〈◊〉 to enter they doe harden them see pleasure The Dancers vpon Ropes shewed strange Form of Actiuity In those places they exceed all others what 〈◊〉 for their Aâ—iâ—iâ—y Two Elephants and a Giraffe were brought into the Hippodrome to augment the Sultan delight by this nouelty The Elephants differed in forme One was grant and the other liâ—e The great one was thriâ— one high and bigger than a Buffle or small Socere heads that vpon his 〈◊〉 a little Castle of light wood in the which might 〈…〉 six souldiers without crowling The 〈◊〉 in comparison of the rest of the body 〈◊〉 Froâ— the end of the vpper part of the Muscle then did 〈…〉 whereof this beast on 〈◊〉 vse as readily as a 〈◊〉 doth his 〈◊〉 takes what his 〈◊〉 〈…〉 him carries his entire to his 〈◊〉 vse 〈◊〉 for a 〈◊〉 with incomparable force 〈◊〉 are small 〈◊〉 to those of a Bore his another chap is 〈◊〉 vnto the 〈…〉 Her hath two great 〈◊〉 about 〈…〉 round and great lying vpon his backe hee sometimes raises them vp his legs are euen like vnto pillars in the which there appeares no joynts yet this Beast hath some he doth but halfe bend them and therefore hee suffers himselfe to fall vpon his side this feet are round and haue fiue nailes his skin is black and hath little haire The Naturalists obserue and experience doth confirme that this beast hath so powerfull an instinct as it seemes hee is indowed with judgement Examples are familiar in Histories This beast being brought before the Grand Seigneurs window lifted vp his head to looke on him then he bowed it downe very low in signe of reuerence They cast vpon the ground a handfull of Aspres which is a little Coine like vnto the French Carolus the which hee gathered vp with his heauy trumpeâ—s handsomely as any man could haue done with his hands Eight strong Turkes held a long Pole in their hands and gaue him the end as soone as he had seized on it with his trumpe hee made them to turne about as easily as if they had beene feathers Afterwards hee lifted vp the Pole and strooke it so hard against the ground as those men were fore 〈◊〉 abandon it â—ing Master of it hee did flourish with it like at two handâ— sword with admirable dexteritie Wherefore the Indians haue reason in their warres to make vse of the force and addresse of these beasts They carrie many men and when they tie a Semiter to the trumpe one of them kils more than a company of Foot could doe The Giraffe The Giraffe whereof the portraite is here represent to was at the same time brought into the Hippodrome This beast for that it is little knowne in Europe was much admired It is not only beautifull of it selfe but it is also gentle and very tractable It hath a head like a Stagge armed with two little harmes halfe a foot long couered with 〈◊〉 the eares the feet and the talle are like 〈◊〉 a Cow It hath a neck 〈◊〉 into a Camell it hath hard knees vpon the haâ—s and brest The 〈◊〉 speckled like vnto a Leopard and some beleeue that it is that Caâ—parâ— of the â—â—dear his 〈◊〉 before are foure or fiue times longer then those behind so as his naturall posture represents a Goat standing vpright against a Tree to bâ—ouâ—e the buds The which makes him to feed with discomâ—â—â—ic for in this action but is forced as open his legges to make passage for his hand If we had not vndoubted proofes of the wisdome of Nature in the wonders of her workes wee might say that this beast alwayes standing vpright is one of her fantasticke Creatures Being led aboue the place they were carried backe passing thorough the Citie the Giraffe had such aduantage in the foreport as his head looked into the windowes of their houses Such were the pompe of the day the night wanted not here if there were any eight during the solemnity of this royall Circumcision For at such time as the Sunne did not shine in their Hemispheare they had raised a ship Must in the Hippodrome whereon there was a great Circle like a Crowne furnished with burning Lamps and neere vnto the Obelisque which is the ancient ornament of this place there was a longe wheele set vp the which did time continually and made twelue other smaller to moue all which were inuolued with lights which remayning some 〈◊〉 notwithstanding to follow the motion of the wheeles not without a wonderfull content to the eyes of those which beheld them Besides this there were many ship Masts with their 〈◊〉 and taâ—lings all couered with lamps which gaue so cleer a light as in the dark night they made an artificiall day by the fauour of which light most of those goodly things which had appeared in the day come after Supper to giue 〈…〉 to the company by their 〈◊〉 After this 〈…〉 Fire-workes some drowe by 〈◊〉 â—hers by 〈…〉 which did voâ—ie for all â—ames filled the aire 〈◊〉 agreeable 〈◊〉 and pleasant thunderings and the 〈◊〉 of the spectatours with â—â—â—â—ment But their 〈…〉 their thundering 〈◊〉 and their 〈…〉 to those which did behold 〈◊〉 thoseâ—â— and smoake of powers 〈◊〉 â—heth If they 〈◊〉 comprehend it that humans 〈◊〉 and the sheweâ— of 〈◊〉 greatnesse of the World dissolue in the end into winde and smoake The most stately of these nocturnall sports was the representation of a nauall fight so artificially exprest as it made the Christians that were present see that the recompence of labour and the reward of merit hauing drawne into Turkey the goodliest inuentions of men haue made them to lose the name of barbarous to send it vnto vs where as vertue is not acknowledged There they saw many Shippes and Gallies vnder saile furnished with Artillerie adorned with their flags the Trumpets sounding fight inuest leape from one beak-head to another kill cast into the Sea burne and sinke the Enemies Vessels with admirable dexteritie The battailes at Land Sieges and taking of Townes were represented with no lesse art But if the description of this Royall Feast hath beene a pleasing diuersion vnto vs in the toile of this Historie let vs end it according to the naturall course of pleasure by the griefe which followes Doubtlesse it will be great enough to impart it to those which shall read the issue of this Chapter where we obserue than during the spectacles of this solemnity the wretched Grecian â—y â—roupes in this place to make themselues Mahomâ—tans Some abandoned Christianitie to auoid the oppression of the Turkes others for the hope of priuate profit The youngest and most beautifull were sent into the Serrail with the Ichiâ—glans and the rest among the Azamoglans This hope of better fortune drew the Idlenesse of many young men so as they could hardly find Masters enough to cut them This detestable troupe of Rascals went to shew themselues before the Grand Seigneur their Bonnets vnder their feet in
to dance in a round in a goodly Hall where he doth assist and place himselfe in the midst like vnto a Butterflie in the midst of many glistering fires where heloseth himselfe For feeling his heart suddenly enflamed by the eyes of some one of them which pleaseth him best he casts her his handkercher for a signe that he is vanquished she receiues it with great demonstrations of humilitie kisses it and layes it on her head presently the Cheyachadun or Mother of the Maids takes this faire slaue which comes to triumph ouer her Masters libertie she leads her into a Chamber appointed for the sports of loue decks her with the goodliest Ornaments she can deuise perfumes her and addes to her naturall beautie the cunning of her Art This is while the Sun shines for imitating his course as well as his lustre this faire Creature lies downe as soone as this Planet sets The Chadun conducts her into the same Chamber where the Sultan is lodged layes her in the same Bed where shee enters by the feet for the greater reuerence and during the night season many old Moorish women watch and stand sentinell one at the Beds feet another in the midst of the Chamber and a third at the doore They are reliued euery third houre by others of the same hue vntill it bee day There is one stands at the Beds head with two Torches burning and doth carefully obserue on what side the Prince doth turne least the light should offend his eyes I haue learned from a Iew a learned Physician which had serued the Grand Seigneur that the Chadun watcheth at the Beds feet and doth sometimes speake some words to encourage they young Maide giuing her to vnderstand that night would be the cause of her good fortune and that she would attaine to the dignitie of a Princesse It is the custome in Turkey that on the Marriage night an olde woman doth assist in the Chamber of the married couple and imployes the experience of her time past to encourage the and her Pension is 〈◊〉 sixteene Charges of Money The rest of the Serrail which are yet Virgins or haue had the Princes company but once imploy all their allurements to please him and finding their cunning deuices too feeble they adde the help of Charmes and Sorcerie which they purchase at any 〈◊〉 whatsoeuer But if any one of these women be deliuered first of a Sonne which is to succeed in the Empire shee is called Queene the Grand Seigneur honours her with a Crowne of pretious stones hee causeth a cloth of Estate to be carried into her Chamber of Presence inlargeth her Lodging and giues her a Family sin for a Queene on Empresse of Turkey Shee hath a sufficient Reuenew to supply her necessities and her bounties If shee be deliuered of a Daughter they send her a Nurse three thousand Sequins and Slaues to serue her the honour is the lesse but the joy which shee concerneth if there be Male Children formerly borne is incomparable for shee is assured that the young Princesse shall be bred vp with her and that shee shall be one day married to a Grand Vizir or to some other Basha of the most powerfull in the Empire who will 〈◊〉 and fill her old age 〈…〉 if shee had beene deliuered of a younger Sonne he should be taken from her at the age of twelue yeares or thereabouts and put into the hands of Schoolemasters to instruct him where shee might not se◠〈…〉 foure times in the yearâ— and in the end hee should bee 〈…〉 â—o the safâ— of 〈◊〉 elder Brothers Raigne and soone strangled by Mâ— This is that which makes them desireth haue Daughters wâ— is alreadie a Sonne 〈◊〉 All these woman although they 〈…〉 the true Successours of the 〈◊〉 yet they are but the Emperourâ— Concubities he 〈◊〉 marries any vnlesse be wonderfully surprised with 〈…〉 which hath first brought him a 〈◊〉 then be followes the blind motions of his passion And doubelesse when as loue makes him to feele in this sort the râ—our of his 〈…〉 Tyrâ—â—t should 〈…〉 for if the one doth captiues that 〈◊〉 the other torments one to the succession of the Empire brings him to ruine and makes him to end his dayes miserably by the Sword Solyman hath beene the only Prince since 〈◊〉 the First vnto this day whereof there hath beene fifteene Emperours twenty in all by a direct succession from Father to Sonne which hath married a Wife Amurath the Third his Grandchild being charmed with the beauty of Asachi being enformed of the practices of Rouilana in the Serrail by the power of her infranchisement and the authoritie of the Princes Wife refused the Letters of Sabyn although he had had fourteene children by her and loued her aboue all his Women Yet they say that Osman which died last had married the Daughter of the Muftie of Constantinople But the History of the extraordinary Marriage of the Turkish Prince hath made vs abandon the relation of his loues with his Concubines But let vs returne and follow him into his Garden where hee is in the midst of his 〈◊〉 loue imbracements It is dangerous to see him but no fear of danger should deterre vs from seruing of the publique He goes 〈◊〉 out of his 〈…〉 goe and daily with his women in 〈…〉 Eunuches which 〈◊〉 the Women are the only 〈◊〉 which accompany him all the 〈…〉 they caâ— The 〈…〉 to worth the Sea 〈…〉 Master For if there should 〈…〉 Serrail that should 〈…〉 when they walke with the 〈…〉 Thus the 〈…〉 Thus the 〈…〉 that they 〈…〉 is 〈…〉 which he obserues against those which would see him forbids to reueale the secret Only wee know that in the effeminate delights wherewith the women charme him hee is pleased with the ridiculous encounters of his Iesters and Dwarffes and shewes that Loue is an entertainment of Men that are Birds A curious person which hath had authority in the Leuant enformed me that in these places there many times happens light riots of Loue betwixt the Sultan and his Women Hee vnderstood it from a blacke Eunuch of the womens Serrail and he told him that if the jealousie of these faire creatures did raise them they were supprest by the discretion of the Chadun which is their old Gouernesse and by her humilitie which is interessed in the Quarrell Thus the giddie Quarrels of Louers are the winds which kindle and enflame their foolish passion And the Pigeons bils which were the armes of their choller are the sweet instruments of their loue That which we haue formerly written of the entertainment of the Turkish Prince with his women is not the most blameable of his affections The greatnesse of his power which makes all mens wils obey him and the contagious example of his Courtiers carries him to the detestable excesse of an vnnaturall passion Hee burnes many times for the loue of men and the youngest Boyes which are in the Leuant the flowre of
commerce of his Loues Carrying with him close Coaches full of his faire Sultana's as we haue said else-where with whom he spends the best of his dayes and abandons all noble exercises more worthy of a Prince to enjoy their charming company Thus these women detaine him possesse him and diuert him from vertue In this sense an Ancient had reason to say That if the World were without Women Men should conuerse with the Gods This must be vnderstood of vitious women and not of those that loue vertue the which is to be esteemed and embraced in what subiect soeuer it be found Chap. XII Of the Grand Seigneurs Sisters and his other Kinswomen and of the Marriages of his Daughters THe Turkish Emperours Sisters lodge and liue in the old Serrail their Quarters are distinct from the other women furnished according to their Qualities Pleasures and continuall delights are their ordinary entertainment In the which they attend vntill the Sultan giues them in Marriage to some of his great Bashaes When that happens they goe out of that place with their rich Stuffe their Coffers full of Iewels and their slaues to serue them to the number of fiftie or threescore besides those which their Husbands adde vnto them who are bound to furnish them with a traine fit for their Qualities and to make them a rich Dowrie according to the custome of the Turkes where the Men endow their Wiues at the least with fiue hundred thousand Sultanins which are two Millions of Liuers with the great expences hee makes in presents of precious stones The Prince their Brother continues the same pensions they formerly had and augments them thirtie six charges of money yeerely to buy them Pattins saith the custome of the Empire the Husbands which marrie such wiues verifie this truth to their losse that a great inequalitie in Marriage doth many times breed a contempt the authoritie of the House fals then vnto the Distaffe they command them they call them their slaues they doe them good or harme according to the satisfaction they receiued from them and when the 〈◊〉 giues way they repudiate them to take others better to their liking and many times make them to lose their liues So for a signe of the insolencie of their power ouer their Husbands they weare at their sides a Cartar which is a little Poniard inricht with precious stones If the Marriage continue equally to the death of the one or the other the husband must arme his spirit with an extraordinary patience to indure the imperfections of a wife who knowes that all things are lawfull for her and who is not restrained by the loue of any vertue within the bounds of a commandable Modestie The Bashaes auoid as much as they can the vexations of this Royall Alliance which is bought by their seruitude entertained with great charges and many times ends with their bloud They seldome imbrace it if the Princes commandement doe not force them Such women haue libertie by the fauour of the Sultan their brother to go when they please vnto the Serrail of Sultanan's and to visit him in like manner The Grand Seigneurs Aunts and his other Kinswomen liue also in the old Serrail with a traine fit for their conditions The Princes Mother is in like manner lodged there she is often visited by her Sonne hee honours her and supplies her with all the things she can desire she hath leaue to goe to the Imperiall Serrail to see him when she pleases and if hee fals sicke she parts not from his Beds side where as naturall loue makes her imploy all her care for the recouery of his health The Princesses Daughters to the Sultan are bred vp neere their Mothers vntill they bee married to such great Men of his Court as shall please him so as he be a Renegado or taken out of the Children of the Tribute which they leuy vpon the Christians or some other which hath abandoned the Law of Iesus Christ to follow that of Mahomet These Marriages are made when as these Royall Daughters haue attained the age of eighteene yeares with a magnificence and pompe worthy of the Orthoman House The thirtieth of Iune 1612 was famous for the like Solemnitie when as the Emperour Achmat gaue his eldest Daughter to Mahomet Bassa Captaine of the Sea It is here briefly described according vnto the order which was then in Constantinople The day before the Consummation of this Marriage the Moueables and Iewels of the Spouse which we call the trusse or bundle were carried from the Serrail to the Bridegroomes Lodging Before it marcht fiue hundred Ianizaries on foot of the Gallantest Men in all their Regiment The high Prouost of Constantinople and the Grand Vizir follow on horsebace in rich Robes of Cloth of Gold The Aga or Colonell of the Ianizaries came alone after them vpon a Turkish Horse of great price Two hundred Men of Qualitie mounted and stately attired followed with a gentle pace the Talismans Alfaquis Santons Emirs Seriphes and other men of Mahomets Clergie marcht after with the puft vp grauitie of their condition About fiue and twentie paces off came Ameth Bassa Taftardar or high Treasurer chosen by the Emperour to be Sag◠or Father to the Bride in rich Robes mounted vpon a Horse with a royall Caparison hauing about him twelue Foot men he conducted these precious Moueables or this Royall bundle which had in the head of it Musique on horsebacke of Hobbies and Drummes after the Turkish manner It was distinguished into seuen and twenty Presents diuersly carried by seuen and twenty Men. The first was a little Hatte of Massiue Gold couered with rich stones The second was a paire of Pattins after the Turkish manner also of pure Gold enricht with Turquoises and Rubies The third a Booke of Mahomets Law the couering whereof was of massiue Gold set with Diamonds The fourth vnto the sixt was three paire of Bracelets of Gold and precious stones The seuenth and eighth two great Bodkins of Diamonds The ninth a little Cofer of Chrystall of the Rocke with the corners of Gold halfe a yard high and halfe as broad in the which were seene great Diamonds and huge Pearles of the value of eight hundred thousand Liuers The tenth vnto the fifteenth were six Smocks imbroydered with Gold and stones The sixteenth to the one and twentieth were six head-bands for her forehead of the same stuffe and as rich The two and twentieth vnto the seuen and twentieth were sixe stately Robes of Cloth of Gold richly set with Pearles and Diamonds After these Presents followed eleuen Chariots full of young Virgins slaues to serue the Bride they were couered and close and either of them accompanied or rather guarded by two blacke Eunuches Twentie other Virgins slaues followed on horsebacke and so many blacke Eunuches richly attired and mounted in like manner accompanied them After all this marched a hundred and forty Moyles laden with Tapestrie hangings of Cloth of Gold of
them who were wonderful faire and attired with great aduantage to 〈…〉 They couer their heads with many 〈…〉 Gold wretched with their haire which they suffer to hang downe vnto their girdles and they artificially make two little hornes of haâ—re enricht with Pearle and precious stones the which fall vpon their faire fore-heade They made the Bâ—itana's to enuy them who beheld them and admired their grace thorow their â—aâ—tice windowes Persia hath alwayes had the glorie to haue had the fairest women in the World The Daughters of Cyrus and the Wife of King Darius had so many â—râ—mentâ— in their beautifull countenances as Alexander durst not looke on them fearing to be vanquished and Roxanâ— although of â—ase condition was found so beautifull as she deserued the honour to be wise vnto the great Prince The Turkish women enter not into comparison with the Persians for beautie to whom they yeeld it and they say that their Prophet Mahomet would neuer got into Persia and when they demanded the reason his answers was that the women 〈◊〉 so beautifull courtesie and friendship that which the others brought for tribute Hee gaue hi◠〈◊〉 fâ—ly Clocke of 〈◊〉 which strooke the houres melodiously in Musique by length and twentie Bels of siluer and with it thirtie pâ—ks of Scaâ—her The Bailiffe of Venice proseâ—dâ— Cupboard of siluer plaâ—e the one hâ— fragile and the other white sixe great Bayâ—es of siluer to draw water ten peeces of Cloth of Gold ten of Silke Sattin and Veluet and twentie of Scarlet The Polonian brought 〈◊〉 â—ter whose 〈◊〉 and scabbaâ— was all couered with precious flower He of Ragusa geue fifteâ—ne goodly Cups of siluer many Tapetâ— of white Waâ—â— which the Turkes esteeme and some peece of Scarlet The Persian presented two â—oâ—anâ— and some other Bookes of Muhamâ—a Larvâ— couered without 〈◊〉 Gold many Persian 〈…〉 silkâ— and a good iâ—â—her of grâ—â—t 〈◊〉 Thâ— Embassadour of Tâ—rtâ— gaue many skins of Saâ—es and other exquisite Pâ— of great price All the rest tâ—e their Presents according to the order and rancke of the Princes 〈◊〉 Mâ—â—â—thâ—â— They 〈◊〉 that 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 loue and the rigours of 〈…〉 â—dered this 〈◊〉 yet they did celebrate the First in those goodly places 〈◊〉 they are 〈◊〉 For the 〈…〉 the Grand â—gâ—s Câ—â—blâ—câ— made Piâ—y to 〈…〉 Serrail where the 〈…〉 rich Presents and gaâ— another time vnto the Sâ— Asâ—â—hi that is to say crowned whom we haue lodged 〈◊〉 him in the Pâ—lâ— of 〈◊〉 Bassa a Crowne of 〈…〉 of the 〈◊〉 of 〈…〉 brought 〈…〉 all made of Sugar presented to the life of the 〈…〉 proportion they ought to be of as Camels Lions Elephants Tygers and many 〈◊〉 The Embassadours had their p◠〈…〉 were 〈…〉 of 〈◊〉 This was 〈…〉 〈…〉 The Mufti who is the high Priest of the Turkish Law opened the beginning he appeared first in the place being Maiestically set in a Tabernacle carried vpon a Camels backe He had a Booke in his hands which hee turned alwayes ouer About him were on foot a great number of Priests and religious Mahometans who held Bookes in like manner But their fantasticke attire did shew plainely the humours of their brutish spirits Some had their heads couered with hoods others with Mitres some with Crownes Many had Robes of beasts skinnes They were no sooner come vnto the place but they made shew of their Religious modestie in whistling howling beating vpon Pans and Basons ringing of little bels which they carried in their hands as a man would say that these testimonies of their zealous deuotion were an insolent jangling at the sound whereof they did leape friske without ceasing In this posture they made three turnes about the place after which they stayed before the Grand Seigneurs window who looked vpon their fooleries There they made their prayers during the which some religious Men of the troupe drew out great Kniues and cut their flesh in diuers parts of their bodies for the leue of the Prophet and of their Sultan The Mufti descended from his Tabernacle entred into the Pallace and made his Presents which consisted in some Bookes of the Law After which he retired with the brutish company of this monstrous Clergie And for that this first troupe was ridiculous that which followed was lamentable They were the two Christian Patriarches the one of the Grecians the other of the Armenians attired in long blacke Copes which are their Patriarchall Robes the true colours of their seruitude and heauinesse They were followed by some Christian Priests Their Gate was pittifull hauing their heads hanging downe in such sort as the Christians that were come thither to laugh found a worthy subiect of weeping seeing the Church captivated to the cruelty of Turkes and the Reuerend Pastors thereof forced to goe and humble themselues at the feet of their Tyrant and Enemy of their Law in a superstitious Ceremony and contrary to their Religion to life their sacred hands vpon him and prostitute vpon his person the grace of their blessings This is the estate whereunto the Diuision of Christians hath reduced them When they came before the Sultan they prayed vnto God with a loud voice to blesse him they presented him with a great Bason of siluer full of peeces of Gold and so returned poorer than they came The Merchants followed to vent without profit the most precious of their Merchandize They were a thousand in a troupe Turkes Christians or Iewes all attired in Robes of Gold and followed by a pleasing band of young men attired like maidens hauing Bowes in their hands and Quiuers at their backes full of golden Arrowes A childish troope of daintie young Boyes like so many Cupids crowned with flowers and holding Darts in their hands drew without any difficultie a Chariot which followed them whereon was set and opened a shop full of Cloth or Gold and Silke with Tapestries of all sorts which they presented to the Sultan and cryed Liue Sultan Amurath The Goldsmiths followed after their decking did shew that they traded in precious Wares They were all couered with precious stones Some of their number drew a rich shop full of Vessels of Gold and Siluer which they gaue vnto the Grand Seigneur A small troupe of other Goldsmiths made a band a part They were those of Baiestan whereof we haue spoken before stately attired The stones and pearles which were vpon their Garments were valued at a Million of gold The Presents which they made were great and rich All the other Tradsmen came in their order and all laboured in their profession The makers of cloth of gold and silke to the number of fiue hundred men well attired caused two Loomes to march with them whereon they made a peece of cloth of gold and another of silke before they had gone thrice about the place The Lace-makers did the like in their kind They were in the midst of many sorts of beasts made of silke which marched with them
by Art The Linnen Weauers Tapestric men and Cotton makers laboured also in their Vocation The Feather-makers fed the curiositie of the spectators with Feathers and winde They made many artificiall Birds which did flie in the Aire as if they had beene naturall Tailors made Garments in passing vpon the place Smiths did worke in Iron Potters made Pots Cutlers made Kniues and Sadlers Saddles Masons did build and Glasse-makers did blow their Glasses Bakers did bake and that which was not pleasing the sluttish Butchers did kill and slay Beasts and gaue the flesh to the people The Gardiners were there laden with Flowres the Ploughmen with their Ploughes tilled the Sand The Shepheards with their fat troups made their three turnes The Keepers of Moiles Asses and Carters brought their Moiles their Horses and their Asses Their grosse speeches did not greatly tickle the Sultans cares Nor their Presents did not draw his eyes to the contemplation of their beautie He had nothing but Wood Stone and Water and that which he did as I conceiue suffering their foolery to entertaine his leisure was only to represent vnto his ambition the fabricke of the World to the gouernment whereof he aspires in receiuing such homages as thâ—se men could yield The Iewes were the last which gaue Presents They were three hundred young men separated into three bands disguised in diuers Nations The one was attired and armed like French the other represented Spaniards and the third seemed to bee Swissers with their great Cod-peeces They had for their traine an infinite number of Dragons Sirens and Tortoyses of the Sea which marched artificially And with this pleasant Antiques as women which had resigned their Distasses vnto their husbands and made them to spin They were gotten vpon their shoulders to shew their Empire and to let them see the miseries of these Coxcombes charged with such importune burthens These Homages and Presents being thus ended the Combats of warre did shew the force of their art and the sports the pleasure of their brauerie The Grand Vizir would haue the honour to expose vnto his Masters eyes the representation of his victories against the Christians He caused to be drawne into the place two great Castles of Wood diuersly painted mounted vpon Wheeles garnished with Towres fortified with Rampiers and furnished with Artillerie The one was kept by Turkes who had planted vpon their Tower many Red White and Greene Ensignes The other was defended by Men attired and armed after the French manner who seemed Christians Their Ensignes carried white Crosses without doubt they had beene taken in some encounter or at the sacke of some Towne of the Christians either of these Castles had thirtie Horse which made diuers sollies The Turkes forced the others to make their last retreate into their Fort where they shut them vp besieged them battered their walls made a breach sent to discouer it and marched to the assault with their vsuall cries and howlings The little resistance they found made them soone Masters and vanquishe is although they were themselues vanquished for they fought against themselues If they had had to deale with Christians they had not preuailed so easily As soone as they were entred they abandoned the place to their cruelty put all to the sword cutting off the heads of the principall and lifting counterfeit heads aboue the walls The contempt which they make of vs ended the triumh They let slip into the place about thirty Hogs which they had shut into a Fort and ranne after them crying and howling in mockerie Thus the Turkes doe not sport but in contemning the Christians nor labour seriously but in ruining them And they by a fatall diuision prepare their victories and dispose the triumphs which they obtaine of them with great facilitie Occhiali Bassa great Admirall of the Sea exceeded by his industrie the Vizirs inuention Hee caused to come rowling into the place a great Island admirably well made of boords and pastboord which represented Cypres Two powerfull Armies held it besieged the one by Sea and the other by Land There was artificially seene their descent into the Island the siege of Famagouste the sallies skirmishes batteries counter-batteries mines counter-mines breaches assaults vpon assault fire-workes and whatsoeuer the furie of Warre could inuent Sometimes the Turkes were Masters of the Wals and suddainly the generositie of the Cypriots repulsed them But time force and the want of succours made them receiue the composition which they offered them yet the disloyaltie of the Turks did not obserue it for some they made slaues and the rest they put to the Sword All this was seene in the place When as the sound of Trumpets the noise of Drums the howling of Turkes and the thundering of the Canons seemed to be at the taking of another Island at Cypres The wonder of this artificiall representation did much please the Sultan reioyced the people and reuiued in the Christians minds the griefe of their losse Heauen would haue it so to punish their great curiositie for assisting with these infamous Mathometans and to be spectators with them at the Pompes of their Superstition But he did not suffer their insolencie to be vnpunished Hee made it knowne that if his Iustice suffers them to bee ascourge to the Christians yet hee doth not alwayes suffer them to haue them in derision The Cannonadoes where there was nothing but Powder slue many of these takers of the Island in Picture vpon the place wounded a great number Some other artificiall Castles appeared after shewing the like thing to that of the Grand Vizir One among the rest the least of all carried two Towers in the which there were two men armed which fought on against the other with their Semiters they did mannage greene Ensignes and Battleaxes of glasse without breaking them The Romeliens and Albanois whom the Turkes hold for the best men at Armes came after with their Launces and their Targets vpon the left arme they haue no Rest to beare it like vnto the Franques it is only tied to their Saddles by a leather thong for they carrie no Cuyrasses Many of their Horses were slaine there in combating After the Encounter they did runne at the Ring after their manner which is to set a little rod of Iron on the ground on the end whereof they put a Ring somewhat bigger than those which they vse in France They which tooke it carrying the Ring on the end of their Launce being on foot went to present it vnto the Sultan before his window who threw him out a Ring of Gold in recompence the manner of receiuing it was not without a Mysterie In raising it from the ground the Cauallier kist it laid it vpon his head and bending downe very low made a Reuerence and so retired When these men had voided the place they brought in thirtie Christian Souldiers lately taken in the Wars of Hungarie They followed with their Irons the triumph of certaine
Turkish Captaines which had taken them some Ensignes and Drums of their Companies made vp the Trophie of these Barbarians A goodly troupe of Archers on horsebacke arriued soone after with a more generall joy They Actiuities which they shewed are admirable After they had finished their courses with a Target in the left hand and a long Dart or halfe Pike in the right sometimes ranged in battaile sometimes disbanded casting them one at another and taking them vp from the ground in running They ranne their Horses with their full speed and in the swiftnesse of their course drew their Semiters thrice out of their Scabbords and put them vp as often without any stay In like manner they shot thrice with their Bowes with the first they hit an Iron on the hinder part of the horse with the second they strooke an Apple of Gold which was vpon the top of a great Mast of a Ship set vp in the midst of the place with the last they hit the Ring at which the Albanois had runne Then standing vpright in their Saddles they did run their Horses with full speed and did mannage their Armes as before Some of their Troupe did things which were admirable There was one who tooke the Saddle from his horsebacke laid it vpon his necke and set it in its place againe all with running The same mâ—n set an Orange vpon the Turbant of his slaue and in running pierced it diuers times with his Arrowes and neuer hurt his slaue Hee pierced a great brazen Morter with an Arrow Moreouer hee tied two Horses together set a foot vpon either of them and standing vpright supported a young Boy who shot with his Bow as the Horses galloped Another of the same Archers ran with all speed his head in the Saddle and his feet vpwards betwixt foure Semiters which had their points set against him Two men of their troupe put themselues into one Saddle and vaulted before and behinde while the horse did run lighting and remounting againe without stay An Arabian which was amongst them added the force of his jawes to their dexteritie He did set a packe Saddle on a horse with his teeth hauing his hands bound hee put on the panniers and then set on his Boy to load it hee did also saddle his horse after the same manner and leapt vpon him doubtlesse the biting of such a Gallant would be dangerous This day for all these wonders were not one dayes worke ended by some actions of piety after the Turkish manner which the Sultan caused to be performed at the Gate by the which they got to Andrinopolis Thither he went going from the place with the young Prince Mahomet his Sonne and all the great Men of his Court where being ariued he caused foure thousand sheepe to be sacrificed and a great number of Beeues which he caused to be rosted whole in either of which they put a whole sheepe and in the sheepe a heu and in the hen egges and caused all to be distributed to the poore Hee then receiued newes of the defeat of his Army in Persia for the pleasure of humane Pompe is neuer so absolute but it is accompanied with some cares and crosses The feeling of this Rout fell vpon the Embassadour of Persia The Turke offers violence to his person and commits him to Prison and in the open day and in the view of the people and of other Embassadours caused his Lodging to be sackt and spoiled But this was no hinderance but the day following the Feast was continued A troupe of excellent Tumblers and Mountebankes whereof Turkey abounds aboue all the Regions of the Earth did to the common amazement of all the Spectators these things which follow The first which shewed himselfe in the place shut a young Boy naked into a Hogshead with fiue and twenty or thirty great Serpents and rowled it about the place and then drew out the Boy whole and sound The same Serpents stinging and biting others which came neere them After this they buried a young Boy deepe in a Ditch and couered him with Earth as if hee had beene dead and yet he answered as distinctly and intelligibly to that which they demanded of him as if hee had beene out of the ground Another presented himselfe naked without shame but not without more than humane force hee layed himselfe flat on his backe vpon the edge of two Semiters being in this posture they laid vpon his Belly a great Anuile of Iron whereon foure men did beate with great Hammers and moreouer they did riue many great pieces of wood without any offence to him When this man was retired a troupe of other naked men exposed themselues to the view of the World all couered with wounds their bodies being yet larded with the same armes which had made them some with Arrowes others with Kniues and Swords But before these mad men had gone thrice about the place two of the troupe fell downe dead which shewed that their wounds were rather markes of their folly than inchantments Another shewed the force of his jawes and his hands he held a horse-shooe betwixt his teeth and puld it in pieces with his hands He brake a Plough-share with three blowes with his fist and hee caused a piece of Iron to be made red hot the which hee tooke in his hand licked it with his tongue rubbed it on his face and yet was not burnt Afterward hee caused a Goat to dance pleasantly vpon his shoulders and neuer toucht it causing it to passe from one shoulder to the other without mouing A headie-brain'd fellow followed this man vpon whose head they did breake with Hammers a great stone which a man could hardly lift from the ground Hee caused them to couer him with so great a heape of stones as he could not beseene and yet for all this hee felt no discommoditie Another bâ—d came after whose â—eet were so hardned as they went bare vpon a Harrow full of sharpe Pikes and cutting Kâ—ines There was one followed them who with a cord tied to his haire without the helpe of his hands did lift vp a stone of a hundred and fifty pound weight Many Beasts instructed in this Art of tumbling augmented the pleasure of the Assistants little Birds went to fetch a piece of siluer as farre as they diuided them and brought it to their Masters Asses danced Dogges and Apes shewed a thousand pleasant tricke The Grand Seigneurs Wrestlers came to shew their force and actiuitie 〈◊〉 and greased to auoid the surprize of their Enemies These are the most continent men in Turkey they keepe their Virginity pure and vntoucht and say with reason that it doth eâ—â—itâ—e and preserue the force of their bodies The Speechâ— which are the Sultans Footmen would also be of the pâ—â—tiâ— they came vnto the place with their feetsâ—oe running and leaping with admirable swiftnesse and disposition These men haâ—e â—e â—kin of their feet so hard as a Smithton hardly make a