John Trapp on Nehemiah 9:36

Verſe 36. Behold, we are ſervants this day] This is twice here bewailed, as a ſingular unhappineſſe. They that live under the Turkiſh ſlavery, feele it ſo. Poor Greece that was once Sol & ſal gentium, terrarum flos, & fons literarum, is now — vel Priamo miſeranda manus. Princeſſe of Nations, Queen of Provinces She was, that now thus tributary is. Lam. 1.1. Out of Greece, and other Countreys that had ſometimes received the Faith of Chriſt, the Turkiſh tyrants draw with them to the warres great multitudes of wretched people, whom they call Aſape. Theſe carry all the baggage; theſe carry wood and water for other ſouldiers of better account: theſe ſerve inſtead of Pioners to caſt up trenches, and raiſe bulwarks: and when battle is to be given, if it be in plain field, theſe have then weapons put into their hands, and are thruſt into the fore-front of the battle, to blunt the enemies ſwords: But if a City be to be beſieged, theſe ſerve as fit matter to fill the ditches with their dead bodies,Turk. Hiſt. 325. & 317. or to make bridges for other ſouldiers to paſſe over upon. And if they ſhrink to attempt any thing they are commanded, then are they more cruelly uſed by their Commanders, then by their enemies. And this the Ottoman Kings count good policy.