THE CHARACTER Of a true ENGLISH SOLDIER.  
Semper in Bello His maximum periculum est, qui maxim TIMENT. Audacia pro Muro Habetur.  Sallust. 
Written by a Gentleman OF THE New-raised Troops.  
With Allowance. Ro. L'Estrange.  
LONDON: Printed for D. M. 1678.   

The Character of a true English SOLDIER.  
A True English Soldier, is a free born Son of Courage, voluntarily put Apprentice to the Art of War: A stock of Heart-oak▪ fit for Laurels to be grafted on; or a sprig of Valour, that duly pruned by Discipline and Experience, sprouts up in time into an Hero. Though he take Pay, you cannot without injustice call him Mercenary: for he serves his King and Country as much out of Inclination as Necessity; and differs from the common Ruffianly Soldier of fortune, as a Charging horse from a Cart horse, or a Cock of the Game from one of Dunghill breed; so unlike, that they scarce seem of the same Species: For he scorns the vices as much as the power of his Enemies; looks upon the Camp as a severe School of Virtue, not a Sanctuary of Debauchery; and lives like a Christian, though he fights like a Turk. He holds it, next to his Creed, that no Coward can be an honest man; yet never bloodies his Sword but in the heat of Battle: For in his Quarters he is as peaceable as a Constable, and associates more lovingly with his Comrades, than Monks in a Cloister: The reason is, he is stout, not quarrelsome, and delights to have the Sun behold his Valour, because he resolves to do Actions worthy the Eye of Heaven. He will never be persuaded, that Success can justify Cruelty, or Victory legitimate a Rape, or a Storming excuse a Sacrilege: Next to Cowardice and a Mutiny, he hates nothing so much as Rudeness to the fair Sex, whose weakness he allows to be their protection; being so honourably merciful to Women in a surprisal, that the Triumphs of his Civilities can never be equalled but by those of his Prowess. 'Tis true, he is a Lover, but 'tis of Danger and Glory, whom he courts (as Jove did Semele) in Clouds of Smoke and Thunder; and appears more brave and lovely to a judicious Lady's eye in a tattered Red Coat or suit of Buff (allow him but his Arms for Trimming) than your little sprucified man of mode in his powdered Wig and Cloth of Tissue.  
He is so abhorrent from treacherous Murders or crol-blood-Massacres, that when he looks upon his Enemies dead body in the Field, 'tis with a kind of noble pity, no insultation. He attributes the whole glory of a Conquest to God's mercy and his General's conduct; and always prepares for Death, though he never fears it. He thinks not out of his own Calling, when he accounts Life a continual Warfare; and his Prayers then best become him, when, armed Cap a pe, he looks as if he had a design to take at once both Earth & Heaven by violence. Before an Engagement he signs out some such short, but zealous Ejaculation: Lord, remember me anon, when I shall be too apt to forget thee! and than falls on as resolutely and unconcerned as to a Feast. He is so confident of victory, that he always gives the Onset with a Hallo and Shouts of triumph; and pursues a Charge so furiously, that he is in with his Enemy almost as soon as his Bullet, ready, if that misses, with the Butt end of his Musket to do Execution. He fears a Sword no more than an Ague; and counts, the roaring of Cannons and whistling of Smallshot, m●ke as pleasant Music as the Base and Treble in Consort. His Courage is natural, not borrowed from the Inspirations of Drink, or thrust upon him by the necessity of Despair. 'Tis a base and malicious scandal to say, That his Valour ebbs and flows with the condition of his Snapsack, or that he can never fight well unless Beef and Bag-pudding be his Seconds. 'Tis true, the Fertility of his Country has inur'd him to a plentiful Diet, and he would willingly have his body in good plight, to keep pace with the vigour of his mind: Yet he can endure the most pinching Necessities, and, led on by Honour, will hold out a Campagne, though Hunger and Cold march never so close in the same File with him. He is true Steel, which may be bend by violence, but in a minute return to its former posture. Thus he may be overcome, but never conquered: for he will Rally after the Tenth Repulse, and pluck Victory back by the wing, when she is flying away to the Enemy. Besiege him never so strictly, so long as the Air is not shut up from him, his heart faints not: for, like Hannibal, he always either finds a way, or makes it.  
But Valour and endurance of Hardships are but two parts of a Soldier; that which completes him is Obedience; in which our true Englishman is singularly exemplary; never did any so much slight his Enemy, and so revere his Chief. The Roman Legions could not boast a Spirit at once so fierce and so docile, that could overflow the Field with mote impetuosity, and retire to his place in the Camp with less appearance of having ever gone out. The respect he bears his Officers, is more powerful than the Right of Life and Death they have over him. He is more apprehensive of their Anger, than of the Law Martial and Ordinances of War: for he obeys for love, not fear; and resents their displeasure more terribly than any punishment. He disputes no Orders, but executes them; and will charge up to a Cannon's mouth, or make a Scalado through showers of Bullets, and the midst of Flames naked, if his Country's Honour, or his Generals Command require it.  
Thus far we have seen him in his private capacity, now behold him when Merit has entitled him to a COMMAND; you shall find in his action neither a cowardly or heavy coldness, nor a rash precipitate vehemence; though he doth nothing meanly, yet he doth nothing with violence, but softly makes haste, and advances with an insensible motion. He cherishes his Soldiers as tenderly as a Father his Children, and had rather save one of their Lives, than kill ten of his Enemies. He does not train by the Book, dully reckoning up so many Postures of the Pike and Musket, as if he were counting a Game at Noddy; but, having a perfect Idea of the whole Art Military, Theoric and Practic, instructs every one according to his capacity, and prefers or punishes with a just respect to Merit. He endures equal toil with the meanest Soldier; is the first in giving a Charge, and the last in retiring his Foot. From his Example they all take fire, as one Torch lighteth many. He hath learned as well to make use of a Victory, as obtain it; for then, pursuing his Enemies like a Whirlwind, he carries all before him, being assured that is the time to complete their Ruin, when they have lost Force, Wisdom, Courage, and Reputation. He is the universal Genius that actuates all under his charge, and moves them, as the Intelligences, without tiring themselves, are said to turn about the Celestial Spheres. Observe how with his Eyes he leads the whole Army! How a nod of his Head keeps thousands in their Duty! How only his presence establisheth Order, and drives away confusion! He knows in War there is no admitting of a second error, the first and least fault being sufficient to ruin an Army; he therefore makes it his business to prevent faults, not to pardon them; and makes those that are Precedents of Disorder, Mutiny, Negligence, or Cowardice, repair their offence to the whole, by being Examples of his Justice.  
His Loyalty to his Prince, and his Love to his Sou●diers, are essential parts of his Soul; he would neither betray the one, nor defraud the other for a greater Empire than Caesar's; little seeming affronts at home cannot disoblige him; nor mighty Offers from abroad draw him to a Compliance: He scorns Honour purchased by dishonourable means, is Shot free against the Enemies golden Bullets, and impenetrable to Vanity, as well as Fear and Avarice. He at once subverts discovered endeavours, and guards himself from hidden Artifices. Neither the Poison brought from afar, nor the neighbouring corrupted Air, nor Stranger, nor Friend, nor Hopes, nor Fears, nor Threats, nor Flatteries, have power to change the goodness of his Constitution; or warp him from his duty.  
He scorns to make a Trade of War by prolonging it unnecessarily for his own profit or reputation, yet maintains it is never to be given o'er but on one of these three, conditions: An honourable and well assured Peace, absolute Victory, or an honest Death.  
But I remember our Noble Soldiers life is Action; he hates many words; and I am willing enough to comply with his Humour: for when I have said all I can, 'tis only his own Sword that can truly write his Character.  
FINIS.