OTWITHSTANDING
I saw lately, that those of Musidan, a place not farre from mee, who
with
others of their partie were by our forces compelled to dislodge thence,
exclaimed, they were betraid, because during the speech of accord, and
the treatie yet continuing, they had beene surprized and defeated;
which
thing might haply other ages have had some apparence of truth; but, I
say,
our manner of proceeding in such cases, is altogether differing from
these
rules, and no man ought to expect performance of promise from an
enemie,
except the last seale of bond be fully annexed thereunto, wherein
notwithstanding
is then much care and vigilancie required, and much adoe shall be
found.
And it was ever a dangerous counsell to trust the performance of word
or
oath given unto a Citie, that yeelds unto gentle and favourable
composition,
and in that furie to give the needie, bloudthirstie, and prey-greed
Souldier
free entrance into it, unto the free choise and licence of a victorious
armie. Lucius Emilius Regulus a Romane Proctor, having lost his time in
attempting by force to take the Citie of the Phocens by reason of the
singular
prowesse, which the inhabitants shewed, in stoutly defending
themselves,
covenanted to receive them as friends unto the people of Rome, and to
enter
their Citie as a place confederate, removing all feare of
hostile-action
from them. But to the end hee might apeare more glorious and dreadfull,
having caused his armie to enter with him, doe what he might, be could
not bridle the rage of his Souldiers; and with his owne eies saw most
part
of the Citie ransacked and spoiled: the rights of covetousnesse and
revenge
supplanting those of his authoritie and militarie discipline. Cleomenes
was wont to say, that 'What hurt soever a man might doe his enemies in
time of warre, was beyond justice, and not subject unto it, as well
towards
the Gods as towards men:' who for seven dayes having made truce with
those
of Argos, the third night, whilest they were all asleepe mistrusting no
harme, hee charged and overthrew them, aleaging for his excuse, that in
the truce no mention had beene made of nights. But the Gods left not
his
perfidious policie unrevenged: For during their enter-parlie and
businesse
about taking hostages, the Citie of Casilinum was by surprise taken
from
him: which happened in the times of the justest Captaines, and of the
most
perfect Romane discipline: For it is not said, that time and place
serving,
wee must not make use and take advantage of our enemies foolish
oversight,
as we doe of their cowardise. And verily warre hath naturally many
reasonable
privileges to the prejudice of reason. And here failes the rule;
Neminem
id agere, ut ex alterius prædetur inscitia: 'That no man should
endeavour
to prey upon another mans ignorance.' But I wonder of the scope that
Xenophon
allowes them, both by his discourse, and by divers exploits of his
perfect
Emperour: an Author of wonderfull consequence in such things, as a
great
Captaine and a Philosopher, and one of Socrates chiefest Disciples, nor
doe I altogether yeeld unto the measure of his dispensation. The Lord
of
Aubigny besieging Capua, after he had given it a furious batterie, the
Lord Fabritius Colonna, Captaine of the towne, having from under a
bastion
or skonce begunne to parlie, and his men growing negligent and
carelesse
in their offices and guard, our men did suddenly take the advantage
offered
them, entered the towne, over-ranne it, and put all to the sword. But
to
come to later examples, yea in our memorie, the Lord Iulio Romero at
Yvoy,
having committed this oversight to issue out of his holde, to parlie
with
the Constable of France, at his returne found the Towne taken, and
himselfe
jack-out- of-doores. But that wee may not pass out unrevenged, the
Marques
of Pescara beleagering Genova, where the Duke Octavian Fregoso
commanded
under our protection, and an accord between them having so long been
treated,
and earnestly solicited, that it was held as ratified, and upon the
point
of conclusion, the Spaniards being entred the Towne, and seeing
themselves
the stronger, tooke their opportunitie and used it as a full and
compleate
victorie: and since at Lygny in Baroe, where the Earle of Brienne
commanded,
the Emperour having besieged him in person, and Bartholemy Lieutenant
to
the saide Earle, being come foorth of his hold to parlie, was no sooner
out, whilest they were disputing, but the Towne was surprised, and he
excluded,
They say,
Fu il vincer sempre mai
laudabil cosa,
Vincasi o per fortuna o per
ingegno.
-- ARIST. cant. xv. stan. 1.
To be victorious, evermore
was glorious,
Be we by fortune or by wit
victorious.
But the Philosopher Chrsippus
would
not have beene of that opinion; nor I neither, for be was wont to say,
'That those who run for the masterie may well employ all their strength
to make speed, but it is not lawfull for them to lay hands on their
adversaries,
to stay him, or to crosse legges, to make him trip or fall.' And more
generously
answered Alexander the Great, at what time Polypercon perswaded him to
use the benefit of the advantage which the darknesse of the night
afforded
him, to charge Darius. 'No, no,' said hee, 'it fits not mee to hunt
after
night-stolne victories;' mato me fortunæ pæniteat, quam
tictoriæ pudeat. (CURT. 1. iv.) I had rather repent me
of my fortune, than be ashamed of my victorie.
Atque idem fugientem
haud
est dignatus Orodem
Sternere, nec jacta
cæcum
dare cuspide vulnus:
Obvius adversoque occurrit,
seque
viro vir
Contulit, haud furto melior,
sed fortibus armis. -- VIRG. æn.1.x.732.
He deign'd not to
strike downe
Orodes flying,
Or with his throwne-launce
blindely-wound
him running:
But man to man afront himselfe
applying,
Met him, as more esteem'd for
strength
than cunning.
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