The works of the famous Nicholas Machiavel, citizen and secretary of Florence written originally in Italian, and from thence newly and faithfully translated into English.

CHAP. XII.

Good guards are always to be kept, and your Souldiers not to be divided.

Fabr.

HE who is besieged is to take extraordinary care that he be not surprized in time of repose, as after a storm; after the Guards are set, (which is either at break of day, or at the shutting in of the evening) or especially whilst you are at dinner, in which time many Towns have been taken, and many sallies have been made to the destruction of the besiegers. Wherefore it is necessary to be upon the Guard in all quarters, and your men generally arm'd: and here I cannot omit to tell you that nothing makes a Town or Camp harder to be defended, than the dividing of your forces; for the enemy being able to attack you when he pleases with all his power at once, you must be ready on all sides, and having parted your Forces, you will be forced to defend your self with a part, and to keep the same guards with the remainder when ever the enemy assails you, as you should have done when your whole Garrison was together; which is a great disadvantage, for he can attack you with his whole power, when you have but a part of yours to defend your self.