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
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
all to their several Commands Immediately after news came to him That the Turks were drawing near and entring into the Field He was very desirous to see them in their march that he might be better able to order his Army according to that manner He moved them from the place where he stood sending before three thousand Horse to begin a light skirmish whiles he appointed to every one his Rank and Place In this view of the Enemy he had taken notice That the Turkish Infantry named Janisaries kept the middle having upon each Wing two Bodies of Horse amounting to about thirty thousand and that there was another Body that went before and covered all the Foot This order seem'd to him very strong and not easie to be broken I was once resolved said he to Axalla to fight on foot but now I see I must be on Horseback to encourage my men to break through that great Body of Janisaries which I shall suffer advance as far as they please I will have fifty thousand Foot on each Wing and forty thousand Horse of my best Cavalry in the middle behind them there shall be fifty thousand Horse in three Bodies which you shall command and I will follow and second you with fourscore thousand Horse more where I intend to be in person behind me I will have one hundred thousand Foot who shall march in two Battalions the Reer shall be composed of forty thousand Horse and fifty thousand Foot who shall not strike a stroke till I shall want them The reserve shall be ten thousand of my stoutest Horse whom I will send to the places that shall have most need The Prince of Ciarcan a famous Commander of great worth led the first forty thousand Horse The Lord Synopes a Genoese and Relation of Axalla his Lieutenant-General of the Infantry a Captain of a great Reputation was at the Head of the first Infantry Prince Axalla followed him with fifty thousand Horse Bajazet's Army seem'd to be very beautiful and numerous marching towards the Tartars who stood to their Ground without stirring only some single Troops Scythians and Muscovites went sometimes between the two Armies to skirmish a little but these bold Fellows performed nothing of consequence for the winning of the Victory At that moment a Spy was taken who inform'd Tamerlan That Bajazet who was then on Horseback encouraging his Men intended to fight that day amongst his Janisaries a-foot These Janisaries are certain brave and faithful Souldiers brought up from their Infancy in Feats of Armes and chosen out of all the Christian Nations beautiful and strong of Body and of a good Constitution They are train'd up from their Child-hood together and are esteem'd invincible They fight for their Prince and Lord with a strange resolution in the form of a Half-Moon about his Person They were then about thirty thousand in number Bajazet confided most in them not regarding the rest of his Infantry which was numerous for they were People gathered together from several places He had a brave Company of Horse about one hundred and forty thousand very well experienced in all manner of Fights He had also above thirty thousand Mameluks very good Horsemen and forty thousand Foot sent to him from the Souldan of Egypt to help him So that his Army seem'd to be as great as Tamerlan's which stood closer together and march'd in several Lines whereas Bajazet's had but one and appear'd in one Front It march'd on with a great noise and grievous threatnings whereas Tamerlan's Army observed a great silence in expectation of the Signal As soon as publick Prayers were ended the Emperour appear'd in the Van to be witness of the first On-set causing Axalla to advance forward he himself returned to his resolved Station when he had called upon every one to behave themselves well It is not to be imagin'd how furiously the Turks assaulted the Prince of Ciarcan who had orders not to fight until the Enemy were in their march and had begun to attack him The place was a large Plain of a vast extent where the advantage was equal for both Parties only there was a River on Tamerlan's left hand which he look'd upon as a benefit to his Army so that he gave an express and a strict Command not to suffer the Turks to take it from them because of that side which he esteem'd the best for his Men to fight It was always his Practise in War to suffer his Enemy to begin the Encounter therefore he ordered the Commanders of his Van-Guard to stay till the Enemy did first assault them In the mean while the Prince of Ciarcan with his forty thousand Horse was almost overthrown He did all that could have been expected from a great courage and a judicious Commander He broke into the middle of the Janisaries where Bajazet was and disorder'd them but his valour that overturn'd all things in his way was soon stop'd with an Arrow that struck him to the heart At that time Axalla went on with his Men and charg'd one of the Enemies Wings where he meeting with no great resistance cut them all to pieces His Infantry came then up to him according to appointment and with it he assaulted the Janisaries The Prince considering the difficult Task that Axalla was to have sent him ten thousand Horse out of his Body as well to favour the rallying of such as should be disorder'd as to charge a Body of Foot which were marching on to help the Janisaries who behaved themselves gallantly for the glory and safety of their Prince The Fight lasted a full hour before any Person did offer to retreat The Turks and the Parthians with a wonderful obstinacy killed one another in heaps Men and Horses covered the Ground in their Gore-Blood lying one upon another Here you might have seen some falling dead upon those that they had newly kill'd There you might have beheld some breathing out their last Gasp with threatning looks In every place were heard lamentations groans and the cryes of the wounded and dying Souldiers The Prince beheld this fight patiently looking for the end but when he perceived that his Men decreas'd and seem'd to be too weak he sent ten thousand Horse to second the ten thousand appointed for the Reserve and commanded them to fall on as soon as they should see that need requir'd In the mean while the Emperour enter'd into the Battel with his Party and broke through all that stood in his way and the Infantry Commanded by the Prince of Tanais advanc'd and assaulted the Janisaries where Bajazet was yet in Person They found no easie work to overthrow them but when the Emperour had again charged them the second time and followed by his Reer he overcame them rather by his number than by valour or courage for they performed all that could be expected from brave Men but so many Onsets one upon the Neck of another by fresh Souldiers oppress'd them Bajazet forsook this Body
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
Mountains deprived of the benefit of that Prey which they were wont to make in that Kingdom by their frequent Inroads They always brought back Herds of Cattel with which China abounds above all other places because of its good temperature being neither too cold nor too hot This Consideration together with that of their honour engag'd in the recovery of the Provinces which the Emperour of the Tartarians esteemed and valued at a high rate obliged Tamerlan to prosecute this Enterprise to please his Uncle and new Subjects and satisfie his own Passion The Army march'd softly to avoid wearisomness and in thirty Days got as far as Cipribit where news came to them of Calibes who was in his way to meet the Prince that entertain'd him very kindly He told him of all his happy Successes and then taking him aside he discover'd to him his design and Calibes gave him an account of all that he had done against the Enemy The next day the Prince took Horse and rid as far as Pazanfu where Calibes Army was quarter'd They had often encounter'd with the Chineses in Skirmishes and small Parties and by the experience they had got they judg'd themselves better Souldiers than their Enemies in Courage and Skill He caused them all to appear upon the Parade going from one Rank to another he took notice of every Souldiers Countenance and Behaviour he caused them to muster next and receive their Pay they return'd him Thanks Acclamations and Wishes for his health When Calibes left his Army to go and meet Tamerlan he had left the chief Command with the Prince of Tanais General of the Parthians who thought himself obliged by this opportunity to give some Testimony of his Zeal and Courage He went out with a small party and met with four thousand Horse commanded by the Kings Brother of China He drew them cunningly to the Fight and charg'd them so vigorously and successfully that he broke their Order and put them to flight The Night favour'd their Retreat they left behind five or six hundred dead to pay for their Companions and witness the Victory and Courage of the Prince of Tanais who return'd from this Encounter with many Horses and other Spoils taken from these Barbarians Tamerlan receiv'd him kindly and caress'd him in that obliging manner that his late generous Action had deserved and many others for he scarce suffered them to breathe He was the Son of one of Tamerlan's Sisters His noble Qualities as well as his Birth gain'd him the Love and Respects of all men He was yet but young but he had already done great Services to his Prince chiefly in that famous Battel against the Moscovites where he commanded the Reer for he was a good and experienced Commander The Prince of Tanais as we have represented him out of an earnest desire of Glory let slip no occasion to manifest his Courage and Skill in Arms As he was nearest to the Enemy he had an opportunity to discover in what places the Wall that stopt the Tartarians Inroads might be assaulted He had sent some Spies into China by secret and by-ways in the Mountains that are at the passage From them he understood all that happened there but his prudence had succeeded chiefly in winning by his insinuations one of the greatest Lords of the Mountains named The Lord of Vauchefu This Lord was displeas'd with the passages of the Chineses and Tartarians over his Ground or rather he had been won with the picture that the Prince of Tanais had given him of Tamerlan and of his obliging disposition This caus'd him to change his Master and make an agreement with the Tartars He went and discovered his mind to him who had first spoken to him of it telling him that he was ready to serve the Emperour and assist his Army against the Chineses The Prince of Tanais having kept this secret from Calibes discover'd it first to Tamerlan who with great joy sent for this Lord to speak with him He was mightily pleas'd with this invitation and appointed a day for this honourable Enterview Tamerlan without moving his Army went to visit the Quarters of the Prince of Tanais near the River of Lanquenne at the place appointed The Lord of Vauchefeu came to him thither to pay him his respects to offer him his Services with protestations of his faithfulness to his interest The Prince by his Interpreters told him that he would protect him against all his Enemies and that he would give him such Testimonies of his Love that he should never have cause to repent his kind offer after this Vauchefu discover'd to him a secret passage that he knew and leads into China by which it was easie to go in and surprise the Souldiers that were to guard the Wall That which troubled the Prince most was that Calibes an old and tryed Captain had represented this passage after a diligent search difficult to be won and that it was kept with fifty thousand of the best Souldiers of China the King was there in person and always on horseback to oblige every one to be diligent and ready and that the Forces he had there were sufficient to guard the Wall against all the World if it should offer to be assaulted The Prince gain'd this Lord by his kindness and gifts which were the richest Furs of Tartary many beautiful Horses and all the rarest things that he had with these he purchas'd his Affections and oblig'd him to discover his mind in these terms Know for certain mighty Prince that you will but trifle away the time if you believe it possible by force of Arms alone to force and win the Wall which the Chineses have built to hinder the Inroads of your Subjects let your Courages be never so great let them be heightened by your example and the remembrance of your former Victories and of the people that you have overcome let them be never so obedient to your orders which have obliged them to contemn the greatest dangers and death it self In a word all the skill of these worthy men whom you alone are worthy to command all these advantages will not prevail against the Wall of the Chineses which is guarded by fifty thousand men of the best Souldiers and which at the least notice shall be assisted by fifty thousand more commanded by Xianxi and when you shall be engag'd in fight with them weary and tyred out the King himself will come with two hundred thousand Horse and two hundred thousand Foot to assault you Suppose you should beat him also this cannot be without much Blood-shed on your side and then it will not advantage you much But to shew you great Prince that I am wholly yours and that the Civilities and Respects of your People have won my heart I will discover to you a way for fifty thousand men whom I will lead into China my self They shall fall upon those that guard the Wall before they are aware In the mean whiles
Christian before the Prince of Tanais with his Troops could overtake them so weak was the Enemies resistance This Victory enrich'd all the Souldiers of Tamerlan's Army for they found much Gold about them upon their Clothes Arms and Horses one of the King of China's Kinsmen who was stiled King was taken Prisoner with the chief Commanders that were saved from the furious slaughter which was made amongst them The sadness of this overthrow spread every where and soon came to the Ears of the King of China who was then at Quanton It filled all his Court with Sorrow Displeasure and Fear every one wept for his Friend or his Relation but this Prince who had always till then thought himself the happiest of all men was inwardly surpris'd without discovering himself to any of his Court as a man that commanded himself and his passions he gave orders to gather his Souldiers from all Parts and sent for his Priests that kept his holy things commanding them as their Lord in a passionate manner to offer Sacrifices for him to the Gods and chiefly to the Sun the greatest of the Gods whom they think to be immortal impassible the Cause and Author of their Beings that appears to men only for their benefit he sent likewise his orders round about the Neighbouring Provinces of his Empire to call together all that were able to bear Arms appointing them their Rendezvous at Pekin He imagined that Tamerlan would direct his course that way for it was the next City to his Camp and the great Lord of China called the Xianxi fail'd not to be ready with his fifty thousand Men to strengthen such as were to guard the Wall He hasted to oppose Tamerlan in his March into the Country and as his Men were all Horse well acquainted with the By-ways and narrow Passages they were a continual plague to Tamerlan's Army This wise Prince to secure his retreat caus'd the Wall and all the Forts that were there builded to be demolished that the passages might be open for the Garrisons they had all submitted themselves to the Conquerour after the Victory He treated the people of the Mountains so lovingly that he caus'd them almost to forget that they were under a new Lord. He rewarded well the Lord Vauchefu by giving a little County wherein were seven good Towns as Archii Ymulii Falisqâ—â—iem Fulii Cohensin Quialii Pulii and Quiamlu all which were adjoining to this Lords former Territories so that the Inhabitants were so much the more willing to obey him He made him also Governour of the Province next to that of the Xianxi and declared to him by his liberality that he was a Prince of his word his Brother he intended afterwards to gratifie This kind dealing of Tamerlan was very advantageous to him in making way for his succeeding Conquests for he that will subdue Kingdoms and Lands with ease must first conquer the hearts of the Inhabitants The Chineses are great admirers of those vertues that are not practised by them as of Love Affability Kindness and Mercy which Tamerlan's Souldiers were ordered to express to them and which is contrary to that cruel dealing with which they use to treat their Enemies that fall into their hands this Custom they borrow from the Indians their Neighbours When therefore they saw that this Prince handled them in a manner contrary to theirs and that he expressed so much affection for them they began to admire and honour him After the destruction of the Forts Tamerlan took advice which way he should march with his Army He had heard that the King of China had furnished his strong places and that with as many Men as he could gather together he was in his way to meet and fight him This news caus'd him to be not well resolved what course to take first whether he should assault a Town in sight of so powerful an Army or whether he should leave behind him places unconquer'd which might cut off all his Provisions and march directly to fight the King of China's numerous Army In this irresolution he desired to know his Officers minds He called them together and propos'd to them the business which could not be quickly resolved because of the diversity of opinions but at last this advice prevailed above the rest that no Town was to be left behind that they were to make speed and take it before the Battel that the Army might draw from thence Comfort Assistance and Provisions and that in case the Enemy would be so bold as to offer to relieve it that then they would hazard a Battel for this is the ordinary practice of a Conquerour and Assailant to venture a fight with the Enemy as it is the wisdom of the assaulted to decline it and never to yield to it but in necessity for by delays and light skirmishes and without engaging in a whole Body the Conquerour and Assailant is weaken'd and tyred out and by this means Fortune is oftentimes forc'd to declare for him and side with the assaulted The King of China ought in reason to have taken this course if he had been well advised but his ill fortune suffered him not as we shall see by the following Relation This design to march forward being resolved upon in a Council of War the Army went streight to Pekin to lay siege to it This is a great rich and populous Town well walled and adorned with many stately Structures Tamerlan thought that the King of China would rather venture a Battel than lose this City out of his hands He flatter'd himself with the hopes of winning it and the victory at once for the wonderful riches that were in it encouraged the greedy Souldiers to venture their lives boldly chiefly the Tartarians who are unsatiable for Prey and Plunder Odmar was order'd to march forward with fourteen thousand Horse to surround it and hinder the importation of Provisions that they might be useful to their own Army Axalla was appointed to follow him with all the Infantry amounting to one hundred and fifty thousand Men which he commanded as chief Collonel This Office given to him as a reward of his former services caus'd him to be look'd upon both in the Army and in the Court Tamerlan followed next with all his Horse and with his Engines his Artillery and Ammunitions Odmar went the first day twenty Leagues so that when he came to the Walls of Pekin the Citizens expected their King before the Tartarians He took into his custody all the Beasts thereabouts and seated himself in a convenient place to wait for the coming of the whole Army leaving the City between himself and them In the mean while to affright the Enemy and learn news he sent many Parties abroad and about three or four days after the Infantry led by Axalla came to him They sent then their Summons into the Town to command them to yield threatning That the Citizens should otherwise suffer all the Calamities that usually happen in cases
of resistance when they are overcome They returned this answer That they would live and dye faithful Subjects to their Prince This strong resolution proceeded from a new Colony that the Chineses had setled there of their own people after they had driven away the ancient Inhabitants who forty years before had been conquered by the Father of the Cham of Tartary and were his Subjects so that in the City there was no remembrance of the Tartarian Empire but in the Country round about they had a love for their old Masters for the Deputies of the little Towns came to submit themselves to Tamerlan This caus'd his Army to be full of all manner of Provisions and in such plenty that in the Province of Catay they could not have more this gave him great hopes and assurance of the success of his Enterprise for without doubt the want of Provisions and Forrage is the ruine of the greatest Armies and that which disappoints their most likely designs Thus the large and proud City of Pekin was regularly besieged and our Infantry commanded to draw near the Walls round about within a Musquet shot This dreadful sight of so many Enemies affrighted neither the Citizens nor the Garrison Tamerlan left nothing unattempted to reduce them and they used their utmost endeavour to defend themselves as much as could be expected from brave and resolute men In the mean while Axalla went to view a Suburb encompassed about with a Wall about half a League round when he had seen it he wisely imagin'd that the keeping of it would not be easie for the Inhabitants who would hazard too much in defending it he resolved therefore to assault it in the Night when he had first told the Prince All his men were ready at the first Watch with their Ladders and needful Weapons When the time was come the Assault was made in several places and the Tartars were beaten of but at last Axalla enter'd the Suburbs and cut in pieces all that were found in Arms about eight thousand men many of his Souldiers were killed before the Walls in the place where they expected them most likely to enter but in that which they won scarce any body was killed on their side The Plunder was rich and given to the Souldiers This loss together with the Courages of our men terrified the Inhabitants of the City and surprised them strangely so that then they began to despair of their safety of which they doubted not before They found themselves disappointed in their expectation of the coming of their Prince who had promis'd to be with them in fifteen days which were expired They saw this dreadful Army gaining every day Ground upon them and in a Post that commanded their City and from whence with the Artillery they intended and were preparing to batter it These considerations funk deep into many timerous Souls of the chief of the Town who desired more to gain the favour of the Conquerour by yielding in time than to deserve his displeasure by a long a fruitless and too obstinate a resistance But the Governour a great Lord of the Country well respected by his Prince assur'd them that the King was at hand that he would not fail to relieve and succour them in due time that they were not yet in any great danger that the City was yet theirs that the loss of one of its Suburbs was their advantage rather than a loss be-because the keeping of it was difficult and dangerous that now all their Forces were together to defend themselves and beat off the Enemy that for his part he was fully resolved to hazard his Estate and Life and give his Prince all the signs that he could desire of his Courage and faithfulness This discourse coming from such a noble and worthy person who acted himself what he required from them made a great impression upon the minds of the people and obliged them all to return to defend their Walls with a resolution to bury themselves in the ruines of their City rather than to yield basely Pekin is a large Town of a difficult access scituate in a plain surrounded with Mountains at a considerable distance There is only a Hill on the North-side which is nigh the Walls a River runs at the Foot of this Hill and near to it are the Suburbs that were storm'd so that on that side it was not easie to relieve the City or put into it any succours because the Tartarian Army commanded all the passages of the Mountains which were of old the Borders of China when Pekin belong'd to Tartary and serv'd as a Bridle to stop the Inroads of the Chineses They had no other way to succour the Town but along the River over which the Tartars had built many Bridges for the conveniency of their Army that kept the passages of the Mountains so that it was impossible for the Chineses to relieve the Town without the hazard of a Battel which Tamerlan desired and which should be the aim of all Conquerours in his Power and Condition In this posture the Army being passed before the City Odmar Calibes and the Prince of Tanais were often sent out with Parties into the Country to learn and understand something of the Enemy and to cause the Cavalry to subsist the better and keep the Provisions in the Camp for a greater necessity Besides the Souldiers were commanded to provide themselves before-hand with great stores of Victuals that they might be better able to subsist and not be obliged to raise the siege for any want in case the Enemy did offer to beset them This caus'd them to plunder several small Towns that would not bring them in Provisions so that though the Tartarian Army was numerous they had plenty of all things In the mean while the Chineses were more in number and stronger advancing towards us by little and little Tamerlan intended to meet them himself with his Cavalry and to leave the greatest part of his Infantry before the City to continue the siege which he prosecuted vigorously but the Inhabitants resisted and fought with Courage But to trie once more to win the Walls he commanded to plant against it all his Engines of War and to make a breach that his Souldiers might come to a handy-fight and assault the City with more ease This proceeding waken'd the resolutions of the besieged and terrified them wonderfully chiefly a Mount which was raised upon some ruines about a Bow-shot from the Walls upon an high place From thence the Tartars saw and discover'd the Guards within and shot into the City so that by day none dar'd appear upon the Walls This inconveniency oblig'd them to watch and work more carefully in their own preservation For that purpose they began to retrench themselves to secure their Bodies by a Wall that was to be two and twenty Foot high as many broad and fifty Foot in length As soon as the Besiegers perceived it they thought it not convenient to stay
till this work should be finished but rather to try Fortune and endeavour by an assault to win the Walls In prosecution of this design and resolution the Prince sent for Axalla into his own Quarters because it concern'd him most in regard of his Office and because during this siege he had been most active he told him his intentions desiring him to prepare himself and his men for the next morning As soon as Axalla had drawn out his Souldiers he assaulted the Wall which was stoutly defended by the besieged but at last this Captains Valour assisted by twenty thousand of his Men took it by force and fortified himself there He could scarce keep back his Souldiers in their heat and fury from breaking in further according to the commands of Tamerlan which he was perswaded to give for two reasons First because he did not desire that the City should be won by assault for it was rich and full of all good things he was therefore afraid that the Enemies Army should come at that Instant when his Souldiers were busie in plundering the houses which would have caused their utter overthrow for rich Souldiers who have much to lose can never fight well Secondly he stopt his men from taking the City by assault because he intended to make of it a Magazine to furnish his Army and carry on his designs with greater security The loss of the Wall abated not the Courages of the besieged they defended themselves as obstinately and bravely as before in hopes of receiving speedily some succours from their King who was near at hand as they were rightly inform'd But in their greatest expectations the accident of a shot cast from one of the Engines which struck down a piece of Wood and wounded the Governour dangerously caus'd them to lose their Courages This worthy person so affectionate to his Prince and Country died of this Wound a few hours after leaving his Souldiers without heart or resolution for this brave Commander by his example and perswasions obliged them to hold out so long This unexpected accident forc'd them to consent to a Treaty with the Emperour before he should hear any news of their misfortune and of the loss of the numbers of men who had been killed in defending the Wall They expected better and more honourable Articles Tamerlan began to be weary with the long siege eight days were spent since the last assault and he saw no change in the Citizens resolutions and understood not that the King of China made any haste to fight him but when the King heard the Governour of Pekin was kill'd he was afraid of the consequence this made him draw towards the Besiegers with more speed with his Army in Battel Axalla who lodged upon the Wall perceived the Enemy first he went therefore to inform the Prince he rejoyced to hear such good news but his joy was much more increased when he saw the Deputies of the City who came to yield themselves and their City into his hands The Emperour receiv'd them with his wonted kindness promising the Inhabitants his protection if they would continue to him faithful but he threatned them with severe punishments if they offer'd to revolt The Articles were agreed to the Garrison in number about eighteen thousand men went out they were the remainder of thirty thousand in the beginning of the siege which lasted two full Months The Citizens were confirmed in all their priviledges and were mightily taken and enamoured with the sweet and loving disposition of their new Lord. At this same time the King of China who was at hand with all his Army understood that the City was delivered up by the Garrison that he met in his way The Lieutenant Governour he commanded to be executed with many Captains for their Cowardice but he pardonned the Souldiers who were not so guilty He commanded all his Army to stop their march in the very place where he received the news of this Cities surrender thinking more convenient to wait for Tamerlan there in a Ground that lay well for his Forces to draw up The Tartars spent eight days in repairing the breaches and furnishing the Town with all necessaries fit to abide a siege whatever happened The Emperour also mustered his whole Army paid off his Souldiers increased their Wages and rewarded every man according to his deservings he ascribed the honour of this Conquest so considerable to the cares and wise conduct of Axalla therefore he offer'd him the Government over this City and the Country which he had already conquered but he very fairly refused it desiring the Prince to bestow it upon some other Body because he desired no other reward but to bear a share in the labours of his Master whose Glory should be his chief aim and desire This answer pleased the Prince for he had offer'd it to him only because he had well deserved it but he was not willing that he should take it for he was desirous to have him always nigh his person knowing that he was courageous faithful and ingenious and well experienced in the Affairs of War When he refus'd it the Prince of Tanais accepted it with the Title of Vice-Roy Tamerlan having set all things in good order and dispatched some Messengers to the Emperour his Uncle and all his Friends to inform them of his happy successes and satisfied his Souldiers who were ten thousand men less than before he caus'd Prayers solemnly to be offer'd up to the God of Hosts during a whole day After this he march'd to find the Enemy who was with all his Army of his Subjects and Allies at Sintehâ— As soon as the King of China had understood that our Army was passed over the River of Culifu he caus'd it to be proclaimed all over his Camp that every one should be ready to fight for he did not desire to see the Tartarians farther in his Country to eat it up and destroy it But there was no Wisdom in that resolution for it caus'd him to lose his own advantages and run head-long into the mischief that was at hand for had he lengthened the War as he ought the many and strong Towns which were to be besieged one after another would have undermined Tamerlan's Army and render'd it unable to stand against his fresh Troops and for the Tartars they could not in reason advance so far as to leave behind them any one Town which might have cut off their Provisions Reason and Justice obliges Commanders of an Army to deal in this manner otherwise they may soon destroy the most flourishing Army Therefore the Emperour could not but say privately to some about him not in a boasting manner for he never us'd to boast of the greatest advantages that he hath had over his Enemies That the King of China was ill advised to desire a Battel that he would doubtless have cause to repent of this folly at his leisure because his Souldiers were not to be compared to his Men in
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
them one hundred thousand Crowns for their releasement That no Chinese within his Territories should hereafter be kept Prisoner or sold as a Slave That there should be a free Trade between both Kingdoms That the King of China should leave as Hostages for the performance of the Treaty his Brother and the two Kings that were Prisoners and besides them twelve other Lords of China who should be exchang'd every year by a like number that should take their rooms and bring with them the Tribute of two hundred thousand Crowns These conditions though hard and grievous were accepted because they were not in a condition to refuse them for their Armies were destroyed their strength was weakened the best Men and the flower of their Army kill'd or wounded and the remainder were affrighted their King taken two Battels lost the two chief Cities of the Kingdom snatch'd out of their hands and all their chief Passages at their Enemies command In regard therefore that they were threatened with a general desolation and all the Country was full of fears and apprehensions they reckon'd that favour was shewed to them to spare that which was left of their Kingdom which would infallibly and totally be ruin'd if the Peace was not concluded and their King set at liberty They were well inform'd that the Emperours Army was to be recruited with other fresh Troops that were in their march towards the Army All these things considered caus'd them to resolve and yield to the conditions required without any further debate taking a strong resolution to bear with patience the Yoke of their Bondage until such time as they should have a favourable opportunity to assert again their own liberties and free themselves from the Tartars In the mean while the Prince had dispatch'd two thousand Horse with a Commission to bring with them the King of China from Burda that he might swear to the Peace in Freedom At Quanton he took the Oath Tamerlan departed immediately to Pekin carrying with him all the Hostages and amongst the rest the Kings eldest Son and Brother The King went into his Kingdom to appoint all things for the performance of the Articles agreed upon He was received by his People with strange transports of joy insomuch that they seem'd to adore him Tamerlan's vigilancy was mindful of every thing that might secure his conquered Countries He look'd upon Odmar as the fittest Person to leave behind him and govern in his absence he made him therefore his Vice-Roy giving him an absolute power over all the Country with thirty thousand Horse and fifty thousand Foot well furnish'd with all needful things they were to be dispers'd into all the Garrisons and Strong-holds He wish'd him to make his ordinary abode at Quanton to cause good and strong Guards to be kept all along the River and to build a Fort at Dermio to secure that place He recommended to him the Person of the Lord of Vauchefu who had express'd so much zeal and affection to him in this War and so much experience in Publick Affairs for his Brother he was willing to keep him near his own Person and give him an Estate in Sachetay where he enrich'd and enobled him He invited also several of the Inhabitants of Quanton and of other places to serve him with an intention to settle them in his own Country and send thither Parthians in their stead to arm himself by that means against their inconstancy All things having been thus order'd the Army took the way to Cambalu but before they began to march the Prince sent to the Emperour his Uncle to inform him of his happy successes and return In this Court were several jealous Heads that blam'd Tamerlan for what he had done because he had not subdued and destroyed all China But they understood not the difficulties that were to be overcome and that it is not always good to pursue things to the uttermost that turnings of Fortune are too ordinary that such as would have too much more than they ought lose often what they might have kept with honour and safety In trurh by keeping what he had conquer'd Tamerlan could justly name himself King of China He had in his Possession two of the most beautiful and greatest Cities of the Kingdom with an infinite number of lesser Towns with an hundred Leagues in the Country limited with a great River which could not hinder him from going over to the Enemies at his pleasure and yet stop'd them from coming into his Dominions without danger and trouble in regard of the easiness of the guard and defence of it The King of China could not fail to pay his yearly Tribute but he must at the same time draw upon himself the inconveniences of his Army So that by this Peace Tamerlan got more honour and deserved more praises than if he had destroyed all China with Fire and Sword and ruined a People that had yielded themselves into his Hands so freely to pay him Tribute One thing chiefly surprised the Chineses and caus'd them to be strangely grieved It was the Command that the Prince gave Odmar before his departure to break down all the Idols that should be found within his conquer'd Country for he order'd them all to worship but one only God according to the Custom of the Parthians unto whose Religion he wish'd that they would join and accustom themselves The People expected no such proceedings but they hoped to enjoy all their ancient liberty in all respects but now they saw that they must of necessity yield to this Order seeing that the Prince had left Odmar to Command them one of the wisest and most experienced Captains of his Empire who had always a care to observe and put in execution his Lords Commands When Odmar took his farewel of the Prince he humbled himself as low as his Feet according to the Custom of the Country but the Prince raised him up with a smiling Countenance I perceive saith he that thou art become a Chinese seeing that thou offerest to worship me as they do their King but the greatest worship that I require of thee is that thou shouldest put my Commands in execution I intreat thee above all things to establish amongst my new Subjects the Honour and Service of God and next my Authority and remember that all these Persons that I leave at thy command have been subdued by the Sword and not by Love or their own Inclinations so that they are to be kept in and under by fear and not to be trusted too far I recommend my affairs to thy care Farewel The Assistants took notice at this separation that the Prince never left any Body with so much regret and displeasure as he did then Odmar But it was absolutely needful to leave such an one as he was in this Country a Man of that extraordinary wisdom faithfulness and experience The Army in their return homewards carried with them all their sick People and after two days March they
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
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
mean while Tamerlan being highly incens'd at this great affront of those of Gevolach was resolved to besiege it for that purpose he caus'd it to be surrounded and his Infantry to make their approaches by the means of his Engines and Artillery They gave a furious assault but were driven back with the loss of about twelve hundred Tamerlan more angry than before at this repulse caused the Town to be assaulted the second time the Prince was then wounded but mauger the enemies stout resistance Tamerlans men won the Walls from whence they shot continually and killed a great many within At this same time the Prince was informed that the Sultan was hastening to succour and relieve Gevolach according to his promise to the Inhabitants This news caus'd him to repent that he had suffer'd Axalla to advance so far before the rest of the Army To amend his fault he resolved to go and joyn with him hoping by this means to surprize the Enemy who doubtless would think that Axalla was alone and would not imagine that Tamerlan could be so near at hand for this purpose he left the Prince of Taenais with thirty thousand men to continue the siege and march'd with the rest of his Army without baggage towards Borgas There he heard that the Sultan was gone over the River at Confingan with about threescore and fourteen thousand horse and one hundred thousand foot In pursuance of his design he understood at Aleppo the place where the Enemy was encamp'd intending to surprize him for that purpose he sent Axalla about half a dayes journey before and followed him with the remainder of the Army Fourteen or fifteen of the Scouts were cut in pieces before their Comrades could help them because the wayes were uneven and crooked The Enemy was misinform'd they Imagin'd that only the Troops about Aleppo were near them which Axalla commanded They fell therefore upon him sooner than he expected without delay he gave notice of it to the Emperor at the same instant intreating him to make all speed and advance forward and that he would endeavour to dally with the Enemy to give him more time to come up to him and for that intent he would pitch upon a convenient ground to fight At this news the Prince dispatch'd away Calibes with twenty thousand horse they were so happy as to joyn with the rest in good time because of a long and narrow passage which led into a valley through which the Enemies were forced to go softly This accident gave time to Axalla to send Tamerlan word and to post himself in the most favourable place that the Country afforded for otherwise he had been constrain'd to retreat back to the Emperour in the best order that he could possibly observe Having therefore planted himself in that place he assaulted the Enemy with small parties as they came down from the Mountain For at the bottom they intended likewise to draw up their men for the fight in the mean whiles Cabiles was come in with his Ten thousand horse which encouraged Axalla the more for before he had but thirty thousand horse and Ten thousand more led by Andronicus but these were for the most part of Albania very good Souldiers This Prince desired of Axalla to grant him the first on-set which he dar'd not to refuse him for fear of displeasing him He begun the fight so furiously that he overthrew and killed a great many Enemies but he was one of the first killed mortally wounded in this charge and unhappily killed for want of a timely releif He was without doubt a Prince of an Heroick Spirit for in that tender age he shewed sufficiently that he did not degenerate from the Honor and Noble minds of his Ancestors Axalla succeeded him with his Body of horse partly Parthians partly Christians who were paid by Tamerlan with this Body he prevailed so well upon the Sultans Troups that he scatter'd them and broke in as far as the Infantry where he had need of new courage and resolutions to withstand the fury of that body of foot But his party who had been alwayes used to overcome wherever he led them ingaged against the foot which so much success that they had almost defeated them and put them to flight but Axalla recalled them back In the heat of the Battle a body of five and twenty thousand of the Enemies horse where the Sultan was in person charg'd Calibes furiously and was received with the same gallantry at that instant Axalla return'd back from the Infantry which he had left half overthrown and seeing Calibes ingaged and worsted he assaulted the Mamelucks upon the Flanks and disorder'd them but a body of fifteen thousand horse which stood behind the infantry with orders not to fight but when they saw great need broke in upon Axalla's party in the same manner put them in disorder kill'd Axallas horse wounded him and took him Prisoner A cowardly horse man at that instant without staying to observe what followed clap'd spur to his horse and with all speed went to meet the Emperour to tell him this news which afflicted him to the heart because he repos'd himself much upon Axalla's courage skill and experience This caus'd him therefore to make the more haste he came into the Battle so seasonably that had he not arriv'd as he did the Victory had been lost he had sent before Ten thousand horse and followed with five and twenty thousand more of his stoutest Souldiers besides he had five and twenty thousand of his Auxillary Troops upon the Wings His coming chang'd the face of the battle for the Sultan not knowing any thing of this body of men that were going to fall upon him he being not able to discover them at a distance because of a Valley through which they passed he was strangely surpris'd when he saw them first appear at that very time when the Troops Commanded by Calibes and Axalla resisted in a disorder The ten thousand Horse sent before came in fresh and charg'd the Mamelucks who thought they had already won the day the Emperour also at that instant followed with all his Cavalry and Infantry So that the Sultan was forc'd to sound a retreat for he was not able to withstand so great a fury and saw that the whole Army was come against him Then he perceived but too late his rashness and unadvisedness in that he had not sent to view his enemies Army In the mean while Axalla had disingaged himself from the Souldier that had taken him prisoner He was a foot a little while but being known by one of his men he was mounted again and they understood that he had but a light wound The Emperour to hinder the Sultan from rallying his men pursued his Victory three full leagues This unhappy Prince had three Horses kill'd under him in the ingagement where he perform'd the duty both of a Captain and of a common Souldier But he had committed a fault that was not
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
bodies and that the wrinkles which appeared upon his face told him that his youthful days began to pass away and that this decline made him fear that Fortune would retake from all that she had given him He was the more earnest and passionate to return home because he was resolved to imbellish the City of Samarcand and eternize there his name and memory for that purpose he saught every where for all skilful Artists and men of industry and of comely Bodies and Countenances to carry them to this City that they might adorn it and cause it to be distinguish'd from all others As this had been his Cradle he was resolved to make it his Tomb and to restore to the same ground that which he had borrowed from it A certain Heathen unto whom the Prince had shewn the stately Sepulcher that he built for his body which this man wondred at and ask'd him where he would build another for his Soul The Prince with his eyes lifted up towards heaven answered him That his Soul should return to the place from whence it was taken seeing that it was of a Divine Substance I may take notice of one remarkable passage more he was reproved by a noted Priest of the Mahometan Faith because he forced not all the People that he subdued to make profession of the same Religion My Friend replied Tamerlan to him I shall never do that I cannot but think that God delights in the diversity of Religions amongst men He hates only those that have no Religion or that deny him such Persons I would willingly banish out of the World It is not but that I am fully perswaded that the way and method of my worshipping of him is the most pleasing to him But I shall give liberty to every one in all places of my Empire to adore him as they all believe that he ought to be in case their intent be to honour him alone and not to disgrace him by irreverence Therefore he thought that every one ought to continue in the Religion where he was born and brought up in case one only God was worshipped I thought fit to publish these particulars of Tamerlans Religion for there was no man that spoke of God with more respect and dread which was so great that none could imagine a more sincere and more extraordinary devotion than that which he expressed outwardly To return to the history The Emperour received news that Calibes in whole place the great Chamberlain govern'd the Army was in his way and near Alexandria which report caused an universal joy all over the Army for his coming was likely to hasten their departure to their native Country where they should rest from their labours and dangers after the conquests of so many Nations Axalla was commanded at the same time to return with his Army and the parties that were dispersed abroad had orders sent them to gather together in one body the Emperor thought fit to take out of Alexandria seven or eight thousand Inhabitans placing other people in their stead and to leave in Garrison six thousand horse and ten thousand foot Whiles these things were doing Calibes arrived and was received by the Prince in that kind manner that his services had deserved he gave him his Commission and Instructions what to do in his absence and placed him under him as his Lieutenant General in Alexandria and the Country round about Zamolzan a man of great reputation he appointed forty thousand horse and fifty thousand foot to remain behind with Calibes Some of them were placed in Garrisons in the strong Castles and near the Sea-side and the rest were to be in readiness together in one body and to be commanded by Zamolzan until Calibes should return from Cairo whither the Prince intended to lead him to take possession there of his Government of Aegypt and Syria and of all the Countries of Lybia and Barbary which had submitted to him When the Emperour had thus settled all things and understood that all his new subjects were ravish'd in admiration of his kindness moderation and justice and were not sorry to be govern'd and overcome by a Prince so worthy to command because of his rare qualities and good inclinations when he had caused the Inhabitans of Cairo Alexandria and Syria and of the Country thereabouts to swear to be faithful to him he caused his Army to march homewards The Van was commanded by Axalla and the body of the Army by the Prince of Tanais he had given his orders to Calibes how he desired that he should behave himself in his Government and at his departure he embraced him as a friend From Cairo he marched strait to Jerusalem whither he returned with few of his followers he staid there eleven dayes to visit again the Sepulcher of Jesus Christ the God of Christians every day he went thither to perform his devotions He caused also some of the Ground of this place to be carried with him to Samarcand to honour and sanctifie as he said the places there of devotion He visited again the ruines of the Temple of Soloman that he might after that model build one like to it at Samarcand When he considered this City which heretofore was the Royal Palace of David and Solomon he lamented to look upon the ruines because it was not yet in its former splendor and glory which caus'd it to be admired heretofore by all the World Such was the Love and Inclination that he had for things esteem'd Holy and Religious He had a contempt for the Jews and could not endure them for he expressed a detestation of their cruelty in murdering him who came to save them The Emperour therefore out of his affection for Jerusalem made it a free City without taxes or subsides or Garrison He gave great gifts to the Monasteries whom he respected while he continued there As soon as the great Chamberlain was received as General in the Army which Calibes had left him he went to besiege Meleg a Town scituate upon the River Euphrates but when he had batter'd the Walls and reduc'd the Inhabitants to great wants he was forced to raise the Seige for the City was releived by the Princes of Quillean and Caldar and others who had united together being thereunto incouraged by a false report that the Emperour had been defeated This news had caused all the neighbouring Provinces to rise up in Arms before they were afraid to stir but now they gathered together in an Army and march'd against the great Chamberlan to fight him he had no orders from Tamerlan to adventure his Army in a battle he therefore retreated back and retrench'd himself along the River Euphrates waiting there for the coming of the Enemies They attempted several times in vain to force him to go out of the Trenches But he sent News to the Emperour of the present posture of his affairs that he might have some succour sent him for he thought that the Enemies would not
be so bold to adventure upon him in his strength But they were so proud to have obliged him to depart from before Meleg that they resolved to assault his Camp and the rather because they imagin'd that they had filled his Army with fears and apprehensions They thought to succeed and to increase thereby the Glory of their Souldiers because the Chamberlain was but a young man whom they judged to be without experience in War and fitter for a peaceable Court where he had been train'd up than for a Camp and an Army They had never been so bold if Calibes had yet commanded there for amongst all the Commanders of Tamerlan Calibes was look'd upon to be the most experienced and valiant Captain next to Axalla In a morning therefore they lodg'd their Army near the Chamberlains Camp He had given a strict command that no Soldier should offer to go out but to resist stoutly if they were assaulted He drew up all his men in order of battle and with the advice and direction of some of his chief Officers placed them in such a manner that he could succour and relieve them in any place where they might be assaulted in this posture they waited for the Enemy who made to them with fury and great cryes There was fifty thousand foot divided into two parties that they might attack the Camp in two several places But the Tartarian Camp was so ordered that there was a place for the Cavalry to go out and fight under the shelter of the Trenches The Enemies had not minded it therefore they had sent away theirs beyond a small River whether they imagin'd that the Tartars would retreat in haste for fear of their foot and by that means they would pursue and cut them off In the Chamberlains Camp were eighteen thousand horse and forty thousand foot with a great deal of baggage and many prisoners whom the great Chamberlain had caused to work so briskly in the Trenches that they were stronger than the Walls of the Town of Meleg The fight lasted three hours the Tartars defended themselves bravely And so many of the Enemies Army were destroyed that the Chamberlain imagin'd that he was able to assault them in his turn for that purpose whiles his men dallied with the assailours to keep them in heart he commanded out his Cavalry by that way mentioned before which broke in upon the Enemies infantry so furiously that they killed them at their pleasure till they were weary At that instant he understood that the Enemies Horse were coming back over the River to help their foot which caused him to sound a retreat into the Trenches for he was not willing to hazard any thing but upon good terms knowing that this Cavalry was composed of thirty thousand men The Enemy lost this day five and twenty thousand of their best Souldiers not only by the sally of the Horse but also at the assaulting of the Camp The General or chief Commander of this expedition being the King of Armenia named Eleazar lost his Life in giving great testimonies of his courage and valour As soon as the Emperour had received the news sent to him from the great Chamberlain of the rising of the Princes of Persia and Armenia and of the relief of Meleg he dispatched away Axallae with the Parthians Cavalry but he had not marched three dayes journy but he received the news of their overthrow He sent word of it to Tamerlan expecting at Damascus other orders As soon as the Emperour understood these things he caused them to be publish'd abroad and sent word to Calibes that he might by dispersing the news amongst the Troops satisfy all discontented minds who were perswaded that the Chamberlains Army was totally defeated the Emperour expressed more joy of this Victory than for all that he ever won in his own person some think that it proceeded from a satisfaction to have not been mistaken in the choice he made of the great Chamberlain to act in an employ that seem'd to be beyond the capacity of a young man for had he miscarried many would have exclaimed against the Prince to have pitched upon him his wise conduct and valour won him the praises of every one and of Tamerlan also who could not forbear to commend him It was then reported that the Emperour having a great desire to reâ—â—urn to his Kingdome and Patrimony that he might secure it by his presence for fear that a longer absence or some other disgrace should beget an inclination in some of his people to be troublesome was resolved for the future to govern his Armies by his Lieutenants and therefore before the Winter he would pass over the Mountains of Imaus He sent orders to Axalla to return and stop in the road in all strong places of Judea he places his Garrisons and in Syria Of other Cities that he had no mind to guard he pulled down the Walls some people whom he suspected he carried with him put others in their room and in several Provinces he made new Collonies as he had done in Aegypt and elsewhere He sent home about this time the succours of the Greek Emperour he caused the meanest Souldier to receive his pay and treated so liberally the Officers of the late Prince Andronicus that they departed wonderfully well satisfied that Tamerlan was as much to be admired for his magnificences And gratitude as for his other rare qualities about this time his Chancellour whose advice he followed in many things moved him in this juncture of time to seize upon the Empire of Greece before he returned to Tartary shewing him how needful those Countries would be to him now that he had conquered the Territories of the Sultan that great Princes are not to keep their word and promises no longer than they are useful for their Countery He represented to him that he was the man whom all the World look'd upon as their Prince that many Nations lived peacably under his protection that he ought not to neglect an advantage which would procure to the Parthians and Tartarians much honour and glory and that it was needful for him to take that Empire into his hands that he might make Constantinople the chief seat of all the conquered Countries that he might have nothing but the Sea to limit his dominions Tamerlan returned him this answer that he desired that the Empire of the Parthians might have narrower bounds in observing the rules of Justice than to inlarge them by the commission of a crime That the Emperour of Greece was his friend his neighbour and his Ally that if he did offer to forget himself and break the bonds of aimity that tied them together and the faith which had been solemnly sworn he would make him experience his power and that God would doubtless assist him in the prosecution of a just cause I think said he to him my friend I cannot do any thing more honourable and more glorious for my Empire and for the Parthian
in such occasions he desired to express more honor to her Father that the Empress should accompany the body with him they walked together This he did to give a greater authority to the Empress in the Eyes of the World that in case God should take him away before their Children were at Age she might be thought worthy to govern the Empire during their minority as he himself judged her by all the publick signs that he could give in all occasions The Prince was so much taken with her behaviour and vertuous carriage that he would not love any other women nor suffer his affections to wander up and down upon meaner objects Here he had fixed his mind here he had confined his desires and appetite He look'd with contempt upon all other neither their beauty nor the charms of Wit nor the amorous inclinations of the female Sex could prevail upon his inflexible soul and oblige him to that variety of amours in which men of his Religion and Elevation commonly indulge themselves For as he was naturally very chast he intended no other thing by his Marriage but to have Children to perpetuate his Name and Family and succeed him in the Empire As soon as the funeral Ceremonies were over and the Emperours Corps laid in the Sepulcher of his Ancestors he returned to Cambalu spending the Winter in Races in Tilts and hunting all manner of Beasts He had piâ—â—ched upon that City as nearest to China from whence he desired to hear News often intending to go thither the following Summer if necessity required for he was resolved to take care to preserve what he had Conquered there by his valour and good Fortune and to enjoy the fruits of his Labours He was likewise busie in perfecting the buildings that he had begun at Samarcand and in compleating them as soon as he could In the mean while Axalla dwelt at Quinzay well beloved of the Souldiers and Inhabitants They had an affection for him because of his Mildness Liberality Courage Justice and other admirable qualities They all knew what credit he had with the Emperour Therefore they made their address to him to intreat him to perswade the Emperour that they might have the advantage to see him in their City and to choose it for to bring up the Prince his Son At his request the Emperour granted them their desire appointing Axalla to govern him with all the Country of Quinzay as far as the Sea beyond Cambalu which contains above four hundred Leagues and more than three hundred Cities with an infinite number of Towns and Villages This was properly the Empire of his deceased Unkle He made Axalla Lieutenant General under the Prince his Son and made him likewise the Governour of his person so great a Confidence he had in his Virtue Fidelity and Abilities In this manner he rewarded him for his notable Services and for the great Victories that he had got for him by his Vertue Experience and Courage He looked upon him therefore as most able to teach his Son the Art of Keeping and Governing those many Nations which Axalla had helped to Conquer CHAP. VII Cairo relieved with Provisions and Souldiers when besieged by the Sultan His overthrow and Death The Emperours Journey to Quinzay The Settlement of his affairs in China WHiles the Emperour was ordering his affairs at Cambalu news was brought him that the Sultan had besieged Cairo three moneths with a powerful Army and that the Inhabitants of that great City were so far from favouring his designs that they were very zealous and courageous in their defence for Tamerlans interest For that purpose he had placed there a great many strangers Without this precaution doubtless in this juncture there had been many Seditions and Plots for the betraying of the City because Calibes had not then forces enough to oblige the Sultan to raise his Siege without other assistance But in regard this business was of the greatest consequence for the Empires preservation he sent to the Prince of Tanais Vice-Roy of Persia to send him a party This Prince was alwayes desirous to purchase glory and ready to obey his Emperours orders who had commanded him to assist his neighbour in time of need He gathered up therefore his dispersed Troops old Souldiers Parthians and Tartars to the Number of about one hundred thousand who had accompanied the Emperour in all his Battles and Victories They were desirous of Axalla's presence but next to him they thought none was better able to command them than the Prince of Tanais the Emperours Cosen German who had been trained up under Axalla for in all the greatest difficulties and dangers where Axalla had gained so much honour this Prince had accompanied and learned from him the uneasie and hazardous Trade of War In which he had in the Judgements of all men profited so much that Axalla and he were looked upon as the two Eyes of the Empire and Tamerlan the Head they were theâ—â—ore seated at the two most dangerous extremities of this great body one in Syria the other in Quinzay With this considerable body of an Army unto which were added some Troops of the great Chamberlain which were at Babylon the Prince of Tanais marched into Syria towards Aleppo where he met with Calibes and found that he had got together two hundred thousand good Souldiers The Sultan was not ignorant that this Army was drawing to him which had formerly overthrown him but he conceived some hopes because Tamerlan was not there in person nor his good fortune which alwaies accompanied him and because he was to fight with a young Prince full of life and courage whose too greedy desire of honour might oblige him to undertake things too hastily or unadvisedly He resolved therefore to be wary and by his late misfortune to learn not to hazard a battle in plain ground but to wait for his enemies behind his Trenches For that intent he drew his Trenches along the River of Nilus for onely by that way the City expected to be relieved for it was not probable that so many mouths could be supplied with necessaries by Carts or Camels or by any other carriage by Land Therefore he digg'd his Trenches with ease because the Prince with his Army marched but softly His most judicious Commanders advised him not to approach too near the Town till the provisions were ready to be carried in For that purpose the Prince of Tanais and Calibes had sent Purveyours round about Syria and upon the Sea Coast and about the Islands of Greece to make provisions of Corn wâ—â— was to be carried to Alexandria and from thence to Cairo All their orders had been punctually executed In the mean while the army was coming on which as soon as the enemy perceived upon the banks of Nilus where the Sultan lay with his Souldiers on both sides with a bridge of Boats stretched over the River he withdrew himself into his fortifications When the Prince was in sight of Cairo he
give him an absolute command in his own Country and expose his faithfulness to a strong Temptation he kept him near his person for some other employment He had not forgotten also the brother of this Lord who had been useful to him in his Armies Tamerlan had no need of recommendations or solicitaâ—â—ions to oblige him to recompence his faithful Servants He alwaies kept in mind every one that had well behaved himself in some brave action Many times when they never thought upon any such matter he would send for them to place them amongst his Counsellours or give them a Government or an Office No body was so bold as to ask these things from him for he knew for certain that those that bribe these honours and advantages will never behave themselves in them for the Princes good or the benefit of the Subjects but onely to gratifie their own Ambition and Covetousness for this cause he was wont to change his Governours often that their Governments might not become hereditary to their Posterity Those whom he thus removed were not thereby displeas'd nor did they think that it was a token of the Emperours anger for it was a rare thing if when he had thus removed a Governour he did not bestow upon him another or some employment in his family But when he pitch'd upon a man to attend upon him or command in his Armies every one look'd upon this choice to be the highest honour and promotion for all over the Empire that man was obeyed as the Emperour himself I have saith Albacent seen in the beginning of his Reign two Men chosen in this manner afterwards four at last he increased them to seven who were as the seven Pillars of this large Empire For the Prince trusted all his greatest and most weighty affairs in their hands They were obliged to give an account of their actions only to him and at such times only when they were called together to advise about the great affairs of Peace and War These were the things that could be asked from him which he would grant without scruple Gold Silver Moveables Houses Lands and other such things which were not of such concernment as to belong to the publick management of his Empire To end this digression and return to Cambalu where the Emperour was with Odmar and Axalla we must know that the former being grown heavy by the number of his years and unfit for action whisper'd to him nothing but Peace and wish'd him to settle the affairs of his Empire But the latter was desirous of War and Battles an enemy of rest He discours'd to him of nothing but of new expeditions and conquests This furious passion made him wish heartily that the Prince would honour him with an employment sutable to his temper and inclinations and to bestow upon Odmar a Government in a peaceable Countrey far from the borders In regard Odmar was related to the Emperour Axalla judged him the fittest person because of his Age Wisdome and Experience in all affairs to be Governour of the young Prince brought up at Quinzay for he would be able to keep the people with ease in obedience But this change could not come but from the Emperours own inclination No person was so bold as to presume to motion it to him But providence favour'd Axalla's wishes by giving him this opportunity to discover his mind The Idleness and Wantonness which the General Peace all over the Empire had begot caused some troubles and mutinies in the Army which was as the soul of the Empire and the terrour of the whole World for the Cheiftains had been careless and negligent to keep the Souldiers in order The irregularity was so great that the ancient discipline was slighted and the Souldiers grown insolent in regard of their late services and victories refused to perform their duties or mutinied whensoever they had a desire They called in a threatning manner for the Emperour himself to command them in person When he heard first of these disorders he was not a little troubled Must he to gratifie a handful of Mutiniers forsake that rest and quiet which he desires to enjoy for the few years that he hath to live in the World Must he now expose himself and undergo new labours and pains which he hath endured so long and by which he hath with the hazard of his Life setled the whole World in Peace In this unquietness of his mind he sent for Odmar and Axalla to advise with them Axalla without delay endeavoured to perswade the Emperour to go to his Army and leave the management of affairs at home to Odmars Wisdome and Conduct Now Tamerlan had begun to relish in the Cities a sweetness and pleasure differing from that life which men lead in the midst of Souldiers and the disturbances and dangers of War though the latter had been formerly more pleasing to him This made him loath to ingage himself afresh in such perils and such an unquiet life He was more desirous to enjoy in peace the fruits of his Valour and Courage And the rather because he was then about fifty years of Age an Age that called upon him to see to preserve and secure what he had purchased by his Victories At last he turned himself towards Axalla with these words I should be esteem'd ungrateful to Odmar for all his good and faithful Services if in his Old age I did not contrive a way to settle him in peace the rest of his dayes The advice that you have given me in relation to him I accept and shall follow it I consent therefore that Odmar take the Government of my Son and of all the Country of Quinzay and Cambalu and that he end there his dayes peaceably in my service But I intend to reside in Sachetay that I might be nearer Persia where I will have my Army incamp unto which I shall add thirty thousand horse more that it may be able to keep the Country from Rebelling But for you I will have you go and command it in person I look upon you as the only man of my Empire best able to perform the duties of this Office with credit not only because the Souldiers have an affection for you but because I have alwayes seen you careful to observe the discipline of War I trust my whole Empire in your hands by trusting you with mine Army which only is able to keep quiet so many large Provinces and so many Nations differing in manners language and customes which you have helped to subdue I will take care that nothing shall be wanting to this Army and that the clearest and most certain part of my Revenues shall be appointed to pay them and to reward those whom you shall judge worthy I would have you take a great care to oblige the Troops to observe the Parthian discipline without alteration Let them lodge alwayes in the Camp in the open Field You shall change this Camp every three moneths Let them buy all
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
you shall with your Army assault a place that I will appoint that your Souldiers may become Masters of a Mountain over against the Enemy which will gall them for when the Chineses shall see that they are assaulted behind and before they will no longer guard the Wall but will suffer you to enter and assist those that I shall lead in and for your security and my fidelity which I promise I will give you my only Son in hostage together with two young Daughters and my Wife and for my Brother I am perswaded he will follow my directions and serve you every where as affectionately as my self When this Lord had ended his discourse the Prince was wonderfully satisfied and began to hope that his design would take effect but he desired that the business should be managed so secretly that he suffered not the Prince of Tanais to know by what means the Lord of Vauchefeu would give an entry into China to his men none was admitted to his Conference but only an Interpreter This Lord went away very well contented with his gifts and Tamerlan's Kindness and respects to him The Prince of Tanais had orders to conduct and guard him with all possible honour and civility Tamerlan likewise return'd to his head Quarters The next day he discover'd all the Plot to Odmar but before he would venture upon the Execution he desired to understand from Calibes what he had learned concerning the intentions and preparations of the Chineses in obedience to his Command he spoke to him in this manner Worthy Prince I am ready to put in execution without examining all your Commands as your most obedient slave if therefore you desire from me to know what I have understood concerning the present State of China having had sufficient time to learn during six Months that I commanded your Armies upon the Borders to defend them against the Inroads of the Enemies I must tell you that the King of China that reigns now is a Prince of a great reputation gain'd by his inlarging the limits of his Empire more than any of his Predecessors before him He is proud and insolent for he names himself The Lord of the World but all his strength consists in the defence and guarding of this famous Wall which stops us here I confess 't is great and is as I judge guarded by fifty or threescore thousand men in Garrison along these Mountains They are the best Souldiers of the Kingdom so that I judge it not possible to force away through without endangering your whole Army I have heard that about the Lake of Hogeen there is an easie way to go into that Kingdom but we must march seven or eight days to it and go through strait passages long and tedious for so numerous an Army as yours is so that the King of China would have time to provide for his defence He thinks at present that none opposes him but I alone and that I am here but only to defend the Country by your orders for my part I think that it is the best for you to direct your course that way it is doubtless the most secure for the conveniency of Provisions the strength of War and of an Army without which there is no marching to a Fight with Courage This noble Prince is my judgment of that you desire to know of me I cannot discourse of the Country till we enter into it The Prince who knew more listened with attention and discovered nothing to him nor any body else about him of that which he had discoursed with the Lord of Vauchefu When every one had spoken his mind he answer'd That the great God whose Glory he maintain'd against such wicked Idolaters would assist his good intentions strengthen the Courages of his Souldiers and would facilitate that which they look'd upon to be difficult or impossible In this manner the Prince discover'd his designs and the strength of his Army which consisted more in cunning than in courage more in the Foxes Taile than in the Lions Skin Thus the Emperour craftily concealed the assured means that he had to open a passage to his Enemies that being ignorant of the facility to overcome them they might ascribe the good success to his conduct alone and by that means that his Reputation might be more increas'd and his Wisdom Skill and Courage more esteem'd But before he attempted this great design he gave rich presents to the Kings Princes and Lords that were there with him to win them and appointed next the Rendezvous of his Army Assoon as it was together in one Body he drew out fifty thousand men of his best Troops making the Prince of Tanais their Captain and gave him for Assistant Axalla the Genoese an experienced Commander faithful and courageous for his interest he desired the Prince to act nothing without his advice and to believe him in every thing At the Day of the departure the Lord of Vauchefu came with his Brother to meet the Emperour they assur'd him that the success would answer his expectation for they had been to visit the way which was to be forc'd and that led into the Kingdom of China they had found it as unprovided as they expected The Prince after a short Conference upon the place resolved to march in person with all his Army and draw near to this famous Wall over against Quaquifou whiles the fifty thousand chosen men commanded by the Prince of Tanais and Axalla should gain the passage into the Country in that order that he had prescribed to them which was that Axalla should lead twenty thousand men in the Van and the Prince of Tanais should follow in the Reer with thirty thousand and that each Party should have with them one of the Lords of China to guide them that the Enterprise might be the easier After this they left the Prince and march'd ten Leagues to the passage which they took without resistance a little while they stopt there to rest themselves and then went on ten Leagues farther to the place where the Chineses were to guard the Wall They never dream'd of any such surprise but minded only those that were commanded by Tamerlan they hop'd well that the great advantages which they had would enable them to repell all the assaults of Tamerlan's Army They found themselves deceived and at a loss for no sooner did the Prince's Army draw near to their Walls but they saw at the same time Axalla coming to them by another way with twenty thousand men seconded by the Prince of Tanais with another Body They went directly to assault them but the Chineses in that urgent occasion divided their Army and unfurnished the Wall which gave an opportunity to Odmar to win it with his Infantry which he commanded that day he made such speed that the Chineses found themselves on a sudden encompassed about with two Armies when Axalla begun the onset The Battel was Bloody the Chineses were totally routed by this noble