the Conqueror might casily make his passage free.
The City of Thoren the Swedes fortifie at present;
ergo, they are beaten. The great Duke of Moscovies
falling into Livonia may cause a diversion
of Arms unto the Swedes; ergo, he is marched into
the Country with 200000 men, and such like foolish
particulars.
I do not accuse you, whom I have known to be a lover of
truth, but I conceive that you have heard this news upon the
Market place, where you did likewise receive the great printed
Letters; I doe much admire at the fond opinion and presumption
of some who dare take upon them to set forth Remonstrances,
opprobrious speeches and vilifyings of great
Princes, to abuse Cities and great Assemblies with Libels,
and write news for a wager, not otherwise than as if it were
one of the Liberall Sciences, to invent and spred false Newes
abroad, thereby to deceive and render the truth doubtfull.
What you say of the rumor that goes throughout the whole
City of DantZick, of Wars and warlike designes; this is probable,
but however it is, in effect the Dantzickers have Wars
with none but themselves, which pleasure the Swedes are willing
to leave unto them. The Generall of the Artillery.
Count Steinbock, hath to my knowledg alwaies used the City
very civilly, and not after an hostile manner (before they
shewed their enmity at the Relief of Marienburg Castle, and
the beating of some few Swedish horsemen out of the Olive[unr]
so that they might, if they pleased, have had less cause to speak
of the War. They speak of nothing but Wars and Rumors
of Wars, and yet they have had no Enemy. They were
pleased to own a King or a chief head, although the same hath
been severed from the Body, and ran from his Kingdome,
Countrey and Cities. And since it was well known that hee
could not afford any aid or assistance; yet for the better setling
of their actions, they have built Castles in the air, and fed
themselves with fansies. But how far it will goe, time will