Onosandro Platonico, of the General Captain, and of his office, translated out of Greek into italian, by Fabio Cotta, a Roman: and out of Italian into English, by Peter QWytehorne  
¶ Imprinted at London, by William Seres.  
¶ Cum privilegio ad imprimendum solum, Anno. 1563.   

TO THE HIGH AND mighty Prince, Thomas Duke of Norfolk, Earl Martial of England, knight of the most noble order of the Garter, and one of the Queen's majesties privy Counsel, Peter Whitehorne, wisheth long life with perpetual felicity.  
WHat great commodity and profit (right worthy Prince) hath always redounded to the weal publykes and governors of the same, which in warlike discipline have chief delighted, and taken greatest care, and to what excellent fame and renowine, it hath always brought and exalted (yea from vile and abject fortune) those that have most travailed and endeavoured themselves therein, whereby also women, have made notable and wonderful conquests, of such as have little regarded Martial knowledge, the History of the Amazons, with infinite other, doth manifestly and plainly declare. And specially the same of the Romans, who first from poor shepherds, through their prudent skill in feats of Arms, so increased their kingdom, and Monarchy, that in short time, they became Lords, and Emperors of all the world. For by such science undoubtedly, not only foreign Countries are brought in subjection, but also their own proper kingdoms are kept from outrageous cruelty, & ravenous spoil of the enemies: and good laws there established, are quietly executed upon offenders, without rebellious disturbance. And surely the coming up of the Turks and the occasion of their marvelous victories, is well to be understand to have happened by no other means, but only, for that there is no nation in all the world, with whom they have warred, which in all kind of Martial affairs and doings, so much resembleth, and imitateth the famous antiquity, as they: which partly I am able to witness, by that I have seen, when I was in Constantinople, and in Turkey. Which thing considering with myself, and of late happening into my hands, the copy of this book, called Onosandro Platonico. Who many years agone, most excellently in the Greek tongue, wrote of the office of a General captain, which long agone I did translate out of the Italion tongue for mine own exercise, and for the great delight that I have always had in the studiing of the art of war, I have thought good at this present, for the common utility of my countrymen, who delight in warlike skilfulness, to suffer the same to be published in print. In which book is to be found, as good advises, and counsels, for a Captain, or man of war, as can possibly be invented or imagined. Wherefore, for as much as your Grace, right nobly and valiantly, hath heretofore executed the office of a General, wherein also the worthy acts of your Noble Grandfather, is of most shining and famous remembrance, I could not devise with myself, unto whom this my labour and travail, was more meet to be dedicated unto, then to your Grace, who in Martial feats, and in the profound knowledge thereof, is thought most expert. And although my translation herein, be very rude and gross, yet because my good will with the effect and worthiness of the matter is chief to be weighed and considered, my trust is, that according to your accustomed gentleness, you will accept the same in good part: considering that gross phrases, cannot in equity maim a good meaning, no more, than the excellent intent of the laws of this Realm, is any whit abased through the unsavoury language, wherein they are written.   

ONOSANDRO PLAtonico, of the General Captain, and of his office, unto Quintus Veranius, a Roman.  
THe Art and manner of riding, of hunting, of fishing, and finally of tilling the fields, I judge aught to be written to those, which in such studies are wont inespecially to delight. But the way to come to consider the office of a General Captain, I suppose (O Quintus Veranius) that above all other, is most convenient to the Romans: and chyeflye to those, which of reputation, and Senate authority, be superiors to others. And likewise it is meet for such, as by the judgement of Augustus Cesar, and for the true knowledge that they have of such an office, and for the singular experience of thinfinite & most weighty affairs, and also for the dignity and worthiness of their predecessors, have had fortune to succeed the honourable degrees, aswell of consuls, as of Captains: Therefore I judge, that to such manner of men, aught to be dedicated like work: but not after such sort, as though they knew not how to rule and govern Armies: For in deed the cause why I am moved to write, is specially for this respect, saying that many, the more they be ignorant, and less expert of things, making of other men's doings seldom just judgement, so much the more presumptuously, they continually persever, both to reprebend and to slander good captains: Where those truly that have experience and knowledge of things, with good respect, beholding the worthy & honourable enterprises of other, have with high praise, commended them. Wherefore although I know that the matter which I have purposed to wry may seem to many to have been a great while agone heretofore thought upon & fully known: yet for all that, I will not leave of to bring to an end my determination: but rather more promptly I shall persever to proceed forwards, as he that not only may seem to give instructions profitable to Captains, but also as one that knoweth after what sort they ought to command. And I shall worthily repute myself happy, if I be thought meet to manifest with words, those things, which the Romans by means of their virtue and of their industry, most valiantly brought to pass. For the which thing if I may understand that this my pains are commended and approved of like men: I shall then be able to say that in this present work, is contained the counsels of renowned Capitains' in this happy time of peace. For which cause, if no other thing, at lest wise the same may principally advertise and learn you, for what occasion hath happened unto some, often times most unfortunately to fight, and to fall into misery, and how other having brought to good effect their affairs, have got illustrious fame and immortal glory. As in the end the same singular ercellencye of the Romans, hath clearly made manifest: for that never King, nor City, nor yet, never Nation, could not come to obtain greater, nor to the like equal greatness of their Empire. After such sort, that now so long time seems, that continual so great largeness of dominion, they have kept most constantly, steadfastly, and sure. Nor I cannot with any manner of reason persuade myself, that it hath happened either by chance, or fortune, that over passing the confines of italy, the name and Empire might have been extended, to the uttermost parts of the world: but that rather it hath come to pass, by prudence by counsel, and by the feats of war, and also by the famousness, and by the glory of acts most valiantly done. And in deed, where as we ought to desire to have fortune favourable to our enterprises, notwithstanding it is not to be judged, that she hath rule over every thing, and that she is Lady in all matters. And as they that attribute all infelicity only to fortune, and not unto the negligence & error of Captains, be fools and ignorantes, so likewise be those, which things directly and with order done, assign it only unto fortune, and nothing at all unto virtue, and to the diligence of the Captain. And surely it is a token of a malicious, and unjust man, either altogether to clear him from every fault that hath evil ministered the public affairs, imputing it to fortune, or to deprive him from deserved praise, the which valiantly & with industry, hath overcome and brought to good pass his desire, judging that the glory of the enterprise well and valiantly executed, aught to be attributed only unto fortune. But almost every man, being inclined to give confidence to them that declare or write those things, of the which they be erpert, albeit that it seem they rehearse things high and difficult to be done, and on the contrary part, cannot be brought to give credit to those that show them any thing, in the which they have not been exercised, although it be neither difficult, nor incredible: Therefore I suppose it shallbe necessary for me, first to tell you, that what so ever in this book I have to write of the Captain, and of the advertisements of war, hath been approved with most manifest experience of things, and in especially of those, which were patrons, & Princes, of the name of the Romans, whose excellent virtue without doubt, amongst all nations, by the consent of all men, even to this time, hath obtained highest dignity. Then in this my little book, there is not to be comprehended any thing done unadvisedly, in haste, at all adventures, nor rashly: but that which in variety of things, the Romans with sage and firm counsel egregiously wrought and approved. The which not only had true knowledge of that the was to be done against the enemy: but gravely did foresee that they might not in any manner of wise take harm. Nor it shall never be found, that they have used other than a sure order, & just occasion to fight. I have therefore gathered from these fountains every thing the I have written: Albeit that I am fully persuaded, that many would desire, that all that which of them might be spoken about such matter, should be esteemed rather their own proper invention, then taken of other: as they, who believe they should attain to greater praise, where should appear that of them such things hath been first found and published: then if openly they should confess it, not to be theirs, and to have n●de of other Authors to attribute it. Notwithstanding for this self same occasion, I do think to get praise & commendation: for as much as like as he the which peradventure went to the wars, where he hath written the valiant Acts of other, ought not to be deprived of glory, he having left written unto the posterity, not those things, that with his proper force he had found & executed, but that which other had done, even so I suppose not to be a little praised, and commended plainly confessing these things not to be invented by me: yea by such occasion I may seem not unjustly to go about to excel all other, where I ought to report the praise of other men without envy, and truth, without dispraise, and without any manner of blame.   

Of electing a capitain.  
I Say then, that a General captain ought to be chosen without having any respect unto his stock, or unto his predecessors, or unto goods of fortune: the one of the which things is the eustome observed in the choosing of Priests, the other in creating the precedents of plays, and public feasts. But such a man is to be sought, who is temperate, continente, sober, abstinent, and not excessive in eating and drinking, patient in travail, of wit prompt, not covetous, neither young, nor old, and that he have children, if such a one may be had, and to be a fair speaker, of good name and same, and of much reputation. The cause why he ought to be temperate, is, lest being inlured & given to pleasure, he do forsake the care of things, that be of most great importance. Continent it behoveth him to be, the which hath been preferred to the governing of so much importance: for that if the violence of an unbridled mind, chance to have power and liberty to do what so ever shall please him, it is after such sort with wilfulness overwhelmed, that it cannot easily be refrained. I would have him also to be sober, to the end that more commodiously, he might be vigilant in the affairs of so great weight. For that in the time of night, by quietness of mind, the counsels of captains exammed, more perfectly may than be confirmed. The cause that he ought to be abstinent & content with simple fare: is, for as much as the preparing of diishes full of delicateness, & the too much diligence and thought about meats, corrupteth and drowneth the mind after such sort, that the time which ought to have been spent in the business that is to be done, by the dilicatenes of the captains, most vainly is consumed. The cause why he ought to be most painful, is, for that principally it doth appertain to the Captain, that he in the turmoils of the war, may be the last to be weary.  
He ought to be quick witted, for as much as it behoveth him to be swift, and (as Homer saith) flying, to th'end that with his thought, he may most quickly discurse every thing, and with his mind make judgement, and as it were divine, & a far of, foresee that which is to come. Lest whiles there happen accidents, neither foreseen nor looked for, the Captain be constrained suddenly, and unprovided for, to take counsel, and the safeguard of things to commit most fearfully, to the discretion of fortune. It behoveth him not to be coverous nor desireful of gain. For surely of this vice he ought most principally to take have. For asmuch as, he that is not given to pass much of gifts, of Silver, and gold, may most honourably have the charge of such doings. And out of doubt, there be some the which without any whit fearing, for high courage and lustynes of body, were apt to withstand the armies and power of enemies: notwithstanding (they become most vile) whilst they be drawn with the unsaciablenes of gold, the which is a weapon of so much might to take, and as it were with lively force, to pull the victory out of such men's hands, and to give it to other. I have said that the Captain must be neither old nor young, for that the one, is to much obstinate not to believe, the other is weak in doings, and neither the one, nor the other is meet for the rule of things. Wherefore, me thinks, that the young man is to be refused, to th'end that by evil chance undescretelye through he overmuch boldness he happen not to commit error. On the contrary, it is not fit to admit the old man, lest he for his natural weakness, be not sufficient. For the which cause, let us judge it best that age, that is in the mids between the one, and the other: because that then, there is force and strength, the which is not as yet spent nor consumed with age: & prudence is found in him, that is not very young. And surely if any man in this thing will approve the lustiness and strength of the body, without the prudence of the mind: or likewise the wit without strength. I am certain he shall do nothing that shallbe well: for asmuch as like as the body, that lacketh prudence, is little worth to counsel, even so the mind of the strength of body, as from ministers abandoned cannot commodiusly take in hand to do any attempt, nor with profit bring it to effect. But he that hath both these qualities, shallbe meet to execute every enterprise. For that to him, as freely beloved of all men, both with inteere affection of mind, when he shall command, most readily they will obey, giving full trust unto his words, and to what soever peril he shall put them, the one in trial of the other, will all be ready to help.  
We have thought good that he ought to be chosen captain, that hath children, but for all that he ought not to be refused that hath none, so that otherwise he be strong and prudent. If he have children that be as yet but of tender years, they retain altogether bound the mind of the father, and as hostages given to his country, have force to kindle in their father a marvelous faith and benevolence towards it, & as it were with sharp spurs to prick him, and to inflame his mind against the enemies: and if his children be now come to fuller age, with weapons, with fidelity, with counsel, with diligence, accompanying him in the travails and government, and faithfully serving in secret things, they may unto a common wealth bring much profit.  
Why he ought to be a goodly speaker, is for that of this, concerning the things that is to be entreated in the affairs of war, we judge there will follow much utility. Considering that either having occasion to set men in array to the battle, the Captain with fair words comforting the Soldiers, easily may persuade every one of them to despise all perils, and to attend to the glorious enterprise: nor the sound of the trumpet, can so much inflame the minds of men to take their weapons, and constrain them most valiantly to fight, as the convenient, and according to the time, the sugared talk of the Captain may move them, both unto great acts for the love of virtue, and encourage them for the desire of glory, or else if need be, to comeforte the minds afflicted for some overthrow had, his words shallbe as a medicine. Wherefore, for the benefit of the Host, for to lighten the heaviness of accidents, the Acomodate speaking of the Captain, by most reason, is more to be desired then the industry of surgeons, which follow the camp, only to th'end to heal wounds: for that they take no charge, but to cure the hurts: But he with sweet and curteis manner of speaking, comforteth and moste highly maketh glad the minds of the weak and afflicted. Besides all this, he confirmeth the minds of them that be whole, and retains them that be boldened. Then how much more difficult it is to heal the infirmities that is hid, than those which may be both felt and seen, every man knoweth. And like as no City will never make army, nor send them without a Captain, and determined government, even so neither ought the Captain to be chosen such a one, that knoweth not, nor hath not the grace in speaking, and that lacketh the faceletie and utterance of speech.  
Last of all we said that it behoveth to choose the Captain, that is esteemed and of reputation: for as much as the common people, have a custom il willingly to suffer to be subject to them who be of base condition, & that have never gotten neither honour nor glory. And truly there is none, if by compulsion he be not made, that will be content to follow that Captain, who he knoweth to be of less worthiness than himself. Necessary it is therefore, that he be famous and noble, and by the opinion of all men to be judged valiant. And such a man of virtue, of stomach, and of manners, as we above have declared he ought to be.  
But as I hold opinion, that no Captain is to be elected, having any respect to riches: even so I judge the poor man is not to be refused, so that he be a good man, and a valiant. For in deed, I suppose not that any man for the default of fortune, whether he be poor or rich, deserves either to be praised or dispraised. And surely every man that is of ability and rich, and besides that adorned with bountifulness, so much differeth from the poor, as an armour garneshed with silver, and trimmed with gold, excelleth that which is made of iron and brass, and that lacketh such kind of setting forth. And sure it is, that the one and the other, may cover and likewise defend the Soldier: but the one seems to be more excellent than the other, only for the giltinge and ornament that outward is adjoined.  
It is needful likewise, to have advertisement not to choose any, the which attends to gather money, and continually hath his mind upon lucre, and altogether is subject to gain, albeit he seem above all other never so abundant and rich, as doth every sort of merchants, banckers and such of like profession: for as much as necessarily, they be death, and of little stomach, as those that with all their study attend to every small gain, and gives themselves in pray to money. Whereby it happeneth that there can never grow in them, desire of any honourable, illustreous, or noble enterprise.  
Surely in a Captain, I judge that it is to be made account of, the reputation and Nobility of his predecessors, if that chance in him to he found, but where no such thing is, it ought not to be greatly passed upon: neither for such cause, no man is to be reputed worthy to govern. And as in horse we will consider their readiness, and not that which appeareth outwardly, so I am of opinion, that judgement is to be made of the nobility of men. It is verily, a foolish and strange thing not to consider who & what they be, unto the which must be given commission to defend and to keep our Estate, and yet to behold what they have been, and what their predecessors have done: as if they which now so long agone are dead, might both defend and save us. Moreover, it is a thing altogether unjust, and that in no manner of wife is convenient, by order or law of Arms, to determine, that to them, the which have in some affairs acquitted themselves valiant he given rewards and honours, not for being borne of most noble parentage: and to judge afterward, that for a Captain he ought to be chosen, the which only hath his original of valiant and noble progenitors, and not he that doth trust in his own proper virtue, wherein he excelleth, although he lack the glory and braveness of his ancestry and stock. The which things joined unto virtue, such a captain I suppose verily, should be so much the more adventurous: but where lacketh his proper virtue, I esteem him without any doubt, to be altogether vain and unprofitable: yea, and by most reason it is to be thought, that they will become better Captains, the which of illustrious and famous blood, cannot much boast, for as much as they, whom in the worthiness of their forefathers, do trust, think for the self some renown of them, to be honoured, if sometime in their office, they commit any fault: such confidence they have in the reputation and name of their Ansetry: whereby it happeneth, that oftentimes they more negligently govern. But these that have no manner of hope in the glory of their Aunseters, & to whom hath not descended any spark of worthiness, from their forefathers, whilst with their own proper solicitatenes and industry, they desire unto the contrary of their unknownes', to put in light, their own proper acts, more warily they procure things, & in the end with more prompt and glad mind dispose themselves to every peril. And like as they that by inheritance have not had left them great abundance, nor rich patrimony, more circumspectly will keep their goods, than the richer or wealthier will do, for as much as they with all diligence and labour, will enforce themselves to increase always: even so those, which can not serve themselves of the fame and glory of their fathers, as a thing of inheritance: by all manner of ways, seek to attain reputation, which shall be of their own proper endeavour.  
We ought therefore to choose the captain, valiant, of noble blood, adventurus, rich, but yet nevertheless the poor is not to be despised and refused, so that he, although he be not borne of illustrious progenitors be famous, and esteemed, for his own proper virtue. And after that he is elected and confirmed in such degree, be pleasant, gentle, and cheerful to them that will come to his presence: notwithstanding he ought not in every place to every man show himself so benign and gentle: lest he happen to be despised, neither so proud, and stout, that he move other to bear him hatred. And that he do this to th'intent that with to much licence and benignity, he cause not the Army to be dissolute, or with sharpness and severity, make them alienate their minds, and to become enemies.   

Of choosing the heads of the Soldiers.  
THE capitain must elect and ordain the Decurians, 
A Decurian is a 〈◊〉 captain of ten men A Centurion is a captain of a C. man  the Centurians, and ordinately the other heads of Soldiers, according as the thing shall require, and as he shall think to be needful. And of these to take and chose those, whose virtue is well known: and that be likewise strong and bold, and faithful to their country. And in making such election, it makes no matter to take both noble & rich, (for as much as there is not to be chosen only, one or two) that amongst a few, and those that be of good and honest manners, the election may be the easier. When specially in distributing with order, and lastly the number of the Decurians, of the Centurians, and finally of the other heads, the richest, and the most noble, are most needful. And surely it is of much utility to a common wealth to set forward the nobility at such time when an enterprise is to be taken in hand, in the doing whereof is required seleretie. Likewise also, the commodity of money is greatly to be desired, when it is necessary to give some thing to the Soldiers, & to spend liberally. For that the liberality of Princes and leaders, although it be but a little, if with benignity, liberally, and at time conventent, it be used, it may get most great benevolence of the multitude: and from thenceforth the most assured fidelity of the Soldiers gotten, it doth add unto it securety and constantenes in the enterprise, seeing in deed every man hopes to obtain greater things, bearing themselves valiantly in fayghtinge, when they know that in little things, the liberality of the Captain cometh of the proper benignity of his own mind.   

Of Counsellors.  
Besides all this, it is necessary that the Captain have with him some counsellors and companions, with whom he may deliberate upon every matter. And they being made partakers of the counsels, must in time and place tell their judgements. And let him chose them either before he purpose to do any thing, that they may follow him, and the army for to do their office, or else after that he shallbe set forward, to call before the day of battle, of the most noblest, & of greatest gravity, and to cause them to come unto him, the which together with him, aught of every thing to debate. For as much as all those things, that any man of himself hath found, he may alone by himself with study examine, but he ought not straight ways to approve and confirm it: for that our thoughts and Counsels, as a thing unto the which we have a natural affection, if of others faithful counsel it be not helped, easily it may beguile us, and many times it is found to be full of errorres: contrariwise, those things, that by judgement and opinion of other be approved, doth assure the mind, and keepeth things stable and sure. Notwithstanding, no man ought so little to trust on himself, that always he be of opinion weak and doubtful, nor of himself so much to presume, that he think other cannot find council better than his. For that it shallbe necessary, that he, which is always subject to the council of other, having altogether distrust of himself, come to change infinite things, whereby in weighty matters, both hurt & incomoditie doth follow, as likewise he must needs, either always or often times commit errorre, that not hearing the advise of other, every thing doth attribute to himself alone.   

Of the war that is to be taken in hand.  
I judge that the war ought to be begun circumspectly & with prudence, as a sure foundation of things, whereby to all men, may as it were most clearly appear, to be for good cause taken in hand. That for the same they may hope that God will be gracious and fanourable. And then, the soldiers with boldness more gladlier and more readier will go whether so ever thou list to execute thy commandments: as they the which doth well know, that they ought to do injury to no man of their own will & desire, but when they are provoked and constrained, to take them to their Armour. For the which thing with all their force, and 〈…〉 stomachs, they will 〈…〉 forward 〈…〉 have to 〈…〉, those that think peradventure unjustly to have begun the war, will have suspicion that god willbe against them displeased and contrary, for which only opinion although there happen not any thing unfortunatelye, yet they will stand with fear and terrorre. Wherefore unto a Captain it is convenient that of those things, the which he either requireth, or being of other required, that he do not grant them, first by mouth, and afterward by way of Ambassadors to entreat thereof: to th'intent that either demanding just things, or denying the unjust, he may seem to be provoked to rise in arms. Finally it is good to call to witness god and men, that he hath not undertaken to make war for despite, and unadvisedly, as though to him there could not happen those things, which often times are wont to chance to them, that make war: nor also for that he for an obstinate mind covereth to do harms and to ruinated the people. And in deed where not only in the building of houses and walls, it is meet to cast 〈◊〉 foundation, to the end 〈…〉 weak beginnings, that 〈…〉 thou ●●…st edify 〈…〉, wise with much more diligence and advertisement, greater sureness, & establishment, is to be used in the beginnings of war, before men be conducted abroad, & an Army levied. For as much as the weak beginnings of things, cannot sustain the weight that is laid upon them, but easily oppressed, & of every accident beaten, they will fall, & altogether go to ruin. And therefore it is needful to take ensample by the skilful master of the ship, who before he go out of the haven to enter into the sea, doth furnish the ship, of all manner of things necessary, and as much as he can possible, doth arm and deck it, & afterwards sets himself to sailing. Becaufe it is a thing reproachful and perilous, to make a show of moving war after such sort, for which by sea and by land, men are conducted, and afterward in a moment in the preparation thereof to stay, and in the midst of the course, & also in the force itself, to turn (as the common saying is) the tail, and most shamefully to retire, or else foolishly to put in peril the state of all things, & to be of every man mocked, not only for lightness, but also being despised, for that the people will repute thee of small worthiness, thou shalt be esteemed subject to all kind of injury. After which will follow that thy enemies (albeit they have not suffered any harm, thou minding to have hurt them, but having not been able, both for vileness, and for lack of wisdom) will bear unto thee, cruel and mortal hatred.   

Of conducting forth the Army  
Having first purged every public blot & fault, and made clean every private error & viciousness, & such purgation of sins being done with prayers and sacrifices, as by way of religion the holy law hath commanded, or as it is ordained of the priests themselves, the army may then be conducted out, which always must be led in battle ray, although it have not as yet to come to the hands with thenemies: & in like manner when it hath occasion to pass through Countries which are of length many days journey, albeit that they be quiet and peaceable. For as much as, after this sort, the soldiers will accustom themselves to observe the array, & specially every man will learn to stand in his place, & to follow their leaders & Constables. The which thing much more carefully must be observed when it shall be necessary to march through the dominions of the enemies, to the end that by sudden assaults, thy soldiers be not constrained at every step, to rise in a rumour, and confusedly to run here and there; & the one to go contrary to the other, and finally coming about thee, in divers manners, not to be able to do any thing of any profit. For which cause, through every place, thou oughtest to march with the army in battle ray, whereby the soldiers may be made more apt and speedy to make a voyage, & quick & ready to resist if need shallbe: they having learned to follow that assigns, to attend to commandments, & to behave themselves valiantly, according to their place & order. If thou lead thy army by such places, thou oughtest to bring them close together, & retire them in little space, so that by the straightness, & by the facility of enlarging, thou be not constrained to extend thyself into too much length. Which fashion of marching seems to give power to the enemy, to assault commodiously their adversaries & according to the occasion to hurt them, he knowing to be taken from them the commodity to defend their selves. For as much as, either with more large order, coming against thee, the which is wont to happen (both the horns being compassed) it is like that he shall easily disorder thee, & put the to flight: or else giving that charge on the flank, in the midst of the squadron, having already broken the order, suddenly stop thy men from being able to go forward, being closed in the arays of their enemies. Wherefore minding to retire into a main battle, & to turn to resist, they shallbe able to do little good, as those that have used such a main battle, which for having not any thickness, is nothing strong, but rather altogether weak. Finally if the enemy give the assault behind on the last band, thou shalt be brought to the very same necessity, after such sort, that not only it shallbe seen that he may be able to take away the power to resist, but also be able to give thee most manifest overthrow. But if thou turning backward, have stomach to fight, thou shall be oppressed of the self same difficulty, which we showed, might be impediment to them that be placed in the front, for as much as thou mayst be suddenly compassed about and taken. Moreover, it is wont to happen whilst the thing goeth not even, that thou canst not easily give succour to that part of thy men which are beaten and weary. For as much as if thou call the first, to secure the last, or else contrariwise call the last to give help to them that be in the front, it seems that the same, uncomodiously, & to late, may be brought to effect, having need both to these, and to those, to run up and down by a long space, and distance of ground. For the which thing, it is always better, and more sure, and more easy to govern the bands that march close & square, then thin and long: inespecially for as much as, to an army that marcheth with the bands long, often times is wont to happen, that of something seen doubtful & uncertain, there groweth suddenly fear and terror. Because sometime it hath chanced, the men decending from high places & hilly, in the plain, to places expedite & open, & the foremost seeing the last of the self same band, by a very great distance to come after, supposing themselves to be assaulted of some ambush of enemies, it hath been seen that they have suddenly turned to fight, and afterwards: no otherwise then as with enemies, have with their own fellows gone together by the ears. The victuals, the carriages, & all the remnant of provision of thinstruments of war, I judge should be placed in the midst of the army: except the places that are left behind, be so safe, that without danger such things may be carried and conducted after the army: but if it shall be otherwise, the hindemost part would be guarded & defended of the most valiant soldiers, as also is to be done in the foremost because the unawares may hap many things. Likewise there ought to be sent afore, certain men on horseback, the which should go investigating, & spying where they may pass, inespecially having occasion to make voyages by mountains, by woods, by places enclosed with hills, & by most great deserts. Because that many rhymes, the enemy having opportunity to lay an ambush priusly by the passage, & to assault his adversaries, which little thereof took heed hath easily broken & altogether ruinated them. The which ambushes if our Captain by way of explorators shall foresee, with a little pain having prevented the council of the enemy, he may attain a most great name of prudence and likewise save his army. But the open plains, which because they may be easily seen without sending afore any spy, thou with thine own eyes, may take heed. For as much as in the day, dust moved and lifted up in the air, doth show the stirring of enemies, and in the night, the fires & the flame, signifieth their camp to be near.  
When thy men are to be conducted to make a voyage, & not for to fight, thou oughtest to remove by day, if peradventure some thing do not constrain thee, for the which thou thinkest good to go in haste, to come before th'enemy, where in deed for such occasion, thou mayest remove by night, so that thou know, that safely it may be done.  
When thou comest in place where thou art constrained strait way to come to the hands with thy enemy, and to fight, lead thy men not in haste, but softly, & enforce them not to make to long a journey: forasmuch as, labour taken before men come to fight, is seen most often times, vainly to consume the force and strength of their bodies. But if thou must march with thy men in the Country of thy friends, it is needful that thou command thy Soldiers, that in no manner of wise, they touch or mar any thing, but rather altogether to refrain: considering that Soldiers trusting in their weapons, & having liberty to do what shall please them, will favour nothing; inespecially for that the sight of things that please men, out of doubt are wont most dangerously to lead ignorant, and unwareful men, to desire them, and with the sweetness of robbing, to entice them to do all manner of mischief.  
Whereunto if thou providest not, thy friends and confederates, for every small occasion will become enemies. notwithstanding, the country of thy adversaries, thou shalt suffer thy soul dyer's openly to ruinated, destroy, burn, and consume, because by the dearth of victuals, and lack of money, wars are wont to diminish, and to be extinguished: and contrariwise, through abundance and riches, they are nourished and maintained.  
But first before thou sufferest thy enemy's country to be destroyed, thou shouldest give advice to thy enemies, threatening them, what thou wilt do, if they will not yield unto thee: for that the peril of the misery prepared, and the fear of the ruin looked for, often times constrains men to grant many things, the which at the first, by no manner of mean had been possible to have brought them to do.  
But after that they have once received the hurt, they will make little account of thee, and despise all other things, as though thou couldst do them no more harm.  
Albeit, if thou knowest surely, that in the country of thy enemies, thou must tarry long with thy army, suffer to be taken, & spoiled only those things, which thou seest not to be greatly prsfitable unto thee: but the same which is to be thought, may be preserved for thy commodity, command openly unto thy Soldiers, that they forbear.  
Having made ready, and set in order thy men, tarry not long in thy own country, nor yet in the same of thy confederates: lest that consuming all thy provision, it seem not that thou be of greater hurt to thy friends, then to thy enemies: but rather conduct quickly thine army, into the adversaries country, whereby if it be fertile & abundant, there may be taken at thy need, most plenteously those things that thou list. But if it be otherwise, thou shalt cause to be known, that the seekest to provide most lovingly, both for the wealth & profit of thy friends. And where the Country of the enemies is fertile, and abundant, there may be taken thereof much commodity, and great profit.  
Besides this, thou oughtest to care with all diligence, that in thy camp, both by Sea, and Land, victual may be safely brought, for asmuch as by such means, the Merchants will endeavour with all diligence, to bring all those things, which for the use of an Army shallbe necessary.  
Moreover, when thou must pass through strait places, or must cause the Army to march through rough and hilly ways, than it is convenient principally for the preservation of thy things, to send before some to take and keep the highest places, the rocks, the fords, and other enclosed ways, to th'end, least the enemies going before thee, come not to take them, and so easily to keep the passage from thee. The contrary thou oughtest to enforce thyself to do, when thou understandest that thy enemy must pass through such rough, & strait places. Seeing that not only, thou hast to take heed not to receive any harm, but also to enforce thyself to turn against the enemy the very same deceits, whereby he thinks to deceive thee withal. And like as when thou purposest to go against him, it is requisite to solicitate the matter, to be able to be afore him, and at unawares to oppress him, even so with all diligence, thou oughtest to provide to let him every way, if thou understandest that he intends to come against thee.   

Of lying in the field.  
THy tents being pitched in the country of the enemies, although thou have not delyberated long to tarry in the same place, yet there must be out of hand made the ditches & the trench. Forasmuch as after this sort, thou shalt stand more fortified. Whereby the sudden invasions and crafty assaults of the enemies, may more safely be withstood.  
And moreover, thou mayst choose soldiers, to whom charge must be given, that night and day, they keep watch & ward in the Camp, albeit that it be known that the enemy be far of.  
But if thou be not letted of the enemies: and purposest longer in the same place to keep the Camp, either to give the spoil to their Country, or to watch a more commodious oportunetie, to take occasion to hurt them, then choose those places where thou intendest to pitch the camp, that it be not dirty, nor through other occasion unbolsome, for that the nature & the situation of such places, through the corrupt vapours, and through the stink that they send forth, divers infirmities and pestilence, is wont to be induced, and engendered: whereby who so ever is infected, is grievously afflicted, and many may happen to die, after such sort, that dying always a great sort, not only every day the Army will diminish, but also through the debelity & melancholy which they have, that remain alive, they will fall sick & languish beyond measure.  
And therefore wholesome and profitable it is, not to keep the army to long in one place. Except it be that thou art constrained to remain, for occasion to winter, and to aunyde the cold and the sharpness of the air. Furthermore, most great care is to be had, that the Tents and the Pavilions, be pitched in order, after such sort, that thou mayst be thought to inhabits a place like unto a little City. Forasmuch as otherwise, the evacuasions of bodies, that long is made in one place, send forth corrupt vapours, the contagiousness of which dispersed, cometh to infect the air near about, and lightly turneth it, into a naughty unwholesome quality, by which continual use, and necessary custom, we take divers and perilous infirmities.   

Of exercising the Soldiers.  
WHen the Soldiers in the winter be at home, they ought to be exercised, & with divers masteriss be made apt to fight: so that neither idleness nor sluggishness, have at no time any place. Surely the standing in idleness & in slugguishnes, maketh the bodies to become weak and languished, and it yields the minds altogether vile and fearful. For that also the minds of them, that be most stout, do thereby become feeble, whilst they be taken by the flattery of pleasures, & of continual use of delicateness. For which thing, men ought not much to absent themselves from activity, & from labour: Because, if after idleness thou wouldst constrain any to labour, they will not go to the same very willingly, and going, they will not continue, as those which enured with long slothfulness, fear labour, and fly every safe enterprise, not as yet made, and finally if to any place, they will go to attempt some act, suddenly they will departed, & altogether distrusting themselves, cannot & will not sustain labour. And therefore it is the office of a wise Captain, to ordain quietly, & commodiously to make ready those things, which he knoweth to be profitable for them, whilst he is not compelled of any necessity to fight, & when it seems that they stand in no manner of peril, nor any impediment happen them that may let him to command his soldiers, to do those things for the exercise of their bodies, which them is not needful to serve against the enemy. Finally, every thing without peril that is committed to the soldiers to do, as the same that instructeth, teacheth & maketh them apt to the true manner of fighting, may seem to have many convenient disports, & recreations, yea & to them which with weariness be grieved.  
Soldiers be kept in exercise, in this manner: let some of them be chosen, & to every one be given the weapons, for such a thing convenient, & armed, accustom them to keep the order, and learn never to forsake their own place, & besides that, with taking heed the one to the other, & calling them often, & with familiar practice together to unite & to draw together themselves, after such sort, that every man may learn & know in what place & rank, every one is placed, & to stand ready to obey without delay, their captains commandments. Besides this, the soldiers according as they shallbe taught, must be instructed in knowing how to destend & bring together the bands, & on the right hand, & on the left hand, to turn them. Make them learn also according to the order, the transferring of the sqadron from place to place, & the moving themselves without confusion, & the way to enlarge & draw together the ranks, & finally the going forth, & the returning now the one, now the other, and the divisions and compartments made by the Decurians: & the manner also to engross the bands in largeness, & to extend them in length, & to fight, of the one side, and of the other, with battle divided in ii parts, inespecially when the last and rescuing soldiers, turning them about, do resist the enemies, who seek to compass them. last of all, it is needful, to admonish the soldiers, that they stand attentive to understand the signs, which by commandment of the Captain, shall be given whilst they fight: and when the Trumpet sounds to retire, that with good order they do gather together, and a little and a little, withdraw them from the batraile. And verily to them, which begin to endeavour them selves to learn music, it is wont to chance, that at the first where they should set their fingers in the holes of the instruments of flutes, or in the stops of instruments with strings, they set them clean contrary, and use them without art, so that they make no harmony: and likewise scant extend them, and slowly move them. But they that by practice, exercise and reason, be expert in such science, without any pain, either when it is needful to give a little or much wind, or else with the finger to stop the strings, conveniently, & with commodity, give and withhold the breath, & with measure and quickness move the hand, heretofore accustomed.  
The very same happeneth to them that be rude, and that hath not the experience of the fears of war. In the beginning it seems that with travail and difficulty, through many errors and long space of time it is before they may be instructed and kept in battle ray. But so soon as they be taught and made perfect, of themselves they will set them to the place, unto the order, & to the thing that they have to do, every one of them wonderfully enforcing them according to their power, to make a fair and in all points a well ordered muster.  
The Army being learned and ordained after this manner: I would divide them in two parts, & then without weapon bring them close together to fayght, distributing the light darts, and the slight partesans: and if peradventure there shallbe near some ploughed field, let them fight with the clods of earth, and let the soldiers use harness of Bulls leather, if they may have it. But if there were little hills or places, somewhat rougher than plain, and likewise pendent, by commandment of the Captain, let there be appointed one part of Soldiers, to every one of which, let there be given such sort of weapon as is meet, and giving themselves to run, take those plates: and to the contrary, let there be chosen of the other, to whom be given charge, that with like weapons they enforce themselves from such places to drive away those, that keep the high ground, and to enter their selves. Finally, the fayght finished, let the Captain praise those the which without ever being moved, have their places to them appointed, even to the last defended: or else to praise them which having driven away the other, have entered their selves. With this manner of fighting, finally with this emulation, and with this diligence, the army is conserved, and the bodies of soldiers purged, and refreshed after such sort, that every one of them willingly will use every sort of meats, and sweetly take every drinking, not caring, any further, to seek things neither greatly fine, or delicate, nor much exquisite. Considering the bunger the which comes upon men through the travail of labour, and the dryness that cometh to them that through labouring sweet, how simple so ever the meat and drink be, it willbe thought to be a delicate dish, and a sweet drinking. Whereby the bodies of Soldiers become more lusty and nimble. For that those which be wont to labour in heat and cold in the open air, as men glad and ready, do submit themselves to travel, and also lustily sustain it.  
In the very same manner, should be exercised the horsemen. In the presence of the Capytaine to be ordained the running in trial the one of the other, the pursuing after, the flying, the incountringe, the charging of their staves, specially in places plain and large, or else at the foot of hills, as far as the borses may go for the stepe and stony places: for in deed they ought not to be enforced to run there, where it is to high and pending, or to much stepe and downright.   

Of making the spoil.  
THE spoil ought moderately to be made, and it is not to be borne withal, that the Soldiers be suffered presumtuouslye to go to ravine and to spoil: nor to let them go to much wandering, in the Country of the enemies, inespecially if it be rich and abundant, because by such liberty, often times most great hurts hath been seen to ensue. Where the enemy finding such occasion, and setting in order his people, assaulting the Soldiers disordered and straggled for the sweetness of the pray, or else of the same laden and letted, hath easily been of power to put them to flight, & to break and to oppress them, they being not able commodiously to use their weapons, nor to give secure the one to the other. For which thing, those that without commission of the Captain, do give themselves to spoil dispersed, let them be punished with most grievous punishment, and shamed with notable reproach of infamy.  
But when thou determinest to send of thy men to get booties, thou must togethers with those that shall go disarmed, send also horsemen and footmen expert and valiant, whom may not a whit be occupied in the pray, but standing continually in array, be always ready to succour the spoilers, after such sort, that safely out of danger they may return.  
And if peradventure sometime thy enemies spies happen to be taken, thou must not use towards them all, one manner of sentence. If thou know certainly, that thy men, and all thy preparation, be less than the same of thy enemy, then command that strait way they may be killed. But if thy army of men be of a great multitude, & of weapons better furnished, and soldiers more valtaunt, and more obedient, and having leaders more expert, and more famous, than all thy Host being set in good order, and as it were to muster, command that the spies be led through out all, and that they have liberty to behold every thing diligently, and in th'end, let them depart without any manner of punishment: for that they, reporting the excellency of thy things, the puissance and great number of people, easily will put in fear the enemies: like as the scarcity of things, and dearth, is wont to bolden & to give them hope.   

Of watch and ward by night.  
IN the time of night, there ought to be ordained many watchmen: of the which, some must watch, and some other be appointed in the places for the wards, & the hours of the night divided, the one after the other, may sleep & repose themselves: for as much as the soldiers should not be constrained to make their ward watching, more than that which nature is able to sustain, although they promise to stand in watch all the night. Where surely the sweetness of sleep, may cause a man to forget himself against his will, and not to have any care for his own person, nature itself, consenting thereunto. Therefore, let every man stand on his feet to watch: for as much as, sitting stretched out, doth take a way a little and a little, the strength, and maketh weak and languisheth the body, whereby the sleep lightly overcomes. On the contrary, the standing upright and on the feet, keepeth the mind otherwise wakeful.  
Those, which shallbe appointed to make the ward, let them go before the Camp, or else somewhat farther of, and make fires after such sort, that they may see those far of, which peradventure shall go in those parts, where the fire shineth, and of whom they can not be seen, being set in dark places, and having the light against them: by which way the enemies unawares may come to the hands of the watch.   

Of removing the Army secretly.  
IF at any time thou have determined to move the camp secretly so the the enemies shall not know it, thou having need to take some place, or else some of thine being taken in going to defend the same, or finally to avoid the necessity to come to the deed of Arms, first of all, command that there be kindled, most great fires, and after cause the army to remove. For asmuch as the fires being seen, the enemies thinking that thou reniemaynest still in the accustomed place, will be still and quiet. But if the fires go out in the darkness of the night, and thou make thee ready to departed, the enemies suspecting that thou preparest to fly, will use diligence and speed, to let thee the passage, & laying Ambushes according to the occasion, most sharply will pursue thee.   

Of coming to communication with the Captain of thenemies.  
IF it happen that thou must come to communication with the Captain of the enemies host, and with him, (as oftentimes happeneth) to entreat of some matter, thou shalt take with thee the valiantest & most noble men of thine Army, the which be in the flower of their age, tall and lusty, and of goodly parsonage, & be also of fair and bright armour furnished. Because many times it chanceth, that the enemy by seeing of such men as cometh with the Captain, hath judged the remnant accordingly. And every man shallbe sooner moved and drawn of those things that he hath seen, then of those which by report he hath understood.   

Of Fugetives.  
IF peradventure, any fugitives, from the Camp of thenemies, being scaped shall come into thine, for to give thee advise of their power, or else of some counsel, or if they shall offer to guide thee, to th'end that thou mayst assault thy enemies at unawares, cause that they be kept in custody, so that they may understand to have no liberty to go where they list: but rather let it be to them manifest, that if thou trusting upon them, with thy army shall safely obtain the victory: they shall have for their rewards most great plenty of gifts, and most gently being entreated, shall go free where they wil But if it shall be perceived that deliberately they be come to betray thy Army with deceit, make them know that in the self same peril of the thing, without any doubt they shall have to end their lives. And it is not to give credit otherwise to fugitives, but when they know that they be not masters of themselves, but thou the which in their counsels assured dost see thyself, mayst do thereafter.   

Of considering the camp of the enemies.  
THe wise Capytaine ought with all diligence, to view the Camp of the enemies: nor with less forseinge he hath to consider the situation of the same. For as much as, if sometime it be pitched in the plain, in a round fashion, we ought not for all that to think, that therein be but few, because they are shut up in a little circuit of ground, for that the circular figure, is wont to seem less in beholding it, then with the mind may be comprehended by proportioning the measure of a massive thing. Likewise the largeness, the which is drawn in compass, is in effect of more capacity, than any man beholding it, is able to judge. To the contrary, if the sides of the distance do extend in length, and in some place either crooked, or else in many angles turned, doth enclose up, you have not for that cause to suppose, that therein be great multitude of men, seeing that such fashion of incamping, showeth a certain resemblance of greatness, and notwithstanding, doth not contain in it so many men as might be within a space made circularwise. But the camps lying upon mountains and hills, if in all places, they be not closed & joined together, they may seem bigger, then if they were in the plain, and yet contain less number of men, then that which some man only beholding may thoroughly judge. For as much as they do leave many places void & forsaken: as those places be, that have some parts full of ditches and caves, or else rough and stony, whereby they be desert, and of no man may be in any manner of wise inhabited. But of necessity it happeneth that the Camps are always made after such manner, and the distance in like length are extended, according to the number of people. Wherefore when thou seest the Camp of the enemies, shut up in a little circuit, having consideration of the place, and of the fashion, do not esteem it a little, but being destended in length, let it not make thee afraid: for as much as this aforesaid known, trust thou in the advertisements of war, and when occasion serves, attempt to execute some high and honourable enterprise.   

Of encamping.  
When thou must encamp thee, it is requisite that thou bring together thy men, and in a little space of ground to draw them together. If the enemies do provoke thee, take heed not to conduct them forth, but rather most closely retain within the trench thy Soldiers close together, after such sort, that it seem, that which thou dost, to be constrained of fear. For as much as, many times the enemy, which lacketh experience of things, considereth not the fact, with that prudence, as is convenient in the affairs of war: but having one only time, dued the Camp, and finally esteaminge the adversaries to be but few, and they for being afraid to refuse altogether to fight, he beginneth to make of them little count, and to stand negligently, and in the end being come out of his lodgings, and out of his fortification, goeth every where without any heed taking, as though that no man were able to encounter him.  
Then he having occasion to assault the enemy in his lodgings, boldly goeth to besiege him, not cosidering what great number of men may issue out. For the which confidence waxing proud, as though no thing contrary might hap him, he becometh altogether slothful and reckless, having not any manner of care of chances to come.  
The which occasion if thou determine prudently to rake, thy men being put in order, and they in a sudden taking up a most great cry, thou shalt send them forth, by the backside of thy Camp, and by other divers going foorthes, and in sundry manners, running on the back of the enemy, thou mayest assault and fight with him most valiantly. And in deed, if with like policy and forcastinge, thou shalt know how to guide thy men, lightly thou mayst perceive if the enemy be like for to use against thee, such deceits. And not only thou oughtest to know that which thou hast to do against the enemy, but also that there come not upon thee some contrary accident. For as much as, with those ways that thou mayst beguile th'enemy, with the very same, thou must beware, not to be deceived. For the way of understanding how to beguile other men, may be unto thee, a guide to be able easily for to investigate, if they in thy preiudis, do work any thing.   

How Counsels are not to be disclosed.  
IF sometime either day or night, thou determine to remove thy Army, or take some City, fortress, or Castle, or else to get some passage, or for to do secretly some other enterprise with celerity, that the enemies know not thereof, do not disclose to any thy secret, nor reveal not where thou intendest to conduct thy men, neither that which thou hast to do, inespecially, if it were not peradventure, a profitable thing, the communicating it with some of the principals. But when thou art arrived, where thou knowest that it is needful quickly to come to the deeds, command that, which every man hath to do according to the occasion, and give order and without any delay of time, openly admonish the conductor, and soldiers, and show them to what end the thing goeth: and afterward with all speed, go forward with the enterprise. For surely it is a token of a foolish man, and undiscrete, rashly to every one to manifest his council, and to no purpose to disclose the secrets unto the multitude. For as much as, the evil disposed persons, and those that have a naughty mind towards the common weal, attend like occasions, which when they may take, they fly suddenly to the enemies, for to give such advise, whereby they believe to attain rewards and honours. Nor there hath never been any Army, but that out of the same, for many causes as well free men as servants, hath passed to the camp of the enemies, specially when they understand that some secret, or matter of importance is entreated of, or else do know that the time approacheth, to come to hands to do the feats of arms.   

How that before the army is conducted forth, Sacrifice ought to be done.  
Verily thou oughtest not to conduct forth men, nor put them in array to fight, if first according as custom requires, thou have not made the sacrifices: and therefore it is needful, to have the Aruspici, & the deviners, the which should follow the Army. But it should be very well done, and a thing to be much desired, if thou thyself couldst know the reason to consider the interiors, & to do the sacrifice, with those ceremonies, that is requisite, so that thou thyself may well & conveniently foresee thy things, inespecially, being able with facilety to have knowledge thereof. But having done sacrifice, if thou have learned thy desire, and shalt know that the holy things be favourable to thee, with courageous mind, thou shouldest go to th'enterprise. For as much as, the conductor will give knowledge unto the other, of all that which the holy things declare, and will put them in good hope, and will give them good courage, when they shall understand, that being guided by the will of the Gods immortal, go to fight. For the which opinion, the Soldiers altogether taking heart, cheerfully unto every peril, will put themselves, as they which have hope to obtain the victory, and all the signs, & every voice, and every thing diligent lie will observe. Whereby happeneth that this worthy Ceremony of public sacrifices, with petitions & vows may marvelously comfort, and cause better hope to increase in the minds of them, which privately moved with fear of religion, be made sorrowful for things adverse and abominable. But if peradventure after offering of the host thy vows happen not to be fulfilled, and the Sacrifices not to go prosperously: thou oughtest to remain in the self same place, and not to move thee, although that other occasion seem to constrain thee never so much. For what thing may happen thee worse, than those that fortune, and the sacrifices do show thee? so that if that which is to come, might luckily succeed, thou shouldest by sacrificing, have had it granted thee. For the which thing, causing more ostes to be killed, in the self same day, thou must sacrifice them, and renew the sacrifices done: for every little moment of time, is of great importance, and easily may both hurt and help, either taking, or altogether leaving the commodious occasion of things.  
surely to me it seems, that the Art of the Aruspici, by mean of the beasts, and their interiours, by a certain manner showed, and reason to consider, giveth knowledge, and declareth the movings of the celestial stars, & their rising up, & their going down and finally the inclinations of the figures of the triangles of quadratures and of the measures. For as much as, some of their little minutes, difference, virtue, and way to divine, in the very same day, yea in the self same hour have caused oftentimes, that some have obtained kingdoms, or else being vanquished and taken, have been put in prison. Seeing then, that at a time it happeneth that to some, doing sacrifice, is showed that concerning taking in hand the fight, the thing shall proceed well, and yet after the fight hath followed the conflict and overthrow: therefore I have thought it necessary to speak somewhat of this matter.   

How it is needful to have knowledge of places.  
Being (as it appeareth manifestly) both many & sundry countries of the world & the situasion of places, and the fashion of provinces of the land, of divers manners, it happeneth thereby, that for the most part, a man may stand in doubt, and know not how to determine in what places the fields is best to be pitched, and how to set the battle to fight. There be some surely that have knowledge of their own country, but of others, they be ignorant and nothing skilful. Whereby it chanceth, that the enemies being distant, the space of a days journey, and craftily feigning to be afraid, and not to have stomach to abide the coming of the adversaries, and making as though they would fly, causeth the capitain little expert of things, to pursue him no otherwise but as if he fled in good earnest, & more boldly to molest & follow him in chase. But when he having been drawn through the fury of pursuing, and by vain hope to oppress the enemy, doth see himself to be brought to difficult passages, and into places enclosed with mountains, surely in the end, he perceaneth too late, to be compassed about with enemies on every side, and as it were shut up in a Cage, the highest places, the straights, and the ways, whereby might have been some passage to fly being now possessed of the enemy. Then beholding all about how he hath been mocked, and seeing all his army dispersed to be by the adversary assaulted, doth know himself to be brought headling into extreme confusion, being by the property of the place deprived for being able to fight or to withstand. And for to avoid the shame of yielding, esteemeth to be better, and a more worthy thing to die of famine: or else being constrained to submit himself, giveth liberty unto the enemies, to do by him whatsoever shallbe their pleasure. For which thing, the retiring that the enemy maketh which hath resemblace of flying, is always to be had in suspicion. Nor it ought not boldly to be followed, but rather regard should be first had to the places, and their nature diligently considered.  
Therefore in conducting forth the men of Arms, it is specially to be considered, that by the self same way, that thou interest, the passage may be open for thee to return, or else to leave of to enter, if thy return may be letted, or being entered to use means to be able to come forth. Which may be done in this manner: if the most imminent and broken places and ways in the tops of the mountains, be kept with thy soldiers, whereby the passage whilst the return shallbe needful, may be open to thee. These things be said, not only to th'intent that thou of council may ercell the enemy: but also, that with all diligence thou mayest seek and foresee, not to be at unawares of him oppressed. For as much as a fair thing it is, to know with policy how to oppress the enemy, but it is good and necessary to beware of being deceived by him.   

¶ How no little account is to be made of him that hath brought advises.  
WHo so ever that shall require to come to speak with thee, to give advise of some thing, whether he be free or bond, coming by day or night, let him be gently received and not only be brought into thy pavilion: but also if peradventure in the voyage he shall come to meet with thee, or in what so ever manner whether it be either in time when thou takest rest, or eatest or washest, let his coming never be prohibited. For as much as, in like matters, the delaying, & taking away the commodity of men for coming to speak with thee, or having servants to whom is lawful to let them, which would come to speak with thee, is no other, but to lease the occasion of most greatest importance, and is likewise loss of time, which is dearest above all other things: and finally by such negligence to no purpose, to put thy things in ruin. For undoubtedly, where the Captains be admonished and taught by such messengers, it bath been seen, that shortly after they have been able, to come to do things, which have been thought to have been of most great help to the whole state   

Of the time when the Soldiers ought to eat their meat.  
IF peradventure thou must needs lodge thy men over against the camp of thenemies, give order, that the soldiers in the break of day, do eat their meat. For as much as, if thou perceive that it is in thy liberty, to be able as shall please thee, and when thou list, to put them in array, and bring them to fight, then according as shall be most commodious for thee, thou mayest command every man, that they eat meat. But if thou happen to be brought to such extremity, that either through the situation of the place, or through the weakness of the trenches and ditches, or else for some other cause, whereby it lieth in adbetriment of the enemies to enforce thee to issue forth of thy fortifications, & to thy loss to bring out thy bands, & to drive thee both to take thee to thy weapons and to fight. Surely it is a thing not little to be regarded: but all diligence is to be used, that a sign, being given in the break of day, thy soldiers dee with meat comfort their strength, lest that being peradventure assaulted, they be not constrained to arm themselves and to fight fasting. For the soldiers undoubtedly being refreshed with a little meat, & not thereby full satisfied and filled, be come in fayghte, both more lustier, & much stronger. Of the which thing, making no count, hath happened often times, that vnfortuna●ly men through famine, and lack of meat being clean without strength, have been overcome: and specially when they come to the battle that is no light skirmish, but that continueth a whole day.   

¶ Of comforting the Army.  
IF at a time some malincoly bappen to grow as is wont to chance through some fear that appeareth to have occupied the minds of fouldiours, or else through some succour come to the enemies, or through some other cause where by the power of the adversaries might be thought superior to theirs, then specially to a Captain it is requiset, to show himself cheerful, & pleasant. Considering that the countenance & look of the Captain, is wont to make the minds of the soldiers conformable, for that altogether with his semblance, they are moved. Because he being cheerful, suddenly the soldiers take a good heart, judging that nothing contrary nor porilous, may fortune. So contrariwise, if it seem that he be afraid or sad, all by and by lack heart, no otherwise, then if there appeared some great cuyne at hand. Wherefore surely it is better, & doth more agree with the wisdom of a Captain, with the semblance of the face, to feign cheerfulness unto men, and with his merines, to make them glad, then with words and orations to comfort them, whilst they be afflicted with malincoly. For as much as unto words, often times they do not give credit.  
which according as the condition of the time requireth, may most studiously be feigned: but every man specially beholdeth the countenance, and the boldness that appeareth in the face, & esteaming that there is no feignedness, all fear set aside, they assure them selves in their mind. And out of doubt in a Captain, it is to be desired to have the one and the other, that is to know, when need is, to use to good purpose the faculty of speech, and to show himself such a man, as the time, and occasion seems to reguire.   

When it is meet to put the army in fear and terror.  
LIke as it availeth much with words and with cheerful look to give courage, and to fill with hope, the army in which is entered some fearfulness, even so it is not of small utility, at a time to put them in fear, when they be given to idleness and slothfulness, little esteaminge the General Captain, and the other Captains, rendering not obedience. Therefore then, with remembering of perils, and making also mention of the diligence of the enemies, it is fit to keep them in fear, whereby thou shalt make thy soldiers not fearful, but warefull. And like as the sick mind afflicted with melancholy, is to be relieved and helped, with putting the same in good hope, even so lasivious men, through sloth unruly, ought with terror to be refained and chastised. By which mean oftentimes chanceth, that the Cowards and dastards, setting aside fear, become valiant, & contrary wise, the bold and courageous, is made prudent and politic. And both the one and the other, of these two things may happen, either that thy soldiers, after such sort do fear the enemies that they have no stomach to take in hand to do any thing, or else to despise them so, & pass so little of them that they think not that they should take any heed. And therefore to every one of these two things, thou oughtest circumspectly to frame thyself, and to have regard to the affairs, and to the times, so that when need shall require, both with words and with look, to show thyself to have fear, and to foresee that which is to come: or else to seem bold and hardy, when thou shalt know the same to be like to help thee.   

How Soldiers may be encouraged with prisoners of the enemies.  
ALitle before that they come to the point to fight, inespecially when the uncertain end of the day of battle that is to be made, causeth the Soldiers to be doubtful and full of thoughts, all diligence and policy is to be used, either with sudden assaults, or with ambushes, or else with some light skirmish, to take some of the enemies, of them chiefly, that have left their places, appointed to the ward, which use somewhat abroad in the fields to straggle, who, if thou shalt perceive to be lusty & bold, cause them to be put to death by and by, or else give them bound in custady to those that have the charge of prisoners, that they be diligently kept, & command that no man be suffered to go to speak with them. But if thou know that they be afraid, and altogether vile, give commandment then that quickly they may be brought unto thy lodging, and looking on them scornfully, and with severe and troubled countenance, and also with threatenings, after such sort to bring them more in fear, and to make them humbly to beseech thee with weeping, and for doubt of their lives to be good unto them, thou shalt cause them to be brought in the fight of thy Army, and shalt speak unto thy Soldiers, showing them how simple, vile, fearful, and of no worthiness the enemies be with whom they have to fight, as these which fear so much the stroke of death, and so much distrust themselves, that falling down on their knees, with so much vileness, and so shamefully do pray to avoid the peril thereof, and to ask mercy of their adversaries. Therefore a most likely thing it is, that thereby, the Soldiers will take heart, and of the vituperus spectacle of such made prisoners, will judge of the vileness, and delicateness of the enemies. And surely, if a man who hath not as yet seen, doth notwithstanding hope, how much more ought he to be moved by the thing in deed, and with the recompense of hope, whereby lightly is taken away fear and difficulty.   

How men ought to be set in array.  
BEing many and sundry ways of ordering men in battle ray, which chanceth through variety of weapons, and after the manner as the Soldiers are taught and accustomed, and according to the situation of the place, and the quality of the enemies: it is needful that the Captain have such knowledge, that he may use every one of them, when occasion shall require.  
But I will briefly declare those things, that may be convenient to the divers sorts of weapons, at the pitching of the field, besides those things that may be found in the same necessity of time.  
Ordain then thy horsemen, not according to thy desire, but as the time and the condition of things shall constrain thee. Thou shalt put in array thy horsemen against those of thy enemies: but as much as may be possible, set them in fashion as they are wont to ordain the battles with ii horns, so that both on the front, and on the sides, by the commodity of the largeness of the place, they may more speedily ride and manage their horses, and not to put other behind them, that may let them. In the main battle place among the first, the Velitie, the whorlers of darts, and the crossbows: finally the shooters in long bows, and the slingers. For that if such kind of men should be placed hindermost, they should hurt more their fellows, than any of thenemies. And if they be placed in the midst, their manner of fighting should be to no purpose, for that they can not retire backward for the length of their darts and of their shot, nor yet can not with their bodies move them selves to whorle, being let of them that go before. And much less the slingers can wild their slings or throw: being hindered of the Soldiers that stand about them, in the which, the swinge of the sling hurting men, shallbe of more damage to their fellows then to the adversaries. Likewise the shooters if they shall be before the other, they will hit almost in one mark, directly in the bodies of the enemies, but if they stand in the last rank, or in the midst, they shallbe constrained to shoot aloft: in the which manner, the arrows flying compass, their violence must needs consume in vain: and while they fall down, upon the heads of the enemies, the blow having now lost his force, can scarce do any manner of harm.  
If it happen that thou must fayght, in places where one partte is plain and low, and the other by mean of little hills, higher than the plain, then specially place thy Soldiers, that are light armed, on the most rough and hyllye ground. But if thou be in the plain, and the enemy on the hills, conduct the light armed Soldiers, as they which most easily can throw their darts, and retire themselves, and in running apace & speedily go up in the rough and steep places, leaving in any wise between the bands some distance: so that if peradventure the enemies abiding to encounter thee, and to come to the fight, when thy Soldiers have now thrown their darts, and consumed all their other kind of shot, turning back those bands with order, and without disturbance, cause that they may retire them selves for succour in the hindermost parts of the Army. For undoubtedly, to go about with the Army, and to turn it upon a corner, is a thing that by no manner of means is sure. For as much as the enemies, may go before them, and before they be joined with the other part of the army, by force may break them. Contrariwise, the passing straightly between the bands closed together, being thick, and as it were to fall upon the weapons, may cause confusion, and put in disorder the ranks. But if the Velity assault the enemies by a wing, they may then do exceeding great harm, as those that may overthwart whorle, and throw their darts, and consequently hurt the naked parts of the enemies. Finally, the sunges be more pernisius, than all the weapons that the Velity are wont to occupy. For that the colour of lead is like the colour of the air, whereby whilst such bullets of lead fly in the air, it is not seen before it woundeth the enemy at a sudden: & through the force of the whirl, and swinge, & violent moving thereof, as it were burning, and fired, doth wound grievously, and penitrateth inwardly, nor it cannot be deserved: for the lips of the wound suddenly closeth, as one which making a sign with his eyes, shutteth them not fully.  
But if thou lack such sort of weapon, and the aids of Velitie, and that the enemy be abundantly furnished of them, command that the foremost of thy battle, go forward thick and close together, bearing great shields, with which, they may cover all their bodies, and the other that follow after them in array, even to the last, holding up their targets, over their heads, must pass so much forward after this sort, till they come within the whorle of the darts. For as much as, being covered after this manner, they can not be hurt in any part by the shot. But if the one and the other army have plenty of Velitie: then cause thine to be the first, to hurt the enemy, before they come near to the hands, or else after the battle is begun, giving the assault overthwart to do then what they can to hurt the enemies, the which shallbe enforced to press together, and to bring them selves into a little space, and molested of the weapons whorlde from far of, shallbe constrained to disorder themselves.  
If thou wilt avoid that the enemies compass thee not about, make not thy ranks long, after such sort, that altogether they become weak, that the enemy may easily break them, and thereby attain the passage, and that he need not foorther to seek longer way to get to compass thee, for as much as, way being given, and the order of thine broken, he may geue the charge upon thy men's backs, the which not only thou hast to take heed of, that it chance thee not, but thou oughtest to use means to do the like against the enemy.  
If sometime thou seest the order of thy men to be weak, do not retire nor draw them together, after such sort, that the enemy may compass them, and shut them up round about, only it is needful for thee, to maintain strong the hyndermoste parts, no less, than those, that first he placed in the head, or in the sides. For as much as the last and the rescuing Soldiers, may stop the enemies such way, like as also may they, which stand in the wings, and in the horns, so that thou be attentive to foresee for things to come, and enlarging the hindermost part of the battle, and destending both the flanks, set thy Soldiers turned against the battle of the enemies, and command those that now of the enemies be compassed about, that they turn their backs, to the backs of them which go before them, and so to fight on every side.  
It appertaineth to a circumspect and prudent Captain, when he shall know to have to fayght with a few men against a great multitude, to use either diligence to choose such fit places, which be either near Rocks of Rivers, or else under Mountains, and upon all other things, where thou mayst put in array thy battles, and by the quality of the place, be able to let the enemies, that they neither compass thee about, nor enclose thee. For as much as a few, the which have to occupy the high and craggy places, may easily withstand the power of the enemies, that should with multitude attempt to compass thee. In the which thing, it is not only needful the council and prudence of the Captain, but it requireth a great deal more good fortune. Because that often times peradventure chanceth, that an Army happeneth upon such fit places, and notwithstanding the captain is ignorant how to choose what situation of ground is best for him. But of those that are present to choose the best, and to foresee which to him is likest to be most profitable, is surely a sign of a wise Captain.  
Some of a custom when they go to fight, trusting to the great number of men: have set them in array after the manner of a half circull, supposing to be able to entice the enemies after such sort, as though they should come to fayght man for man, in the which manner moving themselves, they think by a little and a little bending the corners of the half circle of their battle, joining them together in a circle, to enclose in the same their adversaries. Against whom, it is not meet to go with like fashion of battle: but dividing thy men in three parts, with the two, the charge may be given upon the one and the other wing of the enemies: the third thou shalt set against the half circle, which stand still, and go not forward, and if the enemies will stand still in the fashion of a semicircle: those inespecially that are in the midst, shall do no harm: where in deed is taken from them all way to be able to do any thing. But if they begin to move, whilst they would from the bottom of the half circle, reduce themselves by right line, pressing the one the other, they shall break their array. For as much as, standing still, the order of them, that be placed by the flanks bowed like a horn, and they fighting, the half circle by no manner of way may be reduced in right order. The array then broken, and moving themselves, from the half Circle confusedly, thou oughtest with that third part, to assault them so disordered. But if the enemies stand still in the semicircle, set against them, light armed Soldiers, and also whorlers of Darts, which may oppress them with multitude of darts, and with other weapons that may be shot or whorled from far of. All be it, if with all these force of both thy bands thou assault the enemies on the side, and so go against this order of half circle, thou dost not err there in one whit. For as much as they being not able to come to fayght against thee with all their men, will divide themselves, and only they that were set on the sides, shallbe constrained to be the first to come to the fight, for consideration of the assault, which thy men have given them on the sides. But peradventure it will not be a thing of little utility, that some time putting first men in array, no other wise then if thou wouldst fayghte, and after as it were for fear retiring back and keeping the ray, thou fain a retire like to a running away, and then turning thee to come to affront those which follow thee. For as much as some time, the enemies thinking that the army of the adversaries for fear be put in flight, through unmeasurable gladness, breaking their order will give the onset, & every man will strive and enforce himself to get before his fellow. Against whom by that means, thou mayest fight without peril, and through the boldness of thy staying, contrary to the opinion of the enemies, thou mayest easily disconfite them, now being become fearful, & schattered here & there, although they had before so proudly pursued thee.  
Besides all this, there would be in a readiness certain Soldiers elected, which standing in array out of the battle as Triarii, should give succour to that part of thine, which are weary and repulsed, and of whom when need requires, thou mayest easily have help. Considering that it is the greatest aid that may be, to join unto weary men, those which are lusty, seeing that they commodiously may secure their fellows now weary: and fresh and vigorously assault strongly the enemies despearsed and becomen weak.  
And it is not only to good purpose, but rather a thing of great benefit, if some men of thine be appointed to lay themselves secretly in ambush in some place so far of, as may bes thought meet: to whom command, whilst with thy battle set in array, thou shalt be comen to hand strokes, so soon as the sign is given, that they discovering themselves, do quickly come unto thee. Which then is to be done: when succour looked for, seems not to come at a due tyme. For that the adversaries, supposing those, to be the same men, that thou lookedst should have comen in thy succour, peradventure whilst they as yet march, before they be ready to join with the rest of thy Army, will be afraid & put themselves in flight, thinking them to be no such number, as in deed they be, but a great deal bigger, and specially if it be done at a sudden, when they are about the feats of Arms. For as much as such chance, is wont to make afraid the minds of them, which have not experience of things, doubting lest there happen them not some worse thing, and therefore with fear they abide the end of the matter.  
The assaulting the enemies behind at unawares, brings them in exceeding great terror, and above all things is of uncredible profit. For which thing, if it were possible to do, there should be sent by night a band of Soldiers, that traversing the way, might pass beyond the enemies, and behind them, place themselves in ambush: And when both the armies were affroonted, and now comen to the fight, they quickly marching out of the wait, should assault the hyndermoste band of the enemies: whom compassed about on every side, although that there were left them some hope to save themselves: they shall not have stomach to go about to fly, but to yield, as they who are not able to retire back, nor commodiously go forward, being of every side overtaken.  
Whilst the fight continually doth increase, and that of neither part they bear not themselves valiantly, thou riding round about, shalt comtorte thy men, and being on the right wing: shalt cry, that the left is victorious, and that the enemies now are overcome. If thou be on the left wing, declare that the band of the right wing of thy men hath obtained the victory, not passing whether it be true or false. For that it is not much amiss, nor of small commodity to use a , when the fayghte is greatly moved. Moreover if the Captain or king of the enemies, be somewhat far from thee, or in the other wing, or else in the midst of the battle, thou must cry with a loud voice (so that of the enemies thou be also heard) that he is slain. The which being openly understodde, thy men more cheerfully will double their worthiness to fight, and the enemies will lack heart, and altogether for desperation will put themselves to flight. This policy hath been often times profitable, where at one time, is beguiled the enemies & thine own men, to these showing things of safeguard, and to the other hurtful and dolorous.  
Likewise, it is the office of a wise captain, in the arrays, to place together the brothers with brothers, & friends with friends. For that whilst we see that he is brought in peril, to whom we bear good will, of love enforced, fearing no manner of danger, more valiantly we put forward ourselves to defend him. And he seeing himself so lovingly defenved, will be ashamed, and doubt, that yielding not the like kindness, may seem to be negligent willingly, and therefore he will think it a great reproach unto him, to forsake his friend that so readily hath done for him, & shamefully to give himself to fly.   

Of commandments, wavings, and Signs.  
THe commandments, wavings, and signs, ought likewise first to be given to the heads & leaders of men, for as much as to go to find every man and command them like things, should be a manifest token of a Captain very simple & unexpert: seeing that whilst to every one separately the commendements at given, time consumeth & great rumour thereby is made, all ask him at hand, and seeking every one to know what the commandments are. There happeneth beside this, that certain men to the commandments, will add some thing, or else through ignorance, diminish them. Wherefore it is meet that the commandments, be given first to the heads and rulers, & after they to refer them to those that are under them, and those likewise to do the same from hand to hand, to all the other. And in this manner, the signs and commandments may go from one to another even to the last. For that not so soon as they are given, but also without noise, and with order every one shall come to knowledge thereof. The which likewise in giving tokens with fire, is wont to be observed, where the first little firebrand is lifted up, the second having received the brand, giveth it to the third: the third to the fourth, which giveth it to the fift, the fift to the sixth, & so forth, the one after the other, after such sort, that in short time from a most great distance, the sign had of the first, shall come even to the last ordinarily and without disturbance. Likewise that sign which ought to be given the third, after the commandments, should not be given with any thing done by the voice, but either with gesture of body, or by sign of the head, or with moving of the hand, or with striking together the arms, or with turning of the Spear, or else with glittering of the sword: so that peradventure making tumult not only the Soldiers ought to stand attentive to take the waving, but also the sign. For as much as the enemies might understand the meaning of the waving, which they may oftentimes see to be given. But the sign which beside may secretly be given, after such sort that it cannot be known of the enemies, seems also to be very convenient and commodious, for the strange Soldiers to know: whom although they use diverse languages, notwithstanding they being confederates and serving together with you: and being not able to speak as they may be understood, nor understand other, which in other language speak, by making signs, the fredes by friends, may by such mean deserve their meaning. The which signs ought to be given and distributed not at such time when they must fight, and make noise with uncertain voices among the hands, that are to be set in array, but long before when quietly they remain at leisure.   

Of the order that is to be observed.  
BEsides all this command thy Soldiers to go forward, and turn backward with good order: whereby being repulsed, and retiring, they may be less hurt, as those whom the enemy one by one, can not oppress, being not here and there scattered, and disorderly wandering: or if they being conquerors, shall pursue the enemies out of order, and put to flight, they shall overthrow them easily, & more strongly oppress them, and with more safeguard, if in the chase united together, and in array they proceed. For undoubtedly many times, when the enemy flying, seeth his adversaries, come upon him without any order, he bringing again his men in array, & turning backward withstanding them with violence, crusly overcometh them. Wherefore men must think that nothing is better, nothing more safer, nothing more surer, then observing the order, to stand still in their place appointed: & to the contrary nothing is more perilous, nor more hurtful, then to break the order, & to forsake the same place.   

Of making ready and setting forth the army to fight the field.  
Have care to bring thy Army to the field with bright and shining armour. which easily may be done by comforting thy soldiers to make clean their swords, headpeses, corcelettes, & every other piece of Armour, for as much as the cleans and brightness thereof, maketh the Army seem terrible, and putteth fear & travail in the minds of the enemies. Moreover cause thy hands to go forward with rumours, & showtinges, and sometime running with violence, for as much as the semblance of such things, the cryings & noyseof barns, and the sounds of trumpets, wonderfully troubleth and feareth the hearts of the adversaries.  
When thou shalt come to the point to join battle with the enemy, cause thy soldiers somewhat before, to flourish oft their naked swords against the sun. For that the glistering swords and their shining points, through the brightness, now of the one, & now of the other, against the resplending beams of the sun, doth show a certain horrible terror of war. The which thing, if as well of the enemy shall likewise be done, answering thee with the very same, thou haste cause to be afraid: & if he do not that, it is to be thought that thou in any wise must needs thereby put him in dread. Being set in array, & as well of the one as of the other part, the men being made ready to fight, thou oughtest not suddenly to move thee, being drawn with desire to be the first to give the onset, but stay thee near thy trench, till that thou seest thyself the readiness of the enemies, that is how many, of what condition, & finally in what place they be disposed to fight, seeing that after this manner, thou mayst more commodiously foresee to thy affairs, considering which of thine thou hast to set against those of the enemy, & in what manner thy men is to be placed & ordained, doing in like sort as is convenient for a good Physician to do, the which considering first, & knowing the infirmity, cometh after to give the remedies. Ordain thy men accordynding as thou perceivest to turn most utility to thy business. For as much as the captain oftentimes having seen the preparation of thenemies, is constrained to accommodate, & to ordain his soldiers according to the Army, the men, & manners of them. If the enemy be more puissant of horsemen, & that thou peradventure have commodity, choose that strait and difficult places, or at the foot of mountains, & where the horses cannot easily go: but if thou have not commodity so to do, proceed so much forward fighting, till thou find places meet and convenient for thy necessity. But within the trench, leave the ward, for defence of the lodgings & of the carriages, lest that the enemy understanding the place to be forsaken, send his soldiers to take thy camp, left with out defence, & to spoil all thy carriages.  
Some captains destroy their own lodgings, or else pass Rivers, or deliberately do leave behind them hills and deep places, to the end that the Soldiers standing constantly, may overcome the adversaries, & attain the victory, or otherwise altogether to perish. For that if they think to save themselves by running away, they shall see that by all manner of ways to be taken from them, the possibility to scape. These manner of men surely I of the one part can not praise much, nor yet of the other part dispraise: for as much as deliberately to purpose to do things with peril, is rather reputed foolish hardiness than prudence, and unto fortune, there is more to be attributed then to good judgement. For as much as where thou art constrained to do the one of these two things either with all thy power fighting, to attain the victory, or else being over come, every thing to go to ruin, in what manner may I the victory unto prudence, or else the ruin & universal conflict unto the election and to judge meant ascribe? Yet surely, I suppose that sometime to some soldiers, it ought to be permitted that for desire of honour & glory, perilusly they may fight: when the care is such, that if they bearing themselves valiantly, shall get unto the common weal no small utility, & if they unfortunately fight, that it can not turn to much hurt. But fortune being doubtful & uncertain, & doubtful the success of the battle, I praise not in any manner of wise, that hasarding with all thy men, in the hands of chance. And me thinks they err exceedingly which will fight after such sort, that if they shall have overcome, it seemeth them to have little hurt the enemies: but if they shallbe overthrown & vanquished, to be like to be of most great hurt to the common weal: and yet they leave not to use like policies of war. But if now it be seen plainly, and may be taken for a most certain thing, that great discomfiture is like to follow, if thou do not fight, although it be with peril, & that if the enemy shall once be overcome, he is like altogether to perish, then me thinks, that those captains do not amiss, which against their soul dyer's should stop the way for being able to fly. For that in a thing uncertain, it is better with manlenes, not only to avoid the mischief, but rather to seek to offend the enemy, then to stand in idleness, & to behave thyself vile, when thou mayst be sure, that daring to do nothing, thy business are like altogether to go to nought.  
But not only in like places, where flying hath no certainty of safeguard, but in every place, and in conditions of faighting, thou oughtest to admonish thy Soldiers, and with all reason to show them, that to those that fly, doth follow nothing but death manifest and certain: because the enemies have liberty to perceiver and pursue them, & being not letted of any, may easily offend their adversaries, scattered and put in flight, and that to them who fighting, stand still and do defend, there death is doubtful and the peril uncertain. And if thou persuadest them, that in the battle which is to be fought, those that give themselves to fly, without fail shall most shamefully perish, and he that standeth steadfast, in the end if the worst fall, shall die most gloriously: and that to them which forsake their place, and not to those which keep array, shall ensue the hurt, thou shalt perceive to have them in the self same perils, both bold and valiant. Therefore desire to have thy Soldiers persuaded and disposed after this manner. For as much as those that be of this mind, and of such affection, either they attain the victory fully, or else suffer little harm.  
Surely the Counsels found in the instant peril while they are a fighting & the for casts for to put at a sudden against the devise of the enemies, have without doubt to the Captains and to them that well understand the feats of war, brought forth more excellent glory, & greater marvel, than those have d●n that a man would have thought, & by conjecture supposed to have been exceeding good before that men come to the trial, which thing, to show one by one, and to every man to give several instructions, is very difficult. For like as the masters of ships having prepared & disposed by order all things that the science of navigation requires, after departing out of the haven, do put themselves to the main sea: but if peradventure there happen to rise some tempest: they do not that they desire, but the same which they are driven to do, and they do many things boldly, and being round about overcome with perils, with stout mind, they resist with their provisions, using not so much the memory and the science of sailying, as the occasion, which unlooked for, appeareth before them: Even so the Captains must do: Put in order his men, and endeavour them, and dispose them in that manner, which he thinketh to turn commodious and profitable to him, and to his affairs: but when the tempest overtaketh him, and the waightenes of the battle, for as much as, many things by force is wont to change and break, and great variety to fall, then according to the state of things present, and that is seen before the eyes, he must find at a sudden, according to occasion, the forecast and counsels, more rather as necessity of fortune, then as the art and wit itself, shall have offered him.   

Of the Captains office, whilst the battle is a fighting.  
Unto the captain it is meet rather circomspectly & with wisdom, then boldly to fight, or to refrain altogether from the fight: Because that fighting cannot so much benefit the common weal, although he should show force invincible, as losing his life not a little should endamage the same.  
Wherefore, he ought to be much valianter with prudence of mind, then with the force and lustiness of body. For as much as, with the worthiness and strength of body, the Soldiers may do some great attempt, but the using of prudence and to foresee things, and deliberating in times convenient to council the common weal, principally to the Captain, and to no other is requisite. For that like as if the Master of a ship leaving the stern, & forsaking the governing, will do those things that appertain to the other mariners, shall without doubt give occasion to drown the ship, even so the very same error the Captain should commit, who setting a part his office of Councelling, for providing every thing, should defend so low to take the charge which is meet for soldiers. And surely the presumptuous negligence of the greater & superiors in dignity, maketh to become vain all aid, wherein necessarily is committed the conservation of weighty affairs. The like I repute aught to be though of that Captain without any difference, the which when he shallbe dead, the common weal to be in hazard to fall in decay, nor being not dead, no other than he ought to take thought for the safeguard of the same. And such a one by more reason is to be blamed as a simple captain, then to be praised as stout. And surely he that hath done the duty of a Captain, with counsel, and with discretion, having achieved felicity, by mean of foresight with reason he may lawfully glory. But contrariwise, he that is so arrogant & covetous, that believeth not to be able to do any thing honourable, if he himself go not to fight with the enemy, not only is not to be thought valiant, but rather presumptuous and foolish hardy. And that he so doth to get himself a name of the multitude, not to esteem any peril, for to encourage his Soldiers, both to make them ready & glad, to jeopard them selves in an enterprise. But let him that will do well, fight warily, & not fear death, & choose sooner to remain deprived of his life, then having any overthrow, to live with shame. But the thing being safe, and the army in safeguard, he ought to have regard to his life. For surely where the death of the Captain chanceth, there many times, the reputation of the happy success is diminished. For as much as, they, who have unfortunately fought, having understood that the enemies are left deprived of their Captain, taking heart again, have assaulted them, & these of the other part afflicted with malincolye, have lacked stomach, that although they have fortunately fought before, notwithstanding for the death of the Captain, they have then put themselves in despair.  
Unto the captain it likewise appertaineth whilst his men fight, to go riding about the battle, to show himself to the faighters, to praise those which valiantly have behaved themselves, to threaten the fearful, to comfort those that be doubtful & slow, to give succour to them that are repulsed, to supply the lacks, & if it shallbe need full, to lead men from one place to another, to observe times, to take occasions, to make conjecture of things to come, and to command when need is that there be given the sign to retire   

Of that which is to be done after the deed of Arms.  
AFter that he hath revoked the Soldiers from the fight, let him do sacrifice, & give order that thanks may be rendered to the immortal Gods, with solemn pomp, as much as in that time may be done, promising with grateful mind, to make satisfaction in those things, so soon as the war is ended, and the victory obtained, according to the convenient custom of satisfying. After ward let him give honours and rewards to them, which he shall understand have behaved themselves valiantly in the deed of Arms, and according to the custom, to be towards them benign, and liberal. But those which have been slack and fearful, let him punnyshe most shamefully. Unto valiant men let him grant those honours which according to the use of the country are lowed. The gyfies which the Captain ought to give, be these: armours, Ansignes, spoils, the offices of Decurians, Centuriaus, provosts, conductor and other like offices. But to the most valiant, & to those that are already in authority, there would be greater honours distributed, and to the private Soldiers, to be given the less. Although these things have been accustomed to be given liberally, and with gentleness, according to the deservings of every man, nevertheless it doth provoke moreover other unto virtue, which of like honours are desirous.  
And without doubt, when rewards are given to the good, for their merits, and the ill not scaping without punishment, of necessity the army is put in most excellent good hope. For that some for fear of punishment, do abstain from doing ill, and other some drawn with the desire of honours, embrace virtue.   

Of the Victory.  
Having obtained some victory, thou oughtest not only to every Soldier particularly ●o give rewards for the act well executed, but also to all the Army, thou oughtest benignly to give some general reward for their labours. Thou shalt grant licence to thy Soldiers, to put to sack the lodgings of the enemies, the carriages, and the Castles, if any by reason of war happen to come into thy possession, and finally also the city: saving that if peradventure of the same there should not be had more consideration of deliberting some th●ng. For that this to all such affairs, is of much utility, in especially, when the war is not as yet finished. Because the soldiers by such profit and gain alured, will she we themselves much teddier & more courageous in other occasions: if thou be not of opinion that it is profitable for the hunters with the blood and interiours of the wild beasts which they have killed, to teach their hounds to hunt, but think it hurtful to give in pray to the victorious Soldiers the goods of them which have been overcome.   

Of putting things to sack.  
Grant not licence to thy Soldiers neither always, nor in every place, nor all to put to sack: & permit not them to come to lead always the people: whom thou mayst cause to be sold (if need require) for the common profit, and to maintain great expenses. In which case, thou shouldest command openly that all the goods be brought and conveyed unto thee: Because most excellently well, thou mayest deliberate thereof, having regard to the time, & to the state of things, whether thou hast need to retain all the pray, or part of that same, or else none at al. And it is not convenient, that making war the common treasure be left without money, for Soldiers being deprived of the gains, which from day to day they make, especially when by the abundant riches of them who are overcome, & by the fertelity of the places, the gains more amply, or largely, and with more benignity may be distributed to them.   

Of prisoners.  
SO long as the war continueth, kill not thy prisoners, and inespecially those, against whom the war is made at the first, although it happen that the confederates shall have opinion to cause them to be put to death. But above all things thou oughtest not to put them to death, which about the enemies be of great authority & of fame well known, & notable, remembering that fortune is uncertain and doubtful, and chance variable and mutable: the which moste oftentimes loveth greatly to bear envy to the happy successes, and to minister shame to glory attained. But seek to exchange them, or by rendering them, to get some castle, or else to redeem thy friends taken prisoners whom thou desirest greatly to have again, but if the enemies shall refuse such permutation, than likewise with reason thou mayest make revengement of their injury.   

Of feasts, and triumphs, after the victory.  
Dangers being past and overcome, and with great travails having gotten the victory, let thers be for thy Soldiers, made ready solemn feasts, and the places with good order to be appointed, and give such order, that plays & triumphs be made, so that having now the certain end of the victory accomplished, and the Soldiers knowing those things, which after the victory they have to enjoy, may for such cause, learn to sustain at another time, the difficulty of the turmoils of war.   

Of burying them which in the battle have been slain.  
THou must after provide, & with great diligence procure, that the obsequies be made most worshypfullye to them which have been slain in the deed of Arms, nor thou shouldest make excuse, neither of time nor of hour, nor of place, nor of peril, whether thou overcome, or be overcomed. For that like as it is a godly thing, to perform the obsequies, & according to the rights to do sacrifice for the dead, even so it is very profitable for them that remain alive, and rather altogether necessary to show to the living, this thy pity to wards the dead. For surely, when every man seeth the dead bodies, as it were for outrageousness and despite of the Captain, not to be buried, they judge and presuppose the very same of themselves, & take displeasure of such things, knowing that if they faighting for their country, happen to be killed, are like not to be buried.   

Of revenging the overthrow.  
IF in fayghting, thou happen to receive some overthrow, most diligently thou shouldest give attendance, to find occasion to make revengement, and to take away the shame received, having need after this manner, to comfort thy Soldiers, which shallbe left thee safe. And surely moste often times, those that newly have obtained the victory, are wont here and there to straggell negligently, and to keep their things without forecast or any ward. And he that passeth little on that enemy, becometh with all, sloth full and reckless. For the which thing many times, the happy success of the Act, hath been of greater harm than the received ruin. For that whosoever hath once been beaten with contrary fortune, by the success of the thing being taught and admonished of his error, from that time forward, more warily doth gonerne himself. And contrariwise, he that hath not made proof of adversity, ramnot uprightly in prosperous affairs maintain himself. And if he be a conqueror, as one that is become proud, he passeth little of other nor useth not discretion after such sort, that no manner of hurt be taken, the which he should have usch for to offend the unwarefull and idle enemies. For surely to fear where is needful, and where the time requires, is token of a man, which wisely provideth for his business. But without good consideration, to despise & make little account of every thing, is the sign undoubtedly of an arrogant man, and therefore such a one, becometh subject to every sort of peril.   

Of Truce.  
IF thou hast made truce, do not in any wise all that time, assault the enemy, nor yet stand unprovided. Although towards him thou shouldest be in quiet, no otherwise then as if thou hadst peace. But in as much as appertaineth to thee, beware after such manner as if thou madest war, that there happen thee not any thing contrary.  
And undoubtedly, it is a convenient thing in time of Truce, that thou first move not against the enemy, further than honesty and reasonableness, nor to stand altogether without order and disarmed, but rather show thyself to take head, and to have suspicion of hidden hatred, and of the deceits of the adversaries.  
Forasmuch as the minds of them with whom thou hast made truce, be secret and uncertain: for the which thing thou shouldest steadfastly observe, not to do any inturie, for the oath that thou haste made in the covenants: but for fear of untruth, trust not upon the enemies, wherein declare thyself withal, heedful and prudent, not breaking the agreement, and leaving not occasion to be assaulted.  
Surely those, which of the injury that peradventure they are like to receive, do remit the revenge to the immortal Gods, although they be of a godly opinion, notwithstanding me thinks, they put not their things in safeguard, where it is very strange and a foolish thing, not to defend thyself from perils, & to take no heed, because thou haste hope, that for their falsehood, and breaking of faith they are to be punished, which unmercifully have offended and endamaged thee, as though it were like to turn thee to profit and safety, so soon as the enemies shall have suffered pain for the same, specially when with safeguard of thy things, it is lawful for thee, to make proof, and to come to knowledge of the impiety of the enemies. In which manner thou being falsely and traitorously assaulted, shalt not be hurt, and the enemy shall show himself to be disleal, which had thought to have hurt thee, if he had been able.   

How the Captain should behave himself, to cause Cities to yield.  
Using benignity and gentleness towards those Cities, which of their own mind, have yielded themselves unto thee, and by covenants being rendred-shall come into thy possession, thou shalt thereby incline other so to do. For the they enticed of hope to attain the very same that the other have, will easily yield. And surely that man, which so soon as he hath obtained a City, showeth himself sharp and cruel, putting it to sack, tearing and cutting to pieces all things, giveth occasion to other Cities, to alienate their good wills, and to take upon themselves the war, and the difficult victory. For as much as, every man which is assured, that the conqueror is unmerciful and cruel towards them whom he hath overcome, doth choose much rather to do and to suffer all extremity, then willingly to yield. And questionless, no one thing filleth so much the mind with valiantness, as fear of the imminent peril, which every man knoweth to suffer when so ever they yield. And the fear to suffer misery, is wont to put in the minds of men great desire both to make resistance and to fight. And all proof which is made against desperates, is difficult and perilous. And they who yielding themselves cannot hope to be intrered more gently, nor to have used towards them more benignity then as if fighting, they were overcome, much rather making resistance, will suffer all mischief. Whereby the unwise and cruel Captains, giveth occasion that the siege of a City is prolonged, and some also to become vain, and are never brought to good end, and be likewise dangerous and perilous.   

Of keeping promise with Traitors  
Unto them which at thy request, shall have committed some treason, thou oughtest to observe the faith and promises made them, not so much for their cause, as for the time to come, whereby other may understand, that those which will follow thy part, shallbe rewarded, and so the easilier they will be brought to such services. For questionless he that giveth to traitors, may thereby receive great benefits. Wherefore be ready to give thanks to such sort of men: conlidering, that thou art not chosen revenger of the betrayed city, but Captain of thy country.   

Of treasons by night, and of understanding the course of the Stars.  
FOr to give an assault, and to take occasion to oppress the enemies by night through treason, it is needful, that thou have some knowledge of the course, and movings of the Stars, seeing that through the ignorance of such things, the determination of them, which would commit treason, most oftentimes becometh vain: where the Traitor having sometime appointed with thee, the third or the fourth, or what so ever other hour thou list, the which he hath thought to have been fit, either to open the gate, or to kill some of the ward of the City, or finally to oppress at a sudden some ambush of the enemies, not knowing the determinate bower, of necessity it is like in one of these two things to commit error, either going sooner than is needful, and before the Traitor hath procured the thing, whereby thou mayest be taken of the enemy, or be hindered to bring to effect that, which thou hast determined upon, or else going latter, than the time appointed, give occasion that the Traitor be caught and killed, and so be an impediment to thyself, to bring to pass the thing that thou goest about. Wherefore it is requisite with judgement, to make consecture, and diligently consider, in what space of time, how many voyages thou hast to make: and then considering the courses of the stars, thou must with thyself, most diligently remember how far thou hast gone, and how much there is to go: so that thou arrive not sooner nor later, than the hour of the time appointed, and that thou be within the wall, before the enemy understand of thy coming.   

Of taking by day, a City or Castle by treason.  
BUt if thou must needs by day go to take with treason a City or castle, whilst thou art a marching, send before a part of thy horsemen, to take all those which be found by the way, to the end, that none stirring from the field, do run to the City, to give advise that thy men come to assault them: but rather make that in a moment at a sudden, thou be present with the enemy with thy army in good array. But after that suddenly, thou hast assaulted him, he having not thereof any whit of suspicion, if it be not good, the thing to be done by treason, command thy men to fight without further delay, withal force, and to go with most speedy celeretie, to the intent to prevent the enemy, thou having occasion to approach either to a Castle or to a fort, or finally to a City, and this inespecially, when thou shalt have few men, and inferior to those of the enemy. And in deed, where the sudden brunt and unlooked for, cometh upon them, contrary to their opinion, it is wont grievously to trouble the enemy, although he be of greater power. But if he seeing the men that assault him, have leisure to deliberate, taking heart again, he will then begin to pass little, and more boldly will fight: whereby it chanceth most often times, that the first sallies, and the beginnings of the enterprise, are wont to seem more fearful, then when slowly & with delay they proceed. For the which thing, to many it hath chanced, that with a sudden alarm, the enemy now astonished and made afraid, they have with little labour constrained to submit himself of his own mind or else against his will, to render obedience.   

Of besieging a City.  
IN laying the siege to a City, above all things, the virtue of the captain, is needful, and the policies of war like wise is to be required, & the preparation of ordinance. Where also ought to be foreseen and taken heed of, that those, which thou keepest besieged, in no place at a sudden offend thee. Because that they who see themselves to be besieged know, if they shall be negligent, what grievous hurts, will come upon them, for which cause, more circumspectly they take heed, and observe by what way, they may endamage the enemy that besiegeth them. And surely, he that thinks to be in no peril, death some of those things, which he hath determined, when it pleaseth him: but without doubt, who so ever considereth himself to be in danger, seeketh every occasion, which found, enforceth himself to take it, & to use it against his adversary. wherefore he that doth besiege must fortify his camp with stakes, with trenches, and with watches & wards. For as much as the enemy a far of, seeth that which thou preparest, & the same which thou art about to do: against which, those whom thou keepest besieged, being covered of the wall, at times issuing out at unawares, & out of the gates running abroad, may burn all thy artifices, & Engines, & oppress thy souldsers, & ruinated whatsoever shall come to their hands. The which thing they will not attempt to do, if near to the gates, as well to the great, as to the little, where appeareth, that they may issue out of the City, thou have placed for watch, some hand of thy Soldiers, who may let such sudden sallies & incursions: otherwise, the enemies issuing out secretly, may many times, be able to do like things.  
Very commodious and profitable it shall turn thee, if the enterprise which thou wouldest do, shallbe done by night. And verily if the thing be done by night, considering the darkness to them which be assaulted, it is wont to seem more terrible, for that they can not discern, what is done. Whereby it happeneth, peneth, that the suspicion is more grievous, and in the minds increaseth greater ferae, then if the thing might be seen. Whereof doth rise, such uproars and tumults, that there is no man, which is not at his wits end. Yea & they will say, that the enemy doth many things, which in deed he doth not, seeing that for respect of the night, it can not well be understand, of what part the assault is given with the ladders, and that which is done. Moreover through all the City, they will run up and down here and there, and in every place raise rumours and fear, and terrible brutes or tales, for as much as false fear, divines of things to come, and esteemeth it to be the same which suspicion imagineth.  
And every thing that thou dost by night, although it be but little, to them which thou keepest besieged, may seem horrible and fearful. For as much as none telleth that which he seeth: but every man, particularly rehearseth that, which in the dark he hath heard. And if it be understood that of some part, one or two of the enemies, have got upon the wall, thinking those to be all the men, putting themselves to flight, leaving their defence, and forsaking their fortifications, they will depart.  
If thou wilt that speadelye some work be dispatched and done, see thou be the first to put to thy hand to the same work. Because the multitude, not so much with threatenings, is enforced to do that which thou wouldest, as they are moved by shame, and of the reverence of their superiors. And undoubtedly when every man shall see the Captain before any other, put his hand, to the work, and to travail himself therein, than they know the thing to have vede of spedenes, and they be ashamed not to labour, and fear to draw backward, and now not as servants and soldiers subject to the commaundemet of other, and of an ill will, but driven of shame, they will come, and (as well as though they were called) offer themselves to bear equally the burden of the labour.  
Although there be many and sundry instruments of war, and divers the inventions to batter and to ruinated a city, notwithstanding thou needest not use them all, but only those which thou mayst commodiously. And without doubt, if I should undertake to teach thee, I were not able to name all those, which are to be occupied, I mean the Aries, the Testudini the Vinie, the Balistes, the Bridges, and such like work and Engines: for as much as such things, appertain to the riches and power of them that make the war, and also to the wittiness of the Architecturres, and Artificers, and unto the cunning and subtleness in artificially making them. But that which above all thing, agreeth with the prudence of a Captain, me thinks is specially to choose some part of the city, or castle, where like works & ordinance may be brought unto. For that thou canst not easily compass all the city about, and assault all parts thereof, with works and Engines, except the castle were very small and little. Then having divided thy men into sundry parts, and disposed them by order, thou shalt command that larums be given to the other places of the city, & that schaling ladders be also brought to the wall, so that the citizens may know to be oppressed on every sde, & through such difficulty to be constrained, that they can not well deliberate to what part of the City they ought to give succour. Seeing that if the other parts be abandoned and that they shall attend to the same, whereunto the Engines are planted, the Soldiers being made ready to the schalling, not letted of any man, with facelety may get upon the wall: or else if the towns men dividing themselves through all places, will every one according to his strength, do the best they can to defend: those which shallbe placed against the violence of the Engines, and instruments of war, can not being but a few, sustain the wayghtines of the fayghte, nor repulse the fury of so hot and terrible assault.  
Wherefore it shallbe to very good purpose & profitable, to make as though in divers places thou wouldst assault the city, so that through the sundry preparations, and for the divers manners to overcome it, thou divide in many parts the force, and the Counrels of the citizens, and keep their minds troubled, and here and there to draw and retire them. Whereby thou in this mean while, of that part, which with all thy power shalt stand intentive to fight, more easily mayst oppress the City, and take it, as it were a certain body.  
But if thou makest haste, and inforcest thyself speedyly to win some castle or City, or else some Fort, and that thou seest now thy Soldiers through labour to be weighed, and that it should not turn thee well to defer the enterprise, nor to remove the Soldiers from the fight, than it is needful for thee, to divide thy men into sundry orders, having respect to the number of them, and to the greatness of the City.  
And beginning in the first watch of the night, the time to fayght being equally divided between them, the squadrons with equal space put in order, boldly undertake the enterprise. And after the first ward, cause the second, to succeed, and the third next the same, and the fourth, and the fift also, if so many shall need: relyving now the one, & now the other. So that while the one squadron faighteth, the other may ordinarily repose themselves & sleep. Finally the night ended, in the beginning of the day, return the very same order: & so returning from time to time, continue the enterprise, distributing the hands & dividing them, course by course. In which manner, shall hap two things, which is, that day and night without any delay of time, they shall fight, & those which are weary, shallbe relieved of the lusty, refreshed through rest, which by their turn they have taken. Nor let no man think, that citizens besieged, can use the self same council, and that disposed with the same order, although they be many, may with like manner & with exchanging now the one, now the other, without disturbance & most great labour, defend themselves. For as much as every man, which remembreth to stand in peril, albeit he supposeth that the commodity is given him to sleep, nevertheless he can take no rest. For that considering the danger that standeth him upon, he is constrained to watch, as though the City were like to go in ruin in the mean time that he sleepeth & reposeth himself  
But peradventure some will say, what? thinkest thou that the Captain is made of a Diamant, or else of Steal? Which in all those things, that by the space of course be to all the army divided, he only continually ought to stand vigilant, & never himself to take rest. Surely I do not seek this of him, nor forbid not that at a time he give himself to quietness & to sleep, so that he do it moderately, and that the sleep be short: & in that while, do choose some faithful and valiant man, which for reputation and authority, hath the second place, after the Captain, and the charge of governing to be given him.  
Sometime those parts of the City which be of some high rock, & daungerousnes, or else otherwise fortified of nature, hath been seen to have given to those who have overcome them, greater occasion to take and win the city, than such walls have done, which with art, and with hands have been made sure and strong, & therefore they are reputed, to be more weak. And in deed those places that be fortified by nature, are wont to be kept more negligently, with none, or but with a small garrison of Soldiers: And in this case the wise and witty Captain trusting in such occasion, may study and find out, that which is to be done: and with rewards and with promises, seek to induse some of his men which are most bold, that they enforce themselves either with ladders, or otherwise, to get up on that part, where is most ado to climb. And if peradventure they shallbe gotten up, and secretly entered within the wall. Let them take some gate of the City, whether it be great or little: and enforce themselves to open it, and to keep it open. And to this thing shallbe of most great help, if in some manner, they shall from without, draw up to the wall, some trumpet, the which in a sudden should begin to sound. For that the enemies hearing the trumpet from the wall, and inespecially by night, it shall put great fear in the minds of the Citizens, thinking now the city to be taken, & themselves altogether to be overcome: whereby being made afraid, they will forsake the gates, and the places of watch and ward, and take them to their heel's, that way, which they shall think most meet. Wherefore to thy other Soldiers, which look for the end of the thing, it will be easy, having no manner of encounter, either the gates being broken to enter, or else with ladders to get upon the wall. In this manner with one trumpet, and the same unarmed, thou mayest take and win a City.   

Of the City taken.  
IF thou take a city which for the number & worthiness of the citizens, are thought puissant, whereby is to be feared, lest they drawing together with often turning back, setting them selves against thy men, do make resistance, or else keeping the highest places, and afterward from thence sore hurt thy Soldiers, or else at the end retire in some hold, from whence after according to occasion they may issue out to give thee the assault, whilst the thing shallbe in such case, thou must openly cause to be understood, that who so ever shall lay down their weapons, and willingly unarm themselves, by no manner of wife shall be killed of thy soldiers. Because every man seeks first to do to other that, which he thinks, shall happen to him self, when so ever he is taken, & therein he doth enforce himself, to prevent other. Whereby hath happened, that some often times by force, have driven out the enemies now dispersed in the taken City, or else, if they were not able so to do, they have retired in some exceeding strong Rock, so that a new they have had power to give travail and labour to their enemies, after such sort, that the adversaries have been driven to a new siege, and sometime much longer & more difficult than the first, passing through many perils. And may chance, by publishing thy decree in every place, all or at lest wise the greater part, will cast down their weapons. For the those which are so disdainful against the enemy, that they desire with force of arms to attempt fortune, having suspicion whether the other Citizens be of the same disposition or not, will come also to lay down their weapons. And by this it happeneth, that albeit that every one of them would use their weapons, and try their strengths, notwithstanding particularly, the one having suspicion of the other, they will all make haste to lay down their weapons, every man doubting to remain himself only armed seeing that the shortness of time, and of things doth not permit that they may manifest a new their minds, and then to take council. Nevertheless, those which have desire to save themselves, and that all manner of ways do attend to their own safeguard, till such time as some hope of the same be offered and showed them, although with fervent mind for their safety they would yield, yet constrained of very necessity, they resist those that come to hurt them. Albeit when they find but little hope of safeguard, then of proud enemies, becoming humble with prayers, they willbe glad to seek thee. Whereby with like decree thou shalt induce also to lay down their weapons, those which by force of arms have determined to defend themselves.   

Of staying the revenge against those which are overcome.  
THe death which chanceth to soldiers fighting, in no manner of wise hath need, neither of comfort, nor of compassion, as the same which hath happened through love of virtue & for desire to overcome. But after the obtained victory, having now won and taken the city, the killing in every place the overcomed, is to conquerors a thing most miserable, and rather than virtue, a testimony of cruelty and foolishness. And although thou be angered & made cruel against the overcomed & subdued, thou must not therefore think, to suffer harm, either of thy reputation, or of thy affairs, if the enemies so soon as they are oppressed, have not been slain. For that leisurely at thy commodity, all peril of faighting taken away, thou mayest deliberate, what thou wilt do with the enemy that thou hast conquered.   

Of the City which by force of Arms can not be overcome.  
IF thou have not hope to be able to overcome and take by force of Arms, the same City that thou haste besieged, and that for such occasion, thou must prolong the siege, and that nevertheless it is to be judged, that by length of time, & by famine thou mayst get such a City, thou shalt cause to be taken in the Country, and in the fields, as many as thou findest, and of these choose them, which for valiantness of mind, for lustiness of body, and for florishingnes of age, shall seem unto thee apt for the war, whom thou mayst use where shall turn thee to commodity, and when thou knowest them to be profitable in thy affairs. But the women, the children, the old folk, and those which by other occasion be weak, and not mere to fight, thou shalt enforce to enter into the City, as those which can not work, nor help in any thing the same, which for the defence of a City is desired, so that they much sooner consuming the victuals, may be of so great harm to the besieged citizens, that they may be reputed a great deal sooner enemies, than friends, or neighbours.   

Of the behaviour, which the Captain ought to use, after the War is ended.  
AFter that the affairs of war, under thy government is done and ended, so that, the same acclomplished, thou have liberty to make an end of all things, show not thyself proud and severe, but rather humble, pleasant, & gentle, and consequently, loving to almen. For as much as the first things, bredes envy, and the other induceth emulation and affection. Envy, is the having grief & sorrow at the prosperity of other: and emulation is the desire to follow the virtue of other. But they be between them so contrary, that he which hath envy, desireth that none have any good. And he that hath emulation, hath desire to bring to pass in like manner, such things, as other by themselves have honourably attained.  
Then a man of a good mind shall not only be a good guide of armed men: and of a country, but also a wise Captain, a diligent preserver and governor, in augmenting his honour and in conserving the same perpetually without any peril.   
The end.  

¶ THE TABLE OF the principal things which in this book are contained.  
FOr what occasion men fight unfortunately. fol. iii.  
The Romans through prudence, by council, and with the feats of war, obtained the Empire of the world. fol. iiii.  
They, which attribute all infclicity only to fortune, are fools and very sunple. fol. iiii.  
It is the property of a malicious and unjust man, to excuse him from every fault, which hath ministered evil the public affairs. fol. iiii.  
In choosing a General Capytaine, no respect ought to be had, neither to his stock, nor to his predecessors, nor to his fortunatnes in riches. fol. seven.  
The quality which ought to be in a General Captain. fol. viii.  
He that is not given to covetousness of gold and silver, may honourably have the charge of the affairs of war. fol. x.  
The Captain ought to be neither old nor young. fol. x.  
He that hath children, is meet to be chosen Captain. fol. xii.  
The Captain ought to be a fair speaker. fol. xii.  
More difficult it is, to cure the infirmities that standeth hid, than those which both may be felt and seen. fol. xiii.  
The Captain that is to be chosen, aught to be a man well esremed & of reputation. fol. xiiii.  
The poor Captain, so that he be good and valiant, is not to be refused. fol. xiiii.  
The Captain intentive to gain money, is not good. fol. xv.  
In a Captain, his reputation, and the nobylity of his predecessors is to be esteemed. fol. xvi  
By reason it is to be thought, that he is more like to be a better Captain that is no gentleman borne, than some of noble parentage. fol. xvii  
The Captain should be chosen valiant, of noble blood, adventurous, & rich. fol. xviii  
The heads of the Soldiers would be strong, bold, & faithful to their country. fol. xx  
It is much utility to the common weal, to set forward the nobility, when an enterprise must be done, and in doing the same, is required spedines. fol. xx.  
The Captain ought to have with him some Counsellors and companions. fol. xxi.  
He often tunes commits error, which not minding to hear the advise of other, doth attribute every thing to himself alone. fol. xxii.  
The weak beginnings of things, cannot sustain the burden of that is said upon them. fo. xxv  
Of the manner that is to be used in the bringing forth the army. fol. xxvi.  
Through every place, the army ought to march in battle ray. fol. xxvi●  
Always it is better and more sure, and much casyer, to govern the battle which marcheth close together, and square, then thin and long. fol. xxix.  
The victuales, the carriages, and all the remnant of provision, aught to be pleaed in the midst of the army. fol. thirty.  
Through dearth of victuales, and for lack of money, wars are wont to abate, and to extinguish. fol. xxxii.  
It would be cared for, with all diligence, that to the Camp, both by sea and land, the victuals may safely be brought fol. xxxiiii.  
The lodgings being placed, ditches and trenches must be made. fol. xxxv.  
It is a wholesome and a profitable thing, not to keep an army to long in one continual place. fol. xxxvi.  
The standing in idleness, and in slothfulness, causes the bodies to become weak and languished, and disposeth their nundes altogether vile and fearful. fol. xxxvii.  
The army instructed, and set in array, aught to be divided into ii parts. fol. xli.  
The Captain must praise them, the which have always defended their places. fol. xlii.  
Soldiers ought not to be suffered, which presumptuously go to rob and spoil. fol. xliiii  
Every man must stand on his feet to keep watch and ward. fol. xlvii  
The army minding secretly to depart, aught to make many fires. fol. xlviii.  
The fugitives are to be kept in ward. fo. xlix  
The wise Captain ought with all diligence to view the Camp of the evemies. fol. l.  
With those ways, which may beguile the enemy, with the very same it is to be taken heed of, not to be deceived. fol. lv.  
Counsels are not to be disclosed. fol. lv.  
It is a sign of an undiscrete and foolish man, arrogantly to manifest his council to every man. fol. ivi.  
Before the Army should be brought forth. Sacrifice would be done. fol. lvii.  
Knowledge of places must be had. fol. ix.  
In conducting forth men of Arms, it is to be foreseen, that by the self same way where they entered, it may be open to return. fol. lxii.  
Soldiers refreshed with meat, become more strong and lusty. fol. lxvi.  
The countenance of the captain, is wont to make the minds of the Sovidyers conformable. fol. lxvii.  
When the Army ought to be put in terror. fol. lxix.  
How Soldiers may be encouraged with the prisoners of the enemy. fol. lxxi.  
How men are set in array. fol. lxxiii.  
To avoid, that the enemy compass thee not. fol. lxxviii.  
Of that, which appertaineth to a prudent Captain, when he hath to fight with a few men, against a great multitude. fol. lxxix.  
The assaulting the enemies behind at unawares, putteth them in most great terror, and is of incredible profit. fol. lxxxv.  
The office of a wise captain is, to place together in the ranks, the brethren with brothers, and fiends with friends, fol. lxxxvi.  
Of Commandments, wavings, and signs. fol. lxxxvii.  
Of the order that ought to be observed. fol. xc.  
Nothing is better, more safer, nor more surer, then for men to observe order, and to stand still in their place. fol. xci.  
The cries, the noise of armour, and the sound of trumpets, wonderfully troubleth and feareth the minds of the enemies. fol. xci.  
The captain often times, seeing the prepatation of the enemies, is constrained to accommodate, and to ordain his men according to the armours, the men & manner of the same. fol. xciii.  
It is not a laudable thing for a captain, to cast himself with all his men, into the hands of chance. fol. xcv.  
In a thing uncertain, it is better with boldness, not only to avoid the overthrow, but also to seek to hurt the enemy. fol. xcv.  
The office of the captain whilst the battle is a fighting. fol. xcviii  
Many times the death of the captain happening, the reputation of fortunate successes do upayre fol. Ci.  
Of that, which the captain hath to do after the deed of Arms. fol. Ciii.  
The Soldiers ought to be partakers of the gain. fol. Ciiii  
So long as the war lasteth, the prisoners ought not to be put to death. fol. Cvi.  
The feasts and triumphs, after the victory. fol. Cvii.  
Of burying them which in the battle have been slain. fol. Cviii  
Often times the happy success of the act, hath been of greater damage, than the received overthrow. fol. Cix.  
To fear, where is needful, and when the time requires, is the property of a man, which politicly foresees his business. fol. C. x.  
It is a strange, and foolish thing, a man not to defend himself from perrtiles. fol. Cxii.  
How the captain ought to behave himself to bring a City to yeide. fol. Cxiii.  
Nothing filleth the minds of men so much with vakantnes, as the iminente fear of peril. fol. Exiiii.  
All profess, which is made against desperate men, are difficult and perilous. fol. Cxiiii.  
Fidelity is to be used with traitors. fol. Exu.  
Of treason by night, & of understanding the course of the stars. fol. Exvi.  
A way to take by day, a City or castle by treason. fol. Exviii.  
The sudden invasions, and not looked for, coming upon men, contrary to their opinion, are wont grievously to trouble the enemy. fol. Cxix  
In laying siege to a City, above all things, the virtue of the capitain is most needful. fol. Cxx.  
The thing that is done by night, is wont to seem most terrible. fol. Cxxi  
The multitude, not so much with threatenings is compelled to do things, as they are moved with shame, & of the reverence towards their superiors. fol. Cxxiii  
The captain ought when time requires, to make such a trusty man his deputy, which for reputation & authority is next to him. fol. cxxviii.  
The revenge, is to be forborn against those that have been overcome. fol. Cxxxii  
The way that is to be used to take a city, which by force of arms cannot be overcome. fo. cxxxiiii  
Of the behaviour which the captain ought to use after the war is ended. fol. Cxxxv.  
How envy is to have grieft of the prosperity of other: and how emulation, is the desire to imitate the virtue of other men. fol. Cxxxv.  
The end of the Table.   

¶ Imprinted at London, by William Seres, dwelling at the West end of Paul's, at the sign of the Hedgehog.  
¶ Cum privilegio ad imprimendum solum.  
Anno. 1563.