intent the honor and reputation of so many faire exploits should not be obscured nor the subiect of their future glory should not be cutte off nor preuented nor that the Sâ—â—pâ—â—â— of Epire should come to decay and confusion before such time in a manner as it were fully raised and established The Barbarians finding their enemies to be departed that all places round about were cleare and free from them and that the countrey remained at their disposition who were now maisters of the field most insolently they laied hands vppon the dead bodies of the Christians and conuerted the residue of their choller and despite against their sâ—â—slâ—sse members which they were not able to execute vpon them during their liues Many were found yet breathing and gasping for life especially those who being troden vnder foote by the horses and hauing their legs and lims bruised and broken did lie vpon the ground in pitifull plight not able to helpe themselues either by flying or fighting of whom some of them hauing their handes cut off were left languishing most miserably The report is that many of them being grieuously wounded torne and mangled and hauing bin beaten downe with the maces of the Turkes and left for dead did afterwards in the night secretly conuey them selues out of the field into other places neare adioyning of more surety froÌ„ whence after that the danger was past they came sate to Croy. There were slaine in that fight of the Christians about 5000. men 3000. foot and the rest horsemen of the Neapolitan succors there were few or none that escaped for the greatest part of theÌ„ being with Musache incurred the same fortune and aduenture that he had only some few squadrons of them had Scanderbeg kept and reserued with himself in the mountain whose harguebusses other weapons in that â—odainnesse of the charge were to small purpose and did in a maner litle or no seruice and some also of the Albanois which were found diâ—armed or sadling of their horses were oppressed by the Infidels of prisoners they had about fourescore But the most hideous horrible sight of al the rest was to see these bruit beasts the Barbarians who had nothing in them appertaining to men but the shape only vpon a desire which they had to reserue some marke of their prâ—uat vertue and valour they went vp and downe amongst the dead bodies yet panting â—â— breathing and after they had despoiled them left them starke naked they cut off their heads according to their accustomed guise and fashion And in as much as the length of their iourney the intemperatnes of the heat did make them to putrifie and stâ—â—ke when they found the cariage of them to be loathsome they did flea them and reâ—â—â—uing the skins onely which retained the shew and forme of their visâ—ge they 〈…〉 them with straw and so caried them This barbarous 〈…〉 elty was exâ—â—â—â—ed vpon many of them especially those whose cou 〈…〉 aspect or their names hauing made theÌ„ better known the 〈…〉 did cause them to be held worthy of this outrage and â—â—ious vsageâ— and not onely was the head of â—â—â—sâ—che appointed to 〈…〉 y and dishonor but his body also being dismembred and cut in quarters was dispersed in diuerse places ouer the countrey as if they had bene the quarters of some notable thâ—â—â—es or infamous traitors The trunks likewise of the resiâ—ue were drawen aside into the valliesâ—rid places adioyning being left for a prey to beasts and birds to the intent their stench should not infect the inhabiâ—â—â—â— To make short they might do what they listed and without contradiction of any person for that Castriot was farre enough from them Standerbeg being more perplexed and efflicted with the griefe of this misfortune the destitute of hope to be reuenged had filled vp the reliques of his army with a new supply of fresh souldiers and had shut vp and fortified certaine passages in the woods and thicken of the mountaines for feare least the Turke pursuing the victory should enter farther into the country He was often in the mind gladly would he haue vndertaken some new and desperat aduenture to haue auenged himselfe vpon the enemy and to make further proofe of his fortune which coÌ„monly doth smile fawne againe vpon them whom the hath cast downe headlong from the â—â—â— of her wheele hath made to taste the extremity of her wrath and anger so forward are we somtimes to hasten our owne daunger but partly the vnmeasurable forceâ— and fiercenesse of the enemy and the confidence of his late victory and partly the length of the iourney and the woundes of his souldiours yet grieuing them did detaine him from attempting any such action The bruite of this discomfiture did speedily fill all the countrey neare adioyning and all Epire with the fame thereof and proceeding on more and more it caused great griefe and infinit plaints in all places For some reported that all the army was dicomfited the king himselfe slaine whether it were that they so coniectured or that the common sort did of themselues so report as it is the nature of the popular and vulgar sort willingly to oary newes of some notable leasings though it be neuer so dolorous others building belike vpon the same reason did giue out that the whole army was defeated but that Scanderbeg himselfe alone after long and wonderfull fight was escaped safe by the fauor swiftnes of his horse The most likely report and that which came nighest to the truth was that a great number of the Epirots were slaine that Scanderbeg had shewed such incredible proofe of a rare and diuine body and of an invincible valour that by the vertue of his owne prowesse onely he had broken the forces of the enemies and abated their corages and had wholly berest them of the honor of the battell and that he was retired safe and sound neare to Croy with the remainder of his army Notwithstanding in all places was to be heard nothing but lamentations cries and exclamations the ancient matâ—ones and all their families continuing in teares and extreame sorrow and albeit they had not as yet any certainety why they should be discomforted or dismaied yet did they in griefe and mourning attend and expect their funerals as if they had seene them euen then before their eies Hitherto and till this present the happy and continuall good successe of the affaires of Scanderbeg had held in suspence the infidelity of Moses and the rebellion earst conceiued and concealed in his mind but now upon this misfortune of the battell of Belgrade and assoâ—â—e as the calamity of the Christians was knowen and published his disloialty became also to be disclosed for then taking hold on that occasion so long so greatly desired most impioâ—sly he conuâ—â—â—ed his armes against his natiue country friends and kindred beginning euen then to breake in peeces and
almost was the number of the leaders and commanders for ordinarily their trouppes are deuided into diuers Regimentes or charges which they call Flamburats or Saniacks and are gouernments of prouinces vnder whom doe march the Timariots which properlie are those which haue a yearely fee or stipend allowed them And euery Flambur hath vnder him also many Subassides or chiefes of companies who are of a higher regard and accompt and haue a larger stipend then the Timariots and according to their qualities are allowed either a greater or lesse number of horsemen vnder their charge The foote bands likewise both of Asia and Europe haue their order certaine and are distributed into seuerall companies vnder their Captaines In like manner the auxiliary forces or extraordinarie succours which in time of warre are commonlie decreed and sent to the Grand Seignior were not of any meane or small number Besides there were a great multitude of voluntarie men as in all expeditions cōmonly there is no want of such After all these followed about three thousand men all of them banqueroute and indebted or for some misdeede and forfeiture rased and cassierd out of the Prince his pay with a great number also of other youthfull and lustie gallants all which liue in hope and expectation and doe seeke by some notable and valiant acte either to abolish their former disgrace and ignominy to be restored to their former estate degree or else to deserue of their King and Emperour some new reward or some militarie pay and stipend The tent or pauillion of the soueraigne is continually garded by more then 7000. armed men where of some were on horsebacke and are named Spachi Sulastari and Vlufagi The others who are called Ianissaries may be properly accounted of the Sultan his familie are all footemē like to the Macedonian phalange or squadrō of pikemen amongst the ancient Macedonians These were newly instituted raysed by Amurath a most warrelike and martiall kinde of men picked and chosen of purpose and them he commonly reserued for the last refuge in fight and for the securitie and defence of his person by the valure of these both he and his successors haue obtained so many great mighty conquests subdued all the leuant Besides all these for the greater shew ostētation of his forces there marched with them a most wonderfull maruellous multitude ofslaues base persons vnarmed whom he had brought together ioyned to his army to terrifie rather then to imploy them against the enemy and to the intent also that these being offered to the sword butchered as a flock of sheepe appointed to the slaughter might so wearie and weaken the enemy by ouer-labouring them selues in killing of them as they might haue the better hand more easily preuaile against them which is one of the greatest and most notable stratagems that the Turkes doe account of amongest the whole number of their martiall pollicies Two principall chiefs had the conducting of this army whō they call Beillerbiez as a man should say Lords of Lords one of them being the chiefe commander of Asia the other in Europe It would be tedious to the reader if I should vndertake to recoūt and enroll euery particular by name it shall suffice therefore for this matter briefly in this place to haue set downe some certaintie concerning the summe and whole number of this army wherein also aswell as in other points there is som variance contradiction which may in some sort diminish the credit truth of the thing in the opinion of such men as do approue nothing but that which is sure and certaine For some there be who affirme that the great Turke had in his campe 150000. fighting men namely 90000. horsemē 60000. footemē Others say he had but 120000. in al deducting from the horse 20000. frō the foote 10000. For my part I hold it not much material whether of these 2. opiniōs we cleaue vnto yet in my iudgement the greater number seemeth more likely if we will make it answerable to the wonderfull preparations which were so long time forethought on in prouiding and yet true it is that this army was not so exactly ordered nor the discipline therof so streightly regarded as it was vsually when the Turkish monarch marched into the field purposed to fight a battell where cōmonly the true value vertue doth liuely shew it selfe For all the endeuors all the preparations did tend were ordeined for the besieging of townes the battering of wals rather thē for any seruices in the plaine open fields After that Scanderbeg had confirmed the courages of the Sfetygradians and assured the estate of their affaires so far as he thought it expedient he remoued from thence to other places of his dominion and visiting all the prouince with singular vigilancie and quicknesse of spirit he did pricke forward enflame the faithfull harts of his subiects sometimes by commending them somtimes by presents and gifts and somtimes by the shewes and representation of the horror and hugenes of the danger imminent Moses in the meane time had fortified all places with strong garrisons with prouisiōs of corne armor other munitiōs sufficiēt to abide any fortune extremitie of war Wherfore the care of all these matters being now laid aside Scanderbeg with all speed went to his armie not farre from Croy where they were commanded to attend his returne The Dibrian with his companie did ouertake him on the way and then ioyning their forces together in one with great ioye and comfort they resorted to the Campe. Scarce had they any leasure to speake vnto the souldiours or to the Captaines but that there came sodaine and straunge newes and messengers from all parts arriuing one after an other bringing these fearefull and sorowfull tydings That the enemy was come already that the countrey was on all sides of a light fire and that all things were in a miserable estate and confusion They certified him as feare maketh men credulous and yet were they vncertaine of it that Amurath him selfe was there in person and had already filled and couered with armes men and horses both the mountaines and vallyes and the champion and plaine countreys and they instantly prayed their Prince to prouide for the suretie of his troupes and of his person especially and not of a pernitious and ouer much hardinesse to attend in plaine field at the first comming the furious violence of so puissant an enemy that he would retire his souldiers into some place of a notable height inaccessible from whence he might behold the vsage of the enemy and so to deuise and resolue vpon some sure course which should be most for his profit and commoditie These speeches did not much moue Scanderbeg neither could these perswasions make him dislodge from that place whereof he had once made choise to encampe in
more touching the practise of deeds of armes by 3 moneths reading in one good booke then 20 men shal be able to know by the eye experience if they liue in seuerall ages successiuely one after another I returne therefore to my matter and I say that this science and practise being most needfull and necessarie for our nation whose profession is to follow the warres the speediest and shortest course and the best way and meanes to attaine to the true and perfect skill of armes is to consort and to marrie themselues to the studie and reading of histories The consideration hereof hath moued me to communicate vnto you a history out of the which I hope you shall gather no lesse frute and profit then pleasure and recreation Howbeit I knowe there are fewe or no good Historiographers auncient or moderne domesticall or straungers but they are published in our language by the vertuous labors of many learned rare spirits amongst the French neuertheles in this our historie here imparted vnto you first of all in reading the haughty aduentures and valiant exploites of an age so nearely conioyned to this of ours falling in a manner within the time and knowledge euen of our grand-fathers we haue good cause to reioice to glorie in the same no lesse then the world hath euer accustomed to make a benefit and to attribute vnto themselues the honor of great triumphes and the glorie of their owne age and times Besides here shal be represented vnto you not the detestable and bloudie effects of our owne miseries troubles and seditions nor the hatefull conspiracies of subiects against their Prince and countrie nor the horrible massacres of friends and fellow citizens of children against their parents of brothers fleshed against their naturall brethren nor of husbands against their wiues you shall not heare in this discourse the piteous cries and lamentations of wiues and maidens violated you shall not see here the excesse of sacrileges of burnings nor the rapine and spoile of the goods of friends and allies but you shall reade of a most holy a iust and an honorable warre of armes lawfully vndertaken for the defence both of the Christian and of the ciuill libertie against the Turkes and circumcised miscreants the sworne enemies of Iesus Christ you shall see their townes maintained and defended their countrie preserued and protected by the armes of their proper peoples and naturall inhabitants here shall you behold the image of a Prince most religious of a warrior most magnanimous armed with faith and zeale incredible his souldiers faithfull louing and obedient here shall you trace out so perfect an obseruation of militarie discipline that their notable victories and exploits will appeare vnto you worthie of wonder and admiration All this shall you see in this historie of the life of George Castriot surnamed by the Turks Scanderbeg which is Alexander the Lord or the Great King of Albanie whose immortall name is worthie without all contradiction to be consecrated to the temple of Memorie farre aboue all other Knightes and champions of the Leuant whose honourable actes haue made them to be recommended for the defence of the faith of Christ against the detestable and cursed sect of Mahomet For it seemeth that God had a speciall will and purpose to marke him with all laudable qualities and prerogatiues as faith religion strength of bodie comelinesse of person dexteritie of spirit the practise and skill of armes all which were accompanied with so wonderfull and vnspeakeable good fortune that it may be iustly auerred that his deedes did surmount his destinies The description whereof I haue according to the truth and sinceritie of an historie drawen and deriued out of the writings of those that haue intreated of them and specially out of the Latine historie of Marin Barletus Priest borne in Scutarie or Scodra a Citie in Epire whom we haue chosen and followed as a principall example and patterne and as an Authour who hath bene reputed most diligent and sincere and most graue and sententious In regard whereof he hath purchased to him selfe a place amongest the most notable and famous historiographers of the Latines that haue liued in these latter ages This Historie do I nowe impart vnto you my Maisters humbly intreating you that if ouer much temeritie haue caused me to forget my selfe in taking vppon me a taske which surpasseth and exceedeth the feeblenesse of my spirit you would impute the blame thereof to the readinesse of my good will and affection which I haue to do you seruice and that you would please to receiue this my trauell as graciously as I haue made offer thereof vnto your curtesies with my best deuotion and abilitie AN ADVERTISEMENT TO THE READER WHereas many of our Latine writers of great authoritie haue written manie and diuerse things of the famous deeds of Scanderbeg and of the greatnesse of his exploits for that their honorable testimonies may in some sort argue and confirme the truth of this historie and because it were too great an iniurie to defraud this Greeke Prince and straunger of his true and deserued praises I haue therefore thought it good here to make mention of their names and to cite the places where they haue written of him to the intent the Reader may at his good pleasure and best leisure peruse them The Autors are these 1. Volaterrane in the 8. booke of his Geographie in the description of Macedonie 2. Aeneas Siluius in the description of Europe Cap. 15. 3. Andrew Theuet in his Cosmographie 1. Tome 11. booke Chap. 3. 4. Paulus Iouius Bishop of Nucera in his Commentarie of the affaires of Turkie dedicated to the Emperour Charles the fifth The cause why I haue not set downe the verie text and testimonies themselues as they are in the preface of the French copie is because in manie points they haue varied and erred in the report of Scanderbeg his actions and are much mistaken in the truth of the historie Howbeit I do impute their error vnto this that they being straungers to the Estate and affaires of Epire and hauing intelligence of the deedes of Scanderbeg onely by heare say and by report they could not so truly and exactly set downe the truth of matters as they are here deliuered in this Historie by the Latine Author who being natiue of the same countrey with Scanderbeg and liuing in the same age and time that he did is to be reputed the best witnesse and most perfect reporter of his deedes A CATALOGVE OF THE AVTHORS FROM whence this Historie hath bene drawen Marin Barletius Priest of Scutarie in Epire from whom the most part of this Historie is drawne word for word The life of Scanderbeg of an vncertaine Author Volaterrane Aeneas Siluius aliâs Pope Piùs the second P. Callimachus experient of the battell of Varna Paulus Iouius Andrew Theuet in his Cosmographie Peter Perondin Bartholomew Facius Theodore Spandugin a Gentleman of Constantinople Andrew Cambin Leonardus Chiensis Archbishop
Turkes One thing notwithstanding did much abate the courage and fiercenesse of our forces and that was because for default of bread the souldiers hauing no other but boyled wheate to liue vppon they died for the most part sodainely through a certaine violent flixe of the body caused by this kinde of victuall The Bassa therefore hastening with his troupes did incampe him selfe neare to the riuer of Morauia Huniades not able to endure this brauado first of all he sent certaine espialles to get notice and to bring him tidings of the approach of Amurath and as soone as he could make any true coniecture of his forces and of his determination with tenne thousand men the best appointed of all his hoast leauing the King behind in his campe he passed ouer the Moraâ—e and with notable violence went to charge the Barbarian who at the first approach being somewhat astonished did a little recule and giue backeward but all sodainely perceiuing and contemning their small numbers he attended the comming of Huniades and receiued him to the fight Castriot who now spied the time and opportunity â—it to accomplish his desire and determination which he had before conceiued in his minde and did seeke with all his power the ruine of the Turkes euen in the beginning of the battell did put him selfe with his owne bandes by litle and litle to the retrait and afterwards by plaine â—â—â—ght did turne his backe before the enemy striking into the others by his example a feare and terror and withall a certaine perswasion to do the like And indeed the Bassa was much terrified by this accident either because he saw so braue a man and one so resolute in the warres now contrary to his wonted manner prepare him selfe rather to flie then to fight or because he was in doubt that he was deceiued and betraied in regard whereof he charged the enemy more faintly and with lesse stomack This was the occasion that the Hungarians being encouraged as it appeared by the feare of the other without any great force or effusion of bloud brake and scattered the battell of their enemies who abandoning their armes and baggage their Captaines and Ensigns without any care of their companions and hauing no other recourse but to their heeles endeuoured to saue them selues by running Huniades pursuing the aduantage of his victory neuer left killing so long as there rested any for execution Euery place was full of mountaines as it were of dead bodies heaped together all was filled with feare and tumult especially at the sacking of the pillage and the ransacking of their campe Of prisoners there were about a foure thousand amongest others there was one taken aliue who was in chiefe accompt authority of the great Turk The Bassa with a very small company had much adoe to escape Then Scanderbeg as one carefull and diligent in his enterprise hauing first communicated and imparted it vnto his frends amongst whom was Amese his nephew a yong man of singular hope and appearance of vertue the sonne of Reposius afterwardes by the Turks named Carragusa by a wife which he had maried before he was empoisoned by Ottoman and now seeing the fortune of the Turke to decline towards a change and their army defeated he laid hands vpon the Secretary which was nearest vnto the Bassa vppon whom of purpose he had borne good espiall and hauing stayed him with a good corage he caused him to be fettered compelling him speedily after some refusall yet through feare of his life to endite for him counterfeit letters to the Gouernor of Croy by the which it was enioined him in Amurath his name to consigne the place into the hands of Scanderbeg as newly appointed and deputed to haue the entire charge gard thereof making him also to set downe in writing many reasons seruing to that intent and purpose for the better confirmation of the matter with some appearance of truth and probability to draw the Gouernour and his people the sooner to credite it The letters being written both the Secretary and all the rest which were taken together with him were presently put to death to the intent that the matter might the longer remaine concealed from the great Seigniour and not they onely but as many as fell into the hands of Castriot had no better fortune So that this army of the Turkes was almost all brought to nothing for that those also which escaped the fury of the souldiers comming by meanes of their dispersed and scattering flight into the handes of the Paisants by one and the same death made an end of their daies A great number of the souldiers Albanois who were present at this encounter after they had intelligence of the act of Scanderbeg as they went here and there wandering and dispersed aswell to auoide the hand of the Conqueror but principally pricked with the desire of their natiue countrey did gather them selues neare vnto him and in an instant they were found to be a troupe of three hundred good and able men Haniades and his people charged with inestimable spoile and booty did retire themselues to their companions I may not here let passe in silence that which some haue seemed to affirme That Scanderbeg had before hand had some intelligence with the Hungarians and by secret messengers had acquainted and instructed Huniades of all matters in particular that he was the cause that made him hasten with his forces Howsoeuer it was as I dare not auerre it so I doe not greatly stand vpon it But this I beleeue well that all things were guided and directed with singular prudence and good aduise and the euent and issue of the matter which many times is a true Iudge of our actions doth authorise and confirme this opinion But leauing Hungary for a season let vs draw backe into Epire whilest in the meane time the renow me of this great losse and the newes of this notable discomfiture is posting towards Amurath The victorious Castriot hauing fully satisfied his wrath and accomplished his vowes and desire vpon his enemies and hauing likewise rather adorned then charged his souldiers with honourable spoiles dislodging from thence with very long iournyes he arriued with his troupe into the vpper Dibria the seauenth day after This towne is seated in the confines of the Tribullians seauenty miles from Croie and is very famous amongst the Epirots for that it bringeth forth men very actiue and valiant and it was singularly esteemed and fauoured of Scanderbeg by reason of their fidelity and many commendable seruices which they had done for the defence and protection of the state vnder Iohn his father at such time as he was molested by Ottoman Other towne or fortresse there is not in those Marches towardes Macedony but onely Sfetigrade but the people of the countrey dispersed throughout mountaines and vallies without any enclosures of walles doe preserue them selues by the onely naturall fortification of the places against
Seruia and Ruscia which notwithstanding was soone after violated by the means which I will now shew you The Turkishe Ambassadour being dislodged and departed from the Court of Vladislaus beholde sodainely there arriued letters from Francis Albert a Florentine Cardinall of the holy siege the contentes whereof were That the Turke with innumerable companies was passed ouer into Asia to fight against the King of Caramania hauing left his countrey in Europe vnprouided and difurnished of defence and wholly disarmed and that he with three score and tenne Gallies well armed and appointed and many other great Vesselles of warre hauing seized on all the portes and passages hadde taken from the Infidell all meanes and hope anie more to transport his troupes and forces on this side the Sea And that such opportunity which then was offered ought not to be lost and omitted that now this cursed and wicked nation might be either rooted out in a manner without anie fight or at least wise chased and driuen so farre off that they should be no more heard nor spoken of For you must note that Iulian Caesarin Cardinall of Sainct Angell and legate of his holinesse being then neare about Vladislaus at Buda had lately procured a new league betweene the Christians for the ruine and destruction of the name of Ottoman and had caused Pope Eugenius the fourth of that name the Duke of Burgoyne the Venetians and the Genowayes to enter into the same who hauing put in readinesse and prouided this army by sea hadde now seized vppon that straight At the same instaunt as if it had beene a thing done of purpose the Messengers of the Emperour of Greece reported the like newes and in manner to the same effect If these tidings were displeasing to the legate I leaue to your opinion For hee was greatly greeued to see the accord and agreement passed betweene the King of Hungarie and the Turke to the preiudice of his practises and endeuours by meanes whereof so great and mighty forces were assembled at the sea neare * Gallipolis And he doubted least he should be taxed either of lightnesse and inconstancy or of faithlesnesse and infidelity But he knew so well both how to do and to speake vnder colour of this Maxime * That faith ought not to be kept with infidelles and miscreants that the compact and conditions of the peace were broken and violated And he absolued and freed both the king his nobles and all others who had benesworne thereunto from the oath which they had solemnly taken and made so that all of them entred chearefully and gladly into this * blessed league The Romaine legate him selfe was there present followed with a faire and goodly troope vnder the Crosse Iancus Huniades that tempest of warre with his Valachians came thither likewise and had the title to be lieuetenaunt Generall of the Army royall Vppon the preparation of so high and haughty an enterprise all were moued at the glorious renowme of Scanderbeg and at his fresh victory gotten vppon Halie Bassa and they perswaded them selues that if they could ioyne vnto this their great preparatiue and prouisions of the Hungarians the forces of the Albanois yet shining in the Vermilion colour of the Turkish bloud this would be an aide and supply vnto them of singular aduantage and a most certaine assuraunce of a good and happie successe to their desires For this cause vppon good deliberation approued by all of them and with all speed possible according as the apparaunce of mischiefe and inconuenience neare and imminent did require letters were sent away of which this was the tenour Vladislaus king of Hungarie and of Poland sendeth health to Scanderbeg Duke of the Albanois It may be that Gods will was that this our late congratulation should be deferred vntill this present to the intent that wee might at this time reioyce together with you in the double successe of your prosperitie not onely for the happy recouery of your owne estate but also for that by your vertue and prudence the same hath bene couragiously defended In this then doe we solace and reioyce our selues both with you and with all Christendome considering that the diuine clemency and your valour hath giuen such succours and comfort to the publique weale and estate Christian For to speake the trueth the losse of the nation of Albanois hath beene such a wound that wee may continually bewaile it as much as any one of our other mishappes and misfortunes at that time when Iohn Castriot your father whom God pardon a Prince as I vnderstand of excellent merite and desert being oppressed by Amurath and taken out of this world by the vngratefull destenies had neither the meanes to leaue vnto you the inheritaunce of his Crowne and Scepter as vnto his Sonne being then vnder the yoke and bondage of a stranger nor yet was able otherwise to prouide for his affaires O that it had pleased God that this Father being most happy and fortunate in such a Sonne had bene now liuing no greater blisse could haue befallen him whereby to surmount all humaine felicity then to haue seene you before his death For so doe you seeme vnto me aboue all other Princes in this world be it spoken without displeasing of any other the most accomplished in all graces and perfections both of minde and body as being diuinely endowed with a certaine fatall and wonderfull Fortune by the good encounter whereof not onely all the land of Albany may vaunt it selfe to be in surety and security but they shall also recouer their first forme and beauty the auncient glory of their kingdome the free liberty of their religion and all the rightes and priuiledges of the people which were lately dismembred from the Realm of Macedon by the vnlawfull robbery of the Ottomans For to say nothing of those things which from your infancy hauing made you continually to be enuyed haue purchased vnto you heretofore euen amongest the Barbarians an immortall name and glory what can there be more magnificent then this victory which as wee haue heard and doe beleeue you haue obtained with singular admiration in the vtter ouerthrow and discomfiture of Haly Bassa and so great and mighty troupes of the Pagans But now ô Scanderbeg there offers it selfe vnto you a subiect of farre greater glory vnder the fauour and blessing of God who by his wonderfull counsaile and decree hath reserued you in these so difficult and daungerous times for the safety and publique good of Christendome with a most faire and fitte occasion to reuenge vppon the Sultan all his wrongs and iniuries both new and old as well those done to your owne person as those against the estate and kingdome of Albanie and not onely the domesticall and ciuill miseries of your owne countrey but the publique calamities also and those opprobrious disgraces done against the Christian religion now oppressed I will not say extinguished if so be that vppon the point
Castriot otherwise Scanderbeg the Champion of Iesus Christ and Prince of the Epirots to Ottoman Prince of the Turkes sendeth health The time was wherein as thou writest thy selfe diddest once surmount me in number and multitude of benefites but now will I vanquish thee in modestie and temperancie of speech for I hold nothing more base and seruile then not to abstaine euen against a deadly enemie from leud speches and dishonest termes For this cause I haue both seene and entertained thy messenger and haue receiued thy message in all good and frendly manner and to speake the truth thy letters haue giuen me cause and matter of laughter rather then of wrath or anger considering that euen in the beginning and entrie of the preamble thou aduenturest to taxe me of so great ingratitude and infidelitie and yet presently after seeming to be moued with a more tender kind of affection thou alledgest vnto me the losse and perdition of my soule whereas thy selfe being a most vehement and obstinate defender of an inuerterate and grounded error art wholly ignorant of the wretched end and destinie that doth attend thee from that matter without obseruing anie rightes of warre or good forme of proceeding most vnaduisedly and imprudently I will not say impudently as a vanquisher to one vanquished thou dost propound and set me downe many conditions of peace and so strange that hardly can any free eares endure to giue them the hearing Assuredly Amurath although so outragious speeches might arme the most patient man liuing to returne the like againe yet will I impute part of them to thy aged yeares and to thy naturall disposition seeing it is a propertie incident to old men to be lauish of their tongues and the residue will I attribute to thy griefe discontentment which it is very difficult and hard to moderate but especially I am content to suffer it because it is no part of my meaning or deliberation to contend with thee in vaine disputes and reproches but by iust armes and with the courage of true enmitie Notwithstanding to what purpose I pray thee ô Ottoman doest thou take on so both before God and man as though that I had giuen thee not thou to me the first offence Doest thou count this to be infidelitie that I reuolted from following of thee being compelled thereunto by necessitie doest thou obiect this for a crime and reproch vnto me that I recouered my Countrey by vertue and industrie But go to let it be so neither doe I greatly care to be held guiltie of this trespasse the benefites also shewed me which thou so at large and so orderly doest reckon vp I my selfe could bee verie well content to remember them were it not that the knowledge thereof doeth draw with it the dolorous remembrance of an infinite number of great and greeuous mischiefes and calamities the which if the one should bee compared and recompensed with the other assuredly the greatnesse of the desertes and merites would soone be buried and ouerwhelmed vnder a greater heape of the mischiefes and misdeedes But I hadde rather shame should make mee blushe to heare thy selfe as thou doest recount them then that I should be driuen to rehearse or to recite them Yet one thing there is which who soeuer knoweth it cannot but wonder and greatly maruell at and that is how either I could haue the power to suffer and endure them or thou the heart neuer to be satiate or satisfied in doing of so many cruelties and in the continuall and daily practises of such mortall and deadly hatred My fathers kingdome most wrongfully and iniuriouslie hast thou detayned from mee my bretheren hast thou caused to be murthered most cruelly and my selfe not doubting or suspecting anie such matter diddest thou of late most wickedlie vowe and destinate to the death and yet for all this doest thou O Amurath thinke it straunge that my minde being euen then not vnmindefull of libertie hath sought out some meanes to escape and winde it selfe out of so hard bondage and subiection How long diddest thou thinke that I would haue endured thy so insolent and proud gouernment Yet did I for a long time suffer many things neither did I at any time refuse the yoke in thy seruice All my life time did I expose my selfe to all perils and daungers both publique and priuate both of mine owne disposition willingly and at thy commandement to shewe my obedience and duty vnto thee euery day did I heare speaches dispersed concerning thee and amongest my friendes and familiars I heard no other talke ordinarily then of thy snares and trappeâ— layed for me and yet was I perswaded for a long time that all thy wordes and deedes were free both from fraud malice and treason till such time as thy wicked and blouddy counsailes and deuises did discouer themselues most apparauntly Then began I for the time to dissemble also carying a watchfull care and regard continually vpon thy subâ—leties and pollicies till I might finde some honest and conuenient meane to enfranchise my liberty Thou hast not thereby any cause to be agreeued or to complaine seeing that as the saying is thou art wounded with thine owne weapon yet are these but trifles O Amurath in respect of those things which the hope and desire of my heart hath conceiued and doth ayme at Leaue off therefore henceforth these thy sharpe threates and menaces and desist from obiecting vnto vs so often the lamentable mishappe and misfortune of the Hungarians Each man good Sir hath his owne courage and each one his owne nature As for vs whatsoeuer fortune it shall please God to send vs wee will take and beare it patiently In the meane while neither will we take any consell of our enemy of that we haue to doe neither will we seeke or intreate for peace from thee but relying vpon the diuine fauour and clemency we will endeuour to triumph ouer thee with a most glorious and triumphant victorie Adieu From our Campe the twelfth of Iulie 1444. Ottoman hauing perused the contentes of Scanderbeg his letters and learning of Ayraden by word of mouth the rest of his cogitations and deliberations was nothing well pleased neither with the one nor with the other but on the contrary the fierce and liberall speach of the man and his wonderfull trust and confidence which he knew did not proceede of nothing did ingender in him mighty feare and terror rather then sharpen his anger and displeasure which he had formerly conceyued and he tooke it as a manifest presage and augurie of the difficulty of the warre of Albanie Notwithstanding that he might not bewray vnto his people any appearaunce of feare or cowardize it is reported that in smiling wise oftentimes stroaking of his beard with his hand he should vtter these speeches Thou doest couet most vnhappy and vnfortunate wretch thou doest couet some memorable and famous kinde of death and thou shalt haue it beleeue me
thou shalt haue it we our selues will see thy obsequies perfourmed And without expecting thy commaundement most mightie king of the Albanians we will honour and reuerence thy funerals with our presence least that hereafter being in hell thou doe complaine that thy end was ignoble and dishonourable All this notwithstanding the imaginations and thoughts of the Sultan were very vncertaine and irresolute in the middest of these difficulties For the rumours which arose daily from the part of Huniades and the often messages of the vnfaithfull Despot of Misia that pernicious old wretch who was now infamous through his double treasons and by the enuious destinies was reserued euen till that time for so many miseries and calamities to the Christians these considerations I say did transport and cary away his mind else where and did hinder and trouble him from bending all his forces and turning the waight and burthen of the whole warre vppon the kingdome of Epire. Meane while neuerthelesse to the intent the late iniury offered him by the contempt and refusall of his friendshippe and confederacy might not rest without some present kinde of punishment he concluded that if he did nothing else yet he would trouble and molest the peace and quietnesse of Scanderbeg though he were not able vtterly to abolish it To this effect he imagined that he had a fit and conuenient oportunity by the negligence of the Christians who as he heard were growen very carelesse and secure through their manifold good fortunes and happy successe in the wars and that Scanderbeg hauing dismissed his army did keepe the field with his horsemen onely who did daily and careleslie range abroade farre from their Campe here and there dispersed and scattered for desire of prey and pillage For this cause hee caused Ferisey to be sent for who was one of his Bassaes a man of a stirring and fierce disposition and of a quicke and ready spirite To him hee gaue in charge nine thousand horse all chosen and picked men and hauing heaped vpon him many great and large promises in case he returned with victorie as hee wished and desired he commaunded him to enter into Epire with all the speede and secresie that might be that his comming might be felt before it was perceyued by the enemy The reason that made Ottoman at that time to send no greater forces was either for feare that delay and protracting of time might worke their dammage and disaduantage or that the rumour of his comming being blowen abroade and diuulged might awaken the Christians and giue them time and leysure both to aduise themselues and to eschew the perill by addressing and preparing new ambushmentes as the euent afterwardes made manifest to frustrate and disappoint the traines of him that was a master in such arts and subtelties But whilest that I doe so confidentlie sette downe all these matters touching the counsailes of Amurath both concerning his manner of mannaging forraine warres and the administration of his estate I doubt not but many will maruell at this my iudgement and opinion in that it is repugnant and contrarie to others And it maie be they will be inquisitiue to knowe what should make mee so to differ and varie from the common opinion seeing that it is a matter yet fresh in memory and many also haue committed no lesse to writing iustifying the same to all posteritie That Amurath in his latter dayes immediately vppon the battell of Varna meditating and lamenting sometimes vppon the miseries and inconueniences of Princes and sometimes vppon the temeritie and inconstancie of Fortune after hee had ordered his domesticall affaires and appointed Halie Bassa for gouernour to his eldest sonne Mahomet hee presently depriued himselfe of his Crowne and Empire and leauing Andrinople and the care of all publique matters and retayning with him but a very small number as the companions of his counsell hee retired him selfe into Asia where he vowed and professed a religious and a godly life according to the superstition of his forefathers Neither did hee forsake that kinde of life till such time as the Despotte of Transiluania namely Huniades was come before Sophia and that the cries and daily exclamations of the people did reuoke him alleadging that Mahomet by reason of his young and tender yeares was not able to support and beare the heauy burthen and charge of the estate and that the credite and authority of Halie Bassa was not of such force in the Campe as might make the souldiours to obey and respect him Certainly I cannot but maruell from whence this erroâ— should proceede especially in an Act happening so late and within the time of our remembraunce I wil not aduenture to condemne those graue wise and learned Authors of rashnesse and temeritie nor to conuince them of vntrueth and falsehood yet this one thing I dare auouche for certainetie and maintaine it of mine owne knowledge that the letters of Amurath aboue written were sent from Andrinople the chiefe seate of the Ottoman Empire vnder the name and title of Amurath and that both Ferisey and many other Chieftaines did attempt vppon the countrey of Epire by his commaundement and appointment after that he hadde in vaine sought for peace of Scanderbeg But this errour proceedeth not from thence for in the order and accompt of the times will not be found anie confusion or disagreement if wee should graunt that these things did passe before that euer Amurath did giue ouer and renounce his Empire But herein my minde cannot be throughly satisfied to see that the death of the Sultan should be so vnaduisedly translated from Epire into Asia For in deed there is nothing more contrarie to the trueth and there was neuer any one heard of that durst maintaine or allow the contrarie but that the siege of Croie did make an end of his aged yeares and all ages ensuing will giue the honour of the death of Ottoman vnto Scanderbeg as being consumed and extinct through pure conceipt and melancholy and through impatiencie of griefe for that hee could not preuaile against Croie But the discretion and good iudgement of the Reader will easily finde out these particularities and the probability of the whole trueth of those matters by the diligent computation and conference of the times But returne wee againe to Ferisey who in great secresie was entred into the Frontiers of Macedony and did in vaine promise vnto him selfe the reward and honour of the victory which he had before conceiued in his minde puffed vp with so great and a vaine hope And therefore standing very carefully vppon his guard he marched on approaching daily nearer the enemy in manner and countenaunce rather of a Robber then of a true and iust warriour And yet coulde not hee for all that preuent the newes of his arriuall For Scanderbeg being admonished of all thinges by the Garrisons that were disposed in diuerse and sundry places or as others write by a spie comming from the
rashnesse and too much hardinesse of courage Wherefore casting a carefull eye to the blowes of the enemie on the one side which fought with them aloft from the walles they tooke a conceit immediately that there was another enemie at their backes and that the rumor which had bene reported of the returne of Amuarth was not in vaine nor a tale falsely giuen out The bruite of this concepit did so encrease from mouth to mouth and it tooke such force in their credulous hearts by a certaine apprehension of vaine feare that they seemed to see before their eyes those preparations of the enemie which were yet scarcely begun and they imagined the Sultan to be alreadie come into Epire who was yet quiet and at rest at home in Andrinople Scanderbeg though he were of an inuincible courage yet perceiuing this feare and terror of his souldiers was constrained to yeeld to the present necessity and by reason that all things were in a kind of horror confusion and disorder he caused to sound a retrait and to surcease from the assault It was scant the ninth houre of the day but that Scanderbeg after his men had taken a repast commaunded them to trusse vp their baggage hauing first throwen downe their trenches and set fire on the other fortifications of their campe The trees and other frutes in the country had not bene exempted from the wrath and fury of the common souldiour but they had made spoile and hauocke of all if the Prince of Albanie had not repressed their rage telling them that it was to be hoped one day when it should please God to be more fauorable vnto them to recouer the towne and to reestablish the same in her former estate And therefore without any signes or markes of an enemie left behind him he dislodged as secretly as he could and tooke the direct way towards Croie It is reported that Scanderbeg lost at this siege of Sfetigrade fiue hundreth men and more which opinion in my iudgement hath more likelihood of truth then others who affirme that at the time when he dislodged thence with his armie he had not lost aboue sixtie A thing most absurd and far from all reason considering the great number of the Turkes which were slaine at the former expedition when they besieged the same place as all men do confesse iointlie and with one accord vnlesse perhappes we will seeme to say as the fabulous Poets haue imagined of some men that the bodies of the Christians were lesse penetrable then those of the infidels It was on the three and twentieth day of October that the siege of Sfetigrade being raised Scanderbeg with his armie returned to Croie where he had scant a minute of leasure to recreate and to refresh himselfe but that he gaue present and speedie order for the enrolling of men and made choise of Captaines and leaders to whom he appointed their seuerall charges according as the consequence of his affaires and the newes lately brought vnto him did require The towne was voided of all sortes of people who for their age and sexe were vnfit to beare armes and it was stuffed with a garrison of 2000. men of whom some were Albanois some Italians some Almains Sclaâ—onians Frenchmen All which neuerthelesse did agree in such vnitie good accorde as better could not be imagined the which was in the ende made manifest and apparant by the happy successe and honour which they purchased by the worthy defence of the towne against Amurath Vranocontes as in times past so now with the generall liking and with a wonderfull consent and allowance of all men had the absolute charge authoritie and gouernement of the place Very hardly was there anie other to be found in the whole army more fit and worthy of this degree or who was more in fauour or better accepted of the souldiers He was a personage of singular resolution and conceipt in the middest of all perils and greatest hazards he was euer readie in the performance of his charge were iâ— in commaunding or obeying he alwaies vsed and that with an excellent good grace to attribute the praise and desert of any seruice well affected to the souldiers in generall rather then by robbing others of their merits to appropriate it vnto himselfe And besides all this he had behaued him selfe well and valiantly during his whole life Both the goodly representation of his person and the grauitie of his yeares did make him to be reuerenced of all men and the auncient Nobilitie of his race did greatly beautifie and as it were season all these good parts in him Wherefore to confirme and continue this good opinion conceiued of him by the Albanois with so generall a consent and liking he promised to make no spare of his paines nor vigilancy though it were with the losse of his life in all occasions where it was needfull to be emploied To Stellusa likewise and Petralba and other places of strength were sent both gouernors and sufficient forces to defend theÌ„ Neither was it forgotten to appoint a great multitude of persons in all the towns who should make prouision of victuals munitions from all parts But notwithstanding all the care paines and industry taken in that behalfe yet hardly could they make prouision of the same for 3. whole moneths by reason both of the continuall spoile and wast made by the wars and for their daily attendance and emploiment in armes which had caused the Epirots that year before to neglect their husbandry not to attend to tillage Notwithstanding the report is that certaine marchaunts of Venice and others of the inhabitants there in the Venetian territories did furnish them of victuals secretly and vnder hand because at that time such was the ill hap of the Christians the lords of that Signiory were in league and amity with the Turkish Monarke Certaine it is that Scanderbeg did neuer faile of great supplies of money from that estate and during his whole life whilest he was in wars he did atchieue go through them vnder the support and fauor of the Venetians referring vnto them the glory of his most memorable exploits and triumphs I doubt not but many wil maruell no lesse then I my self whence it should proceed that the Venetian should make this peace with the Infidel not coÌ„prising Scanderbeg in the same considering that they were before so strictly associated together by so many bonds of friendship and amity For my part I will not wrong that Senat which hath euer bene reputed both sage religious to suspect that they did it in any other respect and consideration but only for the good and preseruation of Greece which seemed then to be banded and deuided euen within and against it selfe And therefore I leaue this matter for others to giue their iudgements vpon it Prouision being made of graine and other victuals within Croy the common garners and magazins were filled in such rate
Dibria where during the time of their aboad as it is commonly seene that when any enterprise succeedeth happily vnto men it lifteth vp their minds to affect greater matters the Albanois beganne to make a motion in a generall councell touching their proceeding in the warres and for the assaulting and winning of some townes from the enemie But in the end it was concluded for the best and most expedient that they should stay a while to see what the Turkish Monarch would do after this discomfiture of his forces least they should happen incontinently to vndertake an action either with too much hastinesse temeritie or more dangerous then would easily be effected Two monethes therefore were limitted for the discouering of that matter and there were espials dispersed throughout all partes notwithstanding that there was no want of fugitiues both from Andrinople and other places which came daily to yeelde themselues to the Albanois These things thus passed Moses retyred himselfe to his garrison vpon the frontiers and Scanderbeg with Amese and the rest of his Princes and Nobles tooke his iourney towards Croy. In this meane time the army of the Barbarians which had bene broken and ouerthrowen was returned and come to the presence of Mahomet who though he saw them in a most miserable plight and distressed in all respects yet tooke no pittie nor compassion of their estate For first of all both the Sultan and all the great persons of his Court were greatly troubled and agreeued at the flight of so many sufficient and able men saying openly and aloud that they were people enough to haue restored the fortune of any battell had it bene neuer so desperate and out of hope Afterwards when as the great Turke came to enquire of the particulars where and in what place the battell had bene fought and against what troupes and numbers of the enemie then was he much more enflamed with rage and choller then before commaunding them out of his sight reproaching and blaming them vncessantly and exclaming against and detesting their faintnesse sloth and cowardice Moreouer the misfortune and mishappe of Debreas caused those of his condition and calling rather to be glad then to grieue thereat were it either because they did enuie the reputation of his valour and vertue or that they did hate his audacious presumption Mahomet himselfe was exceedingly abashed at the successe of this miracle and was not altogether free and exempted from feare He could not be perswaded that Scanderbeg with so small a companie durst enterprize to enter so farre vpon his frontiers and euen in the open plaines of Pologue to encounter with Debreas Notwithstanding finding that their testimonies did agree in all parts and that there was no difference nor disagreement in their tales he durst not call in question the truth of their reportes Touching the principall point which was how to be reuenged he wanted not flatterers of all sorts an ordinarie plague attending great Princes and which doeth puffe them vp with vanitie who by a certaine reprochfull and artificiall interpretation did obscure and detract from the honor and deserts of the Christians offering both their persons and their liues to serue against them and vndertaking and promising that they would ouerreach and goe beyond the Epirot were he neuer so cunning and well practised in sleights policies that euerie place was not as Modrissa that the starres would not fauour him in all places that he should not find euerie one to be an Amese nor a Debreas especially when that Scanderbeg should see himselfe beset and assailed with such a troublesome Hydra hauing so many heades and that of eche one which was cut off and ouercome there should still arise another monster who would neuer cease to seeke to deuoure him And were it that he were as a man may say euen in the armes of his Iesus yet should he not be alwaies in safetie and securitie Mahomet did gladly giue care to the good affection of his people and he would not openly gainesay nor contradict any one of them that offered themselues so willingly to these daungers but the craftie Foxe had another matter hammering in his head his braines were beating and deuising vpon another kinde of reuenge which might be wrought with lesse bloodshed losse of his people namely how he might oppresse and confound this his aduersarie by some ciuill and domesticall warre and by stirring vp against him the armes and ambushments of some of his owne subiects For he knew that where force of armes would not preuaile there policie and other sleights of warre ought to supply their defects A course which he himselfe had oftentimes put in practise with happie and good successe against many others by following the tract which his father Amurath had troden before him at such time as he impatronized himselfe vpon the empire of Greece And such are the ticklings and enticementes of mens desires especially when they seeke for Empires and dominions he easily promised vnto himselfe and was perswaded that he should find some of the most inward and familiar friends of Scanderbeg who would be wrought and allured to be the authors and executioners of his wicked practise wherein he was not altogether deceiued At that time there were many about Scanderbeg who were of great account and authority with him both in the administration of the estate as also in the warres But as Moses did excell them all in the practise and experience of armes so was he in the highest degree of fauour and reputation with his Prince and Scanderbeg loued and esteemed him aboue all the rest This made the Ottoman to haue a desire to practise and worke with this personage and by the greatnesse of his faire and large promises to make a conquest of the fortresse of his constancie faith and loialtie One thing there was which he did hope would greatly further the conuciance of this matter and that was because it was told him that the lands and possessions of Moses did bound and butte vpon his confines especially towards Sfetigrade supposing that this neare neighbourhood would giue him the more easie and readie accesse to haue some speech and conference with him and that the whole matter might be handled the more conueniently and the more secretly Wherefore touching any further prouisions to be made for the wars and to those vaine offers vaunts made by his Courtiers he faigned that vpon some good considerations he would deferre the reuenge of his wrongs and outrages in Epire till another time and season and then hauing communicated this secret with one or two of his most priuate and faithfull Councellours he wrote vnto the Gouernour of Sfetigrade in a most cunning and subtile manner and the saying is that he did the like to the Gouernour of Alchria But it is not much materiall whether he writ to them both or not yet I beleeue that this web was weaued and this
begin as it were condoling his misfortune to complaine vppon the vnchangeablenesse and vncertainety of worldly matters and the variation of Fortune which sayd they is so variable and inconstant that shee will not suffer the prosperous and happy estate especially of great men to be perpetuall or of any long continuance but that ordinarily shee doth interrupt the course of their best and noblest enterprises which they think to put in execution and though by the law of her instability shee doth subiect euen the greatest Monarchs and conquerors to the trial experience of her crosses and trauerses especially in deeds of armes and in the wars yet he for his part was greatly bounden to praise the diuine clemency that he was so well quit and discharged ofso dangerous a mischiefe and that he ought to take this alteration valiauntly and couragiously not as sent vnto him by fortune which in trueth is nothing but a meere fancy but from God himselfe for the good and wellfare of Epire as being needefull and necessary to arme and harden the Epirots against the daunger or rather insolency of their continuall prosperity The which for the most part doth make the noble and generous spirites to grow in contempt of their enemies to neglect all care of discipline of armes and in the end bringeth them to ruine destruction In this maner did they frame and hold on their discourse their speeches being somtimes intermingled with teares and so fitted to sorrow mourning that it seemed they alone did beare the griefe of his misfortune After all this they fell to comforting of him and carying their countenance with a singular assurance they came at length to the fact of Moses and concluding their talke with that matter they did principally insist vpno this point that it was to be feared least he were gone to Sebalias to certify him of the estate of the realm to draw him to Epire. At the first Scanderbeg stood as one astonished and was in a maner beside himselfe remaining a good while without sence or perseueraunce After a while as one that did more desire to enquire further of matters then to beleeue any thing that was told him he spent some time in questioning with them How mightely this good Prince was afflicted and how deepely he found himselfe offended by this iniury they may easily imagine who haue receiued an vnkindnes of their friend from whom any wrong is more intollerable and more hard to be endured then from one of whom a man expecteth not any gracious nor good vsage so did Scanderbeg conceiue more griefe at this fault and trecherie of his friend then at the discomfiture and calamitie sustained at Belgrade Notwithstanding with a princely voyce as he was accustomed he said openly and aloud so as he might easily be heard That he did pardon Moses with all his heart because such was the misfortune which had alienated him frō him as might haue made the most constant man liuing to haue varied in his faith and to haue fallen away from him In so much also that when the messengers and other the standers by did accuse him that he had long since forethought and conceiued this rebellion in his mind saying and alledging that that onely was the reason why he disswaded the iourney of Sfetigrade and did absent him selfe from the siege of Belgrade the better to put his mischieuous practise in execution so prone are men to iudge interpret all things by their euents Scanderbeg as growing in choler commanded them to leaue those speeches and speaking out aloud he vsed these words O that it were the good will and pleasure of God that all treason sinister fortune were gone with Moses out of Epire. As for that suspition which was conceiued with some likelihood that he should bring in the Turkes into the countrey that point did not much trouble him because he was credibly informed that he was departed out of all the frontiers of Albany was posting on with all speed towards Andrinople Neuertheles because the matter was of importance it behoued him to take away this terror out of the timerous minds of his subiects it was needful to cōfirmethe prouince which stood in some doubt by reason of this vnaccustomed accident vnusuall calamity he wold scarce tary at Croy that night but the next morning by the breake of day he took his iourny into Dibria being accompanied with Amese a good troup of horsemen By this time was Tanusee come to Belgrade where being discouered by the citizēs they begā to be in as great a feare as before they ran speedily to the wals euery man hasting to his charge to his place that was appointed him for many thought that he was come to begin a new siege they did not imagin the true occasion of his comming but the smalnesse of his numbers the confused maner of his marching being more nearly discouered and perceiued they were soone freed from that sudden feare The Epirots coming to the place where the bodies of the Christians their companiōs lay so mangled and deformed they could not refraine from many grieuous and bitter teares at the sight ofso horrible and piteous a spectacle And that which more augmented their griefe and sorow was by reason of certaine women who dwelling not far off followed thither after Tanusee as the report goeth to search for some of their friends But it was almost impossible or very difficult for them to bestow their teares vpon the right bodies or to honor the corpses ofthose which they intended For they were a companie of disguised trunks and carkasses all naked many without heads others disfigured and their faces so corrupted that they had not only lost their peculiar shape and figure and were impossible to be knowne but they retained in a maner no shew nor resemblance of humane creatures Besides that many of them had their flesh gnawen to the bones by the wilde beastes and rauens Yet poore soules did they bemoane euerie bodie which they found taking them for their friends and neither could the stench nor the corruption separat these people from the bodies which they so ardently desired But to make short their eyes hauing had their fill of looking and their griefe being somewhat eased and satisfied by the abundance of their teares they were enforced by Tanusee to digge vp manie little pits and therein to butie them the earth whereof being againe cast vppon them did make a shewe ofso manie little hilles or mountainets Wherefore the earth being put to earth and the funerals fully ended their sorow and lamentation likewise ceased and had an ende Scanderbeg could not haue made choise of a fitter man to see this office executed then Tanusee Thopie for when he had performed the obsequies with as great affection as was possible and had discharged the deuoire of his amitie
for any dāmage or losse that he euer receiued his mind being continually both night day disquieted on the one side with an extreame desire of reuenge and on the other side being perplexed and mightely troubled for feare of the like fortune which had once befalne him so vnhappily Wherefore the affairs of Hungary being soone intermitted and giuen ouer by a cōmon and generall aduise it was concluded agreed that the reuenge of that dishonor should be taken vpon Epire and the rather for that they could not at one and the selfe sametime conueniently intend both the one the other expedition Besides Amese had told them that they were not to thinke vpon any attempt against the Hungarians with meane preparations but with great strong forces for that the fiercenes and valour of that people did require a stately and royall kinde of puissance and them selues also were not willing no◠thought it conuenient that the aduantage of this occasion offered them by meanes of Amese his presence should be delaied or deferred For these causes Amese being appointed to go as a companion and in a maner as a guide and director in the iourney there was a publique commission graunted forth for the leuying of an army of 50000. horsemen and the Sultan would not haue refused to yeeld to the gathering of a greater puissance if the same had beene demanded so greatly did he affect the reuenge both of his owne iniuries and his subiects desiring in some sort once to determine and to bring to an end these difficulties and troublesome tumults of Albanie The spring being spent in these preparations the heate of sommer began now to come on by which time all things being in a readines the king of Turkes instigated and vncessantly vrged on by Amese who as some say was created a Saniacke did dispatch away his army encouraged with great promises and well instructed with good precepts and directions Isaac the Bassa of Romania had the honour to be Generall of those forces without any dislike or discontentment of the Christian fugitiue who notwithstanding because he should not be seene altogether without any degree of honor or authority in the army had the charge of fiue thousand horsemen The Epirots were litle pleased or contented at the newes of these mighty preparations but especially the Dibrians for the souldiers in those partes had diuerse conceipts and imaginations as it is ordinarily seene in such cases what meanes might be vsed either to receiue or to repulse the enemy whether by ambushmentes or in the plaine and open field and in some place purposely appointed or whether this warre should be decided by delaying and temporizing and by obseruing of opportunities and aduauntages One thing there was that did more astonish them then all the rest and that was that though the rumour and report of the comming of the enemy did encrease daily yet on their partes they saw not any leauie nor muster of any armie yet begun nor no remedy prepared against a mischiefe so imminent and a daunger that was so neare hastening vppon them For to saie the trueth this rumour at the first did not greatly moue Scanderbeg for that especiallie hee could not be perswaded that Mahomet bending all his hatred and malice against Epire would let passe in silence or forget the shame and dishonour of so great and foule an ouerthrow as he hadde latelie receiued in Hungarie Neuerthelesse he made all possible and diligent meanes by his intelligencers and espialles dispersed here and there on all partes to learne the certainety of all the attemptes and actions of the enemy as well as the tumult and confusion of those new troubles and commotions would permit him to the intent he might shape him selfe some new course in his counsels and proceedings But vpon the many aduertisements brought him and especially vpon the comming of certaine fugitiues when this doubt began to be discouered and that he was certified both of the numbers and of the qualitie of the armie that came against him and that his nephew also was there in person with expresse commaundement to the Bassa to crowne and inuest him King of Albanie he did not any further prolong the raising of his forces which he had forborne till then to assemble and gather together He called therefore a councell of the Princes his confederates and of the chiefe and principall of the country and certen Dibrians to deliberate take the aduise of euery man vpon this matter All of them repaired into the lower Dibria into the same place where their campe was wont to lie thither also came Moses with some of the principall of his garrison to vnderstand the resolution and conclusion of the councell There was a great number of voluntarie men which came thither out of diuerse coūtries and a multitude of young and lustie persons drawen thither onely for the desire of prey and bootie by meanes whereof euen in an instant he had gotten together a sufficient faire and goodly armie and it may be nothing inferiour to that of the enemie if you regard their valure though farre vnequall in respect of their numbers You should not haue heard of any thing amongst the souldiers but brauadoes and vaunts Ech man conceiuing in his hope the honour and spoiles of the enemie and magnifiing their owne prowes and fidelitie and promising vnto themselues wonders did thinke it long that they did not encounter with the enemie who said they ought to be preuented to be assaulted before he should be able to come within their borders Neither the numbers ofso many thousands nor the redoubted name or renowme of the Bassa could terrifie or astonish them They had forgotten Sebalias the wounds and slaughter receiued before Belgrade so greatly were the haughtie courages of our Albanians encreased by the fresh victorie obtained against Moses the new desaster of Mahomet in Hungarie and the latter Belgrade made them forget the former Yet did they all relie vpon the counsaile and directions of their Prince who iudging that this forwardnes of his souldiers was in some sort to be repressed he began to cast his eyes downe to the ground and so dissembling by his countenance part of that which he caried concealed in his thoughts as if he had bin deuising imagining vpon some high matters and of great importance he propounded vnto them all in generall the summe and substance of his deliberation acquainting them also with the meanes which he ment to vse against the enemie and with the consequence and greatnes of the perill speaking vnto them in these or the like tearmes Amongest all other things which the diuine wisdome hath left vnto mortall men in the strange varietie and diuersitie of worldly actions to afflict and torment their mindes these two most worthie Albanois are the most principall to wit hope and feare the former is more plausible and befalleth commonly to mindes that are high and
and Temples and richly beautified and adorned with goodly buildings and with liuely springs and fountaines of water which did continually flow into the towne by conduits cesterns The citie was wont to vse the Aristocratical forme of ciuill gouernement by the greatest and chiefest persons of the Estate and they do attribute the first originall and foundation of their citie to the Epidaurians of Peloponnesa The territorie thereof is not very large but full of woods and hath two litle townes or hamlets belonging vnto it But let vs go on with the voyage of Scanderbeg At his comming to Ragusa all the people in generall went foorth to meete him with exceeding ioy and incomparable triumph and conducting him into the towne did receiue him with all the honor that might be imagined The next day after that the diuine seruice was ended he went about the towne to take a view and suruey thereof and the third day he visited the hauen the arsenall the fortresse and the rampiers The day following was employed in diuerse sorts of shewes and pleasant triumphs and the fifth day he went to the Senate house where were presented vnto him many goodly and rich gifts besides that he was there receiued with an elegant Oration containing a commendation of his great exploits and good deserts and pronounced with a singular good grace by Dauid the Chancelour of that Common wealth This Oration was answered by Paul Angell Archbishop of Duraz who as another Achates was alwayes a companion to the Prince of Epire and was a partaker with him in all his trauels perils and councounsels These curtesies being past and ended both on the one part and the other Scanderbeg made stay at Ragusa onely so long till that his whole fleete was there assembled during which time of his abode there was not pretermitted any kinde of sports and triumphs at tilt turney barriers and such like In all which exercises the Albanians did shew themselues to be very expert as beseemed good and worthie souldiers till such time as they were commaunded to prepare themselues to go to sea for that the time did now require their departure All things being prepared in a readinesse the king thought it best to cause all his vessels to come together to Ragusa and that all his troupes both horse and foote should draw thither to the intent they might take the benefite of the first winde to sayle from thence into Apulia For this cause he dispatched away sundry messengers along the sea side to wil all the ships gallies foists and brigandines which had bene sent from Italie for the cariage and transportation of his armie to repaire all together to Ragusa besides all which as many vessels of his owne as were found vppon the coasts of Epire and Macedonie did arriue thither in great numbers insomuch that both the towne was too litle for the entertainment of so much people and the port was too straight for so great a fleet All of them shewed themselues so forward and willing to passe the sea that they seemed not as men that had bene led and drawne to the warres but as if they had bene inuited to enioy the prize of an assured and vndoubted victorie there were very few men left in Epire or Macedon that were fit able for the warres but he had drawn them into that action Yet is there great varietie diuersitie of opinions touching the certainty of the numbers that he transported to the realme of Naples some affirme that he had with him fiue thousand foote and fiue and twentie hundred horse others say two thousand foote and three thousand and fiue hundred horse Some name no certaine number at all amongst whom the truth being so vncertaine I meane to make one and they say that the multitude which embarked themselues with him for Italie was so great and incredible that it seemed there were scant left behind any sufficient or able men either in Albanie Sclauonie or Macedonie for the keeping of their houses and priuate dwellings Nowe to the intent his armie might be embarked and put aboord without disorder and confusion Scanderbeg tooke the care of that matter to himself and he appointed Guirize de Vladienne to be Comissarie of the victuals who made prouision thereof for fifteene dayes of the which store they had for fiue dayes readie dressed Euery man being gotten on ship boord he sent certaine skiffes throughout all the fleete to giue them aduertisement that the Patrons and two souldiers of each ship should repaire vnto him vpon the shore to vnderstand his will and pleasure who being come he demaunded of them whether they had fresh water and bisket aboord for as many dayes as they had victuals and answer being made that they had prouision of all things for fifteene dayes he then enioyned and gaue speciall charge to the souldiers that they should hold them selues still and quiet and be in a readinesse to helpe the Pylots and Marriners if neede were and that euery man should attend his charge and office without any noise or altercation amongst them Himselfe and Gine Musache made the right wing with fiue Galleasses Andrewe Zacharie and Moses had the commaund and charge of the left wing in which were the same number of the like vessels both seruing for the safegard and defence of their shippes of charge He ordained that euerie Galleasse should haue one lanterne and that those of charge should haue two and that the Admirall or chiefe Galleasse should haue three lights or lanternes These rules and orders being set downe and pronounced the next day he gaue them the signall to weigh anker and to make out of the hauen to seaward committing himselfe and his nauie to the guide and protection of the diuine power Many of his vessels were launched forth put out to sea from the gulfe of Rizic from the port of Duraz from Valona and from the coast of Epyre and of Sclauony and many of them also were gone before and had taken their course all alone Assoone as the day began to breake Scanderbeg being abord the Admirall and hauing commanded a generall silence by sound of trumpet with a high voice began to pray in this manner Lord Iesus Christ Sonne of the euerliuing God which sittest at the right hande of the Father most high and omnipotent in the eternall glorie who in the beginning diddest create all things of nothing gouerning and guiding them according to thy good will pleasure who from all eternitie hast forechosen the holy Christian faith and by the effusion of thy most precious bloud and by the bloud of thy holy Martyrs and Apostles hast laide the foundation of the same and in most wonderful maner hast caused it to be dilated and dispersed throughout the vniuersall world hauing appointed the most blessed S. Peter to be the Vicar and the Prince of the Apostles and hast giuen to him and his successors the whole and
to armes offering to furnish him with gold siluer and men and with all other things and prouisions whatsoeuer that should be needfull and necessarie for such an expedition Scanderbeg hauing heard these reasons and perswasions of the Venetian albeit of himselfe he was not vnresolued in his owne opinion yet because he vsed not to determine vpon any matters of consequence without the aduise of the people he called a councell of all his Chieftaines and Colonels where after long debating and discoursing vpon the matter there was not so much as any one of them who had a desire to renue the warre with the Mahometist for that the Sultan himselfe seemed to the vttermost of his power to shunne and auoide it and was vnwilling to enter againe into armes and the rather because he had of late caused the most part of the bootie to be restored which as he protested his souldiers onely in sport and of a certaine militarie licentiousnesse had taken and caried away out of Epyre. Hereupon the Ambassadour hauing heard this answere and resolution of the Albanois departed from thence very sad and sorrowfull for this repulse and he tooke his way to the Archbishop of Duras whom he knew to be in wonderfull good credite with the King of Albanie and that all the people of Epyre had a maruellous good opinion of him in so much as there was not any thing were it neuer so hard and difficult but if he pleased to vndertake it he could perswade them vnto it The cause that made him to resort vnto this personage was to see if he could perswade him to take the matter in hand and to deale with the King and his Captaines to make open warre vpon the Ottoman For he was as yet in some hope that the case was not altogether desperate This Prelate being most affectionate to the seruice of the common wealth of Venice in regard of the reuerence which he bare to that Senate was content to make a iourney to Scanderbeg This Archbishop being an Epyrot borne and in the citie of Driuasta was the sonne of Andrew Angell of whom we haue heretofore made some mention he was a man of excellent conceipt and vnderstanding of incomparable cloquence perfectly well seene in al good letters both diuine and humaine not ably learned in the languages both Greeke and Latin and therewithall his grauitie integritie of life was so singular and so great was his zeale and feruentnesse in the Christian religion that it purchased him high praise commendation with all men And Scanderbeg had him in great honor reuerence and estimation in regard of his modestie sinceritie and vncorrupt life and the people of Albany did alwaies hearken vnto him and beleeue him as if he had beene some diuine Oracle Nowe this personage comming to see Scanderbeg and hauing humbly besought him that he would assemble his Captaines and the seuerall companies of his souldiers enforced himselfe by his perswasions to induce them to resume their armes and to renue the warre against the Turkes speaking vnto them in this manner The diuine Plato most worthy Prince did affirme those coÌ„monweales realmes and Empires to be most happie and fortunate which were gouerned by men of wisedome and vertue The truth whereof we our selues doe see more cleere then the day-light to be now verified in the people and estate of Albanie liuing vnder the rule and commaund of thy Maiestie a most sage and vertuous Prince and a peerelesse and inuincible Chieftaine Good reason therefore had the Kings and Potentates thy next neighbors to elect choose and nominate thee alone for their worthy Chiefe and Generall as being sent from heauen to defend and protect their crownes and estates from the rage and fury of the Ottomans and from the fiercenesse of the Barbarians as they haue bene hitherto most excellently well defended and preserued vnder the protection of thy armes and the valure of thy souldiers The which being well perceiued by Mahomet a most subtle and wilie Foxe who lies continually in waite to entrap and beguile all Christians and is the most cruell and vehement persecutor of the Christian faith farre exceeding all that euer liued he hauing a greedie desire to satisfie his brutish extreame hatred conceiued against the name and profession of Christianitie by his crafty cunning dissimulation a thingifamiliar and vsuall to the house of Ottoman hath gotten and procured thee to conclude a peace with him condescending gladly vnto such lawes and couenants as it pleased thee to prescribe vnto him onely because he would not be molested and troubled by thy armes of which he stood in doubt more then of any thing else whatsoeuer But alas most sage and prudent Prince who is there that cannot discerne and discouer how this Barbarian by a barbarous kind of craft and deceipt hath drawen thee to this treatie and hath fradulently wonne thee to this peace onely first of all to roote out the other Princes thy neighbours that afterwardes he might come vpon thee also as he hath alreadie begunne and partly put in practise where are the Rascian Princes where are the Kings of the Illirians or Sclauonians what is become of the Emperour of Trebysond See how this traytor euen now of late against his owne faith and all couenantes and rights of the lawe of Nations hath bent his forces against thee also wasting and â—acking thy Prouince and by daily inroades and continuall inuasions doth trouble and vexe thy allyes and confederates For who can expresse the immortall rancour of this tyrant against thee doest thou thinke that he will suffer the death of his father such huge slaughters of his armies so manie murthers of his Captaines and Chiefetaines to remaine vnreuenged Is it possible that thou canst repose any trust and confidence in the wordes of this infamous deceiuer or canst thou admit his excuses doest thou thinke that he will keepe his promise and faith with thee who neuer yet had anie faith in him nor euer to this day did keepe his fayth with anie man liuing Good God who can number the villanies and mischiefes of this fellonous and cruell tyrant and yet to let them passe in silence and vntouched I holde it no lesse then plaine impietie For to inueigh against one that is notoriously wicked and to make them knowen vnto the worlde which are the authors of vice and wickednesse is a thing not only delectable and delightfull but it is greatly profitable and beneficiall because that men being terrified by their examples may abstaine from mischiefe and vitious actions And therefore as vertue ought not to be suffered to goe vnrewarded or to be without commendation so ought vice likewise to be checked and reprehended For by the one and the other of those twaine do we reape like frute and benefite both by the exalting of the good and the suppressing of the wicked This then is a thing both iust and reasonable that they which are vicious
in two pieces and with one only blow parted both their bodies a sunder in the midst This Cimitary was made at Damasco in Siria it was of a most perfect goodnesse and excellent temper and many times he would beare two of them in one scabbard both of the which sometimes he should breake in one onely battell This weapon was generally reputed so rare and excellent that Mahomet on a time hauing heard thereof that it would cut helmets head peeces and powdrons cleane a sunder one day when they were in truce together he sent vnto him demaunding this sworde to be giuen him which being graunted and proofe being made thereof in the presence of the Sultan by many of the strongest ablest men of his Court and such as were thought to haue the best arme but perceiuing none of these wonders and miracles that had bene reported of it he sent it backe againe vnto Scanderbeg in great scorne and disdaine with this message That he would not be beholding vnto him for such a thing as he could get for his money and which should be of much greater and better perfection and that he did not giue any credite to any of those reports that had bene giuen out touching the excellencie of that sword But Scanderbeg in the sight and presence of the messenger hauing made strange and admirable prooues with this same Cimitarie willed him to tell his Lord and Master what he had seene and withall to let him know That it was not the vertue goodnesse of the sword which wrought such rare and extraordinarie effectes but that it was the strength and force of his arme which he reserued against his enemies But to make an ende of this worke I could here adde many reportes of like qualitie which are written of the force and wonderfull disposition of the bodie of Scanderbeg exceeding perhaps the common course and law of nature and which would hardly be credited or beleeued but I will let them passe and not speake of them Howbeit that we might with as good reason and aswell enlarge our consciences and giue credite vnto them as to those which are reported of elder times and which antiquitie hath commended vnto vs the which neuerthelesse euen at this day we doe celebrate and greatly set by as the labours of Hercules the aduentures of Iason of Perseus of Castor of Pollux of Bellerophon of Hector of Achilles with infinite other most famous and heroicall personages whose glorie is not bounded nor confined within any straighter limits then the large and spacious circuit and compasse of the wide worlde and yet notwithstanding we haue no other proofe of their exploites nor any certaintie of the actes ascribed to those auncient Princes but onely the bare prescription of the time and the tradition of our forefathers which haue admitted them for true beyond time out of memorie But the truth of these wonderfull matters reported of Scanderbeg doth carie greater shew of likelihood and probabilitie for to omit those two thundering tempests of warre Hunyades and his sonne Mathias Coruinus King of Hungarie who liued in the time of Scanderbeg and of whom are reported as great and strange matters we may see in Scanderbeg a pure worke of the finger of God and the euident assistance of his diuine hand and power for the succor and reliefe of his Church and chosen people in that it pleased him to raise vpper his worthie and Christian Prince and to endow him with so many speciall prerogatiues as another Dauid against these two Goliaths Amurath and Mahomet the most cruell and bloudie persecutors of the house and Church of God that euer liued So did God in times past prouide the Israelites of a Iosua against the Hethites and Canaâ—nites and of a Gedeon against the Medianites and Amalechites and of a Samson against the Philistines and of a Martell a Pypin a Charlemaine against the Sarracens So will God still doe the like and he will prouide our France of another Pucell he will neuer faile to raise vp some one or other for the defence and deliuerie of his people from their enemies if that we with true contrition and heartie repentance for our sinnes and enormities with a loathing and detestation of our abhominable Sects and Schismes of our partialities and deuisions of our ambition and mortall hatreds and mutuall enmities will beate downe that partition wall which hath separated and disioyned vs from his grace and if we will humble our selues vnder his hand and if in faith zeale and hope we will implore his gratious fauour to protect and assist vs. FINIS AN INDEX OR TABLE OF ALL THE PRINCIPALL AND most memorable matters contayned in this Historie A ARmath a Turke vvith Barach promiseth Mahomet to kill Scanderbeg 292. he is slaine by Scanderbeg 300 Actes and exploites done by Scanderbeg priuately most rare and memorable 496 Adrian Emperour of Rome his Colossus or statue and his Amphi-theater at Duras in Epire 488 Ahamat and the Turkes flie vpon the conceipt of Scanderbeg his presence 495 Ahemaz a Turke 338. his combat vvith Zacharie Groppe 339. he is slame by Groppe 340 Aidin brother of Gnee Musache 58 Airadin agent for Amurath with Scanderbeg 81 Albanians their originall 44 Albericke de Barbian Generall of the Pope his forces ouerthroweth Lewes the first Duke of Aniow in battell 393 Alcanzi Turkish aduenturers and vauntcurrors vvithout pay 138. 207 Alchria once named Pharsalia in Macedome 36 Alexander the 5. made Pope 399 Alexander Sforce aideth Ferdinand King of Naples against the Duke of Aniow 405 Alphonsus King of Naples sendeth succours to Scanderbeg 280. his bountifull presentes to Scanderbeg 249. his death 381. his praises commendations 382. he is adopted by Queene Ione of Naples receiued into that city 400 he besiegeth the Queene in Naples vvho disinheriteth him 401. he returneth into Spaine and looseth the kingdome of Naples ibid. he is taken prisoner by the Duke of Milan 402. he is deliuered 403. he besiegth and recouereth Naples ibid. he dieth ibidem Alybeg and Aiasbeg sent vvith an armie to defend the Turkish frontiers 489 Ambassade of Scanderbeg to the Despot of Misia praying passage for his armie against the Turkes 73. to Alphonsus King of Naples 378. 309. 344. to diuerse Christian Princes 377. to Ferdinand King of Naples 382. to Mahomet for the redemption of Moses and other his Nobles 455. Ambassade from Amurath to the Sfetigradians 150. to Vranocontes to corrupt him to betray Croy. 231. to Scanderdeg to conclude a peace vvith him 236 Ambassade from Mahomet to Scanderbeg with offers of peace 259. 431. from the Venetians to Scanderbeg 127. 435. 437. from the Princes of Epire to Scanderbeg offering him their aide against Amurath 154. from Alphonsus to Scanderbeg 280. 281. 311. from diuerse Princes to comfort Scanderbeg for his misfortune at Belgrade 311. from Vsuncassan king of Persia to Mahomet 386. from the Pope and Ferdinand and the Duke of Milan to Scanderbeg
to resigne and giue ouer the command of your glorious and good fortune We our selues if I may speake it doe inuite the enemy we offer them our neckes wee abrogate our owne liberty and because wee will not defile our scrupulous mouthes with a superstitious kinde of drinke we will not sticke to pollute all lawes and all rights both diuine and humaine Haue you not heard how Darius that proud and delicate king of the Persians did not refuse to take a draught of muddy water at the handes of a slaue which had taken it vp as they fledde in the high way amongst the dead carkasses and vnder the horses feete at such time as being ouercome by our countey man the great Alexander he fled before him shamefully after that memorable discomfiture As braue and proude a Prince as he was he did not disdaine it but after he had taken and tasted it he sware that he neuer drunke more sauourly and that before that time he neuer knew what it was to be thirsty Thus did a draught of filthy water both keepe him from being made captiue to his enemy prolonged his fortune and preserued the life of a great and mighty King What will you say to Caius Marius that famous Generall of the Romaines how hath the antiquity recorded his sufferaunce of hunger and thirst at all times amiddest the extreame heate of fight and amiddest his greatest laboures and trauelles in any seruice at the siege of townes or otherwise And to let passe the constancy of the Saguntines what thinke you of the city of Petilia amongst the Brutians in the time of Hanniball did it not by an example of singular regard and almost incredible leaue a rare testimony of their constancy and fidelity vnto all posterity And to the intent they might obserue their faith inuiolably which they had giuen to the Romaines and for the defence of their bare and sore battered walles they made no difficulty to liue vpon the flesh not only of dogges which you abhorre so greatly but of all kindes of foure footed creatures and with the skinnes of swine with rootes and with barkes of trees The most noble and renowmed Athenian Themistocles to the intent his vngratefull countrey might not sustaine the blame of his death dranke as it is reported a cup of deadly poison But perhaps you will say that the Sfetigradians are straungers to you and that their city is none of your countrey it was deliuered to you to be defended and therefore it is yours ô you Dibrians Scanderbeg made choise of your faith and honesty before all others to see to the safety of this place The towne which your Prince hath committed to your charge it behoueth you to see it safe redeliuered into his hands Moderate therefore I beseech you and lay aside these your desperate opinions and doe not you attribute that to force and necessity which is indeede nothing else but a damnable and peruerse counsell and resolution For tell me true I pray you what will you doe in case the Ottoman will not accept of the composition to graunt you your liues would you then refuse this drinke that you imagine to be so deadly I am perswaded that all of you would drink it ere you would do your selues anie outrage But now because you are assured of your own safety you are not in danger to lose any thing but your faith you are all of you touched infected with one malady and your thoughts doe runne a madding as men franticke and out of your wits So little reckonning doe you make of your faith of all other crimes you hold it the least to be touched with the crime of periury and disloialty I cannot ô you Dibrians commaund nor moderate my affections I cannot abstain from tears when I cal to memory our good prince Scanderbeg Me thinkes I see how graciously he spake vnto you with what praiers intreaties he recommended this towne vnto you at his departure how euen in this place he implored with too much credulity your deuoire and loialty I do remember those clamors and loud cries which all of you made with brauadoes and magnificall promises both openly and priuatly Where are those your clamors now ô you Dibrians where is that fiercenesse of your courages where are those hearts which you then vowed for your country where is that audacity carelesse contempt of life and death I see here still the same men and the same armes but the habit and disposition of their mindes is cleane altered And this towne being brought to a desperat point I see all things in a miserable estate and condition Imagine that your Prince standeth here before you in great anguish and griefe for this your notable treason what thoughtes think you will he all others entertaine what astonishment will there be throughout all the prouince what will be the estate condition of all Epire seeing that from you doth proceed the root of all their misfortunes and calamities ô that you would present before your eies whilest you are yet able the indignity of this fact that you would preserue your selues for your selues Cease not to keep your allies and confederats in the possession of their countrey do not leaue to defend their liberty to maintaine your own honor and reputation which without any great paine or trouble you may yet easily preserue Regard the piteous grieuous lamentations of these citizens regard me euen my selfe who if you can abide to see it do lie prostrat at your feete Behold how all of them doe offer their throates vnto you and I mine first of all Behold here my naked breast ô you Dibrians runne it through pierce it with your swordes take away my life it shall not grieue me let my bloud serue for drinke vnto you if such drink doe please you and if so be you cannot by any other meanes neither maintaine your faith nor defend this city With many such reasons and perswasions did Perlat vrge them recommending vnto them the life and liberty if not of others yet of themselues and that they should regard their proper safety and still he was in hope to haue remoued them from their strange and pernitious purpose And in the end because he would know whether his speeches had any efficacy or working in their scrupulous thoughts assoone as he had finished his Oration he went presently towards the Well hauing almost al the communalty at his heeles and in the presence of them all he dranke a good draught of that water the like also did the most part of the inhabitants Whereupon it was presented likewise to certen of the captains chiefest persons of the garrisons but neither good words nor good deeds could preuaile with those superstitious and curious stomacks Scarcely can I without blushing either beleeue it my selfe or deliuer it to others for a matter of truth that so light and ridiculous a cause should preuaile with thē in a
case so waighty important and I make no doubt but that the posterity will take a greater pleasure rather to laugh at it then to admire wonder at this strange accident and if they do giue any credit to the strangenes of the case yet will they hardly be perswaded that so vaine and friuolous a humor could haue moued them thereunto But they wil iudge rather that it was taken as a fit occasioÌ„ by the souldiers who being enclined to treachery and infidelity had bene before corrupted by the enemy For my part hauing searched and enquired of all things with all possible diligence I could neuer find any likelihood to verifie this superstition and therfore I need not make any difficulty to thinke them blame worthy who haue conceiued of them so smisterly My reason is for that as I suppose there is nothing in the actions of mortall men so secrete and hidde which could for so long a time haue bin vnreuealed And more then that of all those who were so superstitiously addicted there was not any one of theÌ„ euer known to haue yeelded him selfe to Amurath nor at any time was the estate of any one of them so enriched whereby it might be presumed or coniectured that they had any fraudulent intelligence or secret practising with the Infidels Neither is it any maruell that the Dibrians being once intoxicated with this foolish scrupulosity and being fallen into so frantike a humor did commit such an error seeing that they were not onely giuen to be superstitious but were alwaies and yet are reputed for Heretickes For these two contagious maladies of superstition and heresie are very neare of kinne the one to the other For these people of Dibria doe vse the Sclauonian tong the which language being very large and ample as most notable authors do testifie is dispersed and dilated into many and diuers â—ects And that this is true may be seene in that some of the Sclauonians doe acknowledge the vnity of the Church of Rome as the Dalmaâ—aâ—s the Croatians the Carnians and the better part of the Polonians others doe adhere vnto the errors and fantasies of the Greeke Church as the Triballians or Bulgarians the Ruthenians and a part of Limania Others in the malady of their spirits haue forged vnto them selues a particular opinion as the Bohemians the Morauians and the Bosnians who for the most part doe follow the heresie of the Manichees But wherefore doe I make mention of these nations seeing all Europe is at this day ouer whelmed with a multiplicity oâ—fâ—rious and cursed doctrines For ouâ— alas within these few yeares by the contagion and infection of neighbour nations or rather by the ouermuch negligence and slothfulnesse of the Prelates of the Church and by the pernicious carelesnesse of Princes and secular magistrats if it be not the enormities of our sins that haue set heauen against vs al quarters kingdoms of Europe haue suffred them selues to be polluted with a multitude of these prodigious opinions of all sortes which do now swarme and abound throughout al christendome But I haue wandred too far from my matter we will now returne to our doating and franticke Dibrians The Gouernour was instant vpon them sometimes with praiers sometimes with promises of great giftes and rich offers at the last seeing all of them to be obdurat and hardened against his fruit losse perswasions he framed and conformed his minde also to the exigence and necessity of the time And hauing assembled together a certaine number part of them Dibrians and part of the chiefe and principall of the citizens to deliberat vpon the matter they made a short conclusion for the matter would not admit any long delay and themselues did set downe the conditions couenants of their surrender such as they thought would neither be iniurious vnto themselues nor disagreeable vnto the enemy Namely that the garrison should depart freely in safety with bag baggage that the citizens should haue free choise either to remain in their former estate with in the towne or to depart at their pleasures Touching the garrison nothing was altered by the grand Seigniour but for the citizens he would not in any case condescend that they should remaine within the towne All the rest was accorded and a watch appointed in the suburbs Immediatly were the keies brought vnto Amurath and the place was rendered vp voide and empty of all the inhabitants Some of the citizens who were deeply affectionat to their countrey and loth to depart from the place of their natiuity did tary still without the walles But many of them who could not endure to liue vnder the Infidels leauing and abandonning all went to seeke out Scanderbeg The traitor who had corrupted the water staid within the towne and remained with the enemy where being knowen by them that practised with him to betray the town vnto the Turke they conueied him presently to the tents of the Ottoman with wonderfull ioy and great gladnes You need not doubt but he had good entertainment for the Sultan honored him infinitly both with good words and notable rich presents far exceeding the promises that had bin made vnto him in recompence of his disloialty and treason For first he had 50000. aspres giuen him and three roabs or sutes of apparell of excellent workemanshippe and very rich Moreouer hee had so much land of inheritance and demeanes assigned him as the yearely reuenues thereof did amount to 2000. crownes But litle ioy had the traitor of those great benefites for albeit he were thus magnificently rewarded with all these honors and riches in the open sight and knowledge of a multitude of people and albeit hee did daily receiue a world of fauors amoÌ„gst the Barbarians yet within a while after he was sodainly gone and vanished and was neuer more seene nor heard of The report went that he was secretly made away by Amurath by some priuy and deserued kinde of punishment because he durst not repose any trust or assurance in the nature and disposition of him who by a filthy auarice had traiterously conspired against his countrey against his confederates and against his owne bloud and kinsfolks Thus you may behold how this marchaunt was enriched by his marchandize and a man may see by this so worthy an example that Princes and great men haue treason in estimation but they abhorre the traitours and haue them in detestation The garrison of Sfetigrade was suffred to depart free and without hurt through the middest of the Turkishe squadrons which stood orderly raunged on each side as they passed betweene them How beit that Mahomet the yong Prince of the Turks a fierce and cruell youth who as the report goeth did then follow the army of his father into Epire vpon a desire to see the warre and to purchase himselfe reputation did instantly and vehemently vrge and intreate Amurath not to suffer them so to depart freely without any