A True Report of three strange and wonderful Accidents, lately happened at PERNAW, a City in Lifflande.  
Wherein is contained a prophesy of the great Dearth & Famine, which (by reason of the wars in those parts) hath there come to pass in the year last passed, 1602.  
And also of the great Victory lately achieved by the great Sophy, who with the aid & assistance of the King of Persia, overthrew the Turkish Emperor with all his forces near unto the River Euphrates.  
Truly translated out of the Dutch printed Copy, printed at Nimmegen,  
❧ At London printed for William Barley. 1603.   

 man in long robe carrying a hat and scepter   

¶ A true Report of three strange accidents which lately happened at Pernaw, a City in Lifflandé etc.  
WE find (gentle reader) in ancient Histories, and principally in the works of that famous and learned writer Flavius josephus lib. 7. cap. 12. that before the lamentable and woeful destruction of Jerusalem, there appeared many strange signs both in the air, and among the people, namely there was seen right above the said City a dreadful Star, in form and fashion of a Sword: as also that in the dark night clear day appeared and was seen in the Temple: that a Cow brought forth a Lamb, and which was most strange, a certain man went up and down among the people, continually for the space of seven years before, not ceasing with woeful cries, to forewarn and admonish the people to forsake their wickedness: foreshowing the destruction of the place.  
The very like, yea and almost the very same accidents signs and wonders, have lately happened within this whilom most pleasant Country of Livonia, in the City of Pernaw: for in the year 1599 upon Saint Luke's day, a certain Merchant of the said City, having (according to the custom of the Country) invited many of his friends and Neighbours to a feast at his house, among the rest also, invited thither a certain old man of the same City whose name was Style, a man of the age of four score years or thereabout, known to all the inhabitants there to be borne deaf and dumb, and had so continued all his life time to that day.  
This old man being placed at the table among the company, and seeing the great and horrible abuse of the good gifts and creatures of God which were there provided, by those abominable vices of gluttony and drunkenness, and not being able to endure the sight thereof, by the just judgement of God presently leapt over the Table, and with a fierce and stern countenance, turning his eyes toward the people, and wring his hands as a sign of the great sorrow which he conceived at his heart, burst forth in these speeches to the Company which were present.  
Alas quoth he (my dear friends) how can you be thus merry, when a man seeing this abominable abuse, to the high displeasure of almighty God, might well loath to live any longer in so wicked a time. Therefore (dear brethren and sisters) repent, repent I say, for the punishment of the Lord God is near at hand: with great storms and overflowing waters, will he destroy the wicked, and nothing but affliction and punishment shallbe their portion.  
Such dearth that year shallbe that the people shall not find any food for nourishment, nor any way to escape by reason of the troublesome war to come: great plague pestilence and murrain shall destroy both young and old, therefore live ye as if presently ye should die, for surely it is at hand: great and horrible wonders shall ye hear, and see many strange and monstrous Children borne, as a looking-glass both for rich and poor.  
The people with great admiration and astonishment came running together to see this miracle which had happened, and the Company which were invited being dashed with this sudden accident, having now given over their pastime and being sore amazed were with one accord attentive to the speeches of the old man, perceiving aswell by his strange gestures as by the suddainnes of his speech that this was Gods only doings: and being moved with great fear and horror, asked him at what time all those things should happen: whereupon the said dumb man thus presently replied.  
Ere the year 99 be come and passed, the Lord God in his just anger and wrath will draw his sword, therefore repent you of your sins, for the day of judgement is at hand.  
These words spoken, the man was again bereft of his speech, and became dumb as before, feeling himself presently sick, and the next day after he died: and was honourably buried, being accompanied to the Church, by an infinite number of the inhabitants there, who greatly lamented for his death.  
The next day after his burial, there was a certain woman brought forth a man child, with a natural face before, and behind like the skull of a dead man, his right arm also was like a Sword, and the other like a Rod: which child lived two days and no longer.  
After this the Lord showed an other, no less fearful sign of his indignation and wrath, for just over the said City of Pernaw, was perfectly seen in the clear Firmament or Sky, a Beer and Coffin, covered all with black: which sight endured from four of the clock in the afternoon, till eleven in the same Night.  
Therefore good christians, consider first the sudden and fearful speech of the Dumb, secondly, look upon the monstrous birth and shape of this Child, and lastly, meditate upon the fearful sign seen in the Air, and thereupon with an humble and penitent heart, imagine the Tragical end of all, pitying the afflicted Country and people of Lyffeland, and let their hard fortune be a warning to thee, that thou sin no more presumptuously.  
And as the heathen Poet sayeth. Foelix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum, that is to say, happy is he which can beware by other men's perils: make thyself happy with this warning, and do not with the wicked and stubborn jews, contemn and scorn, this gentle admonition, and forewarning of the Dumb, lest God in his justice bring a worse Plague upon us, than he did either upon those jews or upon this Country of Lyffeland.  
FINIS.   

A True Report of the great Victory lately achieved by the great SOPHY: who with the aid and assistance of the the king of Persia, overthrew the Turkish Emperor with all his forces, near unto the river Euphrates.  
Truly translated out of the high Dutch Copy printed at Hamborrow. 1602.  
❧ At London printed for William Barley. 1603.   

¶ A true Report, of the late victory achieved by the great Sophy: together with the king of Persia, upon the Turks etc.  
WHereas the great Turkish Emperor with all his Army, munition, and preparation, was come to the river of Euphrates, being strong both of Horse & foot, about three hundred Thousand men, and perceiving that Morath general of the Persians, had caused the Bridge to be pulled down there, that was made over the said River, and that he was marched on th'other side, and hard by a mountain did prepare and strengthen himself with the forces sent unto him by the great Sophy, with those he had before, so that the Persians were strong about Fourscore and ten Thousand men, amongst the which were about twenty Thousand, whereof every one of them, had two horses for a man.  
The Turk could not have so much intelligence to understand if the Sophy himself were personally present in the Camp, or no: or if he yet were in Persia for more forces, which he especially did fear.  
Because therefore he could not pass over the River, he in all hast caused the bridge to be builded again, and sent over the said River two Genneralls called Bellerbyes' with their forces, to wit Bellerby of Gretia and Bellerby of Anatolia, but he himself tarried on this side of the water till the next morning.  
Now about two hours before day breaking the Gennerall Moreth fell in the Camp of Bellerby of Grecia, who had encamped himself somewhat far off from the Bellerby of Anatolia, and most valiantly came upon him with such a force and power, that he upon a sudden most speedily did overcome all his Ensigns and Tents, and overthrew and slew all his Campe.  
The Soldiers of the Camp of the Bellerby of Anatolia héerwithall were put in such a fear, that they ran in to the River, and passed over to the Camp of the great Turk,  
The Turk seeing this ill success, presently planted his ordinance in good order one by an other, and placed the same right against the Enemy which was on the other side of the water: and because they should not see the Ordinance, he commanded that some Companies should be placed and stand before the said Ordinance, with this token, that when the pieces of Ordinance should be all in readiness and charged, they should sound Alarm and the said Companies standing before the said Ordinance should part aside, and so to discharge the said pieces of Ordinance upon the Enemy.  
This determination being agreed upon, and fire being put to the aforesaid ordinance, many of them did burst and fly abroad, and slew and hurt a notable number of men, yea and many of the Turkish Army: by the noise, cry, and tumult whereof, many Horses and Mules, with those that were on the backs of them did leap into the River and were drowned,  
The Sophians and Persians which had sustained great loss of men by means of the Ordinance, retired on the other side of the Mountain, and it was supposed that at that time were slain and shot to death about Twenty thousand Sophians and Persians.  
They retiring so backwards as is aforesaid, the Turk with all his whole Army passed over the River, and marched towards the Mountain where the Sophians were encamped, who had divided themselves into four parts or squadrons, keeping close together: and when they saw that the Turks came upon them, they were glad, and most valiantly met and fought with them so that on both sides many men were slain: but the night overtook them, which was to the advantage of the Sophians for it was not possible that they could resist and withstand longer against the great force and power of the Turks, therefore by Night they all did fly to the Mountain, the Turks for darkness could not follow them, as they were minded and would feign have done and so the Turk tarrying in the fields that Night purposed and concluded the next day to leave all his footmen with the pieces of Ordinance behind him and with horsemen only to pursue the Enemies and by these means unawares to surprise and take the Town of Tauris, before those of the Town should hear of the overthrow of the Sophy.  
But on the other side, the Persians and Sophians, which diligently did look to themselves, and had great care to the matter, concluded with themselves, that ten thousand men which were the day before newly arrived, should march against the Turks, and when the Turks should come upon them, they should flee, as if they were overcome, and the rest of the Sophians and Persians, which were yet about twenty thousand, should come behind the Turks, and compassed them between them both, and without doubt they should speed well, and overcome their enemies. The next morning, the Turk seeing that the enemy was yet so near at hand, he thought they had not been able to fly any further for darkness, came upon them with great force: but they presently according to their agreement did fly, and the Turks not thinking on this martial policy, did pursue them till noon, and being come to a small River, because they were somewhat weary, and tired, encamped themselves on the said rivers side and there dined: and after dinner the fresh Turks leaving the wearied and tired Companies with all their treasures and spoils behind them, thinking the next night unawares to surprise the Town of Tauris, did pursue and chase the Persians and Sophians, in their feigned flight.  
But when they came to the Town, in all hast a post came to the great Turk about two hours in the night, who certified unto him that the enemy had overthrown and slain all his footmen which he had left behind, and that they had gotten the pieces of Ordinance, and still were coming with all their forces behind him.  
The Turk hearing such news, and thinking on the great treasure that he had left behind him, presently went back again, and the Persians and Sophians which heretofore did fly, turned also back again, and saw that their forces did follow and pursue the Turks behind. The Turks which tarried with the treasure on the said water side, perceiving their Enemies did break up and run away, the Persians and Sophians being before and behind the Turks, came fiercely and valiantly upon them, and did great hurt amongst them.  
The great Turk much discontented, seeing that the Enemy had so craftily compassed and brought him in the middle between them, begun a most hard and hot battle, wherein the Sophians and Persians got the victory: which when the Turks saw, they did fly out on the one side, for otherwise it was not possible for them to escape.  
The Turkish Emperor himself, when he saw that all his forces did fly, and that all his Ensigns were taken, did likewise fly to save his life, and came with a most swift horse to Amasia, and tarried in Anatolia till the remnant of his Army (which was very little) was gathered together: for the Turks did nothing but fly all the Night, and all those which were slack in running, were all cut down: and those that came over the River pulled down the bridge made by them before, to the end the Persians should not pursue them: but the Persians and Sophians being glad of the victory, as Conquerors of the field, went home again: although they would feign have prosecuted their victory, had not the most part of their forces been slain  
Performed in Anno Domini. 1602.  
FINIS.   

A True and Lamentable Report of the miserable & pitiful present state of the Country of LIVONIA, (commonly called Lyffelande) concerning the great Dearth & Famine now being there, [by reason of the Wars] in such sort that one Neighbour and Friend doth kill an other and eat them, the like never before, either seen or heard of.  
Written by credible & great personages of that Country, unto the reverend and learned Conrado Schlusselborrow, Doctor in Divinity, and Superintendant in the City of Stralsunde in Suetia.  
Truly translated out of the high Dutch Copy printed at Hamborrow. 1602.  
At London printed for William Barley. 1603.   

¶ A true Relation of the miserable and pitiful state of the Country of LIVONIA, afflicted with great Dearth Famine etc.  
MOst Reverend and learned Doctor, occasion serving at this present time I could not omit to certify unto your worship the lamentable and pitiful estate of this sore afflicted country of Lyffland, for surely the just wrath of God by reason of our manifold sins, is kindled against us.  
And first by reason of these wars, many thousand men were slain and put to the sword on both sides, as well Germans, Dutchmen, Swedens', Polonians: as also other nations, amongst the which many without any respect of person, sex or age most cruelly were racked, martyred and burned, yea the fruit in the Mother's Womb was not spared, the little Infants were taken and held up by the feet, and without any mercy most barbarously massacred and cut into pieces.  
Secondly, there was here such wonderful and strange diseases and sicknesses almost amongst all men, that they did fall down in the streets and fields, & became mad and senseless yea and the most part died thereof.  
Thirdly there was never such great dearth & famine, especially amongst the poor Husbandmen and Country folk, insomuch that Many did eat the dead carrions that they found in the fields, as Horses, Cats, Dogs, & also the very shoes of their feet, yea one Christian body hath eaten an other: and especially which is most wonderful and never heard of before. That in the Town of Salis two Daughters did eat their diseased Father, and also a woman did eat her diseased husband. And at another place one neighbour sent his child to one of his neighbours to fetch or carry something, who took the child and cut his throat, and whilst he was taking out the entrails, the Father of the child [who did marvel of the long tarrying of his Child came and perceiving that his Child was slaughtered in manner aforesaid, was in a mighty rage, & fought with his neighbour who likewise killed the father of the child, & dressed him for meat & eat him. Such fearful and heavy accidents do daily happen with us in Lyffland. God almighty most graciously deliver us and show his mercy upon us. Dated at Pernaw, the fourth of September.  
Anno 1602.   

¶ A true Copy of a Letter written & sent from the Castle of Osel, of the miserable estate at this present time of Lyffland: Written by M. Francis Rappen the elder Gentl. unto the reverend father M. Peter Dudderstedten, Preacher in the City of new Pernaw.  
Reverend and learned father, Friend and Kinsman.  
I and all my household with all our hearts are very sorry and most pitifully grieved to hear the miserable estate, which you by reason of the fearful raising of wars, have sustained, we likewise here in these places are troubled and plagued with famine (God Almighty show his mercy upon us, and save us and deliver us from it) insomuch that if it pleased God we had rather to choose a plague for it. Seeing that not only the poor people starving and famishing do fall down and die in the streets and ways, going one neighbour to an other, and do still strive and fight for dead cattle which die of the murrain, and most greedily do eat the carsons of the field and do not regard how unnatural it is to devour dead swine, dogs & cattles but also one Christian and friend killeth & eateth another, the parents do dress for meat their children when they are dead by reason of the great Dearth, for the Enemy hath wasted & spoiled all the Country, and rob every one of their goods, for which causes you have been constrained to go with your wife and family out of these countries into Germany.  
And although we would feign give double money for Corn, we can here get none seeing all is gone, partly spoiled and wasted upon the Fields, and partly by reason of the cold Summer it could not ripe, insomuch that all my Tennantes' cannot furnish nor provide me of a bushel of corn to relieve my poor family, who for very hunger do starve and famish which most pitifully doth grieve my heart.  
I pray the Lord of Heaven mercifully to look upon us, and deliver us from this most lamentable estate.  
Dated at Osel the 22. of September. 1602. Your worship's friend Francis Rappen the elder.   
FINIS.  

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