men,
is more easie to be reduced unto the aunciente maners, then the service
of Warre: but by them onely that be Princes of so moche state, who can
at least gather together of their owne subjectes, xv. or twentie
thousande yong menne: otherwise, no thyng is more difficulte, then this,
to them whiche have not soche commoditie: and for that you maie the
better understande this parte, you have to knowe, howe that there bee of
twoo condicions, Capitaines to bee praised: The one are those, that with
an armie ordained through the naturalle discipline thereof, have dooen
greate thynges: as were the greater parte of the Romaine Citezeins, and
suche as have ledde armies, the which have had no other paine, then to
maintaine them good, and to se them guided safely: the other are they,
whiche not onely have had to overcome the enemie, but before they come
to the same, have been constrained to make good and well ordered their
armie: who without doubte deserve muche more praise, then those have
deserved, which with olde armies, and good, have valiantely wrought. Of
these, such wer Pelopida, and Epaminonda, Tullus Hostillius, Phillip of
Macedony father of Alexander, Cirus kyng of the Percians, Graccus a
Romaine: they all were driven first to make their armies good, and after
to faighte with them: they all coulde doe it, as well throughe their
prudence, as also for havynge subjectes whome thei might in like
exercises instruct: nor it shuld never have ben otherwise possible, that
anie of theim, though they had ben never so good and ful of al
excellencie, should have been able in a straunge countrey, full of men
corrupted, not used to anie honest obedience, to have brought to passe
anie laudable worke. It suffiseth not then in Italie, to know how to
governe an army made, but first it is necessarie to know how to make it
and after to know how to commaunde it: and to do these things it is
requisit they bee those princes, whome havyng much dominion, and
subjectes inoughe, maie have commoditie to doe it: of whiche I can not
bee, who never commaunded, nor cannot commaunde, but to armies of
straungers, and to men bounde to other, and not to me: in whiche if it
be possible, or no, to introduce anie of those thynges that this daie of
me hath ben reasoned, I will leave it to your judgement.

Albeit when coulde I make one of these souldiours which now a daies
practise, to weare more armur then the ordinarie, and besides the armur,
to beare their o