mperfect methods. For either
its divisions are placed side by side, so as to form a line of great
width but of no depth or solidity; or if, to strengthen it, it be drawn
up in columns after the fashion of the Roman armies, should the front
line be broken, no provision having been made for its being received by
the second, it is thrown into complete disorder, and both divisions fall
to pieces. For if the front line be driven back, it jostles the second,
if the second line endeavour to advance, the first stands in its way:
and thus, the first driving against the second, and the second against
the third, such confusion follows that often the most trifling accident
will cause the ruin of an entire army.

At the battle of Ravenna, where M. de Foix, the French commander, was
slain, although according to modern notions this was a well-fought
field, both the French and the Spanish armies were drawn up in the
first of the faulty methods above described; that is to say, each army
advanced with the whole of its battalions side by side, so that each
presented a single front much wider than deep; this being always the
plan followed by modern armies when, as at Ravenna, the ground is open.
For knowing the disorder they fall into on retreat, forming themselves
in a single line, they endeavour, as I have said, as much as possible to
escape confusion by extending their front. But where the ground confines
them they fall at once into the disorder spoken of, without an effort to
prevent it.

Troops traversing an enemy's country, whether to pillage or carry out
any other operation of war, are liable to fall into the same disorder;
and at S. Regolo in the Pisan territory, and at other places where the
Florentines were beaten by the Pisans during the war which followed on
the revolt of Pisa after the coming of Charles of France into Italy, our
defeat was due to no other cause than the behaviour of our own cavalry,
who being posted in front, and being repulsed by the enemy, fell back
on the infantry and threw them into confusion, whereupon the whole army
took to flight; and Messer Ciriaco del Borgo, the veteran leader of the
Florentine foot, has often declared in my presence that he had never
been routed by any cavalry save those who were fighting on his side.
For which reason the Swiss, who are the greatest proficients in modern
warfare, when serving with the French, make it their first care to place
themselves on their flank, so that the c