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
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
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
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
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