Politique Observation.

THe King who designs great matters, and wants store of monies to execute them▪ doth onely attempt vain enterprizes. The most part of Politicians have alwaies been of opinion, that the Riches of a Prince are the Nerves of War; be∣cause as it is impossible for a man to go or stand without Sinews; so it cannot be expected that an Army should subsist, or that Souldiers should do their duties, if there be not good store of monies to pay them, and to provide all necessaries for them. There is not onely Machiavel, who denieth this Position against the Au∣thority of Dion, Quintus Curtius, Vegetius, Cicero and Plutarch, who is of opini∣on that money is not a Nerve in War. But besides that the Judgement of these great Sages of Antiquity, is at least as considerable as his opinion. So I find not that those reasons of his are solid enough to overthrow so commonly received a maxime. I must confess with him, that War may sometimes have a good successe, though the Souldiers be but ill payed, because the Authority of a grand Comman∣der, and their own Courages may very much animate them; but as that doth but seldome happen, so there cannot be any certain conclusion deduced from it. There is hereof a notable example in the Battel of Pavy, where the Imperialists despair∣ing to perswade their Army to fight by reason they were so ill paid, the Marquesse of Pescaire took the resolution on himself to exhort them, and infused such mettle in∣to them, that they went on with great Courage, and got a great honour over the French. But that Prince who would deduce an absolute Rule from this example, or any of the like nature, and shall follow them in his Conduct, shall onely prepare himself for his own Confusion and Ruine: Experience having made it evident on a thousand occasions, that it is unreasonable to hope for a happy success in matters of War, though never so inconsiderable, without great practice. I know that it is not money onely, which conduceth to the carrying on of great exploits, but that good Souldiers are also necessary; an experienced old Commander, courteous, generous, able in Counsels, quick in executions, beloved by the Souldiers and indued with se∣veral other qualifications necessary for command: But besides all this, though a General and Souldiers should be thus accomplished, yet unlesse there be good sums of monies, nothing can be really attempted: For how can a Prince without this, sa∣tisfie several Souldiers and Commanders? How can he without this make his pre∣parations of Victuals, Provisions, Ammunitions, Artilleries, and other things which cannot be had without great expences? And in case his Forces shal be cut off or destroyed, how can he make Recruits or new Levies? Charles the eighth having great occasions for Souldiers to raise the Siege of Navar, sent the Bayliff of Dion to raise it, but having no money he could procure no Souldiers. In the mean while, the King accorded with the Florentines for the restitution of Pisa, and several other Towns in Hostage, by which means he received great store of monies, of which he sent a small part into Swizzerland, and the Bayliff who onely demanded ten thou∣sand men, brought twenty thousand with him.