in a matter which he had before discreetely enough plotted and disposed moreouer he cannot beare swaie as master of the confederate forces insomuch as he which sendeth succours may vnderhand deliuer to his Commanders memorials and instructions more strict and limited then the necessitie of the vndertaken affaire would permit Also the least distaste either of the Prince which assisteth or of the Captaine which conducteth such succours serueth oft-times to dismisse the promised forces deceiue the others expectation and bring all he vndertaketh to nothing So as he remaineth not onely more weake by this disappointment but his owne forces also become vnprofitable and consequently himselfe exposed to all wrong and ruine for as if one only wheele of a clocke be out of temper it sufficeth to disorder the whole motion so where the vndertaker faileth but of one part of his promised troupes the effects which in part depend thereon likewise faile and the course of his warlike designes remaine crossed and peruerted I will not forget also to say that a campe consisting of such borrowed peeces hath necessarily need of many heads to command it and an armie compounded of so manie heads because of the diuersity of opinions and affections will most commonly haue the woorse when it commeth to handie blowes 5 We may illustrate these discommodities with examples that touch vs neere and are familiar vnto vs and were not long since practised for this cause I will more willingly then otherwise I would heere produce them In our time we haue seene two most memorable leagues between the Pope the king of Spaine and the Venetians consenting and vnited to vndertake one warre against the Turke the one was vnder Pope Paul the third and the other in the life time of Pius Quintus The first was caried with an excessiue charge yet without any effect woorthy so great an assembly The cause in my opinion proceeded of the difficulty that was found to ioyn in one body the confederat forces and draw them together at the Rendeuous in due season for they met not till the end of September Although an other inconuenience may be alledged to this purpose which ouerthrew the good successe of such a holy and Christian attempt yet it may appeere that to auoide the shame and dishonour that followed thereof it had beene easie to haue performed somewhat of more memorable consequence then was the taking of Castle-nouo if we had knowen how to husband the times and occasions fit for the imployment of so combined a power Concerning the second which was as I said in the time of Pius Quintus the army of the Venetians very gallant and strong spent all the sommer in attending the Galleis of Spaine which were to conuoy succours into the I le of Cypres then attempted by the Turke so as this slacknesse of assembling the Galleyes was a cause that the army became almost quite vnfurnished of good souldiours drawen together to their great costs by reason of the plague which had made a most pitifull hauocke amonge them Notwithstanding all this they forbeare not to make towards Cypres so late as by the way they receiued the newes of the lamentable taking of Nicosia Which made them imagine that the Turkes had vpon that commodity most strongly manned their Galleys as it was likely enough with land Souldiours and that therefore there was more appearance of danger thē of good successe in assailing them vpon which consideration they held it best to turne their course homeward and refer that businesse to an other time hauing then thus dishonorably behaued themselues returning they incountred so many misfortunes as well weather beaten by reason of the Winter then approching they at length arriued at their home sorely brused and spoiled The yeare following the army of the consederats met notwithstanding all this very late yet vndertooke they to incounter the enemy of whome they got that so renowned victory in the yeare 1571. if God had permitted vs to reape thereby those worthy fruits that we had reason to expect Now for all this Cypres was not recouered but remained to the infidell as the reward and wages of his valour The third yeare of the league the king of Spaine in stead of pursuing his enterprise against the Turke as he had determined caused Don Iohn of Austria Admirall of his fleete to stay at Messina because he then doubted that the French would assaile Flanders with such forces as they had that yeare rather suffered to take breath then wholy cased and dismissed So as the whole season was spent vnprofitably without attempting ought worthy such preparation as the confederates had in due time set forth This was an occasion of excessiue charge and that the armies did not once stirre till it was too late attending what their neighbours would do who as I haue said seemed to threaten the King of Spaine with some attempt vpon his country of Flanders In the meane time the Venetians tired with the charge and trouble they were at to no purpose treated a peace with the Turke 6 Who will make any question now those things well weighed and considered that if the leagues both the first and second had beene well caried without these crossings iealousies and suspitions which accompanied them though vainly and vpon no ground but that they would haue brought foorth some woorthie and honorable fruite to the glory and honour of God the peace of his church the encrease and establishment of the Christian common-wealth This may be enough to prooue that forces compounded of diuers nations depending of many and different heads are in marching more slowe and at a time of need lesse effectuall then others It may appeere to some that I heereby inferre that leagues betweene Princes are vnprofitable and therefore not to be made so farre is it from me to maintaine that opinion as I rather willingly embrace the contrarie but I reserue a time to handle how and in what manner it would be good to make such a league especially against the Turke when I shall arriue at the place appointed for this purpose to the end I may discourse of it at full Now let vs returne to the argument of discourse in handling 7 The Ottomans neuer made league either offensiue or defensiue with any and neuer had helpe of strangers on the contrarie they haue alwaies had to doe with armies compounded of different nations confederate and conducted by sundrie Commanders all which as ill vnited not vnderstanding one another they haue euermore vanquished Moreouer we haue ordinarily seene them more forward and deliuer about their enterprises being alone then accompanied and consequently more vnited in their force more nimble in execution and it must needes follow more renowned and fortunately victorious 8 Yet they had no lacke of whom where with to practise their associations if they had approoued them as good necessarie as among other with the Soldan of Caito with the kings of Carmania
sacked Xistis but they were not able to hold it so as the Turke hath repossessed himself of it The Muscouit doth not only defend himselfe from the incursions of the Turks but he oft times also skirmisheth with them commanding as he doth aboue an hundred and fifty thousand horse The King of Polonia likewise more mighty then the Muscouit is so strong as he will not take wrong but is able rather at all times to repell the violence of his enemy The house of Austria together with the aid of the Princes of Germanie hath wherewithall to make their party good and to oppose him the Venetians vnited with Italy and Spaine which in such a case will not abandon them are likewise able enough to defend themselues and hold their owne As for the king of Spain he is so mighty by sea and by land both of men and mony as he dareth vndertake himselfe to incounter the Turke in battaile much more to defend himselfe if assaulted The King of Fez is not anie way awed by him and is more strong then he at the least in Africke which he approued to the common hurt of Christendome by that ouerthrow and death of the King Don Sebastian of Portugall where so many Christians miserably ended their daies The last of those which abut vpon the Turke is Prester Iohn who hath hitherto behaued himselfe so honorably against him as he hath neuer shewed any token of fearing his forces So as being now vnable by reason of the concord stout opposition of his neighbours to gaine farther ground he must of necessity vnlesse God in regard of our sinnes be otherwise pleased begin to recoile and that greatnesse which he hath built vpon others ruines must decay and lessen since the matter which gaue the increase is on his part wanting 3 There is yet an other point which fortifieth this opinion and that is that all such Princes as confine vpon the Turke are by others example made more wise aduised and considerat then they were before the ruine of such as serued for a pray to the Ottomans whereby they will discreetly looke to themselues how they courageously hazzard their persons or estates at one battaile they will rather be content to stand vpon their defence attending while time beget some apparent occasion roundly and to the purpose to set vpon him 4 Againe there are at this day so many fortresses so strong and so well appointed as they are in a manner impregnable so as the Turke is not like to finde the way so open as heereto fore he did to carry them but if he should put himselfe vpon that hazardous enterprise of forcing them one by one it were as much as to become the author of his owne ruine 5 Neither ought any man in opposing this alledge the losse of Cypres since it hapned not so much through the Turkes power as because of the distance of Venice which was to supply them with men and munition A man may by a contrary argument say as much of the sauing of Malta speaking according to humaine causes for it was not protected either by the forces within it selfe or by the succor sent thither from other parts but only because the Iland was so far distant from Constantinople as the army could not in due time and season receiue their prouisions and bee refreshed as was requisite nor well imploie such as were sent thither If it would please God that the Turke might often make such voiages he would prepare vs faire occasions to attempt the reuenge of the outrages Christendome hath by him sundry waies receiued CHAP. V. By what kinde of causes the Empire of the Turkes might most easily faile 1 The power of the Turke not to be easily ouerthrowne by outward causes 2 The power of Princes estates bordering vpon the Turke as the Persians Tartarians Moscouits Polonians Germans Venetians Spaniards c. 1 AS wee haue at large intreated in the chapters going before by what causes all estates may be brought to their last end and ruine so are we now to come to that of the Ottomans as one of the greatest and examine by what inconueniences it may vndergoe a change I am of opinion that this their so raised greatnesse can hardly decay by vertue of outward causes seeing the Princes bordering vpon their estate are euery one in particular weake to assaile them as they might well doe if they were peaceably vnited 2 This weakenesse presupposed it followeth that it will proue a hard matter to ruine him by forraine force whose strength and meanes it is requisit we examine to inlighten this opinion First those that confine vpon the Turke next Africke are the King of Fez of Marocco and Prester Iohn next Asia the Sophi and the Tartarians in Europe the Duke of Muscouy the King of Polonia the Emperour the Venetians and the King of Spaine As for the King of Fez he hath men enow but small store of mony so as he hath not the meanes or ability to maintaine a lasting war Againe though I should suppose he were able to be at the charge yet I finde him naked of other things necessarie to aduantage himselfe vpon the Turke such as are places of strength to forward his proceedings and assure his retrait so as he is like enough to come short of his aime and if he should performe some worthy exploit in Africk doubtles the King of Spaine his neighbour would soone be iealous of his good fortune And in very deede this is not the point for it is all one with Christendome whether the King of Fez be too strong for the Turke or the Turke for the King of Fez since both are the Christians enemies As for Prester Iohn all the world knoweth he hath enough to doe to defend himselfe against the Turkes forces neither is it long since he wan from him all the hauens he had vpon the red sea and amongst others that of Archiech and Mazzua now for the Sophi if we search their histories we shall finde that the kings of Persia haue alwaies had the worse of the Turks among all other Mahomet the second ouercame Vsumcassan after him Selim the first did as much to Ismael whom he forced into the remotest parts of his country Tarmas also met with the like measure at Solimans hands and on the contrary we see that Cudabenda hath had such a hand of Amurath the third now raigning as he hath often vanquished his armies and now of late at Tauris and though he haue atchieued most worthy victories yet hath he nothing aduantaged himselfe In the Turkes country he hath not wan one fortresse of importance or ought else that might counteruaile the charge of his wars This hath succeeded in regard the Sophâ—is stroÌ„g of horse but vnprouided of foote which should be the principal force of such as besiege or defend Moreouer to force places of strength there is required great store of cannon other
vpon the enemie 3 The commoditie of them so concluded 4 Aduise for a generall contribution against priuate gaine 5 That the danger we stande in of the Turke is greater then many suppose and that therefore those that are most remote ought willingly to contribute 6 What should mooue vs to ioyne in league against the Turke 1 NOw then to reape the woorthie and honorable fruits of a holie league association we are to remooue the defects and inconueniences which haue made the former leagues prooue abortiue And the better to effect it it is necessary that their treaties be voluntarie that Princes voluntarily ioyne their powers meanes to one end though by different courses so as growing to capitulations the one doe not aduantage himselfe vpon the straightning of the others affaires This is it which equalling the conditions will cause euery one to partake in the enterprise without all suspect or particular iealousie It is not enough that the defects of these leagues be discouered if they make vs not more wise in the framing of other to come to the end we may with all deuotion and sinceritie builde them on a strong and vnmooueable foundation and thus in my opinion may be the manner of our proceeding 2 It is not required that to establish this league and make it fructifie the confederate forces should assemble in one place but at one time my meaning is that our Princes must bee readie to assaile the enemie at once in diuers places and that euery one bende his forces towards parts which are neerest to him so to begin the warre to some purpose As for example the Spaniards should inuade the parts of Algiers the Venetians and the Pope of Albania the gallies of Sauoy Malta and Florence should continue their ordinarie courses against the Turke vnlesse they would ioyne with the Venetians or the king of Spain the Polonians should set vpon Walachia the Emperour and Princes of Germany vpon Hungary 3 Questionlesse if each of these did in this manner assaile him their courage and force would be the greater as would likewise be their desire to persist in their enterprise without any respect of paines or expence hoping all would redound to their honour profit and particular securitie which they cannot expect from the other leagues and this is that which hath in part made them defectiue The enemie that should be so many waies set vpon would be constrained to diuide his forces which consequently would become lesse able to protect him on all sides whersoeuer he should be assailed First the gallies of Malta assisted with some other and scouring as they might the Leuant seas would keepe in such awe those that guarde Alexandria and Rhodes as they would not dare to peepe out Againe if Spaine would inuade Barbarie the gallies of Algiers would be sure to keepe home so as the strength of Venice ioyned with that of the Church would doe what they list and would meete with no encounter by sea which they should not easily ouermatch especially if at the same time the Emperour and the King of Polonia would warre likewise vpon the Turke We haue an example of the times which verifieth our position When Soliman vndertooke the warre of Hungary against Charles the 5. Andrew Doria Generall of his galleies with a very small armie troubled all the Leuant tooke by maine force Coron and Patras and harrowed all those seas without controule or encounter of the enemies whence followeth that if the Christians would as I haue saide at one instant set vpon the Turke they would force him no doubt into a narrow straight 4 There is one point that would make the enterprise easie more forcible and lasting but it would hardly be disgested and that is to draw all Christian Princes which confine not with the Turke to contribute vnto it All these suppose themselues free from danger and make no reckning of others sufferings in whose behalfe they thinke they should not cōtribute as those that were like to haue but the charge and the other the profit In a word all catholike Princes are so wedded to this particular interest which is euer more differing and vnequall among them as hath beene before alledged as the league would neuer be thorowly concluded or of long continuance this must of necessity be forgotten and the only desire of the exaltation of the Church of God must be that which must range them to the necessarie point whereof they need not trauell to seeke examples out of their owne houses which if they would but imitate all would succeed wel to inuite them to it I wil alledge one The principall aime of the league set on foote by Godfrye of Buillion and of so many Princes and Nobles some greater then himselfe which accompanied him was not placed but vpon the particular honour of the Maiesty of God whereabout euery man emploied himselfe with such zeale and deuotion as without attending the succours or furtherance of any great King or Emperour they drew together an army of an hundred thousand horse and three hundred thousand foote wherewith they subdued almost all the east 5 Leauing apart all these considerations let vs come to the opinion that some haue of their being far from danger and we shall finde peraduenture that they are neerer thereto then they are aware When Amurath came first out of Asia into Europe was not Hungary which is now subiect to the Turke farther off from the confines of the Ottomans Empire then are now the countries of Saxony or of Bauiers then they of Franconia the Swichzers and the French yet we see it now most in his possession 6 Shall we then say because we haue a mountaine before vs or a riuer betweene vs or some estate that seemeth to shelter vs that therefore we should hold our selues happy and in security and not be touched with others danger and misery No surely For if we be Christians we ought not only to haue compassion of others calamities but afforde them also our good and charitable assistance moreouer he that measureth future things but by the consequence of things present findeth himselfe oft times beguiled we are to haue such prouident care of what is present to come that we may leaue to ours the same assurance we wish to our selues to the end to preserue them by this prouidence from such danger as they might incur after vs. And though we should not carry that regard of our children and posterity and that the consequence of our estate did not spur vs on to such an enterprise shall there remaine in vs so little courage and charity loue and deuotion to the glory of God from whom we haue our being and of whom wee hold our powers as that we should all forget to husband his vineyard and expell thence such as intrude themselues into it and pollute it wherefore serue all those heapes of treasure which the Princes of Lombardy amasse one in enuy of an
vse of armes and that he hath brought them to this passe that they cannot vant to hold any thing in propriety which was not practised towards the aboue mentioned moreouer all assemblies vpon whatsoeuer cause are expresly forbidden them he keeps them vnder and makes no more reckning of them then of sheepe pend vp in a fould vsing them like brute beasts not once vouchsafing to imploy them in the wars The other reason is that they haue no power of themselues to oppose the Turkes so mighty forces and which is worst of all they neuer haue had any forraine succour to incourage them to such an enterprise 14 I will forbeare to diue any deeper into this subiect me thinkes we may see sufficiently by this how much more supportable are Cittadels then armies ordinarily intertained But if we speake of conquering I allow that armies are more to be preferred before fortresses considering that we thereby inioy meanes to embrace all occasions offered and at an instant to execute both the will and designe of a Prince so prouided 15. To say the truth it is that which the Ottamans haue practised to aduance their Empire to such greatnesse as at this day we see it it is that which hath heaped on them the honors of so many victories and which hath endowed them with authoritie reputation and meanes They haue alwaies had as they yet haue their armies in a readinesse and haue fought with their neighbours in a manner with as much aduantage as a man armed against one that is naked 16 Some I know will maruell how such a number of people so armed can containe themselues from reuolting I am of opinion that if they were not ordinarily imploied as they are in attempts of warre that in the end their multitudes growen ranke with quiet would easily be drawen to rebellion or mutinies which the souldiers of Alexander the Great can witnesse for whilest the enemy kept them in doings who were then they more hardy and valerous but after their victories who more insolent and vnsufferable The Roman armies how fortunate were they whilest they had continuall warre atchieuing all their interprises in a manner as they could wish but after their conquest they became so turbulent and vnquiet as they assumed to themselues the authoritie of creating Emperors and for the most part so licentiously as euery armie made his particular choise so as there was no remedie but to trie by fight who should carie it which occasioned the ouerthrow of the state The French haue they not euermore faithfully serued their king against strangers but so soone as they had peace with the English and after with the Spaniard they filled euery corner of their country with sedition sackings cruelties and slaughters and that with such obstinate persisting as the contagion thereof hath not beene able for 25. yeeres space to be remooued But that which is most to be lamented is the scandall they haue brought vpon the church This selfe thing may be appropriated to the Flemings and the cause may be imputed to idlenesse and the exceeding plentie wherein they liued The example of Bajazet the second shall serue to close vp this discourse for he being giuen ouer to his ease the soldiours who could not brooke such idlenesse so awaked the courage of his two sonnes Selim and Acomath as all the forces of the Empire which had established the Turkish scepter were diuided into two and it lacked not much of being vtterly ouerthrowne euery one for his part seconding the rebellions of the sonnes against the father CHAP. IIII. That he hath trained vp his soldiours to valour and hardinesse 1 Why the armies of these daies consist not of so good souldiers as in former times 2 Principall causes of victories 3 What care is to be had in leuying of good souldiers and this to be wrought by a fourefould meanes 4 By election 5 Exercise 6 Honors and profit 7 The Turkes proceeding heerein 1 IT is seldome seene that the armies of these times consist of good souldiours for the more we vary from the course our forefathers tooke to bring them to perfection by so much the more are we depriued of that happinesse which were to be desired and seriously sought after by Princes and those which as Commanders would reape honor and profite by the wars 2 Victory which dependeth of the diuine will deriueth her successe and principall ground from the multitude of men but especially from the wisdome of the Commanders and from the valour and generositie of the Souldiour 3 It is requisite then that we looke more narrowlie then we doe vnto their choice and that they be such as we may honour and profit our selues by them now we must deliuer how we may light vpon or make good and hardy souldiours which is doone in my opinion by a foure fold meanes by election exercise honor and profit 4 By election because all those which we leuie for the wars haue not that naturall inclination to valour and courage nor a constitution of bodie fit to indure the trauailes and dangers incident thereunto Moreouer a gallant fashion and spirite are not found in euery one much lesse a resolution to attend defie and assaile the enemy also euery mans hart will not serue him to enter the trenches throw himselfe desperatly into the dike scall the wals offer himselfe valiantly to make good a breach in despite of the Cannon of stones of wilde-fire and of death it selfe Their complexions perhaps will not brooke that they should spend the whole day in continuall turmoiles without eating and the night without rest so as where some make account that Antwerpe is able to make 30000. men Venice 40000. Gant 60000. Paris 100000. all fit and able to beare armes me thinkes they should be vnderstood that they are such as haue the age required but not the disposition proper to such a profession For proofe hereof haue we not of late seene that the Prince of Parma hath ranged vnder the obedience of the King of Spaine euen with small forces those of Gant Antwerp which had formerly together with those of the low countries rebelled against their Soueraigne The Romans held in such esteeme this manner of making choise of their Souldiours as when they would expresse a leuy of men they termed it Delectum agere vel habere to make a choise In our times no man hath beene more carefull and circumspect in the choise of his souldiours at the least of the Captaines of Italy then Cosmo de Medici Duke of Florence and indeede he was prouided of the best and most approued souldiours of his time 5 To election we are to adde exercise without the which there is no forwardnesse or constitution of body be it neuer so strong able to attaine to the perfection requisite to execute and accomplish as appertaineth to a good braue and noble souldiour 6 But if the Generall be so wise as to ioine to exercise profit and honor
see that the most disloiall amongst them were not the most assured in the forces of their trecheries Amurath the second Mahymeth the second Baiazeth the second Selim the second were held the most subtile Princes of their race but we must grant that if those their wicked procedings thriued for a time it was more through the coldnesse and dissentions of the Christians when they should haue reuenged and repelled their iniuries then that we should therefore beleeue that it is well done to proue periured and disloiall Amurath the second made proofe of it to his cost and hauing receiued an ouerthrow at the handes of Ladislaus King of Polonia he speedily made peace with him and turned his forces against Caramania where whilest he was busied Ladislaus iudging so perswaded and backt by Pope Eugenius that hee should not doe amisse to falsifie his faith with a Barbarous Turke of so insolent a nature and so capital an enimie of Christendome as all breach of peace might seeme as a true performance thereof resolued to make war vpon him on the sodaine which proued so dangerous as Amurath was neere tumbling from the top of an high and glorious fortune to the lowest degree of misery so as his estate was neuer more shaken and endangered if the Christian army which followed their victory had not as I haue said disordered thēselues Whereupon the glory and triumph fell to the Infidels to the great misery and confusion of the Christians Selim the second hauing vnlooked for attempted vpon the Venetians to the preiudice of his vowed faith pulled vpon his necke the forces of the league had too late repented himselfe if God in regard of our sinnes had not in such sort sealed vp the eies of the Christians as they could not see nor make their benefit of the gate his diuine Maiesty had set open to a more high enterprise then the losse they receiued at Lepanto Soliman that was held the most wise Prince of all the Ottomans if wisdome be able to shine where there is no light of true faith and Christian beleefe hauing vnderstood at such time as he caused his army by Sea to fall downe towards Ottranto the yeare 1537. that Mercurin de Gatinaro and the Citizens of Castro were made prisoners after they had surrendred the place contrary to promise hee foorthwith commanded that they should be released saying that disloialtie to violate their faith and word once passed was not the meanes to win the hearts and likings of strange nations CHAP. VIII That he hath beene alwaies serued in his wars by good and valiant Captaines 1 Whether an experienced Commander and rawe Souldiers or experienced Souldiers and an vnskilfull Commander be the better 2 The first best allowed and the reasons 3 Examples heereof 1 IT is ordinarily disputed amongst Souldiers and martiall men which is the better a good Captaine emploied about the conducting of an armie consisting of raw Souldiers or an armie of old Souldiers committed to the command of a raw and vnexperienced Captaine 2 As for me if my opinion may carie credit amongst so many sufficient to decide this question I hold it better that a worthy and valiant Captaine should haue the charge of an armie of vntrained men without experience then that an armie of old Souldiers trained and beaten to the wars should be recommended to a Captaine yet a nouice and vnskild in the profession of armes The reasons proper for the maintaining of this proposition are so plaine to such as without being obstinate or passionate in behalfe of either party will entertaine them as they are not to be gainsaid for is it not much more fit and easie that a good Captaine make and fashion a campe of rawe Souldiers then that good and experienced Souldiers prepare and fashion their Captaine to the conduct of an armie who can without shame denie that an armie doth not rather obey the voice and command of their Captaine then the Captaine of his armie otherwise it were as they say to set the cart before the horse 3 Now we must come to such examples as may instruct and make cleere the truth of my proposition If we will as we ought examine how many times the Christians haue beene ouerthrowne by the Turkes we shall vndoubtedly finde that it hath euermore hapned rather through want of experience courage sufferance concord and authoritie in the Commanders then for any other default So at the battailes of Nicepolis for that such like Captaines did set light by the Turkes forces and tooke not a sufficient suruey of them they receiued a most shamefull ouerthrow a woorthy reward of their weake experience in not knowing how to fight with those barbarous nations whom they might well thinke wanted neither skill nor valour Did not Lewes king of Hungary by meanes of the Bishop of Tomerea who brought him almost to the slaughter indure the like disgrace at the battaile of Mogoria for want of experience in matter of warre and of iudgement sufficiently to discouer the enemies forces and the passages of the countrey where he was to buckle with him In like sort was not the vnskilfulnesse of the Italians cause of that victorie the Turkes gained at Grado who had then for their leader Homarbay Generall of the Turkish armie Also the yeare 1537. at Exechium Mahomet Iahiaoglis being Gouernour vnder Soliman of Belgrad and the frontiers of Hungarie in the time of king Iohn the great Caziauer losing his courage did he not abandone to spoile death and ruine a faire and strong armie which he commanded for the Princes of Germany and Italy some one troupe excepted which dishonorably togither with him saued themselues by flight Also before this heauie losse did not Anthony Grimani Generall of the Venetian armie faile of courage when with great aduantage he might haue charged the Turkes and put them to the woorse The very like want of experience and valour was seene in an other Venetian Generall who shamefully left the I le of Negropont to the spoile of the enemy To conclude haue not the Christians beene so many times put to the woorse neere about Buda for want of valiant and experienced Captaines as it cannot without griefe be related On the contrarie the Ottomans haue neuer suffered misfortune of warre at the least for lacke of authoritie command or wisedome in managing their armies for they themselues haue in person conducted them and beene present at all their high exploits and important enterprises by them atchieued They haue likewise euermore committed the charge of their difficult actions and affaires of warre to the most valiant and experienced Captaines amongst them whom they had formerly well knowen trained vp and exercised to such charges by infinite proofes of their courage and wisdome in most dangerous and difficult occasions In summe experience is that which perfecteth valor The Turkish Emperors haue alwaies giuen to their Captaines ample power commission freely to
groweth that the feeblenesse of their strength is yet made more feeble by this irresolution so as a mighty power charging them they shal remain subiect to the discretion of the indiscreet enemy by these means the lords of the seueral parts of Lombardy became the pray of the Venetians who subdued them with as much facility as resolution But had the repulse when they attempted the state of Milan vtmost limit of their power dominion and conquests After the same sort also the French in time past brought vnder all the Prouinces of Gaull but when they would enter the confines of Spain the opposition of that neighbour-greatnesse stopped their course and was a rampart to defend them from further proceedings In the very like manner the Turkes hauing deuoured all the Princes of Greece Macedonia Bulgaria and Seruia attempting the inuasion of Hungaria they had their hands full since the valour of these Kings and people so fashioned hardned and enured of a long time to the wars as they were the better able to make head against them discouered it selfe to be greater then the consideration of their indifferent estate could well beare as witnesse the exploits of Ladislaus and Mathias Coruin who found the Turkes play to their cost But so soone as those Kings and people did forgoe this first valour and suffered the exercise of armes to degenerat Soliman ouercame them both at Belgrade and at Mogacia After the Turks had gone thus far they met with that bar of the house of Austria seconded by the German forces and supported by the power of the king of Spaine who shewed himselfe alwaies fearelesse of the Turkish forces As for the Venetians they haue euermore backt with the Popes and the Spaniards power behaued themselues most honorably one happinesse there is that those places of Christendome which border neerest vpon the Turke were neuer in more mighty hands nor had euer so few Princes to rule them as at this day whence groweth an infallible consequent that they are more easily defended and maintained especially hauing that particular coniunction of the power of Spaine which is such as the Turke cannot stur without incurring an apparant danger It being manifest that besides that the king of Spaine is of ability without feare to resist him he can also with his owne forces curbe him and bring him to reason So as the Turke awed by so mighty a king will not as he was wont so so one bend his forces against the Christians his neighbours The Muscouit on the one side and the kings of Polonia and Persia on the other are of such power and courage as they will alwaies make the fame of their particular forces to be both respected and feared 7 The diuersitie of opinions in matter of religion haue made way to the seuenth occasion haue disunited the courages spent the forces of the Christians haue made them rise vp in armes one against an other In the meane time the Turke getteth footing groweth great in sight of all men and is become a terror to Christian Princes Disloyall and traiterous Renegades or Apostates are those which haue discouered to the Turkes the Christians secrets haue acquainted them with the aduantages of landing and inuading haue beene guides to their armies into the very hearts of our richest countries and haue opened the doore of the eight occasion But for the ninth let vs consider what subtilties they haue practized and whereon that hath beene principally grounded I am of opinion that the better to order their affaires and seize vpon the Christians with more security their leagues treaties of peace and suspensions of armes passed betweene them and our Princes haue beene their greatest furtherances for the Turkes neuer warred with anie Christian Prince or Infidel either to defend their owne estate or with hostilitie to assaile an others but they first of all made their countrey sure against the power of their neighbours but aboue all such as seeing them elsewhere busied had meanes to disquiet their affaires inuade their territories and assaile them at vnawares The peace they haue so long maintained with the Polonians can testifie as much Againe the quiet they haue suffered the Venetians to inioy for these many yeares sufficiently bewraieth with what care they handle this businesse The continued peace they keepe with the French teacheth vs likewise with what prouidence and wisdome their matters are caried to the end not to receiue any incombrance or interruption by meanes of strange enmities at such time as they proceed in their enterprises They take truce with the Emperour alwaies to their aduantage and lately intending to war vpon Persia they dealt for a suspension of armes with the King of Spaine so as making all sure on one side they in a trice assaile the other heereby so well playing their parts as hauing the law in their hands they remaine as arbitrators of peace and war pursuing alwaies the course of their dessines with an aduantage too great vnworthy and preiudicious to the Princes of Christendome whose greater part is so awed by their forces as they haue often chosen to enter into conditions of a dishonest peace or truce though neuer so vnassured rather then to expose themselues to the danger of their mighty armies not heeding that thereby they haue lost many faire occasions of doing good vpon them whereof we neede not seeke farther for examples then now that the King of Persia keepeth them in continuall war at least if such newes as comes thence be true and that he hath lately giuen them an ouerthrow neere Taurijs of aboue foure score thousand men Which if it be so what better occasion can you desire ô ye Princes of Christendome to set vpon them and reuenge the dishonour of our passed iniuries Can it be otherwise but that in their former incounters and in this last they must haue lost the flower of their captaines and choice souldiours and is it possible that the swelling pride of their command and greatnesse should not shortly vndergoe some change and decrease if you will intertain the occasion which God offereth you ô but you sleepe and are altogether vnprouided to assaile them They are our sins that hinder vs and haue bred the disorders of ciuill wars which disquiet France and the Low countries with such obstinacie and cruelty as these Princes haue worke enough to order their owne affaires their neighbours in the meane time hauing their eares filled with the noice thereof looking what will become of such sturs and fearing lest the fire which so cruelly burneth their neighbours house should fasten vpon theirs which makes them stand vpon their guard to keepe out such broiles disorders In the mean time the Turke wanteth no time to recouer his losses and to laugh at oure inconsiderate follies follies indeede for vs but wisdome for him It is a maruelous matter to consider with what succes and aduice he hath quieted his
atchieued Notwithstanding all that hath beene said the question is not yet fully determined rather it remaineth diuersly ballancing to and fro as appeareth by these and the following examples 12 Charles of France surnamed the Sage neuer set foot out of his studie to command his armies yet knew he so well how to make the best vse of his Captaines valour and manage his affaires sutable to the time that he finally recouered his whole kingdome and expelled thence the English who possessed the greater part thereof On the contrarie the Emperour Ferdinand who warred by his Captaines himselfe not stirring out of Vienna receiued great and dangerous ouerthrowes Charles the fift on the other side wan more honour and victories by the valour of his Captaines then euer he did in those warres and enterprises himselfe vndertooke in person If the attempt vpon Marseilles had taken effect it might haue beene truly said that his Captaines had beene in all places victorious witnesse Pauie the Bicock Landrino Naples Coron Genoua Rome and Africk but where he went in person as in Saxony at Tunis Dura and Vienna his fortune prooued indifferent betweene good and bad But at Argiers in Piemont and at Metz he encountred on all sides such misfortune as it deemed as a man may say the luster of his renowne and victories formerly gained 13 Marke the effects of successe and fortune so different as it were a hard matter to passe a sound and determined iudgement vpon this proposition so as the more I imagine by the contrarietie of these examples to inlighten it the more obscure me thinkes I make it the finall deciding thereof may be framed thus The King which vndertaketh the conduct of an armie is either a discreet and aduised Captaine or else he is altogither vnskilled in the mysterie of warre In this last case I should thinke that it were most for his good to relie vpon an others relation and execution especially if priuie to his owne imperfections he want a dexteritie to make the best vse of another mans valour wisedome and counsaile But if so be he be capable of the gouernment and conduct of an armie and that he haue courage to execute in mine opinion he cannot doe better then to vndertake the warre and attempt himselfe in person for if in all militarie vertues he equall the most valiant of his armie he will surpasse them in fortune credit and authoritie and in all the other good parts aboue mentioned Kings compounded of these excellent parts alwaies crowne their eminency with honourable triumphes Theodosius the Emperour Charles the Great and sundrie others can witnesse this sufficiently Lewes the 12. of France hauing beene alwaies conquerour and neuer conquered in whatsoeuer he vndertooke himselfe in person was put besides the kingdome of Naples by means of a battaile which his captaines lost neere the riuer of Garillion for lacke of resolution and aduice which mischance was by that good prince so lamented as he made a vow thence forward to command personally in his wars And to say the truth if the Captaine be not discreet valiant and of long approoued experience it is strange if he euer performe woorthy act in such cases the presence of one only Turnus is more auaileable then of a thousand such Captaines 14 The Turkish Emperours who goe themselues to the wars haue tasted the sweetnesse thereof by so many and so notable victories as we are at this day their admirers Selim the first was wont to say that battailes gained in the Princes absence were not to be tearmed accomplished victories and we see that they haue scarce euer enterprised ought which hath not taken effect in the ende Yea it hath beene obserued that when their Captaines haue beene ouerthrowne if they themselues went afterward in person they alwaies returned victorious Amurath the second went himselfe after Carambeius generall of his army who was ouerthrowen by Ladislaus King of Polonia to war vpon that Prince whom he ouercame and cut his whol army in peeces Mezat Bassa was imploied by Mahomet the second in the enterprise of Rhodes which he shamefully abandoned but Soliman going himselfe in person caried it by plaine force and chased thence the Knights of Saint Iohn of Ierusalem who disquieted his estate by their ordinary excursions in the Leuant Amurath Captaine of the said Mahomet receiued a notable ouerthrow at the hands of Vsumcassan King of Persia but Mahomet going after himselfe in person vanquished the enemy already victorious and put him to a desperat plunge The Mamelucks ouerthrew Querseolus and Calubeius Baiazet the second Commanders Selim the first after personally vndertaking them ouercame them and wholy rooted out both them and their Empire Amurath the third now raigning hath been so many times beaten by Cudabenda King of Persia in person and through the vnskilfulnesse of his Commanders that a man may well say that neuer any of the race of the Ottomans receiued so notable ouerthrowes as this hath Whereto may be added that he met with last of all before Taures where he lost about 80000. men together with the Bassa Generall of his army a great blot to the glory of his ancestors yet the losse being so far off from his estate he receiued not so great a shake as if it had beene neere him or in his country 15 But who will take hold of such aduantages to doe good vpon him seeing the greatest Princes of Christendome are turmoiled in ciuill wars and troubles of their owne estates surely none Nay rather he is like to gather strength more then euer which he would not so easily doe if he were to incounter the Christians well appointed resolute and in a readinesse ioyntly and with one consent to make their benifit of so goodly an occasion CHAP. XIIII That he hath euermore gone well appointed to the wars 1 That our deliberations may take good effect we must proue all courses but vndertake nothing rashly 2 Rather superfluous then but necessary prouision is to be made of what belongeth to the wars 3 Aduantages of errours committed in military prouision 4 The wisdome of the Romaines and Turkes in their prouision 1 NOthing can be imagined more contenting the spirit then the happy successe of that euery one vndertaketh answerable to his condition much more a great Prince when he hath resolued vpon anie thing espeically the war is not to forget any one thing of what soeuer may perfect his designe which he ought to conceale and keepe to himselfe all he may We haue one notable example hereof yet fresh in memory and that is of the Prince of Parma Alexander Farnese who for a time had the managing of the troubles and wars in Flanders where he almost neuer attempted any thing which according to his intent he did not performe In very truth his actes were such as he deserueth to be reckoned as one of the most iudicious wise and aduised Princes of our age particularly in this