_Selimus_ had not one Feature in his Face resembling him. ’Tis true, he
was very like his Mother, a Woman hated while she was alive. He was a
big-bellied Man, with swoln Cheeks, and his Face of a deep and uncomely
Redness; insomuch, that the Soldiers would seemingly say, _He was cramm’d
with Barley-Pudding_. Besides, he liv’d a slothful, banquetting, idle
Life; neither was he courteous, or of easy Access, nor did he oblige
by any act of Generosity. The Reason he gave, was, that he would not
offend his Father, by aiming at popular Applause. Thus he became dear
to his Father only, but odious to every body else; yea, those Persons
did most disdain him, who coveted a munificent and an active Emperor.
The same Soldiers that were wont to call _Bajazet_, _Softi_ (a sedentary
Man, and given up to his Studies) when they saw that he took up Arms,
and ventured his All to defend himself and his Children, now extolled
him to the Skies, as a Man of extraordinary Valour. Why (said they,
reasoning among themselves) should his Father abdicate a Son that is his
express Image? Why should he prefer his slothful, pot-bellied Brother,
that has nothing of his Father’s Disposition in him? As for _Bajazet_’s
taking Arms, Necessity forces him to it, and therefore, he is not to be
blamed; for did not _Selimus_, his Grandfather, do the same? What great
Precedent could there be? For he did not only arm against his Brother,
but Necessity also compelled him to hasten his Father’s Death; and yet by
this Procedure he established the Kingdom to himself and his Posterity.
Now, if _Solyman_ did rightfully possess that Kingdom, so gotten, why
should his Son be denied to take the same Course? Why should that Fact be
thought so heinous in him, which was accounted lawful in his Grandfather?
And yet the Case is much different (said they); for _Bajazet_ did not
take up Arms against his Father, but wishes him a long Life; nay, he
would not hurt an Hair of his Brother’s Head, if he could be sure of his
own Life, against him: But ’tis always lawful to resist Force by Force,
and, if possible, to prevent one’s own certain Ruin. These Discourses
caused many to fly to _Bajazet_, and his Army being now of a moderate
Size, without delay, he marches towards his Brother, putting his Life,
Fortune, and the hope of his Empire, upon the Event of the Battel; for
thus, thought he, my Valour (at least) will be commended, if it be not
prosperous; I will endeavour if I can, to break my way into _Syria_, and,
if I succeed therein, my Business is done.
_Selimus_ waited for him under the Walls of _Iconium_, having a vast
Army, encreased by Forces sent him from his Father, and well furnished
with skilful Commanders; and, besides all other Necessaries, secured with
great Ordnance on every side. _Bajazet_ was nothing terrified at all
those Disadvantages, but as soon as he came in sight of his Brother’s
Army, he exhorted his Own, though inferior in Number, in this manner.
_Now, ~says he~, the long wished for Hour is come, wherein you may shew
your Valour; do you act as Men, and let me alone to reward you. All my
Fortune is in your Hands; my Misfortunes have been irksome some time, but
now here is an open Campaign, wherein I may change them for the better,
and forget all the Miseries of my former Life. If you conquer, you may
expect from me Honour, Dignity, and all kinds of Rewards, befitting Men
of Valour. One Victory will crown all our Hopes, though never so vast,
and that you may get by your superabounding Valour. As for my Brother’s
Troops before your Eyes, they are a Company of ~Buffoons~ under a
slothful General; you may easily make way through them with your Swords;
what Forces he hath with him of my Father’s, though they are his in Body,
yet they are mine at Heart. ’Tis ~Selimus~ alone that stands in the
way, both of my Vassals, and of your Happiness too, and therefore, let
us both revenge our selves on a common Enemy. And for their Multitude,
don’t fear them; Conquest is got by Valour, not by Number. God Almighty
uses to assist the ~Best~, not the ~Most~. Certainly, if you consider
how the savage Enemy thirsts after your Blood, you will preserve yours,
by shedding theirs. In fine, ~said he~, I will not only speak, but do.
Let me be your Pattern. Do you fight but as valiantly for my Safety, as
I shall do for your Advancement, and I’ll warrant you the Battel is our
own._
Having finished his Oration, he made towards the Enemy with an undaunted
Courage, and in the Front of his Army shew’d himself both a brave
Soldier and a skilful Commander, so that he was renowned also by his
very Enemies. The Battel was bloody, and many fell on both Sides, and
Victory seem’d to hover with doubtful Wings; but at last she inclin’d
to that side, where was more Force, a juster Cause, and better Counsel.
Just in the nick, there arose such a Wind that it carried the smoke of
the Ordnance into the very Faces of _Bajazet_’s Army, so that they fought
blindfold, as it were; whereupon _Bajazet_, after much Blood-shed on
both sides, was forced to sound a Retreat; but he made it with so little
Disorder, and so leisurely, that he seemed a Conqueror, rather than to
have lost the Day. Neither did _Selimus_ move out of his Camp to pursue
him, being well contented to see his Enemies turn their Backs.
After this, _Bajazet_, considering he had disobeyed his Father’s
Commands, by indulging his own Humour, and being cut off from his March
into _Syria_, which he had design’d, resolved to move in good earnest
towards _Amasia_.
_Solyman_ had presently a Messenger sent him of this Victory, and
immediately he posted over into _Asia_. His _Bashaws_ would not let
him go before; _But now_ (said they) _you must make haste to press
upon ~Bajazet~ in his Misfortune and to prevent his Recruit; for if
his secret Favourites should declare for him, they might cut them out
further Work. The Report of your Passage over, will both discourage your
Son and terrify all his Followers; and, therefore, make haste, lest he
serve you as sometime your Father did, who was more formidable after he
was conquered than before, so that his very Overthrow at first was the
cause of his Victory in the End._ Neither did they thus speak without
Cause; for ’tis incredible how much that Fight, though unfortunate, had
added to _Bajazet_’s Renown. That he was so hardily valorous, as, with
a small handful in comparison, to set upon the well-disciplin’d Army
of his Brother, strengthened too with his Father’s Forces; that he was
not daunted with the disadvantage of the Place, nor the roaring of the
great Ordnance, and that he carried himself in the very Battel, not as
a raw Officer, but an expert General. ’Tis true, said they, his Success
was not answerable, but his Valour was not inferior; and, therefore,
let _Selimus_ boast never so much of his Victory to his Father, this we
are sure of, that, of the two, _Bajazet_ deserved to be Conqueror; and
that we may attribute his Brother’s being so to any thing rather than to
his own Valour. These Discourses concerning _Bajazet_, shew’d him to be
Popular, and thereupon they double his Father’s Grief and Pain, and his
Desire to ruin him. Resolved he was, none but _Selimus_ should succeed
him in the Empire: For, besides that he was his eldest Son, he had been
always faithful and obedient to him; but _Bajazet_ had been rebellious,
and gaped after the Throne in his Lifetime; and he feared him the more,
because he was esteem’d a very valiant Prince, and because also he had
openly assisted _Selimus_ against him.
For these Reasons he pass’d the Sea into _Asia_, but with a Resolution
not to stir from the Shore, but to assist his Son _Selimus_’s Affairs,
only at a distance. For why, thought he, should I run any Hazard to
bring my own Forces nearer, lest my Army, not fully settled in their
Obedience, should be tempted to a Revolt.
I my self saw _Solyman_ march out of _Constantinople_ in the Year 1559,
_June 5th_, tho’ against the Will of my _Chiaux_. Let me here present you
with a Scene of Mirth, and like a Braggadocio-soldier, tell you of two
Battels I had at once; for why, I have Leisure enough (unless you count
my Cares my Study) and the larger I am in my Scribling, the more time do
I borrow from my Troubles. Hear then, what were my Quarrels.
When I was certainly inform’d that the _Sultan_ was ready to pass over
into _Asia_, and that the Day was fix’d for his Departure, I told my
_Chiaux_ that I had a mind to see him march out, and therefore he should
come betimes in the Morning and open the Doors, for he used to carry the
Keys of my Doors home with him at Night; he promised me courteously, he
would do so. Then I order’d my _Janizaries_ and my Interpreters, to take
me an upper Room in the way the Emperor was to pass, convenient for my
View: They obeyed my Commands. When the Day was come, I rose before ’twas
light, and expected that my _Chiaux_ had opened my Doors; but finding
them shut, I sent several Messengers to him, to come and let me out, both
my _Janizaries_ that waited within Doors, and _Druggermen_ that waited to
come in: This I did, through the Chinks of the Gate, which was very old;
but the _Chiaux_ still spun Delays, pretending he would come presently.
Thus I spent some time, till I heard the noise of the Guns, which the
_Janizaries_ use to fire, when their Emperor takes Horse; then I began
to fret and fume, seeing my self so deluded. My Disappointment and just
Indignation did affect the _Janizaries_ themselves: they told me, that
if my People would thrust hard with them, they without would so press
upon the Valves, which were loose and old, that the Bars would fall out.
I took their Counsel; the Doors flew open accordingly, and out we went,
hastening to the Room I had hired.
My _Chiaux_ had a mind to frustrate my Desire, and yet he was no bad Man
neither; for having communicated my Request to the _Bashaws_, 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 the _Sultan_ is a
Shipboard; then you may think of some Excuse or other to bring you off.
When I 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 the _Janizaries_ again
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 of _Jews_, a whole _Synagogue_ of 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, in _Spanish_, 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 out into
the Street, and from thence, with a great deal of Pleasure, I saw all the
grand Procession.
The _Gulupagi_ and _Ulufagi_ marched two by two; the _Selchers_ one
by one, and _Spahi’s_ (which are the Names of the _Grand Seignior_’s
Horse-Guards) distinguished by their Ranks and Troops; they were about
6000, besides a vast number of the Domesticks of the Prime _Vizier_,
and of other _Bashaws_. The _Turkish_ Horsemen make a gallant Show; the
best Breed of Horses is from _Cappadocia_ and _Syria_, 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 neat _Babylonian_ Workmanship; 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 behind his Shield. It is not however my present Design to
acquaint you with the _Turks_ Expertness 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.
After the Horse, a large Body of _Janizaries_ followed, 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,
the _Veterans_ in 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 their _Aga_, or General. Then succeed
the chief Courtiers, amongst whom are the _Bashaws_; 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.
After I had the Satisfaction of viewing all this, my only care was now
to appease my Hostess, she that at my entrance spake to me in _Spanish_,
for I heard she was very familiar with _Rustan_’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 to _Rustan_’s Wife, made one in the Consort,
for she always, in my Landlady’s name, gave me great Thanks. They
offered me _Grecian_ Wine and a Banquet, which I refused, but with great
Acclamations of all the _Jews_, made haste to be gone, that I might
manage a new Dispute with my _Chiaux_, for keeping my Doors fasten’d,
when I should have come forth.
I found 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, says he. 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.
Hereupon he turns to the _Janizaries_, 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 the
_Chiaux_ was forced to hold his Peace, and I never heard any more of the
matter.
A while after, I had also leave to pass over the Sea, for the _Turks_
judged 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 the _Turks_, 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 as _Christians_ do
in that Country, and with one or two Attendants walked up and down their
Camp _incognito_. The first thing I saw, was, the Soldiers of each Body
quartered with great Order in their several Ranks, and that with a great
deal of Silence, (’tis far otherwise in _Christian_ Camps) 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 the _Christian_ Army!)
I only heard one _Hungarian_ common 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 the _Danow_; 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, the
_Turks_ are 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.
I had 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 the _Janizaries_, 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 from
_Constantinople_. When I demanded, _What that was_, they shewed me a
_Janizary_ near at hand, who was lying 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.
Their Drink 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 among _Christians_, 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 a _Turkish_ Envoy
coming once, at that time of the Year, reported at his return, That
the _Christians_ at 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 denoting
_Ash-Wednesday_, and its Eve. The _Turks_, 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.
For the 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.
The time 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; for they 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 their _Mosque_, (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.
In the close of their Summer-Falls, I once saw a great many of them go
into a Tavern over-against my Lodging, (where Ice from Mount _Olympus_ in
_Asia_ was always to be sold) and there they ask’d for Icy water, which
they drank jetting strangely backwards; for the _Turks_ count 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.
In their 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.
They use 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.
I often ask’d, why _Mahomet_ was so strict, as to forbid his Followers
the use of Wine? In answer to my demand, they told me this Story, that
_Mahomet_ making 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 changed his
Mind, turning his former _Blessing_ into a _Curse_, and forbidding it, as
an Abomination, to all his Disciples for ever.