CHAPTER XI
The great Turk called Soldan, Alias Chan, comprehending as many victories in his sword as some Emperors in their thoughts, arrived at length afore Vienna, having made his preamble with the destroying and burning of the country before him, thinking upon the ancient politic rule, Better it is to have a spoiled country than a lost, with a brave prepared Army of two hundred thousand Saracens, horse and foot, and so many it is certain he had, because they doubted not but there were 300,000. The mighty Cham having erected his royal Pavilions, and entrenched himself to besiege the noble Vienna, munified his camp with Artillery and deep ditches, and then he sent a Letter of defiance unto the honourable Alphonsus, as being principal in his own City, who was environed within the walls of the City expecting the day of battle, for to this intent the states of Italy and the Emperor of Germany, with the Dukes of Saxony, Bavaria, and the other Provinces near assembled (for now necessity bred unity) with a brave company of Soldiers to exterminate this monster out of their confines: unto the Duke of Austrich only (for he had no intelligence of their assembled forces) he directed his Letters with defiance, meaning to conclude his long travails with a certain victory; fearing neither the peril which so many gallant soldiers thoroughly resolved might bring, nor that ever God or fortune (as they call it) would once shew him any disfavour, whose only favour is only in show. Nor yet that the heaven’s great God would not with severe revengement chastise the Leviathan’s insolency and slaughter of so many Martyrs, rather deferring than forgetting so just a punishment.