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[English Translation] it, firing incessantly over the heads of the pikemen, who are as if half bent forward, their pikes resting on the ground, and their points at the height of the horses' chests. These clean battles having come to the length of the pike, pass one into the other without breaking off in any way, then being a hundred paces from each other, they make the conversion, or counter-march, coming to meet again two or three times. The cavalry having done the same exercises, fight among themselves on the flanks of the battle, where they have been ranged, just as the foot soldiers have done. Thus in this pleasant exercise the skirmishes and battles are fought. Sometimes the King and the Gentlemen the Senators have a fort made, or feigned town, of painted wood with ditches and entrenchments, in front of which they lay siege, making the approaches, firing the artillery: the besieged defend themselves with a gunpowder without any bullet, then they give the assault, and climb without any defensive or offensive weapons, except the hands. The winners get the prize offered. This is where we see the magnanimity, agility and suppleness of youth, each one desiring K 2 |
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