The Holy State, Book 4 · Chapter 17
CHAP. 17. The good Generall.
THe Souldier, whom we formerly described, hath since by the stairs of his own deserts climb'd up to be a Generall, and now we come, to character him.
Maxime 1He is pious in the ordering of his own life. Some falsely conceive that Religion spoyleth the spirit of a Generall, as bad as a rainy day doth his plume of feathers, making it droop, and hang down; whereas indeed Piety onelyonly begets true Prowesse.
2He acknowledgeth God the Generalissimo of all armies; who in all battels, though the number be never so unequall, reserves the casting voice for himself. Yet can I scarce believe what *Tilman Bredenbach. de bello Livon. & Fitz Herbert of Policy & Religion, part. 1. cap. 14.one tells us, how Walter Pletemberg, Master of the Teutonick order, with a small number slew in a battel an hundred thousand Muscovite enemies with the losse of but one man on his side.
He hath gained skill in his place by long experience: 3not beginning to lead others before himself ever knew to follow, having never before (except in Cockmatches) beheld any battels. Surely they leap best in their providence forward, who fetch their rise farthest backward in their experience.
He either is, or is presumed valiant. 4Indeed courage in him is necessary, though some think that a Generall is above valour, who may command others to be so. As if it were all one whether courage were his naturally, or by adoption, who can make the valiant deeds of others seem his own; and his reputation for personall manhood once rais'd, will bear it self up; like a round body, some force is required to set it, but a touch will keep it agoing. Indeed it is extreme indiscretion (except in extremities) for him to be prodigall of his person.
He is cheerfull and willing in undergoing of labour. 5Admirable are the miracles of an industrious armie, witnesse the mighty ditch in Cambridge-shire made by the East-Angles, commonly call'd Devils-ditch, as if the Pioners thereof came from hell. Thus the effeminatenesse of our age, defaming what it should imitate, falsely traduces the monuments of their Ancestours endeavours.
He loves, and is beloved of his souldiers. 6Whose good will he attaineth,
1. By giving them good words in his speeches unto them. When wages have sometimes accidentally fallen short, souldiers have accepted the payment in the fair language and promises of their Generall.
2. By partaking with his souldiers in their painfull employments. When the English, at the Spanish Fleets approch in eightie eight, drew their ships out of Plimouth haven, the Lord Admirall Howard himself*Cambden. Elizab. Anno 1588. towed a cable, the least joynt of whose exemplarie hand drew more then twentie men besides.
3. By sharing with them in their wants. When victuals have grown scant, some Generalls have pinched themselves to the same fare with their souldiers, who could not complain that their messe was bad, whilest their Generall was Fellow-commoner with them.
4. By taking notice, and rewarding of their deserts; never disinheriting a worthy souldier of his birthright, of the next Office due unto him. For a worthy man is wounded more deeply by his own Generalls neglect, then by his enemies sword: The latter may kill him, but the former deads his courage, or, which is worse, mads it into discontent; Who had rather others should make a ladder of his dead corps to scale a city by it, then a bridge of him whilest alive for his punies to give him the Goe-by, and passe over him to preferment. For this reason chiefly (beside some others) a great and valiant English Generall in the daies of Queen Elizabeth was hated of his souldiers, because he disposed Offices by his own absolute will, without respect of orderly advancing such as deserved it, which made a Great man once salute him with this letter: Sr, if you will be pleased to bestow a Captains place on the bearer hereof, being a worthy Gentleman, he shall do that for you which never as yet any souldier did, namely pray to God for your health and happinesse.
7He is fortunate in what he undertakes. Such a one was Julius Cesar, who in *Caesar. Comment. lib. 4.Brittain, a countrey undiscovered, peopled with a valiant Nation, began a warre in Autumne, without apparent advantage, not having any intelligence there, being to passe over the sea into a colder climate (an enterprise, saith *The Duke of Rohan in the complete Captain, pag. 19.one, well worthy the invincible courage of Cesar, but not of his accustomed prudence) and yet returned victorious. Indeed God is the sole disposer of successe: Other gifts he also scattereth amongst men, yet so that they themselves scramble to gather them up; whereas successe God gives immediately into their hands, on whom he pleaseth to bestow it.
He tryeth the forces of a new enemy before he encounters him. 8Sampson is half conquered, when it is known where his strength lies; and skirmishes are scouts for the discovery of the strength of an army, before battel be given.
He makes his flying enemy a bridge of gold, 9and disarms them of their best weapon, which is necessity to fight whether they will or no. Men forced to a battel against their intention often conquer beyond their expectation: stop a flying coward, and he will turn his legges into arms, and lay about him manfully; whereas open him a passage to escape, and he will quickly shut up his courage.
But I dare dwell no longer on this subject. When the Pope earnestly wrote to King Richard the first, not to detain in prison his dear sonne, the Martiall Bishop of Beavois, the King sent the Pope back the armour wherein the Bishop was taken, with the words of Jacobs sonnes to their-Father, See whether or no this be the coat of thy sonne. Surely a corslet is no canonicall coat for me, nor suits it with my Clergy-profession to proceed any further in this warlike description; onelyonly we come to give an example thereof.