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TO THE NORTHERN PARTS OF RUSSIA AND SIBERIA. 19
not occafion, as I faid before, all their doing is but mean. And now to the effect of
their wars: they are men without all order in the field; for they run hurling on heaps,
and for the moft part they never give battle to their enemies; but that which they do,
they do it all by ftealth. But I believe they be fuch men for hard living as are not
under the fun, for no cold will hurt them: yea, and though they lie in the field two
months, at fuch time as it fhall freeze more than a yard thick, the common foldier hath
neither tent nor any thing elfe over his head; the moft defence they have againft the
weather isa felt, which is fet againft the wind and weather, and when fnow cometh he
doth catt it off, ‘and maketh him a fire, and layeth him down thereby. ‘Thus do the
moft of all his men, except they be gentlemen, which have other provifion of their own,
Their lying in the field is not fo ftrange as is their hardnefs; for every man mult carry
and make provifion for himfelf and his horfe for a month or two, which is very won-
derful. For he himfelf fhall live upon water and oatmeal mingled together cold, and
drink water thereto: his horfe fhall eat green wood, and fuch like baggage, and fhall
ftand open in the cold field without covert, and yet will he labour and ferve him right
well. I pray you among all our boafting warriors how many fhould we find to endure
the field with them but one month. I ena no fuch region about us that beareth that
name for man and beaft. Now what might be made of “thefe men if they were trained
and broken to order and knowledge of civil wars? If this prince had within his countries
fuch men as could make them to underftand the things aforefaid, I do believe that two
of the beft or greate(t princes in Chriftendom were not well able to match with him,
confidering the greatnefs of his power and the hardinefs of his people, and {trait living
both of people and horfe, and the {mall charges which his wars ftand him in; for he
giveth no wages except to {trangers. They have a yearly flipend, and not much. As
for his own countrymen, every one ferveth of his own proper cofts and charges, faving
that he giveth to his arcubufliers certain allowance for powder and thot, or elfeno man
in all his country hath one penny wages. But if any man hath done very good fervice,
he giveth him a farm or a piece of land; for the which he is bound at all times to be
ready with fo many men as the duke fhali appoint ; who confidereth in his mind wha
that land or farm is well able to find: and fo many fhall he be bound to furnith at all
and every fuch time as wars are holden in any of the duke’s dominions. For there is. no
man of living but he is boynd likewife, whether the duke call for either foldier or la-
bourer, to furnifh them with all fuch neceflaries as to them belong.
Allo, if any gentleman or man of living do die without iflue male, immediately after
his death the duke entereth his land, notwith{tanding he have never fo many daugh-
ters, and peradventure giveth it forthwith to another man, except a {mall portion that
he fpareth to marry the daughters withal. Alfo if there be a rich man, a fermour, or
man of fiving, which is ftricken i in age, or by chance is maimed, and be not able a do
the duke’s fence! fome other gentleman that is not able to live, and more able to do
fervice, will come to the duke and complain, faying, your grace hath fuch an one,
which is unmeet to do fervice to your highnefs, who hath great abundance of wealth,
and likewife your grace hath many gen iulemen which aré poor and lack living, and a
that lack are well able to do good fervice, your grace might do well to look upon him,
and make him to help thofe that want. Immediately the duke fendeth forth to inquire
of his wealth; and if it be fo proved, he fhall be called before the duke, and it fhall
be faid unto him, friend, you have too much living, and are aiomiesble to your
prince; lefs ills ferve you, and the reft will ferve other men that are more able to
dJerve; whereupon immediately his living fhall be taken away from him, faving a little
D2 to
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