till this work should be finished but rather to try Fortune and endeavour by an assault to win the Walls In prosecution of this design and resolution the Prince sent for Axalla into his own Quarters because it concern'd him most in regard of his Office and because during this siege he had been most active he told him his intentions desiring him to prepare himself and his men for the next morning As soon as Axalla had drawn out his Souldiers he assaulted the Wall which was stoutly defended by the besieged but at last this Captains Valour assisted by twenty thousand of his Men took it by force and fortified himself there He could scarce keep back his Souldiers in their heat and fury from breaking in further according to the commands of Tamerlan which he was perswaded to give for two reasons First because he did not desire that the City should be won by assault for it was rich and full of all good things he was therefore afraid that the Enemies Army should come at that Instant when his Souldiers were busie in plundering the houses which would have caused their utter overthrow for rich Souldiers who have much to lose can never fight well Secondly he stopt his men from taking the City by assault because he intended to make of it a Magazine to furnish his Army and carry on his designs with greater security The loss of the Wall abated not the Courages of the besieged they defended themselves as obstinately and bravely as before in hopes of receiving speedily some succours from their King who was near at hand as they were rightly inform'd But in their greatest expectations the accident of a shot cast from one of the Engines which struck down a piece of Wood and wounded the Governour dangerously caus'd them to lose their Courages This worthy person so affectionate to his Prince and Country died of this Wound a few hours after leaving his Souldiers without heart or resolution for this brave Commander by his example and perswasions obliged them to hold out so long This unexpected accident forc'd them to consent to a Treaty with the Emperour before he should hear any news of their misfortune and of the loss of the numbers of men who had been killed in defending the Wall They expected better and more honourable Articles Tamerlan began to be weary with the long siege eight days were spent since the last assault and he saw no change in the Citizens resolutions and understood not that the King of China made any haste to fight him but when the King heard the Governour of Pekin was kill'd he was afraid of the consequence this made him draw towards the Besiegers with more speed with his Army in Battel Axalla who lodged upon the Wall perceived the Enemy first he went therefore to inform the Prince he rejoyced to hear such good news but his joy was much more increased when he saw the Deputies of the City who came to yield themselves and their City into his hands The Emperour receiv'd them with his wonted kindness promising the Inhabitants his protection if they would continue to him faithful but he threatned them with severe punishments if they offer'd to revolt The Articles were agreed to the Garrison in number about eighteen thousand men went out they were the remainder of thirty thousand in the beginning of the siege which lasted two full Months The Citizens were confirmed in all their priviledges and were mightily taken and enamoured with the sweet and loving disposition of their new Lord. At this same time the King of China who was at hand with all his Army understood that the City was delivered up by the Garrison that he met in his way The Lieutenant Governour he commanded to be executed with many Captains for their Cowardice but he pardonned the Souldiers who were not so guilty He commanded all his Army to stop their march in the very place where he received the news of this Cities surrender thinking more convenient to wait for Tamerlan there in a Ground that lay well for his Forces to draw up The Tartars spent eight days in repairing the breaches and furnishing the Town with all necessaries fit to abide a siege whatever happened The Emperour also mustered his whole Army paid off his Souldiers increased their Wages and rewarded every man according to his deservings he ascribed the honour of this Conquest so considerable to the cares and wise conduct of Axalla therefore he offer'd him the Government over this City and the Country which he had already conquered but he very fairly refused it desiring the Prince to bestow it upon some other Body because he desired no other reward but to bear a share in the labours of his Master whose Glory should be his chief aim and desire This answer pleased the Prince for he had offer'd it to him only because he had well deserved it but he was not willing that he should take it for he was desirous to have him always nigh his person knowing that he was courageous faithful and ingenious and well experienced in the Affairs of War When he refus'd it the Prince of Tanais accepted it with the Title of Vice-Roy Tamerlan having set all things in good order and dispatched some Messengers to the Emperour his Uncle and all his Friends to inform them of his happy successes and satisfied his Souldiers who were ten thousand men less than before he caus'd Prayers solemnly to be offer'd up to the God of Hosts during a whole day After this he march'd to find the Enemy who was with all his Army of his Subjects and Allies at Sintehâ— As soon as the King of China had understood that our Army was passed over the River of Culifu he caus'd it to be proclaimed all over his Camp that every one should be ready to fight for he did not desire to see the Tartarians farther in his Country to eat it up and destroy it But there was no Wisdom in that resolution for it caus'd him to lose his own advantages and run head-long into the mischief that was at hand for had he lengthened the War as he ought the many and strong Towns which were to be besieged one after another would have undermined Tamerlan's Army and render'd it unable to stand against his fresh Troops and for the Tartars they could not in reason advance so far as to leave behind them any one Town which might have cut off their Provisions Reason and Justice obliges Commanders of an Army to deal in this manner otherwise they may soon destroy the most flourishing Army Therefore the Emperour could not but say privately to some about him not in a boasting manner for he never us'd to boast of the greatest advantages that he hath had over his Enemies That the King of China was ill advised to desire a Battel that he would doubtless have cause to repent of this folly at his leisure because his Souldiers were not to be compared to his Men in
Strength and Courage When the King of China understood that the Tartars were marching towards him he advanc'd with his Army to meet them in such a glorious manner as if he had intended only to shew them his Grandeur and Riches Nothing appear'd to the Eye but Gold and Silver in his Army and the Chariot upon which he was mounted was so beset with Diamonds Rubies and Pearls that it was not possible stedfastly to fix the Eye upon it in the Sun This Prince of about thirty three years old had been brought up from his infancy in the delights and pleasures of the Court and not in the troubles of the War which requires a Body inur'd to pains and hardened against the inconveniences of the Seasons He was in his discourses insolent from his Mouth drop'd nothing but Threatnings Words of Contempt and Defiance complaining that he had been surpris'd by the Tartars and engag'd in a War without notice given as it is the Custom of his people Three or four of his Neighbouring Kings accompanied him in the same State and Splendour so that the hopes of such rich Spoils as were to be gotten with the Victory strangely encouraged the Tartarian Souldiers to behave themselves like men Whiles the two Armies were drawing nearer together Tamerlan took the Town of Thiauchevoi in his march which happened to be very useful to his Army in regard of its good scituation in the midst of Waters and Pasture Grounds for Cattel so that when Tamerlan saw it first he resolved to pitch there his Tents and see whether the Enemy would have so much boldness to attempt upon him in that place that would prove disadvantageous to him To engage the Chineses the sooner to a Battel he sent them a defiance and at the same time laid siege to Panihu which was a little behind him This Town was strong and well furnished with a stout Garrison Panihu was distant from Thiachevoi about ten Leagues so that it had not been convenient for the Emperour to return and assault it himself for then he had been forc'd to turn his Back to the Enemy he judg'd it therefore more fit for him to beset it with his Troops of Horse for these two Reasons First to hinder the Enemy from breaking in upon his Army and next that he might with more ease approach nearer to the King of China But this Precaution was not needful nor the Consultation that happen'd thereupon for when Odmar was return'd he assur'd him that the Chineses were within a Days March and that in all likely-hood the Battel would be the Day following At this news the Prince sends for Calibes who was with ten thousand Horse before Panihu commanding him to come to him with speed In the mean while he was careful to provide all things needful and to seek his advantages to win the Victory The Army advanc'd softly within a League of Thiauchevoi and the next day understood for certain that the Chineses were in their march towards him The Emperour with a merry Countenance as soon as he had acquainted Odmar with the Order that he intended to observe and drawn up his Men in the Field that he had chosen look'd upon the Enemy in their march at the head of six thousand Horse with which he advanc'd before his Army having Calibes with him He used thus to view the Enemy himself without trusting to other Mens Eyes He endeavour'd to draw them into the Field where his Army was ready for the Battel When he had well considered this vast Army he commanded Calibes as soon as he should be assaulted to retreat back in good order and draw the Chineses nearer to the Tartarian Troops He returned afterwards to his Army to prepare them for the fight disposing of his Infantry upon the decline of the Hill with their Artillery to defend them They were in number sixscore thousand men armed according to the Christians fashion under several Captains who obeyed Axalla as their Lieutenant-General The Cavalry was drawn up in a plain Ground having their Enemy at their right hand and their Infantry at the left to withdraw towards it in case of necessity They were in number fourscore thousand Horse Caliâ—â—es with the Tartars led the Van He was to command thirty thousand divided into three Bodies of ten thousand a-piece who had orders to join to him as soon as he should have drawn the Enemy into the Field according to the Prince's Orders Odmar was commanded to second him with thirty thousand more and Tamerlan led the Reer which he placed near one of the Wings of the Foot which he look'd upon as the chief strength of his Army His intention was to let those threescore thousand Horse begin the Battel led on by those two great Commanders He hop'd when they should have broken the Enemy or shaken them he would quickly defeat them He commanded them therefore to advance forward staying behind with his Infantry and twenty thousand chosen Horse able to win another Battel if his Men had been beaten When these things were thus order'd Calibes by retreating from the Enemy drew them on forward but sometimes he charg'd them home It was a beautiful sight to behold that great Army stronger than ours full of armed Chariots with which the Chineses expected to get a great advantage over Tamerlan's Army The Chineses were full of Gold and Silver their Armour Horses and Cloths were so loaden that the Tartars had just cause to wonder In the mean while the Emperour's Eye was every where he was well pleased to see Calibes execute his Orders so punctually and to behold the Chineses draw towards him in good order He endeavour'd to understand in what place their King was for that purpose he had near him the Lord of Vauchefu who was well acquainted with their Rules and Manners This Lord caus'd the Prince to take notice that they had but one Body which was not divided into Van and Reer and that the King was in the middle of his Chariots and Infantry Upon this Tamerlan turn'd back to his Men telling them That they must scatter that Golden Cloud and that the King of China must give them a share of his Riches As soon as he had spoken these words he gave not time to the Enemy to rest after a march of a long League but sent order to Calibes to begin to charge with his Van-guard and that he should send back his ten thousand wearied Horse to him Calibes could not prevail upon them to retreat but they as soon as the signal was given desired earnestly to go in the Front and give the first On-set under the Command of a young Lord named Ziocoatanes This Lord charg'd the formost of the Chineses Army so stoutly that he made them give back The Battel was Bloody for every one endeavour'd to shew his Courage and fight for the honour of their Prince and the safety of their Nation In an hours time it was not known which Party had
chance to be increas'd and the Rebels grown so numerous that they may perhaps be too powerful for their inconsiderate Prince Six months were spent since Tamerlan's leaving of Samarcand This time seem'd tedious to some whose earnest desire to see their Country gave them a longing to march that way This caused many of them to murmur in the Camp because the Prince began to undertake a War in a far Country which would not suddenly end This report which might have had a dangerous sequel obliged Prince Axalla to acquaint the Emperour therewith He presently called his Army together as soon as they were arrived to a place convenient and spake to them at the general muster in such terms as were able to oblige them to undergo all hardship for their Princes service As soon as they were arrived at Calestrie a general review was order'd where the Emperour was in person and spoke to the Parthians in this language Tamerlan's Speech to the Parthians I Cannot imagine my dear Companions that the desire of seeing again your Native Country is so violent in you or that you are weary to purchase more Glory to our Nation seeing that all the people of the World adventure all things for that advantage which you have in hand we have together for many years obtain'd great Victories which have rais'd the Parthians in reputation above all other Nations and spread their fame round about the World If you be weary to fight under my Command Tamerlan shall accomplish his glorious designs by other Nations than his own and the Parthian so much renown'd by the late successes obtained upon many people shall see themselves forgotten or miserably despised through the shame that you shall have brought upon them I cannot think any such thing of you fellow Souldiers whose Reputation is spread all over the World I will not nor ought not to believe it Follow me therefore and let us go courageously and fight the Mamelucks You know very well though they live at a distance from us they have endeavoured to withstand our successes by joyning their forces with the Ottoman Armies to oppose us Will you suffer me to revenge my self upon them without your help Would you have the Tartarians and my Allies have a share in my Victories whilst you shall go and be idle at home Will you lose the benefit of so glorious an enterprise As soon as the Prince had ended his speech all the Parthians cryed out with a loud voice that they would die with him and that saying they had attended upon him in China they would now follow him all over the world but they intreated him to have compassion of their Wounds of their gray hairs so as at last to set some bounds to their labors and his Conquests This he promis'd them in such an obliging and mild manner that they were all very well satisfied The Emperour spoke not a word to the others for they were glad of the advantage they had over the Parthians to have seen them ready to disband and forsake the Army So that when Tamerlan rode before the Scythian Cavalry they all cried with one voice Victorious Emperour what mean you March on March on we will follow all over the World These words gave a great contentment to the Prince for the Parthians and Scythians were his best Souldiers He was therefore glad of an opportunity to encrease their emulation To oblige them the more to be faithful to him the Prince commanded a strict inquiry to be made for all persons diseased or wounded and besides their ordinary salary he appointed them and others to receive from the Treasurer of the Army extraordinary wages Then the Army marched forward with much joy and assurance of success The Vanguard commanded by Axalla and Andronicus went before Tamerlan had news how that the Sultan of Egypt was very active in gathering his men together to defend himself and his Country though he could easily guesse how difficult a matter it was to stop the Terror and fury of a victorious Army that had overthrown the most dreadful Monarch of all Asia These considerations made the Mamelucks look about But the Sultan was a young Prince promoted to that high dignity by his extroardinary courage and rare Vertues but he had no great insight in War But since his Election he had not given any proof of his valour and affection to his people He saw himself the Lord of a large Continent and of many strong Towers well provided and fortified therefore out of an high conceit of his own greatness and of the confidence that he had in himself he resolved to try whether fortune would favour him but rather than to lose so fair an opportunity of declaring his courage he was willing to hazard his own ruine As the wining of a battle was all his hopes he made for that purpose all necessary preparations to be ready to fight when ever he should be required and in case the victory should fall to his Enemies share he had so order'd his affairs that he might fly to some safe and secure place of advantage where he might recover his loss and be in a Condition to venture a second Battel As soon as the Emperour was well informed of his intention he advised with Axalla and Andronicus which way he should turn the head of his army that he might force the Enemy to come the sooner to a battle It was resolved by them that it should take the way through Caramania and march strait to Gevolach This was the first frontier Town belonging to the Mamelucks and nearest to the Turks dominions who had conquer'd all the Countrey as far as that place when the peace had been concluded between these two Nations Bajazet had endeavoured to have it that he may receive sure succours that way from the Sultan and strengthen himself the more against the powerful enemy that was coming against him Therefore this Town which was of a strong scituation had been furnish'd with all necessaries by the Sultan for a stout resistance Axalla advancing with his Van-guard sent a Summons to the Townsmen to yeild speedily or to expect a severe punishment for their foolish confidence and temerity The Inhabitants return'd this answer That they were obedient Subjects and had express orders to fight it out and resist as long as they could and that they would rather suffer death than fail in their duty and fidelity to their Prince and Country When the Emperour heard their obstinacy he was wrath that a small Town should be so bold as to attempt to stop his power seeing that he had met with no place able to resist him since his departure from Samarcand for all Cities sent him their Keys when he was yet at a distance from them But seem'd to dissemble a while his displeasure and commanded Axalla to go beyond it towards Aleppo which willingly was surrender'd because there was no other Garrison there but of the natural Inhabitants In the
warlike men overtook his Army He marched to Gorga where the Governour of the Provinces met him to welcome him and receive from him the Orders that Axalla had to deliver to him in the Emperours name but he would not undertake any thing till the coming of the Prince of Tanais for that purpose he made all speed possible with fifteen thousand horse and thirty thousand foot which he brought with him As soon as he was come up with his party to the Imperial Army Axalla according to Tamerlans orders gave the Prince the command of the Vanguard The Governour of the Country had the Rear He was a person well esteem'd by the Emperour because of his virtuous disposition His Government reached as far as Persia and Syria But that we may better understand this part of the History we must take notice that as soon as Tamerlan had conquered all Natolia he gave a great part of it back to the Greek Emperour upon condition that he should pay as a Tribute every year four hundred thousand Ducats of Gold and eight hundred thousands Livers of Silver Axalla sent therefore to this Prince to acquaint him with his coming to Gorga where he gathered all the Troops together which Tamerlan sent from all parts to make up the body of an Army which he himself was in his march to command to do him the same good Offices which he had formerly done to his Father therefore he intreated him to reconcile the differences of his own family to prevent a forreign evil which increased visibly to the eye and which would cast him into the same inconveniency as his Father was before him if he did not remedy it betimes He sent to advise him that if he did not quench the domestick dissentions and troubles of his family he would but give an advantage to his mortal enemy who would become stronger through his weakness and troubles This seasonable and wholesome advice made no impression upon the minds of this Prince or of his Brothers They had shared the Empire amongst themselves and were at variance about their portions contrary to their desires they help'd to increase and enlarge the Turkish Empire whereof the Prince was likely to succeed their Father without being any wayes related to him They were so foolish as to be Jealous of Tamerlan's Embassadours and angry at the message for they believed at first that the succours that Axalla brought were not above ten or twelve thousand horse but when they understood from the mouth of the Embassador an able and a wise man that the Army had so many thousand horse and foot as to make a dreadful body instead of rejoycing or expressing their thankfulness they began to fear that Tamerlan had sent his men against them as well as against Callepin Neither the remembrance of Tamerlans former generosity expressed to their deceased Father nor the Embassadours endeavours to assure them of the Emperours good and sincere intentions to do them no harm could not remove these ill grounded suspitions out of their minds They were so blind and brutish that they would not admit of a Truce amongst themselves so great was their hatred for one another At the return of this useless Embassie Axalla understood where Callepin lay with his Army and how many men he had Therefore after the general musters he marched to seek out the Enemy in Caramania Callepin was at first astonished at the dilligent proceedings of the Army but much more when at the return of the scouts he understood its order discipline and number of men for he had imagined that it would not be above ten or twelve thousand men When he had learned the truth he called together his Council All the Commanders advised that Callepin who was the only person alive of the Ottoman family should not hazard his person in the battle that he was to be desired to stay at a distance and see the consequence and end of the fight That though his Army was strong and powerful because the Persians and Mamelucks two warlike Nations made up the greatest part of it It was to be feared if things succceded not well with them they would conclude a peace to the prejudice of the Turks with the victorious enemy When Callepin understood that the Emperour in person was advancing after Axalla with another Army as numerous and as brave as the former he began to repent that he had awakened the drowsie Lyon The Greek Emperour also imagining that all this Army was designed to take from him his Country as well as to drive away the Turks sent to conclude a league with Callepin which after it was agreed too the Turk desired some succours to help him against Tamerlans Army which was there purposely to defend the Greek from the Turk the common enemy of both He alleadged these reasons to strengthen his ridiculous fancy That in all appearance the Emperour would not be content with such narrow limits to his Empire as the Egean Sea but would enlarge it beyond Constantinople That they ought to joyn together for the security of their dominions and repulse that ambitious Prince into his own Nest in Tartary That he could not approve his Fathers proceedings nor would follow his footsteps for after his Fathers decease he had refused to give any encouragement to Tamerlans Governour in Natolia That his Army had advanced into that Province without his knowledge and consent and therefore he should endeavoâ—â—r to beat him out He laboured to make the Turk sensible of these things that he might conclude a confederacy with him to his own ruin but the Tartars were so advanced that tho they had both â—â— desire to joyn they could not have then the means for the Ottoman Army could not give back without destroying themselves There was a necessity for them to fight The greatest part were Persians and Mamelucks and banish'd men driven but of their Country because they would not submit to Tamerlan It was therefore very dangerous for them to delay the battle or to retreat The Bassa who commanded in the Turkish army had fifteen thousand Persian Horse good fighting men and thirty thousand Foot led by the Prince of Tauris one of the banished men The Mamelucks were in number about twenty thousand Horse commanded by him that was chosen their Sultan who near five years had been making war in Arabia but had been driven from thence by Tamerâ—â—an's men and entertained by Callepin whose Confederate he was in hopes that if their affairs succeeded he might receive from him such assiâ—â—tance as might help him to recover Syria and Egypt and all the Dominions of the Mamelucks Besides these there were twenty five thousand Turkish Horse and thirty thousand foot with six thousand more that Callepin had chosen for his Guard The grand Bassa was an experienced Warriour and a brave Commander With these Troops he imagin'd himself able to overthrow the enemies Army And was the more encouraged to fight because he supposed that the greatest part of the Tartarian Forces were no cordial Friends of the â—â—arthians nor well wishers to their Empire This Bassa was the same who had been taken the day before the great Battle where
have neither their Courage nor Virtue They are but a rabble led on by Insolency and Brutality who would never be so audacious were it not for their numbers I shall only recommend to you the remembrance of your Ancestors Glory and these considerations that your Prince is in the Encounter with you that he never knew what it is to run away or flye from an Enemy that he hath made you pass over the River never to go back without Victory in your Hands and that he puts all his trust upon your undaunted Courages and Faithfulness These words caus'd strange Transports in the minds of the Souldiers which made them break out into loud cries to be led on to the Battel Their furiousness was so great that they were not to be kept in at the sight of the Enemy Odmar soon satisfied them by sending to Tamerlan for the Sign and word of Command when he saw the time convenient but he was prevented by the Moscovites who charged first and gave a furious onset The Parthians received them with an undaunted resolution which had caused them to give back if Odmar at that time had not by his fall disorder'd his squadron By this accident his Cavalry began to shake and was afterwards broken and himself hurried away in the Croud so that he was forced after a considerable loss of Men to shelter himself under the left Wing of his Infantry on that side of the Mountain whither the Prince had sent already six thousand Horse as a recruit When he was mounted again he rallied all his Men that he could pick up and fell upon the sides of the Moscovites Army where the Hungarians were who this day behaved themselves so bravely that only with three thousand Men they broke through Tamerlan's Battel At this he retreated according to the Parthians manner which made the Enemies imagin them to run away This fond conceit had so puft them up that they thought the Victory to be already in their Hands But assoon as the Reer was come up led by the Prince of Tanais who had rallied together about fourteen thousand Horse and all the Foot he obliged the Moscovites to run away in their turn after such extraordinary resistance that one may justly say that their Vertue and Courage was forced to yield to the greater number When the Parthians perceiv'd that Victory smil'd upon them they pursued their advantage so fiercely that their Enemies had neither time to rally nor to understand themselves Tamerlan was here wounded in the Forehead and near the left Eye having left two Horses kill'd under him The Moscovites Army was totally routed many Lords and chief Officers taken Prisoners the Emperour himself was once fallen into the Hands of a Parthian Souldier incognito but he happily sav'd himself and met with ten thousand Horse that had not been broken with them he retreated ten Leagues and for his greater security he pass'd over a River in the Night beyond which he rallied together all that he could save of his Army His Cavalry behav'd themselves in the Battel like Men of Courage but when they saw themselves forsaken of the Foot in the hottest Encounter when they were fiercely charged and Fortune seem'd to turn them her back they were then forc'd to yield to the Conquerour They suffer'd therefore more than the Infantry that sav'd themselves along the Mountains in the dark of the night which favour'd them in all their flight Tamerlan having pursued them three Leagues return'd to the Field where he solemnly gave God the praise for the Victory obtained The next day assoon as it was light he review'd all his Army and understood that he had lost not above seven or eight thousand Horse and between three and four thousand Foot whereas the Moscovites wanted seven and twenty thousand Foot and about fifteen or sixteen thousand Horse We must acknowledge that Odmar this day was the safety of his Prince and of the whole Army and that after his disgrace he behaved himself wonderfully well and wisely in that he assaulted the Enemy upon the Flanks when they had beaten both the Van and the Main Battel and were going to fall upon the Reer led by the Prince of Tanais under whose Wings Tamerlan was retreated If Odmar had not acted in this manner the Moscovites would have doubtless and with ease defeated the Reer and won the honour of that glorious day By this 't is easie to understand how great is the advantage of that Commander who having pitch'd upon a Field and chosen a favourable Ground and Place waits stedfastly for his Enemies coming chiefly when he hath both Wind and Sun to fight with him Tamerlan forgot not to mind his Souldiers and Captains of this happiness It is also certain that when the Reer is well commanded it is able to restore the Battel when it is in a most desPerate condition and to snatch the Victory out of the hands of the stoutest Enemies Assoon as Tamerlan as I have already said had given thanks to God and taken a review of his Army he commanded all the dead both his own men and the Enemies to be buried and afterwards he rewarded all those that had well behaved themselves in the Fight But his joy for the Victory was qualified with the grief for the death of Haly he was killed with an Arrow as he was going to the Fight after that he had gain'd the Mountain and performed Actions worthy of an Immortal Glory Tamerlan caus'd his Body to be embalmed and to remain with him in his own Tent till he return'd to Samarcande where he caused a stately Sepulchre to be made for him which renders his name famous in succeeding Ages and gave a beginning to the glorious Structures which he caused afterwards to be erected in his Capital City and which have made it to be one of the most famous Cities of the World Tamerlan after this Victory was not puft up with Pride as some of his Age are in such great successes many times they are so apt to forget themselves that they become unsufferable to their best Friends But after the slaughter when he beheld so many thousands reeking in their Blood he lamented at the hard and unavoidable fate of such as command in great Armies and addressing himself to those that were about him O how happy is my Father in his choice of Peace and in preferring a solitary and quiet life to this troublesome painful and cruel employment of a Souldier which he must sometimes embrace that governs a Kingdom Is it not grievous that such an one cannot purchase to himself Glory but by the Death of so many millions of his own Species and oftentimes the destruction of his dearest Friends In this manner Tamerlan receiv'd with displeasure such bloody successes purchas'd at the price of so many lives In the mean while he supply'd the duties of his place and gave Orders to advance into the Moscovites Country marching after their flying Army that
know the inclinations and courages of your Captains and Soldiers Do you doubt whither they will prefer the advancement of your glory to their own lives wherefore do you inquire from us our resolutions Lead up only and you shall see whether the great affection we have alwayes had for you be now deminish'd do you think that the walls of Cairo are strong enough to resist our Courages and stop your Cavalry The first horse-man that shall put his head within the walls will open a way to the whole Army Assoon as Axalla had ended his speech all the Captains cried out and intreated to be led to the fight protesting that they were ready to Sacrifice themselves for the Honour and Glory of their Prince The Emperour was mighty well satisfied with their affectionate expressions for which he return'd them his hearty thanks Therefore at the same time he gave Orders for the assault and divided his Infantry into three Bodies The Lieutenant General was to lead thirty thousand men The Prince of Tanais was to follow him with fifty thousand more Axalla was to succeed him with a like number of Infantry with four thousand Horse arm'd with Lance and Buckler The Prince came a little after with ten thousand Horse before him and he himself in the midst of fifty thousand Foot who were followed by the rest of the Cavalry whom he commanded in person having given the charge of the Infantry to Axalla in whom he placed his chiefest trust The Princes intent was to win one of the Towns of Cairo and there to lodge himself that he might be able to advance by degrees But it concerns us to know that the Sultan was in the City with all his forces which amounted to threescore thousand foot and fifty thousand horse of whom thirty thousand were Mamelucks brave Souldiers train'd up in the art of war The Tartars had found what they were by experience But his Infantry were not so skilful for they were but fresh Souldiers newly rais'd in Arabia Persia and Lybia and a great many were but Slaves lately set at liberty for his ordinary and standing Foot had been overthrown in the last Battles The Prince had discovered to none but to Axalla the hopes that he had in the rising of the Slaves and Moors When therefore all things where readily provided he caused the first boâ—â—y of Foot to advance to the place that he had appointed to attack the Enemy in the Front when he saw them charge home and force the Sultans men into their Trenches he caused them to be followed and seconded by the Prince of Tanais with fifty thousand under his command Then the fight was most cruel and bloody In the mean whiles Axalla march'd along certain palm trees in a place that he imagin'd was forsaken to go to the assistance of his men by another way He was not mistaken he found little or no resistance so that with ease he broke into the Trenches he applied himself next to perform Tamerlans orders and fill up with boards and other materials the holes and ditches that the Horse might get over but as he was busie in this work the Enemy came upon him with twenty thousand men to hinder him Axalla left three thousand to end the work begun and make a way with all speed for the Cavalry and with the rest he charg'd the Enemy The Mamelucks were coming to him in good order They were too hard for the Prince of Tanais and had some advantage upon him but it lasted not long for as soon as the way was made for the Horse the ten thousand men charg'd the Mamelucks in the Rear where the Sultan was in person after these ten thousand more were sent by the Prince who with all his Cavalry followed next All together broke in upon the Enemy without delay so that they had no time but to fly to the second Trenches which they had made in the second Town The fight lasted seven whole hours all this time it was not to be judged which party should gain the Victory The Enemies defended themselves stoutly but when the Prince had driven them from their first Trenches he sounded a retreat and was contented to lodge all night in that place resolving the next day to pursue the Victory One third of the Town was already in Tamerlans possession whose Infantry were quartered next to the Enemies second Trenches which gave occasion to several small skirmishes which hapned most times to the advantage of the Tartars who behaved themselves most couragiously That day fifteen or sixteen thousand men were killed on the Enemies side and seven thousand of Tamerlans Dragnen Lieutenant General of the Infantry of the Sultan died with many other Officers who were in the heat of the battle It was generally confessed that Axalla's experience and good judgement this day were very useful in getting the Victory The same night news being brought to the Prince that the Sultan had a design to pass over the River he gave order to ten thousand horse to post themselves along the banks when the Sultan heard of it he imagin'd that all the Army had been there therefore he was not so bold as to venture his person at the passage At the break of day the Emperour caus'd the Trenches to be fill'd up and the fight to begin by the Prince of Tanais of one side and by Axalla on the other But after a slight resistance when the Sultan perceived that his Infantry drew back and left their Trenches to their enemies the fear of the coming of the Cavalry caus'd him to forsake the Town He performed this design which he had fail'd of in the night by drawing up his Army in the void space between the River and the Town that he might be able to escape over into Alexandria In the mean while the Prince having taken by force the second Trenches the Souldiers broke into the City and kill'd every one they met with none being able to keep them in when the Emperour was inform'd of the way the Sultan took to pass over the River he followed him with all his Cavalry and all the foot that he could pick up from the plunder and spoils of the City unto which they were furiously bent But the Sultan had provided in time to secure his retreat and passage by getting into his power a narrow peice of ground secur'd from the Rivers violence with strong stakes there he posted fifteen thousand of his best Souldiers whom he called his slaves The scituation was such that they were able to defend themselves and could not be forced without Infantry Such as were brought to find them were loath to leave their companions to take all the plunder therefore they march'd but slowly and without courage until the Emperour himself had promis'd them to take notice of them and give them rewards At their first coming up they assaulted these Troops not without difficulty and loss of many men but the enemies made an honourable
to annoy them with his Artillery which he caused to be planted there as likewise to hinder Axalla from placing any Troops upon it because it was able to do a kindness to him that should have it first As soon as it was day Axalla had news that there was a stirring in the Turks Camp more than ordinary as if they intended to decamp To understand the truth he put himself at the head of twenty thousand Horse and with them he advanced to observe their motion resolved to fight them if they intended to retreat But when he took notice nearer of their Actions he perceived their purpose he called therefore the Prince of Tanais and Sinopes telling them that he was not willing that the Turks should intrench themselves upon the Hill which he shewed them because it would be prejudicial to his Army and that therefore it was requisite to drive them from thence before they were there well setled Sinopes had immediately orders to assault them with twenty thousand of the stoutest Infantry of the Army Axalla doubted not of the Victory if he could but succeed in this attempt upon those that were upon the Hill which was scituate in such a place that the Horse were not able to get near it because of a morish ground lying round about near a league from the Hill But the foot could march up with ease Axalla had great hopes of success because he knew the courages of his Infantry that he employed which was the stoutest in the World and the noble and brave soul of Sinopes their Captain who led them on and would do all that could be expected from a skilful and resolute Commander The Tartarian Army stood in order of battle over against the Turks The Infantry was Commanded to advance that it might back Sinopes and be ready at his motion to assist him He was resolved if the Enemy was obstinate to defend this Hill to fight on foot and to employ all his might and force to drive him from thence The Prince of Tanais was at the Head of his Cavalry over against the Turks Horse Neither of them was able to do any good to those that were to fight for the possession of the Hill Sinopes by Axalla's advice had taken a Compass round under a high piece of ground which hindered the enemies from receiving his motion whiles he stood ready to assist them So that Sinopes broke in upon them with his twenty thousand foot and disordered them before they were aware An Enemy surprised is half overcome The Turks astonished with this suddain onset knew not whither all the Infantry or but a part had assaulted them This conceit filled them with apprehensions At that time the rest of the Army stood in order of battle at one end of the Marsh and both Armies were in sight of one another very silent but when the Turks perceived what was acted upon the Hill they made all haste to help their Comrades and ressist the Tartars The Bassa being a very skiful Commander sent away all his Infantry to sâ—â—ccour his men who had been broken at the first charge of the Tartarian foot and had left them the possession of the Top of the Hill By this means they got the advantage of the ground so that they encountered the Turks with more ease whereas the Turks stood upon a shelving ground which hindered them from using their Weapons with that advantage as the others could But the great companies of Janisaries who were marching to the assistance of their companions had doubtless overpowr'd the Tartarian foot in possession of the Mountain if Axalla upon sight of their approach had not dispatch'd away at the same moment twenty thousand more to renew the fight and keep up his mens courages against the Janisaries And after them he provided five and twenty thousand more that he might march himself at their Head as soon as he should see any more advancing the Hill from the Ottoman Army for that purpose he alighted off from his Horse to command them in person When the Prince of Tanais understood his intent that he would hazard his person in the battle upon the Hill he sent to intreat him to leave that to one of his Collonels of the foot and to stay behind to give his orders telling him That the whole Army made him the same request Axalla reply'd that the business then in action was of a high concernment and that if the Hill were once gain'd the Victory would follow with ease And that he was resolved to obey his orders that day and become his Souldier At that instant the rest of the Turks foot was observed to move These were most of them Janisaries they gave a furious assault to the Tartarian foot but when Axalla came in with a chosen party he beat them back and won all the Hill Before his departure he caused Trenches to be drawn on that side which look'd towards the Turks Army and left there to command Sinopes who had purchased to himself much honour and glory by his brave conduct The Tartarians lost in the several assaults between fifteen and sixteen thousand men but the Turks near thirty thousand The fight lasted from eight a Clock in the morning till night The Cavalry all that while stood still without action looking upon the passages upon the Hill for they could not advance to it because of the deep Marsh The Turks discouraged with this loss departed the next night marching back ten long leagues before they stop'd The Prince of Tanais Stucan and the light Horse followed them close at the heels and Axalla with the rest of his Army made after them and incamped near the Sea about two leagues distant from the Turks who were drawing towards Caramania As soon as the Bassa had recollected his Spirits and was returned to himself he resolved to incamp and intrench his Army But the Prince of Tanais angry that he had not been concerned in the Glory of the day before would not give him the leasure to fortifie himself Therefore he advanced forward to fight him so far and with such indiscretion that when the rest of his Army behind were about to fix their Tents news came to them that the Prince was ingaged against the Turks and that unless he was speedily relieved he would be cut off with his party This Report caus'd Axalla to sound a march and with his Cavalry to advance before when he was come to the banks of a small River in his way he saw the Prince of Tanais's mistake in venturing over before he had sent to see what enemies were on the other side for the crafty Turks had ordered ten thousand Persian Horse to stop the Princes party by skirmishing with them They behaved themselves so bravely that if the Bassa had not sent away more to relieve the Persians the Tartarians had cut them all in pieces But as his intent was but to keep them busie and employed and to hinder them from all
River Maspha The Moscovites were in all one hundred thousand Foot and fourscore thousand Horse most of them old Souldiers who had been in many Encounters with their Neighbours Of this fourscore thousand Horse ten thousand were Polanders sent from the King of Poland newly re-united by a League with the Moscovites Besides there were eight thousand Hungarians and many Noblemen of that Nation under the command of a great Lord called Vladislaus Tamerlan had in his Army threescore thousand Horse and one hundred and fifty thousand Foot-men brought up in Armes but they were not to be compar'd with the Moscovites who had exercis'd themselves in several Campagns whereas the Parthians never saw an Enemy during the Government of their King Og who had always been at peace with all the World At the sight of the Enemy Tamerlan's warlike Courage and Martial fury was kept in by the fear of a mistake He thought it therefore wisdom to take a view of their Camp by which he understood that he could not go to them without passing at the foot of a little Hill which they were possessed of before his coming They had planted there six thousand of their Foot who might have strangely gawl'd Tamerlan's men had they attempted to set upon the Moscovites on that side and yet they were necessitated to begin the assault there but first Tamerlan judg'd contrary to the judgment of his Privy Council that they were first to beat the Enemy from that advantageous Post and that without engaging themselves in a Battel The Moscovites were so well fortified in this place that it was no easie matter to force them Tamerlan therefore draws them down by a Stratagem He gave Orders to twenty thousand Foot commanded by Haly seemingly to assault the Hill and when he saw the rest of the Army drawing near to their assistance he caused his whole Army to pass over the River of Rosna by that means he reduced the Enemy to a necessity of fighting This proceeding of Tamerlan was succeeded by two advantages First it put his Cavalry in security from the Guns and Darts of this little Hill unto which they had been otherwise expos'd Next it caus'd him to succeed in his design of ending this War which the Moscovite was resolved to protract He was perswaded that he could draw away his Men from this Post at his pleasure in case of necessity and that in a Night as he was wont he could retreat back twenty Leagues But he found by experience this to be a real truth That humane wisdom in that very moment when it is the most enlightned is but dark and blind These two Armies in the mean while were in sight of one another without engaging for they stood at a stand looking at what pass'd upon the Hill where the Parthians recruited from time to time and in season endeavour'd to drive from thence the Moscovites who being assisted with continual succours made a stout resistance The Fight lasted two hours with equal advantage on both sides for both Parties were encouraged by the many Witnesses that beheld them But Haly at last took this equality for an affront or a kind of defeat This made him call upon his Men to do their uttermost to force Victory to declare for them They obeyed his perswasion and gave such a vigorous onset that their Enemies weary and tired out with the former assaults began to give back by degrees which when Tamerlan's Men perceived his Parthians set upon them so stoutly that the others had no time to rally again together but shamefully fled and forsook their Station This unexpected disgrace instead of affrighting the Moscovites and filling them with fears which are the usual sequels of such kind of defeats filled them with impatiency to be revenged and make amends for their losses chiefly because they were reduced to a necessity of fighting by the nearness of the Enemies approach who had pass'd the River for that purpose and from whom there was no flying with safety This made them passionately desire the signal The Moscovites Army was thus embatteled The Van led by the Prince of Russia the Emperours Son was composed of five and twenty thousand Horse Poles Hungarians and Moscovites in a Body They charged with their Lances in double Files leaving behind a sufficient distance to retreat but this prov'd to their disadvantage The main Battel where their greatest strength was consisted of forty thousand Horse followed by all their Infantry The Emperour was there in Person with the greatest part of the Lords of his Court The Reer was a great Squadron of ten thousand Horse in a square Body of their best and compleatest Troops Tamerlan's Army march'd in another order This Prince had divided all his Cavalry into nineteen squadrons every one consisting of six thousand Horse only his own squadron had ten thousand and his Infantry stood in Battalions Odmar led the Van of nine squadrons of Horse having forty thousand Foot upon the Wings twenty thousand on each hand The Body was commanded by Tamerlan having ten squadrons of Horse his own in the middle and fifty thousand Foot all chosen Men the ablest of his Army The Prince of Tanais his Cousin brought up the Reer having forty thousand Foot in six Divisions and three thousand Horse named Oliacks or Dragoons to second them The Parthians encouraged with a prosperous success upon the Hill waited for nothing but for the Signal to fall on their Enemies And Tamerlan himself when he saw them advance in so good order to save them the trouble of marching part of the way met them in the middle sending his orders to Odmar to go forward But this wise and experienced Captain who alone was authorised by his credit and long experience in War to oppose the desires of his Prince sent him back word that he would stop where he was that he would wait upon the Hill for the Enemy and would not lose the advantage gain'd already of the higher Ground of the Wind and Sun Three things that help'd them to win the day and that incommoded so much the Moscovites Army that during the Encounter they had always Dust in their Eyes so that by this means they were less able to see to the wants of their Army Though at this time Tamerlan saw nothing in the Countenances and on the Faces of his Souldiers but that which promis'd success and happiness yet to annimate them the more he thought it fit to speak to them in this manner Tamerlan's Speech to his Army 'T IS neither for Riches my dear Companions nor for larger Bounds to my Empire that we are to fight this Day 'T is for that which is far more excellent and noble 'T is for the Glory and Honour of our Nation 'T is to shew these Enemies before us that we are the same Parthians who put a stop to the Roman Conquests the same who were not to be daunted by those Lords of the World These that stand against you
upon two reasons first because he was afraid that Calix would return and spend the Winter at Cambalu where he should be forc'd to go and fight him This would cause the total destruction of that famous City for he doubted not of the Victory secondly because if he did win that City by assault he was afraid that his Army should grow too rich and wealthy with the plunder and by that means would be less fit for the great Actions in the prosecution of which he intended further to imploy them This resolution that he was forc'd to take griev'd him he was not willing to enter into the possession of his Empire by Bloodshed and Cruelty This consideration caus'd him once more to summon Calix and advise him to lay down his Arms with promises of pardon and to receive him into his favour The unadvised Calix whose courage was not contemptible slighted all these gracious offers his ambition render'd him cruel to himself and caus'd him to look upon all other conditions of life under that of a Soveraign as unworthy of him He could not submit but chose rather though but for a day as a Prince to govern than to live many years as a Subject He could not trust nor relye totally upon the promises of his Prince with whose generosity and good nature he was never acquainted He thought the destiny of men in his condition condemns them either to a fatal Ruine or raises them up to a Throne Tamerlan's Army went over to Chincy marching seven Leagues as soon as the Enemy understood it they alter'd their design and returned back with an intention to venture a Battel It is reported that Calix turning himself then to some of his followers told them with his eyes lifted up to Heaven that in all his life-time he had never received a more pleasing news The Parthians saith he have pass'd over the River and are coming towards us If therefore Tamerlan who dallied with us before will suffer us now to end our Quarrel by a Fight my happiness is great whatever be the event it must needs procure me an immortal glory If the advantage happen on my side what Prince is there in all Asia that may contend with or be compared to me for I shall be Lord of all Tartary and Zagatay for I fight against the Armies of these two Kingdoms which I have divided but if I be overcome the greatness of my undertaking will leave behind me a great deal of Reputation in the world seeing that I have stopt with my Army during two Months between the Rivers of Brior and Ostan all the Armies of Zagatay Therefore if we chance to lose the Victory it will prove for our honour During this discourse his Attendants took notice in his looks of a Noble Air which made him esteem'd and admir'd of every one When the Armies drew near the Scouts met and those of Tamerlan's Army were driven back into their Camp which accident vext Odmar that commanded then the Van. The Prince told him that at the approach of the Enemy he ought to have increas'd the numbers he excus'd himself in that he imagin'd that Calix would not be so bold as to advance three Leagues towards the Army at that instant The next day was spent in giving out Orders to every one The Captains went about in the Ranks exhorting their Souldiers to behave themselves well and both Captains and Souldiers incouraged one another to fight valiantly by declaring the Encounters where they had been already Calix was forty years of age much respected because of the Nobility of his Blood and the considerable Rank that he held in his Country The Emperour esteem'd him so much for his experience in War that before Tamerlan appeared in Tartary he was always look'd upon as worthy of the Empire The Armies stood one against another for eight hours in the morning skirmishing sometimes according to the Tartarian manner before the Battel A great Plain and even ground lay between them Odmar commanded the Van where were sixty thousand Foot and forty thousand Horse which he separated into four great Squadrons causing one to go before the other to the Fight Tamerlan marched on in the same Order but his Squadrons were stronger The Infantry of the Van and of the Main Body were on the right hand and on the left He had taken out of his Army to make up the Reer six thousand Parthians and two thousand Tartarians giving the Command to Axalla a Genoese but as I have said had been brought up with him from his Infancy He had by his affection for him by his vertue experience and valour deserved his Princes esteem and confidence Tamerlan order'd him not to fight but in the extremity and to have a care to gather together all that should be broken in the Army Axalla performed this so exactly that he did this day notable service to his Prince He was no less esteem'd by the Men of War though he professed a Religion contrary to theirs for he was a Christian and imitated by many whom he had sent for out of Georgia and beyond the Pontus Euxinus these accompanied him with their courages and persons in the Battel Calix on the other side was Eloquent and naturally a great Speaker he incourag'd therefore his Souldiers with the honour and liberty of their Nation to play their parts like men and follow his example He had divided his Army into three Bodies only he had placed his Infantry at the right hand and his Cavalry at the left he himself was in the middle Body surrounded with his Foot as with a Circle according to our manner of fighting Odmar a crafty and experienced Commander stopt when he saw the Enemy coming and observed their motion but when he perceived that their greatest Body was shaken at the onset of his first Squadron he caused his two others the one to charge at the right hand and the other at the left They were so furious and happy as to put the three Bodies of Calix's Army into a disorder so that they were forc'd to reunite in one At that time Tamerlan came in and cut in pieces all that stood before him nothing was able to resist his fury he made way through the thickest of his Enemies some he put to flight others he laid in heaps the cries and lamentations of the dying were heard in every place the disorder and hurley-burley was generally all over the Field here you might have seen weak Squadrons disarming others more numerous there you might have beheld Troops of Horses taken by such as were more greedy of prey than honour every where Tamerlan's Army seem'd to have gain'd the Victory when fifteen thousand fresh Troops led by Calix himself came into the Field and gave a furious charge upon the Princes Battalion and broke it all to pieces This Reserve proceeded from some that at the first onset fled to the Carts and Carriages where they had rallied whiles Tamerlan's men were pursuing
inflicted upon those of Cambalu who had been the greatest Mutineers By this kind and insinuating dealing he purchas'd to himself in this great City the reputation of a merciful and gracious Prince He gain'd also the love of every one by courting them chiefly those who had been faithful to his Party After eight days stay in this place he went away with a thousand prayers and praises which were again reiterated a little after when news came from the Emperour that he would have Justice done upon the Authors of the Rebellion This was perform'd in the Cham's Name and by his Officers two hundred of the Inhabitants were executed and their Heads were lifted up in the publick view for an example to all such as should afterwards attempt to rebel This cruelty of the Great Cham condemn'd by the common people caus'd them to extol the goodness of Tamerlan who by this yielding to his Uncles will laid a greater Obligation upon him and nevertheless purchas'd to himself the universal esteem of the Country In the mean while the Emperour began to rise from his sick Bed which caus'd him to have an earnest desire to see the Prince who delayed this Interview till he had been with his Army where he intended to advise whether it were not best to stay first and expect what news he should receive from his Army upon the borders of China Thus he went as far from Cambalu as he could that he might not be thought to have any hand in the execution of the Citizens In this manner this dangerous and Civil War was ended to the advantage of Tamerlan whose diligence had been notable in the extinguishing of it One may justly say that he conquer'd this great Empire for there was a dangerous and a general conspiracy and rising against him His vigilancy disappointed all his Enemies In such like cases speedy and early appearances in the Field are of the highest importance for a Princes Affairs to incourage his own Party to terrifie such as are wavering and to prevent all false reports with which the common people are usually cozen'd His chief endeavour should be to perswade and make it appear that the Rebels are not to be fear'd and that he himself dreads them not but this he can never do unless he commands his own Army By this means he will have a great advantage over the Rebels It is not to be imagin'd that a Revolt is to be stifled by weak Remonstrances for that perswasion savours of as much indiscretion as the Authors of the Rebellion have had craft to cause their injustice to be entertain'd under the notion of Equity Therefore without delays a Soveraign Prince must fall upon the Rebels scatter and destroy them with the fear of a speedy punishment By no means let him be prevail'd upon to grant pardon to the Chieftains of the Rebellion Tamerlan dealt in this manner with Calix He knew his designs a great while before he was in a capacity to put them in execution therefore he provided a timely remedy a powerful Army in the Province of Zagatay to be ready to march at his first Command In the mean while he pretended to be busie in his Expedition against China that he might by that means better discover the chief of the Rebellion and their wicked intentions by this act of wisdom he disappointed Calix who doubtless might have prevail'd upon a negligent and weak Prince given to his pleasures But Tamerlan had better qualities he found the benefit of his cares and vigilancy for before this he was not well setled in the Empire but by this Victory he became such an undoubted Successor and Owner of it that the death of the Great Cham could not cause any alteration or opposition of his Right From hence it is easie to conclude that as his kindness and moderation were strong Chains to bind the hearts and souls of his good Subjects his courage and severity knew how to punish the Rebels and seditious persons and bring them to obedience As soon therefore as Tamerlan had overtaken his Army Odmar who expected him and caus'd them to march in good order and slowly received him with the Captains and Souldiers with acclamations and expressions of joy calling him in the Tartarian Language Most great and victorious Emperour In the way he discours'd with his Captains concerning the Greatness and Beauty of the City of Cambaliâ—â— till he was come into the Tent prepar'd for him where he remain'd alone with Odmar He told him all that had been acted in that rebellious City afterwards he desir'd his advice whether he should visit the Great Cham his Uncle at that time or no. Odmar understood by his words that he remembred what Honours he had received at Quinsay when he was there and that he had a secret inclination to spend the Winter with the young Empress and to go in the Spring into China But as he was an Enemy of Flattery and loved his Prince entirely as one of his most faithful and chief Officers he spoke to him boldly in this manner Brave and Invincible Emperour let all the world understand I beseech you that Tamerlan knows how to use his Victory as well as to gain it Do not you mind that the Army which you have left upon the borders of China is busily imployed in fighting with the Enemy above six months that the Chief Commander is a Tartarian and one of the most considerable of his Nation Know you not that the Tartarians and Parthians never think a Prince worthy to reign if he cannot go with them to the War And do you not consider that you have undertaken this War to increase the glory of him who hath made you his Successor and inlarge the bounds of his Empire by re-taking the Lands which the Chineses have usurped It concerns you therefore in gratitude to recover them with speed Consider likewise that your Glory and Reputation will appear to him greater at a distance than near at hand and more pleasing because it will at a distance tend to inlarge his Empire and render his Affairs more prosperous whereas near at hand your Fame will but diminish his Reputation and it may be cause a jealousie in him Princes sometimes are subject to change and by a sudden repentance to strive to ruine the person whom they have exalted too high What need have you to undertake a journey so much destructive to your Honour and Glory Is it not better to spend the Winter bravely in your Tent with your Army than in the stately Palaces of Qâ—â—insay in an Effeminate Court where such as are not afraid to slander will not spare you but will ask where you have left your Army whether you threaten the King of China only at a distance who in your absence may perhaps cut all your Troops in pieces In such a case what a trouble will it be to gather together your dispersed Army bâ—â—sides your example will have an influence upon the
Christian before the Prince of Tanais with his Troops could overtake them so weak was the Enemies resistance This Victory enrich'd all the Souldiers of Tamerlan's Army for they found much Gold about them upon their Clothes Arms and Horses one of the King of China's Kinsmen who was stiled King was taken Prisoner with the chief Commanders that were saved from the furious slaughter which was made amongst them The sadness of this overthrow spread every where and soon came to the Ears of the King of China who was then at Quanton It filled all his Court with Sorrow Displeasure and Fear every one wept for his Friend or his Relation but this Prince who had always till then thought himself the happiest of all men was inwardly surpris'd without discovering himself to any of his Court as a man that commanded himself and his passions he gave orders to gather his Souldiers from all Parts and sent for his Priests that kept his holy things commanding them as their Lord in a passionate manner to offer Sacrifices for him to the Gods and chiefly to the Sun the greatest of the Gods whom they think to be immortal impassible the Cause and Author of their Beings that appears to men only for their benefit he sent likewise his orders round about the Neighbouring Provinces of his Empire to call together all that were able to bear Arms appointing them their Rendezvous at Pekin He imagined that Tamerlan would direct his course that way for it was the next City to his Camp and the great Lord of China called the Xianxi fail'd not to be ready with his fifty thousand Men to strengthen such as were to guard the Wall He hasted to oppose Tamerlan in his March into the Country and as his Men were all Horse well acquainted with the By-ways and narrow Passages they were a continual plague to Tamerlan's Army This wise Prince to secure his retreat caus'd the Wall and all the Forts that were there builded to be demolished that the passages might be open for the Garrisons they had all submitted themselves to the Conquerour after the Victory He treated the people of the Mountains so lovingly that he caus'd them almost to forget that they were under a new Lord. He rewarded well the Lord Vauchefu by giving a little County wherein were seven good Towns as Archii Ymulii Falisqâ—â—iem Fulii Cohensin Quialii Pulii and Quiamlu all which were adjoining to this Lords former Territories so that the Inhabitants were so much the more willing to obey him He made him also Governour of the Province next to that of the Xianxi and declared to him by his liberality that he was a Prince of his word his Brother he intended afterwards to gratifie This kind dealing of Tamerlan was very advantageous to him in making way for his succeeding Conquests for he that will subdue Kingdoms and Lands with ease must first conquer the hearts of the Inhabitants The Chineses are great admirers of those vertues that are not practised by them as of Love Affability Kindness and Mercy which Tamerlan's Souldiers were ordered to express to them and which is contrary to that cruel dealing with which they use to treat their Enemies that fall into their hands this Custom they borrow from the Indians their Neighbours When therefore they saw that this Prince handled them in a manner contrary to theirs and that he expressed so much affection for them they began to admire and honour him After the destruction of the Forts Tamerlan took advice which way he should march with his Army He had heard that the King of China had furnished his strong places and that with as many Men as he could gather together he was in his way to meet and fight him This news caus'd him to be not well resolved what course to take first whether he should assault a Town in sight of so powerful an Army or whether he should leave behind him places unconquer'd which might cut off all his Provisions and march directly to fight the King of China's numerous Army In this irresolution he desired to know his Officers minds He called them together and propos'd to them the business which could not be quickly resolved because of the diversity of opinions but at last this advice prevailed above the rest that no Town was to be left behind that they were to make speed and take it before the Battel that the Army might draw from thence Comfort Assistance and Provisions and that in case the Enemy would be so bold as to offer to relieve it that then they would hazard a Battel for this is the ordinary practice of a Conquerour and Assailant to venture a fight with the Enemy as it is the wisdom of the assaulted to decline it and never to yield to it but in necessity for by delays and light skirmishes and without engaging in a whole Body the Conquerour and Assailant is weaken'd and tyred out and by this means Fortune is oftentimes forc'd to declare for him and side with the assaulted The King of China ought in reason to have taken this course if he had been well advised but his ill fortune suffered him not as we shall see by the following Relation This design to march forward being resolved upon in a Council of War the Army went streight to Pekin to lay siege to it This is a great rich and populous Town well walled and adorned with many stately Structures Tamerlan thought that the King of China would rather venture a Battel than lose this City out of his hands He flatter'd himself with the hopes of winning it and the victory at once for the wonderful riches that were in it encouraged the greedy Souldiers to venture their lives boldly chiefly the Tartarians who are unsatiable for Prey and Plunder Odmar was order'd to march forward with fourteen thousand Horse to surround it and hinder the importation of Provisions that they might be useful to their own Army Axalla was appointed to follow him with all the Infantry amounting to one hundred and fifty thousand Men which he commanded as chief Collonel This Office given to him as a reward of his former services caus'd him to be look'd upon both in the Army and in the Court Tamerlan followed next with all his Horse and with his Engines his Artillery and Ammunitions Odmar went the first day twenty Leagues so that when he came to the Walls of Pekin the Citizens expected their King before the Tartarians He took into his custody all the Beasts thereabouts and seated himself in a convenient place to wait for the coming of the whole Army leaving the City between himself and them In the mean while to affright the Enemy and learn news he sent many Parties abroad and about three or four days after the Infantry led by Axalla came to him They sent then their Summons into the Town to command them to yield threatning That the Citizens should otherwise suffer all the Calamities that usually happen in cases
of resistance when they are overcome They returned this answer That they would live and dye faithful Subjects to their Prince This strong resolution proceeded from a new Colony that the Chineses had setled there of their own people after they had driven away the ancient Inhabitants who forty years before had been conquered by the Father of the Cham of Tartary and were his Subjects so that in the City there was no remembrance of the Tartarian Empire but in the Country round about they had a love for their old Masters for the Deputies of the little Towns came to submit themselves to Tamerlan This caus'd his Army to be full of all manner of Provisions and in such plenty that in the Province of Catay they could not have more this gave him great hopes and assurance of the success of his Enterprise for without doubt the want of Provisions and Forrage is the ruine of the greatest Armies and that which disappoints their most likely designs Thus the large and proud City of Pekin was regularly besieged and our Infantry commanded to draw near the Walls round about within a Musquet shot This dreadful sight of so many Enemies affrighted neither the Citizens nor the Garrison Tamerlan left nothing unattempted to reduce them and they used their utmost endeavour to defend themselves as much as could be expected from brave and resolute men In the mean while Axalla went to view a Suburb encompassed about with a Wall about half a League round when he had seen it he wisely imagin'd that the keeping of it would not be easie for the Inhabitants who would hazard too much in defending it he resolved therefore to assault it in the Night when he had first told the Prince All his men were ready at the first Watch with their Ladders and needful Weapons When the time was come the Assault was made in several places and the Tartars were beaten of but at last Axalla enter'd the Suburbs and cut in pieces all that were found in Arms about eight thousand men many of his Souldiers were killed before the Walls in the place where they expected them most likely to enter but in that which they won scarce any body was killed on their side The Plunder was rich and given to the Souldiers This loss together with the Courages of our men terrified the Inhabitants of the City and surprised them strangely so that then they began to despair of their safety of which they doubted not before They found themselves disappointed in their expectation of the coming of their Prince who had promis'd to be with them in fifteen days which were expired They saw this dreadful Army gaining every day Ground upon them and in a Post that commanded their City and from whence with the Artillery they intended and were preparing to batter it These considerations funk deep into many timerous Souls of the chief of the Town who desired more to gain the favour of the Conquerour by yielding in time than to deserve his displeasure by a long a fruitless and too obstinate a resistance But the Governour a great Lord of the Country well respected by his Prince assur'd them that the King was at hand that he would not fail to relieve and succour them in due time that they were not yet in any great danger that the City was yet theirs that the loss of one of its Suburbs was their advantage rather than a loss be-because the keeping of it was difficult and dangerous that now all their Forces were together to defend themselves and beat off the Enemy that for his part he was fully resolved to hazard his Estate and Life and give his Prince all the signs that he could desire of his Courage and faithfulness This discourse coming from such a noble and worthy person who acted himself what he required from them made a great impression upon the minds of the people and obliged them all to return to defend their Walls with a resolution to bury themselves in the ruines of their City rather than to yield basely Pekin is a large Town of a difficult access scituate in a plain surrounded with Mountains at a considerable distance There is only a Hill on the North-side which is nigh the Walls a River runs at the Foot of this Hill and near to it are the Suburbs that were storm'd so that on that side it was not easie to relieve the City or put into it any succours because the Tartarian Army commanded all the passages of the Mountains which were of old the Borders of China when Pekin belong'd to Tartary and serv'd as a Bridle to stop the Inroads of the Chineses They had no other way to succour the Town but along the River over which the Tartars had built many Bridges for the conveniency of their Army that kept the passages of the Mountains so that it was impossible for the Chineses to relieve the Town without the hazard of a Battel which Tamerlan desired and which should be the aim of all Conquerours in his Power and Condition In this posture the Army being passed before the City Odmar Calibes and the Prince of Tanais were often sent out with Parties into the Country to learn and understand something of the Enemy and to cause the Cavalry to subsist the better and keep the Provisions in the Camp for a greater necessity Besides the Souldiers were commanded to provide themselves before-hand with great stores of Victuals that they might be better able to subsist and not be obliged to raise the siege for any want in case the Enemy did offer to beset them This caus'd them to plunder several small Towns that would not bring them in Provisions so that though the Tartarian Army was numerous they had plenty of all things In the mean while the Chineses were more in number and stronger advancing towards us by little and little Tamerlan intended to meet them himself with his Cavalry and to leave the greatest part of his Infantry before the City to continue the siege which he prosecuted vigorously but the Inhabitants resisted and fought with Courage But to trie once more to win the Walls he commanded to plant against it all his Engines of War and to make a breach that his Souldiers might come to a handy-fight and assault the City with more ease This proceeding waken'd the resolutions of the besieged and terrified them wonderfully chiefly a Mount which was raised upon some ruines about a Bow-shot from the Walls upon an high place From thence the Tartars saw and discover'd the Guards within and shot into the City so that by day none dar'd appear upon the Walls This inconveniency oblig'd them to watch and work more carefully in their own preservation For that purpose they began to retrench themselves to secure their Bodies by a Wall that was to be two and twenty Foot high as many broad and fifty Foot in length As soon as the Besiegers perceived it they thought it not convenient to stay
got the advantage but at last when Calibes had been wounded and his Squadrons broken the Enemy for a time seem'd to have won the Victory The Prince who was an Eye-witness of this first charge before he withdrew back to his Reer saw this dishonour without any alteration in his Countenance His mind was so setled and unmoveable in prosperity and adversity he only said That the vast numbers of his Enemy though in a Confusion had oppress'd the courages of his men These thirty thousand Horse already defeated were almost all Tartarians that fight not in the same manner as the Parthians nor in that good order Two thousand of them retreated with their wounded Commander behind the Prince who caused his Wound to be search'd before him and ordered him to go back behind his Infantry with the other wounded Men where a great many other Tartars rallied That which Calibes could not perform with the Tartars Odmar did with the Parthians he charg'd and broke into the Enemies with that fury that he made a way through their whole Army and afterwards fell upon one of their Wings forcing them to retreat to their Chariots where the King was in person It had been wisdom to stop there or turn another way but his fury made him think nothing impossible for his Courage to perform this perswasion caus'd him to assault that dreadful Barricade that kept in the King of China who had march'd forward to help his Cavalry in their Retreat and obliged them to rally after they had been broken by Odmar But in this Attempt he found a strong resistance and lost a great many Men to no purpose This caused him to stop his Men and send to the Prince for Infantry and Artillery with which he assur'd him that he should gain the Victory At this news the Prince commanded his Party to stand and sent him fifty thousand Foot with some of his Artillery under the Command of Axalla whom he had order'd to force the Barricado of Chariots This brave Captain with all speed march'd up to Odmar and having put his Artillery in the Front with which he caus'd such a disorder amongst the Chariots that their Governours oblig'd the King to fight the Tartars He had an hundred and fifty thousand Men about his Person but Axalla was not terrified with this vast number of Enemies he was thereby more encouraged to fight so that he was never observ'd to have behaved himself more bravely and with greater success In the mean while Odmar slept not he knew that the Kings Cavalry that he had broken were rallied behind their Body of Foot he charg'd them again afresh scatter'd and put them to flight At the same time Tamerlan came in with a choise Body of Horse and the rest of his Infantry which he had commanded to advance to succour Axalla without any delay he charg'd and cut all in pieces that stood before him getting as far as the second Barricado of Chariots where the King of China was with forty thousand Men untouch'd Here the Fight was cruel for two or three hours every one striving to overcome but at last the Reserve of Horse with which the Prince had charg'd so vigorously assisting the Foot in good time got the Victory and put the Chineses to flight The Day was won in this manner after a bloody Fight of eight hours the Night put a stop to the Slaughter and favour'd the Chineses in their Retreat Their Camp was taken and plunder'd by the Tartars the King himself wounded with an Arrow in the Arm became a Prisoner two Kings that assisted him lost their Lives in the Hurly-burly and two others were taken with him This compleat Victory enrich'd the Souldiers with Plunder The Spoils were infinite and inestimable nothing but Precious Stones and Vessels of Gold and Silver appear'd every where with such rich and beautiful Chariots that they could not be too much admir'd After this happy success the Prince rode round about the Field as well to hinder more Effusion of Blood as to rally his Men and place his Guards he unburden'd himself of the rest of his cares upon Axalla leaving the King of China in his Custody in the middle of his Infantry He intended to see him the next day in the mean whiles he gave order to have him cured of his Wound and well treated There was nothing more beautiful to the Eye than the rich Armour which the Chineses had put on that day and the many Ornaments with which they had trimmed themselves for the diversity of colours yielded at a distance the most satisfying prospect in the World Their Army was more numerous than the Tartars but they had neither the dexterity nor the courage of Tamerlan's Men. They say that the King had in the Field three hundred and fifty thousand Horse and two hundred thousand Foot but the most part of them were unskilful Brutes who suffer'd themselves to be butcher'd without resistance and without making use of their Numbers for they had no knowledge in the Art of War or so little that they were not much the better for it Threescore thousand Men died in this Battle Tamerlan gave his orders for the burying of the dead and for thanks to be given to God for the Victory afterwards he caus'd all the wounded to be carefully healed of both Armies He went to visit Calibes who was ill with the Infection of the Air and of a Wound which hinder'd him not from performing his duty and commanding the Van as carefully as if he had been in perfect health The Prince was well pleas'd with him he look'd upon him as the chief Commander next to himself amongst the Tartarians for he was so well beloved by them that he was very well obeyed Tamerlan received news that one of the King of China's Brothers was fled with fifteen thousand Horse he sent thirty thousand to pursue him and commanded Panihu at the same time to yield This City readily obeyed sending their Keys which caused the Army to advance forward into the Country Tamerlan had been almost a day and a night on Horseback from which he lighted about two a Clock in the Morning they brought to him a Loaf of Bread and Water for he never drank any Wine afterwards he laid himself down upon a Carpet discoursing with his Officers afterwards till Sun-rising I was saith Alhacent always near him at that time and could never hear the least word from his Mouth which might discover any pride that he took in his good success he only pitied the King of China because of his unhapiness caused by his refusal of surrendring into his Hands what belong'd to him by right He told Odmar that God had led him as it were by the Hand to obtain that day without the loss of any of his chief Officers a great Victory that he was sorry for the death of his other Souldiers but he thought them happy because they had lost their Lives in the service of
Provinces of Glauture and Taperestan which till then resisted the designs and invasions of the Tartars As soon as Talismahar understood that the Army was approaching into his Country he resolved to draw towards them with his Cavalry and Infantry to strengthen the places which might stop and hold out against the Enemy He had with him thirty thousand good stout horse able to make resistance commanded as they were by an experienced General The Tartarian Army was tired out with their tedious journey and continual march besides they wanted provisions in this season in the beginning of the winter not fit for a Camp But Talismahar was chiefly troubled at the unconstancy of the Inhabitants of Tauris who were inclinable if any mishap should fall upon his Army to rise in armes against him and mutiny in the City This apprehension staid him in the place and caused him to send against the Tartars his Cavalry under the command of his Lieutenant named Camares a man of experience and faithful He order'd him to weary his enemies as much as possible and not to venture to fight but upon surprizals and in cases of advantage For Talismahar knew for certain that a great Army that must needs cover over a great compass of ground could not but scatter about His design therefore was to cut off the loose Troops and the skirts of the Army The Emperour foresaw his intent therefore he wisely commanded Axalla to be upon his guard and to take heed lest his men should be surprized unawares for he was already in the Country belonging to Tauris and had sent his summons to a Town named Cafechion which Camares had strengthen'd with a party of Souldiers The Governour refused to yield which caus'd Axalla to block up the place and with all speed he raised a mount on a sudden from whence the Tartars discovered their enemies upon the walls and killed great numbers of them But this disadvantage was so far from affrighting them that it seem'd to encourage them the more So that Axalla weary of their obstinacy commanded a general Assault which forced them rather by the numbers of the besiegers than for want of courage in the besieged The Tartarians spared none within the Walls but kill'd every man Whiles they were busily imployed in plundering the Town Camares arriv'd with a party of horse to relieve it not knowing that it was taken In his way he met with ten thousand Horse sent to wait in the road For Axalla had imagin'd he would make this attempt Camares sent four thousand of his men to attack them which they performed so couragiously that they drove them to their body of horse where Axalla was in person in the mean whiles Camares staid with the rest of his Army in good order animating and encouraging his men But when he saw what had happen'd he was afraid of the coming of the whole Tartarian Army therefore he sounded a retreat and marched still in good order with an eye upon Axalla's motion not to be surprized This experienced Captain soon perceived his intent therefore he order'd six thousand Parthian horse to follow close after him and to assault if they could the enemies Cavalry which was accordingly performed with courage The fight therefore was renewed between these six thousand Parthians and the four thousand enemies horse without any appearance of victory on either side but they still continued in their retreat observing a good order till they came to the passage of a River where Camares seem'd to intrench himself for that purpose he drew up all his men in order of battel and seized upon all the passages sending often his Troops to relieve them that were too hardly beset by the Tartarians but in the mean while Axalla had caused his Infantry to advance and to force one of the passages but they found that Camares with his men were gone a great way having left behind them a garrison in Gorgechin a small Town able to hold out eight or ten dayes this was the way that he took to weary and tire out the Tartarian Army besides he made a destruction every where of provisions and fodder that his enemies Army might meet with no relief in their march hoping by this crafty proceeding to lengthen the war But the Inhabitants of Gorgechin had no such resolution they had fresh before their eyes the sad example of a neighbouring Town sufficiently punished for its obstinacy in resisting the Tartarian Army they were not willing to fall into the same calamity but to improve the folly of their neighbours This caused them to desire to capitulate which was granted and the Town yielded up Axalla there understood that Camares was at Archiech ten leagues off He detached ten thousand Parthian Horse six thousand Scythian and ten thousand chosen Stradiots to see to surprize him The better to compass his design he sent a report before that Gorgechin did yet hold out against him in expectation of being relieved only to cause Camares to stay He advanced still with that chosen party and gave order to the rest of his Army to follow speedily after him By this subtlety he surprized the Enemies unawares in a morning as they lay encamped about a Country Town In the way he met with a thousand Horse whom he put to flight and pursued as far as their Camp Then he drew up his men in battle in the avenues and wayes thereabouts that his enemies might not escape without fighting And because they were so pen'd up that there was but one way for Camares to retreat with his Army Axalla placed there all his infantry in the enemies view when he understood that Camares had nothing but horse with him he caused several Trenches to be drawn to hinder the horse from getting out Of all these passages he had sent word to the Emperour who was marching speedily after him having sent before in all haste the Prince of Tanais with twenty thousand horse Camares thought that the whole Army had surrounded him seeing therefore a necessity either to yield without resistance or fight with disadvantage there being but one way for him to escape out which was also strongly guarded he resolved to save himself betimes For that purpose he had made a Trench a long a little hill under which he drew up his men with a full purpose to break through four thousand Tartarian horse placed there to guard that passage He thought that he could easily cut in pieces so small a number that stood in his way Therefore about midnight the Moon yielding a great light as Axalla was riding about to visit his Guards with two thousand Horse he understood that the Enemy was kindling fires about that Trench He soon perceived their intent therefore he gave orders to have all his Horsemen ready mounted This could not be so soon done but the enemies were making a way through the Guards at the passage They assaulted them at first with two thousand Horse who found the Tartars
for the most part a foot and unprovided so that they easily ran over them But as they were advancing they met with another Trench which had been drawn in opposition to theirs This stopp'd them a while and gave time and leasure to the Tartars to arm and succour their Companions Their enemies wanted no courage to resist and assault them for they won the Trenches which they laboured with the assistance of some foot to level In this place the hurly burly was great and the fight bloudy for the Infantry being suddainly broken could not easily rally but were almost all cut in peices But as they advanced further than they should have done they gave an occasion and time to six thousand of Axalla's horse who were upon Guard about half a mile distant to come in good time to charge them in disorder In this manner Camares passed over the first Trenches and was advancing forward to disingage his men when Axalla came in suddainly to him with two or three thousand horse whom he had found ready seeing therefore the danger of his men he charged without dispute the enemy who was looking about for a way to retreat with no intent to hazard a battle Doubtless they had escaped through a passage where they thought there had been no body if they had not met with six thousand men whom Axalla had appointed to stop there Cameres attackt them in vain he was driven back with loss which caused him to try another place lower with a purpose to fight his way through if he could not break through otherwise When he saw himself pursued so close at the heels by Axalla with seven thousand Parthian horse and Stradiots he faced about with twelve or thirteen thousand men that he had yet left and then like a furious beast in despair he fell upon Axalla's party In this moment of time he shewed his wisdome and courage and received the enemies charge without losing much ground At the second charge Axalla's horse was killed under him with a Lance but he was as soon mounted again had it not been for the coming in of Damacen whom he expected and who had orders to follow him with eight or ten thousand fresh horse he had been forced to a retreat When this party came in they found Axalla's men broken though they yet obstinately held out against the furious enemy But the coming of these fresh Troops routed and utterly defeated them When Camares saw unto what necessity he was driven he endeavoured to rally all his broken Army and to make way through his enemies but in this last attempt he was killed in the fight performing actions worthy of an immortal Name All this was done in the night by the light of the Moon The Prince of Tanais was then in the Camp to guard it The next day the Emperour himself arrived where the battle was fought when he saw the number of the slain he could not sufficiently praise Axalla for his wisdome care and carriage but he would not pardon the unworthiness the negligence and slothfulness of those Captains that were then upon the Guard who had been surprized unawares He caused two to be examin'd and tried they were found guilty and punished according to the Law of Arms. The Inhabitants of Archiecho had received into their Town five or six thousand of the sad remains of the Persian Army but when they saw the rest defeated and Camares head they had no courage to withstand or make resistance they desired therefore Articles The Emperour granted them peace upon condition that those Souldiers that were within their Walls should not return to Tauris but to any other place whither they desired to go They intreated leave to march to Lovain and promised to perform whatsoever the Inhabitants of Tauris should agree to This misfortune of Camares astonish'd them all they could not but wonder that he had shut himself up If he had had as they thought more discretion he had easily found work for the Enemy a while and doubtless in a retreat he might have met with an opportunity to fall upon the Tartars with advantage At that instant the Emperour caused his Army to decamp and went to lodge at eight leagues from Tauris The body of the Army was at Sederva and the Van at Chiara As soon as Axalla had appeared with his Vanguard before the Walls of Tauris The whole City was full of fears but much more when Tamerlan had sent in a Trumpeter with a message They were then in their Town house The faction of Guines though the weakest began to lift up their heads when they saw the contrary party troubled requiring earnestly that the Emperours commands might be obeyed When they saw the others wavering they seized upon one of the Gates of Tauris resolved to let in Tamerlan with his Army for they trusted in his generosity and good disposition But that we may better understand in what trouble these people were in we must know that as soon as they heard that Tamerlan was upon their borders they chose Talismahar for their Prince who before had been but their General They swore to him to die rather a thousand deaths than to yield to the Empire of the Tartars or to hearken to any accommodation when they saw how all things were changed they repented of their former resolution and of the choice they had made so unconstant are the minds of the common people They were so much the more dissatisfied with Talismahar because before he had declared that he was strong enough not only to withstand the Tartarians but also to drive them again into their Country Now all these promises seem'd to be but vain on the contrary they saw the enemies Army victorious and full of many sorts of people Camares and his men lately overthrown and the Tartars drawing near their Walls to block them up and punish them if they offered to resist They knew also that the Emperour had sent them word that if they would submit to him he would deal with them kindly and not suffer the Army to approach nearer than four leagues of their City Their Priests were the most obstinate to hold out for fear of being constrain'd to submit to the reformation of Guines But his superstitions began to appear less frightful to these Inhabitants They commonly said to one another Shall we for fear of that which may chance never to happen run headlong into our certain ruine Shall we be any longer cozen'd with the promises of our new Prince who hath been defeated Have we not heard of the plundering of Cairo and of the many Towns which Tamerlan hath conquered Who knows whither he will force us to be under Guines Whither he will not rather choose to keep us in his own hands that we may watch over that ambitious Prince whose wicked designs he perceiveâ—â— cloak'd with an appearance of Devotion and counterfeit Piety Let us free our selves from these fears by a bold resolution Let us
a Town It was his custome not to promote any to an employment till after he had been actually in Arms. Those persons only excepted who attended upon him About his time the Emperour received news from the Prince of Tanais Governour of Syria and Aegypt that all things were quiet in his Provinces which gave him a great content He took then a delight to embellish his City of Samarcande and chiefly in building a most glorious Temple which he named the Temple of Solomon and appointed it to be his own and his Successours Tomb. He caused the chief spoils which he had taken from his enemies to be hung up in it and caused the several battles that he had won and the Nations that he had conquered to be ingraven for Posterity to view And as he said for to acknowledge to his great God the favours that he had received from him He had with him a great many Christians skilful in several Arts and Sciences whom he had brought from all places where he had been with his Armies or who had been recommended to him for their skill For them he built a Temple and called it by the Name of Jesus Christ the Son of God Axalla and many others of the same Religion were the best and chiefest Souldiers of his Army for the Prince had confidence in them He trusted them as much as his natural Subjects and more than the most of the zealous followers of Mahomet He had given orders all over his Empire that Christians should have free liberty to exercise their Religion and that Jesus Christ the Son of God should be honoured and reverenced by all the World The Christian devotions were performed every day in the Army without molestation or hindrance And the Emperour had in his dominions many Countries where the Inhabitants were all Christians He gave orders that they should have liberty to profess their own Religion and be in as much esteem and favour as those of the Mahometan profession because as he said they worshipped but one only God and that they denied all pluralities as well as himself He hated all Idolaters in such a manner that wherever he went he pulled down their Idols he enslaved their persons and commanded them to be esteem'd so He could not have a greater joy than when any of his own or the Christian Religion discoursed to him of holy principles and precepts When their lives were without vain-glory he esteem'd them the more When they were not like certain hypocrites who had nothing but an outward sanctity by which they endeavour'd to surprise the minds of the people and to get an esteem amongst men He wondred most at the relation that was given him of men who of their own accord have forsaken the World for Jesus Christs sake to live only upon dry meats and without taste in loansome Desarts denying to themselves all the pleasures of life to embrace that which they judg'd to be most pleasing to God When he heard of the strange persecutions which Christians suffered under the Heathen Emperours he was grieved and this grief stirred up in him an inward affection for those that were of that Religion So that this great Prince had in him two good qualities which caused him to be well beloved by all the World Piety and Justice Three times every week he executed Justice to his Subjects in the City of Samarcande seating himself in his Throne with a Majesty well becoming the Monarch of the greatest part of the World But all this glory in which he appeared hinder'd him not from valuing the case of the poor and despicable more than that of the rich Other days were designed to sit in Council with his chief Ministers to consider of his weighty affairs of State In that place no person could be so bold as to disguise the Truth or to act or speak passionately without hazarding his Princes displeasure In this occasion he shewed not that indulgence which he expressed in all other occasions and actions of his life In this manner he caused himself to be dreaded and beloved of all his Subjects and chiefly of his Domesticks whom he never put out of their employments but when he was thereunto forced by some ill behaviour or relapses in wickedness which could not well be pardoned He never dismiss'd those who had served the Emperour his Unkle but retain'd them all in his service and increased their wages to remove or quallifie in some respects the displeasure they had conceived for so great a loss He bestowed great gifts upon strangers to win their affections and use them in times of need This wise and judicious dealing was not unknown to many great men of the Moscovites Court and Council who were the better every year for the Tribute which their Master sent in monies to the Emperour For he scarce kept any part of it for himself but gave it to them that he might oblige them the more to be his Creatures and send him intelligence of any thing that related to his interest He was so punctual and exact in his Revenues that those who had the management of them were obliged to give him an account every three months In an hour he viewed over the Receipts and Expences of his large Empire He had a great respect for his Super-Intendant or Lord Treasurer for he was a man of noted integrity free from bribes or corruption He received his orders from the Princes one mouth at every moment He had orders to pay off the Pensions of the Princes and chief Officers of the Crown without leaving this business to under Agents Such persons were to satisfie meaner Officers and pay off the other expences of the Empire But of all these payments the chief Treasurer was to be answerable in his own person and of all the misdemeanours of his underlings Therefore this Employment was very dangerous in this Empire Two were put to death by the Executioner because they had not prefer'd the Princes interest to their own private benefit Now the Revenues of the Emperour were not certain for he increased or diminish'd them according as need required After the death of the last Emperour he caused all the currant Coyn to be Stamp'd with his own Image prohibiting all other of any former impression When he was at Samarcande he reformed many things in his Incomes The report went about that he was resolved to make a great stock of monies but no man knew the cause He was naturally very liberal which gain'd him the hearts of all the World When he had passed over a day without bestowing some Gift he commonly said that he had spent it in vain By giving he said Men became like God whose Gifts never any body refused But to return to Axalla As soon as he was in the Army he caused all the Old Orders to be renewed and publish'd which the Emperour observed when he was with them They had been neglected every where through the Chieftains fault who to
possibilities of a retreat he dispatched away twenty thousand Horse more to second the Persians who seem'd to be almost all broken Then the Tartars were forced to give back with great loss if the Lord D' Halicen had not come in with a fresh party to assist the Prince of Tanais they had been routed for the Prince lost two Horses under him and was mounted upon the third Stucan was kill'd and all his light Horsemen overthrown When Axalla perceived the fault of the Prince of Tanais he was in dispair to see so glorious a Victory which God had given him useless or lost through other mens miscarriage and folly Turning therefore to his men in haste Now my dear Comrades Cryed he we must fight not so much for the glory of the Parthians as for their lives and safety and for the preservation of the whole Army Go said he to a body of ten thousand Horse which he commanded to ride forward Go and keep up the fight I will follow to relieve you or dye with you that our enemies may see that we will not part with the Victory out of our hands at so cheap a rate A few minutes after he advanced at the Head of forty thousand Horse divided into thâ—â—ee bodies which marched all three in a front keeping a Trot. And with them he charged the Turks who were already grown insolent and proud of their success For since the first onset of the Prince of Tanais they had alwaies had an advantage upon him and overthrown him in the third charge this poor Prince was cast to the ground and left as dead so that his fall had left them the Victory had not the ten thousand Horse sent by Axalla given a furious onset and beaten the enemies back By this means Axalla had time to advance He was desirous to revenge the Parthians losses and snatch the Victory out of the Turks hands and because it was then within two hours of night the shortness of the time required them to make haste He marched therefore strait to the Enemy with an intent to oblige him to fight At that time the Bassa having yet had no hand in the action wondered to see his men instead of driving before the ten thousand Horse led by the Lord of Halicen give back and retreat He advanced therefore with fifteen thousand fresh Horse with a resolution to end the difference and gain the Victory His first charge caused the Tartars and Parthians to give back but Axalla entered into the fight in that moment with all his Horse and forced the Bassa's men to give ground for they were not able to abide the furious onset of the Parthians who had a full intent to be reveng'd for the loss of their Companions for that purpose they cut in pieces a great many Spahis and of the rest of the Turkish Caâ—â—alry A Governour of Natolia named Lenauen who commanded a reserve of ten thousand Horse coming up to Axalla to joyn with him adventured against the Turks but to his loss for he had been broken and his men disorder'd The greatest part of them rallied near Axalla's person and charged with him to be reveng'd They drove back the Turks Cavalry with that success that they made them run in upon their Infantry and forsook them immediately afterwards Fear had so great a power upon their minds and infused a swiftness into their heels The Tartarian Horse seeing all out of order amongst the Turks foot dallied not with them but broke in amongst the thickest had it not been for the dark night they would have killed every man of them Above twenty thousand most part Janisaries retreated in good order they got over a River and hindered by that means the Tartarian Horse from obtaining so compleat a Victory as they desired The next day as soon as it appeared Axalla sent a party of Horse with the Governour of Natolia to pursue after the flying Turks and to hinder them from rallying together in one body It was a difficult matter to overtake them for they had marched all night without stopping and that in good Order commanded by the Captain of the Janisaries named the Aga. They complained of their Horsemen who had forsaken them basely when they were couragiously resolved to die for the Service of their Prince rather than to yield or give ground Axalla remaining still behind upon the bloudy field caus'd all the dead to be put into the ground the wounded to be taken care of and sent the Prince of Tanais into a secure place to be healed of a dangerous wound in his Leg received by an Arrow He marched next after the Turks for he had heard that the Bassa had got together near fourteen thousand Horse And that he might be able to follow them with more speed he left behind him all his bag and baggage And to separate them from the body of Janisaries he took a nearer way to them that he might get in with them before they were joyned together The Janisaries also marching a great pace got as far as the Sea side Axalla had commanded ten thousand Horse to follow them and all his foot that had not yet been ingaged to pursue and hinder them from escaping if it were possible They had marched a great way before and frustrated all the speed that could be made after them at Gallipoli they took Shipping and sailed over into Europe to seek for Callepin who was mightily incensed against the Bassa for he accused him for having forsaken his Army by a shameful slight because he had not chosen an Honourable death to the safety of his Life In this last ingagement the Turks lost above five and forty thousand men and Axalla about twenty thousand In both his courage and prudent acting met with great success and happiness Much was ascribed to chance and fortune Stucan was found dead under his Horse and his Buckler over his Face His death was much lamented all over the Army though his furiousness and indiscretion was likely to have ruined them all They rejoyced all for the safety of the Prince of Tanais who had been as it wâ—â—e snatched out of the Jawes of death by a Miracle Axalla congratulated him for his deliverance but afterwards with mild and yet significant words shewed him his unadvisedness in venturing to fight as he did and obliged him to purchase the Victory at a very dear Rate with the loss of twenty thousand men whereas they might have gained it without any danger or spilling of blood with a little patience The Prince of Tanais laid the fault upon Stucan and his light Horse who were advanced too far and protested that he imagined not the body of the enemies Army so near him as it was Prince Axalla told him that the fear of what might happen had obliged him to draw with his Army as near to the River as he could All these great successes and Victories which were able to puff up the minds of the
took Tana which belong'd to the Genoeses he recover'd Aches and Lopeso three considerable Towns which the Prince bestowed upon Axalla willing him to fortifie them and furnish them with all necessaries Some may wonder what moved this Genoese Prince who had refus'd the Government of the Kingdom of China and many considerable Towns to accept now a small Territory with more satisfaction and to prefer such narrow Limits to greater Dominions This discovers that strong affection that we have naturally for the Country where we came first into the World Axalla accepted of this Gift the rather because he might hereafter retire himself in Capha in case of necessity Though he held the second place and was next to the greatest Monarch of the World he seem'd thereby to confine all his ambition to this little Territory and preferr'd a small Portion of the Caspian Sea to a large Compass of Ground limited by Scythia and China and all the Countries conquer'd by his Master though he were well-beloved by the Souldiers and highly respected by all other Persons The Army continued sometimes about Mechet to refresh themselves The Prince till that time had employed himself in Hunting having left the whole Command of the Army to Axalla but now he took charge of it himself and caused it to march forward towards the holy Mountains where the Circassians and Georgians sent Ambassadours to him to offer him their assistance These People are numerous all professing the Christian Faith They have been always Tributaries to the Roman Emperour since the time that they were conquer'd by Pompey before that they were under the Jurisdiction of Mithridates whom this Roman General overcame They were joyful to receive Tamerlan's Army because his design was to free the Grecian Empire from the Tyranny of the Ottoman Family Axalla perswaded a great many of that Country to joyn themselves with the Army for they are noted for their courage and strength They are a sort of People tall well-set Bodies and very Warlike they have often resisted the Power of the Turks partly by their stoutness and partly by the scituation of their Country which is Craggy and Mountainous At the first noise of War they burn their Houses and waste the Country so that they are able to withstand by that means the Assaults of a powerful Enemy The Emperour was well pleased to behold these proper Men with their long Hair and took a delight to understand their Warlike Dispositions and Actions Therefore he gave an express Command That his Army should not do any injury to that Country They were at that time part of the Empire of Trapezuntium which belonged to Greece The Prince was received every-where with Honour and his Army supplyed with Provisions as much as could be desired here It was reported for certain That Constantinople was besieged by Bajazet who with a very powerful Army was set down before it and kept in the Emperour Paleologue and that all his Dominions were in a great danger to be lost The Turkish Prince could not believe that Tamerlan dared oppose his Designs Therefore when the fame of the Tartarian Armies coming spread about amongst his Souldiers he forbid by his Proclamation any person so much as to mention the Tartarian Army so highly did his proud mind despise and contemn it All the Inhabitants of the Country where this Army pass'd prais'd the Souldiery and wish'd them all happiness because they were orderly quiet peaceable and just in their dealings If a Souldier had stole but an Apple he was sure to dye for it without Mercy This severity was observed in all the March because this expedition was undertaken for no other purpose but to deliver these people from the fears and slavery of the Turks and force proud Bajazet to listen to some reason In this order the Army came to Bachichich where it stopt to take some refreshment eight days There the Embassadors of Guines a Man highly esteem'd for his Holiness met the Prince They offered him in their Masters name all the help and assistance that he could desire or want in this expedition they brought him some beautiful Horses and assur'd him in their Master's name that he should succeed in his designs for Guines was a learned Astrologer and a Prophet in those Parts The Emperour declar'd to them That he thought himself honoured by their coming in Embassy from such a Prince therefore he sent a rich Present of rare Furs and some Golden Plate Here at Bachichich he mustered and viewed his Army and gave them all their Pay both Horse and Foot exhorting them to behave themselves valiantly It was his constant practice to do so at such times He caus'd them also to exercise themselves with feigned Fights that they might be more expert and keep their order he was very careful of this which he recommended always to his Captains In those days every private souldier had the liberty to behold their Emperour with more confidence than at other times for the Prince gave them access and seem'd to cast off the Majesty and State which at other times hinder'd their approach that he might converse the more familiarly with them and encourage them to be brave and couragious At the departure of the Army from Bachichich it consisted of three hundred thousand Horse and five hundred thousand Foot of several Nations Tamerlan had heard how the Turks had conquered all Greece he imagined therefore That as soon as Bajazet should hear of their approach he would depart out of Asia into Europe for his security as Wisdom and Reason oblig'd him had he been well-advised but his Pride and Presumption caus'd him to take a contrary course to all the Rules of the Art of War for as soon as Tamerlan's Army was at Buisabuich beyond the Country of the Georgians Axalla left the Van which he commanded to ride back to the Prince to acquaint him with Tydings that he knew would please him That Bajazet had left the siege of Constantinople and was marching with all diligence to protect the Countries of Asia That he intended to fight him and that for that purpose he had sent for all the Troops that were in Greece and gathered all the Souldiers that he could possibly get from all Parts He did not trust so much to their Numbers as to the Courages Boldness Skill and Experience of his Janisaries who had been train'd up in War and knew not what it is to flye away The Emperour was joyful at this news but not insolent for he foresaw the Event of a Battel and confessed That a small number well-govern'd and bravely led on is able to carry away the Victory from a more numerous Army Three days he stop'd at Buisabuich whiles his Troops were drawing towards Euphrates that they might pass over that River and live in the Enemies Country and ease that of the Confederates Here the Prince sent an Express to the Emperour his Uncle to inform him of the raising of the siege
of Constantinople and of the resolution of the Turks to fight him in a pitch'd Battle He intreated him not knowing certainly the hazard of War to prevent the worst and give order that the Borders of the Empire might be well-guarded and secured with Souldiers That the Cavalry might be always ready with their Horses because the Neighbouring people who are wont to fawn upon the Conquerour in his prosperity change their minds insult and labour to spoil them when Fortune begins to frown Therefore wise Princes when they are ready to adventure their Army in a considerable Battle always labour to secure the entry of their Dominions for fear that victorious Enemy in pursuance of his advantage should deprive him of the power of recovering his loss by winning from him his Country This was Tamerlan's constant practice in such occasions He was more careful to call upon his people and advise them to provide for their defence than to send them notice of his Victory The Army left Buisabuich after that a Council of War had been held of the chief Officers and noblest Persons whom the Prince was wont to call together to propose his designs and desire their advice By this means he won their Affections which he knew how to reward such persons as were the farthest from him did sometimes receive Testimonies and Marks of his goodness and of his esteem with which he honoured them in the places where the Army continued a while and when it was at a stand But chiefly the Officers of Forraign Nations and of his Allies did often receive expressions of his bounty He did frequently invite them to eat at his Table where he did converse with them in a very obliging manner setting aside for a while all gravity and incommodious reservedness Amongst these strangers the Lord of Vauchefu a Chinese was one of the most esteemed and honoured by him He often said That the Vertue and Courage of Axalla together with the Affection of this Lord had made him Master of one of the noblest Kingdoms of Asia Therefore to shew how thankful he was the Prince had him often near his person and discours'd with him concerning the Customes and Manners of the People through whose Country they march'd This Lord brought with him some Troops out of China which kept company with the rest of the Army and observed the same Order and Discipline Thus the Army arrived at Garga where it pass'd over the River Euphrates the Van having gone over before at Chinserig The Rendezvous of the whole Army was appointed at Gianich which was surrendred at the first summons There Tamerlan understood That Bajazet was within thirty Leagues of that place which caus'd the Tartars to march more warily and more compact together The greatest part of the Cities and Towns in the way were yielded up into the Prince's Hands who treated them very kindly but those that offered to resist were severely punish'd if the Inhabitants were Turks but the Christians were commonly pardoned and set at liberty for the sake of the Emperour Emanuel Paleologue whom the Prince was resolved to gratifie in all things Axalla according to his orders caused them to take an Oath of Allegiance to this Prince whom he intended to re-establish in possession of his whole Empire and punish his dreadful Enemy whose ambition carried him to attempt the ruine and destruction of the once flourishing Empire of Greece without minding how much the Tartars were obliged to defend it This War undertaken by Tamerlan against him who was commonly called the Thunder-bolt of Heaven could not have a more just and reasonable ground for besides the horrid Cruelties that he committed upon both Sexes he endeavoured to take away the Empire from a Confederate Prince under a pretence of pacifying the troubles and rob one who had never offended him He often flattered him with fair promises which he never fulfill'd so that he had reduc'd him to that extremity that of a large Empire he had only a few small Towns remaining to him about Constantinople unto which he had laid Siege This undertaking therefore of Tamerlan was very honourable to free this Emperour from an apparent Tyranny and Oppression and to pluck out of the unmerciful Hands of so barbarous an Enemy a flourishing Empire and the most Magnificent City of the World In the prosecution of so honourable a design he expected with good reason the blessing and assistance of the great God of Hosts In this little digression I have thought fit to shew the greatness of his courage that led and inclined him naturally to help the feeble oppressed with unlawful Powers and to oblige the proud to listen to reason in imitation of God unto whom all Soveraigns should endeavour to be like The Army left Granich with joy and assurance of success Axalla who Commanded the Van sent before Chianson Prince of Ciarran with four thousand Parthian Horse to learn some certain news of the Enemy He commanded to destroy all places thereabouts with Fire and Sword and to bring him word where Bajazet was and what manner of Country was beyond Sannas This Captain who was highly esteem'd in the Army and Commanded in Axalla's absence the Van-Guard sent before his Party five hundred Horse Commanded by a Parthian Captain who had not gone above ten Leagues but he had news of the Enemy for as soon as he had surpris'd Sannas he was told that the Turkish Army was at Taraya in their march to meet Tamerlan Axalla sent notice of this to the Prince who commanded him to keep the place till the Turks were come up and to let him understand every hour all the news that he could learn Tamerlan had no desire to march any further because he was already in a large and spacious Field fit for a Battel He was forc'd to precaution himself and take care of his great business because he had to do with a War-like People us'd to fight against Christians a cunning People that want nothing to manage the business of War He consider'd therefore that though his Army was more numerous than his Enemies it was compos'd of many Nations who were to be govern'd with discretion for they were then to fight not with the Chinese a delicate and effeminate People but with true Souldiers who had no other hopes but in Victory Therefore the Prince forgot nothing that might be useful to him and help him in his business for that purpose he sent Axalla to take a view of the Ground unto which he intended to draw Bajazet to have his advice whether it were fit for a Battel It is scituated between the Sea or the Pontus Euxinus and Gianich near Sannas on the one hand it is bounded by a little River that runs into Euphrates He sent him word again to have a care to keep Sannas as long as he could and that in case they could not keep it they should set Fire to the Houses and burn it that the Enemy might not stop