Travels into Turkey: Containing the most accurate account of the Turks, and neighbouring nations, their manners, customs, religion, superstition, policy, riches, coins, &c.Busbecq, Ogier Ghislain de
History
Travels into Turkey: Containing the most accurate account of the Turks, and neighbouring nations, their manners, customs, religion, superstition, policy, riches, coins, &c.
Busbecq, Ogier Ghislain de
Turkey -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800
When _Bajazet_ saw his Brother’s Army in his Rear, and that he got
nothing by his Delay, but the certain Knowledge, that _Selimus_ should
Reign if his Father died, as his Fear added to his Sickness gave some
Likelihood thereof; hereupon, he wrote Letters to his Father, wherein
he laid grievous Things to the Charge of his Brother _Selimus_, as,
that his present March did plainly declare, what a wicked Intent he had
towards his Father, who was come so near the _Metropolis_, that he might
treacherously compass the Empire, and that he might have but a short
Passage over, if his Father died. But, if his Father’s Life should balk
his desire, then he would suborn some Parricide or other to take it away;
and yet, this is the Son, forsooth, said he, that you have in your Bosom;
as if he were a very Nonsuch for filial Obedience; whereas I, who never
entertained a bad Thought against you in all my Life, but was always
observant of your very Becks, am rejected and call out of Favour; and
yet the Sum of my Demands is only this, that an unlucky Province may not
be designed for my Government; either that which my Brother left, or any
other more fortunate one than that of _Amasia_; and, says he, I shall
expect an Answer in the Place where I now abide, lest, if my Suit be
granted, I be forced to march a great way back; but if your Ears be deaf
to my Request, then I will march to what Province you shall command me.
And the truth is, _Bajazet_ had reason to be averse from _Amasia_; for
’tis a Custom among them to build much on Auguries and ill Omens, even in
the smallest Matters.
But these Letters were otherwise understood by _Solyman_, who was well
acquainted with his Son’s Fears, and knew that he affected a Government
not so remote, but nearer to _Constantinople_, that thereby he might have
the better opportunity for Innovations.
Thus _Bajazet_ made one Excuse after another for his Delay, and seemed
to retard his Father’s Pleasure; he listed Soldiers, increased his Army,
rais’d Money, and provided all things necessary for his own Defence,
and the Conquest of his Brother. _Solyman_ looked upon his Design as
against himself, yet the crafty old Man dissembled it what he could; for
he was unwilling to make _Bajazet_ quite desperate. He was now grieved
that the Eyes of all Nations were fix’d on that Dissention between his
Sons, and therefore he design’d to use some Delay, that the Matter, if
possible, might be composed with as little Noise as possible. He answered
_Bajazet_’s Letters mildly, telling him, that, as for the Change of
Provinces, he was fully resolved to be obey’d therein; and, therefore, he
and his Brother would do well immediately to repair to their respective
Armies.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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