_Philip Baldus_, an _Italian_. He was 66 Years old; and, riding faster
than his Age could bear, he fell into a Fever. My Physician prescribed
him a Clyster, and the same being brought by the Apothecary, my _Chiaux_
would not let him in, nor suffer the Medicine to be brought to the sick
Man. Inhumanely enough, you’ll say; especially, as that _Chiaux_ had
carried it courteously to me for a long time; but now he was so inraged
on a sudden, that ’twas intolerable, for he threatned to cudgel every
body that came to me. After he had thus affronted me, I thought of
a way to let him know, how little I valued all his bug-bear Threats;
which was thus. I set one of my Servants to stand within my Gate, and to
bar it; charging him, to open to none, but at my Command. The _Chiaux_
comes in the Morning to unlock the Gate, as his Custom was; but his Key
availed not, for ’twas bolted. On the in-side he spied my Man, through
the Chinks, and calls out to him to open it. Not I, says he; hereupon
the _Chiaux_ began to be angry, to curse and call Names. Prate while you
will, says my Servant, neither thy self nor any of thine shall come in
here: For why should I open to thee, more than thou to us? Thou keepest
us shut in, and we’ll keep thee shut out; do thou shut the Door without,
and to be sure I’ll shut it within. What, says he, did your Master
command you so to do? Yes, said I: However, says the _Chiaux_, let me
come in and put my Horse in the Stable: No Stabling for your Horse here,
said he. Let me then have some Hay and Provender out for him: Not a bit,
says he; go and buy it in the Neighbourhood, there’s enough to be sold.
I used frequently to make the _Chiaux_ sit down at Meat with me, or else
send him something from my Table; But now the Case was altered; he stood,
fasting as he was, at my Door, his Horse being tied to a _Plane-Tree_,
over against it.
The _Bashaws_, and other Grandees, as they passed by that Place in their
return from Court, and knew, by its Trappings, that it was the _Chiaux_’s
Horse, eating his Hay under the _Plane-Tree_, they demanded the Reason,
why he was not shut up in a Stable, as heretofore? He readily told them
all the Matter; that as he shut us up, so he and his Horse were shut out,
so that the one could not get Food, or the other Provender. When the
rest of the _Bashaws_ heard this Story, they laugh’d heartily, and from
that Time held it fruitless to think of terrifying me with such frivolous
Vexations as the shutting my Doors.
But a while after that _Chiaux_ was removed, and then we had more
Liberty. _Rustan_ himself was satisfied how vain his Menaces were by this
Story, I shall now relate.
There came a certain aged _Sancto_, of great Esteem among them for his
Piety, to pay his Court to him; and, among other Discourses, he asked
_Rustan_ why, since the _Sultan_’s Children were at Discord one with
another, which was likely to occasion great Troubles in their Empire, he
did not make Peace with the _German_ Emperor, that _Solyman_ might be
secure from Danger on that side? I desire nothing more, says _Rustan_;
but how can I bring it about? His Demands I cannot yield to, and my
Demands he will not accept, nor can I compel him so to do. I have tried
all Ways to bring him to my Terms; I have kept him in the nature of a
Prisoner these many Years, I have dealt coarsely enough with him; and
yet, alas! he is but hardened the more thereby. When I would shut him
up as a close Prisoner in his own House, then he bars his Door on the
Inside, that no body can come at him; thus all my Labour is in vain. If
another Man had been so hardly dealt with, to avoid the Durance, he would
have turned to our Religion; as for him, he cares not a Rush.
This was _Rustan_’s Discourse, as some present thereat informed me.
The reason of their surly Carriage, is this: The _Turks_ are very
suspicious, that the Agents of Christian Princes have a great Latitude in
their Commissions; so that they have Power to alter them, as occasion
serves; if they cannot at first get favourable, then they may except of
harder Terms. To get out of them the full of their Commissions, they
vex their Persons, shut them up close, threaten War, and abuse them all
manner of ways.
Some think, that a certain _Venetian_ Resident did much encourage the
_Turks_ to these Courses; for when the Dispute was between the _Venetian_
and _Turk_, about _Napoli di Romania_, their Agent had a Charge to try
all other ways of Accommodation, without surrendering the City; but if no
milder Terms would do, then he had Liberty to part with that City, rather
than to engage in a War with the Port: Some _Venetian_ Traytor declared
this part of his Commission to the _Turks_, unknown to the Resident
himself; who rather denied that he had any other Commands, than what he
had then proposed, which were the gentlest Terms. The _Bashaws_ judging
themselves to be deluded, were very angry, and bid him have a care what
he said; their Master was not to be mock’d; they knew well enough that he
had other Commands, and thereupon, they recited to him the full of his
Commission; so that now, said they, if you do not tell us, we shall look
on you as a Liar and an Impostor, and then he would be punished as such;
and his Commonwealth would certainly be ruined, if the implacable Anger
of _Solyman_ did once, on this Occasion, stir him up to War against him;
and, therefore, speak now, or for ever hereafter hold your Peace: Our
Master will not use Entreaties; he hath not Power enough, God be thanked,
to command Obedience.
The _Venetian_ Agent was so surprized at this Discourse, which he did
not so much as dream of, that he very frankly told them all; for which,
however, he was very much blamed in his own Country.
Ever since that time, the _Turks_ have indulged their Suspicions, that
the Christian Agents deal but partially with them; and, therefore, they
must humble them to get out all the Truth. Upon this they imprisoned
_Velduvic_, the Emperor _Charles_’s Ambassador, 18 Months, and my
Collegues more than three Years, and at last sent them away, without
doing any thing. As for my self, I know not how long I shall be kept in
this Durance; for my part, I see no end of it.
When _Baldus_, that ancient Man of whom I spake before, came to me, they
suspected that he had brought me new Commands, which allowed me to yield
to harder Conditions of Peace; and they feared that I would conceal them,
because I knew well enough their intestine Discords; so that, by dealing
harshly with me, they thought to extort the whole Truth from me. Upon the
same Design, _Rustan_ once sent a large Gourd, called by the _Germans
Wasser-plutzer_. They ripen to a delicious Sweetness at _Constantinople_;
their Seeds are red within, and they came originally from _Rhodes_.
By this Present, sent to me by my Secretary, _Rustan_ did jestingly
insinuate the fear of a War; it was brought me when the Weather was very
hot, and the Juice is good to cool inward Heat. He sent this Compliment
with it, that I should make use of the Fruit suitable to the hot Season,
for it is an excellent Cooler; but I should know, withal, that a great
number of those Plants did grow about _Buda_ and _Belgrade_, of a much
larger size than that which he sent me, meaning thereby _Cannon-Balls_.
I returned Thanks for my Present, and told him, I should make use of it;
but, for _Buda_ and _Belgrade_, ’twas no great wonder they grew there,
since there was Plenty of them, even of a larger size, at _Vienna_. It
was a pleasure to me, to let _Rustan_ know by my Answer, that I could
retort Quibble for Quibble.
But to return to the Affairs of _Bajazet_, which you desired to be
further informed in.
You may remember that his Father dismissed him some Years ago, upon
this Condition, That he should never hereafter affront his Brother, nor
raise new Tumults in the Empire, but live quietly and peaceably, as a
Brother ought to do. He should remember his Promise made to himself, and
not vex him in his old Age; if he did, woe be to him! These Threats had
weight with _Bajazet_, as long as his Mother lived; he kept his Word,
rather to retain her good Will and Indulgence towards him, than as having
any Consideration either for his Brother’s Love or Father’s good Will.
However, quiet he was, for his Mother’s sake: But two Years after her
Death, looking upon himself as desperate, he cut the Cords of all filial
Obedience, and began to resume his former Designs against his Brother,
and to execute his Animosity with great spight: Sometimes he laid
Ambushes for his Life; at other times he attempted it by open force, and
now and then he sent Parties of Men into his Brother’s Province, (their
Provinces being contiguous one to the other) and if he could catch any
of his Domesticks, he used them ill for their Master’s sake; in fine, he
left no Stone unturned, to lessen his Brother’s Credit, finding he was
not able to reach his Life.
Besides, he had several Partisans at _Constantinople_, who endeavoured
to draw over the _Grand Seignior_’s Guard to his side; and he did not
doubt but, as his Design ripened, to come privately to _Constantinople_,
and there to abscond among his Friends, till he could have a fair
opportunity to make his appearance in public. _Solyman_ was soon let into
all his Designs, particularly by Letters from his Son _Selimus_, who
warned him to take care of his Life; and that, if he did not look upon
these Villainous Attempts of _Bajazet_, as pointed at himself, he was
much mistaken: For he cared not what he did either against God or Man,
provided he might gain the Kingdom. Your Life, Sir, said he, is aimed at
as well as mine, and he would wound you through my sides. His Design was
contrived long ago, but now he only seeks an opportunity to execute it;
and, therefore, pray prevent his Wickedness before you are circumvented
by him too late to find any Help: As for myself, I can easily bear all
his Injuries; but the greatness of your Danger doth more nearly concern
me.
These Informations from _Selimus_ did more and more incense _Solyman_
against _Bajazet_; so that he put him in mind of his Duty, by Letter,
telling him what great Clemency he had used towards him, and what
Promises he had reciprocally made to him. Call to mind, said he, those
Ancient things, ’tis not so easie for you to get a new Pardon. Leave off
wronging your Brother, and creating trouble to me. I have but a little
time to live; when I am gone, God will shew which of you shall Reign; in
the mean time, don’t you disturb the public Peace, nor the Tranquillity
of my grey Hairs.
But these Expostulations wrought little upon _Bajazet_, who was fully
determin’d to do his utmost, rather than to yield his Neck tamely to his
Brother’s Sword; for he saw plainly, that would be his Fate, if ever
_Selimus_ mounted the Throne. However, he answered his Father’s Letters
submissively enough; but his Words and his Deeds did not agree, neither
did he drop the prosecution of his intended Design.
When _Solyman_ saw this, he resolved to try another Course, and to remove
his two Sons to a greater Distance one from the other; and, therefore,
he commands each of them, on a prefix’d Day, to leave his Province
(_Chiuta_ was _Bajazet_’s, and _Magnetia_ _Selimus_’s) _Bajazet_ to go
to _Amasia_, and _Selimus_ to _Iconium_. This was done, not out of any
disfavour to _Selimus_, but only to please _Bajazet_, lest he should
break out into Extremes, when he was removed from his Government, and
not his Brother from his. Withal, he laid his Commands on them, that,
the more they were severed by distance of Place, the more they should
be united by Concord of Mind. For (said he) Vicinity of Habitation doth
often breed Discord betwixt Brethren, and Servants on both sides do ill
Offices to enrage and exasperate the Minds of their Masters, one against
the other; and, therefore, obey my Commands: Him that refuses, I shall
count a rebellious Son. _Selimus_ immediately left his Province, as being
confident of his Father’s Favour; but _Bajazet_ made many Hesitations,
and when he was gone a little way he stopt his Journey, complaining that
the unlucky Province of _Amasia_ was allotted, as a bad Omen to him;
because his Brother was slain there. I should rather, said he, go to any
other Province besides, than where the miserable End of my Relations
will constantly come to my Mind, and wound my very Soul; and, therefore
he desired his Father to suffer him to winter at least where he was,
or else in his Brother’s Province: But _Solyman_ would grant neither
of those Requests. By this Time, _Selimus_ was marched with an Army
which was augmented with some Forces from his Father _Solyman_, (for
they were both afraid of _Bajazet_’s Plots) against his Brother, who
yet made many Halts and Delays; when, on a sudden, he fetch’d a compass
about, and appeared with his Army on the Rear of his Brother, going
towards _Prusias_, a City of _Bithynia_ over against _Constantinople_
on the _Asiatic_ Shore; his Father gave consent to his March, as not
well pleased with the Delays of _Bajazet_. For they thought thus with
themselves, that, if _Bajazet_ could win over the Guards to himself, and
march to _Prusias_, or even to _Constantinople_ itself, their Matters,
as to _Solyman_ and _Selimus_, would be in great hazard; and, therefore,
out of a common fear, ’twas thought most adviseable for _Selimus_ to stay
there, where he might expect most Aid, in case of Necessity, from the
Nearness of the capital Cities. For _Selimus_ had not yet Forces enough
to encounter his Brother in open Field, with any hopes of Success.
When _Bajazet_ saw his Brother’s Army in his Rear, and that he got
nothing by his Delay, but the certain Knowledge, that _Selimus_ should
Reign if his Father died, as his Fear added to his Sickness gave some
Likelihood thereof; hereupon, he wrote Letters to his Father, wherein
he laid grievous Things to the Charge of his Brother _Selimus_, as,
that his present March did plainly declare, what a wicked Intent he had
towards his Father, who was come so near the _Metropolis_, that he might
treacherously compass the Empire, and that he might have but a short
Passage over, if his Father died. But, if his Father’s Life should balk
his desire, then he would suborn some Parricide or other to take it away;
and yet, this is the Son, forsooth, said he, that you have in your Bosom;
as if he were a very Nonsuch for filial Obedience; whereas I, who never
entertained a bad Thought against you in all my Life, but was always
observant of your very Becks, am rejected and call out of Favour; and
yet the Sum of my Demands is only this, that an unlucky Province may not
be designed for my Government; either that which my Brother left, or any
other more fortunate one than that of _Amasia_; and, says he, I shall
expect an Answer in the Place where I now abide, lest, if my Suit be
granted, I be forced to march a great way back; but if your Ears be deaf
to my Request, then I will march to what Province you shall command me.
And the truth is, _Bajazet_ had reason to be averse from _Amasia_; for
’tis a Custom among them to build much on Auguries and ill Omens, even in
the smallest Matters.
But these Letters were otherwise understood by _Solyman_, who was well
acquainted with his Son’s Fears, and knew that he affected a Government
not so remote, but nearer to _Constantinople_, that thereby he might have
the better opportunity for Innovations.
Thus _Bajazet_ made one Excuse after another for his Delay, and seemed
to retard his Father’s Pleasure; he listed Soldiers, increased his Army,
rais’d Money, and provided all things necessary for his own Defence,
and the Conquest of his Brother. _Solyman_ looked upon his Design as
against himself, yet the crafty old Man dissembled it what he could; for
he was unwilling to make _Bajazet_ quite desperate. He was now grieved
that the Eyes of all Nations were fix’d on that Dissention between his
Sons, and therefore he design’d to use some Delay, that the Matter, if
possible, might be composed with as little Noise as possible. He answered
_Bajazet_’s Letters mildly, telling him, that, as for the Change of
Provinces, he was fully resolved to be obey’d therein; and, therefore, he
and his Brother would do well immediately to repair to their respective
Armies.
As for other Concerns, he need not take care of them, for he himself
would so order Matters, that neither his Brother nor he should have any
Cause to complain. _Solyman_ chose _Pertau_, the Fourth Vizier _Bashaw_,
to carry those Letters to _Bajazet_; and, that he might seem to deal
impartially between them both, he sent _Mehemet_, the third Vizier
_Bashaw_, to _Selimus_. He also laid a Charge on both those _Bashaws_,
not to stir a step from either of his Sons, till they had both entred on
their respective Governments. This was wisely done by _Solyman_ to leave
such faithful Moniters with his Children, which would daily put them in
Mind of their Duties.
Accordingly, _Selimus_ did willingly admit his Father’s _Bashaw_; but
_Bajazet_, whose Mind was wholly set upon imbroiling the State, could
not endure to have one of his Father’s Counsellors obtruded upon him,
to be a Witness of his Designs, and to be a Tell-tale to his Father.
And, therefore, he dismissed the _Bashaw_, who was willing to have
staid, having first courteously treated and presented him with Gifts,
according to his present Ability; and he did it with this Pretence,
that he had none else to represent his Cause impartially to his Father,
but only himself; and, if he would do him so good Offices, he promised
not to be ungrateful to him. He desir’d him also to tell his Father,
that his Commands should always be to him as a Law, but that he was
forced to do what he did, for fear of his Brother _Selimus_, whose
Injuries and Affronts he could no longer endure. By this Message of
_Pertau_, _Solyman_ was assured of _Bajazet_’s Design, though, to colour
the Matter, and to put a Blind on his Father’s Embassy, he pretended
he would hasten to _Amasia_. However, _Solyman_ was not slow in his
Preparations against _Bajazet_, for he commanded the _Beglerbeg_ of
_Asia_, though sick of the Gout, to assist his Son _Selimus_ with a Body
of Horse; and he sent also the most faithful of his Guards to accompany
_Mehemet Bassa_, (who was also returned from his Embassies) into _Asia_
on the same Errand; and he himself pretended he would gird on his Sword
and follow them. But, alas! the Guards shew’d themselves very unwilling
to the Service; for they abominated the War betwixt Brothers, as an
impious Thing. For against whom should they draw their Sword? Was not
_Bajazet_ Heir of the Crown too? This unnecessary Discussion (said they)
may be compass’d without Blood; neither are we to be forc’d to sheath our
Swords in one another’s Bowels: As for _Bajazet_, he is forced to do what
he doth, in a way of Self-preservation.
When these Rumours came to _Solyman_’s Ears, he sent for the _Mufti_ (the
High-Priest of the _Turks_, from whom, as from an Oracle, they expect
Answers to their Doubts) and puts a Case to him in these Terms.
“How ought that Man to be dealt with, who durst disturb the Peace of the
Empire, by taking Towns, and raising Men and Money, while he was alive?
As also, What he thought of those, who were assistant to him in that
Design, and fought under his Ensigns? and, lastly, what was to be done
with those who refused to engage against him, but rather justified his
Practises?”
The _Mufti_’s Answer was, “That such a Person with all his Followers were
worthy of Death; and they that refused to Fight against him were to be
abominated, as Prophane, and Deserters of their Religion.”
This Answer was divulged among the Commonalty, and by the Chief of the
_Chiauxes_ was transmitted to _Bajazet_.
A while after there came a _Chiaux_ to _Constantinople_, who had been
sent by _Solyman_ to _Selimus_, but had been intercepted by _Bajazet_;
by whom he sent a Message to their Father, to this effect; that he would
never fail in expressing his Duty to his Father, and that he never took
up Arms against him, but was resolved to be obedient to him in all
Things. The Dispute was only between his Brother and himself, who sought
his Life, so that he must fall by his Brother’s Sword, or his Brother
by his. This difference might be decided in his Father’s Life; and,
therefore, he desired him not to interpose or assist his Brother, but
to carry himself in an exact Neutrality; but if (said he) you pass over
into _Asia_, (as Report says you will) to assist _Selimus_, don’t think
I shall be speedily reduced, for I know whither to retreat; and, let me
tell you, the first Day you set Foot in _Asia_, I will destroy all by
Fire and Sword, and make it as desolate, as _Tamerlane_, or any of our
fiercest Enemies, ever did.
When this Message was delivered to _Solyman_, it did much disturb him,
especially when Word was brought to him, that the Town of _Axuar_, which
_Selimus_, his Son, was _Sanziach_ of, was taken by _Bajazet_; who, after
he had exacted a great Sum of Money from the Inhabitants, plundered and
sack’d it shamefully.
But _Selimus_, when he heard that his Brother march’d towards _Amasia_,
and was already come as far as _Ancyra_, being now freed from the
Suspicion of Treachery, which he fear’d in his March, hastened towards
_Iconium_, where a Garrison was kept for his Arrival.
’Twas none of the least of _Solyman_’s Cares, which distracted his Mind,
lest _Bajazet_ should seize on _Iconium_, and so march into _Syria_,
from whence there is a large Passage into _Egypt_, a Province not fully
settled in Subjection to the _Turks_, and somewhat mindful of the ancient
Governors of the _Circassians_ or _Mamalukes_, longed for a Change. And
if _Bajazet_ once got thither, he foresaw it would be a very hard Matter
to beat him out, should the neighbouring _Arabians_ assist him; who, in
hopes of Booty, were ready to take any side. And if, with much ado, he
could have been driven out of _Egypt_, yet from thence he might easily be
wafted over into any of the _Christian_ Countries; whereupon _Solyman_,
by all means, sought to stop his March thither, because he thought it
would be _Bajazet_’s last Shift; and to that end he had written to most
of the Governors of lesser _Asia_, to be watchful, ever and to assist
_Selimus_, when he called for their Aid. Accordingly _Selimus_ formed a
Camp before the Walls of _Iconium_: For he thought it best to wait there
for the Auxiliaries of his Father, and not to hazard his All on the
doubtful Issue of a Battel.
On the other side, _Bajazet_, knowing what a hazardous Enterprize he had
undertaken, was as vigorous to support his Cause. He hired a great body
of Horse, called _Chiurts_, perhaps formerly _Gordianes_, Men noted for
Valour, in whom he put Confidence.
They, as soon as ever they came to this Army, began their Representation
of a Battel on Horseback, which had so much of Reality in it, that many
of them were slain, but more wounded.
His Camp was pitch’d in the plain and open Fields of _Ancyra_, from which
City he was supplied with many Necessaries; and at the Castle thereof
he placed his Concubines and Children. From those Merchants, that were
rich, he borrowed Money, upon Terms of Re-payment with Interest, if God
gave him Success. From thence, also, he was furnished with Arms for his
Soldiers.
Besides his own Family (consisting of very many among the higher sort
of _Turks_) and the _Chiurts_ before-mentioned, those that were of his
Mother’s, or his Sister’s, or of _Rustan_’s Faction, came in to him;
so did very many of _Mustapha_’s and _Achmet_’s Favourites, fierce and
skilful Warriors; for they grudging at the undeserved Deaths of their
Masters; were resolved to revenge them with the hazard of their Blood:
some also came under his Banner out of Commiseration of the depressed
Condition of _Bajazet_, as being necessitated to fly to Arms, his last
and only Refuge.