is so near a Kinsman, nay rather Brother or Fellow Companion with the Colonel of the infantry, that in observing the first, this latter doth (as it were) dilate and lay itself open to the intelligence and apprehension of every indifferent judgement, yet for as much as the alteration of weapon, and addition of the Horse breedeth a diversity in some particular duties; therefore to those I will return and show how they are to be managed in the designs of warlike preparations.  
It is a very material thing and an especial duty in every Colonel of Horse to look that all his Regiment be well mounted and armed according to that proportion of Arms over which he is to Govern; as if his Regiment consist of Gentlemen at Arms, that then they be complete armed in good Armour of high proof from the close Cask down to the Greave, and at all pieces, a large, strait Lance well headed with steel, an arming Sword, and a Mace or Battle Axe at his Saddle pommel; a courageous, strong and tall stooned Horse, a steel Saddle, and the Horse's head, neck, breast and buttock barbed with Pectron, Trappings, Crinier and Chieffront, his Bridle double reigned, and well lined with a strong wire chain, and the headstall suitable with the like wire lining also. To every Gentleman at Arms should belong, three, four or more attendants mounted on Horseback, though in a lower Rank, who are to wait upon their necessaries, and to take charge of their spare Horses, for these men at Arms are all intended to be men of great Blood and Quality, to be the owners of Rich Estates, and such as follow the wars only for Honour and the love of virtue, and put themselves under command, not so much for Instruction as for order's sake and to leave behind them the benefit of a good example. If his Regiment consist of Pistoleers, he shall see them armed complete to the Cush; strong Horses or Gelding of the largest size, deep Saddles, broad Trappings, a fair Sword and a long Pistol. If his Regiment consist of Carbines, then to have (as hath been said in a former Epistle) light Curates, a Spanish Morrian, a left Gauntlet and no more, a fair Sword or Curtleaxe, a strong nimble Gelding, a Morocco Saddle and furniture suitable; but if the Regiment be but Dragoones, than a Spanish Morian and no other Armour, a light Gelding, a good Sword and a fair Dragoone.  
When he hath his Regiment thus orderly armed, it is then the duty of the Colonel to look unto their March, their place of attendance, and manner of Service, as if they be men at Arms, (who are heavily armed) than their Marches must be slow and seldom, as namely, when the Army doth dislodge, and not upon every sleight occasion. Their place is upon each side of the main Battle, yet in a somewhat removed and fare distance, for in marching too ne'er the foot bands they may give offence, as being suddenly enforced to charge & then wanting sufficient ground for retreat, they often fall in amongst their own bands and so compel them to Rout and disorder; their service is two fold, for they must either encounter with the enemy's Men at arms, or else break in amongst the Pikes, and disrank or overthrew them; they are also sometimes to relieve the Carbines or Dragoons when they are engaged, and in retraits to make stands upon the enemies, and so keep them from the execution. If they be Pistoliers then their March is more swift and more general; yet not so great as to be worthy the name of Travel; their place is a good pretty distance before the men at Arms, and they troop together in large Squadrons, the Cornet being lodged within three of the first Ranks, and their Service is to break upon the Battle of Pikes after they have been a little shaken and disrankt by the men at Arms, by volleys of Short, or any other amazement; also they do sometimes encounter the enemy's horse, & do follow the chase to finish up the execution. If they be Carbines, their March is sudden and upon most occasions; their place is before the Pistoleirs and the troop in wings, or sleeves with their Guidon placed in the midst of the Ranks, as for their Service, it is principally against the Foote-shott, especially in Champains where they are unguarded, either with Hedge, Ditch, Wall, or other place of advantage. Lastly, if they be Dragoones, their march is for the most part, upon the swiftest gallop; their place in Scouts, Forragings, and upon all needful discoveries; and the effect of their principal Service is to defend and make good all passages over Rivers, as Foards, Bridges, Mill-dames, and the like, all Straight ways, Hills, Valleys, and other places of Retreat, they may upon occasion alight from their horses and serve on foot, spoiling all Foragers and Pillagers, assailing Troops in their lodgings, and when they find themselves drawing into any inconvenience, they may presently mount again and retire into their safety. But if they be so fare engaged that they cannot well come off, then must the armed Pistoleirs come in and assist them; and therefore in this case the Colonel is to foresee that in the composion of his Regiment, the Dragoones be chosen from the ablest, nimblest, and most active men that can be got, being of that dexterity and quickness of spirit that they may be able to vault to and from their Horses at pleasure, and to carry their Pieces so close guarded in their left hands, that in performing of any of these sudden actions there may be found neither trouble nor hindrance; lasty when they have performed their duties they shall then retire behind the Pistoliers and there prepare themselves again for a new onset.  
It is also a special care belonging to this Colonel, to give directions for the daily training and teaching of his Regiment, especially if they serve with fire on Horseback, for if a man be never so good a Horseman and yet but an ill Shot, or if he be never so good a Shot, and yet but an ill Horseman, there will be such disparity and untowardness in his actions that all his labour will be to little and no purpose; let therefore diligence and practice, good opportunity and good instructions make the Soldier exquisite in what he undertaketh, and it will bring honour to the Colonel, and benefit to the general Service. And that the Service may be the more effectually performed, it is requisite that the Colonel have ever attending upon his person (as his daily and household servants) an excellent Smith, or farrier, who shall ever be furnished with Horseshoes, nails, and drugs, both for inward and outward applycations; a very good Saddler, and all things belonging to his occupation, and a skilful rough Rider, that may tame and reclaim stubborn jades, and instruct the Soldier how, and in what manner to become a reasonable Horseman.  
Last of all it is the Colonel's duty to have a perfect roll of all the Bands within his Regiment, as well Officers, as others, seeing them mounted and armed, and then giving allowance to their sufficiency, he shall give directions for the disposing of the Troops.  
From him or his Substitute, the Trumpets shall take all commandments; and whensoever the Regiment riseth, the Colonel's Cornet shall first fly abrord, to which all the rest shall repair, and from him shall receive order for their employment, whether it be to Watch, to Scour, to discover or else to relieve others: He shall appoint such as shall guard the Lord Martial, the Forrage-Master and the Victuallers: He shall dispose the manner of all Skirmishes, and so place, his Troops that one may second the other in such wise: that if any be repulsed yet being relieved they may have time to regather themselves into order, and either maintain a second onset or retire back again into their own strength; This is the full effect of the Colonel's Office that commandeth Horse, and these things (with the rest which belong to the Colonel of Foot) being seriously observed, his place shall be fulfilled with much renown, and his person adorned with undying Honor.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, THOMAS LORD ARUNDEL of WARDER.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the Sergeant-major General.  
THe affairs (my Lord) of my poor Fortunes have ever been hindrances to my Study, so that howsoever I might in my nature affect it, yet still by Fortune I have been debarred that happy felicity, so that your Lordship can expect from me but rude and unpolished Gatherings, yet such as they are, I tender them freely, boldly: All men speak you Noble, that persuades me, and you are an owner of Willoughbies Blood (of which my poor self am also a sharer) and that almost seals unto me a deed, of assurance; and you are the much honoured kinsman of my dearest respected kinsman, worthy Sir Percival Willoughby, to whose love I am so much bound, that I cannot study a better Rent then to do you service: all these together bring this Epistle unto you; which (great Sir) I beseech you be pleased to read; the little I can get, I am no niggard of; nor was I ever more desirous to gather, then willing to distribute to the good of my Country. Many I know (this way) might Alexander-like give talents, but they think the World not worthy so much, and if the World would embrace their Mites, it is an alms too poor for rich Reputations: so that hence they are silent, yet still I keep on my Pilgrimage: you are one of the Saints to whose Altar I am vowed, and though I have but a poor Root to offer thereon, yet I will lay it down with as great confidence, as if it were a Snowwhite Bull crowned with Garlands, knowing, that nothing makes Gifts great, but good men's Acceptations.  
This great and renowned Office (of the Sergeant-major General) is so large & spacious, that to lend but one word to every great article which necessarily depends upon his knowledge, would ask more paper than I have bestowed on all which have gone before him; and therefore (as Geographers do) I must entreat your Lordship in a little prick to survey a great kingdom.  
To speak then first of his election, the power thereof commonly remaineth in the General, and the care thereof aught to be more than of any of the former: for being the general Minister of an entire Army, and having his authority and use extending itself into all manner of Marching, Imbattelling, and Encamp, we need say no more of his person but this, he should be a man both inward and outward of a most absolute perfection. His place is before all Captains and Colonels, except the Colonel General) for they receive their directions from him, he from the other; his Actions and Employments are ever for the most part in the face of the enemy and the greatest use or necessity of his person is ever in the places of most certain danger; It behoveth him to be exceeding Skilful in the framing of Battalions which some define to be a congregation or multitude of men placed in such an orderly form, that they may come to fight without hindering one another, whereby every hand being necessarily employed, they may attain to the end of their purpose which is glory and conquest; so that to his charge is left the framing of the proportion, the government in marching and the order in fight; In his Brain there ought to be (at least in his bosom or some other convenient place must be) a cattalogue of the just number of the Army, together with the true sortment and division of every weapon; and in his memory he must ever carry ready framed the forms and proportions of sundry Battles, as quadrats or squares, the equal or unequal, triangles, diamunds and the like, any of which he is to sort & fashion to the Ground, according as the necessity of the place requireth, ever regarding to give those Forms the greatest pre-eminence which are able still to bring the most hands to fight at one instant without disorder or trouble, as in the champaign the broad Square is best, the bastard or base square where there is advantage of hedge, ditch, water, wood or marish, and the unequal and imperfect proportion in straits, amongst hills and Mountains or in craggy or rocky places. It is his place to take away all disorder from unruly and Ignorant soldiers, by letting them understand the constant and true place of every Ensign; as which shall make up the first ranks, Square or division, which the second, which the third and so of the rest; wherein although some do allow a constant rule yet many times it varieth upon lot and may better be referred to the Serieant-maiors discretion, who is to provide that not the companies which challenge it by right but the companies which are ever best armed be still put into the vanguard, he shall after he hath framed his Battle of pikes line them with shot on eytherside, and not so only, but he shall also have sundry lose wings of Short trouping by them, in a pretty distance remote, which shall ever be ready to entertain any skirmish and keep the Battle from disquiet; also he shall seriously provide for the safety of his shot when the enemy's horse aboundeth much, by drawing out certain ranks of pikes proportionable to the lose unguarded shot under whose safety (upon every extremity) they shall retire and then again make good their places till the service be finished.  
It is the Sergeant-major General's office upon any day of Battle to go to the General or Colonel General and from one of them to take his directions; knowing whether the General will have his own Regiment to have the vanguard or no, or otherwise the Battle or rear; which resolved he shall then attend the Lord Martial to the election of the field, In which it behotueth the Sergeant-major to be very skilful in the situation of the Country and to know the distance of places and the difficulties of every passage with all the several circumstances which shall depend upon the same, as well for the guard and safety of his own, as for the hindrance and annoyance of the enemy so that allthings being assured, he may then cause the Drumme-maior to beat a remove, and all the Captains being assembled to the place of arms; he shall thence (by the directions of the Lord Martial) draw forth the Battle, disposing every Commander into the places which are most convenient, and framing his Maniples and divisions suitable to the passages through which they are to march, yet by no means into a less than a third or else fourth part of the front, and keeping every division just ten deep and neither more nor less, and herein he shall have respect, that in drawing up the Maniples to make an entire Battle, the Ensigns may fall into their due places, as namely the Generals upon the head, the Lieutenant general, the Lord Martial, the Master of the Ordnance, the Treasurer, the Colonel general, and the Sergeant-major General one rank within the Battle, the Colonels of the Infantive a rank behind them, and the Captains a rank behind them. He shall have an especial care for the safe guarding of the munition & baggage, placing it either before, behind, or on any side where the enemy is least suspected, It is at his discretion to make stands (which some call Altoes or Hallts) when and at what time he please; whereby the soldier may be refreshed when he is weary with travel, and it must be done in places fit and commodious for the same, as where there is clean running water, some shelter, yet a large prospect, so as no soldier may offer to straggle, but the Officers may both perceive him, & reprehend him. Now that all these duties may be the better performed, this Officer is intended to be ever on Horseback, yet not upon a horse of war, but rather upon a comely and nimble Hackney, on which he may ride in amongst the Ranks, & pass from File to File, seeing every man to perform his duty in a careful and modest manner, and herein is to be observed, that if in his passages to & fro, he do happen to encounter or meet with the General (although on foot) yet shall not the Sergeant-major alight from his Horse, but keep his seat, for it is his particular pre-eminence, neither shall he dismount at any time in the day of battle, for any such error is a cloud betwixt him and glory; for being on foot, he is no more than one man, but mounted on horseback, and assisting with directions, he supplieth the places of many hundreds; his Armour must be light and nimble, being the same pieces which belong to a Foot-Captaine, and in his right hand he shall bear a Truncheon, with which he may correct any man that wilfully offendeth, as also with it to separate unruly horses, carriage, or baggage which troubles the Battalions, or to demonstrat and point out to any thing which he commandeth; his ordinary place is near the person of the General, or the Colonel general; for from them he must take many instructions: if any Squadrons or main Bodies be broken, he is to bring Supplies, and sawder them up again: he is called the Guide of the Battle, and therefore to look that all things succeed rightly. When the Army is encamped, he giveth the first directions for the Corpse de guards, & charge for the Sentinels; it is he that reacknowledgeth the Quarters, and taking his orders from the Lord Martial, provideth for the general safety of all the Army, as the Watch, the Ward, the Scout, Guard for the Munition, Entrenchments and the like, of all which I have entreated something in the former Offices.  
The Sergeant-major is first to take notice of alarms of all kinds, and to examine the causes, then to give information to the General and Lord Martial, and so to proceed according to order.  
It is a very landable duty in the Sergeant-major General, if in the day of Battle, he select and appoint a certain number of Soldiers, who from time to time shall draw forth the hurt, maimed, and slain parties, which else would trouble the Squadrons, and to convey them to cure, or other place for other purpose. It is his office to appoint the orders and forms of Camisadoes and Ambuscadoes, to direct the place where, the order how, and the manner and form of Silence: he ought to awaken and stir up the General to the provision of all kind of Arms, and is to see the necessity of every Regiment supplied. To conclude, he must be a general Father over all the Army, and to provide the good of the Soldiers, as for his natural children: he is to hear the complaints of all the inferior Serieant-maiors of Regiments, and to see that they may have speedy dispatches. This is the greatest substance, and the most material parts which depend upon this great Officer, which his own understanding may amplify according to the administration of occasions; so that fixing knowledge and use together, the world will become rich by his help, and others much fortified by his encouragements.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THOMAS, LORD KNIVET OF ESGRIG.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the Colonel General.  
DAnger ever (my good Lord) stands at the door where Intermedling enters, and hardly shall a man either tarry or return but some mischief still will be tripping at his heels, especially when men meddle with great men's businesses, which is like the paring of a Lion's claw, where if the least cut procure pain, it is ten to one but the cutter is made guilty of his own destruction; I confess I am ascended into a Subject beyond mine experience, yet on this side my reading, so that as it may be dangerous for me to resolve any thing in them from mine own judgement, yet it shall be thanks worthy in me to write their own & their equal Authority, Necessities require hazard sometimes, and since it is needful that I speak something both of this and the other subjects following, let me not be blamed if modestly I tempt reprehension; your Lordship is one of the oldest fixed Stars within the Sphere of our Court, to a better experience I cannot fly, under a nobler Nature I cannot suffer; be pleased then to read this poor Brief, and how ever in low words it treat of high things, yet when the meaning shall be truly expounded, nothing shall be found but an honest admiration fixed upon all Heroical virtue.  
The Colonell-generall of the infantry, or as some call him the Livetenant-generall of the Foot ought to be a man of noble descent, high place, and great authority both in virtue and prudence, for he hath a Supreme and especial commandment over all the Foot Bands which are contained within the whole Army; and when he is chosen according to desert and merit, he is then presupposed to be a man of Infinite experience and judgement, being the eldest and principallest Soldier in all the army (which hath not a place of greater precedence) except by some extraordinary merit (which is almost gotten within the Rank of miracles) he be out gone by some of his latter and much younger Companions; for it is certain that no General can (without the Cloud of much envy) give a precedency away from so many worthy and renowned Colonels, but upon rare desert, or in case of some superexcellent perfection.  
This doubtless was the rule of the first World, when men imagined that Honour lay in the hands and not in the Blood, and when such as had the bestowing of these places (being mearely men without any other addition) could look no way but forward, that is, to the object on which they had fixed their contentments; or downward to the means whereby they might compass their Ambitions, even then when Honour was so temporary and mortal, that any Frown, Thunder or Lightning of Greatness could kill, split, and utterly consume it. But in these latter Times, since Wisdom (married to Divinity) began to build up this goodly Temple of true Honour whose eyes are so clear and truly set, that she can lock backward to see what she was, & upward to find the cause from whence true glory proceedeth; since men came to know on whom to depend and whom to thank, since Honour came to gain the eternity of an hereditary right and that all tittles and tenors were false and sophisticate, but such as mearely depended on heaven; since this (I say) was known and approved, all these great and material Offices have had another manner of disposing; and this place of a Colonell-Generall of a Foot Army hath been and is many times bestowed upon young Princes and Noble men, who invited by the powerfulness of their virtues, have betaken themselves unto the wars, and even at their first entrances have had these places conferred upon them, as in the occurrents of all estates we may see many present examples, sometimes for a protection and countenance to the cause taken in hand, and an inciting and stirring up other men, (which have dependence on those great persons) to aspeedy imitation and following of their courses, and sometimes to gratify the great deeds and beneficences of their famous progenitors; or else as a School or Accademie wherein Nobility being to be brought up in all the ways of perfection, they have these forms or Ranks of proceed allowed for their exaltation, nor is it without good Ground of Reason, for howsoever the Office carry in it a great pre-eminence or supreme authority, yet in the execution thereof there is little expected from the person more than countenance of the place and a noble civil Government, the sway and effect thereof being fully and in all perfection to be discharged by the Sergeant-major general, the Colonels and the under Officers belonging to their Regiments. So that I infer although this place (for honour's sake and the advancememt of a brave deserver) might properly appertain to an ancient, grave and well deserving Soldier, yet also to give merit to a fresh and fair springing hope, and to keep the Flowers of true honour in their nature lustre; it may with as good right be bestowed upon Princely and Noble personages in whom there is a living hope of many form great actions, though at the beginning they be punies in the wars and have nothing but the Theoric knowledge to commend their fortunes.  
To this Colonell-generall, the Sergeant-major of the Army, all Colonels of Foot, and with them all private Captains of Foot and their Inferior Officers must continually be obedient, for they are (as it were) Lieutenants and Substitutes under him, taking at his hands all orders and directions by which to manage the whole Army, and therefore it is the Office and duty of the Colonell-generall daily and at special appointed times to call the Sergeant-major and the Colonels of the Foot companies unto him, and with them as with the best Councillors of estate to confer and reason of all matters appertaining to his place and Office, taking from them that sound advice and instruction, which coupling and mixing with his own noble determinations may make all his directions most sound and perfect. And that he may employ nothing more than his noble countenance and favour to every warlike proceeding, the Sergeant-major is pleased to take upon him all bodily labours, and to ride up and down the Army with his directions, and to see all things performed which any way appertains to his great Place and Office; ranging every Battalion (even that of the Livetenant-generall or Colonell-generall of the Foot himself) in such marshal order as shall be fit for any warlike employment, whether it be marching, fighting, encamping, beseigeing, assaulting or retiring, all which pain the Colonell-generall taketh both for a favour and a debt, and returneth him for requital all his best favours and endeavours for the advancement of any serious occasion which concerneth his person.  
This Colonell-generall hath the manage and government of all public and private affairs of the whole Army on foot, whether it be in Battle, Camp, Ranging, and disposing of all manner of persons according to his will and pleasure, giving the honour and dignity of places (in all dangerous services) as he thinketh to be most convenient; he sendeth forth great or small parties for Skirmishes or other public encounters (as seemeth best liking to himself) and grants unto them reliefs and seconds when he thinks occasion fit, and what numbers he holdeth best proportionable for the effect of the service; It is in his power to regard and provide for all the necessary and fit accommodations which belong unto the Foot Army, whether it be Munition, Victuals, Apparel or any necessary thing belonging either to the nourishment of life or the general defence of the persons; as intrenchments, fortifications places of approach, sallies and all other advantages or disadvantages, which may either be defensive or offensive to his party, or in the like case much availing or much annoying the enemy; and in any of these designs where either he shall hear complaint for slackness of duty or the performance of true care, he is to call the offenders before him, and to give reprehension or punishment by imprisonment, or other defaul●ation of pay, as shall seem best to his discretion; but if the offence be capital, and of any extreme nature, than he is to refer the parties to a Martial Court, (which Court he hath power to call at his best pleasure) and there see all Delinquents punished according to the nature of their offences.  
As thus he hath the general punishment of crimes, and calling in question of all injuries within the Foot Army, so is he likewise to be the author of all concord & tranquillity within the circuiets of his commands, and to that end if any differences or devisions shall fall out between any of the great and supreme Officers in the Army, or between Captain and Captain, or Captain and private Gentleman; whether it concern place, matter of Honour, usurpation of Office, disobedience, or any other crime; he shall out of his authority (so it be before the General taketh notice thereof) call the parties before him and judicially hear the whole proceed; either reconciling and making even the controversy, or else referring it unto the General or a Marshal Court, according as the nature of the Business requireth; These are the most material things belonging to this great and eminent place which being honourably pursued, there is no doubt but he shall gain the love of all good men, and raise unto himself pillars of glorious report, which shall keep his name to eternity.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, ROBERT LORD DORMIR of WING.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the Lieutenant General of Horse.  
THis Discourse (my Lord) which I am enjoined to tender to your Goodness, to your hopes, is but a due Rent belonging to the great place to which God and your Birth hath called you; and therefore I send it for your Reading, for your disposing; yet for the use of all men, especially those which stand affected to the imitation of noble and most heroical designs; your Lordship is young, your Lordship is hopeful: believe it, Youth and Hope, or hopeful youth cannot spend hours that are free for Recreation, in a more wholesome or truly delightful Study: for mine own part, I can ascribe little merit in the workmanship, it is the matter itself which must commend the building. Brevity I know will a little deface it, for indeed a volume were too scant a Map for so worthy a Subject; but as it is, it must now be your Lordships, yet (for your noble father's sake, with whom I was much acquainted) believe it, hopeful Sir, no more it, than the Author which hopes he shall ever love you.  
As the Colonell-generall hath a principal and supreme command over all the infantry or Foot-companies, disposing and governing them in all proceed according to the strict rule of true Marshal Discipline: so the lieutenant-general of the Horse hath the eminent control and commandment of all the cavalry or Horse-Regiments of what nature or composition soever.  
This great Officer ought to be (touching the election of his particular person) no less than the former great Commander of the Foot, that is to say, a noble man both of Blood and Virtue, truly descended from great and Heroical parents, the memory of whose former actions, may as in a living Chronicle survive and continue to succeeding times in the hopes and forward promises of the sons most flourishing virtues: neither is this Blood and Virtue to be unaccompanied with excellent parts, as Valour, Wisdom, Temperance, and Experience; nay indeed in this man's nature may be required as much and as many virtues as in the General himself, only in the matter of Experience (if Blood, Honour, and the Prince's favour fortify and give countenance to the commandment) there may be some dispensation: for we have beheld in our own times, not one but diverse examples thereof; as if we look but upon the very first leaf of the History, which speaks the life of the noble Earl of Essex (for in my conscience he did not imagine he lived, until he entered into the wars) we shall find that even at his first approach to the wars when he went under the Earl of Leicester into the Low Countries; he discharged this place with all honour, all admiration; and was without doubt Infinitely worthy of the same, for he was son in law to the General, highly recommended by the Queen's Majesty and a man borne of a Military, noble and renowned father; and although he were at that time but twenty years of age, yet he was of that Infinite greatness of spirit, and had a mind so excellently compounded of all manner of virtuous inclinations, was so great a lover of justice and in himself so much bound to the perfections of Temperance and judgement, that never man ruled in a place or came off from a place with more honour and less envy, for he held (as it were) a continual trading with the elder and more experienced Soldiers, framing all his affrayres by their advices; and by his Affability and Bounty (though his estate could never boast of Infinites) won such respect and love amongst all men, that neither time nor the powerfulness of any great wrath, was ever able to find a tomb in which to enclose his memory; But some will say this precedent is rare and may not infer an authority, but I say no; for as it, I could recite a world of others did not the brevity whereunto I am tied restrain me.  
But to my purpose, The office of the Lieutenant General of the Horse; is first respectively as other Captains to look to the happy government of his own Troop of horse, and so consequently of his own regiment: which done he is to have a general eye of survey over all other Colonels of horse, their Regiments, Officers and Soldiers, for indeed all are comprised within his charge, neither can any offence or disparagement happen amongst them; which (as a fingar writing upon a wall) will not point at his disreputation, and therefore not only his eye but the eyes of all his Officers and Ministers ought continually to watch and guard over all their affairs; preventing (as much as in them lies) all manner of disorders, and where the weaker powers are resisted; there to complain to this eminent and high officer from whom justice may be executed (without respect) in the highest nature.  
The Lieutenant General of the horse ought to have delivered unto him both by the Muster-master General and the Colonels and Captains of the cavalry two true Rolls or Indentures containing the Catalogue or list of all the Commanders, officers and others whatsoever which do any way belong to the cavalry, with the nature and condition of their places, their employments, Fees and Entertainments, by which he is bound to do all men justice that are under his command, and to provide that no exaction or extortion be used betwixt the rich and poor, the Paymaster and the soldier, the Officer and such as owe unto him obedience; In brief any thing that is amiss within this great Officers commandment, shall by him be suddenly and assuredly amended; and at what time soever the Colonels shall complain unto him of wants endured from the superior Officers, or the Captains, of wants sustained from the Colonels, meaner officers from the Captains, or the common Soldier from the Inferior Officers; he shall Instantly bend his ear to such complaints, and if it be within the limitation of his power shall see speedy redress for the same, If otherwise, he shall then (with all earnestness) mediate with the General and not leave the pursuit; till he see a reformation or punishment according to the nature of the offence.  
It is in the particular power of this Officer only to distinguish the several arms and the several Employments of all the cavalry disposing the Battalions as shall seem most convenient in his judgement; directing who shall be vantcurriers, Scouts or discoverers, who of the Vanguard, who of the Battles, who shall make up the Wings, and who the Rear: it is he that appointeth the horse Guard for the Lord Martial, the attendance for the Forrage-master and Victuallers, what horse shall draw the Ordinance, what the Wagons, and which bear the Luggage. It is in his power to lay Rates, Taxes and Aseassements upon all Boors and Farmers for all manner of horse provisions; to give to every Regiment his allowance or proportion of grounds to graze or feed on, and the rates of Hay, Straw and Provander which they shall receive from the purveyors or Forage masters, at all encamp or other sit down of the Army, whether it be settled or removing, he shall see that the Seriant-Maior and Quarter Master General do allow and lot out a fit and convenient piece of ground, spacious, fit and commodious for the encamping of the Horse quarter, and shall give an especial charge, that the Regiments be divided equally with very large Streets between Regiment and Regiment, that the Companies do not encroach one upon another, neither one man deceive another, but that an equality and indifferency may be used on all parts, each taking his true proportion by measure, laid out by the Quartermaster. And if any question arise which the Colonels, and the Captains themselves cannot decide, then to appeal to this Officer, and from him to receive order for all reformations.  
If any Preys or Booties of Horses shall be taken from the Enemy, either by way of Incursion, surprising of the Enemy's Quarters, giving Camisadoes, or by any other Ambuscadoes. This Officer shall presently cease them by virtue of his place and authority, and those which he shall find fit for service in the Wars, he shall distribute into the Regiments for the reinforcing of their Troops, and such as are not, he shall bestow some upon the Ordnance, some upon the Wagons, and some upon the Baggage.  
To conclude, as he is the minister of all Equity and justice, a fault-finder in all things which are contrary to order: so must he be likewise a Father of Concord and Amity amongst his people, sawdering up all cracks and flaws, which either the tenderness of Honour shall too quickly find painful, the malice of a foul mouth too rudely provoke, or the weakness of a rash nature through a false Interpretation seek to Revenge. This if he do he shall give Heanen the Rent it expecteth, and men the Equity they sue for; He shall be to the World a pattern of Virtue, and God in requital will make him a precedent of Glory.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, CHRISTOPHER, LORD ROPER OF TENHAM.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the Treasurer of War.  
BEsides my Hopes and Desires to raise unto your Lordship, and all the range or noble Rank of our English Barons a Temple wherein your names might be kept to eternal memory; I have also found something else to inflame me to the prosecution of this labour; as namely an Instruction for the weak and Ignorant, and a little fortification unto stronger minds, by calling somethings back unto memory, which being laid by for some small time, might through forgetfulness peradventure else have been hardly revived: my hope is your Lordship shall find nothing unpleasant in the journey of this Epistle but the style, and that I hope the meaning will excuse, for however I am not an affecter of new phrase (which many covet) yet believe it I am a lover of Truth and plainness, which I know your Lordship will not despise; because it is the best Herald to display a man's honest actions.  
This great Officer (of whom I am now to entreat) ought only to be chosen by the King, and although Princes do not ever look to the Nobility of his Blood, yet ought they most precisely to respect the Nobility of his mind and natural inclinations; for the Treasurer of an Army ought to be a Gentleman, Wise, Frugal, not Covetous, yet rich (and what is almost a miracle) a man of infinite compassion; He must be Wise both in respect he is ever of the Privy Council of the wars, and so bound to discern and look into all occurrents, as also in that he is to judge of the necessities of men's occasions, and aught by a foreseeing judgement to know how and in what manner to enlarge Bounties; he must be Frugal because he is trusted with the King's Treasure (which is the Nerves and Sinews of the Wars) which by any lavishness of an open and unrestrained hand will soon dissipate and consume away without return of Benefit to the King's service; preferment to him who liveth upon unfit Gains, or Honour to him whose hand was guided with a blind imagination: But if he arrive at the vice of Covetousness which is the root of all mischeives; Infinite must the Calamities be which will grow from his Branches, as cozenage in the multiplicity of supposed fees, extortion in loans before hand, & unmeasurable usury upon every due sum, contrary to the very rule of the Devil's prerogative; besides a most general defrauding of the Prince with false accounts, unjust supposed debts, and a world of other desceptions: that he ought to be rich there is nothing more necessary, both because he may be the better able to make account and render satisfaction, (in case the Devil and Covetousness drawn him to disorder) as also by his credit and reputation, to be able to take up and raise new sums, if the Treasure chance not to come in, according to expectation. Now lastly that he ought to be compassionate and full of mercy I appeal to the conscience of every poor Commander and Soldier, who (If he should out of the cruelty of a currish disposition bind himself to pay nothing but that which were due, nor any thing before it is due) would without all question perish sometimes for want of food, if too great a severity were observed. It is therefore fit that out of a clement and gentle disposition the Treasurer be pitiful to such as want, and notwithstanding they have nothing due at the present, yet to lend a convenient portion, and in the future time to repay himself again; for believe it from these small favours at the Treasurer's hands do arise singular good fruits to the Soldiers; as sometimes a prevention of despair; a forestall of Murders, Thefts and Pillages, a quenching of mutinies, Envy and repine, with a world of the like, into which men are apt to embark themselves, when they are ground and gnawn with calamity and want, and have in them neither patience nor discourse out of which to find any resistance.  
The Treasurer must have under him many Subtreasurers and inferior Officers, all which ought to be exceeding skilful in Audit and matter of account; of which some are to keep a diligent account of his receipts & charges where with he may be burdened, & standeth accountant; others of his disbursments & layings out, keeping true books of account between the upper Treasurer and all Officers of receipts through the whole Army; having the acquittances of every Regiment by themselves, and fair books of record by which to approve every acquittance.  
Over these Inferior Officers the high Treasurer is with a careful eye to look, providing by all means that they take not extraordinary fees, or by any artificial flattery or promise of favours; incite free Spirits to enlarge or increase their fees, making the hundred penny (which I know not by what right the challenge) sometimes six pence and sometimes twelve pence more than the true Sum amounts to, for indeed all is extortion or at least an usury of an unlawful creation. Besides it is neither lawful for the high Treasurer himself nor for any of his ministers to Intermeddle with the buying of Captain's accounts or reckonings, or to take advantage of their prodigalities and lavish humours of expense, for it is most certain that however it make rich Treasures, yet it will be sure to make miserable Soldiers, for the particular unthriftiness of the Captain will like a leprosy disperse itself and corrupt the blood of the whole company, for it is ordinarily noted in the wars; that the Thrifty Captain hath commonly the warmest clad men, but the Beggarly or Bare Captain hardly any but a ragged Regiment.  
It is a thing most just, honourable and fit in Princes to pay duly; for the least failing is a Scourge that whips forward Inconveniences; and Treasurers in the wars, if they get but the colour of excuse from the Prince's forgetfulness, know (as the proverb saith) with a wet finger where to find Oppression, and then fornicating with that cloud beget practices and cruelties worsethen ten thousand Centauris.  
The Treasurer is to command from the Muster-master-generall a perfect List or Rule of all Commanders, Colonels, Captains and Officers with their full allowances as they stand rated by the Prince, General or Council of State, together with a certificate of all checks and defalcations; which is both a rule for the Captain what to receive, and an authority to the Treasurer what to pay; neither is the Treasurer alone to be governed by the certificate of the Muster-master only, but also he is to require the certificates of the Master of the Ordnance, the Victuall-master and Provant-master, that a just and equal due may be held between the General and his Soldiers,  
It is again the Office of the Treasurer to receive all Tribuits, Taxes, Tailliages and Impositions which shall be imposed and laid upon any Cities, Towns or Countries where any Conquest is made or other booty of Treasure is got or to be gotten. It is he that receiveth all monies which the Collegates or assistants in the wars do contribute, or which by any other contract is brought into the Army.  
He hath the Superintendancie or overlooking over all Victuallers and Provaunt-masters belonging to the Camp, and to such places whither Treasure cannot with conveniency be conuaid; thither he doth appoint what victuallers shall pass, and with what victuales for the relief of Soldiers, till they do return where their pay with the defalcations may again be restored.  
To conclude, this eminent and great Officer with his dependants and Subtreasurers, as the Purueyor-generall, Victuall-master, Paymaster, Clerks and others, ought to be careful that contentment be given from the best to the meanest Creature in the Army, remembering that the food of words and Air are of such crude and hard digestion, that they are not only dangerous to man's life, but also breed in men such wicked and evil Spirits, that the plague and mortality of a consuming Rancon hardly ever after departs from their bosoms. But the worthy and renowned Officer that knows his true duty, and doth it, he that fears God, doth the will of his King, and gives comfort to his poor distressed brethren; believe it that man whilst be wanders on the earth, is a favourite in the Court of Heaven, and the King of Kings will tell him, Those that Honour me, I will Honor.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, EDWARD LORD NOWELL of BROOKE.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the Master of the Ordnance.  
Man's Nature (my Lord) I know is exceeding greedy of News and new things, and indeed so violent in that way, that it had rather feign than want, and the force of the object is so great, that whilst it fills the mouths of many, it possesses the souls of some, and brings admiration to all: this great thing, this gaudy thing, I dare in no wise present to your Honour, for they are but bred of Lies, and fed by Credulity, my discourse tends to a clean contrary purpose, it hath Truth to guard it, Experience for warrant, and some Instruction (which cannot be so called if it want benefit) please then my Lord to read this Epistle (which though it come from him you know not) yet if it shows you any thing worthy knowledge, be assured both he and it will be ready to acknowledge your Lordship in any other service.  
The Master of the Ordnance (which in some Disciplines is called the General of the Artillery) is or should be a person of great Gravity, Valour, Wisdom and Experience, and indeed a man of noble descent and parentage, being chosen to the place by the Prince himself, and seldom by any inferior Substitute. His Office is a place of great importance, and extendeth itself into two main Branches, the one ever at home, and the other abroad: for as he hath the charge of the Artillery or Munition in the Camp, so he hath care of all the Forts, Castles, and fortified places which are removed, or lie fare off from the Camp; yet in the guard and respect of that Army, neither hath he alone the care of their safety, but also the manner how to keep them safe, and to that end is to draw sundry circumstances into his consideration, as the situations and strengths of all places whatsoever, whether Mediterranell or Maritine, mountainous or plain, or indeed any or all of these conjoined and mixed together; then what places are strengthened by Nature, and what must be made strong by Art, the form of the strength, as being fittest both to defend itself, and offend the enemy, the several sorts of forms, as whether it be circular, square, or contrived into many angles: and lastly the matter whereon the strength is made, as whether it be Earth, Stone, Brick, Timber, or any other material and binding substance.  
He is also to draw into his consideration the nature and quality of all Fortifications, and that they are made and framed as well to withstand the offence of Artillery, as to defend and keep able themselves by the help of Artillery; and for this cause it is most necessary that the Master of the Ordnance be skilful in the knowledge of all sorts and sizes of great Pieces, as whether they be Royal (which are the greatest) or under Royal (which are the lesser) yet all to be employed in the matter of Battery. The Royal are those which we call the Culverin, the Quarter Cannon, the Demy cannon, the Cannon, the Double cannon, the Cannon-Pedera, the Basilisco, and indeed any piece which shooteth a Bullet from seventeen pounds' weight or upwards: and the Vnder-royall are the Demy culverin, the Saker, the Minion, the Falcon, the Falconet, the Rabinet, the arquebus a Croek, and indeed any piece which shooteth a Bullet from seventeen pound weight downwards, and this Ordnance is the Master not only by his authority and potents to provide and raise, either by put chase, prize, or casting, as the ability of the place where he resideth will afford, but also to see them mounted either upon Carriages for the field, upon Bulwarks, Forts, Castles, Towne-wals, or any other place of defence or offence, as shall appear best in his judgement: and to this end he shall be of approved judgement in all manner of Fortifications, and able to direct the inferior Officers under him (as the Lieutenant of the Ordnance, the Engine-master, the Trenchmaster, Captain of the pioneers, and the like) in the framing of Bulwarks, Curtains, Cavaleros', Tenazas, Tizeras, Dientes, casamats, Teraplenes, Trenches, Ditches, or any thing belonging to their own safety, or the enemy's annoyance; as also how to refortifie any place that is decayed, or in the first erection by ill directions hath been made contrary to Art, whereby the platform is to be new moulded and reform: and herein he ought to be capable of discerning (upon a serious view) any hindrance and annoyance whatsoever, which shall accompany his work, as whether it be without the situation of the work, as if there be hills, plains, rivers, lakes, valleys, rocks, woods, vineyards, orchards, gardens, monasteries, old Churches, or any other Edifices, Seas, Isles, Bays, or the like, or else within the situation, having regard to the wall, and every quality thereof, the height and thickness of the Terraplene, the strength of the Gates, the depth of the Ditches, whether wet or dry, how waters are conuaid into it, whether by open and natural channels, or by close and secret Conduits, the altitude of the place, as whether it be above or below other buildings that are about it, with a world of other observations; all which if they breed any annoyance or inconvenience he shall be able immediately to reform and cure, making the place safe and strong, howsoever Nature hath promised the contrary; and in this work he shall have great care to husband every thing as frugally as is possible, & to be respective over the Prince's purse, using Stone where stone is plentiful, Brick, where Brick is made, and Timber, where Timber groweth; and where any of these are wanting to use either strong Turf or Earth, or any other matter which the place affordeth.  
As thus the Master of the Ordnance hath these Commandments in remote, foreign and out places, so hath he in the Camp as eminent and great controlments; for there the general charge of the whole Artillery dependeth upon him and his necessary substitutes, of which the principal are the Lieutenant, the Clerk of the Ordnance, the Paymaster, the Purveyor General, four Scribes, four Stewards, an Harbinger, a Chancellor, diverse Interpreters, a Preacher, a Physician, a Surgeon, a Trumpet, all Engineers and Refiners, and a Guard both of Foot and Horse, Gentlemen and halberdiers, and over all these several places (of the most material whereof I have already written) he is the chief Superintendant, and hath the power to dispose of all things according to his pleasure and judgement, as also he hath the command, choice and controlment of all Gunners and Cannoneers whatsoever, and both giveth unto them their several allowances, and doth allot them their several attendants.  
It is also in the power of the Master of the Ordnance to press and have under him both Shipwrights, Boat-wrights, and other necessary Carpenters, who at his appointment shall frame Boats, Barges, and other Vessels, which may be portable, and at pleasure taken in sunder and joined, for the transportation and carriage of the Army over any great rivers, or small arms of the Sea, by fastening those Boats together, and making Briges thereof strongly boarded & planckt, and well railed on either side, as hath been done in diverse foreign Armies, and also with us here at home in the year Eighty eight, when the Army & provisions were passed over the Thames between Kent and Essex: so that of these Boats for Bridges should never be in the Army under the number of forty at the least, over which charge (under the Master of the Ordnance) should be a Captain of the Boats, two Shipwrights, a Master-Carpenter to plank them, twenty Sailors and Calkers, a Guard of Horsemen to conduct them, two Smiths and their men to have charge of the Iron-works, a Master of the Cables, Anchors, and grapplings, a Wheel-wright and certain Carters to drive the Carriage.  
The Master of the Ordnance appointeth under his hand-writing the numbers and proportions of all manner of provisions of Munition which shall attend the Army, and delivereth it to the Lieutenant, the Lieutenant seethe them provided, and distributed to the inferior Officers, and the inferior Officers keep them in charge, and dispose or deliver them out as they shall receive warrant either from the Master of the Ordnance, or his Lieutenant.  
Under the command of the Master of the Ordnance, is the Cariage-master, the Clerk of the Carriages, the Harbinger, the Steward, the Gil-master, a Provost, two Carpenters, two Farriers, and all the Carters, Horse, Oxen, and all that draw any kind of Munition; and he or his inferior Officers do not only proportion out what weight every Carriage shall draw, but also what number of cattles shall be in every draught, according to the weight with which they are laden; as to draw a Cannon, thirty beasts; a Demi-canon, twenty beasts; a Culverin, four and twenty beasts; a Saker, twelve beasts, and so of the rest answerable to their bigness, eight beasts in Cart with two wheels will draw twenty hundred weight; in a Wagon with four wheels, thirty or forty hundred weight; and so likewise answerable to the same proportions: and to the Carriages the Master of the Ordnance shall allow a competent number of attendants, to lad and unlade the Carriages: and last of all, shall see that a reverend and good order be kept, both in the provision, keeping, and disposing of all things whatsoever hath been already rehearsed; so shall he crown himself with all the glories which are due to his place, and make the truth of his renown a large and easy Staire by which to climb to the highest advancement.   

TO THE MOST HONOURABLE AND NOBLE LORD JOHN DIGBY Lord of SHERBORNE Vice-chamberlaine to his Majesty, and one of his most Honourable Priuy-Councell.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the Lord Martial.  
THere be two things (most noble Lord) which above all others do most weaken and distract the Sense of the painefulest writer, that is a Serious and deep Subject, and a learned and well judging Ear, at both which I am arrived in this Epistle; for the matter being War however neglected by Ignorance, yet amongst the best knowledges hath been of sacred estimation; and your noble Ear (to whom I consecrate these much unpolished and Rude gatherings) hath so long been fed with all the excellencies which Art is able (in his best Trim) either to invent or adorn: that there is nothing can possibly proceed from me (if it have any good Season) which hath not long before been more gloriously lodged in your own most Noble Experience; Blame me not then (honoured Sir,) if I a little shake in this Dedication, having mine own wants to lead me, and your virtues to amaze me, the action may very well become my fear, yet if (out of your greater goodness) you shall be pleased to give strength to mine attempt, I doubt not but that courage shall awaken in me some new industesie which may prove worthy both of your view and Study.  
The Lord Martial of an Army above all other Officers ought to be a most approved Soldier, for howsoever in the greatness of other great places in the wars; there may be a dispensation of skill; Countenance and Virtue being as requisite as Knowledge & judgement, yet in this Office it may not be so, for this man above all others hath the greatest place of action and direction in all the Army, and howsoever he hath more to command then any, yet all they have no power to dispense or lessen the least duty belonging to his person, for howsoever the General or Livetenant-generall may precede him in place, yet they ought not in knowledge, since both themselves and the whole Army, both Horse and Foot are bound to move only by his direction; and though to the General (who is his Commander) he may not say this or that you must do, yet he may say here and in this place your Honour ought to stand; and therefore what manner of man this great person ought to be, for Wisdom, Temperance, Valour and Virtue, every one is better able to describe and judge, then to find out a person suitable to the employment.  
Next the General the Lord Martial hath the supreme command of the whole Field, and therefore his Trumpet is first in the morning to discharge the Watch, and his Troop ought first of all to be mounted; for it is an honour which the Army alloweth him by reason of the infinite pains which he taketh in his own particular person, neither shall his Troop Watch or Ward but are discharged of that duty by reason of their other more serious occasions. After He and his Troop are mounted, he marcheth to the outmost borders of the Camp and there makes a stanst till the whole Army be Ranged, neither quits his place till the last man be on foot; He is himself in all things both assistant and directive to the General of the Horse and the Sergeant-major. All the day long he is tied to no Battalion, but at his own pleasure may bestow his own person; sometimes accompanying the General, sometimes leading his own Troop, and indeed always where the greatest occasion of necessity is and where the enemy is most likely to assail and adventure, for his place is most honourable and where honour is, there should be his residence. As his person, so his Troop also is not tied to any especial or certain place, but may  and alter as danger and honour shall give occasion, still supplying whatsoever is weakest, and as a prepared Champion must continually be ready to entertain the enemy upon all his approaches, & at night upon retraits; the Rear is his place and he bringeth it up with courage and safety; then being come to the Camp he stayeth till every man be dismounted and the whole Army lodged, and then he with his Troop dismounteth; he taketh oder for the Scouts, adviseth with the Sergeant Maior for the Guards, vieweth the strengths of the Camp and seethe there be no decay in the ditches or entrenchments.  
The Lord Martial is the supreme and only powerful judge in all causes of Life and Death, in criminal offences and controversies of all manner of natures, and provideth for the due execution of all the Laws, Bandoes, Articles and Institutions which shall be appointed by the General to be observed and to see due punishment executed for any breach of the same; whence it proceeds that he ought to be exceeding well read and learned in all Marshal Laws, the customs of Countries, the degrees of Honour and the distributions of Bloods, places and employments; and that he may the better proceed in these affairs; he is to be assisted with diverse learned and experienced Officers under him; as the judge- Marshal and Provost-marshall (of whose Offices I have already written,) an Auditor and two Clerks, the under Provosts, Gaoylers and Executioners, Corregidors or Beadles to punish the Infragantie or unruly; and twenty or thirty Gentlemen for a continual Guard about him: The judge-marshall is to assist him in all difficult & curious interpretations of the laws, and in deciding such controversies as shall happen in the taking of prisoners, in the flying of Colours, and in sitting in Martial Courts according to the dignity of places; he is to direct the Scout-Master in all his proceeding and to receive from him all the Intelligences and observations which he hath found out in his discoveries, and to deliver unto him any other instructions which had formerly been neglected.  
It is the Office of the Lord Martial to give order to the Master of the Ordnance both for his march and for his passage, both where, when and which way all his provisions shall go for the best advantage and safety, and at the planting of Artillery or making of Batteries, the Marshal is to oversee the proceed, and to give directions upon any doubt or misadventure; he is to give order unto the Victuall-master, Waggon-master and all Officers of their natures, both for their allodgments, Stores and all other necessary accommodations; and against all violences or injuries which shall be offered them, he is to see a careful and speedy Reformation.  
When the Army is to be encamped in any new place, the Serieant-maior-generall, the Quarter-master-generall, the Serieant-maiors of Regiments, the Scout-master, and all inferior Quarter-masters (with a sufficient Guard of the best Horsemen) are to attend him, and he out of his own power with the modest advice of the Serieant-maior-generall, the Quarter-master-generall, and the Scout-master-generall shall assign the place wherein the Camp shall be pitched, the manner, form and proportion it shall carry, the bounds it shall contain, and the distinction of every place and commodity, advantage, strength or discommodity, which it shall please him to annex unto the same; and according to his pleasure and demonstration, so shall the Quarter-master-generall see it divided, leaving the entrenchment to the Trenchmaster, and the other Inferior devisions to the Serieant-maior-generall, the Serieant-maiors of Regiments and to their Quarter-masters.  
It is in the power of his Office also (after the Army is encamped) having taken a view of all the Posts and Guards of the Camp, to appoint all the Regiments, in what manner they shall place their Corpse de Guards, the Scouts & Sentinels, so as no man may pass either in or out; but to be continually upon their discovery, and likewise to provide for all other Reparations, Fortifications and Srengths which are to be made for the safety of the whole Army. And as thus in the constant settling of the Army, so in the Marching and removing thereof, the Lord Martial is to have an especial regard to his strength and ability to encounter with the Enemy, & whether it be meet to enter into the face of Battle or no, or whether the times be ripe for matters of execution or else to defer and keep of all occasions of encounters; In which if he find himself the weaker; He shall then order his Marches through Rocky Mountainous, and as ill accessible places as he can find out, thereby to add a natural strength to his Army so as the Enemy may in no wise assault him, and still to have the lighter sort of Horsemen to March so near unto the Enemy that continually upon every alteration he may have a speedy notice of any particular preparation; but if the necessity of the march be through Champains & Plains where the nature of the ground affordeth no assistance, than the Lord Martial must by all politic devices make his Cavalry or Horse Army, appear so great and innumerable as is possible, which (being the greatest executioners in such Victories) will not a little amaze and distract the Enemy in his approaches; and so of the contrary part reputing himself the stronger, he is to observe all advantages, and by the discovery of his Scouts to take opportunity and to charge at the best advantage.  
Lastly, as in Encamping and Marching, so he is to hold especial regards in the removing of the Camp, whether it be by night or day, In which as the day remove is audacious and bold without any respect of ceremony; so must the night Remove be full of Policy, Silence and great Diligence, and the march or good array to be held with all care and Industry, for this manner of Remove is but one hair difference from flight, and therefore it requireth all the skill and art of the Marshal, and all the care and obedience that can be required in the Soldier; for it is a Rule in Martial Discipline, that no Remove by night can be absolutely secure, and then being done without security it must needs Infer necessity, and that necessity requireth all the strength which can be comprehended either in Art or Valour.  
Into a world of other accourrens I could run in this unlimited Office, but I imagine I have already touched the most material, and therefore he that shall apply the strength of his endeavours to perform as much as is already delivered, though he cannot asscence to the highest Sphere in every curious apprehension (yet believe it) he shall rest in such an excellent middle (which indeed is the best) path, that none can or shall receive more scorn than those which dare to be his Scorners.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, FVLKE GREVILE LORD BROOK Chancellor of his Majesty's Court of Exchequer, and of his Majesty's most honourable Privy Council.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the lieutenant-general.  
AFter so long a progress (my Lord) as I have held in these Discourses (of the nature of the Wars) no marvel though my mind be taken up with Weariness, with Dullness but the first is an offence, and I ought not to entertain it, the latter is a benefit, and so agreeing with my nature, that I see not how I can refuse it: for howsoever we call it a Disease, yet I find it still taketh up its lodging in a retired Imagination, where vanities are expulsed, or at least contemned. If therefore that solid humour shall take any thing from the cheerfulness which I ought to express in these substantial and high places, be your Lordship pleased to conceive, it is no senseless dowsinesse, but rather a painfulness in my nature, which though I cannot every way resist, yet I will strive as much as I can to adorn, both to give your Lordship, and also the world that debt of contentment which I know I am owing.  
This high place of which I am to entreat, being the of lieutenant-general, is diversely understood, as when an absolute General (sent by a Prince) daubing Ambition, is entitled but a Lieutenant-General, although he have the full power of an absolute General: and the other is when a General's Lieutenant in the presence of the General, standeth as his second in all Powers and Authorities whatsoever: but this is not in all Armies, nor all Disciplines, but either in the presence of an absolute Prince, who for the ease of his affairs and designs, appoints a Lieutenant; or when some Nobleman of high Rank and Quality (elected to a place of this eminence) being either of young years, or little practice in the wars, a meaner man, more approved and exquisite in the knowledge of those affairs, is nominated and made his Lieutenant: or where many Noble personages do desire Employment, to save the increase of Officers which may draw an increase of charge, a lieutenant-general may well be appointed: or lastly, where two Nations join in an equal charge, for the dispatch of a resolved War, there the one may nominat one great Officer, & the other another; as it fell out in our remembrance, when Queen ELIZABETH giving aid to the States of the Low countries: by agreement she nominated the Earl of Leicester for General, and the States nominated the Count Hollack for lieutenant-general, and so of all the other great and supreme Officers: but according to the manner of the most ancient discipline, it hath ever been held a place unnecessary, and for the most part omitted: yet notwithstanding when such a man is chosen, he ought to be a man of singular virtue, whereby to accommodate a place of such singular expectation; of great Birth, and greater Dignity, having power to command all the great and mighty persons of the Army; and a great Soldier, having the commandment of all Soldiers, and in the absence of the General a man so utterly without limit, that he is not to acknowledge any Superior.  
This man, howsoever the General hath a great power in his nomination, yet his election ought to be from the Prince himself, with the advice of his Council of State: for as he is a yoke-fellow and companion with the General, so he is the servant of his Country, and when they are poised together, the greater duty must rob him of the much lesser observation: wherefore it is requisite this man be excellent and accomplished in every perfection whatsoever, as that of Religion, Wisdom, Experience, Policy, Gravity, Secrecy, Counsel, Modesty, Temperance, Valour, Magnanimity, Care, Vigilance, Constancy, Liberality, and Resolution: for if but any one of these have a withered leaf, however the Tree may flourish, yet still there will be in every constant Gazer some one or other mark of Imputation.  
The most material parts of his Office consisteth in Counsels, and the debatements of all serious designs, when they are judicially called upon, and so argued to the uttermost benefit and strength of the Army, as also in uttering (to the Army) all the directions and commandments which at any time proceed from the General; for in truth the substance of his place cannot be entitled by any more worthy name, then to be called the Echo or voice of the General; for he is to all the great Officers of the Army the Interpreter of whatsoever the General intendeth, and therefore it is exceeding necessary that he which commandeth in so high a place, should be as highly renowned for all high and excellent virtues, which may adorn either his mind or knowledge, and be (as it were) a Lantern or bright lamp, by which every man might have a clear and shining Light, to guide and direct him in the swift Race and Career to all Noble and praiseworthy Attchievements.  
In this man's power (under the suffrage of the General) is the election of many Captains, and other great places, which according to the singularity of his own Goodness will ever be more singular and profitable both for the Prince and Army: for a good man will ever study to abound in good men, when the evil and vicious strive still to be attended by men of their own nature and disposition; and the good Captain bringeth forth the good Soldier, but the good Soldier, the noble, happy, and famous actions. These premises duly considered, it behooveth this our Lieutenant General for his experience and inward knowledge to be no Scholar, but a Master in the Art of War, to be redoubted and valiant in the extremity of all Attempts, yet without Fury or Rashness; to be full of grave and admired authority, by which the very glimpse or shadow of his countenance may be able to strike an awful reverence into the hearts and minds of all that shall behold him: and lastly, he must be the delight and favourite of Fortune, that all the actions and attempts which he shall take in hand, may concur and follow with all blessed success, and most happy proceed: for thus the old Romans chose still their Lieutenants, and thus they went forth armed with great experience; and thus they ever returned home adorned with stately and famous Triumphs.  
Again, in this man these excellencies are to be required more than in any other: for be he of which sort of Lieutenants (absolute) a man shall please to elect, yet on him the greatest burden of affairs must ever depend: for notwithstanding Kings and Princes are commonly pleased to be present with their Armies themselves in person, yet if they have not that large benefit of Experience which is requisite in such needful and potent occasions, yet carrying with them Lieutenants-Generals of grave, ancient, and renowned experience, who as true servants to their King, and kind Fathers to their Countries, are able to manage and pass through all the doubtful encounters depending upon the Wars, there is no fear but all things will succeed well, and the temper of his sound and more abler judgement will bring to his Country many famous and happy Conquests, and to his King a new name of power and authority, by which he shall be admired and feared of all Nations, and all people, which dare to oppose or try the effects of his Fortunes.  
This lieutenant-general of ours, as he must have true Magnanimity and Martial valour, carefully respecting every Action belonging to the wars, so he is to have also a singular industry to put every thing in practice, and an agile and quick readiness, prompt to effect and bring every thing to pass; besides a Constancy and true Fortitude of mind to pass through all hazardous dangers, and by the discourse of Reason to lay even and smooth those rough and thorny ways, which either strive to interpose his designs, or else as it were (against all likelihood) to thrust in and stand prepared (with the Bugbear shadow of a little odds) to justle or throw down his Fortunes; and hence it is necessary that this great and powerful Officer have his mind fortified and enriched with all the Stratagems and Policies of War, by the use and employment whereof he shall give a greater testimony of his Wisdom and Experience then of any other practice whatsoever: for to what purpose were experience, if the fruit thereof do not appear and shine in his actions, wherefore it is the strength of this man's duty, to put all things in execution with great care, diligence and vigilance; and by a natural and secret instinct to find out and reacknowledge the natures, dispositions and inclinations of all the enemies Commanders, and to find which are Bold, which Rash, which Fearful, which Wise, and which Inconsiderate, that by making his applications suitable to their imperfections, he may attain to the ends of his purposes with much greater ease, & many times with much less loss or bloody effusion. A world of other observations are required in this great man's Office; but in as much as they are in as near a link of alliance to the absolute General himself, I will here knit up this Epistle, and refer the rest as a binding Fillet, with which to circle and gird together the next following, and last concluding Epistle.   

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EDWARD LORD MONTAGVE OF BOUGHTON.  
THE ARGUMENT. Of the General.  
IT falls out many times (my Lord) that the mind like a courageous Hawk (which plies her wings & labours to get up high into the Air) if still it be overlaid with its own toil, must of necessity in the end either flag her wings or stoop to a faulse prey, not being able to do any thing because it hath done too much, For too prodigal an expense of Spirits makes the mind heartless; Nay some I have known of that weakness of temper, that but to think of that which they must do, hath taken away all ability to do what they should; But of these infirmities I hope your Lordship shall acquit me, for as a cheerful hope was the first Author of mine undertake, so hear an assured comfort in your noble acceptance (to whose Blood and House I must ever acknowledge a particular debt of service) I doubt not but will fix a worthy Seal to the end of my labours; I know many might have done this work sooner, better, but since they are pleased to sit with folded up aims and only study how to be rid of Time, let it not be imputed to me error or arrogance that I have writ my knowledge, for though it add nothing to a full grown strength, yet I doubt not but it may give nourishment to the young and sickly.  
Being come to the last Confines of this Military discourse, I am in this place to handle the particular duties and virtues of an absolute General or the only one great and entire Commander over an Army Royal, wherein is to be understood that the name or title of General (as it is respectively in itself) is to be taken diverse and sundry ways, for some are absolute and without seconds, as were the four principal monarches of the world, to wit, the Assyrian, the Persian, the Grecian and the Roman, some not altogether so absolute, yet depending upon one and the same authority; as for example, julius Caesar who notwithstanding he was but at first a servant to the Sevant, yet aspiring to the height of his ambition, the greatest style that he affected was but to be Imperater (which signifieth a General) and the most glorious Title (at this day) which any Prince can attain is but General, yet this great Diamond is still more Glorious and Sparkling, according to the Wealth and Art in the setting; for an absolute Sovereign being made General over many Princes and many Nations, and going to a holy War against the enemies of God and sincere Religion, he is esteemed the best and most renowned General of all others; Next him is the absolute King which holdeth dependence on none, but leadeth forth his own Battles and people, to defend his Rights against Rebels; Intruding Iniurers or unlawful Usurpers, than the Heirs apparent unto absolute Kings, as our Black Prince, Philip Dolphin of France, and Philip son to Charles the fift of Spain, or the like; and lastly lawful Generals made by absolute Princes, as the Duke of Austria in Spain, the Dukes of Burgundy and Guyse in France, Pembroke, Sussex, Leicester, and Essex in England; and of these Generals there are also a diverse kind, grounding the greatness of their places from the greatness of their Commissions; being Styled, some by the name of Generals (as our Leicester was in the Low-Countries) some Lieutenants without the addition of General (as the Earl of Essex was in Ireland) and some Livetenants-general as the Earl of Ormund was in the same Kingdom, the Lord Grey and diverse others, for it is a Rule amongst Princes to qualify these Titles according as either Factions or jealousies shall guide them: nay, sometimes to join two Generals in one Commission, as Norris & Drake into Portugal, and the Earl of Essex and the Earl of Nottingham into Spain.  
For the virtues which are to be acquired in the breast of this unlimited Commander, however some would seek to bring them into a proportionable number, yet I affirm that questionless he ought to have All without limitation, no virtue excepted, and the vices which he must shun, should likewise be All, and no vice accepted; this is he which ought to be loved and obeyed at home, and redoubted and admired abroad: He ought to govern the courages of the greatest, and the wills of the meanest. In matters that are declining and desperate, his constancy ought to be Invincible, and his valour so firm that with amazement, he might strick dead the hearts of his enemies, and make the very weapons drop out of the hand of the most resolved opposers: it is he that ought to be darling of Fortune, and to whom Chance should offer as a Sacrifice both Towns, Castles and Provinces, as if they had been taken in Nets and thrown at his feet as lawful Tributs, and yet not to imagine that this Body yielded a greater shadow after, then before his Victories, he must not rob the Gods of their heads, to fix them on his own Statues, but like the Sun, shine indifferently to all men, only appear terrible and scorch the proud, rash and over curious Gazers; his Inclination as it must only bend to Arms, yet it must not look awry from learning: he must inure his body to travel, and feed his mind with pain & pleasure at one instant, & howsoever Fortune at any time shall dart adverse accidents against him, yet must his resolution maintain so strong a Guard about him, that she may confess his spirit greater than her violence, and his Wisdom beyond the Stratagems of her sevearest designs; he must have Wisdom to maintain the Flower of his virtue that it whither not before it have brought forth the expected fruits, and Care to keep that Olive branch ever green which he shall purchase with the price of Blood, hazard of his life, and the loss of the goodliest and most flourishing years of his age: he ought to be a David in valour, a Solomon in wisdom, and an Ezekias in zeal, making the world know what a great judgement can do in a great Fortune, a great modesty in a great power, and a victorious arm in a renowned Triumph. To be brief, this General is he, which ought to be a Godly man, a Good man, Great, Merciful, Wise, Happy, most Honoured, and most Worthy, which howsoever some may imagine to be a man sooner found in Utopia, than any of our own discovered Kingdoms, yet doubtless many such there are, and at least so near as can be, such a man for this place ought ever to be elected.  
Touching the power of his Commandment, let it suffice me briefly to say that as he commands all; so the commandments which belong unto all, are truly his, and he unto the whole Army must be the chief and principal Mover. Touching his Skill and Government, in direction, in prevention, and in Marshal Discipline, it ought to be so Illustrate and Shining, and so able to inchant with the felicities of his Fortunes, that not only his own people, but all that fare or near stood to gaze on his proceed (how ever the wind blow uncertainly, or his course seem doubtful) yet with all willingness might be proud to Embark themselves in that vessel, whose Pilot in governing the Helm was so above wonder, that even the Seas (as a second Neptune) seemed ever to obey him. And hence it appears that he ought to be a Soldier even from his Cradle, running through, or at least respecting every place and distinction of Office from the lowest Sentinel, to the last great place of his present abiding, and that not in one kind, but in both also, Horse and Foot, making up (as it were) one singular Art with both their perfections, and coupling together every Nerve so with Study and Obsevation, that all things may appear easy and within the level of his Conquest; to this end his power must be absolute and unrestrained, that flying with unpinioned wings it may seem to be hid within the Sky of the greatest Actions: In which weigh nothing can prosper him so much as Piety and Religion, for fearing God, it will not only pull upon him a blessing, but administer to his people noble examples.  
His Birth (however Plato be differing in opinion, fearing lest the regard of Blood should drowned the regard of virtue) ought to be Noble, for the great Spirit never declines but when it turns back on persecution, it is they and only they which climb by sure or safe Stairs; Lower Fortunes when they rise commonly either jump and bound up too suddenly, or stride and climb so unadvisedly, that danger tripping at their heels, shame often thrusts them down with a thousand disgraces; but if they get up by a true and direct way, than they ennoble themselves; nor doth Honour lose any grace when he placeth Merit above him. This Officer would be of ripe and understanding years, for youth is travelling, but hath not attained to the journey of experience, and age (how able soever it compound the mind) yet it still must lodge in a Weak and Impotent body. His features and proportion ought to be comely and delightful, for models are better and with more delight taken from fair Structures, then Ruinous buildings; and his Speech would be graceful, pleasant and succinced, for in the wars it is a virtuous charm, and accounted the most wholesomest Enchantment.  
To conclude, he ought to have a principal regard of his own safety; for Generals when too freely they thrust themselves into dangers, are not careless of their own but of the health of the Army, and the trespass is made against the public, when any rashness hales the private into danger; let him therefore only outbrave danger not woo it, let him with a bold for head and face fired with Courage, a heart discreet, and a mind that can prevent what Fortune dare to threaten, not run into, but resist hazards; so shall he excel in good Fortunes and the world shall confess that nothing he attempts, but is assisted with Glory, Gravetie, judgement and Boldness.   
The end of the fift and last Decad.