ABSTRACT

WhentheKingatArmshadreadthisLetter,theAmbassador madethisSpeechtothePrince.

MostExcellentPrince, FameseemedtotheEmperor,mySovereign,todoyourHighness Right,byfillingtheWorldwiththeRenownofyourPrincely Vertues,andValourofyourbraveCourt;tilloflate,thegallant Behaviour,andheroicalProwessofdiversyourKnightsofthe Helmet,whomthegoodFortuneofRussia,addressedtoyourcold Climate,discoveredthatFametobeeitherenviousinsuppressing agreatpartofyourValour,orunabletosetforthsoadmirable VertuestotheirfullMerits:ForbythesefiveKnights(whose greatestVauntswere,thattheywereyourExcellency'sServants)an exceedingnumberofBigarianTartars,whosevagabondIn-roads, andinhumaneFiercenessinfestedhisBorders,captivatedhis People,burnthisCities,andspoiledwholeProvinces,wasbya mostwonderfulVictory,repulsed,andbeatenback.Andwithal, bytheirbraveConduct,theysurprizedanotherArmyofNe-groTartars;whosewretchedDevicesceasednottoworktheCOnfusion andCombustionofourwholeCountry,anddivertedtheirbarbarous Crueltywhereitmightdousmostdamage.Thesesameworthy Knights,beforetheycouldreceivethatHonourwherewithmy SoveraignintendedtoadorntheirVertues,didwithdrawthemselves,andareretired,asHisMajestyisinformed,toyourCourt. Whereupon,hesentme,partlytocongratulateyourHappiness, whodeservetocommandoversuchanumberofgallantGentlemen;butespecially,toconjureyourExcellency(accordingtothe ancientLeagueandAmitycontinuedbetwixtyou)thatyouwould sendhimthesesixKnights,accompaniedwithanhundredother ofthesameOrder;forhedoubtethnot,butbytheirVertues, accompaniedandattendedwithhisownForces,whoare,inlargenessofDominion,andnumberofPeople,andallotherWarlike

441 Furniture and Provision, inferiour to no Earthly Potentate, that these Runagate Tartars shall be again confined to their Deserts, with their memorable Slaughter, and your common Glory and Profit: ... [The Russian Ambassador was feasted, and after many jests the Prince made a speech ending as follows:]

When the Prince had concluded, for his Farewel, he took a Lady to dance withal, and so did the rest of the Knights and Courtiers; and after some time spent in Revelling, the Prince took his way to his Lodging, and so the Company dissolved, and made an end of this Night's Work.