provided that use be
made of those orders, which I propounded for aim and direction to you.
Besides this, here we see extraordinary things without example effected
by God; the sea was opened, a cloud guided the way, devotion poured
forth the waters, and it rain'd down Manna; all these things have
concurred in your greatness, the rest is left for you to do. God will
not do every thing himself, that he may not take from us our free will,
and of that glory that belongs to us. Neither is it a marvel, if any of
the aforenamed Italians have not been able to compass that, which we may
hope your illustrious family shall: though in so many revolutions of
Italy, and so many feats of war, it may seem that the whole military
vertue therein be quite extinguisht; for this arises from that the
ancient orders thereof were not good; and there hath since been none
that hath known how to invent new ones. Nothing can so much honor a man
rising anew, as new laws and new ordinances devised by him: these things
when they have a good foundation given them, and contain in them their
due greatness, gain him reverence and admiration; and in Italy their
wants not the matter wherein to introduce any forme. Here is great
vertue in the members, were it not wanting in the heads. Consider in the
single fights that have been, and duels, how much the Italians have
excel'd in their strength, activity and address; but when they come to
armies, they appear not, and all proceeds from the weakness of the
Chieftaines; for they that understand the managing of these matters, are
not obeyed; and every one presumes to understand; hitherto there having
not been any one so highly raised either by fortune or vertue, as that
others would submit unto him. From hence proceeds it, that in so long
time, and in so many battels fought for these last past 20 years, when
there hath been an army wholly Italian, it alwaies hath had evil
success; whereof the river Tarus first was witness, afterwards
Alexandria, Capua, Genua, Vayla, Bolonia, Mestri. Your Illustrious
family then being desirous to tread the footsteps of these Worthyes who
redeem'd their countreys, must above all things as the very foundation
of the whole fabrick, be furnished with soldiers of your own natives:
because you cannot have more faithful, true, nor better soldiers; and
though every one of them be good, all together they will become better
when they shall find themselves entertained, commanded, and honored b