conquered, it was by carrying the war into Italy, for by so doing he might have the benefit
of their Arms, their Wealth, and their Allies; but whilst the war was abroad, and Italy
undisturbed, he would leave the man inexhaustible magazine that would supply them with
what and wheresoever they had occasion; and at last Hanibal concluded that Rome was to
be taken more easily than the Empire, and Italy it self, than any of its Provinces. Aga∣thocles
being unable to resist the Carthaginians at home, invaded their borders, and forc'd
them to a peace; and Scipio in the same manner to remove the war out of Italy, transpor∣ted
it into Africk. Those who are on the other side do argue as stifly, that there can be
nothing more dangerous than to hazard an Army in an enemies Country, at a great distance
from their own; and they produce the Athenians for an instance, who, whilst they kept
themselves upon the defensive part, and expected their enemies at home were always vi∣ctorious;
but when they began to make war at a distance, and send Armies into Sicily
they lost their liberty, and everything else. They produce also the Fable of Antius King
of Lybia, who being invaded by Hercules the Egyptian, was invincible whilst he kept him∣self
within his own borders but being inveigled out by the subtility of his enemy, he lost
both his Kingdom and Life; upon which occasion that story was raised of Antius; that
being born of the earth, (as they pretended) so oft as he touch'd it, so oft he received new
vigour from his Mother, which Hercules perceiving, got him up in his arms, crush'd
him to death.
They produce likewise more modern examples. Every body knows that Ferrand King of
Naples was esteemed a wise Prince in his time, and hearing two years before his death that
King Charles viii of France was preparing to invade him, he let him alone; but falling sick
afterwards, as he lay upon his death-bed, he called his Son Alphonso to him, and among
other things, charged him that he should expect the King of France upon his Frontiers,
and fight him there, but that by no means he should be tempted beyond them; and it had
been better for Alphonso to have follow'd his Counsel, for neglecting it afterwards, and
sending an Army into Romagna he lost both Army and Kingdom without striking a blow:
But besides these arguments on both sides, it is urged in behalf of the Aggressor, that he
invades with more confidence and courage than his Adversary receives him (which is a
great advantage and enhancement to his Army) That he brings many inconveniences upon
the person whom he invades, to which he would not be liable, if he expected him at home.
For when the enemies Country is wasted, and their Houses plunder'd, his Subjects are not
much to be trusted, nor can any more Taxes be laid upon them, without great difficulty,
by which means (as Hanibal said) their Magazines will be spent and their fountain
dryed up that was to supply them with all Provisions for War. Besides, if your Army be
in the Enemies Country, it will be under a greater necessity of fighting, and by consequence
will fight more desperately than at home. But to this it is answered on the other side, That
it is more for your advantage to attend your enemy in your own Country, than to seek him
abroad; for thereby you may furnish your self with Victuals and Amunition, and all other
necessaries without any inconvenience, and distress him by driving the Country. You may
likewise with much more ease incommode and frustrate his designs, by your better know∣ledge
of the Country, and what places are more proper to attack him in; as also you may
attack him with your whole force at once, or give him battel as you please, which out of
your own Confines is not to be done: Moreover if Fortune should be adverse, and it be
your chance to be beaten; more of your Men will escape where their refuge is so near, and
you will sooner rally them again: In short, if you fight at home, you venture your
whole force, and not your whole fortune: but if you fight abroad, you venture your
whole fortune with but part of your force: Others there have been, who with design
to weaken the Enemy, and fighting him afterwards with more ease and advantage, have
suffered him quietly to march several days Journey into their Country, and possess himself
of several Towns; but whether they did well or not, I will not determine, only I think
this distinction is to be considered, whether my Country be strong in Fortresses, and Men;
as the Romans were of old, and as the Swizzers at this day; or whether it be weak and
unfortified, as the Territory of the Carthaginians formerly, and France and Italy now.
In this case the Enemy is by all means to be kept at a distance, because your chief strength
lying in your Mony, and not in your Men, whenever you are interrupted in raising or re¦ceiving
of that, your business is done; and nothing interrupts you so fatally, as an Ene∣my
in your Country. And of this the Carthaginians may be an example, who whilst
they were free at home, were able by their Revenue and Taxes to wage War with the Ro∣mans
themselves; whereas afterwards when they were assaulted, they were not able to
contend with Agathocles. The Florentines, when Castruccio of Lucca brought his Arms
into their Country, could not support against him, but were forced to put themselves un∣der