VII. 184. Having made a due arrangement of affairs in CHAP. ، his own dominions, and a disposition fit for his enterprize, having provided all things necessary for his continuance in the foreign realm, and having seen all his spies dispatched with propriety, 185. Having secured the three sorts of ways, over 'water, on plains, and through forests, and placed his 'six-fold army, elephants, cavalry, cars, infantry, officers, and attendants, in complete military form, let him proceed by fit journeys toward the metropolis ، of his enemy : 6 186. Let him be much on his guard against every 'secret friend in the service of the hostile prince, and against emissaries, who go and return; for in such friends he may find very dangerous foes. 187. On his march let him form his troops, either like a staff, or in an even column; like a wain, or · in a wedge with the apex foremost; like a boar, or in a rhomb with the van and rear narrow and the ، centre broad; like a Macara or sea-monster, that is, in a double triangle with apices joined; like a needle, or in a long line; or like the bird of VISHNU, that is, in a rhomboid with the wings far extended: 188. From whatever side he apprehends danger, to that side let him extend his troops; and let him always conceal himself in the midst of a squadron 'formed like a lotos-flower. 189. Let him cause his generals and the chief com ، mander VII. CHAP. 'mander under himself, to act in all quarters; and from whatever side he perceives a design of attacking him, to that side let him turn his front. 190. On all sides let him station troops of soldiers, in whom he confides, distinguished by known colours and other marks; who are excellent both in sustaining a charge and in charging, who are fearless and incapable of desertion. 191. Let him at his pleasure order a few men to engage in a close phalanx, or a large number of ' warriours in loose ranks; and, having formed them in a long line like a needle, or in three divisions ' like a thunderbolt, let him give orders for battle. 192. On a plain, let him fight with his armed 193. Men born in Curueshétra, near Indrapresť'ha, in Matsya, or Viráta, in Punchálu, or Cányacubja, and in Súraséna, in the district of Mat'hurà, let him 'cause to engage in the van; and men, born in other 'countries, who are tall and light. 194. Let him, when he has formed his troops in array, encourage them with short animated speeches; ' and then, let him try them completely: let him know, likewise, how his men severally exert themselves, 'while they charge the foe. 6 195. If 195. If he block up his enemy, let him sit en- CHAP. camped, and lay waste the hostile country; let him continually spoil the grass, water, and wood of the adverse prince. 196. Pools, wells, and trenches let him destroy. • let him harass the foe by day, and alarm him by 197. Let him secretly bring over to his party all such leaders as he can safely bring over; let him be informed of all that his enemies are doing; and, ' when a fortunate moment is offered by heaven, let ' him give battle, pushing on to conquest and aban'doning fear: 6 198. Yet he should be more sedulous to reduce 'his enemy by negotiation, by well applied gifts, and by creating divisions, using either all or some of 'those methods, than by hazarding at any time a ' decisive action, 199. Since victory or defeat are not surely foreseen on either side, when two armies engage in the field; let the king then, if other expedients prevail, ' avoid a pitched battle: 200. But, should there be no means of applying 'the three before-mentioned expedients, let him, after ' due preparation, fight so valiantly, that his enemy may be totally routed. 201. HAVING conquered a country, let him respect the deities adored in it, and their virtuous priests; • let 2 F VII. VII. CHAP. let him also distribute largesses to the people, and 6 cause a full exemption from terrour to be loudly proclaimed. 202. When he has perfectly ascertained the conduct and intentions of all the vanquished, let him 'fix in that country a prince of the royal race, and 'give him precise instructions. 203. Let him establish the laws of the conquered nation as declared in their books; and let him gratify 'the new prince with gems and other precious gifts. 204. The seizure of desirable property, though it cause hatred, and the donation of it, though it cause love, may be laudable or blameable on different 'occasions: 6 205. All this conduct of human affairs is considered as dependent on acts ascribed to the deity, and on acts ascribed to men; now the operations of the deity cannot be known by any intenseness of thought, 'but those of men may be clearly discovered. 206. OR the victor, considering an ally, territory, and wealth as as the triple fruit of conquest, may form an alliance with the vanquished prince, and 'proceed in union with him, using diligent circum<spection. 207. He should pay due attention to the prince, ' who supported his cause, and to any other prince in the circumjacent region, who checked that supporter, so that, both from a well-wisher and from an 6 opponent, opponent, he may secure the fruit of his expedi- CHAP. 'tion. 208. By gaining wealth and territory a king acquires not so great an increase of strength, as by obtain ing a firm ally, who, though weak, may hereafter ⚫ be powerful. 209. That ally, though feeble, is highly estimable, who knows the whole extent of his duties, who gratefully remembers benefits, whose people are satisfied, or, who has a gentle nature, who loves his friend, and perseveres in his good resolutions. 210. Him have the sages declared an enemy hard to be subdued, who is eminently learned, of a noble race, personally brave, dexterous in management, li'beral, grateful, and firm. 6 211. Good-nature, knowledge of mankind, valour, benignity of heart, and incessant liberality, are the assemblage of virtues, which adorn a neutral prince, whose amity must be courted. 212. Even a salubrious and fertile country, where cattle continually increase, let a king abandon without hesitation for the sake of preserving himself: 213.Against misfortune, let him preserve his wealth; ' at the expence of his wealth, let him preserve his ‹ wife; but let him at all events preserve himself, even 6 at the hazard of his wife and his riches. 214. A wise prince, who finds every sort of cala VII. |