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Strategic Management in Action 6th

Edition Coulter Test Bank


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Strategic Management in Action, 6e (Coulter)
Chapter 5 Functional and Competitive Strategies

1) The SWOT analysis points to the strategic issues organizational decision makers need to
address in their pursuit of sustainable competitive advantage and high performance levels.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 121
Topic: Describe the Functional Strategies an Organization Needs, and Explain How Those
Strategies are Implemented and Evaluated
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
Objective: Identify and describe common types of functional strategies

2) An organization's functional strategies are the goal-directed plans and actions of the
organization's functional areas.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 122
Topic: Describe the Functional Strategies an Organization Needs, and Explain How Those
Strategies are Implemented and Evaluated
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
Objective: Identify and describe common types of functional strategies

3) The process of creating goods and services in which organizational resources are transformed
into outputs is called production-operations.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 122
Topic: Describe the Functional Strategies an Organization Needs, and Explain How Those
Strategies are Implemented and Evaluated
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Identify and describe common types of functional strategies

4) The product functional strategies include design, production-operations, and human resources.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 122
Topic: Describe the Functional Strategies an Organization Needs, and Explain How Those
Strategies are Implemented and Evaluated
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Identify and describe common types of functional strategies

5) The three functional strategies relate to the product, the processes, and the people.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 122
Topic: Describe the Functional Strategies an Organization Needs, and Explain How Those
Strategies are Implemented and Evaluated
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Identify and describe common types of functional strategies
6) Once products are produced, the next step is to efficiently and effectively get those products to
the customers when, where, and how they want them.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 123
Topic: Describe the Functional Strategies an Organization Needs, and Explain How Those
Strategies are Implemented and Evaluated
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Identify and describe common types of functional strategies

7) The process of creating and providing goods and services is production-operations.


Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 122
Topic: Describe the Functional Strategies an Organization Needs, and Explain How Those
Strategies are Implemented and Evaluated
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Identify and describe common types of functional strategies

8) Effectively managing customers and competitors is customer satisfaction.


Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 123
Topic: Describe the Functional Strategies an Organization Needs, and Explain How Those
Strategies are Implemented and Evaluated
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Identify and describe common types of functional strategies

9) High-performance work practices are production policies and practices that can lead to both
high individual and high organizational performance.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 123
Topic: Describe the Functional Strategies an Organization Needs, and Explain How Those
Strategies are Implemented and Evaluated
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Identify and describe common types of functional strategies

10) An organization's two main support processes are information systems and auditing systems.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 124
Topic: Describe the Functional Strategies an Organization Needs, and Explain How Those
Strategies are Implemented and Evaluated
AACSB: Use of Information Technology
Objective: Identify and describe common types of functional strategies
11) Competitive advantage is what sets an organization apart from other firms in its industry.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 126
Topic: Explain What Competitive Advantage Is and What It Implies
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Discuss strategies that companies use to acquire and maintain competitive advantages

12) An organization's competitive advantage cannot be eroded easily by competitors' actions.


Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 126
Topic: Explain What Competitive Advantage Is and What It Implies
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Discuss strategies that companies use to acquire and maintain competitive advantages

13) Competitive strategy is a choice of how an organization or business unit is going to compete
in its particular industry or market.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 129
Topic: Explain What Competitive Advantage Is and What It Implies
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Compare and contrast different business-level strategies

14) Mintzberg's generic strategies are more popular than Porter's generic strategies.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 139
Topic: Describe the Different Competitive Strategies
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Compare and contrast different business-level strategies

15) The reactor competitive strategy involves thorough analysis of new business ideas and
imitation.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 131
Topic: Describe the Different Competitive Strategies
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Compare and contrast different business-level strategies

16) The reactor strategy is characterized by continually innovating and exploiting new products
and markets.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 131
Topic: Describe the Different Competitive Strategies
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Compare and contrast different business-level strategies

17) The differentiator will market products aimed at the "average" customer.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 134
Topic: Describe the Different Competitive Strategies
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Compare and contrast different business-level strategies

18) One disadvantage of the cost leader strategy is the ability to remain unique to the customer.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 135
Topic: Describe the Different Competitive Strategies
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Compare and contrast different business-level strategies

19) The corporate strategies play a dual role in the implementation of competitive strategy.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 140
Topic: Discuss How Competitive Strategies are Implemented and Evaluated
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Compare and contrast different business-level strategies

20) The prospector will market products aimed at the "average" customer.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 134
Topic: Describe the Different Competitive Strategies
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Compare and contrast different business-level strategies

21) The role of top-level decision makers in the strategic management process is to
A) develop the overall goal that the organization hopes to achieve.
B) establish the overall operational goals.
C) establish functional strategies.
D) supervise line managers.
E) None of the answer choices is correct.
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 120
Topic: Describe the Functional Strategies an Organization Needs, and Explain How Those
Strategies are Implemented and Evaluated
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Identify and describe common types of functional strategies
22) The ________ point(s) to the strategic issues organizational decision makers need to address
in their pursuit of sustainable competitive advantage and high levels of performance.
A) portfolio analysis
B) distinctive capabilities
C) strengths
D) SWOT analysis
E) core competencies
Answer: D
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 121
Topic: Describe the Functional Strategies an Organization Needs, and Explain How Those
Strategies are Implemented and Evaluated
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Identify and describe common types of functional strategies

23) Which of the following is included under the product functional strategies?
A) Marketing
B) Management
C) Supervision
D) Leadership
E) Control
Answer: A
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 122
Topic: Describe the Functional Strategies an Organization Needs, and Explain How Those
Strategies are Implemented and Evaluated
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Identify and describe common types of functional strategies

24) ________ strategies are the short-term goal-directed decisions and actions of the
organization's various functional areas.
A) Competitive
B) Coordinating
C) Corporate
D) Business
E) Functional
Answer: E
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 122
Topic: Describe the Functional Strategies an Organization Needs, and Explain How Those
Strategies are Implemented and Evaluated
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Identify and describe common types of functional strategies
25) ________ refer(s) to the process of creating and providing goods and services.
A) Production-operations
B) Marketing
C) High-performance work practices
D) Information system
E) None of the answer choices is correct.
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 122
Topic: Describe the Functional Strategies an Organization Needs, and Explain How Those
Strategies are Implemented and Evaluated
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Identify and describe common types of functional strategies

26) Product design strategies typically involve an organization's ________ functional area.
A) finance
B) R&D
C) accounting
D) HR
E) corporate governance
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 122
Topic: Describe the Functional Strategies an Organization Needs, and Explain How Those
Strategies are Implemented and Evaluated
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Identify and describe common types of functional strategies

27) Which of the following is a possible production-operations management strategy?


A) Selective specialization
B) Inventory management systems
C) User positioning
D) Market logistics
E) Database marketing
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 122
Topic: Describe the Functional Strategies an Organization Needs, and Explain How Those
Strategies are Implemented and Evaluated
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Identify and describe common types of functional strategies
28) Which are the two biggest factors in marketing?
A) Competitors and pricing
B) Product and competitors
C) Customers and competitors
D) Pricing and customers
E) Layout and distribution
Answer: C
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 123
Topic: Describe the Functional Strategies an Organization Needs, and Explain How Those
Strategies are Implemented and Evaluated
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Identify and describe common types of functional strategies

29) The marketing mix is commonly known as the


A) 4Ps
B) 5Ps
C) 7Ss
D) 4Ss
E) 5Ss
Answer: A
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 123
Topic: Describe the Functional Strategies an Organization Needs, and Explain How Those
Strategies are Implemented and Evaluated
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Identify and describe common types of functional strategies

30) Which of the following should be included in an organization's marketing mix strategies?
A) Product strategies
B) Pricing strategies
C) Promoting strategies
D) Distribution strategies
E) All of the answer choices are correct.
Answer: E
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 123
Topic: Describe the Functional Strategies an Organization Needs, and Explain How Those
Strategies are Implemented and Evaluated
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Identify and describe common types of functional strategies
31) The four Ps in marketing are
A) product, price, promotion, and place.
B) production, placement, personnel, and place.
C) promotion, price, positioning, and perception.
D) perception, perspective, promotion, and price.
E) None of the answer choices is correct.
Answer: A
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 123
Topic: Describe the Functional Strategies an Organization Needs, and Explain How Those
Strategies are Implemented and Evaluated
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Identify and describe common types of functional strategies

32) One factor that would lead to high-performance work practices is


A) using contingent pay.
B) forming problem-solving groups.
C) conducting attitude surveys.
D) All of the answer choices are correct.
E) None of the answer choices is correct.
Answer: D
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 123
Topic: Describe the Functional Strategies an Organization Needs, and Explain How Those
Strategies are Implemented and Evaluated
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
Objective: Identify and describe common types of functional strategies

33) An organization's ________ strategies reflect its commitment to and treatment of its
employees.
A) procurement
B) corporate
C) HR
D) competitive.
E) cooperative.
Answer: C
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 123
Topic: Describe the Functional Strategies an Organization Needs, and Explain How Those
Strategies are Implemented and Evaluated
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
Objective: Identify and describe common types of functional strategies
34) Which of the following is an example of high-performance work practices?
A) Fixed job assignments
B) Centralized decision making
C) Self-managed work teams
D) Limited employee involvement
E) None of the answer choices is correct.
Answer: C
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 124
Topic: Describe the Functional Strategies an Organization Needs, and Explain How Those
Strategies are Implemented and Evaluated
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Identify and describe common types of functional strategies

35) The strategic decisions associated with the organization are the choice of a system and the
choice of type of system needed for which system type?
A) Marketing
B) Human resources
C) Information
D) Financial-accounting
E) None of the answer choices is correct.
Answer: C
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 124
Topic: Describe the Functional Strategies an Organization Needs, and Explain How Those
Strategies are Implemented and Evaluated
AACSB: Use of Information Technology
Objective: Identify and describe common types of functional strategies

36) Designing which of the following systems involves making sure we have the information we
need, when the information is needed, and in the form needed?
A) Marketing
B) Human resources
C) Information
D) Financial-accounting
E) None of the answer choices is correct.
Answer: D
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 126
Topic: Describe the Functional Strategies an Organization Needs, and Explain How Those
Strategies are Implemented and Evaluated
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Identify and describe common types of functional strategies
37) The two main support processes in an organization are
A) production systems and marketing systems.
B) procurement systems and HR systems.
C) financial accounting systems and HR systems.
D) information systems and HR systems.
E) information systems and financial accounting systems.
Answer: E
Diff: 1 Page Ref: 124
Topic: Describe the Functional Strategies an Organization Needs, and Explain How Those
Strategies are Implemented and Evaluated
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Identify and describe common types of functional strategies

38) Determining the optimum mix of equity or debt is a decision made by which organizational
support process?
A) Financial-accounting systems
B) Corporate governance systems
C) Procurement systems
D) Product development systems
E) None of the answer choices is correct.
Answer: A
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 126
Topic: Describe the Functional Strategies an Organization Needs, and Explain How Those
Strategies are Implemented and Evaluated
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Identify and describe common types of functional strategies

39) One of the two strategic decisions most associated with the organization's information
system is
A) optimum equity mix.
B) creating an approved vendor list.
C) selecting the correct marketing mix.
D) corporate budgeting.
E) the choice of system technology.
Answer: E
Diff: 3 Page Ref: 124
Topic: Describe the Functional Strategies an Organization Needs, and Explain How Those
Strategies are Implemented and Evaluated
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Identify and describe common types of functional strategies
Maria diMatteo, a young entrepreneur, has recently opened her second homemade Italian
restaurant within the same large metropolitan area named Francesca's. You have been asked to
advise Ms. diMatteo in how best to implement functional strategies.

40) Ms. diMatteo discovered in opening her second restaurant, she needed to pay attention to
which of the following concerns?
A) The product
B) The people
C) The support processes
D) All the above answer choices are correct.
E) None of the answer choices are correct.
Answer: D
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 122
Topic: Describe the Functional Strategies an Organization Needs, and Explain How Those
Strategies are Implemented and Evaluated
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Identify and describe common types of functional strategies

41) If Ms. diMatteo wanted to introduce high-performance work practices in her organization,
which of the following practices would she adopt?
A) Centralized decision making
B) Fixed job assignments
C) Limited communication
D) Self-managed work teams
E) Seniority-based compensation
Answer: D
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 124
Topic: Describe the Functional Strategies an Organization Needs, and Explain How Those
Strategies are Implemented and Evaluated
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Identify and describe common types of functional strategies

42) Francesca's has had a higher than desirable level of server turnover. Ms. diMatteo decided
she needed to pay better attention to which strategies?
A) Marketing
B) Human resources
C) Information
D) Financial-accounting
E) None of the answer choices is correct.
Answer: B
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 124
Topic: Describe the Functional Strategies an Organization Needs, and Explain How Those
Strategies are Implemented and Evaluated
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Identify and describe common types of functional strategies
43) Ms. diMatteo has decided to use a computerized order taking and fulfillment system in the
new location demonstrating her ability to give attention to which of the following strategies?
A) Marketing
B) Human resources
C) Information
D) Financial-accounting
E) None of the answer choices is correct.
Answer: C
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 124
Topic: Describe the Functional Strategies an Organization Needs, and Explain How Those
Strategies are Implemented and Evaluated
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Identify and describe common types of functional strategies

44) ________ is when organizations battle or vie for some desired object or outcome.
A) Competition
B) Strategy
C) Goal
D) Objective
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 127
Topic: Explain What Competitive Advantage Is and What It Implies
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Discuss strategies that companies use to acquire and maintain competitive advantages

45) Which of the following is NOT a possible dimension for identifying strategic groups?
A) Units sold
B) Price
C) Quality
D) Geographic scope
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 128
Topic: Explain What Competitive Advantage Is and What It Implies
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
Objective: Discuss strategies that companies use to acquire and maintain competitive advantages
46) Which of the following is NOT one of Miles and Snow's adaptive strategies?
A) Cost leader
B) Prospector
C) Defender
D) Analyzer
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 130
Topic: Describe the Different Competitive Strategies
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Compare and contrast different business-level strategies

47) According to the Miles and Snow typology, a defender


A) searches for market stability.
B) seeks innovation.
C) simply reacts to environmental changes.
D) makes strategic adjustments only when forced to do so.
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 131
Topic: Describe the Different Competitive Strategies
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
Objective: Compare and contrast different business-level strategies

48) The ________ strategy is one in which an organization continually innovates by finding and
exploiting new product and market opportunities.
A) prospector
B) defender
C) analyzer
D) reactor
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 131
Topic: Describe the Different Competitive Strategies
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Compare and contrast different business-level strategies

49) When a company builds a profitable business by "stealing" ideas from other successful peers,
it is following a(n) ________ strategy.
A) analyzer
B) defender
C) prospector
D) reactor
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 132
Topic: Describe the Different Competitive Strategies
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
Objective: Compare and contrast different business-level strategies
50) Which of the following is not a recommended competitive strategy for developing a
competitive advantage?
A) Reactor
B) Defender
C) Analyzer
D) Prospector
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 133
Topic: Describe the Different Competitive Strategies
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
Objective: Compare and contrast different business-level strategies

51) In Porter's cost leadership strategy, the main goal of the cost leader is to have the lowest
________ in the industry.
A) costs
B) prices
C) profits
D) products
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 133
Topic: Describe the Different Competitive Strategies
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
Objective: Compare and contrast different business-level strategies

52) When an organization competes by providing unique products with features that customers
value, perceive as different, and are willing to pay a premium price for, it is using a strategy of
A) differentiation.
B) focus.
C) cost leadership.
D) niche.
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 134
Topic: Describe the Different Competitive Strategies
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Compare and contrast different business-level strategies

53) The ________ works hard to establish brand loyalty.


A) differentiator
B) cost leader
C) defender
D) reactor
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 135
Topic: Describe the Different Competitive Strategies
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Compare and contrast different business-level strategies

54) Which of the following is NOT a way to segment specialized market niches?
A) Price consciousness
B) Geographical
C) Type of customer
D) Product line segment
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 136
Topic: Describe the Different Competitive Strategies
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Compare and contrast different business-level strategies

55) When an organization hasn't developed a low cost or a differentiation competitive advantage,
it is said to be
A) stuck-in-the-middle.
B) using an integrated strategy.
C) using a strategy of best cost.
D) pursuing a niche-based competitive advantage.
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 137
Topic: Describe the Different Competitive Strategies
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Compare and contrast different business-level strategies

56) In Mintzberg's typology, ________ is a way to differentiate.


A) price
B) adaptability
C) focus
D) niche
Answer: A
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 138
Topic: Describe the Different Competitive Strategies
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Compare and contrast different business-level strategies

57) Describe some product strategies.


Answer:
∙ Product design and development strategies (actual sequence of activities from idea generation
to product design)
∙ Production-operations strategies (process of creating and providing goods and services)
∙ Marketing strategies (directed at effectively and efficiently managing customers and
competitors)
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 138-139
Topic: Describe the Functional Strategies an Organization Needs
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
Objective: Compare and contrast different business-level strategies
58) Explain the disadvantages of being a first mover organization.
Answer:
∙ Uncertainty over exact direction technology and market will go
∙ Risk of competitor imitating innovations (free-rider effect)
∙ Financial and strategic risks; high development costs
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 139
Topic: Describe the Functional Strategies an Organization Needs
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
Objective: Compare and contrast different business-level strategies

59) List some examples of high-performance work practices.


Answer:
∙ Self-directed work teams and job rotation
∙ Problem-solving groups
∙ Total quality management programs
∙ Implemented employee suggestions
∙ Contingent pay
∙ Information sharing
∙ Attitude surveys
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 141
Topic: Describe the Functional Strategies an Organization Needs
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
Objective: Compare and contrast different business-level strategies

60) Describe briefly Porter's notion of being "stuck-in-the-middle." Is it always true?


Answer: When an organization hasn't developed a low cost or a differentiation competitive
advantage, it is said to be "stuck-in-the-middle." An organization becomes stuck-in-the-middle
when its costs are too high to compete with the low-cost leader, or when its products and services
aren't differentiated enough to compete with the differentiator. However, this is not always true
because research has pointed out that a firm can pursue an integrated low cost-differentiation
strategy.
Diff: 2 Page Ref: 137
Topic: Describe the Different Competitive Strategies
AACSB: Analytical Skills
Objective: Compare and contrast different business-level strategies
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vna cama dispuesta á todo
deleyte y plazer, entre vnos
lienços que pareçia auerlos hilado
arañas con todo primor. Olia la
camara á muy suabes pastillas: y
la cama y ropa á agua de angeles
y azahar; y quedando yo solo
puse mi sentidos y oreja atento
todo á si mi diosa venia. Por muy
poco sonido que oya me alteraua
todo creyendo que ella fuesse, y
como me hallase engañado no
hazia sino enbiar sospiros que la
despertassen y luego de nueuo
me recogia con nueua atençion
midiendo los passos que de su
aposento al mio podia auer.
Consideraua cualquiera
ocupaçion que la podia estorbar;
lebantauame de la cama muy
pasito y abria la puerta y miraua á
todas partes si sentia algun
meneo o bulliçio, o via alguna luz:
y como no via cosa alguna con
gran desconsuelo me boluia
acostar. Deshaziame de zelos
sospechando por mi poco
mereçer, si burlandose de mí
estaua en los brazos de otro
amor, y estando yo en esta
congoja y fatiga estaua mi diosa
aparejandose para venir con la
quietud de la noche: no porque
tiene neçesidad de aguardar
tiempo, pues con echar en todos
vn sueño profundo lo podia todo
asegurar. Pero por encareçerme á
mí más el preçio de su valor, y la
estima que de su persona se
deuia tener, aguardaua
haziendoseme vn poco ausente,
estando siempre por su gran
poder y saber ante mí; y quando
me vi más desesperado siento
que con vn poco de rumor entre la
puerta y las cortinas me comiença
pasito á llamar, y yo como la oy,
como suele aconteçer si alguno
ha peleado gran rato en vn hondo
pielago con las malezas que le
querian ahogar, y ansi afanando
sale asiendose á las espadañas y
ramas de la orilla que no se
atreue ni se confia dellas porque
se le rompen en las manos, y con
gran trabajo mete las uñas en el
arena por salir, ansi como yo la oy
á mi señora y mi diosa salto de la
cama sin sufrimiento alguno: y
recogiendola en los[442] braços
me la comienço á bessar y
abraçar. Ella venia desnuda en
vna delgada camisa: cubiertos
sus delicados mienbros con vna
ropa sutil de çendal, que como las
rosas puestas en vn vidrio toda se
trasluzia. Traya sus hermosos y
dorados cabellos cogidos con vn
graçioso y rico garbin, y dexando
la ropa de acuestas, que avn para
ello no le daua mi sufrimiento
lugar, nos fuemos en vno á la
cama. No te quiero dezir más sino
que la lucha de Hercules y Anteo
te pareçiera alli. Tan firmes
estauamos afferrados como
puedes imaginar de nuestro amor:
que ninguna yedra que á planta
se abraza podia compararse á
ambos á dos. Venida la mañana
la mi diosa se leuantó: y lo más
secreto que pudo se fue á su
aposento, y luego con vn su
camarero me enbió vn vestido de
recamado encarnado con vnos
golpes sobre vn tafetan azul,
tomados con vnas cintas y clauos
de oro del mesmo color; y quando
yo senti el palaçio estar de
conuersaçion me leuanté y atauié
y salí á la gran sala donde hallé
vestida á la mi diosa de la mesma
librea, que con amoroso donayre
y semblante me reçibió; á la qual
siguieron[443] todos aquellos
cortesanos por saber que la
hazian mucho plazer; y ansi cada
dia mudauamos ambos dos y tres
libreas de vna mesma deuisa y
color á vna y otra vsança, de
diuersidad de naciones y
prouinçias; y luego todos nos
fuemos a ver muy lindos y
poderosos estanques, riberas,
bosques, jardines que auia en la
casa para entreternos hasta que
fue llegada la hora del comer. La
qual como fue llegada y el
maestresala nos fue a llamar
boluimos a la gran sala: donde
estaua todo aparejado con la
mesma sumptuosidad que la
noche passada; y ansi
conmençando la musica començo
el seruiçio del comer; fuemos
seruidos con la mesma magestad
y aparato que alli estaua en
costunbre, y despues como fue
acabado el yantar y se leuantaron
las mesas quedamos todos
hablando con diuersas cosas, de
damas, de amores, de fiestas,
justas y torneos. De lo qual
venimos a hablar en la corte del
Enperador Carlos Quinto deste
nonbre nuestro Rey y señor de
Castilla. En la qual platica me
quise yo mostrar adelantandome
entre todos por engrandeçer su
estado y magestad, pues de mas
de ser yo su vasallo, por lleuar
sus gajes era mi Señor. Lo qual
todos aquellos caualleros y
damas oyeron con atençion y
voluntad, y algunos que de su
corte tenian notiçia proseguian
comigo en la prueba de mi
intento; y como mi diosa me
conoçió tan puesto en aquel
proposito, sin darme lugar a
muchas palabras me dixo. Señor,
porque de nuestra corte y
hospedaje vayas contento, y
porque ninguno deste parayso
sale desgraçiado, quiero que
sepas agora como en esta
nuestra casa se honrra y se
estima ese bienauenturado
prinçipe por Rey y Señor. Porque
nuestra progenie y deçendençia
tenemos por derecha linea de los
Reyes de Castilla; y por tales nos
trataron los reyes catholicos don
Fernando y doña Ysabel, dignos
de eternal memoria; y como
fuesse de tanto valor ese nieto
suyo por los buenos hados que se
juntaron en él, esta casa siempre
le ha hecho gran veneraçion, y
ansi vna visabuela mia que fue en
esta tierra la más sabia muger
que en ella nunca naçió en las
artes y buen hado, se empleó
mucho en saber los suçesos
deste valeroso y inclito prinçipe, y
ansi edificó vna sala muy rica en
esta casa y todo lo que con sus
artes alcançó en vna noche lo
hizo pintar alli; y porque en
ninguna cosa aquella visabuela
mia mintió de quanto alli hizo a
sus familiares pintar conforme a lo
que por este feliçissimo prinçipe
pasara, te lo mostraré hecho por
muy gran orden doçientos años
ha. Alli verás su buena fortuna y
su buen hado de que fue hadado,
por las grandes vatallas que en
tiempos aduenideros vençerá, y
gentes belicosas que traera a su
subjeçion; y diziendo esto se
leuantó de donde estaua sentada,
y con ella yo y toda aquella corte
de damas y caualleros que por el
semejante lo deseauan ver, y ansi
nos fuemos todos donde nos
guió, que como con vna cadena
nos lleuaua tras si. Y porque ya
pareçe, Miçilo, que es tarde y
tienes gana de dormir, porque
siento que es ya la media noche,
quiero por agora dexar[444] de
cantar; y porque pareçe que nos
desordenamos cantando a prima
noche, nos boluamos a nuestra
acostunbrada hora de nuestra
cançion, que es quando el alua
quiere romper, porque es mas
conforme a nuestro natural; y ansi
para el canto que se sigue
quedará lo demas.
Miçilo.—¡O gallo! quan fuera de
mi me has tenido con esta tu
sabrosa cançion de comida y
aparato sumptuoso; y nosotros no
tenemos más de cada quatro
habas que comer oy. Solamente
quisiera tener el cargo de limpiar
aquella plata y oro que alli se
ensuçió, por gozar alguna parte
del deleyte que reçiben estos
ricos en lo tratar. Ruegote que no
me dexes de contar lo que en el
fin te suçedió; y agora, pues
quieres, vamonos a dormir.

Fin del quinto canto del gallo de


Luçiano.
NOTAS:
[405] Tachado: Siguesse el quinto canto del Gallo de Luçiano,
orador griego, contrahecho en el castellano por el mesmo autor
prete.
[406] G., trabajo.
[407] G., musicos.
[408] G., por.
[409] G., quanto.
[410] G., hagais.
[411] G., Taxo.
[412] G., ofreçen.
[413] G., con.
[414] G., dexemos.
[415] R. (Tachado): quatrocientas.
[416] G., començamos a caminar por.
[417] G., montaña.
[418] G., y mandele.
[419] G., del.
[420] G., los.
[421] Lançamos.
[422] G., la qual.
[423] G., que tiene la mesma costumbre que yo en.
[424] G., buena dueña.
[425] G., os digo.
[426] G., esta.
[427] G., hermoso.
[428] G., auia musayco y muçaraues muy perfectos.
[429] G., entiende.
[430] G., en otra.
[431] G., sino en.
[432] G., se ocupan.
[433] G., juuenil.
[434] G., pareçeria.
[435] G., de inestimable valor.
[436] G., jazmines.
[437] G., el.
[438] G., contentauan.
[439] R., ese.
[440] R., se.
[441] R., declare.
[442] G., mis.
[443] G., siguiendo.
ARGUMENTO
DEL SEXTO
CANTO

En el sexto canto que se sigue el


auctor descriue por industria
admirable de vna pintura las
victorias que el nuestro
inuictissimo Emperador Carlos
quinto deste nombre obo en la
prision del Rey Francisco de
Françia en Pauia, y la que obo
en Tunez y en la batalla que
dio a Lansgraue y a Juan
duque de Saxonia y liga de
herejes alemanes junto al rio
Albis en Alemania[445].

Gallo.—Si duermes, Miçilo,


despierta.

Miçilo.—Di, gallo; que despierto


estoy y con voluntad de oyrte.
Gallo.—Deseo mucho oy
discantar aquella facunda historia
que alli descriuio aquel pintor.
Porque era de tanta exçelençia,
de tanto spiritu, y de tanta
magestad; de tanta extrañeça el
puesto y repuesto de todo quanto
alli pintó que no ay lengua que
pueda llegar allá. Dezian los
antiguos que la escriptura era la
Retorica sin lengua; y de aquella
pintura dixeran que era la
eloquençia hablada. Porque tanta
ventaja me pareçe que lleuaua
aquella pintura a lo que
Demostenes, Tullio, Esquines, y
Tito Liuio pudieran en aquel
proposito orar, como lo verdadero
y real lleua differençia y ventaja a
la sonbra y fiçion. Veras alli los
honbres vibos que no les faltaua
sino el spiritu y lengua con que
hablar. Si con grande affecto
hasta agora he hablado por te
conplazer, agora en lo que dixere
pretendo mi interes; que es
descriuiendo la sunptuosidad de
aquella casa y el gran saber de
aquella maga discantar el valor y
magestad de Carlos medio Dios;
porque sepan oy los honbres que
el gallo sabe orar.
Miçilo.—Pues de mí confiado
puedes estar que te prestaré la
deuida atençion.
Gallo.—Pues como al
mouimiento de la mi bella Saxe
toda aquella corte diuina se
leuantó en pie, tomando yo por la
mano a mi diosa nos fuemos a
salir a vn corredor; y en vn cuarto
dél llegamos a vnas grandes
puertas que estauan çerradas,
que mostrauan ser del parayso
terrenal. Eran todas, avnque
grandes, del hebano mareotico
sin mezcla de otra madera; y
tenia toda la clabazon de plata; y
no porque no fuesse alli tan façil
el oro de auer, sino porque no es
el oro metal de tanta trabazon.
Estauan por las puertas con
grande artifiçio entretexidas
conchas de aquel preçiado
galapago indio, y entresembradas
muchas esmeraldas que variaban
el color. Eran los vnbrales y
portada del marmol fino y marfil,
jaspe y cornerina; y no solamente
era destas preçiosas piedras lo
que pareçia por los remates del
edefiçio, pero avn auia tan
grandes piezas que por su
grandeza tenian fuerça bastante
para que cargasse en ellas parte
del edefiçio. La bella Saxe sacó
vna llaue de oro que mostró
traerla siempre consigo, porque
no era aquella sala de confiar, por
ser el secreto y vigor de sus artes,
encanto y memoria; y como
fueron las puertas abiertas
hizieron vn brauo ruydo que a
todos nos dió pabor. Pero al
animo que nos dió nuestra diosa
todos con esfuerço entramos. Era
tan sunptuoso aquel edefiçio
como el templo mas rico que en el
mundo fue. Porque excedia sin
comparaçion al que descriuen los
muy eloquentes historiadores de
Diana de Effeso y de Apolo en
Delphos quando quieren más
encareçer su hermosura y
sumptuosidad. No pienso que
diria mucho quando dixesse
exçeder a los siete edefiçios que
por admirables los llamaron los
antiguos los siete milagros del
mundo. Era el techo de artesones
de oro maçiço, y de mozaraues
cargados de riquezas. Tenia las
vigas metidas en grueso canto de
oro: y el marmol y marfil, jaspe,
oro y plata no tenia solamente la
sobrehaz y cubierta del preçiado
metal y obra rica, pero la coluna
era entera y maçiça, que con su
groseça y fortaleça sustentaua el
edefiçio; y ansi auia de pedazos
de oro y plata grandes piezas de
aquellas entalladuras y molduras.
Alli estaua la agata, no solo para
ser vista, pero para creçimiento
de la obra; y la colorada sardo
está[446] alli que a todo daua
hermosura y fortaleza; y todo el
pabimento era enladrillado de
cornerinas y turquesas y jacintos;
yua quatro palmos del suelo por
la pared por orla de la pintura vn
musayco de piedras finas del
Oriente, que desbaratauan todo
juizio con su resplandor.
Diamantes, esmeraldas, rubies,
zafires, topazios y carbuncos; y
luego començaba la pintura, obra
de gran magestad; y ansi luego
començo la mi bella Saxe a
mostrarnos toda aquella diuinada
historia, cada parte por si,
dandonosla a entender. Dixo:
veys alli ante todas cosas cómo
viendo el Rey Françisco de
Françia las alteraçiones que en
Castilla leuantaron las
Comunidades por la ausençia de
su Rey, pareçiendole que era
tiempo conueniente en aquella
disension para tomar façilmente el
Reino de Nauarra, enbió su
exerçito. El cual apoderado en la
çiudad de Pamplona y en todas
las villas y castillos della han
corrido hasta Estella y puesto
çerco sobre la çiudad de Logroño:
la cual çiudad como valerosa se
ha defendido con gran daño de
françeses. Agora veys aqui como
los gouernadores de Castilla
auiendo paçificado las
disensiones del reyno, auiendo
nueua del estado en que al
presente está el reyno de Nauarra
determinan todos juntos con su
poder venir a remediar el daño
hecho por françeses y restituir el
reyno a su rey de Castilla que al
presente estaua en Flandes: lo
qual todo que veys ha doçientos
años que se pintó; y quierote
agora, señor, mostrar lo que desta
tu guerra, a que ybas agora
suçederá. Ves aqui como
sintiendo los françeses venir los
gouernadores de Castilla leuantan
el çerco de Logroño, y retiranse a
la çiudad de Pamplona por
hazerse fuertes alli. Ves aqui
como el Condestable y todos los
otros Señores de Castilla,
ordenadas sus batallas los siguen
en el alcançe a la mayor furia y
ardid que pueden; ansi ves aqui
como los atajan el camino junto a
la çiudad de Pamplona[447],
donde el miercoles que verna,
que seran quinze deste mes,
todos con animo y esfuerço de
valerosos prinçipes los acometen
diziendo: España, España,
Sanctiago: y ansi veslos aqui
rotos y muertos mas de çinco mil
françeses sin peligrar veynte
personas de Castilla. Dexote de
mostrar las brauezas que estos
capitanes en particular hizieron
aqui conforme a lo que se pintó:
las quales no ay lengua que las
pueda encareçer. Entonçes le
demandé a mi diosa liçençia para
me hallar alli: y ella me dixo: no te
hago, señor[448], poco seruiçio en
te detener: porque yo he
alcançado por mi saber el peligro
en que tu persona auia de venir: y
ansi proueyeron tus hados que yo
te aya de saluar aqui. No quieras
más buenauentura que poseerme
a mi. Yo me le rendi por perpetuo
basallo y juré de nunca me
reuelar a su imperio. Y ansi luego
prosiguio diziendo: Veys aqui
cómo con esta vitoria quedó
desenbaraçado de françeses todo
el reyno de Nauarra, y los
gouernadores se bueluen en
Castilla dejando por virrey deste
reyno al conde de Miranda. El
qual va luego sobre el castillo de
Maya y le combate con gran
ardid, y le entra y mata a quantos
dentro estan. Veis aqui cómo
siendo Carlos auisado por los de
su reyno la neçesidad que tienen
de su venida y presençia,
despedidos muchos y muy arduos
negoçios que tenia en Alemania
se embarca para venir en España
en diez y ocho de julio del año de
mil y quinientos y veynte y tres
con gran pujança de armada.
Veys aqui cómo se viene por
Ingalaterra por visitar al rey y
reyna su tia, de los quales será
reçevido con mucha alegria, y le
hazen muchas y muy solenes
fiestas. Las quales acabadas y
despedido de aquellos
cristianissimos Reyes se viene a
España aportando a la villa de
Laredo, donde es reçibido con
plazer de los grandes del reyno
que le estaran alli aguardando.
Veis aqui cómo viendo el Rey
Françisco de Françia no auer
salido con la empresa de
Nauarra, y visto que el
Prinçipe[449] de Castilla Carlos
está ya en su reyno, determina en
el año de mil y quinientos y
veynte y quatro emprender vn
acometimiento de mayor interes,
y fue que acuerda con todo su
poder y muy pujante exerçito
tomar el ducado de Milan y
teniendo gente de su valia dentro
de[450] la çiudad de Milan su
mesma persona estando presente
poner[451] çerco a la çiudad de
Pauia, en que al presente está
por teniente el nunca vençido
capitan Antonio de Leyua con
alguna gente española y ytaliana
que tiene para en su defensa.
Veys aqui cómo teniendo el rey
de Françia çercada esta çiudad
acuden a su defensa todos los
capitanes y compañías que el
Rey de Castilla tiene en aquella
sazon por la Italia y Lombardia, y
todos los prinçipes y señores que
estan en su seruiçio y liga. Viene
aqui en defensa Carlo de Lanaya,
o Charles de Limoy que entonçes
estara por visorrey de Napoles, y
el marques de Pescara, y el

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