MyChiauxhad a mind to frustrate my Desire, and yet he was no bad Man neither; for having communicated my Request to theBashaws, they were not willing that any Christian should behold their Prince marching with so small Force against his own Son, and therefore, said they to him, do you promise him fair, but be sure to delay him till theSultanis a Shipboard; then you may think of some Excuse or other to bring you off.
WhenI came to the House where a Room was hired for me, the Door was shut, so that I could no more enter into that, than I could go out of my own; when I knock’d, no body answered. Hereupon theJanizariesagain told me, that, if I commanded them, they would either break open the Doors, or get in at Window and open them. I told them, they should not break open any thing; but if they would go up to the Windows, they might: they presently did so, and opened the Door. When I went up Stairs, I found the House full ofJews, a wholeSynagogueof them. They looked upon it as a Miracle, that I should enter, when the Doors were shut; but being informed of the Truth, an old grave Matron, in comely Habit, address’d herself, and complained to me, inSpanish, of the Violence I had offered to the House; I told her, she had done me wrong, in not keeping her Word, and that I was not a Man to be thus deluded; she seem’d dissatisfied, and the Time would not admit of further Discourse. In short, I was allowed one Window, which on the back side looked outinto the Street, and from thence, with a great deal of Pleasure, I saw all the grand Procession.
TheGulupagiandUlufagimarched two by two; theSelchersone by one, andSpahi’s(which are the Names of theGrand Seignior’s Horse-Guards) distinguished by their Ranks and Troops; they were about 6000, besides a vast number of the Domesticks of the PrimeVizier, and of otherBashaws. TheTurkishHorsemen make a gallant Show; the best Breed of Horses is fromCappadociaandSyria, and the adjacent Countries; he is set out with Silver Trappings, studded with Gold and Jewels. His Rider is clad with a Coat or Vest made of Silk Velvet, or other fine Cloth of Scarlet, Purple or dark blue Colour, intermixed with Gold and Silver. He hath two Cases hanging by his sides, one holds his Bow, the other his Arrows, both of neatBabylonianWorkmanship; and so is his Buckler which he bears on his Left Arm, and is Proof against Arrows, Clubs, or Swords. In his Right Hand, unless he desire to have it free, he carries a light Spear, for the most part painted with Green. His Scimiter is studded with Jewels, and made of steel, and it hangs down from his Saddle. What need so much Armour, say you? I’ll tell you. They use them all; and that dextrously too. You’ll reply, how can he use that Spear and the Bow too? What! will he take up his Spear when he hath broken, or thrown away, his Bow? Not so neither; for he keeps his Spear, as long as he can: But, when he hath occasion to use his Bow, the Spear, being light and easily manag’d, he puts between his Saddle and his Thigh; so that the Point of it sticks out backward; and thus he presses it down with his Knee, as long as he pleases. But, if he fights only with the Spear, then he puts up his Bow into his Case, or else with his left Hand places it behindhis Shield. It is not however my present Design to acquaint you with theTurksExpertness at Arms; they have obtain’d it by long Use and Experience in War. Their Heads are covered with very fine white Cotton-Linnen, in the midst whereof stands up a Tuft made of Purple Silk, plaighted; some of them wear black Feathers a-top.
Afterthe Horse, a large Body ofJanizariesfollowed, being Foot, and seldom taking any other Arms than Muskets. The Make and Colour of their Cloaths are almost the same, so that you would judge them all to be the Servants of one Man. They have no ungainly Habit among them, nor any thing rent or torn; their Cloaths will wear out soon enough, they say, without their tearing them; yet, in their Feathers, Crests, and such-like military Ornaments, they are over-curious, or rather proud; especially, theVeteransin the Rear, you would think a whole Wood of walking Feathers were in their Fire-stars and Frontals; after them their Officer and Commanders follow on Horseback, distinguished each by his proper Ensign. In the last Place marches theirAga, or General. Then succeed the chief Courtiers, amongst whom are theBashaws; then the Foot of their Prince’s Life-Guard in a particular Habit, carrying their Bows bent in their Hands, for they are all Archers; next the Prince’s Led-Horses, all with curious Trappings. He himself rode on a stately Prancer, looking sour, with his Brows bent, as if he had been angry; behind him came three Youths, one carrying a Flagon of Water, another his Cloak, another his Bow. Then followed some Eunuchs of the Bed-Chamber; and, at last, a Troop of about Two Hundred Horse closed the Procession.
AfterI had the Satisfaction of viewing all this, my only care was now to appease my Hostess, she that at my entrance spake to me inSpanish, for I heard she was very familiar withRustan’s Wife, and therefore I was afraid she would represent things unhandsomely against me; to prevent which, I sent for her, and told her she should have remembered her Bargain, and not have shut her Door against me who had hired a Room; but, though you, said I, don’t remember your Promise, I’ll perform mine; yea, I will be better than my word: I promis’d you but seven Pistoles, but here’s ten for you, that so you may not repent your Admittance of me into your House. When the Woman thus unexpectedly saw her Hand fill’d with Gold, she was presently melted down into a Compliance, and the whole Synagogue of them fell to Compliments and giving me thanks; and the Woman that was Crony toRustan’s Wife, made one in the Consort, for she always, in my Landlady’s name, gave me great Thanks. They offered meGrecianWine and a Banquet, which I refused, but with great Acclamations of all theJews, made haste to be gone, that I might manage a new Dispute with myChiaux, for keeping my Doors fasten’d, when I should have come forth.
Ifound him sitting mournfully in my Porch, where he began a long Complaint, that I ought not to have gone abroad without his Consent, nor have broke open the Door: that I had violated the Law of Nations thereby, and such like stuff. I replied, in short, that, if he had come betimes in the Morning as he promised, he had prevented all this; his breach of Promise had occasioned it, for his Intent was only to deceive me. I demanded also of him, whether he look’d upon me as an Ambassador, or a Prisoner? As an Ambassador, sayshe. If you think me a Prisoner, said I, then I am not an fit Instrument to make a Peace, for a Prisoner is not his own Man; but if an Ambassador, as you confess, then why am I not a Free-man? Why can’t I go abroad when I will? Captives use to be shut up, not Ambassadors: Liberty is granted to such in all Nations; they may claim it as their publick due: He ought to know, that he was not appointed to be my Serjeant, or Keeper, but to assist me, (as he himself used to say) with his good Offices, that so no other Man might do any Injury to me or mine.
Hereuponhe turns to theJanizaries, and quarrels with them, for giving me Advice, and helping my Servants, to break open the Doors. They said, I had no need of their Advice: I commanded them to open them, and they obeyed; there was no great Difficulty in it, the Doors were old, and flew open presently; there was nothing either lost or broken. Thus theChiauxwas forced to hold his Peace, and I never heard any more of the matter.
Awhile after, I had also leave to pass over the Sea, for theTurksjudged it conducing to their Affairs, to treat me nobly in their Camp, as the Ambassador of a Prince in Alliance with them; and to that end, I had a handsome Lodging provided for me near their Camp, where I had all the Conveniences imaginable. I lived there three Months, and had the opportunity to view the Camp of theTurks, which was extended all over the neighbouring Fields, and to discover some parts of their Discipline: You will not find fault with me, if I acquaint you with something thereof. Know then, that I cloathed myself asChristiansdo in that Country, and with one or two Attendants walked up and down their Campincognito. The first thing I saw, was, the Soldiers of each Body quartered with great Order in their severalRanks, and that with a great deal of Silence, (’tis far otherwise inChristianCamps) all hush; not a Quarrel, nor the least Disorder or Noise amongst them in their Jollities. Besides, they are wonderfully cleanly; no Dung-hill or Noisom smell to offend the Eye or Ear; all their Ordure they bury under Ground, or throw it far enough off. When they have occasion to ease Nature, they dig a Pit with a Spade, and there bury their Excrements; so that there is no ill smell at all. Besides, there are no Drinking-matches amongst them, no playing with Cards or Dice, (the Bane of theChristianArmy!) I only heard oneHungariancommon Soldier playing a doleful Ditty on a ill-tuned Harp, and his Companions were howling rather than singing to it; it was the last Words of a Fellow-Soldier, who died of his Wounds on the grassy Bank of theDanow; he adjured that River, as her Streams were gliding to his own Country, to commend him to his Friends there, and tell them that he died no ignoble, nor unrevenged Death for the glory of their Nation, and encrease of their Religion. His Fellows groaned out,Thrice happy he! O that our Case were like his!For you must know, theTurksare of opinion, That no Souls go more directly to Heaven, than those of valiant Men, who lost their lives in the Field; and that Virgins do pour out daily Prayers to God for their Safety.
Ihad a mind to pass through the Shambles, that I might see what Flesh was sold there; I saw only four or five Weathers at most, hung up dress’d; they were the Shambles of theJanizaries, who were at least 4000. I wondred so little Flesh could suffice so many; and was answered, They used but little Flesh, but great part of their Diet was brought fromConstantinople. When I demanded,What that was, they shewed me aJanizarynear at hand, who waslying down, and boiling Turnips, Leeks, Garlick, Parsnips, and Cucumbers. He seasoned them with Salt and Vinegar, and, Hunger being his best Sauce, eat them as heartily, as if they had been Partridge or Pheasant.
TheirDrink was that which is common to all Animals,viz.Water; by this frugality, they consult the Health of their Bodies, and also the saving of their Money. And the very time wherein they did this, caused me to admire the more; it was their Fast, (or, as we call it,Lent) at which time amongChristians, even in well-govern’d Cities, as well as in Camps, there is nothing but Sporting, Dancing, Singing, Revelling, Drunkenness, and such like Madness; insomuch, that aTurkishEnvoy coming once, at that time of the Year, reported at his return, That theChristiansat certain times grew mad and raging, but sprinkling themselves with a sort of Ashes in their Temples, they recovered their Wits again, so that they did not seem the same Men; thereby denotingAsh-Wednesday, and its Eve. TheTurks, hearing this, were struck with a great Amazement, because they have many Medicines amongst them which cause Madness, but very few that procure a speedy recovery from it.
Forthe Days immediately preceding their Fasts, they do not alter their private way of living in their Worshipping; rather on the contrary, they abridge themselves of some of their daily Commons, that they may prepare for their Fasts, lest a sudden Abstinence might be prejudicial to their Healths.
Thetime of their Fast is so appointed, that every Year it comes fifteen Days sooner than the former; the reason is, because they fill not the twelve yearly spaces of the Moon: Hence it comes to pass, that their Fast kept in the early Spring, after six Years, happens at the beginning of Summer; forthey measure their Fasts by the course of the Moon, and there are none more irksom to them, than those which fall out in the long Summer-days; for, while they Fast, not a bit, nor so much as a drop of Water, goes down (neither dare they so much as wash their Mouths therewith) before the Star appear in the Evening, the longest Day of Abstinence, being hot, and of course dusty, must needs be very tedious, especially to the poorer sort, who live by their Labour: Yet, before Sun-rise (though not after) while yet the Stars shine in the Firmament, it is lawful for them to eat; and therefore they better endure their Winter Fasts. And that they may not be deceived by the darkness of the Weather, their Priests hang out Lights in Paper-Lanthorns from the top of theirMosque, (from whence they are wont, by sound of Voice to call them to the Prayers, as we do by Bells): And this shews that their Eating-time is come; whereupon entring presently into their Temples, and worshipping God in their way, they return to Supper.
Inthe close of their Summer-Falls, I once saw a great many of them go into a Tavern over-against my Lodging, (where Ice from MountOlympusinAsiawas always to be sold) and there they ask’d for Icy water, which they drank jetting strangely backwards; for theTurkscount it profane either to Eat, Drink or Piss in a standing posture, unless in case of Necessity; but they do it bending their Bodies, as Women do with us when they make Water. And whereas in the dusk of the Evening I could not well discern the meaning of that Posture, I was told that most of them drank a draught of cold Water, to make way for their Meat, for otherwise it would stick to their Jaws and they could not swallow it; and, besides, this moisture of their Palate did quicken their Appetites.
Intheir Diet they are not choice, and after their Fasts they may eat any Meat which was lawful for them to do at other Times. If they fall sick, they omit their Fasts, but with this condition, that when they recover they must fast so many Days over, as they neglected before. But when they are near an Enemy, and ready to fight, lest Fasting should weaken their Bodies, they are allowed to eat; and if a blind Superstition restrains some of them, then their Emperor, at Noon, in the sight of his whole Army eats his Dinner, and by his Example they are all encouraged to do the same.
Theyuse Wine at no time of the Year, they count it profane and irreligious so to do; especially, they abhor it on their Fasts; then no Man is so much as to smell to it, much less to taste it.
Ioften ask’d, whyMahometwas so strict, as to forbid his Followers the use of Wine? In answer to my demand, they told me this Story, thatMahometmaking a Journey to his Friend, at Noon entred into a House where there was a Marriage-Feast, and setting down with the Guests, he observed them to be very merry and jovial, kissing and embracing one another, which was attributed to the chearfulness of their Spirits raised by the Wine; so that he blessed the sacred Juice, as being an Inspirer of much Love amongst Men: But returning to the same House the next Day, he beheld another face of Things; as Gore-blood on the ground, a Hand cut off, an Arm, Foot, and other Limbs dismember’d; and these, he was told, were the effects of the Brawls and Fightings occasioned by the Wine, which made them mad, and destroy one another: Whereupon he changedhis Mind, turning his formerBlessinginto aCurse, and forbidding it, as an Abomination, to all his Disciples for ever.
Forthis Reason all was quiet in the Camp, and the greatest Composure imaginable, especially at their Feast-time: So much did Camp-Discipline, and a Strictness received from their Ancestors prevail upon them!
TheTurkspunish all Vice and Wickedness very severely; their Punishments are, loss of their Places, sale of their Goods, basting with Clubs, Death: But Club-basting is most common, from which theJanizariesthemselves are not free; though they may not, as such, be put to death. Their lighter Offences are chastised by the Club; their more heinous by cashiering or degrading, which they count worse than Death, because commonly they are put to Death afterwards; for being stripp’d of the Ensigns ofJanizaries, they are banish’d to the farthest Garrison of the Empire, where they live contemptible and inglorious, till, upon any light Occasion, they are put to Death; yet not asJanizaries, but as common Soldiers only.
Andhere let me acquaint you with the Patience of theTurksin receiving that Punishment; they’ll receive sometimes an hundred Blows on their Legs, their Feet and Buttocks, with wonderful Patience; so that diver’s Clubs are broke, and the Executioner cries out,Give me another!Yea, sometimes the Chastisement is so severe, that several pieces of torn Flesh must be cut off from the wounded Parts, before any thing can be applied to cure them. Yet for all this, they must go to their Officer, who commanded them to be punish’d; they must kiss his Hand, and give him Thanks; nay, they must also give the Executioner a Reward for beating them. The Club they are beatenwith, they countsacred, and that it fell down from Heaven, as theRomanscounted theirShieldto do; and, as some Relief to their Misery, they count those Parts wounded with the Rod or Club, to be free from any Purgations, and Expiations after this Life.
WhenI told you, that theTurk’s Camps were free from Broils and Tumults, I must except one, which was made by my own Men: The occasion of it was this. Some of my Servants had a mind to ramble out of the Camp, without anyJanizariesto attend them; only taking someItalianRenegadoes that professed theTurk’s Religion. Let me tell you, by the way, that theseItaliansare of good use in that Country, especially in redeeming Captives; for they come to their Masters, and pretend they are either their Kinsmen, or their Countrymen, and therefore, out of Compassion to them, they desire to buy them as their Patrons, for a Price agreed, and so they set them free: But if aChristianshould make the same proffer to them, they would either refuse, or hold him to a far higher Rate.
Butto return: Some of my People, as I told you, gadding abroad, they happened to meet someJanizaries, who came from Swimming and Washing themselves in the Sea, without the Badges of their Order on their Heads, only some Linnen being very slightly wrapped about them. TheseJanizariesrevil’d my People, knowing them to beChristians; for that’s the way of theTurks, to reproachChristians; ’tis a Principle of their Religion, and they think thereby to incline us to exchange our Religion for a better, as they count theirs to be. My Folks being thus provoked, return Jeer for Jeer, from Words they came toBlows, theItaliansassisting my Men. The cause of the Scuffle was, that one of theJanizarieslost the Linnen Covering off his Head, which was thrown I know not whither: Hereupon theJanizarieshurry away to their General, complaining of their Wrongs and Damage received by my Servants; for they watch’d them, and found them return’d to my House. Their General presently sent for my Interpreter, who was present at the Conflict: He was seiz’d upon sitting at my Door, and they were pulling him away. I beheld it from a Gallery above, and was much concern’d, that any of my Family should be taken forcibly from me without my Consent, to be carried to theBastinado, (for I understood something of the Matter before); and I could not imagine he would be return’d to me without being well beaten, he being one of theTurk’s Subjects. Whereupon I ran down, and laid hold on him, commanding them to let him go. They quitted him with much ado, but hasted immediately with far more grievous Complaints to their General, who commanded more of their Company to go and seize thoseItalians, who ofChristiansare said to have becomeTurks; yet he charged them to offer no Violence to me, or to the House where I lodged. They came back presently, and with a great Noise and many Threats, demanded thoseItalians; but they, foreseeing what would come to pass, had sailed back toConstantinople. Much Clamour there was on both sides; at last myChiauxat that time, who was an old decrepid Man, out of a jeer thrust some Pistoles into their Hands unknown to me, to buy a new Bonnet in the room of that which was lost; and thus the Dispute ended.
Ihave been the more punctual in relating this Story, because, on this occasion, I understood fromRustan’s own Mouth, what Opinion theSultanhad of theJanizaries: For he, hearing of this Scuffle, sent a Messenger to me, to desire me to cut off all occasion of Dispute with theJanizariesas the worst of Men. You know, said he, ’tis a time of War, wherebytheymay be said to reign, rather than theSultan, who himself stands in fear of them. This he spake, as being well acquainted with the Sentiments ofSolyman, who always suspected some Men of their own to lie in wait against theirMilitia, who would break out when he had no Opportunity to prevent them.
Andthe Truth is, though there may be some use of a standing Guard andMilitia, yet there are also many Inconveniences attending it, of which this is the chief. Their Emperor is very fearful of them, lest, having the Sword in their Hands, they should alter the Government as they pleas’d, of which there had been many Precedents; yet, there are ways also, whereby this may be prevented.
WhileI was in their Camp, there cameAlbertus de Ubiis, a worthy and learned Person, born I think atAmsterdam, as an Envoy from my MasterCæsar. He brought with him some Presents for theirSultan, as some Goblets gilt with Gold, with a Clock neatly made, and carried like a Tower on an Elephant’s Back; as also some Money to be distributed, amongst theBashaws.Solymanwould have me deliver these Presents in the Camp, that the Amity betwixt Him and my Master might be more publickly known, and so no Danger at all to be feared from theChristianArms.
Butto return toBajazet, after the Fight atIconium, who retired to his Government ofAmasia, pretending to live quietly there, if his Father would permit him so to do. For why? He had sown his wild Oats, and for the future seem’d pliable to obey his Father’s Will; and for this he employed sundry Persons to carry submissive Letters to his Father, begging his Pardon: Neither didSolymanpretend that he was averse to a Reconciliation with his Son, and therefore he admitted his Messengers into his Presence. He read his Letters, and answered them mildly: So that the Report was spread over all the Army, what an Agreement was like to be between Father and Son; what he had done amiss, was to be imputed to the hot Blood of his youthful Age, provided he would shew himself obsequious for the residue of his Life. ThisSolymandid by the Advice of hisBashaws; for the cunning old Man would not declare himself, till he had broughtBajazetinto the Noose of his own Power. He was terribly afraid, lest out of Desperation he should march furiously intoPersia(his only place of Refuge,) with such furious Expedition, that all hisSanziacksshould not be able to get before him. To prevent which Mistakes, he sent many Letters to all the Governors upon the Borders, to watchBajazet, and not to suffer him to escape, if he should attempt it.
Inthe mean time, he put all those ofBajazet’s Party, that he could get into his Hands, to the Rack; and when he had sifted out of them what he could, he put them privately to Death; amongst which were some thatBajazethad sent to clear him to his Father.
TheKingdom ofPersiaat that time contained all the Countries between theCaspianSea, and the Seas ofPersia, with some part ofArmeniatheGreater, (thoughSolyman, by takingBabylon,Mesopotamia, and part ofMedia, had abridged their Empire very much) and other distant Countries even to the Empire of theHomamia Patisach, as theTurkscall him, and over that last part of LandSagthamaswas King: The Father had been formerly over-thrown bySelimusin a great Fight in the field ofChalderon; and from that time thePersianAffairs began to decline, forSolymana fierce Engineer press’d upon the very Face of them; andThamas, being much inferior to his Father in Courage, made but weak Defence: For he was wholly given up to Sloth and Idleness, and would sit in his Palace amongst a croud of Harlots, amorously pleasing his Humour; and sometimes consulting Magicians concerning future Events: He had little Care of administring public Justice to his People. This Neglect of his opened the Door to all Injustice and Oppression in every part of his Empire: For the Strong oppressed the Weaker, and Innocence could find no Justice or Defence in his Court.
ThePersians, however, have so sacred an Opinion of their Prince, that they believe him happy, that can but kiss the Gates of his Palace; and the Water wherein he washes his Hands, they use for the cure of several Diseases. He hath many Children, but the most promising isIsmael, like his Grandfather both in Name and Nature; a beautiful Prince, and a capital Enemy to the Race of theOttomans. ’Tis reported that he was brought forth into the World, with his Fist all bloody, whence it was in every body’s Mouth, that he would be a warlike Person; and when he was but young he confirmed that Report, by obtaining a great Victory over theTurks. But when his Father made Peace withSolyman, ’twas agreed betwixt them, thatIsmaelshould be sent Prisoner into the Bowels of his Kingdom, that he might be no Obstacle to the intended Agreement: And yet, as ill us’d as he is, after his Father’s Death, ’tis thought, he will succeed in the Empire.
ButSolymanfearing thatSagthamas, (or, as we call him, theSophi) would be more mindful of old Grudges, than of the late Peace to which he was in a manner compell’d; and that, if his Son went thither, he should have much ado to get him thence; and perhaps it might occasion a long War between the Empires, did use his utmost endeavour to stop or take him, before he could come thither. The old Man had not forgot that, a few Years before,Helcas,Thamas’s Brother, had fled to him, and had been supported by him, and it cost his Brother dear to recover him; and therefore he feared thatThamaswould pay him in his own Coin, and perhaps recover by the Sword all the Countries he had taken from him. The Design ofSolymanwas kept very secret, yetBajazet’s Friends smelt it out, and therefore advised him by no means to trust his Father, but to consult his own Safety, by what way soever he could. AndBajazetwas persuaded so to do upon a small occasion, as little Matters often give Weight to greater. There was a Soldier ofBajazet’s taken inSolyman’s Camp, and hang’d up as a Spy, becauseBajazethad listed him, after his Father had given him strict Charge to list no more Soldiers. This was warning enough toBajazetto pack up and be gone. NowSolymanthought himself sure ofBajazet; and, to deceive him the more, he caused his Army to begin their March toConstantinoplethe Day afterEaster. ButBajazet, immediately after Prayers uponEaster-Day, gave Orders for marching withBag and Baggage, and began his unfortunate Voyage toPersia. He knew well enough that he went to the old Enemy of theOttomanHouse, but was resolv’d to try the mercy of any body, rather than fall into his Father’s Hands. There marched out with him all that were able to bear Arms; none were left behind but weak Persons, Women and Children, that were not able to bear the fatigue of so long a Journey; amongst which was a new-born Child of his own, with his Mother, whose Innocency he thought would protect them from his Father’s Cruelty, and therefore he thought it best to leave them to his Clemency, rather than make them Companions of his woeful and miserable Fight; and the truth is,Solyman, as yet uncertain what would become of the Father, spared the Life of his Infant-Son at present, and sent him to be educated atPrusia.
Iwould have return’d toConstantinople, the Day beforeEaster, but had a great mind to see, how theTurksdid observe that Festival; and I was not sure that ever I should have so fair an Opportunity again. They were to celebrate it in the open Field, before the Emperor’s own Tent. I, therefore, ordered my Servants to take a Room in the Tent of aTurkishSoldier, that stood on a rising Ground, and look’d down onSolyman’s Tent, which was over against it. Thither went I at Sun-rising, where, in an open Plain, I beheld a vast multitude of turbanted Heads silently standing, and taking down the last Words of their Priest. Every Rank was ranged orderly, and standing, that in the open Field they seemed to be a Wall one to another: The most Honourable had their Station next the Emperor’s Train, uppermost in the Camp, and their Turbants as white as Snow. Such diversity of Colours did affect mewith a great deal of Pleasure, and the rather, because they stood unmoveable, as if they had grown upon the Place; not a Cough hawking to spit, nor any Sound to be heard; no, nor the least moving of the Head to look backward, or about them. At the Name ofMahomet, they all, as one Man, bowed their Heads, even to the Knee; but when the Name of God was pronounced, they all fell prostrate on their Faces, and kissed the Ground.
Andthe Truth is, theTurksare very ceremonious and attentive in the acts of their religious Worship; for, if a Man doth but scratch his Head when he prays, they think his Prayer is lost. For thus say they, if a Man composes his Body so reverently, even when he speaks but to aBashaw, how much more becoming is that Observance towards God, who is infinitely greater than the greatest of Men?
AfterPrayers, the whole Congregation was discharged, and they ran up and down ranging over the Fields. A while after the Emperor’s Dinner is served up, which theJanizariescarry away Dish by Dish, and eat it with a great deal of Mirth and Drollery. ’Tis an old allowed Custom for them so to do, on that day, their Emperor being provided of a Dinner elsewhere. When I had beheld their Show, I returned with great Pleasure toConstantinople.
Theremainder of my Talk, is, to acquaint you what become ofBajazet, and then I shall ease you of the trouble of Reading, and my self of Writing. He, as I told you, with his invincible Band, march’d out ofAmasiawith such Speed, that his coming prevented the Report thereof; and thoseBashaws, who designed to observe his Motion, he came upon unawares. He put a notable Cheat upon theBashawofSuvas; for whereas, therewere two ways in his Province by which he might march, and theBashawhad beset the chiefest of them; he sent some before him that pretended to be Run-a-ways, to inform him, he was gone the farthest way about; which giving Credit to, he removed his Troops thither to prevent him, and so leftBajazeta free Passage.
Heput the like Trick upon theBashawofErzerumen; for, knowing that the Passage through the Province would be very hazardous, he sent some before him with a counterfeit Message, to salute him, and tell him, that his Misfortunes had reduced him to the most miserable Condition, and therefore he desired him that he might rest a day or two in his Province, at least to get his Horses fed, and new shod.
TheBashawgranted his Request, whereas, it was not a commiserating his Case, or that he favoured his Side, but, perhaps, that he might amuse him a little till he had got all his Troops together to ensnare him; for they were scattered, as not dreaming he would be so soon upon him. However,Bajazetmarch’d continually on, allowing his Men no rest by day, and very little at Night. TheBashawofErzerumenseeing himself deceived, made haste to join himself with the otherBashawsin his Flight.
For, you must know, as soon asSolymanheard his Son was gone fromAmasia, he commanded a great manySanziacksandBashawto follow, and upon pain of Death, to bring him either alive or dead: But all in vain, forBajazetfled faster than they could pursue. TheBashawsaforementioned, paid dear enough for letting him escape; forSolymanput him out of his Place, butSelimusput him to Death, together with his two Boys, though not before they had been most detestably used.SelimusandMehemet Bassa, and theBeglerbegofGreece, pursuedBajazetat a greater distance.Solymanwas much troubled when he heard of his Escape, as being well assured, he would make towardsPersia; and thereupon he was about to gather all his Forces, both Horse and Foot, together, and so march away to declare War againstPersia: But his wiser Counsellors stopped his March, alledging the hazard he would run amongst an ungrateful Soldiery: And besides, say they, what ifBajazetout of his Temerity and Rashness should send a Company aboutPontusand thePalus Mæotis, and so march back toConstantinople, in the Emperor’s Absence, where he might, by promising Liberty to Captives, and to theAgiamoglans, get upon the Throne, now vacant? These Advices restrainedSolymanfrom his Intention.
Bajazet, all along his March, caused Labels to be fixed to the Doors of the Houses, that he would give double Pay to all the Soldiers that would revolt to him; which madeSolyman’s Soldiers suspected by their Officers, and the rather, because the common Soldiers talked very freely in favour ofBajazet. After much ado,Bajazetescaped to the RiverAraxes, which is the Bounds betwixt the two Empires ofTurkeyandPersia; and after he had pass’d this River, he scarce thought himself secure, but appointed some of his own Soldiers to guard the Banks, that so the pursuingSanziacksmight not pass over: They, however, being but few, were easily discomfited before theTurkishCommanders pass’d farther intoPersia; till at last they met with a great Body ofPersianHorse, whose Commanders demanded of them, why they invaded another Prince’s Territories? Their Answer was, they were to fetch the fugitive Son oftheir own Prince. ThePersianstold ’em, ’twas contrary to the League to come armed into their Dominions; there was Peace betwixtSagthamasandSolyman, which they ought not to violate: As forBajazet, their Prince would do what was fitting; in the mean time they should retreat to their own Country. With this Reprimand they direct their March backward. In the mean time Messengers are immediately sent fromPersiatoBajazet, to bid him return, and to know the cause of his coming, and also to spy out what Forces he had brought with him.Bajazetanswers, that his Brother’s Insolency, and his Father’s Displeasure, had driven him out of his own Country, and he was come toPersia, as the only Refuge for an oppressed Prince; and therefore, in consideration of the uncertainty of future Affairs, he hoped he would afford him Protection, being destitute of all Things. ThePersiananswered, he was not well advised to repair to him who had made a Peace with his Father; by which they were both bound to serve the same Friend and Enemy, and that League he could not violate: Nevertheless, since he was come, he bid him welcome, and promised he would do his utmost to reconcile him to his Father. Thus his first Entertainment inPersiawas promising enough; nought but Congratulations, Feastings, friendly Entertainments, and Merrymakings, by which subtle Men disguise their Meanings; nay, there was a talk of a Match betweenOrchanes,Bajazet’s Son, and one of theSophi’s Daughters; and they gave him Hopes, that theSophiwould never be at quiet, tillSolymanhad bestowed upon him the Government ofMesopotamia, orBabylon, orArzerum; for there, say they, you may live commodiously without Fear, as being at a great distance, both from your Brotherand your Father too; and if either of them should deal hardly with you, you will have a Father-in-law to fly to, who will afford you Sanctuary. Such Discourses were received among the Vulgar, to divertBajazet’s thoughts from the apprehension of present Danger. TheSophisent many Ambassadors toSolymanon this Errand; but whether he dealt sincerely withBajazetto reconcile him to his Father, or no, might be a great question, since in the mean time, he contrived all ways to destroy him; forSagthamaswas in a mighty Fear, lest he should nourish a Serpent in his Bosom, and that which encreased his Rancour, was, the wicked design of some, who persuadedBajazetto attempt the destroying ofSagthamas; for one ofBajazet’s Commanders was heard to say,Why do we not kill this Heretick, and possess his Kingdoms? For, without doubt, he will one day be the Ruin of us all.These wild Discourses coming toSagthamas’s Ears, put him upon a Project more necessary than plausible; forBajazethad not many Forces, but very warlike ones; and there were many valiant Men among them that were ready to attempt any Invasion, and therefore he had reason to fear. He was conscious, also, that he had added new Kingdoms to his own, as being conquer’d on pretence of Religion; and who would secure such sickly Subjects, who were weary of their present State, and coveted a Change? To these nothing could be more reasonable than the coming ofBajazet. As yet, however, he is more in my Power, than I am in his, and therefore it were best to improve the Opportunity, and treat him no longer as a Guest, but as an Enemy to be chained up. To compass which, no Method was more adviseable than to sever him from his Forces,for then he may be more easily trapp’d; by open Force ’tis hard to seize him, his Soldiers being well train’d and disciplin’d, but mine slothful, unaccustomed to Arms, and, besides, at a great Distance one from another. HereuponBajazetwas advised to disband his Army as unnecessary. He could not withstand the Proposal, though Intelligent Men foresaw the Danger and Consequence: But, alas! He that was under another Man’s Roof, must now be at their Beck, who maintained him; especially, since it would breed a Suspicion, if he entertained so much as a thought of Perfidiousness in his Host that entertained him. Hereupon his Men were divided, never to see one another again, and quartered where thePersianspleased; and, being put here and there, were, very shortly after slain by them, and their Arms, Horses, and all else they had, fell a prey to the superior Numbers of the Destroyers. At the same timeBajazetwas clapp’d up in Prison, with his Children; and, to encrease the indignity of the Thing, he was haled even from a Feast, to a Dungeon.
Thushave I satisfied your Desire, in acquainting you with what has been hitherto done withBajazet: ’Tis time now to consider what will become of him for the future: Some think he will retreat toBabylon, or such-like Province, on the Borders of each Empire, to beSanziackthereof. Others think it a desperate Case, and that there is no hope of his Life, either fromSolymanorSagthamas; but that he will either be sent back hither to be put to Death, or strangled in Prison there.
ForthePersianweighed every thing in his Thoughts, when he putBajazetin Prison; he knew him to be of an aspiring and courageous Spirit, far superior to his Brother; and that, if heshould succeed his Father in the Empire, it might doPersiamuch more Mischief than everSelimuscould; for he was but a slothful Prince, and not at all for a War, and therefore some thought he would never escape out of his Hands; for to be sure he can never be a Friend to one he hath injured so much. Some think one thing, and some another: For my part, I think it will be an intricate Business. For, asBajazetis in Troubles, and the Issue undetermin’d, they will not easily make War onChristendomat this Juncture. They labour to obtrude on me certain conditions of Peace, having some Letters that will please my Master, but they allow me no Copy of them, as heretofore they used to do; so that I suspect Fraud in the case, and therefore do peremptorily refuse to send those Letters toCæsar, unless I first know their Contents; and if they deceive me by a false Copy, then the Blame lies at their Door, not at mine: By this means I shall free my Master from answering their captious Letters; for I am sure he will accept of no conditions of Peace but such as are honourable. But, you’ll say, if you refuse to accept of their conditions of Peace, ’tis one step towards a War. Let that be as it will, I judge it more adviseable to leave all free to the events of future Ages: But the not sending their Letters, if that be a Crime, I shall take up on my self; and I shall easily clear my self, if the Issue ofBajazet’s Affairs do not answer their Expectation; since it is yet very difficult, though not impossible, for theTurksare not irreconcileable to those Ambassadors, who study to do their Master the best Service they can amongst them. And besides, the declining Age of my Prince will be some advantage to me, who theBashawsthinks is fitter for rest and quiet, than for the Fatigues of an unnecessary War. ’Tistrue, my Pains will be prolonged hereby, but I shall think them best bestowed, if they succeed at last.
Thus, Sir, I have written you a Book rather than a Letter; and if I have offended you in it, the fault is yours rather than mine: What I did was at your Request, and Readiness to please a Friend, hath always been counted a Vertue in Friendship. Yet I hope these Things will be as pleasant for you to Read, as they were delightful for me to Write; for, let me tell you, as soon as I put Pen to Paper, I love to wander abroad in my Mind, that so I may as it were, deceive my Confinement as long as I can, and converse with you as if we were together. What things seem frivolous and needless, you must take, as proceeding by word of Mouth in familiar Conferences among Friends. Men may be allow’d to tittle tattle in a Letter, as well as in common Discourse. If I were to write Inscriptions for Churches and Temples, to be seen of all Men, Circumspection and Care must be used; but not when I write to you and a few private Friends. I aim not at Fame; if my Lines please you, I have enough. You will say, perhaps, I might have written better Latin: I grant it; but what if it were beyond my Ability? It was not for want of any good will; and yet, let me ask you, what good Latin can come out of uncouthGreece, or barbarousTurkey? If you have any Value for my Letters, you shall have more of them after my Return toVienna, if ever God permit me to return: If not, excuse the last Trouble I shall give you. Farewell.
Constantinople, June 1st.