ed,
whiche should have more vertue then the same that is used. Wherfore I
have not thought good of the auncient thynges to reason other, then
that, which I have judged to suche introduction necessarie. I know also
that I might have delated more upon the service on horsebacke, and after
have reasoned of the warre on the Sea: for as muche as he that
destinguissheth the servis of warre, saieth, how there is an armie on
the sea, and of the lande, on foote, and on horsebacke. Of that on the
sea, I will not presume to speake, for that I have no knowledge therof:
but I will let the Genoues, and the Venecians speake therof, whome with
like studies have heretofore doen great thinges.

Also of horses, I wil speake no other, then as afore I have saied, this
parte beynge (as I have declared) least corrupted. Besides this, the
footemen being wel ordained, which is the puissance of the armie, good
horses of necessitie will come to be made.

[Sidenote: Provisions that maie bee made to fill a Realme full of good
horse; The knowledge that a capitaine oughte to have.]

Onely I counsel him that would ordayne the exercise of armes in his owne
countrey, and desireth to fill the same with good horses, that he make
two provisions: the one is, that he destribute Mares of a good race
throughe his dominion, and accustome his menne to make choise of coltes,
as you in this countrie make of Calves and Mules: the other is, that to
thentente the excepted might finde a byer, I woulde prohibet that no man
should kepe a Mule excepte he woulde keepe a horse: so that he that
woulde kepe but one beaste to ride on, shoulde be constrained to keepe a
horse: and moreover that no man should weare fine cloathe except he
which doeth keepe a horse: this order I under stande hath beene devised
of certaine princes in our time, whome in short space have therby,
brought into their countrey an excellente numbre of good horses. Aboute
the other thynges, as much as might be looked for concernynge horse, I
remit to as much as I have saied to daie, and to that whiche they use.
Peradventure also you woulde desire to understand what condicions a
Capitaine ought to have: wherof I shal satisfie you moste breeflie: for
that I cannot tell how to chose anie other man then the same, who
shoulde know howe to doe all those thynges whiche this daie hath ben
reasoned of by us: the which also should not suffise, when he should not
knowe howe to devise of him selfe: for that no man wi