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. VIII.

Good Guard is to be kept in all places and times.

Fabr.

THose who are in any fear of being besieged, are to keep diligent guard as well when the Enemy is at a distance, as at hand: and they are to have most care of those places where they think themselves most secure; for many Towns have been lost by being assaulted on that side where they thought themselves impregnable; and this mis∣carriage arises from two causes; either because the place is really strong and believed inac∣cessible; or else because of the policy of the Enemy, who with great clamour and noise pre∣tend to storm it on one side, whilst on the other he does it as vigorously, but with all the silence imaginable. And therefore it concerns the besieged to be very careful, and keep good Guards upon the Walls, especially in the night, and that as well with Dogs as with Men, for if they be fierce and watchful, they will give an alarm (if the Enemy approaches) as soon as any thing: And not only Dogs, but Birds have been known to have preserved a Town, as it happen'd to the Romans, when the French besieged the Capitol: when the

Spartans lay before Athens, Alcibiades to discover how his watches were kept, comman∣ded that in the night when ever he held up a light, each of the Guards should hold up another, and great punishment was to be inflicted upon any that neglected it. Is••crates killed a Centinal that he found a-sleep, with this expression, I leave him as I found him.