ALARM To England, foreshowing what perils are procured, where the people live without regard of Martial law.  
With a short discourse containing the decay of warlike discipline, convenient to be perused by Gentlemen, such as are desirous by service, to seek their own deserved praise, and the preservation of their country. Newly devised and written by Barnaby Rich Gentleman.  
Malui me divitem esse quam vocari.  
Perused and allowed.  
1578.   

To the right honourable Sir Christopher Hatton, Knight, Captain of her majesties Guard, Vicechamberlayne to her Highness, and one of her majesties most honourable privy Counsel, Barnaby Rich wisheth long and happy life, with increase of Honour, as your Noble heart both desireth and deserveth.  
THE common and vulgar sort of people (Right Honourable) are accustomed to estimate and value of such things as shall happen to their sight, more rather according to the credit and opinion that they have conceived in the author, then for the substance or matter of that is either said, or written.  
For better proof I could allege sundry examples, but leaving many others, this fable may suffice (feigned by the Poetes) of the man, which by the consent of all the gods, was deemed for his feauture in every proportion to be so pure and perfect, that with one general verdict they all commended him to be without any manner imperfection.  
In the end Momus taking the view of this goodly parsonage, and thoroughly perusing the excellency of this creature, perceived yet one fault which all the rest had miss: which was, that there wanted a window in his breast, through which his thoughts might be looked into, whereby might be seen what there remained within him.  
Meaning that there were no man that almost might be found, how comely so ever he was in his parsonage, how gallantly so ever he went in his apparel, how smoothly so ever he could speak with his tongue, how demurely so ever he seemed in countenance, nor how plausible so ever he appeared in his other demeanours, yet if his secret thoughts might be seen into, and that the privities of his heart might be thoroughly considered of, there is no doubt, but there would be found some great corruption yet remaining.  
If this fault had been found by Pallas or Apollo, questionless it would have been registered amongst the sayings and sentences of the wise: but proceeding from him whom they rather had in contempt, then esteemed in any credit, it was reputed to be but a mock and a scorn.  
I have here (right Honourable) rashly and adventerously taken upon me to become a writer, wherein a great number (I know) will likewise condemn me, and the rather considering my simplicity & training up, which hath not been so much with my pen, but more with my pike, nor in the schools amongst learned clerks, but rather in the fields amongst unletered companions, or as some will term them, amongst a company of rustic soldiers.  
Wherefore most humbly I desire your Honour to accept of these my slender travails in good part, the which I do here present unto you with my simple service during my life, to be at your Honourable disposition: And although I do know both the one and the other to be to far insufficient to be presented unto you, yet though not according to mine own deserving, either for the value of that I have written, yet according to your accustomed clemency and goodness, that you would vouchsafe to protect and shroud them with your favourable countenance, whereby they may be made more acceptable to the readers, and be the better welcome to such as shall peruse them.  
I do here omit to follow the order of some writers, which is with great circumstance to blaze the virtues of such as they choose to be patrons of their works: for what may be said sounding more to your advancement, than what yourself have already gained, whose nobleness hath not only advanced you to so great honour, but also in every man's judgement hath made you to be deemed worthy to enjoy it?  
But I may not here omit, that amongst other honourable rooms whereto you have been called, what a precedent you have begun, whereby our captains of England may learn and gather light.  
I mean where her Majesty hath worthily appointed you to be Captain of a worthy band, what care and consideration you have ever had, aswell of the manners and conditions, as otherwise of the parsonage and ability of any one that you would permit, whereby her Majesty is guarded with a band of men, not only endued with activity, but also with honesty.  
How much they be bound to your Honour, that was the only mean to her Majesty, for the amending of their pay, whereby they are made the better able to do her service, I leave for themselves to report, and do but only wish that our Captains of England would by your Honourable example, take such light, whereby they might be made the more renowned.  
Thus desiring your Honour to pardon my boldness & simplicity, I humbly take my leave.  
Your humble and obedient servant, Barnaby Rich.   

To the gentle and friendly Reader.  
Alarms (gentle Reader) as they are given upon diverse and sundry occasions, so they are many times offered aswell by friends as foes.  
By foes to further their pretences when they practise to deceive: by friends, but to see how they be prepared, and in what readiness they stand. Who if they shall be negligent or unprovided, to give them as it were a friendly caveat, hereafter to use greater circumspection and care.  
I have in like manner adventured to give a friendly warning, the which I have termed by the name of an Alarm, wherein, I know, there be a great number will confess I have bewrayed mine own simplicity, in that I should think to give any Alarm to those that stand in doubt neither of King nor kaiser.  
But because I would not be thought to arrogate so great presumption to myself, I have rather but used the part of some poor bell ringer, or of some other inferior person, that sometimes being more afraid than hurt, hath rung the larume bell, or hath run through the camp in great haste, crying, Arm, arm, arm, wherewith every one hath run to his furniture, and being prepared to make defence, seeking on every side where the foe should make assault, it hath in the end fallen out, that the poor man was but stared in his own conceit, or else afraid of some shadow in the Moonshine. Now it may be likewise, that I am but afraid of mine own shadow, the which if it be so, my simplicity yet aught the rather to be borne withal, considering it proceedeth of good will that I bear to my country.  
But what excuse might seem here sufficient, wherewith to avoid me from so many quipping taunts, which I know will be pronounced against me, by our carping cavillers, such as will be correcting of every man's doing? Some will found fault with my homely manner of inditing, and will say, This is no good sense, or this is no true English, here he hath been something to tedious, and this matter asked longer circumstance, this manner of phrase is but bad, and by this he showed his eloquence was but small, and here it is not well pointed, and so forth with many other faults, I know not what.  
Wherefore I would these superficial heads would take this for mine answer, that what I have written, it hath not been to prove myself artificial or eloquent, but to show things more needful, which I have noted by experience.  
Some others there be, which are of such excellent memory, that there is nothing may be written which they do not already know, and will say, This is but borrowed in such a place, and this I have read in this or in that book.  
Surely I must confess I have used the help of sundry writers, but not of so many as I would have done, if I had been in place where I might have come by them: for what I have written, was only done in Ireland, where there is no great choice of books to be had▪  
But what then? Is this sufficient cause to condemn what I have written? is not the be accustomed to gather out of every flower what liketh her best, wherewith she maketh honey? Or I pray you, what is the medicine the worse, although the Physician be sometimes driven to borrow a handful of herbs out of his neighbour's garden, shall his composition be any thing the unwholesomer, because the simples were not all his own?  
There is yet an other sort, that because they think it a shame to read over any thing, & not to be able to minister some correction, because they will not be thought to be so dull witted, will find some fault, if it be but with the Orthography, and will say, It was pity this man would take in hand to writ before he could spell.  
To these I answer, As great folly might be ascribed to those that were their bringers up, that would learn them to go, before they had taught them to speak well.  
But such is the delicacy of our readers at th● time, that there are none may be allowed of to writ, but such as have been trained at school with Pallas, or at the jest have been fostered up with the Muses, and for my part (without vaunt be it spoken) I have been a travailer, I have sailed in Gravesende Barge as far as Billings gate, I have travailed from Buckelers' berry to Basingstocke, I have gone from S. Pankeridge church to Kentish town by land, where I was cumbered with many hedges, ditches, and other slippery banks, but yet I could never come to those learned banks of Helicon, neither was I ever able to scale Parnassus' hill, although I have travailed over Gaddes hill in Kent, and that sundry times and often.  
No marvel then good reader, although I want such sugared sape, wherewith to sauce my sense, whereby it might seem delightful unto thee: such curious Coxcombs therefore, which can not dance but after Apollo's pipe, I wish them to cease any further to read what I have written: but thou which canst endure to read in homely style of matters, more behooveful and necessary, than either curious or filed, go thou forward on God's name, and I doubt not, but by that time thou hast perused to the end, thou shalt found some thing to satisfy thy desire, whereby thou wilt confess that all thy labour hath not been bestowed in vain. And thus I bid thee heartily Farewell.   

To the valiant Captains and renowned Soldiers of England, Barnaby Rich wisheth for their better encouragement, increase of credit, estimation and necessary maintenance, according to their due deserts.  
ALthough (right noble Captains and worthy Soldiers) I may seem too rash and bold to enter into those discourses so far surpassing my capacity, the which I know I have finished not according as the argument hath required, but according as the slenderness of my skill would permit me: yet I protest, I have not taken in hand to writ, for any vain glory or presumption in myself, but rather to incite some one amongst you, that is more able & sufficient, to perform a greater enterprise, to a much better perfection: and for my part, I have but used the office of the meanest labouring man, & (as it were) have but brought lime and stone together, wherewith the master workman may erect his building in brave and sumptuous sort.  
Thus craving pardon for this my bold attempt, I submit altogether what I have done to your noble judgements, to correct and amend what you shall see needful and requisite. And thus I rest, yours to dispose  
Barnaby Rich.   

To my very loving friend Captain Barnaby Rich.  
I Have perused your book, as far as the shortness of the time would suffer me: which was not so far by a great deal as I gladlyest would, if it might have longer continued with me. Your travail and good mind most justly deserveth in my opinion, both thanks and commendations of all your country men. I wish with all my heart it may so be accepted of those, in whose hands the only remedy lieth, that some good order may be devised for the relief and encouragement of such virtuous minds as are contented with the expense of their blood to benefit their country. Which kind of men above all others, aught most to be esteemed as the very sinews and strength of every common weal, how mighty or wealthy so ever she be. For according to the opinion of a late learned writer, Pertinet autem maxim ad Reipub. fortitudinem, uti milites peritos & exercitatos habeat. Sic enim & tranquilla vita fruetur, & a terroribus tumultibusque vacua erit. The only strength of every common wealth is, To have skilful and well trained soldiers: so shall they live in happiness, being free from all kind of terror and tumult. And again, Dum belli furor insurgit, hostisque Reipub. bonis occupandis inhiat, eorum in manibus Reipub. Salus, Religio, Fides, Libertas est reposita. When the rage of wars doth suddenly burst out, and the enemy at hand, gaping for the spoil of the country, than both Safety, Religion, Faith and Liberty resteth wholly in the hand of the soldiers: who are the only terror to the enemy, defend their country from present danger, and bring the common wealth to safety and quietness. But our country hath always had that fault (and I am afraid will never be without it) of being unnatural and unthankful to such as with their great hazard, pains and charges have sought to attain to the knowledge of arms, by which she is chief maintained, succoured and defended. To bring one example amongst thousands▪ What a number was there of noble Gentlemen, and worthy soldiers, that in the days of that victorious prince King Henry the fifth (after the honourable behaving of themselves, as well at Agincort, as other places, to the discomfiture and utter overthrow of the whole Chivalry of France) returning to their country, were pitifully constrained (& which was in deed most miserable) in their old and honourable age for very want and necessity to beg, while a great number of unworthy wretches that lived at home, enjoyed all kinds of felicities. That Noble Gentleman Sir William Drury a Paragon of arms at this day, was wont (I remember) to say, that the soldiers of England had always one of these three ends to look for: To be slain, To beg, or To be hanged. Not doubt a gentle recompense for such a merit. Yet want there not some, that dare affirm it a vain burden to a common wealth, to maintain soldiers, as the common disturbers & hinderers of public peace. Such a one was sometime Sir Thomas Moore, who having more skill in sealing of a writ, then surveying of a Camp, was not ashamed most unwisely to writ (if I may so speak of so wise a man) that the common labourer of England, taken from the plough, was he, that when it came to the matter, did the deed: whose goodly service in time of need, is better known than I need to speak of. But what hath this Realm gained by her small account of soldiers? she hath of barbarous people been four or five times invaded and overtunne. I pray God the sixth be not nearer than men look for. It is not money nor multitude of men that in extremity prevaileth, but skill and experience that safely maintaineth and preserveth. Rome, while she maintained her soldiers, was mistress and commandress of the whole world: but when she fell to her own delicacies, and neglecting of them, she become not only a triumph, and contempt to the rude Vandale and barbarous Gothe, but as yet she remains a spectacle of miserable ruin to the universal world. We have a number of Captains, such as never came yet under ensign in their life: happy shall that realm be, that shall have need of such expert soldiers, but most unhappy and unjust men that dare challenge to themselves the place of so great a charge Soldiers enough we have that in time of peace can range their battles, cast out their skirmishes, assault towns, and conquer kingdoms, that a man would judge them at the first sight, for very Hector's and Hannibal's. But these be they, (I know not how it happeneth) that are the first that will be gone, when they come to it. We have on the other side, a number of good captains, who by their skilful experience, are well able to train and lead a gallant company of soldiers, who perceiving their cold entertainment, do daily (as no man can blame them) abandon, and utterly renounce their profession, or serve in other places where they should not. These disorders and great numbers more, your book (if it continue according to that part that I have seen) will sufficiently lay out at large, and with his alarm awake (I trust) the minds of those, in whose hands it lies to redress them: whether it do or do not, your well doing deserveth of all men to be embraced, that have with learned authorities, and sufficient eloquence, done what in you lieth to move it: the rest is to be supplied by him, that being of that Majesty, vouchsafeth, in sign of his well liking of so noble a profession, to be called by the name of Dominus exercituum, the Lord of Armies. And thus with my hearty thanks, I send you your book again. From Kingston in haste.  
Your assured friend, Barnaby Googe.   

Lodowick Flood in the behalf of the Author.  
MArch forth with Mars, clap costlets on, ring alarm loud apace,  
strike on the drum, sound out the trump, defy your foes in face.  
Shake Morpheus of, set Vatia by, flee Bacchus' banquets fro,  
shun Ceres' seat, let Venus be, to Mars your service show.  
In India loiterers were looked to, in Egypt youth were taught,  
and in Lacena idle men, as men suspect were caught.  
With sword & shield, in warlike weeds the Romans Mars obeyed,  
each Martial feat the Greeks to Mars, in mount Olympus played.  
Had Pyrrhus praise been penned in books, had Alexander fame,  
had Phrygia fields such fame by blood, had Mars not spread the same?  
Scipio got by Hannibal praise, by Pompey Cesar fame:  
by Hector stout, Achilles' strong, did win his noble name.  
What worthy Cyrus gained by wars, what noble Ninus wan,  
that Sardanapalus lost by sloth, even from thassyrians then.  
What noble courage doth attempt, what haughty hearts do win,  
that sluggish minds do loose again, as had no conquest been.  
A coward vile, a dastard he, that dares not march in field,  
whom dread of grisly gun may daunt, to leave both spear & shield  
What greater glory can be got, what greater praise be won,  
than Curtius' feats or Decius deeds, to do as they have done?  
Darius' wished Zopyrus like, to have but twenty men,  
and Agamemnon wished again, to have but Nestor's ten,  
Whereby that Troy and Ilium proud, by Nestor's wisdom won,  
and by Zopyrus brought to ground, the pride of Persia done.  
One subtle Sinon with some sleight, like Lasthenes one to be  
is better than a thousand such, that brags and boast and flee.  
Then place this path the tract is plain, that Rich hath trodden out,  
and leads thee lightly to the place, where honour should be sought.  
Sigh Rich of right did run this race, and painted forth with pen,  
his travail tried commend you must to Mars and to his men:  
And give of right to Rich his praise, that rings the alarm bell,  
enrol his name, record his fame, and say to Rich far well.   

Thomas Churchyard Gentleman, in commendation of this work.  
IF child that goes to skoell, did any warning tack  
at fellows fawtts who feells the rod (when they offence do maek)  

His orthography and manner of writing observed.  himself should skaep the skorge, and construe many a lain  
and laugh to scorn the whisking whip, that makes the skollars whyen  
But neither child nor man, will warning taek you see  
till tempest comes with thunder crak, & stryeks down staetly tree  
hour nebors house a fire, bids wyes to loek a bowtt  
and rack up coells in embers cloes, and put the candle owtt  
lest sparkulls creep in straw, and smothering smoek a ryes  
and styeffull silly sleeping Soells, in bed that caerles lies  
The wars at hand we here, makes hollow peace to bloeshe  
bids call for wars and coetts off steel, to stand and byed the poeshe  
A man who long gyus aem, may shoett hymself at leynth  
A heady horse must corbbed be, by cunning or by streynth  
A wyelly wicked world, bids wantton heads bewaer  
Whatt needs moer words when peace is craktt, for lufty wars prepaer  
lose not your old renown, O baebs off bryttayn bloed  
Dance afftter drum, let tabor go, the musyck is not good  
that makes men loek lyek gyrlls, and mince on carpaytts gay  
as though maid marry on mentt to march, and juen should bring in May  
The sound off trumpet sure, will change your maidens face  
to loek lyek men or lions whelpps, or tigers in the chase  
A gallantt stoering horse, that makes a manneg ryghtt  
wear fitter than a lady fyen, for myghtty marssys Knightt  
The wars for marshall minds, and peace for Venus' men  
The sword and soldier best agrees, the lawyer for the pen  
The wars calls corraeg up, and peace breeds cowards still  
makes people proud, dystroyes great hartts, and pampers wantton will  
peace prowlls a bowtt for pence, and wars the mock will spend  
that greedy gain hordes up in hoells, god knows to little end  
the wealth that peace doth bring, makes many a myscheeff ryeff  
and peace rons headlong in to vice, and wars refforms lewd lyeff  
for fear off sword or sho●t, man's mind loeks throw the stars  
the hartt fawlls flat beffoer his face, that makes both peace and wars  
the noghtty natuerd wyghtt, by wars is broghtt in fraem  
the badst putts on better mind, the wyeldest waxeth taem  
peace fills the land with pomp, that gyus a privy wownd  
feeds folly fat, makes virtue lean, and floeds off vice a bound,  
Daem lust her pleasuer taeks, in peace and banquets sweet  
and wars doth quench our hot desire's, and dawntts the dallying spirit  
in wars we honour win, on peace reproetch doth grow  
and wars contentts our noblest frynds, and peace doth pleas our foe  
peace puts up sundry wrongs, and wars doth right mentayn  
and sure a battle is well lost, that doth a kingdom gain  
To fight in foreign soil, apawlls the enemies pried  
and better fare abroed to march, than here the brontt to byed  
not many hold with peace, though wars is called a shreawe  
nor many aer by peace made rich, for wealth butt fawlls to few  
and those that thryus by peace, aer fy●n and full off sleyghtt  
who taketh owtt of measuer still, and gyus again by weyghtt  
if any win by wars (as divers do in deed)  
they lose the same again by peace, thus peace myslyek doth breed  
for peace restoers the goods, that war hath concquerd well  
yields up the fortts, gyus back perfforce, the towns wherein we devil  
and war trains soldyors up, (which keeps the world in awe)  
puts rebels down, mentayns good men, that still upholds the law  
When Roem soghtt wars from hoem, in peace the staett remained  
when common wealth with peace was cloyed, proud people peace dysdaynd  
This peace I do compaer, to calmye wether fair  
that smoethly loeks till doskye clouds, have clean oercast the air  
butt when the stordy storms, rons rattling throw the skies  
The rack goes swyfftt the clouds wax dark, and raging winds aryes  
and tears up trees by roetts: such store a tempest makes  
that at the clapp, low caves of earth, and highest heaven shaeks  
war is not liek to this, where badst war you find  
butt peace moer liek a swelling sore, that festers sowndest mind  
and so bursts owtt in byells, in botch or ulcerrs great  
which utters by there smoking fuem, a cuerles inward heat  
let peace give place to war, of force hit must be so  
off force the gallantts off this land, must needs a warrffaer go  
though stowttnes strive you see, the quarrel is the staetts  
that steps in to those bloody broylls, by feyghtt to end debaetts  
admit that millions die, and perish on the plain  
in princes cause and conttreys' ryghtt, there must be thousands slain  
To hold the enemies short, and maek our manhoed known  
whose value in our elders days, about the world was blown.  
and we wear victors called, and feared of foreign foe  
where now transformed to women's wills, liek carpett knights we go  
O Eangland loek thou back, what noble elders did  
shall strangers brags & boests give fear, to boldness god forbid  
Thyen honour so wear stained. Than pluck up corraeg now  
and wash away that spyetffull spot, that blotts thy noble brow  
To give thy soldyors lyeff, this boek is nuely made  
by one who c●n for conttreys' cause, well use both pen and blaed  
Accept his willing work, give other corraeg to  
(by fauring that is worthy prays) the lyek off this to do  
This sets forth many griefs, and searcheth sundry soars  
not fraemd ●o fawn and flatter world, a soldier that a boers  
Loek for the lyek in haste, from me if leisure will  
and that you pleas to taek in worth, the pains of barrayn quill.   

S. Strong, in the behalf of the Author.  
IF painful pilgrim for his toil, deserves a guerdon due  
In seeking of the sacred sort, which virtue doth pursue:  
Or if the wakeful watch in war, do merit like reward,  
Or cunning pilot that with skill, doth take his due regard,  
To cut in twain the billows huge, that swell in Ocean sea,  
And keeps the keel aright his course, till wished port he wray:  
Then (Rich) that rings this alarm bell, to warn his countries thrall,  
And sorts (much like the busy Bee) the honey from the gall,  
Deserves no less, in am thereof: such fruit I reap thereby,  
As for my part, a double praise, I may him not deny.  
The toil to him no profit yields, he bites on bitter pain:  
He hales home harvest for the chaff, the reader reaps the grain.  
He gives the sword and shield in hand, to shroud thee from annoy,  
He wisely warns thee of the worse, jest foes might thee destroy:  
He treads thee out a perfect path, o England loud I cry,  
Refuse therefore thy follies past, he sees thee go awry:  
And leave of all thy lustful life, and eke thy great excess,  
Thy dainty fare, thy fine array, and eke thy wantonness.  
Leave of likewise thy usance great, and leave thy lawing vain,  
Jest for the present guile thereof, there hap some future pain.  
Yet God forbidden but justice should in each thing bear the sway,  
And law is good where law is used, I cannot this denay.  
But so your Common laws are coursed, at will of every pelth,  
That common is the woe (God knows) but private is the wealth.  
Do sort thyself from Comedies, and foolish plays of love,  
Jest tragical and worse perhaps in fine thee chance to prove.  
Take sword in hand, and leave of ease, for now the time is come,  
The bell is rung, the trumpets sound, all arm doth strike the drum.  
And thank good (rich) that rings the same, to wake thee out of sleep,  
That thou thyself, that livest at peace, in safety still mightst keep.  
A jewel rich and gem of price, the same no doubt doth seem,  
A richer gift for thy behoof, he could not give, I deem.   

Thomas Lupton, in commendation of this work.  

WHat better thing, than perils to prevent?  
What danger more, then careless still to sleep?  
Then is't not good, in peace for to frequent  
The thing that us from force of foes may keep?  
What harm in heat, to make for cold a hood?  
The Ant provides, in summer winters food.   

Therefore who loathes his loss and countries spoil,  
Let him peruse this book with greedy mind,  
Which utters how his foe may have the foil,  
And eke what hurt through want of skill we find.  
And thank thou Rich, that gives this alarm bell,  
A richer gift, he could not give thee well.    

The Author to the reader, why he took in hand to writ this book.  
IN doleful dumps of deep despair, and unacquainted fit,  
with troubled head but here of late, I chanced for to sit,  
revolving what revenge the gods do yield to those of right,  
that have their godheds in disdain, or yet contemns their might:  
What justice jove did rightly use, and juno also show  
on Priam's race for Paris fact, the Trojans all did know.  
Actaeon felt Diana's force, she yielded him for hire:  
and what it is for mortal men, to move the gods to ire  
Narcissus may a mirror be, of Venus' scourge to such  
as have her darlings in disdain, or at her laws will grudge.  
The Spider shows how vain it is, to such as will contemn,  
and Piers daughters for like fact, the Muses did condemn.  
And Bacchus birds had dew reward, for that they would despise,  
and what revengement hath been used by Ceres may suffice.  
Though I omit a numbered more, that here I could recite,  
who for contemning of the gods, have felt their force and might:  
But here my muse is in a maze, my senses all do shake,  
my fainting wits do fail for fear, my quivering quill doth quake,  
To blaze the bloody broils of Mars, the mighty god of war,  
wherewith he plagues such rebels stout, as at his laws will snarre.  
How he doth scourge the careless crew, that lives devoid of awe,  
in secure sort without regard of Mars or martial law.  
Not stories strange I need recite a hundred years forepast,  
but such as chanced in these our days, and at this hour doth last.  
Let Holland make discourse at large, if I have said amiss,  
whose state sometime in all respects, surmounted most in bliss.  
Whose towns were seated in such sort, by nature framed so strong,  
as no assault of foreign foe, might do them sudden wrong.  
No want of wealth might work their woe, no coin with them was scant,  
of ships great store in every port, no pleasure they did want.  

Lecker cost is good cheer.  They lived at case in vile excess, they sought for (Lecker cost)  
their paunches stuffed with double beer, was that they card for most.  
They honoured Bacchus as their god, and Venus had her dew,  
but as for Mars they knew not him, they were not of his crew.  
they scorned to learn the laws of arms, their country to defend,  
they lived in peace, which as they thought, should never have an end.  
But mighty Mars, who long had winkte, & borne with their contempt  
perceiving that from him and his, themselves would still exempt,  
To teach such rebels to resist, his godhead did devise  
a strange revenge, if wisely weighed: for whom they did despise,  
And whom they held in most contempt, even they did rule the roast,  
and such had them at their command, as they despised most.  
Lo here of Mars the judgement just, prepared but of right,  
that those which had both him and his, but late in such despite,  
Those that disdained all martial wights, & scorned to learn their law  
by martial might were soon suppressed, and brought to live in awe.  
Of men of war by vow professed, a troop of Mars his train,  
though numbered small more haughty hearts, came never out of spain  
And these were planted in their towns, throughout in every place,  
and soldiers now prescrybd them laws, a woeful altered case.  
They swayed the sword where they become, for who durst them resist?  
they took their lives as they thought good, & pardoned whom they list  
Their lives & goods were at command, their coin at spaniards call,  
their virgins fair, their married wives, the spaniardes held as thrall.  
their scutes must scour with fristers fraught whom spaniards must convoy  
their waggans trolled with lusty frows, that never made it coy.  
Their husbands they must be content, they durst not seek redress:  
the spaniardes held them in good awe, their deeds did show no less.  
A hundredth spaniards in a town would govern thousands five,  
the Hollanders were men of peace, they loved not they to strive.  
Good men they took all in good part, but if they happed to quarrel,  
their strife at first was stirred about, that (Shellam) in the barrel.  
But though of Holland all this while, my tale hath been pretended,  
yet other places in like case, with Holland have offended,  
And have with Holland felt the scourge, of Mars his force and might  
wherewith he daunts the rebel rout, that hath him in despite.  
Hath Seland think you scaped free, let Flanders make report.  
let Brabant brag what gains they get, that lives in secure sort.  
But Antwerp thou thy woeful wrack, thy spoil hath proved plain  
where martial minds do want, no state in safety may remain.  
For thou that sometime didst excel, whose wealth did so abound,  
whose daily traffyque did surmount, whose like might not be found,  
Whose streets with merchants so did swarm, who by their painful toil  
did bring their goods by sea and land, from every foreign soil.  
Of Europe thou the storehouse rich, wert sometime called by name,  
in wealth I say a peerless piece, so passing was thy fame.  
Thy houses built in bravest sort, with walls environed round,  
a platform of a greater force, might not in haste be found.  
Artillery both great and small, abundant was thy store,  
for armour, weapon, powder, shot, what should I speak of more?  
For all provisions for the war, great store thou didst possess,  
thou naught didst want but martial minds, the sequel showed no less  
For thou ne durst at all contend, what Spaniards would gainsay  
thou paidst for building of a slot, that wrought thy own decay. 
A slot is a castle.   
In bondage thus at Spaniards call, thyself thou didst bequest,  
by means whereof thy store become, a scourge to all the rest.  
What did ensue is to well known, I need not here express,  
I rue thy wrack, but yet I say, thou didst deserve no less.  
For hadst thou trained but half the troop, to been of Mars his train,  
that practised daily to be drunk, in Bacchus' beastly vain:  
Or hadst thou spent but half the pelf, to maintain martial wights  
that was consumed in vile excess, by Bacchus' drunken knights,  
What kaiser could have wrought thy woe, what prince have done thee wrong  
what foreign foe have thee avoid, thy force had been so strong?  
But Mars might be of no account, thou knewest no such a god,  
his laws were never called to mind, before thou felt his rod.  
Who will not here confess a truth, that all thy spoil and wrack,  
was but for want of martial minds? thou hadst no other lack.  
For better proof this may suffice, to such as will confess  
a troth apparent to be true, what should I more express  
Than this, the spoil the Spaniards gave to Antwerp in such sort,  
that all the world doth wonder yet to hear the true report?  
Five thousand Spaniards at the most, by force in bloody broil,  
should so subdue a famous town, and bear away the spoil.  
Where such provision of defence, in store did so abound,  
where hundred thousands able men were daily to be found.  
Enough to eat the spaniards up, had they been baked in pies,  
or had been brewed in double beer, because the Flemings gyes  
Do better serve to drink then eat, the Spaniards had been dead,  
they would have drunk them all up quite, without a bit of bread.  
But here enough to make my proof, and still of this be sure:  
where Mars is had in no account, no state may long endure.  
May rebels (think you) scape his scourge, may such contempt go quite  
will Mars the mighty god of war be had in such despite?  
Not not, he may defer a time, ere he revengement take:  
but in the end he pays them home, the stoutest than doth quake.  
O England would thou didst regard, what plagues in time do hap  
to such as so without respect are lulled in pleasures lap,  
And fears no force of future fits, that after may ensue,  
till dangers do beset them round, and then to late to rue.  
And would to God by others harms, thou mightst so warned be,  
that thou into thine own estate, wouldst vouchsafe to see.  
And tell me then if Mars be had in honour like a god,  
if not, how thinkest thou to escape the rigour of his rod?  
May peace procure so great contempt, and altar kind so far,  
that your should make thee quite forget there is a god of war?  
Shall martial feats be still neclect, as though we were so sure,  
that this our time of pleasant peace, should evermore endure?  
Would God it might, but so to wish, I know is but in vain,  
our foes are ready priest no doubt, they seek but time to gain.  
What though in secret yet they lie, who knows not why they stay?  
their quarrel is not now to seek, they hope but for a day.  
Lo here the cause that urged me first, to take in hand to wright  
this blunt discourse, good reader, here presented to thy sight.  
Which if thou wilt vouchsafe to read, do judge as thou shalt find:  
give sentence then, and I will mend, if aught mislike thy mind.  
FINIS.  Felix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum.  

The first part entreating of war.  
I Doubt not, but a great number will think I have taken pains more then enough, 
The first objection.  to writ of wars, or of warlike disciplines. First, because wars have ever been accounted a most grievous plague, and of itself is reputed so evil, so strange, and so pernicious, that it comprehendeth and surmounteth, all other kind of evils: for it afflicteth as well the poor and innocents, 
The fruits of war.  as those that be wicked and evil disposed: for by it good laws are decayed, humanity is defaced, equity is suppressed, holy places are profaned, murders are committed, virgins are deflowered, chaste matrons are defiled, kingdoms be subdued, cities be ruinated: as warlike Numace, sumptuous Corinth, stately Thebes, delicate tire, learned Athens, holy jerusalem, contentious Carthage, mighty Rome, and now lastly wealth Antwerp. These with many other more, by wars have been sacked, spoiled, rob, defaced, and sometime laid waste and desolate: for war, pestilence, and famine, are the three darts, which the almighty God is wont to shoot against the earth, when he is displeased: and is holden so irksome amongst us, that in our litany we daily use this prayer, From plague, pestilence, famine, battle, and murder, good Lord deliver us.  
A second reason, why I should be condemned, is this: 
A second objection.  Because as the war of itself is an evil, and that so loathsomely detested: even so, to be professors, followers, and ministers in the same, is esteemed a thing more fit for ruffians, roisters, blasphemers, and people of the vilest condition, rather than an exercise for honest men, in whom there is any fear of God, or any love towards their neighbour: in so much that Cornelius Agrippa sayeth, That if you would call a tyrant, a blasphemer, a murderer, a robber, a spoiler, a deflowerer, an oppressor, with many other such like: if you would (saith he) include all these into one short name, you may call him by the name of a soldier.  

A third objection.  But now thirdly and especially, I know a number will scorn me, and think me to be to simple to writ any thing of wars, in this so peaceable a time, but would rather have allowed of my discretion, if I could have framed some conceit according to the time, some pleasant discourse, some strange novel, some amorous history, some far fet or unknown device: this might have purchased me credit: the Printer might have gained by selling of my book: but to give men sudden Alarms of war, that be quietly minded, 
Such is the effect of security.  pleasantly disposed, and peaceably pretended, I know it is but a mockery: and even now I begin to muse with myself, what madness at the first should drive such a conceit into my brain: but seeing I have begun to enter into this fondness, pardon me, I pray you, the hearing of my excuse, which I trust you shall find to be reasonable.  

Of war.  Then first to speak of war, because I know there be many whose consciences be so scrupulous, that they think no wars may be lawfully attempted, allowed of by God's word, or agreeing with true christianity, for the number of outrages which by it are committed.  
I think it therefore convenient to see, what proofs may be alleged in the defence of war, although not in general, yet in the holy Scriptures where they have been allowed of, and many times commanded by the almighty God himself.  

Genesis 14.  In the 14. Chapter of Genesis it is written: When Abram heard his brother was taken, he harnessed his fresh young men, borne in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and followed on them until Dan: and he was set in array upon them by night, he and his servants: and he smote them, and pursued them unto Hoba, which lieth on the left hand of Damascus, and recovered all the goods, and brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, etc.  
By this it seemeth, that Abram executed as well the part of a King, 
Abram executed the part of a King.  as the duty of a Captain: in that he took upon him to levy a band, and to enter into battle with these that before had oppressed his friends: which he did of his own head: and yet this part did nothing offend God, 
Wars nothing offended God.  as the sequel doth evidently prove.  
But in the 31. Chapter of Numeri, 
Numeri. 31.  by the express commandment from God, Moses is willed to make war upon the Madianites, the words be these: 
Wars commanded by God.  And the Lord spoke unto Moses, saying: Avenge the children of Israel of the Madianites: and afterward shalt thou be gathered unto thy people. And Moses spoke unto the folk, saying: Harness some of you unto war, and avenge the Lord of the Madianites, etc. And in the 8. chapter of the book of josua: And the Lord spoke unto josua, Fear not, neither be thou faint hearted, take all the men of war with thee, & up, & get thee to Hai: Behold, I have given into thy hand the King of Hai, and his people, and his city, and his land: and thou shalt do to Hai and her King, as thou diddest unto jericho and her king: nevertheless, the spoil and cattle thereof shall ye take unto yourselves, etc.  
Saul in the first book of Kings the 15. chapter, 
1. King. 15.  hath the like commandment: and these be the words: Samuel said unto Saul, The Lord sent me to anoint thee King over his people Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the Lord: Thus saith the Lord of hosts: I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how they laid wait for them in the way, as they came out of Egypt: Now therefore go and smite Amalek, and destroy ye all that pertaineth unto him, & see that thou have no compassion on them, and covet nothing that they have: slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass, etc.  
By this commandment we may perceive, GOD gave charge to Saul, that he should sack the countries of the Amalechites, and to pass by the edge of the sword, men, women, children, and beasts, without dispense or grace, giving a reason of that extreme justice: because those people had done many oppressions to Israel, in the voyage out of Egypt into Chanaan, and willeth him in no wise to show mercy, or to have compassion, not so much as upon women and children. This place might seem over cruel to such as would have men go to war, and to kill no body, nor to commit any spoil: neither do I allege this, to maintain tyranny, for there is time and occasion to use, both rigour and pity, justice and mercy, as hereafter I will further show. I mean now but to make proof, that God hath not been displeased with wars, but is called in many places, the God of hosts. And Moses citeth a place of the wars of the Lord: and in the 20. chap. of the second book of Chronicles it is written, 
2. Chron. 20 cap.  that when josaphat had understanding of the multitude of his enemies the Moabites, the Ammonites, and the Syrians that were gathered against him, josaphat assembling his people into the Temple, made this prayer unto God.  

The prayer of josaphat.  O Lord God of our Fathers, art thou not God in heaven, & reignest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thy hand is power and might: and there is no man that is able to withstand thee: art not thou our God, which diddest cast out the inhabiters of this land, before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy lover for ever? and they dwelled therein for thy name, saying: If evil come upon us, as the sword of judgement, pestilence, or hunger: then if we stand before this house, and cry unto thee in our tribulation, hear thou and help. And now behold, the children of Ammon, and Moab, and mount Seir, by whom thou wouldst not let them of Israel go, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they departed by them, and destroyed them not, see how they would reward us, that would cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit: O our God, wilt thou not judge them, for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us, neither wot we what to do, but our eyes attend upon thee. And as he continued thus in prayer, behold, the Prophet spoke unto him: Fear not this multitude, it shall not be thy war, but the wars of God, etc.  
I could here cite a number of like places, but these may seem sufficient, 
wars sometime pleasing God better than peace.  to prove that wars have been acceptable before the majesty of God, and sometimes more available than peace, as in the second chapter of the book of judges it appeareth, where the children of Israel were blamed for making of peace with the Canaanites.  
And like as out of the scriptures, many other probable reasons might be gathered: so there be divers excellent authors, and sundry learned writers, which seem not only to allow of wars, but think them to be many times very meet & convenient to be attempted & to be taken in hand: and that it is many times necessary for Princes to become enemies, to the end they may be perfect friends. 
A happy war which bringeth assured peace.  And a most happy begun war may that be called, whereby is wrought the safety of the state: so contrary, most miserable is the peace, 
A miserable peace.  which bringeth with it, the hazard of a country.  
Cicero saith in his book of Offices, 
Tull. officiis lib. ●.  To this end and purpose we must enter into war, that without injury we may live in peace. And in an other place of the same book he sayeth: We must beware that we take not up the matter by advice, more to avoid war, then for cause of profit: 
wars must be taken in hand to the end to have peace.  for we must never by seeking to escape peril, deserve to seem cowards and dastards, but so let wars be taken in hand, as no other thing but peace, may seem to have been sought. This was the cause that made Demosthenes so mightily to inveigh against king Philip: for he perceiving the insatiable desire of king Philip, and that he meant to make a conquest of all Grecia, and had already begun with the Olynthians, whom if he had once overthrown, there was nothing then to let his passage to Athens, the which Demosthenes very well foreseeing, by sundry orations persuaded the Athenians not only to send help to the Olynthians, but also to send an army into the parts of Macedon, a mean whereby to make king Philip to have withdrawn his force from the Olynthians, 
Better offend then defend.  to defend his own country: alleging by many persuasions, that aid to their neighbours was very needful and necessary, when their own safety did chief consist in the others good success: for who withdraweth himself when his neighbour's house is on fire, may want help to quench his own. 
wars sometime attempted, occasion of better peace.  Thus we may see, although that peace be chief to be desired, yet many times by entering into wars it is the more safely & quietly maintained: Like to a ship which many times by some extraordinary wind, forsaketh the quiet harbour, and seeketh her safety in the wild and raging seas.  

Time best taken when it serveth.  So as Solomon saith, There is a time of peace, a time of war, a time of mirth, a time of mourning: and therefore to use time in time, as occasion doth serve, is a point of the greatest wisdom. 
Tull. de officiis lib. 1.  And Cicero to the same effect useth these words: To run to the field rashly all upon the head, and to enter conflict & skirmish with the enemy, is no point of humanity, but the property of a savage beast: but when time & necessity requireth, then on with armour, and fight for life, preferring death before servitude and misery.  

As great injustice not to defend an injury as to offer an injury.  And in an other place of the same book, he speaketh of two kinds of injustice: the first in him that will offer it: the second in him that will take it, and being able will not defend it. But here peradventure some will allege against me the saying of Christ, where he willeth, that he who had received a blow on the one ear, should likewise turn the other: & he that would take thy cloak, thou must likewise give him thy coat. But I trust they will not maintain by this, that a Prince, when he is oppressed by any tyrant, should surrender up his crown & signory, for that he should be counted a quiet man and the child of God, or that God's word doth any where forbidden a Prince to maintain his right, or that it should not be lawful for him to enter into wars, either for the maintenance of God's true religion, 
For how many causes a Prince may enter into arms.  either for his own security, as did the Athenians against king Philip: either for the subversion of any tyrant or oppressor, or such as shall wrongfully usurp upon any other, that are not able to defend their own cause. And in the ancient time, it hath been thought very convenient, that where a tyrant doth reign over his own people with cruelty, ravin, rape, murder, or other like oppressions, wherein a Prince may do his subjects manifest wrong, and is not by them to be redressed, for that it is not lawful for the subject to stand in arms against his Prince: it hath been always therefore thought requisite, that such Princes as have been borderers next upon him, should chastise and correct so great enormities, to the end that the name of a King might not seem odious & hateful to the common sort of people: as was Nero, Heliogabulus, Dionysius, and others.  
This goat Hercules such immortal glory, 
What gained Hercules such immortal glory.  that he was reckoned amongst the number of the gods, only for his valiance and prowess, used upon monsters, tyrants, oppressors, and such other.  
But something the better to satisfy such as in their opinions are so precise, to think that no wars, how soever it be attempted, may be either good or godly: I will therefore here recite the words of that learned and excellent man Hieronymus Osorius, in order as they be written in his book entitled, Of Christian nobility, which follow in this manner:  

Hieronymus Osorius in his book entitled, Christian nobility.  First therefore, I can conceive no reason why they should despise warfare when it is rightfully begun and taken in hand in the defence of religion, whereas we see it wonderfully extolled in innumerable places of holy scripture, which they do not deny: but what say they? many things (say they) were contained in the old law, which rather for the times sake were tolerated, then worthy dew commendation: as to make a divorce, to take usury of foreign countries, of which sort they say is to make wars upon our enemies: but what semblance or similitude hath either usury or divorces with martial affairs? for they were not commended, but tolerated because of men's weakness and imbecility: but he that durst presume not to obey, when commandment was given to wage battle, committed an offence so heinous, that he could redeem the same by no satisfaction. For in what place read we that it was decreed, that he should either abide a pain, or be subject to a curse if any man (whereas after the first offence his wife counted it was lawful so to do) did not depart from his wife, or exacted no usury of foreigners and strangers? but in many places we have well noted, that men ravished and replenished with the holy spirit, have decreed that they should die the death which through cowardice refused to come forth into the field. But what should I in this place make mention of Deborah, who being inspired with the holy ghost, curseth them, which for as much as in them lieth, take not in hand the wars of the Lord, and inveigheth against their cowardice in sharp & vehement words? And again, they lay to our charges circumcision, the offering up of a lamb, old sacrifices, which were in old time with great devotion kept, and after the coming of Christ did want their wonted reverence: as though warfare did any whit appertain to the ceremonies and mysteries of holy things, and were not rather ordained for the preservation of the common wealth: for those holy rights, in which were foreshadowed the express signs and tokens of justice and salvation, to be procured by our high and mighty Saviour Christ, after the coming of the thing itself, which was by those signs declared, were by good right and just desert abrogated and disannulled: but this can not be thought of the noble knowledge of feats of arms, for as much as it is not comprised under the nature of ceremonies, but embraced for the maintenance and preservation of the common safety, and wholly appertaineth to civil policy: and to confounded those things which are to be distinguished, it is either the property of extreme madness, or an argument of wonderful temerity and rashness. And whereas the state of the common wealth can not be established, but it must needs be stayed, and as it were propped up with strength and force of arms, for as much as all things in the time of peace to be practised and exercised, are under the tuition and defence of martial prowess: he that taketh away the knowledge of feats of arms, worketh the overthrow of the common wealth: which thing if it had happened through christian discipline, then mad men moved with some reason, might say to our charge, that some common wealth by means of Christian discipline was overthrown: which slanderous accusation how wicked and vain it is, we have afore declared. For Christ would not that the state of civil policy should be overthrown, but rather established and confirmed: and therefore as he hath not wrested the sword out of the hand of a Magistrate, so neither would he have a soldier to want his weapon, to the intent that a Magistrate being armed with authority of laws, might with severity of the same laws, suppress wickedness amongst the members and inward parts of the common wealth, and the soldier clad in armour, might with dint of sword repel and put aside from the common wealth all imminent danger. For this cause john never exhorted men from applying themselves to the knowledge of feats of arms, but prescribeth laws unto soldiers of harmless usage, and temperate behaviour: And Paul calleth those Magistrates the servants of God, which with the sword punish wicked and desperate persons. Truly nothing were more heartily to be desired of a Christian man, then that all men would refrain themselves from wickedness and sinful lust: but for as much as that can not always fall out, and in stead of continency, unbridled lust: in stead of justice, either foreign force or civil broils use to arise: then of necessity either force of the enemy is with weapons and main strength to be beaten back, or the outrage of our citizens with sword to be repressed. That say they is contrary to christian charity: as though any kind of cruelty were greater than to be dissolute and negligent in a general distress and misery. Christ hath commanded that we should not be revenged of our enemies: no doubt it is the property of perfect and absolute virtue, when privately we sustain wrongs and injuries, to show a singular and wondered patience of the mind: but when either the common wealth or safety of our country, or the honour or estate of religion is impugned, then against outrage and villainy, to take an invincible stomach. Christ hath especially commended us unto peace: no doubt, that peace he hath commended, which he himself gave us, which doth not consist in pleasant rest and quietness, that man's nature is prove to require (for who can suppose that he hath granted unto us that kind of security, when he suffered his own disciples to be tossed, as it were, with troublesome waves of man's outrageous fury?) but that peace, by the which we were reconciled into the grace and favour of God, which had conceived great wrath & indignation against us, and to whose religion our wilful appetites were most repugnant: these enmities therefore & dislikings between us and God, Christ (as Paul testifieth in many places) with his own precious blood hath done away, and hath purchased for us a peace continual & everlasting. The which we may then especially enjoy, when we most vehemently and eagerly fight, either for the safety of our country, or maintenance of the faith of Christ and his religion: unless peradventure we suppose, that Abraham wanted the benefit of this peace, at what time he gathering a band of men of his own domestical servants, encountered with a huge and puissant host of his enemies, & valiantly (far exceeding the estimation of man) vanquished four mighty Kings, and his enemies being part of them slain, the other put to the worse, he carried away the spoil. Or if we think likewise of Gedeon, who being guarded only with three hundred men of war, slew innumerable multitudes of his enemies. Again, what think you of josua, Moses his successor? what of jephthah? What should I rehearse many other noble men, honoured aswell for their fervent zeal of religion, as magnified for their worthy exploits in martial affairs? may we think that they did offend God, when they most valiantly set upon their enemies? or shall we not rather say, that then especially the peace of GOD took effect amongst them, when in the cause of righteousness, against godless people they waged battle? Thus far Osorius.  
But because it shall not be thought that this is but one doctors opinion, we find many other that do give the like commendation. Divine Plato praiseth this art of war, 
Commendation of the art of war.  and commandeth that children should learn it, and as soon as they be of ability, to become soldiers. Cyrus' said, It was as necessary as husbandry. Augustine and Barnard, both catholic doctors, do approve it.  
But the people of Rome, who amongst all other did most exceed in nobleness of courage & in desire of martial glory, (as may appear by their images of honour, which for the most part are set up in warlike array) they appointed for their chief officers two consuls, the one to deal in city matters, the other still occupied in warlike causes. For they very well foresaw, that it was not possible to live at quietness within the walls of the city, if the enemy were not kept back from invading their bounds and territories.  
Hippodamus Mylesius, a man excellent well learned in the study of good arts, thought it very convenient for that country or city that would live in quiet safety, that they should divide and separate their people into three sorts: the one to artificers, the other to husbandmen, and the third to warriors.  

No renown so honourable as that which is gained by martial prowess.  And in the ancient time, there hath been no glory thought so great, no renown esteemed so honourable, as that which hath been gained by force of martial prowess: and of purpose to provoke and prick forward each manly wight, great rewards have been appointed to such as have deserved well.  

What reward hath been used to such as have showed themselves courageous in the wars Numbers 14. josua. 15.  The noble Caleb, who by his great courage and constancy of mind, had again persuaded the children of Israel, that were in a muttering to have returned into Egypt, to continue in their former manhood and virtue: and had therefore his reward promised him by Gods own mouth. This Caleb having a very beautiful daughter whose name was Achsah, would bestow her on no man but upon him that could take the city named Cariathe, which in the end was taken by Othniel, his brother's son.  

1. Kings. 17. 2. King. 7.  David likewise received great riches with the daughter of king Saul for kill Goliath: and David himself promised great reward to such as should overthrow the jebusites.  
Among the Carthagians, they had so many rings given them, as they had been present at battles.  
Among the Scythians, they only might drink in a broad bowl of gold (that was carried about) who had slain an enemy.  
The romans above the rest to stir up men's minds to worthiness, and with the better will to provoke them to martial exploits, invented glorious triumphs, whereby he that deserved fame, might be for ever renowned: so contrariwise, to such as were cowards, dastards, 
What reproach▪ was used to carpet knights.  or of the affinity of our carpet knights, to such most bitter cauntes & shameful reproaches were most justly appointed.  
The Macedonians ordained a law, that he who had not in fight of battle overcome one, should in the sight of all men be trussed up in a halter.  
The women of Cimbria would kill those that first fled the field, yea, although they were their next friends & kinsmen.  
The women of Spraca would go into the field to see in what place their husbands and friends were wounded, if it were before, they would with joy and gladness show them to every man, and so bury them with great solemnity: if behind, they all ashamed would departed leaving them unburied.  
Tirrias' a woman of Lacedemonia, having understanding that her son was slain in a battle, answered, Was it not requisite, that my son going to the wars should slay others? Wherefore should I then lament, if he himself be slain? no surely, I more joyfully take knowledge of my sons death worthy of me and his predecessors, them if with shame in sloth and idleness he should yet have lived. Let cowards complain, for I without tears will bury my son.  
another woman of Lacedemonia killed her own son, for that he had returned from the wars, in whose reproach this Epitaphe was written: 
Thou dastard knight Damatrion, thy mother hath thee slain:  
That didst both her and Spratayne blood with cowardice distain.   
Solon, who for his wisdom is most renowned, being demanded of Croesus' king of Lydia, whom he judged of all other to be most happy, answered: one Tellus an Athenian, which had begotten (in a country abounding with all commodities) children excelling in goodliness of parsonage, & strength of body, and afterwards, defending his country manfully, ended his life with great glory.  
Thus we may perceive, how in the ancient time, they thought the knowledge & practice of war to be in great reputation, that by so many means would seek to encourage men to the exercise of it: & what incommodity hath happened unto those, that have so wholly sought their felicity in peace, that they have not only despised war, but utterly refused to learn any martial discipline, or warlike exercise, hereafter shall be showed.  

The occasions that make men to hate war.  But the occasions that make men so extremely to hate war, are sundry: but that which doth most of all vex the greatest number, is this: not so much for any special love they have to peace, as for fear of taxes, payments, & other charges hanging upon war: for otherwise war or peace were all one with them, so they might live in quietness, without any charge. And yet I dare undertake, not one of these peace-mongers, that will think he hath been so overcharged, if he have bestowed but x. shillings toward the setting forth of a soldier, that goeth to spend his life in his prince or country's cause, but will with more willing mind bestow x. li. amongst the lawyers to do his neighbour a shrewd turn.  
Other some would love the wars well enough, so themselves might be free from pressing, for that they had rather live like idle loitering lubbers, then offer their service any way to defend or maintain the liberties of their country: in condition to be compared to cur dogs, that will fawn upon any man as long as he feed them, but when they should be farther used for pleasure in the field, then adieu, they go to their kenels: so these people, they are borne, fostered up, & enjoy the laws & liberties of their country: & when their country standeth in need, do show themselves every way to aid & assistance, with as willing minds, as a bear cometh to a stake: these be right bastards to their country, & are in deed worthy to enjoy no benefit of their country. Plutarch maketh mention of an isle that is in Grece, called the I'll of Cobde: in this isle there is a lineage descended of the noble Greek captain called Agis the good: amongst these Agites, this law is especially observed, that none dare call himself to be natural of the isle, unless he hath done some valiant act, or by some means showed himself forward in his countries defence. If this law were in England observed, we should have to few natural Englishmen  
There are an other sort, that only cowardliness & fear make them hate the wars: these deserve little to be spoken of, and less to be accounted of.  
There is yet a last sort, whose consciences be so pure (as they say themselves) that they can allow of no wars, either to be good or godly, considering what murders, spoils & other outrages by them are committed. This in deed seemeth to carry reason with it: but notwithstanding it is not sufficient to condemn a just quarrel: for Saul lost the especial grace & favour of god, 
1. King. 15.  for preserving the best of the pray he had taken from the Amalechites, which he should have utterly destroyed.  
And josua, 
josua 10.  fearing the day would have been to short for him to kill his enemies which fled before him, commanded the sun to stand still, which was obedient to his commandment: & shall we therefore condemn his quarrel, because he seemed to carry a murderous mind? Not so: for his quarrel was most just, & his fact best pleased God. Neither have I brought forth these examples as necessary for all to follow, but as probable for my purpose: 
Mercy a special virtue in a captain, so it be used in time.  for mercy I acknowledge to be one of the greatest virtues, wherewith a noble captain may be endued: but to be used out of time, as occasion may fall out, hath greater resemblance to foolish pity than to be called mercy, and is rather to be holden a vice then a virtue, as hereafter I mean further to show.  

A fond manner of reasoning.  But I do not a little wonder, what madness should moon men's minds to frame such arguments, that because murders, spoils, and other like havocs be committed in the wars, the wars therefore can not please God, and what soever pleaseth not God, can not be good.  

The fruits that spring in the time of peace.  By the like argument, peace is the most greatest and the most detestable enormity that of all others may happen, and amongst Christians most to be abhorred: for peace is the nourisher of vices, the root of evils, the prop of pride, and to be short, 
What means to come by riches.  it is the mother of all mischiefs. For in the time of peace we set our minds only to wax rich, for the attaining whereof, what extortion, what deceit, what fraud, what flattery, what lying, what forswearing is used to come by them? and when they be had, they are the only instruments to vanity, the ready ministers to vices, the very occasion why so great wars be many times arreared between Princes, a special cause of commotions amongst subjects, they breed quarrels amongst friends, suits between brethren, they make him that shall possess them proud, presumptuous, vain glorious, and of a good man to become evil & wicked.  
Furthermore, in peace men grow to be slothful, idle, proud, covetous, dissolute, incontinent, vicious, following all manner of vanities, given all to delights, to inordinate lust, gluttony, swearing, & to be short, to all manner of filthiness: which was very well perceived by S. Augustin, 
Augustine de civitate Dei.  who in a book that he wrote entitled, De civitate Dei, hath these words:  
Moore hurtful was the city of Carthage to Rome after her destruction, then during the whole course and season of the wars which the romans had with her: for that whilst they had enemies in Africa, they knew not what vices meant in Rome.  
And what greater argument may there be of the displeasure of God, then where he sendeth amongst them such peace and quietness? for as the scriptures witness, Whom he loveth, them he chastiseth: but a small sign of care should seem, where he giveth the people over to their own vanities, and suffereth them to wallow in all vice and wickedness.  
Thus you may see, by such manner of reasoning, vice may be made to seem virtue, 
Vice may be made to seem virtue.  and contrary virtue appear to be vice. But here if any man would conjecture, that by this which I have alleged, I meant in deed to persuade, that wars were more convenient than peace, they should do me great wrong: for, although I do know I have said nothing but what is true, and that in the time of peace all kind of vices do most wickedly abound, yet I do very well know, that the time of peace is not therefore to be condemned: so likewise, in the time of war, although there be many disorders and sundry outrages committed, yet the wars therefore are not absolutely to be reproved. For as peace is the great benefit and blessing of God, so wars being attempted upon due consideration, do nothing at all offend him: but like as the sun when it shineth in some pleasant garden, the herbs and flowers do yield a most delectable verdure, so where it shineth upon some filthy dunghill, the stench and loathsomeness to the passers by, is most noisome.  
As the sun which was prepared of the almighty God to be a comfort to every human thing, is not the cause of the one nor the other, but the quality of the places: so those abuses which are used either in peace or war, 
Lewd disposed people good at no season.  are not to be imputed to the time, but to the disposition and lewdness of the people, which like to filthy dunghills, at every time and season, are more noisome than profitable.  
Let this suffice then: that what I have written, is but only to prove that wars are not always to be condemned, and that it is not against the laws of God, that Princes should erect wars upon sufficient cause, but sometime for civil policies sake, most requisite to be done: Concluding, that assured peace is ever to be preferred before doubtful war, so it may be had without prejudice or injury.  
Thus endeth the first part of war.   

The second part entreating of Soldiers.  

The second objection.  THe second objection is, Whether he that is honest, may take upon him the profession of a Soldier? As who should say, that to be a soldier may not be an honest man's profession, because in the wars they be the ministers of so many mischiefs: this is their reason. But in this place I will but reason of soldiers, as I have already done of wars: that is, but to show what manner of people soldiers have been: As for such as do but usurp the name of soldiers, I leave them, till another occasion.  
We find in the 14. chapter of the book of Genesis, that Abraham was a captain and a leader of men, 
Genesis. 14.  unto whom Melchizedech the king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: albeit he were a priest of the most high God. And S. Paul in his epistle to the Hebrews the 6. chapter, 
Hebr. 6.  speaking of our Saviour Christ, saith, That he was made a high Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedech: and all the divines and ancient doctors by general consent do agreed, that the first true figure of Christ, was here offered to soldiers, 
The first figure of Christ offered to soldiers.  that were returned from the slaughter and spoil of their enemies.  
A special cause wherein soldiers may worthily triumph, and a choke pear sufficient, to stop their mouths, that would so absolutely condemn them.  
Moses, though he were otherwise a Prophet, 
What manner of men have been soldiers. Exod. 18.21. Deut. 1.13.15.  yet he was likewise a captain, to whom jethro his father in law by the motion of God's spirit, gave counsel to provide such to be judges over the rest, which should be found to be men of courage, to fear God, to be lovers of truth, & hating covetousness, etc. and that of them he should make some millenaries to rule over thousands: and that he should created others centeniers, to rule over hundreds: others Cinquantiniers, to bear authority over fifties: and Disiniers to command over tens.  
josua at whose commandment the sun was obedient, was a soldier and a leader of an army.  
When the whole host of the children of Israel was utterly dismayed for the multitude of their enemies, 
judges. 7.  whose numbered was like the sands of the sea, the Lord commanded Gedeon to make his choice of such to serve for soldiers to encounter them, as were most faithful, that doubted not of his promises made unto them, which were in numbered but 300. and were chosen by lapping of water.  
Who ever stood more in the good grace & favour of God, than that noble king and captain David, whom the Lord termed to be a man after his own hearts desire?  
What should I here speak of jephthah, of jehu, of judas Machabeus, and of many other, which were notable soldiers? shall they be condemned to be wicked and evil, because they were warriors? or shall we think of them that in that vocation they offended God?  
When the soldiers demanded of john Baptist, 
Luke. 3.  what they aught to do, he willed them to hurt no man wrongfully, but to live by their wages: he said not unto them, Forsake your vile profession, you can not be the children of god, to follow any such manner of exercise: the which questionless he would have done, if he had so thought.  
And when the captain who had sent unto jesus, for the healing of his servant that lay sick, as jesus was going towards his house: 
Luke 7.  Nay Lord (quoth the captain) I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof, do but speak the word only, and my servant shall be safe: for I also am a man set under power, and have under me soldiers: and I say unto one go, and he goeth: to another come, and he cometh: and to my servant do this, and he doth it. jesus marveling at his words, turning him about to those that followed, said: I have not found so great faith, not not in Israel.  
And what godlier commendation may be given to any man, 
Acts 10.  than we find in the .10. chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, where it is written as followeth:  
There was a certain man in Caesarea whose name was Cornelius, a captain of the soldiers of Italy: a devout man, & one that feared God with all his household, etc. To this Cornelius the Angel of the Lord appeared & willed him to send into joppa, and to inquire for one Simon Peter, who should instruct him and baptise him in the name of jesus: & when the Angel was departed, thus saith the text: He called unto him two of his household servants, and a devout soldier, that waited on him, and told them all the matter, and sent them to joppa, etc.  
This may seem sufficient to prove, that not only captains, but also private soldiers, have been found to be both zealous, and fervent in the love and fear of God, and that he hath likewise accepted them into his special grace and favour.  

With how many virtues noble captains have been endued.  But what should I stand here to manifest the virtues wherewith a numbered of noble captains hath been most plenteously endued: as the bounty and liberality of Alexander, the continency of Scipio, the justice and equity of julius Cesar, the patience and humility of Agathocles, the mercy and pity of Agesilaus, the faith and fidelity of Regulus to his very enemies? Here might (I say) even of this only matter a huge volume be written, only of the virtuous dispositions of noble soldiers: in so much that this oath, 
By the faith of a Soldier.  By the faith of a Soldier, hath been so inviolably kept, that a soldier hath been better to have been credited by that oath, them some merchants now by their obligations.  
But here if any will conjecture, that in time past soldiers have so exceeded in virtues, that at the time present they have none at all left for them to boast on: although in England our multitude be not many, yet amongst those few there be both honourable and worshipful, whose magnanimity in the time of wars hath made them famous in foreign countries, and whose nobleness and virtues now in the time of peace, do shine coequal with the best.  
But here peradventure some curious caviller will reply that these may better be called sage and wise counsellors, them bloody or cruel captains, and rather may be termed sober & discrete justices, then rash and harebrayned soldiers: and thus by denying of them to be soldiers, will think I am never the nearer my proof: But here if there were no other shift, or that the matter were so needful to be reasoned on: it were very easy to prove, that the best and noblest soldiers be ever found to be the wisest and meetest counsellors: 
Soldiers most meet to have rule.  and for this cause the Poetes have feigned▪ Minerva to be armed, signifying that Captains and soldiers should be as wise in counseling, as courageous in conquering: as politic in keeping, as valiant in getting.  
And Tully in his first book of Offices speaketh of a double commodity that these men do yield to their country, 
Tull. de offi. li. 1.  who armed, do make wars: and roabed, do govern the common wealth.  
But leaving these, 
Small choice of soldiers in England.  we have in England but one only place to make any choice on, which is the garrison lying in Berwick: where I doubt not but he that doth know the government of the captains, and the orderly living of the Soldiers, 
The noble captains and soldiers of Berwick.  will confess them to be as virtuous in their living, as valiant in their acts: as modest in their manners, as hardy in their courage: as mild in the town, as manly in the field: as faithful to their friends, as furious to their foes: to be short, amongst them liars are contemned, swearers are reproved, deflowrers are punished, brawlers are banished, drunkards are not regarded, all manner of vices are corrected: that of my conscience, the old soldiers of Berwick may be a spectacle for orderly living to any other, what kind of trade so ever he would seem to profess.  

Some become soldiers rather to spoil then to do any service.  What though there be some that in the time of service will intrude themselves, and become soldiers, of purpose rather to spoil, rob and filch, then to do any good service, shall the honest Soldier therefore be condemned? so every profession, how necessary so ever it seem, would be misliked, and men of every faculty would be despised.  

Of merchants.  As first for example, the merchants, whose trade, as Pliny sayeth, was invented for the necessity of man's life, transporting from one region to another, that which lacketh in the one and aboundeth in the other: yet there be many that under this cloak and good pretence, continually do practise, to transport out of their own native countries, such commodities as may not well be spared: whereby many times great scarcity and dearth doth happen, wherein the people are piteously oppressed.  

Not worse thieves than merchants.  In England once a year we find the extremity, either for want of corn, leather, hides, tallow, butter, cheese, bacon, beef, bier, & many other such like, which by her Majesty are prohibited: but no restraint may serve against those thieves, unnatural robbers and spoilers of their own country.  
And yet these are commonly the greatest find faults that will inveigh against Soldiers, whose spoils are much more tolerable, because they spoil but their enemies: these rob and spoil their friends, 
What traffic is used by many merchants.  and make wrack of their own countries, by conveying away their commodities, and by returning of incommodities, vain trifles which are not necessary for our human life, but only to maintain women and children in pride, pomp, and vain glory: such things as do procure delights, wantonness and delicacy: the very vanities and vices of every Nation by these men are brought home. And then what perjury, what fraud, what deceit, by themselves, their brokers, and retailers is used to utter them, my wits be to weak, nor I think there is no other that is able to express, unless it be a merchant himself that hath used the trade.  
Furthermore, under this trade and traffic they have conference with strange Princes, and utter unto them the secrets of countries, lend them money, and in the end will not stick to betray their own country, and common wealth.  
There is an other kind of merchants, 
Very hard to know one from another.  that deck their shops with other men's goods, borrowing here of one, and there of another: and when they have gotten into their hand some great mass or value, than they become bankeroutes, and live in a corner with other men's goods.  
Thus you may see, that although this trade or traffic of merchandise is very beneficial to every estate and common wealth, and that there have been many wise and notable men that have used it, as Thalust, Solon, Hypocrates, and others, yet it is by other some abused: but shall we therefore condemn the trade, or other good & honest merchants that use it? not so: for the exercise of it may not be forborn, and the honest trading merchant is to be had in reverence and estimation.  

Of lawyers.  In like manner amongst the lawyers, are there not found many that creep into the Inns of court, that seek by law to overthrow law, such as be termed by the name of pettifoggers, 
Pettifoggers.  brethelles, that practise nothing but to breed dissensions, strifes, suits, quarrels & debates between neighbour and neighbour, brother and brother, yea, sometimes between the father and the son?  

Mark the order of these fellows.  First they animate them to commence actions, persuading them that their quarrels be just, & will very well stand with law: but when they have once gotten them in, than they feed them with delays, procrastinating their suits from day to day, from term to term, yea from year to year: in the end, when the matter is like to fall out against them, then they blame their clients, that in the beginning they did not thoroughly instruct them.  

Lawyers the authors of civil dissensions.  These be the people that of all other are most to be detested: for in the time of peace, these procure continual wars and civil dissensions, not amongst enemies, but amongst friends, not amongst foreign foes, but amongst their natural country men, rejoicing when any brawl or brabble do fall out amongst their neighbours.  

Lawyer's would be the authors of peace.  And yet they would be accounted the authors of peace, and will not let to exclaim against the soldier, and condemn him, because they do think him to be like unto themselves, that is, to be desirous of wars and troubles.  
There is no Parliament or convocation that is called, but if there be any good motion had in question, for the quietness or quick dispatch of matters in controversy, but the lawyers be the only lets, 
Lawyers the lets of many good ordinances.  that it shall not come forth: because that if it were not for delays and shifts, the one half, nay not a quarter of them might be able to thrive by their occupation, there are such a shameful company.  
Yea many times there are found great corruptions even amongst the judges themselves: that for fear to offend a prince or some noble man, will not stick with Pilate, to condemn Christ. Sometime with Gold and Silver or other gifts, they be so corrupted, 
The virtue of Gold.  that they regard more the presents that are given them, than either justice or equity: they are diligent in rich men's causes, but the poor they defer: the complaint of the widow or fatherless, can not be heard amongst them.  
But shall we therefore reprove the law, which is the only prop & stay to every common wealth, without the which we could not live in any good order, otherwise then as brute beasts, neither could those that be good & harmless, enjoy either goods or possessions from cruel Tyrants & oppressors? neither were any one man assured of his life or living, were there not law to punish murderers, and to maintain right: or shall the abuses of some, condemn all honest and true dealing Lawyers, who in their profession of all men are worthy to be honoured? as there is no reason in the one, so they be to much to blame, 
No reason that some should condemn all.  that for the lewdness of some lossels, that do but usurp the names of soldiers, will therefore so absolutely condemn all soldiers: thinking there can none be good, because some are ill.  
But what profession may there be, 
The manners of our clergy.  wherein wicked men will not seek to cloak and cover themselves: be there not that enter even into the ministery of the holy sacraments, proud prelate's, blind guides, and lazy lubbers: some that during the space of twenty years, have received the fruits of benefices, that have not three times visited their flock: but commits them to Sir john lack latin and his fellow, poor ignorant chaplains: such, as they may hire best cheap: while they themselves live in pleasure, pomp, and pride: not like Saint Peter nor Saint john, that had not one penny to give to the poor lame man, that sat begging at the Temple gate: and yet they would be called their successors. 
Ezec 34. Mi●h●. 3. Esai. ●6.  These be they of whom the Prophet Ezechiel so exclaimeth, saying they serve for nothing, but to serve themselves, and in steed of feeding their flock, they take the fleece, draw the milk, kill the fattest, eat the flesh, break the bones, they are dumb dogs, that know nothing, they dare not bark, but are very curious to have horskéepers for their palfreys, falconers for their hawks, cooks for their paunches, but the poor sheep perish through their default. I know likewise that there be a number of learned Pastors, godly Ministers, diligent Preachers, and faithful followers: they which God defend should bear the abuses of the others. Then if the holy temple of God, can not be cleansed from such Ministers of mischiefs: they be something too nice, that would have soldiers to be all Saints, and much more to blame that would make them all devils, because some do amiss. And here with all I must think them to be very partial, that with such blunt terms will entitle soldiers in the time of war: and in the time of peace, can so cleanly cloak the very same actors, with names and titles of credit and estimation. For in the time of wars, he that is found to be bloodily minded, kill without compassion all that lighteth in his wrath, they term him by the name of a Tyrant and a murderer, where in the time of peace, they sometime shadow him under the title of my Lord judge, but many times by the name of Master justice of peace and Quorum. In the time of war whom they term a seditious mutineer, a perverter of good laws, a maintainer of ungodly quarrels: in the time of peace they call him Master sergeant of the quoyfe, a wise counsellor in the law, or an honest diligent Attorney. In the time of war, whom they term a thief, a robber, & spoiler: in the time of peace they call him an honest trading merchant. In the time of war whom they call a violator of women, a ravisher, & deflourer: in the time of peace they call him a friendly and loving gentleman: yea and some foolish soother that will speak they know not what, will say he is a right Courtier, & a courtlike gentleman. In the time of war, he that can tell a filed tale, & that can creep into men's bosoms to serve his own turn, they call him a Parasite, a flatterer, and a dissembler: in the time of peace they call him an excellent learned man, and a very good Preacher.  
Such partiality (I say) is amongst them, that no faults are espied, but such as be committed amongst soldiers: neither do I here go about to excuse all soldiers, as though there were none ill: but those that be, are commonly found in these new levied bands, and not amongst old soldiers as hereafter I will show.  
But here peradventure, some will think that although many of them may be excused from a number of vices, wherewith they have been charged: yet that they of force must be all murderers, may not be denied: for they go into the field as well weaponed to kill, as armed 〈◊〉 defend▪ This objection I have many timeshard, but those people are in too scrupulous an opinion, considering how many examples we may find in the holy Bible: where God hath not been offended, with those that have killed their enemies: but that it is sometimes lawful in the presence of God to shake off the yoke of bondage by the death of Tyrants, as judith by Holofernes, and many other like. But as justice without temperance is reputed injury: so magnanimity without mercy is accounted Tyranny: and as it cannot be counted a noble victory which bringeth not with it some clemency, 
Mercy not always to be used.  so to use pity out of time and season is as great folly: as to use mercy in any conflict till victory be attained.  

Policy sometime excludeth pity.  And sometime policy excludeth pity, as the Greeks who after the destruction of Troy, flew Astyanax the son of Hector, to the end that there might remain no occasion of quarrel, fearing if he had lived he would have sought some revenge.  
But leaving all other foreign histories, I will come but to this one example which is most familiar among us for the proof of the premises, which is this: That the greatest cause of those endless wars, that are holden in Ireland, 
To much pity the cause of so much disquietness in Ireland. The very mean to bring Ireland to be quiet.  do only proceed of the mercy & lenity that is used amongst them: and that the only means to bring the people soon to conformity, and the country to quietness, is without compassion to punish the offenders, and without either grace or mercy to execute the rebels, and such as be malefactors.  
And seeing my occasion falleth out so fitly to speak of Ireland, I crave pardon here a little to digress from my matter, and to speak something of the manner of the country: considering it was my fortune to be there, when I first took in hand to writ this simple devise, & so continued till I had fully finished it: the which time I confess was very short for me to understand the very true and perfect estate of the country: which in every condition, 
Ireland is in most miserable condition.  is so confused, so overthwart, and disordered: that I think there is none so uncharitable, which will not lament to hear it.  
The causes are too many, and do far surpass my capacity to bewray them, yet as near as I can I will glance at some part of them: and although I know my cunning will not serve to hit the very prick, yet he may well be passed for an archer, that can shoot fair and something about his mark: the which I may so much the better do, considering there be such a many that do stand and give aim: some with open exclamations, cry out how they be spoiled, rob, reaved, and burned, by the rebels.  
But this is that which most of all doth make me to muse, that almost every man will seem as though he knew a remedy, and yet there is no reformation can be had, amongst them: Well (say some) these rebels could not continued, were it not that they had other helps then themselves: They have maintainers, and aiders, neither can they be without receivers, but if those that be borderers would do their best upon them: they could not hold out.  
But there is amongst them, Forbear me, & I will not see thee: Hurt not me, and I will not hinder thee. 
The orders of Ireland.   
And many be driven in deed perforce, to aid them, and curry favour with them, for fear of being spoiled.  
And although there be divers laws, & sundry good ordinances, to punish such as shall be found guilty in the premises: yet they are so cleanly conveyed and so cunningly handled, that the Lord deputy shall never understand it. But if there happen any to be accused, and brought forth to answer the law: then there is such cloaking, such covering, such shifting, such bowlstering, and such bribing: that it was not he that did it: some chief horse, some fine ambling hackney, or some half score or a hundred cows will salve all the sore.  
But here perchance you would know amongst whom this is used: nay I must not tell you that, so I might get myself such enemies, as I might not tarry in Ireland.  
In like manner it hath been often seen, that when a rascal (a rebel I would term him) hath done many spoils, & committed many outrages, yet in the end hath been received upon composition, and many times have their pardons begged, by some that be about the Lord Deputy: and many times they have friends in England to purchase them pardons, and to sand them over: and this is the very cause that giveth them boldness to do ill, so that there is no assured trust to be found in the greatest number of them: but when they may see time and occasion, 
The very occasion that maketh Ireland so troublesome.  to do a shrewd turn, than they get them a company of breechless beggars (followers they call them) and when they have played their parts to the uttermost, they assure themselves that a hundred of stolen cows will buy a pardon: where otherwise if all hope were cut from them, & that no pardons might be granted unto them, & that such as should be found favourers unto them, might without favour feel the force of the law, without any exceptions from the best to the worst, and that every one like dutiful subjects would put to their helping hand, to the suppressing of them, there is no question, but Ireland would soon wax civil, and the country would quickly grow to be quiet.  

Idleness the greatest enemy to a common wealth  In like manner, forasmuch as it is evidently known, that idleness amongst all people hath ever been accounted most hateful, and that in every well governed Commonwealth it is found to be a vice most hurtful: the which to prevent the Romans used very straight means: insomuch that none durst go in the streets, but he must bear a show whereby or how he lived, in consideration whereof, the Consul did bear a battle axe, the Tribunes a mace, the Priests a hat, the Cutlers a sword, the Tailors a pair of sheres, the Smiths a hammer, and thus every one according to his exercise, to the end it might appear he lived by his own labour, and not by the sweat of others, as commonly these followers do in Ireland. For remedy whereof, it were very fit and most convenient, that such straight laws and sharp ordinances were provided, that not one that should be found, might be suffered to escape or in any wise to pass, till the manner of his life were thoroughly examined, & the order of his living very well known.  
Some would think me here to be too severe to be made a justice of peace, and would say unto me that the country that were conquered by force, aught rather to be governed with more clemency & mildness: for that the inhabitants, with the better will would prepare their hearts to obedience: but that experience hath been tried long enough, and this is most certain, that who so ever will think to prevail in Ireland, 
The best way to govern Ireland  it must be by using of justice with extremity, and not with lenity. And what pity is to be used to those, that so without pity will not spare to oppress the poor and simple farmer, such as laboureth duly for his living? How lamentable is the case of those that be honest, and such as would gladly endeavour themselves to live orderly, which can not so much as enjoy a poor flock bed to lie upon, but must content themselves with homelier beds than a bundle of sweet straw: and in steed of other cates, do only live by grass, herbs, and roots: and then to see what labour, what toil, & what pain they endure, but to get some small portion of money, wherewith to buy a loaf of bread, of the which neither he, his wife, nor his children, shall never eat so much as one crumb: but must serve to content those idle rogues, where the poor man himself, if he be able to keep a cow for his better relief, letteth her blood in a vein in her neck, the which blood being boiled in a clod, serveth his turn in stead of the finest manchet.  

A miserable case.  Thus (I say) those that would be honest, be still kept under in most miserable manner, contented to yield themselves to any manner of thraldom, so they might be defended from these hellhounds, as may better appear by a Proverb that they use, which is: Defend me, and spend me. But the multitude of these Idelers are such, that it cannot be. These be the people, through whom the greatest part of the disorder doth spring, there cannot be therefore too great punishments to correct them, nor too much cruelty used to rid them: and even like as bitter & sharp punishments should be rewards for those that be evil: so for those that be good, there aught likewise to be some encouragements, whereby they might still continued in their goodness: and a mean whereby to incite other to do the like. But this amongst other matters, is especially to be lamented: that in all the country there is not erected some University, wherein they might be trained up in good letters, whereby they might learn to serve God aright: who I think amongst the greatest number of them, is neither known nor feared: and yet they will seem to have a zeal to religion, for there be amongst them, 
A sound religion.  that during the time of Lent, will refrain from eating of eggs, butter, & cheese: and yet will make no conscience, if it were upon good friday, to go steal an hundred cows to their breakfast.  
As I have heard, it hath been in question, and proffers have been made to the erecting of a University: but howsoever it happeneth, it is deferred: but this is most certain, they be neither friends, nor well willers to the country, that will stand against it.  
For if it were well considered, what a benefit it would be to the country, if there were a place, where gentlemen might bring up their children in learning, where now they bring them up in lewdness, in filching and stealing: where they might be brought up in knowledge of good arts and sciences, in manners and civility, where now they remain in ignorance, and be only trained but in brutish beastliness.  
Neither is it much to be marveled at, for besides that there is no place in the country, where they might attain to knowledge and learning: no more there is any one mean whereby they might almost know vice from virtue: for they are likewise bereaved of one of the greatest benefits, that giveth light and understanding, which is by reading of histories: considering that there is nothing which may be either pleasant, profitable, or necessary for man: but is written in books, 
The light that reading of histories do bring  wherein are reported, the manners, conditions, governements, counsels, and affairs of every country: the gests acts, behaviour, and manner of living of every people: the forms of sundry Common wealths, with their augmentations, & decays, & the occasions thereof: the precepts, exhortations, counsels, & good persuasions comprehended in quick sentences: to conclude, in books and histories are actually expressed, the beauty of virtue, and the loathsomeness of vice. Wherefore Lactantius saith thou must needs perish, if thou knowest not what is to thyself profitable, that thou mayst seek for it: and what is dangerous, that thou mayst fly & eschew it. Which knowledge & light cometh chiefly unto us by reading of histories: but how should they come by this profit or commodity in Ireland: where they have no manner of books, neither yet the use of printing: so that for them there is no mean either to learn civility or good order: but by the example of us that be English, whom naturally they do hate: 
A proverb used in England.  & we have a Proverb in England which is this: Love me and love my dog, so contrary, it may be said, Hate me and hate all that comes from me: the which questionless is proved true amongst the greatest number of them: but especially in the wild parts, 
The nature of the wild parts  where in the stead of liking, they fall to loathing any thing that cometh from the English: where they had rather continued in their own beastly and brutish manners, then reform themselves to any conformity either in their manners either in their conditions. And in their fashions of their apparel they be as confused as in the rest: the men go more beastly and savage like then the people of America, where the people in most places hath ever seen any civility: the women attired after such a manner as in Europe there are none that doth come near their fashion: but hath greatest similitude to the manner of the Egyptian women. Although this seem but a small fault to be picked out of a number of others: yet it were very good that this fault were reformed. And seeing we go about to amend them in their manners and to bring them to civility, it could not be amiss likewise that they were brought into such apparel, as to the view of the world they might seem to have some mean of modesty: for as a man may be partly conjectured by his apparel, & may well be deemed what exercise he doth profess (as the clergy by their apparel are known from the laity, the lawyer from the merchant, and so of others: and amongst all men and in all places & countries it is held convenient, that so it should be:) Even so questionless the manner of apparel is of no small effect to feed men's minds either with grace or disgrace: as for example. A proud man clothed in sumptuous or costly array, it maketh him the more proud and haughty in his mind: or a whore that is bedecked in light and garish apparel, it maketh her in her mind to be the more whorish. And like as a fool is not in his right kind without a yellow coat, so fond or undecent apparel, may sometimes confuse the wisest heads. As to see a learned preacher go into a pulpit pretending to make some solemn sermon, apparelled like some lusty courtier, it would not only breed laughter to his audience, but it would likewise so amaze him in his own conceit, that it would be a great let to the tale that he meant to tell. And like as Semiramis, when she governed the Assyrians, took on her the habit of a man, the better to show her manly courage: and as Sardanapalus disguised himself into womanes attire, the more lively to express his effeminate mind: so I am of this opinion that these Irish do the rather desire this roguish manner of apparel, because it is most suitable and best agreeing to their conditions: neither were it amiss if by compulsion they were restrained from it as much as conveniently it might be.  
I do here over pass many other abuses, neither will I speak of an infinite number of privy practices, that are sometimes used in the Superlative degree, you may choose how you will construe it, either to some of those that are of noble parentage in the country, and gentlemen that be of the greatest credit, and would be accounted the best Subjects: either else to the number of their sly devices which in deed doth exceed in the highest degree, but some times rather than fail, you may construe it both for the one and the other, so expert they be in devising of treachery, and in the maintaining and relieving of rebels, and that by so many means and such sundry shifts, as it passeth my conceit, neither will I take upon me to decipher. But these matters cannot be proved, and therefore may the easilier pass: but I cannot see almost how it is possible, that any thing should be proved that should make against them, for there are very few amongst them that will make any conscience to forswear themselves upon a book: but if Ananias, with Saphira his wife, received both death, 
Acts. 5.  but for denying of that portion which was their own, what punishment could be sufficient for these people, that will so ordinarily deny GOD, and that almost for every trifle?  
And here, (I know,) I shall offend the patience of a great number, for that they find me still in one manner of song, and would exact nothing but punishments, and sharp corrections upon them: but I trust I shall not offend those that be good and honest, considering that my pen doth not in any respect touch them. And I know there are in the country many honourable houses, as the houses of Ormunde and Kyldare, the Lord of Doluin, the Lord of Vprosore, the Lord of Louthe, with many other (though not expressed by name) both honourable and worshipful, and others of inferior calling, that may not any ways be detected with any thing that I have written. So I know likewise, that there be a great number, of such as I have spoken of, that are not to be reformed, but by most bitter and sharp punishments in deed: for the better trial, how long time have they been governed by sundry noble Princes, but now lastly, and especially, by a most gracious Queen, who of her great mercy and clemency, spendeth not only such revenues as rise by the country itself: but also addeth no small portion out of her own purse, only to keep the country in quietness if it might be: which otherwise would be at strife and wars in itself, the one kill and murdering the other, as it daily falleth out notwithstanding: and with no less care, she provideth for them good & wholesome laws and ordinances, where of themselves they would rather live like beasts, void of law and all good order: where otherwise, if her majesty pretended to rule by rigour over them, who knoweth not that she could send such a power over into Ireland, as in very short space, would make quick riddance of all that ragged rout, which now so vexeth and molesteth the country: but she rather seeketh with mercy to reclaim them, and with lenity to reform them, sending them over from time to time, such governors to direct them, as are neither found to be rigorous, cruel, nor merciless. But how much is the country bound to her Majesty at this present, in sending that noble gentleman, Sir Henry Sidney, to be their governor, the only man that they themselves have so much desired, and so long time wished for: whose only cark and care, hath been to seek the country's Common wealth, and the quietness of the people. And with what humanity and gentleness, hath he still continued his government: what pity and mercy hath he from time to time extended to those that little deserve it: considering with what treason, with what treachery, with what fraud, and with what deceit, they requited him? There is no hope of their promise, no hold of their word, no credit in their oath, nor no truth in their dealings towards him.  
Therefore, to conclude as I began at the first, there needs no longer circumstance, nor better trial to prove, that courtesy in the Irish government, is not the readiest way to win: but only by severe justice without mercy, to him that shall offend: for this hope of forgiveness is the only marring of all together.  
Thus far I have spoken partly by report, and as it were by vox populi: but if vox populi be vox Dei, as some will affirm, it is not only the Irish alone, that altogether confuseth the government, but sometimes there is falsehood in fellowship played amongst the English: but let him that is guilty accuse himself: I speak but by report. And seeing I am entered into reports, I will not let to make report how a great many do report, that some of those that be sent over, to be aiders and assistants to the government, and such as should help to bolt out such matters, have greater care to seek their own gain, and to make them selves rich: yea, and so they may be rewarded with a bribe, will rather seek to help cover and cloak such causes, then to give their consents to punish them: such is the effect of this filthy vice covetousness, 
The effect of covetousness.  that when it once inrageth the minds of men, it draweth from them all fear, religion, love, reverence, and knowledge of GOD: it perverteth justice and true dealing towards men: and he that thirsteth only for gain, of force must run into actions of injuries and oppressions.  
And now to show what reports runs amongst the ministers of the laws, whereof some be English, and some be Irish.  
The Irish (they say) favour no English men's causes, but foades them off with further delays than may well stand with law or reason. The English yet be found to be most indifferent, for they respect no countries, but favour his cause that hath most money to bribe them: such partiality there is used amongst them, and so far they be estranged from piety and justice, that the miserable poor oppressed people, do hold it less evil to suffer their injuries, then to plead their suits, before such as have greater regard to the bribes that are given them, then either to the equity or innocency of their causes.  
Thus, I have not thought it good, with secret silence to dissemble and smother inwardly in my mind, what I have heard: considering, that men aught rather to esteem the words of him that telleth the truth with simplicity, then the smooth speeches of him that speaketh all to curry favour, and yet in deed say nothing that is worthy of commendation.  
And thus, wishing to Ireland as good success, as he that was borne in the country, I return to my first purpose to speak again of Soldiers: neither shall I need spend any longer time, in that I pretended to prove: that to become Soldiers, or warfaring men, is no profession for those that be honest: considering that there is already sufficiently said, 
The Soldiers of England in most miserable estate.  to those that be reasonable. Wherefore now I will direct my tale to the poor Soldiers of England, whose number as it is very small, so their case is likewise most miserable, if it be well considered.  
First in the time of wars, they spare not in their country's behalf, to forsake their wife, children, father, mother, brother, sister, to leave their friends, and only betake them against their enemies: 
To what extremities soldiers do commit themselves in the time of war.  contented to yield themselves to continual watch, ward, fasting, hunger, thirst, cold, heat, travail, toil, over hills, woods, deserts, wading through rivers, where many sometimes loose their lives by the way, lying in the field, in rain, wind, frost & snow, adventuring against the enemy, the lack of limbs, the loss of life, making their bodies a fence & bulwark, against the shot of the cannon.  
But the wars being once finished, & that there is no need of them, how be they rewarded, how be they cherished, what account is there made of them, what other thing gain they then slander, misreport, false impositions, hatred and despite?  

A cold ward.  How small is the number, that be in England of sufficient men, such I mean as be able in deed, in the time of service, to stand their country in stead, to any purpose, and yet how many of this small number, hath ever been brought to credit, or been any thing preferred, for the service they have done? There be some that have served twenty or thirty years as occasions have happened, & in the wars have spent part of their blood, and received many grievous wounds, but their estate of living, I would to God were known to those that might amend it.  
There is that small garrison of Berwick, which for the value of their minds, and the nobleness of their courage, I know may well compare with the best: but for their other riches, I have seen a hundred Spaniards or a hundred French men as they have been marching towards service, that only but in their apparel & furniture, have been more wealthy than all the soldiers of Berwick were able to make, if all their riches were brought together: and yet if there were any occasion to use any number of men from thence must the conductor and leaders be brought, 
The number of able soldiers to small in England.  that should be found able and sufficient when it came to the pinch. Some others there be, whereof many be dispersed here & there, for want of other stay of living, but sure the number is so small, as I fear me it would be found, if any sudden assault should be offered unto us.  
God preserve her majesty therefore, long to govern & reign over us, through whose providence & foresight, we have been so long time preserved in peace and quietness.  
And O England, would to God so many precedents of others mishapes, might make thee take heed, and call thyself to remembrance, consider thy enemies be not so secret, but they be as malicious: and have staid all this while neither for want of quarrel, neither for want of will, if they themselves were once at quiet: nor flatter not thyself because thou hast enjoyed a peaceable time, that it shall still endure: but remember the longer it hath been calm, the sooner the storm is looked for, and the greater the rage when it falleth.  
If thou dost well look into thyself, and ponder thy own case, thou shalt find that if any sudden alarm should happen, thou shalt find that thy greatest want shallbe only of those men that now thou holdest in so small estimation, and dost esteem of so little account.  
If thou thinkest thy great numbers of untrained men, are sufficient to defend thee, do but remember what happened to Antwerp, where they wanted neither men, nor any other provision for the wars. But they wanted soldiers to direct them, and men of understanding to encourage them: For the want of knowledge, breedeth the want of courage: as Solomon saith: A wise man is ever strong: 
Prou. 24.  yea, a man of understanding increaseth with strength: for with wisdom must war be taken in hand, and where there are many that can give counsel, there is the victory, etc.  
And Xerxes who with a great army, was put to the worst, but with 300. Lacedæmonians, confessed that he forced not so much for the multitude, as for their knowledge & experience. I could here rehearse many other examples of like effect, but I leave them till other occasion, & will conclude with what care and provision sundry noble Princes have provided for their soldiers, not only in the time of war when they have had need of them: but aswell in the time of peace for their service already done, that they should not want: according to the mind of Alexander Severus, who saith that, The soldier is worthy his keeping in the time of peace, that hath honestly served his country in the time of war, although for age he cannot travel, his counsel yet may not be spared. And jesus the son of Sirach saith, 
Eccle. 27.  There be two things that grieve my heart, and in the third is a displeasure come upon me, when an expert man of war suffereth scarcenesss & poverty, when men of understanding and wisdom are not set by, and when one departs from righteousness to sin, etc.  
Octavian Augustus honoured soldiers with this law: What so ever thou be that shalt serve with us in wars x. years space, so that thou shalt be xl. years old, whether thou hast served on foot or on horseback, hereafter be thou free from wars, be thou Heros, an old soldier: let no man forbidden thee the city, the street, the temple, nor his house: let no man lay any blame to thy charge, put any burden upon thee, or ask thee any money: if thou shalt offend in any thing, look to be chastised by Caesar & by no man else. In all dishonesty that men shall commit, I will that thou be the judge, and discloser, whether they be private or officers: that which thou shalt say and affirm for truth, no man shall reprove for false. I will that all ways and places be open for thee, thou shalt have authority to eat and drink at Prince's tables: thou shalt yearly have wages of the common treasury to find thee and thy household: let her be preferred before other women, whom thou shalt take to be thy lawful wife: and he that thou shalt call infamous, let him be wicked & infamous: thou being Heros, shalt have authority to bear arms, badges, names, & ornaments, which be decent for a King: do what thou list in every place and country where thou comest, if any do thee wrong let his head be cut off, etc.  
Charles the great, when he had translated the name of the Empire to the Germans, after the Saxons and Lombard's were vanquished, gave this honour to his soldiers saying: You shall be called Heroes, the companions of Kings, & judges of offences: live ye hereafter void of labour, counsel Kings in the public authority, reprove dishonest things, favour women, help Orphans, let not Princes lack, your counsel, and ask of them meat, drink, and money, if any shall deny it, let him be unrenowmed and infamous: if any do you injury, let him know he hath offended the Emperor's majesty: but ye shall foresee, that ye distain not so great an honour, and so great a privilege, gotten by the great labour of war, with drunkenness, railing, or any other vice: to the end, that that which we have given you for glory, redound not to punishment, which we will for ever reserve to be given you by us and our successors, Emperors of Rome, as often as you shall transgress.  
And Polycrates of Samos, appointed living for the wives and children of the dead soldiers, straightly commanding, that no man should offend them, or do them any wrong.  
Solon made this law, that those children whose fathers had spent their lives in fight in the defence of the common wealth, should be brought up at the charges of the common treasure.  
But what do I stand reciting of strange histories, forepast so many years sithence? Why do I not remember, the French men and Spaniards, amongst whom at this instant, men of service be not a little honoured, and had in estimation? And go to the drunken countries of Denmark and Swethen, and those other parts of the East, and how be soldiers cherrished, and men of service provided for?  

The manner of England in the ●●me of need  But in England, when there is occasion to use them, then, Help noble captains, Now show yourselves courageous, & worthy soldiers: but service once being ended, they be quite forgotten, that ever there was any need of them, for any thing they are like to get. And yet I must impute it but to their own misfortuns, & not for any want of liberality: 
Every one hath his time.  for who knoweth not, how many fees, pensions, stipends, & many other offices, are daily to be given in England, but very few fall to the shares of these unthrifty soldiers: but such do many times get them, as can thrive by them, and play the good husbands: 
Soldiers the greatest unthrifts that live in these seasons, there are very few of them that are able to give his fellow a dinner.  such as can build sumptuous houses, purchase fair livings, run in the queens debt, till they come in the thousands, and then the price of a velvet gown, or some odd hundred pounds, bestowed upon some the queens women, will stall the debt. The Queen will be content to take it by a hundred or two hundred pounds a year, this is the way to thrive, these be the fellows that do gain. But how ingrateful may that country be called, 
Soldiers of all others had in lest estimation.  where those that must fight in the defence, and offer themselves to the slaughter in their country's quarrel, do only receive for recompense, but hateful words, slanderous reports, and are no better accounted of, then as the abjects, and holden inferiors to every other people?  
Here might be many other things said in the behalf of soldiers, the which I omit, and leaving them to the benefit of better fortune, will come to speak of the abuse of the time.   

¶ The third part speaking of the time.  
I Know there be some will condemn me (as I have said) to writ any thing of war, in this so peaceable a time, the causes I have showed be partly before: for there be many unto whom the name of war is so odious, that with a good will they would never hear them spoken of: and will conjecture that I rather allow of war then peace, that will so busy myself to writ any thing of them, now while there is no need.  
But those that be wise can very well consider, that there is no man aught more rather to desire peace, 
Which are soldiers.  than such as by war may soon catch harm.  
I speak this in mine own excuse, considering that I have served her Majesty, as occasion hath happened, and am still in a readiness to serve, when need shall require.  
And as I know it is but the part of a fool at the sea, to wish for a storm, when the wether is calm: so I know likewise in the time of calm, to provide for a storm, is the point of a wise mariner: for who so well considereth, to what disposition Kings and Princes be commonly inclined unto▪ in these latter days, which is to have greater felicity, with Tyranny to offend others, then with justice and equity to keep their own: it aught therefore with great diligence to be provided for, that like as in the time of war, circumspect care of peace may not be omitted: so in the time of peace, such things may be foreseen, appertaining to the war, that the want of warlike provisions, be not prejudicial to the maintenance of this sweet and quiet peace.  
And the very occasion that urgeth me to writ, is to wish that in England we were expert warriors, though not war lovers: and that we had many that were wise, rather than willing soldiers. But where peace is so inordinately desired, that in the preferring thereof they forget all Martial exercises, which is the very preserver, 

The custody of peace consisteth in the knowledge of war.  
Careless people nearest their own harm.   and maintainer of peace, (according to the mind of Valerius Maximus, who saith That the custody of blessed peace consisteth in the knowledge of war.) It can not be chosen therefore, but those people be ever nearest their own harm, that will so carelessly spend the time of peace, as though they should never more have occasion to enter into war.  

Pleasure bringeth pain.  And generally it is seen, where pleasure is preferred so excessively, and the people follow it so inordinately, that they lie and wallow in it so carelessly, they commonly end with it most miserably.  
For how many Cities, how many Countries, which sometime most of all flourished, only by reason of their far stretched Empire, glory and renown, purchased by famous and noble acts: are now beaten flat to the ground, covered with mould, and almost out of remembrance?  
Where are now become the dominions of the Assyrians and Persians? What is become of the glory of the rich City of Athens: which had been so often forewarned by the excellent Orator Demosthenes? Or where is now the pomp and power of the Macedonians? Or what hath wasted the fame and renown of the city of Rome, that it had not been perpetual?  
What other thing then this inordinate delicacy, 
Idleness and delicacy the decay of many common wealths.  riot, & idleness. For when they over neglected the feats of war, laid aside their weapons, sought more for their own private advancement, then for the liberties of their country: then came their kingdoms to calamity, and began headlong to fall to the ground: and then in the stead of frugality sprung up outrageous riot: in stead of hardiness and courage in the wars, exceeding tenderness, and niceness, both of body and mind: and thus when the knowledge of souldier-fare was extinguished, then unsatiable desire of riches made entry amongst them, & nothing so much practised, as to have experience in buying and selling: that in the end, the Imperial crown was bought and sold for money amongst them: and the Roman Empire which so mightily had flourished, was now made subject to common thraldom.  
But for that there are some, that are nothing moved with reading of histories, monuments, or the examples of ancient writers, unless they have known the like in their age, or seen with their eyes, or as it were touched with their finger, I will therefore put such in remembrance, of the state & condition, of Holland, Zealand, Flanders Brabant, and other parts of the low countries: How many years continued they in peace and quietness, in drunkenness, in lechery, in riot, in excess, in gluttony, in wantonness, (I will not say in the like predicament that we now remain in England) the which to continued, they were contented to submit themselves, to any manner of thraldom, and to every kind of slavery, to receive the Spaniards into their cities and towns, which were naturally seated so strong, that no foreign prince could forcably have made entry into them.  
How the Spaniards governed them, with what rigour they ruled them, & how tyrannously they reigned over them, is so well known as I will not spend the time to relate: in the end, to disburden themselves from that which before they had yielded unto, 
〈◊〉 the steed 〈◊〉 stolen they shut the stable door.  by necessity they were enforced to go to Mars his school, & to practise the art of war, which had ever been most loathsome unto them, not without great ruin & wrack, of many noble cities and towns, and with no less spoil and havoc, of infinite goods and riches.  
For like as the desire to have dominion over many kingdoms, and to have sovereignty over far stretched Empires, is a common infirmity amongst kings and princes: 
Where the style is low every dog will over.  so there is nothing may sooner provoke them to give attempt, then where they see such forgetfulness amongst the people: that sloth and idleness beareth the whole sway among them: As Plutarch, in his Apophthegmaes, maketh report of a famous captain, to whom a certain reader of the athenans made his complaint, that the men of arms in his camp, reproached them of Athens, to whom the captain made answer, that as the thing that is well kept, is hardly lost, and that nothing provokes the thief sooner than negligence: So, if the athenans, had tied care and circumspection to their words and deeds, they had never fallen into the hands of the Lacedæmonians.  
And Cambyses the father of Cyrus' king of Persia, being asked by what means Cities might best be kept in safety, answered, if they that kept the same cities, 
mistrustfulness a very good remedy.  do think they can never be wary enough of their enemies: the which in the Massilians was charily performed, who kept both ward and watch in their cities in the time of peace, as if they had been continually vexed and troubled with war, and to that purpose, instituted sundry good ordinances, upon the holy days to see their soldiers standing upon the walls, and exercising themselves in the feats of arms. And that notable captain Epaminondas, while the citizens of Thebes gave themselves to feasting, banqueting & belly cheer, ran hastily to arm himself, and marched towards the city walls, to the end the rest might b● the safelier drunk, and aswell to signify, that the safety of their City should at no time be forgotten.  
And although king Solomon, who in the holy Scriptures is called Rex pacificus, and was promised by the mouth of God a peaceable reign, and was still busied, and turmoiled with the building of the holy temple: yet notwithstanding, he was not forgetful to furnish his garrisons, with innumerable men of war, horses and chariots. To be short, there is, neither hath been any well governed Common wealth, but the laws of Arms be as carefully provided for, as any other city causes: but where delicacy once prevaileth, and getteth the upper hand, there adieu Martial minds: & farewell magnanimity, where slothfulness hath once made entry: for the nobleness that is to be looked for in a Princely and haughty courage, though it be chiefly wrought by the force of the mind: so the body must be exercised, and brought in such plight, as it may be made able to follow pain and travel.  
Were not the old soldiers of Hannibal, in lying but one winter in Capua, spending the time in wantonness amongst the delicate dames, so effeminated & enfeebled, both in body and mind, that they never did any thing afterward, that was worthy of report?  
And Xerxes being offended with the Babylonians, because they traitorously had shrunk from him, when he had again brought them under: he forbade them to bear any more weapons, and further commanded them, that they should sing to the Lute, and other instruments, learn to keep harlots, & haunt taverns: which policy he of purpose prepared, to weaken their courages, whereby he might the better keep them under awe.  
The knowledge of war therefore and the exercise of arms are especially to be sought, neither can I tell whether any thing be more noble, by the which so great dominions and noble Empires, have been purchased, kingdoms enlarged, princes preserved, justice maintained, good laws protected, and the Common wealth defended.  
Great is the glory in the knowledge of war therefore: neither hath the city of Athens, achieved so great renown and glory, although it merited to be called the mother of all arts & sciences, as Rome hath done, only by magnanimity, and force of Martial might: which brought such reputation to their Commonwealth, that far and strange regions, sought their alliance and friendship, and thought themselves assured against their enemies, if they had confederation with them, that in the end, they grew to such admiration, that for their lenity and surmounting courtesy, they were of all men beloved, & for their valiant magnanimity, they were of all men feared. Neither was this magnificence, upholden by doing wrong & injury, for they never attempted wars but for things in claim, or in defence of league friends. Then as Cicero saith? The Senate might rather have been termed, the protection, haven, 
Tull. officiis. Lib. i  & refuge of kings, people, & nations, more truly than the Empire of the world. Neither were they found rash to enter into wars hedily, although they had occasion, as did appear at the city of Sagunto, where the people of Carthage broke the league, & defied peace: yet the Senate sent thither Ambassador Fabius Maximus, with two tables, the one containing peace, the other wars, putting the election to their own choice, as it liked themselves to choose, although the Romans themselves, could best defend their cause. But did the Romans gain this glory by enuring themselves, to live in delicate idleness, in dicing, in carding, in dancing, in whoring, in banqueting, in reveling, & in roisting: not, but ordained most sharp & bitter punishments to expel them, & with disgrace to daunt those, that were the practisers, and followers of them.  
Where contrarily, to provoke & prick forward Martial minds, and manly wights, to the study of chivalry & Martial affairs, they ordained glorious triumphs, liberal rewards, and honourable titles: which was the very cause, that the city grew to be so great, & large in Empire: for where valiance, & prowess, was so honourably rewarded, not only noble men, but also inferior persons, were so inflamed with desire of renown, that no danger was left undelte withal, nor no peril left unproved, where there was glory to be gained, or the safety of their country might be preserved.  
The two Decii, by race and birth were no gentlemen borne, yet by their valiance and fortitude, they aspired to the highest type of dignity in their Commonwealth, and in their country's defence, consecrated themselves, as valiant and vowed vessels, to glory & immortality.  
Neither was Lucius Martius, borne but of a mean parentage, yet for his puissance showed in Spain, he received of his country, great honour and principality.  
By these means, the liberties of their countries were most strongly defended, and the indifferency of their laws were chiefly maintained, where well doing is so liberally rewarded.  
For what greater dishonour may there be in a Common wealth, then where worthy acts & high attempts receive but cold reward? Or what reward may that country think too much to bestow on him that hath not spared his own life to fight in the defence?  
There be sundry examples in the holy scripture, tending to the same effect: for when the children of Israel, were pursued by Pharaoh, & that they began to stagger in the promises of God: the Tribe of juda, did manifestly show forth, far greater courage and valiance, than the rest, who lingered not nor drew back, but with a marvelous constancy, by the example of Moses adventured first the sea, by whose stout stomachs, the rest were encouraged to follow: For which fact, the people of juda, were ever afterwards, more honoured than the rest, and such had the principality amongst the twelve tribes, as were descended of this tribe of juda.  

Chronicles. 2. Cap 8.  In like manner Solomon, made the Hethites, the Amorites, the Pheresites, the Hevites, and the jebusites, to become tributaries, and to labour in the buildings: but of the children of Israel, he made men of war, captains, great Lords, and rulers,  
And Socrates in a certain fable useth these words: All you that live in one city, are brethren, being straightly linked and united together: but when God created you, he gave not every one a like property, for they that were most meet to rule, he tempered with gold: & those that in defence of their country would valiantly assist kings & princes, he mingled them with silver: & to such as should apply themselves to tillage, and other mean occupations, he bestowed brass and iron: now it falleth out generally, that they engender children like to themselves: but sometimes it happeneth, a golden father to have a child of silver: some other time, a silver father, to have a golden son. He willeth therefore, that they should take in no one thing, more special regard, then diligently to search, with what metal their children's minds be tempered with, so that if there be found any brass or iron in their children's senses, they should assign them, such a trade convenient, & agreeing with their gross & rude nature: but if they find in them any gold, or silver, they should bestow on them honourable rooms, & that they should be trained up, in the knowledge of Martial affairs.  
The Romans, ordained for that purpose, a long & spacious field, which they called, Campus Martius, wherein the youth of the city, were exercised in Martial feats, and to enure their bodies, both for their own health, & also that they might be made, the more profitable members for their Common wealth in the time of wars.  
The Lacedæmonians used their children to go barefooted, exercising them in running, in leaping, & in casting the dart, in which exercises, they were continually practised: from whence Diogenes, on a time returning, & going to Athens, was asked from whence he came, and whither he would: I come (said he) from amongst men, and am going among women.  
I wonder if Diogenes were now living, and going into England, whither he would say he were going, if he were demanded: where we be wholly nuzzled in wantonness, and only nourished in daintiness, both in mind, manners, and diet: where we be altogether made strangers to Martial actions, and utterly alienated from laws, and deeds of arms, where no consideration is had of Martial minds: where provision for defence is never called in question.  
Here peradventure, some will say unto me, Good sir, if you would but put on your spectacles, and look into the Tower of London, you might see that neither ordinance, shot, powder, pike, caliver, armour, nor any other furnitures convenient for the wars were any whit lacking: from thence, if it pleased you but to sail down in Gravesend Barge, you have but five miles to Rochester, where you might likewise take the view of so worthy a fleet of royal ships, as no Prince in Europe may make comparison with the like. Call you not these provisions of defence, where no munitions fit for the wars, are any whit wanting?  
Very true in deed, which doth argue the special care her Majesty hath ever had, not only in making of such provision, but also at sundry times, she hath likewise instituted diverse good ordinances for the training of men, the which hath been still discontinued, by her subjects, such as will pine at the spending of one pound of powder towards the practising of those that should fight for their safety.  
Wherefore I need use no other answer, than king Philip used to that noble captain Antipater, which was this.  
What fearest thou man, any captain of Athens? Their Galleys and their Peer are but trifles and toys unto me: For what account is to be made of those fellows that give themselves to dancing, hoiting, banqueting, and to belly cheer, that if Demosthenes only were not amongst them, I would sooner get Athens then Thebes, or Thessalia, etc. So, to what effect serve all these warlike furnitures, where there are not men experienced to use them: & where men be trained only in pleasure, how unapt be they to endure the perplexities of war: and how hardly are they fashioned to the use of weapons, that never have had any exercise in them: and with what difficulty are they prepared to the field, when they have never been accustomed to march?  
But I have heard many say, that soldiers may well be trained in one month, and made fit for the wars: and in deed I am of this opinion, that he that in one month will not learn the use of his weapon, whereto he shall be sorted, and to learn to march in order of array, being thoroughly instructed by a diligent and painful captain, I am fully resolved, that that man will never make good soldier. But as our Soldiers in England are acustomably levied, a captain shall have much to do, to make a great part of them for ever being Soldiers at all.  
But admit, that Soldiers may be trained and made ready in one month, yet during that space, our enemies would commit greater spoils upon us, than we should be able to recover again in six weeks after.  
Moreover in the day of service, I had rather have one thousand such as have already seen and entered skirmish with the enemy, than four thousand of such hasty mad Soldiers, that are but trained up, as it were at a Midsummer sight, or at the fetching home of a Maypole. For proof hereof, I could show many examples, but it were but in vain, considering there is no man of reason, but will conceive it to be true: and such as have experience will confess I am nothing deceived in my opinion.  
And to say the truth, if in England we should have need to use any reasonable number, there would hardly be found conductors, such as be sufficient in deed for the training of them.  
For Gentlemen that are descended of honourable families, in these days, give themselves rather to become Battalus knights, 
Battalus an effeminate man.  then Martial wights, & have greater desire to be practised in Carpet trade, then in that kind of virtue, which extendeth itself to the common profit, and preservation of the country.  
And I cannot but marvel, what moveth so many men, to make such great account of their gentility, that they think themselves worthy of such honour and estimation: and yet have no regard to the renown or pre-eminence, that is annexed unto it: for as Cicero saith: 
Tull. officiis. Lib. i  Truly, the best inheritance that father's leave to their children, and more worthy than all livelihood, is the glory of virtue, and worthy deeds, whereunto to be a stain, it is to be accounted both vice and shame.  
But what reputation bring they to their houses, that licentiously, in riot, roameth to and fro, not knowing in what fashion to disguise themselves, what countenance they should bear in the streets, nor with what curiosity they should give entertainment, furnished with three or four French, Italian, or Spanish words, thinking that the whole glory consisted in being new-fangled in their apparel, strange in their conceits, and as dainty in their dietes, as dame Follie herself, when she is going of her first child. To be short, in England, 
A good exchange  Gentlemen have rob our women of their minds, and our women have bereaved us of half our apparel.  
Where Gentlemen aught rather to endeavour themselves to such exercises of virtuous acts, whereby they might give such clear light, and purchase true fame to their posterity, according as their predecessors have left unto them, of which they themselves do so mightily boast of: and especially, to give themselves to such exercises, wherein labour prepareth the body to hardiness, and the mind to courageousness, neither suffering the one to be marred with tenderness, nor the other to be hurt with idleness.  
As we read of Sardanapalus, who was scorned as an effeminate King, who chose rather to sit & spin amongst women, then to learn to wield weapons: against whom, when Belochas and Arbase made insurrection, he fled and durst not show himself in the field.  
Xenophon maketh mention how Hercules being but a young man, musing whereunto he might apply his noble mind, there appeared unto him two goodly young women, the one very gorgeous and brave, with rings on her fingers, a chain about her neck, her hair set and frizeled, with pearls and diamonds in her ears: the other sober in her cheer, comely in her apparel, modest in her behaviour, shamefast in her countenance. The first said: Hercules, if thou wilt serve me, thou shalt have gold and silver enough, thou shalt feed daintily, thou shalt live Princely, thou shalt enjoy pleasures, embrace delights, possess mirth. In fine, thou shalt have all things to thine own contentation, that appertain to ease, rest, and quietness. Then spoke the other with demure countenance: If thou wilt serve me Hercules, thou shalt be a Victor of conquerors, thou shalt subdue kingdoms, and overthrow kings: thou shalt be advanced unto fame, renowned in the world, and shalt deserve praise both of man and woman. Hercules perceiving the idle service of the first, and the fame and renown that was to be gained by the second, chose her for his mistress: and I think sent the other into England, where at this present she is dutifully served. 
The cause why gentlemen do not desire to be soldiers.  But I think the very occasion why many do not endeavour themselves to practise to be soldiers now in England, is because they see those few that be there already to thrive so ill-favouredly by their occupation, that they rather seek to endeavour themselves, where there is either pleasure or profit to be gained, which is not in soldierfare, & therefore makes them to become either Courtiers, Lawyers, or Lovers. The Court, I confess is a place requisite for gentlemen to know, so their minds might not be seduced with the vanities thereof, whereby they should be enticed, not to follow other exercises, tending more to their honour and estimation: & forsake those places, where greater glory is to be gained then any doth ordinarily attain unto, that consumes their days wholly in the court: for he that fully frames himself to become a courtier, must likewise fraught his head so full of courting toys, that there will be no room left, to consider of matters aperteining more to his credit. 
The manner of our young courtiers.  For the most in number of our young courtly gentlemen think that the greatest grace of courting consisteth in proud and haughty countenances to such as know them not, to be very fair spoken, bountiful & liberal in wor● to all men, 
But nothing in deeds.  to be curious in cavilling, propounding captious questions, thereby to show a singularity of their wisdoms: for the helping whereof, they diligently study books for the purpose, as Cornelius Agrippa, de vanitate scientiarum, and other like: to seem to talk of far and strange countries, of the manners of the people, of the fertility of soils, and by the way of communication, able to dispute of all things, but in deed to know nothing, to apply their pleasant wits to scoffing, quipping, gibing, and taunting, whereby they may be accounted merry conceited gentlemen, & with all, they must learn to play the parasites, or else I can tell them, they will never learn to thrive. And in their apparel, they must be very nice and neat, with their ruffs finely set, a great bundle of feathers thrust into a cap, which must likewise be of such a bigness, that it shallbe able to hold more wit than three of them have in their heads. They must be rash in their judgements, curious in their conceits, they must be bold, saucy, and malapert, which they themselves term to be good audacity. They must be ready to espy every man's faults, but not to see their own folly. But what should I stand to decipher the vanities of our courtiers, which are already so painted forth in their colours, and that by so many men, as I do but waste the time in vain about them. I do likewise acknowledge, that the law is especially to be practised by gentlemen. 
Of Lawyers.  For as the law itself is most honourable amongst men: so those that should be practisers, professors, and ministers of the laws, aught likewise to be of credit and estimation.  
But our Inns of court in these days are so furnished with shoemakers sons, tailors sons, Inholders sons, farmer's sons, & almost there is not so mean a man, but his son must go to the Inns of court, and they when they have gotten a little law, because they will not mend shoes, and do as their fathers have done before them, there is no ho in their getting, no measure in their taking, no mean in their bribing, nor no reason in their extorting.  
These be they, that by law will pervert law, and what one law doth make, they will bring another law shall mar. These be they that laugh, when other men mourn, and that make themselves rich, by other men's follies: and these be the only men that bring Law and Lawyers into such exclamations.  

Of Lovers.  But of all other people that do most surmount in vanities, are those that in such contagious passions, consume their time in love, that as Marcus Aurelius doth affirm, he that doth once fall in love with another, doth even then begin to hate himself.  
It hath many times been had in question, from whence the fury of this malady should spring, but the greatest part do conclude, that the original thereof doth proceed of idleness.  
Love, where it once taketh hold, it tormenteth the patients with such strange and bitter passions, that it reduceth reason into rage, 
The effect of love.  pleasure into pain, quietness into carefulness, mirth into madness, neither maketh it any exceptions of persons, either old or young, rich or poor, weak or strong, foolish or discreet, that as Peter Bovaystuan, a notable French author doth writ, that if all the lovers that are in the world, were made in one whole army, 
Cupid's band.  there is neither Emperor, nor Monarch, but would be amazed to see such a company of Bedlam fools in a cluster.  
But he that should take the view of their countenances, gests, manners, furies & all their frantic toys, might confess that he never saw a more strange Metamorphosis, or a spectacle more ridiculous to laugh at. If at any time they have received a merry countenance of their beloved, good God how gay shall you see them in their apparel, how cheerful in their countenance, how pleasant in their conceits, how merry in their moods: then they bathe in brooks of bliss, they swim in seas of joy, they flow in floods of felicity, they hover all in happiness, they fly in sweet delights, they banish all annoy.  
Contrarily, if they receive a lowering look, than you shall see them drowned in dumps, they plead with piteous plaints, they cry with continual clamours, they forge, they fain, they flatter, they lie, they forswear, otherwhiles falling into desperate moods, that they spare not to blaspheme the gods, to curse the heavens, to blame the planets, to rail on the destinies, to cry out upon the furies, to forge hell, to counterfeit Sisyphus, to play Tantalus, to feign Titius, to groan with Prometheus, to burn the winter, to freeze the summer, to loath the night, to hate the day, with a thousand other such superstitious follies, too long for me to rehearse.  
Now, if he be learned, and that he be able to writ a verse, than his pen must ply to paint his mistress praise, she must then be a Pallas for her wit, a Diana for her chastity, a Venus for her face, than she shall be praised by proportion, first her hairs are wires of gold, her cheeks are made of Lilies and red Roses, her brows be arches, her eyes sapphires at the lest, her looks lightnings, her mouth Coral, her teeth Pearls, her paps Alabaster balls, her body straight, her belly soft, from thence downward to her knees I think is made of Sugar Candie, her arms, her hands, her fingers, her legs, her feet, and all the rest of her body, shallbe so perfect, and so pure, that of my conscience the worst part they will leave in her, shallbe her soul.  
But what need I heap up so many words in this matter? My pen hath not the power to paint their doting devices: neither do I mind otherwise then to wish, the gentlemen should set aside all such trifling affairs, and vain follies, & to shake off those delightful desires, and rather to endeavour themselves, to such exercises, which have gained Hercules, Achilles, Theseus, Caius Marius, Epaminondas, 
The best exercises for gentlemen to follow.  Themistocles, Alexander, Pyrrhus, Hannibal, Scipio, Pompeie, Caesar, with diverse others, such immortal glory, as neither the envious rage of cruel death may blemish, neither the furious force of fortunes fickle wheel may diminish, neither the tracts of devouring time shall ever be able to remove from memory. And I would to God, that while time doth yet serve us in England, that such care might be had for the training and practising of men, that we should not be found altogether so careless, that to satisfy all our voluptuous pleasures, 
A special cause to be considered on, if it be not too late.  we never consider the preservation of our country and Common wealth. So likewise, if it be not altogether too late, as I fear me it is, I would wish that an other thing were looked unto, and that very narrowly, wherein we have made such a rod for our own tails, as there is no question, but in the end it must of force endure to be our own scourge: & this it is. We had in England, so great a benefit, as it might have been used, as no other country environing about us, is possessed with the like, which is the casting of iron ordinance: but as the proverb is, that every commodity bringeth his discommodity, so this commodity, bringeth us double discommodity. First in the casting, it consumeth us our woods and timber, in such sort, that one of the first things that England shall want, willbe of timber for ships, which is all made havoc on, only about those iron mills, in the end comes M. merchant, who cares not for his own private gain, what mischief he worketh to his country: or sometimes some old bruised soldier, that hath served the Queen in her wars, about London, Lambeth Marshes, or the out Isles of Islington, all the days of his life, and in respect of his good service, must get a commission, to sell two or three hundred pieces of this iron ordinance out of the realm, that between M. merchant and him, I dare undertake, there is thrice as much ordinance sold out of the Realm, as is within the Realm, and that some of our merchants have felt. For john the French man, hath been at host with some of their ships, and Davie drunkard of Flushing, & his fellows have not been behind, & these with other more, were not able to go so strongly to the sea, were it not that they were furnished with our English ordinance. The Spaniards & Portugese's, have some pretty store of it. In France there is Rochel, Rosco, S. Mallous, & Deep, their ships be generally as well furnished with our ordinance as any merchants ships in the Thames. The mighty hound of Dunkirk, & the rest of the begels that were of her consort, God knows, had been able to have made but a slender cry, when they had come to chase, had it not been for our English barks. The other parts of Flanders, Zealand, & Holland, both upon the walls of their towns, & also in their shipping, are furnished with the like. I have seen every street in Flushing, lie as full of English ordinance, as if it had been the Tower Wharfe of London. To be short, there are diverse towns in East Freesland, with Emden, Hambrougbe, Denmark, Dansk, Lubeck, Rye, Revel, Swethen, with diverse other cities, and towns, of those East parts, that she is but a very mean and simple Hulk, aperteining to any of these places, which hath less than a dozen or sixteen pieces, of our English ordinance in her.  
Such hath been the carelessness of this our peaceable time, that it hath not only made us weak, by our own neglecting the feats of arms, but also with our own artillery, and our warlike munitions, we have made such strong, as be our doubtful friends, nay rather, I may say our assured enemies, as I fear me we shall find, if they were at quietness amongst themselves.  
And thus once again I can but wish, that such consideration might be had of the time that is present, as in the time that is to come, we should not have cause to rue it.  
And here although I know my skill will not serve me, nor my occasion at this time may well permit me, to speak of Martial discipline, how far it is decayed from the first ordinance, and institution, yet gentle reader, not doubting but thou wilt bear with me, aswell for the want of the one, as for the necessity of the other, I will adventure to speak some thing thereof.   

The fourth part containing the decay of Martial discipline.  
I Have already showed in the first part of this book, how upon sundry quarrels, wars may be attempted without any offence to the majesty of God.  
In those wars therefore thus taken in hand, and upon such sufficient cause, it should seem likewise as requisite and necessary that as great regard should be used in the appointing of laws, disciplines, & orders, the which not only among themselves, but also to their utter enemies aught inviolably to be kept according to the justice and equity of the cause: for the which they be entered into arms.  
We do find in the holy scriptures, and that in several places, both in the books of Moses, in the book of josua, and others, where they have used no little regard aswell in the choosing of their captains, leaders, and conductors, as also in their prescribing laws, & disciplines of war, which were many times appointed by the almighty God himself.  
But let us peruse the examples of the Romans, which of all other people did most exceed, aswell for the greatness of their glory, as in all their other Martial actions, and we shall find, that they had not only consideration to the equity of their cause, for the which they would enter into wars (as by these words of Tully, in his first book of Offices may better appear: And the justice of war, is most sincerely described in the Phesiall law of the people of Rome, whereby it may be perceived, that no war is just, but which either for things in claim is moved, or else proclaimed before, and bidden by defiance etc.) But also they had as great regard, to maintain their quarrels, with like equity and justice, 
The Romans allowed of no war which was unfaithful, either that was maintained by unlawful means.  not suffering their captains to enter into actions of treason or treachery, where their wars were altogether arreared upon causes of honesty, as by many examples they did plainly show.  
When king Pyrrhus, unprovoked had moved wars against the Romans, one Timochares whose son was yeoman for the mouth to the king, promised to Fabricius, then being Consul, to slay king Pyrrhus, which thing being reported to the Senate, they presently warned king Pyrrhus, to beware of such manner of treasons, saying, the Romans maintained their wars with arms, and not by treason or treachery.  
Likewise, when Lucius Pius, in a banquet that he made, had filled the people of Sarmatia full of wine, and made them so drunk, that they yielded themselves subject to Rome, for which exploit, Lucius Pius at his return required triumph, but when the Senators understanding the manner of his fact, caused him openly to be beheaded, and a slanderous epitaph set upon his grave. Neither would they suffer that soldier, which amongst other being taken by Hannibal, and licensed upon his oath to depart, conditionally that he should either make return, or else send his ransom, the soldier with others of his companions, being departed the camp of Hannibal, feigned an errand back again, for something that he had forgotten, and thus coming to Rome, did think himself discharged of his oath: but the Senate allowing of no such deceit to be used, made a decree, that the same soldier, should be carried pinioned to Hannibal. And ten other, that in like manner, were dismissed by Hannibal, upon their oath: were sessed at a yearly fine, as long as any of them did live, for being for sworn. So nobly were the Romans disposed, and so honourably minded, that no act was allowed of amongst them, seemed it never so profitable, wherein was found either fraud or deceit. And this magnificence, gate them condign commendations of their very enemies, & between whom there had been mortal hostility, and many times was of greater effect to subdue than, then huge or mighty armies. And as they did excel in the excellency of these virtues, justice and equity, to such as were able to stand in arms against them: so likewise they did surmount in humanity & courtesy, & in ministering of comfort, to such as they had already vanquished and subdued, as by no example may be better expressed, then by a letter written, by Marcus Aurelius Emperor of Rome, to Popilio, captain of the Parthies, a notable discourse for captains to peruse, and followeth in this manner. I can not deny the glory I have gained by this battle, neither may I hide the perplexity I feel for thy present misfortune: for noble minds are bound to show no less compassion, to such as are subdued, then to express joy & gladness with those that are victors. Thou being the chief of the Parthies, diddest show great courage to resist, & in me the leader of the Romans, was found no want of force to fight: notwithstanding, though thou lost the battle, and I remain possessed of the victory, yet as I know, that thou wilt not acknowledge this chance to happen for any want of stomach in thee, so it belongs to my gravity not to attribute it altogether to the greatness of my virtue, sithence God doth always minister victories, not to such as do their duties best, but to those that he loveth most: for the effect of all things depending upon God, man can have no power to command the destiny of a battle, seeing he is not able to stay the course of the lest planet in heaven. Darius against Alexander, Pompeius against Caesar, Hannibal against Scipio, had above all equality, far greater armies than their enemies, by which thou hast reason to conclude with me, that against the anger of the sovereign God, can not prevail most huge and mighty hosts. I marvel Popilio, that being great in birth, valiant of stomach, wealthy in goods and mighty in estate & dignity, why thou bearest with such sorrow, the loss of this battle, seeing that in no worldly things fortune is more uncertain and variable, then in the action of war. It is told me, thou drawest to solitary corners, & seekest out shaded places, thou eschewest the conversation of men, and complainest of the gods, which extreme perplexities, since thou wert not wont to suffer in others much less oughtest thou to give place in thyself: for that the valiant man, loseth no reputation, for that fortune faileth him, but is the less esteemed of, if he want discretion to bear her mutability.  
To assemble great armies, is the office of Princes, to levy huge treasures, belongs to sovereign Magistrates, to strike the enemy is the part of a courageous captain: but to suffer infirmities and to dissemble mishaps, is a property duly annexed to noble and resolute minds: so that one of the greatest virtues that worldly men can express, in the common behaviour of this life, is neither to rise proud by prosperity, nor to fall into despair by adversity. For Fortune having a free will, to come and go when she list: the wise man aught not to be sorry to loose her, nor rejoice to hold her. Such as in their misery show heavy countenance, do well prove, that they made account to be always in prosperity, which is a great folly to think, and no less simplicity to hope for: seeing the gifts and graces of Fortune have no better thing more certain in them, then to be for the most part, in all things most uncertain, according to the success of the day, wherein thou gavest me battle: for there thou orderedst thy camp according to a wise captain, madest choice of the place, in great policy, tookest advantage of the sun, as a leader of long experience, in consideration of which things, thou hast cause to complain against thy fortune, which favoured not thy virtue, and not blame thy discretion, wherein could be found no error.  
Consider that in wise and grave men, it is an office, that if they cannot do what they will, at the lest they yield to time, and are content with what they may. And as the virtuous and valiant mind, aught not to grieve for not obtaining that which he would, but because he desired that which he aught not: so Popilio, I wish thee take heed, that the honour which so many times thou hast won, with the hazard of thy valiant person, in enterprises of war, be not lost at this present, for want of bearing well thy fortune: assuring thee, that he bears his misery best, that hides it most. And as of all voluble things, there is nothing more light than renown: so in cases of war and hazard, it is not enough for the valiant man to do what he may, but also he is bound to attempt nothing but what he aught: for aswell the consideration as the execution of a fact, belongs duly to a discreet mind.  
I hear thou wanderest here and there in great uncertainty of mind, fearing that if thou be taken of my soldiers thou shalt be evil entreated of me, which if no man have told thee, it is against reason thou believe it of thyself, because to us Princes of Rome, it is familiar to show our liberality to such as yield to us, & with others that are our prisoners to communicate in great clemency. We raise armies against camps proudly furnished, and Cities strongly walled, but to captives in thy condition, we hold it more honourable to minister comfort then to add increase of affliction. For as it sufficeth the valiant captain to fight against the enemy that resisteth him, and dissemble with him that flieth: so the wise man aught to require no more of his enemy, then that he acknowledge that he stands in fear of him, because to a daunted and timorous heart, is seldom left courage to renew an enterprise. And therefore a man takes greater revenge, when he putteth his enemy to flight, then if he take his life from him. For the sword dispatcheth a man in a day, but fear and remorse torments the mind continually. And better it were to suffer without fear that which we expect in grief and sorrow, then by fear to be always in martyrdom. It is right terrible to flesh and blood to die of a sword, but to be in perpetual sorrow and disquiet of mind, is the very fury and torment of hell.  
If thou eschewest my presence, in fear that I will not use pity to thee, thou art abused in the opinion of my disposition, and dost wrong to the reputation and experience of my actions past. For I never refused to show mercy to him that asked it, & much less deceived him that put his trust in me. The doubt and fear that thus do travel thy mind, aught not to be so much of my person, as of the custom of fortune, who useth not to unlose her sharp arrows with better will against any then such, as think they be in best security of her: her nature being such, as not to meddle with those that she finds prepared, the better to assure them, but followeth the fearful & negligent, to the end to deceive them: yea, she prevails even over the counsels and actions of men, and being exempt to make reckoning to any, her prerogative is to require account of all men. I assure thee Popilio, that more do I fear the revolution of Fortune at this hour, than I doubted her before the battle. For she delights not so much to keep under the vanquished, as to bridle and check the victors. And worse doth she mean, when she smiles the fairest, then when she frowns most. But to speak on thy behalf, I tell thee that without danger thou mayst resort to my presence, since in thy estate is no cause of suspicion, and in my heart no malice to thy person: for in deed, that cannot be called true victory, which bringeth not with it some clemency. And therefore he cannot be called victorious, in whom resteth intent of rigour and cruelty. For, Alexander, julius Augustus, Titus, and Traianus, won more renown by the clemency they used to their enemies, then by all the victories they obtained in strange regions. To obtain a victory is a thing natural & human, but to give pardon and life, is the gift and blessing of God. By which it comes to pass, that men fear not so much the greatness of the immortal God, for the punishments he doth, as for the mercy he useth. Notwithstanding as I cannot deny, but that great is the value & estimation, which we Roman Princes make of a victory won by battle: so also I assure thee, we hold it more honourable, to pardon such as do offend us, then to chastise those that do resist our power.  
Therefore, if thou fly from my presence as fearing the justice which I have executed upon the Romans, thou oughtest to take security and courage even in that which makes thee jealous and doubtful: for so much greater aught to be clemency, by how much the offender is in fault. And therefore as there is no offence which cannot be either forgiven or favoured, so right worthily may that pardon be called honourable and famous, which is given to an injury malicious and manifest, since all other common and light wrongs with greater reason we may say we dissemble them, then that we pardon them.  
The thing that most draws me to enter friendship with thee, is for that in our first capitulations and truce, thou perfourmedst all things that were concluded for the peace, and yet in the battle thou diddest express the parts of a valiant captain, the same giving me cause to believe, that as in war I found thee a just enemy, so in the time of peace, thou wouldst prove an assured friend. Alexander never repented the pardon he gave to Diomedes the tyrant, nor Marcus Antonius the favour he showed to the great Orator Cicero. Neither shall I have cause (I hope) to forethink the respite I give to thy life. For the noble mind, albeit he may have occasion to be sorry for the unthankfulness of his friend: yet hath he no licence to repent him of his good turns done for him: & therefore, in the case of liberality or clemency, by how much the person is unworthy that receiveth the benefit, by so much more he is to be commended that bestoweth it: for that only may be said is given, when he that giveth, giveth without respect.  
So that he that giveth in hope of recompense, deserveth not to be called liberal, but to pretend usury.  
Thou knowest well that in the time of the battle, and when the encounter was most hot, I offered thee nothing worthy of reproach: even so, thou hast now to judge, that if in the fury of the war, thou foundest me faithful, and merciful, I have now no reason, to exercise rigour, holding thee within the precinct of my house: so that if thou saw mercy in me at that instant, when thy hands were busy to spill my blood, think not that my clemency shall fail, calling thee to the fellowship of my table.  
The prisoners of thy camp, can assure thee of my dealing, amongst whom the hurt are cured at my charges, & the dead are buried according to the place of soldiers: wherein if I extend this care upon such as sought to spoil me, think there is far greater plenty of grace, to thee that comest to serve me. And so leaving thee in the hands of thine own counsel, I wish thee those felicities, which thy honourable heart desireth.  
Lo her a mirror, meet to be perused by kings and princes, wherein they may learn, with what consideration they should first enter into wars, with what valiance and courage they should prosecute them, and with what justice, temperance, and mercy, they should use their enemies.  
captains may likewise learn how to use fortune, either when she favours, either when she frowns.  
But leaving a great number of necessary lessons, worthy to be noted, how is it possible in so few lines, more amply to describe the glory of the Romans: neither are their virtues here so lively painted forth in words, as they themselves, did nobly show it in their deeds.  
But all other examples of humanity, amongst a great number used to their enemies, this in my opinion deserveth not the lest commendation, that having taken Syphax king of Numantia, who being kept prisoner in the house of Tiberias, died of sickness before he was ransomed, notwithstanding now when there was no manner of hope of requital, his funerals were yet performed, with such solemnity, such pomp, and such honour, such large gifts were given, & such liberality used, being but a Roman prisoner, as might have wanted at Numantia, where he was Lord and King over all. I have thus far briefly, and in this short manner, showed some small part of the magnificence of the Romans, in their Martial actions, whereby may be perceived, how far we be digressed, and how clean we be degenerate at this present, 
Princes more desirous with tyranny to offend others, then with justice to keep their own.  from their honourable institutions. For if we consider in these days, the impiety that is found amongst Princes, which for the most part are so led by the fury of ambition, where they think they may oppress, that without any other respect of cause they are ready to accompany themselves, with a sort of bloody captains, that should have the leading of a company of as lewd and ungracious soldiers, and even according to their quarrels and to the quality of their own dispositions, they prosecute their wars, and perform all their enterprises, the which for the most part are executed with such treason, and treachery, as no Prince almost may be so surely guarded, but his life shallbe finished with some deadly blow with a weapon, with some sudden shot of a pistol, or at the lest practised with some secret poison: neither is there any town, that may be so surely walled, so strongly rampired, or so thoroughly fortified, which shall not be betrayed.  

The manner how to prosecute wars in these days.  For in our wars we be now come to this pass, that fraud and deceit is reputed for policy, and treason and treachery are called gravity and wisdom, and he is holden the noblest champion, that by any of these means can best deceive: where, in the opinion of all men, 
Deceit hath ever been holden most hateful.  which exactly do honour justice, it hath ever been condemned, & accounted most horrible. And no doubts it cannot be acceptable in the sight & judgement of God, who in the Scripture is called the God of truth & verity: but rather proceedeth from the devil, who is (in deed) the father of fraud, and the forger of all deceit.  

By whom treachery is chiefly practised in wars.  And these enormities have ever been especially practised amongst those that have arreared wars, rather to oppress and ravish the goods of others, then amongst such as have but defended their own right, or entered into wars only upon causes of justice and equity, for that it hath been ever holden a matter most inconvenient, 
The best mean to incite men to valiance and courage.  of an honest quarrel, to make an unhonest victory. Neither is there any mean more rather, to incite men to valiance and courage, then when they shall remember, they go to fight in a righteous cause, according to the opinion of Cicero. Therefore (saith he) manliness is well defended of the stoics, where they say it is a virtue, that fighteth in defence of equity: Wherefore no man that hath attained the glory of manliness, hath ever got praise, by wily trains and craftiness, for nothing may be honest, that is void of justice.  
And proceeding further in the same place, he expresseth a saying of Plato, tending to the same effect, which is this.  
That not only the knowledge which is severed from justice is rather to be called subtlety, than wisdom, but also the courage which is forward to danger, if it be set on for our own greediness, and not for a common profit, may rather bear the name of lewd hardiness, then of manliness.  
And for as much as myself about a three years sithence, did set forth a book entitled (A dialogue between Mercury and an English Soldier) wherein I have described, what mildness should be mixed with this manhood, with many more examples of humanity, and sundry other virtues, wherewith noble capteins should be endued, I will therefore omit to use any further circumstance in those causes, neither will I further speak of the decay of Martial discipline in general, but of certain private abuses, that are used amongst ourselves in England, in our institutions in the time of war, 
Great abuse in England both in choosing of captains and in appointing of soldiers.  but especially in the election of our captains, for the most part, and our ordinary manner of appointing of soldiers, the which although I have likewise in the same book before mentioned, something touched, yet in my opinion, there cannot be too much said, considering the peril that might ensue by so great a negligence, and so ordinarily committed.  
To speak generally of our captains, they are many times appointed more for favour then for knowledge more for friendship then for experience, and more for affection borne them by some noble man, then either for valiance or virtue: for they are not to be accounted valiant, 
Not valiance but foolish hardiness.  that will offer themselves into danger without judgement: but rather to be esteemed men puffed up with a vain desire, and pricked forwards with a kind of desperate boldness.  
Aristotle would in no wise that Diomedes, should be reputed either valiant or wise: for that when the Greeks were put to flight, he remained alone, and adventured himself against the force of Hector, which he rather did to seek the vain praise, and brute of the people, because he would not be accounted a runneaway, then in respect of the true and sovereign good, wherein consisteth the end of virtue, and the glory immortal.  
In like manner he judged of Hector, who many times beholding his wife, and other women standing upon the walls of Troy, would more boldly and courageously adventure his life, having greater care, lest any rumours might have been raised by women to his dishonour, than otherwise he would have done, to have deserved the title of true honour and virtue.  
But what would Aristotle judge, of a many of our gentlemen in England, that will take upon them to be captains & conductors, that God knoweth are utterly ignorant, in the lest duty that appertaineth to a simple soldier? And how many times doth it fall out, that where battles be ordered, by such rash and harebrained governors, that they ordinarily do bring forth but unhappy issues?  
What availed the boldness of Varro, and Flaminius, two Roman captains, which despising the prowess & craft of Hannibal, and contemning the sober counsel of Fabius, having only trust in their own hardiness, lost two noble armies whereby the power of the Romans, was near utterly perished?  

What availeth boldness without experience.  They are therefore far from the true praise of valiance in deed, that will so rashly run, to hazard themselves without any manner of knowledge. We be of this opinion in England, (& else where,) that a man may not come to be exactly perfected, in the meanest occupation without seven years practice, and therefore ordinarily, such as bind their children apprentices, bind them for that space: Is it possible then that the art of war should be so suddenly learned, 
Never so perfect a soldier but hath been to learn.  wherein yet there hath not been any one found, though he have followed the wars all the days of his life, which hath not been in some things to seek? Philip king of Macedonia, marveled why the Atheniens did every year choose new generals and Captains of their wars, sithence he in all his life had found but one good, which was Parmenio. Plato would not wish, that any man should have authority in wars, till he were 30. years old.  
But Alexander admitted none to the room of a captain, that was under the age of 60. finally by the general assent of all, there aught no small regard to be used in the choosing of Captains. 
What is requisie in a captain,  Cicero prescribeth four things that aught to be in a captain, but especially in a governor or general, which is experience, valiance, authority, and felicity, to the which if you add these four more, which is justice, fortitude, policy, and temperance, first justice to revenge, fortitude to execute revengement, policy to prepare the mean whereby to revenge, and temperance to limit and measure out how far they aught to revenge: captains thus endued with these virtues, there is no doubt but they shall greatly prevail.  
Our manner of appointing of soldiers, 
How soldiers be appointed in England.  is yet more confused than the rest, they be appointed in the country as it pleaseth Master Constable: for if there be any within his circuit, that he is in displeasure withal, he thinks it some part of revenge, if he sets him forth to be a soldier, but if Master Constable be in love & charity with his neighbours, than some odd fellow must be picked out that doth least good in the parish, it is no matter for his conditions, they think he can not be too ill to make a soldier of. In London when they set forth soldiers, either they scour their prisons of thieves, or their streets of rogues and vagabonds, for he that is bound to found a man, will seek such a one as were better lost then found: but they care not, so they may have them good cheap, what he is, nor from whence he comes, they put him in a suit of blue, and bring him before master warden of their company, and then if he can shoot in a gone, he is bild a gonner, but he dares not let his soldier go out of his sight with his furniture and his new apparel, before he hath delivered him over to his captain, for if he should, he might fortune to miss him when he would have him.  

He that would further see the manner of our appointing of captains and soldiers, both how they be and how they aught to be appointed let him peruse a book entitled, A dialogue between Mercury and an English soldier, which book was of my own setting forth.  These be they through whose abuses, the name of a soldier is become so odious to the common people: God grant us, that we be never driven to try the service of such soldiers. But because in my other book before mentioned, I have more effectually spoken of soldiers, and have given special note how soldiers should be chosen, which maketh me thus briefly to pass them over: and in like manner I have done of captains, there resteth now, to show what severity should be used, in punishing of such as be mutineers, or that by any manner of mean, will break or infringe the laws & order of arms, or any other institution or ordinance, directed by the general captain or any other officer, for what shall it avail to make good orders, unless they should be surely kept?  

Nun. 1. Cap. 16. Mutiny in soldiers punished by God.  In the book of Numerie, we do find how Corath, Dathan, and Abiram, were swallowed up in the earth, for mutining against the captain Moses, an evident proof whereby may be perceived, how odious it is in the sight of God, that soldiers should rebel against their captains: They aught therefore to be restrained with sharp & bitter punishments, and that as often as they shall transgress, or make any offences.  
But I would not in any wise wish, that a soldier should be punished by the purse, or that his pay should be diminished, whereby he should not be able to maintain himself in service: other punishments therefore aught to be provided, according to the quality of their offences.  
Manlius Torquatus caused his sons head to be stricken off, because he had forsaken the place whereto he was appointed: although he went to fight with an enemy that had challenged him, and slew him.  
Sallust doth report, that there were more soldiers put to death amongst the Romans, for setting on their enemies before they had licence, then for running out of the field before they had fought.  
And in very deed, in that respect there aught no little regard to be used: for it is not requisite, that every private captain, or any other, should rashly enter into attempts, of their own heads, further than they be directed: for otherwise, they commonly conclude with unhappy ends, & many times it doth fall out, that when there is some exploit to be used, through the wilfulness of some harebrained captain, or any other that is more forward then wise, that will adventure for his own glory, further than his direction, it bringeth overthrow of altogether. For example. When the Spaniards lay in siege at Zurickzeas, the Prince of Orange, by good espial, had understanding where to annoyed them, he sent certain bands into S. Anna land, where they should have fortified themselves, in ij. several places upon the ditches, which they might well have done, considering the nature & situation of the place, by which means the passage by land should have been quite cut off, that no victuals could have come to the camp by land: and by sea it was as well guarded, with the Prince's ships. These companies coming thither by sea, landed, and did take the places to the which they were directed, now when they should● have fallen to fortifying, and to have made themselves strong: the one of the companies, persuaded by two or three Dutch captains, which were amongst them (as there was in the company both English, French, Wallan, Scotishe, and Dutch) would needs go charge certain Spaniards, which did lie hard by them, in a straight they had made: although there were some that foresaw what danger might ensue, of this pretence, yet they would use no dissuasions, because it would have been conjectured, that it had rather proceeded of want of courage, then for any other thing. There was no delay in the matter, but the charge was given with courage enough, but so much to their costs, as the Spaniards at that charge, overthrew the greatest part of their best and principal men. I will not say they were English men, because I have termed them the best and principal men. I might be thought to speak partially. But yet the matter being so lately done, and so well known, I need not doubt to tell the truth, they were English men in deed, that received the greatest overthrow: for how could it otherwise fall out, they were the formest that were in the fray: now the Spaniards perceiving what spoil they had given, followed the chase of the rest, kill and spoiling of them as they retired, till they were come to a slender strength, that was cast up, which the Spaniards had entered, had it not been valiantly defended, by the rest of the English men that were left, who in the end, as the Spaniards did retire, courageously pursued them again to their own strength. By this foolish attempt, this company was made so weak and so feeble, that they were driven to forsake the ground, and to get them again aboard of their ships, and the Spaniards sent presently thither a fresh supply of men, by which means the Prince could never get the like opportunity again. The other company kept the strength five or six days, in the end gave it over, and came away: for that it was to small purpose, considering the loss of the first. There were many like parts played in those Holland services, where I think as little Martial discipline was used, as in any wars that ever were attempted: Neither had it been possible that the country could so long have holden out, but that it was by nature seated so strong: for they might so drown the country about them, that it was not possible that any enemy should conquer them. The Prince himself was very wise & politic in all his directions, but many times they had but unhappy success, by the rashness of some of his Captains, which only did proceed for want of experience. For many of them were chosen after the English manner, I mean they had little knowledge, what themselves aught to do, & less experience how to rule their soldiers. But leaving Holland causes, & to return again to the examples of the Romans, who I say were very severe in the punishing of those offences, 
The Romans used to adjoin the authority of God to their own prescriptions, the better to keep their soldiers in awe.  & the rather to keep their soldiers under awe & discipline, they adjoined to their own laws & ordinances, the authority of God, and used with great ceremonies to make them swear to keep the disciplines of war. Cicero maketh mention how Pompilius, when he was general of the Romans in the Persian wars, had discharged one legion, in the which Cato's son had served for a soldier, and notwithstanding that he was discharged, he remained yet amongst the other soldiers, desirous to see the wars: which Cato understanding, did writ to Pompilius, that if he would suffer his son to remain in the army, he should swear him soldier again, because it was not otherwise lawful for his son to fight with the enemy, being discharged from his former oath, it did likewise discharge him for being a soldier. The Grecians used to swear their soldiers in this manner, being armed they were brought to the church, 
The oath that the Grecians gave to their soldiers.  where they received this oath following. I will not do any thing unworthy the sacred and holy wars, neither will I abandon or forsake my band and captain, to whom I am appointed. I will fight for the right of the Church, and safety of the state. I will not make my country to be in worse case than it is: but I will make it better than I found it. And I will ever frame myself reverently to obey such orders as are decreed and adjudged: and to laws established I will still yield myself: and obey those laws also, that the state hereafter, shall by common assent, enact or set forth: that if any one man shall change the laws or not obey them, I will not suffer him to my power, much less will I allow in so doing: But I willbe a sure defender of right, as well by myself alone, as when I am with others: And I will ever more honour the religion of my country: 
No profession more honourable than a soldier.  to these my sayings, I call the gods to witness. If this oath were thoroughly considered on among us in England, it might peradventure bring many to have a better opinion of soldiers. For what profession may be more honourable, then where a man shall be so solemnly sworn, to offer himself as it were to martyrdom for the maintenance of religion: and with the like vow doth profess to defend the laws and liberties of his country, with the price of his blood, and the hazard of his life.  
But especially by this example, both of the Romans and Grecians, may very well be conjectured, that as they had such consideration to swear their soldiers, & men of war, they would use the like respect and care, in the choosing of such as had regard of their oath, for otherwise as good unsworn, as to minister an oath unto such as care not to be forsworn. But what oath might be ministered unto our soldiers, as they be ordinarily chosen in England, or by what gods might they be made to swear by, that stand in awe of none at all, neither yet are inclined to any manner of religion?  
But if this example in choosing of soldiers were used, and that in the time of service such might be appointed, as should be found to be honest, zealous in religion, and that had the fear of God before their eyes, there is no question, but the disciplines of war would be more better observed, and captains should have the greater obedience and government of their soldiers, whereby we might the better prospero in our wars, according to the opinion of Xenophon, who saith, That soldier which first serveth God, and then obeyeth his captain, may boldly with all courage, hope to overthrow his enemy.  
And Alexander Severus saith, 
Obedience the greatest virtue that may be in soldiers.  The strength of war lieth in the soldier, whose greatest virtue consisteth in obedience towards his captain. When Scipio went into Africa, to destroy Carthage, resting his army by the way in Sicilia, a noble man of the country, seeing his soldiers exercising the feats of arms, demanded of Scipio wherein lay his chief hope to overcome Carthage, who answered, in yonder fellows that you see, whom if I command to run to the top of this high castle, & to cast themselves backward upon the rocks, they will not refuse, they are in such obedience.  
Xenophon maketh mention of a soldier, who in a skirmish having overthrown an enemy, as he was advancing his weapon to have slain him, the trumpet sounded a retreat, wherewith the soldier stayed his blow, and retired himself, this being espied by some of the company that was next unto him, demanded what he meant to let his enemy so to pass, having him at such advantage: 
A good lesson for soldiers to learn.  the soldier answered, because (quoth he) I do hold it far more honourable, to obey my captain then to kill my enemy. A noble saying of a soldier, and worthy to be had in perpetual memory.  

How obedience is nourished in soldiers.  This obedience in soldiers is nourished by fear & love: fear is kept by true justice and equity: love is gotten by wisdom joined with liberality: for that captain, that with such righteousness can so rule his soldiers, that he will suffer them, neither to do wrong, neither to receive injury, but with wisdom & liberality will maintain him in that which is right, that captain must needs be loved and feared of his soldiers, of the which proceedeth true and unfeigned obedience.  
Thus to conclude, the army that should be continued in order and discipline, must be kept well paid, and surely punished: 
Discipline of war best maintained where soldiers be kept paid & punished.  for many times where slackness of payment is used, it turneth into great inconveniences: & I cannot think, but it was the only cause, that lost king Philip the low countries: for when the Spaniards had taken Zurickzeas, it did so amaze and daunt the states of Holland, as it was thought and looked for, that they rather would have submitted themselves to the king's mercy, and have sought by composition, to have received the Spaniards again, then otherwise to have made head against them: and there were diverse towns, as Tregoe for one, where the chief Burghers had sought sundry means to have surrendered themselves unto the Spaniards.  
The Prince was then in Zealand, in the Isle which is called by the name of Waulkerland, which is the Isle wherein Middleborough, Flushing, Camphor, & Armue are seated, and there it was thought he would have remained, they never looked for him more in Holland. And while the Hollanders were thus in the midst of their dumps, listening ever when the Spaniards should have taken the Plaate Island, which was hard adjoining upon Zurickzeas, wherein lay a few faint bands (God knows) to small purpose: From thence the Bryel Island was next adjoining, the which could not have been defended, if the Spaniards had once been commanders of the Plaate. The first thing the Spaniards would there have sought for, should have been the Bryel head, which is now very strongly fortified, but at the instant nothing begun: which if they had once taken, Holland had been no longer able to have holden out, for their trade by sea would have been suddenly cut off, without the which they may not endure, considering it is the only wealth of all their towns, that are to be accounted of, as Skeydame, Delftes haven, Roterdame, Delfte, Dorte, Gorcom, all these with many other, standing upon the river called the Maase, would have been shut up, that they should have had no traffic or passage to the sea.  
Thus (as I said) as the Hollanders were in these muses, conjecturing with themselves, that this (in deed) was the mark which the Spaniards shot at, neither witted they how to prevent it: for the taking of Zurickzeas had so quailed their courages, & now their malice and their money was well nigh spent, that they were hardly able to pay those soldiers they had retained. In so much that a great number of them were providing what they were able to make, to pack them into England. But in the midst of this perplexity, and when they were most amazed with this terror, the Spaniards which were entered Zurickzeas fell in a mutiny amongst themselves for a pay which had been of long time behind, protesting that they would never prosecute further service, before they were paid: thus they discontinued service, forsaking so good occasion, which even then had happened unto them. In the end, having laid a plat amongst themselves, for the pacifying of these matters, all their practices were laid open and manifest, by letters which were intercepted, by those of Bridges, whereby Flaunders and Brabant, presently put themselves in arms against them, and were now of friends become mortal enemies: by which means the Spaniards were driven to draw themselves from all parts into one main strength. The Prince of Orange in the mean while, forslowed no time, but he recovered Zurickzeas again, with Harlam, Vtricke, Sconehoven, Hardame, with diverse other towns in Holland, which before were in the possessions of the Spaniards, the sequel of the matter is so well known, as I need not spend the time to rehearse. Thus gentle reader, trusting thou wilt accept in good part these lines, the which I know to be more convenient, and necessary, then learned, or eloquent, and when my time and occasion shall better serve me, I will not foreslow some other thing, the which I trust shall be more to thy liking.   

 

  

  

  

  

  

   

¶ Imprinted at London, by Henry Middleton, for C. B.