A SPEECH Delivered by the King of Poland TO HIS ARMY Before the Battle, September 12th. 1683.
BRave and Valiant Gentlemen of Poland, it is not here only requisite to make good the Glory which your Ancestors Valour have acquir'd, in making us consider'd as the Bulwark of Christianity against the Arms of the Ottamans: It is not only sufficient at this present to defend your Country, which the loss of Vienna would expose by a necessary consequence to the Invasion of those Infidels, with whom we are to Fight. Here it is necessary to defend the Cause of God, and to preserve the Western Empire, which hath done us the Honour to have recourse to our Assistance; an Honour which our Ancestors dust never aspire unto, and was reserved for your Valour. Entertain therefore no other thoughts at present, but either to Conquer, or Nobly to end your Lives in this Just Cause, to which the Glory of our common Master is annexed: Think now that you are to Fight in the sight of so many Brave Commanders who are engaged in the same Cause and Peril; reflect also that your King Fights at the Head of you, whereby to have a share both in your Glory and Danger; and withall be confident that the God of Battles whose Cause we defend will undoubtedly Fight for us.
Printed by N. Thompson at the Entrance into the Old-Spring-Garden near Charing-Cross 1683.
HARANGUE DU Roy de Pologne A SON ARMéE Avant le Combat, le 12 du mois de Septembre, 1683:
BRaves Chevaliers Polonnois, Il ne s'agit pas icy seulement de soûtenir la Gloire que vos Ancestres & vostre Generositè vous ont aquise, vous faisant considérer comme le boulevard invincible de la Chrêtientè contre les Armes Ottomanes; Il ne sági [...] pas de defendre vostre Paîs, que la Perte de Vienne exposeroit, par une suite nécessaire, a▪ la cruelle invasion des Infidelles contre qui vous allez combattre; Il s'agit de defendre la cause de Dieu, & de Sauver l'Empire d'Occident qui nous a fait l'Honneur de recourir à nos Armes, honneur que jamais nos Ancestres n'avoient ozé espérer, & qui etoit reservé à vostre bravoure. Ne Songez donc plus qu'a vaincre, ou á movrir Noblement dans une si belle occasion ou la Gloire du Maistre est attachée. Songez que vous allez combattre à la veûe de tant de braves guerriers qui vont s'engager avec vous dans le même péril, et songez que vostre Roy combat à vostre tête pour partager avec vous le danger & la gloire, & soyez assurez que le Dieu des batailles, dont vous defendez la cause, combat pour vous.
A Londres l'Primier par N. T. MDCLXXXIII.