more2-8-第2章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
and will perhaps return to them the day after that； upon a higher
advance of their pay。
There are few wars in which they make not a considerable part of
the armies of both sides： so it often falls out that they who are
related； and were hired in the same country； and so have lived
long and familiarly together； forgetting both their relations and
former friendship； kill one another upon no other consideration
than that of being hired to it for a little money； by princes of
different interests； and such a regard have they for money； that
they are easily wrought on by the difference of one penny a day to
change sides。 So entirely does their avarice influence them； and
yet this money； which they value so highly； is of little use to
them； for what they purchase thus with their blood； they quickly
waste on luxury； which among them is but of a poor and miserable
form。
This nation serves the Utopians against all people whatsoever； for
they pay higher than any other。 The Utopians hold this for a
maxim； that as they seek out the best sort of men for their own
use at home； so they make use of this worst sort of men for the
consumption of war； and therefore they hire them with the offers
of vast rewards； to expose themselves to all sorts of hazards； out
of which the greater part never returns to claim their promises。
Yet they make them good most religiously to such as escape。 This
animates them to adventure again； whenever there is occasion for
it； for the Utopians are not at all troubled how many of these
happen to be killed； and reckon it a service done to mankind if
they could be a means to deliver the world from such a lewd and
vicious sort of people； that seem to have run together as to the
drain of human nature。 Next to these they are served in their wars
with those upon whose account they undertake them； and with the
auxiliary troops of their other friends； to whom they join a few
of their own people； and send some men of eminent and approved
virtue to command in chief。 There are two sent with him； who
during his command are but private men； but the first is to
succeed him if he should happen to be either killed or taken； and
in case of the like misfortune to him； the third comes in his
place； and thus they provide against ill events； that such
accidents as may befall their generals may not endanger their
armies。
When they draw out troops of their own people； they take such out
of every city as freely offer themselves； for none are forced to
go against their wills； since they think that if any man is
pressed that wants courage； he will not only act faintly； but by
his cowardice dishearten others。 But if an invasion is made on
their country they make use of such men； if they have good bodies；
though they are not brave； and either put them aboard their ships
or place them on the walls of their towns； that being so posted
they may find no opportunity of flying away； and thus either
shame； the heat of action； or the impossibility of flying； bears
down their cowardice； they often make a virtue of necessity and
behave themselves well； because nothing else is left them。 But as
they force no man to go into any foreign war against his will； so
they do not hinder those women who are willing to go along with
their husbands； on the contrary； they encourage and praise them；
and they stand often next their husbands in the front of the army。
They also place together those who are related； parents and
children； kindred； and those that are mutually allied； near one
another； that those whom nature has inspired with the greatest
zeal for assisting one another； may be the nearest and readiest to
do it； and it is matter of great reproach if husband or wife
survive one another； or if a child survives his parents； and
therefore when they come to be engaged in action they continue to
fight to the last man； if their enemies stand before them。
And as they use all prudent methods to avoid the endangering their
own men； and if it is possible let all the action and danger fall
upon the troops that they hire； so if it becomes necessary for
themselves to engage； they then charge with as much courage as
they avoided it before with prudence： nor is it a fierce charge at
first； but it increases by degrees； and as they continue in
action； they grow more obstinate and press harder upon the enemy；
insomuch that they will much sooner die than give ground； for the
certainty that their children will be well looked after when they
are dead； frees them from all that anxiety concerning them which
often masters men of great courage； and thus they are animated by
a noble and invincible resolution。 Their skill in military affairs
increases their courage； and the wise sentiments which； according
to the laws of their country； are instilled into them in their
education； give additional vigor to their minds： for as they do
not undervalue life so as prodigally to throw it away； they are
not so indecently fond of it as to preserve it by base and
unbecoming methods。 In the greatest heat of action； the bravest of
their youth； who have devoted themselves to that service； single
out the general of their enemies； set on him either openly or by
ambuscade； pursue him everywhere； and when spent and wearied out；
are relieved by others； who never give over the pursuit； either
attacking him with close weapons when they can get near him； or
with those which wound at a distance； when others get in between
them； so that unless he secures himself by flight； they seldom
fail at last to kill or to take him prisoner。
When they have obtained a victory； they kill as few as possible；
and are much more bent on taking many prisoners than on killing
those that fly before them； nor do they ever let their men so
loose in the pursuit of their enemies； as not to retain an entire
body still in order； so that if they have been forced to engage
the last of their battalions before they could gain the day； they
will rather let their enemies all escape than pursue them； when
their own army is in disorder； remembering well what has often
fallen out to themselves； that when the main body of their army
has been quite defeated and broken； when their enemies imagining
the victory obtained； have let themselves loose into an irregular
pursuit； a few of them that lay for a reserve； waiting a fit
opportunity； have fallen on them in their chase； and when
straggling in disorder and apprehensive of no danger； but counting
the day their own； have turned the whole action； and wrestling out
of their hands a victory that seemed certain and undoubted； while
the vanquished have suddenly become victorious。
It is hard to tell whether they are more dexterous in laying or
avoiding ambushes。 They sometimes seem to fly when it is far from
their thoughts； and when they intend to give ground； they do it so
that it is very hard to find out their design。 If they see they
are ill posted； or are like to be overpowered by numbers； they
then either march off in the night with great silence； or by some
stratagem delude their enemies： if they retire in the daytime；
they do it in such order； that it is no less dangerous to fall
upon them in a retreat than in a march。 They fortify their camps
with a deep and large trench； and throw up the earth that is dug
out of it for a wall； nor do they employ only their slaves in
this； but the whole army works at it； except those that are then
upon the guard； so that when so many hands are at work； a great
line and a strong fortification are finished in so short a time
that it is scarce credible。 Their armor is very strong for
defence； and yet is not so heavy as to make them uneasy in their
marches； they can even swim with it。 All that are trained up to
war practice swimming。 Both horse and foot make great use of
arrows； and are very expert。 They have no swords； but fight with a
pole…axe that is both sharp and heavy； by which they thrust or
strike down an enemy。 They are very good at finding out warlike
machines； and disguise them so well； that the enemy does not
perceive them till he feels the use of them； so that he cannot
prepare such a defence as would render them useless； the chief
consideration had in the making them is that they may be easily
carried and managed。
If they agree to a truce； they observe it so religiously that no
provocations will make them break it。 They never lay their
enemies' country waste nor burn their corn； and even in their
marches they take all possible care that neither horse nor foot
may tread it down； for they do not know but that they may have use
for it…themselves。 They hurt no man whom they find disarmed；
unless he is a spy。 When a town is surrendered to them； they take
it into their protection； and when they carry a place by storm；
they never plunder it； but put those only to the sword that
opposed the rendering of it up； and make the rest of the garrison
slaves； but for the other inhabitants； they do them no hurt； and
if any of them had advised a surrender； they give them good
rewards out of the estates of those that they condemn； and
distribute the rest among their auxiliary troops； but they
themselves take no share of the spoil。
When a war is ended； they do not oblige their friends to reimburse
their expenses； but they obtain them of the conquered； either in
money； which they keep for the next occasion； or in lands； out of
which a constant revenue is to be paid them； by many increases；
the revenue which they draw out from several countries on such
occasions
