inflicted upon those of Cambalu who had been the greatest Mutineers By this kind and insinuating dealing he purchas'd to himself in this great City the reputation of a merciful and gracious Prince He gain'd also the love of every one by courting them chiefly those who had been faithful to his Party After eight days stay in this place he went away with a thousand prayers and praises which were again reiterated a little after when news came from the Emperour that he would have Justice done upon the Authors of the Rebellion This was perform'd in the Cham's Name and by his Officers two hundred of the Inhabitants were executed and their Heads were lifted up in the publick view for an example to all such as should afterwards attempt to rebel This cruelty of the Great Cham condemn'd by the common people caus'd them to extol the goodness of Tamerlan who by this yielding to his Uncles will laid a greater Obligation upon him and nevertheless purchas'd to himself the universal esteem of the Country In the mean while the Emperour began to rise from his sick Bed which caus'd him to have an earnest desire to see the Prince who delayed this Interview till he had been with his Army where he intended to advise whether it were not best to stay first and expect what news he should receive from his Army upon the borders of China Thus he went as far from Cambalu as he could that he might not be thought to have any hand in the execution of the Citizens In this manner this dangerous and Civil War was ended to the advantage of Tamerlan whose diligence had been notable in the extinguishing of it One may justly say that he conquer'd this great Empire for there was a dangerous and a general conspiracy and rising against him His vigilancy disappointed all his Enemies In such like cases speedy and early appearances in the Field are of the highest importance for a Princes Affairs to incourage his own Party to terrifie such as are wavering and to prevent all false reports with which the common people are usually cozen'd His chief endeavour should be to perswade and make it appear that the Rebels are not to be fear'd and that he himself dreads them not but this he can never do unless he commands his own Army By this means he will have a great advantage over the Rebels It is not to be imagin'd that a Revolt is to be stifled by weak Remonstrances for that perswasion savours of as much indiscretion as the Authors of the Rebellion have had craft to cause their injustice to be entertain'd under the notion of Equity Therefore without delays a Soveraign Prince must fall upon the Rebels scatter and destroy them with the fear of a speedy punishment By no means let him be prevail'd upon to grant pardon to the Chieftains of the Rebellion Tamerlan dealt in this manner with Calix He knew his designs a great while before he was in a capacity to put them in execution therefore he provided a timely remedy a powerful Army in the Province of Zagatay to be ready to march at his first Command In the mean while he pretended to be busie in his Expedition against China that he might by that means better discover the chief of the Rebellion and their wicked intentions by this act of wisdom he disappointed Calix who doubtless might have prevail'd upon a negligent and weak Prince given to his pleasures But Tamerlan had better qualities he found the benefit of his cares and vigilancy for before this he was not well setled in the Empire but by this Victory he became such an undoubted Successor and Owner of it that the death of the Great Cham could not cause any alteration or opposition of his Right From hence it is easie to conclude that as his kindness and moderation were strong Chains to bind the hearts and souls of his good Subjects his courage and severity knew how to punish the Rebels and seditious persons and bring them to obedience As soon therefore as Tamerlan had overtaken his Army Odmar who expected him and caus'd them to march in good order and slowly received him with the Captains and Souldiers with acclamations and expressions of joy calling him in the Tartarian Language Most great and victorious Emperour In the way he discours'd with his Captains concerning the Greatness and Beauty of the City of Cambaliâ—â— till he was come into the Tent prepar'd for him where he remain'd alone with Odmar He told him all that had been acted in that rebellious City afterwards he desir'd his advice whether he should visit the Great Cham his Uncle at that time or no. Odmar understood by his words that he remembred what Honours he had received at Quinsay when he was there and that he had a secret inclination to spend the Winter with the young Empress and to go in the Spring into China But as he was an Enemy of Flattery and loved his Prince entirely as one of his most faithful and chief Officers he spoke to him boldly in this manner Brave and Invincible Emperour let all the world understand I beseech you that Tamerlan knows how to use his Victory as well as to gain it Do not you mind that the Army which you have left upon the borders of China is busily imployed in fighting with the Enemy above six months that the Chief Commander is a Tartarian and one of the most considerable of his Nation Know you not that the Tartarians and Parthians never think a Prince worthy to reign if he cannot go with them to the War And do you not consider that you have undertaken this War to increase the glory of him who hath made you his Successor and inlarge the bounds of his Empire by re-taking the Lands which the Chineses have usurped It concerns you therefore in gratitude to recover them with speed Consider likewise that your Glory and Reputation will appear to him greater at a distance than near at hand and more pleasing because it will at a distance tend to inlarge his Empire and render his Affairs more prosperous whereas near at hand your Fame will but diminish his Reputation and it may be cause a jealousie in him Princes sometimes are subject to change and by a sudden repentance to strive to ruine the person whom they have exalted too high What need have you to undertake a journey so much destructive to your Honour and Glory Is it not better to spend the Winter bravely in your Tent with your Army than in the stately Palaces of Qâ—â—insay in an Effeminate Court where such as are not afraid to slander will not spare you but will ask where you have left your Army whether you threaten the King of China only at a distance who in your absence may perhaps cut all your Troops in pieces In such a case what a trouble will it be to gather together your dispersed Army bâ—â—sides your example will have an influence upon the
The prisoners went before and amongst them was Bajazet the Turkish Emperour who was chain'd for fear that he should offer violence to himself This was an instance of the Worlds unconstancy but his misfortune had neither made him milder nor more tractable In his lowest misery he abated nothing of his pride and haughty mind All the people of the Country through which Tamerlan passed sung forth his praises and loaded him with Prayers and Blessings for his Victories At last he arrived at Samarcand with all the riches and spoils and was received in a most glorious manner Near two months were spent in feastings playes and all manner of publick rejoycings The Emperour then called to mind a Vow that he had made to build a most glorious Temple with an Hospital Accordingly he now laid the foundations and Dedicated it to the Only Immutable and Incomprehensible GOD. And for the better carrying on of the work he had sent for all the able Artists to employ them in building this Temple and Hospital and in other glorious structures for the embellishing of this great City for he had an intent to enlarge Samarcand and to render it as big again as it was before for that purpose he had marked out the streets and caused ground to be given to such as desired to build and if persons were poor and not able he deliver'd to them out of his Exchequer monies to carry on their work He gave liberty to all prisoners that would dwell in the City and settle their abode and granted large priviledges to all the Citizens And though he spent much time in ordering the affairs of this new City he neglected not to manage and preserve the affections of his Souldiers He had caused all the names of the worthiest of them who had behav'd themselves well to be recorded which Records he now called for and when they expected no such matter he gave them gifts and things answerable to their behaviour and services and promoted some to employments sutable to their Capacities and Talents Whiles he staid at Samarcand the Auxilliary Troops of the Moscovites were refreshing themselves Afterwards he dismissed them with their full Wages and desired them to return his thanks to their Prince Sinopes a Nephew of Prince Axalla was ordered to conduct them through the Emperours Country that they might not be disorderly and to renew the Alliance with the Great Duke that he might be secure of the borders of Paâ—â—thia whiles he should be further at a distance At this time Tamerlan discovered in his privy Council the old Emperours death He caused his obsequies to be performed in the most glorious manner answerable to his Unkles deservings and grandeur He spent eight dayes in these funeral Ceremonies and afterwards left Bajazet in the keeping of the Governour of Sachetay at Samarcand to go and visit the Empress his Wife But as his greatest desire was to live in Peace and Union with his Neighbours and Allies and to preserve the Countries that he had conquered he thought fit for that purpose to send Nâ—â—bazes one of his most understanding Ministers to continue with the Prince of Tanais and assist him with advice either in War or for the suppression of the Cabals which might rise to disquiet his Government and Kingdome or about the borders and to help him to carry on the Emperours interest and designs During his absence nothing had happened amiss but he charged Nobazes to have a special care to cause order and discipline to be observed amongst his Souldiers as the best means to make them capable of the services he expected from them The Emperour departed for Quinzay with all the Court and his ordinary guard of forty thousand horse and threescore thousand foot After several days march he arrived through the acclamations and publick rejoycings of all the people at Câ—â—mbalu where he received the news of a battle won by Odmar from one of the Generals of the King of China He gave him an account by letters that in pursuance of the Victory he had taken three or four great Cities of that Kingdome So that the King had been forced to sue for peace the second time Odmar desired therefore instructions upon what conditions he should grant him peace The Emperour sent him these conditions which he should require That the King of China should pay him all the arrears of the Tribute of the former years unto which he was engaged by the first peace That he should be obliged to come to him and render him homage as a vassal of the Empire That whiles he should be in the way the Army should depart That all the Towns taken in this last War should be restored three onely excepted at the Emperours choice That for all other things they should be reduced to the same condition as they were before this last breaking out and that upon this condition he should pay the Emperours Army six moneths with all the charges of this War which he had kindled of his own accord The Emperour at the same time considered how to reward Odmar for his services he imagin'd no better way than to promote him to the honour of his Alliance by giving him his own Sister in Marriage He sent her therefore with a stately equipage and Train So great a token of his respects and love he conceived would ingage him the more to be true faithful and careful for his Princes interest and person and the good of his Empire It is not to be imagin'd with what state and in what glory Tamerlan was welcomed into Cambalu for the Inhabitants of this great City to take away from him the remembrance of their former rebellion endeavoured beyond all others to express their zeal and affection for him The Prince was so well pleased with them that he restored all their priviledges which had been taken from them during Calix's revolt Every where when he passed by there was nothing heard but Prayers and Blessings from all the people and thankful expressions from himself for he labour'd to win the hearts of his Subjects of this great Empire which was fallen into his hands Not only the Towns and Cities did ring with applauses and shouts of joy but also the Country round about were glad to see him well and safely returned when he passed by the Herds these are certain Families that have no setled abode but wander up and down the fields when they are weary in one place they travel to another and alwayes stop where they meet with most grass for their Cattle The Empress came to Cambalu to meet the Emperour having left behind Axalla at Quinzay to command in her absence And because this great City is nearest to mount Althay where the Scythian Emperours called Great Chams are usually interred from this City The Emperour caused the Corps of his deceased Unkle to be carried with all the Pomp and State imaginable He himself followed the Herse and though it is not usual to see women
were rallied into a Body of thirty thousand Horse which together with the Foot seem'd to be willing to venture another Battel but their Emperour had no such resolution when he saw the Parthians so soon at his Heels ready to enter into his Country where the People were frighted at the approach of so victorious an Army To secure himself and his Men he passed over the River of Nifort on the other side he called together a General Council of Officers who advis'd him for the preservation of his Subjects to send a solemn Embassie to Tamerlan with Overtures of Peace rather than to hazard another Battel against a Prince who had justice on his side They were the sooner invited to this by the generous behaviour of Tamerlan with the Prisoners that he had taken for thereby he seem'd to give an assurance that he would not refuse reasonable offers of Peace and that after he had shewn sufficient proofs of his Courage and Power he would likewise give some Tokens of his Moderation and Generosity In pursuance of this Design the Moscovite sends him Embassadors to treat of Peace and offer all possible amends for the wrongs sustained by his Subjects In-roads into Tamerlan's Country When the Embassadors were arriv'd at Tamerlan's Camp they found a most obliging reception He was so far from insulting over their unhappiness that he seem'd to pity them and treated them with so much kindness that though a Conquerour he seem'd to have as much modesty as the Conquered They declared that they were come in their Masters name to desire a Peace upon such Conditions as he should propose which they expected would be favourable for they were confident that he would use his Victory with moderation which he was to take rather as a kind gift of Fortune upon which no person can settle his assurance than an evident proof of the greatness of his Forces He answer'd them that he had taken up Armes only to protect his Subjects and Confederates from the insults of the Moscovites and if they had prov'd happy and successful he acknowledg'd himself to be therefore indebted to the great God of Hosts who had favour'd the justice of his Cause That because he held and had received this advantage from his pure goodness he was not therewith puft up with pride that they might have learn'd so much from the manner of proceeding of the Parthians who had it recommended to them from their Predecessors not to want courage in adversity nor to be insolent in prosperity but to observe a moderation in both and seek the execution of Justice He told them that it was but just that they should give some satisfaction to the Conquerour and promise never to molest or trouble his Allies that they should pay down all the Expences of the War which amounted to three hundred thousand Ducats and that they should become Tributaries and give him yearly one hundred thousand Ducats and that for the performance of these conditions they should deliver Hostages which were to be renewed every year and that he for his part would grant them peace and send home all their Prisoners of War These Conditions were readily accepted so that Tamerlan full of glory and satisfaction return'd to Samarcande to his Father who was so much disinteressed in the affairs of the world that these prosperities of his Son wrought no alteration upon his countenance and in his discourse no more than in his mind But every where in the Princes march he was received in State with Arches of Triumph with Sports and all the marks of a publick joy and pomp which Tamerlan accepted as the signs of his Subjects affections with a grateful acknowledgment of their love In these great causes of publick joy he seem'd to be very moderate and modest when a solemn Embassy came to him with rich Presents to congratulate his Victory from the Grand Cham of Tartary his Vncle with the offer of his only Daughter in marriage promising to cause all his Subjects to acknowledge him as the Heir of his Empire because he was his nearest Kin and had no hopes in his old age to be Father of any more Children This pleasing news was welcom to this young Prince and the rather because by this great Succession he was in hopes to be able to put in execution the mighty things that he design'd in his mind which should immortalize his Name He prepared himself with all possible diligence for this journey towards Quinsay where the Emperour his Uncle liv'd He was by his Orders received as in Triumph by all the great Lords of the Court as well as by all the Inhabitants of this great City who honour'd his arrival with the richest shews because he was one day to be their Soveraign and the disposer of their lives and fortunes The days immediately after his magnificent Entry were spent in sports and gallantry in Plays Races Encounters and other Divertisements in which the vain-glorious Tartars were glad to shew their address and dexterity Yet Tamerlan met with none there that could beat him in all these Exercises He was so expert in them in shooting with Bow and Arrows and in fencing with a sharp Sword that he gain'd the admiration and love of all his Subjects At the end of six days spent in these delights the Emperour caus'd him to be solemnly crowned with the applause and consent of all sorts of men for the Prince was desirous that this Solemnity should precede that of his Marriage that his Right to the Imperial Crown might be better secur'd and that it might not seem that the Empire fell to him by the marriage of his Wife but by a Lineal Descent for Daughters in that Country cannot inherit the Crown Immediately after Tamerlan was married with all the splendour and glory imaginable In this occasion all the magnificence and pomp of the old Rome seem'd to appear at Quinsay to render this Solemnity more glorious After the Consummation of the Marriage Tamerlan spent two Months at this Court with all the satisfaction and honour that he could desire for he was mightily beloved and generally look'd upon as the only hope of the Empire of Tartary But at last his natural inclination to return into his own City of Samarcande where he took more delight than in any other place of the World together with the desire to shew himself to his own Subjects as the Successor of the greatest Empire of the World prevail'd upon all other considerations and oblig'd him to take leave with his beloved Spouse of his Father-in-law and of all the Friends that he had got in that Court He arriv'd in safety with the Princess to this City where he was expected with the longing of his people We must acknowledge that the abode is very pleasant as well in regard of its situation as for a beautiful River that waters it and renders it one of the richest thereabouts for Trade and the fertility of the Soil At his
Nation than to make Posterity to understand that an Emperour of that Nation came from a far Country on purpose to give a check to the boldness and insolency of Bajazet and to free the Nobility of Greece from his unmerciful Tyranny and though I could have taken all their Country into my hand with ease I have abstained from the surprisal of a Great Empire and of the most beautiful City of the world so that I have neglected all the motions of ambition to follow the rules of Justice and equity I may with reason boast that I have not gained a more glorious Victory than this though I have conquered so many Nations and differing people and that my Armies have alwayes been happy and successful It is an ordinary thing to win battles and subdue Kingdomes and Empires many have performed these things before me but few of those Conquerours are to be found who have caused their ambition to submit and be ruled by their justice they have for the most part when power was in their hands for their conveniency seized upon other mens estates and plundered the Provinces belonging to other men I shall recommend this example to Posterity that equity hath been alwayes the rule of my actions the faith I keep to my enemies makes them to become my most assured friends what effect think you that it will have upon those who are already mine Will not my honourable and just proceedings secure and increase my well wishers Approve therefore my dealing and perswade me not for the future to act contrary to it The Chancellour who was a wise man but inclinable to ambition submitted to such strong reasons and departed He told Alhacent immediately after all the particulars of this discourse he hath therefore inserted it in his History that the World might know the excellent temper and the noble courage of this Prince Therefore he who shall see in him so many rare vertues will not easily ascribe to meer chance or blind fortune which favours wicked men as often as it doth the best natures his great successes and glorious conquests but he will doubtless confess that his prosperities were blessings of Heaven and rewards of his Piety and Vertues in this life When the Emperour was at Damascus he utterly ruined that City because it had resisted him his Army lodg'd there eight days Axalla who expected him there had orders to send six thousand horse to the assistance of the great Chamberlain That he might pass more securely and more boldly over Euphrates to the siege of Meleg he took it in three days as well as Raffan All the Country thereabouts submited to the Prince but chiefly the Cities upon the River Euphrates The Prince of Tanais commanded his party to stay for him at the passage that he might march with all his forces together towards the Emperour who embraced him very kindly and in the presence of all his chief Officers extolled his valour and courage He sent him afterwards to his Government with order to send back the six thousand horse which had been sent to him that they might joyn with the Van-guard commanded by Axalla from whence they had been taken The whole Army marched in a line Axalla upon the right hand the great Chamberlain upon the left and the Emperour in the middle of the Troops The Prince of Tanais was with him I shall not busie my self in reckoning up all the Cavalry and Companies of Infantry in the Army nor the great Captains and Princes who commanded there for fear of being too prolix in this narration I shall only say that the Emperour arrived at Meleg where he went over Euphrates and separated ten thousand horse and fifteen thousand foot to send back to Calibes that he might use them in case of need The Prince of Aracen had the command of them He was ordered first to march to Babylon and take it The Emperour remain'd still at Meleg to wait and see the success of this Commission from Babylon the Prince of Aracen was to send to Calibes to know whether he should not want greater assistances for Tamerlan had notice that the Sultan was in motion with a strong party Calibes sent word that he saw no likelihood of any Rebellion because from all parts everyone submitted to the Empire of Tamerlan After a few days repose in the same place he caus'd his Army to march directly towards Armeniâ—â— sending a party through Diabreroth to chastise some petty Kings who had revolted from him and subdue the Provinces that reach as far as the mouth of Euphrates All these things succeeded very happily and the little Kings sent their Ambassadours to yield and promise him obedience But for the better understanding of this History we must know that since the Christian or Roman Empire these people had been govern'd sometimes by the Turks sometimes by the Sultans now by the Caliphs at another time by the Lieutenant Generals of the Romans so has the strongest alwaies held and commanded them they were continually pillaged and ruined by the several invasions of Forreign Armies But the Emperour seized into his hands the passages over Euphrates that he might with more case succour Aegypt in case of need which happen'd but little after for the Army was not farther than Armenia when a messenger came post from Calibes to desire help The Prince of Aracen was immediately dispatch'd and sent towards Aegypt and Tamerlan went himself to Babylon to terrifie the more the Inhabitants in case they would offer to withstand him and to assure them of his bounty and mercy in case they would accept of it He sent away Axalla with the Vanguard in the way towards Armenia to proceed on without contrary orders In Eleven dayes Tamerlan marched to Babylon which yeilded as all other places thereabouts He appointed the great Chamberlain to fortifie Romedat because it was an advantageous post and gave him the Government of all the Country near Euphrates as far as Armenia recommending to him the Inhabitants of Babylon who had shewn a great respect to their new Master for they were for the most part descended from the Tartars For this City heretofore was taken by the Prince of Sachetay his Father who transported thither a Parthian Collony to sâ—â—cure it but since that time they were so much vex'd by the Persians and Mamelucks that they were obliged to submit to them Nevertheless they had a great affection for their Country and a remembrance of their Country-men for this cause was the Prince favourable to them and look'd not upon their City as a conquered place but as his own Patrimony newly recovered from the Enemy It was first taken by Sahali one of his Fathers Lieutenant Generals who had left a good name and esteem behind him in Sachetay because of his great services that he render'd to his Country From this City the Prince made haste towards Armenia for Axalla had sent him word that a Persian Prince named Guines was coming to make
feet and hands Mony was the strength and the spirits which keeps this body in motion and food as the belly from whence it was entertain'd Therefore he said that when an Army can represent a perfect man in all respects it is invincible because it fights when it pleaseth and may chuse whether it will hazard any thing but upon good terms When an Army miscarries this proceeds from some imperfection in the body which may be lame or wounded or from the starved belly or the diseased head Therefore when he sent the Prince of Tanais against the Sultan he was afraid of the head and of the belly of his Army For the Prince was but young and his men unfurnished with necessary provisions for he was wont a year before hand when he intended to make War to gather up stores of food and fill up his Magazins now this year they had neglected this piece of policy his victory therefore he ascribed to his good fortune which was loath to forsake him rather than to the Wisdome of his young General When the Emperour was near Qâ—â—inzay Axalla went out to meet him at two dayes journey from the City with the greatest Lords of the Country and the chief Citizens whiles the rest were making ready to welcome him in the most magnificent manner that they were able This City is one of the richest in the world and one of the largest very well scituated upon small Islands or Channels cut from one end to the other with stately buildings and a great many bridges for the convenience of the Inhabitants It is a place of so great Trade that there comes to it continually all sorts of Goods Stuffs Precious Stones and chiefly spices Tamerlan at his first arrival was presented with the richest things of the City They were valued above two Millions of Gold to not reckon many other rare things which were given him as tokens of their subjection to him and affection for him He seem'd to be very desirous to see his Son who was then but about seven years old He was brought up with much state and with the care answerable to his Quality When he was first brought to him he took notice that his head was carefully covered but he commanded that they should keep it uncovered because as he said He that is called by his birth to govern Nations ought to use himself to heat and cold and to painful exercise and not to indulge himself in an effeminate life Some told him that the Child was but tender what reply'd the Emperour will you make him a Woman If he be not able to endure the troubles and inconveniencies of War he is not worthy to succeed me for there must be no dainty and soft Prince to keep up the Empire of the Parthians He had sent the Empress to Samarcand to be there brought to bed she was received with all the honours due to her Dignity and the affection that the people could express This was the first time of her visiting of this City A little after the Emperour had news brought him that she was safely delivered of her second Son which he publish'd abroad and seem'd to rejoyce at it appointing Tilts and magnificent Sports to express his gladness for several dayes In this time nothing but feastings and publick divertisements were seen in all parts The Emperour himself took a great delight in such pastimes because it gave him an opportunity to shew the agility of his body and his dexterity to his Court and people for he was judged the more worthy to command them the more he excelled in such like exercises After a months abode in Quinzay and after he had visited the maritine Towns near adjoyning he went to Samarcande travelling softly for in the Road he employed himself in hunting all sorts of beasts and yet in the mean while took a great care to provide for the safety of the Empire for it was his usual saying that Pleasures and Sports were to him as Wings to lift him up and ease him from the Labours which God had put upon him for the preservation of his Subjects in peace The Inhabitants of Quinzay had so sincere a Love for him that when he called them together to oblige them to receive and submit to his new Laws they made no difficulty to yeild to him but embrac'd them with as much respect and devotion as if they had been commanded by God himself for their reverence and affection for his person made them submit Whiles he continued in the City the most part of the people were employed in looking upon him as the chief object of their affections Some of his Courtiers took notice of it particularly Axalla Therefore they told him that this City was worthy of his constant abode Not at all reply'd the Emperour if they did alwayes see me they would quickly despise me for it is a Maxime of State that the Soveraign of this great City must not come to it oftner than once in ten years and then he must act as if he were upon a Theatre in view of all the World he must act a serious and grave person because the Inhabitants are naturally apt to be disgusted with their Prince He ought therefore if he will be esteem'd to seek to give them the best impression that he can Before his leaving of Quinzay he sent with all speed Prince Axalla towards China with a Commission to examine and end some differences between Odmar and the King of that Countrey that he might be able by his Wisdome to compose them and give him a just account at his return As he had a great affection for his faithful servants he long'd to see Odmar with him who had been absent many years He desired him to take the time of Axalla's abode in those parts The Emperour was resolved not to leave Cambalu till after Axalla's return from China This was a very pleasing and an honourable Commission to be sent into those parts where his courage was so well known and fresh in the remembrance of all the Inhabitants by his late noble exploits but he was overjoyed to go thither that he might do service to Odmar his intimate friend Tamerlan had an excellent maxime but contrary to that of most Princes he laboured to keep all his Servants at Unity and recommended to them love to one another and faithfulness in his service The chief cause that obliged the Emperour to send Axalla into China was to put a period to a dispute between that King and Odmar about the restitution of a place which had been promised to the King There seem'd to be some personal differences between them So that Axalla was judged as the most pleasing person to this King to terminate this affair because of his mildness and courteous behaviour When Axalla was upon the borders he met with Prince Odmar waiting for him who received him with great Pomp and State and feasted him three dayes After this he gave him an
Christian before the Prince of Tanais with his Troops could overtake them so weak was the Enemies resistance This Victory enrich'd all the Souldiers of Tamerlan's Army for they found much Gold about them upon their Clothes Arms and Horses one of the King of China's Kinsmen who was stiled King was taken Prisoner with the chief Commanders that were saved from the furious slaughter which was made amongst them The sadness of this overthrow spread every where and soon came to the Ears of the King of China who was then at Quanton It filled all his Court with Sorrow Displeasure and Fear every one wept for his Friend or his Relation but this Prince who had always till then thought himself the happiest of all men was inwardly surpris'd without discovering himself to any of his Court as a man that commanded himself and his passions he gave orders to gather his Souldiers from all Parts and sent for his Priests that kept his holy things commanding them as their Lord in a passionate manner to offer Sacrifices for him to the Gods and chiefly to the Sun the greatest of the Gods whom they think to be immortal impassible the Cause and Author of their Beings that appears to men only for their benefit he sent likewise his orders round about the Neighbouring Provinces of his Empire to call together all that were able to bear Arms appointing them their Rendezvous at Pekin He imagined that Tamerlan would direct his course that way for it was the next City to his Camp and the great Lord of China called the Xianxi fail'd not to be ready with his fifty thousand Men to strengthen such as were to guard the Wall He hasted to oppose Tamerlan in his March into the Country and as his Men were all Horse well acquainted with the By-ways and narrow Passages they were a continual plague to Tamerlan's Army This wise Prince to secure his retreat caus'd the Wall and all the Forts that were there builded to be demolished that the passages might be open for the Garrisons they had all submitted themselves to the Conquerour after the Victory He treated the people of the Mountains so lovingly that he caus'd them almost to forget that they were under a new Lord. He rewarded well the Lord Vauchefu by giving a little County wherein were seven good Towns as Archii Ymulii Falisqâ—â—iem Fulii Cohensin Quialii Pulii and Quiamlu all which were adjoining to this Lords former Territories so that the Inhabitants were so much the more willing to obey him He made him also Governour of the Province next to that of the Xianxi and declared to him by his liberality that he was a Prince of his word his Brother he intended afterwards to gratifie This kind dealing of Tamerlan was very advantageous to him in making way for his succeeding Conquests for he that will subdue Kingdoms and Lands with ease must first conquer the hearts of the Inhabitants The Chineses are great admirers of those vertues that are not practised by them as of Love Affability Kindness and Mercy which Tamerlan's Souldiers were ordered to express to them and which is contrary to that cruel dealing with which they use to treat their Enemies that fall into their hands this Custom they borrow from the Indians their Neighbours When therefore they saw that this Prince handled them in a manner contrary to theirs and that he expressed so much affection for them they began to admire and honour him After the destruction of the Forts Tamerlan took advice which way he should march with his Army He had heard that the King of China had furnished his strong places and that with as many Men as he could gather together he was in his way to meet and fight him This news caus'd him to be not well resolved what course to take first whether he should assault a Town in sight of so powerful an Army or whether he should leave behind him places unconquer'd which might cut off all his Provisions and march directly to fight the King of China's numerous Army In this irresolution he desired to know his Officers minds He called them together and propos'd to them the business which could not be quickly resolved because of the diversity of opinions but at last this advice prevailed above the rest that no Town was to be left behind that they were to make speed and take it before the Battel that the Army might draw from thence Comfort Assistance and Provisions and that in case the Enemy would be so bold as to offer to relieve it that then they would hazard a Battel for this is the ordinary practice of a Conquerour and Assailant to venture a fight with the Enemy as it is the wisdom of the assaulted to decline it and never to yield to it but in necessity for by delays and light skirmishes and without engaging in a whole Body the Conquerour and Assailant is weaken'd and tyred out and by this means Fortune is oftentimes forc'd to declare for him and side with the assaulted The King of China ought in reason to have taken this course if he had been well advised but his ill fortune suffered him not as we shall see by the following Relation This design to march forward being resolved upon in a Council of War the Army went streight to Pekin to lay siege to it This is a great rich and populous Town well walled and adorned with many stately Structures Tamerlan thought that the King of China would rather venture a Battel than lose this City out of his hands He flatter'd himself with the hopes of winning it and the victory at once for the wonderful riches that were in it encouraged the greedy Souldiers to venture their lives boldly chiefly the Tartarians who are unsatiable for Prey and Plunder Odmar was order'd to march forward with fourteen thousand Horse to surround it and hinder the importation of Provisions that they might be useful to their own Army Axalla was appointed to follow him with all the Infantry amounting to one hundred and fifty thousand Men which he commanded as chief Collonel This Office given to him as a reward of his former services caus'd him to be look'd upon both in the Army and in the Court Tamerlan followed next with all his Horse and with his Engines his Artillery and Ammunitions Odmar went the first day twenty Leagues so that when he came to the Walls of Pekin the Citizens expected their King before the Tartarians He took into his custody all the Beasts thereabouts and seated himself in a convenient place to wait for the coming of the whole Army leaving the City between himself and them In the mean while to affright the Enemy and learn news he sent many Parties abroad and about three or four days after the Infantry led by Axalla came to him They sent then their Summons into the Town to command them to yield threatning That the Citizens should otherwise suffer all the Calamities that usually happen in cases
of resistance when they are overcome They returned this answer That they would live and dye faithful Subjects to their Prince This strong resolution proceeded from a new Colony that the Chineses had setled there of their own people after they had driven away the ancient Inhabitants who forty years before had been conquered by the Father of the Cham of Tartary and were his Subjects so that in the City there was no remembrance of the Tartarian Empire but in the Country round about they had a love for their old Masters for the Deputies of the little Towns came to submit themselves to Tamerlan This caus'd his Army to be full of all manner of Provisions and in such plenty that in the Province of Catay they could not have more this gave him great hopes and assurance of the success of his Enterprise for without doubt the want of Provisions and Forrage is the ruine of the greatest Armies and that which disappoints their most likely designs Thus the large and proud City of Pekin was regularly besieged and our Infantry commanded to draw near the Walls round about within a Musquet shot This dreadful sight of so many Enemies affrighted neither the Citizens nor the Garrison Tamerlan left nothing unattempted to reduce them and they used their utmost endeavour to defend themselves as much as could be expected from brave and resolute men In the mean while Axalla went to view a Suburb encompassed about with a Wall about half a League round when he had seen it he wisely imagin'd that the keeping of it would not be easie for the Inhabitants who would hazard too much in defending it he resolved therefore to assault it in the Night when he had first told the Prince All his men were ready at the first Watch with their Ladders and needful Weapons When the time was come the Assault was made in several places and the Tartars were beaten of but at last Axalla enter'd the Suburbs and cut in pieces all that were found in Arms about eight thousand men many of his Souldiers were killed before the Walls in the place where they expected them most likely to enter but in that which they won scarce any body was killed on their side The Plunder was rich and given to the Souldiers This loss together with the Courages of our men terrified the Inhabitants of the City and surprised them strangely so that then they began to despair of their safety of which they doubted not before They found themselves disappointed in their expectation of the coming of their Prince who had promis'd to be with them in fifteen days which were expired They saw this dreadful Army gaining every day Ground upon them and in a Post that commanded their City and from whence with the Artillery they intended and were preparing to batter it These considerations funk deep into many timerous Souls of the chief of the Town who desired more to gain the favour of the Conquerour by yielding in time than to deserve his displeasure by a long a fruitless and too obstinate a resistance But the Governour a great Lord of the Country well respected by his Prince assur'd them that the King was at hand that he would not fail to relieve and succour them in due time that they were not yet in any great danger that the City was yet theirs that the loss of one of its Suburbs was their advantage rather than a loss be-because the keeping of it was difficult and dangerous that now all their Forces were together to defend themselves and beat off the Enemy that for his part he was fully resolved to hazard his Estate and Life and give his Prince all the signs that he could desire of his Courage and faithfulness This discourse coming from such a noble and worthy person who acted himself what he required from them made a great impression upon the minds of the people and obliged them all to return to defend their Walls with a resolution to bury themselves in the ruines of their City rather than to yield basely Pekin is a large Town of a difficult access scituate in a plain surrounded with Mountains at a considerable distance There is only a Hill on the North-side which is nigh the Walls a River runs at the Foot of this Hill and near to it are the Suburbs that were storm'd so that on that side it was not easie to relieve the City or put into it any succours because the Tartarian Army commanded all the passages of the Mountains which were of old the Borders of China when Pekin belong'd to Tartary and serv'd as a Bridle to stop the Inroads of the Chineses They had no other way to succour the Town but along the River over which the Tartars had built many Bridges for the conveniency of their Army that kept the passages of the Mountains so that it was impossible for the Chineses to relieve the Town without the hazard of a Battel which Tamerlan desired and which should be the aim of all Conquerours in his Power and Condition In this posture the Army being passed before the City Odmar Calibes and the Prince of Tanais were often sent out with Parties into the Country to learn and understand something of the Enemy and to cause the Cavalry to subsist the better and keep the Provisions in the Camp for a greater necessity Besides the Souldiers were commanded to provide themselves before-hand with great stores of Victuals that they might be better able to subsist and not be obliged to raise the siege for any want in case the Enemy did offer to beset them This caus'd them to plunder several small Towns that would not bring them in Provisions so that though the Tartarian Army was numerous they had plenty of all things In the mean while the Chineses were more in number and stronger advancing towards us by little and little Tamerlan intended to meet them himself with his Cavalry and to leave the greatest part of his Infantry before the City to continue the siege which he prosecuted vigorously but the Inhabitants resisted and fought with Courage But to trie once more to win the Walls he commanded to plant against it all his Engines of War and to make a breach that his Souldiers might come to a handy-fight and assault the City with more ease This proceeding waken'd the resolutions of the besieged and terrified them wonderfully chiefly a Mount which was raised upon some ruines about a Bow-shot from the Walls upon an high place From thence the Tartars saw and discover'd the Guards within and shot into the City so that by day none dar'd appear upon the Walls This inconveniency oblig'd them to watch and work more carefully in their own preservation For that purpose they began to retrench themselves to secure their Bodies by a Wall that was to be two and twenty Foot high as many broad and fifty Foot in length As soon as the Besiegers perceived it they thought it not convenient to stay
till this work should be finished but rather to try Fortune and endeavour by an assault to win the Walls In prosecution of this design and resolution the Prince sent for Axalla into his own Quarters because it concern'd him most in regard of his Office and because during this siege he had been most active he told him his intentions desiring him to prepare himself and his men for the next morning As soon as Axalla had drawn out his Souldiers he assaulted the Wall which was stoutly defended by the besieged but at last this Captains Valour assisted by twenty thousand of his Men took it by force and fortified himself there He could scarce keep back his Souldiers in their heat and fury from breaking in further according to the commands of Tamerlan which he was perswaded to give for two reasons First because he did not desire that the City should be won by assault for it was rich and full of all good things he was therefore afraid that the Enemies Army should come at that Instant when his Souldiers were busie in plundering the houses which would have caused their utter overthrow for rich Souldiers who have much to lose can never fight well Secondly he stopt his men from taking the City by assault because he intended to make of it a Magazine to furnish his Army and carry on his designs with greater security The loss of the Wall abated not the Courages of the besieged they defended themselves as obstinately and bravely as before in hopes of receiving speedily some succours from their King who was near at hand as they were rightly inform'd But in their greatest expectations the accident of a shot cast from one of the Engines which struck down a piece of Wood and wounded the Governour dangerously caus'd them to lose their Courages This worthy person so affectionate to his Prince and Country died of this Wound a few hours after leaving his Souldiers without heart or resolution for this brave Commander by his example and perswasions obliged them to hold out so long This unexpected accident forc'd them to consent to a Treaty with the Emperour before he should hear any news of their misfortune and of the loss of the numbers of men who had been killed in defending the Wall They expected better and more honourable Articles Tamerlan began to be weary with the long siege eight days were spent since the last assault and he saw no change in the Citizens resolutions and understood not that the King of China made any haste to fight him but when the King heard the Governour of Pekin was kill'd he was afraid of the consequence this made him draw towards the Besiegers with more speed with his Army in Battel Axalla who lodged upon the Wall perceived the Enemy first he went therefore to inform the Prince he rejoyced to hear such good news but his joy was much more increased when he saw the Deputies of the City who came to yield themselves and their City into his hands The Emperour receiv'd them with his wonted kindness promising the Inhabitants his protection if they would continue to him faithful but he threatned them with severe punishments if they offer'd to revolt The Articles were agreed to the Garrison in number about eighteen thousand men went out they were the remainder of thirty thousand in the beginning of the siege which lasted two full Months The Citizens were confirmed in all their priviledges and were mightily taken and enamoured with the sweet and loving disposition of their new Lord. At this same time the King of China who was at hand with all his Army understood that the City was delivered up by the Garrison that he met in his way The Lieutenant Governour he commanded to be executed with many Captains for their Cowardice but he pardonned the Souldiers who were not so guilty He commanded all his Army to stop their march in the very place where he received the news of this Cities surrender thinking more convenient to wait for Tamerlan there in a Ground that lay well for his Forces to draw up The Tartars spent eight days in repairing the breaches and furnishing the Town with all necessaries fit to abide a siege whatever happened The Emperour also mustered his whole Army paid off his Souldiers increased their Wages and rewarded every man according to his deservings he ascribed the honour of this Conquest so considerable to the cares and wise conduct of Axalla therefore he offer'd him the Government over this City and the Country which he had already conquered but he very fairly refused it desiring the Prince to bestow it upon some other Body because he desired no other reward but to bear a share in the labours of his Master whose Glory should be his chief aim and desire This answer pleased the Prince for he had offer'd it to him only because he had well deserved it but he was not willing that he should take it for he was desirous to have him always nigh his person knowing that he was courageous faithful and ingenious and well experienced in the Affairs of War When he refus'd it the Prince of Tanais accepted it with the Title of Vice-Roy Tamerlan having set all things in good order and dispatched some Messengers to the Emperour his Uncle and all his Friends to inform them of his happy successes and satisfied his Souldiers who were ten thousand men less than before he caus'd Prayers solemnly to be offer'd up to the God of Hosts during a whole day After this he march'd to find the Enemy who was with all his Army of his Subjects and Allies at Sintehâ— As soon as the King of China had understood that our Army was passed over the River of Culifu he caus'd it to be proclaimed all over his Camp that every one should be ready to fight for he did not desire to see the Tartarians farther in his Country to eat it up and destroy it But there was no Wisdom in that resolution for it caus'd him to lose his own advantages and run head-long into the mischief that was at hand for had he lengthened the War as he ought the many and strong Towns which were to be besieged one after another would have undermined Tamerlan's Army and render'd it unable to stand against his fresh Troops and for the Tartars they could not in reason advance so far as to leave behind them any one Town which might have cut off their Provisions Reason and Justice obliges Commanders of an Army to deal in this manner otherwise they may soon destroy the most flourishing Army Therefore the Emperour could not but say privately to some about him not in a boasting manner for he never us'd to boast of the greatest advantages that he hath had over his Enemies That the King of China was ill advised to desire a Battel that he would doubtless have cause to repent of this folly at his leisure because his Souldiers were not to be compared to his Men in
their Prince fighting couragiously against the Heathens who worshipped false Gods The next day Tamerlan caused all his rich Tents to be spread and placed his Guards in such a manner as might make his Grandeur to appear the more the chief Officers of his Army being near his Person to wait upon him he then sent to Axalla that he should bring before hime the King of China As soon as he understood that he was coming he went out of his Tent to meet him This great Prince was not cast down by his misfortune he appear'd at this instant with the Countenance of a Man of courage As soon as he had enquir'd of Axalla by his Interpreter which was the Emperour he spoke to him in this stately manner My Gods have been so displeas'd against my Country and my happiness that they have made me thy Prisoner And if it be true what Fame speaks of thee that Tamerlan fights for nothing but for the glory of his Nation this that thou hast now purchased ought to satisfie thy mind to have subdued with thy Sword the Off-spring of the Sun and the Lord of the World who is now in thy power and at thy disposal He spoke these words with a free and bold air and not as a Supplicant The Emperour saluted him first very civilly and caus'd him to be led into his Tent where he answer'd him by his Interpreter That an unjust cause is hateful to every Divinity whether true or false that for his part he gave thanks to the immortal and incomprehensible God the Creator of Heaven and Earth whom he worshipped for the late Victory which he acknowledg'd to have receiv'd from his bounty alone as the King of China ascrib'd the cause of his misfortune to his mistaken Divinities but he promis'd that he would not abuse the advantage that he had got upon him but that he would endeavour by all civil and courteous dealing to cause him to forget his present condition The King of China surpris'd with this unexpected discourse return'd him his thanks At the close of this discourse Tamerlan drew back a little to observe the motions and behaviour of this great Prince whom he beheld stedfastly with delight He ask'd him afterwards what he thought of the Actions and courage of his Souldiers in the Fight The King answer'd That when he saw so feeble an Army in Comparison of his came to him he was fully perswaded to get the Victory but the Gods had otherwise order'd it He enquir'd from Tamerlan whether his Brother had been killed or a Prisoner Before the reply was made one of the Commanders there present desired to know whether he did fight near his person He told them that he commanded in the Battel the Cavalry and wore as himself a Princely Attire They answer'd him that he was taken then he fetch'd a deep sigh which caused some to be so inquisitive why he was displeased that his Brother should run the same hazards as himself and fall into the same condition He replyed That in his misfortune he had this comfortable perswasion That his Brother the second expectation of the Chineses would not forsake him but would attempt every thing to re-establish his Affairs and the reputation of his Countrymen He lamented pittifully at his mishap but praised his Courage But Tamerlan knew very well that he was escaped and out of his reach for he had rallied all the broken Troops of Horse and was fled Odmar had been sent after him to hinder him from gathering together too numerous a Body The chief Prisoners were brought next they were loaden with so much Gold and precious Jewels that it is not to be conceived The two Kings Confederates and Tributary to China appear'd first As soon as this Prince saw them coming he arose to honour them and they fell down and worship'd him almost in their salutation he wish'd them to rise from the Ground Tamerlan ask'd who they were the King of China answer'd that they were his Friends one the King of Chiampa the other the King of Cochinchine and that he was sorrowful for their misfortune as much as for his own which made him willing to follow them in death He spoke in this manner imagining that the Tartarian Custom was like that of China to kill and destroy all their Prisoners of War and sometimes in a savage manner to feed upon their Flesh But the Emperour receiv'd them with expressions of kindness and assur'd them that he would use them well and gently The King of China felt a great satisfaction at this unexpected civility and humanity He was not above thirty years of Age but had a long Face great black Eyes a Nose of a middle size a long Beard which he handled often a grave and lofty Air like that of a great Prince His Kingdom contains two hundred thousand Fortresses fifteen great Provinces or Governments in them are to be found many Golden Mines and some Silver and a certain Herb which we call Rhubarb They reckon that he hath seventy Kings wearing Crowns his Tributaries This large and wide Country which we call China is named by the Inhabitants Tame and the People whom we call Chineses are named by them Tangis This Country is full of Fowl and Fish because of the many Rivers that run through it Silk is here so plentiful that the Beggars are clothed therewith Wool is here scarce but this want is remedied with much Cotton and Linnen The Climate is temperate The Men have liberty here to have as many Wives as they can conveniently keep They wear their Hair long but the Women have short Perrukes There is always a General or Governour over the whole Kingdom next to the King called by them Tuton The Brother of the King of China had this Office which is of so great importance that the Laws command him to be always within the Kingdom But this man intreated the King his Brother so earnestly that he might be present at the Battel which he was perswaded to win that he yielded to his importunities He had plac'd in his stead a Lord which the King did not trust This griev'd the King when he consider'd that he had been guilty of so great a fault as to suffer him to hazard with him his person in the same fight and to have left the Government of so large an Empire in unfaithful hands Tamerlan called afterwards together his Privy-Council to advise what was to be done with the Prisoners and how they should use their Victory At that time news was brought that the King's Brother was safely arrived at Quanton a City which he had fortified that he was endeavouring to furnish it with all manner of Provisions and that he was busily employed in gathering together an Army As soon as Tamerlan heard this he sent the Prisoners with two thousand Parthian Horse to Pekin for his Army had rested themselves several Days he commanded them to stop there a little and carry them over
the Mountains to Burday a City that had been always faithful to the Tartars and that they should there keep them till they had further order Malaxan Axalla's Lieutenant General was to command that Party by him the Prince writ to the Emperour his Uncle and to his Viceroy of Sachetay to acquaint them with his happy success and Victory where he had lost but few of his Men but the Chineses many By this means he freed himself from a great many Chariots and Baggage that incumber'd his Army sending them with the Prisoners He order'd also the Recruits to be hastened and forty thousand Foot to be gathered in Parthia and thirty thousand Horse in Tartaria that they might come to him before the Forces of the King of China could be able to make head to stop him He advis'd what was best to be done upon this news and it was resolved That Quanton should be spedily besieg'd and if it were possible to shut up the Kings Brother in the City This place is one of the chiefest of the Kingdom very populous and naturally strong It was about forty Leagues from the Field where the Battel was fought Odmar took in his way thither many small Towns without opposition and was march'd as far as the Walls dispersing his Troops round about with an intention not to depart without the Prince's order to whom he had dispatch'd a Messenger to understand his pleasure An universal fright had seiz'd upon the hearts of all the Inhabitants of the Kingdom though the Kings Brother endeavour'd to settle their minds and oblige them to take Courage The Humanity of Tamerlan and the Civilities that he had expressed to the King of China and to the rest of his Prisoners being nois'd abroad in the Country satisfied their minds and made them bear their misfortune with patience Every one knew already that the Prince was of a mild and obliging temper that he took a great delight in shewing his mercy to such as deserved or desired it by their behaviour and repentance and that when he was angry by an indiscreet fierceness he was loth to be cruel and rough to any But in regard his design was to bring down the proud and to raise up the humble he observ'd an equality in his Rewards and Punishments to prevent by that means all occasions and inclinations of mischief He had another good quality that caus'd him to be admir'd and cherish'd by all the World he was a religious observer of his word and no Person durst attempt to make him break it without deserving his displeasure The fame of so many good qualities and of so rare a Virtue in Tamerlan spreading about amongst the ignorant Chineses produc'd this good effect that when once they had obtain'd his word they depended upon it as if he had put it immediately in execution This is of an high importance to settle the interest of a Conquerour amongst his new Subjects After all these orders given Tamerlan commanded publick Prayers to be said to implore the Divine assistance He distributed Moneys afterwards to the Captains that they might have a care to heal the wounded and provide necessaries for them and with the rest of his Army in good order march'd towards Quanton He had order'd Odmar to Post himself on the other side of the Town to hinder the Kings Brother from carrying into it his succours in case he should attempt to put any in willing him to oppose himself with all his power and to fight him in case of necessity for he inform'd him that he was coming with the Army to besiege that City At this same time the Kings Brother sent Embassadours to Tamerlan to Know how the King did and to desire leave to visit him Tamerlan was glad of this request because he feared that he would have Proclaim'd himself King of China and by that means have created him much more trouble than his elder Brother In the mean while the Prince of China having understood in what condition the Citizens of Quanton were he resolved to succour them and adventure another Battel because as he thought he had the Troops of his Allies and his own Army numerous enough to do this business for that purpose he march'd straight to Porchio scituate upon a great River where he intended to build a Bridge with Boats having Materials in abundance As soon as Tamerlan had understood his motion he caus'd a Ditch to be made at the end of the Bridge that was over the River with a Fortification to prevent all sudden attempts placing there three or four thousand of his best Souldiers to Guard it In the mean while as the Enemy drew near he stood with his Army drawn up on this side the River and took notice of their countenance and motion Both Armies continued in this manner ten or twelve days without performing any thing worthy of notice At last Tamerlan had news brought him that the Kings Brother had gathered together a great many Boats and was making of a Bridge at a narrow place called Cambin about ten Leagues from his Camp At first he took no notice that he knew it staying in the same place with his Troops without attempting any thing but when he understood for certain that the Bridge was perfected he gave order to fifteen thousand Horse to attack such as were passed over the River commanding his Body of Foot to follow after He had left behind him at Porchio as many as were needful to secure his Camp the rest of his Horse Commanded by the Prince brought up the Reer He stop'd or advanc'd his Army according to the news that he received at every foot in his March of the number and posture of his Enemies that had pass'd over the River About Midnight they left their Camp and came to their Rendezvous about Noon Odmar was there half an hour before the rest but as soon as he understood that there was no more of the Chineses on his side of the River than he was able to beat he stop'd with his Party without medling with them because he wish'd that more would adventure over and he staid for Tamerlan's coming He thought fit to send some Scouts to understand how their number increas'd when he perceived that there were about fifty thousand passed over the River he sent news of it to Tamerlan who was at hand and march'd directly to attack them His coming was not expected for they knew nothing of his March He found them in disorder so that at the first On-set he put them to flight Some of them resisted with courage but not so stoutly as they might have done in so advantageous a Post as they were in for they had the River on the one side and a large Marsh on the other side It is certain that if they had but known their strength and the advantage of the place a small resistance had been able to stop the Tartarians But as soon as Tamerlan's Infantry had got as far as
his eminent Station He was as welcome to the old Emperour as to Tamerlan himself unto whom he cunningly gave the honour of all successes though his Wisdom and discreet Conduct had the greatest share and hand in bringing them to pass so that if his Power was great his Worth and Vertues were answerable There was never any person more courteous more affable more merciful and kind He incited Tamerlan to nothing but to Glorious Actions to Noble Designs full of Honour and when they were to be executed he was always the first man that would adventure his Life and Person without sparing himself And though Tamerlan had always next to his Person many illustrious Princes and noble Lords their Glory was darkened by the Splendour and Magnificence of Axalla who exceeded them all in number of Servants in beautiful Horses and in a stately and glorious Train He had a great Soul adorned with many Vertues and a Discretion able to maintain his own interest He never gave any Counsel but he offered himself to put it in execution in which he always was so happy that all things succeeded to him that he undertook His Policy appeared chiefly in listening to all persons that had any Errand to him He would lend an Ear to the meanest with that mildness and Humanity that never any Person went from him dissatisfied but he had the art to captivate their affections and win the hearts of all Men that knew him One day the Prince check'd him because he was so courteous and kind and so easily to be spoken with for which he blamed him before Alhacent But Axalla reply'd It may become you my Emperour to be stately but I ought to be humble as your Slave and Servant Grandeur agrees with your Place but Humility is my greatest Ornament I am near your Person my noble Lord for no other purpose but to cause you to be honoured if therefore you be respected it is sufficient It matters not how I behave my self so I perform my Duty If I were stately and proud I should become odious to all the Lords of your Court and disoblige them so as to think ill of your choice of my Person I shall desire that they may honour me not for my sake but for yours that your service may be better advanc'd This Answer gave a great satisfaction to the Emperour for he had a particular art to gain the love of every one and he was respected also more than he desired I have saith Alhacent made this little Digression from the History to give a Description of Axalla because without it many things cannot well be understood in this Relation The Prince sent orders to Axalla to come to him to Samarcande to advise about the march of his Troops and till his return to leave the Command of the Army with the Prince of Tanais Axalla took Post and in obedience to this Command went to the Prince After a serious Debate it was resolved in Council that the whole Army should march over the Borders of Muscovy straight towards Constantinople the chief City of Greece whither Bajazet with his Army were going apace for he was in Asia Minor Tamerlan sent a Relation of Axalla to inform the Emperour Paleologue of the coming of his Army for whose subsistance great stores of Provisions had been laid up in all the considerable Cities of the Empire Tamerlan therefore in pursuance of his Expedition went from Samarcande to Ozura where the Rendezvous was appointed of the whole Army There it was debated again which way to take that of Capha by the Borders of Muscovy or the other way on the other side of the Caspian Sea through the Confines of Persia At last it was resolved that the Army should march to Capha and from thence to Trapezuntium or Trebisonde through the Borders of the Georgians and enter that way into the Dominions of the Turks Thus when Prayers had been solemnly offered up to God to implore his aid and gracious assistance for the Prince did put in him his greatest confidence the whole Army went straight to Maranis where it abode three days in expectation of the Troops sent from Odmar who were near at hand as well as the other Succours coming out of Muscovy In this place the Emperour caus'd a General Muster and Review of all his Army which was obliged to march twenty Leagues through a Desart Country where they found no comfort not so much as a little fresh Water Tamerlan had provided beforehand for this inconveniency for he had ordered all the Ships and Vessels in the Harbours of the Caspian Sea to attend upon him and the Army near the Shore In these Ships were Provisions sufficient a great deal of Ammunition and the most part of his Equipage This foresight help'd them in season and hindered the Army from meeting with want In the march the Prince went along the Sea-Coast sporting himself in Hunting or discoursing with his Attendants he was commonly about ten Leagues from the Army and none came near him but those that carried Provisions from the Ships This Army was so numerous that they stretched along twenty Leagues into the Country When it was come to Mechet there the Army went over the River Edel by a Bridge that was there and two or three more made on purpose for a more speedy passage During this time the Prince abode at Sarasick where he understood for certain that Bajazet was going to besiege Constantinople that he had conquered all Bythinia and Bursa the chief City of this Kingdom that he had commanded it to be well fortified and many other Towns where he had exercis'd his cruelty upon the Inhabitants That all the Neighbouring Provinces for fear of him yielded without resistance and became Tributaries to him The news that displeas'd Tamerlan most was that Capha a strong City where Axalla was brought up and received under his protection at Axalla's request had followed the Example of the rest and opened their Gates to the barbarous Enemy This unworthy contempt of his Authority Tamerlan was resolved to punish he sent therefore to summon them to appear before him and give an account of their revolt from him The Citizens were troubled at this Message they apprehended his just indignation and the punishment due for their Rebellion They sent therefore some of their Citizens to pacifie his wrath with many rich Gifts and rare Furs They promis'd in the name of the rest that they would never be guilty of any such Crime for the future but would endeavour to make amends for it by their future behaviour and faithfulness The Emperour understanding of their true repentance he pardon'd them for Axalla's sake unto whom he gave the Soveraignty of the City Axalla went to visit there his Friends and Relations and settle there a good Order and Government for the security of the place giving his Citizens to understand that he loved his own Country and would see to preserve his Country-men In his way he
to be remedied Tamerlan was guilty of as great a mistake by sending the Vanguard so far before which might have cost him very dear had it not been for Axalla's subtilty in dallying with and keeping off the Enemy with light skirmishes for otherwise the Emperour could not have came in timely enough to succour his oppressed and disordered Troops Thus it happens frequently the greatest faults and mistakes in War are turned by Providence into Stratagems of Wars when it intends to favour the party as it did Tamerlan in this occasion His diligence in assisting his men caus'd him to win this notable Victory which broke the heart of the War and brought it to a period sooner than most men expected It was known afterwards that the Sultan had been conselled to lengthen the war which was a wise and a safe advice but his fury and courage could admit of no delayes he made too much haste to his ruin This battel was bloody near Fourscore thousand men lost their lives on both sides but no person of any note of Tamerlan's Army but Andronicus and three Parthian Captains of great worth All the equipage of the Sultan was taken the next day and a great deal of plunder The Prince sent messengers to all his Allies to acquaint them with the Victory and chiefly he sent to the Greek Emperour to express his grief for the Death of Prince Andronicus intreating him to appoint some other person in his stead to command the Greeks He sent also messengers to publish the News of this great victory in all his Kingdomes and to give an account of it to his Unkle the Emperour In this place the Army was not able to subsist long because it was so numerous and the Country between the Mountains narrow and barren in many places Tamerlan therefore sent his Troops about and caused his Army to take a little more Elbow room but he sent Axalla with all the Cavalry of the Vanguard to pursue after the Sultan and not suffer him to have any time to rest He fled towards Aegypt with forty thousand horse The happy News of this Victory soon came to the Ears of the Prince of Tanais who sent it to the besieged within Gevolach They were mightily afflicted when they heard it A while after Tamerlan sent him orders to punish them for their folly by destroying the City with fire and sword and sparing none that they might be an example to all other places and hinder them from resisting his power This command was soon after put in Execution for the Town was won by assault the peoples courages failing them through the many losses they had suffered and the daily watchings and skirmishes for the Prince of Tanais gave them no time to breath After this he came to the Emperour who was refreshing himself in Aleppo But after the Sultans retreat into Egypt he fortified all his Towns and sent for supply of men and mony from all his Allies he placed his Garrisons in all the places needful and caus'd all the Country to be ruined and burn'd through which Tamerlans Army was to pass in the road to his Country He spared nothing that could be serviceable to him to make him if it were possible quit the desire of marching that way this caused so great a scarcity in this numerous Army that the Emperour was obliged to review his Companies and leave behind all useless persons afterwards he divided his Army into three bodies the first he commanded the second was led by Axalla the third by Calibes the carriages and baggage he left behind guarded by a party of foot Calibes was order'd to take the way towards the River Euphrates through that Country which confines upon Persia to subdue it The Emperour himself took the way along the Sea Coast And Axalla through Arabia The Prince commanded threescore thousand horse and an hundred thousand foot Axalla fifty thousand foot and forty thousand horse and Calibes thirty thousand horse and fifty thousand foot All that Country seem'd to be cover'd over with men nevertheless there was such an exact discipline and a rule observed in the Army that provisions were brought in plentifully and there was nothing wanting for man or beast In the mean while Axalla pursued after the Sultan and obliged him to make more speed to divide his Army most of his men in his necessity forsook him It was said that he fled into Arabia where it was not possible for the Tartars great Army to follow him onely with four thousand horse it was possible to defend himself and vex a more numerous party because of the scarcity of provisions In this juncture of affairs all the Maritine Towns open'd their gates to Tamerlan as Megate Arnan Tortosa Gibellete Barnt and Nephthalim But Damascus where there was a Garrison of the Sultan oblig'd Tamerlan to besiege it this was a strong Town where the Sultan had appointed Prince Zamadren to be governour He behaved himself well and made a stout resistance but when the Artillery had open'd a breach in the Wall the Prince of Tanais assaulted it and won it only the Cittadel an admirable Castle look'd upon as impregnable held out but the Governour admitting all that sought shelter there hasten'd the surrender for when provisions began to fail men pin'd away with hunger which caus'd them to offer to surrender it upon composition but the Prince would not grant them any to punish them for their unadvised resistance when necessity began to press them they yeilded themselves at the Conquerours discretion he caus'd some to be kill'd with the Sword and others were made Prisoners of War This severity nois'd abroad in the Country oblig'd all the Inhabitants thirty leagues round to bring the keys of their wall'd Towns to Tamerlan who caused them to be us'd civily and courteously and impos'd no other burden upon them but to contribute according to their ability to the Armies subsistance When Damascus was thus taken Tamerlan march'd strait to Jerusalem from whence the Citizens had driven their Garrison as all the Towns of Judea had also done they all yielded themselves to the Emperour he received them with many expressions of his goodness restablish'd them in the free enjoyment of all their priviledges promising to visit the Sepulcher of Jesus Christ according to the custome of the Mahometan Law and for his sake he denied them nothing that they could ask From thence the Army went to Corazin where a Garison of six thousand men had orders from the Sultan to defend themselves and their Town which they seem'd to be resolved upon at first but when they saw the Army planted round about the walls with an intention to carry them their hearts failed them so that they chose rather to implore the Princes favour who granted it to them freely than to hazard a resistance without hopes of releif Some Troops were here left behind to give a check to certain Mamelucks of Nassavia who cut off many about the
Army Calibes had orders sent him to besiege them and scatter the Troops that gathered themselvs together about that place to incommode and rob the persons who brought provisions to the Army This retreat of the Sultan into Arabia was but a meer pretence and a flying report He was gone into Aegypt towards Cairo having left behind several parties to disturb and assault the Army in their march and chiefly in the narrow lanes and passages He caus'd a grievous destruction to be made in the Country round about to famish the Army but Tamerlan's Cavalry followed him so closse at the heels that he had not time to do all the mischief that he intended The Inhabitants also for their own as well as for the enemies sake opposed and hindred the full execution of his design When the Emperour was at Miserit he caused a Proclamation to be made to forbid any to go beyond Jordan that he might the better preserve the Country from whence his Army had their Provisions He went as he had Promised to Jerusalem in the company of his greatest Favourites guarded with a party of Horse to visit as a religious Prince that Sepulcher which is honoured by all the Nations of the world and to present his gifts When he was in the City where the Inhabitants received him with all possible honours he saught for all the Antiquities of the old Temple of Solomon and was led as the Pilgrims through all the places where Christ had preach'd and wrought Miracles When he had ended his Prayers at the Sepulcher he gave large gifts Two things chiefly gave him great content when he inquir'd of certain Monks and Religious Men at the Sepulcher where their Lords Body was He is said they in Heaven at the right hand of God Then turning to his Mahumetan Train he ask'd them where they thought that this Prophet was The Cherif that stood next to him replyed that he was a true God that he was gone before to sit in the first place in Heaven where he should be received also As he came from Heaven so he was departed thither again Then the Prince fell upon his knees and held his Name in great veneration And at his return to Samarcand he built him a sumptuous Temple taking a great delight to hear men tell of his Miracles and commanded that some should mention them often in his hearing The other thing that gave him a delight and admiration was when in viewing all the places of devotion he came to that at last where Christ leaving his Disciples ascended up into the glories of Heaven There he left behind the fashion of his foot which caus'd him to wonder at it extraordinarily And when one told him that a Pilgrim had been here ravish'd in Spirit he thought him happy Axalla with many other Christians were then with him In this manner Tamerlan by visiting the holy places and relicks gave a great satisfaction to all the people but the Jews could not indure but exclaim'd against him openly He had never any affection for them but named them Wicked Men and Cursed of God He loved to see men sincere in their piety and devotions and was glad to have seen Axalla so liberal of his offerings to the holy Sepulcher In the mean whiles the Army was in their march to Tema towards Aegypt the Emperour had notice that the Slutan gathered his Troops togeher from all parts and was then at Alexandria He himself after the performance of his devotions followed the Army and commanded the Van-guard to go towards Damietta He had been told that it was not to be taken by force The Sultan had secur'd it with a strong Garrison It was a maritine Town one of the most noted of all Aegypt so that it was in great reputation Many of the Emperours followers labour'd to diswade him from attempting it advising him to adventure upon something else telling him that it was no discreetion to run his numerous army into a narrow peice of Land but that he should rather march higher into the Country but all their reasons could not perswade him from going thither for he judged that there was nothing that could put a stop to his good Fortune He therefore commanded Axalla to block up the Town and he followed him thither with the remainder of the Army When Axalla was there he sent in a summons commanding them to submit and declaring to the Christian Inhabitants who were there very numerous what a folly it would be for them to oppose his Emperours power That his mildness and goodness should rather oblige them to free themselves from the Tyranny of the Moors and Mamelucks who oppressed them beyond measure He told them that he was a Christian as well as they and therefore should be alwayes very glad to serve them He caused also some of the Greek Captains to argue the case with them They dealt so effectually that they perswaded them to adventure their lives and endeavour to drive out of their City the Mamelucks and all those who held for the Sultan They delayed not in the execution of this design but with their weapons in their hands they got the command of one quarter of the City and open'd one of the Gates to Axalla All the Mamelucks were either kill'd or taken Pris'ners and Damietta was yeilded to the Prince This News which the Emperour received in his march caused him to expect a happy success in the prosecution of his great design He could not have hoped for such an easie accomplishment of it if this strong City had been in the Enemies hands for by its advantageous scituation upon one of the branches of Nilus it would have ruin'd his Army and cut off all their provisions But now that it was in his power he could reasonably expect from all parts of Greece as the Emperour Emanuel had promis'd him all manner of things necessary for his Souldiers which were already coming to him by Damietta He appointed there a strong Garrison of two thousand Grecians with a Governour to keep for him the City They took the Oath of fidelity The Prince found this place according to his mind and stronger than he had at first imagin'd The Inhabitants of Larissa submitted likewise and would not stand out against his invincible power Garrisons were placed in all the places scituate near he Sea that provisions might not be hinder'd to be brought to the Army This was one of his greatest cares to provide well for so vast a multitude that they might not want Tamerlan stopt a few dayes in Damietta but sent his vanguard towards Alexandria but immediately after he followed them and caused them to march about towards Grand Cairo The Sultan who had provided himself for a stout resistance in Alexandria was surpris'd to hear of this unexpected charge he had no time to deliberate but with all speed made what haste he could to prevent Tamerlan He enter'd into Cairo as the Army was in sight of it with
retreat they cast themselves into the River with one hand they swum and with the other held their Weapons In this manner they escaped to the other bank Part of their Cavalry was cut in peices another part in the confusion ventur'd into the River and were drown'd for they could not get over This was the last endeavour of the Sultan who beheld with sorrow this great and Stately City from an high place when it was pillaging He told his people to comfort them that they were not men who had ovecrome them but a God who had sided with his enemies So much valour prudence and discretion he had taken notice of in the Tartarian Army The next night after the fight he judged that the Tartarians would be busie in dividing the spoyls and that they would have no time to pursue him He withdrew himself with nine or ten thousand men for the rest were either scatter'd abroad or drown'd in the River As soon as it was day he took the way of Alexandria after that he had thank'd some of his slaves who were a live after they had saved their Prince by their stout and brave resistance for two hours against all the Tartarians Army and their honourable and glorious retreat at the end of this Noble action Tamerlan himself was so great an admirer of them that he commanded those that were taken to be brought to him and out of a desire to use them in his service he treated them kindly and with gifts and other favours endeavoured to win them to himself and though they all refused to forsake their former Masters interest he sent them to the Sultan The Prince was us'd to deal thus in that generous manner with those whom he had overcome He delighted to express his bounty and clemency next after his valour and courage There is nothing more proper for a great Prince than to cause himself to be beloved by his merciful and loving temper as well as to render himself dreadful and respected by his power and noble mind After this furious fight the Prince retreated a little back lodging his men between the River and the City that he might secure and cover the rest of his Army which might otherwise have easily been defeated during the plunder of that rich and wealthy Town This caused him to continue all night on horseback with some of his chief Officers for with them he rode up and down his Camp visiting every corner and praising his Soldiers for their couragious assaults As soon as it was day he went into the Town to take possession of the Castle the ordinary abode of the Sultans where all their riches were treasured up There he lodg'd and caus'd all his Army to be quarter'd round about this Castle which stands at one end of the Town He commanded by a Proclamation that all plundering should cease which had lasted four and twenty hours and every Soldier had orders to return to their colours and to lodge in their quarters the next day he sent out another Proclamation to declare all the Inhabitants free commanding that all Prisoners should be releas'd In the Castle he found wonderful Riches and inestimable Treasures laid up there by the Sultans many years There was the more because they had a law that forbid them to meddle with any thing there but in great necessity when the Kingdome was in want It was thought that the Sultan made the more hast to get into Cairo before Tamerlan for fear of losing these Treasures Some say that he took out in the night many jewels Others speak as if he never enter'd into it that he diminish'd nothing for fear that his men should imagine that he intended to forsake them and they should suspect the retreat he resolved to make Others think that he never medled with these Treasures because he could never dream of being faced in such a City accompained with such and so many faithful Soldiers And when he saw himself driven out against his expectation be ascrib'd the Victory to none but to a Divinity who had so powerfully assisted the Tartarians Army against his men secured in such strong forifications The Emperour sent word to Calibes to inform him of his successes and progress and to deliver him a Commission to be Governour of Aegypt This happy news was welcome in the numerous Army under his command which march'd along the River Euphrates it increased daily by the rendition of many Towns which would not oppose the Princes happiness all Persia trembled at this sudden alteration at the fall of the Sultan This Country was then govern'd by several petty Princes some of them were Mehometans but others Christians The Emperour had an intent to subdue them all In the mean while he gave all necessary orders for the preservation of Cairo and caus'd his Army to pass over the River that he might compleat his Victory for that purpose he march'd to Alexandria where the Sultan had taken sanctuary But before the departure of the Van-guard with Axalla at the head he rewarded liberally every Souldier according to their deservings and courages He caus'd the Oath of fidelity to be administer'd to all the Inhabitants of that great City and of the Towns thereabouts setling every thing in as much peace as he could in so short a time for that purpose he left in Garrison there ten thousand men carried away all such persons as he suspected and placed others in their stead Therefore he led with him many persons in his Army to place and settle in the conquered Towns after this the people came to him from all parts to submit themselves and receive his commands from as far as Cana. Embassadors arrived not only from Arabia Felix but also from Africa to acknowledge Tamerlan's Empire for his Victories had struck a dread into all neighbouring Nations and People at a distance He would not settle the affairs of Aegypt till his return to Cairo from Alexandria The Rear of his Army he sent thither with the Prince of Tanais but he and his Houshold servants embark'd themselves upon the River Nilus for their pleasure It is said that he took a delight to take notice of the rapidity of this River in some places and its slowness in others The News was soon carried to Alexandria that the Army was in their march to besiege it this made the people to rise up in Arms the fear of a total ruin caus'd them to send to the Sultan to intreat him to compassionate their weakness and to represent to him that he could not make the same resistance against so powerful an Army as he had done against others before That it did become him to yield to the present necessity that he should do well to retire into Lybia whether Tamerlan's Army would never follow him that if he would do so they would keep for him that faithfulness they had sworn to him That he need not doubt of their affections for him That they desired him
to save his own person and suffer time to perform the rest After this message the Sultan saw that all things turn'd against him he resolved therefore to depart he was in hopes that if the Army continued any long time about Alexandria as they were likely to do that there would some change happen which might alter the face of his affairs and offer him an opportunity to attempt something with this expectation he pacified his troubled mind and with tears in his eyes he left the City repeating often these Words God is angry with our Nation that the time of the ruin of this flourishing Empire was come that every one ought to submit to the orders of Providence That he had done all that could have been expected from him to perform his duty in the defence of his people and answer their great esteem at his Election that he hoped to gather up more Troops and return with a sufficient Army to free them from the slavery of a Forreign Prince These words spoken before a great multitude were rerelated to Axalla first for he went before with the Van. He caus'd the Prince to understand the News and sent him word that not only out of Alexandria men came to submit themselves but also from fifty leagues round about The Prince rejoyced to hear this prosperous march of his Army because he saw a speedy end to all his labours and a possibility of returning to his own Country He was troubled that he had not got the Sultan into his custody this consideration hindred him from treating all such as held for him with that kindness that he expressed to all the World besides When the Princes Army was within one days march of Alexandria Axalla was sent for to meet him and to bring with him some of the chief Citizens to take their Oaths of Allegiance and Fidelity After this he made his entry with all his Army but caused them to go out again and incamp about the Walls only six thousand horse and twenty thousand foot he kept for his guard and sent Axalla with his Van-guard to pursue after the Sultan In the mean while the Emperour continued a long time about Alexandria in expectation of some news from Calibes He had sent Lochistan his great Chamberlain to succeed him a man of great worth who had alwayes commanded a party of ten thousand horse and had alwayes been with him Calibes took from his Army the same number of horse-men to accompany him into Aegypt with his equipage to wait upon the Prince whom he had no need to solicite for Tamerlan knew so well the deservings of every one and that which they were able to perform that in their absence as well as in their presence honours and Governments employments and affaires were conferred upon them without their seeking the Prince was so just in the distribution of his favours Therefore no body did bribe for the Offices of his Army for the employments in his House and State for they proceeded alwayes from his free motion When Axalla was departed out of Alexandria the sad news was brought that the Emperour his Unkle lay very sick He had left with him the Empress his wife the Daughter of this old man whom he knew to be wise and prudent this consorted him not a little He knew that if by chance his Unkle should die she would take care to keep the Kings and Princes his Vassals and all his other Subjects in peace But he could not easily imagine that after so many victories and successes which were nois'd all over the World any would be so foolâ—â—sh and bold as to attempt a rebellion against him the Empress sent him also word that in expectation of his return she would provide all things needful to circumcise the Son whom God had given them and who was able to undergo that painfuâ—â— ceremony All these things settled his mind sâ—â— that he resolved to depart home wards assoon as he had secured the Conquest of Aegypt News came to him also from China that the Chineses had endeavored some stirs but Odmar had severely punish'd them in a bloody battle where the Kings brother had been kill'd this had secured the Emperour on that side Odmar after the rebellion had inlarg'd and prosecuted the conquests of his Master but the Old Emperour had sent him orders to appease all things and to preserve only what he had conquered beyond the River of Flezan When Axalla was departed with the Van-guard he terrified all the Inhabitants of Africa for the people imagin'd that all the Emperours Army followed him so that two and twenty petty Kings of that Country sent to him their Embassadors to submit themselves to his mercy But the Sultan in his flight was forsaken of all men his Soldiers return'd back in Troops to yield to Axalla every day Arsambei also his Lieutenant General sent to have the Emperours safe conduct which was granted to him He came therefore and intreated him that seeing his Master had been driven out of all his dominions he would be so gracious to him as to admit him in his service the Princes humanity received him kindly and granted him all that he could desire so that Arsambei swore to be faithful to him But this perfidious Traitor had another design in his mind He had promis'd the Sultan to assassinate the Emperour That he might succeed the better in this execution of this Villainy he had caused four thousand Mamelucks to be received in the service of Tamerlan in Alexandria They were to assist him in this wicked attempt in Alexandria where he was busily employed in setling his conquered Countries in peace The Execution was intended in a morning when the Prince according to his custome should give publick audience to the complaints that were usually made to him His guards were ten thousand men but then there were not above twelve hundred that waited upon him every day The Traitor Arsembei had made several of the inhabitants of the Town acquainted with their design they were to rise up in Armes at the same moment of time that the Prince should be kill'd which they thought to be more feasable than really it was the four thousand Mamelucks were in the Town to act as soon as they shall have a command Three weeks more pass'd after the murder was appointed and resolved upon before the day appeared for the execution of it it was but the day before that the Prince had given him one of the most beautiful and stoutest Horses of his Stables He had also given order to his people to pay him a great respect this Villain therefore drew near to the Emperours person in his Tent which was open to all that desired to make their addresses to him We must take notice that the City of Alexandria is built in such a manner that all the Houses are flat on the Top so that it is possible to pass over them from one to the other In this place Arsembei
Provinces of Glauture and Taperestan which till then resisted the designs and invasions of the Tartars As soon as Talismahar understood that the Army was approaching into his Country he resolved to draw towards them with his Cavalry and Infantry to strengthen the places which might stop and hold out against the Enemy He had with him thirty thousand good stout horse able to make resistance commanded as they were by an experienced General The Tartarian Army was tired out with their tedious journey and continual march besides they wanted provisions in this season in the beginning of the winter not fit for a Camp But Talismahar was chiefly troubled at the unconstancy of the Inhabitants of Tauris who were inclinable if any mishap should fall upon his Army to rise in armes against him and mutiny in the City This apprehension staid him in the place and caused him to send against the Tartars his Cavalry under the command of his Lieutenant named Camares a man of experience and faithful He order'd him to weary his enemies as much as possible and not to venture to fight but upon surprizals and in cases of advantage For Talismahar knew for certain that a great Army that must needs cover over a great compass of ground could not but scatter about His design therefore was to cut off the loose Troops and the skirts of the Army The Emperour foresaw his intent therefore he wisely commanded Axalla to be upon his guard and to take heed lest his men should be surprized unawares for he was already in the Country belonging to Tauris and had sent his summons to a Town named Cafechion which Camares had strengthen'd with a party of Souldiers The Governour refused to yield which caus'd Axalla to block up the place and with all speed he raised a mount on a sudden from whence the Tartars discovered their enemies upon the walls and killed great numbers of them But this disadvantage was so far from affrighting them that it seem'd to encourage them the more So that Axalla weary of their obstinacy commanded a general Assault which forced them rather by the numbers of the besiegers than for want of courage in the besieged The Tartarians spared none within the Walls but kill'd every man Whiles they were busily imployed in plundering the Town Camares arriv'd with a party of horse to relieve it not knowing that it was taken In his way he met with ten thousand Horse sent to wait in the road For Axalla had imagin'd he would make this attempt Camares sent four thousand of his men to attack them which they performed so couragiously that they drove them to their body of horse where Axalla was in person in the mean whiles Camares staid with the rest of his Army in good order animating and encouraging his men But when he saw what had happen'd he was afraid of the coming of the whole Tartarian Army therefore he sounded a retreat and marched still in good order with an eye upon Axalla's motion not to be surprized This experienced Captain soon perceived his intent therefore he order'd six thousand Parthian horse to follow close after him and to assault if they could the enemies Cavalry which was accordingly performed with courage The fight therefore was renewed between these six thousand Parthians and the four thousand enemies horse without any appearance of victory on either side but they still continued in their retreat observing a good order till they came to the passage of a River where Camares seem'd to intrench himself for that purpose he drew up all his men in order of battel and seized upon all the passages sending often his Troops to relieve them that were too hardly beset by the Tartarians but in the mean while Axalla had caused his Infantry to advance and to force one of the passages but they found that Camares with his men were gone a great way having left behind them a garrison in Gorgechin a small Town able to hold out eight or ten dayes this was the way that he took to weary and tire out the Tartarian Army besides he made a destruction every where of provisions and fodder that his enemies Army might meet with no relief in their march hoping by this crafty proceeding to lengthen the war But the Inhabitants of Gorgechin had no such resolution they had fresh before their eyes the sad example of a neighbouring Town sufficiently punished for its obstinacy in resisting the Tartarian Army they were not willing to fall into the same calamity but to improve the folly of their neighbours This caused them to desire to capitulate which was granted and the Town yielded up Axalla there understood that Camares was at Archiech ten leagues off He detached ten thousand Parthian Horse six thousand Scythian and ten thousand chosen Stradiots to see to surprize him The better to compass his design he sent a report before that Gorgechin did yet hold out against him in expectation of being relieved only to cause Camares to stay He advanced still with that chosen party and gave order to the rest of his Army to follow speedily after him By this subtlety he surprized the Enemies unawares in a morning as they lay encamped about a Country Town In the way he met with a thousand Horse whom he put to flight and pursued as far as their Camp Then he drew up his men in battle in the avenues and wayes thereabouts that his enemies might not escape without fighting And because they were so pen'd up that there was but one way for Camares to retreat with his Army Axalla placed there all his infantry in the enemies view when he understood that Camares had nothing but horse with him he caused several Trenches to be drawn to hinder the horse from getting out Of all these passages he had sent word to the Emperour who was marching speedily after him having sent before in all haste the Prince of Tanais with twenty thousand horse Camares thought that the whole Army had surrounded him seeing therefore a necessity either to yield without resistance or fight with disadvantage there being but one way for him to escape out which was also strongly guarded he resolved to save himself betimes For that purpose he had made a Trench a long a little hill under which he drew up his men with a full purpose to break through four thousand Tartarian horse placed there to guard that passage He thought that he could easily cut in pieces so small a number that stood in his way Therefore about midnight the Moon yielding a great light as Axalla was riding about to visit his Guards with two thousand Horse he understood that the Enemy was kindling fires about that Trench He soon perceived their intent therefore he gave orders to have all his Horsemen ready mounted This could not be so soon done but the enemies were making a way through the Guards at the passage They assaulted them at first with two thousand Horse who found the Tartars
found that the enemy could not incompass about all the Walls that were too large but left a passage free to go in or out of the City He went therefore in carrying with him several Carts and Beasts loaden with provisions which he distributed by his Commissaries into all places that wanted By this he understood that they had all things sufficient for fifteen dayes A Council of War was then called where it was resolved that they should endeavour to famish the Sultan by cutting off his provisions which he drew from three or four Towns which had yielded to him again and sollicited him to besiege Cairo assuring him that it was to be taken with the Engine of Hunger For this purpose whiles things and necessaries were providing at Alexandria to be sent to Cairo whiles a Fleet of Ships of War were making ready to fight with the Sultans Fleet he posted himself above Cairo and sent a Summons to the Inhabitants of Maviare commanding them to yield to the Emperour of Asia his Master threatning Fire and Sword if they offered to resist Their refusal caused the Army to besiege them and with all speed to make their approaches there was a Tower very strong that hindered the Tartars proceedings for from thence the besieged cast upon them artificial fires and killed a great many men The chief Engenier went to view this Tower and offered the Prince of Tanais to undermine it in four dayes which accordingly was performed When the Tower was down they searched the Wall which was found but weak and unable to resist the violence of the Engines which soon cast a great part to the ground This encouraged the Tartars to assault the Town They won and plundered it and put all to the Sword except Women and Children The other Towns terrified with this speedy expedition seeing no likelihood of succours to be expected from the Sultan were yeilded up at the first Summons and admitted to composition The Prince of Tanais placed in these Towns between two and three thousand horse and four thousand foot He judged next that he was to lose no time but with all speed relieve Cairo for fear it should be â—â—educed to necessity with his Army He saw that the Sultan as a judicious Commander had so ordered his affairs as either to cause him to perish for want or to render his attempts vain The Governour of the Towns lately taken might have held out longer as they were able and had promised the Sultan who had furnished them with all that they had required A delay of fifteen days had forced Tanais to forsake Cairo and the best part of Aegypt The Sultan was not totally discouraged though he had reason to be troubled at this infidelity and want of resolution He sent for his Commissaries of Provisions to know what he had in store from them he understood that he had enough for thirty days He drove away from his army all useless and idle persons setting theâ—â— on the other side of the River there to shift for themselves and ly at his enemies mercy such as were not to be useful to him in the fight He had news of the coming of the naval Army from Alexandria which caused him to provide betimes to oppose it In the mean time the Prince of Tanais incamped with his Army beneath Ethied and Sebeis near a River which was a stream or a branch of Nilus and was fordable in divers places But the Sultan was with his Army at Buldao wheâ—â— he had strongly intrenched himself near the River on both sides of it His Army containeâ—â— threescore thousand foot and forty thousand horse the only remains of his former unhappy Troopâ—â— He had caused them to expect the retaking of Cairo which would probably have open'd him a way for the recovering of his Kingdome But when all passages in the upper Aegypt were stopp'd and nothing came to them from thence they began then to despair of success The Sultan labourâ—â— to prevent all discontents which might from hence arise by assuring his Souldiers that in fifteen days for the most the Tartarian Army would be constrain'd to depart for want of Provisions and that then the City would be forced to yield for hunger This perswasion caused them to abide still in their Trenches without attempting any thing for their chiefest care was to provide for their own security near the River They had a great number of armed boats all over the River to stop the coming of any relief to the City When the Prince of Tanais saw that the enemy was so strongly fortified in his Trenches that it was not possibly to force him without running the hazard of a misfortune he employed his men in making another Trench and other fortifications for his own Camp like that of the Enemies For it is against all policy and prudence to stand with a naked Army near and against an enemies Army well intrench'd The Tartarians were three times stronger than the Sultan both in horse and foot but they were obliged for their safety to continue thus incamped near them because they waited and expected the coming of Calibes who was with the Fleet with an intention to carry in Provisions into Cairo And the Prince of Tanais was to assist him by Land whiles he should endeavour to make his way by water to the City Every day some parties went out to skirmish with the Enemies to oblige them to keep closer together in their Camp and to understand the best place for to assault it when the time should serve At last the Prince of Tanais had news of the coming of Calibes who desired him to send him twelve thousand of his Army and imbark them privately at a rendevouz unknown to the enemy for Calibes trusted not too much upon the Troops which he had picked up at Alexandria and because he intended to fight in person upon the River to open away for his Ships or to perish in the attempt he was resolved to have such persons to assist him whom he knew to be brave and resolute men The Prince of Tanais could have wished that Calibes had yeilded to him the honour of commanding the Fleet but all his Captains represented to him that it belonged to him to chuse because he was in his own Government and that the chiefest and fiercest action was likely to be at Land That doubtless the Sultan would send men aboard his Ships to help them that in this case the Trenches would be less guarded and more easie to be taken for the two Armies were but two thousand paces from one another And that in all likelihood the day would not pass without an encounter at Land The Prince of Tanais desired it with passion as a young Hero passionate to win honour But to qualifie this natural heat within him the Emperour had placed near his person two great Lords to keep in his courage and not suffer it to run headlong but to advise him and lead on the
Souldiers who were accustomed to Tamerlans good fortune and ready to attempt the greatest difficulties and overcome the most apparent dangers â—â—anais sent therefore thirteen or fourteen thousand of his stoutest Souldiers to Calibes under the command of Sinopes Axalla's nephew Major General of the Infantry or rather Axalla's Lieutenant who had that office all over the Empire and when the Emperour himself commanded in chief Sinopes was a man of a great reputation having much improved himself in Axalla's tuition When the Prince of Tanais judged that the Fleet was at hand near the Enemies Bridge fortified and strengthened with Chains and Ropes he caused all his horse to be ready and drew up his Infantry sending forty thousand men to a place that he had taken notice of less guarded than the rest For the Enemies seeing him incamp'd between them and the City they imagin'd that the greatest assault would be there therefore they provided that side accordingly They had neglected to fortifie a little Hill which was of a great advantage to the party that should have the command of it Therefore the Prince of Tanais sent this day to assault and take it He had employed his men upon the water only to deceive the Sultan for after the taking of the Hill he marched forward to the second Trenches as if it had been his design to assault and force them also but it was onely to cause the Sultan to look that way for he thought the whole Army had been there he prepared therefore for to defend himself on that side Whiles the Tartarian Army by Land was thus at handy-blows with the enemy their Naval forces broke in upon the Boats after a small resistance overthrew them before they could receive any help For in the beginning of the dispute the Tartars perceived that there was an Island in the River where the Sultan had raised a battery to shoot against them they assaulted and carried it forcing their enemies to retreat into their Trenches by this means they lost the advantage of this place which was fit to defend their bridge against the Tartarian Navy Next to the Island they assaulted the bridge but at the first onset Calibes was sunk and drowned and his party in disorder and discouraged but Sinopes who commanded under him growing more desperate by this loss renewed the fight with a greater resolution and utterly broke the bridge setting the Fire to it with a Boat full of Wild-Fire This courage of Sinopes forced Victory to declare for him and opened a passage for the Navy to the City in view of the Enemies who could no longer hinder or stop it for the Fleet lying under the Island and some Engines that were placed upon the Land shot into the Camp so that they could not lift up nor shew their heads This loss of Calibes was much lamented for he was a man that had rendered great services to the Emperour who loved him well and trusted him His body was sought for amongst many others that perished in the Waters but none could distinguish it It was thought that twenty thousand men died on both sides that day for few escaped of Calibes left Wing Sinopes gain'd much honor and reputation by his good conduct and undaunted courage This action gave a beginning to his preferment It deserved to be well rewarded for there was no possibility of relieving the City but by that way for being in great want and so large many convoys had been required to furnish it with Provisions till the succeeding harvest unto which there was then three months Afterwards Sinopes incamped in the Island with some of the Army to hinder the enemies passage over the River Nevertheless for all his watchfulness the next night being very dark they passed over to the other bank undiscovered in order to their retreat which every one imagin'd would not be by Land for they had no Towns on that side nor intelligence in Cairo nor Alexandria every thing was changed against them So that had they resolved to go that way they must first have overthrown the Tartarian Army which was too difficult a Task for them They were therefore obliged to pass over the River and retreat that way for only on that side they had yet a Town that held for them In the mean while the Prince of Tanais had alwaies a watchful eye upon the Sultan and his designs But he was as much troubled what to do In case the enemies after their passage over the River had obstinately hovered about Cairo He had been then constrained to remain there also and so numerous an Army had famish'd that great City which had Provisions but for eight days It was resolved in Council that the Army should decamp as soon as possible seeing that the City had been relieved They thought that the enemies Army being less in number and better provided with Provisions would stay upon the place a longer time It was therefore concluded that the Army should be divided into two bodies and should attend on the further bank and the hither side and that Sinopes should stay in the Island to favour all the Convoys and Ships of Provision intended to sail to Cairo and hinder the enemies attempts upon them This resolution was taken and kept very secret But when the enemies had spent all their Provisions they sought to retreat as well as the Tartars which they endeavoured to perform in the night All the Boats and Ships which they had near the banks they made ready to go aboard but the Eve before they seem'd to resolve to march into Syria for that purpose they sent out of their Trenches some parties to assault the most advanced Guards as if they had intended to open a passage that way by force of Arms. Whiles this is doing a great part of their Army were ready at the Rivers side to go over In the beginning of the night Fires were discovered more than ordinary upon the bank and most part of their Army was carried over Sinopes could never hinder them for the nights obscurity helped them in their retreat The Sultan passed over first leaving behind him his Lieutenant General to keep the Camp with all his Infantry As soon as the day appeared it was known that a part of their Army was on the other side The Prince of Tanais was willing to attack those that were left behind in the Camp but the oldest and most experienced Captains were not of his opinion They said that it was no easie matter to face threescore thousand men in strong Trenches And that it would be more wisdome to send a supply of men and Engines to Sinopes to strengthen him that he might stop the passage of such as would afterwards venture to go over Nevertheless it was resolved that when the remainder should endeavour to follow after their Companions and their Prince that then the Tartarian Army should break into their Camp and charge them in their retreat The Sultan seeing that his passage
had been successful sent word to the remainder of his army to adventure over the night following and that as many as could should get aboard And to incourage his men the more and hasten them he passed over again himself to them for he knew nothing of the supply of men which Sinopes had received from the Land Army As soon as Sinopes saw the enemies he charged them desperately without delay The Sultan himself was wounded in performing the duty of a great Captain he passed over the water with a great number of his men to joyn with the other party In this dispute the Sultan lost a great many men and some Boats were sunk only twenty thousand were remaining behind in their Camp without any hopes of retreat to their Prince The Tartars assaulted and won their next Trenches but the innermost were so well fortified and guarded that the Commanders thought it no wisdome to venture upon them but rather to stay where they were than to hazard all upon an uncertainty They incamp'd therefore within the Trenches in expectation of that which they were to have by reason and the rules of War sooner than by force Which happen'd accordingly for as soon as the enemies saw themselves pen'd up and not able to look about by reason of the Tartars approaches they sent to desire to parlâ—â—y with them which was granted They sent to the Prince of Tanais a Parthian Officer who had a long time served under him but being left behind sick and taken by the Sultan he enter'd himself in his service After some demonstrations of his strength this Prince had made him Major General of his Infantry He desired to speak with the Prince of Tanais He told him that he had been sent with his Comrades from the Troops which he besieged to intreat him to shew them mercy and not to spill any more humane blood but without it to accept of the Victory which they offered into his hands upon the conditions that he should propose As the Prince of Tanais was visiting the Trenches he heard the offer of this Collonel with Joy He gave them liberty upon this condition that for the time to come they should be Subjects and Slaves to the Emperour and serve him in his Wars wheresoever they should be commanded All which they promised to perform Some were commissioned by the Prince of Tanais to receive their Oath Only the Lieutenant Geneneral of the Sultan and some other Captains departed in a Ship the night before to follow after their Master This Prince as we have taken notice was wounded at the passage of the River which caused him to retreat with his Cavalry twenty leagues to a place that belong'd to him yet As soon as he was arrived he died of his wounds to the great sorrow of his followers The Prince of Tanais who as soon as he could pursued him entered into this place named Palema a few dayes after his death and finding that he was not buried shed Tears for his unhappy end commanding that he should be interred according to his Quality and received very courteously all his Servants He had left behind him a Son who had carried with him all that would not yield to the Emperour They fled to the borders of Lybia into certain Towns of a difficult access because of the Wilderness that lies in the way to them There these poor men lived in hopes to be revenged of the Tartars and one day to restore their broken and ruined fortunes In this manner ended this last War with the Mameluâ—â—ks The Emperour was so troubled at it that he once resolved to march thither him-himself but the news of the Victory and of the Sultans death hindered him The Prince of Tanais was mightily applauded for his prudent conduct but Calibes's unhappy death dasht all the Emperours joy He was so worthy a man that he could not be sufficiently lamented chiefly by Tamerlan who lost in him a faithful servant and and a Great Captain The Prince of Tanais had his Offices and Government bestowed upon him with order to make his ordinary abode in Syria and Aegypt to watch and look over them and keep those Provinces in peace Sinopes was made Major General of the Imperial army which was commanded to return into Persia under the leading of the great Chamberlain who came to the Army at the close of the War with a considerable body of men For it was Tamerlans custome to cause one Army to march after another towards the places that wanted assistance This happy success of his Lieutenants shewed how much it concerns a Prince to dwell in the midst of his Dominions that he might with more ease and more speedily send forth his succours to defend any part or Corner The King of China was then at the Emperours Court to wait upon him according to the Articles of agreement concluded with him which he confirmed in the Princes presence and swore obedience and did him homage The Emperour endeavoured to render himself dreadful to this Heathen King who never kept his promises but when he pleased by shewing him his strong Towns well furnished with people He was astonished to see so many men cloathed so simply chiefly the Emperour that wore nothing but a garment of coloured Cloath without any Ornament He took notice also that all his attendants and Officers about him look'd as so many Kings by their Majestick contenances and behaviour Whiles he was at the Court news came of the Victory obtained upon the Sultan he was eye witness of the publick rejoycings which lasted eight dayes spent in sports feasting and other divertisements after that he returned to his own Country The Emperour gave order next to distribute double pay to his Army which was returning out of Aegypt into Persia with the Great Chamberlain and Sinopes Major General Afterwards he went to Quinzay to see his Son and satisfie the impatient wishes of this great City that desired passionately to enjoy him His presence was also needful to regulate all affairs as he had done in other places Axalla had no mind to be too busie because he had to do with a numerous people inclinable to commotions He was therefore afraid so far to concern himself as to give Tamerlan a disgust or cause the people to murmur Therefore he often spoke it that the ordering of the publick affairs was a great business which none was capable of but the Emperour For the intent of Tamerlan was to appoint the same Laws every where in his great Empire to command the use of the same Weights and Measures that the same Tributes should be setled in all parts according to each mans ability resolving as soon as his Incomes were regulated that he would make provision of Victuals which should be carried from place to place according as his Army should need He was wont to compare an Army with the humane body saying that the Captains were to be look'd upon as the head the Souldiers as the
in such occasions he desired to express more honor to her Father that the Empress should accompany the body with him they walked together This he did to give a greater authority to the Empress in the Eyes of the World that in case God should take him away before their Children were at Age she might be thought worthy to govern the Empire during their minority as he himself judged her by all the publick signs that he could give in all occasions The Prince was so much taken with her behaviour and vertuous carriage that he would not love any other women nor suffer his affections to wander up and down upon meaner objects Here he had fixed his mind here he had confined his desires and appetite He look'd with contempt upon all other neither their beauty nor the charms of Wit nor the amorous inclinations of the female Sex could prevail upon his inflexible soul and oblige him to that variety of amours in which men of his Religion and Elevation commonly indulge themselves For as he was naturally very chast he intended no other thing by his Marriage but to have Children to perpetuate his Name and Family and succeed him in the Empire As soon as the funeral Ceremonies were over and the Emperours Corps laid in the Sepulcher of his Ancestors he returned to Cambalu spending the Winter in Races in Tilts and hunting all manner of Beasts He had piâ—â—ched upon that City as nearest to China from whence he desired to hear News often intending to go thither the following Summer if necessity required for he was resolved to take care to preserve what he had Conquered there by his valour and good Fortune and to enjoy the fruits of his Labours He was likewise busie in perfecting the buildings that he had begun at Samarcand and in compleating them as soon as he could In the mean while Axalla dwelt at Quinzay well beloved of the Souldiers and Inhabitants They had an affection for him because of his Mildness Liberality Courage Justice and other admirable qualities They all knew what credit he had with the Emperour Therefore they made their address to him to intreat him to perswade the Emperour that they might have the advantage to see him in their City and to choose it for to bring up the Prince his Son At his request the Emperour granted them their desire appointing Axalla to govern him with all the Country of Quinzay as far as the Sea beyond Cambalu which contains above four hundred Leagues and more than three hundred Cities with an infinite number of Towns and Villages This was properly the Empire of his deceased Unkle He made Axalla Lieutenant General under the Prince his Son and made him likewise the Governour of his person so great a Confidence he had in his Virtue Fidelity and Abilities In this manner he rewarded him for his notable Services and for the great Victories that he had got for him by his Vertue Experience and Courage He looked upon him therefore as most able to teach his Son the Art of Keeping and Governing those many Nations which Axalla had helped to Conquer CHAP. VII Cairo relieved with Provisions and Souldiers when besieged by the Sultan His overthrow and Death The Emperours Journey to Quinzay The Settlement of his affairs in China WHiles the Emperour was ordering his affairs at Cambalu news was brought him that the Sultan had besieged Cairo three moneths with a powerful Army and that the Inhabitants of that great City were so far from favouring his designs that they were very zealous and courageous in their defence for Tamerlans interest For that purpose he had placed there a great many strangers Without this precaution doubtless in this juncture there had been many Seditions and Plots for the betraying of the City because Calibes had not then forces enough to oblige the Sultan to raise his Siege without other assistance But in regard this business was of the greatest consequence for the Empires preservation he sent to the Prince of Tanais Vice-Roy of Persia to send him a party This Prince was alwayes desirous to purchase glory and ready to obey his Emperours orders who had commanded him to assist his neighbour in time of need He gathered up therefore his dispersed Troops old Souldiers Parthians and Tartars to the Number of about one hundred thousand who had accompanied the Emperour in all his Battles and Victories They were desirous of Axalla's presence but next to him they thought none was better able to command them than the Prince of Tanais the Emperours Cosen German who had been trained up under Axalla for in all the greatest difficulties and dangers where Axalla had gained so much honour this Prince had accompanied and learned from him the uneasie and hazardous Trade of War In which he had in the Judgements of all men profited so much that Axalla and he were looked upon as the two Eyes of the Empire and Tamerlan the Head they were theâ—â—ore seated at the two most dangerous extremities of this great body one in Syria the other in Quinzay With this considerable body of an Army unto which were added some Troops of the great Chamberlain which were at Babylon the Prince of Tanais marched into Syria towards Aleppo where he met with Calibes and found that he had got together two hundred thousand good Souldiers The Sultan was not ignorant that this Army was drawing to him which had formerly overthrown him but he conceived some hopes because Tamerlan was not there in person nor his good fortune which alwaies accompanied him and because he was to fight with a young Prince full of life and courage whose too greedy desire of honour might oblige him to undertake things too hastily or unadvisedly He resolved therefore to be wary and by his late misfortune to learn not to hazard a battle in plain ground but to wait for his enemies behind his Trenches For that intent he drew his Trenches along the River of Nilus for onely by that way the City expected to be relieved for it was not probable that so many mouths could be supplied with necessaries by Carts or Camels or by any other carriage by Land Therefore he digg'd his Trenches with ease because the Prince with his Army marched but softly His most judicious Commanders advised him not to approach too near the Town till the provisions were ready to be carried in For that purpose the Prince of Tanais and Calibes had sent Purveyours round about Syria and upon the Sea Coast and about the Islands of Greece to make provisions of Corn wâ—â— was to be carried to Alexandria and from thence to Cairo All their orders had been punctually executed In the mean while the army was coming on which as soon as the enemy perceived upon the banks of Nilus where the Sultan lay with his Souldiers on both sides with a bridge of Boats stretched over the River he withdrew himself into his fortifications When the Prince was in sight of Cairo he