Empire after his Father’s Death. But she must give way to his Father’s Will, who was fully resolv’d, come what would, that _Selimus_, and none else, should succeed him. _Bajazet_ was not ignorant thereof, and therefore he turned every Stone to stave off his impending Fate, and, if possible, to prevent his Ruin by grasping at the Throne. And his Hopes were encreased by the favour of his Mother, and of _Rustan_ the _Grand Vizier_, who was thought to have espoused his Interests. Having two such Pillars to support him, he thought with himself, ’twas far more glorious to hazard his Life in contending with his Brother for the Empire, than to die obscurely by the Bow-string, as a Victim to his Cruelty. _Bajazet_ having this Project in his Head, began to pick Quarrels with his Brother, and to maintain a Faction against him; neither was it long before a proper Occasion offered itself for him to begin his design’d Enterprize, of rising in Arms upon the account of _Mustapha_’s Death, and the Disgust of many thereupon. For the Truth is, _Mustapha_ was so well belov’d in his Life-time, and so much lamented at his Death, that those who had placed all their Hopes of Advancement in him alone, were almost unwilling to live after him; so that they did but wait for an Opportunity to revenge his Death, or to die as he did. Others, who were conscious to themselves that they had favoured his Party, and therefore were obnoxious to the present Power, did not care what Hurley-burlies they made; ready they were for any Innovation, only they wanted a Leader. In this case, they did not well know what to do. As for _Mustapha_ himself, they knew he could not be recalled from the Dead; yet it was in their power to suborn and set up a feigned _Mustapha_ in his head, as if the true one had been yet alive. This Design pleased _Bajazet_ (who was the contriver of the Plot) best of all, as most conducing to the accomplishment of his Purpose. Hereupon, by his Emissaries, he procures a mean Fellow, but bold and ready witted, to counterfeit himself to be _Mustapha_; and his Pretence was the more plausible, because his Stature, Physiognomy and Meen of his Body did somewhat resemble _Mustapha_’s. This Man began first, to shew himself in that part of _Thrace_ which was above _Constantinople_, towards the _Danube_, _Moldavia_, and _Valachia_. This Place he thought the most opportune to raise a Party, because it was full of Horse; and that part of the _Turkish Militia_ did most favour _Mustapha_. Here he starts up, as if he had fled in Post-haste from some remote Place, with a few in his Company; which he pretended were for his own Security. His Followers being asked by the Country, who he was? They answered, at first, whisperingly, that he was _Mustapha_. Hereupon they were more desirous to know the Truth; and then he was forced to declare himself, that he was _Mustapha_, indeed. Having made this prosperous Beginning, he goes on to congratulate his Safety among them, and to give