THE TVRKES SECRETORIE, Conteining HIS SVNDRIE LETTERS Sent to diuers Emperours, Kings, Princes and States, full of proud bragges, and bloody threatnings:

With seuerall Answers to the same, both pithie and peremptorie.

Translated truly out of the Latine Copie.

LONDON Printed by M. B. and are to be solde at the Swan in Pauls Church-yard. 1607.

TO THE MOST Woorthie, Liborius, Theodore, Adolph, Lodowick, and George, sonnes to the most noble Nicolas of MVNI­CHAVSEN, fauourers of all good learning, health.

MOST noble and woorthie Gentlemen, the birth and growth of Mahomets tyranny, which, like the inundation of some great and mightie riuer, hath ouerflowen the greatest part of the world, is very me­morable. For that Arabian im­postor and false Prophet, being descended of meane parentage, vnder colour of a certaine new and plausible Religion, made his way to the Empire; and hauing therewith good successe and fortune of warre, was the first that gaue name to that superstitious sect, and most prodigious king­dome. And indeed this enterprise was more easily atchieued, be­cause, in all counsels and contractations he had an excellent ap­prehension, and affected alwayes in his designments and resolu­tions to be popular. For being by nature composed all of Subtil­tie and Flatterie, he became by meanes thereof so powerfull and mightie in his persuasions, that in short time he drew all the peo­ple to his partie, and purchaste himselfe a great name and repu­tation amongst them.

The lawes and institutions which he published, were imbraced of his countrey-men with woonderfull applause and liking, partly, for that he pretended to haue receiued them by Diuine inspira­tion, and partly, because they held good correspondence and pro­portion with their owne wicked inclination, and dissolute course of [Page] life. And this course seemed vnto him to be the shortest and most compendious way to attaine and establish his greatnesse, being perswaded that where he could not obtaine in a Lions skin, there doubtlesse he should preuaile in a Foxes case. For he called to minde, how Lysander had once aduised to that purpose, deriding the follie of those men, who (as if they were borne of Hercules) seeke to accomplish their designments rather with force than with policie.

But of the maner of gouernment among the Lacedaemonians, being very like to this, and of that wicked Alcoran which was patched together by the labour and trauell of those leud confede­rates, Iohn of Antioch, Sergius the Arrian, and a certaine Iew that was an Astronomer, in the yeere of our Sauiour Christ, 624. and in the time of Heraclius the Emperour, and of Pope Honorius the first; though a great field is heere opened vnto me to discourse, yet at this time, and at this place I hold it needlesse and impertinent. To returne therefore to our former matter.

When he had ordered his affaires after this maner, he per­swaded the people, that were madde with desire of libertie, to take armes; wherewith he enlarged the narrow confines of his new Monarchie, and in short time brought great and mightie Pro­uinces to be subiect to his tyrannie. The people were encouraged heerein the rather, through a vaine hope, wherewith this false Arabian prophet did abuse them, making them beleeue, that they should be Maisters of the whole world: which (as he saide) both by Diuine Prouidence, and right of inheritance did apper­teine vnto Abrahams posteritie, and consequently vnto them, who deriued their petigree lineally from Sara their mother. This vaine conceit was a strong goade to pricke them forwards to make sharpe and cruell warres against all nations. And to this day, the Turkes made proud with this fancie onely, haue with their armes inuaded diuers Kingdomes and States, and like an heard of hungrie wolues, lying in wait for a flocke of sheepe, they lie in ambush to destroie all Christendome.

Neither was Mahomet the second lesse agreeable in conditi­ons than in Name, to that Enthusiasticall seducer, exercising [Page] more tyrannie and crueltie, than all the Ottamanes besides, as if the same had beene bequeathed vnto him by the last Will and Testament of his predecessour. For his father Amurathes be­ing himselfe of all that euer liued, the most barbarous and cruell, declared him to be the heire apparant of all his kingdomes and seignories, vpon condition, that he would be an euerlasting ene­mie of the name of Christ, and would bend all his studies, and thoughts, to be tyrannous, cruell, and vnmercifull. But so straight a band and caution needed not, seeing the exceeding palenesse of his countenance, hauing swolne cheekes, and a crooked nose which touched almost his lippes, together with manie other signes and tokens of a monstrous nature, shewed euidently in his childhood, what kinde of man he was like to prooue in his riper yeeres. For he that readeth the Histories of former times, shall finde many examples of such mis-shapen and deformed Thersi­tes, the monsters and wonders of Man-kind, which haue beene in their time, the ruine and confusion of Kingdomes and Com­mon-weales.

His Mother, being the daughter of the Despote of Seruia, and Duke of Mysia, was carefull to instruct him in the rules of Pietie and Christian Religion. For holding in deepe detestation the wicked heresies of the Saracens, and the sauage crueltie of the Barbarous Turkes, she desired earnestly to haue him conse­crated to the obedience of Christ, and seruice of the Common-wealth: which, being herselfe a wise and religious woman, she preferred as a heauenly treasure before all the wealth and king­domes of tho world. But, ‘Naturam expellas furca, &c.’ Nature will not be bridled, and what is bred in the bone will ne­uer out of the flesh. For Mahomet no sooner came to mans estate, but he cast all into the winde, and tooke no care of any reli­gion. In priuate he was an absolute Atheist, reposing all his hopes in a good Fortune, making no account of the Diuine pro­uidence, and with many scoffes and scornes testing at those which affirmed that humane affaires are disposed and gouerned by God.

Wherefore following the example and direction of his prede­cessour [Page] and father, his chiefest care and studie was to enlarge his dominions, and with the yoke of Mahometane slauerie to oppresse those kings and people whom he subdued. So that in the space of 32. yeeres, that he raigned, many Kingdomes, Dukedomes, and Cities were conquered, and became subiect to his tyrannie. For which cause he was compared to Alexander the Great, and for his noble and great exploits, surnamed the Great amongst his people.

The first and fearefullest feate of warre which he did, was the winning of Bizantium the most renowned and Famous Citie of Constantine the Great, which is acknowledged of all, to haue beene the glory aad beauty of all Christendome. There is no man liuing (as I thinke) that is able with fit words, and due compas­sion to expresse so greeuous and so great calamities. For then the great and mighty Empire of Greece that was wont to be the wall and bulwarke of the Romane Empire, in lesse than two moneths siege was dissolued, and vtterly subuerted. The Emperour Constantinus Paleologus, a Prince endued with all commen­dable parts of piety, and vertue, seeing his estate was desperat, and thinking to escape with his people at a backe gate, was mise­rably smothered and killed in the throng: at what time, the bloo­dy and cruell tyrant caused Proclamation to be made, that no per­son of what age, sex, or condition soeuer should be saued or pitied in that common massacre. This lamentable tragedy was acted in the 1453. yeere after the recouery of our saluation by the Sonne of God, when Fredericke the third swaied the Empire of Rome, and Sixtus the fourth gouerned the Papacy.

Now God of his infinite goodnesse and mercy breake the rod and power of the Turkes, and stop their rage and fury, that in these latter daies which are yet remaining vnto the day of iudge­ment, the Church may enioy peace and safety. For we are come now vnto that time, wherein many graue, wise, and learned persons, among whom Luther was not the meanest, foretold that the Turke should raigne in Germany. And truely so it appeareth. For all their studies and forces are bent only, that by a short cut they may inuade our borders. And if we marke with [Page] what ciuill dissentions, and intestine broiles the whole country of Germany is set on fire, we cannot but confesse that it will be an ea­sie enterprise for them to subdue it; except our most gratious and mercifull God being pacified with our humble deuotions, will with his inuincible arme defend vs and avert these dangers.

The Turkes (we see) with all diligence and watchfulnesse, doe obserue such aduantages, and seldome or neuer doe they slip these occasions, but with great ioy embrace them, as the only signes and abodements of their good fortune: whereas we are possessed with such dulnesse and stupidity, (what shall I call it else? more pro­perly I can call it nothing) that, besides it depriueth vs of all sense of our owne miseries, it causeth also in our enemies themselues so great an admiration and wonderment, that they iest at vs for it with extreame laughter and derision.

How happy were it for vs, if the great wealth whereof the Exchequer, and common Treasury is daily emptied, were im­ploied on this seruice, and the subiects were not suffered to be so much impouerished as they are? For so long as they are rich, and able to contribute to their Soueraignes wants, it will be an easie matter to raise an Army and to make warre vpon any occasion: But if once they be exhausted and drawne drie with vnnecessary exactions and impositions, our armies will soone be dissolued, and our warres will prooue ridiculous and infortunate, for want of meanes to prosecute and maintaine them. And if then necessity compell vs to seeke for peace, and Christian amity with our foes, is it not strange that in time of prosperity the very name of peace is so odious and hatefull? especially considering it happeneth many times, that whilest two are striuing and contending together, they are made (like the frog and the mouse in the fable) a pray and booty to a third enemy, whose malice neuer ceaseth till he hath destroied them both, and sent their soules (that I may vse the Poets words) to fery ouer the Stygian lake, which is the blacke pit of hell.

Why then are we afraid of any forrain Turks? Seeing we, euen we, are Turkes vnto our selues: yea farre more cruell and iniu­rious than any Turke, or (as the name importeth) any destroier [Page] in the world. For the Turks, being at peace within themselues, doe beare one common hatred against all Christians, that they may subdue them, and destroy their name and memory from the earth: But on the other side, we make peace with Turks, and turne our swords against our owne sides, hauing our pleasure only, with ciuill warres and domesticke broiles, to destroy one another, as if we had conspired with the common enemy, to make ourselues an easie conquest vnto his tyranny. And if this be not madnesse and fury, I know not what is madnesse. But let vs returne to Mahomet:

Who, although he was of such a tyrannous nature, as I haue declared, yet contrary to al other Barbarians, hath this praise and commendation giuen him by all Historiographers, namely that he burned alwaies with an incredible desire to vnderstand all good Arts and Histories. For he caused the Histories of all Nations, hauing to his infinite charge gathered them together out of all pla­ces, to be translated into the Turkish tongue, that they might serue him as a well-furnished store-house of graue examples, fit for imi­tation and practise, in the vse of warre, and military discipline: What kind of stratagems and war-like policies he hath gathered out of them, his owne manner of Gouernment, and the Commen­taries of Vicentinus, his freed-bondman, and of many others that haue written thereof, doe declare at large. Among the rest, these Epistles, being so wittily, and grauely written, deserue not the least nor the last commendation. For they were written by himselfe, either as he marched and set foorth against his enemies, or else when he encamped: against whose testimonie, being most pri­uy to his owne resolutions and warre-like affaires, there is no ex­ception can be taken. And where he vseth in them a certaine kind of Laconicall breuity, it is not for want of time to write more largely, but because his desire was alwaies to expresse his minde in a full and plaine kind of speech, without vaine and needlesse cir­cumstances. For they that are wise indeed, are euer accustomed to deliuer much matter in few words: which praise Homer gi­ueth vnto Menelaus the Spartan, and many other great perso­nages are commended by others, for the same quality and vertue. [Page] Yet I deny not, but this witty and concise kind of speech which Mahomet vseth, doth sauour very much of tyranny: because it is common with Tyrants to deliuer their minds in few termes, and those also very imperious and menacing, as their owne verse declareth; ‘Sic volo, sic iubeo, stat pro ratione voluntas.’

So doe I will, So I command,
And let my will for reason stand.

As for the responsory letters, which are wouen in the same loome, I haue no more to say, but that they shew a manifest con­tempt of the Tyrant and his threatnings, holding it farre better to hazard the worst of Fortune, then to yeeld their nekes to the cru­ell yoake of his intolerable slauery. But to let passe all Histories, is it not a lamentable thing to consider, how he hath subdued and conquered all places that he came vnto? so that he may truely say of himselfe, as once said Iulius Caesar: ‘Veni, Vidi, Vici.’ ‘I came, I saw, I ouercame.’

And thus much shall suffice of him. Now concerning the Translatour of these Epistles, (one Laudinius a man famous and well knowen to the world, as well for his learning, as for the honour and place which hee had amongst the Knights of Hierusalem) he deserueth no lesse praise for translating, then the Authour himselfe for composing them. For he hath so liuely and significantly expressed the conceit and meaning of a strange tongue, that he seemeth altogether to relish of Tullie his ele­gancy and sweetnesse. Therefore my hope is, that good men will not dislike my trauels in publishing the same; which hauing fini­shed, I thought good to dedicate the same to you, most noble and worthy Gentlemen. For I vnderstand by good and credible re­port, that you doe apply your whole study vnto learning and know­ledge, [Page] and that no day passeth you without some time drawen to that purpose. Assuredly, though you are discended of many most ancient and noble Gentlemen, and may iustly boast the honorable badges and armes of your Ancestours; yet the best and readiest way to raise your titles, and to make you more honorable, is to be learned. Which way if you will pursue with your accustomed di­ligence, you shall shortly reape the happy fruits of your long studies, namely, variety of all perfect and true knowledge, and a noble reputation graced with the best preferments both with Prince and people: The one being enabled through your graue and learned counsels, will gouern his estate vertuously, and the other hauing confidence in your vertue, will feare no dangers. O happy, and thrise happy are they, to whom such blessings are giuen of God. Indeed the common sort of Gentlemen, of whom Carneades sometimes spake, because they learne nothing but to ride horses are in no estimation, no not with the meanest of the multitude. For is there any thing in them, that appeareth worthy or com­mendable? Cannot euery vulgar and base fellow learne to ma­nage a horse aswell as they? Which I speake not to disgrace ri­ding and horsmanship: but wish rather it may haue it's due ho­nour and respect: only I would not haue you to be of their num­ber who giuing themselues wholy to this quality make slow procee­dings or none at all in the way of learning; wherein I doubt not, but your fathers iudgment doth concurre with mine, as I might well perceiue at my first acquaintance with him, when in the Castle of Stradthag I taught that worthy and noble Gentleman, Count Ernestus, the true and sole heire of the Countie of Schoum­burg. For considering with himselfe, what great commodities learning bringeth with it to all sorts of persons, his principall care and study was to commit you to the hands of graue and learned teachers, to be instructed, and to prouide for you according to your estates, competent and necessarie exhibition. For all which his fatherly care and bounty, he requireth no more of you but to be diligent to furnish your selues with all good learning and know­ledge. Which if you will doe, you will reioice the harts not only of [Page] your parents, but also of all those that loue you, and you shall be highly esteemed amongst the chiefest Nobilitie. But it is needlesse to spurre a free horse, or to exhort you that are alrea­die prepared and addressed to this vertuous course. Therefore I will stay my selfe heere, humblie be­seeching you to take in good part this slender signification of my dutious affection towards you and your stu­dies. Fare you well.

Your Hon: most deuoted M. HERMANN. VASTELLAB.

THE PREFACE OF LAVDINIVS Knight of Hierusalem, written to Francinus Beltrardus concerning the let­ters of the Great Turke.

TO whom rather (my deare Francinus) should I send the letters which I haue late­ly published, then vnto you? wherein I haue sought more to please my selfe, then to be praised of others: for hauing retired my selfe for my recreation to Cicianum, a towne in Campania, I thought good to present these vnto you, that thereby I might tender you an account both of my diligence and studies. The Commentaries which I be­gan to write to the Pope, the greatnesse of the worke com­pelled me to giue ouer vntill an other time. I know that heerein I doe expose my selfe to the detraction of many; considering how most men are so froward and peeuish in their opinions, that they will iudge nothing according to right, but will measure all things by their owne reason. And so seeing we haue lost the truth long sithence, I am contented to leaue this censure of me to the posteritie. Nunc pueri nasum Rhinocero­tis habent. *⁎*

THE ARGVMENT of these Letters.

MAhomet Emperour of the Turkes, sur-named for the woorthi­nesse of his exploits, the Great Turke, when (hauing increased the forces which his father left him) he had conquered Asia, he tran­sported ouer Hellesponte an infinite armie into Europe, and with the same wonne BiZantium the famous and noble citie of Constantine. He brought also to his subiection Mysia, Galatia, Thracia, Achaia, Pelo­ponnesus, Acarnania, Aetolia, Ambrachia, Epirus, and all that coast of Il­lyria, besides twelue kingdomes in the lesser Asia: namely, Pontus, Bithynia, Cappadocia, Paph [...]agonia, Cilicia, Pamphilia, Lycia, Caria, Lydia, Phrygia, and Hellespont. All which are at this day vnder the gouern­ment of the Turke: who, (as occasions presented themselues vnto him) directed of late his letters vnto diuers persons and people of the world; partly in the Syrian and Greeke tongue, and partly in the Scy­thian or Slauonian. These comming into the handes of Laudinius Knight of Hierusalem, who vnderstandeth these languages perfectlie, were translated by him into the Latin, and are now published in Eng­lish for the good of those that desire to know the affaires and procee­dings of the Turke.

The Turke to Sancassan king of Persia.

I Doe heare, that thou hast passed Eu­phrates, and hast brought a great power vnto Lepta, that thou art entred with the same into the confines of Parthia, and there puttest all to the fire & sword; that with thy forces thou hast inuaded Armenia, and conueied thine armie thither; and that, hauing spoiled the ci­ties, thou hast diuided the townes, villages, and fieldes as a pray to thy souldiers. Surely I wonder much that thou bearest the mind not of a conquerour, but of a robber. Therefore hauing mustered our people out of all Greece, we make ready to fight with thee, that thou maiest war with thine enemy with equall forces. For it is base and dishonorable for great and mightie kings, to make warre like theeues.

Sancassan to the Turke.

HAuing encamped at the foote of the mountaine Taurus, I went presently in all haste with the armie to lay siege to Thesiphon: and hauing wasted all the borders of Armenia, I forced all the countrey for feare of my power to obey me. Which maketh me the rather to woonder, that thou doest call my deedes in question, consi­dering that as they are many and famous, so they haue bene all atchieued after the due course of warre and law of Armes. Know therefore, that of our enemies we seeke not praise, but victorie.

The Turke to Sancassan.

I Came with my armie to the straights of Cilicia, where with a memorable ouerthrow Alexander the Great ouercame Darius. Neither doe we promise to our selues any other suc­cesse of our warres: seeing we haue already matched Alexan­der in the glorie and fortune of our exploits. For great enter­prises are not performed by the furie and rage of a rude mul­titude: but victorie consisteth in the prowesse of a fewe.

Sancassan to the Turke.

VVHen I doe consider my owne power, and the greatnesse of my noble actes, wherein I haue beene as fortunate as the immortall Gods, I cannot but laugh at thy rash and foolish preparations: espe­cially, hauing alwaies commanded a most inuincible army, by whose valour I am stiled The most fortunate King. All the Bactrians, Persians, Medes, Armenians, Parthians, and almost the whole East: I haue subdued with my armes: and since Alexander the Great, none but I durst make warres vpon the nations. Cease therefore to boast of the [Page 3] great fortune of the place at the straights of Cilicia. An In­dian Elephant doth not feare a Gnat. There is nothing so hard and difficult, but the constant resolution of souldiers will ouercome it. And there is no place so inaccessible, but valour will enter it.

Sexuares King of Armenia to the Turke.

VVE haue sent our Ambassadours as farre as Thesi­phon vnto Sancassan, who with incredible prepa­rations, hath entered Mesopotamia, and march­eth with a great power to besiege Babylon and Carras. Also he purposeth that Syria and all Egypt shall be a pray vnto him. So numberlesse an Army and so mighty an Host, we remember not to haue euer beene assembled in one place: so that for his great strength, he seemeth to exceed Xerxes, Darius, Pyrrhus, and Alexander. Adde hereunto six hundred thousand horsemen, and so many footmen. His magnifi­cent and sumptuous prouision for the warre, and his tents beset all about with pearles and pretious stones declare eui­dently that it is a royall preparation. They say that he hath in his Tents seuen hundred concubines and as many boies. Also the Eunuches and Camp-masters following the car­riages are reported to be six thousand. Finally, they haue armour and weapons of all sorts appertaining to the warre: namely, French curans, Spanish targets, Romane bus­kins, Candian arrowes, Parthian bowes, and Aegyptian speares. All which things being carefully discouered by our spies, we haue signified vnto you at large. For who dares attempt any thing rashly against him, that seem­eth to be able to contend for soueraignty with the Gods themselues? Or will any man neglect to prouide the best he may for his safety, when he standeth so neere to destruction?

The Turke to Sexuares.

THe things thou hast signified vnto vs by thy Ambassadors, touching the prouision Sancassanus makes against vs, are so farre from amating vs, that they haue animated the mindes of our souldiours, and increased their wonted courage, for that confidence they haue alwaies had in warre, and hopes, to carrie away the spoiles of their enemies, are redoubled by the re­port: as for concubines, iewels, and other accidentall ornaments of an armie, pertaining to the vnnecessarie brauerie, and not the true being of a souldiour, I esteeme them to auaile not a rush vn­to victorie: for whiles they are rather a hinderance to the ene­mie, they seeme to inflame the appetites of our souldiours, and whet them vnto the pray: neither yet do we contend about kingly brauerie, delights and dainties, but for victorie, and militarie manhood, whereby kingdomes are purchased: as for his num­berlesse heapes of men, we scorne them; for the base vnlette­red multitude is fitter to flie then fight, readier to take them to their heeles and runne away, then to stand for victorie, and win the day.

The Soldan to the Turke.

VVHen newes are brought me, how many fields are wonne by thy sword, and when I heare the great woonders of thy exploits, it will not sinke into my head, that so great things come to passe, either by thine owne, or by thy souldiours valour; its the hand of Fortune, I rather beleeue, who ouerrules all actions; yet doe I not for all that, enuie any whit thy praises: for what generous minde will not commend vertue, euen in an ene­mie? but such verily is the reeling weakenesse of humane things, that all things except they be ruled by fatall necessi­tie, seeme to be at Ladie Fortunes pleasure, and after her countenance, rather then to be directed by the wisedome, and concluded by the hand of man.

The Turke to the Soldan.

THou art farre wide, man, and not a little deceiued, to thinke, those men commit all to Fates and Fortune, who worke all by counsell and good aduise. Vertue is not subiect to be rul'd, nor ouerrul'd by Fortune; but its reason, the Lady regent, and mistres of mans house, that ouerswaies in all things, by which we come neerer in nature to the gods, then other crea­tures. Notwithstanding, lo thee heere a reason of the things haue beene done by vs, so many and so great. If we want no trustie wakefull centonels to watch; if we haue good store of well discipli­ned, and old trained souldiers; if we haue plentie of fresh water souldiours of good hope, pickt out of all degrees; if our armie be puissant, accustomed well to ouercome, but knowes not how to be ouercom'd; an armie, that can liue long winters a most hardie life in tents; exercised with great iourneies, exposed to manie dangers, hardned with manifold labours by sea and land; wea­ried with no occasion of warre, whose forefront neuer yet yeelded one foote of ground, no man daring to turne his backe; an army that hath learned patience to endure both hot and cold, neither cast downe with aduersitie, nor lifted vp with prosperitie; that by vertue hath made triumphes of all euils, that by warfare tho farre from home, hath brought vnder their girdle innumera­ble nations of the world, and often put to flight incredible troupes of men; for which I my selfe stand established Emperour of al­most all the East. Now, if you call all these things Fortune, if you will haue all these to be plaid by happe hazard, then I confesse all things are turned vp and downe, to rise or fall, as Fortunes smile or frowne.

The Turke to the Pope of Rome.

VVE haue inuaded Corinthus with armes, the most noble citie of Achaia; we haue besides set foote in Aetolia, aduanced our colour in Macedonia, and [Page 6] marched the pace of victorie through all Peloponnesus from end to end; the villages, cornefields, and townes, that stood in our way we haue spoiled farre and neere by fire, and turned them in­to smoake, to make way before vs, that without any let, we may make warre vpon Italy, and Rome at last to stoupe. All these things doe we let thee to vnderstand to the great terrour, and greater losse of all Christians.

The Pope of Rome to the Turke.

VVE minde to reuenge, not so much thy bloudy cruelty in putting all Greece to fire and sword, as the spoiles and ruines of so many famous Ci­ties; for how may we hope thou shouldst so temper victory, that thou wilt shew mercy and vse clemency towards thine enemies, who neuer yet sparedst thine owne in cruelty, wic­kednesse and lust? neither can there be any thing kept right or holy in actions tweene man and man when God is had in contempt, and Gods religion in neglect; we haue not de­serued so at thy hands, that thou shouldst bring warre vpon Italy, and beare armes against Rome; yet shall we be able, to contemne with ease the vniust armes of wicked men, who haue the armes of God to gard vs, and dwell secure vnder the wings of heauens protection.

The Turke to the Pope of Rome.

IN vaine, by great God Mahomet I sweare, doest thou reason the case with vs, who meane not to striue with thee about holi­nesse; nor is religion the golden ball we run for; nor yet is Iu­stice the end and aime of our swords; but the bent of our desires is to inlarge the bounds of our Empire; let the better cause be coun­ted his that hath the field, let him be iuster in his plea, that stron­ger is in armes: as for cruelty, and lust, two things thou hast so burdened vs withal, know thou, we therefore practise them vp­on our captiues, because we would not haue our fame to belie vs, [Page 7] but that men may finde me the very same indeed, whom fame re­ports me in words.

The Pope of Rome to the Turke.

ALthough our cause which moues vs to warre against thee be most iust, yet haue we taken arms vpon vs not with like wickednesse to thee, only in a lust of Lordly raining, but in a necessity of defending our liberty. For who can with patience beare a Tyrant? What man can in­dure so damnable and vnmanly manners? For looke, whats vsuall in others, when feare, hate, or anger mooues them vnto bitternesse against their vnderlings, thou of thy selfe and voluntary motion without any other motiue art more barbarous then they all, who gloriest more in cruelty then victory it selfe, vpbraiding the captiues with their misery, to make them more miserable. Expect therefore to pay, what thou owest, deserued punishments for thy misdeeds; for God though he hath leaden heels, yet he hath iron hands, and will recompence the slow pace of reuenge, with the greater blow of paiment.

The Turke to the Venetians.

I Came vnto Patra with so mighty an Army, that I ouercame with a looke; the first step was victory; and at first sight all was mine owne. These are the things we let you to vnderstand with the no little dammage of your Common-wealth.

The Venetians to the Turke.

IT was neither by experience of warre, nor valour of soul­diours, thou ouercamest vs at Patra: fortune must haue all the thanks. Who seeing she is not in the hands and pow­er of men, well maiest thou feare one day to prooue, what others now feele; looke thou therefore for a change, and [Page 8] an ebtide of that fortune, thou now so fondly and lightly boastest in; for peace hath the praise of victory, where more is done by the will and pleasure of Fortune, then is foreseene by the counsell, or brought about by the strength of men.

The Turke to the Magistrats of Grecia.

IT will not greeue you, I know, neither will you thinke much, to giue ouer armes at last, and begone; who notwithstanding, I haue so oft vanquisht you in the field, yet, as I heare, you still re­paire your broken forces, and still prepare for warre: It becomes conquerers to bid battell, and the conquered to obey their lawes; we hold it therefore safer for you to entertaine equal conditions of peace, then to be vanquished againe in warre, and so to lose both peace, and armes; for when the field is lost, deliberation comes too late.

The Magistrats of Grecia to the Turke.

VVE will not giue our backs with a fare-well to armes, before we encounter thee & beat backe againe those iniuries by which thou so often gloriest in a foolish madnesse, thou hast triumphed ouer vs in the field; for, thou canst not be ignorant, how doubtfully hangs the euent of things, and how changeablely the com­mon fortune of warre reeles from the one to the other side. We scorne that peace, thou offerest vs with slauery, and wouldest haue vs accept as conquered men; as for thy good counsell, keepe it to thy selfe; enemies are not to be consulted with for the good of actions twixt vs and them.

The Turke to the Venetians.

YOu trouble, I heare, and molest the sea coasts of Licia with your Nauy, you prouided so great a one for the vse of war by sea; and not onely so, but after you had wasted with fire [Page 9] and sword the borders of my Kingdome all ouer, you haue besie­ged, I heare, Athalia, a Citie of Pamphilia: Co [...]er, I pray you, what conclusion will follow vpon these premises; he is foole­hardy and vnaduised that by warre assaults another mans estate, when he can hardly defend his owne; for it behoues and stands you vpon, since you lost Colchis, to preserue rather the common wealth, and vphold still the old dignity of your name, then by vnlikely armes to seeke after anew Empire.

The Venetians to the Turke.

NEither Peloponnesus, nor Colchis, themselues, tho lost long since by the destiny and sentence of warre, can dant or discourage our minds from new assaults; howsoeuer thou broughtest those cuntries vnder thy com­mand, not by manhood of souldiers, but wonne to thy hand by a treacherous betraying of our men; we notwithstand­ing, who seeke not to gaine kingdomes by treachery, but victory by armes, haue laboured by our Nauy to make all things by all meanes offensiue to thee and thine by sea and land; for he is farre from the vertuous minde of a generous Prince, that inlargeth his dominion with Cities not taken by the Law of armes, but stollen by the false play of hidden guile.

The Turke to the Genuensians.

I Heare that Menedorus in his Orations before the people, doth often brand my name with the blacknesse of foule disgrace, as if by his ill speaking, he could worke vs any iniury, who haue learned long since to feare no words: but you are greatly deceiued; for we warre with you not by bitter gall of words, but by deeds of armes and dint of swords; he can easily contemne what men say of him, and laugh to heare his enemies raile on him, who for the loue of Lordships, and desire of more Kingdomes, would not shun in­famy it selfe.

The Genuensians to the Turke.

NEither doth Menedorus by the authority of our Se­natours, neither doe our Citizens by the decrees of our Citie pursue thee with disgrace, but by a certaine inbred and vnappeaseable hate of thee, who hast made all men thine enimies, and prouoked them vnto iniury: as for the iniuries we haue receiued at thy hands, be thou well assu­red, we goe not about to requite them with words, but meane to repay them with our swords: it skils but a little in our opinion, what men say of thee; thy deeds will not let fame belie thee; and thy shamelesse dishonesty of an ill led life is now become senselesse against all regard of honesty.

The Turke to the Naritians.

WE accuse, ô Naritians, your foolish madnesse, not in a feare of warre, but in that you perswade your selues, I purposely and of mine owne accord beare armes against you, as if sillie worthlesse mice were a worthy pray for the kingly Lion: is it not ashame, if the Elephant should striue with Gnats?

The Naritians to the Turke.

VVE would to God thou didst so scorne the Nariti­ans, as an obiect of too low degree, and as a pray too base for thy braue minde; then should our eies be lesse fixed on thy power, and hearts lesse troubled with thy might. But pardon vs that haue suffered so many e­uils of our enemies, if experience and re­membrance of by-past times make vs looke about, and haue a care of time to come.

The Turke to the Corcyrians.

YOu haue confessed an iniurie, ô Corcyrians, whiles you make hauocke in the borders of Ambrachia, and spoile euery where the fields of Acarnania, turning all things to your owne pray, notwithstanding I haue so oft formerly forgiuen you. But let those men that are so forward, as to be first in iniu­ries towards others, expest a day of paiment with vsurie.

The Corcyrians to the Turke.

THou art much and more, mistaken, if thou supposest, we onely confessed an iniury, and did no more. For we haue besides brought desolation vpon thy coun­tries, and left behind vs euery where the sensible testimonies of warre; therefore did we first raise warre against thee, to inuite our vertues vnto greater exploits, and to rowse vp our resolutions for greater indeuours; For we cannot with pa­tience indure the inhumaine cruelty of a Tyrant, that by all kinde of inhumanity and lawlesse lust hath offered violence to all sorts of men.

The Turke to the king of Cyprus.

AT the Calends of August I came with an Army into Ci­licia to winne the most opulent citie Tharsia; as for Lu­pus, the Legat of thy nauie, we slew him taken prisoner not farre from Phreata. See thou therefore vnto whose hands thy fathers kingdome now is come, feare Fortunes inconstancie, for in humane things nothing is in all respects, and alwaies happy, or constant in happinesse without change.

The King of Cyprus to the Turke.

VVHen by force of Armes I demanded Cyprus, mine owne, againe, I put to flight mine enemies at the [Page 12] mountaines Ceraunia, not by any power I borowed of my fathers kingdome, whose fortune was then to liue at Carree a banished man, destitute and far distant from mine owne; yet notwithstanding by and by, so soone as I once entred the Iland with but a little band of men, I vanquished with a handfull, incredible heapes of our enimies, in so much that all men said, I had outgone Euagoras. Its not then by chance and peraduentures, but by wisdome and souldiers valour, that wee manage our affaires, neither doe we glory so much in what we haue well done, as we fore-thinke and prouide for things to come. As for Fortune, she is more to be feared of thee, whom she seemes to haue lifted vp so high that she may giue thee a greaterfall, and whom she seemes now to fawne so much vpon in the fortunate successe of things, that she may more easily deceiue thee brought a bed in a fooles paradise with too much felicity to commit all things to Fortunes hazard; and to stay our selues, on her restlesse wheele, I know not whether it be more vncertainty or more foole-hardinesse in a man.

The Turke to the Methonensians.

NEither will we, ô Methonensians, as yet set vpon your City, neither yet will we that it free and secure from the assault of our Army, till by long protracted and continued warre, your Citizens turne warre into hatred, and hate armes, as their greatest harmes. For so fares it with men, whose liues are in a continuall labour with a trucelesse siege of sickenesse, till in an irke­some tediousnesse of weary languishment, death becomes more desi­red then length of life; life now held their foe, and death their friend.

The Methonensians to the Turke.

LIttle, or lesse then nothing, haue we alwaies esteemed those armes, which strike terrour to cowards, and bring with them faint-harted feare to white liuered men; but [Page 13] adde no vertue to valorous minds. Thou maiest doe well to spare thy selfe, and saue that care thou hast of vs; for we haue learned to beare aduersity, without the counsell of our enimies. We would thou shouldst well know, those armes can neuer be turned to hate, which woorthy Citizens haue tatken vp to defend their country, and countries liberty, with Parents, Wiues and Children, against the vnbridled lust of lawlesse Tyrants.

The Cretians to the Turke.

IT hath alwaies beene lawfull, euen by the ordinances of our auncestors, to answer violence with violence, and to crie quit for quo with craft; neither yet doe wee trans­gresse the rules of friendship, when we onely reuenge the iniuries of our enemies: but with what face dost thou call on vs, for fidelitie, branding vs with so blacke an imputati­on, as is falshood vnder the colour of faith, seeing thou thy selfe hast neuer kept truth with any?

The Turke to the men of Chios.

VVE haue returned you againe, ô Chions, your tribute money; for when we considered the greatnesse of your merits towards vs, we presently decreed your freedome, and com­manded, Be you free; for its not money, but affection and fidelity thats required of friends.

The men of Chios to the Turke.

NOt what we desire, when we remember thy so great liberality towards vs; (for then euen wishes come short of our desires, needes must then our abilitie come farre be­hinde, as neuer able to giue a bodie vnto our wishes, nor accomplishment to our desires) but what we are able, wee giue thee now and euer, immortall thanks; our comfort [Page 14] yet is this; well may our friends surpasse vs in facultie, and goe beyond vs in abilitie, but ouercome vs they shall not in liberalitie.

The Turke to the Epidaurians.

THe Abideans, Phrygians, and Dardans, as I heare, who before were the onely Pyrats on all the seas, are now in­trapt and surprized at Milas, as also put to death by sun­drie sorts of torments. You haue done well, I would thinke, by the lawes of armes; yet we cannot but account it absurd, that you burned the gallies and gally-foists with fire; for warre is not with senselesse ships (what should they feele?) but with the men that manage them.

The Epidaurians to the Turke.

NOt onely the death of captiued pyrats, but also the fireing of the ships is warranted by the rules of warre, the one for that they haue so oft troubled and indamma­ged vs by inuasions; the other for that they lodged tray­tors, and brought theeues into our borders: we thought it therefore meet to burne the ships, together with the ship­men, for oft had they runne away with the bootie of our goods, and transported our spoiles into Asia. Now are not the weapons wherewith we are set vpon, to be numbred a­mongst our enemies.

The Turke to the Nauplensians.

VVIll you neuer giue ouer, nor make an end of iniuries, ô Nauplensians? because you haue set foote within the borders of Achaia, and by your often inuasions, led away many a man for spoile; because you thriue in ill doing, will you not cease to doe ill? for how can it be, that men shut vp with siege, and close prisoners to feare, should put to sword the townes of the [Page 15] conquerour, and waste his fieldes with fire? doe not they seeme too late to prouide for the good of their countrey, who when all things are desperate, venture vpon impossibilities, and cast them­selues on all extremities?

The Nauplensians to the Turke.

FOr our natiue countries sake, the common mother of vs all, and for the safetie of our Citizens, as the com­mon good that sits so neere vs all, to which two things we owe our selues and all thats ours, doe we willingly sa­crifice our liues, and obiect them to all extremities. For ei­ther will we die with honour in the defence of our country, and maintenance of our freeborne liberty; or els (as victo­rie may fall on our side) our hands shall keepe our neckes from the heauie yoke of tyrannie, and preserue vs still for terme of life, our ancient freedome. For we esteeme no­thing more glorious then to preferre our countries libertie before our parents, our children, and all things els.

The Turke to the Pannonians.

HOwsoeuer, ô Pannonians, you haue oft giuen triall, how great your man-hood is in warre, yet haue you alwaies found it in experience, how little you haue got by it, if you compare your goods and ils together. For they that beare sto­macks greater then their strength, and cary minds larger then the measure of their owne power, haue euer beene too rash in vn­dertaking, and impotent in vndergoing warre.

The Pannonians to the Turke.

VVE come not to aske counsell of thee vnto our wars, we chalenge thee not for want of wisdome to order thy affaires, neither will we require a reason of our enemie for those armes he beares against vs, [Page 16] for they haue wit enough to doe their businesse, and ma­nage their actions, that by valour of minde and constancie, haue purchased themselues victory with praise:

The Turke to the Macedonians.

YOur Ambassadours brought me that you gaue them in charge: whereby you prouokt me rather vnto pitie than vnto hate; for it seemed to become you farre better, who haue beene conquered so oft, and brought so oft to be suters on your knees, to receiue with thanks, and not to offer with such im­pudencie the conditions of peace: is it not shame, that men in mi­serie by war should stand on proud termes with their conquerors?

The Macedonians to the Turke.

WHat iust and equal peace can there be twixt thee and the Macedonians? we desire and endeuour to defend our country, and our lawes; thou not content with thine owne, thirstest after other kingdomes by force of armes, and seekest to stretch out thine Empire beyond thy bounds: we cannot but speake touching our common-wealth, as it becomes our constancie and gene­rous mindes, that we hold nothing dearer, and sweeter a­mong men, then libertie; yet this hath alwaies beene the common vice and fault of tyrants; free states they hate to death, free cities stand too much in their sight.

The Turke to the Asiaticks.

YOur Ambassadors deliuered their ambassage at Zizicus. In words, it seemes, you are our friends, and confederates vnto armes; but in deed and trueth, you are our enemies. Either ther­fore send vs in all haste large ships for assistance, or chuse vnto you warre: for the affection of friends consists not in words, but in deeds, when need requireth.

The Asiaticks to the Turke.

THat we promise many things before thee by the mouth of our Ambassadors, and performe but fewe things, of what we promised, the one was the issue of thankfull mindes; the other must be ascribed to wants. We sent thee presents by Mearchus, which if they seeme lesse then thy desert, and too little for thy greatnesse; yet well maiest thou thinke them greater then our abilitie is able wel to giue; howsoeuer thankfulnesse makes vs stretch out our hands beyond our reach.

The Turke to the Bithynians.

YOu neither sent vs ships for the vse and seruice of warre, nor yet money in due time. We accuse therefore and charge you with vnfriendly backwardnesse. Take heed, I pray you, how you make them angrie with you, and prouoke them to hostile indigna­tion, whom you now seeme to contemne with neglect. For its bet­ter alwaies to take vp voluntarie armes against our enemies, then after many dammages and manifold indignities to be enforced to the field.

The Bithynians to the Turke.

THe ships we lost of late, conquered vnto ashes by the furie of the fierie conquerour, come to the number of twise ten in all; as for the rest of our ships, some split them­selues on hardie rocks at Malea, and found to their owne vndooing, that stones are stronger; some perished in the conflict with our enemies; the sea swallowed others vp, by drowning saued frō other deaths; yet dead & drowned are both but one; this perisheth as well as that. For our money, its run low; our treasurie is neere drawn dry, by feeding the fire of warre so long: thou therefore for thy humanitie par­don, we pray thee, those whom Fortune hath made so mi­serable; [Page 18] for how can they giue that haue their hands cut off? and what can they giue, that licke their knife?

The Turke to the Coronensians.

ARe you not ashamed, ô Coronensians, after you haue beene thrice ouerthrowen in open field, and ouercome on euen ground, to reuiue battell yet againe, and yet againe to patch vp an army? do you therfore so often reiterate armes, and re­nue old warres, that late repentance, may the oftner make rods for your follie, and bring a potion in her hand when all is too late and life is gone? If the bent and aime of those armes you beare against vs, be for the purchase of peace, we pardon your feare; if in a hope of victory, considering your case so desperate, your state and strength at so low an ebbe, we accuse your madnesse.

The Coronensians to the Turke.

VVHatelse doe they that often raise warre against their enemies, but shew themselues more then most desirous of peace? For no peace can be se­cured, nor security established to Citizens with hope of con­tinuance, without warring with their aduersaries, and oppo­sition to their opposites. The arbitrement of war and peace, consists in victory.

The Turke to the Florentines.

YOur Merchants, which trafficke in Pontus and Galatia, sent to intreate vs at Thessalonica for freedome from tribute, and toultakers, with free cariage and recariage. We therefore, that delight in nothing more, and hold nothing more honorable, then to exercise liberality towards our friends (liberality, the fairest and loueliest of vertues:) haue granted and freely giuen the liberties and priuiledges of our City to your Citizens; for, who bestowes a benefit on weldeseruing men, seemes not so much to giue any thing, as to requite a good turne.

The Florentines to the Turke.

VVE will easily yeeld to thee, as far inferiour to striue with thee in greatnesse of good-turnes: but pardon vs, if we will not be ouercome in thankefulnesse of minde: the abundance of our harts shall make some amends for the shortnesse of our hands: for we haue alwaies prized it high­ly, and valued it in the height of affection, that thou shoul­dest doe a thing so plausible to our Citizens, and so woorthy of thy selfe; yet can we not, but account it a matter of more woorth in loues estimation, that we repay thee with more then our purses are well able to beare; for the woorth of a benefit goes not by the greatnesse of the thing it selfe; but it is the minde and good-will of the giuer, that sets the price on what is giuen, which can be recompenced with nought but with the same againe.

The Turke to the Pontians.

VVE haue sent you home againe the Merchant-ships we tooke prisoners in the Aegean seas, which molested the Ocean as so many blockehouses: but not to curry fauour, I call the Gods to witnesse, nor yet to be rewarded, haue I done so with you; for we verily hold it greater glory to giue, then take; and out of our liberality to returne all men double for what we take.

The Pontians to the Turke.

TO be large hearted, and liberally handed towards all men, what else is it in very deed, but to deserue the hearts and tongues of all men? so gracious a vertue is liberalitie, and of such an attractiue power. Thy huma­nitie and vnmerited fauour in sending vs home our shippes againe, hath made them that were once thy foemen, now for euer thy fast friends and sworne confederates to beare a part [Page 20] in all thy wars, so comely and louely is it to change iniuries into fauours, and make peace of warre.

The Turke to the Cretians.

ITs very dishonorable to vs and our State, ô Cretians, to im­brace and continue a league of friendship, with them, that in their deeds shew themselues to practise war, rather then peace, and vnder the vizor of friends, to play the part of foes: but con­sider I beseech you, how safe and good it will be for you, to feare them anon as your enemies, whom before when they were your friends, you contemned without right or reason. Repentance is the follower of rash attempts; and hath oft ouertaken many a bold beginner.

The Great Turke to the Delphians.

NEither the Oracles of your God Apollo, nor Aesculapius your God of Physicke could cleere you altogether of frensie, who so vnaduised haue ordered matters, that euen Minerua her­selfe, the Goddes of aduice, cannot giue aduice in so great folly and madnesse. For the inrfirmities of the body be oftentimes healed, good meanes being vsed; but no remedy or medicine is of force to cure the disease of the minde.

The Delphians to the Turke.

IT seemes indeed that we haue taken small aduice and v­sed but little discretion in managing our affairs; yet it fal­leth out with vs as it doth for the most part with Physiti­ans, who haue skil in other mens sicknesses to find the cause and worke the cure, but seldome or neuer helpe and heale themselues.

The Turke to them of Pergamum.

KNow you, the Gouernours and inhabitants of Pergamum, that we haue vndertaken a voiage, intending to bend our [Page 21] forces against the Euboeians. Wherefore it is our will and com­mand that you meete vs at Marathon, that by this meanes you, who haue alwaies manifested your faithfullnesse towards vs as occasion was offered, may now also shew your readinesse & speed when neede requireth. They deserue double thanks who not onely bestow kindnesse very frankely, but giue that which they bestow, if not without asking, yet without delay.

The Pergamenians to the Turke.

VVE are ready to set forwards to the warres with a great fleet, not onely to multiply and encrease your forces, but also to giue a more fierce assault and lay sorer siege against the Chalcidensians. They deserue but small thanks who cheerefully performe their bounden duty, when they haue ability and opportunity to do it.

The Turke to the Mitylenians.

ALthough the faithfulnesse of you of Mitylene hath bene e­uermore so apparant that we neuer made doubt of the same, notwithstanding you neuer manifested the same more then in this (which I heare of late) that you haue not suffered your enemies and ours to take possession of your citie, but shut the gates against them: For you are farre from that perfediousnesse which is in some, who are ready vpon euery profer to entertaine new friends and new factions. You hold it a matter so glorious to defend with force of armes your country and state, when you may doe it without violation of the Lawes of friendship.

They of Mitylene to the Turke.

THe Mitylenians, who hauing now no face of a com­mon-wealth left must liue in perpetuall subiection and slauery, haue thought it farre better to remaine vnder the gouernment of one, then to make triall of the re­giment [Page 22] of many; wherefore you ought not so much to ap­prooue our fidelity in this, as admire our prouidence and policy. For we doe not propound them to our selues as paterns and examples for imitation, who being sicke of an incurable disease take aduice of a multitude of Physitians; and notwithstanding they vse many and diuerse medicines, yet are neuer restored to health of body.

The Turke to the Amazonians.

IF that for the maintenance of the franchisment and liberty of Citizens you Amazonians did wage warre against me, I should not so much hold you my enemies as good citizens who tooke armes in defence of their Country, Children, and Parents: but there is no reason of force to perswade vs that they will now refuse to subiect themselues to men, who heeretofore so long time indured the dominion and principality of women.

The Amazonians to the Turke.

THe raigne and gouernment of the Amazons, which you seeme to cast in our teeth as a reproch & disgrace, doth incourage and prouoke vs not to giue obedi­ence to any other; for nothing can be more disgracefull for men, then to be found effeminate, yea more faint-harted than women; wherefore thinke such men to be in warre in­uincible and most worthy of Soueraignty, amongst whom euen silly women haue learned to sway an Empire.

The Turke to the Sclauonians.

YOu are neither able to defend your citie by force of armes, nor any longer to endure the siege wherewith you are begirt; ther­fore you must needs either take lawes as men conquered, or els remooue the siege, by putting to flight the forces of him that seeks to bring you into thraldome. Certainly they haue but little wit, [Page 23] who being depriued of all aide and succour from their confede­rates, prolong the warre to the great losse and hinderance of a common-wealth.

The Sclauonians to the Turke.

VVHereas you are not ignorant that we alwaies haue had a desire and resolution to maintaine and holde our freedome, we haue not yet giuen ouer the hope where­on we anchored; neither indeed is it possible that Fortune should make our state more miserable, whose case is so bad, that it is euen desperate and past cure.

The Turke to the Rhodians.

IF you Rhodians had but as much might as will, and as much strength as valour, I should thinke you were not to be conquer­ed by any whatsoeuer: but seeing the necessaries and nerues of warre be men, horse, munition, money and victuals, you ought rather to haue regard to your owne estate, then vnaduisedly to prouoke vs to come in battell against you; for it is not all one to ex­ceed your enemies in courage of minde, and to be able to ouercome them by might and force of armes.

The Rhodians to the Turke.

IT is not vnknowne vnto you that we haue alwaies had as well might & strength, as courage and will, and that you haue sufficiently proued by the many, and them no small, ouerthrowes your men haue receiued by vs: we haue made plentifull prouision and preparation of all things that can be expedient, or necessary for vs in these affaires, so that the policie, prouidence, and wisedome of the Rhodians at home, will driue you to no lesse admiration of them, then their prowesse and manhood abroad: And we are thus re­solued, though our forces be not so great as yours, that you [Page 24] shall vanquish vs rather for want of good Fortune then good courage.

The Turke to the Rhodians.

I Vnderstand that you of Rhodes haue alreadie enuironed your citie with deepe trenches, and fortified the wals with three great rampiers, and haue linked vp the harborough towards Mandrachium Colossi with iron chaines, that your Citie may be free from incursion and inrodes of enemies, and we discoura­ged and with held from laying siege vnto you. A matter indeed woorthy to be remembred and spoken of. For what is more glo­rious for a man then to venture his life in fighting for his liberty, countrey, children, and parents, that the common-wealth may be preserued? But I pray you by that immortall God whom you serue, what courage haue you to resist our forces by sea and land, with so great preparation? For seeing we haue after assault ouer­come and vanquished that famous citie Constantinople, the Ile Metelin, the countries of Morea and Colchis, it were better and more befitting you, to beware by others calamitie, & follow their example in yeelding, then to make your selues a spectacle to others of miserie and destruction. They who audaciously attempt matters beyond their strength, for the most part suffer condigne punishment of such foole-hardinesse.

The Rhodians to the Turke.

YOu ought not so much to make relation to vs of the captiuitie of the Grecians, as to set vs before others as a paterne of fortitude and valour: who as we haue a more iust cause to take vp armes, so we haue greater confi­dence of better successe. You had the ouerthrow by vs once at the Iland Coes or Langa, and twise at the citie Ca­lymnum; we also besetting the armies of the Soldan king of Babylon, ouerthrew him, and put him to flight. Yea moreouer, the Admirals of Rhodes haue often made warre [Page 25] against the Egyptians, Syrians, and Phoenicians. Doe not therefore blame and reproch vs for confidence, who haue preuailed and got the better against so many nations, who may sooner make others more resolute against you by our example, then any whit be discouraged by the rehear­sall of them you haue made your vassals.

The Turke to the Epirotes.

VVE vnderstood by the Ambassadors of Molossia of late that Dyrrachium, Apolonia, and all that part of Scla­uonia, is annoied and molested by the incursions and forraging of our armies; and they told vs that theeues lie in waite by the way side, in euery narrow passage, & that nothing in Macedonia is in safetie. You inhabitants of Epire, we haue long since giuen suffi­cient credite to all they haue informed vs of: but our maner is to trie our right by dint of sword: wherefore I suppose it a matter more beseeming you, (if you call to minde your former valour) to take reuenge on them that doe you wrong, then by your Am­bassadours vainely to make complaint to vs of them; for the vio­lence of a mans enemie is hindered not by oratorie, but by force of armes.

The Epirotes to the Turke.

INdeed if it were free for vs, and we had power to doe it by deeds of armes, we had rather our selues be reuenged on our enemies that offer vs iniuries, then intreat of these things before you by our Ambassador: but seeing we are too weake to compasse it, we haue thought it more for our safety to sue to our enemies for peace, then vnder­take warre to no purpose or profite. For it ought to be thought no lesse valour, then policie to foresee and or­der all things by good aduice.

The Turke to the Dalmatians.

VVE enioyned you the paiment a certaine taxe and sub­sidie, which seeing you brought in later then was re­quisite, you make vs to thinke that you doe it grudgingly and vn­willingly; wherefore either approoue your faithfulnesse towards vs in deeds, which need requires, otherwise we will proceed against you in hostilitie, and manifest to the world that we esteeme you as enemies. Dissembling and double dealing is as vnmeet amongst friends as may be.

The Dalmatians to the Turke.

YOu should rather blame our want of abilitie in this case, then our backwardnesse, for it is not possible, that he should pay subsidies, that hath no meanes to get money, where nothing is to be had, the king must lose his right; wherefore they are not to be esteemed as enemies, who are still faithfull to their friends, though they cannot expresse it by their bountifull gifts.

The Turke to the Apulians.

VVE are purposed once againe to returne vnto the Ci­ties of the Brutians, and all Apulia, farre and neere, to make iust warre against them, who as we haue forcibly brought into subiection the Grecians, and ioined them to our Empire, now also make preparation to inuade with our forces that coast of Italie, which heeretofore was called great Graecia. You therefore wisely imitating the ancient inhabitants of those parts, make surrender of your selues, and your cities into our hands: it seemes to be a great shame for good Citi­zens to reuolt from the customes of their Ancestors, and Lawes of their countrie.

The Apulians to the Turke.

THey which make their owne will a law, doe declare that all the right and title they haue, is by their force in armes. But you (although you will vs to follow the lamentable example of the Grecians) doe not so much en­deuour to perswade vs to the imbracing of their lawes, as to the entertaining of that gouernment which they are brought vnder: but it is impossible that we should become more rea­dy to yeeld our selues to your mercy then others, seeing you haue most cruelly put to death such men of ours, as you haue taken captiue, omitting no torments that you could inflict vpon them: For kingdoms are easily gotten, and inlarged by mercy, liberality, and iustice; but can hardly be kept with any force whatsoeuer if they be tyrannically dealtwithall.

The Turke to the Brundusians.

VVE haue intelligence by the Embassadours of Calabria of your gallant hauens and ports to harbour our ships in, and of the situation of your Citie. Therefore we appoint you together with the men of Otronto to associate vs to the warres, for we are preparing to conuey ouer our forces into Italy, intending with an huge Army to accomplish our victories. There­fore it doth not beseeme you, nor is it good for you to contemne, or set light by him, whom his owne subiects may loue for his iu­stice, and his enemies feare for his strength and force in armes.

The Brundusians to the Turke.

ARe you not ashamed to inuite them as confederates to take part with you in a most wicked and detesta­ble warre, who haue alwaies shewed themselues of all men most bitter enemies against you? It is most detestable [Page 28] to serue in the warres vnder such a Tyrant, who after victory will haue the captiuated subiect themselues vnto him, not­withstanding his cruelty, villany and abhominable lust.

The Turke to them of Saragosa.

YOu Syracusians, I vnderstand, that you, they of Agrigen­tum, the Messanians, and Cathanians haue combined your selues together and conspired against vs, for the restoring to the Grecians their former liberties and franchises: we there­fore are prouiding an huge Army to conduct to Syracusa from Morea in Greece, that now at last you may feele the hostility of them, whom before you without all equity scorned to be your confederates.

The Syracusians to the Turke.

IF we haue presumed in confidence of our ability, and po­licy in waging warre to take vp armes against you, we are not to be thought to haue attempted any thing rashly and vnaduisedly against our enemy. For with how much the more equity, and right men fight for their country and king­dome, they are made so much the more resolute and in bet­ter hope of victory.

The Turke to the Gouernours of Italie.

I Vnderstand that Germany, France, and Spaine are in armes against vs, and that you haue exhibited to them Captaines and Generals for the managing of the warre. They seeme to haue little care, and regard of their owne good and security, who vn­aduisedly without any cause at all prouoke their enemies to war.

The Gouernours of Italie to the Turke.

THe cause of our warre cannot but be most iust, who in detestation of the cruelty and villany of a most vnmer­cifull [Page 29] Tyrant doe take armes against you, as against a pub­like enemy of nature. We haue not onely conspired with the Germans, French men, Spaniards, and all the East countries, but haue sollicited the free-townes euery where to rebell against the Turkish Nation: and therefore the most rich and puissant Kings of the Christians by our per­swasion haue mustered vp their forces, and are risen in armes to be reuenged on you for your cruelties, fury, massacres, murders, abhominable lust, burning and sacking of Cities, and to set free the whole world from such outragious iniu­ries. That warre is most iustly vndertaken which being neg­lected, the common safety of all is indangered.

The Turke to King Ferdinand.

I Am very glad to heare of your worthy praises, inuincible cou­rage, and managing of your affaires to your great glorie and estimation▪ who, when you haue so often ouerthrowen your ene­mies, haue onely respected this in your victories, that you might be gracious in pardoning them whom you conquered: and not so much that your enemies might feele your iust reuenge, hauing prouoked you thereunto, as that euery one might know, and haue experience of your mercifulnesse and clemencie. And that which we account a matter of greatest commendation in a Prince, you haue alwaies shewed your selfe inuincible, and not cast downe in aduersitie, when Fortune hath crossed you; and in prosperity, nei­ther proud nor puffed vp. Wee haue willingly made relation of these good parts, and the rather because vertue as it is commen­dable in a mans aduersary, so it wanteth not due commendations oftentimes from the mouth of an enemie.

Ferdinand to the Turke.

ALthough we hold it a glory and credit to be com­mended of our enemies for our great deserts, because their testimonie and approbation is for the most [Page 30] part true, and friends in shew prooue flatterers in deed, and so deceiue vs in their testimonie of vs: Notwithstanding we doe not so much stand vpon, or delight in any mans com­mendations in words, as we desire that our owne woorthy and notable deeds should make vs famous. Howbeit I wil­lingly imbrace this your testimonie of me, that you thinke me to be such a one, whom for vertue and good parts euer his enemies may admire, and for iust dealing, his subiects and Citizens may honour, and reuerence.

The Turke to the Sicilians.

THe Carthaginian captaines, who in times past, so long while contended with the Romans for principalitie, haue giuen you many ouerthrowes, and brought you to great ruine, be­cause you seldome kept league with them, but tooke part with their enemies. And now I vnderstand that you haue sent aide to the Rhodians at Halicarnassus, and haue conueied thither in your ships of carriage all furniture and prouision for warre. Wherefore we denounce you to be our enemies, and will declare the same by al hostility, that they which were so vnaduised, as to so little pur­pose to offend vs, without any cause to wrong vs, may suffer con­digne punishment of such audacious rashnesse. For it will be not onely for our safetie to reuenge the iniuries that other men doo vnto vs, but it will make our enemies to feare vs the more.

The Sicilians to the Turke.

NEither haue we taken vp armes against you, howso­euer you accuse vs that we sent aide to the Rhodians in Halicarnassus, nor may we be thought to do anie man wrong if we choose rather to aide our faithfull confe­derates, then a most cruell tyrant. You may but badly cast in our teeth, the perfidiousnesse and vnfaithfulnesse of our auncestors, who your selfe neuer kept truce or oath with a­ny, and you are vnwise to goe about with bugge-bearers [Page 31] and threatning wordes to feare and terrifie them, who are more ready to referre the supposed iniuries to the triall of fire and sword, then determination of words.

The Turke to the Alexandrians.

I Haue interdicted, yee men of Alexandria, all Pontus and Asia to your marchants. For the cities of Bithinia being in­debted in great summes of money, sent their Ambassadours from Callipolis to complaine vnto mee, holding also in great dete­station the vsurie of the merchants, wherewith all cities are emp­tied of their money. We hold it therefore better, to prouide for the good of many, then for the profit of a few.

The Alaxandrians to the Turke.

THough it belongeth not to vs to contend with thee about priuate matters, yet if these things whereof thou writest, haue beene done or attempted by any, thou canst deserue for this at our hands neither loue nor hate, seeing euery man is permitted to doe as he list in his owne affaires.

The Turke to the Tartarians.

VVHereas others are many times made wicked either by some feare, or through necessitie, you by the na­ture of the place where yee liue, are of all men liuing the woorst and vildest, being a rude and barbarous multitude without gouernment and without lawe. But foras­much as you haue sent neither money nor Ambassadours in time vnto vs, you shew euidently that we must get both with force.

The Tartarians to the Turke.

TRuly thou art woorse then madde to exact any thing of vs, who doe liue our selues vpon the spoiles of others: and in vaine dost thou expect an Ambassage from those who neuer learned to intreat, but to fight. Nei­ther oughtest thou to woonder at our maners, seeing they are so little differing from those of beasts. For they which haue beene taught by their ancestors to haue no lawe but armes, vse massacres for a pray, and spoiles for law.

The Turke to the Athenians.

YOur Schooles, ô Athenians, whereby you haue attained to a most flourishing Estate, and to the chiefest name and repu­tation of all good learning and Philosophie, doe perswade mee much to spare your citie, aswell for the reuerence which I beare to the wisedome and honour of our ancestors, as also through the loue which I haue euer carried to the studie of those good Arts, which I haue heard were first inuented, and afterward made perfect in Athens. But on the other side, when I consider your malice alwaies against me, I cannot but thinke, my kindnesse doth rather prouoke you to hate me, then mooue you any way to be thankfull. Therefore hauing wasted the whole territorie of Eleu­sina, from Pyerus to Megara, I haue giuen the same to be the pray and spoile of my souldiours, and am readie in like maner to sacke the citie: For the insolencie of an offendour many times exceedeth and destroieth the mercy of an enemie.

The Athenians to the Turke.

VVE beare no hatred to thee, for our libertie saued; what cause haue we? But we haue taken armes for our countrey, for our children, for our parents, to whom we owe all we haue. Neither can we be said to deale with [Page 33] thee like enemies, when we defend our owne, considering thou thy selfe doest fight to take from others. But it beho­ueth thee to haue regard what thing doth best comport with thy greatnesse. Haue we offended thee? Sylla forgaue the Athenians: and twise was Alexander pleased to par­don them. Truely, thy victorie cannot bee great, if thou wilt destroy vs that are the glory of thy conquest. There­fore thou oughtest to saue vs for an example of thy clemen­cie, that so thou maiest allure all men to loue thee, rather then by exercising thy crueltie, lust, and furie, vpon poore captiues, to prouoke all the Greekes to abhorre thee. As for vs, who haue no other hope or confidence left vs, if thou wilt not pardon vs, wee are resolued valiantly to trie the woorst of Fortune. For what is more honorable, or more pleasing in the world to men of spirit and resolution, then to die couragiously for the preseruation and safetie of the common-wealth and countrey?

The Turke to the Thebanes.

YEe men of Thebes, I heare you are angrie that I haue spoiled Athens, whom I haue obserued long since to haue beene companions in armes, and of counsell against mee. To you therefore, who are alreadie possessed with an horrible feare of the enemie, the same end, the same destinie, and the same miseries, that the Athenians felt, are reserued, which I thought good to signifie vnto you, that you may be tormented, first with feare, and conscience of your misdeeds, and then with more gree­uous punishments, and tortures.

The Thebanes to the Turke.

THe ruine of the Athenians hath doubled the strength and courage, not onely of the Thebanes, but also of all the Greekes, whom we haue many times restored to their libertie; so as now growing madde with furie, they [Page 34] doe earnestly pursue thee, to chastice all thy villanies. For in deepe afflictions, desperate resolutions are euer wont to promise an assured safetie. Neither can they that haue vsed to command others, be easely perswaded to obey a tyrant.

The Turke to the Lacedemonians.

I Heare, yee men of Sparta, that you are afraid of the armie which vnder the conduct of Cleander, I sent to besiege your citie, wherein are twentie thousand chosen footmen, and eight thousand of light horsemen: whose noble courage in war & firme faith to me, not onely my selfe haue often tried, but the enemy al­so hath feared. Therefore it becommeth you being tossed with so many miseries of Fortune, to looke well to the preseruation of the common-wealth, and safetie of your people: lest if following the vertue of your auncestors, you vndertake a warre against me, which you are not able to mainteine; you be compelled to pay deerely for your rashnesse. For it is an excellent thing with yeeld­ing to deserue well of an enemie. Which who so refuseth now to doe willingly, shall be constrained ere long against his will.

The Lacedemonians to the Turke.

CLeander being with his armie against our citie of Sparta, of our owne accord we surrender our selues vnto him: for the Lacedemonians hold it safer to yeeld to the counsell of the enemie, when it is profitable, then to hazard the fortune of a battell. Neither doe wee esteeme victorie to be so glorious vnto vs, as it is to deli­uer our countrie from the rage and furie of warre, without hurt or detriment to the estate.

FINIS.

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