THE CONDUCT AND CHARACTER Of Count NICHOLAS SERINI, Protestant Generalissimo of the Auxiliaries in Hungary, The most Prudent and resolved Champion of Christendom.  
With his Parallels SCANDERBAG & TAMBURLAINE.  
Interwoven with the principal Passages of the Christians and Turks Discipline and Success, since the Infidels first Invasion of Europe, in the year 1313.  
London, Printed for Sam. Speed, at the Rainbow in Fleetstreet, 1664.   

Imprimatur,  
Ex AEd. Lambeth. Feb. 24. 1663. G. straddling, S. T. P. Rev. in Christo Pat. D. Gilb. Archiep. Cant. a Sac. Domestic.   

TO All the Admirers of Count NICHOLAS SERINI, The Great Champion of Christendom.  
IT being as convenient to divert a discontented people in dangerous curiosity with Foreign discourses, as ●t is necessary to spend their unquiet idleness upon Foreign employments; there is nothing of more remark to offer the speculative and the discursive in this Juncture of Affairs, than the grand concerns of Christendom, in reference to the general invasion ma●e upon it ●y the Infidels, and the u●a●i●ou● defence managed for t●y Believers; among whom the Ex●●ll●nt Cou●t Serini seems to be the He●●●, upon whom Providence hath devol●●● the ●ate of Europe, whos● Character and Portraiture, tho●gh take● with the considerable disadvantages of distance, common Fame, an● var●●●s prepossessions and apprehensions, yet upon the review of the 〈◊〉 piec● resulting from these twenty years partial Relations, seems to promise the Ingenious and Inquisitive peruser, Th●se nine particulars, viz.  
1. A Brief summary of the Turkish affairs, since their first appearance in the world, Anno 1092. to this tim●.  
2. An exact account of their several attempts upon Christendom.  
3. A satisfactory recapitulation of their several successes against ours, and ours against them, f●● three 〈◊〉 year's together.  
4. A ver● seasonable Discourse o● the 〈◊〉 Pers●ns, who in ev●ry Ag● we●e ●a●sed ●●●●eck ●heir 〈◊〉; 〈…〉 wi●h th● ways and meteors 〈…〉 for these four Ages a●● G●●●ra●io●s.  
5. The particular servi●●s o● t●e Famous Serini's Ancestors, h●s Grandfather, and Father, upon the same account.  
6. An Historical Narrative of the incompa●a●l● Cou●ts own bra●e undertake from July 16. 1663. when he first set out against the Mahometans, to this present.  
7. Most useful observations of his great Prudence and Conduct in all his exploits.  
8. His Temper, Education, and ●●rtues, em●●ent in his Actions.  
9 His great Parallel Scanderbag.  
Now not to flatter this little attempt for the world's satisfaction, i● that great persons particular Eminences of Inclination or Action; I shall only resume the foresaid particulars: And say, 1. ●ho would not have always before him a br●e● Survey of their original, progress, and successes, that manage so great a part of the world? 2. Who would not compare this dreadful invasion with those that have gone before? And, 3. Observe by what sort of person●, by what Policies, by what Counsels, methods and designs, that grand Invader hath now twenty six times since his first assault upon the Christian world, been forced to his own Port? Moreover, 5, 6, 7. Seeing Serini is the great name that upholds drooping Christianity (●ow the the a●●ination is broke in u●on it, that makes desolate) who would not know what he is, o● whom des●ende●, what his Ancestors ha●e done for the same great cause? what his 〈◊〉? what his constitution? what his Religion? what his hopes and virtues? In a word, what manner of Hero he is, upon whose success or overthrow the Western world seems to stand or fall? Besides that, the curious will here find History to ●ass away the time; the Gentleman a great example to live by; the Noble man, great Actions to imitate; the soldier and Statesman, many rules 〈…〉 of Peace and ●ar to 〈◊〉; the undertakers in that cause, 〈…〉 Commander to 〈◊〉 under; and the perplexed 〈…〉 Gentleman 〈…〉 Protestant to depend 〈…〉; Here you may see what this great man is, and what all men should be; here is an exact model of eminent and great Virtues, draw● with as equal design for others instruction, as his Renown; to ennoble those that Read his Actions, as well as celebrate him that performed them; that Christe●dom may be pr●pled with Serin●'s, and its Champions grow with its dangers, which are now as considerable as they have been these hundred years, the Grand Signior straining himself for an universal and complete Conquest this Spring, threatening Europe with no less than three hundred thousand men, making the most dreadful provisions of Ammunition and store, that ever were heard of; laying the most dangerous plot, a●d contriving the most terrible confederacy against us that ever was thought of, taking the most unhappy occasions and advantages of divided interests and parties that ever was offered him; and offering the greatest temptations (those of Liberty and Privilege) that Christendom can now lie under, to revolt and Apostasy: yet for our support, we ●ear every day that our illustrious Personage goeth on with success, hath taken in the Upper and Lower Zigeth, where his Ancestors laid their Bones; and (though deluded by those of Five-K●rke, to the loss of many brave persons that fell under their walls) laid that place in Ashes, bestowing the infinite Treasure of the Town upon his deserving followers, whose Army now fills with persons of Resolution, that aim at spoil or honour: And indeed upon his late Victories, his friends the Hungarians and Imperialists are so resolved, and his enemies so awakened, that he seethe he must come to an engagement, and therefore he hath dra●● 〈…〉 to prepare himself accordingly. Our Great God, the cause and p●aye●s ●f Christendom, the Si●s a●d Blasphemies of Infidels, make ●is success as great as his cause is goo●.  
So prayeth O. C.   


The Conduct and Character of Count Nicholas Serini.  
IT is not a more general observation of the 
What Heroes were always ra●sed to oppose the Turksinvasions, and ●ow they did it.  Physician, that in every Country Poisons grow up with their Antidotes, and Distempers with their Remedies▪ than it is an approved Maxim of the Divine and Politician, that in every Age the disturbers of the Church are poyzed with its Champions; and no sooner appear the Boutefeus' ●nd incendiaries of an Age, than they are matched with its Worthies an● Heroes: for when the Turks (the poor remains of the Ten T●●bes le● Captive under Salmanass●●, an● lost in the Barbarism and desolation of Scythia) forced by their wants, 
〈…〉. The Turks original and growth▪  and encouraged by their hopes, broke out of that sheath (as they call it) or indeed Sword of Nations, upon the pleasure and plenty of Asia (as these cold Countries, as fruitful in inhabitants, as they are barren in Provision, every Age send forth some superfluous thousands to seek their Bread) and after some vagaries under Tangrolipix his conduct, erected to themselves a Government, both upon the Persians estate, whom they pretend to assist, and his enemies, whom they overthrew, to the ●error of weaker Princes, and the disturbance of the most Potent Cutlum●ses, that noble Persian checked the encroachments, and secured 
Their ch●●k and opposition.  their Government, by altering their Religion, dividing their opinions, injealousing their Chieftains, betraying their weakness, Debauching their Spirits, and buying off their Leaders, Anno 1121. the Barbarous multitude being reduced by some Rules of Religion and Policy, to that Order and Discipline that threatened the neighbour-Powers, awaked the brave Emperor Diogenes, and the resolute Patriarch Simon, to engage the Christian world, the one by solemn Embassies, the other by devour Letters, against this common enemy, which in a General Council at Claremont, Voted an unanimous assistance (upon Peter the Hermit's suggestions, and Pope Gregory's injunctions) for an Holy War, under Robert Duke of Normandy, Baldwy● Earl of Flanders, Henry King of England, Godfrey Duke of Bulloyn (a War managed by five Kings of France, six Western Emperors, eight Earls of Flanders and Brabant, six Knights of Rhodes and Malta, five Kings of England; with an Oath, not to desist until Christendom were delivered, to the loss of 36000 English, 45000 French, 32000 Italians, and as many more of other Nations, for the space of two hundred years, viz. from the year 1090. to the year 1290.) to relieve the Greek Church, recover the Land of Promise, rescue the Holy Sepulchre, punish the Saracen Blasphemies, and propagate the Christian truth; a design that stopped the growing Power of those Barbarians, though it could not suppress it; because, neither their sins, nor our repentance were yet ready for vengeance or relief, because our Armies were debauched, our Leaders were unskilful, our Councils divided, our Commanders unequal, our friends were false, our designs particular, our Emperors and Pope's ●ealous, the Climate unsuitable, and the people perfidious, provoking at once the wrath of heaven and the malice of enemies.  
Neither had these wild invaders of mankind sooner tri●mpned over this Christian opposition, than they were 
The settlement of the Ottomon Family.  stopped in their career by the revolutions of Egypt, the Revolts of Alepp● and Damas●us, the invasions of Tartary; and their own Mutinies, which transferred the usurpation from the Zelz●ccian family, and Tangrolipix his line, to the Oguzian and Ottoman, 1300. who though allied to the Emperor, famous for his Victories, beloved by his people, and as capable of laying the foundation of an August Empire, as any that sat upon that Throne, being invited by one party of Christians to suppress another (for he was the first that was invited 
Their first invasion o● Europe stopped by M. Paleologus, and how.  to Europe, and that by the Catalonians) yet was matched by Michael Cos, and Paleologus, who bought him before Nice, surprised him before Neapolis, diverted him by Rebellion in his own Family, overcame him by Prayer and Devotion, stopped up his correspondencies and supplies, perplexed him with Innovations in Religion, with envy and fear, suggestion and distrust; tolled him on to great straits, and softened his hardened people with the Luxury and Delicacy of Europe.  
Anno 1349. His rich Brother Orchades 
The second stopped by Asa●, and how.  succeedeth him, who first strangled his relations, took Nice, Nicomedia, Corusinia, Calliopolis, by his Silver, rather than his Steel, (for those places were rather bought than Conquered) yet was matched by the Grecians Discipline and Order, the Thracians wiles and Stratagems, Asans yieldings and Retreats, until the  Barbarian was toiled further than he could fairly retreat.  
Anno 1364. Fierce Amurath surprised 
Their third attempt stopped by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 how.  Rh●destium by three hundred soldiers, that got in under the notion of Workmen; took in Adrianople, reduce● Servia, threa●ed Bulgar●a and M●●●avia; when by the Christian Practices, A●adi● revolts, Asia is divided, and the fierce man himself charmed by the Despots Daughter of By●anti●m.  
Anno 1390. Warlike Bajazet proceeds 
〈…〉 undertaking blasted by Tamerlain.  in his Conquest of Servia without control, when it pleased God to raise Tamerlain the great Cham's Son-in-Law, who with 600000 Foot, and 300000 Horse (that wrath of God, as he called himself, and not man) shook the Turkish Empire, ●. outdoing them in his Discipline (for he was the most complete Soldier, for the Practical part of ranging and Disciplining an Army, in the World.) 2. Shutting out of his Camp all their Spies, by building houses 
His method.  out of it for all strangers, and keeping his men to their Quarters upon pain of Death. 3. By unwearied Inroads upon the enemies, whom he typed with surprises. 4. By gaining time to observe their methods and weaknesses. 5. By delaying the War until the Tu●ks men and Treasure was spent. And 6. By his tenderness towards those that yielded, and his cruelty towards those that withstood him (for he would the first day of any Siege, hang out a White Flag, to denote mercy to all upon surrender: The second, hang out a Red one, to intimate favour towards all but the Chief: And the third, hang out his black one, to signify the dismal condition of all.  
Anno 1405. Resolute Mahomet made Wallachia Tributary, threatened 
Their fifth exploit diverted by Musa, and how.  Transylvania; when lo, Musa marrieth the King of Wallachia's Daughter, revolteth from his Master, embroyleth the Army, keeps correspondence with the Christian Princes, betrayeth his Lord's interest, and indangereth the Ottoman Empire, putting Mahomet upon beginning a War, which he lived not to finish.  
Anno 1422. Cruel Amurath settleth himself in the Empire of Greece, 
Their sixth enterprise spoiled by brave Hu●iades, and ●ow.  and prepares for that of the whole world, when Mustapha Rebels in Adrianople, and Servi●s in Caramania, and Vladislaus King of Hungary, with other Christians, watchful upon these advantages, spoil Servia: Hu●iades, that brave Soldier, defends Transylvania, drills on the enemy to a toil, where he fought them three days with equal success, until his Reserves and the Christian Captives turned the Scales, and he overthrew Abadin, Basta, Mesites, and Amurath himself at Castron, leaving 79000 Turks dead upon the place, and at last is made Governor of Hungary, with the unanimous consent of all the Estates (a way now neglected) where by his moderation, and that persuasion he had that every one might be saved in his own Religion, and that as God had made many people, so he appointed, or at least allowed of many Religions, he cemented their divided Interests, closed their great distances, raised their dismantled Fortifications, maintained their just Privileges, and kept out their numerous enemies, until Constantinople was taken, May 29. 1450. Peloponnesus was undermined, Belgrade yeil'ed, and Trapezond submitted to the Musulmens' successes, which yet were poized by the eruptions of the 320000 Persians, by the Confederacies of the Papacy and the Empire, the Apostasy of Vlados, the attempts of the Venetians, the courage and resolution of the Great Master of the Rhodes and the Emperor Mathias, and the most dangerous Mutiny that ever was among the Janissaries, who its expected will at last pull down this Empire.  
Anno 1481. Bajazet the second 
Their irruption hindered by the famous Scanderbag, and what particular way.  was left Master of the Eastern Empire, and fair for the Western; but Egypt and Caramania revolt under Selimus, the Turkish Court differ about succession, and the Emperor Ferdinand layeth hold of these occasions to recover Podolia, and strengthen Christendom, by a General Diet a● Vienna, a General Council at Constance, a General correspondence with Persia.  
Anno 1520. Honest Selimus would have been contented with his Ancestors Acquists and Dominions, but Ishmael di●●urbeth him at home, and ●aurus in Egypt; and the Sicilians held Intelligence with both, to improve those defeats which Brave Scanderbag had given, 1. By his vigilancy, who slept not two hours in a night. 2. By his activity, being always upon the enemy before they expected, till he reduced Epirus. 3. By his vehemency, who fought al-always till the blood gushed out at his Nostril's. 4. By his Interest, being made the Head of the Christian League. 4. By his Intelligence, keeping many Turkish Officers in Pay. 5. By his resolution against all over●ures of Peace, twice given Mustapha, thrice Amurath, and four times to Mahomet the second.  
But Solyman the Magnificent, Anno 1520 appears in ●he greatest 〈◊〉 and Power of any 〈◊〉 since Ottoman: And with him, rises one Gazelles, Governor of Syria, that was 
The great invasion of Solyman the Magnificent, checked by the u●●ted forces of Christendom  born to humble him by a Revolt: ●allerius, Master of the Rhodes, that was made to weaken him by a ●lout resistance, whom yet he overcomes; and called in by Lewis of Hungary, and Ferdinand of Bohemia, who quarrelled about the Crown of Hungary, layeth Siege to Vienna, but in vain; while the Lord Will. Rogandorff, and Charles the Emperor, with the united forces of Christendom, amounting to 150000 men, chasti●e his insolency by Land, and De Auria corrects his Barbarous outrages by Sea, and the Persian diverts him in his own Country, as all the Princes of Christendom, under the Marquis of Brandenburg (notwithstanding the French treachery, for which their Ambassador was murdered at Alba Regalis) conspire against him, and that with success, while Bajazet is by them hired to Rebel, and the Janissaries to Mutiny: And Don John of Austria gives him that terrible blow at Lepanto, as the Venetians did at Cyp●u●: Of the first whereof he would say, i● was but the findging of his Beard; of the second, he confesled it was the cutting off of a Limb.  
Anno 1566. Selimus was bounded and limited by the unquiet Persian; and upon the peace wit● him, though the French favoured him, Czarneckic was corrupted by him, and his way by his means opened into Europe; yet the Palatine withstands him, the Marquis of Breda way-layeth him, the Ordnance and Guns of Europ● galled him, spoil and plunder ruined him, and so great preparations for Europe weakened him.  
Anno 1574. Simple Amurath the third was disturbed by the Persians; perplexed by his Janissaries, invaded by the Cossacks, Tartarians, and Persians; distracted with Egypt and Damascus, both fallen off; Confederated against by Venice, the Empire, Italy, Poland, Denmark, France, Spain, who 
And their ●ast adventures defeated by the family offering ●erin●.  maintain 223000 men under Averspergh, Sizeg, Teuffenbach, who tired him out with a wary War, till he had lost three hundred thousand men in two years upon the Borders of Christendom.  
Anno 1603. Proud Mahomet the third of that name, makes a League with the Wallachians and Moldavians, overthroweth the Lords Palfi and Swartzenburgh, takes Strigonium and Buda, passeth the Danow; yet Mansfield meets him in the Field, Retez divides his Council, a Count of the Empire disposet● his Janissaries to a Tumult, and Serinus, the noble Ancestor and Grandfather o● Count Peter Serini, whose Character we now offer to the world, forbiddeth his growing greatness: for on the sixth of August 1567. the successful Infidel besieged the Fort Sigeth, wherein this great Captain Serini was Governor, who made many bold Sallies upon the enemy, took many Prisoners, and at one time caused three hundred Turks to be beheaded; which so far enraged the Infidel, that he placed his Batteries, and attempts with greater fury than before, whereupon Serini burned the Suburbs called the New-Town, and Retired to the Old; which the Turks assaulted, and were so bravely received, that in on● Storm they lost two thousand men; yet the second time they carried it, forced Serini to the Castle, against which the enemy planted a Battery, and gave one furious A●taque, but were beaten off with great loss.  
Whi●e this passed, S●lyman d●ed of a Bloodyflux (●ept. 4.) but Mahomet Easha labouring as much as might ●e to keep his death concealed from the Turks, caused the Corpse (E●balmed, and Gloriously clothed) to be exposed in a d●rk place to the People, as sitting on his Thron●, and the Bassa himself with all the usual Ceremonies & Reverence, signifying some matter of Privacy with him. At length the Bassa went out of the Ten●, wiping his eyes as if he had been crying; which gave the Officers occasion to inquire, why he wept? To whom he replied, That, It grieved his heart to think how many brave Soldiers would be suddenly put to the Sword: for (says he) Solyman has made a deep and desperate Oath, that if this place be no● taken in two days, every Colonel that bears any charge in the attempt shall certainly be put to death. Hereupon t●e Janissaries fell into a direct Rage, and gave a furious Assault, but were repulsed with exceeding great loss: they had however 〈◊〉 f●●e to the Castle; and now the Noble Defender o● 〈◊〉 ●eeing his fate ●efo●e his eyes, called the ●●all remainder of his 〈◊〉 abou● hi●● and exho●te● them to ●●nd by him, and resolve to die with him. Whereupon, he clothed h●●self ●n a Violet-coloured Velvet Suit, took ●he Key of the Castle, and ●ome Gold in his Pocket, caused the ●ates to be opened, and the great Guns to be drawn thither, and discharged among the enemy; and in a Cloud of Smoak he issued forth with his men among the Turks, and fought till he was shot in the head. This was the end of the Valiant Serini. It was reckoned that 20000 Turks were slain before this Fort. No sooner was Serin● fallen, ●ut the 〈◊〉 thronging about the Cor●●, 〈◊〉 ●ff his head, and 〈…〉 one day after which, they sent it with a scoff to Maximilian the Emperor.  
Anno 1612. Achmet succeeded to the pleasures and delights, rather than the honour or improvement of the Empire, which was then thought at its height, and ready to fall with its own weight: for its distractions were many, its old establishments were neglected, the brethren were preserved alive, and the Government was tumultuarily transferred from Mustapha to Osman, and from him, being strangled, to the renowned Morat, who died before Babylon 1640, much lamented, where he designed the extirpation of the unruly Janissaries, and being asked who should be his Successor, said suddenly, Will there be any more worlds when I am dead? and from Morat to his brother Ibrahim, who observed the peace 
The great Turks eye upon Christendom these 20 ●ears.  made with Europe 1612. inviolably, had not his dear Sultaness and son been taken by the Galleys of Malta, and he thereby provoked to threaten Christendom, and attaque Candia and Da●matia with success, until the Janissaries discontent depose him, anno 1648. and set up 
a He changed his Name at his Coronation, to gain reverence, and to engage fortune and success, complying with a Prophecy of one named Mahomet's great Victories.  Ali Solyman, otherwise called Mahomet the fourth, the present Sultan in his stead.  
Who being according to the usual custom saluted by the Janissaries and the Bassa's, and applauded by the people, and crowned 1656. was guided and instructed by his brave Mother, and able Visier, a person of as great conduct and success, as of good age and experience, who instilled to him those noble Principles and Maxims that not only bear up the declining grandeur of Turkey, but threaten Christendom, as he promised by his active Disposition, and Masculine Genius to bear up the decaying spirits of that Empire, to awake their former Valour and Prudence, so (notwithstanding he was severely exercised with two dismal overthrows, the one at Foggia, the other at the 
b The strait of Hellespont joining Europe to Asia, famous for Hero & Leander, Sestos and Abydos, if not more for the two Castles built there, with the Grand Signors own discretion, who laid the method of them, and was present when the● were begun and finished.  Darda●e●●oes) ●e surprised Vesp●in, made inroads to the Empire suppressed the great tumult in the year— 56. (that made away 16 Bashaws, one Usher, forcing the Sultana and Mufti to the Seraglio) prosecuteth the War against the Venetians in Dalmatia and Candia, reduceth the revolt at D●mas●us, and pitching upon the able Bashaw of Damascus for his prime Visier at 24 years of age, who now commands in Hungary, allayed and awed the mutinous Janissaries by his severity and munificence, obliged the people by an impartial justice; and though he was twice defeated by Moccenigo at 
c He himself looking on.  the Port, and deprived by him of Lemnos and Tenedos, yet training his men up to European services, he regained Tenedos while the Venetians were fetching fresh water, reform the sloth Epicutism and bribery that had debauched his Court (denying himself the great example the ordinary use of those pleasures, for whose excesses his Predecessors are so infamous) restored their lost Discipline, frighted the Persian to a peace, made way to his present Erterprises by inroads into Transy●vania, (against R●g●tski, who without his pri●ity had engaged in the Polish War) which the emperor neither assi●●ing effectually, nor yet deserting 
The f●●st occasion of this last dreadful design upon Christendom.  the Turk, observing his unde●handdealing, having settled A●afti in that Principality, takes that occasion to prosecute his old design upon Hungary and Austria, which (when he had suppressed) the Bashaw of Aleppo, and his pretended Sultan, by the courage and prudence of the present Visier, at whose presence the Rebels submitted to mercy, made use of that success to work the Persian to a firm peace, defeated Almeri● d' Este, the Venetian General of Candia, disguised his preparations for War under pretences of peace, and leagued himself to the Hollanders and the English, whose late Revolutions he so much admired, that he said, if fame belie him not, That if he were to choose either his God or his Religion, ●e would choose the King of England's; he having as clear an apprehension of the affairs of Europe by his ancient league with France, as we ourselves, and observing the animosities and interest since the last Emperor's election at Frankford, and the last Popes at Rome, in compliance with the amusing designs of France, gins at Adrianople under the pretence of retiring from the toil to the pleasures of Government: embodying his Asian forces at Belgrade, and settling Moravia and Wallachia, he pursues (with 250000 men, besides his Tartarian hirelings) to Hungary, where exceeding the bounds set them by the old League, they first caressed the Inhabitants with wonderful civility, and then fomented their animosities against the Germans, (which upon the account of Religion, Inclination, Customs and Government, hath been ancient, but now improved by Montecuculi's Commission to be Generalissimo over their forces) allowing liberty of conscience, and a general fair usage in point of Taxes, (his common bait to discontented and debauched Estates) until upon an inconsiderate Engagement of Count Forga●z, (who with a party of 7000 was only to observe their motion, and relieve such places as the Infidel should attaque) the Infidel at once provoked and encouraged with a Victory in passing the Dano●, defieth the Emperor by catching off 800 prisoners heads before the Emperor's Ambassador and Christe●●ome itself, by this Letter.  
Mahomet, Son of the Emperor, 
The great Turks defiance to Christendom.  Son of God, thrice heavenly, and thrice known by the renowned Emperor of the Turks, King of Greece, Macedonia and Moldavia; King in Sama●ia and Hungary; King of Great and Lesser Egypt; King of all the Inhabitants of the Earth, and the Earthly Paradise; Guardian of the Sepulchre of thy God; Lord of the Tree of Life; Lord of all the Emperors of the world, from the East, even to the West: King of all Kings, Grand Persecutor of the Christians, and all the Wicked, the Joy of the Flourishing Tree, the Chieftain and Guardian of thy Crucified God, Lord of the hope of thy Nation:  
WE send Greeting to thee, Emperor Leopold: If thou wil● be our Friend, and submit to our Domination, than we will that thy Greatness be Ample.  
Since these times, thou hast violated and shun●ed our friendship, without having ever been offended either by War, or the fight of God: thou hast taken secret Designs with other Kings, and other Confederates, in envy to shake off our Yoke, in which thou hast done imprudently. This is it for which thou and thy people ought to live in fear, and to have no other hope but death; for which cause thou hast prepared thyself. But we tell thee, that we will go forth and be thy Conqueror, and we will pursue thee from the East even to the West, and will make thee know our Majesty; even to the utmost Confines of the Earth, thou shalt know our effects to thy great damage: of which we assure thee, and will have thee to expect our Greatness; thy hope shall melt away, which thou hast in thy Cities and Fortresses. We resolve absolutely to beat down, and raz● all that appeareth any thing considerable to thine eyes: and thou shouldest not expect any other thing or friendship, and shouldest not put confidence in thy strong Walls; for we have set up a resolution to destroy thee without remedy. It pleaseth us to forage Germany, and to leave it behind us, to the memory of our Bloody Sword, to the end all these things may be manifest to all. It pleaseth us to establish our Religion, and root out thy Crucified God; and we fear no colours, neither can there be any succour for thee, that thou mayest escape our hands. I● pleaseth us also to condemn to the Chain thy holy Priests, and to deliver to the Dogs, and other savage Beasts, the D●gs of thy Women: Therefore thou shalt do very wisely if thou renounce thy Religion, otherways we do order and appoint that all be delivered to the fire. This which is said, may satisfy thee; and thou mayst comprehend by this if thou wilt, what our Will is, and the things concerning which we have discovered the disposition of our suspicion towards thee.  
And as was foreseen by Monte●u●uli, (who clapped 1000 Germans, and proportionable provision into that place) besieged Newhause, or Newhausel, (a frontier fortification built very regularly upon a level in a morass, consisting of six great Bulwarks with Flankers, well stored with Cannon, and two Gates within a stones cast of the River Neutre, and eight miles off Waeg) entrenching himself a little below the lower Gate, mounting 100 Cannons, raising two great Batteries; and after this Summons, (Viz.  
I that through the Grace of God, and through the Miracles of our Prophet, who is a son of both Worlds, and by whom there is happiness and Glory; I that am the first of the Council, and General of the most mighty Emperor of the Turks, that is the King of all Kings upon Earth. To you Adam Forgatz, that are the chief among the Nobility of Hungary, do make known, that through the Command of my Gracious Lord, I am come with his Forces before Newhausel, to reduce it to his obedience; Wherefore if you shall deliver up the place to us, you shall have liberty to march out with what belongs to you from the Highest to the Lowest, and to what place you please; and he that will rather s●ay, shall keep his Goods and Estate: but if you will not yield, we will take it by force, and every man of ye from the Highest to the Lowest shall be put to the Sword. If the Hungarian● did but know the good Intentions of the Mighty Emperor, the● and their children would ●less God for the●. Peace be to the Obedient.) with three fierce assaults, (wherein he fills the trenches wit● men) on the 9th of August, the 9th and 19th of September, in t●e dead of night, his men crying, Alla, Alla, and the Bas●a's themselves leading, wherein he lost 40000 men, he carried the Town upon very fair terms offered, viz. That the Garrison should march out with Colours flying, Drums beating, Match lighted, and ●ullets in their mouth, Bag and Baggage, with a Convoy nine miles off to Comorra, and the inhabitants have Indemnity and liberty of Conscience, with the frank addition of thirty ducats a man to buy off the Hungarians.  
And is there not an Hero prepared by Providence to attaque these insolent proceed? Is there not a Champion in s●ore to check this insolent Invader? Yes: for now that 
Great Ser●n●● undertaking,  ●aring ●●u●per hath enlarged his Tyranny in Europe from Buda to Constantinop●e; in Africa, from Velex to the Red sea; and in Asia, from the straits of Hellespont to Taurica Cherso●esus, and from Dernow he hath tied up the Persians, Tartarians, the E●hi●●●ans, and all his Eastern Neighbours: Now he expects Christendom should either submit to his power, o●●e cheated by his allurements of liberty of Conscience, the free exercise 〈◊〉 all Religions, no Taxes for six years, and then but fi●● shillings yearly upon ●ach house; with security of their ●●ws, Rights, Claims, Titles and Properties. Now the German Empire yeild● to him, France and other Counties are amuzed, Si●esia is wasted, Mora●ia is made desolate, Vien●a is deserted, the whole Country overrun with fire and sword; and in a word, the prosperous Infidel overbeareth all in his way without resistance: It's now that Fate balanceth his interests, and Count Serini makes 
His first diversion to ●●rky.  an inroad into the Turkish Territories, (sparing nothing he could destroy, and leaving nothing he could carry away) takes 300000 Rixdollers, defeats 3000 Turks, and cuts off the supplies designed for the League. This Count Serini born for these ●●mes, rallied the Germane and Hungarian forces to some considerable appearance for order and service; bestowed the Hus●ars in an advantageous place to attaque the Moldavians and Wallachians; drew with Montecuculi towards Newhausel, joined with Budianis and the Palatine of Hungary; is made Generalissimo of the Hungarians and Croatians; mustereth 50000 Hungarians and Croats at Nath for the relief of Newhausel; conferreth with Prince Gonzaga, the Counts Rothal and Balfi, fell upon the Turks Vanguard, pursuing them to their Leaguer, relieves Newhausel, and prepares to second the blow given to the Turks before it, but that in the interim it was delivered up, and betrayed either for money or fear. The active Count Garisoneth Silesia, guards the pass of Jalunca that leads thither, consulteth with Montecuculi about Presburg; he reconciles and unites the Germans and Hungarians, and with Count Budianis cuts off 1500 Turks near Caristad on 
His thir● at Carlstad.  the frontiers of Styria by an Ambuscado, laying a bridge over the River Waeg near Zulta, to cut off those enemies at Gran. Whence he went to Vienna, to the Council of War held there by General Hohenlo; and being honoured with the Seignory of Newhausel, cast himself into eminent and signal attempts upon the enemy; whereof the first was some stratagems and surprises upon the common enemy; the next day was a bridge of Boats over the Danube and Waeg, 
His fourth upon the Danube.  which he passed over with a considerable strength, and laid them in a place of advantage near the Turks Camp, sending out a party of 700 horse to 
His fifth by a stratagem  alarm the enemies main body. Whereupon the Infidels drew out, pursued the party till they fell upon the flank, kided 400, wounded many, and took Prisoner one Bassa, and a Counsellor to the grand Visier, with great booty. After which, the Count finding himself in danger to be oppressed with number, made his retreat under favour of his Cannon, and repassed the bridge with his booty in safety.  
His third undertaking was against 
His sixth action in Croatia.  the Infidel upon the borders of Croatia, where having done great execution upon them, he presented the Emperor with 35 Ensigns of War, and a Bassa's son, who offereth either 100000 Rixdollers, or 500 Christians for his ransom; disappointed the enemy's design upon Schut, secured Schinta, and ●ut off one of their Convoys of Janissaries, taking 50 Wagons, five whereof laden with Christians. The Janissaries seeing the General coming up, fired upon them under the protection of their Wagons; which the Count observing, made a little retreat; and finding there was no good to be done on horseback, he commanded his men to alight, and attaque them on foot▪ which they did; and after a sharp encounter, they made themselves masters of the booty, released the Christians, and put the Turks to the sword.  
After which defeat, Count Serini 
His 〈◊〉 in Croatia  joining with the Earls Cochory and Tekelly, disposed of their 15000 men and his own, so that they might neither want fodder, nor burden the Country.  
In the fourth place, the brave Count observing Abafti's design upon the Mine-Towns, (whence the Hungarians have their Gold) and other frontier strong holds, and hearing of Lewents and Novigrads surrendry on the 12 of November, took in a Moo●ish place between Raab and Comorra, ten Camels, and as many Mules laden with Trunks full of gold and silver, together with the Con●oy bound for Constantinople: and on the 16 of October, the noble Count with a party of 4000 fell upon Zentgitsch Bassa as he was marching in great security with a body of 7000 men, designing to lay waste these frontiers without any control. This encounter fell out not far from Borlocks near Nadazitsch: above a 1000 of the enemies were put to the sword, 150 Prisoners taken, and eight Standards, and secured the passage for correspondence with Transylvania, cutting off 
designs ● the marian's ●isions Con●.  all provision about the Mine-Towns, Dotis and ●aab, that the enemy may of necessity withdraw: and withal, he observes the Infidel's design upon the Bergstedts, and attends their motions, having lately surprised forty or fifty Wagons of Provision and Timber bound for Newhausel, and put all the Conductors to the sword; as did his brother Nicholas Serini, who upon the 15 of November defeated a Turkish Convoy, slew 2000 of them upon the place, and took a very rich booty, little inferior to that which our noble Count took at Lewents, which his Heydukes surprised in their way to the Bergstedts and at Croatia, where he set upon the invaders, and slew two thousand upon the place, taking many persons of quality prisoners: But the most remarkable exploit of the Counts, is, that whereof you 
His own account to the Emperor of a great Victory.  have an account in this express of November 16, to the Emperor.  
Yesterday the enemy came toward us in a great Body, and in the open day brought with them a Ship-Bridge to lay over the River Mur, near to Scotor●to, appointing 3000 Tartars for the fitting of it. The little strength I had, I disposed of here and there as I thought most for my Advantage, and kept Guard myself with 300 Horse. About break of day, Notice was given me by a Warning-Piece (according to direction) that 2000 of the Enemy were already over the water; Whereupon I marched immediately to the Place, where I had the enemy before ●e, and no Possibility of a Retreat. In this Straight ●e cha●g●d them, and (by Go●s Assistance) p●t them to a Rout. The first O●se▪ 〈◊〉 hazardous; but presently, a Co●●●r●ation seized them all, and they ●o●k their flight to the River Mur; where encountering their Fell●●●▪ that were coming over to join with them, they fell into such an Amazement and Confusion, that they could neither get back no● swim, no● defend themselves by Resisting: and in fine, The Face of the River was quite covered with Men and Horse: Of this Opportunity I made what use I could, taking not so much as One Prisoner, so that betwixt Killing and Drowning, not many of them escaped: Near one thousand of their Horse we took coming out of the water. Upon this they s●nt for their Foot (being Quartered not far off) and when they came ●ear, three hundred of my own Foot with two Field-Pieces came up to me, with which we maintained our Ground till all my Troops came up likewise from other parts; and when we had fought that whole day, and into night, the enemy at last retreated, i● great indignation; but the Turks 〈◊〉 in a great Body so near as Canisia, will hardly let the Design fall thus. If Providence had not Miraculously taken away their ordinary Resolution, they had laid this Island in Blood, and entered S●iermark, even as far as Gratz, without any Opposition. They were reported to be forty thousand strong; but to my Judgement, they appeared not to be above ten thousand.  
It is my humble Request to your Imperial Majesty that you will be pleased to Order some further Provision of Men, Artillery, Ammunition, and other Necessaries for these parts, or we must yet be ruined at last.  
After which Remarkable Action, he met the enemy in Stiria, and in 
●●s next action in Stiria.  conjunction with the Earl Hohenlo, rescued the Captives, and slew 5000 upon the place; observing upon St. Nicholas his day, a solemn thanksgiving for God's Providence towards him in his last deliverance, and ever since disposing of his Heyducks and Hussars for surprises, ambushments, and other exploits, whereof ●hey give good account, particularly at ●eutra, whither they stole in Turkish habits, and put hundreds to the Sword before the enemy could come up against them; and in their way carried 20000 Rixdollars worth of Ammunition and Cattle, from before 
His stratagem upon ●eutra.  Newhausel. The Noble Count not long after treating Hohenlo, and presenting him with a rich Sable taken from a Bassa, and both taking a solemn Oath to stand it out until the last, and directing General Souches to enquarter himself in the Mine-Towns, from whom he no sooner paired, than he took care to satisfy the Nobility of Croatia about Quarters, and other depending controversies; and to burn the Straw and Hay that belonged to the Boors who submitted to the Turks in twelve mile's compass; whence he is gone to Hohenlo, and Souch, who kept close for a great design, entertains none to his Camp, but they who swear to li●e and die with him, with which resolute persons he hath lately toiled 25000 Tartars into an Ambush, routing and following them to a considerable 
His snare laid for the Tartars,  execution, and by the way waylay 130 Wagons and their Convoy, which they have brought to their own Quarters; as his Heyducks surprised the Governor of Newhausels Lady in her rich Attire of Cloth of Gold, her Face patched with black Moons and Stars, and her Nails Gild, for whom her Husband offereth eight thousand Rixdollars, i. e. Twenty thousand pounds; together with all the Prisoners he hath in his custody. The Noble Counts main work is to burn up and destroy the Provisions round about Turkish Quarters, thereby keeping them from settling in Croatia; a work that strikes such terror into the Infidel, that he sends his goods into Turk●, for he subdues and Garrisons the Fo●ts as he goeth, particularly Breniza, within 
The several 〈◊〉 is he hath ta●●●.  ●ix Leagues of Canisia, whence he intends to ●ut off a Bridge of theirs that cost ●00000 Rixdollars the Building▪ ●nd intercept 〈◊〉 passage between G●eek-●●ssenbergh and Offen; in t●e mean ti●e he flesheth his men with Victory and Booty. And although Clause●burghs revolt and Mutiny be of very ●ad consequence (the Soldiers discharging their Officers for want of Pay, and particularly the Commissary, notwithstanding the Officers made a stock to give them a Rixdollar a man) and the Noble Count was lately like to be surprised, venturing abroad with sixteen Cavaliers, to discover a Pass; yet Fame Fame speaks him still victorious 
How he was like to be taken.  and resolute: for though six Renegadoes promised to bring him prisoner to the Visier, and to that purpose surprised him and his sixteen 
And how since escaped.  with him, but an hundred Croates coming in, rescued the Noble General, put the Infidels to the Sword, and took one upon whom neither Sword no● Pi●●ol would do exe●●tion; with 〈…〉 in his Pocket, 
The 〈◊〉 action.  designed, is it was thought, for S●rini, who 〈…〉 of Christ●n 〈…〉 that danger, and we hear from Presburgh▪ by letters dated Feb. 3.  That, The Arch Bishop, and ●●e Hungarian Chamber received certain Intelligence Yesterday Morning, concerning Count S●rini 's Arrive with 35000 Men near the Bridge of Esseck, with design to destroy the said Bridge, thereby to ●ut off that Passage of Communication betwixt Offen and Greek-Weissenburg; but the Turks apprehending S●rini 's purpose to be rather to pass over the Bridge, and fall into their Quarters, set fire to it themselves: After which, the Count bend his course towards Petz, a Place however not worthy the name of a ●ort, had yet the Advantage of being Walled, and Moted, and lying very commodious for Trading with Turkey, was Rich, and Populous. This ●own Count Serini Attaqued and took with a considerable Treasure in it: whereupon Capan, and Pata●k rendered themselves, and then the Fortress of Bergenetz, after a Battery of two Days and two Nights submitted upon accord. The Turks he caused to be convoyed to his Camp, but all the Tartars were put to the sword; and having dispatched here, he went directly to Sigeth, of which he hopes to render an Account (with God's assistance) in Five days, if the Enemy show not themselves too obstinate in the maintaining of the Place; his purpose is, to bring all the Turkish Prisoners into his own Camp; to the end that no Discovery may be made of this Designs, before they are ready to take effect. Count Bud●ani and the Vice General have also taken Five-Kirk, wherein was very rich Prize, two thousand brave Horse, and provisions both for man and beast, insomuch that the Count sent back those provisions that were ordered him for his own relief. 
And since from Raab, Feb. 2.  
We have received Intelligence, that Count Serini since the taking of Five-Kirk, has had a sharp and dangerous Encounter, according to these particulars following.  
Information was brought to Count Serini, that the Turks were drawing in a Body towards him, whereupon he designed with his Right Wing to fetch a compass, and attaque the Enemy in the Rear, giving Express order to the Dutch Troops not to charge, before such a Signal given; but before the Count could bring his men about, the Dutch Engaged, and the Sho●k was so Ru●●, ●●at the Turks had pierced their Bo●y, a ●●illed ●●er four hundred of them upo● the Pl●●●: Upon knowledge whereof Count ●●rini was forced to hasten to their Relief, and to fight the Turks upon Even Terms, whom at last be worsted, with the ●oss of near four thousand of the Infidel's ●lain. Rallying likewise, and thereby preserving the Dutch Troops, that were before Routed.   

Count Serini 's Birth and Education.  
COunt Serini, who hath promised and performed wonders, was born at Serini-mark, Novem. 14. 1612. Son to that great Serini who promoted the thirty years' League; and Grandchild to a greater, who maintained as many years' War against him. Elaborated and pure blood fills those heroic Veins, habituated for noble undertake, and maturated for glory by a constant exercise and practice of Prowess and Valour this 200 years. The busy ginger, who seethe nothing remarkable on earth, but he expects something corresponding with it in heaven, observes, That at his birth, cir●a horam octavam pom. Mars and jupiter were lodged in the same quarter; and thence concludes this Noble persons warlike disposition and success, that he was born to save an Empire, and enjoy a Kingdom: the first prediction (enough to credit a Stargaze) is made as probable by his Conduct and Resolution, as the other will be rendered ridiculous by his Integrity and Modesty. His father dying (they say) in his minority, left him to a noble Uncle's tuition, with his brother Count Peter, who bred him to all ingenious and manlike accomplishments, improving and polishing his great Nature by greater Arts, under the care of Barlini, for Grammar, Rhetoric, and Moral Philosophy; under Skookius for Natural Philosophy and Divinity; under Van Skinderlen for Mathematics, especially the most Practical Part, of Fortifications, Encamping, Navigation, wherein he excels; Endowments that furnish and adorn him, that abate the roughness of his spirit to an amiable complaisance, and limit the activeness of it to useful undertake. His Retirements did not threaten him more perverse, than his first appearance abroad promised him noble and manlike: for as Gustavus Adolphus privately stole abr●● 〈◊〉 ●●er other Princes to ●it himself 〈…〉 own Kingdom; so he in Gustavus his service against the Empire injured himself to do noble Enterprises for it.  
This Hero's Temper is as renowned 
His Disposition.  as his Actions, his Constitution as high as his Performances; his Understanding clear, distinct and solid; his Memory methodical, tenacious, and ready; his Passions stirring, but regulated; quickening, but not disturbing his Soul, raising him to the utmost of Virtue, but not beyond it. His sanguine Complexion is allayed with a due temperament of Northern Melancholy, which makes his wary Conduct as eminent as his great Spirit; the first temper rendering him resolved, but not rash; the second cautious, but not useless: his severe Nature complying rather with the strictness of his Virtues, than the freedom and licenses of his Fortune, would be never tempted to the soft di●ersions and enjoyments that youth allied to greatness is born to, from the direct courses of Manhood and Virtue that an heroic Nature advanced by honourable improvements inclines to. His stature raised him to a just height●, handsome rather then tall, neither me●g●● nor corpulent, but every way proportionable. His Countenance is rather grave then grim; at once a●ing and pleasing those that speak with him. His Eye is quick and discerning; his Hair brown and lovely; his Gesture and G●te majestic, not out of affectation, but Nature. His Body habituated to Labours, and a s●ranger to the Effeminate Dalliances of a great Fortune, that soften those No●le Souls to Luxury and excess, that are born for severer toils and exercises. Indeed, this excellent person seems to be made for greatness, though ●e were not born to it; to deserve a Command, if he had not inherited it: for his Prudence is as great as his 
His Prudence.  Power, and his Contrivances as well ●aid as they are successively executed; his acute and happy apprehension reaching as for a●● is Authority, and he commanding not more different Nations in the field, than ●e doth excellent Notions in his cl●●er. None ●eeth the d●●k Intriqus of States more perspi●u●●●: none hath weighed the 〈◊〉 of Europe more seriously; none manageth the different humours of men to an accommodation and temper more happily; invents and disposeth means more advantageously; finds out expe●ients more happily; ass●yls emergent difficulties more prosperously; looks through the distances of Actions and Agents unto events ●o●e throughly. He keeps twel●e Pensioners in the Turkish Court and Camp, and foretold this invasion a year before the Emperor could believe it. He said at Vienna that there would be no Wars in Italy t●is year; he hath proposed the proportion of forces the respective States and Kingdoms can spare, and the Empire admit, together with the most secure way of their admittance, viz. The Protestant assistance to be disposed among the Papists, and the Papists among the Protestants, to avoid jealousy, and secure the Austrian Interests. And it was he who had the chief hand in these Rix-Constitutions following, first framed at the Council of War at Vienna, and then confirmed at the Diet of Regenspurg, Viz.  
1. That the Forces appertaining to the Ricks-Constitutions, shall as well in as out of action stand subject, and engaged to every respective State which levied and raised them; being nevertheless subject to his Imperial Majesty, according to the Copy of Articles.  
2. That the Ricks Army shall be under the Direction of his Imperial Majesty, to be ordered and appointed by the Generalship, and Council of War.  
3. This Ricks-Constitution now made against the Common Enemy, shall continue so long, as the S●ates shall find it requisite, and after that time to revert.  
4. To the maintaining of the said Army, every State is to see its own forces being levied, and brought into the field, to be provided for in this Expedition, according to the dire●●ion agreed upon.  
5. Officers shall be appointed for provision for man and horse, and for settling other requisite Injunctions and Orders.  
6. For preventing contention among the Officers and Commanders about their competency, provisional care shall be taken according to custom of War, and certain particular agreements to be made.  
7. The Artillery, and what belongs to it, shall be committed to such as are experimentally skilled therein; and his Imperial Majesty's advice to be desired thereupon.  
8. All care and diligence shall be used for the 〈◊〉 of a strict and frequent intelligence upon all occasions of imminent danger; and for the speed●er advance of the Public Work, all matters shall be handled by Deputies, except such as ●re of extraordinary import, and th●se shall be referred to the Higher Colleges, by them to be managed according to Justice and Equity.  
La●●ly, it is resolved tha● his Imperial Majesty be subma●ly request in the name of the Electoral Princes, and other Princes and States, that the Dispatches to Foreign Kings, Potentates and Republics, may with all speed be expedited for assistance: and to remove all obstructions to the perfection of the work, it is judged requisite that every State a●● Circuit take care forthwith to provide all necessaries of Men, Moneys, Ammunition, etc. And to this end that Meetings be appointed of the respective Circuits, to hasten the business all that is possible; and that the proportion of the imposed Triple be timely notified to every State and Circuit; and that they bring in their Horse and Foot, answerable to the Rule of the Old Register, to be in the Field at the end of March, if possible, or at furthest by the middle of April. And in case any shall be ready to march sooner, they are at liberty so to do, and sufficient caution is taken, by the direction of the Ri●ks Constitution, that ●orn, and other necessaries shall be ●ocured, and carried from Country to Country through the respective Territories where they march, without paying of Custom. And his Imperial Majesty is to be farther requested, that the heavy Artillery with the Train may be with all speed advanced. And it is also ordered how every State shall contribute to the maintaining of the Generalship, and what course shall be taken concerning Refractories.  
There is not a Nook, Corner, Pass, Bridge, or Avenue of Hungary, Croatia, Silesia, Austria, or Stiria, etc. but he hath observed: wherefore there is not a week passeth over his head, but the brave Count ensnares some Infidels, drawing them who are strangers to the Countries into his toils and ambushes; cuts off their Convoys, attaques their Rear or Front, and makes them weary of their lives. By this means he takes in the little towns that they neglect, and fortifieth them to very great advantages: he layeth waste their provisions, cuts off their correspondence, way-layeth their Intelligences, and with 20000 men holds 250000 in play for six months together.  
He hath done wonders to accommodate the jealousies between his Country and his Master: he admits few or no Germans to his service, to satisfy the Hungarians; he admits no Hungarians without Oath, to secure the Empire. None more observant of the Emperor's commands, none more careful of his Country's interest; no Commander obligeth the people more, none jealouseth the Emperor less than the brave Serini, at once a wonder, the people's darling, and their Prince's Favourite; great in their respect that are below him, greater in their affection that are above him; none more sensible than he of those particulars wherein consists the strength of the Infidels, and the weakness of the Christians; as first, he hath proved one day at Table with Montecuculi, that the Turk could not have pitched upon a more advantageous season for the Invasion of Christendom, than these three years, these three hundred years; the greatest Politicians now extant, as he observed, being more employed in balancing the Interest of Europe upon the several late great alterations, than in raising such banks that might stop this general inundation upon the face of the Western world; decrepit Spain bestowing all its cares to save itself from France, now rich and potent; France amuzing all the European Princes, that he may seize on Spain; England and Denmark having much ado to keep its own peace; the Emperor and all his Dominions being mortally engaged in fears, jealousies, and suspicions; Poland and Muscovy irreconcilably at enmity, and the Paramount Power of Rome, since the last Election in Frankford, and there much engaged by the discontents of Italy, the faction of Portugal, and the revenge of France. And after this discoursed, he advised the accommodation of these States, as the first expedient against the common enemy. He said one day that a total abstinence from Wine, though looked upon vulgarly as a less pertinent piece of Prudence then really it is, is the most material instance of their Policy, now extant; for as he observed, Order preserves their Discipline among a numberless rabble, when the want of it discovereth our most civil and well-trained Regiments: Wine enervates our Bodies, and effe●inates our Sou●s, while the want of it strengtheneth and knitteth both theirs; besides that men are transported by it beyond their own natures, to those researches and undertake that endanger a good Government, and will overthrew a bad one. Wine discovers secrets, unsetleth resolutions, disordereth Marches, is unsuitable to heats and labours; wherefore it's forbid likewise in his Camp.  
It escaped not his Observation one day as he was marching towards Croatia, that the Turks having nothing Hereditary, all honour, profit, and advantage being bestowed on desert, and determining with life, without the least partiality shown to Greatness of birth, or place, or policy considerable, not only for restraining the Ambition of the unworthy that aspire to undeserved honour and trust, but for encouraging all men to some useful employment, wherein they may advance themselves and the Public, and be ready to appear one day in the Field, and the other in the Shop; whereupon he hath ever since encouraged Soldiers of Fortune with his own countenance, and the Plunder of his Victories, maintaining an Impartial parity throughout his Army, in relation to every thing but desert, none appearing higher or lower than the rest, but by the services they perform, and the places they fill up and discharge, guiding his resolved handful with the two reins of Fear and Hope; Fear restraining the careless, and Hope quickening the industrious; two reins, which whosoever hath the Art to handle, may guide the world whither he pleaseth: his Cowards dying with reproach and damnation, while his Valiant followers live and see all Offices and Commands in the Van of their brave Actions, and the joys of heaven attending them in the Rear; so obliging the Covetous, the Ambitious, and the Superstitious, where the meanest may be desert attain the highest happiness which the greatest misseth without it.  
One day a Kinsman of mine Frederick Van Holden, discoursing before him why Eunuches are chosen Commanders in chief by the Grand Signior, he said that that might be thought a defect in that Government, by such as do not watily observe that caution and circumspection are no less, if not more necessary in a Commander, than a daring and an undaunted resolution in a Soldier; it being one thing to execute, and another thing to direct; more Armies perishing by want of Moderation and Prudence in the General, then of Valour in the Soldiers; besides, as one observed standing by, That their unconcernment in reference to Posterity, which they expect not, is a sure pledge of their Faithfulness, they having no hopes beyond their own life, now famous by great Commands: whence the Noble Count admits few married men to his Camp, that are shackled with relations, and as one saith, like fond Apes, chained to their own homes and interests, but lose Reformades that fancy each place to ●e their own habitation, because no place can afford courser meat, harder lodging, or worse usage than they have at home: in a word, ●e hath brought his Volunteers to this great resolve, either to live bravely, or to die honourably.  
It was debated once at a Council of War, whether they should give Quarter or no: where Serini was for giving Quarter, and inu●ing the Turks to a Commerce and familiarity with more civil and knowing people, who might infect them with some ingenuity and humanity; besides that they were under such daring apprehensions of fate and death, that they could better dispense with the danger of a slaughter than an Imprisonment. And despair in one case rendered them resolute, while fear of their own hard usage in the other, made them faint, and (as one observes) he that con●idereth that the Turk is not of so poor an allay, as some Princes, who are undone by a Victory, if it cost too dear, may see his design in a great part satisfied by the slaughter and loss of his Soldiers; the too great increase of such Spirits, being all he hath reason to fear.  
That great particular the Noble Serini in … upon, is, to give the infidel a Battle, who (as he and others have observed) having suffered the 〈◊〉 check, … eth not on the same ground to receive another, but returns home, as unwilling to tempt his Fortune further that expedition; concluding wisely (says my Author) that it is very unlikely for a discontented Army to perform what she could not bring about when the Soldiery was in full plight; and that the cause of the overthrow is to be searched into before an attempt 〈…〉 a second Battle, though the Commander appear never so confident of … cess; it suiting with their interest both in honour and safety, to venture all rather than come out of the Field with so great a reproach. Con●●deration (saith he) below a Supreme power, to whom security ought be more dear than any thing that carrieth the countenance of a greater or lesser advantage.  
The Infidel's strength consisting in his Cavalry, the vigilant Count cuts off their forage and Hay in all Quarters; and knowing the feud between these and the Infantry, bred either by Custom, Nature, or Art, for fear of combinations, he increaseth it (by forcing them to encroach upon each others Quarters) to a tumult very often, particularly upon the Borders of Croati●, where they drew up the one against the other for the Litter, which the one claimed for their Horse's accommodation, and the other for their own.  
It was one day discoursed at his Table, that it was to be feared England could yield no succour in this common distress of Christendom, because of its discontents and divisions. Where, said a Noble person, is there more discontent then in Turkey? And yet where more numerous supplies and levies? For, said he, those who at home breed Sedition and tumults, being sent abroad, propagate Honour and Dominion: the Pleurisy of a turbulent State, and the Spirits of Rebellion cannot be better evaporated, then by opening the people's ●eins in some Foreign parts. He said, one day to one that related the King of Fra●ce his unconcernedness in the present distress of Europe, that if the Grand Signior once Di●ed at Vienna, he would Sup at Paris; and another time the Pope coming in his way for whom he hath no great kindness, he said, That Christianity had long ere this obtained an universal Empire, had not the Pope a●pited to one in Christendom; for his Holiness shall with ease make a com●ination against a Christian Prince that he fears at hand, which all Europe cannot make against the Mahometan, whom he neglects at distance.  
Although he hath not, as Mithridates 
His Policy in entertaining several people into his service▪  and others had, an exact account of each Soldier that served him; yet he observed most, taking good notice what Countries they were of; for he entertains several people, who composed of several airs, cannot associate with that ease as Armies made up of one Language (which like the Swiss, do not seldom cry out Gelt, Gelt, when they have the Enemy in view) for w●ich reason he trusts very ●ew with strong Holds, (places he ●o●●i●●eth only upon the Frontiers) which may be sold by a Comm●nder, who can make nothing of a Battle. Yet although the Turk never makes Religion the c●use 
Engaging fo● Religion  of his War, for fea● of an universal Engagement: the prudent Coun● unites all his Forces by that obliging name, which awakens the assistance and service of all that profess it: the poorest man, saith one, taking himself so far interested in the vindication of his Faith, that if he hath nothing else to venture, he will think it sacrilege to deny himself and all; laying aside the prejudice and ha●●ed they ●ear their neighbours, for this general concernment equally comprehending their neighbours and themselves.  
It's looked on in that Country as the peculiar opinion of that brave person, that there should never be 
I●m king 〈◊〉 league with the 〈◊〉, or treaty.  any league with that barbarous Enemy, who is as devoid of faithfulness, as he is of faith; and never tieth himself up so straight by promise, or obligation, but that he hath ●●ill a ●●use to ●reep ●ut at: and in this (●aith my friend) he is not a li●●le beholding to the manner of his 〈◊〉, always fuller of hyperbolical civilities, than real as●●rances; and to his Ministers of State, whose he●ds must compound for his treachery: And ●o carry on a perpetual War, the ●e●etian 
But carrying 〈◊〉 ● 〈◊〉 War, and sending the Jesuits among the T●●●s to divide them,  should be assisted, who fights the Turk upon the greatest advantages imaginable; and the Jesuits, with other active Priests, should turn the tide of their policy (which hath engaged Europe in so many Troubles and Controversies) towards the Infidel's, and weaken them with as many Divisions as we perish with, especially considering (as the smart Satyrist ●aith) that the Musselmans profession is grown up to as high an earthly felicity, universality, and consent, as the Papacy. Neither do they want as great antiquity for some of their Tenets, the which if they once come to be washed over by the varnish of Learning, the Musti may, assisted with his Master's force, turn his Holiness out of Rome, as that Bishop did the Emperor. Much might be done, if a Jesuit did but personate the grand Impo●or, now ●i●en from his grave, according to his wor●; for he might possibly work so far upon the multitude, as to make them fall soul among themselves; a breach in Religion being found the readiest way 
The policy of entertaining the grand Signors younger brothers.  to let in that Ocean of Calamities we see overfloweth the Kingdoms of the Earth: and as much, if the younger brothers who are sure to be made a sacrifice to the elder, were showed the way to secure themselves in Europe, whence they might appear with an Army in Asia, at any time, to let lose those discontents that are kept in only by force and power, watching 
The policy of an offensive War.  all opportunities to break out to tumults and rebellion, to which may be added an offensive War; it having been the great defect of Christandome hitherto, to stand upon the defensive: whereas the great Turk seldom troubles himself with Embassies, treaties, but appears always the first in the Field, enjoying this advantage, that he makes other Countries the stage of War; and meeting with all humours, divides those at home with certain hopes or fears attending the great alteration he brings along with him, who would be united abroad in their engagements against him: Besides that the Christian Princes spend more in watching one another in time of peace, than would carry on a War against this Infidel.  
The confederates in Hungary have by common advice, wherein our 
Stopping Printing & Controversies.  Count was not the least concerned, put a stop upon Printing and ●ice controversies; this brave Soldier having as little kindness for curious Co● web-spinners, as the Heroic Gustav●s had for subtle Metaphy ●itians; observing, that the Barbarian finding Printing and over-fine learning the chief ●omenters of Divisions in Christendom, hath hitherto excluded them his Territories; and whilst we lose our choicest years in useless disquisitions, these rude people appear more adapted to State-employments, and sooner furnished with clear and solid reason drawn from prudent and lesse-er●ing experience, and were never yet out-reached by the most politic and knowing Princes or States of Christendom; the great Sultan suffering none to attain any perfection but what he hath use for. Idle valour being the Tool (saith my friend) as Learning and Knowledge are the operations of all civil Dissensions.  
To say no more of State-prudence, our great Commanders Field-discretion 
His Field-prudence.  is admirable: Not a man of his Soldiers knoweth where they go upon a Design or Surprise, until they are upon the very place and enterprise: he hovers like old Fabius upon hills, mountains, and narrow places, 
His surprises.  lest in place he might be swallowed up by the number, or tired with the Importunities of the Turk, with whom he skirmishes, but dares not ●●ght; trepans sometimes into corners, but never engageth in open field. He marcheth always with his men not above ●ix deep, that they may all be serviceable, and come to 
His discipline.  play in their Turns; inu●ing them likewise to long & hard Expeditions, whereby he out goeth and surpriseth the flow and great Body of the Infidels; yet always refreshing and quickening them with abundant provision, and a great example. He imboldneth 
His marches.  & preserveth his ablest men, by providing for them a complete Armour which he weareth himself, and so makes that which otherwise would be a burden, an honour to his pattern: To this he annexeth another excellent piece of Policy, that he never chargeth the Enemy until they come within Pistol-shot, when he gives order for the effectual discharge of that shot at hand, which would have been lost at distance, directing his Soldiers always to aim at the legs.  
He hath moreover, as the great Gustavus before him, restored the neglected 
His encamping.  way of encamping; whereby he is so secure, that being well entrenched, in spig●t of his vast Enemies, he will fight for no man's pleasure but his own: No seeming slight disorder of the Enemies shall deceive him, neither shall any violence force him from his hold and resolution, to take all, and to give no advantage: Neither is he less careful to dislodge the Enemies, whose round and Half-Moon way the provident General often incommodates, by forcing them to narrow and close retirements, or charging in several places, and amusing the● with distracted fears, and confused alarms, whereby the outside of their circle falls foul upon the inside, and their first guards retreat back upon the second, who can neither assist them, nor save themselves. Their Scaladoes are as observable as 
His way of scaling and assaulting.  their Entrenchment, wherein it's a question whether he ●e more prudent in designing, o● his Soldiers prompt in executing; who climb as if they had Airy bodies, and strike as if they had Iron hands. At his approach before 
His summons.  a Town, as that of Sigeth, etc. he hangs out a white Fl●g the first day, to intimate f●ir terms upon present surrendry: he hangs out a green Flag the second, and a black the third, signifying that they lie at his mercy: and 〈◊〉 ●n●er a Running blind he draweth before the place, giving orders immediately for batteries, assaults, and storming, deeming dilatory wars of a use not suitable to his little strength, and less succour, being not without some correspondence 
His correspondence.  in every place he sets before; to which I add an excellent invention he hath found to secure his Artillery before any place by running ramparts of wall set always before them: He never sat before any place above a week, and never miss any he sat before.  
He hath been much distressed by the Emperor's neglect, or the Empire's 
His way of composing mutinies.  necessities, to the danger of Mutinies among his Soldiers, and revolts: but as soon as the men of Fortune complain●●, he had a 〈◊〉 design upon a ●own o● C●n●ey in hand▪ that w●uld make all whole, and satisfy all expectations.  
Having observed many Spies got into his Camp, as they who discovered 
How he prevents Spies.  his adventure abroad with the 16 Cavaliers, he took this course to discover them: He built a house upon wheels without the Camp, for all strangers that arrived, who are there lodged, and treated, if they have any business to communicate to him, whereby he prevents their sneaking into his Camp, and discovering what is done there: Every evening the Watchword is given, and every man repairs to his Quarters▪ and if any is found out of ●is Rank, or gadding out of his Quarters, he dieth without mercy: so that there is no safety or shelter for Spies or Intelligencers about him: And if any strange persons offer their service, he disposeth of them so, that they may neither betray his designs, nor hold intelligence with his Enemies; although he hath those Pensioners in the Turkish Court that give him copies of all their designs, orders, decrees, together with 
His Counterfeiting the viziers' seal.  an ingen●ou● Counterfeit, that can write his Secretary's hand as exactly as himself.  
Our wary General observing the most rash Commanders of 〈◊〉 Turks, always attempts th●●; and one time taking notice of a distance between his Enemies full of b●ia●s and thorns, he placed his brother Peter there in 
His ambush,  ambush with a choice Brigade, and then commande● his Croatian Horse to charge a young Bashaw; who draws out all his Soldiers in battle-array, and marches through the Thickets securely, until Count Nicholas charging him in the Van, his B●other sell upon his Rear and Flank out of the Ambush.  
One day the noble General was 
His way of paying his Soldiers.  pressed for money by his Soldiers; when pretending he had lost a rich Plate, he searched all their Tents, and brought out all their money, which was thrice more than they demanded, saying, what they had was enough to live upon, and more than they had was too much to lose: And when it was given out that Abafti would spare his Land; to enjealous 
His dissembling of treason.  him and his, the provident Hero resigned his whole estate into the Emperor's hands, to stand or fall with his Interest. As careful was he not to take, as not to give offence: For there being one day a list of Traitors presented to him by a Renegado, he seeing through the Plot to divide him and his chief Officers, burned the list, neither reading it himself, nor suffering others to do so; and removed the Informer out of the way, lest by his fraudulent discoveries he might give new occasion of sedition.  
Count Peter Serini, whom we may ●oyn to his Brother, being complained to, as he was in the Council of War, of a Soldier that had taken away 500 Rixdollars from a Countryman; Count Nicholas asked him for his Evidence: he said he would take his oath of it, but he had no witnesses of it; the Count bids him retire, and sends for the company wherein that Soldier was, and bids them lay down their Arms, and withdraw, 
His discovery of the●●.  for he had a design to put them upon, which they did cheerfully; whereupno informing himself where his Soldier's Quarters was, he sent his Musket to his Landlady, and upon that token required her to send him the money, which the woman did; the General chargeth the Soldier with the money, who denyeth it, until the Emperor produceth the bag; whereat the appalled wretch fell at his feet, and begged, and had mercy.  
Being brought by the mistake of 
His stratagem.  his Guides into a place of great disadvantage, wherein he was in danger to be beset by Abafti on the one hand, and the Bassa of Buda on the other, which caused great fear and astonishment among his Soldiers; he stood upon his guard until night, and then setting light matches in the hedges, he ranged his men in Battalia, and caused them to march fair and softly (while the young Bashaw drew towards the hedges, which he thought were drawn up in Battle-array) bringing them off without the ●osse of one man.  
Having defeated a party of Turks, he clad 200 of his men one day in Turkish habits, and gave them order to seize Neutra, where they got through all the Guards till they came to the Castle, returning with spoil, and Prisoners. To conclude, he hath contrived many suspicious Letters to withdraw Abafti from the Visier, and the Visier from him: He hath drawn the Infidels by misunderstanding from one part of the Country to another: He hath pretended to treat with them till he finishes his designs; he hath fortified himself before their eyes.  
Being advanced in power and command, 
His discreet modesty.  it may be expected by some, that he should no longer retain the modesty which the shades of his privacy had accustomed him to, but now appear the great Atlas of the Empire, and the Champion of Christendom: But though all things are changed without him, yet is he not changed within; for he avoids all grandeur to remove the Emperor's jealousies, which may be provoked by his forwardness, to his own and the public ruin, to enjoy the safety of privacy, and to witness his prudent modesty, which inclined to learn the methods of Commanding by the practice of obedience; for being of a well-composed temper, he affects not to embroil the Camp, and thence the Empire in Factions, the products of impotent minds, which he knoweth would overthrow himself and the whole State; he chooseth to expect a sure, though delayed greatness, rather than by a compendious way of Rivalry to attain a precocious power that groweth up with envy training about it, and ends in ruin.  
Finding the Country abused by Malcontents, with incredible diligence 
His way of obliging the Country.  he moves from place to place, and by excellent courage and conduct appears not only worthy of their respect and love, but of their lives and fortunes; in all places exciting the fearful by his example, encouraging the faithful with his Countenance, openly owning the good service of the people, and dissembling their failures. He so far prevails upon all that are not wholly debauched to Infidelity, that he hath got an Army that may protect his friend, though it cannot meet the enemy, which is every day increased by such knowing persons as refuse to be polluted any longer with the cheats & delusions of those men that design the most horrid slavery, under the pretence of the largest freedom: many Noblemen impoverish themselves to supply him; & others more private, break through innumerable dangers to fight under ●is Colours: Many great Lady's part with the ornaments of their Sex to relieve him, and with their Husbands to serve him: so general is the influence of his great name, his powerful eloquence, his indefatigable industry, and his most obliging Converse.  
But his prudence is no abatement of his courage and resolution; which 
His courage and resolution.  is as much above dangers, as his wisdom is above snares; as he never provokes dangers, so he never fears them: and though he cannot come off with conquest, yet he terreats with honour: When fortune fails him in success, his own soul never fails him in renown and glory; for to attempt a victory against an incensed Enemy that had more companies than he had men, that threatened Christendom, when all men were amazed, is an argument of such courage as would have made that Senate of gallant persons, who were the most competent Judges of valour, and never censured virtue by the success, but thanked their imprudent Consul for not despairing of the Commonwealth, when he gathered up those broken legions which his rashness had obtruded to an overthrow, to have ordered a triumph for Serini's retreats, had his person been one of the ornaments of that age, or could those generations have reckoned him for their example. His Christianity inclines him always to Peace, his fortitude may force his Adversaries to it; he may be betrayed, he can never be overcome. The Empire's fate may yield to the Infidel, his fears never; he wants not resolution when he wants power, his great mind being his constitution: that a General should adventure abroad with sixteen men, in a place thronged with his enemies, was noble; but that he should defeat three hundred enemies, is admirable; being to cut off the Infidel's passage over the Danow, his men shrunk at the attempt, till the renowned Chieftain with a Pike in his hand, taught the soldiers that he could equally endure labours and despise dangers, and by a communication of toils encouraged them to resolutions beyond themselves: for he was the first man that came on in that design, and the last that drew off.  
His Spirit was above dangers, and 
His patience.  his patience equal with them; he durst do great things, but not greater than he could suffer; the fate of Christendom affords him difficulties to exercise his patience, and the God of Christendom gives him patience to weather out those difficulties in the midst of the distractions and business of the Camp; he enjoyeth a calm Serenity, and a solid mind full of its own greatness; this virtue not usual with great personages, who are above the hardships of it, makes him forget, what his own condition alloweth him to enjoy, while he is wholly intent upon what the present exigences oblige him to endure: no Trials of virtue greater than his, and none better born; he may lose his life, but not his patience: he stands whole 
His diligence in viewing his works.  days by his Workmen in fortifying either Castles or Passes; he expects a whole night his several Intelligencers and Spies; he sleeps not above four hours in the night, disposing most of his time to Counsels, Debates, Expresses; & replies so unweariedly, that it looks like an Improbability now, and will be a very impossibility hereafter— he can have the patience to follow a Country-Fellow afoot five or six miles to observe a Passage, and to return home without it: he hath as much Passion as may quicken, but not transport his Soul: he acts nothing when provoked, cooling his greatest passion in a private entertainment, apart from all affairs: he never doth that by a substitute, which he can do himself, having observed that never was Empire gained but by a man's self, and never lost but by another; he can still gain skill by a tedious experience, and look on a daring and proud enemy, and yet not stir out of his own resolution, until he hath tried the strength, and skirmished with a Forlorn of his enemies: he and his C●oates, as Gustavus and his Swedes, fight best when they see their own Breath: His Harvest of Victory, is in a sharp Snow and Frost, and hi● followers have most life in the dead of Winter; he would do nothing irrevocable in haste, neither express what he cannot recall, nor attempt what he cannot amend (he saith) he will never do in an instant, what an age cannot recompense— His Fears were little, his hopes were less; he disposed of means, and trusted the end to Providence; and proportioned his design, not to his expectation, but his enjoyments; and when his hope breaks, his patience holds.  
His mercy and tenderness were as eminent as his patience: that Valour 
His mercy an● tenderness  which is in others Leavened to vigour, was in him softened with Clemency; none ever perished that he could save, he is sparing even of Infidel's blood, and prodigal of none; he gives li●e to the Barbarians sooner t●an they desire it; while he engageth them as Enemies, he forgets not they are men: He was never so much concerned, as when the poor people who submitted to the Turk, for fear 
to those that fall off for fear▪  they should be proceeded against as Traitors; he admonisheth often, corrects seldom, but never revengeth; none being lost, that he hath either skill or power to save, but always with an eye to the common interest, never allowing private Indulgence to increase the Public misery: i● men are doubtful, he satisfieth them; if they waver, he confirmeth them; ●f they are false, he winketh at them, and attempts all the methods of obliging, before he commenceth that of destroying: Fire and Sword are his last Arguments. The first whereof, like Vespasian, the delight of mankind, he would quench with his tears, the second peirceth his own breast deeper than the bowels of any: His mercy is like that of the most High, encircled 
His mercy.  with power, not the weakness of a low spirit, but the Debonair of an Heroic one. He never invironeth the enemy to a necessity of fight, if he can give them way to escape; a Golden Bridge was judged not too chargeable to be bestowed upon a flying enemy: when men are obstinate, none more severe; when yielding, none more compassionate: whence thousands surrender themselves to his mercy, when ten fall not by his Prowess; and he hath well weighed those Maxims, That they who are forced beyond their intention, fight beyond expectation, whereas he that opens an enemy the way of escape, shuts that of his courage.  
Neither was he more merciful than he was obliging; his command 
His obliging converts  was not more awful than his converse endearing: as the Prince of Aurange never moved his H●t, but the King of Spain lost a Subject; so Serini never Nods, but the Infidel loseth a confident: his conduct wins Fortresses for his Imperial Majesty, and his courage gains hearts; although it be the fate of Heroes never to be understood, and of great men of a middle merit only to be feared, this man hath the honour to be equally loved and admired, and though he be a man of that solid Virtue, of that real Worth, that he neglects an over-officious compliance with the less beneficial humours of the rude multitude, yet as there is not a Nobleman in Hungary but would serve him, so there is not a Peasant but would die with him: When he was missing but the other day, upon a private enterprise, What general amazement was upon the face of Hungary and Croatia! what moans! what suspicions! what fears! what despondencies! as if the Genius of the Empire was withdrawn: what prayers, what wishes, what Imprecations on Fates and Stars! But when returned with Victory and Honour attending him, How all met him as the support of Christendom! What Bonfires lengthen out the day! What acclamations disturb the rest of night, to the terror of the amazed Infidel, and the spreading joy of the drooping Empire! So much hath he obliged his followers, that every man have taken an Oath to live and die with him.  
1. So prevalent is his fair and condescending language to them, being 
〈◊〉 wry of reducing the discontented.  informed that a Noble and Valiant Person in his service upon some discontent, practised with his complices to betray him, he gave him no ill words, but called him to him one day in his Pavilion, and said (as Fabius before him to the discontented Morsian) Sir, I must confess there is not that notice taken of you that your service doth deserve; and hitherto I blame my Officers, who be●●ow my Favours by adventure not desert: But hereafter it shall be your own fault if you do not declare your mind to me, and let me freely understand your occasion and requests; so shaming rather then provoking the malcontent humours, he keeps together twenty thousand men in spite of the rich baits and temptations of the Turkish Empire, and the necess●●ies of the Germane.  
2. So powerful is his condescension to share with the common Soldiers in their wants and in their dangers, in their distresses, and in their toils, in the worst as well as in the best fortune, who would not rather perish with this General, than triumph with others! whose bed is as hard, Diet as course, Duties as frequent, industry as indefatigable, sleep as short, as the meanest Footman; the brave man so consecrating hardships, endearing necessities, hallowing miseries, and making men in love with distresses.  
3. So advantageous to his own and the public service, is his strict observation of each man's desert and service: the Master's eye makes a fat Horse, & the General's a good soldier: it was thought a competent reward for the Gamesters pains at Olympus: that the Conqueror should have the honour to fight before the King's face; and it is judged now a competent encouragement for hard services, that the deserving soldier ventures before Serini's countenance, who never disinherits merit, knowing that neglect destroyeth more than the Sword; and where there is one killed by the one, there are hundreds dead by the other. In a word, never was any General more loving to his soldiers, never any more beloved by them.  
And indeed he hath all the obliging 
His humility.  qualities in the world: for there is not a man more renowned in others esteem, none more humble in his own; he hath the method of raising a Glory out of humility: so familiarly would he converse, that he would command men not to speak to his Excellency, but to himself, so encouraging them to a freedom of discourse and truth, which great men are seldom happy in; he could have patience to hear the meanest in any thing wherein he by intelligence might serve his Interest and design, conniving at the great heap of impertinencies, wherein one concerning truth told by a Peasant lieth. He heard all men's opinions he could consult with, though he followed his own; willing to hearken to, and resolved to pursue what is most rational: A Countryman of Stiria is his Guide and Companion, with whom he can bestow a vacant hour with as much satisfaction as with any Count in the Empire; protesting that he is the honestest man he ever met with in the world. Those he finds below, he makes equal to himself by converse and familiarity, not disdaining to teach his meanest followers those things he finds them defective in, honouring and not fearing worth in those that belong to him; he joins the familiarity of a friend to the port and Parada of a General; showing himself civil, but not cheap; condescending, but not prostistuted: for it's an observation there, that it adds m●ch to the Grand Signors power, that he never appears abroad but in splendour and majesty, that improves 
The Policy of a competent gra●de● and State,  the former engaged opinion of the vulgar concerning, to something more than humane; Whereas our less Majestic Princes become so cheap in Germany, by their daily figging up and down the streets after their pleasures unattended, whilst this graver Monarch enjoyeth them all under his own Roof, where none are suffered but those that are dumb from their births, or are rendered so through fear or use; no action or word breathed out of the Seraglio to the Emperor's disadvantage, but grows mortal to the divulger; not possible to be observed among Christians, whose meats like Puppet-Plays are made the object of all eyes, and their highest discourses (apt then to break out) the scorn of strangers that blow them over the four corners of the earth with no small addition, whilst their own subjects calculate a crooked nature from the deformities of their bodies, evil gestures, or a too luxurious taking in of their meat or Wine; it not being easy to show a man at a greater disadvantage, then whilst he is taking his repast, the most certain symbol of mortality. He is meek therefore, but reserved; familiar, but grave; debonair, yet solemn: besides he submits to Montecuculi, gives place to Hohenlo, layeth his Crown and Victories at his Master's feet, as more careful to deserve then to enjoy glory; none ever more magnificent, none more modest; none shall outgo him in service, all may in honour: his Prowess may shake the Ottoman Empire, his ambition shall never endanger the German. Thus as his strength terrifieth all places he marcheth through from revolts, so his affability wooeth them to obedience, providing that when nothing but terror possesseth his Camp, yet there should be seen nothing but Love in his words, and Charity in his actions: for where he seethe the poor, 
His civility in his progress throughout the Country.  he scattereth his money; where the guilty, his indulgence; where the deserving, his encouragement; where the weak and helpless, his defence and protection; going about as the Sun, carrying in his looks and actions no less Serenity than splendour in all about him, answering acclamations with blessings, suffering no distasteful act to be performed by Soldiers, who must first be masters of their people's hearts, before they are possessed of their enemy's Camp: his soldiers shall not fight with friends and foes too, for he hands all grievances to the people by the mediation of others who have less occasion to make use of them; and by such amiable gestures, with the high price he seems in public to set upon the Nations content, so great a love is kindled in the hearts of the people, that all the evils that fall upon them are removed from the principal cause, and attributed to such as are only instrumental in their promotion; the just General always giving a favourable hearing to such as complain of grievances (whereby he satisfieth the people, and engageth their persons and Estates) and removes the oppressors to some distant employments, where being further from the Camp and the enemy, severity may be more necessary, at least not so dangerous as within hearing of the Infidel that promiseth fairer usage; and by this even and constant procedure, an uninterrupted success hath been entailed to his command. Thus by claiming nothing, the brave Count enjoyeth all; and by protecting no injustice, he secures himself and the cause he hath undertaken.  
For his Justice is not the least Virtue 
His Justi●e.  that possesseth his great soul; such a habit, that he will suffer the greatest misery before he will do the least wrong; and when he is persuaded to take the liberty of the Field, and not tie himself to the strictness of a Court, Let me, saith he, stand or fall, to mine own Conscience: the Laws are the measures of his War and Peace; the Justice of his Army is as exact as that of his own breast; the people fear his soldiers, and they the Law; he alloweth his follower's equity, but not indulgence; freedom, but not licentiousness; 
His severe Discipline.  security against an enemy, but not against right: an Egg stolen is as fatal to his Myrmidons as a Turk, a Chicken kills as sure as a Mahometan; he can contentedly sacrifice a man for the least injury to gain a Country, which fills his Army as fast as his severe Discipline exhausts it; no follies follow him, no perishing families curse him, no ravished Virgins meditate revenge on him, no children starved for the bread he took out of their mouth; as busy as he is, he sets five hours in the week to redress grievances, at once to endear his Disciplined Army to the people, and make odious the rude Rabble of the Turk, whose Barbarousness is as intolerable as their cause unjust, who provoke the people to oppose them, if not to save Empire, yet to secure themselves: his punishments are more severe than common, and more private than severe: it is his usual saying, Advise me not only what is safe, but what is Just; not only what is expedient, but what is lawful.  
He is as Faithful as he is Just: Leave 
His faithfulness.  me, saith he to them who persuade him to secure himself, to my Honour and Justice, though I fall by them: he is as true to his Superiors as he would have his inferiors to him; he will never leave his Master until he leaves himself. A Messenger once came to him from the Grand Visier with an overture of an accommodation, and the Archdukedom of Austria to boot; he hangs up the Messenger, saying, If he had come to threaten me as an enemy he had been safe, but coming to solicit me to be a Traitor, he hath his own reward.  
To Abfti's Message about the Grand Signors esteem for him, the 
His replies to those that would debauch him.  honest man replied, That he had rather be a Page under the Christian Emperor, than a Prince under the Barbarous Usurper; and that if it pleased God the Grand Signior, who was now so prodigal of others, should within a twelve month beg his own Dominion; although the Emperor doth not supply him as he may expect, although Hungary deserts him, although Abafti jugleth with him, although the Papists envy him, although the jealousies in his Army distract him, although others are set above him, although the Germans are baffled, and France threatneth, the Turk is generally submitted to, and the people as generally indifferent; although he always wants Money, and sometimes Provision, and the Infidel bestoweth Crowns upon his Favourites; yet the faithful Count is resolved to weather out all the difficulties in pursuance of bare duty and Allegiance, and to make Germany either his Triumph or his Grave; being the first that undertook the hard service of decaying Germany, he will ●e the last that leaves it; if he cannot live a Count of the Empire, he will die a Martyr of it.  
Neither is he less careful of others fealty and serviceableness than his 
His care whom he employeth.  own, employing none but such as honour his judgement, and acquit themselves to the world, as men of public and great spirits, who with himself had an uniform and constant care of the common interest; he bestoweth not places on relations or parties, but merit, knowing no kinsman but what is allied to him in Virtue as well as Birth, owning no purchase of trust, but that by great dangers and noble services; he bestows his Titles of honour, where God had bestowed the Virtues; enduring not that Command and Authority should be tainted in the base and unworthy: he loved to see a man by a great spirit filling a great place; his choice pitched there where the personage was strong and comely, the speech Masculine (for he said, No man did Wonders that could not speak well) the converse unblemished, advice bold, performance quick, course steady, undertake noble, patience observable, and experience considerable; such as being fixed in their duty to the Emperor, and settled in their sentiments of Religion, may restore Christendom, and enlarge it as wide as the world.  
His temperance and sobriety is a great ornament to himself, and an 
His temperance.  happy example to his followers; his Diet is as hard as his employment, his meals for health, not excess; his constitution bears a larger diet than his Virtue, and his hard service larger than his constitution, yet he eats but one meal a day, and that as course and plain as can be: for he prevents his soldier's Surfeits, and inures them to be contented with the least Provision, and not to exceed with the greatest. He is more sparing of his drink then meat, drinking very moderately at meals, and seldom between; and more temperate in his pleasures then either; as severely doth he forbidden himself all looseness, as he 
His strictness.  punisheth it in others: a woman is not seen in his Camp, nor dallied with in his Chambers; his discourses are grave, chaste, and masculine, and his very Idleness useful; not an hour of his was without its benefit, or deserved not its commendation: His expenses were moderate, suited more to the occasions and necessities of his present condition, than the magnificence and grandeur of his former state. These are trivival particulars, but that there can be nothing ordinary that hath relation to this extraordinary person: the very shave of Gold are precious, and the most minute passages are considerable that concern this Great Man.  
The last and most considerable observable 
His Religion.  in him, and that which much imports the State of Christendom, is his Religion, which he useth not as an Artifice of power, but as the Ornament and comfort of his own Soul; not affecting a gaudy and magnific Piety, or a pompous show of Devotion, but exercising a real and solid Virtue as eminent as his Fortune: Religion is his not only by Education but by choice; the issue of his own Reason, rather than the custom of his Fathers; he endeavours that they where he marcheth should understand Religion before they fight for it, finding that a multitude that own no vaster understandings than might render them pliable to labour and discipline, are the readiest to yield all awful obedience to such Worship and Religious observances, as the Infidel is pleased to impress upon their yet unsuborned imaginations, not so ea●●ly obtained (saith my Author) from knowing people, who have any skill to determine the truth or falsehood of that which the Mahometan Fire and Sword enjoins for an unquestionable Creed, especially considering that the Turks offer a law confirmed by Angels, Ecstasies and Miracles, so suitable to the highest taste of humane sensuality, and obvious to a carnal apprehension.  
He deplores much the u●e of Images in the Christian Churches, not 
The advantages the Turk takes against us in point of Religion, observed.  only as a great stumbling-block to the Jews and Turks, but upon a serious consideration, that if a people once attain but an universal Prudence, the deceit and weakness of such a carnal adoration must needs grow loathsome and lie obvious to their observation and contempt, That shall (upon the opportunity offered by this invasion) make it their full employment to find fault, and fo●ent a change, by discoursing to the people the absurdities in their worship, which is better prevented in one directed (as the Turks is) to the only invisible and omnipotent Creator, whose Nature and power is so far remote from the weak apprehension of men, as the sharpest reason is not able to batter a faith built solely upon it. Moreover, the Turk doth so please t●e Christian with his honour to Christ, as he doth the Jew by his respect to M●ses; that his complying errors in the mean time go down glib through the wide swallow of that ignorance that part of the world doth now gape withal.  
He promotes the observation of the Lords day as strictly as he observes the Turks, enjoining that of their Friday for the ease of poor people and servants, whom he hath his eye upon as the supporters of t●e Empire, for the honour of Christian Religion, for the advancement of love and confidence, by converse with neighbours; for those weekly meetings do much civilize a Nation, satisfying no less the minds of the zealous, than they moderate the factious and disobedient, by the great ●liay received from the solemn devotions, the humble prostrations and Ceremonies, that such are terrified into an obedience to the Law, out of a future fear, that could not el●e be restrained by a present secular danger, or after-hope; imagining a number of Possibilities to hid that from men, which nothing can cover from the sight of God.  
And therefore he hath a peculiar respect for a ●ober and prudent Clergy (looking upon a contempt of them as the preface to the ●uine of Religion) whose Austerity and Reverence in external Worship, makes way for Religion to enter through the eye to the heart; wishing they were more at leisure for the temporal concerns of Chri●tendom, to intent those more spiritual in that Country, the same Councils are observed necessary for Princes in relation to Religion, and the guiders of it, as Phaeton had in the conduct of the Sun's Horse; the Church being of that nature, that if it soar too high, it chokes Virtue and Piety in the superfluous Ceremonies, which like too much Paint in Rome, adulterate the face of Truth; but if she be kept too low, than it wants Decency and Order, allays without which we can have no Uniformity in a Religious Commerce. Since the mysteries of our Salvation cannot be presented to us, but in Earthen Vessels, from whence if they did not retain some Tincture, we could not so naturally own them in reference to us: Nay (saith my friend) 
Some Policies that concern Religion in reference to the Turk.  an indiscreet zeal doth so far participate of the qualities of the Air overheated, that it hatcheth the plague of Rebellion, where ever it is found, pretending their Prince negligent in Reigion, or too Exorbitant in his affection to court Minions, or an in fringer of Law, or obstructer of ●ustice; weapons of Sedition easily forged, if not f●und to lie ready before the Gates of the best of Kings, which subtle men snatch up, and put into the hands of such as they have formerly intoxicated with a desire of Reformation, who seldom give over till they meet their own ruin or the States.  
It is not the least remarakble particular, in reference to Religion, that it were to be wished, that, As the Turkish Alcoran is expounded or read by none but Priests, so the Christian Bible were read and explained with more Caution, Care, and Reverence; and that Prayers to God were more frequent amongst us as amongst them, than Sermons or exhortations to the people, 'cause by the first they are humbled through the constant repetitions of their sins and wants, and by the other puffed up with ostentation of their good parts; and men may take occasions, as the Orators and Demagogues of old, to hint out of the Pulpit in God's name, such seeds of Sedition and Rebellion, as may inflame Kingdoms; or if the Christian Ministers will take pains and Preach, it were to be wished that the whole scope of their Sermons, as that of the Turkish discourses, were Practical Piety, consisting of the honour due to God, obedience to Princes, Justice, mutual Love, resolution and Patience; together with whatsoever things are g●od, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are of good report, especially patience under all dispensations of Providence, whereby men might be fixed against all temptations to Sedition, and kept in a cheerful compliance with the severest Government; referring all things below to Providence, as the Tu●ks do to Fate; and looking on nothing worth striving for or against, but the happiness and misery of the other world. He hath enjoined as great an awfulness of the name of God, as that of the Mahometans, which is so great, that they dare not employ the Paper they find it in to any base office, but leave it in a hole to the further disposure of the owner's providence: and therefore possibly not so likely as christian's (who observe no such decency) to call it to witness an untruth; much to the advantage of Governors there, as it might be here, did Law or Custom screw the people's minds up to as high an esteem of it.  
It's usually discoursed in those parts, that all the evils that ever happened to Germany, flowed from a defect in thei● Ecclesiastical policy, in that the Ministers do not press Religion with that strictness it's capable of upon the people, so that it may lay hold upon their Consciences, and bear them up by serious apprehensions of the other world, against all the contingencies and emergencies of this; although they might remit those austerities and severities to the bodies of men (the fond inventions of the melancholy, and the reserved part of the world) now the Turk is at hand with all the complacencies and 
* And it is not convement to force nature too much in small things, lest it break out in greater; for the Turks being allowed lesser vanities, are not at leisure for greater.  delights, with the greatest freedom humane nature is capable of, where men have an uninterrupted licence to attain the farthest extent of their ●esires, so as they apprehend no felicity beyond the liberty to enjoy ●●is.  
We ●ight learn from the Turk to be more constant to the principles of our Religion than we are, and give 〈◊〉 way to a refining by the agitation of experiences drawn from a con●●uence of different events; it being an observation with him, that the 〈◊〉 allowance in things of that nature, opens a gap to infinite pretensions that can never be satisfied until government be overthrown.  
The Turkish Emperor is thought so much happier than the German, because the Mufti his circumcised Pope, and Mecca his Infidel of Rome are both in his power: The Mufti, though 〈◊〉 with M●homets ●ind●e●s co●our ●hi●h is g●●en, and ●everen●●d 〈…〉 very much 〈…〉 yet is concluded by reason of State, and must comply with the government otherwise; though he is not publicly punished, he may be privately translated to another world, 
Of religious influence upon men's spirits.  and his faults and he buried in a grave; for it hath been long observable in this Empire, that neither friends, money, sanctity, love of people, former deserts, or any present need of the people's accurate parts, were ever found Antidotes sufficient to expel the poison of the Emperor's jealousy, who esteems no number of lives equivalent with his own safety, or the Nations.  
Count Hohenlo usually saith, that it is one defect in his Religion, that it was presented with so much terror as did amuse and despirit men; whereas the Turks was contrived with such hopes & encouragements as raise them in valour and undertake beyond the ordinary pitch of men. Whereupon Serini takes him up, and undertakes to demonstrate to him, That no Religion in the world ennobleth and raiseth men's spirits to an higher pitch than the Christian; fortifying them against the greatest dangers, and exercising them with the severest discipline,  
Goes the Germane Ambassador coucheth the offences that lie in the Turks way to our Religion in four particulars (as he received them from the Grand Signior himself:) The first, That we eat our God in the Encharist. 2. That we make our God in the Church. 3. That we divide our God in the Trinity: And 4. That we deny him in our lives. The first two whereof (saith young Kecherman the brave Count's Chaplain) must be removed by a recantation: The third must be assoiled by cautious, clear and wary expressions: The last must be reform by doing nothing unlawfully, by speaking nothing improperly, and by wearing nothing undecently. There being but two ways to keep up the honour of Religion; either to keep over curious men from p●ying and questioning the parts, and restraining reason within its own bounds; or to clear up the grounds out of it so as might satisfy any rational man. He wisheth there were a clear account extant of the grounds of Christian Religion; for which purpose there was printed in Presburgh Ludovicus Vives his Dialogue of the Truth of Christian Religion, Hugo Grotius, and Du-Pless●s, all translated into several Languages.  
These are some of this excellent personage his sentiments of Religion, with reference to the present exigent; but his opinions are not so ●evere as his practice; neither is he so 〈◊〉 in that matter to others as he is to himself. Indeed his piety is as ●p●ea●ing as his command; and there is no man within the one, but mu●● p●●●ake of the other: Yet his own deportment 
His own ●emper.  is most remarkable; all his enterprises begin with Prayer, and some of them with Psalms, which a● once inspire his Soldiers, and bl●sse his undertake. He would gain the love of heaven, before he would repel the forces of hell: (Never any man did nobly that conversed not with the gods) B●fore the last City he took, as he was observing the situation of the place, and his advantages, a Commander asked what he int●n●ed to do. To take the place (●aith he) within four hou●s, but we must go to prayers first: and now (said ●e afterwards) We have a good Cause, God and good men's prayers assist us. He is not more careful of his Christian ●●ties, than of his Christian 〈◊〉 to all those persons and things th●t 〈…〉 relation to God; make● wa●, that sp●●e● nothing in its con●●sed fury, and ●n●●stinguis●ing ●●●olation, re●●●ence all sacred persons and places, whereof he is as tender as he hopes their God is of him and his great and good Cause.  
This is that gallant man, that noble Gentleman, that zealous Christian, that s●out Soldier, that able Sates-man, that excellent personage upon whom are the eyes of Europe, as upon the great Champion of Christendom. This is he who fills the wo●ld wi●h his Name, and Annals with his Actions; that shows the most humble devotion enameled in Heroic gallantry; the most generous soul in a wel-proportioned body; that supports the drooping glory of Germany, and checks the growing power of Turkey; that dares do more than all the Kings of the Earth; that was born to relieve distressed Princes, to restore tottering Empires, and hold up falling Crowns. This is he that tramples upon offered Kingdoms, and looks on Sceptres beneath him; that thinks it more Imperial to preserve Monarchies, than to govern them; to die a faithful Subject, than to live a feared King. This is he who put the Grand Signior to a cold sweat, and the Prime Visier to a fit of an Ague; That shakes the Seraglio to the demureness of a Mufti, and the Alcoran out of the Mufti's hand; that turns the Turkish Moon to blood, and the heaven of their power to blackness and darkness; that threatneth Mahumetanis● to a swound, like that of the Author of it. This is he who hath set bounds to the fears of Europe, and the hopes of As●●; Who coops that ambition in a Province, that aims at a World: Who fills up the Gap of Christendom with his great self, and singly undertakes the despondencies of the West behind him, and the threaten of the East before him. This is he who doth wonders, and is one whose actions strain the belief of the present age, and will be impossible among Posterity; whom all admire, and the generous may imitate, as he doth Scanderbag, if he imitates any, or be not rather his own great ●ule, his own great example being sufficient to himself.   

THE Life and Actions of GEORGE CASTRIOT 〈◊〉 amed Scanderbag, 〈◊〉 other Champion or 〈◊〉.  
WHen the succession of 8 Ottoman Princes, with their several Counsels, Erterprises and successes, had enlarged that growing Empire beyond the bounds of Asia, so that it a●●i●ed under Amurath the second to a fif●h Monarchy, to which it was making its way through the ruin● of some p●tty neigh●ou●●errit●●i●●, when it pleased the most high 〈…〉 ●uleth in the Kingdoms 〈…〉 who permitted there 〈…〉 punish our sins, 〈…〉 there is a God; and yet checketh them, that they may know themselves to be but men) to raise up on● George Castriot Prince of Epirus, better known by the name of Scanderbag, to be at once his Buckler to protect his People, and his Sword to avenge him of his Enemies. This Prince (whose former Actions may be patterns to our present Erterprises; while what he hath done against that dreadful Infidel, is before our eyes to direct us what we may do) was the valiant son of a weak Father, John Castriot Prince of Epirus, but a vassal of Turkey, who in the great invasion 
His birth and original.  upon Europe, 1422. being not able enough to oppose the Turk in his passage, no● honest enough to be trusted by him when he had passed him, ●ought his sad Peace, more miserable than his neighbours honourable war, 
Bred up under the Turk.  at the dearest rate of his four Children, whom he pledged to his barbarous Master; who (notwithstanding the fairer concitions and usages promised) circumcised the youths, and trought them up in the Musulman●s irreligious Religion; and when their father's death opened his way into the Kingdom, poisoned the eldest three, reserving this youngests beauty for his lust, & his valour for his service; wherein he acquitted himself so honourably, that he gained not only the foresaid name of Scanderbag, or Lord Alexander, for his prudence and activity, but the great Trust of a Provincial Governor at 18 years of age, and of General at 21, for his resolution and success; in which two commands he behaved himself so well, that (which is not ordinary) he was at once great in Amurath's favour, and high in the people's affection: This brave Prince (this Moses saved by the Pharaoh of Adrianople, to overthrow himself) having lived long enough under the Turk for his own honour, for the people's applause, his Master's service, and too long for his poo● C●●●●reys misery, 
His revolt from the Turk.  leaves the dalliances of the most rich Court, the favour of the mo●t mighty Prince, the hope of t●e greatest Empire, and the command of the most vast Army in the world, and chooseth most heroickly to suffer the hardship, than threatened the people of God, whom he favoured all along, and assisted with secret intelligence to Huniades at the great battle of Moravia; at which battle, or at the next under Canabiza, being not any longer safe among the Turks, nor serviceable in that capacity to the Christians, he fled to them after this manner.  
When by his Instructions (as aforesaid) 
The manner of his turning to the Christians in the Battle.  to Hunniades, the Turks were disordered, he with his Cousin Amesa and other Epirots to whom he had unbosomed himself, to the number of 300, withdrew; and having their eye upon the Bashaw's Secretary who Commanded in chief in that Fight, followed him in his Retreat, put all his Turks to the Sword, carried him away with them to their Quarters, and there extorted from 
His indefatigable industry in pur●●ing his ●ight, and recovering his kingdom  him an Order in the Bashaws name to the Governor of Croia chie● City of Epirus, to deliver up that charge to Scanderbag, who by virtue of it possessed the Garrison, and sent the Governor with his family to Adria●ople the night following, making way to 3000 Epirots, who resolved to live and ●ie with him for their own and their countries' liberty in the same place: and putting all the Turkish Soldiers and others to the Sword, except them, who to save their lives, would save their souls too, and become Christians.  
The Epirots having thus recovered their noble Prince, and he his ancicient Kingdom, or at lea●● the most considerable place in it: He no sooner invites, than his people come in multitudes, that wanted only Leaders and discipline, to be armed, to attend his person, his service, and therein their own safety and liberty; and the muster at Croia amounts to 12000, who with their noble Captain march to subdue such strong Holds held out for the Turks; as first to Petrella, a place well fortified by nature, and as well furnished by the Inhabitants, whither Scanderbag sends by a subtle messenger the dismal news of the late defeat in Hungary, the weak and perplexed condition of Amurath the Sultan thereupon, the sa● fate of Croia, the unanimous re●olt of the Epirots, and at last the fair Conditions and Terms they and other Governors might have i● they yielded to Scanderbag; which relation the Governor considers, and finding it confirmed by the sad tidings the Turks that fled brought with them out of all parts (for now all the Turks in Epirus were put to the Sword) he yieldeth up the place upon conditions. Such as would go with him (for most stayed with Scanderbag) might be conducted with all they had out of Epirus. In like manner did he take Petra, Stellusa, and all the other holds of Epirus in two month's time (and time was precious with him) save Sfeligrade an impregnable place; to the Governor whereof was offered the choice either of perishing as they of Crioa did, and as the Governor of Stellusa was like to do before his eyes (for Scanderbag brought him thither in chains for terror, to hang him before the gates.) Loath was the Governor to hazard himself, loath to displease the people: he entertains the Prince's Messenger civilly, and turns to the people wi●ly, and asked them, What shall we answer these our Enemies? Whereupon an high spirited So●l●ier draws his ●wo●d, and tells him that t●●t w●● their answer; that they would not imitate others weaknesses, but their own ●●lour, and die willingly with them that died at Cro●●, With which answer, applauded by all the Soldiers, the Governor dismissed the Trumpeter. Scanderbag smiled at the answer of the common Soldier, and said, He is certainly a valiant Soldier, if his actions answer his words: but if my force fail me not, I will make him happy among 
His re●ly to the saucy soldier of Stelluza.  the happy ghosts of them of Stellusa; and immediately they of Stellusa that did relent were baptised before their faces, and they who persisted in their wilfulness were hanged; but the resolved ●arrison of Sfeligrade holds out notwithstanding. Wherefore Scanderbag considering the season of the year, withdrew to Croia, and left 3000 men under Moses Golemus, a most val●●nt Captain, to keep the Turks in until he might more conveniently reinforce the Siege. Thus that gallant man recovered his whole Kingdom of Epirus in two mo●●●s time; during which 〈…〉 he 〈…〉 too hou●● 〈…〉 he, th●● 〈…〉 his 〈…〉 Spoils 〈…〉 S●●●●ies: ●o re●olved, that he fought with his Arm ba●e, and that with such fierceness, that the blood oftentimes burst out of his lips.  
But it was not enough to secure his own Dominions now rescued from the Turks, who might again invade them, therefore he is beforehand with them, and makes an incursion into the very heart of Macedonia, both to terrify his Enemies, and enrich his Soldiers; for it was observed in those days, that the spoil of Amurath's Dominions was the reviving of Scanderbag.  
Being three and thirty years old, he went to the City of Allessia, where he made a League and Assi●nce with the Albanian Princes; which City was then under the Dominion of the Venetians, and in it was held a Diet 
A Diet or Assembly Held at Allessia, and assistance given to Scanderbag.  of all the principal persons of the Country being assembled there at his request, and among others there was Paul, and Nicholas Ducaginus, Peter Spainus, Lech Dusmanius, Lech Zacharius, Aranith Conyno, afterwards Father-in-law to Scanderberg, Andrew Thopia, and the magnificent Rectors of the Venetian State. At which assembly, Scanderbag made an eloquent speech above an hour in length which was very pleasing to all those which were present, who having highly praised the wise advice of this Prince, every one put himself in a posture to reach out a helping hand to restore him to the possession and enjoyments of those Countries, Territories and Dominions which were unjustly detained from him by the Turk. And he on his part ceased not to be active every where to besiege, force, and constrain those, which endeavoured to continue their obedience to the Turk. But as he with all eagerness pursued his design of making himself Lord and Master of all Albania; ●●tel●igence was sent him by a 〈◊〉 he left at Andrip●lis with the Turks, th●t Alibeg Bassa (accompanied with sixty thousand Janissaries, Archers, and Musquetiers, and forty thousand Horse) advanced towards 
Alibeg B●sh● marches against Scanderbag.  him: where at he was not at all discourage●, although at that time he was but n●w●y 〈◊〉 King of Albania, and hi● Forces fa● inferior in number. But wi●h great cheerfulness of heart, as if he already held the victory assured, being followed by fifteen thousand Albanians, and twelve thousand other Foot, he bent his march towards that place, where he presumed he might encounter the Turks, and made all possible diligence to advance his Army so nee● that of Alibeg the Turkish General, that they might be necessicated to fight; and charged them with so great ●●ry and violence, as he soon ●ut them to a miserable rout. Every one wondered how in so short a time so great an execution could be made, in regard the Battle ●as●ed but from Sunrising until the third hour. In this Battle were taken Four and 
Alibeg Bassa defeated by Scanderbag.  twenty colours, two thou and Turks were made prisoners, and two and twenty thousand slain upon the place: of the Christians side a great number were wounded, and about an hundred found dead. Alibeg General of the Turkish forces saved himself, and returned into the City of Andrinop●is, called by these barbarous people Hedrea Valdom, where Amura●h was, who had well-nigh caused him to be put to death, reproaching him that his A●my was betrayed, as well as that wherein Castriot dealt falsely with him▪ to whom this poor old man with cries and sighs replied in these words, Vallahe et billahe benea: Verraim herniguisterce, which signifies, O Sir! by the Grace of Almighty God, I confess a●● that thou sayest for the present. As if he meant, I have nourished and brought up a man, who now takes up Arms against me, and torments my soul. But that which troubled this poor Turk most of all, was, that a peace being concluded between him and the King of Hungary for ten years (by the mediation and practice of George Despot of Servia and Rascia, which is the upper Mysia, by the Turks called Segoria) and though respectively sworn to by them, upon the holy Evangelist, and the Alcoran, yet he much doubted it would not be of any long continuance, as in effect it was soon broken. And moreover he having newly received this ●ude overthrow; there came sudden news that the King of Caramania or Cilicia was preparing a strong and powerful Army, therewith intending to invade the Turks of Anatolia, called Great Turkey; which perplexed him very much being thereby necessitated to go into Asia with the Relics of his routed forces to secure that Country. And on the other side the Hungarian threatening the same danger with the Caramanian and Albanian, it behoved him to look about him. And hereupon he thinks fit to send an Ambassador to Scanderbag, presenting him 
Scanderbag refuses a truce with Amurath.  rich gifts, endeavouring thereby to hinder the Albanians, who were, as yet, but newly fleshed as it were (with the Turkish blood) from advancing further, and from irritating the Ottoman fury; desiring his friendship, and that he would abstain from all enterprises that tended to his prejudice. Amurath's letter being read, ●ated from Andrinople the fifteenth of ●u●e, in the year of our Lord 1444 five days after Airadin the Turks Ambassador was returned with an answer bea●ing date the twelfth of July of the same year, wherein Scanderbag utterly refused the truce; which letter Airadin brought to the Turk as he was a hunting, and by word of mouth delivered to him all the rest of Castriot's deliberations; wherewith this poor Infidel was so ill satisfied, that he could not contain himself from crying out before his Bassa's, in this sort, Senicq guna scythan honuar; as if he would say, I think Scanderbag is possessed by the devil, that he so little regards my power and greatness. But Amurath being a man experienced in affairs, knew well enough in case he should seem to be discouraged, there needed nothing else to make all the rest Cowards; and therefore to express his cheerfulness, he smiled, playing with his Beard, and spoke again these words, Thou covetest, O unhappy man! thou covetest some memorable death, believe me thou shalt have it! we will assist, and without thy command will be present at the obsequies of him who was nourished by us, but now become our utter enemy, and will accompany thy funeral-pompe to the grave, for fear thou shouldst complain in hell, that thou camest not thither honourably enough.  
And however his countenance was composed, he had sad apprehensions to himself aside, and thought no other matters, which occasioned him a long time to remain in a musing doubtful posture; and at last understanding that Scanderbag had disbanded many of his forces, keeping the field only with some few light-horse, without any body of an Army, he sends for his Bassa Ferise, appointing 
Ferise Bassa sent against Castriot, is by him defeated.  nine thousand chosen horse, encouraging them with large promises, in case they could conquer the Albanians. Ferise discharged his duty with all diligence, approaching secretly to the Frontiers of Macedonia. And though he marched towards the Albanians, more like a Thief then a Warrior: yet he came not before the news of his approach; Castriot being advertised thereof by a spy who came to him from the Sultan's Court, and so possessing himself of a Straight and narrow Valley, calle● Mocrea, the only passage for the Turks; It served for a bu●ying place for the most part of Ferises Army, who were so suriously charged by the Albanians, that the Bassa himself was forced to 〈◊〉, leaving the best part of his f●rce● either dead in the field, or Prisoners. Ottoman finding himself so rudely dealt withal by the Albanians, sends Mustapha his Bassa with five and twenty thousand men into Epire, expressly charging him to be wary, and not entangle himself in the Ambushes of the Albanians, but 
Mustaphae Bassa sent against Castriot into Epire, is defeated.  only pillage and lay waste the Country. Scanderbag advertised (by some horse he had sent forth to that purpose) of the spoil Mustapha made throughout all Epire, takes horse immediately, and being followed with three thousand horse only, and four thousand other good soldiers, led them as privately as he could between two valleys where the enemy was to pass, who assoon as they came near the place, separated and dispersed themselves into several companies: the Christians falling upon them in disorder, soon made their way to the Turks Trenches, instantly gained them, and made so great a slaughter that none escaped, save only a few that followed the flying Mustapha, preserving their lives by the sharpeness of their Spurs. So Scanderbag recovered not only the Pillage they had taken from him in Epire, but also all the spoils of the Turks, who had no leisure to save their baggage, being so closely pursued by Scanderbag. But this overthrow did no● discourage Amurath, who commanded Mustapha to raise new Forces, forbidding him to spoil the enemy's Country, or engage in a Bat●le with Castriot, but only to hinder his advancing towards them, which fell ou● happily for this Christian Prince; for soon after he had a War with the State of Venice, by reason of the succession of Lech Zachary, which shall be declared hereafter, because I intent not here to make a diversion, and to omit the happy success which Scanderbag had against Mustapha the Bassa, who seeing the Christian's warring among themselves very furiously, thought during their disorders, to fish in their troubled waters, and obtain the fruit of a Victory, which he earnestly desired, and was very much hoped for by him, whereupon he so much impor●unes Amurath, that he obtains order to begin a new war with the Christians, in which he was no great gainer, for Scanderbag quitting Dadine, charged that Pagan Army so furiously, as that ten thousand of them ●●l upon the place, fourscore and 
Mustapha defeat●d●th second ti● by Scanderbag.  two were made prisoners, and fifteen Standards taken; on the Albanian side scarce three hundred men were lost. If this signal victory much puffed up the hea●ts of the Albanians, Amurath's (that plodding blade) was 
Amurath's first voyage into Epire against Castriot.  the more dejected, who could not so well disguise his intended enterprise of setting on foot a mighty and powerful Army against Castriot, but that it took vent, and was discovered (by his nearest and greatest favourites) to Scanderbag, who hereupon slept not in security; but gave a general order to rai●e instantly the forces of his whole Country, and to fortify and strengthen the Fortresses, Cities and Garrisons throughout all Epire.  
In the mean time the Great Turk transports all his Army into Europe by long marches, computed by some to be an hundred and fifty thousand fight men (to wit) fourscore and ten thousand horse, and threescore thousand foot; other reckon them but an hundred and twenty thousand in all, deducting twenty thousand horse, and ten thousand foot.  
In this Equipage he comes to besiege Alba and other Cities, upon which he gained nothing but the diminishing of his forces, which though daily recruited by the new supplies which came to them, yet so mouldered away, that the poor old Ottoman ashamed of the loss of so many of his men, was constrained to retreat, quit Epire, and in all haste mar●h away; whilst Scanderbag with all might and main pursued them, and gleaned ●p and destroyed such a multitude, as the shame thereof made the Great Turk at last so impatient, that he commanded the Bassa of Romania to stay 
Amurath forced to retreat, Castriot be●ieges Fetigrade.  behind with thirty thousand horse to secure the safe retreat of the residue of the Army. But Amurath had scarce taken up his Quarters in his own Country, when news was brought him that Scanderbag had laid 
Amurath's second voyage unto Epire, and siege of Croye in ●ain.  siege to Sfetigrade, whereupon he determines to return by the same way he came, and sends Sebalias to besiege Cr●y, and he and his Son Mahomet invaded Epire about the end of April, and came himself in person before Croy, and held it besieged above four months; in which time a very great number of his Forces were lo●t. He endeavoured to batter it with thirty pieces of Cannon, and other warlike instruments & Engines, but could do little execution, the place being very strong on all parts, and replenished with a lively fountain of water within, and another in the side of the hill behind a Rock. Nor must I forget to tell yo● that at the end of four months, a general assault was given by the enemies, and maintained so furiously on each p●rt, that lasting but five hours, four thousand men remained dead upon the place, although the Turks powe, strength, and cunning, could not gain the place (as I have said) but after all this, the said City rather lifted up her head against the Ottoman fury as Victrix.  
Nor will I not derogate from Vranocontes, but allow him all the honour due to his great deserts; and as this Governor appointed by Scanderbag to command proye, was vigilant and dexterous to oppose Amurath; so his Prince was not asleep in creating other employment for his Forces elsewhere; for as Ott●man had given him a very hot Alarm, Scan●erbeg with a party of his choice ●o●●e falls so desperately upon the Enemy's Tents at the said ●iege, as that Amurath could not at that time compass his designs, no● take the place, although he dispatched away Seremet with four thousand ●o●se to repulse Scanderbag; and Mahomet likewise though in vain, pu●●●ed him with all possible speed, conceiving so great a hatred against him, as that after the death of his fat●er, he abated nothing of his pernicious and evil affection towards him.  
And though death prevented the malicious designs of Amurath, yet it could not make any alteration in the heart of his Son Mahomet the second (and not the first, as by a mistake it slipped in this work) who took Constantinople, and was thereby the more enraged against the Christians, than before. However, the state of affairs at this time so di●●●cted him, that he was constrai●e● to send Ambassadors to desire a ●ruce, 
Mahomet ●● s●cond 〈…〉 a 〈◊〉 with Castriot, is 〈◊〉.  which was refu●ed him, and ●n answer was returned to Sang●as th● Deputy, who was sent to conclude the peace, that he shoul● be gone pre●●n●●y: as fo● Castriot, ●e would not make any peace or agreement with the Infidel, unless he 〈◊〉 him those City's which Amurath h●d unjustly ●surped. In th●●ean 〈◊〉 Mahomet retires, and was a long while be●o●e he could ●e●tle himself in his Father's D●minions, an● therefore could not for that time ●o Castriot any great harm. And Scanderbag being willing to have an heir to 
George Castriots marriage.  succeed him (and being thereunto requested by his subjects) took to his lawful Wi●e the most virtuous and fair daughter of Prince Aramth Conyno, called Doneca; with whom he could not live long in quiet. For so soon as this new Turk was settled in his Father's Throne, he began to threaten Castriot our Christian Prince, being not able to endu●e he should have such Dominion over Cro●e and the rest of Epire. Nor did I here intent to have set down the undertaking of Scanderbag to assist Ferdinand the Son of Alphonso King of Naples, had not the several 
Castriot r●l●ev●s Alphonso King of Naples so●.  Historians who have written thereon, omitted how he did redeem this poor King, who was reduced to that misery and non plus, as that ●e was imprisoned in the Town of Bar●, by the ●●ege w●ich the Count Picevin had ●i● to it, who made as sure of him, as if he had been already entangled in his Net. But as soon as the arrival of Scanderbag was known, Duke John of Sore, and the Count Picevin packed up their baggage, raised their siege, and in great haste marched thirty miles from thence to avoid the fury of that Fleet, and those which accompanied Scanderbag, who had so good success in repul●ng Ferdinand's enemies, that to him alone belongs the honour of recovering of that King's Crown. But the aff●●s of hi● 〈◊〉 Kingdom wanting his direction, he was constrained to quit all, and to return to Croye, near unto which place the Christians had erected an inexpugnable Fortress (sufficient to hinder the passages of the Infidels) upon an exceeding high Mountain, called Modrica, and having furnished it with Victuals, Artillery, and Munition, made such opposition against the attempts of the enemy, that it secured the Pass; whereupon M●homet ●●inting under so many attempts 
Sinaim Sa●●a● s●nt by Mahomet against Castriot, is de●●ated.  made upon him, dispatches away a famous Captain call●d Sinam, wi●h five and twenty thousand Turkish Horse against Scanderbag, to su●p●ise him on a sudden, thinking the War of Naples from whence he was but lately returned, had made him secure and careless. But Scanderbag who always slept with his eyes open, had opportunely, since his arrival, sent his Spies abroad, and renewed his Intelligence with those near the Sultan, whereby he had timely notice to prepare and to get the first into the field: But kept himself pri●ate and close, expecting the advance of the San●jac Sinam, and then marched the whole night towards him, during the obscurity whereof, and contrary to the knowledge of his Adversary, with eight thousand fight men Horse and Forth; ●e possessed himself of the Mountain M●crea, and there resolutely expected Sinam, that being the Avenue through which he was of necessity to p●ss; and falling upon him unawares, defeated him with all his Army, where the slaughter was so great, that two parts of three fell upon the place, and 
Ass●mb●g invading Epire, is also discomfited.  all the Ensigns and Baggage became a Prey to the Christians: and all the General could do was to s●ve himself in this desperate fight, by avoiding it with extraordinary speed. And already Assambeg, or according to others, Anusabeg was advanced already on this side of Ocride, accompanied with thirty thousand fight men; but Scanderbag being accompanied only with four thousand, encountered him in so opportune a place, that he soon vanquished them: the Guards on each side of this Turkish General were s●●tten down to the ground, his Horse hurt, and himself wounded in the right Arm with an Arrow, knew no better way at last to 〈◊〉 ●im●elf, then to make trial of a Christian Clemency, as well as of the Mar●ia● sury of ●n enemy. Be●o●e whom being brought, together with ●ivers other Captains, the tears standing in his eyes, and his hands lifted up to heaven, he spoke in this manner to Scanderbag, That being in the service of the great Turkish Emperor, his honour obliged him to serve him faithfully, and therefore implored his mercy, favour and clemency; whose speech took so well with Scanderbag, that he pardoned them all, and gave them their lieus, paying ten thousand Ducats for his own, and four thousand Ducats for the ransom of the rest, which was performed accordingly. I know many have accused Scanderbag for being so easily persuaded by the Turk, and blame him that he knew not how to use his advantage against the Sfetigradians, who indeed surprised him at that time.  
But here we are not upon the same terms, the Victory was already in Scanderbeg's hands, whose humanity becomes so much the more to be admired, as being exercised against a Capital enemy, whom we can seldom spare when he is once entrapped. But he shown a far greater mildness towards the Venetians, with whom (to his great regret) he had a sharp and hard War. But in regard it would have been accounted a folly, and have proved a great disparagement 
A difference between Castr●ot and the Venetians, appeared.  to lose a man's right for want of looking after it, he would not therefore seem easily to quit the succession of that, which he pretended was fallen unto him by the death of Lech Zachary, and wherein the Venetians opposed him, by reason of an agreement made between them and the Lady Bosse, the mother of the deceased party. Notwithstanding which, Scanderbag claimed that there being no Will, he ought to succeed Zachary (who was murdered by Lech Dulagin, the Son of the Lord of Saint Paul) and seemed to have the best title as lawful heir to the Estate. But after a great contestation, they resolved the sword should decide the quarrel on both sides, wherewith he pressed them so hard (although he abated very much of the rigour he exercised towards the Infidels and Turks) that the Venetians had no other expedient, but to desire a Peace with him, which yet they would not conclude but upon their own conditions, though they were reduced to such extremity, as that if Scanderbag had not condescended, they had in all likelihood been destroyed: but he considering, That the virtue, valour, and magnanimity of a valiant warrior, appears not in being cruel to an enemy, chose rather to mitigate the appetite of revenge, by mildness and kind usage; and therefore yielded freely to forgo that which of right belonged unto him, although it was never his custom to quit any thing to Infidel's, as appeared clea●ly in the encounter with the Tyrant Sebalie, who besieged Bellegrade, where he defeated four an● twenty thousand Turks, 
Several other of Castriot's p●ow●ss●s against the 〈◊〉.  took six thousand prisoners, and set at liberty four thousand Christians, who were detained by t●e Bashaws, M●●se●, Assambeg, Isaac, and Sinam-beg, and put to death more than fifty thousand of his enemies: and almost as many more two years after, under the command of the Bashaw Ballabam.  
These and the like valorous exploits, pleased so well the most part of the Christian Princes, that they were thereby provoked to take up Arms against Mahomet; and Pope Pius piously moved, seeing the affections of this noble Captain, to the utter extirpation of the Infidels, stirred up all Christian Kings, Princes, and Potentates to Arm themselves against the Turk; and knowing that there could not be an abler Captain 
Geo: Castriot created chief of the Christian League against the Turk.  chosen to that purpose, than Scanderbag, to curb and tame the Barbarians, elected and named him the Captain of the League, with promise to make him King, not only of all Albania or Epire, but also of Macedoni●: which ho●y un●er●●●ing was interrupted by the death of ●ius, and Pope Paul the second; although our Albanian King traveled since to Rome, to summon the Pope to join in a design so profitable for the safety and enlargement of Christendom. Finally, finding himself f●u●●rate of the succours he expected f●●m the Kings and Princes on this ●●●e, he went to L●ssa upon the River of Cliro, to consult of the Occurrences of the war with the Deputy Prove●dor of Ve●ice, where he was seized on by a deadly Fever; and feeling himself strucken by death, he made his will, and recommended his little son John, his 
Geo: Cast●iot created Citizen of Venice.  wealth and Country, to the care of the State of Venice, who in remembrance and gratitude for the advantageous peace he had freely granted them, created him and his posterity (after they had casted lots) with an universal consent to be Citizens of Venice. A few days after he departed hence to the other world in the 63 d. year of his age, and four and twentieth of his Reign (for he began his Reign the eight and twentieth day of Novemb. in the year 1443. an● died in the year 1467.) his body was interred in the Church of Saint Nicholas in Lissa, with great Pomp and Magnificence, 
Castriot's death and burial.  whose bones rested enclosed in this place in peace, until Mahomet came into Epire some four years after, to assault Scutari. So great a reverence (saith Paulus lovins) had the Turks themselves of this Heroic persons valour and conduct, that after his death, having made themselves masters of all Epire, at last seized upon his Sepulchre at Alesha; which having found, they worshipped and adored it, pulling out his dead ●ones, which they carried about them, thinking themselves invincible, & safe in battle, 
Several notable exploits done by Castriot.  if at their going to fight they had the least piece of a relic of this invincible Captain hung at their neck in gold or silver; and indeed his actions are incredible. As that wild Savage Bull of an extraordinary fury and greatness, committing a thousand spoils and murders in the Country of his Sister Mamiza, whose neck he quite cut through with one ●low of his S●imiter on horseback. That monstrous Boar of Apoville, which had wounded ●o many of King Ferd●nana's Courtiers, which bea● he assaulted in the same manner, and with like dexterity he cut off his head in the open Field before the King, as they were a hunting. And it is also reported of him, that after the encamping of Ballaban before Cr●ye, there being brought to him chained and fast bound together, Jonimas and Heder, the brother and Nephew of Ballaban, their sight (putting him in remembrance of the cruelties acted through Ballaban's occasion, upon the person of Moses and his companions) put him in such a vehement passion of anger against them, that he had no patience to suffer others to fall on them, but in great fury fell on them himself, and at one blow hewed them both through the body with his Scimitar; which was a Damasked one, of an excellent goodness, two of which he always wore in one Scabbard, both which were often broken or spoiled in one B●ttel. And Mahomet having heard of the excellency of such a sword which would cut asunder Ganders, Helmets, and other strong Armour) as they were once in a Treaty, sent to desire it for a present; an● the Sultan causing trial to be made thereof by the best Arms of the Court, and the strongest, and no such miracles proceeding from it as was boasted of, he thereupon caused it to be retu●n●● to Scanderbag, saying, That ●e g●ve him no thanks for such a present, when he could buy as good and a better for his money; and that he would no longer believe that which was reported of it. Put Scanderbag having made more extraordinary proofs thereof in the presence of t●e Messenger, sent him word, That the virtue was not altogether in the Sword, but in the Arm, which he reserved to himself, which he employed against his enemies.  
And though I do not much value the Prodigies and observations, which many men as it were adore at some Nativities; yet will I not conceal 
A prodigy which happened at Castriot 's birth.  what was prognosticated of the glory that should accompany this famous person; his Mother dreaming, as soon as he was conceived, that she had brought fo●th a Serpent of that bigness, that it covered almost all Epire; and stretching out its head upon the Dominions of the Turk, it swallowed them up with its bloody throat, dipping his Tail in the Sea that looks towards the Christians, and especially towards the confines of Venice. I know many will be apt to be encouraged upon this relation, to slatter themselves with hopes upon the like predictions; and others too superstitious, will endeavour to unfold the secrets that lie hidden under the shadow of such a Dream: for my part, I shall acknowledge, that by the effects, the advertisement which nature here gave, was not altogether frivolous, whereby every one might know that this George Castriot should be eminent in Arms and Warlike exploirs; a scourge to the Turks, a successful Captain, and a true Defender of the Christian Faith, ever retaining an honourable esteem of the Venetian State. In a word, the experience and progress of his whole life do manifestly verify this supernatural Prophecy. From his youth he applied himself so much to the Bow, with other military exercises, and acts of valour, that no Historian makes mention of his equal; neither could any famous Captain ever compare with him in Warlike exploits.   

TAMBURLAINE, the great Scourge of the TURKS.  
TO raise the drooping thoughts of Christendom, with seasonable discourses of those several Champions who have in every age checked the growing power of the Turk, though as threatening & terrible as at this time, we have at large expressed the admired Carriage and Conduct of Count Serini, and in brief recounted the known actions of Scanderbag: and to make the number complete, added here the exact account of great Tamburlaine, who weakened the Grand Signior as much Eastward, as those brave persons have done Northward: a Triumvirs these, that are not to be paralleled, three Heroes that have out gone Antiquity, and out-reached Posterity. The first an Heathen born, to punish Infidelity; the second a papist, born to vindicate Christianity; The third a Protestant, born as some think to reform the World. The first informs us how Turkey may be perplexed by Divisions and Invasions: The other two have taught us how it may be lessened by resolved Defeats and Oppositions. Here we may see what may be done in Asia; there what may be done in Europe. Serini hath instructed the world what resolution and prudence; Scanderbag, what correspondences and activity; and Tamburlaine, what number and cruelty may be exercised against that overflowing power and people. Concerning which Tamburlaine, whether we consider the commencements which gave life to the Sovereign Empire of this same furious rage of Tamburlaine; or whether we delight ourselves by observing the means whereby he s●rued himself up unto the height of Glory; We must needs confess, (although we were never so void of reason and judgement) that it is scarce possible, less credible, that so despicable a vessel should contain so great a stock of admirable Actions, and that thence a branch should have sprung, which did subvert the Turkish Monarchy, and several other Potentates, as the sequel of this present discourse will manifest. As to his offspring, Historiographers do much vary about the truth of it. Some say 
Tamberlains original where.  he came from the midst of the Parthians, a people very much redoubted in the Romans times, though but slenderly famous. Others say he was a Turk, a Scythian, a Zagatean, a Tartarian, because it is apparent he was born at Samercand, which is adjacent unto the River Taxartes hard by the Country of Zagatai. And as there is some difference concerning the place of his offspring; so we shall meet with a far greater concerning his qualities and extraction. Some deriving his descent from Cixges Cham, and make him to be Zain Cham, the third Emperor, who usually is called Bachti. Others suppose him to have been an inconsiderate person, of a base extraction, but who afterwards caused himself to be reputed to be the greatest and most powerful Prince of all the East, in so 
Tamb. appellation of himself.  high a degree, as that he termed himself to be the wrath of God, and not a man; in regard whereof, some do compare him to Hannibal, taking it for granted, that the earth never bore a more fierce, obstinate, and self-willed man, than this same Tamburlaine; and that none ever punished thefts and plunders in such a manner as he did, although himself was the greatest thief and robber, and the 
What Tamberl. was as to his actions and intellects.  most detestablest (as to his Actions) which ever any History did set forth or could produce. And on the contrary, he was again so excellent a personage (as to his Intellects) that by his audacity and assurance, he facilitated those things which all others judged to be impossible. Morover he was so highly be friended by Fortune, that he never at tempted any thing, but he came off with credit: Nor did he ever wage War, but he remained Conqueror. However some do scruple the meanness of his birth, not judging it possible that so inconsiderable a man, as he is said to have been, should attain to such a pitch of greatness, as to shake the Turkish Empire which was so long a settling. But since I find, that the generality is of that opinion, it will not be unbeseeming my joining with them therein; and to say that he was the Son of one called Sangali, a man 
Tamb. Father & offspring.  who was none of the wealthiest in the world, insomuch as that Tamburlaine was constrained (in relation to his Father's profession) to keep  and Herds in the Fields: but he had not long followed that Vocation, when as entering into a certain Treaty 
Tamberl. from a shepherd become a King.  and League with the rest of the shepherds of that Country, they chose him to be their King, and did enrol and list themselves under his command. Finally, some others do conceive him to have been a poor Soldier, but a subtle and circumspect m●n, who wanted no wit, being of a lively and quick spirit. To which they add, that being got up on the top of a Stable-wall, whence he had a mind to have stolen some horses, and perceiving that the owner had discovered him, he fling himself down the wall, and in the fall hurt his thigh, by reason whereof he ever since remained lame. However he performed gallant Actions; and he was mightily praised for the equity, policy, and good discipline wherewith he maintained his Army. So that had he not a little too much slackened the reins of his Cruelty and Ambition, he doubtless had excelled all the Warriors that ever were in the world; for no Chieftain had ever attained to the practical part of ranging and disciplining an Army so tightly as he 
Tamberlin ranged and disciplined his Army very well.  did. And should I relate the several good orders which he caused his soldiery to observe, it would be an endless work; I shall only tell you in what manner he prevented the coming 
No spies could ge● i●●o Tamberl Camp undiscovered.  of any Spies into his Camp, and how they were presently discovered; for which cause he ●uilt a house without his Camp for all strangers that arrived, who were there lodged and treated, having any business to communicate unto him: whereby he prevented their sneaking into his Camp, and their prying into, and discovering what was done there. Every evening the Watchword was distributed, and each man was to repair to his Quarters: And if any one was found out of his Rank, or gadding abroad out of his Quarters, he died without mercy; so that there was no shelter or safety for Spies.  
I shall omit the several manners of repartitions of his Quarters, & under what penalties he caused his Military orders to be observed, since the reader may be better satisfied therein by several other Pens who have most amply written concerning this famous Captains deeds, and shall proceed more particularly to describe his life. Now by his robbings and thieveries he had so well thrived on all sides, that at last he was not a little troubled, how to preserve that which he had unjustly acquired. And therefore he took two Puissant men among the Massagethians to be his 
Tamberl. associates.  Associates, viz. Chaidaren & Mirxeus, who being gained by the presents which he gave them, came unto his relief with their Forces, and with this support, he fell upon the Tartars, overcame them, and defeated 
Tamberlin defeats the Tartars.  their Cavalry, which gained him such a repu●e, as that the inhabitants of Samercand furnished him with Gold and Silver, and Forces to go through with his undertake. So likewise the King of the Massagethans made Tamburlaine General of all his 
Tamberlin General of the Massagetans.  Forces to his own ruin; for at the taking of Pogdatus a City in Tartary, Tamburlaine (on purpose to usurp his Kingdom) did cause a Fig to be given him, and after his death married his widow. And immediately after made himself King of Samercand, and of the Massagets; Harbouring a design at that very time to conquer the Empire of Asia; whereunto he was much solicited and egged on by Chaidarus, who brought Myrxeus in disgrace with Tamburlaine, to whom he had reported some words which Myrxeus had too freely and unadvisedly spoken 
Mirxeus disgraced and his death.  of Tamburlaine, whilst he was only General of the Massagets, which cost Myrxeus his life. Afterwards he began a War against the Hyrcanians 
The Hyrcanians and Caducians' conquered by Tamb. as also the Arabians.  and Caducians', whom he conquered. And because the Arabians did ravage the neighbouring parts, and gave relief unto the Caducians', he thereupon took an occasion to invade all the Nations which were subject to the Sultan of Persia, of Baldacia, Damatia, and of Egypt. However, though he could not conquer them, after he had well-nigh tired them out, he agreed a Peace with them, conditionally, that they should furnish him with Forces to serve him in his wars, and to pay him an Annual Tribute as a sign of their submission.  
But whilst he was busied thus, tormenting some, and undermining others, flattering himself with the vain hopes of the great Conquest he should make, he was called home again by the troubles which were arisen in his own Country. For the great King of Catay, who is one of 
The King of Catay wars upon Tamberl.  the nine Indian Hordes, and the Sovereign of all the Tartars, had made a pretty spoil through all Tamberlain's Country, who in the beginning thought to have thundered him out again: but finding with whom he had to deal, apprehending lest if he should exasperate the great Cham of Catay too much, it might endanger his possessions, was constrained to come to a Treaty, and to demand a Peace, which was granted him, conditionally that Tamburlaine should do him homage, and should pay a 
Tamberl. makes a peace with the King of Ca●ay.  yearly Tribute for the Messagetes Country which he held. N●r need we to doubt but that Tamburlaine might have withstood the great Tartar, but that he was loath to diminish his Forces, with which he was resolved to wage War against the Ottoman Family; being spurred on there unto by the great Ambition he had always to undertake some considerable expedition or other against his Neighbours. Wherefore being entered Cappadocia, he besieged the City of Sebasta, and fought against it with so much dexterity, as that the Turks being 
Tamberl. wars against the Tu●ks, t●kes Sebasta.  discouraged, and having lost all hopes of being relieved, had not the heart to defend themselves against the Scythians, Persia●● ●●d B●ctrians; who having t●ken the Town, put all to the sword 〈◊〉 they found in the place, ●o that it is s●i● there died that day above 120●00 souls, besides some persons of quality which were taken, and amongst the rest the son of Bajazet, the first of that Name, who by his Father had been put in the City of Sebasta, the better to provide for 
Bajazet 's Soa●taken in Sebasta, and put to death.  the defence of it; but he had not long kept it, before Tamburlaine made him pass under the merciless cruelty of his most impious rage. After which he sent Ambassadors unto Bajazet, commanding him to render unto all those whom he had dispossessed, whatsoever he most unjustly detained from them (which was but a mere pretence in Tamburlaine to pick a quarrel with 
Tamberl. pretence to war upon Bajazet.  Bajazet) as also to pay unto him vast and excessive Tributes. Nor will I here venture to contest whether Tamburlaine had just cause to war against Bajazet, as being a Tyrant; for all the world knows this Tartar made use only of ●his cloak or pretence the better to colour and disguise his design against this poor Turk; who 
Arrogant titles appropriated to Tamberl. and Bajazet's names.  although he was called Temis Cuthlu, which in the Tartarian Language signifies a Fortunate Iron, because he was not only happy in his enterprises, but as vali●nt as his Sword; insomuch as that he made a great part of the world to tremble: So on the other part Bajazet was surnamed Lelapa, which signifies a Furious Wave, and Hiidin, which signifies Boisterous & Impetuous. Notwithstanding Tamburlaine did make him know, that his Fortunate sword did not apprehend the being shaken or broken by the Turkish Waves and Thunder bolts; but that to the contrary his name Lelapa was rather to be styled a Whirlwind, not by reason of Bajazet's virtue and 
A great defect in Bajazet.  valour, but because of his passion and hastiness, whereby those fortunate enterprises were dissipated an confounded, which he might have carried on gloriously, had he suffered reason to have been his guide. And it even fell out so; for Bajazet returned a very smart answer unto Tamburlaine, and unadvisedly tainted the Tartars wives honour; which words cost him 
Tamberl. c●●asperated against Bajazet's answer by his wife.  dear. For as Tamburlaine did not ear any good will to Bajazet at all, so his Wife being en●aged at the indignities which were put upon her by the Turk, did ●o highly incense her Hu●b●nd, as that he was not to expect any Peace with his Wife, unless he pursued the Turk wi●h Fire & Sword.  
Wherefore Tamburlaine assembled 
A war between Tamberl. and Bajazet.  a formidable Army of Tartarians, Seythia●s, Persians, Armenians, and Bactrians, amounting unto the number of 800000 fight men, and passed through the Provinces of Lydia and Phrygia, which ca●sed Bajazet to raise the siege of Constantinople, and to march unto Asia, to hinder the M●ssagetan from coming into his Country; resolving before Tamburlaine should have time to proceed, he would encounter him, and fight him in Armenia, or upon the banks of Euphrates, and although they ●ought each other, yet they could not meet a long while, Bajazet's Council in the interim were of opinion, that he should do well to treat with Tamburlaine, seeing he was not strong enough to resist him, and would not dispend his Treasury to raise new Forces. After which the Turk having intelligence that Tamburlaine marched into Bythinia, to besiege Pruse (heretofore called Bruse) 
Tam●erl fights Bajazer, and kills a great ●●mber of the Turks.  the chief City of the Country, and the Royal Seat, he resolved to fight him in that place. And both Armies joined Battle in the Mount Stella (where Pompey fought wi●h Mithridates in the year one thousand three hundred ninety and seven) and the Turk chancing to be worried, there were above two hundred thousand of them slain in the place, and an infinite number taken. Now Bajazet perceiving the day was lost, began to acknowledge his error, when it was too late; wherefore he resolved to repair the faults the best he could, and save himself by flight, being mounted on a Mare, which was as swift as the wind. But the misfortune of his disaster following him, he was pursued by the Tamberlanists, who overtook him, by the fault which Bajazeth committed in letting his 
Bajazeth taken prisoner.  Mare drink, who thereby became so heavy and replenished, as that she could not make so much way as she did before; besides all which, this poor King was troubled with the Gout, which had disabled his hands and his feet.  
The Tamberlainists having seized on so rich a booty, as also on all the Bassa's, Beglerbegs, Aga's, and Sangea's of the King of Turkey; he was brought unto Tamburlaine, who taking him by the shoulders, said these words, Thou disloyal Coward, thou art now my Slave, and thou shalt receive the reward of thy deserts. Bajazet being full of amazement, answered him, I pray you Sir, kill me: but the Conqueror replied, Let's go, let's go, there is no man can save thee. Whenas this miserable captive forgetting the miserable estate wherein he was, returned harsh language unto his Conqueror, and with injurious 
Bajazeths' indiscretion in reproaching of ● Tamburlaine.  terms began to inveigh against Tamburlaine, reproaching him with his base extraction, and with his former profession of thievery. So that it was a wonder this Zagathean did not cause him immediately to be slain; for on a less occasion he caused his great friend Mirxe to be put to death, because he only had adventured to say that the principality of Samercand was too well settled, to fall into the hands of so inferior a fellow, and so inconsiderate a robber as Tamburlaine was; although these words were not spoken in his presence, nor after he had attained to that dignity. But it seems he reserved the venting of his choler upon Bajazet, because he would not put him to death before he had observed all the formalities of Justice. And truly the Captive King had little reason to rail at him, for immediately he caused him to be set upon a M●le, and in a way of derision to be led through all the enemy's Camp, and afterwards caused him to tied in Golden Chains, and to ●e put in a Cage, carrying him up 
The indignities and miseries of Bajazet.  and down wheresoever he went; and when he got upon Horseback, he caused him to kneel down, setting his feet upon his neck and shoulders, making him his footstool (as formerly Sophorus the King of the Persians did ●nto Valerinus the Emperor of Rome) and fed him only with crumbs of bread and broken morsels, which he fl●ng unto him just as if he had been a Dog. However Bajazet's courage could not hereby be abashed, as it appeared when Tamburlaine caused that Sultaness which the Turk loved 
The Sultaness Bajazeths' wife serveth Tamburlaine at table.  best (and who was taken with the King's children and all Bajazet's Concubines in the Seraglio of Pruse or Bruse) and made her serve him at table. At which sight, the miserable Captive flew out into howl and roar, reproaching the Conqueror's baseness and p●ide, in making so little esteem of the Kingly race, for t●is Lady was the d●ughter of Eleazor King of Servia. Moreover these conquests so puffed u● this Tartars heart, as being not able to contain himself within any compass, 
Tamberlains designs to conquer Europe, prevented by his death.  he had designed to pass into Europe to Conquer it; but his death put a period to all his ambitious enterprises, in the year of our Lord fourteen hundred and three.  
He died as he lived, with thoughts full of Conquests and victories; his ambition is as wide as Europe, while his body is confined to a Grave-pit; his success was great, and his mind greater; he attained much, he aimed at more; he was born a beggar, but with a King in his belly; his temper was as rude as his Country, his education as little as his hopes, and his Manners rough and unhewn as his Calling. He was the most ambitious man that ever was heard of, and who would by no means be rendered civil nor familiar. Whereof a certain Genua Gentleman, who was one of his great favourites can give a testimony, who essaying to break him of his rudeness and inhumanity wherewithal he treated those which he had overcome, he answered him, How now thou Dog? dost thou think I am a man? I am the wrath of God, and the 
Tamberlains sense of himself.  ruin of mankind; nor have ●ca●ce any exceeded him in cruelty. Two examples whereof I shall set before you: The first was when he caused 
The inhuman ●●u●lty of ●amb●●lain.  that most barbarous inhumanity to be exercised at Damas' on the maidens and young children, who came ou● of the said City to meet him, clad in white, and bearing Oli●e-branches in their hands for a token of Peace and submission; this unworthy and cruel Tyrant set his Cavalry to Massacre and trample underfoot all that flower of youth, and taking the City, he put all the inhabitants thereof to the swo●●. The second was the impiety which he committed against the Spittle of Lepers which was joining unto the City of Sebasta; where by reason of their not communicating with the rest of the people, and so consequently were not in a capacity to prejudice the Tartar, and whereby 
Tamberlains impiety against the spittle of Lepers.  they might have promised themselves a privilege of security, yet he caused them to be inhumanely Massacred, alleging, That they infected the Air. But for all this I must not rob him of that honour which he acquired for his strict observance of Justice, even against his own Soldiers, 
Tamburlaine a great observer of Justice.  who as soon as they were taken in any offence, were most severely punished; which we may observe by the sentence which he caused to be inflicted upon one of his Captains, who walking on the Coast of the Caspian Sea, three leagues from Tamberlains Camp, and espying a very fair Maiden who went to draw water, he ravished her, whereupon the said Maiden, together with her Father, complaining to Tamburlaine that she had been violated as she was going to fetch water, by a disloyal and perfidious Tartar, and desiring him to do her Justice; he returned her a most Kingly and gracious answer, that he would most severely punish him: and so he did, for as the Tartarian Histories relate, he caused him to be impaled, or spitted on a stake alive. Finally lest the Reader might be mistaken, and might conceive, that in my description of this Tartarian Emperor's life, I was ignorant that he was called by another name besides Tamburlaine; I would therefore desire him to take notice, that I have called him 
Tamberlains right name.  so, to follow the general denomination of him in this manner, that so all men might know, of whom we do write these praises. For according to the Tartarian appellation, he was called the great Tamirrham, although others baptise him Timir Langue; and these latter, as far as I can conjecture (by the several comparisons which I have observed) do come the nearest to the Truth; at least do approach very nigh to the definition of the con●ition and qualities of the said Tartar, whose true name was doubtless Tamir; and by reason he was lame, they added the quality of Langue thereunto, which in the Tartarian language signifies no other thing save a lameness; and so called him Tamir Langue.  
Lame he was in his body, and crooked in his mind; weak in his Limbs, but strong in his Spirit: Limping as he was he would have over-●un Europe, if he had lived one year longer. The Turk was not a greater scourge to Christe●dom, than he was to the Turk, whom when he had whipped sufficiently, Go● dealt with as he will wi●● all the Instruments of his wrath, When the Child mends, burn the Rod.   
FINIS.   

Since these Sheets past the Press, news came that it was Sedges, not Zigeth that Count Serini hath lately taken.