In the beginning of Djemazi-ul Evvel we crossed the Tigris in ships,
and after revisiting the sacred graves there we journeyed on. Past
Kasri, Semke, and Harbi we came to Tekrit and Mossul, and by the old
road of Mossul and Djizre to Nisibin. From there by Diarbekir and
Mardin we reached Amed, where I saw Iskender Pasha, who received me
most graciously. In the course of conversation I told him some of our
adventures, to which he listened with much interest, and exclaimed:
"You have gone through more than even Tamum Dari has done, and as for
all the marvelous things which you have seen, they are beyond the
dreams of even Balkiah and Djihan Shah."
Questioned upon the different sovereigns and armies of the countries I
had visited, I said: "In all the world there is no country like Turkey,
no sovereign like our Padishah, and no army like the Turkish. From East
to West the fame of the Ottoman troops has spread. For victory follows
their banner wherever they go. May God keep Turkey in wealth and
prosperity until the last day shall dawn. May he preserve our Padishah
in health and happiness and our troops ever victorious. Amen!"
When asked whether our name was known in those remote parts, I
answered. "Certainly, more than you would think."
In the further course of conversation I learned that a report of my
death had reached the Porte, and that therefore the post of Egyptian
Admiral had been given to Kurdzade, the Sandjak-bey of Rhodus. I
thought to myself: "Long live my Padishah, I shall easily obtain
another office"; and I comforted myself with poetic effusions. Of
course I trusted in God Almighty, nevertheless I was always thinking
about the conquest of Ormuz and Gujarat, and I argued thus to myself:
"These fantastic dreams have so filled thy brain, that thou art being
drawn down to the earth by them; the spirit of wandering is so strong
in thee that thou canst not give thy body rest until it shall return to
dust."
I resumed my journey to Turkey, in the hope soon to set eyes again on
Constantinople. Arrived in Arghini I visited the grave of the prophet
Zilkefl; from there by Kharput to Malatia and the grave of Seid Ghazi
Sultan, a native of that place, and shortly after I reached Siwas, the
first station on Turkish territory. Ali Pasha received me there with
marked distinction; I delayed a short time to visit the grave of Abdul
Wahab Ghazi, and to call upon Ali Baba, who gave me his blessing.
After this I continued my journey to Stamboul, across the plain of Ken
to Kara Hissar Behram Shah, and through Bozauk to Hadji Bektash, where
I made pilgrimages to the graves of the saints of that place, and to
Balam Sultan; then on to Kirshehr and the graves of Hadji Avran and
Aashik Pasha, past Ayas Varsak to Angora, crossing the Kizil Irmak
(Halys) by the bridge of Chashneghir.[218] I visited the grave of Hadji
Bairam Sultan and his children, and the Khidr, and had a friendly
interview with Djenabi Pasha. From Beybazari we came to Boli, touched
Modurn, and on to Kunik, where is the grave of Sheik Shemseddin; next
we came to Tarakli Yenidje and Keive, with the bridge over the Sakaria
river, past Agadj-Deniz, on to Sabandja and Iznikmid[219] and the grave
of Nebi Khodja. From there our way led past Ghekivize and Skutari,
where I crossed the Bosphorus, and reached Constantinople in safety.
God be praised, who led me safely through manifold dangers, and brought
me back to this most beautiful country of all the earth. Four years
have passed away; years of much sorrow and misery, of many privations
and perplexities; but now in this year 964 (1556), in the beginning of
Redjeb, I have once more returned to my own people, my relations, and
my friends. Glory and praise be to God the Giver of all good things!
His Majesty the Padishah happened to be at Adrianople, and on the
second day after my return I traveled thither, to pay him homage.
I had the good fortune to be most graciously received by his
Imperial Majesty. The high Viziers, and especially Vizier Rustem
Pasha, loaded me with kindnesses. I was appointed to join the Corps
of the _Muteferrika_ (officers in attendance on the Sultan) with
a daily income of sixty _aktche_. And the _Kethhuda_ (intendant),
who had accompanied me on my travels, had his salary increased with
eight _aktche_, and was appointed Muteferrika for Egypt. One of the
Boluk-Bashi (_Chef d'Escadron_) received eight _aktche_ and my other
traveling companions each six _aktche_ above their ordinary pay. One
of these latter was nominated to the post of Egyptian _Tchaush_, and
the others joined the volunteers. They received their pay for the
four years they had been away, payment being made out of the Egyptian
treasury.
Toward the end of Rajab his Majesty the Sultan returned to
Constantinople, and on the day that he entered the Konak of Tchataldja
I was appointed Defterdar of Diarbekir.[220] Thus in his gracious
kindness his Majesty had pleased and satisfied us all.
He who wishes to profit by this narrative let him remember that not in
vain aspirations after greatness, but in a quiet and contented mind
lieth the secret of the true strength which perisheth not. But if in
God's providence he should be driven from home, and forced to wander
forth in the unknown, and perchance be caught in the turbulent waves of
the sea of adversity, let him still always keep in mind that love for
one's native land is next to one's faith. Let him never cease to long
for the day that he shall see his native shores again, and always cling
loyally to his Padishah.
He who doeth this shall not perish abroad; God will grant him his
desire both in this world and in the next, and he shall rejoice in the
esteem and affection of his fellow-countrymen.
* * * * *
I completed this narrative in Galata in the month Shaaban of the year
964 (1556), and the transcript of it was accomplished in the month
Safar of the year 965 (1557).