Page:MS V.b.104 017v.png

To write further of the arte of chevalrye and battell betwext man to man, I thinke it needefull firste to make mencion of what condicion they ought to be: that are admitted to enter the exercyse of armes. I saye therfore, yf suche as seeke to be practized in that kinde of exercyse, ought firste to consider of thenterprise, take good and sober aduise, howe to performe the same, wth honnor and savetie of their person. Because in feates of armes no force or puissance of bodie prevayleth to victorye, vnles the same be accompanied wth discretion and wysedome, also the good fighter ought long time to be accustomed to sweatinge, traveilles, and insupportable coulde, yea also laden wth armour, endured hunger watchinge, wth all other discommodities, that followe the profession of armes, so as either armed, or disarmed, he maye ever in one estate, finde his bodie, wildie and dispozed wth a courage to shewe ye nobilitie of his minde againste his ennemye and to be noted, not as a newe soldier but rather an olde expert capteine. Vegetio writinge the arte of warrs Ca xxiiij saith that the good soldier studious in the profession of armes muste be skilfull in the vse of his weopon wherof wantinge, he cannot fitlie drawe owt his sworde against his ennemye, wherfore it is continuallie requisite in the warrs to be ever in exercyse, wheruppon Cassiodoro in one of his epistles saith that the courage of a noble fighter longe discontinued from the warrs becommeth vile and cowardlie. And the longe absence from skirmish or conflicte maketh the battell afterwrds seme terrible. ffor this cause a souldier must be continually practized in armes, otherwise he cannot have a firme assurannce in fighte. Casiodoro saith that yf the arte of armes be not vsed, it is to seeke when occasion and neede is offered. Celaro also affirmeth that such as doe discontinue armes, when they returne to them againe, are as it were yonge souldiers, therfore in tyme of peace, yt is needefull to vse the exercyses of armes as though it were warre Cassiodoro in an other epislte writeth that a soldier muste take a courage, and be brought vp in the discipline of the warrs, for beinge vnpractized therin, be taketh litle assurance