owning Christian Name To pay just Praises to 's Immortal Fame VVhich whosoe're shall grudge in envys mood Is guilty of most base Ingratitude To God himself and all men that are Good Heav'ns Pow'rs to us are three ways notifi'd And in all these should God be glorifi'd In 's Word in 's Works and in his mighty Wonders VVhich all not Fool or Mad or Atheist ponders Or shuts their eyes to see no Sun their ears to hear no Thunders IF God himself should not be honor'd than In all his Gifts instill'd in this great MAN And 's VVondrous Feats atchiev'd by Divine Aid 'T might Atheism and Blasphemy be said Twixt Non-confession and denying Gods Goodness and Power there 's but a slender-odds Be it then known to all the World abroad He that Lauds SOBIETZKI praifes God AND as all love to see that happy Hand Has Rap't them from the Flames or Sword or Strand And as sweet fruits delicious Liquorish taste To know the Tree makes our Impatience haste Even so the shade of his most prosp'rous Arms Which next to God from barb'rous Turkish Harms Has giv'n Repose to ev'ry Christian Nation Attracts all Ears to hear the just Relation Of the great Actions of his former Story And 's present dazling all th' old Worlds Glory And as no Crabb-tree yields desired Fruits As goodly Branches grow from stronger Roots As Healine-streams ne're flow from Common-springs So each Parental-stock's not fit for KINGS To understand what blessed Heav'n-Born Pair Did yield to Christendom this Tutelar And trace the Progresse of his younger Years Those signal Services whereby he Wears And did deserve ere ev'r he wore a Crown As well by Sword as by his Pen and Gown That Sov'raign Power which in all Kingdoms else By Natures Gift the first-born Males befals Amongst the Poles it is much otherwayes Or Virtues Guerdon or Happs chance in Choyce Transcendent Merit here oft bears the Van Where Hanours Temple 's reacht throw Viriues Fane Chap. I. Being an Accompt of his Descent of the Noble Family of the SOBIETZKI and the Parents of this Illustrious Prince with his Education THE ancient Poles old Mistris City gave Title to SOBIETZKIS and the brave James SOBIESK Castellan of Cracow Father of elder Mark and this IHON too A person whose great parts were even and patt For Court or Camp or great Affairs of State Having oft signaliz'd his Noble Spirit In all Efforts distinguish'd by his Merit In twenty one he had the great Imploy Not of a Chiaux or a less Envoy Unto the Port but as Ambassadour Plenipotentiar with amplest Pow'r From the Poles Crown to Treat upon a Peace Which by his Prudence Wisdom and Address Concluded on most honourable Terms Of Peace 'twixt Poles and Sultan osmans Arms. Remarkable on many brave occasion And faithful Service after done his Nation In fourty six so far outgone the Poles He left his Body went to dwell with Souls And she that bare Victorious SOBIETZKI Was Daughter of Stanzlaus ZOLTIEUSKI Grand Chanc'lor and Grand Gen'ral of the Crown Great by his Birth Place Prowess and Renown Who gave the Turks Deaths Wounds and Sorrow While he bravely Fought it at Cicora It was upon the nineteenth of September A Day which all the Turks may yet Remember T' was done upon the Worlds great publick Stage The twenti'th year of this same present age And tho upon next Moneths second Day Five times attacqu't by fresh Recruits they say Which he five times as gallantly Repell'd And maugre their huge Number 's stood the Field Till by redoubled Multitudes and Throngs And furious Crouds a-fresh for five Days long The valiant Poles being shrunk into a few Handful that handful wounded weari'd too Gave way to Fate the fifth Day of the Battle Whilst like a mighty Bull 'mong Droves of Cattle Their Gen'ral brave who knew not how to flie But stand or chase or conquer kill or die Having wrought Wonders with his single Hand And throw Red-seas of Blood made shoals to Land Thick throngs of Horse still pressing on a-main Crouded him Dead with Infidels not overcome tho slain Thus fell Brave ZOLTIEUSKI of his Age Full sev'nty three Poles joy and Turkish rage LEaving this gallant Grand-child by his Daughter of all hath been of all that shall come after Inheritor of greater broader Glory Th' Illustrious Theme of this our present Story He was no elder but a younger Brother And yet his greenest years could never smother The blooming Buds o's high Heroick growth To cultivat this Nobiy Toward Youth His joyful Parents spar'd no Cost nor Care Allow'd him Education suiting's fair Both Birth and Hopes and 's brave Celerity Made quick Returns of great Proficiency An innat Magnanimity of Spirit Polisht with nat'ral and acquired Merit Soon told his Fathers hopes th' aboding Story He should surmount all 's Ancestors in Glory With all the Learned Languages acquainted For Pole with Breath of Roman Ghost's so haunted That Latine Tongue the Lingue of old Romes Slaves 'S as frequent there as Dutch or Poles or Sclaves And having Master'd all the Learning Skill Which Polands Education could instil And Read at home in Words all Forraign Places He longs to mark their Manners see their Faces THat as the keen brisk forward active Bee Tho Garden Orchard where it dwells still be Enamel'd with a great variety Of Flow'rs and Blossoms which Sight Smell and Taste And Touch may n't's Eyes Legs and Proboscis Feast Flies on a-pace o're Fields mongst Woods doth Roam And back from Weeds and barren Heath comes home Fraught with that matter that makes Bees Honey and wondrous Comb. So our great SOBIETZKI doth advance With 's elder Brother Mark and comes to France Which valiant Mark the Turks thereafter flew At the unlucky Rout of wretch'd Betow During his stay at Paris he oft ply'd All manly exercise and still outvy'd In th' Academys fencing and Menage His Equals and those 'bove his years in age And not withstanding of his younger years His manly meen and prudence him endears To all that Merit knew and th' highest sort Of primest Quality in the French Court. Eying his toward stay'd high Masc'line Spirit Did much Regard esteem admire his Merit Having acquir'd Wits Valours Courtships Charms In this great School of Europes Arts and Arms Next went to Italy observed Rome And all the finest parts of Chrisiendom Their Manners Int'rests Laws and Politys Where their great Strengths Defects and Weakness lys Intanglements Obligements and in fine Their Courts their Camps and Warlike Discipline The distance of strong Holds their Situations Manner of March Fights and Fortifications All the Remark to speak it in a word Which Travels unto Princes can afford ANd having all the while stor'd up a Treasure Of solid worth which might with equal measure Of Stock and Strength become the lasting Base Of that huge Fame which doth the World amaze Already form'd in his great active Mind Which still his Countreys Glory had
Took up the Crown of fair and puissant France Now falling to him by Inheritance I write the just words of my Authors Text Puts this in year five hundred seventy sixt AFter the Recess of this last nam'd Prince The Poles next Diet were not of one sense One Party nam'd for KING Stephen Bathor The Transylvanian prince as many more The Austrian Arch-Duke Maximilian Which 'twixt those Princes open War began But Stephens Valour with the Victory Obtain'd the Crown who Issueless did dye In year of Christ five hundred eighty sixt Then Sigismund the third succeeded next Son to the King of Sweden named Ihon Being chose to fit on Polands mighty Throne Soon after which the Father Ihon deceast Did Sigismund with 's Native Crown invest This Sigismund now King of Pole and Swed Had by his Mother secretly been bred In Popish Tenents And all this was done Without least Inkling of his Father Ihon As Zealous Protestant as any one On whose Election unto Polands Crown He Protestant suspect'd not Popish known And Romes Religion still obtaining there To satisfy the Poles he did declare That he for ever would maintain and own The Roman Catholick Religion This made the wary Swedes still Lutheran Desire conditions that he should maintain Their Protestant Religion as 't then was And let no Popish Innovations pass But some few Churches by his sufferance Or sloath not known some Places of Defence Had Popish Priests and Catholick Commanders Which made those stiff and jealous Swedenlanders Suspect this Sigismund of Male-intent And then Revolt at last with joynt consent Charles third son of Gustave Errickson His Uncl's lift up to the Swedish Throne HEnce came those Strifes and Fends and Wars amain 'Twixt Polands Kingdom and the Crown of Sweden For Sigismund did prosecute his Claim And Charles maintaind's Election by the same Which Strise 'twixt Vncle and Nephew did not dy But did descend to both's Posterity Just in the year six hundred thirty two Dy'd sigismund succeded Ladislow His eldest son who dy'd in fourty eight Whose brother Cazimir had next that Right By Choise who after twenty years of Reign The Polish Crown did willingly resign Michael Coribut Wiesnowitski Came next and now this glorious SOBIETSKI Who for his Countreys Honour Safety Crown Hath done yet doth such deeds of loud Renown Made them so great and glorious in each thing As mov'd each Polish heart to choise him King REader I hope thou 'l pardon this Deduction Plain as it is was meant for thy Instruction And understanding things express'd of Course Which needs we must recount in this Discourse Nor can't be needless you should also hear That KINGS of POLAND still Elective are Marvel with me how comes't their Sov'raign pow'r So much restrain'd should yet so long endure Or how Poles Princes straight bound up with Fetters Their Royal Hands so Chain'd with Words and Letters Should sway a Scepter or a Sword should shake To Rule or ' Fend their People while one Sneak Or Waspish Fellow in their Parliament Tho the least Nuntio shall dissassent In any point of greatest Importance Be it the Kingdoms Ruine or Defence The KING himself and the whole Polish Diet Must leav 't undone and sculk away in quiet Some Authors talk but whether lye or troth I shall not say that Polands Kings take Oath Not only to Govern conform to the Laws And Constitutions Statutes Customs Cause O' th' Kingdom to maintain the sev'ral Rights And Priviledge of all their Orders right And not to mince the Kingdoms Revenue But that there 's yet in th' Oath a Clause more blew In case the King should rule in otherwise Absolving People from Obedience Tyes I shall not here my doubts again renew Tho unto me this seems more strange than true That Fundamental Law of Germany Call'd Aurea Bulla can 't compared be VVith this for not to name the many things VVherein the Emp'rors case is wide of Kings In Pole th' Electors ev'ry one by one Are sev'ral pieces of a State that 's one All private men Subjects at most at best But in the Empire this may well be prest Where each Elector's Prince of Sov'raign State And cannot yoak his Pow'r at other rate It s then a Fancy or is't be ought true It s but of yesterday and late and new For in th'authentick form of the old Oath Of Polish KINGS which Orichovius hath There is not the least mention made of this HOw e're it be without Oath true it is That by their ancient Constitutions known Their KING can nothing great perform alone Without consent of th' whole Estates in one In making War or in contracting Peace Levying of Taxes or in Crown-Lands Lease Nor any important affair of State But by the joynt advice of full Senat. Yet as the stern stout Poles Nobility Have such strong Holds of Soveraignity So they assume and still pretend each one At least presume or formerly have done Unto themselves a more transcendent Pow'r Then they 'd allow to King or Emperour In all their Seigniories as accords They do behave themselves like abs'lute Lords This Kingdoms Palatinats thirty four Or Governments each of whom all is o're His own Castellans which of Cities are Captains or Governors in Peace and War Of whom in Poland if we 've counted even There are in all much about eighty seven Of Grand Ecclesiasticks they have two Archbishops GNESNA and of Le'pold too Of old a third at RIGA also had Until that City sell unto the Swed This Gnesna is prime Senator of State Who when the KING shall die without debate He hath the chief mannage of great Affairs During the Interreign tho 't were for Years And Issues Warrants for the States to come To the Election of a new Prince whom When Chose the Oath administers to him And sets upon his Head Poles Diadem All their most important Affairs are done Determin'd and advis'd resolved on In Diets or in Parliaments alone Which Parliaments or Diets thus are held Being summon'd by the King and thus they 'r call'd To Prelats Palatines the KING doth send By 's Chanc'lor Letters of Instruction pen'd Which mentions all his Majesty thinks sitting To be propos'd then ' points their time of Meeting Which Letters had each Senator alone Considers the Design they drive upon The Consequences Qualities and Natures Of those Affairs propos'd in the KINGS Letters The very same and of that full extent The KING' 's to offer to 's next PARLIAMENT Concerning all each Free-man of his Vote Hath a full Liberty o's yea or not Just as he pleaseth or he is in Mood For privat Interest or publick good Beside all these the KING doth Letters send Into each Pa'atinate to be kend When the Nobility are all to meet That ev'ry Province then may have its Leet And Representatives they may be chose Who here are always called LAND-NUNTIOS For which effect Convention's held in all And ev'ry County which they LANDT-JAG call
it such time as then shalt find in thy Heart to oblige the World and it and. me with a better But is nothing else may prevent ae deadly Bite or obtain a Minuts Reprieve from thy Ruthless Jaws yet ere thou entirely devour this poor Morsel Respite but a little till we have once more heard from above the POLES Till when Farewel POSTSCRIPT I Have but one Word more If thou please to carp at the seâ—eral Letters directed to so many Persons of Quality thou mayest say on I 'le regard it no more but by telling thee I could not in good manners while I had written of one great KING accompanied with so many Armies and as it were still in Camp have dedicated the same to a far greater and plac'd his MAJESTY who hath been so conversant with Camps Battles and Navies all alone without supposing some Retinue of a Court for his Attendants and beside thou needs not much weary thy self in the Reading more of them then thou lists or if all not to quarrel the length while thou hast often seen and read many single Dedications of greater extent MEMOIRES OF THE LIFE and ACTIONS of the most Invincible and Heroick IHON The THIRD present KING OF POLAND GReat God of Praise Inspire this Song of Praise That with the loudest Ela's it may raise On massy Pillars of Immortal Fame The ' ternal Eccho's of this Hero's Name That as his Sword 's the glory of this Age Some Angel-pen of more seraphick Rage May Trumpet his Atchievments 'bove the Sky And Sing his Glory to an Extazy And as his Deeds might animat all Words Even so our Verse may more inflame his Swords Kindle an Emulation Lord inspire His Sword this Pen with Counterbent Desire Who Fights most Battles and who Writes most Praise Who freshest Trophies who wears greenest Bays That he ne're cease to Fight Rout Conquer Kill Nor I to Sing while Insidels have Breath or Blood to Spill Great SOBIETZKI cut their Graves their Epitaphs this Quilla Introduction to and Seasonableness of these Memoires WHen the whole World of men in Christendome The Eastern Church of Greece Western of Rome The Orthodox Reformed purer Church And all their sev'ral Sects lay at the Lurch An 't would not scandalize this rev'rend Throng To mention monstrous Mushroms in their Song The Excrements of Christian Names and Things who 'd rather hang and damn that Pray for Kings With Eyes that spoke suspense twixt Hope and Fear And Hearts that trembled as if Dooms-day were At hand with tingling Ears as the last sound Of the loud Trump of God did them confound With Faces stern'd to paleness as a stone is Lest Turks like Hills and Mountains fall upon us When like some Torrent or a Tempest pent Or Thunder pregnant Cloud without a vent Or blustring Winds and vap'rous Breaths and Fumes Might stretch Earths biggest Womb or burst its Gums All joyntly met in some straight narrow Cavern Like Bottles burst in Coffee-House or Tavern Or like the Legion lodg'd all in one Man So the vast Troops and swarms of the Ottoman Empire which might have bid the World one Day Invested Vien straight around it lay Big swoln with Expectation to obtain All Germany beside in that Campaign Then like a mighty Angel sent from Heaven Or like those Cherubims to Eden given With Flaming Sword to fence the Tree of Life Great SOBIETZKIS Hand cuts off the Strife MOst Glorious Prince no sooner was this done Then this poor Pen had pay'd thy Prowess On'e And vow'd another larger Tribute Song If H. G's Memoires do thee no wrong I 'le from thy Craddle Trace thy matchless Story And spread the Dazling Wonders of thy Glory My distance from thy Court Camp Sight defyes The least Suspition of Flatterys And thy Atchievments Which surmount the Poles Impossibilitats all Hyperboles I Sing the Polar Star whose Light out-shines The Turkish Creseents in their highest Primes Except those fix'd in Scriptures Zodiack Line This Northern Stars great Light doth far out-shine All others in the Firmament of Fame As Candles do Gleams or as the Sun a Flame Darkning with Dazling Rayes of brightest Glory Those lesser Twinklers set in former story Forcing the Crescent Moon into a Wane Nearest Divine stands this Immortal Man While Viens Walls and Camien's Plains retain Leopolds Cochmi's Fields and theVkrain In purpling Dy of slaughtered Turks red Gore Hang Glorious Trophies never match'd before SOme for their Prudence some for Courage high Some 's Wariness and som's Celerity Some for their Conduct some for Execution Some for their success some for Resolution While singly but possest have cropt the Fame Of Prowess reaching them a Hero's Name What shall the World devise for that vast Merit Which doth all those in fullest strength inherit Prodigious Valour matcht with equal Skill Council with Conduct Arts to Save and Kill Command Dispatch and all at such a rate As Heav'n still smiles him the victorious Fate When after-times shall Read his Period They 'l cry Hosanna's to this Demi-god REproach of all the Worlds old Ancestry This present ages blest Felicity All Mankinds Glory Souldiers Admiration All Christians Joy all Generals Imitation Illustrious Ornament of all that Reign Men's Christians Souldiers Captains Generals King Great Wonder Doubt Envy of times to come Of all which most he 'l share before the Doom Shall be a Riddle unresolv'd by all the World and Rome PRodigious Actions admiration breeds Wonder breeds Doubt Doubt with Suspicion Reads So that whoever this Hero's History Shall undertake but hence one Century Their Truths may hap to be suspect'd Romance or flattery But against all such Pigmy Thoughts and Doubts Of Dwars't beliefs our answers short and stout We publish Wonders done in this same Age Scarce one year gone upon the publick Stage And the loud Theatre of Christendom Appealing all the World a live to come Or dare disprove one Ace of what we say We and what 's ours shall be their proofs just Prey WE here defy the trembling Ottoman Whose Crescent Moon 's Eclipsd put in the wane By this bright Northern Star whose just Renown O're Christendom and all the world is slown And can't be lessen'd by malicious Mouths Without opposing clear notorious Truths Affording matter to all Tongues all Pens Out-bidding Retricks Fumes and Poems streams Talk Love and Wonder and Astonishment From all that Ttust in Christ is but just Rent Not half the Tribute to the many Tyes Of Gratitude wherewith he 's more than thrice Oblig'd all Christian Hearts to 's admiration In chasing from their Bounds the Barbrous Nation Whose stern Incursions like Impetuous Flouds Had laid the German Empire in the Suds If not Repell'd by him no Christian State Or Kingdom could have promis'd this days Date All which Deliv'rance next to God alone All these do owe the Arms of Poles great IHON Third of that Name in their long List of KINGS VVho hath atchiev'd such wondrous glorious things As may excite all
design'd With winged speed to give those mighty parts Nature gave him improv'n with Thought and Arts To 's Kings and Countreys Service posteth home Where when arriv'd as soon imploy'd as come At Court and Camp by then KING CASIMIR Who did his Wit and Valour so admire That for 's great Specimens of Sword and Gown He made him first Grand Master of the Crown And next Grand Gen'ral of the force of Pole And then Grand-master of the Kings Houshold And to sum up his Honours in a Line Of ancient Cracow made great PALATINE GReat was the worth of this great Subjects Spirit As great his Princes Knowledge of his merit Which on the sev'ral turns of great affairs And Traverses of Providence appears Clear in the sequel of th' ensuing Story No Honour 's great like SOBIETZKIS Glory Yet for our Readers better apprehension Of these Preferments which wee 'l needs oft mention And other Passages which needs we must Oft name to make this Story clear and just It s fit he should succinctly hear the whole Past Government and History of Pole Where let him not expect our numbers Terse In Things and Names will scarcely fold to Verse And in all such here in the general Take naked Truth for fancy wit and all Chap. II. The Kingdom of POLAND Described with its Laws and Customs with a brief Deduction of the State thereof for some hundreds of years past POLAND is said from Pole to take its Name Or Poln which in Sclaves Tongue is just the same And in that Di'lect which those Countreys grace Doth signifie a Plain or Field for Chase Because this Kingdom is a vast Campaign Compos'd of level Woods for Hunting Plain But Polish Orichovius denys This Derivation and doth thus advise That first Polachia this Land was Term'd From Lachus their first King or Leader arm'd Both may be true because both may agree Natives and Readers take your Choice for me WHich e're of either of these two be true This mighty Kingdom in the bulk it s now Having great Litwan's Dukedom now annex't And other Provinces may number next The largest Kingdoms Europe's Continent Contains for breadth and length of that extent From fourty eight to fifty sev'nth degree Of Latitude It s Longitude count we From thirty eight to sixty and perchance A greater Continent by far then France Muscovie and the petty Tartars east The Baltick Sea and Germany the west Do bound it but the great Carpathian Mountains And Ister Europes greatest Child of Fountains Divide it on the South from Hungary From Transilvania and Moldavie Upon the North Livonia of Sweden And some good part of Muscovie again Poland is blessed with a fruitful Soil And purest Air breath'd from the Woods recoil Furs Honey Wax Buff-hides and other Skins Huge Masts for Ships Timber and other things For Building Flax Pot-ashes and all Grain In great abundance yeelds which drives great gain To Dantzick Gentry with Nobility Are here Magnifick bold and brave and free And most Tenacious of their Liberty But all the Peasants and the common Rout Are as meer slaves as they were bought throughout Their Lives are valu'd as we prize a Neat The Tennent kill'd his Lord receives the Rate No Inquest's for the Blood this being pay 't ANd not with standing that the Reformation Beam'd here its Light first from the German Nation Yet Ignorance and want of publick Care For Lopping of wild Tenents here not rare Extravagant Opinions did promote Mong Citizens and mongst the Rabble Rout Socinus 'bove them all did here take foot The Catechism of Cracow proveth this Their other Books being deriv'd from this But that which here 's establish'd by the Laws Is the great daring Roman-Cath'lick-Cause Their Language is Sclavonian Dialect Tho most of them do also Latin speak This only Kingdom 's elective alone Of all that are this Day in Europe known Under which Term we mean not to include The Empire which can ne're be understood A Monarchy but rath'r a Septarch-head And tho the Danish Crown Elective were For many ages till the sixtieth year Of this same age when Denmarks King thought fit To cause that Kingdoms Senat alter it His Majesty Hereditar Writes ay Himself of Denmark as of Norway IT is the common undisputed Thought That the first people that to Poland sought Were Huns and Slavons Orichovius sayes Who came from Macedon and thereaways Their vulgar Language which they daily speak Retaining yet some Relish of the Greek And that from thence they having driv'n the Swevi And other People and Goths a mighty Covey Possest that huge vast Tract of champaign Land Ev'n to the Elb from River vistul's Strand When Lechus or else Lachus at the last Became their Chief and as their Leader past About our LORDS three hundred fiftieth year Commenc'd the Monarchy of Poland here From whom fourteen are reck'ned to Micislas First Christian Duke match'd Daughter of BOLESLAS Duke of Bohem the sev'nt day he was Wife't Of March in year nine hundred sixty fift Upon which Match Micislas Christian made His Son Boleslas for Successor had In year of Grace nine hundred ninety nine The sixteent Duke which came of Lachus Line Who while the Emp'rour OTHO of that name The Third to visit Tomb of Albort came Whom barb'rous hands of Prussia had slain Was creat KING by the Emp'rour amain To whom another Micislas succeed Father of Cazimir the first we Read The second Boleslas succeed him Sirnam'd the cruel like a Devils Limb He murther'd Stanzlaw Bishop of Cracow For punishment Whereof Pole losed now Its title of a Kingdom being sway'd By sev'ral Princes Regents for long Tide Till under Primislaus it again The former Kingdoms Title did Regain Which was if Poles chranology belive't In year of God two hundred ninety fift Next Primislaus the third Ladislas Who after four years past expelled was And Vinceslaus chosen in his stead Ladislas five years re-established To whom succeeded Casimir the Great Of whom brave things their Histories relate Th' Hungarian Monarch LEWIS next chosen KING Two Daughters left after his Death and Reign The younger whereof being declared Queen Married Jagellon great Duke Litwin Who tho a Pagan Prince before had been On this his Match Baptiz'd turn'd Christian King And was accepted by the Polish State On this condition that his Dutchy great He should to Polands Kingdom ev'r annex This was in year three hundred eighty six At 's Christ'ning took the name of Ladislas Two of which name his next Successors was Then Cazimir the fourth then Ihon Albert Next Alexander he dead in his part Came Sigismunds the first and second too Which last left Crown and Life without Issue In year of Grace five hundred seventy two The Polanders chose Henry Duke Anjow The second son of Henry King of France Who after two years Reign did home advance His Brother Charles the ninth then Childless dead This quit his Crown Elective and in'ts stead
that have both Imbellish't and fully Answer'd the generous Name of LYON those excellent Qualifications I know you to possess having my self seen and read several excellent Pieces tho Modesty will not allow your Lordship their Owning and these on different Subjects all of your own Composure Your excellent Contrivances in Architecture in Gard'ning Planting Houshold-furniture nay hewing out Goodly Rooms out of Walls of a Rockie Firmness and Massiness The great 0rder in all these things and the Decorum both without and within your Houses of your Table in your Service and every where Your Lordship has all these and which is more then all this at once the Best of Noble Ladies and the Hopefullest and most promising Posterity of both Sexes to make you Happy and Wisdome and Virtue enough to make you Good All these do so praise themselves that I cannot praise you for them But I very freely will do so in allowing your Lordship the Justice of that Testimony that I think you Fear GOD Honour the King and Love the Church and area Friend of Good Men and much more then he ever deserved kind and favourable unto Your LORDSHIPS Most humble and obliged Servant ALEX. TYLER Chap. III. The Marriage of SOBIETSIKI and his advancement to the Charges of Grand-Marshal and General of the Crown wherein occasionally is given an account of the Reign of King Casimir and the manner of his resigning the Crown Just like young Lion newly suckt warm Gore Doth Room and Range and for more Prey doth roar Bristles his shaggy Mane his horrid Eyes Sparkling fresh Beams of Courage which defyes All other Beasts to look him in the Face He frisks his Scepter-tail and with a Grace Moves through wild Woods with pride sets down his Pan's Those Swords which to his Vnderlings give Laws And while he Stops and stamps and stares around Espyes a Lioness some little slound Of distance from him by her Shape and Gate He knows her And his former Rage forget He Courts and Wooes this lovely Female Mate Ev'n so great SOBIETZKI who began His earliest Youth to Arms ere he was Man Rustling in bristled Fields Fights Battles Wars Wounds Dangers Deaths which hearts of Cowards scarrs Bellona's dearest Darling was this greatest Son of Mars Yet tho his Eyes all Fire his Eyes all Rayes Of Gen'rous Courage which all Turks affrayes His March all Terror and his Name all Fame His Fight all Death his Sword all Wounds and Flame His Shock all Light'ning and his Rour all Thunder And least things he hath done be all great Wonder Tho all his Hands were Arms his Breast all steel It lodg'd a Heart which Capids Charms must feel And there was reason why it should be said That SOBIETSKI did not live a Maid Fate did foresee hee 'd been mistaken than For some great Mighty Angel not a Man And lest some Criticks in Chronologie Should backward forward with a busie eye Review the Periods of Destiny Turning each Page each Leaf of its great Book From the last Casar to the first that took Th' Assyrdan Empire and mongst all those Names That vex'd the World to reap their hoarser Fames Scarce base enough for his high raisd loud sound Then some inspired Prophet forward bound Should pore and plodd and having read still on All names of Importance until the Doom Should ' mongst all that excell'd or shall excell See Love and Arms in all their Hearts to dwell Then looking back to his great Period Should take him for some Heav'n-born Armed GOD For 's Virtues Valors higher pitch than humane foot yet trod ANd searing after-times Idolatry Should raise this Polar Star 'bove Starry Sky Beyond the Blessed Mother Maid next Holy Trinity Fate gave consent thus far to ' bate his Glory That Love and Arms should interweave his Story And that the VVorld miâ—â—t know this Heros mind Transcends all Hero's in Degree not Kind Those Nobler Passions in his Soul still rests Valour Amour Inmates to Gen'rous Brests Beside all these Nature did supplicat And thus petitioned the Pow'rs of Fate That seeing Poles great SUN should ne're Ecclipse While men have Eyes Ears Hands Pens Tongues Mouths But Sett 't were Blasphemy to say should Dy Lips Lest Heav'n should dark in that Obscurity And since stern Fate had doom'd him but 's one day That it 's great Light leave some Illustrious Ray. This was decreed Nor was 't our Hero's least Part of his Prowess that he made Conquest Of that so rich so fair so high a JEMM As the brave Heart of MADAM ARQUIEM For Beauty Bounty Birth VVealth highest sort Great Ornament of all the Polish Court His goodly Personsge and graceful Meen And sparkling Variues making these to shine Ten thousahd loving Beams and Rays and Charms Transfix'd her Heart shot from this SUN of ARMS But being Polands QUEEN'S chief Made of Honor Her Majesty had highest thought and care and eye upon HER And in the absence of great SOBIETZKI Propos'd HER for a Match to Prince ZOMOTSKI One of the greatest Palatines of Pole The LADY yet all young sweet bashful whole Blushing to own her former Preingagement Tho unto SOBIESK had Marriage meant So that while her first Lover was far thence Her QUEEN prevail'd to match her to that PRINCE BUt He not living long at liberty To choise her first and best choise SOBIETZKI Brought him a Beauty more advanc'd and blown A Dowry vast beside what was her own Provision Heav'n this Blessed Couple gave Fine hopeful Children 'bove the rest the brave PRINCE ALEXANDER he of whom anon Wee 'll have occasion to make mention He having signaliz'd himself for worth And told the World he means to follow forth The gallant foot-steps of his Fathers Glory And prove's apparent Heir in Wars loud Story THe twenty fourth of August sixty five KING CAS'MIR did to SOBIETZKI give The Office of Grand Gen'ral of the Crown In the exiled Lubomirskis Room Discharg'd because of his Rebellion In heading those that were Confederats known A wretched party which did much annoy The Poles and near that Kingdom did destroy Of which Rebellions progress and foundation It s fit we here should give some brief Narration IN th' AEras fourty eight of this same Section Was CASMIRS to Polands Crowns Election Who by his HOLINESS great Dispensation Marry'd a Lady of the fine French Nation But Widow of his Brother Ladislaus And 's Predecessor who for Frances Cause And Interest was enterprizing ever Still meddling with the State did much endeavour A French Successor slily to promote Which amongst other Causes yet is thought Much of this Kingdoms sorrows to have wrought And yet its first Calamities arose From an Invasion made by forraign Foes Charles Gustavus Warlike KING of Sweden About the fifth year after five times ten And in the sev'nth of CASIMIRS own Reign As much excited by their Feuds old sting of Polands KINGS pretentions to his Crown As by a martial temper of his own By Ragietzki's motion
heard things which you would not and whatis ' to follow is known to GOD alone ' WE alwayes wrote both to your King and you what hath now come to pass which you might have prevented by sending Ambassadors to his Imperial Majesty with Royal Presents as is usual and Promise of Tribute who thereby might have appeased the burning Wrath of our great Lord and obtained better Conditions from you Nay had you ever since for the Gate of Mercy of our Emperour is open to all sent Ambassadors to offer a Tribute it was to be hoped they might have obtained the good-will of our Lord and he permitted them to renew the Ancient Friendship If therefore after all you have any care for the quiet and good Estate of your Armies Kingdom and Subjects do what you intend very suddenly without any delay and the sooner you do it the more advantagious it will be for you That you have desired the most glorious Cham of Tartary to be Mediator at this Treaty you do well for he hath offer'd his friendly Perswasions on your Behalf Peace be ' to those that believe the Commandments of GOD. BY this time Winter with his Hoary Face And cold sharp Breath was hast'ning on a-pace Which doth not suit the warm venereous Turk And alwayes stints in Field his further work When the bravevaliant Gen'ral SOBIETSKAY Who still out-does what biggest Hopes expects ay At this time unawares had fall'n upon Without's foresight or expectation A dreadful Body twenty thousand strong Of Tartars serving Turks for Right or Wrong 'T was at a place known by the name of Try Where all their Host he routed totally Streams of Tartarian Blood did soak this Field Where ten times thousands of their Breaths did yield Their Ghosts to Fate And from those bloody Knaves Rescu'd as many of poor Christian Slaves After which soon within few days thereafter Defeats as many more with hugest Slaughter Whereby the Countrey near to Desolation He fred from Rapines further Devastation And in that Nick or Juncture of Affairs He wanteth Reason Sense and Eyes and Ears Who will not readily own and confess 't This the most Advantagious and Best Service which could be done to Polands Crown Which all that Kingdome to this day will own THe KING his ARRIER BAN had Summoned That is a General Convention had Of all his Princes and Nobility Throughout all Pole and the great Litwanie All to appear in Feir of Weir and Arms When Poland Kingdom takes most dreadful ' Larms As near Samosch he did encamped ly He did request his whole Nobility To take into their grave Consideration Those called Mal-contents within the Nation Whereof Arcb-Bishop Gnesna was call'd one As likewise was the General of the Crown And many others which were ordered As soon as could be to be summoned To make Appearance Oath and Obligation And enter straight in this Confederation Which Oath aforesaid their and then fram'd was Upon their having tane the same to pass An Act of general oblivton But if Recusant durst be any one Refusing to appear and enter Oath They were to be by King and Nobles both Declared Traitors and their Office Trust Disposed of to others held more Just And all their Moveables Lands whole Estate Unto the Publick Treasury Escheat This Oath which would have cost Poles Crowns and Swords Had it tane place run in these following words The FORM of the OATH of the CONFEDERATION I' Of my own free-will none forcing me Swear by the Holy and bliss't Trinity That for the Honour of great GOD Almighty And for the Welfare and the Dignity Of our Elected Crowned KING and Lord And this Republicks Safety and Accord Its Priviledges and Immunities Its Franchises and freest Liberties Against all whatsoever its Haters Foes My Life and Fortunes frankly I 'le expose And that I 'le ne're forsake nor yet depart From this Confederation but take Part With this our Countrie till the same be sped And from all Dangers Civil Forraign fred But will do all as far as I am able To make this Treaty yet more firm and stable Ay while we have obtain'd the foresaid ends And when I know that any man intends To Counteract this joynt Confederation And Brotherly Agreement of the Nation I 'le stand engaged to Reveal the same Without regard to Friendship or to Fame And shall account and prosecute that He As open Traitor publick Enemie To be corrupted I have tane no Money Nor shall hereafter on that head take any ' I shall not hold the least Intelligence Nor act one any whatsoe're pretence To prejudice my Countrie or my KING But truelie and sencerely in each thing Shall still observe this firm Confederation In Vnitie without least Reservation Or any Hopes to be dispens'd from this So help me GOD and bring me to his Bliss THings running thus at such a high flow'n Tide The Mal-contents thought fitt to step aside Retiring to Meaco in the Prusse While Primat Gnesna did not care a Rush Keeping still at Livitz his Residence Nothing concern'd with all this vehemence Of the Nobilitie who off'red had A Thousand Ducats for his sev'red Head To any man should bring it to the Leaguer And in a madder Bravery swear and swagger They will depose th' Arch-Bishop and degrade him But this the Popes own Nuncio there forbad 'em Such violation of the Libertie Of Holy-Church for those the Laytie Thus to proceed ' gainst any one said Mass Without Leave ask't and giv'n by 's HOLINESS Mean-while Commissioners from KING to th' port clap't up a Peace of following Purport The FORM of the DISHONORABLE PEACE suddenly patcht up betwixt MICHAEL KORIBUT WIESNOWITZKI and the GRAND SEIGNIOR in the follwing ARTICLES most disadvantagious to the Interest and unmortby the Name of the Valiant POLANDERS 1. FIrst That the People called Lipcee Tartars Which formerly had dwelt in Polish Quarters And who have since forsaken their Resort Having obtain'd Protection from the Port Yet so as having left their Wives and Yong And all their Moveables not worth this Song Shall have free leave to come return and fetch Away this Baggage And that such as itch To stay in Poland shall have Liberty Without Disturbance or to Stay or Hy. 2. That Polands KING shall by 's Ambassador Send twice ten thousand and two thousand more Of Ducats to the Port and yearly pay This Sum on Saint Demetrius's Day Which Day falls on the fifteenth of November On this Condition that the Turks remember To ' fend the Subjects of the Polish Crown From Turks and Tartars fierce Incursion And other People subject to the Port In case the Poles shall by their mad Resort At any time be dammaged then for 't The King of Pole thereafter may demand Redress and Satisfaction from the Grand Seignior this Tribute may forbear to pay Until Amends be made one or another way 3. Podólia shall as in old time before Be Subject to the Port And on that Score If any
serve Occasions after the next Spring AT which time Tidings came unto the KING That Turks in dread of any more Pursuit Had marched ev'ry Day and ev'ry Night And had again Repassed the Danow And that the Tartars hurled Homewards too Taking the nearest Cutt of shortest Road Onwards the Way leads by Bialogrod THus being fred of Swarms of Turks and Tartars The KING put 's Army to their Winter Quarters Where when his MAJESTY had caus'd them come Resolv'd to settle his Affairs at Home So as he might early next Spring take Field Accordingly November twelfth he held To Zulkiew three Leagues of from Leopold Where as most welcome to his Royal QUEEN And the yonng Princes their dear Children So no less almost was the Joy of all The People crouding to behold and sal ute meet shout praise extol and bid welcome Their common FATHER and DELIVERER Home GREAT ANGEL GUARDIAN of all CHRIST'NDOM A LETTER To the Right HONOURABLE Sir GEORGE DRUMMOND OF MILN-NAB LORD PROVOST OF EDINBURGH My LORD HAving as an ESSAY of what I can and peradventure may hereafter say both better and more of the Greatest and most Antient MONARCH in the whole World the present KING of BRITAIN and that I might if possible by these excite an Emu'ation of the united Force and Brav'ry of all Christian KINGS and PRINCES against the proud and insatiable Cruelty of that Infidel Enemy of CHRIST'NDOM the TURK attempted in Verse such as they are the MEMOIRES of that Heroick PRINCE the present KING of Poland I cannot but think the pains I have already been and the whole Charge I am even now at the better bestowed when it shall be presented to a Person of your Lordships Character here and great Interest and Acquaintance in the whole Polish Dominions You are so known to the whole Frame and Methods of the Government the Succession of the Dukes and KINGS the History and Scene of the various Changes of Fortunes of that brave Magnanimous People the Topography of the Places of that vast Country the Situations of Leopol Cochmi and Caminiec c. and many other the Triumphant Theatres of his brave prowesses whose Names will be still consign'd to the Immortal Glories and Victories of JOHN the Third I know your Lordship has seen his two immediat Predecessors CASIMIR and MICHAEL and knew not only himself before but after his being Crown General as well as that you have seen and known his Illustrious PARENTS with those Waywoods Palatines Castellans and other great and valiant Personages who have accompanied and born some share in his happy and holy Victories and by your intimat Correspondence with so many Persons of great Interest and Fidelity in these Parts have had the best and truest Accounts of those signal and amazing Services done the whole Christian World by the Great SOBIETZKI Seeing your Lordship in all these Capacities may be the fittest Judge in this place of the World to condemn or correct the Lapses or Mistakes by Missinformations or Distance of Place or where my Author has not swerv'd the best Witness to avouch the Fidelity and Ingenuity of Your LORDSHIPS most humble and much devouted Servant ALEX. TYLER Chap. VI. The KING Crowned OBTAINS another great VICTORY over the TVRKS and TARTARS The ARTICLES of PEACE The Magnificent ENTERTAINMENT of his EXCELLENCY the English AMBASSADOR T' Was now high time all things prepared be For Coronation of his MAJESTY Since by the Constitutions of Poles Land Their ELECT PRINCE somethings may not Command Nor yet perform until once Passed be Their Coronations Solemnitie WHerefore on January the sev'nteenth Was KING MICHAELS Corps convey'd at length From Warsaw in a Chariot drawn by six Horses his Houshold officers marcht next And Multitudes of men of Quality Tending their PRINCES last Solemnity Alongs the Way from Warsaw to Cracow Where both their present Majesties were now Lately Arriv'd and waited on by the Whole Kingdoms Senators Nobility THe Body of KING CASIMIR which had Been sent for out of France was here convey'd To Cracow where on one the self same day Were both KINGS Funerals perform'd they say With all the usual Solemnities And Honors due to ROYAL Memories THis being once dispatch'd and Passed o're Of sev'nty six second of Februar KING SOBIETZKI and his QUEEN were now Crowned within the Castle of Cracow With all the Pomp Magnificence and Shew Which Art can fancy or the Eye can view And the next day his new Crown'd MAJESTY Receiv'd the Hommage o's Nobility His Gentry Senators and of the whole Orders and States of Litwanic and Pole THe French Ambassader did soon present To 's MAJESTY his Masters Complement Which was a solemn Declaration In favours of the QUEEN French born by Nation That 's MAJESTY of FRANCE adopted had The QUEEN of Poland now his Daughter made Declaring further that accordingly She should on all occasions Treated be And look't upon what ever hap might chance Still as a Daughter of the Crown of France HOwe're on eight of March next following Her Majesty had one to Pole more owing When safe delivered of a Princesse young THen did his MAJESTY himself apply The Vacant Trusts and Honours to supply Prince Lubomirski Polish Names sound harsh all Was made of Polands Kingdom the Grand Marshal And Mareschal of Court Lord Sinawski Crown-General Prince Demetrius Wisnowiski By whose Removal one Jablownowski Who was the Prince and Palatine of Russie Vacant the Place Lievtenant General Giv'n to the Last these vacancies the KING thus filled all JVne seventy six did Sultan Nuradin With Chams two Sons all pass the Neister soon And like those Fishes which do swim in Shoals Around great Whales so these surround the Poles In vastest Bodys sending out strong Bands To Ravage and harrass the Polish Lands And Ibrahim Bassa swarms of Turks doth place At sev'ral Posts about Caminiec MEan while altho good Resolutions were Tane at last Polish Diet to prepare For this Campaign they 'd so neglectful been Of this throwout each sev'ral Palatine The Dicts purposes to execute That both of Men and Money destitute His MAJESTY was still remaining yet In 's old Complained Straits and most unfit To make Resistance yet he ordered Those few Remains of tatter'd Troops he had To March directly to his last years Hold And have their Rendezveuz at Leopold And being Destitute of all else than Means of Supply Convoc's the Arrierban That all might meet for Kingdoms joynt Defence IN August seventy six his Excellence LAURENCE Ambassador from Britains KING Unto his Polish Majesty being Arriv'd at Dantzick And the Polish QUEEN Came also to that City after soon Upon her Road for France to Drink at Wells Of Burbon which as t 's said some Griefs soon heals Of whom their being he had Audience And thereupon the young Princess presents To whom his MASTER of Great-britain was Pray'd to be God father at her Christ'ning Mass With a Rich noble Jewel on the part Of his said MAJESTY and so doth
fourty hours on Duty THe Souldier's charged under pain of Death Not to stirr from their Ranks one Inch of Path. And to prevent all Hazards of Surprize The Army stood all Night in Battel wise Until next Jovial Morning did appear Telling them all the Turks were Marched cleer When by first Sight of Heav'ns bright glorious Lamp The Souldiers had first leave to Spoil their Camp By Course still going out half Company And t'other half standing the while on Duty And when the first half Company Returned The second half then to the Plunder Journey'd This being done till all the Spoil was come Which did amount unto the following Sum. HEre their whole Baggage and Provision And a vast Store of Ammunition Above one hundred pieces of great Cannon And which as Warrs Denuncement Turks still hang on Two large Horse Tails at ev'ry Expedition The Grand Visurs own Tent Horse Gold Provision And thirty thousand other Tents beside GRAND SEIGNIORS own great STANDARD rich to Pride Whose exact Figure and Inscriptions Arabick with t 's Interpretations Which bear this Warrs false Prophecys and Bage Our Author hath before his Title Page ALL these being tane this mighty victory In whose obtainment scarce one thousand dâ—â— And amongst those few Men of Quality On Christians Part all next to GOD impute And needs to Poles brave PRINCE must Attribute Whose gallant Conduct match'd with Courage high So oft imploy'd for Christians Liberty This day his Royal Person long Engag'd ' Mongst En'mys thickest Throngs and most Enrag'd And with him still the gallant PRINCE his Son Thus early Signaliz'd in this Action Nor ought their Highnesses to want their share Of Glory since they all behaved there So bravely well and gain'd so great Renown Which shall be Famed till the last Trump sound ON thirteenth of September Polands KING His Son PRINCE ALEXANDER following With th' other Princes Grandees Noblemen O're Piles of mangled Corps enter'd Vien Yielding sad Prospect of past Desolation Which more enhanc'd the present Joys occasion HIs MAJESTY in 's Circled Arms soon took The Gallant star'berg whose alone Conduct And Valiant Courage had held out late Siege ' Gainst such vast Numbers Deaths and Dangers Huge Speaking his high Esteem o's Worthy Person And Prudent Conduct in most large Expression NExt day the EMPEROR Arrived there And quickly mett the KING of Poland where He Marched on the Head of his brave Army Who were that time drawn up all in Battalzie To whom in most endearing terms he made 's Acknowledgments of late great Vict'ry had WHo did receive them with a Modesty Equal unto his Magnanimity Professing he had only us'd at large His just and best Endeavours to Discharge Those Obligations Christian KINGS all owes To Christ'ndomes dear Saf'ty and Repose And that his prosp'rous Arms late good Success Was only owing the Divine Goodness And Brav'ry of those PRINCES who had done Him th' Honour that their Troops to his should joyn 'T Was order'd by th' Imperial MAJESTY PRINCE ALEXANDER should presented be With Sword with massie Diamonds richly Sett And so thus past this Interviers short Date Departed And so likewise Polands KING Decamp't his Army that night following They March to Wiscke where Bridge of Boats and Wood Below Presburg take them o're Danows Flood This was upon September twenty fifth Th' Imperial Army which next day did lift Advancing after him with equal Pace On twenty sev'nth past o're at this same place OCtober ninth how soon they heard it told That a great Body of the Turks did hold Near Barkan being fourteen thousand strong The choise of all those Troops scop't here along After their Rout at Vien under th' hand Of sev'ral Bassas of the best Command The KING with some few of th' Imperials Troop Advanced thither all scarce yet come up NO sooner did the Turks perceive them come But with a hideous Shout came briskly one And charged with most desp'rat Resolution Being receiv'd with as warm Execution After a sharp Dispute the Turks all fly Where one of their great Bassas there did die Another Bassa also Pris'ner tane The rest fled hurrying o're the Bridge at Gran Which breaking with the Crowd the Stream then drown'd Near half as many as the Sword did wound SO that of all that Body of the Turks Scarce twice two thousand did escape this Lurch In this ENGAGEMENT one thing 's worthy Note PRINCE ALEXANDERS Horse under him Shot Here a young English Lord who Landsdown hight Did gallantly behave himself in Fight Commanding then a Regiment or Squad Of Souldiers in Count Taasts strong Brigad For which his Valor when he did Retire Homewards by Patent made COUNT of th' EMPIRE And as sure mark of gallant Service done well By th' EMPEROR declared was COUNT GREENVILE THe next Exploit did Polands TRIUMPHS grace Was taking in of Zytchin a strong Place For having parted with the Duke of Lorrain And understanding that the Turks had therein A Garrison which might as them best lists Incommod's Commerce with th' Imperialists The KING did send the PRINCE as young as keen Accompany'd with Lublins Palatine To view it while some Troops of Horse them back't At whose Return gave Order to Attacque't WHere quickly marching to the Place from hence They find the Turks in posture of Defence Who having notice that the KING had given Orders unto the Cossacks to lay ev'n Their Suburbs they prevent the KINGS desire The Night before setting them all on Fire WHich notwithstanding Cossacks did not leâ—t From being soon possessed of a Gate And breaking down its Palisados straight The Turks fought stoutly made a brave Defence And after sharpest Dispute forced thence The much enraged Cossacks to Retire Till b'ing seconded with fresh Troops like Fire Getting new Vent they do renew the Charge With such a forward furious vi'lent Rage Which soon to quit the Town the Turks compells And take them to the Castle and their Heels Which presently his MAJESTY Assails ANd those within desiring to part fairly Hung out a Flagg of white for Peace and Party Their Chief Commander with two others mo Came out and pray'd the KING to let them go To Buda which once granted they came out In all five hundred Horse eight hundred Foot THey took within the Place store of Provision With a great Quantity of Ammunition And twenty Cannon on the City Walls And many Field-Piece in the Castle alse HIs MAJESTY put this Town afterwards Under Imperials Garrisons and Guards Next day he Summoned with Trumpets Hola Other two Castles called Brigh and Holach Who yielded at Discretion without Combat And thence he marched on to Kimasonbat Upon the sixteenth of November where The Litwanian Gen'ral met him there DVring the while his MAJESTY did tarry Within those upper parts of Hungary By all fair means he could he endeavour'd To gain Count Tekly to 's IMPERIAL LORD Giving him all the sweetest Terms best Offers HIMSELF for their Performance SUR'TY Profers But finding all Fssays