things he was above all others both beloved and honoured of all the People of Epirus next to Scanderbeg himself At his first coming to Mahomet he filled not his Ears with great Promises and vain Praises of himself as had Moses but only excusing his own revolt laboured to perswade him That he had for just causes left his Uncle with a desire now faithfully to serve him And to that purpose spake unto him as followeth If it should please thee most noble Mahomet to call to remembrance the old injuries and antient displeasures by us committed against thine imperial Majesty we might seem now rather to have come hither to receive the just guerdon of our evil deserts than upon any hope of honour or preferment For what could have been done more in disgrace of the Othoman Empire than that you have seen long since done by us in the most dangerous time of the Hungarian War rather of a malicious and set purpose than for that we were just Enemies Whenas in the same perfideous course I my self being a helper and partaker therein for now no excuse is to be pretended for our doings more than repentance your Fathers Army was betrayed at Morava and the Kingdom of Epirus by great Treachery wrested out of your Fathers Hands the only cause of so many Calamities and of so much bloodshed But vain is this fear and our suspition needless with so wise and merciful a Prince especially for that my years then green and youth prone unto the harm of it self and a mind not resting upon his own resolutions deceived me I believed mine Uncle for the ignorant believe many things and allured with the desire of Soveraignty the proper disease of that age and too much credulous I forsook you and followed his promises but discretion growing with years I have by little and little perceived both the slie perfideous dealing of mine Uncle as also that my revolt from you was more hurtful unto my self than to any other Scanderbeg recovered and also enlarged the Kingdom of Epirus but not without my great labour and help I expected long time that he should have given me if not my Fathers whole Inheritance yet at least some part thereof as a small reward of my so great travel and danger Not long after he married a Wife and hath begot a young Heir a new Successor in his Kingdom unto me for shame of the World because I should not altogether lead a private life he hath assigned a base corner of Epirus where he enjoying the rest I might lead a poor and contemptible life In this case I had much ado to bridle my affections and could never digest that injury yet the iniquity of the time with the insolent disposition of the man compelled me to smother up my thoughts and to make fair weather lest finding some suspition he should craftily have intrapped me as he did of late George Stresie his Sisters Son whom wrongfully charged with feigned surmises he hath almost deprived of all his Possessions I would willingly have fled unto the Feet of your Highness I would gladly have forsaken my ingrateful Uncle with the stains of his infamous Kingdom but that the remembrance of the old Rebellion and many Injuries siththence done did make me afraid until that now God I think so appointing it I came most gladly following your most Royal Faith and Promise You had scarcely beckned unto me you had scarcely invited me having of long intentively waited every occasion but straight way I came with such speed as if I would have flown I lingred not I expected not either Scanderbeg or his evil hap or your more prosperous success as of late did Moses lest I might thereby justly seem either for fear or regard of some eminent danger rather to have provided for mine own safety than to have embraced your magnificence Neither have I left any thing for you in me to suspect nor any cause wherefore I should desire to return again into Epirus here are present most sure bonds of my love and faithful Pledges of my Loialty Behold worthy Mahomet you have whasoever is dear unto me yea whatsoever Nature could give pleasing unto men in the course of mans life These have I brought unto thee which should with violence have been taken from an Enemy such Pawns as might assure thee of the Faith of a most doubtful man. More than this I have brought nothing for in so great speed and secret departure I could not have regard of my Substance And if I might have had time to have trussed up my trash at leisure yet I know not how I should have thought it a kind of baseness to have brought with me any part of the poor reliques of mine old Fortune especially unto thee of all other the richest Only my Fidelity I lay down before thee for any thing greater I have not and if thou desire of me any other Bond for more assurance I refuse not whatsoever your Highness shall appoint for I came not hither to set down Covenants and Agreements of my self but to receive them from you I dare not promise to vanquish mine Uncle and to subdue Epirus with an Army of fifteen thousand men the misfortune of Haly-Bassa and other your Generals yea and the late and rare Victory of Sebalias with great bloodshed gained may serve for examples In me you shall neither want diligence nor faithful service as for other things concerning the event of this War and for the revenge of the injuries by you received you being a Prince of power invincible and of a most deep judgment are not to be advised by me your unskilful Vassal This Speech of Amesa seemed unto Mahomet free from all dissimulation forasmuch as he knew most part thereof to be true and his Wife and Children brought unto his presence confirmed the rest Wherefore commending his good affection he appointed him honourable entertainment referring other matters unto a further time Upon the approach of the Spring Mahomet desiring nothing more than to be revenged upon Scanderbeg entred into consultation with his great Bassaes concerning the invasion of Epirus unto which Counsel Amesa was by Mahomet admitted and his wicked device for the destruction of his Country of all others best liked After the matter had been long too and fro debated it was concluded That Isaac the great Bassa of Constantinople should with an Army of fifteen thousand be sent against Scanderbeg and Amesa with him having the charge of five thousand Horsemen and the Bassa to proclaim Amesa King of Epirus thereby to perswade the Epirots that Mahomet invaded Epirus rather for the displeasure he bare against Scanderbeg and for the advancement of Amesa than for any ambitious desire he had to take unto himself that Kingdom Great was the preparation for this War and the expectation thereof greater Flying Fame had in short time filled every corner of Epirus with the report of these News adding thereunto as the manner
of a few Months the wicked Chan but yet a famous Souldier miserably died in Prison Whose Death so highly offended the Turcoman Nation who had him always in great Estimation that they absolutely denied their defences for the Crown of Persia and the more when they heard that the King had bestowed the room of Emir Chan upon Aliculi who although he had in many respects deserved all Preferment yet for that he was an ancient Enemy to certain Turcoman Captains they would not in any wise indure that he should be exalted to so great an Honour And therefore they waxed more disdainful and ill affected towards the King whereby the Persian Forces became the more weakned and divided The Turks notwithstanding the League yet in Force betwixt Amurath and Rodolph the Christian Emperour that now is did many times make Incursions into the upper part of Hungary burning the Country Villages and carrâ—ing away the People into Captivity but in their return they were oftentimes cut off by the Emperours Souldiers and slain Which being reported at Constantinople much moved the Turkish Tyrant but when he understood that his men had without any cause made those inrodes into the Territory of the Christians and so received the foresaid Losses he was again appeased and in the beginning of this year 1584 renewed the League betwixt him and the Emperour for eight years more Ferat from Erzirum advertised Amurath of all that had hapned in his late Expedition desiring him to command what he would have taken in hand the next Spring But besides this information from him there wanted not many others which did the like also although in another manner declaring unto the King and that in an odious sort the whole proceedings of Ferat the escape of Aliculi Chan the shameful loss of his Women his Quarrels with the Ianizaries his falling out with Veis Bassa a man well regarded of Amurath himself the Disorders of his whole Camp for his want of Discretion and to be short the particularities of all such Actions as had not altogether so honorably been by him performed that year Causes of themselves sufficient to induce the King to remove the said Ferat from his Generalship To which occasions were also added sundry other secret respects for ever since the last departure of Ferat from Erzirum Amurath had still in his head the next year following to attempt the Enterprise of Tauris and thereby to stir up through the World a famous Report of his Conquest correspondent to his Greatness Now among the Captains whom he esteemed to be worthy men to whom he might with trust commit this so great an enterprise he bethought himself of Osman Bassa left at Sumachia in Siruan by General Mustapha in the first year of this War who having in that Province remained ever since had without any help of the Tartarians by his own Industry and Valour to the great Contentment of Amurath brought that large Country into a reasonable Obedience to the Turkish Empire and that which most of all pleased the Turkish Emperour had in a Country so far distant maintained his Army wherewith he had done all this without any Expences at all to his King having now a good while levied his Souldiers Stipends upon the Lands and Territories of that Region and still exercised a kind of Government and Soveraignty over those Places Of all which his good Proceedings he had caused Intelligence from time to time to be sent unto the Court by which means and other Favourers which he had about the King there was fostred in the mind of Amurath a wonderful good Opinion of him so that now without delay he resolved to send for him to Constantinople and for that purpose before Ferat was arrived at Erzirum he had dispatched certain Capigi and Chiaus to call this famous warriour unto him yet wanted there not some and those not of the meanest sort that went about to hinder both his coming to the Court and also these Designments of so great importance For Sciaus the chief Visier who rather for the comeliness of his person and alliance with the King than for any other his Virtues was mounted to that high room did greatly fear lest Osman whose course it was to sit next unto him in the order of the greatest Bassaes partly for his experience in matters of War and partly for the good Affection the King did bear unto him should at his coming to Constantinople perswade the King to what he listed and so peradventure take from him the chiefest Office and get into his hands the whole Government of the Empire whereby so great wealth was to be gained Wherefore to rid himself of these Fears he cast about by all means to keep him from coming to the Court but because that to attempt the same openly might prove a matter both difficult and dangerous he thought it better to make trial of a more commodious and secret means This Sciaus in consideration of many Gifts bestowed upon him by Mahamet the Cuman-Tartar King had many times excused him to Amurath of divers Accusations which Osman by his Letters had laid to his charge for not aiding him in the subduing of Siruan as he was both by promise and duty bound and for all his oversights alleadged such reasons in his behalf as if they did not altogether perswade Amurath to be kind unto him yet at the least not to carry a mind of revenge against him and had so far proceeded in countenancing this Tartarian King that there was betwixt them confirmed an interchangeable Amity and mutual Confederacy Him Sciaus imagined to find willing and ready by all means possible to hinder the coming of Osman his Enemy to the Court if he were but made acquainted with the matter And therefore Sciaus as soon as he understood the certain Resolution of Amurath to call Osman to the Court secretly wrote to the Tartarian King who lay incamped near to the Haven of Caffa upon the Fens of Meotis certifying him That Osman was to come to the Court and that therefore it were good for him to call to mind how great an Enemy he had been to him and how much he had indeavoured by Letters to Amurath to return all his Hatred and Displeasure against him and withall That if he was able to do so much by Letters as if Sciaus had not defended him with very reasonable Excuses the King had executed his wrathful Indignation upon him to his great danger he should then imagine with himself what Osman should be able to do when he should come in Person to the Presence of Amurath and without any Mediator between themselves determine of all matters what they should think convenient These and peradventure worse Letters which Sciaus wrote to the Tartar ministred matter enough unto him to resolve to do what he might not to suffer so pernitious an Enemy of his to arrive at Constantinople and especially perceiving that Sciaus in whose breast he reposed all
of gilt Plate Cossi took upon him this Message which when he had delivered to Othoman he found him very willing to go as a man not doubting any harm But Cossi inwardly grieving to see so brave a man and his kind Friend by such treacherous manner to be brought to his end moved with compassion discovered unto him the whole Conspiracy of the Captain against him and of the Plot laid for his destruction willing him to take heed unto himself for which vertue Othoman gave Cossi great thanks as to his Friend for saving his life and withall richly rewarded him promising him greater matters if he would continue that his faithful Friendship Now concerning the Captain of Bilezuga saith he at your return recommend me unto him and tell him That I think my self much bound unto him for many curtesies but especially for that he hath heretofore divers times in most friendly manner protected my Goods and Cattel within the safeguard of his Castle which his Friendship I most humbly request him to continue for one year more enforced thereunto by reason of the dangerous Wars betwixt me and the Prince Germean-Ogli as he well knoweth wherefore if it might so stand with his good pleasure I would presently send unto his Castle such things as I make most reckoning of requesting him once more to be the faithful keeper thereof as he hath been before and tell him further that my Mother-in-Law with her Daughter my Wife desire nothing more than to find opportunity to be acquainted with the honorable Lady his Mother for which cause if it please him I will bring them both with me to the marriage This Othomans request when the Captain of Bilezuga understood by Michael Cossi he sent the same Cossi back again to hasten his coming willing him to bring with him what guests he pleased appointing certain time and place when and where the marriage should be solemnized And because the Castle of Bilezuga was thought to be too little conveniently to receive the multitude of People which were expected at the marriage there was another open place of greater receipt appointed in the Country for that purpose about three miles distant from the Castle The marriage day drew nigh whereunto Othoman must repair for his promise sake and therefore prepared with all diligence to set forward and to put in execution what he had devised for the safety of himself and destruction of his Enemy Othoman had of long accustomed in dangerous times to send by carriage the best of his things made up in packs to be kept in safety in the Castle of Bilezuga under the colour whereof he now made great packs in form as he was wont but instead of his rich Houshold stuff and such other things of price he thrust in armed men covering those packs with homley coverings sending them by Carriages to the Castle of Bilezuga giving charge that they should not come thither before twilight After that he apparelled certain of his best Souldiers in Womens apparel as if it had been his Wife and Mother-in-Law with their Women so casting his journey that he with these disguised Souldiers and the other sent in packs might at one instant meet at the Castle aforesaid The Captain being now in the Country and understanding that Othoman was coming in the Evening with a great train of Gentlewomen thought the cause of his late coming to be for that the Turkish Women use to shun the sight of Christian men by all means they can Othoman being now come to the place in the Country where the marriage was next day to be solemnized having done his humble reverence to the Captain requested him to do him the honour that his Gentlewomen which were nigh at hand might by his appointment be sent to his Castle there to have some convenient lodging where they might alight and bestow themselves apart from others according to the homely fashion of their Nation lest peradventure the presence of so honorable a company of Noblemen and Gallants might put them out of countenance which the Captain granted and having saluted them a far off after the Turkish manner commanded them to be conveyed to his Castle making reckoning of them all as of a rich prey At the same time that these disguised Souldiers arrived at the Castle came thither also the other Souldiers covered in packs in the carriages which so soon as they came into the Castle suddenly leapt out of the packs and drawing their short Swords with the help of their disguised Fellows slew the Warders of the Castle and without more ado possessed the same the greatest part of the Captains people being before gone out of the Castle to the place of the marriage Othoman having tarried so long with the Captain as he supposed the Castle at that time by his men surprised so soon as the Captain had taken his Chamber suddenly took horse with all his Followers accompanied also with Cossi taking his way directly to the Castle of Bilezuga of whose sudden departure the Captain understanding presently took horse and pursued him with all his Train which were for the most part drunk and overtaking him before he came to the Castle set upon him in which conflict he was by Othoman slain and the rest put to flight The same night Othoman using great celerity early in the Morning surprised the Castle of Iarchisar also where he took Prisoners the Captain thereof with his fair Daughter Lulufer which should have been married to the Captain of Bilezuga the next day with all her Friends as they were ready to have gon unto the marriage which fair Lady he shortly after married unto his eldest Son Orchanes who had by her Amurath third King of the Turks and Solyman Bassa Othoman omitting no opportunity presently sent one of his Captains called Durgut-Alpes a man of great esteem and valour to besiege the Castle of Einegiol wherein he used such celerity that preventing the fame of that was done at Bilezuga he suddenly environed the Castle in such sort that none could pass in or out until such time as that Othoman having brought his Prisoners and Prey to the Castle of Bilezuga and there having set all things in good order came with the rest of his men of War to Einegiol which he presently by force took promising the Spoil thereof unto his Souldiers The Captain called Hagio Nicholaus his ancient Enemy he caused to be cut in small pieces and all the men to be slain which cruelty he used because they a little before had used the like tyranny against his Turks When Othoman had thus got into his subjection a great part of the strong Castles and Forces of the greater Phrygia with the Territory to them belonging he began with all carefulness to make good Laws and to execute justice to all his Subjects as well Christians as Turks with great indifferency studying by all means to keep his Country in peace and quietness and to protect his Subjects
by the Turks Horsemen and brought back to the Bassa Techellis thus put to flight Ionuses caused strait inquisition to be made through all the Cities of the lesser Asia for all such as had professed the Persian Religion and them whom he found to have born Arms in the late Rebellion he caused to be put to death with most exquisit Torments and the rest to be burnt in their Foreheads with an hot Iron thereby for ever to be known whom together with the Kinsfolks and Friends of them that were executed or fled with Techellis he caused to be transported into Europe and to be dispersed through Macedonia Epirus and Peloponnesus for fear lest if Techellis now fled into the Persian Kingdom should from thence return with new Forces they should also again repair unto him and raise a new Rebellion This was the beginning course and ending of one of the most dangerous Rebellions that ever troubled the Turkish Empire wherein all or at leastwise the greatest part of their Dominions in Asia might have been easily surprised by the Persian King if he would throughly have prosecuted the occasion and opportunity then offered The remainder of Techellis his Followers flying into Persia by the way lightning upon a Caravan of Merchants laden with Silks and other rich Merchandize took the Spoil thereof for which outrage coming to Tauris the Captains were all by the commandment of Hysmael executed and Techellis himself to the terror of others burnt alive year 1509. The next year which was the year 1509. the fourteenth day of September chanced a great and terrible Earthquake in the City of Constantinople and the Countries thereabouts by the violence whereof a great part of the Walls of that imperial City with many stately Buildings both publick and private were quite overthrown and thirteen thousand People overwhelmed and slain The terror whereof was so great that the People generally forsook their Houses and lay abroad in the Fields yea Bajazet himself then very aged and sore troubled with the Gout for fear thereof removed from Constantinople to Hadrianople but finding himself in no more safety than before he left the City and lay abroad in the Fields in his Tent. This Earthquake indured by the space of eighteen days or as the Turks Histories report a month with very little intermission which was then accounted ominous as portending the miserable calamities which shortly after hapned in the Othoman Family After this Earthquake ensued a great Plague wherewith the City was grievously visited and for the most part unpeopled But after that the Earthquake was ceased and the Mortality asswaged Bajazet caused the imperial City to be with all speed repaired and to that purpose gave out commissions into all parts of his Dominions for the taking up of Workmen so that there were at once in work eighty thousand Workmen who in most beautiful manner in the space of four months again repaired the ruins of that great City Bajazet had by his many Wives eight Sons and six Daughters which lived to be Men and Women grown and the Sons all Governors in divers Provinces of his large Empire whom the Turkish Histories reckon up in this order Abdullah Zelebi Alem Scach Tzihan Scach Achmet Machmut Corcut Selim and Muhamet Yet Antonius Utrius a Genoway who long time lived in Bajazet his Court and as he of himself writeth waited in his Chamber at the time of his death reckoning up the Sons of Bajazet maketh mention but of these six Sciemscia Alemscia Achomates Mahometes Selymus and Corcutus naming the forenamed by names something differing from the other Sciemscia the eldest Governor of Caramania for his towardliness most dearly beloved of his Father died a natural death before him and was of him and his Subjects greatly lamented Alemscia died in like manner of whose death as soon as he was advertised by mourning Letters written in black paper with white Characters as their manner of writing is in certifying of heavy news he cast from him his Scepter with all other tokens of Honour and caused general mourning to be made for him in the Court and through all the City of Constantinople by the space of three days during which time all Shops were shut up all trading forbidden and no sign of mirth to be seen and for a certain space after the manner of their Superstition caused solemn Sacrifices to be made for the health of his Soul and seven thousand Aspers to be given weekly unto the Poor His dead body was afterward with all Princely Pomp conveyed to Prusa and there with great solemnity buried Tzihan Governor of Caria and Muhamet Governor of Capha upon their Fathers heavy displeasure were by his commandment both strangled Of his other four Sons Achmet otherwise called Achomates Machmut or Mahometes Corcut or Corcutus and Selymus the second namely Mahometes was of greatest hope and expectation not given to sensuality or voluptuous pleasure as Achomates his eldest Brother neither altogether bookish as was Corcutus nor yet of so fierce and cruel a Disposition as Selymus but of such a lively Spirit sharp Wit bountiful Disposition and Princely Carriage of himself that in the judgment of most men he seemed already worthy of a Kingdom Which immoderate favour of the People caused his elder Brother Achomates yea and Bajazet also himself to have him in no small jealousie as if he had affected the Empire and was in short time the cause of his untimely death which thing he nothing doubting hastened as fatal things are by such means as he lest feared might have procured any such mortal distrust or danger Most of Bajazet his Children were by divers Women yet Achomates and this Mahometes were by one and the same Mother for which cause Mahometes took greater pleasure in him than in any his other Brethren although it were not answered with like love again Achomates was Lord and Governor of Amasia and this Mahometes of Magnesia who desirous to see the manner of his Brothers Life and Government disguised himself with two of his familiar and faithful Friends as if they had been religious men of that Order which the Turks call Imâ—lier These men are for the most part comely Personages born of good Houses who in cleanly Attire made after an homely fashion do at their pleasure wander up and down from Town to Town and Country to Country noting the disposition and manners of the People whereof as fitteth best their purpose they make large Discourses afterwards to others they commonly carry about with them silver Cymbals whereon they play most cunningly and thereunto sing pleasant and wanton Ditties for which idle delight they receive Mony of the People as an Alms given them of Devotion These are the common corrupters of youth and defilers of other mens beds men altogether given to ease and pleasure and are of the Turks called The religious Brethren of Love but might of right better be termed Epicurus his Hogs than any
and fearful by how much he was at that time inferior unto his Son both in warlike Provision and number of men Wherefore it were good for him they said to moderate his anger and not now in the winding up of his life to make too much hast by a miserable death in a woful Battel to stain the whole glory of his former life There was as they would have perswaded him but one only course to be taken full of wholesome Policy and Safety and that was That he should with such speed as he had begun march on forward to Constantinople that so Selymus excluded out of the City his chiefest hope and then not knowing which way to turn himself should either of his own accord or for fear of his Fathers greater Forces think of return and so with his rascal Followers more honestly perish by the hands of them whose Countries he had spoiled and upon whom he must of necessity live in his return than by the sword of his Father The Author of this Counsel was Mustapha the most ancient Bassa of those which being in greatest Authority about the Emperor are only of his Privy Council and sway all matters of importance concerning either Peace or War he then upon an unthankful and malicious mind loathing Bajazet as one that had too long reigned hated him also for certain private displeasures conceived of the emulation of the other younger Bassa's by him promoted and secretly bare great affection to Selymus both in condition and favour resembling his Grandfather the Great Mahomet by whom he was brought up himself and him of all the Sons of Bajazet he thought most worthy of the Empire This Mustapha was born in the Town of Seres near unto Amphipolis the Son of a Greek Priest a man of a sly crafty and subtil Wit always subject to corruption which diseases of mind were in him well to have been discovered by his froward look and squint Eyes the certain notes of a nature to be suspected Next unto this Mustapha was Bostanges Bassa born of the honourable House of the Ducagina in Aetholia and therefore called Ducaginoli a man for his Covetousnes Ambition and Treachery infamous as the foul and miserable end of his life afterwards declared Unto this man Selymus had by secret promise betrothed one of his Daughters now marriageable as a reward of his corrupt Faith. By which sleight he had also allured Ajax Aga or Captain of the Janizaries and great Master of the Houshold to promise his Aid for the obtaining of the Empire whereunto he said he was by Destiny called and by his means drew other inferior Captains secretly to favour his quarrel unto whom he spared not to promise whatsoever might please their humors Yea the Captains almost generally either corrupted with reward or for fear following the inclination of the greater Commanders of themselves leaned that way Of all the rest only Cherseogles Bassa whom the Turks Histories call also Achmet Hertezec-Ogli a faithful constant and upright man free from all double dealing and deceit a fast and assured Friend unto Bajazet his Father in Law was of opinion That the immoderate Pride and Insolency of Selymus was even there by force of Arms and strong Hand forthwith to be oppressed before he should approach any nearer unto the Imperial City for fear of raising some further trouble or tumult there than were well to be appeased which was the thing that Selymus his Friends most of all desired Neither was it to be thought as Cherseogles said that the naked Tartarion Horsemen although they were in number more would ever be able to abide the first charge of Bajazet his well armed Pensioners As for the Janizaries of whose approved Faith and Valour tried in many dangers he had before had good experience there was no doubt but that they would now to the uttermost of their power defend the Person and Honour of their aged and victorious Emperor who had of long time so well of them deserved and also to revenge his quarrel upon disobedient Selymus who neither fearing God the just Revenger of such ungracious dealing neither the infamy of men had most unnaturally lift up his Sword against his Father wickedly to deprive him of life of whom he had received life Wherefore he perswaded him in his own just quarrel to go forth unto his Souldiers with chearful countenance and putting them in remembrance of the benefits they had from time to time most bountifully received at his hands as also of their Allegiance and Duty to make them to understand that reposing his trust in their Fidelity and Valour he had resolutely set down with himself in that place before he went any further by their faithful hands to chastise the presumptuous insolency of his unnatural Son together with his rebellious Followers But now that we are fallen into the remembrance of this Cherseogles it shall not be amiss both for the honour of the man and the great love he always bare unto the Christians to step a little out of the way to see the cause why he being a Christian born turned Turk For he was not as almost all the rest of the great men about Bajazet were of a Child taken from his Christian Parents and so brought up in the Mahometan Religion but now being a man grown turned Turk yet so as that he never in heart forgot either the Christians Religion or love towards the Christians a thing not common among such Renegates He being the Son of one Cherseogles a small Prince of Illyria near unto the black Mountain and going to be married unto a Lady whom he most entirely loved and unto whom he was already betrothed honourably descended of the House of the Despot of Servia his intemperate Father with lustful Eye beholding the young Lady of rare Feature and incomparable Beauty desired to have her for himself and regarding more the satisfying of his own inordinate desire than his own honour or the Fatherly Love of his Son took her in marriage himself all his Friends labouring in vain to disswade him and with open mouth crying shame of so foul a Fact. Wherefore the young man moved with the indignity of so great an injury and driven headlong with despair fled first to the Turks Garrisons which lay not far off and from thence to Constantinople where the fortune of the man was to be wondred at For being brought before Bajazet who with chearful countenance entertained him for that he was honourably descended and well liked both of the man and of the cause of his revolt smiling upon him said Be of good chear Noble Youth for thy great courage is worthy of far greater fortune than thy Fathers House can afford thee now in stead of thy Love wrongfully taken from thee by thy Father the Kinswoman of a poor exiled Prince thou shalt have given thee in marriage the Daughter of a great Emperor of rare and singular perfection And not long after abjuring his
Turks in their Trenches fearing no such Peril they brought such a general fear upon the Turks whole Camp that the Turks as men amazed fled some one way some another every man as in such sudden fear it commonly happeneth making shift for himself leaving whatsoever they had in their Trenches behind them The Christians contented so to have put their Enemies to flight fell presently to the spoil as more desirous thereof than by the hasty pursuit of their Enemies to put themselves in possession of an assured Victory Which the Turks quickly perceiving and from the Hills with the dawning of the day discovering the small number of the Christians and how they were disordered they gathered themselves again together and coming down inclosed on every side the disordered Christians greedily hunting after the spoil and slew them downright Leucowitz himself with the Governour of Zeng and some others got into Clissa where having stayed two days and doubting to be able to keep the Town they secretly by Night issued out with 600 men in hope to have recovered their Fleet but the Turks suspecting such a matter had so beset the Passages that of all that Company Leucowitz had much ado himself with three others to escape The Enemy now again possessed of his Trenches layd straighter siege to the Town than before which they of the Garrison perceiving and now out of hope of relief agreed with the Bassa that they might with Bag and Baggage depart and so yielded up the Town Thus Clissa one of the strongest Towns of Dalmatia through the greedy covetousness of the disordered Souldiers fell again into the hands of the Turks About the same time Palfi Governour of Strigonium understanding of the meeting together of certain notable Adventurers of the Turks at Sombock a Castle almost in the mid way betwixt Alba-Regalis and Buda raised the greatest strength he could and so with certain pieces of Artillery and other things necessary for an assault set forward from Strigonium the two and twentieth of May before the rising of the Sun and about three a Clock in the Afternoon came to the aforesaid Castle whereunto he presently gave a most terrible assault which he never gave over until he had taken it for after he had by the space of three hours together with great danger maintained a most desperate assault at length he with much difficulty prevailed and put to the Sword all the Turks he found therein Man Woman and Child and with the rest fifty Ianizaries but that day come thither This Castle was of great Beauty and most pleasantly scituated whereunto the Bassa of Buda oftentimes for his Pleasure repaired for which cause Palfi was very desirous to have taken it without spoiling but the Fire he had therein already raised so prevailed that it burnt down all the goodly Buildings thereof with great store of Victuals and other Provision nothing remaining but what the Christians had saved for themselves The Transilvanian Prince having raised a great Army for the relief of Lippa being by great chance a little before his coming relieved came and laid Siege to the City of Temeswar where he had not long lain but that the Turks and Tartars fearing to lose that so famous a City assembled together from all places thereabouts to the number of 40000 and so came to raise the Siege Of whose coming the Prince hearing rise with his Army and went to meet them and had with them a great and terrible Battel the Victory for a great while standing very doubtful yet seeming to incline rather to the Turks and Tartars than to the Christians but at length the Turks disordered with the great Artillery and the Transilvanians charging them afreâ—â— began to give ground and so at last to 〈◊〉 themselves to plain flight In this Battel were slain of the Turks and Tartars 5000 and of the Christians 1500. It was for a time reported That the Prince himself was in this Battel slain which was not so being reserved to the further Plague of the Turks and comfort of his afflicted Country After this Victory he returned again to the Siege which he more straitly continued than before leaving nothing unattempted that he could possibly devise for the winning of the City Where whilst he yet thus lay battering the City both night and day News was brought him That Giaffer Bassa and the Tartars were coming with a great Army to the Relief of the Besieged Whereupon he considering his own strength and the power of his Enemies and that the Aid promised him both from the Emperour and out of Hungary was not yet ready with great grief of mind raised his Siege and retired with his Army to Lippa there expecting new Supplies as well of his own as from his Friends Whilst he yet there lay he was certainly advertised That the Bassa of Natolia the fore-runner of the great Sultan Mahomet was come to Belgrade with fourteen thousand Horse and four thousand Janizaries to joyn with the Bassa of Buda for the relieving of Temeswar whose Forces joyned together were in number about threescore thousand and that Mahomet himself of whose coming had been rife report all this year was now coming after with a far greater Power Whereupon he departed from Lippa leaving therein a strong Garrison and sore-turning to Alba-Iulia called there an Assembly of all his States for the repressing of so puissant an Enemy Mahomet for the better success of his Wars in Hungary had drawn sorth the Tartar with a mighty Power who altho he was at the first so unwilling to that Service considering the great Losses he had therein before received that he would not as he said send so much as one Ass thereunto yet overcome with great gifts and the respect he had of the Turkish Sultan was now ready with a strong Army upon the Frontiers in Moldavia to meet him in Hungary unto whom the late chosen Vayvod sent certain Presents with such store of Victuals as he could possibly provide for him Yet forasmuch as he was not that way to pass without the leave of the Polonian Mahomet had both by Letters and divers his Ambassadors intreated with the Polonian King for his Passage as also for the Confirmation of the ancient League he and the Polonian Kings his Predecessors had to their good of long time had with the Othoman Emperours from which he well knew the Christian Emperour with divers other the Christian Princes to seek by all means to withdraw him Mahomet also not ignorant how hurtful and dangerous the Confederation betwixt Michael the Vayvod of Valachia and the Transilvanian was unto him and his Designs sent unto him an Ambassador by the shew of great dangers to deterr him from the Transilvanian and by many glorious Promises to allure him to submit himself again unto his Protection and in token of his Fidelity to deliver unto the Sultan two of his Frontier Towns such as he should require in regard whereof he should
that he was contented to grant them Peace on Conditions that they surrendred to him all the Island of Candia with the Fortress of Clissia in Dalmatia and paiment of three Millions of Gold for the Dammages of the War. But these seemed to the Senate to be such unreasonable Propositions and so prejudicial to their Honour that they resolved to maintain the War and to defend themselves more vigorously than ever ANNO 1658. NOtwithstanding the Designs of the Turks against Dalmatia they were not less intent to their Affairs in Candia designing to try their Fortune once again in the Siege of the principal City of that Name for that falling into their Hands the whole Island would quickly be reduced and with that Conquest an end would be put unto the War. The Venetians on the other side attended to their Business with all diligence not neglecting any Provisions which might secure their Interest in that Country year 1658. and that they might regain what they had lost they held Intelligence with some Persons in Canea hoping by their means to surprise the Town but the Turkish Governour being very vigilant reinforced his Garison with five hundred Men and Chusaein Pasha coming to his Assistance with thirty Gallies disappointed the Venetians of landing at that place The Rendezvous of the Army which was to march into Dalmatia was ordered to be at Adrianople where the Brother-in-Law of the Pasha of Aleppo who was Commander of the Forces of that Place arriving later than the day prefixed was for that reason put to death by the Great Vizier This Severity so enraged the Pasha that immediately he raised an Army of forty thousand Men and marched towards Scutari threatning Constantinople it self unless the Head of the Great Vizier were given him by way of reprizal for that of his Brothers The Divan being startled hereat returned him a gentle Message neither denying nor granting his Demand as if they intended to amuse him with Hopes But he interpreting this Delay for a Refusal did not only persist in requiring the Head of the Vizier but of four other principal Counsellors whom he judged to have concurred in the Sentence for his Brother's Death and in farther prosecution hereof he burnt and spoiled all the Country about Constantinople and the Plague raging at the same time in the City affected the Inhabitants with such Sadness and Discontent that the chief Ministers apprehended more Evil from thence than from the Enemy without The Army of the Pasha daily increasing and being grown from forty to sixty thousand Men caused the Vizier to abandon all other Thoughts and Designs but those which tended to the destruction of the Pasha and his Complices so that there necessarily followed a Revulsion of the Forces from Dalmatia the Vizier himself diverting them from thence and Transylvania marched with the whole Army towards Constantinople Yet before the Great Vizier departed from Adrianople he perswaded the Grand Signior to set the Bailo Capello and the Secretary Ballarino at Liberty that thereby he might give some jealousy to the Rebels as if he designed to make a Peace with Venice to have more Power and better leizure to make his War against them This Counsel though prudently given had yet little Influence on the Humor of the Pasha who continued his March fortifying himself in the most advantageous Passes of the Country But what was most bold of all his Actions and rendred his Pardon beyond the Clemency of his Soveraign was the proclaiming a Youth of twenty Years of Age then with him in his Army to be the Son of Sultan Morat and consequently the lawful Heir of the Crown and that in right of him he had taken possession of a great part of Asia and was marching towards Constantinople with resolution to dispossess Sultan Mehmet and exalt this lawful and undoubted Heir on the Throne of his Ancestors This and other Rumors from Persia that that King taking the advantage of these Disorders was making Preparations to regain Bagdat or Babylon and revenge himself of all those Cruelties which the Turks had inflicted on his Subjects and Country increased the Fears and Cares of the chief Ministers of State. Notwithstanding which Chusaein Pasha prosecuted his Business no less in Candia than formerly in hopes to put an end to the War there before the end of the Summer and in order thereunto he received a Recruit of five and twenty thousand Men from the Morea But the daily increase of the Pasha's Forces and his approach towards Constantinople as it was a Matter of the highest Consequence so it required the most prudence and caution in the management In the first place therefore by Fetfa or Resolve from the Mufti the Pasha was declared a Rebel and guilty of High Treason against the Sultan notwithstanding which a Chaous was dispatched with Letters of Pardon if now repenting of his Fault he would disband his Army and return to his former Obedience he should be received into Grace and Favour The Pasha received the Chaous with the same Ceremony and Honour as if he had been an Ambassador being willing to consider him under that Character rather than under the Notion of a Pursuivant or Officer sent to affright him into his Duty and in Answer to the Message replied That it was not in his power to condescend to any Conditions for that since he had assumed the Cause of this Youth who was the Son of Sultan Morat concealed to that Age by his Mother for fear of the Power of his Uncle he could not assent to any Terms or Conditions less than the Exaltation of him to the Ottoman Throne And so carrying this Young Man with him as a Property whereby to cover his Rebellion with the Guise of Justice and Duty he maintained a Court for him after the Ottoman Fashion and causing the Tagho or Standards to be carried before him he permitted him to give Audiences send Dispatches and to take on him all the Royal Marks of Empire The Army of the Pasha was by this time encreased to seventy thousand Men one part of which he sent towards Scutari and another towards Smyrna which alarm'd all the Countries round about and gave the Grand Signior such cause of Apprehension that he tried divers Means and made many Propositions of Honours and Benefits to the Pasha whereby to allure him to Obedience One while he offered to him the Government of Grand Cairo but that being rejected he endeavoured to raise Men in Asia to oppose the progress of his Arms of which some numbers being got into a Body and perceiving the formidable Force of the Pasha revolted and joined themselves to his Party This Extremity of Affairs caused the Grand Signior not only again to proclaim the Pasha a Rebel but to give liberty to his People to destroy him and his Souldiers in any parts where they should encounter them In pursuance of which License a Village in Asia having killed twenty five or thirty of the Pasha's Men
Sabatai Sevi was Son of Mordecai Sevi an Inhabitant and Natural of Smyrna who gained his Livelihood by being Broker to an English Merchant in that place a person who before his Death was very decrepit in his Body and full of the Gout and other infirmities But his Son Sabatai Sevi addicting himself to study and learning became a notable Proficient in the Hebrew and Arabick Languages and especially in Divinity and Metaphysicks he was so cunning a Sophister that he vented a new Doctrine in their Law and drew to the profession of it so many Disciples as raised one day a tumult in the Synagogue for which afterwards he was by censure of the Kockhams who are the Expounders of the Law banished out of the City During the time of his Exile he travelled to Thessalonica now called Salonica where he married a very handsom Woman but either not having that part of Oeconomy as to govern a Wife or being impotent as to Women as was pretended or that she found not favour in his eyes she was divorced â—rom him Again he took a second Wife more beautiful than the former but the same causes of discontent raising a difference between them he obtained another Divorce from this Wife also And being now free from the incumbrances of a Family his wandring head moved him to travel through the Morea thence to Tripoli in Syria Gaza and Ierusalem and by the way picked up a Ligornese Lady whom he made his third Wife the Daughter of some Polonian or German her Originaâ— and Country not being very well known And being now at Ierusalem he began to reform their Law and to abolish the Fast of Tamuz which they keep in the month of Iune and meeting there wâ—th a certain Iew called Nathan a proper Instrument to promote his design he communicated to him his condition his course of life and intentions to declare himself the Messiah of the World so long expected and desired by the Iews This design took wonderfully with Nathan and because it was thought necessary according to Scripture and ancient Prophecies that Elias was to precede the Messiah as St. Iohn Baptist was the Fore-runner of Christ Nathan thought no man so proper to act the part of the Prophet as himself and so no sooner had Sabatai declared himself the Messiah but Nathan discovers himself to be his Prophet forbidding all the Fasts of the Iews in Ierusalem and declaring that the Bridegroom being come nothing but joy and triumph ought to dwell in their habitations writing to all the Assemblies of the Iews to perswade them to the same belief And now the Schism being begun and many Iews really believing what they so much desired Nathan took the courage and boldness to prophesie That one year from the 27 th of Kislau which is the Month of Iuly the Messiah was to appear before the Grand Signior and to take from him his Crown and lead him in chains like a Captive Sabatai also at Gaza preached Repentance to the Iews and Obedience to himself and Doctrine for that the Coming of the Messiah was at hand Which novelties so affected the Iews Inhabitants of those parts that they gave up themselves wholly to their Prayers Alms and Devotions and to confirm this belief the more it happened that at the same time that news hereof with all particulars were dispatched from Gaza to acquaint the Brethren in foreign parts the rumour of the Messiah had flown so swift and gained such reception that Intelligence came from all Countries where the Iews sojourn by Letters to Gaza and Ierusalem congratulating the happiness of their deliverance and expiration of their time of servitude by the appearance of the Messiah To which they adjoyned other Prophecies relating to that Dominion the Messiah was to have over all the World that for nine Months after he was to disappear during which time the Iews were to suffer and several of them to undergo Martyrdom but then returning again mounted on a Coelestial Lion with his Bridle made of Serpents with seven heads accompanied with his Brethren the Iews who inhabited on the other side of the River Sabation he should be acknowledged for the sole Monarch of the Universe and then the Holy Temple should descend from Heaven already built framed and beautified wherein they should offer Sacrifices for ever And here I leave the Reader to consider how strangely this deceived People was amused when these confident and vain reports and dreams of Power and Kingdoms had wholly transported them from the ordinary course of their trade and interest This noise and ruâ—our of the Messiah having begun to fill all places Sabaâ—ai Sevi resolved to travel towards Smyrna the Country of his Nativity and thence to Constantinople the capital City where the principal work of preaching was to be performed Nathan thought it not fit to be long after him and therefore travels by way of Damascus where resolving to continue some time for better propagation of this new Doctrine in the mean while writes this Letter to Sabatai Sevi as followeth 22. Kesvan of this Year TO the King our King Lord of our Lords who gathers the dispersed of Israel who redeems our Captivity the Man elevated to the height of all sublimity the Messiah of the God of Jacob the true Messiah the Coelestial Lion Sabatai Sevi whose Honour be exalted and his Dominion raised in a short time and for ever Amen After having kissed your hands and swept the dust from your feet as my duty is to the King of Kings whose Majesty be exalted and his Empire enlarged These are to make known to the Supreme Excellency of that place which is adorned with the beauty of your â—anctity that the Word of the King and of his Law hath inlightned our faces that day hath been a solemn daâ— unto Israel and a day of light unto our Rulers fâ—r immediately we applied our selves to perform â—our Command as our duty is And though we have heard of many strange things yet we are couragious and our heart is as the heart of a Lion nor ought we to inquire a reason of your dâ—ings for your works are marvelâ—ous and past finding out and we are confirmed in our fidelity without all exception resigning up our very â—ouls for the Holiness of your Name And now we are come as far as Damascus intending shortly to proceed in our Iourney to Scanderoon according as you have commanded us that so we may ascend and see the face of God in light as the light of the face of the King of life and we servants of your servants shall cleanse the dâ—st from your feet beseeching the Majesty of your Excellency and Glory to vouchsafe from your habitation to have a care of us and help us with the force of your right hand of strength and shorten our way which is before us And we have our eyes towards Iah Iah who will make haste to help us and save us that the children of
and assigned Fifthly That what shall remain unshipped at the end of the twelve days aforesaid the Vizier shall with his own Boats assist to the lading thereof Sixthly That during this time of truce no person whatsoever shall transgress his Limits or pass the bounds of his Station or Quarters and that he who doth shall be treated as an Enemy Seventhly That so soon as these Articles shall be subscribed under the white Flag all Acts of Hostility shall cease both on one side and the other Eighthly That for security of performance of these Articles three Hostages be mutually given on one side and the other Ninthly That for better assurance that the Venetians will use all their endeavours to embark their Men and Goods the Turks may employ two Officers for Eye-witnesses of the same Tenthly That for better effecting hereof all Ships Gallies and other Vessels may freely approach near unto the shore and enter into the Port both by Day and Night Eleventhly That the Venetian Fleet may remain at Standia or at any other Island in the Archipelago until such time as they are dispatched or that things are duly prepared for their departure Twelfthly That all Commissions given by one side and the other be revoked and that whosoever shall after the space of forty days commit any Act of Hostility against the tenor of these Articles of Peace shall be punished with capital punishment Thirteenly That so soon as an Ambassador from Venice shall arrive at the Port all Slaves or Prisoners of War taken under the Venetian Colours shall be freed and released Fourteenthly That what depredations shall be made at Sea or Land after these Articles are subscribed and before the publication thereof shall be faithfully made good and restored Fifteenthly That a general pardon be given to the Subjects of both sides who have acted contrary to their Faith and Allegiance during this War. Sixteenthly That in Vertue of these Capitulations the former Articles be likewise confirmed which were made in the Year 1571 and that no Tribute or Present be demanded from the Port unless as hath formerly been paid for such Islands as the Venetians hold in the Archipelago Seventeenthly That of these Articles two Copies be made one in Turkish with its Translation into Italian subscribed by the Vizier and sealed with the Grand Signior's Signet and the other in Italian underwrote by the Captain-General and sealed with the Seal of the Republick These Articles being signed the Hostages were given both on one side and the other Those given by the Venetians were Faustino da Riva Lieutenant-General Giovanni Battista Calbo Commissary and Zaccaria Mocenigo who had been Duke of Candia Those given by the Turks were Belin Assan Pasha Mahomet Aga of the Janisaries and Giâ—gi Bei Tefterdar of Treasurer During this Siege of the Venetians side there were killed and wounded thirty thousand nine hundred eighty five of the Turks one hundred eighteen thousand seven hundred fifty four The Batteries which the Turks raised against Sabionera and St. Andrea consisted of fifty nine Pieces of Cannon carrying from fifty to an hundred and twenty pound weight of Bullet The Storms which the Turks made upon the Town were fifty six The Combats under ground forty five The Sallies made by the Venetians ninety six The Mines and Fornelli sprang by the Venetians eleven hundred seventy three by the Turks four hundred seventy two The Venetians spent Battels of Powder fifty thousand three hundred and seventeen Bomboes of all sorts by the Venetians of fifty to five hundred weight were forty eight thousand an hundred and nineteen Granadoes of Brass and Iron an hundred thousand nine hundred and sixty Granadoes of Glass eighty four thousand eight hundred seventy four Cannon shot of all sorts two hundred seventy six thousand seven hundred forty three Pounds of Lead eighteen millions forty four thousand nine hundred fifty seven Of Match pounds thirteen millions twelve thousand five hundred What quantities the Turks might consume of Ammunition is not certain only it is observable That the Brass taken up in the streets which came from the Enemies Bomboes was so much that whole Ware-houses were filled with the Metal and so much sold as yielded many thousands of Crowns The Articles being subscribed and Hostages given the Captain-General attended with all application of mind and industry imaginable to imbark the Men and Ammunition committing in the mean time the care of the City to Cornaro the Proveditor of the Fleet. During these days that all things were providing in order to a Surrender there was great silence in the Turkish Camp and no disorder in the City the Souldiers on the Ramparts and the Turks in their Trenches saluted each other with civility and entertained communication and discourses together with friendship and freedom of several passages relating to their War nothing of quarrel or sâ—â—ffle or rude words happening out between them in all the term of the twelve days The Vizier sent divers times civil Messages and Presents of refreshment to the Captain-General and Marquess St. Andrea which they returned with equal respect and generosity and so excessive were the Turks in these offices that the Venetians began to be jealous lest under this mark and guise of courtesie some sraud or design should be covered according to their own Proverb Chi ti fa piu carezze che suole ó ti ha engannato ó enganar ti vuole In short all things were dispatched with that diligence and care that on the 27 th of September the City was consigned all the Inhabitants departed thence not one remaining in the City except only two Greek Priests a Woman and three Jews In this manner the Whole Isle of Candia the cause and occasion of all that Blood and Treasure that was spilt and exhausted in twenty five years War fell at length to the fortune and increase of the Turkish Empire with its most impregnable Fortress of the World strengthened with as much Art and Industry as the human Wiâ— of this Age was capable to invent after a strait Siege of two years three months and twenty seven days For the space of twelve days allotted for the Surrender being expired on the 27 17 th of September being Friday the great Cross erected on the Wall was after midnight taken down and advice given to the Venetians so soon as the morning dawned that the Turks did that day attend the Surrender which was accordingly performed by the Principal Citizen about nine of the clock of the same morning who offering the Keys of the City to the Great Vizier in a Bason of Silver on the breach of St. Andrea was by him presented with a Vest of Sables and five hundred Zechins in Gold and to his Servants were given two hundred To Morosini also a Present was offered worthy his Quality but he refused it saying That he would never give a seeming occasion to the malicious World to slander him with the least appearance of having
not read any Authour which hath given a satisfactory account of such Sects as are sprung up amongst them in these latter and modern times It is a common opinion that there are seventy two sects amongst the Turks but it is probable there are many more if the matter were exactly known and scanned The Turkish Doctours fansie that the seventy two Nations which they call Yesmish â—kee Molet into which the World was divided upon the Confusion of the Languages of Babel was a Type and a Figure of the divisions which in after-Ages should succeed in the three most general Religions of the World. In this manner they account seventy different Sects among the Jews seventy one amongst the Christians and to the Mahometan they assign one more as being the last and ultimate Religion in which as all fulness of true Doctrine is compleated so the Mystery of iniquity and the deviation of mans judgment by many paths from the right rule is here terminated and confined The Turks have amongst themselves as well as in other Religious Sects and Heresies of dangerous consequence which daily increase mixing together with them many of the Christian Doctrines which shall in their due place be described and in former times also a sort of Fanatick Mahometans which at first met onely in Congregations under pretence of Sermons and Religion appeared afterwards in Troops armed against the Government of the Empire So one Scheiches Bedredin Chief Justice of Musa Brother to Mahomet the Fifth King of the Turks after the death of his Master was banished to Nice in Asia where consulting with his servant Burgluzes Mustapha by what means they might raise Sedition and a Second War they agreed the readiest course was by broaching a new Sect and Religion and by persuading the people to something contrary to the ancient Mahometan superstition Whereupon Burgluzes masking his villany under a grave and serious countenance took his journey into Aydinin othewise Caria where he vented Doctrines properly agreeing to the humours of the people preaching to them Freedom and Liberty of Conscience and the Mystery of Revelations and you may believe he used all arts in his persuasions with which Subjects used to be allured to a Rebellion against their Prince so that in a short time he contracted a great number of Disciples beyond his expectation Bedredin perceiving his Servant thrive so well with his Preaching fled from his place of Exile at Nice into Valachia where withdrawing himself into a Forest like a devout Religious man gathered a number of Proselytes composed of Thieves Robbeâ—s and Out-lawed people these he having instructed in the principles of his Religion sent abroad like Apostles to preach and teach the people that Bedredin was appointed by God to be the King of Justice and Commander of the whole World and that his Doctrine was already embraced in Asia The people taken with these Novelties repaired in great numbers to Bedredin who conceiving himself strong enough to take the Field issued from his desâ—rt with Colours displayed and an Army well appointed and fighting with his deluded multitude a bloudy Battel against those Forces which Mahomet sent to suppress him under his Son Amurath the deluded Rebels were overthrown Bedredin taken Prisoner and his pretences of Sanctiâ—y and Revelation were not available to save him from the Gallows And thus we see that the name of God's cause revelations liberty and the like have been old and common pretences and delusions of the World and not onely Christians but Infidels and Mahometans have wrote the name of God on their Banners and brought the pretence of Religion into the Field to justifie their cause CHAP. X. Of the two prevailing Sects viz. Of Mahomet and Hali that is the Turk and the Persian the Errours of the Persian recounted and confuted by the Mufti of Constantinople THE two great Sects among the followers of Mahomet which are most violent each against other the mutual hatred of which diversity of Education and Interest of the Princes have augmented are the Turks and Persians The first hold Mahomet to have been the chief and ultimate Prophet the latter prefer Hali before him and though he was his Disciple and succeeded him yet his inspirations they esteem greater and more frequent and his interpretations of the Law most perfect and Divine The Turk also accuses the Persian of corrupting the Alchoran that they have altered words misplaced the Comma's and Stops that many places admit of a doubtfull and ambiguous sense so that those Alchorans which were upon the Conquest of Babylon brought thence to Constantinople are separated and compiled in the great Seraglio in a place apart and forbidden with a Curse on any that shall read them The Turks call the Persians Forsaken of God abominable and blasphemers of the Holy Prophet so that when Selymus the First made War in Persia he named his Cause the Cause of God and proclaimed the occasion and ground of his War to be the Vindication of the cause of the Prophet and revenge of the blasphemies the Persians had vented against him and so far is this hatred radicated that the Youth of what Nation soever is capable of admittance into the Schools of the â—eraglio excepting onely the Persian who are looked upon by the Turk as a people so far Apostatized from the true Belief and fallen into so desperate an Estate by a total corruption of the true Religion that they judge them alâ—ogether beyond hopes or possibility of recovery and therefore neither give them quarter in the Wars account them worthy of life or slavery Nor are the Persians on the other side endued with better nature of good will to the Turks estranging themselves in the farthest manner from their Customs and Doctrines rejecting the three great Doctours of the Mahometan Law viz. Ebbubecher Osman and Omar as Apochryphal and of no Authority and have a Custome at their Marriages to erect the Images of those three Doctours of Paste or Sugar at the entrance of the Bridal Chamber on which the Guests first casting their looks leave the impression of any secret Magick which may issue fâ—om their eyes to the prejudice or misfortune of the Married Couple for in the Eastern parts of the â—orld they hold that there is a strange fascination innate to the eyes of some people which looking attentively on any as commonly they do on the Bridegroom and the Bride in Marriages produce macerations and imbecillity in the body and have an especial quality contrary to procreation and therefore when the Guests are entred having the Malignity of their eyes Arrested on these Statues they afterwards cut them down and dissolve them And that it may the more plainly appear what points of Religion are most controverted amongst them and what Anathema's and Curses are by both sides vented each against the other this following sentence passed by the Mufti Esad Efendi upon Schah Abbas Tutor to the King of Persia called Sari Halife and all the Persians will
laid all other Designs aside he might in that great consternation of the Turks have passed the Save and made himself Master of Belgrade without much difficulty and therewith have reduced all Bosnia to the devotion of the Emperor But this being an Over-sight and matters succeeding as before related let us return to the mutinous Army of the Turks whom we lately left raging against the Grand Vizier the Grand Seignior and all the Government The Grand Vizier as we have said having quitted the Army to give way to the Fury of the Soldiers took a Boat at Belgrade and rowed down the Danube accompanied with the Tefterdar or Lord Treasurer and the Reis Effendi or Secretary of State the Soldiers in the mean time chose as is aforesaid Sciaus for their General and immediately dispatched away Orta Chiaus an Officer of the Ianisaries to acquaint the Grand Seignior with what the Army had done It was now no time to expostulate with the Soldiers or disapprove their Actions but on the contrary Orta was kindly received and caressed by the Chimacan at Constantinople called Regeb Pasha And the Grand Seignior himself without any Hesistancy confirming the Choice which the Army had made dispatched Orta Chiaus immediately back with the Signals of Honour which are a Sword and a Vest of Sables declaring him General and ordering him to take care of the Frontiers The Vizier having got out of the reach of the Army took Post and came to Adrianople where he staid and gave time for his Friends to work in his behalf with the Grand Seignior who of himself was well enough inclined to Solyman and therefore after the Rout and Noise was a while appeased Regeb the Chimacam obtained his Pardon and Permission for him to come to Constantinople and Mamout Aga his Friend and a rich Man was sent for the Messenger to invite him thither But before Solyman arrived the Scene was much changed by the coming of four Officers from the Army with Arz and Max-Arz which is a Petition and Certificate signed by the principal Commanders in the Army attesting that Solyman was a Person of no Conduct a Coward and a Lyer and one who took no care to pay the Army and in short that he was not fit for that Sublime Office of Grand Vizier concluding their Petition with a Prayer that another might be placed in that Government Solyman having News hereof as he was on the Road to Constantinople and thinking thereupon that that place would be too hot for him at present sent the Seal and the Standard of the Prophet to the Sultan committing them to the care of the Tefterdar the Treasurer and Reis Effendi the Secretary his Friends and fellow Travellers to be delivered by them conveying himself privately within the Walls of Constantinople upon which without delay the Grand Seignior dispatched away the Seal and the Standard to Sciaus declaring him Grand Vizier in the place of Solyman Regeb would have disswaded the Grand Seignior from sending the Standard which is the Colours of their Prophet Mahomet and towards which the People bear a superstitious Devotion alledging that thereby he weakned himself and armed a Company of Mutiniers with the Charm of that holy Relick Howsoever the Kuzlier Aga who is the chief Eunuch of the Women was of a different Opinion being of a nature timorous like that of the Grand Seignior His Council prevailed and the Standard was sent by the Hand of the Selictar or Sword-bearer that the Soldiery might not have cause to believe that the Sultan treated them with reserves or with the least manner of diffidence But all this served not to appease or mollify the madness of the Soldiery who now talked of nothing but marching to Constantinople and there to Depose the Grand Seignior and reform the Government setting up his Brother Sultan Solyman under whose Reign they hoped for the like Auspicious Successes as they had found in the fortunate Reigns of those Sultans who had formed the Ottoman Empire and especially they had a singular Reverence for the Name of Sultan Solyman who they hoped would prove as great and fortunate as Solyman the Magnificent Sciaus Pasha who was in his Heart a cordial Friend to the late Vizier Solyman found now that he had conjured up a Devil he could not lay would gladly have disswaded the Soldiery from their designed March to the Port and rather advised them to guard their Frontiers and oppose the Enemy But this Council had cost him his Life had he not touched the Proposal very gently and at the same time assured them of his readiness to joyn with them in any Design they should contrive And accordingly marching away in a kind of a tumultuous and disorderly manner towards the River Save great Numbers of them were actually passing the Bridge near Belgrade when the Chimacam or Governour General of the Ianisaries of that place apprehending that they came to Plunder the Town refused them Passage causing several Pieces of Cannon to be fired upon them with which several being killed they returned back Howsoever persisting still in their Resolution the most wild and obstinate party of them passed the River in Boats at some distance from the Town leaving Sciaus Pasha with the rest of the Militia on the other side a good days March behind them by this slow Motion of Sciaus the Soldiery guessing at his backwardness to engage with them like enraged Mad-men they returned to him and treated him with Menaces vowing to kill him in case he refused to be their General and Leader in this good Cause of reforming the Government Whilst the Army was in this Commotion great were the Confusions Plots Stratagems and Contrivances at Constantinople which Regeb the Chimacam suspecting that the Friends of the late Vizier Ibrahim exiled to Rhodes did foment and also that the Mufti who was last year Banished to Prusa was too near he procured a Command from the Grand Seignior to remove that Mufti to Rhodes and the Kapugibashee or Messenger who was employed on this Affair and had the care upon him to conduct this Mufti to Rhodes carried also a Hatte-sheriff or the Command with him for the Head of Ibrahim Pasha which we shall shortly find at Constantinople about the same time almost that Regeb's Head was laid with others to augment the heap In the mean time the Tefterdar or Treasurer and the Reis Effendi or Secretary who were the Two Fellow-Travellers with Solyman the late Vizier were dispatched to the Army with soft Messages from the Grand Seignior approving all that they had done and offering to perform all they did or could desire But we shall see presently how well these Two Mediators succeeded in their Office of making Peace with a heady Multitude which would hear no Reason and endure no Government For Sciaus was now made only a Property to execute the Commands of the Ianisaries and Spahees who had entred into a solemn
he capable of any for when any thing was propounded to him He answered Yes or No or with some very short Reply after the manner of Laconick brevity and then presently turned away to read the Alchoran He was at first reputed after the manner of his Father to be impotent as to Women but afterwards taking five or six into his Embraces he gave the World cause to conceive another Opinion of him He sat as aukwardly on Horse-back as his Father that Exercise being uneasie to him his chief Divertisements were his Books which we may believe he ill understood and sometimes taking the Air on the Water and in Chiosks or Garden Houses on the side of the Bosphorus he passed his pleasant time Yeghen still continued to Ravage the Country between Sophia and Belgrade as his Comrade Yedic that Arch-robber did in Anatolia And the Government being too weak to suppress two such Thieves or Highway-Men how much less was it able to contend with the German Troops They were forced to dissemble and give way to the present Extremities by making Yeghen Seraskier in Hungary whilst Hassan Pasha was forced to give way and fly privately out of the reach of his Competitor The News hereof flew with great hast to the Thieves in Anatolia who being encouraged with the Success of Yeghen under whose Government they all fancied to be made Pashas or Grandees came over in great numbers to joyn with him Amongst which one Temac Boluckbashee a leading Man with Four hundred of his Robbers passed boldly over from Asia to Constantinople and Yedic their General was not only pardoned but made a Pasha To this hard Plight and Extremity was the Ottoman Empire reduced when the Turks placing their greatest hopes in the Tartars dispatched away an Aga to Apafi Prince of Transilvania with a Patent to confirm him in his Principality and with Orders to demand of him in consideration thereof a round Sum of ready Money wherewith to Succour and pay the Garrisons on the Boristhenes and to provide for the Maintenance of Caminiec which was in want of Ammunition and all things necessary And to persuade Apafi hereunto he told Stories very improper and unfit to compass his ends for he rehersed all the Tumults of the Zorbas at Constantinople and that the Grand Seignior was forced to create Yeghen who was their Chief and Leader to be Seraskier in Hungary That in Constantinople there was want of every thing even to a Famine caused by the Seditions and Mutinies of the Soldiers and that for the appeasing these Tumults and for the Donative unto the Soldiers which is usually given by the Sultans at their Inauguration the Exchequer had been drained of Twenty Millions of Dollars wherefore he urged the States of Transilvania to grant him his Demands in failure of which he threatned them with the Incursions of the Tartars who had already passed the River Prut and were enter'd into the Neighbouring Provinces where they had left sad Marks of their cruel and miserable Devastations And that Sultan Galga and Noradin with a mighty Army were marching to oppose the Emperors designs upon Belgrade General Carafa having notice of these Practices upon Transilvania went with all hast thither and in a short time not only defeated this Aga in his Negotiations but also so well disposed Apafi and the States of Transilvania with entire Devotion to the Emperor that in despight of the Message brought by the Aga they absolutely renounced all Obedience and Duty to the Ottoman Port The which Renuntiation follows in this manner We Michael Teleky de Szek General George and Alexius de Bethlem Laodislaus Szekel of Boroszeno Valentine Frank one of the Iudges Christian Zato Consul of the City of Hermanstadt Counsellors to the Illustrious Prince of Transilvania As also Nicholas of Bethlem Stephen Appor Peter Alvinzy and John Starosy Principal and publick Notaries Michael Filstrick Iudge of the City of Braslavia Plenipotentiaries deputed by the Prince aforesaid and by the States of the Kingdom of Transilvania do hereby declare and make known unto all the World desiring that these Presents may remain upon Record for a lasting Testimony unto all Ages With great Reason may this present Age remain astonished and envious Eyes become dazled with the Splendor of the Divine Clemency which not suffering its beloved Christendom to Groan longer under the Yoak of Barbarous Pride nor remain in Bonds to Tyrannical Servitude nor longer to be overwhelmed and drowned after so many Wars in a Sea of Innocent Blood hath at length out of his great Compassion been pleased to exert the strong Power of his Omnipotent Arm to Rescue so many Kingdoms and Provinces from an unsupportable Slavery under the Turks who transported with senseless Fury had rendered themselves formidable to the World ruinous to their Neighbours and Despisers of all People besides their own But behold How the God of Hosts being justly displeassed with these vain Boastings hath thrown his Thunder-bolts amongst them and dispersed them making the most August Emperor Leopold the First an Instrument of his Vengeance and having showred Flouds of Blessings on his Glorious and Triumphant Arms hath encompassed his Royal Head with Wreaths of Victorious Laurel whilst the Ottoman Throne is dressed up with Mournful Cipress Such were the astonishing operations of the Divine Power made manifest to all the World. For when the barbarous Tyranny was in its full Career and was in the Trail of a hot Scent after Christian Blood then was God pleased to stop them in their Course and reduce their unstable and depressed Fortune to the doubtful Terms of Hope and Fear It is now near an Age that unhappy Transilvania hath been depressed by the unsupportable Ottoman Yoak and bewailed the loss of her lawful King and Lord And after having been Turmoiled tossed with Storms of War with Fire and Sword and Civil Dissentions all things have been so confused and defaced that scarce any thing hath remained on the Registers of it's ancient Glory only since the Dominion of the Turk gained by the intestine differences of it's own Princes some Memorials are written and reserved to represent to the World a History of a most direful Tragedy But now the maligne Influence of the Stars being either abated or entirely exhausted and the Ambitious Pride and Designs of private Men defeated Transilvania embraces the Paternal and Powerful Protection of the most August Emperor of the Romans Leopold the First and Hereditary King of Hungary and of all his Successors and particularly of the most Serene Prince Joseph King of Hungary whose Life may God long continue and of his Heirs after him according as it hath been concluded and agreed in the year 1687 at the last Diet at Possonium with full Consent Approbation and Concurrence of all the States of Hungary who have for a long time poured out their Prayers and Tears and Sighs before God that at length through the Divine Mercy they might