Иностранные известия о восстании Степана Разина - страница 4

, and fell into the Rere of the pursuant the Rebel Radzin, with so powerful management, as shook his mounted body, and over ran his Infantry to all wonder. The Patriarch mistaken in the suddenness of his wheeling, expecting he intended by the change of ground into his Flank, wheeled to the contrary to provide for his reception: and the Army spreading so fully the Plain, ere he could well recover his rash motion; the Rebel Radzin, unassisted, had neither ground for handsome retreat, nor safety in flight; but indeed (with unheard-of resolution) forced (like the son of Despair) his pass between the buryings of the Czar'sInfantry, into his first ground again, and joyned with the Patriarch, commanding some retreat, to compleat his battered Companies. In this Onset were lost five of the Great Dukes Colours, three of Horse, and two of Foot; and thirteen of the Rebels, with the return of unpitied shattered Files.

Then the truly-gallant-spirited Moscovian Generals foreseeing the Rally of the Rebels might yet be managed with more then equal figures, took the advantage to cut off the cyphers, thereby to lessen the sum; drew their whole Body upon their Rere with great success in slaughter, till the Rebel Radzin again faced their Front, and by renewed fury continued battel from twelve a clock till three with such vicissitude of fate, Sir, it cannot here be expressed; but unquestionably the dispute was so hot, that these Armies came to change blows, some Regiments intermixt rudely one amongst another. And then believe so prodigious a Rebellion was never so quasht in less then seven hours: for by four a clock in the afternoon, the General Dolerucko had the clear possession of the plain for four miles pursuit on the Rebels ground: and then night drew on her sable veil, under which covert the left scattered Rebel-troops, unarmed, hid their despairing heads; which the Generals next days pursuit for sixteen miles found, and totally discomfited, with the jloreat of Victory, the taking of the Head-rebel Radzin, whose to-be-considered punishment will be in lingering Torments, to the example of all Rebels and their Coadjutors in this part, and I hope of the whole world. The slain of the Dukes Army were more then 7000, of whom the Major-General is the onely great eminent person, of whom in the next you shall have particular: on the Rebels party more then 16000, with 24000 onleads to this Irruption taken prisoners, with above three hundred Carriages and Artillery.

Sir, this is the nearest to the truth I can render by advice: but ampler Victory hath not been obtained against a body of 100000 men in the memory of man. How much my weakness may lessen the glory of the action, when the more accurate pens of this Factory may gild this welcome News from the golden nib of elegance, and with queint and pathetick expression suiting every passage, I am afraid to know.

So wishing the King my Soveraign, People and Country, ever protected from those bosom-fears we here retained, and to all Rebels semblable success, and your acceptance of this abortive of your command in all advice private or publike, but really the exactest yet known in this matter he is able to commend, who desires to be thought (Sir) in all accompts punctual, and ready to justifie himself.

Yours devoted

Moscow, Febr. 15 70/17

FINIS

Достопочтенный хозяин!

Сэр!

Долгое время мы здесь ежедневно пребывали в страхе, что с минуты на минуту (как подсказывал разум) нас бесчеловечно лишат жизни, а имущество ваше и других достопочтенных хозяев разграбят и присвоят. Не верить в то, что отныне этим тревогам пришел конец, было бы дерзким безбожием: провидение так защитило нас и обезопасило ваше имущество, что если бы времена чудес не миновали, то внезапный наш переход от слез к огромной радости можно было бы воистину почитать чудом.