CHAPTERXV
OFTHEPUNISHMENTOFCOWARDICE
Ionceheardofaprince，andagreatcaptain，havinganarrationgivenhimashesatattableoftheproceedingagainstMonsieurdeVervins，whowassentencedtodeathforhavingsurrenderedBoulognetotheEnglish，——[ToHenryVIII。in1544]——openlymaintainingthatasoldiercouldnotjustlybeputtodeathforwantofcourage。And，intruth，’tisreasonthatamanshouldmakeagreatdifferencebetwixtfaultsthatmerelyproceedfrominfirmity，andthosethatarevisiblytheeffectsoftreacheryandmalice:for，inthelast，weactagainsttherulesofreasonthatnaturehasimprintedinus;whereas，intheformer，itseemsasifwemightproducethesamenature，wholeftusinsuchastateofimperfectionandweaknessofcourage，forourjustification。Insomuchthatmanyhavethoughtwearenotfairlyquestionableforanythingbutwhatwecommitagainstourconscience;anditispartlyuponthisrulethatthosegroundtheiropinionwhodisapproveofcapitalorsanguinarypunishmentsinflicteduponhereticsandmisbelievers;andtheirsalsowhoadvocateorajudgeisnotaccountableforhavingfrommereignorancefailedinhisadministration。
Butastocowardice，itiscertainthatthemostusualwayofchastisingitisbyignominyandanditissupposedthatthispracticebroughtintousebythelegislatorCharondas;andthat，beforehistime，thelawsofGreecepunishedthosewithdeathwhofledfromabattle;whereasheordainedonlythattheybeforthreedaysexposedinthepublicdressedinwoman’sattire，hopingyetforsomeservicefromthem，havingawakenedtheircouragebythisopenshame:
\"Suffunderemalishomimssanguinem，quameffundere。\"