A.D. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



1177. 



our imperiall highnes hath mainteined most deadly feod 

 and hostility against Gods enemies the Persians, seeing 

 them so to triumph over Christians, to exalt themselves 

 against the name of God, and to usurpe over Christian 

 kingdomes. For which cause our imperiall highnesse 

 hath in some sort encountered them heretofore, and did 

 as it pleased God to give us grace. And we suppose 

 that your Majestie is not ignorant, what our imperiall 

 highnesse hath often performed for their ruine and sub- 

 version. For even now, being urged thereunto, we have 

 determined to leade a mighty army against them, and 

 to wage warre against all Persia. And albeit our forces 

 be not so great as we could wish they were, yet have we 

 according to the time, and the present state of things, 

 strongly invaded them. Wherefore our Majestie 

 imperiall hath gathered our armies together : but 

 because we had in our army sundry carts laden with 

 armour, engines, & other instruments for the assault 

 of cities, to an exceeding weight we could not make 

 any great speed in our journey. Moreover, while our 

 imperiall highnesse was yet marching in our owne 

 dominions, before any barbarous enemy had fought 

 against us : our people were visited with the most 

 grievous disease of the fluxe, which being dispersed in 

 our troups destroyed and slew great numbers, more 

 then the sword of the enemy would have done. Which 

 mischiefe so prevailing, did woonderfully abate our forces. 

 But after we had invaded the Turkish frontiers, we had 

 at the first very often and hot skirmishes, and the Turks 

 came swarming to fight against our imperiall troups. 

 Howbeit by Gods assistance those miscreants were 

 altogether scattered and put to flight by our souldiers. 

 But as we approched unto that straight passage which 

 [II. i. 20.] is called by the Persians Cibrilcimam, so many bands 

 of Persian footemen and horsemen (most whereof came 

 from the innermost parts of Persia, to succour their 

 Allies) encountred our army, as were almost superiour 

 unto us in number. Wherefore the army of our 



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