credit and authority of his master to whom he remaineth as countable Moreouer the subiect fixeth his eies and affection vpon his Prince and lauisheth his life and meanes according as the businesse is and he is addicted Francis the first King of France being before Pauy powred money foorth as a man may say by bushels yet Odet de Lautrey his lieutenant generall lost the Duchy of Millan for lacke of three hundred thousand crownes that were assigned him for his charges but were neuer deliuered him Whereupon the Switzers failing of their entertainment whom he had till then fed with hopes of pay he was constrained to fight with such disaduantage as hee miscaried and his whole army was put to flight which had not happened if the King had beene there in person for either money had not failed or else the credit and authority that accompanieth the Princes presence had wrought them to patience and contained them in entire deuotion 4 Moreouer the great train of Nobility and men of quality that the Prince bringeth with him is a strengthening to his army and addeth to it life and beauty euery man striuing to appeare more gallant then other which they would not vouchsafe to doe nor to subiect themselues commanded but by an ordinary Generall for there are alwaies about the King by election or necessity many great personages equall in power and dignity and some differing too in rancke and charge either as being Princes of the bloud or for honor and authority woon by desert al which would perhaps doe little for the Generall but would most willingly obey and expose all for their King and master to whom they owe a duty both of nature and benefit These great mens followers serue also to increase the army 5 Beside these considerations the King bringeth euermore with him a resolution of his enterprises wherein a Generall most commonly proceedeth with a restraint and aduise as fearing in his too forward attempting to exceed his commission In the meane while time passeth and occasion escapeth most often to the Princes hinderance and blot to his reputation 6 In this regard if the wisedome and loyalty of the Captaine be approued Princes ought not too strictly to limit their charges but if they doubt of them it is indiscretion to put them into their hands as we may see by these examples Don Emanuel King of Portugal hauing sent the Duke of Braganza General into Africke he fortunately wan and made sure for his Prince the towne of Aza Azamor but that performed hee would not take Marocco as at that time he might haue easily done though he were counselled thereto by the wisest and greatest of his army because that said he it went beyond his Commission Lopez Zoares Generall for the same King lost in like manner the opportunity to take the city of Aden of especiall importance for the affaires of his master for it standeth iust in the mouth of the Red sea though the inhabitants would haue deliuered him the keies Insomuch as hee should haue taken vpon him as he said more then his commission allowed him The thing was of that consequence as hee might well haue forborne the obseruation of his fast to swallow such a morsell Neither had the seruice beene one of the least he could haue performed for his master 7 In conclusion we are to grant that the presence of the king bringeth with it a certaine greatnesse and more aweth the enimy then his Lieutenant as it was seene at the enterprise of Tunise for Barbarossa sharply tooke vp and reproued those who said that the Emperour Charles the fift was himselfe in person in the Christian army inferring heereby that he should then haue his hands fuller then he made account and that nothing could be lacking in the enemies campe when their Prince was there present This is that may be saide of the good redoundeth from the presence of the king in his army Let vs now see what may be alledged on the contrary 8 First it may be said that the King which goeth to the wars in person ministreth greater occasion then he would to his enemy to prouide himselfe of forces meanes and friendes and affordeth him matter also of pretending a more glorious victory with the hopes whereof and of rich spoiles he putteth courage in his men disposing them to attempt valiantly all things be they neuer so hazardous so hartning them to fight 9 It may be said likewise that the presence of the King maketh his Captaines lesse heedefull and diligent at all occurrants and aduantages because they in part relie vpon the vigilant eye of the Prince who is to carry away the whole honour of the enterprise their valour remaining as dimmed and eclipsed This hapned at the battaile of Pauie For the Commanders relying vpon the kings presence and discreet carriage of matters had no regard but of their pleasures in stead of diligently bethinking themselues of the duty of their seuerall charges which in the ende turned to the ruine and dishonor both of their masters and themselues 10 Againe an army where the King is in person is alwaies replenished with Princes and great personages all which promising themselues great matters seeke not but to excel one another in place and command whence grow among them iealosies enuies and sundry differences breeding infinite disorders to the ouerthrow or hinderance of their Masters affaires Who is not without his part of feare to discontent some in contenting others This plague of ambition is such as it will sometimes so wrest the consciences and honours of these great men as they will not sticke to hinder the seruice of their Masters only to oppose the fortune and woorth of such a one as they see out-strippeth them in preferment yea oft times their ambition groweth so extreame as for despitethey wil vtterly forsake their Princes seruice Their vertue and valour being perhaps in the meane time not of the meanest and such as if it were well imploied would gaine honour and victory to the army 11 There is yet another discommodity and that is that the king carying with him the party whō in his absence he intendeth to constitute his Lieutenant he in the mean time repineth at his Masters worthy exploites considering how the honour should haue beene his if alone he had the managing of the army againe knowing that all such misfortunes or discomfitures as may befall it shall be attributed to the insufficiencie of the Prince and not to him he the lesse regardeth it In a word the glory we pretend and the iealousie we haue of our particular honors are two especiall powers to shake and curbe generous spirits The Emperour Charles the fift had sufficient triall of it for some of his Captaines and Lieutenants could oft times with small store of money and few men gaine triumphant victories as well at Milan and Naples as else where which perhaps in presence of the Emperour would not haue beene so fortunately
addict themselues and though a man be so smally durable as he cannot attaine to perfection in diuers sciences nor so inable himselfe to the attention of sundry matters as hee may game the mastery for which he striueth yet all men will busie themselues about knowledge and intermeddle with all Arts and practises not heeding that in stead of forwarding themselues they recoile from that perfect knowledge which is requisite for them and so remaine vnfurnished or but weakely grounded in one onely profession 4 On the contrarie the Turkes fashion their whole dessignes to the war and bend all their thoughts and studies to the exercise of armes reiecting all other courses and pleasing themselues onely in what may stand them in stead for that profession 5 There is nothing more true and we finde it in histories then that the Romanes were most excellent Souldiers but especially before they opened their gates to Arts and Sciences presented them by the Greeks and that they gaue themselues ouer to the pleasures of the East Then were they at the best for true cariage of marshall affaires when their Consuls scorned not to hold the plough when Physicians Surgeons men of such like profession were in no credit amongst them And to say the truth we finde that if afterward they did atchieue any worthy enterprise it was not by meanes of any valour which was remaining with them but by the reputation strength they had formerly gotten For proofe heereof we may plainly perceiue that as soone as they had giuen entertainement to forraine sciences made tender by study they receiued notable and dishonorable ouerthrowes as well at the hands of Iugurtha Mithridates the Cimbrians Numantins Spartans the Parthians as of others 6 For confirmation whereof we obserue in ancient histories that the most warlike people withal such as haue performed the memorablest acts haue beene the most grosse rude and inured to paine and hardnesse far from all ciuility free from such delicacy and wantonnesse as is corruptly stept in amongst vs such as had no learning or taste of any knowledge or action which might allay or neuer so litle shake their couragious resolutions and warlike dessignes Of this composition were long since and are at this daie the Scythians who sometimes made their worthy armes resound as far as the most remote parts of the East as far as the Danow and the bankes of Nilus It is not long since that they conducted by Quingus their King ouerran all the East harrowed the plaine country and replenished all with misery and desolation The memory of the famous acts of great Tamberlane is yet fresh who only hitherto may vaunt that he hath in a ranged battel vanquished the Turkish armies led their Cōmander captiue making him serue as his footstoole In our time the Mogores a grosse and ignorant people sprung out of Scythus or to say better out of Tartaria haue atchieued great conquests towards India Euery man also knowes that the great Cham as rude rough hewen as these is neuerthelesse one of the most mighty potentates of the world ruling ouer a people of the least ciuilitie that can be imagined But not to wander out of Europe let vs behold the Swizzers we shall finde that for knowledge and ciuility they are no better then these yet haue they performed many worthy exploits as well at Nancy Dijon Nouare Marignan Dreux as else where In such sort as not infected with our vanity they giue as a man may say the law to the mightiest Princes that seeke their assistance 7 Now the Turks aboue all nations haue euer profest to follow this course of life so barbarous and rude and euen at this day they contemne all knowledge and profession of whatsoeuer arte be it neuer so noble or industrious among the rest they abhor painting and ingrauing neither make they any account of architecture and in very deede we see that they haue euer held it an especiall offence towards God to ingraue or paint him As for learning they recken it as meere foolery In a word there are none amongst them so slenderly esteemed as men learned and seene in any kinde of knowledge In their garments they affect not stuffes wrought imbroidered or curiously cut and fashioned but such as are whole and lasting laces fringes and other ornaments are by them reiected beaten and massie gold is only in request amongst them In the wars they seeke rather to appeere fearce and terrible then gallantly set forth and apparelled their whole delight is set vpon war and armes insomuch as it is hard to finde any one of them who will not manifest by his fashion of liuing that he is rather borne for the wars then ought else so as when there is any leuying of Souldiours such as are left at home hold themselues highly iniured so honorably doe they esteeme of the life of a souldier Whence it proceedeth that they are so feared in all their attempts either for beseeging battering or forcing of places of greatest strength for skirmishing on foote or on horsebacke in set battailes by sea or by land or for fortifying and defending 8 Whereof they gaue sufficient proofe when hauing gotten Ottranto they valiantly made it good against the forces of all Italy euen till the death of their master Mahomet the 2. leauing behinde them trenches bulwarkes ramparts and all other sorts of fortifications so well contriued and disposed as they haue serued since for patterns and models to our Commanders of Christendome 9 Such is their laborious vertue in the wars as there is no place so strong or enterprise so difficult which will not prooue easie at the enforcing of their powers 10 Returning now to that I said concerning knowledge I expect that some one should say And what I praie is learning a let to military vertue or a meanes to hinder a man from becomming a perfect souldier surely no I am of a contrary opinion and I ground it in part vpon the experience of such Captaines as I will heere reckon Alexander the great and Caesar who were of the principall most aduenturous and politicke Masters of the wars were most excellently seene in all sorts of knowledge for my owne part I hold it very difficult for any without the aide of Historie or the Mathematiques to deserue the name of a great Captaine and sage conductor of armies 11 Since Historie by the variety of examples both of good and bad successe furnisheth a man with heedfulnesse and discretion with resolution and aduice in all occurrents and makes him more considerate in what he vndertaketh like as the Mathematikes refine his knowledge and iudgement as well in engines of war as in fortifying 12 In conclusion it is not to be denied but that learning is most proper to mould and perfectly fashion a heart and courage borne and disposed to armes for this cause they would in old time that Pallas armed should signifie vnto
seed or any parcell of them The troubles and dissentions which heresies haue brought in amongst the Christians serue him for examples he seeth such histories daily verified he is very well informed of them and turneth them to the best vse beyond the experience his predecessors haue had of such fruites as spring from a new interpretation of their law Harduclles in a very small space wan such credit amongst that barbarous people that by means of a certaine new interpretation of the points of their sect he busied all Asia where he sowed so many troubles as he well neere indangered the whole estate of Baiazet the second 5 But that which maketh the law of this cursed race more durable is that the Emperour himselfe obserueth it with that deuotion honoreth it with that reuerence embraceth it with that religion and preserueth it in that credit and authority as it is hard to imagine a man more deuout and affected towards it 6 Againe the misery and vexations that the Turks depriued of all other light but that their mother sense affordeth them beholde other nations dispersed thorow their dominions and of a contrary beleefe to indure wholy weddeth their dull soules to this false doctrine neither is there that misery which that vile Mahometane race make not all those to suffer who embrace not their religion but aboue all the Christians CHAP. II. Of the direct dependency of the Turkes subiects vpon their Soueraigne 1 Subiects must haue their eies chiefly vpon their Soueraigne 2 Tyrants strength and guard of strangers 3 The absolute authority of the Ottomans 4 The Princes seuour the subiects safetie 5 His subiects exact obedience and the cause thereof 6 Rebllions whence procceding 1 THe best cement that can be made to giue long continuance to an estate is to worke so as that the subiects of whatsoeuer qualitie or condition they be may haue alwaies neede of him that is their Commander to the end they may immediatly depend vpon him and reuerence him but because it is hard to bring all the world to this passe especially in a great monarchy those at the least are to be drawen to it as farfoorth as is possible who should be the sinewes and supporters of the Princes power 2 This moued such Tyrants as durst not assure themselues of such people as they had subdued to haue about them Captaines Souldiours and seruants which were strangers and had neither kinsfolkes nor friendes in that country but relied absolutely vpon them This heeretofore was the maner of the Soldans of Egypt and though they be courses so violent barbarous and vnworthy of Christian Princes as they should neuer be set before them yet may they somewaies aduantage them in the consideration of their ends and aime of their intentions applying them and appropriating them so far forth as Christian policy and the interest of faith may permit 3 Now then we will deliuer what vse the Turke in these times makes of them He to establish his Empire and amplifie his greatnesse and authority intitleth himselfe not only Prince and Monarch of his estates but Lord also and peaceable Master of the persons habilities goods houses and possessions of his vastals neither is there inheritance or succession so assured be it neuer so lawfull but it dependeth of the disposition and free wil of the Turke so as if any aske of his subiects whose house it is wherein he dwelleth and to whom belongeth the land he tilleth he makes no other answeare but that they are the great Turks his Master moreouer they all tearme themselues slaues of their Prince whence followeth that they can not any waie maintaine the quiet possession of their goods nor account of any thing as of their owne but by his especiall fauour Much more if they aime at raising themselues to any eminent place of honour they are to beg it of the magnificence and pleasure of their Prince meanes which serue to curbe those barbarous people yet to be reiected of Christians and abhorred of lawfull Princes who receiue and hold their monarchies of the hand of God There are more honest precepts to be giuen whereby they may purchase and preserue the loue and obedience of their people without vsing such cruelties and tyrannies But because the argument propounded requireth that I relate the meanes this barbarons race hath obserued to become great and that I am fallen into that matter I will continue it yet not as approuing any such course or as indeuoring to set them downe by them to forme a receiuable example or to induce Christian Princes to make them their paterne of gouerning their estates 4 By this former discourse then we haue deliuered how the Turkes subiects haue neede of him some to preserue what they haue gotten others to attaine to dignities and places of honour And in a word their being and life depending indifferently vpon the Prince their principall care is to winne his fauour 5 Thiâ— dependency fortifieth it selfe increaseth by the obedience and gouernment of great personages imploied by the Turke in his seruice and fashioned by himselfe to this end who are from their infancy brought vp at the Princes charge and instructed euery one according as hee is naturally inclined either in the excercises of armes or any other laborious trade so as such not knowing other father or benefactor then their soueraigne from whom they receiue both goods and honours neuer thinke of kindred or friends neither haue they any touch of bloud or naturall alliance dedicating their body minde and whole deuotion to the only goood of their masters affaires whose creatures they acknowledge themselues to be to whatsoeuer degree of honour they be preferred neither is it in their power to amasse other wealth then that which is rawght them by the hands of the great Turke To make it more plaine to the Reader who these are they are the Spachi Spachioglani and Ianizzars in these consisteth the strength and guard of the Turkish Empire I hold it not amisse to discouer in a word as by the way what is the forme and condition of these bandes and companies so to deliuer a more cleare vnderstanding of their manner and power The Spachi and Spachioglani are horse men whereof there are a thousand in number which march at the right hand of their Lord. The Selactari or Soluptari are other thousand horse which accompany the great Turke on the left hand when he marcheth as the Spaihioglani on the right of these two companies are chosen the Gouernours of Prouinces and vpon these according to their merit the Turke bestoweth his daughters in mariage The Vlufezgi are other thousand which march after the aboue named who in part are called out of the bands of Ianizzars as men noted for their especiall valour or they are such as haue beene slaues and for their notable seruice performed toward their masters or for hauing saued the life of some Bassa or Beglerbee in the wars attaine to this degree of
THE BEGINNING CONTINVANCE AND DECAY OF ESTATES VVherein are handled many notable Questions concerning the establishment of Empires and Monarchies Written in French by R. de Lusing L. of Alymes and translated into English by I. F. LONDON Printed for Iohn Bill 1606. TO THE MOST REVEREND Father in God RICHARD Lord Archbishop of Canterbury his Grace Primate and Metropolitane of all England and one of his Maiesties most Honorable Priuie Councell c. MOst reuerend Father it pleased your Graces right woorthy predecessor to vouchsafe my vnwoorthy letters sent him in my trauailes a gracious acceptance The greatest trouble they put him to was to peruse them so were the proofes he gaue of his vertue and the signes of his loue towards me the onely end and vse I euer had or made of them Your Grace hath had the happines with the merit to succeed him in his dignities his vertues were already yours in proprietie Of his loue I may say as of your Graces that I then did as I now doe rather desire to deserue it then deseruing it desire to make bold vse of it Loue that descends on vs from men of vertue and eminencie is it selfe both hope and reward hire and paiment That to-boote which we call doing good or a benefit as it is an effect that true loue matched with ability will euen striue to produce so is it then most welcome when it cōmeth sooner imparted then expected With this freedome of minde and dutie of respect I present to your Grace this new apparelled discourse It hath alreadie put on the habit of three seuerall languages and if my iudgement erre not our English fashion will not ill become it I met with it in my wandrings and brought it along with me with an intent for my priuate exercise of that tongue it first spake in to translate it that performed my determination to recommend it to your Graces patronage fell to be at this late dangerous time when the diuell arch-enemie of trueth and his execrable ministers held their generall counsaile how they might make but one fire-worke of our whole estate but the consideration of your Graces most iust imployments in so weightie a businesse withheld me with a reuerend feare of their disturbance till I weighed that euen this subiects handling might perhaps doe good to some bad that had a head if not a hand for so great a clock could not strike without many wheeles in so damnable a proiect since if they will needs out-strip former ages or forreine countries in strange plots of ruining kingdomes and cōmon wealths they may by this discourse be drawen to practise them vpon the common enemie of Christendome and not vpon vs that acknowledge with them one Iesus one Bible one Baptisme Your Grace seeth the reasons and scope of these my well intended endeuours which subiect their allowance or disallowance to your Graces most graue censure so doth my vnworthy seruice with my selfe to your much desired imployment as Your Graces most seruiceably deuoted IOHN FINET The Epistle Dedicatorie of the Author to the Duke of Sauoy OF all we admire in these times there is nothing comparable to the fortune of the Ottomans and the increase of their greatnesse if we examine their beginning and meanes for they are by nation Tartarians sprung from the most base and remote parts of Asia in former times as vnknowen as vnworthy If we consider their conditions they bewray no feeling of ciuility or curtesie If we regard the parts of their minde where shall we see ought more rude and rough hewen then the spirit of that people What haue beene the souldiours they haue had through whose valor they haue aduantaged themselues by so many memorable victories No better then slaues haled in their infancy from the breasts and laps of their mothers children of tribute tythed euery yeere from amongst the miserable Christians ouer whom they command and domineere Yet we see that with these feeble meanes they haue in lesse then three hundred yeeres conquered Asia as far as Tigris and the Gulfe of Persia possest themselues of Aegypt Numidia and all the red sea More hauing atchieued these glorious cōquests they haue beene seene to march as they say with colours flying thorow Europe to ouerrun large countries seaze themselues of kingdomes and most puissant Estates finally to become Monarches of Greece and to haue caried the Empire of Constantinople whose neighbours haue not bene exempt from the hauocke of their forces so many armies ouerthrowen so many Princes ruined so many rich cities and townes sackt and rased Their power ouerflowing in happinesse is at this day the scourge of the East and the terror of the West In sum they are feareful to the whole world But the greater is the astonishment when we consider that naked and vnarmed they haue marched victorious ouer the bellies of the most warlicke nations vnder the heauens the best prouided of forces and all munition necessary for the wars that such a people as they vnskilled in nauigation should become masters almost of all the seas Many haue gone about to search out the cause of this thriuing greatnesse and I amongst others haue for my part with no small diligence perused such authors as haue written their history but when I haue narrowly sifted all they haue said of that matter I finde not this my honest appetite and curiosity as I would contented rather as one ill satisfied with the diuersity and negligence of their Historiographers all of them nothing neere approching the course and knowledge of the first and essentiall cause of this their so raised fortunes I haue sought to please my selfe with setting down as I haue the many acts and obseruations I haue thereof collected and which well deserue to be published not that I so far forget my selfe as to thinke my selfe able to flie a higher pitch then others whom I much honour and esteeme but because I haue taken cleane an other way with this hope neuerthelesse that huely representing and distinguishing by order as I doe the establishment of this Monarchy answerable to what may be vnderstoode thereof the apparence and truth of my discourse wil somwhat inlighten this subiect affoord me an honest excuse vpon the defects which may be discouered in my opinion The argument then of this book consisteth of three points whereunto the order of the whole discourse hath reference In the first place I summarily handle the meanes they haue practised for their aduancement and greatnesse secondly with what cunning and deceit they maintaine what they haue gotten and lastly how we may be able to assaile them and turne the chance of their victories and powers This my trauaile most mighty Prince taketh his flight straight to your Highnesse to range it selfe vnder the shelter of your protection armed with the allowable opinion that your Aighnesse as a generous Prince cannot but take especiall pleasure to heare see waigh such speculations To say the truth the
dispose of their most important affaires wherin they haue bene thus happy that we cannot finde that euer such Captaines lost battaile for lacke of command or obedience or that they euer for want of courage or experience in the arte military made stay or question of their proceedings Of all the Bashas that euer had the managing of matters of importance had greatest hand in the affaires of their Masters Acomet was the chiefe who serued Mahomet the 2. and added much to his greatnes by obteining many glorious victories insomuch as he was no lesse feared then his Soueraign To him Sinam may be ioyned who liued vnder Selim the first and being slaine at the battaile of Matarea wherein he wan the victorie for his Master Selim said of him that the death of so worthy a man as he was cause of such great griefe vnto him as it equalled the ioy he conceiued for so happy a victory such also was Barbarossa that famous pirat who for his many warlike acts wan the renowne of a valiant Captaine and was most highly reputed of his Master Soliman for whom he performed many memorable enterprises as wel by sea as by land Hence we may gather that vndoubtedly a great Prince cannot doe worse then commit the charges of his wars the dignities and conducts of his armies to them which inioy his fauour but vnworthily he should consider the deserts of others especially of such as with more sufficiencie would render an honorable account of so worthy an imploiment We see it fall out oftentimes that for default of wel measured elections a Prince plungeth himselfe and his estate in a thousand dangers and confusions through the insufficiency of his vnskilful ministers the examples of such infortunate euents would fill this volume if I would stand to relate all such as my memory presenteth vnto me But omitting all I will only put you in minde of the Emperour Charles the fifth well knowen for most iudicious in all his elections meruellous in his actions mighty for the great number of his excellent Captaines bredde and trained vp vnder him all which can witnesse the care he had in his choice and in very deede they did him such seruice as by their meanes he enlarged his dominions with many rich Prouinces adorned his scepter with most memorable victories and his house with triumphes to his immortall glory CHAP. IX That he hath made no skippe in his enterprises 1 Vnited vertue strongest 2 The strength of kingdomes by their situation 3 What it is to skippe in an enterprise 4 Kingdomes preserued by the coniunction of their subiect prouinces 5 Confirmation of the Roman Empire 6 The meanes of establishing an Empire by confederacies 7 The French as quicke in losing as in conquering countries 8 We are not to indeauor so much to conquer as to keepe 9 The Portugals and Spaniards distracted gouernment 10 Industrie of the Ottomans in conquering 11 An admonition to Christians 12 Horror of the Turkes 1 NOthing would be so strong as a poinct if it were to bee found in nature at the least if the rules of the Mathematiques be true as they be held because being most simple it cannot be corrupted either by inward beginnings or outward causes so is a body more induring and powerfull the neerer it approcheth to the resemblance of a poinct that is to say the more it is vnited and compact in it selfe And in very deede as nature vnable to bring to passe that all the world should be one only body made it continued and ioining one part vpon another and as to preserue this continuation she in all she may opposeth Vacuum which is onely able to corrupt and destroy her 2 So estates become more durable and of greater abilitie to maintaine themselues when they are as I may say sowed linked and bound together the one helping to entertaine and preserue the other Hence we may gather that such prouinces as haue their situation trussed vp together in a round forme are more strong and mightie then such as extend themselues in length as for example one may say of France in comparison of Italy because this latter resembling a legge stretched out is lesse fit to defend it selfe then France which is round as her prouinces lie and are situate whereby she is consequently not only more vnited in her forces then Italy but also more nimble and able to maintaine herselfe then the other 3 Now let vs come to our discourse and make it appeare what it is we vnderstand by this discontinuation and that which we tearme to skip in our enterprises It is properly when we regard not the contiguity if I may so say or neere adioyning of our estates and that happeneth as often as we leaue an enimy behind vs at one side of vs or otherwise in such sort as he may crosse cut off beseege or inclose vs when we so inconsideratly skip or stride we may likewise saie that he truly skips who crosseth from one country to another so far distant as by that time he hath finished his voiage his strength failes him and his troopes proue so out of heart and tired as they become vtterly vnprofitable We may alledge for example that which befell the Emperours of Germany the king of France and of England in their voiages of the holy land for the length of the iourny the far distance of the country the diuersity of the Climate the change of the aire and many other such like inconueniences so tired and discouraged them by reason of the trauailes and miseries they had suffered vpon the way as they could not attempt any matter of importance or goe thorow with their enterprise according to their proiect not vnlike a ball which stirreth not from the place where it is once setled through want of that moouing power which should tosse and raise it So if these Princes at the first arriuall did affoord any proofe of their courage valour and likelihood of good fortune the languishing of the principall motiue suddenly made them lose their aduantages and reduced the whole to tearmes vnwoorthy the merit of their holy intentions and trauels 4 We must then allow that it is requisite for the preseruation of estates either that their prouinces touch and intertaine the one the other or that their forces be of ability to maintaine themselues of themselues for this continuation hath of it selfe such force and efficacie for the lasting and preseruation of estates as we see that common-weales and meane kingdomes haue thereby longer maintained themselues then great and rich monarchies Wee may alledge for example the common-weales of Sparta and of Venice of the kingdomes of Persia and France whose rule hath much longer endured then that of the Sarazins of the Mamelucks or of other more mighty Empires The cause proceedeth as I haue said of the vnion of that entertainment and coniunction of prouinces abutting the one vpon the other which is of such vertue and efficacie to giue
of attempting nor the inticements of peoples insurrections nor the thirst of reuenge which commonly makes Princes mighty in men and mony forget themselues when the maintenance of their authority credit is called in question especially perceiuing the law in their hands to execute more readily then can particular persons nor any such like motiues haue beene able as I said to induce the Turkes indiscreetly to skip or to ingage themselues in any enterprise far from home Rather on the contrary they haue marched faire and soft from country to country and deuoured as they continue still to doe all such as confine and are neighbours vnto them Hence hath growen the consequence of so many happie victories the benefite of so great and rich conquests the course of so easily preseruing what they haue gotten 11 I haue said that for the most part they haue not inconsideratly skipped or strid in their enterprises as the Christians doe and haue done and as we see when any of them haue taken such waies to greatnesse the fruits and effects haue not prooued answerable to their proiect and promised fortunes This vnhappinesse common with the error founded vpon the reasons formerly alledged ought hencefoorth to serue as an instruction to make vs become more wise and regardfull then we yet are to the end that after we haue by an holy and vniuersall amendment appeased the wrath of God we may war against them with the same policies and aduantages as they haue practised in raising themselues to our cost and confusion These examples also should admonish vs of what is to be feared to wit least failing to chastice humble our selues his diuine Maiesty inflict vpon vs a more seuere punishment then that we haue hitherto indured and for this cause open a more large gate to those infidels vtterly to ruine and destroy vs. 12 Now lest any one should thinke I haue against reason held that the Turkes haue not as we forgotten thus inconsideratly to skip I will recite certaine examples to that purpose The first then that did it was Mahomet the second which vnfortunatly attempted Italy Soliman performed the like against the same country after the interprise of Diu in the Indies which was vndertaken the yeare 1537. then that of the yeare 1542. that of Ormus 1552. and finally vpon good grounds the attempting of Malta which was so valiantly defended by the Knights of the order as next the honour due vnto the diuine Maiestie all those braue Gentlemen who with their grand Master Parisot made it good against the Infidels deserue to be consecrated to all praise and to a most glorious and eternall memory CHAP. X. That he hath not spent time vpon enterprises of small importance 1 Get the greater the lesse will follow 2 The besieging of some small holde may be the hinderance of the whole expedition this exemplified 3 The Turkes discretion in their expeditions and sieges 4 The best course is to become masters of the field 5 Error in the siege of Malta 1_NAture as wise and prouident doth not busie her-selfe about the birth of euerie particular thing but rather setteth her hand to the generation of the substance which without any further paine is afterward attended on by the accidents euery where inseparably accompanying her In like sort a good and discreet Captaine in the carriage of his enterprises should not aime at ought else but to conquer the places of importance for of their consequence other inferior parts of the estate come tumbling in as it were of themselues which as vnseparable accidents or qualities vndoubtedly follow the first examples of greater moment whereon dependeth and subsisteth the others being 2 We haue often seene that a paltrie Sconce either because of the naturall strength of the situation thicknesse of the wall goodnesse of the matter couragious obstinacy of the defenders or some other accident not foreseene or dreampt of hath stopt the proceeding of a royall armie and hath prooued it selfe as able to withstand the force thereof as a citie greater richer and more peopled And though we become after masters of such blocke-houses and small fortes yet that is no furtherance to a more important conquest or helpe to the enterprise begun We finde written that the Emperour Maximilian because he to no purpose spent so much time about Asola which he striued to subdue by the way for the reputation and credit of the armie he conducted to Milan inconsiderately lost the occasion offered him to become Lord of that Dukedome and performed not any thing after to the good of his affaires The French also after they had passed the Alpes in the time of Lewes the 12. thriued not in their attempts of the kingdome of Naples hauing vpon an ill ground vndertaken Rocca-Secea where they engaged both their honors and liues for hauing besieged it certaine daies and giuen the assault in vaine they lent leasure and courage to the Spaniards to bethinke themselues made their powers lesse valued for so badde a beginning and discouraged the people for euer attempting any thing in their behalfe as no doubt they had done if they might haue seene a fortunate and better digested proceeding then theirs was the name of the Spaniard being then odious amongst them This fault made the Spaniards so bold as to say that the rest of the kingdome was reserued for them and not for the other who had so ill husbanded their opportunities In the yere 1556. holding on the said designe for the conquest of Naples did they not vainely spend time money their forces and paines at Ciuitella to the ruine of that goodly armie which Henry the 2. of France sent thither vnder the command of the Duke of Guyse who was neuerthelesse a valiant and discreet Captaine and who had perhaps done better if his particular interest or the ouermuch trust he reposed in the Popes Nephewes had not blinded him Other reasons may be alleaged for the small good this armie did the king who had conceiued of it great and honorable hopes but I will referre them to such as write that Historie The Spaniards also haue thrice attempted the I le of Gerbes and euerie time lost a goodly and florishing armie able to haue performed a farre greater matter then they could hope for by getting the henroust if I may so tearme it The yeare after the battell of Lepanto the armie of the confederates which was then in the Leuant hauing their forces augmented by the arriuall of Don Iohn made Ochiallo Generall of the Turkish armie retire to Modon as fearing those of whom he had made triall the yeere before If they had put him to it as they should haue done no doubt but they had found him dismaide and hardly bestead how to defend as well the fortresses as his armie by sea for he had not left aboue 60. gallies to garde the hauen and had bestowed the rest of his forces one yeare But when he sawe they went to besiege
his army and artillery as he came vpon the Souldan before he dreampt of him supposing him to be as then rather vpon his way to encounter the Persian then to attempt him 10 This particular dilligence of the Ottomans is not to be limited all only with their land wars they haue performed as much by sea so vigilant and wary haue they shewed themselues in exalting the honour of their names and of their great estate by them maintained euen vnto this day And since they are so incredibly nimble and aduised in maritine exploits I hold it not from the purpose to touch briefly the order they obserue in assembling their forces They reiect the vessels and ships of great burden as ouer-heauy and vnwealdy if the wind faile them rather hindering then furthering him that conducteth them Their Gallies and Galliots are speedy well manned and well appointed 11 Wee on the contrary drag with vs a great number of ships and Gallions as our best strength and choice prouision but they are in proofe the cause of such incombrance to the seruice in hand as we for the most part waste the season vnprofitably and spend our opertunities in rigging and attending them being also oft times enforced to disorder our Gallies to the end these great cartes may keepe with vs. Hence groweth yet another discommodity and that is that hauing placed a kinde of hope in our ships we in forgoing them finde our selues too weake and failing of courage to assaile the enemy who is not to be forced to fight but when he please hauing too open a field to flie and espy his occasion as it hapned at Preueza the yeare 1537. and at the battaile of Lepanto which was the yeare 1571. for then the ships of the league remained behind with a good number of souldiours vnprofitable for that action in regard they could not ariue there time enough The yeare after they encountred the like discommodity since for the very same cause the army of the league goodly and mighty fought not at all neither performed ought worthy so great a preparation And when the Gallies of the Pope and Venetians met and that they attended Don Iohn who aboade still at Missina because of the then beginning troubles of Flanders the army of the Turk being then commanded by Oechially he once presented battaile but because of the aduantage of the winde which without other helpes draue our ships and fearing the incounter of our round vessels he made his escape by meanes of a certaine stratagem which for the strangenesse thereof put the counsailes and iudgments of our army to a plunge In verie deede it is worthy the noting for seeing the whole strength of our ships vnited with such confederat Gallies as were then there make towards him he gaue commandement that in euery one of his Gallies they should put fire to a barrell of powder and row backewards not making for al this any shew of flight the prowes of their gallies still appeering towards them and as soone as the smoake had couered his fleete he halled on a maine and in an instant hoissing vp al his sailes shaped his course to Napolis in Romania our ships not daring to follow him In regarde he had gotten the aduantage of them they bearing but their mizen sailes and knowing how dangerous it was for them being ignorant of his designes to breake company eight daies after we comming neere together there followed some light skirmishes but so soone as they perceiued vs to faint as being depriued of our ships they charged vs with the whole army in like sort as when we had them for succour they retired So as it was then found by experience that the great ships serued but to keepe vs from buckling with the enemy I haue made mention of this incountre in my commentaries of the notable occurrants of these times written in Latine and somewhat more at large then I heere deliuer for I was present in the army during all that voiage vnder the command of the Duke de Mayne CHAP. XIII That he hath gone himselfe in person to the war 1 A question concerning the Princes presence in the wars 2 The first commodity is if the Prince be there in person it ads courage to the souldiour 3 The second is it causeth plenty of all things in his army 4 The third it increaseth the army 5 The fourth it worketh facility and speede in aduice and execution 6 Of the power of Lieutenant Generalls in the wars 7 The fift commodity is the Princes authority and dignity 8 The first discommodity growing from the princes presence is that thereby the enemy proceedes more prouidently 9 The second that his Commanders vse lesse diligence in discharge of their places 10 The third is emulation of the leaders whence groweth contention 11 The fourth the emulation of the Lieutenant generall toward the Prince 12 Examples to this purpose pro and contra 13 The preposition defined by distinction 14 The Ottomans wars in their persons haue succeeded well 15 Exhortation to Christian princes to vndertake wars against the Turke 1 WHether the prince should in person goe to the war or else send his Lieutenant is a question often disputed with such reasons and earnestnesse by sundry graue personages as whatsoeuer may be now deliuered to that purpose would proue but an vnprofitable repetition of what hath bene formerly digested by so many rare spirits This then excusing me I will referre the deciding thereof to men of more experience then my selfe yet will I not forbeare by way of discourse to deliuer my opinion and cite such examples as may helpe for the clearing of these doubts First then we are to recken the commodities the Kings presence affoordeth in his armie and so in order of the other consequences 2 Whereof one of the principall is that it putteth spirit and courage into the souldiers it so neerely presseth them as they must of force as it were make their valour appeare especially when they ioine battell where the Maiestie and life of the Prince yea and their owne too is in hazard Then is it that the honest desire of preseruing their masters life groweth feruent in them and so much the more by how much it is farre more pretious then the life of a captaine or generall either mercenary or subiect which the Prince might haue sent to command them This occasion more then any other moueth them more freely to hazard their liues and meanes for their Princes seruice which they would not so couragiously performe vnder any other that should command in his stead They likewise expect greater and more assured rewards from him then from others 3 Againe the king is alwaies better followed he is attended on with the consequence of farre greater prouisions either of victuals munition money or whatsoeuer may be necessary for the enterprise than his lieutenant who hath his power limited his allowance stinted and cannot dispose but in part of the
that before we can reduce them to one consent and body time and opportunities are fled But the Turke hath his powers so limited and ranged not depending but of one only head as he is alwaies in a readines to repell all assaults almost before the threatning of them can be with him In conclusion if all these reasons suffice not to cleare the proposition yet should they teach vs at the least to proue wise resolute aduised hence forward not to enterprise ought so out of season as that we should be driuen to fight with time rather then men they should teach vs to gaine rather then to lose occasions to abound rather then want to seeke to be honoured and to thriue rather then to receiue dishonour and losse but the maine point in all is to haue God on our side as our chiefe strength and most assured conductor CHAP. XVI That he hath neuer diuided his forces 1 Wisdome of the Turkes in vndertaking one not many wars at once 2 Diuision of forces dangerous 3 Those few good Commanders that are found in a confused multitude are not to be farre separated 4 The ouerthrow of one army may breed terror in the rest 5 Prouision cannot be made at once for many expeditions 1 SVch hath beene the wisdome and foresight of the Ottomans as they haue neuer almost had to do with two enemies at once Contrariwise they haue so well ordered their enterprises as the finishing of one hath drawen on the beginning of an other but when they forsooke this beaten and sure way then loe miserie ouertooke them as it hapned to Mahomet the second who would needes warre with three armies at one time sending one for Italy at such time as he tooke Ottranto the other to Rhodes where his Generall and armie were well beaten the third he himselfe went to conduct against the Mammoelucks if by death he had not beene preuented He had in these three armies aboue three hundred thousand men besides his armie at sea consisting of aboue fiue hundred saile The voyages and designes ill digested all these three armies were discomfited for that of Italy though it tooke Ottranto got nothing by it seeing that assoone as the souldiers vnderstood of their masters death they quitted the place vpon composition 2 But me thinkes this proposition whereby I maintaine that it is not good at once to set a foote diuers enterprises may be thus impugned That the successe of the Turkes death and the commotion it wrought amongst his people was cause that those armies miscaried and not the separation of them and their enterprises I confesse as I ought that whatsoeuer betideth vs necessarily hapneth by way of a first or exciting cause But to come to the ground of our principall matter without farther subtiâ—â—tsing this discourse it is easily seene how hard it is for a prince to prouide sufficiently at one time for sundry enterprises at the least vpon a sound foundation thereby to reape honorable fruites since all diuision of forces bringeth with it a debility and becommeth rather a subiect of iniurie then to be able to iniure others to be beaten then to beat to be others pray rather then to pray vpon others for as a body diuided by parcells is not of that weight taking it seuerally as when it is reduced to the first vnitie In like sort the forces of a prince when they are diuided and disunited haue not that vertue and subsistance as they would haue in their vnitie and well-ordered consunction for proofe who considereth that Mahomet had three hundred thousand men will say that the vnitie of such force was inuincible but diuided it proued not so though indeed each of these powers by it self at the least in regard of the Christians was a most mightie army had it had proportion squared to what it would attempt and if this masse of 300000. souldiours had marched in one intire body it had beene easie for them to haue attained their purpose one seconding another as he might haue done with that of Rhodes Patros and Ottranto which he had in this case vndoubtedly conquered 3 An other reason may be yet alledged and that is that it is hard to finde such Captaines as are fit for the conduct of armies that in these great assemblies of forces there are few resolute souldiours and that they which are such being once by their diuision as a man may say diminished it is a kinde of gelding the army of those which may serue by their example to assure and incourage the other confused multitude 4 Moreouer when we vndertake three enterprises at once as Mahomet who serueth to this purpose did if it happen but one of them to faile the newes of their misaduenture maketh the rest vndoubtedly depending the one vpon the other to faile of resolution 5 Again as we haue before deliuered it is necessary that the war be vndertaken in grosse and that assay be made of our forces as soone as may be that we may not be driuen long to entertaine a great army which for delay of execution doth oft times disband breake vp and ouerthrow it selfe with it selfe but especially with answerable prouisions the better to inioy great happinesse with smal charge which will neuer befall him that diuideth his forces and at once attempteth in diuers places We will then conclude that the Ottomans for the most part haue not had but one enterprise in hand at once and that to atchieue it they haue so well prouided for it as the victory hath remained on their side CHAP. XVII That he hath not long held warre with one alone 1 Why the Turkes haue not continued war with one alone 2 A long war addeth courage and experience to the enemy 3 It moueth neighbours out of the feare of their owne like misery to aide the oppressed 4 The Turkes manuer of shifting his wars and making peace at his pleasure 1 WHat more assured testimony can wee haue of a continued wisdome or to say better of a well caried subtilty amongst the Ottomans then in that they haue alwaies come off well in concluding their wars and haue not maintained them long against one and the selfe same enemy The practise of this policy hath beene most aduantageous vnto them such people as they haue not been able at the first to subdue they haue left in peace yet haue not forborn in the meane time to turne their armes elsewhere I haue fashioned to my selfe two especiall causes of this discreet course 2 The first is the feare they haue euer had lest they might make good souldiours of those against whom they should wilfully maintaine a lingering war A thing ill practised by the Spaniards in Flanders and the low-countries for continuing war many yeres together against them they haue acquainted that people before soft and effeminate with the fearfull clashe of their armes they haue so encouraged and imboldened them as at this day there are few nations
diminution of the subiects obseruance 2 From whence the authoritie of the Nobilitie doth proceed 3 The detestable crueltie of the Turkish Emperour against the next of his bloud 4 Vsage of great men taken by the Turkes 5 The vncertaine fortune and estate of the Turkes officers 1 TO the end the dependencie and authoritie whereof wee haue hitherto entreated be without alteration maintained it is requisite that the Prince haue a care that there be none in his countrey who for their greatnesse may incourage the people and embolden them to attempt ought backt by their authoritie countenance and conduct 2 This greatnesse may grow from three principall causes either in regard they are Princes of the bloud or for that they are noted to be nobly descended and rich or else for the reputation they haue gotten and a long while preserued either by cunning or by their owne valour and merit things that winne credit and name amongst the common people Concerning the first cause the children brethren and kinsmen of the Turke are great by consanguinitie The Barons of the country obtaine the second ranke whereto the noblenesse of their family calleth them for the third such ministers and officers as beare a stroake and swaie in matters of the highest consequence are accounted great 3 The Ottaman Princes of nature barbarous and cruell ordinarily shelter themselues from these inconueniences with courses far from all humanity in as much as without all respect of Law religion or other ciuill consideration they vpon the least scruple that may be ridde their hands by execrable murthers of their neerest kinsfolkes and friends yea euen of their fathers and brethren alone to inioy and by their death to assure to themselues the quiet possession of their kingdome Selim the first murthered two of his brethren procured the death of all his nephewes yea and of his father also He would often say that there was nothing more sweet then to raigne out of the suspition and shadow of his kindred and that he deserued pardon for what he had committed since it was the same play and vsage he should haue receiued if any other but himselfe had attained to the crowne Amurath the third which now raigneth made his entry by the death of his brother and searched the establishing of his Empire euen in the belly of his mother then great with childe making for this end one end of her what she went withall these cruelties are monstrous in the sight of God and man and full of horror and infamie yet hath it not beene knowen for all this that euer any citie any people or armie did reuolt or mutine This inhumanitie is amongst them growne to that lawfull and ordinarie consequence as they vsually put it in practise without feare of blame or reproch The examples thereof are as infinite as their memories stinking and abhominable In a word this butchering is amongst them an hereditary succession descending from one to another which God would reuenge with our hands if we would amend our liues 4 As for the Barons and Lords of the countrey Mahomet the first destroied their seed expelling them out of his estate as he did all the originarie Turkish Princes his allies and if by chance there remaine any of the Ottoman race he is so kept downe as he traileth as they say his belly vpon the ground liuing most poorely without all charge and manage of affaires so as neither valour nor riches can make him appeere or shine in the worlds eie rather he remaineth eclipsed amongst the vulgar sort without honour credit or estimation As for the Princes and mightie men of the countrey by them subdued they know well enough how to ridde their hands of them in sort as we haue before declared so as neuer Empire was raised or maintained with more execrable murthers then this hath beene in these daies they neither sparing Princes of their bloud nor the chiefe Potentates of their prouinces for they blinde them if not kill them 5 Now concerning the ministers and officers who by long managing of waightie affaires haue attained to Honorable places authority and reputation there is not one be hee neuer so great which at the least winke wrath and pleasure of his Lord loseth not his life immediatly Baiazet caused Acomat Bassa to be put to death an excellent man of armes and a woorthy Captaine saying the too much reputation of the seruant was a cause of the too great ielousie of the master Selim likewise put many to death and amongst others Mustafa Bassa whom he caused to be strangled at Prusa and after to be cast out to the dogs This was his recompence for fauoring him in the vsurpation of the Empire against Baiazet his father then liuing and for making riddance of his two brethren Acomat and Corcut. He suspected it was he that had reuealed his secret as indeed he had to Aladin and Amarath children of his brother Acomat because contrary to his expectation he sought their death It is in a manner an ordinary course with Princes that one light offence obscureth and maketh them forget a thousand good seruices performed for the good of their affaires For my part I am of opinion that this rage and inhumane cruelty familiar with the house of the Ottomans is but a true and iust iudgment of God who will by their parricid handes chastice the Apostasies and wickednesse of one by another considering the greater part of them are Christians who haue denied their faith and by that miserable act climed vp to the height of those eminent charges and dignities they possesse As not long since his diuine Maiestie permitted a poore simple souldiour to kill Mahomet Bassa a man most mighty in credit and authority but more rich of power and meanes yet such a one as had beene a Christian and had taken vpon him the orders of Priesthood CHAP. VII How he confoundeth the practises of forraine Princes his neighbours 1 The diuorce of the Greeke church from the Romish confirmeth the Turkish Empire 2 What were requisite to stir vp the Turkish subiects to rebellion 3 The Greekes vtterly destitute of meanes for such proceedings 4 His owne subiects throughly curbed 1 ONe of the most assured meanes practised by the Turke as an infallible course of setling his estate against the intelligence which his people might hold with Christian princes is the diuorce separation he maintaineth betweene the Greeke the Romish church supposing while this schisme shall continue amongst them that they will neuer establish betweene them a sound amity This made the conquest of Constantinople easie vnto them this hath forwarded the proceeding of his victories and as it were put into his hands all those rich and goodly Prouinces whereof he is at this day the peaceable but Tyrannicall owner moreouer he so narrowly obserueth our vnhappie discord as he by a perpetuall counsaill endeuoureth all he can possibly that the Patriarkes render no obedience to the Pope neither is it
other whereupon will those so mighty Princes of Germany and the Imperiall townes spend their reuenues and incomparable riches what occasion can all of them finde more goodly then this to attaine to an immortall glory It is then for the inlarging the kingdome of Christ that we must imploy all we haue and for the deliuerance of those sacred places ouer which those barbarous infidels tyrannize to redeeme so many thousand of poore Christian slaues which suffer and grone vnder the yoake of that inraged dogge to giue life to an infinite number of Christians to reuenge their wrongs to punish the iniurires blasphemies which that tyrant and his helhounds haue breathed out against the glory of God his holy name and church And if humaine appetite must needs be an actor in this theater it would be an easie matter for great Princes that send their forces to vrge this consideration in the capitulations that they should haue in fauour of their contributions part of the spoiles and conquests that they might happily obtaine Againe if the loue of the seruice of God had a working in them they might vndertake in person the Generall conduct of the army or command part of the confederat troupes Godfrey a poore Prince in comparison of those that now sway Christendome alienated the Duchy of Bouillion for so godly a voyage Stephen Count of Chartres did the like with his estate as did also many great men who had no other motiue thereunto then the enterprise of the holy land Charles the seuenth King of France did he not succor the Emperour of Constantinople with a great number of horse which he sent him vnder the conduct of the greatest personages of his kingdome And must we sit idle with crossed armes whilest the cruell flames of this infidels tyranny burne and consume the houses of our neighbours CHAP. X. Wherein consist the greatest forces of the Turke 1 Whether the Ianizzars be the chiefe strength of the Turke 2 That horse are more necessary in the war then foote 3 The progresse of the Turke before and after the institution of the Ianissars 4 Victories gotten by the horse 5 Ouerthrowes giuen by the enemies horse to the Christians 6 Conclusion that horse in seruice excell foote IT seemeth that the greatest part of such as discourse of the forces of the Turke attribute his chiefe strength to the band of Ianizzars as the only sinew of his power and amongst other reasons wherewith they striue to fortify their oppinion this is one It hath hapned many times that the army of the Ottomans hath beene so hardly laide to as the battaile hath been in a manner lost yet haue they gathered strength and kept themselues on foote yea they haue gotten the victory and all through the vertue and valour of these Legionaries 2 Machiauel discourseth vpon this point and as one much passionate holdeth himselfe to this argument that foote are more necessary then horse in all exploites of war and he laieth his principall foundation vpon the example of certaine Romaine Captaines which saith he to breake into and force the enemy on foote haue caused their men at armes to alight from their horses and fight on foote against them It is a poore argument and of small importance since that for once that they made their horsemen alight an hundred occasions were offered to make them mount on horse backe if they had the commodity of horse he which is on horsebacke may when he please alight but a footeman cannot get vp on horsebacke when hee will This mony shall serue to pay Machiauel whom I leaue to proceed forward I affirme that in a ranged battaile and in the plaine field the forces of the Turke consist and principally rely on the horse The proofes are cleere and at hand as the processe of this discourse shall discouer 3 First no man is ignorant of the great victories the Turk got long time before the institution of the Ianizzars Amurath the second the yeere 1420. was he that first ordained them yet Ottoman had before that taken Sebasta a city of importance in Asia where he slew aboue an hundred thousand of his enemies Orcan his sonne had dispoiled the Emperour of Constantinople and of Bithinia at seuerall worthy incounters Amurath the first had passed Asia into Europe with his forces tooke Gallipoli Filipoli and Andrinople and we may thinke that he did not obtaine those victories without dangerous and bloudy incounters he conquered also diuers other cities and wan many other victories of the Princes of Seruia and Bulgaria whom he compelled to stoope vnder the yoake of his obedience Baiazet the first ouercame Sigismonde King of Bohemia and put all those French to the sword which Charles the 6. of France sent to his succour Calepin his sonne vnderstanding that Sigismond had raised an army vpon the newes of the ouerthrow giuen by Tamburlaine to Baiazet to salue his losses went to meete him at Salumbezza and so valiantly incountred him as his whole army was cut in peeces so as it cannot be said that the victories the Turke hath obtained since the institution of Ianizzars haue beene either greater or more memorable then the former rather they were the steps to these other happy atchieuements The beginning of things containe in them the efficient vertue of the whole This disputation might proue great and might ballance on either side if I did not ad waight to one of the opinions I will then say that before the institution and seminary of Ianizzars the Turks receiued but one memorable ouerthrow at mount Stella at the hands of Tamburlan the most strong enemy that euer they assaied and that after their institution they receiued more and greater as were those of Vsumcassan of Iohn Huniades of Mathew Coruin of the Mamelucks of the great Scanderbag of Don Iohn of Austria of the Kings of Persia and others 4 The second proofe which I will produce to fortifie the truth of my proposition is that all such as haue had the better hand of the Turkes euer had it by the meanes of their horse wherein they did exceed the enemy in number and strength as we haue so often saide of the Persians and of the Mamelucks The great Sophi â—â—mael had he not vanquished Selim the second with the strength of his horse if when he did set vpon the rier-ward where the Turke was in person the thunder of his Cannon had not so affrighted the horse as they ran away with their masters to the disordering of the whole armie The onely thing that ouerthrew the fortune which the Persian had almost alreadie in his possession Cudabeuda King of Persia hath many times ouercome the Turkish forces by the onely strength of his horse whereof he hath more and is better armed then the other The Hungarians in like sort haue many times put the Turkes to the woorse by their fight on horsebacke 5 The third and strongest proofe of my assertion is
meanes whereby he may be inwardly weakened and whether by the infirmities which are begotten in other estates that of the Ottomans may be likewise distempered and corrupted of the inward causes of this corruption some concerne the Heads and Ministers others are deriued from among the people I will then produce some few examples noting the errors of such as sway a Soueraigne authority and so orderly come to the other to collect thence what may serue to procure the Turkes ruine 2 That which would fall most to our purpose would be if the great Turke should die without heires of the true line and race of Ottoman For in such a case it is likely the Beglerbyes Vizirs Bassas Sangiacks and the greatest personages of the Turkish nation would each one for himselfe indeauour to possesse himselfe of whatsoeuer he could most easily compasse 3 The second cause would be if in regard of his cruelty or negligence the Prince should giue his subiects occasion to hate and contemne him but the mischiefe would proue yet greater if it did arise from the cowardlinesse or sloath of the Prince For his strength consisting wholly in the great numbers of his souldiours ordinarily intertained how could he possibly containe such mighty armies in deuotion and quietnesse if he did not daily busie them in the exercise of war And lesse how could so many nations be held within compasse of feare and obedience without the feare of ordinary armes It is not to be doubted then if they had a Prince who were giuen ouer to idlenesse and a loose life or that they discried him to be a coward slothfull but they would be forward to draw their swords against him and thence worke their owne destruction Baiazet the second had proofe of this for abandoning himselfe to all pleasures and resoluing vpon a priuat and retired course of life to spend his time in reading good authors his sonne sought his destruction and in the end fauored by the Ianizzars depriued him of his life and kingdome For though Baiazet repressed the first violence of his sonnes ambition yet he was at the last forced by the Ianizzars not only to pardon his rebellion but also to send him with an army against his other sonne Accomat who supposing his father ment to prefer Selim before himselfe who was the elder caused the noses and eares of his fathers messengers most shamefully to be cut off the enormity of this fact ill digested and worse interpreted was that which cancelled the greater faults of Selim to take vengeance of this last lesse outrage whence it came to passe in the end that these same Ianizzars possest Selim of the empire who soone after put to death his vnhappy father Amurath the third now raigning hauing withdrawne himselfe from the actions of war to liue in ease and quiet hath lost much of his souldiours and seruants ancient obedience zeale and obseruance such as they were wont to carry towards their Soueraignes greatnesse The Bassa of Cairo who had the gouernment of Aegypt named Ragusei being summoned according to their Emperious custome to make his appearance at the port flatly refused to come thither and made his escape with a world of treasure which he had amassed by extorsions and pilling of the people during the time of his administration The Ianizzars which were at those times appointed for the wars of Persia would not once moue a foote to march thitherward but as halfe in a mutiny said plainly they would not any more go vpon any enterprise vnlesse the great Turke their Lord would vnchamber himselfe from among his concubines and vndertake the voyage himselfe in person so as he was constrained by vertue of giftes and increase of pay to win them to the war Moreouer of late after the ouerthrow of Tauris the Turke hauing appointed a new generall for the succoring of his vanquished army and reenforcing of such as remained within the cittadell all the commandements he could lay vpon him could not preuaile so much with him as to get him to march forward rather he grew to capitulate with him and that finished he made the most adoe in the world to muster vp twenty thousand men who refused likewise to goe to that war otherwise then vpon all the aduantages they could deuise to demand not like subiects and slaues but as if they had beene neighbours allies and confederates These breaches already made in the obedience they were wont to render thir lord and Master may perswade vs that they will easily rebell vpon the first occasion that shall present it selfe without respect of their Princes greatnesse or obseruation of their ancient military policy 4 The third occasion might befall if there were many brethren to debate the Empire after the death of their father as it hapned between Zizimus and Baiazet sonnes of Mahomet and betwene Acomat and Selim sonnes of Baiazet This Baiazet was fauoured of the Ianizzars against his brother Zizimus was vpheld onely by the aid of the Soldan of Cairo and King of Persia Selim likewise was borne by the Ianizzars and Bassas and Acomâ—nt by forraine Princes they incountred and fought cruel battailes whose victories brought the whole Estate in danger Baiazet and Selim remained conquerours each one his party by meanes of the great numbers of men that accompanied them and of the valour of the souldiours of the old bandes which serued vnder them Notwithstanding all these opportunities which God so to the purpose prepared not one Christian Prince once stirred or so much as made offer to arme in fauour of the weaker of those which contended which would no doubt haue entangled both of them in a long and dangerous strife enough finally to haue ruined or much decaied the house of the Ottomans when they should haue called such an one to their succour as would haue rather blowen then quenched their fires Amongst all the Princes of Christendome there was none but the great master of Rhodes which sent some supplies of artillery to Zizimus and which after receiued and defended him from the hands of Baiazet when he was driuen to retire himselfe to his protection 5 These domestique quarrels cannot now become so strong especially such as might happen betweene brethren as then they might considering that the Mamelucks who as neighbours might haue fomented and giuen intertainment to such differences are now extinct and their name no more mentioned They were in their time the only emulators of the Turkes glory Rhodes hath made an exchange of her fortune and is now in the power of this tyrant Cypres beareth the like yoake These two Ilands affoorded an especial commodity to sow dissentions among the Turks to fauour and succour one of the parties 6 The fourth cause would easily arise from the presumption and head-strong rashnesse of the Ianizzars likely enough to attempt and execute as much as sometime did the Pretorian bands of the Romans who made slender account to fill the Empire with slaughters
and massacres wherein many Emperours ended their daies they electing others at their pleasures against the authority of the Senat and the loue and reuerence they ought to haue borne towards their country The like may we hope or expect from the Ianizzars that they will one day assume to themselues the same power and learne to performe the like whereof they gaue an assaie at such time as they compelled Baiazet the second to resigne the Empire to Selim his sonne They did almost the like when Soliman caused his sonne Mustapha to be murthered for they besieged him and inuironed his tent for certaine daies space crying out they would know the cause of that yong Princes death In the end by the deuise of the Bassa and with stoore of coyne he wan to him foure thousand of them who disengaged him of the feare and danger wherein he was plunged 7 The fift cause may be fetched from the ambition or discontent of the great ones of the countrie or of ministers swaying the supreame authority credit in places of gouernment Gazeles gouernour of Soria made way for a reuolt of the like quality as did also Acomat Generall of Aegypt Gazeles assisted by the Mamelucks Arabians and those of Rhodes endeuoured to set himselfe vp against the great Turke but he was discouered by Cayembeius whom he had acquainted with the conspiracy This man either for feare as looking into the danger of the enterprise or for enuy of his companions greatnesse reuealed all to his Master Soliman who presently dispatched against him Faratha Bassa by whom he was vanquished in battaile Acomat had not the leasure to proceed far in his attempt for as he did inconsideratly precipitate himselfe into the triall thereof so was he as speedily discouered and in an instant suppressed and slaine without hauing thriued ought in his dessignes CHAP. XIII Of the mixt causes 1 What are the mixt causes 2 How Estates are ouerthrowen by mixt causes 1 IN this third booke we haue at large discoursed how by inward and outward causes Estates may be indangered now we must speake of causes compounded of the one and the other which to discourse more intelligibly we tearm mixt which likewise are of power of themselues to alter an Empire and to bring it either by an vniuersall or a particular change to a lamentable ruine These mixt causes then are those whereby both the enemy abroad and the subiect at home may by a common consent conspire against an Estate and subuert it 2 One of the causes or meanes may be a popular insurrection nourished by the enemy or else the conspiracy of some particular men set on by forraine practises or to tearme it better the treasons which subiects may hatch in fauour and by the meanes and authority of their neighbours This hapneth in a twofold manner when the subiect beginneth and setteth on foote the practise or when a stranger laieth the way open vnto them vnder some coulered pretence or else when some one particular person or all a whole communalty frame the occasion thereof in regard of some displeasure or oppression Finally this falleth out also when the enemy abroad tempereth with one two or three of the principall men to reuolt against their prince and take armes in hand to ouerturne and ruine the Estate CHAP. XIIII How particular persons may be gained 1 How his people are to be prouoked to rebellion 2 How his great men and chiefe officers are to be gained 3 These courses at the first not succeeding are to be oftner attempted 4 Wary proceeding is requisite lest those that manage the businesse incurre danger 5 To whom such businesses are to be committed 1 IT resteth now that we make it appeere how such practises may be set on foote and cherished we will then beginne with the enterprise to bee plotted by some particular person by whose assistance it may take effect We must presuppose that this person is either priuat or publike the priuat persons are those which suffer themselues most often to be corrupted by mony and with these there neede not so many ceremonies or broâ—kings but if they be publike persons of rancke and authority either in regard of the greatnesse of their family or managing of state affaires there is far greater difficulty in corrupting them then the other yet if we may but discouer in them the stinges of ambition and desire of greatnesse and that we propose to them the assurance of speedy succours for the execution of the desâ—â—gne then is it that we bring them to dare any thing especially if they haue neuer so little disposition to be reuenged of some receiued indignity It is indeed a hard matter to worke particular and priuate persons without great vncertaineties and dangers 2 But if we must haue to doe with the great persons of the Estate we must warily make choice of our time sound them whether they be male content or ill affected towards their Prince either in respect that some one is aduanced to their preiudice or for some other cause which may awake in them a longing to shake off their yoake and seaze themselues of the Estate These are the meanes and occasions which should be chosen and diligently husbanded by our Christian Princes smoothly and with dexterity to procure the ruine of the common enemy putting on as they say the foxes skin when the lions is wanting The displeasure and ielousie which Faratha Bassa conceiued against Hebraim Bassa because he saw him raised by Soliman to greater honour and estimation then himselfe so depriued him of all reason as suffering the desire of reuenge by little and little to transport him he began to plot a rebellion but discouered he was forthwith put to death the selfe same occasion was the ouerthrow of Pirrus and Mustapha raised by Soliman In our time in the court of Amurath the third now raigning these ielousies and hart-burnings haue beene great betweene Mahomet and Mustapha and since that betweene the same Mustapha and Cicala who hath outstript him and all for fauour of their Master If these humors and ill dispositions had beene well looked into and wisely imploied to their best vse by some great Prince of Christendome they had beene fit matter to haue bred a dissention and reuolt amongst those barbarous people 3 Now though such practises should not perhaps at the first be of sufficient power to worke that vniuersall change which we wish in that tyrants Empire yet are we not therefore to desist as men dismaied remembring that most commonly the beginnings of innouations and commotions so extraordinary are feeble and that that wisdome sheweth it selfe like it selfe which can so diligently suckle and nourish them as they may attaine to a happy growth I am of opinion that when we incounter with instruments that are not without ambition courage and a thirst of reuenge after we haue felt and sounded them once twise or thrise we shall in the end make a breach in their