22 LETTERS FROM THE CABALA. 



opinion, that the nature of an enemy doth extenuate the 

 honour of a service, being but a rebel and a savage, I differ 

 from him ; for I see the justest triumphs that the Romans in 

 their greatest greatness did obtain, and that whereof the empe 

 rors in their styles took additions and denominations, were of 

 such an enemy ; that is, people barbarous, and not reduced to 

 civility, magnifying a kind of lawless liberty, prodigal of life, 

 hardened in body, fortified in woods and bogs, placing both 

 justice and felicity in the sharpness of their swords. Such 

 were the Germans and ancient Britons, and divers others. 

 Upon which kind of people, whether the victory be a con 

 quest, or a re-conquest upon a rebellion or revolt, it made 

 no difference that ever I could find, in honour. And there 

 fore it is not the enriching the predatory war that hath the 

 pre-eminence in honour ; else should it be more honour to 

 bring in a carrack of rich burthen, than one of the twelve 

 Spanish apostles. But then this nature of people doth yield 

 a higher point of honour (considering in truth and substance) 

 than any war can yield which should be achieved against a 

 civil enemy, if the end may be &quot; pacique imponere mo- 

 rem,&quot; to replant and refound the policy of that nation, to 

 which nothing is wanting but a just and civil government. 

 Which design, as it doth descend to you from your noble 

 father, (who lost his life in that action, though he paid tribute 

 to nature, and not to fortune,) so I hope your lordship shall 

 be as fatal a captain to this war, as Africanus was to the 

 war of Carthage, after that both his uncle and his father had 

 lost their lives in Spain in the same war. 



Now although it be true, that these things which I have 

 writ (being but representations unto your lordship of the 

 honour and appearance of success in the enterprise) be not 

 much to the purpose of my direction, yet it is that which is 

 best to me, being no man of war, and ignorant in the parti 

 culars of state : for a man may by the eye set up the white 

 right in the midst of the butt, though he be no archer. 



