Part 8

It may suffice to tell you, that I went the same Stages, in a manner, that I did at first. So then, to _Constantinople_ I came, in the beginning of _January_, having lost one of my Retinue, who died of a Fever in the way. There I found my Collegues in good Health; but a mighty Change was made in the _Turkish_ Affairs: _Bajazet_, _Solyman_’s youngest Son, had escap’d a great Danger, and was reconciled to his Father: _Achmet Bassa_, the _Grand Vizier_, had been strangled, and _Rustan_, his Predecessor, was restored to his Place of _Grand Viziership_, of whom more hereafter. But, at present, I shall acquaint you what coarse Entertainment I met with from their _Emperor_, his Bashaws, and other great Men among them. For their Bashaws (as the manner is, before they introduce an Ambassador to their Prince) being desirous to hear of me, in general, the purport of my Message; as soon as they understood, that my Master _Cæsar_ would not recede a jot from his Right, but did punctually insist upon it, as just and equal, that the Transactions with the Widow of _John_ late _Vaivode_ of _Transylvania_ and her Son (being made without Fraud, Force or Covin,) should be strictly observed, they were in a mighty Chafe: For you must know, that a long Series of happy Success, hath so elevated the Minds of this People, that they make their own Wills, forsooth, the sole Rule of all Reason, Right or Wrong. On which presumptuous Principle, they carried it very haughtily towards us; and told us the extream Danger we should run into, if we offer’d to appear before that Prince with such an imperious Message. When such menacing Words could not deter us from demanding Audience, they gave us to understand, that they would have no hand in our Admittance; for do ye think, (said they) that we are such brazen-fac’d Fellows as to bring you, with such sawcy Answers, to our King? No, said they; it will be a plain Mockery to him, which he will never take well at your Hands. Do you not know, proceeded they, that he is come back from _Persia_ with a victorious Army; where, his Successes have so exalted him, that he hath put his own Son to death, as emulous of the Empire? Whereby you may guess at the severity of his Passion. He longs for, and courts, a fair Occasion to send his hardy and well-disciplin’d Army into _Hungary_, to enrich them with the Spoils of that Country, and to add the residue thereof to his Empire. And therefore, if you be wife, don’t rouze a sleeping _Lyon_; for thereby you will but hasten your own Miseries, which are coming on fast enough of themselves. Such were the Harangues of the Bashaws to us; and the rest of the _Turks_ were of the same Mind. The mildest Punishment they denounced against us, was, that two of us would be cast into a nasty Dungeon; and the third (which was to be my share) would have his Nose and Ears cut off, and so sent back to his Master.

And, to strike the greater Terror into us, the _Turks_, who passed by our Lodgings, gave us many a sour Look; which was an Argument, that they intended some cruel Deportment towards us. And the truth is, from that Day forward, they used us more coarsely than ever; they kept us up close as Prisoners rather than Ambassadors: They suffer’d no body to come to us, nor permitted any of us to go forth, and the rest of their Carriage was as intolerable. Thus have they treated us these six Months past; and I know not how long they will continue these Severities; but, come what will, we submit to the Will of God, our Cause is just and honourable, and that gives us Relief against their vigorous Extremities. But leaving the Narration of our own Misfortunes, I shall answer your Desire, in giving you an Account of the Story of _Bajazet_. For the clearer Explication thereof, I must acquaint you, that _Solyman_ had five Sons; the Eldest, begot by him on a Concubine, near the _Bosphorus_, was called _Mustapha_, of whose unhappy End you have heard before; but by another Wife, named _Roxolana_, he had four, _Mahomet_, _Selimus_, _Bajazet_ and _Giangir_. _Mahomet_ liv’d till he was married, (for the _Turks_ call their Concubines, Wives) but died soon after; so that _Selimus_ and _Bajazet_ of this latter Venter only remain’d alive. As for _Giangir_, he came thus to his end: When News was brought to _Constantinople_, that his Half-brother _Mustapha_ was put to death, the Youth, being of a timorous Mind and infirm Body (for he was crook-back’d) fell into a grievous Passion, upon the Imagination that the like Fate did hang over his own Head; for he could promise safety to himself no longer than his Father liv’d. If his Head were once laid, he that was his Successor, would certainly kill all his Brethren, as emulous of the Kingdom; not one of them would be excepted, and himself, being among the Number, must look for the same Fate. This Thought struck him into a Disease, even as if the Bow-string had been already about his Neck, which cost him his Life; so that now only _Selimus_ and _Bajazet_ remained. _Selimus_ was the Elder, and ’twas known to all, that his Father design’d him for the Empire; but _Bajazet_ was most favoured and doted upon by his Mother. Whether it were out of Commiseration to prevent his inevitable Ruin, or else out of motherly Indulgence, or whatever else the Reason was; this is certain, if her Vote could have carried it, _Bajazet_ had certainly succeeded in the Empire after his Father’s Death. But she must give way to his Father’s Will, who was fully resolv’d, come what would, that _Selimus_, and none else, should succeed him. _Bajazet_ was not ignorant thereof, and therefore he turned every Stone to stave off his impending Fate, and, if possible, to prevent his Ruin by grasping at the Throne. And his Hopes were encreased by the favour of his Mother, and of _Rustan_ the _Grand Vizier_, who was thought to have espoused his Interests. Having two such Pillars to support him, he thought with himself, ’twas far more glorious to hazard his Life in contending with his Brother for the Empire, than to die obscurely by the Bow-string, as a Victim to his Cruelty.

_Bajazet_ having this Project in his Head, began to pick Quarrels with his Brother, and to maintain a Faction against him; neither was it long before a proper Occasion offered itself for him to begin his design’d Enterprize, of rising in Arms upon the account of _Mustapha_’s Death, and the Disgust of many thereupon. For the Truth is, _Mustapha_ was so well belov’d in his Life-time, and so much lamented at his Death, that those who had placed all their Hopes of Advancement in him alone, were almost unwilling to live after him; so that they did but wait for an Opportunity to revenge his Death, or to die as he did. Others, who were conscious to themselves that they had favoured his Party, and therefore were obnoxious to the present Power, did not care what Hurley-burlies they made; ready they were for any Innovation, only they wanted a Leader. In this case, they did not well know what to do. As for _Mustapha_ himself, they knew he could not be recalled from the Dead; yet it was in their power to suborn and set up a feigned _Mustapha_ in his head, as if the true one had been yet alive. This Design pleased _Bajazet_ (who was the contriver of the Plot) best of all, as most conducing to the accomplishment of his Purpose. Hereupon, by his Emissaries, he procures a mean Fellow, but bold and ready witted, to counterfeit himself to be _Mustapha_; and his Pretence was the more plausible, because his Stature, Physiognomy and Meen of his Body did somewhat resemble _Mustapha_’s. This Man began first, to shew himself in that part of _Thrace_ which was above _Constantinople_, towards the _Danube_, _Moldavia_, and _Valachia_. This Place he thought the most opportune to raise a Party, because it was full of Horse; and that part of the _Turkish Militia_ did most favour _Mustapha_. Here he starts up, as if he had fled in Post-haste from some remote Place, with a few in his Company; which he pretended were for his own Security. His Followers being asked by the Country, who he was? They answered, at first, whisperingly, that he was _Mustapha_. Hereupon they were more desirous to know the Truth; and then he was forced to declare himself, that he was _Mustapha_, indeed. Having made this prosperous Beginning, he goes on to congratulate his Safety among them, and to give God thanks. _First_, he told them, _That, when he was sent for by his angry Father, he durst not trust himself to come into his Presence; but, by his Friend’s Advice, suborned one, somewhat like him, to represent his Person, that, by another Man’s Hazard rather than his own, he might make Trial of his incensed Father’s Inclination towards him. This Man he hired with great Promises of Reward; but as soon as he came to his Father, he was strangled at his Tent-door, before he had any opportunity to make his Defence; and his dead Body was exposed to the View of the Soldiery. At which time_, said he, _there were some few that smelt out the Project; but most part was deceived by the disguised Lineaments of the deceased Body, and thought it was he himself that was slain. As soon as I heard of this_, said he, _I saw there was no Stay for me, but I must consult my Safety by a speedy Flight. I took but few in my Company, that I might be the less taken notice of and thus passing over ~Pontus~ and the ~Bosphoran~ Country, I am_, said he, _come hither; where I promise my self much Aid from your Fidelity, and, therefore, I beseech you lend me your helping Hand; and, seeing I am oppress’d by a wretched Step-mother, be you as forward to help me in my Affliction, as you were all ready to do so in my Prosperity. For my part, I am resolved to revenge my Wrongs, and to maintain my Life by force of Arms. For what other Course, pray, can I take? I owe my Life to my Father’s Mistake, who killed another Man instead of me; so that I plainly see, what Fate attends me, if ever I come into his Power. The miserable old Man is imposed on by the enchanting Passions of a Step-mother, whom he doats upon, and by the Ministry of ~Rustan~, to whatsoever Attempt they please. But, thanks be to God_, said he, _I have got some Friends left to revenge my Wrongs, and to punish my Enemies. And, besides, I am not quite daunted, but have a great stock yet of Courage left; for I know that the ~Janizaries~, and most of all my Father’s Court are on my side; and, then, upon hearing of my Name, I know all those who lamented me, when dead (as they thought), will joyn me, now they hear I am alive; only be you pleased to vouchsafe me a favourable Reception, and to protect me till sufficient Aid come in to me._ These were his private, and also his public Harangues, where-ever he came; and his instructed Followers ecchoed forth the same Report; yea, some Men of Note whom _Bajazet_ had suborned, sung Notes to the same Tune. Thus a great party of Men, unknown to _Bajazet_, were brought into the Noose. For the Matter was carried on so cunningly, that those who knew _Mustapha_, and saw him lie dead before his Father’s Tent, yet were afraid to believe their own Eyes, but suffered themselves to be persuaded, that this was the true _Mustapha_ indeed: Yea, some of _Mustapha_’s Intimates, who knew this was but a Cheat, were yet so overfond of his Memory, that, blinded either with Fear, Grief, or Anger, they were the first that listed themselves under this _Pseudo-Mustapha_, as being weary of their Lives without him; which made others certainly think, that this was the true _Mustapha_ indeed, whom Report had falsely given out to be slain. And, besides, the Impostor himself, by large Promises and great Presents, which he said were the Relicks of his former Acquisitions, (but indeed were the Supplies that _Bajazet_ had provided under-hand) did not cease to cajole and engage his Followers. So that in a very few Days he got a handsome body of Men together, fit for a little Army; and they encreased every day.

When _Solyman_ was made acquainted by Messages and Letters, which the neighbouring _Sanziacks_, had, in great trepidation, sent him, what hazard he was in by reason of the resort of such Multitudes, to this _Pseudo-Mustapha_; the cunning old Man knew one of his Sons must needs be privy to the Plot, and therefore, he made haste to disappoint it; chiding his _Sanziacks_, by Letter, that they suffered the Matter to come to such a Head, and had not rather crush’d the Cockatrice in the Egg; but, seeing they had been negligent hitherto, he commanded them to make amends for their former Remissness, and to send him presently, the Traitor and his Followers, Prisoners, in Chains, to receive their condign Punishment; and, to facilitate the Matter, he would send Aid to them, by one of his _Viziers_, _Partan Bassa_ who had married the Widow of _Mahomet_ aforesaid. However, he advised them, if they would purge themselves of their criminal Neglect, they should quell the Insurrection before his Succour came. _Partan_ had but a few Troops with him; but they were choice Men, eminent for Courage and Faithfulness. _Solyman_ took care to cull out Colonels, Captains, and other Commanders of that Inclination for this Service, as suspecting that others might have been corrupted, or enticed to pass over to the Tents of the Rebels; for, the Truth was, the ordinary sort of _Janizaries_, upon account of _Mustapha_’s Name, did not seem much averse from the Party; and, therefore, did not care what further Confusions might enhance the Danger on that side.

The _Sanziacks_, as soon as ever they received _Solyman_’s threatning Dispatches, began to bestir themselves, and to rouze up one another so that happy was he, that could do most Damage to the growing Party of the Impostor. Some of those that were going in to him, they intercepted; those that had already join’d him, they laboured to discourage by terrible Menaces and Denunciations of the Danger they were in. In the mean time, the Forces of _Partan Bassa_ were marching on, and being almost come up to the Place, the Party of the Tumultuous, which were not yet fully settled, seeing so great Preparations, made against them, began to be discouraged, (as is usual with Men in such Circumstances) and to drop off one by one; and at last the whole Body of them most shamefully left their Leader, and shifted for themselves, the belt they could. Their feigned _Mustapha_, with his chief Partisans and Setters on, would willingly have done so too; but he was so watch’d by the _Janizaries_, that he was taken alive, and sent Prisoner to _Partan_, who, with a strong Guard, sent him to _Constantinople_. When he came thither, _Solyman_ put him on the Rack, and by that means found out the whole Plot; how his Son _Bajazet_ was at the bottom of it, and had resolved, if they had not been so soon dissipated, to have join’d them with a considerable Force, and so either to have marched directly to _Constantinople_, or else (if Opportunity had served him) to have fought out his Brother; but being slow in his Actings, his Design was nipp’d in the very Bud. When _Solyman_ had thus ferreted out the Design to the bottom, he caused him and his Abettors to be thrown into the Sea at Midnight, not thinking it convenient to have the Matter divulg’d among his own People, or that foreign Princes should be acquainted with the domestic Differences of his own Family.

As for his Son _Bajazet_, he was mightily exasperated against him for his foul Offence, and was meditating in his Mind what grievous Punishment he should inflict upon him. In the mean time, his Wife being a prying Woman, and therefore allowing him but little space for his Anger to vent and cool itself, at last falling into Discourse with him of the Affair, she began to excuse her Son, laying all the Fault on his youthful Imprudence; and that some of his Ancestors also had been necessitated to undertake the like Attempts. For (says she) ’tis a natural Instinct in all Men to do what they can for themselves and their Friends, and to save their Lives, if they can; especially, young Men, in the fervour of Youth, are apt to be drawn aside by ill Counsellors to pernicious Attempts; and, therefore, it was but reasonable that his first Fault should be pardoned, because, if he repented, his Father had gained a great Point in preserving his Son; but if he relapsed again into the same Crime, then the Father was at liberty to inflict deserved Punishment on him, for both Offences, at one and the same time. But, proceeded she, if you will not pardon him for his own sake, yet be pleased to do it for mine; and spare our own common Flesh and Blood: For how, think you, can I bear it, that, of two Sons which God hath yet left me, your Severity should rend one of them from me? And, therefore, she intreated him to moderate his Anger, and not to let loose the Reins to Cruelty, though he had never so just an Occasion. Almighty God (said she) though most Powerful and Just, yet doth not always exert his highest Severities, but tempers them with Indulgence, else Mankind would be quickly destroyed. And, if Clemency may be shew’d to any, to whom, pray, more properly than to a Man’s own Children? _Bajazet_, for the future, will certainly keep within the bounds of his Duty, and the Fear, wherein he now is, will certainly be turned into the highest Degree of filial Obedience for the future. If you please to spare his Life, the Sense of your Indulgence will work this; for nothing is so obliging to generous Minds as Courtesies received. The Memory of his Pardon will restrain him from running a second time into the like Offence; and I my self will undertake for him, that for the future he will carry it towards you, as a most dutiful and obedient Son.

To these Intreaties she added Tears and Caresses, so that the old Man, who was Uxorious enough before, could no longer withstand her Importunities, but changed his Mind; and, instead of punishing, resolved to pardon his Son; but on this Condition, that he was to come into his Presence, and receive his Commands. His Mother, being exceeding glad at the good Success of her Interposal, was not wanting to the Occasion; but presently acquainted _Bajazet_ by Letters that, whenever he was sent for, he should not scruple in the least to come to his Father, for she had wrought a Reconciliation betwixt them, so that not the least spark of Discontent lay now covered in his Mind against him. Upon the Receipt of this good News, _Bajazet_ resolves to trust his Father, yet not without some Relicks of Fear; he reflected ever and anon on his Brother _Mustapha_, whose Example warned him of the Danger he underwent. However, conquering his Fear, come he did to the place of Conference appointed by his Father; it was called _Carestrane_, some few Miles distant from _Constantinople_.

You must know; that, now-a-days, ’tis the custom of the _Turkish_ Emperors, never to permit any one of their Sons, when once they are grown up, to set their Foot within the Gates of _Constantinople_, (whilst they are alive) for fear they should ingratiate themselves with the Soldiery, and so set up for themselves. As he was alighting from his Horse, some of his Father’s Servants were at hand to take away his Sword and Dagger. This struck his guilty Conscience into a little Fear, though it were accustomed to be done to others, that they might come unarmed into their Emperor’s Presence: But his Mother, who had placed her self on purpose near his Passage, looked out at a Window, using these Expressions, _Chear up, chear up, my Son!_ By which Antidote he was very much heartened and relieved.

As soon as ever he came into his Father’s Presence, the old Man bid him sit down, and then began to blame him very severely for his Rashness, in taking up Arms so causelesly. They may be looked upon, said he, as taken up against my self: But, grant you took them up only against your Brother, yet it takes off little from your Offence; for, if you had had your Wish, the _Ottoman_ Religion would have been quite shaken, if not overthrown, by the domestic Discords among our Family, (on the Heirs whereof it doth depend); so that, if you be a true _Mussulman_, such a Crime ought to have been far from your Thoughts. I might aggravate your Crime (said he) by telling you, that you aspired to the Government in my Life-time, which is so contemptuous a Thing, that your Offence is almost inexpiable: Nevertheless, I am resolved to pardon you, and to shew my self a loving Father, rather than a just Judge, that so for the future you may leave all to God; for Kingdoms, and the Governments of them are not disposed of by Man’s Pleasure, but by the Will of God. If he hath decreed that you shall have the Kingdom after me, no Man living will be able to hinder it: But, if God had otherwise determined, ’twas a mad Thing in you to go about to resist his Will; for that were to fight against God. And, therefore, let me advise you to be quiet; and not disturb your peaceable Brother, nor interrupt the Quiet of my old Age; for, I will assure you, if you commit a second Offence of this Nature, I will be so far from Pardoning you, that you shall have the Severity of Justice.

_Bajazet_’s Answer was very submissive, acknowledging his Fault, and promising Subjection for the future. Whereupon _Solyman_ called for Drink, and caused it to be given to his Son, (as the Custom is) which was a Sherbet, made of Sugar, and the Juice of certain Fruit. _Bajazet_ had rather have let it alone, as fearing it might have been his last Draught, but he could not handsomely refuse it: So he drank a little, and his Father drank a little after him; which freed him of his Fear. Thus _Bajazet_ was dismissed, and sent away to his Government, his Congress with his Father having been far more auspicious, than his Brother _Mustapha_’s was.