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they have trusted most； for the rewards that the Utopians offer
are so unmeasurably great； that there is no sort of crime to which
men cannot be drawn by them。 They consider the risk that those run
who undertake such services； and offer a recompense proportioned
to the danger； not only a vast deal of gold； but great revenues in
lands； that lie among other nations that are their friends； where
they may go and enjoy them very securely； and they observe the
promises they make of this kind most religiously。
They very much approve of this way of corrupting their enemies；
though it appears to others to be base and cruel； but they look on
it as a wise course； to make an end of what would be otherwise a
long war； without so much as hazarding one battle to decide it。
They think it likewise an act of mercy and love to mankind to
prevent the great slaughter of those that must otherwise be killed
in the progress of the war； both on their own side and on that of
their enemies； by the death of a few that are most guilty； and
that in so doing they are kind even to their enemies； and pity
them no less than their own people； as knowing that the greater
part of them do not engage in the； war of their own accord； but
are driven into it by the passions of their prince。
If this method does not succeed with them； then they sow seeds of
contention among their enemies； and animate the prince's brother；
or some of the nobility； to aspire to the crown。 If they cannot
disunite them by domestic broils； then they engage their neighbors
against them； and make them set on foot some old pretensions；
which are never wanting to princes when they have occasion for
them。 These they plentifully supply with money； though but very
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 cow