thout invencion,
was ever excellent in anie science: and if invencion causeth honour in
other thynges, in this above all, it maketh a man honorable: for everie
invention is seen, although it were but simple, to be of writers
celebrated: as it is seen, where Alexander Magnus is praised, who for to
remove his Campe moste secretely, gave not warnyng with the Trumpette,
but with a hatte upon a Launce. And was praised also for havyng taken
order that his souldiours in buckelynge with the enemies, shoulde kneele
with the lefte legge, to bee able more strongly to withstande their
violence: the whiche havyng geven him the victorie, it got him also so
muche praise, that all the Images, whiche were erected in his honour,
stoode after the same facion. But because it is tyme to finishe this
reasonyng, I wil turne againe to my first purpose, and partly I shall
avoide the same reproche, wherin they use to condempne in this towne,
such as knoweth not when to make an ende.

[Sidenote: The auctor retorneth to his first purpose and maketh a littel
discorse to make an ende of his reasonyng.]

If you remembre Cosimus you tolde me, that I beyng of one side an
exalter of the antiquitie, and a dispraiser of those, which in waightie
matters imitated them not, and of the other side, I havynge not in the
affaires of war, wherin I have taken paine, imitated them, you coulde
not perceive the occasion: wherunto I answered, how that men which wil
doo any thing, muste firste prepare to knowe how to doe it, for to be
able, after to use it, when occasion permitteth: whether I doe know how
to bryng the servis of warre to the auncient manners or no, I will be
judged by you, whiche have hearde me upon this matter longe dispute
wherby you may know, how much time I have consumed in these studies: and
also I beleeve that you maie imagen, how much desire is in me to brynge
it to effecte: the whiche whether I have been able to have doen, or that
ever occasion hath been geven me, most easely you maie conjecture: yet
for to make you more certaine and for my better justificacion, I will
also aledge the occasions: and as much as I have promised, I will
partely performe, to shew you the difficultie and the facelitie, whiche
bee at this presente in suche imitacions.

[Sidenote: A prince may easelie brynge to intiere perfection the servis
of warre; Two sortes of Capitaines worthie to bee praysed.]

Therfore I saie, how that no deede that is doen now a daies emong