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All such men as do practize any base or vile trade of life
ought to be banished armes. lykewise all shopkepers, and mer:
chaunts ought not to be aditted. This is affirmed by a
Constitucion of the kingdome of Sicilia because in suche
men there reigneth no Courage magnanimitie nor constancie
neither in them is there anye aptnes or disposition to vse armes, but
commonlie enclined to sicknes feare & cowardice, their mindes more
dispozed to lucre & money then the noble exercise of armes
In men of such condicion there is no hope of victorie, but ra:
ther Cowardice. Vigetio saith, wilde swinge ought to be driven
owte of the armie, & not accompanie others of Courage & force.
Marco Conte in bello Macedonico saith that Ennemie wch
is not a Souldier ought not to be fought wthall. The
lawe willeth that none ought to be admitted to thexercise
of armes but such as descended of soldiers. And men of base
condicion maye not be admitted to serue on horsback wthout
licence of the Prince. ffor a Rusticall father, beget:
teth for the moste parte Children of like condicion to him
selfe, men of base sorte bondemen or others not at libertie, are
not to vse the discipline of armes, as the lawe imperiall
saith except there be knowen somme pffe of their virtue
All gent (as is alredie saide) may be constreined by the Prince
to the exercise of armes, but the common sorte are not.
Therfore all soldiers in honnor maye refuze to fight wth
any Artizane, and the other before recited. Because
they are forbidden theercise of armes, for wch cause to
fight wth them it sholde be a great dishonnor. And
victorie gotten of them is neither honnorable famous nor
worthie anie glorie at all.