faith vnto these also were joyned diuers other Christians which came out of GERMANIE BOHEMIA and HVNGARIE to serue the Turke in his warres This hath been none of the least meanes whereby the Turkish kings haue growne so great and their kingdome so mightily enlarged by enforcing and alluring Christians to fight against Christians to the vtter confusion of themselues Amongst the great multitude of the European Christians were mingled his effeminat soldiors of ASIA and his naturall Turks and Ianizaries which were in number fewest and yet commaunded all the rest With this great armie well appointed with all warlike prouision came Mahomet the Turkish king from HADRIANOPLE and the ninth day of Aprill in the yeare 1453 encamped before CONSTANTINOPLE and with the multitude of his armie filled all the maine land before the citie from the sea side of BOSPHORVS vnto the place where the same sea compassing in the citie on two parts and running farre into the land betwixt CONSTANTINOPLE and PERA maketh there a goodly hauen betwixt them This citie of CONSTANTINOPLE called in ancient time BIZANTIVM is in fourme of a Triangle situated in EVROPE in the pleasant countrey of THRACIA vpon a point of the main land shooting out towards ASIA called of Plinie Solinus The promotorie CHRYSOCERAS where the sea of PRODONTIS joyneth vnto that strait of sea which diuideth ASIA from EVROPE called in ancient time BOSPHORVS THRACIVS sometime the strait of PONTVS and the mouth of PONTVS and of the moderne writers the strait of CONSTANTINOPLE and about 200 yeares past or more S. George his aâ—me This point of the maine whereon the citie standeth lyeth about two Italian miles more Northward than doth the antient citie of CALCEDON on the other side of the strait in ASIA more than thirtie miles distant from the Euxine or blacke sea lying from it Northward and two hundreth miles from the strait of HELLESPONTVS or CALLIPOLIS from thence South Which noble citie of all others most fitly seaâ—ed for the empire of the world and with great majestie ouerlooking both EVROPE and ASIA is by the Cosmographers accounted to stand in the height of 43 degrees vpon seuen little hils of no great and easie ascent and was there first built by Pausanias the Lacedemonian king and called BIZANTIVM and so many yeares flourished as a populous and rich cittie vntill the ciuile warres betwixt Seuerus the emperour and Niger what time it endured the siege of the Romanes vnder Seuerus three yeares with such obstinacie that it yeelded not vntill it was brought to such extremitie that the citizens did eat one another and then yeelding had the wals ouerthrowne by Seuerus and the citie it selfe destroyed and brought to the low estate of a poore countrie village and so by him giuen to the Perinthyans In which base estate it continued vntill the time of Constantine the Great the sonne of Helena whom some will needs haue to haue ben an English woman by whom it was new built and beautified with buildings so stately and sumptuous that vnto the strange beholders it seemed a dwelling place for heauenly wights rather than for earthly men And to grace it the more translated his imperiall seat thether and called it NOVA ROMA or new ROME and all that pleasant part of THRACIA alongst the sea coast of HELLESPONTVS PROPONTIS and BOSPHORVS by the name of ROMANIA of the faire Romane collonies there by him planted which name it at this day retaineth and is of the Turks called RVMILIA and RVMILI that is to say the Romane countrey But as for the citie it selfe the glorious name of the founder so preuailed that the citie was and yet is of him called CONSTANTINOPLE or Constantine his citie and now of the barbarous Turkes commonly but corruptly STAMBOLâ— It is as we said built in the forme of a Triangle whereof the longest side which runneth from north-Northeast to Southwest is on the South side washed with the PROPONTIS and towards the ending of the point which is about the seauen towers is somewhat indented being commonly reputed to be eight miles long The other side lyeth East and West fiue miles in length being washed with the hauen which is somwhat more thaÌ„ eight miles long before it meet with the fresh water and about a quarter of a mile broad on the farther side whereof standeth the citie of PERA commonly called GALATA sometimes a colonie of the Genowaies This hauen is very deepe and by that reason as commodious as deepe bearing ships full fraught close to the shoare so that they may discharge their burthens with the least trouble that may be and is of Strabo called CORNV BIZANTII or the horne of Bizantium The third side of this citie towards the Continent lyeth almost North and South fiue miles also in length those two sides that lie vpon the sea and the hauen are enuironed and guirt in with a single wall built after the antique maner with many high towers which strongly defend flanke the same Without which wals especially towards the hauen there lyeth a street between them and the shore But the other side which is the third and regardeth the main land beside the ditch which is also fenced is defended with three wals the first wall standing vpon the ditch being but low and the second not farre distant from the first raised somewhat higher but the third ouerlooketh and commaundeth both the other from whence as from an high fortresse both the other wals and all the ditch without may easily be defended But the two vtter wals with the whole space betwixt them are now by the Turks but slenderly maintained lying full of earth and other rubbish euen as they were in the time of the Grecians some cause why they with lesse heart and courage defended the same against their barbarous enemies In the East part of the cittie on that point which in the raigne of the Grecians was called the cape of S. Demetrio distant from ASIA not much more than halfe a mile standeth the Seraglio or pallace of the great Turke containing in it selfe a great part of an hill enclosed round with a wall as if it were it selfe a citie in circuit more than two miles wherein amongst other stately buildings neere vnto the sea standeth a verie faire and sumptuous gallerie built for pleasure with a priuie gate well fortified and planted with great ordinance and other munition whereby the great Turke at certaine times passeth when he is disposed in his gallie to take his pleasure vpon the sea or to passe ouer the strait vnto his houses or gardens of delight on the other side in ASIA In this great citie are also many other most stately and sumptuous buildings as well of late erected by the Turkish Sultans since they became lords thereof as before by the Greeke emperours amongst all which the Temple of S. Sophia standing in the East side of the citie not farre from the Seraglio now reduced vnto
should haue paid them with verie foule and contumelious words as that there was not money enough to pay the Christian soldiers of the Latines and the Greeks much lesse those vile dogs whom they so called for that they had but a little before receiued the damnable doctrine of the false prophet Mahomet the great seducer of the world who euen in that time flourished Vpon which discontentment they at their returne reuolted from the empire and joyned themselues vnto their great prophet and so afterwards vnto the Caliphs his successors extending his doctrine together with his soueraigntie to the vttermost of their power and that with so good successe that in short time they had ouerrun all AEGYPT SIRIA the land of promise and taken the Holy citie With these the disciples of Mahomet and his successors the Sarasins for so now they would be called the Greeke emperors ensuing had for certaine yeeres diuers conflicts with diuers fortune for the possession of SIRIA But at length wearied out by them ouercom they left the aforesaid countries wholy vnto their deuotion Hereby it came to passe that the Sarasins for the space of 370 yeeres following held those countries with many others in great subjection oppressing still the poore Christians in IERVSALEM with most grieuous tributes and exactions vnto whom they yet left a third part of the citie for them to dwell in with the temple of the Sepulcher of our Sauiour and mount SION not for any deuotion either vnto them or those places but for that it yeelded them a great profit by the recourse of deuout Christians trauelling thither reseruing in the meane time vnto themselues the other two parts of the citie with the temple of Salomon before reedified by the Christians Now whilst the Sarasins thus triumph it in the East and not in the East onely but ouer a great part of the West also contenting themselues with such tributs as they had imposed vpon the subdued nations and countries vp start the Turks a vagrant fierce and cruell people who first breaking into ASIA as is before declared and by rare fortune aspiring vnto the kingdome of PERSIA subdued the countries of MESOPOTAMIA SIRIA with the greatest part of the lesser ASIA and IVDEA together with the Holy citie who both there and in all other places held the poore oppressed Christians in such subjection and thraldom as that the former gouernment of the Sarasins seemed in comparison of this to haue beene but light and easie Neither was there any end or release of these so great miseries to haue beene expected had not God in mercie by the weake meanes of a poore heremit stirred vp these most woorthie princes of the West to take vp armes in their defence who hauing with their victorious armies recouered the lesser ASIA with a great part of SIRIA were now come vnto this Holy citie The gouernour of IERVSALEM vnderstanding by his espials of the proceedings of the Christians had before their approch got into the citie a verie strong garrison of right valiant souldiers with good store of all things necessarie for the holding out of a long siege The Christians with their armie approching the citie encamped before it on the North for that towards the East and the South it was not well to be besieged by reason of the broken rocks and mountaines Next vnto the citie lay Godfrey the duke with the Germans and Loranois neere vnto him lay the earle of FLANDERS and Robert the Norman before the West gate lay Tancred and the earle of THOLOVS Bohemund and Baldwin were both absent the one at ANTIOCH the other at EDESSA The Christians thus strongly encamped the fift day after gaue vnto the citie a fierce assault with such cheerfulnesse as that it was verily supposed it might haue beene euen then woon had they beene sufficiently furnished with scaling ladders for want whereof they were glad to giue ouer the assault and retire But within a few daies after hauing supplied that defect and prouided all things necessarie they came on againe afresh and with all their power gaue vnto the citie a most terrible assault wherein was on both sides seene great valour policie cunning with much slaughter vntill that at length the Christians wearie of the long fight and in that hot countrey and most feruent time of the yeere fainting for lacke of water were glad againe to forsake the assault and to retire into their trenches onely the well of Siloe yeelded them water and that not sufficient for the whole campe the rest of the wels which were but few being before by the enemie either filled vp or else poysoned Whilst the Christians thus lay at the siege of IERVSALEM a fleet of the Genowaies arriued at IOPPA at which time also a great fleet of the Egyptian Sultans lay at ASCALON to haue brought reliefe to the besieged Turks in IERVSALEM whereof the Genowaies vnderstanding and knowing themselues too weake to encounter them at sea tooke all such things out of their ships as they thought good and so sinking them marched by land vnto the campe There was amongst these Genowaies diuers enginers men after the manner of that time cunning in making of all manner of engines fit for the besieging of cities by whose deuice a great moouing tower was framed of timber and thick plancks couered ouer with raw hides to saue the same from fire out of which the Christians might in safetie greatly annoy the defendants This tower being by night brought close vnto the wall serued the Christians in steed of a most sure fortresse in the assault the next day where whilst they striue with like valour and doubtfull victorie on both sides from morning vntill midday by chance the wind fauouring the Christians carried the flame of the fire into the face of the Turks wherewith they had thought to haue burnt the tower with such violence that the Christians taking the benefit thereof and holpen by the tower gained the top of the wall which was first footed by the duke Godfrey and his brother Eustace with their followers and the ensigns of the duke there first set vp to the great encouraging of the Christians who now pressing in on euerie side like a violent riuer that had broken ouer the banks bare downe all before them All were slaine that came to hand men women and children without respect of age sex or condition the slaughter was great and the sight lamentable all the streets were filled with blood and the bodies of the dead death triumphing in euerie place Yet in this confusion a woonderfull number of the better sort of the Turks retiring vnto Salomons temple there to do their last deuoire made there a great and terrible fight armed with dispaire to endure any thing and the victorious Christians no lesse disdaining after the winning of the citie to find there so great resistance In this desperat conflict fought with woonderfull obstinacie of mind many fell on both sides
much as the Christian princes had made a perpetuall league amongst themselues he would for two yeares expect the euent and afterward as occasion serued so to resolue vpon peace and warre This improuident resolution of the king brought afterward vnprofitable and too late repentance vnto the whole Persian kingdome when as within a few yeares after all the calamities which the Senat had by their embassadour as true prophets foretold redounded vnto the great shaking thereof For the Cyprian warre once ended and peace concluded with the Venetians Amurath the sonne of Selymus succeeding his father in the Turkish empire inuading the Persian king tooke from him the great countrey of MEDIA now called SILVAN with a great part of ARMENIA the great and the regall citie of TAVRIS as shall be hereafter in due place declared At which time the Persian who now refused to take vp armes or joine in league with the Christian princes repented that he had not before hearkened vnto the wholsome counsell of the Venetians and taught by his owne harmes wished in vaine that the Christian princes would againe take vp armes and joyne with him against the Turke Mustapha the great Bassa and Generall of the Turks armie furnished of all things that could be desired for the maintenance of his siege and souldiors in great number daily repairing vnto him out of CILICIA SYRIA the Lesser ASIA and the countries thereabout beside great supplies brought vnto him by Haly Bassa from CONSTANTINOPLE insomuch that it was thought he had in his armie two thousand men began now that Winter was past in the latter end of Aprill to draw neerer vnto FAMAGVSTA and with incredible labour to cast vp â—â—enches and mounts against the citie of such height that the defendants from the highest places of the citie could scarcely see the points of the Turks speares or top of their tents as they lay encamped which was no great matter for the Bassa to performe hauing in his campe fortie thousand pioners alwaies readie at his commaund The citie of FAMAGVSTA is scituat in the East end of the island in a plaine and low ground betwixt two promontories the one called S. Andrewes head and the other the head of GRaeCIA It is in circuit two miles and in forme fouresquare but that the side toward the East longer and more winding than the rest doth much deforme the exact figure of a quadrant it is almost on two parts beaten vpon with the sea the other parts towards the land are defended with a ditch not aboue fifteene foot broad a stone wall and certaine bulwarks and parapets Vpon the gate that leadeth to AMATHVS standeth a six cornered tower other towers stand out also in the wall euerie of them scarce able to containe six pieces of artillerie It hath a hauen opening toward the Southeast defended from the injurie of the weather by two great rockes betwixt which the sea commeth in by a narrow passage about fortie paces ouer but after opening wider giueth a conuenient harbour to ships whereof it cannot containe any great number and was now shut vp with a strong chaine Neere vnto the hauen standeth an old castle with foure towers after the auntient manner of building There was in the citie one strong bulwarke built after the manner of the fortifications of our time with palisadoes curtaines casamets and such like in such manner as that it seemed almost impregnable All which although they made shew of a strong and well fortified citie yet for that there wanted many things it was thought too weake long to hold out against the great power of the Turke but what wanted by reason of the situation and weake fortification that the Gouernour and other noble captaines supplied in best sort they might with a strong garrison of most valiant souldiours the surest defence of strong places There was in the citie two thousand and fiue hundred Italians two hundred Albanoies horsemen before entertained by the Gouernour and of the Cypriots themselues were mustered two thousand and fiue hundred mo all men resolutly set downe to spend their liues in defence of their countrey Mustapha with wonderfull celeritie hauing brought to perfection his fortifications planted his batterie of sixtie foure great pieces amongst which were foure great basilisks of exceeding bignesse wherewith he continually without intermission battered the wals of the citie in fiue places but especially that part of the wall that was betweene the hauen and the gate that leadeth to AMATHVS And with great morter pieces cast vp huge stones which from high falling into the citie with their waight brake downe the houses they light vpon and fell often times through their vaults euen into the bottome of their sellars to the great terrour of the besieged The wals in diuers places sore shaken and the houses beaten downe he began to assault the citie which the defendants their forces yet whole valiantly repulsed and not onely defended their wals and draue the Turkes from the breaches but furiously sallied out vpon them and hauing slaine and wounded many wonderfully disturbed their fortifications and abated their courage neither did the enemy with greater furie maintaine the batterie or assault than did the Christians the defence of the citie still sending their deadly shot into the thickest of that great multitude insomuch that in few daies the Bassa had lost thirtie thousand of his men and the captains themselues wondering at the valour of the defendants as if they had not now to doe with such Christians as they had before so oftentimes ouerthrowne but with some other strange people began to dispaire of the winning of the citie The Turkes thus doubting and almost at a stand the Christians in the meane time made vp their breaches with earth baskets wool-sacks and such like not sparing their verie beds and bedclothes chests carpets and whatsoeuer else might serue to fill vp the breach Amongst many wants they feared the greatest was the want of pouder which with continuall shooting began greatly to be diminished wherefore to reserue some part thereof against all extremities they thought it best whilest yet some store was left to vse the same more sparingly and to shoot more seldome But the Turks still drawing neerer and neerer the citie and casting vp mounts higher than the wals of the citie with earth and fagots filled vp the ditch which done they of the broken stones made wals on either side to saue themselues from the flankering shot of the Christians then giuing a fresh assault they vsed not onely their shot and other missiue weapons but came foot to foot and notably fought in the breach hand to hand Which manner of fight as if it had been so agreed vpon they euerie day maintained for the space of six houres And although the Turkes by reason of their multitude were diuided into many parts and fresh men still succeeded them that were wearie yet such was the courage of the defendants that
two hundred gallies commended them to the conduct of Vluzales with expresse charge That by how much things had fallen out worse the last yeare he should with so much the more care now beware the like danger and not to go out of the bounds of the ARCHIPELAGO or to aduenture battell but vpon aduantage or at leastwise vpon an euen hand This Vluzales otherwise called Occhiall was an Italian borne in CALABRIA who in his youth taken at sea by the Turks and chained in the gallie and afterwards renouncing his faith by many degrees grew vnto the highest preferments amongst the Turkes and so became an exceeding plague as well to his owne countrey as to all other of the Christians bordering vpon the Mediterranean He now Admirall for the Turke after the manner of the prowd Barbarians threatned with fire and sword to be reuenged vpon the Venetians which knowne at VENICE much troubled them as well acquainted with the furie of the old Archpyrat Beside that Ant. Barbarus their embassadour all the time of this warre kept in safe custodie at CONSTANTINOPLE had by letters certified them what a great fleet and what a strong armie Selymus had prouided against them and that he himselfe told two hundred and fiftie saile of gallies when they set forward from CONSTANTINOPLE beside some other that were to meet with them at GALIPOLIS and that therefore they should beware how they encountred with the Turkes fleet but vpon equall strength It was also at the same time commonly reported that king Phillip chiefe of the confederats carelesse of the warres against the Turke in the East was about to turne his forces vpon the kingdomes of TVNES or ALGIERS neerer vnto him as in deed he did the yeare following The Venetians entangled with so many difficulties were euen at their wits end and day by day the Senat sat from the rising of the Sunne vnto the going downe of the same consulting how all these mischiefes were to be remedied But for as much as the greatest danger was to be feared frō the Turks fleet as then houering euen ouer their heads they by letters commanded Fuscarinus their Admirall That whether the confederats came vnto him or not he should forthwith take his course towards the East and there according to the enemies dessignes and his owne discretion and valour to doe what he should thinke best to be done for the common good of his countrey and not to refuse to joyne with the enemie in battell if he saw any good hope of victorie Neither ceased they at the same time both by their embassadours and letters earnestly to call both vpon the Pope and the king to hasten their forces to encounter the enemie before he should come out of his owne seas and to carrie the terrour of the warre home to his owne doores rather than to receiue it at their owne The like message was also done to Don Iohn putting him in mind what his place what the time and what the danger of the time required entreating him if it were possible of himselfe to adde something vnto that hast which the necessitie of so important a cause required Who neuerthelesse for all the messages and letters to him sent which were many went still on faire softly delaying from day to day telling that he would by and by come and that the Spaniards would alwaies be so good as their word Which was so far from his thought that afterwards finding one excuse after another he not only staied his comming but called back again Requisenius also whom he had sent before with 20 gallies to CORCYRA Now were two months fittest for the wars vainly spent when Superantius grieued to see time to no purpose so slip away fearing least the rest of the Sommer should to as small effect in like manner passe also with great instance importuned him to hasten his journey Then at length Don Iohn answered that the Venetians requested but reason neither that he wished for any thing more than to satisfie their desires but that a greater care hindred the lesse which was first to be preuented He was aduertised as he said that the French king pretending the suppressing of certain pyrats had assembled a great fleet at ROCHEL with purpose indeed to inuade SPAINE now that the king was busied in these wars against the Turk that therfore they must pardon him if he preferred the regard of SPAINE before others being expressely commanded from the king not to depart from MESSANA vntill he had other commaundement from him But whether this his excuse by FRANCE proceeded of a true feare or otherwise the Venetians much doubted and the rather for that the French king vnderstanding therof by the Venetians was therewith as reason was exceedingly offended protesting that he was euer so farre from that purpose of hindering any the confederat princes in that their religious warre that if the troubles of his owne countrey would haue so permitted he would gladly haue giuen them aid therein Many there were also that thought Enuie the auntient enemie of vertue and valour to haue had a great power in this delay doubting whether the Spaniards would more rejoyce of the victorie well hoped for if they should joyne with the Venetians or grieue if the same should by the Venetians be obtained without them Superantius wearie of discourses and long expectation and almost out of hope of any helpe in time from the Spaniard how vntowardly soeuer things went thought better yet warily to moderat his griefe than in so dangerous a time to giue any occasion for the Spaniard to fall quite off Yet spake he not fauningly or flatteringly of the matter but with a certaine modest grauitie declared That he had thought heauen would sooner haue fallen than that Don Iohn would not at the appointed time haue come to CORCYRA And withall besought him and wished him to beware that he brought not the common State into some great danger if they had to doe with such an enemie as might be delaied with then he said he could easily abide delay but now for that the warre and the enemie was such as wherein or with whom neuer any Generall had dalied without losse to what end did he longer deferre or trifle out the time or what other fleet did he expect If they should diuide their forces then were they all too weake but vnited togither strong enough to defend the common cause The neerer the enemie came the more hast were to be made to joyne with the Venetian fleet And what could be as he told him more honourable or glorious than for him a noble yong gentleman roially descended of whom the world had conceiued a great hope that he would in martiall honour exceed the glorie of his most famous auncestours againe to vanquish the prowd Turke the greatest and most mightie monarch of the world to fight the battell of the highest to assure the Christian common-weale against so puissant an enemie and to
the confederats suddenly staying their course and turning their prows vpon them draue them headlong againe into the harbour and afterwards retired themselues with the whole fleet into the islands OENVSae now called SAPIENTIA right opposite against MODON The next day wanting fresh water they remoued vnto the bay of MESSENA there to water in the mouth of the riuer Pamisus which there falleth into the sea where in passing by CORONE they were oftentimes shot at out of the towne and landing their men to water were encountred by certaine troupes of horsemen sent for that purpose by Vluzales There was water deerly bought with the liues of many there slaine on both sides in the end the Christians preuailing watered and so againe returned vnto the OENVSae from whence they came METHONE or MODON for it is by both names knowne standeth almost in an island stretching farre into the sea where toward the West runneth out a long point of the land a great way into the sea in the vttermost part whereof standeth a great round tower The towne it selfe is on the one side enclosed with the sea and toward the land so strongly fortified as that it seemeth almost impregnable Towards the South commeth in a faire bay about three miles wide safe from all winds except the Northerly wind only and shut vp by a little island in the mouth of the bay maketh a safe and quiet harbour with two entrances thereinto on either side of the island Within this bay lay the Turks fleet with the sternes of their gallies toward the land and their prows towards the sea At the Southerly comming in of the bay standeth an hill which the inhabitants call ALBVS on the top whereof the enemie had placed six great pieces of ordinance wherewith to keepe the Christians from entring that way So had they also vpon that point of the maine which as we said runneth out from the towne and vpon S. Bernards rocke planted other great pieces of ordinance to defend that passage also The Christians comming vnto the mouth of the bay there lay with their fleet diuided into foure parts but yet doubtfull what to doe for beside that the entrances of the bay were but narrow they were also farre more dangerous to be entred by reason of the great ordinance planted vpon them Neuerthelesse the Venetian Admirall in hope of good successe and loth to let the fearefull enemie so to escape out of their hands would faine haue persuaded the Generall with his whole fleet to haue entred the bay and there in the harbour to haue oppressed the enemie which he shewed to be no 〈◊〉 to doe for that the enemie was too weake in strength and could not be from land relieued In which doing they should indeed ouerthrow but one fleet but in the ouerthrowing of that one cut in sunder all the sinewes of the Turkish empire by sea and raising a tumult in the bay and filling all with a generall feare should vndoubtedly at the first onset put the enemie to flight Which done what should let but that carrying about with them the terrour of the victorie they should with their victorious fleet â—ake from the Turke all the islands of the AEGâ—â—â— That truly and wisely it was said of Themistocles That whosoeuer had the commaund of the sea must needs also preuaile in the rest and at length carrie away the victorie by land also It was as he said the part of good chieftains not to be wanting vnto themselues when occasion was offered besides that they were the same Turkes whom they had but the yeare before vanquished and what had that one yeare either taken from them or giuen vnâ—â— the Turks or what should they feare six pieces of ordinance mounted vpon an hill who if they â—hould vndertake the battell were not to feare the great store of ordinance in two hundred and threescore of the enemies gallies and galliots I my selfe said he will be the guide and leader in whatsoeuer shall seeme most difficult and dangerous and will in person my selfe be the first that shall enter the harbour and aduenture the first danger Great victories he said were not to be gained but with great aduentures and that therefore the matter were to be hasted before more aid should be sent vnto the Turkes Wherefore they should as resolute men attempt that the Turks thought the Christians durst not to haue attempted and with the same courage breake into the bay wherwith they had but the yeare before broken the strength of the same enemy and by the power of God carrie away another notable triumph of the vanguished Turks who ouercome in a second battell at sea must needs depart with all their maritime territories With euill liking of the Spaniards was the Venetian Admirall heard And Don Iohn the Generall deeming both the time and place vnfit for the attempting of so great an exploit rehearsed on the one side the strength of the enemie the disaduantage of the place the difficultie of the battell with the manifold and great calamities receiued by the ouerhastie and rash attempts of their enemies That the enemies strength was not to be so much deemed by the eye or by report as by reason and that many in seeking to increase their former glorie had in so doing ouerthrowne the same That the Christians in entring and aduenturing the harbour should on the one side be beaten with the artillerie from the hill and on the other with the artillerie out of the castle of MODON And that it was not like that Vluzales should if need were lacke aid from land who but the other day had sent great troupes of horsemen to haue kept the Christians from watering That a matter of so great importance was by Fuscarinus his leaue not rashly to be taken in hand vpon an heat and hautinesse of stomacke but vpon graue and mature deliberation for if they should in a place of so great disaduantage hazard the fortune of a generall battell it should seeme that either he knew not that kind of fight and force of the enemie or else would make the bay of MODON more famous by the ouerthrow of the Christians than was the CVRZVLARI by the slaughter of the Turks Then what a shame would it be if they which were about to oppresse the enemies fleet should themselues be ouerthrowne and that in their owne deuise He had rather as he said preserue his owne fleet than to take six hundred of the enemies gallies and to account the same for a greater honour Which he determined not for that he would not haue any thing done but that vnripe occasions should not be too much hastened and as it were thrust headlong forward whereas time would giue opportunitie for the ouerthrow of the Turks fleet so that they ran not blindly on headlong and that in future time the Venetians would rejoice that they had so moderated their desires The Christians he said had sufficiently preuailed if those