CHAP. IX. Of certain ceremonies before fight.

HAving shewed by these former rules and examples, how the horse are to be ordered for fight, not onely by themselves, but also when they shall be joyned with foot: that whicha now re∣maineth seemeth rather to require action then words. Indeed with antiquity, when the army was embattelled and ready for combat, it was usuall for the Generall to deliver some set speech, either from some higher place of turf or stone, or at the head of the troops, and riding amongst the Mani∣ples to encourage his souldiers. And they either with an acclamation, lifting up of their hands, or clashing of their arms, used to manifest their assenting resolution. Unto which kind ofb allocuti∣ons the ancient Sages use to ascribe a marvellous efficacy, not onely amongst the Grecians or Ro∣manes, but also those whom they then accounted barbarous, as the Britons, Gauls, Germanes, &c. as the histories of those times sufficiently testifie. Next to this, they sounded the Classicum (that is) a generall charge; and this was seconded by a generall shout of the souldiers, or a concussion of their arms. Moreover, ac scarlet, red, or a carnation coloured coat or cassock was hung out upon the top of the Generalls tent: and a countersigne, or a word of distinction was given to the souldiers, as,dVictoria, palma, virtus, or the like, to know each other by. The Grecians used al∣so to sing the Poean, before the fight to Mars, and after battell to Apollo, &c.

Of all which ceremonies (which they duly observed, as found to be of very good use, and which were much graced by the solemne and stately manner of performing them) our times have retained very few. For as the actions of the modern warres consist chiefly in sieges, assaults, sallies, skirmishes, &c. and so afford but few set battels; so the practise of delivering publike speeches is almost grown out of use and esteem amongst our chief Commanders. Yet the latee Prince of O∣range at the battell of Newport before the conflict, delivered a pithy short speech to his souldiers: adding to his publick Oratory, publike Orisons, and riding up and down, gave courage to his souldiers. The Classicum is still retained (that is,) to sound a generall charge, namely amongst those troops which are to give on. And sometimes the Clamor militaris, or shout of the souldiers, which was not onely an acclamation or assent unto the Generalls speech, but also af loud and dreadfull kind of noise which they used to make when they gave the charge, thereby to encourage one another, and to strike a terrour into the enemies: as the Turks cry, Bre, Bre, Bre; the Irish, Pharro, Pharro; the French, Sa, Sa, Sa; the Dutch, Vall aen, Vall aen, &c. But as for the coun∣tersigne or word of distinction, that is seldome used now adayes, unlesse upon occasion of some Camisado, or other exploits in the night, when the souldiers may easily misse those means to know each other by, which in the day time the light, the sight of the ensigne or cornet, their skarfs (re∣quired among the Cavallry) or long acquaintance, may afford them.

But these being but ceremonies (as I called them in the title of this chapter) I willingly with∣draw my self from them. Neither should I have been desirous to have meddled with them at all, but that the example of othersg (who have writ in this kind) led me unto it; and the respect un∣to my Reader (in common civility) required it at my hands; whom I could not well leave (after the sight of so many dumbe figures) without a word or two at the parting.

There remaineth onely now, that every one (according to his office, rank, and abilitie) strive for honour and victory; propounding to himself the goodnesse of the cause, and authority of the Prince, the command of the Leaders, the vertue of the souldiers, the honour of the conquest, and the disgrace and damage of the defeat. Above all, lifting up his eyes and heart unto Almighty God, from whose hands victory, and the means to obtain it, is especially to be expected.hIt is God that girdeth me with strength of warre, and maketh my way perfect. He teacheth my hands to fight, &c.iBlessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth mine hands to warre, and my fingers to fight.kThrough thee will we overthrow our enemies, and in thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us. For I will not trust in my bow, it is not my sword that shall help me. But it is thou that savest us from our enemies, and puttest them to confusion that hate us. And to this purpose we may (not unfitly) apply that which Hezekias spake to his Ca∣ptains and souldiers (by way of encouragement) after that he had fortified himself against the power of the Assyrians,lBe strong and couragious, be not afraid nor dismaid for the King of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us then with him. With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battels. Conformable to this was that admonition of Alphonsus, King of Arragon and Sicily, given to his sonne Ferdinand, when he sent him with an army in aid of the Venetians against the Florentines,Page  51 in these words,mNunc maximè te admoneo, fili, né tantùm aut tuae, aut commilitonum audaciae tribuas, ut putes absque Dei auxilio victoriam ullam haberi posse. Victoria (mihi crede) non ho∣minum consilio & industriâ paratur; sed Dei Opt. Max. benignitate atque arbitrio. Scientia igitur rei militaris ità demum profutura est, si Deum nobis pietate atque innocentiâ pacatum propitiúm{que} habuerimus. Deum igitur inprimis cole, in eum confide, à quo tum victorias omnes & optima quaeque provenire non dubium est. Quem si quando tibi iratum suspicaberis, cave conten∣das; imo quicquid ab eo tibi accidisse videbitur, bene consule, & patientiâ atque poenitentiâ eum placa. Solet enim Deus, quos diligit, interdum malis afficere: & quos constantes in adversis vi∣det, rursus in meliorem fortunam restituere. And now for a conclusion (in stead of an Omen) I will adde that ejaculatory prayer of the Psalmist,nThe glorious majestie of the Lord our God be upon us: prosper thou the work of our hands upon us, O prosper thou our handy work.