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ALthough those Wars, which are begun by Princes leagued together, have of∣tentimes happy beginnings; yet it seldome comes to passe, that they do end in a good success. There need no other proof then that of the Wars, which our Kings have made in Italy, for six score years last past. But that we may not dwell upon examples, is not that Prince who trusteth in the promise of his Confederates, like the man who exposeth all his Goods upon the Sea in a leaky Vessel? Experi∣ence
hath shewed us in a thousand incounters, that Princes have so many overtures made, by which one may win upon them, and with-draw them from Leagues, that it is almost impossible to have any absolute assurance of them. One of the chiefest ties which holdeth them fast, is to have in possession some strong place, for a gage of their Fidelity; but there are few who will thus dispossess themselves; doubting least he, into whose hands it be intrusted, will retain it for good and all, by saying or perswading them that they have been defective in their word, in some one thing or other; as Charls the eighth did, after he had received the Florentine Towns in deposit. It is likewise dubious, lest the several Troops or divers Princes in an Ar∣my together, should grow jealous of one another, and then the least distrust or broyls which might arise between them, were enough to withdraw him, who ima∣gineth himself offended; and if there were nothing else, there need no more but this to draw off Confederates from a League, barely to satisfie them in their parti∣cular Interests; for seeing that is it, which is the onely end and aim of all Princes, they will no longer hold together, then it may bee for their advantage. There do oftentimes too happen very great inconveniences; especially, when their united Forces are to march into far distant places, they who border upon those Countries which are to be assaulted, take no care to refresh themselves, either by new troops or necessary provisions for the War, for that those who inhabit further off, not be∣ing easily able to provide for this defect, fall into ruine of themselves, or else their enemies quickly put them to flight. Many united Princes are never comparable to one alone, nor ever capable of encompassing such great enterprises, as a single Prince with his own Subjects, though much inferiour to them in point of numbers.