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sparingly with any auxiliary troops： for they are so tender of
their own people； that they would not willingly exchange one of
them； even with the prince of their enemies' country。
But as they keep their gold and silver only for such an occasion；
so when that offers itself they easily part with it； since it
would be no inconvenience to them though they should reserve
nothing of it to themselves。 For besides the wealth that they have
among them at home； they have a vast treasure abroad； many nations
round about them being deep in their debt： so that they hire
soldiers from all places for carrying on their wars； but chiefly
from the Zapolets； who live 500 miles east of Utopia。 They are a
rude； wild； and fierce nation； who delight in the woods and rocks；
among which they were born and bred up。 They are hardened both
against heat； cold； and labor； and know nothing of the delicacies
of life。 They do not apply themselves to agriculture； nor do they
care either for their houses or their clothes。 Cattle is all that
they look after； and for the greatest part they live either by
hunting； or upon rapine； and are made； as it were； only for war。
They watch all opportunities of engaging in it； and very readily
embrace such as are offered them。 Great numbers of them will
frequently go out； and offer themselves for a very low pay； to
serve any that will employ them： they know none of the arts of
life； but those that lead to the taking it away； they serve those
that hire them； both with much courage and great fidelity； but
will not engage to serve for any determined time； and agree upon
such terms； that the next day they may go over to the enemies of
those whom they serve； if they offer them a greater encouragement：
and will perhaps return to them the day after that； upon a higher
advance of their pay。
There are few wars in which they make not a considerable part of
the armies of both sides： so it often falls out that they who are
related； and were hired in the same country； and so have lived
long and familiarly together； forgetting both their relations and
former friendship； kill one another upon no other consideration
than that of being hired to it for a little money； by princes of
different interests； and such a regard have they for money； that
they are easily wrought on by the difference of one penny a day to
change sides。 So entirely does their avarice influence them； and
yet this money； which they value so highly； is of little use to
them； for what they purchase thus with their blood； they quickly
waste on luxury； which among them is but of a poor and miserable
form。
This nation serves the Utopians against all people whatsoever； for
they pay higher than any other。 The Utopians hold this for a
maxim； that as they seek out the best sort of men for their own
use at home； so they make use of this worst sort of men for the
consumption of war； and therefore they hire them with the offers
of vast rewards； to expose themselves to all sorts of hazards； out
of which the greater part never returns to claim their promises。
Yet they make them good most religiously to such as escape。 This
animates them to adventure again； whenever there is occasion for
it； for the Utopians are not at all troubled how many of these
happen to be killed； and reckon it a service done to mankind if
they could be a means to deliver the world from such a lewd and
vicious sort of people； that seem to have run together as to the
drain of human nature。 Next to these they are served in their wars
with those upon whose account they undertake them； and with the
auxiliary troops of their other friends； to whom they join a few
of their own people； and send some men of eminent and approved
virtue to command in chief。 There are two sent with him； who
during his command are but private men； but the first is to
succeed him if he should happen to be either killed or taken； and
in case of the like misfortune to him； the third comes in his
place； and thus they provide against ill events； that such
accidents as may befall their generals may not endanger their
armies。
When they draw out troops of their own people； they take such out
of every city as freely offer themselves； for none are forced to
go against their wills； since they think that if any man is
pressed that wants courage； he will not only act faintly； but by
his cowardice dishearten others。 But if an invasion is made on
their country they make use of such men； if they have good bodies；
though they are not brave； and either put them aboard their ships
or place them on the walls of their towns； that being so posted
they may find no opportunity of flying away； and thus either
shame； the heat of action； or the impossibility of flying； bears
down their cowardice； they often make a virtue of necessity and
behave themselves well； because nothing else is left them。 But as
they force no man to go into any foreign war against his will； so
they do not hinder those women who are willing to go along with
their husbands； on the contrary； they encourage and praise them；
and they stand often next their husbands in the front of the army。
They also place together those who are related； parents and
children； kindred； and those that are mutually allied； near one
another； that those whom nature has inspired with the greatest
zeal for assisting one another； may be the nearest and readiest to
do it； and it is matter of great reproach if husband or wife
survive one another； or if a child survives his parents； and
therefore when they come to be engaged in action they continue to
fight to the last man； if their enemies stand before them。
And as they use all prudent methods to avoid the endangering their
own men； and if it is possible let all the action and danger fall
upon the troops that they hire； so if it becomes necessary for
themselves to engage； they then charge with as much courage as
they avoided it before with prudence： nor is it a fierce charge at
first； but it increases by degrees； and as they continue in
action； they grow more obstinate and press harder upon the enemy；
insomuch that they will much sooner die than give ground； for the
certainty that their children will be well looked after when they
are dead； frees them from all that anxiety concerning them which
often masters men of great courage； and thus they are animated by
a noble and invincible resolution。 Their skill in military affairs
increases their courage； and the wise sentiments which； according
to the laws of their country； are instilled into them in their
education； give additional vigor to their minds： for as they do
not undervalue life so as prodigally to throw it away； they are
not so indecently fond of it as to preserve it by base and
unbecoming methods。 In the greatest heat of action； the bravest of
their youth； who have devoted themselves to that service； single
out the general of their enemies； set on him either openly or by
ambuscade； pursue him everywhere； and when spent and wearied out；
are relieved by others； who never give over the pursuit； either
attacking him with close weapons when they can get near him； or
with those which wound at a distance； when others get in between
them； so that unless he secures himself by flight； they seldom
fail at last to kill or to take him prisoner。
When they have obtained a victory； they kill as few as possible；
and are much more bent on taking many prisoners than on killing
those that fly before them； nor do they ever let their men so
loose in the pursuit of their enemies； as not to retain an entire
body still in order； so that if they have been forced to engage
the last of their battalions before they could gain the day； they
will rather let their enemies all escape than pursue them； when
their own army is in disorder； remembering well what has often