till this work should be finished but rather to try Fortune and endeavour by an assault to win the Walls In prosecution of this design and resolution the Prince sent for Axalla into his own Quarters because it concern'd him most in regard of his Office and because during this siege he had been most active he told him his intentions desiring him to prepare himself and his men for the next morning As soon as Axalla had drawn out his Souldiers he assaulted the Wall which was stoutly defended by the besieged but at last this Captains Valour assisted by twenty thousand of his Men took it by force and fortified himself there He could scarce keep back his Souldiers in their heat and fury from breaking in further according to the commands of Tamerlan which he was perswaded to give for two reasons First because he did not desire that the City should be won by assault for it was rich and full of all good things he was therefore afraid that the Enemies Army should come at that Instant when his Souldiers were busie in plundering the houses which would have caused their utter overthrow for rich Souldiers who have much to lose can never fight well Secondly he stopt his men from taking the City by assault because he intended to make of it a Magazine to furnish his Army and carry on his designs with greater security The loss of the Wall abated not the Courages of the besieged they defended themselves as obstinately and bravely as before in hopes of receiving speedily some succours from their King who was near at hand as they were rightly inform'd But in their greatest expectations the accident of a shot cast from one of the Engines which struck down a piece of Wood and wounded the Governour dangerously caus'd them to lose their Courages This worthy person so affectionate to his Prince and Country died of this Wound a few hours after leaving his Souldiers without heart or resolution for this brave Commander by his example and perswasions obliged them to hold out so long This unexpected accident forc'd them to consent to a Treaty with the Emperour before he should hear any news of their misfortune and of the loss of the numbers of men who had been killed in defending the Wall They expected better and more honourable Articles Tamerlan began to be weary with the long siege eight days were spent since the last assault and he saw no change in the Citizens resolutions and understood not that the King of China made any haste to fight him but when the King heard the Governour of Pekin was kill'd he was afraid of the consequence this made him draw towards the Besiegers with more speed with his Army in Battel Axalla who lodged upon the Wall perceived the Enemy first he went therefore to inform the Prince he rejoyced to hear such good news but his joy was much more increased when he saw the Deputies of the City who came to yield themselves and their City into his hands The Emperour receiv'd them with his wonted kindness promising the Inhabitants his protection if they would continue to him faithful but he threatned them with severe punishments if they offer'd to revolt The Articles were agreed to the Garrison in number about eighteen thousand men went out they were the remainder of thirty thousand in the beginning of the siege which lasted two full Months The Citizens were confirmed in all their priviledges and were mightily taken and enamoured with the sweet and loving disposition of their new Lord. At this same time the King of China who was at hand with all his Army understood that the City was delivered up by the Garrison that he met in his way The Lieutenant Governour he commanded to be executed with many Captains for their Cowardice but he pardonned the Souldiers who were not so guilty He commanded all his Army to stop their march in the very place where he received the news of this Cities surrender thinking more convenient to wait for Tamerlan there in a Ground that lay well for his Forces to draw up The Tartars spent eight days in repairing the breaches and furnishing the Town with all necessaries fit to abide a siege whatever happened The Emperour also mustered his whole Army paid off his Souldiers increased their Wages and rewarded every man according to his deservings he ascribed the honour of this Conquest so considerable to the cares and wise conduct of Axalla therefore he offer'd him the Government over this City and the Country which he had already conquered but he very fairly refused it desiring the Prince to bestow it upon some other Body because he desired no other reward but to bear a share in the labours of his Master whose Glory should be his chief aim and desire This answer pleased the Prince for he had offer'd it to him only because he had well deserved it but he was not willing that he should take it for he was desirous to have him always nigh his person knowing that he was courageous faithful and ingenious and well experienced in the Affairs of War When he refus'd it the Prince of Tanais accepted it with the Title of Vice-Roy Tamerlan having set all things in good order and dispatched some Messengers to the Emperour his Uncle and all his Friends to inform them of his happy successes and satisfied his Souldiers who were ten thousand men less than before he caus'd Prayers solemnly to be offer'd up to the God of Hosts during a whole day After this he march'd to find the Enemy who was with all his Army of his Subjects and Allies at Sintehâ— As soon as the King of China had understood that our Army was passed over the River of Culifu he caus'd it to be proclaimed all over his Camp that every one should be ready to fight for he did not desire to see the Tartarians farther in his Country to eat it up and destroy it But there was no Wisdom in that resolution for it caus'd him to lose his own advantages and run head-long into the mischief that was at hand for had he lengthened the War as he ought the many and strong Towns which were to be besieged one after another would have undermined Tamerlan's Army and render'd it unable to stand against his fresh Troops and for the Tartars they could not in reason advance so far as to leave behind them any one Town which might have cut off their Provisions Reason and Justice obliges Commanders of an Army to deal in this manner otherwise they may soon destroy the most flourishing Army Therefore the Emperour could not but say privately to some about him not in a boasting manner for he never us'd to boast of the greatest advantages that he hath had over his Enemies That the King of China was ill advised to desire a Battel that he would doubtless have cause to repent of this folly at his leisure because his Souldiers were not to be compared to his Men in
Strength and Courage When the King of China understood that the Tartars were marching towards him he advanc'd with his Army to meet them in such a glorious manner as if he had intended only to shew them his Grandeur and Riches Nothing appear'd to the Eye but Gold and Silver in his Army and the Chariot upon which he was mounted was so beset with Diamonds Rubies and Pearls that it was not possible stedfastly to fix the Eye upon it in the Sun This Prince of about thirty three years old had been brought up from his infancy in the delights and pleasures of the Court and not in the troubles of the War which requires a Body inur'd to pains and hardened against the inconveniences of the Seasons He was in his discourses insolent from his Mouth drop'd nothing but Threatnings Words of Contempt and Defiance complaining that he had been surpris'd by the Tartars and engag'd in a War without notice given as it is the Custom of his people Three or four of his Neighbouring Kings accompanied him in the same State and Splendour so that the hopes of such rich Spoils as were to be gotten with the Victory strangely encouraged the Tartarian Souldiers to behave themselves like men Whiles the two Armies were drawing nearer together Tamerlan took the Town of Thiauchevoi in his march which happened to be very useful to his Army in regard of its good scituation in the midst of Waters and Pasture Grounds for Cattel so that when Tamerlan saw it first he resolved to pitch there his Tents and see whether the Enemy would have so much boldness to attempt upon him in that place that would prove disadvantageous to him To engage the Chineses the sooner to a Battel he sent them a defiance and at the same time laid siege to Panihu which was a little behind him This Town was strong and well furnished with a stout Garrison Panihu was distant from Thiachevoi about ten Leagues so that it had not been convenient for the Emperour to return and assault it himself for then he had been forc'd to turn his Back to the Enemy he judg'd it therefore more fit for him to beset it with his Troops of Horse for these two Reasons First to hinder the Enemy from breaking in upon his Army and next that he might with more ease approach nearer to the King of China But this Precaution was not needful nor the Consultation that happen'd thereupon for when Odmar was return'd he assur'd him that the Chineses were within a Days March and that in all likely-hood the Battel would be the Day following At this news the Prince sends for Calibes who was with ten thousand Horse before Panihu commanding him to come to him with speed In the mean while he was careful to provide all things needful and to seek his advantages to win the Victory The Army advanc'd softly within a League of Thiauchevoi and the next day understood for certain that the Chineses were in their march towards him The Emperour with a merry Countenance as soon as he had acquainted Odmar with the Order that he intended to observe and drawn up his Men in the Field that he had chosen look'd upon the Enemy in their march at the head of six thousand Horse with which he advanc'd before his Army having Calibes with him He used thus to view the Enemy himself without trusting to other Mens Eyes He endeavour'd to draw them into the Field where his Army was ready for the Battel When he had well considered this vast Army he commanded Calibes as soon as he should be assaulted to retreat back in good order and draw the Chineses nearer to the Tartarian Troops He returned afterwards to his Army to prepare them for the fight disposing of his Infantry upon the decline of the Hill with their Artillery to defend them They were in number sixscore thousand men armed according to the Christians fashion under several Captains who obeyed Axalla as their Lieutenant-General The Cavalry was drawn up in a plain Ground having their Enemy at their right hand and their Infantry at the left to withdraw towards it in case of necessity They were in number fourscore thousand Horse Caliâ—â—es with the Tartars led the Van He was to command thirty thousand divided into three Bodies of ten thousand a-piece who had orders to join to him as soon as he should have drawn the Enemy into the Field according to the Prince's Orders Odmar was commanded to second him with thirty thousand more and Tamerlan led the Reer which he placed near one of the Wings of the Foot which he look'd upon as the chief strength of his Army His intention was to let those threescore thousand Horse begin the Battel led on by those two great Commanders He hop'd when they should have broken the Enemy or shaken them he would quickly defeat them He commanded them therefore to advance forward staying behind with his Infantry and twenty thousand chosen Horse able to win another Battel if his Men had been beaten When these things were thus order'd Calibes by retreating from the Enemy drew them on forward but sometimes he charg'd them home It was a beautiful sight to behold that great Army stronger than ours full of armed Chariots with which the Chineses expected to get a great advantage over Tamerlan's Army The Chineses were full of Gold and Silver their Armour Horses and Cloths were so loaden that the Tartars had just cause to wonder In the mean while the Emperour's Eye was every where he was well pleased to see Calibes execute his Orders so punctually and to behold the Chineses draw towards him in good order He endeavour'd to understand in what place their King was for that purpose he had near him the Lord of Vauchefu who was well acquainted with their Rules and Manners This Lord caus'd the Prince to take notice that they had but one Body which was not divided into Van and Reer and that the King was in the middle of his Chariots and Infantry Upon this Tamerlan turn'd back to his Men telling them That they must scatter that Golden Cloud and that the King of China must give them a share of his Riches As soon as he had spoken these words he gave not time to the Enemy to rest after a march of a long League but sent order to Calibes to begin to charge with his Van-guard and that he should send back his ten thousand wearied Horse to him Calibes could not prevail upon them to retreat but they as soon as the signal was given desired earnestly to go in the Front and give the first On-set under the Command of a young Lord named Ziocoatanes This Lord charg'd the formost of the Chineses Army so stoutly that he made them give back The Battel was Bloody for every one endeavour'd to shew his Courage and fight for the honour of their Prince and the safety of their Nation In an hours time it was not known which Party had
had been successful sent word to the remainder of his army to adventure over the night following and that as many as could should get aboard And to incourage his men the more and hasten them he passed over again himself to them for he knew nothing of the supply of men which Sinopes had received from the Land Army As soon as Sinopes saw the enemies he charged them desperately without delay The Sultan himself was wounded in performing the duty of a great Captain he passed over the water with a great number of his men to joyn with the other party In this dispute the Sultan lost a great many men and some Boats were sunk only twenty thousand were remaining behind in their Camp without any hopes of retreat to their Prince The Tartars assaulted and won their next Trenches but the innermost were so well fortified and guarded that the Commanders thought it no wisdome to venture upon them but rather to stay where they were than to hazard all upon an uncertainty They incamp'd therefore within the Trenches in expectation of that which they were to have by reason and the rules of War sooner than by force Which happen'd accordingly for as soon as the enemies saw themselves pen'd up and not able to look about by reason of the Tartars approaches they sent to desire to parlâ—â—y with them which was granted They sent to the Prince of Tanais a Parthian Officer who had a long time served under him but being left behind sick and taken by the Sultan he enter'd himself in his service After some demonstrations of his strength this Prince had made him Major General of his Infantry He desired to speak with the Prince of Tanais He told him that he had been sent with his Comrades from the Troops which he besieged to intreat him to shew them mercy and not to spill any more humane blood but without it to accept of the Victory which they offered into his hands upon the conditions that he should propose As the Prince of Tanais was visiting the Trenches he heard the offer of this Collonel with Joy He gave them liberty upon this condition that for the time to come they should be Subjects and Slaves to the Emperour and serve him in his Wars wheresoever they should be commanded All which they promised to perform Some were commissioned by the Prince of Tanais to receive their Oath Only the Lieutenant Geneneral of the Sultan and some other Captains departed in a Ship the night before to follow after their Master This Prince as we have taken notice was wounded at the passage of the River which caused him to retreat with his Cavalry twenty leagues to a place that belong'd to him yet As soon as he was arrived he died of his wounds to the great sorrow of his followers The Prince of Tanais who as soon as he could pursued him entered into this place named Palema a few dayes after his death and finding that he was not buried shed Tears for his unhappy end commanding that he should be interred according to his Quality and received very courteously all his Servants He had left behind him a Son who had carried with him all that would not yield to the Emperour They fled to the borders of Lybia into certain Towns of a difficult access because of the Wilderness that lies in the way to them There these poor men lived in hopes to be revenged of the Tartars and one day to restore their broken and ruined fortunes In this manner ended this last War with the Mameluâ—â—ks The Emperour was so troubled at it that he once resolved to march thither him-himself but the news of the Victory and of the Sultans death hindered him The Prince of Tanais was mightily applauded for his prudent conduct but Calibes's unhappy death dasht all the Emperours joy He was so worthy a man that he could not be sufficiently lamented chiefly by Tamerlan who lost in him a faithful servant and and a Great Captain The Prince of Tanais had his Offices and Government bestowed upon him with order to make his ordinary abode in Syria and Aegypt to watch and look over them and keep those Provinces in peace Sinopes was made Major General of the Imperial army which was commanded to return into Persia under the leading of the great Chamberlain who came to the Army at the close of the War with a considerable body of men For it was Tamerlans custome to cause one Army to march after another towards the places that wanted assistance This happy success of his Lieutenants shewed how much it concerns a Prince to dwell in the midst of his Dominions that he might with more ease and more speedily send forth his succours to defend any part or Corner The King of China was then at the Emperours Court to wait upon him according to the Articles of agreement concluded with him which he confirmed in the Princes presence and swore obedience and did him homage The Emperour endeavoured to render himself dreadful to this Heathen King who never kept his promises but when he pleased by shewing him his strong Towns well furnished with people He was astonished to see so many men cloathed so simply chiefly the Emperour that wore nothing but a garment of coloured Cloath without any Ornament He took notice also that all his attendants and Officers about him look'd as so many Kings by their Majestick contenances and behaviour Whiles he was at the Court news came of the Victory obtained upon the Sultan he was eye witness of the publick rejoycings which lasted eight dayes spent in sports feasting and other divertisements after that he returned to his own Country The Emperour gave order next to distribute double pay to his Army which was returning out of Aegypt into Persia with the Great Chamberlain and Sinopes Major General Afterwards he went to Quinzay to see his Son and satisfie the impatient wishes of this great City that desired passionately to enjoy him His presence was also needful to regulate all affairs as he had done in other places Axalla had no mind to be too busie because he had to do with a numerous people inclinable to commotions He was therefore afraid so far to concern himself as to give Tamerlan a disgust or cause the people to murmur Therefore he often spoke it that the ordering of the publick affairs was a great business which none was capable of but the Emperour For the intent of Tamerlan was to appoint the same Laws every where in his great Empire to command the use of the same Weights and Measures that the same Tributes should be setled in all parts according to each mans ability resolving as soon as his Incomes were regulated that he would make provision of Victuals which should be carried from place to place according as his Army should need He was wont to compare an Army with the humane body saying that the Captains were to be look'd upon as the head the Souldiers as the
of Tartary but also of the whole World The rumour of his march spread every where amongst the people and as the Moon which never continues two days the same this report increas'd and decreas'd according to the affections of the Authors and Entertainers of it But this caus'd the most passionate persons for Calix's Interest to grow cold and alter their intentions The Inhabitants also of this great City gather'd together in Companies some of five hundred others of a thousand others of two thousand to consult but not able to come to any setled resolution for they were afraid of Tamerlan's just displeasure having incens'd him by their baseness and infidelity for they had been sworn unto him and by the Emperours Command had acknowledged him for their Lord. They said amongst themselves that he was lawfully descended from so many Monarchs who had reigned over them very justly therefore their troubled Consciences fancied him at their Gates ready to punish them for having rashly open'd them to a Rebel who had plotted against his lawful Prince Whiles these people were thus justly troubled with several disquieting apprehensions Tamerlan expecting the Forces that he had sent for out of his own Kingdom of Zagatay drew nearer by degrees to the City of Cambalu His Army had pass'd Caindu and march'd strait to Calalia The Inhabitants of Cambalu had been deceived with the deceitful promises of Calix and as many persons do they had flattered themselves with large expectations of prosperity without thinking how deceitful the affairs of the World are and how subject to change When therefore they saw the Prince upon their borders they were mightily perplex'd with fear and displeasure for their Rebellion As soon as Calix understood it he went out of the City with a firm resolution to fight Tamerlan with all his Army He gathered his men from all parts intending to try the fortune of a Battel At the same time he received ill news from the Court that the Emperour was so far from being pleased with his undertaking that he had commanded his Souldiers in considerable numbers to gather together out of all the Garrisons and to march to help his Nephew unto whom in his most desperate sickness when he thought to have left the world he had sent his Imperial Ring giving out an express Command that all his Subjects should obey him as his own Person This news together with that of Tamerlan's approach caused him to hasten to hazard all in a Battel For that intent he took out of Cambalu fifty thousand men partly Inhabitants and partly Garrison Souldiers plac'd there by the Emperour This Garrison was in number thirty thousand Calix had won them by the means of their Officers and Governours who were of his Party and had consented to deliver up into his hands this great City When all his Souldiers were together in a Body they amounted to fourscore thousand Horse and one hundred thousand Foot His design was so well ordered that if the Moscovites whom he had sollicited under-hand had answer'd his expectations and enter'd into the Province of Zagatay to stop the march of the Parthians Army in whom Tamerlan had the greatest confidence it is certain that Calix might have put this Prince to a non-plus chiefly because he had the City of Cambalu to assist and favour him It is therefore very dangerous for such as govern to anger great ones or not to mind their behaviour If their displeasure be incouraged by their Credit and Interest in the Provinces they are more inclineable to stir and cause disturbances We must here acknowledge that the Emperour of Moscovy was a great Friend to Tamerlan in this occasion by refusing to assist a rebellious Subject against his lawful Prince He had in vain endeavoured to disswade him from his wicked purpose and reduce him to obedience Odmar much taken with this just proceeding was wont to speak of it often to Tamerlan so that he was an useful Instrument to preserve friendship between these two Princes As soon as the Succours of the Parthians were come to Tamerlan he march'd with diligence against Calix He understood by the means of two thousand Horse whom he had sent before that the Enemy came to meet him in good order This news caus'd him to detach two thousand more to seise upon the passage of a River named Brior as well to secure his Provisions as to stop there and suffer the Rebels to think upon their fault which either a little time would infallibly call to mind or the want of food unto which he hoped to reduce them or at least to put them in disorder In this particular Rebellious Armies differ much from Royal Armies where Order and Discipline joyn hand in hand and preserve Union and Plenty In this march of the Prince against Calix he forgot not the Command of the Emperour his Uncle to make a notable example of this Rebel and of his Confederates to secure by that means the peace of his Empire and of his days This consideration made him act with caution that he might not miscarry in any thing He saw that his own Army did increase every day by the arrival of new Levies from all parts whereas the Enemies Army wanted already Provisions because they could scarce have any from Cambalu a Wilderness lying between the City and the Camp and certain Mountains at the end of the Wilderness where a Subject of the Grand Cham commanded named Cangi This Lord had promis'd to let the Provisions pass when Calix was in his Territories but as soon as he was at a distance he refused it and took all that came into his hands he had a greater power to perform this because Tamerlan had sent him four thousand Horse to guard him and his Country This grievous accident which Calix never could foresee caus'd him to resolve upon a Battel But Tamerlan understanding his wants and the cause of his speedy resolution had seized all the Passes and Fords of the River of Brior for his own Army it had fourteen miles behind it a fat and a plentiful Country besides the Salt Lake and the River of Ostan which was beyond so that he could stay till the Enemy did assault him for this wise and experienced Prince judg'd it advantagious to him to suffer the Enemy to spend himself and his Provisions by degrees The two Armies stood two Months looking upon one another All this time was spent in light skirmishes When Calix understood the intent of Tamerlan he resolv'd to return back to Cambalu where he knew that he should have all things in abundance and the rather because he understood that some practices were acting against him there As soon as the Prince perceiv'd it he pass'd over the River with all his Army which consisted of one hundred and fifty thousand Horse and two hundred thousand Foot After that he had consulted his chief Officers he resolved to try the fortune of a Battel This resolution was grounded chiefly
some likelyhood of obliging the Ottoman Family to hearken to reason and free the Grecians from their apparent danger and oppressions Axalla soon sent him word that all things were ready and his Souldiers prepared for a March in Sachetay The Prince at this news took his leave of the Emperour his Uncle leaving behind the Princess his Spouse to comfort his Father in his decrepit old Age. These adieux of the Uncle and the Nephew and of the Prince and his Spouse were grievous and troublesome and the rather because she had never forsaken him in all his Travels and Expeditions But when the glory of his Empire the ease of his people and the deliverance of his Friends were concerned nothing was able to keep him He often declar'd That he had been born for War and that he ought to take there his delights and pleasure and that all other things that he acted out of this Sphere he performed not with any affection And he declared That he was appointed by God to bring down the pride of imperious Tyrants The Night immediately before his departure from Cambalu he had a Dream which we may not pass over in silence He thought he had seen a great Company of grave and old Men stretching out their Hands to him intreating him to lend his assistance to free them from certain proud Tyrants that afflicted them with divers Torments He often said That to his imagination he never beheld a more venerable Company that deserved a greater respect and consideration some of them seem'd to him in his Sleep to be cloathed in white beautiful Garments others were attired in Cloth of Gold some of them as he thought had Crowns on their Heads The respect and compassion he had for them obliged him in his Sleep to reach out his hand to them and draw them all out of a very low place where they were shut up The Prince discover'd this Dream the next day after his departure to many of his Attendants but as no person then could presume to tell him the meaning he never mentioned it afterwards He went from Cambalu conducted through the Town followed with the Prayers and Wishes of all the People and receiving all the expressions they could give him of their Love and Loyalty Several persons of quality offered him many Gifts in return of his kindnesses that the City had received from him during his abode there Calibes and the Prince of Tanais attended upon him The Prince was made chief Colonel of all the Infantry instead of Axalla who had been before appointed to be Lieutenant-General of the whole Army and Chief Commander of the Van. Calibes was to bring up the Reer Tamerlan never had more hopeful Troops nor a more numerous Army Every day fresh Companies were coming in from all Parts to join the Army The Lord of Vauchefu of China earnestly desiring to express his thankfulness to his Benefactor by some noted Action had leave granted to him by Odmar to accompany him in this glorious expedition He brought with him twenty thousand of the Chineses who were glad to serve their new Lord and understand the Tartarian Customs and Manners in War Odmar was afraid of some mishap during the Prince's absence not so much from the unconstancy of the Chineses as from the unconstancy of Fortune Tamerlan had sent him word of his designs and expedition unto which Odmar advis'd and encourag'd him telling him also That he was come on purpose to bring down the Proud and raise up the Humble Therefore there was nothing could more displease and anger him than the sight of a proud and haughty mind He made this inclination of his sufficiently appear when he was in China for casting his Eyes and considering that lofty Nation he saw nothing but an empty vanity in all their proceedings I am sent said he to his Officers to bring down the unsufferable pride of these people and I hope I shall abase them After a few days March Tamerlan's Army got as far as Ozara the General Rendezvous of all his Troops And because they were not all arrived he went with his Guards to Samarcande the place of his Nativity from whence he had been absent about three years Zamay came out to meet him with an infinite Multitude of people who filled the Air with Acclamations Applauses and Prayers for his prosperity All the Princes and Lords of the Country met him also to pay him their respects and the whole City did ring with joy for the happy return of their noble Prince whom the people loved intirely He staid there about a Month in the mean while Axalla came with his Troops to the rendezvous at Ozara where he made all things ready for a March and waited for his Princes orders He had sent him the news of the progress of Bajazet and of all his proceedings Tamerlan had sent word to the Muscovites and acquainted them with his intentions to march against the Turks requesting him to send him a few Troops This Prince had heard of the great preparations for War that the Tartars made he was jealous that they were intended against himself but he was eas'd of his fears and rejoyced to hear that Tamerlan was marching with his numerous Army against the Ottoman Family whose prodigious growth had given him cause to be afraid He sent therefore his Embassadours to Tamerlan to offer him in his expedition all the assistance that he desired The Prince intreated him to send him fifteen thousand Horse with some Monies due to him and a free passage over his Country All this was readily granted by the Czar who continued faithful in his Allyance and League with Tamerlan This dreadful Army of the Tartarians caus'd all Men to expect the abasement of the Ottoman power which in a few years was grown dreadful to all the World and insupportable to all their Neighbours for this cause as well as for the Confederacy contracted with the Paleologues Tamerlan was resolved to withstand Bajazet with all his might He chose rather to assault him in his new Conquests than to stay to be assaulted by him in his own Country amongst his people to their unspeakable damage and loss This wise resolution of Tamerlan was intended for these two purposes first his Army would live upon the Enemiesâ—â—Country and spend of his Substance securely if Fortune should frown upon him there his own Territories would be never the worse and he should lose none of them thereby so that all the advantage would prove to be on his side Prince Axalla was the chief Agent of this Expedition he govern'd at this time both the Empire and the Emperour His great Authority being a Christian gave a jealousie and displeasure to several Grandees of the Court but his discreet Behaviour and obliging Disposition together with his rare Vertues that appear'd in all the course of his life and the notable Services that he had perform'd stopt the mouths of all envious persons and kept him up in
of his Ministers that he might not be mis-led and that he intreated him to value and esteem his friendship which should never fail him in time of need It is not to be imagin'd how joyful the Embassadours were to hear this courteous and generous Speech from the Prince's Mouth to refuse a large and rich Empire and the most stately and magnificent City of the World few Princes would have had that extraordinary moderation But it is not to be expected that many Tamerlans should live in these corrupt Ages Axalla had Orders to treat and feast the Embassadours and to shew them all the honour and courtesie possible One of them was sent with all speed to carry news to his Master of their successful Embassie which had proved more prosperous than could have been expected When therefore the Greek Emperour had understood fully the the truth the whole City was transported with joy the Churches were throng'd with Votaries and there was nothing to be seen every where but Bone-Fires feastings and a publick rejoycing of all the People that extoll'd Tamerlan's Name and prais'd him for his wonderful moderation The Greek Emperour called his Council to consult whether it were not convenient for him to go and meet Tamerlan and express to him his thanks Personally for all his favours and labours It was resolved that he should without delay go in Person Tamerlan understanding of this intent seem'd to be very joyful He commanded Axalla to meet the Emperour the first day of his departure to assure him that Tamerlan would look upon it as a very great honour and would be mighty glad to see him in the City of Bursa When the Greekish Emperour was near the Gates the Prince went to meet him and received him in great State and Pomp. They were together one whole day which was spent in expressions of kindness affection and acknowledgment which they exchang'd one with the other The next day the Greekish Emperour departed out of the City and the Prince accompanied him with the same obliging and noble manner as he had received him After his departure Tamerlan discover'd an inclination to see the famous City of Constantinople which was then look'd upon as the Wonder of the World but he desired to go incognito that he might avoid all jealousies and fears Axalla mannag'd this business so secretly that the Prince's departure was not known He was there received by the Emperour Emanuel without Ceremony as a private Person But he endeavoured by all possible means to satisfie Tamerlan's curiosity and to shew him all the Rarities of the City every day he entertain'd him with new delights and satisfactions He was the more pleas'd because he was known to none but to those unto whom he desired to discover himself for he and all his Train were clothed in Greekish Habits Therefore when he was gone the Citizens were surpris'd to hear that Tamerlan had been to see their City The Greek Emperour had shewn him all the pleasant Gardens and beautiful Palaces that stand near the Sea about a league or two round the City They walk'd together as two private Persons Thus they spent five or six days with much satisfaction on both sides Tamerlan did often confess since that he had never seen a more glorious City that it was worthy in regard of its advantageous scituation to command the whole World He look'd with admiration upon the rich and stately Buildings the rare Pillars with all their Ornaments the wonderful Pyramides of such a prodigious height which Constantine the Great had erected in imitation of those of Egypt He admired all the beautiful Gardens so neat and curious and declared that he was never sorry for his Expedition because he had thereby saved from burning and plunder the noblest and most beautiful City of the World He was often heard to praise the Emperour Emanuel for his mildness and humanity When he knew that Tamerlan delighted in beautiful Horses he gave him thirty of such a rare shape strength and excellency that they could not be matched in the World He presented him also with the richest Cloaths of Gold and Silk in the Country and sent great Gifts to all his Lords and Princes of the Army And whilst it continued in that place he provided all things needful for the Souldiers in such plenty that no Person had cause to complain of want At last after fifteen days stay at Bursa and a strict Alliance concluded upon between the two Princes Tamerlan in pursuance of his design resolved to visit the Sultan of Egypt before his departure to his own Country to chastise him because he had assisted Bajazet against him for in all his proceedings he shew'd himself dreadful to the Enemies that had offended him and mild and courteous to his Friends CHAP. VI. Tamerlan's War and Expedition against the Sultan of Aegypt THe Army departed very well satisfied from Bursa which Tamerlan delivered to the Greekish Emperour after that he had driven away the Turks from all strong Holds and recover'd all that they had won since the beginning of Bajazet's reign All his Souldiers were fled either beyond the Mountains or over Sea into Europe There was no place in all Asia that held for him so dreadful had Tamerlan's Army been to the Turks that they forsook all their Possessions in Asia Andronicus Palealogus the Emperours Nephew accompanied the Army with ten thousand chosen Horse which his Unkle had sent with him to serve in the Wars against the Sultan of Aegypt with whose Army Tamerlan had several encounters when they assisted Bajazet Amongst all these successes and prosperities the Prince received the joyful news of the birth of a Son of which the Empress his Wife was happily delivered This caused the whole Army to congratulate their Princes happiness by publick feasting Bone-fires and all other tokens of an universal joy He understood by the same express that all things were in peace in the Empire that the old Emperour his Unkle was in perfect health which pleased him well for he was afraid that he should drop away in his absence and that some great Persons or certain Favourites should cause a disturbance and a division in his absence amongst his Subjects tho the example of the other Rebels who had been sufficiently punish'd for their folly ought to have made them wise and besides when a Prince hath his weapons in his hand and is become dreadful to Strangers he need not much fear any rebellious intrigues and practises at home amongst his own Subjects For commonly men that are the most ambitious follow him in the War but when a Prince is soft and effeminate the Souldiers that are without imployment runs to him who makes the greatest complaints and who commonly vails his ambitious pretences with an appearance of a just grievance In such a case before a disarmed Prince is able to gather together his Troops and make new levies of Men to compose a Body of an Army the Rebellion may
soon as he could hear of any though in the deepest misery he was wont to send for him receiving him in this obliging manner My friend I intreat thee let me be a partaker of thy Wisdom and I will make thee a partaker of my Riches Upon this subject he did often complain that he had many gifts offered to him of Gold Silver Jewels and rich Moveables but very few did offer him those Ornaments and Graces which are needful to govern well so many differing Nations that he had in his Empire Amongst the chief Officers of his Court and dearest Friends there was a Genoese a Christian named Axalla who had been brought up with him from his Cradle and for whom the Parthians had a great respect He was the chief incourager to set the Prince on to great and noble Actions and worthy Enterprises The difference in Religion never hinder'd Tamerlan from listning to him and believing him for as I said before when God alone the Creator of Heaven and Earth was worshipped he never troubled himself nor enquir'd into the differing Modes of worship He was wont to say that it did become the greatness of the Divine Majesty to be served and adored by all the Nations of the Earth in divers manners according to the diversity of people But he hated all Idolaters and would not suffer them to abide in his Dominions So that the Christian Faith which Axalla profess'd openly hinder'd him not from enjoying and possessing the greatest honours and dignities of Tamerlan's Army and Court CHAP. III. The War proclaim'd by Tamerlan against the King of China but stopt by the Revolt of a Calix a great Lord of Tartary his defeat and Execution WHen Tamerlan had privately made sufficient preparations for the Expedition that he had promis'd his Uncle not only for the reasons already mentioned but also because it tended to the Publick Peace to imploy the Subjects of so great an Empire in a Forreign War for otherwise either their numbers or their stirring dispositions might have proved prejudicial to the State every one was surprised to see that the Cloud that had been long a gathering was going to fall upon China The King of this large Country who is named the Off-spring of the Sun expected no such matter But to acquaint him with the reasons of such great preparations Embassadours were sent to him to require a restitution of all the Lands Estates and Feedings which he had taken from the Tartars contrary to the last Treaties These Lands are lying beyond a River called Tachii and beyond that famous Wall which bound both Empires and which the King of China caus'd to be built to secure himself and people from the frequent Inroads of the warlike and restless Tartarians What answer this proud Monarch would make to this Embassie was known before therefore all the Troops were commanded to advance and hasten to their general Rendezvous The Parthians were to meet at Hirdas of Baschir where the whole Army was to joyn them but the Tartarians were ordered to gather together in the Wilderness of Ergimul where Tamerlan with all his Forces was to come to them at a certain day The Grand Cham's Army had two hundred thousand fighting men all well disciplin'd and inur'd to labour and pains In this Army besides were several considerable Lords and worthy Commanders who had render'd themselves famous in many Encounters and Wars in which the Emperour before the decline of his Age had been ingag'd and by which he had inlarg'd the bounds of his great Empire When Tamerlan's Embassadours were return'd out of China they brought this insolent answer that this proud Prince puff'd up with a strange conceit of his own power wonder'd that the King of the Parthians was so bold to make War upon him that he judg'd it more reasonable for him to rest satisfied with that which he could take away from him with his mighty Army that he regarded not the progress that Tamerlan had made with his Forces nor their successes already they were too weak to be compared with the numerous Armies of the Chineses This proud Answer caus'd all deliberation to cease Tamerlan instantly sent a Messenger to the Emperour to let him understand the posture of Affairs and this vain-glorious Answer of the King of China In the mean while he gave all necessary orders for Provisions and Ammunitions to be sent to the Rendezvous of the Army from all parts and for the Tartars Army to advance forward with an intention to joyn both his Armies in few days But before his departure he was willing to take his leave of the King his Father and recommend his just Cause and Expedition to his Prayers This good Parent being sensibly mov'd at the goodness and piety of his Son imbrac'd him several times After many hearty wishes for his prosperous Expedition he spake to him in these terms Farewel my Son I shall see you no more I feel my self departing to my final rest I am going to exchange this perishing life so full of misery for another more happy Then he took his Royal Ring from off his Finger and gave it to his Son without enquiring into the causes of his Wars The old Father call'd Odmar and spoke to him to recommend his Sons concerns to his care and fidelity in a manner so full of gravity and goodness that he seem'd to have something in him more than humane After this the Prince return'd to Samarcande where the Empress his Spouse was whom he intended to carry with him in the wars according to the Custom of that Nation And as he was naturally very thankful for the services that he had received he visited the Tomb of his faithful servant Haly and according to the manner of his Law he caus'd prayers to be said during three days entire for the peaceable rest of his Soul Finally he gave order to the Government of his Kingdom and for the preservation of the Frontier Towns and committed all to the inspection of Samay a man of great worth and experience who had tutor'd him in his young days Tamerlan could not easily forget such kind of services he had a particular respect for those that taught him Vertue he kept for them as much affection as if he had been still under their tuition This generous inclination so full of goodness made him highly reverenced and beloved of his People He went from Samarcande to Hirdas of Baschir where his Army was quarter'd consisting only of one hundred thousand Foot and fifty thousand Horse There he gave orders to the rest of the Army to march as soon as he should send them word His greatest dependency was upon the Forces of the Grand Cham his Uncle who mightily incourag'd this War But when he was at the Rendezvous he was forc'd to make a stop because of his indisposition occasion'd chiefly through the change of the Air as his Physicians imagin'd In the mean while the Army of the Grand Cham was upon
this while Tamerlan seem'd to be asleep and expected nothing else that he might give a Check to the ambition of this Fooâ—â— He went forward with his Army a days journey towards Calibes unto whom he had dispatch'd a Messenger with the news of this Rebellion Tamerlan called together his Council and Chief Officers of both Armies and spoke to them in this manner Tamerlan's Speech to his Council of Officers I Am perswaded my Friends that you will all advise me to set by the Enterprise against China and endeavour the quenching of these Flames that are kindled in the Bowels of our Country that I may preserve that Kingdom where you desire that I should Reign and where all the faithful servants of my Lord and Vncle have received me with applause and expressions of joy I am in duty bound to help him to punish Calix for his Rebellion and Insolency He alone hath resisted the Emperours intentions and refus'd to acknowledge me and yield to my Promotion to the Empire of Tartary But we must also think at the same time of resisting our Forreign Enemy whose vast Armies are as likely to assault us as to oppose our attempts It is very likely that the Chineses are made the bolder by Calix's Rebellion with whom it is probable they hold Correspondency and to whom they may have promis'd assistance and protection with a design to divert our Forces which they saw were all coming against their Country to re-take what they had usurped upon us Therefore my Friends I think it best that whiles I shall go back to chastise the ambitious Rebel Calibes should stay upon the Frontiers with five and twenty thousand of the Parthians Cavalry and forty thousand of the Emperours and with one hundred thousand Foot to hinder the Chineses from breaking into our Country I shall leave at his Command all the provisions of Victuals and Arms which we have gathered for our Army and put into some place of security our Artillery and warlike Engines In the mean while I will march back with the remainder of the Army against Calix and order Samay to meet me with fifty thousand Horse and when I shall see convenient I will stay to wait for the Emperours Commands This Discourse of Tamerlan was well lik'd of by all the chief Officers of the Council though some that had not understood this Rebellion were of a contrary judgment They said that it was a temerity to ingage in a War with the King of China in such a time when a Civil Dissention breaks out like a Cancer that consumes the Entrails of the Kingdom and disappoints all foreign designs that it was wisdom to secure the Heart of a Country before one attempts the Conquest of another But these persons were not well acquainted with the Princes Secrets for the long knowledge of the rebellious practices of Calix had made him keep up an Army always ready to march at his first motion They knew not that Tamerlan apparently displeas'd at this Rebellion was not really angry to go into his new Empire with weapons in his hands for a Cause that his Uncle judg'd to be just because this would gain to him the affection of the Souldiers and give him a new possession of and Title to the Empire that had been given him and because this tended to the security of his Dominions for the future for by the punishment of this Rebel others would ever be discouraged from making new attempts We must confess that Tamerlan's wisdom appear'd as well by this separation of the Tartarian Army as by obliging Calibes to stay upon the Borders though he knew very well that this Lord was desirous to follow him to be an Eye-witness of the event of this Civil War that he might govern himself according to the good or bad success The Prince of Tanais who had an eye upon Calix and without whose advice he never did any thing commanded the Van of the Parthians Army that was left behind Thus both Armies were divided The King of China was a long while without understanding any thing of this inward Rebellion He thought the whole Army of the Parthians and Tartarians had been at hand for Tamerlan had taken great care to stop the passages that no News could pass This favour'd Tamerlan's designs not a little The Army where his Person was marched back with diligence and great hopes of success The Van led by Odmar staid upon the borders of those Provinces where Calix had his Agents until the Prince had sent to acquaint the old Emperour with all things that had passed But when the Messenger was return'd he understood that the Emperour was desperately sick and that the whole Empire was inclineable to Rebellion This News made him leave his Infantry behind and to draw with more haste nearer to the Enemy with all his Cavalry His coming was to him unexpected Calix had been with his Army of one hundred thousand men before the great and proud City of Cambalu the Metropolis of the Province of Catay The Inhabitants had open'd their Gates and received him with as much joy as if he had been their lawful Soveraign They were so blind and foolish as to send some of their own Citizens with the Deputies which the Rebel had dispatch'd to the Court held then at Quinsay They had Orders in his name to assure the Emperour of his obedience and fidelity and with studied expressions to impose upon him by colouring his Revolt with the hatred against the Parthians and their solemn League which they had lately made never to own Tamerlan for their Prince They beseeched his Majesty to substitute in his place Calix that their glorious Empire might not be inslaved to a Stranger of Zagatay At this same time there was news secretly flying that the Prince of Parthia was already upon the borders of Catay and that he was followed by the best Troops of the Empire Calix could never stifle this Rumour to keep on his side such as had too unadvisedly ingaged themselves in this Quarrel out of a perswasion that Tamerlan would not be able to return in eight Months from his Expedition into China whatever success and happiness he met with Calix with all his subtle fetches could not work upon their minds already possessed with the fear of the punishment which their Rebellion had deserved They were as much surpris'd and affrighted as are a company of Scholars when their Master finds them quarrelling and in a disorder contrary to their duty At this time the Tartarians were Courting of Calix at Cambalu where he received the Homages of the Provinces that yielded to him But this unexpected coming of Tamerlan was a dreadful news that dasht all their joys some of them were asham'd of their sudden and inconsiderate Rebellion which so much the more deserved a punishment because it was acted against their lawful Lord and against the greatest Captain of the World whose Vertue was worthy to command not only the Empire
Parthians they will desire also to return to their Country and the Tartarians to theirs whereas if now you march immediately to the Frontiers you may easily get a Victory which otherwise you may lose No doubt but the King of China believes that you are much ingag'd in your own Country with your hands full that your Army is daily weakned by the Rebels who had almost snatch'd the Empire from you He believes your designs are disappointed considering the weakness of the Army commanded by Calibes their behaviour causeth him to conceive that they are sent thither rather to secure Tartary than to assault China It may be he hath heard some persons tell him that which many of your own people suspect but I dare not affirm it as true because it is not lawful for me to enquire into the wise counsels of Princes that the cause wherefore you have left Calibes the Chief of the Tartars upon the Borders was only to secure his person and to remove the cause of your fears rather than out of any desire to proceed on in the Conquests which you pretended to make Lose not therefore mighty Prince such a favourable opportunity to succeed which God offers to you opportunity is bald catch hold of her whiles you may But if I have offended your Majesty with the freedom of my discourse use me according to your pleasure I am your Slave and here is my Head This Speech of Odmar made Tamerlan sad he chang'd countenance often but Odmar nevertheless continued on being so much the more animated by his zeal and affection for his Person and Glory He repeated to him again the same discourse kissing the Hem of his Garment as they use to do to the Emperours The Prince with his eyes fix'd upon him told him that this was the cause of his pensiveness he was overcome with his affection and faithfulness and was not in a power to reward him according to his deservings that in this particular he had found more than in any other thing a sign of his Fathers wisdom in that he had chosen Odmar to be near him and assist him with his wise Counsels That necessity that made him cast away all thoughts of rest taught him that Soveraign Princes are like their Creator in this that his Glory hath no limits and consists in action that though he had flatter'd himself with the thoughts of resting a while from his former labours he now saw himself forc'd unless he would renounce the new Laurels that waited for him to prefer all the inconveniencies and troubles of the Desarts of Cipribit to the pleasures and delights of Quinsay that he was nevertheless resolv'd to quit his first intentions Alhacent the Arabian Historian declares that he hath often heard Tamerlan confess that at this instant Odmar seem'd not to speak to him as a mortal Man but as a Messenger of God whom he had sent to divert from him a mischief that would have perhaps fallen upon him and to give him an opportunity to increase his Glory In the mean while the news of the Princes going to visit the Emperour his Uncle spread every where to the great satisfaction of many who imagin'd that they should also go and visit their Parents and Country But the next day he commanded the General Musters of the whole Army and spoke to his Souldiers in this manner Tamerlan's Speech to his Army WE had sometimes since an intent brave Souldiers to go and assault the King of China to oblige him to restore what he hath taken from the Tartarians and recover the Lands beyond the Mountains which he hath usurped upon us to the great shame of our Nation whose Glory we purpos'd to restore but to our grief we have been hindered by the sawciness of Calix who forced us to return back to punish his insolency With the assistance of your Arms and Invincible Courages we have quenched the flames of the Rebellion that he had kindled with his blood and with that of his Companions I could have wish'd that this Victory had been rather upon Strangers and a Foreign Nation than upon our own unfaithful and rebellious subjects In such a case I had been as joyful as when at my first appearance in Arms with you we overcame the proud Muscovites I must confess I am more oblig'd to you for this than for that because your courages and valour appeared more visibly in this Civil War for you were to encounter with some as brave as your selves you were to encounter with Tartarians who had forgot what they were their Allegiance to their Prince I cannot call to mind this mournful passage without tears I could willingly bury in Oblivion this unhappy Victory though I have gain'd by it much honour I mind you of it at present only to make you understand that I can never forget your faithfulness and services expressed sufficiently in this occasion But we must not stop here we must turn our Arms next against those that think that we are lost for ever whereas we are victorious we must go to our Companions that wait for us who have delayed the execution of their designs till they hear of our successes and victory we must go and spend the Winter with them All our Ammunitions are there doubtless the sleeping Enemy expects us not in this season of the year they rest with confidence upon the weakness of our Troops whose intent they imagine is only to defend themselves as not in a capacity to assault them You shall have double Pay to buy Cloaths and arm your selves against the Cold and I hope that with these new Garments we shall purchase to our selves new honour and glory As soon as his Discourse was ended the Souldiers cryed out with a loud voice One God in Heaven and one Emperour upon Earth At the same time they bowed their Heads to him to express their reverence and declared that they would perform whatsoever the Prince should command them After this every one went strait to his Tent. The Army abode in the same place eight days without stirring only Zamay was sent with five and twenty thousand Horse and fifty thousand Foot to Zagatay to secure that Kingdom He sent also an Express to the Emperour his Uncle to inform him of all his Resolutions and to intreat him in the Spring to send him fifty thousand men or thereabouts to recruit his Army with Money to pay his Souldiers and Ammunition of War with provisions for the Belly Thus when he had given all necessary Orders and caus'd publick Prayers to be made according to Custom he commanded the Army to march towards the Mountains CHAP. IV. Tamerlan 's Expedition against the King of China THE Provinces of Leaotum and of Pekin which the Chineses had taken from the Tartarians were the Causes of that anger and displeasure which they could not dissemble They found themselves by this means and by a prodigious Wall of a vast length built in the passage of the
their Prince fighting couragiously against the Heathens who worshipped false Gods The next day Tamerlan caused all his rich Tents to be spread and placed his Guards in such a manner as might make his Grandeur to appear the more the chief Officers of his Army being near his Person to wait upon him he then sent to Axalla that he should bring before hime the King of China As soon as he understood that he was coming he went out of his Tent to meet him This great Prince was not cast down by his misfortune he appear'd at this instant with the Countenance of a Man of courage As soon as he had enquir'd of Axalla by his Interpreter which was the Emperour he spoke to him in this stately manner My Gods have been so displeas'd against my Country and my happiness that they have made me thy Prisoner And if it be true what Fame speaks of thee that Tamerlan fights for nothing but for the glory of his Nation this that thou hast now purchased ought to satisfie thy mind to have subdued with thy Sword the Off-spring of the Sun and the Lord of the World who is now in thy power and at thy disposal He spoke these words with a free and bold air and not as a Supplicant The Emperour saluted him first very civilly and caus'd him to be led into his Tent where he answer'd him by his Interpreter That an unjust cause is hateful to every Divinity whether true or false that for his part he gave thanks to the immortal and incomprehensible God the Creator of Heaven and Earth whom he worshipped for the late Victory which he acknowledg'd to have receiv'd from his bounty alone as the King of China ascrib'd the cause of his misfortune to his mistaken Divinities but he promis'd that he would not abuse the advantage that he had got upon him but that he would endeavour by all civil and courteous dealing to cause him to forget his present condition The King of China surpris'd with this unexpected discourse return'd him his thanks At the close of this discourse Tamerlan drew back a little to observe the motions and behaviour of this great Prince whom he beheld stedfastly with delight He ask'd him afterwards what he thought of the Actions and courage of his Souldiers in the Fight The King answer'd That when he saw so feeble an Army in Comparison of his came to him he was fully perswaded to get the Victory but the Gods had otherwise order'd it He enquir'd from Tamerlan whether his Brother had been killed or a Prisoner Before the reply was made one of the Commanders there present desired to know whether he did fight near his person He told them that he commanded in the Battel the Cavalry and wore as himself a Princely Attire They answer'd him that he was taken then he fetch'd a deep sigh which caused some to be so inquisitive why he was displeased that his Brother should run the same hazards as himself and fall into the same condition He replyed That in his misfortune he had this comfortable perswasion That his Brother the second expectation of the Chineses would not forsake him but would attempt every thing to re-establish his Affairs and the reputation of his Countrymen He lamented pittifully at his mishap but praised his Courage But Tamerlan knew very well that he was escaped and out of his reach for he had rallied all the broken Troops of Horse and was fled Odmar had been sent after him to hinder him from gathering together too numerous a Body The chief Prisoners were brought next they were loaden with so much Gold and precious Jewels that it is not to be conceived The two Kings Confederates and Tributary to China appear'd first As soon as this Prince saw them coming he arose to honour them and they fell down and worship'd him almost in their salutation he wish'd them to rise from the Ground Tamerlan ask'd who they were the King of China answer'd that they were his Friends one the King of Chiampa the other the King of Cochinchine and that he was sorrowful for their misfortune as much as for his own which made him willing to follow them in death He spoke in this manner imagining that the Tartarian Custom was like that of China to kill and destroy all their Prisoners of War and sometimes in a savage manner to feed upon their Flesh But the Emperour receiv'd them with expressions of kindness and assur'd them that he would use them well and gently The King of China felt a great satisfaction at this unexpected civility and humanity He was not above thirty years of Age but had a long Face great black Eyes a Nose of a middle size a long Beard which he handled often a grave and lofty Air like that of a great Prince His Kingdom contains two hundred thousand Fortresses fifteen great Provinces or Governments in them are to be found many Golden Mines and some Silver and a certain Herb which we call Rhubarb They reckon that he hath seventy Kings wearing Crowns his Tributaries This large and wide Country which we call China is named by the Inhabitants Tame and the People whom we call Chineses are named by them Tangis This Country is full of Fowl and Fish because of the many Rivers that run through it Silk is here so plentiful that the Beggars are clothed therewith Wool is here scarce but this want is remedied with much Cotton and Linnen The Climate is temperate The Men have liberty here to have as many Wives as they can conveniently keep They wear their Hair long but the Women have short Perrukes There is always a General or Governour over the whole Kingdom next to the King called by them Tuton The Brother of the King of China had this Office which is of so great importance that the Laws command him to be always within the Kingdom But this man intreated the King his Brother so earnestly that he might be present at the Battel which he was perswaded to win that he yielded to his importunities He had plac'd in his stead a Lord which the King did not trust This griev'd the King when he consider'd that he had been guilty of so great a fault as to suffer him to hazard with him his person in the same fight and to have left the Government of so large an Empire in unfaithful hands Tamerlan called afterwards together his Privy-Council to advise what was to be done with the Prisoners and how they should use their Victory At that time news was brought that the King's Brother was safely arrived at Quanton a City which he had fortified that he was endeavouring to furnish it with all manner of Provisions and that he was busily employed in gathering together an Army As soon as Tamerlan heard this he sent the Prisoners with two thousand Parthian Horse to Pekin for his Army had rested themselves several Days he commanded them to stop there a little and carry them over
the Rivers side and had pierced through to the Bridge of Boats they began to break and sink it They had a great Ship in the manner of a Fire-ship coming down with the Stream as soon as it was within a convenient distance the Tartars set it on fire This flaming Engine carried with the strength of the Water beat with fury against the Bridge broke some of the Boats scattered others and burn'd those that were nearest This strange sight astonish'd the Chineses that were passed over the River because they saw no hopes of saving themselves by a Retreat Twenty thousand of them were kill'd in the place and amongst the rest the Prince of Cochinchine at the first On-set where he behaved himself like a Man of courage The Brother of the King of China saw his Men destroyed and drowned and himself unable to assist them Though he had lost in this Encounter but the third part of his Army and had yet one hundred thousand fresh Men there was no likelihood that he would hazard to fight with them against Tamerlan who commanded the Head of the Prince of Cochinchine to be cut off and to be sent to the Inhabitants of Quanton for he was one of the noblest Subjects of the Empire this sight therefore would be able to make them believe the Victory that they might not expect any other succours Axalla besieged them so close and gave them so little time that though they endeavoured to defend themselves vigorously and were continually at handy-blows with his Men they found themselves every day weaker and their Enemies draw by degrees nearer to their Walls When they found themselves thus wearied with watching and fighting and no likelihood of safety by an obstinate resistance they resolved to fly to the Conquerours mercy They sent word to Axalla that they desir'd to treat with him He sent them word back again that they had more reason to rely upon the Emperours mercy than their own strength and that for his part he would so order the business that they should have no cause to repent of their resolutions After a few Messages and Discourses of yielding they desired eight days to send to the Brother of the King of China to acquaint him with their estate and condition and that if within fifteen days they were not relieved they promised to yield up the City upon condition that Tamerlan should maintain their Priviledges and treat them in the same manner as the Kings of China had done before Axalla returned them this Answer That he had power to treat with them and receive them favourably when-ever they would fly to the mercy of his Prince And that though the time they required was long he would nevertheless inform him of their desires and write for them But that immediately without delays they ought to give him Hostages for his security and that upon that condition all Acts of Hostility should cease and that he would grant them a Truce till he understood further of his Princes mind He sent therefore to Tamerlan to acquaint him with this good news which he received with much more joy than for the late Victory obtained of the Enemy He granted all that the Inhabitants of Quanton had desired at the Request of Axalla sending him a Commission to end this business as he should judge most convenient In the mean while the Prince was watching to observe what motion and course the Kings Brother would take after his late overthrow He intended if he did not forsake the Banks of the River to pass over and pursue him to the Sea side After three or four days staying he was advised by his Captains to get over the Water only with his Cavalry His intent was to march three or four Leagues into the Country to hinder the Chineses from seeking a Ford which they intended that they might more speedily succour Quanton that was besieged This fear quickly ceased as soon as the Prince of China had seen the Tartars on his side of the River for not thinking himself safe near so powerful an Enemy he retreated with speed towards the Sea sheltering himself amongst the Mountains into which the Cavalry could not easily approach and where his Army could intrench and fortifie themselves with ease When he was come to that place and had rested his Men he consulted with the Grandees of China that were about him what resolution was best to be taken They advis'd him to seek the fairest means and for that purpose that he should send to Tamerlan Overtures of Peace to ransom the King and save the rest of the Provinces telling him that he should endeavour to purchase Peace with Gold or Silver seeing that so much Blood had been spilt in vain That they perceived that the Gods were wroth with their Nation seeing that they had favour'd their Enemies so apparently and therefore they had best yield to necessity and to the conditions that Tamerlan would impose upon them for that purpose the Kings brother sent for a safe Conduct for such as he should send to treat with Tamerlan which was readily granted to as many as he should appoint In the mean while Quanton was surrender'd into Axalla's Hands who caused the Garrison to depart and received the Inhabitants in the protection of Tamerlan and all such as were willing to stay there without Armour He march'd into the City amidst the general applause of the People who were desirous to see their new Prince They received him very honourably Axalla put thirty thousand Men there in Garrison giving them some Money to supply their necessities until the Army could Muster and receive the three Months pay due to them which amounted to eight hundred thousand Tentins which are worth four hundred and fifty thousand Crowns or thereabouts The Inhabitants of Quanton readily paid this Money Whilst these things were acted the Emperour sent Alhacent to Axalla He found him treating and feasting his Captains in expectation of his Princes commands which he brought to him to stay at Quanton and send him all the Infantry He took this course to fright and strike a terrour into his Enemies the sooner who might perceive after the taking of that City when the Army should be all in a Body that Tamerlan's intent was to march further into the Country and conquer more of the Kingdom He thought this to be the best way to succeed in his design to oblige them the sooner to seek an honourable Peace and settle his own interest in those Parts Alhacent returned back from Quanton to the Prince being much satisfied to have seen that beautiful and great City so well fortified and so populous standing in a fruitful Soil abounding in all manner of good things The Army was two Months and a half about it without suffering any want of Provisions and might have continued there three or four Weeks with ease and plenty for there was no lack of any thing in the City unless it were of Men for many had been
there but advance towards the Plain where he was resolved to expect him because he was stronger than Bajazet in Horse At last Bajazet's great Army incourag'd with the hopes of victory and a desire to engage began to assault the Tartars in Sannas but the greatest part of them were gone only some hundreds of Horse having kindled the Fire at the Enemy's approach fled with all speed in some disorder The Prince of Ciarcan having divided his Party into two Bodies and given special order to the first that as soon as they should see the hundred Horse issue out of Sannas and fly away that they should receive them and retreat behind him for he had Posted himself in a Valley with the other Body of Horse near a Wood from whence he saw two thousand Turkish Horse the Scouts of their Army pass by him He charg'd them in the Rear so speedily and with that courage that when they saw themselves so briskly assaulted and had not the time to look about they yielded and fought but faintly retreating many of them were killed and taken Prisoners This was the first Encounter between the Turks and Tartars wherein the Victory fell to the latter All the Prisoners were sent to Tamerlan and amongst them the Bassa of Natolia their Commander The Prince spoke to him and ask'd him what had caused Bajazet to forget himself so strangely as not to regard him and to despise his Army that he hoped that in a few days he should find one that would bring down his pride and make him more tractable The Bassa answer'd that his Lord was the Son of the World that he could not endure a Partner and that for his part he had good cause to wonder at Tamerlan for undertaking so long and dangerous an Expedition to stop the Progress of his Prince's good successes whom Heaven favour'd and to whom all the World yielded obedience and that there was no discretion in him to withstand him Nay said Tamerlan I am sent and appointed by God to chastise this proud Man and to teach him that Insolency deserves the vengeance of Heaven and that God delights as much to abase the proud as to raise the humble Souls That the raising of the Siege of Constantinople was a beginning of his success against his Master And thou may'st said he though I pity thy misfortune understand what a difference there is between my Parthian Horse and that of Bajazet ' s. But thinkest thou that thy Master will fight with me The Bassa reply'd He desires nothing more passionately Afterwards he fell down at Tamerlan's Feet with these words Noble Prince I intreat you suffer me out of your generosity to assist my Prince that day Tamerlan soon yielding to his Request answered in this manner Go and tell thy Master that thou hast seen me and that I shall be in Fight in that place where there shall be a green Flag hung out The Bassa surprised with such a noble Grant promis'd him when he took his leave that next to his Lord and Master there was no Person in the World that he would serve with more affection and sooner than him At his return to the Turkish Army he told Bajazet all the discourse that he had with Tamerlan and chiefly he told what he had wish'd him to say to him We shall understand all these things very shortly reply'd Bajazet and before I have done I will make him repent of his folly The Bassa acknowledg'd the favour that he had received from Tamerlan and publish'd every-where his Grandeur and Goodness extolling highly his Generosity in giving him a very beautiful Horse though he knew that he would use him in fighting against him The next day the Turkish Army marched two Leagues to come in sight of the Tartars who were at Even about a League distant from it expecting the day following in which the great Dispute was to be The Night was not very peaceable the noise of Men and the neighing of Horses filled the Air and caused every one to desire the return of the Sun to give liberty to their courages to act in this Field of Mars The Scythians that love Prey and Plunder were encourag'd by their Leaders to behave themselves valiantly in hopes of the rich Spoils which the Victory would deliver into their Hands The Parthians who were ambitious of the glory and honour of their Nation were obliged to do their uttermost endeavour to overcome the Turks who alone were able to dispute with them for the Empire of Asia The Christians who were very numerous in the Tartarian Army for they were near the fourth part were animated with a hatred against their mortal Enemy whose defeat would prove the liberty of Greece In this manner in the night the several Nations encourag'd one another according to their several dispositions The Prince walk'd about his Camp in the night hearkening to their Discourses which rejoyced his heart because they had a certain assurance of obtaining the Victory Alhacent walk'd along with him The Prince told him That the night before his Fight with the Muscovites his Camp was full of Songs of Triumph and Rejoycings and that none of the Souldiers could sleep which caus'd him to be perswaded of the Victory he obtain'd I see said he the same presage now of the next days happiness and success When he had gone round his Camp he return'd to his Tent at the end of the second Watch and laid himself down upon a Carpet to take a little rest but could not sleep for he was impatient to see the appearance of the next day In the mean whiles he commanded Alhacent to bring him the Book which he commonly read containing the Histories of the Actions of his Forefathers and the worthy deeds of the most famous men of his Country He lighted in opening of the Book upon the Relation of a great Battel which his Grand-father lost fighting against the Persians which he thought before to win and had got it had he not attacked them indiscreetly and neglected the advantages that were offered him trusting too much to his own and his peoples Courages He commanded Alhacent to read over that passage once more with this saying I read often this description of that Battel before I engage in a fight that I might not trust so much to my Lyons Skin that I neglect the use of the Foxes Tail to cover my head That this fault of my Grand father in leaving his advantagious ground against the advice and intreaties of his Servants to assault an Enemy in his Trenches might cause me to be more wary and cautious A little after he ask'd whether it were day and sent for his great Chamberlain to cause the Trumpet to sound that his Horses might be made ready He rested himself a little longer and ask'd for Axalla who came to him with several other Lords and chief Officers of his Army He advis'd with them what was best to observe and took Horse sending them
destruction of the Turks freeing the Grecians from the Tyranny of the Ottoman Family At last he came to the Walls of Bursa from whence all that were able â—â— fly away were gone The two Children of Bajazet were sent to the Greek Emperour to be Educated and brought up The rest of the Turks were fled to Gallipoli and passed over to Adrianople a City which they had taken from the Greeks But to return to Tamerlan he had dispatch'd to the Emperour his Uncle and the Empress his Wife one of his most trusty Servants named Lieban who was as the first Gentleman of his Chamber to carry them the joyful news of the Victory which was far more glorious than any that he had ever gain'd before He sent them also the Bow and Cymitar of Bajazet and the Trappings of his Horse which were valued at above two hundred thousand Ducats Lieban was mighty welcome to the old Emperour and the young Empress chiefly when they understood that the whole World render'd Homage to Tamerlan who nevertheless received all these advantages from the hand of God without growing insolent or proud When Providence favour'd him most he seem'd to be mildest and most courteous He was never rough but immediately before a Battel that he might thereby deliver his Orders with more State and Majesty None could describe his temper in an adverse Fortune for he had always Prosperity to favour him But it is commonly seen that those whom good successes cannot puff up with pride are not cast down in adversity When he had given these needful Orders he marched to Bursa loaden with the Spoils of his Enemies which yet increased daily by the surrendâ—â— of many Towns that were yielded up to him He treated them all as he had done the Cities of China where the Inhabitants that brought him their Keys and submitted were kindly used but those that refused to yield were cruelly punish'd for it is wisdom in a Conquerour to treat the People in that manner In the March of the Army news were brought that Axalla had taken Bursa and capitulated with the Citizens in the Emperour's Name but the Garrison had been driven out by the Inhabitants and cut in pieces Axalla sent the Prince word of the coming of a solemn Embassie from Emanuel the Greek Emperour of the most illustrious Persons of his Court but that he had hinder'd them from advancing further until Tamerlan should send him order He wished them to stay where they were commanding them to be well treated till Tamerlan's arrival which happen'd a few days after All the Inhabitants went out to meet him with their Heads uncovered to signifie their submission and subjection to him He was carried in great Pomp and Glory Axalla met him also with the Embassadours whom the Prince received very honourably and courteously shewing before them his Glory and Magnificence He led them about his Army which in a Camp appear'd as a great City All manner of Provisions were brought into it every day from all Parts for there was an admirable Order observed These Embassadours had Orders from the Greek Emperour Emanuel to offer and yield up his Empire and Person to the Prince's pleasure to hold his Dominions he and his Posterity after him as his Vassals and Subjects The Embassadours were also Commissioned to tell him That he offer'd him all his good as due to him for the great benefit he had received by the deliverance from the cruellest Tyrant of the World whatsoever therefore that he would send for he should have That he was so much oblig'd to Tamerlan for his pains and great labours in so long and tedious an Expedition and for the Blood of so many thousands of his Subjects that he could not possibly requite him but by yielding himself and all his People into his Hands That he engag'd himself and promis'd to serve him and obey him faithfully That so many rare Vertues and excellent Qualities which had render'd his Name famous to all the World had won his heart and affections That he desired earnestly to see him in his chief City to put it into his power and yield him up the Empire of Greece where he intreated him that he might continue only that he might oblige his People to be more obedient to his Orders After this Audience the Embassadours expected nothing less but that they should fall under a new Master What they had offer'd so great and so delicate a thing to such a Conquerour as Tamerlan that it was not to be refused All that they desired was that their offers might be accepted kindly and civilly But the Prince's Answer to their Message caused them quickly to change their minds and their thoughts of him for with a mild and courteous speech he told them That he was not come so far and had not taken that pains to subdue new Kingdoms and Empires That the advantage to be expected thereby could not make him amends for the greatness of his labours and dangers That the Motive which had oblig'd him to act and undertake this Enterprise was more noble and more worthy of Tamerlan for he purposed to himself no other benefit but glory and honour and to render his Name famous to the succeeding Ages all over the World That he desir'd them to understand that he was there only to assist the Emperour Emanuel as his Friend and Ally and at his request and that his designs had succeeded well because God had blessed his just intentions that he knew very well that by the help and assistance of the Almighty rather than by the Multitude of his Souldlers he had overthrown the Power of the cruellest Enemy of Mankind That it was his desire to re-establish the ancient Family of the Paleologues in the full and free possession of the Greekish Empire of all their Rights and Priviledges and in a peaceable enjoyment of the City of Constantinople that he might render thereby his Name the more famous That he scorn'd that any Person should say of him hereafter that he had falsified his Faith prejudic'd his Honour and that under Colour of helping his Friend and Ally he had taken from him his Empire and Estate That he desired the Services that he had render'd to the Emperour Emanuel might never be forgotten by his Posterity and that they might acknowledge them with thanks And that for his part he was fully satisfied with the honour and glory of the success alone without any other benefit He told them also That it concern'd the Emperour Emanuel to take such a course at present and give such Orders that his Army's presence might secure his Interest for the future and settle his Empire in peace so as that he might have no cause to fear a relapse into the same danger as before That he would commit the two Sons of Bajazet into his Hands to treat them according as he should judge most convenient and that he advis'd him to be more circumspect and careful in the choice
feet and hands Mony was the strength and the spirits which keeps this body in motion and food as the belly from whence it was entertain'd Therefore he said that when an Army can represent a perfect man in all respects it is invincible because it fights when it pleaseth and may chuse whether it will hazard any thing but upon good terms When an Army miscarries this proceeds from some imperfection in the body which may be lame or wounded or from the starved belly or the diseased head Therefore when he sent the Prince of Tanais against the Sultan he was afraid of the head and of the belly of his Army For the Prince was but young and his men unfurnished with necessary provisions for he was wont a year before hand when he intended to make War to gather up stores of food and fill up his Magazins now this year they had neglected this piece of policy his victory therefore he ascribed to his good fortune which was loath to forsake him rather than to the Wisdome of his young General When the Emperour was near Qâ—â—inzay Axalla went out to meet him at two dayes journey from the City with the greatest Lords of the Country and the chief Citizens whiles the rest were making ready to welcome him in the most magnificent manner that they were able This City is one of the richest in the world and one of the largest very well scituated upon small Islands or Channels cut from one end to the other with stately buildings and a great many bridges for the convenience of the Inhabitants It is a place of so great Trade that there comes to it continually all sorts of Goods Stuffs Precious Stones and chiefly spices Tamerlan at his first arrival was presented with the richest things of the City They were valued above two Millions of Gold to not reckon many other rare things which were given him as tokens of their subjection to him and affection for him He seem'd to be very desirous to see his Son who was then but about seven years old He was brought up with much state and with the care answerable to his Quality When he was first brought to him he took notice that his head was carefully covered but he commanded that they should keep it uncovered because as he said He that is called by his birth to govern Nations ought to use himself to heat and cold and to painful exercise and not to indulge himself in an effeminate life Some told him that the Child was but tender what reply'd the Emperour will you make him a Woman If he be not able to endure the troubles and inconveniencies of War he is not worthy to succeed me for there must be no dainty and soft Prince to keep up the Empire of the Parthians He had sent the Empress to Samarcand to be there brought to bed she was received with all the honours due to her Dignity and the affection that the people could express This was the first time of her visiting of this City A little after the Emperour had news brought him that she was safely delivered of her second Son which he publish'd abroad and seem'd to rejoyce at it appointing Tilts and magnificent Sports to express his gladness for several dayes In this time nothing but feastings and publick divertisements were seen in all parts The Emperour himself took a great delight in such pastimes because it gave him an opportunity to shew the agility of his body and his dexterity to his Court and people for he was judged the more worthy to command them the more he excelled in such like exercises After a months abode in Quinzay and after he had visited the maritine Towns near adjoyning he went to Samarcande travelling softly for in the Road he employed himself in hunting all sorts of beasts and yet in the mean while took a great care to provide for the safety of the Empire for it was his usual saying that Pleasures and Sports were to him as Wings to lift him up and ease him from the Labours which God had put upon him for the preservation of his Subjects in peace The Inhabitants of Quinzay had so sincere a Love for him that when he called them together to oblige them to receive and submit to his new Laws they made no difficulty to yeild to him but embrac'd them with as much respect and devotion as if they had been commanded by God himself for their reverence and affection for his person made them submit Whiles he continued in the City the most part of the people were employed in looking upon him as the chief object of their affections Some of his Courtiers took notice of it particularly Axalla Therefore they told him that this City was worthy of his constant abode Not at all reply'd the Emperour if they did alwayes see me they would quickly despise me for it is a Maxime of State that the Soveraign of this great City must not come to it oftner than once in ten years and then he must act as if he were upon a Theatre in view of all the World he must act a serious and grave person because the Inhabitants are naturally apt to be disgusted with their Prince He ought therefore if he will be esteem'd to seek to give them the best impression that he can Before his leaving of Quinzay he sent with all speed Prince Axalla towards China with a Commission to examine and end some differences between Odmar and the King of that Countrey that he might be able by his Wisdome to compose them and give him a just account at his return As he had a great affection for his faithful servants he long'd to see Odmar with him who had been absent many years He desired him to take the time of Axalla's abode in those parts The Emperour was resolved not to leave Cambalu till after Axalla's return from China This was a very pleasing and an honourable Commission to be sent into those parts where his courage was so well known and fresh in the remembrance of all the Inhabitants by his late noble exploits but he was overjoyed to go thither that he might do service to Odmar his intimate friend Tamerlan had an excellent maxime but contrary to that of most Princes he laboured to keep all his Servants at Unity and recommended to them love to one another and faithfulness in his service The chief cause that obliged the Emperour to send Axalla into China was to put a period to a dispute between that King and Odmar about the restitution of a place which had been promised to the King There seem'd to be some personal differences between them So that Axalla was judged as the most pleasing person to this King to terminate this affair because of his mildness and courteous behaviour When Axalla was upon the borders he met with Prince Odmar waiting for him who received him with great Pomp and State and feasted him three dayes After this he gave him an