The history of the government of France, under the administration of the great Armand du Plessis, Cardinall and Duke of Richlieu, and chief minister of state in that kingdome wherein occur many important negotiations relating to most part of Christendome in his time : with politique observations upon the chapters / translated out of French by J.D. Esq.

Politique Observation.

JOhn James Triuulae, Marshal of France saith it is a great imprudence to give Bat∣taile in a man's own Country, if not invited to it, by some great advantage or forced by necessity. He who adventureth to do it, runs no lesse hazard then the losse of his Kingdome: Darius saw himself despoyled of his Kingdome, by being guided by his Courage; and fighting a Pitch Battaile with Alexander. He might well have harraised him with his Horse on many occasions, as the Partheans did the Romans: whereas being eager to meet him in the field, and fearing least he would return into his own Country, and not be fought with, he made after him to give him Battaile. Alexander seeing him near at hand, assaulted him, and reduced him to that deplorable condition, as is not unknown by History to every one; Fa∣bius was wiser then so, he was contented, only to follow Hanibals Army, and to pull him down in divers conflicts, and by the great Inconveniences which an Army endureth, when it passeth through an enemies Country, destitute of Towns to re∣fresh them, and where they meet with resistances on every hand; By these delayes he discomfited Hanibal, without endangering his Souldiers lives, a thing very con∣siderable among the Romans, who thought it a greater Honour to wear the Civi∣que-Crown, bestowed on those who had saved any Citizens life, then that which is called Muralis, given to them who had first scaled the Walls of their Enemies: or the naval Crown granted to such as had done some notable exploit at Sea, hence Guiccardi•• tells us, there is no victory more beneficial or glorious, then that which is obtained without hazarding the bloud and lives of the Souldiers: when an Enemy hath entred upon a State, he is sufficiently beaten and overcome, with Glory and Honour, if he be only wearied out and tyred so that he have but little mind to return a second time. In fine, the Title of victory and the Honour of a Battail, doth not appertain to him who killeth most enemies or taketh most Priso∣ners; but to him who obtains the end of his design. Which made Don Alphonso King of Naples say; When he was provoked by Monsieur d' Anjou to give him

Battail; That it was the part of a Captain to overcome and not to fight. Philip de Valois fought a pitcht Battail with the English at Cressy, but he was overcome. King John confiding in his Forces, chose rather to give the same English Battail near Poictiers, then to vanquish them by famine, and those other Incommodities which an Army undergoeth in a strange Country, but he was taken and died a pri∣soner. Charles the fifth following the advice of Fabius, would never be drawn to hazard a Battail with them, but deprived them of all provisions, and by that means took all Guyenne over their heads, and made himself Master of most of the Duke of Bretaigns Chief Citties.