OBSERVATION.

SUch as have spent their time in the contempla∣tion of Nature, and have made diligent search of the temperature and quality of climates and nations, have all with one consent made Choler the Regent of the French complexion; distin∣guishing the people with such attributes as the said humour usually breedeth. Neither have these conditions which Caesar so long ago observed in the ancient Galles, any disresemblance from that which the learned of this age have delivered concerning the nature of the said inhabitants; but that irresolute constitution, which breeds such novelties and contrarieties of actions, continueth the same unto these times in the inhabitants of that country, notwithstanding the alteration of customes and people, or what else so long a time hath changed: which argueth the unresistable power of celestiall influence, establishing an u∣niformity of nature, according as the site of the place lieth capable of their powerfull aspect.

The reason of the diversity in the temperature of nations which are differenced by North and South, is not without apparent cause attributed to their propinquity or distance from the course of the sun, which distinguisheth by heat and cold the Northern and Southern climates of the earth, and separateth the inhabitants thereof by the do∣minion of their active qualities. But the reason why two Nations which are both in the same Page  84 climate, and under the same parallel, receiving the vertue of the celestiall bodies by the same downfall and rebound of their beams, being dif∣ferenced only by East and West, are so much dis∣united in nature, and so unlike in disposition, is not so apparant: whether it be, as some have i∣magined, forasmuch as the all-inclosing sphear, which remaineth quiet and immoveable above the circuit of the first motor, hath his parts di∣versly distinguished with variety of properties, which by continuall reference and mutuall aspect are imprinted in the correspondent quarters of the earth, and so keep a perpetuall residency of one and the same quality in one and the same place, and make also the variety of fashions in such parts as otherwise are equall favourites of the heavens majesty, by receiving an equall measure of light, heat and vertue; or whether the said quarters of the earth are in themselves diversly noted with severall qualities, which appropriate the self-same influence to their particular nature, and so alter it into many fashions; or whether there be some other unknown cause: I will leave every man to satisfy himself with that which seem∣eth most probable unto him, and proceed to the discovery of this cholerick passion. Wherein I will endeavour to shew how impatiency, sudden resolution, and desire of novelty, are naturall ad∣juncts of this humour. And if Caesar made use of this Philosophy in the managing of that war, let it not be thought impertinent to the knowledge of a Generall to enter into the consideration of this learning. Wherein first I must lay for a maxime that which long experience hath made authenticall, that the motions of the mind are ei∣ther quick or slow, according as the complexion is tempered either with heat or cold: for as the phlegmaticall humour is of a moist, cold and hea∣vy nature, begetting weak and grosse spirits, and benumming the instruments with a livelesse dis∣ability; so is the motion of the internall faculties proceeding likewise after a slow manner, accor∣ding to the quality of the instruments whereby it moveth: and therefore men of this waterish con∣stitution are no way apt to receive an impression, nor to entertain any sensible apprehension, un∣lesse it be beaten into them with often and strong repetitions; and then also they proceed as slowly in discoursing of the consequence, and linger in the choice of their resolutions. On the contrary part, this flava bilis, being of a hot piercing na∣ture, and resembling the active vertue of the fire, doth so purify the instruments of sense, and quicken the spirits with the vivacity of motion, that they take the first impression as perfectly, as if it had been oftentimes presented unto them with many strong circumstances. And thence it hap∣peneth, that inasmuch as the Species is so readily received, and possesseth the apprehending faculty with such facility of entrance, that it moveth the other powers of the soul with as great efficacy at the first conception, as if it had been brought in with troups of probabilities, and strengthened with manifest arguments of undoubted truth. It followeth therefore (by reason of the subtile and fit disposition of the instruments, which proceed∣eth from heat the chiefest quality in choler) that the object is at the first moment so strongly set∣led in the first receiving faculty, that the other powers of the mind with as great speed manifest their offices concerning the apprehension, and deliver a sentence answerable to the strength of the first conception: which maketh them so im∣patient of delay, and so suddenly to alter their former resolutions, not suffering the discoursive power to examine the substance thereof by confe∣rence of circumstances, nor to give judgement according to the course of our intellectuall court. It behoveth therefore every man in that unsteady disposition, especially in matter of moment, to be suspicious of his own credulity, and not to give place to resolution, before his judgement be in∣formed by discourse of the strength or weaknesse of the conceived opinion.

But to leave these speculative meditations to Philosophers of learned conceit; forasmuch as the right use of passions is either true wisdome, or cometh nearest to the same; I will only touch in a word what degree of choler best befitteth a souldier, or how it availeth or disadvantageth in matter of war. And first it cannot be denied, that there is almost no passion that doth more e∣clipse the light of reason, or sooner corrupteth the sincerity of a good judgement, then this of anger which we now speak of: Neither is there any motion that more pleaseth it self in his own acti∣ons, or followeth them with greater heat in the execution. And if the truth chance to shew it self, and convince a false pretended cause as the authour of that passion, it oftentimes redoubleth the rage even against truth and innocency. Piso condemned a souldier for returning from forra∣ging without his companion, being perswaded that he had slain him: but at the instant of the execution the other that was missing returned, and with great joy of the whole Army they were carried to the Generall, thinking to have much gratified him with the manifestation of the truth: but he through shame and despight, being yet in the torture of his wrath, redoubled his anger, and by a subtilty which his passion furnished him withall, he made three culpable for that he found one innocent; the first because the sentence of death was past against him, and was not to be recalled without the breach of law: the second for that he was the cause of the death of his com∣panion: and thirdly the executioner, for not o∣beying his commandment.

Concerning matter of war, as it consisteth of differenced parts, so hath choler divers effects. In case of discourse and consultation, whenas the powers of the mind ought to be clear of all vio∣lent Page  85 affections, it greatly darkeneth the under∣standing, and troubleth the sincerity of a good judgement, as Caesar noted in his speech to the Se∣nate concerning Catiline:* and therefore a Com∣mander must by all means endeavour to avoyd e∣ven the least motions of so hurtfull a passion, and season his affections with that gravity and con∣stancy of spirit, that no turbulent disposition may either hinder his understanding, or withhold his will from following that course, which reason appointeth as the best means to a fortunate suc∣cesse; alwayes remembring that all his actions are presented upon a stage, and passe the censure of many curious beholders, which applaud grave and patient motions, as the greatest proof of true wisdome, and disallow of passionate and head∣strong affection, as derogating from the sincere carriage of an action, how just soever otherwise it seemeth.

Concerning execution and fury of battel, I take anger to be a necessary instrument to set va∣lour on foot, and to overwage the difficulties of terrour with a furious resolution: for conside∣ring that the noblest actions of the mind stand in need of the impulsions of passions, I take anger to be the fittest means to advance the valiant car∣riage of a battel; for as fear is treacherous and unsafe, so anger is confident and of an un∣quencheable heat. And therefore a Commander ought by all means to suggest matter of anger a∣gainst an Enemy, that his men may behold them with a wrathfull regard, and thirst after the day of battel, to satisfy their fury with the bloud of their adversaries. If any urge that it hath been hereto∣fore observed of the Galles, that in the beginning of a battell they were more then men, and in the later end they were lesse then women; and therefore a cholerick disposition is not so fit for service, as we seem to make it: I answer, that there is a difference between a disposition to cho∣ler, such as was observed in the Galles, and the passion of anger well kindled in the mind: for the first is subject to alteration and contrariety of actions; but the other is furious, invincible, never satisfyed but with revenge. And so that of Aristotle is proved true, that anger serveth often∣times as a weapon to vertue: whereunto some answer very pleasantly, saying, it is a weapon of a strange nature; for we do manage other wea∣pons, and this doth manage us; our hand gui∣deth not it, but it guideth our hand; it possesseth us,* & not we it, as it happened in the reign of Ti∣berius amongst the mutinous legions at Vetera:* and therefore a Commander ought to take great heed, whom he maketh the object of that anger which kindleth in his Army. For as it is a passi∣on of terrible execution, and therefore needeth to be wisely directed; so is it dangerous in regard of obedience, which was the only thing which Caesar required in his souldiers.

But to leave this hasty matter, and fall nearer that which we seek after: I may not omit the Prognostication which Caesar made of the con∣sequence of this accident, by the naturall disposi∣tion of the people; the event whereof proved the truth of his predictions: which sheweth what advantage a learned Generall that hath been somewhat instructed in the school of Nature, hath gained of him whom only experience hath taught the active rudiments of the war, and thin∣keth of no further lession in that art, then that which the office of a Serjeant or Lancepresado containeth.