NEWS CERTAIN AND TERRIBLE FROM THE KINGDOM OF POLAND, BEING The Copy of a Letter, sent by Jerome Nicholas to a friend of his, dwelling at Gravesend.  
Relating how the Turk hath passed the Confines of the Kingdom, with an almost invincible Army: and what barbarity they use towards Christians in those parts, having gotten the upper hand.  Nunc tua res agitur paries dum proxim●● ardet. 
LONDON: Printed for Andrew C●●. 1642.   

Dear Sir,  
REceiving from you Letters at all occasions, wherein you certify me how all matters go in England, it should be a very unkind part in me, not to write bacl something to you, although it did concern you nothing; yet that which I writ to you now concerns not you only, but also every good Christian. Know therefore good Sir, that upon the twentieth sixth day of January, the great Turk having ever in his heart a grudge against the Polanders, for ancient quarrels, determining now also to be revenged, when a great part of his Forces are employed elsewhere, gathered together above forty thousand of his most expert Soldiers, being to the number of eighteen thousand Janissaries, in whom consisteth his chief strength, and two and twenty thousand Timariot, which are horsemen lightly armed, for the most part, employed in foraging, and in pillaging of the Country, where the Turk doth maintain any war, these passed on above fourteen Leagues in the Country, making havoc of the poor people all the way as they went, sparing neither young nor old rich nor poor, but sweeping all away with a most bloody massacre: using also extraordinary torments to those that would not immediately abjure the Christian Religion, binding them to posts, and then circumcising them▪ At ●runstad a little Village near to our City, the Lieutenant General with five thousand horsemen, gave the Timariot battle, which was upon the twenty eight day of January last past, but being oppressed with their number, he was forced to fly, having lost but a few of his men, leaving all the ground bestrewed with the dead bodies of the Turkish horsemen; Having himself also received one dangerous wound in the right side, with a Lance, but we hope he will shortly recover; for the rest of his wounds are nothing so dangerous. And indeed if he did not, we should find great want of him; for to speak the truth, he is an excellent man, and very expert in all manner of Military Discipline, and in many Battles fought against the Turk he hath approved himself very valiant to his King and Country.  
But to return to the Turkish Army, they being proud of this dear bought victory, and vowing sharp revenge, marched still on towards the City in which we now remain, killing every one that had not fled to the next Town, with extreme tortures; it being thought a sport amongst the Turks, to rip up women's bellies with their Scimitaries, and to carry young children upon the top of their Lances, springing with blood. They have approached our City, and lie very near to it strongly entrenched, and have planted five Canon and six Demi-Canon against the walls of the City, and they threw every hour over our walls hot burning Granades, which (blest be God) by reason of our watchfulness and care, do no great harm; only a woman as she was passing the street, with her child in her arms, both she and the poor infant were killed by the unhappy fall of a Granadoe.  
We kill every day both with small shot and great, huge numbers of that unhallowed pack, especially at their last assault; where by reasonable computation, there was found to have died a thousand in less than three hours. Out Town is very strong, God be praised, and our Soldiers are courageous enough, especially the Inhabitants, as they have best reason, they being sure to lose their houses and fortunes, (if the Town be taken) if not their lives withal. Out Town hath endured the Siege at least twentytwo days now, and our walls are mightily battered, I beseech God to send us speedy and strong succour, and let us rather have any mischance, than to fall into the hands of those cruel and savage people. For our Governor hath been divers times called to a parley with their Captain, and had articles delivered to him, to which agreeing he should yield the Town. But having showed them the Soldiers and Townsmen, they all drew their swords, and swore they would rather die than accept of any such conditions.  
The Articles are these; 

First, That every one of the Townsmen and Soldiers, should deliver up their weapons and ammunition and victualling.  
Secondly, That they should go out of the City with ropes about their necks, and their hands bound behind them, in token of submission, all except the Governor.  
Thirdly, That they should leave their wives and children and goods behind them: and carry nothing with them but one suit of clothes, and one pair of shoes with them.  
Fourthly, That they should swear by Mahomet never to serve the King again.  
Fifthly, That they should all be marked in the forehead.    
These are the Articles; The bearer is in great haste, being in danger to be surprised by the Turks Scouts, if he stay till break of day.  
Farewell; Remember me to my wife and children, tell them that I am in health; but by no means relate to her in what danger I am in; so committing you to God, I rest  
Halberstad the 22 of Feb. 1641. Your most obsequious friend, JEROME NICHOLAS.