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
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
employed him a little after and the rather because he saw himself aged and weak and desired nothing more but to sequester himself from business and to serve God the rest of his days in the contemplation of his glorious Works But before he accomplished this great Design though he had for his Son all the esteem and good opinion that he deserv'd he was not so unadvised as to venture in such young hands the Government of his Realm without a precaution and sufficient provision for his advice and counsel for if he had done otherwise he would have but expos'd his Kingdom to those dangers and losses which are not easily repair'd To prevent all mischiefs of that nature he placed near his Son to ease and direct him in the management of Affairs Odmar and Haly the two greatest and wisest men of the Kingdom noted for their Noble Birth and for their Experience in Affairs aswell as for their other Vertues and fidelity to his Interest Tamerlan received these two great persons from his Father as the tokens of his love and since he never undertook any thing without their advice He embrac'd them always with so much respect and affection that for fear of forgetting one after his decease he wore his Ring upon his Finger aswell to call to mind the good services that he had received from him as to hinder him from forgetting two rare Precepts which he had given him when he was to sit in Judgment and to do justice to his Subjects This noble way of acting soon won him the hearts of all his Subjects so that they looked upon him as their life and soul From hence we may observe That a mild and loving disposition together with an acknowledgment of good deeds is the strongest Charm that a Prince can use to win the souls of his people and get their prayers and affections In his young days and at his first coming to the Crown he enjoyed quiet and peace at home through his Fathers care to scatter and send at a distance all troublesome spirits who might have disturbed the State But this peaceable time he employed rather in Study than in his Divertisements instead of spending his hours in a Bath the greatest delight of the Parthians he spent them in reading of Arabian Books and in meditating the Precepts of Astrology at such moments only when he had finished his weightier Employments relating to the Government of his Kingdom In the discharge of which he often said That his good Genius did assist and help him and that having so much favour from Heaven he could not but succeed in all his Designs He had so great a care of and so much esteem for divine matters and things and for whatsoever concern'd the Religion of his Forefathers that he would not be perswaded to suffer any alteration Nevertheless he gave liberty to all Religions that teach to worship one God Creator of all things giving this as his Reason That his Divine Majesty did delight to be served and adored in divers manners But he was a declared and an irreconcileable Enemy of Idols and Idolaters whom he always vexed He was of a middle stature his shoulders were but narrow his legs beautiful his body full and well set a comely face with good features and his eyes so full of goodness mildness and majesty together that it was no easie matter to look stedfastly upon them Therefore the Prince was wont to turn away out of modesty his eyes from him that spoke to him that he might finish his discourse with more confidence He had but little hair upon his Lips and Chin it was curl'd very thick and of a fine Ash-colour he wore it long contrary to the custom of the Tartars who shave their Heads before leaving but some few locks behind which they cover over with their Caps but he had almost always his head uncovered Therefore when one of his Favourites asked him why he had not his Head shav'd as other persons of his Country he answered Vnderstand my Friend one thing which I will tell thee because I will thereby acknowledge thy affection to me That my Mother was of the Race of Samson therefore in remembrance of my Forefather she hath commanded me to preserve my hair This is the cause of my long hair This secret being afterwards spread abroad gain'd to him the respect of all his Subjects chiefly of his Army who imagin'd therefore some extraordinary vertue in his hair This belief was confirmed by his wonderful skill and strength in wrestling because the strongest Tartars were not to be compared to him and that such as were foiled thought it an honour though overcome to struggle with a Prince of so much reputation This being the right description of Tamerlan it is easie to be imagin'd that rest and a quiet life was not pleasing to him But though his aim was at Glory and Honour he chose rather to check his Martial temper than to invade his Neighbours and trouble their Peace without cause Providence that had adopted him suffered not long his courage to be without exercise It led him upon this great Theatre of the World there to appear in an eminent manner We shall see him next in his first goings out CHAP. II. Tamerlan's War with the Moscovites THE Moscovites broke the Peace they were weary of that Rest which they had long enjoyed thinking themselves therefore so dreadful that all their Neighbours were to stand in awe of them They made some In roads upon the Territories that are on this side of Cazan and Astracam and that border upon both Empires They had never received any dammage from these Inhabitants Their intention was only to conquer them without any Right or Claim They enter'd therefore amongst them with their Army and cau'sd every thing to pass through Fire and Sword sparing neither Towns nor Villages besides they plunder'd a City bordering upon Zagatay or Sachetay and under Tamerlan's protection In this surprise these poor Inhabitants being not able to stop the fury of those Northern Barbarians sought a remedy from their Tears and Complaints and from the Power and Justice of their Protector Tamerlan was sensible of their wrongs and the affront done to his Person and Government by the Insolency of the Moscovites who had discover'd so little regard of him He promis'd therefore to punish them and check their cruelty and boldness For that intent he takes advice what to do in this juncture from his two faithful Counsellors who encouraged him to declare an open War with the Moscovites in defence of his People and Confederates In the mean time Odmar and Haly according to their Princes expectation and Orders were busie in gathering together all their Troops dispersed in Garrisons to raise new Souldiers and form a considerable Body with the assistance of their Allies At the first beginning of the Spring Tamerlan at the Head of his Army marches against his Enemies who were encamped upon the Borders near the
were rallied into a Body of thirty thousand Horse which together with the Foot seem'd to be willing to venture another Battel but their Emperour had no such resolution when he saw the Parthians so soon at his Heels ready to enter into his Country where the People were frighted at the approach of so victorious an Army To secure himself and his Men he passed over the River of Nifort on the other side he called together a General Council of Officers who advis'd him for the preservation of his Subjects to send a solemn Embassie to Tamerlan with Overtures of Peace rather than to hazard another Battel against a Prince who had justice on his side They were the sooner invited to this by the generous behaviour of Tamerlan with the Prisoners that he had taken for thereby he seem'd to give an assurance that he would not refuse reasonable offers of Peace and that after he had shewn sufficient proofs of his Courage and Power he would likewise give some Tokens of his Moderation and Generosity In pursuance of this Design the Moscovite sends him Embassadors to treat of Peace and offer all possible amends for the wrongs sustained by his Subjects In-roads into Tamerlan's Country When the Embassadors were arriv'd at Tamerlan's Camp they found a most obliging reception He was so far from insulting over their unhappiness that he seem'd to pity them and treated them with so much kindness that though a Conquerour he seem'd to have as much modesty as the Conquered They declared that they were come in their Masters name to desire a Peace upon such Conditions as he should propose which they expected would be favourable for they were confident that he would use his Victory with moderation which he was to take rather as a kind gift of Fortune upon which no person can settle his assurance than an evident proof of the greatness of his Forces He answer'd them that he had taken up Armes only to protect his Subjects and Confederates from the insults of the Moscovites and if they had prov'd happy and successful he acknowledg'd himself to be therefore indebted to the great God of Hosts who had favour'd the justice of his Cause That because he held and had received this advantage from his pure goodness he was not therewith puft up with pride that they might have learn'd so much from the manner of proceeding of the Parthians who had it recommended to them from their Predecessors not to want courage in adversity nor to be insolent in prosperity but to observe a moderation in both and seek the execution of Justice He told them that it was but just that they should give some satisfaction to the Conquerour and promise never to molest or trouble his Allies that they should pay down all the Expences of the War which amounted to three hundred thousand Ducats and that they should become Tributaries and give him yearly one hundred thousand Ducats and that for the performance of these conditions they should deliver Hostages which were to be renewed every year and that he for his part would grant them peace and send home all their Prisoners of War These Conditions were readily accepted so that Tamerlan full of glory and satisfaction return'd to Samarcande to his Father who was so much disinteressed in the affairs of the world that these prosperities of his Son wrought no alteration upon his countenance and in his discourse no more than in his mind But every where in the Princes march he was received in State with Arches of Triumph with Sports and all the marks of a publick joy and pomp which Tamerlan accepted as the signs of his Subjects affections with a grateful acknowledgment of their love In these great causes of publick joy he seem'd to be very moderate and modest when a solemn Embassy came to him with rich Presents to congratulate his Victory from the Grand Cham of Tartary his Vncle with the offer of his only Daughter in marriage promising to cause all his Subjects to acknowledge him as the Heir of his Empire because he was his nearest Kin and had no hopes in his old age to be Father of any more Children This pleasing news was welcom to this young Prince and the rather because by this great Succession he was in hopes to be able to put in execution the mighty things that he design'd in his mind which should immortalize his Name He prepared himself with all possible diligence for this journey towards Quinsay where the Emperour his Uncle liv'd He was by his Orders received as in Triumph by all the great Lords of the Court as well as by all the Inhabitants of this great City who honour'd his arrival with the richest shews because he was one day to be their Soveraign and the disposer of their lives and fortunes The days immediately after his magnificent Entry were spent in sports and gallantry in Plays Races Encounters and other Divertisements in which the vain-glorious Tartars were glad to shew their address and dexterity Yet Tamerlan met with none there that could beat him in all these Exercises He was so expert in them in shooting with Bow and Arrows and in fencing with a sharp Sword that he gain'd the admiration and love of all his Subjects At the end of six days spent in these delights the Emperour caus'd him to be solemnly crowned with the applause and consent of all sorts of men for the Prince was desirous that this Solemnity should precede that of his Marriage that his Right to the Imperial Crown might be better secur'd and that it might not seem that the Empire fell to him by the marriage of his Wife but by a Lineal Descent for Daughters in that Country cannot inherit the Crown Immediately after Tamerlan was married with all the splendour and glory imaginable In this occasion all the magnificence and pomp of the old Rome seem'd to appear at Quinsay to render this Solemnity more glorious After the Consummation of the Marriage Tamerlan spent two Months at this Court with all the satisfaction and honour that he could desire for he was mightily beloved and generally look'd upon as the only hope of the Empire of Tartary But at last his natural inclination to return into his own City of Samarcande where he took more delight than in any other place of the World together with the desire to shew himself to his own Subjects as the Successor of the greatest Empire of the World prevail'd upon all other considerations and oblig'd him to take leave with his beloved Spouse of his Father-in-law and of all the Friends that he had got in that Court He arriv'd in safety with the Princess to this City where he was expected with the longing of his people We must acknowledge that the abode is very pleasant as well in regard of its situation as for a beautiful River that waters it and renders it one of the richest thereabouts for Trade and the fertility of the Soil At his
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
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
inflicted upon those of Cambalu who had been the greatest Mutineers By this kind and insinuating dealing he purchas'd to himself in this great City the reputation of a merciful and gracious Prince He gain'd also the love of every one by courting them chiefly those who had been faithful to his Party After eight days stay in this place he went away with a thousand prayers and praises which were again reiterated a little after when news came from the Emperour that he would have Justice done upon the Authors of the Rebellion This was perform'd in the Cham's Name and by his Officers two hundred of the Inhabitants were executed and their Heads were lifted up in the publick view for an example to all such as should afterwards attempt to rebel This cruelty of the Great Cham condemn'd by the common people caus'd them to extol the goodness of Tamerlan who by this yielding to his Uncles will laid a greater Obligation upon him and nevertheless purchas'd to himself the universal esteem of the Country In the mean while the Emperour began to rise from his sick Bed which caus'd him to have an earnest desire to see the Prince who delayed this Interview till he had been with his Army where he intended to advise whether it were not best to stay first and expect what news he should receive from his Army upon the borders of China Thus he went as far from Cambalu as he could that he might not be thought to have any hand in the execution of the Citizens In this manner this dangerous and Civil War was ended to the advantage of Tamerlan whose diligence had been notable in the extinguishing of it One may justly say that he conquer'd this great Empire for there was a dangerous and a general conspiracy and rising against him His vigilancy disappointed all his Enemies In such like cases speedy and early appearances in the Field are of the highest importance for a Princes Affairs to incourage his own Party to terrifie such as are wavering and to prevent all false reports with which the common people are usually cozen'd His chief endeavour should be to perswade and make it appear that the Rebels are not to be fear'd and that he himself dreads them not but this he can never do unless he commands his own Army By this means he will have a great advantage over the Rebels It is not to be imagin'd that a Revolt is to be stifled by weak Remonstrances for that perswasion savours of as much indiscretion as the Authors of the Rebellion have had craft to cause their injustice to be entertain'd under the notion of Equity Therefore without delays a Soveraign Prince must fall upon the Rebels scatter and destroy them with the fear of a speedy punishment By no means let him be prevail'd upon to grant pardon to the Chieftains of the Rebellion Tamerlan dealt in this manner with Calix He knew his designs a great while before he was in a capacity to put them in execution therefore he provided a timely remedy a powerful Army in the Province of Zagatay to be ready to march at his first Command In the mean while he pretended to be busie in his Expedition against China that he might by that means better discover the chief of the Rebellion and their wicked intentions by this act of wisdom he disappointed Calix who doubtless might have prevail'd upon a negligent and weak Prince given to his pleasures But Tamerlan had better qualities he found the benefit of his cares and vigilancy for before this he was not well setled in the Empire but by this Victory he became such an undoubted Successor and Owner of it that the death of the Great Cham could not cause any alteration or opposition of his Right From hence it is easie to conclude that as his kindness and moderation were strong Chains to bind the hearts and souls of his good Subjects his courage and severity knew how to punish the Rebels and seditious persons and bring them to obedience As soon therefore as Tamerlan had overtaken his Army Odmar who expected him and caus'd them to march in good order and slowly received him with the Captains and Souldiers with acclamations and expressions of joy calling him in the Tartarian Language Most great and victorious Emperour In the way he discours'd with his Captains concerning the Greatness and Beauty of the City of Cambaliâ—â— till he was come into the Tent prepar'd for him where he remain'd alone with Odmar He told him all that had been acted in that rebellious City afterwards he desir'd his advice whether he should visit the Great Cham his Uncle at that time or no. Odmar understood by his words that he remembred what Honours he had received at Quinsay when he was there and that he had a secret inclination to spend the Winter with the young Empress and to go in the Spring into China But as he was an Enemy of Flattery and loved his Prince entirely as one of his most faithful and chief Officers he spoke to him boldly in this manner Brave and Invincible Emperour let all the world understand I beseech you that Tamerlan knows how to use his Victory as well as to gain it Do not you mind that the Army which you have left upon the borders of China is busily imployed in fighting with the Enemy above six months that the Chief Commander is a Tartarian and one of the most considerable of his Nation Know you not that the Tartarians and Parthians never think a Prince worthy to reign if he cannot go with them to the War And do you not consider that you have undertaken this War to increase the glory of him who hath made you his Successor and inlarge the bounds of his Empire by re-taking the Lands which the Chineses have usurped It concerns you therefore in gratitude to recover them with speed Consider likewise that your Glory and Reputation will appear to him greater at a distance than near at hand and more pleasing because it will at a distance tend to inlarge his Empire and render his Affairs more prosperous whereas near at hand your Fame will but diminish his Reputation and it may be cause a jealousie in him Princes sometimes are subject to change and by a sudden repentance to strive to ruine the person whom they have exalted too high What need have you to undertake a journey so much destructive to your Honour and Glory Is it not better to spend the Winter bravely in your Tent with your Army than in the stately Palaces of Qâ—â—insay in an Effeminate Court where such as are not afraid to slander will not spare you but will ask where you have left your Army whether you threaten the King of China only at a distance who in your absence may perhaps cut all your Troops in pieces In such a case what a trouble will it be to gather together your dispersed Army bâ—â—sides your example will have an influence upon the
Christian before the Prince of Tanais with his Troops could overtake them so weak was the Enemies resistance This Victory enrich'd all the Souldiers of Tamerlan's Army for they found much Gold about them upon their Clothes Arms and Horses one of the King of China's Kinsmen who was stiled King was taken Prisoner with the chief Commanders that were saved from the furious slaughter which was made amongst them The sadness of this overthrow spread every where and soon came to the Ears of the King of China who was then at Quanton It filled all his Court with Sorrow Displeasure and Fear every one wept for his Friend or his Relation but this Prince who had always till then thought himself the happiest of all men was inwardly surpris'd without discovering himself to any of his Court as a man that commanded himself and his passions he gave orders to gather his Souldiers from all Parts and sent for his Priests that kept his holy things commanding them as their Lord in a passionate manner to offer Sacrifices for him to the Gods and chiefly to the Sun the greatest of the Gods whom they think to be immortal impassible the Cause and Author of their Beings that appears to men only for their benefit he sent likewise his orders round about the Neighbouring Provinces of his Empire to call together all that were able to bear Arms appointing them their Rendezvous at Pekin He imagined that Tamerlan would direct his course that way for it was the next City to his Camp and the great Lord of China called the Xianxi fail'd not to be ready with his fifty thousand Men to strengthen such as were to guard the Wall He hasted to oppose Tamerlan in his March into the Country and as his Men were all Horse well acquainted with the By-ways and narrow Passages they were a continual plague to Tamerlan's Army This wise Prince to secure his retreat caus'd the Wall and all the Forts that were there builded to be demolished that the passages might be open for the Garrisons they had all submitted themselves to the Conquerour after the Victory He treated the people of the Mountains so lovingly that he caus'd them almost to forget that they were under a new Lord. He rewarded well the Lord Vauchefu by giving a little County wherein were seven good Towns as Archii Ymulii Falisqâ—â—iem Fulii Cohensin Quialii Pulii and Quiamlu all which were adjoining to this Lords former Territories so that the Inhabitants were so much the more willing to obey him He made him also Governour of the Province next to that of the Xianxi and declared to him by his liberality that he was a Prince of his word his Brother he intended afterwards to gratifie This kind dealing of Tamerlan was very advantageous to him in making way for his succeeding Conquests for he that will subdue Kingdoms and Lands with ease must first conquer the hearts of the Inhabitants The Chineses are great admirers of those vertues that are not practised by them as of Love Affability Kindness and Mercy which Tamerlan's Souldiers were ordered to express to them and which is contrary to that cruel dealing with which they use to treat their Enemies that fall into their hands this Custom they borrow from the Indians their Neighbours When therefore they saw that this Prince handled them in a manner contrary to theirs and that he expressed so much affection for them they began to admire and honour him After the destruction of the Forts Tamerlan took advice which way he should march with his Army He had heard that the King of China had furnished his strong places and that with as many Men as he could gather together he was in his way to meet and fight him This news caus'd him to be not well resolved what course to take first whether he should assault a Town in sight of so powerful an Army or whether he should leave behind him places unconquer'd which might cut off all his Provisions and march directly to fight the King of China's numerous Army In this irresolution he desired to know his Officers minds He called them together and propos'd to them the business which could not be quickly resolved because of the diversity of opinions but at last this advice prevailed above the rest that no Town was to be left behind that they were to make speed and take it before the Battel that the Army might draw from thence Comfort Assistance and Provisions and that in case the Enemy would be so bold as to offer to relieve it that then they would hazard a Battel for this is the ordinary practice of a Conquerour and Assailant to venture a fight with the Enemy as it is the wisdom of the assaulted to decline it and never to yield to it but in necessity for by delays and light skirmishes and without engaging in a whole Body the Conquerour and Assailant is weaken'd and tyred out and by this means Fortune is oftentimes forc'd to declare for him and side with the assaulted The King of China ought in reason to have taken this course if he had been well advised but his ill fortune suffered him not as we shall see by the following Relation This design to march forward being resolved upon in a Council of War the Army went streight to Pekin to lay siege to it This is a great rich and populous Town well walled and adorned with many stately Structures Tamerlan thought that the King of China would rather venture a Battel than lose this City out of his hands He flatter'd himself with the hopes of winning it and the victory at once for the wonderful riches that were in it encouraged the greedy Souldiers to venture their lives boldly chiefly the Tartarians who are unsatiable for Prey and Plunder Odmar was order'd to march forward with fourteen thousand Horse to surround it and hinder the importation of Provisions that they might be useful to their own Army Axalla was appointed to follow him with all the Infantry amounting to one hundred and fifty thousand Men which he commanded as chief Collonel This Office given to him as a reward of his former services caus'd him to be look'd upon both in the Army and in the Court Tamerlan followed next with all his Horse and with his Engines his Artillery and Ammunitions Odmar went the first day twenty Leagues so that when he came to the Walls of Pekin the Citizens expected their King before the Tartarians He took into his custody all the Beasts thereabouts and seated himself in a convenient place to wait for the coming of the whole Army leaving the City between himself and them In the mean while to affright the Enemy and learn news he sent many Parties abroad and about three or four days after the Infantry led by Axalla came to him They sent then their Summons into the Town to command them to yield threatning That the Citizens should otherwise suffer all the Calamities that usually happen in cases
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
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
had appointed those persons to be ready to help him at the same moment that he should have accomplish'd his wicked purpose at a distance the Prince perceived him drawing towards his person he ask'd him what he desired for he wonder'd to see him in this place which was designed only for such as could not have access at other times to his person as Soldiers and the meaner sort of people and not for a man of the quality of Arsembei He could not imagine what might be the cause of this appearance He observ'd him again and saw that his countenance chang'd its colour which caus'd him to fix his eyes upon him and take notice of his motion Arsembei at that instant with his drawn Sword in his hand ran to him but the Prince drew his likewise as speedily and leaping back two or three paces to avoid the stroak with a back blow he cut almost in two the Varlets arm lifted up to aim at him at that moment every one ran to help and succour the Prince The first man struck him down with a blow upon the head the wound was not mortal the Emperour would not suffer him to be kill'd there that he might learn from him his associates but this Villain broke out into Lamentation and complaint at the destiny of his good Master because this last attempt an expression of his affection for â—â—im had been useless The Prince ask'd him wherefore he had spared him in a just War and in the fight to assassinate him now in a treacherous manner after so many protestations of his service and love but he made no other answer but this Let me dy let me dy The great Cady or Lord Cheif Justice seiz'd upon him who together with the Lords of the privy Council examin'd him In the mean while the City and Camp were all in Arms. And the Princes Guards were mounted on Horseback All the Guards were doubled the Haven was secured and the Emperour went home to his Lodgings glad of so narrow an escape without harm from so a great danger But the Captains and Souldiers crowded about the Palace with an earnest desire to behold him with their eyes offering to face the Guards that would not suffer them to enter They ask'd to look upon him with threatning words for they would have thought him dead had they not seen him The Prince had a mind to rest himself but at last he was forc'd to yield to their impatient desires He went out to them assuring them that he was well and in health but the Army was not satisfied he was constrain'd to get on horseback and to ride about the Camp Then the apprehensions that had possessed the Souls of the Officers and Souldiers vanish'd away by the presence of him who they loved as tenderly as their lives and were succeeded by extraordinary motions of joy so that the Sky was filled with their loud acclamations and expressions of gladness The Offender was examined at the rack he confessed all the design and required courageously that he might be brought to his end according to his deposition they went to seek the places where his associates were yet in number about three hundred they were all bound and carried to prison and inquiry was made for all others round about the City Some of the Inhabitants who had been acquainted with the business and had received Letters from the Sultan were not spared But the Prince who was naturally an Enemy to all cruelty seeing that there was likely much blood to be spill'd resolved to depart out of Alexandria with an intent not to return to the City again till all the guilty persons should be discovered and punish'd This great City appeared with a sad countenance In every Corner persons were taken and all suspected inhabitants were led to prison As soon as they were convicted they were executed publickly Arsembei suffered first He was strangled and for a remembrance of his horrid Treason his head was fixt upon a Pole in the Market place and his Body quartered All the Complices were dealt with in the same manner but some of the Citizens that were unsuspected were cast into prison and afterwards sold for slaves and transported into another Country This was the end of this Tragedy which was to begin by the Princes life but the Majesty of his looks and his courageous resistance help'd to save him I have oftentimes saith Alhacent heard him confess that when Arsambei stood before him he imagined that this Villain had some wicked design in his mind and that if he had not been afraid to break his promise that he had given him and injure that Reputation that he held in the World he would have caused him to have been stayed as soon as he saw him appear but he thought it sufficient to look upon him He protested for his part that he feared no assassinations That he had a good Angel at his Elbows meaning his guardian Angel whom he named Meaniel he said that he had orders from God to preserve him from all ambushes He caused his Image to be carried in his colours and pluck'd down all signs of the Cressant the badge of the Ottoman Family and instead thereof he erected an image of his Guardian Angel All this time Axalla was not idle He had marched a great way into Africa with the Army and had subdued all the lower part of Lybia The Emperour went thither and finding it a delicious Country he staid there to refresh his Army and dispers'd them about that they might have more conveniency Onely Axalla was with the Body of an Army So that in expectation of the arrival of Calibes he was busie in setting these conquered Countries in peace The heats at that time were so violent that the Souldiers were much the worse particularly the Parthians who live in a Country inclinable to cold more than to heat When the Prince understood that all was quiet in Alexandria he return'd to the City where at his first arrival several Ambassadors came to him from the Lords and Princes of Lybia and Barbary to submit to him and acknowledge him for their Soveraign Tamerlan requir'd Hostages from all whose Countries where bordering upon Aegypt but he desired from the rest nothing but their Faith and some outward expressions of their good will Thus every one yielded homage to this new Monarch and by their submissions publish'd abroad the largeness of his Dominions After all this the Prince seem'd to have a stronger inclination than ever he had before to return into his own Country Age and Labour incline us naturally to seek for rest He often said that he had heard his Father declare That when a man is five and forty if Fortune hath favour'd him till then he ought if he be wise to rest satisfied with the favours he hath received and endeavour only to preserve what he hath than to get more That unconstant Fortune at that age is apt to change as suddenly as our
Nation than to make Posterity to understand that an Emperour of that Nation came from a far Country on purpose to give a check to the boldness and insolency of Bajazet and to free the Nobility of Greece from his unmerciful Tyranny and though I could have taken all their Country into my hand with ease I have abstained from the surprisal of a Great Empire and of the most beautiful City of the world so that I have neglected all the motions of ambition to follow the rules of Justice and equity I may with reason boast that I have not gained a more glorious Victory than this though I have conquered so many Nations and differing people and that my Armies have alwayes been happy and successful It is an ordinary thing to win battles and subdue Kingdomes and Empires many have performed these things before me but few of those Conquerours are to be found who have caused their ambition to submit and be ruled by their justice they have for the most part when power was in their hands for their conveniency seized upon other mens estates and plundered the Provinces belonging to other men I shall recommend this example to Posterity that equity hath been alwayes the rule of my actions the faith I keep to my enemies makes them to become my most assured friends what effect think you that it will have upon those who are already mine Will not my honourable and just proceedings secure and increase my well wishers Approve therefore my dealing and perswade me not for the future to act contrary to it The Chancellour who was a wise man but inclinable to ambition submitted to such strong reasons and departed He told Alhacent immediately after all the particulars of this discourse he hath therefore inserted it in his History that the World might know the excellent temper and the noble courage of this Prince Therefore he who shall see in him so many rare vertues will not easily ascribe to meer chance or blind fortune which favours wicked men as often as it doth the best natures his great successes and glorious conquests but he will doubtless confess that his prosperities were blessings of Heaven and rewards of his Piety and Vertues in this life When the Emperour was at Damascus he utterly ruined that City because it had resisted him his Army lodg'd there eight days Axalla who expected him there had orders to send six thousand horse to the assistance of the great Chamberlain That he might pass more securely and more boldly over Euphrates to the siege of Meleg he took it in three days as well as Raffan All the Country thereabouts submited to the Prince but chiefly the Cities upon the River Euphrates The Prince of Tanais commanded his party to stay for him at the passage that he might march with all his forces together towards the Emperour who embraced him very kindly and in the presence of all his chief Officers extolled his valour and courage He sent him afterwards to his Government with order to send back the six thousand horse which had been sent to him that they might joyn with the Van-guard commanded by Axalla from whence they had been taken The whole Army marched in a line Axalla upon the right hand the great Chamberlain upon the left and the Emperour in the middle of the Troops The Prince of Tanais was with him I shall not busie my self in reckoning up all the Cavalry and Companies of Infantry in the Army nor the great Captains and Princes who commanded there for fear of being too prolix in this narration I shall only say that the Emperour arrived at Meleg where he went over Euphrates and separated ten thousand horse and fifteen thousand foot to send back to Calibes that he might use them in case of need The Prince of Aracen had the command of them He was ordered first to march to Babylon and take it The Emperour remain'd still at Meleg to wait and see the success of this Commission from Babylon the Prince of Aracen was to send to Calibes to know whether he should not want greater assistances for Tamerlan had notice that the Sultan was in motion with a strong party Calibes sent word that he saw no likelihood of any Rebellion because from all parts everyone submitted to the Empire of Tamerlan After a few days repose in the same place he caus'd his Army to march directly towards Armeniâ—â— sending a party through Diabreroth to chastise some petty Kings who had revolted from him and subdue the Provinces that reach as far as the mouth of Euphrates All these things succeeded very happily and the little Kings sent their Ambassadours to yield and promise him obedience But for the better understanding of this History we must know that since the Christian or Roman Empire these people had been govern'd sometimes by the Turks sometimes by the Sultans now by the Caliphs at another time by the Lieutenant Generals of the Romans so has the strongest alwaies held and commanded them they were continually pillaged and ruined by the several invasions of Forreign Armies But the Emperour seized into his hands the passages over Euphrates that he might with more case succour Aegypt in case of need which happen'd but little after for the Army was not farther than Armenia when a messenger came post from Calibes to desire help The Prince of Aracen was immediately dispatch'd and sent towards Aegypt and Tamerlan went himself to Babylon to terrifie the more the Inhabitants in case they would offer to withstand him and to assure them of his bounty and mercy in case they would accept of it He sent away Axalla with the Vanguard in the way towards Armenia to proceed on without contrary orders In Eleven dayes Tamerlan marched to Babylon which yeilded as all other places thereabouts He appointed the great Chamberlain to fortifie Romedat because it was an advantageous post and gave him the Government of all the Country near Euphrates as far as Armenia recommending to him the Inhabitants of Babylon who had shewn a great respect to their new Master for they were for the most part descended from the Tartars For this City heretofore was taken by the Prince of Sachetay his Father who transported thither a Parthian Collony to sâ—â—cure it but since that time they were so much vex'd by the Persians and Mamelucks that they were obliged to submit to them Nevertheless they had a great affection for their Country and a remembrance of their Country-men for this cause was the Prince favourable to them and look'd not upon their City as a conquered place but as his own Patrimony newly recovered from the Enemy It was first taken by Sahali one of his Fathers Lieutenant Generals who had left a good name and esteem behind him in Sachetay because of his great services that he render'd to his Country From this City the Prince made haste towards Armenia for Axalla had sent him word that a Persian Prince named Guines was coming to make
peace with him and render him homage for his Country This news caused him with all speed to march towards him and out of a respect to him to meet him in the way For Tamerlan had a great esteem for him because of his reputation of holiness he thought himself happy to be acquainted with such a religious and devout person He left the conduct of the Army with the Prince of Tanais to follow him softly advancing before to the place where Axalla waited for Guines to receive and welcome him The Emperour had also dispatched the Prince of Liseaceau and his Chancellour to assure him of his affection and joy to see him For he was resolved to shew him all the honour that he could possibly express and to gratifie him in all things Tamerlan had news brought him that he was hard by coming to him with a mean attendance accompanied with beasts of all kinds with which he said he instructed men The Emperour went to meet him in great State As soon as Guines perceived him at a distance he lifted up his eyes to Heaven and prayed for the Princes greatness and the propagation of his Prophets Religion but he excommunicated and cursed the Turks as the Enemies of his Faith The Emperour was surprised to see him in such a contemptible garb and appearance but he was so far from despising him for it that he honoured him the more And because he was naturally a great admirer of such sort of people he gave him a present which the other accepted with Joy He gave him fifteen or sixteen thousand Prisoners taken from the Enemy that he might instruct them in the Principles of his Religion This gift was so much the more grateful to him because thereby his power increas'd and he hoped to make these men imitate his manners and receive his Doctrine But this seeming devotion was not so pleasing to the Courtiers as it was to the Emperour For they had good reason to blame the proceedings of this Persian Prince who under a colour of holiness and piety knew how to take from his neighbours their Country and Estates They blamed also Tamerlan for suffering himself to be cozen'd with his hypocrisies and govern'd by that subtil Bigot But when all things are considered that reverence that is due to Religion and Tamerlans charitable thoughts of others answerable to his own sincerity will cause all wonder to cease for his undeserved respects to this great Cheat. I am not of opinion of those that believe that a Sovereign Prince might ought not to have so much regard to Religion for it is a thing that never any man had cause to complain of It was not without design that Guines visited the Emperour with all that outward appearance of humility and devotion Onely his private benefit caused him to take on this Mask He was not strong enough to maintain a neutrality or stop the passage of the Army He desired therefore to insinuate himself into the favour and obtain the protection of its chief Commander And as he found the Prince inclinable to Piety he thought that the best means to secure his interest would be to make a profession of Vertue and Religion He seldome went from the Emperours Elbows and declared himself to be the Protectour of the Nations that confine upon Persia exhorting them all to imitate his example and yield obedience to the Emperour This forced and interested humility proved advantageous to him and to his successours for it laid a foundation to his and their future greatness by his means all Persia submitted to him Tauris onely excepted This is a great rich and powerful City having a great many Towns belonging to it It was governed by a Commonwealth and could not suffer the rising greatness of Guines whose designs it labour'd to thwart There was a Captain named Talismahar chosen by the Inhabitants for the General of their Militia And at that juncture of time they had made him their Soveraign to command them in chief This Captain understood how welcome Guines had been to the Prince and that without doubt he would not fail to solicite him to besiege Tauris and alter the Government But he hoped that Tamerlan very passionate for his return would not insist nor continue obstinate in this design if he should perceive the people resolved in a couragious defence As soon as he had setled every thing in his new principality he dispatched away Embassadours to Tamerlan to understand his intentions They had orders to tell him that Guines by a pretence of devotion and reformation in Religion usurped the lands of his neighbours and by a damnable hypocrisie seized upon other mens estates and inheritances The Emperour seem'd to be surprised to hear that which he desired not to believe concerning Guines and sent back word to Talismahar to come to him in person and accuse Guines of the things he laid to his charge He sent him also word that he intended to re-enter into the possession of his ancient Rights in Persia and that he would force all those that would offer to withstand him or refuse to render what belong'd to him He was very attentive to the Embassadours discourse for by it he discover'd the means to enlarge his Empire through their divisions He understood likewise That the Cloak of Religion is fit to hide many base Cheats But he would not discover his intentions only he march'd forward with Guines in his company and wheresoever he went all people and persons submitted and yielded obedience According to his usual custome he put new Colonies into all fortified Towns which might give him any jealousie The examample of Guines had a great influence upon all the Inhabitants to oblige them to obey Tamerlans Commands But his most earnest desire was to get Tauris a considerable City for its greatness strength and power and the chief of the Country He endeavoured to win it by policy for he sent thither his Agents to promise Talismahar another Government in his Empire Which doubtless he would have accepted willingly had it not been for Guines his mortal Enemy whom he saw so welcome to the Prince The fear therefore of his malice caused him to perswade the Inhabitants to endure all miseries rather than to fall under the command of that false Prophet The Emperour was vexed to understand their resolution and that Guines's favour with him and company was the greatest obstacle to the surrending of this great City Tamerlan acquainted him with it very kindly to be sooner rid of him for that purpose he loaded him with honours and gifts and obliged him to return to his own Country after fourteen or fifteen days abode with him Guines's Country stretches it self from Sancausan as far as the Caspian Sea Axalla was then commanded to go forward with his Vanguard into the Territory of Tauris to destroy all that should offer to make any resistance with fire and sword By this means and the advice of Guines he subdued the
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
a Town It was his custome not to promote any to an employment till after he had been actually in Arms. Those persons only excepted who attended upon him About his time the Emperour received news from the Prince of Tanais Governour of Syria and Aegypt that all things were quiet in his Provinces which gave him a great content He took then a delight to embellish his City of Samarcande and chiefly in building a most glorious Temple which he named the Temple of Solomon and appointed it to be his own and his Successours Tomb. He caused the chief spoils which he had taken from his enemies to be hung up in it and caused the several battles that he had won and the Nations that he had conquered to be ingraven for Posterity to view And as he said for to acknowledge to his great God the favours that he had received from him He had with him a great many Christians skilful in several Arts and Sciences whom he had brought from all places where he had been with his Armies or who had been recommended to him for their skill For them he built a Temple and called it by the Name of Jesus Christ the Son of God Axalla and many others of the same Religion were the best and chiefest Souldiers of his Army for the Prince had confidence in them He trusted them as much as his natural Subjects and more than the most of the zealous followers of Mahomet He had given orders all over his Empire that Christians should have free liberty to exercise their Religion and that Jesus Christ the Son of God should be honoured and reverenced by all the World The Christian devotions were performed every day in the Army without molestation or hindrance And the Emperour had in his dominions many Countries where the Inhabitants were all Christians He gave orders that they should have liberty to profess their own Religion and be in as much esteem and favour as those of the Mahometan profession because as he said they worshipped but one only God and that they denied all pluralities as well as himself He hated all Idolaters in such a manner that wherever he went he pulled down their Idols he enslaved their persons and commanded them to be esteem'd so He could not have a greater joy than when any of his own or the Christian Religion discoursed to him of holy principles and precepts When their lives were without vain-glory he esteem'd them the more When they were not like certain hypocrites who had nothing but an outward sanctity by which they endeavour'd to surprise the minds of the people and to get an esteem amongst men He wondred most at the relation that was given him of men who of their own accord have forsaken the World for Jesus Christs sake to live only upon dry meats and without taste in loansome Desarts denying to themselves all the pleasures of life to embrace that which they judg'd to be most pleasing to God When he heard of the strange persecutions which Christians suffered under the Heathen Emperours he was grieved and this grief stirred up in him an inward affection for those that were of that Religion So that this great Prince had in him two good qualities which caused him to be well beloved by all the World Piety and Justice Three times every week he executed Justice to his Subjects in the City of Samarcande seating himself in his Throne with a Majesty well becoming the Monarch of the greatest part of the World But all this glory in which he appeared hinder'd him not from valuing the case of the poor and despicable more than that of the rich Other days were designed to sit in Council with his chief Ministers to consider of his weighty affairs of State In that place no person could be so bold as to disguise the Truth or to act or speak passionately without hazarding his Princes displeasure In this occasion he shewed not that indulgence which he expressed in all other occasions and actions of his life In this manner he caused himself to be dreaded and beloved of all his Subjects and chiefly of his Domesticks whom he never put out of their employments but when he was thereunto forced by some ill behaviour or relapses in wickedness which could not well be pardoned He never dismiss'd those who had served the Emperour his Unkle but retain'd them all in his service and increased their wages to remove or quallifie in some respects the displeasure they had conceived for so great a loss He bestowed great gifts upon strangers to win their affections and use them in times of need This wise and judicious dealing was not unknown to many great men of the Moscovites Court and Council who were the better every year for the Tribute which their Master sent in monies to the Emperour For he scarce kept any part of it for himself but gave it to them that he might oblige them the more to be his Creatures and send him intelligence of any thing that related to his interest He was so punctual and exact in his Revenues that those who had the management of them were obliged to give him an account every three months In an hour he viewed over the Receipts and Expences of his large Empire He had a great respect for his Super-Intendant or Lord Treasurer for he was a man of noted integrity free from bribes or corruption He received his orders from the Princes one mouth at every moment He had orders to pay off the Pensions of the Princes and chief Officers of the Crown without leaving this business to under Agents Such persons were to satisfie meaner Officers and pay off the other expences of the Empire But of all these payments the chief Treasurer was to be answerable in his own person and of all the misdemeanours of his underlings Therefore this Employment was very dangerous in this Empire Two were put to death by the Executioner because they had not prefer'd the Princes interest to their own private benefit Now the Revenues of the Emperour were not certain for he increased or diminish'd them according as need required After the death of the last Emperour he caused all the currant Coyn to be Stamp'd with his own Image prohibiting all other of any former impression When he was at Samarcande he reformed many things in his Incomes The report went about that he was resolved to make a great stock of monies but no man knew the cause He was naturally very liberal which gain'd him the hearts of all the World When he had passed over a day without bestowing some Gift he commonly said that he had spent it in vain By giving he said Men became like God whose Gifts never any body refused But to return to Axalla As soon as he was in the Army he caused all the Old Orders to be renewed and publish'd which the Emperour observed when he was with them They had been neglected every where through the Chieftains fault who to
the rewards due to their services and labours That therefore they ought to go to be known to him and that for him he would never forsake them whiles breath was in his body he would assist and recommend them to his Majesty After this discourse Axalla chose the Souldiers whom he intended to leave with the Governour of the Province to keep the Country in awe and hinder the enemies invasions after some other Orders given he marched away with the rest of the Army and advanc'd two great days journey towards Persia Whiles Axalla is in the way let us take notice of some particulars of the death of this great Prince who left not behind him his felâ—â—ow in the World He had often sought in vain for help from the skill of the most famous Physitians but when he saw notwithstanding all their endeavours that his distemper increased more and more and that he could not avoid the payment of the ordinary tribute of Nature He called for Sentrochio his eldest Son to whom he spake in the presence of Odmar and of the chief of his Council He gave him an account of all the actions of his life beginning by the retreat of his Father the Prince of Sachetay from all worldly business to employ himself in divine contemplation and Prayers He told him that when he left him the Soveraignity of his Dominions he gave him three great men to assist him to bear part of his burden and advise him for the best That onely Odmar the youngest of the three was then alive That he had been willing to submit to their good Counsels in things relating to Peace and War and had never any cause to repent of it That the great credit and reputation that he had gain'd when he was very young by the famous Victory over the Moscovites who were become so dreadful to all Asia was the effect of their wise counsels rather than the work of hazard or fortune He told him that the bringing down of the Moscovites whom he had made to be tributary to him and the lusire of some vertues that shined in him had obliged his neighbours and his kindred to seek his acquaintance and affiâ—â—ity and caused the Emperour his Uncle to alter his design of dividing his Empire amongst the greatest Lords of his Court whom he loved best before but then he rejoyced to prefer to them the Conquerour of the common enemy of their Nation and a Nephew for whom nature and the nearness of blood pleaded in his heart That it was this that had raised him to the Empire of the Tartars that gave him the Emperours Daughter in marriage because he hoped that he would ease him of his burden in his old age by managing for him his publick affairs and scattering away all divisions and parties through the reputation and dread of his forces He told him that the Emperours expectation had not been disappointed that whiles he lived he honoured and loved him as his Lord and Father That he had behaved himself so uprightly as well towards his Father as towards his Subjects that when the Emperour died he succeeded to the Throne without any contradiction or commotion for all shewed themselves willing to obey So that he succeeded as well to the affections of the people as to the authority over them That since twenty years that he had enjoyed this vast Empire he had been alwayes faithfully served That he gave God thanks that the promises which the Emperour his Unkle had made of the rewards which were due to his Subjects for their services he had had opportunity and means to discharge for the happiness of his Armies had inabled him to pay all his Unkles and his own obligations and debts He continued to him his discourse in this manner I leave thee my Son these for thy Servants who deserve all of them to be Kings Honour them and reign amongst them They will serve thee affectionately and will pardon the mistakes and miscarriages of thy youth Their remembrance of Tamerlan and their own vertues will oblige them to be true to thy concerns and to their duty After this taking Odmar by the hand he removed him from the place where he sat to make him go to the right side of his bed and then casting once more his eyes upon his Son on the left side he spoke to him thus again This side shall be kept for Axalla who is absent His faithfulness and his affection for me and his Noble Actions are so known and famous all over the Empire and to my self that I will say no more of him I command you my Son to believe Odmars and Axalla's Counsells as I have alwayes done to my advantage for the Prince of Tanais I shall say nothing of him his serviceâ—â— and fidelity speak sufficiently for him He told him also that because he was his Kinsman he knew that the Prince would suffer death rather than act contrary to his duty That he recommended to him all the Princes Lords and Captaines who were then before his eyes and those that were absent who had served him so faithfully in so many Wars whereof the Victories and successes had gained so much glory to the Parthian name and rendered the Empire one of the most flourishing of the World That he left it to him to command it because he was his Son though there was no other deserveing in him but the hopes that he gave of his person Afterwards he reached out his hand to all the Princes and Lords about his bed with these words directed to his Son In these persons cheifly your Empire and happiness will consist Then he beckned to his Chancellour to draw near and ask'd from him his Seal which he delivered to the young Prince and caused the Prince to restore it again to the Chancellour He was afterwards a while without speaking but presently he began again my Son said he Love justice shew it to the poor as well as to the rich to the mean man as well as to the great it is your Office your Chancellour will sometimes help you Remember that the sword that you bear is only to put in executionâ—â— the decrees of justice therefore the Wars that you shall undertake must be just then you may promise to you self success Whiles he was talking thus to the Prince the Chancellour being near his person a great noise was heard in the next Chamber The Emperour enquired what might be the cause A Lord at that instant coming in sent from Axalla brought with him tydings of two great Victories which his Army in Natolia had obtained against the Turks This messenger gave him an account of all the passages of the two ingagements which had been manag'd with Wisdome and valour by his brave General he told the Emperour at last that his Valliant Soldiers were in hopes to see his Majesty amongst them assoon as the season of the year would permit to subdue the Empire of Greece which would be easily