hee being there vnto elected by so generall a consent and the like importunitie and besech of the Byshops Counsellours Nobles and Commons of their Empire vndertaking the gouernment thereof meerely of pittie without the least motion of pride or popularitie onely to satiâ—fie them all in generall rather then in any pâ—rticular to please himselfe but in happying and blessing them withall his Princely and contionerie conditions thereafter that wee his onely Sonne so beloued of the mightie and many so reuerensed of the good and religious will fâ—r many princely arguments approued of by our selfe and our grauer Counsell notwithstanding a double oath of the most to our Emperiall dignitie lawfull succession and inheritance in person come into the field with an inuincible Armie to make good our cause against thee yet doth it not befit such a mightie Prince as thou eyther art or wouldest bee thought so cruelly and vniustly to determine of our selfe our royall Mothâ—r and no lesse deare and princely Sister of which wee are informed thou thy selfe of vs art resolued Thou shouldest wisely and thankefully haue remembred thy owâ—e hard fortunes and as myraculous a preseâ—uing with our innâ—censie and youth and that wee bâ—th were or have thought our selues if so to bee wee are yet worthy great Princes Sonnes and Christians yea and more happynes and glory would it haue been to thee sitting on thy deare Fathers Throne to rule his pâ—ople with equitie and iustice then to haue bâ—en accounted his Sonne in tyrranie aâ—d blood Litle cause shall this Nation haue to hope of a mercifull and iust Prince that begins thus to terrifie and condemne the Innocent What â— it were graunted Wee haue no right yet our Father was elâ—cted Doe wee resist thee Dost thou not or will not blood-thirstie greatnâ—ss let thee vnderstand what an Innocent in yeeres and Counsell wee then were and yet haue been What if wee were perswaded thou art the right yet there are many many that neuer will bee and the greater are their arguments as thy cruelties aâ—d pollicies But that thou shalt perceiue wee neuer did resolue to keepe thee from thy Inheritaunce if of thy Iustice and true Title thereunto wee were but reasonably leâ— notwithstanding our Princely and safe Intelligence behold for thee our only Enimy we sacrifize our selfe behold how Innocencie Youth like the Twins of affection are maâ—e guiltie in themselues and wee are an Vsurper to our selfe onely Yet be not thou hardned here with nor yet reioyce herein least neither bemeetes thy dignitie but bee thou rather if not at least the true heire to Vertue yet like a King in Pittie and assure thy selfe wee die not for feare of thee but for loue to our selfe not desparing of thy mercy but for our preuenting thy iustice as he that thinks hopelesse benefite a comfort then presumption foâ— wee die but to conteyne our owne burthen yet with a much better resolution then eytheâ— selâ—e-coâ—ceite or inthrald cowardize can be witnes of as he that had much rather be condemnâ—d than by accusing Enâ—mies spared to be iusâ—ified indeâ—d onâ—ly for thy expected Seruants our beloued and louing Subictes who wee know dearely would purchase our life and libertie for them wee doe thus lay violent hands on our pâ—ttied but not hatefull lâ—fe as hee that esteemes it more worth to die an innoceâ—t then liue it but deemed death worthy for greater sorrow shoulâ— wee sustaine to suffer without desert then thus to die without compassion Shall not the Earth say Thou weart the cause yes yes All Priâ—ces wordes are Lawes or should be yet oft times vnlawfull or vnmercifull be their entents and actions May the world report wee were our owne murderer If they can yet let them remember onely if our selfe iustice but of our innocent selfe and better were it for any one Innocent then many Innocents should perish for so thy freinds shall be more and thy loue greater when wee that are thy Ryuall are departed yet imagine with what ioy or sorrow wee imbrace death that breath our last in that bosome wee first receiued our beeing and be perswaded our selfe our deare Mother and sweete Sister drinke onely for thee this Cupp of Lyres So bee thou a King and thy posteritie Princes as thou hast right to our late Empire and art iust to thy Enemies louing to thy Subiectes mercifull to the poore and so be thou euer pâ—osperous Thus thou mayst be assured of vs. Lo thus wee dearely go to Heauen These Funerall speeches being afterward deliuered to the Emperour hâ—e fell into teares vppon reading them mixing much gracious language of the young Prince amongst his bemoninges of his fortunes And hearing some speake vnreuerently of his Father hee checkt them in these wordes It ill beseemeth any much lesse his Subiectes and those who had elected him to wound his Honour now hee lyes dead whom lyuing they kneeled to as their lawfull Emperour if not as right Heire but as approued by the generall voyces of the States Then he gaue commaundement that all those who had the keeping of the yong Prince should be imprisoned till his further pleasure were knowne and that the Mother and Sonne should bee basely and obscurely huried which accordingly was done The old Emperour Borris his body being likewise taken from the royall Monument where it first was layde to bee buryed with theirs in a meane Church within the Mosco Before we carry you any further it shall not bee amisse to place before your eye the picture of the young Prince who was in countenaunce effeminate in tongue faire and quicke his speach like his body high and great charitable to the poore which his Father was not bountifull to the mightie an indifferent rewarder both of the Vertuous and Valorous The lyuing thus hauing made the dead serue as Stayres to lift him vp into a Throane each one held â—t safest insudome to flye with the formost into â—he Campe there to make their peace by which meanes they flocked in troopes beeing dryuen therevnto eyther through feare of present dangers or of tempestes to come But their rightfull Emperour casting behinde him all thoughts of precedent actions onely â—pplyed himselfe to the present receiuing those that came vnto him with princely and kind embracementes esteeming himselfe then to be an absolute Prince when hee could so subdue his owne affections as to forgiue his Enemies yea those that were accounted Arch-traytors and Bloody-tyrantes Besides hee held it a good part of wisedome not to detaine any by force as his predecessors did within the Countrey not suffering any to enter but rather made it knowne that all his Dominions should be free for euery Subiect to goe foorth and euery Stranger to come in by which meanes besides the honour of beeing styled the First Emperour that made the State Free he should through commerce with other nations inrich his owne and propagate the fame and greatnesse of his name and Empire Thus suddenly he became of a Poore and il-attended
that the Ambas would appoint some to go and make choise of boates which then lay vpon the Riuer that they might be fitted for his Lordship which accordinglie verie carefullie was performed the Gouernor of the towne hauing a Letter from the Emperor to giue the Ambassa ful content as indeed without detraction we had to the wonderment of the common people Within few daies after we heard Newes certainly of the Emp. suddaine and vntimely death which considering neyther the Prestaue the gouernor or Bishop had not or would not of ten daâ—es after take knowledge we might in the meane time haue doubted of but that his Lordship had it from Maister Iohn Mericke by letter particularly which news as indeed ther was great cause was very il welcome to the Ambas much troubling him for diuers respects wherfore vpon mature deliberation as whose thoughts then only were intended that way he resolued forthwith to send vp to the Musco to this end therfore early bestirring the next morne he sent for his Prestaues who came willingly and chearfully to heare that with great heauines and sorrow which yet they were so wise as not to beleeue though the day and houre of his death with the maner of his enterring were to them by the Am. own mouth deliuered but he beleeued it and therefore gaue them to vnderstand he would send vp post and write to the Prince their expected Emp. and others concerning affaires of importance To that end he demanded poste horses and convoy accordinglye which demand though yet for the suddainnes and heauines did somewhat distract their heads haue sildome easie resolutions but to sleeping yet after desiring an houres liberty and therin consulting with the Bish. and Gent. of the towne it was effected So then his Lordsh. requested M. Edw. Cherry thogh he was best to be commanded as being vsed to ride poast hauing the language knowing the factions of the Countrey and an easie command in euerie town because of his bountifulnes himself no doubt well pondring the waighte of his message with the care and speed therein to be vsed indeed as the onely he whether you consider the intrest the Amb. had in him or his seruiceable minde often manifesting his duty to his Lordship euen from his first going from the Arch-angell to this present Thus hauing al thinges meete and fit for their speedie iourney and weightie busines he with one of the Emperors Gentlemen vnderwent this dangerous and hard trauaile Here it might be befitting this my relation to declare somwhat at large the Emp. death the cause or disease his nature stature complexion and stratigems The Princes succeeding the Nobles mourning and the commons censuring each of which I could with litle labor perform but I know that man is made to vndergo much enuie doth vndertake to vvrite of Princes persons or pollicies which vvhosoeuer hereof vvrites truely must necessarily incur it being as a fit subiect for another Plato to write of so for a free born spirit to vvade in my selfe protesting rather a vvill to be reputed timorus then a desire to haue the least detraction only because I vvil not be thought dumbe in such a speaking age the time so falling out at my being there nor to want intelligence sufficient to tell the truth I shal say something as accounting him a foole vppon a iuste occasion spâ—akeâ— nothing His death was very suddaine and as it was in it selfe verye straunge for within some two houres after dinner hauinge as hee vsuallie had his Doctors with him who lefte him in theyr Iudgements in health as the good meale hee made could witnes for he dined well and fed plentifully though presently after as may be thought feeding ouer much he felt himselfe not onely heauy but also pained in his stomacke presently went into his chamber laid himselfe vppon his bed sent for his Doctors which alwaies speeded yet before they came he was past being speechles and soone after dying Before his death as speedy as it was hee would be shorne and new christned what the cause was otherwise then the griefe inward sorrow with diuers distractions about the wars and their badde successe fearing the worste on his part onely God knowes yet who so remembers Gods iudgements or Princes pollicies for kingdomes with mans inherent sinfulnes and considereth the one vvith the other may be satisfied if not contented It is reported and I am to the truth thereof rightly perswaded that being in this present not being some of his Counsellors and Nobility demaunded if he woulde not swear them a new to the Prince and whether he shold not be their Em. his answer with much trembling was as it pleased God and the Commons thereby presuming of the sufficiency of their former oaths but dispairing of the commons if not withâ—l fearing gods iudgments For the Princes succeeding I must defer that to hereafter but for the mourning who doth consider the fodaine losse in that timeâ—â—f rebellion of their best chief and wisest heads whose first election was froÌ„ their own applause the youth with the inocency of the Prince herewithal remembring many strang plots long time vsed by the hous of the Godonoves and flattring themselues in theyr good successe and novv the general opinion in the right of Demetre whereby all their hopes ended may thinke there was moorning sorrow and feare as in those whose consciences are compacted all of feare For this many headed-beastes of the multitude none caring how nor vvhat hee spake beeing naturally euer suspicious of the best howe coulde they digest this which of all other was the vvorst The rumor of the Emperors poisoning with his reuiuing Demetres Crowning the Princes imprisoning the Nobles fighting most of the councellors reuolting and the Merchants flying vvith the variety the likelihood the necessitye the desire the hope the feare being all as nothing to them liuing vnder that gouernment which least needeth to care who gouern them so they be ouer-ruled in anye other more ciuil Nation A subiect might haue loste his toong to haue spoken al his eares to haue herd al his life to haue beleeued and defended al. For the Em. person he was tall and well bodyed teaching out of his authority obedience of an excellent presence black and thinne haired well faced round and close shaued strong limbed A Prince framed betweene thought and resolution more fit for a kingdom then a king as being euer in labour but neâ—er till death deliueâ—ed neuer acting though euer plotting but in his closet or councel chamb One rather obeyed than loued being feared where he was not serued protected by the mighty rather than any particular perhaps vnder pretence of continuall wars to oppresse his poore subiects couching tyranny vnder pollicy as one whom long experience in opposite actions had made as fit to rule thereby as by cquity and conscience But gaining that Crowne with much cunning that hee had no right vnto held it great wisdome accordinglye to maintaine the
same esteeming it lesse blame so to win a kingdome then any other meanes to lose it doubtlesse vpholding a true Maiestie and gouernment in euery part but in his owne mind that it is a question whether he were more kind to strangers or seuere and iust to his Subiects or most hatefull and terrible to his enemies In his entertainments making royaltie and state giue place to fashion and custome A father and a Prince whose wordes councels obseruacions pollicies resolutions and experiments were but the life of his deere son neuer aduising entertaining no not praying without him In all Ambassies negotiations remembring his sons name with his own louing him being louely for that himselfe would be loued vnwilling to spare his presence desirous to haue him at all occasions before his eies I shal not doe amisse to giue a taste of the fruit sprung from so stately a tree Being by a learned and wel trauailed gent. diuers times particâ—larly aduised to let the Prince take some moâ—e then no recreation by which meanes hee might aswell prolong his life as instruct his iudgment and delight his mind Oh would the Empe. answer one son is no son nay I am perswaded three sons to me is but halfe a son But had I sixe sons then I might safely say I had one howe then shoulde I part with that at any time I know not to be mine for any tim This may giue satisfaction to anye vnderstanding both of his feares and gelousies his great loue and much care Another saying of the Emperour was this and then let any iudg what I haue writ why It was a vsuall speech with the Emp. vpon good reason to say he was the Lord and father of his sonne yet withall That he was not only his seruant but his very slaue And thus he proued it That hee might command him and that he begat him For the second that all his actions were onely for his seruice though not commaunded by him yet in his owne nature and affection vrged therunto For his chiefe good he was his addopted Prince and that he knew it was his duty he remembred euer more he was his father as his Soueraigne able and as his father obliged For the third that he was his Slaue he woulde alleage for him in many kindes he knewe that hee had done that could not but from a Tyrant bee required of his vassals and the greater was his subiection heerein that he was forced to commit that no Potentate could exact I say neither by law nor Consciencâ— from his Slaues neither any could therevnto be commaunded This being spoken from him who best knew his owne secretes may be euerie way held enough for any to vnderstand sufficiently by yet that hee is to be registred among none of the worst Princes that could with such ease attain so great an Empire hauing no iust Tytle therunto but on the contrary to be recorded among the famous I leaue to saye wherfore vpon what grouÌ„d of reason was his greatnesse in the late Emp. daies especially in the sonnes gouernment being Protector The pollicie of that time when he aymed at the kingdome his election by generall consent after the death of Pheodor Euaniwich and the resignation of the Empresse his sist. Irenia Pheodurna His many refusals to be Emperor with the generall and perticular desire that he must take it the necessity that one must speedily be chosen his conditions in taking it with entytling his son after him the form of their Oaths to them both so soon as he was established his wife-seeming and applausible Raigne till the late demaunde made by Demetre when he had gouerned 8. yeares thervpon his sudden death and other occurrents whoe wisely scans must acknovvledge him but only in his finall and fatall iudgment a prudent pollitik Prince as any times make mention of that if his latter end ansvvered not the expectation of so happy a begining with a like prosperous continuance It is in the like case to be demanded why Acbitophel murdred himselfe because in but one thâ—â—â— his councell was not followed the true eccho returnes because his councell was not followed and why Iudas would hang himselfe when he had betraied his master the reason vvas He had betrayed his Mayster Of this Emperour it is reported by Sir Ierom Horsey in his writinges in M. Hacklayts workes that the aforesayd Emperour when he was a Subiect had 12000. li. yeerely besides his places of Honour as beeing Protector Gouernour of the Kingdomes of Cozan and Astracan c. Vnto which Doctor Fletchers report agrees whereof 3500. Marks was giuen him by Pheodor Euanch at one time in one Sheire And howsoeuer towards his ende he grew very myserable and couetous which was not the least cause of his ouerthrow insomuch as it was obserud himselfe would often take notice of the passage to his Seller and Buttery Not much vnlike in that kind one writes of the French King Il feit d'argent auec ses dens That he made Mony with his teeth Yet when he aspired to the Empire note his greatnesse with his bountie first to Sir Ierom Bowes when he was there Ambassadour then to Sir Ierom Horsey when he was there Messenger recorded by themselues yea euen to her late Maiestie of blessed memorie the particulers are set downe in the fore-mentioned Booke of Voyages notwithstanding what the lord of Pibrac obserues in his Quadrones is fulfilled in this Emperour viz. Petite Source ont les grosses Riuieres c. Euen as from smallest Springs the greatest Riuers rise So those that rore aloud and proud at first Runne seldome farre for soone their glorie dies In some neere Bogg by their selfe-furie burst Two pollecies of the sayd Emperour I shall willingly acquaint you with for diuers reasons One was when hee caused fire to be kindled in foure partes of Moskoe whereat himselfe was noted to be very diligent with all his Nobles and Courtiers and after it was quenched he sent his Bountie to them all that builded anew their Houses and repayde all their losses And this was but to stopp the Rumour then was so common of his strange gayning the Empire by which Stratagem of his when his people were readie to Mutanie they were created anew good Subiectes yet did admire his not onely Care but goodnes towards them all A second was at that time the Land was visited with a mighty Famine and as great a Plague some foure yeares since whereof a third of the whole Nation is rateâ— to haue dyed and the murmuring multituâ—e sayd the cause was their elâ—cting of a Murderâ—r to the Empire wherefore God did thus visite them Wherâ—vpon he caused Gâ—lleries to be buiâ—ded round about the vtmost wall of the great cittie of Moskoe and there appoynted dâ—yly to be giuen to the poore twentie thousande pounds sterling which was accordingly performed for one Month Wherevpon the Common peoples mouthes and bellies were well stopped Yet notwithstanding he dyed
and that vâ—timely as a Noble man of Fraunce well sayth Men seldome see Tyrants or vsurpers liue long or temperatly or die well and naturally Now if I can be thought blame worthy which I confâ—ssâ— no not of them mâ—st partiall yet the moâ—t that Natioâ— can if they would say any thing to mee reuerenâ—iâ—g anâ— approouing their owne prouerbes is this As the Dogge doth barke the Winde carries it away In answere whereof I say it is the true nature and qualitie of a Dogge to barke yet he seldome hurtes that so barkes for our auncient Prouerbe is The barking Dogge bites least as the curstest Cow hath the Shortest Hornes Heere we lodged till the 6. of May beeing wearied with the inconstancie and ill-come newes of flying reportes wherevpon the time of the yeere reqâ—iring the Ambassadour reâ—olued to passe downe the Riuer to Colmigro as well that he might the sooner haue newes from England as happely to be out of feare of any disaster the rumours being so innumerable and vncertaine as they were doudtfull and fearefull and indeed the extraordinary care for the Ambassadours prouision especially the large and well builded Boats neuer the like iâ— memorie before wrought in the peoples opinions many contrarieties as obsurde as vntrue One that the young Prince necessarily and personally must bee and was in English apparrell within the Ambassadours lodging Else that it was vnpoâ—sible that Great men should so willingly obey and so earnestly commaund for the ful content â—f all in all thinges Likewise else where it was reported that the Prince would come downe and go ouer into England with the Ambassadour Also farre of from vs it was sayd that the Prince and the Ambassadour were in Cheines to be sent vp to the Moskoe But it repenteth me of relating thus much onely you may obserue hereby their willingnes to rebell also the wilfulnesse of the Commons to be as great as their ignoraunce if not as sencelesse as their Intelligence But we are on the faire and pleasant Riuer within fiue faire and conuenient Boates with two great Loddyackes for prouisions rowing with winde and streame from the ouerflowing Tyde of these reports and within twelue dayes are safely arriued at Colmigro where we lodged at the Comp house surely the largest tytest and fairest in all the Countrie and of Ware-houses Ambarres Work-houses as well accommodated For our being at Colmigro it was not much vnlike for the strangenes of reports troublesomnes of the State and mutable euents of time to that one and the only vnhappie day of the vnfortunate too sudden rysing Earle of Essex wherein most mens mindes for as many dayes as wee weekes weare bewondred as much with the not well directed beginning as the vnhallowed sucsesse or the bemoaned Oh be it euer lamentable such conclusions but as farre different is the rarenes as the goodnes betweene them ill-aduised well-intended euer-good-resolutions in the one ill-intended worse-enacted neuer-good-conclusions in the other One as the vnhappie time-falling of a great Noble with some others But by the goodnes of God and the gratiousnes of our renowned King within short and memorable time restored in his posteritie and theires The other the fatalâ— and finall ouerthrow of a mightie Emperour and his all posteritie and famelie neuer till the Resurrection to be raysed and then Oh then it is to be feared to a terrible Iudgement for their high-offending Heauen-crying-sinnes Now I shall tell you of a 18. yeare esteemed dead Princes reuiuing of an other Priâ—ces that twise 18. yeares might haue lyued poysoning like and indeed not vnfit for the same Stage crowners within one day dying and reuiuing as it were to make Time a lyer who is the Sonne and Heire of Trueth Of the Almighties prouidence by the benefite of Patience Innocencie of past-yeares Right of Inheritaunce and his iust Iudgement vpon the contrarie and to the eternall happines of this neuer yet ciuill Nation in effecting his exceeding mercie that Ages wonderment this last yeere But it will be a Laborinth to mee as it were to rauish my selfe with if not a Dylemma wherein I may not hauing the Art of Logicke or Rhetoricke needlesse if at any time to my tyme and discourse though incident to the general rather confound my selfe then satisfie the Readers expectation or euery particuler proprietie it not onely beeing very tragicall and comicall in the euent But as all such State-pollicies are beyond ordinary intelligâ—nce or a writers honest patience but what Trueth hath been seruant and my Eaâ—es subiect vnto I will without either flatterie to the liuing or enuie to the dead câ—mpendiously diliuer Aftâ—r the suspitious death of the old Emperour Boris Pheodoricke c. by the appoyntment of the Prince then their expâ—cted Emperouâ— and the Couâ—sell Peter Basmaâ— that noble Sparke was speedely dispatched and sent a Generall vnto their ill â—ucceeding Warres as their last hope in deed hee prooued so in a coâ—trary sence and the onely refuge to the Commons Whâ—ther being come bemeeting as you may imagine he insenced the Counsell A louing and belouâ—d Prince of such heroyicall spiâ—it so worthy selfe-acting and politiqâ—e a Souldier so generally good a Scholler as being repâ—rted to be both well Letterd well traueld as great a Linguest as he was Statist feared as being aleyed hee for speciall grace and fauour whoâ—e bountâ—e curtesie sent Defiance to Pride and Extortion in whom Industrie Labour were twins Innocensie and Freedome brothers that held Wisedome as his rest True Valour as his Seruant Flatterie as his Enemie and Enuie as his Slaue not being himâ—elfe sâ—biâ—ct to any greater Potentate but Princely poueâ—tie Hee I say reuiewing the Maiestie of his person and compariâ—g the age of his Youth with the gray heades of his Honour not in all but in eueâ—y particuler herâ—of not lesse to this Nation then a Phenix was resolued hee could not lesse be than beeing a Prince of so many Vertues the Heire of the Kingdome his Emperour Lord and Maister whereupon hee speeded with the winges of Hope Honour and Confidence to deliuer himselfe in such an infected and pestiferous a time to the handes of him either whose Enemie beeing he was without beeing or whose Subiect and Patient receiued hee might well fall away but neither from his right Soueraigne nor Loyaltie Also he prostrateâ— or presented most of his Commaund as many as freely would offer themselues Vnder which were all the English Scots French Dutch and Flemings whatsoeuer and with him or rather before him as leaâ—t suspected Ries Vasili Euanch Goleeche the other Generall a man of great birth and in the prioritie of place to be receiued before P. Basman All which the now well knowne newly opinionated Emperour very gratiously receiued happely not without some iealowsie of many particulers as of the Generals the world surmizing a former correspondence to be helâ— euer since a Parle haâ— at what time he was besiedged and is aforesaid to performe very honorable
no particuler could haue enacted laying violent handes on all they met but not killing the great mercie of God! any man of account Thus the whole Cittie was in an vproare all the Counsâ—llâ—rs Houses Sellers and Studies ransacked begiâ—ning with the Godonoues spoyling râ—nting and sâ—ealing all they met with but carrying little away but drinke that they could not carrie away for beginning to stagger in the Sellers they left their Wittes in the Butteries and layde downe thâ—ir eyes in the Kitchens so as the â—ext day by reason of thâ— many were madd and dead druncke this day well-nigh â—oo persons ran into forgetfulnesse beeing past life by their former lesse of vnderstanding The Commons no doubt would haue made this day little infeâ—iour to the Massâ—cre of Paris so violent diuelish were their sudden resolutions but that the Nobles bâ—st beloued and obeyed intreatâ—d where none could commaund others perswading all wishing an ende to this most myserable and neuer exampled mischiefe But the multituâ—e did what they would and could especially on the greatest which certainely were the worst So as the Empresse flying to a safer Lodging had her Colâ—er of Pearle pluckt from her necke yet a happie creature that she so escaped which she not easily did but the young P. inâ—eed haâ— no greater punishment or disgrace too much for a P. to beare profered him than to be pittied by such Slaues that had not the sence of Eâ—uie of the Nobles many lost Peards and Havre as if the French Disease had possest them surely t was no inferiour Euill that did worke this Few mens houses as the Stranger Doctors or Marchants with their owne escaped ransacking yea such was their miserable pouerty they stript many to their very skinne that a man might haue seene an Armie of Adams covering and in their transgressing Gardens their Nakednesse with Leaues as ashamed not onely for their poore beeing but their inhumane suffering Parents intreating Children weâ—ping Wiues raging the Richer punished whilst the pittifull poore ouerruled And though the Nobles kept many places and made strong the chiefest they could not resist the multitude there thought such a drunken kind their onely heauen lyuing many yeares without the vse and effect thereof But weeried woried with their owne long deuotion in God Bacchus Temples many slept the more sufferd whilst the most least repented their bringing this straâ—ge Iudgement to a happie vnhappie conclusion Then the Prince Emperour and Princâ—sse were prestaued a second Commaund beeing come from the Campe with the Godonoues and many others that were suspected most The Nobles ioyning in one Counsell for the present ordering of these suddaine accidents and for answere to the P. Dem. Euanich who suddenly was by generall consent concluded by the perticular knowledge of Bodan Belskey a great Counseller that was priâ—ie to his departure and some others to be their right and lawfull Emperour only a few excepted that could be true subiectes to none because vnfaythfull to themselues such were imprisoned forthwith Thus began the greatnes of Demetre and his right became apparant but as it happens for the more part in such vnvsuall and rare accidents as the deposing of Princes and States-men Tragicall eueâ—tes fail one in the necke of another so nâ—cessarily here for now whilst the good were in consulting for the well ordering of this yet perplexed state the euill were plotting more mischeefe by new stratagems and pollicies for the verie soule of Enuie was crased in this body that the twins of Tirannie and Crueltie stroue for prioritie of byrth And not more ingenious industrious were some in deuising for the raysing of the old Emperour and his posteritie in times past than to be accounted constant now the same villanous States-men were laborious and wickedly wilfull to ouerthrow them hauing no reason but a selfe-norishing pittie to be accompanied to the place of of Repentance and Punishment So as the young Prince was by many but particulerly by his mother Iezabell counselled to leaue the Kingdome vtterly before it forsooke him to follow his Fathers good example in murdering himselfe and herein his Mother that Mapp of Miseries that Cradle of Crueltie and his onâ—ly deare Sister would associate him Letters were deuised and Messengers framed to effect this desperate Treacherie on his innocent life so as in very few dayes for Mischiefe hath the winges of Thought and Resolution they three did consent an vnhappie coniunction to destroy themselues and rather to laye violent handes vpon their hate-full liues then make an Enemie seeme cruell in executing Iustice on them which yet certainely this Emperour neuer dreamt of but determined the Prince should be within himselfe not lesse then Absolute and in a very great Dukedome Yet behold nor Hope nor Pittie nor Greatnes once comforted them but as if selfe-Crueltie had been equitiâ— of Conscience the Mother omitting the tender affection of her Children the Sonne neglecting the naturall loue to his Mother the Sister condemning her selfe in eyther Man forgetting besides the 4. cardenall vertues his principall vertue Patience Women despising Modestie and Bashfulnesse would giue the wanton world a president to runne Death out of countenance without selfe-blushing They would Oh vnspeakable myserie that they did poyson themselues The Princely mother began the health of Death to her noble Sonne who pledgd her with a hartie draught therein so much strength did he add to his vild wicked obedience that he prooued a Banquerour presently Yes hand in hand as hart in hart imbracing each other they fell and dyed as one the Mother counselling and acting whilst the child bethought and suffered Yet see Prouidence and Commisseration Constancie and Obediencâ— the Princesse dranke but like a Virgin temperatly so as the want of modesty which was the death of the Mothâ—r now proued the life of the daughter Presently after this Tragedie came into the Chamber many great men where they were saluted with a dolâ—fall welcome the Emperour that might haue been and his Mother that was imbracing each other euen in the kinde armes of death â—ast all hope but the young Princesse only groueling and assured of breath therein to bee a motherlesse and brotherlesse Virgin from whom was learnd â—he maner of their behauiour which is sayd to be very resolute in the Empresse pittifull in the Emperour lamentable in both Certainely a wicked Tree was it to beare such faire but vntimely Fruite Vpon the ground was a seald Letter from the dead Emperour to the living some report it was sent before his poysoning not answered before he poysoned it being forthwith but it matters little the time or circumstance onely the trueth is necessarie and to this purport it was written by his owne industrious handes Though the vaine world may innocently condemne vs of pusillaâ—ymitie that beeing the true Sonne and Heire to so great aud mightie an Emperour as our late Father of happie sweete remembrance Boris Pheodorich of all Rushia Emperour and selfe-vpholder was
throwne downe and their ware-houses violently entred vpon yea some aged Merchantes very euilly intreated Insomuch that the Ambassadour himselfe stood not free from the daunger to reuenge which both English and Dutch manned out their boates to haue gone on shore with some shot but by intreatie they were staide and all vvas pacified not without some hurt on both sides but most of the Russes The next day being the sixth of Iuly the Ambassadour beeing accompanied with mayster Iohn Mericke diuers Merchantes and others passed in his Cherdeck the Riuer of Dvyna the shipps then lying at the Barr-foote for a Winde which not hauing we vvent on boord vpon the twenty eight of Iulye beeing compelled notwithstanding to staye heere seauen daies both for winde and Water to carry vs away which the Countrey hauing hadde our companye of many monthes togither seemed to deny vs as vnwilling to license our departure Yet on the 8. day following we went ouer the Bar not without some daunger of the Sands which by the prouidence of God and the care and cuning of maister William Wye our pilot and maister we happilie escaped and very ioyfully arriued vppon the sweet shores of our owne natiue Countrey England c. The state of Rushia when Borris Pheodorvvich came to be Emperour OVr Voyage is ended yet must I now intreate your immaginations to be carried backe againe into Rushia where you shall receiue so much and such perfect Newes as will make vp the precedent matter into a pleasing History Vnderstand therefore that the old Emperor Euan Vassiliwich dying left two Sonnes behind him Viz Pheodor Euannowich the eldest vvho succeeded the father in his Empire and Demetrie the yongest an infant Pheador being giuen to deuotion and neglecting the State and dignity due to a Prince was held but simple insomuch that by the secret workings of Bodan Belskey who was chiefe Minion to the olde Emperour Euan Vassiliwich in hope of honours and preferment procured Boris who was brother to the then Empresse to be created Protector ouer Pheador who vpon his presentâ— comming to the Crowne sent his mother in Law with her father and mother defending of the house of the Nagayes and his yong brother Demetre to a place called Ouglets where he was to bee Nursed Pheadors raigne beeing expired and his brother vnfit to rule being but an infant Boris set vp such ladders that from a protector he was aduanct to be Emper. Bodan Belskey afore named Andrea Shulcan and Andrea Clyskenine being his there instruments that wrought for him But Boris growing weary of their presence by whom he was mounted so hie and thinking that he must euer holde himselfe bound vnto them laid plots in his braines howe to be rid of such creditors which he did by throwing discontents vpon one of them and a slightly-regarding of the other Whereupon Bodan Belskey left the Courte But the other two prying into Borris his actions signified from time to time all matters to Bodan who knowing the ambitious thirst of Borris to extirpate the race of Euan Vassiliwich himselfe now but an Vsurper took deliberation with the old Empresse mother to Demetre for the preseruation of the child And seeing a farre off arrowes aimed at his life which could very hardly be kept off it was deuised to exchange Demetre for the child of a churchman in yeares and proportion somewhat resembling him whilst the other by this meanes might liue safe though obsure This counterfet Churchmans sonne being then taken for the lawful Prince was attended on and associated according to his State with whome one day another child that was appointed to bee his play-fellow disporting themselues finding faulte that the collor which the supposed Demetre wore about his necke as the fashion of the Countrey is stoode awry preparing to mende it with a sharpe knif prouided as seems of purpose cut his throat The report of this arriued presently at court the Vsurper makes shew of much lamentation yet to satisfiy the people seat himself faster in his throne the dead body was openly showne three daies to the eyes of all men Many arguments were drawne to make the world beleeue that Boris sonne sought the death of this his brother in lawes childe and to weane the peoples loues and hopes they had from him as first to haue it spred abrod that Demetre was like to proue like his father that 's to say a Tyrant because euen in his childhood he tooke delighte to see Hennes and Chickens kilde and to bath his hands in the blood adde vnto this the poisoning of his Nurse besides it was forbidden to haue him praied for as the rest of the Emperors children wer because hee should be vtterly forgotten To conclude an old ouer-worne law buried long in forgetfulnes was now againe freshly reuiued and that was That the child of a sixt wife was not to inherit yet the murder beeing acted Boris the vsurper to blind the eies of the world and to weare a cunning maske ouer his owne Sent a noble man with diuers others to take strict examination of each particular circumstance and to imprison all those that had the guardiaunce of him yea to put some of them to tortures and to death which was done accordingly But heauen protected the lawfull to be an instrument for the Vsurpers confusion Obscurely liude this wronged Prince the changing of him being made priuate to none but his owne mother Sister as is said before to Boris who is now liuing and to Bodan Belskey but vpon what wheele his various fortunes haue bin turned which of necessitye must needs be strange came not within the rech of our knowledge being there Onely thus much was receiued as currant that the king of Poland sent word to the Vsurper that such a Prince of Rushia was abiding in his court describing him by name and other perticular notes to be sonne to their olde Emperour vppon receipte of which Newes which went but coldly to the heart of Borris an Ambassadour was presently dispatcht into Poland one that had been Godfather vnto Demetre because he should bring certaine knowledge of the truth whoe at his comming was presented with a Counterfait Princely attyred but afterward with true Demetrius whom by the ayde of the Polack the Rushians within short time after receiued for their Emperour and now raigneth ouer them FINJS Errors escaped in the Printing thus to be corrected IN the first page for Chain Concatenation read chain and Concatenation for Neves read Nerues for allude read Allurde for squred read Squared In the eight page for Dronia read Dwyna In the xv page for Coliâ—gro read Colmagro In the 31. page for Meands read Meades and so in any other place where that word is found In the 56. p. for Comp. house read companies house In the 66. p. read Boycrins In the 67. pag. read Knees Pheodor and Knees c. Reader thou shalt vnderstand that the Godonoues is the name of the Royall family A Prestave is a chiefe Officer about the Emperour whoe hath continuall accesse and doth command prouision and lodging for any Ambassador c. A Verst signifies a Myle A Derevena is a little village These wordes because thou mayst doubt of them I thought good to explaine