Page:Archaeologia Volume 13.djvu/225

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on Defence againft Jtmaflon* to appoint a chief leader of the horfemen, and another of the foot- men, and under them captains may be of the better fort inhabit- ing the country, if their Ikill and courage be anfwerable for it. The chief leaders both of horfemen and of footmen may be ftrang- ers, for that they muft be men- of that experience, difcretion, tem- perance, and of that judgment, as well in ordering and difpofmg of great numbers, as alfo in taking advantages of grounds, of times, of occafions, and of matters offered. And it were to be wimed, that they were fuch in all points, as the whole realm might be able to furnim every frontier mire but with two of that conduct: and valour. That there might be alfo meeting and drawing together of fome convenient numbers both of horfemen and footmen to be trained and exercifed in all manner of forts and forms, as well frivolous as neceffary, to the intent they feeing the difference between good and frivolous orders, they may know the better how to give and receive a charge. For I think, if you mall but afk the opinion of three captains how horfemen ought to charge, and how they mould receive a charge, and fo like wife of footmen of their retraicls, the three captains will be therein of two opinions at the leaft. And yet the firft thing we offer unto the enemy is ramly to join battle with- out any forefight of the inconvenience thereof, a thing to be gene- rally received and conceived of all our nation for the beft way, and who mould feem to impugn the fame is in danger to be made ri- diculous, and his reafon to be holden (as it were) herefy, and not fit to be heard or read. And yet how rude, ignorant, and unto- wardly, we fhould and would prefent ourfelves thereunto, make but fome models of convenient numbers affembled, and you mall fee the fame. In private quarrels f6r trifling caufes every man defireth to be ex- ercifed and fkilful in that weapon wherewith he would encounter his enemy. But in this general conflict, wherein we fight for the fafety