The History of the Holy War, Book 2 · Chapter 35
Chap. 35. Dargan and Sanar two Egyptian Lords, contending about the Sultanie, Sanar calleth in the Turks to help him. Of the danger of mercenary souldiers; yet how, well qualified, they may be serviceable.
EGypt was the stage whereon the most remarkable passages in the reigne of King Almerick were acted. It will be necessary therefore to premise somewhat concerning the estate of that kingdome at this time. Whilest the Turks thus lorded it in Syria and the lesser Asia, the Saracen Caliph commanded in Egypt; under whom, two great Lords, Dargan and Sanar, fell out about the Sultanie or Vice-royship of that land. But Sanar fearing he should be worsted by Dargan, sued to Noradine King of the Turks at Damascus for aid: who sent him an army of Turks, under the command of Syracon an experienced Captain, against Sultan Dargan.1165 So Dargan and Sanar met and fought. The victory was Dargans, but he enjoyed it not long, being shortly after slain by treachery; whereby Sanar recovered the Sultans place. Mean time how strange was the voluptuous lethargie of the Caliph Elhadach, to pursue his private pleasures, whilest his Vice-royes thus fought under his nose, and imployed forrein succours, yet he never regarded it; as if the tottering of his kingdome had rocked him fast asleep.
Nor was he moved with that which followed, and more nearly concerned him. For Syracon the Turkish Captain, whom Sanar had gotten to come into Egypt, would not be intreated to go home again; but seized on the city of Belbis, fortified it, and there attended the arrivall of more Turks from Damascus, for the conquest of Egypt. Which afterwards they performed, the land being never completely cleared of them, till at last they conquered the whole kingdome, partly under this Syracon, and wholly under Saladine his nephew.
And here my discourse (by the leave of the reader) must a little sally forth to treat of the danger of entertaining mercenary souldiers. They may perchance be called in with a whistle, but scarce cast out with a whip. If they be slugs, they indanger a State by their slothfulnesse; if spirited men, by their activity. Cesar Borgia, Machiavells idol, whose practice he maketh the pattern of policie, saith, *Mach. Prince, cap. 9. Se malle vinci suis armis quàm alienis victorem esse.That he had rather be conquered with his own men, then be conquerour with an army of others; because he counted that conquest to be none at all.
Yet good physick may be made of poyson well corrected: They may sometimes be necessary evils; yea, good and serviceable to defend a land, if thus qualified: First, if they have no command of castles, or place neare about the Princes person: for then they have a compendious way to treason, if they intend it. Secondly, if they be not entertained in too great numbers, but in such refracted degrees, that the natives may still have the predominancie: for a surfeit of forrein supplies is a disease incurable. Thirdly, if the Prince who imployeth them, hath their wives, children, and estates in his own hands; which will be both a caution and pawn for their fidelity, and will also interest their affections more cordially in the cause. Lastly, if they be of the same religion with them, and fight against the enemy of the religion of both: for then they are not purely hirelings, but parties in part, and the cause doth at least mediately concern them. I beleeve that it will scarcely be shown, that the Protestants have turned tails and betrayed them they came to assist.
We may observe, the Low-countreys have best thrived by setting this trade of journey-men-souldiers on work. Let them thank God and the good English: for if Francis Duke of Anjou with his Frenchmen had well succeeded, no doubt he would have spread his bread with their butter. Next them the Venetians have sped best: for they have the trick, when they find it equally dangerous to casheer their mercenary Generall or to entertain him any longer, fairly to kill him; as they served *Mach. Prince, cap. 8.Carmignola. England hath best thrived without them: under Gods protection we stand on our own legs. The last I find are an handfull of Almains used against *Speed, Edward 6.Kett in Norfolk in the dayes of King Edward the sixth. And let it be our prayers, That as for those hirelings which are to be last tried and least trusted, we never have want of their help, and never have too much of it.