But putting the case, of which the world is not able to show
an example, that the forfeiture of a populous nation, not
conquered, but friends, and in cool blood, might be taken, your
army must be planted in one of the ways mentioned. To plant it in
the way of absolute monarchy, that is, upon feuds for life, such
as the Timars, a country as large and fruitful as that of Greece,
would afford you but 16,000 Timariots, for that is the most the
Turk (being the best husband that ever was of this kind) makes of
it at this day: and if Oceana, which is less in fruitfulness by
one-half, and in extent by three parts, should have no greater a
force, whoever breaks her in one battle, may be sure she shall
never rise; for such (as was noted by Machiavel) is the nature of
the Turkish monarchy, if you break it in two battles, you have
destroyed its whole militia, and the rest being all slaves, you
hold it without any further resistance. Wherefore the erection of
an absolute monarchy in Oceana, or in any other country that is
no larger, without making it a certain prey to the first invader
is altogether impossible.

To plant by halves, as the Roman emperors did their
beneficiaries, or military colonies, it must be either for life;
and this an army of Oceaners in their own country, especially
having estates of inheritance, will never bear because such an
army so planted is as well confiscated as the people; nor had the
Mamelukes been contented with such usage in Egypt, but that they
were foreigners, and daring not to mix with the natives, it was
of absolute necessity to their being.

Or planting them upon inheritance, whether aristocratically
as the Neustrians, or democratically as the Israelites, they grow