[1] In strength and nimblenesse of bodie from his youth few to him comparable, for in wrestling, lea|ping, and running, no man well able to compare. In casting of great iron barres and heauie stones he ex|celled commonlie all men, neuer shrinking at cold, nor slothfull for heat; and when he most laboured, his head commonlie vncouered; no more wearie of harnesse than a light cloake, verie valiantlie abiding at needs both hunger and thirst; so manfull of mind as neuer seene to quinch at a wound, or to smart at the paine; not to turne his nose from euill sauour, nor close his eies from smoke or dust; no man more moderate in eating and drinking, with diet not de|licate, but rather more meet for men of warre, than for princes or tender stomachs. Euerie honest person was permitted to come to him, sitting at meale, where either secretlie or openlie to declare his mind. High and weightie causes as well betweene men of warre and other he would gladlie heare, and either determined them himselfe, or else for end committed them to others. He slept verie little, but that verie soundlie, in so much that when his soldiers soong at nights, or minstrels plaied, he then slept fastest; of courage inuincible, of purpose vnmutable, so wise-hardie alwaies, as feare was banisht from him; at euerie alarum he first in armor, and formost in orde|ring. In time of warre such was his prouidence, bountie and hap, as he had true intelligence, not one|lie what his enimies did, but what they said and inten|ded: of his deuises and purposes few, before the thing was at the point to be done, should be made priuie.