The beginning, continuance, and decay of estates vvherein are handled many notable questions concerning the establishment of empires and monarchies. Written in French by R. de Lusing, L. of Alymes: and translated into English by I.F.

CHAP. XI.

That he hath laid hold on occasions.

• 1 Occasion pourtraied.
• 2 It is to be obserued.
• 3 Examples of the Ottomans diligence in laying hold on oc∣casions offered by the Christians.
• 4 The difficulties of a defensiue and offensiue league.
• 5 The false guesse of the selfe-ruine of the Turkish Empire.
• 6 The weaker Princes are easily subdued by the mightier.
• 7 Other occasions offered by the Christians to forward the Turkish greatnesse.

1 THe ancient Romans signified vnto vs by the picture of occasion (whom they adored as a goddesse, putting wings to her feete, supported with a bowle, be∣hinde bald, and before hairie) that we must bee diligent to apprehend her when shee presenteth her-selfe, and not in any case to let her slippe: considering that if she once escape vs, she lea∣ueth vs nought but a vaine and vexing repentance.

2 And to say the truth, in all a mans actions. There is nothing more commendable then to be able to make the best vse of occasion and especially in mater of war. In as much as he that knoweth his aduantage, how to take it and to carry the time before him is furnished with the principall adorning vertue of a Captaine, occasion being no other thing, then an opportunity that the time more by accident then prouidence offereth vnto vs, for the well performing of what we haue in hand, and for the abstaining and well comming off from a dessine vnsesonably attempted, as the euent of the aboue mentioned interprise may sufficiently witnesse. This is that these Infidels haue studied at such times as God hath made them his instruments to afflict and chastice vs, and this is that we ought to doe against them, for the glorifying of Gods diuine Maiesty, not yet for ought I see pleased with vs. In a word all such as haue inlarged their estates haue either inioyed or hammered out some notable occasion which they wisely laid hold on, and haue consequently reaped the fruites of an vnusu∣all aduancement. The Grecian and Romane histories can teach vs this, but I omit them as too far from vs, to betake my selfe to such as are more familiar and neere vnto vs. Pepin and Charlemaine were by the Romish church called into Italy: the like was Charles of Aniou into the king∣dome of Naples. Those of Aragon were inuited to Sicily by the people and to the conquest of the kingdome of Naples by Queene Ione the second: The house of Austria is at this day inriched with many goodly kingdomes brought them by their alliance and mariages: one where∣of subiected vnto them the Lowe countries, the other gaue them Spaine with her apurtenances, the third for a perfect raising of this howses gretnesse, annexed vnto it the crowne of Portugale and the east Indies, so as if we neerely consider humaine casualties, we shall finde that force without occasion is fruitlesse or smally auaileable.

3 The Ottomans haue not attained to the height of so mightie an Empire but by such occasions as we haue too

carelesly, vnworthily, and as of our free bounty, presen∣ted vnto them. The first sprang from the negligence and cowardice of the Emperors of Greece, who through their extreame lasciuiousnesse and sloath (Sardanapalus and He∣liogabalus like) became deformed monsters of all loosenes and riot: So as abandoning themselues to all voluptuous∣nesse and excesse, that martiall vigor which had till then honored and preserued them, began by little and little to decline amongst them, and next amongst their people, (these framing their manners after their gouernours) which prepared meanes and occasions for the Turke to set foote one while into some inferiour prouince, and ere long into a mighty kingdome. The second occasion which shewed it selfe fauorable and proper for the Turkes, was, when the Grecians vpon a malicious enuy began to disfauour and oppose the dessignes of the Christian Princes which had by league vnited themselues for the conquest of the holy land, and so ill aduised they were as insteade of seconding them they crossed them in all they might, to the end to stop the fortunat proceeding of their woorthy armies, not hee∣ding poore soules that they thereby befriended the Turke; who did but watch his opportunities. For they well obser∣uing this fault, and temporising the occasion which after appeared, failed not to spie when they might surprise them (as they did) all beaten, tired, and disunited in force and meanes, whereupon it finally insued that the Christians were vtterly expelled Iury, by the Turkes, who after tur∣ned their armies against the Greekes themselues and berea∣ued them of their Empire. These were mischiefes and wounds by them well deserued, neither are they to be pit∣tied, but so far forth, as they haue bread the calamities and ruines which haue and doe still continue to afflict Chri∣stendome.

The iarres and diuisions of the Princes of Greece mini∣stred the third time an occasion to the Turkish thriuing greatnesse: This hapned at such time as the Emperour of Constantinople was so ill aduised, as to craue the aide of

Amurath the first to defend him. This Prince which lay still in waite, willingly sent his troupes, not to succour, but to discouer the country for the better aduancement of his designes; and in very deed the souldiers returning from that voiage, deliuered so aduantageous reports of the ri∣ches, pleasantnesse, and fruitfulnesse of that country, paint∣ing it out vnto him so abounding in all commodities ne∣cessarie for the life of man, as he foorthwith resolued to at∣tempt it, so as not long after without bidding, he in person passed the Streight, and so well husbanded the occasion to settle himselfe in Europe, as since his successors haue there made the principall seate of their Empire. The di∣uorce and separation of the Greeke church from the Ro∣maine, prepared a large way for the fourth occasion, em∣braced by the Turks, more aduantageously to ouertop vs: since this diuision was a meane to distaste and allay the courage of the Princes of either partie, neither hath it euer since beene possible to reconcile or vnite them by a∣ny good or firme intelligence, so as remaining in this sort diuided, they haue neuer beene able to enterprise ought woorthy Christian pietie, or the greatnesse of their pow∣ers and monarchies; thereby to cut off and ouerthrow (as they might and ought) the proceeding of the common enemie of Christendome; who getting by his negligence, scope and libertie, is growne greater to our vniuersall hurt, which those princes haue euermore fostered; a disease now by their obstinate diuision growen remedilesse. This euill hath prooued the more lamentable because of the discord amongst other Christian Princes which refuse to make their benefit of others calamities, or to acknowledge them as corrections comming from the hand of God.

This mischief grew greater at such time as some Poten∣tates of Italy inconsiderately called the Turke to their suc∣cour, shewing him the way into our seas farther then was conuenient. In this regard our portes stood open vnto them, they entred and conuersed with vs as with friends and associats, a thing most abhominable before God and

man, and of most dangerous consequence. And to the end I be not held an outlasher, I will reckon some of those that haue so ouershot themselues. Alfonso the second king of Naples, and Lodouick Sforsa duke of Milan, were those that brought in Baiazet the second: that against the French, this against the Venetians. Isabell Queene of Hungarie craued aide likewise of Soliman, against Ferdinand king of the Romans. Francis the first of France, and Henry the second that succeeded him, d••d not onely let in the Turkish power into our seas, but suffered them also to land at Nice and in Corsica, leading captiue at their re∣turne, an infinite multitude of poore Christians, (without respect of amitie, age, or sexe, which they snatched vp in those places and along the Adriatick coasts.

The sixt occasion obserued and embraced by the Turkes, may be said in my opinion to proceed from the consideration they haue had of the pluralitie of Christian Princes, supposing (as it is true) that it could not be with∣out that iealousie and suspicion which ech man particular∣ly conceiueth of his owne estate, ranke, and dignitie, and and so the whole being deuided into diuers gouernments, it must follow the parts should be more feeble and scanted of meanes to vndertake against him: since (as we haue saide) vertue vnited in one entire body, is alwaies more strong then separated into many parcels. That which is woorse, is, that in this diuision of Monarchies, the ambi∣tious thirst of greatnesse, hath taken dangerous footing amongst Princes, and hath bred (as by a necessarie conse∣quence) discord, separation of willes, diuersitie of de∣signes, and varietie of pretences, of all which partialities, hath sprung suspition, the common plague amongst prin∣ces. This suspicion like a canker hath contaminated the vnion and rid the meanes how to knit and establish a holy league and confidence amongst them for a defensiue or of∣fensiue war.

4 Now to make a defensiue league against the Turke is in these daies a hard matter in so much as the princes of

Christendome are so far from one another, and some es∣pecially from the enemy, as like men out of danger they weigh it not esteeming themselues most assured: And to vndertake to establish an offensiue league is no lesse diffi∣cult seeing the profit of their conquest cannot be drawne to a proportionable equality, it may be also euery man feares the greatnesse of his companion (although neuer so much his partner for aide and common association) but aboue all he that hath the most commodious hauens or his Prouinces most proper for the mannaging of the war. Or else he who can better maintaine his conquests would proue the most suspected and maligned. These considera∣tions hinder them from vniting and assembling themselues as they ought for the common good.

5 Moreouer euery one flattereth himselfe that time and the worlds ordinarie change will breede ruine and alterati∣on in the estate of the Ottomans, and settle their affaires without being constrained to expose themselues to dan∣ger, trauell, and charge.

6 Another reason and inconuenience may yet be alled∣ged that each of these princes being weake in respect of the other they cānot so couragiously resolue to vndertake what were profitable and necessary for them; whence it groweth that the feeblenesse of their strength is yet made more fee∣ble by this irresolution; so as a mighty power charging them they shal remain subiect to the discretion of the indi∣screet enemy: by these means the lords of the seueral parts of Lombardy became the pray of the Venetians who sub∣dued them with as much facility as resolution; But had the repulse when they attempted the state of Milan, vt∣most limit of their power, dominion, and conquests. Af∣ter the same sort also the French in time past brought vnder all the Prouinces of Gaull, but when they would enter the confines of Spain, the opposition of that neighbour-great∣nesse stopped their course and was a rampart to defend them from further proceedings. In the very like manner the Turkes hauing deuoured all the Princes of Greece,

Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Seruia attempting the inuasion of Hungaria, they had their hands full, since the valour of these Kings and people (so fashioned, hardned and enured, of a long time to the wars, as they were the better able to make head against them) discouered it selfe to be greater then the consideration of their indifferent estate could well beare, as witnesse the exploits of Ladislaus and Mathias Coruin, who found the Turkes play to their cost. But so soone as those Kings and people did forgoe this first va∣lour and suffered the exercise of armes to degenerat, Soli∣man ouercame them both at Belgrade and at Mogacia. Af∣ter the Turks had gone thus far, they met with that bar of the house of Austria seconded by the German forces, and supported by the power of the king of Spaine; who shewed himselfe alwaies fearelesse of the Turkish forces: As for the Venetians they haue euermore (backt with the Popes and the Spaniards power) behaued themselues most honora∣bly: one happinesse there is that those places of Christen∣dome which border neerest vpon the Turke were neuer in more mighty hands, nor had euer so few Princes to rule them, as at this day: whence groweth an infallible conse∣quent that they are more easily defended and maintained, especially hauing that particular coniunction of the power of Spaine, which is such as the Turke cannot stur without incurring an apparant danger; It being manifest that be∣sides that the king of Spaine is of ability without feare to resist him, he can also with his owne forces curbe him and bring him to reason. So as the Turke awed by so mighty a king, will not, as he was wont, so so one bend his forces a∣gainst the Christians his neighbours. The Muscouit on the one side, and the kings of Polonia and Persia on the other, are of such power and courage, as they will alwaies make the fame of their particular forces, to be both respe∣cted and feared.

7 The diuersitie of opinions in matter of religion, haue made way to the seuenth occasion, haue disunited the courages, spent the forces of the Christians, & haue made

them rise vp in armes one against an other. In the meane time the Turke getteth footing, groweth great in sight of all men, and is become a terror to Christian Princes.

Disloyall and traiterous Renegades or Apostates, are those which haue discouered to the Turkes the Christians secrets, haue acquainted them with the aduantages of landing and inuading, haue beene guides to their armies into the very hearts of our richest countries, and haue opened the doore of the eight occasion.

But for the ninth, let vs consider what subtilties they haue practized, and whereon that hath beene principally grounded. I am of opinion, that the better to order their affaires, and seize vpon the Christians with more security, their leagues, treaties of peace, and suspensions of armes, passed betweene them and our Princes, haue beene their greatest furtherances: for the Turkes neuer warred with anie Christian Prince or Infidel either to defend their owne estate, or with hostilitie to assaile an others, but they first of all made their countrey sure against the power of their neighbours, but aboue all, such as (see∣ing them elsewhere busied) had meanes to disquiet their affaires, inuade their territories, and assaile them at vna∣wares. The peace they haue so long maintained, with the Polonians can testifie as much: Againe the quiet they haue suffered the Venetians to inioy for these many yeares sufficiently bewraieth with what care they handle this bu∣sinesse. The continued peace they keepe with the French teacheth vs likewise with what prouidence and wisdome their matters are caried; to the end not to receiue any in∣combrance or interruption by meanes of strange enmities, at such time as they proceed in their enterprises; They take truce with the Emperour alwaies to their aduantage; and lately intending to war vpon Persia they dealt for a suspen∣sion of armes with the King of Spaine, so as making all sure on one side they in a trice assaile the other, heereby so well playing their parts, as hauing the law in their hands they remaine as arbitrators of peace and war, pursuing al∣waies

the course of their dessines with an aduantage too great vnworthy and preiudicious to the Princes of Chri∣stendome; whose greater part is so awed by their forces, as they haue often chosen to enter into conditions of a dis∣honest peace or truce though neuer so vnassured, rather then to expose themselues to the danger of their mighty armies: not heeding that thereby they haue lost many faire occasions of doing good vpon them: whereof we neede not seeke farther for examples then now that the King of Persia keepeth them in continuall war (at least if such newes as comes thence be true) and that he hath lately giuen them an ouerthrow neere Taurijs of aboue foure score thousand men. Which if it be so, what better occasion can you de∣sire (ô ye Princes of Christendome) to set vpon them and reuenge the dishonour of our passed iniuries? Can it be o∣therwise but that in their former incounters and in this last they must haue lost the flower of their captaines and choice souldiours, and is it possible that the swelling pride of their command and greatnesse should not shortly vndergoe some change and decrease if you will intertain the occasion which God offereth you? ô but you sleepe and are alto∣gether vnprouided to assaile them. They are our sins that hinder vs and haue bred the disorders of ciuill wars which disquiet France and the Low countries, with such obstina∣cie and cruelty as these Princes haue worke enough to or∣der their owne affaires: their neighbours in the meane time hauing their eares filled with the noice thereof, looking what will become of such sturs and fearing lest the fire which so cruelly burneth their neighbours house, should fasten vpon theirs, which makes them stand vpon their guard to keepe out such broiles & disorders. In the mean time the Turke wanteth no time to recouer his losses; and to laugh at oure inconsiderate follies; follies indeede for vs, but wisdome for him. It is a maruelous matter to con∣sider with what succes and aduice he hath quieted his neighbours, in such sort as he hath beene neuer knowen to haue had two quarrels in hand at one time. Imitating

heerein the wisdome of the Romans who had an especiall care not to haue two enemies to deale with at once, but if they assailed one, they tooke order by deuice and friendly meanes that the other were lookers on, or associats in their trauailes. Selim the first, which warred with the Persians, so ordered the rest of his estate, as during all the time he was imploied that way, the Souldan of Egvpt neuer distur∣bed him: his sonne Amurath continuing the same enter∣prise, neuer receiued let of any Christian potentate.

The dessignes of the Princes of Europe, & the wars they haue so long and so wilfully maintained one against the o∣ther, haue affoorded the Turks a large passage for the tenth occasion to benefit themselues by their obstinacies & diui∣sions; neither haue they omitted nimbly to lay holde on it to some purpose for the good of their affaires. What enmities were euermore cruelly exercised with fire and sword then those our ancestors and we our selues haue seene betweene France and Spaine? What malice was e∣uer more deepely rooted then that of the two Kings? What nations are there in the world more mighty or more valiant then these are; and hence let vs consider what pro∣fit, what comfort would haue redounded to Christendome, and what fearefull ruine to the Turke, if by some holy league they had beene vnited; such vndoubtedly as there should haue beene no memory of them, whereas they are now most mighty, and most dreadfull. If we will descend to particulars, was there euer Prince that had better meanes to conquer the Turke then Charles the fifth? For besides his valour, inuincible courage, and other notable parts which shined in him, he had sufficient force to execute his enter∣prises: he was followed by Captaines of incomparable vertue, his souldiers were most resolute, his people and Prouinces were all most desirous of so holy a war, he had hauens and roades fit wherein to harbour his ships, and in a word he had whatsoeuer was necessary, but how? He was alwaies constrained to haue an eie behinde him, to stand vpon his gard, because of his neighbours who spared

not to molest him as soone as he did but once aime at so holy an interprise. King Philip his sonne hath met with the like incombrances: so as we may well say our sinnes haue ministred occasions enowe to the Turkes to assaile vs with such aduantage, as it hath beene an increase and establi∣shing to his estate, we alwaies shrinking at the cruell shocke of his mighty forces. Amongst all the Ottomans Amurath the first was the most diligent to hunt after, and embrace occasions, who (as we haue already deliuered) sent his supplies to the Emperour of constantinople, passed the straights in person and got into his hands the two Castles. Baiazet the first, his sonne shewed himselfe nolesse poli∣ticke and prompt to discouer his aduantages, patient to at∣tend his occasions, and diligent to gather the fruits where∣with his hopes presented him.

Notes

• 735.
• 800.
• 1263.
• 1476.
• 1579.
• The Christians ministred occa∣sion to the Otta∣mans of their owne ouer∣throw
• 1 The first oc∣casion: the sloth of the Emperours of Greece.
• 2. Occasion: enuie of the Emperours of Greece.
• About anno 1290.
• 3. Occasion: the ciuill wars of the Emperors of Greece.
• Iohn Paleolo∣gus.
• 1363.
• 4. Occasion: the separation of the Greeke Church from the Roman.
• 5. Occasion: the Turkes aide called into Ita∣ly.
• 1498.
• 1540.
• 1543.
• 6. occas. the plurality of the Christian Princes.
• 1408.
• 1412.
• 1438.
• 1521.
• 1526.
• 7 Occasion: the diuersity of opinions in Re∣ligion.
• 8 Occasion: treason and disloialtie.
• 9 Occasion: the Turkes peace with some Chri∣stians, to warre with others.
• 1514.
• 1536.
• 10 Occasi••n: Christian Prin∣ces warring one vpon an other.
• 1360.
• 1363.