491.

Begin no work of war, despise no foe,

Till place where you can wholly circumvent you know.

492.

Though skill in war combine with courage tried on battle-field,

The added gain of fort doth great advantage yield.

493.

E'en weak ones mightily prevail, if place of strong defence

They find, protect themselves, and work their foes offence.

494.

The foes who thought to triumph, find their thoughts were vain,

If hosts advance, seize vantage ground, and thence the fight maintain.

495.

The crocodile prevails in its own flow of water wide,

If this it leaves, 'tis slain by any thing beside.

496.

The lofty car, with mighty wheel, sails not o'er watery main,

The boat that skims the sea, runs not on earth's hard plain.

497.

Save their own fearless might they need no other aid,

If in right place they fight, all due provision made.

498.

If lord of army vast the safe retreat assail

Of him whose host is small, his mightiest efforts fail.

499.

Though fort be none, and store of wealth they lack,

'Tis hard a people's homesteads to attack!

500.

The jackall slays, in miry paths of foot-betraying fen,

The elephant of fearless eye and tusks transfixing armed men.