The RUSSIAN IMPOSTOR: OR, THE HISTORY OF Muskovie, UNDER The Usurpation of BORIS AND THE Imposture of DEMETRIUS, Late Emperors of Muskovy.  
LONDON: Printed by J. C. for Thomas Basset, at the George in Fleetstreet, near Clifford's Inn. MDCLXXIV.   

IL VOSTRO MALIGNARE NON GIOVA NULLA.  printer's or publisher's device   

To the Right Honourable THOMAS Earl of Ossory, OF The Most Noble Order of the GARTER, etc.  
I Had no sooner engaged my thoughts in the following Narrative, but I judged it worthy of your Lordship's view; and my Concern in it, your Protection. Besides, at what Altar could I more reasonably make tender of this humble Sacrifice, but where I had already made Oblation of myself? Or to whom should I more properly expose the great Achievements of others, than to Him whose Courage and Civility are such, that both Peace and War seem equal Rivals for his Fame?  
I had large room in the last Summer's Expedition to contemplate the greatness of your Mind, and the Honour of your Nature; for I observed such generous impatience in you before the Fights, so much Valour, and Conduct, and Temper in them, and such care and pity for the hurt and unfortunate after them, that I reverenced and admired so many Virtues in one Person.  
These are the steps, my Lord, by which your Ancestors entered into the Temple of Honour. Thus has the Splendour of your House for so many Ages been upheld. And in what Firmament does there now shine a more Illustrious Star? Continue then to be propitious to the Nation, and kind unto  
My Lord, Your Lordship's most devoted Servant R. M.   

THE PREFACE.  
THese Collections being the Issues of some of my Foreign Rambles in the Late Times, whilst our Intestine Calamities rendered it infectious to abide within the Air of them, and laid aside amongst my neglected Papers, have run the risk of being stifled in their birth; when looking about me, and finding nothing considerable of this Story made public by any other hand, I fancied (I think not unreasonably) that it might, under the Character of being divertive, appear abroad in the crowd, without too much exposing its Author. Besides, I found so much parallel betwixt these Troubles and those of my Native Country, which by a Providence not many degrees short of Miracle, is but lately rescued (I may say, unenchanted) from an Imposture of more Artifice and Delicacy, by how much it is more difficult for one person to vary his shapes to the same eyes, than for those eyes to be deceived by variety of persons, that I have here thought good to present the world with some Observations of the later sort. The Scene of what I writ was laid in the great Empire of Muskovy, which, in the Memory of man hath laboured under an Imposture no less strange in its birth, than admirable in its productions; and if we consider the various vicissitudes of the Actors in it, not only surpassing what former Ages have delivered of this kind, but hardly to be paralleled by Posterity, unless it had already happened. For the better understanding of this History, I have thought fit to premise somewhat, but briefly, concerning it; upon no other design than that of gratifying such as are less versed in the Manners and Government of that Country.  
The vast Continent of Russia extends from the Frozen Ocean to the Caspian Sea; being also bordered upon by the Swedes, the Poles, and the Tartars. The length of it from the Cape of Ob to the Town of Czerkassy, is accounted 1520 English Miles: and its breadth from Corelenburg in the Confines of Finland to Lepin, 300 Germane, or 1200 English Miles. This great Territory is divided into many large Provinces, which give also names to, or receive them from their principal Cities; the Chief whereof is that of Moskwa, so called by the Inhabitants, and by us Musko, from whence also the whole Region is called Muskovy. The Country is sandy and plain, but well-nigh impassable, by reason of the multitude of Lakes and Rivers, save in the Winter, which is long, and insufferably cold; but most of their Commerce is driven then, upon their Sleds and Ice. The Summer is in its turn as violently hot, and seems the more intense by reason of its short stay; sufficing howsoever to ripen their Herbage, and Corn, and Fruits; especially such as survived the rigour of the cold. It abounds in Flax and Hemp, and an immense quantity of Honey; the Woods, which are many and great, being filled with swarms of Bees, as also of Birds and of wild Beasts; the precious Furs of the later bring in such high esteem in the world. The Inhabitants (we will except those of the first Rank) are barbarous, yet cunning, unfaithful, immeasurably debauched, luxurious, cruel; and yet so servile, that they glory in it. The Nobility think it an honour to be esteemed the most abject of Slaves to their Princes; but they again insult and tyrannize over their Vassals, though all acknowledge the Despotic power of their Duke; who is so absolute, that he is Sovereign of the lives and fortunes of every individual; being fettered by no Law but that of his will, which is as extensive as his pleasure. In a word, there is no Government in the world where the Prerogative of the Prince and the Servitude of the People are greater. For all this, He admits of a precarious Council, many of them of the Clergy, the better to impose upon the ignorant and superstitious Commonalty, who think nothing Sacred that they have not consented to, nor nothing hard that has their approbation. Their chief Strength consists in their Cavalry, all gentlemen's Sons: for none are esteemed Noble, who do not serve in the War. When all these meet, they are accounted 80000; and that is as oft as the Great Duke pleaseth: these have Land and Stipends allotted for their subsistence. The Foot all Fire-men, are 12000 in ordinary pay; nor are there any Strangers employed, but upon extraordinary occasions. Whereas our chief care is to provide Victuals for our Armies, their Prince takes none at all for his; every Soldier being his own Purveyor, and content with a little, scarce using any thing but Biscuit and Meal. If they were as brave as they are strong, and understood War as well as hardship, what could resist their numbers and power? But they are heavy, and so addicted to servility, that they scarce desire, seldom acquire any great matters. Yet they have one other excellent quality, especially in Garrison, tenacious even to obstinacy, as appears, together with most of their other Virtues and Vices, in the sequel of this Narrative. This, as most other Countries, was at first governed by many and several petty Princes and Lords, until most truckling to the felicity of a few, these again did by Alliances and Conquests devolve upon one. John the Son of Basilius was the first that assumed the Title of Prince of all Russia, having not only reduced all others to his obedience, but shaken off the Tartars yoke, from whom his Predecessors received their Sceptres and Power. His Son Basilius equally happy, added the fair Provinces of Smolensko and Plescow to his Dominions, with the Honour of Knez, King and Emperor, to his Titles. John succeeded him, who adding Industry and Discipline to the Arts of his Forefathers, conquered the Kingdoms of Cazan and Astracan, and extended his Empire to the Confines of Persia. But he was no less cruel than brave; which did much asperse the glory of so many Victories. But this Prince being his Father, whose Story we writ, we will refer the rest of him, and the Reader, to the subsequent Relation.   

SECTION I.  
The Introduction. Theodorus dies, and Boris is chosen in his place. He causeth Demetrius the Heir of the Empire to be slain, to facilate his Election. A new Demetrius appears; his Education and Discovery. He is acknowledged in Poland, and enters Moscovy with an Army. He is beaten. He afterwards overthrows the Enemy in a memorable Battle. Boris enraged with this loss and the Competition of a Rival, transported with passion and fury, dies suddenly. His Elegy.  
ALong and uninterrupted series of Succession had devolved the Dominion of the vast Empire of Muscovy upon the person of John Basilius, who however preferable for his Cruelty to the most monstrous of Tyrants, did yet excel the Glory of all his Predecessors in the Lustre of his Actions, and Greatness of his Achievements. For having added the severe Rules of Military Discipline to his Industry and Valour, he extended the Bounds of his Dominions as far as Persia, and Conquered the Kingdoms of Casan and Astracan, in vain attempted by his Father before him.  
This Great Prince having lived six and fifty Years, and Reigned nine and thirty of them, was forced to quit this World, to search for that Repose in another which the violence of his mind had denied him in the midst of his Victories and Triumphs. Anastasia his first Lady had born him two Sons; John his Eldest, whom he slew with his own hands, upon no other provocation than that of his violent Temper; and Theodorus, Heir of his Empire, not his Greatness; though the Father labouring under the pangs of Death, was not wanting to recommend with much passion to his surviving Nobles the Conduct of that Son, in whom he proposed to himself the perpetuating of his Glories and Conquests. He yet left behind him another Son of a second Bed, the unhappy Demetrius, born in the extremity of his Father's Age, and brought up by his Mother till his supposed Decease, in the Castle of Vglecz.  
The Great Duchess, a Lady of a Masculine Presence and Carriage, was Sister to Boris Gedanow, Master of the Horse; who (by the joint Advantages of his Relation and Quality, added to the dexterity of his Address and Contrivances; to all which Conspired the Infirmness of Theodorus his Constitution, and the easiness of his Nature) had gained an entire possession of the Government. This Glorious Favourite having, by his Sister's Influence and his own Skill, gathered into his Manage the greatest Concerns of the State, had thereby the opportunity of obliging or removing the chief Officers of the Empire at pleasure. And whether having tasted the sweetness of Dominion, ordinarily quitted with much reluctancy; or that he had from the Death of his old Master laid his designs of placing the Crown upon his own head, is scarce questionable. However it was, the way seemed already smoothed by the indisposition of the Duke, and the acquired favour of the Nobility, who, preferments passing through his hands, gave them a necessary dependence upon him; none being advanced to any place of Honour or Trust, but as they were presented by this Prince-minister. Add to this, that Theodorus was Childless, though Married in his Father's life-time, who by reason of his Wife's Barrenness had oft commanded him to put her away; (a Practice consistent with the Power of those Princes:) but he consulting more his Affection than his Interest, had all that time delayed it: and now what the Duchess by her Influence had before exercised for the raising of her Brother to the Great Duke's Favour, is by his insinuations upon the Affections and Passions of the Prince returned to her with advantage, who for his sake continued her, as he had formerly for hers received him. He had indeed attained to a very great perfection in the Art of Government, which with the powerful Charms of Flattery and a well-dissembled passion for his Master's Interest, as it rendered Boris absolute in his greatness, so it rendered the Empire secure in the Fidelity and Watchfulness of so excellent a Minister, that laying aside the present Care of his Dominions, he was consequently as little thoughtful of a Successor; but indulging himself in his private Pleasures and Retirements, he became insensibly devested of the Majesty of one of the Greatest Princes of the Christian World. The main obstacle to the growing Ambition of Boris, was the Life of Demetrius Brother to the great Duke, and Heir apparent to the Crown. His destruction was therefore judged necessary to precede, in whom the Blood-Royal determined; there would want only the death of the Great Duke, to make way for the Election of a new Emperor. And the Constitution of that Government then considered, Boris might reasonably propose to himself the suffrages of the Nobles and People, who were actuated by his Counsels, and employed or discontinued in order to his Interests and Designs. Bloody Tyrants never want Bloody Instruments (witness that most horrid of Murders perpetrated in our own Land upon the best of Princes) neither is any Relation proof against the Charms of Ambition and Avarice in a degenerate mind. Boris by the aid of vast Presents, and promises of greater, had gained four of Demetrius his Servants to murder their Lord. The horridness of so sad an Assassination made them for some time suspend its execution, till hurried on by a consideration that they were too far advanced to retreat with safety, by threats of the Tyrant, and by the hopes of becoming suddenly Great, they resolved upon the cruel performance of what they had so wretchedly undertaken. All the difficulty now is, how it should be compassed; and several ways being proposed, they at length conclude, as followeth. An obscure gloomy Night is made choice of, as most proper and suitable to so black a deed; and the Town being set on fire in many places at once, these miscreants fill all with Tumult, and the terror of the Burning. This done, they fling themselves like men amazed into the Prince's Bedchamber, and awaking him with a sudden Fright, alarm his already-disturbed Spirits with the approaching danger. Demetrius starts up at the noise, and running to the window to see the Flames, is set upon by those he trusted most, and pierced in several places of his Body with long poisoned knives prepared for this inhuman Butchery. While the unhappy Child lay wallowing in his Blood, and struggling with his Fate, these villains, by the advantage of the Night, and the confusion they had raised, and upon Horses laid for them, posted to Boris with the news of the execution of his Command, and to receive their promised Salary. The Tyrant upon the first advertisement labouring under the Impressions of his Joy, received these Bloody Ministers of his will with no ordinary transport; till the heat of that Passion being spent, and reflecting upon what he had done; as it is the Nature of Gild and Treason never to think itself secure, he thought likewise his Practices might come to light: but being resolved these miscreants should not discover them, he by the temptation of excessive rewards hired other Executioners to destroy and make away these four first Murderers. And that he might not be engaged upon new contrivances, he designs the same Method for their Ruin, which they had squared out for the death of the Prince: in order whereto, as Vglecz was Sacrificed to his destruction, so Musko was put into flames for theirs. The Town is fired in many places at once, some hundreds of Houses buried in their own Ashes, while these hated Traitors were (though by unjust means) punished with a just retaliation for their execrable Villainy.  
But to return to Vglecz. As soon as the Fire was quenched, and that the Citizens began to be Composed from their disorder, a Rumour being spread that their Prince was Murdered, they violently break into the Castle; and finding what they feared to be true indeed, their distraction being now heightened to Fury and Outrage, they slaughtered all his Servants without distinction or enquiry: supposing the carelessness and neglect of the Innocent, no less culpable than the pernicious industry of the Guilty, they thought happily to purge themselves from the stain of the Fact, by their zeal in revenging it. But in vain: for Boris, to clear himself if any durst suspect him, and to signalise his pretended Passion to his Prince, made use of this Irregular vengeance of the Citizens as an Argument of their Gild; and laying the Murder at their door, because they had slain all those from whom inquisition might have been made concerning it without examining them at all, he caused them to be proceeded against as Criminals. Many of the chief amongst them were tortured, hanged, drowned, Banished, and exposed as examples of public Justice; while he (the better to disguise his cruelty) under the sense of so irreparable a loss, vests himself and the whole Court in mourning; And having dispatched Duke Basilius Zuisky with many prime Senators and Persons of Eminency, with Orders to Celebrate his Obsequies with all the Funebrial Pomp and Honour imaginable, he commanded that the very place of his Death (as guilty in failing to protect him) might not survive to be a witness to so great a loss, but (as Infamous) be immediately razed, and leveled with the ground.  
Demetrius being thus removed, Theodorus did not long survive him; and 'tis more than conjectural, that his end was hastened by the impatience of Boris, and the violence of a secret poison. However it was, the Duke sensible of his weakness, and the approach of his departure, bequeathed the Government of the Empire to the conduct of the Lady Irena his Wife, sister to Boris: the Patriarch was appointed her Assistant, and both of them by the dying Prince recommended to the Valour and Fidelity of the Great ones of his Kingdom.  
Theodorus being dead, and the Solemnities of his Funerals performed with all becoming Ceremonies and Circumstances, his Duchess did readily ascend the Throne: but afterwards having some time toiled under the weight of so Great an Empire, whether out of unwillingness to fustain so Great a Burden, or, as is more probable, to secure the succession in her own House by transferring it upon her Brother, she declares her resolutions to quit so unequal a Charge: And accordingly yields up the Ensigns of her Authority into the hands of the Nobles, giving out, that for the Repose of her Soul she would Sequester herself from the turmoils of this World into the Retirement of a private Life. This news being spread amongst the people, did infinitely perplex them: for though they might have some reluctancy against the Government of a Woman, or that the servility of their Nature might at other times render them patiented of any Yoke; yet they wisely considered it more safe to submit to one, than many Tyrants. Boris in the mean time laid his trains at distance, choosing rather to have the Government devolve upon him by necessary Consequence, than rudely to break in upon it; cherishes (by his secret Agents and Emissaries) the mutinous Temper of the People, who without an head were become uneasy to themselves as well as others. This subtle Statesman had in the interim withdrawn himself from all public business, to the retirements of a Countryhouse. All things in this State had a tendency towards confusion; some not daring, others not willing to lay hold upon the Government: and indeed, all the prime Ministers being raised by his Favour, not secure in the Counsels of each other, were emulous who should first conduct him to the Throne. In order whereto, they attend him with their Submissions and Addresses that he will take upon him the protection of a distracted State. The people transported by the apprehensions of their Ruin, seconded the Nobility with their Importunities. The Clergy, whose safety consisted in the Peace of the Empire, brought in their Supplications. The Nuns quitted their Cloisters, and instead of praying for their exquisite Artist, offer up their Prayers to him as their Tutelary Saint or Angel. The very Children, as if swayed by a Supernatural Impulsion, besieged him with Tears and Cries. And what he denied to all these Solicitations either apart or united, supposing them to have a respect to him only, not to themselves; he grants, as he declared, to the necessity of his Country; which being without a Head, and no man willing to undertake the care, he must offer violence to his own nature, rather than expose so glorious an Empire as a prey to every Invader. Who could all this while, under so dark a Veil, suspect him guilty of Poisoning his Sovereign, and the Murder of his Prince, to make way for his Crown, presented to him several times in vain by all the Orders of the Empire? But permitting himself at length to be overcome, he protested that he had given that to their importunity and the love of his Country, which he should for ever have denied to his own Honour and Greatness, and the Advancement of his House to so Illustrious a Rank. He confessed himself too weak for so great a Burden; but Courting the Aid of his Petitioners to his Assistance, he promised his utmost Endeavours to answer the obligingness of so Unanimous and Honourable an Election, wherewith they were pleased to signalise him above his Fellows: And since they had marked him out for their Emperor, he would no longer Question their Judgement, but cheerfully receive the Honour of that Trust; which he would die rather than betray or relinquish, but into their hands who committed it to him. He assured them, that where he could not equal his Predecessors in Glory and Merit, he would surpass them in Temperance, Evenness of Government, and the Impartial distribution of Justice to his People; as deriving his Greatness from their choice, and dedicating it wholly to their Service and Interest.  
Boris being thus come to the Crown, shown no less wisdom and conduct in conserving his Dignity, than he had exercised in the acquiring of it: he secured the Army and men of War to him by Gifts; the Nobles, by Preferments, Favours and suitable Graces; and the Commonalty, by a diminution of their Taxes, increase of their Privileges, protection and encouragement of Trade, and in all things by a gentle hand upon the Reins of Government; whereby he was become the Darling of his people, and the Honour of that Crown they had given him. He had an eye to the state of his Affairs abroad; in order whereto, he was careful to renew the Treaties with the Swede, Pole, the Persian, and neighbouring Tartar; and being secure beyond humane apprehensions to the contrary at home and abroad, he is from the Contrivances and Designs of a private Monk in a Cloister hurried into those discords and perplexities which no foreign Enemy with all his Powers could have reduced him to.  
This Monks right name (if we believe the contrary party) was Hrisko Otropeia, born a Gentleman, but of a decayed Family, in the Dukedom of Jareslaw. The debaucheries of his younger years were extraordinary, which necessitated his Parents to dispose of him into the Cloister of Trinouka, where he might have room to breath out the extravagancies of his youth by this more rigid conversation. This retiredness did not at all quadrate with the licentiousness of Hrisko's nature, who being of a Spirit overactive for the Contemplative life he was condemned to, had therewith a very advantageous mien and presence; which an old subtle Friar of that Covent taking notice of, one who had a secret Antipathy to the person of the Great Duke, though never disobliged by him (if at all known to him) he contracts a particular friendship with this young Probationer; and fully instructing him in the History of the Russian Chronicle, and with the present form of Government, he also acquaints him with all the circumstances of the late Changes in the State, and by what Arts and Assassinations Boris had possessed himself of the Empire. The Friar having thus qualified his Pupil, tempts him away from his Cloister and Country, and secretly conveys him into the Dukedom of Kiow; where, with some difficulty, he places him in the service of Duke Adam Wisnioweski; furnishing him with apt Rules for the discovery of himself when a seasonable opportunity should be offered. Hrisko being thus disposed of, the Friar leaves him, and returns into Russia; giving it out every where, that Demetrius the right Heir of Moscovy was yet alive: that his Murder had been designed by that bloody Tyrant Boris, but that his Mother, the Great Duchess Dowager, having gained private Intelligence of the Plot, and in that Juncture of Affairs judging no place secure against the power and malice of the Favourite, thought it more safe to avoid the storm, than vainly to resist it: in order whereto, she caused Demetrius to be conveyed away under the conduct of only one Servant privy to his Estate; and the better to disguise his flight, had provided another Child of the same Age (a Priest's Son at Vglecz) of shapes and features not unlike the Prince, whom the Murderers killed in his stead. He affirmed further, That the Corpse was suddenly Coffined by the wary and honest Lord Chamberlain, a Germane, privy to this pious fraud, in order to his Interment; whereby the escape of the Prince was managed with less difficulty; who was at present in Duke Wisnioweski's Court in great Honour, and acknowledged and treated as Emperor of Muscovy: That his preparations were in a good forwardness for the recovery of his Rights; and assures the Cossacks, that if they would espouse his Quarrel, they should share in his Conquests, and their Pay (for it is a Military Nation) be much bettered. Whilst the Friar by whispers of this kind was accommodating the people's inclination to his own Designs, Demetrius, (for so we shall hereafter call him) remains in the Duke's Court, in the Quality of his Chamberlain; but not forgetting the Rules his Tutor had left with him, he employs all his spare time in the exercise of those Qualities and Graces which render Great Persons more considerable; as, riding the great Horse, Tilting, Fencing, and whatever else might bear proportion with that Greatness he resolved to pretend to. His Conversation amongst his Fellows was reserved, and yet obliging; towards his Mr. full of Respect and Submission, not without the mixture of an Air which spoke his Services more the effect of Gratitude than Duty.  
Thus did this apt Scholar demean himself in the Court of Wisnioweski, watching all opportunities to put in practice the Documents of his Tutor; which by an accident of some severity, were seasonably offered, and laid hold of by him. For the Duke being one day in a Bath, his Chamberlain had omitted some necessary circumstance about his Person, wherewith his Choler being raised, he strikes him upon the Face, calling him the Son of a Whore. Demetrius not at all surprised with this usage, (as if forgetting the Quality of a Servant) seemed infinitely perplexed at so unkind a Treatment from a person his equal at least, if not his inferior; and the scorn and unkindness of a Blow from one whom he had vouchsafed to serve, transporting him to a discovery of himself beyond a retreat: His Eyes filled with Tears, he breaks forth into these words: My Lord, were my Quality as well known unto you as my Person and Service, your Grace would have spared your ill Language, and your Blows, both which I equally scorn and grieve at; being that where I promised myself a Sanctuary, and Aids for my Restauration, I am discouraged by this rugged Treatment from expecting either. And as recollecting himself for having said so much, he stopped suddenly. The Duke being strangely surprised by his Servants discourse, and behaviour in this discourse, hastily asked him, What mean these ambiguous Speeches? Who art thou? Of what Country, and Name? and upon what designs art thou here? His haste by these multiplied Questions to know all, without permitting Demetrius to speak, and answer them severally, gave him room to clear up; and composing his Countenance into a more Grave posture, not without a becoming sadness and modesty, answered, That his Country was Muskcovy; his Father John Basilius the deceased Emperor; his Name Demetrius; and his Business there, for Protection and Aid against Boris, the most bloody of Tyrants, who had laid designs to murder him, but that by the care of his Mother, and the fidelity of a Servant, he was conveyed away; another Child of his Age, and not unlike him, being laid in his place, whom the Assassinates killed, supposing it to be him. That since that escape, he had been concealed in a Covent of Monks; till a just ambition of getting his own, had tempted him into the world to try what was to be done. And to confirm all this, putting his hand into his Bosom, draws out a rich Cross of Gold beset with Diamonds, which he said was the only Testimony of Royalty his Mother had left with him upon his escape. Then casting himself at the Duke's feet, he breaks forth into these Expressions: Now Sir, that I have discovered to you a Secret of that nature which no Rack could have extorted from me, you are become Master of my life and fortunes: neither have I thus exposed myself to your knowledge without design, it being equal to me to die, as to whither and languish in this servile condition. But if you will make good that confidence which first swayed me to put my self under your Protection; refuse me not those favours which I have promised myself from your Justice and Virtue. Let not the wickedness and evil consequence of the example receive countenance from so just a Prince, but give yourself the Honour of assisting me to cleanse my Throne from the usurpation of a Tyrant, by so much the more Ignominious, by how much he stands obliged to me, as my Subject and Vassal. And for your recompense, besides the having performed so good an Act, which brings with it its own rewards, I shall think no acknowledgement too dear for you. The Duke astonished at this discourse, and at the same time reflecting upon former passages in the behaviour of his Servant, which comparing with the seeming probability of his narrative, and his mien in delivering of it, besides the Rumour spread abroad that Demetrius was yet alive, was at a loss how to behave himself; but being divided in his resolution, he made a kind of excuse to his Servant, that not knowing his Quality, he ought to pardon any miscarriage towards him; and requesting him to stay where he was, till he should send to him. He left him very anxious what would be determined concerning him. The Duke full of amazement and irresolution, hastes to his Lady's Chamber, to whom he repeated the whole story of his encounter with his Servant Hrisko. The Duchess, according to the nature of Women, much pleased with the novelty, judged the matter very probable, because not altogether impossible: and then comparing all circumstances together, she raises her likelihood to a certainty, that it could not otherwise be; that she had ever observed in his very Face, the marks of Greatness; that he had ever aspired to noble Qualities; that no Impostor could have dared under so young years to own so hazardous a discovery; and that therefore it must be Demetrius, and no other, who had cast himself into their arms for Protection, which by all Laws, Divine and Humane, they were obliged to afford him. Thus having determined the matter, care was had for his reception, in a way proportionable to the Greatness of his Quality; and the whole Court immediately disposed into a State fit to have received the Great Duke and Emperor of Muskovy, that evening. A train of Servants of all sorts, with horses for the Saddle and Coach suitably accoutred, were forthwith ordered, and an Apartment in the most honourable part of the house was made ready with all imaginable State becoming so Great a Prince. This being done, the Duke having loaden twelve Servants with presents of the Richest things in his possession, and most suitable for the occasion, himself in Person ushers them with much Submission and Ceremony to his late Servant Hrisko, conducts him to his Apartment, humbly beseeching his Highness to receive those trifles as a testimony of his service, and devotion to his interest; declaring his resolution to contribute all his Powers for the settling him upon the Throne of his Fathers.  
Demetrius being by this time reassured, receives the Duke's Compliment with a becoming Reservedness and Civility, repeating to him his Engagements; and that when it should please God to restore him to his Dominions, he would give more effectual Testimonies of his resolutions never to forget so seasonable & obliging Favours.  
This extraordinary change in Wisnioweski's Court, managed with so great Ceremonies in the view of the whole world, failed not to justify those Whispers scattered abroad by the Old Friar's industry, and gave a confirmation of those Rumours dispersed in the adjacent Kingdoms and Countries: and what before could make no impression upon the faith of the Cossacks, is now become an Article of it; That Demetrius, Son to John Basilius, and right Heir to the Empire of Musko, was alive, and in safety. But no man apprehended the report with more Terror than Boris; guilt and fear rendering even impossibilities conceivable, though he knew not how to reconcile the present reports with those had been made unto him by his Assassinates, and were confirmed by the Solemnities of the Prince's Funeral: but being of a present Courage and Judgement, laid by his wonders, to make room for his Industry and Conduct; and wisely foreseeing what great disorders the Novelty might produce, if not seasonably prevented, He immediately posts away his dispatches with Presents to Wisnioweski; besides an Offer of a perpetual League, and several Castles and Towns upon the Borders, convenient for him, with a vast sum of ready Money, upon condition he would dead or alive send him that Traitor and Impostor who presumed to abuse the world by assuming the name and person of Demetrius; warily mixing his Courtship with some threats, That Wisnioweski he hoped was too wise to be made a property to gratify the Malice of any that should dare to interrupt his repose. Wisnioweski was so far from being swayed by the Messages and Temptations of Boris, that he became wholly confirmed in what he made some doubt of before; and concluding that this seeming Hrisko was the true Demetrius, he resolves to espouse his Cause and Interest. In order whereto, Boris having strong Forces upon the Borders, the Duke with Demetrius took Coach immediately, and with some Horse that he had in a readiness, retires to Wisnioweski, a strong Town of his farther in the Country: being come thither, he puts the Great Duke's Letters into Demetrius his hands; who having perused them, after some little pause, cast himself at the Duke's feet, and with interrupted words said to him, Sir, I am in God's hands and in yours; the Fortunes and Person of Demetrius are at your dispose: but my Trust is in the Honour of your promises, and that the temptations of this Usurper shall have no influence upon your Integrity. Wisnioweski raised him up with much Humanity and Respect, bids him be sure he would not departed from that faith he had already passed to him, for all the Dominions in the world; that he had therefore brought him to that place, further out of his Enemies reach, where he wished him to remain with his Attendants, while himself went back to a nearer distance from Boris, in order to a better discovery of his designs.  
Boris being impatient of Wisnioweski's delays, sends yet again to him, before the return of his former Agent, with larger offers; but suspecting the Duke was not to be wrought upon, he gave secret instructions, that by some Art or other Demetrius should be privately Murdered or Poisoned. The Duke by means of a secret correspondent in the Court of Boris, having notice of this design, & judging Demetrius scarce safe at so near a distance, recommends him to the Palatine of Sondomiria, by whom he was received with all imaginable Demonstrations of an entire Respect and Honour, as due to a Person of so Illustrious Quality. Being thus by the mediation of his supporter disposed into a place of better security, he had more room to reflect upon the Documents of his Tutor: And being quick of apprehension, close in his nature, and apt to promise himself a glorious Issue to these fair beginnings; he nourishes his fancy with high Reflections, whereby his thoughts being sublimated, his very nature was changed into that of Princes. Greatness had seemed to take possession of his Soul; and what by a conversation with persons of the first Rank, and discourses of Kingdoms and Empires, the part he Acted was become natural to him. His faculties were pregnant, and his courage not unbecoming the Person assumed by him. He had an understanding above his Age, and a presence so agreeable, that he seldom or never lost ground where he had room to Act his own part. He was not insensible of the present State of his affairs; that he was fallen into the hands of strangers, who having taken fire at the novelty of his Fortune, would be apt to cool again at the least hard weather that should fall upon it. 'Tis true, he had received very honourable promises of protection from Wisnioweski, but he wisely considered those would depend upon Interest of State; and when the Duke should judge it more conducible to his affairs to deliver him up, he foresaw it would be his fate to be the sacrifice of the Duke's peace. He therefore casts about how to lay a more solid Foundation for his greatness, and at all turns calling to mind the Rules of his Tutor the Monk, he contrives how to involve the Interest of such who had or should own him, with his own. He was now in a Country that professed the Roman faith; he considered that his Aids must be procured from those of the same Belief; and observing the zeal of the Jesuits in the propagating of that Doctrine, and that they had an influence upon the Counsels of most Christian Princes, he fixed upon them, as the first Cornerstone to his new Fabric. They, who were not without their designs neither, had easy access into his presence; and taking all opportunities to feel his Pulse, they were not wanting to let fall their observations upon the fortune of him and his Family, as labouring under the Judgements of God, and the Wrath of Christ, in refusing Obedience to his Vicar the Pope; not failing to urge the suitableness of the punishment, which rendered the hand of God the more visible: that that Prince who in opposition to the Catholic Church had owned a Heterodox Patriarch, renouncing the Supremacy of the Infallible Chair, should have the Throne of his Fathers possessed by an Usurper. Our Demetrius seeming to be staggered by these and the like arguments, did with equal art suffer himself to be convinced, but Gradually, and upon the Impulses of Conscience, lest he might be thought to have a more faint Zeal to the truth of Religion, than to the recovery of his Empire. He therefore makes his doubts and scruples upon the account of that, and receives their solutions with so seeming an Innocence and Simplicity, that they promised to themselves a Conquest of his heart as well as of his head. He failed not to hint the reasons of State which would oblige him to profess the Religion of his Fathers; and that to own any other, were to make a general War upon the Consciences of his whole people, who upon declaration of himself to be given over to the Church of Rome, would make it matter of Conscience to resist him as the public Enemy to their faith: That what the Usurper wanted in the justness of his Title, would be supplied by the asserting the faith of Muskovy, and by the Influence of the Patriarch, whose Dominion over the Conscience of the Muskovites was the more absolute, by how much they were the more ignorant in the knowledge of the best things; the common people being always swayed by a blind devotion, which derived to them from their Ancestors, they could better defend by Arms than Arguments. However, he let fall some professions, which coming from him by snatches, seemed therefore the more real, that no Reasons of State or Interests should engage him against the convictions of his Conscience, & that he would not purchase the Universe with the wounding of that. These ejaculations did yet more inflame these Apostles, and they were themselves taken in their own Artifice; concluding him real, while they were labouring to possess him that they were so; and resolving, that he being once brought off from his former Tenets, they had gained a Champion to their Cause, whose soul was engaged in the Quarrel. Thus did our young Statesman lay his Foundation à Jove; but his affairs being of an active nature, he contrives how to fix to himself an Interest, which if things fell out well, might bear some proportion with the greatness of his pretensions; if otherwise, might prepare him a retreat, where he might subsist in honour.  
The Palatine had a daughter young and sprightly, of an Air Noble and Masculine And though her Carriage was more charming than her Complexion, and her distinct parts less winning than the Composition; yet in her Entire, she was very lovely and taking. To all this, she was endued with a Courage above the ordinaries other Sex; and that so tempered and allayed by a great measure of Understanding, that she was considered at the rate of a second Pallas: and all this attended with a presence so Majestic, that her very aspect rendered all her beholders her Adorers.  
Demetrius considering this Lady as 〈◊〉 proper object for his Passions, judged i● very conducible to his Interests to plan● himself into so Illustrious a Family. Fo● the Palatine was a person very considerable in his Quality, potent in Allies, able it Council, and rich in Men and Money Demetrius swayed by these motives, reasonably supposing that the Palatines ambition would dispose him to cast in hi● daughter into the Fortunes of a person where she should stand fair to be one of the greatest Princesses of the Universe, resolves to make his Addresses to him.  
Whilst he was entertaining himself with these thoughts, he was again visited by the Jesuits; whereof one, a very grave person, to whom the rest seemed to pay most respect, finding himself singly with the Prince, and both removed from the company, (for they withdrew to a convenient distance) said to him to this purpose: My Lord, had I not a very great assurance of your wisdom and virtue, I should not with so much passion offer myself to the service of your interests. Your temper hath so far prevailed upon me, that I must profess in myself a natural propensity to your services, for the sake of your person, which will be always dear to me. It is upon that account that I press thus (I must acknowledge with much indecency) upon your retirements. Father, said Demetrius, as I have ever had a high esteem of your wisdom and piety; so have I in my heart retained due acknowledgements of your zeal for my concerns. My Lord, replied the Jesuit, being fully convinced of your Candour in rightly understanding my devotions for you, I shall use the more freedom towards you. I have, according to the best of my understanding and observation, weighed every circumstance of your Condition, with the present posture of your Affair; and I must needs say, that upon the whole matter I find it full of intricacies and hazards. Your Adversary is a person of great wisdom, experience and courage, in possession of a vast Empire, to which he is ascended by many gradual Contrivances, that render him a Statesman of no ordinary Endowments. His Interests are laid deep in the Affections of the Nobility, most of whom he took care while the old Emperor lived to link to him by Preferments and Favours, and though some amongst them may malign his Precedency and Election to the Throne yet we are reasonably to suppose, that all Places of Trust and Power are in the hands of his Dependants and Favourites. You cannot be ignorant how he endeavours to slain your Pretensions and Titles with the Ignominy of Imposture; which he hath spread abroad with much Artifice; making the Story so particular, that it carries with it the greater face of truth, as that which because all men have power to examine, they therefore admit, without examination. To all this, add how you are but lately discovered to the World; and that in your discovery, you have not been so happy as to produce any other Testimony of your Quality besides your own. And though there needs no more to conclude you descended from Emperors, than to look upon your face, where Majesty sits enthroned as in its proper seat; yet you must confess with me, that this Evidence is too delicate for the grosser multitude, who believe all things and nothing much alike. Let me therefore, who have studied your Concerns, and am not a stranger to the Constitution of your Empire, presume to offer you my humble and faithful Advice, grounded upon my true love to your Cause, and upon my great experience of the Affairs of this World, and the present posture of this Kingdom in which you now receive shelter. You must in the first place know, that there is not now living a more ambitious person than the Palatine; and could you so far descend below yourself, as to make an Alliance with him, it would put so great countenance upon your Cause, that I know no one thing in the world would more contribute to the success of it. He is considered as a person of great wisdom, and that he would not cast away his daughter upon an Impostor; and whatever may be spread abroad to your disreputation, would lose much of its credit, when the World should see that he, in a flourishing condition, should give away his only Daughter, a person of high Accomplishments, and of an Illustrious extraction, into your arms. As for the change of your Religion, wherein I most magnify your piety, and shall always offer up to the Father of Mercy my poor Prayers and thanks for touching and inflaming your Princely heart with the love of the truth: Let me be free with you, and tell you, that that Point is to be handled with much caution: though it will be necessary to persuade our Holy Father the Pope of your reality, yet it will be as requisite to suppress all breathe of it in your own Territories; and 'tis therefore that I the more earnestly advise this Alliance, which as it will draw the King of Poland to your Aid, so it will satisfy the scruples of the Nobility and People of Muskovy, that what the Palatine does for you by himself and his Confederates, is for his own Child also. And now that I have given you the best counsel I am capable of offering to so High and Wise a Prince, I humbly supplicate your pardon, if in the freedom of it I have let fall any expression unworthy of your Sacred ears. Having spoke this, he was silent. Whereupon Demetrius approaching him nearer, takes him in his arms, and embracing him with all imaginable affection, Father, says he, I receive your counsel as proceeding from an Oracle, and I shall pursue it, as that upon which will depend my future happiness; I only beg, that as you have advised the main, you will contribute your particular Aids, and instruct me as well in the method as the thing. My Lord, replied the Jesuit, since you are pleased to receive my true meaning with so great affection, I shall not decline your service in any circumstance: Make your addresses to the young Lady; and when you have tasted her inclination, my advice is, that you move her Father for his Consent. I shall be consulted by him in the Affair, and you need not doubt of my Fidelity to your Interests, only it may be convenient for you to communicate to me the Progress of your applications, whereby I may the better contrive myself for your service. Demetrius promised to pursue his instructions; and it now being grown late, he dismissed the Father with a very great Sensibility of his zeal and services. He being gone, Demetrius indulged the happiness of his fortunes, and was overjoyed to think how powerful an Advocate he had gotten. He was not without reflections upon the reality of his own Birth, and considered that by the same Rules he had deceived this quick-eyed Jusuite, he might much more captivate the sight and sense of the thick-sighted Multitude. For Religion, he knew that his heart had little of that to sway it, only he saw the pretence was necessary. He considered it as a good step to ascend to a Throne by, and that if he could by pretending to that, raise himself to the possession of an Empire, he concluded his Title would then be clear enough: in the mean time he resolved to pursue his designs, though he died in the attempt; and one day taking an opportunity to speak to the Palatine, unbosomed himself to him with such protestations of love for his Daughter, that he seemed to prefer his acquisition of her, to that of his Empire. The Palatine very sensible of the honour of this Alliance, and too wise not to venture upon such fair hopes, being also prepared by the Jesuit, is said to have answered him after this manner.  
My Lord, though what you are pleased to propose to me, be a matter of consequence, not to be determined upon single Counsels, yet your person hath something of magnetic in it, that hurries me by secret impulsions to your service and interests, which leave me no room to consider, but how far I may contribute to those ends. That noble Testimony you gave me of an affection for my Daughter, hath gained so much credit with me, that I make not the least doubt of it; and in that moment you mentioned it to me, I must say, you spoke the desires and ambition of my soul: and having cleared that to you, which you are pleased to place in the first rank, let me oblige you to take my advice in the conduct of your other affairs, which in my judgement are more considerable. You have before you an undertaking which will require all your powers and faculties for the effectual prosecutions of it; you have upon you the eyes of the whole Christian World; you have a potent Enemy seated upon your Throne, who hath all his Engines at work for your confusion. The reputation of your Courage, your discretion, and indeed the reality of your being the true Demetrius, are all at stake, and must be vindicated by an industry worthy of you; else, let me take the freedom to tell you, you are not worthy of Marina, were she meaner than she is. Then as to the seasonableness of what you please to urge concerning her; I must with the same freedom tell you, that considering the Aids you depend upon, you ought not to think of marrying in this Juncture. King Sigismond hath declared himself for your supply, with both men and money; and who knows but that the part he may pretend in your disposal, may render him more zealous for you? Others, while you are single, will run in to your assistance, every man forming to himself his hopes and expectations according to the condition of his Affairs; which you must nourish by those ways and arts which may increase, not diminish your Confederates. I know I run a great risk in this advice: It may possibly fall out, that when you are ascended up to your Throne upon the necks of your Enemies, and shall be seated there Triumphant in their confusions, that your Appetite may change; Marina may be ugly in your eye, or mean in your esteem; and then all those obliging promises will be forgot: But le● that, or worse (if it may be) be the consequence of this delay, I cannot allow my self otherwise to advise you than I do. And to confirm to you that my Counsel respects you, not myself, and that it is built upon Foundations of Honour and Integrity; I do here promise you that I will Raise all the power I am able, and march in person with it, for the recovery of your Kingdom. I will espouse your Interests with the same fervour as if they were my own; and will die in the attempt, or will cut out a passage for you to your Dominions through the heart of the Usurper. After this profession of mine, let me have no more doubtings to remain in you, but cheer up, and intent the prosecution of your Interests. Conceal and smother your passions for Marina, and let the Courage which is in your Soul shine in your eyes: It will like fire kindle a flame in others, which being cherished as it ought, will strengthen your hands, and multiply your numbers. I will not permit you to object any thing to this; I know 'tis the best way for you. I will so far pretend to the power of a Father (since you give me the honour to expect it) as to impose upon you in this affair.  
Thus did the wise Palatine play with the temper of this young Gallant, bearing him in hand with hopes, grounded upon arguments and probabilities, which he could neither contradict, nor in his judgement disapprove of. Demetrius however pleased with the obligingness of these promises, yet seemed afflicted at the delay imposed upon him; but seeing no other remedy, and that the enjoyment of his Mistress depended upon his Establishment in his Throne, he seemed to desire this but as relative to the other: and now, as awaked out of an amorous lethargy, he bestirred himself with more fervour than before. And reviving his considerations as to that part of his business which he would have to be acted by the Jesuits, he admitted them more frequently into his presence, not only declaring his conversion to their Religion, but promising to reduce Muskovy under the obedience of the Pope; and to make that provision for the Clergy, in Colleges, Monasteries, and other Endowments, that the whole World should be convinced of his entire Submission to the Apostolic Sea. He was grown so exact a Statesman, as to discern that the designs of Empire are no way more properly carried on, than under the Veil of Religion, where the parties to be managed may find their satisfaction as well in point of Interest as Conscience. The Father's overjoyed with the hopes of so fair an accession to St. Peter's Patrimony, promise Mountains, and assure him they will embark all the Princes of the Christian World in the Quarrel. Neither were these industrious undertakers any way remiss in their endeavours. Demetrius his Interests were now become theirs, and a Croysado was resolved on, to put more countenance on the holiness of them: To this end, they acquaint the Pope with the design, Soliciting his Holiness to espouse it as the concern of the Church, and accordingly to order powerful supplies of his own, besides vigorous Recommendations to the King and Nobility of Poland, as nearest hand. Demetrius also writ his Letters in reasonable good Latin, which he had learned in his Cloister, and with his own hand, to the then Pope Clement the eighth, in the Style of Emperor of Russia; wherein bewailing his own unhappiness, he besought the Aid, Prayers and Counsels of his Holiness, against the usurpations of Boris; promising that if it pleased God to restore him to his Crowns, he would not only bring in his erring Inheritance into the Communion of the Mother-Church, but by a perfect Obedience to his Holiness, as the Head of the same, signalise his gratitude to all Posterity.  
He continued all this while at Sandomiria, and had not yet been presented to the King; which he seemed passionately to desire, hoping by the advantage of a personal interview, and the telling of his own story, to gain upon the inclination of that mild Prince: and indeed he was not mistaken in his computation; for being after some time introduced into the King's presence by the mediation of the two Palatines of Sandomiria and Wisnioweski, and received with Compliments suitable to the Quality he bore, he made an handsome Narrative of his Fortunes, in a Style not inferior to the Majesty of an Emperor; and yet obliging, and full of deference to the King; in the close whereof he took the freedom to mind him, that he himself came into the World a Son of sorrows, being born in the noisomeness of a Prison, and was at last by various Fortunes conducted to a Crown: That therefore he would please to reflect upon the mutability of humane affairs, and upon the sufferings of an injured Prince, whose Restauration depended upon his Aids; wherein he would perform a double Act of Justice; to chastise the Usurper, and to establish the rightful Heir upon the Throne of his Fathers. The King received his Address with much respect and compassion; and being instructed by his own former hardships to sympathise with those of others, he gave him permission, or rather connivance to make his levies of Volunteers within his Dominions.  
Demetrius having thus improved the Credit of his extraction by the powerful countenance of the King of Poland, which gained him a reputation too in the esteem of other Princes, failed not by the fame of his preparations to fill his own countries with irresolutions; which being seconded by secret Emissaries employed into those parts, the people, whose nature is to affect novelty, did with greediness swallow those seditious Pamphlets scattered abroad by him against that bloody Usurper. To all this he added the Courtship of invitations to the people to departed from that hated Murderer, lest they should be overwhelmed in the vengeance prepared by God for him; fortifying the whole by promises not only of indemnity for what was past, but of rewards and honours to such as by their example should instruct others to the duty of their obedience. Having thus plained his way by infecting the minds of his Countrymen, and corrupting some person of Eminency of Muskovy, he judged it seasonable to gratify their expectation by rendering himself upon the Stage of Action, whereby not only to give life, but security to his party; whose correspondency might be discovered to their Ruin: He therefore treated more particularly with the Palatine, descending to Articles, the substance whereof were: That in consideration of his Supplies and Aids, Demetrius should upon the regaining of his Crown, repay him his full charges, Marry the Lady Marina, and introduce the Roman faith into his Dominions.  
These Articles being Signed and Ratified, (though kept secret) the Palatine applied himself vigorously to the work, raised an Army, being underhand supplied by the King: But Duke Constantine Wisnioweski did publicly own the Quarrel, by whose example many prime men of Russia presented themselves unto him upon the Borders, in the head of considerable Troops raised at their own charges. Being thus strengthened by fresh supplies, which signified more in their reputation than in their numbers, the Palatine, with Demetrius in his company, marched with his Army into Muskovy, the Winter being far advanced, sending before him the terror of his Arms, and filled with hopes of Conquest. This Engagement was the Fountain from whence did spring those many changes which we have since seen in that Empire, and may possibly be the effect of that Blazing-Star which appeared on the 3 of October, 1614 in the 7th degree of Sagittarius, portending peradventure those more than Civil discords which tore and distracted the States of Muskovy and Poland.  
Demetrius had no sooner entered into Muskovy, but that 8000 Cossacks, disposed to it by the persuasions of the crafty Monk, Ranked themselves under his Colours: and being strengthened with this considerable supply, they passed the River Boristhenes at Kiow, without opposition, and sat down with their whole Army before the walls of Eeringow. The place surrendered upon summons, the Governor Tackmenno having taken this opportunity to revenge some disgraces formerly placed upon him by Boris the Emperor. Puttiwol, a great and populous City, followed the example of Eeringow, induced to it by the Volgodensian Cossacks there in Garrison, whose Governor Michaelowitz Soltekowski was swayed by the temptations of Corelos General of the Demetrian Cossacks, and who had the reputation amongst his own Troops of being skilled in the art Magic. Some other places, but of less importance, followed these Examples, the rising Sun of Demetrius his hope shining strong in their eyes.  
Boris received the tidings of these Successes with Astonishment: he vowed vengeance against these Revolters, after such a manner, that the whole World should dread the like Infidelity and Treason. In the mean time he prepares to oppose the Invasion with a force proportionable, and having drawn together an Army of 100000 brave and choice Soldiers he placed Fedw in the head of them a their General, commanding him to march with all speed to the relief of Novogrod● straightly beleaguered by Demetrius, but as courageously defended by the Valour of Bosmanno the Governor. Boris in the mean time was not wanting to himself, in contriving what was most suitable to the present occasions: and considering that those of his Subjects who had run into Demetrius upon no provocation but that of Novelty, would, when their Appetite was served, be as apt to repent and come back; He prepared Declarations of Impunity to publish amongst them; besides which, he dispatched several Agents into Poland and Lituania, to undeceive such as seemed inclined to the Aids of an Heretic and Impostor; and having found out one Smyrna Otropeia Uncle to Hrisko, he directed him to repair to his Nephew, and to convince his adherents of the fallacy he had put upon them. But the Palatine, who was too far advanced to look back, would not permit Otropeia to come into his presence, seeming to despise those Artifices, as weak shifts to a declining Cause, and that he doubted not but he was prepared by the Usurper, to lay a blemish upon the Title of Demetrius, by owning him for his Nephew. But those Arts were too feeble to divert them from exacting a severe account from him for his murder of Theodorus, and placing himself upon the Throne of Demetrius the present Emperor. Boris finding no Success from these kind of little attempts, as it were from behind the Curtain, resolved upon the dispatch of a solemn Embassy to the King and Commonwealth of Poland, in order to expostulate with them the reason of this Invasion. The Ambassador being arrived at the Court of King Sigismond, and pressing for a speedy audience, it was granted him: he complained highly against the violation of the Truce lately confirmed between both Nations for twenty years, by this unexpected Invasion of his Dominions, sacking his Towns, and killing his Subjects; and all upon no provocation, or so much as the pretence of any. He added, that his Master hoped the King and Commonwealth of Poland would not only be more just, but better advised too, than lay themselves under the reproach of perjury, by embroiling them and their Allies in a new War, by violating a League sworn to by them with all the Solemnities in the World: He therefore proposed they would not only recall their Troops out of his Master's Country, but that Commissioners might be appointed to consider of the damages sustained from them; and that that Impostor might be forthwith delivered into the Great Duke his Master's hands, whom he would unmask, and render him to the World in his native Complexion, a mean Creature, set up by the Malice of a discontented Priest. And then concluded, that in case the King and Kingdom of Poland shall decline those equitable demands, they would create to them an Enemy, one of the greatest Princes of the World. And thus having sprinkled his desires with a mixture of some Threats, he added Rich Presents, which were distributed amongst the Ministers of State, and indeed most of those in Credit about the King, with an open hand; so that there were very few but tasted of Muskovitish Bounty. But all this state and charge amounted to nothing; the Interest of the Jesuits added to the Authority of the Pope, had rendered the King and his Council deaf to the applications of the Ambassador. It was therefore resolved that Demetrius should be assisted with fresh supplies, in order to his Restauration; which was considered as the only Basis upon which to lay the Foundation of a perpetual League between both Crowns, and the only means to root out that Schism in Religion, which hitherto had fomented their Quarrels; their affection being swayed by their faith.  
These Resolutions were kept secret, as the Arcana Imperii: for they did not judge it fit to come to an open Rupture, till they saw what was like to be the Success of Demetrius his Arms. Their Answer therefore was, that the King and State of Poland knew nothing, at least took no notice of what was done in Muskovy; and that those Tumults raised by Demetrius, a Muskovian born, and Aided by Muskovians, or any other Volunteers engaged in his designs, did not at all infringe, or so much as trench upon the League, which they should be always ready to observe towards that Crown and Empire. The Ambassador being dismissed with this general Answer, without effecting what he came for; In the mean time the Armies in Muskovy were drawn within sight of each other, equal in hopes and desires, though not in numbers. Demetrius upon the Enemies advance, raised his Siege; and having chosen his ground, with respect to the number of his men, wherein he was inferior to Boris, he was not without some hopes that some part of the Enemy's Army would, upon the closing, come over to him, having held an intelligence with some of their Officers to that purpose. But there appearing so formidable a power of the Muskovites, and but a handful of men with Demetrius, those who had made him a promise of coming over to his side, judged it more adviseable to adhere to their own. The Armies were now drawn so near each other, that it was impossible to part without Engaging.  
Demetrius therefore and the Palatine judging their safety depended upon their Courage, received the Enemy's Charge, as men resolved to conquer, or lie by it, not only sustaining, but resisting the fury of their Enemies. The Success was a while disputed with doubtful hopes, till at last, the Victory began to declare itself for the more numerous Force, which pouring in fresh supplies, the Polonian was forced to shrink under the impressions of the multitude, after they had given testimonies of great resolutions, having fought it out with so great a pertinacy, that the Victory cost Boris the loss of many of his men. His General received several wounds; and it was with much difficulty, that the Enemy quitted the ground: at last they were disordered and broke, saving themselves by flight. Demetrius having rallied some few of his Troops, retreated to Ribscum, and the Palatine returned into Poland to raise new Forces, having left 8000 of his men upon the place, with all his Cannon and Baggage. The tidings of this Victory was carried to Boris the Great Duke, by Bosmanno the Governor of Novogrod, whom Boris received as his better Angel; and (the General having rendered him with an advantageous character) caused him to be presented with a great Basin of pure Gold, filled with Ducats of the same Metal, and all the Officers of the Army with Medals, and increase of Pay.  
The Borisians shown more Courage in gaining this Victory, than Conduct in improving it to their advantage, wasting their time at the Siege of Krom, whilst the Enemy had room without interruption to gather together their scattered Troops; who had they been chased while their fears had been upon them, must necessarily have fallen into the hands of the Conquerors, and then the Garrisons had followed their Fate. But the Great Duke's Army being fate down b●●●re Krom, the place was defended againse them with so great a Courage, that they despaired of taking it: whereupon the greater part of the Army being reinforced with fresh men, marched towards Ribscum, in order to the scattering of Demetrius his Forces, and the interrupting of his Levies.  
He upon this defeat found the experience of those friends which had been made with his Successes, not himself. Many who had run in upon the fame of his prosperous March, ran now from him, as from a falling house, that would in its own ruin involve those within it: Yet was not he wanting to himself, having his Courage cherished by two Cistercian Monks and two Jesuits, who attended him, especially the latter, in all his adventures: These inflame him to a perseverance, with promises that the Issue would be Crowned with Success to him, and confusion to his Enemies. In the mean time the Borisians advanced towards him, upon intelligence whereof he sent out his Horse to face them, while he was drawing up his Foot. Who had seen the great disproportion between both Armies, the one of a vast Body of Horse and Foot fleshed with Victory, a great Train of Artillery & Carriages; the other not exceeding 5000 effective men; those abounding with wants, most of them Raw and Undisciplined; and the rest, the remnant of a defeated Army, might reasonably have guessed at the Success. But the power of Fortune, or rather of Providence, in this juncture, appeared beyond humane expectation.  
Demetrius was in a strange Country, no Counsel about him, unknowing in Discipline, preposterous in his Orders, and not so much as a temptation left him to hope: his Horse being advanced, were opposed by those of the Enemy, of whom upon the Charge they killed about 1000; which discouraging the rest, they shrink, and being pressed on by the Demetrians, had not time to rally, but were in disorder forced upon their own Foot, breaking their Ranks, and doing for Demetrius what his Army could never have effected. He pursuing his Success, had the slaughter of that great Body, which not being able to make Head, were cut down without any resistance. And thus what began but in a light Skirmish, ended in an entire Victory.  
The Demetrians laden with spoils, (the whole Camp and Train falling into their hands) returned in Triumph to Puttiwol, where the Fame of this signal Victory spreading itself to their advantage, Five good Towns with their Forts rendered him their Submissions; whereby he was furnished with Ammunition, and all other provisions for War. A while after, two other places, Jalka and Leptina, rendered themselves; and the great Province of Seneria made one entire present of all 'tis strengths at once. Others also hasting in to be first, or with the first acknowledge the Conqueror, who received their Addresses with great moderation upon so unexpected a Success. His great care was the relieving of Krom, besieged by the rest of the Enemy's Army: but having by a Spy which came from out the Town, understood the place was in no danger, and that it might defend itself for some longer time against the Assailants; He diverted his thoughts from relieving it, till he had improved his late Victory by enlarging his Quarters. He continued at Puttiwol, to reinforce his strengths, and to receive the Submissions of several places and persons, which daily rendered themselves with recruits to his small Army. While he was thus busied, Boris was not less active in his Levies, repairing the Breaches in his scattered Regiments, and doing what ever else might be needful to oppose the impressions of a great Enemy. He had likewise his Emissaries and Agitatours in the Army of Demetrius, who endeavoured to debauch the Cossacks and such other of the Russians as had listed themselves in his service, tempting them by excessive rewards and honours to seize upon the Impostor, (as they Styled him) and to present him to the Emperor, as a Peace-offering for their Rebellion. And to enforce this the better, they had with them a thundering Mandate from the Patriarch, as the Vicar of Christ, and Head of the true Church. These Arguments swayed little, specially those grounded upon point of Conscience: The people had shaken hands with that before, only they kept so much of the pretence of it, as might serve to justify their present swerving from the present Government. Some of these Agents were seized upon, and being exposed to the Rack, confessed the whole design upon the person of Demetrius, who being to gain upon the affections of the people by his clemency, dismissed them; despising, out of a generous carelessness of his own particular, to revenge his own injury upon so ignoble Instruments. He writ also his Letters to the Patriarch, to mind him of the duty of his Office; that he should not fix the Seal of Religion, to justify an usurpation founded upon murder and perfidy, but rather dispose the people to yield to the Son of John Basilius their undoubted Sovereign that Obedience and Submission which was due to him from them by the Laws of God and the Empire. 'Tis said, he also sent a Message to Boris, advising him from those ungenerous practices of Assassinations and Libels; and that if he would give testimony of his repentance, by renouncing the unjust possession of the Throne, to which he had ascended by a continued Series of unworthy and wicked practices, He should be permitted to retire into what part of the Empire he pleased, with an entire indemnity for what was past, and all reasonable caution and security for his future safety. But the Great Duke refused these overtures with scorn and indignation; and casting about how he might root out this growing evil, he judged it advisable to frame a diversion upon his foreign supplies: wisely considering, that if he could prevent those, the Rebellion in his own Kingdom would in time, extinguish for want of fuel to sustain it; and that those of his Subjects who were deaf to his invitations, during the prosperity of Demetrius, whilst he was owned and asserted by foreign Princes, would when he were left to his own fortunes, fall from him with no less fervour than they had run in to him. In order to this, he treats with the Danish and Swedish Ambassadors then in his Court, by what means King Sigismond might be best incommodated in his own Dominions. Designs were accordingly laid to imbroy him at his own doors, and to kindle a fire in Poland, which might oblige him to call home his own Subjects for the quenching of it. But amidst all his contrivance of State, form with prudence agreeable to the occasion, he was seized with a violent tearing in his Bowels, a deluge of Blood flowing out of his Mouth, Ears and Nostrils; with which, after some moments his enraged Soul issued out, leaving the Body a horrid Spectacle to all about him and a Monument of the instability of humane greatness. Some say he died of an Apoplexy, others, (the fancied Fate of most Princes) that he was poisoned; Demetrius having by a more delicate contrivance subdued him at his own Weapon. However it was, he expired in the Month of April, 1605. having lived Emperor the space of seven years; during which time, his Government was adorned with all imaginable moderation and justice, as if to compensate the people for the murder of his Prince, and to make good the sufficiency of their choice in his ability for administration: And if we believe him who writ his Panegyric, he is to be justly reckoned amongst the best of the Russian Dukes.   

SECT. II.  
Fedro succeedeth his Father in the Empire. His Army revolts. His Partisans and Palace are destroyed by the madness of the people. He and his Mother and Sister being reserved for Demetrius his Triumph, poison themselves. Demetrius is received and crowned Emperor of Muskovy. He marries the Lady Marina, and in the height of joy and grandeur is miserably massacred. Zuiskis the chief of the Conspirators, and prime Actor in this Tragedy, is elected Emperor of Russia.  
THe Great Duke being thus violently snatched away in the midst of all his designs, and in the strength of his Age, the Nobility and chief Officers of the Army were astonished with the surprise of it; and many of them (for it is a superstitious Nation) reflecting upon this extraordinary adventure as a clear decision of Providence, with relation to the right of Demetrius, began to entertain inclinations in his favour: and certainly had not the people interposed, they would have manifested the same by declaring him the Son of John Basilius. But the people being alarmed with the Death of Boris, came to Court in swarms, and in a Tumultuary way (as if prompted by some irresistible impulse) they placed his Son Fedro upon the Throne of his Father, declaring his Mother Regent in his minority; and bearing all before them like a torrent, they forced all the Nobility to swear Fealty to them, and to ratify the election by an Act of State, grounded upon a mixture of descent, and the suffrage of the people. The Army, as if swayed by the same instinct, did by their example salute him Emperor, and by their Deputies thereto appointed, sent him a Declaration, wherein they promised to adhere to him with the exposing of their lives and fortunes, and to stand by him, not only in repelling the common Enemy, but also in suppressing the Rebellion raised by his own Subjects The State of Affairs being thus established at Court, care was had for the interment of the deceased Duke, whose Corpse was without much solemnity laid in the Sepulchre of their Princes. After this, a Council was held, for the more effectual prosecuting of the War. Peter Bosmanno, upon the account of his great service and known abilities, was appointed General of the Army, and dispatched to the Camp before Krom; Mislikowski and Zwiski being recalled to assist the Regent and the young Emperor in the administration of the Government. Krom had been assaulted by the Russians ten severa● times, who were as often repulsed by the obstinate Valour of the Cossacks within it. But Demetrius, to cherish the Courage and Fidelity of the Garrison, and setting much of his rest upon the conservation of the place, dispatched Zaporius one of his chief Commanders with the greatest par● of his Army, to the relief of it. He having marched within a convenient distance of it, and by his Scouts and other Spie● understood the posture of the Enemy Leaguer, judged it very hard to attempt any thing upon it by force; and therefore hath recourse to policy; and framing a Letter to the Governor, told him he was advanced so far, as a Forlorn to the main Army, and to keep the Leaguer from foraging the Country, while the Polish and Cossack Auxiliaries were coming up to their relief, under the conduct of Demetrius in person: And then magnifying their fidelity, and abounding in promises of rewards and honours to them, he concluded with an assurance of speedy relief. This Letter was put into the hands of a bold fellow, who undertook the delivery of it, but was by the crafty Commander directed such ways towards the Town, as led him directly upon an Out-guard of the Enemies, who having seized upon him, brought him to the Headquarters, where being presented to the Rack, he discovered his Letters; and being examined, confirmed the effects of them as a truth which he had heard discoursed of by the chief Officers of Zaporius his Army. The Leaguer was as yet commanded by Hoduinus a near Kinsman of the late Great Duke's; the principal Officers of the Army disdaining to submit to Bosmanno, as a Son of Fortune. Upon this intelligence, there were 2000 Horse commanded to keep the avenues of the Town, while the rest of the Army drew off to encounter the Enemy. Zaporius that he might better countenance his contrivement, drew out his whole Army in Battalia, and having at a further distance behind him placed all his Boys and Beadles of the Army, with all the Carriages and some few Soldiers to make up a Front, which he extended to a great distance; He with his real Forces marched up to encounter the Enemy, having given order to this mock-Army that was behind, and which he had furnished with Trumpets, Drums and Colours, that upon the Engagement they should advance in view and fill the Air with shouts and noises that the Poles and Cossacks were at hand The Fight was fierce, and doubtful in the beginning; and Zaporius was so hard put to it by the greater numbers of the Enemy, that notwithstanding all his skill, he must have sunk under their weight, had not Bosmanno (disobliged by his own Party) who had the command of some Reserves, instead of charging the Enemy, joined his Troops to theirs; and then in the head of his men declared that Demetrius was the true Emperor, inviting all who had a zeal to the honour of their Country, to follow his example in adhering to the rightful Prince. This extraordinary adventure did equally surprise both Armies, possessing the one with a consternation, and the other with amazement; in so much, that the Fight held up as by joint consent, and both sides seemed to expect the determination of the Cause, by some other Umpirage than that of their Swords. Bosmanno taking advantage of this profound Silence, shows himself again betwixt both Armies; and crying out with a loud Voice, invited all those who had any reverence for the Ashes of John Basilius, or honour for his Son, and affection to the public peace, that they should follow his example by rendering themselves to the obedience of their rightful Prince, where they should be sure of Indemnity and Protection. Bosmanno being of great reputation with the common Soldiers, as one that had engaged with them in many Services, had the fortune in this juncture to make so strange an impression upon their minds by his discourse, that after some murmur amongst themselves, they all cried out with a loud voice, that they would live and die with Bosmanno. The Nobility observing the course of the stream, and lest that they might be overwhelmed in resisting of it, resolved to follow the Current; and immediately declaring for Demetrius, dispatched a Party of 500 to him to Puttiwol, with tender of their Submissions, & supplicating his pardon for their former defections, whereto they had been ensnared by the Artifices of Boris. They further offered him an entire Obedience of themselves, and of the strength of the Empire; beseeching him he would come over to them, that they might march under his Conduct to the Possession of his Hereditary rights. Hodwenus' having thus lost his Army, which deserted him as one man, purposed to save himself by flight; but being pursued by a Party thereto employed, was seized upon, and presented to Demetrius, in whose presence he disdaining to bow, or pay those respects due to an Emperor, was commanded to Prison, and to be laden with Irons.  
Demetrius transported with this happy news, broke up with those Troops which he had about him, marching directly to Krom, where he caressed the Governor and Garrison with all kindness imaginable, magnifying their Courage and Fidelity, and heaping upon them promises of Mountains, when he should be established in his Throne. From thence he went to Arol, where the revolted Lords and Army attended his coming, and received him with all the Submissions and demonstrations of joy that could be expressed: And being by this accession of Force rendered absolute Master of the Field, he advanced by easy marches toward Musko the Seat of the Empire; and being come as far as Tula, he made some stay there, as well to refresh his Army, as to consider how to carry on the rest of his Affairs: And having advised with his Council, he writ his Letters to the Magistrates of Musko, to acquaint them that God had in a wonderful manner owned him and his Cause, by bringing over the Army that opposed him to their due obedience without bloodshed, much to his satisfaction, rather to have them reduced by the convictions of their Conscience, than by the force of his Arms: he therefore invited them, according to that pious example of the Army, to return to their obedience; and as a manifestation of it, to root out from the face of the earth that hated Progeny of Boris, who had murdered his elder Brother, and had laid Trains for his life, but that he was rescued from them by deliverances not much short of miracle. That for his part he had a heart to forgive all their former failings and rebellions, and as a true Father of his Country, to extend his Clemency to such as should manifest their penitence: But if after this advice, and the example of their fellow-Subjects, they should yet persist in their rebellious actings they must expect he consequence in the ruin of them and their City.  
These Letters falling into the hands of some of Fedro's Forces which he had drawn together for the defence of Musko, were suppressed, so that the people knew nothing of them. Demetrius in the mean time wondered he could receive no Answer to his Letters, till at last guessing the truth of the matter as indeed it was, he employed some private Agents to Crasna Cella, a great Village within a quarter of a mile of the City, peopled with Merchants and Handicraftsmen, whose trading however was in the Town: He by these Agents insinuated into them, that upon the single desire of their safety, he had employed divers Messengers to the City with overtures of peace; but that not having answer, he was disposed rather to believe that his Letters were suppressed by the Gedanow-Faction, than that the people were wanting to him in suitable returns. He had a considerable Army about him, ready upon their March, and impatient for want of action; but he had made that long halt at a convenient distance from so populous a City, rather than incommode it by a nearer approach: He therefore desired to understand their inclinations, according to which he resolved to move; putting into their hands, whether they would embrace Peace under the auspice of his Government, or the unhappy consequence of a bloody War, for which themselves should stand accountable, and not he. The Inhabitants of Crasna Cella receive this Message with great reverence; and the Agents having with them Copies of those Letters formerly writ to the Magistrates of the City, they delivered them likewise: whereupon the Inhabitants trooping together, took with them Demetrius his Messengers into the Town; and being come into the Marketplace, they caused his Letters to be openly read to that world of people that flocked about them: whereupon, without the least show of tumult (which was a wonder) they went as one man to the Palace of Duke Basilius Zuiski, and by two of their number in a very civil manner beseech him to tell them if young Demetrius the Son of John Basilius had been slain at Vgletz or not? Zuiski without the least hesitation answered, that in very truth Demetrius, upon notice of Boris his design had been secretly conveyed away, and another Youth of his years and complexion, the Son of a Priest, put in his place in the Prince's Bed, who according to the plot laid by Boris, was murdered and interred, as the right Demetrius, with the Funeral of Princes. To this he added that he was the real Demetrius who lay with his Army at Tula. The people hearing this from so great and eminent a person, and considering how the bulk of the Nobility had declared for Demetrius, who was ready with a potent Army to advance towards them, most of the Provinces having already tendered him their Submissions, judged it high time for them also to make their Addresses; and whilst they were in consultation of the affair, some Courtiers having had notice of the Tumult, were come with some of the Guards to disperse them, and seize upon Demetrius his Agents; which the people not only opposed, but proceeding from one degree of heat to another, breathed nothing but Demetrius his pretensions, asserting him to be the rightful Prince; and that they would not any longer be so far wanting to themselves and the Empire, as to refuse their obedience where by the Laws of God and the Land it was due: and then crying, Long live Demetrius, Great Duke and Emperor of Russia; come, say they, let us go and destroy that Viperous brood of the Gedanowes' from the face of the earth. This said, they ran toward the Court like madmen, and as a Snowball so increased by rolling, that by the time they were come thither, their numbers were multiplied to many thousands, sending their Clamours before them, which filled the Court with terror and confusion: All within and about it were sacrificed to their rage and fury, and no life escaped them but that of the Great Duke, the Empress-Regent and her Daughter, who were rather reserved for the judgement of Demetrius, and wherewith to purchase their own peace and pardon, than upon the account of tenderness towards that Family. She was a Lady of high spirit and courage, and considering that she and her Children were reprived only to add to the Triumphs of Demetrius, resolved to put them and herself out of the malice of his power: in order whereto, she prepared a strong Poison, and disposed them to pledge her in that Fatal mixture. Her Tears did easily deceive their Innocence; and yet theirs had almost overcome her Constancy: Come, says she, the dear pledges of your Father's love; and then taking them in her arms, Come, continued she, my joy and grief, it may be the Tyrant having rendered us uncapable of disturbing his repose, will be content with our spoils, and spare our lives. Here she paused; but suddenly recollecting herself, No, no, said she, Treason is never secure so long as there are any left to reproach its Author: Let us therefore not linger out a miserable life by a more miserable delay, till the Tyrant have studied to destroy us more Tightly, and more Ignominiously: and with this snatching the Cup, she hastily swallowed the greatest part of it, forcing her Children to take off the rest; and then clasping them in her arms, the Poison did in a short time spread its vigour over their tender Bodies, all of them expiring as by joint consent all together in their mutual embraces. Such as favour Demetrius, affirm that the Princess was preserved by his command, by the speedy applying of Antidotes to subdue the malignity of the Poison. His Enemies also say the same; adding, he preserved her but in order to satisfy his lust. The people being inflamed with the heart of their own fury, after they had pillaged the whole Court, ran like mad men into the City, seized upon all the Borisian Party and Family, putting many of them to death at that instant, and the rest they hurried into a Fort adjoining to the City, where having stripped them stark naked, they turned them in promiscuously, men, women and children together, without either , Food, or Covert; and some of them, by the coldness of the Air, and for want of Nourishment, perished; they strangle the rest, or put them to some other violent death, so that there was not one of the Family left alive; their rage herein executing upon the House of Boris an exemplary judgement of God, proportionable to the Cruelty wherewith he had treated that of his Master; God in his justice punishing his Cruelty to them with a due retaliation of the like upon his Posterity. We have in this a lively Description of the people's temper; unconstant in their resolution, violent in their love, and equally so in their hate: They in this juncture cast off all their gratitude to the memory of Boris, their prosperity under his calm and wise Government, his impartial distribution of Justice, the many public Buildings by him erected for the splendour and use of their City. They had no remembrance left of his great industry and charges in providing Food for them in that more than Samaritan Famine, which happened in his Reign, in the years 1601, 1602, 1603. or finally, no reflection upon the advantageous peace and repose which he had procured for them with their Neighbour-Princes. But though they might be suspected to bury the memory of those things in the Grave of Boris, yet the wonder was that they should so suddenly destroy their own Act, in destroying him whom they had placed upon the Throne but two months before, as a Sovereign of their own choice, contrary to the design of the Nobility, whom they forced to swear fealty to him, vowing to live and die in the defence of him, his Mother and Sister, now rendered the unhappy Objects of their boundless fury.  
The Borisians being thus rooted out, wherein the Citizens were equally cruel and diligent; they dispatched their Deputies to Demetrius, to render him their Submissions, and to assure him, that in obedience to his Letters, they had destroyed the Family of the Gedanowes' to a man: That Fedro, his Mother and Sister, were in safe custody, in order to his Majesty's dispose; and that not only their gates, but their hearts were open too for his reception. Demetrius upon this agreeable news advanced toward Musko with his whole Army: such of the Lords as had not yet presented themselves to him, met him upon the way; and being come within a mile of the Town, their Magistrates were there in their Formalities, as a representative of the City, with a tender of its Homage; which he received according to the mode of that Nation, in Bread and Salt. They had also prepared a vast Present for him in Gold and Jewels; which he received with a show of kindness. And being now owned by all the Nobility and Orders of the Kingdom, and well assured of the devotion of the people to his Interest; he made his entrance into the Royal City in great State, upon the 20th of June, in the year 1605. Emperor and Great Duke of Muskovy, and many other Provinces, and King of Casan and Astracan. The manner of this celebrious Cavalcade was thus: The Polish Horse with their Lances presented, had the Van: Some thousands of Muskovites followed them in good order, having in the midst of their Body, the Coach of Demetrius drawn by six beautiful Horses, with all his lead Horses nobly Saddled and Trapped, with embroidery of Gold and Jewels. After these came the Clergy, with squared Ensigns born before them, on which were Painted some Saint or other, as our Lady, St. Nicholas their Patron, and the like. The Patriarch brought up the Rear of these Spiritual Warriors; and at some distance behind him was Demetrius himself mounted upon a goodly Milk-white Courser, environed on all sides with the Lords and Gentlemen that made up his Train. All the Bells rung for joy, and all the Streets, Windows, tops of Houses, and all other eminent places swarmed with multitudes of people, who as he passed along, fell upon their faces, and then raising themselves up, cried as one man, Long live the Great Duke of Russia; Thou art the right Sun and bright Morningstar that now shines in Muskovy. To which he replied, God give you my Subject's Health and prosperity, stand up and pray for me. As he passed along, he was showed the Palace of Boris; but he turned another way, as loathing to behold that place where had been hatched all the Villainies against him and the Blood-Royal of Russia; and declaring it his pleasure to have it defaced, the willing people were not long in the execution of his Commands, laying those goodly Fabrics in a moment level with the ground. Demetrius being entered the Palace-Royal, dismissed the Princes and Lords, who trooped together into the Marketplace, where Bogdan Bielski made them an Exhortation to acknowledge the goodness of God for their Great Duke, obliging them to be true and faithful to him: That he was the undoubted Son of John Basilius: and thereupon taking his Cross out of his Bosom with St. Nicholas his Picture upon it, he kissed it, and swore that their present Emperor was the right Demetrius, and that to the day of his discovery he had been concealed and kept in the Bosom of St. Nicholas, who had now restored him to them for the preservation of them and their Land. Hereupon the whole people answered with joyful acclamations three times, God save our Great Duke, God give him health; God punish all his Enemies, and all those that fail in their Fidelities to him.  
Demetrius being by this extraordinary Concurrence of his Affairs got upon the Throne, assumed the manage of the Government into his own hands: and having made it his study to understand the Interests of his Crown, as it stood related to foreign Princes upon the account of Traffic or any other considerations of State; he informed himself what Ambassadors were then in the Kingdom, either at Court, or upon their return; he judged it advisable to signify to them his happy Restauration. And understanding that amongst others of other Princes, that Mr. John Merrick Agent, and Sir. Thomas Smith Ambassadors for the King Great Britain, having received their Dispatches from Boris, were upon their return homeward; in order whereunto, having finished their other Negotiations, they were gone toward the Seaside; Demetrius sent this following Letter from the Camp at Thula to Mr. Merrick, and a while after another, with an Express by one of the Gentlemen of his chamber, to the aforesaid Ambassadors.  
Demetrius his Letter to Mr. Merrick, Dated the 8th of June, 1605.  
WE Demetrius Evanowich Lord, Emperor, and Great Duke of Russia, To John Merrick, English Merchant. We give hereby to understand, that we are by the just Judgement of God, and his strong Power, as Duke and Sole Lord, raised to our inheritance, Throne and Empire of Uladomir, Muskovy and all Russia. Calling therefore to mind the Confederations and Amity which our Father Evan Vasilowich, Lord, Emperor and Great Duke of Russia, held and kept with the Great Princes of Christendom: We likewise are resolved to maintain and keep the same, and in a more special manner to hold a more particular correspondence and friendship with your King James. To this end we purpose to favour you, his English Merchants, with a greater measure of our Grace than heretofore you have enjoyed from our Predecessors. So soon therefore as you shall have received these our Letters, and finished your markets at the Port of St. Michael the Archangel, our pleasure is, that you hasten back to Musko to behold the Majesty of our presence: to which end we have commanded Post-horses to be prepared for you by the way; and when you are come to Musko, you shall Address yourself to our Secretary Offenasis Ulassou. Written in our Majesty's Camp at Thula, in the year of the World 7113.  
Sir Thomas Smith having received his dispatches from Boris, and being in his way homeward, was overtaken at Archangel by an Express from Demetrius, with the following Instructions and Letters.  
Demetrius Evanowich, great Lord, Emperor and Great Duke of all Russia, hath commanded Savarela to repair to Volgoda, and then to the new Castle of Archangel, or any other place, where he may overtake the English Ambassador Sir Thomas Smith. When he hath overtaken him, Savarela shall send his Interpreter Richard Finch to the Lord Ambassador, with notice that the Great Lord, Emperor and Great Duke, Demetrius Evanowich, Sole Commander of Russia, hath sent one of his Courtiers unto him touching his Majesty's Affairs; and after about two hours' respite, Gavarela shall himself go to the said Ambassador, and deliver unto him his Majesty's Message as followeth.  
Demetrius' Evanowich, Great Lord, Emperor, and Great Duke, of all Russia, and many other Kingdoms, Lord and Commander, hath commanded thee Thomas Smith English Ambassador, to certify unto James King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, that We are by the just Judgement of God, and his strong Power, come and succeeded into the place of our Father and Predecessors, as also the Throne of the Great and Famous Kingdom of Uladomir, Musko, and the Empire of Casan, Astracan, and Sibiria, and of all the Kingdoms of Russia. Moreover, we calling to mind the Correspondence, Love, and Amity which was between our Father the Great Lord, Emperor and Great Duke Evan Vasilowich of Famous Memory, as also our Brother the Great Lord Emperor, and Great Duke Fedro Evanowich, Sole Commander of Russia, and their Sister Queen Elizabeth, Queen of England: In the like manner we do purpose to have Intercourse, and to be in love with your Lord King James, and more than hath been in former times; and in token of our said Love and Amity, we do intent to favour all his Subjects within our Dominions, and to give unto them more liberty than they have had heretofore. And you, his Ambassador, we have commanded to be dispatched without any delay or hindrance. Therefore we would have you to notify to your Lord King James, our Majesty's love: and as soon as God shall grant the time of our Coronation to be finished, and that we are Crowned with the Imperial Crown of our Predecessors, according to our manner and worthiness; then we the Great Lord, Emperor and Great Duke, Demetrius Evanowich, of all Russia Sole Commander, will send our Messengers to salute each other according to the former manner. As for those Letters which Boris Gedanow sent by you, we would have you deliver them back again to our Courtier Gaverela; and after the delivering of our Speeches, to return him to the Emperor. Vnderwritten by the Chancellor Offanafie Evanowich Ulascan.  
These and some other public affairs being dispatched, Demetrius judged it very conducible to his establishment, to have the Solemnities of his Coronation speedily performed; the Celebration of which were therefore appointed to succeed upon the Kalends of September: for 'tis then that the Russians do, as the Jews of old did, begin their year. But Demetrius impatient of delay in that material Circumstance, would have it done upon the 29th of July, after his entrance into Musko, upon which day he was by the Patriarch crowned with the Imperial Diadem of those Kingdoms; after which he caused the Corpse of Boris to be taken up out of that Sepulchre wherein he had been interred (being that belonging to the Royal Family) and buried without Solemnity, in a private Churchyard without the Town. Before the Coronation, 'twas judged advisable that the supposed Mother of Demetrius, who had for many years been shut up in a Monastery by Boris, should be sent for to Court, as a reputation to the Solemnity; which by Demetrius his art was improved to the utmost: for upon advertisement of her being within a League of the Town, he went forth in Person to meet her; and being come within view of her Coach, he alighted from his horse, and making his Addresses to her with all imaginable Humility, she received him with great demonstrations of Affection: She would have come out of her Coach, but he would not permit it; neither could she prevail with him to come up to her, protesting that as she had given him life, so would he pay it her back in his Obedience; that the Crown of Russia was hers, and should be only born by him, the better to execute her Orders. And with these and some other obliging entertainments of this kind, she was conducted to the Palace; Demetrius following the Coach on foot, bareheaded, till the Empress stopping, declared that unless he would get up on horseback, she would accompany him on foot. Being come to the Palace, she was conducted into the usual habitation of such who were Widows of the Royal Family; where being alighted, she embraced Demetrius with great passion, acknowledging him before all the Lords and Courtiers present, to be her Son, begot by Duke John Basilius; evidencing the same by many particular marks and tokens, which gave great credit to the Impostor (if it were one.) His stature and proportion had a resemblance to that of the true Demetrius; his hair was black and hard like his, with a mark upon his nose and the right hand as the Prince also had: And though the Lady might well remember the features of her own Demetrius, whom she had lost but seven years before, and that this in reality was not he; yet she wisely dissembled the matter, it being grown too far for her to contradict: and besides that, she lay under a double obligation to him, having not only enjoyed her liberty, but the satisfaction of an entire Revenge by his means upon Boris and his Family. However it was, she treated him with all the demonstrations of a warm and sincere Affection, while he honoured and reverenced her with a more shan filial Duty; so great a tenderness appearing in their caresses, that their Tears of Joy were attended with a deluge from the eyes of the Lords and all others upon the ●lace. And to be thus owned by the Empress in the face of the whole World, gave a greater confirmation to the reality of his Birth, than all his other Testimoys together; there being now no room ●eft to question his Extraction, confirmed by the open declaration of her that bore him. 'Tis to this day a controverted point in Russia, whether he was an Impostor or not. Common fame since his misfortune, seems to render him such; and Petreius in his Chronicle of Muskovy, hath a Jury of Arguments to confirm it. But his Testimony is not to be believed, but with caution; he being employed in that Country (at such times as he made his Collections) by Charles the VIII, King of Sweden, upon the account of the contrary Party. The Poles, by their learned Historian Praeserius, as also by the Testimony of their own example, asserted the contrary with much fervour; he by his Writings, they by their vigorous Aids by the countenance of which, as by steps he ascended up to the Throne of the Empire: and to justify his Title yet th● more, there were many eminent Person engaged personally in his Quarrel, mon out of greatness of mind, than any particular Interest; which they would not have done, if they had believed him a Impostor. And he himself, when he w 〈◊〉 at any time ready to engage, was use with erected hands and eyes to Pray 〈◊〉 the hearing of his Soldiers, in the terms: Destroy me, O just Judge, and blot out my name from amongst men, if what jundertake be done unjustly, or wickedly: Thou seest my Innocence, help my most righteous Cause: I commend myself and these my fellow-soldiers into thy protection, O Queen of Heaven. That he used these kind of Ejaculations before a Battle, is very true; and if at that time he did not believe himself, it is very strange; for than must he not believe in the Majesty of that God upon whom he called, or that the great Creator was more swayed by his mental Reservations than his public Expressions, and was of a confederacy with him to betray his Army into a good opinion by the Success he gave it; which were Blasphemy to imagine. And yet we have in our own Land had appeals to God upon the most palpable Rebellion that ever was committed against a Sovereign; proceeding to that height, as to destroy the Anounted of the Lord in the Name of the Lord. Possibly this Demetrius had it instilled into him by the Priest his Tutor, that he was in reality the Son of John Basilius; but however it was, or whether he believed himself so or not, he was rendered to the world as the most remarkable Object of Fortune that many Ages can parallel; she in him passing to both extremes, by which may be observed the mutability of humane affairs, and that their change is natural.  
Demetrius was scarce warm in his Seat, when the Lords either taking it for granted that he was an Impostor, or weary of that Instrument wherewith they had served themselves to revenge upon Boris and his Family the Cause of the Blood-Royal of Russia, began to form a Conspiracy against his life; which being secured by his Guard of Poles and other Forreners, their first design was to remove them, the better thereby to break in upon him. In order to this, they took all opportunities to breathe their Moans and Complaints to such as they knew to be in favour about him: That it was the anguish of their Souls, after the Testimony given by them of their Loyalty, to find their Prince retain doubtful thoughts concerning them; which they collected from his employing Poles and other mercenary Strangers to guard his person, as if he could be more safe in their hands, than in those of his native Subjects, who could do no less than consider themselves neglected, at least to see the Royal Person of their Emperor in the hands of strangers, as if to defend him against his own Subjects: That it was a new thing in Muskovy to have a Lifeguard of Forreners, and did more argue the fears of an Usurper, than the assurances of a legitimate Prince; and that they should understand these kind of Guards, (were they not well assured of the Clemency of their Great Duke) as Executioners of his displeasure, when he should please to look back into those times when they had obeyed the commands of the Tyrant Boris. Thus did the Lords whisper their griefs, as they called them, but with so great modesty, that Demetrius being acquainted with them, and with what tenderness and respect they were uttered, resolved to comply entirely with them, and to give up himself absolutely into the arms of his own people; being so strangely deluded with this seeming kindness, that he not only dismissed his Guards, but his Auxiliaries besides. The Conspirators having got over these great steps, drew more into their Party, whereby the Plot was rendered more public, till at last it reached the ears of Demetrius, who too late repenting his unadvised credulity, would yet make appear his resentment of this Treason; and causing some to be apprehended, they were tortured till they confessed the whole design, and that they had been induced to it by the insinuations of Basilius Zuiski, who assured them, that his Highness was not the Son of John Basilius, but an Impostor; the Interment of Demetrius having by Boris been committed to his particular care. He confessed indeed, that in compliance with the malignity of the Times, and to preserve himself from ruin, he had upon the Uproar in the City, when Demetrius was at the Gates, affirmed, that the Son of a Priest at Vgleckz had been put in the place of Demetrius, and was killed upon the supposition of his being the Prince; but that all this was a false suggestion of his own, to gratify the fury of the people, who would have involved him in the ruins of Boris, had he denied it. Duke Basilius Zuiski being apprehended, and the Rack presented to him (the readiest expedient for discoveries, and commonly used in that Country) he confessed the whole Charge; whereupon he was condemned to lose his head: in order whereunto, being conducted to the Scaffold, and placed upon his Knees to receive the fatal stroke, the Execution was stopped, and he not only pardoned, but received into particular favour and nearness about Demetrius; who by an ill computation of his Affairs, took this way, first of exposing and terrifying them as Criminals, and then taking them into his bosom as Friends; not considering, that disobligations stick closer than kindnesses; and that they who had laid a design for his ruin, were not to be diverted from it by the Courtship of words.  
If we look into the Affairs of the world, we shall find that the industrious man is not always rich; there are that rise early, and yet eat the bread of carefulness: Wealth comes many times by a lucky hit, and a fortunate man is served by a concurrence, or rather confederacy of Accidents, which in the judgement of right Reason would more probably tend to his ruin. Demetrius was a notable proof of this, in his prodigious rise to the Empire of Russia, towards which he had done little more than personate a fit Subject to be opposed against the Interests of Boris. He owed his acquisitions to Fortune, and the giddy humour of the wavering People; and his ruin to his own inconsiderateness and want of Conduct. He prosecuted the Family of Boris beyond what was consistent with the State of Great Duke of Russia; above seventy Families of that Kindred and Party being banished by him, dividing the Spoils amongst his foreign Auxiliaries; giving out that he would plant the Kingdom with Colonies of strange Nations. This filled the people with dreadful Apprehensions of his Tyranny, and embarked the Lords in the same prejudice, to find themselves neglected in the administration of Justice, and the same managed according to the appetite and fancy of the Poles.  
To all this, he gave the Jesuits public Churches and dwellings, and to all of that Persuasion the free Exercise of it. He had indeed himself been brought up in the Romish Religion, which might in some measure have warranted the Profession of it in his own Chapel (though Henry the Fourth of France dispensed with his former Faith upon his accession to the Crown) endeavouring thereby to cure the Jealousies of the people, who are no way so fervently engaged, as upon the the account of Conscience. But Demetrius his public despising of the Rites of the Greek Church, and his so open endeavours to introduce that of the Latins, abhorred by the people, gave the first shock to their affections; and then his Habit, Garb, and Gesture being wholly Foreign; the Commonalty, who see but the outside, and make their judgement by that, conclude his Inclinations were so too. But what wrought most effectually upon those that understood best, was, to discern a lightness in his Behaviour, bearing no proportion with so exalted a Quality as he bore in the world; little Gravity, and less Judgement in the manage of public Affairs, measuring concerns of a different nature by the same Standard. From this short-sightedness, being but newly invested in the Royalty, he denounced War against the Swedes; and with the same vanity writ to King Sigismond, that he would arm against the Turk and Tartar, before he knew the Constitution of his own Empire, or by what establishment an Army was to be maintained.  
Demetrius being Crowned Emperor, his next care was the matter of his Amours; those Passions were still alive in him; and he had so much of the Constancy of a Lover, as to invite Marina to the participation of his Greatness: Upon this consideration, he dispatched a splendid Embassy into Poland, with a Present of the Jewels of the Crown of an inestimable value. The Palatine of Sandomiria had indeed deserved well from him; but the Nobility of Muscovy abhorred the thought that the Treasure of their Empire should be havocked away upon that Negotiation, which no way quadrated with their Appetite: however, this concern fell out so far luckily for Demetrius, that it respited his fate; for the Conspirators having laid their design to be put in execution some days after the dispatch of this Embassy, held it advisable to delay it till that was over; lest by quitting their hands of their Great Duke, the Jewels of the Crown should fall short, and stay in Sandomiria. They therefore directed the Ambassadors (who were also privy to the Confederacy) to make secret Articles with George Mniseck the Palatine, Marina's Father, before they made their Present of the Jewels to her, that she should bring them with her for her Ornament to Musko. There was at the same time dispatched an Ambassador to the King and Commonwealth of Poland. Athanasius Rosclovius the Treasurer was made choice of for this Employment; who being admitted into the King's presence, did in the Name of his Master the Great Duke, present his very hearty acknowledgements to the King and Nobility for the seasonable Aids he had received from them; declaring, that next under God, he derived all his Enjoyments from their Succours; and confessed, that had he not been vigorously owned by them, he must have wandered about the world, the pity of his Friends, and the scorn of his Enemies; whilst an Usurper possessed the Throne due to his Birth, and in which by their kindness he was seated in perfect peace. And as a Testimony of his further Gratitude, he had sent his Ambassadors to establish a perfect Friendship and League Offensive and Defensive betwixt the Crowns, which was to extend to all the Enemies of either Nation, especially the common Enemy the Turk, who by the advantage of misunderstandings amongst Christian Princes, got ground upon Europe. And that he might be the more naturally linked to the Kingdom of Poland than the Ceremony of a League could extend to, he desired the King's permission to Marry a Lady his Vassal, the Palatine of Sandomiria's Daughter: His Obligations to her Father being of that nature, that he knew not by what other means to contrive him a proportionable Recompense. He had not only owned and received him in his Exile, but engaged his Person and his Fortunes in his Quarrel; and he could not stand acquitted to himself, if he did not communicate to the Daughter of those Enjoyments which were derived to him by the kindness and Courage of her Father. The King having fully heard the Ambassador, did with much Civility acknowledge the respect of the Great Duke in that Address; that he wished him all happiness, and did hearty congratulate the success of his Arms in the acquirement of his just rights: Adding further, that he did highly commend the pious resentments he was pleased to have for the sufferings of the oppressed Christians. That he would willingly enter into a League with him against the Infidels, but that without the consent of the Senate and Nobility of the Kingdom, he could determine nothing of that Nature. As to the Proposal of his Marrying the Lady Marina, he should not only have his consent, but his prayers also, that God would render that Marriage auspicious to both Kingdoms, by propagating between them a League of everlasting Friendship. The King having expressed himself to this effect, the Nuptials were within eight days after celebrated at Cracow, in the presence of the King, and a great number of the Nobility of Poland, who were invited to this Royal Solemnity. His Majesty delivered the Bride with his own hand to the Ambassador, exhorting, that now she was to be transplanted into another Nation, she should retain the Memory of her own Country, and her Father's house: That she should do all good Offices betwixt both Nations; and above all things, that she should adhere to the Catholic Religion, wherein she had been educated.  
The Church-Ceremonies being finished, his Majesty entertained the Bride at a Royal Feast: Prince Vladislaus his Son, the Princess of Sweden his Sister, the Palatine of Sandomiria, the Ambassadors of Persia, with all the Public Ministers then at Court, were invited to it; where at the last Course, those Jewels sent by Demetrius to his Marina, and the Palatine her Father, to the value of two hundred thousand Ducats, were served up to the Table instead of Fruit; which in so Illustrious an Assembly spoke the Magnificence of the Russ, and satisfaction of the Bride, to be courted at so valuable a Rate.  
About the end of Jan. 1607, the Bride, accompanied with the Ambassadors of either Nation, the Palatine her Father, and Duke Constantine Wisnioweski, and many other Persons of Quality, and a splendid Train, having taken her leave of the King and Court of Poland, set forwards towards Musko; and on the 26th of April entered the Imperial City; being met by the way by Peter Bosmanno, attended by a great number of the Nobility, who conducted her into, and through the City, which was fitted and accommodated according to the Mode of the place upon such occasions; the Citizens being disposed in their Formalities, to make a passage for her; and the streets echoing her Welcome with the confused noises of the People, Trumpets, Cymbals, and other sorts of Music. Being arrived at the Palace, she was received by Demetrius with all the imaginable demonstrations of Joy and Affection. She also was not wanting in a very obliging reception of the Great Ladies that were presented to her: and after a short stay at Court, she, after the manner of that Country, was conducted back to the Monastery where the Empress Dowager was, and where she was accommodated with an Apartment till the celebration of the Nuptials. Four days after, she was removed from thence to another Apartment, prepared for her in Court, and Royally furnished, in order to her Marriage, which was the day following after Evening-prayer performed by the Patriarch. The Sceptre, the Apple, and the Sword, were born before the Emperor (the Great Duke of Muskovy assuming that Title) and the Crown wherewith the Empress was to be adorned, was carried before her upon a Cushion of Crimson-Velvet, the Walls of the Church being hung with the same Livery, bordered with a deep Fringe of Gold. The Church-ceremony ended, they were both of them, with their Crowns upon their Heads, conducted back to the Palace (all the Cannon, Bells, and Music in the Town thundering, ringing, and playing without intermission) where the succeeding night was wasted in Feasting, Dancing, Balls, Masks, and other Revels proper for the Divertisements of Kings and Great Personages. The Solemnity was continued the next and other following days, with all those Delights and Pleasures which the Wit of Russia could invent, no excess being spared which might improve the State and Magnificence of the Nuptials, till the 16th, the fatal Eve of the ensuing Tragedy.  
We have already given you some account of this Emperor's disadvantages in the people's esteem, and by what ways he lost ground amongst them; his manner of living bearing no proportion with the station wherein he was placed. He was much to seek in the Art of Government; neither had he discretion to make right application of the Advice of his Council, or indeed to be much amongst them; his whole time being spent in the Society of Players, and such other Mimics, whereby his Nature being vitiated, he grew profuse of the Treasures of the Crown; which were so strangely wasted amongst his Rabble, that to enumerate their sum, must needs raise the Readers admiration. They speak of many Myriads of Gold and Silver, and twelve Bushels of Pearl, and other Jewels; and to have this prodigious stock of Riches havocked away in a few months, rendered him the hate and scorn of the Nobles; which was heightened by his introducing of foreign Habits and Customs amongst them; a people tenacious, even to Superstition, of the old Manners and Ceremonies derived to them from their Fathers. All this being put together, did so inflame them, that what they first designed out of a levity in their nature, was now pursued upon the score of Justice, as being called to it by Divine Impulsion, to chastise this Mushroom of a Prince, whose growth being preposterous, his end was likewise so.  
Basilius Zuiski, to the rest of his Arguments to conspire the ruin of this Prince, had now an addition of Revenge to add to the heap, for that public reproach laid upon him, not to be canceled by new favours. He considered, that the next transgression would be severely punished upon him, and that he only held his life at the will of a Tyrant, in whose power it was every moment to renew the old Judgement against him. He was not wanting to inflame the Lords and people with a zeal, as he termed it, to the Interest of their Country; who had taken fire to that height, that they used to discourse publicly concerning him: As for his Birth, it was base, being nothing of the Person or Manners of Jo. Basilius appeared in him; and as for his Religion, it was Heretical, being he scorned coming to the Churches; and if at any time he appeared there, he manifested neither respect nor Devotion; & by his Outlandish Modes, rendered his Presence a reproach to the Place. He omitted bowing to St. Nicholas and other Saints which were had in Veneration by that people; and in his Diet would ordinarily eat Calves-flesh, which was held an abomination amongst them. A bold fellow taking the liberty to discourse at this rate in the hearing of some of the Guards, was seized upon, and brought before the Great Duke, who commanded him to the Rack; but some of the Council interposing, affirmed that the fellow was drunk, and that it was below his Majesty to reflect upon such a worm; adding, that there was no cause for those fears in a potent Empire, where he was able to raise Millions for the defence of his Sacred Person; so that he was fatally swayed to neglect the business: and being drowned in security, and led away by the flatteries of a sort of Buffoons, who fed his pleasures with fresh Inventions, he left the Affairs of State to their own fortune, accounting himself secure in the protection of his new Guards of Foreiners, which were 300 men, English, French, and Scotch, and divided into three Squadrons, commanded by Officers of their respective Nations. They were armed with Swords and Halberds, and clothed for their every-days Habit in Scarlet, and for Festivals in Crimson-Sattin. These Guards were brought in the place of those Foreiners whom he had dismissed before; but the Gangrene was run too far to be cured by so feeble an Application.  
The Conspirators, as we have already observed, had purposely suspended the Execution of their Design, till the arrival of the Bride, especially the return of the Jewels; with another Consideration of no less Consequence, as to time, which was judged most seasonable at the Solemnity of the Nuptials, when Demetrius and his Court would be drowned in pleasures.  
Basilius Zuiski, allied by the Mother to the Blood-Royal of Muskow, had two Brothers, John and Eogdan, who were very serviceable to his Design in the raising of some thousands of men in their several Territories, and especially in their conveying of them into the City unobserved. The Marriage of Demetrius conspired with them in that part of it, as agreeable to the manner of the Eastern Nations; for the Nobility upon such public Solemnities do travel with a great Train of Friends and Attendants. There was upon the 16th of May a more Royal Feast appointed than any had been held before, as if upon a particular respect and Honour to the Polish Nation; to which the Ambassadors of that Country being invited, they instead of promising to come, returned their Answer by way of expostulation, that unless the same place were given them at the Great Duke's Table, as his Ambassadors enjoyed at Cracovia, they begged his Pardon for not obeying him; choosing rather to deny themselves the Honour of his Invitation, than to receive it to the prejudice of their King and Commonwealth. This Punctilio being argued in Council, was opposed by the Russian Lords by all the Arguments they could devise; but the Great Duke overruled the Point, and would have the Foreiners gratified, as those by whom he had ascended up to his Throne. There happened during the Feast some passages of heat betwixt them; the Poles giving themselves the liberty to reproach the want of Courage in the Russians, as having imposed an Emperor upon them; which Language being received with scorn, had certainly been returned with severity upon the place, but that having whispered together, they chose rather to hasten their Design, and to Revenge all their Resentments together. The close of the Feast was the beginning of the Affray: for when all the world was steeped in Jollity, giving themselves up to Dancing and Revels, the very Guards being dismissed upon this occasion; the Conspirators, who had been kept waking upon other Designs, had by break of day next morning possessed themselves of the most considerable Parts and Avenues of the City; and Basilius Zuiski placing himself in the Head of them, with a Cross in one hand, and his Sable drawn in the other, led them on towards the Heart of the City. He had caused the great Bell (the common signal of Alarms) to be tolled, and a confused Cry to be spread about the Streets, that the Poles were in Arms, upon a Design of putting the whole City to the Sword. The People being raised with this apprehension, fell upon the Poles in their Quarters, and destroyed them before they could wake to see their danger. The tolling of the Bell, with the greater noise of the people in the Streets, had roused Demetrius, who calling to them of his Bedchamber to inquire the Cause of that Tumult, they answer, it must necessarily be some Fire. Bosmanno being commanded to understand the true reason of it, hastens to the window that looked towards the Streets, and observed them full of armed men; and ask the Cause of it at that unseasonable hour, they cried, they would speak with that Impostor the Great Duke, who had betrayed them into the hands of the Poles. Bosmanno hearing this, and struck with the apprehension of the danger, ordered such of the Guards as lay next at hand, to be called to their Arms, and to make good the Palace; and going in to Demetrius: My Lord (said he) it is now too late that you have the Experience of my Counsel; the Conspirators are in Arms, and the Treason at your Door. Whilst Bosmanno was speaking, a Gentleman of the other Party had pressed through some of the Guards half asleep, and called to the Duke aloud, Thou false Great Duke, why comest thou not out to satisfy that demand of the people, who are in the Streets expecting thee? Bosmanno abhorring so great an Insolence, snatched a Sable which hung by upon the Wall, and at one blow laid this bold man dead at his feet. Demetrius fling himself out of Bed, and covering his Body with what was next hand, snatched a Halberd from one of the Guards, with which going into the Antichamber where the Conspirators were, entering with fury in his looks, he flies upon them, and put the forwardest to retreat: but they pressing in the second time, and some of them shooting at him, he judged it advisable to withdraw; whilst Bosmanno advancing up towards them, desired they would please in a peaceable manner to signify their desires, and he would undertake to have them gratified. Michael Tatisson, one of the Ringleaders, answered him, Thou Son of a Whore, dost thou take upon thee to prescribe Rules to the Nibility and people of Russia? And drawing out a long Knife which hung by his side, stabbed him to the heart, wherewith he fell down dead before him upon the place. The Guards being now no longer able to resist, were killed as they appeared, whiles the poor Duke retiring from Chamber to Chamber with some few of his Servants, was at last come to such a place, where there was no further passage: he hurried on by his despair, fling himself out of a Window, forty foot from the ground. His fall was so great, that he vomited Blood with the crush of it; but his fears making him strong, he scrambled to his Guard of Muskovites in the Fortress. The Conspirators in the mean time missing their prey, made Booty of what else they found in the Palace; and causing themselves to be guided to the Apartment of the Empress, who had hid herself, they asked for her: but the frighted Ladies wanting courage to reply, the old Lady Palatine of Samoc, confident in the Prerogative of her gray-hairs, told, she was upon the noise fled to her Father's Lodgings. They searched the Room, and not finding her, revenged their disappointments in such a vile sort of unclean Expressions, as is not fit for any Language but the Russian to repeat; and the Lords by this strange irruption transported in their very minds to all excess of Debauchery, seized each of them upon one of the Ladies; none escaping them but the old Lady Palatine, who was spared upon the Privilege of her wrinkles, and another Lady that sat sick in a Chair; till one of them observing some extraordinary motion about her lower parts, pulled her up; where the poor affrighted Marina was discovered, but with so great a Majesty in her Aspect, that they her Enemies seemed more astonished than she, and withdrew, offering her no kind of violence; which is not the least Argument for the Dominion of Beauty, able to subdue the Spirits of men, when they are become savage. The Conspirators having received some advertisement that Demetrius was retreated to the Fort for shelter, they all made thither; where after some confused attempts, but greater threaten to force the place, that unfortunate Person was put into their hands. They led him away in Triumph, as the Spoils of War; and the Rabble were not wanting to aggravate his afflictions by their reproachful Behaviour and Language; to which he made no reply at all: but seeing his stately Palace pillaged, and stained with the Blood of his Servants and Friends, and others of them hurried away to Prison, and abused in his presence, he could not resist to manifest his resentments by his Tears. And to add yet to his misery, they covered him with an old ragged Coat, and so exposed him to public view, not without the scorn of mocks and taunts, which none can have so great a sense of, as he that had been possessed of so eminent a Grandeur. And to leave nothing unattempted that might embitter his Soul (besides their justling him, pointing their fingers at his eyes, plucking him by the Nose, and such rude freedoms) they ask him if he were Demetrius or Grisko; and what Devil had tempted him to profane the Blood-Royal of Russia by so base a mixture. He expressing a greater sense of this than all his other sufferings answered, You all of you know that I am Great Duke of Muskovy, Crowned in the face of the whole world, and received, as I am, So● to John Basilius; which if you make any Question of, go to the Cloister, and 〈◊〉 the Empress my Mother, to whose Testimony I refer you, and shall abide by it. They al● seemed startled at this positive affirmation and that being the main Point of the Quarrel, they would after all their brutish violences seem to do him right in that: in order whereto, they all desired Basilius Zuiski to attend the Empress for her Declaration; which he did accordingly: And if we will credit common report in this matter, it is rendered, that the Empress did renounce him now, as positively as she had owned him before; affirming, that her Demetrius was murdered by the cruelty of Boris; but that seeing how this Impostor had possessed himself of the Empire, she judged it safer to own him for hers (being she could not by denying him divert the people) as a means to procure her not only her enlargement, but the enjoyment of her State and Greatness; and that indeed she was not without some good will for him, as having revenged her injuries upon the bloody Usurper Boris; but that in truth he was no Son of hers, neither had she ever seen him before that time that he met her upon her return to Musko. Zuiski returned with this answer from the Empress; which having reported to the people, a Merchant stepped out of the crowd, with a Pistol in his hand, and coming up to him, spoke with a loud voice, Thou infamous Traitor, 'tis enough thou hast lived hitherto to deceive the people of Russia; take the reward of thy Ambition for staining the Sacred Blood-Royal by thy Imposture; and with that shot him to the heart, whereupon he fell dead upon the place; and the people, whose love and hate are always in extremes, seeing him laid along, wounded his carcase with their Swords and Pikes, as if they could never kill him enough; and to show their malice did not end with his life, they dragged him out of the Hall by the heels to the place where the Body of Bosmanno lay; the Rabble following after with Outcries and Exclamations, as if he had yet sense left him. And thus was the splendour of these Nuptials darkened by the Tragic end of the unfortunate Demetrius, who was only suffered to taste the joys of a Crown and a fair Bride, and then snatched from them; as if the whole had been a Dream, which upon the wakening vanished away.  
The Barbarity of the enraged Multitude rested not here; it extended to his inanimate Corpse: for having laid his Body naked, they post a cord through it, which being fastened to his private parts, they tied it to Bosmanno's foot; and dragging both the Bodies through the Streets into the Marketplace, they lay exposed there for that whole day; which was done to satisfy the world, that the Great Duke being killed, it concerned the people in order to their own safety to consider of another choice. I shall not trouble the Readers ears with the further indignities offered to the dead Carcase, beyond what Heathens would have permitted, much less acted.  
The contagion of this Tragedy extended itself to the Poles quartered up and down the City, who with the like inhumanity were pillaged and murdered by the multitude. There was a mixture of malice and cunning in their cruelty; for in those parts of the City where the death of their great Duke was not yet known; the Russians came with a formal Command to the Poles, that it was the Duke's pleasure they should attend him unarmed, being he would have nothing of force or terror in the celebration of his Nuptials; and the poor Poles giving credit to this deceit, exposed themselves tamely to the slaughter which was committed upon them. Many warned by the cruelty exercised upon their Friends, disputed their lives, and fell not unrevenged. Some defended their Quarters; amongst the rest, one Vitenski, a young Polish Gentleman of great Quality, made good his with a great slaughter of the Rabble, till not being able to force him, they caused Cannon to be drawn before the house. Upon that he hung out a white Flag in token of surrender; and then causing his Servants to cast out handfuls of Gold and Silver amongst the Rabble, he engaged them all in the scramble; and then being well seconded by his Friends and Servants, he sallied upon them, forcing his passage through the lives of many a Russian, and making way with his Sword, bore all before him; till being spent with toil, and the carnage he had made, he was ready to be overwhelmed by their numbers, when some Russian Lords coming seasonably to the place, interposed their power, and rescued him out of the hands of the people. Duke Constantine Wisnioweski and the Palatine being in their several Palaces, which were large and strong, received many of their Countrymen which fled from the people's rage in to them, and defended themselves maugre the force that was prepared against them; killing a great number of that giddy multitude who attempted them. The houses of Ambassadors were in the height of this fury considered as Sacred, they only of all Foreiners escaped untouched. Many Merchants upon account of their Traffic with Poland were pillaged and murdered; and at this time they, especially the Stranger-Merchants and Jewellers, were more numerous, and had more Riches about them than ordinary, in order to the great confluence of people at Musko, to celebrate the great Dukes Nuptials.  
This Massacre (as no violent thing is perpetual) ended with the day, in which there fell twelve hundred of the Poles, and four hundred of the Russians. The darkness of the night was accompanied with horror and silence, as if guilty of the more dismal preceding day. The next Morning the Boyarians being recollected, went to Council, where the first thing proposed, was, the Election of a New Prince, as the only Expedient to prevent future Commotions. Zuiski observing the temper of the Nobility, and that many had an eye upon him; the better to dispose them in his favour, and to remove such Objections as might be urged against him, is said to have spoke in the Assembly to them after this manner:  
My Lords and Friends,  
THat Station wherein God hath placed me a Member of this Empire, as it rendered my Actions of an extraordinary Nature in these late Revolutions, so it hath plunged me upon some inevitable, though irregular Expedients; without which it had been impossible to rescue the Honour of the Empire from the Confusion ready to overwhelm it. But as you, my Lords, are Witnesses for me of our Disorders, so am I to myself, of that reverence I bear to our Laws, and to the Majesty of him that is seated upon the Throne. These considerations did so long restrain me, that I had almost suffered myself to be born down with the Torrent, rather than tread a way to redeem millions of People from the Inundation. But a just zeal to my native Country, and the Honour of the Royal Family, having at length subdued the temper of my Nature, I shall instead of excusing what is done, bemoan to you the unhappiness of our Fate, that hath left us no other way to avoid Death and Confusion, but through it. To what extremes were we reduced, when the Sword of Justice must be committed to the hands of the Multitude (who commonly strike blindfold) and that nothing but Blood, Horror, and Confusion could preserve us either a Being, or a Name! But the work is done, the Tyrant is chastised, and the ashes of our dead Emperor in some sort appeased: We are now to look forward; and in order thereto to consider, how God the Disposer of Empires, had by a long and uninterrupted Series of Princes, devolved this greatest of Christian Kingdoms upon the Person of John Basilius; whose great Mind not enduring to be restrained within the Bounds of his ancient Dominions, extended his Conquests by the accession of two great Kingdoms to the Empire; and ●f any particular Persons suffered under the violence of his temper, yet the universal benefits of his Victories did abundantly balance those private mischiefs. My several Employments and Trusts under that Great Prince in Peace and War, in Negotiations and Embassies, and Battles, as it gave me a particular knowledge of, and Honour for so Illustrious an Emperor, so it gave me an Inspection into the Mysteries of State, which ●y degrees had so naturalised me into the concerns of the Empire, that I think I may, without vanity, assert my actings, as principally respecting the Honour of my Prince, and the safety of my Country. But Basilius being dead, our Glory (as if he had been the Soul of our Nation) withered away under the Conduct of Theodorus; whose infirm, melancholic Complexion, bearing no proportion with the Courage of his People, they seemed to degenerate from what they had formerly been; and the barrenness of the Great Duchess conspiring with the indisposedness of the Prince, our Government was no longer supported by his Virtue, but rendered a Prey to the Designs of her Favourites. And though her unfruitfulness had by our known Laws actually repudiated that Lady from the Emperor's bed, yet by the artifice of that worst of men (whose Name ought to be in horror with us) she was continued near him, whilst that cursed Brother of hers, Boris, having thus, and by the Murder of Demetrius, deprive● us of all hopes of a Successor, had by the influence of a secret Poison, laid a Train for the life of Theodorus, and was to take effect in point of time, with his other hellish Contrivances for the attaining of the Empire. Then was it, that our Banks being born down in the Extinction of the Royal Family, our Calamities broke in upon 〈◊〉 like a Deluge; and such miseries as were not within humane Comprehensions, were acted upon us by the vilest of Monsters; whose Villainies were such, that had we not our own Testimony for our Sufferings, we should never credit that of any other. It was from the Sense of this bleeding Condition, that I judged it necessary to close with any Pretensions, for the Extirpation of so abhorred a Tyranny; judging it a less evil to own the supposed Demetrius, than to sit under the Cruelties of Boris; and no other way being then visible, I was constrained by the Aid of an Impostor, to revenge the Royal Family upon a bloody Usurper: In order whereto, I recommended him to you, my Lords, and to the whole people, as the rightful Heir. But this Mushroom thus set at the Helm, immediately attempts to hurry us from one confusion to another; nothing of ours was Sacred in his eye, the Religion of our Forefathers was become our reproach, our ancient Laws trampled on and violated, new Fashions and uneasy Customs introduced upon us, our Liberties taken away, and the Government put into the hands of Strangers. These considerations made me break through all difficulties to resist the Impostor, and with the hazard of my life to refuse him those Honours which were due to a lawful Prince. 'Tis true, I fell into his hands in the Attempt; and that he spared my life, when the Executioner was ready to take it from me: But I own it him but as to a Thief, who had no right over it; and who when he might, did not take it away. Though this might oblige any other of less zeal for his Country, yet I, who lay under greater obligations to that, and that never cared to live for myself alone, was after some reluctancies upon the sense of ingratitude resolved to embark my Fame in the same Vessel that had the charge of the Common-Interest; choosing rather to Shipwreck with that, than to lie secure with my own Concerns in the Harbour. That which gave life to my Endeavours, was the faithful concurrence of you, my Lords, whose Zeal and Courage in so glorious an Attempt, as it contributes to the eternal Honour of your Memory, so it receives Testimony from the Great Disposer of Empires, who hath signalised his Approbation of our Actings in the Event. And now, my Lords, being we are delivered from our Bondage, and have once more day before us, that the Royal Line is extinguished, and that we are in the quality of a free people, it behoves us, as good Patriots, to provide for the Government of these vast Territories, in a way consistent with their ancient Constitutions: in order whereto, let us look into the Commonwealth, for what is denied us in the Royal-Family; and pitch upon a Person fitly qualified for the Greatness and Honour of the Charge he is to undertake. Let his Extraction be Eminent, and of the first Rank, that the Glory of the Empire may not receive diminution from the meanness of his Blood, or the Nobles scorn Obedience to their Inferior; and let his Virtue be so Illustrious, that they have no room to envy his Precedency. But above all things, make choice of a zealous Worshipper and Observer of our Religion, in the Rites and Ceremonies of our Ancestors; which besides that it draws down the Blessing of Heaven upon us, it checks all Conspiracies hatched under the Mask of Godliness and Conscience. Let your Prince be a Person of years and Experience in the Affairs of State, considering that besides our disorders within, we are surrounded with Enemies from without, who lie in wait to invade us, and are ready to close with any distempered Spirits for our confusion. Let him be one who will account Justice and Temperance a more firm Support, than Pride and Arrogance to the Royal Majesty; who measures his safety from the Affection of his People, and his Treasure from the Preservation of their Propriety, and the Splendour of their condition. When I discourse at this rate, you will possibly say, Where can you point us to such a Person of these Accomplishments? I know 'tis difficult to do so; but it being the duty of a worthy Commonwealths-man, and becoming the Honour of this great Assembly, to propose the best things: Let us in the Name of God proceed to our Election with all necessary prudence and sincerity.  
This insinuating Speech being received by the whole body of the Lords with universal applause, they passed an unanimous Vote in favour of the Orator; who being a Person of great Birth, and great Parts and Experience, was elected Prince, Emperor, and great Duke of Muskovy, by the concurring Suffrages of all the Nobility upon the place; who immediately passed an Act of State for the confirming of the Election upon the Person of the Illustrious Prince Basilius Zuiski, who ascended the Royal Throne of Russia upon the 17th of June 1606.   

SECT. III.  
Basilius Zuiski being scarce warm in his Throne, is disturbed by another pretended Demetrius. Putiwol by the artifice of Schakopski, declares for the Impostor. His Lieutenants beat the Zuiskians, and block up Mosko. Masalski is defeated, and the Muskovites being reduced to great straits, give the Lady Marina her liberty; who after some difficulty acknowledges this Pseudo-Demetrius to be her Husband. King Sigismond invades Muskovy, and Besieges Smolensko. Demetrius flies to Caluga, his Army mutinies by the practices of Marina, and dissolves. Zolkievius beats the Muskovites at Clusinum. Zuiskis is deposed, and Prince Uladislaus chosen Great Duke of Muskovy.  
BAsilius Zuiski being thus chosen Emperor, his Coronation was hastened, to prevent any change in the Affections of the People; which being performed with the usual Ceremonies of State, he took upon him the Administration of the Government, placing Guards upon the Lodgings of the Palatine and Duke Wisnioweski, as well to observe their motion, as to preserve them from injury. He also caused the Lady Marina to be delivered to her Father with what was hers, except the Jewels of the Crown presented to her by Demetrius, which were restored again into the Treasury. And to put some Countenance upon the late Tumults, he published a Declaration against the slain Demetrius, rendering him guilty of Imposture, Witchcraft, Heresy, and Tyranny. The People, as 'tis their nature, fond of what is new, and of their own Creation, received all that came from him as Oracles; and perceiving he took delight to vilify and traduce Demetrius in his Writings, they to Compliment his humour, digged up his poor Carcase out of an obscure Grave which had been given it, after three days lying above ground; and after a repetition of barbarities upon him, they burn the body, and scatter the ashes in the Air.  
And now the Great Duke casts about how to establish his Interest abroad; in order whereto, he renewed those Correspondencies which had been held betwixt that Crown and foreign Nations, by writing his Letters to several Princes of Christendom, wherein he gave a Narrative of the troubles of Muskovy, and his own advancement to the Throne. A Copy of his Letter to our King James, is extant in our Countryman Purchas his Pilgrimage, to which I refer the Reader; it being too long to insert in this place. Which though it be in a rude Copy of Language, yet speaks that Nation to be men that understand the compass of their business, though not much of Rhetoric.  
And thus ended the most unhappy Demetrius, an unparallelled Example of both the extremes of Fortune, and the Inconstancy of Popular Favour; for being by them brought from a Convent to a Crown, he was by them also precipitated from so splendid a height, into a calamitous abyss of misery. But whether he was truly Basilius his Son or not, is uncertain, and will ever be so; nay, it is questionable whether he was slain in this Muskovitish Tumult, or afterwards: for Fame, as she had divulged him long since slain, so now when he seemed dead to all men, she again raised him, and exposed him in a second Resurrection. For the Tumult was scarce appeased, when a report ran through the City, that he was still alive; another having in the hurry been killed for him, & not possibly to be known, being so unhumanely mangled, for all his being publicly exposed. 'Twas further muttered, that he had disguised and withdrawn himself betimes, escaping the danger upon swift Horses, which he had taken out of his own Stables. Neither was this Rumour without appearance, there having been several Stalls in the said Stables found empty of their Horses, which he afterwards affirmed he had made use of in his flight. Such who wished him well, believed this noise, because they desired it; and others who did abhor the flagitious Cruelty of what was acted, or preferred turmoils before quiet, did not contradict it. But the business was put out of Controversy, when after a few days Demetrius did indeed appear; but whether the true, or an Impostor (which I am apt to believe) is not yet decided. Whoever he was, the Poles flock to him, to revenge their Massacred Countrymen, and the Violation of the Laws of Hospitality; they acknowledge him for the true Demetrius' Emperor of Muskovy, and make War upon Zuiski with such revengeful obstinacy, that it cost him his Crown, his Liberty, and lastly, his Life, and consumed them an immense multitude of Men and Money. But to relate things in order: During the Confusions and Tumults at Musko, George Schacopski, Lord-Keeper of the Great Seal, and faithful to Demetrius, seeing the irresistible Torrent that was broke in upon them, contrived for his own escape out of Musko, and taking two Poles with him in Russian Habit, got away unobserved. The designed place for his Retreat was Putiwol a City that had stood vigorous for Demetrius in the Infancy of his Acquisitions. Being got about 30 Mile on his way, upon his leaving the Inn where he had refreshed himself, instead of ask the Hostess what was to pay, gave her a handful of Gold; with which she being equally transported with amazement and joy, desired to know the Author of that Profusion. Schacopski answered, As for myself, I am a Prince and Lord in Musko; but my place is to attend upon the Great Duke, whom the Rebels think they have murdered, but you have had the Honour to harbour him this day under your Roof. Having said this on purpose to raise a Rumour of his being yet alive, they immediately take Horse, and post away to the River Occa; where being wafted over in the Ferry, they gave the Waterman six Gold Crowns; and told him, he had had the Honour to serve the Great Duke Demetrius (pointing at him that passed under that Character) and promising the Waterman high Preferments for that days Service, if he ever should be restored to his Empire; charging him, as the Hostess before, in the mean time, to keep their counsel, lest they should be pursued. Being landed, they mount again, and post on towards Putiwol, taking all opportunities by the way, to possess the world of Demetrius his being alive, and escaped out of the reach of the Conspirators. Schacopski being arrived at Putiwol, sent his two Poles forwards to Sandomiria, with Letters to the Palatine's Lady of what had befallen in Musko, and to assure her, that the Great Duke, her Son-in-law, was escaped seasonably, and hoped suddenly to be in the head of an Army, to revenge upon his rebellious Subjects their Treason & Disloyalty. Schacopski having made his dispatches to Sandomiria, applied himself to the Citizens of Putiwol, desiring Audience from them in the Name of the Great Duke Demetrius his Master; which being granted, and an Assembly called, he took the liberty to enlarge upon the unheardof Barbarities of the Citizens of Musko, how they had slaughtered the Inhabitants without regard of quality; laying their malice so deep, as to attempt the Murder of the Emperor; but that he had been preserved by the Providence of God, who had always an especial regard on his Sacred Person: By whose Impulse, having taken some of his best Horses out of his own Stable, He, with a small, but faithful Company under his conduct, had withdrawn himself betimes out of the Tumult: That he was retired to his Allies in Poland, for Aid against his Rebellious Subjects; having left him to attend the Affairs of the Empire in his absence, with an express direction to apply himself in his Master's Name to that Loyal Town, to assure them that he was alive, and well, and preparing to vindicate the Honour of his Empire out of the hands of the Conspirators. Schacopski was not wanting in Arguments to provoke the Zeal of the Citizens to the Service of their Prince; how great an Honour it would be to that City, to be the only place in that vast Empire to which their Prince durst commit his Person and Interest: That he would not fail to stamp upon them particular marks of his Favours and Resentments for their seasonable Loyalty; and that it would be their Eternal Glory to bring in their Great Duke, and to place him upon his just Throne; cleansing the same from the pollutions of Conspiracies and Usurpations. His Oratory had that effect, as to inflame them upon the place with Resolutions to declare for Demetrius as their Leige-Lord and Sovereign; that their Lives and whatever else was dear to them should be at his devotion, and that in the mean time, till he honoured them with his presence, they would submit to his Commissioner the Lord Keeper; who having gained this great City, failed not to solicit the Neighbour-Country. He dispatched Posts into Tartary, inviting all that had the courage in behalf of an injured Prince, to repair to Putiwol. The Cossacks flock in; and in four weeks he had persuaded fourteen Castles in those parts, to follow the Example of Putiwol; taking a new Oath of Allegiance from them in the name of Demetrius against all his opposers, and particularly against the bloody Usurper Zuiski.  
Zuiski alarmed with the Rumour of a new Demetrius, and that a considerable party had declared for him, under the Command of Isthoma, a great Lord, made all the speed possible in his Levies, to check that growing evil; and encountering that Demetrian General, was totally defeated: Who pressing upon him, as Master of the field, blocked him up in the Imperial City, and sat down with his Army at the distance of about a Mile from it. Whilst Isthoma lay encamped there, there came up to him an Army of twelve thousand Cossacks under the Command of John Polutnich, a Soldier of Name, who was come out of Poland, and produced a Commission from Demetrius to Command in Chief as General; which Isthoma, after some disputing, was constrained to yield to, but apprehended the affront with so great disdain, that he resolved not to brook it, or after having chased Zuiski out of the the field, to truckle under the Command of Polutnich, who was about to ravish from him the Palms due to his Victory. Hurried on by these Sentiments of scorn, he risked the blasting of his Honour, by an extraordinary tenderness of it; and having debauched 9000 of the Army, he went over to Zuiski with them; who gave him a reception suitable to the seasonableness of the kindness; and much more, when Isthoma had assured him that no Demetrius had appeared in Putiwol; and that the whole trouble of his Affairs was form by the contrivance of the subtle Schacopski, who to render himself considerable, had possessed the people with a suggestion of Demetrius his being alive. This Relation from Isthoma was immediately communicated to the people; who, however, were not without their fears; and therefore sent out to Polutnich, demanding of him to see their Lord Demetrius, and they would cast themselves at his feet for pardon: and immediately Polutnich returned answer, that in truth Demetrius was in Poland, that he had there seen and spoke with him, and received from his own hand the Commission mission by which he then acted as General. Some of the Lords sent again, to assure him that the Great Duke Demetrius had been killed in Musko, in the face of the whole people; that if any one assumed that Name, he was an Impostor: Persuading him further to quit that counterfeit Prince, and join himself to the Party of the rightful Emperor, who would gratify his Loyalty with Preferments and Honours suitable to the Merits of his Service, in preventing the effusion of Christian Blood, & the harrassing of the Country, the guilt whereof would lie heavy at his door, if he should not hearken to their wholesome invitation. But he rejecting those offers with indignation, replied, he had taken an Oath of Loyalty to Demetrius, which he would preserve inviolable, and not like the perfidious ●sthoma, betray the trust reposed in him: He added, that he neither desired nor ca●ed for Zuiski's favour, only required of ●he Citizens, that if they would not have ●hat Christian blood which they so much pitied, spilt, they should forthwith return to their Duty and Obedience they ●wed their lawful Prince, deliver the Usurper Zuiski into his hands, and lay down their Arms: in doing so, he would grant them an Act of Indemnity and Oblivion in the Great Duke's Name, and promised they should be restored to that rank & place which the Loyal City did formerly obtain in the Great Duke's favour. On the other side, they were to expect nothing but the indignation of an incensed Lord, and of an enraged Soldiery. This Polutnich was a Muskoviter born, but had been brought up amongst the Tartars and Cossacks, and being taken prisoner by the Turks, had served as a Galleyslave against the Christians, till amongst others, he happened to be released by the Venetians; and passing through Poland towards his own Country, he met at Sandomiria with this new Demetrius; to whom being presented, he received conditions from him, and engaged himself in his Service, as General of his Army; upon which account he lay now encamped before Musko. But the Citizens perceiving that no Demetrius did yet appear, took heart; and making an unanimous conjunction with Zuiskis Troops, made a furious Sally upon Polutnich; who not able to sustain the assault of an hundred thousand men, was forced to quit his ground, and save himself by a disorderly retreat, in Caluga. Zuiski transported with the Success, returned Triumphant into Musko; and having modelled his Army for a march, advanced towards Caluga, and sat down before it; but was forced by the Valour and Conduct of the Lord Keeper to raise his Siege. However, having recruited his Troops, he marched again to find out the Enemy; and both Armies being met, were upon the point to encounter, when Schacopski being terrified with the unexpected defection of 4000 of his men, not daring to hazard the rest in so great a consternation, was constrained to quit the Field, retreating to Thula, whither he was hotly pursued by Zuiski, and the place closely besieged, in such sort, that not having had time to put in Provisions, they were soon reduced to the eating of Horses, Dogs, Cats, Rats, and such other things as were abhorring to nature. This quickly raised the Citizens into a mutinous posture against Schacopski and Polutnich, as being betrayed by them, upon an imaginary supposition, to adhere to a fictitious person that had not a being; else that Demetrius, if he had been alive, would not have failed in such a juncture of his Affairs, to have asserted his Interest in Person. Polutnich protested to them, that he had seen and discoursed with a young man in Poland of about 28 years of Age, who called himself Demetrius, and was there acknowledged for such; but whether he were really so or no, he could not positively affirm, having never seen him before. But if the people would have a little patience, and stand by him, he would send out such a trusty Messenger as they should make choice of, one that knew the Prince, to inform them of the truth, and to see what hopes of relief was to be expected from him. This being resolved upon, an Emissary was sent out, by the favour of the night, and the carelessness of the Besiegers; the Citizens resolving with patience to expect his return. In the mean time no Demetrius did appear; that person whom Schacopski had designed to assume his Name and Fortunes, being a Polish Gentleman, who thought it more safe to depend upon a plentiful estate of his own, than to change his private condition for the hopes and hazard of the Empire of Muskovy.  
An Empire can never Escheat for want of an Heir: a new Demetrius shows himself upon the Stage, coming out of Poland, the forge of all the contrivances and troubles of Muskovy. He was conducted to Putiwol by Micharetski a great Polish Lord; and acknowledged there, and received with all imaginary honour, as their Prince and Sovereign. After a short stay there, he marched with what force he could make to Staradub, where he met the Messenger from Thula; who being brought into his presence, was startled at the sight of a person only very like Demetrius, but in reality not he. Demetrius observing his dissatisfaction, judged it more advisable to carry the news of his relief in the head of his Army, than put himself into the hands of one who might raise in the City a prejudice against his Person and Interests. This precaution was not unreasonable, though it proved fruitless; the Garrison of Thula being reduced to those straits, especially for want of water, (and supposing by the Messengers long stay that he was fallen into the Enemy's hands) they came to Terms for a Surrender; which being honourable as to the condition of Soldiers, Zuiski swore to observe, but failed in the performance; for he caused Peter Fedrowits, an eminent person, to be hanged, and Polutnich to be cast into a loathsome prison, where he was miserably famished to death.  
Thula being reduced in this manner, the Demetrian Cossacks quitted their own Party as desperate, to follow that of the Conqueror; and were with some other Troops sent by Zuiski to prosecute the Siege of Caluga, the Enemies principal Receptable. The Quarters were scarce marked out before the Town, when there happened a desperate Mutiny amongst the Soldiers, propagated by the Cossacks, as was supposed, upon the news of Demetrius his recovery and approach. This gave so great a terror to the rest of the Army, that being possessed with a panic fear, they ran out of the Camp in the night in so great disorder, that they left their Baggage behind them, and made towards Musko with all their might. The Cossacks seeing themselves left to their own disposal, called upon the Garrison to receive them into the Town, assuring them of their friendship, and the flight of the Russians. The Garrison wondering their deliverance should be so near and so unexpected, could not upon the sudden (being agitated with the passions of hope and fear) resolve what to do; until being ascertained by their Spies and Parties they had sent out, of the truth of it, they opened their Gates and arms to receive their Deliverers, and jointly with them plundered the Camp, bringing into the Town in Triumph all the Provisions and Cannon of the same. The Cossacks themselves would not enter into the City, but hastening to meet Demetrius, joined themselves to his Army, with the mutual congratulations of both sides.  
Demetrius being thus revived, many Muskovites, and very many Lithuan●… and Poles came flocking in to him 〈◊〉 out of Novelty, others out of resp●…, many for Pillage, and most for Revenge, and being now rendered considerable by the accession of the revolted Cossacks, he marched in quest of the Enemy, whom he encountered and defeated, being 8000 men, and took Matthew Misinowski their General Prisoner; with which success having gained a strong reputation, the Towns of Severia gladly returned to the obedience of their old Lord, and furnished him abundantly with all necessaries for the War.  
But the Supplies from Poland were the main appay of his Army. Duke Roman Rosinski being engaged in the Quarrel, sent great Forces under the Command of Walareski, a Creature of his, out of that Country; and a while after, Duke Adam Wisnioweski, Tischievicz, Charlinski, Mielski, men of Eminence; and at length Rosinski in person came up with the rest of the Army; and at the same time there arrived at the Rendezvouz a Recruit of 8000 Zoporensian and Dumensian Cossacks; so that the Army being now great, and united into one body, Rosinski by the suffrage of all the Peers and great Officers was declared General. Basilius Zuiski observing the great growth and progress of his Rival, caused new Levies to be made, with which having form an Army of 170000, though most raw men, he placed his Brother Demetrius Zuiski in the head of them, with Orders to find out and fight the Enemy. And now behold both Armies in sight of each other, encamped near the Town of Bolchow! The first day was spent in Skirmishes, Picqueering, and other hostile Braveries. The next Morning both Armies impatient of looking upon each other, were drawn out in Battalia with all the advantages that the ground would admit, or able Officers could contrive; the General's caressing, exhorting, and encouraging their Soldiers to do well with all their Rhetoric. Zuiskis fierce in the confidence of his numbers and conduct, told his men, that now was the time to chastise the hereditary Enemy of their Country, the Pole, whose malice had been at work to create them those mischiefs under which their Kingdoms had laboured for divers years: That this was the second mock- Demetrius, framed and set up in Poland to be imposed upon them: That it would be a reproach to the Glory of their Empire, to receive Laws from Strangers, who by all Arts conspired their ruin: That this Demetrius whom they had now in the head of their Army, was one Master John, a Schoolmaster of Pocala, a Town in Russia Alba, as the other was one Grisko notoriously known in Muskovy; and his violent death suffered in the face of the whole world in Musko universally acknowledged, till the wicked Pole, maligning their Greatness, had raised another Impostor, under whose countenance they proposed to themselves the enslaving of their Country, and the rooting out of their Religion: That there was no deliverance from all these, and thousands more of miseries impending over them, but in their Courage: That they must resolve to win or die, and to lose the day at no other rate than the joss of their lives: That they must never survive their own happiness and the Glory of their Country; and that for his part, he would in that days fight give them the Example of a true lover of it. Demetrius on the other side, especially Rosinski, were not wanting to inflame the courage of their Soldiers by all the Arguments of Power to sway them; as desire of Empire, Revenge, and Spoils: That the Conquest of Russia depended upon the Points of their Swords, and that they had but that days labour to go in and possess that vast Empire. In short, both Armies join, with equal hopes and equal courage: The Fight proved but short though obstinate, and the success doubtful, till the Demetrians having beforehand placed their Chariots and Carriages; attended with their Servants, with Drums, Trumpets, and Colours at a distance out of sight (an usual Polish Stratagem) caused them in the heat of the Battle to appear in view with cries and shoutings; which was so dreadful an object to the Zuiskians, that they began to shrink, not daring to trust in their Courage against that fresh Reserve that advanced towards them: which the Polish Horse observing, seconded their fears with a violent Charge, wherewith they put the whole Army to an entire Rout, leaving behind them all their Cannon and Baggage upon the place. 5000 of the Muskovites saved themselves in Bolchow, who after being four days beleaguered, rendered themselves and the Town to the mercy of the Conqueror, and were for their encouragement disposed and listed amongst his Troops. The fame of this Victory opened him a passage into all the Cities and Forts in that Quarter, only Mosaise gave him the trouble of drawing before it, and then surrendered. And now Demetrius being absolute Master of the Field, marched by great Journeys towards Musko, the Imperial City; confident, upon the stock of his last signal Victory, that the Citizens upon his approach would quit Zuiski, and receive him into their Town: and questionless the issue had justified his computation, but for the new perfidy of those 5000 men, who upon the rendition of Bolchow had listed themselves under his Command; for these left him again, and marched into Musko, assuring the Townsmen, that the Polish Army was neither so numerous nor so formidable as Fame had rendered them: which comfortable Intelligence and Aid giving new life to the heartless Citizens, they resolve to adhere to the Fortunes of Zuiski; and taking advantage by the delays of Demetrius, who instead of improving his Victory as he ought, suffered his men to ramble up and down the Country, they consented to new Levies for the recruit of their Army, wherewith they blocked up the way between them and Severia: for the Poles were moved Northward, so that no further Supplies out of the adhering Provinces could well join with them; and many who were ignorant of this obstacle, were daily intercepted. But the Poles, at length grown sensible of their Error, drew back their Army to the Southside of the Town, and having forced those Troops which interrupted their Passage, encamped at Tusin with their whole strength, being environed and secured by the two Rivers Moska & Tussin. From whence by their frequent & vigorous Excursions, they obliged the Muskovites to keep within their Walls. The Citizens seeing themselves thus shut up, and that they could not drive away the Enemy by force, betake themselves to other shifts; they apply themselves to the Polish Ambassadors and the Palatine of Sandomiria, and propose a Treaty of Peace to them; and in the mean time mention a Cessation of Arms, as the only means to compass it. Their Design was not so much a Reconciliation, as that the Poles, otherwise naturally careless and licentious, should waste their force and heat in a languishing Truce, and that the designed Succours for their relief might be ready against the designed time. But the Ambassadors and the Palatine, who had been detained Prisoners ever since the Massacre, desirous of Peace and their liberty, send Peter Zbarouski to the Camp, to persuade their Countrymen to return into Poland, and not disturb that Peace which they were then treating, with further hostilities; but in vain: for the Poles refused all commerce or mention of Peace, unless Demetrius, from whom they expected the reward of their labours, were first restored to his Throne, and the Usurper delivered into their hands. Rosinski was in the interim preparing for an attempt becoming the greatness of his Quality and Courage; for Duke Basilius Masalski a Kinsman of Zuiski's having raised an Army in the adjacent Provinces of 70000 men for the relief of the Town, had entrenched himself upon the Banks of the River Chodiunka, three Miles from the City. Rosinski being resolved to attempt his Quarters, drew out his whole Army by favour of the night, and marching directly to the Enemy's Camp, in a manner secure in the greatness of their numbers and nearness of the City, broke into it without any very great resistance, killed 14000 upon the place, took the General prisoner, and scattered the whole Army. Neither was the Victory cheap or bloodless on the Demetrian side; for while they were engaged upon the Pillage, being dispersed over the Field to rake up the Spoils, the touted Enemy faced about, and rallying (being further encouraged by a Party come out of the City) returned to the Charge, and renewing the Fight with much pertinacy, made a slaughter amongst the Conquerors of multitudes of their men; in so much that they were upon the point of snatching the Victory out of their hands: when the Poles armed with despair only (for all hopes of flying was gone) rushed on with Resolutions to die or conquer, and finally compelled the Muskovites to a disorderly retreat. This considerable Victory magnified the Reputation and Terror of Demetrius his Arms. Many Provinces submitted to him, and he was reinforced with many and great Supplies out of Poland. Alexander Zlarowski brought him an addition of 1500 Horse, Sapiha as many, and several others other great Troops; in so much that the Muskovites (their own Forces being wasted, and such swarms of Foreiners pouring in upon them) despaired of being able to repel them: they therefore betake themselves to new Counsels, and coming to terms with the Ambassadors of Poland and the Palatine, still in their custody, they gave them their liberty, upon their undertaking to oblige their King to remand the Army of his Subjects which lay then at their doors: whereupon they, together with the unfortunate Marina in their company, were permitted to departed. Demetrius having intelligence of this, and not ignorant how advantageous it would be to his Cause to have these Persons with him; he sent Zbarowski with 2000 Horse to intercept their passage; which he did without difficulty, bringing them to the Camp, where they were presented to Demetrius. But his Party was much out of countenance to observe that strangeness of Marina's carriage towards him, with that of her Father and the Ambassadors, all of them affirming that this Demetrius differed very much from the slain Great Duke. But this passage was hushed up with all possible care and caution, and she sent to another Quarter of the Camp, no notice being taken that Demetrius had yet seen her; but this could not be so carried as to escape every observation: but what was most sensible was, that Kniasus Masalski, the routed General's Kinsman, than a prisoner in the Camp, made his escape; and getting into the Town, told the Muskovites the whole Story of Marina's arrival and doubts; which wrought so powerfully upon the wavering people, that they made new Vows of Allegiance and Fidelity to Zuiski; seeming resolved to suffer any hardship rather than this second Imposture, or to be imposed upon at the will of their Enemies. And therefore to testify the fallacious dealing of their Adversaries to the whole world, and to satisfy all others as well as themselves, they did by the instigation of Zuiski, depute some persons of Honour in principal esteem amongst them, to repair to Vglecz, with Orders to disinter the body of the true Demetrius, which had lain there 15 years, and to convey it to Musko, to be deposited in the Sepulchre of his Fathers. The Body was scarce above ground, when it was cunningly insinuated into the people, that the touch of it did work miraculous effects, which had been experimented by the fortuitous touch of some diseased Patients. The Veneration towards it was heightened by the People's astonishment at the uncorruptedness of the Corpse (for it was found still entire) which rendered it blasphemous to question what was become an Article of their Faith, to wit, whether this was the true, or the other the false Demetrius. Many lame and suborned blind by their intercessions to this new Saint were restored to their vigour and sight: so that the senseless Corpse, by the importunities of the more senseless Vulgar, was ordered to remain uninterred, until a Temple were built for its repose and their Superstition. A while after, the business grew so absurdly public, that the Relics of this fictitious Deity were by Zuiski's command, lest the fallacy should be discovered, suddenly, but very solemnly inhumed; this Reason being given, that though all manner of Honour was due to the Sacred Memory of their Prince, yet that Cult and that Veneration might by the mistaken zeal of the people be paid to a Mortal Creature, which is only due to the Immortal Creator; and so rendered them all in tangled in the same error, obnoxious to the Divine Indignation.  
But to return to the Camp, where we left the unsatisfied Marina, whose Ambition had exposed her to extraordinary turns of Fortune; and that being still the predominant passion of her Soul, when she was retired from Demetrius to an Apartment prepared for her and her Father, she had better leisure to digest and weigh the posture of her Affairs; and consulting the matter with her Father and some of their most secret Confidents, they brought it to this, that she must either own this Demetrius, or return into her Country with all the disreputation and reproaches that could be invented by either Party. The Zuiskians would affirm she had married a mean wretch, a suborned property, a Mushroom started out of the earth, and as soon extinct: and Demetrius and his Adherents would give out, that she was indeed his Wife, but that he had repudiated her for Incontinency. On the other side, if she should receive this man as her former Demetrius, she was sure to cast herself into the arms of some ignoble sordid person, set up only to gratify the Interests of the Poles, and she must thus prostitute herself as it were to serve their ends. But then after a full consultation they came to this, that by owning this second Impostor (if the first were one) she should sit upon the Throne of Muskovy; and that how ungenerous or mean soever Demetrius were in the reality of his extraction, the Crown (as it cures and wipes off all Attainders) would Nobilitate and purify his Blood; and that in truth Nobility itself was no other than a continued Succession of Greatness beyond the memory of the present times, there being no essential differences in the Extractions, but what is made by Wealth and Education. These wholesome considerations being received by this wise Lady, she resolved to submit to the condition of the times, and to serve herself of this opportunity to ascend to the Throne of Russia, which she had but seen as it were before like a Scene in a Play. But now she proposed to herself, that this Demetrius being upon the point of reducing Musko itself, and bringing the Nobility to a greater subjection than they had formerly been, she hoped her Dominion would be longer-lived, as laid upon Foundations of greater Policy. So that after ten days separation (upon several pretences of indisposition) she suffered herself to be conducted to the arms of her Demetrius, as she called him. The business being a Design of a popular nature, was advised to be acted in the face of the whole World; in order whereto, Demetrius was to meet his Empress in the presence of the whole Army, when all the Nobility, Ambassadors of foreign Princes, and Deputies of revolted Provinces were upon the place. The Interview was solemn, and full of passion. Demetrius received Marina into his arms, and intermingling their tears with their embraces, the whole business was acted so to the life, that the most subtle and doubting observers could not refuse to be satisfied. The Lady mingled the testimony of her love with marks of esteem and reverence as to her Lord as well as Husband; and he repeated his embraces and endearments with so vive a passion, that they drew tears of joy from the Beholders. He was not wanting in a particular application to the Palatine, making him his acknowledgements for all the Honours he had received from him in the Infancy of his Affairs; and they failed not to mention some particular passages of that time, which both of them seemed to remember very well, and with much pleasure. This Ceremony being performed with all necessary circumstances, the most wavering seemed now confirmed of the reality of Demetrius, and came flocking to the Camp from all Quarters. And thus did this Fable, contrary to the nature of Untruths, gain ground by age. In the mean time it was judged needful to fortify and accommodate the Camp, as well against the approaching Winter, as the attempts of the Enemy. Several goodly Edifices were erected for the Nobility, and Tents and Huts prepared for the rest of the Army; so that the whole being divided into Streets and public places, had the resemblance of a great City. All the Provinces of the Empire except Novogrodock and Smolensko made their submissions to Demetrius, supplying his Camp with abundance of Provisions of all sorts. The Inhabitants of Musko being by the defection of the Country and the ill neighbourhood of the Camp reduced to great straits, yet had courage enough not to yield, but applied themselves to Charles King of Sweden, who having usurped the Crown upon his Nephew Sigismond, was glad of any opportunity to incommode him; and therefore sent them a considerable force under the Command of Pontus de la Guard, which gave them a strong diversion the Summer following; and many Provinces of the Empire being tired and exhausted by intolerable Contributions exacted from them by the Poles, grew to a detestation of them; which having rendered the distractions of that vast Country universal, the Camp itself was not without strong effects of them, by Schism and Dissension amongst the Great Ones, whereby many opportunities of well-doing were omitted and neglected. Hence arose a new face of Affairs, and prodigious Vicissitudes; for all things seeming to conspire against the Imposture of Demetrius, fatally opposed him, even in the moment that in humane appearance he should have triumphed over all his Enemies.  
Whilst these things are thus moving in Muskovy, Sigismond the Third King of Poland was induced by the persuasions of his Senate and Council to invade that divided Empire: and to what was objected that there was a Truce in being, the time of it not yet expired; it was answered, that this was no Violation of that, but rather an adhering to it, by appearing for Demetrius the lawful Great Duke, and in actual possession of the greatest part of the Empire, against an Usurper, who had caused himself to be elected by perfidy and force. This would acquit them as to the world; and then as to that thing, it was very advisable with relation to the present posture of their Affairs. Their civil Dissensions were but newly calmed; and if any seeds of them remained, this would be a means to root them up, by diverting the humour upon another Enemy, and burying in Oblivion the former heats and animosities among themselves, by a nobler War abroad. It would also purge their Country of those swarms of vagrant Fellows and Robbers which now infested it, being the Excrements of their unhappy Discords; and to all this 'twas urged, that this War carried no charge with it: The Army was ready upon the least Summons, and would be able without difficulty to march into Russia, where they should live upon the Country as soon as they should set foot in it. There were many other Arguments of Honour and Interest, as to revenge the Massacre of their Countrymen, and the detention of their Ambassadors, and the employing so powerful a Neighbour at his own home and charges, etc. all which being laid together, it was determined to invade Muskovy with a Royal Army, and the King in the Head of it, where he could not in a divided & distracted State fail to give Law to both Parties.  
Sigismond in order to this Design mustered his Army at Orsa, which consisted of 6000 Lances, 18000 light-Horse, and 5000 foot; and passing the River Boristhenes, entered Muskovy in Aug. 1609. Leo Sapiha Chancellor of Lithuania, had persuaded the King that if he but appeared before Smolensko the place would be immediately surrendered into his hands This Temptation put him upon a hasty March, taking with him neither Cannon nor any other Engines of Battery, going rather to receive than force a City stored with all manner of Provisions necessary for War. But having by long Marches got near the Town, he found himself very much mistaken in his computation, the Garrison making strong Sallies upon him; which looked so unlike a Surrender, that he concluded himself deceived in his Intelligence.  
Michael Sehin Palatine and Governor of the place had 30000 Soldiers with him besides the Townsmen, being as many more able to bear Arms, with an immense quantity of Ammunition, Artillery, and Provisions to serve for a long Siege: so that the Palatine upon a confidence of his strength, despised the Chancellor's invitation for a Surrender. The King then seeing there was no entrance to be had unless forced, sat down before it, fancying that a short time would reduce so great a multitude to distress, however plentifully provided at present; being restrained from foraging, or the Country from bringing in their Provisions: or at worst, that they might be forced in a few Months, by a vigorous Attack. With these hopes he lays siege to the Place; which did not end so, for it held out above two years, with various changes and toils on both sides. Smolensko the Metropolis of a Province of that name, is famous for its largeness, wealth, and beauty; and being seated on the Banks of the Boristhenes, is encompassed with Hills and vast Woods. The Walls of the City are eight cubits thick, and 35 in height, whereof 15 are of freestone, and the other 20 of Brick, built after the old fashion, as also without Ditches or Outworks to hinder Approaches. Sigismond considering the obstinacy and power of the Enemy, commanded Cannon for Battery, Spades, Mattocks, and all other Instruments for a Siege, to be brought him from Vilna and Ticcocino, whilst he shuts up the Passages and Avenues of the City with his Quarters and Circumvallation. The King himself lay on Orsa side, his Quarters extending to the Banks of the Boristhenes; the Cossacks kept the East-side, reaching that way to the same River: Potocki Palatine of Bracl had his Post on the North-side beyond the River; and having burnt a Village near the City, which lay convenient for them to fetch in their supplies of Water, gave them some distress that way. Nowodorski a Knight of Malta, and Captain of the King's Guards, rendered himself famous for an Attempt, wherein if he had been vigorously seconded, the place had run the risk of falling into the King's hands. He fastened a Petard to St. Michael's Gate, which laid the passage open into the Town; but being ill seconded by his own men, and multitudes of the Russians flocking to the danger, he was forced to retreat without having effected any thing more, than to render the Enemy more diligent: who immediately blocked up their Gates with Mountains of earth, making also great Trenches before them, to prevent the like Attempt for the future. And thus the Siege continued with various labours on both sides; the King having lain about a year before it with more pertinacy than was judged conducible to the state of his Affairs, which seemed to invite him to Musko the Imperial Seat, as a place more probable to fall into his hands.  
It was now the Year 1610, and the Zuiskians had laboured long against a prevailing Enemy at their Doors, when the Aids came from Sweden. The Poles in the Camp wanted not their inconveniencies: They had a multitude of Chief Commanders, which occasioned frequent Disputes, to the disappointing of many probable Designs; they had to this a licentiousness in their Discipline, secure carelessness in the conduct of their Affairs (the natural infirmity of that Nation) and an instability and irresolution in their Councils, all things seeming to portend their ruin.: Most of the great Cities and Provinces, except Severia, had revolted from their Obedience: Their Taxations were become intolerable, which the unseasonable Seditions of the Army had extorted from Demetrius for want of Pay; the People now too late repenting themselves of the Contributions already paid them, without which they must have left them to the enjoyment of that peace, which by their own folly and fickle nature they had deprived themselves of. They proceeded so far in many parts of the Empire, as to seize upon, imprison, and kill the Tax-gatherers; which caused the Poles to disperse strong Parties of their Army into several parts of the Land, insomuch that their force in the Camp did not suffice to check the excursions of the Town, by whom they were several times baffled. Their Commander in Chief Rosinski upon one of those Sallies was shot into the side with an Arrow, of which hurt he lay long sick, and never perfectly recovered. Upon an Encounter which happened in May, the Poles had gained a notable advantage over them; but delaying their Retreat, gave the Enemy time to come on with fresh Troops against their wearied Soldiers, whom they routed; and snatching the Victory out of their hands, took divers Prisoners, and destroyed most of their Foot. The time was thus wasted, as well as the strength of each Party. The Poles having received Intelligence of the advance of the Swedish Aids towards Musko under the Command of Pontus de la Garde, sent Alexander Zbarowski with 2000 Horse to check their progress. He beat one of their Regiments at Toccinum, and killed 600 Germans upon the place. The Muskovites concerned in the safety of these Auxiliaries, drew out their whole strength and joined with them. The Poles also reinforced Zbarowski with their best Troops; and being now in the Field again, both Armies met at 'tTwere, 30 Leagues from Musko: the Dispute was fierce, the Demetrians rushing with contempt upon those they had so often beaten; & the Russians seemed more willing to die than be overcome; which made the Fight bloody and doubtful, until these were forced yet again to give place to the Ascendant Virtue of the Poles. And certainly the business had there received an end, had not the main body of the Army, commanded by Zbarowski himself, shrunk from the ground: for both his Wings prevailed over those of the Enemy, and dispersed those who had beaten his Battalia; but their number being inferior to that of the Enemy, they durst not follow the pursuit, or attack the body of Foot, which stood , notwithstanding the defection of their Horse. There were slain in this Fight 1000 Germane Horse, and 6000 Muskovites, with the loss of but 50 Poles. The Main Body of Zbarowski's Army emulous of the Success of their Fellows, and pressed with the shame of their own miscarriage, resolved upon the very spot of ground to redeem their sullied Honour, though contrary to the advice of some of their ablest Soldiers, who counselled them to withdraw to a more advantageous Post. The Army labouring thus under divided Counsels, but united in a careless security, some lying in the Field, and others quartered in the Town: The rallied Enemy about break of day fell upon them with a surprise so violent, that they had no choice left them, but to fly for their lives, or lie by it. Many save themselves in 'tTwere, which was Garrisoned with Cossacks; others scarce looked till they got to the Camp at Musko. The Poles did indeed what they could to have rallied, but the Assault being universal, it was impossible for them to do it; which probably saved most of them; but they lost all their Baggage, and most of their Horses. The Muskovites raised upon the stock of this Victory, stormed the Castle of 'tTwere thrice, but were as oft beaten off with loss; and now despairing of carrying the place, they raised the Siege, and marched towards the Volga, where they met again with the Demetrian Forces, and fought them at Kolasinum, but parted upon equal terms.  
Whilst Zuiski and Demetrius do thus with various Fortune strive for the Empire of Russia, Sigismond continues obstinate at the Siege of Smolensko; which if he had raised, and transferred his Arms to Musko, it is very probable he might have given Law to both those wearied and implacable Parties: but he was absolutely resolved not to quit the place till he had taken it, though it may be presumed he failed in his unseasonable distracting and weakening the Demetrian Poles, which he ought rather to have assisted with fresh Supplies, lest the Muskoviters prevailing, Zuiski might be confirmed in the Government, and attempt the relief of Smolensko with the united Forces of the Empire; which also happened. The King had not his Recruits so opportunely out of Poland as he desired; but he could not well call his Countrymen from Demetrius without satisfying their Arrears, and the rewards they had proposed from the Victory they seemed assured of; and the exhausted Treasury of the Commonwealth could not suffice for such a sum: but he positive in his resolves, sent some eminent Emissaries to persuade them to abandon Demetrius, and return to their Duty. They on the other side, sent their Ambassadors to the King, that they might not by an untimely desertion be defrauded of the fruit of their labours: and after many altercations and disputes of Duty and Rewards, the Soldiery resolved to persevere in their faith to Demetrius, and which they were obliged to by the Sacred Ties of Vows and Oaths. There were, for all that, some who promised Obedience, provided they might be paid their Arrears due to them from Demetrius. But the King's wisest Counsellors judged that they ought still to keep in with Demetrius, and by no means to distract his Forces until Smolensko were taken: for than they might march to Musko without opposition; with assurance, that all the Polish Forces, and all the places possessed by them, would of course fall into their hands. It was certain, that every disgrace that happened to Demetrius would advantage Zuiski: for the City of Musko would not only be delivered by dispersing his Army, but all the Demetrian Provinces revolt also from him; which proved true, as will appear hereafter: For the King's Agents having at length gained Rosinski, Zlarowski, and some other Chief Officers, the rest began to waver; which did so terrify Demetrius, that being solicitous for his own security, looking now upon the King's Engagement as a Design to expose him, he resolved to withdraw, rather than be made a Sacrifice either to his Interest, or the Avarice of the Soldiery, who for the satisfaction of their Arrears, would (he thought) have delivered him up to Zuiski himself. He would however first speak with Rosinski, and endeavour to conserve him if possible, still; but to no purpose: which irritated him so much, that he reproached him with levity and breach of Trust. This enraged Rosinski to that height, that he dared to call the Emperor to his face an Impostor, and the Son of a Whore. These Speeches not to be suffered by a private man, did so disturb the Prince, that seeing himself not in a condition to revenge them, or indeed to secure his own Person in his own Camp, he resolved to leave it; and taking Horse with only a very few of his Friends to Guard him, he privately got away, and fled to Caluga All the Boyarian Muskovites of his party did follow him; and his Lady, however left in the Camp, would not stay behind. The Ambassadors endeavoured to detain her, and to persuade her return into Poland; but she, like another Texena, affirmed, that she had not only wedded the good Fortunes of her Husband, but his Adversities also. The Ambassadors did notwithstanding persist and earnestly press her to submit herself to the King's Clemency and Munificence. They did at length so much, that she seemed vanquished by their Reasons, promising she would send Ambassadors of her own to the King; and gave them for the present her Letters to his Majesty, wherein having congratulated his arrival in Muskovy, she wished him all good Success. She farther complained o● the sad Vicissitudes of her Fortune, submitting herself and her Concerns to God, from whom she did expect an end of her calamities and sorrows; she added, My adverse Fate hath deprived me of all: I have nothing left but the justice of my Cause, and my right to the Muskovitish Empire, confirmed by my Inauguration, and the double Oaths of all Orders of men. I relinquish all to your Majesty's disposal, being assured of your Equity and Justice; only I beg, that you will treat me and my Family (who will be no small support to you in the acquisition of the Muskovitish Empire) according to our Dignity and your Magnificence.  
Demetrius his flight being known, the whole Camp was in an alarm and tumult. Some would follow the Great Duke, some would go to the King, and others would continue in their Quarters till they had their Arrears. The Complaints against Rosinski were high and furious, by whose artifice & wickedness, they said Demetrius had been forced to quit the Camp, whereby the Soldiers should be deprived of the reward of their Blood & Labours. Demetrius his Letters read publicly did extremely foment their Seditions, but the presence and carriage of Marina transported them beyond all bounds. She with a Courage more than Masculine, and a Countenance composed of sorrow and sweetness, wandered through the Camp, spoke to all she met, called such as she knew by their names, and urged those she did not, by the Charms of her looks and presence; to conclude, she inflamed all with her winning Discourses. She tells them, that their Valour and Courages were to expect their Stipend and Reward of so many Travels from Demetrius only, it not being likely that the King would remunerate the Services they had done for others otherwise than with scorn and contumely. She demonstrates to them the infinite Treasures of Muskovy, and the Greatness of the Empire; and assures them that the Great Duke would deny them nothing by whose fidelity and fortitude he should be restored to what had been so cruelly usurped from him. The Soldiery being incensed with these and the like Discourses, the Dumensian Cossacks immediately leave the the Camp to follow the fortunes of Demetrius. Rosinski would hinder them; but they persisting, endeavoured to break through the Polish Horse in their way They fought, and two thousand fell i● that Conflict on both sides. After this Fight, some ran into the City, and some went to Demetrius to Caluga, and the rest remained with their Chieftain Zarucki in the Camp. Some days after happened another more grievous, but less bloody Sedition, begun by the Polish Horse, and which threatened all with ruin. The Cause of this Tumult was Marina's flight, who when she had effected what she could with the Soldiers, omitting nothing to reconcile them to her own and her Husband's Interest, and now secure of a great part of the Army, she disguised herself in man's Apparel, and accompanied only with one Maid and a few Cossack's, came safe to Caluga. Before she parted, she wrote a Letter to the Army, which she left upon her Table in her Chamber, wherein she tells them, that she was forced to retire from amongst them, to save her Honour, her Fame, and her Life. She could suffer no longer the fast and opprobrious Language of that insolent and drunken fellow (meaning Rosinski.) She invoked God, the Avenger of wrongs; minds the Soldiers of the Religion of their Vows: Inveighs against the flagitious perfidy of her Adversaries; and finally, extolling the Fidelity and Courage of her Friends, bids them not only hope for, but assure themselves of all they could wish for from the Great Duke, as soon as he had recovered his Empire. The last word of the Letter was, I part. This Epistle being read, was like the sounding of an Alarm, all being full of tumult and horror. The Soldiers ran to their Arms, and in threatening Troops haste to the General's Tent, crying out, Is it so Rosinski, that by thy Pride and Debaucheries thou didst force the injured Marina to follow her banished Lord? What Captains shall we now follow? Thee perfide, and betrayer of the Soldiery, who being bought and deluded by the vain promises of the King's Emissaries, wouldst deceive us of our Stipend, and the rewards of our Labours; Restore to us our Princes, and try thou first that butchery thou dost prepare for us. And therewith they made several shot with their Pistols at him; but he escaped that danger, though he could not appease the tumult; neither would they any more be Commanded by him, but choosing one Tiskevicius for their General, prepare to follow Demetrius their old Lord. For all this, the Chief Officers, and those most in favour with the Soldiery, had by their diligence and Authority well-nigh appeased these disorders; which they had also probably effected, if new Commotions had not intervened, upon new considerations, to wit, that it was not safe to remain longer in the Camp so distracted and divided, without Order or Discipline, and in sight of an Enemy vigilant and intent upon every occasion. This hurried them into new Confusions, and like so many Furies they all cry out they would immediately be gone; and packing up their Baggage, fired their Camp, which for the variety and Magnificence of its Structures seemed another great City; and being ready to march, mutually engaged to keep together till they came to Volock, where every body should be at liberty to dispose of himself as he thought most for his advantage. Being come thither, Sapiha and all his men resolving to follow the fortune of Demetrius, went to Caluga to him. Rosinski and Alexander Zbarowski with 4000 Horse and the Dunensian Cossacks, went to their King at Smolensko. And thus this power which had so long blocked up Musko, and had trampled upon the Empire two years, and would certainly have subjugated both, was dispersed in the beginning of March 1610, by the ill Counsel, and to the very great detriment of King Sigismond; for the Enemy being well-nigh broke with the long Siege of their Metropolitan, gathered new force and vigour upon the raising of it; and the King, who might have prosecuted the War at the expense and danger of others, drew the whole burden of it, as it were, voluntarily upon his own shoulders.  
In the mean time, the Zuiskian Muskovites, not ignorant of the dissensions in the Camp, began to hope well; but leaving them to their discords, lest by attempting them the sense of their common danger might unite them, they turned their forces another way. They turned the Poles out of Peraslaw and Alexandria which lay there; drive Sapiha from the Siege of Troyeze, and reduced all the places about the Volga into their power. But when the City itself was delivered from their troublesome Neighbours, then, as if they had broken their Fetters, & been delivered out of a long Imprisonment, they reassumed new courage and new vigour; and having in a short time recovered most of the Provinces which revolted to them, they sent the best part of their Army to follow Rosinski, who had possessed himself of Volock and the strong Monastery of Osippow. He was necessitated to stay there, by reason of the indisposition his hurts had procured him. He kept with him 1500 Poles and 400 Cossacks, having sent the rest of the Army with Zbarowski to the King. His health was much impaired, through his daily toils and the smart of his old hurt; to which also contributed the perturbation and grief of his mind, which his ill Successes had created him, in that he had quitted Musko with less Glory and Splendour than he had attempted it. Nature and strength being decayed in him, he was overcome by the violence of his Malady; and unable to resist longer, was forced to submit to the necessity of his Fate, which deprived him of his life and hopes in a strange Country, which he had entered in Pomp and Triumph.  
Rosinski being dead, Volviovius the Zuiskian General taking the occasion of the distraction his loss had bred amongst the Garrison, besieged Volock, and took it without much difficulty. Ossipow defended itself better, in so much that the Auxiliaries from Sweden, being French, and desirous to show of what importance they were to their Party, having opened a passage into the Fortress with a Petard, were after a very bloody Assault baffled and beaten off. But the place being more oppressed by wants from within, than by any force from the Enemy from without, were forced to yield to the necessity of their condition; but scorning a tame surrender, they resolved upon a Salley, and to take the hazard of that as their safest and last refuge. The obscurity of the night was judged fittest for the Exploit; which being come, they refreshed themselves with the whole Provisions of the place, and after mutual embrace and encouragement of each other, they set open their Gates, and made towards Smolensko. Their Sally was furious, like that of men resolved to die, and they performed it with a Courage hurried on by despair, which made the Fight bloody, and the carnage great amongst the Muskovites; but they abounding in their numbers, and not being surprised upon this occasion, killed most of the Poles, so that scarce 300 of them escaped in safety (and they were 1200 who sallied out) to Sigismund's Camp.  
The Muskovites raised with this variety of Successes, form to themselves an Army of 30000 men, to which were added 1000 French, De la Garde's Germane, and 6000 Suedes newly arrived under the Command of Count Edward Horn. Demetrius after his quitting the Camp lay with a few Sapihans at Caluga; but they despising his small force, marched to the relief of Smolensko. King Sigismond having notice of these preparations and their approach, Commanded Stanislaws Zolkievius his General with 8000 choice men to obstruct their passage. The two Armies engaged at Clusinum, where the Muskovites were again overcome by the Fatal Virtue of the Poles, in a great and memorable Battle. But it cost the Poles dear: for though their Right Wing had routed the Enemies Left, Commanded by Demetrius Zuiski the Great Duke's Brother; yet the other Wing, consisting of Germans and other Strangers, stood their ground, which they had chosen advantageously amongst shrubs and other rubbage, in such a place where the Enemy's Horse could not come up to charge them without much difficulty; but being well seconded by their Reserves, they at last made so violent an impression upon this Wing also, that it was put to flight. There remained yet the Main Body of Foot, made up of Germans and Swedes, which kept entire; and the Polish being recalled from the pursuit, prepared to make a Charge upon them; but they seeing themselves abandoned by their Horse, and left singly to the fortune of the day, many of their men likewise stealing from them and running to the Enemy, durst not stand out the shock, but waved their Hats and hands about their Heads in sign of Parley; which being granted, and Hostages delivered, they surrendered themselves, for all what la Guard (who was newly returned from the flight, whilst they were in Treaty) could entreat or do to the contrary. Those Wings that had been defeated, having rallied themselves, returned also to their Station, upon a confidence their Foot had stood their ground; but they came only time enough to be beaten over again, the Poles having the pursuit of them till late in the night: and thus the Field being cleared of the Enemy, they had the entire Pillage of it, with all their Cannon and Baggage. The Germans, a Mercenary Soldatesque, took pay in the Polish Army; the rest of the Captives, the Colours, and other Ensigns of Victory, were sent to the King at Smolensko; who shown them to the Besieged with what Military Pomp and Ostentation they could be exposed, who were also invited to a Surrender after so signal and irrecoverable a loss; but to no purpose: for Sehin being of an intrepid Courage, as if he alone would stay the declining fate of his Country, did dare singly to resist the course of so many Victories. Volviovius lay at Czarow with a Party of 8000 Zuis kians, but terrified with this Success, did upon the first Summons render himself and his Army to the Conqueror's discretion, Czarow being taken, the Polish Army marched towards Musko, whither the Sapihans, having routed the Zuiskian Tartars at Troycze, and a thousand Muskovites at Borowsko, did also hasten. The Russians broken with so many evils, being vanquished at Clusinum, at Troycze, and at Borowsko, and seeing the Poles approached their City, and that the Demetrians did meditate a new Siege; and finally, being the Germans were revolted to the Enemy, and that there was no appearance of repairing their ruined Troops, did not know to what Saint to devote themselves, or how to extricate themselves out of so many impending miseries. At length, after many and various agitations and consultations, they fix upon an expedient of a very extraordinary nature for their deliverance. In the first place they seize upon and depose their Great Duke Basilius Zuiski, as the unhappy Author of all their miscarriages, and infamous for his Misfortunes, his Tyranny, and his Sorceries, with which they charged him; and with a passion equal with that wherewith they had raised him to the Throne, they pulled him down again, and thrust him into a Cloister; giving at the same time out, that they would elect Vladislaws, King Sigismund's Son, Great Duke in his stead: proposing by this means that they should quit their hands of Demetrius, whom they equally scorned and hated; take away the cause of the War in one instant, and compose their harrassed Country with such a Government, that would immediately rescue them from all other pretensions. They knew the Poles (whom they naturally hated like emulous Neighbours) would become secure by this Election, and that they themselves having breathed a while, and quit themselves of the War, should be able either to elude the Election of Vladislaws, or remove him as obnoxious to their Artifices, by reason of his Childhood, in due time. They then proposed to themselves the choice of a Prince of their own Blood and Manners, and the reverting of their Government into its ancient Channel: all which happened as they did design, and their Counsels laid upon profound Reasons of State, had a Success accordingly. The Poles swayed by a nearer Interest than that of Demetrius, had no care of recruiting his Party, but on the contrary prepared for the reinforcing of the City of Musko against his Attempts; in order whereunto (upon this bare Promise of choosing Vladislaws for their Great Duke) Zalkievius sent Troops to their Aid to defend them against Demetrius; and following himself with the whole Army, he sat down on the East-side of the City (Demetrius his Camp being on the other) and a while after the Gates being set open for him, he marched through the City, and encamped with all his forces near Demetrius his Camp. It was no hard matter for Zolkievius to debauch the Sapihans, upon his engagement for the Public Faith of the Kingdom of Poland to be given them for their Arrears; so that they revolted unanimously to him. Demetrius thus forsaken by them he confided most in, retreated again to Caluga as an auspicious place, for the shelter he had formerly received there. His most faithful Friends, as if they had been obliged to his Fortune, not to him, did in this disastrous juncture of his Affairs expose him to his own despair. Zarucki that courageous Leader of the Dunensian Cossacks, with Kasinowski Prince of Tartary, his greatest Confidents, did likewise leave him for a time, submitting themselves with the rest to the will of the Conquereror. The Muskovites being freed from Demetrius, would have respited the Election of their new Duke, but that there was no other choice now left them. They had an Army in their Bowels, resolved not to quit the City till they saw their Prince seated upon the Throne. They therefore proceeded to the Election according to the usual Ceremonies, causing him, though absent, to be Proclaimed, and Fealty sworn to him as Great Duke and Emperor, hiding all their secret aversions under the Mask of Joy and Acclamations: and that they might remove all shadow of suspicion from themselves, they delivered the unfortunate Basilius Zuiski, with his Brethren John and Demetrius, into Zolkievius his hands; who also engaged, as likewise the great Officers of his Army, to the Russians, that the new Duke should speedily come to them, conserve their Religion inviolable, and maintain all the Privileges of the Nobility and People. And thus was the Government upon a sudden translated into new hands.   

SECT. iv  
The Muskovites deal fraudulently with the Poles, refusing to deliver Smolensko in Prince Uladislaws' Name. Zolkievius lodges his Army in Mosko; but being disgusted, returns into Poland. Demetrius is slain by his Guards. The Russians revolt from the Poles, and fight them in their Chief City. Smolensko is taken, and King Sigismond returns into Poland. Zolkievius his Triumph, Life and Death. The Poles plunder the Ducal Treasury; but being closely besieged in the Palace, are forced to surrender. King Sigismond returns, but too late, to the relief of Musko. Marina and her Son are drowned, being thrust under the Ice. Zarucki is impaled. Another Pseudo-Demetrius. Who he was He gathers an Army, but is delivered up by his own men. Michael Federowicz is chosen Duke of Muskovy, by whose Command this last Demetrius is hanged.  
ZViski being thus laid aside, and Vladislaws chosen in his place, there was a splendid Embassy sent to King Sigismond still before Smolensko, with an account of what they had done. They were received with much Honour, many prime Courtiers, and all the Horse being sent to meet them. Being introduced into the King's presence, they humbly besought him in the name of all the Orders of Muskovy, that he would be pleased to take them and their afflicted Country into his Royal protection. They then solicit the speedy dispatch of the Prince to them, that in order to the completing of their unanimous Election, he might publicly be Crowned in the Royal City Great Duke and Emperor; and that they might enjoy the comfort of his Presence and Protection. They likewise brought with them the Conditions upon which he was to be received; wherein the most considerable were: That a General Amnesty and Act of Oblivion should be passed, and all their Laws and Customs confirmed and established; and that for the better settlement of the Kingdom, their Duke must abjure the Romish Profession, and declare himself for the Greek Rites. The King having received their Message, and not ignorant of the wiliness and reserves of that subtle Nation, was not wanting in a return suitable to the occasion. He told them, that he did receive this Honour conferred upon his Son with great satisfaction, which should oblige him at all times to serve their Country with his best Aids and Counsels. And as to the Treaty, relating to its particulars, he did purpose to give Zolkievius (then upon the place) full Instructions for the completing of it at their own homes. The Ambassadors after this Answer, and having been sumptuously feasted by the Prime Officers of the Court, with great and mutual professions of kindnesses, in so much as they seemed to be but one people, were dismissed.  
The King having by this fully weighed the state of his Affairs, gathered to himself many reasons not to believe the reality of the Moscovites; for else why did they elect his Son and not him, but that they should be able when he had withdrawn his Forces out of their Land, to practise upon the unexperience of his Son by reason of his youth, and to justle him out of the Throne, to which they had raised him out of necessity, not choice? And on the other side, if the King should forbear to send him to them till he were of Age, they would take occasion from this delay to transfer their Suffrage upon another. He took a further Umbrage of their Designs from the refusal of the Garrison of Smolensko to surrender their City in the name of Prince Vladislaws, though he were declared and proclaimed Great Duke with the usual Ceremonies: their excuse was, that they could not own him by so public an Act, till he had been received in the Capital City, Crowned and Sworn to the maintenance of their Laws and their Protection. Zolkievius had many ill-willers about the King, who were not wanting to cherish these apprehensions of prejudice contracted by him against the Russians; and having gained the King's ear, they instilled new Counsels into him: That this Election of his Son was an affront, and an imposing upon his Majesty, instead of receiving Law from him: That he had by his Arms reduced them to those distresses, that they must suddenly lay themselves, that they must suddenly lay themselves at his feet; whereas now they addressed to him by their Ambassadors with Conditions not only inglorious, but inconsistent with the state of his Affairs, and impossible for him to subscribe to: And that upon the reducing of Smolensko, he might consider himself as a Conqueror, and Rule that false People by such Laws as he should judge suitable to his Honour and Safety. But there were others of his Council that advised the preserving of that Faith which Zolkievius had Sworn to them in his Name, and by his Approbation: That by confirming of that, he would in one day render himself Master of a vast Empire, which it might cost him some years, besides a great expense of Blood and Treasure to reduce. And they being an obstinate people, might fall upon new Counsels, and close with Demetrius, whose Title would give him a trouble to resist, as well upon the account of Reason, as the power of his Arms. For it was upon the pretence of aiding Demetrius, that he invaded their land; who being restored to the Throne, the King could have no more a fair colour to stay in it: That his Army might by this means be paid all their Arrears, as the Soldiers of Vladislaws the Great Duke, out of the Treasures of Russia; whereas the Kingdom of Poland, if it fell to them to pay it, would grow uneasy under so intolerable a burden: That the practices of the Russians might easily be eluded by seating Vladislaws upon the Throne with an able Council about him, who should immediately provide pay for the Army, which they would not refuse upon his first reception, and while it lay in their Chief City: And as to the Articles, they might be well enough evaded and delayed, while more Recruits were coming out of Poland. But the King's mind being prepossessed, as if carried on by an irresistible Fate, adhered to the more violent Counsels of such as blew him up with a Punctilio of Honour, not to rise from before Smolensko before he had reduced it, having cost him already above a years Siege, and was now upon the point of a rendition, or being forced. The King had raised a Battery against it, but did not prosecute his matters with that quickness, but that they within had time to make a deep Ditch, and to raise new Ramparts in opposition to the Battery: after which the Cannon began to play; which indeed laid flat a great part of the Wall, with two Flankers that stood next it: the Assault was made, but in vain, they being repulsed with great loss. The Russians in the mean time clamoured at this breach of the Treaty, which had been celebrated with the Solemnity of an Oath; and that contrary to the Law of Nations, their Ambassadors were detained. Which the King justified upon this Reason, that they refused to give order to the Governor of Smolensko to surrender the Town in their Great Duke's Name; and which they excused, as not within their Instructions.  
The Affairs of Russia hung thus in suspense for some time, the people not daring to do more than mutter, while Zolkievius and his Army lay enquartered in their Chief City. Demetrius also began to look up again, having sheltered himself in Caluga, while he was reinforcing his Party, which was much countenanced by the return of Zarucki and Prince Kazimowski to him, whose reception by King Sigismond bearing no proportion with what they proposed to themselves, left him, and returned again to the Service of their old Lord. But Zolkievius disdaining to be thus treated by the King, contracted violent discontents, in so much that taking the pretence of going to fetch the Prince to Musko, he left the Army; and passing by Smolensko, where he but saluted the King, he retired into Poland. The Russians, after the General's departure, understanding that the King had refused sending his Son at his intercession, that the captive Zuiskius', together with their Ambassadors were sent away Prisoners into Poland, and that the King took upon him the Administration of the Affairs of the Empire, putting new Officers into all the great places, and refusing to own them as a State, prepared for a Revolt; to which the death of Demetrius did very effectually contribute. He had a little before, upon some apprehensions of infidelity in Kasimouski against him, caused him to be thrown into the River Occa, and drowned there; which the Tartars of his Guard so far resented, as to study a revenge. He was of late time used to divert his Melancholy with drinking, drowning, at least steeping his cares in liquor: and having been one day a hunting, he retired himself with some of his particular Friends to the enjoyment of this accustomed solace, when these enraged Tartars broke in upon him, and murdered him upon the place. Neither did they escape Vengeance: for Marina receiving this news with the most violent apprehension in the world, and laying aside all respect to her Quality, being transported with grief and rage, she ran into the Streets, calling to every person she met, either to revenge the Murder of her Lord, or by the same cruelty to do an act of Charity towards her, in delivering her from that loathed burden of her life. The Cossacks inflamed by the Prayers and Tears of this great Lady, fell with such fury upon the Tartars, that they sacrificed two hundred of them to Demetrius his Manes, Marina's grief, and their own resentments. This second Demetrius after his death, was by all hands admitted to be an Impostor. Most would have him to have been a Schoolmaster in Socola a Town of Russia Alba, and that he had been set up as a Property by the Poles, the better to countenance their Designs upon Muskovy. Others supposed him a Jew, upon this Reason, that there were found in his Closet some Hebrew and Talmudical Books; the same being likewise affirmed by Michael Federowiez the succeeding Emperor, in a Letter from him to Maurice Prince of Orange. But whoever he was, he was slain by these Tartars as we have related, but did not die so entirely, but that his Son was chose Great Duke by them of Caluga; and Zaruckius with all his Forces addressed himself to the Russians, offering them their aid, upon promise that so soon as they should quit their hands of the Poles, they should by the example of Caluga, choose this Son of Demetrius Great Duke and Emperor. This being assented to, this Son of Demetrius and Marina was in those Quarters considered as Emperor; though many believed this yet a further Impostor, for that Marina was supposed barren.  
King Sigismond continued still the Siege of Smolensko, which he judged ignominious and below him to abandon; though while he opiniatred there, he omitted more specious opportunities of prevailing elsewhere, and by this delaying gave the Muskovites means to regain what by their Divisions had been extorted from them. It was now the beginning of the Year 1611, when they began to take Arms under the Conduct of Lepanow a Great Lord of the Country, who having made some private Levies, appeared in the field first about Prezlaw, from whence he invited and gained most of the Boyarians to his Party, dispersing Messengers into all the Provinces, to reproach the Poles of their breach of Faith in detaining their Prince from them; complaining further, that they had got their City of Musko by fraud and practice; and that they kept the Zuiskis in Prison together with their Ambassadors, contrary to the Law of Nations. Zarucki brought in his Force to this Party, upon the Conditions before mentioned, that young Demetrius should be received and declared Emperor and Great Duke, so soon as they should have cleared their Country from the Poles, the plague of it. And Prosowecki another Great Lord raised another and greater Army about Novogrodock; so that these Levies, from small beginnings, did by the inadvertency of the Poles improve to that bulk, that none of the King's Forces scattered in the Country for the securing its Obedience, durst look upon them, they scarce sufficing to defend themselves. He could not spare any of his Leaguer from before Smolensko, having a great Line to man, and the Enemy a strong Garrison in the Town: his Army in Musko was little enough to keep the numbers in the City in subjection; whose old aversion to the Poles was revived to so high a pitch, that upon notice of Lepanow's being in Arms, they conspired how to Massacre the Garririson, consisting of 6000 Horse, and 1000 Foot. They wanted only Leaders, not a will to this bloody action. There were within the circuit of this vast City one hundred and eighty thousand houses, a multitude of Inhabitants, besides a great confluence of Strangers retired thither out of the neighbour-Provinces for Sanctuary, to avoid the fury of a Civil War; and many to assist the Conspirators, as conscious of the intended Design; so that they only wanted a Head and Method for the carrying of it on. Goziouski General of the Poles was not without his Intelligence of these Menés, but chose rather to dissemble his notice, being only intent upon his fortifying of Kitaigrod and Krimgrod, which contain within their Walls the Duke's Palace, with the Warehouses of the wealthiest Merchants; proposing to himself that he should be able to retire thither upon occasion. Gariouski had scarce finished his Works, when the Russians supplying by their malice what they wanted in conduct, being carried on as it were by the weight of their number, drawn together by the ringing of their Bells, the third day after Palm-Sunday made a furious Assault upon the Enemy in their bosom. The Poles opposed Despair and Discipline to their confused multitudes, and were so successful in it, as to kill 6000 upon the place without any considerable loss; and prosecuting that advantage by firing that part of the City next them, they destroyed multitudes of Houses, Women, Children, Goods, and helpless People, by the aid of that raging Element. The day following, Gariouski commanded the Suburbs on the other side of the River Moscha to be burnt, because that Strusius, who was hastening to the relief of his Countrymen with his Regiment from Mosaisco, was retarded there by the Inhabitants. The City tamed thus by Fire and Sword, rejecting the fault upon some few, petitioned for pardon, and had it without great difficulty, the Poles not being in a condition to do more than secure their own Quarters, though they had gained well to bring the Enemy to ask quarter of them. It was neither compunction in the one, nor kindness in the other, that begat this calm; for the Inhabitants upon the advance of Lepanow with Zarucki and Prosowecki with an Army of 100000 men, joined with them, forcing the Poles into their Works, where they were besieged, save on one passage over the River, which they kept open a long time, and by which they got in their Provisions, and made frequent Sallies with various Fortune and Success.  
All this while King Sigismond lay  at the Siege of Smolensko, which dured longer than he had fancied; but what was worse, the Soldiers grew uneasy for want of Pay, clamouring in such sort, that he was in much dread of a Mutiny. He had no Moneys, neither did he know how to compass any without a Convention of the States of his Kingdom; and this he was put upon to calm the Soldiers, who were prevailed with to expect the determinations of that Assembly with patience. But the King, that no Objection might lie upon him for not having made all imaginable Attempts for gaining the place, resolved upon a general Assault before he left the Leaguer to go to the Convention, which he had appointed in September following. The Assault was contrived to be made before daybreak, and was carried on accordingly with less notice, or indeed expectation of the Enemy than was imagined; for the Soldiers had without great opposition raised three Ladders upon the Wall before it was light, upon the 13th of June. Potocki the Palatine of Brachlaw had his Post on the East-side of the Town; Wyer with his Germans on the King's side; who both of them got up to the top of the Walls: but the descent being steep into the Town, and the Garrison flocking to the place, rendered the dispute hot and doubtful, till Bartholomew Novodwoski Captain of the Guards applying a Petar under the Kennel on the Southside towards the Boristhenes, made a Breach of 30 Cubits long. Dorostanski Marshal of Lithuania assaulted and entered the same in the head of the Guards, and marched directly to the Marketplace, possessing himself of it with little resistance: for the Garrison astonished with this unexpected Adventure, swallowed up in their own fears, instead of making any defence, threw down their Arms and quitted their Stations, leaving a free passage for the Besiegers to enter in on all sides upon them. All was filled with horror and confusion; the Poles enraged they had been so long a Conquering, put all they met with to the Sword. The poor Citizens not knowing where to hid themselves from the fury of this bloody Enemy, were butchered without remorse or distinction; which possessing others with despair and indignation, very many of them took their Wives, Children, & most precious Movables, and retired with them into the great Church, where was kept the Magazine of Powder; and putting fire to it, destroyed themselves with a more than Saguntine despair, for fear of perishing. Sehin Palatine and Governor of the Town with 15 more, got into a little Tower upon the Wall, where, though all was lost, he bravely defended himself, telling the Enemy, that he resolved to die rather than render himself, unless to some Chief Officer. He had been exemplary for his cruelty to such as were taken upon any Sallies, which gave the Poles a particular hatred for him; and he dreaded worse than death falling into their hands: but word being brought to Potocki, who was near that Quarter, he came to the place, to whom the Palatine and his fifteen Comrades yielded themselves upon Parole, Prisoners of War. And thus was this great City, which had been the labour of almost two years, taken in less than two hours' time, with the loss only of eight Germans. The gaining of the place was justly attributed to the success of Novodwoski's Petar; that attempt of scaling the Walls being wholly desperate, and in which the Assailants must inevitably have perished. So soon as the possession of that place was secured, there was a strict Command to give Quarter; only the Pillage of the Town was consigned to the Soldiers, as the reward of their labours; but they not agreeing in the distribution of it, the Booty was ordered to be brought into one place, whereby the dividend might be more equal; but a fire by some accident happening, consumed all that Wealth, with a great part of the City. There was found in the Magazines a proportion of Corn and other Military Provisions sufficient for three years longer: Men were only wanting, they being wasted from near 70000 to about 8000 fight men; but however, had they not been more conquered by their own fears than the power of the Enemy, they had certainly made good the place against this Assault.  
The King having appeased his Army, feasted them three whole days together; in the solace of which, and the reflection of their Victory, they buried all their former regrets and discontents. And he supposing he should now appear more advantageously to his own Subjects, had a greater appetite of being at the Assembly than before, proposing to himself, that Crowned with the Palms of this Conquest, he ought to show himself in Triumph to his people: adding this Error to the former (as if swayed by some secret Fatality) he turned his back upon his new Acquisitions, to receive the flatteries and acclamations of his Polish Subjects. And thus he yet again suffered the vanquished Empire of Muskovy to slip out of his hands: for if he had prosecuted his Victory, and had carried the Terror of his Arms, and the reputation of his Success to the Imperial City, where his men disputed his Interest with great courage, against the multitude that oppressed them, and where he had a considerable Party amongst the Russians themselves, it is more than probable that he had not only kept the City in his power, but by the Example of it have compelled the rest of the Provinces to receive his Dictates at pleasure. But he, by an ill computation of his Affairs, and that unhappy cunctation which lost him his Hereditary Kingdom of Sweden, lost now also the Monarchy of Muskovy: For as soon as the Besieged and Besiegers at Musko had notice that he was gone, it had different effects upon them. The Army from without grew confident, repeating their Attempts upon the Poles; who looking upon themselves as exposed, began to contrive for their own safety; and taking a pretence from their want of pay (but the true reason was a despair of Relief) they demanded their dismission.  
The Assembly of the Estates at Warsow was held with the usual Ceremony, but unusual Pomp, the King being received as a Conqueror, with all imaginary Congratulations for the reducing of Smolensko, and adding so fair a Province to their Commonwealth. Zolkievius his Triumph was Memorable and Magnificent: for being attended by a gallant and numerous Cavalry, he was followed by Basilius Zuiski late Emperor of Muskovy, who was clad in a red silk Vest, and seated in a high Chariot betwixt his two Brothers, that he might be seen of all men. They road thus to the Senate-house, where being admitted, Zolkievius presented the Captive Princes to the King and Assembly; and in a grave and set Speech, having magnified the Majesty of the Commonwealth, and the adverse Fortune of the Prisoners, made no scruple to parallel the Conquest of these Illustrious Captives to the most renowned Examples of former Ages. After this, the Zuiskis were confined to Goston-Castle, where they were Royally treated, though Basilius impatient of his Fetters, and not able to support the weight of his sorrows, died soon after, and was privately buried betwixt Warsow and Thorn, where he also reposed till the end of the War; at which time, his and his Brother Demetrius his Ashes, who likewise died there, were at the intercession of the Muskovitish Ambassadors translated out of Poland to the Tomb of their Ancestors. In the mean time, King Sigismond, to perpetuate the Memory of so great a Victory, caused it to be ingraved in Tables of Marble, and placed upon his Monument, as followeth: 
REGIS REGUM DEI EXERCITUM GLORIAE, SIGISMUNDUS TERTIUS REX Poloniae & Sueciae, Exercitu Moscovitico ad Clusinum caeso, Moscoviae Metropoli deditione accepta, Smolensko Reipublicae restituta, Basilio Zuiskio Magno Deuce Moscoviae Et Fratre ejus Demetrio Militiae Praefecto Captivis jure Belli receptis, Et in Arce Gostienensi sub custodia habitis, ibique vita functis, Humanae sortis memor Ossa illorum huc defer; Et ne se regnante etiam hostes Injusteque Sceptra parantes, Justis Sepulturaque carerent, IN HOC A se ad publicam Posteritatem Memoriam, Regnique sui Nomen, Extructo Trophaeo DEPONI JUSSIT, ANNO A PARTU Virgins MDCXX Regnor' POLONIAE XXXIII. SUECIAE XXVI.   
And this was the end of Basilius Zuiski, who having by many extraordinary Actions raised himself to the Throne, enjoyed it no more than his Predecessor, either long or quietly. He had to do with an unstable People, hurried from one extreme to another; and being of a jealous nature, had recourse to Witchcrafts and Incantations, endeavouring by the help of Satan to preserve what he had gained by improving the violent humour of the giddy multitude. And his Wizards furnishing him with Discoveries of the unfaithfulness of some about him, or he pretending such Discoveries, to gratify his fears, put many eminent Persons to death; proposing to settle that Dominion by Blood and Fraud, the same Arts whereby he had obtained it. And his nature by frequent practices being hardened in cruelty, he caused three of his most faithful Servants and Friends to be made away, only because their names were Michael; for he had been told by his Soothsayers, that one of that name should Succeed him in the Empire (which proved true, for all his barbarous precaution) which hurried him upon doing those horrid things that hardly any Story can parallel. He would tear up the Wombs of great-bellied women, and rip open the breasts of the mettledst Horses, for the immature fruit of the one, and the hearts of the other, wherewith he used to make his Diabolical Infusions; as well to charm the Poles whom he could not overcome, as his Rebel-Subjects whom he could not bring to their Duty. But no Magic is of power against the Providence of God, which after a short turbulent Reign, removed him from the Throne to a Prison, where he ended his days.  
The Method of our Tragic History doth invite us back to Musko, to observe the actions of that place; but Zolkievius, whose Army we left there, having in the succeeding course of his life rendered himself famous upon the account of many Erterprises, especially his unparallelled Retreat at Cicora from the Turks, a short digression as to his Affairs may not be wholly impertinent, wherein I shall observe my accustomed brevity, to relate only matter of fact, and so return to where we left.  
Stanislaws Zolkiewski (the Surnames of most of the Polish Nobility do end in skis) a Person of an eminent extraction, dedicated himself to Arms so soon as he was well able to wield them, making his first Apprenticeship under that Great Chancellor, and greatest Captain that Poland hath produced for many Ages, John Zamoyski; who at the famous Battle of Byczin, which decided the contest between Sigismond and Maximilian concerning the Crown, in favour of the former, had the Honour to Command the Right Wing of Zamoyski's Army, to the defeating of that Enemy that opposed him; in which encounter he received a sore wound in the Knee. His Conduct in that Adventure raised him in short time after to the Preferment of being Lieutenant-General of the Kingdom; during which Command, he was employed against the Rebellious Cossacks, whom after many doubtful Fights he reduced to his own Terms, of delivering up their General (a Plebeian, but of great Conduct) with three other of their Principal Officers into his hands. He defeated the Swedes at Revel: And afterwards being made General, he did beat the Russians at Clusinum, entered Musko, forced Demetrius to quit his Siege, and led away the Emperor Zuiski and his two Brothers Captive with him into Poland, as we have formerly mentioned; and likewise that he left the Army in Musko upon discontent, by reason Sigismond refused to ratify the Articles which Zolkievius by his directions had in his name sworn to.  
Being 70 years of Age, he was created Great Chancellor of Poland: He repressed the Tartars in their Invasion at Orimin; and a while after marched with his Army into Moldavia in aid of Gratian the Vayvod against the Turks, that oppressed him to so great an extremity, that he came in to Zolkievius but with six hundred Horse; but so fatally negligent, that he could give no account of the Enemy's number or force, even in his own County; so that the General had nothing certain of them, till he saw them cover the Campania about him with their numerous host. He himself had encamped upon the Plains of Cicora, determining in that place to attend their motion. This was in Sept. 1620. The Tartars, who had joined with the Turks upon this occasion, having taken some Christian Prisoners, gained from them an account of the Christian strength, which did not exceed 10000 effective men: whereupon they drew up within view of them, with an Army of double their number, led by their Commander Cantimir Mursa. A few hours after, they were followed by Skinder Bassa General of the Turks and of the War, who pitched his Tents near those of his Confederates within view of the Christians.  
The Poles contained themselves within their Trenches, till a Squadron of Cossacks who had the out-Guard, encountered that of the Tartars, whom after a smart dispute, they forced to a Retreat; but being relieved by their own men, they turned upon the Christians, pursuing them up to their very Trenches, where they also being seasonably reinforced, opposed the prevailing Enemy with so great Success, that having killed a great number, they chased them into their Main Body; but giving no Quarter, did consequently take no Prisoners, and so made no discovery of the Enemy's strength; in so much that Zolkievius making his computation by what appeared in view, and finding his Army cheerful upon the Success of that days Action, resolved to put all upon the fottune of a Battle. That night there came to the Turkish Camp Sultan Galga the Great Cham's Brother, with a fresh Army of 30000 choice Soldiers, whereof Zolkievius had no knowledge; and therefore in order to the determinations of the day before, he drew out his whole Army early the next morning, being the 19th of Sept. 1620. and ranging them in Battalia, strengthened both Wings with Forts made of his Wagons and Carriages, closed together on all sides, and filled with Foot and Cannon, so that the Enemy could make no advantage of their numbers to infest their Flanks. Skinder Bassa on the other side seeing the Order of the Christians, drew his Army into a Line of Battle, placing only the Turks, revolted Wallachians and Transylvanians in view, the Auxiliary Tartars being placed out of sight, and commanded not to stir till a Signal was given them to move, which should be when the Christians were engaged. The Poles had indeed ordered their Reserves, but by an over-confidence advanced upon the Enemy from without the protection of their Forts, contrary to the General's Orders; which the Enemy observing, the Tartars shown themselves on the Right Wing; and extending that way, endeavoured to get between the Christians Camp and the Rear of their Army; which obliged Zolkievius to oppose against them his Reserves. The Fight was Bloody and doubtful for two hours together; but the Main Battle of the Poles having no Seconds (by reason of the diversion of their Reserves to defend the Rear) oppressed by the often-repeated Charges of the Enemies fresh Troops, however keeping within the protection of their Forts on the left Wing, were no longer able to sustain the Impression of those multitudes that swarmed upon them: they therefore faced about, and breaking through those Squadrons of Tartars who had got between them and the Camp, made their retreat in reasonable good order: the Barbarians being checked in their Pursuit by the Forts , which were still defended by the Poles. That on the Right Wing was violently assaulted by the Enemy, who killed three hundred of the Defendants, and took four of their Field-Pieces; neither had their Success rested there, but that the Christians not wanting to themselves in that extremity, advanced with their best Troops to their relief, forcing the Infidels, after a hot dispute, to a confused Retreat. The Fort or Castle on the other Wing was left unattempted; and night drawing on, the Enemy, after a kind of drawn Battle, wherein there fell 1000 of theirs, and about six hundred of the Christians, retreated to their Tents. The rest of that night and the following day were passed without any Attempt on either side. The Poles in the mean time went to counsel, what was to be done upon this pressing occasion; which being of an extraordinary nature, they were able to fall upon no probable Resolutions. During this time of their Consultation, there was a report spread about the Camp, of a purpose in the Chief Officers to steal away from the Army; which put the Soldiers into confusion, till they were undeceived by the generous professions of their Leaders, who vowed to live and die with them. Zolkievius proposed in Council, that they should the next day try the fortune of another Battle, wherein they might easily correct the errors of the former day; and being now informed of their own and the Enemy's strength, they could better lay hold of such advantages as should occur, having failed more in Conduct than Courage; and if the Success of the next day should not answer the Attempt, they might then think of retiring towards the confines of their Country, where they should be sure to meet with new Supplies for the further prosecution of the War. The very mention of another Battle surprised many of the Great Persons, especially Alexander Kalinowski, Duke Corecki, and Nicholas Struse, three of the most eminent Lords in the Army, who maligning the Command of Zolkievius, were the more apt to oppose his Counsels, especially in this juncture, which must bring their lives to an apparent hazard. They therefore absolutely declared against it, and that there was no safety but in a sudden flight; by which means they might avoid death, or a Turkish Bondage, which was yet more terrible: and being resolved to put the Counsels they had given in execution that night, they took the first opportunity after the Watch was set, to quit the Camp, proposing to themselves, that by the favour of the darkness they might get over the River Prut, which covered the Rear of the Camp, before the Enemy could take the Alarm of their departure. Gratian the Vayvod, for whose preservation the War was undertaken, went away with them; and having by the number of their Train and Dependants made a considerable Party, they concluded themselves of strength able, by the advantage of the night, to break through all opposition. There was a second Rumour spread about in the Army, that the General himself was likewise gone; which bearing terror with it, the inferior Officers and Soldiers were upon preparation for their flight also; whereof he having speedy notice, mounted on Horseback, and causing many lighted Torches to be carried before him, shown himself to his Soldiers; surrounded the Quarters, spoke to every one he met, and animated all with his presence and cheerfulness. He added, That he could not be guilty of so nefarious a Treason, as to desert so many brave men, his fellow-soldiers; they had served too long under his Command, to conceive their General capable of so wretched an act, as to sully all his Honour by so sordid a Retreat. That for his part he had no other consideration for his life, but in order to their preservation: and since some (he must confess, eminent Persons) had preferred that to all sense of Honour, he was glad they were gone, hoping they had carried away with them that infection of Cowardice, which might have tainted the whole Army. He also would wish them a good Journey, provided they would tell the King and such of their Friends that should inquire after them, that they had abandoned the Army and their General in the Plains of Cicora, engaged against theirs and the Common Enemy of Christianity. Zolkievius, though he had harangued his Soldiers in these kind of Terms, and with a serene Countenance, yet had he much ado to compose those minds which were agitated with terror and fear; who could not be persuaded to return to their Duty, until a sense of the danger of their disobedience obliged them to it. But they were wholly confirmed by the ill Success of those who had deserted them, who by their degenerous flight had hastened, not prevented their ruin. For in passing the River, which was rather rapid than deep, many of them missing the Ford, were overwhelmed in it. Kalinowski himself perished in the stream; and such as got over, at least most of them, were knocked in the head by the Tartars, who had the Guard of that Post. Gratian and his Moldavians being skilled in the Passage and ways, got clear off; but being pursued by his ill Fate, had the recompense of his infamous flight rewarded upon him by the perfidy of his own Servants, who murdered their Lord, to possess themselves of what Treasure he had brought away with him. The rest of the Party, after a vain Attempt to pass the River, not daring to land on the other side, wet, weary, and confounded with shame, came back for refuge to the Camp, which a while before they had forsaken as desperate, reposing now all their safety in that of the Army. The Poles by these losses, and the escape of 900 Cossacks (who by a more lucky fate than that of their Fellows, had broke through a neglected Quarter of the Enemy without opposition) being much weakened, and far unequal in strength to the Enemy, and not daring to attempt another fight without manifest hazard to lose all, resolved upon a retreat.  
They had lost many of their Horses, and more died daily for want of Forage: they were harrassed with duty, and had no hopes of relief from Poland, being besieged by a barbarous Enemy, ready every moment (at least in their apprehension) to storm their Camp: their Provisions were short, and no possibility of Supplies from without, all the sides of their Camp being invested, so that it was impossible for them to subsist for want of Food, in expectation of succour from their own Country. Neither had the King, by reason of the interruption of the Passages, received but one Letter from Zolkievius, when it was too late, wherein he gave him an account of his condition, and how he had been unseasonably abandoned by some of the Army. This was the state of Affairs in the Camp, while the Enemy without lay close upon them; and computing the distresses and disorders within, by the desertion of those that had left them, they were much raised in their hopes, despising all proposals and overtures of quitting the place: In so much that upon the 22th of September the whole Turkish Army was drawn up before the Camp, threatening a general Assault, unless they immediately surrendered at discretion. On the 23th they did the like; and on the 26th the Galga or Prince of Tartary approaching nearer the Trenches, was met by Duke Corecki upon Parole, who proposed to him an excessive ransom for himself and some few with him; and descending to some particulars for a rendition of the Camp, only that the Soldiers might march away with their Swords, the Tartarian left him in scorn and anger, and clapping his hand upon his Sable, bid him expect no other conditions than what the sharpness of that would afford him. Zolkievius having throughly computed the state of his Affairs, resolved to quit the Camp; and having ordered all things accordingly, which took up three days time, being assisted in the method of his Design by Martin Kasanowski an old experienced Colonel: and upon the 29th of September that part of the Wall through which the Camp was to pass being opened, the Army about Sunset began its march in the order following: On both sides a row of Wagons, as it were chained together, five hundred paces in length, drawn by their Horses, closed the Wings. The Front consisting likewise of linked Wagons, took up three hundred paces; and the Rear being fenced with the like Barricado, was (as also the other extremities of the Camp) fortified with Cannon. The wounded, sick, Baggage, and all the best Horses of the Army, were placed in the midst, while the Officers and Soldiers marched on the outside of the Camp with Colours flying, and their Arms ready fixed to resist any impression. The Tartars observing this order of the Poles, did at first think they had drawn out to fight; but when they discerned the whole Camp to move, and that no man stirred out of his Rank, they stood amazed at the Novelty; and the night being so near, they durst do no more but send out small Parties to observe their motion. And so they marched two Moldavish Miles that night without any disorder, save what they received at the passage of a Lake; which was supplied well enough, in respect they were not eagerly pressed upon by the Enemy. On the 30th of September, Skinder Bassa assaulted the Camp on all sides with his united Forces; but being repelled with great loss, they marched yet two Moldavish Miles more that night. A Molvish Mile is more than a German.  
On the first of October, the Camp being lodged near a great Pool, continued there that whole day and the night following. The Infidels did extremely gall them from the other side of the Water with their shot, and from the open side by their Excursions; but were bravely repulsed with great slaughter of their men. About Noon that day they prepared for a fresh Assault; but instead thereof, sent a Trumpet to the Camp to demand their Turkish Interpreter, that they might speak with him; which being granted, they only detained him, making no Attempt that day.  
Octob. 2. The Turks having the day before observed the Camp, stormed it with greater fury than ever; and being repulsed, returned fifteen times to the Assault. The Courage of the Defendants growing, by their being able to resist; in so much that at last it did not only suffice them to make good their Station, but that they followed the flying Enemy to a good distance from it; in which Pursuit they took two Colours and a Piece of Ordnance, having killed multitudes of their men. Towards Sunset they began their March, with their shot about them; which must needs retard their pace; and yet they advanced three of their Miles before Morning, being by computation fifteen English.  
Octob. 3. Having gained the Advantage of a Rivulet and heights of Ground, they easily repressed the Enemy's fury, and took a Tartar Colours; they also eluded an Ambush of the Enemy, and continued their Journey that night.  
Octob. 4. They had strengthened their Camp by the Neighbourhood of a River. But Skinder Bassa considering that by these Marches by night, the Prey might slip out of his hands; and sensible of the disgrace that would attend him to suffer it, resolved to make an Attempt at the hazard of his whole Army; and consequently gave order for a general Assault. But being the Tartars were not so forward as he expected, having been so many times baffled, pretending the difficulty by reason of the posture of the Camp, seated upon the advantage of the River, by the help of which they would be able to bring more hands to the defence of those parts that were assaultable; but the enraged Bassa impatient of Arguments, turned hastily to his Janissaries: And are you also affrighted with the greatness of the danger? said he, And will you suffer this handful of men to slip out of your hands for want of a vigorous Attempt upon them? But they cried out, He should not reproach but Command them, for nothing was terrible to them but the anger of their General. The rest of the Turks swayed by this Example, would be of the Party, prompted by an Ambition to do the Service with their own hands, without the aid of the Tartars. And armed with these Resolutions, they assaulted the Camp from all their Quarters; and pressed on by a mixture of shame and fury, broke in upon it in one place, carrying their terror into the Bowels of their Enemy, maugre all the resistance made against them. All their former disputes and conflicts seemed but sport to this. The Turks hurried on by their Principle of Predestination, added to a zeal of gratifying their General, made havoc of their lives to preserve the footing they had gained in the Camp, doing more than men in prosecution of the advantage. The Christians armed with a native courage, inflamed yet by their despair, did more than they: for despising their multitudes, and resolving to conquer or die, they made a charge upon those who had entered, with a fury suitable to the constitution of their Affairs; and forcing them back, and upon those that followed, made them contribute to their own disorders, in such sort, that not being able to rally, they were repelled with a great slaughter. And having cleared themselves from this violent storm, they continued their march that evening alongst the Banks of the River for three Miles, the enemy coasting them on the other side with an equal pace.  
Octob. 5. The Tartars having got before them the day before, lay directly in their way; but they carrying with them the resolution of surmounting every difficulty, and grown skilful in this new kind of March, broke through all the resistance made against them; though not without some disorder in their Rear, occasioned by the fears of the Waggonmen, which rendered them less exact and faithful in their charge. But by the valour and conduct of Zemberg, who commanded in that part, the Enemy was repulsed; and the disorder being repaired, they performed a March of two Miles that day.  
Octob. 6. They still advanced, and like a wedge of Iron divided their passage through the numerous Squadrons of the Enemy, who clouded their very sight with their showers of Shot and Arrows: but seeing they could make no impression upon them, they burned up and destroyed all their grass and forage in their way, whereby they were extremely incommodated, and by reason whereof, and their often Skirmishes, they were that day able to march but one Moldavish Mile.  
The Poles still followed the Banks of the River Tire, with a design to gain Mohilow, a safe Retreat after their tedious March. They were constrained to avoid the nearest way thither, as mountainous & boggy, besides great Woods in it, which would obstruct them in the manner of their motion; choosing for the sake of a more even passage, to go about by such a way as brought them within a Mile of their desired Harbour. The Camp was in perfect order; and the Enemy tired with a repetition of fruitless Attempts and labours, had forborn to press upon them, being content to wait on their motion by a few Scouts only. The Poles about the evening of this seventh day of their March, continued their Journey according to their former Method; and meeting in their Passage with some Barns stored with great quantities of Hay and Corn, many of them, but without order, ran to the Bait, to supply themselves with Provisions for their well-nigh-starved Horses. In the mean time, the Van of the Camp began to march, without calling in their Foragers, or giving notice, as they ought and used, to the Rear, of their motion. The Rear for want of the accustomed Sign, being thus separated from the Main Body, was seized on by a sudden horror and panic fear; which having laid hold on some, was like Wildfire, carried through all. Their apprehensions were various, but all upon the account of fear, heightened by the darkness and imaginary noises, concluding their Van was cut off, and that the Sword was at their Throats. The same plague being spread over the rest of the Army, infected the whole in a moment with its contagion: whereupon the Carters, Waggonmen, Pedees', and Servants employed about the Carriages, unloosed the Horses, to serve themselves by flight upon them; so that the whole Fabric and Machine of the Camp being dissolved, they could move no further. There was yet another cause (at least contributory) to these Evils. Upon the departure of Gratian and other Fugitives from the Camp at Cicora, the Raskality of the Army, with a mixture of Soldiers, rob and plundered their Tents and Lodgings; whereof the Officers in that juncture durst not be over-inquisitive: but being got on the Banks of the River Tire, they began to speak of it; and Koninkspolski the Lieutenant-General had that very evening (improvidently enough) let fall some threatening expressions concerning it. The number of the guilty being many, they began to think of their proper safety, and the avoiding that punishment, which if they stood to it would fall upon them; they therefore in great numbers fled away from their friends as well as their foes. These wretches having begun a Tumult upon this occasion, the same was seconded by the dividing of the Camp, as is before declared. The confusion was so great, that Zolkievius and the chief Officers about him could not be heard; the variety of noises, with the apprehension of the danger, and the darkness of the night, rendering the Army deaf to all his Commands and Orders. The Tartars being by their Scouts advertised of these Tumults, failed not to hasten thither; and working upon the advantage given them by the Poles, prepared to it by their own fears, fell in among them with shouts and terror. Zolkievius had Commanded, that for the better safety of the Quarters, and encouraging of the Soldiers, all men should quit their Horses, and march on foot; wherein himself was the first example; which was the reason that so many of the Chief Commanders fell, and were taken in that encounter: for when the Rout was become so universal, that all resistance was to no purpose, they perished upon the place, for want of Horses to carry them off, except such as escaped by swimming, and so got away. Zolkievius his Son, with his Nephew and Strusius, the two former being weak of their Wounds, and forsaken by their Coachmen, were made Prisoners, and presented to the Tartarian Galga. Zolkievius had before taken an eternal Farewell of his Son, and then having made a short Confession to his Ghostly Father, was lost in the confusion, but found dead next morning upon the skirts of the Camp: some say, he caused himself to be killed by one of his Followers, a Cossack, choosing rather to perish with his Army, than fall into the Enemy's hands, or survive his own glory. But the Wounds in his Sword-hand, on his Face, and Breast, and a Tartarian laid dead along by him, seem to declare that he was killed fight. However it was, Skinder Bassa caused his Head to be cut off and fixed upon a Pike, exposing it for that day to the view of his whole Army; and afterwards to be sent to the Grand Signior his Master, as a Testimony of his Victory. The Lieutenant-General, Corecki, the young Zolkievius, with the other Prisoners of Quality, were sent to Constantinople, where after a three years' imprisonment they were ransomed, and returned to their own Country. And thus, like a Ship after a long voyage sunk in the harbour, Zolkievius, having through all the accidents of his Life proceeded regularly from the Quality of a private Soldier to the Supreme Command of an Army, was raised by his own Virtue to those Honours which rendered him eminent in those parts of the World. Neither was there any thing wanting to complete his Glory, besides the Success of this Retreat, which was reduced to that point, that there wanted but two hours' space to render him eminent amongst the most illustrious Captains of Antiquity.  
It is held of all hands, that the most difficult part of Military Service is in the right conduct of a Retreat; and it may be judged hard measure to deny Zolkievius the Honour of having acquitted himself well in that particular, since he had brought it within view of the Harbour: but as the Honour of the Success would have been entirely his had he prospered, so his Memory must be patiented of this Cloud drawn over the lustre of it, by the failing of some mean Officer in omitting to give the Signal of his March. But here did he fall, and was laid upon the Bed of Honour in the extremity of his Age; refusing to live, when he could not do it gloriously. Skinder Bassa, either grown uneasy by the accession of this Victory, or that some Great Ones at Court were unworthily emulous of his Glory, had contracted many Enemies near the Grand Signior, who upon all occasions did him ill offices: but finding that Infection to work slowly, they corrupted some of his nearest Servants, who by the Infusion of Poison in his Drinks, destroyed him suddenly; so that he did not long survive the unfortunate Zolkievius: being in this more unfortunate, that he died in the quality of a Criminal, and that no certain account can be given of him, but that he died in the year 1620.  
And having by this digression given the Reader a short survey of this great Action, which wanted only one moment more of Success to render it the most glorious that any Age had produced; we will return to the continuation of our History where we left, which was the condition of the Polish Garrison in the Palace of Musko; who being grown weary with their unprofitable strive, had taken a rise from their ill Pay, to propose Terms for their dismission. Their General Goziowski used all his Arts to quiet them; and having the Treasure of the Empire in his possession, he resolved to Sacrifice that to their Avarice. There was amongst other things in the Treasury a Statue of our SAVIOUR, of the bigness of a man, weighing C C C lib. of massive Gold; which the Soldiers mangled into parcels, not making their dividend so exactly by Rule, but that every one got what he could. Basilius Zuiski, in his short Reign, had destroyed the Twelve Apostles, being composed of the same Mettle and largeness. And this part of the Polish Army despairing of relief, were become careless of that Representation of Christ which by the practice of the Church of Rome, they were used to worship. Their General having by this and other dividends out of the Treasury appeased, though not satisfied, his Army for the present though what by an equal estimate might have sufficed all they bargained for, but a● part of their Recompense; he was industrious in all his other Contrivances for their satisfaction, as well as safety. H● caused counterfeit Letters to be brought him from the King of Poland, with Promises of a powerful relief in short time; and that his Soldiers might not be disused to beat the Muskovites, he made frequent advantageous Sallies upon them. There was in that part of the City which had been wasted by the fire, a house in which the Magazine of Salt had been laid up, which having escaped the fury of that merciless Element, was become a considerable Commodity to both Parties. It lay more under the Command of the Poles than the City; but Gariowski, because he would have somewhat for his Army to do, forbore to bring it in to his Garrison but as he had daily use for it; this gave his men constant employment: for what between their own wants and those of the Enemy, they had perpetual Skirmishes; wherein for the most part they came off with the advantage, but that the wasting of their men was an incurable evil, for which they had no remedy. Gariowski made use of all his Arts, and had recourse to yet other Finesses: he laid a train for the destruction of Lepanow the Russian General, by causing Letters to be dispersed in his name into the several Provinces, requiring them to Massacre all the Dunensian Cossacks in their Quarters, as designing a Revolt, and too passionately promoters of the interest of Demetrius, to which they had always adhered. One of these Packets being put into Sidorus his hand (he was General of the Cossacks) so terrified him (that believing what he feared) and too sensible of the danger, he resolved to prevent it; in order whereto, having consulted the Principal Officers in so weighty an affair, they all concluded to anticipate their own Fate by Lepanow's fall; and immediately thereupon mutined; their Soldiers transported with the apprehension of their imaginary peril: whereupon Lepanow running to appease the Tumult, being no way warned of his own danger, was overpowred, and slain upon the place. The General being thus removed, the Muskovites gave the Command of their Army to Trubecius; who being more wary of the Artifices of Gaziowski, which by this time had taken air, caused some of his Emissaries, who were found tampering afresh with the Cossack's, to be seized upon; and to render the cheat more public, had them put to death with exquisite Torments: And after the King's departure from Smolensko, applied himself so vigorously in prosecution of the Siege, pressing so hard upon the Poles, that he shut them up close within their Fortifications. And now they were out of all hope of any relief, and so closely penned up, that they began to want every thing necessary for their subsistence. They endured these hardships seven full weeks, after which time they were delivered by a Miracle on the 15th of August, as one of their Priests had foretold. Before they were reduced to this narrow compass, they had sent all their Boys and Servants out, to the number of betwixt three and four thousand upon a Party, for forage. These by the time of their return, found all the Avenues shut up. At first they were upon thoughts of retiring and shifting for themselves, until detained with the shame of abandoning their Masters without attempting their relief, they took new courage and resolutions to endeavour to force the Passage. Being thus animated, having some Soldiers amongst them, they drew up into as large a front as they could, extending their Wings to a great distance, and advancing up within sight of the Leaguer upon that side where the Moska runs, put themselves into a posture to pass it; which they did without opposition, and were received into the Fortress with the acclamations of the Besieged, and the congratulations of their Masters. The Russians had been surprised with this unexpected relief, as they termed it; and having had no room left in their apprehensions for the exercise of their courage, concluded that the whole force of Poland was at their backs; which obliged them to quit their Trenches on that side of the Town, and leave an open and uninterrupted Passage for the Boys to enter at. The Besieged taking the opportunity of their Enemy's fears, made a seasonable Sally, whereby they reduced all those Forts and Outworks which had been formerly taken from them, enlarging their Quarters to a more commodious distance. But all this being considered by them but as a small intermission of their miseries, and no solid Supply able to sustain the force of all Muskovy, they dispatched Letters to their King in Poland with an account of their condition, upbraiding his carelessness of their safety; and declaring, that if by the 6th of Jan. their Prince were not sent to them, they would quit the place, and come back to Poland to require their Arrears. The Chief Officers of the Polish Army, by a misunderstanding amongst themselves, contributed unhappily to the Service of the Russians. Potocki Palatine of Brachlaw was left Governor and Commander of the Forces about Smolensko; but he could not suffer that Charles Chodkievicius Lieutenant-General of the Lithuanian Army should be sent to prosecute the Relics of the Muskovitish War, as to the possession of the Imperial Seat, towards the gaining of which he had contributed little; and reckoning upon this as a Design fit to be reserved for his own Conduct, he managed all his Counsels accordingly: and though Chodkievits was, maugre all his contrivements, marked out for the Service of Musko, yet the enraged Potocki perverted some of his Chief Officers, and as it happened there was a concurrence of Causes to thwart the Polish Interest: for upon the 15th of August, it seemed more than probable that the Muskovites being hotly pursued, might have been driven out of the City, but that an old Colonel amongst the Poles considering if they should improve this Success to the utmost, there would be nothing left for their General Chodkievits to do (upon whom this Colonel had a particular dependence, and it seems consulted his Glory more than the Common Good) and therefore dissuaded his Party from pressing their Fortune upon an apprehension of some supposed dangers. In the mean time Chodkievits being designed for the relief of the place, marched thither with an Army; but the fame of his severe Discipline flying thither before him, and augmented by the envy of his ill-willers, begot a very great prejudice in the minds of the Soldiers against him, and an aversion for him; so that they upon his arrival disputed his Commands, and looking upon all his Proposals with an eye of diffidence, would not be engaged upon any more Sallies; but as if they had placed a Religion in the performance of their former Letter to the King, they quitted the Palace upon the sixth of Jan. as they had before declared.  
They left indeed the Sapihan Regiment in Garrison behind them, but upon the Temptation of vast advantages. These had the rest of the Crown-Jewels put into their hands, as caution for their pay: which Jewels consisted of two Crowns of Gold richly beset with Gems, a Sceptre of Unicorns-Horn likewise gloriously adorned with Jewels; two whole Unicorns-horns, and another half cut; the Great Dukes Saddle embroidered with Pearl and Gold; two Hats wrought with Diamonds, with the Sceptre and Golden Apple, both enriched with precious Stones of huge value. And having ordered the Affairs of the Fort at this rate, they chose one Joseph Cieclinski for their General, and appointing him a new Council of War, they quitted the place, notwithstanding the King's Commands, and the entreaties and threats of their Officers to the contrary, and marched directly into Poland, being 7000 effective Horse; and being arrived at Leopolis, made that their Headquarters: and distributing their Troops into the several Palatinates of the lesser Poland, they seized upon the Kings Domains, and the Ecclesiastical Revenues, which were very great, under pretence of their Arrears due from the Commonwealth. But to return to Musko which they had quitted; the Sapihan Regiment which they had left there, was reinforced and reassured by the access of fresh Troops brought thither by the two Konickspolskis from Smolensko; but they were followed by an envy amongst the Great Officers, as their evil Genius. Potocki led on by his Ambition, which had an influence upon all his Councils, having suffered affairs to run up to a pitch of desperation, judged it a fit time for him to step in to the preservation of the place; in order whereto, he sent his Kinsman Nicholas Strusius with part of the Smolenskian Foot, as most proper for the Service in Garrison. The Passage along the River Moscha was kept open all this time, whereby they were able to receive in their supplies of Men and Victuals in spite of the Besiegers; but their divisions and emulations within growing up to a height, gave the Russians the opportunity to perfect their Line by blocking up that Passage. Not long after, the Sapihan Regiment consisting of 4000 Horse, debauched likewise by the same spirit of Mutiny, forsook Chodkiowits, and choosing one John Zalinski to Command them by the Title of Marshal, took the opportunity of breaking through the Enemy's Leaguer, and marching into Lithuania, seated themselves at Brestia, where they fixed; dividing the neighbour-Palatinates, the King's Revenues, and the Ecclesiastical Incomes as a subsistence for themselves, till their Arrears were paid. The Commonwealth of Poland being provoked by these repeated insolences of their Soldiers, failed not to charge their King with the causes of them, in not permitting his Son to go to Musko, which he was now inclined to; and though dilatory in his nature, resolved now to bring him thither in Person. The Confederate Horse which had formerly desired Vladislaws with so much heat, and in which the King confided most, refused now to stir, and change their repose and affluence of all things, for penury and new toils. Sigismond however, with what Forces he could get together, came to Vilna the Metropolis of Lithuania, where two Germane Regiments of Foot were newly arrived; from thence he went by slow Marches to Smolensko, where encountering with new difficulties, he was at a stand for the prosecution of his Design: for the Horse which quartered there (his best hopes) refused to march with him till their Arrears were paid them. The dispute was unseasonable to the King's Affairs, who wanted Monies to answer their demands, and strength to exact their Obedience. He therefore had recourse to entreaties, and the temptation of fair Promises (not only Arrears, but Rewards) which having no impression upon their hardened natures, the King was forced to march with his Guards only, and a few Light-Horse; though he was after overtaken by twelve hundred of those Horse, who, persuaded by some Officers most in credit with them, not to expose their King now upon the Crisis of his Affairs, but to signify to the world by that Act of Obedience both their Loyalty and Courage. These being overcome by such Arguments, marched after the King to Viasna, midway betwixt Smolensko and Musko, where Chodkiovits also with his Forces joined the Royal Army.  
It happened (and I would not omit a circumstance that carried noise with it) that the Portcullis of the King's Gate at Smolensko through which Sigismond was to go, fell down at that instant, filling up the Passage with its bulk, in so much that it could not be removed by any force, so that he was forced to turn back and go another way; which was esteemed by some as an inauspicious Omen, that the Royal way to the Empire of Musko should not be opened by him. During these Traverses at Court and in the Camp, the Siege is pressed on at Musko with more fervour than before. Chodkiewits' weakened with the departure of the Sapihan Horse, could not suffice to hinder their approaches, wanting Foot to oppose their raising of Sconces and Redoubts, wherewith they very much straightened the Castle. However, he did in spite of them bring in, by the Aid of his Horse, supplies of Provision for the Garrison that whole Summer; and in September, though all ways of communication were obstructed, and the Garrison reduced to extreme want, he forced the Guards by that way which he had formerly entered, and brought in a small quantity of Provisions; which bearing no proportion with the necessities of the place, he made a new supply of four hundred Wagons laden with all manner of necessaries, which he attempted to put into the Castle by the same way of the River, where the Muskovites opposed him with their whole Power. The dispute was long and obstinate, where the Polish Horse were much inconvenienced by the disadvantages of rubbish, and other difficulty that hindered them to effect what they had so bravely intended. Strusius was blamed for not having advanced with his Foot to the rescue of the Horse which fought so well; but whatever the fault was, all hopes of Conquering the Russian Empire vanished with this disgrace; and all the fruit of so many Victories, of so much Blood, and of so much Treasure as had been expended in this War, was lost in the misfortune of that day: for before Chodkievicius could gather new Provisions, and open a Passage to the Castle now more carefully fortified and warded than formerly; the Besieged having consumed every thing that was edible, eaten all their Horses, Cats, Dogs, Rats, Mice, Leather, Covers of Books and Trunks, and whatever else they could devise to get into their Stomaches, proceeded to humane flesh, ready to feed upon one another, as if they had preferred that to a surrender: but the latter prevailed at last over their obstinacy, and they yielded themselves and the place up at discretion.  
The King was at Viasna when news of this fatal Surrender reached him; and being by that time become sensible of this great blow to his Affairs and Interest, he consulted what was to be done; whether to retire as from a baffled design, or to advance further, upon a computation that the Muskovites being yet in disorder, might be overawed by the presence of him and his Army, and might thereby be induced to receive his Son for Emperor; at least he proposed to himself an advantageous Peace: and this latter Counsel prevailing, he continued his March till he arrived at Fedorouscum; and Commanding the Smolenskian Horse to proceed forward, they advanced to the very Walls of Musko; but instead of any Parley, or other address to them, they were received with shot from the City, and a furious Salley, which obliged them to draw off to places of more safety. The King was likewise disappointed in his expectation, the Country standing upon their Guards, as having an Enemy in their Bowels; carried all their Provisions into Garrisons and fenced Places; in so much that what with that, and the impressions of the Winter, he was much distressed for Forage for his Horse; and being obliged to lie in the Field, it was more than his Army could endure in that season. The Poles enraged at this evil posture of their Affairs, and to revenge the Indignity, as they called it, assaulted the Town of Voloc, but in vain; so that having no choice left them, they returned back by the way of Smolensko into Poland. And thus ended the Expedition of King Sigismond, the Election of Vladislaws, and the unfortunate Endeavours of the two Demetrius', the causes of so many Vicissitudes and Calamities.  
The Muskovites being by the retreat of the Poles restored to a state of quietness, consulted the settlement of their Empire, by such an Election as might best tend to it: and having looked about them for a fit Person to place upon the Throne of their shattered Dominions, the universal Suffrage fell upon Michael Federowicz, Son to the Patriarch of Rostock, who was at that time detained Prisoner in Marieburg-Castle; Him they Crowned with one of the Diadems which they found amongst the Rapines of the Poles; fought constantly for him, and forced the Enemy, after many and Bloody Conflicts, to abdicate their pretended Dominion over them, and to emancipate them from the Sacrament of that Oath which they had Sworn to Prince Vladislaws. That same Winter, to strike at the Root of Demetrius his Pretensions, they attempted his Remnant enquartered about Caluga. The Cossacks being overcome by the Muskovites Gold, delivered the unfortunate Marina with her Son into their hands; who, to destroy all Colour of future Claims from that Interest, made the Water her Grave, thrusting her and her Son under the Ice, into that destroying Element, where she and her hopes sunk together; as if nothing less than an Ocean could suffice to satisfy the thirst of her Ambition. I am not ignorant that Kobierzickius in his History of Vladislaws delivers, that she was strangled by the Great Duke's Command, and her Son hanged. However it was, she was a Lady of an immense Spirit, and greatness of Mind above her Sex. All other considerations in her, gave place to her aspiring thoughts, which swayed her as the only Pilot of her Soul. The desire of Empire did so eat out her joys, that she was seldom happy; and though her Misfortunes were not of a common rank, yet the greatness of her Constancy as well as Courage, seemed to brave them. She abhorred the thought of being treated in her lowest Condition at a less rate than as Empress: upon which score it was observed, that she slighted the Letters of a near Kinsman, who coming with King Sigismond into Muskovy, judged it fit to advise her, that she should cast herself upon the King's Clemency: But she reflecting upon the omission of her Titles (which 'tis like her Kinsman forbore upon an account of freedom, and not to perplex his Paper with hard Names) answered, She did not doubt, but that God the Avenger of Injuries, would be yet propitious to her afflictions: She said nothing of the King, as not approving of his coming into Muskovy; but complaining of the omission of her Titles, added with her own hand, That what God had illuminated, could not be obscured; and that the Sun, however sometimes overcast with thick Clouds, could never be totally deprived of his light: and Signed, The Empress Marina. Some time after, she rejected with scorn the offer that the King made her Husband and her, of the fair Governments of Sambore and Grodners, provided they would not oppose him in his Conquest of the Empire, sending him this answer: That the King should deliver Cracovie to Demetrius, and he might in return receive Warsovie from his Great Duke. But she is now overwhelmed in another Deluge besides that of her grief. And the brave, though unconstant Zarucki, who had adhered to her Fortunes, falling likewise into the hands of the Great Duke, was impaled; shutting up the Tragedy of his Mistress by his own death.  
And now the Competitorship upon the account of the Blood Royal seemed to have extinguished: but as if to be Demetrius were to be immortal, and that he had not been slain, but rescued yet again; an inconsiderable Scrivener, by what inducement swayed to it is unknown, gave himself out to be Demetrius the Son of John Basilius; and that besides his deliverance at Vglecz and Musko, he had yet this farther Miracle of his preservation at Caluga. The Fellow being of a ready Tongue, and subtle, got together some hundreds of men, such whom the War had indisposed to any thing of labour. And to these there flocked all the Vagabonds, Bandites, and idle persons, the excrements of their late Dissensions, that proposed to themselves any advantage from Rapine and Plunder. His numbers being by this means increased to the bulk of a considerable Party, he caused a Manifest to be published of his Birth and several Deliverances, invited all his Loyal Subjects (as he styled them) to that Obedience which they owed to him as Great Duke of Muskovy, the only surviving Issue of John Basilius. And to put the more countenance upon his Imposture, he marched with his Force to Novogrod, from thence to Jama, and on to Iwanogrod, where he was by the giddy multitude received, honoured, and owned as the undoubted Demetrius Great Duke of Muskovy. Having proceeded successfully in this great Attempt, he assumed yet more state: and to give a becoming Reputation to his pretensions, he dispatched an Embassy to Sweden, to solicit aids against the Treachery and ill-dealing of his Subjects, who contrary to all Law Humane and Divine, had set up another upon his Throne. King Charles surprised with this Address, could not satisfy his Wonder, not ceasing to admire how that Demetrius who had been so often slain, should now survive, to demand his assistance. But resolving not to be abused or imposed upon, he dispatched Petreius as his Ambassador to Iwanogrod, with Letters of Credence, and Power to conclude; but first exactly to inform himself of the truth of all things: And if he found this Person to be that real Demetrius, who had been acknowledged, Crowned, and Sworn to at Musko, then to give him all encouragement of Supplies for the regaining of his Rights, and bringing his Subjects to their due Obedience. Petreius being arrived at Iwanogrod, could get no Audience from this new Duke: for he being advertised that the Ambassador had formerly seen the murdered Demetrius both in Poland and Musko, would by no means admit of him into his Presence; but pretending an indisposition in point of health, referred him to his Council to treat with him, and that he himself (hoping he might in a few days be fit for business) would ratify the Treaty in Person. The Swedish Ambassador answered, that the King his Master desired to enter into a strict League with the Great Duke, and had therefore given him some particular Commands, which he was to communicate to his Highness in Person; but since it was not consistent with his health to receive him into his presence (he being restrained by his Instructions not to entrust his Master's Secrets to any other) would return for Sweden; not doubting, but if the Great Duke should think fit to send his Ambassador thither, but that the King his Master would be ready to comply with all his Honourable Designs and Desires. And thus Petreius having ended his Negotiation, left the place; gathering from the refusal of Demetrius to admit him into his Presence, and from other Observations made by him, that he was only a fictitious Person, who had assumed a Name and Title wherewith he had nothing to do.  
But he having by this time got together a Force, which might well enough bear the reputation of an Army, took the Field; and upon the 24th of June faced Pleschow, a considerable place; which being summoned in the Name of the Great Duke Demetrius, was upon the point of surrendering; when the Muskovitish Army advancing, he made a hasty retreat, leaving behind him his Cannon, and most of his Baggage; and being followed by them, he hardly escaped to Iwanogrod. The Russians having with so much ease, and without a blow, dispersed this new Army, careless of prosecuting the success further, retired. Whereupon the Inhabitants of Plescow dispatched their Deputies to Iwanogrod, with an humble offer to this Pseudo-Demetrius of their Town and Services, as their Prince and Sovereign. He overjoyed with this unexpected Success, went immediately away for Plescow with the Ambassadors; where he was received with all the imaginable demonstrations of Joy, Honour, and Obedience. He transported with this Progress in his Affairs, and not capable of improving the same to his advantage, gave himself up to all manner of licentiousness and lust, violating many of the Prime Citizen's Wives and Daughters; and proceeding from one degree of Debauchery to another, he let lose the Reins to his Party, who by his Example committed all manner of Insolences and Villainies upon the people. The Plescovites tired out, and provoked with the barbarous behaviour of their Prince, took Arms, beat his Guards, and forced him to fly the City for his safety. The Cossacks seeing him thus forsaken of all, resolved also to leave him; but some of them more advised, considered of seizing upon his Person, whereby they might the better make their own peace. He advertised of this Design, being well mounted, clapped Spurs to his Horse; and had undoubtedly escaped their hands, but that he was overtaken by an Arrow out of a Cossack-Bowe, which wounded him in the shoulder. Hereupon he was taken; and being bound hand and foot, was sent to Pleskow, and from thence to Musko, where he was tied by a great Chain to one of the Gates, remaining there an object of scorn and reproach to all the world, until the Coronation of Michael Federowicz, by whose Command this last Pseudo-Demetrius, the fictitious Son of Jo. Basilius, was hanged in public: This Mushroom, after it had but peeped up, expiring with shame and infamy.  
THE END.