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Cyprus, but the inhabitants usurping their authority elected kings to themselves of their own generation : aud so it continued till the last king of Cyprus, James the Bastard (marrying with the daughter of a noble Venetian, Catherine Cornaro) died without children, leaving her his absolute heir. And she perceiving the factious nobility too headstrong to be bridled by a female authority, like a good child, resigned her crown and scepter to the Venetian Senate, anno 1473. Whereupon the Venetians embracing the opportunity of time brought her home, and sent governors thither to bear sway in their behalf, paying only as tribute to the ./Egyptian Sultans 40000 crow nee, which had been dne ever since Melecksala [Melek el Ashraf, Seif-ed-Din] had made [Janus] of Cyprus his tributary. It was under their jurisdiction 120 years and more, till (hat the Turks, who ever oppose themselves against Christians (finding a fit occasion in time of peace and without suspition in the Venetians) took it with a great Armado, anno 1570, aud so till this day by them is detained. Oh great pitty ! that the usurpers of God's Word, and the world's great enemy, should maintain (without fears) that famous kingdom, being but one thousand and fifty Turks in all who are the keepers of it. Unspeakable is the calamitie of that poor afflicted Christian people under the terronr of these infidels, who would, if they had armes or assistance of any Christian Potentate, easily subvert and abolish the Turks, without any disturbance; yea, and would remici- the whole Signiory thereof to such a noble actor, I do not see in that small judgment which by experience I have got but the rédemption of that country were most facile, if that the generous heart of any Christian Prince would be moved with condign compassion tu relieve the miserable afflicted inhabitants. In which work he should reap (questionless) not only an infinite treasure of worldly commodities, that followeth upon so great a conquest, but also a heavenly and eternal reward of immortal glory. The which deliverance Ferdinando, Duke of Florence thought to hare accomplished (having purchased the good will of the islanders) with five gallonile* and 5000 souldiers. Who being mindful to take first in the fortress of Famognsta, directed so their course that in the night they should have entered tuie haven, disbark their men and scale the walls. Bnt in this plot they were far disappointed by an unhappy pilot of the vice admiral, who mistaking the port wrnt into a wrong hay : which the Florentines considering resolved to return and keep the sea till the second night, but by a dead calm they were frustrated of their nyines, and on the morrow discovered by the castle. Whereupon the Turks went presently to arms, aud charged the inhabitants to come to defend that place. But about four hundred Greeks in the westpart, at Paplnis, rebelled, thinking that time had alterni their hard fortunes by a new change : but alas they were prevented, and everyone cnt off by the bloody hands of the Turks; this massacre was committed in the year 1607. Such alwayes are the torturing flames of Fortnne's smiles, that he who most affecteth her, she most aud altogether deceiveth. But they who trust in the Lord shall be as stable as Mount Syon, which cannot be removed : and questionless one day God, in his all eternali inercie, will relieve their miseries, and in his just judgments recoinpeuce these hlnndy oppressors with the heavy vengeance of His allseeing Justice. In my retimi from Nicosia to Famognsta with my Treiich-nian we encountered by the way with some Turks, who needs would have my mule to ride upon, which my interpreter refused. But they in a revenge pulled me by the heels from the mule's back, heating me most pitifully and left me almost for dead. In this meanwhile my companion fled, and escaped the sceleratness of their hands ; and if it had not been for some conipussionable Greeks, who by accident came by, aud relieved ine, I had doubtless immediately perished. From the Fort and Citie Famogusta I embarked in a Genno, aud arrived at Tripoly, being 88 miles distant. 204 EXCERPTA CYPRIA.

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