in Europe procured his being employed by the Infidels in several important Negotiations Barbaro caused him to be accompanied by Lewis Bonrici one of the Secretaries belonging to the Senate a Person skill'd and faithful in Business and also by his eldest Son under pretence of greater Credit and Security amongst the Venetians but in effect to inform the Senate of the present State of Affairs by Bonrici and to preserve his Son from that Servitude with which all the Venetians at Constantinople were threatned 'T is said the Prime Visier ordered the Chiaus when when he was to receive his Dispatches after he had declared the Grand Signior's Will to the Senate to give out privately some Words of Accommodation and promis'd him to second his Project with his Favour and Credit The Venetians receiv'd continually Advice as well from those whom they had sent to learn the Motions of the Infidels as the Governors of the Cities of Dalmatia and Illyria That the Turks not only prepared themselves for War but already began it and that these Barbarians thirsting after Spoyl knowing the Sultan's Design made every day Incursions on the Republick's Countreys having burnt and pillag'd several Villages and fill'd all the Country with Terror Great and considerable Garrisons were immediately sent to these Parts to hinder this Vastation and Savoriani was ordered to get into Zara the Capital Town of Dalmatia a Place of great Strength and Consequence by reason of its situation and which the Turks would certainly attack considering the advantages and Commotities they might draw thence in becoming Masters of it To this Magistrate was committed also the Care of preserving the whole Province Jerom de Martiningo of the Family of the ancient Lords of Bresse have heretofore exercis'd a Place of good Command in the Venetian Army came and offered his Service to the Senate He was ordered to transport himself with Three Thousand choice Men into the Isle of Cyprus a small Number in comparison of the dreadful Multitude of the Barbarians with which the Island was to be over-run but who might have valiantly defended it had they met with a happy Passage Martiningo had four Ships appointed him to conduct these Succours to Famagusta Savoriani advised the Senate to send over at least Eight Thousand Men into the Island which could not be kept with a less Force But Martiningo being jealous lest Savoriani envied his Reputation and desirous to shew his Capacity and Bravery would needs undertake to defend Famagusta with Three Thousand and the Senate approving his Zeal and Forwardness imprudently consented to so hardy a Proposal Those who are Chief Officers in a Commonwealth do many times manage the publick Treasury with the same Thrift and Sparingness they use in their own Domestick Affairs and think they thus mightily oblige the Republick But the Venetians perceived too late their Folly in sending Three Thousand Men against an innumerable Army In the Senate's Deliberations about the Conduct of this War some were for strengthening the Garrisons every where and keeping only on the Defensive side Others were for setting out as great a Naval Army as was possible and fight the Infidels on the first occasion and thereby decide at one stroke the Fate of the Kingdom of Cyprus This last Advice was approved as the most profitable and honourable The Senate hoped the King of Spain who was equipping a great Fleet would come to their assistance and likewise expected that Pope Pius V. whose Zeal and Courage were well known to them would assist them in so urgent an occasion Jerom Zani was made General of the Sea-Forces This Employ is of the number of those which have no Authority but out of Venice but the Power of it is then of Sovereign Extent and there is no Appeal allowed from the Sentence of this Supreme Magistrate The Senate made choice of several vigorous and resolute Gentlemen from amongst the Nobility to make Commanders of their Frigats and Galleys and Sea-men and Slaves were sent for from the other Cities of the Republick to Venice They proceeded on the setting forth fourscore and ten Galleys whose Furniture and Equipage could be supplied from the Arsenal They built twenty two at Candia which were joyned with thirty six others that were arm'd against Corsary's and to keep the Sea open along the sides of this Island They likewise equipp'd twelve Vessels called Galeasses by reason of their prodigious Greatness These are moved both with Sails and Oars and appear on the Sea like so many floating Castles The weight of these Bulky Vessels braves the violence of the Waves and fears no Storm nor Tempest They moreover equipp'd twenty Vessels laden with Men and Ammunition not to mention the Galliots and several other lesser Boats the Conduct of which they gave to Hermolaus Tripoli a careful and active Commander Such a considerable Fleet so soon made ready notwithstanding the disadvantages the Senate then lay under surpriz'd with astonishment the neighbouring Nations 'T is certain the Pope permitted great Transportations of Corn from Anconia to Venice and a great Subsidy to be rais'd from the Clergy In the mean time the Senate read Bonrici's Letters by which they were informed of the coming of the Chiaus the occasion of his Voyage and all that past between Barbaro and the Chief Visier Bonrici having learnt at his Departure from Constantinople that Acts of Hostility were already began on the Frontiers became afraid lest Mahomet's Son who was Bassa of Epirus and had stopt those whom the Governour of Cataro had sent to carry Presents on his part should oblige the Envoy to return back the same way he came In this Apprehension he propos'd the dispatching of one of his People to Ragusa charged with Packets of Advice to Venice to the end they might have a Galley sent them for their readier and surer Passage The Envoy approving this Expedient Bonrici wrote his Sence in Characters lest his Packets should be intercepted The Senate well satisfied of the Care and Diligence of Bonrici ordered Francis Troni to attend them with a Galley at Ragusa They arrived after some days and returned safe but Troni was forbid to enter Venice which oblig'd him to lie at Anchor at the Ports Mouth till further Order In the mean while Bonrici Landed and having confirmed by word of Mouth what was contained in his Letters he was ordered the next day to fetch the Chiaus in a Gondollo and bring him to the Senate He was brought up the Channel and Landed at St. Mark 's which Place was so crouded that it was no small difficulty to make way for him The murmurings of the People who gnasht their Teeth with rage and indignation against the breaking of the Peace struck the Chiaus with such Terror that he took Bonrici by the hand the better to secure his Life for he saw himself in no small danger Assoon as he entred the Senate-House after a short Preamble he presented Selim's Letter and that also
The City of Supoto besieged and taken by the Venetians The Plague destroys their Navy The Birth of Cardinal Granvil His Aversion to the Venetians The Firmness of Cardinal Commendon Mark Anthony Colonni General of the Pope's Army Contest between the Generals touching the Means of succouring Cyprus Reasons of the Distrust the Venetians had of John Andrew Doria General of the Spanish Gallies CYPRI INSULA THE HISTORY OF THE WAR of CYPRVS The First Book MOst of the Ancient Geographers and Historians have mentioned the Isle of Cyprus with Commendation Some of them have divided it into Nine Kingdoms altho' the whole Island scarcely deserves such a Title She is situated in that part of the Mediterranean Sea which lies nearest Asia between Cilicia and Syria The Seas of Pamphylia and Egypt with the Gulph of Lajazzo anciently called the Sein Isique surround her lying from the Continent about sixty Miles over against Cilicia and eighty distant from Syria 'T is thought she was heretofore a Peninsula joyning on that side of Asia being separated by the violence of a Flood which over-ran all those Parts She contains about two hundred Miles in Length and sixty five in Largeness and is in Circuit near five hundred 'T is said there were heretofore fifteen considerable Cities But at present there are only reckoned five which are well inhabited Nicosia Famagusta Baffo Lamisso and Cerines The rest are Towns to the number of eight hundred and forty and Villages divided into eleven Regions or Quarters named Baffo Andimes Limisso Massota Sasines Mesarea Crusso Pendengia Cerines Carpasso Visconti This Island is reckoned at present to contain about two hundred thousand Inhabitants a small number in comparison of that with which 't was peopled under the Reign of the Emperor Trajan seeing that according to the Report of Diâ—n Cassius in the Life of this Prince the Jews massacred in one day two hundred and forty thousand Cypriots to free themselves from the Tyranny of the Roman Empire The Inhabitants of this Island were separated into four different States the Nobility Commonalty the Freed-Men and Slaves The two last were only employed in Husbandry and the others lived in Cities and accustomed the Country-people contrary to Right to Servitude and Slavery They afterwards enfranchised the greatest part of these whom they called Francomates Those who not yet enjoyed their Liberty called themselves Paresiens They all mortally hated the Nobility and especially these latter being worst used by them The Militia of the Country was drawn from the Freed-Men and consisted of a certain number of Regiments and Companies The Heat of the Climate is the Cause why the Cypriots are ordinarily of a mean stature and approach rather to Leanness than Fatness They are more dexterous and nimble than strong and vigorous They are of the same Complexion as most Greeks their Hair is black and their Wits delicate and surpassing but their Plenty has made them soft and debauched and subject to Wine and Women He was not counted a considerable man among them who was not commonly served in Silver the Peasants had each of them a Cup a Spoon a Knife Handle and Fork of the same Metal The Gentry lived in as great splendor as Princes Their Houses were fill'd with Officers and Domesticks They were magnificent in Houshold-stuff as well as in Cloaths The Furniture of their Tables was equal to the Richness of their Cupboards of Plate and the Expence they were at in Dogs and Horses was answerable to this their Profusion and Luxury The Incontinency and Loosness of their Women has given occasion to Poets to feign That assoon as Venus came out of the Sea of whose Froth they say she sprang she first Landed at Cyprus and was thereupon first named Cypriana and Paphienna because of a magnificent Temple built in Honour of her in the famous City of Paphos This Isle abounding in all sort of things yet suffers oft times by the great scarcity of Water We read in the Annals of this Country that the Inhabitants were driven out by an extraordinary drought and that for seventeen years together there was no Rain She is watered with no River The Rain sometimes in the Winter causes Torrents which fall from the Mountains with great swiftness but are soon dried up by the excessive heat of the Summer There are several Wells and Fountains but they are subject to the forementioned Inconvenience Yet do's the Earth bring forth of it self a prodigious quantity of Fruits A Third part of Wheat and other Grains which they gather is more than what 's sufficient for the Inhabitants Their Wines are so delicious that they are counted the best of all Greece and the Isle produces so great abundance thereof that it is thought Selim who was more addicted to Wine than any of the Ottoman Emperors had no greater Motive to conquer it than that of possessing so delicious a Vineyard They made so much Salt that the Venetians yearly drew three hundred thousand Crowns as a Tax on that quantity which Strangers bought up there Silk and Sugar make up another great part of its Revenues She is no less fertil in Olives Honey Wax Saffron Flax and several other necessary Commodites but especially in choice Medicinal Herbs and Drugs They have also Mines of different Metals There is likewise to be found several Precious Stones and in general whatsoever the Earth contains that's rich and rare in the depth of its Bowels It s Ayr in truth is not answerable to the goodness of its Soyl immoderate heats rendring the whole Island unhealthy and in some parts contagious so that it seems as if its Malignity would ravish from the Cypriots the pleasure of a long enjoyment of Natures Favours few of them arriving to great maturity of Years This Country was first invaded by Tyrants from whose hands the Kings of Egypt rescued it Publius Clodius as well known by the hatred which Cicero's Banishment drew on him as by his Boldness and Birth took it from the Kings of Egypt This young Roman falling into the hands of Pyrates sent to Ptolomy for Money to pay his Ransom who offering only a small Sum to the Corsary's they freely gave Clodius his Liberty who after that sought means to revenge himself of the slight value the King of Egypt set on him Assoon as he saw himself Tribune of the People he made a Decree by which the Isle of Cyprus was declared a Province of the Roman Empire and Mark Cato was presently ordered to take possession of it and transport its Riches to Rome He found such vast Treasures as gave cause to think they had tempted the Romans covetous humour Ptolomy was so ashamed and enraged to see himself stript of this State by a Citizen of the Republick that he ended his Life with Despair and Vexation After the Fall of the Roman Empire that of Constantinople possessed this Isle to the Year 1190 when Richard King of England took it from Isaac Comnenus who
out from Constantinople that Summer all things were carried on at such a negligent rate that Baglioni and such as understood those Affairs continually advertiz'd Dandoli to stand on his Guard and expect a sudden Invasion from the Enemy Eugenius Sinclitici Count de Rocas one of the best Families of the Kingdom of Cyprus having been deputed to Venice to entreat assistance return'd to the Island with the Title of General of the Horse which the Senate had given him with the News That the War was certainly declared but he brought neither Men nor Ships All People were strangely surpriz'd to see him thus return considering the Condition of the Isle the Weakness of the Garrison Scarcity of Arms and especially of Muskets so that it was thought his new Honour had made some decay in his Sences seeing he forgat to represent these wants to the State. The Cypriots finding themselves thus frustrated in their expectations made bad Relations of his Voyage affirming his going to Venice was only for an Airy Title of Honour to satisfie his Vanity rather than the Exigencies of the Island so that he would have done as well to have staid at home with his Lady they having no need of a Captain who brought nothing but a Name and neglected the Duties of the Office. James Nores Count de Tripoli betwixt whom and Rocas reigned an hereditary Jealousie envying the Honour which Rocas came from receiving entertain'd these Complaints and Murmurs and his Merit having acquired great Credit amongst the Nobility the Publick conceived the greater Hatred and Contempt against his Enemie which proved very hurtful to the Welfare of the Country When the Council was assembled Rocas and Dandoli were of contrary Opinions so that no good could be expected to the present State of Affairs And thus the Winter was past over in Quarrels and fruitless Debates In the beginning of the Spring there arose a Dispute between the Magistrates of Nicosia and Famagusta touching the Transport of Grain which was gathered in the fruitful Plains of Messara equally distantfrom these two Towns. 'T was thought fitting for the adjusting of this Difference to agree on a Place and Time wherein all the Magistrates and Military Officers should meet in which Assembly Matters concerning the War should be treated on and each Person his Function and Post allotted him that he might be in a readiness on the first Occasion Which Meeting was held at a Place called Aschia where all present exhorted one another to lay aside their Differences and joyntly concur to the common Safety They afterwards decreed That the Corn of the Territory of Messara should be equally shared between Famagusta and Nicosia each of them gathering that part which lay nearest them They moreover Ordered when this was done That the Countreys which were farthest distant and whose Crops would be troublesom to be transported should be laid waste to hinder the Enemy from Forrage But they after changed their Design into that of preserving them for the refreshment of the Christian Army which they expected would come to their Assistance contenting themselves with pulling down all Mills to deprive the Enemy of the Use of them who yet profited by so abundant a Crop when they least expected it having already stored themselves with Provisions from Cilicia After a long Deliberation of what Place Baglioni should undertake the Defence 't was resolved he should shut himself up in Famagusta which according to all appearances was to be first besieged and that in expectation of the Three Thousand Men which Martiningo was to bring them from Venice there should be a like Number chosen from among the Freed Men of the Island to strengthen the Garrison That there should be as many put into Nicosia with some new Levies raised out of the Country and the Citizens of both Places were to take Arms and be listed into Companies which should be commanded by young Gentlemen There was afterwards an Account taken f the Number of Men each of these Cities could well contain and those who lived far in the Countrey were Ordered to leave their Villages and retire to these Places of Strength The mixt Multitude such as Women Children and aged Persons were enjoyned to betake themselves to the Woods and Mountains with whatsoever they could carry and several were sent out to discover in what Parts they could be in most surety John Susomini a prudent and careful Person had the Charge of leading them thither with their Goods and Chattels Cerines a Maritine Town situated over against Cilicia was ordered to be ruin'd as not being in a condition to hold out a Siege and its Artillery to be transported to Nicosia But some being of a contrary Opinion 't was thought expedient to communicate this Affair to the Senate and expect its Orders The greatest Difficulty agitated was Whether 't were most advantageous to oppose the Enemies Descent or let them Land without Resistance Rocas and Dandoli who endeavoured to raise their Reputation in Military Affairs by singular Opinions rejected such as were necessary to be followed and constantly maintained by a fatal obstinacy to their Countrey That the Infidels should be suffered to Land. Astor Baglioni endeavoured on the contrary to make them embrace a more generous Resolution He vehemently set before them That there is nothing more dangerous than Despair or Distrust at the sight of an Enemy People seldom coming to themselves in such a kind of Consternation That he knew after a particular Search there were more Horse in the Island than was conceiv'd there being enough to mount eight Thousand Men the greatest part of which might be Armed with Lances and the rest with Carabins and Muskets and in this Equipage might successfully oppose the Infidels Landing and being seconded by choice Men of the rest of the Militia and five and twenty Thousand Foot drawn up on the Hills of Salines on the Sea-Coast the sight of so considerable an Army would perhaps put a stop to the Enemies Fleet and defer their Landing That whatsoever might happen they must of necessity oppose them tho' they should fail and be overpowered by their Number That in fine All the Rules of War oblig'd them to resist their Entrance unless they design'd to render themselves contemptible to their Enemies and cast the Cypriots into a Consternation All the Gentry that assisted at this Council were of Baglioni's Opinion and promised him to use their utmost Endeavours to facilitate the execution of this Design But Dandoli and Rocas persisted in maintaining there were only Famagusta and Nicosia to be defended and that the Malignity of the Ayr with the excessive Heats would drive away the Turks from the other Parts of the Island Rocas added that Palavicinus had been of the same Opinion in Venice which was approved by the Senate and therefore he must yield without wavering to the Sentiment of so great a Captain being likewise confirm'd by the Sovereign Council without the least respect to the Reasons which
one of these Women seeing the Enemies Gallies drawing near the Walls boldly put fire to one of these Cannons pointed by chance directly against the Fleet. The Shot was so fortunate that it struck down one of the Masts of their Gallies and the Infidels supposing the Garrison were very bold and numerous retired without landing a man. The Senate was so pleased with this Action that when after the War the Inhabitants of Cursolari press'd by Scarcity had recourse to their Liberality 'T was answered They had not so well served their Country nor the State to deserve such a Favour and must present themselves in their Wives Names to whom they were indebted for their Safety The Turks advanced as far as the Isle of Lesina where they landed and Pillaged the Country forced the Town and burnt it the Old People of it were murthered with all others that were not capable of Service and the rest made Slaves These Pyrats rejoined Perteau who no sooner had set Sayl but he received orders from the Sultan to besiege Cataro But he returned answer to his Highness That this Expedition must necessarily be put off to a more commodious Season and steered his Course thereupon to Corfou Where he landed in Person with Eight Thousand Foot and Four Hundred Horse taken out of Epirus and charging the Christians who rashly opposed his descent he beat them and made them retire into the Town He afterwards made himself Master of the Suburbs which he burnt as if he intended a formal Siege But the Cannon from the Castle which kill'd him several People forced him to retire He caused the Fields to be wasted the Trees to be cut down and returned to his Vessels without any advantage from so great a Devastation This Bassa being too well instructed of the ill Condition of the Venetian Fleet tarryed thirteeen days longer before Corfou without undertaking any thing further in expectation of News from Constantinople with as great assurance as if he had rode in the Turkish Ports which was no small Grief to the Christians considering how easie this Barbarian might have been attacked and routed had their Fleets bin out with the same Diligence and good Agreement The Venetians Celebrated with great Joy the Conclusion of the League in the presence of the Foreign Ministers But if this Union encreased the Courage and Hopes of the Venetians the main difficulty lay in raising of Money to carry on these great Preparations After several Assemblies of the Senate the Result of their Debates was divided touching the manner of exacting Contributions from the associated Cities Some were for levying a tenth part on all the Fruits of the Country Others That every one should pay proportionably to the quantity of Acres he held which last advice was followed As soon as this Tax was published the People were so greatly set against it that all Concourses Fairs and Markets rung with Complaints One Town exhorted another not to suffer so grievous an Imposition which would soon be followed by others more intollerable 'T was every day spread about in all places that new ways were devised to impoverish the associated Cities That these Impositions had no President That whatsoever the Earth produced was laden with Tribute That no Commodities were free That Seamen were press'd from the associated Towns contrary to their Rights and Priviledges That so great a number of them were raised that the Fields lay wast and such as remained within were overburdened with Taxes That endeavours were used to render them uncapable of ever raising themselves from these Miseries whilst the Chief Magistrates lived in Luxury and Wantonness on what they had unjustly taken from their poor Families maintaining in this manner their Rapine and Avarice under a Pretence of a War wherein only Venice was interested That before the last drop of Blood was drawn out of their Veins the Senators would do well to open their Coffers That such a grievance was not to be endured but openly and universally protested against by which means the Senate would be forced on more moderate Counsels Some of those who were most notorious for these Complaints were punisht for their Insolency but 't was not judged fitting to pass further till the Deputy of each Town were heard The Senate seeing the City filled with these Deputies order'd them to make their Remonstrances apart Their Harangues were all different some affirmed an inhability to contribute in any sort to new Impositions having much ado to acquit themselves of the old Others requested some Diminution but all in general rejected the Decree The Magistrates were strangely surprized at so precise and general a Refusal 'T was impossible to make War without Mony and sufficient Supplies could not be had without extraordinary Levies and it highly concerned the Senate's Authority not to revoke a Decree of that Nature This Affair having bin long agitated 't was thought necessary to encline to moderation to prevent any Sedition and the discontented Towns putting themselves under the Protection of some Neighbouring Prince The Senate having then annulled their Decree all the Deputies were order'd to be in the Palace where they were told That the Decree they complain'd of was made by meer necessity the Senate being very sensible of its Rigour and Severity That they had voluntarily revoked it being satisfied with their Zeal and Fidelity That this Condescension should oblige them to assist the Republick according to their utmost Power That the State expected no less an acknowledgment for the fifty years Peace which she had procured them That 't was fitting those amongst them whose Countries lay nearest the Sea Coasts should contribute most as being in greatest danger That 't was absolutely necessary to provide for a great Army or resolve on yielding to the Infidels and perhaps become Slaves and Tributaries That Venice wherein resides the Soveraign Authority would contribute first the Magistrates freely submitting themselves to the Execution of their own Laws That if they consider'd the weight of the Burden they had to bear they must also consider the Enemy they had to deal with who without any Provocation on their parts forced them against their Wills on these defensive Preparations This Discourse so appeased the Deputies Minds that they consented to a levy of Poll-Mony amounting to more than three hundred Thousand Crowns a Year whilst the War should last This Talk being over Venice was vexed with another trouble worse than the former There were every day Reports spread of the Progress of the Barbarians in the Mediterranean Islands That having Pillaged Candia Zant and Cephalonia they would exercise the same Barbarity in other places and come with a formidable Army to attack the chief City Although her Situation secured her from a Surprizal yet the slowness of the Spaniards which hindred also the other Confederates obliged them to stand on their Guard. They feared lest the Populacy affrighted at the sight of the Infidels and struck with some panick terrour should forsake
his Ecclesiastical Profession he had recourse to the Protection of the Mamelucs by whose Assistance he drove out the Queen Charlotte and Prince Lewis her Husband recovered Famagusta from the Genoeses and made himself Master of the whole Island He considered he needed the Assistance of the Venetians to confirm him in the Throne and therefore sent Ambassadors to the Republick to desire a Venetian Lady chosen by the Senate to make her Queen of Cyprus The Venetians cast their Eyes on Catharine the Daughter of Mark Anthony Cornaro being of one of the most ancient Families in Venice She was adopted by the Senate and afterwards conducted to the Isle of Cyprus to King James This Prince died some time after his Marriage and left the Queen pregnant whom he made by his Will Heiress with the Child which she was to bring into the World She was delivered of a Boy who was likewise named James and lived not above ten Months The Grand Signior and the King of Syria considered the Isle of Cyprus as a State very commodious for them On the other hand Ferdinand King of Naples look'd on Queen Catharine as a Person well qualified for him Which alarming the Venetians who thought themselves to have most Right to the Island they sent George Cornaro the Brother of this Princess to pre-engage her in favour of the Republick His Reasons and Entreaties met with such prevalency in the Mind of his Sister that she demised her Estate in the year 1489. sixteen years after the death of the King her Husband and Francis Prioli Admiral of the Venetian Forces went and took possession of it in the Name of the Republick Catharine at the same time retiring to Venice the Seniory gave her a small Town in the Mountains de la Marche Trevisanna where she confin'd her self all the rest of her days and liv'd there in much tranquillity to a great Age. This Acquisition gave as great trouble to the Senate as it did yield honour to the Republick for if it were glorious to 'em to reduce a Kingdom into a Province and to extend their Dominion as far as Asia whence by this means they might draw great Advantages it was on the other hand troublesom to them to have a State environ'd with those of the Grand Signior and continually threatned by this formidable Power That which heightned the more their inquietude was That there was no fortifi'd place in the whole Island except the City of Famagusta which was too weak to resist the Invasions of the Infidels Selim who since declared War with the Venetians was then Governor of Cilicia and learnt them by his Conduct that he earnestly intended the Conquest of this Island These Suspicions obliged the Senate to send thither Julius Savorniani with a plenary Power He was a Person of Noble Birth whose long Services together with those of his Father had rendered him deservedly famous He was ordered to fortifie the Island as he thought fit but with all possible diligence lest he should be prevented by Solyman the Sultan who was then at War with the Emperor Maximilian in Hungary and commanded his Army in person Savorniani who was a man of a lively and undertaking Spirit took Shipping assoon as ever he had his Dispatches Scarcely was he arrived on the Island but he began to surround it and view those Places which most needed to be fortified with such an exact diligence as answered the good Opinion the Senate had of him He thought at first to build new Walls and raise new Forts to the City of Nicosia being the Capital of the Kingdom situated in the midst of the Island and was then about four Miles in compass The Nobility made their usual Residence there the Riches of the Inhabitants rendered her the most wealthy and important place of all the Country and had she been put in a capacity to sustain a Siege might have proved by reason of its greatness most commodious for a Retreat to the Country-people in a time of War. Neither did the Charge nor Difficulty of the Enterprize which had always deterred the preceding Governors discourage Savorniani Having assembled the Nobility he shewed them the interest they had to fortifie their City to secure their Possessions from the Rapine and Avarice of the Barbarians and that it was of great Consequence to their particular preservation and that of the whole State these Works should be finished before the end of six Months These Gentlemen comprehending the danger wherewith they were threatned return'd Savorniani their Thanks approve his Design and offer him all that in them lay to facilitate it He then caused several Workmen and Slaves to come to Nicosia he pulled down the ancient Walls and adjoyning Houses and drew a new Line in a round Figure less than the former which beginning from an Eminency Northward near the old Walls ended at 400 paces near the first Circumvallation He fortify'd it with twelve Bastions in such a manner that each defended the other with its Cannon He chose as many of the best qualify'd Gentlemen to every one of which he committed the care of carrying forward a Bastion and permitted them for a recompence to call them after their Names He thought he ought thus to engage them to advance these Works and edge 'em on by this little point of Honour to spare no cost nor pains to hasten forward so important a Matter He encouraged them himself by his vigilancy and diligence going about incessantly from one Work to another and not loosing a moment the Workmen out of his sight This Enterprize was carried on with such a diligence as surpriz'd all People for these Bastions and the Wall were in a short time brought on to a reasonable height and the Ditch made deep enough to defend it self against a great Army The Noise and Reputation of this Work gave the more joy and hopes to the Republick because it cost her but little and because one of her Magistrates had so happily and speedily finish'd it But the Turks took offence at it and seem'd strangly out of humor to see an Island fortify'd against ' emselves in the heart of their Empire which they had always look'd on with discontent in the hands of the Venetians altho' without defence and expos'd as a prey 'T is certain that Solyman conceived an extream spight at it He fancied the Venetians shewed by this precaution a great contempt of his Age and expected he wou'd never return from his expedition in Germany where he then made War with that vigor and resolution as became a young Victorious Prince 'T is thought he would have stript them of it had he lived longer but dying in Hungary at the Siege of Sigeth Mustapha one of the Generals of his Army inspired his Son Selim who succeeded him with his Father's Hatred and Resentment This new Emperor believing likewise the Venetians had fortify'd this Isle against him resolved on the Design which he had long premeditated of
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
Cyprus But whether he really design'd to set the Crown on the Head of this profligate Jew which is very contrary to the usual Genius of the Turkish Policy and Customs or only to gratifie his Appetite to delicious Wines he in regard to this Project fortify'd that part of Cilicia which is over against the Island and divided only by a space of sixty Miles The pains the Turks took to fortifie a Place so long neglected gave great Suspicions to the Venetians But Selim being become Emperor forgat this Enterprize the remembrance of which was not to be offered to a Prince languishing in effeminate Pleasures Yet did Miches and Mustapha spend whole days and nights in projecting how to bring him handsomly to undertake the old Design and they thought no way could be better than to rouze him by the Murmurings of his Souldiers who loudly demanded a War. They made use also of some of the Women-Favourites who hated Mahomet to give him this Advice and Selim disturb'd with this troublesom Relation would know this Ministers Opinion Mahomet counselled him to yield to a War telling him what a happy opportunity offered it self for it the Moors of Spain having sent to intreat assistance from his Highness against the Tyranny of King Phillip the Second The Novelty of this Enterprize surpriz'd the more the Grand Signior being ignorant why the Moors would revolt against Spain and what Forces they were able to raise against their Soveraign But he willingly received the Proposition of turning his Arms on the side of Cyprus whereupon Mahomet having shewed him he could not declare a War against the Venetians without violating the Oath he had taken the Council thereupon broke up without determining any thing tho' Selim matter'd not much the Scruples which were offered him The Ottoman Emperors believe nothing so great nor magnificent whereby to eternize their Names as to be the Founders of Mosques and Places of Religious Worship These Edifices are lightned within by an infinite number of Lamps which are always burning during their Ceremonies and they have Priests and particular Ministers belonging to each of them the Porches and several other parts of these Churches are paved with Marble enriched with quantity of Precious Stones and wrought by several skilful Italian Architects who for Gain-sake make no scruple to be hired by these Heathens But this Magnificence reaches further they build Hospitals near these Mosques call'd Kervansarai of as beautiful Structure as the other in which are put all poor and sick People who are as neatly as carefully look'd after All Travellers may remain there three days without distinction of Country or Religion Slaves are therein received as well as those that are Free and the greatness of their Number makes no man refus'd There are also several Children brought up in them Selim had a Design to build one of these Hospitals with a Mosque which should surpass not only in Largeness and Richness the Kervansarai of Solyman his Father but likewise all those which had been raised by his Predecessors The Mufti who is as it were the High Priest amongst them shewed him 't was an ancient Custom established by God's Appointment to employ in these fort of Foundations the Booty gain'd from the Enemies of his Empire and especially from the Christians who most contemn the Prophet and his Law. Selim well pleas'd to hear the Mufti thus deliver himself resolv'd from that time on the Conquest of the Kingdom of Cyprus and determined the Revenues to the building of a new Hospital Mustapha whilst these things were in agitation found a seasonable time which he had long sought of enteraining the Sultan in private He remembred him That the Turkish Emperors began their Reign with some Military Enterprize and valued more the Respect and Submission paid them by their Subjects on the account of a Victory or some Conquest than from their Right of Sovereignty That Selim his Grandfather whose Memory will be precious to all Ages came no sooner to the Throne than he carried his Arms to Persia and having won a signal Victory in the Plains of Calderana from the Sophi Ismael a Prince renowned for his Valour he made himself Master of Tauris then the Capital City of that great and famous People and that this Advantage was only a Prelude to the Glory he afterwards acquired by the same Arms. That Solyman his Highness's Father burning with Zeal to his Religion made War with the Christians Enemies to the Alcoran and signaliz'd his first Campaign by the taking of Belgrade from which the Emperors Amurah and Mahomet had shamefully rais'd the Siege with considerable loss and by this Conquest bereaved the Hungarians of their Reputation of being the best Souldiers in Europe He afterwards took the Isle of Rhodes from the Jerusalem Knights the Turks sworn irreconcileable Enemies with the same valour and speed That the Venetians had likewise felt the effort of his victorious Arms and being straightned sometimes by Hunger otherwhiles by his Troops they were forced for the saving of the Isles of Zant Cephalonia and Corfou to consent to a shameful Peace and to yield him Naplousia and Malvasia Places of Consequence and great Strength with all the Morea That the Venetian State being destin'd to furnish the Ottoman Empire with Conquests they ought to reckon on a certain Victory in declaring War against this Republick That he justly drew it upon her by fortifying a Tributary Kingdom as if she would maintain by Force what she held only at his Highness's Pleasure That Solyman would not have suffered this Insolency but driven out the Venetians from the Isle of Cyprus as a punishment for putting themselves into a posture of Defence whilst he made War in Hungary and thus profiting by his Absence he having been often heard to say some time before his Death in a great Passion That if he return'd Conqueror to Constantinople he would turn all his Forces toward that Island attacking it both by Sea and Land That his Highness should the rather enter into this his Father's Resentment seeing God had permitted the Venetians to fail of their respect towards him at his coming to the Crown by protecting such as pillaged his Frontiers and exercis'd their Rapines as well by Land as Sea That the Ports of the Isle of Cyprus served for a shelter and place of Retreat to the Christian Pyrates who continually chased the Turkish Vessels and to have satisfaction for all this there needed only a Design to be undertaken whose Success tho' sufficiently honourable was neither perilous nor impossible What Consternation added he will it be to all Christendom to see the Venetians driven out of this Isle when they are most confident on their Strength having fortified the Capital City in the midst of the Country which notwithstanding its deep Ditches and new Ramparts cannot long hold out against an Army which has been ever successful That the Conjuncture was favourable by reason of the Christian Princes Divisions being
might be alledged to the contrary Baglioni interrupting him To what purpose said he is Palavicinus and the Senate cited Are we not here on the Spot and consequently far better instructed in the present Exigency of Affairs than all the Republick joyn'd together who judge only from a simple Relation It is Men and not Counsel which ought to have been sent us from Venice The Passion with which he was transported made him add That if no body else would follow him he would go to the Sea-side with his Friends and Domesticks to receive the Infidels at their Descent for he would never consent they should Land as if the Countrey was to be delivered to them by Agreement That he would give them some Demonstrations of Courage at least with his small Company if he could not hinder their Design it being a grievous shame to be exposed to the Raillery of these Barbarians and hear them say The Venetians were so affrighted at the News of their Coming that they were not able to bear the sight of them The two Chiefs hardening themselves in their Obstinacy as fast as they found Resistance Baglioni added He would lead up as many Horse as he could find in the humor to attend him to the place most in danger at least to learn the Force and Number of the Barbarians being not able to bear the Reproaches which would be cast on his Countrey That they had not one Person of sufficient Valour to face the Enemy Dandoli made Answer He might do as he pleased but would never consent to his having any Troops committed to him Saying moreover he would send Notice to the Senate of the Success of so rash an Enterprize Baglioni who knew the Senate confided more in the Providors than in the Military Officers and that they do more approve a discreet Conduct than a bold and honourable Exploit pretended to persist in his Resolution but intended to do nothing contrary to the Providors determination The Assembly being broke up each Person departed to his Post to execute the Orders which belonged to him Things being in this condition and all People bewailing this Disunion amongst the Chief Persons in Authority the Vessels on which Martiningo was embark'd with the three Thousand Men which the Senate sent to Cyprus touched at Famagusta and brought the sad News of the Death of their Commander whose Age not being able to undergo the Tediousness of the Voyage encreased by the ill Ayr he died in the way not suffering them to carry him to shoar in order to his Recovery He was the more regretted by reason his Death was accompanied with that of the greatest part of his Men seiz'd by the same Distemper so that the Remainder arrived in such a condition as sensibly touched all who were interessed in the Welfare of the Republick On a Belief that the Infidels would begin by the Siege of Famagusta the Defence thereof was committed to Baglioni and Rocas return'd to Nicosia to command that Garrison And it being well known that neither Dandoli nor He understood the Art of War they had therefore two old Officers given 'em Ranconi and Palacio to assist them in their Councils in case they had Docility enough to be instructed Since the Conference at Aschia Affairs moved but slowly and the carrying on of the Fortifications was in a manner neglected The Officers encouraged the Souldiers in their Laziness by telling them The Turks would undertake nothing till the next Campaign so that they had time enough to provide for the Defence of the Countrey They were also so imprudent as to suffer the Freed Men newly listed to return home and bring if they would their Wives into the Garrisons Scarcely were they got to their Villages but Nicosia was alarm'd by the Discovery of Twenty five Sayl of Turks Men of War lying at Anchor over against the Isle of Baffo This News strangely surprized the Officers and cast the People into a horrible Consternation 'T was thought immediatly the whole Fleet was not far distant from this Squadron and indeed they were in the right for these were sent before commanded by Siroc one of the General Officers with Order to make Descent on the Island and get information from the first that fell into his hands of the State and Strength of the Countrey the Designs and Motions of the Governors and to return quickly with an Account of what he had learnt Siroc landed at a Place called Lara with five hundred Foot seized on some Peasants whose Villages he burnt and pillaged This Booty having drawn him farther into the Island he was charged by a Regiment of Epirot-Horse whose Quarters lay near Lara and beaten back to his own Vessels leaving eleven of his Men dead on the place and two of 'em were taken Prisoners with one of their Ensigns Zandochio who commanded this Regiment of Horse entred into Nicosia puft up with this small advantage and caused to be carried before him on the top of Lances the Heads of these Enemies that were killed 'T was known from these two Prisoners That the Barbarian Army lay in the Port of Finicia and that the Sultans never before set out such a numerous Fleet so well stored with Men and all sorts of Provision and Ammunition necessary for so prodigious an Army That the Visier who commanded it was still employ'd in embarking the Horse and would soon follow in Person Those who expected this inundation of Barbarians not before the next Summer and consequently believed the Danger at a great distance were terribly alarm'd seeing the Enemy so near Dandoli and Rocas who walk'd every day about the Town full of Pride and Confidence found themselves immediatly possessed with such a disheartning Faintness and Terror the Effects whereof could not be concealed from every vulgar Eye They at last saw themselves void of Counsel and Experience their Fortifications unfinished their Garrison without Arms and much weakned by the Leave they had given the Freed-Men They mistrusted the Fidelity of their Slaves the incapacity of their Officers of War and their Authority and Power over the Souldiers They sent immediatly Commands to the Freed-Men to return to Nicosia But most of these rude and brutish People refused to obey their Orders and withdrew into the Forests and Mountains believing themselves in greater safety and more at liberty there than within the Walls so that scarcely five hundred of the seven thousand who were Mustered returned 'T was also proposed to give Liberty to the Slaves and this was without doubt an excellent means to make them forget the Tyranny of their Masters and engage them faithfully to serve the Republick had not this Means been thought on too late Yet was it proclaimed throughout all the Island That the Senate granted a full and perfect Liberty in general to all those who were born Slaves exhorting them for an Acknowledgment of this Grace that such amongst them as were able to bear Arms should repair with diligence to
towards Famagusta to conceal his real Design with Order to march secretly thither lest Baglioni who knew well the Ground should charge them at a disadvantage to possess themselves of all Avenues and hinder any Communication betwixt the two Cities He gave a Cypriot Monk who was found amongst the Prisoners some Letters to the Chief of the Nobility stuft with proud and threatning Terms which these Barbarians commonly use to exalt the Power of their Sovereigns which they insolently equal to that of the Almighty He treated in his Letters with an insupportable Disdainfulness not only the Venetians but all Christians in general and summonn'd at the same time the Cypriots to deliver to him their Capital City and put him in possession of their whole State with a promise to let them live in an entire Liberty and suffer them to enjoy their Religion and Estates The Nicosians returning no Answer to such unreasonable Propositions Mustapha took this so hainously that he wasted all the Country round about The Inhabitants of the Borough of Leiparus felt the first Effects of his Cruelty But whether they were disgusted by the bad Usage they had long received from the Nobility or would secure themselves from being pillaged and their Houses from being burnt they surrendred themselves to the Infidels on advantageous Conditions and several other small Places followed their Example The Nicosians thought themselves obliged to punish this Fact to prevent the ill Consequences of it and therefore sent some Regiments under the Command of Demetrius Lascaris which being arrived at Leiparus cut all the Inhabitants Throats during an obscure Night whom they surprized in their Beds not sparing a man of them and burnt the Village This severe Chastisement affrighted the neighbouring parts and kept the rest of the Isle within the Bounds of their Duty In the mean time Mustapha parted from Salines at the Head of two thousand Horse and a considerable Body of Foot ordering the rest of his Army to follow him with the Artillery and Baggage and after six days March came and posted himself within four Niles of Nicosia There were in the Town fifteen hundred Italians a thousand Gentlemen with their Domesticks two thousand Freed-men of the new rais'd Forces two thousand of other Foot drawn from different parts of the Island two thousand five hundred Citizens in Arms two hundred Epirot-Foot five hundred Horse of the same Nation and a thousand other Cavaliers consisting of Gentry Besides as many Slaves as were found able to do Service had Arms given 'em and the Place was furnish'd with all sorts of Ammunition and Provisions for a long Siege Besides the multitude of unserviceable People which were retired into inaccessible places more then twenty thousand Men able to defend the Countrey were gone to seek for Safety in the same Retreats There might have been drawn a great Succour from so considerable a Number had there been Arms for 'em and a Commander capable to mannage them Captain Palaceo a Person of a consummated Experience and who was sent to Nicosia as has been already observed to assist Rocas and Dandoli with his Advice was for charging the Enemy in their March with all the Horse and a part of the Foot assuring them they would be surpriz'd by this vigorous opposition and put in Disorder before they could be form'd into a Body Altho' these two Generals were often ruled by Palaceo's Opinion yet they now again re-assumed their former Obstinacy and rejected this wholsom Advice The whole Turkish Army came up the next Morning being the Twenty Second of July to the Visier who caused his Tent to be set in a Plain at the Foot of a little Hill call'd Mandia from the neighbouring Village He extended his Camp as far as a Countrey-Seat belonging to Demetrius Having found all the Wells thereabouts poysoned he caus'd new ones to be digged and proved several to be wholsome Water so that the Christians who thought to poyson the Infidels or make them undergo an extream Thirst had the displeasure of seeing this their Stratagem of none effect Mustapha surrounded the Place at the Head of his Cavalry to view it and draw out the Garrison but Dandoli and Rocas would not suffer the Nobility nor Epirots to sally forth who burnt with a desire of charging the Infidels The Visier who often turned his Head towards the side of the Ramparts seeing no body appear cried out in Laughing The Christians were to blame in believing themselves secure behind their Walls He caused Lines to be drawn as near as could be to the Body of the Town He raised his first Battery on the side of St. Martin's Gate over against the Bastion of Podocatero with such diligence that the work was finished in a Night's time the Besieged having scarce made any opposition This Battery being distant about three hundred paces from the Bastion did not much dammage either the Walls or the neighbouring Houses the Infidels rais'd three more one against St. George's Church the other on a Prominency called St. Marguerite's Place and a third on a rising Ground term'd Mandia with which they endeavour'd to ruine those of the Besieged and dismount their Cannon but seeing this Artillery advanced not much their Design the Visier made the Trench be carried on to the Walls of the Ancient Town and within an hundred and fifty paces to the Counterscarp He afterwards built four Forts opposite to so many Bastions called Podocatero Avila Constance and Tripoli from the Names of those who took care of their Structure under the inspection of Savoriani These Works being soon finished the Turks placed great Pieces of Ordnance on them some of which carried Bullets of sixty pound weight which would in a short time grind the Wall to Powder But having fired continually for four dayes together they observed the Bullets entred only the Earth which filled the Thickness of the Walls wherefore they quitted these new Batteries The Commanders of the Place who dared not to Sally out endeavour'd to ruine with their Cannon the Enemies Works killing every day several of their Men. The Turks displeased at the small effect of their Artillery advanced their Trenches near enough to the Counter-scarp to shelter themselves from the continual Firings of the Besieged This Work contain'd several Angles and the Earth thrown up on the side of the Town was a sufficient Defence to the Workmen They wrought day and night with an indefatigable Toyl without resting in the time of the greatest Heat so that in a small space they got to the Walls They made a second deep Trench that was Cannon-proof against the Town which was lined with with Musketiers who fired so thick that the Besieged durst not appear on their Ramparts so that the Infidels lodged themselves in the Ditch without any resistance The Cavalry of the Garrison would have sallied out on the Turks to hinder these near Approaches but they could never get leave of their Superiors The Siege grew every day
grievous Odium the Authors of it lay from the People so that they would do well now to prevent the like or a worse Consequence The Matter being submitted to the plurality of Votes some aged Persons were excluded whose Minds being as much weakened as their Bodies might have been troublesom to the Assembly Colonni then seeing his Party the strongest engaged Tipoli to relate the Affair to the Senate This Magistrate being of great Credit in the Assembly was the first that disapproved of the secret Negotiation and that declared himself against the Peace He immediatly represented that in the Deliberations of making an Accommodation with the Grand Signior or concluding against him a League with the Pope and King of Spain the Republick was at liberty to take what Party she pleased That there is no body but will prefer a certain Peace not only to a dissicult and hazardous War but also before the probability of a glorious Victory That any man might see they would exhaust their Treasure and disgust the Allied Towns which supplied them with Sea-men and Slaves That the Pope had more good Will than Power and that the King of Spain failed of his Word But 't was to be examined on the other hand whether it was less advantageous to them to enter into a League and strengthen themselves by that means than to hearken to an Accommodation which could not be effected but on the Sultan's own Terms And whether a shameful Peace granted by an insolent Conqueror might be expected to be lasting and sincere For if they were not satisfied in this Difficulty to what purpose should they continue a Negotiation which would give them fresh occasion of Disquiet and draw on them the Pope's Indignation and Contempt of the Christian Princes That such who were so greatly in Love with Ease as to suffer all things than incur a War would do well to reflect on the Motives which not only Selim's Predecessors had who were Warlike Princes but of Selim himself wrapt up in Softness to violate their Oaths and break Treaties so solemnly sworn Besides the Pride of the Ottoman People appeared plainly in the small Account they made at the Port of the Venetian Militia the Disproportion of the Forces of the Republick with those of the Grand Signior and the small Confidence which the Venetians had in the Succors of the Christian Princes That it then lay upon them to know if after having answered so resolutely the Turkish Envoy they were rather for renouncing their Reputation than be affrighted at the first Noise of Arms and meanly beg their Peace or make a generous Effort and shew these Barbarians that the Republick being sensible of the Indignities offered her wants neither Strength nor Courage and can bring when she pleases the Forces of other Christian States to her Assistance That it was time to undeceive the Infidels false Perswasion of the Venetians being terrified at the only mention of the Ottoman Name That if they now abandoned the Isle of Cyprus to Selim he would demand that of Candia the Year following That supposing no Loss of their Reputation by seeking a Peace yet the Sultan will be sure to impose on them his own Conditions For if before the Losses which the Republick had now suffered he violated the Oaths by declaring a War against them can it be expected he will be more Religious when being become more insolent by the Conquest of a new Kingdom and satisfy'd in the Disunion of Christians he will invade all Italy That they had no Reason to rely any longer on the good Offices of the Prime Visier seeing the Presents and Pensions he had already drawn from the Signiory could not empower him to avert this Tempest from falling on their Heads but on the contrary would have surprized and deceived the Vigilancy of their Resident perswading him his Highness arm'd himself only for the succouring the Mores of Grenado and therefore they were bound in common Prudence not to trust any more an Enemy that came just from betraying them And now this Minister continuing his Perfidiousness would by a feigned Negotiation amuse and abate their Courage retard their Preparations and disturb their Confederacy and surprize them again with a numerous Army That this Artifice would undoubtedly prove successful if they delay'd any longer from joyning with the Pope and King of Spain That Mark Antony Colonni had clearly set before them these Delayes would be certainly expounded to their Disadvantage That it was to be feared Pius V. and King Philip seeing their Preparations broke off by Propositions of Peace displeased at the small Account made of their Assistance would abandon them to their Fears and Confusions and extend their Resentments to the raising up vexatious Affairs to the Republick on the side of Germany and Italy so that they would do well to consider the dreadful Conditions to which they will be reduced the Turks invading them bereft of Auxiliary Forces their own being not in a Readiness to take the Field That their Maritine Countries could not resist the first Onset of their Enemies That the Frontiers of Dalmatia must yield to the same Violence and their Fleet being far weaker than the Ottomans wanted Ports to secure it self being so far from defending so many Christian Provinces that she would be scarcely able to save her self That the Turks might if they were minded come on full Sayl to attack their chief City and then what Confusion would there be What Consternation amongst the People and Citizens What Despair amongst the Allied Towns who could not be reproached with Faint-heartedness nor Ingratitude seeing themselves forsaken and constrained to receive Laws from the Conqueror But what Shame and Infamy will it not be to hear published throughout the World That the Question is the Disputing a Kingdom between the Grand Signior and the Republick but touching the Safety of the Venetians forced to defend their Liberties and their Lives in the Capital City of their Country And for to compleat these Miseries the Christians would reproach them as having drawn down these Misfortunes on themselves and the Infidels would vaunt their subjecting them by surprizing their Credulity That it behooved them to prevent these Misfortunes the Foresight of which struck him with Terror there being only one Remedy which was to conclude the League with all Expedition and joyn the Confederates in the beginning of the Spring to find out the Enemy and fight him That the King of Spain would set out Fourscore Galleys to which will be joyned Twenty others under the Banner of the Holy See. That the Venetian-Army being as numerous as the last Year will be far better supplied with Souldiers and Slaves That if the Senate was for punishing its Commanders for not giving Battel with Sixty Auxiliary Sails they must hold themselves assured of the Victory seeing this Assistance was almost doubled Tripoli willing afterwards to answer the Reasons grounded on the Insincerity of the Spaniards added They would
the Republick shall give the Pope twelve Galleys if he demands them without his Holiness's being obliged to satisfie any Dammage may happen to them but surrender them in the same Condition they shall return out of the War. That each of the Allies shall contribute such things with which they most abound and an exact Account be kept and Satisfaction made for them That the Venetians shall assist the King of Spain with fifty Galleys if he made any Enterprizes on the Cities of Algiers Tunis and Tripoly That his Catholick Majesty shall furnish the Venetians with a like Number in case they besieged any Places on the Coasts of the Adriatick Sea on this side the City of Piergo anciently called Apollonia yet on condition that their Army to whom these Succours should be given shall be stronger than the Auxiliary Troops That if the Infidels invaded by Sea or Land any of the Church's Countreys the Confederates should come immediatly to her Assistance with all their Strength That the Command of the Naval Army shall be divided between three Generals which are to meet on all Affairs wherein the common Cause is concerned And That Don John who is to be Generalissimo shall punctually execute whatsoever may be determined contrary to his Opinion by the Sentiment of the two others That in his Absence Marc Antony Colonni shall be entrusted with the same Authority That neither of the Generals shall set up any other Standards than those which the Sovereign Prelate shall send them which shall be common to all the Confederates That the Emperor the King of France and other Kings and Christian Princes shall enter if they please into the League and that his Holiness shall send Legates to them for that purpose That the Conquests shall be shared conformable to the Treaty of the Year 1537. By which 't was decreed the Allies shall be to restored whatsoever belonged to them and the rest divided according to the Charge each one was at excepting the Cities of Algiers Tunis and Tripoli which should be wholly yielded to the King of Spain That no Act of Hostility shall be committed in the City nor Territories of the Republick of Ragusa unless his Holiness shall otherwise determine That the Pope shall be made Arbiter of whatsoever Differences may happen and neither of the Confederates make Peace with the Port without the Advice and Consent of the rest And thus at length was concluded this much desired League when 't was least expected by the Zeal and Constancy of Pius V. which surmounted all Obstacles that seem'd to ruine the Success of it THE CONTENTS OF THE THIRD BOOK THe Naval Army of the Holy See routed Venieri fruitlesly attempts the taking of Durazzo The Cardinals Alexandrinus and Commendon nominated Legats the First into Spain and Portugal the Second to Germany and Poland King Philip and Sebastian of Portugal's answers An Embassie from the Venetians to the King of Persia Discourse of the King of France with Cardinal Alexandrinus Promotion of Cosmus de Medici's The Emperor Maximilian long resists Commendon's Reasonings but at length promises to enter into the League Commendon disswades the King of Poland from Repudiating his Queen Henry Duke D'Anjou Elected King of Poland Louchali and Caracossa Famous Corsaries Pertah burns Suda in Candia Those of that Island Revolt Design of the Infidels on Cataro discovered Bravery of the Inhabitants of Dulsingo Admirable Courage of the Women of Cursola Complaint of the allyed Cities against the Republick Venice Fortified Scituation of Famagusta Besieged by Mustapha The Turks Defeated in an Atâ—ack Articles of Capitulation The Christian Soldiers Massacred contrary to the Conditions of the Treaty Horrible and Cruel Usage of Bragadin THE HISTORY OF THE WAR of CYPRVS The Third Book THE League was no sooner Signed but the Pope used all Endeavours to cause the Confederate Fleets to joyn in March on the Coasts of Greece And to lose no time by these Preparatives he borrowed Twelve Gallies of Gosmus de Medicis's ready equipt for each of which he paid him Five Hundred Crowns a Month To which he also added Four others of Malta and as many from the Duke of Savoy ordering Colonni to set Sayl on the beginning of June to encrease the Venetian Army and oppose the Infidel's Designs in expectation of the Spanish Assistance which was but slowly setting forward His Holyness and the Republick were agreed to go in search of the Enemy and having found him to engage immediately after the Conjunction of the Fleets the Venetians being greatly interessed to end this War in any sort The Pope on the other hand trusting to the Divine Assistance and fearing the League would not last long was also for deciding the Quarrel by a Combat expresly enjoyning this to Colonni at his departure Colonni having found the Fleet ready at Civita Vecchia weighed Anchor the Fifteenth day of June and arrived in the Eighteenth at the Port of Naples where he remained some days for the repairing the Gallies of Malta and afterwards came and cast Anchor in Sicily with 20 Vessels The Coast dangerous by reason of the Infidels being already at Sea he sent out two Frigats on discovery and order'd those who sat in the Watch-Towers on the Coasts of Calabria to give warning what Ships they espied to be very careful in their Observations and put a Light in their Lanthorn if they espied less than Twenty Vessels to put in Two if Twenty Five and thus encrease the Signals according to the number of which the Enemies Fleet consisted Three days after his departure from Naples he was informed approaching to Tropea that there appeared Seventy Sail which were thought to be the Ottoman Navy He went himself next morning to discover them and met by the way with Two 〈◊〉 Gallies commanded by Manipieri and 〈◊〉 They informed him that Venieri was at Sicily with the Fleet designing to stay at Spartivento in expectation of the other Confederates Colonni having toucht at Messina sent to entreat Veneri to come there as well to confer on their Affairs as for that he might there find all such things they needed Colonni met him out of the Town with a great Train of Attendants and afterwards they consulted together They resolved to stay for Don John although they were certain he was yet in Spain Venieri had received in Candia orders to command the Venetian Fleet whence returning to Corfou he thought himself obliged to Signalize this new Honour by some Famous Action In this regard he tacks about to Durazzo to besiege it although he wanted several things necessary to such an Enterprize But having found the Place in a better Condition than he imagined returned to Corfou where he received an account of the Conclusion of the League and expected the Assistance of the Ally's His Fleet consisted of Sixty Vessels when News came to him that the Infidels appeared before Candia Not finding the Road of Corfou secure he resolved to Sayl into Sicily as well to hasten
consent and Assistance of the Grand Signior Bogdan the former King had recourse to the Polanders who lending their Assistance to his Re-establishment in the Throne disoblig'd the Grand Signior which affair gave no small Disturbance to Sigismond who was not for War tho' the greatest part of the Senate were The chiefest of the Nobility with whom Commendon was much in favour sought by Arms to encrease and uphold their Credit and therefore zealously promoted his Demand The business began to be in a fair way when the Kings Sickness put a stop to the Conclusion of it For Sigismond having no Children nor Heirs of his Name the Senate and Great Lords laid aside all affairs the better to attend to the Future Election Commendon also was not behind hand in his Care about this matter as fearing lest some Protestant Prince by great Sums of Money might prevail with the Senate and People to chuse him for their King. But Sigismond without any reason offer'd than his bare Will dismist the Dyet and caused himself to be carryed to Chimieschi a Frontier Town of Lithuania where his excessive Passion considerably encreas'd his Indisposition He drove away his Physitians placing his only Confidence in an Old Witch who promis'd to cure him by Virtue of her Enchantments But he dyed within a few days and the Great People of the Kingdom not being any of them able to pretend to the Election engaged themselves in several Interests to obtain by their Suffrages his Favour who should be chosen King. The Interregnum lasted a whole year and the Estates assembled at Warsaw Elected in fine Henry Duke of Anjou Brother to Charles IX King of France This surprising Diversity of Affairs long retained Cardinal Commendon in Poland Whilst the Christians lost time in Disputing each Article the Ottoman Fleet desolated the Island and ravaged all the Coasts of the Venetian State. Hali parted from Constantinople in the beginning of the Spring with fourscore Gallies and other Vessels laden with Provisions for the Turkish Army at Cyprus and fresh Men to fill up the places of those that dyed He left Arpagmat with Thirty Gallys and other Vessels under the command of Mustapha who lay before Famagusta He afterwards set Sail with the remaing Forces for the Isle of Rhodes and passing by Candia he came and cast Anchor at Nigrepont called heretofore the Isle of Euboe where the Bassa Partau was already arriv'd with all his Fleet. This Bassa supplyed the place of Piali whom Selim retain'd at Constantinople whether out of Displeasure because he had not defeated the Christians in the last Campaign or did this out of complacency to his Daughter who could not so often suffer her Husbands absence Louchali and Caracossa Famous Pyrates came also and joyned the Ottoman Army both of them Italians by Birth the first a Native of Calabria and the other of the Marches of Anconia They had been Slaves from their Youth and procuring their Liberty by renouncing their Christianity became of great Consideration Louchali's Good Fortune had brought him to be Vice Roy of Algiers His Squadron consisted of Nine Gallys and Thirty small Vessels Caracossa Commanded Forty Frigats and Brigantines and the two Generals Hali and Perteau made great reckoning on the Valour and Experience of these two Runagado's The Turkish Army consisted of two hundred Gallies and an hundred other small Vessels of different kinds Having weighed Anchor from before Negrepont this Fleet fell on the little Island of Tines belonging to the Republick whose Villages they plundred without daring to attack the chief Town which was built on a Rock of difficult access and defended by a Valiant Venetian Gentleman named Paruta who in Derision of the Enemies shewed them the Garison on the Walls of the Town Pertah at the same time hoysted up Sayl for Candia and drawing in the night near the Shore to conceal his Course from the Sight of the Christians he gat into the Port of Suda one of the most commodious of the Mediterranean He landed some men which forced the Town and Burnt it and spread themselves about the Country where they made several Peasants Prisoners and burnt many Villages But Michaeli Chief Magistrate of â—anea charged and repulsed these Pillagers with eight hundred Men Commanded by Justiniani a Noble Genoise who had by chance landed at that place and which were seconded by some Troops of the Militia of that Country Louchali Cruised with fifty Gallys on the Coasts of the Northern parts of the Isle where he landed some men who wasted the Country for a great Space chance favour'd the Valour and Diligence of him who was sent out on this Expedition Retimo a considerable Town and well Peopled but without Garrison and ill fortified lay open to the least Insults Barochi Sacredo and Justiniani her Magistrates on the rumour of the arrival of the Enemies at Negrepont were urgent with Marinus Caballo Providitor to send them at least Five hundred Men to encourage the Inhabitants and defend themselves from Surprise But Caballo refused them lest by this means he might weaken the Garrison of Gandia whereon depended the conservation of the rest of the Island Those of Retimo whom the march of the Infidels fill'd with disquiet were seized with such a Trembling at the hearing of the Enemies being at Suda that taking care only of their Lives and Familys they forsook the Town without minding their Estates and gain'd in great hast the Mountains and other places of Retreat it not being in the Magistrates Power to hinder them who seeing this caused the Treasure to be cast into a Deep Well and the Publick Registers exported out of the Town and thus left it Louchali drew near it with a design of withdrawing at the least Resistance intending only the Alarming of the Inhabitants but finding it forsaken he gave the plundering of it to his Soldiers who being laden with Booty burnt it with whatsoever they could not carry along with them 'T is said the Infidel caused what was taken from an Old Woman to be restored her who was the only Person left in the Place and commanded her in a joke for all acknowledgements to thank his Countrymen for the Booty they had left his Army and thus returned enrich'd to his Fleet. The Pillage of the Country and Desolation of Retimo served for a Pretence to the Revolt of some Peasants who being discontented at the rigorous usage which was shewed them in the Imposition of the heavy Taxes on them and forcing them to serve the Venetian Gallys were resolved to make advantage of the disorders of the Isle believing this a favourable conjuncture for the casting off the Yoak which they long intended And in Effect had the Barbarians remained any considerable time in Candia and the male-contents declared themselves the Isle would have bin absolutely lost These Peasants not being able any longer to contain themselves got together in great numbers on occasion of a Priest whom a young Gentleman