Capital Town in their Dominions, and not to trouble himself with the whole Country;
and whoever shall do that, and in other things, manage himself with the Subjects as I have
described, and perhaps shall do hereafter, shall with great caution be invaded, for men are
generally wary and tender of enterprizing any thing that is difficult▪ and no great easiness
is to be found in attacking a Town well fortified and provided, where the Prince is not
hated by the People.
The Towns in Germany are many of them free; though their Country and district be but
small, yet they obey the Emperor but when they please, and are in no awe either of him,
or any other Prince of the Empire, because they are all so well fortified, every one looks
upon the taking of any one of them as a work of great difficulty and time, their Wals being
so strong, their Ditches so deep, their works so regular, and well provided with Cannon,
and their stores and Magazines always furnish'd for a Twelvemonth. Besides which, for the
aliment and sustenance of the People, and that they may be no burthen to the publick, they
have work-houses where for a year together the poor may be employed in such things as are
the Nerves and life of that City, and sustain themselves by their labour. Military Discipline
and Exercises are likewise much request there, and many Laws and good Customs they
have to maintain them.
A Prince then who has a City well fortified, and the affections of his people, is not easily
to be molested, and he that does molest him, is like to repent it, for the affairs of this world
are so various, it is almost impossible for any Army to lie quietly a whole year before a
Town, without interruption. If any objects that the people having houses and possessions
out of the Town, will not have patience to see them plundered and burned; and that Cha∣rity
to themselves will make them forget their Prince; I answer, that a wise and dexterous
Prince will easily evade those difficulties, by encouraging his Subjects and persuading them,
sometimes their troubles will not be long; sometimes, inculcating, and possessing them with
the cruelty of the Enemy; and sometimes by correcting and securing himself nimbly of such
as appear too turbulent and audacious. Moreover the usual practice is for the Enemy to
plunder and set the Country on fire at their first coming, whil'st every man's spirits is high,
and fixed upon defence; so that the Prince needs not concern himself, nor be fearful of that
for those mischiefs are pass'd, and inconveniencies received, and when the People in three
or four days time begin to be cool, and consider things soberly, they will find there is no
remedy and joyn more cordially with the Prince, looking upon him as under an obligation
to them, for having sacrificed their Houses and Estates in his defence. And the nature of
Man is such, to take as much pleasure in having obliged another, as in being obliged himself.
Wherefore all things fairly considered, it is no such hard matter for a Prince not only to gain,
but to retain the affection of his Subjects, and make them patient of a long Siege, if he be
wise, and provident, and takes care, they want nothing, either for their livelyhood or
defence.