Narrative of Travels in Europe, Asia, and Africa, in the Seventeenth Century, Vol. IIEvliya Çelebi
History
Narrative of Travels in Europe, Asia, and Africa, in the Seventeenth Century, Vol. II
Evliya Çelebi
Caucasus, South -- Description and travel; Istanbul (Turkey) -- Description and travel; Turkey -- History
“Sultán Ahmed then said, ‘But, learned gentlemen, we are at peace
with the Venetians, is it decent for a Shehin-shah (king of kings) to
encroach on treaties of peace? Under what pretext shall we break it,
particularly now, when Anatoli is kept in rebellion by Kara Yazijí,
Saíd Arab, Kalender-oghlí and Jennet-oghlí, against whom my Vezír Murad
Lálá is marching? How shall I then think of the conquest of Candia?’
Evliyá answered, ‘My Emperor, on the third day all the rebels shall be
beaten, and you shall receive the good news on the twelfth, they shall
pass away like a torrent; Murad Páshá shall fill wells with their dead
bodies, and obtain in history by this deed the name of Murad Páshá the
well-maker (Kúyújí).’ This prediction was accomplished by the news that
Murad Páshá, had filled all the wells near Haleb and Azez with the
bodies of the rebels. Mahmúd Efendí of Scutari availed himself of this
opportunity to remind the Emperor of the project of the Cretan war,
and suggested to him, first to send an embassy to the Prince of Venice
to ask that he should give up the island of Creta. Sultán Ahmed, being
pleased with this idea, sent Kúrd-Chaúsh, a good and eloquent speaker,
with presents, as ambassador to Venice. He made great haste, and at the
end of seven days arrived at Venice, making his public entrance on the
eighth, and read his letters in public council; the Senate consented
to the demand, and letters were made out, with which Kúrd-Chaúsh was
sent back; having kissed the ground before the Emperor, the letters
were read by the Interpreter in presence of Mahmúd Efendí of Scutari,
Evliyá, Sunbul Alí, Ibrahím, Togháni, Ismail Efendí the Commentator on
the Mesneví, Júnúbí the Sheikh of the Mevlevís at Kássím Páshá, Dervish
Omer Gulshení, Guzeljí Gulábí, Kúzú Alí Aghá, Abdí Aghá, and of me, thy
poor father, in the following form and tenor, ‘You have asked from me
the Principe, your most humble servant, the island of Creta, with six
hundred thousand inhabitants, seven hundred and seventy villages, and
of seven hundred and seventy miles circumference, with seven mines of
gold, silver and other metals, which we are ready to give.’ At these
words all those who were present read the Fátihah, and the Mohammedan
shouts (Allah! Allah!) rent the air.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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