OBSERVATIONS.

CAEsar inserteth this accident of the two Centurions, as worthie to be related amongst the deeds of armes contained in these commē∣taries: wherein we are first to obserue the grounds of this quarrel, which was their continual strife for place of preferment, which they sought after by shewing their valour in time of danger, and approouing their worth by the greatnesse of their desert; a contention worthy the Roman disci∣pline, and may serue for a paterne of true honour full of courage, accompli∣shed with vertue. For these Simultates, which desire of honor had cast between them, brought forth emulation which is the spur of vertue, far from enmitie or hatefull contention: for the difference betweene these two qualities is, that en∣mitie hunteth after destruction, and onely reioiceth in that which bringeth to our aduersary vtter ruine, dishonour or ill atchieuement: but emulation con∣tendeth only by well deseruing, to gaine the aduantage of an other mans fame, that vseth the same meanes to attaine to the like end; and is alwaies mixed with loue, in regard of the affinity of their affections, and the sympathie of their de∣sires, not seeking the ouerthrow of their Competitor, but succouring him in time of danger, and defending him from foule and vnfortunate calamitie, that he may still continue to shew the greatnes of his worth by the opposition of in∣ferior actions, which are as a lesser scantling of desert to measure the estimation of the others honour.

A vertue rare and vnknowne in these daies, and would hardly find subiects to be resident in, if she should offer her helpe in the course of our affaires, or sue to be entertained by the crooked dispositiōs of our times: for we can no sooner conceiue the thoughts that breed emulation, but it turneth presently to hatred, which is followed to the vttermost of our malice, and resteth better satisfied with the miserable end of our opposed partner, then with thousand of Trophes deseruedly erected to our honor. Which maketh me wonder, when I looke in∣to the difference of these and those ages, whether it were the discipline of that time, which brought forth such honest effectes of vertue, to their glory and our ignominy, hauing learned better rules then were known vnto them; or whether the world weakened with age, want strength in these times to bring foorth her creatures in that perfection, as it did in those daies; or what other cause hath made our worst affections so violent, and our better faculties so remisse and negligent, that vertue hath no part in vs but wordes of praise, our whole prac∣tise being consecrated to actions of reproch. The iniuries, murthers, scanda∣lous cariages of one towards an other, which in these daies are so readily offe∣red, Page  198 and so impatientlie digested, will admit no satisfaction but priuate com∣bate, which in the first monarchies was granted only against strangers, and for∣raine enemies, as the only obiects of armes and wrath, and capable of that iu∣stice, which the priuate sworde shoulde execute: for they well perceiued that these single battels were, as sparkles of ciuill discorde, and intestine warres; although not so apparant in the generall viewe of their state, yet as odious in particular, and as dishonourable to good gouernment. And if there were a true recorde of such, as haue beene either slaine or wounded within these fortie yeeres, either in this kingdome, or in France, or in Germanie, by this licentious and brutish custome; I make no question, but they woulde a∣mount to a number capable of that fearefull stile, which is attributed to ciuill warres.

Neither is there any lawe howe rigorous or harde soeuer, that can giue re∣liefe to this disorder, but the restraint will drawe on as great enormities, and as vntolerable in a good gouernment. Rotaris king of the Lumbardes forbade his subiectes this manner of combate; but shortlie after, hee was constrai∣ned to recall the edict, for the auoiding of greater euils; although hee pro∣tested the thing to bee both inhumane, and barbarous. The like edict was published in France by Philip the Faire, but was within two yeeres reuoked againe, at the instante request of his subiectes, in regarde of the murthers and assasinats committed in that kingdome. The onelie remedie, that I finde to take effect in this case, was that of late time, which the Prince of Mel∣phe in Piemont, inuented to preuent this euill: for perceiuing howe ordinarie quarrels and bloudshed were in his campe, hee assigned a place betweene two bridges for the performance of the Duellum, with this charge; that hee that had the worst shoulde alwaies bee slaine, and cast from the bridge into the water; the daunger ioyned with dishonour (which by this decree atten∣ded such as vndertooke priuate combate) made the soldiours wiser in their cariage, and put an end to their sedition and ciuill discordes. But that which is yet worst of all, is that custome hath now made it so familiar, that euery trifle seemeth sufficient to call the matter to a priuate combate; a crosse looke calleth an others mans honour in question; but the word lye is of as great con∣sequence, as any stabbe or villanie whatsoeuer. Whereat we may well wonder howe it happeneth, that wee feele our selues so much exasperated at the re∣proch of that vice, which we so ordinarilie commit; for in the custome of these times to cast vpon vs the lie, is the greatest iniurie that wordes can doe vnto vs; and yet there is nothing more frequent in our mouth. It may be a propertie in our nature, to stand chiefely in the defence of that corruption vnto which wee are most subiect: I speake not this to qualifie the foulenesse of this vice; for I holde a lier to bee a monster in nature, one that contemneth God and feareth man, as an ancient father saith; but to shew the crookednesse of our disposition in disdaining to acknowledge that fault, which wee so commonlie commit. But I would faine learne when honor first came to be measured with words, for from the beginning it was not so. Caesar was often called to his face theefe, and dronkard, without any further matter; and the liberty of inuectiues, which Page  199 great personages vsed one against an other, as it began, so it ended with words. And so I thinke our lie might too, for I take him that returneth the lie, and so letteth it rest vntill further proofe, to haue as great aduantage in the reputation of honor, as the former that first gaue the disgrace.