The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 16Dryden, John
History
The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 16
Dryden, John
English literature
The Portuguese seeing the army of the enemy, on a heap together, without
being able to disengage their ships, encompassed them, and battered them
with their cannon. They discharged every tier, three rounds successively,
and so to purpose, that they sunk nine great ships, and disabled almost
all the rest. Then four of the Portuguese foysts set upon six Mahometans,
which the cannon had used more favourably than the rest; the soldiers
boarded them with their swords in their hands, and calling on the name of
Jesus, in less than half an hour they destroyed above 2000 men. The
fright and the disorder of the enemy was redoubled, at the sight of this
slaughter, and at the thundering of the guns, which did such dreadful
execution; insomuch, that the Achenois leaped into the river of their own
accord, chusing rather to die in that manner, than by the hands of the
Christians.
Their general being taken up, when he was just drowning, and drawing new
courage from despair, endeavoured to have heartened up the remainder of
those who were about him. But having himself received a musket-shot, he
lost all manner of resolution, and made away with only two vessels. The
five hundred gentlemen Orobalans were either slain or drowned, with all
the Janisaries. None escaped, but those who followed Soora in his flight.
On the side of the Christians there were twenty-six slain, of whom four
only were Portuguese by nation The spoil was great; for, besides the two
guard-ships which came into the power of the conquerors, and wherein was
all the pillage which the enemy had gained, they took at least forty-five
vessels, which might again be made serviceable. There was found amongst
the spoils a prodigious quantity of Saracen and Turkish arms; 300 pieces
of cannon of all sorts; and, what was yet more pleasing, sixty-two pieces
of ordnance, whereon were graven the arms of Portugal, and which had been
lost in divers wars, returned at length to the possession of their lawful
lord and owner.
The king of Parlez no sooner had notice of the enemy's defeat, than,
issuing out of the woods where he lay concealed, he came with 500 men,
and fell upon the workmen, who, by Soora's orders, were building a
fortress, and on the soldiers appointed for their guard. Having cut them
in pieces, he went to visit Captain Deza, and congratulated the valour of
the Portuguese, and their success. He owned the preservation of his
kingdom to their arms; and offered, by way of acknowledgment, a yearly
tribute to the king of Portugal.
Deza immediately ordered a frigate to carry the news of his victory to
Malacca; but it was fully known in that city, with all its circumstances,
before the frigate was sent off, and thus it happened.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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