Valiant Soldiers. And let Princes, on the other side, that have Subiects of Martiall disposition, know their owne Strength, unlesse they be otherwise wanting unto Themselves. As for Mercenary Forces, (which is the Helpe in this Case), all Examples shew, That, whatsoever Estate or Prince doth rest[1] upon them, Hee may spread his Feathers for a time, but he will mew[2] them soone after.
The Blessing of Iudah and Issachar will never meet; That the same People or Nation should be both The Lion's whelpe and the Asse betweene Burthens; Neither will it be that a People over-laid with Taxes should ever become Valiant and Martiall. It is true that Taxes levied by Consent of the Estate, doe abate[3] Men's Courage lesse; As it hath beene scene notably in the Excises of the Low Coun tries; And, in some degree, in the Subsidies[4] of England. For you must note that we speake now of the Heart[5], and not of the Purse. So that, although the same Tribute and Tax, laid by Consent or by Imposing[6], be all one to the Purse, yet it workes diversly upon the Courage. So that you may conclude, That no People, over-charged[7] with Tribute, is fit for Empire.
Let States that aime at Greatnesse take heed how their Nobility and Gentlemen doe multiply too fast. For that maketh the Common Subiect grow to be a Peasant and Base Swaine, driven out of Heart[8], and in effect but the Gentleman's Labourer. Even as you may see in Coppice Woods; If you leave your staddles[9] too thick, you shall never have cleane Underwood, but Shrubs and Bushes. So in Countries, if the Gentlemen be too many, the Commons will be base; And you will bring it to that, that not the hundred poll[10] will be fit for an Helmet: Especially as to the Infantery, which is the Nerve of an Army: And so there will be Great Population and Little Strength. This which I speake of hath been no where better seen then by comparing of England and France; whereof England,
