A survay of the signorie of Venice, of her admired policy, and method of government, &c. with a cohortation to all Christian princes to resent her dangerous condition at present / by James Howell Esq. Howell, James, 1594?-1666. 1651 Approx. 819 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 129 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2004-05 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A44752 Wing H3112 ESTC R14157 11843274 ocm 11843274 49798 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A44752) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 49798) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 498:7) A survay of the signorie of Venice, of her admired policy, and method of government, &c. with a cohortation to all Christian princes to resent her dangerous condition at present / by James Howell Esq. Howell, James, 1594?-1666. [8], 198 [i.e. 200], 175-210, [8] p. : ports. (double plates) Printed for Richard Lowndes, London : 1651. At head of title: S.P.Q.V. Reproduction of original in Bodleian Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO. EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor. The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines. Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Venice (Italy) -- Politics and government. 2003-12 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2004-02 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2004-03 Judith Siefring Sampled and proofread 2004-03 Judith Siefring Text and markup reviewed and edited 2004-04 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion S. P Q. V. A SURVAY OF THE SIGNORIE OF VENICE , Of Her admired policy , and method of GOVERMENT , &c. WITH A Cohortation to all Christian Princes to resent Her dangerous Condition at present . By JAMES HOVVELL Esq. LONDON , Printed for Richard Lowndes at the VVhite Lion in S. Pauls Churchyard , neer the West end . M. DC . LI. TO THE SUPREME AUTHORITY OF THE NATION , THE PARLEMENT OF ENGLAND . Most Noble Senators , LEngth of Age argues strength of Constitution ; and as in Naturall bodies , so this Rule holds good likewise in Politicall : Whence it may be inferrd , that the Signorie of Venice from Her Infancy was of a strong Symmetry , well nursd , and swadled with wholsom Lawes , which are no other than the ligaments of a State , or the Arteries whereby the bloud is directed and strengthened to run through all the veines in due proportion , though Nature allowes som to have a greter quantity than others . To this may be attributed Her so long duration , for having bin born a Christian , and Free from the beginning , She hath continued a pure Virgin , and an Independent ( but only upon Her-self ) neer upon 13 Ages ; She hath shind in Her VVatry Orb among all other Republiques upon Earth , as the Moon doth in the Heavens among the rest of the Planets , Though She hath cop'd with the gretest Potentats of the World , and particularly with the huge Ottoman Emperour Her Neighbour ; having not only scratchd his face , and oftentimes cut off those tuffs of hair wherin his strength lay for the time , but peeld his beard , and somtimes pluckd him by the Mustachos ; She is now in actuall luctation , and hath bin any time these six yeers at handy-gripes with that monstrous Giant , who this yeer intends to bend , and bandy all his Forces both by Land and Sea , to ravish and ruin Her ; Therfore it imports all Christian Princes to resent Her condition , She being both the Key , and Bulwark of Europe that way ; And , with humble leave I speak it , it may well becom England ( now that she is more formidable at Sea than ever ) to be sensible of Her case , That Republic having bin her antient Confederat ever since the association of the Holy Warr , and having , for this last Centurie , mingled interests , and run the same cours of state with Her ; Nor is it a Quaere altogether impertinent , but may very well admit of a debate , whether a warr against the Turk might not prove more advantagious to England than his wares . Moreover , if likenes may beget love , England hath reson to affect Venice more than any other , for in point of security ther is much resemblance between them , being both seated in the Sea , who is their best Protector ; The one preserves Her-self by her Gallies , the other by her Galeons ; The fairest flower of England is the Dominion of the Narrow Seas , the gretest glory of Venice is the Dominion of the Adriatic Gulph 700 miles in extent ; Venice had the chiefest hand in framing the Rhodian Lawes for Sea cases , by which all the Levant parts are guided ; and England was the busiest in constituting the Maritim Lawes of Oleron , whereby the Western World is governd . This following Survay ( which is like a Frame indented with sundry peeces ) will , I beleeve , make the Reder both outwardly and inwardly acquainted with this Mayden Republic , for it shewes Her policy and power , Her warrs , exploits , and confederacies , Her interests of State , together with Her advantages and defects , and how farr She hath trodd in the stepps of old Rome ; Therfore , most humbly under favor , the Author deemd it a peece of industry not alltogether unworthy to be presented unto that Noble Assembly by Their daylie Orator , HOWELL . The famous Hexastic which Sannazarius made upon the Citty of Venice , for which he receavd 100 Zecchins for evry verse ( amounting neer to 300 ▪ sterling ) in lieu of reward by decree of the Senat. VIderat Adriacis Venetam Neptunus in Undis Stare Urbem , & toti ponere jura Mari , Nunc mihi Tarpeias quantumvis , Iupiter , Arces Objice & illa tui maenia Martis , ait ; Sic Pelago Tibrim praefers ; Urbem aspice utramque , Illam Homines dices , Hanc posuisse Deos. WHen Neptun 'mong his billowes Venice saw , And to the Adrian Surges giving law , He sayed , now Iove boast of thy Capitoll , And Mars his Walls ; This were for to extoll Tiber above the Main : Both Citties Face , You 'l say , Rome men , Venice the Gods did trace . A short Analysis of the whole Peece . A VENICE LOOKING-GLASSE , Wherin that rare and renowned City and Signory is represented in Her tru Colours , with Reflexes , I. UPon Her Constitutions , and Government , wherin ther may be divers things usefull for this Meridian . II. Of the extent and distance of Her Dominions . III. Of Her Interests of State , with the rest of the Princes of Italie , and others . IV. Of Her imitation of old Rome in most things . V. Of Her advantages and defects . VI. Of Her power by Sea and Land. VII . Of Her 98 Dukes , Doges , or Souverain Princes . In whose Lifes is involvd the Historicall part which looks upon the Greek Empire , and Turky as well as upon most Countreys in Europe ; in whose Councells , tending either to Peace or Warr , the Republic of Venice hath had as great a share as any other Christian Prince . THe Author desires to prepossesse the Reder with this advertisement , That he would not have adventurd upon this remote Out landish subject , had he not bin himself upon the place ; had he not had practicall conversation with the peeple of whom he writes : As little had he presumd upon the Life of the last French King ( and Richelieu his Cardinall ) in the Story calld LUSTRA LUDOVICI , unlesse he had bin Spectator of most of his actions . And herin the Author desires to be distinguishd from those who venture to write of Forren affaires , and Countreys by an implicit faith only , taking all things upon trust , having Themselfs never trodd any part of the Continent . Upon the Citty and Signorie of VENICE . COuld any State on Earth Immortall be , Venice by Her rare Goverment is She ; Venice Great Neptunes Minion , still a Mayd , Though by the warrlikst Potentats assayd ; Yet She retaines Her Virgin-waters pure , Nor any Forren mixtures can endure ; Though , Syren-like on Shore and Sea , Her Face Enchants all those whom once She doth embrace ; Nor is ther any can Her bewty prize But he who hath beheld Her with his Eyes : These following Leaves display , if well observd , How She so long Her Maydenhead preservd , How for sound prudence She still bore the Bell ; Whence may be drawn this high-fetchd parallel , Venus and Venice are Great Queens in their degree , Venus is Queen of Love , Venice of Policie . I. H. OF THE REPUBLIC OR SIGNORIE OF VENICE . The PROEME . WEre it within the reach of humane brain to prescribe Rules for fixing a Society and Succession of peeple under the same Species of Goverment as long as the World lasts , the Republic of Venice were the fittest pattern on Earth both for direction and imitation : This Maiden City , which denominats the whole Common-wealth , had the Prerogative to be born a Christian , and Independent , wherof Shee glorieth , and that not undeservedly , above all other States or Kingdomes ; It seems some propitious Star was predominant at Her Nativity , and that Nature brought Her forth with her limms well knit , and apt to grow up to a strong constitution , which is the cause that She is so long liv'd , and hath continued above a thousand hot Sommers an intemerat Virgin under the same face , and form of Goverment ; It is the cause that She looks still fresh and flourishing , without the least furrow of age in her forehead , or any visible symptom of decay , wherunto Civill Bodies as well as Naturall , by those distempers and common accidents which attend Time , use to be subject . This beauteous Maid hath bin often attempted to be deflowrd , som have courted Her , som would have bribd Her , and divers wold have forcd Her , yet she still preserv'd her chastity entire ; She hath wrestled with the greatest powers upon Earth , East , West , North and South , both by Land and Sea ; The Emperour , the Kings of France , Spain , and Hungary , with most of the other Princes of Christendom in that famous League at Cambray , at which time she had a shrewd fit of the green sicknes which threatned a consumption , would have quite sunk Her , but She bore up still above water , and broke that League to flitters , though , I must confesse , she was forced then to peece her Lion's skin with a Foxe's tayl , and to destroy that by wit which she could not doe with her weapon . The Eastern Emperours have divers times set upon her skirts , The Gran Turk hath bin often at Her , ( and She is now tugging hard with him ) but he could never have his will of Her , for though She hath often clos'd with him , yet She came still off with her mayden-head cleer ; She hath had sundry Thunder-bolts darted at Her from the Vatican , yet She kept her self still free from all inward combustions , and all popular tumults both in her Church & State , notwithstanding that She expeld from her Territories , the greatest supporters of the Popes Chair , when She gave the Iesuits this cold farewell , Andate , niente pigliate , & mai retornate , Goe your wayes , take nothing , and never return ; As also that She long since made her Ecclesiastics incapable to inherit Stable possessions , or sit in the Senat , in regard they have a dependance and juramentall obligation , in divers things , to another Prince , viz. the Pope ; therfore before any suffrage passe in the Councell , the common cry is , fuora I preti , Out Presbyters ; This curbing of the Clergy hath caus'd divers clashes twixt her and Rome ; so that once the Pope began to question Her right to the Dominion of the Gulph , and asking her Ambassador what warrant She had for it , He answered , If your Holines please to produce the Instrument wherby the Emperour Constantine passed over the City of Rome to your predecessors , upon the back of that Grant your Holines will find the Venetian Charter to the Dominion of the Adriatic Gulph ; Another time Gregory the 13. threatning to excommunicat the Doge and the Senat about a controversie that had arisen touching the bounds of their Territories , Nicholas Pontanus answered , Censuram Pontificiam esse gladium vagina inclusum , qui temerè distringi non deberet , ne discerent homines contemnere ejusmodi Tel●…m , &c. The Pontificiall censure , viz. Excommunication , is like a sword sheath'd up in a scabbard , which ought not to be rashly drawn out , lest men might learn to slight that kind of weapon . Yet these traverses twixt Saint Peter and Saint Mark could never shake Venice in the main of the Roman Religion wherin She was born , baptized and bred , but She still reverenc'd the Church in her own Sphere and function ; and suffers her to enjoy above 2. millions of yeerly revenue to this day . And indeed 't was one of her primitive principles of policy , at the first erection of her Republique , to bear a singular veneration to the Church , imitating herein , as in many other particulars , the Common-wealth of Rome her Mother , who rais'd her self a notable repute among other Nations , for her extraordinary reverence to the Gods. Nor are ther many Christian Princes who deserve better of Rome than Venice , for She hath often supported the Popes Chair when it was tottering , nay , being once quite thrust out She riggd her gallies and resettled Him in it as will appeer : And of later yeers She resented it extremely when Bourbon scal'd the walls of Rome ; Besides , She wold not admit Henry the fourth's Ambassador from France to Her Chappell till his Master was reconcil'd to the Church of Rome . Nor did She keep Saint Peters bark only from sinking , but She spread her sayles , and displayed her banners allso for preserving the Eastern Emperour ( when Christian ) from the furie of the Saracens and other barbarous peeple . SHE had so great a share in the conquest of the Holy Land , that She had one part of Ierusalem allotted her for her quarter ; and had not the state of Genoa ( a potent Republic in those times ) bin so perverse , and repin'd at the glory of Venice her elder sister , Venice had bin the Glory of Europe , and the Christians might in all probability have kept footing in Palestine to this very day ; for the clashings betwixt these two were the cause that the conquests which the Crosse had gott in those Eastern parts were of so small continuance . We read how Rome became a prostitut to severall Nations , and sorts of governments , and one only warr made as it were an end of her quite , but Venice , Vertu like — repulsae nescia sordidae Intaminatis fulget honoribus : I say Venice to this day , though all her neighbours round about , farr and nere , have tuggd with her by Land and Sea , yet like the constellation of Virgo among the celestiall bodies , she shines still among the Kingdoms on earth like a bright unravish'd Virgin : And may do so to the Worlds end , if she be still true to her self , as Thuanus sayeth , who undertakes to be her prophet in these words , Venetiae non nisi cum Rerum ●…aturâ , Et Mundi machinâ periturae . Till Nature and the Univers decline , Venice within her Watry Orb shall shine . Som Reasons why Venice hath lasted so long in the same condition of Liberty . NOw , how this longliv'd Republic came to do those notable atchievments abroad , and conserve her self from all popular tumults and revolutions at home so many Ages , may be imputed , ( besides the politic frame of her goverment in generall , which shall be treated of hereafter ) to these particular reasons following . 1. SHE hath bin allwayes constant to her self , and to her first fundamentalls & principles , for She hath bin allwayes an enemy to change , holding it to be a wholsom caveat that Ipsa mutatio consuetudinis magis perturbat novitate quàm adjuvat utilitate , viz. The change of custom useth to perturb a State more by it's noveltie , than advantage it by it's utilitie ; She hath a rule allso that malè positum saepiùs mutatur in pejus , This makes her decrees irrevocable ; As one of her Ambassadors answer'd Henry the fourth of France when he interceded for the abrogation of a Decree of Hers , Serenissime Rex , Senatus Venetus diu deliberat , antequam decernat , sed quod seriò decrevit revocat nunquam ; Most gracious King , the Venetian Senat doth deliberat a long time before it decrees any thing , but when it is once seriously decreed 'tis never revoked . Whereunto he added further , gli Decreti di Venetia non sono comme ligridi di Parigi , The Decrees of Venice are not like the cryes of Paris ( meaning the French edicts ) proclam'd to day , and repeal'd to morrow . To this maturity of deliberation , may be added , the gravity of her Senators , and the exact reverence the younger sort bear , not only to the persons , but opinions of their Elders ; It is not there as in other places , where young men make lawes for old men to observe , they abhorre that inversion of the Law of Nature , but gray heads sway , and green heads obey ; so provident they are of the future , when they consult of a busines to day , they think what may befall 100 ▪ yeers after . Nor is ther any admitted to their superior Councells till he be somwhat stricken in yeers , untill he hath pass'd employments of public trust within her own Territories , or Embassies abroad . Touching this second service they have certain degrees which they observe in the removall of their Ambassadors , for commonly one passeth from the Cantons of Swisserland to be Ambassador in Holland , thence he is transmitted to England , thence to France , so to Spain , and thence either to the Emperour or to be ●…ailio of Constantinople , where he lives in great height , and is not accountable for his expences as all other Ambassadors are , nor ever after employed in any Legation . But though She be so constant to her self at home in Her primitive constitutions , and intrinsique goverment , yet in her correspondency , leagues and confederacies abroad She often varies , and casts her cours of policy into new moulds , as the Fortune of other Princes or States do rise or decline ; her principall aym being to keep not only the State of Italy , but allso Spain and France , which are the two poles whereon Europe may be sayed to move , in Aequilibrio , To keep them in a counterpoize . 2. Another cause of the longaevity of this Republic may be allegd to be , that She hath allwayes bin more inclind to peace than war , and chosen rather to be a Spectatrix or Umpresse , than a Gamestresse , Her chief motto being , Pax tibi Marce ; Insomuch that no Christian Prince or State , except the Popedom , hath labourd more by costly Legations to reconcile the quarrells of Europe , and quench the fyre that issued out of them to the disturbance of the public peace , as allso for preventing the advantages which the Common Enemy the Turk ( one of her next neighbours ) might take therby : which hath bin the cause that for the sagacity of her men , and maturenes of her Counsells , She hath bin oftentimes desird to be Mediatrix of differences 'twixt the greatest Potentates , which She hath don with that addresse and diligence as is admirable , so that Thuanus gives her this character , to be Civilis prudentiae officina , the shop of civill prudence . 3. A third reason for the continuance of this Republic in such a prosperous condition may be sayed to be the rare temper of her peeple , who with exact obedience and promptitud execut what is enjoynd them by their Superiours ; so that it may be sayed of Venice what a grave Historian speaks of Sparta , when he pass'd his judgment of Her , Sparta diu stetit , non quod Rex benè imperabat , sed quia populus benè parebat , Sparta lasted so long , not as much that the Prince did command well , as that the peeple did obey well . Nor , is the Venetian of so volatil an humor ; and so greedy of change as other Italians , he is not so fickle as the Florentine , Milaneze , or they of Naples , who , as the History relates , hath had eight and twenty revolutions ( with this last ) in lesse then 300. yeers , in which time the Napolitan Courser threw off his Rider five times . 4. Add herunto that the Venetians are mighty good Patriotts , and love their Country in an intense degree , every Gallie that goes in cours thinks she hath Venice her self aboard of her ; as if the print of that old Roman rule were stil fresh in their hearts , Dulce & decorum pro patria mori : And as in this particular , so in many qualities besides , the soul of Rome seems to have transmigrated into Venice , as shall be shewn herafter . They are equally studious and eager to conserve the glory and greatnes of the Republic , for which they have bin ever ready to part with their bloud and fortunes ; There are many examples how the women have bin ready to part with their braceletts , earings and necklaces in time of extremity , nay they have offered their very hair to make ropes for their gallies , &c. But though they continue still such great Zelotts to their own Country , and goverment thereof , they are not so to the Church of late years , as it is observ'd ; and were it not for those confusions that ensued therby in other Countreys , and the hatred they shold heap upon themselfs from their neighbours , som think the Republic by this time would have drawn her neck from the Roman yoak , which made Cardinall Ossat say , that Venice hath now no more devotion to Rome than needs . 5. A fi●…t reason that Venice hath continued a mayd so many Centuries of yeers , is , her advantagious site and position , being seated in an arm or Estuary of the Adriatic Sea upon an Assembly of small Ilands to the nomber of above threescore consociated and leagud together by 800. and odd bridges ; so that sitting thus securely on Thetis lapp , She need not fear any invasion by land , or any approaches to her from sea without knowing Pilotts : She hath as it were cutt the Ocean into so many aqueducts through her streets , as we read Cyrus causd the River Pindes to be draind into 360. channels , which he did out of a revenge because she had drownd one of his horses , but Venice clean contrary doth this out of affection to Neptun , that therby She might embosom her self the more easily between his armes . This rare situation of the City of Venice induc'd divers to be of opinion That som superior power to man , That som heavenly Intelligence had a hand in founding and tracing Her out . 6. Sixtly , This rare perpetuity of the Republic of Venice may be ascrib'd allso to her Tresure , and Arsenal , wherof the one is grown to be a proverb for riches , the other for strength , being stord with such huge Magazins of both : The first could never be yet exhausted or estimated ; The other can , in case of necessity , put so many Gallies to the sea as ther be daies in the yeer , having 3000. persons perpetually at work , with other advantages , as will appeer when we com to describe it , with the Tresury , for these are but prolegomena , and generall Ideas of things . 7. Seventhly , The counterpoise of rewards and punishments may be sayed to have bin the plummetts which have made the great clock of this Commonwealth to go tru so many ages : In this government whosoever is detected to have the least attempt or thought of conspiring any thing against the Republic , dies without mercy ; On the other side , whosoever finds out or invents any thing that may tend either to her advantage or honor , shall be as sure of his reward , as the other of punishment . 8. Another reason why Venice hath lasted so long at such a constant stand , is her wonderfull sagacity in discovering any privat conspiracy against Her self , her cautions to prevent it , and ready means to suppresse it ; for there is allwayes a privat Armory ( besides the great Arsenall ) wherin ther are choice armes ready for 1500. men , the musketts , and arquibuzes chargd , match ready , and every thing fitted for a present execution in case of a sudden surprize or uprore . This Armory is very secretly kept nere the Dukes Palace , and not to be shown without 3. Gentlemen of the great Councell , being reserv'd meerly for the use and safety of the Senat , in case they shold be assaulted by any ill-favour'd commotion , or privat outrage while they are consulting about the affaires of the Republic : It is closely and curiously kept , and hath many new divises of armes , as steel-bowes which shoot needles or small darts , and hitt unseen , ther be musketts and pistolls that will go off 6. times together , halbards with pistolls in them one at each end , strange kinds of polaxes , with other sorts of defensive and destructive armes , if occasion should require . Besides this means of suppressing all violence , she hath many cautions besides to prevent them : It is death without mercy for any of her Senators , Officers or Gentlemen to receave pensions from any other Prince or State ; nor is it permitted that they have any privat conversation with their Ambassadors or public Agents ; Her own Ambassadors must not conceal the presents and gifts they receav'd from other Princes where they are employ'd , but at their return they must present them to Saint Mark 's Tresury , which hath much multiplied the wealth of it . 9. Another reason of her so constant subsistence may be the sundry restraints She putts to the power of the Prince , which are such , that 't is impossible for Him to be a Tyrant , or able to attempt any thing against her liberty and government ; He may be sayed to be but a Collegue to the rest of the Senators , diffring from them only in the hinmost part of his Capp , which riseth up like a Cornet . Besides , though Maydens commonly love young Men , yet she never chooseth any to be her Prince or Duke till he be stricken in yeers , and season'd with the experience of the world , untill he be half mortified , having shaken hands with those extravagant humors , appetits and passions that attend humane Nature . Hereunto may be added the limitations She putts to the wealth of the Nobles , that none of them grow over rich , but to such a proportion , in regard that it is a quality ever inhaerent and hereditary in the nature of man , that excesse of riches puffs up the mind , and incites it to ambitious and high attempts , nor is there a more catching bayt for one to take vulgar affections , and draw them after him , than Wealth : therfore one of her prime principles of State is to keep any man , though having deserv'd never so well by good successe or service , from being too popular ; Therfore when forren Ambassadors are employed to Her , they have it among their privat instructions not to magnifie any of her subjects in particular , for She cannot endure to hear of it , though She can be allways very well contented to hear Her self extoll'd , and tickled with complements in the generall . 10. Add herunto , that one of her policies is to exempt her Cittizens from going to the warrs , but She hires others in their places , by whose death she sustaineth the lesse losse , for She hath bin allwayes observ'd to be parsimonious of her own bloud : Moreover , She entertaines som forren Prince for Her Generall , whom , the warrs being ended , and the game played , She presently discards ; by which cours She avoyds not only superfluous expence , but likewise all matters of faction , and apprehensions of danger , which might well happen if She shold employ any of her own peeple in so high an employment , which might elevat his spiritts to too great an altitud . She hath allso another politic law that permitts not the younger sonnes of the Nobility and Gentry to marry , lest the nomber encreasing so exceedingly it should diminish the dignity , and her great Councell shold be too much pester'd , and this may be one reason why she connives at so many Courtisans for the use of the Cadett-gentlemen . 11. Eleventhly , the rare secrecie She injoynes in her chiefest Councells , may be a reason that no forren Prince could come nere her privy parts all this while ; for it is there an irremissible crime , and such a mortall sin that drawes upon it death without mercy , to reveale the privat transactions , and secretts of her Councell of State ; In so much that the designes of this close Mayd may be sayed to be mysteries till they be put in execution . 12. Lastly , the cause of her continuance may be imputed to another reach of policy She hath , not to admitt Churchmen to any of her secular Councells ( nor was She ever subject to the authority of Women ) And the reason why the Clergy is made incapable to sit in the Senat is , because ( as it was touch'd before ) they have relation to another goverment , viz. the Pontificiall . Moreover , She hath had a speciall care of the Pulpit ( and Presse ) that no Churchman from the meanest Priest to the Patriarch dare tamper in their Sermons with temporall and State-affairs , or the transactions and designes os the Senat ; It being too well known that Churchmen are the most perilous and pernicious Instruments in a State , if they misapply their talent , and employ it to poyson the hearts of the peeple , to intoxicat their brains , and suscitat them to sedition , and a mislike of the government ; and now Churchmen have more power to do this in regard they have the sway on the noblest part of the rationall Creature , over the soul and the intellectualls ; Therfore if any intermeddle with matters of State in the Pulpitt , they are punish'd in an extraordinary severe manner . Yet they bear a very high respect unto the Church ( as long as she keeps within her own sphere , and breaks not out into ceccentricall and irregular motions . ) They suffer Her to this day to enjoy above 2. millions of crowns in yeerly revenue , holding it for a maxime , that reverence , riches , decency and splendor are the greatest pillers that support Religion . She hath allso two very eminent men , the one a sound Divine , the other a learned Casuist , that have a pension from the Republic , who are allwayes ready in case She have any contestation with Rome , to defend and vindicat Her by public writing , and to satisfy the world of her proceeding , as Paolo Servita did . Thus have you in part som reasons ( which will be enforced in the following description of her Goverment ) how Venice came to last so many centuries a pure unspotted Virgin , and free not only from all forren ravishments and assaults , but allso from all intestin commotions and tumults . 'T is true that som short combustions have happen'd in Her , but by Her wisedom and providence they prov'd but as fyres of flax or stubble , which no sooner flash'd out but they suddenly extinguish'd of themselfs . And this is the more to be wondred at , because it is observ'd , that as rank excuberant grounds use to be more subject to bear weeds of all sorts , than other soyles , so rich luxurious Citties are more expos'd to corrupt superfluous humors , which use to break out into strange distempers , and high feavers . 'T is well known that Venice hath bin allwayes such a Cittie , yet by Her extraordinary prudence She hath and doth still preserve her self from such distempers , notwithstanding that She swimms in wealth and wantones as well as she doth in the waters , notwithstanding that She melts in softnes and sensualitie as much as any other whatsoever ; for , 't is too well known , ther is no place where ther is lesse Religion from the girdle downward : yet She suffers not those frayl vessels of plesure to mingle with her other Daughters in Church-Communion . But now we will proceed to the Originall of her Republic , and the frame of her Goverment , wherby She hath endur'd so many hundreds of hard winters , and hott sommers . Of the Originall of the Signorie of Venice , and of her Government . ITalie hath bin allwayes accounted the Eye of Europe , the Mirrour of policy , and once , Mistresse of the World ; Although , putting all dimensions together , and taking her length to peece out her latitude , She be scarce as big as England , yet hath She a Kingdom 450. miles long , and 112. in breadth , ( for Naples and Calabria are so ) which containes 2700. Townes , 20. Archbishopricks , sixcore and seven Bishops , 13. Princes , 24. Dukes , 25. Marquises , and 800. Barons : She hath a Popedom which extends its Territories 300. miles long , and is situated 'twixt two Seas , viz. the Adriatic , and Tyrrhene Seas , and so runs through the midst of Her ; which makes the Pope to be more proper ct capable to be an Umpire or Enemy upon any occasion of difference that side the Alps ; For besides his navall strength he can put into the field an Army of 50000. well arm'd men in case of necessity , being a mixt Prince 'twixt spirituall and temporall . She hath allso divers other Principalities ; The Dutchie of Milan is little inferior to the Popedom in point of strength ; The gran Duke of Toscany hath 20000. arm'd men inroll'd , train'd up and in perpetuall pay , with 400. light horse , and 100. gendarmes , all which are quarter'd in so narrow a compasse that he can command them all to his Court at Florence in fower and twenty howers ; The Duke of Savoy , who is accounted allso one of her Princes , is far beyond the Florentine in power ; There be allso in Her the Dukes of Parma , of Urbin and Mantoua , who are Soverain Princes . Besides all these , Italie hath three Republiques , viz. that of Venice , that of Genoa , and that of Luca , which may be sayed to differ one from the other as the three degrees of comparison , wherof Venice is the superlatif ; and indeed she may be term'd so , being compar'd to any Republic on earth , take her power by sea and land together . It is well known that Kingdomes take their denomination diversly ; som take their names from the whole bulk of Earth and Countrey it self which they possesse , as the Kingdom of Spain , the Kingdom of Denmark , &c. Som are denominated ab eminentiori , from the chief Metropolis , as Rome in times pass'd had the glory to denominat the whole Empire , and after her Constantinople , and as now Morocco names that Kingdom , and Naples christneth Hers , though I must confesse the King of Spain now adaies termes not himself King of Naples , but Utriusque Siciliae , of both Siciles , and it may be thought he doth this to displease the Pope the lesse , who still claymes title to it . Thus is it with Kingdoms , but touching Common-wealths , They for the most part take allways their denomination from the principall Cittie , as Athens of old , with divers others , and now Venice , Genoa , &c. But I find that Venice takes the state upon Her to be nam'd still in the plurall nomber Venetiae ; which strain of statelines , doubtles with other things she borrowed from the Greeks , who nam'd sundry of their Citties only in the plurall , as Thebae , Athenae , &c. but more of this hereafter : Now to her government . Of the Government , constitution , and frame of the Signorie of Venice . THere is not any thing that discovers the prudence of a peeple more than the manner and method of their Government ; Government is that great hinge wheron all Kingdoms and Commonwealths do move : But in this Aequorean Republic , for she may not improperly be call'd so , in regard She commands , secures , and scowres all the yeer long above 700. miles of Sea , for that is the extent of the Adriatic Gulph from the Cittie of Venice , to Otranto in Calabria , I say Government in Her may be call'd the r●…dder that steers the great vessell of State ; Her constitutions and lawes are the ligaments and cables ; felicity , wealth and glory are the sayls , and the breath of her Senators the wind that blowes them : The common good is the pole wherat the needle or lillie of the compas allways points ; Religion the main mast which bears the colours of her Saint , though the chief Pilot or Master of this vessell ( the Doge ) be of himself but as a head of wood , a Testa di legno ( set up in the forecastle of the stern ) without the coadvice of som of the Masters mates , wherof there are many , because she wold not be subject to the infirmities and faylings of one , who might haply erre , and be mistaken in the use of the compasse , or transported with irregular passions . Now , there is nothing so uncertain and difficult as the Art of Goverment , Hominem homini imperare difficillimum , and those who from Apprentices have bin bredd up Iourneymen , and Masters in this art , and have spent their youth , manhood , and a long time of old age therein , yet when they left the world they profess'd themselfs still but Novices therin ; And this may be imputed to those various events and contingencies which attend humane negotiations , together with the discrepant fancies of men , specially of the common multitud , who in lightnes match the winds , and outgoe the waves of the Sea in fury oftentimes . Ther is a certain way to break , guide , and keep in aw all other Animalls , though never so savage and strong ; but there is no such certain way to govern a swarm of men , in regard of such frequent turbulencys of spirit , and variety of opinions proceeding from the Rationall faculty , which other cretures , that are contented only with sense are not subject unto : and this may be sayed to be one of the inconveniences that attend Reason . But if ever any hath brought humane government and policy to a science which consists of certitudes , the Venetian Republic is She , who is as dextrous in ruling men as in rowing of a gallie or gondola , otherwise She could never have lasted so long , and kept in such an exact obedience 3. millions of men , for therabouts by frequent censes that have bin made is the nomber of her subjects . We are going now to describe the method this Republic hath allwayes us'd in Her goverment , which is the most materiall thing in point of knowledg : For to stand raking the ashes of times pass'd to find out the pedigree of a Peeple , Countrey or Cittie ; or to know their power and wealth , their exploits and extent of territory , affoords only matter of discours ; but to pry into the policy and soul of a State , wheron her goverment and whole incolumity depends , is a knowledg far more advantagious and usefull , for therin ther may be things for imitation : Therfore in treating of this Republic , I will begin with the most necessary part , viz. the form of her Goverment . THe Venetian Goverment is a compounded thing , for it is a mixture of all kinds of goverments , if the division of the Philosopher into Monarchy , Aristocracy and Democracy be allowed to be perfect : This goverment may be sayed to have a grain of Monarchy , a dose of Democracy , and a dramm if not an ounce of Optimacy . The Duke , Doge or Prince hath something of a Monarch in him , as will further appeer . The Senat which consists of 120. Counsellors , of Decemvirs whose Colledg consists of 17. Senators , and of Sages or Praeconsultors , which make a nomber of 16. choice men . The great Councell which is composd of a generall convention of Cittizens , and this hath much of Democracy in it . Of the Duke or Prince of Venice . ALL things to whom the God of Nature hath given an entity , prop●…nd to unity ; wherin Earth comes to the nearest resemblance with Heaven ; for nothing conduceth more to regularity and order , no strength is so operative as the united : therfore the Venetian peeple having tryed for som hundred yeers the goverment of Consulls , and afterwards of Tribunes , they found it an inconvenience , or deformity rather , to have two heads upon one body , and so thought it at last a better policy to sett upp one head : but the miscarriage and exorbitancies of the Tribunes were the cause that they fell upon this alteration . Whereupon a Generall Assembly being convokd , wherin the Bishop of Grada presided , divers Speeches were made , That ther was no more hope of the Venetian Commonwealth and public liberty , which had bin preservd and purchasd by their noble Progenitors with such heroic resolution , unlesse the tyranny of the Tribunes might be suppressd ; otherwise they might be sayed to have left the firm land , to find out slavery among the waters , &c. Many high acrimoniall Orations were pronouncd at this Convention of that nature ; wherof ther was one more notable than the rest , which is inserted before the legend of Paulutio Anafesto , the first Duke or Prince of Venice , as will appeer herafter in the Historicall part of this Work. Upon the pronouncing of these Speeches , they gave an unanimous shout and suffrage , that a Duke or Prince should be elected , who might represent the whole honor and Majesty of the State , but with such cauteles and reservations that might consist with the public Liberty . And this mutation happend , according to the approvedst Authors , in the yeer after the incarnation 697. This Duke ever since hath had the prime place in the Republic ; He hath a kind of Regall , though dependent , power ; He hath the representation and gravity of a Soverain Governor ; He is allwaies stild , Serenissime Princeps , and reverence is don to him accordingly ; He goes allwayes cladd in silk and purple , somtimes he shewes himself to the public in a robe of cloth of gold , and a white mantle ; He hath his head coverd with a thinn coyf , and on his forhead upward he weares a crimson kind of mitre with a gold border , and behind , it turns up in form of a horn ; On his sholders he carries Ermin skinns to the middle , which is still a badg of the Consulls habit ; On his feet he weares embroderd Sandalls tied with gold buttons , and about his middle a most rich Belt embroderd with costly jewells ; In so much that the habit of the Duke , when at festivalls he shewes himself in the highest state , is valued at above 100000. crownes : He hath a place elevated like a Throne in the Senat. Besides public , he hath peculiar Officers and Ministers of his own , dignified with sundry titles , who have their salary from the Republic : He hath a Chancelor , a Knight Major , who is by particular appellation calld the Dukes Knight ; He hath divers Chaplaines and Churchmen to attend him , commonly calld Donzelli , who wayt on him when he goes abroad ; All Magistrats and Cittizens whatsoever speak to him standing , and bare-headed , but he doth not rise up to any ; All public Letters go forth in his name being seald with lead , a particular priviledg which Pope Alexander the third gave him , for the high favors that Venice did the said Pope when he was forcd to fly thither for Sanctuary against the rage of the Emperour Frederic Barbarossa ; All Decrees , Lawes , and public instruments are promulgd in his name ; All coines , as well gold as sylver , bear his stamp ; All Letters from forren Princes are addressd to him , and answers returnd under his hand , and whether he be present or no yet all Speeches are directed to him , being stild allwayes by Ambassadors and others , Serenissimo Principe , Most gracious Prince , in the concret , and Serenità , in the abstract . The office of the Duke was of larger extent at first , but now the principall duties of it are , That he preside in all Councells , as well the great Councell , as other Colleges of Senators ; That he have care that every Magistrat acquit himself of his duty ; That every Wensday he visit all the Courts , and put every one in remembrance of his office , that privat causes be not neglected , or public delayed : He is not capable of any other inferior office ; if he find that any one neglects his duty , he is to convent him before the whole Colledg , and give him sharp reprehensions , but he never useth to do so in privat , and if the offence require it he transmitts him over to the Judges ; He is often to grace with his presence the Courts of Justice , wher he hath a suffrage ; but He can passe no public Instrument , nor dispatch any busines of himself without the adjunction of other Senators ; nor can he leave the Cittie , or marry any forrener without the knowledg and consent of the Senat ; Insomuch that we read of Duke Falerio that was putt to death for marrying a Stranger without the suffrage of the Senat : In fine , this high politicall Magistrat hath only the presence of a Soverain Prince , but nothing of the power . In the old records of Venice the reasons are yet extant which inducd the Republic to elect this formall Prince for her Head , wherof these are the remarkablest , We have observd that in this vast Universitie of the World bodies according to their severall natures have multiplicity of motions , yet they receave vertu and vigor but from one , which is the Sun ; All causes derive their originalls from one supreme cause ; We see that in one Creture ther are many differing members , and faculties who have various functions , yet they are all guided by one soul , &c. The Duke for his Salary hath 100. Zecchins ( which coin wants above twelvepence of ten shillings English ) brought him every Wensday to his Palace . Among all these restraints which keep him from trenching upon the Common Liberty , and doing injustice , ther is another , and that a shrewd one ; which is that Lex repetundarum may be executed upon his Heir after his death , for there is a Iunta appointed to make a scrutiny of the actions of the deceased Duke , and if any can prove he was wrongd by him , he shall have reparation out of the Heirs estate . Of the Venetian Senat. THe Senat consists of 120. grave men , wherof ther are threescore calld Ordinary Senators , and threescore of the Junta ; they are calld all together the Pregadi , because being taken for wise men they are prayed to be assisting the Commonwealth with their Counsells . The sixty ordinary are created yeerly by the suffrages of the great Councell in the months of August and September , observing this order , that at every meeting six be chosen of the sayed Senators , untill the whole nomber be compleated . The other sixty Senators of the Junta are ascribd unto these other sixty ; but there is one caution observd , that ther may be but two of a kinred chosen among these sixty ; but the other allow three of a kinred . To these 120. Senators are adjoind the Duke and Decemvirs , with other Orders , the 40. Judges of Capitall Causes , the Provosts of Salt and Corn , the Sages of health , the Prefect of the Arsenal , and Proctors of Saint Mark , with other Magistrats ; and these in effect have the management of the whole Republic : They treat of peace and warr , their power extends to lay taxes , to make extraordinary levies and erogations of moneys : They make choice of Ambassadors to be employd to forren Princes ; they have power allso to summon the Sages of Land and Sea , with all the chief Magistrats . Of the Decemvirs and their Colledg . THe Colledg of Decemvirs is composd of 17. Senators , ten of these are chosen by the great Councell , and are in Ordinary , having this priviledg , that he who is in that Magistracy may not procure in two yeers that any mention be made of him in other meetings and conventions . Of these evry month three Senators are chosen to be of the quorum , these are the chief of the Colledg , & are commonly calld Capi di dieci , the Heads of ten , and have power to summon the Decemvirall Colledg , and referr matters unto it ; They have a privat Conclave where they daylie meet , having O●…icers of sundry sorts to attend them . They read the Letters addressd to the Decemvirat Colledg , and make relation unto them of the substance therof , and ther must be two of them which must do it . To these Decemvirs is adjoind the Duke in chief and six Councellors , whose peculiar priviledg is to be chosen out of the six Precincts or Sextaries of the Citty , this order observd , that three be chosen this side of the Rialto , and three on the other ; They are to be assistant to the Duke eight months , with Him they are to take care of all things that concern the Wellfare of the Republic and Citty ; It is sufficient that fower of them subscribe all public Orders . Touching matters of moment they are to make relation to the great Councell . The Prince therfore , with the Decemvirs and six sayed Councellors do constitut the Decemvirat Colledg , which is the supremest authority , and hath a kind of Dictatorian power . They are to take care that no discord or any public quarrells happen which may disturb the peace of the Citty , and draw after them any insurrection . They are to have an eye that no factious or fantastic Cittizen introduce any dangerous innovation . That no counterfeit coyn be stamped or brought in . That Sodomy , and all other flagitious crimes be enquird after , which they have inappealable power to punish . Of the Colledg of Sages or Preconsultors . THis Colledg consists of 16. Senators which are of the chiefest Cittizens , and they are calld Savii , or Sages , because they are presumd to antecell others both in dignity and experience : These use to preconsult of generall matters tending to the administration of the Commonwealth , as allso of peace and warr , with other the most important affairs , and make relation therof to the Senat. This Colledg is divided to three Orders ; the first containes 6. Senators , which are calld Savii grandi , the great Sages , who consult of all things touching the honor of the Republic in generall , specially of Sea matters , and other requisitts reflecting upon peace or warr , and make reports of their Consultations to the Senat. The second Order consists of 5. Cittizens or Gentlemen of Venice , commonly calld Savii de terra firma , the Sages of the Continent , who allthough they have the like authority to make report of matters to the Senat , yet are they much inferior to the former in dignity and trust : Their chiefest duty is to have care of the Militia by Land , and of salaries of such soldiers that are entertaind by the Republic , whether Forreners or Natives . The third degree consists of 5. Cittizens or Gentlemen of Venice , who are commonly young men , & primae l●…nuginis , of the first shaving of the razor as they say , but learned , and well versd in the Sciences , which are inferior to the other two , and make report of all Sea businesses to the Senat ; and these are calld Savii de gli ordini , and they are culld out of the choicest Witts to be made capable for future employments . To this Colledg of Sages or Preconsultors are adjoind the Prince , the six Councellors , the Triumvirs of the forty who preside over Criminall Causes ▪ So that the whole Colledg may be sayed to consist of 26. Senators or Cittizens of the Patrician Order . The maner of the convention of this Colledg is thus , the Prince sitts in the middle mounted upon a high Seat , and about him those Councellors who were chosen out of the six Precincts of the Cittie , three on the right , and three on the left hand , and after that rule the other Preconsultors sit : But the young men of the third degree use to sit lower . Their office is , that evry Sunday and Festivall day they meet in the Ducall Palace to hear privat complaints at such an hower , and to releeve them presently , or else to referr them to Delegats , or make a report to the Senat , according to the merit of the cause . They hear all Letters read by the Secretary of State that were sent to the Senat. They are allso to hear forren Ambassadors and Agents . It is to be observd that these Preconsultors continue in authority but 6. months . Forren Agents affaires , and privat complaints being heard , they retire to another room to consult of public busines , observing this Order : Ther is a President chosen evry week , who proposeth to the rest what is to be agitated , and he asketh their opinion severally : The eldest delivers his opinion , and so evry one according to seniority , but the young are silent unlesse it be about som naval busines ; The last of all having collected the opinion of the rest , delivers his suffrage ; The matter being thus canvasd and discussd pro & con with much deliberation , they make an addresse to the Prince and Councellors , who joyn again in the debate ; That opinion to which the Prince and the Councellors shall adhere unto is couchd in writing ; Then the whole Senat convenes , before whom that which was debated by the Preconsultors is first handled , with their opinions ; and if more then one half of the Senat give their suffrage therunto , passeth for a Decree . Of the public Scribes , and of the great Chancelor . IN evry Colledg of Senators ther be public Scribes which are of the Senats Councell , and are held to be of the best rank of men ▪ and of highest integrity ; they are elected by the public suffrage of the Decemvirs , and sitt allwayes in the Councell , their duty is , To be ever present at the consultations of the Colledg and Senat , in passing all Decrees . The registring of all transactions , and the engrossing of all instruments whether for public or privat respect is committed to their care and trust , to which purpose they have large Salaries allowd them . Some of these are Ministers only to the Decemvirs , to register all their Acts , being privy to all things that are transacted in that Colledg ; in which honor they remain during life . Of these one is chosen by the solemn suffrage of the great Councell , who is chiefest of all , and is calld by the title of il Gran Cancellier , which Officer is held in singular esteem and honor ; He is dignified with the Order of Knighthood ; evry Patrician and Senator gives him the place , except the Proctors of Saint Mark ; no secrecy of State must he conceald from him ; He hath a great revenu out of the public stock ; And at his Exequies ther is allwayes a funerall Oration , which honor is don to no other but to the Prince . Of the Great Councell . THe great Councell consists of an universall meeting of all the Cittizens , and the whole Republic may be sayed to depend upon it ; but it is composd of such Cittizens that are of the Patrician Order only , wherof som being passd twenty yeers of age are admitted to sit in Councell by extraordinary favor , provided that the Advocat Magistrat give testimony that they are descended of a Noble or Patrician familie : , Besides , ther must attestation be made that they are legitimat and no bastards , thre must be proof allso made by oth that they are passd twenty yeers of age , but they are chosen by lotts : and though peradventure fortune favour them not then , yet after they are passd 25. they are capable by birth of this public honor , and to sitt in Councell , with the provisos pointed at before . The office of the Great Councell is to ordain and ratifie all Lawes and Constitutions appertaining to the Republic ; they allso make choice of all Magistrats , as well in Townes as Countreys , and of any other Officer to whom any public trust or civill incumbency is comitted . Of Officers or Magistrats in generall . ALL Magistrats are either Urban or Forren , viz. of Town or Countrey ; to them of the Townes belongs the cognizance of all causes as well criminall as civill ; to them belongs the administration and erogation of all public sommes that arise into the Tresury either out of public tolls and imposts , or other extraordinary taxes and leavies of moneys ; To them it belongs to consult what may be added to the wellfare , honor or bewtie of the Cittie . Forren Magistrats , as they call them , are those that obey and put in execution all the Decrees of the Senat in the Countreys up and down , as allso all comands by Sea in Fleets and Armies : All these Magistrats are but temporary , and have a time limited them ; the Urbane or Citty Magistrats some of them continue in office 6. months , others 8. months , others are annuall ; But the Forren or Countrey Officers are commonly twice so long in an office ; but the Maritime Officers som are bienniall , som trienniall , and som quinquenniall of 5. yeers continuance . Of Iudges . AMong the Urbane or Cittie Magistrats the Judges are rankd , and they have the cognizance of all capitall or civill causes , and they are calld either Iudges of the first Instance , or , Iudges of appeal : The Judges primae instantiae are divided into many Tribunalls . On the first Tribunall sit the Iudices proprietatum , Judges of Proprieties , who determin all sutes touching Lands or Houses within the precincts of the Cittie , to them allso belongs all Widdowes cases . On the second Tribunall sitt the Iudices procuratorum ; These if any controversy arise touching Lands on the Continent , or Minors and Pupills right , have power to determin it . On the third Tribunall sitt the Iudices Mercatorum , the Judges or Consulls of Marchants , who determin all controversies belonging to trafic and marchandizing , who must be formerly well versd in the practicall part and mystery of comerce . On the fourth Tribunall sitt the Iudices Advenarum , the Judges of Strangers , before whom all matters and differences touching forreners are brought and decided . On the fifth Tribunall sitt the Iudices Petitionum , Judges of Petitions , who determin all controversies touching privat bargains , stipulations , and contracts . On the sixth Tribunall sitt Iudices Mobilium , the Judges of Moveables , before whom causes of lesser importance are pleaded . On the seventh Tribunall sitt the Judges whom in the vulgar language they call Cattaveri , which is a much as to say , Inquisition of truth : These if any thing be found hid or lost , and if any controversy arise about it , have power to determin it . On the eighth Tribunall sitt Iudices publici , commonly calld Piovegi , who if any man raise a building that may impede the common passage , or the channells of the Cittie , are to prevent it , and punish the Offendor . On the ninth Tribunall sitt certain Judges calld Sopragastaldi ; These sell the goods of condemnd persons under a Speare , and decide all matters belonging to the Lombards , as pawnings and lendings . On the tenth Tribunall sit Iudices Examinatores , the Judges Examiners , who determin all causes touching depositions and oaths . On the eleventh Tribunall sitt Iudices praefectorum noctis , the Provosts of the night , that heare all brabbles or misdemenures committed in the night , and punish them : To them allso it belongs to adjudg all controversies twixt men and mayd servants , &c. The highest Councell for criminall causes , except the Decemvirat , is a Councell calld the Councell of forty , for so many meet there upon life and death , and they are very choice men . In the Cittie of Venice ther are allso Officers who are Supervisers of all Manufactures , and other things of moment : The first are Signori di panni d'oro , the Superintendents of cloth of gold ; these do warily looke that no fraud be usd in any cloths of tissue , or other cloths of gold , sylver or silk , and severely punish the transgressors herin . Ther are other Officers calld Proveditori della Zeccha , their charge is to look to all sorts of bullions and coines , that they be not embasd and adulterated , and that the par of the Standard be kept even . Ther be other Officers calld Signori alla farina , who are to look to all sorts of grain that they be well conditiond ; they are allso to looke to the corn that is stord up in the public Magazins , that if any grow musty , they are to putt good into the place . Ther be other Officers calld Signori al Sale , and this is a great office , for all the Salt which is brought into the Cittie out of Salt pitts round about is to be brought to them , who store it up in Magazins , and no privat man can sell Salt unlesse he buyes it of these Magistrats , who are strictly accountable to the Senat ; these Salt Officers have power to decide all controversies that may arise touching this commodity . Ther be other Officers calld Signori delle biaui , whose care is that the Cittie be allwayes provided with a sufficient proportion of wheat , and other grain . Ther is no Cittie that is more carefull of her health than Venice , therfore ther be Officers , and they are qualified persons , whose charge is to have a speciall care that the Plague creep not into the Cittie , and if any infection com , they are to suppresse it with their utmost endeavours ; they are to see that the Pesthouse be at least three miles distant from the Cittie ; if any hath conversd with an infected body he must for 40. dayes to the Pesthouse before he can return to his own dwelling . Ther is no Shipp whatsoever that comes thither from another Countrey can have pratique or be permitted to com ashoare and sell his mar , chandise unlesse he produce a Certificat that he comes from a place not infected , otherwise he is to stay aboard 40. dayes . Ther are other Officers calld Proveditori di comun , and they are three ; they supervise the minor fraternities , among others they looke to Printers and Stationers , and sett prizes upon all new Books ; They have the Superintendency of Bridges , Wells , Conduits , Wayes , Cawses and such public things which they must see repaird ; They are allso to see that Shipps be not over laden , and they have power to punish such who transgresse herin . Ther are other Officers calld Proveditori all' Arsenale , Provisors of the Arsenal ; they have care to furnish that huge Magazin of strength ( one of the greatest on Earth , as shall be declard herafter ) with all things that shall be necessary , as Carpenters , Smiths and all other Opificers , but to have speciall care that they be choice able Artists , and of the most ingenuous sort , unto whom they pay their wages evry eighth day . Ther be other Officers of great trust calld Signori all' acque ; these are to have speciall care that no man whatsoever do any thing that may impaire the Banks , Dikes and Stronds about the Cittie , that no Carrion be thrown into the Channells running through the Streets of the Cittie , that no place be choakd up with Sands to stopp Navigation ; These Officers have power to punish severely all such that transgresse in this kind , and they may be sayed to be Conservators of the Walls of the Cittie which are the Waters ; These Officers are allso to appoint the Stations where Shipps shall ride at anchor ; and lastly , that the Channels be clensed once a yeer . Ther are other Officers calld Signori sopra il ben vivere , which are no other than Censors , but because that word is too rigid for such a free Cittie they modifie it by another title : These are to take care that the Lawes and Customes of the Cittie be observd , and if any one offend they have power to punish by pecuniary fines , they take cognisance of the wages of Servants , and punish such that have embezeld any things from their Masters . Ther are other Officers calld Syndicks , who supervise the acts of public Notaries that serve the Cittie and the Magistrats therof , taking care that they exact no unlawfull reward , and they have power so sett rates upon all commodities . Ther be other Officers calld Sopra Consoli ; they take cognisance of Marchants and Creditors affairs , and compose differences between them ; they preserve the Debter from Prison , and allow him two months time to pay his Creditor , and in the interim he hath liberty to go abroad to negotiat and compound with his Creditors ; but if the Creditors be so refractory and perverse that they will not hearken to any composition , they may by authority compell them therunto : These Officers have power to sell the goods of Bankrupts and Fugitives under the Spear , as they call it ; They have power allso to keep moneys depositated . Ther be other Officers calld Signori alla mercantia ; these have power to appoint wages for Mechaniques , and to end all controversies twixt Man and Master ; they supervise the prises of all marchandises , and moderat them ; they take care that no Mechanic use any fraud in his work , and if it be found they punish him severely . Ther are other Officers calld Signori della ▪ grassa ; they supervise all Sellers of Cheese , Butter , Oil , Salt flesh , as Bacon and Lard , and sett moderat prizes upon them , which if not obeyd they have power to punish by pecuniary amercement . Ther be other Officers calld Ragion vecchia ; their charge is to register in Books the expences made upon the coming of any Prince or Ambassador into the Cittie by decree of the Senat , and to take care that while a forren Prince be in the Cittie he be honorably entreated , and not overreachd in the prizes of things . Ther be other Officers calld Giustitia vecchia ; their charge is to supervise all weights and mesures , and that whatsoever is sold or bought be according to the Standard ; they have power to impose rates upon all sorts of fruits and roots , and punish such that obey them not ; they preside allso over Shoppkeepers and Mechaniques , that none take down an old sign and set up a new without their leave : If any hire a Boy or Servant , he must make his addresse to these Officers and acquaint them with the conditions , otherwise ther is no bargain in that kind of any validity , nor is either party bound to stand to it . Ther be other Officers calld Giustitia nuova , these Officers supervise Taverns , & taphouses of all sorts , with all victualing houses and hostries , they overlook that they pay all duties , they take care that no musty or ill conditiond wine be sold , they have power to punish and decide controversies . Ther be other Officers calld Signori sopra le pompe , and they are a triumvirat ; they supervise that no extraordinary exces or luxury be usd in food , in apparrell or housholdstuffe , and in other things which appertain to food and rayment ; they have power to restrain all immoderat expences , lest the wealth of the Cittizens be exhausted by too much profusenes and riot , having authority to punish the Transgressors of their Orders by pecuniary mulcts , and to determin themselfs ▪ all controversies in that kind ; and these Officers are of high respect and authority . Of the Procurators of Saint Mark. THese high Officers , and they are the highest of all next the Prince , enjoy perpetually during life the privileges and dignity of Senators , and have right of suffrage in evry Councel ; Their authority is coetaneous with the Duke himself and expires not till death , the office of the Great Chancelor hath the like prerogative ; And those Cittizens soly are delegated to this Magistracy , who having passd all other offices of honor , are reputed to be men of most eminent and singular probity , and ability , so that they becom the principall pillars of the Republic ever after ; All degrees of peeple do shew them a speciall reverence , and whersoever they chance to com they have priority of place given them ; They have the tutele of Pupills and Orphans when ther is no Gardian nominated in the Will of the Testator ; They are divided into three classes which they term Procuratorias , and in evry one ther are three which preside . The Procurators of the first classis are the chiefest and of most ample authority and trust ; They supervise the Temple of Saint Mark , and together with the Duke they have the goverment therof ; They have the administration of all the revenues that appertain to that Church , which are very great ; and once evry month they assemble , after their solemn devotions , to receave the rents therof , and they are carefull to provide all things that are necessary to continue the splendor of that Sanctuary , and keep it in repaire . The Procurators of the second classis , who obtain their name from the first ( allthough they be not civill incumbents of the Church ) are Administrators of the old procuracie as they call it , and to their charge is committed the care of all the Pupills on this side the Rialto , which is about half the Cittie . The Procurators of the third classis are allso calld by the same title Procurators of Saint Mark , these preside in the new procuracie as they term it , and to their office belongs to have care of all the Pupills the other side of the Rialto : Evry one of these three classes have in his charge to provide for the poor and indigent , and having mighty proportions of money with other wealth comitted unto their trust , they rayse great sommes to that use , as allso for the relief and enlargement of Prisoners , and for the redemption of Captives , wherof ther are multitudes that live in miserable servitud among the Turks . Of Extern Officers and Magistrats which are employd abroad out of the Cittie of Venice . IN the greatest Citties which are under the Dominion of the Republic , ther are commonly sower Magistrats , a Pretor or Podestá , a Prefect , a Questor , and the Governor of the Castle , wherof in som places ther are two or three ; In the lesser Townes ther is commonly but one Magistrat who is the Pretor or Podestá . The Pretor administers the Law to all the Inhabitants of the place wherof he is Magistrat , and determines all sutes , and punisheth Delinquents ; He hath the most knowing Civil Lawyers for his Assessors , provided they be not born in the place but som where els under the Signorie to avoyd partiality towards Kinred . The Prefect or Captain hath the care of the Militia , and governs the Soldiery that are within that Precinct , he decides all sutes between them , and punisheth Offendors ; He hath the care of the Castle or Forts , of the Walls and Ramparts , together with the Gates of the Cittie , and of all the Tributs , Gabells and Demeanes which belong to the Republic both in Town and the circumjacent Countrey : but ther is an appeal permitted from Pretor and Prefect to the Senat in som cases , according to clauses of reservation . The Questor is but one , or two at most ; these have the administration of public receits and erogations of money , who have power to exact it , and employ it , and they keep the Books of public accounts , yet they seldom do any thing without the command of the Prefect , and somtimes without the concurrence and order of Pretor and Prefect they cannot expend any somme ; In the Ilands they have the title of Councellors , and they are assistant to the Prefect in matters of Law , but they have no suffrage at all . The Governors of Castles are somtimes one , somtimes many ; these have the authority over the Soldiers , and care of the Armes and Ammunition , and all things conducing therunto ; yet ther is none chosen to be Governor of any Castle but is subject to the Prefect or Podestá , having no jurisdiction of himself : But in the lesser Towns the Pretor executs the office both of Prefect and Questor , and administers the Law to the Inhabitants ; He chastiseth Offendors , and hath the management of the public receits , but matters are appealable from him to the Senat , and most commonly to the Councell of forty . Of Extern Magistrats in Fleets and Armies . THese Magistrats are of two kinds ; the Generall in warr upon the Continent is commonly som forren Prince ; He is not chosen either of the Senatorian or Patrician order ; he hath an ample Salarie , viz. ten Captaines pay , and 4000. crownes a yeer ; ther goes along with him two Legats or Proveditors , who are Gentlemen of Venice , and of the Senatorian order ; and without the concurrence of their advice he neither acts nor decrees any thing , nor can he attempt any thing himselfe without their intervention : These Proveditors are perpetually Assistants to the Generall , they pay the Soldiers Salaries , and their main care is that nothing be don rashly to the detriment or dishonor of the Republic . In Sea service every Gallie hath a Prefect or Captain who comands both men and Vessell , he may inflict punishments but he hath no power of life and death ; he hath absolut comand ore the Mariners and Rowers , and of all things within the Gallie . Ther are allso Officers calld Presidents of Gallies , and they comand fower or five Gallies . In time of peace ther are commonly fower of them , their charge is that the Sea be kept secure for Marchants and Navigators ; that they suppresse Pyrats , and scowre the Gulph of Corsaries . Ther is another Officer or Admirall calld Classis Legatus , and he hath comand ore the whole Fleet , and over the Prefects or Captains of evry Gallie . Ther is seldom any Generall of a Fleet but in time of warr , and then he hath absolut comand ore the whole Fleet , and a kind of Dictatorian power in all the maritime Provinces , yet hath he no implicit Commission , but before he attempt any thing considerable he must receave directions and commands from the Senat. Of other Extern Magistrats which use to be created upon extraordinary occasions . THese are calld Syndiques , who are created evry five yeers , and use to be employd abroad both in the Continent and maritime Provinces which are subject to the Republic : They take knowledg , and make Scrutinies into the cariage and actions of all Pretors or Podesta's , and other Magistrats who are employed abroad upon the Service of the Signorie ; If they find any to have exceeded their Commissions , and perpetrated any thing against the Lawes , they give information accordingly , which is unquestionable , and taken for certain truth . Ther is an Officer who in time of exigence is appointed Proveditor generall of Candy , and he is chosen by the suffrages of the Senat ; He during the time comands the whole Iland in a supreme way of authority , and hath a kind of Dictatorian power for the time : If he comes to any Town or Castle they presently bring him the Keys ; He administers the Law himself , if he please , and disposeth of all public levies of moneys ; he superintends all kind of Magistrats and Officers both by Land and Sea , and is subject to no controulment but what comes from the Senat. Ther is another great Officer calld Proveditor Generall of the Continent , and he allso useth to be created upon extraordinary ocasions ; He comands all the firm Land in the highest way of authority ; He hath a transcendent power over all Prefects or Captains , and all other Magistrats and Officers that are under the Empire of the Republic , yet ther is nothing of moment can occurr , or be putt in execution , but he must receave directions and comand from the Senat. Ther are other Officers calld the Proconsulls of Syria and Egypt , who are created by the suffrage of the Senat , and they are trienniall Magistrats ; They have their residence either in Aleppo in Syria , or in the Gran Cayro in Egypt , where they live in a decent and splendid equipage ; All differences twixt any Marchants that acknowledg obedience to the Signorie of Venice are brought before them , and they have power to determine the controversie ; These Proconsulls do allso good offices to all other Christians , whether Italians or any other Nation , that resort thither either for curiosity or comerce , and they are respected as if they were in qualitie of Ambassadors , or Soverain Agents . The Republic of Venice employeth divers Ambassadors abroad , and no State more , and they are either Ordinary or Extraordinary ; The Commission of the Ordinary Ambassadors continueth for three yeers ; These are employed to the Pope , the Emperour , the Kings of France , Spain , and England , to the Duke of Savoy , the States of Holland , and they have commonly allwayes one residing in all these Courts in a magnificent maner ; They have allso an Ambassador in Constantinople attending the motions of the great Turk , calld the Bailio , residing there perpetually , and the Republic allowes him a greater Salarie than to any other ; nor indeed hath he any sett Salarie , but whatsoever he spends is allowd him upon his own accounts without examination ; all these are elected by the suffrage of the Senat. The Republic employs allso abroad Ambassadors Extraordinary very often , who have a greater latitud of power , and are soly for matter of State , or som particular negotiation : The ordinary scope of their Legations is either to congratulate or condole with Soverain Princes when occasion is offerd . All these Ambassadors have Secretaries whom the Senat takes notice of , and the Republic allowes them a Salarie , and they are persons of good extraction and breeding ; this is don because they may afterwards be in a capacity , for their knowledg and experience , to be Ministers of State themselfs : But touching Ambassadors Extraordinary ther are never any employd unlesse they have bin Ambassadors formerly . And touching this kind of employment the Republic hath certain degrees , or Scalary ascents and rules of removall , which are never transgressd . These kind of political and public Ministers are strictly examind by a Junta expressly for the same end at their return touching their comportment in the Legation , They are to discover what Presents they receavd from the Prince or State to whom they were sent , and it is of dangerous consequence for them to conceale any thing . These are the Magistrats and Officers wheron the Republic of Venice hath stood firm , as upon so many pillars , so many centuries : Now , ther are few or none who are greater Patriotts than the Venetian Gentlemen , their prime study is the public good and glory of their Countrey , and civil prudence is their principall trade wherunto they arrive in a high mesure ; Yet as it may be easily observd , though these Gentlemen are extraordinary wise when they are conjunct , take them single they are but as other Men. Of the Dominions and Territories that belong to Venice , wherof She hath absolut and Soverain Command . THis Mayden Cittie hath large fardingalls , and long sleeves which reach farr by Land , and they stretch by Sea farther than many Kingdoms : Upon the Continent of Italie She doth Signorize over three entire Provinces ; The Mark of Treviso ( as they calld it , ) Friuli , and Istria ; She hath allso a good part of Lombardie , viz. the Territories of Brescia , of Bergamo , and Verona , then She hath Crema : Eastward She confines partly upon the Arch-Dukes of Austria , partly upon the Adriatic Sea : Northward She confines allso upon the Austrian territories , upon Trent , and Swisserland : Westward She hath the Duchy of Milan for her neighbour ; the same Duchy is her contiguous neighbour Southward allso , together with the Duchy of Mantoua , and the Ecclesiastic Dominions . The Mark of Treviso is a very plentifull and generous Countrey , full of opulent Townes , and splendid Citties ; the Natives are esteemed very dextrous and apt to make Statesmen of , being a peeple much given to contemplation and gaining of knowledg ; they are allso active when necessity requires in the management of armes ; the Country abounds with corn , wine , and all sorts of fruit , and they have many pleasant spacious fields ; ther are hott and wholsom fountaines there , divers sorts of mineralls , many noble rivers and lakes ; the air is temperat , healthy and delightfull ; in fine , She is endowed by benign Nature with so many gifts , that She may well take place among the Noblest Regions of Italie . The Countrey of Friuli ( in old times forum Iulii ) is terminated Eastward by the River Formio , Northward by the Julian Alps , and Westward allso by other parts of the Alps , where the river Liquentia separats her from the Mark of Treviso ; and Southward runns the Adriatic Sea : She is a region that hath plesant fields , well waterd with rivers and fountains , ther are great store of vineyards , woods , mineralls , and quarries of stone : The noble river Hydra runns there , nere which ther is quicksylver diggd up ; the Inhabitants are ingenious enough for all humane Arts , and marchandizing ; Friuli is commonly among the Venetians calld La Patria , whence som inferr that they had their Originall thence . Istria hath for her Bounds Westward the river Timavas ; Northward the Alps , which separat Hungarie and Carniola from Italie ; Eastward She hath the river Arsias , the rest is compassd with the Adriatic Sea ; She is a rough uneven Countrey , yet She may be sayed to swell with hillocks rather than high hills ; but She hath one which surpasseth all the rest calld Montemajor : She hath woods fitt for Shipps and all other uses ; She hath allso good store of stone quarreis , whence ther is much marble diggd out for the service of Venice her Mistresse , and other places of Italie ; The Inhabitants are poorer than in other Countreys , yet they have divers Citties , Townes and Villages . The Countrey of Brescia is of large extent , neer upon one hundred miles , and fifty miles broad ; In this tract of Land there rise up mountaines , hillocks , plaines and valleys inlayed with Townes , Villages , and plesant Houses very thick in most places ; So that ther is little of the earth left idle . In this territorie ther are so many Castles , Townes and Villages , that they can hardly be found thicker any where : The Soyle abounds with wheat , millet and other grains ; ther is plenty of wine and oile , with other fruits ; Moreover , ther is great quantity of iron and copper diggd up and down in the mines , wherof the Inhabitants make very great benefitt . The Countrey of Bergamo is fertile enough except towards the North , where it is mountanous , rough and barren : Yet ther are valleys in great nombers , wherof som produce wine and oile very plesant , but som of them are steril and good for nothing , only som iron mines are found here and there ; In Bergamo is spoken one of the coorsest dialects of all the Italian toung . Verona and her Territories are next ; She is seated on a very plesant and comodious river the Athesis ; She is cape Cittie of the second rank through all Italie ; Som hold her name to be originally Brenona of Brennus the Britain , who was General of an Army of Gaules for his extraordinary valour ; In this name of Verona is comprehended the three most renowned Citties of Italie , viz. Ve-Venice , Ro-Rome , and Na-Naples ; her territories are 65. miles in length , and 40. in bredth : This Cittie hath yet the ruines of one of the fairest Amphitheaters that ever was , and Catullus the Poet makes her somwhat more famous because he was born in her : The Countrey circumjacent abounds with wheat , wine , oiles , sheep , and very good fleeces , with abundance of the choicest and most delicat fruits ; it hath excellent quarreis of stone , with rivers , lakes and pools , and rare fountains & sources of fresh waters , with most choice medicinal Simples upon the mountain Baldus where all Physicians resort . Crema bordering upon Milan with her territory hath an excellent soyl , fruitfull and well cultivated , and extraordinarily well wooded ; She hath very generous wines , and exquisit sorts of fruit ; many brooks of cleer water which are well stord with fish , and abundance of Lampreys ; They have one kind of fish whom the Inhabitants call Marsoni , whose head is neer twice as bigg as the body , but of a most savoury tast . Crema was a long time under the Vicountship of Milan untill the yeer 1405. at which time , together with Brixia , it came under the Dominion of the Signorie by conditions of peace twixt Francis Sforza & them , since when She is mightily improvd in wealth and civilitie ; Iohannes Cremensis was a Natif of this , he was employd Anno 1125. by Pope Honorius the second in quality of Legat to England to disswade the Clergie from mariage , wherupon a Convocation was calld , wherin the Legat made a very eloquent Speech in comendation of Celibat , and how advantagious it was for Churchmen to live single and sequestred from the cares of the world , and encombrances of humane affaires . Padua , a most reverend learned old Citie in Latin calld Patavium ; Antenor the Trojan is recorded to be her Founder , whose Tomb is there still extant ; She was erected an Academy Anno 1222. Her fame spreads all the earth over for a Seminary of the best Physicians , having a Garden of Simples accordingly ; She is famous for the birth of Livie the great Roman Annalist ( whose picture is to be seen fresh to this day ) and of late yeers for Zabarell and Maginus ; In former times She was much cryed up for the mansuetude of the men , and the pudicity of her women ; so that the Patavian chastity grew to be a proverb , wherunto alludes the Roman Epigrammatist speaking of her in his wanton Poems , Tu quoque nequitias nostri lusúsque libelli Uda puella leges sis Patavina licet . Pad●…a was in times passd girt about with a treble wall , but a double contents her now , which hath very deep Ditches round about , for the River Brent with infinit expence and labour was brought to this Cittie , which hath much advantaged her both for strength and navigation : She is situated in a most delightfull and uberous plain , enjoying a sweet temperat clime , with a singular good soyle by reason of the neighbourhood of the Euganean mountains which are Westward of Her ; The Inhabitants have high witts , and apt for pike or pen ; The circumference of the Cittie is twofold , inward and outward , the first hath but three miles compas , the second neer upon seven miles ; about the Cittie the walks may be calld a perpetuall kind of gallerie ; Her Temples and dwelling Houses both public and privat are more magnificent than elswhere ; She hath six stately Gates , five large Markett places ; She hath within the Walls 22. great Churches , 23. Monasteries , and 29. Religious Houses for Nunnes ; She hath the most renowned Hall for public Justice of any Town in Italie , coverd all with lead , and yet propd upon no pillars ; the Councell Court hath Gates and Columns of Marble ; She hath 28. Bridges archd over the Brent which runns through her ; She hath very spacious Piazzas ; She hath 6. Hospitalls , three for the poor , and three for Pilgrims ; She hath a place calld the Monte de pietá , which was set up of purpose to root out the lucre and exorbitant feneration of the Jewes , who were usd to demand twenty in the hundred for brocage ; She hath two Hospitalls besides for Orphans , and other poor Children : Ther are 38000. Crownes depositated in the hands of severall persons of quality , where the poorer sort may make their addresse with their pawns , and if it be under thirty shillings they pay no use for the money , if it be above they pay five in the hundred for maintaining certain Officers , and releeving of the poor ; The Bishoprick of Padua is rankd among the best of Italie ; The Cittizens are great Artists now as in former times , and make much marchandize of Wool : But to give a short description of Padua and her territories , this of Leander is the best ; Southward of her runns the river Athesis ; Northward the Peuso , a little river ; Eastward the Venetian lakes , and Westward the Enganean hills , and the Countrey of Vicenza , all this circuit about 180. miles , wherin ther are in nomber 647. Villages and Hamletts , with a world of Countrey Houses whither the Italian Gentlemen and Cittizens use to retire with their families in the Sommer time . The Cittie of Padua remaind under the Roman Empire untill She was taken and burnt by Attila ; then was She repaird by Narsetes , and afterwards She was burnt by the Longobards , but under Charles the Great and other Kings of Italie She did not only revive , but florish again ; Under Otho , as the rest of the Citties of Italie , She began to govern by her own Lawes , and She remaind in form of a Republic till Frederic the second , then by the perswasion of Actiolinus She yeelded her self again to the protection of the Empire , and receavd a German garrison with Actiolinus yoak , Anno 1237. He presently turnd lawfull power into tyranny , therfore they shook him of : A little after Marsilius Carrariensis under the name of Governor drew the Town unto him , but the Scaligers thrust him out , who ruld there som Successions , yet afterward Marsilius re-enjoyed it and left Ubertinus heir , who was thrust out by Mactinus Scaliger , but was restord again ; Then Marsilius the second succeeded , who was slain fower dayes after by Iacobinus his Oncle , and that Iacobinus was slain afterwards of Gulielmus the Bastard the fourth yeer of his Principality ; Him succeeded Franciscus , who very fortunately governd , but attempting to free Vicount Barnabas his Son in law he allso was cast into Prison by Iohannes Galeacius , but a little after Franciscus secundus receavd the comand of the Cittie from Galeacius , and livd in the principality 15. yeers , but with continuall apprehensions of fear till the death of Galeacius , at which time the Scaligers being nefariously assassinated , he came to be Master allso of Verona , and lost it a little after with his life ; His Sonnes Ubertinus and Marsilius went into the fields of Florence where they made a Head , and there the noble familie of the Carrarienses utterly expird ; then the Cittie remaind under the Venetians Dominion a few yeers when Maximilian the Emperour gott it , but the Republic recoverd it Anno 1409. which they have fortified to good purpose , that being since often assalted and beseigd by the Confederat Princes in that mighty League of Cambray , She was able to resist them all . Vicenza is a Cittie excellently built and beutified with faire Structures , among which the Praetorium is most magnificent ; She is situated at the foot of a Hill , and divided by two navigable rivers Bacchillione and Rerone , which tumbling down from the neighbouring Mountains meets with Bacchillione in the very Cittie , which Aelianus reports to have the best Yeeles of all Italie : This Cittie abounds with all things conducing to necessity or plesure , in regard of the unusuall fertility of the circumjacent soyl , which affoords plenty of grain , wine , and oil , with all maner of fruit ; Ther is such a nomber of Mulberry trees both in Town and Countrey up and down wheron Silkwormes do feed that it is admirable , but they bear white fruit , therfore the silk is not so well conditiond as is woven by those wormes that feed upon black Mulberry trees , yet the Inhabitants make mighty benefitt herby : The Vicentins are a spiritfull peeple , much given to Letters , as allso Armes and Marchandizing , and they are of extraordinary trust ; She hath an Episcopall See annexed to Her , as her neighbour Verona ; She continued under the Dominion of Rome untill Attila's incursions , and being destroyd by him She came afterwards under the yoke of the Goths , then of the Longobards , and afterwards under the Kings of Italie ; upon their banishment She enjoyd her Liberty under the Empire till Frederic the second , by whom She was ravagd and burnt ; In this vicissitude of things She had divers Masters , the Carrarienses , the Patavins , the Scaligers of Verona , the Galeacii of Milan , and the Venetian ; Then being infested by the armes of Maximilian the first , and reducd to his obedience , She yeelded her self at last to the Republic of Venice , under whom She hath livd in prosperity and security ever since : Not farr from the Cittie ther are two noble Stone-quarreis in the Mountain Cornolius , vulgarly calld Covelo . Brixia is a Cittie seated at the foot of a Hill among the Cenomans , and was in times passd the head of that peeple . She hath rich Peasans up and downe , and more gentile than ordinary ; She was under the Roman Emperours as long as the Majesty of them continued , which declining , and the Goths comitting such devastations in Italie , She came under Radagaso , who as he made his way to Rome did spoyl and burn her 412. She was afterwards re-edified by Martianus , then came She under the dition of Alboinus King of the Longobards , and She remaind under their yoke till Desiderius was taken Prisoner by Charlemain ; The Kingdom of the Longobards expiring , She came under the Dominion of the French , who had then the Empire , wherfore ther are som fields about her to this day calld Francia corta : Under Charlemain Nacmon Duke of Bavaria governd her , by whom She receavd much instauration and benefitt ; After Charlemains death She had divers Masters ; at last under Oth●… She petitiond to govern her self , promising to be feudetarie and faithfull to the Empire , which granted her ; Afterwards She livd free as sundry other Towns in Italie ▪ but She was dismantled & deprivd of many immunities by the Emperour Henry the fourth , but recovering her self a little after She gave ocasion to Mactinus Scaliger to invade her in that most pernicious fewd twixt the Gibelins and Guelphins , under whom She passd ▪ all kinds of calamities ; Scaliger being at last thrust out , Azo Vicount of Milan occupied her ; This Azo had Luchinus for his Successor , and he had Iohn Archbishop of Milan , whom Barnabas and Galeacius succeeded , who were afterwards thrown into Prison by Galeacius , who assumd to himself the whole Government , and was created Duke of Milan 1402. who left for his Successor Iohn Maria : Afterwards Pandulphus Malatesta gott to himself the dominion of the Town , but he quickly made a cession of her to Philip Maria Duke of Milan ; five yeers after when Iohn Maria had kept the Brixians under a hard servitud , nor could not by any petition make him slacken the reins of his rigid goverment , the Cittie being heated with indignation by the persuasions of som Guelphian Agents , She had recours to Venice , who shelterd her , freed her from that tyranny , and afterwards She florishd a good while under the Dominion of the Republic , till the yeer 1509. at which time She made a dedition of her self to Lewis the 12. of France , who passd her over to the Emperour Maximilian , and he to Charles his Nephew King of Spain ; Then She was tumbled to Francis the first King of France , till at last She returnd under the Venetian 1517. Ther is a gentle river runns through the Cittie ; She hath many Townes and Villages wherof She is Mistresse , but the worst is that the Mountaines are too neer them , which causeth that they cannot be so fruitfull . Besides these places upon the Continent of Italie , the Republic hath Dominions over all the maritim Coasts of Dalmatia , and the Ilands therunto belonging : Among others ther be two celebrous Citties , Zara and Cathara ; Zara is a place wonderfully well fortified , and hath a very convenient Port , but Cathara lieth in the bosom of a nook of the Adriatic Sea towards the East ; All the Countrey swells up and down with delightfull hills and hillocks which are all manurable , but in regard of the circumambient Mountaines is so oreshadowed that they have not that proportion of light which their Neighbours have . Of the Ilands which the Republic of Venice comands in the Ionian Sea. THe first is Corcyra , now calld Corfú , scarce a mile distant from Albania's Continent ; She is threescore miles long , 24. in breadth , and in compasse 120. She hath the shape of a Bow bent towards the East ; She is mountanous towards the South , and flat towards the North ; Her soyl is craggy and destitut of water , so that a South wind oftentimes spoyles their Harvest , therfore do they employ the Earth in planting Vineyards and Olives , with other fruit trees , and what they produce is extraordinarily good in evry kind ; In so much that She abounds with Wine , Wax , Honey , Oile , Pomcitrons and divers other fruits ; On the North side ther is the Castle of Saint Angelo which is notably fortified , so that it hath frustrated the hopes of the Turk in sundry expeditions ; Towards the East ther are divers Creeks and Ports with two Peninsulas , where upon one of them stands Pagiopolis , the other by a little streight is cutt off from the Great Iland : Opposit to these stands Corfú at the foot of a hill , with two Castles strongly built by rules of Enginry which in a manner hang over her ; wherunto ther is another lately built of very great consequence : Upon the right side of the Cittie ther lieth a Promontorie where the famous Fountain Card●…cchio is ; The Port of this Town is a very safe Harbor , and hath shelter sufficient against the fury of any tempest , lett the wind blow which way it will. The Captains of these Castles upon pain of death without mercy , are neither to meet or converse one with another , or send any Letters , Tickets or any Messages , but the Governor of the Town must be present ; and these cautions are usd because those Castles being as it were the Keyes of Venice and the Gulph , and consequently of infinit consequence and trust , the Senat wold prevent all ocasions that may be imagind to betray them : In this Iland of old the Poets do sing that King Alcinous raignd , whose plentifull Orchards were so memorizd by them , insomuch that ever since they are grown to be a proverb for their fertilitie ; this Alcinous preservd Ulysses from Shipwrack , so that the Poets make often mention of him , one instance shall be , Quid bifera Alcinoi referam Pomaria ? Vósque Qui nunquàm vacui prodistis in aethera rami ? Of Cephalonia . CEphalonia is of a triangular form , and hath in circumference 160. miles ; She hath many Stations for Shipps , among whom Argostolica is the chiefest , and capable to hold any Fleet within her Bosom : Ther is another that lieth behind a Promontory calld Guiscardo , wher ther yet remain many ruines of Castles , Palaces and other Edifices ; and ther are daylie diggd out of the Earth many old Coines , with other Monuments of Antiquity . This Iland produceth a good proportion of Wheat and Oil , and She is well stord with Sheep ; She hath allso plenty of Hony , of Manna and Raysins of the Sun , but She wants a sufficient competency of Water ; Ther is a white Muscadel Grape that growes which perfumes the breath after it is eaten , and that Wine which is made therof is accounted the delicatst sort of Greek Wines , though it make the brain clowdy if one drinks above two cupps ; but by reason of the over delicatnes therof it cannot brook the Sea any long time , but it will prick , and lose both tast and colour . This Iland may have about 20000. Soules men and women in her ; This Iland is computed to have 200. Townes of all sorts , besides those two before mentiond , Nollo is the chiefest . She was first calld Melena , then Telebous , whose King Prerelaus was killd in battail by Amphytrion a Theban Captain , wherby the Ile came to be subject to Thebes : During the stay of Amphytrion two accidents happend in Greece , the first was , that Iupiter gott his Wife Alcmena with child of Hercules ; the second was , that Cephalonia a Nobleman of Athens being a hunting killd his Wife Procris with an Arrow insteed of his prey , wherupon he fledd to Amphytrion , who was newly victorious ore the Teleboans , who resenting his case made him Governor of this Iland , calld ever since Cephalonia after his name . Of Zucinthus or the I le of Zant. ZAnt comes next to be surveyd , which hath about 60. miles in circumgyration ; towards the East She is mountanous and rough , but smooth and even towards the North ; She is more subject to Earthquakes than other places ; Her wealth consists in Oil , Wine and Raysins , wherby the Inhabitants subsist ; but She wants Corn because all the Earth is turnd to Vineyards ; She hath a Town which beares the same name with the Iland , with a strong Castle , and about 47. Villages . The English Nation hath much improvd the wealth of this Iland since they traded for Currans thither , wherof the English spend more than all other peeple ; At first the peeple of the I le seeing the English buy so much Currans , askd them Whether they usd to dye Clothes , or fatten Hoggs with them , for those two uses they only make there of them . Of Crete or Candie . CRete , now calld Candie , is one of the most noble Ilands of the Mediterranean Sea ; She hath 270. in length , and 50. in latitud ; Her situation is so oportune , that Aristotle affirmed She was so situated that Natur her self intended her to be Mistresse of the Sea ; She is but a few dayes sayl , not 100. distant both from Syria and Egypt , being equally remote from both ; from Caramania , Cyprus and Albania She is 300. miles distant ; Her Coasts are fretted out into divers Creeks and Promontories , the principall wherof are Capo Spada , and Capo Salmone , wherof the one looks Westward , the other Eastward , but in the midst betwixt both Drepano rayseth up himself which is now calld Capo Melecca , and the Promontory Zephyrium which is now calld Alcelico ; That part of the Ile which beholds the Sun rising lyeth high and is not so fruitfull . Among the rest of the Hills wherwith this gentle Iland swells up and down , Mount Ida stands . This Iland was calld in old time Hecatompolis or Cent oppidum , having 100. Citties in her , but now She hath not three of any moment , and they are towards the North. The chiefest is Candia ( formerly calld Candida or Candace ) which hath about 100000. Souls ; Canea is the second ( formerly calld Cydona or Gnasos ) which hath 7000. Soules in her , and Rhetino which hath so many more ; Besides these ther is another calld Scythia , a Town of 600. fyres ; the rest are Villages and Dorps to the nomber of 90. wherin by the last cense that was made ther are 200000. Souls or therabouts ; But up and down evry where ther are Ruines Marks and Monuments of Antiquity , and of other old Townes ; That part which looks towards the South is infested ever and anon with Northern blasts . The secundity of the Iland consists in pasturage , and Valleys wherin ther are great nombers of Cattle feeding , and on her Plaines ther is good store of Corn growes , but not a competent quantity for the whole Iland ; She abounds with rare Wines famous all the Earth over ; Ther is great store of Hony had there , which is carried most comonly to Alexandria ; Ther is no place in the World wher ther be such high and goodly Cypresses ; She hath but small Rivers ; This Iland sympathiseth in one qualitie with Ireland , for She produceth no venemous Beast ; She abounds with a luscious Wine calld Muskadell , wherof the English Marchants have brought som yeers into England above 12000. Butts , together with Sugar-Candie , Gumms , Hony , Sugar , Olives , Dates , Apples , Oranges , Lemmons , Cittrons , Pomgranatts . It is a little wanton luxurious Iland , which it seemes hath corrupted the nature of the Inhabitants , insomuch that the old Poet Epimenides , whose Verse is cited by Saint Paul , gives this ill-favourd Character of them , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which comes very happilie into Latin verbatim , Cres semper mendax , mala bestia , venter obesus . The Candiotts are allways lyers , ill beasts and slow bellies . By reason of the situation of the Iland , being seated in the midst of the Mediterranean Sea , the Inhabitants came to be excellent Seamen , so that it grew to be a proverb , when one wold thwart an improbable thing , he would say you will make me beleeve as soon that Cretensis nescit pelagus , the Candiot is no Seaman . Though ther be no venemous Cretures in this Iland , yet they say Womens teeth are more poysonous there than elswhere , for if a woman bite a man any thing deep he will never recover : Besides they write that in this I le an herb grows calld Allimos , which if one chaw in his mouth , he shall feel no hunger ; The Republic came to this Iland by her money , for She bought her of the Prince of Monferrat Anno 1194. But of late yeers , though the Spaniard offerd as much for the Haven of Sada it self as She payed at first for the whole Iland , the Republic would not listen unto the motion . Of the Cittie of Venice Her-self . WE are com now to the Mayden Cittie her-self , to that Miracle of Nature , to Neptune's Minion , to that Impossibile nel impossibile , for it was the Character which that famous Mariano Sozzino gave of Her , when at his return from Venice to Rome he gave an account of his Embassie to the Pope , when he went back dalle scale del Senato , alla sede Apostolica , from the Scales of Venice to the Seat of Rome , for those are the stiles of distinction betwixt both the Courts ; as Constantinople is calld the Port , the King of Spains Court the Palace , the Emperours la Corte the Court simply and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or per Eminentiam . This Wonder of Citties is seated in the bosom or betwixt the armes and aestuaries of the Adriatic Sea , who spreading himself gently along towards the Continent of Italie , leaves som green tuffs or tombs of Earth uncoverd , upon which the Cittie is built , and as it were chaind together by I know not how many hundred Bridges ; Insomuch that Venice is no other than a Convention of little Ilands peeping up above the Waters , which may be an excuse for her salacity , having such a salt tayle steepd and brind perpetually in the Sea : In so much that it may be well thought that the Goddesse Venus and the Cittie of Venice had one kind of procreation being both engendred of the Sea ; It is allso very likely Aphrodite that wanton Lady had her Original out of that white Spume which Neptune casts upon those little gentle Ilands wheron Venice makes her bed . The ocasion that made these watry Iles a mansion for men , was , when that Northern deluge of Goths , Vandalls , Hunns and Longobards did overflow all Italie , which made peeple of all sorts fly to these Lakes to avoyd the Land torrent that was like to swallow them up ; and finding the air to be gentle and fitt for habitation and propagation , and the clime more temperat than in other places , though sited under the same latitud , by reason of the fresh breezes and eventilations of the circumjacent Sea , which makes it lyeope to all winds , and evry point of the Compas ; They pitchd their Tents upon these Iles , and associated them by conjoyning Bridges ; Inviting all peeple to com and cohabitt with them , In so much that som derive the name of Venetiae from the word Venite , Venite , ( or Veni etiam , com again ) by which they invited them of the Continent to dwell with them , and fix their Commoration there . They are therfore much deceavd who think that the Gentry of Venice are of a baser allay than others , taking them to be no other than Fishermen at first ; No , they were of the best rank of peeple , that to avoyd the inundation of those barbarous peeple fledd thither from Rome , Aquileia , Padua , Heraclea and all other places for a secure rendevous , being frindly invited therunto , which makes the Cittie of Venice to be the most hospitable place upon Earth to this day for all Commers . Now , the first Venetians had not their beginning from Italie , but were issued of an ancient race of peeple in Asia calld the Hevetians of Paphlagonia , who after the destruction of Troy came under the conduct of Antenor to Italie , whose Tomb is to be seen standing in Padua to this day . Now the Original of the Cittie of Venice , according to the opinion of the most judicious Historians , hapned in this manner . As the fear of the Hunnes had possessd most of the Inhabitants of Italie , and that the Venetians as formost in the danger were more apprehensive therof than any other , therfore for their owne incolumity and freedom , and being neerest than any other , they retird from about those plesant places which borderd upon the Adriatic Sea into these small Iles or Lakes whither the Enemy could not pursue them ; And those who were the first Leaders were rich and honorable Persons , full of Piety and Religion , specially those of Aquileia , Padua , and Heraclea , who with their substance and families came first to Grada , and thence to the Rialto ; Those places wheron at this day the Cittie of Venice is seated being then but bare Iles and Mansions for Fish , as many parts of Holland was : Now , those of Padua were they that began to build at the Rialto where the first foundation was layed , and is now as it were the Center of the Cittie ; How religiously the same was don may be conjecturd , because by how much the more one did affect Christianity , so much more he shunnd the conversation of the barbarous peeple . The Temple of God was the first House that was in intention , though not in execution , because it was a work of time , wherof the first Stone was layed in Saint Marks Place the 25. of March , about the Vernall Equinoctiall in the beginning of the Spring , which may be sayed to be a good cause why the Cittie florishd so wonderfully ever sinee , for about the same time the first Man receavd his Creation , and the Redeemer of Mankind his Conception . Now allbeit for populating this new Cittie all the most experienced Mariners were calld from all parts , with promise of reward to such as could build Shipps , yet as the old Records have it , they were carefull not to admitt any man of a servile condition , or any Murtherer or Fugitifs for offences ; with such sorts of men we find that Rome was first populated . The new Cittie did daylie encrease in Inhabitants and building , when a fyre kindled upon a sudden and burnt 24. Houses ; and because the matter which fedd the fyre was scatterd here and there , and so could not be quenchd by humane strength , all the peeple betook themselfs to their prayers , and , as the Record hath it , so soon as they had made a vow to erect a Church to the honor of God , calld Saint Iames Church , the fury of the fyre ceased ; This Church is to be seen standing to this day in good repair in the midst of the Rialto , and this was about the yeer 400. At first they were governd by Consulls , then came they under a Tribunary power , then under a Prince or Duke because ther is a greater energie of love and power in unity ; yet this Duke is but a kind of Collegue with som others of the Senators , and differs only from them in the rising corner of his Capp ; When he goes abroad in State the Sword is carried behind him , but before the Senat who com after him , and he is so restraind that 't is impossible for him to be a Tyrant . Ther have bin since the beginning of this Principality neer upon 100. Dukes , wherof 12. have bin either slain or sentencd ; Ther is choice and chance that concurr in his creation ; Now as Senatus ex Populo , so Princeps è Senatu oritur , and commonly one of the Procurators of Saint Mark is chosen ; As the Popes , so the Princes of Venice are made of ancient men , who have passd through divers Offices , and so have bin long bredd up in the School of Experience , which is that great Looking-glasse of Wisedom ; Persons that have their humors daunted , and their passions mortified in them . Contarenus describes the election of the Duke in this maner ; Presently upon the vacancy , all the Gentry above 30. do assemble . So many as meet cast their names into a Pott , and in another are just so many Balls , wherof 30. only are gilt , then a Child draweth for each , till the 30. gilt ones be drawn , for which 30. the Child draweth again a second time out of another Pott that hath only 9. gilt Balls ; The 9. so drawn nominat 40. out of which 40 , 12. are again selected by the same kind of lott ; These 12. nominat 25. out of whom 9. are by lott sett again apart ; These 9. nominat 45. who are by lott reducd again to 11. These 11. choose 41. of the Senat of the best and principall rank ; These 41. after evry one hath tied himself by solemn Oath to choose whom they shall think most worthy , write in Scrolls whom they think most worthy ; the Scrolls are mingled together and then drawn , the fittnes of the Persons thus drawn is discussd , and he who hath most voices above 25. is the Man whom they pronounce to be elected , and adjudg him to be created Duke with all Solemnities ; by lott allso they choose Gentlemen to sitt in the Senat , and creat public Officers , so that this Republic hath much of the modell of Platoes platform . Som derive the Etimologie of this rare Cittie from Venetia , which in old Latin signifieth the frothing or seething of the Sea , for as Varro hath it , Venetia est maris exaestuatio quae ad littus pellitur : Ther are 72. Iles that support Venice , and the nearest part of the Continent is 5. miles distant ; Ther be Banks and Dikes cast up to preserve her from the impetuousnes of the waves extending in length above 6. miles , through which ther are 7. places broken out for passages of Boats , but no way for Vessells of bigger burden saving at Malamocca , which is 3. miles distant from the main Cittie , and at the Castles of Lio , which are fortified according to the utmost art of Enginry ; So that t is impossible to surprize Venice , or to take Her , unlesse it be by an Army of 150. miles compasse ; She is above 8. miles in circuit , and hath of all sorts neer upon 1000. Bridges ; Besides , ther be above 20000. Gondolaes which ply up and down perpetually , som wherof have two rowers , som more ; so that in case of necessity the Cittie could make an Army of above 50000. Gondoliers . Her Fabriques public and privat are extraordinary specious and sumptuous , and Her Streets so neat and eevenly pavd , that in the dead of Winter one may walk up and down in a pair of Sattin Pantables and Crimson Silk Stockins and not be dirtied : Ther are above 200. Palaces fitt to receave any Prince with his ordinary retinue ; In fine , Her situation is so rare , evry street allmost having an arm of the Sea running through it , and Her Structures so magnificent and neat , that this Virgin Cittie useth to ravish at first sight all Strangers that come to visit Her , specially if they com from Sea , and not passd through others of the dainty Townes of Italie . Venice besides Her 150 Churches and Monasteries , hath three things worthy of sight , viz. Saint Marks Church and Steeple , the Tresury , and the Arsenal . The Church is built throughout with rare Mosaique work , and the furniture of the Church surpasseth the Fabrique in richnes ; Her Walls are inlayed in many places with precious Stones of divers colours , and in such a maner that they seem to be the work of Nature rather than of Art ; but the full description of this Temple shall be reservd for another place , viz. for that time that Saint Marks body was first transported from Alexandria to Venice , which will appeer in the Historicall part as I shall run over the Life 's of the Dukes . The Arsenal of Venice is one of the greatest Magazins of armes in all the World ; It is 3. miles in compas , of which circuit the Turks Seraglio is thought to be ; ther are above 300. Artificers perpetually at work , who make or repair all things belonging therunto ; when these grow impotent through age , yet have they a Salary from Saint Mark as long as they live . This Arsenal hath armes to furnish 200000. men and upwards , and hath constantly belonging to it 200. Gallies in dock or abroad in course , besides Her Galeasses and Galeons , with all provisions necessary for them : When Henry the third passd from Poland to France by Venice , he went to see this Arsenal , and in lesse than two howers ther was a new Gallie made in his presence , and launchd ; He so admired the place , that he sayed he wold be willing to exchange three of his best Townes in France , except Paris , for the Arsenal of Venice ; Here is commonly kept that ancient and admired Vessell calld the Bucentoro , built above 500. yeers since , yet is she fresh and bewtifull ; in this the Prince is rowed evry Ascension-day in wonderfull great State to the Sea , being accompanied by the Senat and Ambassadors , and throwing a gold Ring into the water he espouseth the Sea to the Cittie once evry yeer : which rare priviledg Pope Alexander endowed the Cittie withall , as an argument of his gratitud to Her for preserving him from the fury of the Emperour Frederic Barbarossa , for taking Otho his Son Prisoner in his quarrell , and for restoring him to Saint Peters Chaire again when he was fledd from Rome to Venice for shelter ; He allso gave the Republic a priviledg to seal with lead the same time , and made Her Lady of all the Adriatic Gulph which extends above 700. miles . This Bucentoro is the self-same Vessell wherin Pope Alexander performd this Ceremony of marrying Venice to the Sea many hundred yeers agoe , and She is still usd to fetch in Ambassadors and Forren Princes when they come to visitt the Cittie ; but though She be still taken for the same Shipp , yet I beleeve ther is little of the first Materialls remaining in Her , She hath bin so often trimmd , putt upon the Carine , and metamorphosd . The sight of this Shipp when I was there , made me think on Theseus famous Shipp ( as I have it elswhere ) Nay , it made me fall upon an abstracted notion of Philosophy , and a speculation touching the body of man , which being in a continuall flux , and succession of decay , and consequently requiring ever and anon a restauration of what it loseth of the vertu of the former nutriment , and of what was digested after the third concoction into bloud and fleshy substance , which , as in all other sublunary bodies that have internall principles of heat in them , useth to transpire , breath out and wast away through invisible pores by exercise , motion and sleep , to make room still for a supply of new nouriture ; I fell , I say , to consider whether our bodies may be sayed to be of the like condition with this Bucentoro , which though it be still reputed the same Vessell , yet I beleeve ther 's very little of the first Timber remaining in Her which She had in Her first dock , having bin , as they told me , so often plankd , and ribd , caukd , peecd and gilt : In like maner I considerd our bodies may be sayed to be daylie repaird by fresh sustenance which begetts new bloud , and consequently new spiritts , new humors , and I may well say new flesh , the old by continuall deperdition and insensible transpirations evaporating still out of us , and giving way to fresh ; so that I made a question whether by reason of these perpetuall reparations and accretions the body of man may be sayed to be the same numericall body in his old age that he had in his manhood , or the same in his manhood that he had in his youth , the same in his youth that he carried about him in his childhood , or the same in his childhood which he woare in his mothers womb ; this was the theory which the sight of that amphibious old yet fresh Venetian peece of wood infusd into me at that time . This rare Vessell is calld Bucentoro as som think of his centum , because She holds 200. persons in Her besides the Rowers , who are more ▪ She is richly gilt over from Stemm to Stern having but one room in all , which is archwise ; The Arches on both sides are supported with golden Pillers , except where the Duke sitts at the upper end , and hard by Him lies Venice Her-self mounted upon a winged Lion , rowed by 21. Oares on both sides , and 5. men to evry Oar. Besides the Church and Steeple of Saint Mark ther is the Piazza of Saint Mark , which is the fairest , and the most spacious Markett place of all the Townes of Italie , and beares the form of a Greek Γ. Here one shall see daylie walking and negotiating all sorts of Nations , not only Europaeans , but Arabians , Moores , Turks , Egyptians , Indians , Tabrobanes , Tartars , Americans , Asians , Brasilians , &c. of which place these ingenious Verses were composd by one who was astonishd with the bewtie of it : Si placeat varios hominum cognoscere vultus , Area longa patet Sancto contermi●…a Marco , Celsus ubi Adriacas Venetus Leo despicit undas , Hic circum Gentes cunctis è partibus Orbis , Aethiopes , Turcos , Slavos , Arabésque , Syrósque , Inveniésque Cypri , Cretae , Macedúmque Colonos , Innumerósque alios varia Regione profectos ; Saepe etiam nec visa prius , nec cognita cerne●… , Quae si cuncta velim tenui describere versu , Heic omnes citiùs nautas , celerésque phaselos , Et simul Adriaci pisces numerabo profundi . Now , we will enter into the Tresury of Saint Mark , which is so much cryed up throughout the world , that it is com to be a proverb when one wold make a comparison of riches : In this Tresury they say ther is enough to pay 6. Kings ransoms , ther are Jewells of all sorts of incredible greatnes and value , Diamonds , Rubies , Saphyres , Emerauds , Cupps of Agat of a huge bignes , the great Diamond which Henry the third gave the Republic when he was made Gentleman of Venice ; Ther you may see an Armour all of massie Gold , and besett all over with large pearl , Turkies , Rubies , and all maner of precious Stones in such a quantity and bignes as they alone wold be enough to make a Tresure ; Ther are allso 12. Corsletts of Gold besett with precious Stones ; Ther is a huge Gold Chain that reacheth from piller to piller ; divers Chests of Gold , among others ther is one great Iron Chest with this Motto engraven upon it , Quando questo scrinio s'aprirá , tutto'l mundo tremera , When this Chest shall open , the whole Earth shall tremble : Ther are allso there to be seen two large Hornes which are Unicorns ; a great Bottle made of a Chalcedonian Stone transparent and cleer , and so bigg that it will hold above a quart ; Ther is allso a Garnett of a vast greatnes , formd into the shape of a Kettle that will hold neer upon a Gallon ; Ther are divers Crosses and Crucifixes of pure massie Gold , besett with Jewells of all sorts ; Ther are allso to be seen there the Crowns of Cyprus and Candie , as allso that of the Dukes of Venice , all inlayed with such choice rich Diamonds , great Rubies , Emerauds , Saphyres and other Stones that wold begett an astonishment in the Beholders eye ; In that of the Dukes ther is one great Ruby that beares 100000. Crownes value ; Ther are Cupps of sundry formes cutt out of rich Stones , with Dishes of sundry kinds ▪ Ther are allso to be seen there divers Presses of Plate , huge and massie , with Statues of Sylver , and large Chalices of Gold , with variety of other rich objects that no eye is capable to judg therof ; Ther are allso 12. Crownes more of massie Gold which were taken at the sacking of Constantinople when the French and the Venetian divided the spoyles . Ther was a bold and cuning Candiot attempted the robbing of this Tresury , And — quid non mortalia pectora cogit Auri sacra fames ? This Candiot lay skulking in Saint Marks Church divers nights , untill he had wrought a mine under the wall behind an Altar , and so gott in to the Tresury , whence he had embezeld divers rich Jewells to the value of about 200000. Crownes , but he was detected , and hangd twixt the two Columnes ; This Tresury may be calld the great Arterie of the Republic ; The Chests have bin often exhausted , and supplied again ; In the Warrs with Lewis the twelfth of France ther were 5. millions spent in a short time ; In tugging with Genoa , who was then a large potent Republic , She spent from time to time above 100. millions , and against the great Turk incredible sommes ; The Duke of Ossuna when he was Viceroy of Naples , pickd a quarrell of purpose with Her to make Her spend Her self ; He causd a Book to be publishd in disparagement of this Tresury , calling it , Tesoro de duendes , the Tresury of Fayries or Hobgoblins ; And evry one knowes the tale of Pacheco the Spanish Ambassador , who coming out of curiosity to see this Tresury , fell a groping whether it had any bottom , and being askd why ? he answerd , In this among other things my great Masters Tresures differs from yours , that his hath no bottom as yours I find hath , alluding therby to the Mines of Mexico and Potosi . Among other little gentile Ilands which attend the Cittie of Venice , ther is one calld Murano , about the distance of a little mile , where Crystall Glasses are made ; and t is a rare sight to see a whole Street where on the one side ther are above twenty Furnaces at work perpetually both day and night ; It hath bin observd and tryed , that if one shold remove a Furnace from Murano to Venice Her self , nay to the other side of the Street , and use the same men , materialls and fuell , and the same kind of Furnace evry way , yet one cannot be able to make Cristall Glasse in the same perfection for bewty and lustre as they do at Murano ; And the cause they alledg is the qualitie and cleernes of the circumambient air which hangs ore the place , and favoureth the manufacture , which air is purified and attenuated by the concurrent heats of so many furnaces together which never extinguish , but are like the Vestall fyres that allwayes burn ; Now it is well known in other places , what qualifying and extraordinary impressions the air useth to make , as particularly t is observd in the Air of Egypt where they use to have so many common Furnaces to hatch Eggs in Camells dung , if , during the time of hatching the air happen to be orecast and obnubilated , not one Egg in twenty will take ; but if the Skie continue still serene and cleer , not one in a hundred will miscarry . The art of Glassmaking is very highly valued in Venice , for whosoever comes to be a Master of that profession is reputed a Gentleman ipsa arte , for the art sake ; and it is not without reason , it being a rare kind of knowledg and Chymistry to transmute the dull bodies of dust and sand , for they are the only main ingredients , to such a diaphanous pellucid dainty body , as we see Cristall Glasse is , which hath this property above Gold and Silver , or any other Mineral , to endure no poyson ; Glasse allso hath this rare qualitie , that it never loseth any thing of its first substance and weight , though usd never so frequently , and so long : It is wonderfull to see what diversitie of shapes and strange formes those curious Artists will make in Glasse , as I saw a complete Gallie , with all her Masts , Sayles , Cables , Tackling , Prore , Poope , Forecastle , Anchors , with her long Boat , all made out in Cristall Glasse , as allso a Man compleat in armor . When I saw so many sorts of curious Glasses blown at Murano , I thought upon the complement which a Gentleman put upon a Lady , who having five or six comly Daughters , sayed by way of complacency , that he never saw such a dainty Cupboard of Cristall Glasses in all his life . As I stood prying into the materialls , and observ'd the frame of their Furnaces , the transubstantiations , the calcinings and liquefactions that are incident to this fyerie art , my thoughts were raysed up to a higher speculation , viz. That if such a small Furnace fyre had vertu to convert lumps of dust and sand crumbled together into such a transparent body as Cristall , surely that great Universall Fyrewhich shall happen at the Day of Judgment , may by its fervor and violent ardor vi●…rifie and turn to one masse of Cristall the whole body of the Earth . They have a saying there , that the first hansom Woman was made of Venice Glasse , which implies beuty , but brittlenes withall , and Venice is not unfurnishd with Cretures of that mould ; Her Courtisans love variety , and this makes them so fond of Strangers ; They go allwayes vayld in black , wheras Wifes and Women of honor go in colours and unvayld ; They are low and of small statures for the most part , which makes them to rayse their bodies upon high shooes calld Chapins , which gave one occasion to say that the Venetian Ladies were made of three things , one part of them was Wood , meaning their Chapins , another part was their Apparrell , and the third part was a Woman ; The Senat hath often endeavourd to take away the wearing of those high Shooes , but all women are so passionately delighted with this kind of state that no Law can weane them from it : A Story runns of a strange Gentleman , who being extremely enamord with one of them bargaind for a nights lodging for so many Crownes , but in the morning finding her so low and little from what she had appeerd the day before he wold pay her but the one half of what he had contracted , in regard she was but half the Woman that had bargaind with him formerly . Among other peculiar Lawes in Venice ther is one that limitts the Dowries of Women , for lest the Patricians or Gentlemen shold exhaust their estate , and not be able to live like themselfs , they restrain the Dowry to 16000. Crownes , so that no Senator or Nobleman may give more with his Daughter ; but a Plebean marrying his Daughter to a Gentleman may give 20000. Crownes . The Trade of the Cittie of Venice hath bin somwhat declining since the Portuguais found out the carreer to the East Indies by the Cape of Good Hope , for this Cittie was usd to fetch all those Spices , and other Indian Commodities from the Gran Cayro in Egypt , whither they usd to be carried upon Camells backs , and convoyes of Dromedaries threescore dayes journey ; And so Venice usd to dispence all kind of Indian Marchandises through the Countreys of Christendom , which not only the Portuguais , but the English and Hollander use now to transport , and may be sayd to be the chief Masters of the trade , yet ther is no outward appearance of poverty , or any kind of decay in this soft effeminat City , but she is still fresh and florishing , abounding with all kind of comerce , and flowing with all bravery and delight , all which may be had at cheap rates ; which made those that could not tell how to use the plesures of Venice aright , to give out this saying of Her Venetia , Venetia chi non te vede non Te pregia , Mà , chi ' t' ha troppo veduto te despregia , In English thus rendred : Venice , Venice , none Thee unseen can prize , Who hath seen thee too much , will Thee despise . They speak of an old prophecie , That Venice shall continue a Virgin untill her Husband forsakes her , meaning the Sea , to whom Pope Alexander married her long since , and the Nuptialls are confirmd and solemnly revivd evry yeer ; Now som observe that the Sea in som places doth not love her so deeply as he did , for he beginns to shrink and grow shallower in som places about her , nor are her tides so high ; Nor doth the Pope who was the Father that gave her to the Sea affect her as much as formerly he did , specially since the expulsion of the Jesuitts , and that She fell a clipping the Temporall possessions of the Clergie , as shall be shown , which make som of her Emulators bode her downfall , since that Father and Husband begin to abandon Her. In that notable League of Cambray Pope Iulius incited all Christendom against her , so that her Maydenhead was never more likely to be taken than at that time , but by her extraordinary submission She charmd the Pope by her 6. Senators whom She sent disguisd to Rome , and allso by that humble Embassie She sent to Maximilian the Emperour by Antonio Iustiniano , whose notable Oration was this that followeth , though it be not to be found among her Records . VEteres Philosophos , atque summos illis temporibus Viros , Invictissime Caesar , ●…um eam gloriam quae ex sui ipsius victoria comparatur , veram , firmam , aeternam , immortalémque esse affirmârunt ▪ eámque supra omnia regna , trophaea atque triumphos extulerunt minimè errasse manifestum , certúmque est ; Haec Scipioni Majori tot victoriis claro majorem splendorem quàm Africa devicta , & Carthago domita dedit : Nonne haec eadem res magnum illum Macedonem immortalitate donavit ? cum Darius maximo praelio ab eo victus Deos immortales ut regnum suum stabilirem precatus est , quod si secus statuissent se non alium Successorem quàm tam benignum hostem , tam mansuetum ab illis petere : Caesar ille Dictator à quo Caesaris cognomentum habes , & ejus fortunam , libertatem , magnificentiam aliásque virtutes obtines , nonne concedendo , remittendo , condonando qui in Deorum numerum referretur dignus est judicatus ? Denique Senatus populusque Romanus ille mundi domitor cujus imperium in Te solo est , cujusque amplitudo & Majestas in Te conspicitur , nonne plures populos ac provincias clementia , aequitate & mansuetudine quàm bello armisque imperio suo subjecit ? Quae cum ita sint minimè inter postremas laudes id tibi ascribetur , Caesar , si cùm victoriam adversus Venetos in potestate tua habeas , quàm humanae res Caducae sint memor , ea moderatè uti noveris , magis ad pacis studia , quàm incertos belli eventus propensus ; Quanta enim rerum humanarum inconstantia sit , quàm incerti casus , quàm dubius , fallax , varius periculisque obnoxius sit mortalium status externus , priscisque exemplis ostendere non est opus , satis supérque Respublica Veneta docet , quae paulò ante florens , splendens , clara , atque ita potens erat , ut ejus nomen & fama , non Europae finibus terminaretur , sed egregia pompa Africam , Asiámque percurreret , atque in extremis Orbis terrarum finibus magno cum plausu resonaret ; Haec eadem nunc unico eoque levi adverso praelio rerum gestarum gloria orbata , opibus spoliata , lacerata , conculcata atque eversa , omnium rerum ac praesertim Consilii egens ita corruit ut omnis pristinae virtutis imago consenuerit , omnisque armorum ardor defferbuerit ; Sed falluntur , falluntur proculdubio Galli si haec propriae virtuti tribuunt ; Antehac enim Veneti gravioribus incommodis agitati , maximis detrimentis cladibúsque perculsi atque attriti , nunquam animum abjecerunt , ne tum quidem cum ingenti periculo cum saevissimo Turcarum Tyranno multos annos bella gesserunt , imo semper ex victis Victores facti sunt ; Idem & nunc sperassent nisi Majestatis tuae tremendo nomine , copiarúmque tuarum vivida invictáque virtute audita , ita omnium animi concidissent , ut nulla non modò vincendi , sed ne obsistendi quidem spes relicta sit ; Quocirca armis abjectis in Majestatis tuae incredibili clementia , vel potiùs divina pietate spem omnem locavimus , quam nos nostris rebus perditis inventuros minimè diffidimus : Itaque Principis , Senatus , Populusque Veneti nomine humili devotione supplices oramus , obtestamur , atque obsecramus , ut clementiae tuae oculis res nostras afflictas aspicere digneris , iisque salutarem medicinam afferre , omnes pacis leges , quas tu nobis imposueris amplectemur , omnes , justas , honestas & ab aequitate rationeque minimè alienas ducemus ; Sed forsan qui nobis ipsis mulctam imponamus , digni sumus : Ad te verum & legitimum Principem omnia quaecunque Majores nostri Sacro Imperio & Austriae Ducatui ademerunt , rede●…nt , quibus ut decentiùs veniant omnia quaecunque in Continente possidemus adjungimus quarum rerum juribus quocunque modo partis cedimus ; Praeterea , quotannis tuae Majestati & legitimis Imperii Sucessoribus in perpetuum quingenta auri pondo tributi nomine pendemus , imperiis , decretis , legibus , praeceptisque tuis libenter obtemperabimus . Defende nos quaeso ab illorum cum quibus paulo ante arma nostra conjunximus insolentia , quos nunc saevissimos hostes experimur , qui nihil aliud expetunt quàm Veneti nominis interitum ; Tua ista clementia conservata Te Urbis nostrae Parentem , Genitorem , Conditoremque appellabimus ▪ Ingentia tua beneficia in Annales referemus , liberis nostris perpetuò memorabimus ; Nec verò parva haec erit ad laudes tuas accessio Te primum esse ad cujus pedes Veneta Respublica supplex se humi prosternat , cui cervices supponat , quem velut Deum coelo delapsum colat , revereatur , observet : Si Deus optimus maximus eam mentem Majoribus nostris dedisset , ut Res aliorum non attingere non studuissent , jam nostra Respublica gloriae plena reliquas Europae civitates longè superarat , quae nunc in squalore , sordibus & foetore languescens , ignominia , probroque deformis ludibrio atque contumelia referta unico momento omnium victoriarum laudem amisit ; Sed ut unde incepit eò mea revertatur Oratio , in tua potestate est , Caesar , Venetis tuis ignoscendo & condonando nomen laudemque comparare qua nemo unquam Vincendo majorem splendidiorémque adeptus est ; Hoc monumentum nulla vetustas , nulla antiquitas , nullus temporis cursus è memoria hominum delebit , sed omnia saecula Te pium , clementem , omnium principum gloriosissimum praedicabunt , confitebuntur : Nos tui Veniti quod vivimus , quod auras coelestes carpimus , quod hominum comercio fruimur id omne tuae virtuti , faelicitati , clementiaeque tribuimus . Though this pittifull Speech be not to be found among the Records of this Republic , yet it is kept to this day in the Archives of the Empire , and because it is so remarkable a one we hold it not amisse to render it in English. MOst invincible Emperour , the ancient Philosophers , and the great Men of their times did not err in their opinions when they esteemd that glorie which one gaines by a Conquest over himself to be the truest , the most firm , and best of victories , and to exceed all other acquests , achievements , trophyes and triumphs ; This pourchasd Scipio Major more honor , and made him more illustrious than by debelling of Afric , and daunting the proud Cittie of Carthage : Did not the same kind of victorie make that great Macedonian immortall , when King Darius being discomfited by him prayed the Immortall Gods that they wold establish his Kingdom , which if they pleasd to ordain otherwise he desird no better Successor than so mild an Enemy , and gentle a Conqueror . That Caesar the Dictator , from whom you have your sirname , and whose fortune , liberality , magnificence and other high virtues you inherit , was not he judgd worthy to be placd among the Gods for his clemency , concessions , gentlenes and mercy ? Lastly , the Senat and peeple of Rome who were the tamers of the World , whose Empire is now soly in you , and whose amplitude and Majesty doth so shine in you , did not they reduce more Nations to their obedience by their justice , equity and mansuetude than by warr and arms ? Since this is a know truth , O Caesar , it will not be the least of your glories , since that you have the victorie ore the Venetians now in your hands and power , to call to mind how frayl all humane things are , and consequently to use your victory with moderation , and to incline more to the study of peace , than the doubtfull events of warr ; for how inconstant all mundane affaires are , how casual , various , false and flattering , how obnoxious the state of Mortalls is to hazard and danger , I shall not need to illustrat either by new or old examples ; The Venetian Commonwealth shewes it sufficiently , which being a little while agoe florishing and splendid , illustrious and renowned , and so powerfull that her name and renown was not contented to be bounded within the precincts of Europe only , but it passd over to Afric and Asia , and rebounded with no ordinary applause in the extremest parts of the World : This , this Republic is now by one and that but a slight battail deprivd of the glory of all her Tropheys , She is bereft of her wealth , torn as it were in peeces and trampled upon , daunted and overcom , being destitut of all things specially of Councel , so that the image of her former virtues are faded and allmost utterly defacd , and her wonted heat in arms quite allayed . For in former times the Venetians being oppressed with greater calamities , and harassd with worse miseries , ill successes and misfortunes , yet they never lost their spirits , no not then when with infinite losses , dangers and hazards they bore up for many yeers against that most cruell tyrant the Turk ; nay from being overcom they became conquerors afterwards , They might hope the like now , but the redouted name of your Majesty , and the invincible vertu of your military forces being understood , their hearts are so dejected , that ther is little left us to resist , much lesse to overcom ; But they are deceav'd , yea mightily deceav'd if the French attribute any thing of this to their valour . Therefore all Armes being cast away we place all our hopes in the rare clemency , or rather the Divine piety of your imperiall Majesty : And in the name of the Prince , the Senat and peeple of Venice , with humble devotion and in most supplicant maner we pray , beseech and implore that you wold vouch safe to behold with the countenance of compassion our most afflicted condition , and to apply som comfortable remedy unto them : All the Laws of peace that you shall impose upon us , we will embrace , we shall obey all just , honest and equitable comands not swarving from reason ; But haply we deserve that we lay a necessity upon our self , that all things may return to you as tru and lawfull Prince that which our progenitors took from this sacred Empire , and the Dukedom of Austria , which that it may be don more handsomly , we add whatsoever we possesse in the continent , we yeeld , notwithstanding any rites we can clayme unto them . Moreover we are willing to pray every yeer to your Majesty , and the lawfull successors of the Empire 500 weight of Gold in lieu of tribut , and we are ready to obey all Decrees , Manats , Precepts or Lawes , that come from your Majesty . Defend us therefore from those , we beseech you , with whom we lately joyned our armes , who we find now to be most cruell enemies , which study nothing more then the utter ruin of the Venetian name ; Being preserved by this : our clemency we shall call you our farther , and parent , our protector and founder , and we shall digest these your mighty benefits into our annalls , and our late Nephews , shall be ever mindfull of them : And truly this will be no small accession of glory to you , that you were the first before whom the Republic of Venice did present her self , to whom she layed down her neck , whom she adores , and reverenceth as som God decended from Heaven . If Almighty God had given our Ancestros that mind that they had not middled so much with other mens things , our republic had surpass'd by this time all the Citties of Europe , whereas she is now forlorn and squalid , coverd over with ashes , ignominy and shame , having in a moment as it were had her beauty blasted , and becom a derision to all Nations , and lost the glory of all her former victories ; But that my speech may return where it began , it lieth in your power O Caesar , that pardoning and absolving your Venetians you pourchase now to your self a name and glory then which never any got a greater by conquest or victory . This Monument no age , no time , no antiquity or cours of mortall things shall ever deface out of our memories , but all Ages shall confesse , declare , and proclaime you to be the most pious , and most glorious of all Princes , We your Venetians shall ascribe it to your goodnesse , that we live and breath the celestiall air , that we have the conversation of men , we impute it all to your vertu , felicity , and clemency . This was the lamentable speech , that the mayden Republic breath'd out before the Emperour Maximilian , by the mouth of her Ambassador Antonio Iustiniano ; but 't is known that Mayds have teares at will , therefore most men thought these words were not cordiall but meer complements , and to temporize , yet they produced a peace , and 't is a cheap peace that is got by a complement ; but this submission the Republic made was partly recompencd , by a generous and pious act she did in refusing the help , and Auxiliaries which the Turk offered her so earnestly in those her extremities . About Addua she receavd the mortall'st blow that ever she had , and it was like to have bin as fatall to her as Canna to the Romans , or Pavia to the French King ; The Genoways also brought her once to a low ebb , so that she sent very low proposalls to him , which he refusing , she made vertu of necessity , and reinforcing her self soundly bangd him . Before I part with this Mayden City , I will make a parallel betwixt her and old Rome , for of all the Cities of Italy ther 's none resemble her more in her constitutions and policy , nay she is more like old Rome then Rome her self as now she is , as if the soul of old Rome by a Pythagorean kind of meterapluchosis , were transmigrated into her , she is obdurated with the same kind of vigor and vertu as old Rome ; but it seemes that she is of a far stonger constitution , and more constant in her way of policy ; som do brand the one to be a Shepheards Town at first , and Venice a Fisher Town ; 'T is tru that Rome is fabled to be so , so that it might be said , that when the Pope came to be her head she was reduced to her first principles , for as a Shepheard was the founder , so a Shepheard ( spirituall ) is still her preserver from utter ruin , otherwise she had bin long since turn'd into a heap of rubbish which had becom her Tomb ; So that Providence seems to have a care of her still , though present Rome may be sayed to be but the monument of her self compard to times passd when she was in that florish wherin Saint Augustin did wish to see her ; She was then of 50. miles circumference as Vopiscus witnesseth , and she had 500000. free Cittizens in a famous cense that was made in Claudius his time , which allowing but six to evry family in Women , Children and Servants , came to 3. millions of Soules , but She may be sayed to be now but a Wildernes in comparison of that nomber , yet She is esteemd to have yet bout 14. miles incircuit ; Moreover She is much humbled since the Church came to be her Head , for wheras She was before elevated upon seven Hills , She now spreads her-self upon a flatt , having descended to the Plaines of Campus Martius : So She who tamd the World seemd to tame her-self at last , and falling under her own weight grew to be a prey to Time , who with his iron teeth consumes all bodies at last , making all things both animat and inanimat which have their being under that changeling the Moon to be subject unto corruption and dissolution . A Parallel twixt the Government of old Rome and Venice . THe greatest thing wherin old Rome differs from Venice , is , that after Kings or Souverain Princes Rome was governd by Consulls , but here clean contrary , after Consulls a Doge or Princely Head came to govern , yet doth he carry still the badg of a Consull in the vest upon his back . Among the Romans Tribunus Celerum he who had the comand of the Cavalrie had the chiefest charge , just so , the Venetians use to create a Captain General of the Armies in the Continent ; and as he at Rome defended the King , and Cittie , and was the first that assalted the Enemy , and the last that left the field , so doth the Venetian General , therfore he hath the next place to the Prince himself . Moreover , a good while passd when the Consulls could not levy the cense which evry one according to his substance was bound to pay in regard of other more important affaires wherin they were involvd , therfore the Censors were chosen , so calld because their first office was to gather the cense , which was to know the nomber of Cittizens , and putt an estimat upon their states , and so a tax ; afterwards this Magistrat did grow to that esteem and use , that he came to have authority allso over the maners and customes of the Romanes , and to have Superintendency both of the Senat , the Cavalry and Gards . In conformity to this office ther are ten Censors in Venice which are calld vulgarly Gli dieci Savii , the ten Sages , who supervise not only the cense but the Customes allso of the Cittie ; But the Cittie encreasing , and peeple multiplying daylie with busines , Venice did choose other Censors giving them authority over the pomp , the food and rayment of the Cittizens ; which Magistrats are calld la Giustitia nuova , instituted in the time of Renier Zeno , who have authority over all Inns , Hostries , and Lodgers of Strangers . The Romans , peeple still encreasing , and having Warrs in divers places , created in tract of time a new Officer of greater authority whom they calld Dictator ; from him ther was no appeale to be made , and he had in the highest way of authority power over the life 's of men : The General of the Sea among the Venetians hath som resemblance with this Officer , only with this difference , that he is chosen upon extraordinary ocasions , but as long as he is abroad he hath a Dictatorian power , for to what maritim place soever he arrives he hath the Keys of the Town brought him , with those of any Castle or Fortresse . But here it is to be observd , that this Officer cannot enter Venice with any armed Gallie , but as soon as he comes to Istria , which is distant 100. miles from Venice , he payes the Mariners and all other Officers their Salaries , and so disbands them , and returns to Venice with a very few of his retinue : This corresponds with the custom of the Romanes , who usd to restrain their Generall to passe over the river Rubicon by this peremptory comand , Imperator , sive Miles , sive Tyrannus armatus quisquis , sistito , vexillum armáque deponito nec citra hunc amnem Rubiconem trajicito : Emperour , or Soldier , or Tyrant , whosoever thou art , putt off thy armor , else crosse not this River . This was the reason that Iulius Caesar was declard Enemy to Rome because he had passd that River . Afterwards in Rome they added to the Dictator Officers calld Magistri Equitum , who shold be present at all Councells ; and in case the Dictator shold be sick They were to execut his office , as being as it were his Compagnous , and Witnesses of his virtues : Just so , the Venetians use to choose two Proveditori in evry Army who have the next place to the Generall , and must be present at all Councells , and have a concurrence of their opinions before any enterprize . Besides these the Venetians make choice of three of the Patrician Order , whom they stile Auvogadori de Communi , who resemble Tribunos plebis in Rome ; these three are rather Sollicitors then Judges for the peeple , they are their Intercessors upon all ocasions . Add herunto that the Romanes thought it fitting to choose Officers that should have care of the profitt , the ornament and provision of the Cittie , therfore did they constitut divers persons of probitie , and known integrity , and they went all under the name of Aediles ; The first two they did choose , were to have speciall care of the Temples and Fanes , as as allso of other Fabriques and Ornaments of the Cittie , which Officers were stiled Aediles ●…dium : Ther were others calld Aediles Curules , whose charge it was to supervise all Weights and Mesures : Ther were others calld Aediles Cercales , who supervisd all sorts of Grain , of Oile and such provision : In Venice ther are sundry Officers that may be compard to these Aediles . First , the Procurators of Saint Mark , who have the Superintendence of the Church , and the Tresury therof : Then com the Proveditori alla Sanitá , which have it in charge to see that no noisom and unwholsom things be brought into the Cittie , the generall health and incolumity wherof they are to study : Next them are the Proveditori all ▪ Acque , who supervise the Waters , Lakes and Channells within and without the Cittie , which they are to see scowrd and cleansd : Then follow Signori alla Giustitia Vecchia , the Lords of the old Justice , who severely punish those that are discoverd to have false Weights , and they sett reasonable prizes upon fruits and other things : Then is ther another sort of Aediles calld Proveditori alla farina , that supervise the mesure and the wholsomnes of all kind of Graines , and that they be well conditiond : Then is ther another sort of Edills calld Proveditori all sale , who rent all the Salt pitts , provided that the Cittie be servd at reasonable rates : Then are ther other sorts of Aediles calld Gli Signori alla Ternaria Vecchia , who were instituted in the time of Giovanni Dandalo , who supervise the Oil ; Then Gli Signori alla grassa , who supervise Cheese , Bacon , and all salt things : Then Signori del vino , who look to the condition and rates of all kinds of Wines ; Then gli Signori di panni d'oro , who take a speciall care that no fraud be us'd in the making and vending of any Gold , Silver , Tissue , or Silk stuffs ; Then you have the Signori della Dogana di mare , which were instituted in the government of Tomaso Mocenigo , whose charge is to look to the freight of all sorts of Ships and Gallies , if they go laden with any Marchandize , and overlook that the Republick be not cosned in her imposts ; Lastly , ther be a sort of Ediles calld delle Ragion vecchie , who have it comitted to their charge that in case any Ambassador com , or any forren Prince into the City , they are to see that he be entertaind , and defrayd by the publick expence of S. Marke . The Romanes had also Officers calld Quaestores , who receav'd and distributed the public treasure , and they were calld so ab inquirenda pecunia , from making search after moneys ; so in Venice ther are such Officers calld Camerlinghi , who have the very same charge . And as the Questors in Rome were to accompanie the Emperour or Generall , to keep account of the publick Salaries , and Treasures ; so the Venetians when War happens use to send their Camerlinghi to the Army , who are always present with the Generall , and do not only administer the public stock , but supervise all preyes and booties taken from the enemy . In Rome ther were Questors allso in times of peace ; so likewise in all the Cities belonging to the Republick , ther are such Questors who have power to recover , spend and pay the Public deniers , whereof they use to send a particular account to the Senat with the Treasure that remaines unspent ; In resemblance to these Roman Questors , ther are divers other Officers in the Republic of Venice , as gli Governatori dell ' entrate they who receave the public Revenues of the Signorie , with all sorts of Gabells and Impositions . Ther are also I Signori sopra I conti , who are as it were the Auditors Generall , and look to all public accounts that belong to the Republic . Ther is La Dogana da terra , and L'Vsata , whereof the one lookes to all commodities imported , the other to all exported . Ther is an Office also calld the Messetaria , who takes up two in the hundred in sale of all stable goods , as well within as without the City . But those Questors which are Paymasters , are only the three Chambers the tr●… camere de monti , the old , the new , and the subsidiary Mount , who daily disburse and pay moneys . Besides these ther were among the Romans , other Questors calld Quaestores Candidati , so called because they went clad in white , whose Office was to read in the Senat all kind of Letters that were of any moment . The Chancellor of Venice resembleth this Questor , who is of the rank of Citizens , and of mighty repute among all men ; because he only while he lives , can see , know and understand all things that is agitated in the Senat , although the most secret transactions ; He goes in a Senatorian habit , and is held a most honorable person , although he be not of the Patrician and noble Order . It is time now to speak of the Decemvirs , who , all other Magistrates being casheerd in the City of Rome , were created to have the sole and superintendent power of all things ; every one of these was used to sit upon the Tribunall ten dayes , and determine all matters , and they were used to succeed one another ; In imitation hereof the Venetians have the same Magistrates who jump with those of Rome both in nomber and authority , which is vulgarly calld il Consiglio di Dieci , the Councell of ten ; That in Rome dur'd for a yeer , and so doth this , both of them were without appeal unlesse it be in Venice to the Colledg , and then a busines is sayd to go à l'altra mano . In this Rome and Venice differ , that this kind of Magistrate in the one was of short continuance , and quickly perished , but this in Venice hath for many hundr'd yeers continued to the great wellfare and safety of the City ; when the Decemviri in Rome were created all other Officers ceasd , it is otherwise here ; those governd only for ten days , and of these three are chosen every moneth , which are calld glitre Capi ; one of them alone hath no power to judge or refer , but he must have another to joyn with him , but in both Citties they were advancd to the Decemvirat who precelld others in experience and age , in probity and known sufficiency . There were allso a long time after the foundation of Rome Officers elected called Praetors , for the story relates the Citty stood 390 yeers before any was created ; The Wars were the cause of the election of this Magistrate , because in the confusion of Armes the Consulls could not tend all businesses , therefore ther were other Judges created calld Praetors ; Of these Praetors ther were among the Ancients three sorts , Urbani , Forenses , or Provinciales , The first determind controversies betwixt Cittizens and Tounsmen ; The second sort decided Cases twixt Cittizens and Countreymen , and the third went to the Government of Provinces ; so likewise in the Republic of Venice such Praetors are created , and in the same degree of Order ; The Praetores Vrbani are represented by those that are of the Corti de petitione , and other Offices , which determine all differences twixt Citizens ; The Praetores Forenses are those that preside in the Ufficio calld del Forastiero , and the Provinciall Praetors are represented by those who go up and down the Dominions and Cities that are under the obedience of the Republic , & they are calld Praetors or Podestá . The first Officers in this kind were del Petitione , and they were sufficient at first to dispatch all sorts of differences , but afterwards in proces of time , businesses augmenting with the Age and strength of the Signorie , ther were divers other Magistrates of the same kind created . The Iudici de Petitione determind all Sutes as far as 1000 Ducketts , or any above 50. They cause all bargaines to be performed ; They tax the allowance of Pupills for their sustenance , and education , unlesse they be within the precincts of the Procurators of S. Mark. Ther be other Officers stild Guidici all' officio del mobile , they determine all Controversies and Causes 50 Ducketts upwards that happen about moveables , and personall Estates . Ther are allso Judgesexaminers ; Ther be other Officers calld Cataveri , which is much of the same nature though inferior in degree to the Camerlinghi ; Ther is another Officer calld Il pio vego , who takes Cognizance of all Contracts tending to Usury , this Officer hath allso care of the public ways ; Ther be other Officers calld Syndicks , which supervize all public expences ; Ther be others calld Sopragastaldi , who put in execution the sentences that are pass'd by other Judges , and sell the goods brought in by sentence of the Court ; And because som error may arise in the sale of such goods , ther 's another Office calld de Superiori , who are to censure the Acts of the Sopragastaldi ; To these may be added the Consulls and Sopra Consoli , who are peculiar Officers touching Marchants affaires , and carry the busines so that a bankrupt cannot be utterly ruind . The last kind of Pretor is del Forestiero , who determines differences twixt Venetians and Forener , or twixt Forener and Forener . All controversies touching Rents of Houses go before these Judges , as allso touching the hyre of Shipps and Barkes . The Romanes had also certaine Officers calld Centumviri , in Analogy to whom the Republic hath Consilio di Quarentie , or the Councell of 40. and hence it may be sayd that the division sprung it being of three Orders , viz. two upon civill Causes , and the third upon Criminall ; Touching civill Causes the one is calld la vecchia , before whom all Causes com from the Auditori vecchi , whereof former mention hath bin made ; the other is calld la nuova created by the Pisan Law , where all Causes that are introducd into the Court by the Auditori nuovi are decided ; But in tract of time controversies multiplying together with the peeple , il Collegio de venti savii , the Colledg of 20 Sages were adjoynd to it , who take cognizance of differences as far as 300 Duckets ; and lastly the Colledg of twelve was added , who shold terminat all Sutes as far as 100 Crownes : So the Centumviri in Rome were divided to ●…ower Councells , whence came the saying Iudicium quadruplex , who usd to meete in foro Ducario , and in ancient times in the Church of Saint Iulia , which places were so contiguous , that they could overheare one another as Quintilian observes . These Counsells of 40 have three heads or Presidents of their order , who for two moneths have the precedency of the rest , and introduce the Causes which are to be handled ; they cast lotts in three Boxes , whereof one is in favor , the other clean contrary , and the third nor one nor the other , which is call'd non Syncero . The Romans had also foure men who had care of the Streets , and the same officers are in Venice , who are calld Proveditori di Comun , whose care and industry is to keep the Streets well repaird , with the Bridges , whereof ther is nere upon 1000 of all sorts , with other public places ; but whereas ther were foure officers in Rome of this nature , ther are but three in Venice , yet they have many for their substituts . Moreover ther were in Rome three officers who supervizd the Coines of Gold and Silver , ther are the same number in Venice , who are Proveditori alla Zeccha . After all these com the Prefects or Captains that are appointed for the goverment of Citties abroad , who may be 〈◊〉 compard to the Prefects of places among the Romans , and their office is the very same ; They have care of the Walls of the Cittie , with the Gates thereof , and upon any insurrection they have power to rayse and assemble the Inhabitants of the place to suppresse it ; they sett the Gards , and look to all things that tend to conservation and outward security of the Cittie . Ther were allso in Rome Officers calld Praefecti victuum , that had care to see the place well provided with Victualls , and prevent famine by bringing in Corn and other necessaries from abroad ; so in Venice ther are three chosen that have the like charge , which are called Prodveditori alle biade , and upon extraordinary ocasions ther are other two added to them calld Sopra proveditori , but these kind of Officers may be rankd more properly among the Aediles . Lastly , the Romans had an Officer calld the Praefectus Vigiliarum , who had care to prevent all fyrings of Houses , and if any happend to suppresse and extinguish it , before it shold spread further , as allso to take cognizance of burglaries , thefts and robberies don in the night time ; So the Republic of Venice , who hath bin industrious to search into all Lawes , holding it no disparagment to imitat any that may tend to her better Wellfare , have ten Gentlemen elected , who are divided to two parts , but both calld Signori di notte ; To the one five are brought all Civill causes , to the other all Criminal that have relation to the night ; The office of these is to secure evry one in his own Precinct , and prevent that the obscurity of the night do not procure dommage to any body , to prevent murthers , and breaking into Houses . Of the Precincts or Sextaries of the Cittie of Venice . NOw the whole Cittie is divided to 6. Precincts , viz. Castello , S. Marco , Canareio , S. Paolo , S. Croce and Dorsoduro : Under Castello ther are S. Pietro , S. Biasio , S. Martino , S. Gio : Baptista in Bragora , S. Antonino , S. Trinitá , S. Severo , S. Procolo , S. Gio : di nuovo , S. Maria Formosa , S. Marina , S. Leone , and the Church of the Dominican Fryers , S. Francesco della vigna , S. Antonio , SS . Giovanni è Paolo , S. Francesco di Paola , and the Nunnes of that Order ; S. Maria delle Virgine , S. Daniele , S. Anna , S. Gioseppe , S. Maria Celeste , S. Sepolchro , S. Lorenzo , S. Giovanni Laterano , and S. Zaccheria , with other Churches of S. Gio : di Forlani , di SS . Filippo , è Giacopo , and of S. Georgio of Greece . In S. Marks Precinct ther is S. Marks Church her-self , S. Gemmiano , S. Moise , S. Maria Sobenigo , S. Mauritio , S. Vitale , S. Samuele , S. Angelo , S. Benedetto , S. Paterniano , S. Fantino , S. Luca , S. Salvatore , S. Bartelmeo , S. Iuliano , and S. Basso : S. Stephano , S. Salvatore , with Nunnes of that Order ; S. Rocco , Santa Margherita , S. Theodoro , S. Maria di Consolatione , S. Maria di Broglio , and the School of Iustitia . In Canareio ther are S. Lucia , S. Gieremia , SS . Erma●…orn , and Fortunato , S. Maria Madalena , S. Marciale , S. Fosca , S. Felice , S. Sofia , SS . Apostoli , S. Canciano , S. Maria nuova , S. Gio : Chrysostomo , and S. Leonardo ; De frati S. Iobbs , S. Maria de Servi , S. Maria del horto , S. Maria de Crocecchieri , with the Nunnes of S. Lucia , S. Catarina , Corpo di Christo , S. Luigi , S. Gyrolamo , and S. Maria de miracoli . In the Precincts of Saint Paul ther are these Parishes , S. Paolo , S. Tomaso , S. Stefano Confessore , S. Agostino , S. Ubaldo , S. Apollinare , S. Sylvestro , S. Gio : Eleemosinario , S. Mateo , S. Giacopo , Frati di S. Maria , and Frati minori . In Santa Croce ther are these Parishes , S. Croce , S. Simeon profeta , SS . Simon , S. Guida Apostolo , S. Gio : decollato , S. Giacopo del Orio , S. Eustasio , S. Maria mater Domini , S. Cassano , S. Nicoló di Talentino , the Nunnes of S. Croce , S. Andrea , S. Chiara . But it is to be observd that in som Precincts som Ilands are included , with Churches belonging to Monasteries , as S. Helena , S. Andrea della Certosa , S. Georgio Maggiore , S. Clemente , S. Maria delle gratie , S. Spirito , S. Francesco dal diserto , S. Giacopo di paludo , S. Nicolo di Lito , S. Christoforo della pace , S. Michaele , S. Georgio in Alga , S. Angelo di concordia , S. Secondo , with the Nunnes of S. Servolo , with other of S. Erasmo , S. Lazaro , Lazaretto nuovo , Lazaretto vecchio . Lastly , in Dorsoduro ther are these Parishes , S. Nicoló , S. Rafaele , S. Basilio , S. Margherita , S. Pantaleone , S. Barnaba , SS . Gervasa and Barnabá , S. Portasio , S. Agnese , SS . Vito and Modesto , S. Gregorio , S. Eufemia della Giudeca , Frati di S. Giacopo della Giudeca , Il Redentore , S. Gio : della Giudeca , S. Sebastiano , I Carmeni , Maria della curitá , the Nunnes of S. Biasio Catoldo , S. Croce della Giudeca , SS . Cosmo è Damiano , Le Convertite , S. Marta , S. Maria Maggiore , lo Spirito Santo , Ogni Santi , la Trinita ▪ , le Citelle , Abbatie & Priorati , S. Georgio Maggiore , S. Nicolo di Lito , S. Gregorio , S. Giovanni della Giudeca , S. Tomaso di Borgognoni , S. Andrea della Certosa , S. Helena , S. Gio : del Templo , la Trinitá , la Misericordia , S. Gio : Evangelista , S. Gio : Laterano ; In the Precinct of Dorsoduro the Jesuitts had nested themselfs untill they were thrust out . Ther are divers rich Hospitalls allso in Venice , the first is di Giesu Christo à S. Antonio , di S. Pietro è S. Paolo , della pieta , della casa di Dio , à S. Martino à I Croceccheri , alla Misericordia , alla Carita , à S. Gio : Evangelista , à S. Croce , à S. Andrea , à S. Vito , al volto Santo , à S. Ubaldo , à S. Rafaele , à S. Gio : Paolo all' incurabili , S. Lazaro , lebocole , Lazaretto vecchio , Lazaretto nuovo , ill Soccorso , & quello de Mendicanti . Ther 's no place on Earth where ther is greater provision for poor Maydens , in so much that evry yeer ther are great nombers married out of the common stock , and they the Mayds of Saint Mark , or della Caritá , della Misericordia , di S. Gio : Evangelista , di San Rocco , or di San Teodoro , &c. Herin allso Venice doth imitat her Mother Rome , whose principall endeavour was to pourchase an opinion of piety and holines among all peeple , that by that bayt they might com under Her obedience the sooner ; So that She hath in Churches , Monasteries , Nunneries , and Hospitalls neer upon 160. Nor do I beleeve that he is much wide of the mark who made an estimat of the revenue of the Venetian Church both in the Continent , and Islands to be above two Millions of Crowns . Besides old Rome , Venice did likewise borrow somthing of the Greek Comon-wealths her Neighbours allso , as will appear to any that will be curious to make re-searches into the Code and Digest of her Lawes ; But touching her next Neighbour Athens , she by dabbling too much with the Sea , and forsaking her interests in the Continent , undid her self ; But the Citty of Venice had contrary successe , for the Sea made Her , and quickned Her industry , it made Her turn necessity into industry , for , just as the Hollander , She having at first no Land to manure , fell a plowing up the Sea , and by putting a bridle in Neptunes mouth , She forcd by art a mansion for her self out of those places which fish shold naturally inhabit ; so that in the midest of the salt Surges , and Billowes of the Hadriatic Sea She may be sayd to be Mediâ immersabilis undâ . The main instruments that govern this Republic are the Gentry , for the Venetians do call those Gentlemen that have a share in the Government of this Common-wealth , viz. those that have authority to elect the publick Magistrats , and have a capacity themselfs to be elected . This prerogative is given unto them by their birth , so as whosoever are born of noble Parents ( now these words Noble and Gentleman are synonimas amongst them ) is accounted noble , and may at a certain time and manner limited by the Lawes , enter into the great Councell , where the ordinary election of Magistrats is made ; Into this rank are receavd either those , who having bin the chief Inhabitants of the Cittie , and being most famous for Vertue or Wealth , have from the beginning had the managing of public affaires ; or allso those who for som notable exploits or worthy act don in the service of the Republic are at sundry times , and upon speciall occasions admitted thereunto , who for the most part have bin of the chief , and noblest Familys , or som other place subject to the Signorie , or some others to whom by speciall grace and favour this title of Nobility hath bin given ; wherein neverthelesse they have carried themselfs very sparingly , it being granted but to Lords of great Estates , and in this maner were the Families of Este , Gonzaga , and Farneses with som other of the chiefest of Italy admitted therunto . Henry King of Poland after the third of that Name of France , being at Venice among other honors receavd the title of a Venetian Gentleman , and he seemd to be highly pleasd with the dignity as appeerd by his presents : Moreover all those that descend from such as receave this degree , have the same preheminence as their Parents in such a tract of time ; But to the end it may be continually maintaind in it's perfection , they do curiously search out the Predigrees of those who are to enter into the great Councell , not only the Nobility of the Father , but likewise whether they be born of lawfull Matrimony , and of no Comon Woman , but of some honorable degree and condition , whereof a Register is kept by one of the chief Magistrates , termd the Avogario of the Republic . The chief orders of Knight-hood in the Venetian Republic are first those of S. Mark , begun in the yeer 1330. and reviv'd Anno 1562. They are to be of the noblest sort of Patricians ; the second is of the glorious Virgin instituted by Bartholomeo of Vicenza , and is more ancient then the other for it was instituted Anno 1222. their charge is to protect Widowes and Orphans , and to defend the peace of Italy ; It was approvd by Pope Urban the fourth Anno 1262. The Armes are a purple Crosse between certain Stars , a white Robe over a russet Cloak , but the Generall Armes are Gules , two Keyes in Saltier , or , stringed Azure ; The Motto which the Knights of S. Mark carry is Pax tibi Marce Evangelista ; Ther are under the Dominions of Venice two Patriarks , and thirty fower Archbishops , and Bishops . Now it will not be amisse to speak somthing of the Military strength of this Republic by Land and Sea ; touching Navall power , she hath more Gallies and Galeasses than all Europe besides , and her security depends more upon the Sea than shore ; yet she entertaines in constant pay by Land 25000 Foot in Lombardy , besides som of the Cantons of Swisserland and the Grisons , in Dalmatia and Istria she hath about 3000 more ; She hath allso in perpetuall pay 600 men of Armes , whereof every one must keep two Horses a peece , for which they are allowd 120 Duckets a yeer , and they are for the most part Gentlemen of Lombardy ; When she hath any extraordinary expedition to make , she hath a Stranger for her Generall , and many Soverain Princes have thought it no disparagement to serve her in this kind , but he is supervizd by two Proveditors without whom he cannot attempt any thing . Touching the annuall Revenues of the Republic of Venice , they exceed any other State in Christendome , and all Kings except Spain and France , for She hath above foure Millions of constant incomes every yeer ; she hath out of Brescia her self and her Precincts 100450 Crowns of annuall Revenue ; Out of Padua 140000. out of Verana 90000. Out of Vicenza 36000. Out of Bergamo . 60000. Out of Friuli 30000. Out of Marca Trevisana 90000. Out of Dalmatia 10000. Out of the Cittie of Venice herself above 600000 Crowns of annuall incomes ; besides what she hath from the Greek Islands that are under her Dominions ; In times of pressing Emergences she hath divers wayes to make Levies , for the security and advantage of the Signorie , Among others she hath bin forc'd to make sale of Offices , and admit young Gentlemen into the great Councell before their time ; By this way she hath got many Millions from time to time , for preservation of her Maydenhead , and supplies of urgent necessities ; but this cours is used with a reservation alwayes , that Merit must concur with Money , so that it is not the highest bidder that carries it . Oftentimes in case of danger she makes the Gentry , and Cittizens that enjoy any stable possessions under the Republic , to advance the Rents for so many yeers ; She makes allso some of her Magistrats serve her gratis , and without salary for a time ; She allso makes frequent use of Lotteries to serve her turn ; And the Church useth to contribut very largely , yet they never exact any thing of the Ecclesiasticks without acquainting the Pope , which is only pro formâ : But the War ceasing , these extraordinary Levies cease allso with the cause , and all things return exactly to be in statu quo priùs , which hath often happend , and this makes the peeple contribute more cheerfully , because she is alwayes very carefull to keep her Public Faith with her Subjects inviolable . I will conclude this particular Description of the so much admired Cittie of Venice with one observation more , viz. That ther are few places where ther are more curious and costly Books for the illiterat vulgar , for so the Romanists term Church ▪ Images and Sculptures , whereof ther are great nombers à la Mosaica , and made by the famous Titiano a Venetian born ; one of the most remarquable is that of the Virgin Maries at Saint Marks Church , where those who desire to know whether a friend absent be living or dead , use to set up a Wax Candle in the open Aire before the Picture , and if the party be living the Candle doth quietly burn out be the wind never so high ; if he be dead , the least puff blowes it out according to their belief . Ther is also on Saint Marks Walls , among divers others , the Picture of two Cocks carring away a Wolfe , which represents Lodovico Sforza the Duke of Milan , and the Cocks denote Lewis the twelf , and Charles the eighth Kings of France who outed him of his Duchy . Ther are allso two Emblematicall Lions , one meagre and leane lying on the Land ; The other plump and fat sporting in the Water ; the last refers to S. Marks Lion the Armes of Venice , who hath both enrichd , and defended her self , more by the Sea than by Land ; for whereas som Citties of Italy are said to be walld with Fire ( meaning Flint ) Venice may more truly be sayd to be walld with Water ; It is the Water , wherin she lies like a Swannes nest , that doth both fence and feed Her ; to which purpose she hath many thousands of Wooden Horses perpetually bringing her provisions , and carrying her Inhabitants up and down within and about the Citty ; But a horse of flesh were as strange a thing to be seen there as an Elephant upon London streets . Therfore it were as absurd an impertinency to prefer a Farrier to Venice , as it was in him who wold have prefer'd a Spurrier to Queen Elizabeth . To speak of the sundry sorts of Antiquities , Monuments , and ingenious Epitaphs , which are in the Churches up and down Venice , wold afford matter enough to fill Volumes , I will only produce an instance of one extraordinary odd kind of Epitaph , upon Peter Aretin in S. Lukes Church : Qui giace l'Aretin Poeta Tosco , Chi disse mal d'ognun fuor che di Dio , Scusandosi , dicendo , n'ol conobbi . Englished thus : The Toscan Aretin lies in this Grave , He who at all , excepting God , did rave ; And if the reason you desire to have , He knew Him not . Having thus endeavourd to sett forth this Mayden Cittie in Her tru colours , and made the narrowest inspection into Her Water we could , the close of Her Character shall be som peculiar Epithetts that are given to Her among the rest of the fair Towns of Italy , as followeth ; Fama tra noj ; Roma , pomposa & santa ; Venetia riccha , saggia , signorile ; Napoli odorifera & Gentile ; Fiorenza bella , tutto il mondo canta ; Grande Milano in Italia si vanta ; Bologna grassa , & Ferrara civile ; Padona dotta , & Bergamo sottile ; Genoa di superbia altiera pianta ; Verona degna , & perugia sanguigna ; Brescia T'armata , & Mantoa gloriosa ; Rimini buona , & Pistoia ferrigna ; Cremona antica , & Luca industriosa ; Furli bizarro , & Ravenna benigna ; Et Singallia de l'aria noiosa ; Et Capo●…a l'amorosa ; Pisa frendente , & Pesaro giardino ; Ancona bel Porto al Pellegrino ; Fidelissimo Urbino ; Ascoli tondo , & lungo Recanate ; Foligno delle strade inzuccarate , Et par da'l cielo mandate Le belle donne di Fano si dice ; Mà Siena poj tra l'altre più selice . Among all these Citties we find that Venice is rankd next Rome , and hath three as it were proverbiall attributs given Her higher than any of the rest , viz. to be Rich , Wise , and Ladylike or Stately ; wherunto I shall add another saying , Venegia , Venegia , chi non Ti vede non Ti pregia ; the Eye is the best Judg of Venice . Having now don with the Topography , and local description of Venice , together with Her method of Goverment and Magistracy both Urban & Rurall ; Having allso given som touches of her wealth , power and extent of Dominion , with other singularities peculiar to Her , We will now make som reserches into Her Annalls , and speak of Her Martiall Exploits up and down the World ; as allso of the transactions and traverses of State twixt other Princes and Her which are various and very remarkable , She having allwayes bin one of the most politic and pragmaticall'st Republics on Earth ; Therfore in Her 's the Story of many parts of Christendom and other Regions may be sayed to be involvd ▪ All which shall be don in a regular way of succinctnes , and a speciall care had to avoyd trivialties and impertinencies , as well as that no materiall passage may be omitted . OF THE PRINCES , AND DUKES OF VENICE . PAULUTIO ANAFESTO , THE FIRST DOGE , OR DUKE , OF VENICE . VNity is as much requisit for the well-being of things , as Entity is for their being , the Philosophers ( as formerly was said , ) call it the highest point of perfect on , all bodies incline and propend towards it , by a secret instinct of nature as to their Center : The Republic of Venice therefore finding som inconveniences , or half a kind of confusion , if not a deformity , to have two heads upon one body , grew weary of the Tribunitial Power , and so resolv'd to reduce the Soverain Authority under one ; to which purpose , a notable Speech was made to this effect : That there was no more hope to be had of the Venetian Common-wealth , nor yet of their Liberty , which had bin pourchased and maintain'd by their Progenitors with such generosity , unlesse the fury of the Tribunes expired ; that their self-same Ancestors had in times past for the sweetnesse of Liberty abandoned their most pleasant Countrey , their Houses , and all other matters which men commonly esteem most dear , and were com into barren Ilands , where there was nothing that might invite them to dwel ; That if they could have dispens'd with their Liberty , they might with all safety have remain'd in the City where they were first born and brought up ; and with this losse alone , might have liv'd peaceably among the Barbarians ; but being full of innated courage , they suppos'd that they ought not to lose their Freedom , but with their lives ; wherefore divers of those that were there present , following the example of their Predecessors , came only into those places to live at Liberty ; To what purpose then was their designs ? what profit had they by their dislodging ? why had they so many Churches , Buildings , and so many public and private Houses ? why did they forsake the firm land to eschew bondage , and yet meet it in the midst of the waters by the insolency of a few , whither it was likely , that the barbarous enemy who was so near them , wold take any rest , till he had found som means to ●…uinat this new Domicile of Liberty , seeing that Tyrants hate nothing so much as that Name , and undoubtedly 't was his wish , to see the whole Venetian State destroy'd by civill discord , which he could not shake by any other means . Hereupon they suddenly resolv'd to elect a new Duke who shold represent the Honor and Majesty of the whole State , and have power to Assemble the General Councell , to choose Annual Tribunes in the inferior Ilands , from whence the Appeals should come before him : and moreover , if any had obtain'd any dignity o●… Prelatship by the su●…rages of the Clergy , he shold not enjoy the same , without the ratification of the Duke . Upon these Deliberations PAULUTIO of Heraclea , a man of integrity , evperience and courage , was chosen Duke after the Cities foundation , about 276. He took an Oath , well and faithfully to provide whatsoever should be fit for the honor of the Common-wealth , and the Venetian Name ; hereupon he was adorn'd with divers Noble Ensigns to make the Dignity the more illustrious : Being instal'd Duke , his first care was to free the Republic of the War that was than afoot with Luitprand , which he did ; and he extended the limits of Heraclea , from the River of Pi●…vo , unto the little stream call'd Piaricolle , and brought the Equilines under his Dominion : In his time , those of Tourcedes built a Magnificent Temple to the honor of the Virgin Mary , which is yet standing , and in good repair to this day . MARCELLO TEGALIANO succeeded PAULUTIO , who swayed o're the Signory twenty years and upwards ; this Duke MARCELLO , got more repute by Peace then Warre , and governed nine yeares . HOR●…O call'd UR●…US HYPATUS succeeded MARCELLO , the Longobards at that time had taken Ravenna , and the Exarch flying to Venice for refuge , by the intercession of the Pope , the Venetians rais'd a considerable Army and took Ravenna again , and restor'd it to to the Exarch , in which exploit PRODEUS of Vicenza , a person of renown was slain ; this Duke was of a spirit more haughty then ordinary , and making Warre out of a private spleen against Heraclea , he was slain by the Citizens of Venice upon the eleventh year of his Magistracy : URSUS being thus thrust out of the world , there happen'd an intervall in the Ducall Government , and another kind of Magistrat was chosen , call'd the Master , or Consull of the men at Armes , Dominico Leo was the first , and Cornicula succeeded him ; but the fifth year after the Creation of this new Magistrat , the whole City was transported with a marvailous desire to have a Duke again . Hereupon THEADATO HYPATO Son to the slain Duke , was chosen the fourth Doge of Venice in an Assembly at Malamocca ; but there was a powerfull man in the Republic call'd Galla , who malign'd him , and having rais'd a Party , surpriz'd him the thirteenth year of his Government , and put out his eyes , managing the businesse with so much Art , that he succeeded him in the Dukedome . GALLA in his second year of his Principality displeasing the people , had his eyes also put out , and was banish'd . DOMINICO MONEGARIO was forthwith appointed Duke , but being of a furious nature , there were yearly Tribunes chosen to assist him , and counterpoise the violence of his spirit , but the fift yeare of his Authority , his eyes were outed of his head , and his Person of his Office. MAURITIO of Heraclea was chosen next , who did purchase so much popular love , that he obtain'd that which none of his Predecessors could compasse , which was a Liberty to associat his Son Givanni as Collegue with him in the Principality . In his time a bold Declaration was publish'd , which imported , that the Venetians were a free people , acknowledging neither of the Empires East or West ; This did so move Charles of France then Emperour , that he commanded his Son Pepin , who then governed the affairs of Italy , to make furious Warres upon the Venetian Coasts where Heraclea and Equ●…ine stood , the Inhabitants whereof being frighted thereat , fled to M●…lamocca , and the Rialto . GIOVANNI MAURITIO , Son , succeeded the Father in the Dukedome , there happen'd a shrewd clash 'twixt him and the Bishop of Grad●… , a man eminent for Sanctity ; GIOVANNI sent his Son MAURITIO with som troupes to assail the said Bishop , who being taken , he was thrown headlong down from a high Tower : hereupon , Pepin by Order from Charlemain to expiat the Bishops Bloud , made a fierce warre upon the Venetian Territory : hereupon GIOVANNI and his Son were expell'd the City , and Heraclea the place of their Nativity was utterly demolish'd , and OBOLLERIO ANTHENORIO of Malamocca was chosen Duke , Anno Dom. 801. 〈◊〉 associated his brother Beat●… for Collegue , and an eager warre happen'd 'twixt Pepin and the Republic , who infesting the Sea Frontires up and down , came as far as Malamocca ; and thinking to passe thence to the Rial●…o to find out the Duke ; he vvas beaten back by a Tempest , wherein he lost the greatest part of his Army : About this time the Lombards Kingdom was extinguish'd by Pepin , 802. There was another battail fought among those Lakes , ' tvvixt the Venetians and King Pepin , where the Venetians had the better again : hereupon a Peace vvas concluded , and French Ambassadors came to the Rialto , where having being honorably entertain'd they departed ; OBELLERIO vvho vvas cryed up to be the occasion of the former vvarres was cut to peeces by the fury of the peeple , and his bowells gushing out , they were drawn at length like ropes , and torn up and down the streets , his wife likewise who was of the Bloud Royall of France was slain with him . ANGELO PARTITIATO succeeded next , and he was the first that held the Seat at the Rialto , Heraclea was repair'd in his time , and call'd Villa Nuova , Anno Dom. 809. The Historians rank the 〈◊〉 the Noblest Family that came from Heraclea . There happen'd a hot war in this Dukes time , 'twixt Venice and the Bishop of Aquileia , who had bin declar'd Heretique by Pope Alexander ; the Venetian took him prisoner : but they gave him his liberty , on condition that they shold send yearly to Venice on the same day that the Victory was got twelve wild Boars , which with a Bull shold be kill'd before the Generall Assembly by way of sacrifice ; this custom , with other sports continues annually to this day . And now I may say , that the Republic of Venice did passe her Infancy , her Youth may be sayed to follow hereafter , as by her actions will appear . JUSTINIANO was chosen next , in whose time a Fleet was sent to assist Michael the Eastern Emperour against the Saracens , who did good service ; but the remarkablest passage in this Dukes Government , was , that the body of St. Mark was translated from Alexandria to Venice , where it is kept with great devotion to this day , in a curious Church made of Mosaicall work . GIOVANNI PARTITIATIO , brother to JUSTINIANO , was declar'd the next Prince , but having many potent Adversaries , he was surpriz'd neer to St. Peters Church , whither he was going to his Devotions , and being disrob'd of the Ornaments of Soveraign Dignity , they shav'd his beard and head ; and confin'd him to a Monastery in Grada . PIETRO TRADONICO was chosen in his place , he was born at Pola , a very ancient City built by the Colchians ; there came Ambassadors from Ver●…na , to desire help of the Republic against some enemies they had , which they obtain'd , and overcame their foes at the Lake of Benae , whereupon they sent rich gifts to the Venetian for their succour : Theodosius the Greek Emperour , sent his high Admirall to sollicit the Republic for Auxiliaries against the Moors , whereupon she armed sixty Gallies which did do notable exploits , in rega●… whereof , TRADONICO the Duke of Venice , was call'd Protospater ( viz. the first father ) of the Graecian Empire by Theodosius : But at the battail of Crot●…na the Greeks not sticking close to their businesse , the Venetian receav'd a shrewd overthrow by the Moors under Saba their Captain , who aftervvards grew so insolent , that he march'd to Rome , and pitifully ransack'd S Peters Church , with others . A little after Pope Benedict came to Venice , unto whom , about the year 840 ▪ he promis'd the bodies of S. Pancratius and Sancta Sabina ; Lotharius ▪ also the Emperour did confirm unto Venice many extraordinary immunities : but in this Dukes time the Republic receav'd divers illfavor'd successes abroad , and there were odd factions at home against the Duke , in so much , that returning one day from St. Zacharies Church he was murthered , but the actors and conspirators thereof were soundly punisht for 't : this Duke had govern'd nineteen years . URSO PARTITIATIO came next to the Ducall Dignity , who had a magnanimous young man to his son , and did divers exploits against the Moors and Saracens in the behalf of the Greek Emperour , so that the Title , of Protospater was confirm'd again to the Duke of Venice ; who , among other Presents , sent twelve Bells to Constantinople , which was the first time that the Greeks us'd Bells , Anno Dom. 864. GIOVANNI PARTITIATIO brother to URSO was chosen to govern , but he did voluntarily depose himself , and retire to his own house , having escap'd a dangerous disease . PIETRO CANDIANO succeeded him , who fighting with great courage against the Narentines ( the ancient enemies of Venice ) was slain , having govern'd but six moneths . PIETRO TRIBUNO was chosen next , who was also declar'd Protospater of the Graecian Empire , he added many fortifications for the securing of the City : in this Dukes Reign the Hunnes broke into Italy , and made cruell havock up and down , and at last resolv'd to besiege the Rialto ; hereupon a Noble Venetian made this hortatory speech unto the City , That it was now time by their actions to shew themselves valiant men , that a mighty danger did not only threaten their Countrey , but their lives ; that they had to do with a people , vvho as little us'd to spare the bodies of the dead , as their lives in battail , yet nerethelesse they were not made of iron , but their bodies might easily be pierced ; that they shold call to memory , how the ancient Venetians , vvith a fevv Inhabitants of the Latines , made no difficulty in their Countreys behalf , to expose their lives before the vvals of Aquileia against 300000. men , for Attila had so many in his Army ; that the event of that battail did manifest how vertue and courage is much better in warre then multitudes ; that their Ancestors had in the same places where they were now to fight , vanquish'd in times past King Pepin follow'd vvith his ovvn Forces , and those of the Emperour his Father , and that then they only fought for their Liberty , but novv they vvere to fight for their Faith , and Bloud : hereupon the Venetian gain'd a most signall Victory over the Hunnes , which much encreas'd the glory of the City , and was of such consequence , that they left Italy a while after . URSO BADOAIRIO succeeded TRIBUNO , he sent his Son Pietro to visit the Greek Emperour at Constantinople , where being confi●…m'd Protospater , he receav'd many rich presents ; BADOAIRIO in in the eleventh year of his Government , did voluntarily depose himself , and became a Monk. PIETRO CANDIANO or SANUTO succeeded this Voluntary Resignation , in whose time Iustinopoli came under the Venetian dition . PIETRO BADOAIRIO follow'd next , who as he return'd from Greece , was taken prisoner in Slavonia , but ransom'd . PIETRO CANDIANO next succeeded , whose Government was somewhat unquiet , yet he debell'd the Narentines , who infested the gulp with pyraticall depredations . CANDIANO the fourth Son to PIETRO succeeded , who for som misdemeanours had bin banished , but waxing more wise by years , he was recall'd and created Duke ; but herein the City of Venice receav'd no small reproach abroad , in regard she had formerly made a solemn Vow never to advance this CANDIANO to the Government , and a Judgement fell upon her presently upon 't , for a fire happen'd , which besides the Dukes Palace , burnt down the magnificent Cathedrall Church of the City , and those of St. Theodore and Maria Iubenica , with above 300. privat houses more . This CANDIANO died most tragically , for the peeple fell upon him as upon a Tyrant , and he flying into that part of St. Marks Church which was left unburnt with his Son in his Arms , they knock'd him down , and cut both in peeces . PIETRO URSEOLA with much entreaty of the pe●…ple was chosen next , who wold not undergo the charge , unlesse the pe●…ple wold bind themselfs by solemn Oath unto him , which was done ; in his time St. Marks Church vvas repair'd , with the Ducall Palace ; he overcame the Saracens at Barri , he had but one Son , and as soon as he vvas born , both he and his wife Foelicia vovv'd perpetuall chastity : In his time Istria became Tributary to Venice ; but at last he voluntarily quitted the Government , and went disguis'd in a Pilgrims habit to Aquitain by the persvvasion of a great holy man call'd Guerin . VITALIS CANDIANO succeeded , vvho also deposed himself , and cloister'd himself in St. Hi●…arie , Monastery . TRIBUNO MEMIO a great vvise man , but of fevv vvords , vvas chosen in his steed , in vvhose time som civill discords happen'd , and a great feud fell out ' tvvixt the Republic and O●…ho the Emperour , vvho forebad all the Cities of the Empire any trade vvith the Venetians , but he died not long after , and this Duke also deposed himself voluntarily , and died a Monk. PIETRO URSEOLO the second succeeded , in vvhose time the Republic did vvonderfully encrease , for she obtain'd of Basilius and Alexis , vvho at that time did jointly command the Grecian Empire , to be free from all customes and taxes throughout all their Dominions : Moreover , he suppress'd the Narentines , and reduc'd Nola and divers other Cities in Istria and Dalmatia under the Empire of the Republic , Lesina also which vvas the chief rendevous of the Narentine pyrats was taken by her , and reduc●…d to St. Mark , as Spalatro also , vvith divers other places : In this Dukes time sundry priviledges vvere granted by the Emperour Otho to the Venetians , and the Emperour himself came disguis'd , and in nature of a Pilgrime to St. Marks Church to Venice , where he sojournd divers daies vvith the Duke privately , and departed ; before he vvent , he remitted for ever the cloak of cloth of gold , vvhich the Republic was bound by solemn accord to give yearly to the Emperour , so being presented with divers rich gifts , he went back to Ravenna . OTHO URSEOLO succeeded PISTRO'S son , a young man of great hope , insomuch that the King of Hungarie married his daughter unto him ; He defeated the Hadrians in a furious conflict betwixt the river Po and Adice ; yet was he dismiss'd of his dignity , and banish'd to Greece . PIETRO CENTRANICO succeeded , who being depos'd by the peeple , was shorn , and turn'd to a Monastery . DOMENICO FLABENICO was then chosen , who prevail'd so far with the people , that he got the Family of the Urseoli to be made ever after incapable of the Soveraign Dignity , or of any office in the Republic , and so made the peeple to be Ministers of his hatred to that house ; he abolish'd also the custom of associating for the future any Colleague in the principality , which is carefully observ'd to this day , Anno Dom. 1030. DOMINICO CONTARENO was made the thirtieth Duke of Venice , he reduc'd Zara to obedience , Pope Leo came in his time to Venice upon a kind of Pilgrimage to St. Mark , which he endow'd with many new priviledges . DOMINICO SILVIO came after him , who was cryed up Duke as he accompanied Contaveno to his grave ; the Normans did about this time much infest the Levant parts , and the Greek Emperor Nicephorus , whom the Venetian assists and grows victorious , but afterwards , both the Greeks and Venetians receav'd a notable overthrow at Durazzo by the Normans . VITALIS PHALERIO succeeded , as soon as he was chosen , he propounded to the people , to send Ambassadors to Constantinople to the Emperour Alexis to obtain that Dalmatia and Croatia which they had taken from the Usurpers with so much expence of bloud and tresure , might by right of war for ever remain to the Venetians ; all which was freely condescended unto , so that this PHALERIO was the first Duke , who in his titles did bear these Provinces . The Western Emperor Henry came to Venice to visit St. Mark , where the Annallists write of a great miracle that happen'd . Anno Dom. 1082. VITALIS MICHAELI was next after , in his time a mighty Army of Christians were sent to Syria for recovery of the holy Land ; he that gave the first hint to the expedition was Peter a French Hermit , who gave out , that he had a Vision appear'd to him to that purpose : hereupon Pope Vrban came expressely to the Councell of Clermont , and made this hortative Oration . That he was not departed from Rome , and come to that holy Assembly for the affairs of the Church of Rome only , although it needed greatly to be reform'd , but was stir'd up by another occasion which was more holy , & was likewise more notable ; that he did not doubt but those who were there assembled had heard tell of what had befaln long since in Syria , and chiefly in the Confines of that Region which is call'd the Holy Land , the injust usurpation of the holy Sepulcher of our Soveraign Lord Jesus Christ ( which he could not utter without tears ) by those cruell barbarous Saracens ; that there was no Church , Altar , or any other sacred place , but was either raz'd down to the ground by those accursed Mahumetans , or converted to their profane uses ; that the religious peeple dwelling there at such time as the enemy made themselfs masters thereof , were constrain'd som for fear of horrible punishment , to renounce the Faith of Jesus Christ ; others that woldpersever therein were destroy'd by fire and sword , and others by various sorts of torments were miserably consumed : That devout Matrons going thither upon Pilgrimage from all parts of Europe , had not bin only forc'd by them to satiat their brutish lust , but likewise in contempt and derision of us were tormented by monstrous embracements , that if that which he had related was not sufficient in their opinions to incite them to take Arms , and to prosecut revenge , He besought them at least to consider , and call to remembrance , how in a short time through the negligence of their Ancestors the forces of Asia were encreas'd , and besides●… , how far the Mahumetans had in length and breadth extended their Dominions ; how many Countreys they possess'd , who had in times past belong'd to the Roman Empire ; but wold to God ( sayed he ) that the affairs of Christendom were brought to that passe , that we were but to complain of other mens miseries , we have , helas , in our daies seen our Italy wholly destroy'd by their incursions and spoils , Castles , Cities , and Churches beaten down , and burnt by those sacrilegious persons : But wherefore do I relate the murthers , captivities , rapes , & other tyrannies never heard of before , which this Land hath endur'd a long time , seeing that Spain likewise , and her Neighbour Aquitain , and all the occidentall Provinces have not only felt the like losse , but having at this day scarce dried up their tears , do stand in fear of the like . And ye O Frenchmen , though this wound be not yet entred into our bowels , no doubt but in regard of your Neighbourhood , you have heard and seen somwhat of that whereof I have now spoken ; and the Germans , with other Northwest Nations , who have not as yet felt those losses , ought often to forethink what dangers menace them from the East , nay how neare they are to them already . I knovv not if the Venetians were not , vvho with strong Garrisons defend the Sea Coasts , and vvho have often repulst this cruell enemy from Dalmatia and Istria , whether this storm ere this wold have blown into Hungary and Germany : The power of the Grecian Empire , vvhich vvhilst her strength and vigor lasted , vvas vvont to be the bulvvark of Europe on the East and West side , is in such sort ruined , as the Emperour dreams on nothing but on means and forces vvhereby he may conserve his City of Constantinople ; vvhich place if vve had lost , as God forbid , vve may easily conjecture hovv great such a losse vvold be , as vvell to all Europe as to him : I tremble vvith horror vvhen I do but think vvhat vvill happen , if this fire be not quickly quench'd , vvhich doth daily more and more kindle : all the miseries vvhich have befallen those vvhom vve bevvail hang over our heads , men and vvomen shall be reserv'd to satisfie the luxury of those barbarous peeple , and ye vvill aftervvards lament vvhen ' t vvill be too late , that having had means , you have not oppos'd your selfs against these miseries : it may be you think 't is impossible this should com to passe , so did they once who since have felt it , and wold to God we did not feed our selves so often with vain hopes , but 't were better O couragious spirits while we have strength , councel , aid , power and money ready , and generally , what may give hope of a victory to divert this evident perill , nor is our enterprize above human strength , that Charls surnamed the great , in a manner your Countrey-man : O ye Germans in regard of the descent of his Ancestors , and your King O ye Frenchmen , and the glory of your name did drive the Saracens forth of Spain and Aquitain , the same Charles constrain'd them to quit Italy ; the same Charles of whom ye so much vaunt did recover Ierusalem which ye term Holy , and drave thence the enemy , and by how much glory and ●…eputation is great , by so much the more ought it to incite you which are descended from him , to attempt som new exploit which may augment this your ancient renown ; if ye do not thus , but give your selfs to rest and idlenesse , ye shal not only hazard what your Ancestors have left you , but you shall suffer the Native Countrey of our Soveraign King to your great shame and contempt , with that of all Christendom likewise , to be trodden down by these cruell enemies , and his Sepulcher , Temple and other holy places to be polluted by murthers , rapes , and sacriledges ▪ Arm your selfs therfore in time , and prevent this common infamy , pourchase to your selfs and all Europe an assured safety , I think you may easily do it , for by how much your forces surpasse those of Charles , if ye all joyntly undertake this voyage , by so much more shall the victory be certain and easie for you ; the Victors profit shall be great and inestimable by the spoils of so opulent a Nation , and such rich Kingdoms , but the celestiall reward shall be much greater , which in the Name of Almighty God , we promise to as many as shall valiantly venture themselfs . This flexanimous speech did so heighten and melt the hearts of all , that a Croisada was presently resolv'd upon , whereunto the Republic of Venice did contribut 200. vessells of all sorts , which sayl'd to Ionia under the conduct of Hemico Contareno a Bishop , and MICHAELI VITALIS the Dukes son ; this Fleet did much advantage that mighty expedition , though som affirm that the Venetians came not to Asia till Ierusalem was taken ; but they being com to Rhodes , a shrew'd clash fell 'twixt them and the Pisans , of whom they took 18. Gallies ; afterwards they took Smyrna , and scout'd the seas of Pamphilia , Silicia and Syria , till they came to Ioppa , which they kept , afterwards having left sufficient gards for their vessells , they came from Ioppa , and march'd in battail array to Ierusalem , and returning thence they took Ascalon , Tyberias , Caypha , with others . About this time Matilda a Noble Lady of the Sigefretti being reinvested in the City of Ferrara by the help of Venice , she granted unto her freedo●… for ever of all matters within that City , and a little Prince VITALIS died . ORDELAPHO PHALERIO was elected in his room , who in the second year of his Government , sent a Fleet of 100. Gallies to Syria in poursuance of the Croisada , where they took Ptolemais and Sydon , as also another Town call'd Faronia by assault ; this made the Emperour Henry the Fourth , to indulge Venice with many priviledges , but a fierce war fell out 'twixt the Venetians and Padouans a little after , and the Padouans being orepowr'd by the Padouan , had recourse to the Emperour , who thereupon sent to Venice , wishing them to remember how they were sprung from the Padouans , therefore they shold greatly erre , unlesse they honor'd the City from which they were descended , and respect the Inhabitants thereof in the same manner , as well bred children do their ancient parents ; that the Padouans on the other side insteed of envying the Venetian glory , ought rather to rejoyce to see those who were descended from them , to have pourchased so great fame and repute by Land and Sea ; so there was a reconcilement made by the Emperours intercession . About this time , a great part of Venice was consum'd by fire , at which time Malamocca was almost burnt : upon this dismall accident of fire , there came news , that Zara was revolted from Venice to Calamon King of Hungary , but she quickly reduc'd her to obedience , and this gave advantage to the Venetian to pierce further into Croatia , and take other places , which they keep to this day ; but they had ill successe the year following in Dalmatia , where the Duke came himself in person , and being too forward in the battail , was kill'd . DOMINICO MICHAELI succeeded , and Baldwin the Second King of Ierusalem being taken prisoner by Balochus King of the Parthians , ther were pittifull complaints sent to Rome , that the Holy Land was like to be utterly lost , unlesse speedy supplies were sent : hereupon he moved Venice therunto by the intercession of her Patriarch of Grada her prime Churchman , who being admitted to the Senat , spake as followeth : I think , O peeple of Venice , that you are not ignorant , what our own Forces in part , and partly those of the rest of Europe have don these precedent years for the recovery of Palestine , which ye call the Holy Land , for this is the 26. year which so many Princes taking up the Holy Crosse , undertook for the same purpose to invade Asia , where by the divine bounty and their valour , all that which stretcheth from Bythinia to Syria was gain'd , and ye your selfs having taken Smyrna , and done other exploits all along the Coasts of Syria , did not only gain glory therby , but you have had your share in the Cities ; but now ther is news brought how Baldwin is carried prisoner to Cayro , whereupon his Holinesse thinking the Venetians to be most worthy of such an enterprize , hath written to your Prince accordingly : therfore go on ye Noble Venetians to preserve that which is already got by you , even that Land where Christ our King was born , did hide himself , wept , was betrayed , taken and crucified , and his most holy body layed in the grave , and who shall com Soveraign Judge one day to enquire of the deeds of all mankind , what Churches , what Monasteries , what Altars do you think can be so agreeable to him as this holy voyage ? but because human affairs are of that nature , as ther is almost no publick charity free from ambition , so that haply you demand within your selfs what glory , what recompence may be gain'd by this expedition ; certainly it is , and eve●… shall be for our highest repute , that the Venetians only of all Europe , have bin able and fit to oppose in a manner all Asia ; the furthest part of the East shall ring of the Venetian power , Afric shall admire it , and Europe shall magnifie and Cronicle it ; that which we have don formerly in Asia , seems to be effected rather by strangers then by us , but now the work shall be solely attributed to you : Moreover , I doubt not but you are all willing to enlarge the Republic , but how ? by what means will you effect it ? in living idly , or rowing up and down these lakes in your little boats ? he that thinks so doth greatly deceave himself : the ancient Romans of whom ye vaunt your self to be descended , and whom ye desire to imitat , did not pourchase the Empire of the world , by living idly and at ease , but by making one war grow out of another , those whom we relieve , as they have already , so they will give us still a share in the conquer'd Towns and Countrey , depart then in Gods Name , &c. Upon this Speech , the Venetians resolve to succor the Holy Land , and arm 200. bottomes of all sorts , and MICHAELI the Doge himself goes chief , who sayling to Ioppa found it block'd up by the Barbarians , but the Venetians freed the Town from the siege , and open'd the passage of the Sea , with great slaughter of the enemy , and prizall of many rich booties . Thence the Duke of Venice went to Ierusalem , where he obtain'd many priviledges for the Republic , as that the Venetians shold in all places of the Kingdom of Ierusalem , and Principality of Antioch have a particular street apart to plead before their Magistrate , that they shold be free from Taxes through all Syria , &c. After this , the most ancient City of Tyre was deliver'd up to the Christians by the help of the Venetian , who had the third part of the City awarded him : Besides all these Prerogatives som Historians mention , that it was agreed and confirm'd while the Duke of Venice shold make his aboad in Ierusalem , he shold enjoy the same honors as the King did . While the Venetian was thus busie in the Holy Land , the Greeks being emulous of his glory , began to raise arms against him , but Prince MICHAELI at his return , took in his passage most of the Greek Ilands , as Samos , Lesbos , Andros , &c. then coming to Dalmatia he recover'd Zara , and Spalatro ; so he came back all glorious to Venice , where he finish'd his daies a while after . 1130. PIETRO POLLANO succeeded his deceased Father in Law MICHAELI , a notable wise Prince , of that high esteem , that he was chosen Arbiter 'twixt Conradus , and Emanuel , the two Emperours of the East and West : add to this wisedom his valour , for he gave a famous defeat to the Padouans and Pisans , and reduc'd Corfu first into subjection . DOMINICO MOROSINI succeeded POLANI , who reduc'd to obedience the tumultuons Istrians in Pola ; they of Ancona were admitted to the Venetian Society ; there was also a League struck with William King of Sicilie , whereby the Venetian got divers priviledges in that Iland in their public marts . VITALIS MICHAELI succeeded , the second of that Name , he sides strongly with the Pope against Barbarossa the Emperour ; The Republic receaves much detriment by the perfidiousnesse of Emanuel the Greek Emperour , by seizing on all the Venetian Marchants up and down without warning given ; a great mortality happend in the Venetian Army , because the Greeks had poyson'd the waters , this Duke was murther'd in a popular sedition . TE●…ASTIANO CYANI succeeded , in his time ther was a Greek Emperour Emanuel , who perfectly hated the Venetians , and studied nothing more then to do them mischief , and the chiefest grounds of this hatred was that lighting upon a book of predictons , he was frighted with one verse , which sayeth , that those of Adria should one day command Constantinople , which was interpreted to be Venice . This Emanuel drew from her confederacy Ancona , but she making a League with Ariminium , brought Ancona to the former amity . The Tresure of Venice being much exhausted , and melted by reason of so many irons she had in the fire , it was decreed that the moneys of particular men layed in deposite , shold be brought to the Tresury of S. Mark , to be employ'd and kept in the Name of the Common-wealth as need shall be , untill the City had recover'd her self . Ther happen'd at that time a mortall feud 'twixt Pope Alexander , and the Emperour Frederick , who favor'd Octavian the Antipope , The Pope fled disguis'd to Venice , and continued so a good while in the Hospitall of Charity . Being discover'd at last , the Venetians sent an Ambassador to the Emperour for an accommodation , the Pope being present when the Credentiall Letters to the Emperour were to be seal'd with wax , he commanded in favour of the Republic , that ever after the Dukes Letters shold be seal'd with lead , which is observ'd ever since . The Venetian Ambassadors being com before Fredrerick , were courteously intreated at first , but so soon as the mention Pope Alexander , he fell into a rage , and sayed ; Get you hence , and tell your Prince and peeple , that Frederick the Roman Emperour demande●…h his enemy , who is com to them for succour , whom if they send not presently bound hand and foot with a sure gard , he will proclaim them enemies to him and the whole Empire , and that ther is neither alliance or Law of Nations which shall be able to free them from his revenge for such an injury : to prosecut which he is resolv'd to overturn all divine and human Laws , that he will suddenly bring his Forces before their City , and contrary to their expectation plant his victorious Eagles in the Market place of S. Mark. The Ambassadors at their return to Venice having reported all this , they decreed to arm a great nomber of Ships , and make themselfs ever masters of the Sea ; but while they were thus preparing , news was brought that Otho the Emperours son was entred into the Gulph with 75. Gallies , CIANI the Duke resolv'd to meet him with as many Gallies as were ready , before he launch'd out , the Pope sang Masse himself , with speciall prayers for the prosperity of the enterprize , and honor'd the Duke with the golden Sword , and other Ensig●…s of Knighthood : so he met with the Imperiall Fleet upon the Coasts of Istria , where he utterly defeated the Emperours Son , made him prisoner , and took 48. Gallies besides ; the Duke being com so triumphantly ashore , the Pope presented him with a gold ring , saying , Take CIANI this ring , and by my advice give it to the Sea , obliging him thereby unto thee , which both thou and thy Succ●…ssors likewise shall for ever hereafter yearly do on this same day , to the end posterity may know , that ye have in times past by right of warr pourchas'd the entire Dominion over the Sea , making it subject unto you , as a woman is to her husband . The Venetians suffer'd Otho upon his parole to go to his Father ; promising to return howsoever , being com into the Emperours presence , he embrac'd him with the more joy , because he had bin doubtfull whether he had bin alive or no ; Otho began to discourse of the battail , referring the defeat to have happen'd by Gods providence , saying further , that he had not omitted any thing that might becom a carefull Captain , and that ther wanted nothing to have obtain'd a victory , but a just quarrell ; it behov'd his Majesty then , to believe that God was powerfull therein , not men , seeing so mighty an Army as theirs was , and not being slow to fight , was defeated by a few who were not half their nomber ; and howsoever they might well overthrow and destroy human Forces , yet 't was impossible to surmount Divine : therefore he did most humbly beseech his Caesarean Majesty no more to trouble Alexander for his place , whose quarrell he might perceave by the successe , to be maintain'd not only by men , but by God himself , alleging further , that he had already disquieted him with the Forces of the Empire , and sought to put him from his seat , but all in vain ; that therfore he shold do a deed pleasing to all men , and worthy of a Christian , if all hatred being forgotten , it would please him to change his mind , and after assurance taken from the Venetians of his safe conduct , he wold be pleas'd to visit the Pope , and give open satisfaction . Otho's advice proceeding so ingeniously from him did mightily prevail with Frederick , wherupon he resolv'd to go to Venice , and PIETRO CIANI the Dukes Son , was sent with six Gallies to attend him at Ravenna : being arriv'd at Venice , the Emperour without more adoe went to see the Pope , who tarried for him at S. Marks Gate in the highest gravity of State : when the Emperour came nere him , he threw off his purple robe , and crept on his knees to his Holinesse feet , which he humbly kiss'd ; The Pope rais'd him up and embrac'd him , then both going to the Church , went to the high Altar where that famous Table of Massie gold , which useth to be in S. Marks Tresury , was taken out of purpose , and so a perfect reconcilement vvas made . From Venice the Pope and Frederick went to Ancona , attended by Prince CIANI ; the City sent out tvvo Canopies , one for the Pope , the other for the Emperour , but the Pope commanded a third to be brought for the Prince of Venice , allovving , that for ever after he and his Successors shold use one at all Solemnities ; Alexander being com to Rome , among other triumphs there were other silver Trumpets made to welcom him whereof he took eight and gave the Prince of Venice , which the Republic shold use ever after in all solemnities . CIANI taking his leave of the Pope , and being return'd to Venice , Mariners were appointed to receave him in the Bucentoro , being landed , he had a white burning Taper carried before him , which was given him by the Pope for the first gift , besides the Canopy , the eight silver Trumpets , the golden Sword , with other Ensigns . CIANI now drooping with age , remov'd himself to S. George's Monastery , where in a few daies he died , making S. Marks Church his heir . This Prince , as he was one of the stoutest , so was he the Saint-likest man of all the Dukes that preceded him or follow'd him ; by the rich Legacies he left , S. Marks Church was wonderfully adorn'd , and because the sayed Church gives occasion of wonderment to all strangers that behold her , I held this an apposit place to bring her in , and make her appear to the curious Reader in her own colours , according to the description I receaved from others , and my own observation . The Description of S. Marks Church . THis Church , as divers other , is not so much magnified for her largenesse , as for her riches ; she is built in form of a crosse , whose corners are highly vaulted and cover'd with bright lead , as all the rest is which is discern'd of Seamen higher then all the buildings of the City above sixscore stades distance : The whole Bulk is supported besides with most curious Arches , contignated and joyn'd together by marvailous Art ; the inner part from the middle to the highest part thereof glistereth with gold , and the concavity of the vaults is enriched with divers goodly and ancient pictures , made most of them , after the Greek manner , which , with the labour to behold them in respect of their height , do present unto the Spectator by their grave and venerable aspect , a kind of awe intermingled with piety and Religion ; that which is from the gilding down to the pavement , is so well compass'd and joyn'd together with goodly Tables of Marble , as by their pleasant veins in form of rayes , the eyes of the beholders are rather fed then satisfied ; the seats below are of an extraordinary red stone like to Porphyrie , the pavement all of Marble engraven with divers figures , wholly different and of varions colours : ther are sundry Columnes and Tables of Parian , Spaitan , & Numidian work , that environ the seats on both sides the Quire. The coming in to the Church on both sides , is in a manner of the same trimming , while gilded Arches are sustein'd without , by more then 300. exquisit Pillers , not so much for their greatnesse as their diversity of colours : the space between those Pillers , being fill'd with choice Tables of Marble : on the height of this entrance four great brazen horses all gilded are to be seen , so lively , as if they seem'd to neigh , and making towards you , which are accounted rare pecces , but not of our time : All this bears the highest top of the Church divided into six steeples , ev'ry of which is rear'd up like a pyramis , and hath on the sharpest point thereof a white Marble Statue of a naked man standing up : Divers other representations delightfull to the eye , and wrought with exceeding skill do beautisie the spaces betwixt the Steeples ; the whole work , as well on the right as the left hand , is of the same substance and workmanship , and all that which is valuted underneath is cover'd with gold . In sum , ther is no place in the whole Church either within or without , but is either deck'd with Marble , Gold , or precious Stones , so that the two Columnes of Alablaster which stand nere to the high Altar , and the Chalcedony Stones , which are to be seen in the midst of the pavement , with the Mosaicall works , we counted the least curiosities . AURIA MARIPIETRO was surrogated in the room of SEBASTIAN CIANI , or Ziani , in whose time things prosper'd well with the Republic in the affairs of Syria . HENRICO DANDULO was then declar'd Prince , in whose time the Republic did mightily encrease their bounds both of her renown and Territories ; the Pisans who had taken Pola were defeated : Baldwin Erl of Flanders , with other Princes that went for the succour of the Holy Land arriv'd all at Venice , where they found magnificent welcome , they had so much money given them in presents as they wold have borrow'd , and 60. vessells vvere provided them to transport their forces ; but the Venetians had this benefit for their money , that those forces help'd them to recover Istria , which by the raising of Zara was revolted from them ; these Princes sail towards Constantinople , where principally by the help of the Venetian the City was taken , Baldwin Erl of Flanders declared Emperor of the East , and Tomaso Morosino was made Patriarch of Constantinople by the Venetians : Moreover , they had the I le of Candie given them at that time , which they hold ever since ; this vvas about the yeer 1200. PIETRO CIANI son to SEBASTIAN , was created Duke next , and was Erl of Arba at that time ; in his time fell out the first warr'twixt Venice and Genoa , who had many Ships in course that turn'd pyrats ; Giovanni Trevisano was sent with nine Gallies well provided against them , who took twelve of the Pyrats Vessells and brought them prize : in this Dukes raign ther was a Colony sent to Corfu , and the possession of Candie was further secur'd by a new Colony which suppress'd divers insurrections ; this Duke being struck in years , having rul'd twenty two years , depos'd himself voluntarily , and retiring to S. Georges Monastery died soon after . GIACOMO TEPULO was chosen in his place , the first thing he did was the suppression of the Candiots who had mutined ; ther was a great Fleet employed also to Constantinople against the Greeks , in regard that it was alledg'd the Venetians had a Right and Title to part of the Empire , and so was bound to succour the chief seat therof : The Republic assisted also in this Dukes time the Genoveses against the Emperour Frederick and the Pisans , and suppress'd the fift rebellion of Zara. MARINO MOROSINI was afterwards chosen Duke , but by a manner of Election , he took in Padoua Philippo Fontano Bishop of Ravenna , being sent Legat from Pope Gregory to Venice , propounding everlasting life for recompence to all those who should take arms with him against the Tyrant Eccel●…n an upstart , who did much mischief up and down Italie . The Venetians presently levied Forces and assisted the Pope to quell this new monster , for which service the Pope granted that the Dean of S. Marks should in high solemnities use a mitre and carry a Pastorall staffe , which none of their Predecessors could ever obtain before . RAINERI ZENO succeeded MOROSINI ; in the beginning of whose government an ill favour'd clash happen'd 'twixt the Venetians and Genoways about a Church which was allow'd them both in P●…olomais , commonly call'd Acon , or Acoe ; the Pope to decide the differences sent unto them , that since divine Service was the same , and common to them both in that Church , the Church likewise ought to be so ; but this wold not heal the wound , for the Genoways had seized upon the Church , and made a kind of Fort of it . Hereupon the Venetians rigg'd a Fleet of thirty Gallies under Lorenzo Tepulo , who coming to the haven of Ptolemais , broak the chain and furiously charg'd the Genoa ships , and two Gallies , being in the harbour , and having taken and despoil'd them of all their tackling , they burnt them in the Port. They went afterward to the Church in question call'd sancta Laba , which the Genoways had fortified and seized on it ; after this ther was another hot encounter 'twixt them where the Genoways had the worst again . The Christians in Syria were much divided in regard of this feud 'twixt Venice and Genoa , which the Pope endeavour'd to reconcile , but could not . The Italians who were in Ierusalem favour'd Venice , but those of Tyre held to Genoa ; at Trapani the Venetian gave the Genoway another shrewd defeat , wherin were taken twenty foure Gallies , and many thousand prisoners carried away , and 1200 slain . Yet the Genoways made head again , and sailing along the coasts of Candy they took Cydon now call'd Canea , and pillag'd it , but the Venetian met them a while after , and was soundly reveng'd of them . This Warre with Genoa put the Republic to extraordinary expence , whereupon a a new impost was levied upon white meats , wherat there was a small insurrection , which was quickly suppress'd , and the Authors severely punished . LORENZO TEPULO upon the death of ZENO succeeded , the Pope with the Kings of France and Sicilie did labour to reconcile matters 'twixt the Venetian and Genoway , in regard this quarrell betwixt them made things go to wreck among the Christians in Syria , but nothing could prevail . The Genoways scour'd the Seas , so that no corn could be brought to Venice , either from Apuleia , or Sicily , which pinch'd the City : a truce at last was made between the two Republics , but a new war did happen 'twixt Venice and Bologna about Trade , which lasted three years ; at last under the conduct of Maria Gradonico an army was sent , who utterly defeated the Bolonians , which made themseek for peace . GIACOMO CONTARENI succeeded TEPULO , at the beginning of whose Government ther was a hot quarrell for the time 'twixt the Republic and them of Ancona about imposts ; the Pope sided with them , in regard they were feodaries to the Church and slighted the Venetian Ambassador , yet Venice wold not make peace with Ancona till she had receav'd satisfaction from her , though it cost S. Mark very dear , in regard that the Republic had lost a whole Fleet by a Tempest during this warr . GIOVANNI DANDULO came after CONTARENI , at which time the Sea did in such sort overflow the City , that it was held by som very prodigious , and their augury prov'd tru , for soon after ensued an Earthquake , and a warr with the Patriark of Aquileia , wherin the Republic had no great successe ; she had worse luck in Syria , for the King of Babilon besieg'd Acre , which the Venetian with the Popes souldiers defended a good while , but no aid coming unto them from the rest of the Princes of Christendom , the City was taken , and so the Christian name grew to be almost wholly extinct in Syria , the yeere 1290. PIETRO GRADONICO succeeded DANDULO , and the Truce being expired with the Genoways , ther was a fiercer war renew'd then ever . In running over this history of the Venetians , divers matters offer themselfs so conformable to those of the ancient Romans that possibly may be , as well in point of counsell , travail , successe , accidents of fortune , and sundry other traverses ; but among all , the Venetian war with Genoa seems to have great resemblance with those which the Romans had in times pass'd with Carthage ; for the neer neighbourhood , as it most often happens , did not beget this Emulation betwixt them , or caus'd the war , because they are as far distant one from the other , as are the Tyrrhene and Libian Seas 'twixt Italy and Africk ; to cleer which point , it will not be amisse to give a little short description of the situation of both their Countreys . Italy is a promontory stretching from the Alpes , whose height on the one side extending towards the South , serves her for a Rampart ; she is besides water'd towards the West with the Ligustik and Tyrrhene Seas , and on the East with the Adratic and Ionian , from thence the waves begin to mingle themselfs together , and to make her the more strong , they wold fain shut up the Alpes the more closely ; in the Adrian Gulph stands Venice ; on the o●…her side , the Ligustik Sea laboureth as it were to hold fast the feet of the Apennin Hills , and within this turning lieth the City of Genoa , emulous of the Venetian greatnesse , in such sort as they are in a manner opposit one to the other ; Prudent nature did set betwixt Rome and Carthage a vast Sea , which might serve for abarr to keep them from jusling one another , as also to cool their fury ; but to Venice and Genoa she hath not only interpos'd the bredth of Italy , but the huge tops of the Apennin , stretching from Liguria to Ancona , from whence being beaten by the waves of the Sea , they soon turn towards the Mount Gargan ; then on a sudden as if they sear'd the Sea , they go on to the furthest parts of Italy , to subdue in a manner those waves they had so often shun'd ; but neither distance of the sea could restrain the wrath of Rome and Carthage one against the other , nor could the difficult accesses of the Apennin H●…l keep Venice and Genoa from bussling one with the other . The Romans held themselfs descended of the Trojans , the Venetians pretend the same originall ; the Libians mingled themselfs with the Phaenicians , and the ▪ Genoways say they were likewise deriv'd from them ; emulation of great achievments did first stir up the former with desire of more Dominion ; On these two hinges the quarrell mov'd betwixt these two Republiques ; Rome and Carthage fell out first about Sicily ; Venice and Genoa about Ptolemais or Acre ; The Romans notwithstanding they were victors , were oft times in greater danger then the Carthaginians whom they had vanquish'd ; the Venetian hath been somtimes in the same condition ; those two people fought above a hundred years together , and though they had Truces somtimes , yet the hostility still remain'd ; these likewise have had sundry cessations of arms , though not of enmity ; In induciis semper manebat bellum ; But as Carthage to Rome , so Genoa vayl'd to Venice at last . About this time Andrew King of Hungary came to Venice , his mother having bin of the Family of the Morosini , a Venetian race . Ther happen'd at this time a notable navall fight 'twixt Venice and Genoa nere Corfu , where the Venetians lost almost their whole Fleet , and Andrew Dandolo their Admirall was taken prisoner with five thousand more , and carried to Genoa ; this victory was got by a reserve of fifteen Gallies the Genoways had , which at the fagg end of the fight came fresh out , as those reserve of five hundred men which Don Iohn of Austria kept fresh under hatches for the last push . This defeat lay heavy upon Venice , for she lost then above sixty Gallies , yet she appear'd again shortly after , and about the streight of Gallipoli she lost again sixteen Gallies , and the Genoway a little after took Canea in Candy ; but a peace was at last mediated ' twizt Venice and Genoa . Upon these ill successes abroad , ther were some treasons detected in Venice , but quickly suppress'd ; Padoa also stir'd , but to little purpose . The next yeer , notwithstanding all the late losses , the Republic sends a considerable Fleet against Paleologus the Greek Emperour , whereof Iustiniano was Generall , because he refus'd to pay the Republic a great sum of money which he ow'd her , this Fleet sailing into the Pontik Sea , quickly brought Paleologus to reason & to repay the mony . This victroy did much heighten the spirits of Venice , which had somwhat languish'd for her great losses in the Ligustic war with Genoa ; she also made her self Mistress of Ferrara a little after , which being a City fewdetary to the Church of Rome , the Pope excomunicated Venice , interdicting her from the use of the Sacraments , which drew a great deal of odium upon her , so that she thought it high time to restore Ferrara to the Popes Legat , yet she wold pause a little further upon 't . About this time , the famous conspiracy of Ba●…amonti Tepulo was suppress'd , who was kill'd by a Venetian woman out of a zeal to her Countrey , who had an honorable Pension ever after during life . MARINI GEORGO was now created the fiftieth Duke of Venice ; in his time Zara revolted the sixth time from the Republic , but was reduc'd . GIOVANNI SOVRANZA succeeded GEORGIO , who had govern'd but ten moneths ; the City which had bin a good while anathematiz'd , sent Francisco Dandulo to the Pope ; this Nobleman being admitted to the presence of Clement , who perfectly hated Venice because of Ferrara , by a wonderfull example of piety to his Countrey , and love to Religion , continued a long time on the ground before the Popes Table ; with an iron chain about his head like a dog , untill the Excommunication was taken off , which was don upon those acts of penitence ▪ Hereupon a little after Venice had a notable successe against Genoa in the Pontik Sea , where above thirty bottomes were sunk and taken by JUSTINIANO the Generall . FRANCISCO DANDULO who had bin Ambassador with the Pope , and by that penance formerly spoken of had got the Excommunication taken off , was elected the next Duke , the Polani and the Valesians who had bin a long time subject to the Patriark of Aquileia , did voluntarily yeeld themselfs under the protection of Venice ; About this time the Republic did divers exploits upon the Coasts of Syria against the Turks , for securing of Navigation upon those Coasts ; she likewise did many feats in Lombardy , her Army took Padoua and Bergamo , Brescia also fell under her protection . BARTILMEO GRADONICO was chosen next , and a little after ther arose one night a most furious Tempest , which caus'd such an inundation three foot deep above the streets of the City : In this Dukes time ther came Ambassadors from England , craving aid against Philip the French King , whom the Genoways , who were mortall enemies to Venice , did favour , but nothing could be obtain'd , and this was the first time that ther was any acquaintance 'twixt England and Venice , which was in the yeer 1332 ▪ ther was another revolt in Candie suppress'd . ANDREA DANDULO came next to the principality , a man of extraordinary parts of learning as well as valour , for he compil'd the Venetian story in two styles . The Republic sent a Fleet against the Turk , which took Smyrna again . There was an Ambassadour sent by the Senat to the King of Babylon concerning the Venetians free Trade into Egypt , which though stood upon by the Pope , in regard they were Infidells , was setled . Zara had rebell'd now the seventh time , but was reduced , and Lewis King of Hungarie repuls'd . There happen'd a fearfull earthquake in Venice about this time , which overturn'd divers steeples and palaces ; This Earthquake usher'd in a fearfull contagion which brought the City to a pitifull desolation for the time , the said earthquake lasting fifteen dayes by intermissions . This terible earthquake gives me occasion to desire leave of the Reader to step a little aside out of the great Road of this History , and make a short excursion to give a touch of the causes of these dreadfull effects of nature , of these tremblings and shiverings of the earth , or rather Aguish shaking fits , wherunto we find her body is as subject as the body of men or lions , who are observed to have their monthly paroxismes . The Babylonian Philosophers think the cause of these impetuous motions hapneth by the force of som Planet meeting with the Sun in the region of the earth : others hold it to be a vapour a long time engendring in som concavities of the earth , and restrain'd from sal●…ying forth into the air ; others affirme that 't is a wind pe●…'d up in the entrails of the earth ; Pliny sayeth that the earth never quaketh , but when the Sea is very calm and the air so still and clear , as the birds can hardly bear themselves up , and that the winds are then shut up in the bowells of the earth , their improper station . He addeth further that an earthquake is nothing else but as thunder in the air , or an overture and crevice in the earth , or as lightning breaking forth violently and making irruptions from the midst of the clouds , the wind inclos'd therin , and strugling to comforth by force . The Stoicks speak of divers sorts of Earthquakes that cause the gapings of the earth , the swellings of the water , and boiling of the same , a horrid confus'd sound commonly precedeth and accompanieth this quaking , somtimes like to the roaring of a Bull , somtimes to the lamentable cry of som humane creature , or like the clattring of armor , according to the quality of the matter which is inclos'd , or according to the form of the cave , and hole , or Spelunca , through which it passeth , which resounds in vaulty and hollow places : It waxeth hot , in sharp and dry places , and causeth defluxions in those that are mo●…st and humid . Now amongst all Earthquakes , the agitation of the waters is most dangerous , for lightning is not so hurtfull , nor the shaking of buildings , or when the earth is puff'd up , or falleth down by an interchangeable motion , because the one keeps back the other . The safest buildings are those upon vaults , the corners of walls , and on bridges leaning one against another ; beside , brick buildings are lesse dangerous in such accidents ▪ your skilfull Navigators can foretell these earthquakes , at such time as they perceive the waves to swell on a sudden without a wind ; and likewise those on land may likewise foretell them when they behold birds in a maze to stay their flight , or when waters in wells are troubled more than ordinary , having a bad unsavoury smell : all these are presages of such hideous motions : Pherecydes the Syrian drawing water out of a well , foretold an Earthquake , and so did Anaximander Milesius ; and the truest signs are , either when the wind blows not , or when the Sea and Region of the Air are calm , for an Earthquake never hapneth , when the wind blows , or the Sea swells . This strange Earthquake in Venice , among other direfull effects it produc'd , caus'd that many hundreds of women miscarried in childbed , and a plague follow'd , which reduc'd the City to such a he●…ht of misery , that it was almost depopulated ; wherupon the Senat made a decree , that as many as wold com to dwell at Venice , shold after that they had sojourn'd there two years be free Citizens : Moreover , during this Contagion , divers places on firm land revolted from the Republic , which were reduc'd again . The Genoway also went about to deprive the Venetians of all trafic in the Pontic Seas , and therupon took divers Candiot Marchants : hereupon Marco Marosino Admirall of the Adriatic Sea , went abroad in course with thirty five Gallies to fish for some Genoways , and meeting with twelve in the Haven of Carista , which lieth towards Negrepont , they surpriz'd them , being richly laden with Merchandizes , and carried them to Venice ; this defeat was of that consequence , that the Senat decreed that the same day the Genoways were o'rethrown at Charista shold be ever after celebrated for a holy day . Ther happen'd the year after a terrible nocturnall fight 'twixt Venice and Genoa at the Thracian Bosphorus , and though ther were Auxiliaries both from the King of Aragon , ( with whom the Republic had made a League a little before ) and from the Greek Emperour also , yet the Venetian had the worst of it ; But the yeer after , about the Coasts of Sardinia she handsomly met the Genoways , and linking her Gallies together , fought with that pertinacity and resolution that she took thirty two Gallies , which so weakned the Genoways , that he was forc'd to fly to the Viscont of Milan to implore help , and put her self as it were under his protection ; a little after the Venetian gain'd another victory of the Genoways nere the Morea . The Viscont of Milan appearing for Genoa , Venice made a counter-balancing League with the King of Boheme , and that he shold invade the Territories o●… Milan , with a Land Army to find him work to do . MARINI PHALERIO was chosen the next Duke , who was Erl of Va●…uarin ; the first yeer of his government the Republic had a shrewd losse in the I le of Sapientia nere Morea , where Pagano Doria , who was the new Admirall of Genoa , surpriz'd Pisant the Venetian Generall , and ▪ gave him an overthrow ▪ ; this PHALERIO by a very bloudy way thought to make himself King of Venice ; but it was detected , and he with his complices put to death . GIOVANNI GRADONICO , surnamed Naso , succeeded Phalerio , in whose government a peace after five years cruentous war was concluded with the Genoways and their Allies ; but another Land war did rise 'twixt the King of Hungary , and the Common-wealth in Dalmatia . GIOVANNI DELPHINO succeeded Gradonico , who made a peace more necessary then honourable with the King of Hungary ; for the Republic was to renounce all right to Dalmatia , and that the King for his part shold redeliver whatsoever was taken from them in Istria . LORENZO CELSO followed after , in whose time the Duke of Austria came to see Venice , and after him the King of Cyprus ; the Candiots rebell and continue so a good vvhile , at last they were reduc'd by arms , the news wherof being brought to Venice , prisoners were set at liberty , divers maids were married out of the Tresury of S. Mark , Tilts and Tournaments continued for divers daies in S. Marks place , with divers other exultations and triumph . MARCO CORNARI succeeded Celso , with many triumphs , but before the years end som tumults arise in Candie which were suppress'd with much difficulty . ANDREA CONTARENI follow'd Cornari , and refusing to accept the principality , he was threatned unto it : Tenedos did then yeeld to the Venetian ; but in this Dukes time ther happen'd terrible wars 'twixt the Venetians and the King of Hungary , as also with the Arch-Duke of Austria , and interchangeable overthrows were given on both sides , but by the mediation of the Patriarch of Aquileia a peace was concluded ; but the rancor of the Genoway broak out again , and after some hostile encounters a peace vvas concluded by the intercession of the Duke of Savoy ; afterwards the Republic leagues with the King of Cyprus . MICHAEL MOROSINI succeeded next , who lasted but four moneths in his principality . ANTONIO VENIERI then sueceeds , in whose time ther fell out a fierce warre in Lombardy , which was but collaterall only to the Venetians , yet they were the chiefest sticklers therein , and Accommodators at last . MICHAELI STENO Procurator of S. Mark then succeeded , and presently the fire broak out 'twixt Venice and Genoa again , Bouciqualt a notable resolut Frenchman was Generall of the Genoways , yet the Venetian still put them to the worse : V●…cenza came then under the protection of S. Mark , who sent a Garrison thither . Verona also one of the most famous Cities in Lombardy , put her self under the Venetians , which much heigtned the glory of the Republic : add hereunto that Padoua also was brought by force of arms under her subjection : All things being afterwards setled in a firm peace , ther came forty gentlemen from Verona to Venice all clothed in white , wherupon the Senat commanded a Theater to be erected of purpose in S. Marks place , where the Duke with his Family clothed also all in white were ready to receave them . The Veronois being all com to the Thea●…et , after they had saluted the Prince and the Senat , they layed down their public Ensigns , and the keys of their City gate , at their feet , entreating them to accept thereof , beseeching God that the proffer might be both to Venice and Verona as fortunate and profitable as that was an assured pledge of their fidelity , as well public as particular towards the Venetians , requesting them of their accustomed goodnesse to continue in the preservation , defence and maintenance of them , their City , their means , and fortunes , with all other , both divine and humane matters ; and as for their unfained love towards them , they durst freely say and affirm , that they wold ▪ be ▪ extremely sorry , if among so many peeple as did obey them , any shold go before them in love , duty and affection . These Ambassadors being courteously entertain'd , were assur'd by the Duke , that as long as they continued to be such as they promised , the Senat wold e're long let them know , that the greatest happinesse which can befall those who have not means to defend themselfs , is to be shrowded under a lawfull government , which they shold find to be as pleasing ( in regard they had recourse to the only Fort of Liberty , and cast off a Tyrants yoak ) as a safe harbour useth to be to a man that hath escaped a terrible tempest ; they might therefore depart when they pleas'd , and take with them the Venetian Ensigns ( and in so saying the Duke gave them to their Prolocutor ) which they were to erect in the midst of their City ; he wish'd they might prove to themselfs & to the Venetians ever happy ; and being so erected to hold them in reverence : then he will'd them to execut justice , in regard they had in times pass'd obey'd the commands of a Tyrant : so they were dismiss'd ; those of Padoua following their example , came soon after , only with this difference , that in lieu of white the Padouans were cloth'd in purple , Anno Dom. 1405. THOMASO MOCENIGO was next chosen , and ther being great dissentions raiis'd 'twixt the Bishop of Aquilea , and them of Udine , the Venetians recover Feltre , Bellluna and other places . The Udinois did also yeeld themselfs to the Republic , with the whole Countrey of the Patrians in Friuli ; But upon these notable successes by Land , ther happen'd a most raging fire in Venice , which burnt the Dukes Palace , and melted all the Lead upon S. Marks Church , which was contiguous . The fire being quench'd , the Senat decreed that no man under pain of forfeiting a thousand ducats , shold dare to propound to pull down the old palace , and reedifie it more sumptuously ; The Prince then preferring the honor of the City to his own private profit , brought the same sum to the Senat , requesting that they wold permit the fore part of the Ducall palace might be reedifi'd in a more magnificent manner , as was befitting the majesty of the Republic , and so willingly forfeited his thousand Ducats : so the work was done accordingly , but the Duke died before 't was finish'd . FRANCISCO FOSCARD was then elected Duke , the same year ther was warres begun against Philip Duke of Milan , and the Republic concluded a League with the Florentines against him , which League consisted of these heads , that the Venetians and Florentines shold arm at their own common charge one thousand six hundred horse and eight thousand foot , they shold furnish two Navall armies , with the one the Venetians shold sail up the River Po to resist the Forces of Philip , the. Florentines along the River of Genoa , that none shold speak of peace till the Venetians shold command it . That all the Cities , Forts , and Towns taken on the confines of Flaminia , shold belong to the Florentine , the other shold be joyn'd to the Vetetian State , or given to whom they pleased . Lorenzo the Florentine Ambassadour did herupon cast himself at the Dukes feet , and with a loud voice sayed , that the Florentine peeple shold be ever mindfull of such a signall benefit , and besought God that the glorie of Venice might increase , and if ever it happen'd that the Venetian peeple shold have need , the Florentines wold be ever ready with their utmost means to aid the Republic : divers others , as Amadeo Duke of Savoy , King Alonso and Syena entred into this League . This enforc'd the Duke of Milan to a peace , which imported that he shold quit to the Venetians Bressia with her confines , together with that part of Cremona's Territories which is contiguous to the River Olio , as also that part of Bergamo which stretcheth towards the River Adi●…e . The Marquesse of Monferrat being oppress'd fled to Venice for refuge , who restored him to his Territories . There arrived about this time Iohn Paleologus the Grecian Emperour , Ioseph Patriarch of Constantinople , with the Prince of Morea , to confer with the Pope about matters of Religion ; They went to Ferrara to find out Eugenius the Pop●… , who was a Venetian born , and this conference produced good effects , and an union for the time . About this time there came to Venice the Bishop of Aquileia and Pietro Barbe Cardinall , that was Pope afterwards , that had splendid entertainment . But the Emperour Frederick , with his wife Loenora , had more magnificent reception ; for besides the Buccentoro richly hung with cloth of gold , wherin the Prince and Senators were , divers great vessells were set forth besides , whose poopes were all new gilded , in which were many hundreds of the Venetian Clarissimi , the Ganzari and Patischerme that are lesser vessells which were numberlesse , were as allantly deck'd , wherin were the common Citizens , who did strive who shold exceed one another in bravery ; the whole City was hung up and down as they pass'd with Cloth of gold and rich tapestry , in every corner musicall instruments , songs and melodious voices were heard . The Empress landed a little while after in the same glory , attended by two hundred of the prime Venetian Ladies , she was presented with an Imperiall crown of gold set with rich stones , and a coat for a little child , with a cradle cloth of purple , powdred with pea●…ls , in regard 't was thought she was with child , &c. The Emperour being gone , the Senat to furnish the warres of Lombardy , decreed that all Officers , as well in the City as abroad , Judges , Registers , and others of meaner quality under great Officers , who in any kind had pensions of the Republic , shold pay a certain sum , and that other sorts of Clarissimi shold serve the Signiory gratis for six months . In this Dukes time a cunning Candiot , by sapping under the Church got into S. Marks Tresury , and stole thence jewells and other things to a mighty value , but he was detected by his companion before he could get away , and hang'd betwixt the two columnes in S. Marks place . In this Dukes time also was Constantinople won by the Turk , in regard of the sloth , supiness and stupidity of the rest of the Christian Princes , but especially for the frowardnesse of the Constantinopolitans themselfs , who wold not give timely aid to the Emperor , out of a base kind of covetousnesse , and with Constantinople the whole Greek Empire perish'd , which had stood above eleven hundred yeers ; this gave an alarum to all Italy , and caus'd a generall peace about Anno Dom. 1459. Mahomet at the taking of Constantinople did endeavour to oblige the Venetians more then any other Christian Nation ther , wherfore in the generall slaughter he sav●…d them , knowing that none was more powerfull to do him hurt then Venice . PASCHALIS MARIPIETRO succeeded Foscaro ▪ who continued in the Principality longest of any of his sixty five Predecessors , for he govern'd above thirty six years , and being stricken in age he made a voluntary resignation to Paschalis , who preserv'd the Republic in peace all his life time : in his government happen'd that universal Earthquake , which shook most parts of Italy , Anno Dom. 1460. CHISTOPHORO MAURO was next elected , the I le of Lemnos was delivered to the Venetians in this Dukes time , and Oenos was taken , but the Republic had very ill luck in the Morea , and before Corinth , moreover they lost Negrepont . MICOLAO TRONO succeeded Moro ▪ whose short government was very fortu●…at , because th●… Republic in his time made a League with the King of Persia , and united the Iland of Cyprus to their Dominions ; the Pope at his time sent a Fleet of Gallies to second the enterprises of the Venetians in the Greek Seas , and being met , Mocenigo the Generall for the Republic , made this Speech to the Popes Legat , who was Admirall for the Church . I am sure most excellent and reverend Father , that you are not ignorant how val●…antly the Venetians have hitherto born themselves for the Christian Faith ; This is the ninth year we have fought by Sea and Land against this cruell enemy , without the assistance of any Christian Prince but King Ferdinand only ; It is needlesse to rehearse the losses , travails and dangers which we have sustain'd , for ther is no place in all Morea , no shore in Greece , nor Iland in all the Ionian and Egean Seas which is not mingled with our bloud , or with that of our enemies ; we have not spar'd any labour or expence , and we heartily wish that whatsoever we do now , or shall hereafter execut , may be for the Weal of Christendom ; we have lately with fire and sword wasted Eolia and Caria , two rich Provinces of the enemies , and now we hope by your happy conjunction to do som nobler enterprize ; It rests therfore on your part to teach us what you know to be profitable for Christendome , and prescribe us what to execute , and we hold it our parts to execute your commands . The Legat answer'd , It is sufficiently known with what Zeal and affection the Noble Venetians have till this present defended Christian Religion , and how by their valour and industry they have preserv'd whole Common-wealths , Ilands and Cities , but for your own particular Generall Mocenigo , I must say , that although other Commanders have done valiantly , yet you have not only comported your self valiantly , but fortunatly , and if I may so say , divinely : This being thus , I entreat you to go on as you have begun , and let not our conduct , or that of any one els , interrupt the course of your happy proceedings ; For my self , as becometh a Churchman , I will pray unto God and his Saints , that all your enterprises may succeed prosperously ▪ and those troupes which I have brought with me , shall follow your commands . Mocenigo had forty six ●…allies of the Republic under his command , twenty of the Popes , and fifteen of King Ferdinands , He infested the Turks up and down in divers places , taking sundry places and prizes ; among others he took Sichin and Seleucia , where the Turks being too confident of their strength , cryed out from over the walls to Mocenigo , get ye home O Venetians , and command the Sea and fishes , but leave the Empire of the Land to Ottoman . Mocenigo having taken Seleucia went after to Cyprus , where he understood that Iames the King was sick of a Dissentery , and being come to visit him , he entreated the King to be of good cheer , and with patience to undergo the force of his malady , who made him answer : I know very well most excellent Captain , and already feel , that by the violent torment of my disease , I am in great danger of life ; and not to ●…atter my self , I have no hope to escape ; therefore I make my dearest wife with the child she bears in her body , mine heirs , and she , as thou knowest , is daughter to Marco Cornari , and being adopted by the Venetian Senat , was by them given me in marriage : If I die , whereof I make no question , I recommend my Wife , Issue , and Kingdom to Venice ▪ therefore I heartily entreat thee , in regard of our friendship , and for the greatnesse of the Venetian State ( if it com to that ) that thou wo●…'st defend and keep both her selfe , Issue and Kingdome from all wrong and oppression . Mocenigo answer'd : Thy body , most Royall King , is yet in a good estate , and thou in the prime of thine Age , which may put thee in good hope of a speedy recovery , but if it shold fall out otherwise , which God forbid , I beseech thee be confident , that neither my self nor the Venetian forces will be wanting to thee or thine . Mocenigo parting from Cyprus , sayl'd towards the Ilands nere Licia , where making incursions into the firm land , he resolv'd to besiege Mi●… , which he took and plundred , thence he sayl'd to Flisca , where the King of Cyprus daughter , the Lady Charlotta allied to the Duke of Sa●…y , sent to crave assistance of him against Iames her base brother ; who was the son of a Concubin . Mocenigo's answer was remarkable : He sent her word , that in the Republics name he wold do the Lady Charlotta all favour , yet he greatly wonders , that she did not remember how that the right of Kingdoms is rather debated by the Sword , then by Law , and that the Iland of Cyprus had not bin only taken from her , but also from the Genoways who then held part thereof : For his part he knew how that the wife of the late King , the adoptif daughter of the Venetian Senat , being left with child , had bin , together with the fruit of her womb , made heirs by the deceased King before his death in his hearing ▪ therefore he told them plainly , he wold espouse the quarrell of the pregnant Queen Dowager , who he hop'd wold shortly bring forth a young King. A while after the Popes Legat being revok'd , and taking his leave of Mocenigo , spake unto him thus ; I take my leave of thee O thou valiant man , and will be the public witnesse and trumpet of thy heroick deeds ▪ and if God shall send me safe to Italy , not only the Pope and the most reverend Colledge of Cardinalls , but all Europe , with the Princes and 〈◊〉 Nations of Christendom , shall understand what Venice under thy conduct , skill and counsell hath done against our common enemie the Turk , in Asia , Licia , and Pamphilia : go forward brave Captain , as thou hast begun , to inlarge the Venetian glory , and bear up the banners of the Crosse , thereby to imortalize thy own name : I beseech Almighty God to favour all thy attempts , and I hope 't wil come so to passe , that all the losses which Christendome hath sustaind by this barbarous enemy , shall e're long by thy own valour , and to their ruine , be fully compensated . After this , Mocenigo was Godfather to the young Prince , and made Governour of Cyprus . NICOLAO MARCELLO succeeded afterwards , in whose principality divers things prospered on the Republics side in Macedonia . PIETRO MOCENIGO was chosen next , who being S. Marks Admirall , for many years did notable feats by Land and Sea , but in the compasse of a year and two months he gave up the Ghost and his Government . ANDREA VENDRAMMO succeeded , the Turks besiege Croia and are worsted , but they ravag'd and burnt the Countrey of Friuli , and the fire was so violent , that it was seen from som of the turrets of Venice . GIOVANNI MOCENIGO was next elected Duke , and shortly after there was a peace concluded with Ottoman the Turk upon these conditions , that the Venetians stold have free and safe trafic into the Pontick Seas , and that Ottoman shold have Lemnos and Scutary given him up : He afterwards took Otrauto in Calabria wherby he fill'd all Italy with a terror of invasion ; In this Dukes time the Island Vegia in Dalmatia gave her self up to Venice ; In this Dukes time there was an eager warre begun , and prosecuted with much heat 'twixt Venice and Ferrara ; Malateste was Generall to the Republic ▪ who did many notable exploits , and brought the Ferrarois to a very low ebb , at which time Pope Sixtus enjoyn'd the Venetians to lay down their arms by his Nuncio . But the Senat answer'd somewhat roundly , that the Republic was so far from entertaining this war without his Holines consent , as they did it at first by his instigation , that as then so now , they did prefer peace not only before warr , but before victory , so it were seasonably sought , and not on such conditions as might make their lenity to be interpreted indiscretion : that they were confident his Holinesse actions had no privat ends , but such as imported the common good of Christendome , only in this it was notorious to the whole world , that he dealt more subtilly then sincerely , that for twenty years , wherein both by Land and Sea they had bin singled out by dreadfull Ottoman , none of the Princes of Italy contributed one drop of bloud towards the quenching of this neighbour flame , but seem'd deaf to all sollicitations , and same to all assistance : But in this privat cause of Ferrara , those who shrank back from the public quarrell could all bandy together , not as if they wold arbitrat , but enforce a peace ; that they humbly desir'd his Holinesse to ponder this businesse temperatly , which others did passionatly , and to let his own understanding advise him whither it more concern'd him to favour the Venetians or the Ferrarois ; as for them they were resolv'd to prosecut that war , which by his advice they had undertaken , hoping the successe wold prove as happy , as the cause was just and honorable . This was the substance of the Venetians Answer , whereat the Pope was so incens'd , that he excomunicated the Doge ; and the Senat , having leagu'd himself with Frederick , and Alfonso Duke of Calabria , who came with two thousand men for succour of Ferrara , among whom were four hundred Turks , which he brought from Otrauto ; but they a while after ran away to the Venetians , which though it was some advantage unto them ▪ yet they had an ill-favour'd disaster in the City at that time , for the Dukes Palace was half burnt down . The Republic having many potent enemies banded against Her , by the instigation of the Pope , employ'd Ambassadors to the French Army , and Germane Princes , with others , to have a Generall Councell call'd , wherin it might be lawfull to complain of the Pope or any other . Herupon a while after Pope Sixtus apprehending some fears , a Treaty was set on foot for a peace , which was quickly concluded ; The Venetians a little before , had taken Gallipoli in Calabria ; and though they lost neither honour or territory during this warr , yet in lesse than two years it cost the Republic nere upon three millions . MARCO BARBADICO succeeded next , in whose time a trade was begun with Portugall , to which purpose the Republic sent an Ambassador expresly to Lisbon , Anno Dom. 1485. When this Duke was upon his death-bed , there came a great Ambassador from Bajazet the Turkish Emperor with rich presents unto him , but he enjoy'd them little ; He was buried with greater solemnitie than ordinary , and the ceremonies which were us'd then continue constant to this day at the interment of Venetian Doges , which is thus . After the Duke is dead , he is unbowell'd , his body embalm'd , and laid under a Canopie of gold , with his gilt sword and spurres revers'd ; he is publiquely kept in the palace for three whole dayes , then all the Companies in the City , which are as many as ther be Trades , do with their banners in solemn order go before the body , after them followeth the Clergy , next to them the mourners , who are in great multitudes in sad funestous manner : last of all come the Senat cloth'd in scarlet and purple , to demonstrat that the City which is free , doth never in mourning habit follow the Exequies of any Prince , how vertuous soever : In this manner and habit so soon as the body is brought into the Church they sit round about it , whilst the memory of the deceased Prince is recommended to the peeple in a funerall Oration : from thence the Senators returning to the Palace , do publish the first Assembly for the creation of a new Duke . AUGUSTIN BARBADICO , brother , to the defunct , and Procurator of S. Mark , succeeded ; most of the Princes of Germany ▪ bandy against Venice , who met them about Trent , where Sanseverino her gallant Generall , the best soldier of those times , was utterly routed and drown'd . About this time there was a Fleet sent for the garding of Cyprus , for divers aim'd at that dainty Iland , therfore Georaio Cornari was sent thither by the Senat to induce the widdow Queen his sister ( & adopted daughter to Venice ) to remit the government to the Senat , & retire to Venice , to live among her kindred in contentment , ease , & honor . The Queen wonder'd at her brothers Proposition , saying , that she wold not for a world part with so sweet a Kingdom , and that the Senat might be satisfied to have it after her death : her brother replied with this charming subtill Oration , Intreating her not to make more account of Cyprus , than of her own dear Countrey , because that worldly affairs being variable and inconstant , it might in short space com to passe that she might be expuls'd , it being so thought on already by divers potent Lords , and her self envied by many of her Subjects , who disdain'd to be govern'd by a woman , therefore one only means was left her to prevent all these mischiefs , which was , seeing she had no children to transmit the Government of the Realm to the Venetian State now in her life time ; he added further that the Republic was well contented she shold rule as long as the times were quiet , and free ●…from suspitions . But now when all her Neighbours wait for an occasion , and lay snares to surprize Her , the Senat hath thought this onely remedy most expedient ; but if she fear'd not these dangers , he be sought her to consider , what she was likely to have fallen into the yeer before , for had not the Republic rescued her with their Gallies , she had bin in danger to have bin carried Captive to Constantinople ; It is good to foresee that which som odd accident or small errour may hurl us into , and to prevent it , fortune is blind and volable , nor can we ever prevent our enemies designs , nor can our friends be alwaies ready to help us when we want them ; there is a great distance by Land , and a great Sea 'twixt the Adriatic Gulph and Cyprus ; This , Madam you ought to remember and timely consider , that though nothing enforc'd you thereunto , yet what greater honor , or more lasting glory can you leave behind you , then to have bequeath●…d to your own Countrey so florishing a Kingdome , and that Venice was augmented by a child of her own ; you shall still be a Queen , and truly if the ●…ase were mine , I shold desire rather to see my greatnesse with such safety in Cyprus out of the bosom of my own Countrey : Never was Princesse so welcom to Venice as you will be , you know you are to thank the Senat for being Queen , but if you deny this motion , you will seem to acknowledge it very little ; In a word , I being your brother , and one who ought to have som interest in you , if you dismisse me with a deniall , the world will judge it is not you have done it , but my councell , whereby I shall incur a high displeasure ; therefore I pray Madam consider well of it , ther is nothing more worthy of praise then to know how to entertain Fortune modestly when she smiles on us , and not to desire to be still on the wheels top , &c. Cornari having thus discours'd to the Queen , he prevail'd so far with her , that m●…lting into tears , she made him this answer : Brother , if this be your opinion , I wil conform to it , and wil strive to overmaster my self , but Venice shall thank you for Cyprus , not me . So she was conducted to Venice , and receav'd with all imaginable state after she had rul'd Cyprus fifteen years . A little after this , the King of Tremisen in Affrique sent to Venice his Ambassador , to entrust som Venetian gentlemen to see Justice done to the Venetian Subjects , who liv'd in three of his Cities , therupon Lodovico Piramane was sent , who had the hundredth peny upon all Marchandize for his salary . Not long after the Patriarch of Aquileia died at Rome , and Hermolao Barbaro being there Ambassador for the Republic , the Pope confer'd that high Ecclesiastic Dignity upon him , and made him Cardinall . This being known at Venice , notwithstanding that Hermolao was a Minister of great desert , and had acquainted the Senat hereof ; yet because there was an expresse Law , forbidding all Venetian gentlemen , being Ambassadors at Rome , to receave any obliging Dignity of the Pope , during the time of his Legation , the Senat took the audacious infringing of this Law in ill part ; and though he were rich , well allied , and had great friends , they sent expresse command , that he shold resign the Patriarkship again to the Pope , if not , they wold take from his Father the Procuratorship of S. Mark , and confiscat all his estate ; the Father died before the years end , of meer resentment , and the Son having compos'd many excellent books , died a little after of a Squinancy . Venice was now very quiet , when Charles the VIII . of France sent three Ambassadors one after the other to the Duke , that their King being resolv'd to com to Italy , to conquer the Kingdome of Naples , which by hereditary right belong'd to him , he desir'd to know the Venetians inclination towards him , and whither they wold continue the former League and Amity ; The Senat answer d the Ambassador , that the Signory did ever prefer peace before war , and did now desire it more then ever , therefore they could wish , that their King being now in a perfect peace , wold suffer the Princes of Italy to be so too . Afterwards the French King being daily push'd on by LowtkSforZa the Duke of Milan , and the Prince of Salerno then an Exile in France , send Philip of Comines again to Venice , who propos'd to the Senat , that if they wold joyn with them in the recovery of Naples , they shold have a considerable share of the Kingdome , if not , that they shold persever in their former friendship . The Senat answer'd , That the King was so potent and well provided with all warlike necessaries , that he needed no help from them , therefore they determin'd according to the laudable custome of their Ancestors , not to stir , who never made war but upon constraint : Moreover , they desir'd not to have any share in that Kingdome whereunto they had no claim ; for the rest , they sayed , they wold still make high esteem of his friendship . The Republic had at this time a great Fleet upon the Coasts of Slavonia , because they understood Bajazet the great Turk began to arm ; at which time there came a solemn Embassie from Florence to crave their advice how they shold behave themselfs 'twixt the Kings of Naples and France , the latter of which had sent to desire passage through their Countrey . The Senat answer'd : That in so difficult a businesse , subject to such a world of accidents , they knew not so suddenly what was best to be done , and though they loved the one better then the other , they durst not deliver their Opinion , because that fortune is commonly Mistresse in warre , and that it usually falls out , that matters done by chance and adventure , do oftentimes prosper better then those which are premeditated , and beaten upon the anvill of long premeditation ; therefore they ought to ask counsell of none but Almighty God , who only knew what was best for men to embrace or avoid . The French King rushing into Italy , found no resistance scarce , till he had crown'd himself King of Naples . The Venetians were at this time put mightily to their plunges and reaches of policy , because it was not wholesom for them or Italy , that the French shold grow so powerfull , therefore the King of the Romans , the Spaniards , and the Duke of Milan , who had fallen from the French , sending their Ambassadors unto them , they strike a League to represse the French proceedings . The Venetian takes Manapoli , Pulignano , and Mola , and partly by arms , partly policy , the French are driven out of Italy ; yet Charles the VIII . being dead , they make a new League with King Lewis of France against the Duke of Milan upon these conditions , that Lodowick SforZa being elected King , shold have Milan , and the Republic Cremona and Abdua , and it came so to passe . The Republic had but sorry successes against the Turk in this Dukes time , for at Cephaloma they receav'd a terrible blow , yet she reduc'd at last that Iland to a perfect subjection . LEONARDO LOREDANO succeeded Barbarico ; in his time the French and Portugall assist the Signory against the Turk , so that a peace ensued ; The Republic receav'd a mighty wound in her Comerce about this time , in regard that the Portugalls had found a passage to the East Indies , by the cape of good hope , and so brought home in their Carraks those spices which Venice was us'd to fetch from Alexandria , and dispence up and down Europe . 1503. But Pope Iulius the II. gave her a worse blow , by drawing a most heavy war upon the Republic , in regard she wold not part with FaenZa and Rimini , for which She offer'd to pay him any rent in quality of Tenant , alledging that it was dangerous for the Signory in regard of their Situation , that they shold be in any other hands : Hereupon , that notable League at Cambray was privatly struck against Venice , wherin ther were Confederates , the Pope himself , the Emperour , the King of France , the Kings of Aragon , and Spain , with divers others : It was given out , that they met there to accommode the businesse of the Duke of Gueldres , but that was only a pretext , which the Republic could not smell out . The Republic by this huge powerfull League , had lost almost all the Towns she had in the firm Land of Lombardy , as far as Padoua ; The great Turk offer'd the Republic aid in this exigent , but she modestly refus'd any : Besides other places , she receav'd a most fearfull overthrow hard by Abdua ; being thus oppress'd with the spirituall Armes of Rome , and most of the temporall Armes of Europe , rather then break , she complemented with the Emperour , and bow'd to the Pope , by delivering him those places aforesayed in Flaminia : Among others , the Cardinall of York in England did do her good Offices to the Pope , as her Annales make mention : The French having taken Milan , and other places , grew insolent in Italy ; therefore there was a new confederacy made 'twixt the Pope , the King of Spain , and the Venetians ; at Ravenna the French became Victors in a great battail , but a little after the Swisse coming in as Confederates against them , they were totally routed and driven over the Hills again . The Venetians recover'd Crema , and the Spaniard having taken Bressia , and delaying to render it to Venice , there was a new occasion offer'd for the Republic to make a League with France again against the Spaniard , and Francis the first by their help regain'd Milan . The Republic was never so driven to her shifts as she was in the time of this Duke , in divers traverses of warr , and confederacies against her , which she dissolv'd by pure policy , more then any power . She was afterwards much persecuted by Pope and Emperour , in so much that Maximilian sent to Selim the new great Turk an Ambassador , to invite him to a warr against the Venetians , and to invade their Sea Coasts , while he assaulted them by Land. Pope Leo sent Petro Bembo upon a solemn Embassie to the Republic , that they shold break with the French , and League with the Emperour and Spaniards against them ; whereunto the Senat made this grave answer : That his Holinesse Ambassador was greatly pleasing to the Senat , as well in respect of himself , whose vertue and particular affection towards their Countrey was sufficiently known to all men , as likewise in regard of the Prince who sent him , seeing the Republic had ever born all reverence and honour to the Soveraign Bishops of Rome ; but they more particularly inclin'd to Pope Leo ; that the Senat had ever most highly esteem'd his good and wholesom Counsell , but the mischiefe was , that by how much they above all others had desir'd his friendship and alliance in that incertainty of all things , by so much more were they continually kept from it ; and albeit , their love was never disjoyn'd from him , yet their forces were ever divided ; as then they did humbly thank his Holinesse , and confess'd themselfs much bound unto him , in that he had bin ever ready by divers good offices to embrace and favour their cause , even so likewise they were extremely griev'd , that they could not follow his Counsell , it being their ancient custom not to leave an old friend for a new , specially being not provok'd thereunto by any wrong , their ancient Fathers thinking that alone to be profitable , which was most honest ; therefore they could not without great blemish of their reputation break or abandon the alliance which they had already contracted with the French ; And if the Pope wold call to mind the ancient benefits of the French Kings , not only to the Venetian Common-wealth , but likewise to the Church , and consider the wealth and power of that Kingdome , he wold not only excuse but commend the Venetian Councel , and be desirous himself to follow it because that being back'd by the French Forces , with those of the Venetian , ther was likelihood , that he shold be abler to lay surer foundations , as well for the state of the Church , as for the greatnesse and advancement of his own house . Hereupon the Republic sent Ambassadors , both to Lewis of France , and Henry of England , to congratulat their alliance ( for old Lewis had married young Henries Sister ) and to streighten this League betwixt them against the Emperour . The Republic likewise employed two Ambassadors to confirm the peace with the great Turk Selim , who had newly subdued the Mammalukes and Soldan , that had bin Lords of the Gran Cayro and Egypt above three hundred years , Anno 1516. The French King sent to borrow one hundred thousand Crowns of the Venetians towards the end of this Dukes Government , which was done accordingly . Lewis King of Hungary sent two Ambassadors unto them , who procured both men and money against the Turk . Prince Lor●…dano having sate at the stern of the Republic twenty years in most tempestuous times , payed nature her last debt and made way for ANTONIO GRIMANI , who about the beginning of his Government was sollicited , that the Republic of Venice might be Godmother to a daughter of France . The face of affairs in Christendom being much chang'd at the coming in of Charles the fifth the Emperor , the Venetians wav'd their league with France ( who was ready to invade Italy for the Dutchy of Milan ) and enter'd into an alliance with the Emperor , cashiering Trivaltio , who was too much affected to the French , and making the Duke of Vrbin their generall , and this was done principally by Pope Adrian the fourth his intercession , who was a low Dutchman having bin a Brewers son in Vtrecht , and Schoolmaster to Charles the fifth : in this Dukes time the Isle of Rhodes was taken by the Turk to the great detriment of Christendom , and dishonor to her Princes , 1522. ANDREA GRITTI succeeded GRIMANI , about the beginning of whose principality the Venetians depart from the French , and for important reasons of State enter into league with the Pope and Emperor ; the French King makes himself again master of Milan , and of divers other places in Italy . The Venetians upon emergent reasons of State leave the Emperor , and renew their confederacy with the French , but during this League , the French King was taken prisoner at Pavia , and carried into Spain , and after foure years captivity dismissed : Rome is beleaguer'd by the Spaniards , the walls seal'd by the Duke of Bourbon , who in the action breath'd his last , and Pope Clement besieg'd in the Castle of S. Angelo ; the King of England Hen. VIII . was one of the principall instruments both of the French King and Popes enlargement . The French rush again 'ore the hills to Italy , take Pavia and destroy it ; The Venetians seize Monopolis in the Kingdome of Naples . Doria Admirall for the French o'recoms the Imperiall Fleet , but he turn'd afterwards to the Emperour . The Vicount of Tureen coms upon a splendid Embassie to Venice in the Popes behalf , to entreat them that they wold satisfie the Pope by rendition of Ravenna and Cervia : the Senat alledg'd their just Titles to them , having receiv'd the one from Obizzo Polente Lord therof more than four hundred years pass'd ; and that Cervia was fallen to the Republic by the Testament of Dominico Malateste , for which she was to pay yearly som godly Legacies , which they continued for performance of the Testators will : they representd further , how that if they had bin desirous to possesse Towns belonging to other men , they wold not have refus'd the offer of those of Furli , and of other Cities of Romania , who sought much to be under their obedience ; nor wold they have defended or maintain'd with such extraordinary cost and danger the City of Bologna , with others belonging to his Holiness , nor have kept them from him , and that those Cities had bin taken at such time as the Pope had quitted the League , and that they might justly now detain them for the same occasion ; moreover they had spent a great masse of Tresure in that warr which those Cities were not able to recompence ; they desired that the King wold take it into serious consideration how much it might import him , if those so commodious Cities shold be quitted by his friends and confederats to be given to the Pope , who stood so coldly affected to the Crown of France , nay even into the hands of the Imperialls , seeing that it was apparent how the Pope either by his own proper motion , or through fear did wholly depend upon the Emperour , that he was besides to consider of their interest , and the wrong which wold be offer'd their confederats , viZ. the Florentines and the Duke of Ferrara , whoquestionlesse wold be greatly distasted hereat , and wold cool that heat which pusheth them on to the affairs of the League : and moreover how that these Towns did serve for a bridle to contain the Pope within his bounds , seeing that without them he wold already have shewed himself an open friend to the Emperor . A little after the Republic lends the King of France , & the Duke of Milan a considerable sum of money ; Chastillon coms Ambassador to Venice and Brundusium in Apulia , is taken by her Admirall : Herup on a Treaty of peace was appointed by all parties to be at Cambray , and the Republic employ'd Lodovico Falieri to the King of England to entreat him , That since he had ever shew'd himself a royall friend to the Republic , his Majesty wold be pleas'd , as at all other times , to take into his protection , and to procure that in those affairs which were handled at Cambray , nothing might be concluded to the hurt and prejudice of the Republic , nor to the liberty of Italy , whereof many years before he had to his immortall praise taken upon him the defence , while preparations were made on all fides to disturb her , if not destroy her . About the fag end of this Dukes government Solyman makes warre upon the Hungary , and takes ●…uda ; he warr'd also with the Venetians , but against them he had not so good successe ; for they took Scardona from him , and 〈◊〉 in Dalmatia : upon this a solemne League was struck 'twixt the Pope , the Emporor and the Republic , against the common enemy . In this Dukes time the Republic sent to the Pope that she might have the nomination of her own Bishops , for which he had made divers proposalls formerly , but could get no definitive answer ; herupon ther was a seizure made of the temporalities of divers Bishopricks which the Pope had collated , wherat his Holiness was much incens'd . The Senat considering the importance and difficulty of the business , did deliberat theron in open Councell , where opinions were very different , but for the present it was decreed , that in favour of the Pope the temporalities of those who had bin promoted by his Holiness shold be surrendred them in the Cities under their jurisdiction ; yet nevertheless they did not give over their demands , saying that what they had then done was for the extraordinary respect and reverence they bare to Pope Clement , hoping that herafter they wold grant them more than they crav'd : The Pope nevertheless , who at first made shew that he demanded nothing els but that , stood after upon greater difficulties . Solyman having made peace with the Persian , intended to assail Christendome on all sides by Sea and Land : hereupon he entertain'd Barbarossa the famous pyrat , and sent word to the Venetians , that they shold us●… him no more as a Pyrat , but one of his own Port. To bear up against Solyman , the Senat thought fit to levy the Tenths upon the Clergy , but they could not obtain it of the Pope , who made answer , that he had a purpose to levy two Tenths upon the goods of all the Italian Clergy , to employ them for the relief of the Cantons of the Catholic Swissi , against the other apostat Cantons , who threatned them with war. A little after Venice made her self Mistresse of a Town in Dalmatia call'd Obrovatza , a place of considerable strength and advantage . PIETRO LANDI succeeded Gritti , who had continued Prince nere upon sixteen years , Guy Vbaldo Duke of Vrbin , the old Duke being dead , was chosen Generall of the Republic by Land ; he was allow'd ten Captains pay , and four thousand Ducats yearly Salary besides : The Senat at that time decreed that four hundred Artificers of the City shold be inroll'd , with whom four times a year , the Gallies appointed for that purpose shold be mann'd , that they might all of them row together , which they commonly call'd Regater , and pensions were appointed them who had serv'd so thrice : This decree pass'd , to the end they might be assur'd to have men alwaies fit and ready to mann any nomber of Gallies . Ther happen'd a mighty dearth of corn through all Italy in this Dukes time , which lighted more heavy upon Venice then any place ( among other causes ) which necessitated her to make peace with the Turk , but the Marquis of Guasto Governor of Milan , and the Lord of Annebalt Marshall of France , and her Generall in Piemont , came to Venice to divert her ; they had extraordinary magnificent entertainment , both for the quality of their own persons , and of the great Princes that sent them . The Marquis of Guasto coming to the Senat , told them that he was sent by his Imperiall Majesty to acquaint them , as his trusty and inward friends , with the enterview that he intended to have with the French King , and in Flanders with King Ferdinand his Brother , and the Queen his Sister , who govern'd ther for him , assuring them , that in the same Assembly of Princes affairs wold be handled concerning the universall good of Christendom , and the particulrr advantage of that Republic , which the Emperour did as much desire as well as of his own Estates ; and that now they were ready to assail the Turks with very great Forces ; The Emperor therefore was desirous to know the Senats will and intentions therein , what provision they wold judge to be necessary , and what they wold have him to do for his part towards the better managing of this great design . Marshall Annebalt spake to the same effect , protesting his Kings good will to the common peace of Christendome , amd particularly of the Common-wealth of Venice . Answer was made by the Senat to the Marquis and the Marshall , that their arrival was very pleasing and acceptable , as well in respect of the Princes whom they represented , as for their own persons , for which , and for the honor and friendship which they did professe to the Republic , they did infinitely thank their Princes ; The news of the good correspondence and certain hopes of peace 'twixt two such mighty Kings had much rejoyc'd them ▪ and so much the more , by how much greater the profit was which all Christendome shold receave thereby : But as for the Declaration of their meaning and intendments towards the present occasions , it might be sufficiently known by their actions , how for their parts they had for three years born the brunt and burthen of the warr against the common enemy , and being invited by those hopes , they were ready again to embark and expose themselfs : yet neverthelesse all might well perceave , that they were not able alone to hold out long against the power of so potent a Foe , therefore what could they say more ? their necessity being known to all men , how ev'ry one knew that Barbarossa was in the Gulph of Lepanto , with a Fleet of eighty Gallies , and intended to winter there , whereby the whole world might perceave , to what danger the State of the Common-wealth was expos'd , and by consequence all Christendom , unlesse the Navall Armies might be ready by the month of February to divert his designs , all which things were exactly to be thought upon , and speedily remedied . This was an Answer without a resolution nor could those two great Ambassadors get any other at all , for the sagacious Senat smelt out whereunto these practises tended , and what the Emperors true designs were , namely to feed the French with vain hopes of a restitution of the Duchy of Milan , and the Venetians by propounding unto them to make preparation against the Turk , though he cared not to perform either , but only thereby to win time , by being assur'd of the quiet of the French Arms , and diverting that King from warr . But the Republic was constrain'd a little after to conclude a peace with the Turk by surrendry of Naples in Peloponnesus , and Malvesia into his hands . The Inhabitants of Napoli and Malvesia were exceedingly afflicted that the Republic wold give them up to the Turk , therefore Generall Mocenigo made unto them this consolatory tender Oration . The fatherly love wherewith Venice hath alwaies embrac'd and receav'd you from the beginning under her rule and protection , and then gently govern'd you for a long time , may very easily perswade you , that the very same which I am enjoyn'd to deliver unto you , viz. that this City and Malvesia your Neighbour are to be deliver'd to Solyman , hath bin done rather upon extreme necessity , then by any freedom of will : Divers things may make you clea●…ly perceave how dearly the Republic ever lov'd you , specially these last wars , wherin for your relief , she hath oftentimes expos'd her self to the greatest dangers ; she hath furnish'd you with money , souldiers , and munition , for fear you shold fal into the enemies power , who with barbarous cruelty wold have bath'd his hands in your bloud : but what greater demonstration of love can the Republic make you in this present exigent , then to promise all those who are willing to depart , another fit dwelling place wherin they may safely live under her protection , and to help , favour , and nourish them . The ancient Sages said , how that the same place may be term'd ones Countrey where he hath his well being : Now what better thing is ther then to live under the moderat government of a good Princce . Divers Nations ( their numbers growing ●…ver great at home ) have of their free wills departed from their Native Countrey , and followed Fortune ; In miseries to have an assured refuge carrieth with it such a comfort , as a man doth oftimes remember things pass●…d with greater contentation : we cannot remove hence , the houses and walls of the City , but you may bear away what 's d●…arer unto you , your goods & persons shall be preserv'd , your posterities shall propagat in another place , and who knows but you may beget such generous children that may revenge your wrongs som other day , so great is the change of mundane affairs , wherunto the greatest Empires are as subject as the smallest villages , you may be well assured ; that the Republic will retain still a desire to take up arms at all times when she sees that Christian Princes will seriously unite , that ther may be som probability to do good . Whilst Mocenigo did thus comfort them , both men and women did shed warm tears , being all melted into love as well as sorrow . Not long after the French King finding that he could get nothing but promises instead of performances , for the surrendry of Milan from the Emperor Charles ; he employ'd one Rincon Ambassador to Solyman for aid against Francis of France ; this Rincon was near Pavia in Italy slain by the Emperours Forces , as he was on his way to Turky ; therupon Polin was sent , whom the Republic did furnish with a Gallie to carry him to Constantinople : He negotiated so well that Solyman sent a Fleet of sixscore Gallies which took Reggio in Calabria , with the City of Nice , and so arrives at Marseilles . The Republic was eagerly importun'd both by the Emperor and French King to enter into a League with them , but nothing could put off from their Neutrality . FRANCISCO DONATO was chosen after the death of Lande , in his time Cardinall Grimani , the peeple complaining of his oppressions , his temporall dominion was taken from him , and restor'd to the Republic : in his time also Friar George Bishop of Varadine , and Cardinall , suspected to hold intelligence with the Turk , was massacred . MARC ANTONIO TREVISANO was next elected , in whose time notwithstanding that all the Princes of Italy were ingaged in some warre or other , yet the Republic was peacefull and quiet ; This Duke being at Masse one morning , died suddenly of a faintnesse in the head . FRANCISCO VENIERI succeeded next , in whose time Charles the Emperour being tired with labour , and weary of the world , resign'd the Empire to his brother Ferdinand , and all the rest of his Dominions to his son Philip the second , reserving to himself an annuity of a hundred thousand crowns , and so retir'd to a Monastery : som write that he was sorry for it afterwards , and that his son shold say , That the second day of his resignation was the first day of his repentance , this happen'd in the year 1554. LORENZO PRIULI then was created Duke , a great learned man , in whose time after a long funestous warre , a peace was concluded 'twixt France and Spain much by the endeavours of the Republic . JEROMINO PRIULI succceeded next in the Principality : in his time the Councell of Trent begun , Anno Dom. 1560. and broke off , Pius the fourth being Pope , who though by his own naturall inclination he was meek and gentle , yet being importun'd by the great complaints made unto him against his Predecessors Nephews , who during their Oncles Papacy committed som extorsions , he therupon committed to prison Charles , and Alphonso Caraffi both Cardinalls , the Duke of Palliano their brother , and two others their neer kinsmen , whose processes being form'd and consider'd by the Judges deputed to that end , they were found guilty of sundry Crimes , in so much that Cardinall Charles was strangled in the Castle of S. Angelo , the Duke of Palliano with the other brother were beheaded in the Tower of Nona , and shew'd afterwards publiquely to the peeple ; Cardinall Alphonso was put only to a pecuniary amercement . The Republic sent to the Councell of Trent Miolo de Ponte , and Matteo Dandulo , men much renown'd , to represent the State , and above twenty Venetian Bishops assisted there besides ; but as the Counsell was newly open'd , a strange thing happen'd at Rome , for certain young men were incited by a Vision , which they gave out they had receaved from Angells : It was , that another diviner man shold succeed the Pope now living , who shold be the only Monarc of the world , commanding both the spirituall and temporall Jurisdiction , and shold bring all men to an exact knowledge of the tru God ; they being desirous to have it suddenly com to passe , not tarrying till the Pope shold die a naturall death , resolv'd to massacre and dispatch him ; one of their nomber call'd Benedetto Accolto undertook to do it as he was reading of a Petition , but when it came to the point of execution , he was daunted so , that he retir'd in a trembling posture ; wherupon one of the Conspirators fearing that they shold be detected , went to the Pope and open'd the whole businesse ; so that they were all apprehended and executed . The Gulph was mightily infected with Pyrats in this Dukes time , but the Republic did quickly remedy it , sending great Fleets abroad to scowre the Adriatic , and secure trade . The Pope sent to the Venetian Senat , that the Inquisition might be establish'd in their Dominions , to which end he employ'd a Nuncio of purpose , who urg'd it very pressingly ; but they wav'd the businesse , alledging what miserable effects the pressing of the Inquisition had wrought both in Naples and Milan already ; and their Republic thanks be to God , needed not such extraordinary means , they were generally such perfect Christians , but if any were convicted of any notorious Heresie , if they did not abjure their errours , there were Lawes strict enough already to punish them . The Republic sent a splendid Embassie to congratulat Selym the new Turk , Martin Caballo was employed to that purpose , who made the following Speech unto the Emperour . As much grief ( most gracious Emperour ) as the Venetian Reipublic , so highly affected to the Ottomans , hath receiv'd by the death of Solyman that glorious and wise Emperour , so much joy and contentment she hath received , to understand that divine power hath raised you to such a dignity , and plac'd you in the Throne belonging to the famous and most just family of the Ottomans ; for it is most certain that the soul of Solyman doth at this present glory , not only for that he doth so much surpasse all men in happinesse , having been meek and gentle to the humble , liberall to his friends , and faithfull to his Allies , but he rejoyceth to have left you his son behind him , far more excellent than himself ; for he having bin ever invincible , and never given place to any mortall wight , is not onely at this time joyfull , but likewise accounteth himself more honor'd for being surmounted and overcom by his son in all vertues belonging to an Emperor . The excellency of so many great Monarks , your noble Ancestors , do invite us , or rather enforce us , most mighty Emperor , to expect as much good from you , the glory of the Ottomans , the high attempt of your Progenitors , every where so much renown'd , doth draw us therunto , and the fame of your forefathers , continued so many years without intermission , doth confirm it unto us : These things being thus , the Venetian Senat hath sent me hither to confirm and establish the same friendshid and alliance which hath ever bin betwixt the Ottoman Empire and our Republic , and this amity with your most excellent Majesty ought to be the more pleasing unto you , by how much it is more ancient , confirm'd by sundry good offices on either part , and continued for so many years ; for indeed all worldly things do in tract of time corrupt and grow feeble , and still new things are found best , but friendship being a sacred and divine thing , and which cannot be but amongst good and just men , the older it is , the more perfect and durable it is : Our Republic then being indued by these reasons , doth continually pray unto Almighty God for your health and prosperity . This Ambassadour was dismissed with extraordinary respect , having rich garments , Terra sigillata and Balsamum , with divers other precious things bestowed upon him . PIETRO LOREDANO was allotted and chosen to be the next Duke : the City of Venice , in the beginning of his government , was oppressed both with fire and famine , for the Arsenal was burnt . The great Turk having notice herof by a Jew , Iohn Miches by name , was advised by him to attempt the taking of the Island of Cyprus , tho the gran Visier with other of the Bassaes held it a more glorious thing for him to relieve the afflicted Moores of Granada in Spain ; but in regard that no Gran Signor is respected as absolute Emperor , till he hath built a Mesquite , or perform'd som great exploit against the Christians ; Selym being transported with the counsell of the said Jew , broke the League of peace with the Repubic , and invaded Cyprus . The Venetian Republic having timely notice herof , send an encrease of Forces to Cyprus , and sollicit most of the Christian Princes , to enable her against the brunt of the common enemy ; she encreaseth the number of the Procurators of S. Mark , and admitted divers young Gentlemen under age into the Senat , provided they wold supply the Republic in this extremity with certain sums of money . PIETRO LOREDANO had the beginning of his Government usher'd in by two ilfavour'd disasters ; for the Arsenal of Venice was set on fire , which falling among the pitch and tarre , with other combustible stuffe , made a most hideous noise farre and near ; after which follow'd an intollerable dearth , insomuch , that for the peeples relief they were forced to employ the Magazin which was reserv'd for the Fleets ; The great Turk having intelligence herof by Iohn Miches a pernicious Jew who was turn'd Turk , and incited also by his Councell , apprehended this opportunity to pick a quarrell with the Republic , and to demand the Island of Cyprus , or else he denounced warre against them ; som Cronicles report that Selym a little before sent to the Duke of Savoy to incite him to recover that Island which did of right belong unto him , and he promised to assist him in the enterprise , but the Savoyard wold not hearken to it . Herupon Selym himself resolv'd upon it , and arm'd accordingly ; wherupon the Venetian Bailio which was resident at Constantinople , not daring to send advertisement by Land for fear his Letters shold be intercepted , made his addresse to Bassa Mahomet , who was ever averse to this design , hoping therby to obtain his desire : He told the Bassa how ill beseeming it wold be for the Majesty and generosity of so great a Prince to invade those on a sudden and unexpected , who upon his word and oath thought themselves firm and safe ; as though when time and occasion wold be offer'd he could want Forces to employ against them for the recovery of that which might justly belong unto him , against whom he ought first to proceed by way of Justice , and next by force , using first gentle means before he did take arms . Herupon by the advice of Mahomet Bassa the gran Visier Selym sent a Chiaus to Venice , who being admitied to a privat audience , was brought to the Senat , and according to the usuall custome , being plac'd on the Dukes right hand , he kiss'd his gown , and after divers reverences , he presented a purse of gold tissue , wherin were the Emperors Letters , saying , Most excellent Sir , this is a Letter from my Lord , when you are acquainted with his demand I expect an answer ; The Duke answer'd it should be so . The Cwiaus being at a stand because he had no other answer , addressed himself to the Senators , saying , My Lords , Mahomet the Visier Bassa hath commanded me to tell you that he is very sorry , that an occasion is offer'd that he must break with you , having ever sought to continue your friend , but complaints coming so often to the Port , and from so many places , of the unfriendly dealing of the Officers belonging to this State , and specially of the kind entertainment and reception given to the Western pyrats at Cyprus , who this very year have done great hurt to the Musulmans hath taken such impressions in the mind of the great Lord , and so often provok'd him against this Common-wealth , finding that complaints made hereof to your Baylio hath taken little effect , that he could detain himself no longer from denouncing war against you ; and because you cannot hold out long against the arms of so potent a Prince , he adviseth you as a friend to take som course to shield you from so many dangers ; and to this end he hath procur'd my coming hither , offering to do all he may , that ye may avoid this mighty stroke offortune , and continue your ancient friendship with the great Lord. The Prince replied , that the Senat had resolv'd on an Answer which shold be read unto him , that he might the better understand and know their intentions , which was don by Antonio Milladonna Secretary to the Councell , which was thus , That the Senat did extremely marvail , that his Lord being no way by them provok'd , nor upon any just cause , wold violat that oath wherby he had so solemnly confirm'd the peace , taking now for a pretence to make war upon them , because they wold not give away a Kingdome which they had so many years lawfully and peaceably enjoy'd , wherewith he might be well assur'd they wold never part ; but seeing that he was determind to proceed against them in that manner , the Republic wold not fail to defend that which did belong unto her , hoping by so much more to be the better able to do it , by how much the justice of their cause wold procure them all aid and succour , both divine and human , and so the Chiaus was dismiss'd with an Answer to his Letter , which was as followeth . That the Venetians had inviolably maintain'd the peace concluded with his Imperiall Majesty , and contemn'd all other respects whatsoever , by refusing many fair oportunities , whereof they might have made good use to their extraordinary advantage , because that above all worldly things , it befits a Prince to keep his promise ; and they being carefull to avoid all suspition of so great an infamy , had dissembled and buried in silence divers wrongs done unto them , because they wold not be the first disturbers of the peace ; but now perceaving that upon no occasion he denounc'd war against them at such a time as they least expected it , they wold not refuse it , for the defence of their own , and in particular for defence of the Iland of Cyprus , which as their Ancestors had enjoy'd by so just a title , they did likewise hope that God wold give them grace to maintain it valiantly against all those that wold injustly take it away from them . The Chiaus being return'd to Constantinople , Selym took it in high indignation , that the usuall Ceremonies us'd to Ambassadors were not perform'd to his Chiaus Cubat , who coming before him , and relating what preparations the Republic made , he seem'd to repent himselfe of his determination , and fell into a great heat of passion ; therupon there were gards put upon the Bailios Palace , as also upon all the Venetian Consulls in Egypt , and Syria . LODOVICO MOCENIGO was elected the next Duke , at the beginning of whose government the Turk sent mighty forces both by Land and Sea for the conquest of Cyprus ; the I le of Rhodes was the first rendevous of the whole Fleet , which came to more then two hundred armed Vessells , accounting one hundred fifty Gallies , together with Fusts and Galeots , among which ther were certain Mahonnes , which are like to great Gallies , not altogether so big as a Galeon , six Ships , and a great nomber of Vessells commonly call'd Caramussolini , and som fifty Palandaries to transport horse . This Fleet bended it's direct course towards Cyprus , was descryed nere Batto the first of Iuly , 1570. they dispatch eighty Gallies , and divers flat battom'd Vessells to Tripoli , and to the river of Caramania , ther to raise more horse and foot forces , all which arriving in Cyprus , made up the nomber of fifty thousand foot , two thousand five hundred horse , three thousand Pioners , and thirty peeces of Ordnances , with one hundred and fifty Falconets . The ordinary Garrison of the Iland was but two thousand Italian foot , and som thousand recreuts sent from the firm Land with Martinengo , two thousand fresh soldiers , many whereof perish'd by incommodious transportation , so that the greatest hopes of being able to defend the Towns and Castles , consisted in the fresh supplies , which the Iland her self , being populous , had promis'd to levy , and for Cavalrie , ther were but five hundred Stradiots which were upon the pay of the Republic . Things being thus , and sufficient forces wanting to repell so huge an enemy , the Cavalry was too weak to hinder his landing , and the Infantery too few , therfore resolution was taken to defend the two main Cities , Famagosta and Nicotia . The two chief Commanders of the Turkish Army was Mustapha and Piali , wherof the first was of a fierce fiery spirit ; these two differ'd in opinion which to besiege , first Piali was for Famagosta , but Mustapha was for Nicotia , saying , that the reputation of so great an Army as theirs , ought not to be blemish'd by attempting any mean enterprize , therby to encrease the enemies courage , and diminish their own ; that the Genoways had for ninety years held Famagosta at the same time as the Kings of the Family of Lusignan commanded the Iland , wherby might be gather'd , that the taking of that City wold be of no great importance for the taking of the whole Iland ; that the Nobility , and the better part of the peeple were retir'd to Nicotia , where all the wealth and strength of the Kingdome was ; so as that only exploit being perform'd , wold quickly put a period to all the rest , and their first atchievment give an end to all their designs : so they invested Nicotia , a City seated in the midst of a Campane in a wholsome temperat air ; she hath excellent water , and the soil is very fruitfull : In former times 't was nine miles in compasse , but the Venetian the better to fortifie it , reduc'd it to three ; She is proportion'd like a Star , with eleven points ; in ev'ry one of which there is a bulwark made only of earth , which were not perfectly finish'd when the Ottoman Army arriv'd , but the rules of fortification were so exactly observ'd , as the greatest Engines accounted it the most absolute peece in the world : There were in the City ten thousand foot , among whom were fifteen hundred Italians , and the rest were Cypriots ; some contestation happen'd in Nicotia among the chief Commanders , but in Mustapha's Army there was a wonderfull unanimity and obedience , who among other choice men had six thousand Janizaries , and four hundred Spahies pick'd out of purpose for that expedition . Mustapha gives a fierce assault to four Bulwarks at once , and they of the City making a sally upon the enemy under Andrea Cortese a Stradiot Captain , he was taken prisoner , and as soon as he was brought before Mustapha his head was chopt off . The Turks pursue their batteries with such a resolution , that they made themselves masters of all the Bulwarks , and so quickly rush'd into the Town , wher the Governor and Bishop , with the better sort , had retir'd into the Palace ; and having received Mustapha's word for the safety of their lifes , so soon as they had open'd the gates , the rabble fell in upon them , and put them all to the edge of the sword ; which being done , they ran confusedly , and without Ensignes up and down the City , seeking , spoiling and ruining all things , ( except Churches ) dishonoring wifes , ravishing Virgins , and massacring all as they went without distinction of sex or age , so that there was slain that day above twenty thousand Christian souls they who were reserv'd were chain'd together , and haled over the bodies of their dead friends ( reaking with hot bloud ) to prison . Thus was the famous City of Nicotia after fourteen daies siege taken and sack'd , a place that had flourished in great pomp and pleasure for many ages . The Turks did afterwards with much ease become Lords of Cyprus , Famagosta excepted , whither Mustapha march'd soon after , and encamp'd himself three miles from the City , causing his horse to make daily incursions to the very gates , bearing the head of the chiefest Nicotians upon their Lances points to daunt the souldiers , who were rather the more encouraged for revenge ; so that when he made nearer approaches to the walls , they made many sallies out , and did notable execution upon the enemy ; with their Ordnance they demolish'd three Forts which had bin rais'd by Mustapha , but it turn'd to their prejudice afterward ; for thereby they spent above fifty thousand pound weight of powder , which they afterwards wanted . Winter now approaching , and Mustapha having intelligence of a great League which was like to be between the Christian Princes , Mustapha did often , and by divers insinuating waies , sollicit the City to hearken to some agreement touching their rendition , but the Captains and inhabitants of Famagosta wold hearken to no parly at all ; but sent to the Venetian Senat , intreating them not to treat with the bloudy barbarous enemy , but to send them more forces , for they resolv'd to sell their life 's as dearly as ever Christians did . Ther was then at Suda in Candy , a great Fleet of Christian Gallies , both Venetian , Spanish and Roman , united by a late League ; there was a consultation among the chief Commanders what to do , some held it was best to assault some places belonging to the Turk , thereby to enforce the enemy to quit Cyprus , and come to the rescue of their own : but Zanne the Venetian Generall was of another opinion , perswading them to sail directly to Cyprus , alledging that the principall design of that Fleet was to preserve that Island , which was in so desperate a condition , that if they directed their course elsewhere , 't was impossible to keep her from utter ruine : That the probablest and most magnanimous way was to find out the enemies Fleet , because that upon report of their coming the Turks wold be enforced to quit their Land enterprises , and retire to their Navy , for the defence therof ; which if they shold not do , they were then sure to find their Gallies empty in the haven expos'd to their mercy : He added further , That though haply the enemy was more in number of vessells and men , neverthelesse they were without all doubt in goodness of shipping , as also in courage and goodness of quarrell farre superior unto them ; moreover to approach the enemies Fleet , though no other profit shold ensue therof , wold increase their own reputation , wheras on the contrary to turn away from them wold argue fear and cowardice ; That it was no sound advice to lose his own first , upon hope to get it of another man. These reasons being well enforc'd , were approv'd by every one as agreeable to the Senats Decree , wherupon the whole Fleet , consisting of an hundred eighty light Gallies , namely one hundred twenty foure of the Venetians , forty five of the King of Spain's , and twelve of the Popes , besides twelve great Gallies , and fourteen Venetian men of warre , with great number of other vessells of burthen , which carried ammunition , with other necessaries , in which Fleet there were fifteen thousand mercenary footmen , besides great numbers of volunteers , and most of them Gentlemen ; this Fleet I say hois'd sails , and sail'd with a fair wind towards Cyprus , and in three dayes came to Castelrosso , which is seated on a rock , opposite to Carimania , som hundred and fifty miles from Famagosta ; there they received the heavy news of the taking of Nicotia , which did much trouble them ; therupon a Councell was call'd the next day , wherin Doria the Spanish Admirall openly protested , That he wold return home , saying , that he came from Candy with a designe to relieve Nicotia , which being lost , the cause of his journey ceas'd , and that he knew no other reason to expose them to the hazzard of a battail ; for the enemies being therby grown more insolent , wold quickly embark themselves not only to repell , but to assail us ; He added further , the unfitnesse of the season , winter drawing on , and the speciall charge he had for preserving his Fleet by the command of his Catholic Majesty : so Doria took his leave of the rest , not a little to his dishonor , and directed his course for Puglio , and so to Sycily . Colonna the Popes Admirall , and Zanne desirous to do somthing ▪ remain'd still together , but having intelligence that Piali the Turks Admirall was with his whole Fleet making towards them , they weigh'd anchors and made for Candy . Though the Republic had ill luck at Sea , and in Cyprus this year , yet there were som compensations made to her in Albania , for divers Towns did rise up there , who being desirous to shake off the Turkish yoke , they sent to Venice for some auxiliary supplies , protesting unto them , That upon the first sight of their ensignes they wold run unto them , and becom their subjects for security ; wherof they wold give them their chiefest children for hostages : so the Governors of Autivari , Dulcigna and Budua , did in the name of the Republic receave the Oath of Alleageance of more then one hundred Towns and Villages . While poor Cyprus and her chief City Famagosta was upon making her last wil , the renewing of the League was treated at Rome , which the hauty spirit of the Spaniard did much retard . The Pope in his hortative offer'd to go upon the Fleet ; among other things , the Spaniard propos'd that the Venetians shold be bound upon pain of Ecclesiastical censures , to observe in ev'ry point that which shold be resolv'd on in the League , as though they had suspected the Republics integrity ; wherunto the Venetian Ambassadors gave a round and stout Answer ; they did moreover contend about a Generalissimo , the Spaniard proposing not onely to nominat him but his Lievtenant also , who in his absence shold have the same authority : this did much distract the Treaty ; ther was another rub besides in the businesse , which was a darknesse that was like to be 'twixt the Emperour and the Pope , for conferring a new Title upon the Duke of Florence , which the Emperour wold not allow of . Ther was a motion of peace made about this time by the Turk to the Republic , but as she was ready to send Ragasson instructions accordingly , Generall Colonna the Popes Generall was sent from Rome to disswade her from it ; the Spaniard also seeks unto her about the same purpose , and to desire her to re-enter into the League which was now absolutely concluded : hereupon she gave Colonna a pleasing answer , and after much canvasing the point in the Senat , a resolution was taken to send new Commissions to her Ambassadors at Rome accordingly . So in Rome after most solemn Divine Service , and the procession ended , in S. Peters Church , the League was publish'd , the particular Articles whereof were as followeth . Betwixt Pope Pius Quintus , promising for the Sea Apostolic and his Successors , with the consent of the whole Colledge of Cardinalls , Philip the Catholic King , and the Duke and Senat of Venice , a League and perpetuall confederacy hath bin made to abate and overthrow the Turks power , who of late hath invaded with a mighty Army the Realm of Cyprus , a Countrey very commodious for the conquest of the Holy Land. That the Confederats forces shall consist of two hundred light Gallies , one hundred Ships of war , fifty thousand footmen , Italians , Spaniards , and Almains , four thousand five hundred horse , with Artillery and Ammunition proportionable to such a force , all which shall be employed for the defence , as wel of the confederat States , as to assail the enemy , and particularly for the enterprize of Algier , Tunis , and Tripoli ; That all these forces shall be united in the month of May next ensuing , or in the month of April at Otrauto , to passe into the Levant against the enemies , as Times , and the Councell of Captains shall think fit ; that th●…se Forces neverthelesse may be changed by increasing or diminishing the provisions of war , as necessity and the quality of the enterprise shall require ; wherupon a yearly meeting shall be at Rome in Automn , ther to consult what is best to be done ; and if it shall ther be concluded not to attempt anything that year in common , yet it might be lawfull for ev'ry of the Confeder●…s to execute their particular enterprises , specially for the King of Spain , to enterprise those of Algier , Tunis , and Tripoli ; in which , so that ther be no mighty Turkish Army abroad , the Venetians shall be bound to aid the King with fifty Gallies of purpose : That the sayed King shall be likewise bound to aid the Venetians , whensoever they shall enterprize any thing in their Gulph against the common enemy ; on this condition neverthelesse , if he which shall crave this aid have far greater forces ready . That all the Confederats shall be oblig'd to defend the States of any one of them whom the Turk shall invade , and in particular with other places that shall belong to the Church : that for the expence of the war , his Catholic Majesty shall pay one half , and the other moitie being divided into three parts , the Venetian shall pay two , and the Pope the third : They shall be bound to give the Pope twelve Gallies ready rigg'd and munition'd , which his Holinesse shall mann for the service of the League ; that generally each of the Confederats shall be bound to contribut for the common necessity , whatsoever he shall abundantly have , and others want , which afterwards shall be allow'd upon account : that the Store-houses for corn shall ●…e ev'ry where open for the common good , and that grain may be taken forth out of commodious places , so that he of whom 't is taken make first his own provision : that at Councells and Consultations the Commanders of the three Consederat Princes shall be present , and what the most of them resolve upon shall be concluded ; neverthelesse the execution of matters determin'd shall remain to the Generall of the Army ( who was presently nam'd , to wit , Don John of Austria ) and in his absence Marc Antonio Colonna with the same authority , though at the same time he retain the title and rank of the Churches Generall . In this League , which was struck 1570. ther was a place reserv'd for Maximilian of Austria the elect Emperour , for the King of France , and the King of Portugal to enter into the confederacy when they shold think it fit , and to all other Christian Princes , who had a desire to engage in it , and in case any strife shold arise ▪ twixt the Confederats , the Pope as Umpire shall decide it . These Articles were not to be put in execution till the year following : in the mean time , because Famagosta was so much streightned , the Republic sent thither Marc Antonio Quirini with four Ships , attended by twelve Gallies , to carry supplies thither , who safely landed sixteen hundred foot , with great store of victualls and munition in Famagosta , which did beyond expression encourage them ▪ and whilst he remain'd ther , he took a Ship of the enemies , with other smaller Vessells , and raz'd certain Forts which the Turks had rais'd upon the rock of Gambella ; there was another supply of eight hundred fresh men sent to Baillone the Governour of Famagosta in other Ships a little after . The Turk made some overtures of peace again to the Venetians , which they wold not hearken unto , in regard of the new League ; hereupon there came another formidable Fleet of two hundred and fifty Gallies again to perfect the conquest of Cyprus , which arriving at Candy did ravage the Countrey ; but beaten out with losse , they row'd up and down , and pillag'd divers other places in Zant and Cephalonia ; at last Don Iohn of Austria arrives at Genoa with his promised supplies , whence he sent to Venice to acquaint them of his arrivall , and thank them for their good opinion of him . The Turks after the taking of Nicotia had deferr'd the siege of Famagosta by reason of Winter , but as soon as the next Spring approch'd , they replanted the siege , and with sixty four great pieces of Ordnance , with four huge Basiliscos they did batter the place night and day . The besieged did for ten dayes space make so furious a counter-Battery , as they made fifteen of the enemies Canons unserviceable , and ●…lew thirty thousand of their men : At last their powder failing them , they could not be so active ; which the inhabitants understanding they went in a hubub to the Governor , that he wold propounda Treaty with the cruell foe to save their wives and children ; so there being Commissioners employ'd on both sides , it was agreed upon , that the Christian Soldiers shold be convey'd to Candy in Turkish vessels , carrying with them their arms and baggage , with five pieces of Ordnance , and three horses belonging to the three chief Commanders . That the inhabitants who were desirous to depart , might do the like , and those who wold continue there shold have assurance given them to enjoy their goods , and to live in their Christian Religion still . These Articles being sign'd by Mustapha , there were forty vessells appointed to transport the Soldiers and inhabitants ; but as soon as the Turks entred the City , they began to offer violence : wherupon Bragadini sent Martinengo to Mustapha , to complain of the Soldiers ; Mustapha entertain'd him kindly , desiring to know so valiant a Captain , and to confer with him : Bragadini giving credit to these sugred words , being accompanied with Martinengo , and Quirini , and attended on by sundry Captains all on horsback , with som four musqueteers , go to Mustapha's Tent : Bragadini rode foremost under a crimson umbrella cloth'd in purple , wearing his usuall robe of Magistrat , who being come to Mustapha's pavilion ▪ left their weapons at the doore ; and being entred were courteously entertain'd by Mustapha ; who cau'sd them to sit down , among other discourses he craved caution for the vessels that were sent to Candy ; Bragadini having made answer that no such thing was mention'd in the Articles , and besides he had no man there with him who he could leave for pledg behind him ; Mustapha pointing at Quirini said , let that man be pledg ; Bragadini constantly maintain'd the contrary , and told him he could not justly detain any of them , Mustapha waxing impatient , and being no longer able to master his choler , did fiercely thunder many injurious speeches against him , commanded them all to be manacled , then thrusting them forth of his Tent , he caus'd his Soldier to murder before his face , Baillone , Martinengo , Quirini and all the rest before Bragadini's face , who was reserv'd for a greater torture , having before his death endured many martyrdomes : they forc'd him twice or thrice to offer his neck , as though they wold have chopt off his head , which they did not do , but only cut off his nose and ears . Count Hercules who had bin sent formerly for Hostage , being likewise manacled , was likewise bound , but hid by Mustapha's Eunuch till his fury was pass'd ; all the rest of the Christian soldiers were also bound , and those which were already ship'd were made Gallie-slaves , and despoil'd of their goods . Two daies Mustapha entred the City , wher he commanded Tepulo to be pulled up , and hang'd at the Yards Arm of a Gally ; then causing Bragadini , who was so pittifully mangled and dismembred , to be brought before him , he was loaden with two baskets full of earth , the one before , the other behind , and was made to carry them to the great Breach , making him to kisse the ground so oft as he pass'd by him ; thence he was hurried away into a Gally of Rhodes , where he was bound in a Chair , with a Crown at his feet , and so hoisted up to the Main-yard of the Gally , that he might be the better discern'd of the Slaves and Christian soldiers that were in the Haven : being thence brought back to the City with Drums and Trumpets into the Market place , he was ther stript of his clothes , and most ignominiously layed upon a Scaffold , wher they fell a flaying of him alive ; the Noble gentleman enduring all things with invincible patience and magnanimity , without any murmuring , only taxing the perfidious Bassa with perjury and Breach of Faith , at last expir'd , when the bloudy executioners had come with their knifes as far as his navill ; then was his skin stuff'd with straw , and carried round about the City , 't was afterward hung at the Yard Arm of a Galleot all along the Coasts of Syria , as he return'd to Constantinople . Such was the immanity and barbarousnesse of Mustapha at the taking ▪ of Famagosta , where he had lost during the siege above thirty thousand men ; and so was the famous and delicat I le of Cyprus , the parent of the Queen of Love , ravish'd , and made a slave to the Mahumetan , to the great reproach of all Christian Princes , who were consulting all the while upon a League , and standing upon Puntillios . But the triumvirat Admiralls of the League , Don Iohn of Austria , Sebastian Venieri , and Marc Antonio Colonna , met at last at Messina in Sicily , wher ther was bandings of opinions on all sides , how to employ those Fleets upon such an enterprise that might tend to advantage and honor , the main debate was whither they shold oppresse the enemy by some actuall invasion , or stand upon the defensive part for the preservation of their own Territories ; hereupon Bernardino de Requiseus , Don Iohn Oracle , with a clear voice , and grave gesture and countenance spake as followeth , addressing his Speech to Don Iohn . Your Highnesse , most excellent Prince , in commanding my opinion before these more sufficient Commanders , observes the rules of feasts , wher the coursest meats are tasted first ; my Councell may perhaps be lesse pleasing , yet as wholsom as any others ; The question is , Whether we must assault the Enemy by Sea , or keep him from infesting us by Land ? this will be best resolv'd of , when we have made a tru discovery and comparison of his forces with ours ; if we be stronger 't will be more honorable to invade ; if weaker , 't will be more fitting to repell ; what the nomber of the enemies Gallies is we may see ; how those Gallies are arm'd we may conjecture ; and how those men are flesh'd and heightned with late successes we need not doubt : Let us take heed , that while we seek to revenge our harms , we do not aggravate them , nor lose in striving to recover ; it were a perpetuall infamy that such a Fleet shold return without performance of any thing , but it were not onely a shame , but an utter undoing not to ●…eturn at all : the Common-wealth were better to want the interest than the principall ; this Fleet is the surest anchor of hopes , and to lose it , wold indanger the wrack of all Italy ; let us not therfore offer to fight , unlesse some advantage of time and place be offer'd us , and counterpoise on our sides the odds of strength on theirs ; nothing can be to us of greater importance , then the preservation of the Fleet it self : The storminess of Winter will shortly calm the fury of the Turk , in the mean time it will be a degree of victory to limit and stop the course of theirs : This , most excellent Generall , is my opinion , wherunto I am not yet so wedded , but that clearer judgement may divorce me . This by som cooler tempers was heard with a kind of applause , but of the Noble 〈◊〉 with disdain , which yet was modestly smooth'd by Barbarico , as followeth . I deny not , most excellent Generall , and you my Noble Lords , but that the last Speech w●…s enrich'd and fortified by strong Arguments , wherein if there be any defect , it proceeds not from too little judgement , but from too much care and tendernesse of the Christian State , a zeal which not only excuseth , but almost justifieth and endeares his error : I confesse that to assault an enemy with a weaker power were to betray it , but wherin appears it that we are the weaker ? if they exceed us in nomber of Gallies , we excell them in strength and swiftnesse ; if they exceed us in multitudes of men , we them in courage and Discipline ; he thinks their victories have added much to their courage , I think it hath drawn more from their strength ; questionlesse our men in Cyprus , and other places , held their Altars , Liberties , Wifes , Children , Wealth , Houses and lifes at too high a rate to deliver them up gratis ; the●… have found the Christian Markets dear ; nay , their victories may haply beget ours , breeding in them not as much animosity , as security and presumption , which useth to be their own traytor : Was this Fleet built and united with such infinite care , cost and difficulty , presently to dissolve and break up , as if we had met but to salute one another , or went only to Sea to purge and return ? or shall we stay only to look on our enemies , as if we could destroy them like Basilisks ? but winter will cool their heat : were we not better quench it now , that it may not break out again the next Spring : will not this Crocodile which devours us both by Land and Sea , fatned with Christian bloud and spoil , wax stronger by a years growth ? if we be too weak for him now , how shall we resist him then ? how shall we look our selves , nay heaven in the face , or lift up our eyes to it , not daring to lift up our hands against its enemies ? But I surfeit your ears with perswasions , needlesse to such judgements and resolutions ; your Fathers imperiall Majesty displayed in your brow , promiseth the same magnanimity in your brest ; ther is ( I know ) too much Caesar in you to have the patience not to fight : Make hast then most illustrious Prince , to reap the fruit of a victory with your sword . This was the sense of the Noble Venetian , which the Speakers repute , and gracefull delivery gave more life and strength unto ; it was afterwards confirm'd by Carnia a Spaniard , the sympathy between whose toung and the Genaralls ear further'd perhaps his resolution to fight , willing that so Noble a Councell might be rather attributed to one of the Nation , then to Barbarico : Carnia's Speech in effect was this : Ther are three Motives , most magnificent Generall , which without imputation of fear or omission of duty , may induce a Commander to decline battail : First a disproportion between the benefit of victory , and prejudice of overthrow on either part ; in this respect the Duke of Alva did politiquely abstain from encountring the Guise in Naples when they could lose but their Army , but the Spaniard his Army , and Kingdom of Naples : Secondly , if he foresee an easier and cheaper means to dissolve the adverse Army then by battail ; thus did your highnesse Father , Charles the Emperour of sacred memory , break the neck of the Lutheran Armies in Germany : Lastly , the inequality of strength , he being the weaker , and likely to miscarry in the attempt , wherof ther are so many presidents , that I need alledge none ; but neither of these can be applied to divert us from battail , where if we prevail we recover our own again , and haply Greece her self for interest ; if fighting valiantly we be overcome , yet shall we in the conflict so far weaken and maim the enemy , that we shall sooner arm a defensive Navy then he an offensive , and more easily secure our own , then he make any further impression on it . Touching protraction , the winter will indeed dissolve his Fleet , but so that it will bud forth againe the next Spring perhaps a greater , and get the start of our Navy , his being united by Nation , ours by combination . Touching inequality of force , it is propable we exceed them more in men , then they us in vessells , for he must needs consume many men , in taking so many strong Towns and Forts , and employ many in keeping them ; neither are the scars of the late pestilence healed among them , therefore my advice is , the Gallies of Candy being ●…om , that you hasten to Corfu , by which they must needs passe , least having intelligence of your resolution to fight , they prevent the danger of incountring , and carry from you the fruits of their own victory , and the oportunity of ours . Don Iohn after this serious consultation concluded to assail the Turkish Fleet , and attempt to intercept their harvest of Cyprus , with other maritin parts of Christendom ere they shold house it ; therefore departing from Messina , and being lanch'd out to open Sea , he compos'd his Gallies to that form of battail which he intended to observe in fight ; so marshalling and exercising them before , that ev'ry Squadron might know his place , and ev'ry Gally his Squadron , and be able to transform themselfs to all figures without confusion , when occasion shold require . Two daies after they arriv'd at the Cape of Colonnes , wher they came to anchor by reason of a contrary wind , as also because they were to take their fresh supplies of men ; in the mean time they dispatch'd three Venetian Gallies to Corfu , to make discovery of the Turkish Fleet , who brought news that they had pass'd along in view of Zant , and entred into the Gulph of Lepanto . Herupon , though with som difficulty , by reason of contrary winds , they put to Sea , and the seventeenth of September arriv'd at Corfu , wher an ill-favor'd accident happen'd , for Don Iohn having sent Doria to survey the Army , and finding som Venetian companies not compleat , he distributed among them certain nombers of Spaniards , wherof Mutius Tortona commanded one band , who being a man of turbulent spirit , rais'd a mutiny , so that they fell from words to blows , wherupon by Venieri the Venetian Generalls command , Tortona and his Ensigne were hang'd by Martiall Law : Don Iohn being a little too indulgent of his Countreymen the Spaniards , complain'd , That his authority was more contemn'd by Venieri , then Venieries by Tortona , for which if ther were not honorable satisfaction given , he wold take it himself , and teach Venieri , that though he respected the honor of the Republic , he wold not neglect his owne ; Venieri protested on the other side , that he did it not to derogat from the Authority of the Generall any way , but to preserve his own , and prevent the sudden confusion of the mutiny , looking upon the offender not as a Spaniard , but as a mut●…neer ; he affirm'd further , that if the Generall shold take this necessary peece of justice as an occasion to break the League , which was applied as a means to keep it , it would be manifest that not devotion but ambition diverted him from this honorable action ; as for violence , he shold find him as dangerous an enemy , as otherwise a necessary friend . Colonna the Popes Admirall fearing what this might grow unto , us'd his intercession to atone the difference , conjuring Don Iohn , in whom he found great obstinacy of discontent and estrangement , and telling him the act was just , though sudden like the occasion , and that suddennesse is necessary in dangers of so swift extension , which having once got the start , remedy could hardly overtake them : That mutiny in an Army was of as instant conveyance as a gangrene in the body ; if the party infected were not presently cut off , it endanger'd the whole ; that this was no intrusion on the Generals authority , for an under-Admiral in his own Squadron to execut a privat offender : that indeed he had no cause of offence , & if he had cause ▪ he had no leasure to entertain it : that the enemies strength could not so much endanger them , as their own division weaken them ; that as nothing could heap more honor upon him then the suppressall of the enemy , so nothing could lay fouler aspersion then to lose this oportunity of doing it ; therfore if he could not casheer his passion , he shold employ it against the common enemy . These perswasions , strong , though not bitter , mov'd Don Iohn then to abstain from the effects of choler , but not to extinguish it , so that by reason of this distast with Venieri , he communicated all things afterwards to Barbar●…co . From Co●…fu the whole Fleet held her course to Cephalonia , and thence to the Gulph of Lepanto , and drawing nere to the place , and discovering the enemy , and resolv'd to assail him , Don Iohn commanded the decks to be clear'd , chests stowed , those Cabins which might be an impediment to the Combatant taken down , the rest that might be receptacles to cowards lock'd up , leaving neither excuse for his men , nor advantage for the enemy ; and as he prepar'd all essentialls , so he neglected no ●…maginary or opinionat part of defence or offence ; therfore knowing that strength was the beauty of an Army , but bravery the Ensigne of that strength , his men were richly arm'd , and his Gallies sutable to his men , both carrying the badge of triumph , and the face of victory , displaying magnanimity and confidence , like a bright , though dreadfull flame . And because he might husband the small remainder of time to the utmost mi●…t , he caus'd victualls to be proportion'd to his men mode●…atly , not superfluously , far from the swinish custom of some Northerly Nations , who ( as if wine were the nurse of val●…r , as oyl to a lamp ) against any fight , knock out the heads of their barrells , and drink reason out of their own heads , and so reel aboard , somtimes tumbling upon victory , but seldom upon honour , which ever derives her self from vertue : This Noble temperat Captain then not taking intemperance to be the Fountain of resolution , did therfore distribut as much to his soldiers as might strengthen their bodies , not weaken their judgement , and breed co●…age in them , not rage , which being with more speed then ceremony ended , he with a countenance and habit becoming such a place and person , descended into his Barge , wherin he pass'd through the body of the Fleet , being rang'd in form following . It consisted of four principall distinct parts , viz. two wings , the main battalion , and the reserve of succours : In the right wing were contain'd fifty three Gallies , wherof Doria was Admirall , bearing in his main top a green flag ; the left wing was compos'd of an equall nomber of Gallies commanded by Augustino Barbarico , with a yellow flag on the starboard side of the top ; In the main battail were included sixty one Gallies , wherin Don Iohn himself was distinguish'd by a sky-colour'd flag : the two wings and the main battail were 167. Gallies strong ; so plac'd , that the two wings carried forward the body in equall part , the one not forsaking the other , yet twixt all three ther was sufficient distance to admit three or four Gallies a brest , without falling foul either on themselfs , the wings , or the main battail ; as well to give way to those supplies of resc●…es which shold be needfull in any part , as to transform the whole battail it self into any figure without confusion : The Marquis of Santa Cruz bearing a white flag in his Poop , conducted the reserve for succours , consisting of thirty eight Gallies , out of which were deducted eight , commanded by Don Iohn de Cardona Prec●…sor of the whole Fleet , who running about twenty miles before the rest by swift Frigots , signified unto the Generall whatsoever was necessary to be known in their discovery , with commandment when they descryed the Turkish Navy , to retire and imp themselfs to the two wings in equall division , Cardona to the right wing . The Gall●…sses and Argozies were half a mile before the Gallies , two before the right wing , two before the left , and two before the middle battail , ev'ry Galleasse a mile before each other ; the first were commanded by Ambrosio and Antonio Bragadini , the second by Iacomo G●…ori , and Antonio Duodi , the third by Andrea Pisara , and Pietro Pisano : the use of these greater vessells ( being fortified with plenty of Ordnance , and lin'd with multitude of small shot ) was to receave the first fury of the enemies Fleet passing by , that being weakned and disordred by them , the next charge might be more safe and easie : and in respect they were huge and unweldy Vessells unapt for oars , ev'ry Galeasse was rowed by two severall Gallies whensoever they were becalm'd , and had lost the use of their sails ; the Galeasse of Antonio Duodi was tow'd by the Generall and Colonna ; the Galeasse of Giacomo Guori was tow'd by Venieri , and Christophoro Lieni , the Galeasse of Ambrosio Bragadini by Augustin Barberigo ; the Galeasse of Antonio Bragadini by Antonio Canali ; the Galeasse of Andrea Prsano by the Prior of Messina ; the Galeasse of Pietro Pisano by Andrea Doria. The General , like the heart in the body , was seated in the midst of the battail , garded on the right side by Marc Antonio Colonna the Popes Admirall , and on the left by Venieri : Colonna was flank'd by the Admirall of Genoa , wherof Hector Spinola was Captain , associated by the Prince of Parma . Venieri was flank'd by the Admiral of Savoy , commanded by Lieni , accompanied by the Prince of Urbin : Ast●…n the Generall , Colonna and Venieri were back'd by a Gally nam'd the Prince of Spain , and another belonging to the great Comendador of Castile ; the right side of the main battail , opposit to the wing , was strengthen'd by the Admirall Gally of Malta , commanded by the Prior of Messina : the left side was commanded by a Gally call'd the Captain of Pietro Lomelino , by Paulo Vrsino : in the right wing Cardona seconded Andrea Doria : in the left wing Augustin Barbarico was supported on one hand by Marco Quirini , and on the other by Canali . Yet was the whole Fleet , though distinct in order , so intermixt in Nation , that neither the Spanish , Venetian or Papall Gallies could respect their particular safety . In regard that this was the most furious & greatest fight that ever was upon salt water , and the most successefull that ever Christians had against the Turk , I shall be the more exact and punctuall in the relation of it ; therfore I shall here set down a Catalog of the names of all Bottoms and chief Commanders in both the Fleets . The Gallies and Captains , who went before the Fleet , for dicsovery , were these , Gallies . Captains . 1 The S. Magdalen of Venice , Marco Contarini . 2 The Sun of Venice , Vincente Quirini . 3 The Admirall of Sicily , Juan de Cordona . 4 The Vice-Admirall of Sicily ,   5 The Admirall , David Imperiali . 6 The Joannica of Sicily ,   7 S. Catheina of Venice , Marco Cicogna . 8 The Lady of Venice , Pietro Francisco Maripietro . The Gallies and Captains of the left wing . Gallies . Captains . The Admirall of Venice , Augustin Barbarico , Proveditor . The Vice-Admirall of Venice , Antonio Canali , Proveditor . The Fortune of Venice , Andrea Barbarico . The Archer of Naples , Martino Pyrola . The Treble-hand of Venice , Georgio Barbarico . The Double-Dolphin of Candie , Francisco Zeno. The Lion and Phaenix of Canea , Francisco Mengano . S. Nichola of Cherso , Colanes Drase . The Victory of Naples , Octavio Roccardi . The Lomelina , Augustin Conevali . The Elengina of the Popes , Fabio Vulciati . The Lady of Canea , Philippo Polani . The Sea-horse of Candy , Antonio de Cubelli . The Double-Lion of Candy . Nicholo Fratello . The Lion of Istria , Dominico de Tucco . The Crosse of Cephalonia , Marco Cimera . The S. Virginia of Cephalonia , Christophoro Crissa . The Lion of Candy , Francisco Bonaccio . The Christ of Candy , Andrea Cornelio . The Angell of Candy , Giovanni Angelo . The Pyramis of Candy , Francisco Buono . The L. of Candy with arm'd horse , Antonio Eudominiano . The Christ rais'd of Venice , Simone Gora . The Lesser Christ of Venice , Frederico Renieri . The Christ of Corfu , Christophoro Condocollo . The Christ rais'd of Canea , Georgio Calerga . The great Christ of Venice , Bart. Denato . The Christ rais'd of Vegia ,   The Retimana , Nicholo Avonali . Gallies . Captains . The Christ of Candy , Giovanni Cornelio . The Christ rais'd again of Rhodes Francisco Zancaruolo . The Rodus of Canea , Francisco Molino . The S. Euphemia of Brescia , Horatio Fisogna . The La. Marquis of Doria , Francisco Sphedra . The Fortune of Andrew , Lodovico Belui . The Arm of Canea , Michael Visamano . The Sea-horse of Venice , Antonio Canali . The Christ of Canea , Daniel Calefattio . The Arm of Venice , Nicolo Lipamanno . Our Lady of Zant , Nicolo Modono . The Christ rais'd again , Francisco Zancaruolo . Our Lady of Venice , Marc Antonio Pisano . The Trinity , Gio. Contareni . The Flame of Naples , Juan Cuetta . The S. John of Naples , Garcia Vargaro . The Envy of Naples , Torribio Acaveso . The Valour of Naples , Michael Quixada . The S. Jocaba of Naples , Monferrato Guardiola . The S. Nicolaico of Naples , Christophoro Monguia . The Christ rais'd again of Venice Gio Bautista Quirini . The Angell of Venice , Umphredo Justiniano . The S. Dorothy of Venice , Paolo Mani . The Admirall of Venice , Antonio Quirini Proveditor . In the main Battail , were these Captains and Gallies ▪ Gallies . Captains . The Admirall of Lomelina , Jordano Orsino . The Master Lomelina . Pietro Lomelino . The Admirall Bandmella , Bandinello Saulo . The Master of Genoa , Pollerano . The Toscuno of the Popes , Metello Caracciola . The Sea-man of Vicenza , Gia. Dressano . Our Lady of Venice , Gio. Zeno. The S. Jeronimo of Lessina , Gio. Babzi . The Joannica of Venice , Antonio Collioneo . The Alexandrica of Bergamo , Georgio D'este The Admirall Marina , Jeronimo Canali . The Logg of Venice , Berticaio Contareni . The Mongabell of Venice , Francisco Dandulo . The Virgin of Candy , Cypriano Marini . The Temperance of Doria , Vicenzo Paschali . The good Fortune of Naples ,   The Castle of Spain , Baccia Pisano . Gallies . Captains . The Victory of the Popes ,   The Pyramis , Antonio Uliana . The Christ of Venice , Jeromino Contareni The S. Francesco of Spain , Christophoro Guasches . The Peace of the Popes , Perpignano . The Pearl of Doria , Gio. Spinola . The Wheel of Venice , Gabriel Canali . The Pyramis of Venice , Francisco Buono . The Palm of Venice , Jeromnico Venieri . The Admirall of Gil Andruda , Cinoguerra . The Granado of Spain , Puolo Botenio . The Admirall of Genoa , Hector Spinola . The Admirall of Venice , Sebastian Venieri . The Gally Royall , Don John of Austria . The Admirall of the great Comendador ,   The Popes Admirall , Anto. Colonna . The Admirall of Savoy , Lieni . The Gri●…onia of the Popes , Alexandri Negroni . The S. Theodora of Venice , Theodoro Balbi . The Mendoza of Naples , Martino de Cayde . The Mount of Canca , Vizamano . The Gio. Bautista of Venice , Gio. Mocenigo . The Victory of Doria. Ph. Doria. The Pisana of the Popes , Hercole Lotta . The Figuera of Spain , Diego Lopes . The Christ of Venice , Georgio Pisano . The S. John of Venice , Daniele Moro. The Florence of the Popes , Tomaso de Medici . The George of Naples , Eugenio de Vargus . The Master of Naples , Francisco Benavides . The Moon of Spain , Emanuel Aguilar . The Passata of Venice , pietro Pisano . The Lion of Venice , Ludovico Pasqualio . The S. Jerom of Venice , Gasparo Maripietro . The Admirall of Grimaldi , Georgio Grimaldi . The Master of Da. Imperiali , Nicolo Lucano . The S. Christopher of Venice , Alexandro Contareni . The Judith of Zant , Marino Sicuro . The Larmelina of Candy , Pietro Gradonico . The middle Moon of Venice , Valerio Valerosso . The Doria of John Doria , Gia. Casali . The Order of S. Peter , Santabio . The Order of S. John , Lod. Tessera . The Admirall of Malta , The Prior of Messina . The right Wing . Gallies . Captains . The Admirall of Sicily , Don Juan de Cordona . The Piemontan of Savoy , Octavio Moreto . The Admirall of Mic. Doria. Pandolpho Polydoro . The Force of Venice , Reniere Zeno. The Queen of Candy , Gio. Barbarico . The Nino of Venice , Polani . The Christ rais'd again of Venice , Benedict Soranza . The armed man of Retima , Andrea Calergo . The Eagle of Retima , Andrea Calergo . The Palm of Canea , Ja. Medio . The Angell of Corfu , Stellio Carciopula . The S. Joannica of Arbera , Gio. de Domeni . The Lady of Fravica , Lod. Cipico . The Ship of Venice , Antonio Pasqualio . The Lady of Candy , Foscarini . The Christ of Crema ▪ Francisco Forneri . The S. Vittoria of Crema , Zorlano . The Master of Grimaldi , Lorenzo Treccia . The Master of Marini , Antonio Cornili . The Margaret of Savoy , Battaglino . The Diana of Genoa , Georgio Lasagna . The Gnigana of Naples , Gabriel Medino . The Moon of Naples , Julio Rubbi . The Fortune of Naples , Diego Madran . The Hope of Naples , Pietro Busto . The Fury of Lomelina , Ja. Chiappo . The Master of Lomelina , Georgio Greco . The Negrona , Nic. Constano . The Bastar'd Negrona , Lorenzo de Tani . The Fire of Candy , Je. Contareni . The Eagle of Candy , Je. Georgio . The S. Christopher of Venice , Andrea Trono . The Christ of Venice , Antonio Lando . The Hope of Candy , Antonio Buono . The Royalty of Padoa , Buzacarinor . The S. Josefica of Venice , Francisco Oseda . The Resolut of Naples , Giovanni Caraffa . The Sicil a of Sicily , Francisco Amadea . The Master of Nic. Doria , Jul. Centaurio . The Eagle of Corfu , Pietro Duono . The S. Trisonica of Catarra , Basanteo . The Tower of Vicenza , Lod. de Portu . The S. Mary of the Popes , Pandolfo Strozzi . Gallies . Captains . The S. Joannica of the Popes , Angelo Bifalio . The Master of Nigroni , Lod. Gumba , The Admirall of Nigroni , Amb. Nigroni . The Monark of Jo. Andrew , Garibaldo . The Handmaid of Jo. Andrew , Mi. Imperiali . The Admirall of Gio. Doria , Gio. Andrea Doria. The reservation for succour placed behind as a Gard. Gallies . Captains . The S. Joannica of Sicily ,   The Buccana , Pietro Morilo . The Leena of Naples , Pietro di Lagia . The Constancy of Naples , Pietro di Lagia . The Marqueza of Naples , Juan Machado . The S. Barbara of Naples , Juan Ascaleo . The S. Andrea of Naples , Rufio de Velasques . The S. Caterina of Naples , Rufio de Velasques . The S. Ba●…ilmeo of Naples ,   The S. Angelo of Naples , Juan de rupe Melino . The Terrana of Naples , Marco Mo●…no . The Christ of Venice , Gio. Loredano . The Double-hand of Venice , The Marquesse of Sancta Cruz. The Admirall of Naples ,   The Faith of Venice , Contareni . The Piller of Venice , Maripietro . The Magdalen of Venice , Lod. Balbi . The Lady of Venice , Gio. Benito . The Menidus of Venice , Filippo Leo. The Hope of Venice , Gio. Benedetto . S. Peter of Venice , Pietro Badoario . S. George of Subenica , Chr. Lachico . The S. Michael of Venice , Georgio Cochio . The Sibilla of Venice , Dani●…li Trono . The Crane of Spain , Luis de Hereda . The Admirall of Vaschido . Vaschedo Coronado . The Suprana of the Popes , Antonio de A●…coli . The Occasion of Spain ,   The Master of the Popes ,   The Calm of the Popes ,   The Generall descending , as hath bin sayed , into his Barge , pass'd through the whole Fleet , taking a short , but exact view of the form of the battail , and by breef , but pathetique Speech , breath'd courage into his men : his Oration was to this purpose : Brave invincible spirits ; whom gracious heaven hath held worthy to be his Champions , to whom the Angells will not be idle spectators , but actors and assistants in this sacred Tragedy : Nature I know hath given you the strongest temper of valour and devotion , set so keen an edge on that temper , as I need not whet it by any further encouragement ; only let me tell you , that you have the fairest occasion that ever was to unsheath and use it ; let victory set such a glasse upon it , as no rust of Oblivion may ever eat out . Now is the time to bring that dark half Moon , which seeks to eclipse the bright Sun of Heaven , to such a wane , as shall never fill again . Let her not any longer usurp domination o're the Sea : our enemies exceed us in nombers made up of cyphers and shadows of men , but let us excell them in resolution ▪ the essence of soldiers ; they are imprison'd and immur'd by shores and rocks , as much as I wold say victory cannot scape us ; they must fight because they cannot fly , we because we must overcom ; we have a necessity of conquest , the danger mix'd with it doth but season and ennoble it , who wold triumph over women ? we are to share the whole wealth of Nature , the Earth to the Survivors , the Heaven to the Martyrs : the scarrs of the wound wil be beautiful , because honorable : who would ingratefully refuse to bleed for that loving God , who refus'd not to die for him ? Courage therfore Divine Champions , forget not that some of you are Romanes ; and which is more , all Christians . This Speech was answer'd with applauses and wonderfull conclamations on all sides , in which humor we will leave them a while to behold the countenance of the enemy , and how the Moon appear'd . The Turks in the interim us'd more then ordinary circumspection and providence ; for having information by Spies , Fugitives , Greeks and prisoners , not only of the conjunction of the Confederat Fleet of the Christians , but of their nere approaches , being now engag'd in the Gulph of Lepanto : Mehemet Bey was dismiss'd with sixty Gallies to Asprospicio a Neighbour City , to bring from thence som competent supplies of victuall and men , in which businesse he used such celerity , that in short time he return'd , bringing with him plenty of provision & ammunition , besides ten thousand Ianizaries , two thousand ordinary soldiers , and two thousand Volunteers ; with which multitude and false supposition of our paucity , they were not so confirm'd in their courage , but stood possessed of a kind of ominous mistrusting the event . In which respect Ali Bassa the high Admirall , though by his own inclination , and his masters command he stood resolv'd to fight , call'd a generall Councell to deliberat on so huge a design , most of them perswaded to give battail , but Partau Bassa Generall of the Land Forces , earnestly oppos'd it : On the contrary side H●…ssan Bassa son to Barbarossa , sometimes Viceroy of Algier , a fiery yong man , and full of mettle , exhorted them as followeth ; Most excelse and victorious Prince , the Turkish Nation hath so Nobly behav'd it self , that it is a question whether their fortune or their valour hath bred their greatnesse , or whether the latter hath commanded the former ; once it may be affirm'd , that if our Starrs have favor'd us , we have not forsaken our selfs , nor shamed them , but magnified their influence by our actions : Our Predecessors have left us ample Territories , wherein we have not bin such unthrifts , but husbanded them , that if they have made little much , we have extended that much almost to infinite ; so that if we hold on this course of victory , Alexander never stood more then we in need of new worlds ; which of these prying inquisitive Christians had not discover'd unto us , our valour e're long wold want work ; yet let us not seem so glutted and cloyed with conquest , as to refuse to accept of this one triumph more ; this by Sea will serve to counterbalance that glorious Land victory lately pourchas'd ; let us fill both the hands of our Emperour , one with spoils of Land , the other of Sea ; these feeble tyr'd Christians have bin but our Porters , they are now ready to deliver them , let us not disdain to take it of them , least they cozen us now , as they did my Father thirty years ago , when they ran away with their burden ; we have Gallies enough , not only to stow their wealth , but if need were to take in their Gallies ; therefore most invincible Admirall , let us prevent their flight by a speedy assault . This Speech utter'd by a man , whose performance heretofore had ever bin correspondent to so confident expressions , not only incourag'd , but inflam'd many of the hearers , wherof Vluzzali Generall of the forces of Barbary could not contain himself , but with many earnest and pregnant arguments averr'd the same with Hassan ; alledging besides the oportunity , the necessity of obeying the gran Signors command , Ca●…abeg the Sanzak of Smyrna ecchoed the same . Yet many of the graver , and more advised sort of Captains dissented from this more hot then deliberat resolution , specially Mehemet Bey the Sanzak of Negropont , who though not so eloquently , yet more truly demonstrated the danger of fighting , as followeth . I am sorry magnificent Ali , that at this time the Counsell of illustrious Hassan , is rather to be admir'd and applauded for greatnesse of courage then follow'd for soundness , fitter to set our toungs then hands on work , I mean to be answer'd , then executed ; It is most tru in raising the Ottoman Empire , that the Turkish valour hath ever guided their fortune , but it is as tru , that their wisdom hath alwaies directed their valour , els they had never created this world of their greatnesse out of nothing , or made it out of atomes and such slender principles ; they have not by posting to the end of their desires lamed or tyred the means that carried them , but by going softlier have gone further ; greatnesse is steep and high , not to be climb'd but leasurely , those that strive to mount up violently use to fall precipitatly ; such was the sudden floud and ebb of the Goths , such the inundation of Tamberlain ; one Kingdome is a sufficient crop for one year , after that rate we may soon begger Christendom , and perfect the Turkish Monarchy ; as we have won Cyprus and may keep it , so we may lose that and our selfs too in seeking to get more : If you conceave the Christians have come so far but with resolution to fight , or to fight but with probability of prevailing , you must think them either fools or madmen ; but if after so familiar and long hostility , overvaluing our selfs , they hinder us not to know them , we must needs think their swords and wits to be as sharp as ours : It is not their pusillanimity but their division hath ruin'd them , & our multitudes have rather wearied then conquer'd them . From Preveza they departed themselfs , we did not drive them , at least the shame of flying then will incite them to fight now ; our odds of strength is incertain , if they be the weaker , supplies may strengthen them , if we the stronger , many accidents may weaken us , but none strengthen us : therfore my counsell is , that we go home while our way is open , and we have our welcom in our hands , and let not hope defraud us of certainty , yet is my Opinion ever subject to your correction . This Speech was highly applauded of Partau Bassa , Siroch and Calabey , yet fate and their Emperours expresse command urg'd publiquely by Vluzzali , transported them so far against their own judgement , that they resolv'd not only to hazard battail , but to seek it : To which end having distributed those 4000. soldiers wher they found most need , they weigh'd Anchor and came to Galanga about the evening the seventh of Octber , and ther stayed to supply themselfs and their Gallies with whatsoever was requisit for the incounter . Now drawing nere , the Admirall neglected nothing that might tend to the augmentation of strength , or for the ostentation of his vessels and men : one principall care was the fastning of his slaves , least their bodies as wel as their minds instead of necessary instruments , might prove dangerous revoltedengins against them , knowing that desire of liberty and revenge , two violent appetits , wold make them apt to snatch at any oportunity : he caus'd their allowance of diet to be augmented to cherish their bodies , that they might be more strenuous for labor , mixing hopes of future lenity with fear of present punishment , that stubbornesse , a thing invincible , which obdurats the minds of slaves might not hinder the utmost extent of strength : He likewise keeping good intelligence at Sea to prevent a sudden invasion , drew forth his Fleet in order of battail , that both his men and Gallies when need requir'd might not be to learn their duty or Order , which he neglected not to practise continually as he approach'd the Christian Fleet , till he had brought them to perfection therin . The eight of October very early in the morning , hoping inexpectedly to have com upon the Christian Fleet as they were at anchor , they hoisted their sails half mast high , so to hinder their discovery , and with a gentle gale sailed towards Cephalonia ; both Fleets were within twelve miles one of another , yet undescried , by reason of certain capes and head-lands dividing and shadowing them . They first ken'd the Christian Navy cleer of the Cruzalares which had somwhat disordred them ; and seeing Andrea Doria stand to Sea-ward vainly , imagin'd that he had fled , as upon the like reason the Christians were deluded with the like conceit of them , which opinion as it begat contempt of the adverse part , so it bred confidence in themselfs ; the place wher both the Fleets met serv'd aptly to fight , and not to fly . The Gulph being in circuit not above two hundred & fifty miles , immu●…'d with rocks , shores and Ilands , so thick , that to fly threatned well nigh as much danger as to stay ; on the North they were shut with part of Alban●…a ; extending from S. Mauro to Lepanto eighty miles ; on the East they were embarr'd by Morea , stretching seventy miles from the mouth of the Gulph to Cape Tornezzo ; on the South the I le of Zant oppos'd her self twenty five miles in length , the West was clos'd up by Cephalonia and S. Maura , the one being forty , the other fifteen miles long on that Coast ; on the coasts of Albania , scarce a mile from the main , were the rocks Cruzulares of an inequal bignesse , but the lesser the more dangerous : here again the Christian Fleet before conceal'd by interposition of headlands bewray'd truly her own greatnesse , which though inferior to the Turks , yet exceeding their expectation , did somwhat shake their former resolution , yet hope , shame , and which was more then both , necessity spurring them forwards , they approach'd in form following . They divided their Fleet which consisted of two hundred seventy Vessels , Gallies , & Foists , into four battaillons correspondent to that of the Christians . In the middle battail was the High Admirall Ali Bassa , and therin were contain'd ninety Gallies , in the midst of whom in a rich and a well appointed Gally was he himself flank'd on the right side with Partau Bassa , and on the left with the Tresurer of the Navy , who were assisted each of them by three Admiralls : The right wing consisted of fifty Gallies , wherof Mehemet S●…roch had the charge ; the left wing included nine Gallies conducted by Vluzzali ; the reserve for supplies was a mixture of ten Gallies and twenty Foists , commanded by Amurat Dragutra●…s : he himself in a beautifull and well fortified Gally , somtimes Admirall of Constantinople ; Their main battail was oppos'd to ours ; their right wing to our left , and their left to our right ; ev'ry battail distinguish'd by different flags , very curiously and richly wrought ; ev'ry privat Gally adorn'd with Pendants and Ensigns of great worth , which serv'd to breed an appetit in the couragious Christian rather then fear ; the Galeasses they rather wondred at for hugenesse of Bulk , then redoubted for offence or danger in service , thinking them fitter for burthen then fight ; neither could they yet entertain an assurance that their adverse Fleet wold offer to assail them ; yet did not this distraction make them neglect all possible means for their owne safety , and damage of the enemy ; all unnecessary things they stow'd in hold , all needfull they brought upon the hatches , as powder , shot , pikes , arrows , and all offensive or defensive provision ; ev'ry Captain encourag'd his soldiers , ev'ry soldier his fellow , and custom of victory took away all conceipts of discomfiture , ev'ry one cherishing in himself the remembrance of the Christians flight at Preveza , the vicinity of place bringing it fresh to their apprehensions ; the very winds seem'd to whisper into their ears secret arguments of prevailing , to which their credulity listned ; but soon were those arguments confuted , when the wind which till now had bin still partiall unto them , became a neutral to both , and a flat calm , giving attention ( as it were ) to the voice of the Cannon ; and not only the wind , but the Sun seem'd now to bandy against them , who having with too much light dazled the Christian Navy at the instant of joyning ba●…tail , remov'd that prejudice : Moreover , the winds , as if awakened , and come to do service to the God who made them , breath'd a gentle gale from the West , which aptly serv'd to carry away the mists of the waters , and smoak of the Ordnance upon the Turks , whose battails contain'd these principal Commanders and Gallies . The Turks divided their Fleet into four Bataillons . The right VVing . 1. The first was the Admirall , Mehemet Siroch Governour of Alexandria . 2. The second Gally of Alexandria was commanded by 3. Carus Tubat . Bagly Saraf . Giafer Chiagey . Osman Celebin . Perusio Reis . Bink Cusapoli . Osman Occan. Drivis Aga. Bajazet Siman . Osman Ali. Deli Aga. Dardagan Bardan Bely . Casli Cuian . Insuf Aga. Insuf Magar . Calafat Chedar . Mustafa Genovel . Darinigy Pery . Mat Assan . All these had Gallies of Alexandria . Cheder Aga. Solyman Bey . Hibraim . Saban . Caia Celebin . Cheder Siman . Ali Cara. Mustafa . Their Gallies were of Constantinople . Juran Saba . David Jusuf . Solac Rais. Arnaut Ferrat . Juzel Memy . Shender Selim. Lumag Jnsuf . Ba●…dach Celebin . Bagdat Asau . Guzel Allibi . Brusali Piri . Rodle Ali. These Gallies were of Tripoly in Barbary . Aga Bassa with the Admirall of Constantinople . Sinaman Mustapha Gregiore Ali. Amurates Reis . Calepy Memy . Marul Mustapha . Heder Lumet . These commanded over the Gallies of Etolia . Sinaman Dervis . Memen●…y Durmis . Algagias Sinan . Adagi Rustan . Chingevey Musata . Jusuf Celebin . Tufer Mustapha . These also commanded over the Gallies of Despotado , or Etolia . Ali a Genowayes , and Pyrat , Captain of a small Gally . Megil Reis with a small Galeasse . Mehemet Bey with the small Admirall Gally of Negropont . The Battail had these Captains and Gallies following . Assam Bey Governor of Rhodes . Deli Chafer the Warden of Rhodes . Occi Rais. Postunag Ogli . Gazizy Reis . ●…alefact Ogli . Dromus Reis , with an Admirall of Constantinpole . Herberey . Caragias Rais. Ocean Rais. Deli Piry . These commanded the Gallies of Rhodes . Giafer Aga. Bastian Rais. Coz Ali. Olach Rais. Oluz Rais. Assan Bassa , Barbarossa's son . These commanded some Gallies of Constantinople . Caruf Rais. Jungli Ogli . Arnaut Celebi●… . Magar Ali. Giafer Celebin . Deli Assan . Carapeti Aga. Sinan Rais. Carua Mustapha . Sali Aravar . Previl Aga. Their Gallies were of Naples in Romagnia . The two sons of Ali in a Gally of Constantinople . Osman Rais in an Admirall of Constantinople . Deli Jusuf . Ferat Baly . Cuia Celebin . Bagdar Rais. Halvagi Mustapha . Their Gallies were of Mitilene . Giaut Ali Mustapha Admirall of small Gallios . Caracoza with Gallies of Valona . Mamatris Saderbey Governour os Mitilene . Ali Bassa high Admirall of the Fleet in a Gally Royall . Portau Bassa Generall by Land , with an Admirall Gally . Mustapha Esdey Tresurer . Marmati Rais. Alicicgbli . Tramontan Rais with an Admirall of Constantinople . Sulimum Celebin . Deli Ibrain . Murat Corossua . Denur Bali . Caby Heit . Murat Trasy Scribe of the Arcenal . Caras Deli. Ferat Ceragli . Pervis Sinam . Dardagan Bali . Giafe●… Caran . Dervis Sach . Curbaly . All these had Gallies of Constantinople . Giafer Aga Captain of Tripoly . Carau Hamat . Rustan Chialmagi . Dunnis Ogli . Shender Dernigi . Maumet Alis. They commanded o're the Gallies of Tripoly . Afis Cluega Governor of Callipolis . Selim Siach . Heder Baschi . Sicun Mustapha . Salu Rius . Deli Ischender . These Gallies were of Calipolis . The Lord of Marus with an Admirall Gally of Constantinople . Pericis la humagi . Hasuf Bali . Siran Bardachi . Jusuf Cinigi . These Gallies were also of Callipolis . Piri Begogli with an Admirall Gally of Constantinople . Deli Osmun . Piri Sinan . Demir Celebin . Dervis Hidir . Sinan Mustapha . Hasirgy Rais. Asey Ogli . Caias Saraf . Agadi Ahameth . Osman Sehet . Dervis Celebin . Giafer Rais. Dardagan the Governour of the Arcenall . All these were Gallies of Constantinople . The left Wing . Carau Hozias Admirall . Catalus a Pyrat . Chiazel Sinan . Chior Mehemet . Hignau Mustapha . Cademly Mustapha . Vsechiaffy Memy . Carau Morat . Passa Dervis . Jagli Osman . Pisman Rais. Tascivis Sisman . Jesil Hogli . These commanded o're the Gallies of Natolia . Cara Cialibina Captain of small Gallies . Suizi Memy . Magli Rais. Osey Assan . Curnigi Hasuf . They had small Gallies , and obey'd Chialibin . Cadeh Sidir . Osman Rais. These two had Gallies of Constantinople . Caraperi a Pyrat , Captain of a small Gally . Julio Pervis . Calobodan Solyman . Jachali Mamar . Sayr Giafer . Chior Memy . These had small Gallies , and were commanded by Carape●…i . Chiusel Giafer with an Admirall of Constantinople . Ramazzan . Calemy Memy . Giesman Ferat . H●…ipris Assan . Zambal Murat . Sa●…msach Rais. Tunis Soliman . Calepi Jusuf . Tech●…del Assan . Cyan Memis . Osman Bagli . All Constantinopolitans . Caragial with the Admirall Gally of Algier . Caraman Ali. Alman . Sinam Celebin . Agdagi Mustapha . Daglias Ali. Seith . Pervis Selim. Murat Dervis . Hes Ogli . Machazer Ali. Joias ▪ Osman . Sali Deli. These had small , and some common Gallies of Algier . Nasut Fachir with a Gally of Constantinople . Gymongi Mustapha . Rustau Cringi . Bali . David Ali. Sitinau Rais. Carum Hidir . Magar Ferat . Arnaut Alis. Natis Rais. Curmur Rhodo. Cos Cluagin . Cusly Memy . All these commanded the Gallies of Negropont . Caram Bey with the Admirall of the Sonne of Uluzzali . Deli Murat . Abazar Rais. Scin Sciander . Alman Balli . Assan Sumbar . Seir Aga. Assan Sinam . Cumy Falagan . Osman Gynder ▪ These had small Gallies of Valona . Dermat Bey . Jusuf Alis. Caran Alman . Murat Biassan . Carabiney the Governor . Their Gallies were of Sunasara . Calau Bastagi . Carabi . Giafer Hedi . Ferat . Memy Beogli . Osman Piry . Piry Rais. Casam Rais. Talaragi Rais. Rus Celebin . Tutur Ali. Constantinopolitans . Uluzzali King of Algier with an Admirall Gally . The Battail of Succours . Amurat Bragat in an Admirall of Constantinople . Caram Casli . Hassam Rais. These were Captains of Foists also . Abdula Rais. Aligau Assan . Cus Ali. Ginzel Ali. Curtat Celebin . Deli Bey . Saudagi Memy . These were Foists also . Dardagno Reis had an Admirall of Constantinople . Deli Dorni he had a Gally . Cuidar Memy Governour of Sio . Shetagi Osman . Haeder . Delius Heder . Armat Merney . Susan Reis . Giafer Bey . Cabil Sinam . Amurat Reis . Sariogi Grafer . Mor Ali. All Foists . Piali Murat he had a small Gally . Caragiali Rais. Murat Alias . Jumez Alias . Bostagi Murat . Foists . Assan Sinan a Gally of Constantinople . Deli Sulmian was in an Admirall of Constantinople . So that the nomber of all Bottomes came to 270. Vessels . All things thus dispos'd of , Ali Bassa richly cloath'd andarm'd after the Turkish manner , thus spake in the Poop of his Gally to the Captaines and Commanders ther assembled to receave direction . Most heroick Captains and invincible Ianizars , the scourge of the Christian , and right hand of the Ottoman Empire ; we have hertofore taken pains to fetch ourslaves , but now our enemies have brought them us ; despairing of their successe by Land , they are come to try the same fate in another Element , as if ther were any important difference to burn on shore , and drown at Sea ▪ they have changed place , but not spirit ; the same effeminacy which they had in other parts they have transported hither , constant only in their vices and vanities ; magnanimity and the effect therof , brave honor are not more hereditary and inherent in us , then cowardize and servility in them ; we much exceed them in nomber , but more in weight of ability , We were soldiers when children , they children now they are men : what are their soldiers but Players , Minstrells and Tumblers , a multitude of unghelt Eunuchs ? what is their Generall but a youth , fitter to lead a Mask then an Army ? what are both but the remainder of this years victory , wherof Cyprus was the late rich earnest ? neither can they so soon forget to yeeld as we to overcom : therfore be confident brave fellows in arms , that not resolution , but their destiny hath brought them bither ; Italy is the Gate of Christendom , and Venice the key of Italy : this Fleet is that Barre , which if you can either break or put back , all flies open before you , and we shall go beyond Caesar in the West , or Alexander in the East , making the rising and setting Sun the confines of the Turkish Empire . Go on then , let us fill the Sea with their bodies , our Gallies with their Wealth , our selfs with the honor and glory of both . The Christians having in all respects provided for so great an attempt as far as human wisdom and strength could extend , ( considering this Fleet to be their Ark , and God himself interested in the controversie ) ceased not with importunat , but most humble invocations , to implore the aid of heaven , which by their Confessors was confidently promis'd them : Their devotions concluded , and each battail facing each other , the charge was given by a Canon from Ali the Turkish Admirall , and answer'd by one from each wing , with obstreperous clamours after their custom , which they think awakens the courage of the soldier , with amazement and terror to the enemy ; they quickly make towards the Christian Fleet , who in a differing manner made Trumpets , Drums , Fifes , and other such Martiall music , the delightfull Prolog to a more dreadfull Scene : Venieri back'd his Gally with two other of Giovanni L●…redano , and Catarin●… Malipietro ; Colonna did the like with two other ; and now being within distance of their Ordnance , the Turks passing by the Galeasses , were inexpectedly torn by their great shot , which brake forth on all sides like thunder and lightning out of some black cloud : they being high and close , fearfully spoil'd the naked Turks and Rowers , making that breach at which the Christian Fleet entred , for it disordred them so , that they had no time to recollect themselfs ; in which confusion desperatly passing the Galeasses , they ran upon a sharper point of danger , for the wind resisting the swiftnesse of their approach , stayed and set them up as dead marks to the Christian Ordnance , which had more certain aim at them lying still , then in motion and course : besides it did benight them with smoak , augmenting the terror of those invibcile mischiefs which they felt , but could not see either to shun or revenge : the hideous noise of som commanding , others answering , the cracks of Gallies , falling foul of each other , terrified both the Turk who suffer'd , and the Christian which heard it , victory appearing to them in a dreadfull countenance ; in som Gallies the Officers slain , the Slaves brake loose , and like Lions slaughter'd their Keepers ; in others the powder taking fire casually , seem'd to rebell against them besides , shooting them up for Sacrifices to that Christ whom they blasphemed ; here men falling over board wanted Gallies ; here Gallies emptied of their companions wanted men , and floated like dead bodies without souls , which Mehemet Syrock , now finding himself a truer Prophet then he desired , observing , withdrew himself from the body of the Fleet , thinking to circumvent the Christian left wing , betwixt whom and Siroch , Augustin Barbarico oppos'd his Squadron , wherwith he shut up the passage the easier , because of a promontory call'd Michangali , which extended it self that way : Ma●…no C●…tarint resolv'd to be a sharer with his Oncle Barbarico , both in honor and danger , and so follow'd and united himself to that Squadron ▪ betwixt whom a most cruentous fight pass'd on both sides : the Tu●…h left wing commanded by Vluzzali , and confronting our right , was very nere to have joyn'd with Doria , who considering himself inferior in nomber of Gallies , he having but fifty , his enemy ninety , 〈◊〉 it not : Vluzzali balancing with the Christian his own odds of strength , was contented likewise to abstain : Doria ▪ after some suspence stood out to Seaward with certain of his Gallies a mile from the remainder ; in the mean time Don Iohn , Colonna and Venieri , the the confederat Admiralls , in exact order incountred the middle battail of the enemy , exchanging at the approach divers volleys of great shot , with much disadvantage to the Turks ; the Christian Vessells being snug and stooping from the Ordnance of the Turks higher Gallies , and many of their peeces choak'd with Christians bullets casually shot into their mouths , and ther sticking , which difficulties bred rather fury then despair in them , and induced them by violence of oars to make hast to grapple that ther fighting hand to hand , the difference might be decided by pure Man-hood : therfore now being nearer swarmes of arrows and small shot interchangeably stung both sides , with artificiall fires , reciprocally lightning ev'ry where : at last death and wounds drest variously , were the entertainment of that visitation , whence sprung such a deluge of bloud , that the Gulph of Lepanto might have bin call'd the Red Sea for the time . Now Stroch perceaving himself not onely frustrated the interposition of Barbaricos Squadron , but distress'd by the irresistible force of it , yet he persisted still in fight to save his honour , though not his life , using all the powerfull Rhetoric he could for the encouragement of his languishing men , wherin by speech , as well as by example , he so prevail'd , that desperation whetting resolution , they had recover'd now not only hopes of resistance , but of victory : For after divers unequall and doubtfull conflicts in many parts , here nomber oppressing valour , ther valour making amends for the odds of nomber , specially in the Gallies of the two Barbaricos , while with discreet courage they ran still to the weakest part , like the vitall spirits in the body : one of them was mortally wounded by a fatall Turkish arrow in the left eye , himself being indeed not only the eye , but the very heart of his Squadron ; he falling down , confirm'd that the Life-bloud of an Army runs commonly in the veins of the chief Commander : his owne men shrunk back , the Turks intruded and press'd into his Gally , which had bin taken , but that Frederico Nani , and Silvio Porcia came into her rescue . These heroick gentlemen growing up like Hydras heads in the room of Barbarico , repell'd the Turks , and recover'd the former hopes of victory : Porcia receav'd a wound in his thigh , the honorable badge of valor . In another part Cicogna Barbarico oppress'd with multitudes of Turkish Gallies , was ( as one might say ) refin'd with wild fire , and his face beautified with an eminent scar , but was at last preserv'd by speedy supplies , being so far from yeelding either to wearinesse or pain , that after this he boarded and took a principall Gally , & one of their Imperiall Ensigns , which to this day ▪ serves in the Venetian Armory to display the invincible courage of the taker : But Siroch surrounded with danger and mischiefs on both sides , having no means to satisfie his revenge on all , desperatly rush'd upon Giovanni Contarini , whose kinsman was before not cheaply slain , and that such an impetuous violence , that he had almost stem'd his Gally , which he obstinatly persevering to board , was ther mortally wounded , as before in judgement , so now in valour , having manifested himself a compleat and absolut soldier : his fall bred such an amazement in the Turk , as the fate of Barbarico in the Christian ; his men slain and wounded , left their decks to their thronging enemies , who rushing in , were like to have made the Gallie a common sepulcher to both ; for she being shot between wind and water , was upon point of sinking : the Turks leaped over board , hoping by swimming to find the land more mercifull unto them then the water ; Siroch was taken not quite dead , but his wounds were search'd and found incurable , in pity rather then cruelty he was dispatch'd out of his pain . His death though it was dearly bought , was a mortall wound to the Turks whole Navy ; for those that were before busied with his incounter , this right Wing or Arm being cut off , converted their forces , though much enfeebled , against the other members of the Fleet , assisting where they saw need and had oportunity ; besides the battail of succours continually supplied and releev'd impartially all parts distress'd . Now the two Generalls , Don Iohn , and Ali Bassa , meeting like two furious currents , began so terrible a fight in midst of both the Fleets , that the rest seem'd to be but Spectators to them two ▪ the Gallies that incircled them were ( as it were ) the Scaffold , and they two the Stage ; contrariety of Religion , emulation of honor , anger , hope and fear produc'd admirable effects in both : while Ali made violent impression on Don Iohns Gally on the Prow , she was by others likely to have bin entred at the Poop , which being perceav'd , was prevented by those that back'd her , who boording those boorders , took their Gallies , but with great slaughter and difficulty . The Turkish Generall knowing the fortune of the day to depend upon his successe , desperatly contended to inforce Don Iohn ; wherin he prevail'd so far , that he compell'd him to bring out of hold his fresh reserves that he had under deck , to exchange place with his wounded and wearied men upon the hatches , which strange and inexpected supply , sprung as it were out of the womb of the Gallie to defend her mother , bred an amazement , and by amazement hastned the destruction of the fainting Turks : Ali ▪ being shot in the head , his Gally soon yeelded , himself being yet alive and presented to Don Iohn , his head was struck off , which being mounted on the point of a pike , was held up for a public demonstration of victory ; a gratefull object to the Christians , but dreadfull to the Turks ; the same cause bringing forth at once two contrary effects , viz. hope and fear , which yet lesse dismay'd them , not discerning it afar off ; but the advancement of the Crosse Royall on the top of their Admirall Gally , danted them more then all the rest , for that was visible throughout the Fleet , and the fatall signification of it easily interpreted , so that now they began to fly , but in such a confusion , that while they shun the poursute of one Gally , they fall foul upon another : besides Marco Quirini , and Antonio Canali , two Venetian Commanders , intercepted many of the Gallies flying , and men swimming to the shoare . In this most memorable fight , many Commanders on either side were taken or slain , whose distinct Catalog shall be inserted at the end of the battail , not yet absolutely concluded : For Vluzzali foreseeing now too late this generall overthrow , studied how he might in some measure revenge what he could not prevent : therfore hovering aloof from the Fleet to expect some straglers of the Christians , at last found oportunity to cut off certain Venetian Gallies , who at first had follow'd Dorta , but now desirous to have bin sharers in so Noble a Victory , were retiring to the main battail ; them he chas'd , fetch'd up and boarded ; but they bravely repelling him , and Dorta wheeling about to assail him , knowing it dangerous for him to persever in fight , when his own force wold continually decrease , and his enemies be augmenmented by confluence of rescu from all parts of the Army , executing most of his mischief upon those Venetians , he with sail down stood off to Sea , towing after him the Gallies of Pietro Bua , of Corfu , of the Prior of Messina , and Lodovico Tipico of Tra●…u , Benedetto Soranza mortally wounded and oppress'd by multitudes , fighting to the very last , was slain and his Gally taken , but so that the getting ( in conclusion ) prov'd their losse , for many of the enemies thronging into the Gally , either by casualty or desperat malice of som Captain , she fir'd and they perish'd in a wretched mixture of death 'twixt burning and drowning : it seems that the fury of the slaughtered Turks reviv'd in Vluzzali , who alone gave all the three battails som tast of his dev'lish rage ; notwithstanding all those Gallies which he had taken were recover'd , except that of Pietro Bua of Corfu , in whose pourchase he had a very hard bargain ; the night was his best protectresse in shadowing him from the poursuing Conquerour , who now despairing to fetch him up , whom they could not see to follow , gave over the chase , and stood back to the Fleet ; so that Vluzzali escaped with about thirty Gallies ; many of which could not swim , being alive , as if death had taught them that skill , floated being dead , and the Sea glutted with multitudes spued up their carcases ; many labouring in the water for life , found now more safety in their wracks , then before in their Gallies , and somtimes a Turk and Christian taking hold of one plank began a privat fight , while a third took benefit of what they strove for , the Sea in the mean time becoming victor of both ; here a tyred Christian calls to a friend for help ther a Turk implores it of his enemy : Most lamentable and confus'd cries com from both , when now the billows begin to roare lowder then all ; for the Navy was yet scarce collected and reduc'd to a safe Haven , when towards night ther arose so sudden and violent a storm , as ( if the battail had not now bin ended ) wold have bin a stickler in it . To conclude , the insolent enemy being thus overthrown , and their spoil gather'd , the next care was to cure the wounded men , and repair the bruised and torn Vessells , wherin the Commanders shew'd no lesse industry , then in preparation for the fight , and their admired valour in it . It is hard to decide , which of these three Admiralls , Don Iohn , Venieri , or Colonna , merited most applause : they all did what could not be exceeded by any other , nor equall'd but by themselfs : the former distast 'twixt ▪ Don Iohn and Venieri , as it had bin providently pacified by mediation of Colonna , so was it in the conquest nobly forgotten of themselfs . Don Iohn towards the beginning of the battail , being endanger'd by inequality of nomber , Venieri with his own danger bravely rescued him , like two metled Mastiffs jarring among themselfs , when the Bear comes , forbear privat strife to joyn against the common enemy ; which Noble courtesie , the Generall nobly and gratefully acknowledg'd , honoring him with the Title of Author , and which is more , the Father of the Victory . The whole Army in united voice gratified the Divine Mercy for so great a preservation , and elevating their victorious hands to heaven , acknowledg'd to be taught to fight by it ; ev'ry man congratulated the safety of his living friend , yet moderately lamented the fate of the dead , the sorrow of their death being dried by the merit of the cause ; those bodies that were recover'd were honorably buried , the rest detain'd by the Sea , were yet eterniz'd on the shore . To repeat the Noble action of ev'ry particular man were a Plutarks labour , ev'ry life wold be a story ; and we know that Plutark gave lifes to many , though the longest to himself ; but among the most eminent , shines the Noble indifferency of the Marquis of Santa Cruz , who disposing of the reserve of succours , distributed them not according to his own affections , but other mens necessities , bewraying at once excellency of judgement , courage and celerity . Many circumstances gave lustre to this victory , but nothing more then the flight of the Christian Fleet , not many years before from about the same place , the infamy of the one glorifying the other , and serving as a foil to it , as shadows set forth and enlighten pictures . It was a pleasing consideration to those who had bin forc'd to be fugitives , to think they shold find their honor where they lost it : To this may be added the remembrance of the like battail fought 'twixt Augustus Caesar , and Marc Anthony , above a thousand years past in the same place , as if destiny had made it a Stage for great actions , and that this Heroick Battail had bin but the second part of the first . The totall nomber of the dead were 7656. The chief of the Venetians were Augustin Barbarico Proveditor Generall of the Venetian Fleet , Benedetto Soranza , Marin and Ieronimo Contareni , Marc Antonio Lande , Francesco Bicono , Iacomo de Messa , Caterin Maripietro , Giovanni Loredano , Vincenzo Quirini , Andrea and Georgio Barbarici , all Senators ; Of Romanes Horatio Caraffa , Ferrante Bisball , Virginio and Horatio Vrsini . Of the Spaniards , Iohn and Bernardin●… de Cardona : Of the Knights of Malta divers were slain , among others these three Germans , Ioakin Spart Comendador of Moguncia , Ro. of Hamburg Comendador of Hemm●…ndorf , and Francis Drost ; the chief men wounded were Don Iohn the Generall , Venieri the Venetian Admirall , Paolo Iordano , Marco Molino , and Troylo Savello , and well nigh seven thousand privat men . This great losse was lessen'd by that of the Turks , who are reported by some Authors to have lost nere upon thirty thousand : but the multitude of their Gallies taken , wrack'd , and dead bodies floting on the Sea , carrying with it a resemblance of the generall deluge , must needs acknowledge it to be great . Among the slain was the Generall Ali , Mehemet Bey , alias Siroch , Governour of Alexandria , Hassan Bassa Barbarossa the great Pyrats Son ; the greatest prisoners were Achmat and Mahomet , sons of the Generall Ali , Mehemet Bey Governour of Eubaea , with thirty thousand vulgar soldiers . Ther escaped Partau Bassa , who since others wold not follow his counsell in abstaining from fight , made use of it himself : Vluzzali a desperat Renegado , who fought , but so alwaies that he might fly : there were taken one hundred thirty Vessells , whereof one hundred seventeen were Gallies , thirteen Galeots , som report one hundred sixty . Ther was much tresure found in the Gally Cleopatra , which the Generall distributed among the best deserving : among others a Macedonian , by whose fortunat hand Ali Bassa fell , had a Noble reward , but a far Nobler by the magnificent Venetian Republic , who did confer three hundred duckets of yearly pension upon him . But the most esteemed spoil had from the Turkish Fleet , was the redemption of so many Christians , in nomber twelve hundred ; words are but mute expressions of the pitifull slavery they were in , being compell'd both actively and passively , to suffer for , and act against their own Religion ; nothing could equall it , but the joy of this enlargement , nor was this joy peculiar and solely to themselfs , but multiplied by portions among their friends and kinsmen . The n●…neteenth of the same Moneth , Humphredo Iustiniano arriv'd at Venice with advertisement of this Victory to the Senat : never any music so feasted their ears as that news : The congratulating Ambassadors flock to S. Mark from all Christian Princes , acknowledging him their prime Protector , and Champion . I will conclude this Relation with the division of the spoils of the Enemies betwixt the three Generalls . The Popes share was 21. Gallies , whereof 19. ordinary , 2. Galeots . 54. Canons , wherof 12. great , 42. of the smaller sort . 881. Prisoners , among whom were Achmat , and Mahomet , sons of the Generall Ali Bassa . The Venetians share was 44. Gallies , wherof 39. ordinary , 4. Galeots and a half . 131. Peeces of Ordnance . 1162. Prisoners . The Spanish share was 58. Gallies . 214. Peeces if Ordnance . 1713. Prisoners . The division was thus concluded , though not in a proportionable rate of equality , yet to the satisfaction of all , the Venetians thinking they had the more honor , though the Spaniards the greatest luggage , and the reason might be , that the Spaniard contributed more money , though the Venetian more Gallies . Venieri highly extoll'd the magnanimity of the General , propo singunto him the rescue of Greece , an exploit which shold immortalize him more then the conquest of Tunis did his Father , whose Genius wold not envy , sayed he , to see it self exceeded by him , which was not equall'd by his Predecessors . This much inflam'd the hot aspiring mind of the youthfull Conquerour , insomuch that they proceeded to consultation , how this Trophy might be perfected , whose hardest work , to wit , the foundation , was already so happily layed ; therfore making Aprill the time , and Corfu the rendevous of their next years convention , the Navies were dissolv'd , Don Iohn returning to Messina . Venieri expecting that Don Iohn wold by his example have poursu'd the point of this victory , was much heightned in his spirits , but somwhat discontented , and the Spaniard expos'd himself to som reproaches abroad hereby , so that Don Iohns departure was interpreted no lesse then a kind of running away : For in the opinion of all the world , had this opportunity bin well improv'd , ther might have bin made far greater use of it : For though that high spirited Turk , to expresse the inequality of the taking of Cyprus , with the defeat of this Fleet , said , That Selym had cut off an Arm of the Christians , and they had but shav'd his Beard . Intimating therby : that Timber wold grow again , but not Kingdoms , that Ships might be built , but not Ilands ; yet was it manifest , that the chief strength of that Samson lay at the same time in that tuff of hair , and if he had bin re-essail'd e're it had grown out again , the razor which took off his beard , might have cut his throat . Here it will not be improper to add an Answer of an old Chious , who being com Ambassador to England in King Iames's time , and being ask'd among other things by the King , whether he had bin at the battail of Lepanto , Yes , sayed he , and at the taking of Cyprus also . Colonna departed also with Don Iohn , and return'd to Rome , where his fame had arriv'd long before him : This successe rais'd the spirits of that ancient City in a shape of rriumph , to see her aged glory give such a fresh lustre in this glasse of victory , to entertain her new Champion ; the whole City seem'd to be turn'd inside outward , the rich Tapistries now beautifying the wals without , the streets were strew'd with flowers as at a marrage : It is reported that a little before this battail , the Pope Pius Quintus had perform'd many rigid and austere Penances in his own person , and having bin a whole night contending with God in prayer , in his own privat Oratory ; he came at last suddenly out with a cheerfull countenance , and in a kind of ravishment or extasie , saying , alegramente la Vittoria é nostra , be of good cheer the Victory is ours , and as the Manuscript hath it , this was the very morning before the battail began . No lesse were the triumphs at the Court of Spain , when tydings were brought to Philip the second of this Signall and glorious Victory ; yet when the very first , and long expected news therof was brought and related unto him , he never chang'd countenance , or gave as much as a smile , or least outward shew of alteration , he was a man of such a rare constancy of temper , only he sayed after a long speculative pause , Mucho ha aventurado mi hermano Don Iuan , my brother Don Iohn hath ventur'd very far ; but it was the first time that ever he was heard to call him Brother , which stile he continued ever after . The Republic hoping that the rest of the Christian confederat Princes wold be constant in the League , rigg'd up their Gallies again , and made great preparations against the following Spring , but Pius Quintus deceasing , who gave the greatest vigour to the League , matters began to languish ; yet ther was a conjunction of som forces the Sommer after against Vluzzali , a great Pyrat , and Admirall to the Turk ; and there were considerable Fleets on both sides , the Turk had two hundred Sails , the Christians not so many , and about the Mona they twice fac'd one another , but encountred not ; so all dissolv'd without performance of any thing , though Venieri made fair Propositions unto them for som attempts ▪ both by Land and Sea , and to be the first in the Van himself , but the Spaniard was too cold and cautious ; besides Don Iohn of Austria himselfe had promis'd to come in person , but did not . Hereupon it was high time for the Republic to hearken to a peace with her potent Neighbour , specially ther having bin divers Overtures made by the Gran Visier to that purpose : among other inducements which might move her thereunto was , that the Spaniard was not able as formerly to continue the League , in re●…ard he had so much new work cut him out in Flanders , by the revolt of som of the seventeen Provinces : Moreover the Senat had notice that an Ambassadour was come from Constantinople to the Emperours Court , to desire safe passage for the Turkish Army to passe through some of his Territories to invade Friuli ; besides the Bishop of A●…x , who was Ambassador at the Port , for the King of France , advis'd her in his Masters name to a peace , for which purpose he came himself expressely to Venice afterward : so after much difficulty , and divers proposalls on both sides , a peace was at last solemnly concluded ; the two main Articles whereof were , that all the Venetian Merchants goods shold be restor'd unto them which were taken by Turks in so many years , and that the Signory shold pay a hundred thousand Crowns for three years . The world pass'd sundry censures of this peace , specially in regard the Venetians had done it without the consent of the other Confederats ; Paul the third then Pope storm'd at it , but the King of Spain seem'd to dissemble his discontent , saying , That he doubted not , but that the motives which shold induce so wise a Senat were of great importance , hoping that as he had freely employed his forces for the generall incolumity of Christendome , and particularly of the Venetian , so they likewise wold if occasion requir'd be ready to do the like for him ; The world wondred at this calmnesse in the Spaniard , and the reason which peeple alledg'd then , was the revolutions in the Low Countreys , and that he was like to fall out with France , with whom he was loth the Venetian shold ligue together against him . Notwithstanding this solemn peace with Selim , yet the Republic understanding that Amurath , who had newly succeeded in the Ottoman Empire upon the death of Selym , did arm apace to be reveng'd upon Spain , in regard that Don Iohn of Austria had lately sack'd Tunis in Barbary ; this made the Republic apprehend som fears , that the Turk wold fall foul up on some of their Dominions , specially the I le of Candy : hereup on she rigs up her Gallies again , but in the interim a Chiaus coms from Constantinople in quality of Ambassador extraordinary from Amurath to confirm the former peace . This year 1573. The Duke of Aniou having bin newly elected King of Poland , and scarce setled in the Throne , and understanding his brother Charles was deceas'd in France , and fearing to lose the 〈◊〉 for a Thistle , ( viz. France for Poland ) got away surreptitiously from Cracovia , accompanied only with three followers ; and passing through the Territories of divers Princes , came at last to Italy , with a curiosity to see the admired City of Venice ; being come upon the Confines , he was met by a gallant troup of Noble men , with eight hundred well arm'd soldiers : the next day sour of the Senators came to him from Venice in quality of Ambassadors ; the Dukes of Ferrara and Nevers came also to visit him : so being attended by infinite nombers of peeple , he came first to Murano , where the next day he was visited by the Prince and Senat with fourteen Gallies ; and being conducted thence to Lia , he entred the Bucentoro , together with the Prince and Senat ; from thence with mighty magnificence he transported to Venice , all the channell 'twixt the City and Lia thronging with Boats , made in fashion of Sea Monsters , wherin were all the youth of Venice richly attir'd , with infinite nomber of Gondolas , which row'd before , and on ev'ry side of the Bucentoro , which was gently tow'd to the Palace stairs , where he remain'd divers daies , and was entertain'd to the height of all magnificence ; and here began that great League of Love which hath continued so firm 'twixt France and Venice ever since ; but presently after the Kings departure , ther happen'd an ill-favor'd disaster , for the Prince celebrating the day of his Election , the Ducall Palace was like to be all consum●…d by a casuall fire , and a fearfull plague remov'd it selfe from Trent to Venice , where it began to rage fearfully ; thereupon no humane remedy appearing , the Prince and Senat had recourse to God Almighty , and meeting in the highest postures of reverenee at S. Marks Church , the Prince in all their Names made a solemn Vow to God , to build a Church and dedicat it to the worlds Redeemer , imploring his Divine Majesty with heart and mouth , that it might please him of his infinite mercy to hear them , and appease his just wrath ; it pleas'd God that this furious contagion did thereupon cease in a wonderfull manner : The Church was suddenly built at La Zuecca , whither the Prince and Senat go in solemn procession every year ever since ; Baromeo did also , as they write , strange penances in Milan for asswagement of such a contagion the same year . SEBASTIANO VENIERI succeeded MOCENIGO in the principality , the peeple with extraordinary acclamations extoll'd this Election to the very Starrs , in regard he had done such exploits while he was Generall so long at Sea , both in the battail of Lepanto , and elswhere : but that which seem'd most strange , was , that among such multitudes of all sorts of peeple who went to congratulat his new Dignity , ten Turks who were then in Venice came and kiss'd his feet , saying aloud , This is that invincible Generall , who by defeating our Fleet and Us , hath justly pourchas'd to himself this deserved Crown of honor , unto whom we wish a long and happy life . Pope Gregory the thirteenth sent him a little after a Rose of Gold , which useth to be one of the greatest favors that the Pope useth to confer upon Princes . Alexander the Third sent the like in the year 1177. to Sebastian Ciani , for preserving him from the fury of the Emperour Barbarossa . Old VENIERI had scarce govern'd nine moneths , but being strucken deeply in years , and having lost much bloud in the warres , he payed nature her last debt ; the Arch-Duke of Austria , with other Princes , desir'd to have his picture ; and about the same time , Anno 1578. Don Iohn of Austria died in the Netherlands , having bin both Generalls in the battail of Lepanto . NICOLO PONTE a grave and learned Senator succeeded VENIERI in the Dukedome , being aged eighty eight years ; Francisco de Medici , great Duke of Toscany , a powerfull Prince in those daies , was desirous to marry Signora Bianca daughter to Capello a Venetian gentleman ; to which end he sent Maria Sforza to acquaint the Senat ; the Senat sent for Capello and his Son Vittorio , whom they Knighted ; then they adopted Bianca who was to be Gran Duchesse , daughter to the Signorie , in the same manner as they had done Catharina Queen of Cyprus . This year divers new Constitutions were enacted against lux in apparell . 1. The use of all sorts of Perl , tru or counterfeit , was prohibited , onely women might weare a small coller about their necks . 2. Costly Skins and Furrs were wholy forbid to be worn . 3. All gold and Silver Lace was prohibited upon garments . 4. No Courtezan must wear any Jemms or Jewells , or use any Tapistry . 5. Excessive expences were forbidden at womens Churchings , and the extraordinary invitation of friends , except nere kinsfolk , was restrain'd . 6. A decree was made against all super fluous diet , and that no double dish of fish or flesh shold be serv'd in . These Laws are exactly observ'd to this day . In this Dukes time , and partly by a hint given from him , the Calenlendar was reform'd : for Pope Gregory the XIII . finding by consultation with the best Astronomers , that because the Solar motion had not bin rightly observ'd , the Vernall Equinoctiall had gotten ten daies before ●…he course of the Sun , whereby the Feast of Easter , whereon all other moveable Feasts depended , was not celebrated at the just time appointed in the Primitive Church by the Councell of Nice ; the incongruity thereof was , were it not reform'd , that the Festivalls of Winter will be celebrated in Sommer , and those of Sommer in Winter : hereupon the chiefest Mathematicians of Europe were summon'd to Rome , to confer their speculations about this point , and commanded after an exact calculation of the course of the Planets , to refer the Vernall Equinoctiall to the twenty one of March , as it had bin in old time decreed by the Fathers of the sayed Councell of Nice , and so to find out some rule , that the same inconvenience might be for ever remov'd ; These learned men did what the Pope commanded , by referring the Equinoctiall to its true place , and by taking for once ten daies from October : the Pope concurring with them in opinion , and being a great Theorest himself , enjoyn'd this computation to be observ'd all Christendome over , Lodovicus Lilius a famous Astronomer , was one of the chiefest instruments in this businesse , 1581. In this Dukes time ther happen'd a contrasto 'twixt the Republic and the Knights of Malta , because they had taken some Turky Vessells in the Venetian Seas , whereat Amurath did thunder out a revenge ; the Republic complain'd to the Gran Master , intreating him to forbear the taking of any Turkish Vessells in her Seas , while the peace lasted 'twixt Her and the Port ; but the Malteses making no account hereof , the Venetian Gallies took from them a Galeon which they sent into Candy , and not long after two Gallies more , which being brought to Corfu , all the Turkish sl●… in them were set at liberty , and the empty Gallies restor'd to the Knights . The Ve●…erians also the same year to satisfie the Turk , caus'd publiquely to be beheaded Gabriele Meme a gentleman of Venice , in regard that meeting with a Turkish Galeot passing from Algier to Constantinople , with the Vice-Queen of that Kingdome and her children , who carried rich ●…esents to ●…urath , the sayed Heme put to the sword all the Turks in the sayed Galeot , and freed the Christian slaves . PASCHALE CICOGNA came to be the next Duke of Venice , in his time an Academy was in●…uted in Venice , at the instance of some choice gentlemen ; besides that exact and admirabld Fort Nova Palma in Friuli was erected with so much expence and enginry ; that miraculous high arch'd Bridge at the 〈◊〉 was reat'd up also in his time . MARINI GRI●…ARCI succecded CICOGNA in the Government , in his time a 〈◊〉 little wa●…e happen'd 'twixt the Vscoc●…ht and the Republic , who committed daily depredations upon the Coasts of Dalma●…ia and 〈◊〉 , but they were quickly chastis'd and restrain'd by Phileppo Paschali ; Theodoro Balbi was also employed against some Barbary Pyrats , who 〈◊〉 the Seas far into the Gulph , he took from them three 〈◊〉 , and set many hundred Christian slaves at liberty , and so terrified them , that they durst look no more that way . I●… fell out in this Dukes time , that the Clergy of Padona having ve●…emently p●…sted ag●…inst Francisco Zabarella , for the sute prefer'd to sell certain ancient ●…hurch Lands , the Senat made a Decree , that the Church shold not appropriat to her self rents possess'd by the Laity , grounding that Decree upon a prohibition made by the Senat , Anno 1333. that no 〈◊〉 shold be given or bequeath'd in perpetuity to any Church within the City and Signory of Venice , and if any were left , they shold be sold by a certain time prefixt , and the money arising out of the sale to be o ly theirs , alledging for reason , that the Clergy who pretend themselfs and their goods to be exempt from all necessary charges belonging to the Common-wealth , the nomber of them daily increasing , and on the contrary , that of the Citizens still decreasing , who serve and b●…sie themselfs in the Civill Government , and the quantity of their goods , whereon the public revenue depends , beginning to fail , in the end all Wealth wold of necessity fall to the Clergy : this Law was variously observ'd till the year 1536. when it was reduc'd to this form , That none ●…f what quality soever shold g●…ve Lands to the Church , but only for two years space , after which time they shold be sold , and if the sale were not made by the 〈◊〉 , a Civill Magistrat shold be appointed to do it ; this being consider'd by the Senat , it hath ever since b●…n practis'd generally throughout the whole Republic . The year 1603. the Senat decreed , that no Venetian Citizen of what 〈◊〉 soever , shold within the precincts of the City without the Senats consent build any new Church , Hospitall or Monastery , yet did not the Senat totally prohibit any such buildings , but because the Prince and State as Super●…ors wold consider whither i●… were needfull or no , ther being already in the City one hundred fifty Churches , Monasteries , and Hospitalls , with other like places of devotion In this Dukes time the famous Fort call'd Nova Palma was finish'd , which is thought to be the goodliest , and built more exactly according to the modern rules of enginry , then any in all Italy , the expences whereof viis & modis were estimated to be half a million of Crownes ; there was another strong Castle erected also in Cephalonia ; that stupendous Arch in the Rialto was also perfected , having thirty six staires on each side built of the stones of Istria . In the year 1605. Pope Clement the eighth deceas'd , and Alexander de Medici succeeded , who liv'd not a moneth to an end ; the Cardinalls proceeding to a new Election , and desirous to make hast , the Cardinalls Farnese and Montalto went to Cardinall Aldobrandini , intreating him to name three among the whole Colledge of Cardinalls ( Tuscus and Baronius excepted ) and one of those three shold be created ; therupon Cardinall Borghese was chosen by the name of Paulu Quintus . The Venetian Clergy , notwithstanding the Senats decree , did daily more and more augment and improve their revenues , as well within and about the City as abroad ; the Senat for reducing the State to one conformable custome , had before , as it hath bin sayed , divulg'd their decree through all their Dominions , and added therunto a Prohibition , That none within the City or Signory under what colour soever , shold sell , give , or in any sort al●…enat Lards to the Clergy , without the Senats Commission , which shold not be granted , but with the same solemnities usuall at the alienation of the public Revenue , and all the Alienations made otherwise shold be declar'd void , the Lands confiscat , and the Notaries punish'd : Paul the V having notice of this Law , did strictly examin it , and wold by no means approve of it ; but towards the end of October the same year , complain'd therof to the Venetian Ambassador at his time of public audience , saying , That whilst the Sea of Rome was vacant , the Venetians had made a Law which prohibited the Clergy to pourchase Lands , adding , that though it were made upon urgent occasion , as they pretended , and by vertue of a former Decree , yet the Canons disanull'd them both , therefore his pleasure was to have them repeal'd , injoyning the Ambassador accordingly to signifie so much unto the Republic . The Ambassador did what the Pope injoyn'd him , and within a while after he receav'd instructions and a Commission from the Senat , to acquaint his Holines with the equity of their cause , and Justice of their Law , together with the Signories decree , and unquestionable authority to passe such decrees : The Pope being confident in his own Opinion , sayed aloud , that he gave him Audience only to content the Venetians , but not to admit any of his propounded reasons or excuses , Then he made another complaint about the detaining of a Canon of Vicenza , and the Abbot of Nerveze , both of them accus'd of notorious Crimes ; And within a while after , concerning another Law forbidding to build Churches without permission , being resolv'd to have those two Laws revok'd , and the prisoners delivered to his Nuncio residing in Venice : hereupon on the tenth of September , he pass'd two Injunctions , one concerning the two Laws , the other about sentencing the Clergy ; so he sent a Commission accordingly to his Nuncio to present them , resolving upon their refusall to proceed to Excommunication ; but the Nuncio being peradventure mov'd with pity because the Senat at that time had chosen an extraordinary Ambassador , by humble means thinking to divert his Holines from his resolution , and to induce him to consider better of the matter , delayed the presenting of those Injunctions , which the Pope took in ill part ; whereupon in all hast he sent him an expresse Commandement , to present them without further procrastination ; In regard whereof upon Christmas day when Duke Grimany lay at the point of death , and that the Senators were solemnly assembled , som wherof had receav'd the Holy Sacrament , and others were ready to receave , the Nuncio craved Audience , and produc'd the two Injunctions , but the Dukes death hapning the next day , they were not open'd till after the Election of the new Prince . LEONARDO DONATO Knight and Procurator of S. Mark succeeded GRIMANI , after whose Election the two Injunctions being open'd , were found to be both of one substance , which in effect was , That his Holines was advertised that the Venetian Senat had decreed divers things contrary to the Liberty of the Church , and Authority of the Sea Apostolie , and divulg'd through all the Dominions of the Signory certain Laws peculiar only to the City of Venice , forbidding to build Churches or Monasteries , or to alienat the secular possessions of the Clergy without the Senats permission , which , as repugnant to the Churches Liberty , his Holines declared to be invalid , and they who enacted them to have incurr'd Ecclesiasticall censures , commanding them under pain of Excommunication , presently to revoke and abrogate the sayed Lawes , threatning to proceed further in case they did not conform . To this the Senat answer'd 28. of Ian. Anno 1606. as followeth : That with grief and amazement they understood by his Holines Letters , that he dislik'd the Laws of the Venetian Republic , prosperously observ'd for so many Ages , and never tax'd by any of his Predecessors , the revokement wherof wold not only shake , but utterly overthrow the very fundamentalls of the State ; that he interpreted those Laws to be prejudiciall to the Sea Apostolic , and the Authority thereof , blaming those who had made them as infringers of the Churches Liberty , notwithstanding that they were known to be persons of singular piety , and to have done good service to the Sea of Rome ▪ , and were now doubtlesse in heaven ; that the Senat according to his Holines advertisement had narrowly examin'd both the New and Old Laws , and could find nothing in them but what might be decreed by a Soveraign Prince , concluding , that the Venetians did not think they had incurr'd any censures , and that therfore his Holines so repleat with Religion and Piety , wold not without pondering well the cause , continue his menaces . This answer did much displease the Pope , who presently awarded an Excommunication against them , which on the seventh day of April of the same year was publish'd throughout all Rome , and hung up in the usuall places , namely on the great Gate of S. Peter's Church , the Chancery and Market place of Campo di Fiore by Christophoro Fonduto and Gio. Dominico di Pace the Popes Poursuyvants . The Prince and Senat having intelligence of what had pass'd at Rome , to prevent all popular tumults and commotions which might peradventure thereby arise in the Towns and Cities subject to their Jurisdiction , were desirous to acquaint all sorts of people therwith ; to which end they fram'd two Declarations , the one directed to all the Clergy of their Dominions , and the other to all secular Magistrates and Officers , to stop and restrain all disorders that might hence ensue ; wherupon all that year divers books were written pro and con , som condemning the Venetians , others the Pope , ev'ry one as his passion did transport him ; but at last this great contention had like to have bin decided by the sword , both sides making preparations for war. For the Venetians having understood that a great number of Foot and Horse was levied at Ferrara , and that the Romanes had offer'd to aid the Pope in that war with men and money ; They likewise rais'd forces accordingly , and fell to fortifie their Towns with greater strength , because they wold not be surpriz'd , or taken unprovided , so that there was a great likelihood of an eager bloudy warr , had not France vigorously appear'd as Mediatrix in the businesse . Hereupon Henry the IIII. to prevent the danger and scandall which might arise by this war , did speedily send the Cardinall Ioyeuse both to the Pope and the Venetians from him , and in his name to intercede for a peace amongst them , which Embassie took very good effect ; for the Cardinall being speedily dispatch'd from France with instructions & other dispatches necessary for his Negotiation , He arriv'd at Rome on a Thursday night 23. Martii 1607. and the same Evening confer'd with the Cardinalls and the French Ambassador there resident , to propound the businesse to his Holines : therupon the next day the Cardinall accompanied with the Leger Ambassadour , went to see his Holines ; unto whom the Cardinall did largely relate the occasion of his coming ; But the Pope seem'd to be inexorable to any terms of agreement with the Venetians , til the Clergy and Jesuits ( who had bin banish'd not long before ) were restor'd to their Churches & Colledges ; The Cardinall at this first Audience wold not put him out of hope of their restitution , but only told him , that he did not despair of reconciling the Jesuits to the Venetians , having bethought himself of a fit meanes , whereof if his Holines wold not make use , he doubted not but it wold be prevalent . The Pope being much desirous to know this new devise ; did the next day early send for him , then the Cardinall de Ioyeuse told him , That to hope by any expresse Treaty to obtain of the Venetian Senat the restauration of the Iesuits , were but to spend time to no purpose , but if his Holines wold give ample Commission and Authority to revoke the Censures , and send him to Venice with such a power , some good might be done upon the public producement of the sayed Commission . The Pope made shew , that he neither could nor wold approve of this motion , therfore he sayed , That he had engag'd his promise not to abandon the Iesuits , who had bin expuls'd for favouring his Interdiction , unto whom he had pass'd his word never to be reconcil'd to the Venetians , till they were re-establish'd ; but after sundry other Allegations , this conference was to little purpose , ev'ry man perceaving by his Holines countenance that he was perplex'd . The French Cardinall and others meeting to reconcile these differences , and remove the difficulties , entreated Cardinall Perron to go the next day after dinner , to get expresse Audience of the Pope , and if it were possible to induce him to grant certain points for the advance of the businesse . Cardinall Perron at their intreaty undertook the task , and a good while debated the point with his Holines about the restoring of the Jesuits , shewing him the danger whereunto he expos'd the Church and Christian Religion for one particular Order , whose restauration was to be hop'd for therafter , though for a time defer'd : He told him that his Holines shold first re-establish his own Authority in Venice , and that being once done , ther was no doubt but the other might follow after : So after many other prevalent reasons , Perron obtain'd of the Pope , that seeing for the present he could not prevail in the Jesuits behalf , he shold let it passe , and insert a Clause in the Article , wherby it might appear to the world , that he had not neglected their restauration : then the Cardinall speaking of the Commission , the Pope wold hardly be drawn therunto , supposing it to be dishonorable to the Sea Apostolic , in regard that the revocation of Censures ought to be done at Rome , and not sent to Venice ; yet the Cardinal alledging divers reasons to the contrary , the Pope at last consented to give the Cardinal Ioyeuse Commission to revoke the Censures which he shold carry with him to Venice , but on this condition , to do his best for the restauration of the Iesuits , before he disannull'd the Interdiction . He also , though with som difficulty , induc'd his Holines to be pleas'd that the French Ambassador resident at Rome , and not he who lay at Venice , shold in the French Kings , and the Signories Name , crave of him the revocation of the Censures in writing ; for the Pope told him that the Spanish Ambassador resident at Venice had crav'd it in the name of his Master and the Republic ; In a word , the Pope granted all his demands , only he seem'd unwilling to declare his intention to the Consistory , saying , that he suppos'd he ought not to do it publiquely , because he had not yet acquainted the Cardinalls herwith ; neverthelesse he wold resolve upon 't , and the next day in the Consistory wold impart it to som particular Cardinalls , and the same afternoon call one after another into his Chamber , to take their suffrages in secret : According to this resolution , the Pope having in the Consistory declar'd his intent to som particular Cardinalls ; he did the same afternoon call the rest into his Chamber , secretly to take their Opinions , and in that businesse spent the whole week . The Spaniards being not well pleas'd , that they were not sought unto in this businesse , and desirous to frustrate the matter , divulg'd certain rumors contrary to the Popes will and meaning , and among others , a cunning letter was written by Don Francisco de Castro , wherin he certified the Pope , that if he stood first for restoring the Iesuits , he was likely to obtain , it and that the Republic determin'd to make a Protestation , by surrendring the Prisoners contrary to that which had bin concluded , and which his Holines had promis'd to himself : these false rumors distracted the Pope , who therupon made som difficulty to proceed further ; but Cardinall Perron solliciting him , and assuring him of the contrary , he deliver'd , according to his former resolution , the Commission to Cardinall Ioyeuse , willing him to make hast to Venice . The Spaniards being not able to crosse this resolution , made sute to have Card●…nall Zapata joyn'd in Commission with Cardinall Ioyeuse , but their labour in that point was lost ; and yet in other Solemnities Zapata and the Spanish Ambassadour had in appearance som intelligence with the French Ministers ; because in the Kings Name they were Sureties for the Signory , as were Cardinall Ioyeuse and the French Ambassador for his Christian Majesty ; yet the world accounted it but a vain and idle fable , for they had no such Authority from the Republic , as had the French , who executed their Commission to their Kings advantage and honor . Cardinall Ioyeuse with the Commission receav'd from his Holines containing the conditions wheron the Censures were to be revok'd , being in nomber six , goes on his journey : The conditions were to this effect , 1. That the two Churchmen prisoners , namely the Abbot of Nerveze , and the Chanon of Vicenza , shold be freely given to the Pope . 2. That his Holines shold revoke his Censures , making a Declaration therof to the Colledge . 3. That the Venetian Signory shold within a while after send an Ambassage to the Pope : That the Venetian Duke by a Declaration shold certifie the Clergy under the State , that the first Declaration is revok'd : That the three Decrees mention'd in the Popes Inderdiction , and other Laws of the Signory shold continue in their full force and power , with this Proviso , That the Senat shall promise the French and Catholic King , not to execute them till the businesse be fully concluded 'twixt his Holines and the Signory , having first more amply inform'd the Pope of the justice and equity of those Laws : Lastly , that all Churchmen and Religious Orders which are banish'd and expuls'd from Venice , or the Jurisdiction therof , by reason of these troubles , may return home to their houses and Convents ; but concerning the return of the Jesuits , his Holines is contented to defer it , till an Ambassador from the Signory hath treated particularly with him concerning that point , certifying him , that their expulsion proceeds from certain causes and reasons which have no community with the Interdiction , and if it shall be found otherwise , then to admit their restauration , as well as of other Ecclesiastiques . Now Cardinall Ioyeuse departed from Rome with his Commission , and the Articles aforesayed and arriv'd at Venice , wher he was extraordinarily entertain'd , many Senators going to meet him in the Bucentaure ; the next day one of the States Secretaries accompanied with the Captain and other Officers of the Prison were sent to him ; and for the greater solemnity , with a public Notary , brought the two prisoners to the House of Monsieur du Fresne Ambassador for the French King at Venice , and deliver'd them unto him , as granted to the Pope at the instance of the King his Master , without prejudice to the States Jurisdiction in such cases , and the French Ambassadour did presently consign them to the hands of Cardinall Ioyeuse , who was in the same House in the presence of the Secretary , with these words , These are the prisoners which the Signory hath granted to his Holines , not adding at whose entreaty , and so the Cardinall receav'd them as his proper prisoners , wherunto the Secretary at that time made no reply ; In this manner , by this omission on the one part , and silence on the other , it seemed that som did not well understand what remain'd betwixt the Pope and the Signory . The next morning the Cardinall came to the Colledge , and after som circumstances of the Popes Fatherly goodnesse , he assur'd them that the Censures were revok'd ; so having given them his Benediction , he went to celebrat the Masse in the Patriarks Church ; the Dukes first Declaration was revok'd also in this manner . LEONARDO DONATO , by the Grace of God , Duke of Venice , &c. To the reverend Patriarks , Archbishops , and Bishops of our State and Jurisdiction of Venice , and to the Vicars , Abbots , Priors , Rectors of Parish Churches , and all other Ecclesiasticall peeple , Greeting . SEeing it hath pleas'd our good God to find out a way wherby our Holy Father Pope Paul the V. hath bin duly inform'd , as well of our good meaning , as of the integrity of our actions , and continuall honor and reverence which we bear to the See of Rome , and thereby to take away all cause of strife , we , as we have ever desir'd and procur'd Unity and good correspondence with the sayed See , of which we are loving and obedient children , do receave likewise this contentation , to have at last obtain'd the accomplishment of our holy desire ; therfore we thought good by our Declaration to advertise you herof , giving you besides to understand , that whatsoever did belong herunto , hath bin faithfully perform'd on both parts , and the Censures and Interdiction remov'd ; the Protestation likewise we made against them , hath bin , and is revok'd ; we being desirous , that herin , as well as in all other our actions , the Piety and Religion of our State may still more and more appear , which we will carefully observe as our Predecessors have ever done . Given in our Ducall Palace the 21. of Aprill 1607. Sign'd , Marco Ottobon Secretary . The Duke having publish'd this Declaration , the Senat was not a little perplext with a doubt of no mean consequence , which was , that the Pope for his part having made no mention at all concerning books and writings publish'd in the behalf of the sayed Decrees , nor of the Authors of the sayed books , which were two very important points , and which did threaten ●… breach of the whole reconcilement ; the State doubting that the Pope by this silence and Omission had an intent to proceed afterwards against the Authors of the sayed books , by the ordinary way of Ecclesiastical Justice , and thinking it dishonorable to abandon those that had done them so good and faithfull service , after mature consultation , the Senat made a very notable and honorable Decree , that the Signory shold protect them against all dangers , and assign them a perpetuall Pension . A particular Narratif of the notable Contestation 'twixt Paulus Quintus , and the Republic of Venice , 1606. &c. NOw , in regard that ev'ry Corner of Christendome did ring aloud , and sounds yet to this day of that high Contestation 'twixt Pope Paulus Quintus and the Republic , I shall spend a little more oil and labour to acquaint the judicious Reader with the circumstances therof . Paulus Quintus having ascended to the Pontificat , the bent of all his consultations were to advance the Priviledges of the Church , and mortifie the presumption , ( those were his words ) of such secular Princes and States that seem'd to bandy against them , specially of the Signory of Venice ; wherupon he employed thither in quality of Nuncio , Horatio Ma●…hei Bishop of G●…erace , a man so fervent in this cause , that in full Assembly he told the Duke of Venice , That Almes and other works of piety , the frequenting of the Sacraments , with all other good and Christian actions , ad nihilum valent ultra , were nothing available , if men did not favour the Ecclesiasticall Jurisdiction : In privat Communication he also sayed , That he had heard the piety of the City of Venice often and amply magnified , yet he himself could perceave but little , considering that Christian perfection doth not consist in deeds of charity and devotion , as much as in exalting the Ecclesiasticall Authority , which is the true C●…ment of that perfection . Ther happen'd a little difference betwixt Paul the V. and the Republic of Luca at this time , who in regard that many of her Citizens having chang'd their Rel●…gion , had retir'd themselfs to Protestant Countreys , She publish'd an Edict by which all her Subjects were forbidden to have Comerce , or to correspond any way with such persons : This Ed●…ct being come to the Pope , he highly approv'd of the Law , but he sayed , That the State of Luca had no Authority to make any such Ordinance of her self , because it concern'd Religion ; therfore he commanded that the sayed Edict shold be raz'd out of the Records , promising to form another which shold be the same in substance , but to be publish'd by his Pontificall Authority . Ther happen'd about this time another clash 'twixt him and the Republic of Genoa , who being inform'd that the Governors of certain lay-Fraternities , instituted by devotion , had not dispens'd the revenu with requisit fidelity , She resolv'd to examin their accounts , to which effects the books were commanded to be brought before the Duke ; but this was not well accepted by Paul the V. therfore he gave the Republic of Genoa to understand , that these proceedings were against the Liberty Ecclesiastical , So he expresly enjoyn'd them to revoke their Edicts , otherwise he wold proceed to the Censure of Excommunication : both these States complied with the Pope , but the State of Venice was more stiff-neck'd , and constant in the maintenance of her Decrees . The first cloud of discontent 'twixt this Pope and the Venetians appeard , when he having solicited the Republic for a contribution of summs of money to aid the Emperor in the warrs of Hungary against the Turk , he receav'd from her a complementall deniall : He afterwards propos'd the revocation of an Ordinance made by the Senat a little before , forbidding the Subjects of the Signory to set forth any Vessells by Sea , or to make any assurances or Companies for the traffic of any Merchandize whatsoever , to be exported out of the State of Venice into any other Countreys , unlesse it pass'd first by Venice , alledging that this wold hinder the Commerce in the State of the Church and was against the Ecclesiasticall Liberty . The Republic answer'd herunto , That ev'ry Prince commands his Subjects , in that which may serve for the commodity of his own Estate , without considering what may follow therupon to neighbour Princes , who cannot justly be therwith offended , howsoever they may be in some sort incommoded ; therfore whensoever his Holines shall command his Subjects any thing which may turn to the profit of his Government , the State wold not take it in ill part , nor esteem it against their Liberty . The Pope perceaving by this Essay that he could not compasse his ends , these differences being not within the bounds of things spirituall , and finding that his desires were so little prevalent with the Venetian , thought to be quit with him som other way , and an opportunity was offer'd a little after ; touching one Scipio Sarraceno Canon of Vicenza , and upon the complaint of a young gentlewoman his cosen , whose doore and ring therof ( which is a common kind of revenge in Italy ) he had besmear'd with excrements , and don her som other wrongs ; she herupon complain'd to the Senat , who therupon cited and imprison'd the Canon ; complaints herof being made to the Pope , the Republic answer'd , That the just Title and Authority which She hath to judge Ecclesiasticall persons in causes criminall , were founded on the power of a naturall Prince , and on custom , never interrupted by the space of a thousand years and upwards , which hath bin approv'd of by the Popes Breve's themselfs , yet extant in the public Archives . This being deliver'd by the Venetian Ambassador to Pope Paul , he receav'd it with som impatience , saying , That the reasons alledg'd were frivolous , that to judge of an affair , it was to no purpose to ground it upon custom , which is often so much the worse as it is ancient ; and for the Breve's , ther were no other Archive of the Papall Breve's but at Rome ; that those which they pretended for their justification were but wast papers , &c. To this occasion ther was superadded another , which was the imprisoning of Count Brandolin Valdemanno Abbot of Nervese , as was formerly mention'd ; the Pope sent Order , that both the sayed Count & Canon shold be releas'd , but the Senat pass'd it over with a complement ; the Pope also excepted at that Decree in Venice , That none shold erect either Church or Chappell without the permission of the Senat ; He adjoyn'd further , that the Republic retain'd in her hands five hundred thousand Crowns of Ecclesiasticall Legacies ; charging , that in all these particulars she shold give him satisfaction ; answer was made , That God had not given to Popes any greater Authority in the Government of their Estates , then to other Princes , who by the Law of Nature have all power which is necessary , and as it appertain'd not to the Venetians to govern the State of the Church , no more doth it belong to Ecclesiastics to govern the State of Venice ; and wheras it was alledg'd , that the Republic had reserv'd such a portion of Legacies Ecclesiasticall , it was a meer suggestion , and if his Holines wold give credit to ev'ry such calumny , differences wold grow infinit . Here the Pope stayed , saying , that touching the Legacies he wold say no more ; but he wold reduce all the differences to three heads , viz. 1. To the Decree touching building of Churches . 2. To another Decree against the aliening of Laymens possessions to Ecclesiastics . 3. To the wrong imprisonment of the Canon and the Abbot aforesayed . In all these he expected to be obey'd , otherwise he wold apply such remedies as the nature of things requir'd . About this time Genoa publish'd a Manifesto , by revoking a Decree which the Pope had excepted against ▪ he made use herof for an example , to make the Venetians conformable to his will , using these words , Sequimini paenitentes , follow the penitent ; answer was made , That ther was not the same reason for the Republic of Venice , seeing she had not seven Cardinalls her Citizens , as Genoa had , to mediat for her upon all occasions with his Holines ; That the Decrees of the Senat were the main Pillars of the Republic ; That they were well known to his Predecessors , who , before their Election to the Papacy had lived at Venice in quality either of Confessors , Inquisitors or Nuntio's , and that after their promotion they never question'd them . This gave no satisfaction at all to the Pope , therfore he sayed he wold send a Breve hortatory to the Republic , concerning the three points before mention'd , and if he were not obey'd by such a time , he wold proceed further ; for he must not suffer the Authority of the Church to decline , but according to his Office , he wold vindicat and uphold it to his utmost , and to which end he had Legions of Angells for his aid , and assistance , &c. Herupon he seal'd and sent two Breves a little after to his Nuntio in Venice , with charge to present them accordingly ; they were address'd Marino Grimani Duci , & Reipublicae Venetorum . After this he call'd a Consistory , wherin he declar'd how the State of Venice had violated the Ecclesiasticall Liberty , by publishing two Laws prejudiciall therunto , and by detaining in prison two persons of the Church , &c. The Cardinalls were very sparing to deliver their Opinions herin , and when it came to Bellarmin to speak , he sayed , That his Holines shold rather think on the residence of Prelats in their Churches . The Venetian Senat thought good to send an Ambassador expressely for this purpose ; and to shew their high respects to the Apostolic See , they made choice of the Lord Leonardo Donato an ancient Senator of the wide Sleeve , who was afterwards Duke . The Nuntio in Venice having receav'd the Breves but the next day after , the Embassador extraordinary stayed the presentation therof , and sent advice by an expresse of the choice of the sayed Ambassador ; the Pope was not well pleas'd when he heard of this , that the Nuntio shold presume to interpose his own judgment after his Ordinance ; therfore he dispatch'd unto Venice an expresse Courier with a mandamus to the Nuntio , to present the sayed Breves immediatly after the receit of his Letter , & that this might be conceal'd from the ordinary Ambassador of Venice , then resident at Rome , he caus'd the Courier to go out in a Coach without boots , and so take horse at the second Stage . The Nuntio having receav'd this command on Christmas Eve , that he might punctually obey his Holines , did present that solemn high Festivall day the sayed Breves unto the Senators assembled to assist at a solemn Masse , in the absence of the Duke Grimani , who was then strugling with the pangs of death , and expir'd the morning after , so that the Breves were not open'd till the creation of a new Duke . The Pope having advice herof , writ to his Nuntio to make a protest unto the Senat , and enjoyn them not to passe to a new Election , in regard it wold prove void , being made by men excommunicated ; the Nuntio pressing for Audience herupon , was delayed , in regard it hath ever bin the custom of the Signory to treat of no businesse of State during the Vacancy . Duke Grimani being buried , they fell to ballotation for another , nor according to the Constitutions of the Republic , can they fall to the Election of another , till the former Duke be under ground ; so it fell to the lot of LEONARDO DONATO to be chosen : all Ambassadors went to congratulat the new Prince except the Nuntio ; yet did the Prince write unto the Pope as the custom is , to give him advice of his Election . Pope Paul herupon , though it was beyond the expectation of divers , did receave this Letter from the new Doge by the hands of the ordinary Venetian Ambassador then sojourning at Rome , and return'd a congratulatory Amswer therof , revoking the Order formerly sent to the Nuntio of presenting himself to the Duke . The first affair that was agitated in the Senat after this new Election was this difference with the Pope , and Pietro Duodo Knight , was nominated Ambassador for Rome instead of Donato ; The Breves were open'd , and they were both of the same substance , viz. That it was com to his knowing , how the Republic in former years had determin'd in her Councells many things contrary to Ecclesiastic Liberty , and to the Canons , Councells , and Constitutions Pontificall ; but among others , that in the year 1603. she had in the Decemvirat , having regard to certain Laws of their Ancestors , who had forbidden to erect Churches or other places without permission , instead of nulling the old Ordinances touching this matter , she had reviv'd the same , extending that Statute which only concern'd the City of Venice , to all other places of their Dominions under great penalties , as if Churches and persons Ecclesiasticall were in any sort subject to the secular Jurisdiction , or he who foundeth a Church were worthy of so rude a chastisement , as if he had committed som great Crime ; moreover , that in the moneth of May last , the Senat having regard to another Law made in the year 1536. wherby was prohibited the perpetuall alienation of Lay-mens possessions within the City and Signory of Venice to Ecclesiasticall persons , without permission of the Senat under certain penalties , instead of revoking that Law , as their duty requir'd , they had renew'd it , and extended the penalty to all their Dominions , as if it were lawfull for temporal Princes to ordain any thing for the exercising of any Jurisdiction , or to dispose in any sort without the Ecclesiastics , and particularly of the Pope , of the goods of the Church , specially of such goods as have bin given to the Church , of persons spirituall , and other places of devotion granted by the faithfull for remedy of their sins , and discharge of their consciences : That these Ordinances tending to the damnation of souls , to public scandalls , and also contrary to the Ecclesiasticall Liberty , were of themselfs void and of no validity , as furthermore he declar'd them to be such , no man being oblig'd to observe them ; on the contrary , that they who had made the Statutes , or any like , or they who had further'd them , had incurr'd the Churches Censures , and depriv'd themselfs of all such possessions as they held of the Church , as also their estates and demains were subject to other penalties , in such sort , that they could not be absolv'd , unlesse they revok'd all such Laws , and re-establish'd all things in their former estate : That therupon being plac'd in the Soveraign Throne , and not being able to dissemble or indure these things , he admonish'd the Republic to consider well the danger wherinto they had cast their souls upon this occasion , and to seek remedy betimes , otherwise in case of contumacy he commanded under pain of Excommunication latae sententiae , that the afore sayed Lawes ancient and modern shold be abrogated ; That this Monitory shold be publish'd in all places throughout the Republic , expecting from them an account herof , if not , upon notice had from his Nuntio , he wold proceed to execution of the Penalties , and to such other remedies that were meet , remembring the reckoning that he was to give to God at the day of Judgment , and that he could not in duty dissemble when the Authority of the See Apostolic was diminish'd , Ecclesiasticall Liberty trod under foot , the Holy Canons neglected , the right of the Church and Clergy violated ; Of all which the charge lay upon him , affirming that he was not induc'd hereunto for any worldly consideration , for he desir'd nothing els but the glory to acquit himself of his Apostolicall function ; and as he intended not to usurp anything upon the secular Authority , so he wold not permit the Ecclesiastic shold be diminish'd ; he concluded , that if the Republic wold conform , they wold deliver him from much pain which he endur'd in their behalf , and they might still retain the Lands which they held of the Church : That the best means wherby she might prevent the incommodities that might fall upon her from Infidells , were to conserve the Church-men in their rights , who watch in perpetuall prayers to God for her conservation . The Senat with much maturity ponder'd these Breves , and therupon sent to confer with their learnedst Counsellors in the Civill Lawes , amongst whom they admitted Paul of Venice , of the Order of the Servites , an eminent Divine and Canonist , with other Padouan Doctors , to consult what answer they shold return the Pope . The Republic also sent to consult other Doctors , themost renowned of Europe for sound knowledge , as Henry the VIII . of England , had don touching the legality of a divorce with Katherine of Aragon . Having receav'd the judgments of the learnedst men in France and Spain , specially of Giacomo Monochio President of Milan , a man much cried up in those daies for learning , the Senat fram'd the Answer to the Popes Monitory , as followeth . That with much grief and wonder they understood by the Letters of his Holines , that their Laws observ'd carefully through so many Ages , and never question'd by any of his Predecessors , the revokement wherof wold shake the very Foundations of the Republic , were reprehended as contrary to the See Apostolic , and that they which made them ( having bin persons eminent for merit , and well deserving of that See , who are now in heaven ) were noted for Violaters of Ecclesiastic Liberty ; that according to the admonition of his Holines , they had examined with much exactnesse their Laws Old and New , but had not found anything which a Soveraign Prince might not have well ordain'd without any just offence to the Popes Authority , it being a thing evidently belonging to a secular Prince , to have regard what Companies are erected in h●…s Dominions ; as also to prevent the building of such Edifices as in time to com might be hurtfull to the public safety ; and though their State abounds with Churches , and places of piety as much as any other , yet when they saw it convenient , they never refus'd to permit new Foundations themselfs contributing liberally therunto . That in the Law against perpetuall alienation of lay goods unto Ecclesiastics , the question being of things purely temporall , they could not be tax'd to have don any thing contrary to the Canons or Decrees ; That if the Popes have power to forbid the Clergy to alienat any goods of the Church unto persons secular without leave , Princes may do the same , and take Order that the goods of seculars shall not be alienated to the Clergy without permission ; nor do the Ecclesiastics lose any thing bequeath'd unto them herby , seeing they receave a price answerable in value , to the immoveable adjoyning ; that it tends to the great prejudice , not only of the temporall State , but also of the spirituall to weaken the Forces of the Republic , which by such alienations is depriv'd of necessary services , and which in effect is a vangard or fortresse for all Christendom against Infidels : That for these reasons the Senat could not perswade themselfs to have incurr'd any Censures , since secular Princes have by Divine Law , from which no human Law may derogat , a power to establish Laws in things temporall ; as also that the admonitions of his Holines have here no place , wher the question is not of any thing spirituall , or any way trenching upon the Pap●…ll Authority , much lesse yet could they beleeve , that his Holines , so ful of Piety and Religion , wold persist without knowledge of the cause in his Comminations . This was the substance of the Senat 's Answer , remitting themselfs further to their Ambassador extraordinary . Ther happen'd a businesse in Savoy about this time , which might have scatr'd the Venetian , being much of the same nature ; for Pope Paul hahaving notice that the Duke of Savoy had commanded the Bishop of Fossano to depart out of his Dominions , the Pope being incens'd therat , did so menace the Duke with Excommunication , that he revok'd his Commandement . The Senats Letter being deliver'd to the Pope by Nani the Venetian Ambassador in ordinary , to prepare the way for Duodo the Extraordinary ; he sayed , being a little transported , that Monitory Breve's must not be answer'd by Letter , and that the Answers of the Senat were frivolous ; He added that lately he had heard of another Law touching goods Ecclesiastic holden as Emphyteutike , which was fit to be revok'd with the other , and although he had not till then made any mention of it , yet he had more to say against it then any other , therfore it behov'd them to obey him , because the cause was Gods , Et portae Inferi non praevalebunt contra eam ; and if they wold not revoke the sayed Lawes , they were Tyrants , and degenerating from their Ancestors , &c. A little after he sent another Breve to be deliver'd the Duke , for the release of the Canon and the Abbot under pain of Excommunication , latae sententiae , which he commanded shold be deliver'd into the hands of his Nuntio , &c. The Senat consulted the Doctors again about this Breve , whereupon after some Eventilations of the matters , this Answer was sent : That the Breve of his Holines was read with much reverence , and no lesse regret , as perceaving therby that matters tended to encrease discord , that his Holines went about to destroy the Laws of their Republic , which so many Ages had bin kept entire ; to deliver up the Canon and Abbot , was nothing els but to demand that they shold despoile themselfs of their just power to chastise crimes and wickednes , which power they had enjoy'd with the approbation of his Predecessors , from the Originall of the Republic : that God the Founder of all States had bestow'd this power upon them from the beginning , and that they did derive it from their Progenitors , &c. Duodo the Extraordinary Ambassador made no great hast to Rome , wherat the Pope receav'd offence ; being arriv'd ther at last , he was not suffer'd to passe his first Audience with complement as the custom is , but the Pope wish'd him to fall to the businesse presently ; so he deliver'd with much gravity and pressing elocution the reasons that mov'd the Republic not to revoke those Laws , and to detain the persons of the sayed Churchmen . The Pope answer'd with som heat , that the exemption of the Clergy was Iure Divino ; he sayed , that he wold not meddle with things temporall , but their three aforssayed Laws were Usurpations . As the Pope had formerly acquainted most Princes with these traverses 'twixt him and Venice in a complaining way , so the Senat sent unto the Republics Ambassadors abroad , that they shold truly inform those Princes in whose Courts they resided , of the truth of things ; In Venice ther were at that time Ambassadors from the Emperour , France and Spain , to whom the businesse was communicated by some of the Senators ; The Imperiall Ambassador sayed , That his Master desired peace , and that in such matters he wold not foment the will of the Pope . The Count of Santa Cruz who was for Spain , approv'd of the reasons already alledg'd in Rome for the Republic ; Mons du Fresne the French Ambassador answer'd , That he knew not what to make of those pontificall Laws , whereby Princes are restrain'd to govern their Subjects , &c. Pope Paul was still eager in the businesse , telling the Venetian Ambassador that ther were none in the Senat that understood rightly the case , which made them have recourse to Doctors , but that he had written to such persons as were able to set their Doctors at School , concluding that he wold proceed with his spirituall Arms in this matter , but touching other things , he wold still account of the Venetians , as of his children . Herupon a Consistory was call'd , and most of the Cardinalls ran bias with the Pope , except the Cardinalls of Verona and Vicenza , who were more moderat ; examples against Hen. II. King of England , the King of Castile , and against the Kings Charles , II. IV. were produc'd , who underwent the spirituall Censures in like cases ; so he resolv'd upon an Interdiction , yet he wold give the Senat twenty four daies of longer time to consider herof , wherunto the Cardinalls gave their suffrages , but a Libell was cast up and down the streets of Venice , that the Consistory herin was brought to assentari , not assentiri . A little while after the Interdict was affix'd in the accustomed places of the City of Rome , and scatter'd ev'ry wher , som in Latin , som in Italian , wherin after recapitulation of those Decrees in Venice , and the imprisonment of the foresayed Church-men , The Pope declar'd that after the example of ten of his Predecessors , with the Councell and consent of the Cardinalls , after mature deliberation , though the former sayed Decrees of the Senat were of themselfs void , and of no validity , neverthelesse he now declar'd them to be such ; therfore he did excommunicat , declare and pronounce for excommunicated , as if they had bin particularly nam'd , the Duke and Senat of Venice which then were , and which shold be herafter together with all their favourers , promoters and Councellors , if within the term of twenty four daies to be counted from the day of the Publication , the Duke and Senat did not recall , abrogat and disanull the Decrees aforesayed without any exception or excuse , and if they caus'd not openly and in all places the sayed abrogation to be publish'd , as also actually to render into the hands of his Nuntio the imprison'd Canon and Abbot . That from this Excommunication they could not be absolv'd but by the Pope , except it were upon the point of death , in which case if any one receav'd absolution and shold afterwards recover health , he shold fall again within this Excommunication , if he did not as far as in him lay obey this his commandment ; that untill they had obey'd , he forbad any one to be buried in holy place ; and if after the sayed twenty four daies , the Duke and Senat shold continue in their obstinacy , he put all their State under the Interdict , in such sort , that none shold celebrat Masse or Divine Service ; he depriv'd the Duke and Senat likewise of all their goods which they held of the Church of Rome , or of other Churches , as also of all their Priviledges and indults obtain'd by it , and specially of that Priviledge inabling them to proceed against Clerks in certain cases , reserving to himself and his Successors a power to aggravat and re-aggravat this Censure against them and their adherents , &c. The public Ministers of State who were than resident at Rome , made instances to the Pope to retard a while this Interdict : the Marquis of Chastillon who was for the Emperor , D' Alincourt who was for the French King , The Count of Verriie who was for Savoy , but his Holines was inflexible , saying , he wold bring the offendors to obey ; wherupon the Savoy Ambassador replied , that the word obey was too harsh to be us'd towards a Soveraign Prince ; yet after the publication of the sayed Interdict , the sayed Ambassadors gave a solemn visit to the Venetian Ambassadors , and communicated unto them what they had don with the Pope in the transaction of affairs . The publication of this Interdict being flown to Venice , it was order'd by the Senat , that ev'ry one shold have recours to his prayers ; it was resolv'd upon to recall the Ambassador Extraordinary from Rome , to testifie the resentment they had of the wrong , but to leave the Leger Ambassador ther still , to prevent an absolut rupture ; It was also determin'd to write to Gregorio Iustiniano then Ambassador in England , that he shold inform the King herof : Sir Henry Wootton Ambassador at that time in Venice , complain'd that the Senat had communicated these things to other Forren Ministers before him , but for the pretensions of the Pope , he sayed , he could not understand that Roman Theology , &c. Ther was public command given to all Prelats and Ecclesiasticall persons , that they shold not publish , or cause and suffer to be publish'd or affix'd in any place whatsoever , any Bulls , Monitories , Breves , or other writings which shold be sent unto them from Rome : furthermore Proclamation was made under pain of incurring the displeasure of the Prince , that whosoever had any copy of a certain Breve divulg'd at Rome touching the Republic , he shold bring it to the Magistrats at Venice , or to Governers of Castles and other Officers of the State. Hereupon all peeple did so cheerfully obey this command , that 't was a marvailous thing to see how many had bin imprinted and scatter'd ; neither was any one of them affix'd in any place , by reason of the generall diligence of the peeple . Duodo the Ambassador Extraordinary at Rome , having receav'd order for his revocation , went to take his leave of Pope Paul , telling him , that since his Holines wold not take into consideration the reasons by him represented , and having no more to say or act , he was recall'd : the Pope answer'd with more mildnesse than ordinary , That touching the difference , he had don nothing but what his conscience and duty oblig'd him to do , that the case was cleer and decided , that in the whole order of his proceedings he had follow'd the example of his Predecessors , that his weapons in this quarrell were spirituall , the use wherof accorded well with that fatherly love which he had ever born to the Signory , requiring only such obedience as the greatest Princes render him . The Popes Nuntio at Venice after th●…s Interdict was observ'd to frequent the Colledg of the Iesuits wher were Possevino , and Bernardin Castorio men eminently known , the first had don great things in Moscovia , the other had bin provinciall of the Jesuits when they were expell'd out of Lions , with divers others of note . The sayed Nuntio came som daies after to the Senat , wher first shewing a resentment of what had pass'd , he sayed that they ought not to proceed towards his Holines with such a repugnance , that the Pope was mov'd by pure zeal , and that yet , if they yeelded a little , all things might be accommoded ; to which effect he desir'd that his Serenity wold think upon a temperament , that for his part he was not most ready to present and favour it . The Duke answer'd that none of sound understanding could approve that a Republic so pious and Catholic shold be vex'd in such a fashion , and that the actions of the Pope could not be justified ; that he had publish'd a Monitory which ev'ry one held injust without scruple , that he fell upon so weighty a resolution , without weighing before hand how the world is govern'd ; that his Holines could not have don an act more perillous to cast the Apostolic See upon the censure and hatred of all peeple , and into a manifest danger , that if the Republic shold think upon a separation , it wold be follow'd with an irreparable losse ; but though the Republic wold not depart from her piety , yet wold she defend her self ; that for his particular ( meaning the Nuntio ) he did well to perswade peace , but he shold turn his speech to the Pope who troubled it . Eight daies after the Nuntio had Audience again , wherin speaking much of the Popes prudence , he shew'd a displeasure , that he saw no appearance of a temperament , concluding , That the Senat shold take heed , lest while they desir'd to support a particular Law , they might draw on themselfs universall ruine ; wherunto the Duke answer'd , That he ought not to speak of prudence in the Pope , who had us'd so much precipitation , and that he shold do well to set before his eyes the imminent danger which may follow herupon , and tell him that these Councells came from a man old in affairs of State , as well as years . The Pope hearing of the Proclamation against his Monitory , & how the pulse of the Venetians did beat , who shew'd themselfs so obedient to the Senat , and so forward to uphold their liberty , he thought his Nuntio could not stay in Venice any longer with his honor ; therfore he sent him Letters of revocation , and dismis'd from Rome Nani the Republiques Ambassador , charging him expresly not to leave behind him any of his company : yet he desir'd to see him before he went provided , if he came unto him in quality of a privat man ▪ Nani made answer , that he could not tell how to separat from his person the title of Ambassador ; so he left Rome , being well accompanied out of Town with Roman Barons and gentlemen , but with few Prelats ▪ The next morning , the Pope sent after him a Colonell to accompany him throughout the State of the Church , who o'retook him at Gorligno . In Venice the Duke had caus'd a Manifesto to be publish'd and affix'd at ev'ry door , That wheras he had receav'd advice of a publication made at Rome of a certain Breve fulminated against the Senat and Signory , he being oblig'd to have a care of the public tranquillity , and of the Authority of a Soveraign Prince , did protest before God and all the world , that he had not omitted any means possible to make the Pope capable of the most clear and strong reasons that were produc'd in behalf of the Republic , but having found his ears shut , and seen the Breve publish'd against reason and justice , against the Doctrines of Holy Scriptures , of the Fathers , and Canons in prejudice of the secular Authority given by God , and of the liberty of the State , with the trouble of the repose of his Subjects , and to the great scandall of all the world , he did pronounce that Breve not only injust , but meerly void and null , and so unlawfull , that he need not repute it needfull to have recours to such remedies , as in other occasions the Republic , and many Soveraign Princes have us'd against such Popes as out-pass'd their power , exhorting and injoying that the Prelats continu in their accustomed cour●… in celebration of Divine Service , the Republic being resolv'd to persever in the Holy Catholic Faith , and in the reverence of the Roman Church , as they have done from the beginning . Upon this Interdict , the only Ecclesiastics that went out of the Republic , were the Iesuits and Capuchines , wherof the first was banish'd , the other dismiss'd , the rest did still officiat , alledging , that the difference 'twixt the See of Rome , and the Signory was not touching any point of the Catholic Faith. But at Rome her self it was expected that the sayed Interdict wold produce three effects : 1. That the Religious wold al depart : 2. That the Cities and peeple seeing themselfs depriv'd of Church Offices wold raise a sedition , and so force the Senat to give the Pope satisfaction : 3. That the Nobility upon this occasion might be disordered , terrified , and divided among themselfs , but none of all these three effects hapned ; for the Senat was greatly united in their resolutions , the City of Venice and common peeple kept themselfs in wonderfull obedience : and this so generall a calm did not only proceed from the voluntary conformablenes of the peeple , but also from the providence of the Senat , and diligence of the Magistrat , who provided for all accidents ; Besides , this great affair was conducted with so much prudence and dexterity , that no bloud of any man was shed for contempt or mutiny , which made the world to stand at a gaze , that so great a Body and Government shold be kept npright without any violence , execution , or the least shock given ; notwithstanding ther were many under practises us'd afterwards . The Jesuits in ev'ry place wher they had taken footing , did put all irons in the fire , and fell a beating them to brand the Republic of Venice , insomuch that her Ambassadors receav'd affronts in som places , as in Poland and Prague , but it was by privat persons , for which they had satisfaction from the Emperour , and the King of Poland ; for the Signory was not so carelesse , but she sent a punctuall account of all these traverses 'twixt the Pope and Her ; Genoa and Savoy was also displeas'd with Her , because both they had bin succumbent to the Popes Censures before , and submitted . Among other Princes , Iustiniano the Venetian Ambassador residing then in London , had command to acquaint the King of England with his Contrasto 'twixt the Pope and the Senat. King Iames after he had very attentively heard the relation of the Ambassador , shew'd how well he accepted that esteem , and highly commended the Laws of the Republic , adding , that he long'd to see the whole Church of God reform'd , to which end , he much desir'd a free Councell to determine so many controversies , which have no other cause but the usurpations of the Roman Bishops , in which desire , he thought the King of France and other Princes wold joyn with him ; that perhaps God meant to produce this happines out of these troubles of the Signory ; that he had sent word therof to Pope Clement , then when he was mov'd by him , the first time he came to the Crown of England , to unite himself to the Roman Church , but he wold not hear any thing of a Councell ; that this union was much to be desired , but clearly ther was no other means to effect it then by a Generall Councell ; he added moreover , that that ruine of the Church proceeded from this , that the Popes esteem'd themselfs as Gods , and were so corrupted by flattery , that 't was no marvail they could give no ear to any reason , and if they proceeded oftentimes with such precipitation . The separated States of Holland writ letters full of of affection unto the Republie upon this occasion , offring Her a supply of Arms , Ships , and Victualls , if the case requir'd , with any other good office of friendship . All Christian Princes were sensible of this rupture 'twixt the Pope and the Republic , specially the Roman Catholikes , in whose Courts the Venetian Ambassadors did refrain for a while , to go with the rest into their Chappell 's after the accustomed manner . The Duke of Savoy did appear more against the Republic then any other , not treating her Ambassador as formerly , though he took hold of another occasion , because She had written to his children by the title of Excellency not of Highnesse . The Republic apprehending som fears , that such a confederacy might be procur'd against Her by Pope Paul the eight , as was by Iulius the second , who carried fire in his hands ; She was very willing that matters might be reconcil'd by the mediation of other Princes ▪ wherin Mons. du Fresne stir'd more vigorously then any other , by order from Henry the IV. of France his Master : the Duke of Mantoua also offer'd to com to Venice in disguize , to know their intentions , and then passe to Rome , of purpose to treat with the Pope for an attonement . The Senat took this as a very high respect , and sayed , that the Republic who us'd to be accounted the Right Hand of Rome , wold do nothing unworthy of her self ; and it was just , that he who had first offended shold repair the offence ; therfore it was fitting that the Pope shold revoke his Censures , and so open the way to a Treaty ; for no wound can heal , till the inflammation be taken away . While this difference lasted 'twixt Rome and Venice , a certain writing was affix'd at Vicenza , and other places , wherin the Republic was exhorted to shake off the Popes Yoke , calling him Antichrist ▪ &c. The Senat was much mov'd herat , therfore they caus'd a rigorous Ba●… to be publish'd , wherin they promis'd a large reward to him or them that shold discover the Author of that infamous paper , giving charge that a diligent search shold be made after the Authors ; but none being found , 't was thought to be an artifice of the Jesuits , to induce the Venetian therby , to com the sooner to an accord with the Pope . The King of Spain in these doubtfull traverses of things , writ a Letter full of terms of reverence and complement unto the Pope , that if need were , he wold joyn his temporall Arms to maintain the spirituall Arms of the Church ; to which purpose , he had written both to his Viceroy of Naples , and Governor of Milan : upon the receit of this Letter , ther were Bonfires made at Rome , and the flames of the fire flew upon the wings of fame all Christendome over , which gave the Republic such an alarm , that She began by Land and Sea to arm apace ; She was offer'd assistance if need were from som of the Greek Christians , that were subjects to the Turk , as also from the reformed Churches of France , but she wav'd both ; but it was thought that this Letter of the Spanish King , wherin he promis'd warlike succours to the Pope , was not a thing really meant , but only to terrifie the Republic , and bring her the sooner to an agreement ; which appear'd , in regard he had sent expresse commands to Don Innigo de Cardenas his Ambassador , residing in Venice , to propound som Overtures of Treaty : wherupon he propos'd to the Duke and the Senat , That his Catholic Majesty affecting the conservation of peace , desir'd that the disgusts 'twixt his Holines and the Republic might cease , to which end he had commanded all his Ministers to co-operat accordingly , and particularly had commanded him to pray the Senat accordingly , &c. The Duke much extolling the good inclinations of the Catholic King , answer'd , That the Republic could not do more then what they had done already , that it was more proper to begin with him who had bin the cause of all these broils , that it was not for them to open the way which had bin stopped up by others ; that the Pope by dismissing their Ambassador , and revoking his Nuntio , had broken off all means of Treaty , which could not be set on foot , unlesse the Censures were taken off , with which the Republic thought her self much injur'd . The Ambassador replied , asking the Duke , Whether his Serenity were content that he shold pray his Holines in the name of the Catholic King to take off his Excommunication . The Duke rejoyn'd , that it was necessary to remove the impediment , but that this shold be don by this means or that , by the free-will of the Pope , or at the instance of another , it little imported for the substance of the thing , and that his Majesty might do what pleas'd him . The Ambassador answer'd , Your Serenity may well be content that the Pope be entreated by your Name ; the Duke sayed , That for the repose of Italy , if the Catholic King were certain that the Pope being thus mov'd wold do the thing , he wold not hold it any inconvenience to be so contented ; He sayed further , that neither himself nor the Senat had given any occasion of disgust to the Pope , if he had taken any of himself they could not help it , that in voluntary discontents ther is no other remedy then a voluntary acknowledgement , besides he desir'd him to consider , that the King his Masters Interest , and of all temporall Princes besides , was involv'd in the cause of the Republic . The French Ambassador du Fresne being then also in the Senat , sayed , That the Pope could not be induc'd to revoke the Censures , unlesse ther were som assurance given what the Republic wold do in point of correspondence , that it was needfull for her in some sort to submit , for no temporall Prince could be disparag'd to yeeld unto his Holines , it being a jus commune to humble ones self to the Soveraign Bishop . The Duke answer'd , That it was necessary to apply the remedy to the part whence the evill proceeded , therfore since his Christian Majesty desir'd a pacification , it was meet that he shold make his addresse to the Pope , &c. While these Traverses happen'd at Venice , the Pope by the predominant advice of som Cardinalls , and relying much upon the foresayed Letter which the King of Spain had written unto him , made a shew of arming , wherunto the Conte de Fuentes Governor of Milan was very forward , therfore it did not stand with the prudence of the Republic to be idle . Herupon She sent to Her Ambassadors abroad to acquaint the Princes , wherwith they resided , to inform them accordingly ; She imparted the businesse likewise to those Ambassadors that lay at Venice , and among the rest to the English , who having thank'd the Senat for this communication of affairs , He prayed their generosity and resolution to defend their honor , assuring them , that upon so important occasion , they shold have from his King all furtherance and aid , as well in good offices , as in arms and succours : he sayed further , That he had particular commandement from the King his Master , to oblige him under the word of a King to a neer Union with the Signory , to assist Her with councell and forces , as also to labour that all his friends shold do the same , not for any base ends or privat interest , or to foment division , or com into concurrence and opposition with any other Prince , but specially for two reasons . First , for that acknowledging himself oblig'd to God for infinit favours receav'd from him , he thought it his duty to defend his cause , that is , to conserve the power which his Divine Majesty had establish'd upon earth : Secondly , in regard of that Bond of Amity which he renew'd with the Republic , &c. The main knot in the businesse was , whether upon a promise of the revokement of the Ecclesiasticall Censures by the Pope , the Signory wold also promise an abrogation of the foresayed Decrees touching Church-Lands , which She could not be induc'd to do ; but somthing shold be don if a Treaty were comenc'd , wherof the Senat was thought incapable while they lay under the sayed Censures . The French Ambassador a few daies after came to the Senat , where he made a long discours for an accord ; But he was advertis'd from Rome , that the Pope had receav'd som new offences from the Signory , for hindring Navigation into the places of the Church , and for the eternall Ban against the Jesuits . Wherunto the Senat made answer , that touching that point of Navigation it appertain'd to ev'ry good Government to provide that the State may be well furnish'd with things necessary for her self , and provide that they be not carried away to others ; that in order to this , the Republic had stayed all Vessells at Sea , wherin ther were provisions necessary for the State ; wherupon if the State Ecclesiastic was in want , this was not their fault , but the order of human things so requir'd : Concerning the Jesuits , it was alledg'd , that they were not banish'd , but rather were gone away of themselfs , as refusing to obey the Commandements sent unto them to continue Divine Service ; but after their departure , having notice of an infinit nomber of injuries , machinations and treasons contriv'd by them , the Senat ordain'd , as Justice requir'd , that they never more return . Whilst these things were in agitation , the Spaniards were like to have imbroil'd the Signory in a war with the Turk , in regard the Marquis of Santa Cruz with a Fleet of Napolitan and Sicilian Gallies had sack'd and burnt Durazzo , a Town of the Turks in Albany ; som thought this was done of purpose to make the Turk fall upon the Venetian , and so impell him to make his addresse to the Spaniard for aid ; therefore at Constantinople the Gran Visier perceaving well the Artifice of Spain herein , and that the taking of Durazzo had bin attempted to no other end , then to set them at odds with the Signory ; Letters were sent to the Captain Aga the Admirall , that he shold still keep good union and intelligence with the Venetian Forces , to the domage of the Pope and the Spaniard . This year ther were divers Libells , Pasquills flew up and down in ev'ry corner of Italy , some in favour of Rome , som of Venice : ther were also many Books and Tractats came forth on both sides . The Doctrine of the Venetian Writers was , That God had establish'd two Governments upon Earth , the one Spirituall , the other Temporall , each of them being Supreme , and independent one from the other : the one is the Church Regiment , the other the Civill ; Of the first he gave charge to his Apostles and their Successors ; Of the temporall , the charge is put in the hands of secular Princes , in such sort , that one may not intermeddle with that which appertains to either : Therfore the Pope hath no power to abrogat the Laws of Princes in civill matters , nor to deprive them of their estates , or free their Subjects from their alleageance which they owe unto them ; That to depose Kings , is a new thing never attempted but within these five hundred years , it is against the Holy Scriptures , the examples of Christ and his Saints : That to teach , that in case of conscience 'twixt the Pope and a Prince , 't is lawfull to poursue him with fraud and force , and that the Subjects therby do obtain remission of sins , is a Doctrine seditious and sacrilegious ; That Church-men by Divine Law are not exempted from their secular power , neither in their persons or goods , whensoever his necessities constrain him to serve himself of them ; that the Pope ought not to think himself infallible , unlesse wher God hath promis'd him his Divine assistance , which must be understood only in the fundamentall points of Faith ; that the Authority of binding and loosing ought to be understood with this caution , Clave non errante , seeing that God hath commanded the Pastor to follow the merit and justice of the cause , and not his own inclination ; that when the Pope thunders out any Censures , it is for the Doctors to consider whether they have proceeded Clave errante aut non errante . That the new name of blind obedience , invented by Ignatius Loyola , is a Psudodoxall tenet , &c. On the contrary , the Doctrine of the Roman Writers or Papalines , as they term'd them , was , that the civill power of Princes is subordinat to the power Ecclesiastic , and subject unto it ; therfore the Pope hath authority to deprive Princes of their estates and honors , for their faults and errors which they commit in Government ; yea though they have committed no fault , when the Pope shall judge it fit for the common good of the Church ; That the Pope may free Subjects from obedience , and from their Oath of Fidelity which they owe the temporall Prince , in which case they are to shake off all subjection , and even to poursue the Prince if the Pope command it ; som of the modester sort held that this Authority did not reside in the Pope , because Christ gave him any temporall Authority , but because this was necessary for the spirituall Monarchy . Divers Tretises were imprinted and publish'd pro & con 'twixt the Pope and the Republic to this effect , and Bellarmin was very busie in upholding S. Peters Chair , at last ther was a strict inhibition ther shold be no more writing on this point , so the Treaty began to advance , wherin the French Ambassador was very active , therefore he propos'd two things to the Senat. The first was , That the Duke and Senat wold suspend the execution of the Laws , and the Protestation publish'd against the Monitory of the Pope , upon condition that his Holines wold do the like to his Censures for five moneths , during which time they might treat of the merit of the Laws that were question'd . The second was , That the Ecclesiastic Prisoners might be rendred without prejudice to the cause of the Republic ; That the Religious gon out of Venice by reason of the Interdict might return ; he concluded that it was not the intention of his Christian Majesty that any thing shold be don against the Dignity and Justice of the Signory , and if either of these proposalls were to Her prejudice , he was content to let them passe in silence : He desir'd them further to consider , that it was necessary to give som apparent occasion to his Holines to induce him to a retractation , because it was never heard that a Pope had revok'd his Bulls , excepting at the Councell of Constance . The Senat did fall to deliberat of things with more maturity then was usual ; at last they resolv'd with one joynt consent to prefer the conservation of their Liberty before all other respects , together with the Authority of their Laws : But for yeelding up the prisoners in gratification to his Christian Majesty , they thought this did not trench much upon their Liberty , in regard it was a particular fact which drew not with it any consequence , that the like ought not to be don in time to come ; therefore the Senat answer'd the Ambassador , thanking his Majesty for his mediation , & adjoyn'd , it was easie to perceave , wherat the designs of the Pope aim'd , who seeing that the Justice of the Republic , for the merit & ground of the cause was known and confess'd by all , wold therfore find out som error in the form of proceeding , wherin the Justice of the Republic was so clear that it was manifest to all , and the errors of the Pope so grosse , that they could not be excus'd : wherfore it was not consentaneous to reason , to correct the faults of another with their own detriment and dishonor , They added further , that these proceedings of the Popes were of such pernicious consequence , that they might have hurl'd the whole Signory into flames of civil combustions . The Senat at last granted , that when the King shold be assured and have the firm word of the Pope that he wold totally take away the Censures , the two prisoners shold be render'd unto him , although they were guilty of foul Crimes ; They wold also let fall their protestation , yet saving their public reasons , and their power to judge Ecclesiastics when it shold be expedient for the State ; this was all the French Ambassador could wring from the Senat , wherof when the King was advertis'd , he writ a Letter , wherin he thank'd them for their fair respects , in which Letter he took occasion to renew the memory of the favour they did him to co opt him into the body of their Nobility . After this Don Innigo de Cardenas the Spanish Ambassador , earnestly sollicited the Senat for an accommodation , but he could hardly prevail as much as the other : In the interim ther was a new kind of Councell erected at Rome , cal'd la Congregation de Guerra , the Congregation of War , which consisted of fifteen Cardinals , and this was don , to strike som apprehensions of fear into the Signory . The Senat inform'd the French and Spanish Ambassadors of this strange news from Rome , touching a Councel of War ; they also impa●…ed to the English Ambassador , telling him , that he might now publish the Declaration of the King his Master , and think upon the succours he promis'd . Cavalier ●…tton ( then Ambassador ) testified very much contentment to do this office , affirming that it was to publish the glory of his King ; He pass'd further , and sayed , that ther were but three ways to compound this difference , either by yeelding , or referring the matter to Princes , or by Warr : he saw well the Signory had no mind to the first , and if they resolv'd to make a reference to any , they could not make choice of any fitter then his King , who marvailously well understood how much it imported him to maintain the Authority given by God to Princes ; but if the matter shold come to Arms , he prayed his Serenity to consider , that though Philosophie tells us the Sun warms these inferior bodies , without heat in it self , yet in human things it is not so , but he that wold heat in his favour , must first be hot himself . The Senat determin'd to signifie unto all Princes the Declaration of the King of great Britain , wherin he call'd God to witnesse , ' That his resolution to defend the cause of the Republic , had no other end but the service of God , and to conserve the Liberty which God gave to all Princes , not for any ill will that he carried to the Pope , nor was he mov'd by the particular interest of the Republic , but only so far , because he knew She defended a cause most just and acceptable to God , which the more he considered in his mind , so much the more was he confirm'd in Her protection and defence , not finding any the least shadow of reason to relinquish Her ; That he had already taken this resolution , and wold sustain it suddenly ; That he wold not do as the Spaniard , who by a Letter had fill'd the Popes spirit with vanity to carry him into a precipice , but that he wold execut with courage and sincerity what he had promis'd : he consider'd also as a thing of great consequence , that the Pope prepar'd himself for warr , and had to this effect erected that new Congregation of men disaffected to the Signory , and all dependents of Spain : herunto he added , that he wold be as ready to perform his promise , as to publish his Declaration , and wold besides procure som good offices from his brother the King of Denmark , and other Princes of Germany his Allies . The Kings of France and England appearing so earnestly in this businesse , the Emperour also did contribut his intercession ; the Grand Duke of Florence likewise stir'd in it , yet nothing could be concluded to any purpose . Therfore the Spaniard begins to arm in the Duchy of Milan , to which end the Count de Fuentes had particular Commission . The Republic having intelligence herof , it did not stand with Her wonted prudence and circumspection to stand idle ; wherfore to meet with all occasions that might occurr , She sent to Padoua , Verona , Crema , Bergamo and Brescia five hundred thousand Crowns , one hundred thousand for each City to prepare themselfs for all exigents : Unto the old nine thousand six hundred Footmen , and six hundred Horse : To the one hundred & fifty Albanian Horse , She added six hundred Italian Foot , and one thousand Albanians more under Paolo Ghini . Order also was given to Count Francis Ma●…tinengo to levy in the Confines four thousand French soldiers , and six hundred Cuirasses which She caus'd to be arm'd : To the three great Gallies was adjoyn'd one other , and to the thirty eight light Gallies they sent five more in the Iles of the Levant , and twelve more newly arm'd at Venice . In Candy also were arm'd twenty Gallies , & Nicola●… Sagredo Proveditor general by his prudence & dexterity , which was singular in managing of Martial affairs , wrought in such sort , that all this was don at the expence of privat gentlemen ; so that ther were in all seventy five light Gallies , & four great ones got together : Divers of the French Nobility made profer of their service to the Republic , and the great Turk seem'd to importune her to accept of his assistance : She utterly refus'd the last , and wav'd the first . The rumor of these preparations fill'd ev'ry corner of Christendome , therfore the Kings and Princes who were already engag'd in quality of Mediators 'twixt the Pope and the Republic , stir'd more nimbly in the businesse , specially the French , who to accelerat things , and do them with greater countenance , employed to that end the Cardinall de Ioyeuse in a splendid Embassie both to Rome and Venice . In Spain the Duke of Lerma complain'd to the English Ambassadour for the proser of such assistance that his King had made to the Republic , which had put her to stand higher a tiptoe against the Holy Father , and impeded the Treaty , for She wold not shew Her self so obstinat against him , if She were not so much incouraged by his King , because from France She could expect but words , or peradventure som troops hired with her own silver . The Treaty began now to be poursued with som heat , and the Cardinal de Ioyeuse carried himself with such address , that he overcame all difficulties , and brought both parties to a conformity ; but the Republic wold by no means part with her Laws , or revoke Her Decrees formerly mention'd touching Ecclesiastics , and Her Ban against the Jesuits , She only deliver'd the foresayed Count and Canon to the French Ambassadors hands , who deliver'd them afterwards to the Nuntio ; so the quarrel ended , the thunder c●…as'd which had made such a noise , and cut the Princes of Christendom so much work to do : herupon Letters of thanks were written to the Kings of France and Spain , but specially to the King of great Britain , for his propensity and good intentions towards the Republic : The Cardinall Ioyeuse had a present of 6000. Crowns value , and Don Francisco de Castro had another of 3000. who had bin sent from the King of Spain expressely to compose these differences , which charge , in his first Speech before the Duke & Senat , he sayed , that he had willingundertaken both in obedience to his Catholic Majesty , and for the particular affection he did bear unto so illustrious a Signory , hoping easily to conclude a peace betwixt the Holy Father and his Serenity , specially seeing he shold not meet with those three impediments that usually render all Treaties difficult ; which are , first , the passion or extraordinary affection of him in whose name men treat , or of him who treateth : secondly , the inconvenience of the matter treated ; and thirdly , the incapacity or want of good will in the person with whom the treaty is . For touching the first , it was certain that the King his Master was well-affected , and had no other aims but the common good ; That the greatnesse of the Republic was advantagious unto him , as being the Bullwark of Christendome against the power of the Turk ; and for his own person , he protested , that he was not com to use deceit or subtilty being Noble by birth , and therfore oblig'd to tell truth above all things . Touching the second , the point of treaty was for peace , a thing excellent in its own nature , and for an union with the See Apostolic , a thing very profitable to the Republic , all stories being full of the mutuall good offices which they have ever rendred one to the other , as on the contrary , their disunion must needs be pernicious to the Republic ; for if their cause were injust it wold incense all Princes against them , and though it were reasonable , yet was it not fit therfore to forget what reverence men shold owe to the Soveraign Bishop . Touching the third , That the Treaty was with a Senat of great prudence , lovers of peace , enemies of novelty , who had bin Authors alwaies of tranquillity in Italy , not of troubles : he discours'd further of the domages of war , and the m●…schiefs of heresies , saying , That although the Republic by her own strength and greatnesse could repell all sorts of violence , and was able to withstand sufficiently all that shold assault her , nerethelesse other succours not expected or desired wold , un●…all'd for , offer themselfs , and such as might be suspected hard to dismisse , &c. We will now take a little more pains then ordinary to acquaint the Reader with the manner of that Ban by which the Jesuits were exterminated from the Venetian Dominions ; which was exactly as followeth . Of the expulsion of the Jesuits . THe Republic of Venice having taken , as formerly was sayed , into their prudent and cautious consideration the multitude of Religious Orders , & the daily encrease of them up & down , & that almost half the Revenues of the State was by that means got into the Churches hands , perceaving also the multitude of Monasteries , & that they were seated in such posts as might prove a hindrance to the public defence , being places fitter rather for Fortresses then Convents , considering also that ther were instituted already Religious Orders enough for the propagation and preservation of Christian Religion , and for directing them in the way to heaven ; and having upon these reasons pass'd those two Decrees , the first wherof was , That no other Order but what was already establish'd shold be admitted into the Territories of the Republic , and that none shold build any Churches without the concession of the Senat ; The second , That no person whatsoever shold give or leave any Lands by way of Legacy unto the Church , but those Lands shold be presented to the Senat , who in lieu of those Lands wold give the Church a countervailable summe of money ▪ and annex the Lands to the public demeans of the State , to prevent , least in tract of time the Church might ingrosse all the staple possessions of the Signory : The Republic , I say , having pass'd these preventive edicts , the Jesuits , who not long before had crept into the Republic , began to stir and storm at these new Decrees , conceaving that they were made directly against Them , and their Society ; wherupon they complain'd to the foresayed Pope Paulus Quintus a Borgheze , desiring his Holines that he wold write to the Senat to have these Decrees revok'd , and abolish'd , as being destructive to the Church , to piety , and charity in generall , as also to some particular Orders of Religious men , who subsisted by the secular charity ; which if it were thus restrain'd , wold be of exceeding ill consequence : herupon the Pope writ to the Senat ( as was sayed ) to recall their Edicts ; they refuse it , he therupon interdicts and excommunicats the Republic , commands all Religious Orders to come out from amongst them , and that none shold say Masse , or officiat in any of their Churches ; wherupon many departed . The Senat herupon , to justifie and uphold what they had done , sent for all the Religious Orders , and commanded them , notwithstanding this Interdiction , to officiat , and sing Masse as formerly , otherwise they shold expect severity from the Duke and Senat : The Jesuits , among others , were convented before the Senat , who appearing , they were interrogated , if they wold continu to officiat and say Masse notwithstanding this Interdiction ; they answer'd , That they wold do their Offices . The Senat herupon not expecting any equivocation , dismiss'd them to their Cells ; so they departed , and instead of officiating they did shut up their Church doors , and refuse to say Masse : Herupon the Senat sent for them again , and ask'd them whether they had not promis'd to officiat , and celebrat the Masse ; they answer'd , We promis'd to do our Office ; by which they meant to read so much ev'ry day in the Roman Breviary as was enjoyn'd them : The Senat finding themselfs thus trifled withall , and affronted by these equivocations , presently dismiss'd them for the time , and falling to a serious consultation what to do , and weighing well the danger of their stay , took occasion forthwith to banish them , both from the City of Venice , and out of all the rest of Her Dominions : this businesse was carried so closely , that within two daies after , in one and the same day and hour , they were exterminated out of ev'ry part of the Republic to Ferrara , and to other parts of the Popes State. But the Jesuits themselfs all this while , having not the least suspition or fear of such a rigid proceeding , they were surpriz'd upon a sudden ; and the Decree executed upon them in this manner . At night som Senators were appointed to go to the Jesuits Monastery ( which was done in other parts at the same houre ) where being com , they call for the Rector to appear presently before them ; he in Venice comes out half unready , he was demanded what nomber of Jesuits ther was in the Convent , which being known , they were also suddenly sent for , som were taken out of their beds , som without shoes or stockins , and generally all unprovided ; The Senators demand strictly whether ther were any more of the Order , they sayed ther were one or two who were in nature of Cooks , and did other servile offices ; they were sent for also , and so the whole Society standing thus before the Senators , they acquainted them with the substance of the Decree , viz. That forthwith , without returning any wher back , they must immediatly quit the City and Republic ; the Jesuits being astonish'd at the suddennesse of the thing ▪ desir'd they might have time to put their affairs in order ; 't was replied , no , they must away instantly ; for ther were boats ready for them : since ther was no remedy , they desir'd their books and papers , but it wold not be granted , nor leave to fetch their cloaths , but just as they stood they must pack thence ; which they did , being som of them half naked , and so they were transported to Ferrara . Afterwards ther were som appointed to peruse their papers , notes and books , wher many discoveries were made : The next day the Senat met and confirm'd the former Decree , wherunto was added this new clause , That if any Prince d●…d mediat for them , before they shold enter into any consultation for an Answer , the old Decree shold be first solemnly read , and if it was to be put to the question , ther shold be an hundred of the hundred and twenty Senators of the Pregadi concur in their suffrages for them , els the determination shold be of no effect . Immediatly herupon they sent a solemn Embassie to the Pope , to declare unto him the motives that induc'd the Republic to such an extraordinary proceeding , hoping that he wold not prefer so upstart an Order , before so ancient a Daughter to the Church of Rome , &c. This high Act of Ost●…acisme for the expulsion of the Jesuits , was not much displeasing to the Venetian people , but men women and children sent these acclamations after them as they departed , Andate , minte pigliate , & ma●… retornate ; go your waies , take nothing , and never return ; and a solemn suffrage pass'd afterwards in the Senat , that none of what quality soever , not excepting the Duke himself , shold for the future intercede for their re-admission , nor were the ●…est of the Ecclesiastiques much sorry for their banishment ; for it is observ'd , that a kind of strangenesse and aversion appears betwixt other Church-men and reclus'd Orders , and this new Society since their first establishment ; b●…t meer reason of State induc'd the Venetians to shake them off , because they professe a stricter tie of obedience or slavery rather to another Prince , which is the Pope , to whom they do transmit , and make a kind of resignation of their bodies and minds ; they are to acknowledge him tanquam Christum praesentem , & Scripturam loquentem , as appears by Loyola's Letter to the Fathers of Portugal , wherin among other passages , he writes thus , We easily indure to be out-done by other Orders , in fastings , watchings , and other hardnesses which they use in a holy manner , according to their Institution , but in purity and perfection of obedience , I earnestly desire that we shold surpasse all the rest , with a true resignation of our own will to the Holy Father , and a deniall of our own judgment . This Vow looks full upon another Power , that under which they live , viz. the Pope , to whom they commit both soul and body , and to be no more their own , not to beleeve their own sense , judgment or understanding , but to transfer all , and to submit themselfs totally to him , to go , com , do , say , execut upon all , and against all , whatsoever he shall command , according to the form of their Vow , which is not improper to insert here , and runs as followeth ; As many as shall make profession in this Society , let them not only know before they make it , but remember as long as they live , that all this Society in generall , and more particularly those that are profess'd in it , serve God under a faithfull obedience to the most Holy Father the Pope , and although we be taught by the Gospell , and do know by the Orthodox Faith , and firmly hold that all the faithfull people of Christ are subject to the Pope of Rome , as to the Head and Vicar of Jesus Christ , yet notwithstanding for the greater devotion to the obedience of the See Apostolic , and the greater deniall of our own wills , and the more certain direction of the Holy Ghost , we have judg'd that it wold be very commodious that ev'ry one of us , and ev'ry one that shall herafter follow the same profession , besides the common tie of the three ordinary Vows , be bound herunto by a more speciall Vow , to wit , that whatsoever the present Pope , and all others herafter for the time being , shall command for the good of souls , and the propagation of the Faith , or into what Countrey soever they shall please to send us , that we be bound to perform their pleasure immediatly , without any tergiversation or excuse for as much as lies in our power , whether they be aminded to send us against the Turks , or other Infidells whatsoever , yea though it be even unto those that are call'd Indians , among Heretics and Scismatics , whosoever they be , or among Christians ; and to the end that no ambition or refusall may take place amongst us , by occasion of these deputations and elections of Provinces ; let ev'ry one know that he need not trouble himself about it , nor take thought for it , in as much as all the care therof must be left to God , and the Pope as his Vicar , and to the Generall of the Society . Besides this generall astringing Vow reflecting upon spirituall matters and missions , they have other Tenets which are pernicious and destructive to the temporall Jurisdiction of the Prince , as Emanuel Sa , who was accounted one of the chiefest Oracles of that Order , hath it in his book entitled , Aphorismi Confessartorum , wherin after that he had studied the point forty years , as he professeth in his preface , he doth assert , That the rebellion of a Clergie-man against the King is no Treason , because he is no subject of his . They have another Tenet , that subesse Romano Pontifici est de necessitate salutis , viz. That to be subordinate to the Bishop of Rome , is of the necessity of Salvation ; besides , they hold that an error in points of Faith is no other thing then an opinion held against the Papall Decision ; but the most dangerous of all is , That the Pope can dispence with Subjects from their Alleageance to their Prince , though lawfull and naturall . For these and other politicall considerations , the wise Venetian did rid himself of the Jesuit , fearing that in a short time this subtile Society might prove to be Respublica in Republica ; nor since that day wold any intercede or stir for their re-admission , till this year 1650. that the King of Polands brother being of that Order , hath made an Overture of Introduction in their behalf , with a profer of three hundred thousand Crowns , which businesse is now in agitation . Add herunto , that the Jesuits being commonly Incite●…s to warr , and Paedagogs of Arms ( as they call them ) they could not sute with the disposition of the Venetian Republic , who hath bin observ'd from her cradle to be more inclin'd to peace then war , therfore doth she give the shield for her Arms , which is the embleme of defence , not of offence and assaults . ANTONIO MEMMO was created next to LEONARDO DONATO Duke of Venice , who govern'd the Republic about three years . GIOVANNI BEMBO came after , in the beginning of whose principality the old Controversie was reviv'd 'twixt the Arch-dukes of Austria , and the Republic , touching their Confines ; wherupon the Vscocchi did much infest the Seas ; so that the war grew hot with the Arch-Duke Ferdinand ; the Venetians march'd into Friuli , with a considerable Army , and seizing upon som Towns upon the Frontiers , beleager Gradisca , ravaging the Countrey up and down ; Moscaniza afterwards was taken by the Venetians ; the siege of Gradisca being quitted , much hurt was given , and taken in Croatia , Istria and Dalmatia , and the Territories of Friuli ; but afterwards the Venetian Army was disbanded by reason of the raging of the plague ; the Castles of Lucmi and Z●…mini were taken by the Venetian , but Arch-Duke Ferdinand having got to be King of Boheme , a Treaty of Peace was set on foot by the interposition of the Kings of Spain and France , but so many difficulties occur'd in the businesse , that no accord could take place ; therupon divers Traverses of Hostility pass'd between them afterwards ; then a Truce was agreed upon , which brought with it a-little after a firme peace , upon the conclusion of which peace , Duke BEM●…O finish'd also his cours in this world . NICOLAO DONATO being nere upon fourscore years of Age , was elected Duke by the Senat , the people not liking this choice , som sparkles of sedition began to appear , which by the sagacity of the Senators were quickly quench'd : This Duke liv'd but one moneth and a day , he was us'd to be much carried away with predictions , and to tamper with Astrologers ; wherof one having pried into the horoscope of his Nativity , and taken much pains to measure out his life , and foretell his destiny , he told him positively , that he shold die in carcere Nobili , in a Noble prison , meaning the Dogeship or Dukedom of Venice , which is barricadoed with so many restrictions , specially , That the Duke may not go out of the City of Venice , without the knowledge and consent of the Senat , &c. that it may truly be call'd no other then a Noble Prison , or golden Cage , which made one say , when the Senators were once so busie in their mysterious ballotations for creating a new Duke , Here 's a great deal of stir for setting up a Head of Wood ; alluding to the small latitude of power the Duke hath . ANTONIO PRIULI came to wear the Ducal Cap , and the Coronet of Venice next after Nicolao Donato ; in his time ther was a League struck betwixt the Republic , and the States of Holland ; to which purpose ther were splendid Embassies sent by both Parties ; but a little after this Duke breath'd his last . FRANCISCO CONTARENO then succeeded , at the beginning of whose Government the Republic made another League with the French King , and the Duke of Savoy ; both these Leagues were made by the Republic , of purpose to spite the Spaniard , who had not long before set upon her skirts the Duke of Ossuna , being Viceroy of Naples , who wold pick a quarrell of purpose with Her about the extent of her Dominion in the Adriatic Gulph , which war put S. Mark to spend much of his Tresure for the time . A little after , ther happen'd a keen war about the Valtoline , wherin the Republic was interested , and stir'd nimbly in it , and good reason she had to do so against the House of Austria . Whilest the wars lasted 'twixt the Republic and the Duke of Ossuna , she hi●…'d som men of War from England and Holland ; the two thousand English , which were under the command of Sir Harry Payton , complain'd about the conditions of their pay , which were not so good as those the Hollander had : Herupon a mutiny happen'd , and som of the English died by Martiall Law , but Mr. Herbert one of the chiefest of them was pardon'd , in regard he was allied to William then Erl of Pembroke , who interceded strongly for him , and had a great stroke with the Venetian Ambassador at that time resident in England . GIOVANNI CO●…RELIO was the next in succession to Priuli . About these times ther was a notable and most rigid ( though mistaken ) piece of Justice upon the person of A. Foscarim , ●… Noble Venetian and Senator of the wide Sleeve , which is of the best rank , who had bin formerly employed Ambassador in England , and other places for the Republic : Two pernicious malevolent fellows ▪ who it seems owed him a revenge , for som crosse office he had done them , did traduce , and accuse this gentleman upon oath , that he had had privat intelligence , and litterall correspondence with the Spanish Ambassador . Now the Republic of Venice hath bin alwaies observ'd above all other States to be so cautio●…s of home conspiracies by a kind of exces of circumspection , that upon the least proof , the party suspected is dispatch'd to the other world , and never suffer'd to err twice in this kind : the sayed mischievous fellow being pertinacious in his accusation , this infortunat gentleman was condemn'd , and being drag'd to the place , was executed like a common Malefactor betwixt the two Columns in S. Marks place , and sent on an Embassie to the other world , though never to return : The year had hardly com about , that the sayed Accusers were apprehended and imprison'd , condemn'd and executed for som flagitious crimes ; but as they were bidding a farewell to the world , they confess'd that they had wrongfully and most injustly accus'd the sayed Noble gentleman : therupon his body was taken up and re-inter'd with extraordinary solemnity , and reparations made to his Heir in a high measure ; besides , ther was a Manifesto publish'd by the Senat , for the vindication of his honor , and fidelity to the Republic . Ther was a casuall ill-favour'd clash happen'd 'twixt England and Venice about these times , which was thus : England having a declar'd war then both against Spain and France , Sir Kenelme Digby had got Letters of Mart , or rather a Commission Royall , from the King against the French ; he steer'd his cours into the Mediterranean , and arriv'd at Algier , upon the Coasts of Barbary , wher being a Cavalier of that lustre , and known to be a servant to his Majesty of great Britain , he was magnificently receav'd , so that he did many good offices for the English Captiffs that were ther : thence he sail'd into the Ar hipelago , and taking som prizes in the way , he turn'd the Ships to men of War , so that he came to have a Fleet of six Vessels strong . After many encounters , he made at last towards the Bay of Scanderon ; he came first before Cape Congare , ten Leagues distant from Alexandretta , or Scanderon , wh●…ch is counted the key of Aleppo by Sea , and wher he lay at Hull all night : On the morrow he sent a boat to descry the road , and to bring back intelligence accordingly ; word was brought , that ther were before Scanderon two Venetian Galeasses , with two other Galeons , two English Ships , and som French Vessells , one of which had com in but the day before , being very rich , and having not as yet unladen any thing : Sir Kenelme spent all the night following surveyng the preparations for fight , and firing , in his severall Ships , for that he expected a furious assault the next day from the Venetian Generall , who had declar'd himself protector of that Road , and was reported to have given out , he wold sink all the English men of War he shold meet , either in the Venetian or Gran Signor's Seas ; Sir Kenelme understanding this , was not much daunted , but made towards the Road , having prepar'd all things , and fitted his Ships for defence , if need requir'd . The Venetian Generall having weigh'd Anchor , hois'd up his Sails , and directed his cours towards the English Fleet , and being com within half a League , Sir Kenelme sent a Satty to inform the Venetians of his quality , and that he sail'd by vertu of his Majesty of great Britains Royall Commission , giving them assurance of all respect and friendship , and that the French were the only object of his attempts , for which he had sufficient warrant : He sent Letters also to the two English Vessells that were in the Bay for their satisfaction , that his businesse was not to disturb their Negotiations : But before this Satty could go aboard to deliver the Venetian Generall this message , the Admirall Galeasse of the Venetians discharg'd seven or eight shots , the first wherof lighting short was receav'd as a salute , and was answer'd with another piece from the English , but som of the rest hitting Sir Kenelmes Ship , and seeing that ●…hey aim'd at his Flag , he gave them three or four broad sides in a very short space , which did much hurt both to the Venetian , and the French , who were joyn'd with them for protection : so they retir'd to a further distance , but the English Ships poursued them , and played so well upon their Galeons , that the men stow'd themselfs under hatches , and left their Vessells to the fortune of the Sea without guidance : The Galeasses coming up then to their succour , receav'd also such a rude welcom , that they row'd away to shelter themselfs under the English Ships that road in the Bay , which was don purposely ; so the French were left alone , and som of their Ships being lusty Vessells , they came up close to Sir Kenelme , who directed his two lesse Ships to deal with them ; but they being not able , the Rere-Admirall went to their succour , and so put the French to the worse . Among the English ther were none hurt to death , but of the French and Venetians it was reported ther were above eighty stain , of whom one was a Commander of the Land soldiers , whose losse was much lamented : This action of the English was question'd by the Turks , because they had don hostility to his friends within the Gran Signor's Road ; therfore by the subtilty of the Venetian , and complaint of the French ; the Bassa of Aleppo , and Cady of Scanderon took hold of the occasion to take an avenia upon the English Merchants , exacting from their Consulls large summes . But Landi the Venetian Ambassador then residing in London , made a high clamorous complaint against Sir Kenelme Digby and his Adherents , in a solemn audience before the King and Councell of State ; aggravating the businesse to the very height , and aspersing Sir Kenelme , that such a man shold infringe the sacred peace , which was kept inviolably 'twixt the Crown of England & S. Mark so many Ages , and never broken till then from the beginning of the world . But Sir Kenelme at his return justified all his proceedings , & prov'd that he had not contraven'd or transgress'd his Commission any way . Landi being shortly after to depart , and apprehending som danger from Sir Kenelme , the King commanded him to visit the sayed Ambassador , and ( to save his Honor ) to tell him that he had receav'd Commandement from his Majesty for so doing : Sir Kenelme accordingly perform'd this Ceremony , which he had no sooner done , but the Venetian Ambassador came immediatly ▪ to his house to repay the visit , so they were reconcil'd , and the businesse ended . FRANCISCO ERIZZO was sworn Duke of Venice afterwards , which swearing they do not call an oath , but by a more civill term , 't is stil'd , Promissione Ducale in the record : he was a person full of years , and freighted with experience , therfore ripe enough for the Government . At the beginning of his time the Republic enjoyed a profound universall peace by Sea and Land ; but the growing greatnesse of the house of Austria did trouble Her , in regard of their new acquests in Germany , the Emperor having reduc'd the Bohemians to an exact obedience by way of conquest , and the Spaniard having the Palatinat in his hands , therfore she was well pleas'd that the Swed did rush into Germany , which wars she fomented with her countenance , and somthing els : Besides the Emperor had a little before disturbed the peace of Italy , by the imperiall title he claim'd to the tutele and protection of the young Duke of Savoy , during his Minority , which the French King his Oncle by the maternall side took upon him , but the Emperor , back'd by the Spaniard , thought to get it by the sword , which caus'd som perturbations in Italy , therfore the Pope also was well contented that the Emperor was shaken a little by the Swed . Ther was employed about this time M. Capello a Venetian gentleman of an ancient extraction , a person of a small bulk , but well timber'd both for body and brain , to have the charge of the garding the Gulph , with a nomber of well appointed Gallies . At Vallona upon the Coasts of Dalmatia , he met with the Barbary Fleet , whom he assaulted so vigorously , ther being many gentlemen of his own kindred engag'd in the service , that he sunk divers of them , and took the Admirall Gally of Algier , ( a Vessell of vast bignesse ) which he brought with him away , and she remains to this day for a Trophy in the Arsenall of Venice : The Gran Turk did very much storm at this ; therfore the Republic , rather then enter into open hostility against so potent a Neighbour , was contented to part with three hundred thousand Crowns to accommode the difference , wherof she recover'd part out of the Comendams of the Knights of Malta , which they enjoy'd within Her Dominions ; but the foresayed Capello was clowded a good while after , and had it not bin for his great Alliance , it might have gon worse with him for having exceeded his Commission in this action , such an exact obedience the Signory expects to be had to her Orders , be the successe never so glorious . Ther was another piece of Justice executed also upon C. Moro , who had bin a Senator , and one of the Pregadi , but afterwards he took Holy Orders , and shav'd himself to becom an Abbot ; he was us'd to go frequently in a disguize to the Spanish Ambassadors house , and hold correspondence with him , which is Treason in a high degree among the Venetians ; therfore being discover'd by a Bandito , who had fled to the sayed Ambassadors house for shelter , the Bandito had the Ban taken off , and a considerable annuall Pension given him ever after , but the Abbot was strangled , and his carkase drag'd to S. Marks place , wher he hung by the leg betwixt the two Pillars from Sun to Sun , in his Monasticall habit . Som years after ther happen'd a new disgust 'twixt the Republic , and Pope Vrban the VIII . about the extent of their Boundaries upon one anothers Frontire , which was aggravated by som books that were printed , and permitted to be expos'd to public sale in Venice , which books reflected upon the old quarrell that had bin 'twixt Paulus Quintus , and the Republic ; Pope Vrban resented it so far , that by the impulses of his Nephews , he caus'd an ancient Inscription or Elogy to be defac'd and raz'd , which had bin set up in the Sala Reg●…a in the Vatican , as a Monument of gratitud to the honor of the Venetians , for restoring Pope Alexander to S. Peters Chair , when he was chas'd thence by the Emperor Frederic , ( as formerly hath bin declared : ) The world thought that the Republic was offer'd hard measure herin , and though the affront sunk deep into Her , yet she hid the impressions it had made a good while , till she might find som oportunity to right her self . The Luqueses also having ordain'd somthing for restraining the exorbitances of the Clergy in that Common-wealth , provok'd the Popes indignation so far , that he excommunicated them : The Gran Duke of Toscany fell also under the same Censure , because he made the Churchmen to pay a n●…w Gabell upon Grinding Mills , as well as the secular subject . But ther fell a higher clash then all these 'twixt Pope Vrban and the Duke of Parma about a summe of money , which he was accountable for to the Fameze bank in Rome , for which he had engag'd his Castle of Castro : herupon he was also excommunicated , and a high feud fell out 'twixt the Cardinall Fameze , and Cardinall Barberini , the Popes Nephew , herabouts . The French Ambassador at Rome interpos'd in the businesse , by instructions from his Master , but Pope Vr●…an told him , That he might chastise the Duke of Parma , who was his Subject , as well as his Christian Majesty d●…d take off the head of Montmoreney , & c. Herupon the Castro was secur'd for the Pope , and besides , he musters up an Army which advanc'd as far as the ●…rontires of Modena , and so seconds his spirituall Arms ( which had gon before ) with the temporall , making his Nephew Don Taddeo his Generall , who demanded passage to go on to the invasion of Parma ; but he found more difficulty in this expedition , then he did in the taking of Castro , wher he found no opposition at all . The Duke of Modena sent a complementall Answer to the Pontificiall Generall , touching a free passage , which in effect did countervail a deniall , and this he did by consultation with his Neighbour States ; for this Papall Army tending so much to the disturbance of Italy ( who was in an universall repose before ) did awaken the spirits of all the Princes : The Luqueses in their little industrious Republic began to humm like so many Bees in a hive ; The grand Duke of Toscany stood in a maze , but the Signory of Venice , who was us'd to be the chiefest instrument to preserve the common peace of Italy , was more deeply sensible of this disturbance , in so much that Don Taddeo was denied passage ev'ry where , which made one say , That ther was a great deal of difference betwixt that Pontificiall Army , and the ancient Army of the people of Israel ; for at the marching of the one , the Sea it self divided his fluid body to let it passe , but at the marching of this , all the world seem'd to close together to hinder the passage : For a little after a League was struck to that purpose , 'twixt the Republic of Venice , the Gran Duke , the Duke of Modena , and him of Parma , who had all former grounds of discontent . During this ●…ontrasto , and Traverses of war 'twixt the Pope and Parma , ther was a notable Libell or Satyre drop'd up and down in divers places of Italy against Rome , and the person of Vrban , which in regard 't is a very materiall piece , compos'd of a mixture of divinity and policy ; and that it tends much to the understanding of the State of Italy , I thought worthy to insert here , a person of great knowledge and quality being the Author therof . The famous Invective against Pope Urban the Eighth , and Rome . THe Author faineth that the second Person of the Holy Trinity complains to the first , touching the distolutenes and excesses of the Roman Church his Spouse , therfore he desires a divorce from her . The Father being mov'd by his Sons reasons , commands Paul to transfer himself to earth , to visit mortalls , and take knowledge of their complaints , specially in Italy , against the Roman Spouse , and if need be , to form an exact proces of her actions , speaking to him as follometh : Paul , Great are the discomposures , and mischiefs which arise from an unchast woman , this very heaven cannot glory it self to be free of them ; my only begotten Son is troubled and aggriev'd at the dishonest actions of the Church of Rome his Spouse : I well hoped that she had bin capable of a reconcilement , but he holds himself so highly offended , and finds her nature to be so perverted , that he thinks she is incorrigible ; therfore with a constant resolution he seeks a divorce from her . Now , what can I deny to my only Son , specially when so much Justice favoureth his complaints ? yet I do not intend to determin any thing upon the businesse so hastily , though the eternal Word cannot tell an untruth , that to the end that our Decree may have a sufficient foundation , we command thee to betake thy self on earth , and hear what mortalls can say against the Roman Spouse , and frame a charge against her accordingly ; the enterprise may prove somwhat difficult , because she useth to palliat her faults , and to persecute those men that write against her proceedings ; but we assure our selfs , that the approved vertue of Paul , which heretofore knew how to support the persecutions of the wicked against the honor of Christ , will not shrink a whit in this employment for his service . S. Paul doth readily obey the Lord , and descends to earth in human disguize , and steers his course for Venice , but before he there arriv'd , he casually found upon the way a writing , the Tenor wherof was as followeth and the Endorsement thus , A Memorandum for the most renowned Republic of Venice . Amonst those Princes who reverence Rome , your Serenity is She , most renowned Republic , who being free from all superstitious credulity , do conserve your Christian Empire from all insidious pretences of Religion ; by a most sage L●…w therfore you did constitut some years since , that the ●…lergy shold be made incapable to inherit staple possessions , for the dead daily multiplying , and consequently the nomber of Legacies ev'ry day increasing , in tract of time , the Ecclesiastics wold become Masters of all that wealth , which giving subsistence to all kind of subjects , is destinated for the service of your Serenity ; therfore whosoever lives free from all passions to the interests of Rome , is bound to applaud the maturity of your deliberations in this point ; and he who professeth himself a friend to the greatnesse of your Dominions , must needs acknowledge that your high wisdome is warn'd by public necessity to regulat two other no lesse important abuses : The first consists in perpetuity of Legacies ; for what avails it to prohibit that staple goods passe not under the possession of the Ecclesiastics all the while that by the multitude of perpetuall Legacies , which use to be bequeath'd , and charg'd upon staple possessions , it will fall out in time , that all the rents shall be drunk up so , and what difference can ther be then I pray 'twixt a perpetuall Legacy , and staple possession ? or what benefit shold your subjects receave from the foresayed Law , who though they cannot be dispossess'd of the propriety of the Land , yet they remain depriv'd of the usufruit of it ? Now , this redounds to the greater advantage of the Clergy ; for while the residuary seculars of the Testators undergo the weight of all public duties and assessements , by keeping in their hands the fee , the Churchmen do by vertu of their annuall Legacies sweep away the rents without any burthen at all ; The zeal of your known prudence will stir you the rather for regulating this abuse , when you consider that the perpetuity of Legacies was introduc'd at first , rather by the cunning of the Ecclesiastics , then for the advantage of souls in Purgatory : for if the pains of Purgatory are sayed to be but temporary , wherefore shold the simplicity of peeple be perswaded to bequeath in the behalf of their souls perpetuall Legacies and Mansionaries ? Moreover your Serenity ought to consider , that the obligation of Masses multiplying ev'ry day , with the nomber of Legacies , a necessity seems to arise h●…nce , either to increase the nomber of Churchmen who are uselesse for public service , or to defraud the wills of the well devoted Testators , wheron if the public eyes wold fix themselfs , they shold see that the Ecclesiastics do not perform , no not the least part of those daily Sacrifices which they are tied unto ; but they salve their consciences , by saying , that the Masse being of an infinit value , one Masse may supply the necessities of many souls , one Masse may also suffice to releeve the urgencies of one soul alone , and the remainder shall be thought a superfluous nomber , proceeding not from the necessity of the soul , but rather from the cheat arising out of the avarice of the Priest. The second abuse consists in the multiplicity of Pensions , which are payed annually to Rome from the State of Venice : Touching this , it comes into my mind to remember your Serenity , that the Court of Rome is like the middle Region of the Air , who useth to make her thunderbolts against the earth , ou●… of those exhalations She draws from the earth it self : so the Roman Church is us'd to form her power for oppression of other States , out of the rents , contributions , and pensions which She receaves from those States themselfs : and let this suffice for the high wisdome of your Serenity in this particular . S. Paul being arriv'd at Venice , and sojourning there som daies , saw a Priest drag'd into prison by order of the secular power , and it being ask'd why the temporall Magistrat did exercise his jurisdiction so over an Ecclesiastic , a Venetian answer'd him thus . The Republic of Venice , nor for any other mens threats , or insinuations , ever deviated from that constant path which Her Progenitors hath pointed her out for her own safety from the beginning , among other jurisdictions which She hath alwaies conserv'd in the very face of Romes pretensions and power , one is , to have authority to punish the persons of Ecclesiastic Delinquents , esteeming that Dominion to be absolute and universall , which heaven hath afforded Her within Her own Territories . This Republic knows well , That when God did institut Soveraign Power , he confer'd it upon Saul over all his people , and over all the Tribes of Israel without exception ; Now , you cannot deny but among the twelve Tribes , ther were a great nomber of Levites and Priests ; ought the Priests therfore to disswade the people from that obedience which was ordain'd by the Divine Majesty it self towards their naturall Princes ? The Sacraments were ordain'd by God to wash away the pollutions of sin in the soul , but not to deface the Characters of subjects on the body : Nor was the Law of Christ ever incompatible with the jurisdiction of Caesar , but in their opinions only , who seek pretences to traduce and calumniat it . The Ecclesiastics who interpret all things to their own advantage , pretend to withdraw themselfs from the secular Power , by those words of the Gospell , Nolite tangere Christos meos , but he who is of a sane and sound understanding , will easily discern how much they are deceav'd in the sense of these words ; For although the same God forbad murther to all men by an expresse Commandement , yet it is lawfull for Magistrats to take away the life 's of Malefactors . In the administration of Justice Lay-Princes also represent God. Now , for any to pretend a withdrawing of himself from their authority , is no other thing , then to be unwilling to be subordinat to divine institution : If Ecclesiastics wold interpret Scriptures with more reason then passion and partiality , they wold discern that those words Nolite tangere Christos meos bear no other sense , then to prohibit any injust outrage against those Ecclesiastics , who for the goodnesse of their lifes , and innocency of their manners deserve the title of Christs ; when a Church-man is naught , he falls from that title , and consequently from the priviledge of it ; nor can the Clergy of these times pretend to be exempted from the power of temporall Justice by the foresayed words , unlesse it had bin in case that Christ had sayed , Nolite tangere Anti - Christos meos . This Signory which can discern things in their tru essences , doth not admit the falshood of any interessed opinion to purblind Her own proper understanding : If a Clerk may err temporally against the State , the State thinks it reasonable that he may be punish'd temporally , by no other hand , then by that to whom God hath committed the care of the State. The danger of a State wold be too too evident , and the confusion also , if the Crimes that are committed against the conservation , and common tranquillity therof , shold stand in fear of no other punishment then what shall come from a forraign Prince , who regulating himself by certain politic interests in lieu of correction , wold haply tolerat , or●…connive at the Crime to the public domage of that State , and for his own advantage : Behold for example how many Princes in Italy , wher the Pontificiall Power predominats , are disquieted ever and anon , and corrupted , by reason of the impunity of ●…lericall Libertines ; and what other thing can be hence expected , but that the Ecclesiastics being exempted totally from secular Justice , they may arm themselfs , joyn in bands , and turn their Cloisters to so many Castles , that trampling so under foot the authority of their own Prince , they may establish another Kingdom within a Kingdom ? That wisdom which sits at the Stern of the Republic of Venice , will never suffer Her own subjects to be able to supplant Her , by the protection and support of any forraign Authority ; Clerks are punish'd temporally , when they offend temporally against the tranquillity of the State , not els , and if it seems strange to the Pope that the Venetians assume to themselfs civill jurisdiction over the Ecclesiastics , much more seems it strange to the Venetians , that the Ecclesiastics shold usurp worldly dominion over the persons of Seculars : In the mean time they know well that Christ profess'd openly to have no Kingdomin this world . This Speech being ended , and S. Paul desiring to understand the late differences which had bin controverted 'twixt the Republic and Rome , is inform'd by a Noble Venetian as followeth . The Church of Rome was reverenc'd by us in that manner which was sitting for Christs lawfull Spouse , but she corresponding with little gratitude , hath not only conspir'd our ruine more then once , but at last hath thrown out of doors the ancient monument of our services , which have bin proclaim'd to the world for so many ages by the Trump of Fame , by the tr●… Narration of Historians , & approv'd by all precedent Popes in public Elogies ; S. Marks Lion can hardly endure to have that glory eclips'd , which was alwaies the food of his generous thoughts , and it seems strange to us , that Venice having rescued a sugiti●… Pope , and re-plac'd him in his lost Chair , with the expence of so much of her bloud and gold , the memory of this high desert shold be now thrust out of Rome : yet the Republic being very unwilling that any incongruity shold grow 'twixt the Roman Church and Her , consented that the Crown of France shold be Umpresse . But Pope Vrban the VIII . since he differeth so much from S. Peter , will not confesse when he denieth the truth imo nec voce Galli , but persevering in an obstinat opinion not to restore the Elogy , being contented by a foolish capriccio of his own to give this generall attestation only , that the Church of Christ hath bin alwaies serv'd by Princes of all sorts : Insomuch that that ancient inscription which was seen registred in the Vatican , as a monument of Ecclesiastic gratitud towards Venice , that monument which Time it self could not deface all this while , the Barberini have annihilated at last , because peradventure that having banish'd all vertu from Rome , it displeaseth them ▪ to see gratitud lodg'd under the roof of their house ; or rather because the Barberini do not hold themselfs beholden for those services that the Church receav'd from S. Mark , in regard they are more her Betrayers then Governors ; In the interim we cannot but be sensible of this monstrous ingratitud , yet we comfort our selfs to see that the Popes disaffection and power to do us hurt , can extend it self no further then the walls of his own house . S. Paul having parted with Venice , goes to Lucca , where understanding the contumacy of that little Republic , he wold know the grounds of it , and a Citizen answers him thus in a sad and solemn posture , being glad of the occasion to make the truth known . Among the Popes of our age , Vrban the eighth hath bin most prodigall of Iubilees and Indulgences untill these his latter years ; but to shew , peradventure , that he hath no lesse power over curses , then over benedictions , he hath at last by altering his stile , put forth his hand to dart out Excommunications : It was the fortune of this small Republic to bear the brunt of his first Censure in this kind ; he therby imitating those who use to try the vertu of poison upon the lesser animalls first : The connivency wherby other Princes dissembled this out mishap , gave him scope to thunder out the second against the Duke of Parma ; nor must Christendom expect other things herafter but Excommunications ; in regard that if the affairs of the world use to succeed one another in equall vicissitudes , 't is necessary that Excommunications be as frequent as Iubilees have bin . Now touching the grounds of the Papall distasts with us , they are aldy manifested to the world , I must say , though very sparingly , That the originall of ev'ry accident here , sprung from the insupportable licentiousnesse of Churchmen , who did necessitat us to a just resentment . It seem'd strange to the Church of Rome that so small a Republic as ours durst resent the outrages of Ecclesiastics , who shold rather comply with them , considering that this State is too narrow to be sensible of such insolencies ; and so persisting in an obstinat Censure , he chooseth rather to see our perdition hastned , then the exorbitances of his Clergy moderated ; but we being not conscious to have committed any Delinquency which might deserve to exclude us from the face of God , we comfort our selfs in this case with the memory of Balaam , who injustly curs'd the people of Israel ; nor have we ever rested since , to procure a right understanding , by the interposition of a person of great credit with the Cardinall Nephews , that they wold be pleasd to appease his Holines's displeasure ( expecting still a miracle from the words of some Asse ) but to this hour ther hath nothing come of it . But the Barberini are in Armes , and this Martiall appearance they think will inforce us to desire a reconciliation ; as for the rest which concerns the soul , if an Excommunication hath power to cut us off from the union of this present Church , why shold we think it capitall to be separated from so infected a body , and freed so by continuall examples of sacrilegious lifes , and from the despair wherinto the Clericall Tyranny wold plunge us ! Confiding therfore in the Justice of our Cause , and in the assistance of those wise Princes who cannot away with the ravenousnesse of this Pope , we trust to receave som fruits of the introducement of these Censures , in regard that if this course hold , the world will see that as Iubilees pass'd were pretexts for som new imposition , Excommunications will serve herafter as pretext for some new Rapin. S. Paul having understood the grievances of the Luqueses , passeth on to Parma , wher having in the habit of a Fryer insinuated into the acquaintance of the Duke , he desires to understand from his mouth the Contestation he hath with the Roman Church , and the Duke answer'd him thus . The world hath already understood too much the causes of the quarrell I have with the Church of Rome , being publish'd not only by my Manifestos , but by the writings of other particular pens , who have willingly protected the justnesse of my cause . But since it pleaseth you , good Father , to hear from my own mouth the grounds of these differences which have kept such a noise . I will relate them unto you with that brevity of words , which may suit rather with the present encumbrances that afflict me , then with the nature of the thing it self . Know then that the particular urgencies of my house have erected in Rome a Bank call'd the Farnese Bank , which obligeth my fortunes to contribut an annuall cense to my Creditors . Now Vrban the VIII . being assail'd by some turbulent spirit in these last periods of his life , thought with himself to build a little new Fort of divers pretences upon this bank , therby to set upon my Duchy of Castro : But I had good reason to hope now in these my troubles som support , rather then any oppression from that Seat , of whom the ashes of my Progenitors do yet glory to have merited so well ; but all gratitud being extinguish'd in the brests of Ecclesiastics , charity is also much diminish'd amongst them , which neither moves them to any compassion , nor to be a whit aggriev'd , though they see mountains of miseries heaped on one's back ; a desire to enrich the Nephews , which is the primum Nobile of the Popes mind in these times , prevail'd over all reason , and prepotency of plundring did facilitat the way to dispossesse me of mine own ; nor did the tyranny of Vrban the VIII . stop here , but he thought that I wold take it nothing ill if he did excommunicat me , that being so segregated from the Communion of the Faithfull , none durst hear my grievances , or reach a hand to help me : A great cruelty in a Shepheard , that flaying his sheep alive , wold not have them to carry naturall affections about them to resent the hard case of one another ; Moreover to varnish the pretext of his Censures , he publisheth me for a disobedient son to the universall Father of Christianity , But whether he is to be acknowledg'd as a Father , who enemy-like robs his children , judge you ? Can he expect to be reverenc'd as S. Peters Successor , when diffring from S. Peter , he stops his ears to the words of Christ , who commanded him to sheath his sword ? Christ did institut a peacefull Kingdom , nor did he ever ordain that his Cause shold be handled with Armes : Neverthelesse the present Bishops make use of them , because they are ready to meddle with any other Cause then with that of Christ : In the interim , good Fryer , my fortune is worse then that of Malchus , for if Malchus was offended with the weapon of Peter , he was heal'd again by the hands of Peter ; but I find my self hurt by S. Peters sword , yet cannot perceave his hand is dispos'd to cure me , or restore me mine own . S. Paul being departed from Parma goes to Florence , wher being brought to the Court , he heard the Gran Duke much transported with choler , speaking to a Councellor of his in this manner . Then Vrban the VIII . intendeth that a Clergie-man shall go exempted from the imposition of Milstone , wherunto the interests of my State oblige me to subject without exception any one that lives under my Government ; and who is he that arrogats temporall Jurisdiction over anothers Authority ? In the time of Christ secular Princes had their tribut , and shall they now be refus'd in Vrban's time ? By this means the credulous simplicity of the Laity shall be continually taught to contribut so many Gabells to the Clergy , and the Clergy shall be free from all taxes to them , and who at any time leaves possessions to the Ecclesiastics , they must be free from such Contributions which the Law of Nature awards ev'ry protecting Prince . Who did ever affirm that the Legacies of privat men can be exempt from the public Jurisdiction of their Prince ? These are new Doctrines which tear the world in pieces , being introduc'd by those Bishops , who together with the Evangelicall precepts , have forgot that Christ himself when he was upon earth payed tribut to Caesar , professing that he came to fulfill the Law , not toabrogat it ; and shall we admit in our free States an Authority , which beyond the Order and example of Christ pretends to have power to controul , and transvolve the Dominions of others ; yea to trample upon the Princes themselfs ; Is this the paradise that Christ promiseth to them that observe his Law , or rather a Hell , which they worthily deserve who beleeve too much in an adulterated Church . But I observe that the Ecclesiastics by too many stiles ▪ do subject the simple seculars to pay contribution for Indulgencies , for Dispensations , for the Word of God , for sacrifices of the Altar , and in sum for all the Sacraments , which the Divine goodnesse ●…ath afforded gratis to all the faithfull : But what do I say ? the avarice of the Clergy is grown to that height , that it doth not permit those poor souls that are under the agonies of Death to depart from this world to the other , till they conjure them under the pretext of pious Legacies to pay a toll for their safe conduct , constraining to bargain for their very graves , they sell them for ready money the embraces of our common Mother the earth ; and I in my free State must not impose the least Tax as that of the Milstone upon my subjects : But let Vrban practise what he please , let Him thunder what Excommunications he will upon my Gabelleers , I shall learn well enough how to fence away his blowes , I will make the Jews my Receavers ; nor shall I ever suffer that Toscany be oppress'd by such rapacious Tyrants , who under the mantle of Religion exercise such robberies upon us . S. Paul leaving Florence , resolves to visit the State of the Church ; in his journey he is accompanied with a subject of the Popes , who vented forth his discontentments unto him in these words , upon som expostulations of S. Pauls . I was born a subject under the particular Dominion of the Church of Rome ; and that 's enough , good Frier , to pronounce me miserable ; The Civill Justice administred in my Countrey by Ecclesiastics , the Authority abus'd by them that govern , and their custom degenerating daily into cruelty and rapine , have made the subjection insupportable , and the life 's of those unhappy who live under the temporall Scepter of the Roman Clergy ; my toung cannot sufficiently expresse the rigidnes of their Government , let ev'ry one comprehend by their tyrannicall practises they do exercise abroad what they do at home ; I was enforc'd to forsake my house for a Tax impos'd upon me for living well ; when a young rich man is discover'd by greennesse of Age , and heat of bloud to be prone to any lightnesse , presently comes a new Edict which will make him lie under a grosse sum of money ; herby it comes oft to passe , that a small fillip somtimes doth equall murther , and words are as dangerous as deeds ; for all comes under the title of transgression , though the fault be no other then a slip of youthful lightnesse . Furthermore , the Ministers who govern our State of Rome under colour of zeal to our Salvation , are wont ever and anon to send certain Catchpouls to search mean blind places & cottages , to see whether any subject cohabit with a Concubine ; ev'ry thing lies under the search of prowling eyes , and the insolent hands of those Ragamuffins ; I will say no more then this , that under the Domination of other Princes the Jews are more gently us'd then we are under the regiment of the Ecclesiastics ; nor is it a wonder ; for som Churchmen of our times are haply greater Enemies to the Gospell of Christ , then som Christians are to the Talmud of the Hebrews . S. Paul a little after meets with a Maronit passenger , who had taken a journey from Mount Libanus in Syria to see Rome , and was returning homewards ; S. Paul begins to mingle speech with him , asking him of his Countrey , and of the Motives that induc'd him to com to Italy , and what opinion he had form'd within himself of Rome ? wherunto he answer'd thus : My Countrey is Armenia , the cause which brought me to Italy was no other then a desire to learn the tru Tenets of the Catholic Doctrine , which in our Region is adulterated with such a multiplicity of Sects , that they confound one another . The eleventh year is now coming about that I have breath'd air under the climes of Europe , having sojourn'd longest in Rome , being led thither by Fame , which somtimes useth to represent things otherwise then they are in their own essence : I figur'd within my self That City to be She , who as She pretends , so She had deserv'd to be the Head of all Christian people , as being the School of Sanctity , and patern of all vertu . And truly at the first sight I thought I was not a whit deceav'd by any extern appearance which oft times doth dazzle and fascinat the eyes of the simple . The magnificence of Her Temples , the great nomber of pardons , such a confluence of people flocking to Church , and the visit of holy places , imprinted within me such an opinion of the Roman piety , that when afterwards I fell to observe the lifes and luxury of the Cardinalls , little compatible with the Doctrine of Christ , I ascrib'd the cause of my mistake rather to my own ignorance , then want of Religion in others ; but when I seriously descended into my self , I thought I was not born senslesse : Processe of time and mature reflexions , made me discern afterwards that the Roman Religion consisted most in Ceremonies of exterior worship , which were it properly defin'd , might be call'd a kind of practise of life in the small sort , and an hypocrisie in the greater . For the rest , ev'ry action being judiciously examin'd , you will find it tending chiefly to objects of privat interest and temporall benefit ; profit and delight are the two poles wheron the Firmament of Roman designs wheel about ; if Christ and his Law be embrac'd , it is not embrac'd for the tru finall end , but as means to compasse some terrene businesse , which transform'd me to wonder while I observ'd how much Christ was vilified among the Romans , considering how much he serves their turn for encreasing their temporall interests : You shall find all vices reduc'd in this City , as to their proper center , and which is worse , with specious titles of holines ; their pomp appears under the name of Church decorum , and their ambition under the title of Majesty , their tyranny under the semblance of zeal , nay most scandalous lusts are brought into the houses of the greater sort under the mantle of spirituall recreations : Adulation hath founded here her Palace , for you shall have it preach'd most impudently that the Pope cannot err , notwithstanding that his actions are the very tops of errors : Tell me O reverend Frier , if the Pope cannot erre , wherfore are ther Decrees and Ordinances of Councells instituted ; 't were enough to be regulated by his will , only without importuning any Synod , or attending any rules from the universall fuffrage of Christianity ; But to unbowell unto you my tru meaning , I hold that the Ecclesiastics now that they see they cannot fit the custom of the Pope to the Laws , they procure to fit the Laws to his customes ; God forgive them who somenting a parasiticall Doctrine introduce so many enormities to Gods House , so frontlesse and void of all shame ; these men being dandled with ambition , have transported S. Peters Seat from Caves to Thrones of Gold ; these being carried away with avarice to declare this magnificence to be necessary for the dignity of the Church , together with those worldly Dominions so expressely forbidden by Christ : Poor Church , to what case art thou reduc'd ? the time was when the Clergy were reverenc'd for the Sanctity of their lifes , and profoundnesse of their learning , and for the fame of their miracles ; but now they raise respect unto themsels by worldly rule and greatnesse , for nothing els makes them to be reverenc'd now adaies . But to compasse this mundane grandeur , which is founded most commonly upon Bases of gold , what unlawfull path is not troden ? what iniquity is not practis'd ? the Law of Christ being turn'd by the Ministery of the Romans to be a Law of ruin and rapin : ther is no action exercis'd in the Roman Church , but you shall find it conjoyn'd with the interests of worldly emolument ? O how deplorable are these times , were they parallel'd with those of the Ancients , yea , when the world was depriv'd of Evangelicall Light ! Then , if an Alexander rose up , who with an immense kind of cupidity snatch'd at ev'ry thing ; Nature who is a friend to counterpoises , created a Philosopher , who glorying in his poverty , contemn'd the possession of all transitory Princes . But now among the Christians , if a Pope starts up , who with insatiable appetit goes about to grapple all , we do not find that vertu hath such a force as to dispose any Ecclesiastic to shew an example of that poverty which is commanded him by heaven : Good Frier , if you have ever bin in the Dominions of the Church , you will be astonish'd at such abominations wherwith the Worship of God is daily prophaned . Moreover , you shall hear nothing els preach'd in the Pulpits but Paradoxes , Delight , not the utility of souls being the scope of their matter , and so the ears being tickled with the Doctrine the Collections use to be greater , which under the name of Almes is drain'd afterwards from the Auditors ; but their sacrilegious greedines stops not here , you shall see often lame miracles publish'd for gain , you shall often see those inspired Fathers use certain acts of Conjuration , rather to draw money out of the purse , then to cast devills out of the body ; you shall oft times see many neglected Images making themselfs miraculous upon a sudden to enrich the Ecclesiastic professors , deluding by this trick the simplicity of those who hold that the vertu of doing miracles being lost in men , is retir'd into statues of stone and wooden pictures . In somm , the abuses are so many which are introduc'd by the covetousnesse and rapacity of the Romans , that I prognosticat that all reality of Religion will be quite extinguish'd e're it be long , and faith her self also as much as remains ; for I have observ'd that Christ did not live long upon earth when he was put between two theeves . Ther is an opinion that 's current among som Theologues , that when the Host begins to moulder the Divine Presence , immediately departs from the Eucharist . Now , if Christ cannot stay , no not the least moment in corrupted bread , how shall we think that he can abide to stay amongst a corrupt people ? Friend , if your salvation be dear unto you , turn face about and never go to Rome , cast your self rather upon the remotest shores of India , whither they say all vertu and Religion is retir'd perhaps to be the further off from Rome ; one cannot so journ in this City without endangering his Faith ; take example by me , who being com from among the Mahumetans to learn to lead the life of a Catholic , do now go away hence with strange kind of confus'd imperfect thoughts within me to turn Turk . S. Paul having parted with the Maronit , and advancing towards Lorette , while he pass'd in a Friers froc hard by a village , he was call'd in to confesse a dying Cardinall , he goes in , and hears his confession , which was thus : Father , I feel the pangs of death com upon me , God summons me to satisfie the last debt of human nature ; my soul finding her self in these extremes , trembleth to appear before the face of God , in regard She is so full of carnall spots . It is your function to help me to wash them off , while these eys of mine shall afford you tears , and this panting spirit , though strugling with the assaults of death , shall endeavour to declare unto you in short periods the sum totall of all my offences pass'd . Know then that I was born to a poor fortune , but nature , who hath also her portion of goods in this world to dispense among mortals , was pleas'd to endow this body with such Prerogatives , that my parents might well formalize som hopes within themselfs of my greater advancement at Rome , Being grown up to twelve years , devoting my self not to God but to Ambition , they cloath'd me with the habit of an Ecclesiastic , and to stablish the foundation of their hopes the better , they applied me to the service of a Cardinall . Now 't is a rule , that wher the end is crooked , the means tending to that end can hardly prosper : Hence it coms to passe , that now adaies in Rome to arrive to the end of their designs , they do not use learning and vertu , the effects of a tru heavenly vocation , for means , but courtship and flattery , which are the base parts of that interest which hath alwaies an eye to the worldly advantage of ones self : I applied my particular study to be a proficient in the garb & fashion of the Court , which is no other thing then to devote ones person to any pleasure of the great ones ; He who confesseth must not conceal any thing , but be pleas'd Father to comprehend in your imagination whatsoever , wherin an engaged and well respected youth may sin , and suppose it in me , so my feeble toung shall be exempted from the labour of my Narration ; only this I tell you , that I knew how to gain the entire affection of the Prelat my protector , and he , for my sake was not ill look'd upon at Court. Pensions did reign upon my person , which made me wonder at that which the Ancients write , that Iupiter shold Metamorphose himself into a showr of Gold only for Danae , since he converts himself so more often now for Ganimeds : This my youthful age was free from those passions which use ordinarily to transport the minds of young men , viz. from the love of women ; yet I do not deny to have tried it oft , it seeming to me very strange that I shold pray , who was us'd to be prayed unto ; but I continued not long in that state , my humor alter'd with my age , then I entangled my self in Feminine Love , and in a short time I tried what adultery , fornication and incest were ; In the mean time I arriv'd to that age which was capable of Priesthood , then taking Holy Orders I liv'd a while retir'd within my self , being perswaded to a moderation of life by that Synedresis , that touch of conscience , which coms somtimes by nature , and teacheth som sort of respect which is to be had to that Sacrament ; but at the end too much familiarity turn'd into contempt , for wheras at first I began to sin with som scruple , those scruples quickly flew away from my conscience , and so I came to such a reprobat sense , that fornication , rebellion of the heart , and celebrating of the Masse , was in my person but the act of one hour oftentimes . Father , 't was no Sacrament , 't was a Devill that entred into my soul when I took the Character of a Priest ; it was an infernall Spirit that perswaded me not to fear that Christ , which was daily to passe through my hands ; I found my self immediatly dispos'd to ev'ry wickednes : And wheras at first no affection molested me , but that of Lust , me thought that all vices assail'd me in a moment : Nor is it to be wondred at ; for if Iudas found himself to betray Christ after he had taken the sop unworthily , though but once , much more must it be suppos'd , that those impious Priests must be inclinable to all motions of prophanesse , who ev'ry day receave the Sacramentated Redeemer , peradventure more unworthily then Iudas : Covetousnesse also came to be my inseparable companion , fomented chiefly by occasion of that command & authority , I began to get in the State of the Church ; while I exercis'd the Office of a Shepheard , I learnt quickly the art to shear my sheep , all that belong'd to the subject was created , me thought , by nature ; for the service of my affections : my favors were still expos'd to the highest offerer , nor did I ever refuse a present from any hand , I did wonder at the custom of the Priests of the old Testament , who rejected many Oblations as unworthy for the Sacrifice , and so concluded within my self , that because the times and Laws were alter'd , the Priests of the New Testament ought to receave any thing offer'd them : But this was the the least ; for if the Parishoners did not do it voluntarily , I found waies to snatch it from them . I remember that among other passages , taking occasion once to visit a young gentleman , who was within the compasse of my Jurisdiction , I observ'd in his house som pictures of good value , and giving him an inkling of my desire , he with many humble complements answer'd , That he wold be very unwilling to be dispossess'd of them ; I kept this deniall in my brest , and having trac'd a way by means of the Holy Inquisition to clap him in prison , he presented unto me the foresayed Pictures , that he might be remov'd only to a gentler Goal , and afterwards , for his full Liberty , was forc'd to suffer the better part of his estate to be confiscated ; but fearing that by his appeal to Rome , this act of mine might be too narrowly winnow'd , and so I might run a hazard of the precipitation of my fortunes not yet so firmly grounded , to secure my self from after-claps , I call'd him unto me , and rebuking him for his course carriage towards me at first , it made me by right of that incumbency I held over him , to reform all misdemeanours , and to teach him how to comply with Church Governours for the future : In fine , for the reparation of his losses pass'd , I made him a friendly promise to point him out a way how he might be made capable to weare an Ecclesiastic habit , and so ascend to the Dignity of a Prelat : For they in the Romane State , ●… among the multitudes of their miseries , have no other comfort but this , that they may easily arrive to such a condition , as may enable them to a revenge upon some others the wrong they receave themselfes : By these meanes I knew how to feather my nest so well , that I return'd afterwards to Rome to live in the lustre of a conspicuous Prelat , by introducing to my house the wonted pomp and exces of the old Romanes , I parallell'd any other in ornament of rich hangings , of magnificent Coaches , in nomber of Groomes and Laquais , and specially in multitudes of Courtiers , and gelded Musitians , the greatnesse of Rome's ambition being to shew her self barbarous , yea in the pomp of Eunuchs ; eleven youths did undergoe the Martyrdome of Orig●…n , of purpose to devote themselfs to the luxury of my pleasure : Poor Boyes ! by what a strange effect doth the lust of others make you chast ? While I did lead this splendid life , the Cardinall my Protector came to the Popedom ; By this exaltation myhopes soard very high , nor did ther much time passe , when I saw my person , being a Creature of the Popes , advanced to the dignity of a Hat ; so I moumed to the degree of a Cardinall , wherein I stand now . Now if my voice had strength to unmask every particular thing , you would be struck with amazement to discover a life so impious in the persons of them who glory in the title of Christs Disciples . I 'le tell you in a word , that from the time I obtain'd the Cardinallship , I never kept Lent , I never recited my houres , I never confess'd to God , till now in these extream agonies of my sicknes : Such being the custome almost of all Cardinalls , who finding themselfs in a posture to aspire to the Keyes of Heaven , doe think perchance to be able one day to find a way to enter there , without any necessity of good workes . But woe is me , I perceive now to have deviated from the wayes of Heaven ; I discern too well by the light of Divine grace ( which I know not by what excesse of mercy may please to save me for all this ) that to lead an ecclesiasticall life is an now accustomed is nothing at all to live a Christian : But if Pagans , yea Atheists , preceiving their own errours , have hopes to be sav'd , why should I dispair ? This is the onely argument of my hopes , although I think the salvation of an Infidell more easy , than that of a perverse Christian ; because my soul finds at this very moment that the understanding is more easily illuminated , than the will humbled and rectified being too tenacious of her delights in those pleasures , which she must now relinquish with the Hat ; But , father , my spirit failes me , give me an absolution , for I feel my self upon point of expiring . S. Paul having absolv'd the Cardinall , upon his departure thence he met with an Angell , who after som salutations fell to relate unto him what he had overheard in a Parlatory of Nunnes as followeth . You know allredy , O Apostle of God , that I am of those Angells which never descended before on Earth , and if in strange Countrys the curious mind of the passenger desires to satisfy it self , I confesse that among other things , which I coveted to see , one was a Monastry of Nuns , who were so much spoken of in Heaven that I took them to be Angells on earth . Being come therfore to one of the prime Citties of Italy , I took the form of a strange youth , and entred at the privatest hour I could into a Monacall Parlatory . I found at the windows a young Nun , which had no other busines it seemes , but to attend the comming of som body . I was scarce spyed by her , when she asked me an account of my Country , and what fancy took me to traverse the World up and down in that maner ; I , bethinking my self of Heaven , answerd , my Country , most gentle Sister , is too far distant from this place , and whereunto few of this Region arrive . Touching the fancy that leads me to traverse up and down the World , it is no other than curiosity , which often draws youthfull lightnes to neglect their own profit , and to regard others . Foolish youthfulnes which canst not learn how to value thy Countries good but a far of ; then I added , happy are they who never departing from within the Paradise of these holy walls , seem as so many Angels alwayes appearing before the face of God. She being as full of Spirit as She was of beauty answered thus , O how many of us would willingly change our Paradise for your peregrination , wherfore then doe you complain so causelesly of your travels ? which being no other than the motions of a civill life , it cannot chuse but be so much the sweeter to elevated minds , by how much the higher the movements of their souls are . Behold the Sun , behold the Planets , which never staying still in one place delight to be continuall travellers in the Univers . I being much taken with the vivacity of this femal spirit , replyed : It is true Lady , that the Sun and the Planets are in a continuall peregrination , but there are in Heaven fixed Stars also , which , because haply they are more noble , are superiour to the other , and consequently nearer the throne of the Almighty ; These Nuns then , who to serve God are always permanent in one place , like the fixed Stars , may more than any other mortalls comfort themselves with an assurance that they are nearer God. The beauteous Maiden sighed at these words , and then answered : God , I deny not , dwels nearer to the fixed Stars , but not to desperate souls ; And now you discover your self to be a stranger , that you are not acquainted with our condition . The cruelty of our Parents , and the rigour of our destiny hath pend us in here for ever , the Church of Rome concurring hereunto by admitting any pretext whatsoever , bear with me Sir , that I speak thus . It is a hard fate to be born to a perpetuall prison , while it is seen that all other living creatures have the whole World to solace themselves in ; And that Prison , which it seems the very infants fly from , when they sally out of their Mothers wombs before they have as it were any sense of life , we are constrainde to endure , after that nature hath given us the perfect use of our sense , and life , and the knowledge of our miseries ; The destiny of that mortall must needs be a hard one who is born to live in restles infelicity . This Cloyster , which surrounds our Liberty , is not , as you imagine , a Paradise ; for in Paradise there dwels no discontentment ; It is rather a Hell wherein the flames of inextinguible desire the naturall affections of our humanity are condemned to be tortured every minute . I will not stand to expresse the cause why our Parents are so inhumanly cruell unto us , for it is too well known , that for to spare that dowry which is due to our Sex , they condemne us twixt these walls , to be deprived for ever of any worldly delight , for no other cause , but because we are born Women , yet you must know , that the shutting us thus by force between these stones , cannot deprive us of those carnall affections which may well be covered but not quench'd in that religious habit that you see about us ; Nor can this kind of life conduce to Heaven , considering ther 's no concurrence of the will , which is so acceptable to the all-knowing Lord , we are rather destinated to an Abisse , by a course clean contrary to our genius , being bereft also of that common privilege , which other souls use to have to go to Hell what way they please . In ancient times it was the custom to slay the Victimes first , and then Sacrifice them to God , because haply the principall seat of the corporeall affections lying in the blood , 't was not held convenient to offer his Divine Majesty any holocaust , which was not first purg'd by effusion of that bloud from all earthly passions ; But this is not observ'd in us by our Parents , who do make Sacrifices of us with all our blood and passions about us , then , how can we believe that it is gratefull to God Almighty ? and being not gratefull to him , consider what despair our souls are plung'd in , which see themselfs shut out of the world here , without any assurance of Heaven herafter in regard we have not power to extinguish our naturall affections , and so are in danger to precipitate our selfes headlong into Hell through a kind of suppos'd innocence . If Christ died to reduce us to such a hard condition , oh how better were it for us that he had not died . Be not offended O stranger at the words , for the tongues of the damned can bring forth nothing but blasphemies : yet we know that Christ hath no hand in this our hard condition , for his death had for its principall object the freedom and enlargement of souls , not their captivity . The Popes are most in fault , by yeelding to the cruell covetousnes of our Parents to transvert the Keys of Paradise into the Keys of a Prison . It was not Christ , no , it was the impiety of Herod , that by reason of the humanation of our Saviour caus'd so many innocents to be slain . Behold , we are in a case equall to theirs , because we being yet innocent children under the mark of holines , we are segregated and cut off from the society of the living , ther being no difference twixt us and them , but they dye before Buriall , and we are buried before Death . Nor can our innocency , or our fears Prevaile any thing , nor are those privileges sufficient which nature hath granted these faces of ours ( for which peradventure you stiled us Angells ) to implore from others pity and succour , having found the Church of Rome so ingratefull , while we consider that the time was when St. Peter was freed by an Angell out of prison , but now clean contrary Angells are cast into prison by the successors of S. Peter . But whither doth violence of just passion transport me thus to rave ? Helas , the name of Angell doth not suit with our condition , and l●…sse with our operations : For although we are brought innocents hither , yet we cannot preserve our selfes long in this Monastique life from the motions of desperat passions ; The Religion which clasp'd us in here is not ador'd , but detested by som of us , vanity and faeminine wantonnes is here in the height ; Here dwels curiosity in excess , and desire of knowledge in worldly matters without end ; Ambition , Envy , Discord , and Hatred , is never wanting among us : Lastly her's observ'd neither Constitution , Law or Vow , but out of pure necessity and unavoidable violence . But what shall I say of that Maiden-chastity for the conservation whereof we are principally penn'd in here ? I leave that for you to imagine , it being not permitted to femal modesty to make any further expressions in this kind ; I only tell you this , that we procure all means possible to outrage and abuse it , and not without reason , for if this Chastity hath been the principall thing that hath retrench'd our liberties in this maner , we ought to aym and bend our chiefest forces to be reveng'd of our chiefest enemy . And here this beauteous Nun blush'd , and broke the thread of her Discours . I confess unto you O holy Paul , that if I had a breast capable of terrene affections , I wold doubtles have tenderly resented the misery of this discontented soul ; but compassion is vain , where ther 's no power to comfort ; therfore I held it expedient to take my leave , that I might not imbitter her passions any further ; so at my departure , I said , When I came in hither , Oh most beauteous Nuns , I look'd upon you as on so many Seraphins , but hearing the state of your hard condition , I find you to be the unhappiest creatures that live under the Law of Christ. Wer it permitted me for to help you , I promise you I wold batter down these walls and give you that liberty which others take from you ; but since 't is not lawfull for any to do so , comfort your selfs at least that Heaven is reserv'd for your suffrances . And although you protest not to suffer for Christ , yet Christ is so mercifull , that he can give beatitudes to those Cyreneans who cary his Cross though forc'd therunto ; And I dare assure you , that if you cannot gain Heaven as Virgins , you shall gain it at least as Martyrs . S. Paul afterwards going on in his Journey arrives at last at Rome , before the gates wherof he meets with an Angell in a melancholy posture , who was the Gardien Angell of Urban the 8. therfore he making himself known to him begins to expostulat with him why he had abandon'd the care of the Popes person , wherunto the Angell made this Answer . I Stand here , O holy Paul , to gard the Gates of this City , because it is not in my power to preserve the soul of Urban ; it is impossible to bridle his Caprichios , nor can any Angelicall strength do it ; I have tryed al imaginable meanes to reduce him to the way of reson , but cannot do it ; therfore I will expose no longer the Divine Inspirations to scorn , but I intend to take my ●…light to Heaven to give God an account of the deviations of his soul , and to supplicat afterwards that he will be pleasd to disburden me of the weight of so heavy a charge , which hath in a maner perturbd the whole peace of my Evangelicall state ; It is a great happines for holy Paul to be made an Angel , but he who knew how heavy the Ministry of garding humane soules is wherin we Angells are employd , specially when we encounter refractory humors in a soul , as in that of Urbans , he wold peradventure more esteem the happines of man , who having travelld but one age only in this lower World , goes afterwards to enjoy without any disturbance the repose of Heaven : But I repine not at the state of others , yet you well know that he must needs be somwhat movd who finds he cannot serve his own Lord as he desires : You , who have had the incumbency to instruct peeple , and convert whole Nations , know it by experience how uncouth it is to observe the humors of men . And now that you have understood the grounds of my grievances , tell me freely whether I complain without cause , for perchance God hath sent you hither either to check me , or comfort me . The twentieth yeer runns now on that Urban the 8. holds the Papacy , whence one may easily calculat how few yeers are left behind , if it be tru what 's commonly spoken , that no Pope shall see as many daies as Peter ; But if I may unfold my thoughts , I do beleeve that he who spoke those words seemd to prophecy , that none shall see the Church of God in that state of Christian perfection as it was in the daies of Peter ; But be it as it will , the more yeers com on , the faster evry man runns to that pitt which is the center wher all Mortalls terminat their cours , being drawn down by the weight of that Earth wherof Humanity is composd : Most commonly old men when they com to such a period of yeers use to check within themselfs those spiritts which in their youth were usd to lash out into a thousand inordinat passions , endeavouring , being now as it were abandond by the World , to acquire unto themselfs by meanes of a tru repentance som sort of shelter in the Sanctuary of Divine grace which is ever redy to receave all those that are forlorn ; But be astonishd , O Paul , Urban the 8. the older he growes , the more loose he leaves the reignes to his own senses , and the neerer he approcheth death , the further he goeth from good operations : He excessively loves the plesure of his Nephews , nor doth he study any thing but what aymes at their interest : He seldom reflects upon the incumbency of his charge , and if at any time som flying thoughts represent unto him his own duty , he discerneth well that a kind of relation passeth twixt the Papacy and his Person , yet he flattereth himself with this fond conceit , that the Papacy is more bound to serve his Person , than his Person the Papacy : He detests in the extreme the memory of his excesses , the most effectuall meanes wherby the garding Angells use to tame the prowdest soules ; He will not as much as think on death , or if somtimes he is brought to think on t , by converting the physick into poyson , he applies his cogitations presently in ruminating how he may aggrandize his house before he goes . If I should tell you how often I found him chimerising within himself how he might make it possible to render the Popedom electif , and to depend no more upon the Consistory , but solely upon the person regnant , that he might establish it in his posterity , you would be amazed at those extravagant imaginations that possesse the mind , even of the Vicar of Christ. But would God were pleasd , that such wishes did terminat altogether in the vanity of the designe , They end commonly in more practicall resolutions , to drain the patrimony of Saint Peter for to enrich their own houses with the spoiles of the holy Church . But the avidity of Urban stops not here , He little esteems the millions of Gold purloynd from the Altar , to leave his Nephews the possession of an independent Principality , wher they may lay up the unsecurd tropheys of their own rapines ; Ther was ever yet in the World a greater nomber of those who wish to be Princes than Principalities themselves . Hence it comes , that to purchase these from the tenacious hands of others , there must be force necessarily usd , because hardly any reasons can be found , which may perswade the mind of man to lay down voluntarily the right of a free dominion ; which makes Urban the 8. being transported by his passions to machinat violent means for to invest his Nephews in another Princes Estate . I could tell you som further designs and fury of his . He accounts often upon the Kingdom of Naples , but he finds the enterprise to be fuller of desire than hopes ; He thinks upon the Dutchy of Milan , lending his eare unto the glozing offers of som Minister of a Tramontane Crown , but he dares not trust to that , for if others should intervene , he cannot leave all to the Barberini . He fixd his eyes upon Lucca , but perceiving it a petty State , he doubts whether the benefit will countervaile the charge . He hath a months mind to Mirandola , but being feudetary to the Empire , and a place that breeds som jealousy twixt the neighbouring Princes , he is afraid to draw Germany or Lombardy on his back . Lastly , he turns his eyes to Parma , and this enterprize being made lesse difficult by the advantage of som pretences , he purposes to deprive the poor Duke ( beginning with Castro ) of all his possessions . I put him in mind how much it did misbecom Bishops , and other Prelats of the holy Church , who make profession of a life differing from Sword-men , to change the Crosier into Musket-rests , Rochets into Corslets , and their Miters to Murrions . I put before his eyes the scandall that would redound to all Christendome therby , the scorn that Infidells would conceive of it , and the danger the Church should incur , foretold by our Saviour , who positively warneth that every Kingdom divided in it self hath its dissolution near at hand : But it is to beat the Aire , to tell Urban of all this , which hath everything for his aime , but the indemnity of the Church . Finding that these arguments were of little force , I applyed unto him the spur of nature , alleging that the events of War were dubious and dangerous , to raise in him therby some apprehensions of fear , which commonly takes place in old mens breasts ; But nature could prevaile little , reason lesse , and the inspiration of an Angell nothing at all over the hair-braind humors of Urban . He who now entreth Rome , may see a Pope turn'd Armiger , now in his decrepit times , one that takes up Armes then , when he should meditate how to lay down his life to nature ; And which is worse , he thinks all this to be according to the dictamen of reason , so that Vrban the Eighth never doth that which he believes , but believes in that which he doth , insomuch that at the same time when he tears Italy to pieces , and snatcheth the state of another , he publisheth his actions to be right , his intentions holy , and that all tends to the service of God , and the object of good ; as if the formality of good in his Idea were different from that which is in the opinion of other men . But I omit many extravagances wherwith this capricious soul hath abusd my last patience . Once he setled a resolution within himself , not to give any satisfaction at all to the Princes of Christendome , notwithstanding , that I often put him in mind that this was the basis whereon was founded the conservation of Christian obedience . Another time he resolved to create no more Cardinalls , it may be to merit the more of the Church of God by abolishing so perverse a generation ; but he repented himself afterwards of this , for no other reason , but because I opposd him in this resolution . If a tutelar Angell can suffer greater contempts , tell me , O thou Apostle of God ? I find that the reputation of Angelicall custody is too much engagd in continuing to stand about him thus : Therfore in despair of his amendment , I have given over all care of his person that I should not delay my return to Heaven . Saint Paul having understood the complaints of the Tutelar Angell of Urban , enters Rome , but an accident befell him which enforcd him to fly , and as he was going along another Angell comes in his way , whom he encounters with these expressions . YOu come , O Heavenly Messenger , peradventure to charge me from his Divine Majesty that I should avoid Rome : Behold how I have left her already before your comming ; for divine inspirations forerun the very flight of Angells : But now that I am come out of Rome , let 's repose a while , and I wil relate unto you the unexpected cause of my hasty departure . You know , O Angell of God , that I was sent from Heaven to Earth to hear the complaints of Mortalls , and to form a proces against this adulterons naughty Spouse : I lighted to this purpose in many places , wher having fully understood by all degrees of people her dissolute deportments , to confirm with mine own eyes what came from other tongues , I resolvd at last to come to the City of Rome it self . I passd too and fro at first in the froc of a Frier , There , as I went through a little blind Hamlet , I was calld in to confesse a dying Cardinall , which gave me warning , that the habit descrying me to be a religious person , t was likely , that entring so to Rome , I might ( according to the custome ) be questiond for the Patent of my Orders , or the License of my Superiours ; I hereupon to evade the telling of any lye , held it expedient to lay down the Froc and take my Sword : So I came into Rome intending to lodge in some Covent of Friers , who being usd to thrust themselves into worldly affaires more than the Seculars themselves , I thought I could there very leisurely have a free and exact information of all things , specially because the freedom of speech is retird now into Cloisters for more security , in regard of the extream rigour which is usd to punish those who speak any thing against the Court. The Monastery where I was lodgd was famous for the study of Letters , and so it was frequented by many Learned men ; But the greatest concours was of Strangers , who so abound in Rome of all Nations where desiring to know what conceit Forrenners had of that Church , I disputed often upon some point of Religion : There happened to come thither a Turk , rather to hear , as I imagine , the noise of the disputation , than to inform his judgment ; so I askd him his opinion of Christian Religion , wherunto beyond all expectation , he answered thus . Amongst the Turks it is held for certain that God doth favour those people most , where he is truly ador'd ; so , from the prosperity of the Turkish Empire , we inferr , that our faith is good , and the observance of it not displeasing to God. Touching the Christians Religion , we have an opinion , that she was not naught , untill she was adulterated , and made naught by Christians themselves : But in the state she is now in this City , we believe her to be abhominable to God Almighty , specially since we see that of late she goes annihilating and mouldring away by little and little , by her own inward and endlesse discords . Such was the conclusion of the Turk , which made me , I confesse , to marvell not a little , while I observed , that even those who professe not much knowledge , can deduce from far-fetchd Principles Consequences so near the truth . Having had his opinion , I went on in making a further scrutiny , and I fell to expostulate with a Greek , who was usd to repair to Rome for the opportunity of studying in Clementine Colledg , who answered to my interrogatories thus . The Roman and Greek Churches are Sisters issued from one Father , but the Greek is the first born , and I know not by what wiles the Roman came to take away her birthright . For this cause they live in most grievous disgusts one with another ; But the one enjoyes the possession of all her Paternall goods , wheras the other lives as Esau did excluded , and under the dominion of another . Touching the particular customes of the Roman Church , I say nothing ; for the that censures her in this City , shews he knows not his own danger , And he who approves her carriage , understands not the Law of Christ. With such words the Greek satisfied my demands . As touching the opportunity which was offered me to mingle speech with a Frenchman upon the same subject , I understood his conceit thus . The name of the Church is reverenced by a great part of the Kingdome of France , but the wisedom of our Governors hath never permitted the Pope to extend that excesse of pre-dominion beyond the Alps , which he doth exercise in Italy ; for our policy is supported by particular Gallican rites : And the reason is , because the French being naturally impatient , and now that nere halfe France ( to withdraw it self from under the Roman yoak ) is infected with Heresy , certainly if the Pope should exercise upon the Consciences of that spritfull people the tyranny he doth exercise in Italy , the rest of that great Kingdome would fall from him quite . Such were the expressions of the Frenchman , which did stir in me a curiosity by way of opposition , to hear what the Spaniard would say . Nor was it difficult for me to obtain my desire , by meeting with a Nobleman of Sevill , who frequented the same Convent , I entred into his friendship , and he rendred me satisfied by such discours . Friend , to serve you I will speak beyond the customes of this Nation , with all ingenuity of heart : The reverence which the Spaniards do professe to the Roman Church , may be considered in two manners , inward and outward : If you ask me of the inward reverence , suppose it to be not unlike that of other people who have full knowledge of her Customes ( The Spaniards being of a genius apt to esteem things as they are in value ) But if you ask me of the outward reverence , knew , that the Spanish Nation in extern appearance shew themselves very observant of the Roman Church , because that having found her alwaies most partiall to the interests of their Crowns , they hold themselves obligd by termes of gratitude to correspond with her at least in outward observance . My King knows well how available for depressing of the suspected greatnes of his Subjects hath bin the pretext of the holy inquisition : He lives mindfull of that promptitude shewd in the Court of Rome , to deny an absolution to the House of Bourbon , untill he had conformd himself to the Austrian satisfaction ; And lastly he knows how much to this very howr the pragmaticall Iesuits have serv'd him to dilate in evry part , ( with their own advantage ) the bounds of the Castilian Empire ; So that in contemplation of all these respects , the Spaniards hold themselfs oblig'd to reverence the Roman-Church , in exterior appearance at least , though she were far wors than she is . Here the Spaniard did terminat his censure , while my diligence , which desisted not to procure all punctuall advertisements brought me to discourse with an English-man , who gave this modest Answer : Sir , I am a declared Enemy of the Roman Church , therfore , I presume , my words can gain no credit with you ; but if you desire to know what respects this Church finds Northward , read our Doctors and perchance your curiosity will be fully satisfied . Thus O Angell of God , I endeavour'd in Rome to bring to perfection the Proces which was committed to my charge against the adultrous spouse ; And passing one Morning by a Church , where they wer casting out a Devill , I went in because of the noise , and then the ill Spirit knew my person , and began to cry out , her 's S. Paul , her 's S. Paul ; Truly he is com in an ill time from Heaven , to view the state of that Church for which he shed so much sweat ; good Saint , what motives brought him to this lower World ? was it to see how his labours fructified ? Ah , the pure grains of that Doctrine which his eloquence sow'd in the Vineyard of the Lord are turn'd to tares , and becom food for ravenous Birds such as these are , who stand about me now , to disconjure me with their hideous noise . Upon this cry the Priests began to fix their looks upon me , wherupon , fearing to be discovered , I softly rotir'd ; but the words took such impressions in the mind of the Exorcist , that he did conjure the Spirit by violent threats to manifest who I was , who being not able to resist the violence confess'd I was S. Paul , who by resumption of humane shape ( he knew not why ) wandred now upon Earth ; The Priest had no sooner knowledge herof , but he presently found means to give notice to the Pope ; A little after , my lodging being found out by spies ( wherof ther are a multitude in Rome ) I suddenly perceiv'd a Courtier making towards me , and breathing out these words ; O holy Paul , in the name of Urban the Eight I com to do you reverence ; He is well informed of the condition of your being here : He earnestly desires that you would be pleas'd to favour his House with your presence , for he is ambitious to have a stranger of so high a quality for his Guest . The Courtier spoke to me , O Angell of God , thus in very proper phrase ; for in these times Saints use to be call'd strangers in the state Ecclesiastique ; whither I was astonish'd or no to see my self thus surpriz'd and discover'd , judge you ; I thank'd his Beatitude in the best manner I could , for his courteous offer , and excus'd my self not to be able to receive that honour , in regard I was of necessity to depart from Rome within a a few howres : when I had disintangled my self thus from the Courtier , I call'd my thoughts to counsell , and feeling , that my heart did presage me som sinister accident , I resolved upon flight ; and I was gon but few paces further , when the same Courtier came again and told me thus ; Urban the Eighth , O holy Paul , doth remand me to you , to second his first invitation , but if in case you are resolv'd not to grace his Palace with your presence , I have order to propose another request unto you : In your Epistles we read , O Apostle of God , certain passages which manifestly contradict the humors of our holy Father Urban the Eighth , he prays you to mend them , because it is not fitting that Paul should ga●…nsay the will of Peters successor : And if you desire to know which are those passages , one among the rest is , that , Let every soul be subject to the higher powers . Urban the Eighth would , that from this universall proposition the souls of Popes should be exempted ; He thinking it not fitting that the Popes shold be subordinate to any other Law , but that of their own affections and fancy , for so their actions shold not be censur'd by every sensles man , as they are ever and anon now adayes ; His Holines also much desires , that the words be utterly expung'd , which assigning to every Bishop his own incumbencys , do speak in particular , Diaconos habeant non turpe lucrum facientes , Let them have Deacons not given to base lucre . These periods displease in a high measure Urban the Eighth , for he of necessity must have about him his Nephew Cardinalls and to grow rich . Here the Courtier stop'd , when I poor Paul fell to discours with my self thus : See , thou art in danger to be entrappd , notwithstanding that thou hast been confirm'd in the state of grace , but what could be expected lesse in Rome ? perceiving at last that he attended no answer , I put my self to reason with him thus : O Papall messenger , the busines which you propound to me , is of no light moment ; for he who is tender of his own repute , cannot be easily induced to unsay himself ; you know that my Doctrin hath run through the World till this day without alteration , Now what will people say to see it now differ from times past ! And who will not perswade himself that the alteration proceeds rather from the caprichio of some convicted Hereticks , than from Pauls Pen. Moreover to what purpose will it be to vary Apostolicall Doctrins , when the Popes without any regard to them do operat still according to their own fancies ? But now that his Beatitude doth desire this superfluous alteration , I will not faile to serve him in the best maner that God shall inspire me . The Courtier departed with this answer , which he took for a promise ; but I to reserve my self to execute what God had injoyn'd me did immediately fly away from Rome , being warn'd from Heaven so to do . I was scarce out of the Citty , when I remembred to have left my Sword behind , and being in suspense with my self , whether I shold return to fetch it or no , I spyed coming after me , one who was also a forrener in the same Convent where I had lodgd , and had often shewed me arguments of love , who coming near me , cryed out , friend , begon , begon , I come after you of purpose to tell you , that you were scarce gon , but another Courtier came to seek you , and inform'd of your flight , he carried news therof to the Pope , and a little after the Pope himself came to your lodging , who finding not your person , took away your Sword , saying in a kind of choler , that if Pauls Pen refuse to serve him his Sword shall . This Sword shall force Princes to bend and bow at my feet ; This , this shall conserve Castro , subdu Parma , and shew the world that ther is no necessity of reason , where the edge of a brandishing Sword shall make a way . Giving thousand thanks to my frend , who knew not what Paul nor what Sword the Pope spake of , I took my leave of him , and continued my flight , being troubled in my thoughts , that my arms shold be left in such a hand which imployes them for the service of his own tyrannicall affections to the universall scandall of Christianity . If it were possible , O Angell of God , to bend him to the voyce of the Almighty , I could wish you to go and inspire him to peace ; But Urban hath too too refractory a soul ; therfore I hold it more expedient , that you wold please to diffuse your inspirations amongst the Princes of Italy , to incite them to take out of his hands these Armes , which were taken from me without reason , and are now drawn out against them without justice . To this end I have fram'd a Letter , addressed to the Italian Princes wherunto I held it not much necessary to affix my name , because it is known already I am on Earth , and it is of this tenor . URban the Eighth , O Princes , transported with the violence of an unknown wrath , took possession of my Sword , of purpose to make use of it against the quietnes of your States ; If you will not resolve to take it out of his hands , I doe exhort you in the name of the Divine Majesty to do it , because it is not fit , that that blade which is designed for the conversion of Infidells , should be stained in your blood ; Nor let that idle scruple amuse you , that he is your shepheard , for the true shepheards do guide their flocks with gentle wands not with weapons . Remember that Isaac suffered himself to be slain with the hands of his Father , to be sacrificed to God , not to the fury and passion of his Father . And S. Peter left a Fishers knife behind him to be us'd against Fish , which are not creatures of our element . Encourage your selfs therefore by his Counsell and mine , neither think yee the designe difficult , for although Urban seem furious , yet he that is not habituated to handle weapons may easily let loose his hold . God inspire your hearts , and prosper your resolutions . This is the tenor O Angell of God of this Letter , which I beseech you to carry ( with your inspirations ) to the hearts of Christian Princes . I in the interim , before I return to Heaven , must go and visit Ierusalem , to kiss that place again , wher the very inanimate stones being more gratefull than Men , keep yet fresh the memory of Divine Mercy . THe aforesayd Confederacy being made between the Princes of Italy in behalf of the Duke of Parma , his spirits were so heightned therby , specially the Republic of Venice being engagd therin , that he put spurrs to his Horse , and entred like a whirlwind into the Papall Territories , finding no opposition at all in his passage ; He incamped the first night not far from Urban Fort , whence Don Taddeo the Nephew had got away upon the newes of his march ; From the felicity of this beginning his heart being elevated , he resolves to push on his fortunes to the very walls of Rome ; All Forts , and Townes at his approch did open their gates to receave him rather for a frend than a foe ; And although the Countrey could not choose but be damnified by the march of such a tumultuary sudden unfurnish'd Army , yet as one observ'd , the Vassals of the Ecclesiastic state are so accustomed to hard usage from their own Governors , that the domages of forren troops seem'd but light unto them ; yet ther were such strict rigid injunctions , and martiall comands given out for regulating the Army that none durst commit any rapin or outrage under pain of life . The Duke with these inexpected successes advanced towards the walls of Rome with 3000 well appointed horse , which caus'd a great deal of confusion and terror in the Citty ; Pope Urban , with the Cardinalls and chiefest of the Roman Inhabitants , retir'd to the Castle of S. Angelo , where for more security they stowed their tresure , and richest moveables ; Thus that Rome which in times pass'd , could look Hanniball , and the Gaules in the face , doth now shake as it were into a quivering Palsie at the approch of 3000 horse only which came to vindicat the quarrell of the Farneses ; In this confusion ther was not one wold propose the facing of the insolent enemy , evry one be took himself to stand on his gard , and the defensive part ; Evry gate look'd like a Diocesse having som Bishop appointed to keep it ; Herupon Pope Urban sent Cardinall Spada to propound a Trety with the Duke , which Negotiation was carried so politiquely that it took effect , and so a truce was agreed upon for the present ; so the Duke of Parma return'd , having reap'd no other fruit by this march , but the name to have displayed his Colours almost in the face of Rome ; which , as the most serious sort of men were of opinion , became him least of any Prince in regard he was a Vassall of the Church , his Progenitors having receav'd such temporall possessions from Her. This little War produc'd good effects in Italy at last , for it took off afterwards various sorts of discontentments , these temporall Armes took off the censures of the spirituall Armes under which divers Princes lay ; For by the vigorous interposition of France a Trety was to be held at Venice , where the Dukes of Parma and Modena came in person , and Cardinall Bichi , a person par negotio , being a moderat grave prudent man came as Plenipotentiary from the Pope , who in the conduct of this busines carried himself with that dexterity and height of wisdom , that in one afternoon he made an end of all differences ; The Signorie of Venice was to have her ancient Elogium set up in the Sala Regia in the Vatican , It was to be renew'd , and inscrib'd in a larger Table ; The Duke of Florence was to have the Excomunication taken off , and for the future , the Churchmen shold be subject to new impositions as well as the laity , provided that his Holines be acquainted ther with before hand , and his consent had ; the Duke of Modena was absolv'd from the spirituall censures , and got the Gabells of som places in right to the Duchy of Ferrara ; The Duke of Parma had the Church censures taken off of him , and got further time for the repayment of his arreares putting in caution accordingly ; Lastly the little Republic of Luca fish'd so well in these troubled waters , that she also got her-self absolv'd from the Church censures which lay upon her : Thus the Italian like a wise Nation compos'd in a short time so many differences that perturb'd the public peace , which was don by the sage management of the Venetian , as allso by the discreet comportment of the aforesayed Plenipotentiary Cardinall Bichi a Sienese born , a kind of War having lasted above two yeers , in all which time ther were not 200. men lost in all , which argues that the Italian is more parsimonious of his bloud , and more carefull of his life , than either German , French or English who in their civill Wars have lost I cannot tell how many thousands in a far shorter time especially the last , which shews that they are not so indulgent of nature , and of that image which God Almighty hath imprinted upon man , as the Italian . NOt long after that the Republic of Venice had got out of these bryars , & that principally by her intervention the Pope and the Italian Princes were reconcild , an illfavourd black cloud began to engender against her in the Levant , the Mahumetan Moon appeerd red , and her hornes very sharp , which portended windy and tempestuous wether as it happend afterwards and continueth so to this day ; The vapor that went to condense this hideous clowd issued first from the Knights of Malta , who had taken at Sea som Gallies and Caramusalls that carried passengers upon a Pilgrimage to Mecha , among whom was one of Ibraims Sultana's , and another of the Ottoman race . The Malteses having made prize of them , arriv'd afterwards in Candy where they found reception and frendly entertainment as was usuall . Ibriam the great Turk upon news herof storm'd mightily , and rag'd so far that he vow'd a revenge ; Therupon he sent for the Christian Ambassadors that resided at that time in the Port , relating unto them by the mouth of his Visier what affronts he had receiv'd of the Malteses , and that he wold peck that little scabb of an Island into the bottom of the Sea , disguising his displesure all the while he bore against the Venetians , who was more in his thoughts ; so a great Fleet was provided against Malta as was given out , though his aym was against Candy ; St. Sackvile Crow then Ambassador in Constantinople for the King of great Britain , had such choice intelligence that he acquainted the Venetian Bailio herof , and writ allso to the late Earl of Arundell who was then in Padua to give advice herof to the Senat , that the Turk arm'd for Candy : but the Senat having no notice therof from their own Bailio made no account of the intelligence , wherin the World adjudg'd Venice to com far short of her wonted circumpection ▪ For that Sommer the Turks with a formidable Fleet and Land-Army did in a maner surprize Canea the second Port of Candy , coming with such a resolution as if they came to meet a Victory and not expect one ; The newes herof being brought to Ibraim it puff'd him up very much , though he was over-heard to mutter , That if he overcame so often he shold lose all at last , for above 50000 Turks , wherof the third part were Ianizaries , perish'd in that expedition . The next Sommer the Bassa of Bosnia tumbled into Dalmatia with a great land Army , but he was repell'd with much vigor , so that in regard he did no exploit , he was sent for to Constantinople , wher Ibraim caus'd him to be strangled . The Republic being now sadly engag'd in a War against so potent an enemy , betook Her-self to Her Prayers more fervently , making a vow to build a Chappell to Saint Lorenzo , a holy man , who had liv'd about 400 yeers since in Venice , which She perform'd with much magnificence . The next Sommer She had notable successe against the Turk in Dalmatia in divers places , and made Her-self Mistresse of Clissa a place of mighty strength , and much consequence ; being frontire twixt Bosnia and Dalmatia ; The Baron of Dagenfelt was employed by the Republic in Dalmatia , but in this expedition of Clissa Generall Foscolo , Count Schotto , and Proveditor Georgio were chief ; Mehemet Bei Sangiac of Clissa after the Articles of rendition were concluded , was to send four Hostages whereof Filippovich was chief , who after fled away , whereupon the Sangiac himself stood for him and sent a Letter of this humble tenor to Foscolo . TO the most mercifull , and preordain'd by God to all good fortune , the most excellent Lord Generall of the Venetians , the most humble reverence of Master Mehemet Bei Sangiac of Clissa . After that we had tasted of your Excellencies grace , and concluded the Trety , Filippovich hath betray'd us , whose face ought for ever to freeze with shame , but his base flight hath not only stain'd his own honor , but it hath allso don us much wrong ; if you think that I had any hand in his escape , I stand to your mercy , for we are all in your hands , and I will be responsible for the fugitif . I attend your answer , and God exalt you to higher honors . At the taking of this Town the Christian Soldiers were so flesh'd in bloud , and heated for losses they had formerly receav'd , for a great many of the Morlacchi perish'd in the action , that the Generall could not hold them within the bounds of obedience , but they fell furiously upon the Turks after they had entred the Town , and hack'd them to peeces , notwithstanding the Articles to the contrary . Generall Foscolo being got into the Town planted the Venetian Standard in the Market place , and then kneeling upon the Turkish Banners , he heard Masse sayd by the Archbishop of Scutari , and afterwards Te Deum was solemnly Sung , and so lowd that the very Heavens ecchoed with the sound . 700 Ianizaries were slain and above 300 wounded in this siege , and about 200 Christians . Ther was a great debate in the Senat at Venice touching Clissa , whether she shold still stand or be demolish'd , they who perswaded a demolition usd these arguments . That Clissa though never so famous and well fortified yet was she known to be expugnable , insomuch that the Turk might recover her by the same meanes as the Venetian got her ; That Ibraim finding his greatnes to be eclipsd herby , wold venture all his forces to regain her ; Or that happly the Turkish Army might leave her behind and march on to Spalato or Tragurio , and so cut off all succors from her ; That in case a peace ensued , Clissa must be rendred , therfore to bestow any money to fortifie Her was superfluous ; The Venetian tresure shold be employd to strengthen her own Forts , and not the enemies ; lastly , that it stood more with the prudence of the Republic to conserve rather than conquer . They of the contrary opinion alleg'd that Clissa was allwayes esteem'd a thing inexpugnable for her situation , as allso for the valour of the puissant State that now holds her ; that she hath repell'd in former times an Army of 20000 Combatants , that she stood very conveniently to stave off the Turk from rushing into Dalmatia ; Moreover it wold tend to the dishonor of the Republic to raze Clissa , in regard the World will judg that she did it for want of strength or courage to preserve her ; That Venice was us'd to shew her power not only upon the ruines , but allso within the fortifications of the enemy ; That the keeping of Clissa will render a peace more easy ; That the Soldiers wold lose the comfort they use to receave in a conquer'd place , &c. This second opinion prevayl'd , therfore Monsieur d'Amur with other Engineers were presently sent to fortifie the Town of Clissa according to the modern Rules . As by Land , so by Sea allso the Republic bore up stoutly and successfully against her formidable Foe this yeer , for meeting with a great Fleet of Turkish Gallies and Mahoons in the Egean Sea , she chas'd them into the Bay of Foggia ( Phocis of old ) where som English Ships , and a Scottish Vessell did her som signall service ; for the Turkish Fleet having fled into the bottom of the Bay , the Ianizaries ran ashore , insomuch that the Captain Aga set out a Proclamation , wherin he promised such a reward for any that wold bring the Head of a dead Ianizary , or his living Body : Had the Venetian Fleet poursued the Turks into the bottom of the Bay , in all probability they might have don the Turks much mischief at this conjuncture of time ; but it seems the Generalls Comission extended not so far , and Venice loves to have her Comissions punctually observ'd . The Sommer following the Republic did hold the great Turks Nose so close to the Grindstone , that his Gallies durst not peep out of the Dardanelli into the Egean Sea ; yet hath he powr'd new forces since into Canea by the Gallies of Rhodes , Sio , Cyprus and Negrepont . This War hath bin very expencefull to St. Mark , and drain'd much both of his Tresure and Arsenall , the one of Money , the other of Amunition ; But the Tresure and Arsenall of Venice may be sayed to be like the Sea ( wherin they stand ) who notwithstanding the perpetuall emission of Waters , yet no diminution is discern'd in him , besides if he lose one way , he getts another way ▪ This potent Enemy hath put the Republic to extraordinary wayes of raysing Money by Lotteries , sale of Honors and Offices , by revokement & pardoning of Banditi , &c. Insomuch that though her Bank hath been shutt for a while , 't is now open again , ajusted and regulated and of as high repute as ever . Genoa her Sister Republic , and old Emulatix wold furnish her with Money and ten Auxiliary Gallies if she wold stoop to treat Her in equality with Her-self , by the name of Serenissima , which 't is thought she will do in these pressures , for he is a cheap frend that 's got by a complement . Besides , the Jesuitts offer Her a vast sum of Money of late to be readmitted , to which end the King of Polands Brother , who is of the Society himself , is lately sent to negotiat with her , but they write that he hath but a cold employment of it . Thus have we drawn at length the History of Venice in the smallest thread we could and freest from thrumbs , the Author being a profess'd enemy to superfluities , and immateriall circumstances ; We will now proceed to display som other singularities , for the white at which we aym in this peece , is to make the Reader thoroughly acquainted with this Mayden Republic . A Discours of the Interests of the Republic of VENICE , with the rest of the States of Italie . HAving bin a Guest so long to this hospitable Mayd ( the Cittie of Venice ) and traversd Her Torritories up and down , it will not be amisse to give a short visit to som of her Italian Neighbours , and look a little upon their differing aymes of policy , as they relate to other States , specially to the Monarchies of Spain and France , which may be termd the two great Axletrees wheron the power of this part of the World doth turn . THe Pope being a mighty temporall Prince as well as spirituall , and having a great stroke in most of the Cou●…ts and Councells of Christendom , in regard of the authority he is allowd to have over the Consciences and Soules of men , is first to be considered ; He knowing that other Princes cannot gain much of him , and that first or last they must cast up what they have taken from him , takes not much care , nor useth to beat any great charge to fortifie his Frontires ; His power is safest by keeping the power of other Princes in their due proportion , and that it may not out-balance ; to which end he hath often changd his cours of policy , and crossd the designes of the King of Spain ( though covertly ) fearing that if he shold swell too bigg he might be brought at last to be but his Chaplain ; he hath allso dealt so with France more than once . Alexander the 6. who opposd the first ambitious motions of the French , was one of the chiefest instruments that fram'd and fomented the Ligue , driving back again the ▪ other side the Hills Charles the 8. restoring the Arragonians to the Kingdom of Naples , following heerin the tru interest of the Apostolic See not to permit any power to grow over-great ; yet afterward he betook himself again to the frendshipp of the French , making a Bridg for Lewis the 12. to invade the Kingdom of Naples , and the Duchy of Milan , hoping by the same Forces to represse the contumacie of the Vicarii della Romagna , and della Marca , and out of their ruines to erect a Colosse for the future greatnes of Cesar Borgia . Iulius the second favourd at first the designes of the French King , and putting all Italie in a flame he suscitated all the Princes of Christendom against the Venetian ; but summoning his second thoughts to councell , and foreseeing that upon the depression of the Republic of Venice he might be brought to depend upon the power of Forreners , he turnd his armes against the French , and drove them out of Italie , together with the Swisse , and the Spaniards . Leo the 10. being passionat for the advancement of his Family was somtimes a Partisan with France ▪ somtimes with Spain as his interests directed him . At first he sided with Francis the first , but afterwards he did confederat with Charles the 5. and employed the armes of the Church to chase away the French out of Milan . Clement the 7. having labourd in vain to make a truce of 5. yeers twixt Charles and Francis , and perceaving at last that the latter of the two was the stronger in Italie , he drew his own misfortune upon himself , by the sack of Rome ▪ and imprisonment of his person ; so that he was forc'd afterwards to comply with the ambition of Charls to exalt his Nephews . Paul the 3. kept awhile that spirit of indifferency , and freedom ▪ 〈◊〉 the Pope shold professo towards all , yet to rear up the grandeur of the Farneses , he covertly favord and somented the designes of Charles the Emperour to remove those obstacles which lay in the way twixt D. 〈◊〉 Lu●…gi and a Principality . I●…lius the 3. to cast Duke Octavio out of Parma being allready declar'd contumacious to the Church , and to settle therin Iohn Battista de 〈◊〉 his Nephew , sufferd himself to be hurld into a warr against France , but being weary of the excessive charge therof , and in despair of any good to be don , he returnd to his former indifferency : But Paul the 4. being too indulgent of his affections towards his Nephews , permitted himself to be transported upon vain hopes to an open warr with the King of Spain , procuring to this effect , that the truce did break twixt the two Crownes ; In which enterprise the successe did not answer his expectation , for had it not bin for the piety , and prudence of the Duke of Alva he had bin utterly ruind , for ther wanted very little that Rome had not felt the same Catastrophe that happend in the time of Clement the 7. The Civil Warrs of France then beginning to rage , and consequently that wonted power being taken away which usd to serve for a counterpoise to the greatnes of Spain , She grew therby to a greater height , and became Arbitresse of the affaires of Italie , in so much that the succeeding Bishopps had no oportunity offerd them to declare themselfs Partisans of the French , allthough som sparkles of these affections did break out somtimes ; So that for their own interests , and by the cunning conduct of the Spaniard , som of them by degrees came to be Dependents wholly upon that Crown ; And the Spaniard finding that their greatnes in Italie could not receave a sounder establishment , or shrewder shakings and shocks than by the frendship or enmitie with the Pope , He hath ever since essayed all kind of wayes to engage that Court unto him ; And when he waged any warr , though the merit of the cause was meer civill , yet he gave out t was for Religion , wherby he still engaged Rome to be his Partisan , as he did against the Germans , and English , and in favor of the Guysards . Nor was he short-handed in distributing his gifts up and down , with collation of honors upon their Nephewes , and other of their Favoritts , wherof he hath plenty in Naples and Calabria , which he enjoyes by paying a Heriot evry yeer : Nor is ther any Prince that 's tied in more observances to the Pope than the King of Spain , in regard that he payes him homage for most of his Kingdomes ; nor is the Pope of late yeers tied for more variety of respects to any Prince than to the Spaniard ; He complies also with the Colledg of Cardinalls , endeavouring mainly to have a strong party there to out poise the French ; though in the election of Urban the eighth , the last Pope , his power fayld him among them ; which Pope was Fleurdelizd all over having bin raysd by the French faction that then was predominant in the conclaves ; which made this pasquill among others , to be scatterd up and down , cur Petrus negat Dominum ? quia Gallus cantat . Nor was Urban the eighth averse only to the Spaniard , but to the whole house of Austria , in so much that when the Emperour sent to sollicit him for a sum of money to support the War against the Swed , and the Northern peeple that had hurld themselfs into the Territories of the Empire , he wold not part with a peny of S. Peters patrimony to that use ; which made the Spanish Souldiers up and down the streets to call him Lutherano ; And others to give out that ther was secret intelligence twixt Him and the King of Sweden , that when he had don his work in Germany , he wold assist him to recover his right to the Kingdom of Naples ; but indeed his aversnes to the Emperour was , because a little before he had disturbd the common peace of Italy , about the quarrell with the Duke of Savoy . This present Pope Innocent the tenth is as much an Austrian , as the other was a Bourbonian which hath not a little advantagd the Spaniard as it hath appeard by som successes since his creation ; He is more Catholic than Christian , whereas his Predecessor was vice versa . TOuching the interests and disposition of the Dukes of Toscany , in regard they were first introduc'd and establishd in that Dutchy by the Armes of the house of Austria , they hold their chiefest interest to be a dependency upon that House , adhering allwayes to that party with money & Armes ; yet this tie was not so strong but it slackned sometimes , when public liberty was at the stake ; wisely considering that the oppression of their neighbours wold not exempt them , but reserve them for a more certain ruin . Whereupon Cosmo the first stuck not to assist the Genoways in a quarrell that was abetted by the Crown of Spain ; And after him Duke Ferdinand with great sums of moneys assisted Henry the third , and Henry the fourth of France , perswading the latter to break with Savoy , that by possession of the Marchisat of Salucces , France might alwayes have a gate open to Italy ; And Cosmo the second to the same purpose supported the Duke of Mantoua against him of Savoy ; But this present Duke Ferdinand although he makes shew to breath nothing els than a kind of religious observance to the Austrian Family , yet he hath utterly refusd at present to engage against France , whereupon in policy he disarmd those Gallies wherewith he was usd formerly to scowr some of the Mediterranean and Greek Seas , to prevent that neither Kings shold desire his assistance . TOuching the interests of the Republic of Genoa , since by meanes of Andrew Doria She drew her neck out of the French yoke , and put Her self under the protection of Spain , She hath still mingled interests with that Crown ; Charles the first finding that the Citty of Genoa stood very commodiously for him to convey his forces to Italy , sollicited often Andrew Doria to consent to the erecting of a sortresse , which , notwithstanding that he was movd thereunto by the Emperour both with menaces and money , he wold never agree unto ; whereupon the Emperour thought upon another new and more ingenious way to engage that Citty , by putting a bridle of Gold into her mouth insteed of that Iron one he thought of at first ; for ever since Genoa serves Spain for a scale to convey her treasure to high and low Germany , whereby her bank of S. George hath so swelld , and the whole Citty hath so enriched her self that it is wonderfull ; for it may be sayed that most of the Indian Gold hath pass'd ever since through their fingers , so that much thereof must needs stick unto them , by the use the Spaniard gives them when they advance any sum by way of assiento as they call it , untill his fleets com from the Indies ; So that they have a saying in Spain that the Genoways did use to carry their consciences in thin Pocketts , but the weight of the Indian Gold hath broken thorough , so that now ther is neither bottom or bounds left in them . Now , ther is no state in Italy that 's more capable to incommode the Spaniard , than that of Genova , and to put him in a hazard to lose Milan , and consequently the other territories he enjoyes in Italy , which She may do if She denies Him her ports , and hinder the landing of his Ships upon her coasts , or by shutting the passages in that long list of Land which is calld the River of Genoa ; Therefore the Spaniard , because he wold not depend soly upon the affection of that City , raysed up a Fort at Monaco , and another at Finale , thereby , if it were possible , to reduce the Republic to an entire dependence upon Him ; In the last War with Savoy the Genoways felt the benefit of the Spaniards protection , which by way of diversion preservd them from much danger . Therefore in point of interest Genoa may be sayed to be an inseparable confederat of the King of Spaines both for profit and preservation , She is in relation to him like a Partridg under a Faulcons wings , as the little Republic of Luca is to the Duke of Florence , who can seize upon her when he list , but that he finds it more advantagious unto him to permit Her to continu an industrious Republic still of Herself . TOuching the Dukes of Savoy , their interest hath bin allwayes to keep good intelligence with France , therfore they never swervd from Her friendship , but once in the time of Charles the fifth , when by the inducements of a Portuguez Wife , Charles Emanuel refusd passage to the French King , which cost him afterwards very deare ; And it had cost him much more , unlesse he had comported himself with extraordinary cunning and artifice , which made Him to be termd the little Fox of the Mountaines . THe Dukes of Mantoua , as the rest of the Minor Princes of Italy ; were usd to professe a totall dependence upon the house of Austria ; yet Duke Ferdinand a wise Prince , knowing that in the first motions of Monferrat , the designes of Savoy were fomented by Offices underhand from the Spaniard for his own advantage , he chose rather to defend himself from Savoy without the Spaniards help : but D. Carlo succeeding he was forcd to adhere to the King of France for his safety , in regard of divers Garrisons he had up and down Monferrat . THe Dukes of Parma , though thrust out of Piacenza by Charles the 5. and having bin beaten by him in Parma , they had good reason to follow the interests of France , by whom they had receavd both their conservation and restablishment , more than once , yet they thought safer still to stick unto Him that was Duke of Milan , till now of late that this present Duke is much Frenchified . TOuching the politicall interests , and inclinations of the Duke of Modena , and the State of Luca , they have more confidence in the House of Austria than in the French , and so they apply themselfs accordingly in point of respect and compliances : Nor indeed can it be denied but all Italie is beholding to the Spaniard in divers respects , as for the introducing of Tresure , and increse of Trade ; as allso that his outpoising power keeps the inferior Princes in peace , and from encroching one upon the other , lest if he shold strike in by way of Auxiliary , he might swallow up both parties ; yet , it may be observd , that the Italians respect the Spaniard out of meer politicall interest , not out of any affection ; so that all of them would restrain his power if they could , but like the Mice in the Fable , they cannot find any that will venture first to hang the Bell about the Catts neck . HAving by these short expatiations given a few touches of the rest of the Principalities of Italy in point of politicall interests , we now return to poursue and perfect the survay of the Signorie of Venice in this particular allso ; which , taking her power by Land and Sea conjunctly , is acknowledgd to be the strongest knot of strength in Italie , if we consider the reaches of her Dominions , with the firmenes and solidity of her establishment , as allso the prudent and cautious conduct of her proceedings . Now touching her interests , and disposition towards the two great Kings forementiond , all her counsells and designs , ever since the entrance of forren Armies into Italie , have tended to conserve her own liberty and greatnes : It being an old observation , that all States do retain still the humor of their first Founders ; as ambition , and desire of warr appeerd allwayes in the Citty of Rome , because her first Founders were full of that humor ; But those of Venice being not transported with such exorbitant thoughts , but addicted to peace , trafic , wealth and repose , having bin formerly harassd by the long calamities of Italie , and the inundation of barbarous peeple , when they had gott into those safe retirements , the first and fundamentall maxime of policy they proposd to themselfs , was to maintain their common freedom , and live secure . And herin the Republic of Venice may be sayed to differ from the late States of Holland allso , whose first foundation was layed in bloud by Armes and Warr ; Now it is a Rule that Eodem modo , Res conservatur , quo acquiritur ; By the same meanes things are conservd wherby they are gott ; In so much that if Holland follow the humors of her first Founders , She will love warr better than peace , and happly be incited therunto by an old prophecy that runns of her ; Marte triumphabis , Batavia , pace peribis . Holland , by warr Thou shalt encrease , Thou wilt destroy Thy self by peace . Now , one of the wayes wherby the Republic of Venice hath endeavourd to preserve her Maydenhead and freedom so long , hath bin to keep the power of the potentst Princes in a counterpoise ; wherby She hath often adapted her designes , and accommoded Her-self to the condition of the times , and frequently changd thoughts , will , frends , and enemies ; She hath bin allwayes usd to suspect any great power , to fear much , and confide little , to be perpetually vigilant of the operations of others , and accordingly to regulat her own consultations and proceedings ; wherby She hath bin often accusd of exces in circumspection . Therfore when that impetuous shock was given Italie by Charles the 8. She only lookd on a good while , and kept Her ▪ self Neutrall ; but afterwards seeing the common freedom of Italie floting among the French armes , She made head against them at last , freeing Milan from that imminent danger which hoverd visibly ore her head , and so forcd that King to find his way back ore the Alpes , and to leave the Kingdom of Naples to the Aragonians ; To free Her-self from the stratagems of Mor●… , and to joyn Cremona to her Republic , She favourd the designes of Lewis the 12. upon the State of Milan ; But this conjunction was like that with the Lion , who useth to snatch all to himself ; For Lewis afterwards to thrust Venice out of Cremona colleagud himself with divers other Princes , inciting them to invade Her Territories on firm Land ; In so much that he introduc'd the Pope , the Spaniard , and King of the Romanes ; but while they thought to rush into the Venetian Territory , they were cunningly excluded by the Spaniards their Confederatts , who gathering the fruit of other mens labours impatronizd himself of som Townes , to recover which the Venetians betook themselfs to the frendship of Francis the French King , by which League they recoverd what formerly had bin taken from them . But afterwards finding that the French for their disorders had lost the Duchy of Milan , and that by continuing that League they exposd to som hazard their own liberty ; the Republic with fortune changd Her frend , and entred into League with Charles the Emperour : But upon that monstrous successe of fortune in Pavia when the French King was taken Prisoner , to preserve the common liberty of Italie which was like to be swallowed up by the Emperour , She re-entred into a new League with Francis not without extreme hazard , because in the peace of Cambray he had quite abandond Her , so She was left alone to wrastle with the Emperour and the formidable Armies he had then afoot , against whom She bore up with much generosity a good while , wherby together with the peace of Bologna She procurd the restitution of Francesco Sforza to the Duchy of Milan ; An accord which She observd with such candor and punctuality that although She was invited by many favourable conjunctures to unite again upon high advantagious termes with the Crown of France , to thrust the Spaniards out of Milan , whereof they had rendred themselfs Masters after the death of Francis Sforza , yet she wold never lend any ●…are therunto meerly out of her filial affection to Italy , that she might not be plungd again in new troubles ; as allso finding how unlucky the French had often bin that side the Alpes ; so that ever since the peace of Bologna ▪ which was in the yeer 1530. ther never happend any open War twixt Spain and Venice . Ever since , the Republic perceaving that the Popes were often transported with their own interests , and that other Princes were either their dependents , or their forces weak , the Republic of Venice hath stood as it were in perpetual centinell to watch the common freedom of Italy , whereby She hath much incurrd the hate of the Spaniard , who seemd to stomack it much that Venice shold so stand in counterpoise with him ▪ Thereupon because he could do no good by open force ▪ he went another way to work to do her a displesure , which was by erecting 〈◊〉 Fortresses in the Valtoline to impede all supplies that might com that way unto Her upon ocasion ; The Republic finding that tho Spanish Ministers aymd at nothing more than to depresse her strength , and so make themselfs masters of all Italy in time , she studied to find meanes by money , and counsell to divert the strength of the Spaniard , and cutt him out som work another way out of Italy , imitating herein the Faul●…r who standing himself in repose and firm upon the Earth , let ts fly Goshauks , and Faukcons at the Birds of the Air. And although Venice appeerd for the support of M●…ntoua , yet this was don so cunningly , that it did nothing prejudice her Peace with Spain , or obligd Her to second France in that busines , though She was much courted thereunto by Belieure , and other great Ministers to engage . So that although in former times She hath bin often constraind to play fast and loose twixt Spain and France , yet this last century She hath kept herself alwayes in a politique neutrality . SInce the principall aym of this peece is to make the industrious Reader fully acquainted with this Mayden Republic ▪ therefore we thought it worth the labour , to insert here the opinions of the most approved and authentique Writers , ( that have exposed to the World any thing of politicall goverments ) and a collation of their judgements , with the variety of expressions may conduce much to instruct the Reader , and perfect his knowledge of this famous Signorie . Bodinus de Republica Lib. 11. COntarenus thinks the same judgement to be pass'd upon the Venetian Republic , which he thinks may agree with all the three kinds of Governments ; Est , inquit , in Duce Regia quod●…modo potestas ; in Senat●… , Aristocratia ; In Concilio Maximo , Democrati●… . Ther is sayeth he , a kind of Regal power in the Duke , an Aristocracy in the Senat , And a Democracy in the great Councell . But Ianotus who hath described the state of that Common-wealth from her first originalls , and written most accuratly of her secrecies of Goverment convinceth Contarenus , and accuseth him of grosse errors ; He demonstrates therefore that before Sebastiano Cyani who was Doge of Venice , which is about 300 yeers since , the Republic then was plainly a Monarchicall Goverment . Contarenus averrs , that She hath remaind about 800 yeers in the very same condition She is now in ; Paulus Magustius speakes of 1200 yeers , which Ianotus proves to be false out of the public Acts , and the History of the Times . Howsoever it be , It is most evident that , in statu quo nunc the Republic of Venice is a pure Aristocracy : For by the description of the Citty and the cense that was made of the Inhabitants 30 yeers since , ther were about 60000. Cittizens excepting Women , and Children that had not exceeded seven yeers of Age ; as also the Patricians in whom the power of the Republic is seated , whose nomber may amount to 4000. All kind of Churchmen are exempted out of this nomber , and young men under five and twenty , who have no accesse either to the great Councell , or the administration of any Office , unlesse upon request made by their Seniors the same be obtaind ; Nor is ther in the Assembly of the great Councell , which hath bin so long establishd both in our Ancestors , and late Progenitors times , more than 1500 ; but in former times ther were much fewer as appeers among the Historians ; This Convention therefore of the Patricians , Gentry or Nobility hath the supreme power over all Lawes and Magistrats , of Peace and War , of last appeales , of life and death as Contarenus himself confesseth . Which being so who can doubt but this Republic is a pure Aristocracy ? For if the better sort of men had nothing els but the power of the Law and Magistracy , it were argument enough to judg that it is an Optimacy as we taught before ; since that the election of Magistrats , of the Senat , of the Colleges , of the Septemvirat , of the Decemviri , of the forty privat , and so many public Judges criminal and civil , depends meerly upon the grand councell of the Nobility or Gentry , and the rest meere precarian powers . The Duke is He , who being a Soverain Governor may be sayed only to want comand , for he can neither summon any one before him , or apprehend any by his sole comand , or demand any , nor hath He more power in any Colledg of Senators , whether great or small but only that he gives the last suffrage ; nor can He open any Letters either from forren Princes , or any Magistrat , or Officer , nor admit or dismisse any Ambassadors without som of the Colledg of the Septemvirat , or Decemvirat ; nor can He marry a stranger , or go out of the Citty of Venice without leave . Duke Falerio , because he married a Lady that was born out of the Dominions of the Republic without the consent of the Senat , was by the Decemvirat Councell sentencd to death , and executed ; besides Him Sabellious enumerats twelve Dukes that either were slain in a popular tumult , or punishd when they abusd their power . The same Author in his 3. Book writes thus : BUt the Senator must take this for a principall caution , that he suffer not himself to be depravd by any bribes , or engagd by any benefitt ; which allthough it be capitall there , yet is it ordinary elswhere in other States , and except the Signorie of Venice who hath a Senat so free and pure from this kind of sordidnes , that the very Churchmen allthough they be Cittizens and Patricians born are restraind therfore from their civill Councells , because they are known to be sworn to act not any thing against the profitts , and interest of the Roman Bishop ; That cry is well known to all the world , that before all suffrages this acclamation useth to be in the great Councell , Fuora 1 preti , insomuch that Hermolao Barbaro ( and what a man was He ? ) receavd the sentence of banishment , because while Ambassador in Rome he sufferd himself to be coopted into the Colledg of Cardinalls without the consent of the Senat. Iac. Aug. Thuanus Lib. 23. THe Venetian Senat , which may be truly calld the Shopp of all civil prudence , hath it for a speciall Caveat , That none initiated in Holy Orders shold touch any part of the Republic . The same in his 27. Book . THer 's no Prince in all Italie except the Venetian Republic , in the conciliation of whose frendship the King ought to labour much , for by Her Lawes it is severely prohibited , that none of Her Subjects receave any pension from a forren Prince . Cardinall Arnoldus Ossat in his 353. Epistle . THe Venetians to speak truly have no more devotion than needs ; yet they manage their affaires with as much prudence and gravity as any other Prince ; you remember without doubt , how after the death of the last King , they presently acknowledgd this present King ( viz. Henry the 4. ) and how they respected our Ambassador as formerly , yet they would not admitt him to com with the other Ambassadors to the Chappell , till the King was reconcild to the Church of Rome ; This they did because the Pope , with the King of Spain , and all the world might bear wittnes , that , howsoever what they did for politicall reasons , yet they were exact observers of the Catholic Religion . Interdicti Veneti Histor. Lib. 1. THe Republic of Venice excludes all Ecclesiastiques from the participation of Her goverment , and only She neither gives or takes any pensions from the Court of Rome . Paulus Paruta in Histor. Venet. Lib. 4. OUr Progenitors took singular care that the Cittizens of Venice shold employ their industry to navigation and maritime negotiation for the encrease and improvement of public and privat wealth , and that the Venetian name might be propagated to remote and outlandish Nations ; The situation of the Cittie seemes to invite Her to such studies and exercises , and to infuse such a propensity into the minds of Her Inhabitants ; In regard that the Citty having not of Her-self any Lands to cultivat , which might answer their industry , and make them rich , and being destitut of all things els that are necessary for humane subsistence , necessity herself did excite them to naval industry , and to furrow the Sea , which fills her with abundance , and affluence of all things conducing to a being , and well-being ; This made Her employ hundreds of Shipps and Gallies abroad into forren Countreys , as well to Christian Regions , as to Infidells , and bring back rich commodities of all sorts , not only for Her own ocasions , but to exercise comerce and exchange comodities with Her neighbours farr and neer to Her unspeakable advantage : In these Gallies many young men of the Gentry and Patrician Order do use to imbark themselfs , as well for marchandizing , as to gain experience up and down the world , specially in the Art of Navigation ; Many wherof use to sojourn a long time among forren peeple , and dispatch not only their own affaires , but do favours and negotiat for others : Wherby they attain to a great proportion of knowledg in all things , and being returnd and salted as it were in the world , and composd to frugality and modesty , they com to the management of the public affaires of the Commonwealth . Bodinus de Repub. Lib. 3. BUt because no man may think that so many Counsells shold breed a confusion in so well ordred a Republic , he must think that She divides Her Councells into ●…ower principall Classes besides the Senat , ther is the Councell of Sages which is calld the marine Councell ; then is ther the Councell of Sages , who have the incumbency of matters by Land ▪ Then is ther a Councell of Decemvirs , and Septemvirs , wherin the Duke , as in all other Colleges , presides ; Which Councells though they be sejoynd in Colleges and Offices , yet when the quality of the affair requires , they all consociat . The Senat is composd of 60. Gentlemen , who with so many more Cittizens have the greatest management of affaires . Idem ibidem . WHat we have spoken for matter of taking Counsell , it is no where practisd better than it is in Venice , for when ther is a doubtfull deliberation of things in both the Councells of Sages , they use to expedit it conjunctly with the Decemvirs ; Therfore it is subscrib'd underneath the decree con la giunta ; but if all this be not sufficient to put a period to the busines in agitation in regard of discrepancy of Opinions , the Septemviri are consulted ; and if this will not serve the turn , for discrepancy of censures , the Senat is assembled , where the whole matter is displayed ; but if the authority of the Senat will not suffice , but ther will be still dissentient suffrages , then it is finally determin'd by the Great Councell . Idem Lib. 5. THe Venetians restrain Dowries by a specall Law , viz. that the Portion of a Patrician Damsell , or Gentlewoman be but 1600. Crownes , lest the wealth of illustrious Families be exhausted ; but if a Gentleman marry a Plebean , the dowry is terminated to 2000. Crownes : But they suffer now this Law to be in a maner antiquated , that the poverty of som Gentlemen may be repaird by the dowry of a Wife ; But this is prudently observ'd , that they use as much as may be to remove Women from hereditary right , if ther be any Male extant . Idem Lib. 6. NOt long since in the yeer 1566. the Venetians created three Magistrats , and endowd them with a Censorian power , whom they calld a Triumvirat , for the Reformation of the manners of the Citizens ; commonly calld I Signori sopra il ben vivere della Citta ; and they were thus entitled because the word Censor seemd to grave and severe for a Cittie that was so free from the beginning , and abounding with affluence of all plesures . Idem Eodem Lib. THe Venetians do dayly exercise and entertain above 4000. persons in public works , than which nothing can be more profitable to the common peeple , more commodious to the Citty , and more delightfull to all men ; And as they employ so many in public works , so with wonderfull benignity , they distribut part of the public wealth for the relieving and sustentation of the aged and indigent . Paulus Paruta in Hist. Ven. Lib. 7. IT hath bin provided by a singular way of circumspection , and for the advantage of the Republic , that Her Ambassadors which She employed abroad upon legations of State to forren Princes , shold not reserve to themselfs what is given them by way of gift , but to confer it to the public ; but if by particular favour such Ambassadors were permitted to retain such presents , such a grace must passe by the suffrage of the Senat , to oblige them therby more to the benevolence of the Senat , than to the bounty of any forren Prince . Paulus Iovius Lib. 1. THe Citty of Venice is ample and magnificent , by navall study , and Mercantile Negotiations She grew up from small beginnings , but for Her incredible advantage of situation She is admird , and preferrd before all other Citties under the Sun ; because that She being girt about with the waters of the interfluent Hadrian Sea , and so not exposd to any sudden surprises or assaults , She securely enjoyes Her-self , and Her tresure , hoording it up for times of danger ; For ther is no approch to Her by Land , in regard 40. Stades of Sea intercede ; nor any advenue by Sea , in regard of the blind and low foords , unknown to strangers , which are round about . The Venetians generally are grave in Counsell , severe in judgement , constant in adversity , and moderat in prosperity ; Ther is an unanimous study in them all to conserve the public liberty , and to encrease their Empire ; In the Senat they speak with much freedom and oftentimes with much heat and eagernes if the cause require . Ther is not any of the Senatorian Order or others , though he excell the rest never so much in wisdom , spirit or valour , and services performd for the Republic , that is sufferd to grow too high , or by conciliation of popular credit and esteem to becom too powerfull ; By which reach of policy and institution , they use in their Wars by Land to employ strangers for their Generall , lest one of their own might be puffd up with pride , and grow too ambitious ▪ They are all grave Gownmen , who have administerd this Republic from the beginning , and preservd Her from intestin tumults ; But touching maritime affaires , and navall discipline these grave men shake off their togated Habitts , and receave Martiall employment , according to the exigency of the ocasion . Some Observations of the Citty and Signorie of Venice , taken out of Sansovino . THe Air of Venice is exceeding good , because it is continually purgd with the flux and reflux of the Adriatic Sea , which carry away with it every six howers whatsoever is corrupt and noysom , besides the multitude of fires dissolveth all unwholsom vapors , and the free scope of the winds blowing every where without impediment maketh the Air more sound , and vigorous ; besides much is attributed to the saltnes which being by its nature more hot and lesse cold engendreth an equall and most sweet temperature , so that strangers with great amazement do not any where behold men more venerable , of greter age , fuller of flesh , streight bodied , of goodly presence , and more vigorous constitution ; but above all other things this is most strange , that this Air by a speciall priviledg of Nature doth agree with the complexions of all commers that resort thither of what Nation , or under what climat soever they be born , whether the same be subtill and penetrating , or thick and foggie . Round about ther is such an innumerable quantity of all excellent sorts of Fish , that not only the Inhabitants have plenty of Fish taken twice evry day , but they allso furnish the adjoyning Citties upon the Continent , as well those that are under their Dominion as others ; The like marvailous abundance they have of wildfoull , so different in kind , and divers in colour , that t is strange to see their various sorts , their variety being such that we have seen 200 severall kinds of them painted most exactly in their naturall hue by Marino Malipiero , the most exquisit and ingenious man of his time in that Art. This Citty above all other is worthy to be admired , as being singular by Her self , and brooking no comparison with any other ; For what other Citty soever hath bin either plesant by situation , or glorious in goodlines of buildings , yet it had som kind of resemblance with others ; but only this being seated in the midst of the waters hath not any thing upon Earth to which it may be resembled , the rare position whereof being such , that it injoyeth the comodities of the waters , and the plesures of the Land , secure by being among the waves from Land assaults , and free by not being founded in the depths of the Sea from Maritim violences ; So that whereas other Citties do keep and defend their Cittizens with Walls , Towers , and Gates , This being naked and without Ramparts , is not only secure Her-self , but rendereth allso with admirable prudence such Citties secure as do sleep under Her wings . Among many other rare Edifices sumptuous as well in the richnes of the matter , as marvailous for the most singular curiosity of workmanship the Steeple of S. Mark is most miraculous , the same being so huge high and stately , that in faire wether it is seen and discernd by those that sayl from Istria 100 miles off ; the speciall care and oversight wherof is comitted allwayes to a person of speciall quality , who hath for his allowance 150. Crowns yeerly stipend . VVE will now descend to som particular customes of this Mayden Citty as her maner of marying , and of the fruits therof Her Christnings . Mariages among the Nobility ar for the most part alwayes treted of by a third person , the Bride being never suffer'd as much as to see her future Husband , nor He Her , untill the mariage dower , and all things therunto appertaining , be fully agreed upon and concluded , which being don , the next morning the Bridegrome goeth to the Court of the Palace , and there the match being publish'd he receaveth well-wishing speeches , and salutations from such of the Nobility as doe enter into the Pallace , and withall inviteth his frends to the house of the Brides Father , to be there at a certain time appointed in the afternoon ; At the entry of the dore they are attended by the Bridegroom and his kinred , and brought up to a Hall wher ther are none but men only , and there the Bride is brought forth apparrell'd by an ancient custom all in white , her haires dischevell'd , and hanging about her sholdiers woven in and out with filletts of Gold ; where being betroth'd with many solemn Ceremonies , She is led about the Hall with Flutes , Drums and other instruments , still dancing in a soft mesure , then She boweth down to those that salute Her ; Having so shew'd Her-self She goeth in & returneth out again , If any men friends do chance to com that had not seen Her before , She comes out and presents Herself , then She entreth to a Gondola , and being attended by divers other She goeth up and down to the Nunneries , specially to those where any of Her Kinred are reclusd ; Now this shewing of Her ▪ self abroad is to no other end , but in regard of Her Children and sundry other things , it may after happen She may make Her Nuptialls apparant to all : At evry Wedding ther is a Gentleman or two calld Compari , that are as it were Masters of the Revells , because their charge is to see unto the Musik , and whatsoever other shewes or pastimes appertain to the Feast , the next Morning their Friends and Kinred present the new Married couple with sundry sorts of Restoratives and sweet Meates . THe Christnings in Venice are somewhat diffring from other places , for the Father inviteth not two God-fathers and a God-mother , or two God-mothers and a God-father , but as many as they list , insomuch that somtimes ther have bin above 150 at a Christning , but to the end that this Goshipship shold no way be a bar or impediment among the Gentlewomen in matter of Mariage , it was by a Law ordained , that one Gentleman shold not take another Gentleman for his Goship , whence it cometh that when the Priest powreth the Water on the Childs Head , he first maketh mention of the Law , and then demandeth if ther be among the Goships any one of the Venetian Nobility . Nor are ther any Women admitted to the Christning but only the Nurse , who hath the charge of the Child ; The next day the Father sends to evry Goship a Marchpane , and evry of them sendeth back som present or other to the Child according to the custom of the Citty ; Their greatest magnificence and charge , is at the nativity of the Child , for then they wonderfully exceed not only in the sumptuousnes of their Banquetts , but also in rich furniture , and adorning of their houses . Likewise ther is no place on Earth wher the Funerall of the meanest Cittizen is solemnizd with greater Ceremony and Expence ; nor is ther any Countrey wher strangers find better entertainment , and live in greater security . The Plesures , Recreations and Pastimes of the Gentlemen are of divers kinds , among the rest they take great delight in Fowling making great matches who can kill most Fowle in a day , turning still the end therof to banqueting and plesure . They have Boats of purpose calld Fisolari so nam'd from Fisolo , which is the name of the Bird they seek after ; In evry of these Boates they have six or eight servants apparrell'd in blewish , or greenish garments , suited as nere as they can to the colour of the Water , These row the Boat up and down , turning her suddenly to evry side as they are commanded by their Masters , who sits close with his Peece or Bow wholy intentive upon his sport ; If he chance to misse when he shooteth , the Fisolo divers under water , and where he riseth again thither they turn their Boats with much nimblenes ; Divers Boates use to goe to this pastime , which is very chargeable to the Gentlemen ; Upon their return they hang the Fowle they have killd out of the Window , as Hunters do upon their Dores the heads of Beares , Bores , Hares , taking it as a great reputation to kill more of these in a day than their fellowes can . The Dukes of Venice have by ancient priviledges confirmd by sundry Emperours , authority to create Erles and Knights , and likewise Poetts Laureat , with either of which dignities the Prince of Venice doth use to honor and reward persons of merit and virtu . The Dukes have oftentimes matchd in the greatest and royallest Houses of Christendom , which alliances with forren Princes growing suspected to the Commonwealth , ther was a Law made in the yeer 1327. that the Duke might not marry the Daughter of any Stranger , though by priviledg and adoption he had obtaind the right and title of a Venetian Gentleman ; And in the yeer 1383. it was ordaind that he shold not marry the Daughter , Sister or Kinswoman of any forren Prince , without the licence and consent of the great Councell . The Dukes of Venice were wont in times passd to honor themselfs with high and Princely titles , as calling themselfs Dukes of Venice , Dalmatia and Croatia , Lords of a half part , and a quarter of the whole Roman Empire , &c. which vanity of titles was taken away in the yeer 1360. and utterly prohibited , and this title only allowd , I. D. By the grace of God Duke of Venice , &c. The common coin is stampd with the inscription of the Dukes name then in being , but it is against the Law that any Duke shold ingrave , imborder or paint his peculiar Coat of Armes in any Ensignes , Banners , Gallies , Seats of Justice , or public places of honor , but only within the Precincts of the Palace . Yet is He buried with all the Princely magnificence that may be : Being dead , His Bowells are taken out , and His Body embalmd , after which He is kept divers daies openly in the Hall attended by the Senators ( as sayed before ) His Herse being coverd over with a large Cloth of rich Gold , and his Sword and Spurres lying athwart of the Herse ; He is wayted on to His Grave by all the Fraternities of the Cittie , and the Churchmen with an innumerable company of Torches ; Next follow the Officers and chief Servants of the Dukes Familie all apparrelld in black , with Hoods ore their heads , and a long train ; Next them com the Senators all in Scarlett and grain , signifying the Cittie of Venice to be ever free , therfore ought not to mourn at the death of any Prince how virtuous soever : With this pomp they passe to Saint Marks Place , where the Beer is lifted up on high nine times that evry one might take his perpetuall farewell of Him ; Then is He carried to the Church , and a solemn Funerall Oration is made for Him ; then the Senators return to the Palace , and presently proceed to the Election of a new Duke , which they cannot do by the ancient constitution till the other be first under ground ; and so Corruptio unius , est generatio alterius . Privat Instructions given to Cardinall F. when he was sent Nuntio to Venice . IT being the main designe of this Discours to make the Reader perfectly acquainted with this Mayden Republic , it will not be amisse to insert here the Instructions that were given by Pope Gregory to his Nuntio , when he was employd upon an extraordinary Legation to the Signorie of Venice ; for it will conduce much to understand the stile of the Signorie , and compliances that must be usd in that Court. THe first Discours your Excellency shall hold with the Prince and Signorie of Venice shall ayme at two ends ; The one , to expose unto his Serenity the plesure of his Holines , therin declaring the ocasion and aymes of your Legation ; The other , to expresse the particular affections you bear to that most excellent Signorie . Touching the first , it shall suffice that you follow the tenor and substance of your Commission , having a speciall charge not to recede from it in any materiall point . Touching the second , it is referrd chiefly to your own election and judgment what to deliver , for endearing your self to the Duke , and Senators . And in generall you may say that what employment soever his Holines had cast upon you , you had esteemd it a high favor , being entirely addicted to Him , and the Holy Seat ; But that you were far more obligd to his Holines , that He vouchsafd to employ you to his Serenity , and that most illustrious Republic , because you had a long desire to renew the memory of that servitude , and high affections which the Arch-Bishop your Oncle had vowd to the Signorie , to whom both your parentage and person will be ever well affected ; Besides , you held it a great honor that you had to negotiat with a Prince so full of Majesty , and Grandeur , being the Head of the greatest , the most florishing , and best orderd Commonwealth in the world ; In so much that after the service of his Sanctitie , you will preferr that of his Serenity before all other , and that you will be ever ready to make it good in effect , as well as in affection , and turn your words to actions , and that you stand there most ready to give proof therof ; Moreover , that the bent of your endeavors , and study will be to preserve , and improve the paternall love which his Holines beares towards that most noble Republic ; that you love the very name of Venice ; therfore nothing shall take greater room in your thoughts than to maintain the good intelligence , and union which is , and ought to be betwixt the Popedom and the Republic , in regard that the Princes of both aym at the same object , They have the same wills , and incumbency to conserve the authority of their States ; That in order to this you will employ your main strength , with all your spirits , and that you will be so zealous herin as if you were born his Holines vassall , being very loth that your Oncle shold go before you but only in time in point of good will and affection towards that most illustrious Signorie . Your own prudence shall direct you herin , and how to place your words , that they may be more or lesse moving to gain the amity and confidence of the Lords of the Senat , wherin gravity will advantage you much , and it may be , more than any thing els : In this first discours you are to mingle with your best dexterity som honorable mention of the Republiques Ambassador at Rome , and what contentment he gives to his holines in all Treaties , and how well he deserves of his Countrey ; As allso what respect and benevolence all the Prelats of the Roman Court do professe unto him ; This intimation shall serve you for two ends , for you will therby draw thanks from the Kinred of the sayd Ambassador , and making them your confidents they will further you in all your negotiations ; Besides , you will therby oblige the Ambassador himself , who will take ocasion to correspond with you in like civilities , therfore you must not fayl to give the sayed Ambassador here a solemn visit , and take conge of him , desiring that he wold comand you in any service to his Kinred and Friends , whither you are going , endeavouring thereby to make the deepest impressions you can upon his soul , That you go to Venice with a resolution to serve and honor him and his upon all occurrences , wherof you are to desire him to certifie them by Letters , and possesse them before hand in your behalf that they wold love , and favour you with their friendship ; you may assure the Ambassador allso that you will never propose any thing that may be prejudiciall to any of them . In sum , you are allwayes to preserve the friendship of the Ambassador entire , both by Letters , and other good Offices you shall do to his Friends , and Kinsmen , but not engaging your self to do the like in his behalf to others , for that wold haply turn to a disservice to the Gentleman , and be no advantage to your self . Som dayes after your first audience you must think what visits to make , and because you need no instruction how to comport your self towards the Prelats , I must give you a speciall caution not to visit the Doge by himself , or speak to him alone ; Nor must you visit all sorts of Senators , specially those that be young , for that wold be unseemly ; Nor indeed doth any Senator much desire to be visited because it may breed jealousy , and so draw danger upon him ; And ther may be two reasons alledg'd why they do not desire to be visited by strangers ; The first is the parsimonious and privat lifes they lead ; The other , because they have som of their Brothers or Children that are Prelats , so that it wold be a kind of offence to them to visit their Parents , either for the small splendor of their dwellings , or for the simplicity of their maners . Therfore allthough no exact rule can be given you what persons you are to visit , yet in the Generall , they must be those that for Office or Magistracy live with more Magnificence , and splendor than others having Palaces accordingly , such as are the Procurators of S. Mark ; nor must these visits be frequent , but only twice a yeer will suffice , or it may be a longer interposition of time , according as custom shall teach you , allthough they who com to visitt you do it oftner . When any of the principall Senators shall com to your House to salute you , or treat of any busines , those of your Family must be all ready to receave him at the Gate , and you must meet him upon the staires , but when they depart , you are to bring them to the bottom of the staires , though they reject it never so much : your comportment towards Gentlemen of younger yeers , and lesse dignity shall be regulated by your own judgment , and in such a maner as shall be obliging to them but not undervaluing your self ; You must propose this as an universall rule to your self , that if you entreat the Prelats well , and bind them unto you , as I know you will evertuat your self to do , they may becom instruments of great matters by the meanes of their Parents , although their Parents may not make any shew that you are so affected to them , or they to you : the Prelats being well satisfied by you , will much avayle you , in giving good reports of you at Rome . I must advise your Excellency again that gravity will steed you much , because the Venetian Gentlemen make profession thereof , and esteem it above any thing , not as much for apparances only , as for well becoming public Ministers of State ; because it is an argument of staydnes , of vertu and prudence . Yet this gravity must not turn to an austerity , or take away that affability , candor and sweetnes which you are to use towards all people , for so you may be esteemed to be fantasticall and proud . Therfore you must speak , and treat with such an unaffected gravity that may be sutable to your person : And when you have any thing to do in the Senat , be mindfull of the rank you hold , and of the quality of that Prince whom you represent ; yet shewing a great deal of reverence , and presupposing that you are in the presence of a King. All the discours you shall make in the Senat , shall be addressed to the Prince , and allthough you speak to the whole Colledg , yet you shall allwayes use these words , Vestra serenitá , or Serenissimo Principe . You must have a speciall care to honor the Venetian Gentlemen , according to their Age and Dignity , And you must know that those Gentlemen love to be courted and complimented , specially if they be invested in any Office of Dignity ; And honor is the more dear unto them , when it comes from a person of noble Employment and Extraction ; Wheras otherwise they will deem it an injury not to be respected , turning such disrespects into disdain and scorn of him that will not give them their due , because the Senators and Patricians of Venice have high conceits of themselfs for their antiquity , and for their freedom continued so many Ages inviolable . Besides the difference that ought to be put betwixt old and young , or those that are graduated with offices or not graduated , wherof the first of both are to be the more esteemd , you must allso make som distinction betwixt Families . Now , the Families of the Venetian Gentry is divided to three ranks , viz. to ancient , new , and midling Houses ; The ancientst are the most honorable , and esteemd more then others , therfore allthough you are to respect all Gentlemen in generall , yet you must have a speciall regard to put your self in lower postures of reverence towards those ancient families ; but you must beware not to doe it in public , so that others take notice therof , but particularly , and in privat discours ; So that this distinction of old and new Families must be reservd within your own brest , otherwise the other rank of Nobles will take exception at your partiall behaviour , which may turn to your prejudice . Among the Prelats of that Nation the Patriark is the Prince , and more highly esteemd than any other , as well for his age , as eminency , as allso commonly for his parentage , and frends , and that he lives more splendidly and hospitably then any other ; And the Senators affoord him in som cases as much respect as they doe to the Colledg of ten when they send to him for his opinion , which yet cannot turn to a suffrage : You must make great account of him therfore , but take heed that this great Prelat doe not overact himself in point of return . I beleeve you know well what was negotiated of old at Rome in behalf of that Patriarch , and how the Signorie Her-self recommended him unto the Pope , and thought to pourchase him that honor ; but seing him excepted against , She stirrd no further , or made any more instance for any other during the time of that Pope . That Prelat nevertheles ceaseth not to aggrandize himself by recommending his cause to all the Nuntio's : Therfore you shall be easily prayed to do som good offices for him about his Holines , it may be , you may receave high answers , and replies , therfore you must carry your self with a great deal of dexterity , and moderation in this busines ; But if you undertake to do such an office , the Signorie will be ill satisfied , and the refusall he receavd from other Nuntio's will serve you for directions what you ought to doe : You must declare to such as shall discourse with you about this Prelat , the high respect you bear unto him , for his singular parts of vertu , and merit , making shew to serve him in all things to the utmost extent of your ability , provided that it be acceptable to the Signorie , and herin your answer must be short and strict . You must not invite any Venetian Gentleman to take a repast with you , specially any Senator ; yet in som case one may doe it , and so your invitation will not be unpleasing , but well accepted ; This must be don , when any of those Gentlemen chance to negotiat with you about eating time , because that inviting him then , is a signe that you rather comply with the time , then that you doe it out of a reall desire , but this rarely happens . If he who is invited doth not refuse to stay , you must remember that he is a Senator , therfore you must not suffer him to sit beneath the Prelats , but you must place him in the highest Seat , allthough haply he make resistance ; but I beleeve you will find but little opposition , in regard that the Prelats themselfs will concurr with you in this observance ; A little after the repast you must rise from the Table , and give this Senator the oportunity for to depart , without detaining him longer , and when he departs you shall accompany him to the bottom of the Staires . You must refrain to shew your self over curious to know the secrets , and pry much into the mysteries of this Republic , for then you may deprive your self of their conversation ; therfore you must not seem to make any streight friendship with her Secretaries , yet you must honour them upon all ocasions , that it may appeer how much you esteem them ; and for public transactions you may be well assurd , that they will com home to your dores without the trouble of making any reserches after them . If it happen that you be requird to recommend anybody to the Senators , ponder the busines so well before hand that you may not com off with a deniall ; You must take heed to recommend to any temporall Judges the persons of Churchmen in processes against the Laiks : You must not favour in that Citty or Signorie the execution of any sentence given at Rome , unlesse you have comandement from his Holines so to doe , which you must shew . Let your Servants be observant to know the customes and fashions of the Cittie , not geering at such things that may haply breed laughter in a Stranger ; But on the contrary , let them be pliable to accommodat themselfs to the modes of the place ; for som fashions that are held comly in other places , may seem ridiculous here . And oftentimes they will not disdain to use in ordinary discours som termes of that Countrey , and the Venetian dialect , which you must not slight . Allthough the commendation and praises which are given one , are accustomed commonly to procure frendship , and the good grace of him who is praisd , yet the custom and humor of the Venetian cannot brook , that a Nuntio or Ambassador shold extoll and commend such that are in authority among them , either in their own presence , or before any other , for those kind of praises doe not use to sound or relish well : 'T is tru , that before parents or kinred or intimat frends one may blazon the worth and vertu of som Senator ; but the surest way is to abstain from commending any at all , and to be reservd in this point : But as a public Minister cannot commend the actions or exploits of any Venetian Gentleman without endangering the party , and wronging his own judgment , yet the Venetians are very well pleasd to hear the praises of the Republic in generall , or any thing that may tend to the glory therof , or of the Nation ; specially if one points at those things which are peculiar to that peeple or Citty , and cannot be applied to any other , as the marvailous site of the Cittie ; the maner wherby She is preservd , and securd , with the causes therof ; The public and privat magnificences , the Patrician bloud , wherin the chief extractions of the Roman Nobility , and of many other Townes of Italy , with other places of Europe , was conservd pure from mingling with the Goths , Vandalls , Hunns , Sarracens and Longobards neer upon 13. hundred yeers : the Christian nativity of this Republic , having never followd any other Religion ; the method of Her Goverment , and that She hath particular constitutions of Her own which She never borrowed of others , but She did constitut Her-self ; That She hath conservd Her-self a longer tract of time than any Republic that ever was ; having never lost or diminishd any part of Her first liberty , or acknowledgd any other superiority but Her own ; Her temperat kind of mixture in point of goverment tends allso much to Her honor , wherin all the qualities , and kinds of goverments are involvd ; The maner of electing Her Prince , and subordinat Magistrat●…s by an extraordinary way of balloting or lottery , wherin choice and chance have a hand ; Her formes of justice , with the cautious authority and moderation of Her Judges ; The prudence and maturity of Her Senat in all deliberations ; Her matchles Forces by Sea ; Her vast provisions , and preparatifs for all kinds of Warr , wherin that Signorie surpasseth all other Potentats of Christendom ; That no Navall Warr can be made against the Ottomans , the common Enemy , without conjunction with Her ; That this Republic is calld the Shield , and principall safegard , and as Paul the 3. sayd , the Bullwark of Europe ; The mighty Forces She employed against Cyprus against Selym for Her defence ; The generosity She hath shewed not to refuse the Warr ; The deliberations She holds before She engageth in any fight , and Her most celebrous exploits in the great battail of Lepanto in the yeer 1571. And not to extend my self further , I say you will extremely plese the Venetians in elevating the achievments , ancient and modern , of the Signorie ; Moreover , t will be very gustfull unto Her if you speak of Her piety , and munificence to the Church , and to have oftentimes bin the Protectresse of Saint Peters Chaire , renewing the memory of what passd twixt Frederic the second and Her , with the Negotiations and Protestations made by Her before the Duke of Alva in the Warr against his Holines , and all things els that you can alledg conducible to this purpose ; Lastly , remember well to extoll the royal and sincere proceedings of the Republic upon all occurrences in public treaties ; commending Her that She useth to negotiat frankly , without any artifice or disguise , but really , and without palliations . I will not name heer the Princes that are belov'd or hated by the Signorie , for it will tend to little purpose . The Republic of Ragusa , and Genoa are no great friends to this Signorie , ; yet They hate Her not , but use to be sensible of her dangers , and troubles ; because that whosoever growes to be master of any of these Republiques will have the greater strength ; which is just contrary to the aymes of the Republic of Venice , whose policy tends that the state of Italy receaves no alteration , but be allwayes at a constant stand ; And for this cause She wold be contented that the Dominions which the Spaniard hath in that Countrey were equally divided twixt Spain and France , that the power of those two great Kings might be counterpoisd , and that neither of them were so powerfull in Italie . Wherupon the Signorie of Venice extremely desireth that Rome , with the State Ecclesiastic , and the Apostolic Seat , might be preservd , in regard that beside the affair of Religion , She observes the excellent Regiment of the Church , wherin all the vigor , and reputation of Italie consists ; And touching the holy Father , were he reducd to any extremity or danger , this pious Republic would employ all Her power to protect Him , being wisely perswaded that all the domage which wold fall upon his Sanctity , wold rebound upon Her. I have forborn to observe hitherunto that the principall object of the consultations of this noble Signory is the repose of Italy , and to preserve her from revolutions of intestin broyles . You must allso take it among your instructions that in the Discourses you shall hold with the Venetians or others , you must not shew your self inclinable to make a new league against the Turk , but rather when you fall upon this subject , you shall appeer rather for peace , and approve of the prudence of the Signorie in her cariage towards this huge Potentat to have no actuall hostility with him ; In which Discours you must be mindfull of the three reasons , which the Venetians use to alledg that it is necessary for that state to have peace with the Turk . The first is in regard that all the Iles , Coasts and Maritime places which the Signorie possesseth do confine with som part of the Ottoman Empire , therupon She may be easily surpriz'd and invaded that way . The second is in regard that the Citty of Venice being the best peepled of all Italy , She hath not territory enough to maintain and support Her-self , or afford her all sorts of necessaries , therfore She must be oblig'd to other Countries for Her sustentation , now , ther is no Prince upon Earth , that lieth so oportunely to furnish Her as the Turk . Thirdly , if a War be declar'd in the Levant all traffick will cease by Sea , as also commerce by Land , therfore the Citty of Venice being one of the greatest Mercantile Towns in the World , her Cittizens will grow poor , and want employment . You must add to these considerations the form and institution of the Republic , being from the first time of her foundation ordained and born as it were for peace and plenty , as She hath found by experience ; Therfore the Venetian Senators are alwayes pleas'd , when any motion is made of Peace , and when any mention is made of the Turk they will not be discontented to heer him extoll'd for a mighty great Prince , implying thereby that the Signorie is the wiser to be at good termes with him ; The Reasons whereby the Venetians did justify their proceedings , when against the capitulations of the league they did accommode themself with the Turk , are so known to the World that it were a peece of impertinency to insist upon them here ; but in your Discours among the Venetians , you may make use of them as ocasion shall invite you . I finish these Instructions with this necessary Rule that evry Ambassador , or public Minister of state ought to render himself agreeable to the Prince , with whom he negotiates , which may tend much to the happy conduct , and advancement of all his Negotiations . A Review of the Navall strength of Venice . IN regard the main strength and incolumity , together with the principall defence and glory of this Neptunian Damsell is derived from the Sea , it will not be amisse to make inspection once more into her waters , and fadom the depth of her navall power . Now , to treat of her strength this way it will not be amisse to give a little touch once more at Her Arsenall , which strikes an admiration into all men that are curious to survey it , and may be rank'd one of the wonders of the World in that kind ; It is sited and encompass'd with a great chanell of the Sea , It is girt about with strong walls three miles in circuit ; Ther have been counted there at one time 300 Gallies , besides those that were in cours to secure the gulf whereof ther were above 22 Galeasses , which in comparison of the other Gallies may be call'd men in compleat Armes , or Cuirasses , because they' are not so nimble in their motion neither for Sayle or Oar as others , but they give a far greater shock , and if they have a rowsing gale of wind and favorable , 20 of these are able to encounter 100. of other Gallies ; besides they have the advantage of Galeons , because they have Feet as well as Wings . For Timber to build all sorts of sayling Vessells , ther is such abundance that by an extraordinary providence grow up and down upon the Coasts not far remote from the Cittie in the firm Land that she never wants any , but can furnish her self out of her own stock . For Rowers and Sayles besides those that the Citty can affoord , Her-self , She hath great nombers in all the Maritime Townes ; And for Souldiers for her Gallies She employes those of Dalmatia and Croatia with other places call'd the Cernides ; The Captaines and Lieutenants of Her Gallies are for the most part Venetian Gentlemen , wherof ther is a great multitude ; And besides the Lieutenant , She employes alwayes two young Gentlemen more to be exercis'd in Maritime affaires , the art of Navigation , and navall Militia ; The greatest inconveniences She hath is scarcity of Bread and Bisket ; howsoever She is allwayes very carefull to supply their want , by those huge Magazins of all sort of grain which She stores up in the Arsenall , and other places : She hath commonly evry yeer , though She be in peace with all the World , about 40 Gallies to scowre the gulph , and secure her Islands in the Ionian Sea , wherof ther is an Admirall call'd the Captain of the Gulph , who hath 5000 Duketts for his annual salary . These Gallies do not only free the Gulph from Corsaries or Pyratts , but they preserve the Reputation of the Republic , and Breed alwayes a nursery of able Sea-Comanders : whensoever She understands that the Turk Arms at Sea , She doth accordingly encrease this nomber of Gallies , and names a Generall . She is infested somtimes with petty compagnons call'd the Uscocchi upon the coasts of Dalmatia , who having snap'd up any little prize , use to retire suddenly to som of the territories of the House of Austria , which causeth her to be at the charge of maintaining a Fleet of small vessells calld Fusti upon those Coasts to secure her Marchants . Indeed , it cannot be imagind what nomber of Vessells the Signorie can put to Sea , in regard She hath all kind of Provisions , Materialls , Armes and other necessaries alwayes in a readines ; And She doth dayly improve Her strength rather than diminish it ; Therefore if about 300 yeers agoe she did arme above 200. Gallies and other Vessells towards the conquest of the Holy Land , and so many in the conquest of Constantinople where She joyned with the French , it is easy to conjecture how her power hath bin augmented since ; considering that all her Neighbours have encreas'd in strength since that time , and it hath bin one of her prime Rules of policy to have an eye to that , and proportion her Forces accordingly , This being the chiefest thing that those great Officers the three Sages of the Sea , and the three Sages de Terra firma have given them in charge : therfore when they are elected for those Offices they have more honor given them than ordinary ; yet when any are so chosen ther is not any useth to congratulat them , or go to kisse their hands as was usuall when the great Councell was risen after the Election ; And this is one of the modernst Lawes of Venice , which was ratified and enacted with great approbation , viz. That when any was nominated to any office of honor or public trust , none of the Senat shold congratulat them , whereas before evry man at the recesse of the Councell wold presse to take those by the hand who were chosen Magistrats , protesting with many vowes that they were seriously glad in their hearts of the advancement that had befallen them , yea even those wold say so that had given their suffrages against them by way of complement , which was adjudgd by the Censors to be a great abuse and unworthy of the Venetian Nobility , being in all other things so grave and honorable . The sayed Censors allso are of no long institution , they are created with great solemnity , their office being to represse the ambition and prodigality of the Gentry , and to look with severity into their deportments . The Defects of the Signorie of Venice . BUt now we have taken paines to recount the perfections and virtues of this powerfull and so well policed Commonwealth , which are so many in nomber , and such , that they fill all the world with wonder ; It will not be impertinent to discover what are Her defects and vices , considering that ther is no created body in this sublunary world , either naturall or civill , but is subject to imperfections , and no convenience is without its inconvenience . The first defect then and the greatest that Venice is thought to be subject unto , is , that being Lady of so many Countreys , She must import nourishment for Her Children out of other places , and if She had not the Sea for Her frend She might endure a great deal of hardship , for want of bread ( which is the staff of life ) and of all sorts of grain ; Therfore it is the principall motif that induceth Her to be very loth to fall out with the Turk , from whose Dominions She fetcheth many commodities that conduce to sustenance and well being . It is another inconvenience unto Her that Candy in the Mediterranean , and other Iles She hath in the Ionian Seas , are so remote from Her , and they so distant one from the other . Another is , that She is enforcd in time of actuall warr to employ Suisses , and Germanes , with other Strangers , who are acquainted with the new modes of combating ; For touching the Italian Infantery , they are softer , and hardly drawn from their old fashion of fight , and military discipline . Another may be , that by reason of Her overmuch jelousy and caution She dares not employ any of Her own Subjects in quality of Generall by Land for fear lest he shold grow too popular . Lastly , That She being the next neighbour to the Turk ; if any other Christian Prince or State offends Him or His Subjects , he is ready ever and anon to throw the Catt at her shinns , to pick a quarrell , and wreck his revenge upon Her , by setting upon Her skirts either by Land or Sea , and this She hath often felt ; Add herunto that this vicinity with so huge a Potentat encreaseth both Her cares and expences , for ther is no State consumes more in Fortifications . TOuching Her Vices , She is taxd all the World over for the latitud of liberty She gives to carnall plesure , and the large conscience She hath under the navill , though Naples exceed Her in this kind , whence some wold derive the ground of the proverb , That Venice and Naples are two Paradises where Devills dwell ; But She may receave this infection from the Greek and the Turk Her Neighbours , who hold that the Creator inordred his handmayd Nature to infuse hott bloud into humane veines , and into that bloud appetits and motions not to be a torment unto him , but to be turnd into delight and plesure ; To this they say ther be multitudes of reclusd men and women in Venice , who by their austere cours of continency make som compensation for this loosnes in others , and keep Her Citty from sinking ; for when the last cense was made , ther were neer upon 5000. Fryers and Nunns immurd within the Citty , who make vowes of continency , and have divorcd themselfs for such sensuall plesures . Lastly , Venice is taxd that Her Children are so mortally revengefull ; but this humor is incident to all Italians , and other Nations besides ; who if they receave a weighty injury from any , they will make sure work with him , and dispatch him , So that he shall not wrong them twice ; which a Duellist useth to doe by exposing his life to equall hazard with his Enemy . Of the famous and renowned men which Venice hath producd . THer are few Citties which have brought forth men more celebrous for all the Cardinall Virtues than Venice hath don , as allso more scientificall contemplative men , and greater Artists ; whose names , to doe Her a generall right , we thought it not improper to insert here . Venice producd three Popes , and they were accounted the best of Popes ; viz. Gregory the 12. of the Corarian familie ; Eugenius the 4. sprung of the Cundelmerians , a man of transcendent parts of wisedom ; and Paul the 2. of the extraction of Barbi , whose virtues Blondus , Sabellicus , and Platina himself , who was no frend to som Popes , doth blazon forth in a high mesure . Ther have bin a great nomber of Cardinalls , as Petrus Maurocenus , Marcus Landus , Iohannes Amadeus , Iohn Baptista Zeno , Dominicus Grimanus who was afterwards Patriark of Aquileia , he was a greater honor to the redd hatt than any , both for learning and all virtu ; his Library had above 10000. Volumes of Greek and Latin Authors ; Ther was allso Marcus Cornarius , and Marinus Grimanus , Gaspar Contarenus , Petrus Bembus who was adopted to the Colledg of Cardinalls by Paul the 3. of whose elegant and learned Writings as well in Greek and Latin , with other Languages , all the World doth ring . Franciscus Cornarius , and Franciscus Pisanus , Marinus Grimanus a man whom the World admird , who was so many times employed in quality of Nuntio ; he was allso Governor of Parma and Placentia from the Pope , Iohannes Grimanus allso was a Man renownd all the World over . Touching learned men that left Monuments to posterity they are nomberles ; ther was Pantaleon Iustinianus Patriarch of Constantinople ; Hermolaus Barbarus , Laurentius Iustinianus Patriarch of Aquileia ; Maphaeus Contarenus , Andreas Bendelmerius , Gregorius Corarius , Iohannes Boratius , Maphaeus Gerardus , Thomas Donatus , Antonius Syrianus , Ludovicus Contarenus ; Antonius Contarenus , Hieronymus Quirinus ; Hieronymus Trevisanus , Petrus Monteus , Iacobus Zeno , Antonius Pisamanus , Aloysius Lippamannus ; Andreas Dandalus Duke of Venice is to be rankd among these learned Authors , who compild a gallant Story , whom Petrarch , Blondus and Sabellicus mention with so much honor : Leonardus Iustinianus , Zacharias Trevisanus , Marcus Lippamannus ; Franciscus Barbadius , Daniel Veturius , Franciscus Barbarus ; All these , with multituds more of this kind were Sonnes of Venice , whose Works have flown through most parts of the World. The Citty allso of Venice producd many excellent Lawyers , as Barbonus Maurocenus , Ludovicus Foscarus , Vitalis Landus , Candianus Polanus , Nicolaus Canalis , Laurus Quirinus , Iohannes Carnalis , Paulus Barbus , Andreas Iulianus , Bernardus Iustinianus , Petrus Thomas , Ludovicus Donatus , Franciscus Dedus , Marcus Sanutus , Hieronymus Donatus ; all these were great Lawyers and Senators , whose learned Works are found yet in most of the Libraries up and down Christendom , with those of Andreas Navagerius . Besides men of erudition and exquisit learning and policy , Venice hath brought forth a great nomber of Generalls and Captaines renowned all the earth over for their prowesse and valour both by Land and Sea , who enlargd the Territories of the Republic by their exploits and victories ; Ther com in the van of these Iohannes and Raynus Polanus , who brought Corfù or Corcyra under subjection ; Marinus Gradonicus with Dominicus Maurocenus reduc'd Pola ; Iohannes Basilius , and Thomas Falerius did daunt and discomfit the Pisans when they infested the Seas ; Reinerus Dandalus with Rugerius Permarinus , took Metho and Coton after a stubborn sieg , and with marvailous personall resolution ; Iohannes Trevisanus with nine Vessells utterly overcame and took 22 Genoways nere Drepano in Sicilie ; Petrus Thomas , Iohannes Grittus , Nicolaus Balestrerius , Marcus Bonus , and Andreas Thealdus , did oftentimes reduce to obedience the Candiotts in severall Rebellions ; Leonardus Quirinus , and Marcus Onissorius brought away two famous victories from before Constantinople ; Reinerius Zeno quieted most parts of Dalmatia when they mutined : Laurentius Teupolus in the port of Ptolemais took and sunk 23 Shipps of the Genowayes , And afterwards being joyned with Andreas Zeno he took 25 of their Gallies and Galeons nere Tyre ; The Greek Emperour Balduinus made Mark Gradonico Admirall of all the Seas ; Marcus Michael with a few Gallies put to flight 20 sayles of Genowayes , and afterwards took Chalcis . Gilbertus Dandalus , and Iacobus Dandalus in a bloudy fight nere Drepano in Sicilie took 24 of their men of War ; Raggierus Maurocenus being Generall of 60 Gallies did things beyond belief ; Iohannes Superantius with 25 Gallies took Theodosia in the Tauric Cherchonesus , and a little after Benedictus Iustinianus took a great nomber of Greek Shipps . Petrus Zeno was the first Generall that was employed against the Turks , and brought home two victories in one yeer . Ther suceeded him Marinus Falerus , Andreas Cornalis , Petrus and Marcus Canalis , Marcus Iustinianus , who were never beaten in their lifes , but came off alwayes victors in seven navall Expeditions . The first Officers whom the Republic employed in quality of Proveditors to accompagnie the Generall , and concur with him in all counsells were Andreas Maurocenus , and Simon Dandalus , and afterwards Nicolaus Gradonicus , and Pancratius Iustinianus , which charge and singular trust was delated unto them for their extraordinary prudence , and fidelity to their Countrey , which they made appeer in the Execution of their places , and the triumphant successe they had ; Nicolaus Pisanus deserves immortall prayse , together with Iohannes Delphinus in that he took away from the Genowayes 50 sayles of Shipps ; Paulus Loredanus , Marcus Michael , and Iohannes Sanutus , deserve no lesse for their exploits in the Levant Seas ; Marcus Cornalis was not inferior to any of these , when Duke Falerius being slain the Senat for his high deserts made choice of him to be Prince with the acclamation of all the Peeple ; Bernardus Iustinianus became glorious over all parts of the Greek Empire for his notable achievments , and extrordinary valour ; The fortitud and wisdom of Victor Pisanus in overcoming the assaults of sinister fortune was most memorable ; for being by the election of the Senat , and applause of all the Venetian Peeple designd Admirall of the Gulph , upon som ill successes , and reluctancies of fortune , the Genewayes occupying Fossa Clodia , was cast into Prison by sentence of the Senat , and Venice was reduc'd to such streights , that She sent a blank to the Genowayes to write their own capitulations for Peace , which they refusing , the sayd Victor Pisanus by the cry and pastulations of all the People was demanded out of Prison , which being obtain'd , he was by an universall suffrage of the great Councell chosen Admirall again , and launching forth into the Archipelago , he carried away from the Genowayes , who were then agogg for their great successes , the most glorious victory that ever was had of them , and so pluck'd up his Countrey out of that deep plunge She was then fallen into ; Sabellicus writes of this noble chieftain , that being sent for by the Senat out of Prison , he excus'd himself saying that he had somthing to do before he wold part from that Schoole of Repentance , therfore staying there all that night , and spending most part of it in spirituall meditation , he sent betimes the next morning for his ghostly Father , and after a very penitent confession of his sinnes , he took the holy Eucharist , protesting by that holy Sacrament that he freely forgave all those who had don him injury by their traducements , and that he wold be as tru to his Countrey , and as carefull of the glory of the Republic as ever he was , not doubting but God , and all his holy Angells wold accompagnie him . Dominicus Michael with a Fleet of 24. well appointed Gallies only , reduc'd the I le of Candie to a perfect passe of obedience , when She had utterly fallen off from her obedience to the Republic being fomented by divers Princes in that Rebellion . Ther succeeded him in the Generallship Cressus Molinus , Michael Delphinus , Iacobus Maurus , Marcus Iustinianus , Carolus Zeno who in the Clodian Battail against the Genowayes shewd such notable evidences of valour ; Michael Iustinianus , Petrus Hemus , Fantinus Georgius , Marcus Grimanus , Iohannes Barbus , Victor Barbarus obtain'd eternall glory for their exploits against Philip Maria Duke of Milian ; Franciscus Bembus gaind no lesse renown by a famous victory he got of the Milaneses upon the River of Po by a Fleet of Gallifoists as Blodus , Sabellicus and Corius make honorable mention in their works . Petrus Lauredanus made all the Eastern world ring of his glory , so did after him Andreas Mocenigus ; Stephanus Contarenus gave three severall defeates to the Dukes of Milan that all Italy sounded out his fame , when Brescia came under the Dominion of the Republic : Aloysius Lauredanus , in that memorable expedition against the great Turk , wherein Pope Eugenius , and the Duke of Burgundy were joynd , came off with admirable successe : Victor Capellus a man of cleer intellectualls and solid judgment was Admirall in divers notable expeditions against the Turk and never receavd any repulse , in so much that he was honord by his very enemies ; After him Ursatus Iustinianus , Iacobus Lauredanus , Nicolaus Canalis , Petrus Mocenicus , were famous both in the Greek , the Mediterranean and all the Levant Seas ; Victor Superantius made his name good by his actions , being a man of an undaunted spirit , yet very circumspect in the conduct of all his actions ; Hieronymus Canalis pourchasd an egregious name by taking Maurus Alexandrinus after a fierce and bloudy combat . Vicentius Capellus was renowned farr and neer for his exploits against the Moors & Turks , who durst not peep out while he was at Sea for many yeers ; Andreas Trevisanus a Knight though slow in deliberation , yet quick in execution , brought to the Citty many prizes which enrichd Her exceedingly , and had he livd to it he had worn the Ducall Capp . Many other most illustrious Heroes receavd their birth in Venice , as Antonius Cornarius , Nicolaus Priulus , Gieronimus Georgius Knight of Saint Mark a famous Orator , who was employed Ambassador to most of the Kings of Christendom , and was admired for his wisedom as well as for his eloquence ; Marcus Fuscarus , Thomas Contarenus , and Laurentius Amulius were men admird in their time both for their prudence in the Senat , and prowesse at Sea , where they took that notorious Pyrat Sarbanassa , who so infested the Archipelago that he became a terror to all Marchants and Passengers ; To these may be added Sebastianus Venerius , who though he comes in the rere of all the rest , yet may he be deservedly rankd among the formost , both for his magnanimity , his rare knowledg in the Art of Navigation , and in prudent conduct of all his designes , but specially for his notable successes ; In that glorious battail of Lepanto he was the man that did the most signal peece of service when he rescued Don Iohn of Austria the Generalissimo of the whole Fleet when he was ready to sink being orepowerd by the Turks , and Don Iohn did acknowledg it , calling him ever after his Preserver and Father , though ther had happend a little before an ill-favourd clash betwixt them ( as hath appeerd in the bulk of the Story ) wherin Venieri shewd that he was not inferior to him in courage , though he was an Emperours Son ; This brave Sea-Generall was chosen after to sitt at the Stern of the whole Republic , and to be Prince of Venice , which was don not only by the suffrage of the Senat , but by the universall acclamations of the peeple ; When he died , divers forren Princes sent for his picture , to preserve the memory of so gallant a man. These , with nomberles more , are those brave spirits which issued out of the womb of this Mayden-City , wherof som were supereminent for holines , and high virtues ; others for erudition and learning of all kinds , whose works are yet extant up and down the Libraries of Christendom as eternall Monuments of their worth ; others excell'd in prudence , and prowesse , in counsell and courage ; Nor doe I beleeve , if one were curious to penetrat the whole bulk of the Roman Story , and peruse all Her Annalls , I say he will not be able to produce so many gallant men ; though we know that no Citty in the world usd to magnifie her own Children more than old Rome , wherin She was somtimes so Hyperbolicall , that among other things it was imputed to Her as a vanity , wherof Venice was allwayes free ; Nor could Athens , Sparta , or Lacedemon and other Greek Commonwealths , of whom the Romanes seemd to borrow this vainglory , muster up so many Worthies ; which Common-wealths may be sayed to have bin but Mushrumps in point of duration if compard to the Signorie of Venice . Having now glanc'd here again upon old Rome , and in the precedent parts of this Discours made som parallels twixt Her and Venice , in Her way of goverment , and politicall conduct of civill matters ; And having in the Historicall part that went a little before spoken of the severall kinds of enemies , quarrells and combatings that She hath had , I thought it no impertinency or digression to make another short parallel twixt old Rome , and the Republic of Venice in point of Martiall affaires . Another parallel twixt old Rome and Venice . AS in Magistracy and method of goverment the Republic of Venice doth much symbolize with old Rome , as hath bin declard , so allso in their preliations and quarrells , as likewise in the cours and qualitie of their Warrs both by Sea and Land with severall Nations , ther is no little resemblance between them ; this only being the greatest disparity , that the Romanes destroyed themselfs by one Warr , but the Venetian hath remaind yet invincible . Let us make som comparisons betwixt them . Such as at first the Hernici , Equi and Volscians were to the Romanes , such have the Dalmatians , Istrians and Liburnians bin to the Venetians ; The Gaules under the conduct of Brennus ( the Britain ) was a destructive Enemy unto them , having left them nothing but the Capitoll ; The same Nation ( called afterwards French ) much molested the Venetians , and once took all from them except the Rialto ; The Cimbrians , Te●…tomans , and Ambrons were terrible to the Romanes and to all Italy ; the like were the Goths , Hunns and Longobards to the Venetians and their Neighbours ; Carthage was an Enemy to the Latin name , the like was Genoa to the Venetian ; But Carthage shewed her greatest fury against the Romanes when She was confederat with King Philip and the Syracusans against them ; In like maner Genoa was never more terrible to the Venetian than at that time , when in the Warr of Chioggia She was backd by Lewis King of Hungary and the Padoans : Pyrrhus was an Enemy to the Romanes , but more mild than the Carthaginians ; Pepin was so to the Venetians , but much more tractable than the Genoways ; The Romanes had a tedious Warr with Mithridates ; The Venetians with Philippo Visconte ; Antiochus was a powerfull Enemy against them , but the Ottoman a more potent against the Venetian ; The Romanes maintaind the Confederat Warr , the most dangerous that ever was in Italy ; and the Venetians to resemble them in all things , did not onely in Lombardie withstand the Forces of all the Princes of Italy , who envied their greatnes , but brake them asunder . The Romanes after their first establishment wanting women for propagation , invited their Neighbours with their Daughters to certain public histrionicall shewes , where they surprizd and seazd upon all the Mayds , and kept them , whence issued a Warr ; Such an accident happend in Venice upon Her first erection ; For a great Wedding being to be celebrated , where the Bride being full of rich Jewells , as also the Bridemayds , with others that were invited , according to the ancient custom ; They were assaulted upon a sudden by certain Pyratts who carried them all away as prize to Dalmatia ; But the Venetians arming those few Gallies they had then , poursued them so eagerly , and overtaking them they sett upon them with such a resolution , that they not onely redeemd the Bride with all the Maydens , but having made a great slaughter of the Enemy , they took all their Shipps , by giving them an utter overthrow ; And this was the first victory that Venice gott . As in quality of Enemies , and Warrs , so Venice hath much resemblance with old Rome in the management of Her Martiall affaires , specially in expecting an exact obedience to Her Commissions and Instructions , which must not be exceeded under pain of life , or indispensable punishment ; for if good successe follow , it will be imputed to the weaknes of Her Senators who shold have given a larger Commission , which prejudice is taken off by chastising the party ; Herof ther are divers examples , but a late one shall serve the turn in the person of Capello , who notwithstanding that he had performd a most noble exploit by overcoming the Barbary Fleet som few yeers since , and carrying away with him the Admirall Gallie of Algier , which now lyeth in the Arsenall among the chiefest Tropheys , yet in regard he transcended his Commission , he was arraignd as Criminall before the Decemvirat , and , but for good frends , he had breathd his last , and hangd by the legg betwixt the two Columns in Saint Marks Place . Moreover , though Rome had usually mighty Armies abroad , yet the Cittie was allwayes so peacefull as if there had bin no Warr at all ; Therfore when any Generall returnd it was death for him to passe the River Rubicon with his Army ; So Venice though She have never so many Enemies abroad and Armies in actuall service , yet ther is not the least signe of warr or disturbance in the Cittie Her-self , but She is peacefull at home , and when any of Her Generalls return they may not com within 100. miles of Her Walls under paine of death . Of the advantages which Venice hath of old Rome . HAving made these parallels twixt old Rome and Venice , I will conclude with divers things wherin the last may be sayed to have the advantage , or may deserve the priority of the former . 1. Rome was born a Pagan , Venice a Christian when She was but an Embryon , and so suckd farr better milk in her infancy . The Romanes added still to their Religion by entertaining new Gods ever and anon from those Countreys they subdued , alledging ther could not be too many Gods to support so great an Empire , though t is tru a Decree of the Senat was usd to passe before they were admitted into the Pantheon , and other Temples , which Decree ran in these old Latin words , Nemo habescit Deos n●…vos aut adve●…as nisi publicè ascitos , Let none have new Gods or Strangers till they be publickly allowed ; Venice was never subject to such levities . 2. In rarenes of situation Venice is superior to Rome , and indeed to any other Cittie on the surface of the Earth , for herin She brooks no comparison ; for when any Stranger comes to see Venice evry day will strike a fresh admiration into him for a long time together , and in this particular , Rome may be sayed to be as farr inferior to Venice as Tyber is to the Sea , in whom the Cittie may be sayed to shine as a pearl in a Muscle-shell . 3. In point of navall strength , Rome was never comparable to Venice , for She never had such a grandeza as Her Arsenall ; Her Sea-vessells were but shallopps compard to those which are now in use ; She did but lick the shore , whereas Venice did launch out into the Main , and rid triumphantly upon Neptune's back . Old Rome was ever inclin'd to war , her mud-walls having been embrued with bloud at her first foundation , She still thirsted after more dominions , and Her ambition was interminable , so that her Republic was made up of Magna Latrocinia as one sayed ; Venice on the contrary hath ever sought after peace both for Her-self and Her Neighbours , having don the best Offices that way of any state in Christendom ; It was the vainglory of old Rome to brag of the exploits of Her Children , which Venice never useth to do , but ther is a Law to the trary . 5. For extent of Territories 't is tru that old Rome went beyond Venice , yet Venice had a title than which old Rome never had a greater , which was that Her Duke was call'd while the Greek Empire lasted Protospiter Graci imperii , first father of the Grecian Empire . 6. Old Rome had never such potent foes , and formidable Armies to cope withall as Venice hath had , She never had such a confederacy as that league of Cambray against Her ; She never had an enemy of such a vast power as the Turk is ; It were a paradox to hold , that old Rome had not brave magnanimous men whom Her own stories magnifie so much , and it is as great a paradox to hold , that Venice hath not had more ; though She be far more free from that humor of ostentation . Ther were divers brave spirits in Rome that did murther themselfs in height of spirit , And ther were braver spirits in Venice that did mortifie themselfs , as divers of Her Princes have don , by shaking off the Ducall robes for a froc , and so bidding a farwell to the pomp and plesures of the world . 7. In point of duration and longaevity old Rome was not made of so strong a constitution as Venice , who hath almost lasted twice her time , for She hardly continued a Republic 700 yeers ; yet Venice to this day is plump and buxom , as if She meant to hold touch with Time himself , and coexpire with the world . Lastly , Venice hath this preheminence of old Rome , that she hath preserv'd her Maydenhead to this day though situated in hot salt waters , and though oftentimes forc'd , yet was She never ravish'd ; whereas Rome becam a prostitut to all Nations , who ridd Her often out of breath , but Venice from the first moment of Her conception to this very point of time . Virgo manet medio pura , recénsque Salo. To this Latin Pentameter we will add this English Distic , ( for I know Venice will not be displeas'd if She be told how old She is ) and so bid Her farewell , Ne're Mayd did beare Her age so well As Venice , if Her yeers you tell . — 1231. A Cohortation , by way of Corollary , address ▪ d to all Christian Princes and States to resent the present dangers of the Republic of Venice . HAving in this large Prospective or Murano Looking-glasse more properly , ( though I confesse not cut with a Diamond cut ) represented unto the world the true face and Physiognomy of this renowned Virgin , having fetched Her from Her very Cradle , set Her forth in all Her proportions , and attended Her to that stature of perfection She is now grown unto , having allso dissected Her government , and anatomiz'd evry lim thereof by pourtraying Her in all her colours , both inward and outward ; Having likewise taken an abstract of the story of all Her Princes , and felt the pulse of Her courage by shewing what glorious exploits She hath perform'd up and down the World against the mightiest Potentats on earth , having moreover pryed into Her interests of state in relation to other Princes , Having allso made you know Her defects , as well as Her advantages , and unvayl'd Her vices as well as Her vertues ; Lastly , having declared in what trepidations , and dangerous condition She stands at present , by having clos'd in actuall lucation with that great Eastern Giant the common Enemy , who as the Wolfe in the Fable useth to take hold of any slight ocasion , if the waters be troubled , to quarrell with Her , and ther her to peeces ; I take the boldnes now to direct this seasonable hortative or alarum rather , to all Christian Princes , and States , that it is high time for them to be sensible of her present engagements and consequently to reach her a helping hand , which as by a generall tie of Christianity , so for sundry particular respects and indispensable obligations they are bound to do . 1. In regard 't is known and confess'd by all , that She is the main Bulwork of the principallst parts of Europe against the Turk , for in the bottom of her Gallies lieth the security and wellfare of all her Neighbours ; It is She that holds him at the Oares end that he cannot take any sure footing in Italy , as he hath attempted often , and it is known by wofull experience that whersoever he or his horse once sets his foot , the grasse will never grow there again , Therfore , under favour , they are oblig'd by the common and mutuall tie of danger to preserve this Republic from sinking . 2. All Christendom is beholden unto this wise Republic , in regard She hath interceded from time to time , and labourd more for the generall peace and tranquility of Christendom , and by her moderation and prudent comportment hath don better Offices in this kind then any other whatsoever Rome excepted . 3. It is She that hath bin the chiefest instrument to keep even the scales of the great balance of State betwixt the Princes of the Western world , that the power of one might not so out-poize and be trabocant that the rest shold be in danger to be blown up . 4. Ther is an extraordinary respect and honor due unto the Signorie of Venice from the rest of Christendom , in regard that wheras other Princes have made use of the Turk against their fellow Christians as could be prov'd by many instances , yet the Republic of Venice , though fairely offer'd , and importun'd thereunto , wold never make use of him that way in her greatest extremities ; Neither in that mighty league of Cambray , when all the power of Europe was knotted against her ; Nor during the time of the Interdict when the Pope , and the House of Austria were like to joyn against Her with temporall and spirituall Armes , yet She never wold accept the assistance of the Turk ; though it be lawfull when ones House is set on fire to use foule water as well as fair , to extinguish it . 5. Lastly , The Signorie of Venice is to be more look'd upon then other States , because they who have had pratic in the world , and observ'd generall dependencies confesse , that her peace hath caus'd the plenty , and her warrs the peace of most Regions of Europe ; It was She that opend the Trade , and taught the Northwest world a way to all the Levant parts , as also into Afric , and the Southern Coasts of Asia as far as the Red-sea and the Indies ; moreover Her Bank of money , as it hath bin the Ground and Rule of all other banks , so it is the most usefull for Marchants or Gentlemen to any part of the world , nor do I see how Christendom can subsist conveniently without it . Therefore , humbly under favour , it highly behoves all other Christian Princes to be ayding and assisting unto this gallant and usefull Republic , to preserve this Virgin from being ravish'd by that rude Tyrant of the Levant , the common enemy , who is now actually uniting and banding all his forces both by Land and Sea , to shoot Her twixt Wind and Water , and utterly to sink Her ; having now got out from between the Dardanelli with a great Fleet to succour Canea , and make good what he hath already got in Candie . Besides these generall ties , ther be som motifs of encouragement now more then formerly that may serve to incite all Christian Princes against the Turk at this time , in regard that , according to the judgement of the wiser sort of men , that tyrannicall Empire is upon point of declining , or to suffer som notable change ▪ because the Ianizares of late yeers have much degenerated from what they were from their Primitive institution , being now allowed to marry , and to exercise Marchandizing , which makes them lesse venturous , and to be more carefull of their wealth , with their Wifes and Children , Besides , they have lost that godlike kind of reverence they us'd to bear unto the person of the Ottoman Emperour , so far , that they have embrued their hands in the bloud of two of them allredy within these twenty yeers , the one had his braines dashd out by a poleax , having the day before bin hurried away to prison , and as he was going a horseback his Turban was snatchd off by a contemptible fellow , who clapt his own upon the Emperours head by way of exchange ; and as he road along through the Seraglio , his own Court , he beggd a dish of water out of a poor wenches cruse ; but being clapd in prison , the next day a company of Soldiers went to strangle him , who rushing furiously into his Chamber , he started out of his bedd , and thinking to defend himself a bold despicable slave knockd him down ; and this was the successe of that strange dream he had had a few nights before , when in his sleep he thought he was mounted upon a Camel who wold not go neither by fair or foul meanes , and lighting down from off him , he thought to have struck him with his Cimiter , but the whole body of the beast vanishd away . Besides , som late Astronomers , and those of the best rank among the Jewish Rabbins , do hold that the fate and fortune of a Kingdom may be read in the Heavens ; for they have observd that all the Hebrew Letters may be found out among the Starrs ; Rabbi Chomer assures the World that it is now a good while since this hath bin observd , for the Hebrew toung wherein God himself vouchsafd to speak , and was the first among Mankind , hath certainly somthing of mysterie and excellence in it more than the other that had their beginning at the confusion of Babel ; Divers of the Chaldeans and Jewish Rabbies , as Rabbi Kap●…l , Abjudan and Chomer spoken of before , have bin curious to spell these letters into words , affirming that this Celestiall writing hath bin so from the beginning : And if a good Astronomer , well versd in the Hebrew , do observe what Starrs are verticall over such a Countrey , he may foretell the Omens and fate of it , by observing which of the Hebrew Letters those Starrs resemble , and so compose those Letters into words . Thus , a little before the Temple of Ierusalem was burnt , and utterly consumd by Nabuzaradan , it was noted that the verticall Starrs which hung over that Cittie made this Hebrew word Hickschich , which signifieth to reject and forsake without mercy . Thus the end of the Grecian Empire was likewise foreshewd by fower Starrs which were verticall , that made this word Parad , which signifieth in Hebrew divide . Thus over Athens fower Starrs were observd to be verticall a little before her dissolution , which made this Hebrew word Tsarar , the sense wherof is Angustiis affici , To be troubled ; with divers other examples which a late curious French Author doth produce . But that somthing may be instanced to the present purpose , and concerning things to com , the sayed Rabbi Chomer doth confidently affirm ( as the sayed French Author hath it ) that this Celestiall writing hath pointed out the declining of two great Empires of the East ; The one is that of China , which Countrey we know by the Tartars irruption is in a fearfull confusion allredy ; The other is that of the Turks , over which ther are observd seven verticall Starrs , which being read from the West to the East this Hebrew word Caah is made , which signifieth to be batterd , to be feeble , languishing , and drawing to an end : But now seeing it may be doubted at which time this Empire shall be reducd to this extremity , the same Letters do allso resolve the doubt , for those Letters being numericall make up the nomber of 1025. So that when this Kingdom shall have accomplishd the nomber of 1025. yeers , it shall then be overthrown , and brought to ruin ; Now , if we reckon from the yeer of our Lord 630. which was the yeer according to our vulgar computation wherin the basis of this Empire was layed , we shall find that it is to last till the yeer of our Lord 1655. for the completing of the foresayed nomber 1025. So that reckoning from this present yeer 1651. this Empire is to last but fower yeers by this account . But one will say , these are but conjectures or curiosities rather , & fancies , yet we know that the Heavens are calld a Book in an uncontroulable text , and in a Book ther must be letters and writing , which may foretell the good or ill omen of a Countrey ; the first by reading them from West to East , the second from North to West , because ab Aquilone pandetur omne malum , as poor England knowes too well : But as the Chymists hold that none can com to the Magistery unlesse he be a perfect good man , so he must be such a one that can attain the sense of this Celestiall writing . I will enforce this cohortation or Caveat rather , with a saying which the Turks have , That Italy is the Gate of Christendom , and Venice is the Key of Italy ; That Candie is a Bridg archd with Zant , Cephalonia , and Corfù , and Corfù is the chief Watergate of Venice . Therfore it is an easy thing to inferr this consequence , or rather to be a Prophet , That the day when Venice is lost , will be the eve of the winning of Italy ▪ and , a few daies after , of all CHRISTENDOM . To put a conclusive period to all , ther is a saying that carries no less wisdom than witt with it , when one's Neighbours house is afire , by the light therof , he may discerne his own danger ; The Venetian Flames at this time are of such a vast extent , that they may enlighten , not only the Italians their next Neighbours , but all Europe besides , to foresee her future dangers , if the aforesaid Islands , which are as so many Limbs of Christendom , be cut off , and that the Mahumetan Moon , increasing by such additions , come to predominat o're those Seas . An INDEX pointing at the principall'st passages throughout the whole Peece . A AN Analysis of the whole work in the Proem . An advertisement to the Reder Page ibid. The Ambassador of Venice his witty answer to the Pope , Page 2 Another witty answer to the Pope , Page 2 The Ambassador of Venice his witty answer to the French King , Page 4 The Arsenal of Venice , Page 5. 35 Ambassadors render their presents they receave from forren Princes to the Senat at their return , Page 6 Of Ambassadors ordinary and extraordinary in Venice , Page 23 Athens and Venice likened , Page 52 A●…hetins Epitaph , Page 54 Attributs of the Townes in Italy , Page 55 A proverb of Venice , Page 55 Angelo Participatio Duke of Venice , Page 60 An ancient custome in Venice , Page 60 The Admirall of Greece comes to Venice for ayd , Page 60 Alexander the Pope fled to Venice , Page 68 Acre taken again from the Christians , Page 73 Andrew King of Hungary comes to Venice , Page 74 The Ambassador doth extraordinary penance at Rome , Page 75 Andria Dandolo Duke of Venice , Page 75 Archduke of Austria , and the King of Cyprus com to Venice , Page 77 Alphonso Duke of Calabria entertaines Turks in his War , Page 83 An Ambassador com from the King of Tremisen to Venice , Page 85 The Arsenal of Venice burnt , Page 95 The Ambassador of Venice speech to the Turk about Cyprus , Page 96 Her Answer to the Turks Ambassdor , Page 97 The Armes of Venice defac'd in the Vatican , Page 171 An Abbot executed in Venice in his habit , Page 17 An Ambassador sent from Rome to Venice with notable instructions , Page 190 Apologies for the sensuality and revengefullnes of the Venetian , Page 199 A Catalog of som of the most renowned men of Venice , Page 200 The advantages which Venice hath of old Rome , Page ibid ▪ B Of Brescia , Page 25 Of Bergamo , Page 25 The Bergamastro speaks the worst Italian Dialect , Page 25 The manner of the Ballotations by which the Duke of Venice is chosen , Page 34 Of the Bucentoro Page 36 A bold motto in St Marks Tresury , Page 37 A bold Candi●…t rob'd the Tresury of St. Mark , Page 38 The books of the vulgar are Images , Page 54 A Battail twixt Pepin and the Venetians , Page 55 The Bishop of Aquilia taken prisoner by the Venetian , Page 60 Badoairio Duke of Venice depos'd himself and turnd Monk , Page 61 The Bishop of Gradus speech to the Venetian for supplies of the holy Land , Page 66 Baldwin Earl of Flanders , with other Princes going to the Holy Land com to Venice , wher they receave extraordinary entertainment , Page 71 Bologna beaten by Venice , Page 72 Brescia under the protection of Venice , Page 75 Buda taken by the Turk , Page 90 Barbarossa the great Pyrat , Page 92 C. Civill bodies subject to decay as well as naturall , Page 1 The Churchmen of Venice enjoy above two millions yeerly rent , Page 2 The clash twixt Venice and Genoa partly the cause of the l●…sse of the Holy Land , Page 3 Change of custom dangerous , Page 3 Cardinall Ossatts speech touching Venice , Page 5. Cyrus his revenge of the River Pindes , because she had drownd his horse , Page 5 A counterprize of rewards and punishmen●…s observ'd in Venice , Page 6 Cadetts among the Gentry restrained from marrying in Venice with the reason therof , Page 7 The Counsells of Venice are mysteries till put in execution , Page 7 Of Crema , Page 25 How a Courtisan cousned a Gentleman , Page 39 The circuit of Rome , Page 44 A cheap frend that 's got by a complement , Page 44 Candiano chosen Duke of Venice , who was cut in peeces by the fury of the peeple , Page 62 A cloak of cloth of gold to be given yeerly by Venice to the Emperour , remitted , Page 62 Centrenico Duke of Venice depos'd and turn'd to a Monastery , Page 65 Corfù first reduc'd to Venice , Page 67 Cyain Duke of Venice overthrowes Otho the Emperours Son , Page 68 A comparison of Venice and Genoa , with Rome and Carthage , Page 74 Ceremonies usd by Verona , Vicenza and Padoua when they rendred themselfs to Venice , Page 79 A Candiot robbs the tresury of St. Mark , Page 80 Constantinople taken by the Turks , their respect to the Venetian above others , Page 80 The ceremonies usd at the Duke of Venice his Buriall , Page 84 Cornaris subtill speech to the Queen of Cypus for a resignation , Page 84 Charles the 8. rusheth into Italy , Page 86 A contract twixt the Pope and Venice , about the nomination of her Bishops , Page 90 Cardinall Charles Caraffi strangled at Rome , Page 94 The Spaniard a great cause of losing of Cyprus , Page 111 Carmas notable speech to Don John of Austria , Page 106 Captain Tortona a Spaniard hang'd by Venieri , Page 107 A contract twixt Don John and Venieri the Venetian Generall , Page 107 Capello the Venetian Generall defeates the Barbary fleet at Vallona , Page 170 A clash twixt Venice and Urban the 8. Page 170 D. Death for any Venetian Senator to receave pension from a forren Prince , Page 6 The Dukes of Venice old before they be chosen , Page 6 Of the Dukes of Milan and Toscauy , Page 9 Duke of Venice a head of wood , Page 10 Of the Deceuiv●…rat or Councell of ten in Venice , Page 13 Dominico Mongario Duke of Venice he had his eyes put out , Page 59 The Duke of Venice stil'd Protospater of the Greek Empire , Page 61 Dominico Contareno Duke of Venice , he conquers Zara , Page 65 Dalmatia and Croatia added to the titles of Venice , Page 65 Dukes of Venice have a privilege to seal with lead given them by the Pope , Page 68 A description of St. Marks Church , Page 70 Duke Cyani makes St. Marks Church his heir , Page 71 Doria the Admiral of Genoa puts Venice to the worse in the I le of Sapientia , Page 77 The Ducall Palace bnrnt in Venice , Page 84 Ubaldo Duke of Urbin Generall of the Venetians , Page 91 Trevisano Duke of Venice died at Masse , Page 93 A description of the Christian fleet before the Battail of Lepanto , Page 19 Don John of Astrias speech at the battail of Lepanto , Page 115 Don John of Austria rescued by Venieri the Venetian Generall , Page 127 The division of the spoiles after the battail of Lepanto at large , Page 130 The Duke of Parma with an Army before Rome , Page 194 A dangerous prophecy of Holland , Page 180 The defects of Venice , Page 198 E The Enemies which Venice hath had from time to time , Page 2 Ecclesiasticks incapable to sit in the Venetian , and to inherit stable possessions , and the reson therof , Page 2 Ecclesiasticks dare not tamper with matters of state in Venice , Page 7 The extent and power of the principalities of Italy , Page 8 The etymology of Venice , Page 33 Experience the great looking-glasse of wisdom , Page 34 The election of the Duke of Venice , Page 34 The eastern emperour assisted by the Venetians , Page 60 Emanuel the Greek Emperour perfidious to the Venetians , Page 68 Ensignes given by the Pope to the Venetians , Page 70 Of Earthquakes and of their causes a Phylosophicall discours , Page 75 Eugenius the Pope a Venetian , Page 79 The Emperour Frederik with Leonora his Wife com to Venice , Page 8 The Emperour invites the Turk to war with the Venetian , Page 88 F. Forren Princes usually entertaind by Venice , Page 7 Falerio Duke of Venice put to death , because he married a stranger , &c. Page 12 Of Frivili , Page 13 The first Prince of Venice , Page 58 Freedom from taxes granted to Venice throughout all the Greek Empire , Page 62 Freedoms granted by Otho the Emperour to the Venetians , Page 62 Flabenico Duke of Venice , Page 65 Freedom given to the Venetian through all Syria , Page 67 Emperour Frederiques fast answer to the Venetians , Page 68 Th'Emperour Frederiques submission to the Pope at Venice , Page 69 The first War twixt Venice and Genoa , Page 71 The first excommunication against Venice without Ferrara , Page 74 The first Ambassador from England to Venice , 1332. Page 75 G. Of the Gulps of Venice , Page 9 The Government of Venice hath a grain of Monarchy , a dram of Democracy , and an ounce of Optimacy , Page 10 The great Councell of Venice , Page 16 Gentlemen of Venice great Patrons , Page 23 The Governors of the two Castles in Corfù never to meet upon pain of death , Page 29 Rare glasses made in Venice , Page 38 Glassmakers much esteem'd for their Art , Page 39 Giovani Mauritio Duke of Venice , Page 59 Giovani Partitiatio put off the Dukedom and confind to a Monastery , Page 60 The Greeks taught first the use of Bells by the Venetian , Page 61 Giovani Partitiatio Duke of Venice who voluntarily deposd himself , Page 61 The Gnoway defeated by the Venetian at Trapani , Page 72 Genoa vayld to Venice , as Carthage to Rome at last , Page 74 Genoa shrewdly beaten in the pontick Sea by Venice , Page 75 Gallipole in Calabria taken by the Venetian , Page 84 Genoa held Famagosta in Cypria above ninty yeers , Page 98 H. The habit of the Duke of Venice , Page 11 The habit of the Duke with the Iewells he wears upon festivall dayes valued at above 100000 cr . Page 11 The heir of Venice answerable for his Fathers faults , Page 12 A horse a monster in Venice , Page 54 The high Epithetts which are given Venice above the rest of the Townes of Italy Page 55 Horteo Hypato Duke of Venice , Page 58 Heraclea utterly demolishd , Page 59 The Hunns overcom by the Venetians , Page 61 Henry the Emperour comes to Venice , Page 65 Part of Hierusalem given to Venice , Page 67 Honor don by the Pope to the Venetian , Page 68 Hermolao Barbaro punished for receaving dignities from the Pope , Page 85 Henry the 8. of England the great instrument of the French King and the Popes release , Page 89 Henry the 3. of France comes to Venice , Page 132 How the King of Polands borther interc●…ded for the readmission of the Jesuits to Venice , Page 198 How Venice & Rome , with the rest of the Princes of Italy carry themselfs in point of politicall interest , Page 175 Holland and Venice of a diffring humor , Page 180 I. Impossible for the Duke of Venice to becom Tyrant , Page 6 Inhibition that Courtesands mingle not with honest Women in the Venetian Churches , Page 8 Italy the ●…y of Europe , Page 8 The Iudges of Venice , Page 17 Of Istria , Page 24 Of the I le of Corfou , Page 29 Of the I le of Cephalonia , Page 30 Of the I le of Zant , Page 30 Of the I le of Candis , Page 31 The incredible riches of St. Marks treasure , Page 37 Iustinianos speech to Maximilian the Emperor in behalf of Venice , not found in her Archies . Page 73 Justiniano Duke of Venice , Page 60 Justinopoli comes under the Venetian , Page 61 The I le of Candie under the Venetian , An inundation , Page 71 Juluis the second incites all the Princes of Christendom against Venice , Page 87 The Inquisition refus'd by Venice , Page 94 The Iesuits expell'd from Venice with the causes therof recited at large , Page 163 The Iesuits tenets Page 163 King James his Declaration touching the quarrell twixt the Pope and Venice , Page 161 L. Long age argues strength of body , in Epist. Lawes the ligaments of a State , Page Ibid. The Lawes of Rhodes and Oleron the Prince for Sea affaires in Epist. The Lombards Kingdom extinguish'd in Italy , Page 59 The lamentable end of one of the Dukes of Venice , Page 60 Lotharius the Emperour endowes Venice with many immunities , Page 60 Lesina and Spalato reduc'd to Venice , Page 62 Pope Leo comes to Venice and endowes with many priviledges , Page 65 Lesbos , Same 's , and Andros taken by the Venetian , Page 67 Lemnos yeelded to ▪ Venice , Page 80 The Legat of the Popes answer to the Venetian Generall , Page 81 The league of Cambray like to destroy Venice , Page 87 Lodovico Falieri employed Ambassador to Henry the 8. of England from Venice , Page 90 A league against the Turk in Pius Quintus time , the substance of it , Page 101 New Lawes in Venice , Page 134 Luca excomunicated , Page 171 Lep anto battail at large , Page 118 M. The maner and majesty how the Duke of Venice sitts , Page 14 St. Marks Proctors , the high dignity of their place , Page 20 The Magistrats of Venice in generall , Page 16 Of the marke of Treviso , Page 24 St. Marks place , Page 37 The Magistrats of old Rome , and Venice , parallell'd , Page 45 Mariello Tegaliano Duke of Venice , Page 58 Maaritio of Heraclea D. of Venice Page 59 St. Marks body transported to Venice from Alexandris , Page 60 The Moors defeat the Venetian under Saba their Generall , Page 60 The Moors ransack Rome , Page 60 St. Marks Church burnt , Page 62 Meniro Duke of Venice turnes Monk●… Page 62 Matilda restor'd to her Duchy of Ferrara by the help of Venice , Page 65 Michaeli Duke of Venice goes with 200 Vessells to Joppa , and frees her from the siege , Page 66 The Marquis of Monferrat restord to his territories by the Venetian , Page 79 Mocenigos speech to the Popes Generall , Page 81 The maner of Mariages and Christnings in Venice , Page 187 N. Nothing discovers the wisdom of a peeple more than the form of their government , Page 9 Nothing so difficult as the Art of government , Page 10 The neatnes of Venice , Page 35 A notable speech against the Tribunitiall power , Page 57 The Narentines debell'd by the Venetians , Page 62 The Normans give a great overthrow to the Greeks and Venetians at Darazzo , Page 65 A mighty defeat given to the Venetians by the Genowayes neer Corfù , Page 72 A notable speech of Philip the second touching his Fathers resignations , Page 93 A notable speech of a Turk before the battail of Lepanto , Page 116 A notable speech of another Turk Page 116 A notable speech of the Turkish Generall , Page 124 A notable answer of the Turkish Ambassador to King James , Page 131 Nova Palma built in Friuli , Page 135 A notable invective against Urban the eighth and his Nephews , Page 172 The Navall strength of Venice reviewd , Page 197 O. Of the three Republiques of Italy how they differ , Page 9 Of the severall denominations of Kingdoms and Commonwealths , Page 9 The Office of the Duke of Venice , Page 12 Cardinall Ossatts opinion of Venice , Page 183 Of the Colledg of Sages in Venice , Page 14 The Officers of Venice , Page 15 Of the great Chancelor , Page 15 Originall of the Venetian , Page 33 D. of Ossuna no frend to the Venetian , Page 38 An old prophecy touching Venice , Page 40 Old Rome and Venice , Parallell'd , Page 44 Of one who would have preferr'd a Spurrier to Q. Eliz. Page 54 Obeserio Duke of Venice , Page 59 Otho the Emperour comes to Venice , Page 62 Otho Urseolo Duke of Venice , he marries the King of Hungarie's Daughter , banish'd afterwards , Page 65 Otho the Emperours son taken prisoner by the Venetians freed upon his Parole , Page 69 Otho's wise speech and advice to the Emperour Frederic his Father , Page 69 P. Peace alwayes preferr'd before war by Venice , Page 4 The privat Arsenal of Venice , Page 6 The Presse and Pulpit strictly regulated in Venice , Page 7 The Pope a great temporall Prince , Page 8 The Pope fittest to be umpire of differences in Italy , with the reasons alledg'd , Page 8 Paulutio Anafesto the first Duke of Venice , Page 11 The pastimes of Venice , Page 188 Of Padous , Page 26 A speculation upon the sight of the Bucentoro in Venice , Page 36 The Portugues trade into the Indies prejudiciall to Venice , Page 39 Of rare Pictures in St. Marks Church , Page 54 Pepin warrs with Venice , Page 59 Pietro Tradonico Duke of Venice , Page 60 Pietro Candiano Duke of Venice , slain in fight against the Narentines , Page 61 Pietro Tribuno Duke of Venice , Page 60 Pietro Badoairio Duke of Venice taken prisoner in Slavonia , Page 61 Phalerio Duke of Venice , first entitled Duke of Dalmatia avd Croatia , Page 65 Peter the French Hermits vision , Page 65 The Pisans beaten by the Venetians , Page 65 P●…olemais and Sydon taken by the Venetians , Page 65 Phalerio the Duke of Venice kill'd in battail , Page 66 Pietro Polano Duke of venice chosen Arbiter twixt the Western , and Eastern Emperours , Page 67 A prophecy touching Venice , Page 68 Paleologus the Greek Emperour beaten by the Venetians , Page 74 Padoua putts Her-self under Venice , Page 79 Paleologus the Greek Emperour hath conference with the Pope at Ferrara . Page 79 Paehalis Maripietro Duke of Venice , he rul'd 36 yeers , Page 80 The Popes Legats speech to Mocenigo the Venetian Generall , Page 82 Philip of Comines comes Ambassador to Venice from Charles the 8. Page 86 The passage by the Cape of good Hope to the East Indies hurtfull to Venice , Page 87 The Calender reform'd , 1581. Page 134 The Pope and Duke of Parma at variance , Page 171 The Pope flies to the Castle of St. Angelo , Page 194 Q. A question whether warrs or trafic with the Turk be better for England , in Epist. An odd question of a Zantois to an Englishman , Page 31 The Queen of Cyprus modest reply to the Venetian , Page 85 The quarrell twixt Paulus Quintus , and Venice , demonstrated at larg , Page 137 The quarrell and fight twixt Sir Ken. Digby and the Venetians in the Bay of Scanderon , Page 169 A quarrell twixt Pope Urban and the Duke of Florence , Page 171 The quarrell twixt the Pope and the Duke of Parma , Page 178 The quarrell twixt the Pope and Luca , Page 177 The querulous expressions of a Nunn , Page 184 The querulous remorses of a dying Cardinall , Page 182 A quaere what opinion Spain hath of Rome , Page 190 A quaere what opinion France hath of Rome , Page 190 Quaeres how the Greeks esteem Rome , Page 190 R. Resemblance twixt England and Venice , in Epist. Rome still esteemed by Venice , Page 3 Reasons of the lastingnes of Venice , Page 3 Rules observed by Venice , in the removall of her Ambassadors , Page 4 Riches puff the mind , Page 6 Restraints that none may grow over-rich in Venice , Page 7 Riches , reverence and dece●…cie the main supporters of Religion , Page 8 Resons why Venice did choose one S●…verain head over her , Page 12 Rome becom her own Tomb , Page 44 Rome in Vopiscus time 50 miles in compas , Page 44 The Revenues of the Republic of Venice , Page 53 Ravenna taken by the Venetians , Page 58 A remarkable speech of Mocenigo the Venetian Generall touching Cyprus , Page 82 A restraint for building Convents and Churches in Venice , without the Senats leave , Page 135 Requiseus speech to D. John of Austria Page 104 S. Sannazarius his famous Hexastic of the Citty of Venice , In Proem . Secrecy wonderfully us'd in the Councells of Venice , Page 7 A speech against the tyranny of Tribunes Page 11 The stile of the Duke of Venice , Page 12 The salary of the Duke of Venice , Page 12 Of the Senat of Venice , Page 13 Of the Syndiques of Venice , Page 22 The Spaniards large offer for the port of Suda in Candie , Page 32 The Spanish Ambassadors speech upon the ●…ight of St. Marks tresure , Page 38 A strange complement which a Gentleman put upon a Lady , Page 39 A Shepheard the first founder and present preserver of Rome , Page 44 The Sextaries of Venice , Page 50 A speech of a Venetian Nobleman , Page 61 The Saracens orecom by the Venetians , Page 62 The speech of Pope Urban at Clermont for a Holy war , Page 65 Smyrna taken by the Venetian , Page 65 Smyrna taken again by the Venetian , Page 75 Steno Duke of Venice his speech to Verona and Vicenza , when they yeelded themselfs under the Dominion of Venice , Page 78 A speech of the Turks Generall to the Venetian army remarkable , Page 81 Seleucia taken by the Venetian , Page 81 A speech of the King of Cyprus to the Venetian Generall , Page 81 The Senats wise Answer to Pope Sixtus , Page 83 The second Excomunication against the Venetian , Page 83 Sanseverino the Venetian Generall routed and drown'd at Trent , Page 84 The Senats sage Answer to Philip de Comines , Page 86 The Senats grave Answer to Pietro Bembo the Popes Legat , Page 88 Sir Sackvill Crowes timely advice to the Venetians not regarded , Page 195 T. Thuanus his saying of Venice , Page 3 Another , Page 4 The tresure of Venice , Page 5 Tumults in Venice , alwayes suddenly suppress'd , Page 8 The Territories of Venice , Page 24 Twelve Dukes of Venice slain or put to death , Page 34 The three remarkablest things in Venice , Page 35 The Tresury of St. Mark , Page 37 Theodato Hypato Duke of Venice , who had his eyes put out , Page 59 Tradonico Duke of Venice murther'd , Page 61 Twelve Bells sent for a present from Venice to Constantinople , Page 61 Tyre conquer'd by the help of Venice , Page 67 Tenedos yeelded to the Venetians , Page 77 The Turk offers Venice ayd which she refus'd , Page 87 The Turk subdues Egypt , Page 88 Trent Councell begun , Page 94 The Turk fedifragous to Venice , Page 95 The Turk armes for Cyprus , and invades Her , Page 98 The Turks barbarous usage towards Bragadini in Cyprus , Page 104 Turks opinion of Christianity , Page 189 Thuanus opinion of Venice , Page 183 V. Venice comands 700. miles of Sea , In Epist. Venice the fittest to be imitated in point of government , Page 1 The Prerogatives of Venice , Page 1 Her wit more sharp than her weapon , Page 2 Venice hath oft felt the fulminations of Rome , Page 2 Venice had a great hand in the Conquest of the Holy Land , Page 3 She had a share of Jerusalem given Her , Page 3 Venice Eternall , Page 3 Constant to Her-self , Page 4 Venice a great Mediatrix for Peace , Page 4 The Venetians great Patriotts , Page 5 Venice loves to be magnified , Page 7 Why named in the plurall nomber , Page 9 Venice as dextrous in ruling of men , as rowing of a Gallie , Page 10 She hath turn'd Policy to a Science , Page 10 Venice hath large fardingalls , Page 24 Of Verona and her Precincts , Page 25 Of Vicenza , Page 27 Venice characteriz'd , Page 32 Describ'd at large , Page 33 Built in the Spring , Page 33 Venice hath borrow'd of the Greek as well as the Roman , Page 52 Venice can make Knights and Poetts laureat , Page 53 Venice free from the Western or Eastern Emperour first declar'd , Page 59 Verona assisted by Venice growes victorious , Page 60 Urso Participatio Duke of Venice , Page 61 Vitalis Candiano Duke of Venice resignd the government , and cloistr'd himself , Page 62 Venice contributs 200 Vessells for the warrs of the Holy Land , Page 65 Venice maried to the Sea , Page 69 She helps the Pope to suppresse the tyrant Eccelin , Page 72 Venice defeats the Genoways in the port of Prolemais , Page 72 Venice almost quite depopulated by an Earthquake and a Plague , Page 76 She beates Genoa in the port of Carista , Page 76 She beates her again hard by Sardinia , Page 77 She beates her again neer the Morea , Page 77 Venice is Godmother to a Daughter of France , Page 89 A vision at Rome , Page 94 Venieries gallant speech to Don John of Austria , Page 105 His wise Answer to him , Page 107 Venice takes the strong Citty of Clissa from the Turk , Page 196 She makes the Turk fly at Foggia , Page 197 Venice and Rome parallell'd , Page 204 Venice superior in divers things to old Rome , Page 260 Her Vices , Page 199 Venice born a Christian and independent , Page 205 W. A wise saying touching Sparta , Page 5 The wonderfull sagacity of Venice in detecting tresons , Page 6 Why Clergimen are incapable to be Senators in Venice , Page 7 Why the Spaniard termes not himself Kiof Naples , but Utriusque Siciliae , Page 9 Why mankind more hard to be govern'd than other Cretures , Page 10 Warrs twixt Otho the Emperour , and Venice , Page 62 War twixt Venice and Padoua , Page 66 The warrs of Cyprus . Page 98 Warrs with the Uscocchi , Page 135 Warrs twixt Pope Urban and the Duke of Parma . Page 172 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A44752-e19840 An. Dom. 697. 717 726 742 755 756 764 769 804 809 827 826 836 864 881 887 888 909 920 941 976 978 979 991 1009 1028 1030 1041 1069 1082 1094 1117 1130 1148 1156 1164 1329 1192 1205 1228 1248 1252 1268 1274 1280 1290 1303 1304 1329 1332 1336 1354 1356 1358 1363 1366 1368 1382 1400 1413 1423 1457 1462 1471 1473 1474 1475 1477 1485 1486 1491 1521 1523 1539 1545. 1553 1554 1556 1567 1567 1570 1574 1575 1583 1584 1605 1612 1615 1618 1618 1623