Calabria entertaines Turks in his War Page 83 An Ambassador com from the King of Tremisen to Venice Page 85 The Arsenal of Venice burnt Page 95 The Ambassador of Venice speech to the Turk about Cyprus Page 96 Her Answer to the Turks Ambassdor Page 97 The Armes of Venice defac'd in the Vatican Page 171 An Abbot executed in Venice in his habit Page 17 An Ambassador sent from Rome to Venice with notable instructions Page 190 Apologies for the sensuality and revengefullnes of the Venetian Page 199 A Catalog of som of the most renowned men of Venice Page 200 The advantages which Venice hath of old Rome Page ibid B Of Brescia Page 25 Of Bergamo Page 25 The Bergamastro speaks the worst Italian Dialect Page 25 The manner of the Ballotations by which the Duke of Venice is chosen Page 34 Of the Bucentoro Page 36 A bold motto in St Marks Tresury Page 37 A bold Candiâ—…t rob'd the Tresury of St. Mark Page 38 The books of the vulgar are Images Page 54 A Battail twixt Pepin and the Venetians Page 55 The Bishop of Aquilia taken prisoner by the Venetian Page 60 Badoairio Duke of Venice depos'd himself and turnd Monk Page 61 The Bishop of Gradus speech to the Venetian for supplies of the holy Land Page 66 Baldwin Earl of Flanders with other Princes going to the Holy Land com to Venice wher they receave extraordinary entertainment Page 71 Bologna beaten by Venice Page 72 Brescia under the protection of Venice Page 75 Buda taken by the Turk Page 90 Barbarossa the great Pyrat Page 92 C. Civill bodies subject to decay as well as naturall Page 1 The Churchmen of Venice enjoy above two millions yeerly rent Page 2 The clash twixt Venice and Genoa partly the cause of the lâ—…sse of the Holy Land Page 3 Change of custom dangerous Page 3 Cardinall Ossatts speech touching Venice Page 5. Cyrus his revenge of the River Pindes because she had drownd his horse Page 5 A counterprize of rewards and punishmenâ—…s observ'd in Venice Page 6 Cadetts among the Gentry restrained from marrying in Venice with the reason therof Page 7 The Counsells of Venice are mysteries till put in execution Page 7 Of Crema Page 25 How a Courtisan cousned a Gentleman Page 39 The circuit of Rome Page 44 A cheap frend that 's got by a complement Page 44 Candiano chosen Duke of Venice who was cut in peeces by the fury of the peeple Page 62 A cloak of cloth of gold to be given yeerly by Venice to the Emperour remitted Page 62 Centrenico Duke of Venice depos'd and turn'd to a Monastery Page 65 Corfù first reduc'd to Venice Page 67 Cyain Duke of Venice overthrowes Otho the Emperours Son Page 68 A comparison of Venice and Genoa with Rome and Carthage Page 74 Ceremonies usd by Verona Vicenza and Padoua when they rendred themselfs to Venice Page 79 A Candiot robbs the tresury of St. Mark Page 80 Constantinople taken by the Turks their respect to the Venetian above others Page 80 The ceremonies usd at the Duke of Venice his Buriall Page 84 Cornaris subtill speech to the Queen of Cypus for a resignation Page 84 Charles the 8. rusheth into Italy Page 86 A contract twixt the Pope and Venice about the nomination of her Bishops Page 90 Cardinall Charles Caraffi strangled at Rome Page 94 The Spaniard a great cause of losing of Cyprus Page 111 Carmas notable speech to Don John of Austria Page 106 Captain Tortona a Spaniard hang'd by Venieri Page 107 A contract twixt Don John and Venieri the Venetian Generall Page 107 Capello the Venetian Generall defeates the Barbary fleet at Vallona Page 170 A clash twixt Venice and Urban the 8. Page 170 D. Death for any Venetian Senator to receave pension from a forren Prince Page 6 The Dukes of Venice old before they be chosen Page 6 Of the Dukes of Milan and Toscauy Page 9 Duke of Venice a head of wood Page 10 Of the Deceuivâ—…rat or Councell of ten in Venice Page 13 Dominico Mongario Duke of Venice he had his eyes put out Page 59 The Duke of Venice stil'd Protospater of the Greek Empire Page 61 Dominico Contareno Duke of Venice he conquers Zara Page 65 Dalmatia and Croatia added to the titles of Venice Page 65 Dukes of Venice have a privilege to seal with lead given them by the Pope Page 68 A description of St. Marks Church Page 70 Duke Cyani makes St. Marks Church his heir Page 71 Doria the Admiral of Genoa puts Venice to the worse in the I le of Sapientia Page 77 The Ducall Palace bnrnt in Venice Page 84 Ubaldo Duke of Urbin Generall of the Venetians Page 91 Trevisano Duke of Venice died at Masse Page 93 A description of the Christian fleet before the Battail of Lepanto Page 19 Don John of Astrias speech at the battail of Lepanto Page 115 Don John of Austria rescued by Venieri the Venetian Generall Page 127 The division of the spoiles after the battail of Lepanto at large Page 130 The Duke of Parma with an Army before Rome Page 194 A dangerous prophecy of Holland Page 180 The defects of Venice Page 198 E The Enemies which Venice hath had from time to time Page 2 Ecclesiasticks incapable to sit in the Venetian and to inherit stable possessions and the reson therof Page 2 Ecclesiasticks dare not tamper with matters of state in Venice Page 7 The extent and power of the principalities of Italy Page 8 The etymology of Venice Page 33 Experience the great looking-glasse of wisdom Page 34 The election of the Duke of Venice Page 34 The eastern emperour assisted by the Venetians Page 60 Emanuel the Greek Emperour perfidious to the Venetians Page 68 Ensignes given by the Pope to the Venetians Page 70 Of Earthquakes and of their causes a Phylosophicall discours Page 75 Eugenius the Pope a Venetian Page 79 The Emperour Frederik with Leonora his Wife com to Venice Page 8 The Emperour invites the Turk to war with the Venetian Page 88 F. Forren Princes usually entertaind by Venice Page 7 Falerio Duke of Venice put to death because he married a stranger c. Page 12 Of Frivili Page 13 The first Prince of Venice Page 58 Freedom from taxes granted to Venice throughout all the Greek Empire Page 62 Freedoms granted by Otho the Emperour to the Venetians Page 62 Flabenico Duke of Venice Page 65 Freedom given to the Venetian through all Syria Page 67 Emperour Frederiques fast answer to the Venetians Page 68 Th'Emperour Frederiques submission to the Pope at Venice Page 69 The first War twixt Venice and Genoa Page 71 The first excommunication against Venice without Ferrara Page 74 The first Ambassador from England to Venice 1332. Page 75 G. Of the Gulps of Venice Page 9 The Government of Venice hath a grain of Monarchy a dram of Democracy and an ounce of Optimacy Page 10 The great Councell of Venice Page 16 Gentlemen of Venice great
Romanes who usd to restrain their Generall to passe over the river Rubicon by this peremptory comand Imperator sive Miles sive Tyrannus armatus quisquis sistito vexillum armáque deponito nec citra hunc amnem Rubiconem trajicito Emperour or Soldier or Tyrant whosoever thou art putt off thy armor else crosse not this River This was the reason that Iulius Caesar was declard Enemy to Rome because he had passd that River Afterwards in Rome they added to the Dictator Officers calld Magistri Equitum who shold be present at all Councells and in case the Dictator shold be sick They were to execut his office as being as it were his Compagnous and Witnesses of his virtues Just so the Venetians use to choose two Proveditori in evry Army who have the next place to the Generall and must be present at all Councells and have a concurrence of their opinions before any enterprize Besides these the Venetians make choice of three of the Patrician Order whom they stile Auvogadori de Communi who resemble Tribunos plebis in Rome these three are rather Sollicitors then Judges for the peeple they are their Intercessors upon all ocasions Add herunto that the Romanes thought it fitting to choose Officers that should have care of the profitt the ornament and provision of the Cittie therfore did they constitut divers persons of probitie and known integrity and they went all under the name of Aediles The first two they did choose were to have speciall care of the Temples and Fanes as as allso of other Fabriques and Ornaments of the Cittie which Officers were stiled Aediles â—…dium Ther were others calld Aediles Curules whose charge it was to supervise all Weights and Mesures Ther were others calld Aediles Cercales who supervisd all sorts of Grain of Oile and such provision In Venice ther are sundry Officers that may be compard to these Aediles First the Procurators of Saint Mark who have the Superintendence of the Church and the Tresury therof Then com the Proveditori alla Sanitá which have it in charge to see that no noisom and unwholsom things be brought into the Cittie the generall health and incolumity wherof they are to study Next them are the Proveditori all Acque who supervise the Waters Lakes and Channells within and without the Cittie which they are to see scowrd and cleansd Then follow Signori alla Giustitia Vecchia the Lords of the old Justice who severely punish those that are discoverd to have false Weights and they sett reasonable prizes upon fruits and other things Then is ther another sort of Aediles calld Proveditori alla farina that supervise the mesure and the wholsomnes of all kind of Graines and that they be well conditiond Then is ther another sort of Edills calld Proveditori all sale who rent all the Salt pitts provided that the Cittie be servd at reasonable rates Then are ther other sorts of Aediles calld Gli Signori alla Ternaria Vecchia who were instituted in the time of Giovanni Dandalo who supervise the Oil Then Gli Signori alla grassa who supervise Cheese Bacon and all salt things Then Signori del vino who look to the condition and rates of all kinds of Wines Then gli Signori di panni d'oro who take a speciall care that no fraud be us'd in the making and vending of any Gold Silver Tissue or Silk stuffs Then you have the Signori della Dogana di mare which were instituted in the government of Tomaso Mocenigo whose charge is to look to the freight of all sorts of Ships and Gallies if they go laden with any Marchandize and overlook that the Republick be not cosned in her imposts Lastly ther be a sort of Ediles calld delle Ragion vecchie who have it comitted to their charge that in case any Ambassador com or any forren Prince into the City they are to see that he be entertaind and defrayd by the publick expence of S. Marke The Romanes had also Officers calld Quaestores who receav'd and distributed the public treasure and they were calld so ab inquirenda pecunia from making search after moneys so in Venice ther are such Officers calld Camerlinghi who have the very same charge And as the Questors in Rome were to accompanie the Emperour or Generall to keep account of the publick Salaries and Treasures so the Venetians when War happens use to send their Camerlinghi to the Army who are always present with the Generall and do not only administer the public stock but supervise all preyes and booties taken from the enemy In Rome ther were Questors allso in times of peace so likewise in all the Cities belonging to the Republick ther are such Questors who have power to recover spend and pay the Public deniers whereof they use to send a particular account to the Senat with the Treasure that remaines unspent In resemblance to these Roman Questors ther are divers other Officers in the Republic of Venice as gli Governatori dell ' entrate they who receave the public Revenues of the Signorie with all sorts of Gabells and Impositions Ther are also I Signori sopra I conti who are as it were the Auditors Generall and look to all public accounts that belong to the Republic Ther is La Dogana da terra and L'Vsata whereof the one lookes to all commodities imported the other to all exported Ther is an Office also calld the Messetaria who takes up two in the hundred in sale of all stable goods as well within as without the City But those Questors which are Paymasters are only the three Chambers the trâ—… camere de monti the old the new and the subsidiary Mount who daily disburse and pay moneys Besides these ther were among the Romans other Questors calld Quaestores Candidati so called because they went clad in white whose Office was to read in the Senat all kind of Letters that were of any moment The Chancellor of Venice resembleth this Questor who is of the rank of Citizens and of mighty repute among all men because he only while he lives can see know and understand all things that is agitated in the Senat although the most secret transactions He goes in a Senatorian habit and is held a most honorable person although he be not of the Patrician and noble Order It is time now to speak of the Decemvirs who all other Magistrates being casheerd in the City of Rome were created to have the sole and superintendent power of all things every one of these was used to sit upon the Tribunall ten dayes and determine all matters and they were used to succeed one another In imitation hereof the Venetians have the same Magistrates who jump with those of Rome both in nomber and authority which is vulgarly calld il Consiglio di Dieci the Councell of ten That in Rome dur'd for a yeer and so doth this both of them were without appeal unlesse it be in Venice to the Colledg and then a busines is sayd
hoping therby to obtain his desire He told the Bassa how ill beseeming it wold be for the Majesty and generosity of so great a Prince to invade those on a sudden and unexpected who upon his word and oath thought themselves firm and safe as though when time and occasion wold be offer'd he could want Forces to employ against them for the recovery of that which might justly belong unto him against whom he ought first to proceed by way of Justice and next by force using first gentle means before he did take arms Herupon by the advice of Mahomet Bassa the gran Visier Selym sent a Chiaus to Venice who being admitied to a privat audience was brought to the Senat and according to the usuall custome being plac'd on the Dukes right hand he kiss'd his gown and after divers reverences he presented a purse of gold tissue wherin were the Emperors Letters saying Most excellent Sir this is a Letter from my Lord when you are acquainted with his demand I expect an answer The Duke answer'd it should be so The Cwiaus being at a stand because he had no other answer addressed himself to the Senators saying My Lords Mahomet the Visier Bassa hath commanded me to tell you that he is very sorry that an occasion is offer'd that he must break with you having ever sought to continue your friend but complaints coming so often to the Port and from so many places of the unfriendly dealing of the Officers belonging to this State and specially of the kind entertainment and reception given to the Western pyrats at Cyprus who this very year have done great hurt to the Musulmans hath taken such impressions in the mind of the great Lord and so often provok'd him against this Common-wealth finding that complaints made hereof to your Baylio hath taken little effect that he could detain himself no longer from denouncing war against you and because you cannot hold out long against the arms of so potent a Prince he adviseth you as a friend to take som course to shield you from so many dangers and to this end he hath procur'd my coming hither offering to do all he may that ye may avoid this mighty stroke offortune and continue your ancient friendship with the great Lord. The Prince replied that the Senat had resolv'd on an Answer which shold be read unto him that he might the better understand and know their intentions which was don by Antonio Milladonna Secretary to the Councell which was thus That the Senat did extremely marvail that his Lord being no way by them provok'd nor upon any just cause wold violat that oath wherby he had so solemnly confirm'd the peace taking now for a pretence to make war upon them because they wold not give away a Kingdome which they had so many years lawfully and peaceably enjoy'd wherewith he might be well assur'd they wold never part but seeing that he was determind to proceed against them in that manner the Republic wold not fail to defend that which did belong unto her hoping by so much more to be the better able to do it by how much the justice of their cause wold procure them all aid and succour both divine and human and so the Chiaus was dismiss'd with an Answer to his Letter which was as followeth That the Venetians had inviolably maintain'd the peace concluded with his Imperiall Majesty and contemn'd all other respects whatsoever by refusing many fair oportunities whereof they might have made good use to their extraordinary advantage because that above all worldly things it befits a Prince to keep his promise and they being carefull to avoid all suspition of so great an infamy had dissembled and buried in silence divers wrongs done unto them because they wold not be the first disturbers of the peace but now perceaving that upon no occasion he denounc'd war against them at such a time as they least expected it they wold not refuse it for the defence of their own and in particular for defence of the Iland of Cyprus which as their Ancestors had enjoy'd by so just a title they did likewise hope that God wold give them grace to maintain it valiantly against all those that wold injustly take it away from them The Chiaus being return'd to Constantinople Selym took it in high indignation that the usuall Ceremonies us'd to Ambassadors were not perform'd to his Chiaus Cubat who coming before him and relating what preparations the Republic made he seem'd to repent himselfe of his determination and fell into a great heat of passion therupon there were gards put upon the Bailios Palace as also upon all the Venetian Consulls in Egypt and Syria LODOVICO MOCENIGO was elected the next Duke at the beginning of whose government the Turk sent mighty forces both by Land and Sea for the conquest of Cyprus the I le of Rhodes was the first rendevous of the whole Fleet which came to more then two hundred armed Vessells accounting one hundred fifty Gallies together with Fusts and Galeots among which ther were certain Mahonnes which are like to great Gallies not altogether so big as a Galeon six Ships and a great nomber of Vessells commonly call'd Caramussolini and som fifty Palandaries to transport horse This Fleet bended it's direct course towards Cyprus was descryed nere Batto the first of Iuly 1570. they dispatch eighty Gallies and divers flat battom'd Vessells to Tripoli and to the river of Caramania ther to raise more horse and foot forces all which arriving in Cyprus made up the nomber of fifty thousand foot two thousand five hundred horse three thousand Pioners and thirty peeces of Ordnances with one hundred and fifty Falconets The ordinary Garrison of the Iland was but two thousand Italian foot and som thousand recreuts sent from the firm Land with Martinengo two thousand fresh soldiers many whereof perish'd by incommodious transportation so that the greatest hopes of being able to defend the Towns and Castles consisted in the fresh supplies which the Iland her self being populous had promis'd to levy and for Cavalrie ther were but five hundred Stradiots which were upon the pay of the Republic Things being thus and sufficient forces wanting to repell so huge an enemy the Cavalry was too weak to hinder his landing and the Infantery too few therfore resolution was taken to defend the two main Cities Famagosta and Nicotia The two chief Commanders of the Turkish Army was Mustapha and Piali wherof the first was of a fierce fiery spirit these two differ'd in opinion which to besiege first Piali was for Famagosta but Mustapha was for Nicotia saying that the reputation of so great an Army as theirs ought not to be blemish'd by attempting any mean enterprize therby to encrease the enemies courage and diminish their own that the Genoways had for ninety years held Famagosta at the same time as the Kings of the Family of Lusignan commanded the Iland wherby might be gather'd that the taking of
that Piali the Turks Admirall was with his whole Fleet making towards them they weigh'd anchors and made for Candy Though the Republic had ill luck at Sea and in Cyprus this year yet there were som compensations made to her in Albania for divers Towns did rise up there who being desirous to shake off the Turkish yoke they sent to Venice for some auxiliary supplies protesting unto them That upon the first sight of their ensignes they wold run unto them and becom their subjects for security wherof they wold give them their chiefest children for hostages so the Governors of Autivari Dulcigna and Budua did in the name of the Republic receave the Oath of Alleageance of more then one hundred Towns and Villages While poor Cyprus and her chief City Famagosta was upon making her last wil the renewing of the League was treated at Rome which the hauty spirit of the Spaniard did much retard The Pope in his hortative offer'd to go upon the Fleet among other things the Spaniard propos'd that the Venetians shold be bound upon pain of Ecclesiastical censures to observe in ev'ry point that which shold be resolv'd on in the League as though they had suspected the Republics integrity wherunto the Venetian Ambassadors gave a round and stout Answer they did moreover contend about a Generalissimo the Spaniard proposing not onely to nominat him but his Lievtenant also who in his absence shold have the same authority this did much distract the Treaty ther was another rub besides in the businesse which was a darknesse that was like to be 'twixt the Emperour and the Pope for conferring a new Title upon the Duke of Florence which the Emperour wold not allow of Ther was a motion of peace made about this time by the Turk to the Republic but as she was ready to send Ragasson instructions accordingly Generall Colonna the Popes Generall was sent from Rome to disswade her from it the Spaniard also seeks unto her about the same purpose and to desire her to re-enter into the League which was now absolutely concluded hereupon she gave Colonna a pleasing answer and after much canvasing the point in the Senat a resolution was taken to send new Commissions to her Ambassadors at Rome accordingly So in Rome after most solemn Divine Service and the procession ended in S. Peters Church the League was publish'd the particular Articles whereof were as followeth Betwixt Pope Pius Quintus promising for the Sea Apostolic and his Successors with the consent of the whole Colledge of Cardinalls Philip the Catholic King and the Duke and Senat of Venice a League and perpetuall confederacy hath bin made to abate and overthrow the Turks power who of late hath invaded with a mighty Army the Realm of Cyprus a Countrey very commodious for the conquest of the Holy Land That the Confederats forces shall consist of two hundred light Gallies one hundred Ships of war fifty thousand footmen Italians Spaniards and Almains four thousand five hundred horse with Artillery and Ammunition proportionable to such a force all which shall be employed for the defence as wel of the confederat States as to assail the enemy and particularly for the enterprize of Algier Tunis and Tripoli That all these forces shall be united in the month of May next ensuing or in the month of April at Otrauto to passe into the Levant against the enemies as Times and the Councell of Captains shall think fit that thâ—…se Forces neverthelesse may be changed by increasing or diminishing the provisions of war as necessity and the quality of the enterprise shall require wherupon a yearly meeting shall be at Rome in Automn ther to consult what is best to be done and if it shall ther be concluded not to attempt anything that year in common yet it might be lawfull for ev'ry of the Confederâ—…s to execute their particular enterprises specially for the King of Spain to enterprise those of Algier Tunis and Tripoli in which so that ther be no mighty Turkish Army abroad the Venetians shall be bound to aid the King with fifty Gallies of purpose That the sayed King shall be likewise bound to aid the Venetians whensoever they shall enterprize any thing in their Gulph against the common enemy on this condition neverthelesse if he which shall crave this aid have far greater forces ready That all the Confederats shall be oblig'd to defend the States of any one of them whom the Turk shall invade and in particular with other places that shall belong to the Church that for the expence of the war his Catholic Majesty shall pay one half and the other moitie being divided into three parts the Venetian shall pay two and the Pope the third They shall be bound to give the Pope twelve Gallies ready rigg'd and munition'd which his Holinesse shall mann for the service of the League that generally each of the Confederats shall be bound to contribut for the common necessity whatsoever he shall abundantly have and others want which afterwards shall be allow'd upon account that the Store-houses for corn shall â—…e ev'ry where open for the common good and that grain may be taken forth out of commodious places so that he of whom 't is taken make first his own provision that at Councells and Consultations the Commanders of the three Consederat Princes shall be present and what the most of them resolve upon shall be concluded neverthelesse the execution of matters determin'd shall remain to the Generall of the Army who was presently nam'd to wit Don John of Austria and in his absence Marc Antonio Colonna with the same authority though at the same time he retain the title and rank of the Churches Generall In this League which was struck 1570. ther was a place reserv'd for Maximilian of Austria the elect Emperour for the King of France and the King of Portugal to enter into the confederacy when they shold think it fit and to all other Christian Princes who had a desire to engage in it and in case any strife shold arise twixt the Confederats the Pope as Umpire shall decide it These Articles were not to be put in execution till the year following in the mean time because Famagosta was so much streightned the Republic sent thither Marc Antonio Quirini with four Ships attended by twelve Gallies to carry supplies thither who safely landed sixteen hundred foot with great store of victualls and munition in Famagosta which did beyond expression encourage them and whilst he remain'd ther he took a Ship of the enemies with other smaller Vessells and raz'd certain Forts which the Turks had rais'd upon the rock of Gambella there was another supply of eight hundred fresh men sent to Baillone the Governour of Famagosta in other Ships a little after The Turk made some overtures of peace again to the Venetians which they wold not hearken unto in regard of the new League hereupon there came another formidable Fleet of two hundred and
at first the Hernici Equi and Volscians were to the Romanes such have the Dalmatians Istrians and Liburnians bin to the Venetians The Gaules under the conduct of Brennus the Britain was a destructive Enemy unto them having left them nothing but the Capitoll The same Nation called afterwards French much molested the Venetians and once took all from them except the Rialto The Cimbrians Teâ—…tomans and Ambrons were terrible to the Romanes and to all Italy the like were the Goths Hunns and Longobards to the Venetians and their Neighbours Carthage was an Enemy to the Latin name the like was Genoa to the Venetian But Carthage shewed her greatest fury against the Romanes when She was confederat with King Philip and the Syracusans against them In like maner Genoa was never more terrible to the Venetian than at that time when in the Warr of Chioggia She was backd by Lewis King of Hungary and the Padoans Pyrrhus was an Enemy to the Romanes but more mild than the Carthaginians Pepin was so to the Venetians but much more tractable than the Genoways The Romanes had a tedious Warr with Mithridates The Venetians with Philippo Visconte Antiochus was a powerfull Enemy against them but the Ottoman a more potent against the Venetian The Romanes maintaind the Confederat Warr the most dangerous that ever was in Italy and the Venetians to resemble them in all things did not onely in Lombardie withstand the Forces of all the Princes of Italy who envied their greatnes but brake them asunder The Romanes after their first establishment wanting women for propagation invited their Neighbours with their Daughters to certain public histrionicall shewes where they surprizd and seazd upon all the Mayds and kept them whence issued a Warr Such an accident happend in Venice upon Her first erection For a great Wedding being to be celebrated where the Bride being full of rich Jewells as also the Bridemayds with others that were invited according to the ancient custom They were assaulted upon a sudden by certain Pyratts who carried them all away as prize to Dalmatia But the Venetians arming those few Gallies they had then poursued them so eagerly and overtaking them they sett upon them with such a resolution that they not onely redeemd the Bride with all the Maydens but having made a great slaughter of the Enemy they took all their Shipps by giving them an utter overthrow And this was the first victory that Venice gott As in quality of Enemies and Warrs so Venice hath much resemblance with old Rome in the management of Her Martiall affaires specially in expecting an exact obedience to Her Commissions and Instructions which must not be exceeded under pain of life or indispensable punishment for if good successe follow it will be imputed to the weaknes of Her Senators who shold have given a larger Commission which prejudice is taken off by chastising the party Herof ther are divers examples but a late one shall serve the turn in the person of Capello who notwithstanding that he had performd a most noble exploit by overcoming the Barbary Fleet som few yeers since and carrying away with him the Admirall Gallie of Algier which now lyeth in the Arsenall among the chiefest Tropheys yet in regard he transcended his Commission he was arraignd as Criminall before the Decemvirat and but for good frends he had breathd his last and hangd by the legg betwixt the two Columns in Saint Marks Place Moreover though Rome had usually mighty Armies abroad yet the Cittie was allwayes so peacefull as if there had bin no Warr at all Therfore when any Generall returnd it was death for him to passe the River Rubicon with his Army So Venice though She have never so many Enemies abroad and Armies in actuall service yet ther is not the least signe of warr or disturbance in the Cittie Her-self but She is peacefull at home and when any of Her Generalls return they may not com within 100. miles of Her Walls under paine of death Of the advantages which Venice hath of old Rome HAving made these parallels twixt old Rome and Venice I will conclude with divers things wherin the last may be sayed to have the advantage or may deserve the priority of the former 1. Rome was born a Pagan Venice a Christian when She was but an Embryon and so suckd farr better milk in her infancy The Romanes added still to their Religion by entertaining new Gods ever and anon from those Countreys they subdued alledging ther could not be too many Gods to support so great an Empire though t is tru a Decree of the Senat was usd to passe before they were admitted into the Pantheon and other Temples which Decree ran in these old Latin words Nemo habescit Deos nâ—…vos aut adveâ—…as nisi publicè ascitos Let none have new Gods or Strangers till they be publickly allowed Venice was never subject to such levities 2. In rarenes of situation Venice is superior to Rome and indeed to any other Cittie on the surface of the Earth for herin She brooks no comparison for when any Stranger comes to see Venice evry day will strike a fresh admiration into him for a long time together and in this particular Rome may be sayed to be as farr inferior to Venice as Tyber is to the Sea in whom the Cittie may be sayed to shine as a pearl in a Muscle-shell 3. In point of navall strength Rome was never comparable to Venice for She never had such a grandeza as Her Arsenall Her Sea-vessells were but shallopps compard to those which are now in use She did but lick the shore whereas Venice did launch out into the Main and rid triumphantly upon Neptune's back Old Rome was ever inclin'd to war her mud-walls having been embrued with bloud at her first foundation She still thirsted after more dominions and Her ambition was interminable so that her Republic was made up of Magna Latrocinia as one sayed Venice on the contrary hath ever sought after peace both for Her-self and Her Neighbours having don the best Offices that way of any state in Christendom It was the vainglory of old Rome to brag of the exploits of Her Children which Venice never useth to do but ther is a Law to the trary 5. For extent of Territories 't is tru that old Rome went beyond Venice yet Venice had a title than which old Rome never had a greater which was that Her Duke was call'd while the Greek Empire lasted Protospiter Graci imperii first father of the Grecian Empire 6. Old Rome had never such potent foes and formidable Armies to cope withall as Venice hath had She never had such a confederacy as that league of Cambray against Her She never had an enemy of such a vast power as the Turk is It were a paradox to hold that old Rome had not brave magnanimous men whom Her own stories magnifie so much and it is as great a paradox to hold that Venice hath
had surpass'd by this time all the Citties of Europe whereas she is now forlorn and squalid coverd over with ashes ignominy and shame having in a moment as it were had her beauty blasted and becom a derision to all Nations and lost the glory of all her former victories But that my speech may return where it began it lieth in your power O Caesar that pardoning and absolving your Venetians you pourchase now to your self a name and glory then which never any got a greater by conquest or victory This Monument no age no time no antiquity or cours of mortall things shall ever deface out of our memories but all Ages shall confesse declare and proclaime you to be the most pious and most glorious of all Princes We your Venetians shall ascribe it to your goodnesse that we live and breath the celestiall air that we have the conversation of men we impute it all to your vertu felicity and clemency This was the lamentable speech that the mayden Republic breath'd out before the Emperour Maximilian by the mouth of her Ambassador Antonio Iustiniano but 't is known that Mayds have teares at will therefore most men thought these words were not cordiall but meer complements and to temporize yet they produced a peace and 't is a cheap peace that is got by a complement but this submission the Republic made was partly recompencd by a generous and pious act she did in refusing the help and Auxiliaries which the Turk offered her so earnestly in those her extremities About Addua she receavd the mortall'st blow that ever she had and it was like to have bin as fatall to her as Canna to the Romans or Pavia to the French King The Genoways also brought her once to a low ebb so that she sent very low proposalls to him which he refusing she made vertu of necessity and reinforcing her self soundly bangd him Before I part with this Mayden City I will make a parallel betwixt her and old Rome for of all the Cities of Italy ther 's none resemble her more in her constitutions and policy nay she is more like old Rome then Rome her self as now she is as if the soul of old Rome by a Pythagorean kind of meterapluchosis were transmigrated into her she is obdurated with the same kind of vigor and vertu as old Rome but it seemes that she is of a far stonger constitution and more constant in her way of policy som do brand the one to be a Shepheards Town at first and Venice a Fisher Town 'T is tru that Rome is fabled to be so so that it might be said that when the Pope came to be her head she was reduced to her first principles for as a Shepheard was the founder so a Shepheard spirituall is still her preserver from utter ruin otherwise she had bin long since turn'd into a heap of rubbish which had becom her Tomb So that Providence seems to have a care of her still though present Rome may be sayed to be but the monument of her self compard to times passd when she was in that florish wherin Saint Augustin did wish to see her She was then of 50. miles circumference as Vopiscus witnesseth and she had 500000. free Cittizens in a famous cense that was made in Claudius his time which allowing but six to evry family in Women Children and Servants came to 3. millions of Soules but She may be sayed to be now but a Wildernes in comparison of that nomber yet She is esteemd to have yet bout 14. miles incircuit Moreover She is much humbled since the Church came to be her Head for wheras She was before elevated upon seven Hills She now spreads her-self upon a flatt having descended to the Plaines of Campus Martius So She who tamd the World seemd to tame her-self at last and falling under her own weight grew to be a prey to Time who with his iron teeth consumes all bodies at last making all things both animat and inanimat which have their being under that changeling the Moon to be subject unto corruption and dissolution A Parallel twixt the Government of old Rome and Venice THe greatest thing wherin old Rome differs from Venice is that after Kings or Souverain Princes Rome was governd by Consulls but here clean contrary after Consulls a Doge or Princely Head came to govern yet doth he carry still the badg of a Consull in the vest upon his back Among the Romans Tribunus Celerum he who had the comand of the Cavalrie had the chiefest charge just so the Venetians use to create a Captain General of the Armies in the Continent and as he at Rome defended the King and Cittie and was the first that assalted the Enemy and the last that left the field so doth the Venetian General therfore he hath the next place to the Prince himself Moreover a good while passd when the Consulls could not levy the cense which evry one according to his substance was bound to pay in regard of other more important affaires wherin they were involvd therfore the Censors were chosen so calld because their first office was to gather the cense which was to know the nomber of Cittizens and putt an estimat upon their states and so a tax afterwards this Magistrat did grow to that esteem and use that he came to have authority allso over the maners and customes of the Romanes and to have Superintendency both of the Senat the Cavalry and Gards In conformity to this office ther are ten Censors in Venice which are calld vulgarly Gli dieci Savii the ten Sages who supervise not only the cense but the Customes allso of the Cittie But the Cittie encreasing and peeple multiplying daylie with busines Venice did choose other Censors giving them authority over the pomp the food and rayment of the Cittizens which Magistrats are calld la Giustitia nuova instituted in the time of Renier Zeno who have authority over all Inns Hostries and Lodgers of Strangers The Romans peeple still encreasing and having Warrs in divers places created in tract of time a new Officer of greater authority whom they calld Dictator from him ther was no appeale to be made and he had in the highest way of authority power over the life 's of men The General of the Sea among the Venetians hath som resemblance with this Officer only with this difference that he is chosen upon extraordinary ocasions but as long as he is abroad he hath a Dictatorian power for to what maritim place soever he arrives he hath the Keys of the Town brought him with those of any Castle or Fortresse But here it is to be observd that this Officer cannot enter Venice with any armed Gallie but as soon as he comes to Istria which is distant 100. miles from Venice he payes the Mariners and all other Officers their Salaries and so disbands them and returns to Venice with a very few of his retinue This corresponds with the custom of the
the Venetians all which was freely condescended unto so that this PHALERIO was the first Duke who in his titles did bear these Provinces The Western Emperor Henry came to Venice to visit St. Mark where the Annallists write of a great miracle that happen'd Anno Dom. 1082. VITALIS MICHAELI was next after in his time a mighty Army of Christians were sent to Syria for recovery of the holy Land he that gave the first hint to the expedition was Peter a French Hermit who gave out that he had a Vision appear'd to him to that purpose hereupon Pope Vrban came expressely to the Councell of Clermont and made this hortative Oration That he was not departed from Rome and come to that holy Assembly for the affairs of the Church of Rome only although it needed greatly to be reform'd but was stir'd up by another occasion which was more holy was likewise more notable that he did not doubt but those who were there assembled had heard tell of what had befaln long since in Syria and chiefly in the Confines of that Region which is call'd the Holy Land the injust usurpation of the holy Sepulcher of our Soveraign Lord Jesus Christ which he could not utter without tears by those cruell barbarous Saracens that there was no Church Altar or any other sacred place but was either raz'd down to the ground by those accursed Mahumetans or converted to their profane uses that the religious peeple dwelling there at such time as the enemy made themselfs masters thereof were constrain'd som for fear of horrible punishment to renounce the Faith of Jesus Christ others that woldpersever therein were destroy'd by fire and sword and others by various sorts of torments were miserably consumed That devout Matrons going thither upon Pilgrimage from all parts of Europe had not bin only forc'd by them to satiat their brutish lust but likewise in contempt and derision of us were tormented by monstrous embracements that if that which he had related was not sufficient in their opinions to incite them to take Arms and to prosecut revenge He besought them at least to consider and call to remembrance how in a short time through the negligence of their Ancestors the forces of Asia were encreas'd and besidesâ—… how far the Mahumetans had in length and breadth extended their Dominions how many Countreys they possess'd who had in times past belong'd to the Roman Empire but wold to God sayed he that the affairs of Christendom were brought to that passe that we were but to complain of other mens miseries we have helas in our daies seen our Italy wholly destroy'd by their incursions and spoils Castles Cities and Churches beaten down and burnt by those sacrilegious persons But wherefore do I relate the murthers captivities rapes other tyrannies never heard of before which this Land hath endur'd a long time seeing that Spain likewise and her Neighbour Aquitain and all the occidentall Provinces have not only felt the like losse but having at this day scarce dried up their tears do stand in fear of the like And ye O Frenchmen though this wound be not yet entred into our bowels no doubt but in regard of your Neighbourhood you have heard and seen somwhat of that whereof I have now spoken and the Germans with other Northwest Nations who have not as yet felt those losses ought often to forethink what dangers menace them from the East nay how neare they are to them already I knovv not if the Venetians were not vvho with strong Garrisons defend the Sea Coasts and vvho have often repulst this cruell enemy from Dalmatia and Istria whether this storm ere this wold have blown into Hungary and Germany The power of the Grecian Empire vvhich vvhilst her strength and vigor lasted vvas vvont to be the bulvvark of Europe on the East and West side is in such sort ruined as the Emperour dreams on nothing but on means and forces vvhereby he may conserve his City of Constantinople vvhich place if vve had lost as God forbid vve may easily conjecture hovv great such a losse vvold be as vvell to all Europe as to him I tremble vvith horror vvhen I do but think vvhat vvill happen if this fire be not quickly quench'd vvhich doth daily more and more kindle all the miseries vvhich have befallen those vvhom vve bevvail hang over our heads men and vvomen shall be reserv'd to satisfie the luxury of those barbarous peeple and ye vvill aftervvards lament vvhen ' t vvill be too late that having had means you have not oppos'd your selfs against these miseries it may be you think 't is impossible this should com to passe so did they once who since have felt it and wold to God we did not feed our selves so often with vain hopes but 't were better O couragious spirits while we have strength councel aid power and money ready and generally what may give hope of a victory to divert this evident perill nor is our enterprize above human strength that Charls surnamed the great in a manner your Countrey-man O ye Germans in regard of the descent of his Ancestors and your King O ye Frenchmen and the glory of your name did drive the Saracens forth of Spain and Aquitain the same Charles constrain'd them to quit Italy the same Charles of whom ye so much vaunt did recover Ierusalem which ye term Holy and drave thence the enemy and by how much glory and â—…eputation is great by so much the more ought it to incite you which are descended from him to attempt som new exploit which may augment this your ancient renown if ye do not thus but give your selfs to rest and idlenesse ye shal not only hazard what your Ancestors have left you but you shall suffer the Native Countrey of our Soveraign King to your great shame and contempt with that of all Christendom likewise to be trodden down by these cruell enemies and his Sepulcher Temple and other holy places to be polluted by murthers rapes and sacriledges Arm your selfs therfore in time and prevent this common infamy pourchase to your selfs and all Europe an assured safety I think you may easily do it for by how much your forces surpasse those of Charles if ye all joyntly undertake this voyage by so much more shall the victory be certain and easie for you the Victors profit shall be great and inestimable by the spoils of so opulent a Nation and such rich Kingdoms but the celestiall reward shall be much greater which in the Name of Almighty God we promise to as many as shall valiantly venture themselfs This flexanimous speech did so heighten and melt the hearts of all that a Croisada was presently resolv'd upon whereunto the Republic of Venice did contribut 200. vessells of all sorts which sayl'd to Ionia under the conduct of Hemico Contareno a Bishop and MICHAELI VITALIS the Dukes son this Fleet did much advantage that mighty expedition though som affirm that the Venetians
lost then above sixty Gallies yet she appear'd again shortly after and about the streight of Gallipoli she lost again sixteen Gallies and the Genoway a little after took Canea in Candy but a peace was at last mediated ' twizt Venice and Genoa Upon these ill successes abroad ther were some treasons detected in Venice but quickly suppress'd Padoa also stir'd but to little purpose The next yeer notwithstanding all the late losses the Republic sends a considerable Fleet against Paleologus the Greek Emperour whereof Iustiniano was Generall because he refus'd to pay the Republic a great sum of money which he ow'd her this Fleet sailing into the Pontik Sea quickly brought Paleologus to reason to repay the mony This victroy did much heighten the spirits of Venice which had somwhat languish'd for her great losses in the Ligustic war with Genoa she also made her self Mistress of Ferrara a little after which being a City fewdetary to the Church of Rome the Pope excomunicated Venice interdicting her from the use of the Sacraments which drew a great deal of odium upon her so that she thought it high time to restore Ferrara to the Popes Legat yet she wold pause a little further upon 't About this time the famous conspiracy of Baâ—…amonti Tepulo was suppress'd who was kill'd by a Venetian woman out of a zeal to her Countrey who had an honorable Pension ever after during life MARINI GEORGO was now created the fiftieth Duke of Venice in his time Zara revolted the sixth time from the Republic but was reduc'd GIOVANNI SOVRANZA succeeded GEORGIO who had govern'd but ten moneths the City which had bin a good while anathematiz'd sent Francisco Dandulo to the Pope this Nobleman being admitted to the presence of Clement who perfectly hated Venice because of Ferrara by a wonderfull example of piety to his Countrey and love to Religion continued a long time on the ground before the Popes Table with an iron chain about his head like a dog untill the Excommunication was taken off which was don upon those acts of penitence Hereupon a little after Venice had a notable successe against Genoa in the Pontik Sea where above thirty bottomes were sunk and taken by JUSTINIANO the Generall FRANCISCO DANDULO who had bin Ambassador with the Pope and by that penance formerly spoken of had got the Excommunication taken off was elected the next Duke the Polani and the Valesians who had bin a long time subject to the Patriark of Aquileia did voluntarily yeeld themselfs under the protection of Venice About this time the Republic did divers exploits upon the Coasts of Syria against the Turks for securing of Navigation upon those Coasts she likewise did many feats in Lombardy her Army took Padoua and Bergamo Brescia also fell under her protection BARTILMEO GRADONICO was chosen next and a little after ther arose one night a most furious Tempest which caus'd such an inundation three foot deep above the streets of the City In this Dukes time ther came Ambassadors from England craving aid against Philip the French King whom the Genoways who were mortall enemies to Venice did favour but nothing could be obtain'd and this was the first time that ther was any acquaintance 'twixt England and Venice which was in the yeer 1332 ther was another revolt in Candie suppress'd ANDREA DANDULO came next to the principality a man of extraordinary parts of learning as well as valour for he compil'd the Venetian story in two styles The Republic sent a Fleet against the Turk which took Smyrna again There was an Ambassadour sent by the Senat to the King of Babylon concerning the Venetians free Trade into Egypt which though stood upon by the Pope in regard they were Infidells was setled Zara had rebell'd now the seventh time but was reduced and Lewis King of Hungarie repuls'd There happen'd a fearfull earthquake in Venice about this time which overturn'd divers steeples and palaces This Earthquake usher'd in a fearfull contagion which brought the City to a pitifull desolation for the time the said earthquake lasting fifteen dayes by intermissions This terible earthquake gives me occasion to desire leave of the Reader to step a little aside out of the great Road of this History and make a short excursion to give a touch of the causes of these dreadfull effects of nature of these tremblings and shiverings of the earth or rather Aguish shaking fits wherunto we find her body is as subject as the body of men or lions who are observed to have their monthly paroxismes The Babylonian Philosophers think the cause of these impetuous motions hapneth by the force of som Planet meeting with the Sun in the region of the earth others hold it to be a vapour a long time engendring in som concavities of the earth and restrain'd from salâ—…ying forth into the air others affirme that 't is a wind peâ—…'d up in the entrails of the earth Pliny sayeth that the earth never quaketh but when the Sea is very calm and the air so still and clear as the birds can hardly bear themselves up and that the winds are then shut up in the bowells of the earth their improper station He addeth further that an earthquake is nothing else but as thunder in the air or an overture and crevice in the earth or as lightning breaking forth violently and making irruptions from the midst of the clouds the wind inclos'd therin and strugling to comforth by force The Stoicks speak of divers sorts of Earthquakes that cause the gapings of the earth the swellings of the water and boiling of the same a horrid confus'd sound commonly precedeth and accompanieth this quaking somtimes like to the roaring of a Bull somtimes to the lamentable cry of som humane creature or like the clattring of armor according to the quality of the matter which is inclos'd or according to the form of the cave and hole or Spelunca through which it passeth which resounds in vaulty and hollow places It waxeth hot in sharp and dry places and causeth defluxions in those that are moâ—…st and humid Now amongst all Earthquakes the agitation of the waters is most dangerous for lightning is not so hurtfull nor the shaking of buildings or when the earth is puff'd up or falleth down by an interchangeable motion because the one keeps back the other The safest buildings are those upon vaults the corners of walls and on bridges leaning one against another beside brick buildings are lesse dangerous in such accidents your skilfull Navigators can foretell these earthquakes at such time as they perceive the waves to swell on a sudden without a wind and likewise those on land may likewise foretell them when they behold birds in a maze to stay their flight or when waters in wells are troubled more than ordinary having a bad unsavoury smell all these are presages of such hideous motions Pherecydes the Syrian drawing water out of a well foretold an Earthquake
how that if they had bin desirous to possesse Towns belonging to other men they wold not have refus'd the offer of those of Furli and of other Cities of Romania who sought much to be under their obedience nor wold they have defended or maintain'd with such extraordinary cost and danger the City of Bologna with others belonging to his Holiness nor have kept them from him and that those Cities had bin taken at such time as the Pope had quitted the League and that they might justly now detain them for the same occasion moreover they had spent a great masse of Tresure in that warr which those Cities were not able to recompence they desired that the King wold take it into serious consideration how much it might import him if those so commodious Cities shold be quitted by his friends and confederats to be given to the Pope who stood so coldly affected to the Crown of France nay even into the hands of the Imperialls seeing that it was apparent how the Pope either by his own proper motion or through fear did wholly depend upon the Emperour that he was besides to consider of their interest and the wrong which wold be offer'd their confederats viZ. the Florentines and the Duke of Ferrara whoquestionlesse wold be greatly distasted hereat and wold cool that heat which pusheth them on to the affairs of the League and moreover how that these Towns did serve for a bridle to contain the Pope within his bounds seeing that without them he wold already have shewed himself an open friend to the Emperor A little after the Republic lends the King of France the Duke of Milan a considerable sum of money Chastillon coms Ambassador to Venice and Brundusium in Apulia is taken by her Admirall Herup on a Treaty of peace was appointed by all parties to be at Cambray and the Republic employ'd Lodovico Falieri to the King of England to entreat him That since he had ever shew'd himself a royall friend to the Republic his Majesty wold be pleas'd as at all other times to take into his protection and to procure that in those affairs which were handled at Cambray nothing might be concluded to the hurt and prejudice of the Republic nor to the liberty of Italy whereof many years before he had to his immortall praise taken upon him the defence while preparations were made on all fides to disturb her if not destroy her About the fag end of this Dukes government Solyman makes warre upon the Hungary and takes â—…uda he warr'd also with the Venetians but against them he had not so good successe for they took Scardona from him and 〈◊〉 in Dalmatia upon this a solemne League was struck 'twixt the Pope the Emporor and the Republic against the common enemy In this Dukes time the Republic sent to the Pope that she might have the nomination of her own Bishops for which he had made divers proposalls formerly but could get no definitive answer herupon ther was a seizure made of the temporalities of divers Bishopricks which the Pope had collated wherat his Holiness was much incens'd The Senat considering the importance and difficulty of the business did deliberat theron in open Councell where opinions were very different but for the present it was decreed that in favour of the Pope the temporalities of those who had bin promoted by his Holiness shold be surrendred them in the Cities under their jurisdiction yet nevertheless they did not give over their demands saying that what they had then done was for the extraordinary respect and reverence they bare to Pope Clement hoping that herafter they wold grant them more than they crav'd The Pope nevertheless who at first made shew that he demanded nothing els but that stood after upon greater difficulties Solyman having made peace with the Persian intended to assail Christendome on all sides by Sea and Land hereupon he entertain'd Barbarossa the famous pyrat and sent word to the Venetians that they shold usâ—… him no more as a Pyrat but one of his own Port. To bear up against Solyman the Senat thought fit to levy the Tenths upon the Clergy but they could not obtain it of the Pope who made answer that he had a purpose to levy two Tenths upon the goods of all the Italian Clergy to employ them for the relief of the Cantons of the Catholic Swissi against the other apostat Cantons who threatned them with war A little after Venice made her self Mistresse of a Town in Dalmatia call'd Obrovatza a place of considerable strength and advantage PIETRO LANDI succeeded Gritti who had continued Prince nere upon sixteen years Guy Vbaldo Duke of Vrbin the old Duke being dead was chosen Generall of the Republic by Land he was allow'd ten Captains pay and four thousand Ducats yearly Salary besides The Senat at that time decreed that four hundred Artificers of the City shold be inroll'd with whom four times a year the Gallies appointed for that purpose shold be mann'd that they might all of them row together which they commonly call'd Regater and pensions were appointed them who had serv'd so thrice This decree pass'd to the end they might be assur'd to have men alwaies fit and ready to mann any nomber of Gallies Ther happen'd a mighty dearth of corn through all Italy in this Dukes time which lighted more heavy upon Venice then any place among other causes which necessitated her to make peace with the Turk but the Marquis of Guasto Governor of Milan and the Lord of Annebalt Marshall of France and her Generall in Piemont came to Venice to divert her they had extraordinary magnificent entertainment both for the quality of their own persons and of the great Princes that sent them The Marquis of Guasto coming to the Senat told them that he was sent by his Imperiall Majesty to acquaint them as his trusty and inward friends with the enterview that he intended to have with the French King and in Flanders with King Ferdinand his Brother and the Queen his Sister who govern'd ther for him assuring them that in the same Assembly of Princes affairs wold be handled concerning the universall good of Christendom and the particulrr advantage of that Republic which the Emperour did as much desire as well as of his own Estates and that now they were ready to assail the Turks with very great Forces The Emperor therefore was desirous to know the Senats will and intentions therein what provision they wold judge to be necessary and what they wold have him to do for his part towards the better managing of this great design Marshall Annebalt spake to the same effect protesting his Kings good will to the common peace of Christendome amd particularly of the Common-wealth of Venice Answer was made by the Senat to the Marquis and the Marshall that their arrival was very pleasing and acceptable as well in respect of the Princes whom they represented as for their own persons for which
that City wold be of no great importance for the taking of the whole Iland that the Nobility and the better part of the peeple were retir'd to Nicotia where all the wealth and strength of the Kingdome was so as that only exploit being perform'd wold quickly put a period to all the rest and their first atchievment give an end to all their designs so they invested Nicotia a City seated in the midst of a Campane in a wholsome temperat air she hath excellent water and the soil is very fruitfull In former times 't was nine miles in compasse but the Venetian the better to fortifie it reduc'd it to three She is proportion'd like a Star with eleven points in ev'ry one of which there is a bulwark made only of earth which were not perfectly finish'd when the Ottoman Army arriv'd but the rules of fortification were so exactly observ'd as the greatest Engines accounted it the most absolute peece in the world There were in the City ten thousand foot among whom were fifteen hundred Italians and the rest were Cypriots some contestation happen'd in Nicotia among the chief Commanders but in Mustapha's Army there was a wonderfull unanimity and obedience who among other choice men had six thousand Janizaries and four hundred Spahies pick'd out of purpose for that expedition Mustapha gives a fierce assault to four Bulwarks at once and they of the City making a sally upon the enemy under Andrea Cortese a Stradiot Captain he was taken prisoner and as soon as he was brought before Mustapha his head was chopt off The Turks pursue their batteries with such a resolution that they made themselves masters of all the Bulwarks and so quickly rush'd into the Town wher the Governor and Bishop with the better sort had retir'd into the Palace and having received Mustapha's word for the safety of their lifes so soon as they had open'd the gates the rabble fell in upon them and put them all to the edge of the sword which being done they ran confusedly and without Ensignes up and down the City seeking spoiling and ruining all things except Churches dishonoring wifes ravishing Virgins and massacring all as they went without distinction of sex or age so that there was slain that day above twenty thousand Christian souls they who were reserv'd were chain'd together and haled over the bodies of their dead friends reaking with hot bloud to prison Thus was the famous City of Nicotia after fourteen daies siege taken and sack'd a place that had flourished in great pomp and pleasure for many ages The Turks did afterwards with much ease become Lords of Cyprus Famagosta excepted whither Mustapha march'd soon after and encamp'd himself three miles from the City causing his horse to make daily incursions to the very gates bearing the head of the chiefest Nicotians upon their Lances points to daunt the souldiers who were rather the more encouraged for revenge so that when he made nearer approaches to the walls they made many sallies out and did notable execution upon the enemy with their Ordnance they demolish'd three Forts which had bin rais'd by Mustapha but it turn'd to their prejudice afterward for thereby they spent above fifty thousand pound weight of powder which they afterwards wanted Winter now approaching and Mustapha having intelligence of a great League which was like to be between the Christian Princes Mustapha did often and by divers insinuating waies sollicit the City to hearken to some agreement touching their rendition but the Captains and inhabitants of Famagosta wold hearken to no parly at all but sent to the Venetian Senat intreating them not to treat with the bloudy barbarous enemy but to send them more forces for they resolv'd to sell their life 's as dearly as ever Christians did Ther was then at Suda in Candy a great Fleet of Christian Gallies both Venetian Spanish and Roman united by a late League there was a consultation among the chief Commanders what to do some held it was best to assault some places belonging to the Turk thereby to enforce the enemy to quit Cyprus and come to the rescue of their own but Zanne the Venetian Generall was of another opinion perswading them to sail directly to Cyprus alledging that the principall design of that Fleet was to preserve that Island which was in so desperate a condition that if they directed their course elsewhere 't was impossible to keep her from utter ruine That the probablest and most magnanimous way was to find out the enemies Fleet because that upon report of their coming the Turks wold be enforced to quit their Land enterprises and retire to their Navy for the defence therof which if they shold not do they were then sure to find their Gallies empty in the haven expos'd to their mercy He added further That though haply the enemy was more in number of vessells and men neverthelesse they were without all doubt in goodness of shipping as also in courage and goodness of quarrell farre superior unto them moreover to approach the enemies Fleet though no other profit shold ensue therof wold increase their own reputation wheras on the contrary to turn away from them wold argue fear and cowardice That it was no sound advice to lose his own first upon hope to get it of another man These reasons being well enforc'd were approv'd by every one as agreeable to the Senats Decree wherupon the whole Fleet consisting of an hundred eighty light Gallies namely one hundred twenty foure of the Venetians forty five of the King of Spain's and twelve of the Popes besides twelve great Gallies and fourteen Venetian men of warre with great number of other vessells of burthen which carried ammunition with other necessaries in which Fleet there were fifteen thousand mercenary footmen besides great numbers of volunteers and most of them Gentlemen this Fleet I say hois'd sails and sail'd with a fair wind towards Cyprus and in three dayes came to Castelrosso which is seated on a rock opposite to Carimania som hundred and fifty miles from Famagosta there they received the heavy news of the taking of Nicotia which did much trouble them therupon a Councell was call'd the next day wherin Doria the Spanish Admirall openly protested That he wold return home saying that he came from Candy with a designe to relieve Nicotia which being lost the cause of his journey ceas'd and that he knew no other reason to expose them to the hazzard of a battail for the enemies being therby grown more insolent wold quickly embark themselves not only to repell but to assail us He added further the unfitnesse of the season winter drawing on and the speciall charge he had for preserving his Fleet by the command of his Catholic Majesty so Doria took his leave of the rest not a little to his dishonor and directed his course for Puglio and so to Sycily Colonna the Popes Admirall and Zanne desirous to do somthing remain'd still together but having intelligence
Uluzzali King of Algier with an Admirall Gally The Battail of Succours Amurat Bragat in an Admirall of Constantinople Caram Casli Hassam Rais. These were Captains of Foists also Abdula Rais. Aligau Assan Cus Ali. Ginzel Ali. Curtat Celebin Deli Bey Saudagi Memy These were Foists also Dardagno Reis had an Admirall of Constantinople Deli Dorni he had a Gally Cuidar Memy Governour of Sio Shetagi Osman Haeder Delius Heder Armat Merney Susan Reis Giafer Bey Cabil Sinam Amurat Reis Sariogi Grafer Mor Ali. All Foists Piali Murat he had a small Gally Caragiali Rais. Murat Alias Jumez Alias Bostagi Murat Foists Assan Sinan a Gally of Constantinople Deli Sulmian was in an Admirall of Constantinople So that the nomber of all Bottomes came to 270. Vessels All things thus dispos'd of Ali Bassa richly cloath'd andarm'd after the Turkish manner thus spake in the Poop of his Gally to the Captaines and Commanders ther assembled to receave direction Most heroick Captains and invincible Ianizars the scourge of the Christian and right hand of the Ottoman Empire we have hertofore taken pains to fetch ourslaves but now our enemies have brought them us despairing of their successe by Land they are come to try the same fate in another Element as if ther were any important difference to burn on shore and drown at Sea they have changed place but not spirit the same effeminacy which they had in other parts they have transported hither constant only in their vices and vanities magnanimity and the effect therof brave honor are not more hereditary and inherent in us then cowardize and servility in them we much exceed them in nomber but more in weight of ability We were soldiers when children they children now they are men what are their soldiers but Players Minstrells and Tumblers a multitude of unghelt Eunuchs what is their Generall but a youth fitter to lead a Mask then an Army what are both but the remainder of this years victory wherof Cyprus was the late rich earnest neither can they so soon forget to yeeld as we to overcom therfore be confident brave fellows in arms that not resolution but their destiny hath brought them bither Italy is the Gate of Christendom and Venice the key of Italy this Fleet is that Barre which if you can either break or put back all flies open before you and we shall go beyond Caesar in the West or Alexander in the East making the rising and setting Sun the confines of the Turkish Empire Go on then let us fill the Sea with their bodies our Gallies with their Wealth our selfs with the honor and glory of both The Christians having in all respects provided for so great an attempt as far as human wisdom and strength could extend considering this Fleet to be their Ark and God himself interested in the controversie ceased not with importunat but most humble invocations to implore the aid of heaven which by their Confessors was confidently promis'd them Their devotions concluded and each battail facing each other the charge was given by a Canon from Ali the Turkish Admirall and answer'd by one from each wing with obstreperous clamours after their custom which they think awakens the courage of the soldier with amazement and terror to the enemy they quickly make towards the Christian Fleet who in a differing manner made Trumpets Drums Fifes and other such Martiall music the delightfull Prolog to a more dreadfull Scene Venieri back'd his Gally with two other of Giovanni Lâ—…redano and Catarinâ—… Malipietro Colonna did the like with two other and now being within distance of their Ordnance the Turks passing by the Galeasses were inexpectedly torn by their great shot which brake forth on all sides like thunder and lightning out of some black cloud they being high and close fearfully spoil'd the naked Turks and Rowers making that breach at which the Christian Fleet entred for it disordred them so that they had no time to recollect themselfs in which confusion desperatly passing the Galeasses they ran upon a sharper point of danger for the wind resisting the swiftnesse of their approach stayed and set them up as dead marks to the Christian Ordnance which had more certain aim at them lying still then in motion and course besides it did benight them with smoak augmenting the terror of those invibcile mischiefs which they felt but could not see either to shun or revenge the hideous noise of som commanding others answering the cracks of Gallies falling foul of each other terrified both the Turk who suffer'd and the Christian which heard it victory appearing to them in a dreadfull countenance in som Gallies the Officers slain the Slaves brake loose and like Lions slaughter'd their Keepers in others the powder taking fire casually seem'd to rebell against them besides shooting them up for Sacrifices to that Christ whom they blasphemed here men falling over board wanted Gallies here Gallies emptied of their companions wanted men and floated like dead bodies without souls which Mehemet Syrock now finding himself a truer Prophet then he desired observing withdrew himself from the body of the Fleet thinking to circumvent the Christian left wing betwixt whom and Siroch Augustin Barbarico oppos'd his Squadron wherwith he shut up the passage the easier because of a promontory call'd Michangali which extended it self that way Maâ—…no Câ—…tarint resolv'd to be a sharer with his Oncle Barbarico both in honor and danger and so follow'd and united himself to that Squadron betwixt whom a most cruentous fight pass'd on both sides the Tuâ—…h left wing commanded by Vluzzali and confronting our right was very nere to have joyn'd with Doria who considering himself inferior in nomber of Gallies he having but fifty his enemy ninety 〈◊〉 it not Vluzzali balancing with the Christian his own odds of strength was contented likewise to abstain Doria after some suspence stood out to Seaward with certain of his Gallies a mile from the remainder in the mean time Don Iohn Colonna and Venieri the the confederat Admiralls in exact order incountred the middle battail of the enemy exchanging at the approach divers volleys of great shot with much disadvantage to the Turks the Christian Vessells being snug and stooping from the Ordnance of the Turks higher Gallies and many of their peeces choak'd with Christians bullets casually shot into their mouths and ther sticking which difficulties bred rather fury then despair in them and induced them by violence of oars to make hast to grapple that ther fighting hand to hand the difference might be decided by pure Man-hood therfore now being nearer swarmes of arrows and small shot interchangeably stung both sides with artificiall fires reciprocally lightning ev'ry where at last death and wounds drest variously were the entertainment of that visitation whence sprung such a deluge of bloud that the Gulph of Lepanto might have bin call'd the Red Sea for the time Now Stroch perceaving himself not onely frustrated the interposition of Barbaricos Squadron
great Turk upon news herof storm'd mightily and rag'd so far that he vow'd a revenge Therupon he sent for the Christian Ambassadors that resided at that time in the Port relating unto them by the mouth of his Visier what affronts he had receiv'd of the Malteses and that he wold peck that little scabb of an Island into the bottom of the Sea disguising his displesure all the while he bore against the Venetians who was more in his thoughts so a great Fleet was provided against Malta as was given out though his aym was against Candy St. Sackvile Crow then Ambassador in Constantinople for the King of great Britain had such choice intelligence that he acquainted the Venetian Bailio herof and writ allso to the late Earl of Arundell who was then in Padua to give advice herof to the Senat that the Turk arm'd for Candy but the Senat having no notice therof from their own Bailio made no account of the intelligence wherin the World adjudg'd Venice to com far short of her wonted circumpection For that Sommer the Turks with a formidable Fleet and Land-Army did in a maner surprize Canea the second Port of Candy coming with such a resolution as if they came to meet a Victory and not expect one The newes herof being brought to Ibraim it puff'd him up very much though he was over-heard to mutter That if he overcame so often he shold lose all at last for above 50000 Turks wherof the third part were Ianizaries perish'd in that expedition The next Sommer the Bassa of Bosnia tumbled into Dalmatia with a great land Army but he was repell'd with much vigor so that in regard he did no exploit he was sent for to Constantinople wher Ibraim caus'd him to be strangled The Republic being now sadly engag'd in a War against so potent an enemy betook Her-self to Her Prayers more fervently making a vow to build a Chappell to Saint Lorenzo a holy man who had liv'd about 400 yeers since in Venice which She perform'd with much magnificence The next Sommer She had notable successe against the Turk in Dalmatia in divers places and made Her-self Mistresse of Clissa a place of mighty strength and much consequence being frontire twixt Bosnia and Dalmatia The Baron of Dagenfelt was employed by the Republic in Dalmatia but in this expedition of Clissa Generall Foscolo Count Schotto and Proveditor Georgio were chief Mehemet Bei Sangiac of Clissa after the Articles of rendition were concluded was to send four Hostages whereof Filippovich was chief who after fled away whereupon the Sangiac himself stood for him and sent a Letter of this humble tenor to Foscolo TO the most mercifull and preordain'd by God to all good fortune the most excellent Lord Generall of the Venetians the most humble reverence of Master Mehemet Bei Sangiac of Clissa After that we had tasted of your Excellencies grace and concluded the Trety Filippovich hath betray'd us whose face ought for ever to freeze with shame but his base flight hath not only stain'd his own honor but it hath allso don us much wrong if you think that I had any hand in his escape I stand to your mercy for we are all in your hands and I will be responsible for the fugitif I attend your answer and God exalt you to higher honors At the taking of this Town the Christian Soldiers were so flesh'd in bloud and heated for losses they had formerly receav'd for a great many of the Morlacchi perish'd in the action that the Generall could not hold them within the bounds of obedience but they fell furiously upon the Turks after they had entred the Town and hack'd them to peeces notwithstanding the Articles to the contrary Generall Foscolo being got into the Town planted the Venetian Standard in the Market place and then kneeling upon the Turkish Banners he heard Masse sayd by the Archbishop of Scutari and afterwards Te Deum was solemnly Sung and so lowd that the very Heavens ecchoed with the sound 700 Ianizaries were slain and above 300 wounded in this siege and about 200 Christians Ther was a great debate in the Senat at Venice touching Clissa whether she shold still stand or be demolish'd they who perswaded a demolition usd these arguments That Clissa though never so famous and well fortified yet was she known to be expugnable insomuch that the Turk might recover her by the same meanes as the Venetian got her That Ibraim finding his greatnes to be eclipsd herby wold venture all his forces to regain her Or that happly the Turkish Army might leave her behind and march on to Spalato or Tragurio and so cut off all succors from her That in case a peace ensued Clissa must be rendred therfore to bestow any money to fortifie Her was superfluous The Venetian tresure shold be employd to strengthen her own Forts and not the enemies lastly that it stood more with the prudence of the Republic to conserve rather than conquer They of the contrary opinion alleg'd that Clissa was allwayes esteem'd a thing inexpugnable for her situation as allso for the valour of the puissant State that now holds her that she hath repell'd in former times an Army of 20000 Combatants that she stood very conveniently to stave off the Turk from rushing into Dalmatia Moreover it wold tend to the dishonor of the Republic to raze Clissa in regard the World will judg that she did it for want of strength or courage to preserve her That Venice was us'd to shew her power not only upon the ruines but allso within the fortifications of the enemy That the keeping of Clissa will render a peace more easy That the Soldiers wold lose the comfort they use to receave in a conquer'd place c. This second opinion prevayl'd therfore Monsieur d'Amur with other Engineers were presently sent to fortifie the Town of Clissa according to the modern Rules As by Land so by Sea allso the Republic bore up stoutly and successfully against her formidable Foe this yeer for meeting with a great Fleet of Turkish Gallies and Mahoons in the Egean Sea she chas'd them into the Bay of Foggia Phocis of old where som English Ships and a Scottish Vessell did her som signall service for the Turkish Fleet having fled into the bottom of the Bay the Ianizaries ran ashore insomuch that the Captain Aga set out a Proclamation wherin he promised such a reward for any that wold bring the Head of a dead Ianizary or his living Body Had the Venetian Fleet poursued the Turks into the bottom of the Bay in all probability they might have don the Turks much mischief at this conjuncture of time but it seems the Generalls Comission extended not so far and Venice loves to have her Comissions punctually observ'd The Sommer following the Republic did hold the great Turks Nose so close to the Grindstone that his Gallies durst not peep out of the Dardanelli into the Egean Sea yet hath he powr'd new forces