THE A, B, C, OF ARMS, OR, An Introduction Directory; whereby the order of Military exercises may easily be understood, and readily practised, where, when, and howsoever occasion is offered. By I. T. Gent. Nomen & officium militiae dehonestant imperiti. LONDON, Printed by W. Stansby, for john helms, and are to be sold at his shop in S. Dunstane Church-yard in Fleetstreet. 1616. THE A, B, C, OF ARMS. IT was (nec immeritò) objected to Machianel, as a token of extreme folly (howsoever otherways he was too well acquainted with Policy) that being a penman by profession, he adventured so far upon reading, and hearsay: that he prescribed rules, and dared to give direction to Mars and his followers: to free myself from like imputation; know all such to whose knowledge, I desire to be endear (that is to soldiers and their loving friends) that howsoever at this time (the heavenly powers so directing it) I practise in the School of Peace and pro feodo punish others, qui vi & ●rmis, etc. yet heretofore I have had a fellow-feeling of a soldiers labour in the field: and for some years been eye-witness of warlike designs: learning the duty of Obedience, and practising the action of Resolution (absit arrogantia veritatem dicere) aswell in Camp beleagring, as in City besieged. So that I need not doubt, but that I may without just aspersion repeat the letters, though now no professed Soldier, since I presume not to join the syllables of Arms. And whereas * First, it is curiosity to know only that they might know. 2. Vanity to know to be known. 3. Lucre to know that they may sell knowledge. 4 Charity to know that they may instruct. 5. Wisdom to know that their understanding may be bettered. S. Bernard deciphering five ends of knowledge, only approveth these two, wisely or charitably, thereby to better themselves or others: I have (me judice) squared some part of this vacation study according to the level of this Directory. And though in these Haltion days, wherein Peace and Plenty lull us asleep in the lap of Security, Soldiers are out of request, and my more profitable studies, necessitatis gratia, otherwise chief bestowed: and no hope left for me this way to purchase either praise or profit: yet, that I might not utterly forget, what formerly, not without some care and cost, I learned: and that such my friends, as in this fair peaceful sunshine will not altogether leave behind them, the cloak of Martial experience, which might somewhat cover them, if a storm chance (as heaven forfend it should) to trouble them, in their journey here: I say, that all might in somewhat partake of that poor mite of skill, which I formerly gained: which, were it less, might by communicating it, profit some, but prejudice none: I have, and not without some pains, contracted and briefly discovered, such terms of military discipline, and words of art (whereof no one Gentle or other should be merely ignorant) as now in our modern wars, are for the most part used; being no other in truth than what Caesar, and the Romans long since taught and practised. Aequè pauperibus prosit: locupletibus aequè: Aequè neglectum, pueris, senibusque, nocebit. And though it be to be wished, that we, which have so long found the fruit of Peace, should never feel the direful effects of War: yet may it likewise be feared, that too much Security by lulling our senses asleep, may open a passage to danger, if not further. The consideration hereof, together with that precept of an ancient Father, Heu patimur longae pacis mala saevior armis luxuria incumbit. Si non manu, mente tamen simus bellatores, (my natural inclination having ever been more prone to the Pike, then to the Pen) hath given me occasion, to bestow some few lose hours, which some (I doubt not) will think, might have been better spent, to endeavour to rub off the rust, which ease hath bred upon the swords of youth, and in short time, might (if it have not already) eat off the edge of true courage And by reading over the A, B, C, of Arms, to a Soldier, to sweep off those cobwebs of carelessness, that hang in every corner of our thoughts, and have of late so clouded the face of Resolution, that a Martialist which should be in pace decus, in bello praesidium, now walks, tanquam piscis in arida, unreguarded, and unrewarded: whereby being forgotten (at least slighted) they grow forgetful, and fashioning themselves to the times, they retain for the most part not so much as the remembrance of order, or habit, befitting a Soldier, but turn the Pike to the Pot, and the Spear to the Spindle, Consuming all the day, nay, all the year, Loco galeae pilum castorium accipiunt. In Cypr● an dalliance, and Belgic cheer. Leaving the Drum, for a Drab; the Sword and Dagger, for Drink and Dice; so that now (I blush to report it) a Swaggerer, a Swearer, and a Soldier, are but appellations of one signification: Heu pudet dicere, Militia, which heretofore was accounted, Reipublicae quies, & firmitas, & confirmatio militis, ad robur, & virtutem, is now in these neglectful times by the abuse of the meaner, and disrepute cast thereon by the vulgar sort, accounted professorum onus, not ●onos, yea a liberty of looseness: Venus Strumpets being more followed than Pallas Trumpets, good discipline military now marching unkist, because unkent, standing like the poor men's Box in Churches, with a particle of Scripture, inciting to Charity, written over head, but nothing but neglect and contempt, I mean, dust and cobwebs within: Pride, and Epicurism, the lees of laziness, through want of employment, so dulling the courage and resolution of a Soldier, that Actuitie and Industry, the essential parts of a good Martialist are weakened, and well-nigh worn out: And thereby all means almost taken away, whereby the knowledge of Arms, and principles of military discipline, might be preserved in memory, and kept from oblivion. For redress whereof, I have, pro posse, undertaken to recollect such observations in that kind, as in my younger years, following the wars, I got by example; and since the dis-vse of Arms, have gathered by precept, out of such Authors, as have formerly treated of that subject; Breve iter ad militiam per exempla, longum autem per praecepta. In which collection of mine, as a learned Writer of our time said, though on another subject, I may truly say, Omnia nostra esse & nihil. All things are mine, in respect of the gathering, or disposition: nothing, or at least very little, in regard of the invention of the things themselves: nihil quod non prius. Yet such as it is, for that if I flatter not myself, it may serve for the A, B, C, Darian Tiro, for some instruction, and stand to the veteran Soldier, and perfect Martialist, as a memento or remembrancer to reuise what might for want of use be forgotten: And to both in time of Musters or trainings (the frequent use whereof is much to be desired) may seem both pleasant and profitable I offer and present to all such as either desire to deserve the name or title of a Martialist. or delight to encourage others (Age or Wedlock having crippled or withdrawn their proper inclinations) to practise discipline, and no others: — Non egoventose plebis suffregia voenor: For, Odi profanum vulgus & arceo.— To you therefore, Heroic Brutes, and truly entitled Gentlemen, that either have, or hereafter intent in the Academy of valour & virtue (which Vigetius styleth the Camp) to bestow your worthy to be termed honourable endeavours: ●a poor, Vnusauis● fortunae suae faber. but willing admirer of Arms, offer sand, in stead of silver, and more acceptable and beneficial matter towards the not building, but repaying the ruins of decayed Art military, — Sit valuisse, sat voluisse. Non quia posse fugit, me quoque velle sugit. To crave pardon, or entreat favourable acceptance, were but to suspect your generous dispositions: assuming therefore the confidence, which Innocency arms resolution with all: like a Soldier, unwilling to provoke, yet not daring to fear censure, I say, Either commend it, or, Come mend it; and so go forward. From the Pike, or the Pen, only proceedeth true Gentility: for non genus, sed genius; non gens, sed mens, proclaimeth the merit of the person. Laying hold then of the Pike, a weapon for a Prince to practise, why should not all young Gallants jump with the Poet, Qui Veneri est habilis, b●llo quoque conveni aetas. And having vigour and valour, enable themselves so far to be acquainted with the use of this discipline, that what wind soever blow, they may be freed from that aspersion, which wise Ulysses cast upon Ajax; Neque enim clipei coelamina norit, Or from the like tax, Postulat ut capiat qui non intelligat Arma. If they should at any time, either for their own or country's good, attempt to under-take command, or expect preferment by the wars: if either they disdain to be taught, or shame to seem to learn, let them but remember, that qui brevi tempore disciplinam non patitur, omni tempore in pudore insipientiae permanebit. Let them therefore practise, that they may be perfect: Paucos fortes natura procreate: quamplures bona institutione reddit industria. It can be no disparagement to blood, nor disgrace to birth, to manage or follow Arms: for truly it is said, Virtus militaris praeest caeteris omnibus: and, iter ad virtutem istam per artis regulas: Which as Vigetius prescribeth, is, Militari gradu ambulare, celeriter & aequaliter: locum destinatum non deserere: ordinem non turbare: sed ad nutum ducis, sine tumultu respondere. All which may full well and easily be learned, by frequenting such places where mustering shall be, and remembering such terms of discipline, as are at this time chief in use. For as taste cannot be tried by sounds: no more can direction in training be understood by any, to whom the words of command are unknown. It is therefore greatly to be desired, that all men would learn, how to receive direction, by acquainting themselves with the terms. And that musters might be often used, that every one might practise publicly, what they have privately learned: And though some more curiously captious, then considerably politic, seem to affirm, that it is dangerous as now, to disquiet the times with training of Soldiers, or to awaken the security of peace with rumours of wars: for that, as they say, it may give occasion of suspect to our Neighbours, and may buzz conceits in green heads (quibus bellum dulce) which may draw on further attempts, then stands with the quiet of our peaceful government to admit, yet since it is aliud parare, aliud exercere belium, if I may have leave to speak my opinion as a parcell-guilt Scholar, and a pen and inkhorn Soldier, I doubt not but that it may stand with the policy of the State, to admit more then yearly shows of Armour to be made, yea, I dare affirm with Lypsius, Salus reipublicae, plus fortitudine quàm concordia consistit: And how can there be fortitudo, when a Soldier is little known, less respected? And Martial discipline, without which a Soldier is no more valiant than books not understood, is learning, neither used nor remembered: wisely he said, that as in war, peace; so in peace, war, Bracton. l. t in Rege qui recte regit. 2. sunt necessaria, arma & Leges. is to be provided for: the true knowledge of this, conserving the quiet of that, and the due observance and execution of order in either, maintaining the honour and estimation of both: And worthy the remembrance are those principles of learned and judicious master Case, where he maintaineth a necessity in the time of cessation of war, to exercise Military discipline, Sphaera Civitatis. alleadgeing, Opportunius res bellicas tractari non posse, quàm tempore pacis: affirming further, Non altis moenibus Civitatum, sed expertis manibus militum, Imperij salus, & tutela continetur: their experience being won by exercise in the time of peace, and made perfect in the time of war: For as the multitude of Pleaders and Physicians, is an argument of a riotous and distempered City; so nothing, saith Vigetius, Firmius aut foelicius est Reipublicae, in qua milites abundant eruditi. Ars bellandi, saith Cassio, si non pace praeluditur, quando fuerit necessarium, non habetur: discat ergo miles otio, quod performare possit bello. Scientia rei bellicae, saith Vigetius, demicandi nutrit audaciam, nemo enim bello facile metuit, quod se pace didicisse bene confidit. The same Author goeth further, and saith, Qui desider at pacem, praeparet bellum: qui victoriam cupit, milites imbuat diligenter: qui secundos optat, eventus discat pace, ut dimicet arte, non casu. And saith Seneca, Diu praeparandum est bellum, ut vincas caelerius. And, Sub Clipeo tutius succedit pacis negotium: ac pace de bello melius consulitur. If then it be not only lawful, but expedient, to have in peace expert Soldiers, which can no ways be made so, but by those ordinary courses which our Predecessors have invented: Ars tritos, usus promptos, imitatio reddit Artifices aptos. and our bordering Neighbours do put in practice: that is, by instruction, and convenient exercise, I hold it for granted, that to train & muster Soldiers, and to instruct them with the terms of motion, and military principles, is a thing most necessary, and in some sort commanded: For whereas a Soldier is said, to be a Protector of his Prince, a Defender of liberal Arts, an Upholder of the seat of justice, a Resister of Foreigners, and a Represser of domestic Enemies, a Maintainer of the Liberty, and quiet of his Country▪ It is to be understood, of an expert valiant Soldier: for valour and discretion in a Soldier are inseparable adjuncts: And without direction and obedience, it is not possible for any military or worthy attempt, to be successful: For he is no more a Soldier, Miles quasi vir ex milibus unus. that receiveth his pay, is enrolled in a company, and weareth the abilliment of war, without knowledge of discipline, and observance of order: then Pilate is a Saint, though he be named in our Creed. It behoveth therefore every person that intendeth to lead the life of a Soldier, at the entering of his name in Bellona's Register, to put on the first habit of a Soldier, which is obedience: without which, whosoever endeavoureth to learn the use of Arms, labours to make his score the greater, by paying the reckoning with chalk: And will assoon suck milk from a flint, as true merit in martial courses: for he can never be able to command well, which hath not first laboured to obey: Summa enim militiae laus, in obedientia consistit. And this obedience, in reverentiam exhibendo, in mandata suscipiendo, & in judicium subeundo, plerunque sita est. The Soldier showeth his love, by using obedience to his Officer; performeth his duty, in doing what he is commanded by his Officer, and proclaimeth his modesty, in not expostulating the reason, but willingly undergoeth the censure of his Officer or Captain: For every chief Commander, as Captain and his Lieutenant, ensign-baerer, Sergeants, and Corporals, either have, or aught to have in themselves, authority respectively to command, and procure reverence, and obedience, from others, and experience, and government to direct, and censure themselves, and others: Miles (saith a Father) mandatum ducis non procrastinat, parat aures auditui, pedesitineri, manusoperi, & se totum intus colligit, ut mandatum peragat imperantis: he saith not linguam voci: for silence is the first lesson of obedience: and how can he be said to obey, that will not silently attend when, & what, he shall be commanded. Obedience having prescribed Silence: the next lesson a Soldier is to learn, is to apt himself to manage and practise such weapons, as by his Officer is appointed to him: for howsoever a natural inclination is in some more than others, to use the Piece rather than the Pike, and so, etc. And though that is soon learned, to which a man by nature is most inclinable, yet the weapon is appointed to, not chosen by the Soldier; howsoever it is to be wished, that all such to whom the appointment of weapon doth belong, would observe in his Soldier, Quid valcant humeri fer●e, & quid ser●e recusant. Now having his Arms, which are the members of a Martialist, they must be always carefully kept clean from rust, both within and without, be it Piece or corselet, with all the furniture thereunto belonging, that is to say, to a Musket, a headpiece, a Sword and Dagger, a Musket carrying a Bullet, whereof ten make a pound: a Musket Rest, Bandaleros', (the flask being more cumbersome and subject to firing, and therefore more dangerous) Bullet-bagge with Bullets, Powder, and Match. To a Pikeman, a Pike, a Sword and Dagger, a headpiece, a Gorget, a Breastplate, a Back, with powldrons to the elbow. I set down these furnitures particularly, the rather for that Count Morrice, Anno 1598. gave express order that none should pass the muster, except thus furnished. Being thus furnished, it is requisite, that he acquaint his eye, and ear with such signs and sounds, terms and words, as his Leader or Commander shall use in his direction, or charge. And first, he must be perfect in every particular sound of the Drum, as namely: first, a Call: secondly, a March: thirdly, a troup: four, a Charge: and fifthly, Retreat: For the Battalions, Relief, Battery, Parley, and such like, I betray my ignorance to the World, I take to be no other but one of the five first sounds, and not by the ear easily to be distinguished, and therefore of no great importance to be observed. The Drum (as a most judicious and painful Gentleman, whose industry and experience discovereth by practic, what I partly glean from him in the theoric, defineth it) is an instrument, designed for the exercise of foot Soldiers, resounding the command of the General, the which every soldier is obliged to obey, and follow, without delay, as well as the voice of his Commander: of the several sounds whereof, what Soldier soever is ignorant, it is unpossible he shall perform his duty in all points, and at all times: for either he must do by the example of others, which perhaps at all times he is not bound unto; or else expect his Commander's direction, whose voice cannot extend to the hearing of all, & so become culpable in his duty: wherefore, as it is most expedient, that every company exceeding the number of a hundred, should be furnished with two sufficient Drummers, such as are able to beat perfectly: So is it most necessary that every Soldier, at the first, and for the first principle, should apply his ear, and study to apprehend, and learn to understand, those several sounds: without the knowledge whereof, how doth any Soldier know of his own mere motion, when to march, troup, charge, or retreat, etc. except only by the Drums direction, who is always at his Commander's elbow, ready by the sound thereof to denounce his will? As the ear by the Drum, so the eye must be directed by the Standard or Colours: the one designing of the time, the other the place, whither to repair, and where he is to attend the command of his Officer. The Ensign is an ornament of Arms, first invented for direction, and distinction. For direction, to the Soldier, whither upon all occasions to draw, and where to abide: for distinction to be known from other Companies, and other Nations: The colours whereof are at the discretion of the Captain: either his own Colours, belonging to his house; if he be a Gentleman of Coat-armour, or what other his invention shall best like of. But always having a red Cross therein, being the badge of an Englishman: St. GEORGE'S Cross being peculiarly appropriated to that Nation: For as in old time: Phrysijs suem, Armenij arieten, Scythae fulgur, Persi Arcum, Scilices caput armatum, Thrases Martem, Phoenices Herculem, Aegyptij Ibidem, Milesij Leonem, Athemenses noctuam, Corinthij Pegasum, Peloponnesi testudinem, Itali Equum, Venetiae Leonen cum libro, divo Marco consecratum; Genoae sanctum Georgium equo insidentem, Senenses Lupam, Florentini Leonem, Ita Angli crucem rubram pro ensign habuerunt. And as Mr. Francis saith in his Treatise, De insignibus libro primo: Insignum singularis est utilitas; ad gradus turmasque distinguendas. Vexilla, saith another, intuentur milites: ea sequuntur, observant, tuentur, & corum signibus, ut navis gubernaculo diriguntur. Being come to the Colours▪ that he may be able to perform what he shall be appointed; he must be perfectly instructed with the true knowledge of Files, and Ranks, Fronts, and Flanks, Leaders, and Followers, Middle-men, and Bringers up, and not be ignorant of the chief principles of Action, (that is to say) of Posture, Distance, and orderly Motion, the knowledge of which warlike motions, may truly be said to be the art of War. By Posture is understood the managing of Martial weapons, either Standing, Marching, charging, or Dischargeing, the easiest and readiest way to offend or defend: Si doctrina cessat armorum, nihil Paganus distat a milite. Posture consisteth of Standing, Marching, charging. Postures of the Pike, In Standing are three, In Marching are six, In charging are three. Of the Musket, in Standing one, Marching one, charging eighteen, Dischargeing twelve. All which in sight are reduced to three. Postures of the Pike standing, Lay down your Pike. Take up your Pike. Order your Pike. Thereof marching, Advance your Pike. Shoulder your Pike. Level your Pike. Slope your Pike. Cheek your Pike. Trail your Pike. Posture thereof, charging, Port your Pike. Charge your Pike. Couch at the foot, your Pike. Of all foot weapons this is esteemed the most honourable, for that it can be accounted no disparagement to a Commander, to trail his Pike under his fellow-Captaynes Colours. Posture of the Musket, standing, Rest your Musket. Your Musket shouldered, Posture thereof, marching, Clear your Pan, Prime your Pan, Close your Pan, Cast off the lose powder, Blow your Pan, Cast about, and trail your Rest, Open your charges, Charge with powder. Posture thereof, charging, Draw out your scouring stick, Shorten your stick, Ram in your powder, Draw out your stick, Charge with buller, Ram in your bullet, Draw out your stick, Shorten your stick and put it up, Bring your musket forward with the left hand. Hold it up with the right, and recover your Rest. Of which postures it is but idle to give advertisement, that the four, after the charging with powder, viz. to charge with bullet, is rather to be conceited, how then practised at these times, where to do it. Postures of the Musket, discharging, Carry your Rest in the left hand, Rest your Musket, Take your match in the right hand, Hold the match & blow it, Cock it, Try it, Guard the Pan and blow it, Open the Pan, Present the Musket, Give fire, Dismount it, Vncocke the match, & hold it twixt your fingers. In fight only Make ready, Present, Give fire. It is generally to be observed, that when you charge with your Pike, or discharge your Musket, you place your left leg forward; but when you march, you begin with the right. The next thing that is to be observed, Ordo est parium, dispariumque rerum distributio. is, distince of order. By distance is meant a certain space between File and File, rank and rank, in such order, & to that measure, as pleaseth the Commander to nominate. The which if Soldiers observe not, then is that Company or troup so exercised out of order and discipline, more like men in rout & disorcer, then to a perfect Battalia. Therefore, this distance ought to be such a competent space, as is meet and convenient for motion For the station of Soldiers is not always steady and certain, but that they all interchange mutually one with another: it consists of order in Files, and Ranks, of which distances the Romans only observed these three. 1. Ordinatus miles. 2. Densatus ordo. 3. Constipatus ordo. But at this day we generally practise four: Open order. Order. Close order. Closest order. Open order, six foot distant from his side-man, and reare-man. Order, distant three foot. Close order, a foot and a half. Closest powldron to powldron with his sidemen, and to the Swords point of the proceeding Rank. There is to be kept the like distance of Files, as of Ranks. After the knowledge of your distance, you must with diligent care mark the motions of Files & Ranks several; & of both conjoined, which motion is the actual operation of that body, which is movable, whereof in this exercise long since, and at this time there are four remarkable circumstances: 1. Ante. 2. Retro. 3. Dextrorsum. 4. Sinistrorsum. Either by moving forwards, as charging to the Front, backwards by Retreat, sideways by Closing, Opening, or Doubling of Files to the right or left hand, by Wheeling or Conversing to either hand, the which is performed as occasion presents, according to the will & direction of the Commander, observing it in Order, true Pace, true Distance, and perfect Posture. For any other kind of motion in a Battalia, or gross body, breeds both disorder and confusion: Vbinullus est ord●, certus est horror. where on the other side; Order is the Beauty of nature, Ornament of art, and Harmony of the World. Motion is in form of Files and Ranks conjoined. Motion of Files in proportion apart, are five. Of Ranks apart, si●e. Of both conjoined, two. Motion in form of Files several, may be comprehended in four, howsoever: some by shortening & lengthening, and such like phrases of invention do make nine. Motion in form of Ranks several, are five: of both Ranks and Files conjoined, are eight. A whole company, as one body, being perfect by instruction and use herein, and hereof, as occasion shall require, may be turned into divers different forms, for the more offence, of the assailing Enemy, and defence of themselves and abettors. Motion in different distances of Files close. Close your files to the left hand. Close your files. Close your files to the right hand. Motion in distances of files open Open to the right hand. Open to the left hand. Motion in distances of Ranks close. Close Your Ranks from the Front to the Rear. Close From the Rear to the Front. Motion in distances of Ranks open. Open Your Ranks From the Rear forward. Open Your Ranks From the Front Rearward. Motion in distances of ranks & files conjoined, Close. Open. Motion in form of Files. Double your Files to the right hand Double your Files to the left hand Advance your Files to the Left hand. Right hand. By division to the Right hand. Left hand. Files rank by conversion to the Right hand. Left hand. Files countermarch to the Right hand. Left hand. After the manner of the Macedonians. Lacedæmonians. Persians. These several manners of counter-marching, I find often cited by several Authors by this term, Euolutio Macedonica, Laconica, Dorica: but confess my ignorance, know not the difference, Ideo quaere. Motion in form of Ranks double to the right hand. double to the left hand. File by conversion, ut supra. Rank 7. 5. 9 etc. Middlemen, double your Front to the right hand. left hand. To both by division. Countermarch from the right to the left hand, and by conversion, ut supra. Motion in form of conjoined Files and Ranks, Faces to the Right hand. Left hand. To both by Division. Faces to the Rear. Wheel by Conversion. Charge to the Right hand. Left hand. To both by Division. Charge to the Front. Rear. To both by Division. A perfect File is a sequence of men standing one behind another; back to belly, and subsisting commonly of ten in depth, according to the modern use of the Wars of the Netherlands, it was by the Romans termed Series, Ordinatio, Decurio, it consisteth of Leaders, & Followers, wherein the Decurio & Tergi ductor, amongst the Latins, but in our drilling the Leader, Middle-men, and Bringer up, are principally to be regarded. The Middle-man is either the fifth, or sixth man, uncertain which before the motion be commanded: ut postea. A perfect Rank is a stand or row of men, placed powldron to powldron, their faces being directed all one way, which by the Romans was styled Ordo. But when it is the first rank composed of Leaders of many Files, it was by them termed Frons & Acies, but now usually the Front Van or Vanguard. A Battalio is the connexion of many Files together: whereof the first Rank is termed the Front: the right side, the right hand Flank: the left side, the left hand Flank: the last rank in depth, the Rear: the fifth, and sixth Ranks, Middle-men: and all the remainder, Sidemen: so that where the faces are directed, one way stands the Front, the Rear is where the backs are turned: the two outmost Files, the right and left Flanks. In a Battalio likewise you must observe, that from the Leader, to the Bringer up, the whole distance between is called the breadth and Depth of Rank and File. It is requisite that in your march and stand, you regard your Leader, and Sidemen, such as in Rank shall be placed on your right & left hands, so that always in File and Rank you may be found in the same Distance, wherein you are commanded. It is to be observed, that by these words (as you were) it is intended to reduce the Soldier to the same place of order, wherein he stood before. It is likewise to be remembered, that when you double your Files to any hand, by doubling your Ranks to the contrary hand, they are as they were, and so of Ranks, ut supra. It is further to be remembered, that in charging with Pikes, only the first five Ranks do charge: for the length of the longest Pike being but eighteen foot long: the Pikes of the first Rank, can but reach over the shoulders of the Front; so that if they should be driven to Retreat, all the Ranks charging: the Subdivision (which are the five Ranks on the Rear) rather hinder, and hurt their Leaders, then do any service. It is therefore convenient that the subdivision, hold their Pikes ported, or advanced, for than they are ready upon all occasions, to charge without any difficulty, or prejudice to their fellows: for it is to be understood, that the most exquisite Captains do hold in these days, what Caesar in his time practised, which is to martial the Companies in square manuples of hundreds, especially Pikes, so that never or very seldom, they file their men but ten in depth. If any shall question why in this A, B, C, I set down postures only for two weapons, let him be pleased to receive this for satisfaction, all short weapons as Targateers, Billmen, or Holbardeer, are in these times merely out of use; and Archery is so much controverted by different opinions, whether serviceable or not necessary for use, and is so strongly, and strangely opposed, and so weakly, & waveringly defended; That were it not for those two ever memorable victories, next under God, won by them, I mean Cressy and Agincourt: It would grow questionable, whether ever it were in use amongst Englishmen; But leaving that question undecided, I only affirm, as in all other things, so in war there is a vicissitude of weapons, whereof I may truly say, as one of words: Multa renascuntur? quaeiam cecidere, cadentque: quae nunc sunt in honore, many weapons and instruments of war, which were heretofore much praised and practised, are by change of times, and benefit of fresher invention, either cast clean out of doors, or at least permitted to hang in houses, like monumenta adorandae rubiginis, retaining the bare name of furnitures, without praise or practice. And for your bare Pike, and Harcubuz, or small shot, they are included in the tractate of Pike, and Musket, and excepting the use or practice of the Musket rest, the Harcubuz and Musket, have▪ one and the same Postures, and frustra fit per plura quod fieripossit per pauciora. — Amphora cepi Institui: current rota, nunc urceus exit. Opus & usus, my more than ordinary visitors, knock at my study-dore and command me (and the rather since in this ungrateful age, and amongst thankless Plebeians all pains in this kind merit but mocks) to attend profit private, not public, more magistrorum: Therefore, what I begun with jumps and by fits, I end with, etc. etc. Lingua in Consilio valet, in Certamine dextra. Ad Lectores prorsus indignos. THere are some whom Nature begun, but never finished, whose heatlesse and heartless trunks, like overgrown Thistles in a fertile soil, heave up their unprofitable heads, above the reach of better deserving persons, and like Dogs in mangers, neither do, nor suffer to be done. But squaring all other men's endeavours, by the crooked level of their pseudopolitical conceits, condemn what is most commendable in others, yet neither do nor say any thing themselves worthy commenditions: These Gallinaceus mushrooms, qui fungino genere se totum caput tegunt: all head and no heart, lie snarling at Soldiers, and the profession military, and not having grace enough to make a prologue to a reasonable breakfast, nor heart enough to oppose a Ginny-Hen, if her feathers ruffle; do most of all, being sensible in nothing but blows, traduce as unchyistian, the practice of military discipline, and term the Professors thereof bloody and barbarous, such pusillanimous Plebeians, I bar by & main, procul hinc procul ite profani. Yet if any such meticulous Buffone chance to besmear my well intended prevention of idleness, with the slime of his calumny; let him be assured, that I rather pity his want of wit, then fear his will or skill in railing, or reasoning against the man or the matter, quod decuit tantos, cur mihi turpe putem? etc. I know the force of his circumstances can never infer the conclusion he will labour for, but as he gins with A. he will get but the addition of double S. and so I leave him, and rest A Friend to the Friend of a Soldier. I. T.