the march under the Command of Calibes and for fear the rumour of his Distemper should cause any disturbance in the Empire unto which he was newly promoted he was careful to inform by Messengers very often his Uncle of the condition and temper of his Body He had good cause to suspect that a certain great Lord of the Country named Calix was neither his Friend nor content with his Promotion because he had not been with him to acknowledge and render him homage as the other Lords of the Empire Though at that time men discours'd of Calix in a manner that was able to beget a jealousie in Tamerlan his good disposition would not suffer him to take any notice of it neither did he think it convenient to attempt any thing during his Uncles Life or trouble the Peace of an Empire newly put into his hands Some thought that what he had done was out of policy to oblige more strongly to himself the hearts of his new Subjects who had already a love for him and to render himself more dreadful to those that were angry at his Promotion he had craftily suffered this Cloud to gather together and the beginnings of a Civil War to ripen that he might gain to himself more honour credit and reputation by dissipating and destroying it that he was able to stifle it in the Cradle for Empires are gotten and kept by the affections of the Souldiery by treating them well and civilly as his manner was and that it was easie to disappoint such as are of a stirring nature with a little patience for in time they may be destroyed in divers Expeditions or they may be removed into several quarters far from the places where they have credit or they may be imployed in long and tedious services where they may alter their minds and the power of doing mischief In the mean while Tamerlan's delays and long abode in one place was subject to divers censures some thought it was caus'd only by his distemper others better inform'd imagin'd that it was the product of a faithful advice and good knowledge of that which was acting against him which doubtless would break out as soon as he should be on the other side of the Mountains of Pasanfu Calix expected this with great longing as soon as he had understood that the Forces of the Grand Cham were beyond the River of Meau that runs on the other side of the Mountains and that they were incamp'd at Bouprou he thought it high time to discover his design For this purpose he gather'd together his chief and most intimate Friends declaring to them that now the time was come to disappoint all the intentions of the Parthian who purposed to subdue them and keep them under his Command that seeing their Emperour was so unadvis'd of his own head without the approbation of those who ought to have a share in such Elections they for their parts should not neglect so fair an opportunity of redeeming their precious Liberties that Tamerlan was diseased the Grand Cham aged the greatest part of his Army at a distance and that there could not be offer'd a fitter opportunity to set on foot such a design that their Enterprise was so likely to succeed that as soon as they should set footing in the Province of Cattay that the whole Country would declare for him because his Father had govern'd it many years and because the Inhabitants not knowing Tamerlan would believe all that he should tell them that the Province of Zagatay was at a great distance from them that Tamerlan would have much ado with the powerful Enemy who had mock'd his Embassie sent to prevent the War therefore their Enterprise would doubtless succeed happily when he should have sent to assure the Great Cham that their intentions were not against his Person or Government with promises not to forget the Allegiance and Fidelity which they had sworn to keep for him their armed posture being only to shake off the yoak of the Parthians their ancient and unreconcileable Enemies whose Tyranny they would never be perswaded to endure Moreover he assured them that the Emperours decrepitage and weak body loving ease and rest would not intermeddle in this quarrel because he had no Heirs-male to succeed him And that it was easie to destroy Tamerlan's Army by waiting for him at his return and besieging of the Streights of Tenduits after his Forces should be weakned by the Encounters with the Chineses for then they would endeavour to retreat into the Province of Zagatay out of which it was no â—â—ficult matter to keep them by besieging those â—â—ow passages Calix's Speech had a good colour it was strengthen'd with many Reasons and Insinuations He had spent a whole year in winning the peoples favour that he might be able to use them in due time He prepar'd all manner of Ammunitions and had spar'd no cost nor labour to compass his design But though all things were carried secretly without any noise Tamerlan had intelligence of all these practises against his Person At first he made light of it or seem'd so to do wisely concealing all the reports of the Rebellion of this ambitious Fool that it might break out to the eyes of the World and render Calix more guilty and himself less blameable by bearing Arms in his Uncles Dominions whose displeasure he was loath to draw upon himself It is very likely that he could have prevented this mischief in its beginning but he had good cause to deal otherwise His long abode at Cachobach near a Months time because of his indisposition as was pretended had a good reason In the mean while the Tartarians Army commanded by Calibes hearing of the mighty preparations and intentions of the Chineses to assault them murmured because they were idle and let slip the opportunity of shewing their courages to their Enemy and their new Prince The Commanders endeavoured to pacifie and quiet the Souldiers martial disposition with news that came at every foot of some unexpected obstacle that staid Tamerlan from joyning with them It was easie to imagine that his quick and speedy temper in executing his resolutions was stopt by the knowledge of Calix's Conspiracyâ—â— and that he delayed the time only that he might have a favourable occasion to punish him Nevertheless he was willing that Calix should believe that he was pass'd beyond the Mountains to assault the famous Wall defended by all the Armies of the Chineses for that purpose he gave an express Command that care should be taken that none might forsake the Reer to give notice where he was with his Camp This wise proceeding succeeded well for Calix imagining that his Enemy was at a vast distance encountring with the Chineses though he was on this side of the Mountains cast off all dissimulation and with as much indiscretion as he had hitherto shewn wisdom in his secresie commanded all his Forces to march against the Prince to surprise and intangle him But all
of Tartary but also of the whole World The rumour of his march spread every where amongst the people and as the Moon which never continues two days the same this report increas'd and decreas'd according to the affections of the Authors and Entertainers of it But this caus'd the most passionate persons for Calix's Interest to grow cold and alter their intentions The Inhabitants also of this great City gather'd together in Companies some of five hundred others of a thousand others of two thousand to consult but not able to come to any setled resolution for they were afraid of Tamerlan's just displeasure having incens'd him by their baseness and infidelity for they had been sworn unto him and by the Emperours Command had acknowledged him for their Lord. They said amongst themselves that he was lawfully descended from so many Monarchs who had reigned over them very justly therefore their troubled Consciences fancied him at their Gates ready to punish them for having rashly open'd them to a Rebel who had plotted against his lawful Prince Whiles these people were thus justly troubled with several disquieting apprehensions Tamerlan expecting the Forces that he had sent for out of his own Kingdom of Zagatay drew nearer by degrees to the City of Cambalu His Army had pass'd Caindu and march'd strait to Calalia The Inhabitants of Cambalu had been deceived with the deceitful promises of Calix and as many persons do they had flattered themselves with large expectations of prosperity without thinking how deceitful the affairs of the World are and how subject to change When therefore they saw the Prince upon their borders they were mightily perplex'd with fear and displeasure for their Rebellion As soon as Calix understood it he went out of the City with a firm resolution to fight Tamerlan with all his Army He gathered his men from all parts intending to try the fortune of a Battel At the same time he received ill news from the Court that the Emperour was so far from being pleased with his undertaking that he had commanded his Souldiers in considerable numbers to gather together out of all the Garrisons and to march to help his Nephew unto whom in his most desperate sickness when he thought to have left the world he had sent his Imperial Ring giving out an express Command that all his Subjects should obey him as his own Person This news together with that of Tamerlan's approach caused him to hasten to hazard all in a Battel For that intent he took out of Cambalu fifty thousand men partly Inhabitants and partly Garrison Souldiers plac'd there by the Emperour This Garrison was in number thirty thousand Calix had won them by the means of their Officers and Governours who were of his Party and had consented to deliver up into his hands this great City When all his Souldiers were together in a Body they amounted to fourscore thousand Horse and one hundred thousand Foot His design was so well ordered that if the Moscovites whom he had sollicited under-hand had answer'd his expectations and enter'd into the Province of Zagatay to stop the march of the Parthians Army in whom Tamerlan had the greatest confidence it is certain that Calix might have put this Prince to a non-plus chiefly because he had the City of Cambalu to assist and favour him It is therefore very dangerous for such as govern to anger great ones or not to mind their behaviour If their displeasure be incouraged by their Credit and Interest in the Provinces they are more inclineable to stir and cause disturbances We must here acknowledge that the Emperour of Moscovy was a great Friend to Tamerlan in this occasion by refusing to assist a rebellious Subject against his lawful Prince He had in vain endeavoured to disswade him from his wicked purpose and reduce him to obedience Odmar much taken with this just proceeding was wont to speak of it often to Tamerlan so that he was an useful Instrument to preserve friendship between these two Princes As soon as the Succours of the Parthians were come to Tamerlan he march'd with diligence against Calix He understood by the means of two thousand Horse whom he had sent before that the Enemy came to meet him in good order This news caus'd him to detach two thousand more to seise upon the passage of a River named Brior as well to secure his Provisions as to stop there and suffer the Rebels to think upon their fault which either a little time would infallibly call to mind or the want of food unto which he hoped to reduce them or at least to put them in disorder In this particular Rebellious Armies differ much from Royal Armies where Order and Discipline joyn hand in hand and preserve Union and Plenty In this march of the Prince against Calix he forgot not the Command of the Emperour his Uncle to make a notable example of this Rebel and of his Confederates to secure by that means the peace of his Empire and of his days This consideration made him act with caution that he might not miscarry in any thing He saw that his own Army did increase every day by the arrival of new Levies from all parts whereas the Enemies Army wanted already Provisions because they could scarce have any from Cambalu a Wilderness lying between the City and the Camp and certain Mountains at the end of the Wilderness where a Subject of the Grand Cham commanded named Cangi This Lord had promis'd to let the Provisions pass when Calix was in his Territories but as soon as he was at a distance he refused it and took all that came into his hands he had a greater power to perform this because Tamerlan had sent him four thousand Horse to guard him and his Country This grievous accident which Calix never could foresee caus'd him to resolve upon a Battel But Tamerlan understanding his wants and the cause of his speedy resolution had seized all the Passes and Fords of the River of Brior for his own Army it had fourteen miles behind it a fat and a plentiful Country besides the Salt Lake and the River of Ostan which was beyond so that he could stay till the Enemy did assault him for this wise and experienced Prince judg'd it advantagious to him to suffer the Enemy to spend himself and his Provisions by degrees The two Armies stood two Months looking upon one another All this time was spent in light skirmishes When Calix understood the intent of Tamerlan he resolv'd to return back to Cambalu where he knew that he should have all things in abundance and the rather because he understood that some practices were acting against him there As soon as the Prince perceiv'd it he pass'd over the River with all his Army which consisted of one hundred and fifty thousand Horse and two hundred thousand Foot After that he had consulted his chief Officers he resolved to try the fortune of a Battel This resolution was grounded chiefly
soon as he could hear of any though in the deepest misery he was wont to send for him receiving him in this obliging manner My friend I intreat thee let me be a partaker of thy Wisdom and I will make thee a partaker of my Riches Upon this subject he did often complain that he had many gifts offered to him of Gold Silver Jewels and rich Moveables but very few did offer him those Ornaments and Graces which are needful to govern well so many differing Nations that he had in his Empire Amongst the chief Officers of his Court and dearest Friends there was a Genoese a Christian named Axalla who had been brought up with him from his Cradle and for whom the Parthians had a great respect He was the chief incourager to set the Prince on to great and noble Actions and worthy Enterprises The difference in Religion never hinder'd Tamerlan from listning to him and believing him for as I said before when God alone the Creator of Heaven and Earth was worshipped he never troubled himself nor enquir'd into the differing Modes of worship He was wont to say that it did become the greatness of the Divine Majesty to be served and adored by all the Nations of the Earth in divers manners according to the diversity of people But he hated all Idolaters and would not suffer them to abide in his Dominions So that the Christian Faith which Axalla profess'd openly hinder'd him not from enjoying and possessing the greatest honours and dignities of Tamerlan's Army and Court CHAP. III. The War proclaim'd by Tamerlan against the King of China but stopt by the Revolt of a Calix a great Lord of Tartary his defeat and Execution WHen Tamerlan had privately made sufficient preparations for the Expedition that he had promis'd his Uncle not only for the reasons already mentioned but also because it tended to the Publick Peace to imploy the Subjects of so great an Empire in a Forreign War for otherwise either their numbers or their stirring dispositions might have proved prejudicial to the State every one was surprised to see that the Cloud that had been long a gathering was going to fall upon China The King of this large Country who is named the Off-spring of the Sun expected no such matter But to acquaint him with the reasons of such great preparations Embassadours were sent to him to require a restitution of all the Lands Estates and Feedings which he had taken from the Tartars contrary to the last Treaties These Lands are lying beyond a River called Tachii and beyond that famous Wall which bound both Empires and which the King of China caus'd to be built to secure himself and people from the frequent Inroads of the warlike and restless Tartarians What answer this proud Monarch would make to this Embassie was known before therefore all the Troops were commanded to advance and hasten to their general Rendezvous The Parthians were to meet at Hirdas of Baschir where the whole Army was to joyn them but the Tartarians were ordered to gather together in the Wilderness of Ergimul where Tamerlan with all his Forces was to come to them at a certain day The Grand Cham's Army had two hundred thousand fighting men all well disciplin'd and inur'd to labour and pains In this Army besides were several considerable Lords and worthy Commanders who had render'd themselves famous in many Encounters and Wars in which the Emperour before the decline of his Age had been ingag'd and by which he had inlarg'd the bounds of his great Empire When Tamerlan's Embassadours were return'd out of China they brought this insolent answer that this proud Prince puff'd up with a strange conceit of his own power wonder'd that the King of the Parthians was so bold to make War upon him that he judg'd it more reasonable for him to rest satisfied with that which he could take away from him with his mighty Army that he regarded not the progress that Tamerlan had made with his Forces nor their successes already they were too weak to be compared with the numerous Armies of the Chineses This proud Answer caus'd all deliberation to cease Tamerlan instantly sent a Messenger to the Emperour to let him understand the posture of Affairs and this vain-glorious Answer of the King of China In the mean while he gave all necessary orders for Provisions and Ammunitions to be sent to the Rendezvous of the Army from all parts and for the Tartars Army to advance forward with an intention to joyn both his Armies in few days But before his departure he was willing to take his leave of the King his Father and recommend his just Cause and Expedition to his Prayers This good Parent being sensibly mov'd at the goodness and piety of his Son imbrac'd him several times After many hearty wishes for his prosperous Expedition he spake to him in these terms Farewel my Son I shall see you no more I feel my self departing to my final rest I am going to exchange this perishing life so full of misery for another more happy Then he took his Royal Ring from off his Finger and gave it to his Son without enquiring into the causes of his Wars The old Father call'd Odmar and spoke to him to recommend his Sons concerns to his care and fidelity in a manner so full of gravity and goodness that he seem'd to have something in him more than humane After this the Prince return'd to Samarcande where the Empress his Spouse was whom he intended to carry with him in the wars according to the Custom of that Nation And as he was naturally very thankful for the services that he had received he visited the Tomb of his faithful servant Haly and according to the manner of his Law he caus'd prayers to be said during three days entire for the peaceable rest of his Soul Finally he gave order to the Government of his Kingdom and for the preservation of the Frontier Towns and committed all to the inspection of Samay a man of great worth and experience who had tutor'd him in his young days Tamerlan could not easily forget such kind of services he had a particular respect for those that taught him Vertue he kept for them as much affection as if he had been still under their tuition This generous inclination so full of goodness made him highly reverenced and beloved of his People He went from Samarcande to Hirdas of Baschir where his Army was quarter'd consisting only of one hundred thousand Foot and fifty thousand Horse There he gave orders to the rest of the Army to march as soon as he should send them word His greatest dependency was upon the Forces of the Grand Cham his Uncle who mightily incourag'd this War But when he was at the Rendezvous he was forc'd to make a stop because of his indisposition occasion'd chiefly through the change of the Air as his Physicians imagin'd In the mean while the Army of the Grand Cham was upon
give him an absolute command in his own Country and expose his faithfulness to a strong Temptation he kept him near his person for some other employment He had not forgotten also the brother of this Lord who had been useful to him in his Armies Tamerlan had no need of recommendations or solicitaâ—â—ions to oblige him to recompence his faithful Servants He alwaies kept in mind every one that had well behaved himself in some brave action Many times when they never thought upon any such matter he would send for them to place them amongst his Counsellours or give them a Government or an Office No body was so bold as to ask these things from him for he knew for certain that those that bribe these honours and advantages will never behave themselves in them for the Princes good or the benefit of the Subjects but onely to gratifie their own Ambition and Covetousness for this cause he was wont to change his Governours often that their Governments might not become hereditary to their Posterity Those whom he thus removed were not thereby displeas'd nor did they think that it was a token of the Emperours anger for it was a rare thing if when he had thus removed a Governour he did not bestow upon him another or some employment in his family But when he pitch'd upon a man to attend upon him or command in his Armies every one look'd upon this choice to be the highest honour and promotion for all over the Empire that man was obeyed as the Emperour himself I have saith Albacent seen in the beginning of his Reign two Men chosen in this manner afterwards four at last he increased them to seven who were as the seven Pillars of this large Empire For the Prince trusted all his greatest and most weighty affairs in their hands They were obliged to give an account of their actions only to him and at such times only when they were called together to advise about the great affairs of Peace and War These were the things that could be asked from him which he would grant without scruple Gold Silver Moveables Houses Lands and other such things which were not of such concernment as to belong to the publick management of his Empire To end this digression and return to Cambalu where the Emperour was with Odmar and Axalla we must know that the former being grown heavy by the number of his years and unfit for action whisper'd to him nothing but Peace and wish'd him to settle the affairs of his Empire But the latter was desirous of War and Battles an enemy of rest He discours'd to him of nothing but of new expeditions and conquests This furious passion made him wish heartily that the Prince would honour him with an employment sutable to his temper and inclinations and to bestow upon Odmar a Government in a peaceable Countrey far from the borders In regard Odmar was related to the Emperour Axalla judged him the fittest person because of his Age Wisdome and Experience in all affairs to be Governour of the young Prince brought up at Quinzay for he would be able to keep the people with ease in obedience But this change could not come but from the Emperours own inclination No person was so bold as to presume to motion it to him But providence favour'd Axalla's wishes by giving him this opportunity to discover his mind The Idleness and Wantonness which the General Peace all over the Empire had begot caused some troubles and mutinies in the Army which was as the soul of the Empire and the terrour of the whole World for the Cheiftains had been careless and negligent to keep the Souldiers in order The irregularity was so great that the ancient discipline was slighted and the Souldiers grown insolent in regard of their late services and victories refused to perform their duties or mutinied whensoever they had a desire They called in a threatning manner for the Emperour himself to command them in person When he heard first of these disorders he was not a little troubled Must he to gratifie a handful of Mutiniers forsake that rest and quiet which he desires to enjoy for the few years that he hath to live in the World Must he now expose himself and undergo new labours and pains which he hath endured so long and by which he hath with the hazard of his Life setled the whole World in Peace In this unquietness of his mind he sent for Odmar and Axalla to advise with them Axalla without delay endeavoured to perswade the Emperour to go to his Army and leave the management of affairs at home to Odmars Wisdome and Conduct Now Tamerlan had begun to relish in the Cities a sweetness and pleasure differing from that life which men lead in the midst of Souldiers and the disturbances and dangers of War though the latter had been formerly more pleasing to him This made him loath to ingage himself afresh in such perils and such an unquiet life He was more desirous to enjoy in peace the fruits of his Valour and Courage And the rather because he was then about fifty years of Age an Age that called upon him to see to preserve and secure what he had purchased by his Victories At last he turned himself towards Axalla with these words I should be esteem'd ungrateful to Odmar for all his good and faithful Services if in his Old age I did not contrive a way to settle him in peace the rest of his dayes The advice that you have given me in relation to him I accept and shall follow it I consent therefore that Odmar take the Government of my Son and of all the Country of Quinzay and Cambalu and that he end there his dayes peaceably in my service But I intend to reside in Sachetay that I might be nearer Persia where I will have my Army incamp unto which I shall add thirty thousand horse more that it may be able to keep the Country from Rebelling But for you I will have you go and command it in person I look upon you as the only man of my Empire best able to perform the duties of this Office with credit not only because the Souldiers have an affection for you but because I have alwayes seen you careful to observe the discipline of War I trust my whole Empire in your hands by trusting you with mine Army which only is able to keep quiet so many large Provinces and so many Nations differing in manners language and customes which you have helped to subdue I will take care that nothing shall be wanting to this Army and that the clearest and most certain part of my Revenues shall be appointed to pay them and to reward those whom you shall judge worthy I would have you take a great care to oblige the Troops to observe the Parthian discipline without alteration Let them lodge alwayes in the Camp in the open Field You shall change this Camp every three moneths Let them buy all