Busbequius’s Travels INTO TURKEY. (continued 5)

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.

For the Persian weighed every thing in his Thoughts, when he put Bajazet in Prison; he knew him to be of an aspiring and courageous Spirit, far superior to his Brother; and that, if he should succeed his Father in the Empire, it might do Persia much more Mischief than ever Selimus could; for he was but a slothful Prince, and not at all for a War, and therefore some thought he would never escape out of his Hands; for to be sure he can never be a Friend to one he hath injured so much. Some think one thing, and some another: For my part, I think it will be an intricate Business. For, as Bajazet is in Troubles, and the Issue undetermin’d, they will not easily make War on Christendom at this Juncture. They labour to obtrude on me certain conditions of Peace, having some Letters that will please my Master, but they allow me no Copy of them, as heretofore they used to do; so that I suspect Fraud in the case, and therefore do peremptorily refuse to send those Letters to Cæsar, unless I first know their Contents; and if they deceive me by a false Copy, then the Blame lies at their Door, not at mine: By this means I shall free my Master from answering their captious Letters; for I am sure he will accept of no conditions of Peace but such as are honourable. But, you’ll say, if you refuse to accept of their conditions of Peace, ’tis one step towards a War. Let that be as it will, I judge it more adviseable to leave all free to the events of future Ages: But the not sending their Letters, if that be a Crime, I shall take up on my self; and I shall easily clear my self, if the Issue of Bajazet’s Affairs do not answer their Expectation; since it is yet very difficult, though not impossible, for the Turks are not irreconcileable to those Ambassadors, who study to do their Master the best Service they can amongst them. And besides, the declining Age of my Prince will be some advantage to me, who the Bashaws thinks is fitter for rest and quiet, than for the Fatigues of an unnecessary War. ’Tis true, my Pains will be prolonged hereby, but I shall think them best bestowed, if they succeed at last.

Thus, Sir, I have written you a Book rather than a Letter; and if I have offended you in it, the fault is yours rather than mine: What I did was at your Request, and Readiness to please a Friend, hath always been counted a Vertue in Friendship. Yet I hope these Things will be as pleasant for you to Read, as they were delightful for me to Write; for, let me tell you, as soon as I put Pen to Paper, I love to wander abroad in my Mind, that so I may as it were, deceive my Confinement as long as I can, and converse with you as if we were together. What things seem frivolous and needless, you must take, as proceeding by word of Mouth in familiar Conferences among Friends. Men may be allow’d to tittle tattle in a Letter, as well as in common Discourse. If I were to write Inscriptions for Churches and Temples, to be seen of all Men, Circumspection and Care must be used; but not when I write to you and a few private Friends. I aim not at Fame; if my Lines please you, I have enough. You will say, perhaps, I might have written better Latin: I grant it; but what if it were beyond my Ability? It was not for want of any good will; and yet, let me ask you, what good Latin can come out of uncouth Greece, or barbarous Turkey? If you have any Value for my Letters, you shall have more of them after my Return to Vienna, if ever God permit me to return: If not, excuse the last Trouble I shall give you. Farewell.

Constantinople, June 1st.

SIR,

I Acknowledge the fresh Proof you give me of Old Friendship, in congratulating my Return; and, as you require an Account of the Residue of my Embassy, and what Occurrences have happened since my last to you, I will remember my Promise to you, and never disoblige so choice a Friend. Take them all in a Medley together, what comes next into my Head, as my Memory suggests things more, or less serious. My beginning is upon the mournful; it is this. I was scarce settled in my Mind, which was troubled for Bajazet’s Misfortunes and Death, when, lo! I was struck with another Message as sorrowful as the former. We were all in great Expectation of the Success of the Turkish Fleet, which sailed toward the Isle of Meninge, (now called Gerse,) upon News that the Spaniards had prevailed there. For Solyman (being assured that Island was taken by the Christians, and that they had added new Fortifications to the old Castle therein, in which they had yet a very strong Garrison,) could not endure to be thus check’d in the midst of all the Prosperities of his flourishing Empire. Hereupon he equipp’d a Navy with Auxiliaries to relieve those that were Mahometans like himself; and made Pihal Bassa Commander of his Fleet. He furnish’d his Ships with a select Company of Soldiers, and yet was doubtful of the Event; because the Voyage was long, and they were to engage with a formidable Enemy. For you may please to be inform’d, that the Turks, for a long time, have had a great Opinion of the Valour of the Spaniards, as knowing that they have waged great Wars, and came off with good Success. They had heard of the Emperor Charles, and of his Son Philip, the Heir of his Valour, as well as of his Kingdoms. The Report of his Power made the Turks very solicitous; so that those that went the Voyage, made their last Wills, as if they were never to return to Constantinople again. Thus the whole City, both those that went, and those that staid at Home, was filled with Anxiety. But, alas! their Fleet sailed with a prosperous Gale, and came upon the Christians unawares; which struck such a Terror into them, that they knew not how to fight or fly: Some nimble Vessels made their Escape; the rest were either taken by the Enemy, or split and dash’d in pieces on the Sands. The Duke of Medina the General, and John Andrea Doria the Admiral, fled to the Castle, from whence they escap’d in a dark Night, undiscovered, through the Enemy’s Fleet to Sicily.

Pihal sent hither a Galley to give an account of this Victory, and, as a further Testimony thereof, he caused a Banner, wherein was the Image of our Saviour Christ upon the Cross, to be pulled along the Sea, at the stern of the Vessel. As soon as it arrived in the Haven, the Loss of the Christians was presently noised abroad, and the Turks congratulated one another upon their Victory. They came thick and three-fold to my Door, and asked my Servants in a Jeer, whether they had any Brother, or other Friend, in the Spanish Fleet? If you had, said they, you may shortly have the opportunity of seeing their Faces here.

Besides, they highly extoll’d their own Valour, and blam’d the Cowardise of the Christians. Who, say they, shall now be able to stand before us, seeing we have conquered the Spaniards? My People were forced to hear this sad News to their great Grief; but God’s Will must be done! Our only Hope was, that the Castle, in which was a strong Garrison, might hold out against the Turks till the Winter, or some other Accident had rais’d the Siege. And yet our Hopes were mix’d with Fears, that the Conqueror would take that too; and so it fell out, for the Besieged wanted all things, especially Water; so that Don Alvarez de Sande, the Governor thereof, a courageous Man, and an old Soldier, perceiving that it could be defended no longer, got a Boat, and made his Escape, with a few Companions, towards Sicily, that so he might not behold the Surrender of so important a Place, which he thought would be look’d upon as a Blot in his Escutcheon, though the extreamest Necessity had compelled it. When he was gone, the Soldiers opened the Gates, and let in the Turks, hoping to find them the more merciful, because of their easy Admittance. Don John of Castile, however, would by no means leave the Fort which he commanded, but he and his Brother valiantly repulsing the Enemy, were at last wounded and taken. The Castle was stoutly defended by the Spaniards for three Month’s Space, though they wanted many Necessaries, and, which was worst of all, had no prospect of Relief. The Weather was hot, and they almost parched with Thirst. They had but one Cistern to hold Water in, which was not big enough to serve them all; so that they were compelled to weigh out their Water to each Man by Measure, only enough to keep Life and Soul together. This Cistern-Water was increased with a Mixture of Sea-Water, and by some curious Art made fresh. This Secret was very opportunely told them by a certain Alchymist: But all had not the Benefit of it; for you should see some lie parching on the Ground, ready to give up the Ghost for very Thirst, continually crying out, as well as they could speak, Water! Water! and, if a little was brought, they were relieved for the present; but, when that Moisture was spent, they relapsed to their former Drought, and died thereof. Thus many perished, besides the Wounded, who could have no help of Surgery to cure them in that desolate Place.

In the Month of September, the victorious Navy of the Turks returned to Constantinople, bringing the Christians Captives, with their Gallies along with them. A joyful Spectacle to the Turks; but a sad one to the Christians that lived amongst them! That Night it lay at Anchor near the Rocks over against Byzantium, that so they might enter the Port the next Day in greater Pomp and Splendor. Solyman came down into an Apartment in his Gardens near the Sea-side, that from thence he might see the Prisoners entring in. Don Alvarez de Sande was in the stern of his Admiral Galley, and with him, Don Sancho de Leyva, and Don Bellinger de Requesne, one Commander of the Sicilian Galleys, the other of the Neapolitan. The Galleys of the Christians were despoiled of their Ornaments, as Streamers, &c. and hall’d in Barques, that they might appear little and contemptible in the sight of the Turks. They who observ’d Solyman’s Countenance at that time say, that they perceived no sign of insolent Mirth therein. This is certain, that when I saw him go to his Devotion the next day, his Countenance was not altered from its usual Hue, as if that Victory had not concern’d him at all; so well was this cunning old Man able to bear the breath of his smiling Fortune, that he was unmov’d under it.

The Prisoners were afterwards brought into the Seraglio, but so miserably hunger-starv’d before, that some could hardly stand on their Legs, others fell down in a Swoon for very Feebleness; others had Arms in a Jeer put upon them, in which posture they died; the Turks insulting over them on every Hand, and promising to themselves the Empire of the whole World; for who now shall be able to stand before us, (said they) since we have overcome the Spaniards? There was a Commander in the Turkish Fleet, with whom I had some Acquaintance, who had taken the great Banner of the Neapolitans Galleys, being Imperial Eagles embracing one another; being inform’d that he was about to present it to Solyman, I thought good to prevent him; and sending him two silken Garments, I obtained the Banner, that so the Ensign of Charles the Fifth might not remain in the Hands of Infidels, to the eternal Infamy of the Christian Name.

There were amongst the Prisoners, besides those above-mentioned, these two eminent Persons, Don John of Cordona, the Son in Law of Don Bellinger, and Don Gasto, the Son of the Duke of Medina, who, though but a Youth, had an honourable Post in his Father’s Army, Don John promised to give a great Sum of Money to be left Prisoner at Chios, (which was inhabited by the old Genoese) which was accordingly done. As for Don Gasto, he was concealed by Pihal, in hopes to have a large Price for his Redemption; which Project of his had like to have proved his Ruin: For Solyman, by some means or other, smelt out the Cheat, and was grievously vex’d that Pihal should serve him such a Trick. He resolv’d, at the Instigation also of Rustan, that Gasto should be brought to Light, that so Pihal might be punish’d; but Gasto died in the Search; some say, of the Plague, others by the procurement of Pihal himself, that he might tell no Tales. This is certain, that, upon the most diligent Search, he could not be found. However, Pihal was afraid to come to Constantinople to appear before his angry Master, lest he might be imprisoned there; but he hovered with a few Galleys about several Islands of the Ægæan Sea, pretending divers Excuses for so doing. But at last Solyman, by the persuasion of the chief Eunuch of his Son Selimus gave him his Pardon in these Words: I, for my part, forgive him his great Offence; but God Almighty, the just Revenger of all Wickedness, inflict just Punishment on him in the Life to come! So strongly are the Turks persuaded, that no evil Fact should pass unpunished!

Don John of Cordona fared better; for, by the care of Adam a Ditrichstein, Baron of Austria, who married his Sister, and by my engaging for him, he returned safe into Spain. As for de Sande, he was brought into the Divan, and there Rustan demanded of him, what his Master meant by invading other Men’s Rights, when he could not maintain his own? De Sande answered, the Question belonged not to him to answer; ’twas his part only to execute his Master’s Commands as faithfully as he could, wherein Fortune had been against him. However, he begged the Bashaws upon his Knees, that, in regard he had a Wife and Children at Home, they would speak a good Word for him to Solyman. Rustan answered, that their Emperor was of a merciful Disposition, and that they would intercede for him. Thus was he sent Prisoner to the Castle called Caradenis, that is, of the Black Sea: He was not gone far, before he was sent for back again, because the Chief of the Bed-Chamber had not seen him; who, I have find before, is a Man of great Authority with his Prince. Upon this Countermand, some say, that, though otherwise undaunted, he was a little faint-hearted, as fearing he was brought back to his Ruin; but it proved otherwise. As for the other Prisoners, the chief of them, as Sancho de Leyva with his two natural Sons, and Don Bellinger himself, were sent into the Castle of Pera, or Galata.

As soon as I was made acquainted with their Condition, and in what want of all Things they were, I thought it my Duty to do my best to relieve them; and thereupon I sent some to comfort them, and to promise them all the good Offices that lay in my power: And, from that Day forward, my House was a common Receptacle for all the Prisoners; and I did them all the Kindness I could. For, you must know, the Turks think their Prisoners well enough provided for, if they allow them Bread and Water. They have no regard to any Man’s Age or Constitution, or to the time of the Year; whether they be Sick or Well, Strong or Weak, Old or Young, ’tis all one to them; they are all treated after one and the same manner. Hereupon, I was forced to provide several sorts of Relief for several Necessities, different Diseases requiring different Cures. There lay a multitude of sick Persons in a certain Temple of Pera, a Town over against Byzantium, whom the Turks cast out as Abjects; and many of them perished for want of convenient Broths to relieve their sick Stomachs, and recover their lost Strength by degrees. When I was told thereof, I dealt with a Friend of mine, a Citizen of Pera, desiring him to buy some Weather-Sheep every day, and boil them at his own House, to distribute the Flesh to some, and the Broth to others, as their Stomachs could bear; which was a great Relief to abundance of them: But those which were in Health, required another sort of Assistance. My House was full from Morning to Night with several Complaints. Some were used to good Diet, and a piece of brown Bread, which was their daily Allowance, would not go down so well with them; some, that used to drink Wine, could not bear the perpetual use of Water only; some wanted Blankets to cover them, having never known what it was to lie on the bare Ground; some wanted Coats, others Shoes; but the most part desired some Footing-Money to gratify their Keepers, that they might deal the more mercifully with them. Money was the only Remedy for these Mischiefs, so that every day some Guilders were expended by me on these Accounts. But these Expences were tolerable, compared with greater Sums which were desired of me; or else they prayed me to be their Surety for payment of their Ransom-Money; and herein every one, was very forward with his Pretences; one alledged Nobleness of Birth; another, that he had great Friends and Alliances; a Third, that he was a Commander in the Army, and had much Pay due to him; a Fourth, that he had Cash enough at Home, and was able to imburse me. Some boasted of their Valour in the Fight; every one had something to say for himself. When I demanded of them, whether they would be sure to repay me? God forbid, said they! For what is more unjust, than to defraud a Man who hath restored us to our Liberty, even out of the Jaws of Death?

And the Truth is, it was very grievous to me, to hear a Man come and tell me, unless I can lay down 200 Guilders for my Redemption, I am undone for ever; I shall be sent over into Asia to be made a Galley-Slave, to tug at the Oar, without any hope to see my own Country again. There is a Merchant, Sir, that will deposit Wares amounting to that Value, provided you will promise Repayment. This was the Allegation of almost all of them; which could not but affect me, as knowing it to be most true, that, if they were not relieved, many of them must needs perish; and none could better do it, nor could they more justly expect it from any Man, than my self. But, you will say, there is no trusting any Body; to which I answer, can any Man be so prodigiously ungrateful, as not to repay what was laid out to save his Life; and, grant that one or two may not have Ability to reimburse me, what’s that to the purpose? ’Tis not lost, that which is laid out to relieve the Oppressed: But sure the greater part of them will perform their Promise. For these Reasons, I was induced to pass my Word for 1000 Ducats, and have thereby run my self so much in Debt, that I know not how to get out; but I fear have freed them from Fetters, and clapp’d them on my own Legs.

I am the larger upon this Subject, to purge my self from too much Weakness, which I know some will accuse me of, in being ready to trust every body; and, in some Measure, to take the blame upon my self for the slackness of some, for whom I have undertaken in their Repayments. I foresee I shall be a great loser by the Business; for I must necessarily make Payment on the Day, when my Word was once passed: And besides, I heard that some whom I had released, had laughed at my easy Nature, in believing what they said to be true; so that my Case is bad, if I should judge of the rest by them. But, be it as it will, I thank my God, that I have been able to do so many good Offices to so many distressed Persons. I do not repent it; for Virtue is a sufficient Reward to it self. I covet not, that any Honours should be conferred on me, nor any Statue erected for my Beneficence; I only wish, that they would be so grateful, as to pay me what I am out of Pocket, to save their Lives; of which I despair not from so cordial a Nation as the Spaniards are. For my part, I rejoice not only that I did them a good turn, but that thereby I gave an Example and Invitation to others to do the same.

There live many Merchants in Pera, Italians by Birth, who are very assistant in relieving Christian-Prisoners; but one of them deserves to be particularly mentioned, for the absurdity of his Opinion, differing from all the rest. He was an Italian Greek, that is, one who resembles both those Nations in his Birth and Manners. When his Country-men were mercifully busied in relieving Prisoners, he could never be persuaded to give one Farthing towards so pious a Work; and, being blamed for it, his Answer was, (which he uttered in a barbarous and blunt Italian Style, the Greek being more familiar to him,) I know not, what these Men are; but this I know, that the just Judgment of God hath brought them into this miserable Condition. For my part, I will not oppose the Will of God; let them abide in that Place God hath allotted them. You, who so boldly withstand what God hath decreed, may pity them if you please; but I will not spare a Doit to release them, though you use never so many Arguments to persuade me: But enough of this vain and foolish Fellow. This Loss at Sea, together with the Misfortune of Bajazet, struck a great Terror into me, that the Turks, made more insolent thereby, would hearken to no Conditions of Peace. This publick Calamity was seconded by a private one; the Plague was got into my House; one of my faithful Servant died of it, and the rest were terribly afraid of the Infection.

But, before I speak of that, there was another Case surprised me, arising on this account.

Solyman grows every Day more and more Superstitious in his Religion. He used to delight himself in Musick, and in the chanting of young Singers; but all this was laid aside, by means of a certain old Sibyl, noted for Sanctity, who told him, that, if he left not off that Sport, he would be severely punished after his Death. He was so moved herewith, that he cast his Musical Instruments, though richly studded with Gold and Jewels, into the Fire and burnt them: And, whereas he formerly eat his Meat out of Silver Dishes, now he was persuaded to use none but Earthen Platters. He was also prevailed upon by her to forbid the use of Wine, wherein she told him too great a liberty was used, which his Prophet would be angry at, if he longer suffered it. Hereupon an Edict was published, that for the future no Wine should be imported into Constantinople, either for Christians or Jews.

This Edict did much concern me and mine, who had never used to drink Water; and what Wine could we have, if it were forbid? Our long absence from our Country, and the uncertain issue of our Embassy, were a sufficient Mortification to us, without this other Inconvenience of change of Diet, which must needs indanger our Health. Hereupon I desired my Interpreters to intercede for me in the Divan, that I might retain my ancient Right. The Bashaws Men were of different Opinions in the Case; some alledged, we ought to be content with Water as well as they; for what would the Neighbourhood say, if Christians may drink Wine, and themselves be strictly forbid the use of it? If Christians in the midst of Constantinople, might guzzle what Wine they please, the stink of it will spread far and near, and profane all; yea, the Mussulmen themselves, when they came to us, would return belching out the smell of Wine.

Hereupon we were likely to be cast in our Cause; but at last a more favourable Judgment went for us. That the sudden change would be intolerable, and occasion many Diseases if not Death itself. Whereupon we were allowed the freedom of one Night, to get in what Wine we could, which was brought to the nearest Landing-place, from whence we were furnished with Horse-Carriage to convey it to my Lodging with as little Observation as might be, all being done in the Night. Thus I stor’d myself, and kept my Priviledge.

Some of the Grecians play’d a pretty prank with the Sultan on this Account. When they knew that he was to pass through a Road full of Vineyards on both sides, they set a great many Labourers at work to root out the Vines; some of them they laid in the Highway; others they loaded on Carts. The Emperor passing by, and demanding the Reason for so doing, they answered, That since by his Edict they were forbid the use of Wine, they were cutting down their Vines to make Fuel for the Fire. For shame, says Solyman, forbear! you do not understand my Command aright; though I forbid the use of Wine, yet I allow the eating of Grapes, as one of the best Fruits that God hath allotted to Mankind; only you are not to squeeze out their Juice, and tun it up in Hogsheads, and so you may make a pernicious use of it. What will you cut down Apple-trees also, because they bear not Wine? Get you gone you Buzzards, and spare your Vines! Thus the Greeks were fool’d in their Project.

But to return to the Story of the Pestilence which was within the Walls of my House. I went to Rustan to beg leave for me and my Family to remove into a less contagious Air; this I desired not with any great confidence of obtaining my Request, (for I knew the Rigidness of his Nature,) but only to shew my care for the Health of my Family. He told the Messenger, he would acquaint Solyman with my Desire, and, if I came the next Day, I should have his Answer. Accordingly I sent and received this from him; that the Emperor wondered what I mean in desiring to move my Habitation; Is not the Pestilence God’s Arrow, which will always hit his Mark? If God would visit me herewith, how could I avoid it? Is not the Plague, said he, in my own palace, and yet I do not think of removing? And so I was forced to stay in a Pestilential and Infected House.

But Rustan died of a Dropsy soon after, and Haly, then Second Vizier succeeded him. He was a prudent and courteous Person as any was among the Turks. I sent him a Present, a large Garment of Silk, by way of Congratulation upon his new Dignity. He returned me this obliging Answer, That he would always be my Friend, and upon any occasion I should not scruple to make my Address to him. And I found him as good as his Word; for, when my House a while after was re-visited with the Plague, which swept away many of my Servants, and amongst others, my chief Physician; I sent the same Message to Haly which I had done to Rustan before; who answered me, for his part he was very willing I should remove my Habitation; but that it were better for me to ask leave of the Sultan himself, lest, said he, if he casually light upon any of your Servants walking at random up and down, he should take it very ill that so much liberty was granted them without his knowledge: And yet, proceeded he, I shall propose the matter so cautiously to the Prince, that I do not doubt of his Assent. And accordingly, soon after I received a Message from him, that I might remove whither I pleased. Whereupon I chose an Island called Principo, for my Dwelling, about four Hours Sail from Constantinople. It was the pleasantest of all the little Isles contiguous to that City, for the rest have no Village at all in them, or but one at most; but this has two.

The Physician, I lately told you died at my House of the Plague, was my old Friend Dr. Williams, the Faithful Companion of my long and tedious Pilgrimage. The occasion of the Sickness was this: It seems, among the rest of the Prisoners I had redeemed, one, as the Event declared, who was sick of the Plague. My Physician constantly attended him, till he got the Infection himself. He had that Angularity of Opinion, that there was no more Fear than Danger; for at the same time, said he, there are wont to arise other Diseases, which Men are apt to think is the Pestilence; so that Pestilential Remedies are usually applied to every common Sore or Boyl. Thus he flattered himself, even when he was deeply infected; yet he did not suspect it to be the Plague, till it was past Remedy, and he was ready to die under the Hands of his Attendance. The Day before he died, he sent me word he was better; and desired to see me, if I pleased to bestow a Visit upon him. I did so, and sat a great while by his Bed-side. He told me how very ill he had been, and that his Sight, as well as his other Senses, had been so weakened, that he knew no body; but now, said he, my Senses are restored, and if I could be freed from a Distillation that almost stops my Breath, I should presently be well; and at my Departure, I told him, I heard he had a Tumour in his Breast. I have so, says he; and thereupon he threw aside his Blanket, and shewed me his Breast: But there is no Danger, says he, in it; for it came from buttoning my Doublet, which I put on too strait. Towards the Evening, according to custom, I sent two of my Servants to watch with him, and while they were putting on him a clean Shirt, he himself espied a Purple Spot in his Breast, which they told him was but a Flea-bite; and by and by he discovered more Spots and larger ones. No, said he, there are not Flea-bites, but Tokens of near approaching Death; and therefore us spend this Night in Prayer and holy Conference preparatory to my latter end; which he did, and in the Morning, with full assurance of God’s Mercy, he departed this Life.

Thus was I bereaved of my dearest and most useful Friend, and the Common-wealth of Learning had also a great Loss of him; for he had made many curious Observations in his Travels which he intended to publish, and would have been very useful to the World, if Death had not prevented his laudable Designs. His Skill and Faithfulness was so much prized by me, that, if the Times had differed me to return, I knew none fitter to leave in my place at Constantinople than himself, had he out-lived me.

After his Death, my Cares seemed to be doubled; nay, if I should have left him behind, I had returned but half myself, as it were. Well! his Soul is at Rest, and I erected a Monument, as a due testimony to his Vertue. But to return to our Island.

I lived there very pleasantly for three Months. It was a private Place, without any Crowd or Noise. There were only a few Greeks, with whom I diverted myself; but never a Turk to interrupt my Mirth. As for the Turks of my Houshold, they created no trouble to me; I might go whither I would, and pass from one of these Islands to another at my pleasure, without any molestation from them. There grew several sorts of Plants, as French Lavender, sharp-pointed Myrtle, Cotton-weed, and abundance more. The Sea is full of divers sorts of Fishes, which I took sometimes with Net, sometimes with Hook and Line. Several Grecian Fishers with their Boats attended me, and where we had hopes of the greatest sport, thither we sailed and cast our Nets. Sometimes we played above board, and when we saw a Crab or a Lobster at the bottom, where the Sea was very clear, we ran him through with a Fish-spear, and so halled him up into a Vessel. But our best and most profitable sport, was with a drag-Net; where we thought most Fish were, there we cast it in a round; it took up a great compass, with the long Ropes tied to the ends of it, which were to draw it to Land. To those Ropes the Seamen tied green Boughs very thick, so that the Fish might be frightned, and not seek to escape. Thus we brought great Sholes of trembling Fishes near the Shore. And yet in this danger they were naturally instigated how to save themselves; some would leap over the Net, others would cover themselves in the Sand, that they might not be taken; others strove to bite the Meashes of the Net, though made of coarse Flax or Hemp, of which kind were the Synodontes, Fish armed with strong Teeth; and if one made way for himself, all would follow him, and so the whole Draught would escape, and not a Fish left for the Fisher. To remedy this Inconvenience, (for I was aware of it) I stood with a Pole in my Hand, beating the Water, that I might keep the Fish from biting the Net. At which my Attendants could not choose but laugh; yet, for all this, many of them escaped: So sagacious are Fishes where they are in extream danger! But notwithstanding the Fugitives, we brought a great many Fishes ashore, a Sea-Bream, Scorpion-Fishes, Dragon-Fishes, Scare-Fish, Jule-Fish, Chane or Ruff-Fish, whose Variety did delight my Eye, and the enquiry into their Nature, did hugely please my Fancy: So that at Night I return’d home with my trimphant Vessel laden with Prey. The next Day I presented Hali Bassa, and his Chief Steward, with Part of what I had taken, who thought it a very acceptable Present.

Sometimes I took delight, with an Iron Spear made on purpose, to bring up Shrimps or Cramps, which are there so thick, as if that Sea were stock’d with them. Where I observed the Master-Shrimps lying two by two, the Male and the Female, and sometimes more of them, of which Cicero, Pliny, and Athenæus speak so much. I confess, I think some of these Relations concerning them are rather fabulous than true: For they say, that this Shell-Fish doth gape in order to catch other small Fishes; and when she hath got them, yet she shuts not her Shell till the Pinncphylax bite it, and by this warning she closes her Shell, and divides the Prey with the Pinncphylax. The Figure of these Pinnæ you have in Bellonious. The sharp part of it sticks in the bottom of the Sea, as if it grew there; and by these sticking Fibres, she draws in her Nourishment; as appears by this, that when she is loosed from her hold, she dies for want of Sustenance, as Herbs and Plants do. And it is probable, that the Pinnophylax chose this sort, as a Defence against other ravenous Fishes, where it may lye quiet even in stormy Weather, and go in and out at her pleasure. Yet I speak not this, to detract from the Credit of those worthy Authors I mentioned before; but only to leave the matter to more curious Enquirers. We quickly laded our Boat with these Pinnæ; they are but coarse Fare, like Muscles, of which you would be soon weary; but the Fishermen advised me to keep the Pinnophylaxes apart, for they are a grateful and nourishing Food.

Amongst the rest of the Islands, there is one untilled and uninhabited, whither all sorts of Monsters do resort, Star-Fish, Saw-Fish, Grape-Fish, Sea-Horses, prodigious Cockles, a round yellow Fish like an Orange; no ordinary Fish there, but Thornback, and a certain Fork-Fish, with a terrible Prickle. I remember, we took one of them, who, making at us, ran herself through.

When tempestuous Weather kept me from Sea, I delighted myself in finding out strange and unusual Plants at Land. I would sometimes go a-foot all ever the Island, having a young Franciscan Monk in my Company, a jolly Fellow, but very Fat, and not used to travel on Foot. I took him out of a Monastry at Pera, to be my Partner in my Walks; he was so corpulent and pursy, that when I went on a-pace to catch myself a Heat, he would follow me at a Distance panting and blowing, with these Words in his Mouth, What need all this haste? Whom do we run from, or whom do we pursue? What are we Carriers or Posts that must make speed to deliver some important Letters? Thus he mutter’d, till the very Sweat pierced through all his Cloaths. In fine, when we came back to our Lodgings, he threw himself upon his Bed, wofully complaining, and crying out, he was undone: What Injury have I done, said he, that you thus hurry on to destroy me? And, in this fretting Posture, we had much ado to persuade him to eat a bit of Dinner.

Now and then, some Friends visited from Constantinople, and from Pera; yea, and some Germans also of Holy’s own Family; of whom when I asked whether the Plague was abated? Mightily, said they. How many then die in a Day? Scarce Five Hundred, said they. Good God! quoth I, call you that to abate? when then doth it rage? They replied, when about a Thousand or Twelve Hundred die in a Day. The Turks entertain this Opinion concerning the Pestilence, that every Man’s Destiny is written by God in his Forehead; so that ’tis a foolish thing in them, to think to decline or avoid it. This Opinion makes them fearless of the Plague, but not secure from it: So that, as soon as any Man dies of the Pestilence, they will take off their Cloaths, yet sweaty, and Linnen, and rub their Faces with them. If it be the Will of God, say they, that I shall die this way, it will most certainly come to pass; if not, it will not hurt me. Thus a large Field is open for Infection; so that whole Families are sometimes swept away by that Disease. Whilst I abode in these Islands, I got acquaintance with one Metrophanes, a Metropolitan who presided over a Monastry in Chalcis, one of those Islands. He was a Learned and a Vertuous Man, very desirous of an Agreement between the Latin and the Greek Churches; so that he differed from the Humour of the rest of the Grecians, who esteem the Latins as Men of an impure and profane Sect. So much doth every Man abound in his own Sense!

When I had lived about two Months in those Islands, some of the Bashaws began to suspect my long Absence, and told Haly, that perhaps I might make my escape, for I had Ships ready at my command, and other Conveniences might easily be procured; and therefore it was more advisable I should return into the City. He answered them, he had that Confidence in my Word, that he believed I designed no such thing: Nevertheless he sent a Chiaux to advertise me thereof. The Chiaux very cunningly pried about, to see if he could discover the least Preparation for an Escape but finding none, after I had made him a Present, he returned to his Master with his Message from me, that he might rest secure, for I never intended to break my Word. Thus I continued three Months in my Retirement, and returned of my own accord into the City without any Compulsion.

From that time forward l had a Familiarity with Haly, and our Discourse was still of Peace. He is a Dalmatian by Birth, and only Courteous Man I found in that barbarous Country: His Nature, mild and gentle; his Person of easy Access; he is of a deep Understanding, capable of managing the greatest Affairs, having much skill in Military as well as Political Matters, for he is an old Man, and hath passed through the greatest Offices of that Common-wealth. His Stature is tall, and his Countenance filled with a lovely Gravity. He hath a mighty Love for his Master, and consults by all means imaginable his Repose in his Old and Sickly Age. What Rustan thought to do by Austerity, Severeness and menacing Expressions, Haly endeavours to compass by Mildness, Moderation and Friendship. Rustan was always severe, fierce, self-will’d; his Word must pass for a Law. ’Tis true, he knew well enough his own Circumstances, and what the Times did exact of him, and what the Old Age of his Prince required; but he was afraid, that, if he shew’d any Indulgence, either by Word or Deed, it would be said he did it out of Covetousness, of which his Prince did much suspect him: And therefore, though he was desirous of a Peace, he would abate nothing of his usual Stiffness; but if Propositions were offered to him, not pleasing to his Fancy, he was ready to thrust a Man out of Doors; so that I scarce ever parted from him but in an angry Mood. One time, when I was treating with him of Peace, if I had nothing else to say, he bid me be gone: I presently rose up and went my way, only telling him, That I could propose no other Conditions than what my Master commanded me to do. Which Words I pronouncing with more Fervour and Passion than I was wont to do, he called back my Interpreter and asked him, whether I were angry? He answered, No: What, said he, if I should obtain what he desires of the Sultan, dost thou think he will perform his Word to me, in presenting me with the Sum he promised me? No question, said the Drugger-man, but he will be as good as his Word to a Tittle. Then, says Rustan, go home and ask him. I had then 5000 Ducats, which make 6000 Crowns, lying by me for any sudden Emergency; I loaded my Interpreter with them, and bid him carry that to Rustan and tell him, that this Sum was only an Earnest of what I had promised him; but the rest would follow, if my Negotiation were brought to an happy Issue, for by no means would I be worse than my Word. He seem’d to be pleased with the sight of the Money, but returned it again to me, bidding my Drugger-man tell me, that he no ways doubted of my Faithfulness, but the matter of the Peace stood yet on ambiguous Terms; neither could he certainly promise a good Issue, for he did not fully know his Master’s Mind. But let the Ambassador, said he, keep it for me, as my Treasurer, till he sees the Event. Thus was the Money brought me back again, and Rustan died soon after.

Here give me leave to acquaint you with the Bounty of my Master, the best of Emperors; for that Money lying dead by me, I acquainted his Imperial Majesty, that I would lay it out for one Year’s Expence (which amounted to just so much) in my Embassy. But I repented afterwards of this my Frankness; especially considering what Pains I had taken in my Employment for so many Years together. My Mind gave me I was deficient to my self, in not desiring that Sum for my self, since I knew I serv’d a liberal Master, who put a just Value upon every Man’s Service, and rewarded him accordingly; and therefore I might have desired that Money (which was snatch’d, as it were, out of the Fire) for my own use; for I knew some Courtiers would have asked greater Sums for less Merit and Service. Upon second Thoughts, I put my Master in mind of my over-sight, and desired his Favour, that the said Sum might be returned entire to me. He was graciously pleased to grant my Request, and commanded so many Ducats to be told out for me from his own Exchequer: Which Bounty of his, so freely bestowed, if I should be unmindful of, I were not worthy to live a Day longer: But to return from whence I digressed.

Haly and Rustan were of quite different Humours and Dispositions: Haly lived a blameless Life, free from Sordidness, and never feared that his courteous Deportment would procure him the Sultan’s Ill-will; but Rustan, on the contrary, was a Money-monger, Avaritious, and his Conscience hing’d at his Purse-strings. Rustan’s Conferences with me were very short and concise; but Haly would spin out Time on purpose; and, that he might entertain me the longer, he would season his Discourse with a great deal of Facetiousness; insomuch that the Turks, who attended on the account of Business or otherwise, would murmur and grumble that he spent so much Time with me, thereby they had not convenient Opportunity to transact their own Concerns with him. And the Truth is, there was somewhat of Mortification to my self in it too; for I usually was sent for to him in the Afternoon, and I went Fasting, that I might be readier to deal with so acute a Man. In our Conferences he pressed this as a principal Point, that each of us would propose that which we thought most conducive to the service of our respective Masters. He knew his Master desired Repose in his old Age, which was sated with Success and Victory; and he thought my Master also desired Peace and Quietness; and therefore, if he studied the Tranquillity of his Realm, he should by no means rouse a sleeping Lion. The minds of Princes, says he, are like Looking-glasses having no innate Shape, yet the Shapes of all Objects pass through them; so Princes Souls, free of themselves, are impress’d by the Images of all Things, as they are represented; and therefore we must lay nothing before them, but what stands to their Reason: For as good Cooks temper their Sauces, not to this or that Man’s Palate, But for the Relish of all the Guests; so we, in Propositions of Peace, must weigh Circumstances on either side. This, and much more, did he frankly communicate to me; yea, at all times he shewed himself courteous, and when I required his Courtesy with any extraordinary piece of Respect, he thought himself doubly oblig’d. Once, as he was returning from the Divan, and came to a cross way where he was wont to salute his Fellow Bashaws at parting, turning his Horse too nimbly, and leaning on his Neck, both Horse and Man fell to the Ground: When I heard of his Mischance, I sent to know whether he had got any hurt by his Fall? He returned me Thanks, and told me, he got no hurt, but ’twas usual for an old Soldier to be apt to stumble and fall. Then, turning to the By-standers, This Christian Agent, says he, has, I thank him, a mighty Love for me. Sometimes in Discourse he would tell me, that he had got Wealth and Honour enough; so that now he studied only to leave a savoury Memory behind him, by doing good to Posterity.

When our Treaty of Peace had proceeded on fairly a long time, and I was in good Hopes of a happy Conclusion, an unlucky Accident happened, which might have embarrassed the whole Affair: A certain Greek Despote, by the help of Cæsar’s Soldiers which guarded the Frontiers of Hungary, had broke into Moldavia, and driven out the Vaivode thereof, possessing it for himself. This Business gave a great Alarm to the Turks, as not knowing but such Beginnings might end in greater Mischief; and indeed the Danger was considerable, though the Turks thought it Prudence to dissemble their Forces. Haly intended to speak with me about it, as I understood by one of his Domesticks; and accordingly he sent for me a few Hours after. I confess I was somewhat startled at the Message; I was afraid, that, my Negotiation being in a promising way to a good Issue, this Matter would spoil all. When I came, he entertain’d me with his usual Courtesy, and after much Discourse tending to a conclusion of the Peace, he shew’d no sign of Discontent at all in his Words or Looks, till I was just going to take my leave of him, and then he bid me sit down again, for something was come to his Memory which he had forgot: Don’t you hear, said he, that your Germans have made an Inroad into Moldavia? No, said I, neither do I believe it; for how should the Germans come to a Place so very remote from them as Moldavia? ’Tis most certainly true, said he; I have it by several Expresses, and I will send one of your own Countrymen to convince you. This Onset gave me occasion to tell him, that, if any of this were true, I was sure it was not done by the command or consent of my Master Cæsar. The Germans, said I, are a free People, and used to serve other Nations in their War; and perhaps some of them had taken Pay under Foreigners: But, in my Judgment, the cause of these Commotions arises from the Hungarian Nobles of that Neighbourhood, who being provoked by the daily Injuries of the Turks, resolve to be even with them. And, to speak the Truth, I think they are not much to be blamed, if upon so great Provocations, they labour to revenge themselves. Do not your Soldiers take the same Liberties on the Borders of Hungary? What Plunderings and Devastations have they not made in the Emperor’s Territories there! Here we talk of Peace; there is nothing but War and Bloodshed: And, for my own part, I am held as a Prisoner, neither do my Friends know whether I am alive or dead? And truly they that have long suffered so much Damage from you, are worthy rather of Praise than Blame, if they take any opportunity of Revenge. Let them retaliate, said Haly, provided it be within Hungary, and the Borders of it; but ’tis intolerable they should range as far as Moldavia, which is but ten day’s Journey from Adrianople. To which I replied, Men of the Sword do not much study points of the Law or Civility, but use to take the first Opportunity to revenge themselves where-ever it was offered. Thus I departed from him, neither did he seem at all to be angry, nor was a jot more morose in my After-addresses to him.

During these Transactions with the Vizier, the French Ambassador did me a great Favour; there were thirteen young Gentlemen (some of whom were Germans, and some Hollanders) in prison at Constantinople upon this remarkable occasion. They took Ship at Venice, in a Vessel every Year carried Pilgrims to Jerusalem, under Protection; some of them travelled on the account of Religion, others to see foreign Countries: but they all met with an unlucky Omen; for just at the time they landed in Syria, the Knights of Malta had landed some Soldiers, and plunder’d the Sea-Coast of Phœnicia, carrying away some of the Inhabitants Prisoners: Whereupon those Syrians who had lost Parents, Children and Friends, having no other visible way of Satisfaction, seiz’d on these Gentlemen in the Venetian Vessel, pretending they were some of the Pyrates; and if they did not procure their Friends to be released, they should be kept in Slavery themselves: And though they were shewed the Privilege from the Government of Venice, and were put in mind of the Public Faith, and the League betwixt them, yet all was one, away they must be sent Prisoners to Constantinople: And their Youth was a great Prejudice to them, for the Bashaws thought such young Striplings would never undertake so long a Voyage on the account of Religion, for the Turks never begin their Pilgrimage till they are well in Years.

When I heard of this Disaster, I did what I could to release them, but all to no purpose. The Bailo of Venice was applied to, because under the Protection of that Republick they fell into this Danger: He granted there was all the reason in the World they should be released; But what Justice, said he, can we obtain among such an inhuman and barbarous People? In the mean time I applied all the Relief I was able, to their distressed Condition: But one day, far beyond my Expectation, they all came to my House, and told me, they were sent as a Present to me by the French Ambassador, who had obtained their Liberty. I was mighty glad of their Releasement, and sent great Thanks to the Ambassador, whose Name was La Vigne. The manner was thus; when he was about to take his leave of the Sultan, and to kiss his Hand, as the Custom is, he thrust a piece of Paper into it, wherein he desired that the Gentlemen might be released in favour to his Prince, because their Voyage was occasioned upon the account of a Pilgrimage for Religion. Solyman granted his Request, and released them presently: Whereupon I supplied them with Accommodations for their Voyage, and sent them first to Vienna, and then home into their own Country.

This La Vigne at first was very strict and vexatious to me, and used all his Arts to bring me into the Bashaws Dislike without any Fault of mine: He told them, I was a Subject to the King of Spain, born in the Low-Countries, and that I served the Spaniard more than the Emperor; that I acquainted him with every thing that was done at Constantinople, and had Emissaries in Pay, who related to me the very Secrets of that Empire, amongst whom was Ebrahim the chief Druggerman of Turkey. This he did, before the Peace was made between Spain and France; but, when those two Princes were agreed, he took the first opportunity to retract what he had spoken.

La Vigne was a Man of a prodigious Liberty of Speech; he would tell all he knew, let it be taken how it would. This made Rustan himself to avoid his Company; whilst at the same time others were backward to converse with Rustan, because of the sourness of his Humour. He sent once to Rustan to desire Audience: He told the Messengers, his Interpreters, that he might send his Errand by them, for his Business might be as well done in his Absence as in his Presence. Yet La Vigne would needs come himself, where he spoke that which grated Rustan’s Ears. What do you think, says he, that you have got Buda, Gran, Alba Regalis, and other HungarianTowns, from the Christians by Force? No, I deny it utterly; ’tis our Dissention that gave you Opportunity to take them: If there had not been continual Wars between the Kings of France and Spain, you would have been so far from possessing those Towns, that Charles V. would hardly have suffered you to live quiet at Constantinople it self. At which Speech Rustan was so provoked, that he told him, What dost thou tell me of the Kings of Spain and France? If all the Christian Princes join their Arms together against my Master, he cares not a Rush; he will easily conquer them all. And thereupon he withdrew himself into his Bed-chamber, and bid the Ambassador be gone. I must needs acquaint you, in this place, with the Relations I have heard concerning that People which inhabit the Tauric Chersonese, who are reported to have been originally Germans, as their Speech, Manners and Countenances seem to declare. I had a great desire to meet with any body of that Nation, from whom I might procure some Tracts written in that Language, but I could not obtain it; yet at last I met with an Accident which in part satisfied my Desires. There came two Envoys from that Nation to the Sultan, to make some Complaint or other; and my Interpreters lighting upon them, did (as I had desired them, if ever they had Opportunity) invite them to Dinner to my House. One was a tall Man, carrying an ingenuous Simplicity in his Countenance, so that he seemed either a Flemming or a Batavian: The other was shorter, of a well-set Body, and browner Colour, a Greek by Birth, but by frequent Commerce with that People, he had got much of their Language, and seemed to forget his own. Being asked concerning the Nature and Manners of that People, he answered very pertinently, that they were a warlike Nation, that inhabited many Towns thereabouts, from whence the Cham of Tartary, when he pleased, used to draw forth 800 Musketeers, the chief Prop of his Army. Their chief Cities were two, one called Mancup the other Scivarin. He added much more concerning the Tartars and their Barbarity; yet he confessed that there was some very ingenious Men amongst them. If you asked of the highest Affairs, they would answer briefly, yet very much to the purpose. Insomuch, that the Turks said frequently and justly of them, that other Nations had their Learning in their Books, but the Tartars had eaten their Books, and had their Wisdom in their Breasts, from whence they could draw it out as they had occasion, as Divine Oracles.

They are slovenly in their Deportment; for, if you set any Soop before them, they eat it not with a Spoon, but with the hollow of their Hands. Their Meat is Horse-flesh; not roasted, but heated under the Saddles of their Horses, to which Hunger was their best Sauce.

Their Prince is served in Silver, his first and last Dish being a Horse’s Head, as Butter is served up first and last with us. He repeated many German Words, amongst others, which were unintelligible to us; perhaps his Memory fail’d him, so that he mix’d home-bred and foreign Words together; to every Word he added the Article Tho or The. The Words which were ours, or little different from them, were these:

Broe, Bread.

Plut, Blood.

Stul, a Stool or Seat.

Hus, a House.

Wingart, a Vine.

Reghen, Rain.

Bruder, Brother.

Schwester, Sister.

Alt, Old Man.

Wintch, Wind.

Silvir, Silver.

Goltz, Gold.

Kor, Wheat.

Salt, Salt.

Fisct, Fish.

Hoef, the Head.

Thurn, a Gate.

Stern, a Star.

Sune, the Sun.

Mine, the Moon.

Tag, a Day.

Oeghene, the Eyes.

Bars, a Beard.

Handa, the Hands.

Boga, a Bow.

Miera, an Ant.

Rinck, or Ringo, a Ring.

Brunna, a Fountain.

Waghen, a Waggon or Coach.

Apel, an Apple.

Schieten to shoot an Arrow.

Schlipen, to Sleep.

Kommen, to come.

Singhen, to Sing.

Lachen, to Laugh.

Criten, to Weep.

Geen, to go.

Breen, to roast.

Schwalch, Death.

Knauen Tag was Good-day with him; Knauen was Good; and several such Words he used, not well agreeing with ours, as,

Jel, Life, or Health.

Jelisch, alive, or well.

Jeluburt, let it be well.

Marzus, Marriage.

Schuos, a Spouse.

Baar, a Boy.

Ael, a Stone.

Menus, Flesh.

Rintsch, a Mountain.

Fers, a Man.

Statz, the Earth.

Ada, an Egg.

Ano, an Hen.

Telich, a Fool.

Stap, a Goat.

Gadeltha, Beautiful.

Atochta, Evil.

Wichtgata, White.

Mycha, a Sword.

Lista, a little.

Schedit, Light.

Borrotsch, the Will.

Cadariou, a Soldier.

Kilemschkop, drink up your Cup.

Tzo Warthata, as thou hast done.

Jes Varthata, he did it.

Ich malthata, I say.

When he was desired to number, he said thus, Ita, tua, tria, fyder, fyuf, seis, sevene, just as we Flemmings; for you Brabanters, who speak German-like, do highly value your selves, and laugh at us, as if we pronounced Seven more coarsely: He went on reckoning Athe, nyne, thiine, thiinita, thiinetua, thiinetria, &c. Twenty he called Stega, Thirty Treithyen, Forty Furdeithien, an Hundred Sada, a Thousand Hazer. He also sung us a Song in that Language, which began thus:

Whether these People be Goths or Saxons, I cannot tell; If Saxons, then, I suppose, they were transplanted thither in the time of Charles the Great, who dispersed that Nation into many remote Countries, as appears by the Cities of Transilvania, which to this day are inhabited by Saxons; and possibly he might transplant the rest of the Nation as far as Tauric Chersonese, where they still retain the Christian Religion, though surrounded by the Enemies of it: But if they are Goths, then I judge they chose their Inhabitants there next to the Getes, and perhaps most of that Tract of Land between the Gothick Isle and Procopia, (as now ’tis called) was heretofore inhabited by Goths. Hence we read of the Names of sundry Goths, as West-Goths, and East or Ostro-Goths, who over-ran the World with their Victory, and were the great Seminary of Multitudes of Barbarians. This is all I could hear of these Procopiensians concerning the Tauric Chersonese.

Let me now tell you something of the City and Country of Cathay, which I learned of a certain Turkish Pilgrim, who use to travel over the World on account of Religion, and to worship God on high Mountains and desert Places. He had travelled over a great part of the East-Country, where he was acquainted with the Portuguese; but, having a desire to visit Cathay also, he joined himself to some Merchants, who in great Numbers used to travel to this Country. ’Tis a Journey that not many will undertake, it being so dangerous, and the way thither so full of strange Nations, who use to plunder Travellers in their passage. When he left Persia behind him, he came to Samarchand, to Borchar, and to Taschan, and other Towns inhabited by the Successors of Tamerlane. When he had passed by these Places there were large Desarts, and some Countries inhabited by wild, and others by a more civilized People; yet the Country was generally poor, so that they were forced to carry their Victuals along with them on a drove of Camels: This Company they call Caravans. After some Month’s Travel they came to the Streights, entring into Cathay, (for you must know, that a great part of that Country is Mediterranean, and encompassed by such huge Mountains and Rocks, that it is accessible but in a very few Passages, where their King hath his Guards and Garrisons). When the Merchants come thither, they are asked what they bring? Whence they came? and how many they are? When the Guard is informed of the Truth, they make a Smoak by day, or else kindle a Beacon by night, which gives warning to the next Beacon, and so from one to another, till they come to Cathay. This Advice cost them but some Hours, which otherwise would take up many Days, the way is so long. When News is brought to the King, he sends backward by the same way of Conveyance what his Pleasure is, whether they shall all be admitted to enter, or only some, the rest being either excluded, or made to stay longer. When they are admitted, they are guarded all along to their several Inns or Lodging-places, where they may have all things for their Money, till they come to the King himself. Here every one brings forth his respective Ware, and offers it the King, whose Privilege it is, to buy what Ware he pleaseth in the first Place; and then they sell the rest to the best Chapman. This they must do within certain limits of Time, and then they must return; for the Carthayans cannot endure that Strangers should live long amongst them, for fear they should infect their Country-Manners. Thus the Merchants are dismissed in a very friendly Manner, and return by the same Stages they went.

This Traveller told me, that they were a very wise People, and lived in good Order and Government, having a distinct Religion of their own, differing from the Christian, Jewish or Mahometan; but nearest to the Jewish, except their Ceremonies.

Printing hath been in use among them for many Ages, as appears by their several printed Books: For Paper, they use the Cases of Silk-worms; it is so thin that it will bear Printing on one side only, the other is blank. In this City, he said, there were a great many Shops full of Musk, which was the fresh foame of a certain Beast as big as a Kid. A Lion is highly prized amongst them; there are none of them in that Country, and therefore they value it at a great Rate, and will pay well for it. This is what I could learn of this Wanderer concerning Cathay; believe it as you please. I asked him further, whether he had brought back any rare Root, Fruit or Stone, out of that Country? He told me, he had brought nothing but a little Root for his own Use, which he bit and eat a little of, when he was faint or cold, and it would presently warm and relieve him; and thereupon he gave me a piece of it, telling me I must use it very sparingly: I desired Dr. Williams, my Physician, then alive, to taste of it, who, by its biting and inflaming the Mouth, judged it to be a root of the Wolfleaf-tree.

Let me now tell you another wondrous Story of another wandering Turkish Monk. He wore a Cap and white Cloak down to his Heels, with long Hair, such as Painters draw the Apostles with. He had a promising Countenance, but was a meer Impostor; and, yet the Turks admired him as a miraculous Man. My Interpreters were persuaded to bring him to me, that I might see him. He dined with me soberly and modesty enough; afterwards he goes down into the Yard, and upon his return, he takes up a huge Stone, and struck with it divers times upon his naked Breast, as many Blows as would have felled an Ox: Then he took a piece of Iron, that was heated in the Fire on purpose, and thrust it into his Mouth, where he stirred it up and down so that his Spittle hiss’d again; ’twas a long piece of Iron, thick and quadrangular in that part which he thrust into his Mouth, and it was red-hot as a live Coal: Then he put the Iron into the Fire again, and after I had made him a Present, he saluted me and departed. My Domesticks wonder’d at the Trick, all but one, who pretended he knew more than all the rest; Oh, says he, he is a meer Cheat; and thereupon he takes hold of the stronger part of the Iron, pretending he could do as much as the Juggler. He had no sooner grasped it in his Hands, than he threw it away, and his Fingers were well burnt for his Audaciousness, so that they were many days a curing. This Accident caused his Fellows to laugh, and jearingly to ask, whether the Iron were hot enough yet, and whether he would touch it again or not?

The same Turk, while he was at Dinner, told me, that the Prior of their Monastery was a Man famous for Sanctity and Miracles, for he would spread his Cloak over a Lake near adjoining, and sitting on it, would row up and down whither he pleased: And that he would strip himself naked, and be tied to a Sheep newly kill’d, tying Arms to Arms, and Leg to Leg, and so would be thrown into the hot Oven till the Sheep were bak’d fit to be eaten, then he himself would be taken out without any harm at all: You will not believe this; neither do I, only I relate what he told me; but that part concerning the red-hot Iron I saw with my own Eyes.

And yet I must tell you, the Matter is not so much to be admired; for, without doubt, the Fellow, when he went down into the Yard to fetch a Stone, had fortified his Mouth, against the Violence of the Fire, with some such Medicines as you know are to be met with; for I remember once in the Market-place at Venice, I saw a Juggler take melted Lead, and wash his Hands with it, as if it had been common Water: But enough of this.

I told you before, that I had a little more Freedom some time before Rustan’s Death, which was very grateful to me on one Account, because it gave me an Opportunity to converse with Strangers and others which frequented my House, whole Acquaintance might be instructive to me; and yet this Liberty was not without its Inconvenience; it gave my Servants opportunity to straggle abroad, and sometimes without the Janizaries, and so they met with many Affronts, which cost me some trouble: I’ll tell you of one, by which you may judge of the rest.

Two of my Servants passed over in a Boat to Pera; they went alone, either because the Janizaries were not at home, or else they thought it needless to take them; one was my Apothecary, the other Master of my Wine-Cellar. When they had done what they went for, they hired a Boat to carry them back to Constantinople; they were scarce sat down in the Boat, but there came a Youth from the Caddy, or Judge of that Place, commanding them to come forth, for the Caddy must be wafted over in that Boat: My Servants told him, there were Boats enough to carry over the Caddy, besides that which they had hired, and therefore they would not stir: Hereupon he endeavoured to force them; so that from Words they came to Blows. This being done in sight of the Caddy, who was coming down to the Boat, it made him run to help the Boy, (who was thought to be his Ganymede) but the Steps towards the Sea being slippery, by reason of Ice, (for it was Winter) he fell head-long into the Sea, and had been drown’d if his Companions had not relieved him: Hereupon a Clamour was raised all over Pera, and the Turks would have it that my Servants had laid Violent Hands on the Judge, and had almost drown’d him. My Servants were seized and carried before the Judge in Capital Cases: They fetch out Clubs, and Stocks to put their Feet in, that they might beat them, as their manner is, on the Soles of them. In the interim one of my Servants, an Italian, cried out in a Rage, Beat, strike, Dogs, strike! we are wronged, we are innocent! we are Servants to Cæsar’s Ambassador, and doubtless when your own Emperor shall know how we are abused, he will make you smart for it. One of the Turks, hearing him cry out so boldly: D’ye think, said he, that One-ey’d thing is a Man? No; for certain, he is an One-ey’d Cacodæmon, (for he had a Blemish in one of his Eyes.) The Waywode also, that is, in their Language, the Judge, perceiving the Boldness of the Man, was at a stand what to do; but thought it best to send them to Rustan: Thither went the whole Rout, with a pack of false Witnesses, ready to give their Testimonies against the Innocent; for the Turks count it meritorious to give in false Evidence against a Christian; you need not summon them to appear, they came of their own accords, as it happened in this Case: They all cried out before the Grand Vizier, that those Rogues had beaten their Judge, and, if they had not been seiz’d, would have drowned him: My Servants denied the Crime they were charged with, alledging that they were falsly accused, and that they were my menial Servants. By this Time Rustan perceived that there was more Noise than Truth on his Countrymens side; yet, to still the Fury of the inraged Multitude, he told them he would punish them severely; and he sent them to Prison. The Prison was a Safeguard to them against the Fury of the Multitude; he then examined Witnesses, the most credible among them, and found my Servants were Guiltless, and that all the Fault lay at the Caddy’s Door. In the mean time I sent my Interpreters to demand my Servants; but Rustan thought fit to refer the Matter to the Divan, lest, if the Sultan should hear of it, he might suspect, that a Bribe had made him partial and negligent in the Caddy’s Case. I had at this time some intimate acquaintance with Haly, to whom I sent my Druggerman with a grievous Complaint, that I might not suffer Wrong to the end of the Chapter; Haly undertook my Cause, and bid me rest confident that the Business would soon end to my Satisfaction. But Rustan came not off so handsomely; he feared it might be thought that Money had inclined him more to favour me, and therefore had rather the Business were made up with the Caddy; he wished, therefore, I would offer him a few Ducats to appease him, 25 were enough. I gave him Thanks for his Advice, and told him, that if he desired me to throw so many Ducats into the Sea, I would willingly do it for his sake; but that Money was not so much to be considered in this case, as Example: For, said I, if he that did my Servants an Injury, must be paid for his Labour, a larger Fund than mine would not suffice; for if a Man tear his Clothes, while he is intending to do my People an Injury, he knew where to have Money to buy new ones, which was an unworthy thing, and by no means to be indured by me. Thus were my Servants, by the Mediations of Haly sent home to me. When the Bailo of Venice heard of their Release, he sent for one of my Servants present, and desired to know of him, what that Business had cost me? Not a Doit, said he. Then said the Bailo, It would have cost me 200 Ducats before I could have come off. But the poor Judge suffered most of all; for he was put out of his Office, the Turks accounting it an absurd and hainous thing to be beaten by a Christian, as he confessed he had been.

As for the Release of the Spanish Commanders, it was obtained by my Mediation; they were these, De Sande Commander of the Land Forces, and Leyva, and Requesne, the one Admiral of the Neapolitan, the other of the Sicilian Gallies. In short, I’ll tell you how I compassed their Release: The Peace made between the Kings of Spain and France, did much trouble the Turks, as being inconvenient to their Affairs, especially considering that they were not comprehended in it, as at first they thought they should be; yet they dissembled the matter at present, but sought for an Opportunity to shew their dislike of it. Solyman had writ to the King of France, that he agreed to the Peace, yet would have him remember, That Old Friends are not easily made Enemies, nor Old Enemies, Friends.

This Disgust of the Turks was of no small Advantage to my Affairs: To which Haly Bassa’s Affection, and Ebrahim’s great desire to shew his Gratitude to me, did very much contribute.

You may remember, I told you before, that, when La Vigne did accuse me to the Bashaw, at the same time he forgot not Ebrahim, but told them, that he discovered all the secret Counsels of the Turks to me. This Ebrahim was the chief Druggerman, (i. e. Interpreter of Solyman) a Polander, and therefore more hated by La Vigne, because, in a deadly Feud with Codognatus, a former Ambassador of the same King, he seem’d to take Codognatus his part. I shall not trouble you with the Contest betwixt them, it being little to my purpose: This is certain, that La Vigne was mindful of the Affront, and could never endure Ebrahim; but when he had Access to the Bashaw, every third Word was against him; neither did he desist from complaining, till Ebrahim was remov’d out of his Place. For my part, I was not much concern’d at Ebrahim’s Disgrace; I had never such an extraordinary kindness for him, as to lament his Loss, for I found him many times thwarting my Affairs; only it troubled me, that ’twas noised abroad, he lost his Place for my sake. Hereupon, I assisted him in his Privacy what I could; for I knew it troubled him, to be turned out of his Office, and therefore I us’d him as an Interpreter or Messenger, betwixt me and the Bashaws in my Transactions about the Peace. And Haly admitted him, out of Respect to me, and because he was degraded without any just Cause. In short, I never rested till I got him restored to his Place; and that piece of Service did so oblige him, that in Gratitude he returned me all the good Offices he could, in all Company, and upon all Occasions: And he had the greater Opportunity so to do, because of the Offence the Turks had taken at the French, for making Peace with the Spaniard. On this Account, when the Noble Salviatus was sent by the Most Christian King, to procure de Sande’s Liberty, he was wholly and absolutely refused. De Sande was in great Expectation of that Embassy, believing he should never be released, if that Negotiation did not effect it; and, therefore, he was at a great Expence in Presents for the Grand Seignior, and other great Men upon his Release. All which signified nothing, for Salviatus went away without doing any thing. When he was gone, the Servants and Solicitors of de Sande came to me in a great Fright; and told me, they durst not acquaint their Master with the unsuccessful News of Salviatus’s Intercession for his Liberty; for all his Hopes depending thereon, they were afraid the Transaction would either make him desperate, or bring some fatal Disease upon him; and, therefore, they desired me to acquaint him first by Writing. I refused, alledging, That I had not Common Places enough to draw Comfort from, for a Man in so deep Distress. For de Sande was a Man of a great Spirit, full of Hope, and without any Fear; and Men of such Dispositions, hope for every Thing they desire; and if they meet with any Disappointment of their Hopes, they are so cast down, that ’tis hard to raise them to any tolerable frame of Spirit.

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.