CHAPTERXLIII
OFSUMPTUARYLAWS
Thewaybywhichourlawsattempttoregulateidleandvainexpensesinmeatandclothes，seemstobequitecontrarytotheenddesigned。Thetruewaywouldbetobegetinmenacontemptofsilksandgold，asvain，frivolous，anduseless;whereasweaugmenttothemthehonours，andenhancethevalueofsuchthings，which，sure，isaveryimproperwaytocreateadisgust。Fortoenactthatnonebutprincesshalleatturbot，shallwearvelvetorgoldlace，andinterdictthesethingstothepeople，whatisitbuttobringthemintoagreateresteem，andtoseteveryonemoreagogtoeatandwearthem？Letkingsleaveofftheseensignsofgrandeur;theyhaveothersenoughbesides;thoseexcessesaremoreexcusableinanyotherthanaprince。Wemaylearnbytheexampleofseveralnationsbetterwaysofexteriordistinctionofquality（which，truly，Iconceivetobeveryrequisiteinastate）enough，withoutfosteringtothispurposesuchcorruptionandmanifestinconvenience。
’Tisstrangehowsuddenlyandwithhowmucheasecustomintheseindifferentthingsestablishesitselfandbecomesauthority。Wehadscarcewornclothayear，incompliancewiththecourt，forthemourningofHenryII。，butthatsilkswerealreadygrownintosuchcontemptwitheveryone，thatamansocladwaspresentlyconcludedacitizen:silksweredividedbetwixtthephysiciansandsurgeons，andthoughallotherpeoplealmostwentinthesamehabit，therewas，notwithstanding，inonethingorother，sufficientdistinctionoftheseveralconditionsofmen。
Howsuddenlydogreasychamoisandlinendoubletsbecomethefashioninourarmies，whilstallneatnessandrichnessofhabitfallintocontempt？
Letkingsbutleadthedanceandbegintoleaveoffthisexpense，andinamonththebusinesswillbedonethroughoutthekingdom，withoutedictorordinance;weshallallfollow。Itshouldberatherproclaimed，onthecontrary，thatnooneshouldwearscarletorgoldsmiths’workbutcourtesansandtumblers。
ZeleucusbythelikeinventionreclaimedthecorruptedmannersoftheLocrians。Hislawswere，thatnofreewomanshouldbeallowedanymorethanonemaidtofollowher，unlessshewasdrunk:norwastostiroutofthecitybynight，wearjewelsofgoldabouther，orgoinanembroideredrobe，unlessshewasaprofessedandpublicprostitute;that，bravosexcepted，nomanwastowearagoldring，norbeseeninoneofthoseeffeminaterobeswoveninthecityofMiletus。Bywhichinfamousexceptionshediscreetlydivertedhiscitizensfromsuperfluitiesandperniciouspleasures，anditwasaprojectofgreatutilitytoattractthenbyhonourandambitiontotheirdutyandobedience。
Ourkingscandowhattheypleaseinsuchexternalreformations;theirowninclinationstandsinthiscaseforalaw:
\"Quicquidprincipesfaciunt，praeciperevidentur。\"
[\"Whatprincesthemselvesdo，theyseemtoprescribe。\"
——Quintil。，Declam。，3。]
WhateverisdoneatcourtpassesforarulethroughtherestofFrance。
Letthecourtiersfalloutwiththeseabominablebreeches，thatdiscoversomuchofthosepartsshouldbeconcealed;thesegreatbellieddoublets，thatmakeuslooklikeIknownotwhat，andaresounfittoadmitofarms;theselongeffeminatelocksofhair;thisfoolishcustomofkissingwhatwepresenttoourequals，andourhandsinsalutingthem，aceremonyinformertimesonlyduetoprinces。Letthemnotpermitthatagentlemanshallappearinplaceofrespectwithouthissword，unbuttonedanduntrussed，asthoughhecamefromthehouseofoffice;andthat，contrarytothecustomofourforefathersandtheparticularprivilegeofthenoblesofthiskingdom，westandalongtimebaretotheminwhatplacesoever，andthesametoahundredothers，somanytierceletsandquarteletsofkingswehavegotnowadaysandotherlikeviciousinnovations:theywillseethemallpresentlyvanishandcrieddown。
Theseare，’tistrue，butsuperficialerrors;buttheyareofillaugury，andenoughtoinformusthatthewholefabriciscrazyandtottering，whenweseetheroughcastofourwallstocleaveandsplit。
PlatoinhisLawsesteemsnothingofmorepestiferousconsequencetohiscitythantogiveyoungmenthelibertyofintroducinganychangeintheirhabits，gestures，dances，songs，andexercises，fromoneformtoanother;shiftingfromthistothat，huntingafternovelties，andapplaudingtheinventors;bywhichmeansmannersarecorruptedandtheoldinstitutionscometobenauseatedanddespised。Inallthings，savingonlyinthosethatareevil，achangeistobefeared;eventhechangeofseasons，winds，viands，andhumours。Andnolawsareintheirtruecredit，butsuchtowhichGodhasgivensolongacontinuancethatnooneknowstheirbeginning，orthatthereeverwasanyother。
CHAPTERXLIV
OFSLEEP
Reasondirectsthatweshouldalwaysgothesameway，butnotalwaysatthesamepace。And，consequently，thoughawisemanoughtnotsomuchtogivethereinstohumanpassionsastolethimdeviatefromtherightpath，hemay，notwithstanding，withoutprejudicetohisduty，leaveittothemtohastenortoslackenhisspeed，andnotfixhimselflikeamotionlessandinsensibleColossus。Couldvirtueitselfputonfleshandblood，Ibelievethepulsewouldbeatfastergoingontoassaultthaningoingtodinner:thatistosay，thereisanecessitysheshouldheatandbemoveduponthisaccount。Ihavetakennotice，asofanextraordinarything，ofsomegreatmen，whointhehighestenterprisesandmostimportantaffairshavekeptthemselvesinsosettledandsereneacalm，asnotatalltobreaktheirsleep。AlexandertheGreat，onthedayassignedforthatfuriousbattlebetwixthimandDarius，sleptsoprofoundlyandsolonginthemorning，thatParmeniowasforcedtoenterhischamber，andcomingtohisbedside，tocallhimseveraltimesbyhisname，thetimetogotofightcompellinghimsotodo。TheEmperorOtho，havingputonaresolutiontokillhimselfthatnight，afterhavingsettledhisdomesticaffairs，dividedhismoneyamongsthisservants，andsetagoodedgeuponaswordhehadmadechoiceofforthepurpose，andnowstayingonlytobesatisfiedwhetherallhisfriendshadretiredinsafety，hefellintososoundasleepthatthegentlemenofhischamberheardhimsnore。ThedeathofthisemperorhasinitcircumstancesparallelingthatofthegreatCato，andparticularlythisjustrelatedforCatobeingreadytodespatchhimself，whilstheonlystayedhishandinexpectationofthereturnofamessengerhehadsenttobringhimnewswhetherthesenatorshehadsentawaywereputoutfromthePortofUtica，hefellintososoundasleep，thattheyheardhimsnoreinthenextroom;andtheman，whomhehadsenttotheport，havingawakenedhimtolethimknowthatthetempestuousweatherhadhinderedthesenatorsfromputtingtosea，hedespatchedawayanothermessenger，andcomposingagainhimselfinthebed，settledtosleep，andslepttillbythereturnofthelastmessengerhehadcertainintelligencetheyweregone。WemayherefurthercomparehimwithAlexanderinthegreatanddangerousstormthatthreatenedhimbytheseditionofthetribuneMetellus，who，attemptingtopublishadecreeforthecallinginofPompeywithhisarmyintothecityatthetimeofCatiline’sconspiracy，wasonlyandthatstoutlyopposedbyCato，sothatverysharplanguageandbittermenacespassedbetwixttheminthesenateaboutthataffair;butitwasthenextday，intheforenoon，thatthecontroversywastobedecided，whereMetellus，besidesthefavourofthepeopleandofCaesar——atthattimeofPompey’sfaction——wastoappearaccompaniedwitharabbleofslavesandgladiators;andCatoonlyfortifiedwithhisowncourageandconstancy;
sothathisrelations，domestics，andmanyvirtuouspeopleofhisfriendswereingreatapprehensionsforhim;andtothatdegree，thatsometherewerewhopassedoverthewholenightwithoutsleep，eating，ordrinking，forthedangertheysawhimrunninginto;hiswifeandsistersdidnothingbutweepandtormentthemselvesinhishouse;whereas，he，onthecontrary，comfortedeveryone，andafterhavingsuppedafterhisusualmanner，wenttobed，andsleptprofoundlytillmorning，whenoneofhisfellow—tribunesrousedhimtogototheencounter。Theknowledgewehaveofthegreatnessofthisman’scouragebytherestofhislife，maywarrantuscertainlytojudgethathisindifferenceproceededfromasoulsomuchelevatedabovesuchaccidents，thathedisdainedtoletittakeanymoreholdofhisfancythananyordinaryincident。
InthenavalengagementthatAugustuswonofSextusPompeiusinSicily，justastheyweretobeginthefight，hewassofastasleepthathisfriendswerecompelledtowakehimtogivethesignalofbattle:andthiswasitthatgaveMarkAntonyafterwardsoccasiontoreproachhimthathehadnotthecouragesomuchaswithopeneyestobeholdtheorderofhisownsquadrons，andnottohavedaredtopresenthimselfbeforethesoldiers，tillfirstAgrippahadbroughthimnewsofthevictoryobtained。ButastotheyoungMarius，whodidmuchworse（forthedayofhislastbattleagainstSylla，afterhehadmarshalledhisarmyandgiventhewordandsignalofbattle，helaidhimdownundertheshadeofatreetoreposehimself，andfellsofastasleepthattheroutandflightofhismencouldhardlywakenhim，hehavingseennothingofthefight），heissaidtohavebeenatthattimesoextremelyspentandwornoutwithlabourandwantofsleep，thatnaturecouldholdoutnolonger。Now，uponwhathasbeensaid，thephysiciansmaydeterminewhethersleepbesonecessarythatourlivesdependuponit:forwereadthatKingPerseusofMacedon，beingprisoneratRome，waskilledbybeingkeptfromsleep;butPlinyinstancessuchashavelivedlongwithoutsleep。Herodotusspeaksofnationswherethemensleepandwakebyhalf—years，andtheywhowritethelifeofthesageEpimenidesaffirmthathesleptseven—and—fiftyyearstogether。
CHAPTERXLV
OFTHEBATTLEOFDREUX
[December19，1562，inwhichtheCatholics，underthecommandoftheDucdeGuiseandtheConstabledeMontmorenci，defeatedtheProtestants，commandedbythePrincedeConde。SeeSismondi，Hist。
desFrancais，vol。xviii。，p。354。]
OurbattleofDreuxisremarkableforseveralextraordinaryincidents;
butsuchashavenogreatkindnessforM。deGuise，normuchfavourhisreputation，arewillingtohavehimthoughttoblame，andthathismakingahaltanddelayingtimewiththeforceshecommanded，whilsttheConstable，whowasgeneralofthearmy，wasrackedthroughandthroughwiththeenemy’sartillery，hisbattalionrouted，andhimselftakenprisoner，isnottobeexcused;andthathehadmuchbetterhaverunthehazardofchargingtheenemyinflank，thanstayingfortheadvantageoffallinginupontherear，tosuffersogreatandsoimportantaloss。
But，besideswhattheeventdemonstrated，hewhowillconsideritwithoutpassionorprejudicewilleasilybeinducedtoconfessthattheaimanddesign，notofacaptainonly，butofeveryprivatesoldier，oughttoregardthevictoryingeneral，andthatnoparticularoccurrences，hownearlysoevertheymayconcernhisowninterest，shoulddiverthimfromthatpursuit。Philopoemen，inanencounterwithMachanidas，havingsentbeforeagoodstrongpartyofhisarchersandslingerstobegintheskirmish，andthesebeingroutedandhotlypursuedbytheenemy，who，pushingonthefortuneoftheirarms，andinthatpursuitpassingbythebattalionwherePhilopoemenwas，thoughhissoldierswereimpatienttofallon，hedidnotthinkfittostirfromhispostnortopresenthimselftotheenemytorelievehismen，buthavingsufferedthesetobechasedandcutinpiecesbeforehisface，chargedinupontheenemy’sfootwhenhesawthemleftunprotectedbythehorse，andnotwithstandingthattheywereLacedaemonians，yettakingtheminthenick，whenthinkingthemselvessecureofthevictory，theybegantodisordertheirranks;hedidthisbusinesswithgreatfacility，andthenputhimselfinpursuitofMachanidas。WhichcaseisverylikethatofMonsieurdeGuise。
InthatbloodybattlebetwixtAgesilausandtheBoeotians，whichXenophon，whowaspresentatit，reportstobethesharpestthathehadeverseen，Agesilauswaivedtheadvantagethatfortunepresentedhim，tolettheBoeotianbattalionspassbyandthentochargethemintherear，howcertainsoeverhemightmakehimselfofthevictory，judgingitwouldratherbeaneffectofconductthanvalour，toproceedthatway;andtherefore，toshowhisprowess，ratherchosewithamarvellousardourofcouragetochargetheminthefront;buthewaswellbeatenandwellwoundedforhispains，andconstrainedatlasttodisengagehimself，andtotakethecoursehehadatfirstneglected;openinghisbattaliontogivewaytothistorrentofBoeotians，andtheybeingpassedby，takingnoticethattheymarchedindisorder，likemenwhothoughtthemselvesoutofdanger，hepursuedandchargedtheminflank;yetcouldnotsoprevailastobringittosogeneralaroutbutthattheyleisurelyretreated，stillfacingaboutuponhimtilltheyhadretiredtosafety。
CHAPTERXLVI
OFNAMES
Whatvarietyofherbssoeverareshufedtogetherinthedish，yetthewholemassisswallowedupunderonenameofasallet。Inlikemanner，undertheconsiderationofnames，Iwillmakeahodge—podgeofdiversarticles。
Everynationhascertainnames，that，Iknownotwhy，aretakeninnogoodsense，aswithus，John，William，Benedict。Inthegenealogyofprinces，also，thereseemtobecertainnamesfatallyaffected，asthePtolemiesofEgypt，theHenriesinEngland，theCharlesesinFrance，theBaldwinsinFlanders，andtheWilliamsofourancientAquitaine，fromwhence，’tissaid，thenameofGuyennehasitsderivation;whichwouldseemfarfetchedweretherenotascrudederivationsinPlatohimself。
Item，’tisafrivolousthinginitself，butneverthelessworthytoberecordedforthestrangenessofit，thatiswrittenbyaneyewitness，thatHenry，DukeofNormandy，sonofHenryII。，kingofEngland，makingagreatfeastinFrance，theconcourseofnobilityandgentrywassogreat，thatbeing，forsport’ssake，dividedintotroops，accordingtotheirnames，inthefirsttroop，whichconsistedofWilliams，therewerefoundanhundredandtenknightssittingatthetableofthatname，withoutreckoningtheordinarygentlemenandservants。
ItisaspleasanttodistinguishthetablesbythenamesoftheguestsasitwasintheEmperorGetatodistinguishtheseveralcoursesofhismeatbythefirstlettersofthemeatsthemselves;sothatthosethatbeganwithBwereserveduptogether，asbrawn，beef，bream，bustards，becca—
ficos;andsooftheothers。Item，thereisasayingthatitisagoodthingtohaveagoodname，thatistosay，creditandagoodrepute;butbesidesthis，itisreallyconvenienttohaveawell—soundingname，suchasiseasyofpronunciationandeasytoberemembered，byreasonthatkingsandothergreatpersonsdobythatmeansthemoreeasilyknowandthemorehardlyforgetus;andindeedofourownservantswemorefrequentlycallandemploythosewhosenamesaremostreadyuponthetongue。ImyselfhaveseenHenryII。，whenhecouldnotforhishearthitofagentleman’snameofourcountryofGascony，andmoreoverwasfaintocalloneofthequeen’smaidsofhonourbythegeneralnameofherrace，herownfamilynamebeingsodifficulttopronounceorremember;andSocratesthinksitworthyafather’scaretogivefinenamestohischildren。
Item，’tissaidthatthefoundationofNotreDamelaGrandeatPoitierstookitsoriginalfromhencethatadebauchedyoungfellowformerlylivinginthatplace，havinggottohimawench，and，atherfirstcomingin，askinghername，andbeingansweredthatitwasMary，hefelthimselfsosuddenlypiercedthroughwiththeaweofreligionandthereverencetothatsacrednameoftheBlessedVirgin，thathenotonlyimmediatelysentthegirlaway，butbecameareformedmanandsocontinuedtheremainderofhislife;andthat，inconsiderationofthismiracle，therewaserectedupontheplacewherethisyoungman’shousestood，firstachapeldedicatedtoourLadyandafterwardsthechurchthatwenowseestandingthere。Thisvocalandauricularreproofwroughtupontheconscience，andthatrightintothesoul;thisthatfollows，insinuateditselfmerelybythesenses。Pythagorasbeingincompanywithsomewildyoungfellows，andperceivingthat，heatedwiththefeast，theycomplotedtogoviolateanhonesthouse，commandedthesingingwenchtoalterherwantonairs;
andbyasolemn，grave，andspondaicmusic，gentlyenchantedandlaidasleeptheirardour。
Item，willnotposteritysaythatourmodernreformationhasbeenwonderfullydelicateandexact，inhavingnotonlycombatederrorsandvices，andfilledtheworldwithdevotion，humility，obedience，peace，andallsortsofvirtue;butinhavingproceededsofarastoquarrelwithourancientbaptismalnamesofCharles，Louis，Francis，tofilltheworldwithMethuselahs，Ezekiels，andMalachis，namesofamorespiritualsound？Agentleman，aneighbourofmine，agreatadmirerofantiquity，andwhowasalwaysextollingtheexcellencesofformertimesincomparisonwiththispresentageofours，didnot，amongsttherest，forgettodwellupontheloftyandmagnificentsoundofthegentleman’snamesofthosedays，DonGrumedan，Quedregan，Agesilan，which，buttohearnamedheconceivedtodenoteotherkindofmenthanPierre，Guillot，andMichel。
Item，IammightilypleasedwithJacquesAmyotforleaving，throughoutawholeFrenchoration，theLatinnamesentire，withoutvaryingandgarblingthemtogivethemaFrenchcadence。Itseemedalittleharshandroughatfirst;butalreadycustom，bytheauthorityofhisPlutarch，hasovercomethatnovelty。IhaveoftenwishedthatsuchaswritehistoriesinLatinwouldleaveournamesastheyfindthemandastheyare;forinmakingVaudemontintoVallemontanus，andmetamorphosingnamestomakethemsuitbetterwiththeGreekorLatin，weknownotwhereweare，andwiththepersonsofthemenlosethebenefitofthestory。
Toconclude，’tisascurvycustomandofveryillconsequencethatwehaveinourkingdomofFrancetocalleveryonebythenameofhismanororseigneury;’tisthethingintheworldthatthemostprejudicesandconfoundsfamiliesanddescents。Ayoungerbrotherofagoodfamily，havingamanorlefthimbyhisfather，bythenameofwhichhehasbeenknownandhonoured，cannothandsomelyleaveit;tenyearsafterhisdeceaseitfallsintothehandofastranger，whodoesthesame:dobutjudgewhereaboutsweshallbeconcerningtheknowledgeofthesemen。Weneedlooknofurtherforexamplesthanourownroyalfamily，whereeverypartitioncreatesanewsurname，whilst，inthemeantime，theoriginalofthefamilyistotallylost。Thereissogreatlibertytakeninthesemutations，thatIhavenotinmytimeseenanyoneadvancedbyfortunetoanyextraordinaryconditionwhohasnotpresentlyhadgenealogicaltitlesaddedtohim，newandunknowntohisfather，andwhohasnotbeeninoculatedintosomeillustriousstembygoodluck;andtheobscurestfamiliesarethemostaptforfalsification。HowmanygentlemenhaveweinFrancewhobytheirownaccountareofroyalextraction？more，I
think，thanwhowillconfesstheyarenot。Wasitnotapleasantpassageofafriendofmine？Therewere，severalgentlemenassembledtogetheraboutthedisputeofoneseigneurwithanother;whichotherhad，intruth，somepreeminenceoftitlesandalliancesabovetheordinarygentry。Uponthedebateofthisprerogative，everyone，tomakehimselfequaltohim，alleged，thisoneextraction，thatanother;this，thenearresemblanceofname，that，ofarms;another，anoldworm—eatenpatent;
theveryleastofthemwasgreat—grandchildtosomeforeignking。Whentheycametositdown，todinner，myfriend，insteadoftakinghisplaceamongstthem，retiringwithmostprofoundconges，entreatedthecompanytoexcusehimforhavinghithertolivedwiththematthesaucyrateofacompanion;butbeingnowbetterinformedoftheirquality，hewouldbegintopaythemtherespectduetotheirbirthandgrandeur，andthatitwouldillbecomehimtositdownamongsomanyprinces——endingthisfarcewithathousandreproaches:\"Letus，inGod’sname，satisfyourselveswithwhatourfatherswerecontentedwith，withwhatweare。Wearegreatenough，ifwerightlyunderstandhowtomaintainit。Letusnotdisownthefortuneandconditionofourancestors，andletuslayasidetheseridiculouspretences，thatcanneverbewantingtoanyonethathastheimpudencetoallegethem。\"
Armshavenomoresecuritythansurnames。Ibearazurepowderedwithtrefoilsor，withalion’spawofthesamearmedgulesinfesse。Whatprivilegehasthistocontinueparticularlyinmyhouse？Ason—in—lawwilltransportitintoanotherfamily，orsomepaltrypurchaserwillmakethemhisfirstarms。Thereisnothingwhereinthereismorechangeandconfusion。
Butthisconsiderationleadsme，perforce，intoanothersubject。Letuspryalittlenarrowlyinto，and，inGod’sname，examineuponwhatfoundationweerectthisgloryandreputationforwhichtheworldisturnedtopsy—turvy:whereindoweplacethisrenownthatwehuntafterwithsomuchpains？Itis，intheend，PeterorWilliamthatcarriesit，takesitintohispossession，andwhomitonlyconcerns。Owhatavaliantfacultyishope，thatinamortalsubject，andinamoment，makesnothingofusurpinginfinity，immensity，eternity，andofsupplyingitsmaster’sindigence，atitspleasure，withallthingshecanimagineordesire！Naturehasgivenusthispassionforaprettytoytoplaywithal。AndthisPeterorWilliam，whatisitbutasound，whenallisdone？orthreeorfourdasheswithapen，soeasytobevariedthatI
wouldfainknowtowhomistobeattributedthegloryofsomanyvictories，toGuesquin，toGlesquin，ortoGueaquin？andyettherewouldbesomethingofgreatermomentinthecasethaninLucian，thatSigmashouldserveTauwithaprocess;for\"NonleviaautludicrapetunturPraemia;\"
[\"Theyaimatnoslightorjocularrewards。\"——AEneid，xii。764。]
thechaseisthereinverygoodearnest:thequestionis，whichoftheselettersistoberewardedforsomanysieges，battles，wounds，imprisonments，andservicesdonetothecrownofFrancebythisfamousconstable？NicholasDenisot——[Painterandpoet，bornatLeMans，1515。]——
neverconcernedhimselffurtherthanthelettersofhisname，ofwhichhehasalteredthewholecontexturetobuildupbyanagramtheCountd’Alsinois，whomhehashandsomelyendowedwiththegloryofhispoetryandpainting。ThehistorianSuetoniuswassatisfiedwithonlythemeaningofhisname，whichmadehimcashierhisfather’ssurname，Lenis，toleaveTranquillussuccessortothereputationofhiswritings。WhowouldbelievethatCaptainBayardshouldhavenohonourbutwhathederivesfromthedeedsofPeterTerrail;andthatAntonioIscalinshouldsufferhimselftohisfacetoberobbedofthehonourofsomanynavigationsandcommandsatseaandlandbyCaptainPaulinandtheBarondelaGarde？Secondly，thesearedashesofthepencommontoathousandpeople。Howmanyarethere，ineveryfamily，ofthesamenameandsurname？andhowmanymoreinseveralfamilies，ages，andcountries？
HistorytellsusofthreeofthenameofSocrates，offivePlatos，ofeightAristotles，ofsevenXenophons，oftwentyDemetrii，andoftwentyTheodores;andhowmanymoreshewasnotacquaintedwithwemayimagine。
WhohindersmygroomfromcallinghimselfPompeytheGreat？Butafterall，whatvirtue，whatauthority，orwhatsecretspringsaretherethatfixuponmydeceasedgroom，ortheotherPompey，whohadhisheadcutoffinEgypt，thisgloriousrenown，andthesesomuchhonouredflourishesofthepen，soastobeofanyadvantagetothem？
\"Idcineremetmanescrediscuraresepultos？\"
[\"Doyoubelievethedeadregardsuchthings？\"——AEneid，iv。34。]
Whatsensehavethetwocompanionsingreatestesteemamongstme，Epaminondas，ofthisfineversethathasbeensomanyagescurrentinhispraise，\"ConsiliisnostrislausestattritaLaconum;\"
[\"ThegloryoftheSpartansisextinguishedbymyplans。
——\"Cicero，Tusc。Quaes。，v。17。]
orAfricanus，ofthisother，\"AsoleexorientesupraMaeotisPaludesNemoestquifactismeaequipararequeat。\"
[\"FromwherethesunrisesoverthePalusMaeotis，towhereitsets，thereisnoonewhoseactscancomparewithmine\"——Idem，ibid。]
Survivorsindeedticklethemselveswiththesefinephrases，andbythemincitedtojealousyanddesire，inconsideratelyandaccordingtotheirownfancy，attributetothedeadthistheirownfeeling，vainlyflatteringthemselvesthattheyshallonedayinturnbecapableofthesamecharacter。However:
\"AdhaecseRomanusGraiusque，etBarbarasinduperatorErexit;caucusdiscriminisatquelaborisIndehabuit:tantomajorfamaesitisest，quamVirtutis。\"
[\"ForthesetheRoman，theGreek，andtheBarbariancommanderhatharousedhimself;hehasincurredthencecausesofdangerandtoil:
somuchgreateristhethirstforfamethanforvirtue。\"
——Juvenal，x。137。]
CHAPTERXLVII
OFTHEUNCERTAINTYOFOURJUDGMENT
Wellsaysthisverse:
[\"Thereiseverywheremuchlibertyofspeech。\"——Iliad，xx。249。]
Forexample:
[\"Hannibalconquered，butknewnothowtomakethebestuseofhisvictoriousventure。\"——Petrarch，Son。，83。]
Suchaswouldimprovethisargument，andcondemntheoversightofourleadersinnotpushinghomethevictoryatMoncontour，oraccusetheKingofSpainofnotknowinghowtomakethebestuseoftheadvantagehehadagainstusatSt。Quentin，mayconcludetheseoversightstoproceedfromasoulalreadydrunkwithsuccess，orfromaspiritwhich，beingfullandovergorgedwiththisbeginningofgoodfortune，hadlosttheappetiteofaddingtoit，alreadyhavingenoughtodotodigestwhatithadtakenin:
hehashisarmsfull，andcanembracenomore:unworthyofthebenefitfortunehasconferreduponhimandtheadvantageshehadputintohishands:forwhatutilitydoeshereapfromit，if，notwithstanding，hegivehisenemyrespitetorallyandmakeheadagainsthim？Whathopeistherethathewilldareatanothertimetoattackanenemyreunitedandrecomposed，andarmedanewwithangerandrevenge，whodidnotdaretopursuethemwhenroutedandunmannedbyfear？
\"Dumfortunacalet，dumconficitomniaterror。\"
[\"Whilstfortuneisfresh，andterrorfinishesall。\"
——Lucan，vii。734。]
Butwithal，whatbetteropportunitycanheexpectthanthathehaslost？
’Tisnothere，asinfencing，wherethemosthitsgaintheprize;forsolongastheenemyisonfoot，thegameisnewtobegin，andthatisnottobecalledavictorythatputsnotanendtothewar。IntheencounterwhereCaesarhadtheworst，nearthecityofOricum，hereproachedPompey’ssoldiersthathehadbeenlosthadtheirgeneralknownhowtoovercome;andafterwardsclawedhiminaverydifferentfashionwhenitcametohisturn。
Butwhymaynotamanalsoargue，onthecontrary，thatitistheeffectofaprecipitousandinsatiatespiritnottoknowhowtoboundandrestrainitscoveting;thatitistoabusethefavoursofGodtoexceedthemeasureHehasprescribedthem:andthatagaintothrowaman’sselfintodangerafteravictoryobtainedisagaintoexposehimselftothemercyoffortune:thatitisoneofthegreatestdiscretionsintheruleofwarnottodriveanenemytodespair？SyllaandMariusinthesocialwar，havingdefeatedtheMarsians，seeingyetabodyofreservethat，promptedbydespair，wascomingonlikeenragedbrutestodashinuponthem，thoughtitnotconvenienttostandtheircharge。HadnotMonsieurdeFoix’sardourtransportedhimsofuriouslytopursuetheremainsofthevictoryofRavenna，hehadnotobscureditbyhisowndeath。AndyettherecentmemoryofhisexampleservedtopreserveMonsieurd’AnguienfromthesamemisfortuneatthebattleofSerisoles。’Tisdangeroustoattackamanyouhavedeprivedofallmeanstoescapebutbyhisarms，fornecessityteachesviolentresolutions:
\"Gravissimisuntmorsusirritataenecessitatis。\"
[\"Irritatednecessitybitesdeepest。\"——PortiusLatro。，Declam。]
\"Vinciturhaudgratis，juguloquiprovocathostem。\"
[\"Heisnotreadilybeatenwhoprovokestheenemybyshewinghisthroat。\"——or:\"Hewhopresentshimselftohisfoe，sellshislifedear。\"——Lucan，iv。275。]
ThiswasitthatmadePharaxwithholdtheKingofLacedaemon，whohadwonabattleagainsttheMantineans，fromgoingtochargeathousandArgians，whohadescapedinanentirebodyfromthedefeat，butratherletthemstealoffatlibertythathemightnotencountervalourwhettedandenragedbymischance。Clodomir，kingofAquitaine，afterhisvictorypursuingGondemar，kingofBurgundy，beatenandmakingoffasfastashecouldforsafety，compelledhimtofaceaboutandmakehead，whereinhisobstinacydeprivedhimofthefruitofhisconquest，forhetherelosthislife。
Inlikemanner，ifamanweretochoosewhetherhewouldhavehissoldiersrichlyandsumptuouslyaccoutredorarmedonlyforthenecessityofthematterinhand，thisargumentwouldstepintofavourthefirst，ofwhichopinionwasSertorius，Philopcemen，Brutus，Caesar，andothers，thatitistoasoldieranenflamingofcourageandaspurhimselfinbraveattire;andwithalamotivetobemoreobstinateinfight，havinghisarms，whichareinamannerhisestateandwholeinheritancetodefend;whichisthereason，saysXenophon，whythoseofAsiacarriedtheirwivesandconcubines，withtheirchoicestjewelsandgreatestwealth，alongwiththemtothewars。Butthentheseargumentswouldbeasreadytostandupfortheotherside;thatageneraloughtrathertolesseninhismentheirsolicitudeofpreservingthemselvesthantoincreaseit;thatbysuchmeanstheywillbeinadoublefearofhazardingtheirpersons，asitwillbeadoubletemptationtotheenemytofightwithgreaterresolutionwheresogreatbootyandsorichspoilsaretobeobtained;andthisverythinghasbeenobservedinformertimes，notablytoencouragetheRomansagainsttheSamnites。Antiochus，shewingHannibalthearmyhehadraised，wonderfullysplendidandrichinallsortsofequipage，askedhimiftheRomanswouldbesatisfiedwiththatarmy？\"Satisfied，\"repliedtheother，\"yes，doubtless，weretheiravariceneversogreat。\"Lycurgusnotonlyforbadhissoldiersallmannerofbraveryintheirequipage，but，moreover，tostriptheirconqueredenemies，becausehewould，ashesaid，thatpovertyandfrugalityshouldshinewiththerestofthebattle。
Atsiegesandelsewhere，whereoccasiondrawsusneartotheenemy，wewillinglysufferourmentobrave，rate，andaffronthimwithallsortsofinjuriouslanguage;andnotwithoutsomecolourofreason:foritisofnolittleconsequencetotakefromthemallhopesofmercyandcomposition，byrepresentingtothemthatthereisnofairquartertobeexpectedfromanenemytheyhaveincensedtothatdegree，norotherremedyremainingbutinvictory。AndyetVitelliusfoundhimselfdeceivedinthiswayofproceeding;forhavingtodowithOtho，weakerinthevalourofhissoldiers，longunaccustomedtowarandeffeminatedwiththedelightsofthecity，hesonettledthematlastwithinjuriouslanguage，reproachingthemwithcowardiceandregretforthemistressesandentertainmentstheyhadleftbehindatRome，thatbythismeansheinspiredthemwithsuchresolutionasnoexhortationhadhadthepowertohavedone，andhimselfmadethemfalluponhim，withwhomtheirowncaptainsbeforecouldbynomeansprevail。And，indeed，whentheyareinjuriesthattouchtothequick，itmayverywellfalloutthathewhowentbutunwillinglytoworkinthebehalfofhisprincewillfallto’twithanothersortofmettlewhenthequarrelishisown。
Consideringofhowgreatimportanceisthepreservationofthegeneralofanarmy，andthattheuniversalaimofanenemyislevelleddirectlyatthehead，uponwhichalltheothersdepend，thecourseseemstoadmitofnodispute，whichweknowhasbeentakenbysomanygreatcaptains，ofchangingtheirhabitanddisguisingtheirpersonsuponthepointofgoingtoengage。Nevertheless，theinconvenienceamanbysodoingrunsintoisnotlessthanthathethinkstoavoid;forthecaptain，bythismeansbeingconcealedfromtheknowledgeofhisownmen，thecouragetheyshouldderivefromhispresenceandexamplehappensbydegreestocoolandtodecay;andnotseeingthewontedmarksandensignsoftheirleader，theypresentlyconcludehimeitherdead，orthat，despairingofthebusiness，heisgonetoshiftforhimself。Andexperienceshowsusthatboththesewayshavebeensuccessfulandotherwise。WhatbefellPyrrhusinthebattlehefoughtagainsttheConsulLevinusinItalywillserveustobothpurposes;forthoughbyshroudinghispersonunderthearmourofMegaclesandmakinghimwearhisown，heundoubtedlypreservedhisownlife，yet，bythatverymeans，hewaswithalverynearrunningintotheothermischiefoflosingthebattle。Alexander，Caesar，andLuculluslovedtomakethemselvesknowninabattlebyrichaccoutrementsandarmourofaparticularlustreandcolour:Agis，Agesilaus，andthatgreatGilippus，onthecontrary，usedtofightobscurelyarmed，andwithoutanyimperialattendanceordistinction。
AmongstotheroversightsPompeyischargedwithalatthebattleofPharsalia，heiscondemnedformakinghisarmystandstilltoreceivetheenemy’scharge;by\"reasonthat\"（IshallherestealPlutarch’sownwords，whicharebetterthanmine）\"hebysodoingdeprivedhimselfoftheviolentimpressionthemotionofrunningaddstothefirstshockofarms，andhinderedthatclashingofthecombatantsagainstoneanotherwhichiswonttogivethemgreaterimpetuosityandfury;especiallywhentheycometorushinwiththeirutmostvigour，theircouragesincreasingbytheshoutsandthecareer;’tistorenderthesoldiers’ardour，asamanmaysay，morereservedandcold。\"Thisiswhathesays。ButifCaesarhadcomebytheworse，whymightitnotaswellhavebeenurgedbyanother，that，onthecontrary，thestrongestandmoststeadypostureoffightingisthatwhereinamanstandsplantedfirmwithoutmotion;andthattheywhoaresteadyuponthemarch，closingup，andreservingtheirforcewithinthemselvesforthepushofthebusiness，haveagreatadvantageagainstthosewhoaredisordered，andwhohavealreadyspenthalftheirbreathinrunningonprecipitatelytothecharge？Besidesthatanarmyisabodymadeupofsomanyindividualmembers，itisimpossibleforittomoveinthisfurywithsoexactamotionasnottobreaktheorderofbattle，andthatthebestofthemarenotengagedbeforetheirfellowscancomeontohelpthem。InthatunnaturalbattlebetwixtthetwoPersianbrothers，theLacedaemonianClearchus，whocommandedtheGreeksofCyrus’party，ledthemonsoftlyandwithoutprecipitationtothecharge;but，comingwithinfiftypaces，hurriedthemonfullspeed，hopinginsoshortacareerbothtokeeptheirorderandtohusbandtheirbreath，andatthesametimetogivetheadvantageofimpetuosityandimpressionbothtotheirpersonsandtheirmissilearms。
Othershaveregulatedthisquestionastotheirarmiesthusifyourenemycomefulldriveuponyou，standfirmtoreceivehim;ifhestandtoreceiveyou，runfulldriveuponhim。
IntheexpeditionoftheEmperorCharlesV。intoProvence，KingFranciswasputtochooseeithertogomeethiminItalyortoawaithiminhisowndominions;wherein，thoughheverywellconsideredofhowgreatadvantageitwastopreservehisownterritoryentireandclearfromthetroublesofwar，totheendthat，beingunexhaustedofitsstores，itmightcontinuallysupplymenandmoneyatneed;thatthenecessityofwarrequiresateveryturntospoilandlaywastethecountrybeforeus，whichcannotverywellbedoneuponone’sown;towhichmaybeadded，thatthecountrypeopledonotsoeasilydigestsuchahavocbythoseoftheirownpartyasfromanenemy，sothatseditionsandcommotionsmightbysuchmeansbekindledamongstus;thatthelicenceofpillageandplunder（whicharenottobetoleratedathome）isagreateaseandrefreshmentagainstthefatiguesandsufferingsofwar;andthathewhohasnootherprospectofgainthanhisbarepaywillhardlybekeptfromrunninghome，beingbuttwostepsfromhiswifeandhisownhouse;thathewholaystheclothiseveratthechargeofthefeast;thatthereismorealacrityinassaultingthandefending;andthattheshockofabattle’slossinourownbowelsissoviolentastoendangerthedisjointingofthewholebody，therebeingnopassionsocontagiousasthatoffear，thatissoeasilybelieved，orthatsosuddenlydiffusesitself;andthatthecitiesthatshouldheartherattleofthistempestattheirgates，thatshouldtakeintheircaptainsandsoldiersyettremblingandoutofbreath，wouldbeindangerinthisheatandhurrytoprecipitatethemselvesuponsomeuntowardresolution:notwithstandingallthis，soitwasthathechosetorecalltheforceshehadbeyondthemountainsandtosuffertheenemytocometohim。Forhemight，ontheotherhand，imaginethat，beingathomeandamongsthisfriends，hecouldnotfailofplentyofallmannerofconveniences;theriversandpasseshehadathisdevotionwouldbringhiminbothprovisionsandmoneyinallsecurity，andwithoutthetroubleofconvoy;thatheshouldfindhissubjectsbysomuchthemoreaffectionatetohim，byhowmuchtheirdangerwasmorenearandpressing;thathavingsomanycitiesandbarrierstosecurehim，itwouldbeinhispowertogivethelawofbattleathisownopportunityandadvantage;andthat，ifitpleasedhimtodelaythetime，undercoverandathiseasehemightseehisenemyfounderanddefeathimselfwiththedifficultieshewascertaintoencounter，beingengagedinahostilecountry，wherebefore，behind，andoneverysidewarwouldbemadeuponhim;nomeanstorefreshhimselfortoenlargehisquarters，shoulddiseasesinfestthem，ortolodgehiswoundedmeninsafety;nomoney，novictuals，butatthepointofthelance;noleisuretoreposeandtakebreath;noknowledgeofthewaysorcountrytosecurehimfromambushesandsurprises;andincaseoflosingabattle，nopossiblemeansofsavingtheremains。Neitheristherewantofexampleinboththesecases。