THE LIFE OF Tamerlane THE GREAT WITH His Wars against the great Duke of Moso the King of China Bajazet the great Turk the Sultan of Egypt the King of Persia and some others carried on with a continued Series of success from the first to the last WHEREIN Are Rare Examples of Heathenish Piety Prudence Magnanimity Mercy Liberality Humility Justice Temperance and Valour When the Gentiles which have not the Law do by nature the things contained in the Law these having not the Law are a Law unto themselves which shew the work of the Law written in their hearts Rom. 2. 14 15. London Printed by T. R. and E. M. for Tho Under hill at the signe of the Bible in Pauls Church-yard neer the little North-door 1653. The Life of TAMERLANE THE GREAT Who flourished Anno Christi 1400. TAmerlane was born at Samercand the chief City of the Zagatajan Tartars his father was called Zain-Cham or as others will Og Prince of the Zagatajans of the Country Sachithay sometimes part of the famous Kingdome of Parthia third in descent from Zingis the great and successful Captain of the Tartars which Og being a Prince of a peaceable nature accounting it no less honour quietly to keep the Countries left him by his father then with much trouble and no less hazard to seek how to enlarge the same long lived in most happy peace with his Subjects no less happy therein then himself not so much seeking after the hoording up of gold and silver things of that Nation not regarded nor valued as contenting himself with the encrease and profit of his sheep and herds of cattel then and yet also the principal revenues of the Tartar Kings and Princes which happily gave occasion to some ignorant of the manner and customs of those Northern Nations and Countries to account them all for shepherds and herdsmen and so also to have reported of this mighty Prince as if he had been a shepherds son or herdsman himself vainly measuring his Nobility by the homely course of life of his people and Subjects and not by the honour of his house and heroical vertues hardly to be parallelled by any Prince of that or the former ages His peaceable father now well stricken in yeers and weary of the world delivered up his Kingdome to this his son not yet past fifteen yeers old joyning unto him two of his most faithful Councellors Odmar and Ally to assist him in the government of his State whom Tamerlane dearly loved whilest they lived and much honoured the remembrance of them being dead The first proof of his Fortune and valour was against the great Duke of Mosco or Emperor of Russia for spoiling of a City which had put it self under his protection and for entring his country and proclaiming war against him whom he in a great battel overthrew having slain twenty seven thousand of the Muscovites footmen and between fifteen and sixteen thousand horsemen with the loss of scarce eight thousand horsemen and four thousand footmen of his own After which battel Tamerlane beholding so many thousands of men lying dead upon the ground was so far from rejoycing thereat that turning himself to one of his familiar friends he lamented the condition of such as command over great Armies commending his Fathers quiet course of life accounting him happy in seeking for rest and such most unhappy which by the destruction of their own kind sought to procure their own glory protesting himself even from his heart to be grieved to see such sad tokens of his victory Alhacen in his Arabick History of Tamerlane makes this Narrative of the battel The Muscovite saith he had a great Army which he had gathered together out of sundry Nations and Tamberlane intending not to put up such wrongs and indignities assembled all his forces and those of his allies The Muscovites forces were such as had been well trained up in the wars for having lately concluded a peace with the King of Poland he had from thence ten thousand very good horsmen There were also with him many Hungarian Gentlemen under the conduct of one Uladislaus who brought with him more then eight thousand horse so that he had in his Army above eighty thousand horse and one hundred thousand foot Tamerlane had in his Army about one hundred and twenty thousand horse and one hundred and fifty thousand foot but not so good soldiers as the Muscovites for his Subjects had been long trained up in peace under his peaceable Father and though they had sometimes been exercised yet they wanted the practical part of war Tamerlanes order in his march was this He caused all his Army to be divided into squadrons each consisting of six thousand horse save his own which consisted of ten thousand so that he made eighteen squadrons besides his own The Avanguard was conducted by Odmar who led eight squadrons which were flanked by fourty thousand footmen divided on the right and left sides who shot an infinite number of Arrows The battel was conducted by Tamerlane who with his own led ten squadrons and fifty thousand footmen the best and choicest soldiers of his whole Army The Prince of Thanais his kinsman led the arereward with six squadrons of horse and fourty thousand foot his forlorne Hope consisted of some three thousand horse adventurers The Muscovites fought by double Ranks with Lances and they seemed to be a greater number then Tamerlanes making a great noise but Tamerlanes skill and multitude at length overcame the force and valour of the Muscovites the victory bending to the Parthians side which they pursued hotly In this battel Tamerlane was hurt on the side of the left eye and had two horses slain under him and indeed that day Odmar was the safeguard of the Prince but he lost Ally who was slain with an arrow The Battel being ended Tamerlane returned thanks to God publikely for his victory and the next day reviewing his Army he found that he had lost between seven and eight thousand horsemen and between three and four thousand footmen The Muscovites lost about twenty seven thousand foot and fifteen or sixteen thousand horse The Prince slacked no time after so great a victory but marching on came into the borders of the Muscovites whom he enforced to this agreement That they should become his Tributaries paying yeerly one hundred thousand Duckets That he should defray al the charges of the wars amounting to three hundred thousand Duckets That he should withdraw his Army and send back all the Prisoners and that for the performance hereof he should give pledges which should be changed every yeer All which being agreed to he returned with great content and glory to his Father Shortly after the great Cham of Tartary his fathers brother being grown old and out of hope of having any more children moved with the fame of his Nephew after this victory sent him diverse presents and with
the City there he continued two or three dayes giving the City many Alarms till the Infantry led by that brave Christian Genuois shewed themselves in the plaine of Paguinfou Then was the City summoned but they returned answer That they were resolved to live and die in the service of their Prince By the way you must understand that about fourty yeers before the Father of this present King of China had conquered this City and Country from the Tartars and had so planted the same with new Colonies that but few of the Tartarians remained but onely in the flat Country and some small walled Towns who all came with their keyes and willingly submitted to Tamerlane whereby he had great plenty of victuals in his Army which made him hope for good success there being nothing that doth sooner overthrow great Armies then the want thereof Thus was Paguinfou besieged round the footmen lying within a slight-shoot of the walls the Citizens and souldiers using their best indeavours for their defence and Tamerlane doing the like for their offence Axalla having viewed a great Suburb which was in length almost half a league supposed that the Citizens kept no watch there therfore acquainting the Emperor with his purpose in the first watch of the night his men being all ready with sealing ladders he assaulted the same in sundry places and after a great fight entred and cut in pieces at least eight thousand men which were within the same yet on one side where they expected to be assaulted he lost many of his men The tkaing of this Suburb did greatly astonish the Citizens who observing the valour of the Tartarians began to suspect their own safety by this Suburb there ran a river which being now under the command of Axalla he stopt all provision from going to the City In the mean time the King of China's Army approached which was very great whereupon the Emperor determined to go in person and meet him with the greatest part of his horsemen but to leave most of his foot to continue the siege being very desirous to take the City for the accelerating whereof he caused his Engines for battery to approach as Rams and such like so that the City was assaulted on two sides very couragiously and in the end thorow the valour of Axalla who gave an assault with twenty thousand of his best souldiers he won the wall and at the command of the Emperor lodged there who desired rather to have the City by Treaty then storme the City being great and rich and the enemy but thirty leagues from thence and therefore he feared lest his Army should be found in disorder and knowing also that rich souldiers never fight well Besides he intended to draw out of that wealthy City such things as he stood in need of and to make it his magazine for the time to come Yet though the wall was won the enemies wanted not heart to defend themselves valiantly hearing that their King was coming for their reliefe but it so happened that an Engine shooting a bullet slew the governour whereupon the Citizens were so discouraged that they resolved to yield saving their lives and the souldiers to march away with horse and armes The conditions were admitted and there came out of the City eighteen thousand souldiers almost all the inhabitants remaining behind This siege had lasted two moneths and the City had in it at first thirty thousand souldiers Axalla had the honour of winning this City and therefore was made Governour of it and all the Country belonging to it but he beseeched the Emperor to bestow it upon some other person reserving for himself the hope of his Master in whose fortune he would take part This gave great content to Tamerlane who much desired the service of Axalla and upon this refusal the charge was conferred upon the Prince of Thanais with the title of Vice-Roy Then did Tamerlane give notice of his affaires to the old Emperor and having paid his souldiers and settled all things in the best manner he could he marched forward and taking a general Muster of his whole Army Horse and Foot he found them to be diminished ten thousand men only And so with his Army he spent one whole day in prayer calling upon the immortal invisible and invincible and incomprehensible God and then went directly to meet the enemy who was at Sintehu with all his own the forces of his allies and as soon as he received news that Tamerlane's Army was advanced over the River of Chulifu the King of China marched directly to them with great magnificence there was nothing to be seen in his Army but Gold and precious stones He himself usually rode in a Chariot whereof every part shone with Gold Pearles Rubies and Diamonds He was of the age of about three and thirty and had been brought up in pleasures not under the bloody Ensigne of Mars So that he was very insolent in threatenings bravadoes and defying to the battel He often accused Tamerlane for surprizing him before he was ready not giving him warning c. The rumour of his riches sired the spirits of the Tartarians that they longed to be at the battel and so both sides hasted forwards and in the way there was a City called Tunichevoy surrendred to Tamerlane which afforded him much refreshing for his Army and thus the two Armies drawing neer together Tamerlane made choice of a place in his judgement most advantageous for the battel and having set down to Odmar the order which he would have to be observed he longed to see his enemy then did he send before him five or six thousand horse as Scouts under Calibes and himself went with them and having viewed the great confused Army of his enemies which came continually forward he commanded Calibes to retire himself so soon as they drew neer to him And bring saith he this great cloud to me which I hope soon to disperse and so retiring to his Army he encouraged them assuring them of the victory He placed all his footmen which were about a hundred and twenty thousand along a mountaine planting great store of Artillery for their guard many of his foot-souldiers were armed after the Christian manner who were all commanded by Axalla His horsemen were in Battalia in a great plaine who upon any disadvantage could retire to the assistance of the Footmen the horsemen were eighty thousand Calibes with the Scythians were in the Avantguard being thirty thousand horse who were to receive Odmar when he should retreat from the enemy as he was commanded thirty thousand more were appointed for Odmar and Tamerlane himself remained in the Areare at one of the wings of his footmen His purpose was to let that sixty five thousand horse under two such gallant Captaines to break the force of the enemy hoping after them to have a good market causing his foot to march forward and reserving
make suite to him for his deliverance but none came most fearing the fierce nature of Bajazet who if he had been delivered was like enough to have taken severe revenge upon all that forsook him in the battel and therefore they never interceded for him Whereupon Tamerlane one day passing by him said I marvel that none of thy sons nor friends either come to see thee or to intreat for thee it must needs be that thou hast evil deserved of them as thou hast of others But what thinkest thou if I should set thee at liberty would they receive thee againe as their Lord and Sovereigne or not To whom Bajazet stoutly answered Were I at liberty thou shouldest quickly see that I neither want courage nor means to revenge all my wrongs and to make the disobedient to know their duties better This proud answer made Tamerlane keep a stricter hand over him In this great war the Sultan of Egypt as we said before had aided Bajazet which Tamerlane took in so evil part that he resolved revenge for as to his friends he was most kinde and courteous so to his enemies most terrible and dreadful Yet before his departure he restored to the poor Mahometan Princes that had fled to him for refuge all their ancient inheritance with something more out of his bounty as also he did diverse Cities and Countryes of Natolia to the Greek Emperor for the yeerly tribute of four hundred thousand Ducats of gold and eight hundred thousand Franks of silver And so having enriched his Army with the spoiles of the Ottoman Empire he turned his forces against the Egyptian Sultan and so passing thorow Caramania he entred into Syria then part of the Sultans Kingdom where neer unto Aleppo before yielded to him there was fought betwixt them a great and mortal battel the Sultan having in his Army a hundred thousand foot and seventy four thousand horse whereof there were thirty thousand Mameluks accounted the best horsemen in the world In which battel Axalla with the Avantguard of Tamerlane's Army was hardly distressed and Axalla himself taken but presently rescued by Tamerlane who had he not by his coming on with fresh forces speedily restored the battel that day was like enough to have put a period to his fortunes But victory after a long and cruel fight wherein were eighty thousand of both sides slaine inclining to Tamerlane the Sultan fled Tamerlane pursuing him for the space of three leagues After this victory Tamerlane dividing his Army sent Axalla with fourty thousand horse and fifty thousand foot to pursue the Sultan along the Sea-coast of Arabia who making divers Alts with four thousand horse to have stopped Axalla who having the smallest forces followed him the neerest whilest Tamerlane with sixty thousand horse and two hundred thousand foot marched along the Sea-coast having all the Cities as he went surrendred to him only the strong City of Damasco refused to receive him whereinto the Sultan had put the Prince Zamudzen with a strong Garrison who did what might be to defend the same but all in vaine For Tamerlane having by battery overthrown a great part of the wall took the City by storme onely the Castle yet remained which was accounted impregnable but yet at the taking of the City such a multitude pressed into it as was not possible for them long to subsist therefore in a short time being pinched with hunger and many already dead the rest upon promise of their lives offered to yield But Tamerlane would not receive them to mercy to make them sensible what it was to hold out against him So that most of them dying of famine the rest yielded at pleasure were most of them put to the sword for their obstinancy which severity of his caused all the Cities within the space of thirty leagues to bring their keyes to him in token of their submission whom he no way molested otherwise then in contributing to the charge of his Army From thence he turned directly towards Ierusalem at which time they of the City had turned out the Sultans Garison as had almost all they of Iudea submiting themselves unto Tamerlane At Chorazin was a Garison of six thousand who at first pretended to defend the place but when they perceived that Tamerlane was resolved to have it they submitted and found mercy There Tamerlane left a Garison of his own to repress the Mameluks who with frequent incursions troubled his Army Himself with some of his horsemen rode to Ierusalem to visit the Sepulchre so much reverenced of all Nations by the inhabitants he was joyfully received and having sought out all the antiquities of that ancient City he would be conducted to all the places where Christ had preached and coming to the Sepulchre he gave there many rich gifts to the great content of all only the Jews much blamed him for so doing but he reguarded them not calling them the accursed of God There had he news that the Sultan having gathered together all his forces was fortifying his Cities in Egypt especially Alexandria and the Grand Caier whereupon Tamerlane commanded his Army to march towards Egypt to Damietta which strong City he thought not good to leave behinde him though by some he was perswaded so to do for that it was thought impregnable both by reason of the strong Castle and great Garison placed therein by the Sultan But he whose fortune nothing could hinder would needs go thither And having commanded Axalla to attempt it followed himself after with the rest of his Army Now Axalla having summoned the City declared to the inhabitants who were most of them Christians the mildness and courtesie of Tamerlane as also who himself and of what Religione he was causing many of his Greek Captains to speak to them and to tell them what misery they endured under the Moors and Mameluks which so far prevailed with them that they resolved to adventure their lives to put the Mameluks out of the City And the night after taking Armes made themselves Masters of one quarter of the City opening one of the gates to Axalla whereby he entering put all the Mameluks to the sword or took them prisoners and so became Master of that strong City Whereof Tamerlane hearing hoped by so prosperous a beginning to finde an happy end of his wars in Egypt For he knew that the haven of Damietta might furnish him with victuals out of all parts of Greece as the Emperor Emmanuel had promised him and wherein he nothing failed him Then did Tamerlane enter the City leaving therein a Garison of two thousand of the Emperor of Greece his souldiers with a Governor of whom he took an oath for their obedience And having staid a while at Damietta he caused his Avantguard to march towards Alexandria and having passed over the River he suddenly turned directly towards Grand Caire to the great astonishment of the Sultan who provided
and that the chief of his faction remained prisoners with him as also to know what justice he would appoint to be inflicted upon those Citizens which were the authors of the revolt of this City and so after eight dayes he departed and not many daies after he had intelligence that the great Cham his Uncle had caused justice to be done on the chief movers of Sedition in Cambalu so that the people complained of the old Emperors cruelty but commended the mercy of Tamerlane When he came back to his Army he was received of all his souldiers with loud acclamations calling him Most great Emperor and most victorious Amongst his Captaines he discoursed of the beauty and greatness of the City of Cambalu and afterwards asked Odmars advise whether it were not best for him to visite the old Emperor and so with his Emperess to spend the winter with him at Quinsay Odmar remembring the honour which he had received there easily perceived his inclination to that journy yet by all means disswaded him from it to which Tamerlane answered that he had alwayes found his fidelity and love to him which he was sorry that he could not recompence to the full but saith he whereas I had thought to give my self some ease I perceive that instead of the delicacies and pleasures of Quinsay I must make the deserts of Cipribit my resting place after my travelles in this new victory yet a rumor being spread that the Prince intended to visite the Emperor every man began to desire to return into his own Country hoping to enjoy the sweetness of his native soile which Tamerlane being informed of calling his Army to a Rendevouz he thus spake unto them We have my faithful souldiers begun an enterprise against the King of China who hath of late repulsed even beyond the mountaines the Tartarian name but were hindred to our great grief by the foolish rashness of Calix and were driven to turn the bridle to punish him wherein you have all assisted me It grieves me that I cannot as well boast of the fresh spoiles of a stranger as I may by the means of your weapons of those of our unfaithful Subjects and as in times past of the fierce Muscovites against whom with your assistance I made trial of my first Armes but for this last victory being against our own Subjects I cannot speak of it without shedding tears desiring to bury such victories in oblivion together with all the glory and honour gotten thereby Neither do I recount these things to you but to shew that I forget not your faithfulness and the great travel you have endured for my sake We must not therefore be weary but must turn our weapons against those which imagine us to be full of troubles whereas we are indeed victorious Our companions and all our amunition is advanced neer to our enemy already we must in that place my souldiers and friendly followers pass over the rest of Winter Our Companions look for us our enemies are secure and look not for us at this season of the yeer and know that our Army that is already there is not sufficient for offence but only for defence You shall receive double pay the better to furnish you against the injury of cold and as we shall be apparelled with double garments so I hope we shall be clothed with double glory Having thus spoken his souldiers all cryed One God in Heaven and one Emperor on earth shewing their willingness to obey his commands The Prince after this remained there eight dayes longer sending back Zamai with twenty five thousand horse and fifty thousand foot to Sachethay for the safety of his estate in those parts and so after solemne and publike prayers the Army began to march forwards He forgat not likewise to dispatch away a messenger to the great Cham to acquaint him with all his purposes which he approved very well of By the same messenger he also beseeched him in the spring to send him fifty thousand men to recruit his Army and some moneys for the payment of his souldiers which also he granted sending also good store of warlike munition and plenty of victuals knowing how much the success of the war would advance the Tartarian greatnesse and profit The Army being upon their march in thirty eight dayes came to Cipribit yet met with many inconveniences by the way There they had news of Calibes who was glad to hear how businesses had passed and came to visit the Prince who entertained him very courteously acquainting him with his purpose and understood by him how all things passed in the Kingdome of China The next day the Prince came to Pazanfou where Calibes forces were who had often fought with and tried the valour of the Chinois but found it much inferior to their own There the Prince took a general Muster of all his Army caused them to be paid took notice of their countenance whilest they all cryed out God save the victorious and invincible Emperor according to their custome The Prince of Thanais who commanded the Army with Calibes had diligently viewed the wall and the wayes by which he might forcibly enter into China and had sent many Spies by certaine wayes thorow the mountaines into that Country by whom he was advertised of all their proceedings He had also gained by his curtesie a Lord of those mountaines called the Lord of Vauchefu who commanded over a great Country who being desirous of a new Master and to submit to Tamerlane had told the Prince of Thanais that he was able to do the Emperor good service and to help him much in his wars against the Chinois This the Prince of Thanais discovered to Tamerlane who was very desirous to speak with this Lord whereupon a day was appointed and Tamerlane without moving of his Army went to the tents of the Prince of Thanais where this foresaid Lord meet him and the Emperor having heaped upon him many gifts of fair horses and rich furs and other rare things this Lord spake thus unto him Know my Lord that it is but lost labour for you to think that with your Armies you shall be able to force this wall made by the Chinois to hinder the incursions of your Subjects the Defendants have too much advantage therein I doubt not of your souldiers valour and courage I know you have conquered many Nations with them and that whatsoever you command them they will effect it or die in the enterprize I know that you have great and wise Captaines with you and that you of all persons in the world are most worthy to command them But all this will be but in vain against the wall of the Chinois where I assare you are fifty thousand men to keep it neither can you stay there so short a time but there will come fifty thousand more to assist them led by one Xianxi who hath already received such a commandment The
King of China will himself follow who will give you battel with two hundred thousand horsemen and as many foot and though happily your Fortune and valour may carry away the victory yet I believe it will cost you dear But to shew you how much the reputation and courtesies of your servants have prevailed with me I will direct you in a way whereby fifty thousand of your men may go into China whom I my self will conduct and they shall come upon those which guard the wall in a manner before they be discovered In the mean time you shall lead your Army to a place which I will direct you to where you may win easily a mountaine which will give you great advantage against the Chinois For I assure my self that when they shall perceive your men to be passed they will lose their courage so that you may easily win the passage to assist your Army which shall be led by me amongst them and to assure you of my fidelity I will deliver into your hands my wife my only son and two little daughters I have also one brother who I assure my self will follow me to do you service The Emperor having heard this much rejoyced at it hoping that his affaires would succeed happily and kept this very secret not revealing it to the Prince of Thanais himself none being present at the discourse but the Lord and his Interpreter and so heaping new favours upon him he was conducted back by the Prince of Thanais with all the honour that might be So the Emperor returned to his quarters and the next day imparted the whole matter unto Odmar and then calling Calibes he asked what he had learnt concerning China during his abode there To which Calibes made this answer Know my Lord that I am your slave to obey you but seeing you command me to give an account of all that I know concerning the Kingdome of China for that I have remained these six moneths upon the borders I can assure you that the King of China who now reigneth is of great reputation and hath encreased the limits of his Kingdome more then any of his predecessors His strength consisteth in this wall opposed against us which he hath made to prevent the inrodes of our Nation I believe there are above fifty thousand to defend it and that of his best trained souldiers and I know no good means to force this wall without much hazard and great loss of your men To this Tamerlane answered I hope that the great God whose honour I will defend against those Idolaters will find out meanes to effect it and so dismising Calibes he appointed his Army to remove to a certain place where he meant to chuse out fifty thousand men whom he would deliver to the Prince of Thanais and Axalla which accordingly he did and directed them to follow this Chinois Lord who was now againe come to him and to do as they should be directed by him In the mean time himself with all the rest of his Army approached the wall directly over against Qauguifois The Army led by the Prince of Thanais having marched ten leagues by the conduct of the Chinois Lord entered without resistance and after a short repast they marched directly towards those that guarded the wall who suspected no such matter but only had an eye to those which came to force the wall But it fell out far otherwise for just as Tamerlane with his Army came to the wall they saw Axalla with twenty thousand who was followed by the Prince of Thanais with thirty thousand choice souldiers who without any words fell upon the Chinois and Odmar who gave the first assault upon the wall easily in that distraction brake thorow and so the Chinois were cut off between the two Armies and Axalla before the Prince of Thanais came up to him had routed them Great riches were gotten that day and the King of China's cozen was taken prisoner much gold was found as well on their Armes as on their horses furniture they shewed no great valour The news of this overthrow being carried to the King of China who was now at Quantifou it brought great astonishment to him for that he judged it impossible to have been effected so that every one was filled with tears fears and lamentations for their friends Yet the King gathers forces from all parts calling also the Priests and such as had the charge of his unholy holies to come unto him commanding them to offer sacrifices to their gods whereof the Sun is the principal requiring the same to be observed thorow all the Cities and then that every one that was able to bear Armes should mount on horsback and speedily repaire to the King at Paguinfou whither he suspected that Tamerlane would march for that it was one of the Cities neerest to the borders In the mean time Tamerlane beat down the wall the better to assure his return as also the Fortresses upon all the passages all which upon his victory were easily surrendred to him He shewed himself very courteous to the people upon the mountaines and gave to the Lord that had conducted his Army a Country which bordered upon his wherein were seven or eight good Towns who came and delivered up the Keyes to him he gave him also the Government of the Frontier-Province of Xianxi shewing himself to be a Prince of his word and reserved the rewarding of his brother till he had farther opportunity Whilest he was thus imployed news was brought him that the King of China had assembled his forces and was marching forward himself being there in person as also that he had strengthened the Garisons in all his Cities which of themselves were well fortified Upon this intelligence Tamerlane called a Councel of War and having heard the opinions of all his Captaines heresolved to take in some famous City that thereby his Army might be better provided for and then to give the King of China battel in the field For the effecting of the first he resolved to assault Paguinfou which was a great City strongly fortified and well replenished with people and for this end he sent Odmar with fourty thousand horse to summon it and to prevent the farther victualling of it and the driving away of the cattel out of the champion-Country about it which might nourish his Army He also caused the Lord Axalla whom now he had made Lieutenant General of all his foot to follow Odmar with all his foot which were neer a hundred and fifty thousand men well trained and expert in war himself marching immediately after with all his horsemen Artillery Ensignes and other munitions belonging to the war directly to Paguinfou Odmar made such haste that he arrived unexpected by the Citizens who rather looked for their King then for an enemy and having taken much cattel wherewith that Country abounded he pitched his tents on the farther side of
certainly resolved to come to a pitched Battel with him not so much trusting to the multitude of his men as to the experience and valour of his souldiers being long trained up in the wars At which unexpected news Tamerlane greatly rejoyced yet without insolency and vaunting but rather with the countenance of such an one as judged the event of Battels to be alwayes doubtfull saying some times That a small number well conducted did carry away the victory from the confused multitude Three daies after he stayed at Buisabuick causing his souldiers continually to march forward which at two places passed over the river Euphrates which he did the rather to maintaine his Army upon the spoile of the enemies Country chusing rather there to attend his coming then amongst his friends and allies All the Cities that yielded to him in the way as he marched he favourably received the other that refused to submit themselves to his obedience he used with all extremity especially the great and strong City of Sebastia where certaine of the forerunners of his Army were by the Turks that kept Garrison in it cut off and slaine and to despite him the more the City gates were set open in contempt of him whereupon being justly offended he sent out certaine Tartarian horsemen charging them upon paine of his displeasure so to behave themselves against their enemies that at his coming up to them he might finde either the City taken or at least the gates shut up against him and he had his men at so great command that no danger was unto them more dreadful then his displeasure neither did he punish any thing so severely as cowardize Now the Turkes in Sebastia seeing these Tartarian horsemen marching towards the City making little account of them because their number was not great issued out to meet them where they were so furiously charged by these few horsemen that they were glad to retire and for hast to shut the gates against some of their own men lest the enemie should have entered pell mell with them which Turkes were there slaine at the gates of the City Shortly after came Tamerlane with all the rest of his Army and sat down before the City where he lay still seven dayes not making any shew of violence at all The defendants because the City was of great strength thought that his purpose was by a long siege to distresse the same But about the eight day the Towers and walls being undermined in sundry places suddenly fell down leaving large breaches for the enemy to enter wherewith the Turks being dismayed surrendred the City to Tamerlane in hope so to have saved their lives but he caused them all to be buried quick and the City utterly to he razed and then calling the Governour whose life he had spared for that end he bade him go and tell his Master what had happened to his strong City of Sebastia and what himself had seen there of which Tragical action when the Governour had made report to Bajazet he demanded of him whither of the two Armies he thought bigger or stronger for he had now assembled a mighty Army of three hundred thousand horse and two hundred thousand footmen whereunto the Governour having first craved pardon answered That it could not be in reason but that Tamerlane had the greater Army for that he commanded over far greater Countries wherewith proud Bajazet being offended replyed in great Choller Out of doubt the sight of the Tartarian hath so affrighted this coward that he thinks every enemy to be two As Bajazet marched forward he heard a Country-Shepherd merrily pleasing himself with his homely pipe as he sat on the side of a mountaine feeding his small flock whereupon he stood still and listened to him to the admiration of many and at last brake forth into these words O happy shepherd which hadest no Sebastia to lose bewraying therein his own discontentment and yet withall shewing that worldly bliss consisteth not so much in possessing of much subject unto danger as in enjoying content in a little devoid of fears The rest of the Cities as Tamerlane marched forwards warned by the destruction of Sebastia yielded to him the Citizens whereof he used courteously especially the Christians whom he set at liberty for the Greek Emperors sake whom he sought therein to gratifie But Tamerlane had not gone far in the Turkes dominions before he was certainly informed that Bajazet was coming against him with a mighty Army and was now within thirty leagues of him which caused him from thence forward to march with his Army more close together Axalla leading the Van sent forth Chianson Prince of Ciarchan with four thousand Parthian horsemen to get knowledge of the Turkish Army and where Bajazet lay as also what manner of Country it was beyond Sennas and if he could learn any thing thereof to make relation of it to him This Prince of Ciarchan was Tamerlanes neer kinsman a man of great reputation and next to Axalla in whose absence he had the command of the Avantguard who also sent before him an other Parthian Captaine with five hundred horsemen who having advanced about ten leagues and surprized Sennas was certainly informed there of the state of Bajazets Army which was now at Tataia and so marching forward which Tamerlane being informed of commanded him not to retire from that place till he saw the arrival of the enemy and thereof to give him advertisement every hour resolving himself to pass on no farther being encamped in a faire large plaine which was very advantagious for him his Army being bigger then Bajazet's which made him make choise of those large plaines His Army also being compounded of sundry Nations he considered that he was not to fight against the Chinois a soft effeminate people as of late but against the Turkes a most warlike Nation and well acquainted with all manner of sights and warlick stratagems and therefore he judged it necessary to proceed warily against them Upon this consideration he presently sent for Axalla with him to view the said place and to have his opinion whether it would be advantagious for him to stay there or no Axalla not misliking his choice of the place yet withall advised him to keep Sennas as long as possibly he could and accordingly he sent word to them at Sennas that when they could keep the place no longer they should set fire of it and so retreat and this he did that the enemy should have no desire to encamp there but to march forwards to those places where Tamerlane desired to fight the rather because he was stronger in horse then Bajazet Accordingly the Prince of Ciarchan sent out a hundred horse toward the Turkes then divided the rest of his forces into two parts commanding the former that as soon as they perceived the enemy to pursue the hundred horse whom he had commanded to fly disorderly before them
for the defence of Alexandria as neerest to the enemy But understanding this news used such diligence that he entred into Caire with fourty thousand horse and sixty thousand foot even as Tamerlanes Army approached to it By this unexpected coming of that Sultan the great City that before was ready to have revolted was again confirmed in his obedience to the great prejudice of Tamerlanes affaires For to remaine long before it was impossible thorow want of victuals for so great an Army in an enemies Country Yet this discouraged not Tamerlane from approaching to it and with all his Army to encamp neer unto the same having caused a great trench to be made for the security of his horsemen and therein to lodge his Army more safely during which time he caused diverse attempts to be made as well to try the enemies confidence as to see how the people of the City especially the slaves which in that populous City are in great numbers were affected towards him who indeed were glad to see the state of his Army and the proud Mameluks still put to the worst but farther stirred not During this siege he thought good one day to draw forth his Armie before the Citie to try whether the enemie had any minde to come to a battel as also to view his own forces and so indeed to seek occasion to fight hoping that if the Sultan should come forth with his Army some revolt might happen at the same time in the Citie as well by the slaves unto whom by secret Spies he had promised liberty as by the Citizens themselves who were much discontented with the insolency of the Mamelukes and to whom Tamerlane by the same Spies had made it known that he came not to hurt them but to deliver them from the tyranny of his and their enemies But standing thus in battel array none stirred out of the Citie neither was there any tumult raised within according as he expected For the Sultan being plentifully provided with all things in that rich Citie resolved to weary out Tamerlane by lying still and not to put all to the hazard of a Battel Tamerlane perceiving his design yet resolved not to depart till he was victorious whereupon he thought fit also to attempt him in his greatest strength and in the heart of his greatest Citie though it could not be done without great hazard such confidence had he in the valour and multitude of his Army Now his purpose was first to take one of the Cities for Caire is divided into three and therein encamping himself by little and little to advance forwards as he could finde opportunity Upon this resolution he commanded a strong assault to be given and having conducted his footmen to the place chosen by him for the onset for the Citie was not walled but onely fortified with ditches and trenches he commanded the Prince of Thanais with fiftie thousand men to begin the assault even in the face of the enemy which he most valiantly performed which occasioned a great and terrible fight Axalla in the mean time deeming as the truth was that the Sultan had drawn the greatest part of his forces to that place fetched a compasse about and in another part of the City with small resistance passed the trenches where he presently left thirty thousand men to fill up the ditches thereby to make way for the Horsemens entrance himself with the rest advancing forwards against twenty thousand sent by the Sultan to oppose his farther passage the Prince of Thanais being at the same time almost beaten back by the Mamelukes But the ditches being presently levelled ten thousand horsemen entred who charged upon the backs of the Mameluks where the Sultan himself was they were likewise seconded by ten thousand more sent in in by Tamerlane himself following after with all his power Hereupon the Sultan retreated into a second strength which he had made in the next Citie This fight endured full seven houres wherein were slain of the Sultans men above sixteen thousand and of Tamerlane's between seven and eight thousand Tamerlane being well contented that he had dislodged his enemy and gained one of the Cities caused a retreat to be sounded hoping the next day to win all the rest as indeed he did For the next morning the Prince of Thanais storming the trenches in one part as Axalla did in an other the Sultan after a great fight finding himself hardly pressed by the obstinate enemy and unable longer to hold out retreated abandoning the Citie and encamping himself along the River Nilus resolving to retire to the Citie of Alexandria his second strength and onely refuge which Tamerlane suspecting followed after him with his Horsemen who onely were in order and some few foot hardly drawn from the Citie which their fellows were in plundering Tamerlane promising them both to regard and reward their good service Against these the Sultan upon a narrow cawse way had opposed twelve or fifteen thousand men to favour his passage who being of his best Souldiers maintained their ground stoutly the place being much for their advantage yet at length their enemies still encreasing and pressing hard upon them they were forced to cast themselves into the great River and made a most honourable retreat every man having his weapon in one hand and swimming with the other hand to the farther banke The Sultan flying with about eighteen thousand Horse the rest being either drowned or dispersed is said to have comforted his flying men by telling them they were not men but gods that had vanquished them Divers of the Mameluks that were taken prisoners being brought before Tamerlane were by him courteously used and asked if they would be content to serve him seeing their Master was fled and gone This they all utterly refused whom notwithstanding for their fidelity Tamerlane set at liberty to go again to their Master being no lesse desirous to be admired by his enemies for his goodnesse and bounty then to be feared for his force and valour The wonderful wealth of this so great and famous a Citie became a prey to his Souldiers who for the space of twentie four houres had the spoil thereof At the end whereof every man was straitly charged by open Proclamation to retire to his quarters Tamerlane would not suffer any of the Citizens to be taken Prisoners and such as were he released and so leaving ten thousand good Souldiers with many others that followed his Camp for the guard of the Citie and taking with him all such persons as he thought might hurt him he caused his Armie to passe over the River and to follow the Sultan to Alexandria that so his victory might be compleated Axalla hasting before with the Avantguard to hinder the Sultan from gathering up his forces together The rest of the Army was conducted by the Prince of Thanais Tamerlane himself with an infinite number of Boats and many Souldiers
to attend him went by water greatly delighting to behold that fair River of Nilus sometimes running with a swift course other sometimes very calme and scarce moved The Citizens of Alexandria hearing of his coming and fearing the issue besought the Sultan to compassionate their condition and to withdraw himself into Lybia whither Tamerlane could not follow him by reason of the barrenesse of the Countrie Resolving for their parts to submit to fortune and to do as the time required yet promising in heart to remain his and to make the same to appear to him so soon as occasion should be offered Hereupon the Sultan seeing all things desperate determined to retire yet hoping that time might bring a change for that Tamerlane's numerous Armie could not long remain there And so departing out of Alexandria with tears standing in his eyes he often said that God was angry with him and his people so that he must of necessity suffer the fatall overthrow of his estate yet for his own part he had done as much as in him lay according to the dutie of his place and to satisfie the expectation that the world had of him for the upholding of the same yet he hoped to return again and to deliver his people from that bondage which for the present they were necessitated to submit to Tamerlane coming to Alexandria before yielded to Axalla staid there a great while sending Axalla to pursue the Sultan being much grieved that he could not get him into his hands and therefore he still feared that some Innovation would be raised by him after his departure which made him to deal the more hardly with them he suspected to favour him Now the bruit of these victories having with Axalla passed into Lybia brought such a fear not onely upon the Countries adjoyning to these Conquests but also upon all Affrica supposing that Tamerlane followed with his Armie that twentie two of the Moorish Kings sent their Ambassadors to offer their subjection and obedience Of the neerest of which Kings Tamerlane took Hostages but for such as were more remote he contented himself with their faith given and with other Testimonies of their good wills Axalla having long followed the Sultan who like a man forsaken of fortune still fled before him seeing all his labour lost returned to Alexandria And Tamerlane after his long travell and pains taken was now more desirous then ever to return into his own Country The rather being moved thereunto by the earnest request of his Wife much longing for his return He had news also of the sicknesse of the old Emperour of Tartarie his father in law and besides age it self began to bring unto him a desire of rest With his did the desires of the Souldiers also well agree who were now weary of running so many and divers adventures His onely stay was that he expected the coming of Calibes an old and faithful servant of his whom for his good desert he made choice of to govern all these his new conquests in Egypt and Syria A great honour indeed it was but not too great for him that had so well deserved And indeed Tamerlane was alwaies so mindfull of the good deserts of his faithfull servants that he needed not by others to be put in remembrance of them were they never so farre off as now was Calibes who at this time was with a third part of the Armie making way for him along the River Euphrates for the conquest of Mesopotamia and Persia whose coming was longed for with great devotion by the whole Armie which was now very desirous to return but this expectation of theirs was not long delayed for Calibes being sent for came speedily to Alexandria where the whole Armie was by Tamerlane's command now rendevouzed Upon the coming of Calibes Tamerlane made the Prince of Zamalzan a man of great reputation Governour of that place as Lieutenant General under Calibes whom Tamerlane as was said before had made his Vice-roy over all Egypt and Syria together with the Countries newly conquered in Lybia and Barbary He gave him also six thousand Horse and ten thousand foot to assist him therein And so leaving Alexandria he took Calibes along with him to the great City of Caire there taking the best order he could for the securing of his new conquests He left with him fourty thousand Horse and fiftie thousand foot And having sufficiently instructed him how he would have those Kingdomes governed dismissed him not like a servant but a companion being very sorry to leave him destitute of his presence So setting forwards with his Army conducted by the Prince of Thanais Tamerlane with a few of his train turned again aside to Ierusalem where he daily visited the Sepulchre of Christ whom he called the God of the Christians viewing the ruines of Solomon's Temple which he much admired and at Ierusalem the seat of David's Kingdome and of that great Salomon grieving that he could not see them in their former beauty and to shew his devotion and favour to this Citie he commanded it to be free from all Garrisons and Subsidies and so giving great gifts to the Monasteries he departed from thence to Damasco which great Citie for that it was infected with the opinions of Iezides accounted an Arch-Heretick amongst the Mussulmen as also evill-affected to his proceedings he caused it to be rased and the bones of Iezides the false Prophet to be digged up and burnt and his Sepulcher which before by his Disciples was much honoured to be filled with dung and so marching on and blasting the world before him being victorious which way so ever he turned he at last passed over the River Eupbrates where he conquered Mesopotamia with the great Citie of Babylon and all the Kingdome of Persia and so at last laden with the spoils of the world and eternized for ever in his fame he returned to Samercand the famous place of his birth and glorious seat of his Empire Now had Bajazet a little before one of the greatest Princes on earth and now the scorn of Fortune and by-word to the world with great impatiency lien two yeers in most miserable thraldome for the most part shut up in an iron Cage like a dangerous wild beast and having no better means to end his loathed life violently dashed out his braines against the bars of the iron grate wherein he was enclosed and so dyed about the yeer of our Lord 1399. His dead body at the request of his son Mahomet was by Tamerlane sent to Asprapolis from which it was conveyed to Prusa and there lieth buried in a Chappel built for the purpose without the City Eastward where also are interred the bodies of his best beloved wife Despina and of his eldest son Erthogrul and in another little Chappel hard by lieth buried his brother Iacup whom he had murthered in the beginning of his reigne This Bajazet had some vertues which were much
there educated who was now seven yeers old He forbade that thence forward they should suffer him to wear any thing on his head and hung a bough about his neck saying That they which from their birth were called to Sovereignty should be used both to cold and heat and should be exercised to armes betimes and not be brought up idly and delicatly reprehending those which brought him up for using him so tenderly asking them if they meant to make a woman of of his son They replying that he was tender If he be not born said he to be strong and valiant he will not be worthy to succeed me for he must not be an effeminate Prince that must preserve the Parthian Empire About this time his Emperess was brought to bed of another son at Samarcand for joy whereof he made Feasts with Tiltings and pastimes fifteen dayes together Then did he visit all the Sea-Townsineer to Quinsay hunting all manner of Games yet saying often That the recreations which he used were only helps to ease him in the paines of his publick affaires which God had called him to And when Prince Axalla told him that that City was a fit place for his abode O my friend said he it is not so For its a Maxime that the Lord of this great City must not come to it above once in ten yeers and when he is here he must temper his actions as if he were upon a stage with gravity and a good grace before the people who are apt to receive good or evil impressions according as their Prince deporteth himself Having setled his affaires in that part of his Empire he returned to Samercand where three times a week he administred Justice publickly unto the meanest of his subjects as well as to the greatest which made him much beloved of all over whom he did command On other dayes he gave secret audience and disposed of the affaires of his estate which were concluded daily in his presence In his counsel he used such severity that none durst deal untruly or passionately in his presence Yet shewed he such courteousness in his conversation that he was both beloved and feared of his people He never changed his servants except they committed some great faults against him All the servants of the late Emperor his Uncle he never changed one of them but increased their pensions making them sencible of his liberality in that change The like bounty he used to strangers thereby to oblige them to him He drew great store of money yeerly from the Muscovite by way of tribute which yet he distributed in the same Country to maintaine his authority there winning those to him who otherwise might have hurt him He had great care of his revenues wherein he was so expedite that in one hours space he could see his estate from three moneths to three moneths together with his ordinary and extraordinary expences they were presented to him so well digested But after all his publick affaires so well mannaged and his private businesses so well ordered sickness arrested and death conquered this great Conqueror leaving his Empire to Sautochio his eldest son now ninteen yeers old who was proclaimed Emperor within two hours after his fathers death Tamerlane from his childhood was well instructed in the Arabian learning wherein he was very studious insomuch as when they thought him to be in the Bathes wherein they are very curious in that Country being their chiefest delight he was retired to the contemplation and study of heavenly things He had within his eyes such a Divine beauty and radiancy full of majesty that one could hardly endure the sight of them without closing of his eys so that some that talked with him and beheld him were stricken dumb for the present which caused him with a comely modesty to abstain from looking upon them that talked with him All the rest of his visage was courteous and well proportioned He had but little haire on his chin He wore his haire long and curled contrary to the custome of his Country men who used to shave their heads He went almost alwayes bareheaded saying that his mother came of the race of Sampson who therefore advised him to honour long haire His haire was of a dusky colour inclining somewhat to a Violet the most beautiful that any eye could behold His stature was of a middle sort somewhat narrow in his shoulders He had a faire and strong leg his bodily strength and agility was such as none did surpass and often on Festival dayes he made trial of them with the strongest yet did he it with such a grace mixt with humanity that he whom he overcame held himself therein most happy though it was a great disgrace amongst the Tartarians to be thrown to the ground in wrestling In the time of his Warrs against the Turks a Souldier of his found buried in the ground a great pot of Gold which he brought to Tamerlane who asked him if it had his Fathers stamp upon it But when he saw that it had the stamp of the Romans he would not own nor meddle with it FINIS The Errata PAge 15. line 16. read Engines for Ensines p. 21. l. 27. r. famous p. 24. l. 21. r. to him the Lord c. p. 24. l. ult. r. that for the p. 25. l. 29. r. Tartarines p. 28. l. 6. r. the for that l. 10. r. are for were l. 33. r. no for not p. 29. l. 29. r. siege for besiegers p. 29. l. 2. r. stayed for stood His Parentage His fathers peaceable disposition He resignes his Kingdome to his son Tamerlanes war against the Muscovites His victory His merciful disposition His battel with the Muscovites His victory He is wounded in the Battel Ally slaine Tamerlanes Piety The Articles of Peace His marriage to the great Chams daughter His Prudence His agility and strength His Piety His Justice His preparations against the King of China The King of China's pride His Piety towards his Father His sickness His Policy The Rebellion of Calix The Rebels subtilty Tamerlanes Prudence His march against Calix Calix leaves Cambalu The number of Calix Army Tamerlanes Prudence The Battel between Tamerlane and Calix Calix beaten and taken prisoner Calix condemned and executed Tamerlanes march into Cathai Cambalu yielded to him His departure from Cambalu His policy Odmars good councel Tamerlanes speech to his Army His Piety His march towards China A Chinois Lord comes to Tamerlane His speech to Tamerlane Calibes speech to Tamerlane Tamerlanes confidence of success Forces sent into China The wall forced His first victory in China The King of China's fear The King of China's superstition The wall beaten down Tame lanes courtesie Hisgratitude His Poâ—â—â— He besieges Paguinfou Formerly taken from the Tartars A Suburb taken by storme The wall won Tamerlanes Prudence The City surrendred Axalla's modesty Tamerlane's Piety The riches of the Chinois Tamerlane prepares for the Battel The Battel begins The Scythians charge the Chinois Tamerlanes constancy Calibes wounded 〈◊〉 The Parthians charge thorow The foot charge Axalla's valor Tamerlane chargeth The King of China beaten Tamerlane's temperance His humility and modesty His Piety The King of China brought before him The King of China's proud speech Tamerlane's courtesie The riches of China Quantou besieged Odmars 〈◊〉 The King of China's brother overthrown Quantou surrendred Tamerlanes Policy The Ambassadors proposals Tamerlane's proposals Peace conclud ed. The King of China delivered Odmar made Governor Tamerlanes gratitude His Prudence His possessions in China His return into Tartary His liberality His entertainment at Cambalu His presents to the old Emperor He is stirred up against Bajazet He sends Ambassadors to him Bajazets proud answer Tamerlane's preparations against him Tamerlane's speech His entertainment at Samercand Envy attends vertue His march towards Bajazet His Auxiliaries His Prudence The Georgians assist him His strict discipline His huge Army Bajazets Pride Bajazet advanced towards him Tamerlanes moderation He passeth the River Euphrates Turkish pride Turks beaten Sebastia taker Bajazet's arrogance Note Tamerlanes favour to the Christians Bajazet's approach Sennas surprized by Tamerlane His Policy An Ambush Two thousand Turks overthrown The Bassa Natolia taken His speech to Tamerlane Tamerlanes reply His release He commends Tamerlane Preparations for the battel Tamerlanes prudent practice His prudent speech His directions for the battel The Battel begins Bajazet's great Army The Prince of Ciarchan slain A furious battel Tamerlane himself chargeth Many revelt to Tamerlane The Turkes overthrown Bajazet wounded Bajazet taken The valour of the Christians The Despot of Servia's speech Tamerlane releaseth him Bajazets proud behaviour Leoncla in edit Anual Turk Note Lex Talionis Tamerlanes Piety The dead buried Tamerlanes Policy The number of the slain The uncertainty of worldly greatness Bajazet kept in a Cage Pride goeth before destruction Tamerlane prosecutes his victory The Turkes flye Prusa taken The Greek Emperor sends Ambassadors The Greek Empire yielded to Tamerlane It s refused by him Tamerlanes fidelity The Ambassadors dismissed The Greek Emperor comes to him Tamerlane goes to Constantinople He highly commended it He sends his Army to their winter-quarters Bajazet's Pride Tamerlanes Justice He marches towards Egypt His battel with the Sultan The Sultan beaten flyeth Damasco taken by storme Tamerlane goes to Jerusalem His Piety He marcheth into Egypt Damiettataken Tamerlane marcheth to Caire Caire besieged Tamerlanes Policie Cair stormed Axalla enters Caire taken The Sultan flyeth Tamerlane pursueth A brave retreat of the Mameluks Fidelity rewarded Caire plundered Tamerlane goes to Alexandria The Sultan flyes Axalla pursues him Many Kings submit to Tamerlane Tamerlane desires to return home He secures his new conquests Calibes made Governour Tamerlane goes to Jerulem Bajazet's Character Tamerlane's devotion He enlargeth Samercand His love to his souldiers He goeth towards Quinsay Odmars victory in China Tamerlane gives him his sister in marriage The old Emperor buried His son brought up at Quinsay The King of China comes to him Tameilane's plaine apparel Quinsai described It was one hundred miles in compasse His directions about the breeding of his son His second son born Recreations rightly used His prudence His return to Samarcand His Justice His love to his servants His bounty His frugality His death His Character Note