thers; that the carriage may be light and manageable; and the like.
For the conduct of the war: at the first, men rested extremely upon number: they did put the wars likewise upon main force and valour; pointing days for pitched fields,[1] and so trying it out upon an even match: and they were more ignorant in ranging and arraying their battles.[2] After they grew to rest upon number rather competent than vast; they grew to[3] advantages of place, cunning diversions, and the like: and they grew more skilful in the ordering of their battles.
In the youth of a state, arms do flourish; in the middle age of a state, learning; and then both of them together for a time; in the declining age of a state, mechanical arts and merchandise.[4] Learning hath his infancy, when it is but beginning and almost childish: then his youth, when it is, luxuriant and juvenile: then his strength of years
- ↑ Field. A battle.
"What though the field be lost?
All is not lost; the unconquerable will,
And study of revenge, immortal hate,
And courage never to submit or yield,
And what is else not to be overcome;
That glory never shall his wrath or might
Extort from me."
Milton. Paradise Lost. I. 105–110.
- ↑ Battle. A. body or line of troops in battle array, whether an entire army, or one of its main divisions; battalion.
"In battles four beneath their eye,
The forces of King Robert lie."
Scott. The Lord of the Isles. VI. x.
- ↑ So in original. A word appears to have dropped out, such as seek, or something equivalent. The translation has captabant. S.
- ↑ With this sentence, compare Advancement of Learning, II. x. 13.
