The Works of Sir Henry Taylor (Volume 1)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1877. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... Part II., Act II., Scene II., page 244. The injury that disables is more wise Than that which stings. In the preceding note I have cited one instance in which Machiavelli has developed in a general maxim the philosophy with which Tacitus seldom fails to impregnate the speeches which he represents to have been delivered on particular occasions. I am here tempted to quote another example. When the Belgic provinces rose against Vocula and placed him in such extremity that he was urgently counselled to flight, the view of the matter which was taken by that severe and intrepid commander is expressed in these words: Nunc hostes, quia molle servitium: ciim spoliati exutique fuerint, amicos fore.--Machivelli, in his exposition of the various means for retaining conquered and distant territories in obedience, makes a maxim of the same policy: Si ha a notare che li uomini si debbono o vezzeggiare o spegnere; perche si vendicano delle leggieri ofFese, delle gravi non possono.--Principe, cap. iii. Part II., Act III., Scene II., page 272. In his youth, Famed for his great desire of doing evil. He was elected into Testenoire's troop Of free-companions Geoffrey Testenoire, says Froissart, was a cruel man, and void of feeling, and would as soon kill a Knight or Squire as a villain--Vol. ii. chap, clxxi. Testenoire, however, was in the regular service of the English King, and it is perhaps doing him some injustice to represent him as a leader of a free company. Of the manner in which such a company was formed, and the qualifications required in its Captain, the following is a lively account . The parties are certain English and Gascon auxiliaries of the King of Portugal, and their pay was in arrear. Then they began to speak, and make their complaints to each other j...