The cabinet-council containing the cheif [sic] arts of empire and mysteries of state : discabineted in political and polemical aphorisms grounded on authority, and experience : and illustrated with the choicest examples and historical observations / by the ever-renowned knight, Sir Walter Raleigh ; published by John Milton, Esq.

CHAP. XXIII.

Of Councils in War, and directions Tactik and Stratagematik: with ad∣vice how to make an honorable Peace.

AFter men found and framed fit for the Warr, to small or no purpose shall they ••erve, unless they be imployed by wis∣dom or good Council. Mon minus est Im∣perator is consili•• quam vi perficere. Tac.

Council in War is of two sorts; direct Council and indirect; the f••rst sheweth a plain and orderly course for ••roceeding, as to lay hold on occasion: for as in all other human actions occasion is of great force; Occasio in bello solet amplius juvare quam virtus. Veget.

As occasions presented are means of good success; so fame worketh great effects in the Wars; therefore it behooveth a Cap∣tain to be constant, and not apt to beleive the vain rumors and reports of men. Mal•• imperatur, cum regit vulgus duces suos. Sen.

Confidence is also to be eschewed; for no man is sooner surprised, then he who ••eareth le••t: also contempt of th•• Enemy

hath bin occasion of great discomfitures, therefore as a Captain ought not to fear, so should he not contemn his Enemy. Ni∣mia ••••ducia semper obnoxia. Aemyl.

As security, and overmuch estimation of our own vertue or valor is hurtfull: so doth it import every good Captain to be well in∣formed not only of his own forces, but also of what strength the Enemy is; likewise it behooveth him to know the situation of the Country and the quality of the people, with every other circumstance. Moreover, the Generals honor and capacity ought to be known with the condition and nature of the Enemy. Impetus acres c••nctatione lan∣guescunt, aut in perfidiam mutantur. Tac.

Tem••••ty in War is also dangerous; for wise Captains were wont not to enterprise any thing without deliberation and good opportunity, unless they were thereunto by necessity inforced. In rebus asperis & tenuispe, fortissima qua{que} consilia tutissima sunt. Livi.

Some wise men not superstitiously but discreetly do think prodigious signes from Heaven or on Earth are not to be neglected, neither are dreams in time of War to be contemned. Nam amat benignitas numini••, seu quod merent••r homine••, seu quod tangitur

••orum affectione, his quoque rationibus pro∣dere quae impendent. Aemi.

A wise Captain will also wait oportuni∣ties and spy out fit times when the Enemy is wearied, or pretending fear, draw him into danger; which advantages with many other, are gained chiefly by observing of time; Quia si in occasionis momento, cuj••s praetervolat o••p••rtunitas•• cunctat••s paulum ••••eris, nequicquam mox omissam querare•• Livi.

Next the observation of Time, the Place is to be well considered, whether it be for thine advantage or thine enemies. Amplius prodest locus ••aepè quàm virtus. Veget••

Thirdly, It importeth much, that men be well ordered, trained, and prepared for the fight; for the want of Art is cause of many disadventures, and many times a small supply of choice Soldiers on horsback or foot, doth seem to the enemy very terri∣ble: Likewise a sudden shout or conceit hath amazed a whole Army. Milites v••nis & inanibus, magis quam justis formidinis causis moventur. Curt.

Fourthly, It were to good purpose, that in ordering of men for fight, Soldiers of one Cou••try or Nations, should be ranged together, and above all to foresee, that the least loss of Blood be among the Natural

Subjects, and so handle the Matter, that the cheif slaughter light upon strangers and Mercenaries. Ingens victoriae dec••s, citra domesticum sanguinem ••ellanti. Tac.

The Generals own courage and lively dis∣position to fight, will greatly animate the multitude of Soldiers; as a contrary counte∣nance or appearance of Fear, will exceeding∣ly maze and dant. Necesse estad ••ugam p••rati sint, qui ducem suum sentiunt desperare. Veget.

It were also for thy great advantage•• that the forces should be ordered for the fight, before the enemy be prepared.

First, For that thou maist the better per∣form, what thou thinkest fit to be done.

Secondly, That thereby thine own forces will thereof receive great courage, being readiest to assail the enemy, and to begin the fight. Plus animi est inferenti periculum, quam propulsanti. Livi.

After Victory it is not the best policy to execute the enemies with extteam cruelty, but proceed moderately; for it shall suffice the Victory is thine. ••lausis ex d••speratione crescit audacia, & cum spei nihil est, sumit arma f••rmid••. Veget.

Lastly, I would advise that the General should be wary in his Actions, and in every enterprise to frustrate the Soldiers from spoils and pil••age. Saepe obstitit vincentibus

••ravum inter ipsos certamen, omisso hoste spolia consectandi. Tac.

Of direct Councils, let that we have said suffice. We will now speak of Councils in∣direct, commonly called by the Greek word, Stratagems or Subtile practices: Which manner of proceeding, hath been in times past of divers grave Writers condemned. Vir nemo mentis altae clanculum velit occi∣dere hostem. Eurip.

Notwithstanding the opinion of this, and divers other Writers worthy credit, it seem∣eth reasonable, and in piety allowable: that Stratagems and Subtilt••es may be used in the War, yet with such Caution as the same may stand with Fidelity and Honor: For Fraud being used contrary to Contracts and Agreements made with the enemy, is meer Treachery: As to poyson him or her, a murtherer to kill him, were plain Impiety. Faederatum injustè fallere impium. Livi.

Also out of the War covertly to kill a particular enemy by secret Assault or Pra∣ctice, is not warrantable, either by Faith or Honor; yet to use all craft, cunning, and subtilty in open War, is both allowable and praisable; and so is thought by Christian Writers. Cum justum bellum suscipitur, ut apertè pugnet quis aut ex insidiis, nihil ad justitiam interest. Aug.

The same is also approved by divers Authors of good credit. Confice ••ive dolo seu stricto cominus euse. The same is also affirmed by Xenophon, Reipsa nihil utilius in bello dolis.

Thus having briefly touched what Coun∣sels are required in War, let us consider how Victory is to be used; for the end of every good War is Peace: To the enjoying whereof, three things are required, Wari∣ness, Mercy, and Modesty; because over∣great confidence may happily impeach the end of good Success. Res se••und•••• neglig••n∣••iam creant. Livi.

I also wish the Victory to be handled mercifully, because all Conquests are in their own nature cruel enough. And the Ire of insolent Soldiers, forces the conquer∣ed to become desperate. Gravissime mor∣sus irrita••ae necessitatis. Curt.

To proceed Modestly, is also an honor∣able quality in him that conquereth: For in prosperous Fortunes, men do hardly re∣frain covetous and proud doings; yea, some good and great Captains have in like cases forgotten what did best become them. In rebus secundis etiam ••gregii D••ces insole∣sc••nt. Tac.

After Victory followeth Peace: For if War did ever continue, no State or Government

could stand: Therefore how great, or how long soever the War be, the end must be Peace; the name whereof is not onely sweet, but also comfortable, Pax una tri∣umphis innumeris potior.

Peace is not only good and profitable to him that is victorious, but also to those that are victored. Pacem reduci velle victori, ex∣pedit, victo necesse est. Tac.

Nevertheless until good and honorable Peace be offered, Arms may not be laid a∣side: Wherein I wish Tullies advice to be followed. Bellum gerendum est; ••i bellum omitt••mus, pace n••nquam fr••emur. Livi.

In Treaty of Peace, two things must be considered: First, That the conditions be honorable•• To condiscend to any base con∣ditions, is unto a Princely minde not onely great indignity, but also intolerable. Cum dignitate potius cadendum, quam cum igno∣minia serviendum Plut.

It also importeth, the Peace should be simple, true, and unseigned; for all feigned and dissembling Amity is to be doubted. Pace suspecta tutius est bellum. Mithrid.

The fittest season to speak of Peace, is either when the War beginneth, or during the time that the enemies be of equal force; for if the war continueth, it must behove the weaker to yield to necessity: Not unlike

the Shipmaster, who to save himsel•• doth cast the greatest part of his loading in∣to the Sea: Necessiiati pare, quam ne dii quidem superant. Livi.

Finally, Having generously defended thy self, and performed all things required in a magnanimous Captain, and finding never∣theless thy force insufficient, it cannot be dishonorable to accept Peace. Wherefore laying aside Hatred and Hope, which are but weak supporters, thou maist recommend thee and thine to the approved discretion of an honorable enemy. Victores secundae res in miserationem ex ir•• vertunt. Livi.

Now for as much as every Peace pro∣miseth rest and quiet, as well to the victo∣rious as to the victored; we may adde thereunto, that the Prince victorious re∣ceiveth thereby Honor•• Profit, and Security. For although his happiness may occasion Hope o•• greater success yet in respect of Fortunes mutability, it shall be good and glorious to lis••en to peace. Decorum principi est cum victoriam propè i•• manibus habeat, p••cem no•• ab••••ere•• ut sciant omnes te & sus∣cipere ju••••è bellum & finire. Livi.

It seemeth also the more Honorable; for who so is victorious, doth give Peace and not take it: He also sheweth himself dis∣creet by using a moderation in Victory,

and no extremity in spoiling, which our wise and godly Writers have commended•• Pacem contemnentes, & gloriam appetentes, ••acem perdunt & gloriam. Bern.

Peace is also profitable for the victorious, because continual War breedeth weariness, and of violent proceeding desperation and peril cometh. Maximi & mortiferi morsu•• esse solent morientium bestiarum. Sen.

Likewise Peace is more assured then any victory. Hope of the one is in thine own power; the other in the hand of God: Adde thereunto the force of Fortune, which hath great power in all humane actions. In rebus secundis nihil in quenquam superbè a•• violenter consulere decet, nec praesenti cre∣dere Fortunae, cum quià v••sper ferat, incer∣tus sis. Sen.

Also conditions of Peace ought to be reasonable and freely bestowed: For no people can live contented under such a Law as forceth them to loath the State where∣in they are. Misera pax bello benè mutatur. Sen.