Selected quad for the lemma: friend_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
friend_n	friendship_n	king_n	sharpen_v	24	3	16.3596	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A05184	The historie of George Castriot, surnamed Scanderbeg, King of Albanie Containing his famous actes, his noble deedes of armes, and memorable victories against the Turkes, for the faith of Christ. Comprised in twelue bookes: by Iaques de Lauardin, Lord of Plessis Bourrot, a nobleman of France. Newly translated out of French into English by Z.I. Gentleman.; Historia de vita et gestis Scanderbegi. English	Barleti, Marin, ca. 1460-1512 or 13.; Jones, Zachary.	1596 (1596)	STC 15318; ESTC S113043	769,033	528

husband for his daughter The conditions and couenaunts of the mariage were as soone and easily agreed on and dispatched as they were thought vppon and deuised Scanderbeg referring it to the discretion of the father to determine of his daughters dowry and as it liked him to ordaine and nominate it so was it freely and voluntarily accepted Neuerthelesse it was correspondent and aunswerable to dignity both of him which gaue it and of the person also which receiued it The espousals were presently celebrated and solemnized and without any delay at all Great were the triumphes and publique reioycings of all the Prouince at this mariage and the Bride was as speedily brought home with a Princely traine and most royally accompanied by all the neighbour Princes and almost all the nobility of the countrey who did honour the feast with great pompe and incomparable magnificence Such as could not be present did honour them with their Ambassadours and most sumptuous presents All in generall did reioyce at this straight knot of affinity betweene these two the most puissaunt Princes of Albany which gaue them some appearance and probability of hope that in time to come their forces being vnited would preserue and defend the prouince against all inuasions and perils of the warre whatsoeuer The Seigniours of the estate of Venice did testifie both by an ambassade as also by rich presents sent him out of their common treasure the great good liking and contentment which that Senate receiued by this mariage And in like manner all other Princes and Potentates did largely expresse the like affection and the singular good will which they bare him in this publique cause of ioy and gladnesse as they had done before in the times of his greatest troubles and daungers for as the common saying is those are the two seasons wherein true amity and friendshippe doth make shew and triall of itselfe That which was sent from the king of Arragon was in all and euery part so singular and magnificall that Scanderbeg as the report goeth would not haue accepted it if his nearest and most familiar friends and the instant prayers and intreaties of the Spanish Ambassadours had not vehemently importuned him thereunto In lieu and recompence whereof after hee had accepted them he sent backe vnto the King other presentes of no lesse value and estimation as horses slaues and other riches and treasures which he had taken as the spoiles of his enemies the Barbarians In this manner was this great feast solemnized with no lesse pompe and magnificence then reputation and renowme For besides that already spoken of the tourneys iustes triumphes and other spectacles of diuerse sorts hauing prizes and rewards of excellent value appointed for those that should best deserue them did stir vp the courages of the young gallants on all parts who shewing themselues couetous of glory and flocking thither to those triumphs did by their presence greatly augment the beauty of that assembly Mahomet was not ignoraunt of any of these things nor of the fortifications of Croy and it is thought that he would willingly haue troubled the ioy of our Albanois but being partly retayned with his domesticall occasions as newe kingdomes commonly doe engender new infirmities and new disorders and partly also being intentiue to the heaping of great summes of money and to the enriching of his treasures he was constrained for a season to forbeare from any such enterprise Notwithstanding in the middest of his threats and menaces as he was very talkatiue and free of his speeches he called his mariage the vnhappy and short ioy of that vnfortunat couple saying that it should not be long ere he would sauce their new contentments with deadly teares and lamentations One thing there was which Scanderbeg had not yet done and which of a long time he had no leysure to put in execution by reason of his continuall lets and hinderaunces of the warres and that was to visite all the frontiers townes and passages of his Realme which at this time he accomplished hauing with him in company his new spouse and a good troupe of horsemen and he spent many daies in that recreation In all places where he passed the people by great flockes in a certaine kinde of emulation did enforce them selues euery man according to his degree to receiue him into their townes with magnificall and royall entertainment and with a thousand sortes of goodly shewes and spectacles and or rich presentes according to the vttermost of their power and abilities they did gratifie both him and his princesse There was not any one but was most gratiously accepted without any shew of dislike or any token of disdaine all of them were receiued with a chearfull countenaunce and like courtesie not onely those which came full handed but euen they also who wanting meanes to shew and testifie their good willes did present him with their good heartes and the prodigall bounty of their affections The King holding on his course in this progresse did visite euery particular place euen to the entry of Macedony and to the very farthest limits and borders of his countrey When he came into the lower Dibria he obserued one place aboue the rest by which the Barbarians had euer vsed and accustomed to make their inuasions vppon Albanie and by sodaine roades and foragings to wast and destroy at their pleasures the goods of the inhabitaunts and to surprize and oppresse them at vnawares For albeit there were many other waies and passages into the Prouince yet this same onely was as it were the most commodious and on that side more then any other did the Christians also vse to inuade and harrie the fieldes and territories of the enemies In this place therefore he determined during that litle time of rest which he enioyed and whilest the troubles of armes ceased to depriue the Turkes of this opportunity of annoying of his people and to prouide for the preseruation and safetie of his subiectes This was a mountaine which they of the countrey call Modrissa very ragged and of a great height from the which the frontiers of the Infidels may be very well discouered a great waie off On the toppe of this mountaine he resolued to build a fortresse and to fortifie it with good store of souldiours such as being prompt and vigilant should by shooting off their artillery aduertise the inhabitants at all times of the comming and arriuall of the Turkes and to the intent also that the neare neighbourhood of that Fort should serue for a place of refuge vnto his people whensoeuer they should be driuen vppon any necessity to flie from the enemy a thing which he had long before conceiued in his thoughts and many times assayed to put in execution but was alwaies compelled to leaue vndone by reason of the daily and continuall troubles of the warres For this cause without making any long delay and for that him selfe would not long dwell in delightes

might with their eies haue bene witnesses Scanderbeg hauing now enrolled and taken a generall view and muster of his souldiers and publique vowes and prayers being offered vnto God by euery man according to his owne fancie departed from Croy and encamped neere to the lower Dibria where euery day he heard newes that the enemy approched Therupon he bethought himselfe that being newly made their Chieftaine and Captaine he ought to vse some speech to his new souldiers for which cause commaunding silence Thus he began to speake vnto them I would wish my companions that you had happened vpon me as your Captaine and that I might haue enioyed your notable faithfull seruice when my affaires had bene in greater prosperity and in a time wherin my reigne had bene more happy and fortunate For nowe being ashamed of the many bondes and obligations whereby I see my selfe tyed vnto you I would not haue inuited you to the discommodities of new warres and to so many fresh mischieues but hauing bene so well receiued and entertained by my Citizens I would then haue yeelded them at my ease and leisure and with patience that due thankes and recompence which long before this time I had prepared my selfe to render vnto them and as a Chieftaine that seeth his souldiers embrued and couered with blood I would make no spare of my selfe in recompence of your labours trauels and daungers and for the blood of the enemy which you haue heretofore shed so valiantly But seeing the destinies haue so ordained and that it pleaseth fortune that I must discouer vnto you my affaires and that I must be an occasion rather of your paines then of your tranquilitie and rest Consider I pray you that it standeth vs vpon to endure it valiantly and patiently and to submit our selues to whatsoeuer difficulties this warre shall bring with it to the intent that one day we may liue in peace and quiet It behoueth vs willingly and with francke and readie mindes to take armes to breake the bondes of so long a seruitude and bondage and the enemie being chased from our partes afterwardes to reioice our selues in a more happie kinde of life and in a perdurable and lasting libertie whereunto it is not needfull that I paine my selfe to animate and incense you For that as all of you doe now shew your selues affectioned to take my part so is it most certaine that wordes as the saying is doe not increase hardinesse in men that are couragions ad hereunto that I canne say no more vnto you with my weapons in my hand then you being in armes ought to know of your owne selues The enemy whom you haue nowe neare you will aduerise you thereof sufficiently the indignitie of so many iniuries the wrath and hatred which they haue conceiued doe admonish you of it and doe arme you against them the yoke of our bondage shaken off and broken the libertie both of our bodies and of our soules the mortall hatred of Amurath the qualitie of the Barbarian the cruell commandementes the horrible executions wherewith he doth aduance himselfe to sucke vp our blood and last of all the proces of the finall ruine and destruction of vs all being now past and fully concluded on all these doe inuite you to take armes against him If then our countrey the loue whereof containeth all loue and for which we ought to thinke that we haue neuer shed sufficient of our blood if the particular vertue of euerie one of vs if the honour and nobilitie of our kindred doe strengthen the courage of anie man let them animate you my friendes to betake you to armes and to sharpen your launces You haue by my pursuite and procurement so speedily and without the losse of one drop of blood recouered Croie the seate of your forefathers Spare not now in defence thereof to shed your bloud if neede be This is the daye wherein both hope and oportunitie doe present themselues vnto you for the recouerie of your countrey so long time lost and for the raysing of you to great and high fortune you haue chosen me either for your companion or your Captaine before any other and I wil not be the last in any labors in any hazards whatsoeuer and if peraduenture in other things my forwardnes shal not be seconded with as good fortune yet will I neuerthelesse make known vnto you the conditions the conceites the wiles and policies of the enemy with whom it may be by the diuine ordinance I haue spent the most part of my yeares to my owne hindrance and haue bene instructed in them to the end they might serue to ayde you at this present It would be vnpleasing vnto me heere to report vnto you their base and vile condition but that hope which maketh promise of a victorie lesse painefull doth render the souldier more resolute and deliberate What other thing are they but the dregs and scum of slaues and raskals gathered together more accustomed to theftes and robberies then to a true warre and a iust kinde of fight and combat Is it certaine that this sort of men whose name is so famous amongst persons fearefull and timerous should be those Turkes the slaues and fugitiues of the Scythians whose fathers as some say had their dwellings beyonde the Ryphean mountaines and the Isles of Tarracont euen in the heart and bosome of the North and in the Northerne Ocean A nation filthy villanous and opprobrious nourished in dennes secret corners and filthie places who not discerning the flesh of Wolues and Vultures doe fill and satisfie their hunger vpon humaine abortiue bodies and who can very hardly glorifie themselues of any one battell gotten well and honestly It may be that they haue vsurped by fraude and deceite most large and ample dominions and that they will from time to time daily purchase more both better and fayrer as long as matter shall be giuen them whereupon to exercise their treason and infidelitie Here nowe me thinkes I see how Amurath betaketh himselfe to his wiles sleightes and subtelties when his other assayes shall not be able to preuaile against you Beholde and marke well this subtell and cautelous Ottoman who will make you faire and goodly promises vppon the hope of others misfortunes It seemeth vnto him belike that there is not any where any kinde of people but they should be like vnto the Greekes Bulgarians and Misians all which beeing inueigled and blinded in their owne misfortune and destruction more then was conuenient after they had simply and in good faith yeelded themselues vnto him the good Prince did either driue them all into exile and banishment or did depriue them of their sight or did mangle and deforme their members and wholly disfigure them That which I nowe tell you my friendes is to admonish you as those whom I esteeme and set by as those to whome I haue consecrated my life and my bloud to the intent you may glue me by this subiect

friendship to his friends and companions because he would not haue it thought that he was come thither to that onely intent and so should returne mocked and scorned by the enemie he sought out some fit matter whereupon to display his rage and choler and to leaue them some subiect and occasion likewise of griefe and lamentation For this cause he sent abrode his soldiers ouer all the fields lying within view and sight of Belgrade who made notable hauocke of all things with sword and fire not sparing either trees vines or any thing else and giuing the citizens a most lamentable spectacle through the spoile and desolation of all the countrey round about them And not content therewithall he proceeded yet further for passing on euen close to the wals which he might well do without any great danger he omitted not to do them any dammage mischiefe and displeasure which his wrath and furie could inflict vpon them Some haue affirmed and many do confirme no lesse that the garrison issued out made a braue sally forth vpon them and partly with their ordinance and partly with the aduenture of their persons did seeke to beate them from the walles hauing first set fire on their suburbs and that after a long sharpe and bloudie skirmish wherein the Christians had the better they were beaten backe within their gates Whereupon because Tanusee stood in doubt lest the next garrisons of the Turkish frontiers might come vpon him and suddenly oppresse him he would not giue anie further attempt against them but with a million of curses and execrations he left and abandoned those vnfortunat places which were so infamous by the ruine and slaughter of the Christians Scanderbeg at his being in Dibria held many counsels great assemblies wherein he consulted with the most graue and auncient persons of that countrey endeuoring aboue all things to sift and search out if there were any other conspirators or consorts of Moses yet remaining in the prouince or any secret sparks or tract of his treason left behind him And besides all priuie and secret meanes vsed to enquire of it there was publike proclamation made with sound of trumpet promising a great summe of money to those that could and should detect any such conspirators But there was not found so much as any shew of suspition of any such matter And therfore the Dibrians were highly commended for their loyaltie and the assured constancie of their faith Besides that he bestowed great bountiful rewards amongst them to continue them in their good deuoire and dutie Moses his goods and such pensions offices wherewith Scanderbeg had before honored and aduanced him were confiscated and seized to the kings coffers and resumed into his hands many of which he bestowed vpon particular persons The Gouernorship of the countrey and garrison of Dibria was retained still in the kings hands and bestowed vpon no man but was kept voyd for a season by the good liking and consent of all men especially of the souldiers The affaires of the Dibrians being thus ordered and put in good assurance with a good and strong garrison he returned thence to Croy where Tanusee was also then ariued with his armie the which he hauing resigned into the hands of the Prince he retired himselfe in extreme griefe and sorow to his owne house where at his returne the lamentations sighes and sorowes began afresh to berenewed amongst the friends and kinsmen of Musache euery body grieuing and mourning for his mischance And Mamisa the widow of the deceased hauing called together according to the custome of that natiō many Ladies Gentle womē graue matrons did celebrate the obsequies of her husband longtime mourning bewailing his death neuer ceasing day nor night with abūdance of tears to lamēt the losse of him which she held most deare vnto her Scanderbeg hauing dismissed his owne army did determine also to send away those Neapolitans which were left aliue after the battel of Belgrade and together with them an Ambassade to the king Alphonsus to certifie him of the truth of his misfortune and to excuse himselfe Accordingly assoone as they were in case to trauell he courteously thanked them of their paines and companie and so embarked them for Italie which done he tooke his iourney into the countrey appertaining to Musache towards his sister both to mitigate their publicke and priuate sorrowe and in this time of affliction and discouragement to aduise vpon the affaires of his estate Tanusee was appointed to be Tutour and Gardian of the person and goods of his nephewes who did continually carrie him selfe with such loue sinceritie care and diligence that greater could not haue bene found in a kind and naturall father The honour title and dignitie with the Signiorie of the countrey did remaine in the mother who mannaged that Estate and gouerned the people with such moderation and dexteritie of spirite that there was neuer seene greater concord and vnitie among the inhabitants of the Prouince then was during the time of her gouernement which is a thing seldome seene by reason that the common sort ordinarily being mutinous and disobedient are hardly restrained within the limits of their duety and allegeance But herein especially was the soueraigne prudence and singular iudgement of this Lady to be admired that as it is generally confessed Scanderbeg did oftentimes vse her as a most faithfull consort and associat in the manadging of the affaires of the estate and was much and vsually aduised and counselled by her Shee would neuer yeeld to any second mariage but euen to the last gaspe of her life shee honoured the memory of her beloued spouse not without a singular commendation of her continency and chastity wherein shee continued and perseuered most deuoutly induced thereunto it may be not onely in regard of her owne naturall grauity and modesty but because shee being a woman of an excellent and noble minde did esteeme the losse of her husband to be irreparable For not to speake any thing of his other vertues which are most ordinary and proper to men and whereof he gaue sufficient testimony by his glorious end he was euen by nature so louely and amiable of so fine and pleasing a behauiour and of so sweete a conuersation that no creature liuing knew better no● with greater facility then he how to insinuat himselfe into the affections of men and to purchase their good loue and liking Besides the beauty and comelinesse of his person wherewith he was notably graced and which is the proper obiect that women doe affect and the elegancy of his goodly and tall stature did fit singularly well to the perfections of his minde But whilest we haue our eyes thus fastened and our minds too too carefully busied in contemplation of our Christians and doe tediously pursue the plaintes and griefes of them in particular we doe not listen to the sound of Sebalias his trumpets which

the midst of our common rancor and hostility there shall be no default nor good-will wanting so farre forth as thy deserts shall require it As touching the surceasing from armes and giuing ouer the ordinary rodes and excursions of our souldiers I can promise thee nothing neither will I tye my self to any thing for I cannot be drawne to like of any appointment but seeing that I my selfe haue bene so disdained as greatly do I disdaine to grant it And albeit our vehement and ardent desire of reuenge in regard of thy owne honest and good cariage may be somewhat abated and mitigated yet assure thy selfe that our publike hatred and enmitie shal be in no part diminished And if peraduēture either the varietie of times or of fortune do make vs that we shew not our selues so fauorable in this case yet it may be that this our priuat friendship shall not be altogether vnprofitable but that it may fall both to thy benefit honor Hamur after he had kissed the hand of him that was both his friend and his enemy retired himself to his company being neither altogether contented nor yet discontented with this answer Si●●m in like maner within a while after presented himself with the like flatteries before Scāderbeg at such time as he vnderstood of his being in those quarters and he found him not more obstinate then did his companion for both the common people and the most part of the Albanian souldiers enclining to the peace which had bene so long demanded did shew that they wold not make it very strange nor difficult to accord and agree vnto it Wherfore their minds growing by degrees to like of ease and quietnesse the garrisons were in some sort lessened and diminished in such sort that that Sommer was spent and passed ouer without any troubles or tumults or rather in great slouth and idlenesse About this time happened the sorowfull and vnhappy death of Alphonsus king of Naples the report whereof being brought to Scanderbeg who was then busily employed in ciuill matters concerning his estate and in other affaires of the prouince● it did so sequester and withdrawe him from all occasions both publique and priuate and it did so wound his heart with such extreme sorowe and deepe griefe that hauing lost all remembrance of his late victorie and letting passe all care and regard of his enemies for many dayes together in great discomfort he mourned for the losse of his dearest and best friend And to speake the truth this king was not vnworthie to be lamented with the long and continuall plaints and teares of the Epirots and other his confederates but euen the whole world might well deplore his death And how beit the cleare testimonie of his heroycall vertues hath bene published and highly aduaunced by so many worthy and excellent personages yet might it be imputed vnto me for a great fault ouersight if I should not by the way as it were in a word or two touch it It may well be sayd that when this Prince died there departed the onely and best Mecaenas that then liued For all degrees and qualities of persons both learned and martiall as wel scholers as souldiers were left desolate destitute of their best patron and had iust cause to be sad and sorowfull for his losse With him was extinguished the iust and true reward both of letters and of armes and the true ornament of all commendable exercises There was not his like seene for many ages before nor be it spokē without the displeasure of the posterity was there euer any one since him that was so vpright an estimator of the vertues and merits of other men And it is no small matter to be wondred at that being a Prince of so rare incomparable curtesie affabilitie clemencie and liberalitie yet no one Prince of his time did leaue so great riches and treasures behind him Good cause therfore had Scanderbeg to bewaile and lament the losse of so trustie and puissant a friend from whom if we respect either his abilitie or his willingnesse he might at all times and vpon all occasions haue drawne any thing both for his honor and for his profit as out of a plentifull treasurie store-house prepared for his owne priuate and particular vse One thing onely there was which did in some sort comfort him asswaged the bitternesse of his grief that was that he saw himself depriued ofso good a frend by the extremity course of his aged years and not by any rigorous or iniurious right of nature or by other casualty That pietie and dutie which rested on his part to be performed in this behalf he dispatched it presently with all prudence and celeritie sending away with all speed his Ambassadours vnto Ferdinand his sonne both to deplore the accident of the king his father as also to congratulate him as the maner is of his new crowne and dignitie and by the remembrance of his fathers benefits of the friendship and amitie which he bare to the estate of Albanie to renew and increase this alliance and confederacy between them This ambassade was also accompanied furnished with most sumptuous presents as he had alwayes vsed and accustomed and they had expresse charge and order to bring backe Amese with them who had neuer ceased to practise and make meanes by the authoritie and fauour of his friends and the commiseration of his owne misfortune that he might be reconciled and restored to the fauour and good grace of his vncle He was as yet prisoner vnder sure and safe custodie and albeit in this chaunge of the affaires of Naples in this new greatnesse of Ferdinand there were many and great alterations and that in this new and publike time of ioye the prisons were set open most of the prisoners set at libertie yet to the intent that Scanderbeg might not haue cause to find himselfe aggrieued if he should haue bene freed there was especiall care and order taken to keepe him still in ward as a certaine sure pledge of his vncles iust anger This Ambassade was receiued and entertained with great honor good cheare such as the tumult and stirres of that new kingdome would permit for so it was in very truth that all things were then in trouble disorder and the peace of all Italie was broken and disturbed by the decease of the late king Alphonsus Amese being brought backe into Epire was againe committed to prison and carefully kept in sure and safe custody by the order of his vncle though not so straightly as before and that seueritie and rancour which yet remained began by litle and litle to be asswaged by the daily lamentations teares and petitions of his nephew in such sort that within a while after of a fatherly loue and tender affection he gaue him both his life liberty and restored him to his former estate dignities Then Amese bethinking himself of the gages

entire for thee as most puissant most sage and most inuincible Princes both by sea and lande and such as neuer abandoned their faithfull friends and allies nor neuer abused or deceiued any person that put their trust and affiance in them And whensoeuer my sonne the ioy of my heart thou shalt returne and be seated in thy roiall throne and that it shall please God to giue thee the quiet and peaceable possession thereof and that thou shalt haue taken vpon thee the gouernement and managing of thy estate principally and aboue all things see that thou doe administer and yeeld iustice to all men indifferently for of all vertues she is the most noble and most excellent keepe and obserue equity without any acceptance or difference of the faces of poore or rich of the weake or mightie vse temperance and moderation in all thy actions strengthen thy realme with friendship and amitie of good men for neither are great treasures nor strong armies the garrison or fortresse of estates and Empires but true and faithfull friends which are not to be gotten with siluer and golde but are purchased with good offices of courtesie kindnesse and fidelitie And therefore that diuine speech of king Philip reprehending the great Alexander his sonne is yet extant in record what motion quoth he hath induced thee my sonne to this vaine hope to thinke or surmise that they will continue faithfull and trustie vnto thee whom thou hast purchased for money to be thy friends It is loue that must yeeld true and vnfeigned friendship For as this earth on which we liue doth desire aboue all things the presence and comfort of the sunne which we see in the heauens so the life of man cannot be without friendshippe and amitie Thou therefore my sonne shalt soone get and purchase all these things if thou beleeue and follow my counsell thou shalt draw vnto thee thou shalt binde vnto thee all the world by thy benefits if thou obserue my precepts and commaundements For courtesie beneficence and bountie are the only vertues acceptable to God pleasing to men sure and secure in all places exempted from all perils and they doe engender and stirre vp in the spirits and minds of men a wonderfull and admirable loue and liking of them easily surmounting exceeding all other vertues and excelling farre beyond them they onely by the testimonie and consent of the sage and wise are the most necessarie vertues for all kinds estates and degrees of men but especially for Princes and great personages for they be the vertues which haue the commaund and possession of the affections and humors of euery man and they onely haue the disposing of the hearts of all men Moreouer my sonne in aduersitie and in things that are high and difficult I would aduertise thee to be magnanimous and valiant in prosperitie remember that thou moderate and temper thy good fortune with vertue Flie sloth and idlenesse the nurse of effeminacie for from thence proceede all mischiefes and it is the roote of all vices Suffer not thy souldiers to lie idle or to be slouthfull but exercise them in continuall trauell watchings and daily labours Howbeit vse them not as vassals and seruants but as thy fellowes and companions In the campe and in the field demeane thy selfe not onely as a Captaine but as a souldier also aboue all things abhorre delicacie and flie luxuriousnesse and incontinencie for by these the most stout and strongest men haue growen faint and effeminate Too much seueritie and crueltie auoide equally and alike for they are proper to fierce and sauage beasts be patient of labour without wearinesse and let not any perils make thee learefull or timorous the varietie and change of thy affaires doe thou moderate with prudence and magnanimitie the crosse accidents of contrarie fortune see that thou endure and beare them with that wisedome and discretion that dissembling and concealing thy griefe thy enemie haue no cause to glorie or triumph ouer thee nor to insult at thy calamitie For what can be more vnfitting and vnbeseeming the constancie of a braue Chieftaine and Generall of an armie then that his countenance should discouer the passion of his heart Be not forgetfull but beare it alwaies in mind that thou foresee and eschew the traines and snares of the Barbarians whereof the Turkes make an ordinarie and principall profession shunne the periurie the cautels and guilefull sleights of this faithlesse Nation disdaine their amitie and let the friendshippe and societie of this disloyall tyrant be abhominable vnto thee neglect and contemne his giftes and presents his flatteries and his promises for feare least in drawing and alluring thee to trust him he doe oppresse thee vnawares and cast thee downe headlong into perpetuall and endlesse mischieues And for this cause be thou sure to be alwaies prouided of good Councellors such as are well knowen vnto thee faithfull and louing These are the precepts my sonne the light of my life these are the ensignments and instructions which I heard and learned of my father a master of no small experience and my delight was to meditate vpon them continually by them was I instructed and taught by them did I fashion and frame my life and my whole age and to be short by them haue I reaped no small fruite and benefite wherefore I doe now exhort thee I doe admonish and if thou canst endure to be entreated by thy father then I thy father do pray and request thee yea euen from the very bowels and entrailes of my heart I doe againe and againe pray and double pray thee that thou wouldest teach thy selfe these things which I haue taught thee that thou wouldest carefully and diligently embrace retaine and digest them in thy memorie Whilest Scanderbeg was thus speaking and perswading with his sonne there sprang vp a strange rumor throughout all the towne and a sudden brute and tumult arose by reason of a message brought from the fieldes that the Turkes were neere at hand and that they had ouerrunne and burned the countrie neere adioyning At the report of these newes Scanderbeg although he kept his bed in great extreamitie yet could he not represse nor refraine that auncient and inuincible courage nor that liuely and martiall spirit which was wont to dwell and be resident in his noble hart For raising himselfe vp in his bed aswell as his fainting and feeble limmes would giue him leaue he called for his armour and commanded his horse to be made readie So liuely and flourishing was his spirit still remayning sound and disposed within his stomach abounding in courage and vigour But when his members being now destitute of strength and growing weake did beginne to yeeld and sinke downe againe into the bed then falling and bearing himselfe forward vpon his couch with his face turned towards his Captaines he thus spake vnto them Foorth foorth my companions issue out vpon those traitors and Infidels goe you