imaginable, especially at their Feast-time: So much did Camp-Discipline,
and a Strictness received from their Ancestors prevail upon them!
The _Turks_ punish all Vice and Wickedness very severely; their
Punishments are, loss of their Places, sale of their Goods, basting
with Clubs, Death: But Club-basting is most common, from which the
_Janizaries_ themselves are not free; though they may not, as such,
be put to death. Their lighter Offences are chastised by the Club;
their more heinous by cashiering or degrading, which they count worse
than Death, because commonly they are put to Death afterwards; for
being stripp’d of the Ensigns of _Janizaries_, they are banish’d to
the farthest Garrison of the Empire, where they live contemptible and
inglorious, till, upon any light Occasion, they are put to Death; yet not
as _Janizaries_, but as common Soldiers only.
And here let me acquaint you with the Patience of the _Turks_ in
receiving that Punishment; they’ll receive sometimes an hundred Blows
on their Legs, their Feet and Buttocks, with wonderful Patience; so
that diver’s Clubs are broke, and the Executioner cries out, _Give me
another!_ Yea, sometimes the Chastisement is so severe, that several
pieces of torn Flesh must be cut off from the wounded Parts, before any
thing can be applied to cure them. Yet for all this, they must go to
their Officer, who commanded them to be punish’d; they must kiss his
Hand, and give him Thanks; nay, they must also give the Executioner a
Reward for beating them. The Club they are beaten with, they count
_sacred_, and that it fell down from Heaven, as the _Romans_ counted
their _Shield_ to do; and, as some Relief to their Misery, they count
those Parts wounded with the Rod or Club, to be free from any Purgations,
and Expiations after this Life.
When I told you, that the _Turk_’s Camps were free from Broils and
Tumults, I must except one, which was made by my own Men: The occasion of
it was this. Some of my Servants had a mind to ramble out of the Camp,
without any _Janizaries_ to attend them; only taking some _Italian_
Renegadoes that professed the _Turk’s Religion_. Let me tell you, by the
way, that these _Italians_ are of good use in that Country, especially
in redeeming Captives; for they come to their Masters, and pretend they
are either their Kinsmen, or their Countrymen, and therefore, out of
Compassion to them, they desire to buy them as their Patrons, for a Price
agreed, and so they set them free: But if a _Christian_ should make the
same proffer to them, they would either refuse, or hold him to a far
higher Rate.
But to return: Some of my People, as I told you, gadding abroad, they
happened to meet some _Janizaries_, who came from Swimming and Washing
themselves in the Sea, without the Badges of their Order on their
Heads, only some Linnen being very slightly wrapped about them. These
_Janizaries_ revil’d my People, knowing them to be _Christians_; for
that’s the way of the _Turks_, to reproach _Christians_; ’tis a Principle
of their Religion, and they think thereby to incline us to exchange
our Religion for a better, as they count theirs to be. My Folks being
thus provoked, return Jeer for Jeer, from Words they came to Blows,
the _Italians_ assisting my Men. The cause of the Scuffle was, that one
of the _Janizaries_ lost the Linnen Covering off his Head, which was
thrown I know not whither: Hereupon the _Janizaries_ hurry away to their
General, complaining of their Wrongs and Damage received by my Servants;
for they watch’d them, and found them return’d to my House. Their General
presently sent for my Interpreter, who was present at the Conflict: He
was seiz’d upon sitting at my Door, and they were pulling him away. I
beheld it from a Gallery above, and was much concern’d, that any of my
Family should be taken forcibly from me without my Consent, to be carried
to the _Bastinado_, (for I understood something of the Matter before);
and I could not imagine he would be return’d to me without being well
beaten, he being one of the _Turk_’s Subjects. Whereupon I ran down, and
laid hold on him, commanding them to let him go. They quitted him with
much ado, but hasted immediately with far more grievous Complaints to
their General, who commanded more of their Company to go and seize those
_Italians_, who of _Christians_ are said to have become _Turks_; yet he
charged them to offer no Violence to me, or to the House where I lodged.
They came back presently, and with a great Noise and many Threats,
demanded those _Italians_; but they, foreseeing what would come to pass,
had sailed back to _Constantinople_. Much Clamour there was on both
sides; at last my _Chiaux_ at that time, who was an old decrepid Man, out
of a jeer thrust some Pistoles into their Hands unknown to me, to buy
a new Bonnet in the room of that which was lost; and thus the Dispute
ended.
I have been the more punctual in relating this Story, because, on this
occasion, I understood from _Rustan_’s own Mouth, what Opinion the
_Sultan_ had of the _Janizaries_: For he, hearing of this Scuffle, sent
a Messenger to me, to desire me to cut off all occasion of Dispute with
the _Janizaries_ as the worst of Men. You know, said he, ’tis a time of
War, whereby _they_ may be said to reign, rather than the _Sultan_, who
himself stands in fear of them. This he spake, as being well acquainted
with the Sentiments of _Solyman_, who always suspected some Men of their
own to lie in wait against their _Militia_, who would break out when he
had no Opportunity to prevent them.
And the Truth is, though there may be some use of a standing Guard and
_Militia_, yet there are also many Inconveniences attending it, of which
this is the chief. Their Emperor is very fearful of them, lest, having
the Sword in their Hands, they should alter the Government as they
pleas’d, of which there had been many Precedents; yet, there are ways
also, whereby this may be prevented.
While I was in their Camp, there came _Albertus de Ubiis_, a worthy and
learned Person, born I think at _Amsterdam_, as an Envoy from my Master
_Cæsar_. He brought with him some Presents for their _Sultan_, as some
Goblets gilt with Gold, with a Clock neatly made, and carried like a
Tower on an Elephant’s Back; as also some Money to be distributed,
amongst the _Bashaws_. _Solyman_ would have me deliver these Presents
in the Camp, that the Amity betwixt Him and my Master might be more
publickly known, and so no Danger at all to be feared from the
_Christian_ Arms.
But to return to _Bajazet_, after the Fight at _Iconium_, who retired
to his Government of _Amasia_, pretending to live quietly there, if his
Father would permit him so to do. For why? He had sown his wild Oats, and
for the future seem’d pliable to obey his Father’s Will; and for this
he employed sundry Persons to carry submissive Letters to his Father,
begging his Pardon: Neither did _Solyman_ pretend that he was averse to
a Reconciliation with his Son, and therefore he admitted his Messengers
into his Presence. He read his Letters, and answered them mildly: So that
the Report was spread over all the Army, what an Agreement was like to be
between Father and Son; what he had done amiss, was to be imputed to the
hot Blood of his youthful Age, provided he would shew himself obsequious
for the residue of his Life. This _Solyman_ did by the Advice of his
_Bashaws_; for the cunning old Man would not declare himself, till he
had brought _Bajazet_ into the Noose of his own Power. He was terribly
afraid, lest out of Desperation he should march furiously into _Persia_
(his only place of Refuge,) with such furious Expedition, that all his
_Sanziacks_ should not be able to get before him. To prevent which
Mistakes, he sent many Letters to all the Governors upon the Borders, to
watch _Bajazet_, and not to suffer him to escape, if he should attempt it.
In the mean time, he put all those of _Bajazet_’s Party, that he could
get into his Hands, to the Rack; and when he had sifted out of them what
he could, he put them privately to Death; amongst which were some that
_Bajazet_ had sent to clear him to his Father.
The Kingdom of _Persia_ at that time contained all the Countries between
the _Caspian_ Sea, and the Seas of _Persia_, with some part of _Armenia_
the Greater, (though _Solyman_, by taking _Babylon_, _Mesopotamia_, and
part of _Media_, had abridged their Empire very much) and other distant
Countries even to the Empire of the _Homamia Patisach_, as the _Turks_
call him, and over that last part of Land _Sagthamas_ was King: The
Father had been formerly over-thrown by _Selimus_ in a great Fight in the
field of _Chalderon_; and from that time the _Persian_ Affairs began to
decline, for _Solyman_ a fierce Engineer press’d upon the very Face of
them; and _Thamas_, being much inferior to his Father in Courage, made
but weak Defence: For he was wholly given up to Sloth and Idleness, and
would sit in his Palace amongst a croud of Harlots, amorously pleasing
his Humour; and sometimes consulting Magicians concerning future Events:
He had little Care of administring public Justice to his People. This
Neglect of his opened the Door to all Injustice and Oppression in every
part of his Empire: For the Strong oppressed the Weaker, and Innocence
could find no Justice or Defence in his Court.
The _Persians_, however, have so sacred an Opinion of their Prince, that
they believe him happy, that can but kiss the Gates of his Palace; and
the Water wherein he washes his Hands, they use for the cure of several
Diseases. He hath many Children, but the most promising is _Ismael_,
like his Grandfather both in Name and Nature; a beautiful Prince, and a
capital Enemy to the Race of the _Ottomans_. ’Tis reported that he was
brought forth into the World, with his Fist all bloody, whence it was in
every body’s Mouth, that he would be a warlike Person; and when he was
but young he confirmed that Report, by obtaining a great Victory over the
_Turks_. But when his Father made Peace with _Solyman_, ’twas agreed
betwixt them, that _Ismael_ should be sent Prisoner into the Bowels of
his Kingdom, that he might be no Obstacle to the intended Agreement: And
yet, as ill us’d as he is, after his Father’s Death, ’tis thought, he
will succeed in the Empire.
But _Solyman_ fearing that _Sagthamas_, (or, as we call him, the _Sophi_)
would be more mindful of old Grudges, than of the late Peace to which
he was in a manner compell’d; and that, if his Son went thither, he
should have much ado to get him thence; and perhaps it might occasion
a long War between the Empires, did use his utmost endeavour to stop
or take him, before he could come thither. The old Man had not forgot
that, a few Years before, _Helcas_, _Thamas_’s Brother, had fled to him,
and had been supported by him, and it cost his Brother dear to recover
him; and therefore he feared that _Thamas_ would pay him in his own
Coin, and perhaps recover by the Sword all the Countries he had taken
from him. The Design of _Solyman_ was kept very secret, yet _Bajazet_’s
Friends smelt it out, and therefore advised him by no means to trust
his Father, but to consult his own Safety, by what way soever he could.
And _Bajazet_ was persuaded so to do upon a small occasion, as little
Matters often give Weight to greater. There was a Soldier of _Bajazet_’s
taken in _Solyman_’s Camp, and hang’d up as a Spy, because _Bajazet_ had
listed him, after his Father had given him strict Charge to list no more
Soldiers. This was warning enough to _Bajazet_ to pack up and be gone.
Now _Solyman_ thought himself sure of _Bajazet_; and, to deceive him
the more, he caused his Army to begin their March to _Constantinople_
the Day after _Easter_. But _Bajazet_, immediately after Prayers upon
_Easter-Day_, gave Orders for marching with Bag and Baggage, and began
his unfortunate Voyage to _Persia_. He knew well enough that he went to
the old Enemy of the _Ottoman_ House, but was resolv’d to try the mercy
of any body, rather than fall into his Father’s Hands. There marched out
with him all that were able to bear Arms; none were left behind but weak
Persons, Women and Children, that were not able to bear the fatigue of so
long a Journey; amongst which was a new-born Child of his own, with his
Mother, whose Innocency he thought would protect them from his Father’s
Cruelty, and therefore he thought it best to leave them to his Clemency,
rather than make them Companions of his woeful and miserable Fight;
and the truth is, _Solyman_, as yet uncertain what would become of the
Father, spared the Life of his Infant-Son at present, and sent him to be
educated at _Prusia_.
I would have return’d to _Constantinople_, the Day before _Easter_, but
had a great mind to see, how the _Turks_ did observe that Festival; and I
was not sure that ever I should have so fair an Opportunity again. They
were to celebrate it in the open Field, before the Emperor’s own Tent. I,
therefore, ordered my Servants to take a Room in the Tent of a _Turkish_
Soldier, that stood on a rising Ground, and look’d down on _Solyman_’s
Tent, which was over against it. Thither went I at Sun-rising, where,
in an open Plain, I beheld a vast multitude of turbanted Heads silently
standing, and taking down the last Words of their Priest. Every Rank
was ranged orderly, and standing, that in the open Field they seemed to
be a Wall one to another: The most Honourable had their Station next
the Emperor’s Train, uppermost in the Camp, and their Turbants as white
as Snow. Such diversity of Colours did affect me with a great deal of
Pleasure, and the rather, because they stood unmoveable, as if they had
grown upon the Place; not a Cough hawking to spit, nor any Sound to be
heard; no, nor the least moving of the Head to look backward, or about
them. At the Name of _Mahomet_, they all, as one Man, bowed their Heads,
even to the Knee; but when the Name of God was pronounced, they all fell
prostrate on their Faces, and kissed the Ground.
And the Truth is, the _Turks_ are very ceremonious and attentive in the
acts of their religious Worship; for, if a Man doth but scratch his Head
when he prays, they think his Prayer is lost. For thus say they, if a Man
composes his Body so reverently, even when he speaks but to a _Bashaw_,
how much more becoming is that Observance towards God, who is infinitely
greater than the greatest of Men?
After Prayers, the whole Congregation was discharged, and they ran up
and down ranging over the Fields. A while after the Emperor’s Dinner is
served up, which the _Janizaries_ carry away Dish by Dish, and eat it
with a great deal of Mirth and Drollery. ’Tis an old allowed Custom for
them so to do, on that day, their Emperor being provided of a Dinner
elsewhere. When I had beheld their Show, I returned with great Pleasure
to _Constantinople_.
The remainder of my Talk, is, to acquaint you what become of _Bajazet_,
and then I shall ease you of the trouble of Reading, and my self of
Writing. He, as I told you, with his invincible Band, march’d out of
_Amasia_ with such Speed, that his coming prevented the Report thereof;
and those _Bashaws_, who designed to observe his Motion, he came upon
unawares. He put a notable Cheat upon the _Bashaw_ of _Suvas_; for
whereas, there were two ways in his Province by which he might march,
and the _Bashaw_ had beset the chiefest of them; he sent some before him
that pretended to be Run-a-ways, to inform him, he was gone the farthest
way about; which giving Credit to, he removed his Troops thither to
prevent him, and so left _Bajazet_ a free Passage.
He put the like Trick upon the _Bashaw_ of _Erzerumen_; for, knowing that
the Passage through the Province would be very hazardous, he sent some
before him with a counterfeit Message, to salute him, and tell him, that
his Misfortunes had reduced him to the most miserable Condition, and
therefore he desired him that he might rest a day or two in his Province,
at least to get his Horses fed, and new shod.
The _Bashaw_ granted his Request, whereas, it was not a commiserating his
Case, or that he favoured his Side, but, perhaps, that he might amuse
him a little till he had got all his Troops together to ensnare him;
for they were scattered, as not dreaming he would be so soon upon him.
However, _Bajazet_ march’d continually on, allowing his Men no rest by
day, and very little at Night. The _Bashaw_ of _Erzerumen_ seeing himself
deceived, made haste to join himself with the other _Bashaws_ in his
Flight.
For, you must know, as soon as _Solyman_ heard his Son was gone from
_Amasia_, he commanded a great many _Sanziacks_ and _Bashaw_ to follow,
and upon pain of Death, to bring him either alive or dead: But all in
vain, for _Bajazet_ fled faster than they could pursue. The _Bashaws_
aforementioned, paid dear enough for letting him escape; for _Solyman_
put him out of his Place, but _Selimus_ put him to Death, together with
his two Boys, though not before they had been most detestably used.
_Selimus_ and _Mehemet Bassa_, and the _Beglerbeg_ of _Greece_, pursued
_Bajazet_ at a greater distance. _Solyman_ was much troubled when he
heard of his Escape, as being well assured, he would make towards
_Persia_; and thereupon he was about to gather all his Forces, both Horse
and Foot, together, and so march away to declare War against _Persia_:
But his wiser Counsellors stopped his March, alledging the hazard he
would run amongst an ungrateful Soldiery: And besides, say they, what if
_Bajazet_ out of his Temerity and Rashness should send a Company about
_Pontus_ and the _Palus Mæotis_, and so march back to _Constantinople_,
in the Emperor’s Absence, where he might, by promising Liberty to
Captives, and to the _Agiamoglans_, get upon the Throne, now vacant?
These Advices restrained _Solyman_ from his Intention.
_Bajazet_, all along his March, caused Labels to be fixed to the Doors
of the Houses, that he would give double Pay to all the Soldiers that
would revolt to him; which made _Solyman_’s Soldiers suspected by
their Officers, and the rather, because the common Soldiers talked
very freely in favour of _Bajazet_. After much ado, _Bajazet_ escaped
to the River _Araxes_, which is the Bounds betwixt the two Empires of
_Turkey_ and _Persia_; and after he had pass’d this River, he scarce
thought himself secure, but appointed some of his own Soldiers to guard
the Banks, that so the pursuing _Sanziacks_ might not pass over: They,
however, being but few, were easily discomfited before the _Turkish_
Commanders pass’d farther into _Persia_; till at last they met with a
great Body of _Persian_ Horse, whose Commanders demanded of them, why
they invaded another Prince’s Territories? Their Answer was, they were
to fetch the fugitive Son of their own Prince. The _Persians_ told
’em, ’twas contrary to the League to come armed into their Dominions;
there was Peace betwixt _Sagthamas_ and _Solyman_, which they ought not
to violate: As for _Bajazet_, their Prince would do what was fitting;
in the mean time they should retreat to their own Country. With this
Reprimand they direct their March backward. In the mean time Messengers
are immediately sent from _Persia_ to _Bajazet_, to bid him return, and
to know the cause of his coming, and also to spy out what Forces he had
brought with him. _Bajazet_ answers, that his Brother’s Insolency, and
his Father’s Displeasure, had driven him out of his own Country, and he
was come to _Persia_, as the only Refuge for an oppressed Prince; and
therefore, in consideration of the uncertainty of future Affairs, he
hoped he would afford him Protection, being destitute of all Things. The
_Persian_ answered, he was not well advised to repair to him who had made
a Peace with his Father; by which they were both bound to serve the same
Friend and Enemy, and that League he could not violate: Nevertheless,
since he was come, he bid him welcome, and promised he would do his
utmost to reconcile him to his Father. Thus his first Entertainment in
_Persia_ was promising enough; nought but Congratulations, Feastings,
friendly Entertainments, and Merrymakings, by which subtle Men disguise
their Meanings; nay, there was a talk of a Match between _Orchanes_,
_Bajazet_’s Son, and one of the _Sophi_’s Daughters; and they gave him
Hopes, that the _Sophi_ would never be at quiet, till _Solyman_ had
bestowed upon him the Government of _Mesopotamia_, or _Babylon_, or
_Arzerum_; for there, say they, you may live commodiously without Fear,
as being at a great distance, both from your Brother and your Father
too; and if either of them should deal hardly with you, you will have a
Father-in-law to fly to, who will afford you Sanctuary. Such Discourses
were received among the Vulgar, to divert _Bajazet_’s thoughts from the
apprehension of present Danger. The _Sophi_ sent many Ambassadors to
_Solyman_ on this Errand; but whether he dealt sincerely with _Bajazet_
to reconcile him to his Father, or no, might be a great question, since
in the mean time, he contrived all ways to destroy him; for _Sagthamas_
was in a mighty Fear, lest he should nourish a Serpent in his Bosom, and
that which encreased his Rancour, was, the wicked design of some, who
persuaded _Bajazet_ to attempt the destroying of _Sagthamas_; for one
of _Bajazet_’s Commanders was heard to say, _Why do we not kill this
Heretick, and possess his Kingdoms? For, without doubt, he will one day
be the Ruin of us all._ These wild Discourses coming to _Sagthamas_’s
Ears, put him upon a Project more necessary than plausible; for _Bajazet_
had not many Forces, but very warlike ones; and there were many valiant
Men among them that were ready to attempt any Invasion, and therefore
he had reason to fear. He was conscious, also, that he had added new
Kingdoms to his own, as being conquer’d on pretence of Religion; and
who would secure such sickly Subjects, who were weary of their present
State, and coveted a Change? To these nothing could be more reasonable
than the coming of _Bajazet_. As yet, however, he is more in my Power,
than I am in his, and therefore it were best to improve the Opportunity,
and treat him no longer as a Guest, but as an Enemy to be chained up.
To compass which, no Method was more adviseable than to sever him from
his Forces, for then he may be more easily trapp’d; by open Force ’tis
hard to seize him, his Soldiers being well train’d and disciplin’d, but
mine slothful, unaccustomed to Arms, and, besides, at a great Distance
one from another. Hereupon _Bajazet_ was advised to disband his Army as
unnecessary. He could not withstand the Proposal, though Intelligent Men
foresaw the Danger and Consequence: But, alas! He that was under another
Man’s Roof, must now be at their Beck, who maintained him; especially,
since it would breed a Suspicion, if he entertained so much as a thought
of Perfidiousness in his Host that entertained him. Hereupon his Men
were divided, never to see one another again, and quartered where the
_Persians_ pleased; and, being put here and there, were, very shortly
after slain by them, and their Arms, Horses, and all else they had,
fell a prey to the superior Numbers of the Destroyers. At the same time
_Bajazet_ was clapp’d up in Prison, with his Children; and, to encrease
the indignity of the Thing, he was haled even from a Feast, to a Dungeon.
Thus have I satisfied your Desire, in acquainting you with what has
been hitherto done with _Bajazet_: ’Tis time now to consider what will
become of him for the future: Some think he will retreat to _Babylon_,
or such-like Province, on the Borders of each Empire, to be _Sanziack_
thereof. Others think it a desperate Case, and that there is no hope of
his Life, either from _Solyman_ or _Sagthamas_; but that he will either
be sent back hither to be put to Death, or strangled in Prison there.