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THE FIRST OBSERVATION.
IT were a matter worthy observation to consi∣der,* 1.1 whether there need not as many men to defend a town, as to besiege it. Which at the first sight may peradventure seem frivolous: forasmuch as the defendants are but to make good the place which they hold, and to stand only upon their defensive guard, having the ad∣vantage of the place, the shelter of the walls, the strength of the ditch, and many other like helps for their defence and safety; whereas the as∣sailant is to strive against all these advantages, and to oppose himself to the danger of so many difficulties. But if we look a little nearer into the matter, and consider the service to be perfor∣med on either part, we shall find, that to say, As many men are necessary to defend a town as to besiege it, is no Paradox.
For the better understanding thereof,* 1.2 we are to know, that the defence of a town touching matter of fight, consisteth chiefly in these four points. First, in manning and making good all parts of the wall. For if the defendant be not able to strengthen all parts with a competent force, then he hath not men enough to defend the town; forasmuch as all parts are subject to assault, and what part soever is not made good, that lieth open to an enemy: or otherwise if the assault be only to be made at a breach, the rest of the wall being strong enough to defend it self, there is required a competent strength within the town to defend that breach. In this point there is little difference touching a competent number of men between the assailant and the defendant: for if he that layeth siege to a town hath men enough to assault all parts at one in∣stant, the enemy must have an answerable pro∣portion to defend all; or if he have no use of more men then may serve to give an assault at a breach, the defendant must have the like proportion for the defence of the breach.
The second point is, in relieving wearied men, either fighting or working, with fresh sup∣plies to continue that businesse, as oftentimes it falleth out in the siege of a town. Wherein likewise there is small or no difference touching an equality between both parties. For if the defendant be not as well able to relieve his wea∣ried souldiers with fresh supplies, as the enemy is to continue the assault, the town may quickly have a new master.
The third point is, in defeating and making void such works as the enemy shall make a∣gainst the town, as mounts, mines, approaches, and such like inconveniences; which being suf∣fered to go on without opposition and preven∣tion, the town cannot hold out long. In this point the defendant hath the disadvantage, ha∣ving need of more men to overthrow and pre∣vent the works, then the assailant hath to make them good. For there he that besiegeth the place fighteth with the advantage, and hath the same helps as the defendant hath in the fast∣nesse of his hold: which caused this extraordi∣nary accident, which Caesar noteth, touching the successive slaughter of so many Galles, who labouring to burn the Roman works with balls of tallow and pitch, were all slain with the blow of one mans bow.
The last point is in sallies, which is as necessa∣ry for the defence of a town as any thing else whatsoever. For if the defendant be not able to sally out, the enemy will quickly coop him up, and tread upon his belly. And herein the defendant needeth more men then the assailant. For he that is in the field, lyeth in the strength of his trenches; whereas the other cometh out naked upon him.
And thus much touching this question in par∣ticular. Concerning the generall, if it be de∣manded whether there have been more men lost in the defence of Ostend, then in besieging it; I answer, That neither side can much vaunt of a small losse.