Part 17

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.