decreed that the Generals should dispatch the next morning all together Couriers to Pius V. to give him notice of the Victory obtained of the Barbarians which his Holyness should afterwards impart to all the Christian Princes and that John Baptista Contareni who was going to Venice should transport the Couriers as far as Otrante Venieri who was for this opinion afterwards considered the Senate would receive so great News too late and thought it would be well taken from him should they have an account before the Pope Humphry Justiniani came to him by chance as he rowled this design in his Head. He was a young Officer very enterprizing and ready to put in execution immediately whatsoever orders were committed to him Venieri no sooner saw him but he found his desires sharpned with a new edge and demanded of him whether his Gally was in a condition to part for Venice and he in a humour to make this Voyage Justiniani answered him he was ready to receive his Commands whereupon Venieri put his dispatches into his hands This Officer at the same time went on board his Gally and hoysted Sayl. Don Jobn took this Affair far more haniously than it deserved and his spite passed so far that he revenged himself on the common Cause by giving over his design on the Town of Lepanto and that of raising Commotions in the Morea for tacking immediately about he struck out to Sea to arrive at Corfou All the Fleet were not over much troubled at this change of design for as well the general as particular Officers and Venieri himself were more desirous to return home to shew the Spoils taken from the Barbarians to their Countrymen and relate to them the part which each of them had in the Victory than to continue the War and this impatience made them lose all the Fruit of so Glorious an Undertaking Yet it being shameful to remain idle in the midst of a Victory 't was proposed to attack by the way the Isle of Leucade at present called St. Maure after the Name of its Principal Church and Prosper Colonni a valiant young Captain was ordered to go before and view the place Venieri secretly traversed this Project hoping to carry the place alone without the help of the Confederates He sent for this effect orders to young Colonni who received the Republicks Pay to disswade Don John from this enterprise by setting before him the difficulty of it as well for its numerous Garrison as the Situation and Strength of the place There needed no more to drive off People from an Attempt when they were fo earnestly bent to return home As soon as the Fleet were disburthened at Corfou the Gallies and Artillery gained from the Infidels were divided between the Generals each of them having a proportionable Share according to the charge they had been at They came afterwards to the dividing of the Prisoners but Don John pretended every tenth Man belonged to him on account of his quality of General 't was agreed to refer the Arbitrage of that Controversie to the Pope who ordered the most considerable of them should be brought to Rome to exchange them for Christian Slaves and the rest equally divided between Don John and the other two Generals This Holy Prelate was struck with Horror at the Proposition which the Venetians made him of cutting the Throats of these Wretches for fear said they that when they be redeemed they use the Christians with greater Barbarity But Pius V. on the contrary secured them in convenient places of confinement and endeavoured to win them to the Christian Religion by ways of gentleness and good usage Colonni would not suffer Don John to part from Corfou till he had coâ—sented Venieri should come to saluâ—e him This young Prince received the old Captain with a smiling Countenâ—nce and clapping him on the Shoulder with his hand told him betwix jest and earnest he abounded mightily in his own Sence and was too ready and active for a Man of his years They afterwards went both of them to Messina whence Colonni parted for Rome and Don John to Winter at Palerma where People came from all parts to congratulate him on the Advantages he had obtained Justiniani charged with Packets from his General made such good hast that he arrived the ninth day at Venice He saluted according to usual custom the Castles which defended the entrance of the Port with all his Guns This noise immediately drew down along the Banks of the great Channel infinite numbers of People inquisitive to hear some news of the Fleet. At the same time a Friggat was perceived set forth with Turkish Colours the end of which hung into the Sea at which sight the Inhabitants conceived great hopes and filled the Air with Shouts of Joy. Justiniani drawing near the place of St. Marc made signs with his hand that the Christians had won a signal Victory He put off his long Robe to march the more easily and immediately landing went strait to the Doge's Palace through this numerous Crowd He told Moceningo who advanced to embrace him That the Confederates had engaged the Infidels near the Cursolaries That the Turkish Fleet had been not only defeated but wholly ruined and gave him an account of the number of the Gallies they had taken and sunk The Doge without putting on his habit of Ceremony went immediately to give God Thanks for this Victory in the Patriarchal Church the news of which was soon spread over the Town The Citizens left their Houses the Artists shut up their Shops and all the Town ran to the publick place The widest Streets were so crouded that several Senators could not get room to pass to the Church Justiniani read in the presence of the Doge and the Senate Venieri's Letters made them a particular relation of the Fight and received order to give a formal account of it to the People He spake aloud That the Turks were routed That all the Vessels which the Sea had not swallowed up were in the Conquerours Possession That there were slain Thirty Thousand Barbarians That their Admiral Haly was killed and his Gally taken That Perteau escaped in a Skiff accompanyed only with a Slave That Siroch Caracossa and several other considerable Officers had lost their Lives That the two Sons of Hali together with Mahomet Bassa of Negrepont were taken Prisoners with other Persons of Quality and that the advantage obtained was above what they could either expect or wish He afterwards exhorted them to go and give thanks to Heaven and entreat with fervent Prayers they may never do any thing unworthy so great a Benefit Then the publick Joy filling all parts of the City People embraced as they met though unknown to each other with Tears in their Eyes comparing their present State with the Alarms and Fears which put them not long before on fortifying the Capital City against the Surprizes of the Victorious Enemy They could not consider without trembling that they were
attack the Imperial Seat wherefore the Grand Visier to prevent Surprize and Insults augmented the Garrison of the Dardanels The People were so disturb'd that to keep them within bounds they were fain to issue out very severe Orders Selim was then at Adrianople busied about the Mosque and Kervansarai He returned thence with speed at the first News of the Tumults in the City for fear it should be yielded to the Conquerors The ignorant Multitude were so terrifyed that the greatest part of them gave the choicest of their Goods to be kept by the Christians whom yet they treated with the highest Contempt and as kt 'em whether they might at least be permitted the free exercise of their Religion in paying Tribute The Grand Signiors Arrival calmed these Storms and kept the People in their duty by the sole Fear of Punishment Thus was Venice reveng'd of the Alarms given her by the Menaces of an Insolent Conquerour and the Fright at Constantinople was so much the greater in that the Infidels thought themselves secure of the Victory This Turn is a great Example of the Inconstancy of Humane Affairs and how little Confidence ought to be placed in Fortune's Favours which become so much the bitterer the less we expect to see our selves deprived of them The Grand Signior removed Perteau from his Employ confiscated his Estate and with difficulty leaving him his Life banisht him from Constantinople He thought by this Chastisement to cast the shame of his Defeat on one of his Generals ill Conduct and so to save his Armies Credit Louchali who was escap't with about Thirty Gallies and some Christian Vessels he had taken in the beginning of the Fight was Honoured for this little Advantage and returned Triumphantly to Constantinople The Grand Seignior highly extolled his Valour presented him with a Magnificent Vest and made him Bassa of the Sea in the room of the unfortunate Haly. The Pope Passionately desired the Return of this Renegado to the Christian Religion and would have proposed to him by some able Mediators not only the Pardon of his Apostacy but also the giving him a Town in Soveraignty within the Realm of Naples which was his Native Country on condition he would deliver up the Fleet to Don John. Cardinal Alexandrini had in his Holynesses Name much pressed the King of Spain to that purpose Philip the Second approved this Design admired the Zeal of Pius the Fifth and promised to second it to the utmost of his Ability but he did not exactly keep his Word and the Popes Death happening a little after was highly prejudicial to the Affairs of Christendom The Musulmans having a little recovered their Spirits drew Troops out of the inland places to strengthen their Garrisons on the Sea Coasts fearing that the Christians become Masters of the Archipelago might make use of this Advantage But the Spies they had sent to learn News brought them Word that Don John satisfyed with gaining a Battel was gone to disarm in Sicily That the Venetians incapable to make the best of their good Fortune only amus'd themselves about taking half-ruin'd Castles in Epirus and that Venieri having ill succeeded in an Enterprize was gone to Winter at Corfou The Ministers of the Divan re-assured by this Report set close to the repairing of their Fleet seeing this to be the only means to preserve the Glory of the Ottoman Name and secure their Coasts It was besides of extream importance to them to let all Europe see that the Grand Signior was powerful enough not only to repair its Ruins but also to put to Sea the next Spring a much more formidable Fleet. Louchali engaged by his own Employ to support his Masters Glory with his utmost Endeavours advanced the Preparatives of this Design He sent for Four and Twenty Gallies left to secure the Isle of Cyprus which had not been in the Fight at Lepanto he diligently drew together all those that had escaped from the Conquerours and provided them of new Furniture He made use of the old Hulls of Vessels found in the Harbours or Ports The Bassa's had Order to build the greatest number they could in all places of their Governments appointed for such Works so that Louchali surprized the Divan by the speed with which he made ready Two Hundred Gallies This Effort made Selim conceive a great Opinion of his Power and with this Fleet ill equipp'd the Turks pretended to revenge themselves of their last Defeat The happy Success of the Confederates Arms could not make the Generals forget their particular Quarrels The Report of the late Fight already spread over all Europe warmed Christendom and made it with reason expect a a Series of Victories But the Hatred and Jealousie of the Soveraigns disappointed so great an Expectation Though there seem'd to be a great Accord and Union between the Spaniards and the Venetians yet they loved one another less than they hated the Infidels and their Victory had doubled their Aversion The Spaniards treated the Venetians with as much Contempt as Pride They publisht that the others had contributed little to the gaining of the Battel and that the whole was in a manner due to their Troops and Gallies The Venetians who could not suffer these insolent Discourses boasted their Gallant Actions saying that their Army both began the Fight and determin'd the Victory They moreover complained of the Spaniards Malice who had let some of the Republicks Gallies be taken when they might easily have succoured them Amongst others they accused Doria of Treachery reproaching him with having placed himself at such a distance that several Christian Friggats thinking he fled had tumultuously followed him with not having so much as made one Shot with having carryed away and pillaged the Vessels taken from the Infidels instead of pursuing Louchali who retreated in Disorder and with having behaved himself on the Day of the Fight more like a Pyrate than a General The Venetians in the beginning of the Winter sent Paul Tipoli to Rome to assist Sorancio in the Negotiations touching the League Requiescens was employed upon the same Affair with the Embassadours of the Catholick King. The Pope often discoursed him in private gave him several Marks of his good will and distinguished him from other Forrein Ministers because he was Governour of Milanese The President du Ferrier Embassadour from France to his Holyness a sensible and punctual Man found fault with this Preference and complained with so much earnestness of the Affront done the King his Master whose Ministers had always been more Honoured than the King of Spains that Requiescens fearing this Contest might unseasonably cause a War between France and Spain retired to his Government Philips and the Republicks Embassadours had every day some new Disputes in the Presence of the Pope and Cardinals assembled to Regulate them touching the Preparatives for the next Campaign and agreed not upon any Articles without his Holynesses Interposition The Venetians desir'd that an account might be
THE HISTORY of y e WAR of CYPRUS THE HISTORY OF THE WAR OF CYPRUS Written Originally in Latin. With a New Map of the Island LONDON Printed by J. Rawlins and sold by Randal Taylor near Stationers-Hall 1687. Licensed November 26. 1686. RO. L'ESTRANGE TO THE Right Honourable GEORGE Lord JEFFREYS Baron of WEM Lord High Chancellor of ENGLAND and One of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council My Lord YOur Lordship I hope will pardon the Boldness of this Dedication and permit the Presenter of it to pay that Honor and Veneration which is due from All to your Lordship's Eminent Character and most Illustrious Merits To which nothing can do greater Right than what has come from the Mouths of the late flagitious Rebels themselves who were so highly sensible of your Lordship's Wisdom and Courage in opposing their Hellish and Damnable Designs that their Principal Leaders were us'd to please themselves with nothing more than with the Thoughts and Wishes of making your Lordship a Sacrifice to their Malice and Revenge I will not attempt to speak here of what you suffer'd for your Inflexible Loyalty from a Seditious Cabal nor of our Obligations to your Auspicious Conduct which nipt the growing Faction in the Bud and stopt the Torrent of Enthusiastick Frenzy and by a bold Stroke of Justice set at Liberty those who were condemn'd unheard to a perpetual Confinement It were a Task too hard for me to undertake a particular Description of these and other Instances of your Lordship's Goodness and Courage which will be the chief Subject of the most lasting History of our Times All that I pretend to is to make some publick Acknowledgement of the just Sense I have of your Lordship's Great and Exemplary Virtues and to testifie in all Sincerity that I am My Lord Your Lordships most Obedient and humbly Devoted Servant Robert Midgley TO THE READER THE Title of this Book seems to promise but a narrow History and those that only like great Revolutions and variety of several Events which have happened in a long Sequel of Time will not perhaps be much prepossessed in its Favour The Conquest of an Island altho' honour'd with the Title of a Kingdom which was compleated in the second Campaign will appear to them too short to furnish an Historian with choice Materials But supposing the Interest which all Europe had in this Affair did not make it as indeed it did one of the most famous Accidents of the preceding Age yet the taking of Nicosia and desolation thereof being the Capital City of the Island of Cyprus the Siege and Surrender of Famagusta which capitulated not till after a four Months vigorous Resistance and the memorable Victory of Lepanto deserve the exact Care which the Bishop of Amelia has taken in Publishing them The Republick of Venice never saw her self so threatned by the Ottoman Empire as when Selim the Second form'd the Design of snatching from her this Kingdom and never Enterprize was carried on in the Divan with more dexterity and secrecy The Church then govern'd by Pope Pius the Fifth who was since Canoniz'd was at the same time attack'd by several Reformers authoriz'd by Secular Powers and the Infidels who always make advantage of the Disunion of Christians improved so favourable an opportunity to the enlargement of their Territories and Religion The Pope alarm'd by the foresight of these Misfortunes dispatch'd Nuncio's sent Legates to all the Princes of Europe and not content with these his good Endeavours set out a Fleet at his own Charge and offered to conduct it in Person for the Venetians Every Prince consented or refused to enter into the League propos'd by his Holiness according as he was interessed to break off or keep in with the Port and the Advantage he found in the Ruine or Preservation of the Republick But the Course which the King of Spain Philip the Second held is a Piece of the most refined Policy The Legate had no sooner represented him with the danger wherein the Republick lay but he undertook to send a great Force to its Assistance and gave Orders at the same time for the equipping of a considerable Fleet. All Christendom could expect no less from a Monarch who wore so many Crowns and honour'd himself with the Title of Most Catholick King. But his Design was only to merit this Title in appearance seeing the slowness which he used in making ready this Fleet and the secret Orders he gave to Requiescens Chief of the Council to Don John of Austria tended only to ruine the Republick and by this means reduce Italy under his Power The Ministers and Venetian Generals happily penetrated into the secret Designs of Philip and gave speedy Notice to their Masters The Venetians justly grieved to find how unsincerely they were dealt with made no scruple to accommodate themselves with the Turk without the participation of the Confederates altho' this was expresly forbidden by the Treaty they made with the Christian Princes It is in the summing up of this variety of Interests that our Author dives into and discovers the Intrigues and Motions of the principal Courts of Europe and we may well credit his Abilities and Faithfulness from the Part which Cardinal Commendon gives him in all these important Mysteries of State. THE CONTENTS OF THE FIRST BOOK A Description of the Isle of Cyprus The Manners of its Inhabitants The Dryness of the Territory It s Abundance Malignity of Ayr. Its different Possessors Conquered by the Romans from the Kings of Egypt King Peter massacred by his Subjects The Genoeses take Famagusta Catharine Cornaro espouses King James Demits his Crown to her at his Death She retires to Venice and delivers the Kingdom into the hand of the Senate who fortifie Nicosia the Capital City of the Island Solyman the Father of five Children Selim the youngest succeeds him His Inclinations Mahomet Chief Visier Jealousie of Mustapha and Piali touching the Favour of Mahomet Selim despis'd by the Souldiers Blind Obedience of the Musulmans Vnhappy State of the Jews They retire from Spain into Portugal Their Obstinacy Selim excites the taking of the Isle of Cyprus Hospitals and Moscs built by the Sultans with the Spoyls taken from the Christians Selim designs the Conquest of Cyprus for the building of an Hospital and a Mosc Discourse of Mustapha to engage him in this Enterprize Mahomet endeavours to divert him from it He advises him to succour the Moors in Spain A great Dearth in Italy The Arsenal of Venice is burnt The Disorder which this Fire causes The Senate mistrust some Conspiracy A Jew call'd Miches is suspected The News of this Fire carried to Constantinople The Artifice of Mahomet to deceive the Venetians The Ambassador of Venice discovers this Minister's Secret. The Grand Signior sends a Denunciation of War to the Republick The Doge returns his Answer in Writing The sudden Death of Lauredon Doge of Venice Mocenigo succeeds him The Epirots treat with the Venetians
before this News were known there Mahomet well knew the Souldiers contemned Selim because of his averseness to Wars loudly talking during his Father's Life That he was not of the Ottoman Race but that Roxalana his Mother pretending a big Belly had Fathered on Solyman the Child of a certain Jewish Woman and therefore they stuck not to call him according to his supposed Birth And to make this Calumny pass the better they added he was a Favourer of the Jews who are more abominable and odious amongst the Turks than amongst any other People and therefore to gratifie one John Miches a Fugivive from Spain for his Judaism he obtain'd of his Father Solyman one of the ancient Cities of Palestine and several Countries round about to establish a Colony of those wretched People These Rumors made the greatest part of the Army to prefer Amurah a Prince of Twenty years of Age whose Inclinations were answerable to his Birth But thus Mahomet setled the Crown on Selim's Head without opposition and for a Reward of this Service the new Emperor gave him the Seals with the Quality of Grand Visier which is the first Minister in the Ottoman Empire He was already his Son-in-Law so that Selim committed the Government to his Care and gave himself over to the Pleasures and Softness of the Seralio Mahomet was too quick-sighted not to perceive that a Favour like his must draw on him much Envy That Princes oft change their Favourites and suffer with regret those to whom they believe they are much obliged respecting them as importunate Creditors they endeavour to get rid of them assoon as any specious Pretence offers it self to colour their Ingratitude The Example of Ibrahim a Favourite of Solyman's whom a Sultaness ruined without letting the World know the Occasion made him wary and solicitous to strengthen himself in his high Places He began by freeing Selim from the perplexity of Affairs which might disturb his Pleasures He afterwards removed all those who were not his Friends from the Prince's Presence and brought into their Places such as were affectionated to his Service and by this means rul'd all at his will. The Bassaes and other Visiers acted only by his Directions and each of them made their Court to him in the same manner as if he had been their Emperor Since the renewing of the Treaty and Alliance between the Port and the neighbouring States and confirmation thereof between Solyman and the Republick of Venice sign'd three years after the Ottoman Empire enjoyed a profound Peace the Continuation of which seemed to be lasting by means of Selim's sluggish and luxurious humor But the Souldiers being accustomed under the preceding Reigns to Pillage on the neighbouring Countries tired with Ease murmured at the Grand Visier's conduct of Affairs saying he abused his Interest in the Grand Signior and instead of bringing him off from his Debauches rather enticed him to continue them disswading him from following the Example of his Father and Grandfather who had conquered so many Kingdoms and carried their victorious Arms to the Ends of the World. They added That this Lethargy brought shame to the Majesty of the Ottoman Empire and that the Idleness wherein so many brave Men were suffered to spend their days was no less dishonourable than the Softness of their Sovereign That his Grandfather whose Name he did bear had not thus reign'd who by several Conquests acquired with immortal Honour by the entire Defeat of the Mamelucs had made himself Master of all Egypt That the Sultans were not set up to enjoy peaceably what their Predecessors had left them but to enlarge their Empire by new Conquests and reduce the Universe to the Mahometan Law That it belong'd only to private persons to busie themselves in conserving their Possessions but Sovereigns should have no other End than to benefit their Countrey That tho' Selim wanted Gourage and Conduct to tread in his Ancestors steps yet ought he to maintain his Empire by the same ways it was establish'd and that as great Motions and the noise of War keep men in breath and stir up Valour and Ambition so Rest and Luxury serve only to abase and depress them That their Emperors did not get their Possessions by Drunkenness and Luxury but by Labour and Hardship That Selim not contented to frustrate them of the Largess which the new Emperors usually bestowed on the Souldiery at their first coming to the Crown would also deprive them of the only means to defend themselves against Poverty and Misery although the flourishing State of the Empire was the effect of their Labour and Faithfulness and That in fine 't was very hard to buy thus dear the Friendship of the Prime Visier whose covetous Humor could not be satisfied tho' the whole World should drain it self dry to fill it The Souldiers were discontented at Selim's Advancement to the Empire and not following the Custom of distributing Money amongst them which the Sultans are wont to do and especially the Janizaries who were perswaded that Mahomet was the Author of this Retrenchment Mustapha and Piali whose Favour this Chief Minister endeavoured to ruine secretly entertain'd and cherish'd these Complaints and Murmurs Piali had been disgraced and thrown out of his Office but the Tears and Prayers of his Wife regained his Re-establishment from the Emperor this Princesses Father Mustapha having been sent against certain People who inhabit along the Coasts of the Red Sea had met with bad Success in his Expedition by the Treachery of Synam Bassa of Egypt he was accused not only for making War with a kind of indifferency but treating under-hand with the Revolters to dismember Egypt and share it betwixt them Synam who sought all ways to procure Favour from the Prime Visier became his Accuser and Mustapha's Crime appear'd more plainly by having espoused the Daughter of King Tomonbeius when Selim I exterminated the Mamelucs Mahomet who knew the jealous Temper of the Prince represented to him this Affair as a matter that required a most severe Chastisement and thereupon obliged him to send an Executioner into Egypt to bring him Mustapha's Head. 'T is a Custom established by these Barbarians from the Tyrannical Power of the Sovereigns and blind Obedience of the People that assoon as the Grand Signior requires the Head of one of his Generals tho' he then commanded all the Forces of the Empire he submissively offers himself to the Will of the Executioner Mustapha having notice of his Disgrace and Sentence parts immediately from Egypt to Constantinople where Amurah the Grand Signior's Eldest Son perswaded of his Innocence took him under his Protection and presented him himself to his Father Mustapha casting himself at Selim's Feet told him with great Freedom I will obey without the least Repugnancy your Highnesses Orders if I am sentenced to Death but if my Enemies abusing their Power and your Bounty overwhelm me by the blackness of their Calumnies I shall have at least the Consolation that it
King of Spain's Council was no less perplexed on this Matter than the Senate Some of its Ministers were of Opinion not to enter into a League against the Ottoman Empire situated as to their regard at the other End of the World That 't were better for them to preserve their own Conquests than attempt new ones in a Countrey the Acquisition of which cannot compensate the Cost That if they were resolved to extend their Dominions they had better carry the War into Africa whilst the Turks made it against the Venetians and at the same time chastise the Algierines for pillaging their Subjects That if the King of Spain enters into the League he must furnish the Republick with the greatest part of his Troops without any expectation of Profit from so considerable a Charge and Trouble That the Venetians inconstant in their Resolutions and ruin'd by the Charge of their Fleet would basely forsake their Confederates in the heat of the War as they had already several times done They added 't was dangerous to send all their Naval Forces to the furthest part of the Mediterranean in a time when the Insurrection of the Mores was not wholly quieted and those of the Low Countreys every day encreased and that the Resentment of Germany and the under-hand Practices of the French with the Prince of Orange were equally to be feared Thus did they reason whose Views reached no farther than Spain But others whose Politicks were larger affirm'd That if the Republick fell for want of Support under the weight of the War 't would be infallibly carried next into Spain the Port had already determin'd the execution of this Project That if the Venetians were strong enough to repulse the Infidels 't was of absolute necessity for his Catholick Majesty to bear a part in this glorious Advantage and if the Republick should be constrained by a Defeat to accommodate her self on shameful Conditions the King of Spain would be reproach'd for betraying Christendom by refusing to enter into the League That the Turks could in a dayes time pass over from Epirus to Ottranto and land in Italy more Forces than could be brought against them were the Venetians put out of a Capacity to contribute to the common Defence That France and Germany were not to be feared in this present Conjuncture those Princes not daring to undertake against a Sovereign League with the Republick and Pope who dispose of all Italy and for which all Christian States have a Respect and Veneration That this was a fit Occasion wherein to give Marks of a true Zeal for the Interest of Religion That there was no need of being at any great Charge seeing his Holiness permitted a Tax to be laid on the Clergy which would furnish a Stock sufficient to equip and keep up a good Fleet And that in fine Whether the Venetians would faithfully observe the Treaty or make Peace on dishonourable Conditions his Catholick Majesty would be advantaged and honoured by this Confederacy Altho' Philip had Piety enough to be sensible of these Reasons yet was he more swayed to favour the League by the Fruit he hoped to reap from this War He caused the Pope's Nuncio to be sent for and assured him That notwithstanding the Revolutions in his Dominions which might fairly excuse him from entring into the League and equipping a Fleet for the Levant he would prefer the publick before his own private Interest and joyfully second the Pope's Intentions as a Mark of the Respect he had for him He sent at the same time Orders to the Cardinals Granvil and Pacheco as likewise to his Ambassador at Rome to conclude the Treaty of Alliance with the Venetians on such Conditions as his Holiness would please to make The Venetian-Ambassador having already received the same Power the Negotiation of the League began The Pope committed the Management of this Affair to six Cardinals whom he caused together with the Ambassadors of Spain and Venice to come before him and made them a Discourse full of Sentiments proceeding from the Tenderness of a Father afflicted with the Misfortunes of his Children He began by shewing them The Anger of Heaven could not be turned away but by Fasting and Prayer and Re-establishment of the Ancient Discipline of the Church and explained himself in such affectionate Terms as drew Tears from their Eyes He afterwards particulariz'd all the Disorders of the Church and as their Chastisement the fore mentioned Calamities wherewith Christendom was afflicted And having praised the good Qualities of these Prelates of which this Assembly consisted he exhorted both them and the Ambassadors to endeavour with all Sincerity the finishing of this important Work recommending to them amongst other things the Re-union of the Confederates Affections which he esteemed of far greater Importance in this War than the Conjunction of their Arms. He added They could not too soon put themselves into a Condition to retake the Isle of Cyprus this Post being necessary for the Execution of several Enterprizes and even for the Conquest of Jerusalem and other Places Consecrated by the Blessed Presence of our Saviour and Operation of the principal Mysteries of our Salvation In fine this Venerable old Gentleman offered to go in Person in this Expedition without any regard to his Age and Infirmities should this be deem'd necessary for the common Good. This Assembly having rendered their most humble Thanks to his Holiness Cardinal Granvil desired the Conditions of the Treaty which the Pope promised to send them the next Morning The Cardinals and Ambassadors having conferred a good while on the Means whereby to repulse and attack the Infidels broke up in a perfect Intelligence This Treaty was very easie to be concluded in appearance but at bottom was full of Difficulties and Obstacles That which suited well with the Venetian Interest disagreed with those of the Spaniards who fearing the encrease of the Turk's Force in Greece and Illyria yet more passionately wished the diminution of the Venetian Power in Italy They had in this respect a less Desire to invade than to defend and were rather for drawing the War out at length than ending it by a Victory The Republick on the contary used all their endeavours to make a speedy Decision of it as fearing the exhausting of their Treasure The Allied Towns were wearied with sending Money and Sea-men and the Fields for want of Tillage already lay waste Such opposite Interests produced every day such great Difficulties that the Negotiation was several times breaking off had not the Pope sometimes intreating one and threatning another kept up the Confereences by his Patience and Constancy When they came to Agreement on any Articles they fell out about other Incidents and it was determin'd for avoiding the Consequences to send continually Copies of the Treaty to the King of Spain and Senate and expect their Orders and in the mean time publish the Conclusion of the League The Spaniards dared not to oppose this last
Legates That the Spaniards in whose respect the Senators Minds were to be mollify'd were in some sort excusable they not being chargeable for all the Faults in the last Armado That there was a Mistake in the King of Spain's Apprehensions of the Pope's Intentions and the Orders of his Catholick Majesty were not perhaps well understood That Philip the Second does not refuse to execute the Treaty but requires Shipping not having Galleys sufficient nor them in so good a Condition at this time to put to Sea That he obliges himself to re-imburse all the Charge of the Equipage and Souldiery So that at this rate it will cost him more than he is taxed with Yet his Catholick Majesty has fourscore Galleys in readiness which he hoped to bring himself if Don John hastened not to conduct them towards the End of May at whatsoever place of Rendezvous should be thought best That besides this Fleet the Pope would set out twelve Galleys the Republick of Genoa two the Duke of Savoy and the Order of St. John of Jerusalem each of them four which would follow the Church's Banner That they had their Galeasses their Vessels of Lading and more than an hundred and fifty Galleys Frigats and Galliots which they used in the last Expedition That the Christians never sent such an Armado against the Infidels before so that the Victory would be certain if they came to an Engagement and if the Barbarians mistrusting their Strength should yield them the Mastery of the Seas they might easily land at Nigrepont or the Morea and thus repair the Loss of Nicosia That the Fleet was to be commanded by three Generals who alone would hold the Council of War wherein every thing should be regulated without distinction by a Plurality of Votes to shew by this Equality the Expedition was common to the Christians That neither of the Generals not Don John himself should prefer his Opinion before what the two others may judge the more advantageous to the common Good nor have power to carry the Fleet any where without a just Occasion That his Holiness would nominate him General of the Church's Army or some other more experienc'd Commander who will shew no less Submission and Obedience to the Orders of the Sovereign Prelate than himself That whosoever was to fill this Place will alwayes act in Consort with the Commander of the Venetian-Army and by this means over-rule all Debates and Undertakings That Don John of Austria gave too great hopes not to answer whatsoever might be expected from a young Prince whose Ambition is just and regular and that being desirous to merit the Reputation of a great Captain 't is his Interest to begin his first Undertakings by a sage and judicious Conduct That all these things considered he could not stifle his Resentments at secret Negotiations which have gotten Ayr and that he was willing to believe such grave Statesmen could not approve of such a Conduct But yet he thought himself oblig'd to advertise them of the Injury their Honours suffered by such a Report and that they would do well to make a publick Justification of their Innocency For in fine what can be more infamous than to entreat Peace and submit ones self to an Enemy from whom a man has received infinite Indignities when he may generously defend his Liberty for which the meanest sort have dared to die That the Sultan looking on them already as his Slaves commanded them to yield him a Kingdom which the Signiory has been possessors of for above this hundred Years That they would do well to reflect what would become of a City so flourishing as Venice seeing in forsaking the Isle of Cyprus they discovered likewise the Weakness of their Capital City and the small Strength of all Christendom But he was far from having such disadvantageous Opinions of a State governed by such wise and generous Persons and therefore conjur'd them not to be wanting in so favourable an Oocasion of repairing the Injuries they had already suffered and that they ought to follow the Standard of the Sovereign Prelate who offered to march in Person as their Leader and if they neglected this Occasion they might for all that any body knew hazard the Liberty of their own Persons That Time was not to be spent in Deliberations nor Answers returned in doubtful and ambiguous Terms the Season being far advanced so that all things considered the Publick would take the least Delay for a Renunciation of the League and that he could like better they should see themselves the Miseries they were threatened with than that he should thus or in a fuller manner describe them Colonni was as able at conducting an Army as making an Oration He was of a mild Temper very just and as greatly obliging he usually spake with as great Ease as Eloquence and had by a long Practice a perfect knowledge of Affairs which Qualities had gained him the Esteem and Kindness of the young Venetian Nobility He had likewise engaged them by several good Offices and his Prudence made no less Impression in the Minds of the Senators and other Magistrates He had drawn many of them already into the Interests of the League and mist not one Occasion in common Conversations or in particular Entertainments of making them understand the necessity of it The Council of Ten who did not at all approve of the Alliance yet saw little forwardness of a Peace 'T was highly important not to discontent the Pope and Colonni's Credit inclined the greatest part of the Senate to a Confederation After this particular Council had wearied themselves in fruitless Deliberations for the finding out wayes to amuse his Holiness surprize Colonni and the Senate and to entertain at the same time a secret Correspondence with the Port Paul Tipoli one of the Ten being of Opinion they ought no longer to conceal an Affair whereon depended the Safety of the State was was for opening it to the Senate and referring to them the uncertain Determination of a Peace or War. This Magistrate thought it an unjust thing that the Members of the same Body should have no participation in their Motions that some should make the Secrets of the State a Mystery to others and that the Council of Ten should underhand endeavour a Peace and at the same time delude the Senate without consulting them on the Means of carrying on the War. He represented to his Colleagues that if it were perillous to make known to so many People the State of their Affairs it was yet more dangerous to refer all to a small number of Magistrates and if the Secret was better kept by them they met with this Disadvantage that Matters were not so well and fully discussed To which was offered the Accommodation made in the Year One thousand five hundred and thirty nine with the same Enemies without the participation of the Senate But Tipoli reminded them how greatly this Proceeding had offended the Senate and under what a
the Spaniard as to hinder the Turkish Army from blocking up the Passage He received in his way a Command from the Senateto steer this Course and was well pleased with himself that he had prevented their orders Colonni wrote to him at the same time from Naples to the same purpose He sent out before Sancto Francis Troni and Daniel Molino with three Gallies to cruise on the Adriatic Gulph Sancto was order'd to leave the two others in the mid-way and make directly to Venice to inform such Vessels as were going to Corfou to Sail to Sicily and avoid by this means the Ottoman Fleet. He likewise dispatch'd one Benedictus Captain of a Friggat a Native of the Isle of Cyprus to the Providors Quirino and Celsi to hasten them away without any delay to the place of Rendezvous with the sixty Gallies of which he had left them the Command with whom he joyned some time after Colonni arriv'd there Pius the Fifth who was not wanting in any particular of his Duty assembled the Sacred Colledge immediately after the departure of his Fleet and nominated two Legats to wit Cardinal John Francis Commendon and Michael Bonelli Sirnamed Alexandrinus who was his Sisters Son and brought up in the order of St. Dominic The Colledge sollicited for him a Cardinals Cap as soon as his Unkle was seated on the Throne He was indeed a young Man of small experience but of such a Virtuous Temper as rendred him worthy of the Sacred Purple Commendon though absent was preferred before several of his Competitors who strove for that Honour His Piety Prudence and Zeal to the Holy See merited without doubt this Preference and none in that time at his Age acquired such an Esteem and Reputation in Nunciatures and Embassies He had negotiated with all the Soveraigns of Europe under the Pontificats of the three last Popes especially with those of Germany and Poland He had made Friends amongst the Chief Persons of each Nation and having applyed himself to the Learning the Humours and Inclinations of those Princes he had dexterously insinuated himself into their Favour He was sent to the Emperor Maximilian Sigismond Augustus King of Poland whom the Pope Vehemently desired to enter into League Cardinal Alexandrinus was dispatched to the Kings of Spain and Portugal who in his Passage to Spain went through France where he needed extraordinary Circumspection in dealing with several Great Persons of different Interests As soon as he arrived in Spain he passionately Solicited Philip the 2d to execute the Conditions of the League in good earnest Shewing him that should the Venetians grow in the least measure jealous of his Sincerity they will certainly turn their Thoughts on their own particular Interests at the Cost of his and other Christian Princes That a State which has no Inclination for War must naturally tend to the side of Peace That his Catholick Majesty had great Reasons to fear lest the weight of the War should fall on Spain by a forced Compliance of the Venetians with the Conqueror That the State of his Affairs not permitting him to manage a matter of this Importance in Person he ought to send some Person to Rome of approved Wisdom and Integrity with ample Power of regulating all difficulties which may happen on which dispatching to him continually Couriers much time is wasted by expecting his Orders and several favourable occasions lost to the Progress of the Christian Arms. That all Sincere Endeavours must be used That his Fleet and those who were to command it arrive precisely on the day and place appointed for the general Rendezvous of the whole Army That the Remora's had already cost great and unnecessary Expences and withal entreated this Prince not to commit the whole Care of this Expedition to the management of his Ministers least perhaps they abuse his Power and Trust Don Sebastian King of Portugal was a Young Ambitious Prince who was easily enflamed with a desire to do some Signal Service to Christendom in her necessities The Legat exhorted him to enter into the League by representing him how greatly he was obliged to declare himself against the Infidels and oppose their Progress in the East to preserve the Conquests of his Predecessors on the Coasts of Asia and Africa He then likewise desired him to send Embassadours to the King of Persia to make him take Arms against the Turks on supposal he would comply with this Request on account of the Allyance and Amity which the Relation of Nighbourhood had long since establish'd between them Tipoly had been already sent into Spain and Portugal to Solicite the same thing on the part of the Republick The King of Spain returned the like answer to the Legat which he had already made to Tipoly That he would never be wanting in what Christendom may justly expect from a King whose greatest Glory is the title of most Catholick and absolutely devoted to the Service of the Church Sebastian whose Youthful Heat passionately desired a War with the Turk assured the Legat his Forces should not be wanting to so Holy an Enterprize but needing time to set out a Fleet in good order this Summer he would not fail to be in readiness against the next and would in the mean time advise with his Holyness whether 't were better to make them direct their Course to Greece or conduct them himself on the Coasts of the Red Sea to divert the Ottoman Forces That he intended to charge his Embassadour at Rome to follow thereon whatsoever his Holyness should determine and designed according to his desire to send to the King of Persia although the Age and Sluggish Temper of this Prince gave small hopes of any Assistance from him The Venetians sent at the beginning of the War Vincent Alexandri to Tammas King of Persia in quality of Embassadour who having traversed Germany Poland and Moldavia embark't at Mount Gastro on the Euxin for Sinope where landing he travelled through Armenia and several other Provinces dependant on the Grand Seignior and happily arrived at Tauris then the Capital City of Persia by reason of his knowledge in the Turkish Tongue and Customs He found Tammas basking in softness encircled with Women and Eunuchs and returned to Venice without any positive answer from this Effeminate Prince Tammas although Son to the brave Ismael an avowed Enemy to the Turks and who by his Valour had meritted the Title of Sophi trembled at the bare mention of the Ottoman Arms and had caused Prince Ismael his Son who was Heir as well of his Grandfathers Virtue as Name to be carefully guarded lest he should by some means or other engage him in a War against the Turks Cardinal Alexandrinus likewise negotiated by the Popes order a Marriage between Sebastian King of Portugal and Margurita de Vallois the French Kings Sister This Allyance had been already proposed but no Prayers and Entreaty could make Sebastian change his aversion to Marriage The Pope desired he would embrace
violence of the Waves This numerous Fleet having weighed Anchor from the Port of Messina at Sun rising after four hours Sayl came to the Prementory of St. John where she râ—de the remaining part of the day and the night following to take in Fresh Water and other Necessaries The next Morning she used no greater diligence the Spaniards still busying themselves in these kind Employs and spending much time therein Venieri who suspected these Amusements shewed a great deal of Impatience Don John having sent him word he took in fresh Water that he might not be obliged to stop any more in his course he in an angry manner returned him answer That his Fleet had bin stored with all things necessary fifteen days ago That time was not to be thus consumed seeing Autumn drew near That 't was a shame they had not yet undertaken any thing against the Infidels who were still Masters of the Seas That he believed him too jealous of his Honour to avoid occasions of obtaining it but he feared his Council were not led by such generous Sentiments This Young Prince awakened by so bold an Answer made a little more hast and came to Corfou after ten days Navigation in which he often met with contrary Winds Paul Ursin being sent out before the Fleet informed the Generals that the Infidels had lately retired from before this Ifle having done what mischief they could in it and that departing from the Gulph of Lara on the fourteenth of September they had sayled to Lepanto The Christian Fleet rode three days before Corfou to refresh themselves and expect some Vessels which were behind Having provided themselves with all necessaries and taken in more Artillery the Council Assembled to deliberate on what was needful to be undertaken The Spaniards and Italians whereof consisted Don Johns Council prepossessed with the secret Intentions of the King of Spain were far from being in the Venetians Sentiments Yet they did not openly declare themselves but appearing uncertain between both sides they were for determining themselves according to the exigency of Affairs with respect to time place and all other Circumstances resolving on nothing but what might be agreeable to his Catholick Majesty They were wholly against the Confederates advancing towards Greece alledging this would be to expose the Army to Winds and Tempests usual in Autumn on those Coasts That they might besiege Supoto Margariti or Castel Novo the taking of which places would be followed by the Conquest of all Epirus That when the Sea became boysterous each might retire into their Ports to return on the next Spring more early to make amends for this years loss Venieri understood well enough that the Spaniards sought out Pretences to let the Summer slip and return into Sicily towards the midst of Autumn as if they had Religiously observed their Engagement though they had not struck a stroke This ancient Commander shewed to the end he might the longer retain them that the Peasants of Candia were revolted That the whole Isle was in a terrrible Consternation so that 't was to be feared lest the Mahometans should make advantage of these Intestine Orders That 't was their Duty to hinder the Attempts which might be made that way it being unreasonable the Republick should set out every year a Fleet without making any Profit for so great an Expence and that he doubted not but the Barbarians Presumption would accept a Combat Colonni more sixt to the Interests of the Pope than Phillip the Second's penetrated into the Spanish Intentions and was for neither of these opinions He maintained the Sedition of Candia was appeased so that this Country needed no Succours That the taking of Supoto or Marguriti was an Enterprize unworthy such an Illustrious Armado That 't was shameful to them to have layn in the Ports of Sicily whilst the Turks ravaged the Isle of Corfou not weighing Anchor till the departure of the Ottoman Fleet Such a piteous Conduct as this frustrating the expectations of all Christendom would prove as disadvantagious to them as Honourable and Profitable to the Infidels That they came not surely with such Preparations to behold the Republicks States filled with Murthers Rapines and Devastations That he was in fine for going directly to the Enemies to draw them to an Engagement according to the orders he had received from the Pope to whom the King of Spain and the Venetians had committed the Soveraign Power of this Expedition That their Fleet wearyed and spent with Labour and continual Courses in the last Campaign could not hold out against the Christians which was in its full Vigour and Prime That some Spies reported the Bassa's of the Sea had detached several Gallies imagining the Christians would not attempt any thing at the end of a Campaign That should Fear keep the Barbarians blockt up in their Ports the advantage of curbing their Insolence and encouraging the Christians would at least redound hence That the Tempests of Autumn were needless Terrors and meer Chimera's seeing there was time enough remaining for the effectual execution of what they came out and that in all cases there were good Ports and safe Retreats against the Violence of the Seas Colonni having thus spoke in the Council of War advertised Don John and the Spaniards in private not to discourage the Venetians and thwart them in their way lest they forced them on desperate Councils disadvantagious to the rest of the Confederats That the loss of Cyprus and the Pillage of their other Islands the Vastations of Inland Countries and several of their Gallies which were sunk or lost so greatly dispirited them that unless they were effectually assisted elsewhere they would certainly conclude a Peace with the Conquerours on shameful Conditions for themselves and indeed dishonourable to all Christendom That 't was true the King of Spain hazarded more and gained less than the Venetians in a Combat But the King of Spains Honour was as much concerned as the Venetians Safety The Opinion which the Spaniards had that the Ottoman Fleet would avoid meeting them made them enter into Colonni's Sentiment The Chief Officers were the more perswaded of this by a Bark arriving from Zant which brought News that Sixty Turkish Sayl had steered their Course towards Modon The greatest part of the Officers extreamly rejoyced at this News prepared to follow them and disposed their Men to fight although they expected to find the Enemy in a posture of defence The Fleet having set Sayl the first of October were driven by a violent Wind which obliged them to drop Anchor and ride before Gomenize two days Don John and the two other Generals made an exact view of all their Troops in expectation of a more particular account of the Turkish Fleet. Giles d'Andrade a Spaniard who was sent together with Cantareni and Malipieri each on his Gally to discover the number and posture of the Enemy reported they had seen Sixty Sayl making towards the Levant without knowing