Page:Archaeologia Volume 13.djvu/228

 37$ Copies of Two Manufcripts horfemen to draw down to the plains next adjoining to the fame, who may alfo keep them in bay, from ftraggling far into the country. But if the attempt be made by a prince purpofed and appointed to invade, if you give them battle at the firft landing, you offer them even the thing they moft defire. And it is a thoufand to one a conqueft the firft day. My reafons are thefe : Firft, you give battle. But I pray you with what people ? even with the country- men altogether unexperienced in martial a6rions> whofe leaders are like to themfelves. And one other thing as dangerous as all this,, you fight at home, where your people know the next way to fave themfelves by flight, in recovering of towers, woods, and bye- ways. Contrarywife, with whom do you encounter, but with a company of pickt and trained foldiers, whofe leaders and captains are no doubt men both politic and valiant, who are made fo much the more defperate and bold by not leaving to themfelves any other hope to fave their lives but by marching over their bellies. And beiides it is to be imagined, that having fpread fome faction before amongft yourfelves (as there is no country free from feditious and. treacherous malecontents) they are more animated to purfue the victory more fliarply. Again, you once receive an overthrow, what fear and terror you have brought yourfelves into ? How hardly you fhall bring a fecond battle ; and how dangerous to fight with your men difmayed, thofe that be of experience can judge. L/ikewife what pride and jollity you have put your enemies in by their vic- tory to march forwards, having no forts nor fenced towns to give- them any ftop in this fear, or for your own people to take breath- and make head again. And that your enemies and factious compa- nies of your own nation may join together, and be furnifhed of victuals, horfe and carriage, at their will and pleafure, without the which no prince can prevail in any invafion; for if you drive him 4 to