nchman_, and he gratified him with the
death of the Famous Leader, _Thomas Mountacute_ Earl of _Salisbury_,
shot at the Siege of _Orleance_, _Anno. 1425_. After which _Spain_
learnt it, and the _Jews_ and _Moors_ from thence taught the _Turk_; and
from the first Invention of _large_ and _unweildy_, they were made fit
for _Walls_ and _Hands_; and in fine _is a less expensive way of
shedding blood than that of Archery is_.

Thus you see how Ancient the Use of the _Bow_ is, and how lately its
Disuse began (I mean in relation to the Common-Wealth, as a defensive,
or offensive Weapon) and how great the Ancient Fame of our _English_ was
in the knowledge of it: However the Glory of it is somewhat still
preserved (though in a Pastime) by the Honourable City of _London_,
whose _Lord Mayor_ annually appears to see a _Prize_ performed by
_Shooting_ with a Pound _Arrow_: And therefore all I have to say more,
is, That it is deservedly placed amongst my Recreations, having
_Metamorphosed_ its Use, and become a Healthful Conserver, instead of
Destroyer of mens Bodies. And is vulgarly distinguished into two sorts,
the _Long-bow_, and the _Cross_ or _Crow-Bow_.

I shall begin first with the _Long-bow_, whose Use is (now) thus to be
understood. That it conduces much to the Health of our Body, disperses
our stagnated Blood, extends our contracted Limbs, and renders the
Members of our Bodies plyant, and flexible; and for the better obtaining
these Effects, the following Rules are to be Observed.

Before the _Archer_ goes to his Sport (to follow the Method of this
Treatise) he must first provide himself with necessary _Accoutrements_,
_viz_, The _Bow_ which claimes his first Care, must be the best (_as
best is best Cheap_) of _Spanish_ or _English Yew_, (the _VVithen_, or
_Elme_ being the worst:) Next his _Shaft_, which must be of _Birch_,
_Sugar-Chest_, or _Brazeel_, with _Gray_, or _White Feathers_.

Thus equipt, to the Field, and here we are to understand three sorts of
_Marks_, _viz_, The _But_, which is a _Mark_ that is level, and requires
a strong _Arrow_ with a broad Feather: The _Prick_, a _Mark_ of some
compass, of a certain distance, requires an _Arrow_ that is strong, and
nimble, with a middle Feather: The _Rover_, is an uncertain _Mark_, and
Proportionable to the distance, suit your _Arrows_. But before you
Shoot, hold a little, and hearken to your Charge.

_First_, The _Archer_ must have a good _Eye_, to see and discern his