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。\"

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