NEWS FROM POLAND.  
WHEREIN IS TRULY ENLARGED THE OCCASION, PROGRESSION, AND INTERCEPtion of the Turks formidable threatening of Europe.  
AND PARTICULARLY, the invading of the Kingdom of POLAND.  
WITH MANY SEVERAL REpulses he hath received from that brave and military Nation: even to this present month of October: as is truly collected out of the Original.  
Published by Authority.  
Quid verba quaeris?  
Veritas odit moras.  Seneca in Oedippo. 
AT LONDON, Imprinted by F.K. for B.D. and William Lee, and are to be sold at his shop in Fleetstreet, at the sign of the golden Buck, near Sergeant's june. 1621.   

NEWS FROM POLAND.  
COncerning the greatness of the Empire of Turkey, and the warlike concussions wherewith they have affrighted both Persia and Europe: you may consider it thus in the general, that Mahomet, the author of their Religion and Koran, enjoined the race of Ottoman to two special things. First, The one was the propagation of the Empire by some memorable attempt of war. Secondly, The other, the glorification of their Religion, by some remarkable action of peace, or stupendous structure of amazement.  
Touching the first; It is too apparent, that their territories extend to the Asian and African shores, from Trebizond, in the bottom of the black Sea, to Argier, neighbouring the straits of Gibraltar, very near six thousand English miles, beside the possession of Greece, and her Lands, with his intrusion into Hungary, and dilacerating the peace of many Nations: They have likewise as an auxiliary friend, the great Tartar Chrim, from whole Ancestors Tamburlaine proceeded, who though himself proved a great enemy to Turks, yet doth Tartar Chrim boast of affinity to the first Scythian Ottoman, so that if his direct line should fail, he challengeth the proximity of Succession, and enjoying the prosperity of these large Territories of Asia and Europe, for which purpose he keepeth correspondency with the Turk, and at his appointment sendeth 100000. Tartars to assist him in his enterprises, whereby the Turks have many times great multitudes of men, and good success in their attempts: For they have prevailed both against jews and Christians, possessing at this hour the Metropolitan City of jerusalem in Asia, Grand Cairo in Africa, and Constantinople in Europe, and are indeed transported with an insulting bravery, that they are a people designed of God, to be the principal Nation of the earth, and a scourge to whip the sinners of the world.  
Touching the glorification of their Religion; who knows not, that either hath been conversant in Constantinople, or would be conversant with the stories of former times, that the Almorata, Solimanna, Sophia, and diverse other Mosques, be not only ostentatious edifices and Churches of admiration, but works of charity, and observant holiness: yea, as we call it, money laid out ad pios usus? I speak not of jobs Tomb, nor many other sequestered places, wherein these Princes, to demonstrate their opinion of a Deity, and care to maintain Mahometan constitutions, employed their time, and wealth, superstitiously conceiting some merit in their obedience; and that the joys of Paradise should be augmented, as they augmented their piety on earth: nay, you shall read in that wonderful history of Soliman the Magnificent; and the fair, though dangerous Roxalana, that she contrived her manumission, and so obtained to be Empress, under a dissimuled sanctity, and holy addiction to the building of a Church in honour of the Prophet, and glory of Religion. In a word, you shall find, that by this occasion, the principal Mufty, with the Doctors of the Law, have more access to the Emperor, and open a larger heart of secrets, then either Viceer, or Bashaw. Yea the Emperor, be he never so warlike, or vicious, standeth more in awe of their prohibitions, than the revolts or mutinies of the tumultuary janissaries, by whom alone, as you read of Hercules and Atlas supporting the heavens, this great frame of Monarchy is upheld, and kept secure, from any daring hands to dis-joint the same: and thus in general.  
But if you would more particularly be acquainted with the motives, and active terrifying the Kingdom of Poland, and other confederate Christian Provinces, we must needs fetch the story a little from the beginning, and so draw it down to these modern times, wherein the brave Sigismond and the hopeful Prince his Son, have proved the sons of Mars, and registered their renown's upon the record of honour, and filled up the tally of exploits with their worthiness.  
Know then, that while Sir Thomas Glover was his Majesties of England's Ambassador at Constantinople, there was resident in his house, one Gasparo Gratiano, in the nature of a Drogaman, who was of Austria, and so a Subject to Rodulphus, Emperor of Germany, but at last a servant to the Prince of Moldavia: that Prince, I mean, that came into England, and had gracious entertainment with the King and his Nobles: that Prince, who was dispossessed of his inheritance through the power of Competitors: that Prince, whose Mother I have seen poorly soliciting the Ambassador at Constantinople for relief: that Prince, who was with the same Gasparo imprisoned in the seven Towers, for complaining of the Viceer, who took part with his Competitor: that Prince, who yet escaped, and was fain to flee for secure to all the Princes of Europe: that Prince, who returned from England with sufficient reward, and credit for ten thousand Dollars among our Merchants. In a word, that Prince, who covertly came from Venice to Constantinople, and so engaged Sir Thomas Glover, that he had reason to complain of the Viceers opposition, and the neglect of his own fortune. For as it should seem, he had taken up so much money to assist him, that he almost lost himself, and made a great virtue umbragious with the malignity of time.  
Yet doth that Prince adventure to Moldavia, determining to re-integrate his fortune, by raising of factions. But it should seem still Nemesis in Tergo. For his adversaries were so strengthened by the Viceers favour at Constantinople, that there went out a strange Edict from the Grand signieur, both to have a cessation of the war, and to establish the Usurper in the possession. Thus fled the Prince once again into Poland, and was promised relief, yea, so forward in returning home, that some companies of foot, and troops of Horse were ready to march in his behalf.  
While these things were thus acted on the stage of variety in Moldavia, Signieur Gasparo Gratiano employed in Venice by Sir Thomas Glover, returns to Constantinople; but finding that the Ambassadors fortunes were, as it were obscured with some cloud of disturbance, he went another way to work to wind up the pulleys of his own advancement, either by force, or policy, in which resolution all things were so auspicious unto him, that he was suddenly sent with letters to the Emperor of Germany from the Grand signieur, which was somewhat wondered at in respect of his meanness and former servile employment, till it was publicly known that his own brother was a Renegado Chawse, and in good account with the Viceer, yea, one of his sisters (as he told me himself) was taken prisoner coming as a Pilgrim to jerusalem, and so brought to Constantinople, but whether reserved for the Turks use, or some Bashaw, he could not tell.  
In the mean while, Sir Thomas Glover is recalled into England, and Master Paul Pindar, who had been Consul at Petrasse and Aleppo, as many years commorant in those parts, was confirmed his Majesty's Ambassador in Constantinople, in whose time the former Gasparo Gratiano returns again to the great City, and was employed into Moldavia by the Viceer, either as an overseer of the actions of that Province, or as a new adversary to the unfortunate Prince his Master, who at last was there mischievously poisoned amongst them, or as some will have it, absolute governor, till the true titles might appear, and the controversies be determined.  
How he behaved himself, I will not dispute, not constantly maintain, that he dealt treacherously with the King of Poland, certifying under hand, that contrary to the peace contracted with the Grand signieur, he supported the pirates of the black Sea, and the inhabitants of Bugdonia, the intestine broils of Moldavia, the incursions of many Cossacks, whereby the Turk was then much exasperated against Poland, and a manifest cloud of mischief hung over all those Countries apparently. But this I am sure of, that his Majesty's Ambassador of Poland, Leaguer at Constantinople, had neither so gracious audience as he was wont, not such security as the privileges of Ambassadors presumed on. For presently the Grand signieur exclaimed against them all in fury and displeasure, and when there was forcible intimation indeed concerning the business of Moldavia, and the many claymes to the Principality by factious Lords, he not only gave commandment to overrun that Country, but to teach Poland itself a new lesson of obedience, that durst be auxiliary to a petty Province, against so mighty a Monarch and greatest Prince in the world: nor ended it thus in a kind of slender invective, but the threatenings had terms of ostentation, besides the exprobrating their perfidiousness, yea, the letters had wonderful titles, and far-fetched denominations, the Embassies, mixture of profaneness, and presumption of overrunning Europe; and all this was done in the life of Achmate, though for the time the whole frame of this conceived displeasure proved a Babylonish Tower, and ended only in confusion of Languages: For as yet more than the customary breaking out of the Cossacks of Bogdonia, and the territories about the black Sea, there was no main Army on foot, but only certain preparatives to a following war. For as if he would leave his rage hereditary, he commanded the principal Mufti and Doctors of the Law to remember this charge to his Son, and put him in mind of the prosecution: which accordingly with filial obedience he performed indeed, and brought out the furies of his vengeance to act that part, which they have now played in those Countries. But because many remarkable things happened in the death of Achmate, before this young Phaeton came to guide and manage the Horses of this Monarchies Chariot, give me leave to insist a little upon them, and model out this relation to some form of pleasure and contentment.  
Achmate coming to the Empire at 15. years old, remained in the same, till he was almost thirty, in which time pleasure surfeited on ease, and ease had such changes of wantonness, that he seemed weary with the continuance of delight: for Sardanapalus came short of him for abundance of Concubines, and variety of luxury: so that if it be true, that Voluptates commendat rarior usus, it must needs follow, that to play thus continually, proved as tedious to him as to work; and to gourmandize thus without cessation, must needs raise rather a loathsomeness then satisfaction. In brief, he had so many wives & children, that, in a manner, he forgot the the glory of his Family, & the prosecution of glorious enterprises, giving himself over to the Sirens incantation of Lust and lasciviousness: in the heat of which outrage, he determined to kill his brother Mustapha, a Prince of great expectation, whom, as yet, some supernatural providence had preserved from death: But now to colour his pretences, such was the law, such was the custom, nay, such was the necessity of preservation, that as Nature teacheth all creatures the way of security; so had Policy instructed these Princes by this one Machiavelian trick to prevent mischiefs, insurrections, factions, competitions, murders, and all such affrightings that make Princes unhappy, if they be once put in fear indeed. This made Damocles that he could eat no meat, when he saw the sword ready to fall upon him, that hung over his head by a horse hair. This made the Emperor tell his flatterer, that if he knew what cares were the Companions of his Crown, he would not take it up, though it lay in his way as a donation of Fortune. This made Dionysius trust none but his daughter, to burn off his hair with nutshells: and this made Achmate to continue the custom of his Progenitors, by removing all the causes of terror and suspicion, though the life of his brethren paid for it.  
But what says the Poet? Multa cadunt inter calicem supremáque labra. So as this jolly Prince was running away with the apprehension of his happiness, setting down a determinate hour for the strangling of Prince Mustapha his brother, the night before the period of his Catastrophe, a fearful Vision diverted him from the enterprise, and a fearful voice echoed in his ears, that there could be no Religion in murder; and those sacrifices which the Tyrants made in former times, of blood and humane flesh, were the causes of the ruin and devastation of their Monarchies; yea, utter loss of body and soul to the Princes themselves.  
Little thought the great Turk to have found a greater Greatness in his sleep, and less did he suspect that there was such a God above to countermand the gods on the earth. But so predominant was his overruling Genius at this time, and so tractable his obedience, that the very ●ext day he sent for the principal Mufty, some Doctors of the Law, and Scander Bashaw, who was delegated General against the Polonians: To whom he imparted the apparition, and of whom he received something sortable to the flattering of Princes; but altogether unseasonable, because his soul was touched with some rough hands, & he wisely considered there was more to be looked after, than a present greatness, or flourishing tyranny: whereupon even in their presence he sends for his brother, dischargeth his Mutes, who were the officers of death, alloweth him a Guard of Capogies, appointeth him a Caska, or Banqueting-house by himself, and at last prevaileth thus with his own great heart, that he venteth out these speeches:  
Brother, arise, (for you must know, that all men coming to tractate with the Emperor, use a kind of slavish prostitution, till, out of his free princeliness, he grace them with a new favour.) You are not, I am sure, ignorant of this secret of State, this law of Mahomet, this policy of government, this means of our security, that when we have children of our own, no brothers must live to disquiet them, nor any blocks be cast in their way to the race of Sovereignty, which may either startle us in our resolutions, or be umbragious to their tenderness by any attempt, or suspicion of treason: therefore was I resolved to wrap you up into the Cypress chests of your predecessors; not so much in imitation of custom, to which in a manner our fathers chained their lives and actions, as confirmation of my own judgement, not to commit such a sollecisme in my Sovereignty, as to leave a hand vncut off, which might, by way of audaciousness, cast defiance in the face of an Emperor, or sow the seeds of turbulence, to choke up the good corn of peace and quietness: but sure, thou hast found some friend, whom none can find, but by the purity of life, and devotion of prayer: he hath told me in thy behalf, There is no Religion in blood. For as that stone-building cannot stand, which is set up with vntempered mortar: so cannot their lives prosper, who carouse the receipts that are mingled with death, or revenge.  
Therefore live, nay therefore reign, and when the thread of my life is spun, which is now a winding on the wheel of Destiny, look you step into the chair of control. Remember the Ottoman glory, and let my abhorred course of life be a warning unto thee, that surquedry and effeminateness be the only clogs to a generous mind, and bar up the gates even in the inside, to keep Princes out of the Palace of Honour and renown. Remember, that though Monarches would live without control; yet there are no such enemies to the flourishings of Government, as to sport before them with the tripping Fairies of flattery, and private respect, whereby they shall either look with over-big countenances, or speak with over-big voices to the subject, or else give way to such byways of authority, that if they may be brought back to look whereon they have trod, they would stop their noses at the filthy ordure of mud and owse, when yet they might have gone in the smooth and sweet tract of a more pleasant and safer walk. Remember my children, that are Princes by blood, and should have been thy Masters by birthright: but they are too young to rule themselves, and too great to be overruled by others: nay, the Ottoman glory must not be shared amongst a troop of dependants, nor the Chariot wheels of our Majesty be dashed with the daring approaches of such horses, as must needs be dirty us more than our own flinging or wantonness. Remember thyself, that art, as it were pulled out of the jaws of death; and if it be a benefit to live, or a blessing to live gloriously, let it be thy virtue to be thankful, and my good Fortune, that I imparted this benefit to so worthy a man. To conclude, remember our God, and let not policy, like Prometheus his Vulture, gnaw upon the heart of religion; but when thou seest any start aside from honest obedience, be sure he is either an hypocrite, or factious. Keep thyself therefore as close to purity as thou canst, and neither neglect public meetings, nor private sequestration, but take heed of serving of God for private respects: For that God which doth give us bread, will give us stones, and turn our heaven into brass, and earth into iron, if we do not serve him for love, and come to him with cheerfulness.  
When he had made an end, he sent for the other Viceers and Pashas, and adjured them to the ratification of his will: so his brother was dismissed to his Palace designed, and they discharged till they were recalled: but he never troubled them more: for very shortly after, he yielded to the summons of the great Commander of Princes, and gave way to the alteration that followed in the State, yet for the time, with one general consent and unanimity they invested the Princely Mustapha with the Diadem, in which he remained quietly a while, as if they made a conscience of infringing the will of the dead, and were resolved to admit of his virtue, that must needs add glory to the Empire.  
But Scander Bashaw perceiving his own authority much diminished by this translation, and projecting another manner of greatness, if he might be advanced to be Viceer under a younger Prince, intimated against the new Emperor, that he was too much addicted to peace and sobriety, and his cool spirit must needs draw on strange inconveniences upon the Empire; but in truth, he watched all opportunity to converse with the children of Achmate, and found the lively Osman, or Ottoman, being eight or nine years old, so forward, and sprightful, that he durst ask him, to his amaze, if he were not his father's eldest son: yea, he interiected such strange questions and demands, that the Pashas were already afraid they had done something unjustifiable, and which must be answered with no less than the loss of their lives.  
Whereupon he resolved on an alteration, and so conferred with the Viceer and principal Mufty, about the towardliness of the young Prince, and saw no remedy for their security, but to depose Mustapha again, & make Osman Emperor: to which, when none of that Council and faction durst oppose, they presently gave the janissaries a donative in the name of young Osman, stored the Hellespont with many Galleys, dismissed certain Tartarians, which were to go into Bogdonia, and were not to be tolerated till the tumult was appeased, sent for diverse Sansacks and Timatriots to attend the young Emperor, and under hand filled the great City with soldiers, ere Mustapha could conjecture that they intended so weighty a business, as the deposing of a Prince.  
But when all things were ready, and all men prepared, that were acquainted with the conspiracy, Scander Bashaw brought out the young Osman in public; whose manly countenance, and Princely towardliness amazed them more, then if they had seen some Meteor or portentous Comet: What should I insist on circumstances? By a wonderful applause they gave him notice of their liking, and a quick dispatch of his investure assurance of their approbation: so they made no more ado, but proclaimed him Emperor, and allowed him all his prerogatives, as if he had been of mature judgement to challenge their prostitution indeed. The next work was the imprisoning of his Uncle, or, if you will, sequestering him into the former Palace where his brother appointed him to remain before his death, with a Guard of Capogies. Here he was confined, well attended, and better observed: For such was his Fortune, that then Scander Bashaw excused his deposure from the necessity of their own preservation, and fear of the tumultuary janissaries, who still cried after the son of Achmate, and ever after (as it still continues) the Viceers deal in no cause without his privity and advice; in so much, that when the ambitious Bashaw proposed the war against Poland, as a continuation of some glorious action for the honour of the Ottoman Family, and renovation of Achmates charge to his son in revenge of their dare to defend Moldavia: he interceded, urging, The former contract was not determined between the Emperor Mathias, or the House of Austria and his brother, and that the Princes of Europe were more warlike, and better provided then in times past: to which again Scander Bashaw replied, as much incensed against the Polonians, that there were many reasons to move the war, and inferences of enforcement to set forward the enterprise.  
First, the fleshing (as it were) of the young Emperor with noble beginnings in a plentiful Country, and delightsome fields, where there would be neither Anachim's nor Giants to terrify them, nor asperity of weather or wants to exanimate the soldier. Secondly, the Country consorted to their military manner of fight, as being a kind of Champion and uberant soil, whereby their Archers might have the more room, and their carriages easiness of travel. Thirdly, it would keep other Princes in awe, from assuming a liberty to offend their great Lord, or presuming that any power on earth should be able to withstand the Mahumetane Army. Fourthly, if Princes did not revenge exasperating wrongs, they would be vilipended and quickly made a scorn to inferiors. Fifthly, opportunity was not to be dallied withal, according to the saying of Front capillata pòst est occasio calua: and now the Emperors of Germany, Rodolphus and Mathias being dead, the Princes of Germany would repine against the house of Austria, and bandy themselves to set the peace of Europe in combustion. Last of all, their own Empire began to grow populous, and the Provinces had need of exonerating their people, or else some plague and dearth would devour them, without further good or profit to the Commonwealth, then choking the air with the stench of their carcases, or spoiling one another with thefts and robberies.  
To all these the noble Mustapha punctually answered: First, concerning the leading the Emperor to the martial Theatre, he being so young, and not apprehensive either of glory, or revenge; it would be imputed to the private humour or covetousness of some private men. As for security in the war, opinion might be deceived, and presumption abused: for the Masters of Pole were as good horse as themselves: and though they had not such numbers, yet were they better furnished & apppointed; and though there were not so many strong Cities to batter or surprise, yet had they learned the cunning of trenches, with the use of great Ordnance and fortification, yea, they knew the discipline of a Camp, and the effect of stratagems. Secondly, concerning the commodiousness of the Country, to their Military discipline, what should arrows do against strong Corslets, and Targets of defence? Besides, they had Harquebus on Horseback, as well as themselves, and what they wanted in number, was supplied with discipline and armour: as for the valour of our nation, and their obedience to their Commanders, who peradventure were careless to lose such whom they were willing to spare, the times were altered, and nature had taught all creatures the law of preservation. Thirdly, concerning the terrifying of other Princes, they would be deceived. For Rota fortuna in gyro, and the Turks had not success in a string; nay, what Monarchy was ever so established, but came at last to a period, subject in the same manner to diminution, as it began with augmentation? Not that I would extenuate the glory of our janissaries, but from modest conjecture of alteration, not to be too confident of our greatness: For by experience we have found many interceptions both at Strigonium, Vienna, and Malta: we lost the battle of Lepanto, hazarded Tauris and other Cities to the Persian, were turmoiled with the rebels at Aleppo, and at this hour are affronted by the Pirates and robberies of the black Sea. Fourthly, concerning revenges, whereunto the Empire was engaged for fear of being slighted by others, it was questionless in many cases a worthy work, and a trick to deserve as much as might be at Honour's hands, but in this particular it was too too true, that from the year 1608. to 1620. many usurpers had started up in Moldavia from the supportation, I will not say corruption of the Viceers of Constantinople, and therefore he saw no reason upon so slender motives, as the relieving of one another, either for religion, or neighbourhood to raise so great a war against Poland, or break the peace, which had been so long continued, though the unruly Cossacks still remain refractory, both against us and their own Lords. Fifthly, concerning the dissensions of the Europian Princes, the main business lay remote from them, and if there should be such occasion as the Triumuiri of jerusalem served the Romans, the neighbour Princes would quickly unite together against a public enemy; nay, what know we, if our forces be this way gathered against Poland, whether those mighty Navies of Europe would not muster themselves and come into the Levant, and then what could a few Galleys do against so many goodly Ships? Last of all, concerning the loss of men, what Prince could answer for the souls of his Subjects, except the cause were warrantable, and the war allowable? Ambition was no plea in Paradise, nor Revenge a justifiable excuse before their God. Again, if in the opposition they found as many men, and as much as enraged, what would then be the issue and final effect?  
When Prince Mustapha had concluded, all was misconstred, and imputed rather to pusillanimity then courage, or the resolution of an Heroic spirit: wherefore they resolved to dash out these encumbrances, and suppress his allegations from the knowledge of the Army, and indeed to take a clean contrary course, so that by the consent of the Mufty, and the principal Doctors of the Law, the war was determined, & Scander Bashaw prostituted himself before the young Osman with humble intercession, that he would be revenged: who presently bade him rise, and as if he thought it a pastime, cried out, To the war: and that he would in person, though not twelve years old, go into the field: whereupon the Tartars were sent for, the Camels provided, the Artillery apppointed, the bridges prepared, the pioneers mustered, the munition set out, the janissaries rewarded, and all things ordered to the best purpose, that might set forward the enterprise, and belonged to so great an Army, and formidable a preparation.  
But because I am willing to touch the praises of the Polonians, and in no sort to obumbrate their glory, that have deserved so well, not only for their valiant erterprises, and successful victories, but for their religious care to retribute thanksgiving to God, that hath given them such wonderful means of prevailing: I will now tell you how others tell the story, or add as a supplement this, which is yet untold. About the year 1609. one Stephen living with the Viceer at Constantinople, pretended a right to the Principate of Moldavia, and either by favour or presents, had the assistance of 20000. Turks, whereby he prevailed in the project: yet others impute the occasion of sending these men to Mehemet Bashaw, who failing in gathering up the taxes and tallages of the Country, so incensed the Viceer, that he mustered a great Army against the Sons of the Prince of Moldavia, whom they barbarously defeated and slew with their Uncle Simeon: and because the Sons of jeremy were reputed Bastards, the King of Poland, by a contract from the Turks, had the naming of a successor amongst them, who chose Constantine the younger Son to be vaivode: which so displeased Mehemet Bashaw, who was designed to rectify the disorders of this Country, that by force of Arms he spoiled whom he list, and as it should seem, in despite of the King of Poland, killed Constantine, and set up one of his own faction; which indignity not to be endured amongst Princes, caused the Polonians still to help and assist these distressed people; so that incited by the laws of Christianity and neighbourhood, besides those high motives of princeliness and royalty, they thought it meritorious and a duty of renown, and so accordingly supplied their wants, and took up arms in their defence.  
These wars and contentions lasted till Sigismond King of Sweden was chosen King of Poland, a warlike Prince, and one that had many contentions with the Muscovites, and some Competitors of his own Nation: but taking upon him this government, he also took upon him the protection of Moldavia, so that as you have heard, about the year 1618. the youthful Osman, Emperor of Turks, by the instigation of Siander Bashaw, and the Viceers, gave order for the mustering up of a wonderful Army, consisting of many Tartars, the only enemy to the Europae●ns, to whom were united the Countries of Dacia, Servia, Bulgaria, Illyria, Thracia, Epyrus, and the tributary Provinces of Christians themselves, who durst not gainsay the Turks officers, for fear of slavery, bondage, and overrunning their Countries, upon the least drawing back or murmuring, to be made instruments of their brethren's blood.  
In this manner was a warlike body composed of 200000. who marched into the fields of Dacia and Bulgaria, where the Polacks encountered them with some auxiliaries out of Russia, and the borders of the black Sea, and although they came not near them in numbers, yet God be thanked, they surpassed them in valour, and noble performances: For to speak without ostentation, such was the fortune of the noble Sigismond, and the bravery of the young Prince his son, that they never came to any forcible encounter, but the Polonians went away with a present success, and further hope of prevailing: for which, they ever added thanksgiving to God, and solemn Procession for their victories: Yet you must think, their fortune never grew to that height, of such numbers as is reported to be slain on the Turks side, but that they received reciprocal damages, and saw some of their own men made the stuff of graves, and the furniture of a slaughter-house: only this is certain, that in the year 1620. they gave the Tartars an overthrow, as they were transporting their men at the neither rivers to pass into firmer ground, that their bodies stopped the stream, and 20000. at least were slain at three several encounters, which so enraged the young Emperor, that he swore to go in person into the field with all his forces, and then it may be, there might have been pulled on more fearful ruins on the heads of Christians, and their fields must needs have been heaped up with many slaughtered carcases.  
But the God of mercy and compassion, one way took pity of these innocents and Christian Soldiers, and another way put a hook in the nose of this Leviathan, or if you will, abated the strength of Behemoth, and that by mere accident, as by these particulars may appear: while the youthful Osman full of heat and rage, prepared to go in person into Bogdonia, and so resolved without interception to pass into Poland: the first year he was intercepted by a plague in the Army, and so they thought it unmeet to hazard his person to such contagion and affrighting diseases. The next year they will have an earthquake to be so formidable at Constantinople, that beside the shaking of the ground, overthrow of houses, and devastation of Churches; certain fearful storms terrified them more than the hand-writing, that knocked Belshazzars' knees together. At another time, the Emperor having diverse Pashas sons apppointed to attend him, would needs, in a wanton jollity, go sport himself in the Sacra porta at Constantinople, and out of his Galley threw wildfire and squibs amongst the ships, which sure would have done much harm, but that the sailors, acquainted with the same, by wetting their sails, and other devices, prevented the mischief, offering no violence unto his own Galley; yet did they return some stones and squibs into the rest: but passing by a lime-boat, whose smoke hindered them from descrying, or discovering the Emperor, they threw their hot stones amongst the Galleys, whereof one hit him full on the breast to his overturning, as he was laughing at the tackle set on fire, and the poor slaves stripping themselves for fear of burning. Another time as he was riding on hawking, he received so sore a fall, that the blood gushed out of his nose, and the company were amazed at his carelessness. Another time sporting himself in the passage to the black sea, where the river (as I call it) is a narrow stream of 20. miles in length, beset on each side of the bank with Pasha's houses, like the pretty fabrics between Padua and Venice, he would needs attempt to throw a handsome stripling overboard, which he did with that violence, that he had like to have followed him into the water, had not the Steersman left the helm, and took hold of his crimson satin skirts, and so stayed him; yet his Turban fell into the water, and the youth swam to another Galley.  
These and some other detained him a while from his first speediness of going in person into the field, or augmenting his army to such a greatness, as was ever allowed to the presence of an Emperor. But neither these, nor any thing else could cool the heat of his fury and displeasure, but that he must needs send both defiance, and threatening into Poland, that though his revenges were procrastinated by diverse occasions, yet would he come upon them like a whirlwind, and take a backward race, to run the more speedily forward: nor was this message performed sportively, as a custom of unkindness and ill conceived displeasure between Princes, but with protestation and vows, invocacation to Mahomet, and fearful execration and oaths to do something memorable for the glory of the Ottoman Family: whereupon, as an introduction to a more and greater mischief, he sent Scander Bashaw before, with a new army into Bogdonia of 200000. Turks and Tartars.  
When Sigismond perceived it would be worse and worse, considering they resolved to be revenged for their former losses, he acquainted all the Princes of Europe with the peril he stood in, recalled some of his Cossacks out of Hungary, placed them in the borders of Moldavia, fortified the frontiers, and stopped the passages with new Ramparts and Barricado's. Thus was an Ambassador sent to Vienna to the Emperor, by way of intercession of a peace, or truce between Bethlehem Gabor, and his Imperial Majesty, especially between the Princes of Germany and him, that so their forces might be converted to the assistance of Poland, and repelling this common enemy of Christendom. Thus was the Lord George Ossolinski, Count Palatine of Sendomiria, sent as Ambassador to the Majesty of Great Britain, and with him Sir Arthur Ashton Knight and Colonel, an English man, dwelling in Poland, who had audience about the 11. of May 1621. and gracious admission of his Embassy, delivered in the Latin tongue, both in a high phrase, and so noble a demeanour, that the King with extraordinary willingness accorded to afford him a certain sum of money for the levying of 2000 Volentiers for a Guard to the King of Poles body. And thus were the Turks insolent letters published, and many Christian hearts opened the doors of Charity, and not only offered themselves to so good a work, but bewailed the troubles of Europe, that kept the Princes within the circle of their own unkindness, from a better and more religious care for the general prosperity of Europe.  
But God be thanked, in the mean time, the noble Sigismond, with the hopeful Prince his son, had so bravely demeaned themselves, that in four several encounters they shown the Turks the effect of so strong an arm, that 40000. at the least shrunk under the fury of a justifiable anger, and these Infidels saw plainly, that the God of Christianity would propagate his Church and Religion in despite of misbelievers. Nor were these victories passed over so slightly: but the King of Poland commanded general Procession by way of thanksgiving thorough his Provinces: and by way of glory and well-deserved triumphs, made the bonfires in Cracovia testify to the world, that the God of battles had lighted them the way to success & victory: nor ended it so, but a Captain was sent with letters to Vienna, to participate the good news to the Emperor, who likewise dined with my Lord Digby (his Majesty's extraordinary Ambassador to the Emperor) not two days (being about the third of September) before he took his leave of Caesar to return toward England.  
Since which time, rumour hath had such unequal passage amongst us, that many men have been startled again with a strange amazement, that ever so glorious a Prince, and well deserving an army should be overclouded with a tempest of formidable distress. For many men will have it, that upon the last prevailing of the noble Prince, who was in person in the fields of Bogdonia, the Turks were so exasperated, and the Tartars ashamed of some demissenesse imputed unto them, that they made head again about the beginning of September, and were again repulsed with an Heroic violence and success, in so much that a greater computation of their numbers slain then ever before, rejoiced the Polonians, that they grew over-presumptuous, and in a manner disranked themselves with a carelessness, which was neither so effectually done, nor covertly performed, but some valiant janissaries of the Turks, and certain Spahies which are horsemen, and were here fresh, as not being in the former battle, rallyed the discomfited Tartars, and out of their great numbers brought a new battle in form, and so gave a fresh assault, with fearful impetuosity, upon the over-confident Polonians, who, you must consider, for all their former prevailings, had much diminished their troops, and weakened their Batalions; in so much that they gave ground; and these Fry of Tartars, with their accustomed outcry and clamours, took the advantage of their retreat, and put them pitifully to rout, if not to a lamentable flight, following them as fare as Podolia, with the terror and bloody effects of a strange execution, which hath raised stranger reports amongst us, as fare as the slaughter of 30000. men, besides other cruelties and monstrous barbarousness.  
In this estate stand these Eastern Countries at this hour, and fear and mischief hover over them like a thickened cloud, ready to pour down horrid showers of devastation and misery: But that God, I hope, which holdeth the winds in his hands, and rolleth up the heavens like a scroll, which is so glorious in his works and wonders for Israel, which sent his Angel to destroy the Host of Sennacherib, and which will preserve the woman in the Wilderness, in despite of the Dragons watching her, will avert his judgements from penitent sinners, and turn these threatenings into Balaams' blessings, though he came of purpose to curse the people of God: but if again the corrupt body of our sins must needs have a purging, for the procuring of new health, and saving of our souls in the day of vengeance: let us submit to his cunning for the cure, who knows what is better for o●● wounds then ourselves, and (if need be) can pour in the balm of Gilead for our perfect recovery: otherwise, if they be festered and rankled with wanton dalliance, surquedry, gurmundize, covetousness, pleasure and ease, gentle Cataplasms will not serve the turn, but they must be cut, seared and cauterised: all which God grant we may patiently endure, and put into the true Christians hearts and mouths, to think and say, Neither life nor death, war nor peace, things present or to come, threatenings, nor mischief, shall keep or detain us from the hope, and future possession of eternal happiness.  
— Immensa est, finémque potentia Coeli  
Non habet: & quicquid superi voluere, peractum est.  
Ouid. Lib. 8. Metam.  
FINIS.