IN all This Action the Grand Vi­zier has playd both the Fox, and the Lion, mingling Fair words, and Threatnings; and Publishing still before the Blow, such pro­mises of Liberty, and Immunity to such as would range themselves under his pro­tection, as he well knew most likely to work upon the People, he had to deal with. It is true, that these Overtures of Clemency, from so barbarous an Enemy, were look'd upon [Page 24]by the wiser sort, rather as a trick of State, then Good-faith; yet with the Generality, This way of proceeding took effect.

The Place most in the Turks eye was Pres­burg; being the chief City of the Nether-Hun­gary: (wherein is laid up the Hungarian Crown) A Place, considerable both for the Goodliness of the Town, and for the Situation of it; to which advantage the Turk was no Stranger; as ap­pears by the frequent Alarms, he gave to that City, the gaining whereof, would have open­ed him a way to Vienna, on the One side, and to Raab, Comorra, and Newhausel, on the Other: The Danube passing by in Two Branches, to the Island Schut, at the end whereof stands the Fort Comorra; and Raab not far off. Nor was it unknown to Count Strozzi, (the Governour of Presburg) how much the safety of the Whole, Depended upon the Security of This Part, which mov'd him to make timely provision, for the Defence thereof. But the neighbouring Places, that lay open, as St. George, Posing, Mo­dern, &c. chose rather to submit, then expose themselves to the extremityes of Fire and Sword, by an unprofitable Opposition. Neutra indeed (a Place not far from Newhausel, nor less defensible) might have resisted, but did not, and upon the Rendition the Garrison, [Page 25]according to agreement, was conducted to Presburg. Tyrnaw, and other Towns yielded also.

The Enemies next Attempt was upon Schin­ta, wherein was lodg'd a fayr Artillery, but the Governour deported himself valiantly, and beat them off. By this time, October was half over, and the season, call'd the Turk to his Winter-Quarters: who finding his time lost up­on Schinta, drew off to Newhausel; which place is now repaired, and strongly Garrison'd, the River Neutra being brought round about it. From Thence, the Turk took his march, with a considerable Body, to the Ship-Bridge at Gran, and caused some of his great Guns to be pass'd over there, as if his purpose had been to Win­ter in his own Territories. Those of New­bausel laboured hard to get into the Schut, and settle themselves, betwixt the Two Forts of Raab, and Comorra: whereupon Montecuculi and Serini joyn'd their Forces to oppose them.

And now the fortune of the Warre seem'd a little to flatter the Christians; Nicholas Serini on the 17. of Oct. defeating a Party of 300 Turks, and his Brother Peter, about the same time fal­ling upon a Body of about 7000 of them near Carlstadt, on the Frontiers of Stiria: where they designed an Inrode upon the Christians; [Page 26]but Count Serini, and Count Aursburg, from an Ambuscade, brake in among them, slew 1000, and took 100 Prisoners; among which were diverse Persons of Note, and the Son of a great Bassa: the rest disperst themselves; and the Victorious in this Adventure got great Booty.

The Serinies have shew'd themselves, in This their deportment, the true Heirs of the Honour, and Valour of that Noble Family; and they put us in mind, of a memorable Action, which was performed by their Grandfather, Nicholas Serini in the year 1566, To his Eternall Glory.

On the 6th of August 1566, Solyman the Mag­nificent layd Siege to the Fort Sigeth, wherein this great Captain, Nicholas Serini was Governour; who made many bold Sallyes upon the Eenemy, took many Prisoners, and at one time caused 300 Turks to be beheaded; which so far enraged Solyman, that he plyed his Batteries, and Attempts, with greater fu­ry then before. Serini perceiving the New-Town to be upon the poynt of being entred, caused it to be set on fire, and retreated into the Old.

A while after, the Turks assaulted the Old Town, but were so bravely received, that in One Storm they lost 2000 men. However they attempted it again, and carried it; whereupon, Serini was forced to retire into the Castle, against which the Enemy planted a [Page 27]Battery, and gave One surious Attaque; but were beaten off with great loss.

While This pass'd, Solyman died of a Bloody-Flux, (Sept. 4.) but Mahomet Bassa labouring as much as possible to keep his death conceal'd from the Turks, caused the Corps (Embalmed, and Gloriously Clothed) to be expos'd in a dark place to the People, as sitting on his Throne, and the Bassa himself, with all his usuall Ceremonyes, and Reverence, feigning some singular matter of privacy, and business with him. At length, the Bassa went out of the Tent, wiping his eyes as if he had been crying; which gave the Officers occasion to enquire, why he wept? To whom he re­plyed, that It grieved his heart to think how ma­ny brave Souldiers would be suddenly put to the Sword: for (sayes he) Solyman has made a deep and desperate Oath, that if this Place be not taken in two dayes, every Colonel that bears any Charge in the Attempt, shall certainly be put to death. Hereupon, the Janizaryes fell into a direct Rage, and gave a furious Assault, but were repulsed with ex­ceeding losse: they had howover set fire to the Castle, and now the Noble Defender of it, seeing his fate be­fore his eyes, call'd the small remainder of his men a­bout him, and exhorted them to stand by him, and re­solve to dye with him. Whereupon, he Clothed himself in a Violet-coloured Velvet Suit, took the Key of the Castle, and some Gold in his Pocket; caus'd [Page 28]the Gates to be open'd, and the great Guns to be drawn thither, and discharged among the Enemy: and in a Cloud of Smoak, he issued forth with his Men, among the Turks, and fought till he was shot in the head. This was the end of the Valiant Serini. It was rec­koned that 20000 Turks were slain before this Fort. No sooner was Serini fain, but the Infidels throng­ing about the Corps, cut off his head, and set it on a Pole for one day, after which, they sent it with a Scoffe to Maximilian the Emperour. Now to resume the Story.

In October, the Count of Hollach, being chosen General of the Imperiall Auxiliaryes, came to Vien­na, his Forces (amounting to 6 or 7000 men) being Enquarter'd betwixt That, and Crembs; The Emperours Army, lying at that time near Presburg, to recruit, being much weakned by many Inconveniencies. The whole Army, (with the Hungartans, Croatians, and Auxiliaryes, was computed to be 40000 strong; but the se­verall heads, of so many Nations, who at this time were almost all in Vienna, could not (it seems) agree so well together, as not to need his Imperiall Majestie's singular Care, and Cir­cumspect on to keep them from flying into Partyes, and Passions. There was an Intent to joyn 7 or 8000 men that were raysed in Silesia [Page 29]to This Body; but the Silesian Forces would neither march out of their native Country, nor obey any Forreign Command; so that They stayd at home to defend their Borders, and espe­cially, the Passage by Jablunka.

While the Christians were laying their heads, and their Forces together, to put themselves in­to a Posture, the Enemy brake up with his main Body before Newhausel, and about the end of October, took his March toward Gran, and Offen. The Tartars also with their Prey marched toward Tartary, carrying along with them their chiefest Captives in Coaches, and Wagons, driving their ordinary Prisoners a­long with Whips, naked; and their hair flying about their eyes, just like so many Beasts. In Ʋpper-Hungary, they met with some opposition, at which time many of the Captives were for­ced out of their hands, and about 2000 of these Tartars put to the Sword. Count Nicholas Se­rini's Designe, was to fall upon them, at their passing over the Ship-Bridge, and followed them close, sometime in the Rear, other­wile on the Flanck, still observing their mo­tion till he found his opportunity to attaque them.

Upon the last day of October, he set upon the Rear, and took from them 5 Wagons full of Captives, that they had gotten in Moravia; 200 Oxen, and 40 Wagons with Provision. In this Action, he did not only release the Cap­tives, but defeated also their Drivers, which were about 600 Janizaries. They fought stout­ly for 2 hours from behind their Wagons, so that Count Serini his Hussars, were forced to quit their Horses, and fight them on foot: which they did with excellent conduct, and successe, giving Quarter only to Two Per­sons of Note, whose lives were at their mer­cy.

Herewith, this Campagnia seem'd to be at an end, and Count Serini, having in appearance little to do further with the Enemy, let his men march homeward: (wanting Fodder for their Horses) the Enemy in the mean while steering their Course toward Gran, Offen, and Weissenburg, as to their Winter-Quarters. The Turks left a Garrison of 4000 in Newhausel, under the Com­mand of Two Bassaes; and 10000 about the Fort, partly to defend the Place, and partly to repair the Fortifications. In Neutra, the Enemy left 1500 men, which Place was plundred be­fore [Page 31]the Army march'd away. The Earls Co­chary, and Tekelly, with a Body of near 15000 men raysed in the Ʋpper and Nether-Hungary, came In to Count Serini; which Conjunction the Turks mightily endeavoured to hinder, but could not effect it. These Forces are like­wise drawn out of the Field, since that time.

The Auxiliaryes, That is to say; the Hessen, Brunswick, Lunenburg, Munster Forces; and O­thers from the Rhyne (some of which, name­ly Those from Hessen Darmstadt perish'd upon the Danube) are put into Winter-Quarters on the side of that River; but the Saxon, and Brandenburg Auxiliaryes, are to lye in Bohemia, and Moravia; and the Silesian Forces to tarry in their own Country: for the Councel of Warre at Vienna, did not hold it Advisable, to Quarter all the Auxiliaryes near together, for fear of Surfeits upon the Fruits, beside that they would have wanted Fodder for their Horse, and in the foul deep wayes they would have found great trouble to have fetch'd it. Another Consideration was, the Easing of the Hungarians, who were already sufficiently weary of Billeting Souldiers. In Fine; there [Page]is no great Noyse of Armes, and Action, at present, but how the Enemy may be oppos'd next Spring, is the Consulation, and the Que­stion; who threatens Vienna, and the Empire, with no lesse then 3 or 400000 Men at the Next Campagnia.

It was now Resolv'd by his Imperiall Majesty, to go to Regenspurg about the end of November following; there to Advise about the Reliese of the Empire, and indeed of Christendome: and his Imperiall Majesty did likewise Resolve to send Embassadours to the Pope, Spain, France, &c. to Sollicit Succour. From the Pope, Mo­nyes are expected, France proffers Men (but who dares receive them?) Swede is willing to Assist in respect of their Interest in Germany, and they have sent already 700 well mounted that came from Bremen: so that the Instant Business of the Empire seems to be rather Pre­paration, then Present Defence; and to look for­ward toward the Spring: the Grand Signior ha­ving already dispers'd his Letters of Menace, and Defyance to all Christendome throughout the Emperours Hereditary Countries.

Upon the Turks withdrawing the Grosse of [Page 33]his Army, from about Newhausel, over the Da­nube, with a Countenance of Disposing him­self to his Winter-Quarter; Mens minds began to be a little Compos'd and Quiet; till Abaf­ti, the Grand Signiors Creature in Transylvania undertook the Turks Aftergame, with those Forces that stay'd behind; labouring his Ut­most to possesse himself of the Berg, or Mine-Towns, (whence comes the Hungarian Gold) and other Frontier Places, and Houses belong­ing of Right to his Imperiall Majesty: which Perfidious Designe the Christians Army could not conveniently either prevent, or oppose, being already dispers'd for want of Necessa­ryes both for Man, and Beast.

This same Abafti; pass'd in Common E­steem, for a Person well-affected to the Chri­stians, and as One that wayted only a fayre Opportunity to draw his Sword against the Turk; but his Actions have now discover'd him: for perceiving what Reputation, Presents, and other Popular Advantages, have accrued to the Grand Vizier, and the Chiefe Officers of the Turkish Army, upon the Gayning of New­hausel; he likewise turn'd his Study, and En­deavours the same way, not doubting by his [Page 34]Interests, and Services, to draw from the Tur­kish Emperour as fayre a Reward; undertaking not only to keep, what was already gotten, but to Enlarge the Conquest by a Confiderable Addition.

It being found neither commodious, nor be­neficiall to expose the Turks, and other Asiatick, and African Forces, (whose Bodyes have been used to a Temperate warme Ayre) to the cold Winter-Blasts of Hungary: (which are sharp, though not long) the Hardship of the Winter-Warre was rather committed to the Mountaineers; That is; to the Abaftish Transylvanians, Moldavi­ans, Wallachians, &c. whose Part it is, to Main­teyn the Turks Ground at least, if not carry the Victory further; and in Briefe, to hold the Imperialists in Play, till the Ottoman Army, may conveniently take the Field again toward the Spring. And least the Town Neutra should be left Naked; instead of about 600 Turks, and Janyzaryes, that were taken out of That Garrison, Others, that could better endure the Ayre of the Place, were put in, and a Gar­rison of 115 Janizaryes into the Castle, (a Sort of People which are of great Credit with the Turk in Martiall Affayrs; and in truth, These [Page 35]were the Men that ventur▪d the hardest before Newhausel.)

Janizaryes are Christians Children, which were either taken Captive, or given in the way of Tribute, by such Christians as have done Ho­mage to the Turks, These Children are trayn'd up from their Childhood, in the Mahumetan Be­lief, and Inur'd to Military exercises. They are very Numerous and Valiant; and doubtless the best support of the Turkish Empire. As their Pow­er is of great use, and service to the Ottoman Em­perour in some cases, so is it in others not less dan­gerous, their Revolts and Tumults being seldom Iaid, or quieted without Horrible Rapine, and Effusion of Blood. Misery of Miseryes! that the Children of Christians should be thus engaged in so Implacable an Enmity to the Dictates both of Christ and Nature!

About This Time; Newes was brought that a young Son was born to Mahomet, upon which Tydings, such a face was set upon the Busyness, as if it had been a Material Part of their Re­ligion to welcome this young Idoll into the world with the Sacrifice of more Christian-Bloud.

Abafti's Ayme, (as we have said before) was to [Page 36]work himself in among the Mine-Towns. The two first considerable Blocks in his way were Lewents, and Novigrad, (beside others of less Importance.) In Lewents were good Fighting men, Back'd with a Castle that was well fortify­ed with Thick walls, and Firm Turrets. In This Place, the Enemy found stout opposition, and Lost many men before it; but at last pressing up­on it with greater Numbers and no Relief ap­pearing within distance, they took it upon Ac­cord. Those that March'd out were in no sort Injured, and Those that stayd behind were dis­arm'd, and did Homage.

After Lewents followed Novigrad, that lyes deeper in the Ʋpper-Hungary; which al­though a strong Place, and environ'd with a Mo­rasse; yet after a stout Resistance was forc'd to Render to the Enemy. The Forces in it were con­ducted to Waitzen, where they betook themselves to work for their Living, as the Rest of the Pea­sants, and are enjoyn'd to be ever in Readyness with their Armes. The Governour of it, by Name, Pedami, got leave from Abafti to go to his Countrey-House in Transylvania, and to dwell there, which soon after he did.

On the Christians side, there was no good­will wanting toward the Relief of any of these Places; but all their Attempts fell short, by reason of many Fatalities, and Accidents Inter­vening.

These successes encouraged the Enemy to draw nearer to the Mine-Towns, and to en­deavour the making of their Winter-Quarter thereabouts, and in Ʋpper-Hungary. A Ru­mour was then dispersed that the Great Vizier had Commanded the Magistrates of Frystadt, and the Neighbouring Parts, upon pain of death to make a Ship-bridge over the Waegh with all speed, and to provide Victuals and Fodder to entertain him at his comming back. Thus did new Cares and Troubles come on, in a season, when every man flatter'd himself with some hopes of Respit and Repose.

Count Serini, that till now, staid in the Isle of Schutt. put himself Instantly into Motion, and now and then, met with some Parties, and took good Booty from them; but alass? This would not serve to set the Ballance even. Upon November 12. He took, in a Moorish Place, be­twixt Raab, and Comorra, ten Camels and as many Mules, laden with Truneks full of Gold and Silver-plate; together with the Condu­ctours, who were bound for Constantinople with this Booty.

In Comorra (where the Officers were at that time under Question, and came off well, about the Surrender of Newhausel) there were great Complaints of Scarcity of Provision; the Country being so miserably wasted round a­bout it. Whereupon, at Vienna it was taken into thought, how those out-lying Garrisons might be supplyed, and the Enemy disappoin­ted of their aime, who knew full well the State of their Necessities. It is certain, that the Aux­iliaries and other Forces that were Quarter'd in Comorra, would much rather have kept the field, if all other Circumstances would have permit­ted it; but those Auxiliaries, who by too liberal Feeding on the Austrian and Moravian Fruits, had contracted diseases, neither could, nor would stir; beside that their General, Count Hohenlo, a Prudent, Expert, and Judicious Commander, gave many weighty Reasons a­gainst it. No sooner had this Lord made an Ac­quaintance in Vienna; but ill Fortune met with him his Chamber being Robb'd of VVritings, Moneys, and Jewels, to the value of betwixt twenty and thirty thousand; Rix Dollars.

The Swedish Auxiliaries were not yet come up; but by Advice from Leipsick, they were then upon their March not far from Thuringen, (about the midst of November) and 150. horse were likewise to come from Pomerania, which Forces became the Ground of great Mistakes, [Page 47]happening to be in Motion just upon that Nick of time, when the Ersordians (being then Out­lawed) were in Expectation of the Men [...]zish troups: Upon whom they Issued forth, and in their Return left two Carpenters behinde them, whom they hanged upon a VVaggon, which did much enflame the tumult. but the Swedish troups, which had so much troubled the heads of divers People, proved to be a Force of ano­ther design, and Quality.

The Rumour of the Return of the Turkish Army, (now so late in November) Encreased more and more; at which time Filleck (Some ten mile from Cassaw) was given for lost; So that certain Regiments were immediately sent to make good the other Mine-Townes, which the Enemy had particu­larly in their Eye for a Winter-Quarter. Those Christians which about this time ranfom'd themselves from the Turks, speak much of the Stupendious Preparations, which are now in hand against Christendome; Affirming it for a Certainty, that the Grand Signior is resolv'd to take the field next Spring with an Army of three hundred thousand Men, which causes great per­plexities in Poband, Hungary, Moravia, Silesia, and Bohemia; but the Polanders, being at peace with the Turks, conceived themselves in some measure secured by virtue of that Agreement; but in the Tartars, Moldavians, and Walachians, [Page 48]they have not much confidence: Especially, when they are upon their Excursions. Many were of opinion, that the Turks were forc'd upon an irregular and precipitate retreat for want of Provisions, and that their attempts so late in the year, upon Moravia, and the neigh­bouring Provinces, were caused partly by the Inviting plenty of all necessaries, which those Countreys afford; and in part, by the encou­ragement they received from their Correspon­dents in those Quarters; beside the scarcity, which their longer continuance, upon the Da­nube would infallibly have produced therea­bouts, to the great inconvenience of their Armyes next Spring.

Hungary lay now groaning under the burden of the Turkish Power, and longing for aid; the Infidels over-spreading it like a dismal Cloud, charged with Hail and Thunder: all mens thoughts, being sollicitous, for deliver­ance, and in continual expectation where the storme would fall. Many were of opinion that submission was the best expedient in this extremity; but betwixt the sence of their Al­legiance sworn to the Emperor, and the distrust they had of the Turks Justice to his word, di­vers held off.

The Enemy (who did nothing rashly, though as is generally supposed, rather acting [Page 49]by Instigation then choice) counted it most ad­viseable to draw toward Cassaw the head City of Ʋpper-hungary; knowing full well that when ever the Christians should Ʋnite, they would make this place the Seat of Warr, and settle themselves There: VVherefore the In­fidels went roundly to work, removing what­soever might hinder their Progresse, before a­ny succour could come up to them, which suc­cour would however at last signify not much a­gainst so Potent an Enemy.

About this time, the Polanders were a little Frighted with the Tartars, who though return­ing homeward with their booty already got­ten, might yet be tempted by their greediness after more, to break into the Cracovian, Way­wood-ship; and from thence to advance into Silesia, according to the old saying, Si Turca veniet in Germaniam, Ibit per Poloniam. If the Turk comes into Germany, he shall passe through Poland. These Incarnat and Rapaci­ous Devils, however kept off yet, and carryed their prey to their Cavernes there to divide it. One thing is, that Cham, being the head and Sovereign of these Tarters which had been in Moravia, was a friend to Poland, and about this time his Forces went in abundance with the King of Poland (in person) and the Army, together with a great number of Cossacks, a­gainst [Page 50]the Muscovite, marching over the River Nieper; otherwise call'd Boristhenes. The Turks however went on in their proceeding, subdu­ing Shemnitz, Cremnitz, and other Mine-towns, and sending threatning Letters to the Magi­strates thereabout, who being over-aw'd by the Terrour of those Menaces, moved the People under them to do homage to these Infi­dels. The taking of the Fort Novigrad, (up­on the strength whereof the People so much depended) did not a little conduce to the Sub­jecting of the rest. And now they made their excursions toward Tokay, (where their Noblest Wines grow) a strong Hold, moted round about, & alwayes reputed as invincible. Upon this place they practic'd both subtilty and force, as they had done before Novigrad; but honest men had the keeping of it, and so they were forc'd to passe it by.

About this time the Turks caused the late subdued Lewents to be demolish'd, as not lik­ing the manner of the Fortification, and sent a Menacing Order to those of Frystadt, to dis­patch out of hand two Bridges over the Waegh, larger then the former, and to make them broad enough for whole Squadrons to passe a Breast; And now they began to talk loud of another Invasion into Moravia; to which end, many thousands of the Tawny-Tartars throng'd [Page]into the Camp, as if those of the other com­plexion, had not yet playd the devils sufficient­ly in the Country; Whereupon to prevent that Inrode, a Counter-mand was sent to most of those forces, that were now march'd, or march­ing off to their Winter-Quarters; and Order given them to bend their Course toward the Waegh. Although this Countenance of the Turks design gain'd not much Credit, in regard of the season of the Year, it was however held for good discretion not to be too secure.

Near the end of November, came to Vienna-Baron de Goes (with leave of the Great Vizier, and in company of a Turkish Chiaux of Offen) who long time had been employ'd as the Em­perours Agent toward the intended Treaty for Peace; which Baron, Affirmes that the Grand Signior with the Tartar Cham, have resolved, with an Incredible Force, to come personally into the Field next Spring; and Joyn the ut­most of their power against Christendome.

Upon the taking of which Resolution, vast Quantities of Rice and Corne were Ordered at Adrinople, and Philippopoli to be carried to Greek-Weissenberg, and from thence to Offen. This determination and Proceeding, engaged the Christians to use their utmost Endeavours Possible, for the bringing of a considerable Bo­dy into the Field next Spring; and to this pur­pose, [Page]his Imperial Majesty having first given Audience to the Report of the said Baron, gives immediate Order for Preparations; taking his Journey to the Diet at Regenspurg, to Stirr up the Princes of the Empire to a General Con­junction against the Turk. In the Interim, the Arch-Duke Charles Joseph, being design'd to keep his Residence in Vienna, put himself up­on the way thither from Lintz; but fell into such a weaknesse upon the Journey, that he was enforc'd to go back. The Chief Officers appointed to stay behinde in Vienna, applyed themselves with all diligence to the putting their Orders in Execution.

Schinta was now provided afresh with Am­munition and Provision, and the Great Artille­ry removed from thence, the Montecuculish Army, which for a long time had been Quar­terd near the Presburg Ship-Bridge, mov'd from thence toward Moravia. The Count de Souches conceived some hopes of recovering Neutra, and prepar'd accordingly; the loss of that place being reputed not much inferiour to the loss of New hausel: Neutra being an Eccle­siastical Seat, New-hausel only a Seat for Soul­diers, which begat a greater Zeal, and Earnest­ness toward the Recovery of the Place.