Part 21

I had a mind before my Departure, to buy some gallant Horses, and therefore, ordered my Servants to go often to the Markets, to see if they could find any such. _Haly_ being informed thereof, sent one of the best of his own Horses to the Fair to be sold; my Servants had their Eye presently on him, and asking the Price, they told them 120 Ducats; they offered 80, not knowing whose it was; but that was refused. A Day or two after, the same Horse, with two more quite as good, were sent me by _Haly_, for a Present; one was an _Arabian_ ambling Nag, exceedingly well shaped. When I gave him Thanks for my noble Present, he asked me, whether I did not think that Horse which my Servant’s offered 80 Ducats for, was worth more? Yes, a good deal more, said I; but my Orders were, that they should not exceed that Price, for fear of losing too much, in case of any hidden Defect afterwards shew that I had bought Horses too dear. He advised me also, how to manage their _Turkish_ Horses; as that I should give them but little Meat; that I should make but short Journeys at first, till they were us’d to the Roads; and that I should make nine or ten Days Journey to _Adrianople_, which used to be performed in five: He gave me also a curious Veil wrought with gold, and a Box full of _Alexandrian_ Treacle, the best in the World; and a Glass full of Balsam, which last he highly prized, complimenting me thus: _Any other Present_, said he, _are such as Money can procure; but this is a rare Gift, that my Master cannot send a choicer to the best Friend or Ally he hath. I got it_, said he, _when I was Governor of ~Egypt~, which Place I held some Years: There are two sorts of that juicy Substance; one which is drawn from the Oil of the decocted Leaves of the Shrub on which they grow, which is black and not much worth; the other distils from the Bark of the Tree when it is cut, which is yellow and genuine; and mine was of that sort._ He desired likewise, that I would send him some Presents, as a Coat of Mail fitted to his large and full Body, and a strong Horse that was sure-footed (for he was so big and pursy, that no Horse could be easily found, fit to carry him) and with all kind of varnishing Matter coming from the _Maple_, or any other Tree, wherewith our Artists use to inlay their Tables. As for _Solyman_, he gave me no Gifts but common ones, such as other Ambassadors have had at their Departure, and such as I received from him formerly at my Audience of Leave; only he inveighed against the _Heydukes_, and the Insolency of the Garrison of _Syeth_: To what Purpose, is it, _said he_, to make Peace here, if they continue the War thus? _I told him_, I would acquaint my Master, and that I did not doubt, but he would redress it; and, thus by good Fortune, about the End of _August_, I entered upon my desired Journey, carrying with me a Truce of eight Years, the Fruits of my eight Years Abroad there, which may be continued for a longer Time, unless some considerable Change happens.

When we came to _Sophia_, where the Way parts, one to _Rhagusa_, the other to _Belgrade, Leyva_ and _Requesne_ desired me to part Company, and go to _Rhagusa_, that so they might more easily pass to _Venice_ and _Italy_, and procure those Gifts which they promised to lend to the _Bashaws_, and repay the Money they had borrowed at _Constantinople_; and that they would send Letters of Thanks by me to _Cæsar_, to give him due Acknowledgments for their Release: Which Service they would willingly have performed in Person, if their other Occasions had not hindered. I easily consented to their Requests, and was the better pleased, because _Requesne_, being a very old Man, died before he came to _Rhagusa_: If I had denied their Request, it might have been thought my Refusal had contributed to his Disease.

_De Sande_ and my self passed the rest of our Journey without any great Inconvenience; for the Truth is, he is a very facetious Man, and, if he is troubled with Grief, he knows how to cover it, and to pretend Mirth outwardly. In our way, many diverting Things offered themselves; sometimes we would alight, and try which of us could run fastest; I, being lean, could easily out-run him, who was fat and pursy, and just come out of Prison. When we came near to a Village, _Ebrahim_ would ride up to us (for he with his _Turks_ followed gravely on Horseback) and beseeched us, by all that was dear to us, not to be seen on foot by the Villagers, for it would be accounted a Disgrace to us among the _Turks_. His Advice made us sometimes get into our Chariot again, but the Pleasure of walking afoot still got the better.

One of _de Sande_’s many facetious Sayings, I must give you. When we came from _Constantinople_, the Weather was very hot, and it continued so sultry all the Way, that it palled my Appetite, and a very little Food served my Turn; but _de Sande_, being a robust healthy Person, eat like a Horse, and would ever now and then tell me, that I must follow his Example and eat like a Man of Mettle. Yet, all his Advice was to no Purpose, till about the Beginning of _October_, I drew near to the Borders of _Austria_; and there, partly from the Country, and partly from the Season of the Year, I began to be more healthy, and to take a larger proportion of Food.

When _de Sande_ observed that I had a better Stomach than formerly, he began to triumph over me exceedingly, boasting that ’twas by his Advice and Example, that I had learned to eat Meat, and that I, who was so many Years older, had need of a Monitor to advise me to take due Sustenance for my Body; so that if he were obliged to me for his Release, I was as much beholding to him for teaching me to recover my Appetite. In these ludicrous Repartees we came to _Tulna_, where we met with some Trouble. _De Sande_ used to lye in the same House, if it were large enough to hold us both; if not, he took his Lodgings at some Neighbouring House, that he might not incommode me. He was willing to do so at _Tulna_, and therefore, desired the _Janizaries_ whom I brought with me from _Constantinople_ to _Buda_, to be my Harbingers on the Way, and to find out a convenient Lodging for him. One of my Servants a Doctor of Physic, and a _Spaniard_, whom _de Sande_ had released at _Constantinople_ at his own Charge, went along with the _Janizaries_. They happened to go to the House of another _Janizary_ hard by, who was appointed as Governor of the Place to guard Passengers; for the _Turks_ use to appoint one or two _Janizaries_ in every noted Town to protect _Christian_ Passengers from Violence; by which Office they get no small Profit: But this Man, for some Offence or other, had been put out of his Office, and therefore, was of a very surly Temper. My People viewed his House, and not finding it for their Turn, were going away; the _Janizary_ first, my Servant next, and the Physician last. In the _Interim_, the _Janizary_, Master of the House, walking in his Garden, was told, that some _Christian_ Passengers were seeking for a Lodging at his House: Whereupon, he came in a great Rage, with a Club like _Hercules_’s, in his Hand, and without speaking a Word, strikes the Physician a great Blow on the Shoulders, as hard as he was able; the Physician, to avoid a second Blow, ran out of the House. My Servant, looking back, saw him lift up his Club to strike him also; but he, having a Thing like a Hatchet in his Hand, held it cross-ways over his Head, and so kept off many a lusty Blow, till at last the Handle of the Hatchet, by his often stricking, began to break. Then my Servant was forced to close in with the _Janizary_, and was about to cleave his Skull with his Weapon: Whereupon, the _Janizary_ fled, and my Servant not being able to overtake him, threw the Hatchet after him, which cut him in the Hams, and fell’d him to the Ground; by which Accident, my People escaped: But the Physician cryed out, that he was a dead Man, and that all his Bones were broken in Pieces. _De Sande_ heard his Complaint; yet, though he was vext, could not choose but smile, as thinking that the Doctor was more afraid than hurt: But, that which most tormented him, was, lest on this Occasion he should be carried back to _Constantinople_: He was of Opinion that the _Bashaws_ had not dealt sincerely in his Case, but had made only a Pretence of releasing him to gratify me, and really sought an Occasion to drag him back again, to rot in Prison. For the same Cause, he was much offended with my Servant who had wounded the _Janizary_, especially for saying, _That he was very sorry that he had not killed him upon the Spot_. His Words to him were these; _Honest ~Henry~, Prithee be not so Passionate; ’tis no Time nor Place to shew thy Valour here; we must bear Affronts patiently, without any just Imputation of Cowardice, whether we will or no; we are in their Power: This unreasonable Passion may bring great Mischief to us; perhaps it may occasion us to be brought back to ~Constantinople~, and there our whole Negotiation may be reversed, or at least become very dubious. I beseech thee, therefore, for my Sake among the rest, govern thy Passion._

But _Henry_ was deaf to all his Persuasions; he being an obstinate Fellow, and when angry, would not hearken to Reason. _What care I_, replied he, _if I had killed him? Did he not design to kill me? If one of his many Blows had gone home, he had knock’d me down like an Ox. Were I to be blamed, if I slew him who would have slain me first? I am sorry with all my Heart, I did not give him his Death’s Wound: But, for the future (take my Word for it) I’ll spare never a ~Turk~ of them all; for, if he assaults me, I’ll give him as good as he brings, though it cost me my Life._

_De Sande_ did not like this surly Answer; but the _Janizary_ who had received the Wound, made the worst of it; upon whose Complaint, two Jews, who could speak _Spanish_, came to me, and told me, that he was dangerously hurt, and if he did not give him Satisfaction, the Matter would not so soon be passed over, but would create great Trouble to me. I answered them as I thought fit; but, because I knew the malicious Natures of the _Turks_, I thought it best speedily to guard against them; and, therefore, sent presently one of the Youths to _Ebrahim_, desiring him to let one of his Servants be a Guide to one of mine to _Constantinople_, a sudden Emergency had made this Journey necessary. _Ebrahim_ wondered what the Matter was, and came presently to me to know. I told him, I desired a better Convoy from _Hali Bassa_, otherwise I was out of Hopes ever to reach Home, for my two Servants were like to be killed; and then I told him the whole Story, with all its Circumstances. _Ebrahim_ soon perceived how much his own Interest was concerned, and therefore desired me to have a little Patience till he had spoken with the _Janizary_; to whom he presently went, and found him in Bed. He chid him very warmly for being so abusive to us, and told him I had made Peace with the _Port_, and was in great Favour with _Solyman_, and all the _Bashaws_; that they had denied none of my Requests, but had granted me several Concessions for my own Sake, and that he was sent back to convoy me safe into my own Country, and to take Care that I might be honourably treated by the Way: That he was the first Man that offered me the least Affront; and that I was sending back one to _Constantinople_ to complain thereof; and if I did, it might cost him his Head. This took down my _Janizary_’s Crest, and put him into a terrible Panick besides.

The next Day we continued our Journey to _Buda_; and the Physician, notwithstanding his Bruises, was as well able to travel as any of us. When we came in Sight of _Buda_, the _Bashaw_ thereof sent some of his own Family, with several _Chiauxes_ to meet us; and among the rest, there was a Troop of young Men on Horseback, which drew our Eyes after them in respect of the Novelty of their Garb; their Heads were uncovered, and their Crowns shav’d; there was a long Line cut with a Knife, and in the Wound they stuck Feathers of several Sorts; and, though Drops of Blood distilled down from their Wounds, yet they dissembled their Pain, and rode merrily on, as if they ailed nothing at all. Just before me, there walked some Footmen; one of them had his naked Arms a-kembow, and both had a Knife, (such as we call _Pragensian_) run through them above the Elbow; another was naked, all the upper Parts, to his Navel, the Skin of his Loyns being so cut in two Places, both above and below, that a Club being run through them, hung down from thence as from a Girdle; another had a Horshoe nail’d to the Crown of his Head, and it was so old, that the Shoe and the Skin grew together.

In this Pomp we entered _Buda_, and were introduced to the _Bashaw_, with whom, in the Presence of _de Sande_, I had a long Discourse concerning the Validity of the Truce I had made. In the Passage to him there stood those hardy Youngsters who were regardless of their Pain; casting my Eye upon them, the _Bashaw_ demanded, what I thought of them? I think, said I, that they are hardy Fellows; only they do that to their Skins, which I would not do to my Cloaths, for I had rather have them whole than slash’d. Whereupon, the _Bashaw_ laughed, and dismissed us.

The Day after we came to _Gran_; from thence to _Comara_, the Frontier Garrison of the Empire, situate on the River _Wage_; on both sides its Banks the Garrison of the Place, with the Seamen, called their _Nassadists_, waited for us. Before I passed over the River, _de Sande_ came to me, and embracing me in his Arms, gave me Thanks for completing his Liberty: He told me plainly, he thought the _Turks_ had but dissembled with him, and therefore, he was in continual Fear, lest he should be haled back to _Constantinople_ to die in Prison; but now, being in the Emperor’s Territories, he acknowleged himself to be eternally obliged to me.

A few Days more brought us to _Vienna_. _Ferdinand_ the Emperor, was then at the Imperial Diet, with his Son _Maximilian_, about Inaugurating him _King of the Romans_. I acquainted _Cæsar_ with my Return, and with _Ebrahim_’s coming, and desired to receive his Commands concerning him; for he had a great Desire to wait upon the Emperor at _Francfort_. His Highness’s first Answer was, That ’twere best for the _Turks_ to stay at _Vienna_ till his Return, it being not adviseable to carry an Enemy thro’ the very Heart of the Country, so long a Way as from _Vienna_ to _Francfort_. And, on the other side, Delays were dangerous, and might create Suspicion in the _Turks_ of some unfair Dealing. As for _Ebrahim_, and his Retinue, there was no danger in suffering them to pass through the most flourishing Part of the Empire; it was, indeed, desirable rather, that thereby they might take an Estimate of the Strength and Greatness of it, especially having now so fair an Opportunity of observing at _Francfort_, with how great Unanimity Prince _Maximilian_ was chosen and designed Successor to the Emperor his Father. When I wrote back to the Emperor according to the Purport aforesaid, he consented that _Ebrahim_ and his Retinue should come to _Francfort_. We began our Journey thither by the Way of _Prague_, _Bamberg_, and _Wirtzburg_.

_Ebrahim_ passing through _Bohemia_, was willing to pay his Court to Arch-Duke _Ferdinand_; but the Arch-Duke would have it _incognito_. When we were a few Days Journey from _Francfort_, I thought proper to ride a Day or two’s Journey before, to acquaint the Emperor with some Things relating to my Embassy; which I did, and came to _Francfort_ that Day seven Years on which I set out from _Vienna_ to _Constantinople_. I was received by my Master with all imaginable Kindness, (not that I deserv’d it) but ’twas all owing to his innate Goodness and Custom so to do. You may imagine with yourself how joyful a Thing it was to me, after so many Years Absence, to return safe to the Presence of my Royal Master, who was pleased kindly to accept of the Fruits of my Embassy, and told me, that I had done all Things well, and that I should find the Effects of his Favour. He came to _Francfort_ the Day before the Inauguration, late in the Evening, when the Gates were shut; and all the following Day they were not to be opened, by ancient Custom: But his Imperial Majesty gave express Command that they should be opened for the _Turks_. They had a Place assigned them, from whence they might behold _Cæsar_ Elect pass by with great Pomp and Splendor; it appear’d to them a glorious and magnificent Sight to see, amongst others of _Cæsar_’s honourable Train, three Princes, who could raise great Armies in their own Territories; to wit, the Dukes of _Saxony_, _Bavaria_ and _Brandenburg_: They saw also, many other Monuments of the Dignity and Greatness of the Emperor. A few Days after, _Ebrahim_ was introduced into his Presence, and delivered the noble Presents the _Sultan_ had sent him. The Emperor confirm’d the Peace, rewarded him amply, and sent him back with large Presents to _Solyman_.

I am very willing to leave the Court, as not being pleased with that kind of Life; but some private Affairs as yet detain me. I know the Tediousness of Court-Attendance; much Mischief lies under an Appearance of Splendor; much Disguise, but little of Sincerity is there; all Courts are subject to Envy; faithful Friendship is hard to be found, and a change of Mind may occasion a Man’s sudden Ruin: For Princes themselves are but Men. I have seen a Man come to Court with a thousand Attendants, whom his Prince’s Displeasure has sent away with scarce one in his Company. A Court does not know what is truly good, till too late; it is altogether led by Shews, Shadows, Fallacies, and popular Mistakes. Those are fortunate Men who can lead such a Life in safety; but oh! may I live to the Muses and to my self, and grow old in a Country-Cottage, with a few trusty Friends! If any Life be desirable in this earthly Pilgrimage, ’tis this. Look upon the Court, and you will find there a Noble Buffoon preferred before a good Man: So that if you would represent a good Man amongst Courtiers, you may paint an Ass amongst Apes. I speak of common Courts in general; for I know that our Court, as well as some others, are adorn’d with many excellent and noble Personages: However, Solitude and Quiet affording Vacation to Study, is preferr’d by me before the Crowd and Noise of Courts. But, I am afraid, my best of Princes will not vouchsafe me the Retreat I beg for. ’Tis true, he gave me leave to depart, but upon this Condition, that I should return when call’d upon. If he commands me to Court again (for who can withstand the Desire of so gracious a Prince?) this only Comfort will be left me, that I shall every Day behold the Face of the most sacred of all Emperors; or (to phrase it otherwise) shall contemplate the living Image of true Vertue: For assure yourself, that the Sun never shone upon a better Prince than this, nor one who governs more justly. Though his true, that the Majesty of Empire is a glorious Thing, yet to desire Empire, and to carry ones self worthy of it, is more Glorious. I speak not of his Birth, nor of the Nobleness of his Ancestors, he needs not such far-fetch’d Helps; his own Vertue is sufficient. Many Emperors have been (though unworthy) raised to the Throne; but his own Vertue exalted him.

Again, some have managed the Beginning of their Reign innocently and justly, but soon after they have degenerated into Licentiousness and Corruption, _Forgetting they are Men, they would be esteem’d as Gods, and ador’d as such, endeavouring to be placed among the Gods; whereas they were unworthy to be reckon’d among Men_. All men’s Necks cannot bear the Burthen of a high Estate, to which if they are advanced, they forget themselves: ’Tis a hard Thing to be able to compass all that a Man desires; and yet ’tis as hard to desire nothing but that which is good.

As for our Prince, his Eyes are not dazzled by Greatness; no Man retains Vertue more steadily he, nor takes greater heed that his pure Mind be not defiled by the Taint of his Fortune. He was always of this Opinion, That, as Majestic Robes attract the Eyes of Spectators, the Sanctity of Manners should much more incline their Minds. Therefore, he chiefly studies Piety, worships and adores his God, and lives always as in his Sight and Presence; he squares all his Actions throughout the whole Course of his Life by a Divine Rule and Prescript: Whatever happens either Prosperous or Adverse, he looks upon God as the Author, and receives it gratefully, as proceeding from his Hand. Thus he lives an Heavenly Life even upon Earth; he is not ignorant whole image he bears; and therefore, all his Words and Deeds are directed for the Public Good, for which he thinks he was born, and therefore prefers it before Advantages; He is so intent herein, that some blame him for being overmuch addicted to the Common-wealth, and neglecting his own Children and Family. He is extremely Courteous to all his Subjects, as if they were under his particular Care, and Himself were the Father of so vast a Family. What poor Man hath ever desired his help in vain? Who is there that hath not experienced his Liberality? He thinks that Day lost wherein he hath not done Good to somebody. He is beneficient to all, and in a singular Manner kind to his Domesticks; not a Man of them can say, that ever he was neglected by them. He knows their way of Life, the Deserts, yea, and the very Names even of the meanest of them. Tho’ he is so great a Prince, yet he thinks it not below himself, at convenient Opportunities to warn the negligent, and put them in mind of their Duty; and, if they mend their Manners, to reward them accordingly: So that they depart from him, rather as from a Father than a Master. He administers Justice with great Equity; for he thinks it unreasonable to prescribe Law’s to others, and break them himself; or to punish them in others, which he allows in himself. He never speaks rudely of any Man, and always honourably of the Absent. Probity is safe under his Guardianship; but Malice, Force, Fraud, evil and corrupt Ministers are exterminated, Offences and Wickednesses duly punish’d. The old _Romans_ had Censors of Manners imposed upon them, to keep the People to their Duty; but here there is no need of any Censor, the Life of the Prince is a sufficient Censor, he is a shining Example to all, in what they should avoid, and what they should pursue. Good and learned Men which may profit the Commonwealth, he highly esteems; with these he is conversant, and, laying aside his Majesty, treats them as Friends and Equals; yea, he emulates their Virtues without Respect, whether they are Paternal and Hereditary, or acquired by their own Industry. With these, he spends the little Time he can spare from public Business: These are the Persons highly esteem’d by him, as judging it a public Benefit to restore due Honour to Vertue. He himself being curious by Nature, and desirous to know something worthy of a Man, has always some Questions to propose to the Learned; and sometimes he brings in some smart and genteel Repartees of his own, to the Admiration of his Hearers. Thus he hath laid in so considerable a Stock of Learning, that you cannot question him in any Thing, but he can give you some Account of it. He understands many Languages; first, the _Spanish_, which is his _Mother-Tongue_; next the _French_, _German_, _Latin_, and _Italian_: He can express his Meaning pretty well in the _Latin_, yet not so exactly, but that sometimes he breaks _Priscian_’s Head; a Fault blameworthy in a _Gramarian_, but excusable in an _Emperor_.