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Exercises for the soldiers of the parishes in times of peace. CHAP. VI. Just as the good pilot does not wait to equip his ship well with sails, anchors & ropes when the storm comes: But plans for it beforehand, keeping it ready for any event: In the same way these great policies do not wait the opening of the war, to instruct & exercise the soldiers: So having the danger continually before their eyes, they want them to learn every day what is the art of war & which can be used for this profession: Being charged to the Captains, Centeniers, and Milleniers to exercise those who are under their charge, both in shooting the arquebuze, how to handle a pike well, & all kinds of long weapons, & spears, wielding swords and shields against each other, running, jumping the garter,[1] bounding wide pits, playing forced ball, & other such exercises, which make them strong, agile & vigorous. Moreover, |
| 1. "Jump to the garter, is undoubtedly what is called playing with the rope. Speaking of Henry IV: When military exploits and employments and the troubles of state affairs left him the "leisure were violent and laborious exercises such as jumping..... at the garter, butting, running, playing at the bars, swimming, dancing. (Memoirs of Sully, t. XII, p. 288.)" The precedingwas taken from, Dictionnaire historique de l'ancien langage françois ou glossaire de la langue françoise depuis son origine jusqu'au siècle de Louis XIV;..., vol. 7; by Jean-Baptiste de LaCurne de Sainte-Palaye (1880). |