Prince was advertised of the pretences of Calix he marched one daies journy forward to the end that he might approach unto Calibes who what face soever he set on the matter yet hearkened what would become of Calix that he might likewise make some commotion This Calibes was by Tamerlane made Commander of his Avanguard which consisted of Parthians yet had joyned with him the Prince of Thanais without whom he could not do any thing Tamerlane also gave special commandment that the passages which were not many should be diligently guarded to the end that the King of China should not be advertised of these tumults and so giving to Odmar the leading of his Avanguard he hasted forwards And surely it was high time for him so to do or else all had been revolted for Calix having assembled a hundred thousand fighting men presented himself before the great City of Cambalu chief of the Province of Cathai the inhabitants whereof came out to meet him receiving him with all the joy that might be Tamerlane in his march went to Caindu and from thence to Calatia where he expected to meet with the forces of his native Country of Sachetai yet did he not neglect to send forward his Army towards Cambalu which caused the inhabitants to their great terror to think that all his forces were already on their neck Calix perceiving that the Citizens begun already to repent his entertainment thought it not safe to remaine amongst them and therefore withdrawing himself he sent for his forces from all parts resolving to meet Tamerlane in the field and to put all upon the event and hazard of a battel He drew out of Cambalu fifty thousand men whereof twenty thousand were Citizens the other thirty thousand were the Garison-souldiers placed there by the old Emperor Calix having corrupted their Leaders and so procured them to joyn with him in this revolt In short having assembled all his forces his Army consisted of fourscore thousand horse and one hundred thousand footmen which he gathered from all parts In the mean time Tamerlane's Army marching forward his Scouts which were two thousand horse had news of the Army of Calix which came forward directly towards them of which they speedily advertised the Emperor who thereupon presently sent two thousand horse more to the end that they should keep the passages of a certain River called Brore by which River victuals were conveyed to his Army as also to win time the Prince well knowing that the motions of a civil war are furious at the beginning and that therefore its best to resist slowly alwayes drawing them out at length if it be possible For when means money and victuals fail the people use to be sensible of their faults and to return home The old Emperor sent to him to adventure all upon a battel delivering up into his hands the safety of his life and estate that thereby he might end his daies in peace By this means forces came to Tamerlane on all hands whose Army daily encreased whereas on the contrary the enemies Army was then in its chiefest force and began to feel the want of victuals Calix was about fourty yeers old a Captaine renouned with the great Cham and one of the chiefest in dignity and place about him so that many of the Tartars had alwayes respected him as a person most worthy of the Empire if the glory of Tamerlane and his reputation had not so far exceeded The Armies began to be in view one of another about eight a clock in the morning and many skirmishes began betwixt them before they came to the maine battel The place wherein they met at that time was a great Plain with like advantage on either part Odmar led the Avanguard wherein were fourty thousand horse and eighty thousand foot which he divided into three squadrons the first whereof he sent before him to begin the battel Tamerlane marched in the same order but his squadrons were much stronger The footmen of both made the right and left wings Tamerlane had drawn out six thousand Parthian horsemen and two thousand Tartarian for his Areareguard which he committed to his faithful servant Axalla a man of a great judgement quick of conceit and in great esteem amongst the souldiers although he being a Christian worshipped God in an other manner then they and he had many other Christians with him whom he had drawn from the Georgians and the Euxine Sea who fought with great agility Calix on the other side who was a well spoken man was exhorting and encouraging his souldiers to fight for his Fortune and the liberty of their Nation he divided his Army into three maine Battels himself remaining in the middest encompassed with his footmen and so the Battels joyned where after a terrible fight Calix fell into Axalla's hands being taken fighting valiantly which Axalla caused to be presently proclaimed thorow the Army to the overthrow of the courage of all the adversaries who hereupon immediately fled Calix was kept till the next day and then by a Councel of War was adjudged to death whereupon Tamberlane caused his head to be stricken off the which he sent as a present to the inhabitants of Cambalu The like he caused to be done to all the chief Leaders not out of a cruel disposition but enforced thereto by necessity knowing very well that the way to cut off the foot of Civil War is to punish the heads of the same which as Hydra's grow up too fast After this Tamerlane with his Army marched into the Kingdome of Cathay a Country rich in grass and all kind of pastures abounding with great quantity of beasts and people which knew not what war meant and the Prince gave command that they should not be used as enemies but as his good Subjects and whereas diverse Cities had adheared to Calix they came now and humbled themselves before him craving pardon which he gave them enjoyning them only to provide victuals for his Army which also they willingly did This example of lenity was of no small importance for the appeasing of others which had put all their hope in extremity resolving to sell their lives deer and especially the inhabitants of Cambulu had taken this resolution but being informed of the Emperors clemency they changed their purpose yet as the Army daily approached neerer their fears encreased but Tamerlane was daily informed by his friends in the City that the inhabitants resolved to obey the Conqueror and therefore leaving his Army at Gonsa he only sent thirty thousand to the City which was the ordinary Garison and within two hours after entred the City himself where he was received with great magnificence yet would he not pronounce their pardon but referred all to the old Emperor and to the ordinary course of justice For which end he sent one of his favourites to the old Emperor to certifie him of his victory of the death of Calix
and that the chief of his faction remained prisoners with him as also to know what justice he would appoint to be inflicted upon those Citizens which were the authors of the revolt of this City and so after eight dayes he departed and not many daies after he had intelligence that the great Cham his Uncle had caused justice to be done on the chief movers of Sedition in Cambalu so that the people complained of the old Emperors cruelty but commended the mercy of Tamerlane When he came back to his Army he was received of all his souldiers with loud acclamations calling him Most great Emperor and most victorious Amongst his Captaines he discoursed of the beauty and greatness of the City of Cambalu and afterwards asked Odmars advise whether it were not best for him to visite the old Emperor and so with his Emperess to spend the winter with him at Quinsay Odmar remembring the honour which he had received there easily perceived his inclination to that journy yet by all means disswaded him from it to which Tamerlane answered that he had alwayes found his fidelity and love to him which he was sorry that he could not recompence to the full but saith he whereas I had thought to give my self some ease I perceive that instead of the delicacies and pleasures of Quinsay I must make the deserts of Cipribit my resting place after my travelles in this new victory yet a rumor being spread that the Prince intended to visite the Emperor every man began to desire to return into his own Country hoping to enjoy the sweetness of his native soile which Tamerlane being informed of calling his Army to a Rendevouz he thus spake unto them We have my faithful souldiers begun an enterprise against the King of China who hath of late repulsed even beyond the mountaines the Tartarian name but were hindred to our great grief by the foolish rashness of Calix and were driven to turn the bridle to punish him wherein you have all assisted me It grieves me that I cannot as well boast of the fresh spoiles of a stranger as I may by the means of your weapons of those of our unfaithful Subjects and as in times past of the fierce Muscovites against whom with your assistance I made trial of my first Armes but for this last victory being against our own Subjects I cannot speak of it without shedding tears desiring to bury such victories in oblivion together with all the glory and honour gotten thereby Neither do I recount these things to you but to shew that I forget not your faithfulness and the great travel you have endured for my sake We must not therefore be weary but must turn our weapons against those which imagine us to be full of troubles whereas we are indeed victorious Our companions and all our amunition is advanced neer to our enemy already we must in that place my souldiers and friendly followers pass over the rest of Winter Our Companions look for us our enemies are secure and look not for us at this season of the yeer and know that our Army that is already there is not sufficient for offence but only for defence You shall receive double pay the better to furnish you against the injury of cold and as we shall be apparelled with double garments so I hope we shall be clothed with double glory Having thus spoken his souldiers all cryed One God in Heaven and one Emperor on earth shewing their willingness to obey his commands The Prince after this remained there eight dayes longer sending back Zamai with twenty five thousand horse and fifty thousand foot to Sachethay for the safety of his estate in those parts and so after solemne and publike prayers the Army began to march forwards He forgat not likewise to dispatch away a messenger to the great Cham to acquaint him with all his purposes which he approved very well of By the same messenger he also beseeched him in the spring to send him fifty thousand men to recruit his Army and some moneys for the payment of his souldiers which also he granted sending also good store of warlike munition and plenty of victuals knowing how much the success of the war would advance the Tartarian greatnesse and profit The Army being upon their march in thirty eight dayes came to Cipribit yet met with many inconveniences by the way There they had news of Calibes who was glad to hear how businesses had passed and came to visit the Prince who entertained him very courteously acquainting him with his purpose and understood by him how all things passed in the Kingdome of China The next day the Prince came to Pazanfou where Calibes forces were who had often fought with and tried the valour of the Chinois but found it much inferior to their own There the Prince took a general Muster of all his Army caused them to be paid took notice of their countenance whilest they all cryed out God save the victorious and invincible Emperor according to their custome The Prince of Thanais who commanded the Army with Calibes had diligently viewed the wall and the wayes by which he might forcibly enter into China and had sent many Spies by certaine wayes thorow the mountaines into that Country by whom he was advertised of all their proceedings He had also gained by his curtesie a Lord of those mountaines called the Lord of Vauchefu who commanded over a great Country who being desirous of a new Master and to submit to Tamerlane had told the Prince of Thanais that he was able to do the Emperor good service and to help him much in his wars against the Chinois This the Prince of Thanais discovered to Tamerlane who was very desirous to speak with this Lord whereupon a day was appointed and Tamerlane without moving of his Army went to the tents of the Prince of Thanais where this foresaid Lord meet him and the Emperor having heaped upon him many gifts of fair horses and rich furs and other rare things this Lord spake thus unto him Know my Lord that it is but lost labour for you to think that with your Armies you shall be able to force this wall made by the Chinois to hinder the incursions of your Subjects the Defendants have too much advantage therein I doubt not of your souldiers valour and courage I know you have conquered many Nations with them and that whatsoever you command them they will effect it or die in the enterprize I know that you have great and wise Captaines with you and that you of all persons in the world are most worthy to command them But all this will be but in vain against the wall of the Chinois where I assare you are fifty thousand men to keep it neither can you stay there so short a time but there will come fifty thousand more to assist them led by one Xianxi who hath already received such a commandment The
King of China should deliver his brother and two other called Kings with twelve principal men of the Country for Hostages to secure the peace These conditions after they had consulted together were accepted of hoping that time would restore again their ancient liberty and in the mean time they must bear the yoke of the Conqueror Then did Tamerlane lend two thousand horse to fetch the King of China that being at liberty he might solemnly swear to the peace which accordingly he did delivered the Hostages and so went into his Kingdome to performe the other Articles where he was almost worshipped as a god and received with all the joy that might be Thus Tamerlane having settled his affairs and provided for the assurance of his new conquest left Odmar to govern the same leaving with him thirty thousand horse and fifty thousand foot to furnish all the Fortresses and strong places giving him in charge to make his chief residence at Quantifou to fortifie well the passages and to build a new Fort at Dermio the better to strengthen his borders He left him all necessaries and commended the Lord of the mountaines who had been so serviceable to him his brother he took with him giving him large preferment in Zachethay He also carried along with him many of the new conquered people to plant them in his own Country sending other Colonies in their stead which he did because he found them a light people and such as affected novelties Tamerlane sent to acquaint the old Emperor with all these things having two of the greatest and fairest Cities in all China in his possession and an hundred leagues of Land extending his borders to a River by which he might go to the enemy but they could not come to him without passing over the same He desired also above all things that all the Idols which were within his conquest should be beaten down and commanded the worshipping of one God Then did his Army wherein was much sickness begin to march and Tamerlane hearing of more forces that were coming towards him out of Tartary he sent to stop them commanding them to march to Cambalu whither himself also was going hearing that the old Emperor intended to meet him and to entertain him with great magnificence in the City Odmar being thus severed from Tamerlane's side all his favour was turned to Axalla of whose prudence valour and fidelity he had such large experience in these wars so as the report of his valour did flye thorow all the Empire Calibes led the Avantguard and Axalla was in the Battel neer to the Emperor who bestowed upon him two hundred thousand Crowns yeerly to maintaine his ordinary expences And thus after certaine daies journey news was brought of the old Emperors arrival at Cambalu wherefore Tamerlane leaving his Army to winter in a faire and fertile Country and dismissing many of his souldiers he hasted thitherwards and when he was arrived within four leagues of Cambalu all the Princes of the Emperors Court came to receive him there together with all the chiefest Citizens to congratulate his admirable success The Prince having received every one according to his wonted courtesie yet retaining convenient Majesty he was beheld by all with great contentment He had with him the Emperess his wife who had not left him in all this journey And the next day the old Emperor honoured him so much as to come to meet him with all the magnificence that might be Tamerlane presented him with all the richest Chariots and fairest horses that he had won and the old Emperor being very desirous to see his daughter her Chariot was uncovered and he caused her to enter into his own But the Prince remained on horseback whom the eyes of all the people could not be satisfied with admiring Tamerlane also presented Calibes to the Emperor making a recital of all his faithfulness whereupon the Emperor gave him an hundred thousand Crowns for the encrease of his pension He also presented Axalla to the Emperor who being informed of his valour gave unto him a hundred thousand Tartarirs of Gold in a Principality that he might declare how much he esteemed his fidelity During Tamerlanes abode at Cambalu this winter complaints came to him that Bajazet the great Turk had attempted to joyn the Empire of Greece to his own resolving also upon the siege of Constantinople whereupon the Emperor of Greece sent to him to crave his aid Axalla who was of kin to this Emperor Paleologus being desirous to maintaine the Christian Religion in Greece stirred him up much unto this war whereupon he sent Ambassadors to Bajazet to warn him in his name not to molest the Greek Emperor who was his confederate But Bajazet answered them very proudly asking them what their Master had to do therewith and that he should content himself with injoyning Laws to his own Subjects and not to meddle with him who was none of them This answer being returned by Axalla's meanes was very ill taken so that Tamerlane resolved to hinder this enterprise of the Ottomans for which end he obtained of the Emperor his Uncle an hundred thousand footmen and eighty thousand horsemen hoping to have as many from his own Country of Sachetay besides the Lords who would accompany him to win glory from whom he made account of fifty thousand men more that they would bring along with them Thus he departed from Cambalu taking his leave of the old Emperor his father in Law and of the Princess his wife then left behind him for the comfort of her aged father and departed towards Samercand the place of his birth and seat of his Empire leaving the forces granted him by the Emperor to come after him to Ozara where he had appointed the general rendezous of his Army This his departure was very grievous to the old Emperor but more grievous of the Princes part towards his wife who had never left him since they were first married But nothing could withhold this brave Prince where honor was to be purchased or where he might be profitable to his oppressed friends For he would often say That he was born to this end and that all his other imployments were but by the By God having appointed and called him to punish the pride of Tyrants He was accompanied with Calibes and made the Prince of Thanais Colonel of all his footmen which place Axalla had left whom now he made Lieutenant General of all his Army with command to lead his Avantguard and Calibes the Arereward Forces came to him from all parts And the Chinois Lord being licensed by Odmar marched towards him with twenty thousand men of his Subjects newly conquered being desirous to shew his forwardness to the Emperor as also to learn the manners and fashions of strange Countries When Tamerlane came neer Samercand Zamay went to meet him and neer a million of people blessing
certainly resolved to come to a pitched Battel with him not so much trusting to the multitude of his men as to the experience and valour of his souldiers being long trained up in the wars At which unexpected news Tamerlane greatly rejoyced yet without insolency and vaunting but rather with the countenance of such an one as judged the event of Battels to be alwayes doubtfull saying some times That a small number well conducted did carry away the victory from the confused multitude Three daies after he stayed at Buisabuick causing his souldiers continually to march forward which at two places passed over the river Euphrates which he did the rather to maintaine his Army upon the spoile of the enemies Country chusing rather there to attend his coming then amongst his friends and allies All the Cities that yielded to him in the way as he marched he favourably received the other that refused to submit themselves to his obedience he used with all extremity especially the great and strong City of Sebastia where certaine of the forerunners of his Army were by the Turks that kept Garrison in it cut off and slaine and to despite him the more the City gates were set open in contempt of him whereupon being justly offended he sent out certaine Tartarian horsemen charging them upon paine of his displeasure so to behave themselves against their enemies that at his coming up to them he might finde either the City taken or at least the gates shut up against him and he had his men at so great command that no danger was unto them more dreadful then his displeasure neither did he punish any thing so severely as cowardize Now the Turkes in Sebastia seeing these Tartarian horsemen marching towards the City making little account of them because their number was not great issued out to meet them where they were so furiously charged by these few horsemen that they were glad to retire and for hast to shut the gates against some of their own men lest the enemie should have entered pell mell with them which Turkes were there slaine at the gates of the City Shortly after came Tamerlane with all the rest of his Army and sat down before the City where he lay still seven dayes not making any shew of violence at all The defendants because the City was of great strength thought that his purpose was by a long siege to distresse the same But about the eight day the Towers and walls being undermined in sundry places suddenly fell down leaving large breaches for the enemy to enter wherewith the Turks being dismayed surrendred the City to Tamerlane in hope so to have saved their lives but he caused them all to be buried quick and the City utterly to he razed and then calling the Governour whose life he had spared for that end he bade him go and tell his Master what had happened to his strong City of Sebastia and what himself had seen there of which Tragical action when the Governour had made report to Bajazet he demanded of him whither of the two Armies he thought bigger or stronger for he had now assembled a mighty Army of three hundred thousand horse and two hundred thousand footmen whereunto the Governour having first craved pardon answered That it could not be in reason but that Tamerlane had the greater Army for that he commanded over far greater Countries wherewith proud Bajazet being offended replyed in great Choller Out of doubt the sight of the Tartarian hath so affrighted this coward that he thinks every enemy to be two As Bajazet marched forward he heard a Country-Shepherd merrily pleasing himself with his homely pipe as he sat on the side of a mountaine feeding his small flock whereupon he stood still and listened to him to the admiration of many and at last brake forth into these words O happy shepherd which hadest no Sebastia to lose bewraying therein his own discontentment and yet withall shewing that worldly bliss consisteth not so much in possessing of much subject unto danger as in enjoying content in a little devoid of fears The rest of the Cities as Tamerlane marched forwards warned by the destruction of Sebastia yielded to him the Citizens whereof he used courteously especially the Christians whom he set at liberty for the Greek Emperors sake whom he sought therein to gratifie But Tamerlane had not gone far in the Turkes dominions before he was certainly informed that Bajazet was coming against him with a mighty Army and was now within thirty leagues of him which caused him from thence forward to march with his Army more close together Axalla leading the Van sent forth Chianson Prince of Ciarchan with four thousand Parthian horsemen to get knowledge of the Turkish Army and where Bajazet lay as also what manner of Country it was beyond Sennas and if he could learn any thing thereof to make relation of it to him This Prince of Ciarchan was Tamerlanes neer kinsman a man of great reputation and next to Axalla in whose absence he had the command of the Avantguard who also sent before him an other Parthian Captaine with five hundred horsemen who having advanced about ten leagues and surprized Sennas was certainly informed there of the state of Bajazets Army which was now at Tataia and so marching forward which Tamerlane being informed of commanded him not to retire from that place till he saw the arrival of the enemy and thereof to give him advertisement every hour resolving himself to pass on no farther being encamped in a faire large plaine which was very advantagious for him his Army being bigger then Bajazet's which made him make choise of those large plaines His Army also being compounded of sundry Nations he considered that he was not to fight against the Chinois a soft effeminate people as of late but against the Turkes a most warlike Nation and well acquainted with all manner of sights and warlick stratagems and therefore he judged it necessary to proceed warily against them Upon this consideration he presently sent for Axalla with him to view the said place and to have his opinion whether it would be advantagious for him to stay there or no Axalla not misliking his choice of the place yet withall advised him to keep Sennas as long as possibly he could and accordingly he sent word to them at Sennas that when they could keep the place no longer they should set fire of it and so retreat and this he did that the enemy should have no desire to encamp there but to march forwards to those places where Tamerlane desired to fight the rather because he was stronger in horse then Bajazet Accordingly the Prince of Ciarchan sent out a hundred horse toward the Turkes then divided the rest of his forces into two parts commanding the former that as soon as they perceived the enemy to pursue the hundred horse whom he had commanded to fly disorderly before them
that they should receive them into their squadrons and so retire altogether He in the mean time with the other part stood close in a valley neer unto a wood-side wholly unseen where having suffered two thousand of the enemies horse the vant-curriers of the Turks army to pass by him he following them in the taile charged them home the other also which before retired now turned again upon them so that the Turkes seeing themselves thus beset and hardly layed to both before and behind as men discouraged fled but in their flight were most of them slaine the rest of them taken prisoners This was the first encounter between the Turkes and the Parthians All the prisoners taken were by the Prince sent as a present to Tamerlane and amongst the rest the Bassa of Natolia who led those Troops of whom Tamerlane earnestly demanded what caused his Master Bajazet so little to esteem him as to shew so great contempt of his Army Which saith he he shall finde strong enough to abate his pride To this the Bassa answered That his Lord was the Sun upon earth which could not endure any corival And that he rather was astonished to see how he from so far a Country had undertaken so dangerous a journy to hinder the fortune of his Lord in whose favour the heavens as he said did bend themselves to further his greatness and unto whom all the world subjected it self and that he committed great folly in going about to resist the same Unto this proud speech Tamerlane replied That he was sent from Heaven to punish his insolency and to teach him that the proud are hated of God whose promise is to pull down the mighty and to advance the lowly As for thy self said he thou hast already felt though I pitty thy mishap what the valour of my Parthian horse is against thy Turkish and I have already caused thy Master to raise his siege before Constantinople and to look to his affaires here in Asia He also asked him whether his Master did come resolved to give him battel Assure your self said he that there is nothing that he more desireth and would to God that I might acknowledge your greatness in giving me leave to assist my Lord in that battel Good leave have thou said Tamerlane go thy wayes and tell thy Lord that thou hast seen me and that in the battel he shall finde me on horseback there where he shall see a green Ensigne displayed The Bassa thanked him and swore that next unto his Lord he vowed unto him his service And so returning he related unto Bajazet how he had seen Tamerlane and reported to him truly all that he had willed him to say not forgetting above all to praise his courtesie and bounty who besides that he had frankly set him at liberty had also given him a very faire horse well furnished although he well knew that he was to serve against himself To this Bajazet answered no more but that he would shortly make trial of him and that he doubted not but before he had done with him he should make him acknowledge his folly The next day the two Armies drew neer together and encamped within a league the one of the other where all the night long you might have heard such noise of horses which filled the heavens with their neighings and the aire with sounds and every man thought the night long that they might come to the trial of their valours and the gaining of their desires The Scythians a people no less greedy then needy talked of nothing but the spoile the proud Parthians of attaining honour the poor Christians of their deliverance from an insulting adversary all to be gained by the next dayes victory Every man during the night-time speaking according to his humour All which Tamerlane walking privately up and down in the Camp heard and much rejoyced to see the hope which his souldiers had already conceived of the victory and so after the second watch returning into his Pavilion and there casting himself upon a carpet he purposed to sleep a while but his cares not suffering him so to do he then as his manner was called for a book wherein was contained the Lives of his Fathers and Ancestors and of other valiant worthies which he used ordinarily to read in as then also he did not vainly to deceive the time but to make use of it by imitating that which by them was worthily done and declining such dangers as they by their rashness or over-sight fell into After having slumbered a little he commanded Axalla to be sent for to him who presently came accompanied with diverse other great Lords and Captaines of the Army with whom after he had consulted a while about the order of the battel himself presently mounted on horseback and sent each of them to their charge to see their orders put in execution At which very instant he received intelligence that the enemy was marching forwards and come to chuse his ground for the battel whose order of marching Tamerlane was very desirous to see that so he might marshal his own Army accordingly For said he I do not so much trust to the Lions skin wherein I wrap mine arme but that withall I will make use of the Foxes therein to wrap mine head which my grandfather neglected to his overthrow in a battel against the Persians for being in a place of advantage he went out of it to seek his enemy that was lodged strongly contrary to the advice of all his Captaines which proved his ruine Then did he cause three thousand horsemen to advance forward with charge to begin the skirmish himself following after to lodge every part of his forces in such places as he had foreseen to be fittest for his advantage And seeing the Turkish Janizaries marching in a square battel in the middest of the Army and upon the two Fronts two great squadrons of horsemen which seemed to be about thirty thousand and another which advanced before and covered the Battalion of the Janizaries he thought this their order to be very good and hard to be broken and therefore turning himself to Axalla he said I had thought this day to have fought on foot but I see that it behoves me now to fight on horseback to encourage my souldiers to open that great Battalion of the enemies And my will is that my men come forwards to me so soon as may be for I will advance forward with a hundred thousand footmen fifty thousand upon each of my two wings and in the midest of them fourty thousand of my best horsemen And my pleasure is that after I have tryed the force of these men that they come unto my Avantguard of whom I will dispose and fifty thousand horsemen more in three bodies whom thou shalt command which I will assist with eighty thousand horse wherein shall be mine own person having a hundred thousand footmen
for the defence of Alexandria as neerest to the enemy But understanding this news used such diligence that he entred into Caire with fourty thousand horse and sixty thousand foot even as Tamerlanes Army approached to it By this unexpected coming of that Sultan the great City that before was ready to have revolted was again confirmed in his obedience to the great prejudice of Tamerlanes affaires For to remaine long before it was impossible thorow want of victuals for so great an Army in an enemies Country Yet this discouraged not Tamerlane from approaching to it and with all his Army to encamp neer unto the same having caused a great trench to be made for the security of his horsemen and therein to lodge his Army more safely during which time he caused diverse attempts to be made as well to try the enemies confidence as to see how the people of the City especially the slaves which in that populous City are in great numbers were affected towards him who indeed were glad to see the state of his Army and the proud Mameluks still put to the worst but farther stirred not During this siege he thought good one day to draw forth his Armie before the Citie to try whether the enemie had any minde to come to a battel as also to view his own forces and so indeed to seek occasion to fight hoping that if the Sultan should come forth with his Army some revolt might happen at the same time in the Citie as well by the slaves unto whom by secret Spies he had promised liberty as by the Citizens themselves who were much discontented with the insolency of the Mamelukes and to whom Tamerlane by the same Spies had made it known that he came not to hurt them but to deliver them from the tyranny of his and their enemies But standing thus in battel array none stirred out of the Citie neither was there any tumult raised within according as he expected For the Sultan being plentifully provided with all things in that rich Citie resolved to weary out Tamerlane by lying still and not to put all to the hazard of a Battel Tamerlane perceiving his design yet resolved not to depart till he was victorious whereupon he thought fit also to attempt him in his greatest strength and in the heart of his greatest Citie though it could not be done without great hazard such confidence had he in the valour and multitude of his Army Now his purpose was first to take one of the Cities for Caire is divided into three and therein encamping himself by little and little to advance forwards as he could finde opportunity Upon this resolution he commanded a strong assault to be given and having conducted his footmen to the place chosen by him for the onset for the Citie was not walled but onely fortified with ditches and trenches he commanded the Prince of Thanais with fiftie thousand men to begin the assault even in the face of the enemy which he most valiantly performed which occasioned a great and terrible fight Axalla in the mean time deeming as the truth was that the Sultan had drawn the greatest part of his forces to that place fetched a compasse about and in another part of the City with small resistance passed the trenches where he presently left thirty thousand men to fill up the ditches thereby to make way for the Horsemens entrance himself with the rest advancing forwards against twenty thousand sent by the Sultan to oppose his farther passage the Prince of Thanais being at the same time almost beaten back by the Mamelukes But the ditches being presently levelled ten thousand horsemen entred who charged upon the backs of the Mameluks where the Sultan himself was they were likewise seconded by ten thousand more sent in in by Tamerlane himself following after with all his power Hereupon the Sultan retreated into a second strength which he had made in the next Citie This fight endured full seven houres wherein were slain of the Sultans men above sixteen thousand and of Tamerlane's between seven and eight thousand Tamerlane being well contented that he had dislodged his enemy and gained one of the Cities caused a retreat to be sounded hoping the next day to win all the rest as indeed he did For the next morning the Prince of Thanais storming the trenches in one part as Axalla did in an other the Sultan after a great fight finding himself hardly pressed by the obstinate enemy and unable longer to hold out retreated abandoning the Citie and encamping himself along the River Nilus resolving to retire to the Citie of Alexandria his second strength and onely refuge which Tamerlane suspecting followed after him with his Horsemen who onely were in order and some few foot hardly drawn from the Citie which their fellows were in plundering Tamerlane promising them both to regard and reward their good service Against these the Sultan upon a narrow cawse way had opposed twelve or fifteen thousand men to favour his passage who being of his best Souldiers maintained their ground stoutly the place being much for their advantage yet at length their enemies still encreasing and pressing hard upon them they were forced to cast themselves into the great River and made a most honourable retreat every man having his weapon in one hand and swimming with the other hand to the farther banke The Sultan flying with about eighteen thousand Horse the rest being either drowned or dispersed is said to have comforted his flying men by telling them they were not men but gods that had vanquished them Divers of the Mameluks that were taken prisoners being brought before Tamerlane were by him courteously used and asked if they would be content to serve him seeing their Master was fled and gone This they all utterly refused whom notwithstanding for their fidelity Tamerlane set at liberty to go again to their Master being no lesse desirous to be admired by his enemies for his goodnesse and bounty then to be feared for his force and valour The wonderful wealth of this so great and famous a Citie became a prey to his Souldiers who for the space of twentie four houres had the spoil thereof At the end whereof every man was straitly charged by open Proclamation to retire to his quarters Tamerlane would not suffer any of the Citizens to be taken Prisoners and such as were he released and so leaving ten thousand good Souldiers with many others that followed his Camp for the guard of the Citie and taking with him all such persons as he thought might hurt him he caused his Armie to passe over the River and to follow the Sultan to Alexandria that so his victory might be compleated Axalla hasting before with the Avantguard to hinder the Sultan from gathering up his forces together The rest of the Army was conducted by the Prince of Thanais Tamerlane himself with an infinite number of Boats and many Souldiers
to attend him went by water greatly delighting to behold that fair River of Nilus sometimes running with a swift course other sometimes very calme and scarce moved The Citizens of Alexandria hearing of his coming and fearing the issue besought the Sultan to compassionate their condition and to withdraw himself into Lybia whither Tamerlane could not follow him by reason of the barrenesse of the Countrie Resolving for their parts to submit to fortune and to do as the time required yet promising in heart to remain his and to make the same to appear to him so soon as occasion should be offered Hereupon the Sultan seeing all things desperate determined to retire yet hoping that time might bring a change for that Tamerlane's numerous Armie could not long remain there And so departing out of Alexandria with tears standing in his eyes he often said that God was angry with him and his people so that he must of necessity suffer the fatall overthrow of his estate yet for his own part he had done as much as in him lay according to the dutie of his place and to satisfie the expectation that the world had of him for the upholding of the same yet he hoped to return again and to deliver his people from that bondage which for the present they were necessitated to submit to Tamerlane coming to Alexandria before yielded to Axalla staid there a great while sending Axalla to pursue the Sultan being much grieved that he could not get him into his hands and therefore he still feared that some Innovation would be raised by him after his departure which made him to deal the more hardly with them he suspected to favour him Now the bruit of these victories having with Axalla passed into Lybia brought such a fear not onely upon the Countries adjoyning to these Conquests but also upon all Affrica supposing that Tamerlane followed with his Armie that twentie two of the Moorish Kings sent their Ambassadors to offer their subjection and obedience Of the neerest of which Kings Tamerlane took Hostages but for such as were more remote he contented himself with their faith given and with other Testimonies of their good wills Axalla having long followed the Sultan who like a man forsaken of fortune still fled before him seeing all his labour lost returned to Alexandria And Tamerlane after his long travell and pains taken was now more desirous then ever to return into his own Country The rather being moved thereunto by the earnest request of his Wife much longing for his return He had news also of the sicknesse of the old Emperour of Tartarie his father in law and besides age it self began to bring unto him a desire of rest With his did the desires of the Souldiers also well agree who were now weary of running so many and divers adventures His onely stay was that he expected the coming of Calibes an old and faithful servant of his whom for his good desert he made choice of to govern all these his new conquests in Egypt and Syria A great honour indeed it was but not too great for him that had so well deserved And indeed Tamerlane was alwaies so mindfull of the good deserts of his faithfull servants that he needed not by others to be put in remembrance of them were they never so farre off as now was Calibes who at this time was with a third part of the Armie making way for him along the River Euphrates for the conquest of Mesopotamia and Persia whose coming was longed for with great devotion by the whole Armie which was now very desirous to return but this expectation of theirs was not long delayed for Calibes being sent for came speedily to Alexandria where the whole Armie was by Tamerlane's command now rendevouzed Upon the coming of Calibes Tamerlane made the Prince of Zamalzan a man of great reputation Governour of that place as Lieutenant General under Calibes whom Tamerlane as was said before had made his Vice-roy over all Egypt and Syria together with the Countries newly conquered in Lybia and Barbary He gave him also six thousand Horse and ten thousand foot to assist him therein And so leaving Alexandria he took Calibes along with him to the great City of Caire there taking the best order he could for the securing of his new conquests He left with him fourty thousand Horse and fiftie thousand foot And having sufficiently instructed him how he would have those Kingdomes governed dismissed him not like a servant but a companion being very sorry to leave him destitute of his presence So setting forwards with his Army conducted by the Prince of Thanais Tamerlane with a few of his train turned again aside to Ierusalem where he daily visited the Sepulchre of Christ whom he called the God of the Christians viewing the ruines of Solomon's Temple which he much admired and at Ierusalem the seat of David's Kingdome and of that great Salomon grieving that he could not see them in their former beauty and to shew his devotion and favour to this Citie he commanded it to be free from all Garrisons and Subsidies and so giving great gifts to the Monasteries he departed from thence to Damasco which great Citie for that it was infected with the opinions of Iezides accounted an Arch-Heretick amongst the Mussulmen as also evill-affected to his proceedings he caused it to be rased and the bones of Iezides the false Prophet to be digged up and burnt and his Sepulcher which before by his Disciples was much honoured to be filled with dung and so marching on and blasting the world before him being victorious which way so ever he turned he at last passed over the River Eupbrates where he conquered Mesopotamia with the great Citie of Babylon and all the Kingdome of Persia and so at last laden with the spoils of the world and eternized for ever in his fame he returned to Samercand the famous place of his birth and glorious seat of his Empire Now had Bajazet a little before one of the greatest Princes on earth and now the scorn of Fortune and by-word to the world with great impatiency lien two yeers in most miserable thraldome for the most part shut up in an iron Cage like a dangerous wild beast and having no better means to end his loathed life violently dashed out his braines against the bars of the iron grate wherein he was enclosed and so dyed about the yeer of our Lord 1399. His dead body at the request of his son Mahomet was by Tamerlane sent to Asprapolis from which it was conveyed to Prusa and there lieth buried in a Chappel built for the purpose without the City Eastward where also are interred the bodies of his best beloved wife Despina and of his eldest son Erthogrul and in another little Chappel hard by lieth buried his brother Iacup whom he had murthered in the beginning of his reigne This Bajazet had some vertues which were much
THE LIFE OF Tamerlane THE GREAT WITH His Wars against the great Duke of Moso the King of China Bajazet the great Turk the Sultan of Egypt the King of Persia and some others carried on with a continued Series of success from the first to the last WHEREIN Are Rare Examples of Heathenish Piety Prudence Magnanimity Mercy Liberality Humility Justice Temperance and Valour When the Gentiles which have not the Law do by nature the things contained in the Law these having not the Law are a Law unto themselves which shew the work of the Law written in their hearts Rom. 2. 14 15. London Printed by T. R. and E. M. for Tho Under hill at the signe of the Bible in Pauls Church-yard neer the little North-door 1653. The Life of TAMERLANE THE GREAT Who flourished Anno Christi 1400. TAmerlane was born at Samercand the chief City of the Zagatajan Tartars his father was called Zain-Cham or as others will Og Prince of the Zagatajans of the Country Sachithay sometimes part of the famous Kingdome of Parthia third in descent from Zingis the great and successful Captain of the Tartars which Og being a Prince of a peaceable nature accounting it no less honour quietly to keep the Countries left him by his father then with much trouble and no less hazard to seek how to enlarge the same long lived in most happy peace with his Subjects no less happy therein then himself not so much seeking after the hoording up of gold and silver things of that Nation not regarded nor valued as contenting himself with the encrease and profit of his sheep and herds of cattel then and yet also the principal revenues of the Tartar Kings and Princes which happily gave occasion to some ignorant of the manner and customs of those Northern Nations and Countries to account them all for shepherds and herdsmen and so also to have reported of this mighty Prince as if he had been a shepherds son or herdsman himself vainly measuring his Nobility by the homely course of life of his people and Subjects and not by the honour of his house and heroical vertues hardly to be parallelled by any Prince of that or the former ages His peaceable father now well stricken in yeers and weary of the world delivered up his Kingdome to this his son not yet past fifteen yeers old joyning unto him two of his most faithful Councellors Odmar and Ally to assist him in the government of his State whom Tamerlane dearly loved whilest they lived and much honoured the remembrance of them being dead The first proof of his Fortune and valour was against the great Duke of Mosco or Emperor of Russia for spoiling of a City which had put it self under his protection and for entring his country and proclaiming war against him whom he in a great battel overthrew having slain twenty seven thousand of the Muscovites footmen and between fifteen and sixteen thousand horsemen with the loss of scarce eight thousand horsemen and four thousand footmen of his own After which battel Tamerlane beholding so many thousands of men lying dead upon the ground was so far from rejoycing thereat that turning himself to one of his familiar friends he lamented the condition of such as command over great Armies commending his Fathers quiet course of life accounting him happy in seeking for rest and such most unhappy which by the destruction of their own kind sought to procure their own glory protesting himself even from his heart to be grieved to see such sad tokens of his victory Alhacen in his Arabick History of Tamerlane makes this Narrative of the battel The Muscovite saith he had a great Army which he had gathered together out of sundry Nations and Tamberlane intending not to put up such wrongs and indignities assembled all his forces and those of his allies The Muscovites forces were such as had been well trained up in the wars for having lately concluded a peace with the King of Poland he had from thence ten thousand very good horsmen There were also with him many Hungarian Gentlemen under the conduct of one Uladislaus who brought with him more then eight thousand horse so that he had in his Army above eighty thousand horse and one hundred thousand foot Tamerlane had in his Army about one hundred and twenty thousand horse and one hundred and fifty thousand foot but not so good soldiers as the Muscovites for his Subjects had been long trained up in peace under his peaceable Father and though they had sometimes been exercised yet they wanted the practical part of war Tamerlanes order in his march was this He caused all his Army to be divided into squadrons each consisting of six thousand horse save his own which consisted of ten thousand so that he made eighteen squadrons besides his own The Avanguard was conducted by Odmar who led eight squadrons which were flanked by fourty thousand footmen divided on the right and left sides who shot an infinite number of Arrows The battel was conducted by Tamerlane who with his own led ten squadrons and fifty thousand footmen the best and choicest soldiers of his whole Army The Prince of Thanais his kinsman led the arereward with six squadrons of horse and fourty thousand foot his forlorne Hope consisted of some three thousand horse adventurers The Muscovites fought by double Ranks with Lances and they seemed to be a greater number then Tamerlanes making a great noise but Tamerlanes skill and multitude at length overcame the force and valour of the Muscovites the victory bending to the Parthians side which they pursued hotly In this battel Tamerlane was hurt on the side of the left eye and had two horses slain under him and indeed that day Odmar was the safeguard of the Prince but he lost Ally who was slain with an arrow The Battel being ended Tamerlane returned thanks to God publikely for his victory and the next day reviewing his Army he found that he had lost between seven and eight thousand horsemen and between three and four thousand footmen The Muscovites lost about twenty seven thousand foot and fifteen or sixteen thousand horse The Prince slacked no time after so great a victory but marching on came into the borders of the Muscovites whom he enforced to this agreement That they should become his Tributaries paying yeerly one hundred thousand Duckets That he should defray al the charges of the wars amounting to three hundred thousand Duckets That he should withdraw his Army and send back all the Prisoners and that for the performance hereof he should give pledges which should be changed every yeer All which being agreed to he returned with great content and glory to his Father Shortly after the great Cham of Tartary his fathers brother being grown old and out of hope of having any more children moved with the fame of his Nephew after this victory sent him diverse presents and with
all offering him his only daughter in marriage sent him word that he would proclaime him heir apparent to his Empire as in right he was being his brothers son and the daughters not using to succeed in those Empires which so great an offer Tamerlane gladly accepted and so the marriage was afterwards with great triumph at the old Emperors Court solemnized and consummated and our Tamerlane according to promise and his right was proclaimed heir apparent of that great Empire Thus was Tamerlane indeed made great being ever after this marriage by the old Emperor his Uncle and now his father in Law so long as he lived notably supported and after his death succeeded him in that so vast and mighty an Empire Before his marriage he would needs be crowned to the intent that none should think that the Crown came to him by the right of his wife but by his own and during his abode in the City of Quavicai where the old Emperor was he was entertained with all kinde of triumphs wherein he alwayes carried away the Bell whether in shooting in the bowe in changing of horses in the middest of their courses in Tiltings and in all other exercises which required agility or strength and so after two moneths returned with his wife to Samarcand in which City he delighted exceedingly to remaine because the situation thereof was fair and being watered with a great River was a place of great Traffick whereby it was made richer then any in that Country And whensoever he received intelligence from the Emperor his Uncle he still imparted the same to Odmar whom he used as his right hand in all his great affaires There was also in his Court a Christian whom he loved much and every on greatly respected called Axalla a Genovois by birth brought up from his youth about his person for he countenanced all that worshiped one onely God that was the Creator of all things And about this time the old Emperor sent to him to stir him up to war against the great King of China who stiled himself Lord of the world and Son of the Sun who had exceede his bounds and incroached upon the Tartarian Empire This was no small enterprise and before he would begin the same he sent Ambassadors to the King of China to demand restitution of his lands and the passages of a River called Tachii which were within the Tartarian border and on this side that stupendious wall builded on purpose by the Kings of China for the defence of their Country against the incursions of the Tartars and whilst he attended for the return of his Ambassadors expecting a Negative he caused his forces to be assembled together from all parts appointing their rendevouz to be in the Horda of Baschir The old Emperor also assembled for his aid two hundred thousand fighting men wherein were all the brave men of his Court who were accustomed to the wars for this Emperor had greatly encreased his limits and conquered a great Country so as all these men were well trained up in the wars and had been accustomed to travel and paines These were to joyn with Tamerlanes Army in the Deserts of Ergimul at a certain day In the mean time the Ambassadors which were sent return and informe the Prince that this proud King of China wondred how any durst denounce war against him making this lofty answer That Tamerlane should content himself with that which he had left him which also he might have taken from him c. This answer being heard our Prince marched directly to his Army gave orders for conveiance of victuals from all parts sent to hasten forwards his confederates imparted the answer to the old Emperor caused the insolence of the King of China to be published that all the world might know the justness of his cause yet before his departure he went to take leave of his own father who endued with a singular and Fatherly affection kissed him a thousand times made solmne prayers for his prosperity drew of his Imperial Ring and gave it him telling him that he should never see him againe for that he was hasting to his last rest and calling Odmar bad him farewell requiring his faithfulness to his son The Prince having performed this duty returned to Samercand where the Empress his wife remained whom he took along with him in this journy as the maner of that Country is and so presently departed committing the charge and care of his Kingdome in his absence to one Samay a man well practised in Affaires who also had had the charge of our Prince in his youth These things being dispatched he marched forwards in the midest of his Army which consisted of fifty thousand horse and a hundred thousand footmen relying principally on the Forces of the great Cham his Uncle yet he left order that the rest of his Forces should be ready to advance upon the first command as soon as he should be joyned with his Uncles Army In his march he was stayed by the way in regard of some distemper of his body contracted by reason of his change of the aire yet the forces which Catiles Captain of the Army of the great Cham conducted went daily forwards Now the newes of his distemprature was bruted abroad in all places yet did he not neglect to send to the great Cham and often to advertise him of the state of his health to the end that the same should not cause any alteration which might arise in that great Empire whereunto he was lately advanced for he was very suspicious of a great Lord named Calix who was disconted therewith and had not yet acknowledged him as all others his subjects had and indeed it was not without cause that he suspected him for Calix being informed that the forces of the great Cham were advanced beyond the mountaines having passed the River of Meau and were encamped at Bouprou and that Tamerlane was sick he thought it a fit time for his enterprize and thereupon assembling the greatest part of his most faithful followers he told them that now was the time for them to shake off the yoke of the Parthians who otherwise would enslave them and seeing that now their Prince was so badly minded as to translate the Empire to Tamerlane of his own minde without calling them to Councel which had interest in the election that this was the onely means to assure their liberty which otherwise was like to be lost He caused also a rumor to be spread that Tamerlane was very sick the Emperor old and crazy and that his forces were far separated from him yet like cunning Traytors they dispatched away a messenger to the great Cham to assure him that they bended not their forces against him but were his faithful and obedient Subjects and they onely Armed them selves because they would not be governed by the Parthians their ancient enemies As soon as our
King of China will himself follow who will give you battel with two hundred thousand horsemen and as many foot and though happily your Fortune and valour may carry away the victory yet I believe it will cost you dear But to shew you how much the reputation and courtesies of your servants have prevailed with me I will direct you in a way whereby fifty thousand of your men may go into China whom I my self will conduct and they shall come upon those which guard the wall in a manner before they be discovered In the mean time you shall lead your Army to a place which I will direct you to where you may win easily a mountaine which will give you great advantage against the Chinois For I assure my self that when they shall perceive your men to be passed they will lose their courage so that you may easily win the passage to assist your Army which shall be led by me amongst them and to assure you of my fidelity I will deliver into your hands my wife my only son and two little daughters I have also one brother who I assure my self will follow me to do you service The Emperor having heard this much rejoyced at it hoping that his affaires would succeed happily and kept this very secret not revealing it to the Prince of Thanais himself none being present at the discourse but the Lord and his Interpreter and so heaping new favours upon him he was conducted back by the Prince of Thanais with all the honour that might be So the Emperor returned to his quarters and the next day imparted the whole matter unto Odmar and then calling Calibes he asked what he had learnt concerning China during his abode there To which Calibes made this answer Know my Lord that I am your slave to obey you but seeing you command me to give an account of all that I know concerning the Kingdome of China for that I have remained these six moneths upon the borders I can assure you that the King of China who now reigneth is of great reputation and hath encreased the limits of his Kingdome more then any of his predecessors His strength consisteth in this wall opposed against us which he hath made to prevent the inrodes of our Nation I believe there are above fifty thousand to defend it and that of his best trained souldiers and I know no good means to force this wall without much hazard and great loss of your men To this Tamerlane answered I hope that the great God whose honour I will defend against those Idolaters will find out meanes to effect it and so dismising Calibes he appointed his Army to remove to a certain place where he meant to chuse out fifty thousand men whom he would deliver to the Prince of Thanais and Axalla which accordingly he did and directed them to follow this Chinois Lord who was now againe come to him and to do as they should be directed by him In the mean time himself with all the rest of his Army approached the wall directly over against Qauguifois The Army led by the Prince of Thanais having marched ten leagues by the conduct of the Chinois Lord entered without resistance and after a short repast they marched directly towards those that guarded the wall who suspected no such matter but only had an eye to those which came to force the wall But it fell out far otherwise for just as Tamerlane with his Army came to the wall they saw Axalla with twenty thousand who was followed by the Prince of Thanais with thirty thousand choice souldiers who without any words fell upon the Chinois and Odmar who gave the first assault upon the wall easily in that distraction brake thorow and so the Chinois were cut off between the two Armies and Axalla before the Prince of Thanais came up to him had routed them Great riches were gotten that day and the King of China's cozen was taken prisoner much gold was found as well on their Armes as on their horses furniture they shewed no great valour The news of this overthrow being carried to the King of China who was now at Quantifou it brought great astonishment to him for that he judged it impossible to have been effected so that every one was filled with tears fears and lamentations for their friends Yet the King gathers forces from all parts calling also the Priests and such as had the charge of his unholy holies to come unto him commanding them to offer sacrifices to their gods whereof the Sun is the principal requiring the same to be observed thorow all the Cities and then that every one that was able to bear Armes should mount on horsback and speedily repaire to the King at Paguinfou whither he suspected that Tamerlane would march for that it was one of the Cities neerest to the borders In the mean time Tamerlane beat down the wall the better to assure his return as also the Fortresses upon all the passages all which upon his victory were easily surrendred to him He shewed himself very courteous to the people upon the mountaines and gave to the Lord that had conducted his Army a Country which bordered upon his wherein were seven or eight good Towns who came and delivered up the Keyes to him he gave him also the Government of the Frontier-Province of Xianxi shewing himself to be a Prince of his word and reserved the rewarding of his brother till he had farther opportunity Whilest he was thus imployed news was brought him that the King of China had assembled his forces and was marching forward himself being there in person as also that he had strengthened the Garisons in all his Cities which of themselves were well fortified Upon this intelligence Tamerlane called a Councel of War and having heard the opinions of all his Captaines heresolved to take in some famous City that thereby his Army might be better provided for and then to give the King of China battel in the field For the effecting of the first he resolved to assault Paguinfou which was a great City strongly fortified and well replenished with people and for this end he sent Odmar with fourty thousand horse to summon it and to prevent the farther victualling of it and the driving away of the cattel out of the champion-Country about it which might nourish his Army He also caused the Lord Axalla whom now he had made Lieutenant General of all his foot to follow Odmar with all his foot which were neer a hundred and fifty thousand men well trained and expert in war himself marching immediately after with all his horsemen Artillery Ensignes and other munitions belonging to the war directly to Paguinfou Odmar made such haste that he arrived unexpected by the Citizens who rather looked for their King then for an enemy and having taken much cattel wherewith that Country abounded he pitched his tents on the farther side of
the City there he continued two or three dayes giving the City many Alarms till the Infantry led by that brave Christian Genuois shewed themselves in the plaine of Paguinfou Then was the City summoned but they returned answer That they were resolved to live and die in the service of their Prince By the way you must understand that about fourty yeers before the Father of this present King of China had conquered this City and Country from the Tartars and had so planted the same with new Colonies that but few of the Tartarians remained but onely in the flat Country and some small walled Towns who all came with their keyes and willingly submitted to Tamerlane whereby he had great plenty of victuals in his Army which made him hope for good success there being nothing that doth sooner overthrow great Armies then the want thereof Thus was Paguinfou besieged round the footmen lying within a slight-shoot of the walls the Citizens and souldiers using their best indeavours for their defence and Tamerlane doing the like for their offence Axalla having viewed a great Suburb which was in length almost half a league supposed that the Citizens kept no watch there therfore acquainting the Emperor with his purpose in the first watch of the night his men being all ready with sealing ladders he assaulted the same in sundry places and after a great fight entred and cut in pieces at least eight thousand men which were within the same yet on one side where they expected to be assaulted he lost many of his men The tkaing of this Suburb did greatly astonish the Citizens who observing the valour of the Tartarians began to suspect their own safety by this Suburb there ran a river which being now under the command of Axalla he stopt all provision from going to the City In the mean time the King of China's Army approached which was very great whereupon the Emperor determined to go in person and meet him with the greatest part of his horsemen but to leave most of his foot to continue the siege being very desirous to take the City for the accelerating whereof he caused his Engines for battery to approach as Rams and such like so that the City was assaulted on two sides very couragiously and in the end thorow the valour of Axalla who gave an assault with twenty thousand of his best souldiers he won the wall and at the command of the Emperor lodged there who desired rather to have the City by Treaty then storme the City being great and rich and the enemy but thirty leagues from thence and therefore he feared lest his Army should be found in disorder and knowing also that rich souldiers never fight well Besides he intended to draw out of that wealthy City such things as he stood in need of and to make it his magazine for the time to come Yet though the wall was won the enemies wanted not heart to defend themselves valiantly hearing that their King was coming for their reliefe but it so happened that an Engine shooting a bullet slew the governour whereupon the Citizens were so discouraged that they resolved to yield saving their lives and the souldiers to march away with horse and armes The conditions were admitted and there came out of the City eighteen thousand souldiers almost all the inhabitants remaining behind This siege had lasted two moneths and the City had in it at first thirty thousand souldiers Axalla had the honour of winning this City and therefore was made Governour of it and all the Country belonging to it but he beseeched the Emperor to bestow it upon some other person reserving for himself the hope of his Master in whose fortune he would take part This gave great content to Tamerlane who much desired the service of Axalla and upon this refusal the charge was conferred upon the Prince of Thanais with the title of Vice-Roy Then did Tamerlane give notice of his affaires to the old Emperor and having paid his souldiers and settled all things in the best manner he could he marched forward and taking a general Muster of his whole Army Horse and Foot he found them to be diminished ten thousand men only And so with his Army he spent one whole day in prayer calling upon the immortal invisible and invincible and incomprehensible God and then went directly to meet the enemy who was at Sintehu with all his own the forces of his allies and as soon as he received news that Tamerlane's Army was advanced over the River of Chulifu the King of China marched directly to them with great magnificence there was nothing to be seen in his Army but Gold and precious stones He himself usually rode in a Chariot whereof every part shone with Gold Pearles Rubies and Diamonds He was of the age of about three and thirty and had been brought up in pleasures not under the bloody Ensigne of Mars So that he was very insolent in threatenings bravadoes and defying to the battel He often accused Tamerlane for surprizing him before he was ready not giving him warning c. The rumour of his riches sired the spirits of the Tartarians that they longed to be at the battel and so both sides hasted forwards and in the way there was a City called Tunichevoy surrendred to Tamerlane which afforded him much refreshing for his Army and thus the two Armies drawing neer together Tamerlane made choice of a place in his judgement most advantageous for the battel and having set down to Odmar the order which he would have to be observed he longed to see his enemy then did he send before him five or six thousand horse as Scouts under Calibes and himself went with them and having viewed the great confused Army of his enemies which came continually forward he commanded Calibes to retire himself so soon as they drew neer to him And bring saith he this great cloud to me which I hope soon to disperse and so retiring to his Army he encouraged them assuring them of the victory He placed all his footmen which were about a hundred and twenty thousand along a mountaine planting great store of Artillery for their guard many of his foot-souldiers were armed after the Christian manner who were all commanded by Axalla His horsemen were in Battalia in a great plaine who upon any disadvantage could retire to the assistance of the Footmen the horsemen were eighty thousand Calibes with the Scythians were in the Avantguard being thirty thousand horse who were to receive Odmar when he should retreat from the enemy as he was commanded thirty thousand more were appointed for Odmar and Tamerlane himself remained in the Areare at one of the wings of his footmen His purpose was to let that sixty five thousand horse under two such gallant Captaines to break the force of the enemy hoping after them to have a good market causing his foot to march forward and reserving
grateful to Tamerlane for that he being a Scythian was greatly beloved of his Nation These things being dispatched he sent unto Axalla to bring forth his prisoner the King of China and when he approached the Emperor issued out of his Tent and went to receive him This King came with a very proud and haughty countenance and approaching neer to the Emperor he by his Interpreter asked of Axalla which was he and being shewed him he spake in an haughty language after this manner The gods whom I worship being provoked against my Nation and people have conspired against my good fortune and made me this day thy prisoner But for as much as it is reported over all the world that Tamerlane maketh war for the honour of his Nation thou shouldest be content with this glory that the Lord of the world and childe of the Sun is in thy power to receive such laws as thou pleasest to prescribe unto him This he spake in a brave manner without any other humbling of himself The Emperor on the other side saluting him very courteously led him into his Tent This King of China was a great Prince having two hundred famous Cities within his Kingdome which also is a fruitful and plentiful Country wherein are Mines of Gold and Silver much Musk and Rhubarb It abounds in Fish and Fowl and hath much Silk and Porclane with Cotton and Linnen c. Then did Tamerlane assemble his Captaines to consult about the disposal of the King and how the victory should be best improved At the same time he received news by Odmar that the Kings brother who escaped out of the battel was at Quantou which he had strongly sortified and that great store of forces began to adjoyn themselves to him Hereupon he commanded two thousand Parthian horse to convey the King to Paguinfou and from thence to Burda where he was to be kept carefully Then did he resolve upon the besieging of Quantou and if it were possible to shut up the Kings brother therein it being one of the principal seats that belonged to the King of China It was fourty leagues from the place where the battel was fought Thither therefore he sent a good party of his Army under Odmar who pitched his Tents about the City But the Kings brother was gone The Emperor in the mean time summoned and took in many lesser Cities which yielded wholly to his mercy making great lamentation for their Captive King yet the gentleness of the Conqueror made them to take all their losses with patience and the rather because they heard that he used their King courteously The Kings brother also sent Ambassadors to Tamerlane craving leave to see the King and to know of his health which the Emperor willingly assented to Now the Kings brother hearing of the estate of the besieged in Quantou he resolved either to relieve it or to fight a battel for which end he advanced strait unto Porchio making a bridge of boats to pass over the River But Odmar being informed when about fifty thousand of his men were come over suddenly set upon them being out of order and not informed of their enemies approach also to prevent the coming over of the rest to their assistance he sent a fir-boat down the stream against their bridge of boats which brake it in sunder and where it was resisted set all on fire and so in a great battel overthrew them the King of Cauchin-China who was amongst them fighting valiantly was slaine The Kings brother who was on the other side of the River not yet come over saw his men slaine and drowned and could not relieve them This second overthrow was of no smal importance though it was but the third part of the Kings brothers Army For the Citizens of Quantou hearing of it and despairing of relief sent out some proposals for their surrender Axalla which received them presently dispatched away a faithful messenger to the Emperor to know his pleasure therein This was more welcome news to him then the overthrow of his enemies wherefore he referred all to the sufficiency and fidelity of Axalla So that upon treaty the City was surrendred to Axalla who caused the Garison to come out and received the Inhabitants into the Emperors protection and all that would might continue in it unarmed afterwards he entered into it and was received with great signes of joy by the inhabitants who resolved to entertaine the Emperor with all the solemnity that might be Axalla put thirty thousand men into it for a Garrison injoyning the Citizens to pay the Emperors Army four hundred and fifty thousand Crowns Presently after he received a command from the Emperor to stay in the City himself and to send all the rest of his foot men unto him which he commanded the rather because he understood that Ambassadors were coming to him from the Kings brother to treat of peace and he presumed the sight of all his Army together ready to march would strike such a terror into them as would cause them the readilier to assent to good termes The Ambassadors sent by the Kings brother were of their chiefest men whom Tamerlane entertained with all humanity causing his greatness to appear to them as also the activity of his horsemen whereby they might discerne that it would tend to the destruction of their Country if they agreed not with him Then did the Ambassadors deliver their message which consisted of two branches One was for the delivery of their King the other for the preservation of their Country The Emperor answered that they should deliver their message in writing and he would give a speedy answer Their Propositions were to leave Paguinfou and all the Country beyond it with all the Fortresses of the mountaines in Tamerlanes possession That they would pay all the charges of his Army from that day forward And that they would give two millions of gold for the ransome of their King To this the Emperor answered that he would keep that which he had conquered within the Country being his own as taken by his Arms That he would have the River by which his Army was now encamped and so along to the Sea to be his Frontiers That the King of China should pay him yeerly two hundred thousand Crowns which should be delivered at Paguinfou for acknowledgement of his submission to his Empire That he should pay five hundred thousand Crowns in ready money for the charge of his Army That the King of China should be delivered and that all the other Chinois prisoners should pay ransomes to particular men that took them except those which carried the names of Kings who should pay ten thousand Crowns for their liberty and peace And that no Chinois should be kept for a slave nor sold for such hereafter being under the Emperors obedience That Traffick and entercourse of Merchants should be free between both the Nations That the
and and praising him with all manner of songs There he remained about a moneth In which space Axalla had rendevozed his Army at Ozara from which also he advertised Tamerlane of the proceedings of Bajazet Then did Tamerlane send for him to Samarcand to confer with him about seting forward of his Army For although he was still accompanied with renowned Princes and famous Captaines yet were they no body in comparison of Axalla whose sound judgement and counsel had won him such credit with his Lord and Master as by his advise he did al things and without him nothing which his so great authority and favor with his Prince wanted not the envy of the Court but that his great vertues and rare-found courtesie in so great fortune together with so many great services as he had done supported him against the malice of the same He upon this command from Tamerlane leaving the charge of the Army at Ozara with the Prince of Thanais came to Samercand and there discoursed with him at large concerning the estate and order of his Army and so shortly after they all departed to Ozara where a new consultation was held by which way he should conduct his Army as whether it was better to lead them by the coast of the Muscovite directly towards Capha or on the other side of the Caspian Sea by the skirts of Persia and after much discourse and sundry opinions with their reasons delivered it was resolved although the way were the longer to pass by the Muscovite so to come to the Georgians and to Trepizond and from thence to enter into the Ottomans Kingdom This being resolved on they marched forward till at length they came to Maranis where they stayed three dayes looking for the China forces whereof they received news there also Tamerlane mustered and paid his Army He had also news of fifteen thousand horsemen sent him by the Muscovite with a sum of money with leave for him to pass thorow so much of his territories as should be necessary being glad that he set upon others rather then on himself and that such great preparations should fall upon them whose greatness was as dreadful and dangerous to him as any other Tamerlane caused a great quantity of victuals and most part of the furniture of his Army to be sent along the Caspian Sea which was a great ease and commodity to his men which marching by Land was of necessity to pass some twenty leagues thorow places destitute both of victuals and water Himself all the way coasting along the Sea shore passed his time in Hunting and Hawking to make the journey less tedious his Army not coming neer him by ten leagues which was so great that it extended it self full twenty leagues Coming to the River Edel he stayed at Zarazich whilest his Army passed the River at Mechet and two other bridges that he had caused to be made of boats for that purpose Now that Circassians and Georgians hearing of the approach of Tamerlane with his huge army by their Ambassadors offered him all the help and assistance they could in his journy as he passed that way These Georgians were and yet were Christians a great and warlike people of long time tributaries to the Greek Emperors and afterwards sometime tributaries and sometimes confederates to the Persians but alwayes enemies to the Turk and therefore glad they were of Tamerlanes coming against them of these warlike people Axalla drew great numbers to the service of his Prince who not a little esteemed of them being all tall men very beautiful of great strength and courage and withall most expert souldiers as having many times resisted the power of the Ottoman Kings by reason of the advantage of their Country which was rough mountainous and hard to come to These people every where kindly entertained Tamerlane and plentifully relieved his Army with all necessaries In passing thorow which and other Countries he took such order with his souldiers that none of the people by whom they passed were any whit injured by them insomuch that if a souldier had taken but an Apple or any other trifle he died for it And one of his souldiers having taken a little Milk from a Country-woman and she thereof complaining he caused him presently to be hanged and his stomack to be ript where the Milk that he had lately drunk being found he payed the woman for it who had otherwise without mercy dyed for her false accusation Which his great severity was indeed the preservation of his Army being so great as that it was thought impossible to provide it with victuals whereof yet there was not want nor of any other thing necessary for the relief of man his Camp being still as a most populous and well-governed City stored with all manner of things whereunto both Artificers and Merchants resorted from far Countries with their commodities as to some famous Mart and the Country-people from every place without fear brought in their Country-commodities for which they received present money and so departed in peace So marching on he at length came to Bachichich where he stood to refresh his Army eight dayes and there againe took a general muster of them finding as some write four hundred thousand horse and six hundred thousand foot but others that were present with him say three hundred thousand horse and five hundred thousand footmen of all Nations There also he generally payed them and as his manner was made an oration to them informing them of such orders as he would have observed with much other military discipline whereof he was very curious with his Captaines In the mean time Bajazet would not believe that Tamerlane durst once look towards him yea so exceeding barbarous was he that he would not so much as suffer any man to speak of him or his Army to him by reason of his pride He also strictly forbade all the bordering people to make any vows or prayers for Tamerlanes prosperity But he was soon after awakened out of this Lethargy as we shall presently hear Indeed Tamerlane could hardly be perswaded that Bajazet having subdued the greatest part of Grecia and much distressed the Greek Emperor and having so great means to recover whatsoever he should lose in Asia would be so adventurous as to come over the streits out of Europe to try the Fortune of a battel with him but rather warily to protract the time to weary him with wants that in a strange Country drew such a world of people after him wherein yet he found himself much deceived for when he had passed the Georgian Country and was come to Buisabuich Axalla whom he had not seen in eight dayes before because he commanded the Avantguard of the Army came to him with such news as he knew would be most grateful to him which was that Bajazet had raised his besiegers at Constantinople to come and defend his new conquests in Asia and that he was
behind me who shall march in two squadrons and for my Arereward I appoint fourty thousand horse and fifty thousand footmen who shall not march but to my aid And I will make choice of ten thousand of my best horse whom I will send into every place where I shall think needful within my Army for to impart my commands Over the first fourty thousand horse the Prince of Ciarchan commanded over the formost footmen was the Lord Synopes a Genovois kinsman to Axalla and his Lieutenant over the footmen a Captaine of great estimation The Prince Axalla's charge consisted of five squadrons of horsemen Bajazet's Army also being faire and great came bravely still on forwards towards their enemies who stirred not a whit from the place which they had chosen for the battel except certaine lighthorsemen Scythians Parthians and Muscovites who sent out as loose men hotly skirmished between the two Armies Tamerlane was informed by a Spie that Bajazet was on foot in the midest of thirty thousand Janizaries his principal men of war and greatest strength wherein he meant that day to fight and in whom he had reposed his greatest hope His battel of horse was very faire amounting to the number of one hundred and fourty thousand all old souldiers The Sultan of Egypt having also sent to his aide thirty thousand Mamelukes all excellent good horsemen with thirty thousand footmen so that his Army marching all in a front in the form of an half Moon seemed almost as great as Tamerlane's These Turkes with infinite number of horrible cries still advanced forwards Tamerlanes souldiers all the while standing still with very great silence Never was there a more furious charge then the Turkes gave upon the Prince of Ciarchan who was commanded not to fight till the enemy came unto him neither could there have been chosen a fairer plaine and where the skilful choice of place gave less advantage either to the one or to other only Tamerlane had a River of the left side of the Army serving him to some small advantage Now this young Prince of Ciarchan with his fourty thousand horse was in the first encounter almost wholly overthrown yet having fought right valiantly and entred even into the middest of the Janizaries where the person of Bajazet was putting them into disorder was himself there slaine About which time Axalla set upon them with his squadrons but not with the like danger for having overthrown one of the enemies wings and cut it all to pieces and his footmen coming to joyn with him as was appointed he faced the Battalion of the Janizaries who right valiantly behaved themselves for the safety of their Prince This furious fight continued an hour and yet you could not have seen any scattered but the one still resolutely fighting against the other You might there have seen the horsemen like mountaines rushing together and infinite numbers of men dying crying lamenting and threatening all at the same instant Tamerlane had patience all this while to see the event of this so mortal a fight but perceiving his men at last to begin to give ground he sent ten thousand of his horse to joyn with the ten thousand appointed for the Rereward commanding them to assist him when they saw that he had need and so himself gave a furious charge and made them to give him room causing the footmen also to charge over whom the Prince of Thanais commanded who gave a gallant charge upon the Battalion of Janizaries wherein was yet the person of Bajazet who before had sustained a great burden Now Bajazet had in his Army a great number of Mercinary Tartars called Destenses with many thousands of other souldiers taken up in the Countries of the poor exiled Mahometan Princes in whose just quarrel and the Greek Emperors Tamerlane had chiefly undertaken that war These Tartarians and other souldiers seeing some their friends and other some their natural and loving Princes in Tamerlanes Army stricken with the terror of disloyalty and abhorring the cruelty of the proud Tyrant in the heat of the battel revolted from Bajazet to their own Princes which much weakened Bajazet's forces who never the less with his own men of war especially the Janizaries and the help of the Christian souldiers brought to his aide from Servia and other places of Europe with great courage maintained the fight But the multitude rather then true valour prevailed for as much as might be done by valiant and couragious men was by the Janizaries the Mameluks and the rest performed both for the preservation of their Prince and for gaining the victory But in the end the horsemen with whom Tamerlane himself was giving a fresh charge and his Avantguard being rallied and joyning with him he with much ado obtained the victory Bajazet himself being wounded when he saw all desperate mounted on horseback thinking to have escaped but falling into Axalla's hands he yielded himself to him supposing him to have been Tamerlane neither did Axalla for a while know him but took him for some great Commander in the Turkes Army Musa sirnamed Zelabi or the Noble one of Bajazet's sons with divers others of his great Captains were there taken also and amongst the rest Georg Despot of Servia who notwithstanding his misfortune had that day by his valour gained the reputation of a great and valiant Captain inso much as Tamerlane in the very heat of the battel marvelled to see him and his Servians and the other Christians that he had brought to the aide of Bajazet to fight so valiantly whereupon turning to some of his Captaines that were neer him he said See how valiantly these Religious fight supposing them by their strange attire to have been some of the Turkes superstitious votaries But the Despot being now taken and afterwards brought to Tamerlane he was by him courteously entertained but withall reproved for that he had assisted Bajazet against him who was come in favour to the Christian Emperor and the other poor oppressed Princes such as the Despot himself was who thereupon boldly answered That indeed it was not according to his profession but according to the prosterity of Bajazet unto whom it seemed that all the world should bend and that he did it for his own safety Whereupon Tamerlane excused him and without any more ado gave him liberty at his own pleasure to depart Bajazet himself being afterwards brought to Tamerlane as a prisoner was by him courteously entertained who never shewed any token of submission at all but according to his proud nature without respect of his present state answered him presumptuously to what ever he demanded of him wherewith Tamerlane being somewhat moved told him that it was in his power to take his life from him whereto he answered no more but Do it for that loss will be my greatest happiness Then Tamerlane demanded of him what made him so proud as to enterprize to bring
order of his Camp to their great admiration For it resembled a most populous and well governed City by reason of the order that was therein which brought it plenty of victuals and of all manner of Merchandise as well for delight as necessity By these Ambassadors the Greek Emperor yielded his Empire together with his person unto Tamerlane as his most faithful subject and vassal which as he said he was bound to do for that he was by him delivered from the most cruel Tyrant of the world as also for the long journy he had undertaken for his sake and the discommodities he had endured with the hazard of his person and loss of his subjects which could not be otherwise compensated but with the offer of his own and his subjects lives to him which for ever he therefore dedicated to his service with all the fidelity loyalty that so great a benefit might deserve besides that his so many virtues and rare endowments which made him famous thorow the world did oblige him the more hereunto and that therefore he would attend him in his chief City to deliver it into his hands as his own together with all the Empire of Greece Now these Ambassadors expected no less then to fall into the bondage of Tamerlane judging that which they offered to be so great and delicate a morsel as that it would not be refused especially of such a victorious Prince as was Tamerlane and that the acceptance thereof in knindness and friendship was the best bargaine they could make therein But they received an answer from this worthy Prince far beyond their expectation For he with a mild countenance beholding them answered thus That he was not come from so far a Country nor undertook such paines for the enlargement of his dominions big enough already too base a thing for him to put himself into so great danger and hazard for but rather to win honour and to make his name famous to future posterities And that he would make it appear to the world that he came to assist their Master as his friend ally at his request and that his upright intentions therein were the greatest cause that God from above had favoured him and made him instrumental to bruile the head of the greatest and fiercest enemy of mankind that was under heaven and therefore to get him an immortal name his purpose was to make free so great and flourishing a City as was Constantinople governed by so noble and ancient an house as the Emperors That he had alwayes joyned faith to his courage which should never suffer him to make so great a breach into his reputation as that it should be reported of him that in the colour of a friend he should come to invade the dominions of his ally That he desired no more but that the service he had done for the Greek Emperor might remaine for ever engraven in the memory of his posterity to the end they might for ever wish well to him and his successors by the remembring the good he had done for them That he wished that long might the noble Emperor live happily to govern his estate and that before his return he would so well consider for the establishing of the same as that he should not lightly fall into the same jeopardy Easie it is to judge what joy the Ambassadors did conceive upon hearing this so gracious an answer from the mouth of Tamerlane who rather then he would break his Faith refused an Empire offered him together with one of the stateliest and magnificentest Cities in the world After the testification of their joy and thankfulness these Ambassadors were by the command of Tamerlane royally feasted by Axalla having all the honour done to them that might be And one of them being sent back to carry this unexpected news to the Emperor filled both him and all the City of Constantinople with exceeding joy and gladness which both he all his subjects testified by making of Bonefires and other signes of joy and pleasure And the Emperor the more to shew his gratitude by the advise of his Councellors passed over the streit into Asia to see Tamerlane in Prusa and in person himself to give him thanks who hearing of his coming being glad thereof presently sent Prince Axalla to meet him and to certifie him of the joy he conceived to have the good hap to see him as also to conduct him to Prusa where those two great Princes with the greatest magnificence that might be met and so spent one whole day in conversing together and the Greek Emperor the next day taking his leave was by Tamerlane with mach honour conducted out of the City Now had Tamerlane himself conceived a great desire to see the famous City of Constantinople from which he was not now far yet would he not go thither as a Conqueror but as a private person which by the meanes of Axalla was accomplished and he thereinto by the Greek Emperor privately received and with all familiarity possible entertained the Emperor shewing unto him all the rare and excellent things that were contained therein and the other Greek Princes devising all the meanes they could to do him pleasure and them that were with him who were all in a manner clothed after the Greek fashion The Greek Emperor was curious to shew him all the beautiful Gardens along the Sea-cost and so privately conducting him about spent five or six dayes with all the mirth that mighty be Tamerlane by the way often saying that he had never seen a fairer City and that of all others considering the scituation of it it was right worthy to command all the world He wondred at the costly buildings of the Temples the faire engraven pillars the high Pyramides and the excellent gardens afterwards saying often that it nothing repented him to have undertaken so long and dangerous a journy if it had been only to preserve so notable a City from fire and sword In the Greek Emperor he greatly commended his mild nature courtesie who knowing that above all things he took pleasure in fair serviceable horses gave unto him thirty of the fairest strongest and reddiest that were possibly to be gotten all most richly furnished He sent likewise great presents to all the Princes and great Commanders of the Army and bountifully caused to be delivered to them all things which he thought necessary for the army So after these great kindnesses and a strict bond of friendship made and by solemne Oath confirmed by these two great Princes Tamerlane with great contentment took leave of the Emperor and returned to his Army at Prusa wherewith now at pleasure he spoiled and wasted all the dominions of Bajazet in Asia no man daring to make head against him The winter now drawing on Tamerlane dispersed his Army into diverse Provinces of the lesser Asia expecting daily when some of Bajazet's sons or great friends should
there educated who was now seven yeers old He forbade that thence forward they should suffer him to wear any thing on his head and hung a bough about his neck saying That they which from their birth were called to Sovereignty should be used both to cold and heat and should be exercised to armes betimes and not be brought up idly and delicatly reprehending those which brought him up for using him so tenderly asking them if they meant to make a woman of of his son They replying that he was tender If he be not born said he to be strong and valiant he will not be worthy to succeed me for he must not be an effeminate Prince that must preserve the Parthian Empire About this time his Emperess was brought to bed of another son at Samarcand for joy whereof he made Feasts with Tiltings and pastimes fifteen dayes together Then did he visit all the Sea-Townsineer to Quinsay hunting all manner of Games yet saying often That the recreations which he used were only helps to ease him in the paines of his publick affaires which God had called him to And when Prince Axalla told him that that City was a fit place for his abode O my friend said he it is not so For its a Maxime that the Lord of this great City must not come to it above once in ten yeers and when he is here he must temper his actions as if he were upon a stage with gravity and a good grace before the people who are apt to receive good or evil impressions according as their Prince deporteth himself Having setled his affaires in that part of his Empire he returned to Samercand where three times a week he administred Justice publickly unto the meanest of his subjects as well as to the greatest which made him much beloved of all over whom he did command On other dayes he gave secret audience and disposed of the affaires of his estate which were concluded daily in his presence In his counsel he used such severity that none durst deal untruly or passionately in his presence Yet shewed he such courteousness in his conversation that he was both beloved and feared of his people He never changed his servants except they committed some great faults against him All the servants of the late Emperor his Uncle he never changed one of them but increased their pensions making them sencible of his liberality in that change The like bounty he used to strangers thereby to oblige them to him He drew great store of money yeerly from the Muscovite by way of tribute which yet he distributed in the same Country to maintaine his authority there winning those to him who otherwise might have hurt him He had great care of his revenues wherein he was so expedite that in one hours space he could see his estate from three moneths to three moneths together with his ordinary and extraordinary expences they were presented to him so well digested But after all his publick affaires so well mannaged and his private businesses so well ordered sickness arrested and death conquered this great Conqueror leaving his Empire to Sautochio his eldest son now ninteen yeers old who was proclaimed Emperor within two hours after his fathers death Tamerlane from his childhood was well instructed in the Arabian learning wherein he was very studious insomuch as when they thought him to be in the Bathes wherein they are very curious in that Country being their chiefest delight he was retired to the contemplation and study of heavenly things He had within his eyes such a Divine beauty and radiancy full of majesty that one could hardly endure the sight of them without closing of his eys so that some that talked with him and beheld him were stricken dumb for the present which caused him with a comely modesty to abstain from looking upon them that talked with him All the rest of his visage was courteous and well proportioned He had but little haire on his chin He wore his haire long and curled contrary to the custome of his Country men who used to shave their heads He went almost alwayes bareheaded saying that his mother came of the race of Sampson who therefore advised him to honour long haire His haire was of a dusky colour inclining somewhat to a Violet the most beautiful that any eye could behold His stature was of a middle sort somewhat narrow in his shoulders He had a faire and strong leg his bodily strength and agility was such as none did surpass and often on Festival dayes he made trial of them with the strongest yet did he it with such a grace mixt with humanity that he whom he overcame held himself therein most happy though it was a great disgrace amongst the Tartarians to be thrown to the ground in wrestling In the time of his Warrs against the Turks a Souldier of his found buried in the ground a great pot of Gold which he brought to Tamerlane who asked him if it had his Fathers stamp upon it But when he saw that it had the stamp of the Romans he would not own nor meddle with it FINIS The Errata PAge 15. line 16. read Engines for Ensines p. 21. l. 27. r. famous p. 24. l. 21. r. to him the Lord c. p. 24. l. ult. r. that for the p. 25. l. 29. r. Tartarines p. 28. l. 6. r. the for that l. 10. r. are for were l. 33. r. no for not p. 29. l. 29. r. siege for besiegers p. 29. l. 2. r. stayed for stood His Parentage His fathers peaceable disposition He resignes his Kingdome to his son Tamerlanes war against the Muscovites His victory His merciful disposition His battel with the Muscovites His victory He is wounded in the Battel Ally slaine Tamerlanes Piety The Articles of Peace His marriage to the great Chams daughter His Prudence His agility and strength His Piety His Justice His preparations against the King of China The King of China's pride His Piety towards his Father His sickness His Policy The Rebellion of Calix The Rebels subtilty Tamerlanes Prudence His march against Calix Calix leaves Cambalu The number of Calix Army Tamerlanes Prudence The Battel between Tamerlane and Calix Calix beaten and taken prisoner Calix condemned and executed Tamerlanes march into Cathai Cambalu yielded to him His departure from Cambalu His policy Odmars good councel Tamerlanes speech to his Army His Piety His march towards China A Chinois Lord comes to Tamerlane His speech to Tamerlane Calibes speech to Tamerlane Tamerlanes confidence of success Forces sent into China The wall forced His first victory in China The King of China's fear The King of China's superstition The wall beaten down Tame lanes courtesie Hisgratitude His Poâ—â—â— He besieges Paguinfou Formerly taken from the Tartars A Suburb taken by storme The wall won Tamerlanes Prudence The City surrendred Axalla's modesty Tamerlane's Piety The riches of the Chinois Tamerlane prepares for the Battel The Battel begins The Scythians charge the Chinois Tamerlanes constancy Calibes wounded 〈◊〉 The Parthians charge thorow The foot charge Axalla's valor Tamerlane chargeth The King of China beaten Tamerlane's temperance His humility and modesty His Piety The King of China brought before him The King of China's proud speech Tamerlane's courtesie The riches of China Quantou besieged Odmars 〈◊〉 The King of China's brother overthrown Quantou surrendred Tamerlanes Policy The Ambassadors proposals Tamerlane's proposals Peace conclud ed. The King of China delivered Odmar made Governor Tamerlanes gratitude His Prudence His possessions in China His return into Tartary His liberality His entertainment at Cambalu His presents to the old Emperor He is stirred up against Bajazet He sends Ambassadors to him Bajazets proud answer Tamerlane's preparations against him Tamerlane's speech His entertainment at Samercand Envy attends vertue His march towards Bajazet His Auxiliaries His Prudence The Georgians assist him His strict discipline His huge Army Bajazets Pride Bajazet advanced towards him Tamerlanes moderation He passeth the River Euphrates Turkish pride Turks beaten Sebastia taker Bajazet's arrogance Note Tamerlanes favour to the Christians Bajazet's approach Sennas surprized by Tamerlane His Policy An Ambush Two thousand Turks overthrown The Bassa Natolia taken His speech to Tamerlane Tamerlanes reply His release He commends Tamerlane Preparations for the battel Tamerlanes prudent practice His prudent speech His directions for the battel The Battel begins Bajazet's great Army The Prince of Ciarchan slain A furious battel Tamerlane himself chargeth Many revelt to Tamerlane The Turkes overthrown Bajazet wounded Bajazet taken The valour of the Christians The Despot of Servia's speech Tamerlane releaseth him Bajazets proud behaviour Leoncla in edit Anual Turk Note Lex Talionis Tamerlanes Piety The dead buried Tamerlanes Policy The number of the slain The uncertainty of worldly greatness Bajazet kept in a Cage Pride goeth before destruction Tamerlane prosecutes his victory The Turkes flye Prusa taken The Greek Emperor sends Ambassadors The Greek Empire yielded to Tamerlane It s refused by him Tamerlanes fidelity The Ambassadors dismissed The Greek Emperor comes to him Tamerlane goes to Constantinople He highly commended it He sends his Army to their winter-quarters Bajazet's Pride Tamerlanes Justice He marches towards Egypt His battel with the Sultan The Sultan beaten flyeth Damasco taken by storme Tamerlane goes to Jerusalem His Piety He marcheth into Egypt Damiettataken Tamerlane marcheth to Caire Caire besieged Tamerlanes Policie Cair stormed Axalla enters Caire taken The Sultan flyeth Tamerlane pursueth A brave retreat of the Mameluks Fidelity rewarded Caire plundered Tamerlane goes to Alexandria The Sultan flyes Axalla pursues him Many Kings submit to Tamerlane Tamerlane desires to return home He secures his new conquests Calibes made Governour Tamerlane goes to Jerulem Bajazet's Character Tamerlane's devotion He enlargeth Samercand His love to his souldiers He goeth towards Quinsay Odmars victory in China Tamerlane gives him his sister in marriage The old Emperor buried His son brought up at Quinsay The King of China comes to him Tameilane's plaine apparel Quinsai described It was one hundred miles in compasse His directions about the breeding of his son His second son born Recreations rightly used His prudence His return to Samarcand His Justice His love to his servants His bounty His frugality His death His Character Note