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To write further of the arte of cheval:
rye and battell betwext man to man, I thinke
it needefull firste to make mencion of what con:
dicion 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 insuppor:
table 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 can:
not fitlie drawe owt his sworde against his ennemye, wher:
fore 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