ough long and continuall
peace, thei began to bee altogether given to pleasure and delicatenesse,
little regardyng Marciall feates, nor soche as were expert in the
practise thereof: Their dominions and estates, did not so moche before
increase and prospere, as then by soche meanes and oversight, thei
sodainly fell into decaie and utter ruine. For soche truly is the nature
and condicion, bothe of peace and warre, that where in governemente,
there is not had equalle consideration of them bothe, the one in fine,
doeth woorke and induce, the others oblivion and utter abholicion.
Wherfore, sith the necessitie of the science of warres is so greate, and
also the necessarie use thereof so manifeste, that even Ladie Peace her
self, doeth in maner from thens crave her chief defence and
preservacion, and the worthinesse moreover, and honour of the same so
greate, that as by prose we see, the perfecte glorie therof, cannot
easely finde roote, but in the hartes of moste noble couragious and
manlike personages, I thought most excellente Princes, I could not
either to the specialle gratefiyng of your highnesse, the universall
delight of all studious gentlemen, or the common utilitie of the publike
wealth, imploie my labours more profitablie in accomplishyng of my
duetie and good will, then in settyng foorthe some thing, that might
induce to the augmentyng and increase of the knowledge thereof:
inespecially thexample of your highnes most politike governemente over
us, givyng plaine testimonie of the wonderfull prudente desire that is
in you, to have your people instructed in this kinde of service, as well
for the better defence of your highnesse, theim selves, and their
countrie, as also to discourage thereby, and to be able to resist the
malingnitie of the enemie, who otherwise would seeke peradventure, to
invade this noble realme or kyngdome.

When therfore about x. yeres paste, in the Emperours warres against the
Mores and certain Turkes beyng in Barberie, at the siege and winnyng of
Calibbia, Monesterio and Africa, I had as well for my further
instruction in those affaires, as also the better to acquainte me with
the Italian tongue, reduced into Englishe, the booke called The arte of
Warre, of the famous and excellente Nicholas Machiavell, whiche in times
paste he beyng a counsailour, and Secretarie of the noble Citee of
Florence, not without his greate laude and praise did write: and havyng
lately againe, somwhat perused the same,