Selected quad for the lemma: religion_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
religion_n	great_a	know_v	time_n	2,765	4	3.2223	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A33410	The history of the Turkish War with the Rhodians, Venetians, Egyptians, Persians, and other nations being a compact series of the memorable battels, sieges, and progress of the Ottoman armies in Europe, Asia, and Africa, for near an hundred years, with their various success by sea and land : but a relation more particularly of the first bloody siege of Rhodes in the reign of Mahomet the Great ... and the last under the command of Solyman the Magnificent, who ... totally subdued that famous city and island, defended by the valour of the renowned Peter Aubusson ... / written by Will. Caoursin and Rhodgia Afendy.	Caoursin, Guillaume, d. 1501.; Sinan Paşa, 1440-1486.; Bouhours, Dominique, 1628-1702.	1683 (1683)	Wing B3824D; Wing B3827; Wing C464_CANCELLED; ESTC R24724	170,593	517

far weaker then those of the Turks gave Zizim to understand that it would he but meer rashness to give Battel He also endeavour'd to perswade him that it was the part of prudence to retire But the young Prince could not so resolve either honour or despair caus'd him to make a proposal to Bajazet that they might terminate their differences by a single combat in the sight of both Armies Bajazet who was not stout enough and who was in too prosperous a condition to accept such a challenge propos'd to Zizim another way of accommodation and offer'd him any such Province as he should like upon the Frontiers of Turkey with two hunder'd thousand Crowns in Gold every year and a Court becoming the Ottoman magnificence Had those offers been as sincere as they were made in craft they would not have contented Zizims whose ambition was not to be satisfi'd but with a Crown He rejected them with disdain But knowing that Achmat did but only seek to ensnare him that he might get his person into his power while he kept him in play with fair words he at length was perswaded to retreat The advice which he had of their close pursuit advis'd him to save himself through Forrests and Deserts in the most difficult Streights of Mount Taurus The Caraman follow'd him presently after with his Forces very much tir'd Zizim had formerly secur'd himself in this place from the persecution of an enemy that was not his Brother but judging well that a Brother so unnatural as his would never be at rest till he had establish'd his Throne by the death of him that had the only right to pretend to it after he had made several reflections upon the present and the future he resolv'd to seek the Alliance and protection of the Grand Master whose generosity he was well acquainted with and who was also a friend of the Grand Caraman To that purpose he wrote to Rhodes by one of his most faithful servants but that Messenger was tak'n by the Turks who possess'd all the passes of the Countrey and carri'd to Bajazet who put him immediately to death When Zizim understood that and that Achmat sought for him in all places he left Mount Taurus and took the way of Lycia toward the Sea with the Grand Caraman who was himself his guide Who no sooner were they got clear of the Streights of the Mountain but their Troops who were posted there and were preparing to follow them were surrounded and cut in pieces by Achmat. These new misfortunes put the young Prince upon sending to the Grand Master two prudent and faithful persons the one of which was nam'd Duan and the other Solyman And there happen'd to be at that time a Galiot of the Order that carri'd the Embassdors of Zizim to Rhodes Duan and Solyman fully inform'd the Grand Master of the adventures of their Prince And afterwards they told him that it belong'd to none but the most Illustrious Knights of the World to protect an opprest Innocent and that it was less an honour to humble the proud then to assist the miserable That Zizim requir'd neither money nor men being resolv'd to submit a while to his bad fortune that he did not covet to rule but only sought an Asylum where he might live in safety and quiet They added that in his youth he had had a manifest affection for the Order of St. John of Jerusalem and that he hop'd that the Mahumetan Law wherein he had been bred would not hinder them from taking pity upon a young Prince expos'd to the most cruel persecution that ever was To conclude they told him that nothing would render the Knights of Rhodes more formidable to Bajazett then their having his Brother in their power not more considerable either in Europe or in Asia then to be Master of the Destiny of a Prince who was Mahomet's Heir These reasons were too sound not to move the Grand Master who understood besides how profitable such an accident would be to all Christendom It was therefore resolv'd in Council to entertain Zizim and the grand Vessel of the Treasury was forthwith commanded together with a Galley a Caravel and other Vessels to go and fetch him They also made ready at the same time a safe Conduct after the same form which the Embassador desir'd The Grand Master made choice of Don Alvare of Zuinga Prior of Castile for so honourable a Command and gave him his Orders how he should behave himself toward the Prince Bajazett on the other side finding by a Letter intercepted and by the advices which he had that Zizim had bent his course toward the Coast of Lycia to pass from thence by Sea to Rhodes sent after him a body of Horse with orders to take him dead or alive Zizim who had intelligence thereof presently retir'd to the Sea side where the great Caraman had prepar'd a Ship ready in case the Prince should be pursu'd The Spahi's however made so must haste that they miss'd him but a moment they appear'd at the very time when he was but just got into the Barque and he was no sooner put off from the shoar but taking a Bow in sight of his Brothers souldiers he let fly an Arrow to the point whereof was fasten'd a Letter the Contents of which were as follow King ZIZIM To King Bajazett his cruel Brother IF I commit a crime in flying for Refuge to the Christians especially to the Knights of Rhodes the mortal enemies of our Illustrious Family 't is thou who art the only cause of it both before God and Men. Thou art not only content to have depriv'd me of the Empire contrary to all Laws Divine and Humane thou enforcest me to seek an ignominious sanctuary to save my life Had Mahomet foreseen that thou wouldst one day have in such a manner disgrac'd the honour of the Name Mussulman and the Ottoman Race he would have been thy executioner himself But I hope that Heaven will revenge me of thy Tyranny and it is my prayer to our great Prophet to hasten the punishment which thou deservest When the Horsemen saw that the Bark was out of their reach they return'd enrag'd that they had miss'd their prey and carri'd the Letter to Bajazett The Barbarian could not refrain from tears when he read it And it is reported that he was seiz'd with a terrour when he had consider'd it and fell into a deep fit of malancholly So great a power have the conceptions of Nature and Religion at certain times upon minds the most cruel and impious In the mean time Zizim who had heard no tidings of his Embassadors not knowing what course to steer nor were to land in safety wander'd at the mercy of the waves and winds along the Coast of Lycia at what time he discover'd certain Vessels that with all the sail they could seem'd to make toward him Now as it is natural to the unfortunate to be afraid of every thing the Prince

of the Holy See Ferdinand sent Alphonso Duke o● Calabria to the succour of Hercules his Son-in-law of whom the Common-wealth had got great advantages Alphonso had already pass'd the Mark of Ancona and was advancing with his forces toward the Terraras's when the Colonna's an● Cavelli who were risen up again●… the Pope invited him to joyn with them in the Compagna of Rome ●…bert Malateste who commanded th● Army of the Republick was soon a his heels gave him battel and absolutely defeated him Which Victory fill'd the Venetians full of hopes and undertakings but while they ran●uck'd the Ferraresi and were going to make themselves Masters of Fer●…ra the Pope of a suddain abandons them whether he were gain'd by the submissions of Ferdinand or whether he were jealous of the Progress o● the Republick However it were Sixtus agrees with the Father and Son in Law He also threaten'd the Venetians with the indignation and Anathema's of the Church if they continu'd the war of Ferrara The Republick incens'd at so strange a proceeding and foreseeing that this change would cause a great disorder in affaires implor'd the aid of the Turk to sustain themselves and to revenge the injury done them Bajazet who was unwilling to displease the Venetians forgor that he had promis'd not to disturb the ●…ristians or rather violated his word in that respect and prepares a considerable Fleet to invade Italy The news presently spread it self over all Europe At Rome the alarum was taken as if the enemy had been already at the Gates and the Pope foreseeing the danger of the Church if the Turks should enter Italy during the discords of the Christian Princes and knew himself to be guilty of the discontent of the Republick made it his whole business to divert the storme The King of Naples whom the danger more nerely concern'd follow'd the Popes steps and by common consent had recourse to the Grand Master to whom they both wrote and sent to him the Knight Carraffa But never was Embassie more to less purpose for the care of the Grand Master had prevented the requests of Ferdinand and the Pope He understanding sooner then they the preparations that were made at Constantinople and likewise knowing the private motives to that Engagement labour'd incessantly to divert the storme before it began to break forth The Publick good and the particular Interest of the Church excited his diligence to keep the common enemy out of Italy And his ●…igations to the King of Naples made him more Solicitous to omit nothing that might preserve the Kingdom of his Benefactour and freind from the invasion of the Barbarians Therefore not to loose time he dispatch'd away to the Grand Signior a Rhodian whose name was Mosco ●…piano a man t is true of low birth but of an exalted genius and capable of great affaires and besides that very proper to negotiate with the Turks as being one who ●ad lived long in Turky and perfectly understood their humour and ●anguage And this was he that trea●ed with the Sub-Basha of Pizzona ●bout the truce and first discover'd ●he cunning of Achmats Letters Mosco after he had made known ●o the Grand Signiour with whom ●e had a private audience the Inte●est of his Highness to live in freind●…ip with the Grand Master gave ●im to understand by degrees that ●…e Venetians were about to engage ●…m in a bad designe To that intent ne represented to him that thi● great preparation was the ready wa● to bring upon him all the forces 〈◊〉 Europe That the most divided 〈◊〉 the Christian Princes would not fa●… to reunite for the defence of the●… Religion and Crowns That Fran●… who glory'd in assisting the Po●e and the Holy See would infallibl● join with Italy upon such an occasio● and lay aside for a time their prete●…ces to Naples That whatever ca●… the Knights could take that the should not make use of the person Zizim against the Ottoman Emp●… it would not be any longer in the power to keep him That the Ki●… of France would force him out 〈◊〉 their hands in spite of all the strength and put him at the head an Army and then nothing was mo●… to be fear'd then a Popular ri●… at Constantinople which might ha●…pen to be attended with a total 〈◊〉 volution Mosco added accordi●… to his Instructions that the Gra●… Master being of that accompt as 〈◊〉 was among the Christian Princes and not possibly prevent his being ●…gag'd in the Quarrel how great 〈◊〉 ●ver his desire might be to keep a ●…d Correspondence with the Court 〈◊〉 if the preparations which the 〈◊〉 made against Italy should ●…ringe the accommodation which ●ad been made upon Zizim's score 〈◊〉 had no reason to blame the ●nights who are ready punctually ●o observe all the articles of the ●reaty Mosco then gave the Grand ●…niour to understand that Rhodes ●…s not in a condition to fear him ●he ruins being repaird and new for●…cations daily added by the Grand Master This discourse of the Rhodian ●…ok singular effect Bajazet was ●o mov'd at it that he stood a good while without making any answer ●asting frightful looks here and there ●hich shew'd the agitation and ●isturbance of his mind At length ●…ows'd out of a deep contemplation ●nd looking somewhat more calme●y he told Mosco that in respect ●o the Grand Master whom he honoured as his Father he had abandon'd the design which he had in hand Then calling for Basha Misach Paleologus and two other of his Ministers he declar'd that he would not send his Fleet into the Mediterranean Sea and commanded them at the same time to surcease all their preparations for war wherein they labour'd with an excessive earnestness And that he might testify more of his freindship and do him more honour he wrote him a very obliging Letter which he deliver'd to Mosco the copy whereof follows Bajazet King of Asia Emperour of the Turks To the thrice happy Prince Peter D'Aubusson Grand Master of RHODES WE have understood from the mouth of your Embassadour what it is you request at our hands In truth you desire great things and which are of extream consequence to our Empire For a considerable Fleet is not to be set forth without great expence nor is such an enterprize to be quitted without some kind of disgrace But however as I refer my self wholly to your Counsel and for that I can refuse you nothing for your sake I forget all my advantages I surcease any further preparations and engage to you upon my word that my Navy shall not stir forth of the Streights of Gallipoly I do this willingly out of the desire I have that you should alwaies be my friend as you ought to be since that for your sake I renounce both my interest and my honour From Constantinople the fifth of the month of Rabi el Evel in the year of the Hegira 889. April 13. in the year of grace 1484. Mosco return'd to Rhodes almost at

that which employ'd others so much to their delight Besides that he naturally lov'd war he had Principles of Piety which did not correspond with a lazie and voluptuous life On the other side the victories of John Hunniades and George Castriote which they had obtain'd against Amurat inspir'd him with a new zeal for Religion and the Cruelties which the Turks exercis'd against the Christians at the Battel of Varna awakn'd in him the hatred which he had conceiv'd against the Enemies of Jesus Christ He could not but with great grief of mind understand the report which ran at that time that Vladislaus King of Poland and Cardinal Cesarini the Popes Legate had been flead alive by those Barbarians But it was joyful news to him that the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem had obtain'd several advantages against the Saracens and that the Soldan of Aegypt had a little before rais'd his seige from before Rhodes In the midst of these thoughts he took a resolution to fight against the Infidels and to the end he might be indispensably engag'd thereto he fram'd a design at the same time to embrace the military order of St. John of Jerusalem Heaven that inspir'd him with these high thoughts gave him the power to execute them with speed He departed for Rhodes not all the Charms of the Court being able to detain him The multitude of French Gentlemen that daily throng'd to Rhodes to be made Knights had oblig'd the Grand-master to make an Order that none would be receiv'd until the Treasury exhausted by the late Wars were somewhat replenish'd Nevertheless Aubusson was admitted whether it were that they saw in his person somewhat extraordinary that spake in his behalf or that it were a peculiar favour in respect to Lewis D'Aubusson his Uncle one of the most famous Knights of Rhodes and known in History by the name of the Commander of Charroux Or whether it were that the Grand-master were inspir'd to exceed his own Rules in favour of a Person who was afterwards to be the support of the Order Our new Knight had no great difficulty to undergo the usual Examinations though at that time they were much more strict than afterwards For all things that render a Family Illustrious were to be found with advantage in his For as to the antiquity of it the original of the House of Aubusson is unknown and uncertain as of most Families in the world But that which may be certainly averr'd is this that in the time of Charlemaine the Ancestors of Pierre D'Aubusson were very famous in France For the Kings of the second race having settl'd Counts to govern every Province and these Lords alwayes choosing the greatest Lords of their Province for their Lieutenants Jeffrey first Count of Marche chose his Lieutenant out of the House of Aubusson about the year 860. This Lieutenant to the Lord whose name we know not was call'd Vicount D'Aubusson from the name of the principal Place which he possess'd Turpin who was elected Bishop of Limoges in the year 898 and whom Aymar of Chabanois extolls no less for the splendor of his Birth then for the holiness of his Life was the Son of the first Vicount of Aubusson and Brother of Reginald the first who was Vicount under his Father under Sulpicius the second Earl of Marche Son of Jefferey The dignity of Vicount remain'd above four hundred years in that Family of Aubusson successively from Father to Son till that Raymund the first having no Children sold it to Hugues Earl of March to the prejudice of his Brother Ranulphus D'Aubusson who continua'd the Posterity Piety and Liberality which in those times highly distinguish'd the great Lords from those of mean extraction were hereditary vertues in this Family For not to speak any thing of Bishop Turpin so magnificent in all that concern'd the worship of the Altar the Vicounts D'Aubusson were alwaies very Religious and gave considerable Donations to several Churches and Abbeys These Lords and their Descendants signaliz'd themselves upon several Occasions where the interest of France was concern'd Witness Guy D'Aubusson who performed so many noble Acts in the War with the English under Charles the fifth who having receiv'd many wounds in the defence of his Castle of Monte●… was tak'n Prisoner with his Wife and Children by the Enemy Witness also John D'Aubusson Lord of Borne Anthony D'Aubusson Lord of Villeneare and Anthony D'Aubusson Lord of Monteil who made their fidelity and their zeal for the service of Charles the seventh appear whose Chamberlaines they were at such a time when all the Kings Officers were Peers of high quality Lastly that which infinitely advances the House of Aubusson and perhaps distinguishes it from all others is this that being so ancient it was never mix'd but has still in the same County preserv'd the same Estate so that Francis D'Aubusson Duke and Peer Marshal of France and Collonel of the French Guards possesses at this day the Signiory of Fueillade which has been time out of mind in the possession of the Vicounts D'Aubusson his Ancestors But to return to our History Aubusson was no sooner arriv'd at Rhodes but he understood that there was a peace going to be made with Amurat and that it was almost concluded by the Soldan of Egypt In regard he had an extream passion to fight with the enemies of Christ this news was not overwelcome to him only he was in hopes that it would soon be brok'n In the mean time he set himself to study the duty of a true Knight Presently he understood that the Knights of Rhodes were to joyn together in Valour and Piety that a cowardly Knight or a Libertine was something monstrous that for them to live according to the intent of their Calling there was a necessity fo● them exactly to follow the maxims of the Gospel and that they were not to draw their Swords but in the defence of the Church or for the relief of the Faithful that for that reason they wore their Cross upon their Habit and that their Impresse was For the Faith He oft'n revolv'd in his mind the vertues and the exploits of those ancient Knights that first made themselves Masters of Rhodes and afterwards so couragiously withstood Ottom●n the first King of the Turks But notwithstanding the peace because it did not hinder the roving of Turkish Pyrates he several times put forth to Sea and so well acquitted himself upon all occasions that presented that he obtain'd the commandery of Salins in the first years of his service John de Lustic who at that time govern'd the Order of St. John of Jerusalem and who was the first to whom the publick vogue gave the title of Grand master soon conceiv'd a high Opinion of Monsieur D'Aubusson as well as James de Milli who was Grand Prior of Auvergne and who succeeded John de Lustic in the charge of Grand-master The affairs of Rhodes were calm enough when the death of Amurath or rather

to Nicomedia He was three and fifty years old so vigorous that he endur'd all the travels and labours of War without any detriment to his health the anguish that perplex'd him for raising the Seige of Rhodes did not a little contribute to his death He always appear'd melancholly after that misfortune and upon the very naming the word Grand Master he fell into such dull fits as made him insupportable to himself William Caoursin who liv'd at that time and was Vice-Chancellor of Rhodes makes him to dye after a very strange manner For he reports in his memoires that Mahomet passing thorough a Forrest of Bithynia a young Man clad in white of a shape something more then Human presented himself before him with a visage burning with anger and a flaming Sword in his hand who after he had beheld him with a fiery and menacing eye Most impious among men said he I will run thee thorough with this Sword At which words Mahomet fell trembling from his Horse as if he had been struck with a Thunder-bolt That at the same time he suffer'd most bitter torments which caus'd him to cry out most dreadfully and that soon after he died blaspheming the name of Jesus and cursing the Rhodians Whether the Apparition were true or no certain it is that this Enemy of the Cross dy'd the same day that the Church celebrates the festival of the finding the Holy Cross and that as he was expiring he several times utter'd the word Rhodes and commanded in the extremity of his pangs that this Inscription should be written over his Tomb. My design was to have taken Rhodes and subdued Italy The death of the Ottoman Emperor was the safety of Christendome and particularly of the Rhodian Territories So that when the Grand Master heard the news he gave thanks in publick to Heaven that the Order was deliver'd from so powerful an adversary But that which more encreas'd the joy of the Knights was this that the City of Otrantum was retaken from the Turks in Puglia so soon as the death of Mahomet was known Achmat Basha one of the greatest men of the Empire had made himself Master of this City the year before and had left a strong Garrison therein and settl'd it in a condition not to be assaulted The taking of Otrantum made all Italy shake And the vigorous holding out of the Turks against the Neapolitans that besieg'd it began to make Rome sensible of her danger but when the besieged understood the death of the Grand Signior their courages fail'd them and they surrendred to the Duke of Calabria Son to the King of Naples not staying for the succour of five and twenty thousand men which Achmat was bringing himself These Tydings were acceptable to the Church and then it was that the Rhodians began to take breath after such a series of misfortunes The Earth grew steady and the Sea retir'd so that they had the liberty to repair all the ruins of the City But as the corruption of manners usually proceeds from the disorders of War the Grand Master undertook a reformation of the Knights and people To that end he made severe Laws against those vices that wound Christian Piety and civil society upon which accompt he forbad all manner of unlawful Games These Laws were publickly proclaimed and what was thought almost incredible as readily obey'd but a Soveraign finds no great trouble to make his Subjects obey him when he commands nothing but what he practises himself While all things were calm at Rhodes the two parties that strove to succeed in the Ottoman Empire put all Turky into a confusion Mahomet at his death left two Sons behind him Bajazet and Zizim for Mustapha their elder brother was put to death by the command of his Father That young Sultan who who was both stout and valiant and had not long before won a very signal victory from Vssum Cassan King of Persia coming to the Ottoman Court about the particular affairs of his government of Amasia fell so deeply in love with the wife of Achmat that famous Basha that took Otrantum that one day in the hight of his passion he offer'd her violence as she was going into the Bath Achmat complain'd to Mahomet and tore his Turbant and his Vest to express his grief What is that you complain of haughtily answer'd the Grand Signior to the Basha My Son has done nothing but abus'd the Wife of one of my Slaves However to give Achmat satisfaction he gave immediate order that Mustapha should be strangl'd at the same time acting the part of a cruel Father and a just King Thus Bajazet and Zizim remained the only Heirs of the Crown The first govern'd Paphlagonia and resided not far from the Black Sea The Second had the Government of Liconia in Asia the less so that they were both at a great distance from their father when he dy'd They had ever been kept a sunder the one from the other and had never seen one another but once out of a piece of policy of Mahomet for fear least jealousy should divide themselves or a strickt amity unite them both against him They were of a different Character and dispositions resembling in nothing but the passion which they had to raign Bajazet to whom the Turks gave the name of Lightning or Thunder by no means made his Title good as being of a spirit altogether poor and mean and one that minded nothing less then War Zizim whose name signifies love on the contrary had a lively Wit a noble Soul and was most generously enclin'd He was not so handsome as Bajazet but there appear'd in his Person and in his Countenance such a mixture of Grandeur sweetness and haughtiness mix'd together that surpass'd beauty it self He delighted extreamly in hunting and all Military exercises And yet he had no less a love for learning then he had for Arms. He understood Languages among the rest the Greek and Italian he spent some part of his time in reading of Histories and he was then writing the Story of his Fathers Life when the news came to him of his death He was very zealous for the Mahumetan Religion yet not with that head-strong passion but that he had a great kindness for the Knights of Rhodes whom his Father mortally hated Besides all that he had a particular affection for the Grand Master from the very time that the first overtures of peace were made and he had always a design to make as strict a league with him as the law of the Mussel-men would permit And indeed there is such a coherence between the Story of the Grand Master and Zizim that I cannot forbear to relate what happne'd to the two Brothers before the Knights did interest themselves altogether in the quarrel So soon as Bajazet and Zizim understood of the death of the Emperor They both of them minded nothing else but how to get into possession of the Empire But before they took the Field

the Turk without a firm league between the Christian Princes it belonged to the common Pastor of the Church to assemble them together That such sort of enterprises seldom prosper'd unless upheld by the Authority of the Church and lastly that if the Ottoman Prince were to leave France he could be no where better then at Rome where he would be in the view of all Christendom neither too far off nor too near the Estates of the Grand Signior The Conquest which Bajazet had made of Caria and of other Provinces of the Grand Caraman made the Soldan to believe that after he had refus'd to Bajazet the Wife and Children of Zizim that he was certainly to expect the Turkish Army ●t his own doors And therefore whatever strength the Cairbie had he thought himself of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem For that reason to engage them to his Interests he dispatch'd to Rhodes Riccio de Marini a Gentleman of Cyprus and the same person who formerly came to serve Queen Charlotta against the Republick of Venice Marini had Instructions to declare to the Knights that the advantages which they had gain'd in so many encounters against the Turks put the Soldan in hopes of a happy success provided they would embrace his quarrel and that he should think himself invincible ●f he could but have Prince Zizim at the head of his Troops The Grand Master sensible of the generous proceeding of Cairbei toward Zizim almost forgot the ill ●sage which the Rhodians had receiv'd at his hands and therefore he very civilly testified to his Embassadour that he was very much troubl'd that the present condition of the Rhodian Affairs would not permit him to assist Egypt That the Knights of Rhodes had made a peace with the Turks and that they alwaies religiously observ'd the faith of Treaties But in regard the Grand Master desir'd nothing more then to see two potent enemies of Christianity destroy one another he added that since the refusal of Zizim's Wife and Children was the only cause of Bajazet's anger it was his advice that the Soldan should go on with the War not doubting but that Heaven would favour so just a Cause as his As for Zizim whom the Soldan requested he told the Emdassadour at length that he could conclude nothing without advice from Rome But that he would write to the Pope and signifie to him that the Soldan had provok'd Bajazet to make War upon him only for detaining and preserving the Wife and Children of Zizim unwilling to sacrifice to his Brothers fury what Zizim had most dear in the world The Grand Master's answer satissi'd the Egyptians and rais'd their courages which the defeat of the Grand Caraman their neighbour had almost dejected For the Ottoman Army consisting of a hundred thousand men being got by several ways into Caramania and having quarter'd themselves between Pyramus the Sar and Cidnus near the old Castle of Adena and the ruins of the ancient City of Tarsus the Egyptian forces that were not above fifty thousand strong presented themselves in view of the Turks upon the banks of Pyramus after they had cross'd with an extraordinary swiftness the famous streights that separate Syria from Caramania The Souldiers that compos'd the Egyptian Army were call'd Corcassian Mamalucks all Christians that had renounc'd their Religion or else never profess'd any being ravish'd from their Mothers breasts and bred up in war from their Infancy The Eunuch Basha General of the Turkish Army gave them no time to rest but attacqu'd them with fifty thousand Horse before they had time to understand the Ground It was in one of those plaines that extend to the Mountain Aman and where Alexander de●eated Darius that the Captain of the Spahi's having pass'd the Pyramus over the Bridg of Adena went on to assail the Mamalukes Wearied as they were they bore with an extraordinary vigour the first brunt and fell on with such fury that the Assailants were forc'd to defend themselves After an obstinate fight which Night parted the Mamalukes remain'd Masters of the Field Above thirty thousand Turks were slain upon the place the rest sav'd themselves in the Mountains or else retir'd to the Castle of Adena which they had fortifi'd a little before though it were taken soon after by the Victors But that which made this victory more compleat was that the same day ten Gallies which Ach●at Basha the Grand Signiours Son in Law and Admiral at Sea had sent from the rest of the fleet to wast the Coast of Syria were overtaken by a furious tempest and dash'd against the Rocks This misfortune constrain'd Achmat to return to Constantinople with the rest of the fleet Passing through the Channel of Rhodes in view of the City not content to salute the Knights by discharging all his great Guns he resolv'd to shew their Captain a particular Kindness For having set up a magnificent Pavilion in one of the fairest of his Gallies adorn'd with a great number of rich Pendants and Banners he sent a young Turk his Favourite call'd Osman to visit the Grand Master on his behalf The Gally enter'd the Port with the sound of Trumpets and Drums mix'd with the joyful acclamations of the Turks that attended Osman They were all richly habited nor had they the faces of men that made a shameful retreat When the young Turk came into the Grand Masters presence he saluted him after the Mussutman fashion and presented him a Letter wherein the Basha made him a thousand protestations of friendship and service Afterwards having presented him with several stuffs of great value and several rare pieces of workmanship he told him with a good grace that such a small present was not worth the famous Prince of the Rhodians The Grand Master would not be behind either in civility or liberality toward the Barbarians for besides the Caresses and the entertainment which he gave to Osman he sent one of his most Illustrious Commanders with all sort of refreshments for the fleet and rich presents for himself Scarce was Osman who stai'd not above 3 hour in Rhodes joyn'd with the fleet but the Grand Master had Intelligence of their defeat of which he heard not a word from them the spies which he had in most parts of Caramania and even in the Castle ●f Adena it self giving him an exact accompt hereof Besides that the Soldan himself well satisfi'd with the advantage he had won with his own forces fail'd not in honour of his dignity to give him a relation himself as the person who had foretold his success But this prosperity did not blind Cairbey who knew it was not enough to vanquish unless he made advantage of his victory To this purpose he thought that an Embassie to the Pope might produce good effects and he communicated his thoughts to the Grand Master not daring to enterprise such a thing without his counsel nor hoping to obtain his desires without his intercession In the mean while the Pope

present He saluted Charles after such a manner as neither bespake him a Barbarian nor a Prisoner After he had kiss'd his Shoulder and his Hand with a lofty Air he told the King That he ●op'd the French would in his per●on consider the Ottoman Race and added that when they should cross over into Greece he should find a way to acknowledge their Civilities Charles was ravish'd with admitation of the Great Soul which he ●…w in the Sultan and treated him with so much Courtesie and Gene●osity that Zizim testifi'd his joy for being fall'n into the hands of so generous a Monarch They departed from Rome for Naples both together but the poor Prince who prepar'd himself to assist the Enterprise of the French and who was in hopes to raise his own Fortune by following theirs 〈◊〉 himself struck by the way with 〈◊〉 unknown distemper that carri'd ●im off in a few days His death ●…rpriz'd all men and there was ●reat enquiry made into the cause They that were of the Popes's party reported that he gave himself too ●uch over to his Pleasures the first days of his liberty and that he kill'd himself with excess of Debauchery Others say that the Venetians corrupted with money h● the Turks and alarm'd at the Frenc● Expedition had secretly given him poison But most accuse the Pop● to have deliver'd him poison'd to Charles the 8 th to the end tha● France should get no advantage by him Reynald Annal Ecclesiae An. 1495. and the report ran that Alexander receiv'd a good sum of money to perform that wicked act Thus ended the life of Zizim an unfortunate Prince and yet more illustrious by his Misfortunes then by his Birth Some think he dy'd a Christian and that he was Baptiz'd at Rome before the death of Innocent the 8 th But those Authors who have spoken most of this Prince say nothing of his Conversion which makes me believe that to aggravate his misfortunes he dy'd a Mahumetan THE HISTORY OF Peter D'Aubusson Grand Master of RHODES Book Sixth THe Grand Master who took very heavily the news of Zi●im's Captivity could not receive ●e news of his death without in●…gnation and horrour and he ●und himself laden with all the ●rief that a man could have for the ●…ath of a person so extremely dear to him But when the Interest o● Christianity intermix'd with tha● tenderness all his Fortitude wa● little enough to support him from being wholly deprest by an acciden● so Tragical He ador'd the profound wisdom of God that would not suffer the Christians to reap any advantage from the person o● the Ottoman Prince and permitted them who had most interest to preserve him to be his destroyers But he admired as well the conduct of Providence that would not give the Infidel liberty to gain any benefit by his death but to unhinge all their designs gave Victory to the Triumphant Arms of France in Italy Ferdinand King of Naples being dead of an Apoplexy after Matthias Corvin King of Hungary and Pope Innocent the Eighth who both died of the same disease Alfonso a wicked Prince hated by the Nobility and People succeeded his Father but terrifi'd by the rapid march of the French and fearing besides the dire effects of publick Rage he left his Crown to his Son Ferdinand and retir'd into Sicily The new King also follow'd the example of Alfonso and after he had awhile disputed with the French the Avenues of the Kingdom abandon'd it quite so that the King of France made himself Master of the Capital Cities without striking one stroke All Turky trembled at the progress of the French Army and the terrour was so great at Constantinople that the Priests of the Mahumetan Religion publickly cri'd out That the Turkish Empire was lost without redemption Now before the Forces appointed for the Expedition of Italy set out of France Charles the 8 th had sent to Rhodes the Grand Prior Blanchefort to desire the Grand Master to meet him at Rome He also dispatch'd away to him the Commander of Anger 's with very urgent Letters so soon as he had cross'd the Mountains More then this as he earnestly desir'd this Enterview though whether to be truly instructed as to the design he had upon the Levant or to dazle the World that it should not be known which way he bended is uncertain he desir'd the Pope to write to the Grand Master and wrote to him also with his own hand And indeed his Letter was the most civil and engaging in the world For after that he had declar'd that he could not live without his counsel nor enterprize any thing upon the Levant but under his Conduct he conjur'd him to hasten his Voyage for the reasons which he had declar'd to the Grand Prior Blanchefort his Nephew to whom he had open'd his mind as to a Knight of great prudence and of absolute experience This Letter coming to Rhodes before the Grand Prior whom stress of weather had beaten off from the Island the Grand Master who believ'd such flattering expressions could not be sincere and who saw but small foundations for a design that France made such a stir about return'd for answer to the King ●hat he could not but highly ap●laud his Majesty's Zeal That it was too much honour for him to ●…ght under his Banners or to contribute any thing to the Glory of his Atchievments But in regard the Grand Prior Blanchefort had order to declare to him the whole secrets of the Affair he daily expected to obey his Majesty's Orders The King out of his impatience to see the Grand Master in Italy wrote him a second Letter so soon as he was enter'd Naples He also desir'd Cardinal Briconnet and Cardinal de Garce who accompani'd him and to whom the Pope had given Caps at his instance to write both of them to the same effect The first only exhorted him in general terms not to deny that which was requested of him with so much ardency The second who had more zeal went more home to the business and after he had given him an account of all that had pass'd in the Kingdom of Naples desir'd him that he would condescend to be a Tutor to a young Conquerour who was wholly intent upon the delivery of Greece and whose hopes depended upon the Counsels of a Captain so experienc'd and so formidable to the Enemies of the Faith He added That in that little time that so glorious an Enterprise was delay'd the opportunity was in danger to be lost That it was to be fear'd lest the debaucheries that usually attend upon great Conquests might corrupt the Courages of the French Soldiers That the sins of Victors might draw upon them the malediction of Heaven That the Enemies of France sow'd jealousies in the minds of the Princes of Italy to engage them to cross the designs of Charles and that all preparations were making to form a League against him That several under the pretence of