Solyman was not present at the first investing of[F] _Rhodes_; but his Troops being often beat by the Besieged, and losing above forty Thousand of his Soldiers, (tho’ the _Rhodians_ were not six Thousand fighting Men) be repair’d to the Camp to encourage his Troops. The Emperor’s Arrival gave new life to his fainting Army; and perceiving the _English_ Bulwark annoy’d him most, sprung a Mine, that blew many a brave _Englishman_ to Immortality. The Turks upon this Success, with loud Shouts attack’d the Breach; but the Grand Master, _Philip Vellinus_, at the Head of the remaining _English_, repuls’d them, with the Loss of two Thousand _Janizaries_. The Cannon of the Besieged did great Execution among the _Turks_, and their being often repuls’d, gave _Solyman_ but little Hopes of gaining the City by Force; for even the Women of all Degrees threw down Stones from the Battlements on the Heads of the Besiegers, when they came to scale their Walls. Solyman, after musing alone in his Tent, sent for all his chief Commanders, and told them he would make one general Assault; and if the City was taken, the Troops should be rewarded with the Plunder. A poor Christian Slave hearing the Proclamation to the Troops, found Means to let the _Rhodians_ know of _Solyman_’s Design for the next Day. The _Grand Master_ (at this Notice) prepar’d every thing to oppose them. The next Morning before Break of Day, the _Turks_ attack’d the City with loud _Tecbirs_, or Shouts of _Onset_, in five several Places at once with fifty Thousand Men. The Enemy was repuls’d with great Slaughter from the _English_ and _Italian_ Quarter. But in the mean time _Mustapha_ Bassa, and _Achmetes_ Bassa, attack’d the _Spanish_ Bulwark, (whose Defenders were three parts gone to assist the _Italian_ and _English_) and soon became Masters of it. But the _Grand Master_, with several Knights of the Order, retook it again, after an obstinate Defence, with the Death of all the _Turks_. This Success gave new Life to the _Rhodians_, who every where repuls’d their Enemies. Solyman on a neighbouring Hill saw all with the utmost Vexation of Mind, and seeing no Hope of Success, order’d a Retreat to be sounded: The harrass’d Troops retir’d to their Camp, leaving above twenty Thousand of their Fellows lifeless behind them, as a Token of the Valour of their Enemies. This ill Success so provok’d _Solyman_, that he gave Orders that _Mustapha Bassa_ should immediately be put to death, tho’ he had done all in the Assault a wise and brave General could do. Pyrrhus _Bassa_ hearing of this severe Command, notwithstanding _Solyman_’s Rage, went to intercede for him; but his Rage continuing, he order’d _Pyrrhus_ to undergo the same Fate. The rest of his Council fell at his Feet to hinder so cruel a Command, some begging to suffer with them, vowing never to rise till their honest Suit was granted. The Emperor’s Passion at last subsiding, he pardon’d _Mustapha_ and _Pyrrhus_.