yet the Romans would ever bee the formost, and leave it to none Other to have the Honour. As for the Warres which were anciently made on the behalfe of a kinde of Partie, or tacite Conformitie of Estate[1], I doe not see how they may be well Justified: As when the Romans made a Warre for the Libertie of Grecia: Or when the Lacedemonians and Athenians made Warres to set up or pull downe Democracies and Oligarchies: Or when Warres were made by Forrainers, under the pretence of Justice or Protection, to deliver the Subiects of others from Tyrannic and Oppression; And the like. Let it suffice, That no Estate expect to be Great, that is not awake upon any iust Occasion of Arming.
No Body can be healthfull without Exercise, neither Naturall Body nor Politique: And certainly, to a Kingdome or Estate, a lust and Honourable Warre is the true Exercise. A Civill Warre, indeed, is like the Heat of a Feaver; But a Forraine Warre is like the Heat of Exercise, and serveth to keepe the Body in Health: For in a Slothfull Peace, both Courages will effeminate and Manners Corrupt[2]. But howsoever it be for Happinesse, without all Question, for Greatnesse it maketh to bee still[3], for the most Part, in Armes; And the Strength of a Veteran Armie, (though it be a chargeable[4] Businesse), alwaies on Foot[5], is that which commonly giveth the Law[6], Or at least the Reputation amongst all Neighbour States; As may well bee scene in Spaine, which hath had, in one Part or other, a Veteran Armie, almost continually, now by the Space of[7] Six-score yeeres.
To be Master of the Sea is an Abridgement of a Monarchy[8]. Cicero writing to Atticus, of Pompey his Preparation against Cæsar, saith; Consilium Pompeij planè Themistocleum est; Putat enim, qui Mart potitur, eum
- ↑ in support of some particular party in a state, or on account of implied similarity of political institutions
- ↑ spirits will become effeminate and morals be corrupted
- ↑ it is advantageous to be always
- ↑ expensive
- ↑ in readiness
- ↑ confers supremacy
- ↑ during
- ↑ an epitome of monarchy, the essence of sovereignity
