Chapter X: Part 10

Whilst Matters stood thus at a Hand, in comes _Ebrahim_, my Interpreter, very opportunely; and falling into Discourse about these _Spanish Prisoners_, he told me plainly, that if I did but demand their Liberty, I should certainly obtain it; and what he spake was upon good Grounds. He had formerly given me some blind Hopes, that I might procure their Release if I set my self about it: But, I gave little heed to this Suggestion; for not being certain of a Peace, how could I attempt such a Thing? Besides, I was afraid, lest my Interposition might hinder the Success of _Salviatus_’s Negotiation: But he was gone, and _Ebrahim_, whom I had so much obliged, persisted in the same Opinion. I began to hearken to him; but told him, he should have a Care he did not engage me, who was his Friend, in a ridiculous Business; for, without doubt, I should be laugh’d at, if I did not succeed in it, the Matter being thought difficult to be compared in common Opinion, and _Salviatus_ having attempted it in vain; yet he advised me to proceed therein, and amused me with the Assurance of good Success.

Upon this Encouragement, I wrote to _de Sande_, how fruitless _Salviatus_’s Embassy had been, yet I advised him not to despair; for, if any Credit were at all to be given to a _Turk_, there was good hope of his Affairs; and then I related what _Ebrahim_ had told me.

Having laid this Foundation, I advised with some Friends who were well skill’d in _Turkish Affairs_. They wish’d me all good Success, but were very doubtful of it; especially since the King of _France_’s Ambassador had been denied, and the Issue of a Peace was yet undetermined; and moreover, as the _Turks_ are hardly ever induced to release great Men; yet I wrote to my Master the Emperor, to let him know what Hopes I had, and desired that I might, in his Name, beg the Release of those Prisoners. In short, upon great Gifts, and fair Promises made to the _Bashaws_, for their Favour in this Case; the Day before St. _Laurence_’s Day, all the Prisoners were released and sent to my Lodgings. _De Sande_ and _Leyva_ were so odious to each other, that they would not eat together, but I was forced to spread their Tables a-part; _Requesne_ eat with _Leyva_, and _de Sande_ with me. While we were at Supper, the _French Ambassador_’s Steward came to me, with a small Pacquet of Letters. _De Sande_ ask’d, if he knew him? Yes Sir, said he, I think you are _Don Alvarez_. I am so, said he, pray remember me to your Master, and tell him, that I have obtained my Liberty by means of the Emperor’s Ambassador, and that you have seen me Abroad with your own Eyes. I see you, indeed, Sir, said he; but so, that I can scarce believe my own Eyes. _De Sande_ did thus accost him, because his Master, the _French Agent_, would never believe that _Solyman_ would release those great Men at the Emperor’s Instance: And the Truth is, before they could obtain their Liberty, their _Mufti_, who is an _Archbishop_ amongst the _Turks_, was consulted, Whether a great many _Turks_ might not be released for a few _Christians_; for I had promised, that about forty _Turks_, of an ordinary Rank, who were Prisoners with us, should be released for them. The _Mufti_ answered, That there were two Opinions on the Case; one _Pro_, the other _Con_; but he was for the Affirmative.

It now remains that I acquaint you with the last End of _Bajazet_, who, I told you before, was put in Prison by the _Persians_. Many Messages had passed between those two Princes on that Occasion; and an Ambassador came once from _Persia_ with Presents, a Tent curiously wrought, _Assyrian_ and _Persian_ Tapestry, with the _Alcoran_, and some Beasts of an unusual Sort; as, an _Indian Ant_, as big as an ordinary Dog; a fierce and biting Present. The Cause of the Embassy was pretended to be, the Reconciliation of _Bajazet_ with his Father; and they were received very honourably, entertained with rich Banquets, of which _Haly_ sent me a part; eight huge Dishes full of Sweetmeats, and plenty of the richest Wines. ’Twas the Custom of the _Romans_ to send Dishes from their Feasts to their Friends; the _Spaniards_ do it to this Day; and the _Turks_ from their great Feasts carry home something, especially if they have Wives and Children. They many times carried home whole Napkins full of good Bits from my Table; and tho’ they pretend to Cleanliness, yet they would sometimes daub their Silk-cloaths with some Collation-drops.

Let me tell you a Story to this purpose, which I know will make you laugh heartily, as it did me at the first hearing it: For we are not such _Cato’s_, but that sometimes we may season our Care with moderate Laughter, which shews that we are _Men_.

’Tis the custom of the _Turkish Bashaws_, some Days before their Fast, (which we call _Lent_) to make a public Feast or Entertainment for all Comers, none are excluded; yet generally none but Servants, Friends, and Relations come. There is a Napkin made of Leather, spread over a long Tapestry on the Ground, full of Dishes; the Table will hold abundance of Guests; the _Bashaw_ himself sits at the upper end, and the choicest Guests next to him, and then the ordinary Guests, in Ranks, till the Table be full. It will not hold all at once, but some stand by till others have din’d, which they do with great Decency and Silence; and then drinking a draught of Honey diluted with Water, salute their Landlord, and away they go. In their Places, others sit down, and a third Class after them; the Servants still taking off the old Dishes and setting on new. A certain _Bashaw_ making such a Feast, invited a _Sinziack_ to sit next to him; an old Man of the Sect which the _Turks_ call _Hogies_, (_i. e._ Learned Men) sat next to him. This _Hogi_ seeing such plenty of Victuals before him, had a mind to carry home some to his Wife, after he had filled his own Belly; but looking for his Handkerchief to fill it with Victuals, he found he had left it at home; being then in a straight, he bethought himself, and resolv’d to fill his Sleeve that hang’d on his Back; but, mistaken the _Sinziack_’s for his own, he stuft it full of Dainties, and stops it in with a piece of Bread that nothing might fall out. He was not to touch his Sleeve till he had laid his Hands on his Breast or Thigh, and so saluted his Entertainer, as their Custom is; when he had done that, he took up his own Sleeve and finds it empty, at which he was much amaz’d, and return’d home very sad. A while after, the _Sinziack_ also rose from the Table, and having saluted the _Bashaw_ at every Step, his Sleeve cast out the Dainties it was replenished with, unknown to him; and seeing a train of Junkets behind him, he blush’d for shame. The Company fell a laughing, but the _Bashaw_ imagining how it came to pass, desired him to sit down again, and so he sent for the _Hogi_, and when he came, he accosted him thus: _I wonder that you, an old Friend, and having a Wife and Children at home, did carry home nothing to them, seeing my Table was so well furnished._ _Truly, Sir_, said he, _’twas no Fault of mine; but of my Evil ~Genius~; for I stuff’d my Sleeve with Viands, and yet, when I came out, I found it empty._ Thus the _Sinziack_ was cleared, and the Disappointment of the _Hogi_, together with the Novelty of the Case, occasioned no small Laughter throughout all the Company. But to return to _Bajazet_.

His Case was desperate, between an _angry Father_ that required to have him given up, and a _false Friend_, who pretended to detain him. Sometimes _Solyman_ dealt mildly with the _Persian_, putting him in mind of the League between them, that they were to have the same Enemies and Friends: Sometimes he threaten’d him with War, if _Bajazet_ were not surrendered; and thereupon he placed strong Garrisons on all the Confines of _Persia_; he filled _Mesopotamia_ and the Banks of _Euphrates_ with the Soldiers, especially the Veteran ones, whom he had employed against _Bajazet_, over whom _Mahomet_ the third of the _Vizier’s Bashaws_, and _Beglerbeg_ of _Greece_, was made General, for _Selimus_ was returned home: Moreover, he solicited the _Georgians_ dwelling between the _Hircan_ Sea and _Pontus_, bordering on _Persia_ to aid him against them: They answered courageously, That they were not strong enough of themselves to cope with the _Persian_; but if he himself came upon the Place with an Army, they would then shew themselves Men of Courage against the _Persian_ as their common Enemy. The _Hircanians_ also and the Posterity of _Tamerlane_ were solicitous to join Arms. _Solyman_ himself gave out, that he would go to _Aleppo_, (a City of _Syria_, seated on the Banks of _Euphrates_) that from thence he might make War on the _Persian_: Nor was the _Persian_ himself without Fear; for he had often experienced the Dint of _Solyman_’s Sword. But the generality of the _Turks_ were averse to the War, and look’d on it as a wicked and detestable one; and this cooled the _Sultan_. A great many of the Soldiers, especially the Horse, forsook their Colours, and return’d to _Constantinople_ without leave of their Officers; and being commanded immediately to return, they did so; but so unwillingly, that _Solyman_ plainly saw their Aversion from the Service.

Whereupon _Solyman_, seeing he could not get _Bajazet_ alive out of the _Persian_’s Hands, (who feared his Revenge, if ever he came off clear,) thought of the next thing, which was, to have him strangled there; and he hop’d to obtain his End this way, because the _Persian_ had lately acquainted him by Letter, that he had been very remiss in so great an Affair. I have sent divers Ambassadors to you, said he, but you send nothing to me but empty Letters, or Messengers; and therefore, to convince me that you are real in the Business, send considerable Ambassadors of your prime Nobility with whom I may transact, according to the greatness of the Affair. As for himself, _Bajazet_ had been a great Charge to him, before he could be taken, and therefore ’twas fit an Account should be had of those Expences. _Solyman_ thereby saw that Money was requir’d, and therefore by the Advice of his _Bashaw_, he resolved to take any other Course, rather than to involve himself in an unnecessary War with the _Persians_. Hereupon _Hassan Aga_, together with an old _Bashaw_, one of the Bed-Chamber, was sent by _Solyman_ into _Persia_. They departed with ample Commission, in the midst of Winter; they made great haste, insomuch that they lost several of their Retinue in the way: At last, they came to _Casbia_ to the _Sophia_, and desired to see _Bajazet_; they found him in a nasty filthy Prison, his Beard and Hair so long, that till he was shav’d he could hardly be known; but then _Hassan_ knew him by the lineaments of his Face, having been brought up with him from a Child, and therefore he was chosen as the fittest Person for this Embassy. It was agreed, that the _Persian_ should be repaid what he had laid out, and should have many rich Presents besides, and then _Bajazet_ was to be put to Death. _Hassan_ returns and gives an account to his Master, who thereupon sent the Expences by him, with the Gifts, which were guarded by the _Turks_ to the Confines of _Persia_. Thus _Hassan_ again returned to be the Executioner of unfortunate _Bajazet_ with his own Hand, for so _Solyman_ had commanded. When the Bow-string was about his Neck, he desired but one thing before his Death, which was, to see his Children, and to take his last farewell of them, by the only Thing he had left to give, a parting Kiss; but that was deny’d. This was the end of _Bajazet_ and his unfortunate Designs; the way he took to save himself was his Ruin. His four Children under-went the same Fate. As for the new-born Infant which he left at _Amasia_, whom his Grandfather had removed to _Persia_ to be educated there, when his Father was dead, a trusty _Eunuch_ was sent to _Persia_ to destroy him too; but the _Eunuch_ being somewhat tender-hearted, procured a certain Porter, a hard-hearted Fellow, who car’d not what desperate things he undertook, to dispatch the Child. This Fellow went into the Room, and as he was fitting the String to the Child’s Neck, the poor Infant lifted up its self as well as he could, and embracing him in his Arms, offered to kiss him; which did so mollifie his wretched Heart, that he fell down in a Swoon. The _Eunuch_ stood at the Door, and wondering at the Delay, went in and found the Fellow lying flat on the Ground; whereupon he was forced to execute the Charge himself, and so strangled the poor innocent Child. By this Passage it appears, that _Solyman_ spar’d his Nephew hitherto, not out of any Principle of Mercy, but out of an Opinion the _Turks_ have, that Matters, if they succeed well, are pleasing to God; and therefore, as long as ’twas uncertain, what might be the event of _Bajazet_’s Designs, he would not imbrue his Hands in his Child’s Blood, lest, if _Bajazet_ had succeeded, he might seem to have resisted the Will of God: But, when _Bajazet_ was slain, he thought God had determined the Controversie, and that his Son also might not be spared, lest the Proverb should be verified, _Of an ill Crow, an evil Egg_. I had along Discourse with my _Chiaux_ upon this Subject, when I was in the Island before mentioned, and had liberty to sail from one to the other. It happened once, that as we were returning in our Skiff, the Wind being against us, we could not double a Promontary that reach’d pretty far into the Sea, but were forced to land and take our Dinner a-shoar; for I always carried ready-dress’d Provision along with me in the Vessel for fear of the worst; and their _Turks_ were also forced to land, by the same Stress of Weather. Our Table was spread in a green Meadow; my _Chiaux_ and my Interpreter sate at Table with me. Mention being occasionally made of _Bajazet_, the _Chiaux_ began to inveigh bitterly against him for taking up Arms against his Brother. I pleaded for him, and said, he was worthy of Pity, who was forced to do what he did: There was an inevitable Necessity upon him, either to submit himself to a certain Death, or to save his Life by taking Arms. However the _Chiaux_ persisted still to call it an execrable Undertaking; whereupon I argued thus; you accuse _Bajazet_ as guilty of an horrid Offence; but you acquit _Solyman_, the Father of your present Emperor, who took up Arms against his Father. We do so, said the _Chiaux_, and with Reason; for the Event shew’d, that what he did, was by God’s Approbation, and predestinated in Heaven. If you argue from Success, said I, then the wickedest Fact, if it prosper, may be imputed to God as the Author; and then he may be made the Author of Sin, if _Good_ and _Evil_ must be interpreted only by Events. We dwelt a while on this Discourse, and were very eager upon it, whilst either of us defended his own Opinion. We alledg’d many places of Scriptures; _Can the Vessel say to the Potter, why hast thou made me thus? I will harden ~Pharaoh~’s Heart: ~Jacob~ have I loved; but ~Esau~ have I hated_: and others of like import.

The _Turks_, that were not far from us, wonder’d what we were so earnest about; and after we rose from the Table, my _Chiaux_ went to them. They gathered themselves in a Ring about him, and I saw them hearkening to the Discourse he made, with great Attention; and at last, at Noon, they were all silent, and worshipped God according to their Custom. I thought it long till my _Chiaux_ returned to me, that I might know why he prated so amongst his Comrades; I was afraid, though I had ever found him a good Man, that he might represent what I had spoken to him, to my Prejudice: At last, when the Wind ceased, we went aboard again, and followed our intended Course. The first thing I did, was, to ask of my _Chiaux_, what serious Discourse he held with his Country-men? He smil’d, and made me this Answer: _We were disputing about ~Predestination~, and I told them what you had alledg’d ~Pro~ and ~Con~; by which it was plain, that you had read our Books, and was well read in the ~Scriptures~, so that there was nothing wanting to your Happiness, but to turn to our ~Religion~, which, in the Prayers you saw us make, we desired of God._ When News was brought to _Constantinople_ that _Bajazet_ was dispatched, I was afraid that our Affairs, which were in a hopeful way of Conclusion, would now meet with a Rub at last; the Misfortune of _Bajazet_ might over-turn all, make the _Turks_ more Insolent, undo what was done, and propose harder Conditions. I had passed over some Difficulties, as the Loss of _Gerba_, and the Imprisonment of _Bajazet_, and the _Vaivode_’s Expulsion out of _Moldavia_; but there were two terrible ones, _Bajazet_’s Death, and another, which I shall speak of by and by.

_Haly_ sent one of his Domesticks, to tell me, that _Bazajet_ was dead for certain; that therefore, I should not defer the Peace, in hopes of his Success: That I should remember, Princes of the same Religion are more easily reconcil’d, than those of contrary ones are; and, therefore, I should hesitate no longer, nor seek Knots in a Bulrush, as the Proverb is.

This Message troubled me much; yet, because I thought the Account might not be true, I sent up and down the Town amongst my Friends, to know what Certainty they had of _Bajazet_’s Death: They all returned me answer, _That he was most certainly dispatched_: Whereupon, I resolved to draw in my Sails; there were no Hopes for me to obtain better Conditions; it were well, if I could maintain my Ground, and stick to my former without any change: The Emperor of the _Turks_ had seen them, and was not much averse to them; some small Alterations were made; something I wished I could have added; other Things were dubiously expressed, which an ill-natured Interpretation might raise Scruples about. I did my Endeavour that these might be taken out, or corrected, and made more favourable on our Side. My Master _Cæsar_ had seen and approved those Conditions; yet still I could not satisfy my self, till something more favourable was added. Whilst I was doing this, I was accosted with _Haly_’s Message as aforesaid.

I met also with another grievous Rub; some Noblemen of _Hungary_ had revolted from the _Vaivode_ of _Transilvania_ to the Emperor, that is, to speak the Truth, had returned to their Duty; and the Garrisons also, which they commanded, yielded to _Cæsar_. This new Accident might have disturbed all; for the _Turks_ had a specious Pretence to alledge, That, while Conditions of Peace were once on foot, such Alteration ought not to have been made; if Peace were cordially desired, all Things were to be returned to their pristine State: but, let Revolters speed as they pleased, what they had possessed ought to be returned to the _Vaivode_, their Client and Vassal. But, _Haly_ was so far from pressing this, that one express Condition was, that those Things should be ratified; which he willingly assented to. But the Ambassadors who came lately from the _Vaivode_, were very much troubled at it; they rub’d upon the gall’d Place, and filled the whole Court with their Clamours, that their miserable Matter was deserted, the Law of Allegiance broken, and Enemies preferred before ancient Friends. All the rest of the _Bashaws_ were moved with their Complaints, only _Haly_ stood firm to me, so that the Articles of the Peace were not altered at all. For my part, though I knew that the Terms would be allowed by my Master _Cæsar_, yet, because there want not Sycophants in Princes Courts, who go about to obscure the best Services of their Ministers, especially if Strangers: I therefore thought it fit to leave all to the Pleasure of my Master: I told _Haly_, that, though the proposed Condition did not fully answer the Expectation of my Master, I hoped, however, he would acquiesce therein, if an Agent of theirs were sent along with me to explain the Things that were obscure, upon which any Controversy might arise; and that _Ebrahim_ seemed to be the fittest Man for this purpose, by whom _Cæsar_ might write back his full Mind concerning the whole Project; this was easily assented to. Thus an End was put to a long and tedious Business.

’Tis a Custom, that when Ambassadors depart from _Constantinople_ upon fair Terms, the _Bashaws_ do entertain them with a Feast in the _Divan_; but I was willing to wave that Badge of Esteem, because I would have all left in suspence, and referred to the good Will and Pleasure of my Master.

I had a mind before my Departure, to buy some gallant Horses, and therefore, ordered my Servants to go often to the Markets, to see if they could find any such. _Haly_ being informed thereof, sent one of the best of his own Horses to the Fair to be sold; my Servants had their Eye presently on him, and asking the Price, they told them 120 Ducats; they offered 80, not knowing whose it was; but that was refused. A Day or two after, the same Horse, with two more quite as good, were sent me by _Haly_, for a Present; one was an _Arabian_ ambling Nag, exceedingly well shaped. When I gave him Thanks for my noble Present, he asked me, whether I did not think that Horse which my Servant’s offered 80 Ducats for, was worth more? Yes, a good deal more, said I; but my Orders were, that they should not exceed that Price, for fear of losing too much, in case of any hidden Defect afterwards shew that I had bought Horses too dear. He advised me also, how to manage their _Turkish_ Horses; as that I should give them but little Meat; that I should make but short Journeys at first, till they were us’d to the Roads; and that I should make nine or ten Days Journey to _Adrianople_, which used to be performed in five: He gave me also a curious Veil wrought with gold, and a Box full of _Alexandrian_ Treacle, the best in the World; and a Glass full of Balsam, which last he highly prized, complimenting me thus: _Any other Present_, said he, _are such as Money can procure; but this is a rare Gift, that my Master cannot send a choicer to the best Friend or Ally he hath. I got it_, said he, _when I was Governor of ~Egypt~, which Place I held some Years: There are two sorts of that juicy Substance; one which is drawn from the Oil of the decocted Leaves of the Shrub on which they grow, which is black and not much worth; the other distils from the Bark of the Tree when it is cut, which is yellow and genuine; and mine was of that sort._ He desired likewise, that I would send him some Presents, as a Coat of Mail fitted to his large and full Body, and a strong Horse that was sure-footed (for he was so big and pursy, that no Horse could be easily found, fit to carry him) and with all kind of varnishing Matter coming from the _Maple_, or any other Tree, wherewith our Artists use to inlay their Tables. As for _Solyman_, he gave me no Gifts but common ones, such as other Ambassadors have had at their Departure, and such as I received from him formerly at my Audience of Leave; only he inveighed against the _Heydukes_, and the Insolency of the Garrison of _Syeth_: To what Purpose, is it, _said he_, to make Peace here, if they continue the War thus? _I told him_, I would acquaint my Master, and that I did not doubt, but he would redress it; and, thus by good Fortune, about the End of _August_, I entered upon my desired Journey, carrying with me a Truce of eight Years, the Fruits of my eight Years Abroad there, which may be continued for a longer Time, unless some considerable Change happens.

When we came to _Sophia_, where the Way parts, one to _Rhagusa_, the other to _Belgrade, Leyva_ and _Requesne_ desired me to part Company, and go to _Rhagusa_, that so they might more easily pass to _Venice_ and _Italy_, and procure those Gifts which they promised to lend to the _Bashaws_, and repay the Money they had borrowed at _Constantinople_; and that they would send Letters of Thanks by me to _Cæsar_, to give him due Acknowledgments for their Release: Which Service they would willingly have performed in Person, if their other Occasions had not hindered. I easily consented to their Requests, and was the better pleased, because _Requesne_, being a very old Man, died before he came to _Rhagusa_: If I had denied their Request, it might have been thought my Refusal had contributed to his Disease.

_De Sande_ and my self passed the rest of our Journey without any great Inconvenience; for the Truth is, he is a very facetious Man, and, if he is troubled with Grief, he knows how to cover it, and to pretend Mirth outwardly. In our way, many diverting Things offered themselves; sometimes we would alight, and try which of us could run fastest; I, being lean, could easily out-run him, who was fat and pursy, and just come out of Prison. When we came near to a Village, _Ebrahim_ would ride up to us (for he with his _Turks_ followed gravely on Horseback) and beseeched us, by all that was dear to us, not to be seen on foot by the Villagers, for it would be accounted a Disgrace to us among the _Turks_. His Advice made us sometimes get into our Chariot again, but the Pleasure of walking afoot still got the better.

One of _de Sande_’s many facetious Sayings, I must give you. When we came from _Constantinople_, the Weather was very hot, and it continued so sultry all the Way, that it palled my Appetite, and a very little Food served my Turn; but _de Sande_, being a robust healthy Person, eat like a Horse, and would ever now and then tell me, that I must follow his Example and eat like a Man of Mettle. Yet, all his Advice was to no Purpose, till about the Beginning of _October_, I drew near to the Borders of _Austria_; and there, partly from the Country, and partly from the Season of the Year, I began to be more healthy, and to take a larger proportion of Food.

When _de Sande_ observed that I had a better Stomach than formerly, he began to triumph over me exceedingly, boasting that ’twas by his Advice and Example, that I had learned to eat Meat, and that I, who was so many Years older, had need of a Monitor to advise me to take due Sustenance for my Body; so that if he were obliged to me for his Release, I was as much beholding to him for teaching me to recover my Appetite. In these ludicrous Repartees we came to _Tulna_, where we met with some Trouble. _De Sande_ used to lye in the same House, if it were large enough to hold us both; if not, he took his Lodgings at some Neighbouring House, that he might not incommode me. He was willing to do so at _Tulna_, and therefore, desired the _Janizaries_ whom I brought with me from _Constantinople_ to _Buda_, to be my Harbingers on the Way, and to find out a convenient Lodging for him. One of my Servants a Doctor of Physic, and a _Spaniard_, whom _de Sande_ had released at _Constantinople_ at his own Charge, went along with the _Janizaries_. They happened to go to the House of another _Janizary_ hard by, who was appointed as Governor of the Place to guard Passengers; for the _Turks_ use to appoint one or two _Janizaries_ in every noted Town to protect _Christian_ Passengers from Violence; by which Office they get no small Profit: But this Man, for some Offence or other, had been put out of his Office, and therefore, was of a very surly Temper. My People viewed his House, and not finding it for their Turn, were going away; the _Janizary_ first, my Servant next, and the Physician last. In the _Interim_, the _Janizary_, Master of the House, walking in his Garden, was told, that some _Christian_ Passengers were seeking for a Lodging at his House: Whereupon, he came in a great Rage, with a Club like _Hercules_’s, in his Hand, and without speaking a Word, strikes the Physician a great Blow on the Shoulders, as hard as he was able; the Physician, to avoid a second Blow, ran out of the House. My Servant, looking back, saw him lift up his Club to strike him also; but he, having a Thing like a Hatchet in his Hand, held it cross-ways over his Head, and so kept off many a lusty Blow, till at last the Handle of the Hatchet, by his often stricking, began to break. Then my Servant was forced to close in with the _Janizary_, and was about to cleave his Skull with his Weapon: Whereupon, the _Janizary_ fled, and my Servant not being able to overtake him, threw the Hatchet after him, which cut him in the Hams, and fell’d him to the Ground; by which Accident, my People escaped: But the Physician cryed out, that he was a dead Man, and that all his Bones were broken in Pieces. _De Sande_ heard his Complaint; yet, though he was vext, could not choose but smile, as thinking that the Doctor was more afraid than hurt: But, that which most tormented him, was, lest on this Occasion he should be carried back to _Constantinople_: He was of Opinion that the _Bashaws_ had not dealt sincerely in his Case, but had made only a Pretence of releasing him to gratify me, and really sought an Occasion to drag him back again, to rot in Prison. For the same Cause, he was much offended with my Servant who had wounded the _Janizary_, especially for saying, _That he was very sorry that he had not killed him upon the Spot_. His Words to him were these; _Honest ~Henry~, Prithee be not so Passionate; ’tis no Time nor Place to shew thy Valour here; we must bear Affronts patiently, without any just Imputation of Cowardice, whether we will or no; we are in their Power: This unreasonable Passion may bring great Mischief to us; perhaps it may occasion us to be brought back to ~Constantinople~, and there our whole Negotiation may be reversed, or at least become very dubious. I beseech thee, therefore, for my Sake among the rest, govern thy Passion._

But _Henry_ was deaf to all his Persuasions; he being an obstinate Fellow, and when angry, would not hearken to Reason. _What care I_, replied he, _if I had killed him? Did he not design to kill me? If one of his many Blows had gone home, he had knock’d me down like an Ox. Were I to be blamed, if I slew him who would have slain me first? I am sorry with all my Heart, I did not give him his Death’s Wound: But, for the future (take my Word for it) I’ll spare never a ~Turk~ of them all; for, if he assaults me, I’ll give him as good as he brings, though it cost me my Life._

_De Sande_ did not like this surly Answer; but the _Janizary_ who had received the Wound, made the worst of it; upon whose Complaint, two Jews, who could speak _Spanish_, came to me, and told me, that he was dangerously hurt, and if he did not give him Satisfaction, the Matter would not so soon be passed over, but would create great Trouble to me. I answered them as I thought fit; but, because I knew the malicious Natures of the _Turks_, I thought it best speedily to guard against them; and, therefore, sent presently one of the Youths to _Ebrahim_, desiring him to let one of his Servants be a Guide to one of mine to _Constantinople_, a sudden Emergency had made this Journey necessary. _Ebrahim_ wondered what the Matter was, and came presently to me to know. I told him, I desired a better Convoy from _Hali Bassa_, otherwise I was out of Hopes ever to reach Home, for my two Servants were like to be killed; and then I told him the whole Story, with all its Circumstances. _Ebrahim_ soon perceived how much his own Interest was concerned, and therefore desired me to have a little Patience till he had spoken with the _Janizary_; to whom he presently went, and found him in Bed. He chid him very warmly for being so abusive to us, and told him I had made Peace with the _Port_, and was in great Favour with _Solyman_, and all the _Bashaws_; that they had denied none of my Requests, but had granted me several Concessions for my own Sake, and that he was sent back to convoy me safe into my own Country, and to take Care that I might be honourably treated by the Way: That he was the first Man that offered me the least Affront; and that I was sending back one to _Constantinople_ to complain thereof; and if I did, it might cost him his Head. This took down my _Janizary_’s Crest, and put him into a terrible Panick besides.

The next Day we continued our Journey to _Buda_; and the Physician, notwithstanding his Bruises, was as well able to travel as any of us. When we came in Sight of _Buda_, the _Bashaw_ thereof sent some of his own Family, with several _Chiauxes_ to meet us; and among the rest, there was a Troop of young Men on Horseback, which drew our Eyes after them in respect of the Novelty of their Garb; their Heads were uncovered, and their Crowns shav’d; there was a long Line cut with a Knife, and in the Wound they stuck Feathers of several Sorts; and, though Drops of Blood distilled down from their Wounds, yet they dissembled their Pain, and rode merrily on, as if they ailed nothing at all. Just before me, there walked some Footmen; one of them had his naked Arms a-kembow, and both had a Knife, (such as we call _Pragensian_) run through them above the Elbow; another was naked, all the upper Parts, to his Navel, the Skin of his Loyns being so cut in two Places, both above and below, that a Club being run through them, hung down from thence as from a Girdle; another had a Horshoe nail’d to the Crown of his Head, and it was so old, that the Shoe and the Skin grew together.

In this Pomp we entered _Buda_, and were introduced to the _Bashaw_, with whom, in the Presence of _de Sande_, I had a long Discourse concerning the Validity of the Truce I had made. In the Passage to him there stood those hardy Youngsters who were regardless of their Pain; casting my Eye upon them, the _Bashaw_ demanded, what I thought of them? I think, said I, that they are hardy Fellows; only they do that to their Skins, which I would not do to my Cloaths, for I had rather have them whole than slash’d. Whereupon, the _Bashaw_ laughed, and dismissed us.

The Day after we came to _Gran_; from thence to _Comara_, the Frontier Garrison of the Empire, situate on the River _Wage_; on both sides its Banks the Garrison of the Place, with the Seamen, called their _Nassadists_, waited for us. Before I passed over the River, _de Sande_ came to me, and embracing me in his Arms, gave me Thanks for completing his Liberty: He told me plainly, he thought the _Turks_ had but dissembled with him, and therefore, he was in continual Fear, lest he should be haled back to _Constantinople_ to die in Prison; but now, being in the Emperor’s Territories, he acknowleged himself to be eternally obliged to me.

A few Days more brought us to _Vienna_. _Ferdinand_ the Emperor, was then at the Imperial Diet, with his Son _Maximilian_, about Inaugurating him _King of the Romans_. I acquainted _Cæsar_ with my Return, and with _Ebrahim_’s coming, and desired to receive his Commands concerning him; for he had a great Desire to wait upon the Emperor at _Francfort_. His Highness’s first Answer was, That ’twere best for the _Turks_ to stay at _Vienna_ till his Return, it being not adviseable to carry an Enemy thro’ the very Heart of the Country, so long a Way as from _Vienna_ to _Francfort_. And, on the other side, Delays were dangerous, and might create Suspicion in the _Turks_ of some unfair Dealing. As for _Ebrahim_, and his Retinue, there was no danger in suffering them to pass through the most flourishing Part of the Empire; it was, indeed, desirable rather, that thereby they might take an Estimate of the Strength and Greatness of it, especially having now so fair an Opportunity of observing at _Francfort_, with how great Unanimity Prince _Maximilian_ was chosen and designed Successor to the Emperor his Father. When I wrote back to the Emperor according to the Purport aforesaid, he consented that _Ebrahim_ and his Retinue should come to _Francfort_. We began our Journey thither by the Way of _Prague_, _Bamberg_, and _Wirtzburg_.

_Ebrahim_ passing through _Bohemia_, was willing to pay his Court to Arch-Duke _Ferdinand_; but the Arch-Duke would have it _incognito_. When we were a few Days Journey from _Francfort_, I thought proper to ride a Day or two’s Journey before, to acquaint the Emperor with some Things relating to my Embassy; which I did, and came to _Francfort_ that Day seven Years on which I set out from _Vienna_ to _Constantinople_. I was received by my Master with all imaginable Kindness, (not that I deserv’d it) but ’twas all owing to his innate Goodness and Custom so to do. You may imagine with yourself how joyful a Thing it was to me, after so many Years Absence, to return safe to the Presence of my Royal Master, who was pleased kindly to accept of the Fruits of my Embassy, and told me, that I had done all Things well, and that I should find the Effects of his Favour. He came to _Francfort_ the Day before the Inauguration, late in the Evening, when the Gates were shut; and all the following Day they were not to be opened, by ancient Custom: But his Imperial Majesty gave express Command that they should be opened for the _Turks_. They had a Place assigned them, from whence they might behold _Cæsar_ Elect pass by with great Pomp and Splendor; it appear’d to them a glorious and magnificent Sight to see, amongst others of _Cæsar_’s honourable Train, three Princes, who could raise great Armies in their own Territories; to wit, the Dukes of _Saxony_, _Bavaria_ and _Brandenburg_: They saw also, many other Monuments of the Dignity and Greatness of the Emperor. A few Days after, _Ebrahim_ was introduced into his Presence, and delivered the noble Presents the _Sultan_ had sent him. The Emperor confirm’d the Peace, rewarded him amply, and sent him back with large Presents to _Solyman_.

I am very willing to leave the Court, as not being pleased with that kind of Life; but some private Affairs as yet detain me. I know the Tediousness of Court-Attendance; much Mischief lies under an Appearance of Splendor; much Disguise, but little of Sincerity is there; all Courts are subject to Envy; faithful Friendship is hard to be found, and a change of Mind may occasion a Man’s sudden Ruin: For Princes themselves are but Men. I have seen a Man come to Court with a thousand Attendants, whom his Prince’s Displeasure has sent away with scarce one in his Company. A Court does not know what is truly good, till too late; it is altogether led by Shews, Shadows, Fallacies, and popular Mistakes. Those are fortunate Men who can lead such a Life in safety; but oh! may I live to the Muses and to my self, and grow old in a Country-Cottage, with a few trusty Friends! If any Life be desirable in this earthly Pilgrimage, ’tis this. Look upon the Court, and you will find there a Noble Buffoon preferred before a good Man: So that if you would represent a good Man amongst Courtiers, you may paint an Ass amongst Apes. I speak of common Courts in general; for I know that our Court, as well as some others, are adorn’d with many excellent and noble Personages: However, Solitude and Quiet affording Vacation to Study, is preferr’d by me before the Crowd and Noise of Courts. But, I am afraid, my best of Princes will not vouchsafe me the Retreat I beg for. ’Tis true, he gave me leave to depart, but upon this Condition, that I should return when call’d upon. If he commands me to Court again (for who can withstand the Desire of so gracious a Prince?) this only Comfort will be left me, that I shall every Day behold the Face of the most sacred of all Emperors; or (to phrase it otherwise) shall contemplate the living Image of true Vertue: For assure yourself, that the Sun never shone upon a better Prince than this, nor one who governs more justly. Though his true, that the Majesty of Empire is a glorious Thing, yet to desire Empire, and to carry ones self worthy of it, is more Glorious. I speak not of his Birth, nor of the Nobleness of his Ancestors, he needs not such far-fetch’d Helps; his own Vertue is sufficient. Many Emperors have been (though unworthy) raised to the Throne; but his own Vertue exalted him.

Again, some have managed the Beginning of their Reign innocently and justly, but soon after they have degenerated into Licentiousness and Corruption, _Forgetting they are Men, they would be esteem’d as Gods, and ador’d as such, endeavouring to be placed among the Gods; whereas they were unworthy to be reckon’d among Men_. All men’s Necks cannot bear the Burthen of a high Estate, to which if they are advanced, they forget themselves: ’Tis a hard Thing to be able to compass all that a Man desires; and yet ’tis as hard to desire nothing but that which is good.

As for our Prince, his Eyes are not dazzled by Greatness; no Man retains Vertue more steadily he, nor takes greater heed that his pure Mind be not defiled by the Taint of his Fortune. He was always of this Opinion, That, as Majestic Robes attract the Eyes of Spectators, the Sanctity of Manners should much more incline their Minds. Therefore, he chiefly studies Piety, worships and adores his God, and lives always as in his Sight and Presence; he squares all his Actions throughout the whole Course of his Life by a Divine Rule and Prescript: Whatever happens either Prosperous or Adverse, he looks upon God as the Author, and receives it gratefully, as proceeding from his Hand. Thus he lives an Heavenly Life even upon Earth; he is not ignorant whole image he bears; and therefore, all his Words and Deeds are directed for the Public Good, for which he thinks he was born, and therefore prefers it before Advantages; He is so intent herein, that some blame him for being overmuch addicted to the Common-wealth, and neglecting his own Children and Family. He is extremely Courteous to all his Subjects, as if they were under his particular Care, and Himself were the Father of so vast a Family. What poor Man hath ever desired his help in vain? Who is there that hath not experienced his Liberality? He thinks that Day lost wherein he hath not done Good to somebody. He is beneficient to all, and in a singular Manner kind to his Domesticks; not a Man of them can say, that ever he was neglected by them. He knows their way of Life, the Deserts, yea, and the very Names even of the meanest of them. Tho’ he is so great a Prince, yet he thinks it not below himself, at convenient Opportunities to warn the negligent, and put them in mind of their Duty; and, if they mend their Manners, to reward them accordingly: So that they depart from him, rather as from a Father than a Master. He administers Justice with great Equity; for he thinks it unreasonable to prescribe Law’s to others, and break them himself; or to punish them in others, which he allows in himself. He never speaks rudely of any Man, and always honourably of the Absent. Probity is safe under his Guardianship; but Malice, Force, Fraud, evil and corrupt Ministers are exterminated, Offences and Wickednesses duly punish’d. The old _Romans_ had Censors of Manners imposed upon them, to keep the People to their Duty; but here there is no need of any Censor, the Life of the Prince is a sufficient Censor, he is a shining Example to all, in what they should avoid, and what they should pursue. Good and learned Men which may profit the Commonwealth, he highly esteems; with these he is conversant, and, laying aside his Majesty, treats them as Friends and Equals; yea, he emulates their Virtues without Respect, whether they are Paternal and Hereditary, or acquired by their own Industry. With these, he spends the little Time he can spare from public Business: These are the Persons highly esteem’d by him, as judging it a public Benefit to restore due Honour to Vertue. He himself being curious by Nature, and desirous to know something worthy of a Man, has always some Questions to propose to the Learned; and sometimes he brings in some smart and genteel Repartees of his own, to the Admiration of his Hearers. Thus he hath laid in so considerable a Stock of Learning, that you cannot question him in any Thing, but he can give you some Account of it. He understands many Languages; first, the _Spanish_, which is his _Mother-Tongue_; next the _French_, _German_, _Latin_, and _Italian_: He can express his Meaning pretty well in the _Latin_, yet not so exactly, but that sometimes he breaks _Priscian_’s Head; a Fault blameworthy in a _Gramarian_, but excusable in an _Emperor_.

What I have said of him, all Men living know to be true; but, perhaps, some may think it a Defect, that he is not enough given to Arms, and Atchievements worthy of the Laurel: For, say they, the _Turks_ carry all in _Hungary_, and we do not help nor relieve them, as we ought; we should have join’d Armies in the Field, that it might be known whom Providence would have to bear Rule. I confess this Objection savours of Bravery, more than of Prudence, and therefore, let me trace the Matter a little higher. I am of his Opinion, That the _Genius_ of Emperors are to be judged of rather by their Councils, than by their Fortunes or Events; and that, by those Councils, the Times, our own Strength, the Nature and Power of our Enemies are to be regulated. If a common Enemy, well known to us, and famous for no Victory, should invade our Borders, ’twere Cowardice not to oppose him, if we have Forces enough. But if the Enemy be such as seem to be sent as a Scourge from God (such was _Atila_ of old, _Tamerlane_ in the Days of our Forefathers, and the _Ottoman Princes_ in our Age) whom nothing can withstand, who lays all waste before him; to oppose such an Enemy with small and new-levied Forces, would not only be rash, but even Madness itself. _Solyman_ comes terrible, by his own and his Ancestor’s Successes: He invades _Hungary_ with 200,000 Horse, he draws near to _Austria_, and threatens the rest of _Germany_; his Troops are fetched from the very Confines of _Persia_; his Army is furnished from many Nations; each of the Three known Parts of the World conspire therein for our Destruction: He, like Lightning, strikes down all before him with his battering Army, and fills all Places with the Terror of his Name; he roars and Hovers round our Borders, striving to break in sometimes here, sometimes there. Many Nations of old, when they have been threatned with such Potent Enemies, have left their Native Country, and sought out other Habitations. To be unmoved in small Dangers, is but a mean kind of Praise; but not to be terrify’d by the coming of so great an Enemy, who has laid waste so many bordering Kingdoms, seems to me an _Herculean_ kind of Constancy. Amidst these Dangers, _Ferdinand_ heroically keeps his Station, and being of an unconquered Spirit, will not quit that, or his State. He could wish his Forces were sufficient to put all to the Hazard of a Battel, and that nothing of Madness were imputable to him upon that Account; but Prudence restrains his generous Efforts: He sees with what great Hazard his faithful Subjects, and the Ruin of all Christendom, _an unsuccessful Battel would prove_, and is very unwilling that the Public should pay for his Rashness. He considers how great the Odds would be, between 25 or 30,000 Foot, with a small Number of Horse, and 200,000 Horse, supported by a Veteran Body of Foot. What Hopes there may be of Success in that Case, the Example of former Times, and the Blood-shed at _Nicopolis_, and at _Varna_, and the Fields of _Mohac_, as yet white with the Bones of _Christians_ slain there, sufficiently inform us. ’Tis the Part of a foolish Commander, without duly weighing his own and the Enemy’s Strength, to rush into Battel, where his Loss can find no wiser an Excuse than, _I had not thought_. ’Tis all in all, what the Enemy is with whom we are to cope; this is an infallible Rule, laid down by all the gravest Authors that ever wrote of Military Affairs: such was _Cæsar_; he counted it a Happiness to _Lucullus_ and to _Pompey_, that they had to do with a slothful Enemy, over whom they got Victories without Dust or Sweat; and when he had obtained such an easy Victory over _Pharnaces_, he jestingly said, _I came, I saw, I overcame_: But were to make War with the People of those Countries (then effeminated by Luxury, but now harden’d by Want, Frugality, Hunger, Cold, Heat, continual Fatigue, and Severity of Discipline, to do and suffer any thing) he would tell us another Story. Hence it is, that _Livy_ reasons upon good Grounds, that _Alexander_ the _Macedonian_ would not have had the same Success against the _Roman Enemy_, as against the _Persian_, or the Womanish _Indian_: There is a good deal of Difference between a Warlike, and a Luxurious People, unaccustomed to Arms. ’Tis true, the Multitude of _Persians_ made it an Admiration, _That there was more Toil in Killing, than in Overcoming them_. In my Judgment, _Hannibal_’s three Victories at _Trebia_, at _Thrasymene_, and at _Cannæ_, did far exceed all the Exploits of _Alexander_: For why? the one overcame valiant Warriors, the other had to do with the slothful People of _Asia_.

_Fabius Maximus_ had as much Courage, as _Titus Sempronius_, _Caius Flaminius_, or _Varro_; and more Judgment: That great Commander knew that he had to do with an Enemy educated in the Camp, well vers’d in Arms, skilful in Military Discipline, who by a singular Fate, or Felicity, had obtained many Victories; therefore he was not rashly to venture all, but to use Delay to weary him out; that was the only Hope left against so great an Enemy, to evade his Assaults, and to drill on the Combat till an Opportunity was afforded for a Remedy. In the mean time, he was to be watch’d, restrain’d, and, as it were, nibbled at; wherein he was so happy, that _Fabius_ was as much Renown’d as _Scipio_ himself, who ended the War against _Hannibal_; for who knows whether _Scipio_ would have ever overcome him, if _Fabius_ had not first stopped the Course of his Victories? To overcome by Prudence is as highly to be priz’d, as to overcome by Force. The former has nothing common with Beasts, but Force has.