Mars, his triumph. Or, the description of an exercise performed the XVIII. of October, 1638. in Merchant-Taylors Hall by certain gentlemen of the Artillery Garden London

At this instant the Beacon is fired, and the Cap∣tain and other Officers leave their places where they stood to see the Exercise, and repaire to the Company. The Captain comming to the left Angle of the front (to which part the Body stands faced) marcheth them a little, and whee∣leth them about to the right. Now the Sentinell gives fire without in the Yard. Whereupon the Captain having Trooped them towards the Skreen of the Hall: presently reduceth his souldiers by wheeling the front inwards to the Reere, and then Countermarching his files to the Right. By this time, one comes crying into the Hall, Arme, Arme, the Saracens are Landed: and by this time the Captain had intelligence that their Battelles marched fast towards him. Whereupon he whee∣leth his Battel about to the right, and doubled half-files to the left; that done having taken a ground of some advantage he advanced his Muskettiers be∣fore his Pikes, and made the horne-Battell as under figure N. In which forme he attended the com∣ming on of the Infidels.

Now the

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Salt.	S	M	M					M	M	S	Perk.
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		M	M		C		M	M
		M	M		E		M	M
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Sarracens are entring into the Hall at the Garden-doore: by rea∣son of the nar∣rownesse of w^ch passage, Mulley Achmat had drawn his Body into the

[illustration]

forme of a hearse.

But so soon as he was en∣tred the Hall, & saw in what form the Chri¦stians were ar∣ranged (as you may perceive by the figure under N.) he immediately devided his body into two divisiōs, him∣selfe leading the front di∣vision against the right wing of Captain Ven

[illustration]

his Lieutenāt Mulley-sheck, leading the Reere division against the left wing, as you may per∣ceive by the figure oppo∣sed to the horne Battell.

They gave fire in this form one bo∣dy against an∣other, each fi∣ring w^th their fallings off,

[illustration]

varying & al∣tering as you may perceive by the several figures oppo∣sed to each o∣ther.

The fight continued with much dexteri∣tie and resolu∣tion on either side; some∣times the one prevailing, &

somtimes the other: & that

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with much va∣rietie, as it of∣ten happen∣eth in like oc∣casions.

The Com∣manders shew∣ed good proof of their skills, & experiment∣ed judgements, by the poli∣tique and va∣rious alterati∣on of their formes.

The Souldiers also shewed themselves to be no younglings in the Art Millitary, by their ready obedience, and active motion, on each varietie. The fight continued a long time with great obstinacie on either side, untill at length the advantage of the Christians Armes and number of their souldiers, prevailing MULLEY ACHMAT with the Saracens, were forced to give ground. The which the Christian Captain perceiving, he cau∣sed his Muskettiers to move up between his Pikes, and present powring out his shott by two Ranks together. The Pikes also at the same time, charging them home: which the Turcomen people, no longer able to indure, they quit the Hall (the same way they entred) MULLEY ACHMAT and his Lieutenant making good the Retreit with their Symiters in their hands.

The Saracens thus forced out of the Hall, the two last ranks of Captain Vens Company face a∣bout, and are privately led away by Lieutenant Sheppard, either to lie in ambush, or to attend upon the Saracens designes; as opportunitie should best offer it self.

The Captain in the mean time facing the Mus∣kettiers to the right and left outward, the Pikes to the right and left inwards, causeth them to in∣terchange ground (This brings the Muskettiers again to the Flanks) Then the drums beating a March, the Captain leads the Company in Divisi∣ons once about the Hall, and marcheth out at the lower end by the skreene into the yard.

Mulley Achmatt having again ordered his Body in the Garden, sends a spie to see what the Chri∣stians are doing; and finding them all gone out of the Hall, surmised they were fled; And there∣upon Mulley Achmatt returns with great Triumph, and with much vaunting insolence marcheth round about the Hall, with his Souldiers in form of a Herse, as you may perceive by the Figure numbred with 12. Now being at the lower end of the Hall, he made an Alt, when immediately up∣on a signe given, the Turks doubled their half-files to the right intire, the which produced Figure 13. On which form he marched, and with a stately survay, beholding the Order of his Souldiers, and the countenance of the Spectatours, he again made Alt, observing his former order, in making and marching on these ensuing figures.

[illustration]

After that MULLEY-ABEN-ACHMAT had made and marched on all these severall Figures, at last with great insolence, he wheeled his battell about to the left, his body being in form of the 17^th Figure; He with a carelesse garbe viewing the Spectators, and with eyes darting forth disdaine, demon∣strating a kinde of haughty scorn (by the gesture of his body) against the supposed Temeritie of the Christians, whom he beleeved to have been fled. But they to the contrary all this time kept good espiall upon him, suffering him to swell rather by opinion then fortune.

For even now when his insolence was at the highest, he heard the Christians drums beating a March: Captain VENS Company approaching so neare, that they were now entring the Hall by the Skreen. Assoon as they were entred the Christi∣ans drew into Battalia, the drums beating a prepa∣rative they advance forwards, and charge the Sa∣racens, and they perceiving their numbers to be so small, as willingly meet them.

Captain VEN had all his Musketts in the front of his Pikes, and the enemie his battells were ranged as in Figure 17. The shot playd thick on both sides, as sometimes being in front, sometimes on the flanks, sometimes again in the Reere, other-whiles in the midst. The Politick Captains, still varying of their formes on either side, as might make best for their own advantages, each striving for the Garland of victory. But by this time the Ambush (under the conduct of Lieutenant SHEP∣PARD) was ready to fall on: and therefore Captain VEN caused his drums beat a Retrait, firing and

charging Pikes retreating, thereby to draw the Turks from their strength into disorder. The Turks perceiving the Christians to give ground, charge fiercely on. But the Christian Captain made but a politick retreat, thereby to draw the Turks from their advantage of ground, that so the am∣bushment might have opportunity to charge them in the Reere. This as it was contrived fell out ac∣cordingly. For the Lieutenant who all this while had kept himself and souldiers close; now per∣ceiving his opportunity: Ranged all his Musket∣tiers in front, and with all possible secrecie, drew close up to the Reere of the Enemie; Then all on a sudden powring out a great salue of shot, he there∣with even rent and tore the order of the Enemie.

Now the Christians charge both in Front and Reere the Turcoman Lieutenant with an undaunted courage, faced his half-files about, and with an unparalleld resolution singled out the Christian Lieutenant, with his well tempered Cymiter laying about him like a Turk. Insomuch that Lieutenant Sheppard with his Partizan had much ado with all his skill and dexteritie, to keep him at the point. The other striving to hew out a way before him, even through steel, fire, and flame: with his well cut∣ting Fauchion slicing and paring the Christian Lieutenants Partizan, as if it had been a a wodden dagger, and not a composure of steel. Neverthe∣lesse the Christian Lieutenant perceiving the Tur∣coman to be a proper personage, and not willing to destroy so goodly a presence. He therefore stood politickly on the defensive, whilst the o∣ther tired himself by his own fury.

All this while the Souldiers are likewise at it with their short guns, swords and targets, against the Christians with their Muskets and whole Pikes, where we will leave them a while striving like con∣trary elements, and return into the Front to see how MULLEY-ACHMAT behaved himself against the Christian Captain, who as I foreshewed had gi∣ven back purposely to draw the Turk from his ad∣vantage of ground, that so his Lieutenant might the more commodiously give on in the Reere.

The which accordingly taking effect, he gave a fresh charge in the front, at which the Saracens be∣gan to stagger, perceiving themselves to be dou∣bly charged in Front and Reere.

Mully Aben seeing his people began to waver, meant to doe something in person, so to re-inforce his Battell, and therewithall casting away his Pole-axe, betooke himselfe to his Battell-ax and Target; therewith working wonders, forcing the heads of the best armed Pikes to give him way, that so he might encounter the Christian Captain. Who at the same time supervising his Battels (as being carefull to prevent all crosse accidents of Warre) he saw what havock the Turk made in person. Where∣upon singling him out, between them two began a fierce fight.

The Turke at the first encounter, receiving a wound in the hand from the Christian Captain, wherewithall being so much the more enraged, he endeavoured to get within him, intending to have stabd him with a poysoned Creese (which he continually wore at his side) hoping with his fall to conclude the victory. But the wary Christian

perceiving his fury, held him close to it, still keeping the point of his weapon at his breast.

Inraged ACHMAT even foming with anger that he could not work his designe: resolved for his last refuge with the remains of his over-wearied Turks, to break through the Battell of the Christi∣ans. But the vigilant Captain having drawn all his Pikes in Front closely serried together, kept them so close up, that they could not make the least pe∣netration. Whereupon being quite out of heart, with joynt consent they cryed for quarter, after the Turkey maner casting their weapons on the ground, and laying their left hands on their heads, with a loud voice crying, Saybe-Sallam.

The Christian Captain remembring how vali∣antly they had beaved themselves in fight, took compassion on them, and disarming them, com∣manded them to passe through between his Files into the Reere. Lieutenant Sheppard in like maner with his Souldiers following them, placing his Souldiers in the Reere of the Turks. So that the Christians had 4. ranks, 2. Ranks in the Front, and 2. Ranks in the Reere of the Captive Turks. They being in 2. Ranks in the midst of the Conquerors. Then the Christian Captain caused the first Rank of Turks to move between the first and second Ranks in the Front. The second Rank of Turks, between the third and fourth Ranks in the Reere. Being content himself to have gained the victory, he took onely the Captain MULLEY-ABEN-ACHMAT for his prisoner. MULLEY-SHECK the Turkey Lieutenant being Lieutenant Sheppards prisoner, ABEN-ABDELLA the Turkey Ensigne

being prisoner to Ensigne Gould, the rest of the Turks being equally divided amongst the Souldi∣ers, every two Souldiers having one Turkey prisoner between them: the Captain thus bountifully re∣warding his skilfull and conquering Souldiers.

This being performed, the Captain led forth his Company again in divisions (the Turks being pinioned with peeces of Match.) After the Captain, marched dejected MULLEY ACHMAT; Then a division of Muskettiers being but two in Rank, and a Turkey prisoner between them, every Rank having one in like maner. Then marched Ensigne Gould at the head of the first division of Pikes, dis∣playing his Ensigne in token of victory. ABEN AB∣DELLA being led, and the Saracen Ensigne being carried after him. Lastly, after the Reere division of Muskets marched Lieutenant Sheppard, leading with him his prisoner bold MULLEY-SHECK. In this triumphing maner, Captain VEN led his Company thrice about the Hall, the Drums beat∣ing a March: where it was a goodly sight to see, how every Souldier was enriched with one spoyle or other, the which they carried in triumphing maner, some having Cymiters, some Barbary guns, others having Targets, but all some thing, besides this, the Souldiers were mightily enriched, by the Iewels that they found about them, for these were not of those poore roving Saracens, but a select Company that had enriched themselves by the spoiles of many others. Thus having marched about the Hall the third time, being come to the Skreen, the Captain made a signe, the Drums beat a Troop, the Pikes advance, and the Ranks close for∣ward

to their Order. This done, the divisions are drawn up in Battalia, then the Pikes stand, and the Muskettiers advance into a Horne Battell. Lastly, being in this form, the Drums continuing their Troop, the whole body advanceth forward into the middle of the Hall, then the Drums striking an Alt, the whole Body makes a stand, ordering their Armes. Then the Captain and Lieutenant as at the first take forth Mr. Richard Lacy (the third man from the Front of Lieutenant Bariff his File) trooping him between them into the Van before the midst of the Front of Muskettiers, there doing their severall duties to the Nobilitie as formerly; The Souldier began this ensuing Speech.

Vnbrace your Drums, and let the warlike Phife No more distinguish 'twixt pale death and life, Furle up your Ensignes, let the Canon cease, And re-assume your (bravely purchast) peace. Here are the knowing, that with judgements eye, Look through your Actions; can at first discry Your well weigh'd resolutions, and can give That sweet reward, that makes a Souldier live, Encouragement: which from you is praise, Welcome as Triumph, or th'unblasted baies. Give us but that, we can dispence with cost, With time more pretious, and with what is most In the esteeme of men; we want but ground, Which had, you conquer; yet our hopes are crown'd. This from your bounties if we shall obtain, Vollies of shot, shall thank it back again.

After the speech thus ended, duty being done, and the Souldier returned to his place, the Captain

caused the Drums to beat a Troop, and the Pikes to move forwards even with the Front of Musket∣tiers. Then the Captain makes a signe, the Drums beat a March, and the Company marcheth again in divisions, The Captain first, and the Ranks of Souldiers following, doing a short Souldier-like obeysance to the Nobility as they past by them. The Ensigne onely basing his point: In this order march∣ing forth of the Hall, where the Turks found so good quarter and kind usage, that now they are all turned Christians, leaving that course of life, and are now either Merchants or Shopkeepers for the most part.

FINIS.

Notes

• This Creese is a dagger with a waved blade poyson∣ed according to the custome of that Coun∣trey. It was given him by the great King of Maccassar for a present, for saving his life when they were hunting and killing the wilde Bore, who had else killed the King.