CHAP. XXXVIII.
How a Generalis to be qualified, that his Army may rely upon him.
AS we have said before, Valerius Corvinus was gone with his Army against the Sam∣nites, a new enemy, with whom the Romans had had no contest before. To en∣courage his Souldiers, and acquaint them with the discipline of the Samnites, he inured his men to them, by several small skirmishes, but lest that should not do, he made a speech to them before the Battel, remonstrating with all possible efficacy of words, how little they were to value the enemy; and how much they might expect from their own valour, and his conduct: Livy brings him in with these words in his mouth, which gives us an exact character of a General in whom his Army may confide. Tum etiam intueri cujus ductu auspicioque ineunda pugna sit; utrum qui audiendus, duntaxat magnificus adhortator sit, ver∣bis tantum ferox, operum militarium expers; aut qui & ipse tela tractare, procedere ante signa, versari media in mole pugnae sciat. Facta m••a, non dicta vos milites sequi volo, nec discipli∣nam modo, sed exemplum etiam ame petere, qui hac dextra mihi tres Consulatus, summam∣que laudem peperi; Then you may see under whose Conduct you fight; whether he that speaks to you be only a magnificent boaster, valiant in words, but ignorant in whatever belongs to a Souldier; or whether he be one that knows how to manage his Arms, lead up his Men, charge in the head of them, and behave himself manfully in the very heat of the Battel; I would not (fellow Souldiers) that you should follow my words more than my deeds; or take only my pre∣cepts, and not my example, who with this hand have gained three Consulships, and im∣mortal reputation. Which words, if well considered, are sufficient to instruct any man what course he is to take to make himself reputed a great General; he who acts otherwise will find in time that that command (however he came by it, whether by ambi∣tion or fortune) will rather abstract than add to his honour, for it is not titles that make men honourable, but men their titles: and it is to be observed likewise, that if great Captains have been forced to such unusual language to confirm the hearts of an old veteran Army, when it is to fight with a new enemy; how much more care and art is to be used in a new inexperienced Army, that never saw an enemy before. For if a strange enemy be terrible to an old Army, well may he be so to an Army that is new raised, and was never engaged: nevertheless all these difficulties have been overcome by the prudence of several Captains, as by Gracchus the Roman, and Epaminondas the Theban, who with new raised men defeated old veteran Troops, that had been long experienced in matters of war; and their way was to prepare them for some months by continual exercise, and counterfeit bat∣tels; by using them to their ranks, and holding them to strict discipline and obedience; after which, they advanced against the enemy, engaged with great confidence, and per∣formed very well. Let no man therefore (that is any thing of a Souldier) despair of ma∣king his Army good, if he has but men enough; for that Prince who abounds with men, and wants Souldiers, is rather to complain of his own laziness and imprudence, than of their incapacity and dulness.